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"Perhaps," answered Vronsky.

"You say perhaps," Serpuhovskoy went on, as though guessing his

thoughts, "but I say for certain. And that's what I wanted to see

you for. Your action was just what it should have been. I see

that, but you ought not to keep it up. I only ask you to give me

carte blanche. I'm not going to offer you my protection ...

though, indeed, why shouldn't I protect you?-you've protected me

often enough! I should hope our friendship rises above all that

sort of thing. Yes," he said, smiling to him as tenderly as a

woman, "give me carte blanche, retire from the regiment, and I'll

draw you upwards imperceptibly."

"But you must understand that I want nothing," said Vronsky,

"except that all should be as it is."

Serpuhovskoy got up and stood facing him.