The round, steady, hawk's eyes looked before him eagerly and rather disdainfully, not resting on anything although his movements were still slow and measured.

The commander of the regiment turned to Prince Bagration, entreating him to go back as it was too dangerous to remain where they were.

"Please, your excellency, for God's sake!" he kept saying, glancing for support at an officer of the suite who turned away from him.

"There, you see!" and he drew attention to the bullets whistling, singing, and hissing continually around them.

He spoke in the tone of entreaty and reproach that a carpenter uses to a gentleman who has picked up an ax: "We are used to it, but you, sir, will blister your hands.