第16章

Whydoyouteasehim？"criedtheprince，suddenly。

"You’vemovedhimtotears，"addedFerdishenko。ButHippolytewasbynomeansweeping。Hewasabouttomovefromhisplace，whenhisfourguardsrushedathimandseizedhimoncemore。Therewasalaughatthis。

"Heleduptothisonpurpose。Hetookthetroubleofwritingallthatsothatpeopleshouldcomeandgrabhimbythearm，"

observedRogojin。"Good-night，prince。Whatatimewe’vesathere，myverybonesache！"

"Ifyoureallyintendedtoshootyourself，Terentieff，"saidEvgeniePavlovitch，laughing，"ifIwereyou，afterallthesecompliments，Ishouldjustnotshootmyselfinordertovexthemall。"

"Theyareveryanxioustoseemeblowmybrainsout，"saidHippolyte，bitterly。

"Yes，they’llbeawfullyannoyediftheydon’tseeit。"

"Thenyouthinktheywon’tseeit？"

"Iamnottryingtoeggyouon。Onthecontrary，Ithinkitverylikelythatyoumayshootyourself；buttheprincipalthingistokeepcool，"saidEvgeniewithadrawl，andwithgreatcondescension。

"IonlynowperceivewhataterriblemistakeImadeinreadingthisarticletothem，"saidHippolyte，suddenly，addressingEvgenie，andlookingathimwithanexpressionoftrustandconfidence，asthoughhewereapplyingtoafriendforcounsel。

"Yes，it’sadrollsituation；Ireallydon’tknowwhatadvicetogiveyou，"repliedEvgenie，laughing。Hippolytegazedsteadfastlyathim，butsaidnothing。Tolookathimonemighthavesupposedthathewasunconsciousatintervals。

"Excuseme，"saidLebedeff，"butdidyouobservetheyounggentleman’sstyle？’I’llgoandblowmybrainsoutinthepark，’

sayshe，’soasnottodisturbanyone。’Hethinkshewon’tdisturbanybodyifhegoesthreeyardsaway，intothepark，andblowshisbrainsoutthere。"

"Gentlemen——"begantheprince。

"No，no，excuseme，mostreveredprince，"Lebedeffinterrupted，excitedly。"Sinceyoumusthaveobservedyourselfthatthisisnojoke，andsinceatleasthalfyourguestsmustalsohaveconcludedthatafterallthathasbeensaidthisyouthMUSTblowhisbrainsoutforhonour’ssake——I——asmasterofthishouse，andbeforethesewitnesses，nowcalluponyoutotakesteps。"

"Yes，butwhatamItodo，Lebedeff？WhatstepsamItotake？I

amready。"

"I’lltellyou。Inthefirstplacehemustimmediatelydeliverupthepistolwhichheboastedof，withallitsappurtenances。IfhedoesthisIshallconsenttohisbeingallowedtospendthenightinthishouse——consideringhisfeeblestateofhealth，andofcourseconditionallyuponhisbeingunderpropersupervision。Buttomorrowhemustgoelsewhere。Excuseme，prince！Shouldherefusetodeliveruphisweapon，thenIshallinstantlyseizeoneofhisarmsandGeneralIvolgintheother，andweshallholdhimuntilthepolicearriveandtakethematterintotheirownhands。

Mr。Ferdishenkowillkindlyfetchthem。"

Atthistherewasadreadfulnoise；Lebedeffdancedaboutinhisexcitement；Ferdishenkopreparedtogoforthepolice；Ganiafranticallyinsistedthatitwasallnonsense，"fornobodywasgoingtoshootthemselves。"EvgeniePavlovitchsaidnothing。

"Prince，"whisperedHippolyte，suddenly，hiseyesallablaze，"youdon’tsupposethatIdidnotforeseeallthishatred？"Helookedattheprinceasthoughheexpectedhimtoreply，foramoment。"Enough！"headdedatlength，andaddressingthewholecompany，hecried:"It’sallmyfault，gentlemen！Lebedeff，here’sthekey，"(hetookoutasmallbunchofkeys)；"thisone，thelastbutone——Coliawillshowyou——Colia，where’sColia？"hecried，lookingstraightatColiaandnotseeinghim。"Yes，he’llshowyou；hepackedthebagwithmethismorning。Takehimup，Colia；mybagisupstairsintheprince’sstudy，underthetable。

Here’sthekey，andinthelittlecaseyou’llfindmypistolandthepowder，andall。Coliapackedithimself，Mr。Lebedeff；he’llshowyou；butit’sonconditionthattomorrowmorning，whenI

leaveforPetersburg，youwillgivemebackmypistol，doyouhear？Idothisfortheprince’ssake，notyours。"

"Capital，that’smuchbetter！"criedLebedeff，andseizingthekeyhemadeoffinhaste。

Coliastoppedamomentasthoughhewishedtosaysomething；butLebedeffdraggedhimaway。

Hippolytelookedaroundatthelaughingguests。Theprinceobservedthathisteethwerechatteringasthoughinaviolentattackofague。

"Whatbrutestheyallare！"hewhisperedtotheprince。Wheneverheaddressedhimheloweredhisvoice。

"Letthemalone，you’retooweaknow——"

Yes，directly；I’llgoawaydirectly。I’ll——"

SuddenlyheembracedMuishkin。

"PerhapsyouthinkIammad，eh？"heaskedhim，laughingverystrangely。

"No，butyou——"

"Directly，directly！Standstillamoment，Iwishtolookinyoureyes；don’tspeak——standso——letmelookatyou！Iambiddingfarewelltomankind。"

Hestoodsofortenseconds，gazingattheprince，motionless，deadlypale，histempleswetwithperspiration；heheldtheprince’shandinastrangegrip，asthoughafraidtolethimgo。

"Hippolyte，Hippolyte，whatisthematterwithyou？"criedMuishkin。

"Directly！There，that’senough。I’llliedowndirectly。Imustdrinktothesun’shealth。Iwishto——Iinsistuponit！Letgo！"

Heseizedaglassfromthetable，brokeawayfromtheprince，andinamomenthadreachedtheterracesteps。

Theprincemadeafterhim，butitsohappenedthatatthismomentEvgeniePavlovitchstretchedouthishandtosaygood-night。Thenextinstanttherewasageneraloutcry，andthenfollowedafewmomentsofindescribableexcitement。

Reachingthesteps，Hippolytehadpaused，holdingtheglassinhislefthandwhileheputhisrighthandintohiscoatpocket。

Kellerinsistedafterwardsthathehadheldhisrighthandinhispocketallthewhile，whenhewasspeakingtotheprince，andthathehadheldthelatter’sshoulderwithhislefthandonly。

Thiscircumstance，Kelleraffirmed，hadledhimtofeelsomesuspicionfromthefirst。Howeverthismaybe，KellerranafterHippolyte，buthewastoolate。

HecaughtsightofsomethingflashinginHippolyte’srighthand，andsawthatitwasapistol。Herushedathim，butatthatveryinstantHippolyteraisedthepistoltohistempleandpulledthetrigger。Therefollowedasharpmetallicclick，butnoreport。

WhenKellerseizedthewould-besuicide，thelatterfellforwardintohisarms，probablyactuallybelievingthathewasshot。

Kellerhadholdofthepistolnow。Hippolytewasimmediatelyplacedinachair，whilethewholecompanythrongedaroundexcitedly，talkingandaskingeachotherquestions。Everyoneofthemhadheardthesnapofthetrigger，andyettheysawaliveandapparentlyunharmedmanbeforethem。

