第3章
Itfellfromagreatheight，butitlookedquitelow，anditwashalfamileaway，thoughitdidnotseemfiftypaces。Ilovedtolistentoitatnight，butitwasthenthatIbecamesorestless。
SometimesIwentandclimbedthemountainandstoodthereinthemidstofthetallpines，allaloneintheterriblesilence，withourlittlevillageinthedistance，andtheskysoblue，andthesunsobright，andanoldruinedcastleonthemountain-side，faraway。Iusedtowatchthelinewhereearthandskymet，andlongedtogoandseektherethekeyofallmysteries，thinkingthatImightfindthereanewlife，perhapssomegreatcitywherelifeshouldbegranderandricher——andthenitstruckmethatlifemaybegrandenougheveninaprison。"
"Ireadthatlastmostpraiseworthythoughtinmymanual，whenI
wastwelveyearsold，"saidAglaya。
"Allthisispurephilosophy，"saidAdelaida。"Youareaphilosopher，prince，andhavecomeheretoinstructusinyourviews。"
"Perhapsyouareright，"saidtheprince，smiling。"IthinkIamaphilosopher，perhaps，andwhoknows，perhapsIdowishtoteachmyviewsofthingstothoseImeetwith？"
"Yourphilosophyisratherlikethatofanoldwomanweknow，whoisrichandyetdoesnothingbuttryhowlittleshecanspend。
Shetalksofnothingbutmoneyallday。YourgreatphilosophicalideaofagrandlifeinaprisonandyourfourhappyyearsinthatSwissvillagearelikethis，rather，"saidAglaya。
"Astolifeinaprison，ofcoursetheremaybetwoopinions，"
saidtheprince。"Ionceheardthestoryofamanwholivedtwelveyearsinaprison——Ihearditfromthemanhimself。Hewasoneofthepersonsundertreatmentwithmyprofessor；hehadfits，andattacksofmelancholy，thenhewouldweep，andoncehetriedtocommitsuicide。HISlifeinprisonwassadenough；hisonlyacquaintanceswerespidersandatreethatgrewoutsidehisgrating-butIthinkIhadbettertellyouofanothermanImetlastyear。Therewasaverystrangefeatureinthiscase，strangebecauseofitsextremelyrareoccurrence。Thismanhadoncebeenbroughttothescaffoldincompanywithseveralothers，andhadhadthesentenceofdeathbyshootingpasseduponhimforsomepoliticalcrime。Twentyminuteslaterhehadbeenreprievedandsomeotherpunishmentsubstituted；buttheintervalbetweenthetwosentences，twentyminutes，oratleastaquarterofanhour，hadbeenpassedinthecertaintythatwithinafewminuteshemustdie。Iwasveryanxioustohearhimspeakofhisimpressionsduringthatdreadfultime，andIseveraltimesinquiredofhimastowhathethoughtandfelt。Herememberedeverythingwiththemostaccurateandextraordinarydistinctness，anddeclaredthathewouldneverforgetasingleiotaoftheexperience。
"Abouttwentypacesfromthescaffold，wherehehadstoodtohearthesentence，werethreeposts，fixedintheground，towhichtofastenthecriminals(ofwhomtherewereseveral)。Thefirstthreecriminalsweretakentotheposts，dressedinlongwhitetunics，withwhitecapsdrawnovertheirfaces，sothattheycouldnotseetheriflespointedatthem。Thenagroupofsoldierstooktheirstandoppositetoeachpost。Myfriendwastheeighthonthelist，andthereforehewouldhavebeenamongthethirdlottogoup。Apriestwentaboutamongthemwithacross:andtherewasaboutfiveminutesoftimeleftforhimtolive。
"Hesaidthatthosefiveminutesseemedtohimtobeamostinterminableperiod，anenormouswealthoftime；heseemedtobeliving，intheseminutes，somanylivesthattherewasnoneedasyettothinkofthatlastmoment，sothathemadeseveralarrangements，dividingupthetimeintoportions——oneforsayingfarewelltohiscompanions，twominutesforthat；thenacouplemoreforthinkingoverhisownlifeandcareerandallabouthimself；andanotherminuteforalastlookaround。Herememberedhavingdividedhistimelikethisquitewell。Whilesayinggood-
byetohisfriendsherecollectedaskingoneofthemsomeveryusualeverydayquestion，andbeingmuchinterestedintheanswer。
Thenhavingbadefarewell，heembarkeduponthosetwominuteswhichhehadallottedtolookingintohimself；heknewbeforehandwhathewasgoingtothinkabout。Hewishedtoputittohimselfasquicklyandclearlyaspossible，thatherewashe，aliving，thinkingman，andthatinthreeminuteshewouldbenobody；orifsomebodyorsomething，thenwhatandwhere？Hethoughthewoulddecidethisquestiononceforallintheselastthreeminutes。Alittlewayofftherestoodachurch，anditsgildedspireglitteredinthesun。Herememberedstaringstubbornlyatthisspire，andattheraysoflightsparklingfromit。Hecouldnottearhiseyesfromtheseraysoflight；hegottheideathattheserayswerehisnewnature，andthatinthreeminuteshewouldbecomeoneofthem，amalgamatedsomehowwiththem。
"Therepugnancetowhatmustensuealmostimmediately，andtheuncertainty，weredreadful，hesaid；butworstofallwastheidea，’WhatshouldIdoifIwerenottodienow？WhatifIweretoreturntolifeagain？Whataneternityofdays，andallmine！
HowIshouldgrudgeandcountupeveryminuteofit，soastowastenotasingleinstant！’Hesaidthatthisthoughtweighedsouponhimandbecamesuchaterribleburdenuponhisbrainthathecouldnotbearit，andwishedtheywouldshoothimquicklyandhavedonewithit。"
Theprincepausedandallwaited，expectinghimtogoonagainandfinishthestory。
"Isthatall？"askedAglaya。
"All？Yes，"saidtheprince，emergingfromamomentaryreverie。
"Andwhydidyoutellusthis？"
"Oh，Ihappenedtorecallit，that’sall！Itfittedintotheconversation——"
"Youprobablywishtodeduce，prince，"saidAlexandra，"thatmomentsoftimecannotbereckonedbymoneyvalue，andthatsometimesfiveminutesareworthpricelesstreasures。Allthisisverypraiseworthy；butmayIaskaboutthisfriendofyours，whotoldyoutheterribleexperienceofhislife？Hewasreprieved，yousay；inotherwords，theydidrestoretohimthat’eternityofdays。’Whatdidhedowiththeserichesoftime？Didhekeepcarefulaccountofhisminutes？"
"Ohno，hedidn’t！Iaskedhimmyself。Hesaidthathehadnotlivedabitashehadintended，andhadwastedmany，andmanyaminute。"
"Verywell，thenthere’sanexperiment，andthethingisproved；
onecannotliveandcounteachmoment；saywhatyoulike，butoneCANNOT。"
"Thatistrue，"saidtheprince，"Ihavethoughtsomyself。Andyet，whyshouldn’tonedoit？"
"Youthink，then，thatyoucouldlivemorewiselythanotherpeople？"saidAglaya。
"Ihavehadthatidea。"
"Andyouhaveitstill？"
"Yes——Ihaveitstill，"theprincereplied。
HehadcontemplatedAglayauntilnow，withapleasantthoughrathertimidsmile，butasthelastwordsfellfromhislipshebegantolaugh，andlookedathermerrily。
"Youarenotverymodest！"saidshe。
"Buthowbraveyouare！"saidhe。"Youarelaughing，andI——
thatman’staleimpressedmesomuch，thatIdreamtofitafterwards；yes，Idreamtofthosefiveminutes……"
Helookedathislistenersagainwiththatsameserious，searchingexpression。
"Youarenotangrywithme？"heaskedsuddenly，andwithakindofnervoushurry，althoughhelookedthemstraightintheface。
"Whyshouldwebeangry？"theycried。
