An Introduction
The train began to move, Erkel waved once more but Pyotr did not notice he had taken his seat opposite the Colonel and the merchant. He bowed his head to them while his young friend, Sergei, introduced his most favourite person.
"Colonel Berestov, Mr Pripuhlov this is my dear friend Pyotr Stepanovich Verkhovensky. I met him through my relative Yuliya Mikhailovna, the cousin to my mother. Stepanovich has received a quest from her to deliver some letters on her behalf to friends in Petersburg so he will be travelling with us for at least the remainder of Pripuhlov's journey."
The two men bowed their heads to Stepanovich in reply to the introduction and glanced at Sergei before enquiring more about this new acquaintance of theirs. They directed their questions towards Stepanovich whilst passing looks between him and Sergei.
"So Pyotr you are Stepanovich Verkhovensky?" asked the Colonel forwardly.
"I am sir and yourself the legendary Colonel Berestov, I have heard many tales of your campaigns throughout Europe and Asia." Replied Verkhovensky with a tone of admiration.
"Indeed! I like this one Sergei he knows how to flatter! Stepanovich are you of Stepan Trofimovich Verkhovensky?"
"Yes sir, I am the son of the man you speak of, Stepan Trofimovich is my father." Answered Stepanovich.
"The son! Haha! Nothing like the father I hope, the man could not play whisp to save his life. Now I recall that he owes me money as well."
"You know my father then Colonel?"
"No, not at all! But I played him once in Petersburg at cards. I recall his name but not his features. Is he still a daring gambler?"
"I cannot say sir, the brief amount of time I have spent with my father have been passed by conversation that did not stretch as far as his gambling years."
"Then I hope his son has inherited his weakness at cards!" Saying this; the Colonel gave Pripuhlov a friendly push and bellowed with laughter. Pripuhlov did not join in the laughter but sat quietly inspecting the face of Stepanovich who joined with a slight chuckle. The merchant had his eyes fixed on Stepanovich throughout his short conversation with Berestov, scrutinising each word that slivered out of Stepanovich's mouth. He had thought Pyotr suspicious and as a man who prided himself on an excellent judge of character he had taken a dislike to Pyotr immediately despite the looks of reassurance he had been receiving from Sergei.
"So Mr Verkhovensky," Pripuhlov said formerly, "you are intimate with Yuliya Mikhailovna?"
"I believe 'intimate' to be an over statement sir, I am merely a servant to the noble lady but I shall not deny that she has taken to me quite fondly."
"Oh you do not do yourself justice Stepanovich," interrupted Sergei, "Pyotr is intimate enough to be treated as a son, residing in her house and being given permission to make use of all her resources!"
"Is this true?" asked Pripuhlov.
"It can be said that I am at liberty to request certain things from the lady but I am by no means considered a son." Replied Stepanovich modestly, feigning a blush.
"I myself am acquainted with the lady, even more so with her husband Andrey Antonovich."
"Ah the good Von Lembke, yes I too am acquainted with the man and am quite fond of him."
"Then you would have heard the recent news about his health, would you not?"
"Indeed I would sir, a terrible outcome for such a great man."
"I was wondering if there was anything more you may share with me about the fire Antonovich was so nobly attempting to help with before being knocked unconscious."
"You know as much as me sir, that Von Lembke may have lost control over his faculties when he, as you say, so 'nobly' helped with the fire. It was a terrible night and one which I would rather forget. There are rumours of he being moved to a place where he may relax and recover I wish him a swift recovery as Yuliya is beside herself."
"Then she is lucky to have one such as you by her side." Pripuhlov said this with a convincing sincerity that only Stepanovich saw through. Pyotr answered with but a smile to Pripuhlov before Berestov seized control of the conversation once more.
"Come now! Enough of this melancholy speech! Sergei promised me a game and I am eager to see how our new friend here Pyotr plays! Not to mention Pripuhlov I am eager to acquire some more of your riches from you, you must stop playing with me otherwise you will end up with nothing on your person but your beard!" All but Pripuhlov laughed at this joke who replied with a simple grunt.