Father Sergius Summary

Prince Stepan Kasatsky is a young man born into a privileged family close to the court of Emperor Nicholas I. When Stepan is 12 his father, an outstanding military officer, dies and his mother enrolls him in military school in Petersburg as her late husband had intended. Steoan is a brilliant student and filled with self-confidence. Whenever he undertakes an activity, it is always to win recognition and approval for himself. He is, however, given to occasional uncontrollable fits of temper that sometimes result in violence. Stepan nurtures a "passionate adoration" for the emperor and envisions his life as a soldier in service to him and his country. In the emperor's court, he meets and falls in love with Countess Korotkova who is a beautiful and charming young woman who is also the tsar's concubine.

They become engaged. On a romantic rendezvous...