Stepan Arkadyevitch, as usual, did not waste his time in Petersburg.

In Petersburg, besides business, his sister's divorce, and his coveted appointment, he wanted, as he always did, to freshen himself up, as he said, after the mustiness of Moscow.

In spite of its _cafes chantants_ and its omnibuses, Moscow was yet a stagnant bog.

Stepan Arkadyevitch always felt it.

After living for some time in Moscow, especially in close relations with his family, he was conscious of a depression of spirits.