第13章
Everyonelaughedatthis。
"Aspecialcase——accidental，ofcourse！"criedAlexandraandAdelaida。
"Letmeremindyouoncemore，Evgenie，"saidPrinceS。，"thatyourjokeisgettingalittlethreadbare。"
"Whatdoyouthinkaboutit，prince？"askedEvgenie，takingnonoticeofthelastremark，andobservingMuishkin’sseriouseyesfixeduponhisface。"Whatdoyouthink——wasitaspecialorausualcase——therule，oranexception？IconfessIputthequestionespeciallyforyou。"
"No，Idon’tthinkitwasaspecialcase，"saidtheprince，quietly，butfirmly。
"Mydearfellow！"criedPrinceS。，withsomeannoyance，"don’tyouseethatheischaffingyou？Heissimplylaughingatyou，andwantstomakegameofyou。"
"IthoughtEvgeniePavlovitchwastalkingseriously，"saidtheprince，blushinganddroppinghiseyes。
"Mydearprince，"continuedPrinceS。"rememberwhatyouandI
weresayingtwoorthreemonthsago。WespokeofthefactthatinournewlyopenedLawCourtsonecouldalreadylayone’sfingeruponsomanytalentedandremarkableyoungbarristers。Howpleasedyouwerewiththestateofthingsaswefoundit，andhowgladIwastoobserveyourdelight！Webothsaiditwasamattertobeproudof；butthisclumsydefencethatEvgeniementions，thisstrangeargumentCAN，ofcourse，onlybeanaccidentalcase——oneinathousand！"
Theprincereflectedalittle，butverysoonhereplied，withabsoluteconvictioninhistone，thoughhestillspokesomewhatshylyandtimidly:
"Ionlywishedtosaythatthis’distortion，’asEvgeniePavlovitchexpressedit，ismetwithveryoften，andisfarmorethegeneralrulethantheexception，unfortunatelyforRussia。Somuchso，thatifthisdistortionwerenotthegeneralrule，perhapsthesedreadfulcrimeswouldbelessfrequent。"
"Dreadfulcrimes？ButIcanassureyouthatcrimesjustasdreadful，andprobablymorehorrible，haveoccurredbeforeourtimes，andatalltimes，andnotonlyhereinRussia，buteverywhereelseaswell。Andinmyopinionitisnotatalllikelythatsuchmurderswillceasetooccurforaverylongtimetocome。Theonlydifferenceisthatinformertimestherewaslesspublicity，whilenoweveryonetalksandwritesfreelyaboutsuchthings——whichfactgivestheimpressionthatsuchcrimeshaveonlynowsprungintoexistence。Thatiswhereyourmistakelies——anextremelynaturalmistake，Iassureyou，mydearfellow！"saidPrinceS。
"Iknowthattherewerejustasmany，andjustasterrible，crimesbeforeourtimes。NotlongsinceIvisitedaconvictprisonandmadeacquaintancewithsomeofthecriminals。Thereweresomeevenmoredreadfulcriminalsthanthisonewehavebeenspeakingof——menwhohavemurderedadozenoftheirfellow-
creatures，andfeelnoremorsewhatever。ButwhatIespeciallynoticedwasthis，thattheverymosthopelessandremorselessmurderer——howeverhardenedacriminalhemaybe——stillKNOWSTHAT
HEISACRIMINAL；thatis，heisconsciousthathehasactedwickedly，thoughhemayfeelnoremorsewhatever。Andtheywerealllikethis。ThoseofwhomEvgeniePavlovitchhasspoken，donotadmitthattheyarecriminalsatall；theythinktheyhadarighttodowhattheydid，andthattheywereevendoingagooddeed，perhaps。Iconsiderthereisthegreatestdifferencebetweenthetwocases。Andrecollect——itwasaYOUTH，attheparticularagewhichismosthelplesslysusceptibletothedistortionofideas！"
PrinceS。wasnownolongersmiling；hegazedattheprinceinbewilderment。
Alexandra，whohadseemedtowishtoputinherwordwhentheprincebegan，nowsatsilent，asthoughsomesuddenthoughthadcausedhertochangehermindaboutspeaking。
EvgeniePavlovitchgazedathiminrealsurprise，andthistimehisexpressionoffacehadnomockeryinitwhatever。
"Whatareyoulookingsosurprisedabout，myfriend？"askedMrs。
Epanchin，suddenly。"Didyousupposehewasstupiderthanyourself，andwasincapableofforminghisownopinions，orwhat？"
"No！Ohno！Notatall！"saidEvgenie。"But——howisit，prince，thatyou——(excusethequestion，willyou？)——ifyouarecapableofobservingandseeingthingsasyouevidentlydo，howisitthatyousawnothingdistortedorpervertedinthatclaimuponyourproperty，whichyouacknowledgedadayortwosince；andwhichwasfullofargumentsfoundeduponthemostdistortedviewsofrightandwrong？"
"I’lltellyouwhat，myfriend，"criedMrs。Epanchin，ofasudden，"hereareweallsittinghereandimaginingweareveryclever，andperhapslaughingattheprince，someofus，andmeanwhilehehasreceivedaletterthisverydayinwhichthatsameclaimantrenounceshisclaim，andbegstheprince’spardon。
ThereIwedon’toftengetthatsortofletter；andyetwearenotashamedtowalkwithournosesintheairbeforehim。"
"AndHippolytehascomedownheretostay，"saidColia，suddenly。
"What！hashearrived？"saidtheprince，startingup。
"Yes，Ibroughthimdownfromtownjustafteryouhadleftthehouse。"
"Therenow！It’sjustlikehim，"criedLizabethaProkofievna，boilingoveroncemore，andentirelyobliviousofthefactthatshehadjusttakentheprince’spart。"Idareswearthatyouwentuptotownyesterdayonpurposetogetthelittlewretchtodoyouthegreathonourofcomingtostayatyourhouse。Youdidgouptotown，youknowyoudid——yousaidsoyourself！Nowthen，didyou，ordidyounot，godownonyourkneesandbeghimtocome，confess！"
"No，hedidn’t，forIsawitallmyself，"saidColia。"Onthecontrary，Hippolytekissedhishandtwiceandthankedhim；andalltheprincesaidwasthathethoughtHippolytemightfeelbetterhereinthecountry！"
"Don’t，Colia，——whatistheuseofsayingallthat？"criedtheprince，risingandtakinghishat。
"Whereareyougoingtonow？"criedMrs。Epanchin。
"Nevermindabouthimnow，prince，"saidColia。"Heisallrightandtakinganapafterthejourney。Heisveryhappytobehere；
butIthinkperhapsitwouldbebetterifyoulethimalonefortoday，——heisverysensitivenowthatheissoill——andhemightbeembarrassedifyoushowhimtoomuchattentionatfirst。Heisdecidedlybettertoday，andsayshehasnotfeltsowellforthelastsixmonths，andhascoughedmuchless，too。"
TheprinceobservedthatAglayacameoutofhercornerandapproachedthetableatthispoint。
Hedidnotdarelookather，buthewasconscious，totheverytipsofhisfingers，thatshewasgazingathim，perhapsangrily；
andthatshehadprobablyflushedupwithalookoffieryindignationinherblackeyes。
"Itseemstome，Mr。Colia，thatyouwereveryfoolishtobringyouryoungfrienddown——ifheisthesameconsumptiveboywhoweptsoprofusely，andinvitedusalltohisownfuneral，"remarkedEvgeniePavlovitch。"Hetalkedsoeloquentlyabouttheblankwalloutsidehisbedroomwindow，thatI’msurehewillneversupportlifeherewithoutit。"
"Ithinksotoo，"saidMrs。Epanchin；"hewillquarrelwithyou，andbeoff，"andshedrewherworkboxtowardsherwithanairofdignity，quiteobliviousofthefactthatthefamilywasabouttostartforawalkinthepark。
"Yes，Irememberheboastedabouttheblankwallinanextraordinaryway，"continuedEvgenie，"andIfeelthatwithoutthatblankwallhewillneverbeabletodieeloquently；andhedoessolongtodieeloquently！"
"Oh，youmustforgivehimtheblankwall，"saidtheprince，quietly。"Hehascomedowntoseeafewtreesnow，poorfellow。"
"Oh，Iforgivehimwithallmyheart；youmaytellhimsoifyoulike，"laughedEvgenie。
"Idon’tthinkyoushouldtakeitquitelikethat，"saidtheprince，quietly，andwithoutremovinghiseyesfromthecarpet。
"Ithinkitismoreacaseofhisforgivingyou"
