Though stout and broad-shouldered, I was shorter than Woloda, while my ugliness of face still remained and tormented me as much as ever.  By way of compensation, I tried to appear original.  Yet one thing comforted me, namely, that Papa had said that I had “an intelligent face.”  I quite believed him.

St. Jerome was not only satisfied with me, but actually had taken to praising me.  Consequently, I had now ceased to hate him.  In fact, when, one day, he said that, with my “capacities” and my “intellect,” it would be shameful for me not to accomplish this, that, or the other thing, I believe I almost liked him.

I had long ago given up keeping observation on the maidservants’ room, for I was now ashamed to hide behind doors.  Likewise, I confess that the knowledge of Masha’s love for Basil had greatly cooled my ardour for her, and that my passion underwent a final cure by their marriage—­a consummation to which I myself contributed by, at Basil’s request, asking Papa’s consent to the union.

When the newly-married couple brought trays of cakes and sweetmeats to Papa as a thank-offering, and Masha, in a cap with blue ribbons, kissed each of us on the shoulder in token of her gratitude, I merely noticed the scent of the rose pomade on her hair, but felt no other sensation.

In general, I was beginning to get the better of my youthful defects, with the exception of the principal one—­the one of which I shall often again have to speak in relating my life’s history—­namely, the tendency to abstract thought.

XXV.  WOLODA’S FRIENDS

Although, when in the society of Woloda’s friends, I had to play a part that hurt my pride, I liked sitting in his room when he had visitors, and silently watching all they did.  The two who came most frequently to see him were a military adjutant called Dubkoff and a student named Prince Nechludoff.  Dubkoff was a little dark-haired, highly-strung man who, though short of stature and no longer in his first youth, had a pleasing and invariably cheerful air.  His was one of those limited natures which are agreeable through their very limitations; natures which cannot regard matters from every point of view, but which are nevertheless attracted by everything.  Usually the reasoning of such persons is false and one-sided, yet always genuine and taking; wherefore their narrow egotism seems both amiable and excusable.  There were two other reasons why Dubkoff had charms for Woloda and myself—­namely, the fact that he was of military appearance, and, secondly (and principally), the fact that he was of a certain age—­an age with which young people are apt to associate that quality of “gentlemanliness” which is so highly esteemed at their time of life.  However, he was in very truth un homme comme il faut.  The only thing which I did not like about it all was that, in his presence, Woloda always seemed ashamed