第6章
Yousee，excellency，alltheworldiswittyandcleverexceptmyself。Iamneither。AsakindofcompensationIamallowedtotellthetruth，foritisawell-knownfactthatonlystupidpeopletell’thetruth。Addedtothis，Iamaspitefulman，justbecauseIamnotclever。IfIamoffendedorinjuredIbearitquitepatientlyuntilthemaninjuringmemeetswithsomemisfortune。ThenIremember，andtakemyrevenge。Ireturntheinjurysevenfold，asIvanPetrovitchPtitsinsays。(Ofcourseheneverdoessohimself。)Excellency，nodoubtyourecollectKryloff’sfable，’TheLionandtheAss’？Wellnow，that’syouandI。Thatfablewaswrittenpreciselyforus。"
"Youseemtobetalkingnonsenseagain，Ferdishenko，"growledthegeneral。
"Whatisthematter，excellency？Iknowhowtokeepmyplace。
WhenIsaidjustnowthatwe，youandI，werethelionandtheassofKryloff’sfable，ofcourseitisunderstoodthatItaketheroleoftheass。Yourexcellencyisthelionofwhichthefableremarks:
’Amightylion，terrorofthewoods，Wasshornofhisgreatprowessbyoldage。’
AndI，yourexcellency，amtheass。"
"Iamofyouropiniononthatlastpoint，"saidIvanFedorovitch，withill-concealedirritation。
Allthiswasnodoubtextremelycoarse，andmoreoveritwaspremeditated，butafterallFerdishenkohadpersuadedeveryonetoaccepthimasabuffoon。
"IfIamadmittedandtoleratedhere，"hehadsaidoneday，"itissimplybecauseItalkinthisway。HowcananyonepossiblyreceivesuchamanasIam？Iquiteunderstand。Now，couldI，aFerdishenko，beallowedtositshouldertoshoulderwithaclevermanlikeAfanasyIvanovitch？Thereisoneexplanation，onlyone。
Iamgiventhepositionbecauseitissoentirelyinconceivable！"
ButthesevulgaritiesseemedtopleaseNastasiaPhilipovna，althoughtoooftentheywerebothrudeandoffensive。ThosewhowishedtogotoherhousewereforcedtoputupwithFerdishenko。
PossiblythelatterwasnotmistakeninimaginingthathewasreceivedsimplyinordertoannoyTotski，whodislikedhimextremely。Ganiaalsowasoftenmadethebuttofthejester’ssarcasms，whousedthismethodofkeepinginNastasiaPhilipovna’sgoodgraces。
"Theprincewillbeginbysingingusafashionableditty，"
remarkedFerdishenko，andlookedatthemistressofthehouse，toseewhatshewouldsay。
"Idon’tthinkso，Ferdishenko；pleasebequiet，"answeredNastasiaPhilipovnadryly。
"A-ah！ifheistobeunderspecialpatronage，Iwithdrawmyclaws。"
ButNastasiaPhilipovnahadnowrisenandadvancedtomeettheprince。
"Iwassosorrytohaveforgottentoaskyoutocome，whenIsawyou，"shesaid，"andIamdelightedtobeabletothankyoupersonallynow，andtoexpressmypleasureatyourresolution。"
Sosayingshegazedintohiseyes，longingtoseewhethershecouldmakeanyguessastotheexplanationofhismotiveincomingtoherhouse。Theprincewouldverylikelyhavemadesomereplytoherkindwords，buthewassodazzledbyherappearancethathecouldnotspeak。
Nastasianoticedthiswithsatisfaction。Shewasinfulldressthisevening；andherappearancewascertainlycalculatedtoimpressallbeholders。Shetookhishandandledhimtowardsherotherguests。Butjustbeforetheyreachedthedrawing-roomdoor，theprincestoppedher，andhurriedlyandingreatagitationwhisperedtoher:
"Youarealtogetherperfection；evenyourpallorandthinnessareperfect；onecouldnotwishyouotherwise。Ididsowishtocomeandseeyou。I——forgiveme，please——"
"Don’tapologize，"saidNastasia，laughing；"youspoilthewholeoriginalityofthething。Ithinkwhattheysayaboutyoumustbetrue，thatyouaresooriginal——Soyouthinkmeperfection，doyou？"
"Yes。"
"H’m！Well，youmaybeagoodreaderofriddlesbutyouarewrongTHERE，atallevents。I’llremindyouofthis，tonight。"
Nastasiaintroducedtheprincetoherguests，tomostofwhomhewasalreadyknown。
Totskiimmediatelymadesomeamiableremark。Alseemedtobrightenupatonce，andtheconversationbecamegeneral。
Nastasiamadetheprincesitdownnexttoherself。
"Dearme，there’snothingsoverycuriousabouttheprincedroppingin，afterall，"remarkedFerdishenko。
"It’squiteaclearcase，"saidthehithertosilentGania。Ihavewatchedtheprincealmostallday，eversincethemomentwhenhefirstsawNastasiaPhilipovna’sportrait，atGeneralEpanchin’s。
IrememberthinkingatthetimewhatIamnowprettysureof；andwhat，Imaysayinpassing，theprinceconfessedtomyself。"
Ganiasaidallthisperfectlyseriously，andwithouttheslightestappearanceofjoking；indeed，heseemedstrangelygloomy。
"Ididnotconfessanythingtoyou，"saidtheprince，blushing。
"Ionlyansweredyourquestion。"
"Bravo！That’sfrank，atanyrate！"shoutedFerdishenko，andtherewasgenerallaughter。
"Ohprince，prince！Inevershouldhavethoughtitofyou；"saidGeneralEpanchin。"AndIimaginedyouaphilosopher！Oh，yousilentfellows！"
"Judgingfromthefactthattheprinceblushedatthisinnocentjoke，likeayounggirl，Ishouldthinkthathemust，asanhonourableman，harbourthenoblestintentions，"saidtheoldtoothlessschoolmaster，mostunexpectedly；hehadnotsomuchasopenedhismouthbefore。Thisremarkprovokedgeneralmirth，andtheoldfellowhimselflaughedloudestofthelot，butendedwithastupendousfitofcoughing。
NastasiaPhilipovna，wholovedoriginalityanddrolleryofallkinds，wasapparentlyveryfondofthisoldman，andrangthebellformoreteatostophiscoughing。Itwasnowhalf-pastteno’clock。
"Gentlemen，wouldn’tyoulikealittlechampagnenow？"sheasked。
"Ihaveitallready；itwillcheerusup——donow——noceremony！"
Thisinvitationtodrink，couched，asitwas，insuchinformalterms，cameverystrangelyfromNastasiaPhilipovna。Herusualentertainmentswerenotquitelikethis；therewasmorestyleaboutthem。However，thewinewasnotrefused；eachguesttookaglassexceptingGania，whodranknothing。
ItwasextremelydifficulttoaccountforNastasia’sstrangeconditionofmind，whichbecamemoreevidenteachmoment，andwhichnonecouldavoidnoticing。
Shetookherglass，andvowedshewouldemptyitthreetimesthatevening。Shewashysterical，andlaughedaloudeveryotherminutewithnoapparentreason——thenextmomentrelapsingintogloomandthoughtfulness。
Someofherguestssuspectedthatshemustbeill；butconcludedatlastthatshewasexpectingsomething，forshecontinuedtolookatherwatchimpatientlyandunceasingly；shewasmostabsentandstrange。
"Youseemtobealittlefeverishtonight，"saidtheactress。
"Yes；Ifeelquiteill。Ihavebeenobligedtoputonthisshawl——Ifeelsocold，"repliedNastasia。Shecertainlyhadgrownverypale，andeverynowandthenshetriedtosuppressatremblinginherlimbs。
"Hadwenotbetterallowourhostesstoretire？"askedTotskiofthegeneral。
"Notatall，gentlemen，notatall！Yourpresenceisabsolutelynecessarytometonight，"saidNastasia，significantly。
Asmostofthosepresentwereawarethatthiseveningacertainveryimportantdecisionwastobetaken，thesewordsofNastasiaPhilipovna’sappearedtobefraughtwithmuchhiddeninterest。
ThegeneralandTotskiexchangedlooks；Ganiafidgetedconvulsivelyinhischair。
