第4章
Observehowingenuouslyheunderlinescertainwords，andhowcrudelyheglossesoverhishiddenthoughts。Hemustknowthatifhe’brokeoffeverything，’FIRST，byhimself，andwithouttellingmeawordaboutitorhavingtheslightesthopeonmyaccount，thatinthatcaseIshouldperhapsbeabletochangemyopinionofhim，andevenaccepthis——friendship。Hemustknowthat，buthissoulissuchawretchedthing。Heknowsitandcannotmakeuphismind；heknowsitandyetasksforguarantees。HecannotbringhimselftoTRUST，hewantsmetogivehimhopesofmyselfbeforeheletsgoofhishundredthousandroubles。Astothe’formerword’whichhedeclares’lightedupthenightofhislife，’heissimplyanimpudentliar；Imerelypitiedhimonce。
Butheisaudaciousandshameless。Heimmediatelybegantohope，atthatverymoment。Isawit。Hehastriedtocatchmeeversince；heisstillfishingforme。Well，enoughofthis。Taketheletterandgiveitbacktohim，assoonasyouhaveleftourhouse；notbefore，ofcourse。"
"AndwhatshallItellhimbywayofanswer？"
"Nothing——ofcourse！That’sthebestanswer。Isitthecasethatyouaregoingtoliveinhishouse？"
"Yes，yourfatherkindlyrecommendedmetohim。"
"Thenlookoutforhim，Iwarnyou！Hewon’tforgiveyoueasily，fortakingbacktheletter。"
Aglayapressedtheprince’shandandlefttheroom。Herfacewasseriousandfrowning；shedidnotevensmileasshenoddedgood-
byetohimatthedoor。
"I’lljustgetmyparcelandwe’llgo，"saidtheprincetoGania，ashere-enteredthedrawing-room。Ganiastampedhisfootwithimpatience。Hisfacelookeddarkandgloomywithrage。
Atlasttheyleftthehousebehindthem，theprincecarryinghisbundle。
"Theanswer——quick——theanswer！"saidGania，theinstanttheywereoutside。"Whatdidshesay？Didyougivetheletter？"Theprincesilentlyheldoutthenote。Ganiawasstruckmotionlesswithamazement。
"How，what？myletter？"hecried。"Heneverdeliveredit！Imighthaveguessedit，oh！cursehim！OfcourseshedidnotunderstandwhatImeant，naturally！Why-why-WHYdidn’tyougiveherthenote，you——"
"Excuseme；Iwasabletodeliveritalmostimmediatelyafterreceivingyourcommission，andIgaveit，too，justasyouaskedmeto。IthascomeintomyhandsnowbecauseAglayaIvanovnahasjustreturnedittome。"
"How？When？"
"AssoonasIfinishedwritinginheralbumforher，andwhensheaskedmetocomeoutoftheroomwithher(youheard？)，wewentintothedining-room，andshegavemeyourlettertoread，andthentoldmetoreturnit。"
"ToREAD？"criedGania，almostatthetopofhisvoice；"toREAD，andyoureadit？"
Andagainhestoodlikealoginthemiddleofthepavement；soamazedthathismouthremainedopenafterthelastwordhadleftit。
"Yes，Ihavejustreadit。"
"Andshegaveityoutoreadherself——HERSELF？"
"Yes，herself；andyoumaybelievemewhenItellyouthatI
wouldnothavereaditforanythingwithoutherpermission。"
Ganiawassilentforaminuteortwo，asthoughthinkingoutsomeproblem。Suddenlyhecried:
"It’simpossible，shecannothavegivenittoyoutoread！Youarelying。Youreadityourself！"
"Iamtellingyouthetruth，"saidtheprinceinhisformercomposedtoneofvoice；"andbelieveme，Iamextremelysorrythatthecircumstanceshouldhavemadesuchanunpleasantimpressionuponyou！"
"But，youwretchedman，atleastshemusthavesaidsomething？
TheremustbeSOMEanswerfromher！"
"Yes，ofcourse，shedidsaysomething！"
"Outwithitthen，damnit！Outwithitatonce！"andGaniastampedhisfoottwiceonthepavement。
"AssoonasIhadfinishedreadingit，shetoldmethatyouwerefishingforher；thatyouwishedtocompromisehersofarastoreceivesomehopesfromher，trustingtowhichhopesyoumightbreakwiththeprospectofreceivingahundredthousandroubles。
Shesaidthatifyouhaddonethiswithoutbargainingwithher，ifyouhadbrokenwiththemoneyprospectswithouttryingtoforceaguaranteeoutofherfirst，shemighthavebeenyourfriend。That’sall，Ithink。Ohno，whenIaskedherwhatIwastosay，asItooktheletter，sherepliedthat’noansweristhebestanswer。’Ithinkthatwasit。ForgivemeifIdonotuseherexactexpressions。ItellyouthesenseasIunderstooditmyself。"
UngovernablerageandmadnesstookentirepossessionofGania，andhisfuryburstoutwithouttheleastattemptatrestraint。
"Oh！that’sit，isit！"heyelled。"Shethrowsmylettersoutofthewindow，doesshe！Oh！andshedoesnotcondescendtobargain，whileIDO，eh？Weshallsee，weshallsee！Ishallpayheroutforthis。"
Hetwistedhimselfaboutwithrage，andgrewpalerandpaler；heshookhisfist。Sothepairwalkedalongafewsteps。Ganiadidnotstandonceremonywiththeprince；hebehavedjustasthoughhewerealoneinhisroom。Heclearlycountedthelatterasanonentity。Butsuddenlyheseemedtohaveanidea，andrecollectedhimself。
"Buthowwasit？"heasked，"howwasitthatyou(idiotthatyouare)，"headdedtohimself，"weresoveryconfidentialacoupleofhoursafteryourfirstmeetingwiththesepeople？Howwasthat，eh？"
Uptothismomentjealousyhadnotbeenoneofhistorments；nowitsuddenlygnawedathisheart。
"ThatisathingIcannotundertaketoexplain，"repliedtheprince。Ganialookedathimwithangrycontempt。
"Oh！Isupposethepresentshewishedtomaketoyou，whenshetookyouintothedining-room，washerconfidence，eh？"
"Isupposethatwasit；Icannotexplainitotherwise？"
"Butwhy，WHY？Deviltakeit，whatdidyoudointhere？Whydidtheyfancyyou？Lookhere，can’tyourememberexactlywhatyousaidtothem，fromtheverybeginning？Can’tyouremember？"
"Oh，wetalkedofagreatmanythings。WhenfirstIwentinwebegantospeakofSwitzerland。"
"Oh，thedeviltakeSwitzerland！"
"Thenaboutexecutions。"
"Executions？"
"Yes——atleastaboutone。ThenItoldthewholethreeyears’
storyofmylife，andthehistoryofapoorpeasantgirl——"
"Oh，damnthepeasantgirl！goon，goon！"saidGania，impatiently。
"ThenhowSchneidertoldmeaboutmychildishnature，and——"
"Oh，CURSESchneiderandhisdirtyopinions！Goon。"
"ThenIbegantotalkaboutfaces，atleastabouttheEXPRESSIONS
offaces，andsaidthatAglayaIvanovnawasnearlyaslovelyasNastasiaPhilipovna。ItwasthenIblurtedoutabouttheportrait——"
"Butyoudidn’trepeatwhatyouheardinthestudy？Youdidn’trepeatthat——eh？"
"No，ItellyouIdidNOT。"
"Thenhowdidthey——lookhere！DidAglayashowmylettertotheoldlady？"
"Oh，thereIcangiveyoumyfullestassurancethatshedidNOT。
Iwasthereallthewhile——shehadnotimetodoit！"
