Chapter 29

           

           WhentheFrenchofficerwentintotheroomwithPierrethelatteragainthoughtithisdutytoassurehimthathewasnotFrenchandwishedtogoaway,buttheofficerwouldnothearofit.Hewassoverypolite,amiable,good-natured,andgenuinelygratefultoPierreforsavinghislifethatPierrehadnotthehearttorefuse,andsatdownwithhimintheparlor—thefirstroomtheyentered.ToPierre’sassurancesthathewasnotaFrenchman,thecaptain,evidentlynotunderstandinghowanyonecoulddeclinesoflatteringanappellation,shruggedhisshouldersandsaidthatifPierreabsolutelyinsistedonpassingforaRussianletitbeso,butforallthathewouldbeforeverboundtoPierrebygratitudeforsavinghislife.

           Hadthismanbeenendowedwiththeslightestcapacityforperceivingthefeelingsofothers,andhadheatallunderstoodwhatPierre’sfeelingswere,thelatterwouldprobablyhavelefthim,buttheman’sanimatedobtusenesstoeverythingotherthanhimselfdisarmedPierre.

           “AFrenchmanoraRussianprinceincognito,”saidtheofficer,lookingatPierre’sfinethoughdirtylinenandattheringonhisfinger.“Iowemylifetoyouandofferyoumyfriendship.AFrenchmanneverforgetseitheraninsultoraservice.Iofferyoumyfriendship.ThatisallIcansay.”

           Therewassomuchgoodnatureandnobility(intheFrenchsenseoftheword)intheofficer’svoice,intheexpressionofhisfaceandinhisgestures,thatPierre,unconsciouslysmilinginresponsetotheFrenchman’ssmile,pressedthehandheldouttohim.

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