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"Yes, my dear, this is a great loss for us all, not to speak of

you. But God will support you: you are young, and are now, I

hope, in command of an immense fortune. The will has not yet been

opened. I know you well enough to be sure that this will not turn

your head, but it imposes duties on you, and you must be a man."

Pierre was silent.

"Perhaps later on I may tell you, my dear boy, that if I had not

been there, God only knows what would have happened! You know,

Uncle promised me only the day before yesterday not to forget

Boris. But he had no time. I hope, my dear friend, you will carry

out your father's wish?"