self, and takes different forms, according to the degrees of its development. Everywhere this order has been followed,—slaves, then metayers, free labor, and, here in Russia, we have the farm, the arend or leasehold, our system of apprenticeship. What more do you want?"
Levin took fire at these last words, the more because he feared in his secret soul that his brother was right in blaming him for wanting to discover a balance between communism and the existing forms,—a thing which was scarcely possible.
"I am trying to find a form of labor which will be profitable for all,—for me and the laborer," he replied warmly.
"That is not what you wish to do; it is simply this: you have, all your life long, sought to be original; and you want to prove that you are not exploiting the muzhik, but are working for a principle."
"Well, since you think so let's end it," replied Konstantin, feeling the muscles of his right cheek twitch involuntarily.
"You never had, and you never will have, any convictions, and you only wanted to flatter your conceit."
"That is very well to say .... but let's end the matter."
"Certainly I will. It was time long ago. You go to the devil! and I am very sorry that I came."
Levin tried in vain to calm him. Nikolaï would not listen to a word, and persisted in saying that they had better separate; and Konstantin saw that it was not possible to live with him.
Nikolaï had already made his preparations to depart, when Konstantin came to him, and begged him, in a way that was not entirely natural, for forgiveness, if he had offended him.
"Ah, now! here's magnanimity," said Nikolaï, smiling. "If you are very anxious to be in the right, then let us agree that this is sensible. You are right, but I am going all the same."
At the last moment, however, as Nikolaï kissed his brother, a strange look of seriousness came on him.
