“... An official of the treasury chamber, a widower, elderly, married a young, beautiful daughter of a military commander. He was silent and modest, and she knew her worth. He was thin, tall, of consumptive build, wore iodine-colored glasses, spoke somewhat hoarsely, and if he wanted to say something louder, he would break into a fistula. And she was small, perfectly and strongly built, always well dressed, very attentive and efficient around the house, and had a keen eye. He seemed as uninteresting in all respects as many provincial officials, but his first marriage was to a beauty - and everyone just threw up their hands: why and why did such people marry him? ..."