68 LIFE OF ELIE METCHNIKOFF 



age, she is a little over 23. She was born at Orenburg ; then 

 she lived for a long time with her family at Kiahta (Siberia), 

 after which she was abroad for nearly two years and finally 

 settled in Moscow. Ludmilla, or Lussia, was, as you remember, 

 a very zealous intermediary between me and the B. girls to 

 whom I was so attached. 



She loved me already then, though she said to herself that 

 I had too much affection for the B. children ever to return 

 her feelings. 



And she was perfectly right, as long as my affection for 

 those children lasted. 



But, when it ceased, I naturally took more notice of Lussia's 

 sympathy for me, and I am not surprised that I have acquired 

 much affection for her. 



She has faults which must seem graver to me than to you, 

 but what is to be done ? 



Fortunately she herself sees them. The greatest of her 

 faults is a too great placidity, a lack of vivacity and initiative ; 

 she adapts herself too easily to her surroundings. But, 

 being placid, she is also firm ; she can bear a great deal whilst 

 preserving complete self-control. She is extremely kind and 

 good-natured ; I have not yet found a vulgar trait in her 

 character. 



I have told you of her faults, you must therefore not 

 think me partial if I find qualities in her. 



The fact is — and I cannot forget it — that always, when I 

 had any kind of trouble, she soothed me by her attitude 

 towards me. 



Even though I have dark previsions for the future (as you 

 know, I am not given to seeing life through rose-coloured 

 glasses), I cannot help thinking that by Hving with Lussia I 

 should become calmer, at least for a fairly long time. 



I should cease to suffer from the misanthropy which has 

 invaded me lately. 



I intend to have no children — it is an embryologist who 

 is speaking. On the contrary, I want to preserve the utmost 

 liberty. Nevertheless, one must conform with certain legal 

 conventions, which will probably take place in January. 