Hippolytehimselfsatquiteunconsciousofwhatwasgoingon，andgazedaroundwithasenselessexpression。

LebedeffandColiacamerushingupatthismoment。

"Whatisit？"someoneasked，breathlessly——"Amisfire？"

"Perhapsitwasn’tloaded，"saidseveralvoices。

"It’sloadedallright，"saidKeller，examiningthepistol，"but——"

"What！diditmissfire？"

"Therewasnocapinit，"Kellerannounced。

Itwouldbedifficulttodescribethepitiablescenethatnowfollowed。Thefirstsensationofalarmsoongaveplacetoamusement；someburstoutlaughingloudandheartily，andseemedtofindamalicioussatisfactioninthejoke。PoorHippolytesobbedhysterically；hewrunghishands；heapproachedeveryoneinturn——evenFerdishenko——andtookthembybothhands，andsworesolemnlythathehadforgotten——absolutelyforgotten——

"accidentally，andnotonpurpose，"——toputacapin——thathe"hadtenofthem，atleast，inhispocket。"Hepulledthemoutandshowedthemtoeveryone；heprotestedthathehadnotlikedtoputoneinbeforehandforfearofanaccidentalexplosioninhispocket。Thathehadthoughthewouldhavelotsoftimetoputitinafterwards——whenrequired——and，that，intheheatofthemoment，hehadforgottenallaboutit。Hethrewhimselfupontheprince，thenonEvgeniePavlovitch。HeentreatedKellertogivehimbackthepistol，andhe’dsoonshowthemallthat"hishonour——hishonour，"——buthewas"dishonoured，now，forever！"

Hefellsenselessatlast——andwascarriedintotheprince’sstudy。

Lebedeff，nowquitesobereddown，sentforadoctor；andheandhisdaughter，withBurdovskyandGeneralIvolgin，remainedbythesickman’scouch。

Whenhewascarriedawayunconscious，Kellerstoodinthemiddleoftheroom，andmadethefollowingdeclarationtothecompanyingeneral，inaloudtoneofvoice，withemphasisuponeachword。

"Gentlemen，ifanyoneofyoucastsanydoubtagain，beforeme，uponHippolyte’sgoodfaith，orhintsthatthecapwasforgottenintentionally，orsuggeststhatthisunhappyboywasactingapartbeforeus，Ibegtoannouncethatthepersonsospeakingshallaccounttomeforhiswords。"

Noonereplied。

Thecompanydepartedveryquickly，inamass。Ptitsin，Gania，andRogojinwentawaytogether。

TheprincewasmuchastonishedthatEvgeniePavlovitchchangedhismind，andtookhisdeparturewithouttheconversationhehadrequested。

"Why，youwishedtohaveatalkwithmewhentheothersleft？"hesaid。

"Quiteso，"saidEvgenie，sittingdownsuddenlybesidehim，"butIhavechangedmymindforthetimebeing。Iconfess，Iamtoodisturbed，andso，Ithink，areyou；andthematterastowhichI

wishedtoconsultyouistooserioustotacklewithone’smindevenalittledisturbed；tooseriousbothformyselfandforyou。

Yousee，prince，foronceinmylifeIwishtoperformanabsolutelyhonestaction，thatis，anactionwithnoulteriormotive；andIthinkIamhardlyinaconditiontotalkofitjustatthismoment，and——and——well，we’lldiscussitanothertime。

Perhapsthemattermaygaininclearnessifwewaitfortwoorthreedays——justthetwoorthreedayswhichImustspendinPetersburg。"

Hereheroseagainfromhischair，sothatitseemedstrangethatheshouldhavethoughtitworthwhiletositdownatall。

Theprincethought，too，thathelookedvexedandannoyed，andnotnearlysofriendlytowardshimselfashehadbeenearlierinthenight。

"Isupposeyouwillgotothesufferer’sbedsidenow？"headded。

"Yes，Iamafraid……"begantheprince。

"Oh，youneedn’tfear！He’llliveanothersixweeksallright。

Verylikelyhewillrecoveraltogether；butIstronglyadviseyoutopackhimofftomorrow。"

"IthinkImayhaveoffendedhimbysayingnothingjustnow。IamafraidhemaysuspectthatIdoubtedhisgoodfaith，——aboutshootinghimself，youknow。Whatdoyouthink，EvgeniePavlovitch？"

"Notabitofit！Youaremuchtoogoodtohim；youshouldn’tcareahangaboutwhathethinks。Ihaveheardofsuchthingsbefore，butnevercameacross，tilltonight，amanwhowouldactuallyshoothimselfinordertogainavulgarnotoriety，orblowouthisbrainsforspite，ifhefindsthatpeopledon’tcaretopathimonthebackforhissanguinaryintentions。Butwhatastonishesmemorethananythingisthefellow’scandidconfessionofweakness。You’dbettergetridofhimtomorrow，inanycase。

"Doyouthinkhewillmakeanotherattempt？"

"Ohno，nothe，notnow！Butyouhavetobeverycarefulwiththissortofgentleman。Crimeistoooftenthelastresourceofthesepettynonentities。Thisyoungfellowisquitecapableofcuttingthethroatsoftenpeople，simplyforalark，ashetoldusinhis’explanation。’Iassureyouthoseconfoundedwordsofhiswillnotletmesleep。"

"Ithinkyoudisturbyourselftoomuch。"

"Whatanextraordinarypersonyouare，prince！Doyoumeantosaythatyoudoubtthefactthatheiscapableofmurderingtenmen？"

"Idaren’tsay，onewayortheother；allthisisverystrange——

but——"

"Well，asyoulike，justasyoulike，"saidEvgeniePavlovitch，irritably。"Onlyyouaresuchapluckyfellow，takecareyoudon’tgetincludedamongthetenvictims！"

"Oh，heismuchmorelikelynottokillanyoneatall，"saidtheprince，gazingthoughtfullyatEvgenie。Thelatterlaugheddisagreeably。

"Well，aurevoir！Didyouobservethathe’willed’acopyofhisconfessiontoAglayaIvanovna？"

"Yes，Idid；Iamthinkingofit。"

"Inconnectionwith’theten，’eh？"laughedEvgenie，ashelefttheroom。

Anhourlater，towardsfouro’clock，theprincewentintothepark。Hehadendeavouredtofallasleep，butcouldnot，owingtothepainfulbeatingofhisheart。

Hehadleftthingsquietandpeaceful；theinvalidwasfastasleep，andthedoctor，whohadbeencalledin，hadstatedthattherewasnospecialdanger。Lebedeff，Colia，andBurdovskywerelyingdowninthesick-room，readytotakeitinturnstowatch。

Therewasnothingtofear，therefore，athome。

Buttheprince’smentalperturbationincreasedeverymoment。Hewanderedaboutthepark，lookingabsentlyaroundhim，andpausedinastonishmentwhenhesuddenlyfoundhimselfintheemptyspacewiththerowsofchairsroundit，neartheVauxhall。Thelookoftheplacestruckhimasdreadfulnow:soheturnedroundandwentbythepathwhichhehadfollowedwiththeEpanchinsonthewaytotheband，untilhereachedthegreenbenchwhichAglayahadpointedoutfortheirrendezvous。Hesatdownonitandsuddenlyburstintoaloudfitoflaughter，immediatelyfollowedbyafeelingofirritation。Hisdisturbanceofmindcontinued；hefeltthathemustgoawaysomewhere，anywhere。

