He saw distinctly now that though Metrov's ideas might perhaps have value, his own ideas had a value too, and their ideas could only be made clear and lead to something if each worked separately in his chosen path, and that nothing would be gained by putting their ideas together.

And having made up his mind to refuse Metrov's invitation, Levin went up to him at the end of the meeting.

Metrov introduced Levin to the chairman, with whom he was talking of the political news.

Metrov told the chairman what he had already told Levin, and Levin made the same remarks on his news that he had already made that morning, but for the sake of variety he expressed also a new opinion which had only just struck him.