第11章
"Allowme，Mr。Ivolgin，"hesaidirritably。"Whatisthegoodofallthisrigmarole？Pardonme。Allisnowclear，andweacknowledgethetruthofyourmainpoint。Whygointothesetediousdetails？Youwishperhapstoboastoftheclevernessofyourinvestigation，tocryupyourtalentsasdetective？OrperhapsyourintentionistoexcuseBurdovsky，byrovingthathetookupthematterinignorance？Well，Iconsiderthatextremelyimpudentonyourpart！YououghttoknowthatBurdovskyhasnoneedofbeingexcusedorjustifiedbyyouoranyoneelse！Itisaninsult！Theaffairisquitepainfulenoughforhimwithoutthat。Willnothingmakeyouunderstand？"
"Enough！enough！Mr。Terentieff，"interruptedGania。
"Don’texciteyourself；youseemveryill，andIamsorryforthat。Iamalmostdone，butthereareafewfactstowhichI
mustbrieflyrefer，asIamconvincedthattheyoughttobeclearlyexplainedonceforall……"Amovementofimpatiencewasnoticedinhisaudienceasheresumed:"Imerelywishtostate，fortheinformationofallconcerned，thatthereasonforMr。Pavlicheff’sinterestinyourmother，Mr。Burdovsky，wassimplythatshewasthesisterofaserf-girlwithwhomhewasdeeplyinloveinhisyouth，andwhommostcertainlyhewouldhavemarriedbutforhersuddendeath。Ihaveproofsthatthiscircumstanceisalmost，ifnotquite，forgotten。Imayaddthatwhenyourmotherwasabouttenyearsold，Pavlichefftookherunderhiscare，gaveheragoodeducation，andlater，aconsiderabledowry。Hisrelationswerealarmed，andfearedhemightgosofarastomarryher，butshegaveherhandtoayoungland-surveyornamedBurdovskywhenshereachedtheageoftwenty。
Icanevensaydefinitelythatitwasamarriageofaffection。
Afterhisweddingyourfathergaveuphisoccupationasland-
surveyor，andwithhiswife’sdowryoffifteenthousandroubleswentinforcommercialspeculations。Ashehadhadnoexperience，hewascheatedonallsides，andtooktodrinkinordertoforgethistroubles。Heshortenedhislifebyhisexcesses，andeightyearsafterhismarriagehedied。Yourmothersaysherselfthatshewasleftinthedirestpoverty，andwouldhavediedofstarvationhaditnotbeenforPavlicheff，whogenerouslyallowedherayearlypensionofsixhundredroubles。Manypeoplerecallhisextremefondnessforyouasalittleboy。Yourmotherconfirmsthis，andagreeswithothersinthinkingthathelovedyouthemorebecauseyouwereasicklychild，stammeringinyourspeech，andalmostdeformed——foritisknownthatallhislifeNicolaiAndreevitchhadapartialityforunfortunatesofeverykind，especiallychildren。Inmyopinionthisismostimportant。
ImayaddthatIdiscoveredyetanotherfact，thelastonwhichI
employedmydetectivepowers。SeeinghowfondPavlicheffwasofyou，——itwasthankstohimyouwenttoschool，andalsohadtheadvantageofspecialteachers——hisrelationsandservantsgrewtobelievethatyouwerehisson，andthatyourfatherhadbeenbetrayedbyhiswife。ImaypointoutthatthisideawasonlyaccreditedgenerallyduringthelastyearsofPavlicheff’slife，whenhisnext-of-kinweretremblingaboutthesuccession，whentheearlierstorywasquiteforgotten，andwhenallopportunityfordiscoveringthetruthhadseeminglypassedaway。Nodoubtyou，Mr。Burdovsky，heardthisconjecture，anddidnothesitatetoacceptitastrue。Ihavehadthehonourofmakingyourmother’sacquaintance，andIfindthatsheknowsallaboutthesereports。Whatshedoesnotknowisthatyou，herson，shouldhavelistenedtothemsocomplaisantly。IfoundyourrespectedmotheratPskoff，illandindeeppoverty，asshehasbeeneversincethedeathofyourbenefactor。Shetoldmewithtearsofgratitudehowyouhadsupportedher；sheexpectsmuchofyou，andbelievesferventlyinyourfuturesuccess……"
"Oh，thisisunbearable！"saidLebedeff’snephewimpatiently。
"Whatisthegoodofallthisromancing？"
"Itisrevoltingandunseemly！"criedHippolyte，jumpingupinafury。
Burdovskyalonesatsilentandmotionless。
"Whatisthegoodofit？"repeatedGavrilaArdalionovitch，withpretendedsurprise。"Well，firstly，becausenowperhapsMr。
BurdovskyisquiteconvincedthatMr。Pavlicheff’sloveforhimcamesimplyfromgenerosityofsoul，andnotfrompaternalduty。
Itwasmostnecessarytoimpressthisfactuponhismind，consideringthatheapprovedofthearticlewrittenbyMr。
Keller。IspeakthusbecauseIlookonyou，Mr。Burdovsky，asanhonourableman。Secondly，itappearsthattherewasnointentionofcheatinginthiscase，evenonthepartofTchebaroff。Iwishtosaythisquiteplainly，becausetheprincehintedawhileagothatItoothoughtitanattemptatrobberyandextortion。Onthecontrary，everyonehasbeenquitesincereinthematter，andalthoughTchebaroffmaybesomewhatofarogue，inthisbusinesshehasactedsimplyasanysharplawyerwoulddounderthecircumstances。Helookedatitasacasethatmightbringhiminalotofmoney，andhedidnotcalculatebadly；becauseontheonehandhespeculatedonthegenerosityoftheprince，andhisgratitudetothelateMr。Pavlicheff，andontheothertohischivalrousideasastotheobligationsofhonourandconscience。
AstoMr。Burdovsky，allowingforhisprinciples，wemayacknowledgethatheengagedinthebusinesswithverylittlepersonalaiminview。AttheinstigationofTchebaroffandhisotherfriends，hedecidedtomaketheattemptintheserviceoftruth，progress，andhumanity。Inshort，theconclusionmaybedrawnthat，inspiteofallappearances，Mr。Burdovskyisamanofirreproachablecharacter，andthustheprincecanallthemorereadilyofferhimhisfriendship，andtheassistanceofwhichhespokejustnow……"
"Hush！hush！GavrilaArdalionovitch！"criedMuishkinindismay，butitwastoolate。
"Isaid，andIhaverepeateditoverandoveragain，"shoutedBurdovskyfuriously，"thatIdidnotwantthemoney。Iwillnottakeit……why……Iwillnot……Iamgoingaway！"
Hewasrushinghurriedlyfromtheterrace，whenLebedeff’snephewseizedhisarms，andsaidsomethingtohiminalowvoice。
Burdovskyturnedquickly，anddrawinganaddressedbutunsealedenvelopefromhispocket，hethrewitdownonalittletablebesidetheprince。
"There’sthemoney！……Howdareyou？……Themoney！"
"Thosearethetwohundredandfiftyroublesyoudaredtosendhimasacharity，bythehandsofTchebaroff，"explainedDoktorenko。
"Thearticleinthenewspaperputitatfifty！"criedColia。
"Ibegyourpardon，"saidtheprince，goinguptoBurdovsky。"I
havedoneyouagreatwrong，butIdidnotsendyouthatmoneyasacharity，believeme。AndnowIamagaintoblame。Ioffendedyoujustnow。"(Theprincewasmuchdistressed；heseemedwornoutwithfatigue，andspokealmostincoherently。)"Ispokeofswindling……butIdidnotapplythattoyou。Iwasdeceived……Isaidyouwere……afflicted……likeme……Butyouarenotlikeme……yougivelessons……yousupportyourmother。I
saidyouhaddishonouredyourmother，butyouloveher。Shesayssoherself……Ididnotknow……GavrilaArdalionovitchdidnottellmethat……Forgiveme！Idaredtoofferyoutenthousandroubles，butIwaswrong。Ioughttohavedoneitdifferently，andnow……thereisnowayofdoingit，foryoudespiseme……"
"Ideclare，thisisalunaticasylum！"criedLizabethaProkofievna。
"Ofcourseitisalunaticasylum！"repeatedAglayasharply，butherwordswereoverpoweredbyothervoices。Everybodywastalkingloudly，makingremarksandcomments；somediscussedtheaffairgravely，otherslaughed。IvanFedorovitchEpanchinwasextremelyindignant。Hestoodwaitingforhiswifewithanairofoffendeddignity。Lebedeff’snephewtookupthewordagain。
