第12章
Shewasascapriciousaseverinthechoiceofheracquaintances，andadmittedfewintohernarrowcircle。Yetshealreadyhadanumerousfollowingandmanychampionsonwhomshecoulddependintimeofneed。Onegentlemanonhisholidayhadbrokenoffhisengagementonheraccount，andanoldgeneralhadquarrelledwithhisonlysonforthesamereason。
Shewasaccompaniedsometimesinhercarriagebyagirlofsixteen，adistantrelativeofherhostess。Thisyoungladysangverywell；infact，hermusichadgivenakindofnotorietytotheirlittlehouse。Nastasia，however，wasbehavingwithgreatdiscretiononthewhole。Shedressedquietly，thoughwithsuchtasteastodrivealltheladiesinPavlofskmadwithenvy，ofthat，aswellasofherbeautyandhercarriageandhorses。
"Asforyesterday’sepisode，"continuedGania，"ofcourseitwaspre-arranged。"Herehepaused，asthoughexpectingtobeaskedhowheknewthat。Buttheprincedidnotinquire。ConcerningEvgeniePavlovitch，Ganiastated，withoutbeingasked，thathebelievedtheformerhadnotknownNastasiaPhilipovnainpastyears，butthathehadprobablybeenintroducedtoherbysomebodyintheparkduringthesefourdays。AstothequestionoftheIOU’sshehadspokenof，theremighteasilybesomethinginthat；forthoughEvgeniewasundoubtedlyamanofwealth，yetcertainofhisaffairswereequallyundoubtedlyindisorder。
Arrivedatthisinterestingpoint，Ganiasuddenlybrokeoff，andsaidnomoreaboutNastasia’sprankofthepreviousevening。
AtlastVarvaraArdalionovnacameinsearchofherbrother，andremainedforafewminutes。WithoutMuishkin’saskingher，sheinformedhimthatEvgeniePavlovitchwasspendingthedayinPetersburg，andperhapswouldremainthereovertomorrow；andthatherhusbandhadalsogonetotown，probablyinconnectionwithEvgeniePavlovitch’saffairs。
"LizabethaProkofievnaisinareallyfiendishtempertoday，"
sheadded，asshewentout，"butthemostcuriousthingisthatAglayahasquarrelledwithherwholefamily；notonlywithherfatherandmother，butwithhersistersalso。Itisnotagoodsign。"Shesaidallthisquitecasually，thoughitwasextremelyimportantintheeyesoftheprince，andwentoffwithherbrother。Regardingtheepisodeof"Pavlicheff’sson，"Ganiahadbeenabsolutelysilent，partlyfromakindoffalsemodesty，partly，perhaps，to"sparetheprince’sfeelings。"Thelatter，however，thankedhimagainforthetroublehehadtakenintheaffair。
Muishkinwasgladenoughtobeleftalone。Hewentoutofthegarden，crossedtheroad，andenteredthepark。Hewishedtoreflect，andtomakeuphismindastoacertain"step。"Thisstepwasoneofthosethings，however，whicharenotthoughtout，asarule，butdecidedfororagainsthastily，andwithoutmuchreflection。Thefactis，hefeltalongingtoleaveallthisandgoaway——goanywhere，ifonlyitwerefarenough，andatonce，withoutbiddingfarewelltoanyone。Hefeltapresentimentthatifheremainedbutafewdaysmoreinthisplace，andamongthesepeople，hewouldbefixedthereirrevocablyandpermanently。
However，inaveryfewminuteshedecidedthattorunawaywasimpossible；thatitwouldbecowardly；thatgreatproblemslaybeforehim，andthathehadnorighttoleavethemunsolved，oratleasttorefusetogiveallhisenergyandstrengthtotheattempttosolvethem。Havingcometothisdetermination，heturnedandwenthome，hiswalkhavinglastedlessthanaquarterofanhour。Atthatmomenthewasthoroughlyunhappy。
Lebedeffhadnotreturned，sotowardseveningKellermanagedtopenetrateintotheprince’sapartments。Hewasnotdrunk，butinaconfidentialandtalkativemood。HeannouncedthathehadcometotellthestoryofhislifetoMuishkin，andhadonlyremainedatPavlofskforthatpurpose。Therewasnomeansofturninghimout；nothingshortofanearthquakewouldhaveremovedhim。
Inthemannerofonewithlonghoursbeforehim，hebeganhishistory；butafterafewincoherentwordshejumpedtotheconclusion，whichwasthat"havingceasedtobelieveinGodAlmighty，hehadlosteveryvestigeofmorality，andhadgonesofarastocommitatheft。""Couldyouimaginesuchathing？"saidhe。
"Listentome，Keller，"returnedtheprince。"IfIwereinyourplace，Ishouldnotacknowledgethatunlessitwereabsolutelynecessaryforsomereason。Butperhapsyouaremakingyourselfouttobeworsethanyouare，purposely？"
"Ishouldtellittonoonebutyourself，prince，andIonlynameitnowasahelptomysoul’sevolution。WhenIdie，thatsecretwilldiewithme！But，excellency，ifyouknew，ifyouonlyhadtheleastidea，howdifficultitistogetmoneynowadays！Wheretofinditisthequestion。Askforaloan，theanswerisalwaysthesame:’Giveusgold，jewels，ordiamonds，anditwillbequiteeasy。’Exactlywhatonehasnotgot！Canyoupicturethattoyourself？Igotangryatlast，andsaid，’Isupposeyouwouldacceptemeralds？’’Certainly，weacceptemeraldswithpleasure。
Yes！’’Well，that’sallright，’saidI。’Gotothedevil，youdenofthieves！’AndwiththatIseizedmyhat，andwalkedout。"
"Hadyouanyemeralds？"askedtheprince。
"What？Ihaveemeralds？Oh，prince！withwhatsimplicity，withwhatalmostpastoralsimplicity，youlookuponlife！"
Couldnotsomethingbemadeofthismanundergoodinfluences？
askedtheprinceofhimself，forhebegantofeelakindofpityforhisvisitor。Hethoughtlittleofthevalueofhisownpersonalinfluence，notfromasenseofhumility，butfromhispeculiarwayoflookingatthingsingeneral。Imperceptiblytheconversationgrewmoreanimatedandmoreinteresting，sothatneitherofthetwofeltanxioustobringittoaclose。Kellerconfessed，withapparentsincerity，tohavingbeenguiltyofmanyactsofsuchanaturethatitastonishedtheprincethathecouldmentionthem，eventohim。Ateveryfreshavowalheprofessedthedeepestrepentance，anddescribedhimselfasbeing"bathedintears"；butthisdidnotpreventhimfromputtingonaboastfulairattimes，andsomeofhisstoriesweresoabsurdlycomicalthatbothheandtheprincelaughedlikemadmen。
"Onepointinyourfavouristhatyouseemtohaveachild-likemind，andextremetruthfulness，"saidtheprinceatlast。"Doyouknowthatthatatonesformuch？"
"Iamassuredlynoble-minded，andchivalroustoadegree！"saidKeller，muchsoftened。"But，doyouknow，thisnobilityofmindexistsinadream，ifonemayputitso？Itneverappearsinpracticeordeed。Now，whyisthat？Icanneverunderstand。"
"Donotdespair。Ithinkwemaysaywithoutfearofdeceivingourselves，thatyouhavenowgivenafairlyexactaccountofyourlife。I，atleast，thinkitwouldbeimpossibletoaddmuchtowhatyouhavejusttoldme。"
"Impossible？"criedKeller，almostpityingly。"Ohprince，howlittleyoureallyseemtounderstandhumannature！"
"Istherereallymuchmoretobeadded？"askedtheprince，withmildsurprise。"Well，whatisityoureallywantofme？Speakout；tellmewhyyoucametomakeyourconfessiontome？"
"WhatdidIwant？Well，tobeginwith，itisgoodtomeetamanlikeyou。Itisapleasuretotalkovermyfaultswithyou。I
knowyouforoneofthebestofmen……andthen……then……"
Hehesitated，andappearedsomuchembarrassedthattheprincehelpedhimout。