"Let’splayatsomegame！"suggestedtheactress。
"Iknowanewandmostdelightfulgame，addedFerdishenko。
"Whatisit？"askedtheactress。
"Well，whenwetrieditwewereapartyofpeople，likethis，forinstance；andsomebodyproposedthateachofus，withoutleavinghisplaceatthetable，shouldrelatesomethingabouthimself。Ithadtobesomethingthathereallyandhonestlyconsideredtheveryworstactionhehadevercommittedinhislife。Buthewastobehonest——thatwasthechiefpoint！Hewasn’ttobeallowedtolie。"
"Whatanextraordinaryidea！"saidthegeneral。
"That’sthebeautyofit，general！"
"It’safunnynotion，"saidTotski，"andyetquitenatural——it’sonlyanewwayofboasting。"
"Perhapsthatisjustwhatwassofascinatingaboutit。"
"Why，itwouldbeagametocryover——nottolaughat！"saidtheactress。
"Diditsucceed？"askedNastasiaPhilipovna。"Come，let’stryit，let’stryit；wereallyarenotquitesojollyaswemightbe——
let’stryit！Wemaylikeit；it’soriginal，atallevents！"
"Yes，"saidFerdishenko；"it’sagoodidea——comealong——themenbegin。Ofcoursenooneneedtellastoryifhepreferstobedisobliging。Wemustdrawlots！Throwyourslipsofpaper，gentlemen，intothishat，andtheprinceshalldrawforturns。
It’saverysimplegame；allyouhavetodoistotellthestoryoftheworstactionofyourlife。It’sassimpleasanything。
I’llpromptanyonewhoforgetstherules！"
Noonelikedtheideamuch。Somesmiled，somefrownedsomeobjected，butfaintly，notwishingtoopposeNastasia’swishes；
forthisnewideaseemedtoberatherwellreceivedbyher。Shewasstillinanexcited，hystericalstate，laughingconvulsivelyatnothingandeverything。Hereyeswereblazing，andhercheeksshowedtwobrightredspotsagainstthewhite。Themelancholyappearanceofsomeofherguestsseemedtoaddtohersarcastichumour，andperhapstheverycynicismandcrueltyofthegameproposedbyFerdishenkopleasedher。Atalleventsshewasattractedbytheidea，andgraduallyherguestscameroundtoherside；thethingwasoriginal，atleast，andmightturnouttobeamusing。"Andsupposingit’ssomethingthatone——onecan’tspeakaboutbeforeladies？"askedthetimidandsilentyoungman。
"Why，thenofcourse，youwon’tsayanythingaboutit。Asiftherearenotplentyofsinstoyourscorewithouttheneedofthose！"saidFerdishenko。
"ButIreallydon’tknowwhichofmyactionsistheworst，"saidthelivelyactress。
"Ladiesareexemptediftheylike。"
"Andhowareyoutoknowthatoneisn’tlying？Andifoneliesthewholepointofthegameislost，"saidGania。
"Oh，butthinkhowdelightfultohearhowone’sfriendslie！
Besidesyouneedn’tbeafraid，Gania；everybodyknowswhatyourworstactioniswithouttheneedofanylyingonyourpart。Onlythink，gentlemen，"——andFerdishenkoheregrewquiteenthusiastic，"onlythinkwithwhateyesweshallobserveoneanothertomorrow，afterourtaleshavebeentold！"
"Butsurelythisisajoke，NastasiaPhilipovna？"askedTotski。
"Youdon’treallymeanustoplaythisgame。"
"Whoeverisafraidofwolveshadbetternotgointothewood，"
saidNastasia，smiling。
"But，pardonme，Mr。Ferdishenko，isitpossibletomakeagameoutofthiskindofthing？"persistedTotski，growingmoreandmoreuneasy。"Iassureyouitcan’tbeasuccess。"
"Andwhynot？Why，thelasttimeIsimplytoldstraightoffabouthowIstolethreeroubles。"
"Perhapsso；butitishardlypossiblethatyoutolditsothatitseemedliketruth，orsothatyouwerebelieved。And，asGavrilaArdalionovitchhassaid，theleastsuggestionofafalsehoodtakesallpointoutofthegame。Itseemstomethatsincerity，ontheotherhand，isonlypossibleifcombinedwithakindofbadtastethatwouldbeutterlyoutofplacehere。"
"Howsubtleyouare，AfanasyIvanovitch！Youastonishme，"criedFerdishenko。"Youwillremark，gentleman，thatinsayingthatI
couldnotrecountthestoryofmytheftsoastobebelieved，AfanasyIvanovitchhasveryingeniouslyimpliedthatIamnotcapableofthieving——(itwouldhavebeenbadtastetosaysoopenly)；andallthetimeheisprobablyfirmlyconvinced，inhisownmind，thatIamverywellcapableofit！Butnow，gentlemen，tobusiness！Putinyourslips，ladiesandgentlemen——isyoursin，Mr。Totski？So——thenweareallready；nowprince，draw，please。"
Theprincesilentlyputhishandintothehat，anddrewthenames。Ferdishenkowasfirst，thenPtitsin，thenthegeneral，Totskinext，hisownfifth，thenGania，andsoon；theladiesdidnotdraw。
"Oh，dear！oh，dear！"criedFerdishenko。"Ididsohopetheprincewouldcomeoutfirst，andthenthegeneral。Well，gentlemen，IsupposeImustsetagoodexample！WhatvexesmemuchisthatIamsuchaninsignificantcreaturethatitmattersnothingtoanybodywhetherIhavedonebadactionsornot！
Besides，whichamItochoose？It’sanembarrasderichesse。
ShallItellhowIbecameathiefononeoccasiononly，toconvinceAfanasyIvanovitchthatitispossibletostealwithoutbeingathief？"
"Dogoon，Ferdishenko，anddon’tmakeunnecessarypreface，oryou’llneverfinish，"saidNastasiaPhilipovna。Allobservedhowirritableandcrossshehadbecomesinceherlastburstoflaughter；butnonethelessobstinatelydidshesticktoherabsurdwhimaboutthisnewgame。Totskisatlookingmiserableenough。Thegenerallingeredoverhischampagne，andseemedtobethinkingofsomestoryforthetimewhenhisturnshouldcome。
XIV。
"Ihavenowit，NastasiaPhilipovna，"beganFerdishenko，"andthereforeItalktoomuch，perhaps。WereIaswitty，now，asMr。
Totskiorthegeneral，Ishouldprobablyhavesatsilentalltheevening，astheyhave。Now，prince，whatdoyouthink？——aretherenotfarmorethievesthanhonestmeninthisworld？Don’tyouthinkwemaysaytheredoesnotexistasinglepersonsohonestthathehasneverstolenanythingwhateverinhislife？"
"Whatasillyidea，"saidtheactress。"Ofcourseitisnotthecase。Ihaveneverstolenanything，forone。"
"H’m！verywell，DariaAlexeyevna；youhavenotstolenanything——
agreed。Buthowabouttheprince，now——lookhowheisblushing！"
"Ithinkyouarepartiallyright，butyouexaggerate，"saidtheprince，whohadcertainlyblushedup，ofasudden，forsomereasonorother。
"Ferdishenko——eithertellusyourstory，orbequiet，andmindyourownbusiness。Youexhaustallpatience，"cuttinglyandirritablyremarkedNastasiaPhilipovna。
"Immediately，immediately！Asformystory，gentlemen，itistoostupidandabsurdtotellyou。
"IassureyouIamnotathief，andyetIhavestolen；Icannotexplainwhy。ItwasatSemeonIvanovitchIshenka’scountryhouse，oneSunday。Hehadadinnerparty。Afterdinnerthemenstayedatthetableovertheirwine。Itstruckmetoaskthedaughterofthehousetoplaysomethingonthepiano；soIpassedthroughthecornerroomtojointheladies。Inthatroom，onMariaIvanovna’swriting-table，Iobservedathree-roublenote。Shemusthavetakenitoutforsomepurpose，andleftitlyingthere。Therewasnooneabout。Itookupthenoteandputitinmypocket；why，I