"Forgivingme！whyso？WhathaveIdonetoneedhisforgiveness？"
"Ifyoudon’tunderstand，then——butofcourse，youdounderstand。
Hewished——hewishedtoblessyouallroundandtohaveyourblessing——beforehedied——that’sall。"
"Mydearprince，"beganPrinceS。，hurriedly，exchangingglanceswithsomeofthosepresent，"youwillnoteasilyfindheavenonearth，andyetyouseemtoexpectto。Heavenisadifficultthingtofindanywhere，prince；farmoredifficultthanappearstothatgoodheartofyours。Betterstopthisconversation，orweshallallbegrowingquitedisturbedinourminds，and——"
"Let’sgoandheartheband，then，"saidLizabethaProkofievna，angrilyrisingfromherplace。
Therestofthecompanyfollowedherexample。
II。
THEprincesuddenlyapproachedEvgeniePavlovitch。
"EvgeniePavlovitch，"hesaid，withstrangeexcitementandseizingthelatter’shandinhisown，"beassuredthatIesteemyouasagenerousandhonourableman，inspiteofeverything。Beassuredofthat。"
EvgeniePavlovitchfellbackastepinastonishment。Foronemomentitwasallhecoulddotorestrainhimselffromburstingoutlaughing；but，lookingcloser，heobservedthattheprincedidnotseemtobequitehimself；atallevents，hewasinaverycuriousstate。
"Iwouldn’tmindbetting，prince，"hecried，"thatyoudidnotintheleastmeantosaythat，andverylikelyyoumeanttoaddresssomeoneelsealtogether。Whatisit？Areyoufeelingunwelloranything？"
"Verylikely，extremelylikely，andyoumustbeaverycloseobservertodetectthefactthatperhapsIdidnotintendtocomeuptoYOUatall。"
Sosayinghesmiledstrangely；butsuddenlyandexcitedlyhebeganagain:
"Don’tremindmeofwhatIhavedoneorsaid。Don’t！Iamverymuchashamedofmyself，I——"
"Why，whathaveyoudone？Idon’tunderstandyou。"
"Iseeyouareashamedofme，EvgeniePavlovitch；youareblushingforme；that’sasignofagoodheart。Don’tbeafraid；
Ishallgoawaydirectly。"
"What’sthematterwithhim？Dohisfitsbeginlikethat？"saidLizabethaProkofievna，inahighstateofalarm，addressingColia。
"No，no，LizabethaProkofievna，takenonoticeofme。Iamnotgoingtohaveafit。Iwillgoawaydirectly；butIknowIamafflicted。Iwastwenty-fouryearsaninvalid，yousee——thefirsttwenty-fouryearsofmylife——sotakeallIdoandsayasthesayingsandactionsofaninvalid。I’mgoingawaydirectly，I
reallyam——don’tbeafraid。Iamnotblushing，forIdon’tthinkI
needblushaboutit，needI？ButIseethatIamoutofplaceinsociety——societyisbetterwithoutme。It’snotvanity，Iassureyou。Ihavethoughtoveritalltheselastthreedays，andIhavemadeupmymindthatIoughttounbosommyselfcandidlybeforeyouatthefirstopportunity。Therearecertainthings，certaingreatideas，whichImustnotsomuchasapproach，asPrinceS。
hasjustremindedme，orIshallmakeyoualllaugh。Ihavenosenseofproportion，Iknow；mywordsandgesturesdonotexpressmyideas——theyareahumiliationandabasementoftheideas，andtherefore，Ihavenoright——andIamtoosensitive。Still，I
believeIambelovedinthishousehold，andesteemedfarmorethanIdeserve。ButIcan’thelpknowingthataftertwenty-fouryearsofillnesstheremustbesometraceleft，sothatitisimpossibleforpeopletorefrainfromlaughingatmesometimes；
don’tyouthinkso？"
Heseemedtopauseforareply，forsomeverdict，asitwere，andlookedhumblyaroundhim。
Allpresentstoodrootedtotheearthwithamazementatthisunexpectedandapparentlyuncalled-foroutbreak；butthepoorprince’spainfulandramblingspeechgaverisetoastrangeepisode。
"Whydoyousayallthishere？"criedAglaya，suddenly。"WhydoyoutalklikethistoTHEM？"
Sheappearedtobeinthelaststagesofwrathandirritation；
hereyesflashed。Theprincestooddumblyandblindlybeforeher，andsuddenlygrewpale。
"Thereisnotoneofthemallwhoisworthyofthesewordsofyours，"continuedAglaya。"Notoneofthemisworthyourlittlefinger，notoneofthemhasheartorheadtocomparewithyours！
Youaremorehonestthanall，andbetter，nobler，kinder，wiserthanall。Therearesomeherewhoareunworthytobendandpickupthehandkerchiefyouhavejustdropped。Whydoyouhumiliateyourselflikethis，andplaceyourselflowerthanthesepeople？
Whydoyoudebaseyourselfbeforethem？Whyhaveyounopride？"
"MyGod！Whowouldeverhavebelievedthis？"criedMrs。Epanchin，wringingherhands。
"Hurrahforthe’poorknight’！"criedColia。
"Bequiet！Howdaretheylaughatmeinyourhouse？"saidAglaya，turningsharplyonhermotherinthathystericalframeofmindthatridesrecklesslyovereveryobstacleandplungesblindlythroughproprieties。"Whydoeseveryone，everyoneworryandtormentme？Whyhavetheyallbeenbullyingmethesethreedaysaboutyou，prince？Iwillnotmarryyou——never，andundernocircumstances！Knowthatonceandforall；asifanyonecouldmarryanabsurdcreaturelikeyou！Justlookintheglassandseewhatyoulooklike，thisverymoment！Why，WHYdotheytormentmeandsayIamgoingtomarryyou？Youmustknowit；youareintheplotwiththem！"
"Nooneevertormentedyouonthesubject，"murmuredAdelaida，aghast。
"Nooneeverthoughtofsuchathing！Therehasneverbeenawordsaidaboutit！"criedAlexandra。
"Whohasbeenannoyingher？Whohasbeentormentingthechild？Whocouldhavesaidsuchathingtoher？Issheraving？"criedLizabethaProkofievna，tremblingwithrage，tothecompanyingeneral。
"Everyoneofthemhasbeensayingit——everyoneofthem——allthesethreedays！AndIwillnever，nevermarryhim！"
Sosaying，Aglayaburstintobittertears，and，hidingherfaceinherhandkerchief，sankbackintoachair。
"Buthehasnevereven——"
"Ihaveneveraskedyoutomarryme，AglayaIvanovna！"saidtheprince，ofasudden。
"WHAT？"criedMrs。Epanchin，raisingherhandsinhorror。"WHAT’S
that？"
Shecouldnotbelieveherears。
"Imeanttosay——Ionlymeanttosay，"saidtheprince，faltering，"ImerelymeanttoexplaintoAglayaIvanovna——tohavethehonourtoexplain，asitwere——thatIhadnointention——neverhad——toaskthehonourofherhand。IassureyouIamnotguilty，AglayaIvanovna，Iamnot，indeed。Ineverdidwishto——Ineverthoughtofitatall——andnevershall——you’llseeityourself——
youmaybequiteassuredofit。Somewickedpersonhasbeenmaligningmetoyou；butit’sallright。Don’tworryaboutit。"
Sosaying，theprinceapproachedAglaya。
Shetookthehandkerchieffromherface，glancedkeenlyathim，tookinwhathehadsaid，andburstoutlaughing——suchamerry，unrestrainedlaugh，soheartyandgay，that。Adelaidacouldnotcontainherself。She，too，glancedattheprince’spanic-strickencountenance，thenrushedathersister，threwherarmsroundherneck，andburstintoasmerryafitoflaughterasAglaya’sown。
Theylaughedtogetherlikeacoupleofschool-girls。Hearingandseeingthis，theprincesmiledhappily，andinaccentsofreliefandjoy，heexclaimed"Well，thankGod——thankGod！"
Alexandranowjoinedin，anditlookedasthoughthethreesistersweregoingtolaughonforever。
"Theyareinsane，"mutteredLizabethaProkofievna。"Eithertheyfrightenoneoutofone’swits，orelse——"
ButPrinceS。waslaughingnow，too，sowasEvgeniePavlovitch，sowasColia，andsowastheprincehimself，whocaughttheinfectionashelookedroundradiantlyupontheothers。
"Comealong，let’sgooutforawalk！"criedAdelaida。"We’llallgotogether，andtheprincemustabsolutelygowithus。Youneedn’tgoaway，youdeargoodfellow！ISN’Theadear，Aglaya？
