第10章
VII。
THEyoungfellowaccompanyingthegeneralwasabouttwenty-eight，tall，andwellbuilt，withahandsomeandcleverface，andbrightblackeyes，fulloffunandintelligence。
Aglayadidnotsomuchasglanceatthenewarrivals，butwentonwithherrecitation，gazingattheprincethewhileinanaffectedmanner，andathimalone。Itwascleartohimthatshewasdoingallthiswithsomespecialobject。
Butthenewguestsatleastsomewhateasedhisstrainedanduncomfortableposition。Seeingthemapproaching，herosefromhischair，andnoddingamicablytothegeneral，signedtohimnottointerrupttherecitation。Hethengotbehindhischair，andstoodtherewithhislefthandrestingonthebackofit。Thankstothischangeofposition，hewasabletolistentotheballadwithfarlessembarrassmentthanbefore。Mrs。Epanchinhadalsotwicemotionedtothenewarrivalstobequiet，andstaywheretheywere。
Theprincewasmuchinterestedintheyoungmanwhohadjustentered。HeeasilyconcludedthatthiswasEvgeniePavlovitchRadomski，ofwhomhehadalreadyheardmentionseveraltimes。Hewaspuzzled，however，bytheyoungman’splainclothes，forhehadalwaysheardofEvgeniePavlovitchasamilitaryman。AnironicalsmileplayedonEvgenie’slipsallthewhiletherecitationwasproceeding，whichshowedthathe，too，wasprobablyinthesecretofthe’poorknight’joke。ButithadbecomequiteadifferentmatterwithAglaya。Alltheaffectationofmannerwhichshehaddisplayedatthebeginningdisappearedastheballadproceeded。Shespokethelinesinsoseriousandexaltedamanner，andwithsomuchtaste，thatsheevenseemedtojustifytheexaggeratedsolemnitywithwhichshehadsteppedforward。Itwasimpossibletodiscerninhernowanythingbutadeepfeelingforthespiritofthepoemwhichshehadundertakentointerpret。
Hereyeswereaglowwithinspiration，andaslighttremorofrapturepassedoverherlovelyfeaturesonceortwice。Shecontinuedtorecite:
"Oncetherecameavisionglorious，Mystic，dreadful，wondrousfair；
Burneditselfintohisspirit，Andabodeforeverthere！
"Nevermore——fromthatsweetmoment——
Gazedheonwomankind；
HewasdumbtoloveandwooingAndtoalltheirgracesblind。
"Fullofloveforthatsweetvision，Braveandpurehetookthefield；
WithhisbloodhestainedthelettersN。P。B。uponhisshield。
"’Lumencaeli，sanctaRosa！’
Shoutingonthefoehefell，Andlikethunderranghiswar-cryO’erthecoweringinfidel。
"Thenwithinhisdistantcastle，Homereturned，hedreamedhisdays-
Silent，sad，——andwhendeathtookhimHewasmad，thelegendsays。"
Whenrecallingallthisafterwardstheprincecouldnotforthelifeofhimunderstandhowtoreconcilethebeautiful，sincere，purenatureofthegirlwiththeironyofthisjest。Thatitwasajesttherewasnodoubtwhatever；heknewthatwellenough，andhadgoodreason，too，forhisconviction；forduringherrecitationoftheballadAglayahaddeliberatelychangedthelettersA。N。B。intoN。P。B。Hewasquitesureshehadnotdonethisbyaccident，andthathisearshadnotdeceivedhim。Atalleventsherperformance——whichwasajoke，ofcourse，ifratheracrudeone，——waspremeditated。Theyhadevidentlytalked(andlaughed)overthe’poorknight’formorethanamonth。
YetAglayahadbroughtouttheselettersN。P。B。notonlywithouttheslightestappearanceofirony，orevenanyparticularaccentuation，butwithsoevenandunbrokenanappearanceofseriousnessthatassuredlyanyonemighthavesupposedthattheseinitialsweretheoriginaloneswrittenintheballad。Thethingmadeanuncomfortableimpressionupontheprince。OfcourseMrs。
Epanchinsawnothingeitherinthechangeofinitialsorintheinsinuationembodiedtherein。GeneralEpanchinonlyknewthattherewasarecitationofversesgoingon，andtooknofurtherinterestinthematter。Oftherestoftheaudience，manyhadunderstoodtheallusionandwonderedbothatthedaringoftheladyandatthemotiveunderlyingit，buttriedtoshownosignoftheirfeelings。ButEvgeniePavlovitch(astheprincewasreadytowager)bothcomprehendedandtriedhisbesttoshowthathecomprehended；hissmilewastoomockingtoleaveanydoubtonthatpoint。
"Howbeautifulthatis！"criedMrs。Epanchin，withsincereadmiration。"Whoseisit？’
"Pushkin’s，mama，ofcourse！Don’tdisgraceusallbyshowingyourignorance，"saidAdelaida。
"Assoonaswereachhomegiveittometoread。"
"Idon’tthinkwehaveacopyofPushkininthehouse。"
"Thereareacoupleoftornvolumessomewhere；theyhavebeenlyingaboutfromtimeimmemorial，"addedAlexandra。
"SendFeodororAlexeyupbytheveryfirsttraintobuyacopy，then——Aglaya，comehere——kissme，dear，yourecitedbeautifully！
but，"sheaddedinawhisper，"ifyouweresincereIamsorryforyou。Ifitwasajoke，Idonotapproveofthefeelingswhichpromptedyoutodoit，andinanycaseyouwouldhavedonefarbetternottoreciteitatall。Doyouunderstand？——Nowcomealong，youngwoman；we’vesatheretoolong。I’llspeaktoyouaboutthisanothertime。"
MeanwhiletheprincetooktheopportunityofgreetingGeneralEpanchin，andthegeneralintroducedEvgeniePavlovitchtohim。
"Icaughthimuponthewaytoyourhouse，"explainedthegeneral。"Hehadheardthatwewereallhere。"
"Yes，andIheardthatyouwerehere，too，"addedEvgeniePavlovitch；"andsinceIhadlongpromisedmyselfthepleasureofseekingnotonlyyouracquaintancebutyourfriendship，Ididnotwishtowastetime，butcamestraighton。Iamsorrytohearthatyouareunwell。"
"Oh，butI’mquitewellnow，thankyou，andverygladtomakeyouracquaintance。PrinceS。hasoftenspokentomeaboutyou，"
saidMuishkin，andforaninstantthetwomenlookedintentlyintooneanother’seyes。
TheprinceremarkedthatEvgeniePavlovitch’splainclotheshadevidentlymadeagreatimpressionuponthecompanypresent，somuchsothatallotherinterestsseemedtobeeffacedbeforethissurprisingfact。
Hischangeofdresswasevidentlyamatterofsomeimportance。
AdelaidaandAlexandrapouredoutastreamofquestions；PrinceS。，arelativeoftheyoungman，appearedannoyed；andIvanFedorovitchquiteexcited。Aglayaalonewasnotinterested。ShemerelylookedcloselyatEvgenieforaminute，curiousperhapsastowhethercivilormilitaryclothesbecamehimbest，thenturnedawayandpaidnomoreattentiontohimorhiscostume。LizabethaProkofievnaaskednoquestions，butitwasclearthatshewasuneasy，andtheprincefanciedthatEvgeniewasnotinhergoodgraces。
"Hehasastonishedme，"saidIvanFedorovitch。"Inearlyfelldownwithsurprise。IcouldhardlybelievemyeyeswhenImethiminPetersburgjustnow。Whythishaste？That’swhatIwanttoknow。Hehasalwayssaidhimselfthatthereisnoneedtobreakwindows。"
EvgeniePavlovitchremarkedherethathehadspokenofhisintentionofleavingtheservicelongago。Hehad，however，alwaysmademoreorlessofajokeaboutit，sonoonehadtakenhimseriously。Forthatmatterhejokedabouteverything，andhisfriendsneverknewwhattobelieve，especiallyifhedidnotwishthemtounderstandhim。
"Ihaveonlyretiredforatime，"saidhe，laughing。"Forafewmonths；atmostforayear。"
"Butthereisnonecessityforyoutoretireatall，"complainedthegeneral，"asfarasIknow。"
"Iwanttogoandlookaftermycountryestates。Youadvisedmetodothatyourself，"wasthereply。"AndthenIwishtogoabroad。"
Afterafewmoreexpostulations，theconversationdriftedintootherchannels，buttheprince，whohadbeenanattentivelistener，thoughtallthisexcitementaboutsosmallamatterverycurious。"Theremustbemoreinitthanappears，"hesaidtohimself。
