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It need not be said that he did not speak of his love to any of

his comrades, nor did he betray his secret even in the wildest

drinking bouts (though indeed he was never so drunk as to lose

all control of himself). And he shut up any of his thoughtless

comrades who attempted to allude to his connection. But in spite

of that, his love was known to all the town; everyone guessed

with more or less confidence at his relations with Madame

Karenina. The majority of the younger men envied him for just

what was the most irksome factor in his love-the exalted position

of Karenin, and the consequent publicity of their connection in

society.