Abovehisheadsomelittlebirdsangout，ofasudden；hebegantopeeraboutforitamongtheleaves。Suddenlythebirddartedoutofthetreeandaway，andinstantlyhethoughtofthe"flybuzzingaboutinthesun’srays"thatHippolytehadtalkedof；

howthatitknewitsplaceandwasaparticipatorintheuniversallife，whilehealonewasan"outcast。"Thispicturehadimpressedhimatthetime，andhemeditateduponitnow。Anold，forgottenmemoryawokeinhisbrain，andsuddenlyburstintoclearnessandlight。ItwasarecollectionofSwitzerland，duringthefirstyearofhiscure，theveryfirstmonths。Atthattimehehadbeenprettynearlyanidiotstill；hecouldnotspeakproperly，andhaddifficultyinunderstandingwhenothersspoketohim。Heclimbedthemountain-side，onesunnymorning，andwanderedlongandaimlesslywithacertainthoughtinhisbrain，whichwouldnotbecomeclear。Abovehimwastheblazingsky，below，thelake；allaroundwasthehorizon，clearandinfinite。

Helookedoutuponthis，longandanxiously。Herememberedhowhehadstretchedouthisarmstowardsthebeautiful，boundlessblueofthehorizon，andwept，andwept。Whathadsotormentedhimwastheideathathewasastrangertoallthis，thathewasoutsidethisgloriousfestival。

Whatwasthisuniverse？Whatwasthisgrand，eternalpageanttowhichhehadyearnedfromhischildhoodup，andinwhichhecouldnevertakepart？Everymorningthesamemagnificentsun；everymorningthesamerainbowinthewaterfall；everyeveningthesameglowonthesnow-mountains。

Everylittleflythatbuzzedinthesun’srayswasasingerintheuniversalchorus，"knewitsplace，andwashappyinit。

"Everybladeofgrassgrewandwashappy。Everythingknewitspathandlovedit，wentforthwithasongandreturnedwithasong；onlyheknewnothing，understoodnothing，neithermennorwords，noranyofnature’svoices；hewasastrangerandanoutcast。

Oh，hecouldnotthenspeakthesewords，orexpressallhefelt！

Hehadbeentormenteddumbly；butnowitappearedtohimthathemusthavesaidtheseverywords——eventhen——andthatHippolytemusthavetakenhispictureofthelittleflyfromhistearsandwordsofthattime。

Hewassureofit，andhisheartbeatexcitedlyatthethought，heknewnotwhy。

Hefellasleeponthebench；buthismentaldisquietcontinuedthroughhisslumbers。

Justbeforehedozedoff，theideaofHippolytemurderingtenmenflittedthroughhisbrain，andhesmiledattheabsurdityofsuchathought。

Aroundhimallwasquiet；onlytheflutterandwhisperoftheleavesbrokethesilence，butbrokeitonlytocauseittoappearyetmoredeepandstill。

Hedreamedmanydreamsashesatthere，andallwerefullofdisquiet，sothatheshudderedeverymoment。

Atlengthawomanseemedtoapproachhim。Heknewher，oh！heknewheronlytoowell。Hecouldalwaysnameherandrecognizeheranywhere；but，strange，sheseemedtohavequiteadifferentfacefromhers，ashehadknownit，andhefeltatormentingdesiretobeabletosayshewasnotthesamewoman。Inthefacebeforehimtherewassuchdreadfulremorseandhorrorthathethoughtshemustbeacriminal，thatshemusthavejustcommittedsomeawfulcrime。

Tearsweretremblingonherwhitecheek。Shebeckonedhim，butplacedherfingeronherlipasthoughtowarnhimthathemustfollowherveryquietly。Hisheartfrozewithinhim。Hewouldn’t，heCOULDN’Tconfesshertobeacriminal，andyethefeltthatsomethingdreadfulwouldhappenthenextmoment，somethingwhichwouldblasthiswholelife。

Sheseemedtowishtoshowhimsomething，notfaroff，inthepark。

Herosefromhisseatinordertofollowher，whenabright，clearpealoflaughterrangoutbyhisside。Hefeltsomebody’shandsuddenlyinhisown，seizedit，pressedithard，andawoke。

BeforehimstoodAglaya，laughingaloud。

VIII。

SHElaughed，butshewasratherangrytoo。

"He’sasleep！Youwereasleep，"shesaid，withcontemptuoussurprise。

"Isitreallyyou？"mutteredtheprince，notquitehimselfasyet，andrecognizingherwithastartofamazement。"Ohyes，ofcourse，"headded，"thisisourrendezvous。Ifellasleephere。"

"SoIsaw。"

"Didnooneawakemebesidesyourself？Wastherenooneelsehere？Ithoughttherewasanotherwoman。"

"Therewasanotherwomanhere？"

Atlasthewaswideawake。

"Itwasadream，ofcourse，"hesaid，musingly。"StrangethatI

shouldhaveadreamlikethatatsuchamoment。Sitdown——"

Hetookherhandandseatedheronthebench；thensatdownbesideherandreflected。

Aglayadidnotbegintheconversation，butcontentedherselfwithwatchinghercompanionintently。

Helookedbackather，butattimesitwasclearthathedidnotseeherandwasnotthinkingofher。

Aglayabegantoflushup。

"Ohyes！"criedtheprince，starting。"Hippolyte’ssuicide——"

"What？Atyourhouse？"sheasked，butwithoutmuchsurprise。"Hewasaliveyesterdayevening，wasn’the？Howcouldyousleephereafterthat？"shecried，growingsuddenlyanimated。

"Oh，buthedidn’tkillhimself；thepistoldidn’tgooff。"

Aglayainsistedonhearingthewholestory。Shehurriedtheprincealong，butinterruptedhimwithallsortsofquestions，nearlyallofwhichwereirrelevant。Amongotherthings，sheseemedgreatlyinterestedineverywordthatEvgeniePavlovitchhadsaid，andmadetheprincerepeatthatpartofthestoryoverandoveragain。

"Well，that’lldo；wemustbequick，"sheconcluded，afterhearingall。"Wehaveonlyanhourhere，tilleight；Imustbehomebythenwithoutfail，sothattheymaynotfindoutthatI

cameandsatherewithyou；butI’vecomeonbusiness。Ihaveagreatdealtosaytoyou。Butyouhavebowledmeoverconsiderablywithyournews。AstoHippolyte，Ithinkhispistolwasboundnottogooff；itwasmoreconsistentwiththewholeaffair。Areyousurehereallywishedtoblowhisbrainsout，andthattherewasnohumbugaboutthematter？"

"Nohumbugatall。"

"Verylikely。Sohewrotethatyouweretobringmeacopyofhisconfession，didhe？Whydidn’tyoubringit？"

"Why，hedidn’tdie！I’llaskhimforit，ifyoulike。"

"Bringitbyallmeans；youneedn’taskhim。Hewillbedelighted，youmaybesure；for，inallprobability，heshotathimselfsimplyinorderthatImightreadhisconfession。Don’tlaughatwhatIsay，please，LefNicolaievitch，becauseitmayverywellbethecase。"

"I’mnotlaughing。Iamconvinced，myself，thatthatmayhavebeenpartlythereason。

"Youareconvinced？Youdon’treallymeantosayyouthinkthathonestly？"askedAglaya，extremelysurprised。