"Butperhapsyoumaynothaveobservedit，oh，youdamnedidiot，you！"heshouted，quitebesidehimselfwithfury。"Youcan’tevendescribewhatwenton。"
Ganiahavingoncedescendedtoabuse，andreceivingnocheck，verysoonknewnoboundsorlimittohislicence，asisoftenthewayinsuchcases。Hisragesoblindedhimthathehadnotevenbeenabletodetectthatthis"idiot，"whomhewasabusingtosuchanextent，wasveryfarfrombeingslowofcomprehension，andhadawayoftakinginanimpression，andafterwardsgivingitoutagain，whichwasveryun-idioticindeed。Butsomethingalittleunforeseennowoccurred。
"IthinkIoughttotellyou，GavrilaArdalionovitch，"saidtheprince，suddenly，"thatthoughIoncewassoillthatIreallywaslittlebetterthananidiot，yetnowIamalmostrecovered，andthat，therefore，itisnotaltogetherpleasanttobecalledanidiottomyface。Ofcourseyourangerisexcusable，consideringthetreatmentyouhavejustexperienced；butImustremindyouthatyouhavetwiceabusedmeratherrudely。Idonotlikethissortofthing，andespeciallysoatthefirsttimeofmeetingaman，and，therefore，aswehappentobeatthismomentstandingatacrossroad，don’tyouthinkwehadbetterpart，youtotheleft，homewards，andItotheright，here？Ihavetwenty-
fiveroubles，andIshalleasilyfindalodging。"
Ganiawasmuchconfused，andblushedforshame"Doforgiveme，prince！"hecried，suddenlychanginghisabusivetoneforoneofgreatcourtesy。"ForHeaven’ssake，forgiveme！YouseewhatamiserableplightIamin，butyouhardlyknowanythingofthefactsofthecaseasyet。Ifyoudid，Iamsureyouwouldforgiveme，atleastpartially。Ofcourseitwasinexcusableofme，I
know，but——"
"Oh，dearme，Ireallydonotrequiresuchprofuseapologies，"
repliedtheprince，hastily。"Iquiteunderstandhowunpleasantyourpositionis，andthatiswhatmadeyouabuseme。Socomealongtoyourhouse，afterall。Ishallbedelighted——"
"Iamnotgoingtolethimgolikethis，"thoughtGania，glancingangrilyattheprinceastheywalkedalong。"Thefellowhassuckedeverythingoutofme，andnowhetakesoffhismask——
there’ssomethingmorethanappears，hereweshallsee。Itshallallbeasclearaswaterbytonight，everything！"
ButbythistimetheyhadreachedGania’shouse。
VIII。
TheflatoccupiedbyGaniaandhisfamilywasonthethirdfloorofthehouse。Itwasreachedbyacleanlightstaircase，andconsistedofsevenrooms，aniceenoughlodging，andonewouldhavethoughtalittletoogoodforaclerkontwothousandroublesayear。Butitwasdesignedtoaccommodateafewlodgersonboardterms，andhadbeer)takenafewmonthssince，muchtothedisgustofGania，attheurgentrequestofhismotherandhissister，VarvaraArdalionovna，wholongedtodosomethingtoincreasethefamilyincomealittle，andfixedtheirhopesuponlettinglodgings。Ganiafrownedupontheidea。Hethoughtitinfradig，anddidnotquitelikeappearinginsocietyafterwards——thatsocietyinwhichhehadbeenaccustomedtoposeuptonowasayoungmanofratherbrilliantprospects。Alltheseconcessionsandrebuffsoffortune，oflate，hadwoundedhisspiritseverely，andhistemperhadbecomeextremelyirritable，hiswrathbeinggenerallyquiteoutofproportiontothecause。
Butifhehadmadeuphismindtoputupwiththissortoflifeforawhile，itwasonlyontheplainunderstandingwithhisinnerselfthathewouldverysoonchangeitall，andhavethingsashechoseagain。Yettheverymeansbywhichhehopedtomakethischangethreatenedtoinvolvehiminevengreaterdifficultiesthanhehadhadbefore。
Theflatwasdividedbyapassagewhichledstraightoutoftheentrance-hall。Alongonesideofthiscorridorlaythethreeroomswhichweredesignedfortheaccommodationofthe"highlyrecommended"lodgers。Besidesthesethreeroomstherewasanothersmalloneattheendofthepassage，closetothekitchen，whichwasallottedtoGeneralIvolgin，thenominalmasterofthehouse，whosleptonawidesofa，andwasobligedtopassintoandoutofhisroomthroughthekitchen，andupordownthebackstairs。Colia，Gania’syoungbrother，aschool-boyofthirteen，sharedthisroomwithhisfather。
He，too，hadtosleeponanoldsofa，anarrow，uncomfortablethingwithatornrugoverit；hischiefdutybeingtolookafterhisfather，whoneededtobewatchedmoreandmoreeveryday。
Theprincewasgiventhemiddleroomofthethree，thefirstbeingoccupiedbyoneFerdishenko，whilethethirdwasempty。
ButGaniafirstconductedtheprincetothefamilyapartments。
Theseconsistedofa"salon，"whichbecamethedining-roomwhenrequired；adrawing-room，whichwasonlyadrawing-roominthemorning，andbecameGania’sstudyintheevening，andhisbedroomatnight；andlastlyNinaAlexandrovna’sandVarvara’sbedroom，asmall，closechamberwhichtheysharedtogether。
Inaword，thewholeplacewasconfined，anda"tightfit"fortheparty。Ganiausedtogrindhisteethwithrageoverthestateofaffairs；thoughhewasanxioustobedutifulandpolitetohismother。However，itwasverysoonapparenttoanyonecomingintothehouse，thatGaniawasthetyrantofthefamily。
NinaAlexandrovnaandherdaughterwerebothseatedinthedrawing-room，engagedinknitting，andtalkingtoavisitor，IvanPetrovitchPtitsin。
Theladyofthehouseappearedtobeawomanofaboutfiftyyearsofage，thin-faced，andwithblacklinesundertheeves。Shelookedillandrathersad；butherfacewasapleasantoneforallthat；andfromthefirstwordthatfellfromherlips，anystrangerwouldatonceconcludethatshewasofaseriousandparticularlysincerenature。Inspiteofhersorrowfulexpression，shegavetheideaofpossessingconsiderablefirmnessanddecision。
Herdresswasmodestandsimpletoadegree，darkandelderlyinstyle；butbothherfaceandappearancegaveevidencethatshehadseenbetterdays。
Varvarawasagirlofsometwenty-threesummers，ofmiddleheight，thin，butpossessingafacewhich，withoutbeingactuallybeautiful，hadtherarequalityofcharm，andmightfascinateeventotheextentofpassionateregard。
Shewasverylikehermother:sheevendressedlikeher，whichprovedthatshehadnotasteforsmartclothes。Theexpressionofhergreyeyeswasmerryandgentle，whenitwasnot，aslately，toofullofthoughtandanxiety。Thesamedecisionandfirmnesswastobeobservedinherfaceasinhermother’s，butherstrengthseemedtobemorevigorousthanthatofNinaAlexandrovna。Shewassubjecttooutburstsoftemper，ofwhichevenherbrotherwasalittleafraid。