Isn’the，mother？Imustreallygivehimakissfor——forhisexplanationtoAglayajustnow。Mother，dear，Imaykisshim，mayn’tI？Aglaya，mayIkissYOURprince？"criedtheyoungrogue，andsureenoughsheskippeduptotheprinceandkissedhisforehead。
Heseizedherhands，andpressedthemsohardthatAdelaidanearlycriedout；hethengazedwithdelightintohereyes，andraisingherrighthandtohislipswithenthusiasm，kisseditthreetimes。
"Comealong，"saidAglaya。"Prince，youmustwalkwithme。Mayhe，mother？Thisyoungcavalier，whowon’thaveme？YousaidyouwouldNEVERhaveme，didn’tyou，prince？No-no，notlikethat；
THAT’Snotthewaytogiveyourarm。Don’tyouknowhowtogiveyourarmtoaladyyet？There——so。Now，comealong，youandI
willleadtheway。Wouldyouliketoleadthewaywithmealone，tete-a-tete？"
Shewentontalkingandchattingwithoutapause，withoccasionallittleburstsoflaughterbetween。
"ThankGod——thankGod！"saidLizabethaProkofievnatoherself，withoutquiteknowingwhyshefeltsorelieved。
"Whatextraordinarypeopletheyare！"thoughtPrinceS。，forperhapsthehundredthtimesincehehadenteredintointimaterelationswiththefamily；but——helikedthese"extraordinarypeople，"allthesame。AsforPrinceLefNicolaievitchhimself，PrinceS。didnotseemquitetolikehim，somehow。Hewasdecidedlypreoccupiedandalittledisturbedastheyallstartedoff。
EvgeniePavlovitchseemedtobeinalivelyhumour。HemadeAdelaidaandAlexandralaughallthewaytotheVauxhall；buttheybothlaughedsoveryreallyandpromptlythattheworthyEvgeniebeganatlasttosuspectthattheywerenotlisteningtohimatall。
Atthisidea，heburstoutlaughingallatonce，inquiteunaffectedmirth，andwithoutgivinganyexplanation。
Thesisters，whoalsoappearedtobeinhighspirits，nevertiredofglancingatAglayaandtheprince，whowerewalkinginfront。
Itwasevidentthattheiryoungersisterwasathoroughpuzzletothemboth。
PrinceS。triedhardtogetupaconversationwithMrs。Epanchinuponoutsidesubjects，probablywiththegoodintentionofdistractingandamusingher；butheboredherdreadfully。Shewasabsent-mindedtoadegree，andansweredatcrosspurposes，andsometimesnotatall。
ButthepuzzleandmysteryofAglayawasnotyetoverfortheevening。Thelastexhibitionfelltothelotoftheprincealone。
Whentheyhadproceededsomehundredpacesorsofromthehouse，Aglayasaidtoherobstinatelysilentcavalierinaquickhalf-
whisper:
"Looktotheright！"
Theprinceglancedinthedirectionindicated。
"Lookcloser。Doyouseethatbench，intheparkthere，justbythosethreebigtrees——thatgreenbench？"
Theprincerepliedthathesawit。
"Doyoulikethepositionofit？Sometimesofamorningearly，atseveno’clock，whenalltherestarestillasleep，Icomeoutandsittherealone。"
Theprincemutteredthatthespotwasalovelyone。
"Now，goaway，Idon’twishtohaveyourarmanylonger；orperhaps，better，continuetogivemeyourarm，andwalkalongbesideme，butdon’tspeakawordtome。Iwishtothinkbymyself。"
Thewarningwascertainlyunnecessary；fortheprincewouldnothavesaidawordalltherestofthetimewhetherforbiddentospeakornot。HisheartbeatloudandpainfullywhenAglayaspokeofthebench；couldshe——butno！hebanishedthethought，afteraninstant’sdeliberation。
AtPavlofsk，onweekdays，thepublicismoreselectthanitisonSundaysandSaturdays，whenthetownsfolkcomedowntowalkaboutandenjoythepark。
Theladiesdresselegantly，onthesedays，anditisthefashiontogatherroundtheband，whichisprobablythebestofourpleasure-gardenbands，andplaysthenewestpieces。Thebehaviourofthepublicismostcorrectandproper，andthereisanappearanceoffriendlyintimacyamongtheusualfrequenters。Manycomefornothingbuttolookattheiracquaintances，butthereareotherswhocomeforthesakeofthemusic。Itisveryseldomthatanythinghappenstobreaktheharmonyoftheproceedings，though，ofcourse，accidentswillhappeneverywhere。
Onthisparticulareveningtheweatherwaslovely，andtherewerealargenumberofpeoplepresent。Alltheplacesanywhereneartheorchestrawereoccupied。
Ourfriendstookchairsnearthesideexit。ThecrowdandthemusiccheeredMrs。Epanchinalittle，andamusedthegirls；theybowedandshookhandswithsomeoftheirfriendsandnoddedatadistancetoothers；theyexaminedtheladies’dresses，noticedcomicalitiesandeccentricitiesamongthepeople，andlaughedandtalkedamongthemselves。EvgeniePavlovitch，too，foundplentyoffriendstobowto。SeveralpeoplenoticedAglayaandtheprince，whowerestilltogether。
Beforeverylongtwoorthreeyoungmenhadcomeup，andoneortworemainedtotalk；alloftheseyoungmenappearedtobeonintimatetermswithEvgeniePavlovitch。Amongthemwasayoungofficer，aremarkablyhandsomefellow——verygood-naturedandagreatchatterbox。HetriedtogetupaconversationwithAglaya，anddidhisbesttosecureherattention。Aglayabehavedverygraciouslytohim，andchattedandlaughedmerrily。EvgeniePavlovitchbeggedtheprince’sleavetointroducetheirfriendtohim。Theprincehardlyrealizedwhatwaswantedofhim，buttheintroductioncameoff；thetwomenbowedandshookhands。
EvgeniePavlovitch’sfriendaskedtheprincesomequestion，butthelatterdidnotreply，orifhedid，hemutteredsomethingsostrangelyindistinctthattherewasnothingtobemadeofit。Theofficerstaredintentlyathim，thenglancedatEvgenie，divinedwhythelatterhadintroducedhim，andgavehisundividedattentiontoAglayaagain。OnlyEvgeniePavlovitchobservedthatAglayaflushedupforamomentatthis。
TheprincedidnotnoticethatothersweretalkingandmakingthemselvesagreeabletoAglaya；infact，atmoments，healmostforgotthathewassittingbyherhimself。Atothermomentshefeltalongingtogoawaysomewhereandbealonewithhisthoughts，andtofeelthatnooneknewwherehewas。
Orifthatwereimpossiblehewouldliketobealoneathome，ontheterrace-withouteitherLebedefforhischildren，oranyoneelseabouthim，andtoliethereandthink——adayandnightandanotherdayagain！Hethoughtofthemountains-andespeciallyofacertainspotwhichheusedtofrequent，whencehewouldlookdownuponthedistantvalleysandfields，andseethewaterfall，faroff，likealittlesilverthread，andtheoldruinedcastleinthedistance。Oh！howhelongedtobetherenow——alonewithhisthoughts——tothinkofonethingallhislife——onething！A
thousandyearswouldnotbetoomuchtime！Andleteveryonehereforgethim——forgethimutterly！Howmuchbetteritwouldhavebeeniftheyhadneverknownhim——ifallthiscouldbutprovetobeadream。Perhapsitwasadream！
NowandthenhelookedatAglayaforfiveminutesatatime，withouttakinghiseyesoffherface；buthisexpressionwasverystrange；hewouldgazeatherasthoughshewereanobjectacoupleofmilesdistant，orasthoughhewerelookingatherportraitandnotatherselfatall。
"Whydoyoulookatmelikethat，prince？"sheaskedsuddenly，breakingoffhermerryconversationandlaughterwiththoseabouther。"I’mafraidofyou！Youlookasthoughyouwerejustgoingtoputoutyourhandandtouchmyfacetoseeifit’sreal！
Doesn’the，EvgeniePavlovitch——doesn’thelooklikethat？"
Theprinceseemedsurprisedthatheshouldhavebeenaddressedatall；hereflectedamoment，butdidnotseemtotakeinwhathadbeensaidtohim；atallevents，hedidnotanswer。Butobservingthatsheandtheothershadbeguntolaugh，hetooopenedhismouthandlaughedwiththem。