"OnlybecauseIseemtobegivingyoualecture，allthetime！"
Atthistheylaughedheartily。
"Pleasedon’tbeangrywithme，"continuedtheprince。"IknowverywellthatIhaveseenlessoflifethanotherpeople，andhavelessknowledgeofit。Imustappeartospeakstrangelysometimes……"
Hesaidthelastwordsnervously。
"Yousayyouhavebeenhappy，andthatprovesyouhavelived，notless，butmorethanotherpeople。Whymakealltheseexcuses？"
interruptedAglayainamockingtoneofvoice。"Besides，youneednotmindaboutlecturingus；youhavenothingtoboastof。Withyourquietism，onecouldlivehappilyforahundredyearsatleast。Onemightshowyoutheexecutionofafelon，orshowyouone’slittlefinger。Youcoulddrawamoralfromeither，andbequitesatisfied。Thatsortofexistenceiseasyenough。"
"Ican’tunderstandwhyyoualwaysflyintoatemper，"saidMrs。
Epanchin，whohadbeenlisteningtotheconversationandexaminingthefacesofthespeakersinturn。"Idonotunderstandwhatyoumean。Whathasyourlittlefingertodowithit？Theprincetalkswell，thoughheisnotamusing。Hebeganallright，butnowheseemssad。"
"Nevermind，mamma！Prince，Iwishyouhadseenanexecution，"
saidAglaya。"Ishouldliketoaskyouaquestionaboutthat，ifyouhad。"
"Ihaveseenanexecution，"saidtheprince。
"Youhave！"criedAglaya。"Imighthaveguessedit。That’safittingcrowntotherestofthestory。Ifyouhaveseenanexecution，howcanyousayyoulivedhappilyallthewhile？"
"Butistherecapitalpunishmentwhereyouwere？"askedAdelaida。
"IsawitatLyons。Schneidertookusthere，andassoonaswearrivedwecameinforthat。"
"Well，anddidyoulikeitverymuch？Wasitveryedifyingandinstructive？"askedAglaya。
"No，Ididn’tlikeitatall，andwasillafterseeingit；butI
confessIstaredasthoughmyeyeswerefixedtothesight。I
couldnottearthemaway。"
"I，too，shouldhavebeenunabletotearmyeyesaway，"saidAglaya。
"Theydonotatallapproveofwomengoingtoseeanexecutionthere。Thewomenwhodogoarecondemnedforitafterwardsinthenewspapers。"
"Thatis，bycontendingthatitisnotasightforwomentheyadmitthatitisasightformen。Icongratulatethemonthededuction。Isupposeyouquiteagreewiththem，prince？"
"Tellusabouttheexecution，"putinAdelaida。
"Iwouldmuchrathernot，justnow，"saidtheprince，alittledisturbedandfrowningslightly；
"Youdon’tseemtowanttotellus，"saidAglaya，withamockingair。
"No，——thethingis，Iwastellingallabouttheexecutionalittlewhileago，and——"
"Whomdidyoutellaboutit？"
"Theman-servant，whileIwaswaitingtoseethegeneral。"
"Ourman-servant？"exclaimedseveralvoicesatonce。
"Yes，theonewhowaitsintheentrancehall，agreyish，red-
facedman——"
"Theprinceisclearlyademocrat，"remarkedAglaya。
"Well，ifyoucouldtellAlekseyaboutit，surelyyoucantellustoo。"
"Idosowanttohearaboutit，"repeatedAdelaida。
"Justnow，Iconfess，"begantheprince，withmoreanimation，"whenyouaskedmeforasubjectforapicture，IconfessIhadseriousthoughtsofgivingyouone。Ithoughtofaskingyoutodrawthefaceofacriminal，oneminutebeforethefalloftheguillotine，whilethewretchedmanisstillstandingonthescaffold，preparatorytoplacinghisneckontheblock。"
"What，hisface？onlyhisface？"askedAdelaida。"Thatwouldbeastrangesubjectindeed。Andwhatsortofapicturewouldthatmake？"
"Oh，whynot？"theprinceinsisted，withsomewarmth。"WhenIwasinBasleIsawapictureverymuchinthatstyle——Ishouldliketotellyouaboutit；Iwillsometimeorother；itstruckmeveryforcibly。"
"Oh，youshalltellusabouttheBaslepictureanothertime；nowwemusthaveallabouttheexecution，"saidAdelaida。"Tellusaboutthatfaceas；itappearedtoyourimagination-howshoulditbedrawn？——justthefacealone，doyoumean？"
"Itwasjustaminutebeforetheexecution，"begantheprince，readily，carriedawaybytherecollectionandevidentlyforgettingeverythingelseinamoment；"justattheinstantwhenhesteppedofftheladderontothescaffold。Hehappenedtolookinmydirection:Isawhiseyesandunderstoodall，atonce——buthowamItodescribeit？Idosowishyouorsomebodyelsecoulddrawit，you，ifpossible。Ithoughtatthetimewhatapictureitwouldmake。Youmustimagineallthatwentbefore，ofcourse，all——all。Hehadlivedintheprisonforsometimeandhadnotexpectedthattheexecutionwouldtakeplaceforatleastaweekyet——hehadcountedonalltheformalitiesandsoontakingtime；butitsohappenedthathispapershadbeengotreadyquickly。Atfiveo’clockinthemorninghewasasleep——itwasOctober，andatfiveinthemorningitwascoldanddark。Thegovernoroftheprisoncomesinontip-toeandtouchesthesleepingman’sshouldergently。Hestartsup。’Whatisit？’hesays。’Theexecutionisfixedforteno’clock。’Hewasonlyjustawake，andwouldnotbelieveatfirst，butbegantoarguethathispaperswouldnotbeoutforaweek，andsoon。Whenhewaswideawakeandrealizedthetruth，hebecameverysilentandarguednomore——sotheysay；butafterabithesaid:’Itcomesveryhardononesosuddenly’andthenhewassilentagainandsaidnothing。
"Thethreeorfourhourswentby，ofcourse，innecessarypreparations——thepriest，breakfast，(coffee，meat，andsomewinetheygavehim；doesn’titseemridiculous？)AndyetI
believethesepeoplegivethemagoodbreakfastoutofpurekindnessofheart，andbelievethattheyaredoingagoodaction。
Thenheisdressed，andthenbeginstheprocessionthroughthetowntothescaffold。Ithinkhe，too，mustfeelthathehasanagetolivestillwhiletheycarthimalong。Probablyhethought，ontheway，’Oh，Ihavealong，longtimeyet。Threestreetsoflifeyet！Whenwe’vepassedthisstreetthere’llbethatotherone；andthenthatonewherethebaker’sshopisontheright；
andwhenshallwegetthere？It’sages，ages！’Aroundhimarecrowdsshouting，yelling——tenthousandfaces，twentythousandeyes。Allthishastobeendured，andespeciallythethought:
’Herearetenthousandmen，andnotoneofthemisgoingtobeexecuted，andyetIamtodie。’Well，allthatispreparatory。
"Atthescaffoldthereisaladder，andjustthereheburstintotears——andthiswasastrongman，andaterriblywickedone，theysay！Therewasapriestwithhimthewholetime，talking；eveninthecartastheydrovealong，hetalkedandtalked。Probablytheotherheardnothing；hewouldbegintolistennowandthen，andatthethirdwordorsohehadforgottenallaboutit。
"Atlasthebegantomountthesteps；hislegsweretied，sothathehadtotakeverysmallsteps。Thepriest，whoseemedtobeawiseman，hadstoppedtalkingnow，andonlyheldthecrossforthewretchedfellowtokiss。Atthefootoftheladderhehadbeenpaleenough；butwhenhesetfootonthescaffoldatthetop，hisfacesuddenlybecamethecolourofpaper，positivelylikewhitenotepaper。Hislegsmusthavebecomesuddenlyfeebleandhelpless，andhefeltachokinginhisthroat——youknowthesuddenfeelingonehasinmomentsofterriblefear，whenonedoesnotloseone’swits，butisabsolutelypowerlesstomove？Ifsomedreadfulthingweresuddenlytohappen；ifahousewerejustabouttofallonone；——don’tyouknowhowonewouldlongtositdownandshutone’seyesandwait，andwait？Well，whenthisterriblefeelingcameoverhim，thepriestquicklypressedthecrosstohislips，withoutaword——alittlesilvercrossitwas-
