" "Oh, no, not at all," said Boris.

" But if you are tired, come and lie down in my room and have a rest.

" "Yes, really..." They went into the little room where Boris slept.

Rostov, without sitting down, began at once, irritably (as if Boris were to blame in some way) telling him about Denisov's affair, asking him whether, through his general, he could and would intercede with the Emperor on Denisov's behalf and get Denisov's petition handed in.

When he and Boris were alone, Rostov felt for the first time that he could not look Boris in the face without a sense of awkwardness.