第17章
TheprincegazedaffectionatelyatColia，who，ofcourse，hadcomeinsolelyforthepurposeoftalkingaboutthis"giganticthought。"
"Butitisnotanyoneparticularthought，only；itisthegeneralcircumstancesofthecase。IfVoltairehadwrittenthisnow，orRousseau，Ishouldhavejustreaditandthoughtitremarkable，butshouldnothavebeensoIMPRESSEDbyit。Butamanwhoknowsforcertainthathehasbuttenminutestoliveandcantalklikethat——why——it’s——it’sPRIDE，thatis！Itisreallyamostextraordinary，exaltedassertionofpersonaldignity，it’s——it’sDEFIANT！WhataGIGANTICstrengthofwill，eh？Andtoaccuseafellowlikethatofnotputtinginthecaponpurpose；
it’sbaseandmean！Youknowhedeceiveduslastnight，thecunningrascal。Ineverpackedhisbagforhim，andIneversawhispistol。Hepackedithimself。Butheputmeoffmyguardlikethat，yousee。Verasaysyouaregoingtolethimstayon；I
swearthere’snodanger，especiallyaswearealwayswithhim。"
"Whowasbyhimatnight？"
"I，andBurdovsky，andKostiaLebedeff。Kellerstayedalittlewhile，andthenwentovertoLebedeff’stosleep。FerdishenkosleptatLebedeff’s，too；buthewentawayatseveno’clock。MyfatherisalwaysatLebedeff’s；buthehasgoneoutjustnow。I
daresayLebedeffwillbecominginheredirectly；hehasbeenlookingforyou；Idon’tknowwhathewants。Shallwelethiminornot，ifyouareasleep？I’mgoingtohaveanap，too。By-the-
by，suchacuriousthinghappened。Burdovskywokemeatseven，andImetmyfatherjustoutsidetheroom，sodrunk，hedidn’tevenknowme。Hestoodbeforemelikealog，andwhenherecoveredhimself，askedhurriedlyhowHippolytewas。’Yes，’hesaid，whenItoldhim，’that’sallverywell，butIREALLYcametowarnyouthatyoumustbeverycarefulwhatyousaybeforeFerdishenko。’Doyoufollowme，prince？"
"Yes。Isitreallyso？However，it’sallthesametous，ofcourse。"
"Ofcourseitis；wearenotasecretsociety；andthatbeingthecase，itisallthemorecuriousthatthegeneralshouldhavebeenonhiswaytowakemeupinordertotellmethis。"
"Ferdishenkohasgone，yousay？"
"Yes，hewentatseveno’clock。Hecameintotheroomonhiswayout；Iwaswatchingjustthen。Hesaidhewasgoingtospend’therestofthenight’atWilkin’s；there’satipsyfellow，afriendofhis，ofthatname。Well，I’moff。Oh，here’sLebedeffhimself！
Theprincewantstogotosleep，LukianTimofeyovitch，soyoumayjustgoawayagain。"
"Onemoment，mydearprince，justone。Imustabsolutelyspeaktoyouaboutsomethingwhichismostgrave，"saidLebedeff，mysteriouslyandsolemnly，enteringtheroomwithabowandlookingextremelyimportant。Hehadbutjustreturned，andcarriedhishatinhishand。Helookedpreoccupiedandmostunusuallydignified。
Theprincebeggedhimtotakeachair。
"Ihearyouhavecalledtwice；Isupposeyouarestillworriedaboutyesterday’saffair。"
"What，aboutthatboy，youmean？Ohdearno，yesterdaymyideaswerealittle——well——mixed。Today，Iassureyou，Ishallnotopposeintheslightestdegreeanysuggestionsitmaypleaseyoutomake。"
"What’supwithyouthismorning，Lebedeff？Youlooksoimportantanddignified，andyouchooseyourwordssocarefully，"saidtheprince，smiling。
"NicolaiArdalionovitch！"saidLebedeff，inamostamiabletoneofvoice，addressingtheboy。"AsIhaveacommunicationtomaketotheprincewhichconcernsonlymyself——"
"Ofcourse，ofcourse，notmyaffair。Allright，"saidColia，andawayhewent。
"Ilovethatboyforhisperception，"saidLebedeff，lookingafterhim。"Mydearprince，"hecontinued，"Ihavehadaterriblemisfortune，eitherlastnightorearlythismorning。Icannottelltheexacttime。"
"Whatisit？"
"Ihavelostfourhundredroublesoutofmysidepocket！They’regone！"saidLebedeff，withasoursmile。
"You’velostfourhundredroubles？Oh！I’msorryforthat。"
"Yes，itisseriousforapoormanwholivesbyhistoil。"
"Ofcourse，ofcourse！Howwasit？"
"Oh，thewineistoblame，ofcourse。Iconfesstoyou，prince，asIwouldtoProvidenceitself。YesterdayIreceivedfourhundredroublesfromadebtorataboutfiveintheafternoon，andcamedownherebytrain。Ihadmypurseinmypocket。WhenI
changed，Iputthemoneyintothepocketofmyplainclothes，intendingtokeepitbyme，asIexpectedtohaveanapplicantforitintheevening。"
"It’struethen，Lebedeff，thatyouadvertisetolendmoneyongoldorsilverarticles？"
"Yes，throughanagent。Myownnamedoesn’tappear。Ihavealargefamily，yousee，andatasmallpercentage——"
"Quiteso，quiteso。Ionlyaskedforinformation——excusethequestion。Goon。"
"Well，meanwhilethatsickboywasbroughthere，andthoseguestscamein，andwehadtea，and——well，wemademerry——tomyruin！
Hearingofyourbirthdayafterwards，andexcitedwiththecircumstancesoftheevening，Iranupstairsandchangedmyplainclothesoncemoreformyuniform[CivilServiceclerksinRussiawearuniform。]——youmusthavenoticedIhadmyuniformonalltheevening？Well，Iforgotthemoneyinthepocketofmyoldcoat——
youknowwhenGodwillruinamanhefirstofallbereaveshimofhissenses——anditwasonlythismorningathalf-pastseventhatIwokeupandgrabbedatmycoatpocket，firstthing。Thepocketwasempty——thepursegone，andnotatracetobefound！"
"Dearme！Thisisveryunpleasant！"
"Unpleasant！Indeeditis。Youhavefoundaveryappropriateexpression，"saidLebedeff，politely，butwithsarcasm。
"Butwhat’stobedone？It’saseriousmatter，"saidtheprince，thoughtfully。"Don’tyouthinkyoumayhavedroppeditoutofyourpocketwhilstintoxicated？"
"Certainly。Anythingispossiblewhenoneisintoxicated，asyouneatlyexpressit，prince。Butconsider——ifI，intoxicatedornot，droppedanobjectoutofmypocketontotheground，thatobjectoughttoremainontheground。Whereistheobject，then？"
"Didn’tyouputitawayinsomedrawer，perhaps？"
"I’velookedeverywhere，andturnedouteverything。"
"Iconfessthisdisturbsmeagooddeal。Someonemusthavepickeditup，then。"
"Ortakenitoutofmypocket——twoalternatives。"
"Itisverydistressing，becauseWHO——？That’sthequestion！"
"Mostundoubtedly，excellentprince，youhavehitit——thatistheveryquestion。Howwonderfullyyouexpresstheexactsituationinafewwords！"
"Come，come，Lebedeff，nosarcasm！It’saserious——"
"Sarcasm！"criedLebedeff，wringinghishands。
"Allright，allright，I’mnotangry。I’monlyputoutaboutthis。Whomdoyoususpect？"
"Thatisaverydifficultandcomplicatedquestion。Icannotsuspecttheservant，forshewasinthekitchenthewholeevening，nordoIsuspectanyofmychildren。"
"Ishouldthinknot。Goon。"
"Thenitmustbeoneoftheguests。"
"Issuchathingpossible？"
"Absolutelyandutterlyimpossible——andyet，soitmustbe。ButonethingIamsureof，ifitbeatheft，itwascommitted，notintheeveningwhenwewerealltogether，buteitheratnightorearlyinthemorning；therefore，byoneofthosewhoslepthere。
BurdovskyandColiaIexcept，ofcourse。Theydidnotevencomeintomyroom。"
