"But that is my conviction, and judging by the last letter with which His Highness the Archduke Ferdinand has honored me, I imagine that the Austrian troops, under the direction of so skillful a leader as General Mack, have by now already gained a decisive victory and no longer need our aid," said Kutuzov.

The general frowned.

Though there was no definite news of an Austrian defeat, there were many circumstances confirming the unfavorable rumors that were afloat, and so Kutuzov's suggestion of an Austrian victory sounded much like irony.

But Kutuzov went on blandly smiling with the same expression, which seemed to say that he had a right to suppose so.

And, in fact, the last letter he had received from Mack's army informed him of a victory and stated strategically the position of the army was very favorable.