tittle-tattle was
thrown into the background, another significance had been detected. A
new character was revealed whom all had misjudged; a character, almost
ideally severe in his standards. Mortally insulted by a student, that
is, an educated man, no longer a serf, he despised the affront because
his assailant had once been his serf. Society had gossiped and slandered
him; shallow-minded people had looked with contempt on a man who had
been struck in the face. He had despised a public opinion, which had not
risen to the level of the highest standards, though it discussed them.

"And, meantime, you and I, Ivan Alexandrovitch, sit and discuss the
correct standards," one old club member observed to another, with a warm
and generous glow of self-reproach.

"Yes, Pyotr Mihailovitch, yes," the other chimed in with zest, "talk of
the younger generation!"

"It's not a question of the younger generation," observed a third,
putting in his spoke, "it's nothing to do with the younger generation;
he's a star, not one of the younger generation; that's the way to look
at it."

"And it's just that sort we need; they're rare people." The chief
point in all this was that the "new man," besides showing himself an
unmistakable nobleman, was the wealthiest landowner in the province, and
was, therefore, bound to be a leading man who could be of assistance.
I've already alluded in passing to the attitude of the landowners of our
province. People were enthusiastic:

"He didn't merely refrain from challenging the student. He put his hands
behind him, note that particularly, your excellency," somebody pointed
out.

"And he didn't haul him up before the new law-courts, either," added
another.

"In spite of the fact that for a personal insult to a nobleman he'd have
got fifteen roubles damages! He he he!"

"No, I'll tell you a secret about the new courts," cried a third, in
a frenzy of excitement, "if anyone's caught robbing or swindling and
convicted, he'd better run home while there's yet time, and murder his
mother. He'll be acquitted of everything at once, and ladies will wave
their batiste handkerchiefs from the platform. It's the absolute truth!"

"It's the truth. It's the truth!"

The inevitable anecdotes followed: Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch's friendly
relations with Count K. were recalled. Count K.'s stern and independent
attitude to recent reforms was well known, as well as his remarkable
public activity, though that had some