Nicholas is in trouble with the Colonel for reporting the theft, but their conflict is soon overshadowed by the news of Mack’s defeat.
Nicholas is in trouble with the Colonel for reporting the theft, but their conflict is soon overshadowed by the news of Mack’s defeat.
Book 2, Chapter 5
Nicholas is in trouble with the Colonel for reporting the theft, but their conflict is soon overshadowed by the news of Mack’s defeat.
Summary:
When Nicholas reported Telyánin’s theft to the Colonel, the Colonel claimed it wasn’t true. This apparently angered Nicholas. In fact, Nicholas challenged the Colonel to a duel. Now his fellow officers feel that there is nothing for Nicholas to do but apologize to the Colonel. Nicholas says the Colonel can punish him if he wishes, but Nicholas will never apologize. His fellow officers try to explain to Nicholas that the Colonel is only trying to preserve the Regiment’s good name, and that in any event the Colonel has earned the right to be respected. Also, they point out the Colonel will make Rostóv pay for his obstinacy. Just then, a regimental adjutant arrives with news that, due to Mack’s defeat, the regiment is about to advance the next day.
quote from the chapter:
I will allow no one to call me a liar! cried Rostóv. He told me I lied, and I told him he lied. And there it rests. He may keep me on duty every day, or may place me under arrest, but no one can make me apologize, because if he, as commander of this regiment, thinks it beneath his dignity to give me satisfaction, then…
You just wait a moment, my dear fellow, and listen, interrupted the staff captain in his deep bass, calmly stroking his long mustache. You tell the colonel in the presence of other officers that an officer has stolen…
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