Faithful to his plan of economy , the Captain dressed himself in his oldest and shabbiest uniform and epaulets , leaving the newest behind , under his wife 's ( or it might be his widow 's ) guardianship . And this famous dandy of Windsor and Hyde Park went off on his campaign with a kit as modest as that of a sergeant , and with something like a prayer on his lips for the woman he was leaving . He took her up from the ground , and held her in his arms for a minute , tight pressed against his strong-beating heart . His face was purple and his eyes dim , as he put her down and left her . He rode by his General 's side , and smoked his cigar in silence as they hastened after the troops of the General 's brigade , which preceded them ; and it was not until they were some miles on their way that he left off twirling his moustache and broke silence .
Верный своему плану экономии, капитан оделся в свой самый старый и потертый мундир и погоны, оставив самые новые под опекой жены (а может быть, и вдовы). И этот знаменитый денди Виндзора и Гайд-парка отправился в поход со скромной, как у сержанта, экипировкой и с чем-то вроде молитвы на устах за женщину, которую он покидал. Он поднял ее с земли и с минуту держал на руках, крепко прижимая к сильно бьющемуся сердцу. Его лицо было багровым, а глаза тусклыми, когда он положил ее на землю и оставил. Он ехал рядом со своим генералом и молча курил сигару, пока они спешили за войсками генеральской бригады, которые шли впереди них; и только когда они прошли несколько миль, он перестал крутить усы и нарушил молчание.