第9章

V。

ITwaslatenow，nearlyhalf-pasttwo，andtheprincedidnotfindGeneralEpanchinathome。Heleftacard，anddeterminedtolookupColia，whohadaroomatasmallhotelnear。Coliawasnotin，buthewasinformedthathemightbebackshortly，andhadleftwordthatifhewerenotinbyhalf-pastthreeitwastobeunderstoodthathehadgonetoPavlofsktoGeneralEpanchin’s，andwoulddinethere。Theprincedecidedtowaittillhalf-pastthree，andorderedsomedinner。Athalf-pastthreetherewasnosignofColia。Theprincewaiteduntilfouro’clock，andthenstrolledoffmechanicallywhereverhisfeetshouldcarryhim。

InearlysummerthereareoftenmagnificentdaysinSt。

Petersburg——bright，hotandstill。Thishappenedtobesuchaday。

Forsometimetheprincewanderedaboutwithoutaimorobject。Hedidnotknowthetownwell。Hestoppedtolookabouthimonbridges，atstreetcorners。Heenteredaconfectioner’sshoptorest，once。Hewasinastateofnervousexcitementandperturbation；henoticednothingandnoone；andhefeltacravingforsolitude，tobealonewithhisthoughtsandhisemotions，andtogivehimselfuptothempassively。Heloathedtheideaoftryingtoanswerthequestionsthatwouldriseupinhisheartandmind。"Iamnottoblameforallthis，"hethoughttohimself，halfunconsciously。

Towardssixo’clockhefoundhimselfatthestationoftheTsarsko-Selskirailway。

Hewastiredofsolitudenow；anewrushoffeelingtookholdofhim，andafloodoflightchasedawaythegloom，foramoment，fromhissoul。HetookatickettoPavlofsk，anddeterminedtogetthereasfastashecould，butsomethingstoppedhim；areality，andnotafantasy，ashewasinclinedtothinkit。Hewasabouttotakehisplaceinacarriage，whenhesuddenlythrewawayhisticketandcameoutagain，disturbedandthoughtful。A

fewmomentslater，inthestreet，herecalledsomethingthathadbotheredhimalltheafternoon。Hecaughthimselfengagedinastrangeoccupationwhichhenowrecollectedhehadtakenupatoddmomentsforthelastfewhours——itwaslookingaboutallaroundhimforsomething，hedidnotknowwhat。Hehadforgottenitforawhile，halfanhourorso，andnow，suddenly，theuneasysearchhadrecommenced。

Buthehadhardlybecomeconsciousofthiscuriousphenomenon，whenanotherrecollectionsuddenlyswamthroughhisbrain，interestinghimforthemoment，exceedingly。Herememberedthatthelasttimehehadbeenengagedinlookingaroundhimfortheunknownsomething，hewasstandingbeforeacutler’sshop，inthewindowofwhichwereexposedcertaingoodsforsale。Hewasextremelyanxiousnowtodiscoverwhetherthisshopandthesegoodsreallyexisted，orwhetherthewholethinghadbeenahallucination。

Hefeltinaverycuriousconditiontoday，aconditionsimilartothatwhichhadprecededhisfitsinbygoneyears。

Herememberedthatatsuchtimeshehadbeenparticularlyabsentminded，andcouldnotdiscriminatebetweenobjectsandpersonsunlessheconcentratedspecialattentionuponthem。

Herememberedseeingsomethinginthewindowmarkedatsixtycopecks。Therefore，iftheshopexistedandifthisobjectwerereallyinthewindow，itwouldprovethathehadbeenabletoconcentratehisattentiononthisarticleatamomentwhen，asageneralrule，hisabsenceofmindwouldhavebeentoogreattoadmitofanysuchconcentration；infact，veryshortlyafterhehadlefttherailwaystationinsuchastateofagitation。

Sohewalkedbacklookingabouthimfortheshop，andhisheartbeatwithintolerableimpatience。Ah！herewastheveryshop，andtherewasthearticlemarked60cop。""Ofcourse，it’ssixtycopecks，"hethought，andcertainlyworthnomore。"Thisideaamusedhimandhelaughed。

Butitwasahystericallaugh；hewasfeelingterriblyoppressed。

Herememberedclearlythatjusthere，standingbeforethiswindow，hehadsuddenlyturnedround，justasearlierinthedayhehadturnedandfoundthedreadfuleyesofRogojinfixeduponhim。Convinced，therefore，thatinthisrespectatalleventshehadbeenundernodelusion，helefttheshopandwenton。

Thismustbethoughtout；itwasclearthattherehadbeennohallucinationatthestationthen，either；somethinghadactuallyhappenedtohim，onbothoccasions；therewasnodoubtofit。Butagainaloathingforallmentalexertionovermasteredhim；hewouldnotthinkitoutnow，hewouldputitoffandthinkofsomethingelse。Herememberedthatduringhisepilepticfits，orratherimmediatelyprecedingthem，hehadalwaysexperiencedamomentortwowhenhiswholeheart，andmind，andbodyseemedtowakeuptovigourandlight；whenhebecamefilledwithjoyandhope，andallhisanxietiesseemedtobesweptawayforever；

thesemomentswerebutpresentiments，asitwere，oftheonefinalsecond(itwasnevermorethanasecond)inwhichthefitcameuponhim。Thatsecond，ofcourse，wasinexpressible。Whenhisattackwasover，andtheprincereflectedonhissymptoms，heusedtosaytohimself:"Thesemoments，shortastheyare，whenI

feelsuchextremeconsciousnessofmyself，andconsequentlymoreoflifethanatothertimes，aredueonlytothedisease——tothesuddenruptureofnormalconditions。Thereforetheyarenotreallyahigherkindoflife，butalower。"Thisreasoning，however，seemedtoendinaparadox，andleadtothefurtherconsideration:——"Whatmatterthoughitbeonlydisease，anabnormaltensionofthebrain，ifwhenIrecallandanalyzethemoment，itseemstohavebeenoneofharmonyandbeautyinthehighestdegree——aninstantofdeepestsensation，overflowingwithunboundedjoyandrapture，ecstaticdevotion，andcompletestlife？"Vaguethoughthissounds，itwasperfectlycomprehensibletoMuishkin，thoughheknewthatitwasbutafeebleexpressionofhissensations。

Thattherewas，indeed，beautyandharmonyinthoseabnormalmoments，thattheyreallycontainedthehighestsynthesisoflife，hecouldnotdoubt，norevenadmitthepossibilityofdoubt。Hefeltthattheywerenotanalogoustothefantasticandunrealdreamsduetointoxicationbyhashish，opiumorwine。Ofthathecouldjudge，whentheattackwasover。Theseinstantswerecharacterized——todefineitinaword——byanintensequickeningofthesenseofpersonality。Since，inthelastconsciousmomentprecedingtheattack，hecouldsaytohimself，withfullunderstandingofhiswords:"Iwouldgivemywholelifeforthisoneinstant，"thendoubtlesstohimitreallywasworthalifetime。Fortherest，hethoughtthedialecticalpartofhisargumentoflittleworth；hesawonlytooclearlythattheresultoftheseecstaticmomentswasstupefaction，mentaldarkness，idiocy。Noargumentwaspossibleonthatpoint。Hisconclusion，hisestimateofthe"moment，"doubtlesscontainedsomeerror，yettherealityofthesensationtroubledhim。What’smoreunanswerablethanafact？Andthisfacthadoccurred。Theprincehadconfessedunreservedlytohimselfthatthefeelingofintensebeatitudeinthatcrowdedmomentmadethemomentworthalifetime。"Ifeelthen，"hesaidonedaytoRogojininMoscow，"IfeelthenasifI

understoodthoseamazingwords——’Thereshallbenomoretime。’"

