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Chapter 9 - Prince Andrey sent with dispatches to the Austrian court. The Minister of War
Pursued by the French army of a hundred thousand men under the command of Bonaparte, encountering a population that was unfriendly to it, losing confidence in its allies, suffering from shortness of supplies, and compelled to act under conditions of war unlike anything that had been foreseen, the Russian army of thirty-five thousand men commanded by Kutuzov was hurriedly retreating along the Danube, stopping where overtaken by the enemy and fighting rearguard actions only as far as necessary to enable it to retreat without losing its heavy equipment. There had been actions at Lambach, Amstetten, and Melk; but despite the courage and endurance — acknowledged even by the enemy — with which the Russians fought, the only consequence of these actions was a yet more rapid retreat. Austrian troops that had escaped capture at Ulm and had joined Kutuzov at Braunau now separated from the Russian army, and Kutuzov was left with only his own weak and exhausted1 forces. The defense2 of Vienna was no longer to be thought of. Instead of an offensive, the plan of which, carefully prepared in accord with the modern science of strategics, had been handed to Kutuzov when he was in Vienna by the Austrian Hofkriegsrath, the sole and almost unattainable aim remaining for him was to effect a junction4 with the forces that were advancing from Russia, without losing his army as Mack had done at Ulm.
On the twenty-eighth of October Kutuzov with his army crossed to the left bank of the Danube and took up a position for the first time with the river between himself and the main body of the French. On the thirtieth he attacked Mortier’s division, which was on the left bank, and broke it up. In this action for the first time trophies5 were taken: banners, cannon6, and two enemy generals. For the first time, after a fortnight’s retreat, the Russian troops had halted and after a fight had not only held the field but had repulsed7 the French. Though the troops were ill-clad, exhausted, and had lost a third of their number in killed, wounded, sick, and stragglers; though a number of sick and wounded had been abandoned on the other side of the Danube with a letter in which Kutuzov entrusted8 them to the humanity of the enemy; and though the big hospitals and the houses in Krems converted into military hospitals could no longer accommodate all the sick and wounded, yet the stand made at Krems and the victory over Mortier raised the spirits of the army considerably9. Throughout the whole army and at headquarters most joyful10 though erroneous rumors11 were rife12 of the imaginary approach of columns from Russia, of some victory gained by the Austrians, and of the retreat of the frightened Bonaparte.
Prince Andrey during the battle had been in attendance on the Austrian General Schmidt, who was killed in the action. His horse had been wounded under him and his own arm slightly grazed by a bullet. As a mark of the commander in chief’s special favor he was sent with the news of this victory to the Austrian court, now no longer at Vienna (which was threatened by the French) but at Brunn. Despite his apparently13 delicate build Prince Andrey could endure physical fatigue14 far better than many very muscular men, and on the night of the battle, having arrived at Krems excited but not weary, with dispatches from Dokhturov to Kutuzov, he was sent immediately with a special dispatch to Brunn. To be so sent meant not only a reward but an important step toward promotion16.
The night was dark but starry17, the road showed black in the snow that had fallen the previous day — the day of the battle. Reviewing his impressions of the recent battle, picturing pleasantly to himself the impression his news of a victory would create, or recalling the send-off given him by the commander in chief and his fellow officers, Prince Andrey was galloping18 along in a post chaise enjoying the feelings of a man who has at length begun to attain3 a long-desired happiness. As soon as he closed his eyes his ears seemed filled with the rattle19 of the wheels and the sensation of victory. Then he began to imagine that the Russians were running away and that he himself was killed, but he quickly roused himself with a feeling of joy, as if learning afresh that this was not so but that on the contrary the French had run away. He again recalled all the details of the victory and his own calm courage during the battle, and feeling reassured20 he dozed21 off. . . . The dark starry night was followed by a bright cheerful morning. The snow was thawing22 in the sunshine, the horses galloped23 quickly, and on both sides of the road were forests of different kinds, fields, and villages.
At one of the post stations he overtook a convoy24 of Russian wounded. The Russian officer in charge of the transport lolled back in the front cart, shouting and scolding a soldier with coarse abuse. In each of the long German carts six or more pale, dirty, bandaged men were being jolted25 over the stony26 road. Some of them were talking (he heard Russian words), others were eating bread; the more severely27 wounded looked silently, with the languid interest of sick children, at the envoy28 hurrying past them.
Prince Andrey told his driver to stop, and asked a soldier in what action they had been wounded. “Day before yesterday, on the Danube,” answered the soldier. Prince Andrey took out his purse and gave the soldier three gold pieces.
“That’s for them all,” he said to the officer who came up.
“Get well soon, lads!” he continued, turning to the soldiers. “There’s plenty to do still.”
“What news, sir?” asked the officer, evidently anxious to start a conversation.
“Good news! . . . Go on!” he shouted to the driver, and they galloped on.
