Under Western Eyes | Page 7

the forthcoming examination, he could now devote his time to the
subject of the prize essay. He hankered after the silver medal. The prize
was offered by the Ministry of Education; the names of the competitors
would be submitted to the Minister himself. The mere fact of trying
would be considered meritorious in the higher quarters; and the
possessor of the prize would have a claim to an administrative
appointment of the better sort after he had taken his degree. The student
Razumov in an access of elation forgot the dangers menacing the
stability of the institutions which give rewards and appointments. But
remembering the medallist of the year before, Razumov, the young
man of no parentage, was sobered. He and some others happened to be
assembled in their comrade's rooms at the very time when that last
received the official advice of his success. He was a quiet, unassuming
young man: " Forgive me," he had said with a faint apologetic smile
and taking up his cap, " I am going out to order up some wine. But I

must first send a telegram to my folk at home. I say! Won't the old
people make it a festive time for the neighbours for twenty miles
around our place."
Razumov thought there was nothing of that sort for him in the world.
His success would matter to no one. But he felt no bitterness against the
nobleman his protector, who was not a provincial magnate as was
generally supposed. He was in fact nobody less than Prince K---, once a
great and splendid figure in the world and now, his day being over, a
Senator and a gouty invalid, living in a still splendid but more domestic
manner. He had some young children and a wife as aristocratic and
proud as himself.
In all his life Razumov was allowed only once to come into personal
contact with the Prince.
It had the air of a chance meeting in the little attorney's office. One day
Razumov, coming in by appointment, found a stranger standing there--
a tall, aristocratic-looking Personage with silky, grey sidewhiskers. The
bald-headed, sly little lawyer-fellow called out, "Come in--come in, Mr.
Razumov," with a sort of ironic heartiness. Then turning deferentially
to the stranger with the grand air, "A ward of mine, your, Excellency.
One of the most promising students of his faculty in the St. Petersburg
University."
To his intense surprise Razumov saw a white shapely hand extended to
him. He took it in great confusion (it was soft and passive) and heard at
the same time a condescending murmur in which he caught only the
words "Satisfactory" and "Persevere." But the most amazing thing of
all was to feel suddenly a distinct pressure of the white shapely hand
just before it was withdrawn: a light pressure like a secret sign. The
emotion of it was terrible. Razumov's heart seemed to leap into his
throat. When he raised his eyes the aristocratic personage, motioning
the little lawyer aside, had opened the door and was going out.
The attorney rummaged amongst the papers on his desk for a time. "Do
you know who that was?" he asked suddenly.

Razumov, whose heart was thumping hard yet, shook his head in
silence.
"That was Prince K---. You wonder what he could be doing in the hole
of a poor legal rat like myself--eh? These awfully great people have
their sentimental curiosities like common sinners. But if I were you,
Kirylo Sidorovitch," he continued, leering and laying a peculiar
emphasis on the patronymic," I wouldn't boast at large of the
introduction. It would not be prudent, Kirylo Sidorovitch. Oh dear no!
It would be in fact dangerous for your future."
The young man's ears burned like fire; his sight was dim. "That man!"
Razumov was saying to himself. "He!"
Henceforth it was by this monosyllable that Mr. Razumov got into the
habit of referring mentally to the stranger with grey silky side-whiskers.
>From that time too, when walking in the more fashionable quarters, he
noted with interest the magnificent horses and carriages with Prince
K--- 's liveries on the box. Once he saw the Princess get out--she was
shopping--followed by two girls, of which one was nearly a head taller
than the other. Their fair hair hung loose down their backs in the
English style; they had merry eyes, their coats, muffs, and little fur caps
were exactly alike, and their cheeks and noses were tinged a cheerful
pink by the frost. They crossed the pavement in front of him, and
Razumov went on his way smiling shyly to himself. "His" daughters.
They resembled "Him." The young man felt a glow of warm
friendliness towards these girls who would never know of his existence.
Presently they would marry Generals or Kammerherrs and