第5章
Thegeneralblusheddreadfully；Coliablushedtoo；andPtitsinturnedhastilyaway。Ferdishenkowastheonlyonewholaughedasgailyasbefore。AstoGania，Ineednotsaythathewasmiserable；hestooddumbandwretchedandtooknonoticeofanybody。
"Iassureyou，"saidthegeneral，"thatexactlythesamethinghappenedtomyself！"
"IrememberedtherewassomequarrelbetweenfatherandMissSmith，theBielokonski’sgoverness，"saidColia。
"Howverycurious，pointforpointthesameanecdote，andhappeningatdifferentendsofEurope！Eventhelightbluedressthesame，"continuedthepitilessNastasia。"Imustreallysendyouthepaper。"
"Youmustobserve，"insistedthegeneral，"thatmyexperiencewastwoyearsearlier。"
"Ah！that’sit，nodoubt！"
NastasiaPhilipovnalaughedhysterically。
"Father，willyouhearawordfrommeoutside！"saidGania，hisvoiceshakingwithagitation，asheseizedhisfatherbytheshoulder。Hiseyesshonewithablazeofhatred。
Atthismomenttherewasaterrificbangatthefrontdoor，almostenoughtobreakitdown。Somemostunusualvisitormusthavearrived。Coliarantoopen。
X。
THEentrance-hallsuddenlybecamefullofnoiseandpeople。Tojudgefromthesoundswhichpenetratedtothedrawing-room，anumberofpeoplehadalreadycomein，andthestampedecontinued。
Severalvoicesweretalkingandshoutingatonce；othersweretalkingandshoutingonthestairsoutside；itwasevidentlyamostextraordinaryvisitthatwasabouttotakeplace。
Everyoneexchangedstartledglances。Ganiarushedouttowardsthedining-room，butanumberofmenhadalreadymadetheirwayin，andmethim。
"Ah！hereheis，theJudas！"criedavoicewhichtheprincerecognizedatonce。"Howd’yedo，Gania，youoldblackguard？"
"Yes，that’stheman！"saidanothervoice。
Therewasnoroomfordoubtintheprince’smind:oneofthevoiceswasRogojin’s，andtheotherLebedeff’s。
Ganiastoodatthedoorlikeablockandlookedoninsilence，puttingnoobstacleinthewayoftheirentrance，andtenoradozenmenmarchedinbehindParfenRogojin。Theywereadecidedlymixed-lookingcollection，andsomeofthemcameinintheirfursandcaps。Noneofthemwerequitedrunk，butallappearedtoDeconsiderablyexcited。
Theyseemedtoneedeachother’ssupport，morally，beforetheydaredcomein；notoneofthemwouldhaveenteredalonebutwiththeresteachonewasbraveenough。EvenRogojinenteredrathercautiouslyattheheadofhistroop；buthewasevidentlypreoccupied。Heappearedtobegloomyandmorose，andhadclearlycomewithsomeendinview。Alltherestweremerelychorus，broughtintosupportthechiefcharacter。BesidesLebedefftherewasthedandyZalesheff，whocameinwithouthiscoatandhat，twoorthreeothersfollowedhisexample；therestweremoreuncouth。Theyincludedacoupleofyoungmerchants，amaninagreat-coat，amedicalstudent，alittlePole，asmallfatmanwholaughedcontinuously，andanenormouslytallstoutonewhoapparentlyputgreatfaithinthestrengthofhisfists。Acoupleof"ladies"ofsomesortputtheirheadsinatthefrontdoor，butdidnotdarecomeanyfarther。Coliapromptlybangedthedoorintheirfacesandlockedit。
"Hallo，Gania，youblackguard！Youdidn’texpectRogojin，eh？"
saidthelatter，enteringthedrawing-room，andstoppingbeforeGania。
Butatthismomenthesaw，seatedbeforehim，NastasiaPhilipovna。Hehadnotdreamedofmeetingherhere，evidently，forherappearanceproducedamarvellouseffectuponhim。Hegrewpale，andhislipsbecameactuallyblue。
"Isupposeitistrue，then！"hemutteredtohimself，andhisfacetookonanexpressionofdespair。"Sothat’stheendofit！
Nowyou，sir，willyouanswermeornot？"hewentonsuddenly，gazingatGaniawithineffablemalice。"Nowthen，you——"
Hepanted，andcouldhardlyspeakforagitation。Headvancedintotheroommechanically；butperceivingNinaAlexandrovnaandVariahebecamemoreorlessembarrassed，inspiteofhisexcitement。
Hisfollowersenteredafterhim，andallpausedamomentatsightoftheladies。Ofcoursetheirmodestywasnotfatedtobelong-
lived，butforamomenttheywereabashed。Onceletthembegintoshout，however，andnothingonearthshoulddisconcertthem。
"What，youheretoo，prince？"saidRogojin，absently，butalittlesurprisedallthesame"Stillinyourgaiters，eh？"Hesighed，andforgottheprincenextmoment，andhiswildeyeswanderedovertoNastasiaagain，asthoughattractedinthatdirectionbysomemagneticforce。
Nastasialookedatthenewarrivalswithgreatcuriosity。Ganiarecollectedhimselfatlast。
"Excuseme，sirs，"hesaid，loudly，"butwhatdoesallthismean？"Heglaredattheadvancingcrowdgenerally，butaddressedhisremarksespeciallytotheircaptain，Rogojin。"Youarenotinastable，gentlemen，thoughyoumaythinkit——mymotherandsisterarepresent。"
"Yes，Iseeyourmotherandsister，"mutteredRogojin，throughhisteeth；andLebedeffseemedtofeelhimselfcalledupontosecondthestatement。
"Atallevents，Imustrequestyoutostepintothesalon，"saidGania，hisragerisingquiteoutofproportiontohiswords，"andthenIshallinquire——"
"What，hedoesn’tknowme！"saidRogojin，showinghisteethdisagreeably。"Hedoesn’trecognizeRogojin！"Hedidnotmoveaninch，however。
"Ihavemetyousomewhere，Ibelieve，but——"
"Metmesomewhere，pfu！Why，it’sonlythreemonthssinceIlosttwohundredroublesofmyfather’smoneytoyou，atcards。Theoldfellowdiedbeforehefoundout。Ptitsinknowsallaboutit。
Why，I’veonlytopulloutathree-roublenoteandshowittoyou，andyou’dcrawlonyourhandsandkneestotheotherendofthetownforit；that’sthesortofmanyouare。Why，I’vecomenow，atthismoment，tobuyyouup！Oh，youneedn’tthinkthatbecauseIwearthesebootsIhavenomoney。Ihavelotsofmoney，mybeauty，——enoughtobuyupyouandallyourstogether。SoI
shall，ifIliketo！I’llbuyyouup！Iwill！"heyelled，apparentlygrowingmoreandmoreintoxicatedandexcited。"Oh，NastasiaPhilipovna！don’tturnmeout！Sayoneword，do！Areyougoingtomarrythisman，ornot？"
Rogojinaskedhisquestionlikealostsoulappealingtosomedivinity，withtherecklessdaringofoneappointedtodie，whohasnothingtolose。
Heawaitedthereplyindeadlyanxiety。
NastasiaPhilipovnagazedathimwithahaughty，ironical。
expressionofface；butwhensheglancedatNinaAlexandrovnaandVaria，andfromthemtoGania，shechangedhertone，allofasudden。
"Certainlynot；whatareyouthinkingof？Whatcouldhaveinducedyoutoasksuchaquestion？"shereplied，quietlyandseriously，andeven，apparently，withsomeastonishment。
"No？No？"shoutedRogojin，almostoutofhismindwithjoy。"Youarenotgoingto，afterall？Andtheytoldme——oh，NastasiaPhilipovna——theysaidyouhadpromisedtomarryhim，HIM！AsifyouCOULDdoit！——him——pooh！Idon’tmindsayingittoeveryone——
I’dbuyhimoffforahundredroubles，anydaypfu！Givehimathousand，orthreeifhelikes，poordevil’andhe’dcutandrunthedaybeforehiswedding，andleavehisbridetome！Wouldn’tyou，Gania，youblackguard？You’dtakethreethousand，wouldn’tyou？Here’sthemoney！Look，I’vecomeonpurposetopayyouoffandgetyourreceipt，formally。IsaidI’dbuyyouup，andsoI
