“I persisted and continued to argue that a conviction is stronger than any talent, though, speaking frankly, I myself could not define what exactly is a conviction and what is a talent. Probably I talked only for the sake of talking. “‘Take even your own case’ ... said the barrister. ‘You are convinced that your _fiancée_ is an angel and that there’s not a man in all the town happier than you. I tell you, ten or twenty minutes would be quite enough for me to make you sit down at this very table and write to break off the engagement.’ “I began to laugh. “‘Don’t laugh. I’m talking seriously,’ said my friend. ‘If I only had the desire, in twenty minutes you would be happy in the thought that you have been saved from marriage. My talent is not great, but neither are you strong?’ “‘Well, try, please,’ I said. “‘No, why should I? I only said it in passing. You’re a good boy. It would be a pity to expose you to such an experiment. Besides, I’m not in the mood, to-day.’ “We sat down to supper. The wine and thoughts of Natasha and my love utterly filled me with a sense of youth and happiness. My happiness was so infinitely great that the green-eyed barrister opposite me seemed so unhappy, so little, so grey!” “‘But do try,’ I pressed him. ‘I beg you.’ “The barrister shook his head and knit his brows. Evidently I had begun to bore him. “‘I know,’ he said, ‘that when the experiment is over you will thank me and call me saviour, but one must think of your sweetheart too. She loves you, and your refusal would make her suffer. But what a beauty she is! I envy you.’ “The barrister sighed, swallowed some wine, and began to speak of what a wonderful creature my Natasha was. He had an uncommon gift for description. He could pour out a whole heap of words about a woman’s eyelashes or her little finger. I listened to him with delight. “‘I’ve seen many women in my life-time;’ he said, ‘but I give you my word of honour, I tell you as a friend, your Natasha Andreevna is a gem, a rare girl! Of course, there are defects, even a good many, I grant you, but still she is charming.’