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"But you know the wise maxim your excellency, advising one to

expect the worst," said the Austrian general, evidently wishing

to have done with jests and to come to business. He involuntarily

looked round at the aide-de-camp.

"Excuse me, General," interrupted Kutuzov, also turning to Prince

Andrew. "Look here, my dear fellow, get from Kozlovski all the

reports from our scouts. Here are two letters from Count Nostitz

and here is one from His Highness the Archduke Ferdinand and here

are these," he said, handing him several papers, "make a neat

memorandum in French out of all this, showing all the news we

have had of the movements of the Austrian army, and then give it

to his excellency."

Prince Andrew bowed his head in token of having understood from

the first not only what had been said but also what Kutuzov would

have liked to tell him. He gathered up the papers and with a bow

to both, stepped softly over the carpet and went out into the

waiting room.