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Vronsky listened attentively, but he was not so much interested

by the meaning of the words as by the attitude of Serpuhovskoy

who was already contemplating a struggle with the existing

powers, and already had his likes and dislikes in that higher

world, while his own interest in the governing world did not go

beyond the interests of his regiment. Vronsky felt, too, how

powerful Serpuhovskoy might become through his unmistakable

faculty for thinking things out and for taking things in, through

his intelligence and gift of words, so rarely met with in the

world in which he moved. And, ashamed as he was of the feeling,

he felt envious.

"Still I haven't the one thing of most importance for that," he

answered; "I haven't the desire for power. I had it once, but

it's gone."

"Excuse me, that's not true," said Serpuhovskoy, smiling.

"Yes, it is true, it is true ... now!" Vronsky added, to be

truthful.

"Yes, it's true now, that's another thing; but that now won't

last forever."