第1章
I。
TowardstheendofNovember，duringathaw，atnineo’clockonemorning，atrainontheWarsawandPetersburgrailwaywasapproachingthelattercityatfullspeed。Themorningwassodampandmistythatitwasonlywithgreatdifficultythatthedaysucceededinbreaking；anditwasimpossibletodistinguishanythingmorethanafewyardsawayfromthecarriagewindows。
Someofthepassengersbythisparticulartrainwerereturningfromabroad；butthethird-classcarriageswerethebestfilled，chieflywithinsignificantpersonsofvariousoccupationsanddegrees，pickedupatthedifferentstationsnearertown。Allofthemseemedweary，andmostofthemhadsleepyeyesandashiveringexpression，whiletheircomplexionsgenerallyappearedtohavetakenonthecolourofthefogoutside。
Whendaydawned，twopassengersinoneofthethird-classcarriagesfoundthemselvesoppositeeachother。Bothwereyoungfellows，bothwereratherpoorlydressed，bothhadremarkablefaces，andbothwereevidentlyanxioustostartaconversation。
Iftheyhadbutknownwhy，atthisparticularmoment，theywerebothremarkablepersons，theywouldundoubtedlyhavewonderedatthestrangechancewhichhadsetthemdownoppositetooneanotherinathird-classcarriageoftheWarsawRailwayCompany。
Oneofthemwasayoungfellowofabouttwenty-seven，nottall，withblackcurlinghair，andsmall，grey，fieryeyes。Hisnosewasbroadandflat，andhehadhighcheekbones；histhinlipswereconstantlycompressedintoanimpudent，ironical——itmightalmostbecalledamalicious——smile；buthisforeheadwashighandwellformed，andatonedforagooddealoftheuglinessofthelowerpartofhisface。Aspecialfeatureofthisphysiognomywasitsdeath-likepallor，whichgavetothewholemananindescribablyemaciatedappearanceinspiteofhishardlook，andatthesametimeasortofpassionateandsufferingexpressionwhichdidnotharmonizewithhisimpudent，sarcasticsmileandkeen，self-satisfiedbearing。Heworealargefur——orratherastrachan——overcoat，whichhadkepthimwarmallnight，whilehisneighbourhadbeenobligedtobearthefullseverityofaRussianNovembernightentirelyunprepared。Hiswidesleevelessmantlewithalargecapetoit——thesortofcloakoneseesupontravellersduringthewintermonthsinSwitzerlandorNorthItaly——wasbynomeansadaptedtothelongcoldjourneythroughRussia，fromEydkuhnentoSt。Petersburg。
Thewearerofthiscloakwasayoungfellow，alsoofabouttwenty-sixortwenty-sevenyearsofage，slightlyabovethemiddleheight，veryfair，withathin，pointedandverylightcolouredbeard；hiseyeswerelargeandblue，andhadanintentlookaboutthem，yetthatheavyexpressionwhichsomepeopleaffirmtobeapeculiarity。aswellasevidence，ofanepilepticsubject。Hisfacewasdecidedlyapleasantoneforallthat；
refined，butquitecolourless，exceptforthecircumstancethatatthismomentitwasbluewithcold。Heheldabundlemadeupofanoldfadedsilkhandkerchiefthatapparentlycontainedallhistravellingwardrobe，andworethickshoesandgaiters，hiswholeappearancebeingveryun-Russian。
Hisblack-hairedneighbourinspectedthesepeculiarities，havingnothingbettertodo，andatlengthremarked，withthatrudeenjoymentofthediscomfortsofotherswhichthecommonclassessooftenshow:
"Cold？"
"Very，"saidhisneighbour，readily。"andthisisathaw，too。
Fancyifithadbeenahardfrost！Ineverthoughtitwouldbesocoldintheoldcountry。I’vegrownquiteoutofthewayofit。"
"What，beenabroad，Isuppose？"
"Yes，straightfromSwitzerland。"
"Wheugh！mygoodness！"Theblack-hairedyoungfellowwhistled，andthenlaughed。
Theconversationproceeded。Thereadinessofthefair-hairedyoungmaninthecloaktoanswerallhisoppositeneighbour’squestionswassurprising。Heseemedtohavenosuspicionofanyimpertinenceorinappropriatenessinthefactofsuchquestionsbeingputtohim。Replyingtothem，hemadeknowntotheinquirerthathecertainlyhadbeenlongabsentfromRussia，morethanfouryears；thathehadbeensentabroadforhishealth；thathehadsufferedfromsomestrangenervousmalady——akindofepilepsy，withconvulsivespasms。Hisinterlocutorburstoutlaughingseveraltimesathisanswers；andmorethanever，whentothequestion，"whetherhehadbeencured？"thepatientreplied:
"No，theydidnotcureme。"
"Hey！that’sit！Youstumpedupyourmoneyfornothing，andwebelieveinthosefellows，here！"remarkedtheblack-hairedindividual，sarcastically。
"Gospeltruth，sir，Gospeltruth！"exclaimedanotherpassenger，ashabbilydressedmanofaboutforty，wholookedlikeaclerk，andpossessedarednoseandaveryblotchyface。"Gospeltruth！AlltheydoistogetholdofourgoodRussianmoneyfree，gratis，andfornothing。"
"Oh，butyou’requitewronginmyparticularinstance，"saidtheSwisspatient，quietly。"OfcourseIcan’targuethematter，becauseIknowonlymyowncase；butmydoctorgavememoney——andhehadverylittle——topaymyjourneyback，besideshavingkeptmeathisownexpense，whilethere，fornearlytwoyears。"
"Why？Wastherenooneelsetopayforyou？"askedtheblack-
hairedone。
"No——Mr。Pavlicheff，whohadbeensupportingmethere，diedacoupleofyearsago。IwrotetoMrs。GeneralEpanchinatthetime(sheisadistantrelativeofmine)，butshedidnotanswermyletter。AndsoeventuallyIcameback。"
"Andwherehaveyoucometo？"
"Thatis——whereamIgoingtostay？I——Ireallydon’tquiteknowyet，I——"
Boththelistenerslaughedagain。
"Isupposeyourwholeset-upisinthatbundle，then？"askedthefirst。
"Ibetanythingitis！"exclaimedthered-nosedpassenger，withextremesatisfaction，"andthathehaspreciouslittleintheluggagevan！——thoughofcoursepovertyisnocrime——wemustrememberthat！"
Itappearedthatitwasindeedastheyhadsurmised。Theyoungfellowhastenedtoadmitthefactwithwonderfulreadiness。
"Yourbundlehassomeimportance，however，"continuedtheclerk，whentheyhadlaughedtheirfill(itwasobservablethatthesubjectoftheirmirthjoinedinthelaughterwhenhesawthemlaughing)；"forthoughIdaresayitisnotstuffedfulloffriedrichsd’orandlouisd’or——judgefromyourcostumeandgaiters——still——ifyoucanaddtoyourpossessionssuchavaluablepropertyasarelationlikeMrs。GeneralEpanchin，thenyourbundlebecomesasignificantobjectatonce。Thatis，ofcourse，ifyoureallyarearelativeofMrs。Epanchin’s，andhavenotmadealittleerrorthrough——well，absenceofmind，whichisverycommontohumanbeings；or，say——throughatooluxuriantfancy？"
"Oh，youarerightagain，"saidthefair-hairedtraveller，"forI
reallyamALMOSTwrongwhenIsaysheandIarerelated。Sheishardlyarelationatall；solittle，infact，thatIwasnotintheleastsurprisedtohavenoanswertomyletter。Iexpectedasmuch。"
