Book Two: 1805 - Chapter V

by Leo Tolstoy

　　That same evening there was an animated discussion among thesquadron's officers in Denisov's quarters.

　　"And I tell you, Rostov, that you must apologize to the colonel!"said a tall, grizzly-haired staff captain, with enormous mustaches andmany wrinkles on his large features, to Rostov who was crimson withexcitement.

　　The staff captain, Kirsten, had twice been reduced to the ranksfor affairs of honor and had twice regained his commission.

　　"I will allow no one to call me a liar!" cried Rostov. "He told me Ilied, and I told him he lied. And there it rests. He may keep me onduty every day, or may place me under arrest, but no one can make meapologize, because if he, as commander of this regiment, thinks itbeneath his dignity to give me satisfaction, then..."

　　"You just wait a moment, my dear fellow, and listen," interruptedthe staff captain in his deep bass, calmly stroking his long mustache."You tell the colonel in the presence of other officers that anofficer has stolen..."

　　"I'm not to blame that the conversation began in the presence ofother officers. Perhaps I ought not to have spoken before them, butI am not a diplomatist. That's why I joined the hussars, thinking thathere one would not need finesse; and he tells me that I am lying- solet him give me satisfaction..."

　　"That's all right. No one thinks you a coward, but that's not thepoint. Ask Denisov whether it is not out of the question for a cadetto demand satisfaction of his regimental commander?"

　　Denisov sat gloomily biting his mustache and listening to theconversation, evidently with no wish to take part in it. He answeredthe staff captain's question by a disapproving shake of his head.

　　"You speak to the colonel about this nasty business before otherofficers," continued the staff captain, "and Bogdanich" (the colonelwas called Bogdanich) "shuts you up."

　　"He did not shut me up, he said I was telling an untruth."

　　"Well, have it so, and you talked a lot of nonsense to him andmust apologize."

　　"Not on any account!" exclaimed Rostov.

　　"I did not expect this of you," said the staff captain seriously andseverely. "You don't wish to apologize, but, man, it's not only to himbut to the whole regiment- all of us- you're to blame all round. Thecase is this: you ought to have thought the matter over and takenadvice; but no, you go and blurt it all straight out before theofficers. Now what was the colonel to do? Have the officer tried anddisgrace the whole regiment? Disgrace the whole regiment because ofone scoundrel? Is that how you look at it? We don't see it likethat. And Bogdanich was a brick: he told you you were saying whatwas not true. It's not pleasant, but what's to be done, my dearfellow? You landed yourself in it. And now, when one wants to smooththe thing over, some conceit prevents your apologizing, and you wishto make the whole affair public. You are offended at being put on dutya bit, but why not apologize to an old and honorable officer? WhateverBogdanich may be, anyway he is an honorable and brave old colonel!You're quick at taking offense, but you don't mind disgracing thewhole regiment!" The staff captain's voice began to tremble. "You havebeen in the regiment next to no time, my lad, you're here today andtomorrow you'll be appointed adjutant somewhere and can snap yourfingers when it is said 'There are thieves among the Pavlogradofficers!' But it's not all the same to us! Am I not right, Denisov?It's not the same!"

　　Denisov remained silent and did not move, but occasionally lookedwith his glittering black eyes at Rostov.

　　"You value your own pride and don't wish to apologize," continuedthe staff captain, "but we old fellows, who have grown up in and,God willing, are going to die in the regiment, we prize the honor ofthe regiment, and Bogdanich knows it. Oh, we do prize it, oldfellow! And all this is not right, it's not right! You may takeoffense or not but I always stick to mother truth. It's not right!"

　　And the staff captain rose and turned away from Rostov.

　　"That's twue, devil take it" shouted Denisov, jumping up. "Now then,Wostov, now then!"

　　Rostov, growing red and pale alternately, looked first at oneofficer and then at the other.

　　"No, gentlemen, no... you mustn't think... I quite understand.You're wrong to think that of me... I... for me... for the honor ofthe regiment I'd... Ah well, I'll show that in action, and for methe honor of the flag... Well, never mind, it's true I'm to blame,to blame all round. Well, what else do you want?..."

　　"Come, that's right, Count!" cried the staff captain, turninground and clapping Rostov on the shoulder with his big hand.

　　"I tell you," shouted Denisov, "he's a fine fellow."

　　"That's better, Count," said the staff captain, beginning to addressRostov by his title, as if in recognition of his confession. "Go andapologize, your excellency. Yes, go!"

　　"Gentlemen, I'll do anything. No one shall hear a word from me,"said Rostov in an imploring voice, "but I can't apologize, by God Ican't, do what you will! How can I go and apologize like a littleboy asking forgiveness?"

　　Denisov began to laugh.

　　"It'll be worse for you. Bogdanich is vindictive and you'll payfor your obstinacy," said Kirsten.

　　"No, on my word it's not obstinacy! I can't describe the feeling.I can't..."

　　"Well, it's as you like," said the staff captain. "And what hasbecome of that scoundrel?" he asked Denisov.

　　"He has weported himself sick, he's to be stwuck off the listtomowwow," muttered Denisov.

　　"It is an illness, there's no other way of explaining it," saidthe staff captain.

　　"Illness or not, he'd better not cwoss my path. I'd kill him!"shouted Denisov in a bloodthirsty tone.

　　Just then Zherkov entered the room.

　　"What brings you here?" cried the officers turning to the newcomer.

　　"We're to go into action, gentlemen! Mack has surrendered with hiswhole army."

　　"It's not true!"

　　"I've seen him myself!"

　　"What? Saw the real Mack? With hands and feet?"

　　"Into action! Into action! Bring him a bottle for such news! But howdid you come here?"

　　"I've been sent back to the regiment all on account of that devil,Mack. An Austrian general complained of me. I congratulated him onMack's arrival... What's the matter, Rostov? You look as if you'd justcome out of a hot bath."

　　"Oh, my dear fellow, we're in such a stew here these last two days."

　　The regimental adjutant came in and confirmed the news brought byZherkov. They were under orders to advance next day.

　　"We're going into action, gentlemen!"

　　"Well, thank God! We've been sitting here too long!"