will。"
"Getoutofthis，youdrunkenbeast！"criedGania，whowasredandwhitebyturns。
Rogojin’stroop，whowereonlywaitingforanexcuse，setupahowlatthis。LebedeffsteppedforwardandwhisperedsomethinginParfen’sear。
"You’reright，clerk，"saidthelatter，"you’reright，tipsyspirit——you’reright！——NastasiaPhilipovna，"headded，lookingatherlikesomelunatic，harmlessgenerally，butsuddenlywounduptoapitchofaudacity，"hereareeighteenthousandroubles，and——andyoushallhavemore。"Herehethrewapacketofbank-
notestiedupinwhitepaper，onthetablebeforeher，notdaringtosayallhewishedtosay。
"No-no-no！"mutteredLebedeff，clutchingathisarm。Hewasclearlyaghastatthelargenessofthesum，andthoughtafarsmalleramountshouldhavebeentriedfirst。
"No，youfool——youdon’tknowwhomyouaredealingwith——anditappearsIamafool，too！"saidParfen，tremblingbeneaththeflashingglanceofNastasia。"Oh，curseitall！WhatafoolI
wastolistentoyou！"headded，withprofoundmelancholy。
NastasiaPhilipovna，observinghiswoe-begoneexpression，suddenlyburstoutlaughing。
"Eighteenthousandroubles，forme？Why，youdeclareyourselfafoolatonce，"shesaid，withimpudentfamiliarity，assherosefromthesofaandpreparedtogo。Ganiawatchedthewholescenewithasinkingoftheheart。
"Fortythousand，then——fortythousandroublesinsteadofeighteen！
Ptitsinandanotherhavepromisedtofindmefortythousandroublesbyseveno’clocktonight。Fortythousandroubles——paiddownonthenail！"
Thescenewasgrowingmoreandmoredisgraceful；butNastasiaPhilipovnacontinuedtolaughanddidnotgoaway。NinaAlexandrovnaandVariahadbothrisenfromtheirplacesandwerewaiting，insilenthorror，toseewhatwouldhappen。Varia’seyeswereallablazewithanger；butthescenehadadifferenteffectonNinaAlexandrovna。Shepaledandtrembled，andlookedmoreandmorelikefaintingeverymoment。
"Verywellthen，aHUNDREDthousand！ahundredthousand！paidthisveryday。Ptitsin！finditforme。Agoodshareshallsticktoyourfingers——come！"
"Youaremad！"saidPtitsin，comingupquicklyandseizinghimbythehand。"You’redrunk——thepolicewillbesentforifyoudon’tlookout。Thinkwhereyouare。"
"Yes，he’sboastinglikeadrunkard，"addedNastasia，asthoughwiththesoleintentionofgoadinghim。
"IdoNOTboast！Youshallhaveahundredthousand，thisveryday。Ptitsin，getthemoney，yougayusurer！Takewhatyoulikeforit，butgetitbytheevening！I’llshowthatI’minearnest！"criedRogojin，workinghimselfupintoafrenzyofexcitement。
"Come，come；what’sallthis？"criedGeneralIvolgin，suddenlyandangrily，comingcloseuptoRogojin。Theunexpectednessofthissallyonthepartofthehithertosilentoldmancausedsomelaughteramongtheintruders。
"Halloa！what’sthisnow？"laughedRogojin。"Youcomealongwithme，oldfellow！Youshallhaveasmuchtodrinkasyoulike。"
"Oh，it’stoohorrible！"criedpoorColia，sobbingwithshameandannoyance。
"Surelytheremustbesomeoneamongallofyouherewhowillturnthisshamelesscreatureoutoftheroom？"criedVaria，suddenly。
Shewasshakingandtremblingwithrage。
"That’sme，Isuppose。I’mtheshamelesscreature！"criedNastasiaPhilipovna，withamusedindifference。"Dearme，andI
came——likeafool，asIam——toinvitethemovertomyhousefortheevening！Lookhowyoursistertreatsme，GavrilaArdalionovitch。"
ForsomemomentsGaniastoodasifstunnedorstruckbylightning，afterhissister’sspeech。ButseeingthatNastasiaPhilipovnawasreallyabouttoleavetheroomthistime，hesprangatVariaandseizedherbythearmlikeamadman。
"Whathaveyoudone？"hehissed，glaringatherasthoughhewouldliketoannihilateheronthespot。Hewasquitebesidehimself，andcouldhardlyarticulatehiswordsforrage。
"WhathaveIdone？Whereareyoudraggingmeto？"
"Doyouwishmetobegpardonofthiscreaturebecauseshehascomeheretoinsultourmotheranddisgracethewholehousehold，youlow，basewretch？"criedVaria，lookingbackatherbrotherwithprouddefiance。
Afewmomentspassedastheystoodtherefacetoface，Ganiastillholdingherwristtightly。Variastruggledonce——twice——togetfree；thencouldrestrainherselfnolonger，andspatinhisface。
"There’sagirlforyou！"criedNastasiaPhilipovna。"Mr。
Ptitsin，Icongratulateyouonyourchoice。"
Ganialosthishead。ForgetfulofeverythingheaimedablowatVaria，whichwouldinevitablyhavelaidherlow，butsuddenlyanotherhandcaughthis。BetweenhimandVariastoodtheprince。
"Enough——enough！"saidthelatter，withinsistence，butallofatremblewithexcitement。
"Areyougoingtocrossmypathforever，damnyou！"criedGania；
and，looseninghisholdonVaria，heslappedtheprince’sfacewithallhisforce。
Exclamationsofhorroraroseonallsides。Theprincegrewpaleasdeath；hegazedintoGania’seyeswithastrange，wild，reproachfullook；hislipstrembledandvainlyendeavouredtoformsomewords；thenhismouthtwistedintoanincongruoussmile。
"Verywell——nevermindaboutme；butIshallnotallowyoutostrikeher！"hesaid，atlast，quietly。Then，suddenly，hecouldbearitnolonger，andcoveringhisfacewithhishands，turnedtothewall，andmurmuredinbrokenaccents:
"Oh！howashamedyouwillbeofthisafterwards！"
Ganiacertainlydidlookdreadfullyabashed。Coliarusheduptocomforttheprince，andafterhimcrowdedVaria，Rogojinandall，eventhegeneral。
"It’snothing，it’snothing！"saidtheprince，andagainheworethesmilewhichwassoinconsistentwiththecircumstances。
"Yes，hewillbeashamed！"criedRogojin。"Youwillbeproperlyashamedofyourselfforhavinginjuredsucha——suchasheep"(hecouldnotfindabetterword)。"Prince，mydearfellow，leavethisandcomeawaywithme。I’llshowyouhowRogojinshowshisaffectionforhisfriends。"
NastasiaPhilipovnawasalsomuchimpressed，bothwithGania’sactionandwiththeprince’sreply。
Herusuallythoughtful，paleface，whichallthiswhilehadbeensolittleinharmonywiththejestsandlaughterwhichshehadseemedtoputonfortheoccasion，wasnowevidentlyagitatedbynewfeelings，thoughshetriedtoconcealthefactandtolookasthoughshewereasreadyaseverforjestingandirony。
"IreallythinkImusthaveseenhimsomewhere！"shemurmuredseriouslyenough。
"Oh，aren’tyouashamedofyourself——aren’tyouashamed？Areyoureallythesortofwomanyouaretryingtorepresentyourselftobe？Isitpossible？"TheprincewasnowaddressingNastasia，inatoneofreproach，whichevidentlycamefromhisveryheart。
NastasiaPhilipovnalookedsurprised，andsmiled，butevidentlyconcealedsomethingbeneathhersmileandwithsomeconfusionandaglanceatGaniashelefttheroom。
However，shehadnotreachedtheouterhallwhensheturnedround，walkedquicklyuptoNinaAlexandrovna，seizedherhandandliftedittoherlips。