"H’m！youspentyourpostagefornothing，then。H’m！youarecandid，however——andthatiscommendable。H’m！Mrs。Epanchin——ohyes！amosteminentperson。Iknowher。AsforMr。Pavlicheff，whosupportedyouinSwitzerland，Iknowhimtoo——atleast，ifitwasNicolaiAndreevitchofthatname？Afinefellowhewas——andhadapropertyoffourthousandsoulsinhisday。"
"Yes，NicolaiAndreevitch——thatwashisname，"andtheyoungfellowlookedearnestlyandwithcuriosityattheall-knowinggentlemanwiththerednose。
Thissortofcharacterismetwithprettyfrequentlyinacertainclass。Theyarepeoplewhoknoweveryone——thatis，theyknowwhereamanisemployed，whathissalaryis，whomheknows，whomhemarried，whatmoneyhiswifehad，whoarehiscousins，andsecondcousins，etc。，etc。Thesemengenerallyhaveaboutahundredpoundsayeartoliveon，andtheyspendtheirwholetimeandtalentsintheamassingofthisstyleofknowledge，whichtheyreduce——orraise——tothestandardofascience。
Duringthelatterpartoftheconversationtheblack-hairedyoungmanhadbecomeveryimpatient。Hestaredoutofthewindow，andfidgeted，andevidentlylongedfortheendofthejourney。Hewasveryabsent；hewouldappeartolisten-andheardnothing；andhewouldlaughofasudden，evidentlywithnoideaofwhathewaslaughingabout。
"Excuseme，"saidthered-nosedmantotheyoungfellowwiththebundle，rathersuddenly；"whomhaveIthehonourtobetalkingto？"
"PrinceLefNicolaievitchMuishkin，"repliedthelatter，withperfectreadiness。
"PrinceMuishkin？LefNicolaievitch？H’m！Idon’tknow，I’msure！
ImaysayIhaveneverheardofsuchaperson，"saidtheclerk，thoughtfully。"Atleast，thename，Iadmit，ishistorical。
Karamsinmustmentionthefamilyname，ofcourse，inhishistory——
butasanindividual——oneneverhearsofanyPrinceMuishkinnowadays。"
"Ofcoursenot，"repliedtheprince；"therearenone，exceptmyself。IbelieveIamthelastandonlyone。Astomyforefathers，theyhavealwaysbeenapoorlot；myownfatherwasasublieutenantinthearmy。Idon’tknowhowMrs。EpanchincomesintotheMuishkinfamily，butsheisdescendedfromthePrincessMuishkin，andshe，too，isthelastofherline。"
"Anddidyoulearnscienceandallthat，withyourprofessoroverthere？"askedtheblack-hairedpassenger。
"Ohyes——Ididlearnalittle，but——"
"I’veneverlearnedanythingwhatever，"saidtheother。
"Oh，butIlearnedverylittle，youknow！"addedtheprince，asthoughexcusinghimself。"Theycouldnotteachmeverymuchonaccountofmyillness。"
"DoyouknowtheRogojins？"askedhisquestioner，abruptly。
"No，Idon’t——notatall！IhardlyknowanyoneinRussia。Why，isthatyourname？"
"Yes，IamRogojin，ParfenRogojin。"
"ParfenRogojin？dearme——thendon’tyoubelongtothoseveryRogojins，perhaps——"begantheclerk，withaveryperceptibleincreaseofcivilityinhistone。
"Yes——thoseveryones，"interruptedRogojin，impatiently，andwithscantcourtesy。Imayremarkthathehadnotoncetakenanynoticeoftheblotchy-facedpassenger，andhadhithertoaddressedallhisremarksdirecttotheprince。
"Dearme——isitpossible？"observedtheclerk，whilehisfaceassumedanexpressionofgreatdeferenceandservility——ifnotofabsolutealarm:"what，asonofthatverySemenRogojin——
hereditaryhonourablecitizen——whodiedamonthorsoagoandlefttwomillionandahalfofroubles？"
"AndhowdoYOUknowthathelefttwomillionandahalfofroubles？"askedRogojin，disdainfully，andnodeigningsomuchastolookattheother。"However，it’strueenoughthatmyfatherdiedamonthago，andthathereamIreturningfromPskoff，amonthafter，withhardlyaboottomyfoot。They’vetreatedmelikeadog！I’vebeenilloffeveratPskoffthewholetime，andnotaline，norfarthingofmoney，haveIreceivedfrommymotherormyconfoundedbrother！"
"Andnowyou’llhaveamillionroubles，atleast——goodnessgraciousme！"exclaimedtheclerk，rubbinghishands。
"Fiveweekssince，Iwasjustlikeyourself，"continuedRogojin，addressingtheprince，"withnothingbutabundleandtheclothesIwore。IranawayfrommyfatherandcametoPskofftomyaunt’shouse，whereIcavedinatoncewithfever，andhewentanddiedwhileIwasaway。Allhonourtomyrespectedfather’smemory——butheuncommonlynearlykilledme，allthesame。Giveyoumyword，prince，ifIhadn’tcutandrunthen，whenIdid，he’dhavemurderedmelikeadog。"
"Isupposeyouangeredhimsomehow？"askedtheprince，lookingatthemillionairewithconsiderablecuriosityButthoughtheremayhavebeensomethingremarkableinthefactthatthismanwasheirtomillionsofroublestherewassomethingabouthimwhichsurprisedandinterestedtheprincemorethanthat。Rogojin，too，seemedtohavetakenuptheconversationwithunusualalacrityitappearedthathewasstillinaconsiderablestateofexcitement，ifnotabsolutelyfeverish，andwasinrealneedofsomeonetotalktoforthemeresakeoftalking，assafety-valvetohisagitation。
Asforhisred-nosedneighbour，thelatter——sincetheinformationastotheidentityofRogojin——hungoverhim，seemedtobelivingonthehoneyofhiswordsandinthebreathofhisnostrils，catchingateverysyllableasthoughitwereapearlofgreatprice。
"Oh，yes；Iangeredhim——Icertainlydidangerhim，"repliedRogojin。"Butwhatputsmeoutsoismybrother。Ofcoursemymothercouldn’tdoanything——she’stooold——andwhateverbrotherSenkasaysislawforher！Butwhycouldn’theletmeknow？Hesentatelegram，theysay。What’sthegoodofatelegram？Itfrightenedmyauntsothatshesentitbacktotheofficeunopened，andthereit’sbeeneversince！It’sonlythankstoKoniefthatIheardatall；hewrotemeallaboutit。Hesaysmybrothercutoffthegoldtasselsfrommyfather’scoffin，atnightbecausethey’reworthalotofmoney！’sayshe。Why，IcangethimsentofftoSiberiaforthatalone，ifIlike；it’ssacrilege。Here，you——scarecrow！"headded，addressingtheclerkathisside，"isitsacrilegeornot，bylaw？’
"Sacrilege，certainly——certainlysacrilege，"saidthelatter。
"Andit’sSiberiaforsacrilege，isn’tit？"
"Undoubtedlyso；Siberia，ofcourse！"
"TheywillthinkthatI’mstillill，"continuedRogojintotheprince，"butIslopedoffquietly，seedyasIwas，tookthetrainandcameaway。Aha，brotherSenka，you’llhavetoopenyourgatesandletmein，myboy！Iknowhetoldtalesaboutmetomyfather——IknowthatwellenoughbutIcertainlydidrilemyfatheraboutNastasiaPhilipovnathat’sverysure，andthatwasmyowndoing。"
"NastasiaPhilipovna？"saidtheclerk，asthoughtryingtothinkoutsomething。
"Come，youknownothingaboutHER，"saidRogojin，impatiently。
"AndsupposingIdoknowsomething？"observedtheother，triumphantly。
"Bosh！thereareplentyofNastasiaPhilipovnas。Andwhatanimpertinentbeastyouare！"headdedangrily。"IthoughtsomecreaturelikeyouwouldhangontomeassoonasIgotholdofmymoney。"
