Chapter 10

           

           OnthethirtiethofAugustPierrereachedMoscow.ClosetothegatesofthecityhewasmetbyCountRostopchín’sadjutant.

           “Wehavebeenlookingforyoueverywhere,”saidtheadjutant.“Thecountwantstoseeyouparticularly.Heasksyoutocometohimatonceonaveryimportantmatter.”

           Withoutgoinghome,PierretookacabanddrovetoseetheMoscowcommanderinchief.

           CountRostopchínhadonlythatmorningreturnedtotownfromhissummervillaatSokólniki.Theanteroomandreceptionroomofhishousewerefullofofficialswhohadbeensummonedorhadcomefororders.VasílchikovandPlátovhadalreadyseenthecountandexplainedtohimthatitwasimpossibletodefendMoscowandthatitwouldhavetobesurrendered.Thoughthisnewswasbeingconcealedfromtheinhabitants,theofficials—theheadsofthevariousgovernmentdepartments—knewthatMoscowwouldsoonbeintheenemy’shands,justasCountRostopchínhimselfknewit,andtoescapepersonalresponsibilitytheyhadallcometothegovernortoaskhowtheyweretodealwiththeirvariousdepartments.

           AsPierrewasenteringthereceptionroomacourierfromthearmycameoutofRostopchín’sprivateroom.

           Inanswertoquestionswithwhichhewasgreeted,thecouriermadeadespairinggesturewithhishandandpassedthroughtheroom.

           WhilewaitinginthereceptionroomPierrewithwearyeyeswatchedthevariousofficials,oldandyoung,militaryandcivilian,whowerethere.Theyallseemeddissatisfiedanduneasy.Pierrewentuptoagroupofmen,oneofwhomheknew.AftergreetingPierretheycontinuedtheirconversation.

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