"Heguessedquiteright。Iamnotthatsortofwoman，"shewhisperedhurriedly，flushingredallover。Thensheturnedagainandlefttheroomsoquicklythatnoonecouldimaginewhatshehadcomebackfor。AlltheysawwasthatshesaidsomethingtoNinaAlexandrovnainahurriedwhisper，andseemedtokissherhand。Varia，however，bothsawandheardall，andwatchedNastasiaoutoftheroomwithanexpressionofwonder。
Ganiarecollectedhimselfintimetorushafterherinordertoshowherout，butshehadgone。Hefollowedhertothestairs。
"Don’tcomewithme，"shecried，"Aurevoir，tilltheevening——doyouhear？Aurevoir！"
Hereturnedthoughtfulandconfused；theriddlelayheavierthaneveronhissoul。Hewastroubledabouttheprince，too，andsobewilderedthathedidnotevenobserveRogojin’srowdybandcrowdpasthimandsteponhistoes，atthedoorastheywentout。Theywerealltalkingatonce。Rogojinwentaheadoftheothers，talkingtoPtitsin，andapparentlyinsistingvehementlyuponsomethingveryimportant"You’velostthegame，Gania"hecried，ashepassedthelatter。
Ganiagazedafterhimuneasily，butsaidnothing。
XI。
THEprincenowlefttheroomandshuthimselfupinhisownchamber。Coliafollowedhimalmostatonce，anxioustodowhathecouldtoconsolehim。Thepoorboyseemedtobealreadysoattachedtohimthathecouldhardlyleavehim。
"Youwerequiterighttogoaway！"hesaid。"Therowwillragethereworsethanevernow；andit’slikethiseverydaywithus——
andallthroughthatNastasiaPhilipovna。"
"Youhavesomanysourcesoftroublehere，Colia，"saidtheprince。
"Yes，indeed，anditisallourownfault。ButIhaveagreatfriendwhoismuchworseoffeventhanweare。Wouldyouliketoknowhim？"
"Yes，verymuch。Isheoneofyourschool-fellows？"
"Well，notexactly。Iwilltellyouallabouthimsomeday……
WhatdoyouthinkofNastasiaPhilipovna？Sheisbeautiful，isn’tshe？Ihadneverseenherbefore，thoughIhadagreatwishtodoso。Shefascinatedme。IcouldforgiveGaniaifheweretomarryherforlove，butformoney！Ohdear！thatishorrible！"
"Yes，yourbrotherdoesnotattractmemuch。"
"Iamnotsurprisedatthat。Afterwhatyou……ButIdohatethatwayoflookingatthings！Becausesomefool，oraroguepretendingtobeafool，strikesaman，thatmanistobedishonouredforhiswholelife，unlesshewipesoutthedisgracewithblood，ormakeshisassailantbegforgivenessonhisknees！
Ithinkthatsoveryabsurdandtyrannical。Lermontoff’sBalMasqueisbasedonthatidea——astupidandunnaturalone，inmyopinion；buthewashardlymorethanachildwhenhewroteit。"
"Ilikeyoursisterverymuch。"
"DidyouseehowshespatinGania’sface！Variaisafraidofnoone。Butyoudidnotfollowherexample，andyetIamsureitwasnotthroughcowardice。Hereshecomes！Speakofawolfandyouseehistail！Ifeltsurethatshewouldcome。Sheisverygenerous，thoughofcourseshehasherfaults。"
Variapounceduponherbrother。
"Thisisnottheplaceforyou，"saidshe。"Gotofather。Isheplaguingyou，prince？"
"Notintheleast；onthecontrary，heinterestsme。"
"Scoldingasusual，Varia！Itistheworstthingabouther。Afterall，IbelievefathermayhavestartedoffwithRogojin。Nodoubtheissorrynow。PerhapsIhadbettergoandseewhatheisdoing，"addedColia，runningoff。
"ThankGod，Ihavegotmotheraway，andputhertobedwithoutanotherscene！Ganiaisworried——andashamed——notwithoutreason！
Whataspectacle！Ihavecometothankyouoncemore，prince，andtoaskyouifyouknewNastasiaPhilipovnabefore"No，Ihaveneverknownher。"
"Thenwhatdidyoumean，whenyousaidstraightouttoherthatshewasnotreally’likethat’？Youguessedright，Ifancy。Itisquitepossibleshewasnotherselfatthemoment，thoughIcannotfathomhermeaning。Evidentlyshemeanttohurtandinsultus。I
haveheardcurioustalesaboutherbeforenow，butifshecametoinviteustoherhouse，whydidshebehavesotomymother？
Ptitsinknowsherverywell；hesayshecouldnotunderstandhertoday。WithRogojin，too！Noonewithasparkofself-respectcouldhavetalkedlikethatinthehouseofher……Motherisextremelyvexedonyouraccount，too……
"Thatisnothing！"saidtheprince，wavinghishand。
"Buthowmeekshewaswhenyouspoketoher！"
"Meek！Whatdoyoumean？"
"Youtoldheritwasashameforhertobehaveso，andhermannerchangedatonce；shewaslikeanotherperson。Youhavesomeinfluenceoverher，prince，"addedVaria，smilingalittle。
Thedooropenedatthispoint，andincameGaniamostunexpectedly。
HewasnotintheleastdisconcertedtoseeVariathere，buthestoodamomentatthedoor，andthenapproachedtheprincequietly。
"Prince，"hesaid，withfeeling，"Iwasablackguard。Forgiveme！"Hisfacegaveevidenceofsuffering。Theprincewasconsiderablyamazed，anddidnotreplyatonce。"Oh，come，forgiveme，forgiveme！"Ganiainsisted，ratherimpatiently。"Ifyoulike，I’llkissyourhand。There！"
Theprincewastouched；hetookGania’shands，andembracedhimheartily，whileeachkissedtheother。
"Inever，neverthoughtyouwerelikethat，"saidMuishkin，drawingadeepbreath。"Ithoughtyou——youweren’tcapableof——"
"Ofwhat？Apologizing，eh？AndwhereonearthdidIgettheideathatyouwereanidiot？Youalwaysobservewhatotherpeoplepassbyunnoticed；onecouldtalksensetoyou，but——"
"Hereisanothertowhomyoushouldapologize，"saidtheprince，pointingtoVaria。
"No，no！theyareallenemies！I’vetriedthemoftenenough，believeme，"andGaniaturnedhisbackonVariawiththesewords。
"ButifIbegyoutomakeitup？"saidVaria。
"Andyou’llgotoNastasiaPhilipovna’sthisevening——"
"Ifyouinsist:but，judgeforyourself，canIgo，oughtItogo？"
"Butsheisnotthatsortofwoman，Itellyou！"saidGania，angrily。"Shewasonlyacting。"
"Iknowthat——Iknowthat；butwhataparttoplay！AndthinkwhatshemusttakeYOUfor，Gania！Iknowshekissedmother’shand，andallthat，butshelaughedatyou，allthesame。Allthisisnotgoodenoughforseventy-fivethousandroubles，mydearboy。Youarecapableofhonourablefeelingsstill，andthat’swhyIamtalkingtoyouso。Oh！DOtakecarewhatyouaredoing！Don’tyouknowyourselfthatitwillendbadly，Gania？"
Sosaying，andinastateofviolentagitation，Varialefttheroom。
"There，theyarealllikethat，"saidGania，laughing，"justasifIdonotknowallaboutitmuchbetterthantheydo。"
Hesatdownwiththesewords，evidentlyintendingtoprolonghisvisit。
"Ifyouknowitsowell，"saidtheprincealittletimidly，"whydoyouchooseallthisworryforthesakeoftheseventy-fivethousand，which，youconfess，doesnotcoverit？"
"Ididn’tmeanthat，"saidGania；"butwhileweareuponthesubject，letmehearyouropinion。Isallthisworryworthseventy-fivethousandornot？
"Certainlynot。"
"Ofcourse！Anditwouldbeadisgracetomarryso，eh？"
"Agreatdisgrace。"
"Oh，well，thenyoumayknowthatIshallcertainlydoit，now。I
shallcertainlymarryher。Iwasnotquitesureofmyselfbefore，butnowIam。Don’tsayaword:Iknowwhatyouwanttotellme——"
"No。Iwasonlygoingtosaythatwhatsurprisesmemostofallisyourextraordinaryconfidence。"
"Howso？Whatin？"
"ThatNastasiaPhilipovnawillacceptyou，andthatthequestionisasgoodassettled；andsecondly，thatevenifshedid，youwouldbeabletopocketthemoney。Ofcourse，Iknowverylittleaboutit，butthat’smyview。Whenamanmarriesformoneyitoftenhappensthatthewifekeepsthemoneyinherownhands。"
