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"Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of the kind! Besides she is

not that sort at all.... Tchebarov tried that...."

"Well then, drop her!"

"But I can't drop her like that!"

"Why can't you?"

"Well, I can't, that's all about it! There's an element of

attraction here, brother."

"Then why have you fascinated her?"

"I haven't fascinated her; perhaps I was fascinated myself in my

folly. But she won't care a straw whether it's you or I, so long

as somebody sits beside her, sighing.... I can't explain the

position, brother... look here, you are good at mathematics, and

working at it now... begin teaching her the integral calculus;

upon my soul, I'm not joking, I'm in earnest, it'll be just the

same to her. She will gaze at you and sigh for a whole year

together. I talked to her once for two days at a time about the

Prussian House of Lords (for one must talk of something)--she

just sighed and perspired! And you mustn't talk of love--she's

bashful to hysterics--but just let her see you can't tear

yourself away--that's enough. It's fearfully comfortable; you're

quite at home, you can read, sit, lie about, write. You may even

venture on a kiss, if you're careful."