Sheputherquestionsveryquicklyandtalkedfast，everynowandthenforgettingwhatshehadbeguntosay，andnotfinishinghersentence。Sheseemedtobeimpatienttowarntheprinceaboutsomethingorother。Shewasinastateofunusualexcitement，andthoughsheputonabraveandevendefiantair，sheseemedtoberatheralarmed。Shewasdressedverysimply，butthissuitedherwell。Shecontinuallytrembledandblushed，andshesatontheveryedgeoftheseat。

Thefactthattheprinceconfirmedheridea，aboutHippolyteshootinghimselfthatshemightreadhisconfession，surprisedhergreatly。

"Ofcourse，"addedtheprince，"hewishedusalltoapplaudhisconduct——besidesyourself。"

"Howdoyoumean——applaud？"

"Well——howamItoexplain？Hewasveryanxiousthatweshouldallcomearoundhim，andsayweweresosorryforhim，andthatwelovedhimverymuch，andallthat；andthatwehopedhewouldn’tkillhimself，butremainalive。Verylikelyhethoughtmoreofyouthantherestofus，becausehementionedyouatsuchamoment，thoughperhapshedidnotknowhimselfthathehadyouinhismind’seye。"

"Idon’tunderstandyou。Howcouldhehavemeinview，andnotbeawareofithimself？Andyet，Idon’tknow——perhapsIdo。DoyouknowIhaveintendedtopoisonmyselfatleastthirtytimes——eversinceIwasthirteenorso——andtowritetomyparentsbeforeI

didit？Iusedtothinkhowniceitwouldbetolieinmycoffin，andhavethemallweepingovermeandsayingitwasalltheirfaultforbeingsocruel，andallthat——whatareyousmilingat？"

sheadded，knittingherbrow。"WhatdoYOUthinkofwhenyougomooningaboutalone？Isupposeyouimagineyourselfafield-

marshal，andthinkyouhaveconqueredNapoleon？"

"Well，Ireallyhavethoughtsomethingofthesortnowandthen，especiallywhenjustdozingoff，"laughedtheprince。"OnlyitistheAustrianswhomIconquer——notNapoleon。"

"Idon’twishtojokewithyou，LefNicolaievitch。IshallseeHippolytemyself。Tellhimso。Asforyou，Ithinkyouarebehavingverybadly，becauseitisnotrighttojudgeaman’ssoulasyouarejudgingHippolyte’s。Youhavenogentleness，butonlyjustice——soyouareunjust。"

Theprincereflected。

"Ithinkyouareunfairtowardsme，"hesaid。"ThereisnothingwronginthethoughtsIascribetoHippolyte；theyareonlynatural。ButofcourseIdon’tknowforcertainwhathethought。

Perhapshethoughtnothing，butsimplylongedtoseehumanfacesoncemore，andtohearhumanpraiseandfeelhumanaffection。Whoknows？Onlyitallcameoutwrong，somehow。Somepeoplehaveluck，andeverythingcomesoutrightwiththem；othershavenone，andneverathingturnsoutfortunately。"

"Isupposeyouhavefeltthatinyourowncase，"saidAglaya。

"Yes，Ihave，"repliedtheprince，quiteunsuspiciousofanyironyintheremark。

"H’m——well，atallevents，Ishouldn’thavefallenasleephere，inyourplace。Itwasn’tniceofyou，that。Isupposeyoufallasleepwhereveryousitdown？"

"ButIdidn’tsleepawinkallnight。Iwalkedandwalkedabout，andwenttowherethemusicwas——"

"Whatmusic？"

"Wheretheyplayedlastnight。ThenIfoundthisbenchandsatdown，andthoughtandthought——andatlastIfellfastasleep。"

"Oh，isthatit？Thatmakesadifference，perhaps。Whatdidyougotothebandstandfor？"

"Idon’tknow；I——"

"Verywell——afterwards。Youarealwaysinterruptingme。Whatwomanwasityouweredreamingabout？"

"Itwas——about——yousawher——"

"Quiteso；Iunderstand。Iunderstandquitewell。Youarevery——

Well，howdidsheappeartoyou？Whatdidshelooklike？No，I

don’twanttoknowanythingabouther，"saidAglaya，angrily；

"don’tinterruptme——"

Shepausedamomentasthoughgettingbreath，ortryingtomasterherfeelingofannoyance。

"Lookhere；thisiswhatIcalledyouherefor。Iwishtomakeyoua——toaskyoutobemyfriend。Whatdoyoustareatmelikethatfor？"sheadded，almostangrily。

Theprincecertainlyhaddartedaratherpiercinglookather，andnowobservedthatshehadbeguntoblushviolently。Atsuchmoments，themoreAglayablushed，theangriershegrewwithherself；andthiswasclearlyexpressedinhereyes，whichflashedlikefire。Asarule，sheventedherwrathonherunfortunatecompanion，beitwhoitmight。Shewasveryconsciousofherownshyness，andwasnotnearlysotalkativeashersistersforthisreason——infact，attimesshewasmuchtooquiet。When，therefore，shewasboundtotalk，especiallyatsuchdelicatemomentsasthis，sheinvariablydidsowithanairofhaughtydefiance。Shealwaysknewbeforehandwhenshewasgoingtoblush，longbeforetheblushcame。

"Perhapsyoudonotwishtoacceptmyproposition？"sheasked，gazinghaughtilyattheprince。

"Ohyes，Ido；butitissounnecessary。Imean，Ididnotthinkyouneedmakesuchaproposition，"saidtheprince，lookingconfused。

"Whatdidyousuppose，then？WhydidyouthinkIinvitedyououthere？Isupposeyouthinkmea’littlefool，’astheyallcallmeathome？"

"Ididn’tknowtheycalledyouafool。Icertainlydon’tthinkyouone。"

"Youdon’tthinkmeone！Oh，dearme！——that’sverycleverofyou；

youputitsoneatly，too。"

"Inmyopinion，youarefarfromafoolsometimes——infact，youareveryintelligent。YousaidaverycleverthingjustnowaboutmybeingunjustbecauseIhadONLYjustice。Ishallrememberthat，andthinkaboutit。"

Aglayablushedwithpleasure。Allthesechangesinherexpressioncameaboutsonaturallyandsorapidly——theydelightedtheprince；hewatchedher，andlaughed。

"Listen，"shebeganagain；"Ihavelongwaitedtotellyouallthis，eversincethetimewhenyousentmethatletter——evenbeforethat。HalfofwhatIhavetosayyouheardyesterday。I

consideryouthemosthonestanduprightofmen——morehonestanduprightthananyotherman；andifanybodysaysthatyourmindis——issometimesaffected，youknow——itisunfair。Ialwayssaysoandupholdit，becauseevenifyoursurfacemindbealittleaffected(ofcourseyouwillnotfeelangrywithmefortalkingso——Iamspeakingfromahigherpointofview)yetyourrealmindisfarbetterthanalltheirsputtogether。SuchamindastheyhaveneverevenDREAMEDof；becausereally，thereareTWOminds——

thekindthatmatters，andthekindthatdoesn’tmatter。Isn’titso？"

"Maybe！maybeso！"saidtheprince，faintly；hisheartwasbeatingpainfully。

"Iknewyouwouldnotmisunderstandme，"shesaid，triumphantly。

"PrinceS。andEvgeniePavlovitchandAlexandradon’tunderstandanythingaboutthesetwokindsofmind，but，justfancy，mammadoes！"

"YouareverylikeLizabethaProkofievna。"

"What！surelynot？"saidAglaya。

"Yes，youare，indeed。"

