“Well, then, old chap, mon très honorable Alphonse Kárlovich,” said Shinshín, laughing ironically and mixing the most ordinary Russian expressions with the choicest French phrases⁠—which was a peculiarity of his speech. “ Vous comptez vous faire des rentes sur l’état ; 5 you want to make something out of your company?”

“No, Pyotr Nikoláevich; I only want to show that in the cavalry the advantages are far less than in the infantry. Just consider my own position now, Pyotr Nikoláevich⁠ ⁠…”