Behind Kutuzov, at a distance that allowed every softly spoken word to be heard, followed some twenty men of his suite.

These gentlemen talked among themselves and sometimes laughed.

Nearest of all to the commander in chief walked a handsome adjutant.

This was Prince Bolkonski.

Beside him was his comrade Nesvitski, a tall staff officer, extremely stout, with a kindly, smiling, handsome face and moist eyes.