"Yes，oreveniftheyhad！Butwhodidsleepwithyou？""Fourofus，includingmyself，intworooms。Thegeneral，myself，Keller，andFerdishenko。Oneofusfouritmusthavebeen。Idon’tsuspectmyself，thoughsuchcaseshavebeenknown。"
"Oh！DOgoon，Lebedeff！Don’tdragitoutso。"
"Well，therearethreeleft，then——Kellerfirstly。Heisadrunkardtobeginwith，andaliberal(inthesenseofotherpeople’spockets)，otherwisewithmoreoftheancientknightabouthimthanofthemodernliberal。Hewaswiththesickmanatfirst，butcameoverafterwardsbecausetherewasnoplacetoliedownintheroomandthefloorwassohard。"
"Yoususpecthim？"
"IDIDsuspecthim。WhenIwokeupathalf-pastsevenandtoremyhairindespairformylossandcarelessness，Iawokethegeneral，whowassleepingthesleepofinnocencenearme。TakingintoconsiderationthesuddendisappearanceofFerdishenko，whichwassuspiciousinitself，wedecidedtosearchKeller，whowaslyingtheresleepinglikeatop。Well，wesearchedhisclothesthoroughly，andnotafarthingdidwefind；infact，hispocketsallhadholesinthem。Wefoundadirtyhandkerchief，andalove-
letterfromsomescullery-maid。Thegeneraldecidedthathewasinnocent。Weawokehimforfurtherinquiries，andhadthegreatestdifficultyinmakinghimunderstandwhatwasup。Heopenedhismouthandstared——helookedsostupidandsoabsurdlyinnocent。Itwasn’tKeller。"
"Oh，I’msoglad！"saidtheprince，joyfully。"Iwassoafraid。"
"Afraid！Thenyouhadsomegroundsforsupposinghemightbetheculprit？"saidLebedeff，frowning。
"Ohno——notabit！ItwasfoolishofmetosayIwasafraid！
Don’trepeatitplease，Lebedeff，don’ttellanyoneIsaidthat！"
"Mydearprince！yourwordslieinthelowestdepthofmyheart——
itistheirtomb！"saidLebedeff，solemnly，pressinghishattotheregionofhisheart。
"Thanks；verywell。ThenIsupposeit’sFerdishenko；thatis，I
mean，yoususpectFerdishenko？"
"Whomelse？"saidLebedeff，softly，gazingintentlyintotheprincesface。
"Ofcourse——quiteso，whomelse？Butwhataretheproofs？"
"Wehaveevidence。Inthefirstplace，hismysteriousdisappearanceatseveno’clock，orevenearlier。"
"Iknow，Coliatoldmethathehadsaidhewasoffto——Iforgetthename，somefriendofhis，tofinishthenight。"
"H’m！thenColiahasspokentoyoualready？"
"Notaboutthetheft。"
"Hedoesnotknowofit；Ihavekeptitasecret。Verywell，FerdishenkowentofftoWilkin’s。Thatisnotsocuriousinitself，butheretheevidenceopensoutfurther。Helefthisaddress，yousee，whenhewent。Nowprince，consider，whydidheleavehisaddress？WhydoyousupposehewentoutofhiswaytotellColiathathehadgonetoWilkin’s？WhocaredtoknowthathewasgoingtoWilkin’s？No，no！prince，thisisfinesse，thieves’finesse！Thisisasgoodassaying，’There，howcanIbeathiefwhenIleavemyaddress？I’mnotconcealingmymovementsasathiefwould。’Doyouunderstand，prince？"
"Ohyes，butthatisnotenough。"
"Secondproof。Thescentturnsouttobefalse，andtheaddressgivenisasham。Anhourafter——thatisatabouteight，IwenttoWilkin’smyself，andtherewasnotraceofFerdishenko。Themaiddidtellme，certainly，thatanhourorsosincesomeonehadbeenhammeringatthedoor，andhadsmashedthebell；shesaidshewouldnotopenthedoorbecauseshedidn’twanttowakehermaster；probablyshewastoolazytogetupherself。Suchphenomenaaremetwithoccasionally！"
"Butisthatallyourevidence？Itisnotenough！"
"Well，prince，whomarewetosuspect，then？Consider！"saidLebedeffwithalmostservileamiability，smilingattheprince。
Therewasalookofcunninginhiseyes，however。
"Youshouldsearchyourroomandallthecupboardsagain，"saidtheprince，afteramomentortwoofsilentreflection。
"ButIhavedoneso，mydearprince！"saidLebedeff，moresweetlythanever。
"H’m！whymustyouneedsgoupandchangeyourcoatlikethat？"
askedtheprince，bangingthetablewithhisfist，inannoyance。
"Oh，don’tbesoworriedonmyaccount，prince！IassureyouIamnotworthit！Atleast，notIalone。ButIseeyouaresufferingonbehalfofthecriminaltoo，forwretchedFerdishenko，infact！"
"Ofcourseyouhavegivenmeadisagreeableenoughthingtothinkabout，"saidtheprince，irritably，"butwhatareyougoingtodo，sinceyouaresosureitwasFerdishenko？"
"ButwhoelseCOULDitbe，myverydearprince？"repeatedLebedeff，assweetassugaragain。"Ifyoudon’twishmetosuspectMr。Burdovsky？"
"Ofcoursenot。"
"Northegeneral？Ha，ha，ha！"
"Nonsense！"saidtheprince，angrily，turningrounduponhim。
"Quiteso，nonsense！Ha，ha，ha！dearme！Hedidamuseme，didthegeneral！WewentoffonthehotscenttoWilkin’stogether，youknow；butImustfirstobservethatthegeneralwasevenmorethunderstruckthanImyselfthismorning，whenIawokehimafterdiscoveringthetheft；somuchsothathisveryfacechanged——hegrewredandthenpale，andatlengthflewintoaparoxysmofsuchnoblewraththatIassureyouIwasquitesurprised！Heisamostgenerous-heartedman！Hetellsliesbythethousands，I
know，butitismerelyaweakness；heisamanofthehighestfeelings；asimple-mindedmantoo，andamanwhocarriestheconvictionofinnocenceinhisveryappearance。Ilovethatman，sir；Imayhavetoldyousobefore；itisaweaknessofmine。
Well——hesuddenlystoppedinthemiddleoftheroad，openedouthiscoatandbaredhisbreast。"Searchme，"hesays，"yousearchedKeller；whydon’tyousearchmetoo？Itisonlyfair！"
sayshe。Andallthewhilehislegsandhandsweretremblingwithanger，andheaswhiteasasheetallover！SoIsaidtohim，"Nonsense，general；ifanybodybutyourselfhadsaidthattome，I’dhavetakenmyhead，myownhead，andputitonalargedishandcarrieditroundtoanyonewhosuspectedyou；andIshouldhavesaid:’There，youseethathead？It’smyhead，andI’llgobailwiththatheadforhim！Yes，andwalkthroughthefireforhim，too。There，’saysI，’that’showI’danswerforyou，general！’Thenheembracedme，inthemiddleofthestreet，andhuggedmesotight(cryingovermeallthewhile)thatIcoughedfittochoke！’Youaretheonefriendlefttomeamidallmymisfortunes，’sayshe。Oh，he’samanofsentiment，that！Hewentontotellmeastoryofhowhehadbeenaccused，orsuspected，ofstealingfivehundredthousandroublesonce，asayoungman；
andhow，theverynextday，hehadrushedintoaburning，blazinghouseandsavedtheverycountwhosuspectedhim，andNinaAlexandrovna(whowasthenayounggirl)，fromafierydeath。Thecountembracedhim，andthatwashowhecametomarryNinaAlexandrovna，hesaid。Asforthemoney，itwasfoundamongtheruinsnextdayinanEnglishironboxwithasecretlock；ithadgotunderthefloorsomehow，andifithadnotbeenforthefireitwouldneverhavebeenfound！Thewholethingis，ofcourse，anabsolutefabrication，thoughwhenhespokeofNinaAlexandrovnahewept！She’sagrandwoman，isNinaAlexandrovna，thoughsheisveryangrywithme！"
"Areyouacquaintedwithher？"