Andheaddedwithasmile:"NodoubttheepilepticMahometreferstothatsamemomentwhenhesaysthathevisitedallthedwellingsofAllah，inlesstimethanwasneededtoemptyhispitcherofwater。"Yes，hehadoftenmetRogojininMoscow，andmanywerethesubjectstheydiscussed。"HetoldmeIhadbeenabrothertohim，"thoughttheprince。"Hesaidsotoday，forthefirsttime。"

HewassittingintheSummerGardenonaseatunderatree，andhisminddweltonthematter。Itwasaboutseveno’clock，andtheplacewasempty。Thestiflingatmosphereforetoldastorm，andtheprincefeltacertaincharminthecontemplativemoodwhichpossessedhim。Hefoundpleasure，too，ingazingattheexteriorobjectsaroundhim。Allthetimehewastryingtoforgetsomething，toescapefromsomeideathathauntedhim；butmelancholythoughtscameback，thoughhewouldsowillinglyhaveescapedfromthem。Herememberedsuddenlyhowhehadbeentalkingtothewaiter，whilehedined，aboutarecentlycommittedmurderwhichthewholetownwasdiscussing，andashethoughtofitsomethingstrangecameoverhim。Hewasseizedallatoncebyaviolentdesire，almostatemptation，againstwhichhestroveinvain。

Hejumpedupandwalkedoffasfastashecouldtowardsthe"PetersburgSide。"[OneofthequartersofSt。Petersburg。]Hehadaskedsomeone，alittlewhilebefore，toshowhimwhichwasthePetersburgSide，onthebanksoftheNeva。Hehadnotgonethere，however；andheknewverywellthatitwasofnousetogonow，forhewouldcertainlynotfindLebedeff’srelationathome。

Hehadtheaddress，butshemustcertainlyhavegonetoPavlofsk，orColiawouldhavelethimknow。Ifheweretogonow，itwouldmerelybeoutofcuriosity，butasudden，newideahadcomeintohishead。

However，itwassomethingtomoveonandknowwherehewasgoing。

Aminutelaterhewasstillmovingon，butwithoutknowinganything。Hecouldnolongerthinkouthisnewidea。Hetriedtotakeaninterestinallhesaw；inthesky，intheNeva。Hespoketosomechildrenhemet。Hefelthisepilepticconditionbecomingmoreandmoredeveloped。Theeveningwasveryclose；thunderwasheardsomewayoff。

TheprincewashauntedallthatdaybythefaceofLebedeff’snephewwhomhehadseenforthefirsttimethatmorning，justasoneishauntedattimesbysomepersistentmusicalrefrain。Byacuriousassociationofideas，theyoungmanalwaysappearedasthemurdererofwhomLebedeffhadspokenwhenintroducinghimtoMuishkin。Yes，hehadreadsomethingaboutthemurder，andthatquiterecently。SincehecametoRussia，hehadheardmanystoriesofthiskind，andwasinterestedinthem。Hisconversationwiththewaiter，anhourago，chancedtobeonthesubjectofthismurderoftheZemarins，andthelatterhadagreedwithhimaboutit。Hethoughtofthewaiteragain，anddecidedthathewasnofool，butasteady，intelligentman:though，saidhetohimself，"Godknowswhathemayreallybe；inacountrywithwhichoneisunfamiliaritisdifficulttounderstandthepeopleonemeets。"HewasbeginningtohaveapassionatefaithintheRussiansoul，however，andwhatdiscoverieshehadmadeinthelastsixmonths，whatunexpecteddiscoveries！Buteverysoulisamystery，anddepthsofmysterylieinthesoulofaRussian。

HehadbeenintimatewithRogojin，forexample，andabrotherlyfriendshiphadsprungupbetweenthem——yetdidhereallyknowhim？Whatchaosanduglinessfillstheworldattimes！Whataself-satisfiedrascalisthatnephewofLebedeff’s！"ButwhatamIthinking，"continuedtheprincetohimself。"Canhereallyhavecommittedthatcrime？Didhekillthosesixpersons？Iseemtobeconfusingthings……howstrangeitallis……Myheadgoesround……AndLebedeff’sdaughter——howsympatheticandcharmingherfacewasassheheldthechildinherarms！Whataninnocentlookandchild-likelaughshehad！ItiscuriousthatI

hadforgottenheruntilnow。IexpectLebedeffadoresher——andI

reallybelieve，whenIthinkofit，thatassureastwoandtwomakefour，heisfondofthatnephew，too！"

Well，whyshouldhejudgethemsohastily！Couldhereallysaywhattheywere，afteroneshortvisit？EvenLebedeffseemedanenigmatoday。Didheexpecttofindhimso？Hehadneverseenhimlikethatbefore。LebedeffandtheComtesseduBarry！GoodHeavens！IfRogojinshouldreallykillsomeone，itwouldnot，atanyrate，besuchasenseless，chaoticaffair。Aknifemadetoaspecialpattern，andsixpeoplekilledinakindofdelirium。ButRogojinalsohadaknifemadetoaspecialpattern。CanitbethatRogojinwishestomurderanyone？Theprincebegantotrembleviolently。"Itisacrimeonmyparttoimagineanythingsobase，withsuchcynicalfrankness。"Hisfacereddenedwithshameatthethought；andthentherecameacrosshimasinaflashthememoryoftheincidentsatthePavlofskstation，andattheotherstationinthemorning；andthequestionaskedhimbyRogojinaboutTHEEYESandRogojin’scross，thathewasevennowwearing；

andthebenedictionofRogojin’smother；andhisembraceonthedarkenedstaircase——thatlastsupremerenunciation——andnow，tofindhimselffullofthisnew"idea，"staringintoshop-windows，andlookingroundforthings——howbasehewas！

Despairovermasteredhissoul；hewouldnotgoon，hewouldgobacktohishotel；heeventurnedandwenttheotherway；butamomentafterhechangedhismindagainandwentonintheolddirection。

Why，herehewasonthePetersburgSidealready，quiteclosetothehouse！Wherewashis"idea"？Hewasmarchingalongwithoutitnow。Yes，hismaladywascomingback，itwasclearenough；allthisgloomandheaviness，allthese"ideas，"werenothingmorenorlessthanafitcomingon；perhapshewouldhaveafitthisveryday。

Butjustnowallthegloomanddarknesshadfled，hisheartfeltfullofjoyandhope，therewasnosuchthingasdoubt。Andyes，hehadn’tseenherforsolong；hereallymustseeher。HewishedhecouldmeetRogojin；hewouldtakehishand，andtheywouldgotohertogether。Hisheartwaspure，hewasnorivalofParfen’s。

Tomorrow，hewouldgoandtellhimthathehadseenher。Why，hehadonlycomeforthesolepurposeofseeingher，allthewayfromMoscow！Perhapsshemightbeherestill，whoknows？ShemightnothavegoneawaytoPavlofskyet。

Yes，allthismustbeputstraightandabove-board，theremustbenomorepassionaterenouncements，suchasRogojin’s。Itmustallbeclearasday。CannotRogojin’ssoulbearthelight？Hesaidhedidnotloveherwithsympathyandpity；true，headdedthat"yourpityisgreaterthanmylove，"buthewasnotquitefaironhimselfthere。Kin！Rogojinreadingabook——wasn’tthatsympathybeginning？Diditnotshowthathecomprehendedhisrelationswithher？Andhisstoryofwaitingdayandnightforherforgiveness？Thatdidn’tlookquitelikepassionalone。

Andastoherface，coulditinspirenothingbutpassion？Couldherfaceinspirepassionatallnow？Oh，itinspiredsuffering，grief，overwhelminggriefofthesoul！Apoignant，agonizingmemorysweptovertheprince’sheart。