Thepresentvisitor，Ptitsin，wasalsoafraidofher。Thiswasayoungfellowofsomethingunderthirty，dressedplainly，butneatly。Hismannersweregood，butratherponderouslyso。Hisdarkbeardboreevidencetothefactthathewasnotinanygovernmentemploy。Hecouldspeakwell，butpreferredsilence。Onthewholehemadeadecidedlyagreeableimpression。HewasclearlyattractedbyVarvara，andmadenosecretofhisfeelings。
Shetrustedhiminafriendlyway，buthadnotshownhimanydecidedencouragementasyet，whichfactdidnotquellhisardourintheleast。
NinaAlexandrovnawasveryfondofhim，andhadgrownquiteconfidentialwithhimoflate。Ptitsin，aswaswellknown，wasengagedinthebusinessoflendingoutmoneyongoodsecurity，andatagoodrateofinterest。HewasagreatfriendofGania’s。
AfteraformalintroductionbyGania(whogreetedhismotherveryshortly，tooknonoticeofhissister，andimmediatelymarchedPtitsinoutoftheroom)，NinaAlexandrovnaaddressedafewkindwordstotheprinceandforthwithrequestedColia，whohadjustappearedatthedoor，toshowhimtothe"middleroom。"
Coliawasanice-lookingboy。Hisexpressionwassimpleandconfiding，andhismannerswereverypoliteandengaging。
"Where’syourluggage？"heasked，asheledtheprinceawaytohisroom。
"Ihadabundle；it’sintheentrancehall。"
"I’llbringityoudirectly。Weonlyhaveacookandonemaid，soIhavetohelpasmuchasIcan。Varialooksafterthings，generally，andloseshertemperoverit。GaniasaysyouhaveonlyjustarrivedfromSwitzerland？"
"Yes。"
"Isitjollythere？"
"Very。"
"Mountains？"
"Yes。"
"I’llgoandgetyourbundle。"
HereVarvarajoinedthem。
"Themaidshallbringyourbed-linendirectly。Haveyouaportmanteau？"
"No；abundle——yourbrotherhasjustgonetothehallforit。"
"There’snothingthereexceptthis，"saidColia，returningatthismoment。"Wheredidyouputit？"
"Oh！butthat’sallIhave，"saidtheprince，takingit。
"Ah！IthoughtperhapsFerdishenkohadtakenit。"
"Don’ttalknonsense，"saidVaria，severely。Sheseemedputout，andwasonlyjustpolitewiththeprince。
"Oho！"laughedtheboy，"youcanbenicerthanthattoME，youknow——I’mnotPtitsin！"
"Yououghttobewhipped，Colia，yousillyboy。Ifyouwantanything"(totheprince)"pleaseapplytotheservant。Wedineathalf-pastfour。Youcantakeyourdinnerwithus，orhaveitinyourroom，justasyouplease。Comealong，Colia，don’tdisturbtheprince。"
AtthedoortheymetGaniacomingin。
"Isfatherin？"heasked。Coliawhisperedsomethinginhisearandwentout。
"Justacoupleofwords，prince，ifyou’llexcuseme。Don’tblaboverTHEREaboutwhatyoumayseehere，orinthishouseastoallthataboutAglayaandme，youknow。Thingsarenotaltogetherpleasantinthisestablishment——deviltakeitall！You’llsee。AtalleventskeepyourtonguetoyourselfforTODAY。"
"IassureyouI’blabbed’agreatdeallessthanyouseemtosuppose，"saidtheprince，withsomeannoyance。ClearlytherelationsbetweenGaniaandhimselfwerebynomeansimproving。
"OhIwell；Icaughtitquitehotenoughtoday，thankstoyou。
However，Iforgiveyou。"
"IthinkyoumightfairlyrememberthatIwasnotinanywaybound，Ihadnoreasontobesilentaboutthatportrait。Youneveraskedmenottomentionit。"
"Pfu！whatawretchedroomthisis——dark，andthewindowlookingintotheyard。Yourcomingtoourhouseis，innorespect，opportune。However，it’snotMYaffair。Idon’tkeepthelodgings。"
PtitsinherelookedinandbeckonedtoGania，whohastilylefttheroom，inspiteofthefactthathehadevidentlywishedtosaysomethingmoreandhadonlymadetheremarkabouttheroomtogaintime。Theprincehadhardlyhadtimetowashandtidyhimselfalittlewhenthedooropenedoncemore，andanotherfigureappeared。
Thiswasagentlemanofaboutthirty，tall，broadshouldered，andred-haired；hisfacewasred，too，andhepossessedapairofthicklips，awidenose，smalleyes，ratherbloodshot，andwithanironicalexpressioninthem；asthoughhewereperpetuallywinkingatsomeone。Hiswholeappearancegaveonetheideaofimpudence；hisdresswasshabby。
Heopenedthedoorjustenoughtolethisheadin。Hisheadremainedsoplacedforafewsecondswhilehequietlyscrutinizedtheroom；thedoorthenopenedenoughtoadmithisbody；butstillhedidnotenter。Hestoodonthethresholdandexaminedtheprincecarefully。Atlasthegavethedoorafinalshove，entered，approachedtheprince，tookhishandandseatedhimselfandtheowneroftheroomontwochairssidebyside。
"Ferdishenko，"hesaid，gazingintentlyandinquiringlyintotheprince’seyes。
"Verywell，whatnext？"saidthelatter，almostlaughinginhisface。
"Alodgerhere，"continuedtheother，staringasbefore。
"Doyouwishtomakeacquaintance？"askedtheprince。
"Ah！"saidthevisitor，passinghisfingersthroughhishairandsighing。Hethenlookedovertotheothersideoftheroomandaroundit。"Gotanymoney？"heasked，suddenly。
"Notmuch。"
"Howmuch？"
"Twenty-fiveroubles。"
"Let’sseeit。"
TheprincetookhisbanknoteoutandshowedittoFerdishenko。
Thelatterunfoldeditandlookedatit；thenheturneditroundandexaminedtheotherside；thenheheldituptothelight。
"Howstrangethatitshouldhavebrownedso，"hesaid，reflectively。"Thesetwenty-fiveroublenotesbrowninamostextraordinaryway，whileothernotesoftengrowpaler。Takeit。"
Theprincetookhisnote。Ferdishenkorose。
"Icameheretowarnyou，"hesaid。"Inthefirstplace，don’tlendmeanymoney，forIshallcertainlyaskyouto。"
"Verywell。"
"Shallyoupayhere？"
"Yes，Iintendto。"
"Oh！IDON’Tintendto。Thanks。Ilivehere，nextdoortoyou；
younoticedaroom，didyou？Don’tcometomeveryoften；Ishallseeyouherequiteoftenenough。Haveyouseenthegeneral？"
"No。"
"Norheardhim？"
"No；ofcoursenot。"
"Well，you’llbothhearandseehimsoon；heeventriestoborrowmoneyfromme。Avisaulecteur。Good-bye；doyouthinkamancanpossiblylivewithanamelikeFerdishenko？"
"Whynot？"
"Good-bye。"
Andsohedeparted。Theprincefoundoutafterwardsthatthisgentlemanmadeithisbusinesstoamazepeoplewithhisoriginalityandwit，butthatitdidnotasarule"comeoff。"Heevenproducedabadimpressiononsomepeople，whichgrievedhimsorely；buthedidnotchangehiswaysforallthat。
Ashewentoutoftheprince’sroom，hecollidedwithyetanothervisitorcomingin。Ferdishenkotooktheopportunityofmakingseveralwarninggesturestotheprincefrombehindthenewarrival’sback，andlefttheroominconsciouspride。
