第7章
Rogojin，youarealittletoolate。Awaywithyourpaperparcel！
I’mgoingtomarrytheprince；I’mricherthanyouarenow。"
ButRogojinunderstoodhowthingsweretending，atlast。Aninexpressiblypainfulexpressioncameoverhisface。Hewrunghishands；agroanmadeitswayupfromthedepthsofhissoul。
"Surrenderher，forGod’ssake！"hesaidtotheprince。
Allaroundburstoutlaughing。
"What？SurrenderhertoYOU？"criedDariaAlexeyevna。"Toafellowwhocomesandbargainsforawifelikeamoujik！Theprincewishestomarryher，andyou——"
"SodoI，sodoI！Thismoment，ifIcould！I’dgiveeveryfarthingIhavetodoit。"
"Youdrunkenmoujik，"saidDariaAlexeyevna，oncemore。"Yououghttobekickedoutoftheplace。"
Thelaughterbecamelouderthanever。
"Doyouhear，prince？"saidNastasiaPhilipovna。"Doyouhearhowthismoujikofafellowgoesonbargainingforyourbride？"
"Heisdrunk，"saidtheprince，quietly，"andhelovesyouverymuch。"
"Won’tyoubeashamed，afterwards，toreflectthatyourwifeverynearlyranawaywithRogojin？"
"Oh，youwereraving，youwereinafever；youarestillhalfdelirious。"
"Andwon’tyoubeashamedwhentheytellyou，afterwards，thatyourwifelivedatTotski’sexpensesomanyyears？"
"No；Ishallnotbeashamedofthat。Youdidnotsolivebyyourownwill。"
"Andyou’llneverreproachmewithit？"
"Never。"
"Takecare，don’tcommityourselfforawholelifetime。"
"NastasiaPhilipovna。"saidtheprince，quietly，andwithdeepemotion，"IsaidbeforethatIshallesteemyourconsenttobemywifeasagreathonourtomyself，andshallconsiderthatitisyouwhowillhonourme，notIyou，byourmarriage。Youlaughedatthesewords，andothersarounduslaughedaswell；Iheardthem。VerylikelyIexpressedmyselffunnily，andImayhavelookedfunny，but，forallthat，IbelieveIunderstandwherehonourlies，andwhatIsaidwasbuttheliteraltruth。Youwereabouttoruinyourselfjustnow，irrevocably；youwouldneverhaveforgivenyourselfforsodoingafterwards；andyet，youareabsolutelyblameless。Itisimpossiblethatyourlifeshouldbealtogetherruinedatyourage。WhatmatterthatRogojincamebargaininghere，andthatGavrilaArdalionovitchwouldhavedeceivedyouifhecould？Whydoyoucontinuallyremindusofthesefacts？Iassureyouoncemorethatveryfewcouldfinditinthemtoactasyouhaveactedthisday。AsforyourwishtogowithRogojin，thatwassimplytheideaofadeliriousandsufferingbrain。Youarestillquitefeverish；yououghttobeinbed，nothere。YouknowquitewellthatifyouhadgonewithRogojin，youwouldhavebecomeawasher-womannextday，ratherthanstaywithhim。Youareproud，NastasiaPhilipovna，andperhapsyouhavereallysufferedsomuchthatyouimagineyourselftobeadesperatelyguiltywoman。Yourequireagreatdealofpettingandlookingafter，NastasiaPhilipovna，andI
willdothis。Isawyourportraitthismorning，anditseemedquiteafamiliarfacetome；itseemedtomethattheportrait-
facewascallingtomeforhelp。I-Ishallrespectyouallmylife，NastasiaPhilipovna，"concludedtheprince，asthoughsuddenlyrecollectinghimself，andblushingtothinkofthesortofcompanybeforewhomhehadsaidallthis。
Ptitsinbowedhisheadandlookedattheground，overcomebyamixtureoffeelings。Totskimutteredtohimself:"Hemaybeanidiot，butheknowsthatflatteryisthebestroadtosuccesshere。"
TheprinceobservedGania’seyesflashingathim，asthoughtheywouldgladlyannihilatehimthenandthere。
"That’sakind-heartedman，ifyoulike，"saidDariaAlexeyevna，whosewrathwasquicklyevaporating。
"Arefinedman，but——lost，"murmuredthegeneral。
Totskitookhishatandrosetogo。Heandthegeneralexchangedglances，makingaprivatearrangement，thereby，toleavethehousetogether。
"Thankyou，prince；noonehaseverspokentomelikethatbefore，"beganNastasiaPhilipovna。"Menhavealwaysbargainedforme，beforethis；andnotasinglerespectablemanhaseverproposedtomarryme。Doyouhear，AfanasyIvanovitch？WhatdoYOUthinkofwhattheprincehasjustbeensaying？Itwasalmostimmodest，wasn’tit？You，Rogojin，waitamoment，don’tgoyet！I
seeyoudon’tintendtomovehowever。PerhapsImaygowithyouyet。Wheredidyoumeantotakemeto？"
"ToEkaterinhof，"repliedLebedeff。Rogojinsimplystoodstaring，withtremblinglips，notdaringtobelievehisears。Hewasstunned，asthoughfromablowonthehead。
"Whatareyouthinkingof，mydearNastasia？"saidDariaAlexeyevnainalarm。"Whatareyousaying？""Youarenotgoingmad，areyou？"
NastasiaPhilipovnaburstoutlaughingandjumpedupfromthesofa。
"YouthoughtIshouldacceptthisgoodchild’sinvitationtoruinhim，didyou？"shecried。"That’sTotski’sway，notmine。He’sfondofchildren。Comealong，Rogojin，getyourmoneyready！Wewon’ttalkaboutmarryingjustatthismoment，butlet’sseethemoneyatallevents。Come！Imaynotmarryyou，either。Idon’tknow。Isupposeyouthoughtyou’dkeepthemoney，ifIdid！Ha，ha，ha！nonsense！Ihavenosenseofshameleft。ItellyouI
havebeenTotski’sconcubine。Prince，youmustmarryAglayaIvanovna，notNastasiaPhilipovna，orthisfellowFerdishenkowillalwaysbepointingthefingerofscornatyou。Youaren’tafraid，Iknow；butIshouldalwaysbeafraidthatIhadruinedyou，andthatyouwouldreproachmeforit。Asforwhatyousayaboutmydoingyouhonourbymarryingyou-well，Totskicantellyouallaboutthat。YouhadyoureyeonAglaya，Gania，youknowyouhad；andyoumighthavemarriedherifyouhadnotcomebargaining。Youarealllikethis。Youshouldchoose，onceforall，betweendisreputablewomen，andrespectableones，oryouaresuretogetmixed。Lookatthegeneral，howhe’sstaringatme！"
"Thisistoohorrible，"saidthegeneral，startingtohisfeet。
Allwerestandingupnow。Nastasiawasabsolutelybesideherself。
"Iamveryproud，inspiteofwhatIam，"shecontinued。"Youcalledme’perfection’justnow，prince。Anicesortofperfectiontothrowupaprinceandamillionandahalfofroublesinordertobeabletoboastofthefactafterwards！WhatsortofawifeshouldImakeforyou，afterallIhavesaid？
AfanasyIvanovitch，doyouobserveIhavereallyandtrulythrownawayamillionofroubles？AndyouthoughtthatIshouldconsideryourwretchedseventy-fivethousand，withGaniathrowninforahusband，aparadiseofbliss！Takeyourseventy-fivethousandback，sir；youdidnotreachthehundredthousand。Rogojincutabetterdashthanyoudid。I’llconsoleGaniamyself；Ihaveanideaaboutthat。ButnowImustbeoff！I’vebeeninprisonfortenyears。I’mfreeatlast！Well，Rogojin，whatareyouwaitingfor？Let’sgetreadyandgo。"
"Comealong！"shoutedRogojin，besidehimselfwithjoy。"Hey！allofyoufellows！Wine！Roundwithit！Filltheglasses！"
"Getaway！"heshoutedfrantically，observingthatDariaAlexeyevnawasapproachingtoprotestagainstNastasia’sconduct。
"Getaway，she’smine，everything’smine！She’saqueen，getaway！"
Hewaspantingwithecstasy。HewalkedroundandroundNastasiaPhilipovnaandtoldeverybodyto"keeptheirdistance。"
AlltheRogojincompanywerenowcollectedinthedrawing-room；
someweredrinking，somelaughedandtalked:allwereinthehighestandwildestspirits。Ferdishenkowasdoinghisbesttounitehimselftothem；thegeneralandTotskiagainmadeanattempttogo。Gania，toostoodhatinhandreadytogo；butseemedtobeunabletotearhiseyesawayfromthescenebeforehim"Getout，keepyourdistance！"shoutedRogojin。