"Well，hardlyatall。IwishIwere，ifonlyforthesakeofjustifyingmyselfinhereyes。NinaAlexandrovnahasagrudgeagainstmefor，asshethinks，encouragingherhusbandindrinking；whereasinrealityInotonlydonotencouragehim，butIactuallykeephimoutofharm’sway，andoutofbadcompany。
Besides，he’smyfriend，prince，sothatIshallnotlosesightofhim，again。Wherehegoes，Igo。He’squitegivenupvisitingthecaptain’swidow，thoughsometimeshethinkssadlyofher，especiallyinthemorning，whenhe’sputtingonhisboots。I
don’tknowwhyit’satthattime。Buthehasnomoney，andit’snousehisgoingtoseeherwithout。Hasheborrowedanymoneyfromyou，prince？"
"No，hehasnot。"
"Ah，he’sashamedto！HeMEANTtoaskyou，Iknow，forhesaidso。Isupposehethinksthatasyougavehimsomeonce(youremember)，youwouldprobablyrefuseifheaskedyouagain。"
"Doyouevergivehimmoney？"
"Prince！Money！WhyIwouldgivethatmannotonlymymoney，butmyverylife，ifhewantedit。Well，perhapsthat’sexaggeration；
notlife，we’llsay，butsomeillness，aboilorabadcough，oranythingofthatsort，Iwouldstandwithpleasure，forhissake；
forIconsiderhimagreatmanfallen——money，indeed！"
"H’m，thenyouDOgivehimmoney？"
"N-no，Ihavenevergivenhimmoney，andheknowswellthatI
willnevergivehimany；becauseIamanxioustokeephimoutofintemperateways。Heisgoingtotownwithmenow；foryoumustknowIamofftoPetersburgafterFerdishenko，whilethescentishot；I’mcertainheisthere。Ishallletthegeneralgooneway，whileIgotheother；wehavesoarrangedmattersinordertopopoutuponFerdishenko，yousee，fromdifferentsides。ButIamgoingtofollowthatnaughtyoldgeneralandcatchhim，Iknowwhere，atacertainwidow’shouse；forIthinkitwillbeagoodlesson，toputhimtoshamebycatchinghimwiththewidow。"
"Oh，Lebedeff，don’t，don’tmakeanyscandalaboutit！"saidtheprince，muchagitated，andspeakinginalowvoice。
"Notfortheworld，notfortheworld！Imerelywishtomakehimashamedofhimself。Oh，prince，greatthoughthismisfortunebetomyself，Icannothelpthinkingofhismorals！Ihaveagreatfavourtoaskofyou，esteemedprince；Iconfessthatitisthechiefobjectofmyvisit。YouknowtheIvolgins，youhaveevenlivedintheirhouse；soifyouwouldlendmeyourhelp，honouredprince，inthegeneral’sowninterestandforhisgood。"
Lebedeffclaspedhishandsinsupplication。
"Whathelpdoyouwantfromme？YoumaybecertainthatIammostanxioustounderstandyou，Lebedeff。"
"Ifeltsureofthat，orIshouldnothavecometoyou。WemightmanageitwiththehelpofNinaAlexandrovna，sothathemightbecloselywatchedinhisownhouse。UnfortunatelyIamnotonterms……otherwise……butNicolaiArdalionovitch，whoadoresyouwithallhisyouthfulsoul，mighthelp，too。"
"No，no！HeavenforbidthatweshouldbringNinaAlexandrovnaintothisbusiness！OrColia，either。ButperhapsIhavenotyetquiteunderstoodyou，Lebedeff？"
Lebedeffmadeanimpatientmovement。
"Butthereisnothingtounderstand！Sympathyandtenderness，thatisall——thatisallourpoorinvalidrequires！Youwillpermitmetoconsiderhimaninvalid？"
"Yes，itshowsdelicacyandintelligenceonyourpart。"
"Iwillexplainmyideabyapracticalexample，tomakeitclearer。Youknowthesortofmanheis。Atpresenthisonlyfailingisthatheiscrazyaboutthatcaptain’swidow，andhecannotgotoherwithoutmoney，andImeantocatchhimatherhousetoday——forhisowngood；butsupposingitwasnotonlythewidow，butthathehadcommittedarealcrime，oratleastsomeverydishonourableaction(ofwhichheis，ofcourse，incapable)，Irepeatthateveninthatcase，ifheweretreatedwithwhatI
maycallgeneroustenderness，onecouldgetatthewholetruth，forheisverysoft-hearted！Believeme，hewouldbetrayhimselfbeforefivedayswereout；hewouldburstintotears，andmakeacleanbreastofthematter；especiallyifmanagedwithtact，andifyouandhisfamilywatchedhiseverystep，sotospeak。Oh，mydearprince，"Lebedeffaddedmostemphatically，"Idonotpositivelyassertthathehas……Iamready，asthesayingis，toshedmylastdropofbloodforhimthisinstant；butyouwilladmitthatdebauchery，drunkenness，andthecaptain’swidow，allthesetogethermayleadhimveryfar。"
"Iam，ofcourse，quitereadytoaddmyeffortstoyoursinsuchacase，"saidtheprince，rising；"butIconfess，Lebedeff，thatIamterriblyperplexed。Tellme，doyoustillthink……
plainly，yousayyourselfthatyoususpectMr。Ferdishenko？"
Lebedeffclaspedhishandsoncemore。
"Why，whoelsecouldIpossiblysuspect？Whoelse，mostoutspokenprince？"hereplied，withanunctuoussmile。
Muishkinfrowned，androsefromhisseat。
"Yousee，Lebedeff，amistakeherewouldbeadreadfulthing。
ThisFerdishenko，Iwouldnotsayawordagainsthim，ofcourse；
but，whoknows？Perhapsitreallywashe？Imeanhereallydoesseemtobeamorelikelymanthan……thananyother。"
Lebedeffstrainedhiseyesandearstotakeinwhattheprincewassaying。Thelatterwasfrowningmoreandmore，andwalkingexcitedlyupanddown，tryingnottolookatLebedeff。
"Yousee，"hesaid，"IwasgiventounderstandthatFerdishenkowasthatsortofman，——thatonecan’tsayeverythingbeforehim。
Onehastotakecarenottosaytoomuch，youunderstand？Isaythistoprovethathereallyis，sotospeak，morelikelytohavedonethisthananyoneelse，eh？Youunderstand？Theimportantthingis，nottomakeamistake。"
"AndwhotoldyouthisaboutFerdishenko？"
"Oh，Iwastold。OfcourseIdon’taltogetherbelieveit。IamverysorrythatIshouldhavehadtosaythis，becauseIassureyouIdon’tbelieveitmyself；itisallnonsense，ofcourse。Itwasstupidofmetosayanythingaboutit。"
"Yousee，itisveryimportant，itismostimportanttoknowwhereyougotthisreportfrom，"saidLebedeff，excitedly。Hehadrisenfromhisseat，andwastryingtokeepstepwiththeprince，runningafterhim，upanddown。"Becauselookhere，prince，I
don’tmindtellingyounowthatasweweregoingalongtoWilkin’sthismorning，aftertellingmewhatyouknowaboutthefire，andsavingthecountandallthat，thegeneralwaspleasedtodropcertainhintstothesameeffectaboutFerdishenko，butsovaguelyandclumsilythatIthoughtbettertoputafewquestionstohimonthematter，withtheresultthatIfoundthewholethingwasaninventionofhisexcellency’sownmind。Ofcourse，heonlylieswiththebestintentions；still，helies。
But，suchbeingthecase，wherecouldyouhaveheardthesamereport？Itwastheinspirationofthemomentwithhim，youunderstand，sowhocouldhavetoldYOU？Itisanimportantquestion，yousee！"
"ItwasColiatoldme，andhisfathertoldHIMataboutsixthismorning。Theymetatthethreshold，whenColiawasleavingtheroomforsomethingorother。"TheprincetoldLebedeffallthatColiahadmadeknowntohimself，indetail。
"Therenow，that’swhatwemaycallSCENT！"saidLebedeff，rubbinghishandsandlaughingsilently。"Ithoughtitmustbeso，yousee。Thegeneralinterruptedhisinnocentslumbers，atsixo’clock，inordertogoandwakehisbelovedson，andwarnhimofthedreadfuldangerofcompanionshipwithFerdishenko。