"Thankyou；Iamgladtobelikemamma，"shesaid，thoughtfully。

"Yourespectherverymuch，don’tyou？"sheadded，quiteunconsciousofthenaivenessofthequestion。

"VERYmuch；andIamsogladthatyouhaverealizedthefact。"

"Iamveryglad，too，becausesheisoftenlaughedatbypeople。

Butlistentothechiefpoint。Ihavelongthoughtoverthematter，andatlastIhavechosenyou。Idon’twishpeopletolaughatme；Idon’twishpeopletothinkmea’littlefool。’I

don’twanttobechaffed。Ifeltallthisofasudden，andI

refusedEvgeniePavlovitchflatly，becauseIamnotgoingtobeforeverthrownatpeople’sheadstobemarried。Iwant——Iwant——

well，I’lltellyou，Iwishtorunawayfromhome，andIhavechosenyoutohelpme。"

"Runawayfromhome？"criedtheprince。

"Yes——yes——yes！Runawayfromhome！"sherepeated，inatransportofrage。"Iwon’t，Iwon’tbemadetoblusheveryminutebythemall！Idon’twanttoblushbeforePrinceS。orEvgeniePavlovitch，oranyone，andthereforeIhavechosenyou。Ishalltellyoueverything，EVERYTHING，eventhemostimportantthingsofall，wheneverIlike，andyouaretohidenothingfrommeonyourside。Iwanttospeaktoatleastoneperson，asIwouldtomyself。TheyhavesuddenlybeguntosaythatIamwaitingforyou，andinlovewithyou。Theybeganthisbeforeyouarrivedhere，andsoIdidn’tshowthemtheletter，andnowtheyallsayit，everyoneofthem。Iwanttobebrave，andbeafraidofnobody。Idon’twanttogototheirballsandthings——Iwanttodogood。Ihavelongdesiredtorunaway，forIhavebeenkeptshutupfortwentyyears，andtheyarealwaystryingtomarrymeoff。IwantedtorunawaywhenIwasfourteenyearsold——Iwasalittlefoolthen，Iknow——butnowIhaveworkeditallout，andI

havewaitedforyoutotellmeaboutforeigncountries。IhaveneverseenasingleGothiccathedral。ImustgotoRome；Imustseeallthemuseums；ImuststudyinParis。AllthislastyearI

havebeenpreparingandreadingforbiddenbooks。AlexandraandAdelaidaareallowedtoreadanythingtheylike，butImayn’t。I

don’twanttoquarrelwithmysisters，butItoldmyparentslongagothatIwishtochangemysocialposition。Ihavedecidedtotakeupteaching，andIcountonyoubecauseyousaidyoulovedchildren。Canwegoinforeducationtogether——ifnotatonce，thenafterwards？Wecoulddogoodtogether。Iwon’tbeageneral’sdaughteranymore！Tellme，areyouaverylearnedman？"

"Ohno；notatall。"

"Oh-h-h！I’msorryforthat。Ithoughtyouwere。IwonderwhyI

alwaysthoughtso——butatalleventsyou’llhelpme，won’tyou？

BecauseI’vechosenyou，youknow。"

"AglayaIvanovna，it’sabsurd。"

ButIwill，IWILLrunaway！"shecried——andhereyesflashedagainwithanger——"andifyoudon’tagreeIshallgoandmarryGavrilaArdalionovitch！Iwon’tbeconsideredahorriblegirl，andaccusedofgoodnessknowswhat。"

"Areyououtofyourmind？"criedtheprince，almoststartingfromhisseat。"Whatdotheyaccuseyouof？Whoaccusesyou？"

"Athome，everybody，mother，mysisters，PrinceS。，eventhatdetestableColia！Iftheydon’tsayit，theythinkit。Itoldthemallsototheirfaces。Itoldmotherandfatherandeverybody。Mammawasillallthedayafterit，andnextdayfatherandAlexandratoldmethatIdidn’tunderstandwhatnonsenseIwastalking。Iinformedthemthattheylittleknewme——

Iwasnotasmallchild——Iunderstoodeverywordinthelanguage——

thatIhadreadacoupleofPauldeKok’snovelstwoyearssinceonpurpose，soastoknowallabouteverything。Nosoonerdidmammahearmesaythisthanshenearlyfainted！"

Astrangethoughtpassedthroughtheprince’sbrain；hegazedintentlyatAglayaandsmiled。

HecouldnotbelievethatthiswasthesamehaughtyyounggirlwhohadoncesoproudlyshownhimGania’sletter。Hecouldnotunderstandhowthatproudandausterebeautycouldshowherselftobesuchanutterchild——achildwhoprobablydidnotevennowunderstandsomewords。

"Haveyoualwayslivedathome，AglayaIvanovna？"heasked。"I

mean，haveyouneverbeentoschool，orcollege，oranything？"

"No——never——nowhere！I’vebeenathomeallmylife，corkedupinabottle；andtheyexpectmetobemarriedstraightoutofit。

Whatareyoulaughingatagain？Iobservethatyou，too，havetakentolaughingatme，andrangeyourselfontheirsideagainstme，"sheadded，frowningangrily。"Don’tirritateme——I’mbadenoughwithoutthat——Idon’tknowwhatIamdoingsometimes。IampersuadedthatyoucameheretodayinthefullbeliefthatIaminlovewithyou，andthatIarrangedthismeetingbecauseofthat，"shecried，withannoyance。

"IadmitIwasafraidthatthatwasthecase，yesterday，"

blunderedtheprince(hewasratherconfused)，"buttodayIamquiteconvincedthat"

"How？"criedAglaya——andherlowerliptrembledviolently。"YouwereAFRAIDthatI——youdaredtothinkthatI——goodgracious！yoususpected，perhaps，thatIsentforyoutocomehereinordertocatchyouinatrap，sothattheyshouldfindusheretogether，andmakeyoumarryme——"

"AglayaIvanovna，aren’tyouashamedofsayingsuchathing？Howcouldsuchahorribleideaenteryoursweet，innocentheart？Iamcertainyoudon’tbelieveawordofwhatyousay，andprobablyyoudon’tevenknowwhatyouaretalkingabout。"

Aglayasatwithhereyesontheground；sheseemedtohavealarmedevenherselfbywhatshehadsaid。

"No，I’mnot；I’mnotabitashamed！"shemurmured。"Andhowdoyouknowmyheartisinnocent？Andhowdaredyousendmealove——

letterthattime？"

"LOVE-LETTER？Myletteralove-letter？Thatletterwasthemostrespectfulofletters；itwentstraightfrommyheart，atwhatwasperhapsthemostpainfulmomentofmylife！Ithoughtofyouatthetimeasakindoflight。I——"

"Well，verywell，verywell！"shesaid，butquiteinadifferenttone。Shewasremorsefulnow，andbentforwardtotouchhisshoulder，thoughstilltryingnottolookhimintheface，asifthemorepersuasivelytobeghimnottobeangrywithher。"Verywell，"shecontinued，lookingthoroughlyashamedofherself，"I

feelthatIsaidaveryfoolishthing。Ionlydiditjusttotryyou。Takeitasunsaid，andifIoffendedyou，forgiveme。Don’tlookstraightatmelikethat，please；turnyourheadaway。Youcalledita’horribleidea’；Ionlysaidittoshockyou。VeryoftenIammyselfafraidofsayingwhatIintendtosay，andoutitcomesallthesame。Youhavejusttoldmethatyouwrotethatletteratthemostpainfulmomentofyourlife。Iknowwhatmomentthatwas！"sheaddedsoftly，lookingatthegroundagain。