"Iseethe’poorknight’hascomeonthesceneagain，"saidEvgeniePavlovitch，steppingtoAglaya’sside。
Totheamazementoftheprince，whooverheardtheremark，Aglayalookedhaughtilyandinquiringlyatthequestioner，asthoughshewouldgivehimtoknow，onceforall，thattherecouldbenotalkbetweenthemaboutthe’poorknight，’andthatshedidnotunderstandhisquestion。
"Butnotnow！ItistoolatetosendtotownforaPushkinnow。
Itismuchtoolate，Isay！"Coliawasexclaiminginaloudvoice。"Ihavetoldyousoatleastahundredtimes。"
"Yes，itisreallymuchtoolatetosendtotownnow，"saidEvgeniePavlovitch，whohadescapedfromAglayaasrapidlyaspossible。"IamsuretheshopsareshutinPetersburg；itispasteighto’clock，"headded，lookingathiswatch。
"Wehavedonewithouthimsofar，"interruptedAdelaidainherturn。"Surelywecanwaituntilto-morrow。"
"Besides，"saidColia，"itisquiteunusual，almostimproper，forpeopleinourpositiontotakeanyinterestinliterature。AskEvgeniePavlovitchifIamnotright。Itismuchmorefashionabletodriveawaggonettewithredwheels。"
"Yougotthatfromsomemagazine，Colia，"remarkedAdelaida。
"Hegetsmostofhisconversationinthatway，"laughedEvgeniePavlovitch。"Heborrowswholephrasesfromthereviews。IhavelonghadthepleasureofknowingbothNicholaiArdalionovitchandhisconversationalmethods，butthistimehewasnotrepeatingsomethinghehadread；hewasalluding，nodoubt，tomyyellowwaggonette，whichhas，orhad，redwheels。ButIhaveexchangedit，soyouareratherbehindthetimes，Colia。"
TheprincehadbeenlisteningattentivelytoRadomski’swords，andthoughthismannerverypleasant。WhenColiachaffedhimabouthiswaggonettehehadrepliedwithperfectequalityandinafriendlyfashion。ThispleasedMuishkin。
AtthismomentVeracameuptoLizabethaProkofievna，carryingseverallargeandbeautifullyboundbooks，apparentlyquitenew。
"Whatisit？"demandedthelady。
"ThisisPushkin，"repliedthegirl。"Papatoldmetoofferittoyou。"
"What？Impossible！"exclaimedMrs。Epanchin。
"Notasapresent，notasapresent！Ishouldnothavetakentheliberty，"saidLebedeff，appearingsuddenlyfrombehindhisdaughter。"ItisourownPushkin，ourfamilycopy，Annenkoff’sedition；itcouldnotbeboughtnow。Ibegtosuggest，withgreatrespect，thatyourexcellencyshouldbuyit，andthusquenchthenobleliterarythirstwhichisconsumingyouatthismoment，"heconcludedgrandiloquently。
"Oh！ifyouwillsellit，verygood——andthankyou。Youshallnotbealoser！Butforgoodness’sake，don’ttwistaboutlikethat，sir！Ihaveheardofyou；theytellmeyouareaverylearnedperson。Wemusthaveatalkoneofthesedays。Youwillbringmethebooksyourself？"
"Withthegreatestrespect……and……andveneration，"repliedLebedeff，makingextraordinarygrimaces。
"Well，bringthem，withorwithoutrespect，providedalwaysyoudonotdropthemontheway；butonthecondition，"wentonthelady，lookingfullathim，"thatyoudonotcrossmythreshold。I
donotintendtoreceiveyoutoday。YoumaysendyourdaughterVeraatonce，ifyoulike。Iammuchpleasedwithher。"
"Whydon’tyoutellhimaboutthem？"saidVeraimpatientlytoherfather。"Theywillcomein，whetheryouannouncethemornot，andtheyarebeginningtomakearow。LefNicolaievitch，"——sheaddressedherselftotheprince——"fourmenarehereaskingforyou。Theyhavewaitedsometime，andarebeginningtomakeafuss，andpapawillnotbringthemin。"
"Whoarethesepeople？"saidtheprince。
"Theysaythattheyhavecomeonbusiness，andtheyarethekindofmen，who，ifyoudonotseethemhere，willfollowyouaboutthestreet。Itwouldbebettertoreceivethem，andthenyouwillgetridofthem。GavrilaArdalionovitchandPtitsinareboththere，tryingtomakethemhearreason。"
"Pavlicheff’sson！Itisnotworthwhile！"criedLebedeff。"Thereisnonecessitytoseethem，anditwouldbemostunpleasantforyourexcellency。Theydonotdeserve……"
"What？Pavlicheff’sson！"criedtheprince，muchperturbed。"I
know……Iknow——butIentrustedthismattertoGavrilaArdalionovitch。Hetoldme……"
AtthatmomentGania，accompaniedbyPtitsin，cameouttotheterrace。Fromanadjoiningroomcameanoiseofangryvoices，andGeneralIvolgin，inloudtones，seemedtobetryingtoshoutthemdown。Coliarushedoffatoncetoinvestigatethecauseoftheuproar。
"Thisismostinteresting！"observedEvgeniePavlovitch。
"Iexpectheknowsallaboutit！"thoughttheprince。
"What，thesonofPavlicheff？AndwhomaythissonofPavlicheffbe？"askedGeneralEpanchinwithsurprise；andlookingcuriouslyaroundhim，hediscoveredthathealonehadnocluetothemystery。Expectationandsuspensewereoneveryface，withtheexceptionofthatoftheprince，whostoodgravelywonderinghowanaffairsoentirelypersonalcouldhaveawakenedsuchlivelyandwidespreadinterestinsoshortatime。
Aglayawentuptohimwithapeculiarlyseriouslook"Itwillbewell，"shesaid，"ifyouputanendtothisaffairyourselfATONCE:butyoumustallowustobeyourwitnesses。
Theywanttothrowmudatyou，prince，andyoumustbetriumphantlyvindicated。Igiveyoujoybeforehand！"
"AndIalsowishforjusticetobedone，onceforall，"criedMadameEpanchin，"aboutthisimpudentclaim。Dealwiththempromptly，prince，anddon’tsparethem！Iamsickofhearingabouttheaffair，andmanyaquarrelIhavehadinyourcause。
ButIconfessIamanxioustoseewhathappens，sodomakethemcomeouthere，andwewillremain。Youhaveheardpeopletalkingaboutit，nodoubt？"sheadded，turningtoPrinceS。
"Ofcourse，"saidhe。"Ihavehearditspokenaboutatyourhouse，andIamanxioustoseetheseyoungmen！"
"TheyareNihilists，aretheynot？"
"No，theyarenotNihilists，"explainedLebedeff，whoseemedmuchexcited。"Thisisanotherlot——aspecialgroup。AccordingtomynephewtheyaremoreadvancedeventhantheNihilists。Youarequitewrong，excellency，ifyouthinkthatyourpresencewillintimidatethem；nothingintimidatesthem。Educatedmen，learnedmeneven，aretobefoundamongNihilists；thesegofurther，inthattheyaremenofaction。Themovementis，properlyspeaking，aderivativefromNihilism——thoughtheyareonlyknownindirectly，andbyhearsay，fortheyneveradvertisetheirdoingsinthepapers。Theygostraighttothepoint。Forthem，itisnotaquestionofshowingthatPushkinisstupid，orthatRussiamustbetorninpieces。No；butiftheyhaveagreatdesireforanything，theybelievetheyhavearighttogetitevenatthecostofthelives，say，ofeightpersons。Theyarecheckedbynoobstacles。Infact，prince，Ishouldnotadviseyou……"
ButMuishkinhadrisen，andwasonhiswaytoopenthedoorforhisvisitors。
"Youareslanderingthem，Lebedeff，"saidhe，smiling。
"Youarealwaysthinkingaboutyournephew’sconduct。Don’tbelievehim，LizabethaProkofievna。IcanassureyouGorskyandDaniloffareexceptions——andthattheseareonly……mistaken。
However，Idonotcareaboutreceivingthemhere，inpublic。
Excuseme，LizabethaProkofievna。Theyarecoming，andyoucanseethem，andthenIwilltakethemaway。Pleasecomein，gentlemen！"
Anotherthoughttormentedhim:Hewonderedwasthisanarrangedbusiness——arrangedtohappenwhenhehadguestsinhishouse，andinanticipationofhishumiliationratherthanofhistriumph？
Buthereproachedhimselfbitterlyforsuchathought，andfeltasifheshoulddieofshameifitwerediscovered。Whenhisnewvisitorsappeared，hewasquitereadytobelievehimselfinfinitelylesstoberespectedthananyofthem。