andhekeptonpressingittotheman’slipseverysecond。Andwheneverthecrosstouchedhislips，theeyeswouldopenforamoment，andthelegsmovedonce，andhekissedthecrossgreedily，hurriedly——justasthoughhewereanxioustocatchholdofsomethingincaseofitsbeingusefultohimafterwards，thoughhecouldhardlyhavehadanyconnectedreligiousthoughtsatthetime。Andsouptotheveryblock。
"Howstrangethatcriminalsseldomswoonatsuchamoment！Onthecontrary，thebrainisespeciallyactive，andworksincessantly——
probablyhard，hard，hard——likeanengineatfullpressure。I
imaginethatvariousthoughtsmustbeatloudandfastthroughhishead——allunfinishedones，andstrange，funnythoughts，verylikely！——likethis，forinstance:’Thatmanislookingatme，andhehasawartonhisforehead！andtheexecutionerhasburstoneofhisbuttons，andthelowestoneisallrusty！’Andmeanwhilehenoticesandrememberseverything。Thereisonepointthatcannotbeforgotten，roundwhicheverythingelsedancesandturnsabout；andbecauseofthispointhecannotfaint，andthislastsuntiltheveryfinalquarterofasecond，whenthewretchedneckisontheblockandthevictimlistensandwaitsandKNOWS——
that’sthepoint，heKNOWSthatheisjustNOWabouttodie，andlistensfortheraspoftheironoverhishead。IfIlaythere，I
shouldcertainlylistenforthatgratingsound，andhearit，too！
Therewouldprobablybebutthetenthpartofaninstantlefttohearitin，butonewouldcertainlyhearit。Andimagine，somepeopledeclarethatwhentheheadfliesoffitisCONSCIOUSofhavingflownoff！Justimaginewhatathingtorealize！Fancyifconsciousnessweretolastforevenfiveseconds！
"Drawthescaffoldsothatonlythetopstepoftheladdercomesinclearly。Thecriminalmustbejuststeppingontoit，hisfaceaswhiteasnote-paper。Thepriestisholdingthecrosstohisbluelips，andthecriminalkissesit，andknowsandseesandunderstandseverything。Thecrossandthehead——there’syourpicture；thepriestandtheexecutioner，withhistwoassistants，andafewheadsandeyesbelow。Thosemightcomeinassubordinateaccessories——asortofmist。There’sapictureforyou。"Theprincepaused，andlookedaround。
"Certainlythatisn’tmuchlikequietism，"murmuredAlexandra，halftoherself。
"Nowtellusaboutyourloveaffairs，"saidAdelaida，afteramoment’spause。
Theprincegazedatherinamazement。
"Youknow，"Adelaidacontinued，"youoweusadescriptionoftheBaslepicture；butfirstIwishtohearhowyoufellinlove。
Don’tdenythefact，foryoudid，ofcourse。Besides，youstopphilosophizingwhenyouaretellingaboutanything。"
"Whyareyouashamedofyourstoriesthemomentafteryouhavetoldthem？"askedAglaya，suddenly。
"Howsillyyouare！"saidMrs。Epanchin，lookingindignantlytowardsthelastspeaker。
"Yes，thatwasn’tacleverremark，"saidAlexandra。
"Don’tlistentoher，prince，"saidMrs。Epanchin；"shesaysthatsortofthingoutofmischief。Don’tthinkanythingoftheirnonsense，itmeansnothing。Theylovetochaff，buttheylikeyou。Icanseeitintheirfaces——Iknowtheirfaces。"
"Iknowtheirfaces，too，"saidtheprince，withapeculiarstressonthewords。
"Howso？"askedAdelaida，withcuriosity。
"WhatdoYOUknowaboutourfaces？"exclaimedtheothertwo，inchorus。
Buttheprincewassilentandserious。Allawaitedhisreply。
"I’lltellyouafterwards，"hesaidquietly。
"Ah，youwanttoarouseourcuriosity！"saidAglaya。"Andhowterriblysolemnyouareaboutit！"
"Verywell，"interruptedAdelaida，"thenifyoucanreadfacessowell，youmusthavebeeninlove。Comenow；I’veguessed——let’shavethesecret！"
"Ihavenotbeeninlove，"saidtheprince，asquietlyandseriouslyasbefore。"Ihavebeenhappyinanotherway。"
"How，how？"
"Well，I’lltellyou，"saidtheprince，apparentlyinadeepreverie。
VI。
"Hereyouallare，"begantheprince，"settlingyourselvesdowntolistentomewithsomuchcuriosity，thatifIdonotsatisfyyouyouwillprobablybeangrywithme。No，no！I’monlyjoking！"headded，hastily，withasmile。
"Well，then——theywereallchildrenthere，andIwasalwaysamongchildrenandonlywithchildren。TheywerethechildrenofthevillageinwhichIlived，andtheywenttotheschoolthere——allofthem。Ididnotteachthem，ohno；therewasamasterforthat，oneJulesThibaut。Imayhavetaughtthemsomethings，butIwasamongthemjustasanoutsider，andIpassedallfouryearsofmylifethereamongthem。Iwishedfornothingbetter；Iusedtotellthemeverythingandhidnothingfromthem。Theirfathersandrelationswereveryangrywithme，becausethechildrencoulddonothingwithoutmeatlast，andusedtothrongaftermeatalltimes。Theschoolmasterwasmygreatestenemyintheend！Ihadmanyenemies，andallbecauseofthechildren。EvenSchneiderreproachedme。Whatweretheyafraidof？Onecantellachildeverything，anything。Ihaveoftenbeenstruckbythefactthatparentsknowtheirchildrensolittle。Theyshouldnotconcealsomuchfromthem。Howwellevenlittlechildrenunderstandthattheirparentsconcealthingsfromthem，becausetheyconsiderthemtooyoungtounderstand！Childrenarecapableofgivingadviceinthemostimportantmatters。Howcanonedeceivethesedearlittlebirds，whentheylookatonesosweetlyandconfidingly？Icallthembirdsbecausethereisnothingintheworldbetterthanbirds！
"However，mostofthepeoplewereangrywithmeaboutoneandthesamething；butThibautsimplywasjealousofme。AtfirsthehadwaggedhisheadandwonderedhowitwasthatthechildrenunderstoodwhatItoldthemsowell，andcouldnotlearnfromhim；andhelaughedlikeanythingwhenIrepliedthatneitherhenorIcouldteachthemverymuch，butthatTHEYmightteachusagooddeal。
"Howhecouldhatemeandtellscandalousstoriesaboutme，livingamongchildrenashedid，iswhatIcannotunderstand。
Childrensootheandhealthewoundedheart。Iremembertherewasonepoorfellowatourprofessor’swhowasbeingtreatedformadness，andyouhavenoideawhatthosechildrendidforhim，eventually。Idon’tthinkhewasmad，butonlyterriblyunhappy。ButI’lltellyouallabouthimanotherday。NowImustgetonwiththisstory。
"Thechildrendidnotlovemeatfirst；Iwassuchasickly，awkwardkindofafellowthen——andIknowIamugly。Besides，I
wasaforeigner。Thechildrenusedtolaughatme，atfirst；andtheyevenwentsofarastothrowstonesatme，whentheysawmekissMarie。Ionlykissedheronceinmylife——no，no，don’tlaugh！"Theprincehastenedtosuppressthesmilesofhisaudienceatthispoint。"ItwasnotamatterofLOVEatall！Ifonlyyouknewwhatamiserablecreatureshewas，youwouldhavepitiedher，justasIdid。Shebelongedtoourvillage。Hermotherwasanold，oldwoman，andtheyusedtosellstringandthread，andsoapandtobacco，outofthewindowoftheirlittlehouse，andlivedonthepittancetheygainedbythistrade。Theoldwomanwasillandveryold，andcouldhardlymove。Mariewasherdaughter，agirloftwenty，weakandthinandconsumptive；
