Section 4: Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 Summary

In the fifth chapter, Princess Zasyekin calls on Mme. Petrovich who finds the princess tiresome and troublesome. M. Petrovich recalls that the princess' husband was well-bred but empty and ridiculous. Prince Zasyekin gambled away all of his property and then married the daughter of a minor official. Once he began to speculate, he ruined himself. Mme. Petrovich hopes that Princess Zasyekin will not try to borrow money. M. Petrovich has heard that the princess' daughter is a very charming and cultivated girl. Vladimir feels very uncomfortable during this conversation. After dinner, Vladimir walks through the garden, promising himself to stay away from the Zasyekins' garden, but he is drawn by an uncontrollable force. Vladimir sees Zanaida with a book and coughs to get her attention. She turns, smiles and resumes reading. Vladimir hears footsteps as his father...