It put the finishing touch; his last doubts vanished,--and he began to feel ashamed that he had still had any doubt left.

Varvara Pavlovna did not attempt to defend herself; her only desire was to see him, she besought him not to condemn her irrevocably.
The letter was cold and constrained, though here and there traces of tears were visible.

Lavretsky smiled bitterly, and sent word by the messenger that it was all right.

Three days later he was no longer in Paris; but he did not go to Russia, but to Italy.

He did not know himself why he fixed upon Italy; he did not really care where he went--so long as it was not home.