"Whatareyoushoutingaboutthere！"criedNastasia"I’mnotyoursyet。ImaykickyououtforallyouknowIhaven’ttakenyourmoneyyet；thereitallisonthetableHere，givemeoverthatpacket！Isthereahundredthousandroublesinthatonepacket？Pfu！whatabominablestuffitlooks！Oh！nonsense，DariaAlexeyevna；yousurelydidnotexpectmetoruinHIM？"
(indicatingtheprince)。"Fancyhimnursingme！Why，heneedsanursehimself！Thegeneral，there，willbehisnursenow，you’llsee。Here，prince，lookhere！Yourbrideisacceptingmoney。Whatadisreputablewomanshemustbe！Andyouwishedtomarryher！
Whatareyoucryingabout？Isitabitterdose？Nevermind，youshalllaughyet。Trusttotime。"(InspiteofthesewordsthereweretwolargetearsrollingdownNastasia’sowncheeks。)"It’sfarbettertothinktwiceofitnowthanafterwards。Oh！youmustn’tcrylikethat！There’sKatiacrying，too。Whatisit，Katia，dear？IshallleaveyouandPashaalotofthings，I’velaidthemoutforyoualready；butgood-bye，now。Imadeanhonestgirllikeyouservealowwomanlikemyself。It’sbetterso，prince，itisindeed。You’dbegintodespisemeafterwards——
weshouldneverbehappy。Oh！youneedn’tswear，prince，Ishan’tbelieveyou，youknow。Howfoolishitwouldbe，too！No，no；we’dbettersaygood-byeandpartfriends。Iamabitofadreamermyself，andIusedtodreamofyouonce。VeryoftenduringthosefiveyearsdownathisestateIusedtodreamandthink，andI
alwaysimaginedjustsuchagood，honest，foolishfellowasyou，onewhoshouldcomeandsaytome:’Youareaninnocentwoman，NastasiaPhilipovna，andIadoreyou。’Idreamtofyouoften。I
usedtothinksomuchdowntherethatInearlywentmad；andthenthisfellowherewouldcomedown。Hewouldstayacoupleofmonthsoutofthetwelve，anddisgraceandinsultanddepraveme，andthengo；sothatIlongedtodrownmyselfinthepondathousandtimesover；butIdidnotdaredoit。Ihadn’ttheheart，andnow——well，areyouready，Rogojin？"
"Ready——keepyourdistance，allofyou！"
"We’reallready，"saidseveralofhisfriends。"Thetroikas[Sledgesdrawnbythreehorsesabreast。]areatthedoor，bellsandall。"
NastasiaPhilipovnaseizedthepacketofbank-notes。
"Gania，Ihaveanidea。Iwishtorecompenseyou——whyshouldyouloseall？Rogojin，wouldhecrawlforthreeroublesasfarastheVassiliostrof？
"Oh，wouldn’thejust！"
"Well，lookhere，Gania。Iwishtolookintoyourheartoncemore，forthelasttime。You’veworriedmeforthelastthreemonths——nowit’smyturn。Doyouseethispacket？Itcontainsahundredthousandroubles。Now，I’mgoingtothrowitintothefire，here——beforeallthesewitnesses。Assoonasthefirecatchesholdofit，youputyourhandsintothefireandpickitout——withoutgloves，youknow。Youmusthavebarehands，andyoumustturnyoursleevesup。Pullitout，Isay，andit’sallyours。Youmayburnyourfingersalittle，ofcourse；butthenit’sahundredthousandroubles，remember——itwon’ttakeyoulongtolayholdofitandsnatchitout。Ishallsomuchadmireyouifyouputyourhandsintothefireformymoney。Allherepresentmaybewitnessesthatthewholepacketofmoneyisyoursifyougetitout。Ifyoudon’tgetitout，itshallburn。Iwillletnooneelsecome；away——getaway，allofyou——it’smymoney！
Rogojinhasboughtmewithit。Isitmymoney，Rogojin？"
"Yes，myqueen；it’syourownmoney，myjoy。"
"Getawaythen，allofyou。IshalldoasIlikewithmyown——
don’tmeddle！Ferdishenko，makeupthefire，quick！"
"NastasiaPhilipovna，Ican’t；myhandswon’tobeyme，"saidFerdishenko，astoundedandhelplesswithbewilderment。
"Nonsense，"criedNastasiaPhilipovna，seizingthepokerandrakingacoupleoflogstogether。Nosoonerdidatongueofflameburstoutthanshethrewthepacketofnotesuponit。
Everyonegasped；someevencrossedthemselves。
"She’smad——she’smad！"wasthecry。
"Oughtn’t-oughtn’twetosecureher？"askedthegeneralofPtitsin，inawhisper；"orshallwesendfortheauthorities？
Why，she’smad，isn’tshe——isn’tshe，eh？"
"N-no，Ihardlythinksheisactuallymad，"whisperedPtitsin，whowasaswhiteashishandkerchief，andtremblinglikealeaf。
Hecouldnottakehiseyesoffthesmoulderingpacket。
"She’smadsurely，isn’tshe？"thegeneralappealedtoTotski。
"Itoldyoushewasn’tanordinarywoman，"repliedthelatter，whowasaspaleasanyone。
"Oh，but，positively，youknow——ahundredthousandroubles！"
"Goodnessgracious！goodheavens！"camefromallquartersoftheroom。
Allnowcrowdedroundthefireandthrongedtoseewhatwasgoingon；everyonelamentedandgaveventtoexclamationsofhorrorandwoe。Somejumpeduponchairsinordertogetabetterview。
DariaAlexeyevnaranintothenextroomandwhisperedexcitedlytoKatiaandPasha。ThebeautifulGermandisappearedaltogether。
"Mylady！mysovereign！"lamentedLebedeff，fallingonhiskneesbeforeNastasiaPhilipovna，andstretchingouthishandstowardsthefire；"it’sahundredthousandroubles，itisindeed，I
packeditupmyself，Isawthemoney！Myqueen，letmegetintothefireafterit——saytheword-I’llputmywholegreyheadintothefireforit！Ihaveapoorlamewifeandthirteenchildren。
Myfatherdiedofstarvationlastweek。NastasiaPhilipovna，NastasiaPhilipovna！"Thewretchedlittlemanwept，andgroaned，andcrawledtowardsthefire。
"Away，outoftheway！"criedNastasia。"Makeroom，allofyou！
Gania，whatareyoustandingtherefor？Don’tstandonceremony。
Putinyourhand！There’syourwholehappinesssmoulderingaway，look！Quick！"
ButGaniahadbornetoomuchthatday，andespeciallythisevening，andhewasnotpreparedforthislast，quiteunexpectedtrial。
ThecrowdpartedoneachsideofhimandhewasleftfacetofacewithNastasiaPhilipovna，threepacesfromher。Shestoodbythefireandwaited，withherintentgazefixeduponhim。
Ganiastoodbeforeher，inhiseveningclothes，holdinghiswhiteglovesandhatinhishand，speechlessandmotionless，witharmsfoldedandeyesfixedonthefire。
Asilly，meaninglesssmileplayedonhiswhite，death-likelips。
Hecouldnottakehiseyesoffthesmoulderingpacket；butitappearedthatsomethingnewhadcometobirthinhissoul——asthoughhewerevowingtohimselfthathewouldbearthistrial。
Hedidnotmovefromhisplace。Inafewsecondsitbecameevidenttoallthathedidnotintendtorescuethemoney。
"Hey！lookatit，it’llburninanotherminuteortwo！"criedNastasiaPhilipovna。"You’llhangyourselfafterwards，youknow，ifitdoes！I’mnotjoking。"
Thefire，chokedbetweenacoupleofsmoulderingpiecesofwood，haddieddownforthefirstfewmomentsafterthepacketwasthrownuponit。Butalittletongueoffirenowbegantolickthepaperfrombelow，andsoon，gatheringcourage，mountedthesidesoftheparcel，andcreptaroundit。Inanothermoment，thewholeofitburstintoflames，andtheexclamationsofwoeandhorrorwereredoubled。
"NastasiaPhilipovna！"lamentedLebedeffagain，strainingtowardsthefireplace；butRogojindraggedhimaway，andpushedhimtotherearoncemore。
ThewholeofRegojin’sbeingwasconcentratedinonerapturousgazeofecstasy。HecouldnottakehiseyesoffNastasia。Hestooddrinkingherin，asitwere。Hewasintheseventhheavenofdelight。
"Oh，whataqueensheis！"heejaculated，everyotherminute，throwingouttheremarkforanyonewholikedtocatchit。"That’sthesortofwomanforme！Whichofyouwouldthinkofdoingathinglikethat，youblackguards，eh？"heyelled。Hewashopelesslyandwildlybesidehimselfwithecstasy。
