' There are many stories of his getting to know an officer in just such a chance way and attaching him to himself! What if he gave me a place near him? Oh, how I would guard him, how I would tell him the truth, how I would unmask his deceivers!" And in order to realize vividly his love devotion to the sovereign, Rostov pictured to himself an enemy or a deceitful German, whom he would not only kill with pleasure but whom he would slap in the face before the Emperor.

Suddenly a distant shout aroused him.

He started and opened his eyes.

"Where am I? Oh yes, in the skirmishing line... pass and watchword--shaft, Olmutz.

What a nuisance that our squadron will be in reserve tomorrow," he thought.