WhentheFrenchofficerwentintotheroomwithPierrethelatteragainthoughtithisdutytoassurehimthathewasnotFrenchandwishedtogoaway, , amiable, good-natured, andgenuinelygratefultoPierreforsavinghislifethatPierrehadnotthehearttorefuse, andsatdownwithhimintheparlor—'sassurancesthathewasnotaFrenchman, thecaptain, evidentlynotunderstandinghowanyonecoulddeclinesoflatteringanappellation, shruggedhisshouldersandsaidthatifPierreabsolutelyinsistedonpassingforaRussianletitbeso, butforallthathewouldbeforeverboundtoPierrebygratitudeforsavinghislife.
Hadthismanbeenendowedwiththeslightestcapacityforperceivingthefeelingsofothers, andhadheatallunderstoodwhatPierre'sfeelingswere, thelatterwouldprobablyhavelefthim, buttheman'sanimatedobtusenesstoeverythingotherthanhimselfdisarmedPierre.
"AFrenchmanoraRussianprinceincognito," saidtheofficer, lookingatPierre'sfinethoughdirtylinenandattheringonhisfinger."."
Therewassomuchgoodnatureandnobility (intheFrenchsenseoftheword) intheofficer'svoice, intheexpressionofhisfaceandinhisgestures, thatPierre, unconsciouslysmilinginresponsetotheFrenchman'ssmile, pressedthehandheldouttohim.
"CaptainRamballe, ofthe13thLightRegiment, ChevalieroftheLegionofHonorfortheaffairontheseventhofSeptember," heintroducedhimself, aself-satisfiedirrepressiblesmilepuckeringhislipsunderhismustache."WillyounowbesogoodastotellmewithwhomIhavethehonorofconversingsopleasantly, insteadofbeingintheambulancewiththatmaniac'sbulletinmybody?"