Yes，agonizing。Herememberedhowhehadsufferedthatfirstdaywhenhethoughtheobservedinherthesymptomsofmadness。Hehadalmostfallenintodespair。HowcouldhehavelosthisholduponherwhensheranawayfromhimtoRogojin？Heoughttohaverunafterherhimself，ratherthanwaitfornewsashehaddone。

CanRogojinhavefailedtoobserve，uptonow，thatsheismad？

Rogojinattributesherstrangenesstoothercauses，topassion！

Whatinsanejealousy！Whatwasithehadhintedatinthatsuggestionofhis？Theprincesuddenlyblushed，andshudderedtohisveryheart。

Butwhyrecallallthis？Therewasinsanityonbothsides。Forhim，theprince，tolovethiswomanwithpassion，wasunthinkable。Itwouldbecruelandinhuman。Yes。Rogojinisnotfairtohimself；hehasalargeheart；hehasaptitudeforsympathy。Whenhelearnsthetruth，andfindswhatapitiablebeingisthisinjured，broken，half-insanecreature，hewillforgiveherallthetormentshehascausedhim。Hewillbecomeherslave，herbrother，herfriend。CompassionwillteachevenRogojin，itwillshowhimhowtoreason。Compassionisthechieflawofhumanexistence。Oh，howguiltyhefelttowardsRogojin！

And，forafewwarm，hastywordsspokeninMoscow，Parfenhadcalledhim"brother，"whilehe——butno，thiswasdelirium！Itwouldallcomeright！ThatgloomyParfenhadimpliedthathisfaithwaswaning；hemustsufferdreadfully。Hesaidhelikedtolookatthatpicture；itwasnotthathelikedit，buthefelttheneedoflookingatit。Rogojinwasnotmerelyapassionatesoul；hewasafighter。Hewasfightingfortherestorationofhisdyingfaith。Hemusthavesomethingtoholdontoandbelieve，andsomeonetobelievein。WhatastrangepicturethatofHolbein’sis！Why，thisisthestreet，andhere’sthehouse，No。16。

Theprincerangthebell，andaskedforNastasiaPhilipovna。Theladyofthehousecameout，andstatedthatNastasiahadgonetostaywithDariaAlexeyevnaatPavlofsk，andmightbetheresomedays。

MadameFilisoffwasalittlewomanofforty，withacunningface，andcrafty，piercingeyes。When，withanairofmystery，sheaskedhervisitor’sname，herefusedatfirsttoanswer，butinamomenthechangedhismind，andleftstrictinstructionsthatitshouldbegiventoNastasiaPhilipovna。TheurgencyofhisrequestseemedtoimpressMadameFilisoff，andsheputonaknowingexpression，asiftosay，"Youneednotbeafraid，I

quiteunderstand。"Theprince’snameevidentlywasagreatsurprisetoher。Hestoodandlookedabsentlyatherforamoment，thenturned，andtooktheroadbacktohishotel。Buthewentawaynotashecame。Agreatchangehadsuddenlycomeoverhim。Hewentblindlyforward；hiskneesshookunderhim；hewastormentedby"ideas"；hislipswereblue，andtrembledwithafeeble，meaninglesssmile。Hisdemonwasuponhimoncemore。

Whathadhappenedtohim？Whywashisbrowclammywithdropsofmoisture，hiskneesshakingbeneathhim，andhissouloppressedwithacoldgloom？Wasitbecausehehadjustseenthesedreadfuleyesagain？Why，hehadlefttheSummerGardenonpurposetoseethem；thathadbeenhis"idea。"Hehadwishedtoassurehimselfthathewouldseethemoncemoreatthathouse。Thenwhywashesooverwhelmednow，havingseenthemasheexpected？justasthoughhehadnotexpectedtoseethem！Yes，theyweretheverysameeyes；andnodoubtaboutit。Thesamethathehadseeninthecrowdthatmorningatthestation，thesamethathehadsurprisedinRogojin’sroomssomehourslater，whenthelatterhadrepliedtohisinquirywithasneeringlaugh，"Well，whoseeyeswerethey？"ThenforthethirdtimetheyhadappearedjustashewasgettingintothetrainonhiswaytoseeAglaya。HehadhadastrongimpulsetorushuptoRogojin，andrepeathiswordsofthemorning"Whoseeyesarethey？"Insteadhehadfledfromthestation，andknewnothingmore，untilhefoundhimselfgazingintothewindowofacutler’sshop，andwonderingifaknifewithastaghornhandlewouldcostmorethansixtycopecks。AndastheprincesatdreamingintheSummerGardenunderalime-tree，awickeddemonhadcomeandwhisperedinhiscar:"Rogojinhasbeenspyinguponyouandwatchingyouallthemorninginafrenzyofdesperation。WhenhefindsyouhavenotgonetoPavlofsk——aterriblediscoveryforhim——hewillsurelygoatoncetothathouseinPetersburgSide，andwatchforyouthere，althoughonlythismorningyougaveyourwordofhonournottoseeHER，andsworethatyouhadnotcometoPetersburgforthatpurpose。"Andthereupontheprincehadhastenedofftothathouse，andwhatwasthereinthefactthathehadmetRogojinthere？Hehadonlyseenawretched，sufferingcreature，whosestateofmindwasgloomyandmiserable，butmostcomprehensible。InthemorningRogojinhadseemedtobetryingtokeepoutoftheway；butatthestationthisafternoonhehadstoodout，hehadconcealedhimself，indeed，lessthantheprincehimself；atthehouse，now，hehadstoodfiftyyardsoffontheothersideoftheroad，withfoldedhands，watching，plainlyinviewandapparentlydesirousofbeingseen。Hehadstoodtherelikeanaccuser，likeajudge，notlikea——awhat？

Andwhyhadnottheprinceapproachedhimandspokentohim，insteadofturningawayandpretendinghehadseennothing，althoughtheireyesmet？(Yes，theireyeshadmet，andtheyhadlookedateachother。)Why，hehadhimselfwishedtotakeRogojinbythehandandgointogether，hehadhimselfdeterminedtogotohimonthemorrowandtellhimthathehadseenher，hehadrepudiatedthedemonashewalkedtothehouse，andhishearthadbeenfullofjoy。

Wastheresomethinginthewholeaspectoftheman，today，sufficienttojustifytheprince’sterror，andtheawfulsuspicionsofhisdemon？Somethingseen，butindescribable，whichfilledhimwithdreadfulpresentiments？Yes，hewasconvincedofit——convincedofwhat？(Oh，howmeanandhideousofhimtofeelthisconviction，thispresentiment！Howheblamedhimselfforit！)"Speakifyoudare，andtellme，whatisthepresentiment？"

herepeatedtohimself，overandoveragain。"Putitintowords，speakoutclearlyanddistinctly。Oh，miserablecowardthatI

am！"Theprinceflushedwithshameforhisownbaseness。"HowshallIeverlookthismaninthefaceagain？MyGod，whataday！

Andwhatanightmare，whatanightmare！"

Therewasamoment，duringthislong，wretchedwalkbackfromthePetersburgSide，whentheprincefeltanirresistibledesiretogostraighttoRogojin’s，waitforhim，embracehimwithtearsofshameandcontrition，andtellhimofhisdistrust，andfinishwithit——onceforall。

Butherehewasbackathishotel。

Howoftenduringthedayhehadthoughtofthishotelwithloathing——itscorridor，itsrooms，itsstairs。Howhehaddreadedcomingbacktoit，forsomereason。

"WhataregularoldwomanIamtoday，"hehadsaidtohimselfeachtime，withannoyance。"Ibelieveineveryfoolishpresentimentthatcomesintomyhead。"

Hestoppedforamomentatthedoor；agreatflushofshamecameoverhim。"Iamacoward，awretchedcoward，"hesaid，andmovedforwardagain；butoncemorehepaused。

