“What do I think about it? I am listening to you. It’s all very well.⁠ ⁠… You say: join our brotherhood and we will show you the aim of life, the destiny of man, and the laws which govern the world. But who are we ? Men. How is it you know everything? Why do I alone not see what you see? You see a reign of goodness and truth on earth, but I don’t see it.”

Pierre interrupted him.

“Do you believe in a future life?” he asked.

“A future life?” Prince Andréy repeated, but Pierre, giving him no time to reply, took the repetition for a denial, the more readily as he knew Prince Andréy’s former atheistic convictions.