Thisnextarrivalwasatallred-facedmanofaboutfifty-five，withgreyishhairandwhiskers，andlargeeyeswhichstoodoutoftheirsockets。Hisappearancewouldhavebeendistinguishedhaditnotbeenthathegavetheideaofbeingratherdirty。Hewasdressedinanoldcoat，andhesmelledofvodkawhenhecamenear。Hiswalkwaseffective，andheclearlydidhisbesttoappeardignified，andtoimpresspeoplebyhismanner。
Thisgentlemannowapproachedtheprinceslowly，andwithamostcourteoussmile；silentlytookhishandandhelditinhisown，asheexaminedtheprince’sfeaturesasthoughsearchingforfamiliartraitstherein。
"’Tishe，’tishe！"hesaidatlast，quietly，butwithmuchsolemnity。"Asthoughhewerealiveoncemore。Iheardthefamiliarname-thedearfamiliarname——and，oh。Ihowitremindedmeoftheirrevocablepast——PrinceMuishkin，Ibelieve？"
"Exactlyso。"
"GeneralIvolgin——retiredandunfortunate。MayIaskyourChristianandgenericnames？"
"LefNicolaievitch。"
"So，so——thesonofmyold，Imaysaymychildhood’sfriend，NicolaiPetrovitch。"
"Myfather’snamewasNicolaiLvovitch。"
"Lvovitch，"repeatedthegeneralwithouttheslightesthaste，andwithperfectconfidence，justasthoughhehadnotcommittedhimselftheleastintheworld，butmerelymadealittleslipofthetongue。Hesatdown，andtakingtheprince’shand，drewhimtoaseatnexttohimself。
"Icarriedyouinmyarmsasababy，"heobserved。
"Really？"askedtheprince。"Why，it’stwentyyearssincemyfatherdied。"
"Yes，yes——twentyyearsandthreemonths。Wewereeducatedtogether；Iwentstraightintothearmy，andhe——"
"Myfatherwentintothearmy，too。Hewasasub-lieutenantintheVasiliefskyregiment。"
"No，sir——intheBielomirsky；hechangedintothelattershortlybeforehisdeath。Iwasathisbedsidewhenhedied，andgavehimmyblessingforeternity。Yourmother——"Thegeneralpaused，asthoughovercomewithemotion。
"Shediedafewmonthslater，fromacold，"saidtheprince。
"Oh，notcold——believeanoldman——notfromacold，butfromgriefforherprince。Oh——yourmother，yourmother！heigh-ho！
Youth——youth！YourfatherandI——oldfriendsaswewere——nearlymurderedeachotherforhersake。"
Theprincebegantobealittleincredulous。
"Iwaspassionatelyinlovewithherwhenshewasengaged——
engagedtomyfriend。Theprincenoticedthefactandwasfurious。Hecameandwokemeatseveno’clockonemorning。Iriseanddressinamazement；silenceonbothsides。Iunderstanditall。Hetakesacoupleofpistolsoutofhispocket——acrossahandkerchief——withoutwitnesses。Whyinvitewitnesseswhenbothofuswouldbewalkingineternityinacoupleofminutes？Thepistolsareloaded；westretchthehandkerchiefandstandoppositeoneanother。Weaimthepistolsateachother’shearts。
Suddenlytearsstarttooureyes，ourhandsshake；weweep，weembrace——thebattleisoneofself-sacrificenow！Theprinceshouts，’Sheisyours；’Icry，’Sheisyours——’inaword，inaword——You’vecometolivewithus，hey？"
"Yes——yes——forawhile，Ithink，"stammeredtheprince。
"Prince，motherbegsyoutocometoher，"saidColia，appearingatthedoor。
Theprincerosetogo，butthegeneraloncemorelaidhishandinafriendlymanneronhisshoulder，anddraggedhimdownontothesofa。
"Asthetruefriendofyourfather，Iwishtosayafewwordstoyou，"hebegan。"Ihavesuffered——therewasacatastrophe。I
sufferedwithoutatrial；Ihadnotrial。NinaAlexandrovnamywife，isanexcellentwoman，soismydaughterVarvara。Wehavetoletlodgingsbecausewearepoor——adreadful，unheard-ofcome-
downforus——forme，whoshouldhavebeenagovernor-general；butweareverygladtohaveYOU，atallevents。Meanwhilethereisatragedyinthehouse。"
Theprincelookedinquiringlyattheother。
"Yes，amarriageisbeingarranged——amarriagebetweenaquestionablewomanandayoungfellowwhomightbeaflunkey。
Theywishtobringthiswomanintothehousewheremywifeanddaughterreside，butwhileIliveandbreathesheshallneverentermydoors。Ishalllieatthethreshold，andsheshalltramplemeunderfootifshedoes。IhardlytalktoGanianow，andavoidhimasmuchasIcan。Iwarnyouofthisbeforehand，butyoucannotfailtoobserveit。Butyouarethesonofmyoldfriend，andIhope——"
"Prince，besokindastocometomeforamomentinthedrawing-
room，"saidNinaAlexandrovnaherself，appearingatthedoor。
"Imagine，mydear，"criedthegeneral，"itturnsoutthatIhavenursedtheprinceonmykneeintheolddays。"Hiswifelookedsearchinglyathim，andglancedattheprince，butsaidnothing。
Theprinceroseandfollowedher；buthardlyhadtheyreachedthedrawing-room，andNinaAlexandrovnahadbeguntotalkhurriedly，whenincamethegeneral。Sheimmediatelyrelapsedintosilence。
Themasterofthehousemayhaveobservedthis，butatalleventshedidnottakeanynoticeofit；hewasinhighgoodhumour。
"Asonofmyoldfriend，dear，"hecried；"surelyyoumustrememberPrinceNicolaiLvovitch？Yousawhimat——atTver。"
"Idon’trememberanyNicolaiLvovitch，Wasthatyourfather？"
sheinquiredoftheprince。
"Yes，buthediedatElizabethgrad，notatTver，"saidtheprince，rathertimidly。"SoPavlichefftoldme。"
"No，Tver，"insistedthegeneral；"heremovedjustbeforehisdeath。Youwereverysmallandcannotremember；andPavlicheff，thoughanexcellentfellow，mayhavemadeamistake。"
"YouknewPavlicheffthen？"
"Oh，yes——awonderfulfellow；butIwaspresentmyself。Igavehimmyblessing。"
"Myfatherwasjustabouttobetriedwhenhedied，"saidtheprince，"althoughIneverknewofwhathewasaccused。Hediedinhospital。"
"Oh！itwastheKolpakoffbusiness，andofcoursehewouldhavebeenacquitted。"
"Yes？Doyouknowthatforafact？"askedtheprince，whosecuriositywasarousedbythegeneral’swords。
"Ishouldthinksoindeed！"criedthelatter。"Thecourt-martialcametonodecision。Itwasamysterious，animpossiblebusiness，onemightsay！CaptainLarionoff，commanderofthecompany，haddied；hiscommandwashandedovertotheprinceforthemoment。
