Chapter 22: July 8th: My Dearest Barbara Alexievna

July 8th: My Dearest Barbara Alexievna July 8th. My dearest Barbara Alexievna—The book which I received from you on the 6th of this month I now hasten to return, while at the same time hastening also to explain matters to you in this accompanying letter. What a misfortune, my beloved, that you should have brought me to such a pass! Our lots in life are apportioned by the Almighty according to our human deserts. To such a one He assigns a life in a general’s epaulets or as a privy council…