butstillshedidheavyworkatthehousesaround，daybyday。
Well，onefinedayacommercialtravellerbetrayedherandcarriedheroff；andaweeklaterhedesertedher。Shecamehomedirty，draggled，andshoeless；shehadwalkedforawholeweekwithoutshoes；shehadsleptinthefields，andcaughtaterriblecold；herfeetwereswollenandsore，andherhandstornandscratchedallover。Sheneverhadbeenprettyevenbefore；buthereyeswerequiet，innocent，kindeyes。
"Shewasveryquietalways——andIrememberonce，whenshehadsuddenlybegunsingingatherwork，everyonesaid，’Marietriedtosingtoday！’andshegotsochaffedthatshewassilentforeverafter。Shehadbeentreatedkindlyintheplacebefore；butwhenshecamebacknow——illandshunnedandmiserable——notoneofthemallhadtheslightestsympathyforher。Cruelpeople！Oh，whathazyunderstandingstheyhaveonsuchmatters！Hermotherwasthefirsttoshowtheway。Shereceivedherwrathfully，unkindly，andwithcontempt。’Youhavedisgracedme，’shesaid。
Shewasthefirsttocastherintoignominy；butwhentheyallheardthatMariehadreturnedtothevillage，theyranouttoseeherandcrowdedintothelittlecottage——oldmen，children，women，girls——suchahurrying，stamping，greedycrowd。Mariewaslyingonthefloorattheoldwoman’sfeet，hungry，torn，draggled，crying，miserable。
"Wheneveryonecrowdedintotheroomshehidherfaceinherdishevelledhairandlaycoweringonthefloor。Everyonelookedatherasthoughshewereapieceofdirtofftheroad。Theoldmenscoldedandcondemned，andtheyoungoneslaughedather。Thewomencondemnedhertoo，andlookedathercontemptuously，justasthoughsheweresomeloathsomeinsect。
"Hermotherallowedallthistogoon，andnoddedherheadandencouragedthem。Theoldwomanwasveryillatthattime，andknewshewasdying(shereallydiddieacoupleofmonthslater)，andthoughshefelttheendapproachingsheneverthoughtofforgivingherdaughter，totheverydayofherdeath。Shewouldnotevenspeaktoher。Shemadehersleeponstrawinashed，andhardlygaveherfoodenoughtosupportlife。
"Mariewasverygentletohermother，andnursedher，anddideverythingforher；buttheoldwomanacceptedallherserviceswithoutawordandnevershowedhertheslightestkindness。Marieboreallthis；andIcouldseewhenIgottoknowherthatshethoughtitquiterightandfitting，consideringherselfthelowestandmeanestofcreatures。
"Whentheoldwomantooktoherbedfinally，theotheroldwomeninthevillagesatwithherbyturns，asthecustomisthere；andthenMariewasquitedrivenoutofthehouse。Theygavehernofoodatall，andshecouldnotgetanyworkinthevillage；nonewouldemployher。Themenseemedtoconsiderhernolongerawoman，theysaidsuchdreadfulthingstoher。SometimesonSundays，iftheyweredrunkenough，theyusedtothrowherapennyortwo，intothemud，andMariewouldsilentlypickupthemoney。Shehadbegantospitbloodatthattime。
"Atlastherragsbecamesotatteredandtornthatshewasashamedofappearinginthevillageanylonger。Thechildrenusedtopeltherwithmud；soshebeggedtobetakenonasassistantcowherd，butthecowherdwouldnothaveher。Thenshetooktohelpinghimwithoutleave；andhesawhowvaluableherassistancewastohim，anddidnotdriveherawayagain；onthecontrary，heoccasionallygavehertheremnantsofhisdinner，breadandcheese。Heconsideredthathewasbeingverykind。Whenthemotherdied，thevillageparsonwasnotashamedtoholdMarieuptopublicderisionandshame。Mariewasstandingatthecoffin’shead，inallherrags，crying。
"Acrowdofpeoplehadcollectedtoseehowshewouldcry。Theparson，ayoungfellowambitiousofbecomingagreatpreacher，beganhissermonandpointedtoMarie。’There，’hesaid，’thereisthecauseofthedeathofthisvenerablewoman’——(whichwasalie，becauseshehadbeenillforatleasttwoyears)——’thereshestandsbeforeyou，anddaresnotlifthereyesfromtheground，becausesheknowsthatthefingerofGodisuponher。Lookathertattersandrags——thebadgeofthosewholosetheirvirtue。Whoisshe？herdaughter！’andsoontotheend。
"Andjustfancy，thisinfamypleasedthem，allofthem，nearly。
Onlythechildrenhadaltered——forthentheywereallonmysideandhadlearnedtoloveMarie。
"Thisishowitwas:IhadwishedtodosomethingforMarie；I
longedtogivehersomemoney，butIneverhadafarthingwhileI
wasthere。ButIhadalittlediamondpin，andthisIsoldtoatravellingpedlar；hegavemeeightfrancsforit——itwasworthatleastforty。
"IlongsoughttomeetMariealone；andatlastIdidmeether，onthehillsidebeyondthevillage。IgavehertheeightfrancsandaskedhertotakecareofthemoneybecauseIcouldgetnomore；andthenIkissedherandsaidthatshewasnottosupposeIkissedherwithanyevilmotivesorbecauseIwasinlovewithher，forthatIdidsosolelyoutofpityforher，andbecausefromthefirstIhadnotaccountedherasguiltysomuchasunfortunate。Ilongedtoconsoleandencouragehersomehow，andtoassureherthatshewasnotthelow，basethingwhichsheandothersstrovetomakeout；butIdon’tthinksheunderstoodme。
Shestoodbeforeme，dreadfullyashamedofherself，andwithdowncasteyes；andwhenIhadfinishedshekissedmyhand。I
wouldhavekissedhers，butshedrewitaway。Justatthismomentthewholetroopofchildrensawus。(Ifoundoutafterwardsthattheyhadlongkeptawatchuponme。)Theyallbeganwhistlingandclappingtheirhands，andlaughingatus。Marieranawayatonce；
andwhenItriedtotalktothem，theythrewstonesatme。Allthevillageheardofitthesameday，andMarie’spositionbecameworsethanever。Thechildrenwouldnotletherpassnowinthestreets，butannoyedherandthrewdirtathermorethanbefore。
Theyusedtorunafterher——sheracingawaywithherpoorfeeblelungspantingandgasping，andtheypeltingherandshoutingabuseather。
"OnceIhadtointerferebyforce；andafterthatItooktospeakingtothemeverydayandwheneverIcould。Occasionallytheystoppedandlistened；buttheyteasedMarieallthesame。
"ItoldthemhowunhappyMariewas，andafterawhiletheystoppedtheirabuseofher，andlethergobysilently。Littlebylittlewegotintothewayofconversingtogether，thechildrenandI。Iconcealednothingfromthem，Itoldthemall。TheylistenedveryattentivelyandsoonbegantobesorryforMarie。
Atlastsomeofthemtooktosaying’Good-morning’toher，kindly，whentheymether。Itisthecustomtheretosaluteanyoneyoumeetwith’Good-morning’whetheracquaintedornot。I
canimaginehowastonishedMariewasatthesefirstgreetingsfromthechildren。
