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At that moment, as the Horse Guards, having passed him,

disappeared in the smoke, Rostov hesitated whether to gallop

after them or to go where he was sent. This was the brilliant

charge of the Horse Guards that amazed the French themselves.

Rostov was horrified to hear later that of all that mass of huge

and handsome men, of all those brilliant, rich youths, officers

and cadets, who had galloped past him on their thousand-ruble

horses, only eighteen were left after the charge.

"Why should I envy them? My chance is not lost, and maybe I shall

see the Emperor immediately!" thought Rostov and galloped on.

When he came level with the Foot Guards he noticed that about

them and around them cannon balls were flying, of which he was

aware not so much because he heard their sound as because he saw

uneasiness on the soldiers' faces and unnatural warlike solemnity

on those of the officers.

Passing behind one of the lines of a regiment of Foot Guards he

heard a voice calling him by name.

"Rostov!"