Amongalltheincidentsoftheday，onerecurredtohismindtotheexclusionoftherest；althoughnowthathisself-controlwasregained，andhewasnolongerundertheinfluenceofanightmare，hewasabletothinkofitcalmly。ItconcernedtheknifeonRogojin’stable。"WhyshouldnotRogojinhaveasmanyknivesonhistableashechooses？"thoughttheprince，wonderingathissuspicions，ashehaddonewhenhefoundhimselflookingintothecutler’swindow。"Whatcouldithavetodowithme？"hesaidtohimselfagain，andstoppedasifrootedtothegroundbyakindofparalysisoflimbsuchasattackspeopleunderthestressofsomehumiliatingrecollection。

Thedoorwaywasdarkandgloomyatanytime；butjustatthismomentitwasrendereddoublysobythefactthatthethunder-

stormhadjustbroken，andtherainwascomingdownintorrents。

Andinthesemi-darknesstheprincedistinguishedamanstandingclosetothestairs，apparentlywaiting。

Therewasnothingparticularlysignificantinthefactthatamanwasstandingbackinthedoorway，waitingtocomeoutorgoupstairs；buttheprincefeltanirresistibleconvictionthatheknewthisman，andthatitwasRogojin。Themanmovedonupthestairs；amomentlatertheprincepassedupthem，too。Hisheartfrozewithinhim。"InaminuteortwoIshallknowall，"hethought。

Thestaircaseledtothefirstandsecondcorridorsofthehotel，alongwhichlaytheguests’bedrooms。AsisoftenthecaseinPetersburghouses，itwasnarrowandverydark，andturnedaroundamassivestonecolumn。

Onthefirstlanding，whichwasassmallasthenecessaryturnofthestairsallowed，therewasanicheinthecolumn，abouthalfayardwide，andinthisnichetheprincefeltconvincedthatamanstoodconcealed。Hethoughthecoulddistinguishafigurestandingthere。Hewouldpassbyquicklyandnotlook。Hetookastepforward，butcouldbeartheuncertaintynolongerandturnedhishead。

Theeyes——thesametwoeyes——methis！Themanconcealedinthenichehadalsotakenastepforward。Foronesecondtheystoodfacetoface。

Suddenlytheprincecaughtthemanbytheshoulderandtwistedhimroundtowardsthelight，sothathemightseehisfacemoreclearly。

Rogojin’seyesflashed，andasmileofinsanitydistortedhiscountenance。Hisrighthandwasraised，andsomethingglitteredinit。Theprincedidnotthinkoftryingtostopit。Allhecouldrememberafterwardswasthatheseemedtohavecalledout:

"Parfen！Iwon’tbelieveit。"

Nextmomentsomethingappearedtoburstopenbeforehim:awonderfulinnerlightilluminatedhissoul。Thislastedperhapshalfasecond，yethedistinctlyrememberedhearingthebeginningofthewail，thestrange，dreadfulwail，whichburstfromhislipsofitsownaccord，andwhichnoeffortofwillonhispartcouldsuppress。

Nextmomenthewasabsolutelyunconscious；blackdarknessblottedouteverything。

Hehadfalleninanepilepticfit……

Asiswellknown，thesefitsoccurinstantaneously。Theface，especiallytheeyes，becometerriblydisfigured，convulsionsseizethelimbs，aterriblecrybreaksfromthesufferer，awailfromwhicheverythinghumanseemstobeblottedout，sothatitisimpossibletobelievethatthemanwhohasjustfallenisthesamewhoemittedthedreadfulcry。Itseemsmoreasthoughsomeotherbeing，insidethestrickenone，hadcried。Manypeoplehavebornewitnesstothisimpression；andmanycannotbeholdanepilepticfitwithoutafeelingofmysteriousterroranddread。

Suchafeeling，wemustsuppose，overtookRogojinatthismoment，andsavedtheprince’slife。Notknowingthatitwasafit，andseeinghisvictimdisappearheadforemostintothedarkness，hearinghisheadstrikethestonestepsbelowwithacrash，Rogojinrusheddownstairs，skirtingthebody，andflunghimselfheadlongoutofthehotel，likearavingmadman。

Theprince’sbodyslippedconvulsivelydownthestepstillitrestedatthebottom。Verysoon，infiveminutesorso，hewasdiscovered，andacrowdcollectedaroundhim。

Apoolofbloodonthestepsnearhisheadgaverisetogravefears。Wasitacaseofaccident，orhadtherebeenacrime？Itwas，however，soonrecognizedasacaseofepilepsy，andidentificationandpropermeasuresforrestorationfollowedoneanother，owingtoafortunatecircumstance。ColiaIvolginhadcomebacktohishotelaboutseveno’clock，owingtoasuddenimpulsewhichmadehimrefusetodineattheEpanchins’，and，findinganotefromtheprinceawaitinghim，hadspedawaytothelatter’saddress。Arrivedthere，heorderedacupofteaandsatsippingitinthecoffee-room。Whilethereheheardexcitedwhispersofsomeonejustfoundatthebottomofthestairsinafit；uponwhichhehadhurriedtothespot，withapresentimentofevil，andatoncerecognizedtheprince。

Thesuffererwasimmediatelytakentohisroom，andthoughhepartiallyregainedconsciousness，helaylonginasemi-dazedcondition。

Thedoctorstatedthattherewasnodangertobeapprehendedfromthewoundonthehead，andassoonastheprincecouldunderstandwhatwasgoingonaroundhim，ColiahiredacarriageandtookhimawaytoLebedeff’s。Therehewasreceivedwithmuchcordiality，andthedeparturetothecountrywashastenedonhisaccount。

ThreedayslatertheywereallatPavlofsk。

VI。

LEBEDEFF’Scountry-housewasnotlarge，butitwasprettyandconvenient，especiallythepartwhichwaslettotheprince。

Arowoforangeandlemontreesandjasmines，plantedingreentubs，stoodonthefairlywideterrace。AccordingtoLebedeff，thesetreesgavethehouseamostdelightfulaspect。Someweretherewhenheboughtit，andhewassocharmedwiththeeffectthathepromptlyaddedtotheirnumber。Whenthetubscontainingtheseplantsarrivedatthevillaandweresetintheirplaces，Lebedeffkeptrunningintothestreettoenjoytheviewofthehouse，andeverytimehedidsotherenttobedemandedfromthefuturetenantwentupwithabound。

Thiscountryvillapleasedtheprinceverymuchinhisstateofphysicalandmentalexhaustion。OnthedaythattheyleftforPavlofsk，thatisthedayafterhisattack，heappearedalmostwell，thoughinrealityhefeltveryfarfromit。Thefacesofthosearoundhimforthelastthreedayshadmadeapleasantimpression。Hewaspleasedtosee，notonlyColia，whohadbecomehisinseparablecompanion，butLebedeffhimselfandallthefamily，exceptthenephew，whohadleftthehouse。HewasalsogladtoreceiveavisitfromGeneralIvolgin，beforeleavingSt。

Petersburg。

ItwasgettinglatewhenthepartyarrivedatPavlofsk，butseveralpeoplecalledtoseetheprince，andassembledintheverandah。Ganiawasthefirsttoarrive。Hehadgrownsopaleandthinthattheprincecouldhardlyrecognizehim。ThencameVariaandPtitsin，whowererusticatingintheneighbourhood。AstoGeneralIvolgin，hescarcelybudgedfromLebedeff’shouse，andseemedtohavemovedtoPavlofskwithhim。LebedeffdidhisbesttokeepArdalionAlexandrovitchbyhim，andtopreventhimfrominvadingtheprince’squarters。Hechattedwithhimconfidentially，sothattheymighthavebeentakenforoldfriends。Duringthosethreedaystheprincehadnoticedthattheyfrequentlyheldlongconversations；heoftenheardtheirvoicesraisedinargumentondeepandlearnedsubjects，whichevidentlypleasedLebedeff。Heseemedasifhecouldnotdowithoutthegeneral。ButitwasnotonlyArdalionAlexandrovitchwhomLebedeffkeptoutoftheprince’sway。Sincetheyhadcometothevilla，hetreatedhisownfamilythesame。Uponthepretextthathistenantneededquiet，hekepthimalmostinisolation，andMuishkinprotestedinvainagainstthisexcessofzeal。Lebedeffstampedhisfeetathisdaughtersanddrovethemawayiftheyattemptedtojointheprinceontheterrace；notevenVerawasexcepted。