Thelaughterbecamegeneral，andtheyoungofficer，whoseemedaparticularlylivelysortofperson，simplyshookwithmirth。
Aglayasuddenlywhisperedangrilytoherselftheword——
"Idiot！"
"Mygoodness——surelysheisnotinlovewithsucha——surelysheisn’tmad！"groanedMrs。Epanchin，underherbreath。
"It’sallajoke，mamma；it’sjustajokelikethe’poorknight’——
nothingmorewhatever，Iassureyou！"Alexandrawhisperedinherear。"Sheischaffinghim——makingafoolofhim，afterherownprivatefashion，that’sall！Butshecarriesitjustalittletoofar——sheisaregularlittleactress。Howshefrightenedusjustnow——didn’tshe？——andallforalark！"
"Well，it’sluckyshehashappeneduponanidiot，then，that’sallIcansay！"whisperedLizabethaProkofievna，whowassomewhatcomforted，however，byherdaughter’sremark。
Theprincehadheardhimselfreferredtoas"idiot，"andhadshudderedatthemoment；buthisshudder，itsohappened，wasnotcausedbythewordappliedtohim。Thefactwasthatinthecrowd，notfarfromwhereliewassitting，apalefamiliarface，withcurlyblackhair，andawell-knownsmileandexpression，hadflashedacrosshisvisionforamoment，anddisappearedagain。
Verylikelyhehadimaginedit！Thereonlyremainedtohimtheimpressionofastrangesmile，twoeyes，andabrightgreentie。
Whetherthemanhaddisappearedamongthecrowd，orwhetherhehadturnedtowardstheVauxhall，theprincecouldnotsay。
Butamomentortwoafterwardshebegantoglancekeenlyabouthim。Thatfirstvisionmightonlytoolikelybetheforerunnerofasecond；itwasalmostcertaintobeso。SurelyhehadnotforgottenthepossibilityofsuchameetingwhenhecametotheVauxhall？Trueenough，hehadnotremarkedwherehewascomingtowhenhesetoutwithAglaya；hehadnotbeeninaconditiontoremarkanythingatall。
Hadhebeenmorecarefultoobservehiscompanion，hewouldhaveseenthatforthelastquarterofanhourAglayahadalsobeenglancingaroundinapparentanxiety，asthoughsheexpectedtoseesomeone，orsomethingparticular，amongthecrowdofpeople。
Now，atthemomentwhenhisownanxietybecamesomarked，herexcitementalsoincreasedvisibly，andwhenhelookedabouthim，shedidthesame。
Thereasonfortheiranxietysoonbecameapparent。FromthatverysideentrancetotheVauxhall，nearwhichtheprinceandalltheEpanchinpartywereseated，theresuddenlyappearedquitealargeknotofpersons，atleastadozen。
Headingthislittlebandwalkedthreeladies，twoofwhomwereremarkablylovely；andtherewasnothingsurprisinginthefactthattheyshouldhavehadalargetroopofadmirersfollowingintheirwake。
Buttherewassomethingintheappearanceofboththeladiesandtheiradmirerswhichwaspeculiar，quitedifferentforthatoftherestofthepublicassembledaroundtheorchestra。
Nearlyeveryoneobservedthelittlebandadvancing，andallpretendednottoseeornoticethem，exceptafewyoungfellowswhoexchangedglancesandsmiled，sayingsomethingtooneanotherinwhispers。
Itwasimpossibletoavoidnoticingthem，however，inreality，fortheymadetheirpresenceonlytooconspicuousbylaughingandtalkingloudly。Itwastobesupposedthatsomeofthemweremorethanhalfdrunk，althoughtheywerewellenoughdressed，someevenparticularlywell。Therewereoneortwo，however，whowereverystrange-lookingcreatures，withflushedfacesandextraordinaryclothes；someweremilitarymen；notallwerequiteyoung；oneortwoweremiddle-agedgentlemenofdecidedlydisagreeableappearance，menwhoareavoidedinsocietyliketheplague，deckedoutinlargegoldstudsandrings，andmagnificently"gotup，"generally。
Amongoursuburbanresortstherearesomewhichenjoyaspeciallyhighreputationforrespectabilityandfashion；butthemostcarefulindividualisnotabsolutelyexemptfromthedangerofatilefallingsuddenlyuponhisheadfromhisneighbour’sroof。
Suchatilewasabouttodescendupontheelegantanddecorouspublicnowassembledtohearthemusic。
InordertopassfromtheVauxhalltotheband-stand，thevisitorhastodescendtwoorthreesteps。Justatthesestepsthegrouppaused，asthoughitfearedtoproceedfurther；butveryquicklyoneofthethreeladies，whoformeditsapex，steppedforwardintothecharmedcircle，followedbytwomembersofhersuite。
Oneofthesewasamiddle-agedmanofveryrespectableappearance，butwiththestampofparvenuuponhim，amanwhomnobodyknew，andwhoevidentlyknewnobody。Theotherfollowerwasyoungerandfarlessrespectable-looking。
Nooneelsefollowedtheeccentriclady；butasshedescendedthestepsshedidnotevenlookbehindher，asthoughitwereabsolutelythesametoherwhetheranyonewerefollowingornot。
Shelaughedandtalkedloudly，however，justasbefore。Shewasdressedwithgreattaste，butwithrathermoremagnificencethanwasneededfortheoccasion，perhaps。
Shewalkedpasttheorchestra，towhereanopencarriagewaswaiting，neartheroad。
TheprincehadnotseenHERformorethanthreemonths。AllthesedayssincehisarrivalfromPetersburghehadintendedtopayheravisit，butsomemysteriouspresentimenthadrestrainedhim。Hecouldnotpicturetohimselfwhatimpressionthismeetingwithherwouldmakeuponhim，thoughhehadoftentriedtoimagineit，withfearandtrembling。Onefactwasquitecertain，andthatwasthatthemeetingwouldbepainful。
Severaltimesduringthelastsixmonthshehadrecalledtheeffectwhichthefirstsightofthisfacehadhaduponhim，whenheonlysawitsportrait。Herecollectedwellthateventheportraitfacehadleftbuttoopainfulanimpression。
Thatmonthintheprovinces，whenhehadseenthiswomannearlyeveryday，hadaffectedhimsodeeplythathecouldnotnowlookbackuponitcalmly。Intheverylookofthiswomantherewassomethingwhichtorturedhim。InconversationwithRogojinhehadattributedthissensationtopity——immeasurablepity，andthiswasthetruth。Thesightoftheportraitfacealonehadfilledhisheartfulloftheagonyofrealsympathy；andthisfeelingofsympathy，nay，ofactualSUFFERING，forher，hadneverlefthisheartsincethathour，andwasstillinfullforce。Ohyes，andmorepowerfulthanever！
ButtheprincewasnotsatisfiedwithwhathehadsaidtoRogojin。Onlyatthismoment，whenshesuddenlymadeherappearancebeforehim，didherealizetothefulltheexactemotionwhichshecalledupinhim，andwhichhehadnotdescribedcorrectlytoRogojin。
And，indeed，therewerenowordsinwhichhecouldhaveexpressedhishorror，yes，HORROR，forhewasnowfullyconvincedfromhisownprivateknowledgeofher，thatthewomanwasmad。
If，lovingawomanaboveeverythingintheworld，oratleasthavingaforetasteofthepossibilityofsuchloveforher，oneweresuddenlytobeholdheronachain，behindbarsandunderthelashofakeeper，onewouldfeelsomethinglikewhatthepoorprincenowfelt。
"What’sthematter？"askedAglaya，inawhisper，givinghissleevealittletug。
Heturnedhisheadtowardsherandglancedatherblackand(forsomereason)flashingeyes，triedtosmile，andthen，apparentlyforgettingherinaninstant，turnedtotherightoncemore，andcontinuedtowatchthestartlingapparitionbeforehim。
NastasiaPhilipovnawasatthismomentpassingtheyoungladies’
chairs。
EvgeniePavlovitchcontinuedsomeapparentlyextremelyfunnyandinterestinganecdotetoAlexandra，speakingquicklyandwithmuchanimation。TheprincerememberedthatatthismomentAglayaremarkedinahalf-whisper:
"WHATa——"
Shedidnotfinishherindefinitesentence；sherestrainedherselfinamoment；butitwasenough。
NastasiaPhilipovna，whouptonowhadbeenwalkingalongasthoughshehadnotnoticedtheEpanchinparty，suddenlyturnedherheadintheirdirection，asthoughshehadjustobservedEvgeniePavlovitchsittingthereforthefirsttime。
"Why，Ideclare，hereheis！"shecried，stoppingsuddenly。"Themanonecan’tfindwithallone’smessengerssentabouttheplace，sittingjustunderone’snose，exactlywhereoneneverthoughtoflooking！Ithoughtyouweresuretobeatyouruncle’sbythistime。"
EvgeniePavlovitchflushedupandlookedangrilyatNastasiaPhilipovna，thenturnedhisbackonher。
"WhatIdon’tyouknowaboutityet？Hedoesn’tknow——imaginethat！Why，he’sshothimself。Youruncleshothimselfthisverymorning。Iwastoldattwothisafternoon。Halfthetownmustknowitbynow。Theysaytherearethreehundredandfiftythousandroubles，governmentmoney，missing；somesayfivehundredthousand。AndIwasundertheimpressionthathewouldleaveyouafortune！He’swhistleditallaway。Amostdepravedoldgentleman，really！Well，ta，ta！——bonnechance！Surelyyouintendtobeoffthere，don’tyou？Ha，ha！You’veretiredfromthearmyingoodtime，Isee！Plainclothes！Welldone，slyrogue！Nonsense！Isee——youknewitallbefore——Idaresayyouknewallaboutityesterday-"
Althoughtheimpudenceofthisattack，thispublicproclamationofintimacy，asitwere，wasdoubtlesspremeditated，andhaditsspecialobject，yetEvgeniePavlovitchatfirstseemedtointendtomakenoshowofobservingeitherhistormentororherwords。
ButNastasia’scommunicationstruckhimwiththeforceofathunderclap。Onhearingofhisuncle’sdeathhesuddenlygrewaswhiteasasheet，andturnedtowardshisinformant。
Atthismoment，LizabethaProkofievnaroseswiftlyfromherseat，beckonedhercompanions，andlefttheplacealmostatarun。
Onlytheprincestoppedbehindforamoment，asthoughinindecision；andEvgeniePavlovitchlingeredtoo，forhehadnotcollectedhisscatteredwits。ButtheEpanchinshadnothadtimetogetmorethantwentypacesawaywhenascandalousepisodeoccurred。Theyoungofficer，EvgeniePavlovitch’sfriendwhohadbeenconversingwithAglaya，saidaloudinagreatstateofindignation:
"Sheoughttobewhipped——that’stheonlywaytodealwithcreatureslikethat——sheoughttobewhipped！"
ThisgentlemanwasaconfidantofEvgenie’s，andhaddoubtlessheardofthecarriageepisode。
Nastasiaturnedtohim。Hereyesflashed；sherusheduptoayoungmanstandingnear，whomshedidnotknowintheleast，butwhohappenedtohaveinhishandathincane。Seizingthisfromhim，shebroughtitwithallherforceacrossthefaceofherinsulter。
Allthisoccurred，ofcourse，inoneinstantoftime。
Theyoungofficer，forgettinghimself，sprangtowardsher。
Nastasia’sfollowerswerenotbyheratthemoment(theelderlygentlemanhavingdisappearedaltogether，andtheyoungermansimplystandingasideandroaringwithlaughter)。
Inanothermoment，ofcourse，thepolicewouldhavebeenonthespot，anditwouldhavegonehardwithNastasiaPhilipovnahadnotunexpectedaidappeared。
Muishkin，whowasbutacoupleofstepsaway，hadtimetospringforwardandseizetheofficer’sarmsfrombehind。
Theofficer，tearinghimselffromtheprince’sgrasp，pushedhimsoviolentlybackwardsthathestaggeredafewstepsandthensubsidedintoachair。
ButtherewereotherdefendersforNastasiaonthespotbythistime。Thegentlemanknownasthe"boxer"nowconfrontedtheenragedofficer。
"Kellerismyname，sir；ex-lieutenant，"hesaid，veryloud。"Ifyouwillacceptmeaschampionofthefairsex，Iamatyourdisposal。Englishboxinghasnosecretsfromme。Isympathizewithyoufortheinsultyouhavereceived，butIcan’tpermityoutoraiseyourhandagainstawomaninpublic。Ifyouprefertomeetme——aswouldbemorefittingtoyourrank——insomeothermanner，ofcourseyouunderstandme，captain。"
Buttheyoungofficerhadrecoveredhimself，andwasnolongerlistening。AtthismomentRogojinappeared，elbowingthroughthecrowd；hetookNastasia’shand，drewitthroughhisarm，andquicklyledheraway。Heappearedtobeterriblyexcited；hewastremblingallover，andwasaspaleasacorpse。
AshecarriedNastasiaoff，heturnedandgrinnedhorriblyintheofficer’sface，andwithlowmaliceobserved:
"Tfu！lookwhatthefellowgot！Lookatthebloodonhischeek！
Ha，ha！"
Recollectinghimself，however，andseeingataglancethesortofpeoplehehadtodealwith，theofficerturnedhisbackonbothhisopponents，andcourteously，butconcealinghisfacewithhishandkerchief，approachedtheprince，whowasnowrisingfromthechairintowhichhehadfallen。
"PrinceMuishkin，Ibelieve？ThegentlemantowhomIhadthehonourofbeingintroduced？"
"Sheismad，insane——Iassureyou，sheismad，"repliedtheprinceintremblingtones，holdingoutbothhishandsmechanicallytowardstheofficer。
"Icannotboastofanysuchknowledge，ofcourse，butIwishedtoknowyourname。"
Hebowedandretiredwithoutwaitingforananswer。
Fivesecondsafterthedisappearanceofthelastactorinthisscene，thepolicearrived。Thewholeepisodehadnotlastedmorethanacoupleofminutes。Someofthespectatorshadrisenfromtheirplaces，anddepartedaltogether；somemerelyexchangedtheirseatsforothersalittlefurtheroff；someweredelightedwiththeoccurrence，andtalkedandlaughedoveritforalongtime。
Inaword，theincidentclosedassuchincidentsdo，andthebandbegantoplayagain。TheprincewalkedawayaftertheEpanchinparty。Hadhethoughtoflookingroundtotheleftafterhehadbeenpushedsounceremoniouslyintothechair，hewouldhaveobservedAglayastandingsometwentyyardsaway。Shehadstayedtowatchthescandaloussceneinspiteofhermother’sandsisters’anxiouscriestohertocomeaway。
PrinceS。ranuptoherandpersuadedher，atlast，tocomehomewiththem。
LizabethaProkofievnasawthatshereturnedinsuchastateofagitationthatitwasdoubtfulwhethershehadevenheardtheircalls。Butonlyacoupleofminuteslater，whentheyhadreachedthepark，Aglayasuddenlyremarked，inherusualcalm，indifferentvoice:
"Iwantedtoseehowthefarcewouldend。"
III。
THEoccurrenceattheVauxhallhadfilledbothmotheranddaughterswithsomethinglikehorror。IntheirexcitementLizabethaProkofievnaandthegirlswerenearlyrunningallthewayhome。
Inheropiniontherewassomuchdisclosedandlaidbarebytheepisode，that，inspiteofthechaoticconditionofhermind，shewasabletofeelmoreorlessdecidedoncertainpointswhich，uptonow，hadbeeninacloudycondition。
However，oneandallofthepartyrealizedthatsomethingimportanthadhappened，andthat，perhapsfortunatelyenough，somethingwhichhadhithertobeenenvelopedintheobscurityofguess-workhadnowbeguntocomeforthalittlefromthemists。
InspiteofPrinceS。’sassurancesandexplanations，EvgeniePavlovitch’srealcharacterandpositionwereatlastcomingtolight。Hewaspubliclyconvictedofintimacywith"thatcreature。"SothoughtLizabethaProkofievnaandhertwoelderdaughters。
Buttherealupshotofthebusinesswasthatthenumberofriddlestobesolvedwasaugmented。Thetwogirls，thoughratherirritatedattheirmother’sexaggeratedalarmandhastetodepartfromthescene，hadbeenunwillingtoworryheratfirstwithquestions。
