"well, hardly at all. i wish i were, if only for the sake of justifying myself in her eyes. nina alexandrovna has a grudge against me for, as she thinks, encouraging her husband in drinking; whereas in reality i not only do not encourage him, but i actually keep him out of harm’s way, and out of bad company. besides, he’s my friend, prince, so that i shall not lose sight of him, again. where he goes, i go. he’s quite given up visiting the captain’s widow, though sometimes he thinks sadly of her, especially in the morning, when he’s putting on his boots. i don’t know why it’s at that time. but he has no money, and it’s no use his going to see her without. has he borrowed any money from you, prince?"