“That’s true that I have friends here,” Svidrigaïlov admitted, not replying to the chief point. “I’ve met some already. I’ve been lounging about for the last three days, and I’ve seen them, or they’ve seen me. That’s a matter of course. I am well dressed and reckoned not a poor man; the emancipation of the serfs hasn’t affected me; my property consists chiefly of forests and water meadows. The revenue has not fallen off; but⁠ ⁠… I am not going to see them, I was sick of them long ago. I’ve been here three days and have called on no one.⁠ ⁠… What a town it is! How has it come into existence among us, tell me that? A town of officials and students of all sorts. Yes, there’s a great deal I didn’t notice when I was here eight years ago, kicking up my heels.⁠ ⁠… My only hope now is in anatomy, by Jove, it is!”

“Anatomy?”

“But as for these clubs, Dussauts, parades, or progress, indeed, maybe⁠—well, all that can go on without me,” he went on, again without noticing the question. “Besides, who wants to be a cardsharper?”

“Why, have you been a cardsharper then?”