Theprincewatchedthewholescene，silentanddejected。
"I’llpullitoutwithmyteethforonethousand，"saidFerdishenko。
"SowouldI，"saidanother，frombehind，"withpleasure。Deviltakethething！"headded，inatempestofdespair，"itwillallbeburntupinaminute——It’sburning，it’sburning！"
"It’sburning，it’sburning！"criedall，throngingnearerandnearertothefireintheirexcitement。
"Gania，don’tbeafool！Itellyouforthelasttime。"
"Geton，quick！"shriekedFerdishenko，rushingwildlyuptoGania，andtryingtodraghimtothefirebythesleeveofhiscoat。"Getit，youdummy，it’sburningawayfast！Oh——DAMNthething！"
GaniahurledFerdishenkofromhim；thenheturnedsharproundandmadeforthedoor。Buthehadnotgoneacoupleofstepswhenhetotteredandfelltotheground。
"He’sfainted！"thecrywentround。
"Andthemoney’sburningstill，"Lebedefflamented。
"Burningfornothing，"shoutedothers。
"Katia-Pasha！Bringhimsomewater！"criedNastasiaPhilipovna。
Thenshetookthetongsandfishedoutthepacket。
Nearlythewholeoftheoutercoveringwasburnedaway，butitwassoonevidentthatthecontentswerehardlytouched。Thepackethadbeenwrappedinathreefoldcoveringofnewspaper，andthe，notesweresafe。Allbreathedmorefreely。
"Somedirtylittlethousandorsomaybetouched，"saidLebedeff，immenselyrelieved，"butthere’sverylittleharmdone，afterall。"
"It’sallhis——thewholepacketisforhim，doyouhear——allofyou？"criedNastasiaPhilipovna，placingthepacketbythesideofGania。"Herestrainedhimself，anddidn’tgoafterit；sohisself-respectisgreaterthanhisthirstformoney。Allright——
he’llcometodirectly——hemusthavethepacketorhe’llcuthisthroatafterwards。There！He’scomingtohimself。General，Totski，allofyou，didyouhearme？ThemoneyisallGania’s。I
giveittohim，fullyconsciousofmyaction，asrecompensefor——
well，foranythinghethinksbest。Tellhimso。Letitlieherebesidehim。Offwego，Rogojin！Goodbye，prince。Ihaveseenamanforthefirsttimeinmylife。Goodbye，AfanasyIvanovitch——
andthanks！"
TheRogojingangfollowedtheirleaderandNastasiaPhilipovnatotheentrance-hall，laughingandshoutingandwhistling。
Inthehalltheservantswerewaiting，andhandedherherfurcloak。Martha，thecook，raninfromthekitchen。Nastasiakissedthemallround。
"Areyoureallythrowingusallover，littlemother？Where，whereareyougoingto？Andonyourbirthday，too！"criedthefourgirls，cryingoverherandkissingherhands。
"Iamgoingoutintotheworld，Katia；perhapsIshallbealaundress。Idon’tknow。NomoreofAfanasyIvanovitch，anyhow。
Givehimmyrespects。Don’tthinkbadlyofme，girls。"
Theprincehurrieddowntothefrontgatewherethepartyweresettlingintothetroikas，allthebellstinklingamerryaccompanimentthewhile。Thegeneralcaughthimuponthestairs:
"Prince，prince！"hecried，seizingholdofhisarm，"recollectyourself！Dropher，prince！Youseewhatsortofawomansheis。
Iamspeakingtoyoulikeafather。"
Theprinceglancedathim，butsaidnothing。Heshookhimselffree，andrushedondownstairs。
Thegeneralwasjustintimetoseetheprincetakethefirstsledgehecouldget，and，givingtheordertoEkaterinhof，startoffinpursuitofthetroikas。Thenthegeneral’sfinegreyhorsedraggedthatworthyhome，withsomenewthoughts，andsomenewhopesandcalculationsdevelopinginhisbrain，andwiththepearlsinhispocket，forhehadnotforgottentobringthemalongwithhim，beingamanofbusiness。Amidhisnewthoughtsandideastherecame，onceortwice，theimageofNastasiaPhilipovna。Thegeneralsighed。
"I’msorry，reallysorry，"hemuttered。"She’saruinedwoman。
Mad！mad！However，theprinceisnotforNastasiaPhilipovnanow，——perhapsit’saswell。"
TwomoreofNastasia’sguests，whowalkedashortdistancetogether，indulgedinhighmoralsentimentsofasimilarnature。
"Doyouknow，Totski，thisisallverylikewhattheysaygoesonamongtheJapanese？"saidPtitsin。"Theoffendedpartythere，theysay，marchesofftohisinsulterandsaystohim，’Youinsultedme，soIhavecometoripmyselfopenbeforeyoureyes；’
andwiththesewordshedoesactuallyriphisstomachopenbeforehisenemy，andconsiders，doubtless，thatheishavingallpossibleandnecessarysatisfactionandrevenge。Therearestrangecharactersintheworld，sir！"
"H’m！andyouthinktherewassomethingofthissorthere，doyou？Dearme——averyremarkablecomparison，youknow！Butyoumusthaveobserved，mydearPtitsin，thatIdidallIpossiblycould。IcoulddonomorethanIdid。Andyoumustadmitthattherearesomerarequalitiesinthiswoman。IfeltIcouldnotspeakinthatBedlam，orIshouldhavebeentemptedtocryout，whenshereproachedme，thatsheherselfwasmybestjustification。Suchawomancouldmakeanyoneforgetallreason——
everything！Eventhatmoujik，Rogojin，yousaw，broughtherahundredthousandroubles！Ofcourse，allthathappenedtonightwasephemeral，fantastic，unseemly——yetitlackedneithercolournororiginality。MyGod！Whatmightnothavebeenmadeofsuchacharactercombinedwithsuchbeauty！Yetinspiteofallefforts——inspiteofalleducation，even——allthosegiftsarewasted！Sheisanuncutdiamond……Ihaveoftensaidso。"
AndAfanasyIvanovitchheavedadeepsigh。
PARTII
I。
TwodaysafterthestrangeconclusiontoNastasiaPhilipovna’sbirthdayparty，withtherecordofwhichweconcludedthefirstpartofthisstory，PrinceMuishkinhurriedlyleftSt。PetersburgforMoscow，inordertoseeaftersomebusinessconnectedwiththereceiptofhisunexpectedfortune。
Itwassaidthattherewereotherreasonsforhishurrieddeparture；butastothis，andastohismovementsinMoscow，andastohisprolongedabsencefromSt。Petersburg，weareabletogiveverylittleinformation。
Theprincewasawayforsixmonths，andeventhosewhoweremostinterestedinhisdestinywereabletopickupverylittlenewsabouthimallthatwhile。True，certainrumoursdidreachhisfriends，butthesewerebothstrangeandrare，andeachonecontradictedthelast。
OfcoursetheEpanchinfamilywasmuchinterestedinhismovements，thoughhehadnothadtimetobidthemfarewellbeforehisdeparture。Thegeneral，however，hadhadanopportunityofseeinghimonceortwicesincetheeventfulevening，andhadspokenveryseriouslywithhim；butthoughhehadseentheprince，asIsay，hetoldhisfamilynothingaboutthecircumstance。Infact，foramonthorsoafterhisdepartureitwasconsiderednotthethingtomentiontheprince’snameintheEpanchinhousehold。OnlyMrs。Epanchin，atthecommencementofthisperiod，hadannouncedthatshehadbeen"cruellymistakenintheprince！"andadayortwoafter，shehadadded，evidentlyalludingtohim，butnotmentioninghisname，thatitwasanunalterablecharacteristicofherstobemistakeninpeople。Thenoncemore，tendayslater，aftersomepassageofarmswithoneofherdaughters，shehadremarkedsententiously。"Wehavehadenoughofmistakes。Ishallbemorecarefulinfuture！"However，itwasimpossibletoavoidremarkingthattherewassomesenseofoppressioninthehousehold——somethingunspoken，butfelt；
somethingstrained。Allthemembersofthefamilyworefrowninglooks。Thegeneralwasunusuallybusy；hisfamilyhardlyeversawhim。