"Ofcourse，youdon’tknowall；but，Iassureyou，youneedn’tbeafraid，itwon’tbelikethatinourcase。Therearecircumstances，"saidGania，ratherexcitedly。"Andastoheranswertome，there’snodoubtaboutthat。Whyshouldyousupposeshewillrefuseme？"
"Oh，IonlyjudgebywhatIsee。VarvaraArdalionovnasaidjustnow——"
"Ohshe——theydon’tknowanythingaboutit！NastasiawasonlychaffingRogojin。Iwasalarmedatfirst，butIhavethoughtbetterofitnow；shewassimplylaughingathim。ShelooksonmeasafoolbecauseIshowthatImeanthermoney，anddoesn’trealizethatthereareothermenwhowoulddeceiveherinfarworsefashion。I’mnotgoingtopretendanything，andyou’llseeshe’llmarryme，allright。Ifshelikestolivequietly，sosheshall；butifshegivesmeanyofhernonsense，Ishallleaveheratonce，butIshallkeepthemoney。I’mnotgoingtolookafool；that’sthefirstthing，nottolookafool。"
"ButNastasiaPhilipovnaseemstometobesuchaSENSIBLEwoman，and，assuch，whyshouldsherunblindlyintothisbusiness？
That’swhatpuzzlesmeso，"saidtheprince。
"Youdon’tknowall，yousee；Itellyoutherearethings——andbesides，I’msurethatsheispersuadedthatIlovehertodistraction，andIgiveyoumywordIhaveastrongsuspicionthatshelovesme，too——inherownway，ofcourse。Shethinksshewillbeabletomakeasortofslaveofmeallmylife；butI
shallpreparealittlesurpriseforher。Idon’tknowwhetherI
oughttobeconfidentialwithyou，prince；but，Iassureyou，youaretheonlydecentfellowIhavecomeacross。IhavenotspokensosincerelyasIamdoingatthismomentforyears。Thereareuncommonlyfewhonestpeopleabout，prince；thereisn’tonehonesterthanPtitsin，he’sthebestofthelot。Areyoulaughing？Youdon’tknow，perhaps，thatblackguardslikehonestpeople，andbeingonemyselfIlikeyou。WHYamIablackguard？
Tellmehonestly，now。Theyallcallmeablackguardbecauseofher，andIhavegotintothewayofthinkingmyselfone。That’swhatissobadaboutthebusiness。"
"Iforoneshallneverthinkyouablackguardagain，"saidtheprince。"IconfessIhadapooropinionofyouatfirst，butI
havebeensojoyfullysurprisedaboutyoujustnow；it’sagoodlessonforme。Ishallneverjudgeagainwithoutathoroughtrial。Iseenowthatyouareriotonlynotablackguard，butarenotevenquitespoiled。Iseethatyouarequiteanordinaryman，notoriginalintheleastdegree，butratherweak。"
Ganialaughedsarcastically，butsaidnothing。Theprince，seeingthathedidnotquitelikethelastremark，blushed，andwassilenttoo。
"Hasmyfatheraskedyouformoney？"askedGania，suddenly。
"No。"
"Don’tgiveittohimifhedoes。Fancy，hewasadecent，respectablemanonce！Hewasreceivedinthebestsociety；hewasnotalwaystheliarheisnow。Ofcourse，wineisatthebottomofitall；butheisagooddealworsethananinnocentliarnow。
Doyouknowthathekeepsamistress？Ican’tunderstandhowmotherissolong-sufferring。DidhetellyouthestoryofthesiegeofKars？Orperhapstheoneabouthisgreyhorsethattalked？Heloves，toenlargeontheseabsurdhistories。"AndGaniaburstintoafitoflaughter。Suddenlyheturnedtotheprinceandasked:"Whyareyoulookingatmelikethat？"
"Iamsurprisedtoseeyoulaughinthatway，likeachild。Youcametomakefriendswithmeagainjustnow，andyousaid，’I
willkissyourhand，ifyoulike，’justasachildwouldhavesaidit。Andthen，allatonceyouaretalkingofthismadproject——oftheseseventy-fivethousandroubles！Itallseemssoabsurdandimpossible。"
"Well，whatconclusionhaveyoureached？"
"Thatyouarerushingmadlyintotheundertaking，andthatyouwoulddowelltothinkitoveragain。ItismorethanpossiblethatVarvaraArdalionovnaisright。"
"Ah！nowyoubegintomoralize！IknowthatIamonlyachild，verywell，"repliedGaniaimpatiently。"Thatisprovedbymyhavingthisconversationwithyou。Itisnotformoneyonly，prince，thatIamrushingintothisaffair，"hecontinued，hardlymasterofhiswords，socloselyhadhisvanitybeentouched。"IfIreckonedonthatIshouldcertainlybedeceived，forIamstilltooweakinmindandcharacter。Iamobeyingapassion，animpulseperhaps，becauseIhavebutoneaim，onethatovermastersallelse。YouimaginethatonceIaminpossessionoftheseseventy-fivethousandroubles，Ishallrushtobuyacarriage……
No，IshallgoonwearingtheoldovercoatIhavewornforthreeyears，andIshallgiveupmyclub。Ishallfollowtheexampleofmenwhohavemadetheirfortunes。WhenPtitsinwasseventeenhesleptinthestreet，hesoldpen-knives，andbeganwithacopeck；nowhehassixtythousandroubles，buttogetthem，whathashenotdone？Well，Ishallbesparedsuchahardbeginning，andshallstartwithalittlecapital。Infifteenyearspeoplewillsay，’Look，that’sIvolgin，thekingoftheJews！’YousaythatIhavenooriginality。Nowmarkthis，prince——
thereisnothingsooffensivetoamanofourtimeandracethantobetoldthatheiswantinginoriginality，thatheisweakincharacter，hasnoparticulartalent，andis，inshort，anordinaryperson。Youhavenotevendonemethehonouroflookinguponmeasarogue。Doyouknow，Icouldhaveknockedyoudownforthatjustnow！YouwoundedmemorecruellythanEpanchin，whothinksmecapableofsellinghimmywife！Observe，itwasaperfectlygratuitousideaonhispart，seeingtherehasneverbeenanydiscussionofitbetweenus！Thishasexasperatedme，andIamdeterminedtomakeafortune！Iwilldoit！OnceIamrich，Ishallbeagenius，anextremelyoriginalman。Oneofthevilestandmosthatefulthingsconnectedwithmoneyisthatitcanbuyeventalent；andwilldosoaslongastheworldlasts。
Youwillsaythatthisischildish——orromantic。Well，thatwillbeallthebetterforme，butthethingshallbedone。Iwillcarryitthrough。Helaughsmost，wholaughslast。WhydoesEpanchininsultme？Simplybecause，socially，Iamanobody。
However，enoughforthepresent。Coliahasputhisnoseintotellusdinnerisready，twice。I’mdiningout。Ishallcomeandtalktoyounowandthen；youshallbecomfortableenoughwithus。Theyaresuretomakeyouoneofthefamily。IthinkyouandIwilleitherbegreatfriendsorenemies。Lookherenow，supposingIhadkissedyourhandjustnow，asIofferedtodoinallsincerity，shouldIhavehatedyouforitafterwards？"
"Certainly，butnotalways。Youwouldnothavebeenabletokeepitup，andwouldhaveendedbyforgivingme，"saidtheprince，afterapauseforreflection，andwithapleasantsmile。
"Oho，howcarefulonehastobewithyou，prince！Haven’tyouputadropofpoisoninthatremarknow，eh？Bytheway——ha，ha，ha！——
Iforgottoask，wasIrightinbelievingthatyouwereagooddealstruckyourselfwithNastasiaPhilipovna"Ye-yes。"
"Areyouinlovewithher？"
"N-no。"
"Andyetyouflushupasredasarosebud！Come——it’sallright。
I’mnotgoingtolaughatyou。Doyouknowsheisaveryvirtuouswoman？Believeitornot，asyoulike。YouthinksheandTotski——
notabitofit，notabitofit！Notforeversolong！Aurevoir！"
Ganialefttheroomingreatgoodhumour。Theprincestayedbehind，andmeditatedaloneforafewminutes。Atlength，Coliapoppedhisheadinoncemore。
