Afterwards when it was all over, people blamed Yulia Mihailovna, her circle, her attitude.

But it can hardly have been altogether due to Yulia Mihailovna.

On the contrary; at first many people vied with one another in praising the new governor's wife for her success in bringing local society together, and for making things more lively.

Several scandalous incidents took place, for which Yulia Mihailovna was in no way responsible, but at the time people were amused and did nothing but laugh, and there was no one to check them.

A rather large group of people, it is true, held themselves aloof, and had views of their own on the course of events.