Astothegirls，nothingwassaidopenly，atallevents；andprobablyverylittleinprivate。Theywereprouddamsels，andwerenotalwaysperfectlyconfidentialevenamongthemselves。Buttheyunderstoodeachotherthoroughlyatthefirstwordonalloccasions；veryoftenatthefirstglance，sothattherewasnoneedofmuchtalkingasarule。
Onefact，atleast，wouldhavebeenperfectlyplaintoanoutsider，hadanysuchpersonbeenonthespot；andthatwas，thattheprincehadmadeaveryconsiderableimpressionuponthefamily，inspiteofthefactthathehadbutoncebeeninsidethehouse，andthenonlyforashorttime。Ofcourse，ifanalyzed，thisimpressionmighthaveprovedtobenothingmorethanafeelingofcuriosity；butbeitwhatitmight，thereitundoubtedlywas。
Littlebylittle，therumoursspreadabouttownbecamelostinamazeofuncertainty。Itwassaidthatsomefoolishyoungprince，nameunknown，hadsuddenlycomeintopossessionofagiganticfortune，andhadmarriedaFrenchballetdancer。Thiswascontradicted，andtherumourcirculatedthatitwasayoungmerchantwhohadcomeintotheenormousfortuneandmarriedthegreatballetdancer，andthatattheweddingthedrunkenyoungfoolhadburnedseventythousandroublesatacandleoutofpurebravado。
However，alltheserumourssoondieddown，towhichcircumstancecertainfactslargelycontributed。Forinstance，thewholeoftheRogojintroophaddeparted，withhimattheirhead，forMoscow。
ThiswasexactlyaweekafteradreadfulorgyattheEkaterinhofgardens，whereNastasiaPhilipovnahadbeenpresent。ItbecameknownthatafterthisorgyNastasiaPhilipovnahadentirelydisappeared，andthatshehadsincebeentracedtoMoscow；sothattheexodusoftheRogojinbandwasfoundconsistentwiththisreport。
TherewererumourscurrentastoGania，too；butcircumstancessooncontradictedthese。Hehadfallenseriouslyill，andhisillnessprecludedhisappearanceinsociety，andevenatbusiness，foroveramonth。Assoonashehadrecovered，however，hethrewuphissituationinthepubliccompanyunderGeneralEpanchin’sdirection，forsomeunknownreason，andthepostwasgiventoanother。HeneverwentneartheEpanchins’houseatall，andwasexceedinglyirritableanddepressed。
VarvaraArdalionovnamarriedPtitsinthiswinter，anditwassaidthatthefactofGania’sretirementfrombusinesswastheultimatecauseofthemarriage，sinceGaniawasnownotonlyunabletosupporthisfamily，butevenrequiredhelphimself。
WemaymentionthatGaniawasnolongermentionedintheEpanchinhouseholdanymorethantheprincewas；butthatacertaincircumstanceinconnectionwiththefataleveningatNastasia’shousebecameknowntothegeneral，and，infact，toallthefamilytheverynextday。ThisfactwasthatGaniahadcomehomethatnight，buthadrefusedtogotobed。Hehadawaitedtheprince’sreturnfromEkaterinhofwithfeverishimpatience。
Onthelatter’sarrival，atsixinthemorning，Ganiahadgonetohiminhisroom，bringingwithhimthesingedpacketofmoney，whichhehadinsistedthattheprinceshouldreturntoNastasiaPhilipovnawithoutdelay。ItwassaidthatwhenGaniaenteredtheprince’sroom，hecamewithanythingbutfriendlyfeelings，andinaconditionofdespairandmisery；butthatafterashortconversation，hehadstayedonforacoupleofhourswithhim，sobbingcontinuouslyandbitterlythewholetime。Theyhadpartedupontermsofcordialfriendship。
TheEpanchinsheardaboutthis，aswellasabouttheepisodeatNastasiaPhilipovna’s。Itwasstrange，perhaps，thatthefactsshouldbecomesoquickly，andfairlyaccurately，known。AsfarasGaniawasconcerned，itmighthavebeensupposedthatthenewshadcomethroughVarvaraArdalionovna，whohadsuddenlybecomeafrequentvisitoroftheEpanchingirls，greatlytotheirmother’ssurprise。ButthoughVarvarahadseenfit，forsomereason，tomakefriendswiththem，itwasnotlikelythatshewouldhavetalkedtothemaboutherbrother。Shehadplentyofpride，inspiteofthefactthatinthusactingshewasseekingintimacywithpeoplewhohadpracticallyshownherbrotherthedoor。SheandtheEpanchingirlshadbeenacquaintedinchildhood，althoughoflatetheyhadmetbutrarely。EvennowVarvarahardlyeverappearedinthedrawing-room，butwouldslipinbyabackway。
LizabethaProkofievna，whodislikedVarvara，althoughshehadagreatrespectforhermother，wasmuchannoyedbythissuddenintimacy，andputitdowntothegeneral"contrariness"ofherdaughters，whowere"alwaysonthelookoutforsomenewwayofopposingher。"Nevertheless，Varvaracontinuedhervisits。
AmonthafterMuishkin’sdeparture，Mrs。EpanchinreceivedaletterfromheroldfriendPrincessBielokonski(whohadlatelyleftforMoscow)，whichletterputherintothegreatestgoodhumour。Shedidnotdivulgeitscontentseithertoherdaughtersorthegeneral，butherconducttowardstheformerbecameaffectionateintheextreme。Sheevenmadesomesortofconfessiontothem，buttheywereunabletounderstandwhatitwasabout。Sheactuallyrelaxedtowardsthegeneralalittle——hehadbeenlongdisgraced——andthoughshemanagedtoquarrelwiththemallthenextday，yetshesooncameround，andfromhergeneralbehaviouritwastobeconcludedthatshehadbadgoodnewsofsomesort，whichshewouldlike，butcouldnotmakeuphermind，todisclose。
However，aweeklatershereceivedanotherletterfromthesamesource，andatlastresolvedtospeak。
ShesolemnlyannouncedthatshehadheardfromoldPrincessBielokonski，whohadgivenhermostcomfortingnewsabout"thatqueeryoungprince。"Herfriendhadhuntedhimup，andfoundthatallwasgoingwellwithhim。Hehadsincecalledinpersonuponher，makinganextremelyfavourableimpression，fortheprincesshadreceivedhimeachdaysince，andhadintroducedhimintoseveralgoodhouses。
Thegirlscouldseethattheirmotherconcealedagreatdealfromthem，andleftoutlargepiecesoftheletterinreadingittothem。
However，theicewasbroken，anditsuddenlybecamepossibletomentiontheprince’snameagain。Andagainitbecameevidenthowverystrongwastheimpressiontheyoungmanhadmadeinthehouseholdbyhisonevisitthere。Mrs。EpanchinwassurprisedattheeffectwhichthenewsfromMoscowhaduponthegirls，andtheywerenolesssurprisedthataftersolemnlyremarkingthathermoststrikingcharacteristicwas"beingmistakeninpeople"
sheshouldhavetroubledtoobtainfortheprincethefavourandprotectionofsopowerfulanoldladyasthePrincessBielokonski。Assoonastheicewasthusbroken，thegenerallostnotimeinshowingthathe，too，tookthegreatestinterestinthesubject。Headmittedthathewasinterested，butsaidthatitwasmerelyinthebusinesssideofthequestion。Itappearedthat，intheinterestsoftheprince，hehadmadearrangementsinMoscowforacarefulwatchtobekeptupontheprince’sbusinessaffairs，andespeciallyuponSalaskin。Allthathadbeensaidastotheprincebeinganundoubtedheirtoafortuneturnedouttobeperfectlytrue；butthefortuneprovedtobemuchsmallerthanwasatfirstreported。Theestatewasconsiderablyencumberedwithdebts；creditorsturneduponallsides，andtheprince，inspiteofalladviceandentreaty，insisteduponmanagingallmattersofclaimhimself——which，ofcourse，meantsatisfyingeverybodyallround，althoughhalftheclaimswereabsolutelyfraudulent。