"Idon’twantanydinner，thanks，Colia。IhadtoogoodalunchatGeneralEpanchin’s。"
Coliacameintotheroomandgavetheprinceanote；itwasfromthegeneralandwascarefullysealedup。ItwasclearfromColia’sfacehowpainfulitwastohimtodeliverthemissive。
Theprincereadit，rose，andtookhishat。
"It’sonlyacoupleofyards，"saidColia，blushing。
"He’ssittingthereoverhisbottle——andhowtheycangivehimcredit，Icannotunderstand。Don’ttellmotherIbroughtyouthenote，prince；Ihaveswornnottodoitathousandtimes，butI’malwayssosorryforhim。Don’tstandonceremony，givehimsometrifle，andletthatendit。"
"Comealong，Colia，Iwanttoseeyourfather。Ihaveanidea，"
saidtheprince。
XII。
Coliatooktheprincetoapublic-houseintheLitaynaya，notfaroff。Inoneofthesideroomstheresatatatable——lookinglikeoneoftheregularguestsoftheestablishment——ArdalionAlexandrovitch，withabottlebeforehim，andanewspaperonhisknee。Hewaswaitingfortheprince，andnosoonerdidthelatterappearthanhebeganalongharangueaboutsomethingorother；
butsofargonewashethattheprincecouldhardlyunderstandaword。
"Ihavenotgotaten-roublenote，"saidtheprince；"buthereisatwenty-five。Changeitandgivemebackthefifteen，orIshallbeleftwithoutafarthingmyself。"
"Oh，ofcourse，ofcourse；andyouquiteunderstandthatI——"
"Yes；andIhaveanotherrequesttomake，general。HaveyoueverbeenatNastasiaPhilipovna’s？"
"I？I？Doyoumeanme？Often，myfriend，often！IonlypretendedIhadnotinordertoavoidapainfulsubject。Yousawtoday，youwereawitness，thatIdidallthatakind，anindulgentfathercoulddo。Nowafatherofaltogetheranothertypeshallstepintothescene。Youshallsee；theoldsoldiershalllaybarethisintrigue，orashamelesswomanwillforceherwayintoarespectableandnoblefamily。"
"Yes，quiteso。IwishedtoaskyouwhetheryoucouldshowmethewaytoNastasiaPhilipovna’stonight。Imustgo；Ihavebusinesswithher；IwasnotinvitedbutIwasintroduced。AnyhowIamreadytotrespassthelawsofproprietyifonlyIcangetinsomehoworother。"
"Mydearyoungfriend，youhavehitonmyveryidea。ItwasnotforthisrubbishIaskedyoutocomeoverhere"(hepocketedthemoney，however，atthispoint)，"itwastoinviteyourallianceinthecampaignagainstNastasiaPhilipovnatonight。Howwellitsounds，’GeneralIvolginandPrinceMuishkin。’That’llfetchher，Ithink，eh？Capital！We’llgoatnine；there’stimeyet。"
"Wheredoesshelive？"
"Oh，alongwayoff，neartheGreatTheatre，justinthesquarethere——Itwon’tbealargeparty。"
Thegeneralsatonandon。Hehadorderedafreshbottlewhentheprincearrived；thistookhimanhourtodrink，andthenhehadanother，andanother，duringtheconsumptionofwhichhetoldprettynearlythewholestoryofhislife。Theprincewasindespair。HefeltthatthoughhehadbutappliedtothismiserableolddrunkardbecausehesawnootherwayofgettingtoNastasiaPhilipovna’s，yethehadbeenverywrongtoputtheslightestconfidenceinsuchaman。
Atlastheroseanddeclaredthathewouldwaitnolonger。Thegeneralrosetoo，drankthelastdropsthathecouldsqueezeoutofthebottle，andstaggeredintothestreet。
Muishkinbegantodespair。Hecouldnotimaginehowhehadbeensofoolishastotrustthisman。Heonlywantedonething，andthatwastogettoNastasiaPhilipovna’s，evenatthecostofacertainamountofimpropriety。Butnowthescandalthreatenedtobemorethanhehadbargainedfor。BythistimeArdalionAlexandrovitchwasquiteintoxicated，andhekepthiscompanionlisteningwhilehediscoursedeloquentlyandpatheticallyonsubjectsofallkinds，interspersedwithtorrentsofrecriminationagainstthemembersofhisfamily。Heinsistedthatallhistroubleswerecausedbytheirbadconduct，andtimealonewouldputanendtothem。
AtlasttheyreachedtheLitaynaya。Thethawincreasedsteadily，awarm，unhealthywindblewthroughthestreets，vehiclessplashedthroughthemud，andtheironshoesofhorsesandmulesrangonthepavingstones。Crowdsofmelancholypeopleploddedwearilyalongthefootpaths，withhereandthereadrunkenmanamongthem。
"Doyouseethosebrightly-lightedwindows？"saidthegeneral。
"Manyofmyoldcomrades-in-armsliveabouthere，andI，whoservedlonger，andsufferedmorethananyofthem，amwalkingonfoottothehouseofawomanofratherquestionablereputation！
Aman，lookyou，whohasthirteenbulletsonhisbreast！……Youdon’tbelieveit？Well，IcanassureyouitwasentirelyonmyaccountthatPirogofftelegraphedtoParis，andleftSebastopolatthegreatestriskduringthesiege。Nelaton，theTuileriessurgeon，demandedasafeconduct，inthenameofscience，intothebesiegedcityinordertoattendmywounds。Thegovernmentknowsallaboutit。’That’stheIvolginwiththirteenbulletsinhim！’That’showtheyspeakofme……Doyouseethathouse，prince？Oneofmyoldfriendslivesonthefirstfloor，withhislargefamily。Inthisandfiveotherhouses，threeoverlookingNevsky，twointheMorskaya，areallthatremainofmypersonalfriends。NinaAlexandrovnagavethemuplongago，butIkeepintouchwiththemstill……ImaysayIfindrefreshmentinthislittlecoterie，inthusmeetingmyoldacquaintancesandsubordinates，whoworshipmestill，inspiteofall。GeneralSokolovitch(bytheway，Ihavenotcalledonhimlately，orseenAnnaFedorovna)……Youknow，mydearprince，whenapersondoesnotreceivecompanyhimself，hegivesupgoingtootherpeople’shousesinvoluntarily。Andyet……well……youlookasifyoudidn’tbelieveme……Wellnow，whyshouldInotpresentthesonofmyoldfriendandcompaniontothisdelightfulfamily——GeneralIvolginandPrinceMuishkin？Youwillseealovelygirl——whatamIsaying——alovelygirl？No，indeed，two，three！Ornamentsofthiscityandofsociety:beauty，education，culture——thewomanquestion——poetry——everything！Addedtowhichisthefactthateachonewillhaveadotofatleasteightythousandroubles。Nobadthing，eh？……InawordIabsolutelymustintroduceyoutothem:itisaduty，anobligation。GeneralIvolginandPrinceMuishkin。Tableau！"
"Atonce？Now？Youmusthaveforgotten……"begantheprince。
"No，Ihaveforgottennothing。Come！Thisisthehouse——upthismagnificentstaircase。Iamsurprisednottoseetheporter，but……itisaholiday……andthemanhasgoneoff……Drunkenfool！Whyhavetheynotgotridofhim？Sokolovitchowesallthehappinesshehashadintheserviceandinhisprivatelifetome，andmealone，but……hereweare。"
Theprincefollowedquietly，makingnofurtherobjectionforfearofirritatingtheoldman。AtthesametimeheferventlyhopedthatGeneralSokolovitchandhisfamilywouldfadeawaylikeamirageinthedesert，sothatthevisitorscouldescape，bymerelyreturningdownstairs。ButtohishorrorhesawthatGeneralIvolginwasquitefamiliarwiththehouse，andreallyseemedtohavefriendsthere。Ateverystephenamedsometopographicalorbiographicaldetailthatleftnothingtobedesiredonthescoreofaccuracy。Whentheyarrivedatlast，onthefirstfloor，andthegeneralturnedtoringthebelltotheright，theprincedecidedtorunaway，butacuriousincidentstoppedhimmomentarily。
