“Yes, yes! Who else should it be? I should never have believed it, but the feeling is stronger than I. Yesterday I tormented myself and suffered, but I would not exchange even that torment for anything in the world, I have not lived till now. At last I live, but I can’t live without her! But can she love me?⁠ ⁠… I am too old for her.⁠ ⁠… Why don’t you speak?”

“I? I? What did I tell you?” said Pierre suddenly, rising and beginning to pace up and down the room. “I always thought it.⁠ ⁠… That girl is such a treasure⁠ ⁠… she is a rare girl.⁠ ⁠… My dear friend, I entreat you, don’t philosophize, don’t doubt, marry, marry, marry.⁠ ⁠… And I am sure there will not be a happier man than you.”

“But what of her?”

“She loves you.”

“Don’t talk rubbish⁠ ⁠…” said Prince Andréy, smiling and looking into Pierre’s eyes.

“She does, I know,” Pierre cried fiercely.