lay like a soft shroud over the garden; a drowsy scent breathed from
the trees near. The stars shed a mild radiance. The summer night was
soft--and softened all. Rudin gazed into the dark garden, and looked
round.

'That music and this night,' he began, 'reminded me of my student days
in Germany; our meetings, our serenades.'

'You have been in Germany then?' said Darya Mihailovna.

'I spent a year at Heidelberg, and nearly a year at Berlin.'

'And did you dress as a student? They say they wear a special dress
there.'

'At Heidelberg I wore high boots with spurs, and a hussar's jacket
with braid on it, and I let my hair grow to my shoulders. In Berlin
the students dress like everybody else.'

'Tell us something of your student life,' said Alexandra Pavlovna.

Rudin complied. He was not altogether successful in narrative. There
was a lack of colour in his descriptions. He did not know how to be
humorous. However, from relating his own adventures abroad, Rudin soon
passed to general themes, the special value of education and science,
universities, and university life generally. He sketched in a large
and comprehensive picture in broad and striking lines. All listened to
him with profound attention. His eloquence was masterly and
attractive, not altogether clear, but even this want of clearness
added a special charm to his words.