with anything, his lack of sympathy was modified by his recognition of the fact that errors were unavoidable, but that some things might be remedied. In the new judicial arrangement he did not approve of the conditions in which the lawyers were placed. Hitherto he had not had occasion to deal with lawyers, and so he had disapproved of the system only theoretically. But now his disapprobation was greatly increased by the disagreeable impression made on him in the lawyer's reception-room.
"The lawyer will be out immediately," said the clerk; and in reality in about two minutes the door opened, and the lawyer appeared, together with a tall justice of the peace.
The lawyer was a short, thick-set man, with a bald head, a dark reddish beard, a prominent forehead, and long, shiny eyebrows. His dress, from his necktie and double watch-chain down to his polished boots, was that of a dandy. His face was intelligent, but vulgar; his manner pretentious and in bad taste.
"Be so good as to walk in," said he, addressing Alekseï Aleksandrovitch; and gloomily ushering him into the next room, he closed the door.
"Will you not sit?"
He pointed to an arm-chair near his desk covered with papers, and rubbing his short, hairy hands together, he settled himself in front of the desk, and bent his head to one side. But he was hardly seated when a moth-miller flew on the table, and the little man, with unexpected liveliness, caught it on the wing; then he quickly resumed his former attitude.
"Before beginning to explain my business," said Alekseï Aleksandrovitch, following the movements of the lawyer with astonishment, "I must inform you that the subject which brings me here is to be kept secret."
An imperceptible smile slightly moved the lawyer's projecting reddish mustache.
"If I were not capable of keeping the secrets intrusted to me, I should not be a lawyer," said he; "but if you wish to be assured ...."
