第8章

Everyoneintheroombegantolaugh。

"Heistellinglies！"criedthenephew。"Evennowhecannotspeakthetruth。HeisnotcalledTimofeyLukianovitch，prince，butLukianTimofeyovitch。Nowdotelluswhyyoumustneedslieaboutit？LukianorTimofey，itisallthesametoyou，andwhatdifferencecanitmaketotheprince？Hetellslieswithouttheleastnecessity，simplybyforceofhabit，Iassureyou。"

"Isthattrue？"saidtheprinceimpatiently。

"MynamereallyisLukianTimofeyovitch，"acknowledgedLebedeff，loweringhiseyes，andputtinghishandonhisheart。

"Well，forGod’ssake，whatmadeyousaytheother？"

"Tohumblemyself，"murmuredLebedeff。

"Whatonearthdoyoumean？OhIifonlyIknewwhereColiawasatthismoment！"criedtheprince，standingup，asiftogo。

"IcantellyouallaboutColia，"saidtheyoungman"Oh！no，no！"saidLebedeff，hurriedly。

"Coliaspentthenighthere，andthismorningwentafterhisfather，whomyouletoutofprisonbypayinghisdebts——Heavenonlyknowswhy！Yesterdaythegeneralpromisedtocomeandlodgehere，buthedidnotappear。Mostprobablyhesleptatthehotelcloseby。NodoubtColiaisthere，unlesshehasgonetoPavlofsktoseetheEpanchins。Hehadalittlemoney，andwasintendingtogothereyesterday。HemustbeeitheratthehoteloratPavlofsk。"

"AtPavlofsk！HeisatPavlofsk，undoubtedly！"interruptedLebedeff……"Butcome——letusgointothegarden——wewillhavecoffeethere……"AndLebedeffseizedtheprince’sarm，andledhimfromtheroom。Theywentacrosstheyard，andfoundthemselvesinadelightfullittlegardenwiththetreesalreadyintheirsummerdressofgreen，thankstotheunusuallyfineweather。Lebedeffinvitedhisguesttositdownonagreenseatbeforeatableofthesamecolourfixedintheearth，andtookaseatfacinghim。Inafewminutesthecoffeeappeared，andtheprincedidnotrefuseit。ThehostkepthiseyesfixedonMuishkin，withanexpressionofpassionateservility。

"Iknewnothingaboutyourhomebefore，"saidtheprinceabsently，asifhewerethinkingofsomethingelse。

"Poororphans，"beganLebedeff，hisfaceassumingamournfulair，buthestoppedshort，fortheotherlookedathiminattentively，asifhehadalreadyforgottenhisownremark。Theywaitedafewminutesinsilence，whileLebedeffsatwithhiseyesfixedmournfullyontheyoungman’sface。

"Well！"saidthelatter，atlastrousinghimself。"Ah！yes！YouknowwhyIcame，Lebedeff。Yourletterbroughtme。Speak！Tellmeallaboutit。"

Theclerk，ratherconfused，triedtosaysomething，hesitated，begantospeak，andagainstopped。Theprincelookedathimgravely。

"IthinkIunderstand，LukianTimofeyovitch:youwerenotsurethatIshouldcome。YoudidnotthinkIshouldstartatthefirstwordfromyou，andyoumerelywrotetorelieveyourconscience。

However，youseenowthatIhavecome，andIhavehadenoughoftrickery。Giveupserving，ortryingtoserve，twomasters。

Rogojinhasbeenherethesethreeweeks。Haveyoumanagedtosellhertohimasyoudidbefore？Tellmethetruth。"

"Hediscoveredeverything，themonster……himself……"

"Don’tabusehim；thoughIdaresayyouhavesomethingtocomplainof……"

"Hebeatme，hethrashedmeunmercifully！"repliedLebedeffvehemently。"HesetadogonmeinMoscow，abloodhound，aterriblebeastthatchasedmealldownthestreet。"

"Youseemtotakemeforachild，Lebedeff。Tellme，isitafactthatshelefthimwhiletheywereinMoscow？"

"Yes，itisafact，andthistime，letmetellyou，ontheveryeveoftheirmarriage！ItwasaquestionofminuteswhensheslippedofftoPetersburg。Shecametomedirectlyshearrived——

’Saveme，Lukian！findmesomerefuge，andsaynothingtotheprince！’Sheisafraidofyou，evenmorethansheisofhim，andinthatsheshowsherwisdom！"AndLebedeffslilyputhisfingertohisbrowashesaidthelastwords。

"Andnowitisyouwhohavebroughtthemtogetheragain？"

"Excellency，howcouldI，howcouldIpreventit？"

"Thatwilldo。Icanfindoutformyself。Onlytellme，whereisshenow？Athishouse？Withhim？"

"Ohno！Certainlynot！’Iamfree，’shesays；youknowhowsheinsistsonthatpoint。’Iamentirelyfree。’Sherepeatsitoverandoveragain。SheislivinginPetersburgskaia，withmysister-

in-law，asItoldyouinmyletter。"

"Sheisthereatthismoment？"

"Yes，unlessshehasgonetoPavlofsk:thefineweathermayhavetemptedher，perhaps，intothecountry，withDariaAlexeyevna。’I

amquitefree，’shesays。OnlyyesterdaysheboastedofherfreedomtoNicolaiArdalionovitch——abadsign，"addedLebedeff，smiling。

"Coliagoestoseeheroften，doeshenot？"

"Heisastrangeboy，thoughtless，andinclinedtobeindiscreet。"

"Isitlongsinceyousawher？"

"Igotoseehereveryday，everyday。"

"Thenyouwerethereyesterday？"

"N-no:Ihavenotbeenthesethreelastdays。"

"Itisapityyouhavetakentoomuchwine，LebedeffIwanttoaskyousomething……but……"

"Allright！allright！Iamnotdrunk，"repliedtheclerk，preparingtolisten。

"Tellme，howwasshewhenyoulefther？"

"Sheisawomanwhoisseeking……"

"Seeking？"

"Sheseemsalwaystobesearchingabout，asifshehadlostsomething。Themereideaofhercomingmarriagedisgustsher；shelooksonitasaninsult。ShecaresasmuchforHIMasforapieceoforange-peel——notmore。YetIammuchmistakenifshedoesnotlookonhimwithfearandtrembling。Sheforbidshisnametobementionedbeforeher，andtheyonlymeetwhenunavoidable。Heunderstands，wellenough！ButitmustbegonethroughSheisrestless，mocking，deceitful，violent……"

"Deceitfulandviolent？"

"Yes，violent。Icangiveyouaproofofit。AfewdaysagoshetriedtopullmyhairbecauseIsaidsomethingthatannoyedher。

ItriedtosootheherbyreadingtheApocalypsealoud。"

"What？"exclaimedtheprince，thinkinghehadnotheardaright。

"ByreadingtheApocalypse。Theladyhasarestlessimagination，he-he！Shehasalikingforconversationonserioussubjects，ofanykind；infacttheypleasehersomuch，thatitflattershertodiscussthem。NowforfifteenyearsatleastIhavestudiedtheApocalypse，andsheagreeswithmeinthinkingthatthepresentistheepochrepresentedbythethirdhorse，theblackonewhoseriderholdsameasureinhishand。Itseemstomethateverythingisruledbymeasureinourcentury；allmenareclamouringfortheirrights；’ameasureofwheatforapenny，andthreemeasuresofbarleyforapenny。’But，addedtothis，mendesirefreedomofmindandbody，apureheart，ahealthylife，andallGod’sgoodgifts。Nowbypleadingtheirrightsalone，theywillneverattainallthis，sothewhitehorse，withhisriderDeath，comesnext，andisfollowedbyHell。Wetalkedaboutthismatterwhenwemet，anditimpressedherverymuch。"

