"Yes, my solitude is over.

You wouldn't believe how uncomfortable" (he laid stress on the word _uncomfortable_) "it is to dine alone.

" At dinner he talked a little to his wife about Moscow matters, and, with a sarcastic smile, asked her after Stepan Arkadyevitch; but the conversation was for the most part general, dealing with Petersburg official and public news.

After dinner he spent half an hour with his guests, and again, with a smile, pressed his wife's hand, withdrew, and drove off to the council.