Mrs。Epanchinconfirmedallthis。Shesaidtheprincesshadwrittentomuchthesameeffect，andaddedthattherewasnocuringafool。Butitwasplain，fromherexpressionofface，howstronglysheapprovedofthisparticularyoungfool’sdoings。Inconclusion，thegeneralobservedthathiswifetookasgreataninterestintheprinceasthoughhewereherownson；andthatshehadcommencedtobeespeciallyaffectionatetowardsAglayawasaself-evidentfact。
Allthiscausedthegeneraltolookgraveandimportant。But，alas！thisagreeablestateofaffairsverysoonchangedoncemore。
Acoupleofweekswentby，andsuddenlythegeneralandhiswifewereoncemoregloomyandsilent，andtheicewasasfirmasever。Thefactwas，thegeneral，whohadheardfirst，howNastasiaPhilipovnahadfledtoMoscowandhadbeendiscoveredtherebyRogojin；thatshehadthendisappearedoncemore，andbeenfoundagainbyRogojin，andhowafterthatshehadalmostpromisedtomarryhim，nowreceivednewsthatshehadoncemoredisappeared，almostontheverydayfixedforherwedding，flyingsomewhereintotheinteriorofRussiathistime，andthatPrinceMuishkinhadleftallhisaffairsinthehandsofSalaskinanddisappearedalso——butwhetherhewaswithNastasia，orhadonlysetoffinsearchofher，wasunknown。
LizabethaProkofievnareceivedconfirmatorynewsfromtheprincess——andalas，twomonthsaftertheprince’sfirstdeparturefromSt。Petersburg，darknessandmysteryoncemoreenvelopedhiswhereaboutsandactions，andintheEpanchinfamilytheiceofsilenceoncemoreformedoverthesubject。Varia，however，informedthegirlsofwhathadhappened，shehavingreceivedthenewsfromPtitsin，whogenerallyknewmorethanmostpeople。
Tomakeanend，wemaysaythatthereweremanychangesintheEpanchinhouseholdinthespring，sothatitwasnotdifficulttoforgettheprince，whosentnonewsofhimself。
TheEpanchinfamilyhadatlastmadeuptheirmindstospendthesummerabroad，allexceptthegeneral，whocouldnotwastetimein"travellingforenjoyment，"ofcourse。Thisarrangementwasbroughtaboutbythepersistenceofthegirls，whoinsistedthattheywereneverallowedtogoabroadbecausetheirparentsweretooanxioustomarrythemoff。Perhapstheirparentshadatlastcometotheconclusionthathusbandsmightbefoundabroad，andthatasummer’stravelmightbearfruit。ThemarriagebetweenAlexandraandTotskihadbeenbrokenoff。Sincetheprince’sdeparturefromSt。Petersburgnomorehadbeensaidaboutit；thesubjecthadbeendroppedwithoutceremony，muchtothejoyofMrs。General，who，announcedthatshewas"readytocrossherselfwithbothhands"ingratitudefortheescape。Thegeneral，however，regrettedTotskiforalongwhile。"Suchafortune！"hesighed，"andsuchagood，easy-goingfellow！"
AfteratimeitbecameknownthatTotskihadmarriedaFrenchmarquise，andwastobecarriedoffbyhertoParis，andthentoBrittany。
"Oh，well，"thoughtthegeneral，"he’slosttousforgood，now。"
SotheEpanchinspreparedtodepartforthesummer。
Butnowanothercircumstanceoccurred，whichchangedalltheplansoncemore，andagaintheintendedjourneywasputoff，muchtothedelightofthegeneralandhisspouse。
AcertainPrinceS——arrivedinSt。PetersburgfromMoscow，aneminentandhonourableyoungman。Hewasoneofthoseactivepersonswhoalwaysfindsomegoodworkwithwhichtoemploythemselves。Withoutforcinghimselfuponthepublicnotice，modestandunobtrusive，thisyoungprincewasconcernedwithmuchthathappenedintheworldingeneral。
Hehadserved，atfirst，inoneofthecivildepartments，hadthenattendedtomattersconnectedwiththelocalgovernmentofprovincialtowns，andhadoflatebeenacorrespondingmemberofseveralimportantscientificsocieties。Hewasamanofexcellentfamilyandsolidmeans，aboutthirty-fiveyearsofage。
PrinceS——madetheacquaintanceofthegeneral’sfamily，andAdelaida，thesecondgirl，madeagreatimpressionuponhim。
Towardsthespringheproposedtoher，andsheacceptedhim。Thegeneralandhiswifeweredelighted。Thejourneyabroadwasputoff，andtheweddingwasfixedforadaynotverydistant。
ThetripabroadmighthavebeenenjoyedlateronbyMrs。Epanchinandhertworemainingdaughters，butforanothercircumstance。
ItsohappenedthatPrinceS——introducedadistantrelationofhisownintotheEpanchinfamily——oneEvgeniePavlovitch，ayoungofficerofabouttwenty-eightyearsofage，whoseconquestsamongtheladiesinMoscowhadbeenproverbial。ThisyounggentlemannosoonerseteyesonAglayathanhebecameafrequentvisitoratthehouse。Hewaswitty，well-educated，andextremelywealthy，asthegeneralverysoondiscovered。Hispastreputationwastheonlythingagainsthim。
Nothingwassaid；therewerenotevenanyhintsdropped；butstill，itseemedbettertotheparentstosaynothingmoreaboutgoingabroadthisseason，atallevents。Aglayaherselfperhapswasofadifferentopinion。
Allthishappenedjustbeforethesecondappearanceofourherouponthescene。
Bythistime，tojudgefromappearances，poorPrinceMuishkinhadbeenquiteforgotteninSt。Petersburg。Ifhehadappearedsuddenlyamonghisacquaintances，hewouldhavebeenreceivedasonefromtheskies；butwemustjustglanceatonemorefactbeforeweconcludethispreface。
ColiaIvolgin，forsometimeaftertheprince’sdeparture，continuedhisoldlife。Thatis，hewenttoschool，lookedafterhisfather，helpedVariainthehouse，andranhererrands，andwentfrequentlytoseehisfriend，Hippolyte。
Thelodgershaddisappearedveryquickly——FerdishenkosoonaftertheeventsatNastasiaPhilipovna’s，whiletheprincewenttoMoscow，asweknow。GaniaandhismotherwenttolivewithVariaandPtitsinimmediatelyafterthelatter’swedding，whilethegeneralwashousedinadebtor’sprisonbyreasonofcertainIOU’sgiventothecaptain’swidowundertheimpressionthattheywouldneverbeformallyusedagainsthim。ThisunkindactionmuchsurprisedpoorArdalionAlexandrovitch，thevictim，ashecalledhimself，ofan"unboundedtrustinthenobilityofthehumanheart。"
Whenhesignedthosenotesofhand，heneverdreamtthattheywouldbeasourceoffuturetrouble。Theeventshowedthathewasmistaken。
"Trustinanyoneafterthis！Havetheleastconfidenceinmanorwoman！"
hecriedinbittertones，ashesatwithhisnewfriendsinprison，andrecountedtothemhisfavouritestoriesofthesiegeofKars，andtheresuscitatedsoldier。Onthewhole，heaccommodatedhimselfverywelltohisnewposition。PtitsinandVariadeclaredthathewasintherightplace，andGaniawasofthesameopinion。TheonlypersonwhodeploredhisfatewaspoorNinaAlexandrovna，whoweptbittertearsoverhim，tothegreatsurpriseofherhousehold，and，thoughalwaysinfeeblehealth，madeapointofgoingtoseehimasoftenaspossible。
