, what do you mean?' he said, 'living in the same house--and such a
fine girl, a splendid girl, a perfect beauty.'

'Wonderfully beautiful! I never saw such a woman before,' replied
Olenin.

'Well then?' said Beletski, quite unable to understand the situation.

'It may be strange,' replied Olenin, 'but why should I not say what is
true? Since I have lived here women don't seem to exist for me. And it
is so good, really! Now what can there be in common between us and
women like these? Eroshka--that's a different matter! He and I have a
passion in common--sport.'

'There now! In common! And what have I in common with Amalia Ivanovna?
It's the same thing! You may say they're not very clean--that's another
matter... A la guerre, comme a la guerre! ...'

'But I have never known any Amalia Ivanovas, and have never known how
to behave with women of that sort,' replied Olenin. 'One cannot respect
them, but these I do respect.'

'Well go on respecting them! Who wants to prevent you?'

Olenin did not reply. He evidently wanted to complete what he had begun
to say. It was very near his heart.

'I know I am an exception...' He was visibly confused. 'But my life has
so shaped itself that I not only see no necessity to renounce my rules,
but I could not live here, let alone live as happily as I am doing,
were I to live as you do. Therefore I look for something quite
different from what you look for.'

Beletski raised his eyebrows incredulously. 'Anyhow, come to me this
evening; Maryanka will be there and I will make you acquainted. Do
come, please! If you feel dull you can go away. Will you come?'

'I would come, but to speak frankly I am afraid of being' seriously
carried away.'

'Oh, oh, oh!' shouted Beletski. 'Only come, and I'll see that you
aren't. Will you? On your word?'

'I would come, but really I don't understand what we shall do; what
part we shall play!'

'Please, I beg of you. You will come?'

'Yes, perhaps I'll come,' said Olenin.

'Really now! Charming women such as one sees nowhere else, and to live
like a monk! What an idea! Why spoil your life and not make use of what
is at hand? Have you heard that our company is ordered to Vozdvizhensk?'

'Hardly. I was told the 8th Company would be sent there,' said Olenin.

'No. I have had a letter from the adjutant there. He writes that the
Prince himself will take part in the campaign. I am very glad I shall
see something of him. I'm beginning to get tired