"Oncetwolittlegirlsgotholdofsomefoodandtookittoher，andcamebackandtoldme。Theysaidshehadburstintotears，andthattheylovedherverymuchnow。VerysoonafterthattheyallbecamefondofMarie，andatthesametimetheybegantodevelopthegreatestaffectionformyself。Theyoftencametomeandbeggedmetotellthemstories。IthinkImusthavetoldstorieswell，fortheydidsolovetohearthem。AtlastItooktoreadingupinterestingthingsonpurposetopassthemontothelittleones，andthiswentonforalltherestofmytimethere，threeyears。Later，wheneveryone——evenSchneider——wasangrywithmeforhidingnothingfromthechildren，Ipointedouthowfoolishitwas，fortheyalwaysknewthings，onlytheylearnttheminawaythatsoiledtheirmindsbutnotsofromme。Onehasonlytorememberone’sownchildhoodtoadmitthetruthofthis。
Butnobodywasconvinced……ItwastwoweeksbeforehermotherdiedthatIhadkissedMarie；andwhentheclergymanpreachedthatsermonthechildrenwereallonmyside。
"WhenItoldthemwhatashameitwasoftheparsontotalkashehaddone，andexplainedmyreason，theyweresoangrythatsomeofthemwentandbrokehiswindowswithstones。OfcourseI
stoppedthem，forthatwasnotright，butallthevillageheardofit，andhowIcaughtitforspoilingthechildren！EveryonediscoverednowthatthelittleoneshadtakentobeingfondofMarie，andtheirparentswereterriblyalarmed；butMariewassohappy。Thechildrenwereforbiddentomeether；buttheyusedtorunoutofthevillagetotheherdandtakeherfoodandthings；
andsometimesjustranoffthereandkissedher，andsaid，’Jevousaime，Marie！’andthentrottedbackagain。TheyimaginedthatIwasinlovewithMarie，andthiswastheonlypointonwhichIdidnotundeceivethem，fortheygotsuchenjoymentoutofit。Andwhatdelicacyandtendernesstheyshowed！
"IntheeveningIusedtowalktothewaterfall。Therewasaspottherewhichwasquiteclosedinandhiddenfromviewbylargetrees；andtothisspotthechildrenusedtocometome。TheycouldnotbearthattheirdearLeonshouldloveapoorgirlwithoutshoestoherfeetanddressedallinragsandtatters。
So，wouldyoubelieveit，theyactuallyclubbedtogether，somehow，andboughthershoesandstockings，andsomelinen，andevenadress！Ican’tunderstandhowtheymanagedit，buttheydidit，alltogether。WhenIaskedthemaboutittheyonlylaughedandshouted，andthelittlegirlsclappedtheirhandsandkissedme。IsometimeswenttoseeMariesecretly，too。Shehadbecomeveryill，andcouldhardlywalk。Shestillwentwiththeherd，butcouldnothelptheherdsmananylonger。Sheusedtositonastonenear，andwaittherealmostmotionlessallday，tilltheherdwenthome。Herconsumptionwassoadvanced，andshewassoweak，thatsheusedtositwithclosedeyes，breathingheavily。Herfacewasasthinasaskeleton’s，andsweatusedtostandonherwhitebrowinlargedrops。Ialwaysfoundhersittingjustlikethat。Iusedtocomeupquietlytolookather；
butMariewouldhearme，openhereyes，andtrembleviolentlyasshekissedmyhands。Ididnottakemyhandawaybecauseitmadeherhappytohaveit，andsoshewouldsitandcryquietly。
Sometimesshetriedtospeak；butitwasverydifficulttounderstandher。Shewasalmostlikeamadwoman，withexcitementandecstasy，wheneverIcame。Occasionallythechildrencamewithme；whentheydidso，theywouldstandsomewayoffandkeepguardoverus，soastotellmeifanybodycamenear。Thiswasagreatpleasuretothem。
"Whenwelefther，Marieusedtorelapseatonceintoheroldcondition，andsitwithclosedeyesandmotionlesslimbs。Onedayshecouldnotgooutatall，andremainedathomeallaloneintheemptyhut；butthechildrenverysoonbecameawareofthefact，andnearlyallofthemvisitedherthatdayasshelayaloneandhelplessinhermiserablebed。
"Fortwodaysthechildrenlookedafterher，andthen，whenthevillagepeoplegottoknowthatMariewasreallydying，someoftheoldwomencameandtookitinturnstositbyherandlookafterherabit。Ithinktheybegantobealittlesorryforherinthevillageatlast；atalleventstheydidnotinterferewiththechildrenanymore，onheraccount。
"Marielayinastateofuncomfortabledeliriumthewholewhile；
shecougheddreadfully。Theoldwomenwouldnotletthechildrenstayintheroom；buttheyallcollectedoutsidethewindoweachmorning，ifonlyforamoment，andshouted’Bonjour，notrebonneMarie！’andMarienosoonercaughtsightof，orheardthem，andshebecamequiteanimatedatonce，and，inspiteoftheoldwomen，wouldtrytositupandnodherheadandsmileatthem，andthankthem。Thelittleonesusedtobringhernicethingsandsweetstoeat，butshecouldhardlytouchanything。Thankstothem，Iassureyou，thegirldiedalmostperfectlyhappy。Shealmostforgothermisery，andseemedtoaccepttheirloveasasortofsymbolofpardonforheroffence，thoughsheneverceasedtoconsiderherselfadreadfulsinner。Theyusedtoflutteratherwindowjustlikelittlebirds，callingout:’Noust’aimons，Marie！’
"Shediedverysoon；Ihadthoughtshewouldlivemuchlonger。
ThedaybeforeherdeathIwenttoseeherforthelasttime，justbeforesunset。Ithinksherecognizedme，forshepressedmyhand。
"NextmorningtheycameandtoldmethatMariewasdead。Thechildrencouldnotberestrainednow；theywentandcoveredhercoffinwithflowers，andputawreathoflovelyblossomsonherhead。Thepastordidnotthrowanymoreshamefulwordsatthepoordeadwoman；buttherewereveryfewpeopleatthefuneral。
However，whenitcametocarryingthecoffin，allthechildrenrushedup，tocarryitthemselves。Ofcoursetheycouldnotdoitalone，buttheyinsistedonhelping，andwalkedalongsideandbehind，crying。
"Theyhaveplantedrosesallroundhergrave，andeveryyeartheylookaltertheflowersandmakeMarie’sresting-placeasbeautifulastheycan。Iwasinillodourafterallthiswiththeparentsofthechildren，andespeciallywiththeparsonandschoolmaster。SchneiderwasobligedtopromisethatIshouldnotmeetthemandtalktothem；butweconversedfromadistancebysigns，andtheyusedtowritemesweetlittlenotes。AfterwardsI
camecloserthanevertothoselittlesouls，buteventhenitwasverydeartome，tohavethemsofondofme。
"SchneidersaidthatIdidthechildrengreatharmbymypernicious’system’；whatnonsensethatwas！Andwhatdidhemeanbymysystem？HesaidafterwardsthathebelievedIwasachildmyself——justbeforeIcameaway。’Youhavetheformandfaceofanadult’hesaid，’butasregardssoul，andcharacter，andperhapsevenintelligence，youareachildinthecompletestsenseoftheword，andalwayswillbe，ifyoulivetobesixty。’Ilaughedverymuch，forofcoursethatisnonsense。ButitisafactthatIdonotcaretobeamonggrown-uppeopleandmuchpreferthesocietyofchildren。Howeverkindpeoplemaybetome，Ineverfeelquiteathomewiththem，andamalwaysgladtogetbacktomylittlecompanions。Nowmycompanionshavealwaysbeenchildren，notbecauseIwasachildmyselfonce，butbecauseyoungthingsattractme。OnoneofthefirstdaysofmystayinSwitzerland，Iwasstrollingaboutaloneandmiserable，whenI
cameuponthechildrenrushingnoisilyoutofschool，withtheirslatesandbags，andbooks，theirgames，theirlaughterandshouts——andmysoulwentouttothem。IstoppedandlaughedhappilyasIwatchedtheirlittlefeetmovingsoquickly。Girlsandboys，laughingandcrying；forastheywenthomemanyofthemfoundtimetofightandmakepeace，toweepandplay。Iforgotmytroublesinlookingatthem。Andthen，allthosethreeyears，I
