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"I say, Berg, my dear fellow," said Rostov, "when you get a

letter from home and meet one of your own people whom you want to

talk everything over with, and I happen to be there, I'll go at

once, to be out of your way! Do go somewhere, anywhere... to the

devil!" he exclaimed, and immediately seizing him by the shoulder

and looking amiably into his face, evidently wishing to soften

the rudeness of his words, he added, "Don't be hurt, my dear

fellow; you know I speak from my heart as to an old

acquaintance."

"Oh, don't mention it, Count! I quite understand," said Berg,

getting up and speaking in a muffled and guttural voice.

"Go across to our hosts: they invited you," added Boris.