War And Peace: Book 9 - CHAPTER IV

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AT TWO O'CLOCK in the night of the 13th of June, the Tsar sent for Balashov,

and, reading him his letter to Napoleon, commanded him to go in person and give

the letter to the French Emperor. As he dismissed Balashov, he repeated to him

his declaration that he would never make peace as long as a single enemy under

arms remained on Russian soil, and told him to be sure to repeat those words to

Napoleon. The Tsar had not inserted them in his letter to Napoleon, because,

with his characteristic tact, he felt those words would be inappropriate at the

moment when the last efforts were being made for conciliation; but he expressly

charged Balashov to repeat that message by word of mouth to Napoleon.

Balashov rode out on the night between the 13th and the 14th, accompanied by

a trumpeter and two Cossacks; and at dawn he reached the French outposts at the

village of Rykonty on the Russian side of the Niemen. He was stopped by the

sentinels of the French cavalry.

A French subaltern of hussars, in a crimson uniform and a fur cap, shouted to

Balashov to stop. Balashov did not immediately obey, but went on advancing along

the road at a walking pace.

The subaltern, with scowls and muttered abuse, swooped down upon Balashov,

drew his sword, and shouted rudely to the Russian general: “Was he deaf that he

did not hear when he was spoken to?” Balashov gave him his name. The subaltern

sent a soldier to his superior officer.

Paying no further attention to Balashov, the subaltern began talking with his

comrades about regimental matters, without looking at the Russian general. It

was an exceedingly strange sensation for Balashov, who was used at all times to

the dignities of his position, was always in contact with the highest power and

authority, and only three hours before had been conversing with the Tsar, to be

brought here on Russian soil into collision with this hostile, and still more,

disrespectful display of brute force.

The sun was only beginning to rise behind storm-clouds, the air was fresh and

dewy. A herd of cattle was being driven along the road from the village. Larks

sprang up trilling one after another in the fields, like bubbles rising to the

surface of water.

Balashov looked about him, awaiting the arrival of the officer from the

village. The Russian Cossacks and trumpeter and the French hussars looked at one

another now and then in silence.

A French colonel of hussars, evidently only just out of bed, came riding out

of the village on a handsome, sleek, grey horse, accompanied by two hussars. The

officers, the soldiers, and the horses all looked smart and well

satisfied.

In this early stage of the campaign the troops were well in a state of good

discipline, in good, almost parade, order, and engaged in peaceful pursuits,

with a shade of martial swagger in their dress, and a shade of gaiety and spirit

of adventure in their temper that always accompanies the commencement of a

war.

The French colonel had much ado to suppress his yawns, but was courteous in

his manner, and evidently understood all the importance of Balashov's position.

He led him past the line of outposts, and informed him that his desire to be

presented to the Emperor would in all probability immediately be satisfied, as

the Emperor's quarters were, he believed, not far off.

They rode through the village of Rykonty, past French picket ropes,

sentinels, and soldiers, who saluted their colonel and stared with curiosity at

the Russian uniform. They came out on the other side of the village, and the

colonel told Balashov that they were only two kilometres from the commander of

the division, who would receive him and conduct him to his destination.

The sun had by now fully risen and was shining cheerfully on the bright green

fields.

They had just passed an inn and were riding uphill when a party of horsemen

came riding downhill towards them. The foremost figure was a tall man, in a hat

with plumes, mounted on a raven horse, with trappings glittering in the sun. He

had a scarlet cloak, and curly black hair, that floated on his shoulders, and he

rode in the French fashion, with his long legs thrust out in front. This

personage galloped towards Balashov, with his jewels and gold lace and feathers

all fluttering and glittering in the bright June sun.

Balashov was some ten yards from this majestically theatrical figure in

bracelets, feathers, necklaces, and gold, when Julner, the French colonel,

whispered to him reverentially, “The King of Naples!” It was in fact Murat, who

was now styled the “King of Naples.” Though it was utterly incomprehensible that

he should be the King of Naples, he was addressed by that title, and was himself

persuaded of his royal position, and consequently behaved with an air of greater

solemnity and dignity than heretofore. So firmly did he believe that he really

was the King of Naples, that when, just before leaving Naples, he was greeted by

some Italians with shouts of “Long live the King!” when walking in the streets

with his wife, he turned to her with a pensive smile and said, “Poor fellows,

they don't know I am quitting them to-morrow.”