Verywell。Thissoldier，Kolpakoff，stolesomeleatherfromoneofhiscomrades，intendingtosellit，andspentthemoneyondrink。Well！Theprince——youunderstandthatwhatfollowstookplaceinthepresenceofthesergeant-major，andacorporal——theprinceratedKolpakoffsoundly，andthreatenedtohavehimflogged。Well，Kolpakoffwentbacktothebarracks，laydownonacampbedstead，andinaquarterofanhourwasdead:youquiteunderstand？Itwas，asIsaid，astrange，almostimpossible，affair。InduecourseKolpakoffwasburied；theprincewrotehisreport，thedeceased’snamewasremovedfromtheroll。Allasitshouldbe，isitnot？Butexactlythreemonthslaterattheinspectionofthebrigade，themanKolpakoffwasfoundinthethirdcompanyofthesecondbattalionofinfantry，Novozemlianskidivision，justasifnothinghadhappened！"
"What？"saidtheprince，muchastonished。
"Itdidnotoccur——it’samistake！"saidNinaAlexandrovnaquickly，looking，attheprinceratheranxiously。"Monmarisetrompe，"sheadded，speakinginFrench。
"Mydear，’setrompe’iseasilysaid。Doyourememberanycaseatalllikeit？Everybodywasattheirwits’end。Ishouldbethefirsttosay’qu’onsetrompe，’butunfortunatelyIwasaneye-
witness，andwasalsoonthecommissionofinquiry。Everythingprovedthatitwasreallyhe，theverysamesoldierKolpakoffwhohadbeengiventheusualmilitaryfuneraltothesoundofthedrum。Itisofcourseamostcuriouscase——nearlyanimpossibleone。Irecognizethat……but——"
"Father，yourdinnerisready，"saidVarvaraatthispoint，puttingherheadinatthedoor。
"Veryglad，I’mparticularlyhungry。Yes，yes，astrangecoincidence——almostapsychological——"
"Yoursoup’llbecold；docome。"
"Coming，coming"saidthegeneral。"Sonofmyoldfriend——"hewasheardmutteringashewentdownthepassage。
"Youwillhavetoexcuseverymuchinmyhusband，ifyoustaywithus，"saidNinaAlexandrovna；"buthewillnotdisturbyouoften。Hedinesalone。Everyonehashislittlepeculiarities，youknow，andsomepeopleperhapshavemorethanthosewhoaremostpointedatandlaughedat。OnethingImustbegofyou-ifmyhusbandappliestoyouforpaymentforboardandlodging，tellhimthatyouhavealreadypaidme。Ofcourseanythingpaidbyyoutothegeneralwouldbeasfullysettledasifpaidtome，sofarasyouareconcerned；butIwishittobeso，ifyouplease，forconvenience’sake。Whatisit，Varia？"
Variahadquietlyenteredtheroom，andwasholdingouttheportraitofNastasiaPhilipovnatohermother。
NinaAlexandrovnastarted，andexaminedthephotographintently，gazingatitlongandsadly。AtlastshelookedupinquiringlyatVaria。
"It’sapresentfromherselftohim，"saidVaria；"thequestionistobefinallydecidedthisevening。"
"Thisevening！"repeatedhermotherinatoneofdespair，butsoftly，asthoughtoherself。"Thenit’sallsettled，ofcourse，andthere’snohopelefttous。Shehasanticipatedheranswerbythepresentofherportrait。Didheshowityouhimself？"sheadded，insomesurprise。
"Youknowwehavehardlyspokentoeachotherforawholemonth。
Ptitsintoldmeallaboutit；andthephotowaslyingunderthetable，andIpickeditup。"
"Prince，"askedNinaAlexandrovna，"Iwantedtoinquirewhetheryouhaveknownmysonlong？Ithinkhesaidthatyouhadonlyarrivedtodayfromsomewhere。"
Theprincegaveashortnarrativeofwhatwehaveheardbefore，leavingoutthegreaterpart。Thetwoladieslistenedintently。
"IdidnotaskaboutGaniaoutofcuriosity，"saidtheelder，atlast。"Iwishtoknowhowmuchyouknowabouthim，becausehesaidjustnowthatweneednotstandonceremonywithyou。What，exactly，doesthatmean？"
AtthismomentGaniaandPtitsinenteredtheroomtogether，andNinaAlexandrovnaimmediatelybecamesilentagain。Theprinceremainedseatednexttoher，butVariamovedtotheotherendoftheroom；theportraitofNastasiaPhilipovnaremainedlyingasbeforeonthework-table。Ganiaobserveditthere，andwithafrownofannoyancesnatcheditupandthrewitacrosstohiswriting-table，whichstoodattheotherendoftheroom。
"Isittoday，Gania？"askedNinaAlexandrovna，atlast。
"Iswhattoday？"criedtheformer。Thensuddenlyrecollectinghimself，heturnedsharplyontheprince。"Oh，"hegrowled，"I
see，youarehere，thatexplainsit！Isitadisease，orwhat，thatyoucan’tholdyourtongue？Lookhere，understandonceforall，prince——"
"Iamtoblameinthis，Gania——nooneelse，"saidPtitsin。
Ganiaglancedinquiringlyatthespeaker。
"It’sbetterso，youknow，Gania——especiallyas，fromonepointofview，themattermaybeconsideredassettled，"saidPtitsin；
andsittingdownalittlewayfromthetablehebegantostudyapapercoveredwithpencilwriting。
Ganiastoodandfrowned，heexpectedafamilyscene。Heneverthoughtofapologizingtotheprince，however。
"Ifit’sallsettled，Gania，thenofcourseMr。Ptitsinisright，"saidNinaAlexandrovna。"Don’tfrown。Youneednotworryyourself，Gania；Ishallaskyounoquestions。Youneednottellmeanythingyoudon’tlike。IassureyouIhavequitesubmittedtoyourwill。"Shesaidallthis，knittingawaythewhileasthoughperfectlycalmandcomposed。
Ganiawassurprised，butcautiouslykeptsilenceandlookedathismother，hopingthatshewouldexpressherselfmoreclearly。
NinaAlexandrovnaobservedhiscautiousnessandadded，withabittersmile:
"Youarestillsuspicious，Isee，anddonotbelieveme；butyoumaybequiteatyourease。Thereshallbenomoretears，norquestions——notfrommyside，atallevents。AllIwishisthatyoumaybehappy，youknowthat。Ihavesubmittedtomyfate；butmyheartwillalwaysbewithyou，whetherweremainunited，orwhetherwepart。OfcourseIonlyanswerformyself——youcanhardlyexpectyoursister——"
"Mysisteragain，"criedGania，lookingatherwithcontemptandalmosthate。"Lookhere，mother，IhavealreadygivenyoumywordthatIshallalwaysrespectyoufullyandabsolutely，andsoshalleveryoneelseinthishouse，beitwhoitmay，whoshallcrossthisthreshold。"
Ganiawassomuchrelievedthathegazedathismotheralmostaffectionately。
"Iwasnotatallafraidformyself，Gania，asyouknowwell。ItwasnotformyownsakethatIhavebeensoanxiousandworriedallthistime！Theysayitisalltobesettledto-day。Whatistobesettled？"
"Shehaspromisedtotellmetonightatherownhousewhethersheconsentsornot，"repliedGania。
"Wehavebeensilentonthissubjectforthreeweeks，"saidhismother，"anditwasbetterso；andnowIwillonlyaskyouonequestion。Howcanshegiveherconsentandmakeyouapresentofherportraitwhenyoudonotloveher？Howcansucha——sucha——"
"Practisedhand——eh？"
"Iwasnotgoingtoexpressmyselfso。Buthowcouldyousoblindher？"
NinaAlexandrovna’squestionbetrayedintenseannoyance。Ganiawaitedamomentandthensaid，withouttakingthetroubletoconcealtheironyofhistone:
"Thereyouare，mother，youarealwayslikethat。Youbeginbypromisingthattherearetobenoreproachesorinsinuationsorquestions，andhereyouarebeginningthematonce。Wehadbetterdropthesubject——wehad，really。Ishallneverleaveyou，mother；anyothermanwouldcutandrunfromsuchasisterasthis。Seehowsheislookingatmeatthismoment！Besides，howdoyouknowthatIamblindingNastasiaPhilipovna？AsforVaria，Idon’tcare——shecandojustasshepleases。There，that’squiteenough！"
Gania’sirritationincreasedwitheverywordheuttered，ashewalkedupanddowntheroom。Theseconversationsalwaystouchedthefamilysoresbeforelong。
"IhavesaidalreadythatthemomentshecomesinIgoout，andI
shallkeepmyword，"remarkedVaria。
"Outofobstinacy"shoutedGania。"Youhaven’tmarried，either，thankstoyourobstinacy。Oh，youneedn’tfrownatme，Varvara！
YoucangoatonceforallIcare；Iamsickenoughofyourcompany。What，youaregoingtoleaveusareyou，too？"hecried，turningtotheprince，whowasrisingfromhischair。
Gania’svoicewasfullofthemostuncontrolledanduncontrollableirritation。
Theprinceturnedatthedoortosaysomething，butperceivinginGania’sexpressionthattherewasbutthatonedropwantingtomakethecupoverflow，hechangedhismindandlefttheroomwithoutaword。Afewminuteslaterhewasawarefromthenoisyvoicesinthedrawingroom，thattheconversationhadbecomemorequarrelsomethaneverafterhisdeparture。
Hecrossedthesalonandtheentrance-hall，soastopassdownthecorridorintohisownroom。Ashecamenearthefrontdoorheheardsomeoneoutsidevainlyendeavouringtoringthebell，whichwasevidentlybroken，andonlyshookalittle，withoutemittinganysound。
Theprincetookdownthechainandopenedthedoor。Hestartedbackinamazement——fortherestoodNastasiaPhilipovna。Heknewheratoncefromherphotograph。Hereyesblazedwithangerasshelookedathim。Shequicklypushedbyhimintothehall，shoulderinghimoutofherway，andsaid，furiously，asshethrewoffherfurcloak:
"Ifyouaretoolazytomendyourbell，youshouldatleastwaitinthehalltoletpeopleinwhentheyrattlethebellhandle。
There，now，you’vedroppedmyfurcloak——dummy！"
Sureenoughthecloakwaslyingontheground。Nastasiahadthrownitoffhertowardstheprince，expectinghimtocatchit，buttheprincehadmissedit。
"Nowthen——announceme，quick！"
Theprincewantedtosaysomething，butwassoconfusedandastonishedthathecouldnot。However，hemovedofftowardsthedrawing-roomwiththecloakoverhisarm。
"Nowthen，whereareyoutakingmycloakto？Ha，ha，ha！Areyoumad？"
Theprinceturnedandcameback，moreconfusedthanever。Whensheburstoutlaughing，hesmiled，buthistonguecouldnotformawordasyet。Atfirst，whenhehadopenedthedoorandsawherstandingbeforehim，hehadbecomeaspaleasdeath；butnowtheredbloodhadrushedbacktohischeeksinatorrent。
"Why，whatanidiotitis！"criedNastasia，stampingherfootwithirritation。"Goon，do！Whomareyougoingtoannounce？"
"NastasiaPhilipovna，"murmuredtheprince。
"Andhowdoyouknowthat？"sheaskedhim，sharply。
"Ihaveneverseenyoubefore！"
"Goon，announceme——what’sthatnoise？"
"Theyarequarrelling，"saidtheprince，andenteredthedrawing-
room，justasmattersintherehadalmostreachedacrisis。NinaAlexandrovnahadforgottenthatshehad"submittedtoeverything！"ShewasdefendingVaria。Ptitsinwastakingherpart，too。NotthatVariawasafraidofstandingupforherself。
Shewasbynomeansthatsortofagirl；butherbrotherwasbecomingruderandmoreintolerableeverymoment。Herusualpracticeinsuchcasesasthepresentwastosaynothing，butstareathim，withouttakinghereyesoffhisfaceforaninstant。Thismanoeuvre，asshewellknew，coulddriveGaniadistracted。
Justatthismomentthedooropenedandtheprinceentered，announcing:
"NastasiaPhilipovna！"
IX。
Silenceimmediatelyfellontheroom；alllookedattheprinceasthoughtheyneitherunderstood，norhopedtounderstand。Ganiawasmotionlesswithhorror。
Nastasia’sarrivalwasamostunexpectedandoverwhelmingeventtoallparties。Inthefirstplace，shehadneverbeenbefore。UptonowshehadbeensohaughtythatshehadneverevenaskedGaniatointroducehertohisparents。Oflateshehadnotsomuchasmentionedthem。Ganiawaspartlygladofthis；butstillhehadputittoherdebitintheaccounttobesettledaftermarriage。
Hewouldhaveborneanythingfromherratherthanthisvisit。Butonethingseemedtohimquiteclear-hervisitnow，andthepresentofherportraitonthisparticularday，pointedoutplainlyenoughwhichwaysheintendedtomakeherdecision！
Theincredulousamazementwithwhichallregardedtheprincedidnotlastlong，forNastasiaherselfappearedatthedoorandpassedin，pushingbytheprinceagain。
"AtlastI’vestormedthecitadel！Whydoyoutieupyourbell？"
shesaid，merrily，asshepressedGania’shand，thelatterhavingrusheduptoherassoonasshemadeherappearance。"Whatareyoulookingsoupsetabout？Introduceme，please！"
ThebewilderedGaniaintroducedherfirsttoVaria，andbothwomen，beforeshakinghands，exchangedlooksofstrangeimport。
Nastasia，however，smiledamiably；butVariadidnottrytolookamiable，andkepthergloomyexpression。Shedidnotevenvouchsafetheusualcourteoussmileofetiquette。Ganiadartedaterribleglanceofwrathatherforthis，butNinaAlexandrovna，mendedmattersalittlewhenGaniaintroducedheratlast。
Hardly，however，hadtheoldladybegunabouther"highlygratifiedfeelings，"andsoon，whenNastasialefther，andflouncedintoachairbyGania’ssideinthecornerbythewindow，andcried:"Where’syourstudy？andwherearethe——thelodgers？Youdotakeinlodgers，don’tyou？"
Ganialookeddreadfullyputout，andtriedtosaysomethinginreply，butNastasiainterruptedhim:
"Why，whereareyougoingtosqueezelodgersinhere？Don’tyouuseastudy？Doesthissortofthingpay？"sheadded，turningtoNinaAlexandrovna。
"Well，itistroublesome，rather，"saidthelatter；"butI
supposeitwill’pay’prettywell。Wehaveonlyjustbegun，however——"
AgainNastasiaPhilipovnadidnothearthesentenceout。SheglancedatGania，andcried，laughing，"Whataface！Mygoodness，whatafaceyouhaveonatthismoment！"
Indeed，Ganiadidnotlookintheleastlikehimself。Hisbewildermentandhisalarmedperplexitypassedoff，however，andhislipsnowtwitchedwithrageashecontinuedtostareevillyathislaughingguest，whilehiscountenancebecameabsolutelylivid。