Fourpersonsentered，ledbyGeneralIvolgin，inastateofgreatexcitement，andtalkingeloquently。
"Heisforme，undoubtedly！"thoughttheprince，withasmile。
Coliaalsohadjoinedtheparty，andwastalkingwithanimationtoHippolyte，wholistenedwithajeeringsmileonhislips。
Theprincebeggedthevisitorstositdown。Theywereallsoyoungthatitmadetheproceedingsseemevenmoreextraordinary。
IvanFedorovitch，whoreallyunderstoodnothingofwhatwasgoingon，feltindignantatthesightoftheseyouths，andwouldhaveinterferedinsomewayhaditnotbeenfortheextremeinterestshownbyhiswifeintheaffair。Hethereforeremained，partlythroughcuriosity，partlythroughgood-nature，hopingthathispresencemightbeofsomeuse。ButthebowwithwhichGeneralIvolgingreetedhimirritatedhimanew；hefrowned，anddecidedtobeabsolutelysilent。
Astotherest，onewasamanofthirty，theretiredofficer，nowaboxer，whohadbeenwithRogojin，andinhishappierdayshadgivenfifteenroublesatatimetobeggars。Evidentlyhehadjoinedtheothersasacomradetogivethemmoral，andifnecessarymaterial，support。Themanwhohadbeenspokenofas"Pavlicheff’sson，"althoughhegavethenameofAntipBurdovsky，wasabouttwenty-twoyearsofage，fair，thinandrathertall。Hewasremarkableforthepoverty，nottosayuncleanliness，ofhispersonalappearance:thesleevesofhisovercoatweregreasy；hisdirtywaistcoat，buttoneduptohisneck，showednotatraceoflinen；afilthyblacksilkscarf，twistedtillitresembledacord，wasroundhisneck，andhishandswereunwashed。Helookedroundwithanairofinsolenteffrontery。Hisface，coveredwithpimples，wasneitherthoughtfulnorevencontemptuous；itworeanexpressionofcomplacentsatisfactionindemandinghisrightsandinbeinganaggrievedparty。Hisvoicetrembled，andhespokesofast，andwithsuchstammerings，thathemighthavebeentakenforaforeigner，thoughthepurestRussianbloodraninhisveins。Lebedeff’snephew，whomthereaderhasseenalready，accompaniedhim，andalsotheyouthnamedHippolyteTerentieff。
Thelatterwasonlyseventeenoreighteen。Hehadanintelligentface，thoughitwasusuallyirritatedandfretfulinexpression。
Hisskeleton-likefigure，hisghastlycomplexion，thebrightnessofhiseyes，andtheredspotsofcolouronhischeeks，betrayedthevictimofconsumptiontothemostcasualglance。Hecoughedpersistently，andpantedforbreath；itlookedasthoughhehadbutafewweeksmoretolive。Hewasnearlydeadwithfatigue，andfell，ratherthansat，intoachair。Therestbowedastheycamein；andbeingmoreorlessabashed，putonanairofextremeself-assurance。Inshort，theirattitudewasnotthatwhichonewouldhaveexpectedinmenwhoprofessedtodespisealltrivialities，allfoolishmundaneconventions，andindeedeverything，excepttheirownpersonalinterests。
"AntipBurdovsky，"stutteredthesonofPavlicheff。
"VladimirDoktorenko，"saidLebedeff’snephewbriskly，andwithacertainpride，asifheboastedofhisname。
"Keller，"murmuredtheretiredofficer。
"HippolyteTerentieff，"criedthelast-named，inashrillvoice。
Theysatnowinarowfacingtheprince，andfrowned，andplayedwiththeircaps。Allappearedreadytospeak，andyetallweresilent；thedefiantexpressionontheirfacesseemedtosay，"No，sir，youdon’ttakeusin！"Itcouldbefeltthatthefirstwordspokenbyanyonepresentwouldbringatorrentofspeechfromthewholedeputation。
VIII。
"IDIDnotexpectyou，gentlemen，"begantheprince。Ihavebeenilluntilto-day。Amonthago，"hecontinued，addressinghimselftoAntipBurdovsky，"IputyourbusinessintoGavrilaArdalionovitchIvolgin’shands，asItoldyouthen。Idonotintheleastobjecttohavingapersonalinterview……butyouwillagreewithmethatthisishardlythetime……Iproposethatwegointoanotherroom，ifyouwillnotkeepmelong……Asyousee，Ihavefriendshere，andbelieveme……"
"Friendsasmanyasyouplease，butallowme，"interruptedtheharshvoiceofLebedeff’snephew——"allowmetotellyouthatyoumighthavetreatedusrathermorepolitely，andnothavekeptuswaitingatleasttwohours……
"Nodoubt……andI……isthatactinglikeaprince？Andyou……
youmaybeageneral！ButI……Iamnotyourvalet！AndI……
I……"stammeredAntipBurdovsky。
Hewasextremelyexcited；hislipstrembled，andtheresentmentofanembitteredsoulwasinhisvoice。Buthespokesoindistinctlythathardlyadozenwordscouldbegathered。
"Itwasaprincelyaction！"sneeredHippolyte。
"Ifanyonehadtreatedmeso，"grumbledtheboxer。
"ImeantosaythatifIhadbeeninBurdovsky’splace……I……"
"Gentlemen，Ididnotknowyouwerethere；Ihaveonlyjustbeeninformed，Iassureyou，"repeatedMuishkin。
"Wearenotafraidofyourfriends，prince，"remarkedLebedeff’snephew，"forwearewithinourrights。"
TheshrilltonesofHippolyteinterruptedhim。"Whatrighthaveyou……bywhatrightdoyoudemandustosubmitthismatter，aboutBurdovsky……tothejudgmentofyourfriends？Weknowonlytoowellwhatthejudgmentofyourfriendswillbe！……"
Thisbeginninggavepromiseofastormydiscussion。Theprincewasmuchdiscouraged，butatlasthemanagedtomakehimselfheardamidthevociferationsofhisexcitedvisitors。
"Ifyou，"hesaid，addressingBurdovsky——"ifyouprefernottospeakhere，Iofferagaintogointoanotherroomwithyou……
andastoyourwaitingtoseeme，IrepeatthatIonlythisinstantheard……"
"Well，youhavenoright，youhavenoright，norightatall！……
Yourfriendsindeed！"……gabbledBurdovsky，defiantlyexaminingthefacesroundhim，andbecomingmoreandmoreexcited。"Youhavenoright！……"Asheendedthusabruptly，heleantforward，staringattheprincewithhisshort-sighted，bloodshoteyes。Thelatterwassoastonished，thathedidnotreply，butlookedsteadilyathiminreturn。
"LefNicolaievitch！"interposedMadameEpanchin，suddenly，"readthisatonce，thisverymoment！Itisaboutthisbusiness。"
Sheheldoutaweeklycomicpaper，pointingtoanarticleononeofitspages。Justasthevisitorswerecomingin，Lebedeff，wishingtoingratiatehimselfwiththegreatlady，hadpulledthispaperfromhispocket，andpresentedittoher，indicatingafewcolumnsmarkedinpencil。LizabethaProkofievnahadhadtimetoreadsomeofit，andwasgreatlyupset。
"Woulditnotbebettertoperuseitalone……"lateraskedtheprince，nervously。
"No，no，readit——readitatoncedirectly，andaloud，aloud！"
criedshe，callingColiatoherandgivinghimthejournal——"
Readitaloud，sothateveryonemayhearit！"
Animpetuouswoman，LizabethaProkofievnasometimesweighedheranchorsandputouttoseaquiteregardlessofthepossiblestormsshemightencounter。IvanFedorovitchfeltasuddenpangofalarm，buttheothersweremerelycurious，andsomewhatsurprised。Coliaunfoldedthepaper，andbegantoread，inhisclear，high-pitchedvoice，thefollowingarticle:
"Proletariansandscionsofnobility！Anepisodeofthebrigandageoftodayandeveryday！Progress！Reform！Justice！"
"Strangethingsaregoingoninourso-calledHolyRussiainthisageofreformandgreatenterprises；thisageofpatriotisminwhichhundredsofmillionsareyearlysentabroad；inwhichindustryisencouraged，andthehandsofLabourparalyzed，etc。；
thereisnoendtothis，gentlemen，soletuscometothepoint。
