" I'll begin with the ladies.

Princess Varvara--you know her, and I know your opinion and Stiva's about her.

Stiva says the whole aim of her existence is to prove her superiority over Auntie Katerina Pavlovna: that's all true; but she's a good-natured woman, and I am so grateful to her.

In Petersburg there was a moment when a chaperon was absolutely essential for me.