He shall be taken away--taken away at once," said the assistant hurriedly.

" Let us go, your honor.

" "Yes, yes, let us go," said Rostov hastily, and lowering his eyes and shrinking, he tried to pass unnoticed between the rows of reproachful envious eyes that were fixed upon him, and went out of the room.

Going along the corridor, the assistant led Rostov to the officers' wards, consisting of three rooms, the doors of which stood open.

There were beds in these rooms and the sick and wounded officers were lying or sitting on them.