Astrangethinghashappenedtoascionofourdefunctaristocracy。(DEPROFUNDIS！)Thegrandfathersofthesescionsruinedthemselvesatthegaming-tables；theirfatherswereforcedtoserveasofficersorsubalterns；somehavediedjustastheywereabouttobetriedforinnocentthoughtlessnessinthehandlingofpublicfunds。Theirchildrenaresometimescongenitalidiots，liketheheroofourstory；sometimestheyarefoundinthedockattheAssizes，wheretheyaregenerallyacquittedbythejuryforedifyingmotives；sometimestheydistinguishthemselvesbyoneofthoseburningscandalsthatamazethepublicandaddanotherblottothestainedrecordofourage。Sixmonthsago——thatis，lastwinter——thisparticularscionreturnedtoRussia，wearinggaiterslikeaforeigner，andshiveringwithcoldinanoldscantily-linedcloak。HehadcomefromSwitzerland，wherehehadjustundergoneasuccessfulcourseoftreatmentforidiocy(SIC！)。CertainlyFortunefavouredhim，for，apartfromtheinterestingmaladyofwhichhewascuredinSwitzerland(cantherebeacureforidiocy？)hisstoryprovesthetruthoftheRussianproverbthat’happinessistherightofcertainclasses！’
Judgeforyourselves。Oursubjectwasaninfantinarmswhenhelosthisfather，anofficerwhodiedjustashewasabouttobecourt-martialledforgamblingawaythefundsofhiscompany，andperhapsalsoforfloggingasubordinatetoexcess(rememberthegoodolddays，gentlemen)。TheorphanwasbroughtupbythecharityofaveryrichRussianlandowner。Inthegoodolddays，thisman，whomwewillcallP——，ownedfourthousandsoulsasserfs(soulsasserfs！——canyouunderstandsuchanexpression，gentlemen？Icannot；itmustbelookedupinadictionarybeforeonecanunderstandit；thesethingsofabygonedayarealreadyunintelligibletous)。HeappearstohavebeenoneofthoseRussianparasiteswholeadanidleexistenceabroad，spendingthesummeratsomespa，andthewinterinParis，tothegreaterprofitoftheorganizersofpublicballs。ItmaysafelybesaidthatthemanageroftheChateaudesFleurs(luckyman！)pocketedatleastathirdofthemoneypaidbyRussianpeasantstotheirlordsinthedaysofserfdom。Howeverthismaybe，thegayP——
broughtuptheorphanlikeaprince，providedhimwithtutorsandgovernesses(pretty，ofcourse！)whomhechosehimselfinParis。
Butthelittlearistocrat，thelastofhisnoblerace，wasanidiot。Thegovernesses，recruitedattheChateaudesFleurs，labouredinvain；attwentyyearsofagetheirpupilcouldnotspeakinanylanguage，notevenRussian。Butignoranceofthelatterwasstillexcusable。AtlastP——wasseizedwithastrangenotion；heimaginedthatinSwitzerlandtheycouldchangeanidiotintoamailofsense。Afterall，theideawasquitelogical；aparasiteandlandownernaturallysupposedthatintelligencewasamarketablecommoditylikeeverythingelse，andthatinSwitzerlandespeciallyitcouldbeboughtformoney。
ThecasewasentrustedtoacelebratedSwissprofessor，andcostthousandsofroubles；thetreatmentlastedfiveyears。Needlesstosay，theidiotdidnotbecomeintelligent，butitisallegedthathegrewintosomethingmoreorlessresemblingaman。AtthisstageP——diedsuddenly，and，asusual，hehadmadenowillandlefthisaffairsindisorder。Acrowdofeagerclaimantsarose，whocarednothingaboutanylastscionofanobleraceundergoingtreatmentinSwitzerland，attheexpenseofthedeceased，asacongenitalidiot。Idiotthoughhewas，thenoblesciontriedtocheathisprofessor，andtheysayhesucceededingettinghimtocontinuethetreatmentgratisfortwoyears，byconcealingthedeathofhisbenefactor。Buttheprofessorhimselfwasacharlatan。Gettinganxiousatlastwhennomoneywasforthcoming，andalarmedaboveallbyhispatient’sappetite，hepresentedhimwithapairofoldgaitersandashabbycloakandpackedhimofftoRussia，thirdclass。ItwouldseemthatFortunehadturnedherbackuponourhero。Notatall；Fortune，wholetswholepopulationsdieofhunger，showeredallhergiftsatonceuponthelittlearistocrat，likeKryloff’sCloudwhichpassesoveranaridplainandemptiesitselfintothesea。HehadscarcelyarrivedinSt。Petersburg，whenarelationofhismother’s(whowasofbourgeoisorigin，ofcourse)，diedatMoscow。Hewasamerchant，anOldBeliever，andhehadnochildren。Heleftafortuneofseveralmillionsingoodcurrentcoin，andeverythingcametoournoblescion，ourgaiteredbaron，formerlytreatedforidiocyinaSwisslunaticasylum。Instantlythescenechanged，crowdsoffriendsgatheredroundourbaron，whomeanwhilehadlosthisheadoveracelebrateddemi-mondaine；
heevendiscoveredsomerelations；moreoveranumberofyounggirlsofhighbirthburnedtobeunitedtohiminlawfulmatrimony。Couldanyonepossiblyimagineabettermatch？
Aristocrat，millionaire，andidiot，hehaseveryadvantage！Onemighthuntinvainforhisequal，evenwiththelanternofDiogenes；hislikeisnottobehadevenbygettingitmadetoorder！"
"Oh，Idon’tknowwhatthismeans"criedIvanFedorovitch，transportedwithindignation。
"Leaveoff，Colia，"beggedtheprince。Exclamationsaroseonallsides。
"Lethimgoonreadingatallcosts！"orderedLizabethaProkofievna，evidentlypreservinghercomposurebyadesperateeffort。"Prince，ifthereadingisstopped，youandIwillquarrel。"
Coliahadnochoicebuttoobey。Withcrimsoncheekshereadonunsteadily:
"ButwhileouryoungmillionairedweltasitwereintheEmpyrean，somethingnewoccurred。Onefinemorningamancalleduponhim，calmandsevereofaspect，distinguished，butplainlydressed。Politely，butindignifiedterms，asbefittedhiserrand，hebrieflyexplainedthemotiveforhisvisit。Hewasalawyerofenlightenedviews；hisclientwasayoungmanwhohadconsultedhiminconfidence。ThisyoungmanwasnootherthanthesonofP——，thoughhebearsanothername。InhisyouthP——，thesensualist，hadseducedayounggirl，poorbutrespectable。Shewasaserf，buthadreceivedaEuropeaneducation。Findingthatachildwasexpected，hehastenedhermarriagewithamanofnoblecharacterwhohadlovedherforalongtime。Hehelpedtheyoungcoupleforatime，buthewassoonobligedtogiveup，forthehigh-mindedhusbandrefusedtoacceptanythingfromhim。Soonthecarelessnoblemanforgotallabouthisformermistressandthechildshehadbornehim；then，asweknow，hediedintestate。P——
’sson，bornafterhismother’smarriage，foundatruefatherinthegenerousmanwhosenamehebore。Butwhenhealsodied，theorphanwaslefttoprovideforhimself，hismothernowbeinganinvalidwhohadlosttheuseofherlimbs。Leavingherinadistantprovince，hecametothecapitalinsearchofpupils。Bydintofdailytoilheearnedenoughtoenablehimtofollowthecollegecourses，andatlasttoentertheuniversity。ButwhatcanoneearnbyteachingthechildrenofRussianmerchantsattencopecksalesson，especiallywithaninvalidmothertokeep？Evenherdeathdidnotmuchdiminishthehardshipsoftheyoungman’sstruggleforexistence。Nowthisisthequestion:how，inthenameofjustice，shouldourscionhavearguedthecase？Ourreaderswillthink，nodoubt，thathewouldsaytohimself:’P——
showeredbenefitsuponmeallmylife；hespenttensofthousandsofroublestoeducateme，toprovidemewithgovernesses，andtokeepmeundertreatmentinSwitzerland。NowIamamillionaire，andP——’sson，anobleyoungmanwhoisnotresponsibleforthefaultsofhiscarelessandforgetfulfather，iswearinghimselfoutgivingill-paidlessons。Accordingtojustice，allthatwasdoneformeoughttohavebeendoneforhim。Theenormoussumsspentuponmewerenotreallymine；theycametomebyanerrorofblindFortune，whentheyoughttohavegonetoP——’sson。Theyshouldhavegonetobenefithim，notme，inwhomP——interestedhimselfbyamerecaprice，insteadofdoinghisdutyasafather。
