War and Peace: Original Version. Лев Толстой

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      On returning from the review, Kutuzov went through into his study with the Austrian general and, calling to an adjutant, ordered him to bring several documents relating to the condition of the troops that were arriving and the letters received so far from the Archduke Ferdinand. Prince Andrei Bolkonsky entered the commander-in-chief’s study with the required papers. Kutuzov and the Austrian member of the Hofkriegsrat were sitting in front of a plan laid out on the desk.

      “Ah …” said Kutuzov, glancing round at Bolkonsky and seeming with this sound to invite the adjutant to wait, then he continued with the conversation he had begun in French.

      “I say only one thing, general,” Kutuzov said with a pleasing elegance of expression and intonation that obliged one to listen closely to every single unhurriedly spoken word. It was clear that even Kutuzov listened to himself with pleasure. “I say only one thing, general, that if the business depended on my personal wishes, then the will of His Majesty the Emperor Franz would have been carried out long since. I would have joined with the archduke long ago. And believe me, on my honour, that for me personally to hand over the supreme command of the army to a general more knowledgeable and skilled than I am, of which Austria has such an abundance, and lay down this entire onerous responsibility, for me personally it would be a real joy. But circumstances are sometimes stronger than we are, general.” And Kutuzov smiled with an expression which suggested that he was saying: “You have every right not to believe me, and it is actually all the same to me whether you believe me or not, but you have no excuse for telling me so. And that is the entire point.”

      The Austrian general appeared dissatisfied, but he could not help replying to Kutuzov in the same tone of voice.

      “On the contrary,” he said in a peevish and angry tone that contradicted the flattering meaning of the words he was speaking, “on the contrary, your excellency’s contribution to the common cause is highly valued by His Majesty, but we believe that the present delay is depriving the glorious Russian troops and their commanders-in-chief of the laurels which they are accustomed to reap in battles” – concluding with a phrase that he had obviously prepared.

      Kutuzov bowed, without altering his smile.

      “I am convinced of it, and, on the basis of the last letter with which His Highness the Archduke Ferdinand has favoured me, I believe that the Austrian forces, under the command of such a skilled aide as General Mack, have already won a decisive victory and are no longer in need of our assistance,” said Kutuzov.

      The general shuddered and frowned. Although there had been no positive news of the Austrians’ defeat, there were too many circumstances that confirmed the general unfavourable rumours, and therefore Kutuzov’s assumption of an Austrian victory sounded very much like a jibe. But Kutuzov smiled meekly, still with the same expression, which said that he had the right to assume this. Indeed, the latest letter that he had received from Mack’s army had informed him of a victory and the highly advantageous strategic position of the army.

      “Let me have that letter,” said Kutuzov, addressing Prince Andrei. “There, if you would kindly look,” and with a mocking smile on the corners of his lips, Kutuzov read the Austrian general the following passage in German from Archduke Ferdinand’s letter:

      “We have fully consolidated forces, about seventy thousand men, so that we can attack and smash the enemy if he should cross the Lech. Since we already control the Ulm, we can, if the enemy should not cross the Lech, retain the advantage of commanding both banks of the Danube, then at any moment, cross the Danube, assault his line of communication, recross the Danube lower down and, if the enemy should think of turning his entire force against our faithful allies, prevent him from realising that intention. We shall accordingly await in good spirits the time when the Imperial Russian Army shall be fully prepared and then together we shall easily find a way to prepare for the enemy the fate which he deserves.”

      Kutuzov sighed heavily as he finished this sentence and gave the member of the Hofkriegsrat an attentive and affectionate look.

      “But you are aware, your excellency, of the wise rule that enjoins us to assume the worst,” said the Austrian general, evidently wishing to have done with the jokes and get on with business. He glanced round with displeasure at the adjutant.

      “I beg your pardon, general,” Kutuzov interrupted him and also turned to face Prince Andrei. “Listen, my dear fellow, you get all our scouts’ reports from Kozlovsky. Here are two letters from Count Nostitz, here СКАЧАТЬ