Alexey had said at the time to his brother that that sum would be sufficient for him until he married, which he probably never would do.

And his brother, who was in command of one of the most expensive regiments, and was only just married, could not decline the gift.

His mother, who had her own separate property, had allowed Alexey every year twenty thousand in addition to the twenty-five thousand he had reserved, and Alexey had spent it all.

Of late his mother, incensed with him on account of his love affair and his leaving Moscow, had given up sending him the money.