In spite of the rather elevated style of his surroundings in the service, Mr.von Lembke was a very modest man.
He would have been perfectly satisfied with some independent little government post, with the right to as much government timber as he liked, or something snug of that sort, and he would have been content all his life long.

But now, instead of the Minna or Ernestine he had expected, Yulia Mihailovna suddenly appeared on the scene.

His career was instantly raised to a more elevated plane.

The modest and precise man felt that he too was capable of ambition.
Yulia Mihailovna had a fortune of two hundred serfs, to reckon in the old style, and she had besides powerful friends.

On the other hand Lembke was handsome, and she was already over forty.