A House of Gentlefolk

affairs. He had come to the town of O—— to carry out some temporary government commissions, and was in attendance on the Governor-General Zonnenberg, to whom he happened to be dis

res chic, as the Parisians of Petersburg express themselves. By the time he was fifteen, Vladimir knew how to enter any drawing-room without embarrassment, how to move about in it gracefully and to leave it at the appropriate moment. Panshin’s father gained many connections for his son. He never lost an opportunity, while shuffling the cards between two rubbers, or playing a successful trump, of dropping a hint about his Volodka to any personage of importance who was a devotee of cards. And Vladimir, too, during his residence at the university, which he left without a very brilliant degree, formed an acquaintance with several young men of quality, and gained an entry into the best hous

especially women: he certainly understood their ordinary weaknesses. As a man of artistic leanings, he was conscious of a capacity for passion, for being carried away, even for enthusiasm, and consequently, he permitted himself various irregularities; he was dissipated, associated with persons not belonging to good society, and, in general, conducted himself in a free and easy manner; but at heart he was cold and false, and at the moment of the most boisterous revelry his sharp brown eye was always alert, taking everything in. This bold, independent young

such a vicious horse?” Mary

aid of: I’m afraid to play preference with Sergei Petrovitch; ye

argue, how can one help admiring him? The young man is making his way in the highest spheres, he is an exemplary official, and not a bit of pride about him. And, in fact, even in Petersburg Panshin was reckoned a capable official; he got through a great deal of work; he

t,” replied Gedeonovsky; “but who was it won

h genial but somewhat contemptuous carelessness, and,

already written to Moscow, and within a week you will have the overture. By the way,” he went on, “I wrote a new song yesterday, the words too are mine, would you care for me to sing it? I don’t k

erposed Marya Dmitr

suddenly on his face. He drew up a chair with his knee, sat down to the piano, and st

rth the moon

pale

light in t

rs the

s found a m

tormy

d sorrow

by

ull of love’

ongin

calm, as th

nows n

o far as to exclaim, “Ravishing poetry, and music equally ravishing!” Lenotchka looked with childish reverence at the singer. In short, every one present was delighted with the young dilettante’s composition; but at the door leading into the drawing-room from the hall stood an old man, who had only just come in, and who, to judge by the expression of hi

peak, and he jumped up quickly from his seat. “I had no suspicion that you were here — nothi

ry bad Russian, and exchanging greetings with ever

,” said Marya Dmitrievna, “to

a Mihalovna, but

notchka, go up-sta

follow the little girl,

oritch,” he said. “Lisa Mihalovna and I are

y, and Panshin continued in Ge

beautiful thing! Pray, do not suppose that I cannot appreciate serious music

and with a sidelong look at Lisa,

ed to Gedeonovsky a walk in the garden. “I should like,” she said, “to have a little more talk, and to consult you about our poor Fedya.” Gedeonovsky bowed with a smirk, and with two fingers picked up his hat, on the brim of which his gloves had been tidily laid