You, whose fortune up to now has barely reached a poor four thousand per annum--you are at this moment the possessor of millions.

Only last night a relative of yours, whose name you scarcely know, expired, leaving all his hoarded treasures to you.

Before the close of this present day, on whose threshold we now stand, you will have the news.

When you receive it remember me, and acknowledge that at least for once I knew and spoke the truth.

Follow the broad road, Ivan, laid out before you--a road wide enough not only for you to walk in, but for the crowd of toadies and flatterers also, who will push on swiftly after you and jostle you on all sides; be strong of heart and merry of countenance! Gather the roses; press the luscious grapes into warm, red wine that, as you quaff it, shall make your blood dance a mad waltz in your veins, and fair women's faces shall seem fairer to you than ever, their embraces more tender, their kisses more tempting! Spin the ball of Society like a toy in the palm of your hand! I see your life stretching before me like a brilliant, thread-like ephemeral ray of light! But in the far distance across it looms a shadow--a shadow that your power alone can never lift.