"Thenyouwantedmetolendyoumoney？"
Thewordswerespokeninagravetone，andevensomewhatshyly。
Kellerstarted，gaveanastonishedlookatthespeaker，andthumpedthetablewithhisfist。
"Well，prince，that’senoughtoknockmedown！Itastoundsme！
Hereyouare，assimpleandinnocentasaknightofthegoldenage，andyet……yet……youreadaman’ssoullikeapsychologist！Now，doexplainittome，prince，becauseI……I
reallydonotunderstand！……Ofcourse，myaimwastoborrowmoneyallalong，andyou……youaskedthequestionasiftherewasnothingblameableinit——asifyouthoughtitquitenatural。"
"Yes……fromyouitisquitenatural。"
"Andyouarenotoffended？"
"WhyshouldIbeoffended？"
"Well，justlisten，prince。Iremainedherelastevening，partlybecauseIhaveagreatadmirationfortheFrencharchbishopBourdaloue。Ienjoyedadiscussionoverhimtillthreeo’clockinthemorning，withLebedeff；andthen……
then——IswearbyallIholdsacredthatIamtellingyouthetruth——thenIwishedtodevelopmysoulinthisfrankandheartfeltconfessiontoyou。ThiswasmythoughtasIwassobbingmyselftosleepatdawn。JustasIwaslosingconsciousness，tearsinmysoul，tearsonmyface(IrememberhowIlaytheresobbing)，anideafromhellstruckme。’Whynot，afterconfessing，borrowmoneyfromhim？’Yousee，thisconfessionwasakindofmasterstroke；Iintendedtouseitasameanstoyourgoodgraceandfavour——andthen——thenImeanttowalkoffwithahundredandfiftyroubles。Now，doyounotcallthatbase？"
"Itishardlyanexactstatementofthecase，"saidtheprinceinreply。"Youhaveconfusedyourmotivesandideas，asIneedscarcelysaytoooftenhappenstomyself。Icanassureyou，Keller，Ireproachmyselfbitterlyforitsometimes。WhenyouweretalkingjustnowIseemedtobelisteningtosomethingaboutmyself。AttimesIhaveimaginedthatallmenwerethesame，"hecontinuedearnestly，forheappearedtobemuchinterestedintheconversation，"andthatconsoledmeinacertaindegree，foraDOUBLEmotiveisathingmostdifficulttofightagainst。Ihavetried，andIknow。Godknowswhencetheyarise，theseideasthatyouspeakofasbase。Ifearthesedoublemotivesmorethaneverjustnow，butIamnotyourjudge，andinmyopinionitisgoingtoofartogivethenameofbasenesstoit——whatdoyouthink？
Youweregoingtoemployyourtearsasaruseinordertoborrowmoney，butyoualsosay——infact，youhavesworntothefact——
thatindependentlyofthisyourconfessionwasmadewithanhonourablemotive。Asforthemoney，youwantitfordrink，doyounot？Afteryourconfession，thatisweakness，ofcourse；but，afterall，howcananyonegiveupabadhabitatamoment’snotice？Itisimpossible。Whatcanwedo？Itisbest，Ithink，toleavethemattertoyourownconscience。Howdoesitseemtoyou？"AsheconcludedtheprincelookedcuriouslyatKeller；
evidentlythisproblemofdoublemotiveshadoftenbeenconsideredbyhimbefore。
"Well，howanybodycancallyouanidiotafterthat，ismorethanIcanunderstand！"criedtheboxer。
Theprincereddenedslightly。
"Bourdaloue，thearchbishop，wouldnothavesparedamanlikeme，"Kellercontinued，"butyou，youhavejudgedmewithhumanity。ToshowhowgratefulIam，andasapunishment，Iwillnotacceptahundredandfiftyroubles。Givemetwenty-five——thatwillbeenough；itisallIreallyneed，forafortnightatleast。Iwillnotaskyouformoreforafortnight。IshouldliketohavegivenAgathaapresent，butshedoesnotreallydeserveit。Oh，mydearprince，Godblessyou！"
AtthismomentLebedeffappeared，havingjustarrivedfromPetersburg。Hefrownedwhenhesawthetwenty-fiveroublenoteinKeller’shand，butthelatter，havinggotthemoney，wentawayatonce。Lebedeffbegantoabusehim。
"Youareunjust；Ifoundhimsincerelyrepentant，"observedtheprince，afterlisteningforatime。
"Whatisthegoodofrepentancelikethat？Itisthesameexactlyasmineyesterday，whenIsaid，’Iambase，Iambase，’——words，andnothingmore！"
"Thentheywereonlywordsonyourpart？Ithought，onthecontrary……"
"Well，Idon’tmindtellingyouthetruth——youonly！Becauseyouseethroughamansomehow。Wordsandactions，truthandfalsehood，arealljumbleduptogetherinme，andyetIamperfectlysincere。Ifeelthedeepestrepentance，believeitornot，asyouchoose；butwordsandliescomeoutintheinfernalcravingtogetthebetterofotherpeople。Itisalwaysthere——thenotionofcheatingpeople，andofusingmyrepentanttearstomyownadvantage！Iassureyouthisisthetruth，prince！Iwouldnottellanyothermanfortheworld！Hewouldlaughandjeeratme——butyou，youjudgeamanhumanely。"
"Why，Kellersaidthesamethingtomenearlywordforwordafewminutesago！"criedMuishkin。"Andyoubothseeminclinedtoboastaboutit！Youastonishme，butIthinkheismoresincerethanyou，foryoumakearegulartradeofit。Oh，don’tputonthatpatheticexpression，anddon’tputyourhandonyourheart！
Haveyouanythingtosaytome？Youhavenotcomefornothing……"
Lebedeffgrinnedandwriggled。
"Ihavebeenwaitingalldayforyou，becauseIwanttoaskyouaquestion；and，foronceinyourlife，pleasetellmethetruthatonce。Hadyouanythingtodowiththataffairofthecarriageyesterday？"
Lebedeffbegantogrinagain，rubbedhishands，sneezed，butspokenotawordinreply。
"Iseeyouhadsomethingtodowithit。"
"Indirectly，quiteindirectly！Iamspeakingthetruth——Iamindeed！ImerelytoldacertainpersonthatIhadpeopleinmyhouse，andthatsuchandsuchpersonagesmightbefoundamongthem。"
"Iamawarethatyousentyoursontothathouse——hetoldmesohimselfjustnow，butwhatisthisintrigue？"saidtheprince，impatiently。
"Itisnotmyintrigue！"criedLebedeff，wavinghishand。
"Itwasengineeredbyotherpeople，andis，properlyspeaking，ratherafantasythananintrigue！"
"Butwhatisitallabout？Tellme，forHeaven’ssake！Cannotyouunderstandhownearlyittouchesme？WhyaretheyblackeningEvgeniePavlovitch’sreputation？"
Lebedeffgrimacedandwriggledagain。
"Prince！"saidhe。"Excellency！Youwon’tletmetellyouthewholetruth；Ihavetriedtoexplain；morethanonceIhavebegun，butyouhavenotallowedmetogoon……"
Theprincegavenoanswer，andsatdeepinthought。Evidentlyhewasstrugglingtodecide。
"Verywell！Tellmethetruth，"hesaid，dejectedly。
"AglayaIvanovna……"beganLebedeff，promptly。
"Besilent！Atonce！"interruptedtheprince，redwithindignation，andperhapswithshame，too。"Itisimpossibleandabsurd！Allthathasbeeninventedbyyou，orfoolslikeyou！Letmeneverhearyousayawordagainonthatsubject！"
LateintheeveningColiacameinwithawholebudgetofPetersburgandPavlofsknews。HedidnotdwellmuchonthePetersburgpartofit，whichconsistedchieflyofintelligenceabouthisfriendHippolyte，butpassedquicklytothePavlofsktidings。HehadgonestraighttotheEpanchins’fromthestation。
"There’sthedeuceandallgoingonthere！"hesaid。"Firstofallabouttherowlastnight，andIthinktheremustbesomethingnewaswell，thoughIdidn’tliketoask。NotawordaboutYOU，prince，thewholetime！"ThemostinterestingfactwasthatAglayahadbeenquarrellingwithherpeopleaboutGania。Coliadidnotknowanydetails，exceptthatithadbeenaterriblequarrel！AlsoEvgeniePavlovitchhadcalled，andmetwithanexcellentreceptionallround。Andanothercuriousthing:Mrs。