Therewasanotherwitness，who，thoughstandingatthedoormotionlessandbewilderedhimself，stillmanagedtoremarkGania’sdeath-likepallor，andthedreadfulchangethathadcomeoverhisface。Thiswitnesswastheprince，whonowadvancedinalarmandmutteredtoGania:
"Drinksomewater，anddon’tlooklikethat！"
Itwasclearthathecameoutwiththesewordsquitespontaneously，onthespurofthemoment。Buthisspeechwasproductiveofmuch——foritappearedthatall。Gania’sragenowoverflowedupontheprince。Heseizedhimbytheshoulderandgazedwithanintensityofloathingandrevengeathim，butsaidnothing——asthoughhisfeelingsweretoostrongtopermitofwords。
Generalagitationprevailed。NinaAlexandrovnagavealittlecryofanxiety；Ptitsintookastepforwardinalarm；ColiaandFerdishenkostoodstockstillatthedoorinamazement；——onlyVariaremainedcoollywatchingthescenefromunderhereyelashes。Shedidnotsitdown，butstoodbyhermotherwithfoldedhands。However，Ganiarecollectedhimselfalmostimmediately。Heletgooftheprinceandburstoutlaughing。
"Why，areyouadoctor，prince，orwhat？"heasked，asnaturallyaspossible。"Ideclareyouquitefrightenedme！NastasiaPhilipovna，letmeintroducethisinterestingcharactertoyou——
thoughIhaveonlyknownhimmyselfsincethemorning。"
Nastasiagazedattheprinceinbewilderment。"Prince？HeaPrince？Why，Itookhimforthefootman，justnow，andsenthimintoannounceme！Ha，ha，ha，isn’tthatgood！"
"Notbadthat，notbadatall！"putinFerdishenko，"senonevero——"
"IratherthinkIpitchedintoyou，too，didn’tI？Forgiveme——do！
Whoishe，didyousay？Whatprince？Muishkin？"sheadded，addressingGania。
"Heisalodgerofours，"explainedthelatter。
"Anidiot！"——theprincedistinctlyheardthewordhalfwhisperedfrombehindhim。ThiswasFerdishenko’svoluntaryinformationforNastasia’sbenefit。
"Tellme，whydidn’tyouputmerightwhenImadesuchadreadfulmistakejustnow？"continuedthelatter，examiningtheprincefromheadtofootwithouttheslightestceremony。Sheawaitedtheanswerasthoughconvincedthatitwouldbesofoolishthatshemustinevitablyfailtorestrainherlaughteroverit。
"Iwasastonished，seeingyousosuddenly——"murmuredtheprince。
"HowdidyouknowwhoIwas？Wherehadyouseenmebefore？Andwhywereyousostruckdumbatthesightofme？Whatwastheresooverwhelmingaboutme？"
"Oho！ho，ho，ho！"criedFerdishenko。"NOWthen，prince！Myword，whatthingsIwouldsayifIhadsuchachanceasthat！Mygoodness，prince——goon！"
"SoshouldI，inyourplace，I’venodoubt！"laughedtheprincetoFerdishenko；thencontinued，addressingNastasia:"Yourportraitstruckmeveryforciblythismorning；thenIwastalkingaboutyoutotheEpanchins；andthen，inthetrain，beforeI
reachedPetersburg，ParfenRogojintoldmeagooddealaboutyou；
andattheverymomentthatIopenedthedoortoyouIhappenedtobethinkingofyou，when——thereyoustoodbeforeme！"
"Andhowdidyourecognizeme？"
"Fromtheportrait！"
"Whatelse？"
"Iseemedtoimagineyouexactlyasyouare——Iseemedtohaveseenyousomewhere。"
"Where——where？"
"Iseemtohaveseenyoureyessomewhere；butitcannotbe！I
havenotseenyou——Ineverwasherebefore。Imayhavedreamedofyou，Idon’tknow。"
Theprincesaidallthiswithmanifesteffort——inbrokensentences，andwithmanydrawingsofbreath。Hewasevidentlymuchagitated。NastasiaPhilipovnalookedathiminquisitively，butdidnotlaugh。
"Bravo，prince！"criedFerdishenko，delighted。
AtthismomentaloudvoicefrombehindthegroupwhichhedgedintheprinceandNastasiaPhilipovna，dividedthecrowd，asitwere，andbeforethemstoodtheheadofthefamily，GeneralIvolgin。Hewasdressedineveningclothes；hismoustachewasdyed。
ThisapparitionwastoomuchforGania。Vainandambitiousalmosttomorbidness，hehadhadmuchtoputupwithinthelasttwomonths，andwasseekingfeverishlyforsomemeansofenablinghimselftoleadamorepresentablekindofexistence。Athome，henowadoptedanattitudeofabsolutecynicism，buthecouldnotkeepthisupbeforeNastasiaPhilipovna，althoughhehadsworntomakeherpayaftermarriageforallhesufferednow。Hewasexperiencingalasthumiliation，thebitterestofall，atthismoment——thehumiliationofblushingforhisownkindredinhisownhouse。Aquestionflashedthroughhismindastowhetherthegamewasreallyworththecandle。
Forthathadhappenedatthismoment，whichfortwomonthshadbeenhisnightmare；whichhadfilledhissoulwithdreadandshame——themeetingbetweenhisfatherandNastasiaPhilipovna。Hehadoftentriedtoimaginesuchanevent，buthadfoundthepicturetoomortifyingandexasperating，andhadquietlydroppedit。Verylikelyheanticipatedfarworsethingsthanwasatallnecessary；itisoftensowithvainpersons。Hehadlongsincedetermined，therefore，togethisfatheroutoftheway，anywhere，beforehismarriage，inordertoavoidsuchameeting；
butwhenNastasiaenteredtheroomjustnow，hehadbeensooverwhelmedwithastonishment，thathehadnotthoughtofhisfather，andhadmadenoarrangementstokeephimoutoftheway。
Andnowitwastoolate——therehewas，andgotup，too，inadresscoatandwhitetie，andNastasiaintheveryhumourtoheapridiculeonhimandhisfamilycircle；ofthislastfact，hefeltquitepersuaded。Whatelsehadshecomefor？Therewerehismotherandhissistersittingbeforeher，andsheseemedtohaveforgottentheirveryexistencealready；andifshebehavedlikethat，hethought，shemusthavesomeobjectinview。
FerdishenkoledthegeneraluptoNastasiaPhilipovna。
"ArdalionAlexandrovitchIvolgin，"saidthesmilinggeneral，withalowbowofgreatdignity，"anoldsoldier，unfortunate，andthefatherofthisfamily；buthappyinthehopeofincludinginthatfamilysoexquisite——"
Hedidnotfinishhissentence，foratthismomentFerdishenkopushedachairupfrombehind，andthegeneral，notveryfirmonhislegs，atthispost-prandialhour，floppedintoitbackwards。
Itwasalwaysadifficultthingtoputthiswarriortoconfusion，andhissuddendescentlefthimascomposedasbefore。HehadsatdownjustoppositetoNastasia，whosefingershenowtook，andraisedtohislipswithgreatelegance，andmuchcourtesy。Thegeneralhadoncebelongedtoaveryselectcircleofsociety，buthehadbeenturnedoutofittwoorthreeyearssinceonaccountofcertainweaknesses，inwhichhenowindulgedwithallthelessrestraint；buthisgoodmannersremainedwithhimtothisday，inspiteofall。
