Valentin Bulgakov

"The former Chertkov] aims at the moral destruction of Tolstoy's wife in order to get control of his manuscripts. The latter Alexandra] is either in conspiracy with him or, with typical female antagonism towards the mother, devotes herself to the struggle as to a kind of sport."

"To replace Gusev, Chertkov sent Father a new secretary toward the end of January. This was a student by the name of V. F. Bulgakov, a jolly, buoyant youth, a bit in love with himself."