A Nobleman's Nest

rg, as an official for special commissions, in the Ministry of the Interior. He had come to the town of O * * * to execute a t

bout his "Volódka" to some important personage who was fond of social games. On his side, Vladímir Nikoláitch, during his stay in the university, whence he emerged with the rank of actual student, made acquaintance with several young men of quality, and became a frequenter of the best houses. He was received gladly everywhere; he was extremely good-looking, easy in his manners, entertaining, always well and ready for everything; where it was requisite, he was respectful; where it was possible, he was insolent, a capital companion, un charmant gar?on. The sacred realm opened out before him. Pánshin speedily grasped the secret of the science of society; he understood how to imbue himself with genuine respect for its decrees; he understood how, with half-bantering gravity, to busy himself with nonsense and assume the appearance of regarding everything serious as trivial; he danced exquisitely, he dressed in English style. In a short time he became renowned as one of the most agreeable and adroit young men in Petersburg. Pánshin was, in reality, very adroit,-no less so than his father: but he was, also, very gifted. He could do everything: he sang prettily, he drew dashingly, he wrote verses, he acted very far from badly on the stage. He h

na and Lizavéta Mikhaílovna, lightly tapped Gedeónovsky on the shoulder, and whir

ride such a vicious horse?"

at I am afraid of: I'm afraid to play preference with Sergyéi Petr

"The young man is making a success in the highest sphere of life, discharges his service in an exemplary manner, and is not the least bit proud." Moreover, even in Petersburg Pánshin was considered an energetic official: he got through an immense amount of work; he alluded to it

"-remarked Gedeónovsky:-"but who was it that won

ssing but almost disdainful carelessness, and without pa

tzes; but I have already written to Moscow, and within a week I shall have that overture. By the way,"-he continued,-"I wrote a new romance yesterday; the words also are my own. Would you like to have me sin

erposed Márya Dmítr

ace, and suddenly to vanish,-pushed forward a chair with his knee, seated himself at the piano, and

ats high abo

clouds

rest of the se

gic

soul hath ac

its

ed,-in joy an

hee

love, the anguish

oul i

But thou from ag

hat

outed: "Ravishing! both poetry and harmony are equally ravishing!..." Lyénotchka, with childish adoration, gazed at the singer. In a word, the composition of the youthful dilettante pleased all present extremely; but outside of the door of the drawing-room, in the anteroom, stood an elderly man, who had just arrived, to whom, judging by the expression of his downca

astily from his seat.-"I had no suspicion that you were here,-I could not, on any account, have ma

imperfect Russian, and having saluted all, he rem

,"-said Márya Dmítrievna,-"to

Mikhaílovna, but to

Lyénotchka, go upstair

t of following the little g

eódoritch,"-he said:-"Lizavéta Mikhaílovna and

, but Pánshin went on in Germa

very fine thing! Please do not think that I am incapable of appreciating serious music,-q

y ears, cast a sidelong glance a

o Gedeónovsky that he should take a stroll in the garden with her.-"I wish,"-she said, "to talk and take counsel with you still further, over our poor Fédya." Gedeónovsky grinned, bowed, took up-with two fingers, his hat, and his gloves neatly laid on its brim, and withdrew, i