Besides，theycouldnothelpthinkingthattheirsisterAglayaprobablyknewmoreaboutthewholematterthanboththeyandtheirmotherputtogether。
PrinceS。lookedasblackasnight，andwassilentandmoody。
Mrs。Epanchindidnotsayawordtohimallthewayhome，andhedidnotseemtoobservethefact。Adelaidatriedtopumphimalittlebyasking，"whowastheuncletheyweretalkingabout，andwhatwasitthathadhappenedinPetersburg？"Buthehadmerelymutteredsomethingdisconnectedabout"makinginquiries，"andthat"ofcourseitwasallnonsense。""Oh，ofcourse，"repliedAdelaida，andaskednomorequestions。Aglaya，too，wasveryquiet；andtheonlyremarkshemadeonthewayhomewasthattheywere"walkingmuchtoofasttobepleasant。"
Oncesheturnedandobservedtheprincehurryingafterthem。
Noticinghisanxietytocatchthemup，shesmiledironically，andthenlookedbacknomore。Atlength，justastheynearedthehouse，GeneralEpanchincameoutandmetthem；hehadonlyjustarrivedfromtown。
HisfirstwordwastoinquireafterEvgeniePavlovitch。ButLizabethastalkedpasthim，andneitherlookedathimnoransweredhisquestion。
HeimmediatelyjudgedfromthefacesofhisdaughtersandPrinceS。thattherewasathunderstormbrewing，andhehimselfalreadyboreevidencesofunusualperturbationofmind。
Heimmediatelybutton-holedPrinceS。，andstandingatthefrontdoor，engagedinawhisperedconversationwithhim。Bythetroubledaspectofbothofthem，whentheyenteredthehouse，andapproachedMrs。Epanchin，itwasevidentthattheyhadbeendiscussingverydisturbingnews。
LittlebylittlethefamilygatheredtogetherupstairsinLizabethaProkofievna’sapartments，andPrinceMuishkinfoundhimselfaloneontheverandahwhenhearrived。Hesettledhimselfinacornerandsatwaiting，thoughheknewnotwhatheexpected。
Itneverstruckhimthathehadbettergoaway，withallthisdisturbanceinthehouse。Heseemedtohaveforgottenalltheworld，andtobereadytositonwherehewasforyearsonend。
Fromupstairshecaughtsoundsofexcitedconversationeverynowandthen。
Hecouldnotsayhowlonghesatthere。Itgrewlateandbecamequitedark。
SuddenlyAglayaenteredtheverandah。Sheseemedtobequitecalm，thoughalittlepale。
Observingtheprince，whomsheevidentlydidnotexpecttoseethere，aloneinthecorner，shesmiled，andapproachedhim:
"Whatareyoudoingthere？"sheasked。
Theprincemutteredsomething，blushed，andjumpedup；butAglayaimmediatelysatdownbesidehim；sohereseatedhimself。
Shelookedsuddenly，butattentivelyintohisface，thenatthewindow，asthoughthinkingofsomethingelse，andthenagainathim。
"Perhapsshewantstolaughatme，"thoughttheprince，"butno；
forifshedidshecertainlywoulddoso。"
"Wouldyoulikesometea？I’llordersome，"shesaid，afteraminuteortwoofsilence。
"N-nothanks，Idon’tknow——"
"Don’tknow！Howcanyounotknow？By-the-by，lookhere——ifsomeoneweretochallengeyoutoaduel，whatshouldyoudo？I
wishedtoaskyouthis——sometimeago——"
"Why？Nobodywouldeverchallengemetoaduel！"
"Butiftheywereto，wouldyoubedreadfullyfrightened？"
"IdaresayIshouldbe——muchalarmed！"
"Seriously？Thenareyouacoward？"
"N-no！——Idon’tthinkso。Acowardisamanwhoisafraidandrunsaway；themanwhoisfrightenedbutdoesnotrunaway，isnotquiteacoward，"saidtheprincewithasmile，afteramoment’sthought。
"Andyouwouldn’trunaway？"
"No——Idon’tthinkIshouldrunaway，"repliedtheprince，laughingoutrightatlastatAglaya’squestions。
"ThoughIamawoman，Ishouldcertainlynotrunawayforanything，"saidAglaya，inaslightlypainedvoice。"However，I
seeyouarelaughingatmeandtwistingyourfaceupasusualinordertomakeyourselflookmoreinteresting。Nowtellme，theygenerallyshootattwentypaces，don’tthey？Atten，sometimes？I
supposeifattentheymustbeeitherwoundedorkilled，mustn’tthey？"
"Idon’tthinktheyoftenkilleachotheratduels。"
"TheykilledPushkinthatway。"
"Thatmayhavebeenanaccident。"
"Notabitofit；itwasadueltothedeath，andhewaskilled。"
"Thebulletstrucksolowdownthatprobablyhisantagonistwouldneverhaveaimedatthatpartofhim——peopleneverdo；hewouldhaveaimedathischestorhead；sothatprobablythebullethithimaccidentally。Ihavebeentoldthisbycompetentauthorities。"
"Well，asoldieroncetoldmethattheywerealwaysorderedtoaimatthemiddleofthebody。Soyouseetheydon’taimatthechestorhead；theyaimloweronpurpose。Iaskedsomeofficeraboutthisafterwards，andhesaiditwasperfectlytrue。"
"Thatisprobablywhentheyfirefromalongdistance。"
"Canyoushootatall？"
"No，Ihavenevershotinmylife。"
"Can’tyouevenloadapistol？"
"No！Thatis，Iunderstandhowit’sdone，ofcourse，butIhaveneverdoneit。"
"Then，youdon’tknowhow，foritisamatterthatneedspractice。Nowlistenandlearn；inthefirstplacebuygoodpowder，notdamp(theysayitmustn’tbeatalldamp，butverydry)，somefinekinditis——youmustaskforPISTOLpowder，notthestufftheyloadcannonswith。Theysayonemakesthebulletsoneself，somehoworother。Haveyougotapistol？"
"No——andIdon’twantone，"saidtheprince，laughing。
"Oh，whatNONSENSE！Youmustbuyone。FrenchorEnglisharethebest，theysay。Thentakealittlepowder，aboutathimbleful，orperhapstwo，andpouritintothebarrel。Betterputplenty。Thenpushinabitoffelt(itMUSTbefelt，forsomereasonorother)；youcaneasilygetabitoffsomeoldmattress，oroffadoor；it’susedtokeepthecoldout。Well，whenyouhavepushedthefeltdown，putthebulletin；doyouhearnow？Thebulletlastandthepowderfirst，nottheotherway，orthepistolwon’tshoot。Whatareyoulaughingat？Iwishyoutobuyapistolandpractiseeveryday，andyoumustlearntohitamarkforCERTAIN；
willyou？"
Theprinceonlylaughed。Aglayastampedherfootwithannoyance。
Herseriousair，however，duringthisconversationhadsurprisedhimconsiderably。Hehadafeelingthatheoughttobeaskinghersomething，thattherewassomethinghewantedtofindoutfarmoreimportantthanhowtoloadapistol；buthisthoughtshadallscattered，andhewasonlyawarethatshewassittingby，him，andtalkingtohim，andthathewaslookingather；astowhatshehappenedtobesayingtohim，thatdidnotmatterintheleast。
Thegeneralnowappearedontheverandah，comingfromupstairs。
Hewasonhiswayout，withanexpressionofdeterminationonhisface，andofpreoccupationandworryalso。
"Ah！LefNicolaievitch，it’syou，isit？Whereareyouofftonow？"heasked，obliviousofthefactthattheprincehadnotshowedtheleastsignofmoving。"Comealongwithme；Iwanttosayawordortwotoyou。"
"Aurevoir，then！"saidAglaya，holdingoutherhandtotheprince。
Itwasquitedarknow，andMuishkincouldnotseeherfaceclearly，butaminuteortwolater，whenheandthegeneralhadleftthevilla，hesuddenlyflushedup，andsqueezedhisrighthandtightly。
Itappearedthatheandthegeneralweregoinginthesamedirection。Inspiteofthelatenessofthehour，thegeneralwashurryingawaytotalktosomeoneuponsomeimportantsubject。
Meanwhilehetalkedincessantlybutdisconnectedlytotheprince，andcontinuallybroughtinthenameofLizabethaProkofievna。
Iftheprincehadbeeninaconditiontopaymoreattentiontowhatthegeneralwassaying，hewouldhavediscoveredthatthelatterwasdesirousofdrawingsomeinformationoutofhim，orindeedofaskinghimsomequestionoutright；butthathecouldnotmakeuphismindtocometothepoint。
