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Ambition was the old dream of his youth and childhood, a dream

which he did not confess even to himself, though it was so strong

that now this passion was even doing battle with his love. His

first steps in the world and in the service had been successful,

but two years before he had made a great mistake. Anxious to show

his independence and to advance, he had refused a post that had

been offered him, hoping that this refusal would heighten his

value; but it turned out that he had been too bold, and he was

passed over. And having, whether he liked or not, taken up for

himself the position of an independent man, he carried it off

with great tact and good sense, behaving as though he bore no

grudge against anyone, did not regard himself as injured in any

way, and cared for nothing but to be left alone since he was

enjoying himself. In reality he had ceased to enjoy himself as

long ago as the year before, when he went away to Moscow.