Dearme！whatadreadfullydangerousmanFerdishenkomustbe，andwhattouchingpaternalsolicitude，onthepartofhisexcellency，ha！ha！ha！"
"Listen，Lebedeff，"begantheprince，quiteoverwhelmed；"DOactquietly——don’tmakeascandal，Lebedeff，Iaskyou——Ientreatyou！Noonemustknow——NOONE，mind！Inthatcaseonly，Iwillhelpyou。"
"Beassured，mosthonourable，mostworthyofprinces——beassuredthatthewholemattershallbeburiedwithinmyheart！"criedLebedeff，inaparoxysmofexaltation。"I’dgiveeverydropofmyblood……Illustriousprince，Iamapoorwretchinsoulandspirit，butasktheveriestscoundrelwhetherhewouldprefertodealwithonelikehimself，orwithanoble-heartedmanlikeyou，andthereisnodoubtastohischoice！He’llanswerthatheprefersthenoble-heartedman——andthereyouhavethetriumphofvirtue！Aurevoir，honouredprince！YouandItogether——softly！
softly！"
X。
THEprinceunderstoodatlastwhyheshiveredwithdreadeverytimehethoughtofthethreelettersinhispocket，andwhyhehadputoffreadingthemuntiltheevening。
Whenhefellintoaheavysleeponthesofaontheverandah，withouthavinghadthecouragetoopenasingleoneofthethreeenvelopes，heagaindreamedapainfuldream，andoncemorethatpoor，"sinful"womanappearedtohim。Againshegazedathimwithtearssparklingonherlonglashes，andbeckonedhimafterher；
andagainheawoke，asbefore，withthepictureofherfacehauntinghim。
Helongedtogetupandgotoheratonce——butheCOULDNOT。Atlength，almostindespair，heunfoldedtheletters，andbegantoreadthem。
Theseletters，too，werelikeadream。Wesometimeshavestrange，impossibledreams，contrarytoallthelawsofnature。Whenweawakewerememberthemandwonderattheirstrangeness。Youremember，perhaps，thatyouwereinfullpossessionofyourreasonduringthissuccessionoffantasticimages；eventhatyouactedwithextraordinarylogicandcunningwhilesurroundedbymurdererswhohidtheirintentionsandmadegreatdemonstrationsoffriendship，whilewaitingforanopportunitytocutyourthroat。Yourememberhowyouescapedthembysomeingeniousstratagem；thenyoudoubtediftheywerereallydeceived，orwhethertheywereonlypretendingnottoknowyourhiding-place；
thenyouthoughtofanotherplanandhoodwinkedthemonceagain。
Yourememberallthisquiteclearly，buthowisitthatyourreasoncalmlyacceptedallthemanifestabsurditiesandimpossibilitiesthatcrowdedintoyourdream？Oneofthemurdererssuddenlychangedintoawomanbeforeyourveryeyes；
thenthewomanwastransformedintoahideous，cunninglittledwarf；andyoubelievedit，andaccepteditallalmostasamatterofcourse——whileatthesametimeyourintelligenceseemedunusuallykeen，andaccomplishedmiraclesofcunning，sagacity，andlogic！Whyisitthatwhenyouawaketotheworldofrealitiesyounearlyalwaysfeel，sometimesveryvividly，thatthevanisheddreamhascarriedwithitsomeenigmawhichyouhavefailedtosolve？Yousmileattheextravaganceofyourdream，andyetyoufeelthatthistissueofabsurditycontainedsomerealidea，somethingthatbelongstoyourtruelife，——somethingthatexists，andhasalwaysexisted，inyourheart。Yousearchyourdreamforsomeprophecythatyouwereexpecting。Ithasleftadeepimpressionuponyou，joyfulorcruel，butwhatitmeans，orwhathasbeenpredictedtoyouinit，youcanneitherunderstandnorremember。
Thereadingoftheselettersproducedsomesucheffectupontheprince。Hefelt，beforeheevenopenedtheenvelopes，thattheveryfactoftheirexistencewaslikeanightmare。Howcouldsheeverhavemadeuphermindtowritetoher？heaskedhimself。Howcouldshewriteaboutthatatall？Andhowcouldsuchawildideahaveenteredherhead？Andyet，thestrangestpartofthematterwas，thatwhilehereadtheletters，hehimselfalmostbelievedinthepossibility，andeveninthejustification，oftheideahehadthoughtsowild。Ofcourseitwasamaddream，anightmare，andyettherewassomethingcruellyrealaboutit。Forhourshewashauntedbywhathehadread。Severalpassagesreturnedagainandagaintohismind，andashebroodedoverthem，hefeltinclinedtosaytohimselfthathehadforeseenandknownallthatwaswrittenhere；itevenseemedtohimthathehadreadthewholeofthissometimeorother，long，longago；andallthathadtormentedandgrievedhimuptonowwastobefoundintheseold，longsinceread，letters。
"Whenyouopenthisletter"(sothefirstbegan)，"lookfirstatthesignature。Thesignaturewilltellyouall，sothatIneedexplainnothing，norattempttojustifymyself。WereIinanywayonafootingwithyou，youmightbeoffendedatmyaudacity；butwhoamI，andwhoareyou？Weareatsuchextremes，andIamsofarremovedfromyou，thatIcouldnotoffendyouifIwishedtodoso。"
Fartheron，inanotherplace，shewrote:"Donotconsidermywordsasthesicklyecstasiesofadiseasedmind，butyouare，inmyopinion——perfection！Ihaveseenyou——Iseeyoueveryday。I
donotjudgeyou；IhavenotweighedyouinthescalesofReasonandfoundyouPerfection——itissimplyanarticleoffaith。ButI
mustconfessonesinagainstyou——Iloveyou。Oneshouldnotloveperfection。Oneshouldonlylookonitasperfection——yetIaminlovewithyou。Thoughloveequalizes，donotfear。Ihavenotloweredyoutomylevel，eveninmymostsecretthoughts。Ihavewritten’Donotfear，’asifyoucouldfear。IwouldkissyourfootprintsifIcould；but，oh！Iamnotputtingmyselfonalevelwithyou！——Lookatthesignature——quick，lookatthesignature！"
"However，observe"(shewroteinanotheroftheletters)，"thatalthoughIcoupleyouwithhim，yetIhavenotonceaskedyouwhetheryoulovehim。Hefellinlovewithyou，thoughhesawyoubutonce。Hespokeofyouasof’thelight。’Thesearehisownwords——Iheardhimusethem。ButIunderstoodwithouthissayingitthatyouwereallthatlightistohim。Ilivednearhimforawholemonth，andIunderstoodthenthatyou，too，mustlovehim。
Ithinkofyouandhimasone。"
"Whatwasthematteryesterday？"(shewroteonanothersheet)。"I
passedbyyou，andyouseemedtometoBLUSH。Perhapsitwasonlymyfancy。IfIweretobringyoutothemostloathsomeden，andshowyoutherevelationofundisguisedvice——youshouldnotblush。Youcanneverfeelthesenseofpersonalaffront。Youmayhateallwhoaremean，orbase，orunworthy——butnotforyourself——onlyforthosewhomtheywrong。NoonecanwrongYOU。
Doyouknow，Ithinkyououghttoloveme——foryouarethesameinmyeyesasinhis-youareaslight。Anangelcannothate，perhapscannotlove，either。Ioftenaskmyself——isitpossibletoloveeverybody？Indeeditisnot；itisnotinnature。
Abstractloveofhumanityisnearlyalwaysloveofself。Butyouaredifferent。Youcannothelplovingall，sinceyoucancomparewithnone，andareaboveallpersonaloffenceoranger。Oh！howbitteritwouldbetometoknowthatyoufeltangerorshameonmyaccount，forthatwouldbeyourfall——youwouldbecomecomparableatoncewithsuchasme。
"Yesterday，afterseeingyou，Iwenthomeandthoughtoutapicture。
