We believed that he rated himself but little higher than the rest of us.

He _was_ superior but only because he saw so clearly with eyes purged of sentiment and credulity.

We, poor creatures, had still our moments of faith and confidence.

I had never liked him and during these last days had positively hated him.

I did not doubt that he was making the frankest love to Marie Ivanovna and I thought he was influencing her....