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The Austrian general looked dissatisfied, but had no option but

to reply in the same tone.

"On the contrary," he said, in a querulous and angry tone that

contrasted with his flattering words, "on the contrary, your

excellency's participation in the common action is highly valued

by His Majesty; but we think the present delay is depriving the

splendid Russian troops and their commander of the laurels they

have been accustomed to win in their battles," he concluded his

evidently prearranged sentence.

Kutuzov bowed with the same smile.

"But that is my conviction, and judging by the last letter with

which His Highness the Archduke Ferdinand has honored me, I

imagine that the Austrian troops, under the direction of so

skillful a leader as General Mack, have by now already gained a

decisive victory and no longer need our aid," said Kutuzov.