triedtounderstandwhymenshouldbeforevertormentingthemselves。Ilivedthelifeofachildthere，andthoughtI
shouldneverleavethelittlevillage；indeed，IwasfarfromthinkingthatIshouldeverreturntoRussia。ButatlastI
recognizedthefactthatSchneidercouldnotkeepmeanylonger。
Andthensomethingsoimportanthappened，thatSchneiderhimselfurgedmetodepart。Iamgoingtoseenowifcangetgoodadviceaboutit。Perhapsmylotinlifewillbechanged；butthatisnottheprincipalthing。Theprincipalthingistheentirechangethathasalreadycomeoverme。Ileftmanythingsbehindme——toomany。Theyhavegone。OnthejourneyIsaidtomyself，’Iamgoingintotheworldofmen。Idon’tknowmuch，perhaps，butanewlifehasbegunforme。’Imadeupmymindtobehonest，andsteadfastinaccomplishingmytask。PerhapsIshallmeetwithtroublesandmanydisappointments，butIhavemadeupmymindtobepoliteandsinceretoeveryone；morecannotbeaskedofme。
Peoplemayconsidermeachildiftheylike。Iamoftencalledanidiot，andatonetimeIcertainlywassoillthatIwasnearlyasbadasanidiot；butIamnotanidiotnow。HowcanIpossiblybesowhenIknowmyselfthatIamconsideredone？
"WhenIreceivedaletterfromthosedearlittlesouls，whilepassingthroughBerlin，IonlythenrealizedhowmuchIlovedthem。Itwasvery，verypainful，gettingthatfirstlittleletter。Howmelancholytheyhadbeenwhentheysawmeoff！Foramonthbefore，theyhadbeentalkingofmydepartureandsorrowingoverit；andatthewaterfall，ofanevening，whenwepartedforthenight，theywouldhugmesotightandkissmesowarmly，farmoresothanbefore。AndeverynowandthentheywouldturnuponebyonewhenIwasalone，justtogivemeakissandahug，toshowtheirloveforme。Thewholeflockwentwithmetothestation，whichwasaboutamilefromthevillage，andeverynowandthenoneofthemwouldstoptothrowhisarmsroundme，andallthelittlegirlshadtearsintheirvoices，thoughtheytriedhardnottocry。Asthetrainsteamedoutofthestation，Isawthemallstandingontheplatformwavingtomeandcrying’Hurrah！’tilltheywerelostinthedistance。
"Iassureyou，whenIcameinherejustnowandsawyourkindfaces(Icanreadfaceswell)myheartfeltlightforthefirsttimesincethatmomentofparting。IthinkImustbeoneofthosewhoareborntobeinluck，foronedoesnotoftenmeetwithpeoplewhomonefeelshecanlovefromthefirstsightoftheirfaces；andyet，nosoonerdoIstepoutoftherailwaycarriagethanIhappenuponyou！
"Iknowitismoreorlessashamefacedthingtospeakofone’sfeelingsbeforeothers；andyethereamItalkinglikethistoyou，andamnotabitashamedorshy。Iamanunsociablesortoffellowandshallverylikelynotcometoseeyouagainforsometime；butdon’tthinktheworseofmeforthat。ItisnotthatIdonotvalueyoursociety；andyoumustneversupposethatIhavetakenoffenceatanything。
"Youaskedmeaboutyourfaces，andwhatIcouldreadinthem；I
willtellyouwiththegreatestpleasure。You，AdelaidaIvanovna，haveaveryhappyface；itisthemostsympatheticofthethree。
Nottospeakofyournaturalbeauty，onecanlookatyourfaceandsaytoone’sself，’Shehasthefaceofakindsister。’Youaresimpleandmerry，butyoucanseeintoanother’sheartveryquickly。That’swhatIreadinyourface。
"Youtoo，AlexandraIvanovna，haveaverylovelyface；butI
thinkyoumayhavesomesecretsorrow。Yourheartisundoubtedlyakind，goodone，butyouarenotmerry。Thereisacertainsuspicionof’shadow’inyourface，likeinthatofHolbein’sMadonnainDresden。Somuchforyourface。HaveIguessedright？
"Asforyourface，LizabethaProkofievna，Inotonlythink，butamperfectlySURE，thatyouareanabsolutechild——inall，inall，mind，bothgoodandbad-andinspiteofyouryears。Don’tbeangrywithmeforsayingso；youknowwhatmyfeelingsforchildrenare。AnddonotsupposethatIamsocandidoutofpuresimplicityofsoul。Ohdearno，itisbynomeansthecase！
PerhapsIhavemyownveryprofoundobjectinview。"
VII。
Whentheprinceceasedspeakingallweregazingmerrilyathim——
evenAglaya；butLizabethaProkofievnalookedthejolliestofall。
"Well！"shecried，"weHAVE’puthimthroughhispaces，’withavengeance！Mydears，youimagined，Ibelieve，thatyouwereabouttopatronizethisyounggentleman，likesomepoorprotegepickedupsomewhere，andtakenunderyourmagnificentprotection。Whatfoolswewere，andwhataspeciallybigfoolisyourfather！Welldone，prince！Iassureyouthegeneralactuallyaskedmetoputyouthroughyourpaces，andexamineyou。Astowhatyousaidaboutmyface，youareabsolutelycorrectinyourjudgment。Iamachild，andknowit。Iknewitlongbeforeyousaidso；youhaveexpressedmyownthoughts。Ithinkyournatureandminemustbeextremelyalike，andIamverygladofit。Weareliketwodropsofwater，onlyyouareamanandIawoman，andI’venotbeentoSwitzerland，andthatisallthedifferencebetweenus。"
"Don’tbeinahurry，mother；theprincesaysthathehassomemotivebehindhissimplicity，"criedAglaya。
"Yes，yes，sohedoes，"laughedtheothers。
"Oh，don’tyoubeginbanteringhim，"saidmamma。"Heisprobablyagooddealclevererthanallthreeofyougirlsputtogether。Weshallsee。Onlyyouhaven’ttoldusanythingaboutAglayayet，prince；andAglayaandIarebothwaitingtohear。"
"Icannotsayanythingatpresent。I’lltellyouafterwards。"
"Why？Herfaceisclearenough，isn’tit？"
"Ohyes，ofcourse。Youareverybeautiful，AglayaIvanovna，sobeautifulthatoneisafraidtolookatyou。"
"Isthatall？Whatabouthercharacter？"persistedMrs。Epanchin。
"Itisdifficulttojudgewhensuchbeautyisconcerned。Ihavenotpreparedmyjudgment。Beautyisariddle。"
"ThatmeansthatyouhavesetAglayaariddle！"saidAdelaida。
"Guessit，Aglaya！Butshe’spretty，prince，isn’tshe？"
"Mostwonderfullyso，"saidthelatter，warmly，gazingatAglayawithadmiration。"AlmostaslovelyasNastasiaPhilipovna，butquiteadifferenttype。"
Allpresentexchangedlooksofsurprise。
"AslovelyasWHO？"saidMrs。Epanchin。"AsNASTASIAPHILIPOVNA？
WherehaveyouseenNastasiaPhilipovna？WhatNastasiaPhilipovna？"
"GavrilaArdalionovitchshowedthegeneralherportraitjustnow。"
"Howso？Didhebringtheportraitformyhusband？"
"Onlytoshowit。NastasiaPhilipovnagaveittoGavrilaArdalionovitchtoday，andthelatterbroughtitheretoshowtothegeneral。"
"Imustseeit！"criedMrs。Epanchin。"Whereistheportrait？Ifshegaveittohim，hemusthaveit；andheisstillinthestudy。Heneverleavesbeforefouro’clockonWednesdays。SendforGavrilaArdalionovitchatonce。No，Idon’tlongtoseeHIM
somuch。Lookhere，dearprince，BEsokind，willyou？Juststeptothestudyandfetchthisportrait！Saywewanttolookatit。
Pleasedothisforme，willyou？"
"Heisanicefellow，butalittletoosimple，"saidAdelaida，astheprincelefttheroom。
"Heis，indeed，"saidAlexandra；"almostlaughablysoattimes。"
Neitheronenortheotherseemedtogiveexpressiontoherfullthoughts。
"Hegotoutofitveryneatlyaboutourfaces，though，"saidAglaya。Heflatteredusallround，evenmamma。"