"Well，prince，todoyoujustice，youcertainlyknowhowtomakethemostofyour——letuscallitinfirmity，forthesakeofpoliteness；youhavesetaboutofferingyourmoneyandfriendshipinsuchawaythatnoself-respectingmancouldpossiblyacceptthem。Thisisanexcessofingenuousnessorofmalice——yououghttoknowbetterthananyonewhichwordbestfitsthecase。"
"Allowme，gentlemen，"saidGavrilaArdalionovitch，whohadjustexaminedthecontentsoftheenvelope，"thereareonlyahundredroubleshere，nottwohundredandfifty。Ipointthisout，prince，topreventmisunderstanding。"
"Nevermind，nevermind，"saidtheprince，signingtohimtokeepquiet。
"Butwedomind，"saidLebedeff’snephewvehemently。"Prince，your’nevermind’isaninsulttous。Wehavenothingtohide；
ouractionscanbeardaylight。Itistruethatthereareonlyahundredroublesinsteadoftwohundredandfifty，butitisallthesame。"
"Why，no，itishardlythesame，"remarkedGavrilaArdalionovitch，withanairofingenuoussurprise。
"Don’tinterrupt，wearenotsuchfoolsasyouthink，Mr。
Lawyer，"criedLebedeff’snephewangrily。"Ofcoursethereisadifferencebetweenahundredroublesandtwohundredandfifty，butinthiscasetheprincipleisthemainpoint，andthatahundredandfiftyroublesaremissingisonlyasideissue。ThepointtobeemphasizedisthatBurdovskywillnotacceptyourhighness’scharity；heflingsitbackinyourface，anditscarcelymattersifthereareahundredroublesortwohundredandfifty。Burdovskyhasrefusedtenthousandroubles；youheardhim。Hewouldnothavereturnedevenahundredroublesifhewasdishonest！ThehundredandfiftyroubleswerepaidtoTchebaroffforhistravellingexpenses。Youmayjeeratourstupidityandatourinexperienceinbusinessmatters；youhavedoneallyoucouldalreadytomakeuslookridiculous；butdonotdaretocallusdishonest。Thefourofuswillclubtogethereverydaytorepaythehundredandfiftyroublestotheprince，ifwehavetopayitininstalmentsofaroubleatatime，butwewillrepayit，withinterest。Burdovskyispoor，hehasnomillions。AfterhisjourneytoseetheprinceTchebaroffsentinhisbill。Wecountedonwinning……Whowouldnothavedonethesameinsuchacase？"
"Whoindeed？"exclaimedPrinceS。
"Ishallcertainlygomad，ifIstayhere！"criedLizabethaProkofievna。
"Itremindsme，"saidEvgeniePavlovitch，laughing，"ofthefamouspleaofacertainlawyerwholatelydefendedamanformurderingsixpeopleinordertorobthem。Heexcusedhisclientonthescoreofpoverty。’Itisquitenatural，’hesaidinconclusion，’consideringthestateofmiseryhewasin，thatheshouldhavethoughtofmurderingthesesixpeople；whichofyou，gentlemen，wouldnothavedonethesameinhisplace？’"
"Enough，"criedLizabethaProkofievnaabruptly，tremblingwithanger，"wehavehadenoughofthisbalderdash！"
Inastateofterribleexcitementshethrewbackherhead，withflamingeyes，castinglooksofcontemptanddefianceuponthewholecompany，inwhichshecouldnolongerdistinguishfriendfromfoe。Shehadrestrainedherselfsolongthatshefeltforcedtoventherrageonsomebody。ThosewhoknewLizabethaProkofievnasawatoncehowitwaswithher。"Shefliesintotheseragessometimes，"saidIvanFedorovitchtoPrinceS。thenextday，"butsheisnotoftensoviolentasshewasyesterday；
itdoesnothappenmorethanonceinthreeyears。"
"Bequiet，IvanFedorovitch！Leavemealone！"criedMrs。
Epanchin。"Whydoyouoffermeyourarmnow？Youhadnotsenseenoughtotakemeawaybefore。Youaremyhusband，youareafather，itwasyourdutytodragmeawaybyforce，ifinmyfollyIrefusedtoobeyyouandgoquietly。Youmightatleasthavethoughtofyourdaughters。Wecanfindourwayoutnowwithoutyourhelp。Hereisshameenoughforayear！Waitamoment’tillI
thanktheprince！Thankyou，prince，fortheentertainmentyouhavegivenus！Itwasmostamusingtoheartheseyoungmen……Itisvile，vile！Achaos，ascandal，worsethananightmare！Isitpossiblethattherecanbemanysuchpeopleonearth？Bequiet，Aglaya！Bequiet，Alexandra！Itisnoneofyourbusiness！Don’tfussroundmelikethat，EvgeniePavlovitch；youexasperateme！
So，mydear，"shecried，addressingtheprince，"yougosofarastobegtheirpardon！Hesays，’Forgivemeforofferingyouafortune。’Andyou，youmountebank，whatareyoulaughingat？"shecried，turningsuddenlyonLebedeff’snephew。"’Werefusetenthousandroubles；wedonotbeseech，wedemand！’Asifhedidnotknowthatthisidiotwillcallonthemtomorrowtorenewhisoffersofmoneyandfriendship。Youwill，won’tyou？Youwill？
Come，willyou，orwon’tyou？"
"Ishall，"saidtheprince，withgentlehumility。
"Youhearhim！Youcountuponit，too，"shecontinued，turninguponDoktorenko。"Youareassureofhimnowasifyouhadthemoneyinyourpocket。Andthereyouareplayingtheswaggerertothrowdustinoureyes！No，mydearsir，youmaytakeotherpeoplein！Icanseethroughallyourairsandgraces，Iseeyourgame！"
"LizabethaProkofievna！"exclaimedtheprince。
"Come，LizabethaProkofievna，itisquitetimeforustobegoing，wewilltaketheprincewithus，"saidPrinceS。withasmile，inthecoolestpossibleway。
Thegirlsstoodapart，almostfrightened；theirfatherwaspositivelyhorrified。Mrs。Epanchin’slanguageastonishedeverybody。Somewhostoodalittlewayoffsmiledfurtively，andtalkedinwhispers。Lebedeffworeanexpressionofutmostecstasy。
"Chaosandscandalaretobefoundeverywhere，madame，"remarkedDoktorenko，whowasconsiderablyputoutofcountenance。
"Notlikethis！Nothinglikethespectacleyouhavejustgivenus，sir，"answeredLizabethaProkofievna，withasortofhystericalrage。"Leavemealone，willyou？"shecriedviolentlytothosearoundher，whoweretryingtokeepherquiet。"No，EvgeniePavlovitch，if，asyousaidyourselfjustnow，alawyersaidinopencourtthathefounditquitenaturalthatamanshouldmurdersixpeoplebecausehewasinmisery，theworldmustbecomingtoanend。Ihadnotheardofitbefore。NowI
understandeverything。Andthisstutterer，won’theturnoutamurderer？"shecried，pointingtoBurdovsky，whowasstaringatherwithstupefaction。"Ibethewill！Hewillhavenoneofyourmoney，possibly，hewillrefuseitbecausehisconsciencewillnotallowhimtoacceptit，buthewillgomurderingyoubynightandwalkingoffwithyourcashbox，withaclearconscience！Hedoesnotcallitadishonestactionbut’theimpulseofanobledespair’；’anegation’；orthedevilknowswhat！Bah！everythingisupsidedown，everyonewalksheaddownwards。Ayounggirl，broughtupathome，suddenlyjumpsintoacabinthemiddleofthestreet，saying:’Good-bye，mother，ImarriedKarlitch，orIvanitch，theotherday！’Andyouthinkitquiteright？Youcallsuchconductestimableandnatural？The’womanquestion’？Lookhere，"shecontinued，pointingtoColia，"theotherdaythatwhippersnappertoldmethatthiswasthewholemeaningofthe’womanquestion。’Butevensupposingthatyourmotherisafool，youarenonetheless，boundtotreatherwithhumanity。Whydidyoucomeheretonightsoinsolently？’Giveusourrights，butdon’tdaretospeakinourpresence。Showuseverymarkofdeepestrespect，whilewetreatyoulikethescumoftheearth。’
Themiscreantshavewrittenatissueofcalumnyintheirarticle，andthesearethemenwhoseekfortruth，anddobattlefortheright！’Wedonotbeseech，wedemand，youwillgetnothanksfromus，becauseyouwillbeactingtosatisfyyourownconscience！’