Muishkinwassoabsent，thatfromtheveryfirsthecouldnotattendtoawordtheotherwassaying；andwhenthegeneralsuddenlystoppedbeforehimwithsomeexcitedquestion，hewasobligedtoconfess，ignominiously，thathedidnotknowintheleastwhathehadbeentalkingabout。
Thegeneralshruggedhisshoulders。
"Howstrangeeveryone，yourselfincluded，hasbecomeoflate，"
saidhe。"IwastellingyouthatIcannotintheleastunderstandLizabethaProkofievna’sideasandagitations。Sheisinhystericsupthere，andmoansandsaysthatwehavebeen’shamedanddisgraced。’How？Why？When？Bywhom？IconfessthatIamverymuchtoblamemyself；Idonotconcealthefact；buttheconduct，theoutrageousbehaviourofthiswoman，mustreallybekeptwithinlimits，bythepoliceifnecessary，andIamjustonmywaynowtotalkthequestionoverandmakesomearrangements。Itcanallbemanagedquietlyandgently，evenkindly，andwithouttheslightestfussorscandal。Iforeseethatthefutureispregnantwithevents，andthatthereismuchthatneedsexplanation。Thereisintrigueinthewind；butifononesidenothingisknown，ontheothersidenothingwillbeexplained。IfIhaveheardnothingaboutit，norhaveYOU，norHE，norSHE——
whoHASheardaboutit，Ishouldliketoknow？HowCANallthisbeexplainedexceptbythefactthathalfofitismirageormoonshine，orsomehallucinationofthatsort？"
"SHEisinsane，"mutteredtheprince，suddenlyrecollectingallthathadpassed，withaspasmofpainathisheart。
"Itoohadthatidea，andIsleptinpeace。ButnowIseethattheiropinionismorecorrect。Idonotbelieveinthetheoryofmadness！Thewomanhasnocommonsense；butsheisnotonlynotinsane，sheisartfultoadegree。HeroutburstofthiseveningaboutEvgenie’suncleprovesthatconclusively。ItwasVILLAINOUS，simplyjesuitical，anditwasallforsomespecialpurpose。"
"WhataboutEvgenie’suncle？"
"Mygoodness，LefNicolaievitch，why，youcan’thaveheardasinglewordIsaid！Lookatme，I’mstilltremblingalloverwiththedreadfulshock！Itisthatthatkeptmeintownsolate。
EvgeniePavlovitch’suncle——"
Well？"criedtheprince。
"Shothimselfthismorning，atseveno’clock。Arespected，eminentoldmanofseventy；andexactlypointforpointasshedescribedit；asumofmoney，aconsiderablesumofgovernmentmoney，missing！"
"Why，howcouldshe——"
"What，knowofit？Ha，ha，ha！Why，therewasawholecrowdroundherthemomentsheappearedonthesceneshere。Youknowwhatsortofpeoplesurroundhernowadays，andsolicitthehonourofher’acquaintance。’Ofcourseshemighteasilyhaveheardthenewsfromsomeonecomingfromtown。AllPetersburg，ifnotallPavlofsk，knowsitbynow。LookattheslynessofherobservationaboutEvgenie’suniform！Imean，herremarkthathehadretiredjustintime！There’savenomoushintforyou，ifyoulike！No，no！there’snoinsanitythere！OfcourseIrefusetobelievethatEvgeniePavlovitchcouldhaveknownbeforehandofthecatastrophe；thatis，thatatsuchandsuchadayatseveno’clock，andallthat；buthemightwellhavehadapresentimentofthetruth。AndI——allofus——PrinceS。andeverybody，believedthathewastoinheritalargefortunefromthisuncle。It’sdreadful，horrible！Mind，Idon’tsuspectEvgenieofanything，bequiteclearonthatpoint；butthethingisalittlesuspicious，nevertheless。PrinceS。can’tgetoverit。Altogetheritisaveryextraordinarycombinationofcircumstances。"
"WhatsuspicionattachestoEvgeniePavlovitch？"
"Oh，noneatall！Hehasbehavedverywellindeed。Ididn’tmeantodropanysortofhint。Hisownfortuneisintact，Ibelieve。
LizabethaProkofievna，ofcourse，refusestolistentoanything。
That’stheworstofitall，thesefamilycatastrophesorquarrels，orwhateveryouliketocallthem。Youknow，prince，youareafriendofthefamily，soIdon’tmindtellingyou；itnowappearsthatEvgeniePavlovitchproposedtoAglayaamonthago，andwasrefused。"
"Impossible！"criedtheprince。
"Why？Doyouknowanythingaboutit？Lookhere，"continuedthegeneral，moreagitatedthanever，andtremblingwithexcitement，"maybeIhavebeenlettingthecatoutofthebagtoofreelywithyou，ifso，itisbecauseyouare——thatsortofman，youknow！
Perhapsyouhavesomespecialinformation？"
"IknownothingaboutEvgeniePavlovitch！"saidtheprince。
"NordoI！Theyalwaystrytoburymeundergroundwhenthere’sanythinggoingon；theydon’tseemtoreflectthatitisunpleasanttoamantobetreatedso！Iwon’tstandit！Wehavejusthadaterriblescene！——mind，IspeaktoyouasIwouldtomyownson！Aglayalaughsathermother。HersistersguessedaboutEvgeniehavingproposedandbeenrejected，andtoldLizabetha。
"Itellyou，mydearfellow，Aglayaissuchanextraordinary，suchaself-willed，fantasticallittlecreature，youwouldn’tbelieveit！Everyhighquality，everybrillianttraitofheartandmind，aretobefoundinher，and，withitall，somuchcapriceandmockery，suchwildfancies——indeed，alittledevil！
Shehasjustbeenlaughingathermothertoherveryface，andathersisters，andatPrinceS。，andeverybody——andofcourseshealwayslaughsatme！YouknowIlovethechild——Iloveherevenwhenshelaughsatme，andIbelievethewildlittlecreaturehasaspecialfondnessformeforthatveryreason。Sheisfonderofmethananyoftheothers。IdareswearshehashadagoodlaughatYOUbeforenow！Youwerehavingaquiettalkjustnow，I
observed，afterallthethunderandlightningupstairs。Shewassittingwithyoujustasthoughtherehadbeennorowatall。"
Theprinceblushedpainfullyinthedarkness，andclosedhisrighthandtightly，buthesaidnothing。
"MydeargoodPrinceLefNicolaievitch，"beganthegeneralagain，suddenly，"bothIandLizabethaProkofievna——(whohasbeguntorespectyouoncemore，andmethroughyou，goodnessknowswhy！)——
webothloveyouverysincerely，andesteemyou，inspiteofanyappearancestothecontrary。Butyou’lladmitwhatariddleitmusthavebeenforuswhenthatcalm，cold，littlespitfire，Aglaya——(forshestooduptohermotherandansweredherquestionswithinexpressiblecontempt，andminestillmoreso，because，likeafool，Ithoughtitmydutytoassertmyselfasheadofthefamily)——whenAglayastoodupofasuddenandinformedusthat’thatmadwoman’(strangelyenough，sheusedexactlythesameexpressionasyoudid)’hastakenitintoherheadtomarrymetoPrinceLefNicolaievitch，andthereforeisdoingherbesttochokeEvgeniePavlovitchoff，andridthehouseofhim。’That’swhatshesaid。Shewouldnotgivetheslightestexplanation；sheburstoutlaughing，bangedthedoor，andwentaway。Weallstoodtherewithourmouthsopen。Well，IwastoldafterwardsofyourlittlepassagewithAglayathisafternoon，and-and——dearprince——youareagood，sensiblefellow，don’tbeangryifIspeakout——sheislaughingatyou，myboy！Sheisenjoyingherselflikeachild，atyourexpense，andtherefore，sincesheisachild，don’tbeangrywithher，anddon’tthinkanythingofit。Iassureyou，sheissimplymakingafoolofyou，justasshedoeswithoneandallofusoutofpurelackofsomethingbettertodo。Well——good-bye！Youknowourfeelings，don’tyou——oursincerefeelingsforyourself？Theyareunalterable，youknow，dearboy，underallcircumstances，but——
Well，herewepart；Imustgodowntotheright。RarelyhaveI
satsouncomfortablyinmysaddle，astheysay，asInowsit。Andpeopletalkofthecharmsofacountryholiday！"
Lefttohimselfatthecross-roads，theprinceglancedaroundhim，quicklycrossedtheroadtowardsthelightedwindowofaneighbouringhouse，andunfoldedatinyscrapofpaperwhichhehadheldclaspedinhisrighthandduringthewholeofhisconversationwiththegeneral。