EpanchinwassoangrythatshecalledVariatoher——Variawastalkingtothegirls——andturnedheroutofthehouse"onceforall"shesaid。"IhearditfromVariaherself——Mrs。Epanchinwasquitepolite，butfirm；andwhenVariasaidgood-byetothegirls，shetoldthemnothingaboutit，andtheydidn’tknowtheyweresayinggoodbyeforthelasttime。I’msorryforVaria，andforGaniatoo；heisn’thalfabadfellow，inspiteofhisfaults，andIshallneverforgivemyselffornotlikinghimbefore！Idon’tknowwhetherIoughttocontinuetogototheEpanchins’now，"concludedColia——"Iliketobequiteindependentofothers，andofotherpeople’squarrelsifIcan；
butImustthinkoverit。"
"Idon’tthinkyouneedbreakyourheartoverGania，"saidtheprince；"forifwhatyousayistrue，hemustbeconsidereddangerousintheEpanchinhousehold，andifso，certainhopesofhismusthavebeenencouraged。"
"What？Whathopes？"criedColia；"yousurelydon’tmeanAglaya？——
oh，no！——"
"You’readreadfulsceptic，prince，"hecontinued，afteramoment’ssilence。"Ihaveobservedoflatethatyouhavegrownscepticalabouteverything。Youdon’tseemtobelieveinpeopleasyoudid，andarealwaysattributingmotivesandsoon——amI
usingtheword’sceptic’initspropersense？"
"Ibelieveso；butI’mnotsure。"
"Well，I’llchangeit，rightorwrong；I’llsaythatyouarenotsceptical，butJEALOUS。There！youaredeadlyjealousofGania，overacertainprouddamsel！Come！"Coliajumpedup，withthesewords，andburstoutlaughing。Helaughedashehadperhapsneverlaughedbefore，andstillmorewhenhesawtheprinceflushinguptohistemples。HewasdelightedthattheprinceshouldbejealousaboutAglaya。However，hestoppedimmediatelyonseeingthattheotherwasreallyhurt，andtheconversationcontinued，veryearnestly，foranhourormore。
Nextdaytheprincehadtogototown，onbusiness。Returningintheafternoon，hehappeneduponGeneralEpanchinatthestation。
Thelatterseizedhishand，glancingaroundnervously，asifhewereafraidofbeingcaughtinwrong-doing，anddraggedhimintoafirst-classcompartment。Hewasburningtospeakaboutsomethingofimportance。
"Inthefirstplace，mydearprince，don’tbeangrywithme。I
wouldhavecometoseeyouyesterday，butIdidn’tknowhowLizabethaProkofievnawouldtakeit。Mydearfellow，myhouseissimplyahelljustnow，asortofsphinxhastakenupitsabodethere。Weliveinanatmosphereofriddles；Ican’tmakeheadortailofanything。Asforyou，Ifeelsureyouaretheleasttoblameofanyofus，thoughyoucertainlyhavebeenthecauseofagooddealoftrouble。Yousee，it’sallverypleasanttobeaphilanthropist；butitcanbecarriedtoofar。OfcourseIadmirekind-heartedness，andIesteemmywife，but——"
Thegeneralwanderedoninthisdisconnectedwayforalongtime；
itwasclearthathewasmuchdisturbedbysomecircumstancewhichhecouldmakenothingof。
"Itisplaintome，thatYOUarenotinitatall，"hecontinued，atlast，alittlelessvaguely，"butperhapsyouhadbetternotcometoourhouseforalittlewhile。Iaskyouinthefriendliestmanner，mind；justtillthewindchangesagain。AsforEvgeniePavlovitch，"hecontinuedwithsomeexcitement，"thewholethingisacalumny，adirtycalumny。Itissimplyaplot，anintrigue，toupsetourplansandtostirupaquarrel。Yousee，prince，I’lltellyouprivately，Evgenieandourselveshavenotsaidawordyet，wehavenoformalunderstanding，weareinnowayboundoneitherside，butthewordmaybesaidverysoon，don’tyousee，VERYsoon，andallthisismostinjurious，andismeanttobeso。Why？I’msureIcan’ttellyou。She’sanextraordinarywoman，yousee，aneccentricwoman；ItellyouIamsofrightenedofthatwomanthatIcan’tsleep。Whatacarriagethatwas，andwherediditcomefrom，eh？Ideclare，IwasbaseenoughtosuspectEvgenieatfirst；butitseemscertainthatthatcannotbethecase，andifso，whyissheinterferinghere？
That’stheriddle，whatdoesshewant？IsittokeepEvgenietoherself？But，mydearfellow，Isweartoyou，Iswearhedoesn’tevenKNOWher，andasforthosebills，why，thewholethingisaninvention！Andthefamiliarityofthewoman！It’squiteclearwemusttreattheimpudentcreature’sattemptwithdisdain，andredoubleourcourtesytowardsEvgenie。Itoldmywifeso。
"NowI’lltellyoumysecretconviction。I’mcertainthatshe’sdoingthistorevengeherselfonme，onaccountofthepast，thoughIassureyouthatallthetimeIwasblameless。Iblushattheveryidea。Andnowsheturnsupagainlikethis，whenI
thoughtshehadfinallydisappeared！Where’sRogojinallthistime？IthoughtshewasMrs。Rogojin，longago。"
Theoldmanwasinastateofgreatmentalperturbation。Thewholeofthejourney，whichoccupiednearlyanhour，hecontinuedinthisstrain，puttingquestionsandansweringthemhimself，shrugginghisshoulders，pressingtheprince’shand，andassuringthelatterthat，atallevents，hehadnosuspicionwhateverofHIM。Thislastassurancewassatisfactory，atallevents。ThegeneralfinishedbyinforminghimthatEvgenie’sunclewasheadofoneofthecivilservicedepartments，andrich，veryrich，andagourmand。"And，well，Heavenpreservehim，ofcourse——butEvgeniegetshismoney，don’tyousee？But，forallthis，I’muncomfortable，Idon’tknowwhy。There’ssomethingintheair，I
feelthere’ssomethingnastyintheair，likeabat，andI’mbynomeanscomfortable。"
AnditwasnotuntilthethirddaythattheformalreconciliationbetweentheprinceandtheEpanchinstookplace，assaidbefore。
XII。
ITwassevenintheevening，andtheprincewasjustpreparingtogooutforawalkinthepark，whensuddenlyMrs。Epanchinappearedontheterrace。
"Inthefirstplace，don’tdaretosuppose，"shebegan，"thatI
amgoingtoapologize。Nonsense！Youwereentirelytoblame。"
Theprinceremainedsilent。
"Wereyoutoblame，ornot？"
"No，certainlynot，nomorethanyourself，thoughatfirstI
thoughtIwas。"
"Oh，verywell，let’ssitdown，atallevents，forIdon’tintendtostandupallday。Andremember，ifyousay，onewordabout’mischievousurchins，’Ishallgoawayandbreakwithyoualtogether。Nowthen，didyou，ordidyounot，sendalettertoAglaya，acoupleofmonthsorsoago，aboutEaster-tide？"
"Yes！"
"Whatfor？Whatwasyourobject？Showmetheletter。"Mrs。
Epanchin’seyesflashed；shewasalmosttremblingwithimpatience。
"Ihavenotgottheletter，"saidtheprince，timidly，extremelysurprisedattheturntheconversationhadtaken。"Ifanyonehasit，ifitstillexists，AglayaIvanovnamusthaveit。"
"Nofinessing，please。Whatdidyouwriteabout？"
"Iamnotfinessing，andIamnotintheleastafraidoftellingyou；butIdon’tseetheslightestreasonwhyIshouldnothavewritten。"
"Bequiet，youcantalkafterwards！Whatwastheletterabout？
Whyareyoublushing？"
Theprincewassilent。Atlasthespoke。
"Idon’tunderstandyourthoughts，LizabethaProkofievna；butI
canseethatthefactofmyhavingwrittenisforsomereasonrepugnanttoyou。YoumustadmitthatIhaveaperfectrighttorefusetoansweryourquestions；but，inordertoshowyouthatI
