Despite his comparative youth, rather well-known jurists gave heed
to his opinions--true, a little loftily. None of those who knew
Ramses closely doubted that he would make a brilliant career, and
even Ramses himself did not conceal his confidence in that toward
thirty-five he would knock together a million, exclusively through
his practice as a civil lawyer. His comrades not infrequently
elected him chairman of meetings and head of the class, but this
honour Ramses invariably declined, excusing himself with lack of
time. But still he did not avoid participation in his comrades'
trials by arbitration, and his arguments--always incontrovertibly
logical--were possessed of an amazing virtue in ending the trials
with peace, to the mutual satisfaction of the litigating parties.
He, as well as Yarchenko, knew well the value of popularity among
the studying youths, and even if he did look upon people with a
certain contempt, from above, still he never, by as much as a
single movement of his thin, clever, energetical lips, showed
this.
"Well, Gavrila Petrovich, no one is necessarily dragging you into
committing a fall from grace," said Ramses in a conciliatory
manner, "What is all this pathos and melancholy for, when the
matter as it stands is altogether simple? A company of young
Russian gentlemen wishes to pass the remnant of the night modestly
and amicably, to make merry, to sing a little, and to take
internally several gallons of wine and beer.
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