Whatmorality！But，good。heavens！ifyoudeclarethattheprince’sgenerositywill，excitenogratitudeinyou，hemightanswerthatheisnot，boundtobegratefultoPavlicheff，whoalsowasonlysatisfyinghisownconscience。Butyoucountedontheprince’s，gratitudetowardsPavlicheff；youneverlenthimanymoney；heowesyounothing；thenwhatwereyoucountinguponifnotonhisgratitude？Andifyouappealtothatsentimentinothers，whyshouldyouexpecttobeexemptedfromit？Theyaremad！Theysaysocietyissavageand。inhumanbecauseitdespisesayounggirlwhohasbeenseduced。Butifyoucallsocietyinhumanyouimplythattheyounggirlismadetosufferbyitscensure。Howthen，canyouholdheruptothescornofsocietyinthenewspaperswithoutrealizingthatyouaremakinghersuffering，stillgreater？Madmen！Vainfools！Theydon’tbelieveinGod，theydon’tbelieveinChrist！Butyouaresoeaten。upbyprideandvanity，thatyouwillendbydevouringeachother——thatismyprophecy！Isnotthisabsurd？Isitnotmonstrouschaos？
Andafterallthis，thatshamelesscreaturewillgoandbegtheirpardon！Aretheremanypeoplelikeyou？Whatareyousmilingat？
BecauseIamnotashamedtodisgracemyselfbeforeyou？——Yes，I
amdisgraced——itcan’tbehelpednow！Butdon’tyoujeeratme，youscum！"(thiswasaimedatHippolyte)。"Heisalmostathislastgasp，yethecorruptsothers。You，havegotholdofthislad"——(shepointedtoColia)；"you，haveturnedhishead，youhavetaughthimtobeanatheist，youdon’tbelieveinGod，andyouarenottoooldtobewhipped，sir！Aplagueuponyou！Andso，PrinceLefNicolaievitch，youwillcallonthemtomorrow，willyou？"sheaskedtheprincebreathlessly，forthesecondtime。
"Yes。"
"ThenIwillneverspeaktoyouagain。"Shemadeasuddenmovementtogo，andthenturnedquicklyback。"Andyouwillcallonthatatheist？"shecontinued，pointingtoHippolyte。"Howdareyougrinatmelikethat？"sheshoutedfuriously，rushingattheinvalid，whosemockingsmiledrovehertodistraction。
Exclamationsaroseonallsides。
"LizabethaProkofievna！LizabethaProkofievna！LizabethaProkofievna！"
"Mother，thisisdisgraceful！"criedAglaya。
Mrs。EpanchinhadapproachedHippolyteandseizedhimfirmlybythearm，whilehereyes，blazingwithfury，werefixeduponhisface。
"Donotdistressyourself，AglayaIvanovitch，"heansweredcalmly；"yourmotherknowsthatonecannotstrikeadyingman。I
amreadytoexplainwhyIwaslaughing。Ishallbedelightedifyouwillletme——"
Aviolentfitofcoughing，whichlastedafullminute，preventedhimfromfinishinghissentence。
"Heisdying，yethewillnotstopholdingforth！"criedLizabethaProkofievna。Sheloosedherholdonhisarm，almostterrified，asshesawhimwipingthebloodfromhislips。"Whydoyoutalk？Yououghttogohometobed。"
"SoIwill，"hewhisperedhoarsely。"AssoonasIgethomeIwillgotobedatonce；andIknowIshallbedeadinafortnight；
Botkinetoldmesohimselflastweek。ThatiswhyIshouldliketosayafewfarewellwords，ifyouwillletme。"
"Butyoumustbemad！Itisridiculous！Youshouldtakecareofyourself；whatistheuseofholdingaconversationnow？Gohometobed，do！"criedMrs。Epanchininhorror。
"WhenIdogotobedIshallnevergetupagain，"saidHippolyte，withasmile。"ImeanttotaketomybedyesterdayandstaytheretillIdied，butasmylegscanstillcarryme，Iputitofffortwodays，soastocomeherewiththemto-day——butIamverytired。"
"Oh，sitdown，sitdown，whyareyoustanding？"
LizabethaProkofievnaplacedachairforhimwithherownhands。
"Thankyou，"hesaidgently。"Sitoppositetome，andletustalk。Wemusthaveatalknow，LizabethaProkofievna；Iamveryanxiousforit。"Hesmiledatheroncemore。"Rememberthattoday，forthelasttime，Iamoutintheair，andinthecompanyofmyfellow-men，andthatinafortnightIshallIcertainlybenolongerinthisworld。So，inaway，thisismyfarewelltonatureandtomen。Iamnotverysentimental，butdoyouknow，I
amquitegladthatallthishashappenedatPavlofsk，whereatleastonecanseeagreentree。"
"Butwhytalknow？"repliedLizabethaProkofievna，moreandmorealarmed；"arequitefeverish。Justnowyouwouldnotstopshouting，andnowyoucanhardlybreathe。Youaregasping。"
"Ishallhavetimetorest。Whywillyounotgrantmylastwish？
Doyouknow，LizabethaProkofievna，thatIhavedreamedofmeetingyouforalongwhile？IhadoftenheardofyoufromColia；heisalmosttheonlypersonwhostillcomestoseeme。
Youareanoriginalandeccentricwoman；Ihaveseenthatformyself——Doyouknow，Ihaveevenbeenratherfondofyou？"
"Goodheavens！AndIverynearlystruckhim！"
"YouwerepreventedbyAglayaIvanovna。IthinkIamnotmistaken？Thatisyourdaughter，AglayaIvanovna？SheissobeautifulthatIrecognizedherdirectly，althoughIhadneverseenherbefore。Letme，atleast，lookonbeautyforthelasttimeinmylife，"hesaidwithawrysmile。"Youareherewiththeprince，andyourhusband，andalargecompany。Whyshouldyourefusetogratifymylastwish？"
"Givemeachair！"criedLizabethaProkofievna，butsheseizedoneforherselfandsatdownoppositetoHippolyte。"Colia，youmustgohomewithhim，"shecommandedandtomorrowIwillcomemyself。"
"Willyouletmeasktheprinceforacupoftea？……Iamexhausted。Doyouknowwhatyoumightdo，LizabethaProkofievna？
Ithinkyouwantedtotaketheprincehomewithyoufortea。Stayhere，andletusspendtheeveningtogether。Iamsuretheprincewillgiveusallsometea。Forgivemeforbeingsofreeandeasy——
butIknowyouarekind，andtheprinceiskind，too。Infact，weareallgood-naturedpeople——itisreallyquitecomical。"
Theprincebestirredhimselftogiveorders。Lebedeffhurriedout，followedbyVera。
"Itisquitetrue，"saidMrs。Epanchindecisively。"Talk，butnottooloud，anddon’texciteyourself。Youhavemademesorryforyou。Prince，youdon’tdeservethatIshouldstayandhaveteawithyou，yetIwill，allthesame，butIwon’tapologize。I
apologizetonobody！Nobody！Itisabsurd！However，forgiveme，prince，ifIblewyouup——thatis，ifyoulike，ofcourse。Butpleasedon’tletmekeepanyone，"sheaddedsuddenlytoherhusbandanddaughters，inatoneofresentment，asthoughtheyhadgrievouslyoffendedher。"Icancomehomealonequitewell。"
Buttheydidnotletherfinish，andgatheredroundhereagerly。
Theprinceimmediatelyinvitedeveryonetostayfortea，andapologizedfornothavingthoughtofitbefore。Thegeneralmurmuredafewpolitewords，andaskedLizabethaProkofievnaifshedidnotfeelcoldontheterrace。HeverynearlyaskedHippolytehowlonghehadbeenattheUniversity，butstoppedhimselfintime。EvgeniePavlovitchandPrinceS。suddenlygrewextremelygayandamiable。AdelaidaandAlexandrahadnotrecoveredfromtheirsurprise，butitwasnowmingledwithsatisfaction；inshort，everyoneseemedverymuchrelievedthatLizabethaProkofievnahadgotoverherparoxysm。Aglayaalonestillfrowned，andsatapartinsilence。Alltheotherguestsstayedonaswell；noonewantedtogo，notevenGeneralIvolgin，butLebedeffsaidsomethingtohiminpassingwhichdidnotseemtopleasehim，forheimmediatelywentandsulkedinacorner。
TheprincetookcaretoofferteatoBurdovskyandhisfriendsaswellastherest。Theinvitationmadethemratheruncomfortable。
TheymutteredthattheywouldwaitforHippolyte，andwentandsatbythemselvesinadistantcorneroftheverandah。Teawasservedatonce；Lebedeffhadnodoubtordereditforhimselfandhisfamilybeforetheothersarrived。Itwasstrikingeleven。