"Oh，ifyoucouldknowall！"

"IDOknowall！"shecried，withanotherburstofindignation。

"Youwerelivinginthesamehouseasthathorriblewomanwithwhomyouranaway。"Shedidnotblushasshesaidthis；onthecontrary，shegrewpale，andstartedfromherseat，apparentlyobliviousofwhatshedid，andimmediatelysatdownagain。Herlipcontinuedtotrembleforalongtime。

Therewassilenceforamoment。Theprincewastakenabackbythesuddennessofthislastreply，anddidnotknowtowhatheshouldattributeit。

"Idon’tloveyouabit！"shesaidsuddenly，justasthoughthewordshadexplodedfromhermouth。

Theprincedidnotanswer，andtherewassilenceagain。"IloveGavrilaArdalionovitch，"shesaid，quickly；buthardlyaudibly，andwithherheadbentlowerthanever。

"ThatisNOTtrue，"saidtheprince，inanequallylowvoice。

"What！Itellstories，doI？Itistrue！Igavehimmypromiseacoupleofdaysagoonthisveryseat。"

Theprincewasstartled，andreflectedforamoment。

"Itisnottrue，"herepeated，decidedly；"youhavejustinventedit！"

"Youarewonderfullypolite。Youknowheisgreatlyimproved。Helovesmebetterthanhislife。Helethishandburnbeforemyveryeyesinordertoprovetomethathelovedmebetterthanhislife！"

"Heburnedhishand！"

"Yes，believeitornot！It’sallthesametome！"

Theprincesatsilentoncemore。Aglayadidnotseemtobejoking；shewastooangryforthat。

"What！hebroughtacandlewithhimtothisplace？Thatis，iftheepisodehappenedhere；otherwiseIcan’t"

"Yes，acandle！What’sthereimprobableaboutthat？"

"Awholeone，andinacandlestick？"

"Yes——no-halfacandle——anend，youknow——no，itwasawholecandle；it’sallthesame。Bequiet，can’tyou！Hebroughtaboxofmatchestoo，ifyoulike，andthenlightedthecandleandheldhisfingerinitforhalfanhourandmore！——There！Can’tthatbe？"

"Isawhimyesterday，andhisfingerswereallright！"

Aglayasuddenlyburstoutlaughing，assimplyasachild。

"DoyouknowwhyIhavejusttoldyoutheselies？"Sheappealedtotheprince，ofasudden，withthemostchildlikecandour，andwiththelaughstilltremblingonherlips。"Becausewhenonetellsalie，ifoneinsistsonsomethingunusualandeccentric——

somethingtoo’outoftheway’’foranything，youknow——themoreimpossiblethethingis，themoreplausibledoestheliesound。

I’venoticedthis。ButImanageditbadly；Ididn’tknowhowtoworkit。"Shesuddenlyfrownedagainatthispointasthoughatsomesuddenunpleasantrecollection。

"If"——shebegan，lookingseriouslyandevensadlyathim——"ifwhenIreadyouallthataboutthe’poorknight，’Iwishedto-topraiseyouforonething——IalsowishedtoshowyouthatIknewall——anddidnotapproveofyourconduct。"

"Youareveryunfairtome，andtothatunfortunatewomanofwhomyouspokejustnowinsuchdreadfulterms，Aglaya。"

"BecauseIknowall，all——andthatiswhyIspeakso。Iknowverywellhowyou——halfayearsince——offeredheryourhandbeforeeverybody。Don’tinterruptme。Yousee，Iammerelystatingfactswithoutanycommentuponthem。AfterthatsheranawaywithRogojin。Thenyoulivedwithheratsomevillageortown，andsheranawayfromyou。"(Aglayablusheddreadfully。)"ThenshereturnedtoRogojinagain，wholovesherlikeamadman。Thenyou——likeawisemanasyouare——camebackhereafterherassoonaseveryouheardthatshehadreturnedtoPetersburg。Yesterdayeveningyousprangforwardtoprotecther，andjustnowyoudreamedabouther。Yousee，Iknowall。Youdidcomebackhereforher，forher——nowdidn’tyou？"

"Yes——forher！"saidtheprincesoftlyandsadly，andbendinghisheaddown，quiteunconsciousofthefactthatAglayawasgazingathimwitheyeswhichburnedlikelivecoals。"Icametofindoutsomething——Idon’tbelieveinherfuturehappinessasRogojin’swife，although——inaword，Ididnotknowhowtohelpherorwhattodoforher——butIcame，onthechance。"

HeglancedatAglaya，whowaslisteningwithalookofhatredonherface。

"Ifyoucamewithoutknowingwhy，Isupposeyouloveherverymuchindeed！"shesaidatlast。

"No，"saidtheprince，"no，Idonotloveher。Oh！ifyouonlyknewwithwhathorrorIrecallthetimeIspentwithher！"

Ashudderseemedtosweepoverhiswholebodyattherecollection。

"Tellmeaboutit，"saidAglaya。

"Thereisnothingwhichyoumightnothear。WhyIshouldwishtotellyou，andonlyyou，thisexperienceofmine，Ireallycannotsay；perhapsitreallyisbecauseIloveyouverymuch。Thisunhappywomanispersuadedthatsheisthemosthopeless，fallencreatureintheworld。Oh，donotcondemnher！Donotcaststonesather！Shehassufferedtoomuchalreadyintheconsciousnessofherownundeservedshame。

"Andsheisnotguilty——ohGod！——Everymomentshebemoansandbewailsherself，andcriesoutthatshedoesnotadmitanyguilt，thatsheisthevictimofcircumstances——thevictimofawickedlibertine。

"Butwhatevershemaysay，rememberthatshedoesnotbelieveitherself，——rememberthatshewillbelievenothingbutthatsheisaguiltycreature。

"WhenItriedtoridhersoulofthisgloomyfallacy，shesufferedsoterriblythatmyheartwillneverbequiteatpeacesolongasIcanrememberthatdreadfultime！——Doyouknowwhysheleftme？Simplytoprovetomewhatisnottrue——thatsheisbase。Buttheworstofitis，shedidnotrealizeherselfthatthatwasallshewantedtoprovebyherdeparture！Shewentawayinresponsetosomeinnerpromptingtodosomethingdisgraceful，inorderthatshemightsaytoherself——’There——you’vedoneanewactofshame——youdegradedcreature！’

"Oh，Aglaya——perhapsyoucannotunderstandallthis。Trytorealizethatintheperpetualadmissionofguiltsheprobablyfindssomedreadfulunnaturalsatisfaction——asthoughshewererevengingherselfuponsomeone。

"NowandthenIwasabletopersuadeheralmosttoseelightaroundheragain；butshewouldsoonfall，oncemore，intoheroldtormentingdelusions，andwouldgosofarastoreproachmeforplacingmyselfonapedestalaboveher(Ineverhadanideaofsuchathing！)，andinformedme，inreplytomyproposalofmarriage，thatshe’didnotwantcondescendingsympathyorhelpfromanybody。’Yousawherlastnight。Youdon’tsupposeshecanbehappyamongsuchpeopleasthose——youcannotsupposethatsuchsocietyisfitforher？Youhavenoideahowwell-educatedsheis，andwhatanintellectshehas！Sheastonishedmesometimes。"

"Andyoupreachedhersermonsthere，didyou？"