can’tsay。Idon’tknowwhatpossessedmetodoit，butitwasdone，andIwentquicklybacktothedining-roomandreseatedmyselfatthedinner-table。Isatandwaitedthereinagreatstateofexcitement。Italkedhard，andtoldlotsofstories，andlaughedlikemad；thenIjoinedtheladies。
"Inhalfanhourorsothelosswasdiscovered，andtheservantswerebeingputunderexamination。Daria，thehousemaidwassuspected。Iexhibitedthegreatestinterestandsympathy，andI
rememberthatpoorDariaquitelostherhead，andthatIbeganassuringher，beforeeveryone，thatIwouldguaranteeherforgivenessonthepartofhermistress，ifshewouldconfessherguilt。Theyallstaredatthegirl，andIrememberawonderfulattractioninthereflectionthatherewasIsermonizingaway，withthemoneyinmyownpocketallthewhile。Iwentandspentthethreeroublesthatveryeveningatarestaurant。IwentinandaskedforabottleofLafite，anddrankitup；Iwantedtoberidofthemoney。
"Ididnotfeelmuchremorseeitherthenorafterwards；butI
wouldnotrepeattheperformance——believeitornotasyouplease。There——that’sall。"
"Only，ofcoursethat’snotnearlyyourworstaction，"saidtheactress，withevidentdislikeinherface。
"Thatwasapsychologicalphenomenon，notanaction，"remarkedTotski。
"Andwhataboutthemaid？"askedNastasiaPhilipovna，withundisguisedcontempt。
"Oh，shewasturnedoutnextday，ofcourse。It’saverystricthousehold，there！"
"Andyouallowedit？"
"Ishouldthinkso，rather！Iwasnotgoingtoreturnandconfessnextday，"laughedFerdishenko，whoseemedalittlesurprisedatthedisagreeableimpressionwhichhisstoryhadmadeonallparties。
"Howmeanyouwere！"saidNastasia。
"Bah！youwishtohearamantellofhisworstactions，andyouexpectthestorytocomeoutgoody-goody！One’sworstactionsalwaysaremean。Weshallseewhatthegeneralhastosayforhimselfnow。Allisnotgoldthatglitters，youknow；andbecauseamankeepshiscarriageheneednotbespeciallyvirtuous，I
assureyou，allsortsofpeoplekeepcarriages。Andbywhatmeans？"
Inaword，Ferdishenkowasveryangryandrapidlyforgettinghimself；hiswholefacewasdrawnwithpassion。Strangeasitmayappear，hehadexpectedmuchbettersuccessforhisstory。TheselittleerrorsoftasteonFerdishenko’spartoccurredveryfrequently。Nastasiatrembledwithrage，andlookedfixedlyathim，whereuponherelapsedintoalarmedsilence。Herealizedthathehadgonealittletoofar。
"Hadwenotbetterendthisgame？"askedTotski。
"It’smyturn，butIpleadexemption，"saidPtitsin。
"Youdon’tcaretoobligeus？"askedNastasia。
"Icannot，Iassureyou。IconfessIdonotunderstandhowanyonecanplaythisgame。"
"Then，general，it’syourturn，"continuedNastasiaPhilipovna，"andifyourefuse，thewholegamewillfallthrough，whichwilldisappointmeverymuch，forIwaslookingforwardtorelatingacertain’pageofmyownlife。’IamonlywaitingforyouandAfanasyIvanovitchtohaveyourturns，forIrequirethesupportofyourexample，"sheadded，smiling。
"Oh，ifyouputitinthatway"criedthegeneral，excitedly，"I’mreadytotellthewholestoryofmylife，butImustconfessthatIpreparedalittlestoryinanticipationofmyturn。"
Nastasiasmiledamiablyathim；butevidentlyherdepressionandirritabilitywereincreasingwitheverymoment。Totskiwasdreadfullyalarmedtohearherpromisearevelationoutofherownlife。
"I，likeeveryoneelse，"beganthegeneral，"havecommittedcertainnotaltogethergracefulactions，sotospeak，duringthecourseofmylife。Butthestrangestthingofallinmycaseis，thatIshouldconsiderthelittleanecdotewhichIamnowabouttogiveyouasaconfessionoftheworstofmy’badactions。’Itisthirty-fiveyearssinceitallhappened，andyetIcannottothisverydayrecallthecircumstanceswithout，asitwere，asuddenpangattheheart。
"Itwasasillyaffair——Iwasanensignatthetime。Youknowensigns——theirbloodisboilingwater，theircircumstancesgenerallypenurious。Well，IhadaservantNikiforwhousedtodoeverythingformeinmyquarters，economizedandmanagedforme，andevenlaidhandsonanythinghecouldfind(belongingtootherpeople)，inordertoaugmentourhouseholdgoods；butafaithful，honestfellowallthesame。
"Iwasstrict，butjustbynature。Atthattimewewerestationedinasmalltown。Iwasquarteredatanoldwidow’shouse，alieutenant’swidowofeightyyearsofage。Shelivedinawretchedlittlewoodenhouse，andhadnotevenaservant，sopoorwasshe。
"Herrelationshadalldiedoff——herhusbandwasdeadandburiedfortyyearssince；andaniece，whohadlivedwithherandbulliedheruptothreeyearsago，wasdeadtoo；sothatshewasquitealone。
"Well，Iwaspreciousdullwithher，especiallyasshewassochildishthattherewasnothingtobegotoutofher。Eventually，shestoleafowlofmine；thebusinessisamysterytothisday；
butitcouldhavebeennoonebutherself。Irequestedtobequarteredsomewhereelse，andwasshiftedtotheotherendofthetown，tothehouseofamerchantwithalargefamily，andalongbeard，asIrememberhim。NikiforandIweredelightedtogo；buttheoldladywasnotpleasedatourdeparture。
"Well，adayortwoafterwards，whenIreturnedfromdrill，Nikiforsaystome:’Weoughtn’ttohaveleftourtureenwiththeoldlady，I’venothingtoservethesoupin。’
"Iaskedhowitcameaboutthatthetureenhadbeenleft。Nikiforexplainedthattheoldladyrefusedtogiveitup，because，shesaid，wehadbrokenherbowl，andshemusthaveourtureeninplaceofit；shehaddeclaredthatIhadsoarrangedthematterwithherself。
"Thisbasenessonherpartofcoursearousedmyyoungbloodtofeverheat；Ijumpedup，andawayIflew。
"Iarrivedattheoldwoman’shousebesidemyself。Shewassittinginacornerallalone，leaningherfaceonherhand。I
fellonherlikeaclapofthunder。’Youoldwretch！’Iyelledandallthatsortofthing，inrealRussianstyle。Well，whenI
begancursingather，astrangethinghappened。Ilookedather，andshestaredbackwithhereyesstartingoutofherhead，butshedidnotsayaword。Sheseemedtoswayaboutasshesat，andlookedandlookedatmeinthestrangestway。Well，Isoonstoppedswearingandlookedcloserather，askedherquestions，butnotawordcouldIgetoutofher。Theflieswerebuzzingabouttheroomandonlythissoundbrokethesilence；thesunwassettingoutside；Ididn’tknowwhattomakeofit，soIwentaway。
"BeforeIreachedhomeIwasmetandsummonedtothemajor’s，sothatitwassomewhilebeforeIactuallygotthere。WhenIcamein，Nikiformetme。’Haveyouheard，sir，thatouroldladyisdead？’’DEAD，when？’’Oh，anhourandahalfago。’ThatmeantnothingmorenorlessthanthatshewasdyingatthemomentwhenIpouncedonherandbeganabusingher。
"Thisproducedagreateffectuponme。Iusedtodreamofthepooroldwomanatnights。Ireallyamnotsuperstitious，buttwodaysafter，Iwenttoherfuneral，andastimewentonIthoughtmoreandmoreabouther。Isaidtomyself，’Thiswoman，thishumanbeing，livedtoagreatage。Shehadchildren，ahusbandandfamily，friendsandrelations；herhouseholdwasbusyandcheerful；shewassurroundedbysmilingfaces；andthensuddenlytheyaregone，andsheisleftalonelikeasolitaryfly……likeafly，cursedwiththeburdenofherage。Atlast，GodcallshertoHimself。Atsunset，onalovelysummer’sevening，mylittleoldwomanpassesaway——athought，youwillnotice，whichoffersmuchfoodforreflection——andbehold！insteadoftearsandprayerstostartheronherlastjourney，shehasinsultsandjeersfromayoungensign，whostandsbeforeherwithhishandsinhispockets，makingaterriblerowaboutasouptureen！’OfcourseIwastoblame，andevennowthatIhavetimetolookbackatitcalmly，Ipitythepooroldthingnoless。IrepeatthatI