X。
AFTERmoisteninghislipswiththeteawhichVeraLebedeffbroughthim，Hippolytesetthecupdownonthetable，andglancedround。Heseemedconfusedandalmostataloss。
"Justlook，LizabethaProkofievna，"hebegan，withakindoffeverishhaste；"thesechinacupsaresupposedtobeextremelyvaluable。Lebedeffalwayskeepsthemlockedupinhischina-
cupboard；theywerepartofhiswife’sdowry。Yethehasbroughtthemouttonight——inyourhonour，ofcourse！Heissopleased——"
Hewasabouttoaddsomethingelse，butcouldnotfindthewords。
"There，heisfeelingembarrassed；Iexpectedasmuch，"whisperedEvgeniePavlovitchsuddenlyintheprince’sear。"Itisabadsign；whatdoyouthink？Now，outofspite，hewillcomeoutwithsomethingsooutrageousthatevenLizabethaProkofievnawillnotbeabletostandit。"
Muishkinlookedathiminquiringly。
"Youdonotcareifhedoes？"addedEvgeniePavlovitch。"NeitherdoI；infact，Ishouldbeglad，merelyasaproperpunishmentforourdearLizabethaProkofievna。Iamveryanxiousthatsheshouldgetit，withoutdelay，andIshallstaytillshedoes。Youseemfeverish。"
"Nevermind；by-and-by；yes，Iamnotfeelingwell，"saidtheprinceimpatiently，hardlylistening。HehadjustheardHippolytementionhisownname。
"Youdon’tbelieveit？"saidtheinvalid，withanervouslaugh。
"Idon’twonder，buttheprincewillhavenodifficultyinbelievingit；hewillnotbeatallsurprised。"
"Doyouhear，prince——doyouhearthat？"saidLizabethaProkofievna，turningtowardshim。
Therewaslaughterinthegrouparoundher，andLebedeffstoodbeforehergesticulatingwildly。
"Hedeclaresthatyourhumbugofalandlordrevisedthisgentleman’sarticle——thearticlethatwasreadaloudjustnow——inwhichyougotsuchacharmingdressing-down。"
TheprinceregardedLebedeffwithastonishment。
"Whydon’tyousaysomething？"criedLizabethaProkofievna，stampingherfoot。
"Well，"murmuredtheprince，withhiseyesstillfixedonLebedeff，"Icanseenowthathedid。"
"Isittrue？"sheaskedeagerly。
"Absolutely，yourexcellency，"saidLebedeff，withouttheleasthesitation。
Mrs。Epanchinalmostsprangupinamazementathisanswer，andattheassuranceofhistone。
"Heactuallyseemstoboastofit！"shecried。
"Iambase——base！"mutteredLebedeff，beatinghisbreast，andhanginghishead。
"WhatdoIcareifyouarebaseornot？Hethinkshehasonlytosay，’Iambase，’andthereisanendofit。Astoyou，prince，areyounotashamed？——Irepeat，areyounotashamed，tomixwithsuchriff-raff？Iwillneverforgiveyou！"
"Theprincewillforgiveme！"saidLebedeffwithemotionalconviction。
Kellersuddenlylefthisseat，andapproachedLizabetha。
Prokofievna。
"Itwasonlyoutofgenerosity，madame，"hesaidinaresonantvoice，"andbecauseIwouldnotbetrayafriendinanawkwardposition，thatIdidnotmentionthisrevisionbefore；thoughyouheardhimyourselfthreateningtokickusdownthesteps。Toclearthematterup，IdeclarenowthatIdidhaverecoursetohisassistance，andthatIpaidhimsixroublesforit。ButIdidnotaskhimtocorrectmystyle；Isimplywenttohimforinformationconcerningthefacts，ofwhichIwasignoranttoagreatextent，andwhichhewascompetenttogive。Thestoryofthegaiters，theappetiteintheSwissprofessor’shouse，thesubstitutionoffiftyroublesfortwohundredandfifty——allsuchdetails，infact，weregotfromhim。Ipaidhimsixroublesforthem；buthedidnotcorrectthestyle。"
"ImuststatethatIonlyrevisedthefirstpartofthearticle，"
interposedLebedeffwithfeverishimpatience，whilelaughterrosefromallaroundhim；"butwefelloutinthemiddleoveroneidea，soInevercorrectedthesecondpart。ThereforeIcannotbeheldresponsibleforthenumerousgrammaticalblundersinit。"
"Thatisallhethinksof！"criedLizabethaProkofievna。
"MayIaskwhenthisarticlewasrevised？"saidEvgeniePavlovitchtoKeller。
"Yesterdaymorning，"hereplied，"wehadaninterviewwhichweallgaveourwordofhonourtokeepsecret。"
"Theverytimewhenhewascringingbeforeyouandmakingprotestationsofdevotion！Oh，themeanwretches！IwillhavenothingtodowithyourPushkin，andyourdaughtershallnotsetfootinmyhouse！"
LizabethaProkofievnawasabouttorise，whenshesawHippolytelaughing，andturneduponhimwithirritation。
"Well，sir，Isupposeyouwantedtomakemelookridiculous？"
"Heavenforbid！"heanswered，withaforcedsmile。"ButIammorethaneverstruckbyyoureccentricity，LizabethaProkofievna。I
admitthatItoldyouofLebedeff’sduplicity，onpurpose。Iknewtheeffectitwouldhaveonyou，——onyoualone，fortheprincewillforgivehim。Hehasprobablyforgivenhimalready，andisrackinghisbrainstofindsomeexcuseforhim——isnotthatthetruth，prince？"
Hegaspedashespoke，andhisstrangeagitationseemedtoincrease。
"Well？"saidMrs。Epanchinangrily，surprisedathistone；"well，whatmore？"
"Ihaveheardmanythingsofthekindaboutyou……theydelightedme……Ihavelearnedtoholdyouinthehighestesteem，"continuedHippolyte。
Hiswordsseemedtingedwithakindofsarcasticmockery，yethewasextremelyagitated，castingsuspiciousglancesaroundhim，growingconfused，andconstantlylosingthethreadofhisideas。
Allthis，togetherwithhisconsumptiveappearance，andthefrenziedexpressionofhisblazingeyes，naturallyattractedtheattentionofeveryonepresent。
"Imighthavebeensurprised(thoughIadmitIknownothingoftheworld)，notonlythatyoushouldhavestayedonjustnowinthecompanyofsuchpeopleasmyselfandmyfriends，whoarenotofyourclass，butthatyoushouldletthese……youngladieslistentosuchascandalousaffair，thoughnodoubtnovel-readinghastaughtthemallthereistoknow。Imaybemistaken；IhardlyknowwhatIamsaying；butsurelynoonebutyouwouldhavestayedtopleaseawhippersnapper(yes，awhippersnapper；Iadmitit)tospendtheeveningandtakepartineverything——onlytobeashamedofittomorrow。(IknowIexpressmyselfbadly。)I
admireandappreciateitallextremely，thoughtheexpressiononthefaceofhisexcellency，yourhusband，showsthathethinksitveryimproper。He-he！"Heburstoutlaughing，andwasseizedwithafitofcoughingwhichlastedfortwominutesandpreventedhimfromspeaking。
"Hehaslosthisbreathnow！"saidLizabethaProkofievnacoldly，lookingathimwithmorecuriositythanpity:"Come，mydearboy，thatisquiteenough——letusmakeanendofthis。"
IvanFedorovitch，nowquiteoutofpatience，interruptedsuddenly。"Letmeremarkinmyturn，sir，"hesaidintonesofdeepannoyance，"thatmywifeishereastheguestofPrinceLefNicolaievitch，ourfriendandneighbour，andthatinanycase，youngman，itisnotforyoutopassjudgmentontheconductofLizabethaProkofievna，ortomakeremarksaloudinmypresenceconcerningwhatfeelingsyouthinkmaybereadinmyface。Yes，mywifestayedhere，"continuedthegeneral，withincreasingirritation，"moreoutofamazementthananythingelse。Everyonecanunderstandthatacollectionofsuchstrangeyoungmenwouldattracttheattentionofapersoninterestedincontemporarylife。Istayedmyself，justasIsometimesstoptolookoninthestreetwhenIseesomethingthatmayberegardedas-as-as-"
"Asacuriosity，"suggestedEvgeniePavlovitch，seeinghisexcellencyinvolvedinacomparisonwhichhecouldnotcomplete。
