“Say what you like.⁠ ⁠… She is like a sister to me, and I can’t tell you how it offended me⁠ ⁠… because⁠ ⁠… well, for that reason.⁠ ⁠…”

Denísov patted him on the shoulder and began rapidly pacing the room without looking at Rostóv, as was his way at moments of deep feeling.

“Ah, what a mad bweed you Wostóvs are!” he muttered, and Rostóv noticed tears in his eyes.

In April the troops were enlivened by news of the Emperor’s arrival, but Rostóv had no chance of being present at the review he held at Bartenstein, as the Pávlograds were at the outposts far beyond that place.