"Nonsense"criedthelatter。"Hedidnotflatterme。ItwasIwhofoundhisappreciationflattering。Ithinkyouareagreatdealmorefoolishthanheis。Heissimple，ofcourse，butalsoveryknowing。Justlikemyself。"
"Howstupidofmetospeakoftheportrait，"thoughttheprinceasheenteredthestudy，withafeelingofguiltathisheart，"andyet，perhapsIwasrightafterall。"Hehadanidea，unformedasyet，butastrangeidea。
GavrilaArdalionovitchwasstillsittinginthestudy，buriedinamassofpapers。Helookedasthoughhedidnottakehissalaryfromthepubliccompany，whoseservanthewas，forasinecure。
Hegrewverywrothandconfusedwhentheprinceaskedfortheportrait，andexplainedhowitcameaboutthathehadspokenofit。
"Oh，curseitall，"hesaid；"whatonearthmustyougoblabbingfor？Youknownothingaboutthething，andyet——idiot！"headded，mutteringthelastwordtohimselfinirrepressiblerage。
"Iamverysorry；Iwasnotthinkingatthetime。ImerelysaidthatAglayawasalmostasbeautifulasNastasiaPhilipovna。"
Ganiaaskedforfurtherdetails；andtheprinceoncemorerepeatedtheconversation。Ganialookedathimwithironicalcontemptthewhile。
"NastasiaPhilipovna，"hebegan，andtherepaused；hewasclearlymuchagitatedandannoyed。Theprinceremindedhimoftheportrait。
"Listen，prince，"saidGania，asthoughanideahadjuststruckhim，"Iwishtoaskyouagreatfavour，andyetIreallydon’tknow——"
Hepausedagain，hewastryingtomakeuphismindtosomething，andwasturningthematterover。Theprincewaitedquietly。OncemoreGaniafixedhimwithintentandquestioningeyes。
"Prince，"hebeganagain，"theyareratherangrywithme，inthere，owingtoacircumstancewhichIneednotexplain，sothatIdonotcaretogoinatpresentwithoutaninvitation。I
particularlywishtospeaktoAglaya，butIhavewrittenafewwordsincaseIshallnothavethechanceofseeingher"(heretheprinceobservedasmallnoteinhishand)，"andIdonotknowhowtogetmycommunicationtoher。Don’tyouthinkyoucouldundertaketogiveittoheratonce，butonlytoher，mind，andsothatnooneelseshouldseeyougiveit？Itisn’tmuchofasecret，butstill——Well，willyoudoit？"
"Idon’tquitelikeit，"repliedtheprince。
"Oh，butitisabsolutelynecessaryforme，"Ganiaentreated。
"Believeme，ifitwerenotso，Iwouldnotaskyou；howelseamItogetittoher？Itismostimportant，dreadfullyimportant！"
Ganiawasevidentlymuchalarmedattheideathattheprincewouldnotconsenttotakehisnote，andhelookedathimnowwithanexpressionofabsoluteentreaty。
"Well，Iwilltakeitthen。"
"Butmind，nobodyistosee！"criedthedelightedGania"AndofcourseImayrelyonyourwordofhonour，eh？"
"Iwon’tshowittoanyone，"saidtheprince。
"Theletterisnotsealed——"continuedGania，andpausedinconfusion。
"Oh，Iwon’treadit，"saidtheprince，quitesimply。
Hetookuptheportrait，andwentoutoftheroom。
Gania，leftalone，clutchedhisheadwithhishands。
"Onewordfromher，"hesaid，"onewordfromher，andImayyetbefree。"
Hecouldnotsettlehimselftohispapersagain，foragitationandexcitement，butbeganwalkingupanddowntheroomfromcornertocorner。
Theprincewalkedalong，musing。Hedidnotlikehiscommission，anddislikedtheideaofGaniasendinganotetoAglayaatall；butwhenhewastworoomsdistantfromthedrawing-room，wheretheyallwere，hestoppedathoughrecallingsomething；wenttothewindow，nearerthelight，andbegantoexaminetheportraitinhishand。
HelongedtosolvethemysteryofsomethinginthefaceNastasiaPhilipovna，somethingwhichhadstruckhimashelookedattheportraitforthefirsttime；theimpressionhadnotlefthim。Itwaspartlythefactofhermarvellousbeautythatstruckhim，andpartlysomethingelse。Therewasasuggestionofimmenseprideanddisdaininthefacealmostofhatred，andatthesametimesomethingconfidingandveryfullofsimplicity。Thecontrastarousedadeepsympathyinhisheartashelookedatthelovelyface。Theblindinglovelinessofitwasalmostintolerable，thispalethinfacewithitsflamingeyes；itwasastrangebeauty。
Theprincegazedatitforaminuteortwo，thenglancedaroundhim，andhurriedlyraisedtheportraittohislips。When，aminuteafter，hereachedthedrawing-roomdoor，hisfacewasquitecomposed。ButjustashereachedthedoorhemetAglayacomingoutalone。
"GavrilaArdalionovitchbeggedmetogiveyouthis，"hesaid，handingherthenote。
Aglayastopped，tooktheletter，andgazedstrangelyintotheprince’seyes。Therewasnoconfusioninherface；alittlesurprise，perhaps，butthatwasall。ByherlooksheseemedmerelytochallengetheprincetoanexplanationastohowheandGaniahappenedtobeconnectedinthismatter。Butherexpressionwasperfectlycoolandquiet，andevencondescending。
Sotheystoodforamomentortwo，confrontingoneanother。Atlengthafaintsmilepassedoverherface，andshepassedbyhimwithoutaword。
Mrs。EpanchinexaminedtheportraitofNastasiaPhilipovnaforsomelittlewhile，holdingitcriticallyatarm’slength。
"Yes，sheispretty，"shesaidatlast，"evenverypretty。Ihaveseenhertwice，butonlyatadistance。Soyouadmirethiskindofbeauty，doyou？"sheaskedtheprince，suddenly。
"Yes，Ido——thiskind。"
"Doyoumeanespeciallythiskind？"
"Yes，especiallythiskind。"
"Why？"
"Thereismuchsufferinginthisface，"murmuredtheprince，moreasthoughtalkingtohimselfthanansweringthequestion。
"Ithinkyouarewanderingalittle，prince，"Mrs。Epanchindecided，afteralengthenedsurveyofhisface；andshetossedtheportraitontothetable，haughtily。
Alexandratookit，andAdelaidacameup，andboththegirlsexaminedthephotograph。JustthenAglayaenteredtheroom。
"Whatapower！"criedAdelaidasuddenly，assheearnestlyexaminedtheportraitoverhersister’sshoulder。
"Whom？Whatpower？"askedhermother，crossly。
"Suchbeautyisrealpower，"saidAdelaida。"Withsuchbeautyasthatonemightoverthrowtheworld。"Shereturnedtohereaselthoughtfully。
Aglayamerelyglancedattheportrait——frowned，andputoutherunderlip；thenwentandsatdownonthesofawithfoldedhands。
Mrs。Epanchinrangthebell。
"AskGavrilaArdalionovitchtostepthisway，"saidshetothemanwhoanswered。
"Mamma！"criedAlexandra，significantly。
"Ishalljustsaytwowordstohim，that’sall，"saidhermother，silencingallobjectionbyhermanner；shewasevidentlyseriouslyputout。"Yousee，prince，itisallsecretswithus，justnow——allsecrets。Itseemstobetheetiquetteofthehouse，forsomereasonor，other。Stupidnonsense，andinamatterwhichoughttobeapproachedwithallcandourandopen-
heartedness。Thereisamarriagebeingtalkedof，andIdon’tlikethismarriage——"
"Mamma，whatareyousaying？"saidAlexandraagain，hurriedly。
"Well，what，mydeargirl？Asifyoucanpossiblylikeityourself？Theheartisthegreatthing，andtherestisallrubbish——thoughonemusthavesenseaswell。Perhapssenseisreallythegreatthing。Don’tsmilelikethat，Aglaya。Idon’tcontradictmyself。Afoolwithaheartandnobrainsisjustasunhappyasafoolwithbrainsandnoheart。Iamoneandyouaretheother，andthereforebothofussuffer，bothofusareunhappy。"