amneitherashamedoftheletter，norsorrythatIwroteit，andthatIamnotintheleastinclinedtoblushaboutit"(heretheprince’sblushesredoubled)，"Iwillrepeatthesubstanceofmyletter，forIthinkIknowitalmostbyheart。"
Sosaying，theprincerepeatedtheletteralmostwordforword，ashehadwrittenit。
"Mygoodness，whatuttertwaddle，andwhatmayallthisnonsensehavesignified，pray？Ifithadanymeaningatall！"saidMrs。
Epanchin，cuttingly，afterhavinglistenedwithgreatattention。
"Ireallydon’tabsolutelyknowmyself；Iknowmyfeelingwasverysincere。Ihadmomentsatthattimefulloflifeandhope。"
"Whatsortofhope？"
"Itisdifficulttoexplain，butcertainlynotthehopesyouhaveinyourmind。Hopes——well，inaword，hopesforthefuture，andafeelingofjoythatTHERE，atallevents，Iwasnotentirelyastrangerandaforeigner。Ifeltanecstasyinbeinginmynativelandoncemore；andonesunnymorningItookupapenandwroteherthatletter，butwhytoHER，Idon’tquiteknow。Sometimesonelongstohaveafriendnear，andIevidentlyfelttheneedofonethen，"addedtheprince，andpaused。
"Areyouinlovewithher？"
"N-no！Iwrotetoherastoasister；Isignedmyselfherbrother。"
"Ohyes，ofcourse，onpurpose！Iquiteunderstand。"
"Itisverypainfultometoanswerthesequestions，LizabethaProkofievna。"
"Idaresayitis；butthat’snoaffairofmine。Nowthen，assuremetrulyasbeforeHeaven，areyoulyingtomeornot？"
"No，Iamnotlying。"
"Areyoutellingthetruthwhenyousayyouarenotinlove？"
"Ibelieveitistheabsolutetruth。"
"’Ibelieve，’indeed！Didthatmischievousurchingiveittoher？"
"IaskedNicolaiArdalionovitch……"
"Theurchin！theurchin！"interruptedLizabethaProkofievnainanangryvoice。"IdonotwanttoknowifitwereNicolaiArdalionovitch！Theurchin！"
"NicolaiArdalionovitch……"
"Theurchin，Itellyou！"
"No，itwasnottheurchin:itwasNicolaiArdalionovitch，"saidtheprinceveryfirmly，butwithoutraisinghisvoice。
"Well，allright！Allright，mydear！Ishallputthatdowntoyouraccount。"
Shewassilentamomenttogetbreath，andtorecoverhercomposure。
"Well！——andwhat’sthemeaningofthe’poorknight，’eh？"
"Idon’tknowintheleast；Iwasn’tpresentwhenthejokewasmade。ItISajoke。Isuppose，andthat’sall。"
"Well，that’sacomfort，atallevents。Youdon’tsupposeshecouldtakeanyinterestinyou，doyou？Why，shecalledyouan’idiot’herself。"
"Ithinkyoumighthavesparedmethat，"murmuredtheprincereproachfully，almostinawhisper。
"Don’tbeangry；sheisawilful，mad，spoiltgirl。Ifshelikesapersonshewillpitchintohim，andchaffhim。Iusedtobejustsuchanother。Butforallthatyouneedn’tflatteryourself，myboy；sheisnotforyou。Idon’tbelieveit，anditisnottobe。Itellyousoatonce，sothatyoumaytakeproperprecautions。Now，Iwanttohearyouswearthatyouarenotmarriedtothatwoman？"
"LizabethaProkofievna，whatareyouthinkingof？"criedtheprince，almostleapingtohisfeetinamazement。
"Why？Youverynearlywere，anyhow。"
"Yes——Inearlywas，"whisperedtheprince，hanginghishead。
"Wellthen，haveyoucomehereforHER？AreyouinlovewithHER？
WithTHATcreature？"
"Ididnotcometomarryatall，"repliedtheprince。
"Isthereanythingyouholdsacred？"
"Thereis。"
"ThenswearbyitthatyoudidnotcomeheretomarryHER！"
"I’llswearitbywhateveryouplease。"
"Ibelieveyou。Youmaykissme；Ibreathefreelyatlast。Butyoumustknow，mydearfriend，Aglayadoesnotloveyou，andsheshallneverbeyourwifewhileIamoutofmygrave。Sobewarnedintime。Doyouhearme？"
"Yes，Ihear。"
Theprinceflushedupsomuchthathecouldnotlookherintheface。
"Ihavewaitedforyouwiththegreatestimpatience(notthatyouwereworthit)。EverynightIhavedrenchedmypillowwithtears，notforyou，myfriend，notforyou，don’tflatteryourself！I
havemyowngrief，alwaysthesame，alwaysthesame。ButI’lltellyouwhyIhavebeenawaitingyousoimpatiently，becauseI
believethatProvidenceitselfsentyoutobeafriendandabrothertome。Ihaven’tafriendintheworldexceptPrincessBielokonski，andsheisgrowingasstupidasasheepfromoldage。Nowthen，tellme，yesorno？Doyouknowwhyshecalledoutfromhercarriagetheothernight？"
"IgiveyoumywordofhonourthatIhadnothingtodowiththematterandknownothingaboutit。"
"Verywell，Ibelieveyou。Ihavemyownideasaboutit。UptoyesterdaymorningIthoughtitwasreallyEvgeniePavlovitchwhowastoblame；nowIcannothelpagreeingwiththeothers。ButwhyhewasmadesuchafoolofIcannotunderstand。However，heisnotgoingtomarryAglaya，Icantellyouthat。Hemaybeaveryexcellentfellow，but——soitshallbe。Iwasnotatallsureofacceptinghimbefore，butnowIhavequitemadeupmymindthatI
won’thavehim。’Putmeinmycoffinfirstandthenintomygrave，andthenyoumaymarrymydaughtertowhomsoeveryouplease，’soIsaidtothegeneralthisverymorning。YouseehowItrustyou，myboy。"
"Yes，Iseeandunderstand。"
Mrs。Epanchingazedkeenlyintotheprince’seyes。ShewasanxioustoseewhatimpressionthenewsastoEvgeniePavlovitchhadmadeuponhim。
"DoyouknowanythingaboutGavrilaArdalionovitch？"sheaskedatlast。
"Ohyes，Iknowagooddeal。"
"DidyouknowhehadcommunicationswithAglaya？"
"No，Ididn’t，"saidtheprince，tremblingalittle，andingreatagitation。"YousayGavrilaArdalionovitchhasprivatecommunicationswithAglaya？——Impossible！"
"Onlyquitelately。Hissisterhasbeenworkinglikearattoclearthewayforhimallthewinter。"
"Idon’tbelieveit！"saidtheprinceabruptly，afterashortpause。"HaditbeensoIshouldhaveknownlongago。"
"Oh，ofcourse，yes；hewouldhavecomeandweptouthissecretonyourbosom。Oh，yousimpleton——yousimpleton！Anyonecandeceiveyouandtakeyouinlikea——likea，——aren’tyouashamedtotrusthim？Can’tyouseethathehumbugsyoujustasmuchaseverhepleases？"
"Iknowverywellthathedoesdeceivemeoccasionally，andheknowsthatIknowit，but——"Theprincedidnotfinishhissentence。
"Andthat’swhyyoutrusthim，eh？SoIshouldhavesupposed。
GoodLord，wasthereeversuchamanasyou？Tfu！andareyouaware，sir，thatthisGania，orhissisterVaria，havebroughtherintocorrespondencewithNastasiaPhilipovna？"
"Broughtwhom？"criedMuishkin。
"Aglaya。"
"Idon’tbelieveit！It’simpossible！Whatobjectcouldtheyhave？"Hejumpedupfromhischairinhisexcitement。
"NordoIbelieveit，inspiteoftheproofs。Thegirlisself-
willedandfantastic，andinsane！She’swicked，wicked！I’llrepeatitforathousandyearsthatshe’swicked；theyALLare，justnow，allmydaughters，eventhat’wethen’Alexandra。AndyetIdon’tbelieveit。BecauseIdon’tchoosetobelieveit，perhaps；butIdon’t。Whyhaven’tyoubeen？"sheturnedontheprincesuddenly。"Whydidn’tyoucomenearusallthesethreedays，eh？"
Theprincebegantogivehisreasons，butsheinterruptedhimagain。
"Everybodytakesyouinanddeceivesyou；youwenttotownyesterday。Idareswearyouwentdownonyourkneestothatrogue，andbeggedhimtoacceptyourtenthousandroubles！"