Sincethegeneral’s"mishap，"asColiacalledit，andthemarriageofhissister，theboyhadquietlypossessedhimselfoffarmorefreedom。Hisrelationssawlittleofhim，forherarelysleptathome。Hemademanynewfriends；andwasmoreover，afrequentvisitoratthedebtor’sprison，towhichheinvariablyaccompaniedhismother。Varia，whousedtobealwayscorrectinghim，neverspoketohimnowonthesubjectofhisfrequentabsences，andthewholehouseholdwassurprisedtoseeGania，inspiteofhisdepression，onquitefriendlytermswithhisbrother。Thiswassomethingnew，forGaniahadbeenwonttolookuponColiaasakindoferrand-boy，treatinghimwithcontempt，threateningto"pullhisears，"andingeneraldrivinghimalmostwildwithirritation。ItseemednowthatGaniareallyneededhisbrother，andthelatter，forhispart，feltasifhecouldforgiveGaniamuchsincehehadreturnedthehundredthousandroublesofferedtohimbyNastasiaPhilipovna。Threemonthsafterthedepartureoftheprince，theIvolginfamilydiscoveredthatColiahadmadeacquaintancewiththeEpanchins，andwasonveryfriendlytermswiththedaughters。Variaheardofitfirst，thoughColiahadnotaskedhertointroducehim。Littlebylittlethefamilygrewquitefondofhim。MadameEpanchinatfirstlookedonhimwithdisdain，andreceivedhimcoldly，butinashorttimehegrewtopleaseher，because，asshesaid，he"wascandidandnoflatterer"——averytruedescription。Fromthefirstheputhimselfonanequalitywithhisnewfriends，andthoughhesometimesreadnewspapersandbookstothemistressofthehouse，itwassimplybecausehelikedtobeuseful。
Oneday，however，heandLizabethaProkofievnaquarrelledseriouslyaboutthe"womanquestion，"inthecourseofalivelydiscussiononthatburningsubject。Hetoldherthatshewasatyrant，andthathewouldneversetfootinherhouseagain。Itmayseemincredible，butadayortwoafter，MadameEpanchinsentaservantwithanotebegginghimtoreturn，andColia，withoutstandingonhisdignity，didsoatonce。
Aglayawastheonlyoneofthefamilywhosegoodgraceshecouldnotgain，andwhoalwaysspoketohimhaughtily，butitsohappenedthattheboyonedaysucceededingivingtheproudmaidenasurprise。
ItwasaboutEaster，when，takingadvantageofamomentarytete-
a-teteColiahandedAglayaaletter，remarkingthathe"hadorderstodeliverittoherprivately。"Shestaredathiminamazement，buthedidnotwaittohearwhatshehadtosay，andwentout。Aglayabroketheseal，andreadasfollows:
"Onceyoudidmethehonourofgivingmeyourconfidence。Perhapsyouhavequiteforgottenmenow！HowisitthatIamwritingtoyou？Idonotknow；butIamconsciousofanirresistibledesiretoremindyouofmyexistence，especiallyyou。HowmanytimesI
haveneededallthreeofyou；butonlyyouhavedweltalwaysinmymind’seye。Ineedyou——Ineedyouverymuch。Iwillnotwriteaboutmyself。Ihavenothingtotellyou。ButIlongforyoutobehappy。AREyouhappy？ThatisallIwishedtosaytoyou——Yourbrother，"PR。L。MUISHKIN。"
Onreadingthisshortanddisconnectednote，Aglayasuddenlyblushedallover，andbecameverythoughtful。
Itwouldbedifficulttodescribeherthoughtsatthatmoment。
Oneofthemwas，"ShallIshowittoanyone？"Butshewasashamedtoshowit。Sosheendedbyhidingitinhertabledrawer，withaverystrange，ironicalsmileuponherlips。
Nextday，shetookitout，andputitintoalargebook，assheusuallydidwithpaperswhichshewantedtobeabletofindeasily。Shelaughedwhen，aboutaweeklater，shehappenedtonoticethenameofthebook，andsawthatitwasDonQuixote，butitwouldbedifficulttosayexactlywhy。
Icannotsay，either，whethersheshowedthelettertohersisters。
Butwhenshehadreaditherselfoncemore，itsuddenlystruckherthatsurelythatconceitedboy，Colia，hadnotbeentheonechosencorrespondentoftheprinceallthiswhile。Shedeterminedtoaskhim，anddidsowithanexaggeratedshowofcarelessness。
Heinformedherhaughtilythatthoughhehadgiventheprincehispermanentaddresswhenthelatterlefttown，andhadofferedhisservices，theprincehadneverbeforegivenhimanycommissiontoperform，norhadhewrittenuntilthefollowinglinesarrived，withAglaya’sletter。Aglayatookthenote，andreadit。
"DEARCOLIA，——PleasebesokindastogivetheenclosedsealedlettertoAglayaIvanovna。Keepwell——Everyourloving，"PR。L。MUISHKIN。"
"Itseemsabsurdtotrustalittlepepper-boxlikeyou，"saidAglaya，asshereturnedthenote，andwalkedpastthe"pepper-
box"withanexpressionofgreatcontempt。
ThiswasmorethanColiacouldbear。HehadactuallyborrowedGania’snewgreentiefortheoccasion，withoutsayingwhyhewantedit，inordertoimpressher。Hewasverydeeplymortified。
ITwasthebeginningofJune，andforawholeweektheweatherinSt。Petersburghadbeenmagnificent。TheEpanchinshadaluxuriouscountry-houseatPavlofsk，[OneofthefashionablesummerresortsnearSt。Petersburg。]andtothisspotMrs。
Epanchindeterminedtoproceedwithoutfurtherdelay。Inacoupleofdaysallwasready，andthefamilyhadlefttown。AdayortwoafterthisremovaltoPavlofsk，PrinceMuishkinarrivedinSt。
PetersburgbythemorningtrainfromMoscow。Noonemethim；but，ashesteppedoutofthecarriage，hesuddenlybecameawareoftwostrangelyglowingeyesfixeduponhimfromamongthecrowdthatmetthetrain。Onendeavouringtore-discovertheeyes，andseetowhomtheybelonged，hecouldfindnothingtoguidehim。Itmusthavebeenahallucination。Butthedisagreeableimpressionremained，andwithoutthis，theprincewassadandthoughtfulalready，andseemedtobemuchpreoccupied。
HiscabtookhimtoasmallandbadhotelneartheLitaynaya。
Hereheengagedacoupleofrooms，darkandbadlyfurnished。Hewashedandchanged，andhurriedlyleftthehotelagain，asthoughanxioustowastenotime。AnyonewhonowsawhimforthefirsttimesinceheleftPetersburgwouldjudgethathehadimprovedvastlysofarashisexteriorwasconcerned。Hisclothescertainlywereverydifferent；theyweremorefashionable，perhapseventoomuchso，andanyoneinclinedtomockerymighthavefoundsomethingtosmileatinhisappearance。Butwhatistherethatpeoplewillnotsmileat？
TheprincetookacabanddrovetoastreetneartheNativity，wherehesoondiscoveredthehousehewasseeking。Itwasasmallwoodenvilla，andhewasstruckbyitsattractiveandcleanappearance；itstoodinapleasantlittlegarden，fullofflowers。Thewindowslookingonthestreetwereopen，andthesoundofavoice，readingaloudormakingaspeech，camethroughthem。Itroseattimestoashout，andwasinterruptedoccasionallybyburstsoflaughter。
PrinceMuishkinenteredthecourt-yard，andascendedthesteps。A
cookwithhersleevesturneduptotheelbowsopenedthedoor。
ThevisitoraskedifMr。Lebedeffwereathome。
"Heisinthere，"saidshe，pointingtothesalon。
Theroomhadabluewall-paper，andwaswell，almostpretentiously，furnished，withitsroundtable，itsdivan，anditsbronzeclockunderaglassshade。Therewasanarrowpier-
glassagainstthewall，andachandelieradornedwithlustreshungbyabronzechainfromtheceiling。
Whentheprinceentered，Lebedeffwasstandinginthemiddleoftheroom，hisbacktothedoor。Hewasinhisshirt-sleeves，onaccountoftheextremeheat，andheseemedtohavejustreachedtheperorationofhisspeech，andwasimpressivelybeatinghisbreast。
Hisaudienceconsistedofayouthofaboutfifteenyearsofagewithacleverface，whohadabookinhishand，thoughhewasnotreading；ayoungladyoftwenty，indeepmourning，stoodnearhimwithaninfantinherarms；anothergirlofthirteen，alsoinblack，waslaughingloudly，hermouthwideopen；andonthesofalayahandsomeyoungman，withblackhairandeyes，andasuspicionofbeardandwhiskers。Hefrequentlyinterruptedthespeakerandarguedwithhim，tothegreatdelightoftheothers。
"LukianTimofeyovitch！LukianTimofeyovitch！Here’ssomeonetoseeyou！Lookhere！……agentlemantospeaktoyou！……
Well，it’snotmyfault！"andthecookturnedandwentawayredwithanger。
