Levin had been the friend and companion of his early youth.

They were fond of one another in spite of the difference of their characters and tastes, as friends are fond of one another who have been together in early youth.

But in spite of this, each of them--as is often the way with men who have selected careers of different kinds--though in discussion he would even justify the other's career, in his heart despised it.

It seemed to each of them that the life he led himself was the only real life, and the life led by his friend was a mere phantasm.