“If you didn’t want blood yourself, why did you give him a chance to kill you?”
“If I hadn’t challenged him, he’d have killed me simply, without a duel.”
“That’s not your affair. Perhaps he wouldn’t have killed you.”
“Only have beaten me?”
“That’s not your business. Bear your burden. Or else there’s no merit.”
“Hang your merit. I don’t seek anyone’s approbation.”
“I thought you were seeking it,” Kirillov commented with terrible unconcern.
They rode into the courtyard of the house.
“Do you care to come in?” said Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch.
“No; I’m going home. Good-bye.”