"Ineverthoughtofdoinganysuchthing。Ihavenotseenhim，andheisnotarogue，inmyopinion。Ihavehadaletterfromhim。"
"Showitme！"
Theprincetookapaperfromhispocket-book，andhandedittoLizabethaProkofievna。Itranasfollows:
"SIR，"IntheeyesoftheworldIamsurethatIhavenocauseforprideorself-esteem。Iammuchtooinsignificantforthat。Butwhatmaybesotoothermen’seyesisnotsotoyours。Iamconvincedthatyouarebetterthanotherpeople。Doktorenkodisagreeswithme，butIamcontenttodifferfromhimonthispoint。Iwillneveracceptonesinglecopeckfromyou，butyouhavehelpedmymother，andIamboundtobegratefultoyouforthat，howeverweakitmayseem。Atanyrate，Ihavechangedmyopinionaboutyou，andIthinkrighttoinformyouofthefact；butIalsosupposethattherecanbenofurtherintercoursebetweenus"ANTIPBURDOVSKY。
"P。S——ThetwohundredroublesIoweyoushallcertainlyberepaidintime。"
"Howextremelystupid！"criedMrs。Epanchin，givingbacktheletterabruptly。"Itwasnotworththetroubleofreading。Whyareyousmiling？"
"Confessthatyouarepleasedtohavereadit。"
"What！Pleasedwithallthatnonsense！Why，cannotyouseethattheyareallinfatuatedwithprideandvanity？"
"Hehasacknowledgedhimselftobeinthewrong。Don’tyouseethatthegreaterhisvanity，themoredifficultthisadmissionmusthavebeenonhispart？Oh，whatalittlechildyouare，LizabethaProkofievna！"
"Areyoutemptingmetoboxyourearsforyou，orwhat？"
"Notatall。Iamonlyprovingthatyouaregladabouttheletter。Whyconcealyourrealfeelings？Youalwaysliketodoit。"
"Nevercomenearmyhouseagain！"criedMrs。Epanchin，palewithrage。"Don’tletmeseeasmuchasaSHADOWofyouabouttheplace！Doyouhear？"
"Ohyes，andinthreedaysyou’llcomeandinvitemeyourself。
Aren’tyouashamednow？Theseareyourbestfeelings；youareonlytormentingyourself。"
"I’lldiebeforeIinviteyou！Ishallforgetyourveryname！
I’veforgottenitalready！"
Shemarchedtowardsthedoor。
"ButI’mforbiddenyourhouseasitis，withoutyouraddedthreats！"criedtheprinceafterher。
"What？Whoforbadeyou？"
Sheturnedroundsosuddenlythatonemighthavesupposedaneedlehadbeenstuckintoher。
Theprincehesitated。Heperceivedthathehadsaidtoomuchnow。
"WHOforbadeyou？"criedMrs。Epanchinoncemore。
"AglayaIvanovnatoldme——"
"When？Speak——quick！"
"Shesenttosay，yesterdaymorning，thatIwasnevertodaretocomenearthehouseagain。"
LizabethaProkofievnastoodlikeastone。
"Whatdidshesend？Whom？Wasitthatboy？Wasitamessage？-
quick！"
"Ihadanote，"saidtheprince。
"Whereisit？Giveithere，atonce。"
Theprincethoughtamoment。Thenhepulledoutofhiswaistcoatpocketanuntidyslipofpaper，onwhichwasscrawled:
"PRINCELEFNICOLAIEVITCH，——Ifyouthinkfit，afterallthathaspassed，tohonourourhousewithavisit，Icanassureyouyouwillnotfindmeamongthenumberofthosewhoareinanywaydelightedtoseeyou。
"AGLAYAEPANCHIN。"
Mrs。Epanchinreflectedamoment。Thenextminutesheflewattheprince，seizedhishand，anddraggedhimafterhertothedoor。
"Quick——comealong！"shecried，breathlesswithagitationandimpatience。"Comealongwithmethismoment！"
"ButyoudeclaredIwasn’t——"
"Don’tbeasimpleton。Youbehavejustasthoughyouweren’tamanatall。Comeon！Ishallsee，now，withmyowneyes。Ishallseeall。"
"Well，letmegetmyhat，atleast。"
"Here’syourmiserablehatHecouldn’tevenchoosearespectableshapeforhishat！Comeon！ShedidthatbecauseItookyourpartandsaidyououghttohavecome——littlevixen！——elseshewouldneverhavesentyouthatsillynote。It’samostimpropernote，I
callit；mostimproperforsuchanintelligent，well-brought-upgirltowrite。H’m！Idaresayshewasannoyedthatyoudidn’tcome；butsheoughttohaveknownthatonecan’twritelikethattoanidiotlikeyou，foryou’dbesuretotakeitliterally。"
Mrs。Epanchinwasdraggingtheprincealongwithherallthetime，andneverletgoofhishandforaninstant。"Whatareyoulisteningfor？"sheadded，seeingthatshehadcommittedherselfalittle。"Shewantsaclownlikeyou——shehasn’tseenoneforsometime——toplaywith。That’swhysheisanxiousforyoutocometothehouse。AndrightgladIamthatshe’llmakeathoroughgoodfoolofyou。Youdeserveit；andshecandoit——oh！
shecan，indeed！——aswellasmostpeople。"
PARTIII
I。
THEEpanchinfamily，oratleastthemoreseriousmembersofit，weresometimesgrievedbecausetheyseemedsounliketherestoftheworld。Theywerenotquitecertain，buthadattimesastrongsuspicionthatthingsdidnothappentothemastheydidtootherpeople。Othersledaquiet，uneventfullife，whiletheyweresubjecttocontinualupheavals。Otherskeptontherailswithoutdifficulty；theyranoffattheslightestobstacle。Otherhousesweregovernedbyatimidroutine；theirswassomehowdifferent。
PerhapsLizabethaProkofievnawasaloneinmakingthesefretfulobservations；thegirls，thoughnotwantinginintelligence，werestillyoung；thegeneralwasintelligent，too，butnarrow，andinanydifficultyhewascontenttosay，"H’m！"andleavethemattertohiswife。Consequently，onherfelltheresponsibility。Itwasnotthattheydistinguishedthemselvesasafamilybyanyparticularoriginality，orthattheirexcursionsoffthetrackledtoanybreachoftheproprieties。Ohno。
Therewasnothingpremeditated，therewasnotevenanyconsciouspurposeinitall，andyet，inspiteofeverything，thefamily，althoughhighlyrespected，wasnotquitewhateveryhighlyrespectedfamilyoughttobe。ForalongtimenowLizabethaProkofievnahadhaditinhermindthatallthetroublewasowingtoher"unfortunatecharacter，"andthisaddedtoherdistress。
Sheblamedherownstupidunconventional"eccentricity。"Alwaysrestless，alwaysonthego，sheconstantlyseemedtoloseherway，andtogetintotroubleoverthesimplestandmoreordinaryaffairsoflife。
Wesaidatthebeginningofourstory，thattheEpanchinswerelikedandesteemedbytheirneighbours。Inspiteofhishumbleorigin，IvanFedorovitchhimselfwasreceivedeverywherewithrespect。Hedeservedthis，partlyonaccountofhiswealthandposition，partlybecause，thoughlimited，hewasreallyaverygoodfellow。Butacertainlimitationofmindseemstobeanindispensableasset，ifnottoallpublicpersonages，atleasttoallseriousfinanciers。Addedtothis，hismannerwasmodestandunassuming；heknewwhentobesilent，yetneverallowedhimselftobetrampledupon。Also——andthiswasmoreimportantthanall——
hehadtheadvantageofbeingunderexaltedpatronage。
AstoLizabethaProkofievna，she，asthereaderknows，belongedtoanaristocraticfamily。True，Russiansthinkmoreofinfluentialfriendsthanofbirth，butshehadboth。Shewasesteemedandevenlovedbypeopleofconsequenceinsociety，whoseexampleinreceivingherwasthereforefollowedbyothers。
