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 "Well, then! he put in an appearance soon after you left; and, as I understand, he fell over ears in love with Kitty. You understand that her mother .... "

"Excuse me, but I don't understand at all," interrupted Levin, scowling still more fiercely. And suddenly he remembered his brother Nikolaï, and how ugly it was in him to forget him.

"Just wait, wait," said Stepan Arkadyevitch, laying his hand on Levin's arm with a smile. "I have told you all that I know; but I repeat, that, in my humble opinion, the chances in this delicate affair are on your side."

Levin leaned back in his chair; his face was pale.

"But I advise you to settle the matter as quickly as possible," suggested Oblonsky, filling up his glass.

"No, thank you: I cannot drink any more," said Levin, pushing away the glass. "I shall be tipsy. .... Well, how are you feeling?" he added, desiring to change the conversation.

"One word more: in any case I advise you to settle the question quickly. I advise you to speak immediately," said Stepan Arkadyevitch. "Go to-morrow morning, make your proposal in classic style, and God bless you." ....

"Why have n't you ever come to hunt with me as you promised to do? Come this spring," said Levin.

He now repented with all his heart that he had entered upon this conversation with Stepan Arkadyevitch: his deepest feelings were wounded by what he had just learned of the pretensions of his rival, the young officer from Petersburg, as well as by the advice and insinuations of Stepan Arkadyevitch.

Stepan Arkadyevitch smiled. He perceived what was taking place in Levin's heart.

"I will come some day," he said, "Yes, brother, woman's the spring that moves everything. My own trouble is bad, very bad. And all on account of women. Give me your advice," said he, taking a cigar, and still holding his glass in his hand. "Tell me frankly what you think."