IfIwishedtobehavenobly，justly，andwithdelicacy，Ioughttobestowhalfmyfortuneuponthesonofmybenefactor；butaseconomyismyfavouritevirtue，andIknowthisisnotacaseinwhichthelawcanintervene，Iwillnotgiveuphalfmymillions。
Butitwouldbetooopenlyvile，tooflagrantlyinfamous，ifI
didnotatleastrestoretoP——’ssonthetensofthousandsofroublesspentincuringmyidiocy。Thisissimplyacaseofconscienceandofstrictjustice。WhateverwouldhavebecomeofmeifP——hadnotlookedaftermyeducation，andhadtakencareofhisownsoninsteadofme？’
"No，gentlemen，ourscionsofthenobilitydonotreasonthus。
Thelawyer，whohadtakenupthematterpurelyoutoffriendshiptotheyoungman，andalmostagainsthiswill，invokedeveryconsiderationofjustice，delicacy，honour，andevenplainfigures；invain，theex-patientoftheSwisslunaticasylumwasinflexible。Allthismightpass，butthesequelisabsolutelyunpardonable，andnottobeexcusedbyanyinterestingmalady。
Thismillionaire，havingbutjustdiscardedtheoldgaitersofhisprofessor，couldnotevenunderstandthatthenobleyoungmanslavingawayathislessonswasnotaskingforcharitablehelp，butforhisrightfuldue，thoughthedebtwasnotalegalone；
that，correctlyspeaking，hewasnotaskingforanything，butitwasmerelyhisfriendswhohadthoughtfittobestirthemselvesonhisbehalf。Withthecoolinsolenceofabloatedcapitalist，secureinhismillions，hemajesticallydrewabanknoteforfiftyroublesfromhispocket-bookandsentittothenobleyoungmanasahumiliatingpieceofcharity。Youcanhardlybelieveit，gentlemen！Youarescandalizedanddisgusted；youcryoutinindignation！Butthatiswhathedid！Needlesstosay，themoneywasreturned，orratherflungbackinhisface。Thecaseisnotwithintheprovinceofthelaw，itmustbereferredtothetribunalofpublicopinion；thisiswhatwenowdo，guaranteeingthetruthofallthedetailswhichwehaverelated。"
WhenColiahadfinishedreading，hehandedthepapertotheprince，andretiredsilentlytoacorneroftheroom，hidinghisfaceinhishands。Hewasovercomebyafeelingofinexpressibleshame；hisboyishsensitivenesswaswoundedbeyondendurance。Itseemedtohimthatsomethingextraordinary，somesuddencatastrophehadoccurred，andthathewasalmostthecauseofit，becausehehadreadthearticlealoud。
Yetalltheothersweresimilarlyaffected。Thegirlswereuncomfortableandashamed。LizabethaProkofievnarestrainedherviolentangerbyagreateffort；perhapsshebitterlyregrettedherinterferenceinthematter；forthepresentshekeptsilence。
Theprincefeltasveryshypeopleoftendoinsuchacase；hewassoashamedoftheconductofotherpeople，sohumiliatedforhisguests，thathedarednotlookthemintheface。Ptitsin，Varia，Gania，andLebedeffhimself，alllookedratherconfused。
Strangerstill，Hippolyteandthe"sonofPavlicheff"alsoseemedslightlysurprised，andLebedeff’snephewwasobviouslyfarfrompleased。Theboxeralonewasperfectlycalm；hetwistedhismoustacheswithaffecteddignity，andifhiseyeswerecastdownitwascertainlynotinconfusion，butratherinnoblemodesty，asifhedidnotwishtobeinsolentinhistriumph。Itwasevidentthathewasdelightedwiththearticle。
"Thedevilknowswhatitmeans，"growledIvanFedorovitch，underhisbreath；"itmusthavetakentheunitedwitsoffiftyfootmentowriteit。"
"MayIaskyourreasonforsuchaninsultingsupposition，sir？"
saidHippolyte，tremblingwithrage。
Youwilladmityourself，general，thatforanhonourableman，iftheauthorisanhonourableman，thatisan——aninsult，"growledtheboxersuddenly，withconvulsivejerkingsofhisshoulders。
"Inthefirstplace，itisnotforyoutoaddressmeas’sir，’
and，inthesecondplace，Irefusetogiveyouanyexplanation，"
saidIvanFedorovitchvehemently；andherosewithoutanotherword，andwentandstoodonthefirststepoftheflightthatledfromtheverandahtothestreet，turninghisbackonthecompany。
HewasindignantwithLizabethaProkofievna，whodidnotthinkofmovingevennow。
"Gentlemen，gentlemen，letmespeakatlast，"criedtheprince，anxiousandagitated。"Pleaseletusunderstandoneanother。I
saynothingaboutthearticle，gentlemen，exceptthateverywordisfalse；IsaythisbecauseyouknowitaswellasIdo。Itisshameful。Ishouldbesurprisedifanyoneofyoucouldhavewrittenit。"
"Ididnotknowofitsexistencetillthismoment，"declaredHippolyte。"Idonotapproveofit。"
"Iknewithadbeenwritten，butIwouldnothaveadviseditspublication，"saidLebedeff’snephew，"becauseitispremature。"
"Iknewit，butIhavearight。I……I……"stammeredthe"sonofPavlicheff。"
"What！Didyouwriteallthatyourself？Isitpossible？"askedtheprince，regardingBurdovskywithcuriosity。
"Onemightdisputeyourrighttoasksuchquestions，"observedLebedeff’snephew。
"IwasonlysurprisedthatMr。Burdovskyshouldhave——however，thisiswhatIhavetosay。Sinceyouhadalreadygiventhematterpublicity，whydidyouobjectjustnow，whenIbegantospeakofittomyfriends？"
"Atlast！"murmuredLizabethaProkofievnaindignantly。
Lebedeffcouldrestrainhimselfnolonger；hemadehiswaythroughtherowofchairs。
"Prince，"hecried，"youareforgettingthatifyouconsentedtoreceiveandhearthem，itwasonlybecauseofyourkindheartwhichhasnoequal，fortheyhadnottheleastrighttodemandit，especiallyasyouhadplacedthematterinthehandsofGavrilaArdalionovitch，whichwasalsoextremelykindofyou。Youarealsoforgetting，mostexcellentprince，thatyouarewithfriends，aselectcompany；youcannotsacrificethemtothesegentlemen，anditisonlyforyoutohavethemturnedoutthisinstant。AsthemasterofthehouseIshallhavegreatpleasure……"
"Quiteright！"agreedGeneralIvolgininaloudvoice。
"Thatwilldo，Lebedeff，thatwilldo——"begantheprince，whenanindignantoutcrydrownedhiswords。
"Excuseme，prince，excuseme，butnowthatwillnotdo，"shoutedLebedeff’snephew，hisvoicedominatingalltheothers。"Themattermustbeclearlystated，foritisobviouslynotproperlyunderstood。Theyarecallinginsomelegalchicanery，anduponthatgroundtheyarethreateningtoturnusoutofthehouse！
Really，prince，doyouthinkwearesuchfoolsasnottobeawarethatthismatterdoesnotcomewithinthelaw，andthatlegallywecannotclaimaroublefromyou？Butwearealsoawarethatifactuallawisnotonourside，humanlawisforus，naturallaw，thelawofcommon-senseandconscience，whichisnolessbindinguponeverynobleandhonestman——thatis，everymanofsanejudgment——becauseitisnottobefoundinmiserablelegalcodes。
Ifwecomeherewithoutfearofbeingturnedout(aswasthreatenedjustnow)becauseoftheimperativetoneofourdemand，andtheunseemlinessofsuchavisitatthislatehour(thoughitwasnotlatewhenwearrived，wewerekeptwaitinginyouranteroom)，if，Isay，wecameinwithoutfear，itisjustbecauseweexpectedtofindyouamanofsense；Imean，amanofhonourandconscience。Itisquitetruethatwedidnotpresentourselveshumbly，likeyourflatterersandparasites，butholdingupourheadsasbefitsindependentmen。Wepresentnopetition，butaproudandfreedemand(noteitwell，wedonotbeseech，wedemand！)。Weaskyoufairlyandsquarelyinadignifiedmanner。