"Youhavemadeamistake，general，"saidhe。"ThenameonthedoorisKoulakoff，andyouweregoingtoseeGeneralSokolovitch。"
"Koulakoff……Koulakoffmeansnothing。ThisisSokolovitch’sflat，andIamringingathisdoor……WhatdoIcareforKoulakoff？……Herecomessomeonetoopen。"
Infact，thedooropeneddirectly，andthefootmaninformedthevisitorsthatthefamilywereallaway。
"Whatapity！Whatapity！It’sjustmyluck！"repeatedArdalionAlexandrovitchoverandoveragain，inregretfultones。"Whenyourmasterandmistressreturn，myman，tellthemthatGeneralIvolginandPrinceMuishkindesiredtopresentthemselves，andthattheywereextremelysorry，excessivelygrieved……"
Justthenanotherpersonbelongingtothehouseholdwasseenatthebackofthehall。Itwasawomanofsomefortyyears，dressedinsombrecolours，probablyahousekeeperoragoverness。Hearingthenamesshecameforwardwithalookofsuspiciononherface。
"MarieAlexandrovnaisnotathome，"saidshe，staringhardatthegeneral。"Shehasgonetohermother’s，withAlexandraMichailovna。"
"AlexandraMichailovnaout，too！Howdisappointing！Wouldyoubelieveit，Iamalwayssounfortunate！MayImostrespectfullyaskyoutopresentmycomplimentstoAlexandraMichailovna，andremindher……tellher，thatwithmywholeheartIwishforherwhatshewishedforherselfonThursdayevening，whileshewaslisteningtoChopin’sBallade。Shewillremember。Iwishitwithallsincerity。GeneralIvolginandPrinceMuishkin！"
Thewoman’sfacechanged；shelosthersuspiciousexpression。
"Iwillnotfailtodeliveryourmessage，"shereplied，andbowedthemout。
Astheywentdownstairsthegeneralregrettedrepeatedlythathehadfailedtointroducetheprincetohisfriends。
"YouknowIamabitofapoet，"saidhe。"Haveyounoticedit？
Thepoeticsoul，youknow。"Thenheaddedsuddenly——"Butafterall……afterallIbelievewemadeamistakethistime！I
rememberthattheSokolovitch’sliveinanotherhouse，andwhatismore，theyarejustnowinMoscow。Yes，Icertainlywasatfault。However，itisofnoconsequence。"
"Justtellme，"saidtheprinceinreply，"mayIcountstillonyourassistance？OrshallIgoonalonetoseeNastasiaPhilipovna？"
"Countonmyassistance？Goalone？Howcanyouaskmethatquestion，whenitisamatteronwhichthefateofmyfamilysolargelydepends？Youdon’tknowIvolgin，myfriend。TotrustIvolginistotrustarock；that’showthefirstsquadronI
commandedspokeofme。’DependuponIvolgin，’saidtheyall，’heisassteadyasarock。’But，excuseme，Imustjustcallatahouseonourway，ahousewhereIhavefoundconsolationandhelpinallmytrialsforyears。"
"Youaregoinghome？"
"No……Iwish……tovisitMadameTerentieff，thewidowofCaptainTerentieff，myoldsubordinateandfriend。Shehelpsmetokeepupmycourage，andtobearthetrialsofmydomesticlife，andasIhaveanextraburdenonmymindtoday……"
"Itseemstome，"interruptedtheprince，"thatIwasfoolishtotroubleyoujustnow。However，atpresentyou……Good-bye！"
"Indeed，youmustnotgoawaylikethat，youngman，youmustnot！"criedthegeneral。"Myfriendhereisawidow，themotherofafamily；herwordscomestraightfromherheart，andfindanechoinmine。Avisittoherismerelyanaffairofafewminutes；Iamquiteathomeinherhouse。Iwillhaveawash，anddress，andthenwecandrivetotheGrandTheatre。Makeupyourmindtospendtheeveningwithme……Wearejustthere——that’sthehouse……Why，Colia！youhere！Well，isMarfaBorisovnaathomeorhaveyouonlyjustcome？"
"Ohno！Ihavebeenherealongwhile，"repliedColia，whowasatthefrontdoorwhenthegeneralmethim。"IamkeepingHippolytecompany。Heisworse，andhasbeeninbedallday。Icamedowntobuysomecards。MarfaBorisovnaexpectsyou。Butwhatastateyouarein，father！"addedtheboy，noticinghisfather’sunsteadygait。"Well，letusgoin。"
OnmeetingColiatheprincedeterminedtoaccompanythegeneral，thoughhemadeuphismindtostayasshortatimeaspossible。
HewantedColia，butfirmlyresolvedtoleavethegeneralbehind。
HecouldnotforgivehimselfforbeingsosimpleastoimaginethatIvolginwouldbeofanyuse。ThethreeclimbedupthelongstaircaseuntiltheyreachedthefourthfloorwhereMadameTerentiefflived。
"Youintendtointroducetheprince？"askedColia，astheywentup。
"Yes，myboy。Iwishtopresenthim:GeneralIvolginandPrinceMuishkin！Butwhat’sthematter？……what？……HowisMarfaBorisovna？"
"Youknow，father，youwouldhavedonemuchbetternottocomeatall！Sheisreadytoeatyouup！Youhavenotshownyourselfsincethedaybeforeyesterdayandsheisexpectingthemoney。
Whydidyoupromiseherany？Youarealwaysthesame！Well，nowyouwillhavetogetoutofitasbestyoucan。"
Theystoppedbeforeasomewhatlowdoorwayonthefourthfloor。
ArdalionAlexandrovitch，evidentlymuchoutofcountenance，pushedMuishkininfront。
"Iwillwaithere，"hestammered。"Ishouldliketosurpriseher……"
Coliaenteredfirst，andasthedoorstoodopen，themistressofthehousepeepedout。Thesurpriseofthegeneral’simaginationfellveryflat，forsheatoncebegantoaddresshimintermsofreproach。
MarfaBorisovnawasaboutfortyyearsofage。Sheworeadressing-jacket，herfeetwereinslippers，herfacepainted，andherhairwasindozensofsmallplaits。NosoonerdidshecatchsightofArdalionAlexandrovitchthanshescreamed:
"Thereheis，thatwicked，meanwretch！Iknewitwashe！Myheartmisgaveme！"
Theoldmantriedtoputagoodfaceontheaffair。
"Come，letusgoin——it’sallright，"hewhisperedintheprince’sear。
Butitwasmoreseriousthanhewishedtothink。Assoonasthevisitorshadcrossedthelowdarkhall，andenteredthenarrowreception-room，furnishedwithhalfadozencanechairs，andtwosmallcard-tables，MadameTerentieff，intheshrilltoneshabitualtoher，continuedherstreamofinvectives。
"Areyounotashamed？Areyounotashamed？Youbarbarian！Youtyrant！YouhaverobbedmeofallIpossessed——youhavesuckedmybonestothemarrow。HowlongshallIbeyourvictim？Shameless，dishonourableman！"
"MarfaBorisovna！MarfaBorisovna！Hereis……thePrinceMuishkin！GeneralIvolginandPrinceMuishkin，"stammeredthedisconcertedoldman。
"Wouldyoubelieve，"saidthemistressofthehouse，suddenlyaddressingtheprince，"wouldyoubelievethatthatmanhasnotevensparedmyorphanchildren？HehasstoleneverythingI
possessed，soldeverything，pawnedeverything；hehasleftmenothing——nothing！WhatamItodowithyourIOU’s，youcunning，unscrupulousrogue？Answer，devourerIanswer，heartofstone！
HowshallIfeedmyorphans？withwhatshallInourishthem？Andnowhehascome，heisdrunk！Hecanscarcelystand。How，ohhow，haveIoffendedtheAlmighty，thatHeshouldbringthiscurseuponme！Answer，youworthlessvillain，answer！"
Butthiswastoomuchforthegeneral。
"Herearetwenty-fiveroubles，MarfaBorisovna……itisallthatIcangive……andIoweeventhesetotheprince’sgenerosity——mynoblefriend。Ihavebeencruellydeceived。Suchis……life……Now……Excuseme，Iamveryweak，"hecontinued，standinginthecentreoftheroom，andbowingtoallsides。"Iamfaint；excuseme！Lenotchka……acushion……mydear！"
