he already knew how to enter any drawing-room whatsoever without
becoming nervous, how to move about it in an agreeable manner, and how
to take his leave exactly at the right moment.

The elder Panshine made a number of useful connections for his son;
while shuffling the cards between two rubbers, or after a lucky "Great
Schlemm,"[A] he never lost the opportunity of saying a word about
his young "Volodka" to some important personage, a lover of games of
skill. On his part, Vladimir Nikolaevich, during the period of his
stay at the university, which he left with the rank of "effective
student,"[B] made acquaintance with several young people of
distinction, and gained access into the best houses. He was cordially
received everywhere, for he was very good looking, easy in manner,
amusing, always in good health, and ready for every thing. Where he
was obliged, he was respectful; where he could, he was overbearing.
Altogether, an excellent companion, _un charmant garçon_. The Promised
Land lay before him. Panshine soon fathomed the secret of worldly
wisdom, and succeeded in inspiring himself with a genuine respect
for its laws. He knew how to invest trifles with a half-ironical
importance, and to behave with the air of one who treats all
serious matters as trifles. He danced admirably; he dressed like an
Englishman. In a short time he had gained the reputation of being one
of the pleasantest and most adroit young men in St. Petersburg.

[Footnote A: "A bumper."]

[Footnote B: A degree a little inferior to that of Bachelor of Arts.]

Panshine really was very adroit--not less so than his father had been.
And besides this, he was endowed with no small talent; nothing was too