But though he believed so implicitly that he was King of Naples, and

sympathised with his subjects' grief at losing him, after he had been commanded

to return to the service, and especially after his interview with Napoleon at

Danzig, when his most august brother-in-law had said, “I have made you king that

you may rule in my way, and not in your own,” he had cheerfully resumed his

familiar duties; and, like a well-fed, but not over-fed stallion feeling himself

in harness, prancing in the shafts, and decked out in all possible motley

magnificence, he went galloping along the roads of Poland, with no notion where

or why he was going.

On seeing the Russian general he made a royal, majestic motion of his head

with his floating curls, and looked inquiringly at the French colonel. The

colonel deferentially informed his majesty of the mission of Balashov, whose

name he could not pronounce. “De Bal-macheve!” said the King, resolutely

attacking and vanquishing the colonel's difficulty. “Charmed to make your

acquaintance, general,” he added, with a gesture of royal condescension. As soon

as the King spoke loudly and rapidly, all his royal dignity instantly deserted

him, and, without himself being aware of it, he passed into the tone of

good-humoured familiarity natural to him. He laid his hand on the forelock of

Balashov's horse. “Well, general, everything looks like war,” he said, as it

were regretting a circumstance on which he could not offer an opinion. “Your

majesty,” answered Balashov, “the Emperor, my master, does not desire war, and

as your majesty sees.” Balashov declined “your majesty” in all its cases, using

the title with an affectation inevitable in addressing a personage for whom such

a title was a novelty.

Murat's face beamed with foolish satisfaction as he listened to “Monsieur de

Balacheff.” But royalty has its obligations. He felt it incumbent on him to

converse with Alexander's envoy on affairs of state as a king and an ally. He

dismounted, and taking Balashov's arm, and moving a little away from the suite,

who remained respectfully waiting, he began walking up and down with him, trying

to speak with grave significance. He mentioned that the Emperor Napoleon had

been offended at the demand that his troops should evacuate Prussia, especially

because that demand had been made public, and was so derogatory to the dignity

of France. Balashov said that there was nothing derogatory in that demand,

seeing that…Murat interrupted him.

“So you consider that the Emperor Alexander is not responsible for the

commencement of hostilities?” he said suddenly, with a foolish and good-humoured

smile.

Balashov began to explain why he did consider that Napoleon was responsible

for the war.

“Ah, my dear general,” Murat interrupted him again, “with all my heart I wish

that the Emperors would settle the matter between themselves; and that the war,

which has been begun by no desire of mine, may be concluded as quickly as

possible,” he said in the tone in which servants speak who are anxious to remain

on friendly terms though their masters have quarrelled. And he changed the

subject; inquiring after the health of the Grand Duke, and recalling the

agreeable time he had spent with him in Naples. Then suddenly, as though

recollecting his royal dignity, Murat drew himself up majestically, threw

himself into the pose in which he had stood at his coronation, and waving his

right arm, said: “I will detain you no longer, general; I wish you success in

your mission.” And, with a flutter of his scarlet cloak and his feathers, and a

flash of his precious stones, he rejoined the suite, who were respectfully

awaiting him.

Balashov rode on further, expecting from Murat's words that he would be very

shortly brought before Napoleon himself. But at the next village he was detained

by the sentinels of Davoust's infantry corps, just as he had been at the

outposts. An adjutant of the commander of that corps was sent for to conduct him

to the village to see Marshal Davoust.

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1. Ebooks list page : 83
2. War And Peace: Book 4 - CHAPTER V
3. War And Peace: Book 2 - CHAPTER III
4. War And Peace: Book 2 - CHAPTER II
5. War And Peace: Book 2 - CHAPTER I
6. War And Peace: Book 2 - CHAPTER IV
7. War And Peace: Book 3 - CHAPTER XIX
8. War And Peace: Book 3 - CHAPTER XVI
9. War And Peace: Book 3 - CHAPTER XV
10. War And Peace: Book 3 - CHAPTER XIV
11. War And Peace: Book 2 - CHAPTER V
12. War And Peace: Book 2 - CHAPTER VI
13. War And Peace: Book 2 - CHAPTER XIX
14. War And Peace: Book 2 - CHAPTER XVI
15. War And Peace: Book 2 - CHAPTER XIV
16. War And Peace: Book 2 - CHAPTER XV