"ArtistsalwaysdrawtheSaviourasanactorinoneoftheGospelstories。Ishoulddodifferently。IshouldrepresentChristalone——thedisciplesdidleaveHimaloneoccasionally。IshouldpaintonelittlechildleftwithHim。ThischildhasbeenplayingaboutnearHim，andhadprobablyjustbeentellingtheSavioursomethinginitsprettybabyprattle。Christhadlistenedtoit，butwasnowmusing——onehandreposingonthechild’sbrighthead。
Hiseyeshaveafar-awayexpression。Thought，greatastheUniverse，isinthem——Hisfaceissad。ThelittleoneleansitselbowuponChrist’sknee，andwithitscheekrestingonitshand，gazesupatHim，ponderingaschildrensometimesdoponder。Thesunissetting。Thereyouhavemypicture。
"Youareinnocent——andinyourinnocenceliesallyourperfection——oh，rememberthat！Whatismypassiontoyou？——youareminenow；Ishallbenearyouallmylife——Ishallnotlivelong！"
Atlength，inthelastletterofall，hefound:
"ForHeaven’ssake，don’tmisunderstandme！DonotthinkthatI
humiliatemyselfbywritingthustoyou，orthatIbelongtothatclassofpeoplewhotakeasatisfactioninhumiliatingthemselves——frompride。Ihavemyconsolation，thoughitwouldbedifficulttoexplainit——butIdonothumiliatemyself。
"WhydoIwishtouniteyoutwo？Foryoursakesormyown？Formyownsake，naturally。Alltheproblemsofmylifewouldthusbesolved；Ihavethoughtsoforalongtime。IknowthatoncewhenyoursisterAdelaidasawmyportraitshesaidthatsuchbeautycouldoverthrowtheworld。ButIhaverenouncedtheworld。YouthinkitstrangethatIshouldsayso，foryousawmedeckedwithlaceanddiamonds，inthecompanyofdrunkardsandwastrels。Takenonoticeofthat；IknowthatIhavealmostceasedtoexist。Godknowswhatitisdwellingwithinmenow——itisnotmyself。Icanseeiteverydayintwodreadfuleyeswhicharealwayslookingatme，evenwhennotpresent。Theseeyesaresilentnow，theysaynothing；butIknowtheirsecret。Hishouseisgloomy，andthereisasecretinit。Iamconvincedthatinsomeboxhehasarazorhidden，tiedroundwithsilk，justliketheonethatMoscowmurdererhad。Thismanalsolivedwithhismother，andhadarazorhiddenaway，tiedroundwithwhitesilk，andwiththisrazorheintendedtocutathroat。
"AllthewhileIwasintheirhouseIfeltsurethatsomewherebeneaththefloortherewashiddenawaysomedreadfulcorpse，wrappedinoil-cloth，perhapsburiedtherebyhisfather，whoknows？JustasintheMoscowcase。Icouldhaveshownyoutheveryspot！
"Heisalwayssilent，butIknowwellthathelovesmesomuchthathemusthateme。Myweddingandyoursaretobeonthesameday；soIhavearrangedwithhim。Ihavenosecretsfromhim。I
wouldkillhimfromveryfright，buthewillkillmefirst。Hehasjustburstoutlaughing，andsaysthatIamraving。HeknowsIamwritingtoyou。"
Therewasmuchmoreofthisdeliriouswanderingintheletters——
oneofthemwasverylong。
Atlasttheprincecameoutofthedark，gloomypark，inwhichhehadwanderedaboutforhoursjustasyesterday。Thebrightnightseemedtohimtobelighterthanever。"Itmustbequiteearly，"
hethought。(Hehadforgottenhiswatch。)Therewasasoundofdistantmusicsomewhere。"Ah，"hethought，"theVauxhall！Theywon’tbetheretoday，ofcourse！"Atthismomenthenoticedthathewasclosetotheirhouse；hehadfeltthathemustgravitatetothisspoteventually，and，withabeatingheart，hemountedtheverandahsteps。
Noonemethim；theverandahwasempty，andnearlypitchdark。Heopenedthedoorintotheroom，butit，too，wasdarkandempty。
Hestoodinthemiddleoftheroominperplexity。Suddenlythedooropened，andincameAlexandra，candleinhand。Seeingtheprinceshestoppedbeforehiminsurprise，lookingathimquestioningly。
Itwasclearthatshehadbeenmerelypassingthroughtheroomfromdoortodoor，andhadnothadtheremotestnotionthatshewouldmeetanyone。
"Howdidyoucomehere？"sheasked，atlast。
"I-I——camein——"
"Mammaisnotverywell，norisAglaya。Adelaidahasgonetobed，andIamjustgoing。Wewerealonethewholeevening。FatherandPrinceS。havegonetotown。"
"Ihavecometoyou——now——to——"
"Doyouknowwhattimeitis？"
"N——no！"
"Half-pasttwelve。Wearealwaysinbedbyone。"
"I-Ithoughtitwashalf-pastnine！"
"Nevermind！"shelaughed，"butwhydidn’tyoucomeearlier？
Perhapsyouwereexpected！"
"Ithought"hestammered，makingforthedoor。
"Aurevoir！Ishallamusethemallwiththisstorytomorrow！"
Hewalkedalongtheroadtowardshisownhouse。Hisheartwasbeating，histhoughtswereconfused，everythingaroundseemedtobepartofadream。
Andsuddenly，justastwicealreadyhehadawakedfromsleepwiththesamevision，thatveryapparitionnowseemedtoriseupbeforehim。Thewomanappearedtostepoutfromthepark，andstandinthepathinfrontofhim，asthoughshehadbeenwaitingforhimthere。
Heshudderedandstopped；sheseizedhishandandpresseditfrenziedly。
No，thiswasnoapparition！
Thereshestoodatlast，facetofacewithhim，forthefirsttimesincetheirparting。
Shesaidsomething，buthelookedsilentlybackather。Hisheartachedwithanguish。Oh！neverwouldhebanishtherecollectionofthismeetingwithher，andheneverremembereditbutwiththesamepainandagonyofmind。
Shewentonherkneesbeforehim——thereintheopenroad——likeamadwoman。Heretreatedastep，butshecaughthishandandkissedit，and，justasinhisdream，thetearsweresparklingonherlong，beautifullashes。
"Getup！"hesaid，inafrightenedwhisper，raisingher。"Getupatonce！"
"Areyouhappy——areyouhappy？"sheasked。"Saythisoneword。
Areyouhappynow？Today，thismoment？Haveyoujustbeenwithher？Whatdidshesay？"
Shedidnotrisefromherknees；shewouldnotlistentohim；sheputherquestionshurriedly，asthoughshewerepursued。
"Iamgoingawaytomorrow，asyoubademe——Iwon’twrite——sothatthisisthelasttimeIshallseeyou，thelasttime！ThisisreallytheLASTTIME！"
"Oh，becalm——becalm！Getup！"heentreated，indespair。
Shegazedthirstilyathimandclutchedhishands。
"Good-bye！"shesaidatlast，androseandlefthim，veryquickly。
TheprincenoticedthatRogojinhadsuddenlyappearedatherside，andhadtakenherarmandwasleadingheraway。
"Waitaminute，prince，"shoutedthelatter，ashewent。"Ishallbebackinfiveminutes。"
Hereappearedinfiveminutesashehadsaid。Theprincewaswaitingforhim。
"I’veputherinthecarriage，"hesaid；"ithasbeenwaitingroundthecornertheresinceteno’clock。SheexpectedthatyouwouldbewithTHEMalltheevening。Itoldherexactlywhatyouwroteme。Shewon’twritetothegirlanymore，shepromises；andtomorrowshewillbeoff，asyouwish。Shedesiredtoseeyouforthelasttime，althoughyourefused，sowe’vebeensittingandwaitingonthatbenchtillyoushouldpassonyourwayhome。"
"Didshebringyouwithherofherownaccord？"
"Ofcourseshedid！"saidRogojin，showinghisteeth；"andIsawformyselfwhatIknewbefore。You’vereadherletters，I
suppose？"
"Didyoureadthem？"askedtheprince，struckbythethought。