"Ohno，"continuedtheprincethoughtfully，notnoticingAglaya’smockingtone，"Iwasalmostalwayssilentthere。Ioftenwishedtospeak，butIreallydidnotknowwhattosay。Insomecasesitisbesttosaynothing，Ithink。Ilovedher，yes，Ilovedherverymuchindeed；butafterwards——afterwardssheguessedall。"

"Whatdidsheguess？"

"ThatIonlyPITIEDher——and——andlovedhernolonger！"

"Howdoyouknowthat？Howdoyouknowthatsheisnotreallyinlovewiththat——thatrichcad——themansheelopedwith？"

"Ohno！Iknowsheonlylaughsathim；shehasmadeafoolofhimallalong。"

"Hassheneverlaughedatyou？"

"No——inanger，perhaps。Ohyes！shereproachedmedreadfullyinanger；andsufferedherself，too！Butafterwards——oh！don’tremindme——don’tremindmeofthat！"

Hehidhisfaceinhishands。

"Areyouawarethatshewritestomealmosteveryday？"

"Sothatistrue，isit？"criedtheprince，greatlyagitated。

"Ihadheardareportofit，butwouldnotbelieveit。"

"Whomdidyouhearitfrom？"askedAglaya，alarmed。"Rogojinsaidsomethingaboutityesterday，butnothingdefinite。"

"Yesterday！Morningorevening？Beforethemusicorafter？"

"After——itwasabouttwelveo’clock。"

"Ah！Well，ifitwasRogojin——butdoyouknowwhatshewritestomeabout？"

"Ishouldnotbesurprisedbyanything。Sheismad！"

"Therearetheletters。"(Aglayatookthreelettersoutofherpocketandthrewthemdownbeforetheprince。)"Forawholeweekshehasbeenentreatingandworryingandpersuadingmetomarryyou。She——well，sheisclever，thoughshemaybemad——muchclevererthanIam，asyousay。Well，shewritesthatsheisinlovewithmeherself，andtriestoseemeeveryday，ifonlyfromadistance。Shewritesthatyouloveme，andthatshehaslongknownitandseenit，andthatyouandshetalkedaboutme——

there。Shewishestoseeyouhappy，andshesaysthatsheiscertainonlyIcanensureyouthehappinessyoudeserve。Shewritessuchstrange，wildletters——Ihaven’tshownthemtoanyone。Now，doyouknowwhatallthismeans？Canyouguessanything？"

"Itismadness——itismerelyanotherproofofherinsanity！"saidtheprince，andhislipstrembled。

"Youarecrying，aren’tyou？"

"No，Aglaya。No，I’mnotcrying。"Theprincelookedather。

"Well，whatamItodo？Whatdoyouadviseme？Icannotgoonreceivingtheseletters，youknow。"

"Oh，letheralone，Ientreatyou！"criedtheprince。Whatcanyoudointhisdark，gloomymystery？Letheralone，andI’lluseallmypowertopreventherwritingyouanymoreletters。"

"Ifso，youareaheartlessman！"criedAglaya。Asifyoucan’tseethatitisnotmyselfsheloves，butyou，you，andonlyyou！

Surelyyouhavenotremarkedeverythingelseinher，andonlynotTHIS？Doyouknowwhattheselettersmean？Theymeanjealousy，sir——nothingbutpurejealousy！She——doyouthinkshewilleverreallymarrythisRogojin，asshesayshereshewill？ShewouldtakeherownlifethedayafteryouandIweremarried。"

Theprinceshuddered；hisheartseemedtofreezewithinhim。HegazedatAglayainwonderment；itwasdifficultforhimtorealizethatthischildwasalsoawoman。

"Godknows，Aglaya，thattorestoreherpeaceofmindandmakeherhappyIwouldwillinglygiveupmylife。ButIcannotloveher，andsheknowsthat。"

"Oh，makeasacrificeofyourself！Thatsortofthingbecomesyouwell，youknow。Whynotdoit？Anddon’tcallme’Aglaya’；youhavedoneitseveraltimeslately。Youarebound，itisyourDUTY

to’raise’her；youmustgooffsomewhereagaintosootheandpacifyher。Why，youloveher，youknow！"

"Icannotsacrificemyselfso，thoughIadmitIdidwishtodosoonce。Whoknows，perhapsIstillwishto！ButIknowforCERTAIN，thatifshemarriedmeitwouldbeherruin；IknowthisandthereforeIleaveheralone。Ioughttogotoseehertoday；nowIshallprobablynotgo。Sheisproud，shewouldneverforgivemethenatureoftheloveIbearher，andweshouldbothberuined。

Thismaybeunnatural，Idon’tknow；buteverythingseemsunnatural。Yousayshelovesme，asifthiswereLOVE！AsifshecouldloveME，afterwhatIhavebeenthrough！No，no，itisnotlove。"

"Howpaleyouhavegrown！"criedAglayainalarm。

Oh，it’snothing。Ihaven’tslept，that’sall，andI’mrathertired。I——wecertainlydidtalkaboutyou，Aglaya。"

"Oh，indeed，itistruethen！YOUCOULDACTUALLYTALKABOUTME

WITHHER；and——andhowcouldyouhavebeenfondofmewhenyouhadonlyseenmeonce？"

"Idon’tknow。PerhapsitwasthatIseemedtocomeuponlightinthemidstofmygloom。ItoldyouthetruthwhenIsaidIdidnotknowwhyIthoughtofyoubeforeallothers。Ofcourseitwasallasortofdream，adreamamidstthehorrorsofreality。

AfterwardsIbegantowork。Ididnotintendtocomebackherefortwoorthreeyears——"

"Thenyoucameforhersake？"Aglaya’svoicetrembled。

"Yes，Icameforhersake。"

Therewasamomentortwoofgloomysilence。Aglayarosefromherseat。

"Ifyousay，"shebeganinshakytones，"ifyousaythatthiswomanofyoursismad——atalleventsIhavenothingtodowithherinsanefancies。Kindlytakethesethreeletters，LefNicolaievitch，andthrowthembacktoher，fromme。Andifshedares，"criedAglayasuddenly，muchlouderthanbefore，"ifshedaressomuchaswritemeonewordagain，tellherIshalltellmyfather，andthatsheshallbetakentoalunaticasylum。"

TheprincejumpedupinalarmatAglaya’ssuddenwrath，andamistseemedtocomebeforehiseyes。

"Youcannotreallyfeellikethat！Youdon’tmeanwhatyousay。

Itisnottrue，"hemurmured。

"ItIStrue，itIStrue，"criedAglaya，almostbesideherselfwithrage。

"What’strue？What’sallthis？What’strue？"saidanalarmedvoicejustbesidethem。

BeforethemstoodLizabethaProkofievna。

"Why，it’struethatIamgoingtomarryGavrilaArdalionovitch，thatIlovehimandintendtoelopewithhimtomorrow，"criedAglaya，turninguponhermother。"Doyouhear？Isyourcuriositysatisfied？Areyoupleasedwithwhatyouhaveheard？"

Aglayarushedawayhomewardswiththesewords。

"H’m！well，YOUarenotgoingawayjustyet，myfriend，atallevents，"saidLizabetha，stoppingtheprince。"Kindlystephomewithme，andletmehavealittleexplanationofthemystery。

Nicegoingson，these！Ihaven’tsleptawinkallnightasitis。"

Theprincefollowedher。

IX。

ARRIVEDatherhouse，LizabethaProkofievnapausedinthefirstroom。Shecouldgonofarther，andsubsidedontoacouchquiteexhausted；toofeebletoremembersomuchastoasktheprincetotakeaseat。Thiswasalargereception-room，fullofflowers，andwithaglassdoorleadingintothegarden。

