Summary

Chapter 14 resumes nearly two months after Olga’s death. Laptev occupies himself with charity work. Yulia spends her time crying at Kostya’s, under the pretense of giving the girls lessons.

One day, Polina pays Laptev a visit. He receives her in his study, glad to see her. She tells him that it is his duty as a rich man to pay the fees of some of her students who cannot afford to do so. He happily agrees. They go to the university together. After Laptev pays for the students, they head to Yartsev’s. As they walk, he secretly admires her awkward attractiveness.

They find Yartsev’s house empty. Polina plays his piano for two hours, eats, then leaves for her lessons. Laptev sits alone awhile after until Yartsev arrives. The friends dine together and talk about death. Yartsev says he loves...