5–11 March 1855

Have lost a further 200 rubles to Odakhdvski, so that I am involved to the last extremity. Gorchakdv has arrived with the whole Staff ; I have been to see him and was well received, but of a transfer to the Staff, which I have long desired, there is no news. I will not ask for it but will wait for him to do it of his own accord, or for my aunt to write a letter. Had the weak- ness to let Stotypin induce me to take part in a sally, though now I am not only glad of it, but regret not having gone with the assaulting column. In general this trip from the 9th to the nth has been full of interesting occurrences. Bron^vski is one of the nicest fellows I have ever met. A military career is not for me, and the sooner I get out of it to devote myself fully to literary work the better.