"Oh，butIdoknow，asithappens，"saidtheclerkinanaggravatingmanner。"Lebedeffknowsallabouther。Youarepleasedtoreproachme，yourexcellency，butwhatifIprovethatIamrightafterall？NastasiaPhillpovna’sfamilynameisBarashkoff——Iknow，yousee-andsheisaverywellknownlady，indeed，andcomesofagoodfamily，too。SheisconnectedwithoneTotski，AfanasyIvanovitch，amanofconsiderableproperty，adirectorofcompanies，andsoon，andagreatfriendofGeneralEpanchin，whoisinterestedinthesamemattersasheis。"
"Myeyes！"saidRogojin，reallysurprisedatlast。"Thedeviltakethefellow，howdoesheknowthat？"
"Why，heknowseverything——Lebedeffknowseverything！IwasamonthortwowithLihachofafterhisfatherdied，yourexcellency，andwhilehewasknockingabout——he’sinthedebtor’sprisonnow——Iwaswithhim，andhecouldn’tdoathingwithoutLebedeff；andIgottoknowNastasiaPhilipovnaandseveralpeopleatthattime。"
"NastasiaPhilipovna？Why，youdon’tmeantosaythatsheandLihachof——"criedRogojin，turningquitepale。
"No，no，no，no，no！Nothingofthesort，Iassureyou！"saidLebedeff，hastily。"Ohdearno，notfortheworld！Totski’stheonlymanwithanychancethere。Oh，no！HetakeshertohisboxattheoperaattheFrenchtheatreofanevening，andtheofficersandpeoplealllookatherandsay，’ByJove，there’sthefamousNastasiaPhilipovna！’butnooneevergetsanyfurtherthanthat，forthereisnothingmoretosay。"
"Yes，it’squitetrue，"saidRogojin，frowninggloomily；"soZaleshofftoldme。IwaswalkingabouttheNefskyonefineday，prince，inmyfather’soldcoat，whenshesuddenlycameoutofashopandsteppedintohercarriage。IswearIwasallofablazeatonce。ThenImetZaleshoff——lookinglikeahair-dresser’sassistant，gotupasfineasIdon’tknowwho，whileIlookedlikeatinker。’Don’tflatteryourself，myboy，’saidhe；’she’snotforsuchasyou；she’saprincess，sheis，andhernameisNastasiaPhilipovnaBarashkoff，andsheliveswithTotski，whowishestogetridofherbecausehe’sgrowingratherold——fifty-
fiveorso——andwantstomarryacertainbeauty，theloveliestwomaninallPetersburg。’AndthenhetoldmethatIcouldseeNastasiaPhilipovnaattheopera-housethatevening，ifIliked，anddescribedwhichwasherbox。Well，I’dliketoseemyfatherallowinganyofustogotothetheatre；he’dsoonerhavekilledus，anyday。However，IwentforanhourorsoandsawNastasiaPhilipovna，andIneversleptawinkallnightafter。Nextmorningmyfatherhappenedtogivemetwogovernmentloanbondstosell，worthnearlyfivethousandroubleseach。’Sellthem，’
saidhe，’andthentakeseventhousandfivehundredroublestotheoffice，givethemtothecashier，andbringmebacktherestofthetenthousand，withoutlookinginanywhereontheway；looksharp，Ishallbewaitingforyou。’Well，Isoldthebonds，butI
didn’ttaketheseventhousandroublestotheoffice；IwentstraighttotheEnglishshopandchoseapairofearrings，withadiamondthesizeofanutineach。TheycostfourhundredroublesmorethanIhad，soIgavemyname，andtheytrustedme。WiththeearringsIwentatoncetoZaleshoff’s。’Comeon！’Isaid，’comeontoNastasiaPhilipovna’s，’andoffwewentwithoutmoreado。I
tellyouIhadn’tanotionofwhatwasaboutmeorbeforemeorbelowmyfeetalltheway；Isawnothingwhatever。Wewentstraightintoherdrawing-room，andthenshecameouttous。
"Ididn’tsayrightoutwhoIwas，butZaleshoffsaid:’FromParfenRogojin，inmemoryofhisfirstmeetingwithyouyesterday；besokindastoacceptthese！’
"Sheopenedtheparcel，lookedattheearrings，andlaughed。
"’ThankyourfriendMr。Rogojinforhiskindattention，’saysshe，andbowedandwentoff。Whydidn’tIdiethereonthespot？
Theworstofitallwas，though，thatthebeastZaleshoffgotallthecreditofit！Iwasshortandabominablydressed，andstoodandstaredinherfaceandneversaidaword，becauseIwasshy，likeanass！Andtherewasheallinthefashion，pomadedanddressedout，withasmarttieon，bowingandscraping；andIbetanythingshetookhimformeallthewhile！
"’Lookherenow，’Isaid，whenwecameout，’noneofyourinterferencehereafterthis-doyouunderstand？’Helaughed:’Andhowareyougoingtosettleupwithyourfather？’sayshe。I
thoughtImightaswelljumpintotheNevaatoncewithoutgoinghomefirst；butitstruckmethatIwouldn’t，afterall，andI
wenthomefeelinglikeoneofthedamned。"
"Mygoodness！"shiveredtheclerk。"Andhisfather，"headded，fortheprince’sinstruction，"andhisfatherwouldhavegivenamanatickettotheotherworldfortenroublesanyday——nottospeakoftenthousand！"
TheprinceobservedRogojinwithgreatcuriosity；heseemedpalerthaneveratthismoment。
"Whatdoyouknowaboutit？"criedthelatter。"Well，myfatherlearnedthewholestoryatonce，andZaleshoffblabbeditalloverthetownbesides。Sohetookmeupstairsandlockedmeup，andsworeatmeforanhour。’Thisisonlyaforetaste，’sayshe；
’waitabittillnightcomes，andI’llcomebackandtalktoyouagain。’
"Well，whatdoyouthink？TheoldfellowwentstraightofftoNastasiaPhilipovna，touchedthefloorwithhisforehead，andbeganblubberingandbeseechingheronhiskneestogivehimbackthediamonds。Soafterawhileshebroughttheboxandflewoutathim。’There，’shesays，’takeyourearrings，youwretchedoldmiser；althoughtheyaretentimesdearerthantheirvaluetomenowthatIknowwhatitmusthavecostParfentogetthem！GiveParfenmycompliments，’shesays，’andthankhimverymuch！’
Well，Imeanwhilehadborrowedtwenty-fiveroublesfromafriend，andoffIwenttoPskofftomyaunt’s。TheoldwomantherelecturedmesothatIleftthehouseandwentonadrinkingtourroundthepublic-housesoftheplace。IwasinahighfeverwhenIgottoPskoff，andbynightfallIwaslyingdeliriousinthestreetssomewhereorother！"
"Oho！we’llmakeNastasiaPhilipovnasinganothersongnow！"
giggledLebedeff，rubbinghishandswithglee。"Hey，myboy，we’llgethersomeproperearringsnow！We’llgethersuchearringsthat——"
"Lookhere，"criedRogojin，seizinghimfiercelybythearm，"lookhere，ifyousomuchasnameNastasiaPhilipovnaagain，I’lltanyourhideassureasyousitthere！"
"Aha！do——byallmeans！ifyoutanmyhideyouwon’tturnmeawayfromyoursociety。You’llbindmetoyou，withyourlash，forever。Ha，ha！hereweareatthestation，though。"
Sureenough，thetrainwasjuststeaminginashespoke。
ThoughRogojinhaddeclaredthatheleftPskoffsecretly，alargecollectionoffriendshadassembledtogreethim，anddidsowithprofusewavingofhatsandshouting。
"Why，there’sZaleshoffhere，too！"hemuttered，gazingatthescenewithasortoftriumphantbutunpleasantsmile。Thenhesuddenlyturnedtotheprince:"Prince，Idon’tknowwhyIhavetakenafancytoyou；perhapsbecauseImetyoujustwhenIdid。
