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Dolokhov, who had already changed into a soldier's gray

greatcoat, did not wait to be called. The shapely figure of the

fair-haired soldier, with his clear blue eyes, stepped forward

from the ranks, went up to the commander in chief, and presented

arms.

"Have you a complaint to make?" Kutuzov asked with a slight

frown.

"This is Dolokhov," said Prince Andrew.

"Ah!" said Kutuzov. "I hope this will be a lesson to you. Do your

duty. The Emperor is gracious, and I shan't forget you if you

deserve well."

The clear blue eyes looked at the commander in chief just as

boldly as they had looked at the regimental commander, seeming by

their expression to tear open the veil of convention that

separates a commander in chief so widely from a private.

"One thing I ask of your excellency," Dolokhov said in his firm,

ringing, deliberate voice. "I ask an opportunity to atone for my

fault and prove my devotion to His Majesty the Emperor and to

Russia!"