wonderatmyself，forafterallIwasnotreallyresponsible。Whydidshetakeitintoherheadtodieatthatmoment？ButthemoreIthoughtofit，themoreIfelttheweightofituponmymind；
andInevergotquiteridoftheimpressionuntilIputacoupleofoldwomenintoanalmshouseandkeptthemthereatmyownexpense。There，that’sall。IrepeatIdaresayIhavecommittedmanyagrievoussininmyday；butIcannothelpalwayslookingbackuponthisastheworstactionIhaveeverperpetrated。"
"H’m！andinsteadofabadaction，yourexcellencyhasdetailedoneofyournoblestdeeds，"saidFerdishenko。"Ferdishenkois’done。’"
"Dearme，general，"saidNastasiaPhilipovna，absently，"Ireallyneverimaginedyouhadsuchagoodheart。"
Thegenerallaughedwithgreatsatisfaction，andappliedhimselfoncemoretothechampagne。
ItwasnowTotski’sturn，andhisstorywasawaitedwithgreatcuriosity——whilealleyesturnedonNastasiaPhilipovna，asthoughanticipatingthathisrevelationmustbeconnectedsomehowwithher。Nastasia，duringthewholeofhisstory，pulledatthelacetrimmingofhersleeve，andneveronceglancedatthespeaker。Totskiwasahandsomeman，ratherstout，withaverypoliteanddignifiedmanner。Hewasalwayswelldressed，andhislinenwasexquisite。Hehadplumpwhitehands，andworeamagnificentdiamondringononefinger。
"Whatsimplifiesthedutybeforemeconsiderably，inmyopinion，"
hebegan，"isthatIamboundtorecallandrelatetheveryworstactionofmylife。Insuchcircumstancestherecan，ofcourse，benodoubt。One’sconscienceverysooninformsonewhatisthepropernarrativetotell。Iadmit，thatamongthemanysillyandthoughtlessactionsofmylife，thememoryofonecomesprominentlyforwardandremindsmethatitlaylonglikeastoneonmyheart。Sometwentyyearssince，IpaidavisittoPlatonOrdintzeffathiscountry-house。Hehadjustbeenelectedmarshalofthenobility，andhadcometherewithhisyoungwifeforthewinterholidays。AnfisaAlexeyevna’sbirthdaycameoffjustthen，too，andthereweretwoballsarranged。AtthattimeDumas-fils’
beautifulwork，LaDameauxCamelias——anovelwhichIconsiderimperishable——hadjustcomeintofashion。Intheprovincesalltheladieswereinrapturesoverit，thosewhohadreadit，atleast。
Camelliaswereallthefashion。Everyoneinquiredforthem，everybodywantedthem；andagrandlotofcamelliasaretobegotinacountrytown——asyouallknow——andtwoballstoprovidefor！
"PoorPeterVolhofskoiwasdesperatelyinlovewithAnfisaAlexeyevna。Idon’tknowwhethertherewasanything——ImeanI
don’tknowwhetherhecouldpossiblyhaveindulgedinanyhope。
Thepoorfellowwasbesidehimselftogetherabouquetofcamellias。CountessSotskiandSophiaBespalova，aseveryoneknew，werecomingwithwhitecamelliabouquets。Anfisawishedforredones，foreffect。Well，herhusbandPlatonwasdrivendesperatetofindsome。Andthedaybeforetheball，Anfisa’srivalsnappeduptheonlyredcamelliastobehadintheplace，fromunderPlaton’snose，andPlaton——wretchedman——wasdonefor。
NowifPeterhadonlybeenabletostepinatthismomentwitharedbouquet，hislittlehopesmighthavemadegiganticstrides。A
woman’sgratitudeundersuchcircumstanceswouldhavebeenboundless——butitwaspracticallyanimpossibility。
"ThenightbeforetheballImetPeter，lookingradiant。’Whatisit？’Iask。’I’vefoundthem，Eureka！"’No！where，where？’’AtEkshaisk(alittletownfifteenmilesoff)there’saricholdmerchant，whokeepsalotofcanaries，hasnochildren，andheandhiswifearedevotedtoflowers。He’sgotsomecamellias。’
’Andwhatifhewon’tletyouhavethem？’’I’llgoonmykneesandimploretillIgetthem。Iwon’tgoaway。’’Whenshallyoustart？’’Tomorrowmorningatfiveo’clock。’’Goon，’Isaid，’andgoodlucktoyou。’
"Iwasgladforthepoorfellow，andwenthome。Butanideagotholdofmesomehow。Idon’tknowhow。Itwasnearlytwointhemorning。Irangthebellandorderedthecoachmantobewakedupandsenttome。Hecame。Igavehimatipoffifteenroubles，andtoldhimtogetthecarriagereadyatonce。Inhalfanhouritwasatthedoor。Igotinandoffwewent。
"ByfiveIdrewupattheEkshaiskyinn。Iwaitedtheretilldawn，andsoonaftersixIwasoff，andattheoldmerchantTrepalaf’s。
"’Camellias！’Isaid，’father，saveme，saveme，letmehavesomecamellias！’Hewasatall，greyoldman——aterrible-lookingoldgentleman。’Notabitofit，’hesays。’Iwon’t。’DownIwentonmyknees。’Don’tsayso，don’t——thinkwhatyou’redoing！’I
cried；’it’samatteroflifeanddeath！’’Ifthat’sthecase，takethem，’sayshe。SoupIget，andcutsuchabouquetofredcamellias！Hehadawholegreenhousefullofthem——lovelyones。
Theoldfellowsighs。Ipulloutahundredroubles。’No，no！’
sayshe，’don’tinsultmethatway。’’Oh，ifthat’sthecase，giveittothevillagehospital，’Isay。’Ah，’hesays，’that’squiteadifferentmatter；that’sgoodofyouandgenerous。I’llpayitinthereforyouwithpleasure。’Ilikedthatoldfellow，Russiantothecore，delavraiesouche。Iwenthomeinraptures，buttookanotherroadinordertoavoidPeter。ImmediatelyonarrivingIsentupthebouquetforAnfisatoseewhensheawoke。
"Youmayimagineherecstasy，hergratitude。ThewretchedPlaton，whohadalmostdiedsinceyesterdayofthereproachesshowereduponhim，weptonmyshoulder。OfcoursepoorPeterhadnochanceafterthis。
"Ithoughthewouldcutmythroatatfirst，andwentaboutarmedreadytomeethim。Buthetookitdifferently；hefainted，andhadbrainfeverandconvulsions。Amonthafter，whenhehadhardlyrecovered，hewentofftotheCrimea，andtherehewasshot。
"Iassureyouthisbusinessleftmenopeaceformanyalongyear。WhydidIdoit？Iwasnotinlovewithhermyself；I’mafraiditwassimplymischief——pure’cussedness’onmypart。
"IfIhadn’tseizedthatbouquetfromunderhisnosehemighthavebeenalivenow，andahappyman。Hemighthavebeensuccessfulinlife，andneverhavegonetofighttheTurks。"
Totskiendedhistalewiththesamedignitythathadcharacterizeditscommencement。
NastasiaPhilipovna’seyeswereflashinginamostunmistakableway，now；andherlipswerealla-quiverbythetimeTotskifinishedhisstory。
Allpresentwatchedbothofthemwithcuriosity。
"Youwereright，Totski，"saidNastasia，"itisadullgameandastupidone。I’lljusttellmystory，asIpromised，andthenwe’llplaycards。"
"Yes，butlet’shavethestoryfirst！"criedthegeneral。
"Prince，"saidNastasiaPhilipovna，unexpectedlyturningtoMuishkin，"herearemyoldfriends，TotskiandGeneralEpanchin，whowishtomarrymeoff。Tellmewhatyouthink。ShallImarryornot？Asyoudecide，soshallitbe。"
