Finding instead of peace and rest all these, from her point of view, fearful calamities, Darya Alexandrovna was at first in despair.

She exerted herself to the utmost, felt the hopelessness of the position, and was every instant suppressing the tears that started into her eyes.

The bailiff, a retired quartermaster, whom Stepan Arkadyevitch had taken a fancy to and had appointed bailiff on account of his handsome and respectful appearance as a hall-porter, showed no sympathy for Darya Alexandrovna's woes.

He said respectfully, "nothing can be done, the peasants are such a wretched lot," and did nothing to help her.