"Doyoubelieveallthis？"askedMuishkin，lookingcuriouslyathiscompanion。

"Ibothbelieveitandexplainit。Iambutapoorcreature，abeggar，anatominthescaleofhumanity。WhohastheleastrespectforLebedeff？Heisatargetforalltheworld，thebuttofanyfoolwhochoosestokickhim。ButininterpretingrevelationIamtheequalofanyone，greatashemaybe！Suchisthepowerofthemindandthespirit。Ihavemadealordlypersonagetremble，ashesatinhisarmchair……onlybytalkingtohimofthingsconcerningthespirit。Twoyearsago，onEasterEve，HisExcellencyNilAlexeyovitch，whosesubordinateI

wasthen，wishedtohearwhatIhadtosay，andsentamessagebyPeterZakkaritchtoaskmetogotohisprivateroom。’TheytellmeyouexpoundthepropheciesrelatingtoAntichrist，’saidhe，whenwewerealone。’Isthatso？’’Yes，’Iansweredunhesitatingly，andIbegantogivesomecommentsontheApostle’sallegoricalvision。Atfirsthesmiled，butwhenwereachedthenumericalcomputationsandcorrespondences，hetrembled，andturnedpale。Thenhebeggedmetoclosethebook，andsentmeaway，promisingtoputmynameontherewardlist。

ThattookplaceasIsaidontheeveofEaster，andeightdayslaterhissoulreturnedtoGod。"

"What？"

"Itisthetruth。Oneeveningafterdinnerhestumbledashesteppedoutofhiscarriage。Hefell，andstruckhisheadonthecurb，anddiedimmediately。Hewasseventy-threeyearsofage，andhadaredface，andwhitehair；hedelugedhimselfwithscent，andwasalwayssmilinglikeachild。PeterZakkaritchrecalledmyinterviewwithhim，andsaid，’YOUFORETOLDHIS

DEATH。’"

Theprincerosefromhisseat，andLebedeff，surprisedtoseehisguestpreparingtogososoon，remarked:"Youarenotinterested？"inarespectfultone。

"Iamnotverywell，andmyheadaches。Doubtlesstheeffectofthejourney，"repliedtheprince，frowning。

"Youshouldgointothecountry，"saidLebedefftimidly。

Theprinceseemedtobeconsideringthesuggestion。

"Yousee，Iamgoingintothecountrymyselfinthreedays，withmychildrenandbelongings。Thelittleoneisdelicate；sheneedschangeofair；andduringourabsencethishousewillbedoneup。

IamgoingtoPavlofsk。"

"YouaregoingtoPavlofsktoo？"askedtheprincesharply。

"Everybodyseemstobegoingthere。Haveyouahouseinthatneighbourhood？"

"Idon’tknowofmanypeoplegoingtoPavlofsk，andasforthehouse，IvanPtitsinhasletmeoneofhisvillasrathercheaply。

Itisapleasantplace，lyingonahillsurroundedbytrees，andonecanlivethereforameresong。Thereisgoodmusictobeheard，sonowonderitispopular。Ishallstayinthelodge。Astothevillaitself……"

"Haveyouletit？"

"N-no——notexactly。"

"Letittome，"saidtheprince。

NowthiswaspreciselywhatLebedeffhadmadeuphismindtodointhelastthreeminutes。Notthathebadanydifficultyinfindingatenant；infactthehousewasoccupiedatpresentbyachancevisitor，whohadtoldLebedeffthathewouldperhapstakeitforthesummermonths。Theclerkknewverywellthatthis"PERHAPS"meant"CERTAINLY，"butashethoughthecouldmakemoreoutofatenantliketheprince，hefeltjustifiedinspeakingvaguelyaboutthepresentinhabitant’sintentions。"Thisisquiteacoincidence，"thoughthe，andwhenthesubjectofpricewasmentioned，hemadeagesturewithhishand，asiftowaiveawayaquestionofsolittleimportance。

"Ohwell，asyoulike！"saidMuishkin。"Iwillthinkitover。Youshalllosenothing！"

Theywerewalkingslowlyacrossthegarden。

"Butifyou……Icould……"stammeredLebedeff，"if……ifyouplease，prince，tellyousomethingonthesubjectwhichwouldinterestyou，Iamsure。"Hespokeinwheedlingtones，andwriggledashewalkedalong。

Muishkinstoppedshort。

"DariaAlexeyevnaalsohasavillaatPavlofsk。"

"Well？"

"Acertainpersonisveryfriendlywithher，andintendstovisitherprettyoften。"

Well？"

"AglayaIvanovna……"

"Ohstop，Lebedeff！"interposedMuishkin，feelingasifhehadbeentouchedonanopenwound。"That……thathasnothingtodowithme。Ishouldliketoknowwhenyouaregoingtostart。ThesoonerthebetterasfarasIamconcerned，forIamatanhotel。"

Theyhadleftthegardennow，andwerecrossingtheyardontheirwaytothegate。

"Well，leaveyourhotelatonceandcomehere；thenwecanallgotogethertoPavlofskthedayaftertomorrow。"

"Iwillthinkaboutit，"saidtheprincedreamily，andwentoff。

Theclerkstoodlookingafterhisguest，struckbyhissuddenabsent-mindedness。Hehadnotevenrememberedtosaygoodbye，andLebedeffwasthemoresurprisedattheomission，asheknewbyexperiencehowcourteoustheprinceusuallywas。

III

Itwasnowcloseontwelveo’clock。

TheprinceknewthatifhecalledattheEpanchins’nowhewouldonlyfindthegeneral，andthatthelattermightprobablycarryhimstraightofftoPavlofskwithhim；whereastherewasonevisithewasmostanxioustomakewithoutdelay。

SoattheriskofmissingGeneralEpanchinaltogether，andthuspostponinghisvisittoPavlofskforaday，atleast，theprincedecidedtogoandlookforthehousehedesiredtofind。

Thevisithewasabouttopaywas，insomerespects，ariskyone。

Hewasintwomindsaboutit，butknowingthatthehousewasintheGorohovaya，notfarfromtheSadovaya，hedeterminedtogointhatdirection，andtotrytomakeuphismindontheway。

ArrivedatthepointwheretheGorohovayacrossestheSadovaya，hewassurprisedtofindhowexcessivelyagitatedhewas。Hehadnoideathathisheartcouldbeatsopainfully。

OnehouseintheGorohovayabegantoattracthisattentionlongbeforehereachedit，andtheprincerememberedafterwardsthathehadsaidtohimself:"Thatisthehouse，I’msureofit。"Hecameuptoitquitecurioustodiscoverwhetherhehadguessedright，andfeltthathewouldbedisagreeablyimpressedtofindthathehadactuallydoneso。Thehousewasalargegloomy-

lookingstructure，withouttheslightestclaimtoarchitecturalbeauty，incolouradirtygreen。Thereareafewoftheseoldhouses，builttowardstheendofthelastcentury，stillstandinginthatpartofSt。Petersburg，andshowinglittlechangefromtheiroriginalformandcolour。Theyaresolidlybuilt，andareremarkableforthethicknessoftheirwalls，andforthefewnessoftheirwindows，manyofwhicharecoveredbygratings。Ontheground-floorthereisusuallyamoney-changer’sshop，andtheownerlivesoverit。Withoutaswellaswithin，thehousesseeminhospitableandmysterious——animpressionwhichisdifficulttoexplain，unlessithassomethingtodowiththeactualarchitecturalstyle。Thesehousesarealmostexclusivelyinhabitedbythemerchantclass。

