ought to move the soul of every man and of every child."
And Alekseï Aleksandrovitch began to discourse on a subject which, next to the questions of administration, gave him the most concern—his son's education.
When Alekseï Aleksandrovitch, with Lidia Ivanovna's aid, once more resumed his ordinary life and activity again, he felt it his duty to occupy himself with the education of the son who had been left on his hands. Having never before taken any practical interest in the question of education, Alekseï Aleksandrovitch consecrated some time to the practical study of the subject. After having read various works on anthropology, pedagogy, and didactics, he conceived a plan of education which the best tutor in Petersburg was then intrusted to put into practice. And this work constantly occupied him.
"Yes; but his heart? I find in this child his father's heart, and with such a heart he cannot be bad," said the countess, with enthusiasm.
"Well, that may be. So far as in me lies, I perform my duty; it is all that I can do."
"Will you come to my house?" asked the Countess Lidia Ivanovna, after a moment's silence. "I have a very painful matter to talk with you about. I would have given the world to spare you certain memories; others do not think the same. I have had a letter from her. She is here in Petersburg."
Alekseï Aleksandrovitch quivered at the recollection of his wife; but his face instantly assumed that expression of corpselike immobility that showed how absolutely unable he was to treat of such a subject.
"I expected it," he said.
The Countess Lidia Ivanovna looked at him with exaltation, and in the presence of a soul so great, tears of transport sprang to her eyes.
