Pagina 343 van 3800

"And what about his character?" asked the regimental commander.

"It's different on different days," answered the captain. "One

day he is sensible, well educated, and good-natured, and the next

he's a wild beast.... In Poland, if you please, he nearly killed

a Jew."

"Oh, well, well!" remarked the regimental commander. "Still, one

must have pity on a young man in misfortune. You know he has

important connections... Well, then, you just..."

"I will, your excellency," said Timokhin, showing by his smile

that he understood his commander's wish.

"Well, of course, of course!"

The regimental commander sought out Dolokhov in the ranks and,

reining in his horse, said to him:

"After the next affair... epaulettes."

Dolokhov looked round but did not say anything, nor did the

mocking smile on his lips change.