? Whether it was Turgeniev or
Lermontoff who first interpreted this infant Credo, what matters it? As
in a night, lo! on every lip was the dread word that was destined to be
blazoned in bloody letters at the head of the next and grimmest chapter
of all Russian history: Nihilism.

Indeed, indeed, had these young men and women found their little
knowledge a deeply dangerous thing! Too quickly they perceived the
imperfections of their government, the corruption rife among the
officials of every class. And bitter was their reproach. The question to
them seemed simple. To correct this, at once and forever, dig up the
very soil in which the corruptive roots expanded--here was the way, the
only way. And immediately there followed pamphlets and articles. Secret
meetings, propagandist organizations, flooded the land. And the red flag
was everywhere raised and acknowledged as the student symbol.

It was down upon the southern bank of the Moskva that the three or four
thousand students of the Moscow University formed their colony, taking,
as it were, communal possession of that narrow neighborhood. There
Sergius and Irina dwelt, in circumstances a little better than those of
their friends. They kept the rent of their rooms paid; and, moreover, it
was a rare thing for a starving youth to drop in on them and find their
samovar cold, or their welcome unready. Sergius was himself, indeed, the
heart and soul of his branch of the brotherhood; and from him had
emanated none knew how many screeds and pamphlets upon his favorite
theme. Irina, relying on him as the last protector of her family,
questioned none of his plans, but found in his manner of life much that
delighted her Bohemian soul.

Now, into their unstable existence, came Ivan; and over him brother and
sister had their first dispute: Irina her first victory. True, Sergius
knew, and was to know, nothing of his sister's past acquaintance with
the composer, or what a debt he, as a brother, owed Ivan. In his eyes
Gregoriev was simply a man of the world, unknown to the police, and,
therefore, a valuable tool. After that first visit to their rooms,
Sergius unfolded to Irina his purpose for the use of her evident
admirer, which, to his utter amazement, the girl vehemently opposed. By
what tortuous way she managed in the end to reach his deeply hidden
scruples, who can say? Suffice it that, shortly, word went round to the
effect that this one guest of the Quarter, though he was to be