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One would have thought it impossible for a man to stretch himself

more than Timokhin had done when he was reprimanded by the

regimental commander, but now that the commander in chief

addressed him he drew himself up to such an extent that it seemed

he could not have sustained it had the commander in chief

continued to look at him, and so Kutuzov, who evidently

understood his case and wished him nothing but good, quickly

turned away, a scarcely perceptible smile flitting over his

scarred and puffy face.

"Another Ismail comrade," said he. "A brave officer! Are you

satisfied with him?" he asked the regimental commander.

And the latter-unconscious that he was being reflected in the

hussar officer as in a looking glass-started, moved forward, and

answered: "Highly satisfied, your excellency!"

"We all have our weaknesses," said Kutuzov smiling and walking

away from him. "He used to have a predilection for Bacchus."