Lebedeffstarted，andatsightoftheprincestoodlikeastatueforamoment。Thenhemoveduptohimwithaningratiatingsmile，butstoppedshortagain。
"Prince！ex-ex-excellency！"hestammered。Thensuddenlyherantowardsthegirlwiththeinfant，amovementsounexpectedbyherthatshestaggeredandfellback，butnextmomenthewasthreateningtheotherchild，whowasstanding，stilllaughing，inthedoorway。Shescreamed，andrantowardsthekitchen。Lebedeffstampedhisfootangrily；then，seeingtheprinceregardinghimwithamazement，hemurmuredapologetically——"Pardontoshowrespect！……he-he！"
"Youarequitewrong……"begantheprince。
"Atonce……atonce……inonemoment！"
Herushedlikeawhirlwindfromtheroom，andMuishkinlookedinquiringlyattheothers。
Theywerealllaughing，andtheguestjoinedinthechorus。
"Hehasgonetogethiscoat，"saidtheboy。
"Howannoying！"exclaimedtheprince。"Ithought……Tellme，ishe……"
"Youthinkheisdrunk？"criedtheyoungmanonthesofa。"Notintheleast。He’sonlyhadthreeorfoursmallglasses，perhapsfive；butwhatisthat？Theusualthing！"
Astheprinceopenedhismouthtoanswer，hewasinterruptedbythegirl，whosesweetfaceworeanexpressionofabsolutefrankness。
"Heneverdrinksmuchinthemorning；ifyouhavecometotalkbusinesswithhim，doitnow。Itisthebesttime。Hesometimescomesbackdrunkintheevening；butjustnowhepassesthegreaterpartoftheeveningintears，andreadspassagesofHolyScripturealoud，becauseourmotherdiedfiveweeksago。"
"Nodoubtheranoffbecausehedidnotknowwhattosaytoyou，"
saidtheyouthonthedivan。"Ibetheistryingtocheatyou，andisthinkinghowbesttodoit。"
JustthenLebedeffreturned，havingputonhiscoat。
"Fiveweeks！"saidhe，wipinghiseyes。"Onlyfiveweeks！Poororphans！"
"Butwhywearacoatinholes，"askedthegirl，"whenyournewoneishangingbehindthedoor？Didyounotseeit？"
"Holdyourtongue，dragon-fly！"hescolded。"Whataplagueyouare！"Hestampedhisfootirritably，butsheonlylaughed，andanswered:
"Areyoutryingtofrightenme？IamnotTania，youknow，andI
don’tintendtorunaway。Look，youarewakingLubotchka，andshewillhaveconvulsionsagain。Whydoyoushoutlikethat？"
"Well，well！Iwon’tagain，"saidthemasterofthehousehisanxietygettingthebetterofhistemper。Hewentuptohisdaughter，andlookedatthechildinherarms，anxiouslymakingthesignofthecrossoverherthreetimes。"Godblessher！Godblessher！"hecriedwithemotion。"ThislittlecreatureismydaughterLuboff，"addressingtheprince。"Mywife，Helena，died——
atherbirth；andthisismybigdaughterVera，inmourning，asyousee；andthis，this，oh，thispointingtotheyoungmanonthedivan……
"Well，goon！nevermindme！"mockedtheother。"Don’tbeafraid！"
"Excellency！HaveyoureadthataccountofthemurderoftheZemarinfamily，inthenewspaper？"criedLebedeff，allofasudden。
"Yes，"saidMuishkin，withsomesurprise。
"Well，thatisthemurderer！Itishe——infact——"
"Whatdoyoumean？"askedthevisitor。
"Iamspeakingallegorically，ofcourse；buthewillbethemurdererofaZemarinfamilyinthefuture。Heisgettingready……"
Theyalllaughed，andthethoughtcrossedtheprince’smindthatperhapsLebedeffwasreallytriflinginthiswaybecauseheforesawinconvenientquestions，andwantedtogaintime。
"Heisatraitor！aconspirator！"shoutedLebedeff，whoseemedtohavelostallcontroloverhimself。"Amonster！aslanderer！
OughtItotreathimasanephew，thesonofmysisterAnisia？"
"Oh！dobequiet！Youmustbedrunk！Hehastakenitintohisheadtoplaythelawyer，prince，andhepracticesspeechifying，andisalwaysrepeatinghiseloquentpleadingstohischildren。
Andwhodoyouthinkwashislastclient？Anoldwomanwhohadbeenrobbedoffivehundredroubles，herall，bysomerogueofausurer，besoughthimtotakeuphercase，insteadofwhichhedefendedtheusurerhimself，aJewnamedZeidler，becausethisJewpromisedtogivehimfiftyroubles……"
"ItwastobefiftyifIwonthecase，onlyfiveifIlost，"
interruptedLebedeff，speakinginalowtone，agreatcontrasttohisearliermanner。
"Well！naturallyhecametogrief:thelawisnotadministeredasitusedtobe，andheonlygotlaughedatforhispains。Buthewasmuchpleasedwithhimselfinspiteofthat。’Mostlearnedjudge！’saidhe，’picturethisunhappyman，crippledbyageandinfirmities，whogainshislivingbyhonourabletoil——picturehim，Irepeat，robbedofhisall，ofhislastmouthful；remember，I
entreatyou，thewordsofthatlearnedlegislator，"Letmercyandjusticealikerulethecourtsoflaw。"’Now，wouldyoubelieveit，excellency，everymorningherecitesthisspeechtousfrombeginningtoend，exactlyashespokeitbeforethemagistrate。
To-daywehavehearditforthefifthtime。Hewasjuststartingagainwhenyouarrived，somuchdoesheadmireit。Heisnowpreparingtoundertakeanothercase。Ithink，bytheway，thatyouarePrinceMuishkin？Coliatellsmeyouarethecleverestmanhehaseverknown……"
"Thecleverestintheworld，"interruptedhisunclehastily。
"Idonotpaymuchattentiontothatopinion，"continuedtheyoungmancalmly。"Coliaisveryfondofyou，buthe，"pointingtoLebedeff，"isflatteringyou。IcanassureyouIhavenointentionofflatteringyou，oranyoneelse，butatleastyouhavesomecommon-sense。Well，willyoujudgebetweenus？Shallweasktheprincetoactasarbitrator？"hewenton，addressinghisuncle。
"Iamsogladyouchancedtocomehere，prince。"
"Iagree，"saidLebedeff，firmly，lookingroundinvoluntarilyathisdaughter，whohadcomenearer，andwaslisteningattentivelytotheconversation。
"Whatisitallabout？"askedtheprince，frowning。Hisheadached，andhefeltsurethatLebedeffwastryingtocheathiminsomeway，andonlytalkingtoputofftheexplanationthathehadcomefor。
"Iwilltellyouallthestory。Iamhisnephew；hedidspeakthetruththere，althoughheisgenerallytellinglies。I
amattheUniversity，andhavenotyetfinishedmycourse。Imeantodoso，andIshall，forIhaveadeterminedcharacter。Imust，however，findsomethingtodoforthepresent，andthereforeI
havegotemploymentontherailwayattwenty-fourroublesamonth。Iadmitthatmyunclehashelpedmeonceortwicebefore。
Well，Ihadtwentyroublesinmypocket，andIgambledthemaway。
CanyoubelievethatIshouldbesolow，sobase，astolosemoneyinthatway？"
"Andthemanwhowonitisarogue，aroguewhomyououghtnottohavepaid！"criedLebedeff。
"Yes，heisarogue，butIwasobligedtopayhim，"saidtheyoungman。"Astohisbeingarogue，heisassuredlythat，andI
amnotsayingitbecausehebeatyou。Heisanex-lieutenant，prince，dismissedfromtheservice，ateacherofboxing，andoneofRogojin’sfollowers。TheyareallloungingaboutthepavementsnowthatRogojinhasturnedthemoff。Ofcourse，theworstofitisthat，knowinghewasarascal，andacard-sharper，Inonethelessplayedpalkiwithhim，andriskedmylastrouble。Totellthetruth，Ithoughttomyself，’IfIlose，Iwillgotomyuncle，andIamsurehewillnotrefusetohelpme。’Nowthatwasbase-cowardlyandbase！"
"Thatisso，"observedLebedeffquietly；"cowardlyandbase。"
"Well，waitabit，beforeyoubegintotriumph，"saidthenephewviciously；forthewordsseemedtoirritatehim。"Heisdelighted！Icametohimhereandtoldhimeverything:Iactedhonourably，forIdidnotexcusemyself。Ispokemostseverelyofmyconduct，aseveryoneherecanwitness。ButImustsmartenmyselfupbeforeItakeupmynewpost，forIamreallylikeatramp。Justlookatmyboots！Icannotpossiblyappearlikethis，andifIamnotatthebureauatthetimeappointed，thejobwillbegiventosomeoneelse；andIshallhavetotryforanother。
