Page:Five Russian plays and one Ukrainian.pdf/107

Rh : And is that a great thing? My son is a count, and it seems to me that the major is not humbling himself to undertake his education.


 * Mr. Flatternot certainly will not consider it a particular honour to be tutor to your son; and if he does consent to undertake this position, it will be certainty only in order to be useful to a brother nobleman.


 * I think, however, that rank is merit.


 * The least of all human merits. To be born a count is not difficult, and one may by right of rank be called “Highness” without having high qualities, such as zealousness to be useful to one’s country. You, your highness! how have you served the country?


 * I was a subaltern in the Guards, with a captain’s grade on retirement.


 * Do not you yourself show the vanity of your rank as count? I wager that your son, if he is taught by Mr. Flatternot, will have quite another sort of ideas, and will be worthy of the honour which the path of nature opens to him.


 * I was unlucky in my service. I could not reach major, and am now obliged to nag about the country.