Butno，itcan’tbethat，forImetthisfellow"(noddingatLebedeff)"too，andIhavenottakenafancytohimbyanymeans。
Cometoseeme，prince；we’lltakeoffthosegaitersofyoursanddressyouupinasmartfurcoat，thebestwecanbuy。Youshallhaveadresscoat，bestquality，whitewaistcoat，anythingyoulike，andyourpocketshallbefullofmoney。Come，andyoushallgowithmetoNastasiaPhilipovna’s。Nowthenwillyoucomeorno？"
"Accept，accept，PrinceLefNicolaievitch"saidLebedefsolemnly；
"don’tletitslip！Accept，quick！"
PrinceMuishkinroseandstretchedouthishandcourteously，whileherepliedwithsomecordiality:
"Iwillcomewiththegreatestpleasure，andthankyouverymuchfortakingafancytome。IdaresayImayevencometodayifI
havetime，forItellyoufranklythatIlikeyouverymuchtoo。
Ilikedyouespeciallywhenyoutoldusaboutthediamondearrings；butIlikedyoubeforethataswell，thoughyouhavesuchadark-cloudedsortofface。Thanksverymuchfortheofferofclothesandafurcoat；Icertainlyshallrequirebothclothesandcoatverysoon。Asformoney，Ihavehardlyacopeckaboutmeatthismoment。"
"Youshallhavelotsofmoney；bytheeveningIshallhaveplenty；socomealong！"
"That’strueenough，he’llhavelotsbeforeevening！"putinLebedeff。
"But，lookhere，areyouagreathandwiththeladies？Let’sknowthatfirst？"askedRogojin。
"Ohno，ohno！saidtheprince；"Icouldn’t，youknow——myillness——Ihardlyeversawasoul。"
"H’m！well——here，youfellow-youcancomealongwithmenowifyoulike！"criedRogojintoLebedeff，andsotheyallleftthecarriage。
Lebedeffhadhisdesire。HewentoffwiththenoisygroupofRogojin’sfriendstowardstheVoznesensky，whiletheprince’sroutelaytowardstheLitaynaya。Itwasdampandwet。Theprinceaskedhiswayofpassers-by，andfindingthathewasacoupleofmilesorsofromhisdestination，hedeterminedtotakeadroshky。
II。
GeneralEpanchinlivedinhisownhouseneartheLitaynaya。
Besidesthislargeresidence——five-sixthsofwhichwasletinflatsandlodgings-thegeneralwasownerofanotherenormoushouseintheSadovayabringinginevenmorerentthanthefirst。
Besidesthesehouseshehadadelightfullittleestatejustoutoftown，andsomesortoffactoryinanotherpartofthecity。
GeneralEpanchin，aseveryoneknew，hadagooddealtodowithcertaingovernmentmonopolies；hewasalsoavoice，andanimportantone，inmanyrichpubliccompaniesofvariousdescriptions；infact，heenjoyedthereputationofbeingawell-
to-domanofbusyhabits，manyties，andaffluentmeans。Hehadmadehimselfindispensableinseveralquarters，amongstothersinhisdepartmentofthegovernment；andyetitwasaknownfactthatFedorIvanovitchEpanchinwasamanofnoeducationwhatever，andhadabsolutelyrisenfromtheranks。
Thislastfactcould，ofcourse，reflectnothingbutcredituponthegeneral；andyet，thoughunquestionablyasagaciousman，hehadhisownlittleweaknesses-veryexcusableones，——oneofwhichwasadisliketoanyallusiontotheabovecircumstance。Hewasundoubtedlyclever。Forinstance，hemadeapointofneverassertinghimselfwhenhewouldgainmorebykeepinginthebackground；andinconsequencemanyexaltedpersonagesvaluedhimprincipallyforhishumilityandsimplicity，andbecause"heknewhisplace。"Andyetifthesegoodpeoplecouldonlyhavehadapeepintothemindofthisexcellentfellowwho"knewhisplace"
sowell！Thefactisthat，inspiteofhisknowledgeoftheworldandhisreallyremarkableabilities，healwayslikedtoappeartobecarryingoutotherpeople’sideasratherthanhisown。Andalso，hisluckseldomfailedhim，evenatcards，forwhichhehadapassionthathedidnotattempttoconceal。Heplayedforhighstakes，andmoved，altogether，inveryvariedsociety。
Astoage，GeneralEpanchinwasintheveryprimeoflife；thatis，aboutfifty-fiveyearsofage，——thefloweringtimeofexistence，whenrealenjoymentoflifebegins。Hishealthyappearance，goodcolour，sound，thoughdiscolouredteeth，sturdyfigure，preoccupiedairduringbusinesshours，andjollygoodhumourduringhisgameatcardsintheevening，allborewitnesstohissuccessinlife，andcombinedtomakeexistenceabedofrosestohisexcellency。Thegeneralwaslordofaflourishingfamily，consistingofhiswifeandthreegrown-updaughters。Hehadmarriedyoung，whilestillalieutenant，hiswifebeingagirlofabouthisownage，whopossessedneitherbeautynoreducation，andwhobroughthimnomorethanfiftysoulsoflandedproperty，whichlittleestateserved，however，asanest-eggforfarmoreimportantaccumulations。Thegeneralneverregrettedhisearlymarriage，orregardeditasafoolishyouthfulescapade；
andhesorespectedandfearedhiswifethathewasverynearlovingher。Mrs。EpanchincameoftheprincelystockofMuishkin，whichifnotabrilliant，was，atallevents，adecidedlyancientfamily；andshewasextremelyproudofherdescent。
Withafewexceptions，theworthycouplehadlivedthroughtheirlongunionveryhappily。Whilestillyoungthewifehadbeenabletomakeimportantfriendsamongthearistocracy，partlybyvirtueofherfamilydescent，andpartlybyherownexertions；while，inafterlife，thankstotheirwealthandtothepositionofherhusbandintheservice，shetookherplaceamongthehighercirclesasbyright。
Duringtheselastfewyearsallthreeofthegeneral’sdaughters-
Alexandra，Adelaida，andAglaya——hadgrownupandmatured。OfcoursetheywereonlyEpanchins，buttheirmother’sfamilywasnoble；theymightexpectconsiderablefortunes；theirfatherhadhopesofattainingtoveryhighrankindeedinhiscountry’sservice-allofwhichwassatisfactory。Allthreeofthegirlsweredecidedlypretty，eventheeldest，Alexandra，whowasjusttwenty-fiveyearsold。Themiddledaughterwasnowtwenty-three，whiletheyoungest，Aglaya，wastwenty。Thisyoungestgirlwasabsolutelyabeauty，andhadbegunoflatetoattractconsiderableattentioninsociety。Butthiswasnotall，foreveryoneofthethreewasclever，welleducated，andaccomplished。
Itwasamatterofgeneralknowledgethatthethreegirlswereveryfondofoneanother，andsupportedeachotherineveryway；
itwasevensaidthatthetwoelderoneshadmadecertainsacrificesforthesakeoftheidolofthehousehold，Aglaya。Insocietytheynotonlydislikedassertingthemselves，butwereactuallyretiring。Certainlynoonecouldblamethemforbeingtooarrogantorhaughty，andyeteverybodywaswellawarethattheywereproudandquiteunderstoodtheirownvalue。Theeldestwasmusical，whilethesecondwasacleverartist，whichfactshehadconcealeduntillately。Inaword，theworldspokewellofthegirls；buttheywerenotwithouttheirenemies，andoccasionallypeopletalkedwithhorrorofthenumberofbookstheyhadread。
