Pagina 743 de 3800

When the Emperor had passed nearly all the regiments, the troops

began a ceremonial march past him, and Rostov on Bedouin,

recently purchased from Denisov, rode past too, at the rear of

his squadron-that is, alone and in full view of the Emperor.

Before he reached him, Rostov, who was a splendid horseman,

spurred Bedouin twice and successfully put him to the showy trot

in which the animal went when excited. Bending his foaming muzzle

to his chest, his tail extended, Bedouin, as if also conscious of

the Emperor's eye upon him, passed splendidly, lifting his feet

with a high and graceful action, as if flying through the air

without touching the ground.

Rostov himself, his legs well back and his stomach drawn in and

feeling himself one with his horse, rode past the Emperor with a

frowning but blissful face "like a vewy devil," as Denisov

expressed it.

"Fine fellows, the Pavlograds!" remarked the Emperor.