in reply," and Sergeï Ivanovitch handed his brother a note which he took from a letter-press.
Levin read the letter, which was written in the strange hand which he knew so well:—
I humbly beg to be left in peace. It is all that I ask from my dear brothers.
Nikolaï Levin.
Konstantin, without lifting his head, stood motionless before his brother with the letter in his hand.
The desire arose in his heart now to forget his unfortunate brother, and the consciousness that it would be wrong.
"He evidently wants to insult me," continued Sergeï Ivanovitch; "but that is impossible. I wish with all my soul that I might help him, and yet I know that I shall not succeed."
"Yes, yes," replied Levin. "I understand, and I appreciate your treatment of him; but I am going to him."
"Go, by all means, if it will give you any pleasure," said Sergeï Ivanovitch; "but I would not advise it. Not on my account, because I fear that he might make a quarrel between us, but, on your own account, I advise you not to go. He can't be helped. However, do as you think best."
"Perhaps he can't be helped, but I feel especially at this moment .... this is quite another reason. .... I feel that I could not be contented ...."
"Well, I don't understand you," said Sergeï Ivanovitch; "but one thing I do understand," he added: "this is a lesson in humility. Since brother Nikolaï has become the man he is, I look with greater indulgence on what people call 'abjectness.' .... Do you know what he has done?" ....
"Akh! it is terrible, terrible," replied Levin.
Having obtained from his brother's servant Nikolaï's address, Levin set out to find him, but on second thought changed his mind, and postponed his visit till evening. Before all, he must decide the question that had brought