"Ofcourse——sheshowedthemtomeherself。Youarethinkingoftherazor，eh？Ha，ha，ha！"
"Oh，sheismad！"criedtheprince，wringinghishands。"Whoknows？Perhapssheisnotsomadafterall，"saidRogojin，softly，asthoughthinkingaloud。
Theprincemadenoreply。
"Well，good-bye，"saidRogojin。"I’mofftomorrowtoo，youknow。
Remembermekindly！By-the-by，"headded，turningroundsharplyagain，"didyouanswerherquestionjustnow？Areyouhappy，ornot？"
"No，no，no！"criedtheprince，withunspeakablesadness。
"Ha，ha！Ineversupposedyouwouldsay’yes，’"criedRogojin，laughingsardonically。
Andhedisappeared，withoutlookingroundagain。
PARTIV
I。
AWEEKhadelapsedsincetherendezvousofourtwofriendsonthegreenbenchinthepark，when，onefinemorningatabouthalf-
pastteno’clock，VarvaraArdalionovna，otherwiseMrs。Ptitsin，whohadbeenouttovisitafriend，returnedhomeinastateofconsiderablementaldepression。
Therearecertainpeopleofwhomitisdifficulttosayanythingwhichwillatoncethrowthemintorelief——inotherwords，describethemgraphicallyintheirtypicalcharacteristics。Thesearetheywhoaregenerallyknownas"commonplacepeople，"andthisclasscomprises，ofcourse，theimmensemajorityofmankind。
Authors，asarule，attempttoselectandportraytypesrarelymetwithintheirentirety，butthesetypesareneverthelessmorerealthanreallifeitself。
"Podkoleosin"[AcharacterinGogol’scomedy，TheWedding。]wasperhapsanexaggeration，buthewasbynomeansanon-existentcharacter；onthecontrary，howmanyintelligentpeople，afterhearingofthisPodkoleosinfromGogol，immediatelybegantofindthatscoresoftheirfriendswereexactlylikehim！Theyknew，perhaps，beforeGogoltoldthem，thattheirfriendswerelikePodkoleosin，buttheydidnotknowwhatnametogivethem。Inreallife，youngfellowsseldomjumpoutofthewindowjustbeforetheirweddings，becausesuchafeat，nottospeakofitsotheraspects，mustbeadecidedlyunpleasantmodeofescape；andyetthereareplentyofbridegrooms，intelligentfellowstoo，whowouldbereadytoconfessthemselvesPodkoleosinsinthedepthsoftheirconsciousness，justbeforemarriage。Nordoeseveryhusbandfeelboundtorepeatateverystep，"Tul’asvoulu，GeorgesDandin！"likeanothertypicalpersonage；andyethowmanymillionsandbillionsofGeorgesDandinsthereareinreallifewhofeelinclinedtoutterthissoul-drawncryaftertheirhoneymoon，ifnotthedayafterthewedding！Therefore，withoutenteringintoanymoreseriousexaminationofthequestion，I
willcontentmyselfwithremarkingthatinreallifetypicalcharactersare"watereddown，"sotospeak；andalltheseDandinsandPodkoleosinsactuallyexistamonguseveryday，butinadilutedform。Iwilljustadd，however，thatGeorgesDandinmighthaveexistedexactlyasMolierepresentedhim，andprobablydoesexistnowandthen，thoughrarely；andsoIwillendthisscientificexamination，whichisbeginningtolooklikeanewspapercriticism。Butforallthis，thequestionremains，——
whatarethenoveliststodowithcommonplacepeople，andhowaretheytobepresentedtothereaderinsuchaformastobeintheleastdegreeinteresting？Theycannotbeleftoutaltogether，forcommonplacepeoplemeetoneateveryturnoflife，andtoleavethemoutwouldbetodestroythewholerealityandprobabilityofthestory。Tofillanovelwithtypicalcharactersonly，orwithmerelystrangeanduncommonpeople，wouldrenderthebookunrealandimprobable，andwouldverylikelydestroytheinterest。Inmyopinion，thedutyofthenovelististoseekoutpointsofinterestandinstructioneveninthecharactersofcommonplacepeople。
Forinstance，whenthewholeessenceofanordinaryperson’snatureliesinhisperpetualandunchangeablecommonplaceness；
andwheninspiteofallhisendeavourstodosomethingoutofthecommon，thispersonends，eventually，byremaininginhisunbrokenlineofroutine。Ithinksuchanindividualreallydoesbecomeatypeofhisown——atypeofcommonplacenesswhichwillnotfortheworld，ifitcanhelpit，becontented，butstrainsandyearnstobesomethingoriginalandindependent，withouttheslightestpossibilityofbeingso。Tothisclassofcommonplacepeoplebelongseveralcharactersinthisnovel；——
characterswhich——Iadmit——Ihavenotdrawnveryvividlyuptonowformyreader’sbenefit。
Suchwere，forinstance，VarvaraArdalionovnaPtitsin，herhusband，andherbrother，Gania。
Thereisnothingsoannoyingastobefairlyrich，ofafairlygoodfamily，pleasingpresence，averageeducation，tobe"notstupid，"kind-hearted，andyettohavenotalentatall，nooriginality，notasingleideaofone’sown——tobe，infact，"justlikeeveryoneelse。"
Ofsuchpeopletherearecountlessnumbersinthisworld——farmoreeventhanappear。Theycanbedividedintotwoclassesasallmencan——thatis，thoseoflimitedintellect，andthosewhoaremuchcleverer。Theformeroftheseclassesisthehappier。
Toacommonplacemanoflimitedintellect，forinstance，nothingissimplerthantoimaginehimselfanoriginalcharacter，andtorevelinthatbeliefwithouttheslightestmisgiving。
Manyofouryoungwomenhavethoughtfittocuttheirhairshort，putonbluespectacles，andcallthemselvesNihilists。Bydoingthistheyhavebeenabletopersuadethemselves，withoutfurthertrouble，thattheyhaveacquirednewconvictionsoftheirown。
Somemenhavebutfeltsomelittlequalmofkindnesstowardstheirfellow-men，andthefacthasbeenquiteenoughtopersuadethemthattheystandaloneinthevanofenlightenmentandthatnoonehassuchhumanitarianfeelingsasthey。Othershavebuttoreadanideaofsomebodyelse’s，andtheycanimmediatelyassimilateitandbelievethatitwasachildoftheirownbrain。
The"impudenceofignorance，"ifImayusetheexpression，isdevelopedtoawonderfulextentinsuchcases；——unlikelyasitappears，itismetwithateveryturn。
ThisconfidenceofastupidmaninhisowntalentshasbeenwonderfullydepictedbyGogolintheamazingcharacterofPirogoff。Pirogoffhasnottheslightestdoubtofhisowngenius，——nay，ofhisSUPERIORITYofgenius，——socertainisheofitthatheneverquestionsit。HowmanyPirogoffshavetherenotbeenamongourwriters——scholars——propagandists？Isay"havebeen，"butindeedthereareplentyofthematthisveryday。
Ourfriend，Gania，belongedtotheotherclass——tothe"muchcleverer"persons，thoughhewasfromheadtofootpermeatedandsaturatedwiththelongingtobeoriginal。Thisclass，asIhavesaidabove，isfarlesshappy。Forthe"clevercommonplace"
person，thoughhemaypossiblyimaginehimselfamanofgeniusandoriginality，nonethelesshaswithinhisheartthedeathlesswormofsuspicionanddoubt；andthisdoubtsometimesbringsaclevermantodespair。(Asarule，however，nothingtragichappens；——hisliverbecomesalittledamagedinthecourseoftime，nothingmoreserious。Suchmendonotgiveuptheiraspirationsafteroriginalitywithoutaseverestruggle，——andtherehavebeenmenwho，thoughgoodfellowsinthemselves，andevenbenefactorstohumanity，havesunktothelevelofbasecriminalsforthesakeoforiginality。