Itseemshardlynecessarytoremarkthatherfamilyworriesandanxietieshadlittleornofoundation，orthatherimaginationincreasedthemtoanabsurddegree；butifyouhaveawartonyourforeheadornose，youimaginethatalltheworldislookingatit，andthatpeoplewouldmakefunofyoubecauseofit，evenifyouhaddiscoveredAmerica！DoubtlessLizabethaProkofievnawasconsidered"eccentric"insociety，butshewasnonethelessesteemed:thepitywasthatshewasceasingtobelieveinthatesteem。Whenshethoughtofherdaughters，shesaidtoherselfsorrowfullythatshewasahindranceratherthanahelptotheirfuture，thathercharacterandtemperwereabsurd，ridiculous，insupportable。Naturally，sheputtheblameonhersurroundings，andfrommorningtonightwasquarrellingwithherhusbandandchildren，whomshereallylovedtothepointofself-sacrifice，even，onemightsay，ofpassion。
Shewas，abovealldistressedbytheideathatherdaughtersmightgrowup"eccentric，"likeherself；shebelievedthatnoothersocietygirlswerelikethem。"TheyaregrowingintoNihilists！"sherepeatedoverandoveragain。Foryearsshehadtormentedherselfwiththisidea，andwiththequestion:"Whydon’ttheygetmarried？"
"Itistoannoytheirmother；thatistheironeaiminlife；itcanbenothingelse。Thefactisitisallofapiecewiththesemodernideas，thatwretchedwoman’squestion！SixmonthsagoAglayatookafancytocutoffhermagnificenthair。Why，evenI，whenIwasyoung，hadnothinglikeit！Thescissorswereinherhand，andIhadtogodownonmykneesandimploreher……Shedidit，Iknow，fromsheermischief，tospitehermother，forsheisanaughty，capriciousgirl，arealspoiledchildspitefulandmischievoustoadegree！AndthenAlexandrawantedtoshaveherhead，notfromcapriceormischief，but，likealittlefool，simplybecauseAglayapersuadedhershewouldsleepbetterwithoutherhair，andnotsufferfromheadache！Andhowmanysuitorshavetheynothadduringthelastfiveyears！Excellentoffers，too！Whatmoredotheywant？Whydon’ttheygetmarried？
Fornootherreasonthantovextheirmother——none——none！"
ButLizabethaProkofievnafeltsomewhatconsoledwhenshecouldsaythatoneofhergirls，Adelaida，wassettledatlast。"Itwillbeoneoffourhands！"shedeclaredaloud，thoughinprivatesheexpressedherselfwithgreatertenderness。Theengagementwasbothhappyandsuitable，andwasthereforeapprovedinsociety。
PrinceS。wasadistinguishedman，hehadmoney，andhisfuturewifewasdevotedtohim；whatmorecouldbedesired？LizabethaProkofievnahadfeltlessanxiousaboutthisdaughter，however，althoughsheconsideredherartistictastessuspicious。Buttomakeupforthemshewas，ashermotherexpressedit，"merry，"
andhadplentyof"common-sense。"ItwasAglaya’sfuturewhichdisturbedhermost。Withregardtohereldestdaughter，Alexandra，themotherneverquiteknewwhethertherewascauseforanxietyornot。Sometimesshefeltasiftherewasnothingtobeexpectedfromher。Shewastwenty-fivenow，andmustbefatedtobeanoldmaid，and"withsuchbeauty，too！"Themotherspentwholenightsinweepingandlamenting，whileallthetimethecauseofhergriefslumberedpeacefully。"Whatisthematterwithher？IssheaNihilist，orsimplyafool？"
ButLizabethaProkofievnaknewperfectlywellhowunnecessarywasthelastquestion。ShesetahighvalueonAlexandraIvanovna’sjudgment，andoftenconsultedherindifficulties；butthatshewasa’wethen’sheneverforamomentdoubted。"Sheissocalm；
nothingrousesher——thoughwethensarenotalwayscalm！Oh！I
can’tunderstandit！"HereldestdaughterinspiredLizabethawithakindofpuzzledcompassion。ShedidnotfeelthisinAglaya’scase，thoughthelatterwasheridol。Itmaybesaidthattheseoutburstsandepithets，suchas"wethen"(inwhichthematernalsolicitudeusuallyshoweditself)，onlymadeAlexandralaugh。
SometimesthemosttrivialthingannoyedMrs。Epanchin，anddroveherintoafrenzy。Forinstance，AlexandraIvanovnalikedtosleeplate，andwasalwaysdreaming，thoughherdreamshadthepeculiarityofbeingasinnocentandnaiveasthoseofachildofseven；andtheveryinnocenceofherdreamsannoyedhermother。
Onceshedreamtofninehens，andthiswasthecauseofquiteaseriousquarrel——nooneknewwhy。Anothertimeshehad——itwasmostunusual——adreamwithasparkoforiginalityinit。Shedreamtofamonkinadarkroom，intowhichshewastoofrightenedtogo。AdelaidaandAglayarushedoffwithshrieksoflaughtertorelatethistotheirmother，butshewasquiteangry，andsaidherdaughterswereallfools。
"H’m！sheisasstupidasafool！Averitable’wethen’！Nothingexcitesher；andyetsheisnothappy；somedaysitmakesonemiserableonlytolookather！Whyissheunhappy，Iwonder？"AttimesLizabethaProkofievnaputthisquestiontoherhusband，andasusualshespokeinthethreateningtoneofonewhodemandsanimmediateanswer。IvanFedorovitchwouldfrown，shrughisshoulders，andatlastgivehisopinion:"Sheneedsahusband！"
"Godforbidthatheshouldshareyourideas，IvanFedorovitch！"
hiswifeflashedback。"Orthatheshouldbeasgrossandchurlishasyou！"
Thegeneralpromptlymadehisescape，andLizabethaProkofievnaafterawhilegrewcalmagain。Thatevening，ofcourse，shewouldbeunusuallyattentive，gentle，andrespectfultoher"grossandchurlish"husband，her"dear，kindIvanFedorovitch，"forshehadneverleftofflovinghim。Shewasevenstill"inlove"withhim。
Heknewitwell，andforhispartheldherinthegreatestesteem。
Butthemother’sgreatandcontinualanxietywasAglaya。"Sheisexactlylikeme——myimageineverything，"saidMrs。Epanchintoherself。"Atyrant！Areallittledemon！ANihilist！Eccentric，senselessandmischievous！GoodLord，howunhappyshewillbe！"
Butaswesaidbefore，thefactofAdelaida’sapproachingmarriagewasbalmtothemother。Forawholemonthsheforgotherfearsandworries。
Adelaida’sfatewassettled；andwithhernamethatofAglaya’swaslinked，insocietygossip。PeoplewhisperedthatAglaya，too，was"asgoodasengaged；"andAglayaalwayslookedsosweetandbehavedsowell(duringthisperiod)，thatthemother’sheartwasfullofjoy。Ofcourse，EvgeniePavlovitchmustbethoroughlystudiedfirst，beforethefinalstepshouldbetaken；but，really，howlovelydearAglayahadbecome——sheactuallygrewmorebeautifuleveryday！Andthen——Yes，andthen——thisabominableprinceshowedhisfaceagain，andeverythingwenttopsy-turvyatonce，andeveryoneseemedasmadasMarchhares。
Whathadreallyhappened？
IfithadbeenanyotherfamilythantheEpanchins’，nothingparticularwouldhavehappened。But，thankstoMrs。Epanchin’sinvariablefussinessandanxiety，therecouldnotbetheslightesthitchinthesimplestmattersofeverydaylife，butsheimmediatelyforesawthemostdreadfulandalarmingconsequences，andsufferedaccordingly。
Whatthenmusthavebeenhercondition，when，amongalltheimaginaryanxietiesandcalamitieswhichsoconstantlybesether，shenowsawloomingaheadaseriouscauseforannoyance——
somethingreallylikelytoarousedoubtsandsuspicions！
