[a] The accursed day when Anton Petrovich made the acquaintance of Berg existed only in theory, for his memory had not affixed to it a date label at the time, and now it was impossible to identify that day. [b] Broadly speaking, it happened last winter around Christmas, 1926. [c] Berg arose out of nonbeing, bowed in greeting, and settled down again — into an armchair instead of his previous nonbeing, [d] It was at the Kurdyumovs’, who lived on St. Mark Strasse, way off in the sticks, in the Moabit section of Berlin, I believe, [e] The Kurdyumovs remained the paupers they had become after the Revolution, while Anton Petrovich and Berg, although also expatriates, had since grown somewhat richer (Nabokov 1966/1996: 199).

[a] Scarcely aware of what he was doing, Anton Petrovich followed him out. [b] As they started to go down the stairs, Berg, who was in front, suddenly began to laugh, [c] ’Sorry,’ he said without turning his head, ’but this is awfully funny — being kicked out with such complications.’ [d] At the next landing he chuckled again and accelerated his step, [e] Anton Petrovich also quickened his pace, [f] That dreadful rush was unseemly… [g] Berg was deliberately making him go down in leaps and bounds, [h] What torture… [i] Third floor… [j] Second… [k] When will these stairs end? (Nabokov 1966/1996: 201).

[a] Natasha’s lips quivered; she quickly kissed him on the cheek and went out. [b] How strange that she did not start imploring him not to fight, [c] By all rights she ought to have implored him not to fight, [d] In our time nobody fights duels, [e] She is wearing the same perfume as… [f] As who? [g] No, no he had never been married. (Nabokov 1966/1996: 207–208).

[a] It was a beautiful morning, [b] The sparrows twittered like mad in the tall linden tree under the window, [c] A pale-blue, velvet shadow covered the street, and here and there a roof would flash silver, [d] Anton Petrovich was cold and had an ubearable headache, [e] A nip of brandy would be paradise, [f] None in the house, [g] House already deserted; master going away forever, [h] Oh, nonsense, [i] We insist on calmness, [j] The front-door bell will ring in a moment, [k] I must keep perfectly calm. [l] The bell is going to ring right now. [m] They are already three minutes late, [n] Maybe they won’t come? [o] Such a marvelous summer morning… [p] Who was the last person killed in a duel in Russia? [q] A Baron Manteuffel, twenty years ago. [r] No, they won’t come, [s] Good, [t] He would wait another half-hour, and then go to bed <…> (Nabokov 1966/1996: 213–214).

[a] ’But how can it be? I must decide to do something,’ Anton Petrovich said in a thin voice, [b] Perhaps there was a way out? [c] They had tormented him for a while, but enough was enough, [d] Yes, he had to decide, [e] He remembered the suspicious gaze of the man at the desk, [f] What should one say to that person? [g] Oh, obviously: ’I’m going to fetch my luggage — I left it at the station.’ [h] So. Good-bye forever, little hotel! The street, thank God, was now clear; Leontiev had finally given up and left. How do I get to the nearest streetcar stop? Oh, just go straight, my dear sir, and you will reach the nearest streetcar stop. No, better take a taxi. Off we go. The streets grow familiar again. Calmly, very calmly. Tip the taxi driver. Home! Five floors. Calmly, quite calmly he went into the front hall. Then quickly opened the parlor door. My, what a surprise!

In the parlor, around the circular table, sat Mityushin, Gnushke, and Tanya On the table stood bottles, glasses and cups. Mityushin beamed — pink-faced, shiny-eyed, drunk as an owl. Gnushke was drunk too, and also beamed, rubbing his hands together. Tanya was sitting with her bare elbows on the table, gazing at him motionlessly <…>

Anton Petrovich smiled broadly, got up, and started fiddling with his monocle. His smile slowly faded away. Such things don’t happen in real life (Nabokov 1966/1996: 220–221).