A Hero of Our Time

ner, but he is a Russian. What is there surprising in t

not know how to cure a fever. Werner usually made fun of his patients in private; but once I saw him weeping over a dying soldier... He was poor, and dreamed of millions, but he would not take a single step out of his way for the sake of money. He once told me that he would rather do a favour to an enemy than to a friend, because, in the latter case, it would mean selling his beneficence, whilst hatred only increases proportionately to the magnanimity of the adversary. He had a malici

features the stamp of a tried and lofty soul. Instances have been known of women falling madly in love with men of that sort, and having no desire to exchange their ugliness for the beauty of

eyes seemed as if they were endeavouring to fathom your thoughts. Taste and neatness were to be observed in his dress. His small, lean, sinewy hands flaunted themselves in bright-yellow gloves. His frock-coat, cravat and waistcoat were invariably of black. The young men dubbed him Mephistopheles; he pretended to be angry at the nickname, but in reality it flattered his vanity. Werner and

d noisy circle of young people. Towards the end of the evening the conversation took a philosophico-metaphys

said the doctor, "I am con

s of learning the opinion of a m

"that sooner or later, one

that, I have a further conviction, namely, that, one

used frequently to meet and discuss abstract subjects in a very serious manner, until each observed that the other was throwing dust in his eyes. Then, looking significantly at

r entered my room. He sat down in an easy chair, placed his cane in a corner, yawned, and announced th

all the other's secret thoughts: to us a single word is a whole history; we see the grain of every one of our feelings through a threefold husk. What is sad, we laugh at; what is laughable, we grieve at; but, to tell the truth, we are fairly indifferent, generally spe

closed my eyes and yawned. The do

ll the same, in that

" I r

nd I will tell

continuing to examine the

-comers here, and I can guess who it is, because they,

le for us to hold a conversation!

other i

than talking; secondly, the listener cannot commit himself; thirdly, he can learn another's secret; fourthly, sensib

t was Princess Ligovski...

te s

hy

Mary inquired ab

that she was convinced that the young man in the soldier's

r cherishing that p

cour

ness to see to the denouement of this little comedy. It is

d the doctor, "that poor Gru

ed, do

ears that your history created a great stir there... She began to tell us of your adventures, most likely supplementing the gossip of society with observations of her own... Her daughte

I said, extendi

sed it feelingl

e I will pr

r presented? In no other way do they make the acquaintance

wish to court

moment's silence. "I never reveal my secrets myself, but I am exceedingly fond of their being guessed, because in that way I c

ve. What does that matter to me?... I was going to answer that she might be at her ease, because I would never tell anyone. Princess Ligovski is taking the cure for her rheumatism, and the daughter, for goodness knows what. I have ordered each of them to drink two tumblers a day of sulphurous water, and to bathe twice a week in the diluted bath. Princess Ligovski is apparently unaccustomed to giving orders. She cherishes respect for the intelligence and

een in Mosc

d a practi

nti

t seems, loves to discuss emotions, passions, etcetera. She was in Petersburg for on

seen anyone wi

husband's side-very pretty, but apparently very ill... Have you not met her at the well? She is of medium height, fair, with regular features;

ed through my teet

and, laying his hand on m

know

ct, beating more vi

seen her yet, but I am convinced that I recognise from your portrait a woman whom I loved in the ol

Werner, shruggi

meet me?... And how shall we meet?... And then, is it she?... My presentiments have never deceived me. There is not a man in the world over whom the past has acquired such a power

something. Evidently it was amusing, because they began to laugh loudly like a couple of madmen. Some of those who were surrounding Princess Mary were attracted to my side by curiosity, and gradually all of them left her and joined my circle. I did not stop talking; my anecdotes were clever to the point of absurdity, my jests at the ex

oung men, who had gone back to her out of politeness. "No do

ly, and probably with the

downright angry, my dear Princess.

her out of his sight. I wager that to-morrow he will ask somebody to pr