NowIonlybegforfifteenroubles，andIgivemywordthatI
willneveraskhimforanythingagain。Iamalsoreadytopromisetorepaymydebtinthreemonths’time，andIwillkeepmyword，evenifIhavetoliveonbreadandwater。Mysalarywillamounttoseventy-fiveroublesinthreemonths。ThesumInowask，addedtowhatIhaveborrowedalready，willmakeatotalofaboutthirty-fiveroubles，soyouseeIshallhaveenoughtopayhimandconfoundhim！ifhewantsinterest，heshallhavethat，too！
Haven’tIalwayspaidbackthemoneyhelentmebefore？Whyshouldhebesomeannow？Hegrudgesmyhavingpaidthatlieutenant；therecanbenootherreason！That’sthekindheis——
adoginthemanger！"
"Andhewon’tgoaway！"criedLebedeff。"Hehasinstalledhimselfhere，andhereheremains！"
"Ihavetoldyoualready，thatIwillnotgoawayuntilIhavegotwhatIask。Whyareyousmiling，prince？Youlookasifyoudisapprovedofme。"
"Iamnotsmiling，butIreallythinkyouareinthewrong，somewhat，"repliedMuishkin，reluctantly。
"Don’tshuffle！SayplainlythatyouthinkthatIamquitewrong，withoutany’somewhat’！Why’somewhat’？"
"Iwillsayyouarequitewrong，ifyouwish。"
"IfIwish！That’sgood，Imustsay！DoyouthinkIamdeceivedastotheflagrantimproprietyofmyconduct？Iamquiteawarethathismoneyishisown，andthatmyaction-Asmuchlikeanattemptatextortion。Butyou-youdon’tknowwhatlifeis！Ifpeopledon’tlearnbyexperience，theyneverunderstand。Theymustbetaught。Myintentionsareperfectlyhonest；onmyconsciencehewilllosenothing，andIwillpaybackthemoneywithinterest。Addedtowhichhehashadthemoralsatisfactionofseeingmedisgraced。Whatdoeshewantmore？andwhatishegoodforifheneverhelpsanyone？Lookwhathedoeshimself！
justaskhimabouthisdealingswithothers，howhedeceivespeople！Howdidhemanagetobuythishouse？Youmaycutoffmyheadifhehasnotletyouinforsomething-andifheisnottryingtocheatyouagain。Youaresmiling。Youdon’tbelieveme？"
"Itseemstomethatallthishasnothingtodowithyouraffairs，"remarkedtheprince。
"Ihavelainherenowforthreedays，"criedtheyoungmanwithoutnoticing，"andIhaveseenalot！Fancy！hesuspectshisdaughter，thatangel，thatorphan，mycousin——hesuspectsher，andeveryeveninghesearchesherroom，toseeifshehasaloverhiddeninit！Hecomesheretooontiptoe，creepingsoftly——oh，sosoftly——andlooksunderthesofa——mybed，youknow。Heismadwithsuspicion，andseesathiefineverycorner。Herunsaboutallnightlong；hewasupatleastseventimeslastnight，tosatisfyhimselfthatthewindowsanddoorswerebarred，andtopeepintotheoven。Thatmanwhoappearsincourtforscoundrels，rushesinhereinthenightandprays，lyingprostrate，banginghisheadonthegroundbythehalf-hour——andforwhomdoyouthinkheprays？Whoarethesinnersfiguringinhisdrunkenpetitions？IhaveheardhimwithmyownearsprayingforthereposeofthesouloftheCountessduBarry！Coliaheardittoo。
HeisasmadasaMarchhare！"
"Youhearhowheslandersme，prince，"saidLebedeff，almostbesidehimselfwithrage。"Imaybeadrunkard，anevil-doer，athief，butatleastIcansayonethingformyself。Hedoesnotknow——howshouldhe，mockerthatheis？——thatwhenhecameintotheworlditwasIwhowashedhim，anddressedhiminhisswathing-bands，formysisterAnisiahadlostherhusband，andwasingreatpoverty。Iwasverylittlebetteroffthanshe，butIsatupnightafternightwithher，andnursedbothmotherandchild；Iusedtogodownstairsandstealwoodforthemfromthehouse-porter。HowoftendidIsinghimtosleepwhenIwashalfdeadwithhunger！Inshort，Iwasmorethanafathertohim，andnow——nowhejeersatme！EvenifIdidcrossmyself，andprayforthereposeofthesouloftheComtesseduBarry，whatdoesitmatter？Threedaysago，forthefirsttimeinmylife，Ireadherbiographyinanhistoricaldictionary。Doyouknowwhoshewas？
Youthere！"addressinghisnephew。"Speak！doyouknow？"
"Ofcoursenooneknowsanythingaboutherbutyou，"mutteredtheyoungmaninawould-bejeeringtone。
"ShewasaCountesswhorosefromshametoreignlikeaQueen。AnEmpresswrotetoher，withherownhand，as’Macherecousine。’
Atalever-du-roionemorning(doyouknowwhatalever-du-roiwas？)——aCardinal，aPapallegate，offeredtoputonherstockings；ahighandholypersonlikethatlookedonitasanhonour！Didyouknowthis？Iseebyyourexpressionthatyoudidnot！Well，howdidshedie？Answer！"
"Oh！dostop——youaretooabsurd！"
"Thisishowshedied。Afterallthishonourandglory，afterhavingbeenalmostaQueen，shewasguillotinedbythatbutcher，Samson。Shewasquiteinnocent，butithadtobedone，forthesatisfactionofthefishwivesofParis。Shewassoterrified，thatshedidnotunderstandwhatwashappening。ButwhenSamsonseizedherhead，andpushedherundertheknifewithhisfoot，shecriedout:’Waitamoment！waitamoment，monsieur！’Well，becauseofthatmomentofbittersuffering，perhapstheSaviourwillpardonherotherfaults，foronecannotimagineagreateragony。AsIreadthestorymyheartbledforher。Andwhatdoesitmattertoyou，littleworm，ifIimploredtheDivinemercyforher，greatsinnerasshewas，asIsaidmyeveningprayer？I
mighthavedoneitbecauseIdoubtedifanyonehadevercrossedhimselfforhersakebefore。Itmaybethatintheotherworldshewillrejoicetothinkthatasinnerlikeherselfhascriedtoheavenforthesalvationofhersoul。Whyareyoulaughing？Youbelievenothing，atheist！Andyourstorywasnotevencorrect！IfyouhadlistenedtowhatIwassaying，youwouldhaveheardthatIdidnotonlyprayfortheComtesseduBarry。Isaid，’OhLord！
giveresttothesoulofthatgreatsinner，theComtesseduBarry，andtoallunhappyoneslikeher。’Youseethatisquiteadifferentthing，forhowmanysinnersthereare，howmanywomen，whohavepassedthroughthetrialsofthislife，arenowsufferingandgroaninginpurgatory！Iprayedforyou，too，inspiteofyourinsolenceandimpudence，alsoforyourfellows，asitseemsthatyouclaimtoknowhowIpray……"
"Oh！that’senoughinallconscience！Prayforwhomyouchoose，andthedeviltakethemandyou！Wehaveascholarhere；youdidnotknowthat，prince？"hecontinued，withasneer。"Hereadsallsortsofbooksandmemoirsnow。"
"Atanyrate，yourunclehasakindheart，"remarkedtheprince，whoreallyhadtoforcehimselftospeaktothenephew，somuchdidhedislikehim。
"Oh，nowyouaregoingtopraisehim！Hewillbesetup！Heputshishandonhisheart，andheisdelighted！Ineversaidhewasamanwithoutheart，butheisarascal——that’sthepityofit。Andthen，heisaddictedtodrink，andhismindisunhinged，likethatofmostpeoplewhohavetakenmorethanisgoodforthemforyears。Heloveshischildren——oh，Iknowthatwellenough！Herespectedmyaunt，hislatewife……andheevenhasasortofaffectionforme。Hehasrememberedmeinhiswill。"
"Ishallleaveyounothing！"exclaimedhisuncleangrily。
"Listentome，Lebedeff，"saidtheprinceinadecidedvoice，turninghisbackontheyoungman。"Iknowbyexperiencethatwhenyouchoose，youcanbebusiness-like……I。Ihaveverylittletimetospare，andifyou……Bytheway——excuseme——whatisyourChristianname？Ihaveforgottenit。"
"Ti-Ti-Timofey。"
"And？"
"Lukianovitch。"