第781页 / 共3800页

"Yes, I saw him, and am convinced that he fears nothing so much

as a general engagement," repeated Dolgorukov, evidently prizing

this general conclusion which he had arrived at from his

interview with Napoleon. "If he weren't afraid of a battle why

did he ask for that interview? Why negotiate, and above all why

retreat, when to retreat is so contrary to his method of

conducting war? Believe me, he is afraid, afraid of a general

battle. His hour has come! Mark my words!"

"But tell me, what is he like, eh?" said Prince Andrew again.

"He is a man in a gray overcoat, very anxious that I should call

him 'Your Majesty,' but who, to his chagrin, got no title from

me! That's the sort of man he is, and nothing more," replied

Dolgorukov, looking round at Bilibin with a smile.