"ThatisexactlythewordIwanted，"saidthegeneralwithsatisfaction——"acuriosity。However，themostastonishingand，ifImaysoexpressmyself，themostpainful，thinginthismatter，isthatyoucannotevenunderstand，youngman，thatLizabethaProkofievna，onlystayedwithyoubecauseyouareill，——ifyoureallyaredying——movedbythepityawakenedbyyourplaintiveappeal，andthathername，character，andsocialpositionplaceheraboveallriskofcontamination。LizabethaProkofievna！"hecontinued，nowcrimsonwithrage，"ifyouarecoming，wewillsaygoodnighttotheprince，and——"
"Thankyouforthelesson，general，"saidHippolyte，withunexpectedgravity，regardinghimthoughtfully。
"Twominutesmore，ifyouplease，dearIvanFedorovitch，"saidLizabethaProkofievnatoherhusband；"itseemstomethatheisinafeveranddelirious；youcanseebyhiseyeswhatastateheisin；itisimpossibletolethimgobacktoPetersburgtonight。Canyouputhimup，LefNicolaievitch？Ihopeyouarenotbored，dearprince，"sheaddedsuddenlytoPrinceS。"Alexandra，mydear，comehere！Yourhairiscomingdown。"
Shearrangedherdaughter’shair，whichwasnotintheleastdisordered，andgaveherakiss。Thiswasallthatshehadcalledherfor。
"Ithoughtyouwerecapableofdevelopment，"saidHippolyte，comingoutofhisfitofabstraction。"Yes，thatiswhatImeanttosay，"headded，withthesatisfactionofonewhosuddenlyrememberssomethinghehadforgotten。"HereisBurdovsky，sincerelyanxioustoprotecthismother；isnotthatso？Andhehimselfisthecauseofherdisgrace。TheprinceisanxioustohelpBurdovskyandoffershimfriendshipandalargesumofmoney，inthesincerityofhisheart。Andheretheystandliketwoswornenemies——ha，ha，ha！YouallhateBurdovskybecausehisbehaviourwithregardtohismotherisshockingandrepugnanttoyou；doyounot？Isnotthattrue？Isitnottrue？Youallhaveapassionforbeautyanddistinctioninoutwardforms；thatisallyoucarefor，isn’tit？Ihavesuspectedforalongtimethatyoucaredfornothingelse！Well，letmetellyouthatperhapsthereisnotoneofyouwholovedyourmotherasBurdovskylovedhis。
Astoyou，prince，IknowthatyouhavesentmoneysecretlytoBurdovsky’smotherthroughGania。Well，Ibetnow，"hecontinuedwithanhystericallaugh，"thatBurdovskywillaccuseyouofindelicacy，andreproachyouwithawantofrespectforhismother！Yes，thatisquitecertain！Ha，ha，ha！"
Hecaughthisbreath，andbegantocoughoncemore。
"Come，thatisenough！Thatisallnow；youhavenomoretosay？
Nowgotobed；youareburningwithfever，"saidLizabethaProkofievnaimpatiently。Heranxiouseyeshadneverlefttheinvalid。"Goodheavens，heisgoingtobeginagain！"
"Youarelaughing，Ithink？Whydoyoukeeplaughingatme？"saidHippolyteirritablytoEvgeniePavlovitch，whocertainlywaslaughing。
"Ionlywanttoknow，Mr。Hippolyte——excuseme，Iforgetyoursurname。"
"Mr。Terentieff，"saidtheprince。
"Ohyes，Mr。Terentieff。Thankyouprince。Ihearditjustnow，buthadforgottenit。Iwanttoknow，Mr。Terentieff，ifwhatI
haveheardaboutyouistrue。Itseemsyouareconvincedthatifyoucouldspeaktothepeoplefromawindowforaquarterofanhour，youcouldmakethemalladoptyourviewsandfollowyou？"
"Imayhavesaidso，"answeredHippolyte，asiftryingtoremember。"Yes，Icertainlysaidso，"hecontinuedwithsuddenanimation，fixinganunflinchingglanceonhisquestioner。"Whatofit？"
"Nothing。Iwasonlyseekingfurtherinformation，toputthefinishingtouch。"
EvgeniePavlovitchwassilent，butHippolytekepthiseyesfixeduponhim，waitingimpatientlyformore。
"Well，haveyoufinished？"saidLizabethaProkofievnatoEvgenie。
"Makehaste，sir；itistimehewenttobed。Haveyoumoretosay？"Shewasveryangry。
"Yes，Ihavealittlemore，"saidEvgeniePavlovitch，withasmile。"Itseemstomethatallyouandyourfriendshavesaid，Mr。Terentieff，andallyouhavejustputforwardwithsuchundeniabletalent，maybesummedupinthetriumphofrightaboveall，independentofeverythingelse，totheexclusionofeverythingelse；perhapsevenbeforehavingdiscoveredwhatconstitutestheright。Imaybemistaken？"
"Youarecertainlymistaken；Idonotevenunderstandyou。Whatelse？"
MurmursaroseintheneighbourhoodofBurdovskyandhiscompanions；Lebedeff’snephewprotestedunderhisbreath。
"Ihavenearlyfinished，"repliedEvgeniePavlovitch。
"Iwillonlyremarkthatfromthesepremissesonecouldconcludethatmightisright——Imeantherightoftheclenchedfist，andofpersonalinclination。Indeed，theworldhasoftencometothatconclusion。Prudhonupheldthatmightisright。IntheAmericanWarsomeofthemostadvancedLiberalstooksideswiththeplantersonthescorethattheblackswereaninferiorracetothewhites，andthatmightwastherightofthewhiterace。"
"Well？"
"Youmean，nodoubt，thatyoudonotdenythatmightisright？"
"Whatthen？"
"Youareatleastlogical。Iwouldonlypointoutthatfromtherightofmight，totherightoftigersandcrocodiles，orevenDaniloffandGorsky，isbutastep。"
"Iknownothingaboutthat；whatelse？"
Hippolytewasscarcelylistening。Hekeptsayingwell？"and"whatelse？"mechanically，withouttheleastcuriosity，andbymereforceofhabit。
"Why，nothingelse；thatisall。"
"However，Ibearyounogrudge，"saidHippolytesuddenly，and，hardlyconsciousofwhathewasdoing，heheldouthishandwithasmile。ThegesturetookEvgeniePavlovitchbysurprise，butwiththeutmostgravityhetouchedthehandthatwasofferedhimintokenofforgiveness。
"Icanbutthankyou，"hesaid，inatonetoorespectfultobesincere，"foryourkindnessinlettingmespeak，forIhaveoftennoticedthatourLiberalsneverallowotherpeopletohaveanopinionoftheirown，andimmediatelyanswertheiropponentswithabuse，iftheydonothaverecoursetoargumentsofastillmoreunpleasantnature。"
"Whatyousayisquitetrue，"observedGeneralEpanchin；then，claspinghishandsbehindhisback，hereturnedtohisplaceontheterracesteps，whereheyawnedwithanairofboredom。
"Come，sir，thatwilldo；youwearyme，"saidLizabethaProkofievnasuddenlytoEvgeniePavlovitch。
Hippolyteroseallatonce，lookingtroubledandalmostfrightened。
"Itistimeformetogo，"hesaid，glancingroundinperplexity。
"Ihavedetainedyou……Iwantedtotellyoueverything……I
thoughtyouall……forthelasttime……itwasawhim……"
Heevidentlyhadsuddenfitsofreturninganimation，whenheawokefromhissemi-delirium；then，recoveringfullself-
possessionforafewmoments，hewouldspeak，indisconnectedphraseswhichhadperhapshauntedhimforalongwhileonhisbedofsuffering，duringweary，sleeplessnights。
"Well，good-bye，"hesaidabruptly。"Youthinkitiseasyformetosaygood-byetoyou？Ha，ha！"
Feelingthathisquestionwassomewhatgauche，hesmiledangrily。
Thenasifvexedthathecouldnoteverexpresswhathereallymeant，hesaidirritably，inaloudvoice:
"Excellency，Ihavethehonourofinvitingyoutomyfuneral；
thatis，ifyouwilldeigntohonouritwithyourpresence。I
inviteyouall，gentlemen，aswellasthegeneral。"
Heburstoutlaughingagain，butitwasthelaughterofamadman。
LizabethaProkofievnaapproachedhimanxiouslyandseizedhisarm。Hestaredatherforamoment，stilllaughing，butsoonhisfacegrewserious。
