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Moreover, the recollection of the rejection and the part he had

played in the affair tortured him with shame. However often he

told himself that he was in no wise to blame in it, that

recollection, like other humiliating reminiscences of a similar

kind, made him twinge and blush. There had been in his past, as

in every man's, actions, recognized by him as bad, for which his

conscience ought to have tormented him; but the memory of these

evil actions was far from causing him so much suffering as those

trivial but humiliating reminiscences. These wounds never healed.

And with these memories was now ranged his rejection and the

pitiful position in which he must have appeared to others that

evening. But time and work did their part. Bitter memories were

more and more covered up by the incidents-paltry in his eyes, but

really important-of his country life. Every week he thought less

often of Kitty.