Ganiawasabeginner，asitwere，uponthisroad。Adeepandunchangeableconsciousnessofhisownlackoftalent，combinedwithavastlongingtobeabletopersuadehimselfthathewasoriginal，hadrankledinhisheart，evenfromchildhood。
Heseemedtohavebeenbornwithoverwroughtnerves，andinhispassionatedesiretoexcel，hewasoftenledtothebrinkofsomerashstep；andyet，havingresolveduponsuchastep，whenthemomentarrived，heinvariablyprovedtoosensibletotakeit。Hewasready，inthesameway，todoabaseactioninordertoobtainhiswished-forobject；andyet，whenthemomentcametodoit，hefoundthathewastoohonestforanygreatbaseness。(Notthatheobjectedtoactsofpettymeanness——hewasalwaysreadyforTHEM。)Helookedwithhateandloathingonthepovertyanddownfallofhisfamily，andtreatedhismotherwithhaughtycontempt，althoughheknewthathiswholefuturedependedonhercharacterandreputation。
Aglayahadsimplyfrightenedhim；yethedidnotgiveupallthoughtsofher——thoughheneverseriouslyhopedthatshewouldcondescendtohim。Atthetimeofhis"adventure"withNastasiaPhilipovnahehadcometotheconclusionthatmoneywashisonlyhope——moneyshoulddoallforhim。
AtthemomentwhenhelostAglaya，andafterthescenewithNastasia，hehadfeltsolowinhisowneyesthatheactuallybroughtthemoneybacktotheprince。Ofthisreturningofthemoneygiventohimbyamadwomanwhohadreceiveditfromamadman，hehadoftenrepentedsince——thoughheneverceasedtobeproudofhisaction。DuringtheshorttimethatMuishkinremainedinPetersburgGaniahadhadtimetocometohatehimforhissympathy，thoughtheprincetoldhimthatitwas"noteveryonewhowouldhaveactedsonobly"astoreturnthemoney。Hehadlongpondered，too，overhisrelationswithAglaya，andhadpersuadedhimselfthatwithsuchastrange，childish，innocentcharacterashers，thingsmighthaveendedverydifferently。
Remorsethenseizedhim；hethrewuphispost，andburiedhimselfinself-tormentandreproach。
HelivedatPtitsin’s，andopenlyshowedcontemptforthelatter，thoughhealwayslistenedtohisadvice，andwassensibleenoughtoaskforitwhenhewantedit。GavrilaArdalionovitchwasangrywithPtitsinbecausethelatterdidnotcaretobecomeaRothschild。"IfyouaretobeaJew，"hesaid，"doitproperly——
squeezepeoplerightandleft，showsomecharacter；betheKingoftheJewswhileyouareaboutit。"
Ptitsinwasquietandnoteasilyoffended——heonlylaughed。ButononeoccasionheexplainedseriouslytoGaniathathewasnoJew，thathedidnothingdishonest，thathecouldnothelpthemarketpriceofmoney，that，thankstohisaccuratehabits，hehadalreadyagoodfootingandwasrespected，andthathisbusinesswasflourishing。
"Ishan’teverbeaRothschild，andthereisnoreasonwhyI
should，"headded，smiling；"butIshallhaveahouseintheLiteynaya，perhapstwo，andthatwillbeenoughforme。""WhoknowsbutwhatImayhavethree！"heconcludedtohimself；butthisdream，cherishedinwardly，heneverconfidedtoasoul。
Naturelovesandfavourssuchpeople。Ptitsinwillcertainlyhavehisreward，notthreehouses，butfour，preciselybecausefromchildhooduphehadrealizedthathewouldneverbeaRothschild。
ThatwillbethelimitofPtitsin’sfortune，and，comewhatmay，hewillneverhavemorethanfourhouses。
VarvaraArdalionovnawasnotlikeherbrother。Shetoo，hadpassionatedesires，buttheywerepersistentratherthanimpetuous。Herplanswereaswiseashermethodsofcarryingthemout。Nodoubtshealsobelongedtothecategoryofordinarypeoplewhodreamofbeingoriginal，butshesoondiscoveredthatshehadnotagrainoftrueoriginality，andshedidnotletittroublehertoomuch。Perhapsacertainkindofpridecametoherhelp。ShemadeherfirstconcessiontothedemandsofpracticallifewithgreatresolutionwhensheconsentedtomarryPtitsin。
However，whenshemarriedshedidnotsaytoherself，"Nevermindameanactionifitleadstotheendinview，"asherbrotherwouldcertainlyhavesaidinsuchacase；itisquiteprobablethathemayhavesaiditwhenheexpressedhiselder-brotherlysatisfactionatherdecision。Farfromthis；VarvaraArdalionovnadidnotmarryuntilshefeltconvincedthatherfuturehusbandwasunassuming，agreeable，almostcultured，andthatnothingonearthwouldtempthimtoareallydishonourabledeed。Astosmallmeannesses，suchtriflesdidnottroubleher。Indeed，whoisfreefromthem？Itisabsurdtoexpecttheideal！Besides，sheknewthathermarriagewouldprovidearefugeforallherfamily。
SeeingGaniaunhappy，shewasanxioustohelphim，inspiteoftheirformerdisputesandmisunderstandings。Ptitsin，inafriendlyway，wouldpresshisbrother-in-lawtoenterthearmy。
"Youknow，"hesaidsometimes，jokingly，"youdespisegeneralsandgeneraldom，butyouwillseethat’they’willallendbybeinggeneralsintheirturn。Youwillseeitifyoulivelongenough！"
"ButwhyshouldtheysupposethatIdespisegenerals？"Ganiathoughtsarcasticallytohimself。
Toserveherbrother’sinterests，VarvaraArdalionovnawasconstantlyattheEpanchins’house，helpedbythefactthatinchildhoodsheandGaniahadplayedwithGeneralIvanFedorovitch’sdaughters。Itwouldhavebeeninconsistentwithhercharacterifinthesevisitsshehadbeenpursuingachimera；herprojectwasnotchimericalatall；shewasbuildingonafirmbasis——onherknowledgeofthecharacteroftheEpanchinfamily，especiallyAglaya，whomshestudiedclosely。AllVarvara’seffortsweredirectedtowardsbringingAglayaandGaniatogether。
Perhapssheachievedsomeresult；perhaps，also，shemadethemistakeofdependingtoomuchuponherbrother，andexpectingmorefromhimthanhewouldeverbecapableofgiving。Howeverthismaybe，hermanoeuvreswereskilfulenough。ForweeksatatimeshewouldnevermentionGania。Herattitudewasmodestbutdignified，andshewasalwaysextremelytruthfulandsincere。
Examiningthedepthsofherconscience，shefoundnothingtoreproachherselfwith，andthisstillfurtherstrengthenedherinherdesigns。ButVarvaraArdalionovnasometimesremarkedthatshefeltspiteful；thattherewasagooddealofvanityinher，perhapsevenofwoundedvanity。Shenoticedthisatcertaintimesmorethanatothers，andespeciallyafterhervisitstotheEpanchins。
Today，asIhavesaid，shereturnedfromtheirhousewithaheavyfeelingofdejection。Therewasasensationofbitterness，asortofmockingcontempt，mingledwithit。
Arrivedatherownhouse，Variaheardaconsiderablecommotiongoingonintheupperstorey，anddistinguishedthevoicesofherfatherandbrother。OnenteringthesalonshefoundGaniapacingupanddownatfranticspeed，palewithrageandalmosttearinghishair。Shefrowned，andsubsidedontothesofawithatiredair，andwithouttakingthetroubletoremoveherhat。Sheverywellknewthatifshekeptquietandaskedherbrothernothingabouthisreasonfortearingupanddowntheroom，hiswrathwouldfalluponherhead。Soshehastenedtoputthequestion:
"Theoldstory，eh？"
"Oldstory？No！Heavenknowswhat’supnow——Idon’t！Fatherhassimplygonemad；mother’sinfloodsoftears。Uponmyword，Varia，Imustkickhimoutofthehouse；orelsegomyself，"headded，probablyrememberingthathecouldnotwellturnpeopleoutofahousewhichwasnothisown。
"Youmustmakeallowances，"murmuredVaria。
"Makeallowances？Forwhom？Him——theoldblackguard？No，no，Varia——thatwon’tdo！Itwon’tdo，Itellyou！Andlookattheswaggeroftheman！He’salltoblamehimself，andyetheputsonsomuch’side’thatyou’dthink——myword！——’It’stoomuchtroubletogothroughthegate，youmustbreakthefenceforme！’
That’sthesortofairheputson；butwhat’sthematterwithyou，Varia？Whatacuriousexpressionyouhave！"
"I’mallright，"saidVaria，inatonethatsoundedasthoughshewereallwrong。
Ganialookedmoreintentlyather。
"You’vebeenTHERE？"heasked，suddenly。
"Yes。"
"Didyoufindoutanything？"
"Nothingunexpected。Idiscoveredthatit’salltrue。Myhusbandwaswiserthaneitherofus。Justashesuspectedfromthebeginning，soithasfallenout。Whereishe？"
"Out。Well——whathashappened？——goon。"
"Theprinceisformallyengagedtoher——that’ssettled。Theeldersisterstoldmeaboutit。Aglayahasagreed。Theydon’tattempttoconcealitanylonger；youknowhowmysteriousandsecrettheyhaveallbeenuptonow。Adelaida’sweddingisputoffagain，sothatbothcanbemarriedononeday。Isn’tthatdelightfullyromantic？Somebodyoughttowriteapoemonit。Sitdownandwriteanodeinsteadoftearingupanddownlikethat。ThiseveningPrincessBielokonskiistoarrive；shecomesjustintime——theyhaveapartytonight。HeistobepresentedtooldBielokonski，thoughIbelieveheknowsheralready；probablytheengagementwillbeopenlyannounced。Theyareonlyafraidthathemayknocksomethingdown，ortripoversomethingwhenhecomesintotheroom。Itwouldbejustlikehim。"
Ganialistenedattentively，buttohissister’sastonishmenthewasbynomeanssoimpressedbythisnews(whichshould，shethought，havebeensoimportanttohim)asshehadexpected。
"Well，itwasclearenoughallalong，"hesaid，afteramoment’sreflection。"Sothat’stheend，"headded，withadisagreeablesmile，continuingtowalkupanddowntheroom，butmuchslowerthanbefore，andglancingslylyintohissister’sface。
"It’sagoodthingthatyoutakeitphilosophically，atallevents，"saidVaria。"I’mreallyverygladofit。"
"Yes，it’soffourhands——offYOURS，Ishouldsay。"
"IthinkIhaveservedyoufaithfully。IneverevenaskedyouwhathappinessyouexpectedtofindwithAglaya。"
"DidIeverexpecttofindhappinesswithAglaya？"
"Come，come，don’toverdoyourphilosophy。Ofcourseyoudid。Nowit’sallover，andagoodthing，too；pairoffoolsthatwehavebeen！IconfessIhaveneverbeenabletolookatitseriously。I
busiedmyselfinitforyoursake，thinkingthattherewasnoknowingwhatmighthappenwithafunnygirllikethattodealwith。Therewereninetytoonechancesagainstit。TothismomentIcan’tmakeoutwhyyouwishedforit。"
"H’m！now，Isuppose，youandyourhusbandwillneverwearyofeggingmeontoworkagain。You’llbeginyourlecturesaboutperseveranceandstrengthofwill，andallthat。Iknowitallbyheart，"saidGania，laughing。
"He’sgotsomenewideainhishead，"thoughtVaria。"Aretheypleasedoverthere——theparents？"askedGania，suddenly。
"N——no，Idon’tthinktheyare。Youcanjudgeforyourself。I
thinkthegeneralispleasedenough；hermotherisalittleuneasy。ShealwaysloathedtheideaoftheprinceasaHUSBAND；
everybodyknowsthat。"
"Ofcourse，naturally。Thebridegroomisanimpossibleandridiculousone。Imean，hasSHEgivenherformalconsent？"
"Shehasnotsaid’no，’uptonow，andthat’sall。Itwassuretobesowithher。Youknowwhatsheislike。Youknowhowabsurdlyshysheis。Yourememberhowsheusedtohideinacupboardasachild，soastoavoidseeingvisitors，forhoursatatime。Sheisjustthesamenow；but，doyouknow，Ithinkthereissomethingseriousinthematter，evenfromherside；Ifeelit，somehow。Shelaughsattheprince，theysay，frommorntonightinordertohideherrealfeelings；butyoumaybesureshefindsoccasiontosaysomethingorothertohimonthesly，forhehimselfisinastateofradianthappiness。Hewalksintheclouds；theysayheisextremelyfunnyjustnow；Ihearditfromthemselves。Theyseemedtobelaughingatmeintheirsleeves——
thoseeldergirls——Idon’tknowwhy。"
Ganiahadbeguntofrown，andprobablyVariaaddedthislastsentenceinordertoprobehisthought。However，atthismoment，thenoisebeganagainupstairs。
"I’llturnhimout！"shoutedGania，gladoftheopportunityofventinghisvexation。"Ishalljustturnhimout——wecan’thavethis。"
"Yes，andthenhe’llgoabouttheplaceanddisgraceusashedidyesterday。"
"How’ashedidyesterday’？Whatdoyoumean？Whatdidhedoyesterday？"askedGania，inalarm。
"Why，goodnessme，don’tyouknow？"Variastoppedshort。
"What？Youdon’tmeantosaythathewentthereyesterday！"criedGania，flushingredwithshameandanger。"Goodheavens，Varia！
Speak！Youhavejustbeenthere。WAShethereornot，QUICK？"AndGaniarushedforthedoor。Variafollowedandcaughthimbybothhands。
"Whatareyoudoing？Whereareyougoingto？Youcan’tlethimgonow；ifyoudohe’llgoanddosomethingworse。"
"Whatdidhedothere？Whatdidhesay？""Theycouldn’ttellmethemselves；theycouldn’tmakeheadortailofit；buthefrightenedthemall。Hecametoseethegeneral，whowasnotathome；soheaskedforLizabethaProkofievna。Firstofall，hebeggedherforsomeplace，orsituation，forworkofsomekind，andthenhebegantocomplainaboutUS，aboutmeandmyhusband，andyou，especiallyYOU；hesaidalotofthings。"
"Oh！couldn’tyoufindout？"mutteredGania，tremblinghysterically。
"No——nothingmorethanthat。Why，theycouldn’tunderstandhimthemselves；andverylikelydidn’ttellmeall。"
Ganiaseizedhisheadwithbothhandsandtotteredtothewindow；
Variasatdownattheotherwindow。
"Funnygirl，Aglaya，"sheobserved，afterapause。"Whensheleftmeshesaid，’Givemyspecialandpersonalrespectstoyourparents；Ishallcertainlyfindanopportunitytoseeyourfatheroneday，’andsoseriousoverit。She’sastrangecreature。"
"Wasn’tshejoking？Shewasspeakingsarcastically！""Notabitofit；that’sjustthestrangepartofit。"
"Doessheknowaboutfather，doyouthink——ornot？"
"ThattheydoNOTknowaboutitinthehouseisquitecertain，therestofthem，Imean；butyouhavegivenmeanidea。Aglayaperhapsknows。Shealone，though，ifanyone；forthesisterswereasastonishedasIwastohearherspeaksoseriously。Ifsheknows，theprincemusthavetoldher。"
"Oh！it’snotagreatmattertoguesswhotoldher。Athief！A
thiefinourfamily，andtheheadofthefamily，too！"
"Oh！nonsense！"criedVaria，angrily。"Thatwasnothingbutadrunkard’stale。Nonsense！Why，whoinventedthewholething