DoyoubelievethatinthisaffairofBurdovskyyouhaverightonyourside？DoyouadmitthatPavlicheffoverwhelmedyouwithbenefits，andperhapssavedyourlife？Ifyouadmitit(whichwetakeforgranted)，doyouintend，nowthatyouareamillionaire，anddoyounotthinkitinconformitywithjustice，toindemnifyBurdovsky？Yesorno？Ifitisyes，or，inotherwords，ifyoupossesswhatyoucallhonourandconscience，andwemorejustlycallcommon-sense，thenaccedetoourdemand，andthematterisatanend。Giveussatisfaction，withoutentreatiesorthanksfromus；donotexpectthanksfromus，forwhatyoudowillbedonenotforoursake，butforthesakeofjustice。Ifyourefusetosatisfyus，thatis，ifyouranswerisno，wewillgoawayatonce，andtherewillbeanendofthematter。Butwewilltellyoutoyourfacebeforethepresentcompanythatyouareamanofvulgarandundevelopedmind；wewillopenlydenyyoutherighttospeakinfutureofyourhonourandconscience，foryouhavenotpaidthefairpriceofsucharight。Ihavenomoretosay——I
haveputthequestionbeforeyou。Nowturnusoutifyoudare。
Youcandoit；forceisonyourside。Butrememberthatwedonotbeseech，wedemand！Wedonotbeseech，wedemand！"
Withtheselastexcitedwords，Lebedeff’snephewwassilent。
"Wedemand，wedemand，wedemand，wedonotbeseech，"splutteredBurdovsky，redasalobster。
ThespeechofLebedeff’snephewcausedacertainstiramongthecompany；murmursarose，thoughwiththeexceptionofLebedeff，whowasstillverymuchexcited，everyonewascarefulnottointerfereinthematter。Strangelyenough，Lebedeff，althoughontheprince’sside，seemedquiteproudofhisnephew’seloquence。
Gratifiedvanitywasvisibleintheglanceshecastupontheassembledcompany。
"Inmyopinion，Mr。Doktorenko，"saidtheprince，inratheralowvoice，"youarequiterightinatleasthalfofwhatyousay。I
wouldgofurtherandsaythatyouarealtogetherright，andthatIquiteagreewithyou，iftherewerenotsomethinglackinginyourspeech。Icannotundertaketosaypreciselywhatitis，butyouhavecertainlyomittedsomething，andyoucannotbequitejustwhilethereissomethinglacking。Butletusputthatasideandreturntothepoint。Tellmewhatinducedyoutopublishthisarticle。Everywordofitisacalumny，andIthink，gentlemen，thatyouhavebeenguiltyofameanaction。"
"Allowme——"
"Sir——"
"What？What？What？"criedallthevisitorsatonce，inviolentagitation。
"Astothearticle，"saidHippolyteinhiscroakingvoice，"I
havetoldyoualreadythatwenoneofusapproveofit！Thereisthewriter，"headded，pointingtotheboxer，whosatbesidehim。
"Iquiteadmitthathehaswrittenitinhisoldregimentalmanner，withanequaldisregardforstyleanddecency。Iknowheisacrossbetweenafoolandanadventurer；Imakenobonesabouttellinghimsotohisfaceeveryday。Butafterallheishalfjustified；publicityisthelawfulrightofeveryman；
consequently，Burdovskyisnotexcepted。Lethimanswerforhisownblunders。AstotheobjectionwhichImadejustnowinthenameofall，tothepresenceofyourfriends，IthinkIoughttoexplain，gentlemen，thatIonlydidsotoassertourrights，thoughwereallywishedtohavewitnesses；wehadagreedunanimouslyuponthepointbeforewecamein。Wedonotcarewhoyourwitnessesmaybe，orwhethertheyareyourfriendsornot。
AstheycannotfailtorecognizeBurdovsky’sright(seeingthatitismathematicallydemonstrable)，itisjustaswellthatthewitnessesshouldbeyourfriends。Thetruthwillonlybemoreplainlyevident。"
"Itisquitetrue；wehadagreeduponthatpoint，"saidLebedeff’snephew，inconfirmation。
"Ifthatisthecase，whydidyoubeginbymakingsuchafussaboutit？"askedtheastonishedprince。
Theboxerwasdyingtogetinafewwords；owing，nodoubt，tothepresenceoftheladies，hewasbecomingquitejovial。
"Astothearticle，prince，"hesaid，"IadmitthatIwroteit，inspiteoftheseverecriticismofmypoorfriend，inwhomI
alwaysoverlookmanythingsbecauseofhisunfortunatestateofhealth。ButIwroteandpublisheditintheformofaletter，inthepaperofafriend。IshowedittonoonebutBurdovsky，andI
didnotreaditallthrough，eventohim。Heimmediatelygavemepermissiontopublishit，butyouwilladmitthatImighthavedonesowithouthisconsent。Publicityisanoble，beneficent，anduniversalright。Ihope，prince，thatyouaretooprogressivetodenythis？"
"Idenynothing，butyoumustconfessthatyourarticle——"
"Isabitthick，youmean？Well，inawaythatisinthepublicinterest；youwilladmitthatyourself，andafterallonecannotoverlookablatantfact。Somuchtheworsefortheguiltyparties，butthepublicwelfaremustcomebeforeeverything。Astocertaininaccuraciesandfiguresofspeech，sotospeak，youwillalsoadmitthatthemotive，aim，andintention，arethechiefthing。Itisaquestion，aboveall，ofmakingawholesomeexample；theindividualcasecanbeexaminedafterwards；andastothestyle——well，thethingwasmeanttobehumorous，sotospeak，and，afterall，everybodywriteslikethat；youmustadmitityourself！Ha，ha！"
"But，gentlemen，Iassureyouthatyouarequiteastray，"
exclaimedtheprince。"YouhavepublishedthisarticleuponthesuppositionthatIwouldneverconsenttosatisfyMr。Burdovsky。
Actingonthatconviction，youhavetriedtointimidatemebythispublicationandtoberevengedformysupposedrefusal。Butwhatdidyouknowofmyintentions？ItmaybethatIhaveresolvedtosatisfyMr。Burdovsky’sclaim。Inowdeclareopenly，inthepresenceofthesewitnesses，thatIwilldoso。"
"Thenobleandintelligentwordofanintelligentandmostnobleman，atlast！"exclaimedtheboxer。
"GoodGod！"exclaimedLizabethaProkofievnainvoluntarily。
"Thisisintolerable，"growledthegeneral。
"Allowme，gentlemen，allowme，"urgedtheprince。
"Iwillexplainmatterstoyou。FiveweeksagoIreceivedavisitfromTchebaroff，youragent，Mr。Burdovsky。Youhavegivenaveryflatteringdescriptionofhiminyourarticle，Mr。Keller，"hecontinued，turningtotheboxerwithasmile，"buthedidnotpleasemeatall。IsawatoncethatTchebaroffwasthemovingspiritinthematter，and，tospeakfrankly，Ithoughthemighthaveinducedyou，Mr。Burdovsky，tomakethisclaim，bytakingadvantageofyoursimplicity。"
"Youhavenoright……Iamnotsimple，"stammeredBurdovsky，muchagitated。
"Youhavenosortofrighttosupposesuchthings，"saidLebedeff’snephewinatoneofauthority。
"Itismostoffensive！"shriekedHippolyte；"itisaninsultingsuggestion，false，andmostill-timed。"
"Ibegyourpardon，gentlemen；pleaseexcuseme，"saidtheprince。"Ithoughtabsolutefranknessonbothsideswouldbebest，buthaveityourownway。ItoldTchebaroffthat，asIwasnotinPetersburg，Iwouldcommissionafriendtolookintothematterwithoutdelay，andthatIwouldletyouknow，Mr。
Burdovsky。Gentlemen，IhavenohesitationintellingyouthatitwasthefactofTchebaroff’sinterventionthatmademesuspectafraud。Oh！donottakeoffenceatmywords，gentlemen，forHeaven’ssakedonotbesotouchy！"criedtheprince，seeingthatBurdovskywasgettingexcitedagain，andthattherestwerepreparingtoprotest。"IfIsayIsuspectedafraud，thereisnothingpersonalinthat。Ihadneverseenanyofyouthen；Ididnotevenknowyournames；IonlyjudgedbyTchebaroff；Iamspeakingquitegenerally——ifyouonlyknewhowIhavebeen’done’
sinceIcameintomyfortune！"
"Youareshockinglynaive，prince，"saidLebedeff’snephewinmockingtones。
"Besides，thoughyouareaprinceandamillionaire，andeventhoughyoumayreallybesimpleandgood-hearted，youcanhardlybeoutsidethegenerallaw，"Hippolytedeclaredloudly。