Totskigrewwhiteasasheet。Thegeneralwasstruckdumb。Allpresentstartedandlistenedintently。Ganiasatrootedtohischair。
"Marrywhom？"askedtheprince，faintly。
"GavrilaArdalionovitchIvolgin，"saidNastasia，firmlyandevenly。
Therewereafewsecondsofdeadsilence。
Theprincetriedtospeak，butcouldnotformhiswords；agreatweightseemedtolieuponhisbreastandsuffocatehim。
"N-no！don’tmarryhim！"hewhisperedatlast，drawinghisbreathwithaneffort。
"Sobeit，then。GavrilaArdalionovitch，"shespokesolemnlyandforcibly，"youheartheprince’sdecision？Takeitasmydecision；andletthatbetheendofthematterforgoodandall。"
"NastasiaPhilipovna！"criedTotski，inaquakingvoice。
"NastasiaPhilipovna！"saidthegeneral，inpersuasivebutagitatedtones。
Everyoneintheroomfidgetedintheirplaces，andwaitedtoseewhatwascomingnext。
"Well，gentlemen！"shecontinued，gazingaroundinapparentastonishment；"whatdoyoualllooksoalarmedabout？Whyareyousoupset？"
"But——recollect，NastasiaPhilipovna。"stammeredTotski，"yougaveapromise，quiteafreeone，and——andyoumighthavesparedusthis。Iamconfusedandbewildered，Iknow；but，inaword，atsuchamoment，andbeforecompany，andallso-so-irregular，finishingoffagamewithaseriousmatterlikethis，amatterofhonour，andofheart，and——"
"Idon’tfollowyou，AfanasyIvanovitch；youarelosingyourhead。Inthefirstplace，whatdoyoumeanby’beforecompany’？
Isn’tthecompanygoodenoughforyou？Andwhat’sallthatabout’agame’？Iwishedtotellmylittlestory，andItoldit！Don’tyoulikeit？YouheardwhatIsaidtotheprince？’Asyoudecide，soitshallbe！’Ifhehadsaid’yes，’Ishouldhavegivenmyconsent！Buthesaid’no，’soIrefused。Herewasmywholelifehangingonhisoneword！SurelyIwasseriousenough？"
"Theprince！Whatonearthhastheprincegottodowithit？Whothedeuceistheprince？"criedthegeneral，whocouldconcealhiswrathnolonger。
"Theprincehasthistodowithit——thatIseeinhim。forthefirsttimeinallmylife，amanendowedwithrealtruthfulnessofspirit，andItrusthim。Hetrustedmeatfirstsight，andI
trusthim！"
"Itonlyremainsforme，then，tothankNastasiaPhilipovnaforthegreatdelicacywithwhichshehastreatedme，"saidGania，aspaleasdeath，andwithquiveringlips。"Thatismyplainduty，ofcourse；buttheprince——whathashetodointhematter？"
"Iseewhatyouaredrivingat，"saidNastasiaPhilipovna。"Youimplythattheprinceisaftertheseventy-fivethousandroubles——Iquiteunderstandyou。Mr。Totski，Iforgottosay，’Takeyourseventy-fivethousandroubles’——Idon’twantthem。Iletyougofreefornothingtakeyourfreedom！Youmustneedit。Nineyearsandthreemonths’captivityisenoughforanybody。TomorrowI
shallstartafresh——todayIamafreeagentforthefirsttimeinmylife。
"General，youmusttakeyourpearlsback，too——givethemtoyourwife——heretheyare！TomorrowIshallleavethisflataltogether，andthenthere’llbenomoreofthesepleasantlittlesocialgatherings，ladiesandgentlemen。"
Sosaying，shescornfullyrosefromherseatasthoughtodepart。
"NastasiaPhilipovna！NastasiaPhilipovna！"
Thewordsburstinvoluntarilyfromeverymouth。Allpresentstartedupinbewilderedexcitement；allsurroundedher；allhadlisteneduneasilytoherwild，disconnectedsentences。Allfeltthatsomethinghadhappened，somethinghadgoneveryfarwrongindeed，butnoonecouldmakeheadortailofthematter。
Atthismomenttherewasafuriousringatthebell，andagreatknockatthedoor——exactlysimilartotheonewhichhadstartledthecompanyatGania’shouseintheafternoon。
"Ah，ah！here’stheclimaxatlast，athalf-pasttwelve！"criedNastasiaPhilipovna。"Sitdown，gentlemen，Ibegyou。Somethingisabouttohappen。"
Sosaying，shereseatedherself；astrangesmileplayedonherlips。Shesatquitestill，butwatchedthedoorinafeverofimpatience。
"Rogojinandhishundredthousandroubles，nodoubtofit，"
mutteredPtitsintohimself。
XV。
Katia，themaid-servant，madeherappearance，terriblyfrightened。
"Goodnessknowswhatitmeans，ma’am，"shesaid。"Thereisawholecollectionofmencome——alltipsy——andwanttoseeyou。Theysaythat’it’sRogojin，andsheknowsallaboutit。’"
"It’sallright，Katia，letthemallinatonce。"
"SurelynotALL，ma’am？Theyseemsodisorderly——it’sdreadfultoseethem。"
"YesALL，Katia，all——everyoneofthem。Letthemin，orthey’llcomeinwhetheryoulikeorno。Listen！whatanoisetheyaremaking！Perhapsyouareoffended，gentlemen，thatIshouldreceivesuchguestsinyourpresence？Iamverysorry，andaskyourforgiveness，butitcannotbehelped——andIshouldbeverygratefulifyoucouldallstayandwitnessthisclimax。However，justasyouplease，ofcourse。"
Theguestsexchangedglances；theywereannoyedandbewilderedbytheepisode；butitwasclearenoughthatallthishadbeenpre-
arrangedandexpectedbyNastasiaPhilipovna，andthattherewasnouseintryingtostophernow——forshewaslittleshortofinsane。
Besides，theywerenaturallyinquisitivetoseewhatwastohappen。Therewasnobodywhowouldbelikelytofeelmuchalarm。
Therewerebuttwoladiespresent；oneofwhomwasthelivelyactress，whowasnoteasilyfrightened，andtheotherthesilentGermanbeautywho，itturnedout，didnotunderstandawordofRussian，andseemedtobeasstupidasshewaslovely。
Heracquaintancesinvitedhertotheir"AtHomes"becauseshewassodecorative。Shewasexhibitedtotheirguestslikeavaluablepicture，orvase，orstatue，orfirescreen。Asforthemen，PtitsinwasoneofRogojin’sfriends；Ferdishenkowasasmuchathomeasafishinthesea，Gania，notyetrecoveredfromhisamazement，appearedtobechainedtoapillory。Theoldprofessordidnotintheleastunderstandwhatwashappening；butwhenhenoticedhowextremelyagitatedthemistressofthehouse，andherfriends，seemed，henearlywept，andtrembledwithfright:buthewouldratherhavediedthanleaveNastasiaPhilipovnaatsuchacrisis，forhelovedherasifshewerehisowngranddaughter。
AfanasyIvanovitchgreatlydislikedhavinganythingtodowiththeaffair，buthewastoomuchinterestedtoleave，inspiteofthemadturnthingshadtaken；andafewwordsthathaddroppedfromthelipsofNastasiapuzzledhimsomuch，thathefelthecouldnotgowithoutanexplanation。Heresolvedtherefore，toseeitout，andtoadopttheattitudeofsilentspectator，asmostsuitedtohisdignity。GeneraEpanchinalonedeterminedtodepart。Hewasannoyedatthemannerinwhichhisgifthadbeenreturned，anthoughhehadcondescended，undertheinfluenceofpassion，toplacehimselfonalevelwithPtitsinandFerdishenko，hisself-respectandsenseofdutynowreturnedtogetherwithaconsciousnessofwhatwasduetohissocialrankandofficialimportance。Inshort，heplainlyshowedhisconvictionthatamaninhispositioncouldhavenothingtodowithRogojinandhiscompanions。ButNastasiainterruptedhimathisfirstwords。
"Ah，general！"shecried，"Iwasforgetting！IfIhadonlyforeseenthisunpleasantness！Iwon’tinsistonkeepingyouagainstyourwill，althoughIshouldhavelikedyoutobebesidemenow。Inanycase，Iammostgratefultoyouforyourvisit，andflatteringattention……butifyouareafraid……"
