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RUDIN ‘No, I did not communicate my intention to Natalya Alexyevna; but I know she would share my views.’

‘That’s all very fine indeed,’ Volintsev began after a short pause, drumming on the window pane with his fingers, ‘though I must confess it would have been far better if you had had rather less respect for me. I don’t care a hang for your respect, to tell you the truth; but what do you want of me now?’

‘I want nothing—or—no! I want one thing; I want you not to regard me as treacherous or hypocritical, to understand me I hope that now you cannot doubt of my sincerity  I want us, Sergeï Pavlitch, to part as friends  you to give me your hand as you once did.’

And Rudin went up to Volintsev.

‘Excuse me, my good sir,’ said Volintsev, turning round and stepping back a few paces, ‘I am ready to do full justice to your intentions, all that’s very fine, I admit, very exalted, but we are simple people, we do not gild our gingerbread, we are not capable of following the flight of great minds like yours. What you think 155