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May God help you, but we'll see what will happen. Buonaparte has

become a great commander among them! Hm!..."

"I don't at all say that all the plans are good," said Prince

Andrew, "I am only surprised at your opinion of Bonaparte. You

may laugh as much as you like, but all the same Bonaparte is a

great general!"

"Michael Ivanovich!" cried the old prince to the architect who,

busy with his roast meat, hoped he had been forgotten: "Didn't I

tell you Buonaparte was a great tactician? Here, he says the same

thing."

"To be sure, your excellency," replied the architect.

The prince again laughed his frigid laugh.

"Buonaparte was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He has got

splendid soldiers. Besides he began by attacking Germans. And

only idlers have failed to beat the Germans. Since the world

began everybody has beaten the Germans. They beat no one-except

one another. He made his reputation fighting them."