News of Napoleon’s army advancing towards Russia reaches the Russian Emperor, who was unprepared for war.
Summary:
On the day Napoleon issued the orders for the crossing the Niemen, the Russian Emperor Alexander was being entertained at a lavish ball given in his honor. Alexander had been in Vílna for more than a month, but little attention had gone into preparing for a war. Everyone instead was focused on giving the Emperor a pleasant time. Borís, who since marrying had become very wealthy, was at the ball when news of Napoleon’s troop movements reached the Emperor. Hélène was there also. Borís, was one of the first to hear about it. When the news reached the him, the Emperor went home and composed a letter to Napoleon, in which he insisted he would not make peace so long as a single armed Frenchman remained on Russian soil. The Emperor urged Napoleon to withdraw so that they could continue their friendly relations.
quote from the chapter:
The Emperor, with the agitation of one who has been personally affronted, was finishing with these words: To enter Russia without declaring war! I will not make peace as long as a single armed enemy remains in my country! It seemed to Borís that it gave the Emperor pleasure to utter these words. He was satisfied with the form in which he had expressed his thoughts, but displeased that Borís had overheard it. Let no one know of it! the Emperor added with a frown. Borís understood that this was meant for him and, closing his eyes, slightly bowed his head. The Emperor re-entered the ballroom and remained there about another half-hour. Borís was thus the first to learn the news that the French army had crossed the Niemen and, thanks to this, was able to show certain important personages that much that was concealed from others was usually known to him, and by this means he rose higher in their estimation.
Book 9, Chapter 3
News of Napoleon’s army advancing towards Russia reaches the Russian Emperor, who was unprepared for war.
Summary:
On the day Napoleon issued the orders for the crossing the Niemen, the Russian Emperor Alexander was being entertained at a lavish ball given in his honor. Alexander had been in Vílna for more than a month, but little attention had gone into preparing for a war. Everyone instead was focused on giving the Emperor a pleasant time. Borís, who since marrying had become very wealthy, was at the ball when news of Napoleon’s troop movements reached the Emperor. Hélène was there also. Borís, was one of the first to hear about it. When the news reached the him, the Emperor went home and composed a letter to Napoleon, in which he insisted he would not make peace so long as a single armed Frenchman remained on Russian soil. The Emperor urged Napoleon to withdraw so that they could continue their friendly relations.
quote from the chapter:
The Emperor, with the agitation of one who has been personally affronted, was finishing with these words: To enter Russia without declaring war! I will not make peace as long as a single armed enemy remains in my country! It seemed to Borís that it gave the Emperor pleasure to utter these words. He was satisfied with the form in which he had expressed his thoughts, but displeased that Borís had overheard it. Let no one know of it! the Emperor added with a frown. Borís understood that this was meant for him and, closing his eyes, slightly bowed his head. The Emperor re-entered the ballroom and remained there about another half-hour. Borís was thus the first to learn the news that the French army had crossed the Niemen and, thanks to this, was able to show certain important personages that much that was concealed from others was usually known to him, and by this means he rose higher in their estimation.
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