Theywereinnohurrytomarry。Theylikedgoodsociety，butwerenottookeenaboutit。Allthiswasthemoreremarkable，becauseeveryonewaswellawareofthehopesandaimsoftheirparents。
Itwasabouteleveno’clockintheforenoonwhentheprincerangthebellatGeneralEpanchin’sdoor。Thegenerallivedonthefirstfloororflatofthehouse，asmodestalodgingashispositionpermitted。Aliveriedservantopenedthedoor，andtheprincewasobligedtoenterintolongexplanationswiththisgentleman，who，fromthefirstglance，lookedathimandhisbundlewithgravesuspicion。Atlast，however，ontherepeatedpositiveassurancethathereallywasPrinceMuishkin，andmustabsolutelyseethegeneralonbusiness，thebewildereddomesticshowedhimintoalittleante-chamberleadingtoawaiting-roomthatadjoinedthegeneral’sstudy，therehandinghimovertoanotherservant，whosedutyitwastobeinthisante-chamberallthemorning，andannouncevisitorstothegeneral。Thissecondindividualworeadresscoat，andwassomefortyyearsofage；hewasthegeneral’sspecialstudyservant，andwellawareofhisownimportance。
"Waitinthenextroom，please；andleaveyourbundlehere，"saidthedoor-keeper，ashesatdowncomfortablyinhisowneasy-chairintheante-chamber。Helookedattheprinceinseveresurpriseasthelattersettledhimselfinanotherchairalongside，withhisbundleonhisknees。
"Ifyoudon’tmind，Iwouldrathersitherewithyou，"saidtheprince；"Ishouldpreferittosittinginthere。"
"Oh，butyoucan’tstayhere。Youareavisitor——aguest，sotospeak。Isitthegeneralhimselfyouwishtosee？"
Themanevidentlycouldnottakeintheideaofsuchashabby-
lookingvisitor，andhaddecidedtoaskoncemore。
"Yes——Ihavebusiness——"begantheprince。
"Idonotaskyouwhatyourbusinessmaybe，allIhavetodoistoannounceyou；andunlessthesecretarycomesinhereIcannotdothat。"
Theman’ssuspicionsseemedtoincreasemoreandmore。Theprincewastoounliketheusualrunofdailyvisitors；andalthoughthegeneralcertainlydidreceive，onbusiness，allsortsandconditionsofmen，yetinspiteofthisfacttheservantfeltgreatdoubtsonthesubjectofthisparticularvisitor。Thepresenceofthesecretaryasanintermediarywas，hejudged，essentialinthiscase。
"Surelyyou——arefromabroad？"heinquiredatlast，inaconfusedsortofway。Hehadbegunhissentenceintendingtosay，"SurelyyouarenotPrinceMuishkin，areyou？"
"Yes，straightfromthetrain！Didnotyouintendtosay，’SurelyyouarenotPrinceMuishkin？’justnow，butrefrainedoutofpoliteness？"
"H’m！"gruntedtheastonishedservant。
"IassureyouIamnotdeceivingyou；youshallnothavetoanswerforme。Astomybeingdressedlikethis，andcarryingabundle，there’snothingsurprisinginthat——thefactis，mycircumstancesarenotparticularlyrosyatthismoment。"
"H’m！——no，I’mnotafraidofthat，yousee；Ihavetoannounceyou，that’sall。Thesecretarywillbeoutdirectly-thatis，unlessyou——yes，that’stherub——unlessyou——come，youmustallowmetoaskyou——you’venotcometobeg，haveyou？"
"Ohdearno，youcanbeperfectlyeasyonthatscore。Ihavequiteanothermatteronhand。"
"Youmustexcusemyasking，youknow。Yourappearanceledmetothink——butjustwaitforthesecretary；thegeneralisbusynow，butthesecretaryissuretocomeout。"
"Oh——well，lookhere，ifIhavesometimetowait，wouldyoumindtellingme，isthereanyplaceaboutwhereIcouldhaveasmoke？
Ihavemypipeandtobaccowithme。"
"SMOKE？"saidtheman，inshockedbutdisdainfulsurprise，blinkinghiseyesattheprinceasthoughhecouldnotbelievehissenses。"No，sir，youcannotsmokehere，andIwonderyouarenotashamedoftheverysuggestion。Ha，ha！acoolideathat，Ideclare！"
"Oh，Ididn’tmeaninthisroom！IknowIcan’tsmokehere，ofcourse。I’dadjourntosomeotherroom，whereveryouliketoshowmeto。Yousee，I’musedtosmokingagooddeal，andnowI
haven’thadapuffforthreehours；however，justasyoulike。"
"NowhowonearthamItoannounceamanlikethat？"mutteredtheservant。"Inthefirstplace，you’venorightinhereatall；yououghttobeinthewaiting-room，becauseyou’reasortofvisitor——aguest，infact——andIshallcatchitforthis。Lookhere，doyouintendtotakeupyouabodewithus？"headded，glancingoncemoreattheprince’sbundle，whichevidentlygavehimnopeace。
"No，Idon’tthinkso。Idon’tthinkIshouldstayeveniftheyweretoinviteme。I’vesimplycometomaketheiracquaintance，andnothingmore。"
"Maketheiracquaintance？"askedtheman，inamazement，andwithredoubledsuspicion。"Thenwhydidyousayyouhadbusinesswiththegeneral？"
"Ohwell，verylittlebusiness。Thereisonelittlematter——someadviceIamgoingtoaskhimfor；butmyprincipalobjectissimplytointroducemyself，becauseIamPrinceMuishkin，andMadameEpanchinisthelastofherbranchofthehouse，andbesidesherselfandmetherearenootherMuishkinsleft。"
"What——you’rearelationthen，areyou？"askedtheservant，sobewilderedthathebegantofeelquitealarmed。
"Well，hardlyso。Ifyoustretchapoint，wearerelations，ofcourse，butsodistantthatonecannotreallytakecognizanceofit。Ioncewrotetoyourmistressfromabroad，butshedidnotreply。However，Ihavethoughtitrighttomakeacquaintancewithheronmyarrival。Iamtellingyouallthisinordertoeaseyourmind，forIseeyouarestillfarfromcomfortableonmyaccount。AllyouhavetodoistoannouncemeasPrinceMuishkin，andtheobjectofmyvisitwillbeplainenough。IfIamreceived——verygood；ifnot，well，verygoodagain。Buttheyaresuretoreceiveme，Ishouldthink；MadameEpanchinwillnaturallybecurioustoseetheonlyremainingrepresentativeofherfamily。ShevaluesherMuishkindescentveryhighly，ifIamrightlyinformed。"
Theprince’sconversationwasartlessandconfidingtoadegree，andtheservantcouldnothelpfeelingthatasfromvisitortocommonserving-manthisstateofthingswashighlyimproper。Hisconclusionwasthatoneoftwothingsmustbetheexplanation——
eitherthatthiswasabeggingimpostor，orthattheprince，ifprincehewere，wassimplyafool，withouttheslightestambition；forasensibleprincewithanyambitionwouldcertainlynotwaitaboutinante-roomswithservants，andtalkofhisownprivateaffairslikethis。Ineithercase，howwashetoannouncethissingularvisitor？
"IreallythinkImustrequestyoutostepintothenextroom！"
hesaid，withalltheinsistencehecouldmuster。
"Why？IfIhadbeensittingtherenow，Ishouldnothavehadtheopportunityofmakingthesepersonalexplanations。Iseeyouarestilluneasyaboutmeandkeepeyeingmycloakandbundle。Don’tyouthinkyoumightgoinyourselfnow，withoutwaitingforthesecretarytocomeout？"
"No，no！Ican’tannounceavisitorlikeyourselfwithoutthesecretary。Besidesthegeneralsaidhewasnottobedisturbed——
