Chapter 3

Levinhadonthisvisittotownseenagreatdealofhisoldfriendattheuniversity,ProfessorKatavasov,whomhehadnotseensincehismarriage.HelikedinKatavasovtheclearnessandsimplicityofhisconceptionoflife.LevinthoughtthattheclearnessofKatavasov’sconceptionoflifewasduetothepovertyofhisnature;KatavasovthoughtthatthedisconnectednessofLevin’sideaswasduetohislackofintellectualdiscipline;butLevinenjoyedKatavasov’sclearness,andKatavasovenjoyedtheabundanceofLevin’suntrainedideas,andtheylikedtomeetandtodiscuss.

LevinhadreadKatavasovsomepartsofhisbook,andhehadlikedthem.OnthepreviousdayKatavasovhadmetLevinatapubliclectureandtoldhimthatthecelebratedMetrov,whosearticleLevinhadsomuchliked,wasinMoscow,thathehadbeenmuchinterestedbywhatKatavasovhadtoldhimaboutLevin’swork,andthathewascomingtoseehimtomorrowateleven,andwouldbeverygladtomakeLevin’sacquaintance.

“You’repositivelyareformedcharacter,I’mgladtosee,”saidKatavasov,meetingLevininthelittledrawing-room.“Iheardthebellandthought:Impossiblethatitcanbeheattheexacttime!...Well,whatdoyousaytotheMontenegrinsnow?They’rearaceofwarriors.”