"Excuseme，NastasiaPhilipovna，"interruptedthegeneral，withchivalricgenerosity。"Towhomareyouspeaking？Ihaveremaineduntilnowsimplybecauseofmydevotiontoyou，andasfordanger，Iamonlyafraidthatthecarpetsmayberuined，andthefurnituresmashed！……Youshouldshutthedooronthelot，inmyopinion。
ButIconfessthatIamextremelycurioustoseehowitends。"
"Rogojin！"announcedFerdishenko。
"Whatdoyouthinkaboutit？"saidthegeneralinalowvoicetoTotski。"Isshemad？Imeanmadinthemedicalsenseoftheword……eh？"
"I’vealwayssaidshewaspredisposedtoit，"whisperedAfanasyIvanovitchslyly。"Perhapsitisafever！"
SincetheirvisittoGania’shome，Rogojin’sfollowershadbeenincreasedbytwonewrecruits——adissoluteoldman，theheroofsomeancientscandal，andaretiredsub-lieutenant。Alaughablestorywastoldoftheformer。Hepossessed，itwassaid，asetoffalseteeth，andonedaywhenhewantedmoneyforadrinkingorgy，hepawnedthem，andwasneverabletoreclaimthem！Theofficerappearedtobearivalofthegentlemanwhowassoproudofhisfists。HewasknowntononeofRogojin’sfollowers，butastheypassedbytheNevsky，wherehestoodbegging，hehadjoinedtheirranks。Hisclaimforthecharityhedesiredseemedbasedonthefactthatinthedaysofhisprosperityhehadgivenawayasmuchasfifteenroublesatatime。Therivalsseemedmorethanalittlejealousofoneanother。Theathleteappearedinjuredattheadmissionofthe"beggar"intothecompany。Bynaturetaciturn，henowmerelygrowledoccasionallylikeabear，andglaredcontemptuouslyuponthe"beggar，"who，beingsomewhatofamanoftheworld，andadiplomatist，triedtoinsinuatehimselfintothebear’sgoodgraces。Hewasamuchsmallermanthantheathlete，anddoubtlesswasconsciousthathemusttreadwarily。
GentlyandwithoutargumenthealludedtotheadvantagesoftheEnglishstyleinboxing，andshowedhimselfafirmbelieverinWesterninstitutions。Theathlete’slipscurleddisdainfully，andwithouthonouringhisadversarywithaformaldenial，heexhibited，asifbyaccident，thatpeculiarlyRussianobject——anenormousfist，clenched，muscular，andcoveredwithredhairs！
Thesightofthispre-eminentlynationalattributewasenoughtoconvinceanybody，withoutwords，thatitwasaseriousmatterforthosewhoshouldhappentocomeintocontactwithit。
Noneofthebandwereverydrunk，fortheleaderhadkepthisintendedvisittoNastasiainviewallday，andhaddonehisbesttopreventhisfollowersfromdrinkingtoomuch。Hewassoberhimself，buttheexcitementofthischaoticday——thestrangestdayofhislife——hadaffectedhimsothathewasinadazed，wildcondition，whichalmostresembleddrunkenness。
Hehadkeptbutoneideabeforehimallday，andforthathehadworkedinanagonyofanxietyandafeverofsuspense。Hislieutenantshadworkedsohardfromfiveo’clockuntileleven，thattheyactuallyhadcollectedahundredthousandroublesforhim，butatsuchterrificexpense，thattherateofinterestwasonlymentionedamongtheminwhispersandwithbatedbreath。
Asbefore，Rogojinwalkedinadvanceofhistroop，whofollowedhimwithmingledself-assertionandtimidity。TheywerespeciallyfrightenedofNastasiaPhilipovnaherself，forsomereason。
Manyofthemexpectedtobethrowndownstairsatonce，withoutfurtherceremony，theelegantaridirresistibleZaleshoffamongthem。Butthepartyledbytheathlete，withoutopenlyshowingtheirhostileintentions，silentlynursedcontemptandevenhatredforNastasiaPhilipovna，andmarchedintoherhouseastheywouldhavemarchedintoanenemy’sfortress。Arrivedthere，theluxuryoftheroomsseemedtoinspirethemwithakindofrespect，notunmixedwithalarm。Somanythingswereentirelynewtotheirexperience——thechoicefurniture，thepictures，thegreatstatueofVenus。Theyfollowedtheirchiefintothesalon，however，withakindofimpudentcuriosity。There，thesightofGeneralEpanchinamongtheguests，causedmanyofthemtobeatahastyretreatintotheadjoiningroom，the"boxer"and"beggar"
beingamongthefirsttogo。Afewonly，ofwhomLebedeffmadeone，stoodtheirground；hehadcontrivedtowalksidebysidewithRogojin，forhequiteunderstoodtheimportanceofamanwhohadafortuneofamillionoddroubles，andwhoatthismomentcarriedahundredthousandinhishand。Itmaybeaddedthatthewholecompany，notexceptingLebedeff，hadthevaguestideaoftheextentoftheirpowers，andofhowfartheycouldsafelygo。
AtsomemomentsLebedeffwassurethatrightwasontheirside；
atothershetrieduneasilytoremembervariouscheeringandreassuringarticlesoftheCivilCode。
Rogojin，whenhesteppedintotheroom，andhiseyesfelluponNastasia，stoppedshort，grewwhiteasasheet，andstoodstaring；itwasclearthathisheartwasbeatingpainfully。Sohestood，gazingintently，buttimidly，forafewseconds。Suddenly，asthoughbereftofhissenses，hemovedforward，staggeringhelplessly，towardsthetable。OnhiswayhecollidedagainstPtitsin’schair，andputhisdirtyfootonthelaceskirtofthesilentlady’sdress；butheneitherapologizedforthis，norevennoticedit。
Onreachingthetable，heplaceduponitastrange-lookingobject，whichhehadcarriedwithhimintothedrawing-room。Thiswasapaperpacket，somesixorseveninchesthick，andeightornineinlength，wrappedinanoldnewspaper，andtiedroundthreeorfourtimeswithstring。
Havingplacedthisbeforeher，hestoodwithdroopedarmsandhead，asthoughawaitinghissentence。
Hiscostumewasthesameasithadbeeninthemorning，exceptforanewsilkhandkerchiefroundhisneck，brightgreenandred，fastenedwithahugediamondpin，andanenormousdiamondringonhisdirtyforefinger。
Lebedeffstoodtwoorthreepacesbehindhischief；andtherestofthebandwaitedaboutnearthedoor。
Thetwomaid-servantswerebothpeepingin，frightenedandamazedatthisunusualanddisorderlyscene。
"Whatisthat？"askedNastasiaPhilipovna，gazingintentlyatRogojin，andindicatingthepaperpacket。
"Ahundredthousand，"repliedthelatter，almostinawhisper。
"Oh！sohekepthisword——there’samanforyou！Well，sitdown，please——takethatchair。Ishallhavesomethingtosaytoyoupresently。Whoareallthesewithyou？Thesameparty？Letthemcomeinandsitdown。There’sroomonthatsofa，therearesomechairsandthere’sanothersofa！Well，whydon’ttheysitdown？"
Sureenough，someofthebravefellowsentirelylosttheirheadsatthispoint，andretreatedintothenextroom。Others，however，tookthehintandsatdown，asfarastheycouldfromthetable，however；feelingbraverinproportiontotheirdistancefromNastasia。
Rogojintookthechairofferedhim，buthedidnotsitlong；hesoonstoodupagain，anddidnotreseathimself。Littlebylittlehebegantolookaroundhimanddiscerntheotherguests。SeeingGania，hesmiledvenomouslyandmutteredtohimself，"Lookatthat！"