Lenotchka，alittlegirlofeight，rantofetchthecushionatonce，andplaceditonthericketyoldsofa。Thegeneralmeanttohavesaidmuchmore，butassoonashehadstretchedhimselfout，heturnedhisfacetothewall，andsleptthesleepofthejust。
Withagraveandceremoniousair，MarfaBorisovnamotionedtheprincetoachairatoneofthecard-tables。Sheseatedherselfopposite，leanedherrightcheekonherhand，andsatinsilence，hereyesfixedonMuishkin，nowandagainsighingdeeply。Thethreechildren，twolittlegirlsandaboy，Lenotchkabeingtheeldest，cameandleantonthetableandalsostaredsteadilyathim。PresentlyColiaappearedfromtheadjoiningroom。
"Iamverygladindeedtohavemetyouhere，Colia，"saidtheprince。"Canyoudosomethingforme？ImustseeNastasiaPhilipovna，andIaskedArdalionAlexandrovitchjustnowtotakemetoherhouse，buthehasgonetosleep，asyousee。Willyoushowmetheway，forIdonotknowthestreet？Ihavetheaddress，though；itisclosetotheGrandTheatre。"
"NastasiaPhilipovna？Shedoesnotlivethere，andtotellyouthetruthmyfatherhasneverbeentoherhouse！Itisstrangethatyoushouldhavedependedonhim！ShelivesnearWladimirStreet，attheFiveCorners，anditisquitecloseby。Willyougodirectly？Itisjusthalf-pastnine。Iwillshowyouthewaywithpleasure。"
Coliaandtheprincewentofftogether。Alas！thelatterhadnomoneytopayforacab，sotheywereobligedtowalk。
"IshouldhavelikedtohavetakenyoutoseeHippolyte，"saidColia。"Heistheeldestsonoftheladyyoumetjustnow，andwasinthenextroom。Heisill，andhasbeeninbedallday。Butheisratherstrange，andextremelysensitive，andIthoughthemightbeupsetconsideringthecircumstancesinwhichyoucame……Somehowittouchesmeless，asitconcernsmyfather，whileitisHISmother。That，ofcourse，makesagreatdifference。Whatisaterribledisgracetoawoman，doesnotdisgraceaman，atleastnotinthesameway。Perhapspublicopinioniswrongincondemningonesex，andexcusingtheother。
Hippolyteisanextremelycleverboy，butsoprejudiced。Heisreallyaslavetohisopinions。"
"Doyousayheisconsumptive？"
"Yes。Itreallywouldbehappierforhimtodieyoung。IfIwereinhisplaceIshouldcertainlylongfordeath。Heisunhappyabouthisbrotherandsisters，thechildrenyousaw。Ifitwerepossible，ifweonlyhadalittlemoney，weshouldleaveourrespectivefamilies，andlivetogetherinalittleapartmentofourown。Itisourdream。But，doyouknow，whenIwastalkingoveryouraffairwithhim，hewasangry，andsaidthatanyonewhodidnotcalloutamanwhohadgivenhimablowwasacoward。Heisveryirritableto-day，andIleftoffarguingthematterwithhim。SoNastasiaPhilipovnahasinvitedyoutogoandseeher？"
"Totellthetruth，shehasnot。"
"Thenhowdoyoucometobegoingthere？"criedColia，somuchastonishedthathestoppedshortinthemiddleofthepavement。
"And……andareyougoingtoherAtHomeinthatcostume？"
"Idon’tknow，really，whetherIshallbeallowedinatall。Ifshewillreceiveme，somuchthebetter。Ifnot，thematterisended。Astomyclothes——whatcanIdo？"
"Areyougoingthereforsomeparticularreason，oronlyasawayofgettingintohersociety，andthatofherfriends？"
"No，Ihavereallyanobjectingoing……Thatis，Iamgoingonbusinessitisdifficulttoexplain，but……"
"Well，whetheryougoonbusinessornotisyouraffair，Idonotwanttoknow。Theonlyimportantthing，inmyeyes，isthatyoushouldnotbegoingtheresimplyforthepleasureofspendingyoureveninginsuchcompany——cocottes，generals，usurers！IfthatwerethecaseIshoulddespiseandlaughatyou。
Thereareterriblyfewhonestpeoplehere，andhardlyanywhomonecanrespect，althoughpeopleputonairs——Variaespecially！
Haveyounoticed，prince，howmanyadventurerstherearenowadays？Especiallyhere，inourdearRussia。HowithashappenedInevercanunderstand。Thereusedtobeacertainamountofsolidityinallthings，butnowwhathappens？
Everythingisexposedtothepublicgaze，veilsarethrownback，everywoundisprobedbycarelessfingers。Weareforeverpresentatanorgyofscandalousrevelations。Parentsblushwhentheyremembertheirold-fashionedmorality。AtMoscowlatelyafatherwasheardurginghissontostopatnothing——atnothing，mindyou！——togetmoney！Thepressseizeduponthestory，ofcourse，andnowitispublicproperty。Lookatmyfather，thegeneral！Seewhatheis，andyet，Iassureyou，heisanhonestman！Only……hedrinkstoomuch，andhismoralsarenotallwecoulddesire。Yes，that’strue！Ipityhim，totellthetruth，butIdarenotsayso，becauseeverybodywouldlaughatme——butI
dopityhim！Andwhoarethereallyclevermen，afterall？Money-
grubbers，everyoneofthem，fromthefirsttothelast。
Hippolytefindsexcusesformoney-lending，andsaysitisanecessity。Hetalksabouttheeconomicmovement，andtheebbandflowofcapital；thedevilknowswhathemeans。Itmakesmeangrytohearhimtalkso，butheissouredbyhistroubles。Justimagine-thegeneralkeepshismother-butshelendshimmoney！Shelendsitforaweekortendaysatveryhighinterest！Isn’titdisgusting？Andthen，youwouldhardlybelieveit，butmymother——
NinaAlexandrovna——helpsHippolyteinallsortsofways，sendshimmoneyandclothes。Sheevengoesasfarashelpingthechildren，throughHippolyte，becausetheirmothercaresnothingaboutthem，andVariadoesthesame。"
"Well，justnowyousaidtherewerenohonestnorgoodpeopleabout，thattherewereonlymoney-grubbers——andheretheyarequitecloseathand，thesehonestandgoodpeople，yourmotherandVaria！Ithinkthereisagooddealofmoralstrengthinhelpingpeopleinsuchcircumstances。"
"Variadoesitfrompride，andlikesshowingoff，andgivingherselfairs。Astomymother，Ireallydoadmireher——yes，andhonourher。Hippolyte，hardenedasheis，feelsit。Helaughedatfirst，andthoughtitvulgarofher——butnow，heissometimesquitetouchedandovercomebyherkindness。H’m！Youcallthatbeingstrongandgood？Iwillrememberthat！Ganiaknowsnothingaboutit。Hewouldsaythatitwasencouragingvice。"
"Ah，Ganiaknowsnothingaboutit？ItseemstherearemanythingsthatGaniadoesnotknow，"exclaimedtheprince，asheconsideredColia’slastwords。
"Doyouknow，Ilikeyouverymuchindeed，prince？Ishallneverforgetaboutthisafternoon。"
"Ilikeyoutoo，Colia。"
"Listentome！Youaregoingtolivehere，areyounot？"saidColia。"Imeantogetsomethingtododirectly，andearnmoney。
Thenshallwethreelivetogether？You，andI，andHippolyte？Wewillhireaflat，andletthegeneralcomeandvisitus。Whatdoyousay？"
"Itwouldbeverypleasant，"returnedtheprince。"Butwemustsee。
Iamreallyratherworriedjustnow。What！arewetherealready？
Isthatthehouse？Whatalongflightofsteps！Andthere’saporter！Well，ColiaIdon’tknowwhatwillcomeofitall。"
Theprinceseemedquitedistractedforthemoment。
"Youmusttellmeallaboutittomorrow！Don’tbeafraid。Iwishyousuccess；weagreesoentirelyIthatcandoso，althoughIdonotunderstandwhyyouarehere。Good-bye！"criedColiaexcitedly。
