“No⁠ ⁠… I wish⁠ ⁠… to visit Madame Terentieff, the widow of Captain Terentieff, my old subordinate and friend. She helps me to keep up my courage, and to bear the trials of my domestic life, and as I have an extra burden on my mind today⁠ ⁠…”

“It seems to me,” interrupted the prince, “that I was foolish to trouble you just now. However, at present you⁠ ⁠… Goodbye!”

“Indeed, you must not go away like that, young man, you must not!” cried the general. “My friend here is a widow, the mother of a family; her words come straight from her heart, and find an echo in mine. A visit to her is merely an affair of a few minutes; I am quite at home in her house. I will have a wash, and dress, and then we can drive to the Grand Theatre. Make up your mind to spend the evening with me.⁠ ⁠… We are just there⁠—that’s the house⁠ ⁠… Why, Colia! you here! Well, is Marfa Borisovna at home or have you only just come?”