"Perhapsnot；itisverypossible，"theprinceagreedhastily，"thoughIdonotknowwhatgenerallawyoualludeto。Iwillgoon——onlypleasedonottakeoffencewithoutgoodcause。IassureyouIdonotmeantooffendyouintheleast。Really，itisimpossibletospeakthreewordssincerelywithoutyourflyingintoarage！AtfirstIwasamazedwhenTchebarofftoldmethatPavlicheffhadason，andthathewasinsuchamiserableposition。Pavlicheffwasmybenefactor，andmyfather’sfriend。
Oh，Mr。Keller，whydoesyourarticleimputethingstomyfatherwithouttheslightestfoundation？Heneversquanderedthefundsofhiscompanynorill-treatedhissubordinates，Iamabsolutelycertainofit；Icannotimaginehowyoucouldbringyourselftowritesuchacalumny！ButyourassertionsconcerningPavlicheffareabsolutelyintolerable！Youdonotscrupletomakealibertineofthatnobleman；youcallhimasensualistascoollyasifyouwerespeakingthetruth，andyetitwouldnotbepossibletofindachasterman。Hewasevenascholarofnote，andincorrespondencewithseveralcelebratedscientists，andspentlargesumsintheinterestsofscience。Astohiskindheartandhisgoodactions，youwererightindeedwhenyousaidthatIwasalmostanidiotatthattime，andcouldhardlyunderstandanything——(IcouldspeakandunderstandRussian，though)，——butnowIcanappreciatewhatIremember——"
"Excuseme，"interruptedHippolyte，"isnotthisrathersentimental？Yousaidyouwishedtocometothepoint；pleaserememberthatitisafternineo’clock。"
"Verywell，gentlemen——verywell，"repliedtheprince。"AtfirstIreceivedthenewswithmistrust，thenIsaidtomyselfthatI
mightbemistaken，andthatPavlicheffmightpossiblyhavehadason。ButIwasabsolutelyamazedatthereadinesswithwhichthesonhadrevealedthesecretofhisbirthattheexpenseofhismother’shonour。ForTchebaroffhadalreadymenacedmewithpublicityinourinterview……"
"Whatnonsense！"Lebedeff’snephewinterruptedviolently。
"Youhavenoright——youhavenoright！"criedBurdovsky。
"Thesonisnotresponsibleforthemisdeedsofhisfather；andthemotherisnottoblame，"addedHippolyte，withwarmth。
"Thatseemstomeallthemorereasonforsparingher，"saidtheprincetimidly。
"Prince，youarenotonlysimple，butyoursimplicityisalmostpastthelimit，"saidLebedeff’snephew，withasarcasticsmile。
"Butwhatrighthadyou？"saidHippolyteinaverystrangetone。
"None——nonewhatever，"agreedtheprincehastily。"Iadmityouarerightthere，butitwasinvoluntary，andIimmediatelysaidtomyselfthatmypersonalfeelingshadnothingtodowithit，——
thatifIthoughtitrighttosatisfythedemandsofMr。
Burdovsky，outofrespectforthememoryofPavlicheff，Ioughttodosoinanycase，whetherIesteemedMr。Burdovskyornot。I
onlymentionedthis，gentlemen，becauseitseemedsounnaturaltomeforasontobetrayhismother’ssecretinsuchaway。Inshort，thatiswhatconvincedmethatTchebaroffmustbearogue，andthathehadinducedMr。Burdovskytoattemptthisfraud。"
"Butthisisintolerable！"criedthevisitors，someofthemstartingtotheirfeet。
"Gentlemen，IsupposedfromthisthatpoorMr。Burdovskymustbeasimple-mindedman，quitedefenceless，andaneasytoolinthehandsofrogues。ThatiswhyIthoughtitmydutytotryandhelphimas’Pavlicheff’sson’；inthefirstplacebyrescuinghimfromtheinfluenceofTchebaroff，andsecondlybymakingmyselfhisfriend。Ihaveresolvedtogivehimtenthousandroubles；
thatisaboutthesumwhichIcalculatethatPavlicheffmusthavespentonme。"
"What，onlytenthousand！"criedHippolyte。
"Well，prince，yourarithmeticisnotuptomuch，orelseyouaremightycleveratit，thoughyouaffecttheairofasimpleton，"
saidLebedeff’snephew。
"Iwillnotaccepttenthousandroubles，"saidBurdovsky。
"Accept，Antip，"whisperedtheboxereagerly，leaningpastthebackofHippolyte’schairtogivehisfriendthispieceofadvice。"Takeitforthepresent；wecanseeaboutmorelateron。"
"Lookhere，Mr。Muishkin，"shoutedHippolyte，"pleaseunderstandthatwearenotfools，noridiots，asyourguestsseemtoimagine；theseladieswholookuponuswithsuchscorn，andespeciallythisfinegentleman"(pointingtoEvgeniePavlovitch)
"whomIhavenotthehonourofknowing，thoughIthinkIhaveheardsometalkabouthim——"
"Really，really，gentlemen，"criedtheprinceingreatagitation，"youaremisunderstandingmeagain。Inthefirstplace，Mr。
Keller，youhavegreatlyoverestimatedmyfortuneinyourarticle。Iamfarfrombeingamillionaire。Ihavebarelyatenthofwhatyousuppose。Secondly，mytreatmentinSwitzerlandwasveryfarfromcostingtensofthousandsofroubles。Schneiderreceivedsixhundredroublesayear，andhewasonlypaidforthefirstthreeyears。AstotheprettygovernesseswhomPavlicheffissupposedtohavebroughtfromParis，theyonlyexistinMr。
Keller’simagination；itisanothercalumny。Accordingtomycalculations，thesumspentonmewasveryconsiderablyundertenthousandroubles，butIdecidedonthatsum，andyoumustadmitthatinpayingadebtIcouldnotofferMr。Burdovskymore，howeverkindlydisposedImightbetowardshim；delicacyforbidsit；Ishouldseemtobeofferinghimcharityinsteadofrightfulpayment。Idon’tknowhowyoucannotseethat，gentlemen！
Besides，Ihadnointentionofleavingthematterthere。ImeanttointerveneamicablylateronandhelptoimprovepoorMr。
Burdovsky’sposition。Itisclearthathehasbeendeceived，orhewouldneverhaveagreedtoanythingsovileasthescandalousrevelationsabouthismotherinMr。Keller’sarticle。But，gentlemen，whyareyougettingangryagain？Arewenevertocometoanunderstanding？Well，theeventhasprovedmeright！Ihavejustseenwithmyowneyestheproofthatmyconjecturewascorrect！"headded，withincreasingeagerness。
Hemeanttocalmhishearers，anddidnotperceivethathiswordshadonlyincreasedtheirirritation。
"Whatdoyoumean？Whatareyouconvincedof？"theydemandedangrily。
"Inthefirstplace，IhavehadtheopportunityofgettingacorrectideaofMr。Burdovsky。Iseewhatheisformyself。Heisaninnocentman，deceivedbyeveryone！Adefencelessvictim，whodeservesindulgence！Secondly，GavrilaArdalionovitch，inwhosehandsIhadplacedthematter，hadhisfirstinterviewwithmebarelyanhourago。Ihadnotheardfromhimforsometime，asI
wasaway，andhavebeenillforthreedayssincemyreturntoSt。
Petersburg。HetellsmethathehasexposedthedesignsofTchebaroffandhasproofthatjustifiesmyopinionofhim。I
know，gentlemen，thatmanypeoplethinkmeanidiot。Countinguponmyreputationasamanwhosepurse-stringsareeasilyloosened，Tchebaroffthoughtitwouldbeasimplemattertofleeceme，especiallybytradingonmygratitudetoPavlicheff。
Butthemainpointis——listen，gentlemen，letmefinish！——themainpointisthatMr。BurdovskyisnotPavlicheff’ssonatall。
GavrilaArdalionovitchhasjusttoldmeofhisdiscovery，andassuresmethathehaspositiveproofs。Well，whatdoyouthinkofthat？Itisscarcelycredible，evenafterallthetricksthathavebeenplayeduponme。Pleasenotethatwehavepositiveproofs！Icanhardlybelieveitmyself，Iassureyou；Idonotyetbelieveit；Iamstilldoubtful，becauseGavrilaArdalionovitchhasnothadtimetogointodetails；buttherecanbenofurtherdoubtthatTchebaroffisarogue！HehasdeceivedpoorMr。Burdovsky，andallofyou，gentlemen，whohavecomeforwardsonoblytosupportyourfriend——(heevidentlyneedssupport，Iquiteseethat！)。Hehasabusedyourcredulityandinvolvedyouallinanattemptedfraud，forwhenallissaidanddonethisclaimisnothingelse！"
