"Is the best. But what is strange about it is, that he finds so many excellent men, and that he selects from so large a circle, when others who, in times of calamity, are no longer considered unworthy, never obtain their turn for preferment." "You appear to be not in a very good humor, to-day, boyard.... Would you fall into disfavor with the Czar?" "Why," exclaimed the boyard, "should I not tell a friend what probably he will learn to-day, if indeed he is ignorant of it now? You know," he continued with an affected calmness, "the domain of the crown adjacent to my lands in Tula?" "I do not," said the embarrassed Prince. "Indeed you do, Alexandre Michailowitz; or at least you ought to. It separates my property from yours." "Ah! the manor." "The same. It is not very extensive, containing only three villages and a thousand serfs. But its situation suits me and I desire its possession." "Well, you ought to propose to the Czar to sell it. He will not refuse you." "He has already refused. 'I am sorry,' he coldly said, 'that I cannot grant you the lands you ask; I have disposed of them to another.' I was about to reply, but turning to speak to some one, he closed our conversation." "And do you know to whom he granted the domain?" "Who? Perhaps a vicious flatterer--an intrusive coward--some fellow from abroad who comes among us to appease his hunger; or, what is worse, an upstart, whose only pleasure is to overturn my dearest hopes to fulfil his own. Who is he? One of those who daily make fortunes by hundreds in our Russia, in place of meeting with the rope which they merit--one of those who drive out honest men to occupy their places--a rustic bore, a cobbler, a pastry-cook!" The features of the boyard took an expression of the most violent anger; the muscles of his mouth contracted by a convulsive movement, and his fiery eye gave sign that he was remembering the sanguinary vengeance of his brethren, the sons of the Caucasus. The countenance of Menzikoff grew dark. The word "pastry-cook," in bringing to his recollection his former condition, awoke sentiments whose expression it was difficult for him to restrain. "I had intended," he said, "to ask the Czar to give me those very lands; but I am glad that I have not done so. I would have been unhappy in interfering with your projects, if it were even for the sake of your amiable daughter, who, in your old days, will reward you largely for all the grievances you experience at the Court."