On the salver lay some verses composed and printed in the hero's honor.

Bagration, on seeing the salver, glanced around in dismay, as though seeking help.

But all eyes demanded that he should submit.

Feeling himself in their power, he resolutely took the salver with both hands and looked sternly and reproachfully at the count who had presented it to him.

Someone obligingly took the dish from Bagration (or he would, it seemed, have held it till evening and have gone in to dinner with it) and drew his attention to the verses.