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 I see two engineers of equal capacity, having pursued the same studies at the institute, one receiving forty thousand rubles, while the other contents himself with two thousand; or if I see a hussar, who has no special knowledge, become director of a bank with a phenomenal salary, I conclude that these salaries are fixed, not in accordance with the law of supply and demand, but by sheer partiality. And so, here is an abuse, great in itself and disastrous in its influence on the imperial service. I opine...."

Stepan Arkadyevitch made haste to interrupt his brother-in-law:—

"Yes, but you agree that a new and undoubtedly useful institution has been opened. It's a live thing, and it is certainly worth while to have it conducted honestly," said Stepan Arkadyevitch, emphasizing the adjective.

But the Muscovite signification of the adjective had no force for Alekseï Aleksandrovitch.

"Honesty is only negative merit," he replied.

"But you will do me a great favor, nevertheless," said Stepan Arkadyevitch, "if you will speak a little word to Pomorsky. .... When you happen to meet him, you know."

"Yes, certainly; but it seems to me that this depends more on Bolgarinof," said Alekseï Aleksandrovitch.

"Bolgarinof on his part is well disposed," said Stepan Arkadyevitch, reddening. Stepan Arkadyevitch reddened at the remembrance of Bolgarinof, because that very morning he had been at the Jew's house, and this visit had remained as an unpleasant recollection.

Stepan Arkadyevitch knew perfectly well that the commission of which he wished to become a member was a new, important, and honorable enterprise; but that morning, when Bolgarinof, evidently with malice prepense, kept him with other petitioners waiting in his reception-room for two hours, the whole affair became awkward to him.

Whether it was awkward to him that he, a descendant of Rurik, a Prince Oblonsky, had to wait two hours in