(c) RecollectionsofFatherZossima'sYouthbeforehebecameaMonk.

Ispentalongtime, almosteightyears, inthemilitarycadetschoolatPetersburg, andinthenoveltyofmysurroundingsthere, manyofmychildishimpressionsgrewdimmer, , absurd, .

Butweall, myselfincluded, , , wewerereadytolaydownourlivesforthehonoroftheregiment, butnooneofushadanyknowledgeoftherealmeaningofhonor, andifanyonehadknownit, , 'tsaythatwewerebadbynature, alltheseyoungmenweregoodfellows, buttheybehavedbadly, , andsoIflungmyselfintoalifeofpleasure, andplungedheadlongintoalltherecklessnessofyouth.

Iwasfondofreading, yetstrangetosay, theBiblewastheonebookIneveropenedatthattime, thoughIalwayscarrieditaboutwithme, andIwasneverseparatedfromit; inverytruthIwaskeepingthatbook "forthedayandthehour, forthemonthandtheyear," thoughIknewitnot.

Afterfouryearsofthislife, , , asIwasofalivelytemperamentandwasknowntobewelloff, .

Iformedanattachmenttoabeautifulandintelligentyounggirlofnobleandloftycharacter, , butonlyrecognizedtheelevationofhermindandcharacter, , however, frommakingheranofferatthetimebymyselfishness, Iwasloathtopartwiththeallurementsofmyfreeandlicentiousbachelorlifeintheheydayofmyyouth, , , allofasudden, wewereorderedofffortwomonthstoanotherdistrict.