Hereadthenoteintheuncertainraysthatfellfromthewindow。
Itwasasfollows:
"Tomorrowmorning，Ishallbeatthegreenbenchintheparkatseven，andshallwaitthereforyou。Ihavemadeupmymindtospeaktoyouaboutamostimportantmatterwhichcloselyconcernsyourself。
"P。S——Itrustthatyouwillnotshowthisnotetoanyone。ThoughIamashamedofgivingyousuchinstructions，IfeelthatImustdoso，consideringwhatyouare。Ithereforewritethewords，andblushforyoursimplecharacter。
"P。P。S——ItisthesamegreenbenchthatIshowedyoubefore。
There！aren’tyouashamedofyourself？Ifeltthatitwasnecessarytorepeateventhatinformation。"
Thenotewaswrittenandfoldedanyhow，evidentlyinagreathurry，andprobablyjustbeforeAglayahadcomedowntotheverandah。
Ininexpressibleagitation，amountingalmosttofear，theprinceslippedquicklyawayfromthewindow，awayfromthelight，likeafrightenedthief，butashedidsohecollidedviolentlywithsomegentlemanwhoseemedtospringfromtheearthathisfeet。
"Iwaswatchingforyou，prince，"saidtheindividual。
"Isthatyou，Keller？"saidtheprince，insurprise。
"Yes，I’vebeenlookingforyou。IwaitedforyouattheEpanchins’house，butofcourseIcouldnotcomein。Idoggedyoufrombehindasyouwalkedalongwiththegeneral。Well，prince，hereisKeller，absolutelyatyourservice——commandhim！——readytosacrificehimself——eventodieincaseofneed。"
"But-why？"
"Oh，why？——Ofcourseyou’llbechallenged！ThatwasyoungLieutenantMoloftsoff。Iknowhim，orratherofhim；hewon’tpassaninsult。HewilltakenonoticeofRogojinandmyself，and，therefore，youaretheonlyonelefttoaccountfor。You’llhavetopaythepiper，prince。Hehasbeenaskingaboutyou，andundoubtedlyhisfriendwillcallonyoutomorrow——perhapsheisatyourhousealready。Ifyouwoulddomethehonourtohavemeforasecond，prince，Ishouldbehappy。That’swhyIhavebeenlookingforyounow。"
"Duel！You’vecometotalkaboutaduel，too！"Theprinceburstoutlaughing，tothegreatastonishmentofKeller。Helaughedunrestrainedly，andKeller，whohadbeenonpinsandneedles，andinafeverofexcitementtoofferhimselfas"second，"wasverynearbeingoffended。
"Youcaughthimbythearms，youknow，prince。Nomanofproperpridecanstandthatsortoftreatmentinpublic。"
"Yes，andhegavemeafearfuldiginthechest，"criedtheprince，stilllaughing。"Whatarewetofightabout？Ishallbeghispardon，that’sall。Butifwemustfight——we’llfight！Lethimhaveashotatme，byallmeans；Ishouldratherlikeit。Ha，ha，ha！Iknowhowtoloadapistolnow；doyouknowhowtoloadapistol，Keller？First，youhavetobuythepowder，youknow；itmustn’tbewet，anditmustn’tbethatcoarsestuffthattheyloadcannonswith——itmustbepistolpowder。Thenyoupourthepowderin，andgetholdofabitoffeltfromsomedoor，andthenshovethebulletin。Butdon’tshovethebulletinbeforethepowder，becausethethingwouldn’tgooff——doyouhear，Keller，thethingwouldn’tgooff！Ha，ha，ha！Isn’tthatagrandreason，Keller，myfriend，eh？Doyouknow，mydearfellow，Ireallymustkissyou，andembraceyou，thisverymoment。Ha，ha！Howwasityousosuddenlypoppedupinfrontofmeasyoudid？Cometomyhouseassoonasyoucan，andwe’llhavesomechampagne。We’llallgetdrunk！DoyouknowIhaveadozenofchampagneinLebedeff’scellar？LebedeffsoldthemtomethedayafterI
arrived。Itookthelot。We’llinviteeverybody！Areyougoingtodoanysleepingtonight？"
"Asmuchasusual，prince——why？"
"Pleasantdreamsthen——ha，ha！"
Theprincecrossedtheroad，anddisappearedintothepark，leavingtheastonishedKellerinastateofludicrouswonder。Hehadneverbeforeseentheprinceinsuchastrangeconditionofmind，andcouldnothaveimaginedthepossibilityofit。
"Fever，probably，"hesaidtohimself，"forthemanisallnerves，andthisbusinesshasbeenalittletoomuchforhim。HeisnotAFRAID，that’sclear；thatsortneverfunks！H’m！
champagne！Thatwasaninterestingitemofnews，atallevents！——
Twelvebottles！Dearme，that’saveryrespectablelittlestockindeed！IbetanythingLebedefflentsomebodymoneyondepositofthisdozenofchampagne。Hum！he’sanicefellow，isthisprince！
Ilikethissortofman。Well，Ineedn’tbewastingtimehere，andifit’sacaseofchampagne，why——there’snotimelikethepresent！"
Thattheprincewasalmostinafeverwasnomorethanthetruth。
Hewanderedabouttheparkforalongwhile，andatlastcametohimselfinalonelyavenue。Hewasvaguelyconsciousthathehadalreadypacedthisparticularwalk——fromthatlarge，darktreetothebenchattheotherend——aboutahundredyardsaltogether——atleastthirtytimesbackwardsandforwards。
Astorecollectingwhathehadbeenthinkingofallthattime，hecouldnot。Hecaughthimself，however，indulginginonethoughtwhichmadehimroarwithlaughter，thoughtherewasnothingreallytolaughatinit；buthefeltthathemustlaugh，andgoonlaughing。
ItstruckhimthattheideaoftheduelmightnothaveoccurredtoKelleralone，butthathislessonintheartofpistol-loadingmighthavebeennotaltogetheraccidental！"Pooh！nonsense！"hesaidtohimself，struckbyanotherthought，ofasudden。"Why，shewasimmenselysurprisedtofindmethereontheverandah，andlaughedandtalkedaboutTEA！Andyetshehadthislittlenoteinherhand，thereforeshemusthaveknownthatIwassittingthere。
Sowhywasshesurprised？Ha，ha，ha！"
Hepulledthenoteoutandkissedit；thenpausedandreflected。
"Howstrangeitallis！howstrange！"hemuttered，melancholyenoughnow。Inmomentsofgreatjoy，heinvariablyfeltasensationofmelancholycomeoverhim——hecouldnottellwhy。
Helookedintentlyaroundhim，andwonderedwhyhehadcomehere；
hewasverytired，soheapproachedthebenchandsatdownonit。
Aroundhimwasprofoundsilence；themusicintheVauxhallwasover。Theparkseemedquiteempty，thoughitwasnot，inreality，laterthanhalf-pasteleven。Itwasaquiet，warm，clearnight——arealPetersburgnightofearlyJune；butinthedenseavenue，wherehewassitting，itwasalmostpitchdark。
Ifanyonehadcomeupatthismomentandtoldhimthathewasinlove，passionatelyinlove，hewouldhaverejectedtheideawithastonishment，and，perhaps，withirritation。AndifanyonehadaddedthatAglaya’snotewasalove-letter，andthatitcontainedanappointmenttoalover’srendezvous，hewouldhaveblushedwithshameforthespeaker，and，probably，havechallengedhimtoaduel。
Allthiswouldhavebeenperfectlysincereonhispart。Hehadneverforamomententertainedtheideaofthepossibilityofthisgirllovinghim，orevenofsuchathingashimselffallinginlovewithher。Thepossibilityofbeinglovedhimself，"amanlikeme，"asheputit，herankedamongridiculoussuppositions。
ItappearedtohimthatitwassimplyajokeonAglaya’spart，iftherereallywereanythinginitatall；butthatseemedtohimquitenatural。Hispreoccupationwascausedbysomethingdifferent。
AstothefewwordswhichthegeneralhadletslipaboutAglayalaughingateverybody，andathimselfmostofall——heentirelybelievedthem。Hedidnotfeeltheslightestsensationofoffence；onthecontrary，hewasquitecertainthatitwasasitshouldbe。
Hiswholethoughtswerenowastonextmorningearly；hewouldseeher；hewouldsitbyheronthatlittlegreenbench，andlistentohowpistolswereloaded，andlookather。Hewantednothingmore。