Arrivedatthegate，theprincelookedupatthelegendoverit，whichran:

"HouseofRogojin，hereditaryandhonourablecitizen。"

Hehesitatednolonger；butopenedtheglazeddooratthebottomoftheouterstairsandmadehiswayuptothesecondstorey。Theplacewasdarkandgloomy-looking；thewallsofthestonestaircasewerepaintedadullred。Rogojinandhismotherandbrotheroccupiedthewholeofthesecondfloor。TheservantwhoopenedthedoortoMuishkinledhim，withouttakinghisname，throughseveralroomsandupanddownmanystepsuntiltheyarrivedatadoor，whereheknocked。

ParfenRogojinopenedthedoorhimself。

Onseeingtheprincehebecamedeadlywhite，andapparentlyfixedtotheground，sothathewasmorelikeamarblestatuethanahumanbeing。Theprincehadexpectedsomesurprise，butRogojinevidentlyconsideredhisvisitanimpossibleandmiraculousevent。Hestaredwithanexpressionalmostofterror，andhislipstwistedintoabewilderedsmile。

"Parfen！perhapsmyvisitisill-timed。I-Icangoawayagainifyoulike，"saidMuishkinatlast，ratherembarrassed。

"No，no；it’sallright，comein，"saidParfen，recollectinghimself。

Theywereevidentlyonquitefamiliarterms。InMoscowtheyhadhadmanyoccasionsofmeeting；indeed，somefewofthosemeetingswerebuttoovividlyimpressedupontheirmemories。Theyhadnotmetnow，however，forthreemonths。

Thedeathlikepallor，andasortofslightconvulsionaboutthelips，hadnotleftRogojin’sface。Thoughhewelcomedhisguest，hewasstillobviouslymuchdisturbed。Asheinvitedtheprincetositdownnearthetable，thelatterhappenedtoturntowardshim，andwasstartledbythestrangeexpressiononhisface。A

painfulrecollectionflashedintohismind。Hestoodforatime，lookingstraightatRogojin，whoseeyesseemedtoblazelikefire。AtlastRogojinsmiled，thoughhestilllookedagitatedandshaken。

"Whatareyoustaringatmelikethatfor？"hemuttered。"Sitdown。"

Theprincetookachair。

"Parfen，"hesaid，"tellmehonestly，didyouknowthatIwascomingtoPetersburgorno？"

"Oh，Isupposedyouwerecoming，"theotherreplied，smilingsarcastically，andIwasrightinmysupposition，yousee；buthowwasItoknowthatyouwouldcomeTODAY？"

Acertainstrangenessandimpatienceinhismannerimpressedtheprinceveryforcibly。

"AndifyouhadknownthatIwascomingtoday，whybesoirritatedaboutit？"heasked，inquietsurprise。

"Whydidyouaskme？"

"BecausewhenIjumpedoutofthetrainthismorning，twoeyesglaredatmejustasyoursdidamomentsince。"

"Ha！andwhoseeyesmaytheyhavebeen？"saidRogojin，suspiciously。Itseemedtotheprincethathewastrembling。

"Idon’tknow；Ithoughtitwasahallucination。Ioftenhavehallucinationsnowadays。IfeeljustasIdidfiveyearsagowhenmyfitswereabouttocomeon。"

"Well，perhapsitwasahallucination，Idon’tknow，"saidParfen。

Hetriedtogivetheprinceanaffectionatesmile，anditseemedtothelatterasthoughinthissmileofhissomethinghadbroken，andthathecouldnotmendit，tryashewould。

"Shallyougoabroadagainthen？"heasked，andsuddenlyadded，"DoyourememberhowwecameupinthetrainfromPskofftogether？Youandyourcloakandleggings，eh？"

AndRogojinburstoutlaughing，thistimewithunconcealedmalice，asthoughheweregladthathehadbeenabletofindanopportunityforgivingventtoit。

"Haveyouquitetakenupyourquartershere？"askedtheprince"Yes，I’mathome。WhereelseshouldIgoto？"

"Wehaven’tmetforsometime。MeanwhileIhaveheardthingsaboutyouwhichIshouldnothavebelievedtobepossible。"

"Whatofthat？Peoplewillsayanything，"saidRogojindrily。

"Atallevents，you’vedisbandedyourtroop——andyouarelivinginyourownhouseinsteadofbeingfastandlooseabouttheplace；

that’sallverygood。Isthishouseallyours，orjointproperty？"

"Itismymother’s。Yougettoherapartmentsbythatpassage。"

"Where’syourbrother？"

"Intheotherwing。"

"Ishemarried？"

"Widower。Whydoyouwanttoknowallthis？"

Theprincelookedathim，butsaidnothing。Hehadsuddenlyrelapsedintomusing，andhadprobablynotheardthequestionatall。Rogojindidnotinsistuponananswer，andtherewassilenceforafewmoments。

"Iguessedwhichwasyourhousefromahundredyardsoff，"saidtheprinceatlast。

"Whyso？"

"Idon’tquiteknow。Yourhousehastheaspectofyourselfandallyourfamily；itbearsthestampoftheRogojinlife；butaskmewhyIthinkso，andIcantellyounothing。Itisnonsense，ofcourse。Iamnervousaboutthiskindofthingtroublingmesomuch。Ihadneverbeforeimaginedwhatsortofahouseyouwouldlivein，andyetnosoonerdidIseteyesonthisonethanIsaidtomyselfthatitmustbeyours。"

"Really！"saidRogojinvaguely，nottakinginwhattheprincemeantbyhisratherobscureremarks。

Theroomtheywerenowsittinginwasalargeone，loftybutdark，wellfurnished，principallywithwriting-tablesanddeskscoveredwithpapersandbooks。AwidesofacoveredwithredmoroccoevidentlyservedRogojinforabed。Onthetablebesidewhichtheprincehadbeeninvitedtoseathimselflaysomebooks；

onecontainingamarkerwherethereaderhadleftoff，wasavolumeofSolovieff’sHistory。Someoil-paintingsinworngildedframeshungonthewalls，butitwasimpossibletomakeoutwhatsubjectstheyrepresented，soblackenedweretheybysmokeandage。One，alife-sizedportrait，attractedtheprince’sattention。Itshowedamanofaboutfifty，wearingalongriding-

coatofGermancut。Hehadtwomedalsonhisbreast；hisbeardwaswhite，shortandthin；hisfaceyellowandwrinkled，withasly，suspiciousexpressionintheeyes。

"Thatisyourfather，isitnot？"askedtheprince。

"Yes，itis，"repliedRogojinwithanunpleasantsmile，asifhehadexpectedhisguesttoaskthequestion，andthentomakesomedisagreeableremark。

"WasheoneoftheOldBelievers？"

"No，hewenttochurch，buttotellthetruthhereallypreferredtheoldreligion。Thiswashisstudyandisnowmine。WhydidyouaskifhewereanOldBeliever？"

"Areyougoingtobemarriedhere？"

"Ye-yes！"repliedRogojin，startingattheunexpectedquestion。

"Soon？"

"Youknowyourselfitdoesnotdependonme。"

"Parfen，Iamnotyourenemy，andIdonotintendtoopposeyourintentionsinanyway。IrepeatthistoyounowjustasIsaidittoyouoncebeforeonaverysimilaroccasion。WhenyouwerearrangingforyourprojectedmarriageinMoscow，Ididnotinterferewithyou——youknowIdidnot。Thatfirsttimeshefledtomefromyou，fromtheveryaltaralmost，andbeggedmeto’saveherfromyou。’Afterwardssheranawayfrommeagain，andyoufoundherandarrangedyourmarriagewithheroncemore；andnow，Ihear，shehasrunawayfromyouandcometoPetersburg。