AlexandraandAdelaidacameinalmostimmediately，andlookedinquiringlyattheprinceandtheirmother。

Thegirlsgenerallyroseataboutnineinthemorninginthecountry；Aglaya，oflate，hadbeeninthehabitofgettingupratherearlierandhavingawalkinthegarden，butnotatseveno’clock；abouteightoralittlelaterwasherusualtime。

LizabethaProkofievna，whoreallyhadnotsleptallnight，roseatabouteightonpurposetomeetAglayainthegardenandwalkwithher；butshecouldnotfindhereitherinthegardenorinherownroom。

Thisagitatedtheoldladyconsiderably；andsheawokeherotherdaughters。Next，shelearnedfromthemaidthatAglayahadgoneintotheparkbeforeseveno’clock。ThesistersmadeajokeofAglaya’slastfreak，andtoldtheirmotherthatifshewentintotheparktolookforher，Aglayawouldprobablybeveryangrywithher，andthatshewasprettysuretobesittingreadingonthegreenbenchthatshehadtalkedoftwoorthreedayssince，andaboutwhichshehadnearlyquarrelledwithPrinceS。，whodidnotseeanythingparticularlylovelyinit。

Arrivedattherendezvousoftheprinceandherdaughter，andhearingthestrangewordsofthelatter，LizabethaProkofievnahadbeendreadfullyalarmed，formanyreasons。However，nowthatshehaddraggedtheprincehomewithher，shebegantofeelalittlefrightenedatwhatshehadundertaken。WhyshouldnotAglayameettheprinceintheparkandhaveatalkwithhim，evenifsuchameetingshouldbebyappointment？

"Don’tsuppose，prince，"shebegan，bracingherselfupfortheeffort，"don’tsupposethatIhavebroughtyouheretoaskquestions。Afterlastnight，Iassureyou，Iamnotsoexceedinglyanxioustoseeyouatall；Icouldhavepostponedthepleasureforalongwhile。"Shepaused。

"ButatthesametimeyouwouldbeverygladtoknowhowI

happenedtomeetAglayaIvanovnathismorning？"Theprincefinishedherspeechforherwiththeutmostcomposure。

"Well，whatthen？SupposingIshouldliketoknow？"criedLizabethaProkofievna，blushing。"I’msureIamnotafraidofplainspeaking。I’mnotoffendinganyone，andIneverwishto，and——"

"Pardonme，itisnooffencetowishtoknowthis；youarehermother。Wemetatthegreenbenchthismorning，punctuallyatseveno’clock，——accordingtoanagreementmadebyAglayaIvanovnawithmyselfyesterday。Shesaidthatshewishedtoseemeandspeaktomeaboutsomethingimportant。WemetandconversedforanhouraboutmattersconcerningAglayaIvanovnaherself，andthat’sall。"

"Ofcourseitisall，myfriend。Idon’tdoubtyouforamoment，"

saidLizabethaProkofievnawithdignity。

"Welldone，prince，capital！"criedAglaya，whoenteredtheroomatthismoment。"ThankyouforassumingthatIwouldnotdemeanmyselfwithlies。Come，isthatenough，mamma，ordoyouintendtoputanymorequestions？"

"YouknowIhaveneverneededtoblushbeforeyou，uptothisday，thoughperhapsyouwouldhavebeengladenoughtomakeme，"

saidLizabethaProkofievna，——withmajesty。"Good-bye，prince；

forgivemeforbotheringyou。Itrustyouwillrestassuredofmyunalterableesteemforyou。"

Theprincemadehisbowsandretiredatonce。AlexandraandAdelaidasmiledandwhisperedtoeachother，whileLizabethaProkofievnaglaredseverelyatthem。"Weareonlylaughingattheprince’sbeautifulbows，mamma，"saidAdelaida。"Sometimeshebowsjustlikeameal-sack，butto-dayhewaslike——likeEvgeniePavlovitch！"

"ItistheHEARTwhichisthebestteacherofrefinementanddignity，notthedancing-master，"saidhermother，sententiously，anddepartedupstairstoherownroom，notsomuchasglancingatAglaya。

Whentheprincereachedhome，aboutnineo’clock，hefoundVeraLebedeffandthemaidontheverandah。Theywerebothbusytryingtotidyuptheplaceafterlastnight’sdisorderlyparty。

"Thankgoodness，we’vejustmanagedtofinishitbeforeyoucamein！"saidVera，joyfully。

"Good-morning！Myheadwhirlsso；Ididn’tsleepallnight。I

shouldliketohaveanapnow。"

"Here，ontheverandah？Verywell，I’lltellthemallnottocomeandwakeyou。Papahasgoneoutsomewhere。"

Theservantlefttheroom。Verawasabouttofollowher，butreturnedandapproachedtheprincewithapreoccupiedair。

"Prince！"shesaid，"havepityonthatpoorboy；don’tturnhimouttoday。"

"Notfortheworld；heshalldojustashelikes。"

"Hewon’tdoanyharmnow；and——anddon’tbetooseverewithhim，"

"Ohdearno！Why——"

"And——andyouwon’tLAUGHathim？That’sthechiefthing。"

"Ohno！Never。"

"HowfoolishIamtospeakofsuchthingstoamanlikeyou，"

saidVera，blushing。"ThoughyouDOlooktired，"sheadded，halfturningaway，"youreyesaresosplendidatthismoment——sofullofhappiness。"

"Really？"askedtheprince，gleefully，andhelaughedindelight。

ButVera，simple-mindedlittlegirlthatshewas(justlikeaboy，infact)，herebecamedreadfullyconfused，ofasudden，andranhastilyoutoftheroom，laughingandblushing。

"Whatadearlittlethingsheis，"thoughttheprince，andimmediatelyforgotallabouther。

Hewalkedtothefarendoftheverandah，wherethesofastood，withatableinfrontofit。Herehesatdownandcoveredhisfacewithhishands，andsoremainedfortenminutes。Suddenlyheputhishandinhiscoat-pocketandhurriedlyproducedthreeletters。

Butthedooropenedagain，andoutcameColia。

Theprinceactuallyfeltgladthathehadbeeninterrupted，——andmightreturntheletterstohispocket。Hewasgladoftherespite。

"Well，"saidColia，plunginginmediasres，ashealwaysdid，"here’sago！WhatdoyouthinkofHippolytenow？Don’trespecthimanylonger，eh？"

"Whynot？Butlookhere，Colia，I’mtired；besides，thesubjectistoomelancholytobeginuponagain。Howishe，though？"

"Asleep——he’llsleepforacoupleofhoursyet。Iquiteunderstand——youhaven’tslept——youwalkedaboutthepark，Iknow。

Agitation——excitement——allthatsortofthing——quitenatural，too！"

"HowdoyouknowIwalkedintheparkanddidn’tsleepathome？"

"Verajusttoldme。Shetriedtopersuademenottocome，butI

couldn’thelpmyself，justforoneminute。Ihavebeenhavingmyturnatthebedsideforthelasttwohours；KostiaLebedeffistherenow。Burdovskyhasgone。Now，liedown，prince，makeyourselfcomfortable，andsleepwell！I’mawfullyimpressed，youknow。"

"Naturally，allthis——"

"No，no，Imeanwiththe’explanation，’especiallythatpartofitwherehetalksaboutProvidenceandafuturelife。Thereisagiganticthoughtthere。"