It was already quite dark when Prince Andrey rattled29 over the paved streets of Brunn and found himself surrounded by high buildings, the lights of shops, houses, and street lamps, fine carriages, and all that atmosphere of a large and active town which is always so attractive to a soldier after camp life. Despite his rapid journey and sleepless30 night, Prince Andrey when he drove up to the palace felt even more vigorous and alert than he had done the day before. Only his eyes gleamed feverishly31 and his thoughts followed one another with extraordinary clearness and rapidity. He again vividly32 recalled the details of the battle, no longer dim, but definite and in the concise33 form in which he imagined himself stating them to the Emperor Francis. He vividly imagined the casual questions that might be put to him and the answers he would give. He expected to be at once presented to the Emperor. At the chief entrance to the palace, however, an official came running out to meet him, and learning that he was a special messenger led him to another entrance.
“To the right from the corridor, Euer Hochgeboren! There you will find the adjutant on duty,” said the official. “He will conduct you to the Minister of War.”
The adjutant on duty, meeting Prince Andrey, asked him to wait, and went in to the Minister of War. Five minutes later he returned and bowing with particular courtesy ushered34 Prince Andrey before him along a corridor to the cabinet where the Minister of War was at work. The adjutant by his elaborate courtesy appeared to wish to ward15 off any attempt at familiarity on the part of the Russian messenger.
Prince Andrey’s joyous35 feeling was considerably weakened as he approached the door of the minister’s room. He felt offended, and without his noticing it the feeling of offense36 immediately turned into one of disdain37 which was quite uncalled for. His fertile mind instantly suggested to him a point of view which gave him a right to despise the adjutant and the minister. “Away from the smell of powder, they probably think it easy to gain victories!” he thought. His eyes narrowed disdainfully, he entered the room of the Minister of War with peculiarly deliberate steps. This feeling of disdain was heightened when he saw the minister seated at a large table reading some papers and making pencil notes on them, and for the first two or three minutes taking no notice of his arrival. A wax candle stood at each side of the minister’s bent38 bald head with its gray temples. He went on reading to the end, without raising his eyes at the opening of the door and the sound of footsteps.
“Take this and deliver it,” said he to his adjutant, handing him the papers and still taking no notice of the special messenger.
Prince Andrey felt that either the actions of Kutuzov’s army interested the Minister of War less than any of the other matters he was concerned with, or he wanted to give the Russian special messenger that impression. “But that is a matter of perfect indifference39 to me,” he thought. The minister drew the remaining papers together, arranged them evenly, and then raised his head. He had an intellectual and distinctive40 head, but the instant he turned to Prince Andrey the firm, intelligent expression on his face changed in a way evidently deliberate and habitual41 to him. His face took on the stupid artificial smile (which does not even attempt to hide its artificiality) of a man who is continually receiving many petitioners42 one after another.
“From General Field Marshal Kutuzov?” he asked. “I hope it is good news? There has been an encounter with Mortier? A victory? It was high time!”
He took the dispatch which was addressed to him and began to read it with a mournful expression.
Having glanced through the dispatch he laid it on the table and looked at Prince Andrey, evidently considering something.
“Ah what a calamity! You say the affair was decisive? But Mortier is not captured.” Again he pondered. “I am very glad you have brought good news, though Schmidt’s death is a heavy price to pay for the victory. His Majesty44 will no doubt wish to see you, but not today. I thank you! You must have a rest. Be at the levee tomorrow after the parade. However, I will let you know.”
The stupid smile, which had left his face while he was speaking, reappeared.
“Au revoir! Thank you very much. His Majesty will probably desire to see you,” he added, bowing his head.
When Prince Andrey left the palace he felt that all the interest and happiness the victory had afforded him had been now left in the indifferent hands of the Minister of War and the polite adjutant. The whole tenor45 of his thoughts instantaneously changed; the battle seemed the memory of a remote event long past.
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1
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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3
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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5
trophies
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| n.（为竞赛获胜者颁发的）奖品( trophy的名词复数 )；奖杯；（尤指狩猎或战争中获得的）纪念品；（用于比赛或赛跑名称）奖 | |
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6
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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8
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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9
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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10
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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rumors
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| n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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12
rife
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| adj.(指坏事情)充斥的，流行的，普遍的 | |
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13
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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14
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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15
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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16
promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
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18
galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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19
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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20
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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21
dozed
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| v.打盹儿，打瞌睡( doze的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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22
thawing
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| n.熔化，融化v.（气候）解冻( thaw的现在分词 )；（态度、感情等）缓和；（冰、雪及冷冻食物）溶化；软化 | |
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23
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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24
convoy
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| vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队 | |
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25
jolted
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| （使）摇动， （使）震惊( jolt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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26
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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27
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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28
envoy
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| n.使节，使者，代表，公使 | |
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29
rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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30
sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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feverishly
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| adv. 兴奋地 | |
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32
vividly
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| adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地 | |
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33
concise
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| adj.简洁的，简明的 | |
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34
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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36
offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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37
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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38
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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39
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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40
distinctive
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| adj.特别的，有特色的，与众不同的 | |
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41
habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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42
petitioners
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| n.请求人，请愿人( petitioner的名词复数 )；离婚案原告 | |
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43
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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44
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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45
tenor
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| n.男高音（歌手），次中音（乐器），要旨，大意 | |
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