NastasiaPhilipovnaseemeddelightedattheappearanceofthislatestarrival，ofwhomshehadofcourseheardagooddealbyreport。
"Ihaveheardthatmyson——"beganArdalionAlexandrovitch。
"Yourson，indeed！Anicepapayouare！YOUmighthavecometoseemeanyhow，withoutcompromisinganyone。Doyouhideyourself，ordoesyoursonhideyou？"
"Thechildrenofthenineteenthcentury，andtheirparents——"
beganthegeneral，again。
"NastasiaPhilipovna，willyouexcusethegeneralforamoment？
Someoneisinquiringforhim，"saidNinaAlexandrovnainaloudvoice，interruptingtheconversation。
"Excusehim？Ohno，Ihavewishedtoseehimtoolongforthat。
Why，whatbusinesscanhehave？Hehasretired，hasn’the？Youwon’tleaveme，general，willyou？"
"Igiveyoumywordthatheshallcomeandseeyou——buthe——heneedsrestjustnow。"
"General，theysayyourequirerest，"saidNastasiaPhilipovna，withthemelancholyfaceofachildwhosetoyistakenaway。
ArdalionAlexandrovitchimmediatelydidhisbesttomakehisfoolishpositionagreatdealworse。
"Mydear，mydear！"hesaid，solemnlyandreproachfully，lookingathiswife，withonehandonhisheart。
"Won’tyouleavetheroom，mamma？"askedVaria，aloud。
"No，Varia，Ishallsititouttotheend。"
Nastasiamusthaveoverheardbothquestionandreply，buthervivacitywasnotintheleastdamped。Onthecontrary，itseemedtoincrease。Sheimmediatelyoverwhelmedthegeneraloncemorewithquestions，andwithinfiveminutesthatgentlemanwasashappyasaking，andholdingforthatthetopofhisvoice，amidthelaughterofalmostallwhoheardhim。
Coliajoggedtheprince’sarm。
"Can’tYOUgethimoutoftheroom，somehow？DO，please，"andtearsofannoyancestoodintheboy’seyes。"CursethatGania！"
hemuttered，betweenhisteeth。
"Ohyes，IknewGeneralEpanchinwell，"GeneralIvolginwassayingatthismoment；"heandPrinceNicolaiIvanovitchMuishkin——whosesonIhavethisdayembracedafteranabsenceoftwentyyears——andI，werethreeinseparables。Alasoneisinthegrave，torntopiecesbycalumniesandbullets；anotherisnowbeforeyou，stillbattlingwithcalumniesandbullets——"
"Bullets？"criedNastasia。
"Yes，hereinmychest。IreceivedthematthesiegeofKars，andIfeeltheminbadweathernow。Andastothethirdofourtrio，Epanchin，ofcourseafterthatlittleaffairwiththepoodleintherailwaycarriage，itwasallUPbetweenus。"
"Poodle？Whatwasthat？Andinarailwaycarriage？Dearme，"saidNastasia，thoughtfully，asthoughtryingtorecallsomethingtomind。
"Oh，justasilly，littleoccurrence，reallynotworthtelling，aboutPrincessBielokonski’sgoverness，MissSmith，and——oh，itisreallynotworthtelling！"
"No，no，wemusthaveit！"criedNastasiamerrily。
"Yes，ofcourse，"saidFerdishenko。"C’estdunouveau。"
"Ardalion，"saidNinaAlexandrovitch，entreatingly。
"Papa，youarewanted！"criedColia。
"Well，itisasillylittlestory，inafewwords，"beganthedelightedgeneral。"Acoupleofyearsago，soonafterthenewrailwaywasopened，Ihadtogosomewhereorotheronbusiness。
Well，Itookafirst-classticket，satdown，andbegantosmoke，orratherCONTINUEDtosmoke，forIhadlightedupbefore。Iwasaloneinthecarriage。Smokingisnotallowed，butisnotprohibitedeither；itishalfallowed——sotospeak，winkedat。I
hadthewindowopen。"
"Suddenly，justbeforethewhistle，incametwoladieswithalittlepoodle，andsatdownoppositetome；notbad-lookingwomen；onewasinlightblue，theotherinblacksilk。Thepoodle，abeautywithasilvercollar，layonlightblue’sknee。
Theylookedhaughtilyabout，andtalkedEnglishtogether。Itooknonotice，justwentonsmoking。Iobservedthattheladiesweregettingangry——overmycigar，doubtless。Onelookedatmethroughhertortoise-shelleyeglass。
"Itooknonotice，becausetheyneversaidaword。Iftheydidn’tlikethecigar，whycouldn’ttheysayso？Notaword，notahint！
Suddenly，andwithouttheveryslightestsuspicionofwarning，’lightblue’seizesmycigarfrombetweenmyfingers，and，wheugh！outofthewindowwithit！Well，onflewthetrain，andI
satbewildered，andtheyoungwoman，tallandfair，andratherredintheface，toored，glaredatmewithflashingeyes。
"Ididn’tsayaword，butwithextremecourtesy，Imaysaywithmostrefinedcourtesy，Ireachedmyfingerandthumbovertowardsthepoodle，tookitupdelicatelybythenapeoftheneck，andchuckeditoutofthewindow，afterthecigar。Thetrainwentflyingon，andthepoodle’syellswerelostinthedistance。"
"Oh，younaughtyman！"criedNastasia，laughingandclappingherhandslikeachild。
"Bravo！"saidFerdishenko。Ptitsinlaughedtoo，thoughhehadbeenverysorrytoseethegeneralappear。EvenColialaughedandsaid，"Bravo！"
"AndIwasright，trulyright，"criedthegeneral，withwarmthandsolemnity，"forifcigarsareforbiddeninrailwaycarriages，poodlesaremuchmoreso。"
"Well，andwhatdidtheladydo？"askedNastasia，impatiently。
"She——ah，that’swhereallthemischiefofitlies！"repliedIvolgin，frowning。"Withoutaword，asitwere，ofwarning，sheslappedmeonthecheek！Anextraordinarywoman！"
"Andyou？"
Thegeneraldroppedhiseyes，andelevatedhisbrows；shruggedhisshoulders，tightenedhislips，spreadhishands，andremainedsilent。Atlastheblurtedout:
"Ilostmyhead！"
"Didyouhither？"
"No，ohno！——therewasagreatflare-up，butIdidn’thither！I
hadtostrugglealittle，purelytodefendmyself；buttheverydevilwasinthebusiness。Itturnedoutthat’lightblue’wasanEnglishwoman，governessorsomething，atPrincessBielokonski’s，andtheotherwomanwasoneoftheold-maidprincessesBielokonski。Well，everybodyknowswhatgreatfriendstheprincessandMrs。Epanchinare，sotherewasaprettykettleoffish。AlltheBielokonskiswentintomourningforthepoodle。Sixprincessesintears，andtheEnglishwomanshrieking！
"OfcourseIwroteanapology，andcalled，buttheywouldnotreceiveeithermeormyapology，andtheEpanchinscutme，too！"
"Butwait，"saidNastasia。"Howisitthat，fiveorsixdayssince，Ireadexactlythesamestoryinthepaper，ashappeningbetweenaFrenchmanandanEnglishgirl？Thecigarwassnatchedawayexactlyasyoudescribe，andthepoodlewaschuckedoutofthewindowafterit。Theslappingcameoff，too，asinyourcase；
andthegirl’sdresswaslightblue！"