He was obviously no longer concerned with the benefits of a peaceful settlement and the discussion of any such possibility; his sole intention was to demonstrate his own righteousness, his own power, and to demonstrate Alexander's wrongness and error.
His opening words had clearly been intended as an indication of his own advantageous position, and his willingness to negotiate despite it. But here he was in full flow, and the more he talked the less capable he became of controlling what he was saying.
His whole purpose was now clearly centered on the need to exult himself and insult Alexander, precisely what he had had the least intention of doing at the outset of the interview.--------Napoleon wouldn't go on. He himself was clearly the only person who needed to speak, and on he went with all the volubility and uncontrolled testiness of spoilt people.
War and Peace
~Leo Tolstoy
His opening words had clearly been intended as an indication of his own advantageous position, and his willingness to negotiate despite it. But here he was in full flow, and the more he talked the less capable he became of controlling what he was saying.
His whole purpose was now clearly centered on the need to exult himself and insult Alexander, precisely what he had had the least intention of doing at the outset of the interview.--------Napoleon wouldn't go on. He himself was clearly the only person who needed to speak, and on he went with all the volubility and uncontrolled testiness of spoilt people.
War and Peace
~Leo Tolstoy
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