"DoyouknowthatIcameheretoseethosetrees？"pointingtothetreesinthepark。"Itisnotridiculous，isit？Saythatitisnotridiculous！"hedemandedurgentlyofLizabethaProkofievna。Thenheseemedtobeplungedinthought。Amomentlaterheraisedhishead，andhiseyessoughtforsomeone。HewaslookingforEvgeniePavlovitch，whowasclosebyonhisrightasbefore，buthehadforgottenthis，andhiseyesrangedovertheassembledcompany。"Ah！youhavenotgone！"hesaid，whenhecaughtsightofhimatlast。"Youkeptonlaughingjustnow，becauseIthoughtofspeakingtothepeoplefromthewindowforaquarterofanhour。ButIamnoteighteen，youknow；lyingonthatbed，andlookingoutofthatwindow，Ihavethoughtofallsortsofthingsforsuchalongtimethat……adeadmanhasnoage，youknow。Iwassayingthattomyselfonlylastweek，whenI
wasawakeinthenight。Doyouknowwhatyoufearmost？Youfearoursinceritymorethananything，althoughyoudespiseus！Theideacrossedmymindthatnight……YouthoughtIwasmakingfunofyoujustnow，LizabethaProkofievna？No，theideaofmockerywasfarfromme；Ionlymeanttopraiseyou。Coliatoldmetheprincecalledyouachild——verywell——butletmesee，I
hadsomethingelsetosay……"Hecoveredhisfacewithhishandsandtriedtocollecthisthoughts。
"Ah，yes——youweregoingawayjustnow，andIthoughttomyself:
’Ishallneverseethesepeopleagain-neveragain！ThisisthelasttimeIshallseethetrees，too。IshallseenothingafterthisbuttheredbrickwallofMeyer’shouseoppositemywindow。
Tellthemaboutit——trytotellthem，’Ithought。’Hereisabeautifulyounggirl——youareadeadman；makethemunderstandthat。Tellthemthatadeadmanmaysayanything——andMrs。Grundywillnotbeangry——ha-ha！Youarenotlaughing？"Helookedanxiouslyaround。"ButyouknowIgetsomanyqueerideas，lyingthereinbed。Ihavegrownconvincedthatnatureisfullofmockery——youcalledmeanatheistjustnow，butyouknowthisnature……whyareyoulaughingagain？Youareverycruel！"headdedsuddenly，regardingthemallwithmournfulreproach。"I
havenotcorruptedColia，"heconcludedinadifferentandveryserioustone，asifrememberingsomethingagain。
"Nobodyhereislaughingatyou。Calmyourself"saidLizabethaProkofievna，muchmoved。"Youshallseeanewdoctortomorrow；
theotherwasmistaken；butsitdown，donotstandlikethat！Youaredelirious——Oh，whatshallwedowithhimshecriedinanguish，asshemadehimsitdownagaininthearm-chair。
Atearglistenedonhercheek。AtthesightofitHippolyteseemedamazed。Heliftedhishandtimidlyand，touchedthetearwithhisfinger，smilinglikeachild。
"I……you，"hebeganjoyfully。"YoucannottellhowI……healwaysspokesoenthusiasticallyofyou，Coliahere；Ilikedhisenthusiasm。Iwasnotcorruptinghim！ButImustleavehim，too——
Iwantedtoleavethemall——therewasnotoneofthem——notone！I
wantedtobeamanofaction——Ihadarighttobe。Oh！whatalotofthingsIwanted！NowIwantnothing；Irenounceallmywants；IsworetomyselfthatIwouldwantnothing；letthemseekthetruthwithoutme！Yes，natureisfullofmockery！Why"——hecontinuedwithsuddenwarmth——"doesshecreatethechoicestbeingsonlytomockatthem？Theonlyhumanbeingwhoisrecognizedasperfect，whennatureshowedhimtomankind，wasgiventhemissiontosaythingswhichhavecausedthesheddingofsomuchbloodthatitwouldhavedrownedmankindifithadallbeenshedatonce！Oh！itisbetterformetodie！Ishouldtellsomedreadfullietoo；naturewouldsocontriveit！Ihavecorruptednobody。Iwantedtoliveforthehappinessofallmen，tofindandspreadthetruth。IusedtolookoutofmywindowatthewallofMeyer’shouse，andsaytomyselfthatifIcouldspeakforaquarterofanhourIwouldconvincethewholeworld，andnowforonceinmylifeIhavecomeintocontactwith……
you——ifnotwiththeothers！Andwhatistheresult？Nothing！Thesoleresultisthatyoudespiseme！ThereforeImustbeafool，I
amuseless，itistimeIdisappeared！AndIshallleavenotevenamemory！Notasound，notatrace，notasingledeed！Ihavenotspreadasingletruth！……Donotlaughatthefool！Forgethim！Forgethimforever！Ibeseechyou，donotbesocruelastoremember！DoyouknowthatifIwerenotconsumptive，Iwouldkillmyself？"
Thoughheseemedtowishtosaymuchmore，hebecamesilent。Hefellbackintohischair，and，coveringhisfacewithhishands，begantosoblikealittlechild。
"Oh！whatoneartharewetodowithhim？"criedLizabethaProkofievna。Shehastenedtohimandpressedhisheadagainstherbosom，whilehesobbedconvulsively。
"Come，come，come！There，youmustnotcry，thatwilldo。Youareagoodchild！Godwillforgiveyou，becauseyouknewnobetter。
Comenow，beaman！Youknowpresentlyyouwillbeashamed。"
Hippolyteraisedhisheadwithaneffort，saying:
"Ihavelittlebrothersandsisters，overthere，pooravidinnocent。Shewillcorruptthem！Youareasaint！Youareachildyourself——savethem！Snatchthemfromthat……sheis……itisshameful！Oh！helpthem！Godwillrepayyouahundredfold。FortheloveofGod，fortheloveofChrist！"
"Speak，IvanFedorovitch！Whatarewetodo？"criedLizabethaProkofievna，irritably。"Pleasebreakyourmajesticsilence！I
tellyou，ifyoucannotcometosomedecision，Iwillstayhereallnightmyself。Youhavetyrannizedovermeenough，youautocrat！"
Shespokeangrily，andingreatexcitement，andexpectedanimmediatereply。Butinsuchacase，nomatterhowmanyarepresent，allprefertokeepsilence:noonewilltaketheinitiative，butallreservetheircommentstillafterwards。Thereweresomepresent——VarvaraArdalionovna，forinstance——whowouldhavewillinglysattheretillmorningwithoutsayingaword。
Varvarahadsatapartalltheeveningwithoutopeningherlips，butshelistenedtoeverythingwiththeclosestattention；
perhapsshehadherreasonsforsodoing。
"Mydear，"saidthegeneral，"itseemstomethatasick-nursewouldbeofmoreuseherethananexcitablepersonlikeyou。
Perhapsitwouldbeaswelltogetsomesober，reliablemanforthenight。Inanycasewemustconsulttheprince，andleavethepatienttorestatonce。Tomorrowwecanseewhatcanbedoneforhim。"
"Itisnearlymidnight；wearegoing。Willhecomewithus，orishetostayhere？"Doktorenkoaskedcrosslyoftheprince。
"Youcanstaywithhimifyoulike，"saidMuishkin。
"Thereisplentyofroomhere。"
Suddenly，totheastonishmentofall，Kellerwentquicklyuptothegeneral。
"Excellency，"hesaid，impulsively，"ifyouwantareliablemanforthenight，Iamreadytosacrificemyselfformyfriend——suchasoulashehas！Ihavelongthoughthimagreatman，excellency！Myarticleshowedmylackofeducation，butwhenhecriticizeshescatterspearls！"
IvanFedorovitchturnedfromtheboxerwithagestureofdespair。
"Ishallbedelightedifhewillstay；itwouldcertainlybedifficultforhimtogetbacktoPetersburg，"saidtheprince，inanswertotheeagerquestionsofLizabethaProkofievna。
"Butyouarehalfasleep，areyounot？Ifyoudon’twanthim，I
willtakehimbacktomyhouse！Why，goodgracious！Hecanhardlystanduphimself！Whatisit？Areyouill？"
Notfindingtheprinceonhisdeath-bed，LizabethaProkofievnahadbeenmisledbyhisappearancetothinkhimmuchbetterthanhewas。Buthisrecentillness，thepainfulmemoriesattachedtoit，thefatigueofthisevening，theincidentwith"Pavlicheff’sson，"andnowthisscenewithHippolyte，hadallsoworkedonhisoversensitivenaturethathewasnowalmostinafever。Moreover，anewtrouble，almostafear，showeditselfinhiseyes；hewatchedHippolyteanxiouslyasifexpectingsomethingfurther。
SuddenlyHippolytearose。Hisface，shockinglypale，wasthatofamanoverwhelmedwithshameanddespair。Thiswasshownchieflyinthelookoffearandhatredwhichhecastupontheassembledcompany，andinthewildsmileuponhistremblinglips。Thenhecastdownhiseyes，andwiththesamesmile，staggeredtowardsBurdovskyandDoktorenko，whostoodattheentrancetotheverandah。Hehaddecidedtogowiththem。
