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Nesvitski with a laugh threw his arms round Prince Andrew, but

Bolkonski, turning still paler, pushed him away with an angry

look and turned to Zherkov. The nervous irritation aroused by the

appearance of Mack, the news of his defeat, and the thought of

what lay before the Russian army found vent in anger at Zherkov's

untimely jest.

"If you, sir, choose to make a buffoon of yourself," he said

sharply, with a slight trembling of the lower jaw, "I can't

prevent your doing so; but I warn you that if you dare to play

the fool in my presence, I will teach you to behave yourself."

Nesvitski and Zherkov were so surprised by this outburst that

they gazed at Bolkonski silently with wide-open eyes.

"What's the matter? I only congratulated them," said Zherkov.

"I am not jesting with you; please be silent!" cried Bolkonski,

and taking Nesvitski's arm he left Zherkov, who did not know what

to say.

"Come, what's the matter, old fellow?" said Nesvitski trying to

soothe him.