"Theywillloseallrespectiftheyareallowedtobesofreeandeasy；besidesitisnotproperforthem，"hedeclaredatlast，inanswertoadirectquestionfromtheprince。

"Whyonearthnot？"askedthelatter。"Really，youknow，youaremakingyourselfanuisance，bykeepingguardovermelikethis。I

getboredallbymyself；Ihavetoldyousooverandoveragain，andyougetonmynervesmorethaneverbywavingyourhandsandcreepinginandoutinthemysteriouswayyoudo。"

ItwasafactthatLebedeff，thoughhewassoanxioustokeepeveryoneelsefromdisturbingthepatient，wascontinuallyinandoutoftheprince’sroomhimself。Heinvariablybeganbyopeningthedooracrackandpeeringintoseeiftheprincewasthere，orifhehadescaped；thenhewouldcreepsoftlyuptothearm-

chair，sometimesmakingMuishkinjumpbyhissuddenappearance。

Healwaysaskedifthepatientwantedanything，andwhenthelatterrepliedthatheonlywantedtobeleftinpeace，hewouldturnawayobedientlyandmakeforthedoorontip-toe，withdeprecatorygesturestoimplythathehadonlyjustlookedin，thathewouldnotspeakaword，andwouldgoawayandnotintrudeagain；whichdidnotpreventhimfromreappearingintenminutesoraquarterofanhour。Coliahadfreeaccesstotheprince，atwhichLebedeffwasquitedisgustedandindignant。Hewouldlistenatthedoorforhalfanhouratatimewhilethetwoweretalking。Coliafoundthisout，andnaturallytoldtheprinceofhisdiscovery。

"Doyouthinkyourselfmymaster，thatyoutrytokeepmeunderlockandkeylikethis？"saidtheprincetoLebedeff。"Inthecountry，atleast，Iintendtobefree，andyoumaymakeupyourmindthatImeantoseewhomIlike，andgowhereIplease。"

"Why，ofcourse，"repliedtheclerk，gesticulatingwithhishands。

Theprincelookedhimsternlyupanddown。

"Well，LukianTimofeyovitch，haveyoubroughtthelittlecupboardthatyouhadattheheadofyourbedwithyouhere？"

"No，Ileftitwhereitwas。"

"Impossible！"

"Itcannotbemoved；youwouldhavetopullthewalldown，itissofirmlyfixed。"

"Perhapsyouhaveonelikeithere？"

"Ihaveonethatisevenbetter，muchbetter；thatisreallywhyIboughtthishouse。"

"Ah！Whatvisitordidyouturnawayfrommydoor，aboutanhourago？"

"The-thegeneral。Iwouldnotlethimin；thereisnoneedforhimtovisityou，prince……Ihavethedeepestesteemforhim，heisa——agreatman。Youdon’tbelieveit？Well，youwillsee，andyet，mostexcellentprince，youhadmuchbetternotreceivehim。"

"MayIaskwhy？andalsowhyyouwalkaboutontiptoeandalwaysseemasifyouweregoingtowhisperasecretinmyearwheneveryoucomenearme？"

"Iamvile，vile；Iknowit！"criedLebedeff，beatinghisbreastwithacontriteair。"Butwillnotthegeneralbetoohospitableforyou？"

"Toohospitable？"

"Yes。First，heproposestocomeandliveinmyhouse。Wellandgood；buthesticksatnothing；heimmediatelymakeshimselfoneofthefamily。Wehavetalkedoverourrespectiverelationsseveraltimes，anddiscoveredthatweareconnectedbymarriage。

Itseemsalsothatyouareasortofnephewonhismother’sside；

hewasexplainingittomeagainonlyyesterday。Ifyouarehisnephew，itfollowsthatImustalsobearelationofyours，mostexcellentprince。Nevermindaboutthat，itisonlyafoible；butjustnowheassuredmethatallhislife，fromthedayhewasmadeanensigntothe11thoflastJune，hehasentertainedatleasttwohundredguestsathistableeveryday。Finally，hewentsofarastosaythattheyneverrosefromthetable；theydined，supped，andhadtea，forfifteenhoursatastretch。Thiswentonforthirtyyearswithoutabreak；therewasbarelytimetochangethetable-cloth；directlyonepersonleft，anothertookhisplace。Onfeast-daysheentertainedasmanyasthreehundredguests，andtheynumberedsevenhundredonthethousandthanniversaryofthefoundationoftheRussianEmpire。Itamountstoapassionwithhim；itmakesoneuneasytohearofit。Itisterribletohavetoentertainpeoplewhodothingsonsuchascale。ThatiswhyIwonderwhethersuchamanisnottoohospitableforyouandme。"

"Butyouseemtobeonthebestoftermswithhim？"

"Quitefraternal——Ilookuponitasajoke。Letusbebrothers-

in-law，itisallthesametome，——ratheranhonourthannot。ButinspiteofthetwohundredguestsandthethousandthanniversaryoftheRussianEmpire，Icanseethatheisaveryremarkableman。Iamquitesincere。YousaidjustnowthatIalwayslookedasifIwasgoingtotellyouasecret；youareright。Ihaveasecrettotellyou:acertainpersonhasjustletmeknowthatsheisveryanxiousforasecretinterviewwithyou。"

"Whyshoulditbesecret？Notatall；Iwillcallonhermyselftomorrow。"

"No，ohno！"criedLebedeff，wavinghisarms；"ifsheisafraid，itisnotforthereasonyouthink。Bytheway，doyouknowthatthemonstercomeseverydaytoinquireafteryourhealth？"

"Youcallhimamonstersooftenthatitmakesmesuspicious。"

"Youmusthavenosuspicions，nonewhatever，"saidLebedeffquickly。"Ionlywantyoutoknowthatthepersoninquestionisnotafraidofhim，butofsomethingquite，quitedifferent。"

"Whatonearthissheafraidof，then？Tellmeplainly，withoutanymorebeatingaboutthebush，"saidtheprince，exasperatedbytheother’smysteriousgrimaces。

"Ahthatisthesecret，"saidLebedeff，withasmile。

"Whosesecret？"

"Yours。Youforbademeyourselftomentionitbeforeyou，mostexcellentprince，"murmuredLebedeff。Then，satisfiedthathehadworkedupMuishkin’scuriositytothehighestpitch，headdedabruptly:"SheisafraidofAglayaIvanovna。"

Theprincefrownedforamomentinsilence，andthensaidsuddenly:

"Really，Lebedeff，Imustleaveyourhouse。WhereareGavrilaArdalionovitchandthePtitsins？Aretheyhere？Haveyouchasedthemaway，too？"

"Theyarecoming，theyarecoming；andthegeneralaswell。I

willopenallthedoors；Iwillcallallmydaughters，allofthem，thisveryminute，"saidLebedeffinalowvoice，thoroughlyfrightened，andwavinghishandsasheranfromdoortodoor。

AtthatmomentColiaappearedontheterrace；heannouncedthatLizabethaProkofievnaandherthreedaughterswereclosebehindhim。