"There！thatiswhatIfeared！"criedtheprince。"Itwasinevitable！"
Hippolyteturneduponhim，apreytomaniacalrage，whichsetallthemusclesofhisfacequivering。
"Ah！thatiswhatyoufeared！Itwasinevitable，yousay！Well，letmetellyouthatifIhateanyonehere——Ihateyouall，"hecried，inahoarse，strainedvoice-"butyou，you，withyourjesuiticalsoul，yoursoulofsicklysweetness，idiot，beneficentmillionaire——Ihateyouworsethananythingoranyoneonearth！I
sawthroughyouandhatedyoulongago；fromthedayIfirstheardofyou。Ihatedyouwithmywholeheart。Youhavecontrivedallthis！Youhavedrivenmeintothisstate！Youhavemadeadyingmandisgracehimself。You，you，youarethecauseofmyabjectcowardice！IwouldkillyouifIremainedalive！Idonotwantyourbenefits；Iwillacceptnonefromanyone；doyouhear？
Notfromanyone！Iwantnothing！Iwasdelirious，donotdaretotriumph！Icurseeveryoneofyou，onceforall！"
Breathfailedhimhere，andhewasobligedtostop。
"Heisashamedofhistears！"whisperedLebedefftoLizabethaProkofievna。"Itwasinevitable。Ah！whatawonderfulmantheprinceis！Hereadhisverysoul。"
ButMrs。EpanchinwouldnotdeigntolookatLebedeff。Drawnuphaughtily，withherheadheldhigh，shegazedatthe"riff-raff，"
withscornfulcuriosity。WhenHippolytehadfinished，IvanFedorovitchshruggedhisshoulders，andhiswifelookedhimangrilyupanddown，asiftodemandthemeaningofhismovement。
Thensheturnedtotheprince。
"Thanks，prince，manythanks，eccentricfriendofthefamily，forthepleasanteveningyouhaveprovidedforus。Iamsureyouarequitepleasedthatyouhavemanagedtomixusupwithyourextraordinaryaffairs。Itisquiteenough，dearfamilyfriend；
thankyouforgivingusanopportunityofgettingtoknowyousowell。"
Shearrangedhercloakwithhandsthattrembledwithangerasshewaitedforthe"riff-raff"togo。ThecabwhichLebedeff’ssonhadgonetofetchaquarterofanhourago，byDoktorenko’sorder，arrivedatthatmoment。Thegeneralthoughtfittoputinawordafterhiswife。
"Really，prince，Ihardlyexpectedafter——afterallourfriendlyintercourse——andyousee，LizabethaProkofievna——"
"Papa，howcanyou？"criedAdelaida，walkingquicklyuptotheprinceandholdingoutherhand。
Hesmiledabsentlyather；thensuddenlyhefeltaburningsensationinhisearasanangryvoicewhispered:
"Ifyoudonotturnthosedreadfulpeopleoutofthehousethisveryinstant，Ishallhateyouallmylife——allmylife！"ItwasAglaya。Sheseemedalmostinafrenzy，butsheturnedawaybeforetheprincecouldlookather。However，therewasnoonelefttoturnoutofthehouse，fortheyhadmanagedmeanwhiletogetHippolyteintothecab，andithaddrivenoff。
"Well，howmuchlongeristhisgoingtolast，IvanFedorovitch？
Whatdoyouthink？ShallIsoonbedeliveredfromtheseodiousyouths？"
"Mydear，Iamquiteready；naturally……theprince。"
IvanFedorovitchheldouthishandtoMuishkin，butranafterhiswife，whowasleavingwitheverysignofviolentindignation，beforehehadtimetoshakeit。Adelaida，herfiance，andAlexandra，saidgood-byetotheirhostwithsincerefriendliness。
EvgeniePavlovitchdidthesame，andhealoneseemedingoodspirits。
"WhatIexpectedhashappened！ButIamsorry，youpoorfellow，thatyoushouldhavehadtosufferforit，"hemurmured，withamostcharmingsmile。
Aglayaleftwithoutsayinggood-bye。Buttheeveningwasnottoendwithoutalastadventure。AnunexpectedmeetingwasyetinstoreforLizabethaProkofievna。
ShehadscarcelydescendedtheterracestepsleadingtothehighroadthatskirtstheparkatPavlofsk，whensuddenlytheredashedbyasmartopencarriage，drawnbyapairofbeautifulwhitehorses。Havingpassedsometenyardsbeyondthehouse，thecarriagesuddenlydrewup，andoneofthetwoladiesseatedinitturnedsharproundasthoughshehadjustcaughtsightofsomeacquaintancewhomsheparticularlywishedtosee。
"EvgeniePavlovitch！Isthatyou？"criedaclear，sweetvoice，whichcausedtheprince，andperhapssomeoneelse，totremble。
"Well，IAMgladI’vefoundyouatlast！I’vesenttotownforyoutwicetodaymyself！Mymessengershavebeensearchingforyoueverywhere！"
EvgeniePavlovitchstoodonthestepslikeonestruckbylightning。Mrs。Epanchinstoodstilltoo，butnotwiththepetrifiedexpressionofEvgenie。Shegazedhaughtilyattheaudaciouspersonwhohadaddressedhercompanion，andthenturnedalookofastonishmentuponEvgeniehimself。
"There’snews！"continuedtheclearvoice。"YouneednotbeanxiousaboutKupferof’sIOU’s——Rogojinhasboughtthemup。I
persuadedhimto！——IdaresayweshallsettleBiscuptoo，soit’sallright，yousee！Aurevoir，tomorrow！Anddon’tworry！"Thecarriagemovedon，anddisappeared。
"Thewoman’smad！"criedEvgenie，atlast，crimsonwithanger，andlookingconfusedlyaround。"Idon’tknowwhatshe’stalkingabout！WhatIOU’s？Whoisshe？"Mrs。Epanchincontinuedtowatchhisfaceforacoupleofseconds；thenshemarchedbrisklyandhaughtilyawaytowardsherownhouse，therestfollowingher。
Aminuteafterwards，EvgeniePavlovitchreappearedontheterrace，ingreatagitation。
"Prince，"hesaid，"tellmethetruth；doyouknowwhatallthismeans？"
"Iknownothingwhateveraboutit！"repliedthelatter，whowas，himself，inastateofnervousexcitement。
"No？"
"No？
"Well，nordoI！"saidEvgeniePavlovitch，laughingsuddenly。"I
haven’ttheslightestknowledgeofanysuchIOU’sasshementioned，IswearIhaven’t——What’sthematter，areyoufainting？"
"Oh，no-no-I’mallright，Iassureyou！"
XI。
THEangeroftheEpanchinfamilywasunappeasedforthreedays。
Asusualtheprincereproachedhimself，andhadexpectedpunishment，buthewasinwardlyconvincedthatLizabethaProkofievnacouldnotbeseriouslyangrywithhim，andthatsheprobablywasmoreangrywithherself。Hewaspainfullysurprised，therefore，whenthreedayspassedwithnowordfromher。Otherthingsalsotroubledandperplexedhim，andoneofthesegrewmoreimportantinhiseyesasthedayswentby。Hehadbeguntoblamehimselffortwooppositetendencies——ontheonehandtoextreme，almost"senseless，"confidenceinhisfellows，ontheothertoa"vile，gloomysuspiciousness。"
BytheendofthethirddaytheincidentoftheeccentricladyandEvgeniePavlovitchhadattainedenormousandmysteriousproportionsinhismind。Hesorrowfullyaskedhimselfwhetherhehadbeenthecauseofthisnew"monstrosity，"orwasit……butherefrainedfromsayingwhoelsemightbeinfault。AsforthelettersN。P。B。，helookedonthatasaharmlessjoke，amerechildishpieceofmischief——sochildishthathefeltitwouldbeshameful，almostdishonourable，toattachanyimportancetoit。
Thedayafterthesescandalousevents，however，theprincehadthehonourofreceivingavisitfromAdelaidaandherfiance，PrinceS。Theycame，ostensibly，toinquireafterhishealth。
Theyhadwanderedoutforawalk，andcalledin"byaccident，"
andtalkedforalmostthewholeofthetimetheywerewithhimaboutacertainmostlovelytreeinthepark，whichAdelaidahadsetherheartuponforapicture。This，andalittleamiableconversationonPrinceS。’spart，occupiedthetime，andnotawordwassaidaboutlastevening’sepisodes。AtlengthAdelaidaburstoutlaughing，apologized，andexplainedthattheyhadcomeincognito；fromwhich，andfromthecircumstancethattheysaidnothingabouttheprince’seitherwalkingbackwiththemorcomingtoseethemlateron，thelatterinferredthathewasinMrs。Epanchin’sblackbooks。Adelaidamentionedawatercolourthatshewouldmuchliketoshowhim，andexplainedthatshewouldeithersenditbyColia，orbringitherselfthenextday——