heiswiththeColonelC。GavrilaArdalionovitchgoesinwithoutannouncing。"
"Whomaythatbe？aclerk？"
"What？GavrilaArdalionovitch？Ohno；hebelongstooneofthecompanies。Lookhere，atalleventsputyourbundledown，here。"
"Yes，IwillifImay；and——canItakeoffmycloak"
"Ofcourse；youcan’tgoinTHEREwithiton，anyhow。"
Theprinceroseandtookoffhismantle，revealinganeatenoughmorningcostume——alittleworn，butwellmade。HeworeasteelwatchchainandfromthischaintherehungasilverGenevawatch。
Fooltheprincemightbe，still，thegeneral’sservantfeltthatitwasnotcorrectforhimtocontinuetoconversethuswithavisitor，inspiteofthefactthattheprincepleasedhimsomehow。
"Andwhattimeofdaydoestheladyreceive？"thelatterasked，reseatinghimselfinhisoldplace。
"Oh，that’snotinmyprovince！Ibelieveshereceivesatanytime；itdependsuponthevisitors。Thedressmakergoesinateleven。GavrilaArdalionovitchisallowedmuchearlierthanotherpeople，too；heisevenadmittedtoearlylunchnowandthen。"
"Itismuchwarmerintheroomsherethanitisabroadatthisseason，"observedtheprince；"butitismuchwarmerthereoutofdoors。Asforthehouses——aRussiancan’tliveintheminthewinteruntilhegetsaccustomedtothem。"
"Don’ttheyheatthematall？"
"Well，theydoheatthemalittle；butthehousesandstovesaresodifferenttoours。"
"H’m！wereyoulongaway？"
"Fouryears！andIwasinthesameplacenearlyallthetime，——inonevillage。"
"YoumusthaveforgottenRussia，hadn’tyou？"
"Yes，indeedIhad——agooddeal；and，wouldyoubelieveit，I
oftenwonderatmyselffornothavingforgottenhowtospeakRussian？Evennow，asItalktoyou，Ikeepsayingtomyself’howwellIamspeakingit。’PerhapsthatispartlywhyIamsotalkativethismorning。Iassureyou，eversinceyesterdayeveningIhavehadthestrongestdesiretogoonandontalkingRussian。"
"H’m！yes；didyouliveinPetersburginformeryears？"
Thisgoodflunkey，inspiteofhisconscientiousscruples，reallycouldnotresistcontinuingsuchaverygenteelandagreeableconversation。
"InPetersburg？Ohno！hardlyatall，andnowtheysaysomuchischangedintheplacethateventhosewhodidknowitwellareobligedtorelearnwhattheyknew。Theytalkagooddealaboutthenewlawcourts，andchangesthere，don’tthey？"
"H’m！yes，that’strueenough。Wellnow，howisthelawoverthere，dotheyadministeritmorejustlythanhere？"
"Oh，Idon’tknowaboutthat！I’veheardmuchthatisgoodaboutourlegaladministration，too。Thereisnocapitalpunishmenthereforonething。"
"Isthereoverthere？"
"Yes——IsawanexecutioninFrance——atLyons。Schneidertookmeoverwithhimtoseeit。"
"What，didtheyhangthefellow？"
"No，theycutoffpeople’sheadsinFrance。"
"Whatdidthefellowdo？——yell？"
"Ohno——it’stheworkofaninstant。Theyputamaninsideaframeandasortofbroadknifefallsbymachinery-theycallthethingaguillotine-itfallswithfearfulforceandweight-theheadspringsoffsoquicklythatyoucan’twinkyoureyeinbetween。Butallthepreparationsaresodreadful。Whentheyannouncethesentence，youknow，andpreparethecriminalandtiehishands，andcarthimofftothescaffold——that’sthefearfulpartofthebusiness。Thepeopleallcrowdround——evenwomen-
thoughtheydon’tatallapproveofwomenlookingon。"
"No，it’snotathingforwomen。"
"Ofcoursenot——ofcoursenot！——bah！Thecriminalwasafineintelligentfearlessman；LeGroswashisname；andImaytellyou——believeitornot，asyoulike——thatwhenthatmansteppeduponthescaffoldheCRIED，hedidindeed，——hewasaswhiteasabitofpaper。Isn’titadreadfulideathatheshouldhavecried——cried！Whoeverheardofagrownmancryingfromfear——notachild，butamanwhoneverhadcriedbefore——agrownmanofforty-fiveyears。Imaginewhatmusthavebeengoingoninthatman’smindatsuchamoment；whatdreadfulconvulsionshiswholespiritmusthaveendured；itisanoutrageonthesoulthat’swhatitis。Becauseitissaid’thoushaltnotkill，’ishetobekilledbecausehemurderedsomeoneelse？No，itisnotright，it’sanimpossibletheory。Iassureyou，Isawthesightamonthagoandit’sdancingbeforemyeyestothismoment。Idreamofit，often。"
Theprincehadgrownanimatedashespoke，andatingeofcoloursuffusedhispaleface，thoughhiswayoftalkingwasasquietasever。Theservantfollowedhiswordswithsympatheticinterest。
Clearlyhewasnotatallanxioustobringtheconversationtoanend。Whoknows？Perhapshetoowasamanofimaginationandwithsomecapacityforthought。
"Well，atalleventsitisagoodthingthatthere’snopainwhenthepoorfellow’sheadfliesoff，"heremarked。
"Doyouknow，though，"criedtheprincewarmly，"youmadethatremarknow，andeveryonesaysthesamething，andthemachineisdesignedwiththepurposeofavoidingpain，thisguillotineI
mean；butathoughtcameintomyheadthen:whatifitbeabadplanafterall？Youmaylaughatmyidea，perhaps——butIcouldnothelpitsoccurringtomeallthesame。Nowwiththerackandtorturesandsoon——yousufferterriblepainofcourse；butthenyourtortureisbodilypainonly(althoughnodoubtyouhaveplentyofthat)untilyoudie。ButHEREIshouldimaginethemostterriblepartofthewholepunishmentis，notthebodilypainatall——butthecertainknowledgethatinanhour，——thenintenminutes，theninhalfaminute，thennow——thisveryINSTANT——yoursoulmustquityourbodyandthatyouwillnolongerbeaman——
andthatthisiscertain，CERTAIN！That’sthepoint——thecertaintyofit。Justthatinstantwhenyouplaceyourheadontheblockandheartheirongrateoveryourhead——then——thatquarterofasecondisthemostawfulofall。
"Thisisnotmyownfantasticalopinion——manypeoplehavethoughtthesame；butIfeelitsodeeplythatI’lltellyouwhatI
think。Ibelievethattoexecuteamanformurderistopunishhimimmeasurablymoredreadfullythanisequivalenttohiscrime。
Amurderbysentenceisfarmoredreadfulthanamurdercommittedbyacriminal。Themanwhoisattackedbyrobbersatnight，inadarkwood，oranywhere，undoubtedlyhopesandhopesthathemayyetescapeuntiltheverymomentofhisdeath。Thereareplentyofinstancesofamanrunningaway，orimploringformercy——atalleventshopingoninsomedegree——evenafterhisthroatwascut。Butinthecaseofanexecution，thatlasthope——havingwhichitissoimmeasurablylessdreadfultodie，——istakenawayfromthewretchandCERTAINTYsubstitutedinitsplace！Thereishissentence，andwithitthatterriblecertaintythathecannotpossiblyescapedeath——which，Iconsider，mustbethemostdreadfulanguishintheworld。Youmayplaceasoldierbeforeacannon’smouthinbattle，andfireuponhim——andhewillstillhope。Butreadtothatsamesoldierhisdeath-sentence，andhewilleithergomadorburstintotears。Whodarestosaythatanymancansufferthiswithoutgoingmad？No，no！itisanabuse，ashame，itisunnecessary——whyshouldsuchathingexist？