Isittrue？Lebedeffwrotemetothiseffect，andthat’swhyIcamehere。ThatyouhadoncemorearrangedmatterswithNastasiaPhilipovnaIonlylearnedlastnightinthetrainfromafriendofyours，Zaleshoff——ifyouwishtoknow。

"IconfessIcameherewithanobject。IwishedtopersuadeNastasiatogoabroadforherhealth；sherequiresit。Bothmindandbodyneedachangebadly。Ididnotintendtotakeherabroadmyself。Iwasgoingtoarrangeforhertogowithoutme。NowI

tellyouhonestly，Parfen，ifitistruethatallismadeupbetweenyou，Iwillnotsomuchasseteyesuponher，andIwillneverevencometoseeyouagain。

"YouknowquitewellthatIamtellingthetruth，becauseIhavealwaysbeenfrankwithyou。Ihaveneverconcealedmyownopinionfromyou。IhavealwaystoldyouthatIconsideramarriagebetweenyouandherwouldberuintoher。Youwouldalsoberuined，andperhapsevenmorehopelessly。Ifthismarriageweretobebrokenoffagain，IadmitIshouldbegreatlypleased；butatthesametimeIhavenottheslightestintentionoftryingtopartyou。Youmaybequiteeasyinyourmind，andyouneednotsuspectme。YouknowyourselfwhetherIwaseverreallyyourrivalornot，evenwhensheranawayandcametome。

"There，youarelaughingatme——Iknowwhyyoulaugh。Itisperfectlytruethatwelivedapartfromoneanotherallthetime，indifferenttowns。ItoldyoubeforethatIdidnotloveherwithlove，butwithpity！Yousaidthenthatyouunderstoodme；

didyoureallyunderstandmeornot？Whathatredthereisinyoureyesatthismoment！Icametorelieveyourmind，becauseyouaredeartomealso。Iloveyouverymuch，Parfen；andnowIshallgoawayandnevercomebackagain。Goodbye。"

Theprincerose。

"Stayalittle，"saidParfen，notleavinghischairandrestinghisheadonhisrighthand。"Ihaven’tseenyouforalongtime。"

Theprincesatdownagain。Bothweresilentforafewmoments。

"WhenyouarenotwithmeIhateyou，LefNicolaievitch。IhaveloathedyoueverydayofthesethreemonthssinceIlastsawyou。

ByheavenIhave！"saidRogojin。"Icouldhavepoisonedyouatanyminute。Now，youhavebeenwithmebutaquarterofanhour，andallmymaliceseemstohavemeltedaway，andyouareasdeartomeasever。Stayherealittlelonger。"

"WhenIamwithyouyoutrustme；butassoonasmybackisturnedyoususpectme，"saidtheprince，smiling，andtryingtohidehisemotion。

"Itrustyourvoice，whenIhearyouspeak。IquiteunderstandthatyouandIcannotbeputonalevel，ofcourse。"

"Whydidyouaddthat？——There！Nowyouarecrossagain，"saidtheprince，wondering。

"Wewerenotasked，yousee。Weweremadedifferent，withdifferenttastesandfeelings，withoutbeingconsulted。Yousayyouloveherwithpity。Ihavenopityforher。Shehatesme——

that’stheplaintruthofthematter。Idreamofhereverynight，andalwaysthatsheislaughingatmewithanotherman。Andsoshedoeslaughatme。Shethinksnomoreofmarryingmethanifshewerechanginghershoe。Wouldyoubelieveit，Ihaven’tseenherforfivedays，andIdaren’tgonearher。SheasksmewhatI

comefor，asifshewerenotcontentwithhavingdisgracedme——"

"Disgracedyou！How？"

"Justasthoughyoudidn’tknow！Why，sheranawayfromme，andwenttoyou。Youadmittedityourself，justnow。"

"Butsurelyyoudonotbelievethatshe……"

"ThatshedidnotdisgracemeatMoscowwiththatofficer。

Zemtuznikoff？Iknowforcertainshedid，afterhavingfixedourmarriage-dayherself！"

"Impossible！"criedtheprince。

"Iknowitforafact，"repliedRogojin，withconviction。

"Itisnotlikeher，yousay？Myfriend，that’sabsurd。Perhapssuchanactwouldhorrifyher，ifshewerewithyou，butitisquitedifferentwhereIamconcerned。Shelooksonmeasvermin。

HeraffairwithKellerwassimplytomakealaughing-stockofme。

Youdon’tknowwhatafoolshemadeofmeinMoscow；andthemoneyIspentoverher！Themoney！themoney！"

"Andyoucanmarryhernow，Parfen！Whatwillcomeofitall？"

saidtheprince，withdreadinhisvoice。

Rogojingazedbackgloomily，andwithaterribleexpressioninhiseyes，butsaidnothing。

"Ihaven’tbeentoseeherforfivedays，"herepeated，afteraslightpause。"I’mafraidofbeingturnedout。Shesaysshe’sstillherownmistress，andmayturnmeoffaltogether，andgoabroad。Shetoldmethisherself，"hesaid，withapeculiarglanceatMuishkin。"Ithinksheoftendoesitmerelytofrightenme。Sheisalwayslaughingatme，forsomereasonorother；butatothertimesshe’sangry，andwon’tsayaword，andthat’swhatI’mafraidof。Itookherashawloneday，thelikeofwhichshemightneverhaveseen，althoughshedidliveinluxuryandshegaveitawaytohermaid，Katia。SometimeswhenIcankeepawaynolonger，Istealpastthehouseonthesly，andonceIwatchedatthegatetilldawn——Ithoughtsomethingwasgoingon——andshesawmefromthewindow。SheaskedmewhatIshoulddoifIfoundshehaddeceivedme。Isaid，’Youknowwellenough。’"

"Whatdidsheknow？"criedtheprince。

"HowwasItotell？"repliedRogojin，withanangrylaugh。"IdidmybesttocatchhertrippinginMoscow，butdidnotsucceed。

However，Icaughtholdofheroneday，andsaid:’Youareengagedtobemarriedintoarespectablefamily，anddoyouknowwhatsortofawomanyouare？THAT’Sthesortofwomanyouare，’I

said。"

"Youtoldherthat？"

"Yes。"

"Well，goon。"

"Shesaid，’Iwouldn’tevenhaveyouforafootmannow，muchlessforahusband。’’Ishan’tleavethehouse，’Isaid，’soitdoesn’tmatter。’’ThenIshallcallsomebodyandhaveyoukickedout，’shecried。SothenIrushedather，andbeathertillshewasbruisedallover。"

"Impossible！"criedtheprince，aghast。

"Itellyouit’strue，"saidRogojinquietly，butwitheyesablazewithpassion。

"ThenforadayandahalfIneitherslept，norate，nordrank，andwouldnotleaveher。Ikneltatherfeet:’Ishalldiehere，’

Isaid，’ifyoudon’tforgiveme；andifyouhavemeturnedout，Ishalldrownmyself；because，whatshouldIbewithoutyounow？’

Shewaslikeamadwomanallthatday；nowshewouldcry；nowshewouldthreatenmewithaknife；nowshewouldabuseme。ShecalledinZaleshoffandKeller，andshowedmetothem，shamedmeintheirpresence。’Let’sallgotothetheatre，’shesays，’andleavehimhereifhewon’tgo——it’snotmybusiness。They’llgiveyousometea，ParfenSemeonovitch，whileIamaway，foryoumustbehungry。’Shecamebackfromthetheatrealone。’Thosecowardswouldn’tcome，’shesaid。’Theyareafraidofyou，andtriedtofrightenme，too。"Hewon’tgoawayashecame，"theysaid，"he’llcutyourthroat——seeifhedoesn’t。"Now，Ishallgotomybedroom，andIshallnotevenlockmydoor，justtoshowyouhowmuchIamafraidofyou。Youmustbeshownthatonceforall。Didyouhavetea？’’No，’Isaid，’andIdon’tintendto。’’Ha，ha！

youareplayingoffyourprideagainstyourstomach！Thatsortofheroismdoesn’tsitwellonyou，’shesaid。