Movedbythisnews，Lebedeffhurrieduptotheprince。

"ShallIcallthePtitsins，andGavrilaArdalionovitch？ShallI

letthegeneralin？"heasked。

"Whynot？Letinanyonewhowantstoseeme。Iassureyou，Lebedeff，youhavemisunderstoodmypositionfromtheveryfirst；

youhavebeenwrongallalong。Ihavenottheslightestreasontohidemyselffromanyone，"repliedtheprincegaily。

Seeinghimlaugh，Lebedeffthoughtfittolaughalso，andthoughmuchagitatedhissatisfactionwasquitevisible。

Coliawasright；theEpanchinladieswereonlyafewstepsbehindhim。AstheyapproachedtheterraceothervisitorsappearedfromLebedeff’ssideofthehouse-thePtitsins，Gania，andArdalionAlexandrovitch。

TheEpanchinshadonlyjustheardoftheprince’sillnessandofhispresenceinPavlofsk，fromColia；anduptothistimehadbeeninastateofconsiderablebewildermentabouthim。Thegeneralbroughttheprince’scarddownfromtown，andMrs。

Epanchinhadfeltconvincedthathehimselfwouldfollowhiscardatonce；shewasmuchexcited。

Invainthegirlsassuredherthatamanwhohadnotwrittenforsixmonthswouldnotbeinsuchadreadfulhurry，andthatprobablyhehadenoughtodointownwithoutneedingtobustledowntoPavlofsktoseethem。Theirmotherwasquiteangryattheveryideaofsuchathing，andannouncedherabsoluteconvictionthathewouldturnupthenextdayatlatest。

Sonextdaytheprincewasexpectedallthemorning，andatdinner，tea，andsupper；andwhenhedidnotappearintheevening，Mrs。Epanchinquarrelledwitheveryoneinthehouse，findingplentyofpretextswithoutsomuchasmentioningtheprince’sname。

Onthethirddaytherewasnotalkofhimatall，untilAglayaremarkedatdinner:"Mammaiscrossbecausetheprincehasn’tturnedup，"towhichthegeneralrepliedthatitwasnothisfault。

Mrs。Epanchinmisunderstoodtheobservation，andrisingfromherplaceshelefttheroominmajesticwrath。Intheevening，however，Coliacamewiththestoryoftheprince’sadventures，sofarasheknewthem。Mrs。Epanchinwastriumphant；althoughColiahadtolistentoalonglecture。"Heidlesaboutherethewholedaylong，onecan’tgetridofhim；andthenwhenheiswantedhedoesnotcome。Hemighthavesentalineifhedidnotwishtoinconveniencehimself。"

Atthewords"onecan’tgetridofhim，"Coliawasveryangry，andnearlyflewintoarage；butheresolvedtobequietforthetimeandshowhisresentmentlater。Ifthewordshadbeenlessoffensivehemighthaveforgiventhem，sopleasedwashetoseeLizabethaProkofievnaworriedandanxiousabouttheprince’sillness。

ShewouldhaveinsistedonsendingtoPetersburgatonce，foracertaingreatmedicalcelebrity；butherdaughtersdissuadedher，thoughtheywerenotwillingtostaybehindwhensheatoncepreparedtogoandvisittheinvalid。Aglaya，however，suggestedthatitwasalittleunceremonioustogoenmassetoseehim。

"Verywellthen，stayathome，"saidMrs。Epanchin，andagoodthingtoo，forEvgeniePavlovitchiscomingdownandtherewillbenooneathometoreceivehim。"

Ofcourse，afterthis，Aglayawentwiththerest。Infact，shehadneverhadtheslightestintentionofdoingotherwise。

PrinceS。，whowasinthehouse，wasrequestedtoescorttheladies。HehadbeenmuchinterestedwhenhefirstheardoftheprincefromtheEpanchins。Itappearedthattheyhadknownoneanotherbefore，andhadspentsometimetogetherinalittleprovincialtownthreemonthsago。PrinceS。hadgreatlytakentohim，andwasdelightedwiththeopportunityofmeetinghimagain，Thegeneralhadnotcomedownfromtownasyet，norhadEvgeniePavlovitcharrived。

ItwasnotmorethantwoorthreehundredyardsfromtheEpanchins’housetoLebedeff’s。ThefirstdisagreeableimpressionexperiencedbyMrs。Epanchinwastofindtheprincesurroundedbyawholeassemblyofotherguests——nottomentionthefactthatsomeofthosepresentwereparticularlydetestableinhereyes。

Thenextannoyingcircumstancewaswhenanapparentlystrongandhealthyyoungfellow，welldressed，andsmiling，cameforwardtomeetherontheterrace，insteadofthehalf-dyingunfortunatewhomshehadexpectedtosee。

Shewasastonishedandvexed，andherdisappointmentpleasedColiaimmensely。Ofcoursehecouldhaveundeceivedherbeforeshestarted，butthemischievousboyhadbeencarefulnottodothat，foreseeingtheprobablylaughabledisgustthatshewouldexperiencewhenshefoundherdearfriend，theprince，ingoodhealth。ColiawasindelicateenoughtovoicethedelighthefeltathissuccessinmanagingtoannoyLizabethaProkofievna，withwhom，inspiteoftheirreallyamicablerelations，hewasconstantlysparring。

"Justwaitawhile，myboy！"saidshe；"don’tbetoocertainofyourtriumph。"Andshesatdownheavily，inthearm-chairpushedforwardbytheprince。

Lebedeff，Ptitsin，andGeneralIvolginhastenedtofindchairsfortheyoungladies。Variagreetedthemjoyfully，andtheyexchangedconfidencesinecstaticwhispers。

"Imustadmit，prince，Iwasalittleputouttoseeyouupandaboutlikethis——Iexpectedtofindyouinbed；butIgiveyoumyword，Iwasonlyannoyedforaninstant，beforeIcollectedmythoughtsproperly。Iamalwayswiseronsecondthoughts，andI

daresayyouarethesame。IassureyouIamasgladtoseeyouwellasthoughyouweremyownson，——yes，andmore；andifyoudon’tbelievemethemoreshametoyou，andit’snotmyfault。

Butthatspitefulboydelightsinplayingallsortsoftricks。

Youarehispatron，itseems。Well，IwarnyouthatonefinemorningIshalldeprivemyselfofthepleasureofhisfurtheracquaintance。"

"WhathaveIdonewrongnow？"criedColia。"Whatwasthegoodoftellingyouthattheprincewasnearlywellagain？Youwouldnothavebelievedme；itwassomuchmoreinterestingtopicturehimonhisdeath-bed。"

"Howlongdoyouremainhere，prince？"askedMadameEpanchin。

"Allthesummer，andperhapslonger。"

"Youarealone，aren’tyou，——notmarried？"

"No，I’mnotmarried！"repliedtheprince，smilingattheingenuousnessofthislittlefeeler。

"Oh，youneedn’tlaugh！Thesethingsdohappen，youknow！Nowthen——whydidn’tyoucometous？Wehaveawingquiteempty。Butjustasyoulike，ofcourse。DoyouleaseitfromHIM？——thisfellow，Imean，"sheadded，noddingtowardsLebedeff。"Andwhydoeshealwayswriggleso？"

AtthatmomentVera，carryingthebabyinherarmsasusual，cameoutofthehouse，ontotheterrace。Lebedeffkeptfidgetingamongthechairs，anddidnotseemtoknowwhattodowithhimself，thoughhehadnointentionofgoingaway。Henosoonercaughtsightofhisdaughter，thanherushedinherdirection，wavinghisarmstokeepheraway；heevenforgothimselfsofarastostamphisfoot。

"Ishemad？"askedMadameEpanchinsuddenly。

"No，he……"

"Perhapsheisdrunk？Yourcompanyisratherpeculiar，"sheadded，withaglanceattheotherguests……