"Howdaredthey，howDAREDtheywritethathatefulanonymousletterinformingmethatAglayaisincommunicationwithNastasiaPhilipovna？"shethought，asshedraggedtheprincealongtowardsherownhouse，andagainwhenshesathimdownattheroundtablewherethefamilywasalreadyassembled。"HowdaredtheysomuchasTHINKofsuchathing？IshouldDIEwithshameifIthoughttherewasaparticleoftruthinit，orifIweretoshowthelettertoAglayaherself！WhodaresplaythesejokesuponUS，theEpanchins？WHYdidn’twegototheYelagininsteadofcomingdownhere？ITOLDyouwehadbettergototheYelaginthissummer，IvanFedorovitch。It’sallyourfault。IdaresayitwasthatVariawhosenttheletter。It’sallIvanFedorovitch。THATwomanisdoingitallforhim，Iknowsheis，toshowshecanmakeafoolofhimnowjustasshedidwhenheusedtogiveherpearls。
"Butafterallissaid，wearemixedupinit。Yourdaughtersaremixedupinit，IvanFedorovitch；youngladiesinsociety，youngladiesatanagetobemarried；theywerepresent，theyheardeverythingtherewastohear。Theyweremixedupwiththatotherscene，too，withthosedreadfulyouths。Youmustbepleasedtoremembertheyhearditall。Icannotforgivethatwretchedprince。Inevershallforgivehim！Andwhy，ifyouplease，hasAglayahadanattackofnervesfortheselastthreedays？Whyhassheallbutquarrelledwithhersisters，evenwithAlexandra——
whomsherespectssomuchthatshealwayskissesherhandsasthoughshewerehermother？Whatarealltheseriddlesofhersthatwehavetoguess？WhathasGavrilaArdalionovitchtodowithit？Whydidshetakeuponherselftochampionhimthismorning，andburstintotearsoverit？Whyisthereanallusiontothatcursed’poorknight’intheanonymousletter？AndwhydidIrushofftohimjustnowlikealunatic，anddraghimbackhere？IdobelieveI’vegonemadatlast。WhatonearthhaveIdonenow？Totalktoayoungmanaboutmydaughter’ssecrets——andsecretshavingtodowithhimself，too！Thankgoodness，he’sanidiot，andafriendofthehouse！SurelyAglayahasn’tfalleninlovewithsuchagaby！Whatanidea！Pfu！weoughtalltobeputunderglasscases——myselffirstofall——andbeshownoffascuriosities，attencopecksapeep！"
"Ishallneverforgiveyouforallthis，IvanFedorovitch——never！
Lookathernow。Whydoesn’tshemakefunofhim？Shesaidshewould，andshedoesn’t。Lookthere！Shestaresathimwithallhereyes，anddoesn’tmove；andyetshetoldhimnottocome。Helookspaleenough；andthatabominablechatterbox，EvgeniePavlovitch，monopolizesthewholeoftheconversation。Nobodyelsecangetawordin。IcouldsoonfindoutallabouteverythingifIcouldonlychangethesubject。"
Theprincecertainlywasverypale。Hesatatthetableandseemedtobefeeling，byturns，sensationsofalarmandrapture。
Oh，howfrightenedhewasoflookingtooneside——oneparticularcorner——whenceheknewverywellthatapairofdarkeyeswerewatchinghimintently，andhowhappyhewastothinkthathewasoncemoreamongthem，andoccasionallyhearingthatwell-knownvoice，althoughshehadwrittenandforbiddenhimtocomeagain！
"Whatonearthwillshesaytome，Iwonder？"hethoughttohimself。
Hehadnotsaidawordyet；hesatsilentandlistenedtoEvgeniePavlovitch’seloquence。Thelatterhadneverappearedsohappyandexcitedasonthisevening。Theprincelistenedtohim，butforalongtimedidnottakeinawordhesaid。
ExceptingIvanFedorovitch，whohadnotasyetreturnedfromtown，thewholefamilywaspresent。PrinceS。wasthere；andtheyallintendedtogoouttohearthebandverysoon。
Coliaarrivedpresentlyandjoinedthecircle。"Soheisreceivedasusual，afterall，"thoughttheprince。
TheEpanchins’country-housewasacharmingbuilding，builtafterthemodelofaSwisschalet，andcoveredwithcreepers。Itwassurroundedonallsidesbyaflowergarden，andthefamilysat，asarule，ontheopenverandahasattheprince’shouse。
Thesubjectunderdiscussiondidnotappeartobeverypopularwiththeassembly，andsomewouldhavebeendelightedtochangeit；butEvgeniewouldnotstopholdingforth，andtheprince’sarrivalseemedtospurhimontostillfurtheroratoricalefforts。
LizabethaProkofievnafrowned，buthadnotasyetgraspedthesubject，whichseemedtohavearisenoutofaheatedargument。
Aglayasatapart，almostinthecorner，listeninginstubbornsilence。
"Excuseme，"continuedEvgeniePavlovitchhotly，"Idon’tsayawordagainstliberalism。Liberalismisnotasin，itisanecessarypartofagreatwhole，whichwholewouldcollapseandfalltopieceswithoutit。Liberalismhasjustasmuchrighttoexistashasthemostmoralconservatism；butIamattackingRUSSIANliberalism；andIattackitforthesimplereasonthataRussianliberalisnotaRussianliberal，heisanon-Russianliberal。ShowmearealRussianliberal，andI’llkisshimbeforeyouall，withpleasure。"
"Ifhecaredtokissyou，thatis，"saidAlexandra，whosecheekswereredwithirritationandexcitement。
"Lookatthat，now，"thoughtthemothertoherself，"shedoesnothingbutsleepandeatforayearatatime，andthensuddenlyfliesoutinthemostincomprehensibleway！"
TheprinceobservedthatAlexandraappearedtobeangrywithEvgenie，becausehespokeonaserioussubjectinafrivolousmanner，pretendingtobeinearnest，butwithanunder-currentofirony。
"Iwassayingjustnow，beforeyoucamein，prince，thattherehasbeennothingnationaluptonow，aboutourliberalism，andnothingtheliberalsdo，orhavedone，isintheleastdegreenational。Theyaredrawnfromtwoclassesonly，theoldlandowningclass，andclericalfamilies——"
"How，nothingthattheyhavedoneisRussian？"askedPrinceS。
"ItmaybeRussian，butitisnotnational。OurliberalsarenotRussian，norareourconservatives，andyoumaybesurethatthenationdoesnotrecognizeanythingthathasbeendonebythelandedgentry，orbytheseminarists，orwhatistobedoneeither。"
"Come，that’sgood！Howcanyoumaintainsuchaparadox？Ifyouareserious，thatis。Icannotallowsuchastatementaboutthelandedproprietorstopassunchallenged。Why，youarealandedproprietoryourself！"criedPrinceS。hotly。
"Isupposeyou’llsaythereisnothingnationalaboutourliteratureeither？"saidAlexandra。
"Well，Iamnotagreatauthorityonliteraryquestions，butI
certainlydoholdthatRussianliteratureisnotRussian，exceptperhapsLomonosoff，PouschkinandGogol。"
"Inthefirstplace，thatisaconsiderableadmission，andinthesecondplace，oneoftheabovewasapeasant，andtheothertwowerebothlandedproprietors！"
"Quiteso，butdon’tbeinsuchahurry！Forsinceithasbeenthepartofthesethreemen，andonlythesethree，tosaysomethingabsolutelytheirown，notborrowed，sobythisveryfactthesethreemenbecomereallynational。IfanyRussianshallhavedoneorsaidanythingreallyandabsolutelyoriginal，heistobecallednationalfromthatmoment，thoughhemaynotbeabletotalktheRussianlanguage；stillheisanationalRussian。I
considerthatanaxiom。Butwewerenotspeakingofliterature；
webeganbydiscussingthesocialists。Verywellthen，IinsistthattheredoesnotexistonesingleRussiansocialist。Theredoesnot，andtherehasneverexistedsuchaone，becauseallsocialistsarederivedfromthetwoclasses——thelandedproprietors，andtheseminarists。Alloureminentsocialistsaremerelyoldliberalsoftheclassoflandedproprietors，menwhowereliberalsinthedaysofserfdom。Whydoyoulaugh？Givemetheirbooks，givemetheirstudies，theirmemoirs，andthoughI