"Withthatshedidasshehadsaidshewould；shewenttobed，anddidnotlockherdoor。Inthemorningshecameout。’Areyouquitemad？’shesaid，sharply。’Why，you’lldieofhungerlikethis。’’Forgiveme，’Isaid。’No，Iwon’t，andIwon’tmarryyou。

I’vesaidit。Surelyyouhaven’tsatinthischairallnightwithoutsleeping？’’Ididn’tsleep，’Isaid。’H’m！howsensibleofyou。Andareyougoingtohavenobreakfastordinnertoday？’

’ItoldyouIwouldn’t。Forgiveme！’’You’venoideahowunbecomingthissortofthingistoyou，’shesaid，’it’slikeputtingasaddleonacow’sback。Doyouthinkyouarefrighteningme？Myword，whatadreadfulthingthatyoushouldsithereandeatnofood！HowterriblyfrightenedIam！’Shewasn’tangrylong，anddidn’tseemtoremembermyoffenceatall。

Iwassurprised，forsheisavindictive，resentfulwoman——butthenIthoughtthatperhapsshedespisedmetoomuchtofeelanyresentmentagainstme。Andthat’sthetruth。

"Shecameuptomeandsaid，’DoyouknowwhothePopeofRomeis？’’I’veheardofhim，’Isaid。’Isupposeyou’vereadtheUniversalHistory，ParfenSemeonovitch，haven’tyou？’sheasked。

’I’velearnednothingatall，’Isaid。’ThenI’lllendittoyoutoread。YoumustknowtherewasaRomanPopeonce，andhewasveryangrywithacertainEmperor；sotheEmperorcameandneitheratenordrank，butkneltbeforethePope’spalacetillheshouldbeforgiven。AndwhatsortofvowsdoyouthinkthatEmperorwasmakingduringallthosedaysonhisknees？Stop，I’llreadittoyou！’Thenshereadmealotofverses，whereitsaidthattheEmperorspentallthetimevowingvengeanceagainstthePope。’Youdon’tmeantosayyoudon’tapproveofthepoem，ParfenSemeonovitch，’shesays。’Allyouhavereadoutisperfectlytrue，’sayI。’Aha！’saysshe，’youadmitit’strue，doyou？AndyouaremakingvowstoyourselfthatifImarryyou，youwillremindmeofallthis，andtakeitoutofme。’’Idon’tknow，’I

say，’perhapsIwasthinkinglikethat，andperhapsIwasnot。

I’mnotthinkingofanythingjustnow。’’Whatareyourthoughts，then？’’I’mthinkingthatwhenyourisefromyourchairandgopastme，Iwatchyou，andfollowyouwithmyeyes；ifyourdressdoesbutrustle，myheartsinks；ifyouleavetheroom，Iremembereverylittlewordandaction，andwhatyourvoicesoundedlike，andwhatyousaid。Ithoughtofnothingalllastnight，butsatherelisteningtoyoursleepingbreath，andheardyoumovealittle，twice。’’Andasforyourattackuponme，’shesays，’IsupposeyouneveroncethoughtofTHAT？’’PerhapsIdidthinkofit，andperhapsnot，’Isay。AndwhatifIdon’teitherforgiveyouormarry，you’’ItellyouIshallgoanddrownmyself。’’H’m！’shesaid，andthenrelapsedintosilence。Thenshegotangry，andwentout。’Isupposeyou’dmurdermebeforeyoudrownedyourself，though！’shecriedasshelefttheroom。

"Anhourlater，shecametomeagain，lookingmelancholy。’Iwillmarryyou，ParfenSemeonovitch，’shesays，notbecauseI’mfrightenedofyou，butbecauseit’sallthesametomehowIruinmyself。AndhowcanIdoitbetter？Sitdown；they’llbringyousomedinnerdirectly。AndifIdomarryyou，I’llbeafaithfulwifetoyou——youneednotdoubtthat。’Thenshethoughtabit，andsaid，’Atallevents，youarenotaflunkey；atfirst，I

thoughtyouwerenobetterthanaflunkey。’Andshearrangedtheweddingandfixedthedaystraightawayonthespot。

"Then，inanotherweek，shehadrunawayagain，andcameheretoLebedeff’s；andwhenIfoundherhere，shesaidtome，’I’mnotgoingtorenounceyoualtogether，butIwishtoputofftheweddingabitlongeryet——justaslongasIlike——forIamstillmyownmistress；soyoumaywait，ifyoulike。’That’showthematterstandsbetweenusnow。Whatdoyouthinkofallthis，LefNicolaievitch？"

"’Whatdoyouthinkofityourself？"repliedtheprince，lookingsadlyatRogojin。

"AsifIcanthinkanythingaboutit！I——"Hewasabouttosaymore，butstoppedindespair。

Theprinceroseagain，asifhewouldleave。

"Atallevents，Ishallnotinterferewithyou！"hemurmured，asthoughmakinganswertosomesecretthoughtofhisown。

"I’lltellyouwhat！"criedRogojin，andhiseyesflashedfire。

"Ican’tunderstandyouryieldinghertomelikethis；Idon’tunderstandit。Haveyougivenuplovingheraltogether？Atfirstyousufferedbadly——Iknowit——Isawit。Besides，whydidyoucomepost-hasteafterus？Outofpity，eh？He，he，he！"Hismouthcurvedinamockingsmile。

"DoyouthinkIamdeceivingyou？"askedtheprince。

"No！Itrustyou——butIcan’tunderstand。Itseemstomethatyourpityisgreaterthanmylove。"Ahungrylongingtospeakhismindoutseemedtoflashintheman’seyes，combinedwithanintenseanger。

"Yourloveismingledwithhatred，andtherefore，whenyourlovepasses，therewillbethegreatermisery，"saidtheprince。"I

tellyouthis，Parfen——"

"What！thatI’llcutherthroat，youmean？"

Theprinceshuddered。

"You’llhateherafterwardsforallyourpresentlove，andforallthetormentyouaresufferingonheraccountnow。Whatseemstomethemostextraordinarythingis，thatshecanagainconsenttomarryyou，afterallthathaspassedbetweenyou。WhenIheardthenewsyesterday，Icouldhardlybringmyselftobelieveit。

Why，shehasruntwicefromyou，fromtheveryaltarrails，asitwere。Shemusthavesomepresentimentofevil。Whatcanshewantwithyounow？Yourmoney？Nonsense！Besides，Ishouldthinkyoumusthavemadeafairlylargeholeinyourfortunealready。

Surelyitisnotbecausesheissoveryanxioustofindahusband？Shecouldfindmanyaonebesidesyourself。Anyonewouldbebetterthanyou，becauseyouwillmurderher，andIfeelsureshemustknowthatbuttoowellbynow。Isitbecauseyoulovehersopassionately？Indeed，thatmaybeit。Ihaveheardthattherearewomenwhowantjustthatkindoflove……butstill……"

Theprincepaused，reflectively。

"Whatareyougrinningatmyfather’sportraitagainfor？"askedRogojin，suddenly。Hewascarefullyobservingeverychangeintheexpressionoftheprince’sface。