"NowIwillrushbackandtellHippolyteallaboutourplansandproposals！Butastoyourgettingin——don’tbeintheleastafraid。Youwillseeher。Sheissooriginalabouteverything。It’sthefirstfloor。Theporterwillshowyou。"
XIII。
THEprincewasverynervousashereachedtheouterdoor；buthedidhisbesttoencouragehimselfwiththereflectionthattheworstthingthatcouldhappentohimwouldbethathewouldnotbereceived，or，perhaps，received，thenlaughedatforcoming。
Buttherewasanotherquestion，whichterrifiedhimconsiderably，andthatwas:whatwashegoingtodowhenheDIDgetin？Andtothisquestionhecouldfashionnosatisfactoryreply。
IfonlyhecouldfindanopportunityofcomingcloseuptoNastasiaPhilipovnaandsayingtoher:"Don’truinyourselfbymarryingthisman。Hedoesnotloveyou，heonlylovesyourmoney。Hetoldmesohimself，andsodidAglayaIvanovna，andI
havecomeonpurposetowarnyou"——buteventhatdidnotseemquitealegitimateorpracticablethingtodo。Then，again，therewasanotherdelicatequestion，towhichhecouldnotfindananswer；darednot，infact，thinkofit；butattheveryideaofwhichhetrembledandblushed。However，inspiteofallhisfearsandheart-quakingshewentin，andaskedforNastasiaPhilipovna。
Nastasiaoccupiedamedium-sized，butdistinctlytasteful，flat，beautifullyfurnishedandarranged。AtoneperiodofthesefiveyearsofPetersburglife，Totskihadcertainlynotsparedhisexpenditureuponher。Hehadcalculateduponhereventuallove，andtriedtotemptherwithalavishoutlayuponcomfortsandluxuries，knowingtoowellhoweasilytheheartaccustomsitselftocomforts，andhowdifficultitistotearone’sselfawayfromluxurieswhichhavebecomehabitualand，littlebylittle，indispensable。
Nastasiadidnotrejectallthis，sheevenlovedhercomfortsandluxuries，but，strangelyenough，neverbecame，intheleastdegree，dependentuponthem，andalwaysgavetheimpressionthatshecoulddojustaswellwithoutthem。Infact，shewentsofarastoinformTotskionseveraloccasionsthatsuchwasthecase，whichthelattergentlemanconsideredaveryunpleasantcommunicationindeed。
But，oflate，TotskihadobservedmanystrangeandoriginalfeaturesandcharacteristicsinNastasia，whichhehadneitherknownnorreckoneduponinformertimes，andsomeofthesefascinatedhim，evennow，inspiteofthefactthatallhisoldcalculationswithregardtoherwerelongagocasttothewinds。
Amaidopenedthedoorfortheprince(Nastasia’sservantswereallfemales)and，tohissurprise，receivedhisrequesttoannouncehimtohermistresswithoutanyastonishment。Neitherhisdirtyboots，norhiswide-brimmedhat，norhissleevelesscloak，norhisevidentconfusionofmanner，producedtheleastimpressionuponher。Shehelpedhimoffwithhiscloak，andbeggedhimtowaitamomentintheante-roomwhilesheannouncedhim。
ThecompanyassembledatNastasiaPhilipovna’sconsistedofnonebuthermostintimatefriends，andformedaverysmallpartyincomparisonwithherusualgatheringsonthisanniversary。
InthefirstplacetherewerepresentTotski，andGeneralEpanchin。Theywerebothhighlyamiable，butbothappearedtobelabouringunderahalf-hiddenfeelingofanxietyastotheresultofNastasia’sdeliberationswithregardtoGania，whichresultwastobemadepublicthisevening。
Then，ofcourse，therewasGaniawhowasbynomeanssoamiableashiselders，butstoodapart，gloomy，andmiserable，andsilent。HehaddeterminednottobringVariawithhim；butNastasiahadnotevenaskedafterher，thoughnosoonerhadhearrivedthanshehadremindedhimoftheepisodebetweenhimselfandtheprince。Thegeneral，whohadheardnothingofitbefore，begantolistenwithsomeinterest，whileGania，drily，butwithperfectcandour，wentthroughthewholehistory，includingthefactofhisapologytotheprince。Hefinishedbydeclaringthattheprincewasamostextraordinaryman，andgoodnessknowswhyhehadbeenconsideredanidiothitherto，forhewasveryfarfrombeingone。
Nastasialistenedtoallthiswithgreatinterest；buttheconversationsoonturnedtoRogojinandhisvisit，andthisthemeprovedofthegreatestattractiontobothTotskiandthegeneral。
PtitsinwasabletoaffordsomeparticularsastoRogojin’sconductsincetheafternoon。Hedeclaredthathehadbeenbusyfindingmoneyforthelattereversince，anduptonineo’clock，Rogojinhavingdeclaredthathemustabsolutelyhaveahundredthousandroublesbytheevening。HeaddedthatRogojinwasdrunk，ofcourse；butthathethoughtthemoneywouldbeforthcoming，fortheexcitedandintoxicatedraptureofthefellowimpelledhimtogiveanyinterestorpremiumthatwasaskedofhim，andtherewereseveralothersengagedinbeatingupthemoney，also。
Allthisnewswasreceivedbythecompanywithsomewhatgloomyinterest。Nastasiawassilent，andwouldnotsaywhatshethoughtaboutit。Ganiawasequallyuncommunicative。Thegeneralseemedthemostanxiousofall，anddecidedlyuneasy。Thepresentofpearlswhichhehadpreparedwithsomuchjoyinthemorninghadbeenacceptedbutcoldly，andNastasiahadsmiledratherdisagreeablyasshetookitfromhim。Ferdishenkowastheonlypersonpresentingoodspirits。
Totskihimself，whohadthereputationofbeingacapitaltalker，andwasusuallythelifeandsouloftheseentertainments，wasassilentasanyonthisoccasion，andsatinastateof，forhim，mostuncommonperturbation。
Therestoftheguests(anoldtutororschoolmaster，goodnessknowswhyinvited；ayoungman，verytimid，andshyandsilent；aratherloudwomanofaboutforty，apparentlyanactress；andaverypretty，well-dressedGermanladywhohardlysaidawordalltheevening)notonlyhadnogiftforenliveningtheproceedings，buthardlyknewwhattosayforthemselveswhenaddressed。Underthesecircumstancesthearrivaloftheprincecamealmostasagodsend。
Theannouncementofhisnamegaverisetosomesurpriseandtosomesmiles，especiallywhenitbecameevident，fromNastasia’sastonishedlook，thatshehadnotthoughtofinvitinghim。Butherastonishmentonceover，Nastasiashowedsuchsatisfactionthatallpreparedtogreettheprincewithcordialsmilesofwelcome。
"Ofcourse，"remarkedGeneralEpanchin，"hedoesthisoutofpureinnocence。It’salittledangerous，perhaps，toencouragethissortoffreedom；butitisratheragoodthingthathehasarrivedjustatthismoment。Hemayenlivenusalittlewithhisoriginalities。"
"Especiallyasheaskedhimself，"saidFerdishenko。
"What’sthatgottodowithit？"askedthegeneral，wholoathedFerdishenko。
"Why，hemustpaytollforhisentrance，"explainedthelatter。
"H’m！PrinceMuishkinisnotFerdishenko，"saidthegeneral，impatiently。ThisworthygentlemancouldneverquitereconcilehimselftotheideaofmeetingFerdishenkoinsociety，andonanequalfooting。
"Ohgeneral，spareFerdishenko！"repliedtheother，smiling。"I
havespecialprivileges。"
"Whatdoyoumeanbyspecialprivileges？"
"OncebeforeIhadthehonourofstatingthemtothecompany。I
willrepeattheexplanationto-dayforyourexcellency’sbenefit。