Pagina 385 de 3800

Every muscle of Telyanin's pale, terrified face began to quiver,

his eyes still shifted from side to side but with a downward look

not rising to Rostov's face, and his sobs were audible.

"Count!... Don't ruin a young fellow... here is this wretched

money, take it..." He threw it on the table. "I have an old

father and mother!..."

Rostov took the money, avoiding Telyanin's eyes, and went out of

the room without a word. But at the door he stopped and then

retraced his steps. "O God," he said with tears in his eyes, "how

could you do it?"

"Count..." said Telyanin drawing nearer to him.

"Don't touch me," said Rostov, drawing back. "If you need it,

take the money," and he threw the purse to him and ran out of the

inn.

CHAPTER V

That same evening there was an animated discussion among the

squadron's officers in Denisov's quarters.