"Ismiledbecausetheideacameintomyheadthatifitwerenotforthisunhappypassionofyoursyoumighthave，andwouldhave，becomejustsuchamanasyourfather，andthatveryquickly，too。You’dhavesettleddowninthishouseofyourswithsomesilentandobedientwife。Youwouldhavespokenrarely，trustednoone，heedednoone，andthoughtofnothingbutmakingmoney。"

"Laughaway！Shesaidexactlythesame，almostwordforword，whenshesawmyfather’sportrait。It’sremarkablehowentirelyyouandsheareatonenow-a-days。"

"What，hasshebeenhere？"askedtheprincewithcuriosity。

"Yes！Shelookedlongattheportraitandaskedallaboutmyfather。’You’dbejustsuchanother，’shesaidatlast，andlaughed。’Youhavesuchstrongpassions，Parfen，’shesaid，’thatthey’dhavetakenyoutoSiberiainnotimeifyouhadnot，luckily，intelligenceaswell。Foryouhaveagooddealofintelligence。’(Shesaidthis——believeitornot。ThefirsttimeIeverheardanythingofthatsortfromher。)’You’dsoonhavethrownupallthisrowdyismthatyouindulgeinnow，andyou’dhavesettleddowntoquiet，steadymoney-making，becauseyouhavelittleeducation；andhereyou’dhavestayedjustlikeyourfatherbeforeyou。Andyou’dhavelovedyourmoneysothatyou’damassnottwomillion，likehim，buttenmillion；andyou’dhavediedofhungeronyourmoneybagstofinishupwith，foryoucarryeverythingtoextremes。’There，that’sexactlywordforwordasshesaidittome。Shenevertalkedtomelikethatbefore。Shealwaystalksnonsenseandlaughswhenshe’swithme。

Wewentalloverthisoldhousetogether。’Ishallchangeallthis，’Isaid，’orelseI’llbuyanewhouseforthewedding。’

’No，no！’shesaid，’don’ttouchanything；leaveitallasitis；

IshalllivewithyourmotherwhenImarryyou。’

"Itookhertoseemymother，andshewasasrespectfulandkindasthoughshewereherowndaughter。Motherhasbeenalmostdementedeversincefatherdied——she’sanoldwoman。Shesitsandbowsfromherchairtoeveryoneshesees。Ifyouleftheraloneanddidn’tfeedherforthreedays，Idon’tbelieveshewouldnoticeit。Well，Itookherhand，andIsaid，’Giveyourblessingtothislady，mother，she’sgoingtobemywife。’SoNastasiakissedmother’shandwithgreatfeeling。’Shemusthavesufferedterribly，hasn’tshe？’shesaid。Shesawthisbookherelyingbeforeme。’What！haveyoubeguntoreadRussianhistory？’sheasked。ShetoldmeonceinMoscow，youknow，thatIhadbettergetSolovieff’sRussianHistoryandreadit，becauseIknewnothing。’That’sgood，’shesaid，’yougoonlikethat，readingbooks。I’llmakeyoualistmyselfofthebooksyououghttoreadfirst——shallI？’Shehadneveroncespokentomelikethisbefore；itwasthefirsttimeIfeltIcouldbreathebeforeherlikealivingcreature。"

"I’mvery，verygladtohearofthis，Parfen，"saidtheprince，withrealfeeling。"Whoknows？MaybeGodwillyetbringyouneartooneanother。"

"Never，never！"criedRogojin，excitedly。

"Lookhere，Parfen；ifyoulovehersomuch，surelyyoumustbeanxioustoearnherrespect？Andifyoudosowish，surelyyoumayhopeto？IsaidjustnowthatIconsidereditextraordinarythatshecouldstillbereadytomarryyou。Well，thoughIcannotyetunderstandit，Ifeelsureshemusthavesomegoodreason，orshewouldn’tdoit。Sheissureofyourlove；butbesidesthat，shemustattributeSOMETHINGelsetoyou——somegoodqualities，otherwisethethingwouldnotbe。Whatyouhavejustsaidconfirmsmywords。Yousayyourselfthatshefounditpossibletospeaktoyouquitedifferentlyfromherusualmanner。Youaresuspicious，youknow，andjealous，thereforewhenanythingannoyinghappenstoyou，youexaggerateitssignificance。Ofcourse，ofcourse，shedoesnotthinksoillofyouasyousay。

Why，ifshedid，shewouldsimplybewalkingtodeathbydrowningorbytheknife，withhereyeswideopen，whenshemarriedyou。

Itisimpossible！Asifanybodywouldgototheirdeathdeliberately！"

Rogojinlistenedtotheprince’sexcitedwordswithabittersmile。Hisconvictionwas，apparently，unalterable。

"Howdreadfullyyoulookatme，Parfen！"saidtheprince，withafeelingofdread。

"Waterortheknife？"saidthelatter，atlast。"Ha，ha——that’sexactlywhysheisgoingtomarryme，becausesheknowsforcertainthattheknifeawaitsher。Prince，canitbethatyoudon’tevenyetseewhat’sattherootofitall？"

"Idon’tunderstandyou。"

"Perhapshereallydoesn’tunderstandme！Theydosaythatyouarea——youknowwhat！Shelovesanother——there，youcanunderstandthatmuch！JustasIloveher，exactlysoshelovesanotherman。Andthatothermanis——doyouknowwho？It’syou。

There——youdidn’tknowthat，eh？"

"I？"

"You，you！Shehaslovedyoueversincethatday，herbirthday！

Onlyshethinksshecannotmarryyou，becauseitwouldbetheruinofyou。’EverybodyknowswhatsortofawomanIam，’shesays。Shetoldmeallthisherself，tomyveryface！She’safraidofdisgracingandruiningyou，shesays，butitdoesn’tmatteraboutme。Shecanmarrymeallright！Noticehowmuchconsiderationsheshowsforme！"

"Butwhydidsherunawaytome，andthenagainfrommeto——"

"Fromyoutome？Ha，ha！that’snothing！Why，shealwaysactsasthoughshewereinadeliriumnow-a-days！Eithershesays，’Comeon，I’llmarryyou！Let’shavetheweddingquickly！’andfixestheday，andseemsinahurryforit，andwhenitbeginstocomenearshefeelsfrightened；orelsesomeotherideagetsintoherhead——goodnessknows！you’veseenher——youknowhowshegoeson——

laughingandcryingandraving！There’snothingextraordinaryaboutherhavingrunawayfromyou！Sheranawaybecauseshefoundouthowdearlyshelovedyou。Shecouldnotbeartobenearyou。YousaidjustnowthatIhadfoundheratMoscow，whensheranawayfromyou。Ididn’tdoanythingofthesort；shecametomeherself，straightfromyou。’Nametheday——I’mready！’shesaid。’Let’shavesomechampagne，andgoandhearthegipsiessing！’Itellyoushe’dhavethrownherselfintothewaterlongagoifitwerenotforme！Shedoesn’tdoitbecauseIam，perhaps，evenmoredreadfultoherthanthewater！She’smarryingmeoutofspite；ifshemarriesme，Itellyou，itwillbeforspite！"

"Buthowdoyou，howcanyou——"begantheprince，gazingwithdreadandhorroratRogojin。

"Whydon’tyoufinishyoursentence？ShallItellyouwhatyouwerethinkingtoyourselfjustthen？Youwerethinking，’Howcanshemarryhimafterthis？Howcanitpossiblybepermitted？’Oh，Iknowwhatyouwerethinkingabout！"

"Ididn’tcomehereforthatpurpose，Parfen。Thatwasnotinmymind——"

"Thatmaybe！Perhapsyoudidn’tCOMEwiththeidea，buttheideaiscertainlythereNOW！Ha，ha！well，that’senough！Whatareyouupsetabout？Didn’tyoureallyknowitallbefore？Youastonishme！"

