第500页 / 共3800页

Between three and four o'clock in the afternoon Prince Andrew,

who had persisted in his request to Kutuzov, arrived at Grunth

and reported himself to Bagration. Bonaparte's adjutant had not

yet reached Murat's detachment and the battle had not yet begun.

In Bagration's detachment no one knew anything of the general

position of affairs. They talked of peace but did not believe in

its possibility; others talked of a battle but also disbelieved

in the nearness of an engagement. Bagration, knowing Bolkonski to

be a favorite and trusted adjutant, received him with distinction

and special marks of favor, explaining to him that there would

probably be an engagement that day or the next, and giving him

full liberty to remain with him during the battle or to join the

rearguard and have an eye on the order of retreat, "which is also

very important."

"However, there will hardly be an engagement today," said

Bagration as if to reassure Prince Andrew.