"What！afraud？What，heisnotPavlicheff’sson？Impossible！"
Theseexclamationsbutfeeblyexpressedtheprofoundbewildermentintowhichtheprince’swordshadplungedBurdovsky’scompanions。
"Certainlyitisafraud！SinceMr。BurdovskyisnotPavlicheff’sson，hisclaimisneithermorenorlessthanattemptedfraud(supposing，ofcourse，thathehadknownthetruth)，butthefactisthathehasbeendeceived。Iinsistonthispointinordertojustifyhim；Irepeatthathissimple-mindednessmakeshimworthyofpity，andthathecannotstandalone；otherwisehewouldhavebehavedlikeascoundrelinthismatter。ButIfeelcertainthathedoesnotunderstandit！IwasjustthesamemyselfbeforeI
wenttoSwitzerland；Istammeredincoherently；onetriestoexpressoneselfandcannot。Iunderstandthat。IamallthebetterabletopityMr。Burdovsky，becauseIknowfromexperiencewhatitistobelikethat，andsoIhavearighttospeak。Well，thoughthereisnosuchpersonas’Pavlicheff’sson，’anditisallnothingbutahumbug，yetIwillkeeptomydecision，andI
ampreparedtogiveuptenthousandroublesinmemoryofPavlicheff。BeforeMr。Burdovskymadethisclaim，Iproposedtofoundaschoolwiththismoney，inmemoryofmybenefactor，butI
shallhonourhismemoryquiteaswellbygivingthetenthousandroublestoMr。Burdovsky，because，thoughhewasnotPavlicheff’sson，hewastreatedalmostasthoughhewere。Thatiswhatgavearoguetheopportunityofdeceivinghim；hereallydidthinkhimselfPavlicheff’sson。Listen，gentlemen；thismattermustbesettled；keepcalm；donotgetangry；andsitdown！GavrilaArdalionovitchwillexplaineverythingtoyouatonce，andI
confessthatIamveryanxioustohearallthedetailsmyself。HesaysthathehasevenbeentoPskofftoseeyourmother，Mr。
Burdovsky；sheisnotdead，asthearticlewhichwasjustreadtousmakesout。Sitdown，gentlemen，sitdown！"
Theprincesatdown，andatlengthprevaileduponBurdovsky’scompanytodolikewise。Duringthelasttenortwentyminutes，exasperatedbycontinualinterruptions，hehadraisedhisvoice，andspokenwithgreatvehemence。Now，nodoubt，hebitterlyregrettedseveralwordsandexpressionswhichhadescapedhiminhisexcitement。Ifhehadnotbeendrivenbeyondthelimitsofendurance，hewouldnothaveventuredtoexpresscertainconjecturessoopenly。Hehadnosoonersatdownthanhisheartwastornbysharpremorse。BesidesinsultingBurdovskywiththesupposition，madeinthepresenceofwitnesses，thathewassufferingfromthecomplaintforwhichhehadhimselfbeentreatedinSwitzerland，hereproachedhimselfwiththegrossestindelicacyinhavingofferedhimthetenthousandroublesbeforeeveryone。"Ioughttohavewaitedtillto-morrowandofferedhimthemoneywhenwewerealone，"thoughtMuishkin。"Nowitistoolate，themischiefisdone！Yes，Iamanidiot，anabsoluteidiot！"hesaidtohimself，overcomewithshameandregret。
TillthenGavrilaArdalionovitchhadsatapartinsilence。Whentheprincecalleduponhim，hecameandstoodbyhisside，andinacalm，clearvoicebegantorenderanaccountofthemissionconfidedtohim。Allconversationceasedinstantly。Everyone，especiallytheBurdovskyparty，listenedwiththeutmostcuriosity。
IX。
"Youwillnotdeny，Iamsure，"saidGavrilaArdalionovitch，turningtoBurdovsky，whosatlookingathimwithwide-openeyes，perplexedandastonished。Youwillnotdeny，seriously，thatyouwerebornjusttwoyearsafteryourmother’slegalmarriagetoMr。Burdovsky，yourfather。Nothingwouldbeeasierthantoprovethedateofyourbirthfromwell-knownfacts；wecanonlylookonMr。Keller’sversionasaworkofimagination，andone，moreover，extremelyoffensivebothtoyouandyourmother。Ofcoursehedistortedthetruthinordertostrengthenyourclaim，andtoserveyourinterests。Mr。Kellersaidthathepreviouslyconsultedyouabouthisarticleinthepaper，butdidnotreadittoyouasawhole。Certainlyhecouldnothavereadthatpassage……
"Asamatteroffact，Ididnotreadit，"interruptedtheboxer，"butitscontentshadbeengivenmeonunimpeachableauthority，andI……"
"Excuseme，Mr。Keller，"interposedGavrilaArdalionovitch。
"Allowmetospeak。Iassureyouyourarticleshallbementionedinitsproperplace，andyoucanthenexplaineverything，butforthemomentIwouldrathernotanticipate。Quiteaccidentally，withthehelpofmysister，VarvaraArdalionovnaPtitsin，I
obtainedfromoneofherintimatefriends，MadameZoubkoff，aletterwrittentohertwenty-fiveyearsago，byNicolaiAndreevitchPavlicheff，thenabroad。Aftergettingintocommunicationwiththislady，IwentbyheradvicetoTimofeiFedorovitchViazovkin，aretiredcolonel，andoneofPavlicheff’soldestfriends。Hegavemetwomoreletterswrittenbythelatterwhenhewasstillinforeignparts。Thesethreedocuments，theirdates，andthefactsmentionedinthem，proveinthemostundeniablemanner，thateighteenmonthsbeforeyourbirth，NicolaiAndreevitchwentabroad，whereheremainedforthreeconsecutiveyears。Yourmother，asyouarewellaware，hasneverbeenoutofRussia……Itistoolatetoreadthelettersnow；
Iamcontenttostatethefact。Butifyoudesireit，cometometomorrowmorning，bringwitnessesandwritingexpertswithyou，andIwillprovetheabsolutetruthofmystory。Fromthatmomentthequestionwillbedecided。"
Thesewordscausedasensationamongthelisteners，andtherewasageneralmovementofrelief。Burdovskygotupabruptly。
"Ifthatistrue，"saidhe，"Ihavebeendeceived，grosslydeceived，butnotbyTchebaroff:andforalongtimepast，alongtime。Idonotwishforexperts，notI，nortogotoseeyou。I
believeyou。Igiveitup……ButIrefusethetenthousandroubles。Good-bye。"
"Waitfiveminutesmore，Mr。Burdovsky，"saidGavrilaArdalionovitchpleasantly。"Ihavemoretosay。Somerathercuriousandimportantfactshavecometolight，anditisabsolutelynecessary，inmyopinion，thatyoushouldhearthem。
Youwillnotregret，Ifancy，tohavethewholematterthoroughlyclearedup。"
Burdovskysilentlyresumedhisseat，andbenthisheadasthoughinprofoundthought。Hisfriend，Lebedeff’snephew，whohadrisentoaccompanyhim，alsosatdownagain。Heseemedmuchdisappointed，thoughasself-confidentasever。Hippolytelookeddejectedandsulky，aswellassurprised。Hehadjustbeenattackedbyaviolentfitofcoughing，sothathishandkerchiefwasstainedwithblood。
Theboxerlookedthoroughlyfrightened。
"Oh，Antip！"criedheinamiserablevoice，"Ididsaytoyoutheotherday——thedaybeforeyesterday——thatperhapsyouwerenotreallyPavlicheff’sson！"
Thereweresoundsofhalf-smotheredlaughteratthis。
"Now，thatisavaluablepieceofinformation，Mr。Keller，"
repliedGania。"Howeverthatmaybe，IhaveprivateinformationwhichconvincesmethatMr。Burdovsky，thoughdoubtlessawareofthedateofhisbirth，knewnothingatallaboutPavlicheff’ssojournabroad。Indeed，hepassedthegreaterpartofhislifeoutofRussia，returningatintervalsforshortvisits。Thejourneyinquestionisinitselftoounimportantforhisfriendstorecollectitaftermorethantwentyyears；andofcourseMr。
Burdovskycouldhaveknownnothingaboutit，forhewasnotborn。
Astheeventhasproved，itwasnotimpossibletofindevidenceofhisabsence，thoughImustconfessthatchancehashelpedmeinaquestwhichmightverywellhavecometonothing。ItwasreallyalmostimpossibleforBurdovskyorTchebarofftodiscoverthesefacts，evenifithadenteredtheirheadstotry。Naturallytheyneverdreamt……
HerethevoiceofHippolytesuddenlyintervened。