"Allthisismerejealousy——itissomemaladyofyours，Parfen！

Youexaggerateeverything，"saidtheprince，excessivelyagitated。"Whatareyoudoing？"

"Letgoofit！"saidParfen，seizingfromtheprince’shandaknifewhichthelatterhadatthatmomenttakenupfromthetable，whereitlaybesidethehistory。Parfenreplaceditwhereithadbeen。

"Iseemedtoknowit——Ifeltit，whenIwascomingbacktoPetersburg，"continuedtheprince，"Ididnotwanttocome，I

wishedtoforgetallthis，touprootitfrommymemoryaltogether！Well，good-bye——whatisthematter？"

Hehadabsentlytakenuptheknifeasecondtime，andagainRogojinsnatcheditfromhishand，andthrewitdownonthetable。Itwasaplainlookingknife，withabonehandle，abladeabouteightincheslong，andbroadinproportion，itdidnotclasp。

Seeingthattheprincewasconsiderablystruckbythefactthathehadtwiceseizedthisknifeoutofhishand，Rogojincaughtitupwithsomeirritation，putitinsidethebook，andthrewthelatteracrosstoanothertable。

"Doyoucutyourpageswithit，orwhat？"askedMuishkin，stillratherabsently，asthoughunabletothrowoffadeeppreoccupationintowhichtheconversationhadthrownhim。

"Yes。"

"It’sagardenknife，isn’tit？"

"Yes。Can’tonecutpageswithagardenknife？"

"It’squitenew。"

"Well，whatofthat？Can’tIbuyanewknifeifIlike？"shoutedRogojinfuriously，hisirritationgrowingwitheveryword。

Theprinceshuddered，andgazedfixedlyatParfen。Suddenlyheburstoutlaughing。

"Why，whatanidea！"hesaid。"Ididn’tmeantoaskyouanyofthesequestions；Iwasthinkingofsomethingquitedifferent！Butmyheadisheavy，andIseemsoabsent-mindednowadays！Well，good-bye——Ican’trememberwhatIwantedtosay——good-bye！"

"Notthatway，"saidRogojin。

"There，I’veforgottenthattoo！"

"Thisway——comealong——I’llshowyou。"

IV。

THEYpassedthroughthesameroomswhichtheprincehadtraversedonhisarrival。Inthelargesttherewerepicturesonthewalls，portraitsandlandscapesoflittleinterest。Overthedoor，however，therewasoneofstrangeandratherstrikingshape；itwassixorsevenfeetinlength，andnotmorethanafootinheight。ItrepresentedtheSaviourjusttakenfromthecross。

Theprinceglancedatit，buttooknofurthernotice。Hemovedonhastily，asthoughanxioustogetoutofthehouse。ButRogojinsuddenlystoppedunderneaththepicture。

"Myfatherpickedupallthesepicturesverycheapatauctions，andsoon，"hesaid；"theyareallrubbish，excepttheoneoverthedoor，andthatisvaluable。Amanofferedfivehundredroublesforitlastweek。"

"Yes——that’sacopyofaHolbein，"saidtheprince，lookingatitagain，"andagoodcopy，too，sofarasIamabletojudge。Isawthepictureabroad，andcouldnotforgetit——what’sthematter？"

Rogojinhaddroppedthesubjectofthepictureandwalkedon。Ofcoursehisstrangeframeofmindwassufficienttoaccountforhisconduct；but，still，itseemedqueertotheprincethatheshouldsoabruptlydropaconversationcommencedbyhimself。

Rogojindidnottakeanynoticeofhisquestion。

"LefNicolaievitch，"saidRogojin，afterapause，duringwhichthetwowalkedalongalittlefurther，"Ihavelongwishedtoaskyou，doyoubelieveinGod？"

"Howstrangelyyouspeak，andhowoddyoulook！"saidtheother，involuntarily。

"Ilikelookingatthatpicture，"mutteredRogojin，notnoticing，apparently，thattheprincehadnotansweredhisquestion。

"Thatpicture！Thatpicture！"criedMuishkin，struckbyasuddenidea。"Why，aman’sfaithmightberuinedbylookingatthatpicture！"

"Soitis！"saidRogojin，unexpectedly。Theyhadnowreachedthefrontdoor。

Theprincestopped。

"How？"hesaid。"Whatdoyoumean？Iwashalfjoking，andyoutookmeupquiteseriously！WhydoyouaskmewhetherIbelieveinGod"Oh，noparticularreason。Imeanttoaskyoubefore——manypeopleareunbelieversnowadays，especiallyRussians，Ihavebeentold。

Yououghttoknow——you’velivedabroad。"

Rogojinlaughedbitterlyashesaidthesewords，andopeningthedoor，helditfortheprincetopassout。Muishkinlookedsurprised，butwentout。Theotherfollowedhimasfarasthelandingoftheouterstairs，andshutthedoorbehindhim。Theybothnowstoodfacingoneanother，asthoughobliviousofwheretheywere，orwhattheyhadtodonext。

"Well，good-bye！"saidtheprince，holdingouthishand。

"Good-bye，"saidRogojin，pressingithard，butquitemechanically。

Theprincemadeonestepforward，andthenturnedround。

"Astofaith，"hesaid，smiling，andevidentlyunwillingtoleaveRogojininthisstate——"astofaith，Ihadfourcuriousconversationsintwodays，aweekorsoago。OnemorningImetamaninthetrain，andmadeacquaintancewithhimatonce。Ihadoftenheardofhimasaverylearnedman，butanatheist；andI

wasverygladoftheopportunityofconversingwithsoeminentandcleveraperson。Hedoesn’tbelieveinGod，andhetalkedagooddealaboutit，butallthewhileitappearedtomethathewasspeakingOUTSIDETHESUBJECT。Andithasalwaysstruckme，bothinspeakingtosuchmenandinreadingtheirbooks，thattheydonotseemreallytobetouchingonthatatall，thoughonthesurfacetheymayappeartodoso。Itoldhimthis，butIdaresayIdidnotclearlyexpresswhatImeant，forhecouldnotunderstandme。

"ThatsameeveningIstoppedatasmallprovincialhotel，anditsohappenedthatadreadfulmurderhadbeencommittedtherethenightbefore，andeverybodywastalkingaboutit。Twopeasants——

elderlymenandoldfriends——hadhadteatogethertherethenightbefore，andweretooccupythesamebedroom。Theywerenotdrunkbutoneofthemhadnoticedforthefirsttimethathisfriendpossessedasilverwatchwhichhewaswearingonachain。Hewasbynomeansathief，andwas，aspeasantsgo，arichman；butthiswatchsofascinatedhimthathecouldnotrestrainhimself。

Hetookaknife，andwhenhisfriendturnedhisback，hecameupsoftlybehind，raisedhiseyestoheaven，crossedhimself，andsayingearnestly——’Godforgiveme，forChrist’ssake！’hecuthisfriend’sthroatlikeasheep，andtookthewatch。"

Rogojinroaredwithlaughter。Helaughedasthoughhewereinasortoffit。Itwasstrangetoseehimlaughingsoafterthesombremoodhehadbeeninjustbefore。

"Oh，Ilikethat！Thatbeatsanything！"hecriedconvulsively，pantingforbreath。"Oneisanabsoluteunbeliever；theotherissuchathorough——goingbelieverthathemurdershisfriendtothetuneofaprayer！Oh，prince，prince，that’stoogoodforanything！Youcan’thaveinventedit。It’sthebestthingI’veheard！"