Doubtlesstheremaybemenwhohavebeensentenced，whohavesufferedthismentalanguishforawhileandthenhavebeenreprieved；perhapssuchmenmayhavebeenabletorelatetheirfeelingsafterwards。OurLordChristspokeofthisanguishanddread。No！no！no！Nomanshouldbetreatedso，noman，noman！"
Theservant，thoughofcoursehecouldnothaveexpressedallthisastheprincedid，stillclearlyenteredintoitandwasgreatlyconciliated，aswasevidentfromtheincreasedamiabilityofhisexpression。"Ifyouarereallyveryanxiousforasmoke，"
heremarked，"Ithinkitmightpossiblybemanaged，ifyouareveryquickaboutit。Youseetheymightcomeoutandinquireforyou，andyouwouldn’tbeonthespot。Youseethatdoorthere？Gointhereandyou’llfindalittleroomontheright；youcansmokethere，onlyopenthewindow，becauseIoughtnottoallowitreally，and。"Buttherewasnotime，afterall。
Ayoungfellowenteredtheante-roomatthismoment，withabundleofpapersinhishand。Thefootmanhastenedtohelphimtakeoffhisovercoat。Thenewarrivalglancedattheprinceoutofthecornersofhiseyes。
"Thisgentlemandeclares，GavrilaArdalionovitch，"begantheman，confidentiallyandalmostfamiliarly，"thatheisPrinceMuishkinandarelativeofMadameEpanchin’s。Hehasjustarrivedfromabroad，withnothingbutabundlebywayofluggage。"
Theprincedidnotheartherest，becauseatthispointtheservantcontinuedhiscommunicationinawhisper。
GavrilaArdalionovitchlistenedattentively，andgazedattheprincewithgreatcuriosity。Atlasthemotionedthemanasideandsteppedhurriedlytowardstheprince。
"AreyouPrinceMuishkin？"heasked，withthegreatestcourtesyandamiability。
Hewasaremarkablyhandsomeyoungfellowofsometwenty-eightsummers，fairandofmiddleheight；heworeasmallbeard，andhisfacewasmostintelligent。Yethissmile，inspiteofitssweetness，wasalittlethin，ifImaysocallit，andshowedhisteethtooevenly；hisgazethoughdecidedlygood-humouredandingenuous，wasatrifletooinquisitiveandintenttobealtogetheragreeable。
"Probablywhenheisalonehelooksquitedifferent，andhardlysmilesatall！"thoughttheprince。
Heexplainedabouthimselfinafewwords，verymuchthesameashehadtoldthefootmanandRogojinbeforehand。
GavrilaArdalionovitchmeanwhileseemedtobetryingtorecallsomething。
"Wasitnotyou，then，whosentaletterayearorlessago——fromSwitzerland，Ithinkitwas——toElizabethaProkofievna(Mrs。
Epanchin)？"
"Itwas。"
"Oh，then，ofcoursetheywillrememberwhoyouare。Youwishtoseethegeneral？I’lltellhimatonce——hewillbefreeinaminute；butyou——youhadbetterwaitintheante-chamber，——hadn’tyou？Whyishehere？"headded，severely，totheman。
"Itellyou，sir，hewishedithimself！"
Atthismomentthestudydooropened，andamilitaryman，withaportfoliounderhisarm，cameouttalkingloudly，andafterbiddinggood-byetosomeoneinside，tookhisdeparture。
"Youthere，Gania？criedavoicefromthestudy，"comeinhere，willyou？"
GavrilaArdalionovitchnoddedtotheprinceandenteredtheroomhastily。
AcoupleofminuteslaterthedooropenedagainandtheaffablevoiceofGaniacried:
"Comeinplease，prince！"
III。
GeneralIvanFedorovitchEpanchinwasstandingInthemiddleoftheroom，andgazedwithgreatcuriosityattheprinceasheentered。Heevenadvancedacoupleofstepstomeethim。
Theprincecameforwardandintroducedhimself。
"Quiteso，"repliedthegeneral，"andwhatcanIdoforyou？"
"Oh，Ihavenospecialbusiness；myprincipalobjectwastomakeyouracquaintance。Ishouldnotliketodisturbyou。Idonotknowyourtimesandarrangementshere，yousee，butIhaveonlyjustarrived。Icamestraightfromthestation。IamcomedirectfromSwitzerland。"
Thegeneralverynearlysmiled，butthoughtbetterofitandkepthissmileback。Thenhereflected，blinkedhiseyes，staredathisguestoncemorefromheadtofoot；thenabruptlymotionedhimtoachair，satdownhimself，andwaitedwithsomeimpatiencefortheprincetospeak。
Ganiastoodathistableinthefarcorneroftheroom，turningoverpapers。
"Ihavenotmuchtimeformakingacquaintances，asarule，"saidthegeneral，"butas，ofcourse，youhaveyourobjectincoming，I——"
"IfeltsureyouwouldthinkIhadsomeobjectinviewwhenI
resolvedtopayyouthisvisit，"theprinceinterrupted；"butI
giveyoumyword，beyondthepleasureofmakingyouracquaintanceIhadnopersonalobjectwhatever。"
"Thepleasureis，ofcourse，mutual；butlifeisnotallpleasure，asyouareaware。Thereissuchathingasbusiness，andIreallydonotseewhatpossiblereasontherecanbe，orwhatwehaveincommonto——"
"Oh，thereisnoreason，ofcourse，andIsupposethereisnothingincommonbetweenus，orverylittle；forifIamPrinceMuishkin，andyourwifehappenstobeamemberofmyhouse，thatcanhardlybecalleda’reason。’Iquiteunderstandthat。Andyetthatwasmywholemotiveforcoming。YouseeIhavenotbeeninRussiaforfouryears，andknewverylittleaboutanythingwhenI
left。Ihadbeenveryillforalongtime，andIfeelnowtheneedofafewgoodfriends。Infact，IhaveacertainquestionuponwhichImuchneedadvice，anddonotknowwhomtogotoforit。IthoughtofyourfamilywhenIwaspassingthroughBerlin。
’Theyarealmostrelations，’Isaidtomyself，’soI’llbeginwiththem；perhapswemaygetonwitheachother，Iwiththemandtheywithme，iftheyarekindpeople；’andIhaveheardthatyouareverykindpeople！"
"Oh，thankyou，thankyou，I’msure，"repliedthegeneral，considerablytakenaback。"MayIaskwhereyouhavetakenupyourquarters？"
"Nowhere，asyet。"
"What，straightfromthestationtomyhouse？Andhowaboutyourluggage？"
"Ionlyhadasmallbundle，containinglinen，withme，nothingmore。Icancarryitinmyhand，easily。Therewillbeplentyoftimetotakearoominsomehotelbytheevening。"
"Oh，thenyouDOintendtotakearoom？"
"Ofcourse。"
"Tojudgefromyourwords，youcamestraighttomyhousewiththeintentionofstayingthere。"
"Thatcouldonlyhavebeenonyourinvitation。Iconfess，however，thatIshouldnothavestayedhereevenifyouhadinvitedme，notforanyparticularreason，butbecauseitis——
well，contrarytomypracticeandnature，somehow。"
"Oh，indeed！ThenitisperhapsaswellthatIneitherDIDinviteyou，norDOinviteyounow。Excuseme，prince，butwehadbettermakethismatterclear，onceforall。Wehavejustagreedthatwithregardtoourrelationshipthereisnotmuchtobesaid，though，ofcourse，itwouldhavebeenverydelightfultoustofeelthatsuchrelationshipdidactuallyexist；therefore，perhaps——"
