Just as Prince Andrew met Nesvitski and Zherkov, there came toward them from the other end of the corridor, Strauch, an Austrian general who on Kutuzov's staff in charge of the provisioning of the Russian army, and the member of the Hofkriegsrath who had arrived the previous evening.

There was room enough in the wide corridor for the generals to pass the three officers quite easily, but Zherkov, pushing Nesvitski aside with his arm, said in a breathless voice, "They're coming!... they're coming!$JMR Stand aside, make way, please make way!" The generals were passing by, looking as if they wished to avoid embarrassing attentions.

On the face of the wag Zherkov there suddenly appeared a stupid smile of glee which he seemed unable to suppress.