"Butwhataprettygirl！Whoisshe？"

"ThatisLebedeff’sdaughter——VeraLukianovna。"

"Indeed？Shelooksverysweet。Ishouldliketomakeheracquaintance。"

Thewordswerehardlyoutofhermouth，whenLebedeffdraggedVeraforward，inordertopresenther。

"Orphans，poororphans！"hebeganinapatheticvoice。

"Thechildshecarriesisanorphan，too。SheisVera’ssister，mydaughterLuboff。Thedaythisbabewasborn，sixweeksago，mywifedied，bythewillofGodAlmighty……Yes……Veratakeshermother’splace，thoughsheisbuthersister……nothingmore……nothingmore……"

"Andyou！Youarenothingmorethanafool，ifyou’llexcuseme！

Well！well！youknowthatyourself，Iexpect，"saidtheladyindignantly。

Lebedeffbowedlow。"Itisthetruth，"hereplied，withextremerespect。

"Oh，Mr。Lebedeff，IamtoldyoulectureontheApocalypse。Isittrue？"askedAglaya。

"Yes，thatisso……forthelastfifteenyears。"

"Ihaveheardofyou，andIthinkreadofyouinthenewspapers。"

"No，thatwasanothercommentator，whomthepapersnamed。Heisdead，however，andIhavetakenhisplace，"saidtheother，muchdelighted。

"Weareneighbours，sowillyoubesokindastocomeoveronedayandexplaintheApocalypsetome？"saidAglaya。"Idonotunderstanditintheleast。"

"Allowmetowarnyou，"interposedGeneralIvolgin，thatheisthegreatestcharlatanonearth。"Hehadtakenthechairnexttothegirl，andwasimpatienttobegintalking。"Nodoubttherearepleasuresandamusementspeculiartothecountry，"hecontinued，"andtolistentoapretendedstudentholdingforthonthebookoftheRevelationsmaybeasgoodasanyother。Itmayevenbeoriginal。But……youseemtobelookingatmewithsomesurprise——mayIintroducemyself——GeneralIvolgin——Icarriedyouinmyarmsasababy——"

"Delighted，I’msure，"saidAglaya；"IamacquaintedwithVarvaraArdalionovnaandNinaAlexandrovna。"Shewastryinghardtorestrainherselffromlaughing。

Mrs。Epanchinflushedup；someaccumulationofspleeninhersuddenlyneededanoutlet。ShecouldnotbearthisGeneralIvolginwhomshehadonceknown，longago——insociety。

"Youaredeviatingfromthetruth，sir，asusual！"sheremarked，boilingoverwithindignation；"younevercarriedherinyourlife！"

"Youhaveforgotten，mother，"saidAglaya，suddenly。"Hereallydidcarrymeabout，——inTver，youknow。Iwassixyearsold，I

remember。Hemademeabowandarrow，andIshotapigeon。Don’tyouremembershootingapigeon，youandI，oneday？"

"Yes，andhemademeacardboardhelmet，andalittlewoodensword——Iremember！"saidAdelaida。

"Yes，Iremembertoo！"saidAlexandra。"Youquarrelledaboutthewoundedpigeon，andAdelaidawasputinthecorner，andstoodtherewithherhelmetandswordandall。"

ThepoorgeneralhadmerelymadetheremarkabouthavingcarriedAglayainhisarmsbecausehealwaysdidsobeginaconversationwithyoungpeople。Butithappenedthatthistimehehadreallyhituponthetruth，thoughhehadhimselfentirelyforgottenthefact。ButwhenAdelaidaandAglayarecalledtheepisodeofthepigeon，hismindbecamefilledwithmemories，anditisimpossibletodescribehowthispooroldman，usuallyhalfdrunk，wasmovedbytherecollection。

"Iremember——Irememberitall！"hecried。"Iwascaptainthen。

Youweresuchalovelylittlething——NinaAlexandrovna！——Gania，listen！IwasreceivedthenbyGeneralEpanchin。"

"Yes，andlookwhatyouhavecometonow！"interruptedMrs。

Epanchin。"However，Iseeyouhavenotquitedrunkyourbetterfeelingsaway。Butyou’vebrokenyourwife’sheart，sir——andinsteadoflookingafteryourchildren，youhavespentyourtimeinpublic-housesanddebtors’prisons！Goaway，myfriend，standinsomecornerandweep，andbemoanyourfallendignity，andperhapsGodwillforgiveyouyet！Go，go！I’mserious！There’snothingsofavourableforrepentanceastothinkofthepastwithfeelingsofremorse！"

Therewasnoneedtorepeatthatshewasserious。Thegeneral，likealldrunkards，wasextremelyemotionalandeasilytouchedbyrecollectionsofhisbetterdays。Heroseandwalkedquietlytothedoor，someeklythatMrs。Epanchinwasinstantlysorryforhim。

"ArdalionAlexandrovitch，"shecriedafterhim，"waitamoment，weareallsinners！Whenyoufeelthatyourconsciencereproachesyoualittleless，comeovertomeandwe’llhaveatalkaboutthepast！IdaresayIamfiftytimesmoreofasinnerthanyouare！Andnowgo，go，good-bye，youhadbetternotstayhere！"sheadded，inalarm，asheturnedasthoughtocomeback。

"Don’tgoafterhimjustnow，Colia，orhe’llbevexed，andthebenefitofthismomentwillbelost！"saidtheprince，astheboywashurryingoutoftheroom。

"Quitetrue！MuchbettertogoinhalfanhourorsosaidMrs。

Epanchin。

"That’swhatcomesoftellingthetruthforonceinone’slife！"

saidLebedeff。"Itreducedhimtotears。"

"Come，come！thelessYOUsayaboutitthebetter——tojudgefromallIhaveheardaboutyou！"repliedMrs。Epanchin。

TheprincetookthefirstopportunityofinformingtheEpanchinladiesthathehadintendedtopaythemavisitthatday，iftheyhadnotthemselvescomethisafternoon，andLizabethaProkofievnarepliedthatshehopedhewouldstilldoso。

Bythistimesomeofthevisitorshaddisappeared。

PtitsinhadtactfullyretreatedtoLebedeff’swing；andGaniasoonfollowedhim。

Thelatterhadbehavedmodestly，butwithdignity，onthisoccasionofhisfirstmeetingwiththeEpanchinssincetherupture。TwiceMrs。Epanchinhaddeliberatelyexaminedhimfromheadtofoot；buthehadstoodfirewithoutflinching。Hewascertainlymuchchanged，asanyonecouldseewhohadnotmethimforsometime；andthisfactseemedtoaffordAglayaagooddealofsatisfaction。

"ThatwasGavrilaArdalionovitch，whojustwentout，wasn’tit？"

sheaskedsuddenly，interruptingsomebodyelse’sconversationtomaketheremark。

"Yes，itwas，"saidtheprince。

"Ihardlyknewhim；heismuchchanged，andforthebetter！"

"Iamveryglad，"saidtheprince。

"Hehasbeenveryill，"addedVaria。

"Howhashechangedforthebetter？"askedMrs。Epanchin。"I

don’tseeanychangeforthebetter！What’sbetterinhim？WheredidyougetTHATideafrom？WHAT’Sbetter？"

"There’snothingbetterthanthe’poorknight’！"saidColia，whowasstandingnearthelastspeaker’schair。

"Iquiteagreewithyouthere！"saidPrinceS。，laughing。

"SodoI，"saidAdelaida，solemnly。

"WHATpoorknight？"askedMrs。Epanchin，lookingroundatthefaceofeachofthespeakersinturn。Seeing，however，thatAglayawasblushing，sheadded，angrily:

"Whatnonsenseyouarealltalking！Whatdoyoumeanbypoorknight？"

