“Nikólenka is going away in a week’s time, his⁠ ⁠… papers⁠ ⁠… have come⁠ ⁠… he told me himself⁠ ⁠… but still I should not cry,” and she showed a paper she held in her hand⁠—with the verses Nikoláy had written, “still, I should not cry, but you can’t⁠ ⁠… no one can understand⁠ ⁠… what a soul he has!”

And she began to cry again because he had such a noble soul.

“It’s all very well for you⁠ ⁠… I am not envious⁠ ⁠… I love you and Borís also,” she went on, gaining a little strength; “he is nice⁠ ⁠… there are no difficulties in your way.⁠ ⁠… But Nikoláy is my cousin⁠ ⁠… one would have to⁠ ⁠… the Metropolitan himself⁠ ⁠… and even then it can’t be done. And besides, if she tells Mamma” (Sónya looked upon the countess as her mother and called her so) “that I am spoiling Nikoláy’s career and am heartless and ungrateful, while truly⁠ ⁠… God is my witness,” and she made the sign of the cross, “I love her so much, and all of you, only Véra⁠ ⁠… And what for? What have I done to her? I am so grateful to you that I would willingly sacrifice everything, only I have nothing.⁠ ⁠…”