whichtotheprinceseemedverysuggestive。
Atlength，however，justasthevisitorswereonthepointofdeparting，PrinceS。seemedsuddenlytorecollecthimself。"Ohyes，by-the-by，"hesaid，"doyouhappentoknow，mydearLefNicolaievitch，whothatladywaswhocalledouttoEvgeniePavlovitchlastnight，fromthecarriage？"
"ItwasNastasiaPhilipovna，"saidtheprince；"didn’tyouknowthat？Icannottellyouwhohercompanionwas。"
"Butwhatonearthdidshemean？Iassureyouitisarealriddletome——tome，andtoothers，too！"PrinceS。seemedtobeundertheinfluenceofsincereastonishment。
"ShespokeofsomebillsofEvgeniePavlovitch’s，"saidtheprince，simply，"whichRogojinhadboughtupfromsomeone；andimpliedthatRogojinwouldnotpresshim。"
"Oh，Iheardthatmuch，mydearfellow！Butthethingissoimpossiblyabsurd！AmanofpropertylikeEvgenietogiveIOU’stoamoney-lender，andtobeworriedaboutthem！Itisridiculous。Besides，hecannotpossiblybeonsuchintimatetermswithNastasiaPhilipovnaasshegaveustounderstand；that’stheprincipalpartofthemystery！Hehasgivenmehiswordthatheknowsnothingwhateveraboutthematter，andofcourseIbelievehim。Well，thequestionis，mydearprince，doyouknowanythingaboutit？Hasanysortofsuspicionofthemeaningofitcomeacrossyou？"
"No，Iknownothingwhateveraboutit。IassureyouIhadnothingatalltodowithit。"
"Oh，prince，howstrangeyouhavebecome！Iassureyou，Ihardlyknowyouforyouroldself。HowcanyousupposethatIeversuggestedyoucouldhavehadafingerinsuchabusiness？Butyouarenotquiteyourselftoday，Icansee。"Heembracedtheprince，andkissedhim。
"Whatdoyoumean，though，"askedMuishkin，"’bysuchabusiness’？Idon’tseeanyparticular’business’aboutitatall！"
"Oh，undoubtedly，thispersonwishedsomehow，andforsomereason，todoEvgeniePavlovitchabadturn，byattributingtohim——beforewitnesses——qualitieswhichheneitherhasnorcanhave，"repliedPrinceS。drilyenough。
Muiskhinlookeddisturbed，butcontinuedtogazeintentlyandquestioninglyintoPrinceS。’sface。Thelatter，however，remainedsilent。
"Thenitwasnotsimplyamatterofbills？"Muishkinsaidatlast，withsomeimpatience。"Itwasnotasshesaid？"
"ButIaskyou，mydearsir，howcantherebeanythingincommonbetweenEvgeniePavlovitch，and——her，andagainRogojin？Itellyouheisamanofimmensewealth——asIknowforafact；andhehasfurtherexpectationsfromhisuncle。SimplyNastasiaPhilipovna——"
PrinceS。paused，asthoughunwillingtocontinuetalkingaboutNastasiaPhilipovna。
"Thenatalleventsheknowsher！"remarkedtheprince，afteramoment’ssilence。
"Oh，thatmaybe。Hemayhaveknownhersometimeago——twoorthreeyears，atleast。HeusedtoknowTotski。Butitisimpossiblethatthereshouldbeanyintimacybetweenthem。Shehasnotevenbeenintheplace——manypeopledon’tevenknowthatshehasreturnedfromMoscow！Ihaveonlyobservedhercarriageaboutforthelastthreedaysorso。"
"It’salovelycarriage，"saidAdelaida。
"Yes，itwasabeautifulturn-out，certainly！"
Thevisitorsleftthehouse，however，onnolessfriendlytermsthanbefore。Butthevisitwasofthegreatestimportancetotheprince，fromhisownpointofview。Admittingthathehadhissuspicions，fromthemomentoftheoccurrenceoflastnight，perhapsevenbefore，thatNastasiahadsomemysteriousendinview，yetthisvisitconfirmedhissuspicionsandjustifiedhisfears。Itwasallcleartohim；PrinceS。waswrong，perhaps，inhisviewofthematter，buthewassomewherenearthetruth，andwasrightinsofarasthatheunderstoodtheretobeanintrigueofsomesortgoingon。PerhapsPrinceS。sawitallmoreclearlythanhehadallowedhishearerstounderstand。Atallevents，nothingcouldbeplainerthanthatheandAdelaidahadcomefortheexpresspurposeofobtainingexplanations，andthattheysuspectedhimofbeingconcernedintheaffair。Andifallthiswereso，thenSHEmusthavesometerribleobjectinview！Whatwasit？TherewasnostoppingHER，asMuishkinknewfromexperience，intheperformanceofanythingshehadsethermindon！"Oh，sheismad，mad！"thoughtthepoorprince。
Butthereweremanyotherpuzzlingoccurrencesthatday，whichrequiredimmediateexplanation，andtheprincefeltverysad。A
visitfromVeraLebedeffdistractedhimalittle。ShebroughttheinfantLubotchkawithherasusual，andtalkedcheerfullyforsometime。Thencameheryoungersister，andlaterthebrother，whoattendedaschoolcloseby。HeinformedMuishkinthathisfatherhadlatelyfoundanewinterpretationofthestarcalled"wormwood，"whichfelluponthewater-springs，asdescribedintheApocalypse。HehaddecidedthatitmeantthenetworkofrailroadsspreadoverthefaceofEuropeatthepresenttime。TheprincerefusedtobelievethatLebedeffcouldhavegivensuchaninterpretation，andtheydecidedtoaskhimaboutitattheearliestopportunity。VerarelatedhowKellerhadtakenuphisabodewiththemonthepreviousevening。Shethoughthewouldremainforsometime，ashewasgreatlypleasedwiththesocietyofGeneralIvolginandofthewholefamily。Buthedeclaredthathehadonlycometotheminordertocompletehiseducation！
TheprincealwaysenjoyedthecompanyofLebedeff’schildren，andtodayitwasespeciallywelcome，forColiadidnotappearallday。EarlythatmorninghehadstartedforPetersburg。Lebedeffalsowasawayonbusiness。ButGavrilaArdalionovitchhadpromisedtovisitMuishkin，whoeagerlyawaitedhiscoming。
Aboutsevenintheevening，soonafterdinner，hearrived。Atthefirstglanceitstrucktheprincethathe，atanyrate，mustknowallthedetailsoflastnight’saffair。Indeed，itwouldhavebeenimpossibleforhimtoremaininignoranceconsideringtheintimaterelationshipbetweenhim，VarvaraArdalionovna，andPtitsin。Butalthoughheandtheprincewereintimate，inasense，andalthoughthelatterhadplacedtheBurdovskyaffairinhishands-andthiswasnottheonlymarkofconfidencehehadreceived——itseemedcurioushowmanymatterstherewerethatweretacitlyavoidedintheirconversations。MuishkinthoughtthatGaniaattimesappearedtodesiremorecordialityandfrankness。
Itwasapparentnow，whenheentered，thathe，wasconvincedthatthemomentforbreakingtheicebetweenthemhadcomeatlast。
ButallthesameGaniawasinhaste，forhissisterwaswaitingatLebedeff’stoconsulthimonanurgentmatterofbusiness。Ifhehadanticipatedimpatientquestions，orimpulsiveconfidences，hewassoonundeceived。Theprincewasthoughtful，reserved，evenalittleabsent-minded，andaskednoneofthequestions——oneinparticular——thatGaniahadexpected。Soheimitatedtheprince’sdemeanour，andtalkedfastandbrilliantlyuponallsubjectsbuttheoneonwhichtheirthoughtswereengaged。AmongotherthingsGaniatoldhishostthatNastasiaPhilipovnahadbeenonlyfourdaysinPavlofsk，andthateveryonewastalkingaboutheralready。ShewasstayingwithDariaAlexeyevna，inanuglylittlehouseinMattrosskyStreet，butdroveaboutinthesmartestcarriageintheplace。Acrowdoffollowershadpursuedherfromthefirst，youngandold。Someescortedheronhorse-backwhenshetooktheairinhercarriage。