Yet Simonov was also a brave war reporter, a generous friend and, eventually, conscience-stricken and remorseful.

But thinking of the poor woman's mournful facial expressions, I believed that as I offered her my timely help I would not feel conscience-stricken over this matter in my later years of life.

I yelled almost in despair, I'd had such idealistic longings for that girl in that past year and had conscience-stricken hours wondering if I should seduce her because she was so young and all.