amnotaliterarycritic，yetIwillproveasclearasdaythateverychapterandeverywordoftheirwritingshasbeentheworkofaformerlandedproprietoroftheoldschool。You’llfindthatalltheirraptures，alltheirgeneroustransportsareproprietary，alltheirwoesandtheirtears，proprietary；allproprietaryorseminarist！Youarelaughingagain，andyou，prince，aresmilingtoo。Don’tyouagreewithme？"
Itwastrueenoughthateverybodywaslaughing，theprinceamongthem。
"IcannottellyouontheinstantwhetherIagreewithyouornot，"saidthelatter，suddenlystoppinghislaughter，andstartinglikeaschoolboycaughtatmischief。"But，Iassureyou，Iamlisteningtoyouwithextremegratification。"
Sosaying，healmostpantedwithagitation，andacoldsweatstooduponhisforehead。Thesewerehisfirstwordssincehehadenteredthehouse；hetriedtolifthiseyes，andlookaround，butdarednot；EvgeniePavlovitchnoticedhisconfusion，andsmiled。
"I’lljusttellyouonefact，ladiesandgentlemen，"continuedthelatter，withapparentseriousnessandevenexaltationofmanner，butwithasuggestionof"chaff"behindeveryword，asthoughhewerelaughinginhissleeveathisownnonsense——"afact，thediscoveryofwhich，Ibelieve，Imayclaimtohavemadebymyselfalone。Atallevents，nootherhaseversaidorwrittenawordaboutit；andinthisfactisexpressedthewholeessenceofRussianliberalismofthesortwhichIamnowconsidering。
"Inthefirstplace，whatisliberalism，speakinggenerally，butanattack(whethermistakenorreasonable，isquiteanotherquestion)upontheexistingorderofthings？Isthisso？Yes。
Verywell。Thenmy’fact’consistsinthis，thatRUSSIAN
liberalismisnotanattackupontheexistingorderofthings，butanattackupontheveryessenceofthingsthemselves——indeed，onthethingsthemselves；notanattackontheRussianorderofthings，butonRussiaitself。MyRussianliberalgoessofarastorejectRussia；thatis，hehatesandstrikeshisownmother。
Everymisfortuneandmishapofthemother-countryfillshimwithmirth，andevenwithecstasy。Hehatesthenationalcustoms，Russianhistory，andeverything。Ifhehasajustification，itisthathedoesnotknowwhatheisdoing，andbelievesthathishatredofRussiaisthegrandestandmostprofitablekindofliberalism。(Youwilloftenfindaliberalwhoisapplaudedandesteemedbyhisfellows，butwhoisinrealitythedreariest，blindest，dullestofconservatives，andisnotawareofthefact。)ThishatredforRussiahasbeenmistakenbysomeofour’Russianliberals’forsincereloveoftheircountry，andtheyboastthattheyseebetterthantheirneighbourswhatrealloveofone’scountryshouldconsistin。Butoflatetheyhavegrown，morecandidandareashamedoftheexpression’loveofcountry，’
andhaveannihilatedtheveryspiritofthewordsassomethinginjuriousandpettyandundignified。Thisisthetruth，andI
holdbyit；butatthesametimeitisaphenomenonwhichhasnotbeenrepeatedatanyothertimeorplace；andtherefore，thoughI
holdtoitasafact，yetIrecognizethatitisanaccidentalphenomenon，andmaylikelyenoughpassaway。Therecanbenosuchthinganywhereelseasaliberalwhoreallyhateshiscountry；
andhowisthisfacttobeexplainedamongUS？BymyoriginalstatementthataRussianliberalisNOTaRUSSIANliberal——that’stheonlyexplanationthatIcansee。"
"Itakeallthatyouhavesaidasajoke，"saidPrinceS。
seriously。
"Ihavenotseenallkindsofliberals，andcannot，therefore，setmyselfupasajudge，"saidAlexandra，"butIhaveheardallyouhavesaidwithindignation。Youhavetakensomeaccidentalcaseandtwisteditintoauniversallaw，whichisunjust。"
"Accidentalcase！"saidEvgeniePavlovitch。"Doyouconsideritanaccidentalcase，prince？"
"Imustalsoadmit，"saidtheprince，"thatIhavenotseenmuch，orbeenveryfarintothequestion；butIcannothelpthinkingthatyouaremoreorlessright，andthatRussianliberalism——
thatphaseofitwhichyouareconsidering，atleast——reallyissometimesinclinedtohateRussiaitself，andnotonlyitsexistingorderofthingsingeneral。OfcoursethisisonlyPARTIALLYthetruth；youcannotlaydownthelawforall……"
Theprinceblushedandbrokeoff，withoutfinishingwhathemeanttosay。
Inspiteofhisshynessandagitation，hecouldnothelpbeinggreatlyinterestedintheconversation。Aspecialcharacteristicofhiswasthenaivecandourwithwhichhealwayslistenedtoargumentswhichinterestedhim，andwithwhichheansweredanyquestionsputtohimonthesubjectatissue。Intheveryexpressionofhisfacethisnaivetewasunmistakablyevident，thisdisbeliefintheinsincerityofothers，andunsuspectingdisregardofironyorhumourintheirwords。
ButthoughEvgeniePavlovitchhadputhisquestionstotheprincewithnootherpurposebuttoenjoythejokeofhissimple-mindedseriousness，yetnow，athisanswer，hewassurprisedintosomeseriousnesshimself，andlookedgravelyatMuishkinasthoughhehadnotexpectedthatsortofansweratall。
"Why，howstrange！"heejaculated。"Youdidn’tanswermeseriously，surely，didyou？"
"Didnotyouaskmethequestionseriously"inquiredtheprince，inamazement。
Everybodylaughed。
"Oh，trustHIMforthat！"saidAdelaida。"EvgeniePavlovitchturnseverythingandeverybodyhecanlayholdoftoridicule。
Youshouldhearthethingshesayssometimes，apparentlyinperfectseriousness。"
"Inmyopiniontheconversationhasbeenapainfulonethroughout，andweoughtnevertohavebegunit，"saidAlexandra。
"Wewereallgoingforawalk——"
"Comealongthen，"saidEvgenie；"it’sagloriousevening。But，toprovethatthistimeIwasspeakingabsolutelyseriously，andespeciallytoprovethistotheprince(foryou，prince，haveinterestedmeexceedingly，andIsweartoyouthatIamnotquitesuchanassasIliketoappearsometimes，althoughIamratheranass，Iadmit)，and——well，ladiesandgentlemen，willyouallowmetoputjustonemorequestiontotheprince，outofpurecuriosity？Itshallbethelast。Thisquestioncameintomymindacoupleofhourssince(yousee，prince，Idothinkseriouslyattimes)，andImademyowndecisionuponit；nowIwishtohearwhattheprincewillsaytoit。"
"Wehavejustusedtheexpression’accidentalcase。’Thisisasignificantphrase；weoftenhearit。Well，notlongsinceeveryonewastalkingandreadingaboutthatterriblemurderofsixpeopleonthepartofa——youngfellow，andoftheextraordinaryspeechofthecounselforthedefence，whoobservedthatinthepoverty-strickenconditionofthecriminalitmusthavecomeNATURALLYintohisheadtokillthesesixpeople。Idonotquotehiswords，butthatisthesenseofthem，orsomethingverylikeit。Now，inmyopinion，thebarristerwhoputforwardthisextraordinarypleawasprobablyabsolutelyconvincedthathewasstatingthemostliberal，themosthumane，themostenlightenedviewofthecasethatcouldpossiblybebroughtforwardinthesedays。Now，wasthisdistortion，thiscapacityforapervertedwayofviewingthings，aspecialoraccidentalcase，orissuchageneralrule？"