The Created Legend

mber of city folk sought coolness on the float, as the buffet at the steamboat-landing was called in Skorodozh.

ufacturing towns. It was the boat's last stopping-point, the river higher up being too shallow. For a while there was much bustle and noise on the float. The little tables were soon occupied by townsfolk and new arrivals,

he retired Colonel Zherbenev, both large land-proprietors and patriots-members of the Union of Russian People.9 Their speech was loud and

r as he lazily stretched himself. His large coat hung about his shoulders like a bag, his highly coloured waistcoat was unbuttoned, his string necktie hung loose, half undone. Altogether he had the look of a man w

d erect as though he were nailed to his chair, and surveyed those round him with a stern g

kh in the same savage voice as before. "It is necessary to instil

nnecessary loudness, though the

rge

ped the slo

before me

tched himself smartly to his full height

, fat

tting at the other table

e enemies of the Tsar and th

estroyed!" answer

ds?" continue

repeated the wor

the vile enemies of the Fatherland

herbenev laug

ion, that's what they are!" sa

es; and his dress had seen much wear. Kerbakh and Zherbenev gave him an occasional passing glance, not of a very friendly nature. As though they took it for granted that the stranger held antagonistic vie

ften repeated in Kerbakh's remarks, aroused an intense interest, even agitation, in the stranger. His f

entured to join in

less I am mistaken, you were spea

, you...." b

jumped to his feet and beg

ve my impertinent curiosity. I am Ostrov, th

time," said K

ard the name,"

ad been commended, and continued to speak

I'm on my way to attend to some personal business in the Rouban Gove

lignant thoughts about Trirodov again took

re. He is a very old and intimate acquaint

severely, glancing at O

ainly impudent. Indeed his words and his whole demeanour were provokingly arrogant.

ears," Ostrov went on. "Ho

appearances a rich man,"

rodov's is of comparatively recent origin. I'm quite sure of that.

he cleanest?"

r made a grimace and chuckled. Os

say that. Quite clean. Indeed, I can assure you of

to hear something about Trirodov. But Piotr quickly p

of your friend Tr

tr answered sharply, "and I don't intend to. As for his friend

isha. Ostrov glanced after

ve you

land belonging to him and hi

e circumstance that Trirodov had bought the house and part of the estate

al District Council for a single term, and was not chosen again. He could not hide his connexions and his affairs, and lost his reputation, though the

ed "in administrative order" to the Olonetsk Government. There were dark rumours about Matov. At the next electio

e last farthing. But invariably he found sudden means again, no one knew how, and again he would lead a dissipated, gay, profligate life. His estate was mortgaged and re-mortgaged. His relations with the peasants bega

lucky enough to fall heir to several inheritances. Not only did people say that luck was on his side, but they also hinted at forged wills, strangled

trifling sum for lumber, the labourers were not paid for the work they had done. On the other hand, during prosperous days, following the death of some relative, things used to pick up in a marvellous wa

cellent means and a dark past. There was a report that she had been the mistress of a dignitary, who had begun to grow weary of her. She managed, none the less, to keep up her connexions and to colle

t wind of the dark rumours about his inheritances. The quarrels grew more frequent. Quite often he left his home, and always suddenly. Once he took all valuables with him and decamped, leaving with his

remained unknown. Even his body had not been found. It was only certain that he

harp illness. Her sons remained in the h

d a conspirator," sa

ov s

the question: are these calumnies against my friend actuated by

time with calumnies,"

you any longer. I'm very grateful for the pleasant

rbakh and Zherbenev

e-looking man!

I shouldn't like to meet

of chemistry has fine