"NextmorningIwentoutforastrollthroughthetown，"

continuedtheprince，sosoonasRogojinwasalittlequieter，thoughhislaughterstillburstoutatintervals，"andsoonobservedadrunken-lookingsoldierstaggeringaboutthepavement。

Hecameuptomeandsaid，’Buymysilvercross，sir！Youshallhaveitforfourpence——it’srealsilver。’Ilooked，andthereheheldacross，justtakenoffhisownneck，evidently，alargetinone，madeaftertheByzantinepattern。Ifishedoutfourpence，andputhiscrossonmyownneck，andIcouldseebyhisfacethathewasaspleasedashecouldbeatthethoughtthathehadsucceededincheatingafoolishgentleman，andawayhewenttodrinkthevalueofhiscross。AtthattimeeverythingthatIsawmadeatremendousimpressionuponme。IhadunderstoodnothingaboutRussiabefore，andhadonlyvagueandfantasticmemoriesofit。SoIthought，’IwillwaitawhilebeforeIcondemnthisJudas。OnlyGodknowswhatmaybehiddenintheheartsofdrunkards。’

"Well，Iwenthomewards，andnearthehotelIcameacrossapoorwoman，carryingachild——ababyofsomesixweeksold。Themotherwasquiteagirlherself。Thebabywassmilingupather，forthefirsttimeinitslife，justatthatmoment；andwhileIwatchedthewomanshesuddenlycrossedherself，oh，sodevoutly！’Whatisit，mygoodwomanIaskedher。(Iwasneverbutaskingquestionsthen！)Exactlyasisamother’sjoywhenherbabysmilesforthefirsttimeintohereyes，soisGod’sjoywhenoneofHischildrenturnsandpraystoHimforthefirsttime，withallhisheart！’Thisiswhatthatpoorwomansaidtome，almostwordforword；andsuchadeep，refined，trulyreligiousthoughtitwas——athoughtinwhichthewholeessenceofChristianitywasexpressedinoneflash——thatis，therecognitionofGodasourFather，andofGod’sjoyinmenasHisownchildren，whichisthechiefideaofChrist。Shewasasimplecountry-woman——amother，it’strue——

andperhaps，whoknows，shemayhavebeenthewifeofthedrunkensoldier！

"Listen，Parfen；youputaquestiontomejustnow。Thisismyreply。Theessenceofreligiousfeelinghasnothingtodowithreason，oratheism，orcrime，oractsofanykind——ithasnothingtodowiththesethings——andneverhad。Thereissomethingbesidesallthis，somethingwhichtheargumentsoftheatheistscannevertouch。Buttheprincipalthing，andtheconclusionofmyargument，isthatthisismostclearlyseenintheheartofaRussian。ThisisaconvictionwhichIhavegainedwhileIhavebeeninthisRussiaofours。Yes，Parfen！thereisworktobedone；thereisworktobedoneinthisRussianworld！RememberwhattalksweusedtohaveinMoscow！AndIneverwishedtocomehereatall；andIneverthoughttomeetyoulikethis，Parfen！

Well，well——good-bye——good-bye！Godbewithyou！"

Heturnedandwentdownstairs。

"LefNicolaievitch！"criedParfen，beforehehadreachedthenextlanding。"Haveyougotthatcrossyouboughtfromthesoldierwithyou？"

"Yes，Ihave，"andtheprincestoppedagain。

"Showitme，willyou？"

Anewfancy！Theprincereflected，andthenmountedthestairsoncemore。Hepulledoutthecrosswithouttakingitoffhisneck。

"Giveittome，"saidParfen。

"Why？doyou——"

Theprincewouldratherhavekeptthisparticularcross。

"I’llwearit；andyoushallhavemine。I’lltakeitoffatonce。"

"Youwishtoexchangecrosses？Verywell，Parfen，ifthat’sthecase，I’mgladenough——thatmakesusbrothers，youknow。"

Theprincetookoffhistincross，Parfenhisgoldone，andtheexchangewasmade。

Parfenwassilent。Withsadsurprisetheprinceobservedthatthelookofdistrust，thebitter，ironicalsmile，hadstillnotaltogetherlefthisnewly-adoptedbrother’sface。Atmoments，atallevents，itshoweditselfbuttooplainly，AtlastRogojintooktheprince’shand，andstoodsoforsomemoments，asthoughhecouldnotmakeuphismind。Thenhedrewhimalong，murmuringalmostinaudibly，"Come！"

Theystoppedonthelanding，andrangthebellatadooroppositetoParfen’sownlodging。

AnoldwomanopenedtothemandbowedlowtoParfen，whoaskedhersomequestionshurriedly，butdidnotwaittohearheranswer。Heledtheprinceonthroughseveraldark，cold-lookingrooms，spotlesslyclean，withwhitecoversoverallthefurniture。

Withouttheceremonyofknocking，Parfenenteredasmallapartment，furnishedlikeadrawing-room，butwithapolishedmahoganypartitiondividingonehalfofitfromwhatwasprobablyabedroom。Inonecornerofthisroomsatanoldwomaninanarm-

chair，closetothestove。Shedidnotlookveryold，andherfacewasapleasant，roundone；butshewaswhite-hairedand，asonecoulddetectatthefirstglance，quiteinhersecondchildhood。Sheworeablackwoollendress，withablackhandkerchiefroundherneckandshoulders，andawhitecapwithblackribbons。Herfeetwereraisedonafootstool。Besidehersatanotheroldwoman，alsodressedinmourning，andsilentlyknittingastocking；thiswasevidentlyacompanion。Theybothlookedasthoughtheyneverbrokethesilence。Thefirstoldwoman，sosoonasshesawRogojinandtheprince，smiledandbowedcourteouslyseveraltimes，intokenofhergratificationattheirvisit。

"Mother，"saidRogojin，kissingherhand，"hereismygreatfriend，PrinceMuishkin；wehaveexchangedcrosses；hewaslikearealbrothertomeatMoscowatonetime，anddidagreatdealforme。Blesshim，mother，asyouwouldblessyourownson。Waitamoment，letmearrangeyourhandsforyou。"

Buttheoldlady，beforeParfenhadtimetotouchher，raisedherrighthand，and，withthreefingersheldup，devoutlymadethesignofthecrossthreetimesovertheprince。Shethennoddedherheadkindlyathimoncemore。

"There，comealong，LefNicolaievitch；that’sallIbroughtyouherefor，"saidRogojin。

Whentheyreachedthestairsagainheadded:

"SheunderstoodnothingofwhatIsaidtoher，anddidnotknowwhatIwantedhertodo，andyetsheblessedyou；thatshowsshewishedtodosoherself。Well，goodbye；it’stimeyouwent，andI

mustgotoo。"

Heopenedhisowndoor。

"Well，letmeatleastembraceyouandsaygoodbye，youstrangefellow！"criedtheprince，lookingwithgentlereproachatRogojin，andadvancingtowardshim。Butthelatterhadhardlyraisedhisarmswhenhedroppedthemagain。Hecouldnotmakeuphismindtoit；heturnedawayfromtheprinceinordertoavoidlookingathim。Hecouldnotembracehim。

"Don’tbeafraid，"hemuttered，indistinctly，"thoughIhavetakenyourcross，Ishallnotmurderyouforyourwatch。"Sosaying，helaughedsuddenly，andstrangely。Theninamomenthisfacebecametransfigured；hegrewdeadlywhite，hislipstrembled，hisevesburnedlikefire。Hestretchedouthisarmsandheldtheprincetightlytohim，andsaidinastrangledvoice:

"Well，takeher！It’sFate！She’syours。Isurrenderher……

RememberRogojin！"Andpushingtheprincefromhim，withoutlookingbackathim，hehurriedlyenteredhisownflat，andbangedthedoor。