"Whyareyousounhappy，mother？"askedAdelaida，whoaloneofallthecompanyseemedtohavepreservedhergoodtemperandspiritsuptonow。
"Inthefirstplace，becauseofmycarefullybrought-updaughters，"saidMrs。Epanchin，cuttingly；"andasthatisthebestreasonIcangiveyouweneednotbotheraboutanyotheratpresent。Enoughofwords，now！Weshallseehowbothofyou(I
don’tcountAglaya)willmanageyourbusiness，andwhetheryou，mostreveredAlexandraIvanovna，willbehappywithyourfinemate。"
"Ah！"sheadded，asGaniasuddenlyenteredtheroom，"here’sanothermarryingsubject。Howdoyoudo？"shecontinued，inresponsetoGania’sbow；butshedidnotinvitehimtositdown。
"Youaregoingtobemarried？"
"Married？how——whatmarriage？"murmuredGania，overwhelmedwithconfusion。
"Areyouabouttotakeawife？Iask，——ifyoupreferthatexpression。"
"No，noI-I——no！"saidGania，bringingouthisliewithatell-
taleblushofshame。HeglancedkeenlyatAglaya，whowassittingsomewayoff，anddroppedhiseyesimmediately。
Aglayagazedcoldly，intently，andcomposedlyathim，withouttakinghereyesoffhisface，andwatchedhisconfusion。
"No？Yousayno，doyou？"continuedthepitilessMrs。General。
"Verywell，IshallrememberthatyoutoldmethisWednesdaymorning，inanswertomyquestion，thatyouarenotgoingtobemarried。Whatdayisit，Wednesday，isn’tit？"
"Yes，Ithinkso！"saidAdelaida。
"Youneverknowthedayoftheweek；what’sthedayofthemonth？"
"Twenty-seventh！"saidGania。
"Twenty-seventh；verywell。Good-byenow；youhaveagooddealtodo，I’msure，andImustdressandgoout。Takeyourportrait。
Givemyrespectstoyourunfortunatemother，NinaAlexandrovna。
Aurevoir，dearprince，comeinandseeusoften，do；andIshalltelloldPrincessBielokonskiaboutyou。Ishallgoandseeheronpurpose。Andlisten，mydearboy，IfeelsurethatGodhassentyoutoPetersburgfromSwitzerlandonpurposeforme。Maybeyouwillhaveotherthingstodo，besides，butyouaresentchieflyformysake，Ifeelsureofit。Godsentyoutome！Aurevoir！Alexandra，comewithme，mydear。"
Mrs。Epanchinlefttheroom。
Gania——confused，annoyed，furious——tookuphisportrait，andturnedtotheprincewithanastysmileonhisface。
"Prince，"hesaid，"Iamjustgoinghome。Ifyouhavenotchangedyourmindastolivingwithus，perhapsyouwouldliketocomewithme。Youdon’tknowtheaddress，Ibelieve？"
"Waitaminute，prince，"saidAglaya，suddenlyrisingfromherseat，"dowritesomethinginmyalbumfirst，willyou？Fathersaysyouareamosttalentedcaligraphist；I’llbringyoumybookinaminute。"Shelefttheroom。
"Well，aurevoir，prince，"saidAdelaida，"Imustbegoingtoo。"
Shepressedtheprince’shandwarmly，andgavehimafriendlysmileasshelefttheroom。ShedidnotsomuchaslookatGania。
"Thisisyourdoing，prince，"saidGania，turningonthelattersosoonastheotherswerealloutoftheroom。"Thisisyourdoing，sir！YOUhavebeentellingthemthatIamgoingtobemarried！"Hesaidthisinahurriedwhisper，hiseyesflashingwithrageandhisfaceablaze。"Youshamelesstattler！"
"Iassureyou，youareunderadelusion，"saidtheprince，calmlyandpolitely。"Ididnotevenknowthatyouweretobemarried。"
"Youheardmetalkingaboutit，thegeneralandme。YouheardmesaythateverythingwastobesettledtodayatNastasiaPhilipovna’s，andyouwentandblurteditouthere。Youlieifyoudenyit。WhoelsecouldhavetoldthemDeviltakeit，sir，whocouldhavetoldthemexceptyourself？Didn’ttheoldwomanasgoodashintasmuchtome？"
"Ifshehintedtoyouwhotoldheryoumustknowbest，ofcourse；
butIneversaidawordaboutit。"
"Didyougivemynote？Isthereananswer？"interruptedGania，impatiently。
ButatthismomentAglayacameback，andtheprincehadnotimetoreply。
"There，prince，"saidshe，"there’smyalbum。Nowchooseapageandwritemesomething，willyou？There’sapen，anewone；doyoumindasteelone？Ihaveheardthatyoucaligraphistsdon’tlikesteelpens。"
Conversingwiththeprince，AglayadidnotevenseemtonoticethatGaniawasintheroom。Butwhiletheprincewasgettinghispenready，findingapage，andmakinghispreparationstowrite，GaniacameuptothefireplacewhereAglayawasstanding，totherightoftheprince，andintrembling，brokenaccentssaid，almostinherear:
"Oneword，justonewordfromyou，andI’msaved。"
Theprinceturnedsharplyroundandlookedatbothofthem。
Gania’sfacewasfullofrealdespair；heseemedtohavesaidthewordsalmostunconsciouslyandontheimpulseofthemoment。
Aglayagazedathimforsomesecondswithpreciselythesamecomposureandcalmastonishmentasshehadshownalittlewhilebefore，whentheprincehandedherthenote，anditappearedthatthiscalmsurpriseandseeminglyabsoluteincomprehensionofwhatwassaidtoher，weremoreterriblyoverwhelmingtoGaniathaneventhemostplainlyexpresseddisdainwouldhavebeen。
"WhatshallIwrite？"askedtheprince。
"I’lldictatetoyou，"saidAglaya，cominguptothetable。"Nowthen，areyouready？Write，’Inevercondescendtobargain！’Nowputyournameandthedate。Letmeseeit。"
Theprincehandedherthealbum。
"Capital！Howbeautifullyyouhavewrittenit！Thankssomuch。Aurevoir，prince。Waitaminute，"；sheadded，"Iwanttogiveyousomethingforakeepsake。Comewithmethisway，willyou？"
Theprincefollowedher。Arrivedatthedining-room，shestopped。
"Readthis，"shesaid，handinghimGania’snote。
Theprincetookitfromherhand，butgazedatherinbewilderment。
"Oh！IKNOWyouhaven’treadit，andthatyoucouldneverbethatman’saccomplice。Readit，Iwishyoutoreadit。"
Theletterhadevidentlybeenwritteninahurry:
"Myfateistobedecidedtoday"(itran)，"youknowhow。ThisdayImustgivemywordirrevocably。Ihavenorighttoaskyourhelp，andIdarenotallowmyselftoindulgeinanyhopes；butonceyousaidjustoneword，andthatwordlightedupthenightofmylife，andbecamethebeaconofmydays。Sayonemoresuchword，andsavemefromutterruin。Onlytellme，’breakoffthewholething！’andIwilldosothisveryday。Oh！whatcanitcostyoutosayjustthisoneword？Indoingsoyouwillbutbegivingmeasignofyoursympathyforme，andofyourpity；onlythis，onlythis；nothingmore，NOTHING。Idarenotindulgeinanyhope，becauseIamunworthyofit。Butifyousaybutthisword，Iwilltakeupmycrossagainwithjoy，andreturnoncemoretomybattlewithpoverty。Ishallmeetthestormandbegladofit；
Ishallriseupwithrenewedstrength。
"Sendmebackthenthisonewordofsympathy，onlysympathy，I
sweartoyou；andoh！donotbeangrywiththeaudacityofdespair，withthedrowningmanwhohasdaredtomakethislastefforttosavehimselffromperishingbeneaththewaters。
"G。L。"
"Thismanassuresme，"saidAglaya，scornfully，whentheprincehadfinishedreadingtheletter，"thatthewords’breakoffeverything’donotcommitmetoanythingwhatever；andhimselfgivesmeawrittenguaranteetothateffect，inthisletter。