Panshin was indeed very smart, not less so than his father; but he was also very talented.  He did everything well; he sang charmingly, sketched with spirit, wrote verses, and was a very fair actor.  He was only twenty-eight, and he was already a kammer-yunker, and had a very good position.  Panshin had complete confidence in himself, in his own intelligence, and his own penetration; he made his way with light-hearted assurance, everything went smoothly with him.  He was used to being liked by every one, old and young, and imagined that he understood people, especially women:  he certainly understood their ordinary weaknesses.  As a man of artistic leanings, he was conscious of a capacity for passion, for being carried away, even for enthusiasm, and consequently, he permitted himself various irregularities; he was dissipated, associated with persons not belonging to good society, and, in general, conducted himself in a free and easy manner; but at heart he was cold and false, and at the moment of the most boisterous revelry his sharp brown eye was always alert, taking everything in.  This bold, independent young man could never forget himself and be completely carried away.  To his credit it must be said, that he never boasted of his conquests.  He had found his way into Marya Dmitrievna’s house immediately he arrived in O——­, and was soon perfectly at home there.  Marya Dmitrievna absolutely adored him.  Panshin exchanged cordial greetings with every one in the room; he shook hands with Marya Dmitrievna and Lisaveta Mihalovna, clapped Gedeonovsky lightly on the shoulder, and turning round on his heels, put his hand on Lenotchka’s head and kissed her on the forehead.

“Aren’t you afraid to ride such a vicious horse?” Marya Dmitrievna questioned him.

“I assure you he’s very quiet, but I will tell you what I am afraid of:  I’m afraid to play preference with Sergei Petrovitch; yesterday he cleaned me out of everything at Madame Byelenitsin’s.”

Gedeonovsky gave a thin, sympathetic little laugh; he was anxious to be in favour with the brilliant young official from Petersburg—­the governor’s favourite.  In conversation with Marya Dmitrievna, he often alluded to Panshin’s remarkable abilities.  Indeed, he used to argue, how can one help admiring him?  The young man is making his way in the highest spheres, he is an exemplary official, and not a bit of pride about him.  And, in fact, even in Petersburg Panshin was reckoned a capable official; he got through a great deal of work; he spoke of it lightly as befits a man of the world who does not attach any special importance to his labours, but he never hesitated in carrying out orders.  The authorities like such subordinates; he himself had no doubt, that if he chose, he could be a minister in time.

“You are pleased to say that I cleaned you out,” replied Gedeonovsky; “but who was it won twelve roubles of me last week and more?” . . .

“You’re a malicious fellow,” Panshin interrupted, with genial but somewhat contemptuous carelessness, and, paying him no further attention, he went up to Lisa.