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indefinite way。 But his main concern was with his work； his
studies； and with his own future。
Officially and in fact without a family （for the daughter of the
Archpriest had long been dead）； no home influences had shaped his
opinions or his feelings。 He was as lonely in the world as a man
swimming in the deep sea。 The word Razumov was the mere label of
a solitary individuality。 There were no Razumovs belonging to
him anywhere。 His closest parentage was defined in the statement
that he was a Russian。 Whatever good he expected from life
would be given to or withheld from his hopes by that connexion
alone。 This immense parentage suffered from the throes of
internal dissensions； and he shrank mentally from the fray as a
good…natured man may shrink from taking definite sides in a
violent family quarrel。
Razumov； going home； reflected that having prepared all the
matters of 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 therea tall； aristocratic…looking Personage
with silky； grey sidewhiskers。 The bald…headed； sly little
lawyer…fellow called out； 〃Come income 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 outshe was shoppingfollowed 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 have girls and boys of their own； w
ho perhaps would be aware of him as a celebrated old professor；
decorated； possibly a Privy Councillor； one of the glories of
Russianothing more！
But a celebrated professor was a somebody。 Distinction would
convert the label Razumov into an honoured name。 There was
nothing strange in the student Razumov's wish for
distinction。 A man's real life is that accorded to him in the
thoughts of other men by reason of respect or natural love。
Returning home on the day of the attempt on Mr。 de P…'s life
Razumov resolved to have a good try for the silver medal。
Climbing slowly the four flights of the dark； dirty staircase in
the house where he had his lodgings； he felt confident of
success。 The winner's name would be published in the papers on
New Year's Day。 And at the thought that 〃He〃 would most probably
read it there； Razumov stopped short on the stairs for an instant；
then went on smiling faintly at his own emotion。 〃This is but
a shadow；〃 he said to himself；〃 but the medal is a solid beginning。〃
With those ideas of industry in his head the warmth of his room
was agreeable and encouraging。 〃I shall put in four hours of
good work；〃 he thought。 But no sooner had he closed the door
than he was horribly startled。 All black against the usual tall
stove of white tiles gleaming in the dusk； stood a s