HegazedatTotskiandthegeneralwithnoapparentconfusion，andwithverylittlecuriosity。ButwhenheobservedthattheprincewasseatedbesideNastasiaPhilipovna，hecouldnottakehiseyesoffhimforalongwhile，andwasclearlyamazed。Hecouldnotaccountfortheprince’spresencethere。ItwasnotintheleastsurprisingthatRogojinshouldbe，atthistime，inamoreorlessdeliriouscondition；fornottospeakoftheexcitementsoftheday，hehadspentthenightbeforeinthetrain，andhadnotsleptmorethanawinkforforty-eighthours。
"This，gentlemen，isahundredthousandroubles，"saidNastasiaPhilipovna，addressingthecompanyingeneral，"here，inthisdirtyparcel。ThisafternoonRogojinyelled，likeamadman，thathewouldbringmeahundredthousandintheevening，andIhavebeenwaitingforhimallthewhile。Hewasbargainingforme，youknow；firstheofferedmeeighteenthousand；thenherosetoforty，andthentoahundredthousand。Andhehaskepthisword，see！Mygoodness，howwhiteheis！Allthishappenedthisafternoon，atGania’s。Ihadgonetopayhismotheravisit——myfuturefamily，youknow！Andhissistersaidtomyveryface，surelysomebodywillturnthisshamelesscreatureout。AfterwhichshespatinherbrotherGania’sface——agirlofcharacter，that！"
"NastasiaPhilipovna！"beganthegeneral，reproachfully。Hewasbeginningtoputhisowninterpretationontheaffair。
"Well，what，general？Notquitegoodform，eh？Oh，nonsense！HerehaveIbeensittinginmyboxattheFrenchtheatreforthelastfiveyearslikeastatueofinaccessiblevirtue，andkeptoutofthewayofalladmirers，likeasillylittleidiot！Now，there’sthisman，whocomesandpaysdownhishundredthousandonthetable，beforeyouall，inspiteofmyfiveyearsofinnocenceandproudvirtue，andIdarebeswornhehashissledgeoutsidewaitingtocarrymeoff。Hevaluesmeatahundredthousand！Iseeyouarestillangrywithme，Gania！Why，surelyyouneverreallywishedtotakeMEintoyourfamily？ME，Rogojin’smistress！Whatdidtheprincesayjustnow？"
"IneversaidyouwereRogojin’smistress——youareNOT！"saidtheprince，intremblingaccents。
"NastasiaPhilipovna，dearsoul！"criedtheactress，impatiently，"dobecalm，dear！Ifitannoysyouso——allthis——dogoawayandrest！Ofcourseyouwouldnevergowiththiswretchedfellow，inspiteofhishundredthousandroubles！Takehismoneyandkickhimoutofthehouse；that’sthewaytotreathimandthelikesofhim！Uponmyword，ifitweremybusiness，I’dsoonclearthemallout！"
Theactresswasakind-heartedwoman，andhighlyimpressionable。
Shewasveryangrynow。
"Don’tbecross，DariaAlexeyevna！"laughedNastasia。"IwasnotangrywhenIspoke；Iwasn’treproachingGania。Idon’tknowhowitwasthatIevercouldhaveindulgedthewhimofenteringanhonestfamilylikehis。Isawhismother——andkissedherhand，too。Icameandstirredupallthatfuss，Gania，thisafternoon，onpurposetoseehowmuchyoucouldswallow——yousurprisedme，myfriend——youdid，indeed。Surelyyoucouldnotmarryawomanwhoacceptspearlslikethoseyouknewthegeneralwasgoingtogiveme，ontheveryeveofhermarriage？AndRogojin！Why，inyourownhouseandbeforeyourownbrotherandsister，hebargainedwithme！Yetyoucouldcomehereandexpecttobebetrothedtomebeforeyouleftthehouse！Youalmostbroughtyoursister，too。SurelywhatRogojinsaidaboutyouisnotreallytrue:thatyouwouldcrawlallthewaytotheotherendofthetown，onhandsandknees，forthreeroubles？"
"Yes，hewould！"saidRogojin，quietly，butwithanairofabsoluteconviction。
"H’m！andhereceivesagoodsalary，I’mtold。Well，whatshouldyougetbutdisgraceandmiseryifyoutookawifeyouhatedintoyourfamily(forIknowverywellthatyoudohateme)？No，no！I
believenowthatamanlikeyouwouldmurderanyoneformoney——
sharpenarazorandcomeupbehindhisbestfriendandcuthisthroatlikeasheep——I’vereadofsuchpeople。Everyoneseemsmoney-madnowadays。No，no！Imaybeshameless，butyouarefarworse。Idon’tsayawordaboutthatother——"
"NastasiaPhilipovna，isthisreallyyou？You，oncesorefinedanddelicateofspeech。Oh，whatatongue！Whatdreadfulthingsyouaresaying，"criedthegeneral，wringinghishandsinrealgrief。
"Iamintoxicated，general。Iamhavingadayout，youknow——it’smybirthday！Ihavelonglookedforwardtothishappyoccasion。
DariaAlexeyevna，youseethatnosegay-man，thatMonsieurauxCamelias，sittingtherelaughingatus？"
"Iamnotlaughing，NastasiaPhilipovna；Iamonlylisteningwithallmyattention，"saidTotski，withdignity。
"Well，whyhaveIworriedhim，forfiveyears，andneverlethimgofree？Isheworthit？Heisonlyjustwhatheoughttobe——
nothingparticular。HethinksIamtoblame，too。Hegavememyeducation，keptmelikeacountess。Money——myword！Whatalotofmoneyhespentoverme！Andhetriedtofindmeanhonesthusbandfirst，andthenthisGania，here。Andwhatdoyouthink？AllthesefiveyearsIdidnotlivewithhim，andyetItookhismoney，andconsideredIwasquitejustified。
"Yousay，takethehundredthousandandkickthatmanout。Itistrue，itisanabominablebusiness，asyousay。Imighthavemarriedlongago，notGania——Oh，no！——butthatwouldhavebeenabominabletoo。
"Wouldyoubelieveit，IhadsomethoughtsofmarryingTotski，fouryearsago！Imeantmischief，Iconfess——butIcouldhavehadhim，Igiveyoumyword；heaskedmehimself。ButIthought，no！
it’snotworthwhiletotakesuchadvantageofhim。No！Ihadbettergoontothestreets，oracceptRogojin，orbecomeawasherwomanorsomething——forIhavenothingofmyown，youknow。
Ishallgoawayandleaveeverythingbehind，tothelastrag——heshallhaveitallback。Andwhowouldtakemewithoutanything？
AskGania，there，whetherhewould。Why，evenFerdishenkowouldn’thaveme！"
"No，Ferdishenkowouldnot；heisacandidfellow，NastasiaPhilipovna，"saidthatworthy。"Buttheprincewould。Yousitheremakingcomplaints，butjustlookattheprince。I’vebeenobservinghimforalongwhile。"
NastasiaPhilipovnalookedkeenlyroundattheprince。
"Isthattrue？"sheasked。
"Quitetrue，"whisperedtheprince。
"You’lltakemeasIam，withnothing？"
"Iwill，NastasiaPhilipovna。"
"Here’saprettybusiness！"criedthegeneral。"However，itmighthavebeenexpectedofhim。"
TheprincecontinuedtoregardNastasiawithasorrowful，butintentandpiercing，gaze。
"Here’sanotheralternativeforme，"saidNastasia，turningoncemoretotheactress；"andhedoesitoutofpurekindnessofheart。Iknowhim。I’vefoundabenefactor。Perhaps，though，whattheysayabouthimmaybetrue——thathe’san——weknowwhat。Andwhatshallyouliveon，ifyouarereallysomadlyinlovewithRogojin’smistress，thatyouarereadytomarryher——eh？"
"Itakeyouasagood，honestwoman，NastasiaPhilipovna——notasRogojin’smistress。"
"Who？I？——goodandhonest？"
"Yes，you。"
"Oh，yougetthoseideasoutofnovels，youknow。Timesarechangednow，dearprince；theworldseesthingsastheyreallyare。That’sallnonsense。Besides，howcanyoumarry？Youneedanurse，notawife。"
Theprinceroseandbegantospeakinatrembling，timidtone，butwiththeairofamanabsolutelysureofthetruthofhiswords。