"Therefore，perhapsIhadbettergetupandgoaway？"saidtheprince，laughingmerrilyasherosefromhisplace；justasmerrilyasthoughthecircumstanceswerebynomeansstrainedordifficult。"AndIgiveyoumyword，general，thatthoughIknownothingwhateverofmannersandcustomsofsociety，andhowpeopleliveandallthat，yetIfeltquitesurethatthisvisitofminewouldendexactlyasithasendednow。Oh，well，I
supposeit’sallright；especiallyasmyletterwasnotanswered。
Well，good-bye，andforgivemeforhavingdisturbedyou！"
Theprince’sexpressionwassogood-naturedatthismoment，andsoentirelyfreefromevenasuspicionofunpleasantfeelingwasthesmilewithwhichhelookedatthegeneralashespoke，thatthelattersuddenlypaused，andappearedtogazeathisguestfromquiteanewpointofview，allinaninstant。
"Doyouknow，prince，"hesaid，inquiteadifferenttone，"Idonotknowyouatall，yet，andafterall，ElizabethaProkofievnawouldverylikelybepleasedtohaveapeepatamanofherownname。Waitalittle，ifyoudon’tmind，andifyouhavetimetospare？"
"Oh，IassureyouI’velotsoftime，mytimeisentirelymyown！"
Andtheprinceimmediatelyreplacedhissoft，roundhatonthetable。"Iconfess，IthoughtElizabethaProkofievnawouldverylikelyrememberthatIhadwrittenheraletter。Justnowyourservant——outsidethere——wasdreadfullysuspiciousthatIhadcometobegofyou。Inoticedthat！Probablyhehasverystrictinstructionsonthatscore；butIassureyouIdidnotcometobeg。Icametomakesomefriends。ButIamratherbotheredathavingdisturbedyou；that’sallIcareabout——"
"Lookhere，prince，"saidthegeneral，withacordialsmile，"ifyoureallyarethesortofmanyouappeartobe，itmaybeasourceofgreatpleasuretoustomakeyourbetteracquaintance；
but，yousee，Iamaverybusyman，andhavetobeperpetuallysittinghereandsigningpapers，orofftoseehisexcellency，ortomydepartment，orsomewhere；sothatthoughIshouldbegladtoseemoreofpeople，nicepeople——yousee，I——however，Iamsureyouaresowellbroughtupthatyouwillseeatonce，and——
buthowoldareyou，prince？"
"Twenty-six。"
"No？Ithoughtyouverymuchyounger。"
"Yes，theysayIhavea’young’face。AstodisturbingyouI
shallsoonlearntoavoiddoingthat，forIhatedisturbingpeople。Besides，youandIaresodifferentlyconstituted，I
shouldthink，thattheremustbeverylittleincommonbetweenus。NotthatIwilleverbelievethereisNOTHINGincommonbetweenanytwopeople，assomedeclareisthecase。Iamsurepeoplemakeagreatmistakeinsortingeachotherintogroups，byappearances；butIamboringyou，Isee，you——"
"Justtwowords:haveyouanymeansatall？Orperhapsyoumaybeintendingtoundertakesomesortofemployment？Excusemyquestioningyou，but——"
"Oh，mydearsir，Iesteemandunderstandyourkindnessinputtingthequestion。No；atpresentIhavenomeanswhatever，andnoemploymenteither，butIhopetofindsome。Iwaslivingonotherpeopleabroad。Schneider，theprofessorwhotreatedmeandtaughtme，too，inSwitzerland，gavemejustenoughmoneyformyjourney，sothatnowIhavebutafewcopecksleft。TherecertainlyisonequestionuponwhichIamanxioustohaveadvice，but——"
"Tellme，howdoyouintendtolivenow，andwhatareyourplans？"interruptedthegeneral。
"Iwishtowork，somehoworother。"
"Ohyes，butthen，yousee，youareaphilosopher。Haveyouanytalents，orabilityinanydirection——thatis，anythatwouldbringinmoneyandbread？Excusemeagain——"
"Oh，don’tapologize。No，Idon’tthinkIhaveeithertalentsorspecialabilitiesofanykind；onthecontrary。Ihavealwaysbeenaninvalidandunabletolearnmuch。Asforbread，Ishouldthink——"
Thegeneralinterruptedoncemorewithquestions；whiletheprinceagainrepliedwiththenarrativewehaveheardbefore。ItappearedthatthegeneralhadknownPavlicheff；butwhythelatterhadtakenaninterestintheprince，thatyounggentlemancouldnotexplain；probablybyvirtueoftheoldfriendshipwithhisfather，hethought。
Theprincehadbeenleftanorphanwhenquitealittlechild，andPavlicheffhadentrustedhimtoanoldlady，arelativeofhisown，livinginthecountry，thechildneedingthefreshairandexerciseofcountrylife。Hewaseducated，firstbyagoverness，andafterwardsbyatutor，butcouldnotremembermuchaboutthistimeofhislife。Hisfitsweresofrequentthen，thattheymadealmostanidiotofhim(theprinceusedtheexpression"idiot"
himself)。PavlicheffhadmetProfessorSchneiderinBerlin，andthelatterhadpersuadedhimtosendtheboytoSwitzerland，toSchneider’sestablishmentthere，forthecureofhisepilepsy，and，fiveyearsbeforethistime，theprincewassentoff。ButPavlicheffhaddiedtwoorthreeyearssince，andSchneiderhadhimselfsupportedtheyoungfellow，fromthatdaytothis，athisownexpense。Althoughhehadnotquitecuredhim，hehadgreatlyimprovedhiscondition；andnow，atlast，attheprince’sowndesire，andbecauseofacertainmatterwhichcametotheearsofthelatter，SchneiderhaddespatchedtheyoungmantoRussia。
Thegeneralwasmuchastonished。
"Thenyouhavenoone，absolutelyNOoneinRussia？"heasked。
"Noone，atpresent；butIhopetomakefriends；andthenIhavealetterfrom——"
"Atallevents，"putinthegeneral，notlisteningtothenewsabouttheletter，"atallevents，youmusthavelearnedSOMETHING，andyourmaladywouldnotpreventyourundertakingsomeeasywork，inoneofthedepartments，forinstance？
"Ohdearno，ohno！Asforasituation，IshouldmuchliketofindoneforIamanxioustodiscoverwhatIreallyamfitfor。I
havelearnedagooddealinthelastfouryears，and，besides，I
readagreatmanyRussianbooks。"
"Russianbooks，indeed？Then，ofcourse，youcanreadandwritequitecorrectly？"
"Ohdear，yes！"
"Capital！Andyourhandwriting？"
"Ah，thereIamREALLYtalented！Imaysaylamarealcaligraphist。Letmewriteyousomething，justtoshowyou，"saidtheprince，withsomeexcitement。
"Withpleasure！Infact，itisverynecessary。Ilikeyourreadiness，prince；infact，Imustsay——I-I-likeyouverywell，altogether，"saidthegeneral。
"Whatdelightfulwritingmaterialsyouhavehere，suchalotofpencilsandthings，andwhatbeautifulpaper！It’sacharmingroomaltogether。Iknowthatpicture，it’saSwissview。I’msuretheartistpainteditfromnature，andthatIhaveseentheveryplace——"
"Quitelikely，thoughIboughtithere。Gania，givetheprincesomepaper。Herearepensandpaper；nowthen，takethistable。
What’sthis？"thegeneralcontinuedtoGania，whohadthatmomenttakenalargephotographoutofhisportfolio，andshownittohissenior。"Halloa！NastasiaPhilipovna！Didshesendityouherself？Herself？"heinquired，withmuchcuriosityandgreatanimation。
"Shegaveitmejustnow，whenIcalledintocongratulateher。I
askedherforitlongago。Idon’tknowwhethershemeantitforahintthatIhadcomeempty-handed，withoutapresentforherbirthday，orwhat，"addedGania，withanunpleasantsmile。