"It’snotthefirsttimethisurchin，yourfavourite，hasshownhisimpudencebytwistingotherpeople’swords，"saidAglaya，haughtily。

EverytimethatAglayashowedtemper(andthiswasveryoften)，therewassomuchchildishpouting，such"school-girlishness，"asitwere，inherapparentwrath，thatitwasimpossibletoavoidsmilingather，toherownunutterableindignation。Ontheseoccasionsshewouldsay，"Howcanthey，howDAREtheylaughatme？"

Thistimeeveryonelaughedather，hersisters，PrinceS。，PrinceMuishkin(thoughhehimselfhadflushedforsomereason)，andColia。Aglayawasdreadfullyindignant，andlookedtwiceasprettyinherwrath。

"He’salwaystwistingroundwhatonesays，"shecried。

"Iamonlyrepeatingyourownexclamation！"saidColia。"AmonthagoyouwereturningoverthepagesofyourDonQuixote，andsuddenlycalledout’thereisnothingbetterthanthepoorknight。’Idon’tknowwhomyouwerereferringto，ofcourse，whethertoDonQuixote，orEvgeniePavlovitch，orsomeoneelse，butyoucertainlysaidthesewords，andafterwardstherewasalongconversation……"

"Youareinclinedtogoalittletoofar，mygoodboy，withyourguesses，"saidMrs。Epanchin，withsomeshowofannoyance。

"Butit’snotIalone，"criedColia。"Theyalltalkedaboutit，andtheydostill。Why，justnowPrinceS。andAdelaidaIvanovnadeclaredthattheyupheld’thepoorknight’；soevidentlytheredoesexista’poorknight’；andifitwerenotforAdelaidaIvanovna，weshouldhaveknownlongagowhothe’poorknight’

was。"

"Why，howamItoblame？"askedAdelaida，smiling。

"Youwouldn’tdrawhisportraitforus，that’swhyyouaretoblame！AglayaIvanovnaaskedyoutodrawhisportrait，andgaveyouthewholesubjectofthepicture。Sheinventeditherself；

andyouwouldn’t。"

"WhatwasItodraw？Accordingtothelinesshequoted:

"’FromhisfaceheneverliftedThateternalmaskofsteel。’"

"WhatsortofafacewasItodraw？Icouldn’tdrawamask。"

"Idon’tknowwhatyouaredrivingat；whatmaskdoyoumean？"

saidMrs。Epanchin，irritably。Shebegantoseeprettyclearlythoughwhatitmeant，andwhomtheyreferredtobythegenerallyacceptedtitleof"poorknight。"Butwhatspeciallyannoyedherwasthattheprincewaslookingsouncomfortable，andblushinglikeaten-year-oldchild。

"Well，haveyoufinishedyoursillyjoke？"sheadded，andamItobetoldwhatthis’poorknight’means，orisitasolemnsecretwhichcannotbeapproachedlightly？"

Buttheyalllaughedon。

"It’ssimplythatthereisaRussianpoem，"beganPrinceS。，evidentlyanxioustochangetheconversation，"astrangething，withoutbeginningorend，andallabouta’poorknight。’Amonthorsoago，wewerealltalkingandlaughing，andlookingupasubjectforoneofAdelaida’spictures——youknowitistheprincipalbusinessofthisfamilytofindsubjectsforAdelaida’spictures。Well，wehappeneduponthis’poorknight。’Idon’trememberwhothoughtofitfirst——"

"Oh！AglayaIvanovnadid，"saidColia。

"Verylikely——Idon’trecollect，"continuedPrinceS。

"Someofuslaughedatthesubject；somelikedit；butshedeclaredthat，inordertomakeapictureofthegentleman，shemustfirstseehisface。Wethenbegantothinkoverallourfriends’facestoseeifanyofthemwoulddo，andnonesuitedus，andsothematterstood；that’sall。Idon’tknowwhyNicolaiArdalionovitchhasbroughtupthejokenow。Whatwasappropriateandfunnythen，hasquitelostallinterestbythistime。"

"Probablythere’ssomenewsillinessaboutit，"saidMrs。

Epanchin，sarcastically。

"Thereisnosillinessaboutitatall——onlytheprofoundestrespect，"saidAglaya，veryseriously。Shehadquiterecoveredhertemper；infact，fromcertainsigns，itwasfairtoconcludethatshewasdelightedtoseethisjokegoingsofar；andacarefulobservermighthaveremarkedthathersatisfactiondatedfromthemomentwhenthefactoftheprince’sconfusionbecameapparenttoall。

"’Profoundestrespect！’Whatnonsense！First，insanegiggling，andthen，allofasudden，adisplayof’profoundestrespect。’

Whyrespect？Tellmeatonce，whyhaveyousuddenlydevelopedthis’profoundrespect，’eh？"

"Because，"repliedAglayagravely，"inthepoemtheknightisdescribedasamancapableoflivinguptoanidealallhislife。

Thatsortofthingisnottobefoundeverydayamongthemenofourtimes。Inthepoemitisnotstatedexactlywhattheidealwas，butitwasevidentlysomevision，somerevelationofpureBeauty，andtheknightworeroundhisneck，insteadofascarf，arosary。Adevice——A。N。B——themeaningofwhichisnotexplained，wasinscribedonhisshield——"

"No，A。N。D。，"correctedColia。

"IsayA。N。B。，andsoitshallbe！"criedAglaya，irritably。

"Anyway，the’poorknight’didnotcarewhathisladywas，orwhatshedid。Hehadchosenhisideal，andhewasboundtoserveher，andbreaklancesforher，andacknowledgeherastheidealofpureBeauty，whatevershemightsayordoafterwards。Ifshehadtakentostealing，hewouldhavechampionedherjustthesame。Ithinkthepoetdesiredtoembodyinthisonepicturethewholespiritofmedievalchivalryandtheplatonicloveofapureandhigh-souledknight。Ofcourseit’sallanideal，andinthe’poorknight’thatspiritreachedtheutmostlimitofasceticism。

HeisaDonQuixote，onlyseriousandnotcomical。Iusednottounderstandhim，andlaughedathim，butnowIlovethe’poorknight，’andrespecthisactions。"

SoendedAglaya；and，tolookather，itwasdifficult，indeed，tojudgewhethershewasjokingorinearnest。

"Pooh！hewasafool，andhisactionsweretheactionsofafool，"saidMrs。Epanchin；"andasforyou，youngwoman，yououghttoknowbetter。Atallevents，youarenottotalklikethatagain。Whatpoemisit？Reciteit！Iwanttohearthispoem！

Ihavehatedpoetryallmylife。Prince，youmustexcusethisnonsense。Weneitherofuslikethissortofthing！Bepatient！"

Theycertainlywereputout，bothofthem。

Theprincetriedtosaysomething，buthewastooconfused，andcouldnotgethiswordsout。Aglaya，whohadtakensuchlibertiesinherlittlespeech，wastheonlypersonpresent，perhaps，whowasnotintheleastembarrassed。Sheseemed，infact，quitepleased。

Shenowrosesolemnlyfromherseat，walkedtothecentreoftheterrace，andstoodinfrontoftheprince’schair。Alllookedonwithsomesurprise，andPrinceS。andhersisterswithfeelingsofdecidedalarm，toseewhatnewfrolicshewasupto；ithadgonequitefarenoughalready，theythought。ButAglayaevidentlythoroughlyenjoyedtheaffectationandceremonywithwhichshewasintroducingherrecitationofthepoem。

Mrs。Epanchinwasjustwonderingwhethershewouldnotforbidtheperformanceafterall，when，attheverymomentthatAglayacommencedherdeclamation，twonewguests，bothtalkingloudly，enteredfromthestreet。ThenewarrivalswereGeneralEpanchinandayoungman。

Theirentrancecausedsomeslightcommotion。