"Iknownothing，NastasiaPhilipovna。Ihaveseennothing。Youarerightsofar；butIconsiderthatyouwouldbehonouringme，andnotIyou。Iamanobody。Youhavesuffered，youhavepassedthroughhellandemergedpure，andthatisverymuch。WhydoyoushameyourselfbydesiringtogowithRogojin？Youaredelirious。
YouhavereturnedtoMr。Totskihisseventy-fivethousandroubles，anddeclaredthatyouwillleavethishouseandallthatisinit，whichisalineofconductthatnotonepersonherewouldimitate。NastasiaPhilipovna，Iloveyou！Iwoulddieforyou。Ishallneverletanymansayonewordagainstyou，NastasiaPhilipovna！andifwearepoor，Icanworkforboth。"
AstheprincespoketheselastwordsatitterwasheardfromFerdishenko；Lebedefflaughedtoo。Thegeneralgruntedwithirritation；PtitsinandTotskibarelyrestrainedtheirsmiles。
Therestallsatlistening，open-mouthedwithwonder。
"Butperhapsweshallnotbepoor；wemaybeveryrich，NastasiaPhilipovna。"continuedtheprince，inthesametimid，quiveringtones。"Idon’tknowforcertain，andI’msorrytosayIhaven’thadanopportunityoffindingoutallday；butIreceivedaletterfromMoscow，whileIwasinSwitzerland，fromaMr。
Salaskin，andheacquaintsmewiththefactthatIamentitledtoaverylargeinheritance。Thisletter——"
Theprincepulledaletteroutofhispocket。
"Isheraving？"saidthegeneral。"Arewereallyinamad-house？"
Therewassilenceforamoment。ThenPtitsinspoke。
"Ithinkyousaid，prince，thatyourletterwasfromSalaskin？
Salaskinisaveryeminentman，indeed，inhisownworld；heisawonderfullycleversolicitor，andifhereallytellsyouthis，I
thinkyoumaybeprettysurethatheisright。Itsohappens，luckily，thatIknowhishandwriting，forIhavelatelyhadbusinesswithhim。Ifyouwouldallowmetoseeit，Ishouldperhapsbeabletotellyou。"
Theprinceheldoutthelettersilently，butwithashakinghand。
"What，what？"saidthegeneral，muchagitated。
"What’sallthis？Ishereallyheirtoanything？"
AllpresentconcentratedtheirattentionuponPtitsin，readingtheprince’sletter。Thegeneralcuriosityhadreceivedanewfillip。Ferdishenkocouldnotsitstill。Rogojinfixedhiseyesfirstontheprince，andthenonPtitsin，andthenbackagain；hewasextremelyagitated。Lebedeffcouldnotstandit。HecreptupandreadoverPtitsin’sshoulder，withtheairofanaughtyboywhoexpectsaboxontheeareverymomentforhisindiscretion。
XVI。
"It’sgoodbusiness，"saidPtitsin，atlast，foldingtheletterandhandingitbacktotheprince。"Youwillreceive，withouttheslightesttrouble，bythelastwillandtestamentofyouraunt，averylargesumofmoneyindeed。"
"Impossible！"criedthegeneral，startingupasifhehadbeenshot。
Ptitsinexplained，forthebenefitofthecompany，thattheprince’saunthaddiedfivemonthssince。Hehadneverknownher，butshewashismother’sownsister，thedaughterofaMoscowmerchant，onePaparchin，whohaddiedabankrupt。ButtheelderbrotherofthissamePaparchin，hadbeenaneminentandveryrichmerchant。Ayearsinceithadsohappenedthathisonlytwosonshadbothdiedwithinthesamemonth。Thissadeventhadsoaffectedtheoldmanthathe，too，haddiedveryshortlyafter。
Hewasawidower，andhadnorelationsleft，exceptingtheprince’saunt，apoorwomanlivingoncharity，whowasherselfatthepointofdeathfromdropsy；butwhohadtime，beforeshedied，tosetSalaskintoworktofindhernephew，andtomakeherwillbequeathinghernewly-acquiredfortunetohim。
Itappearedthatneithertheprince，northedoctorwithwhomhelivedinSwitzerland，hadthoughtofwaitingforfurthercommunications；buttheprincehadstartedstraightawaywithSalaskin’sletterinhispocket。
"OnethingImaytellyou，forcertain，"concludedPtitsin，addressingtheprince，"thatthereisnoquestionabouttheauthenticityofthismatter。AnythingthatSalaskinwritesyouasregardsyourunquestionablerighttothisinheritance，youmaylookuponassomuchmoneyinyourpocket。Icongratulateyou，prince；youmayreceiveamillionandahalfofroubles，perhapsmore；Idon’tknow。AllIDOknowisthatPaparchinwasaveryrichmerchantindeed。"
"Hurrah！"criedLebedeff，inadrunkenvoice。"HurrahforthelastoftheMuishkins！"
"Mygoodnessme！andIgavehimtwenty-fiveroublesthismorningasthoughhewereabeggar，"blurtedoutthegeneral，halfsenselesswithamazement。"Well，Icongratulateyou，I
congratulateyou！"Andthegeneralrosefromhisseatandsolemnlyembracedtheprince。Allcameforwardwithcongratulations；eventhoseofRogojin’spartywhohadretreatedintothenextroom，nowcreptsoftlybacktolookon。ForthemomentevenNastasiaPhilipovnawasforgotten。
Butgraduallytheconsciousnesscreptbackintothemindsofeachonepresentthattheprincehadjustmadeheranofferofmarriage。Thesituationhad，therefore，becomethreetimesasfantasticasbefore。
Totskisatandshruggedhisshoulders，bewildered。Hewastheonlyguestleftsittingatthistime；theothershadthrongedroundthetableindisorder，andwerealltalkingatonce。
Itwasgenerallyagreed，afterwards，inrecallingthatevening，thatfromthismomentNastasiaPhilipovnaseemedentirelytolosehersenses。Shecontinuedtositstillinherplace，lookingaroundatherguestswithastrange，bewilderedexpression，asthoughsheweretryingtocollectherthoughts，andcouldnot。
Thenshesuddenlyturnedtotheprince，andglaredathimwithfrowningbrows；butthisonlylastedonemoment。Perhapsitsuddenlystruckherthatallthiswasajest，buthisfaceseemedtoreassureher。Shereflected，andsmiledagain，vaguely。
"SoIamreallyaprincess，"shewhisperedtoherself，ironically，andglancingaccidentallyatDariaAlexeyevna’sface，sheburstoutlaughing。
"Ha，ha，ha！"shecried，"thisisanunexpectedclimax，afterall。Ididn’texpectthis。Whatareyouallstandingupfor，gentlemen？Sitdown；congratulatemeandtheprince！Ferdishenko，juststepoutandordersomemorechampagne，willyou？Katia，Pasha，"sheaddedsuddenly，seeingtheservantsatthedoor，"comehere！I’mgoingtobemarried，didyouhear？Totheprince。
Hehasamillionandahalfofroubles；heisPrinceMuishkin，andhasaskedmetomarryhim。Here，prince，comeandsitbyme；
andherecomesthewine。Nowthen，ladiesandgentlemen，whereareyourcongratulations？"
"Hurrah！"criedanumberofvoices。ArushwasmadeforthewinebyRogojin’sfollowers，though，evenamongthem，thereseemedsomesortofrealizationthatthesituationhadchanged。Rogojinstoodandlookedon，withanincreduloussmile，screwinguponesideofhismouth。
"Prince，mydearfellow，dorememberwhatyouareabout，"saidthegeneral，approachingMuishkin，andpullinghimbythecoatsleeve。
NastasiaPhilipovnaoverheardtheremark，andburstoutlaughing。
"No，no，general！"shecried。"Youhadbetterlookout！Iamtheprincessnow，youknow。Theprincewon’tletyouinsultme。
AfanasyIvanovitch，whydon’tyoucongratulateme？Ishallbeabletositattablewithyournewwife，now。Aha！youseewhatI
gainbymarryingaprince！Amillionandahalf，andaprince，andanidiotintothebargain，theysay。WhatbettercouldIwishfor？Lifeisonlyjustabouttocommenceformeinearnest。