第18章
Lebedeffandtheprince——aprettypair！Bothwereprobablydrunk。"
"Fatherisadrunkardandathief；Iamabeggar，andthehusbandofmysisterisausurer，"continuedGania，bitterly。"TherewasaprettylistofadvantageswithwhichtoenchanttheheartofAglaya。"
"Thatsamehusbandofyoursister，theusurer——"
"Feedsme？Goon。Don’tstandonceremony，pray。"
"Don’tloseyourtemper。Youarejustlikeaschoolboy。YouthinkthatallthissortofthingwouldharmyouinAglaya’seyes，doyou？Youlittleknowhercharacter。Sheiscapableofrefusingthemostbrilliantparty，andrunningawayandstarvinginagarretwithsomewretchedstudent；that’sthesortofgirlsheis。Younevercouldordidunderstandhowinterestingyouwouldhaveseeninhereyesifyouhadcomefirmlyandproudlythroughourmisfortunes。Theprincehassimplycaughtherwithhookandline；firstly，becauseheneverthoughtoffishingforher，andsecondly，becauseheisanidiotintheeyesofmostpeople。It’squiteenoughforherthatbyacceptinghimsheputsherfamilyoutandannoysthemallround——that’swhatshelikes。Youdon’tunderstandthesethings。"
"WeshallseewhetherIunderstandorno！"saidGania，enigmatically。"ButIshouldn’tlikehertoknowallaboutfather，allthesame。Ithoughttheprincewouldmanagetoholdhistongueaboutthis，atleast。HepreventedLebedeffspreadingthenews——hewouldn’teventellmeallwhenIaskedhim——"
"Thenyoumustseethatheisnotresponsible。Whatdoesitmattertoyounow，inanycase？Whatareyouhopingforstill？IfyouHAVEahopeleft，itisthatyoursufferingairmaysoftenherhearttowardsyou。"
"Oh，shewouldfunkascandallikeanyoneelse。Youarealltarredwithonebrush！"
"What！AGLAYAwouldhavefunked？Youareachicken-heartedfellow，Gania！"saidVaria，lookingatherbrotherwithcontempt。
"Notoneofusisworthmuch。Aglayamaybeawildsortofagirl，butsheisfarnoblerthananyofus，athousandtimesnobler！"
"Well——come！there’snothingtogetcrossabout，"saidGania。
"AllI’mafraidofis——mother。I’mafraidthisscandalaboutfathermaycometoherears；perhapsithasalready。Iamdreadfullyafraid。"
"Itundoubtedlyhasalready！"observedGania。
Variahadrisenfromherplaceandhadstartedtogoupstairstohermother；butatthisobservationofGania’ssheturnedandgazedathimattentively。
"Whocouldhavetoldher？"
"Hippolyte，probably。Hewouldthinkitthemostdelightfulamusementintheworldtotellherofittheinstanthemovedoverhere；Ihaven’tadoubtofit。"
"Buthowcouldheknowanythingofit？Tellmethat。Lebedeffandtheprincedeterminedtotellnoone——evenColiaknowsnothing。"
"What，Hippolyte？Hefounditouthimself，ofcourse。Why，youhavenoideawhatacunninglittleanimalheis；dirtylittlegossip！Hehasthemostextraordinarynoseforsmellingoutotherpeople’ssecrets，oranythingapproachingtoscandal。Believeitornot，butI’mprettysurehehasgotroundAglaya。Ifhehasn’t，hesoonwill。Rogojinisintimatewithhim，too。Howtheprincedoesn’tnoticeit，Ican’tunderstand。Thelittlewretchconsidersmehisenemynowanddoeshisbesttocatchmetripping。Whatonearthdoesitmattertohim，whenhe’sdying？
However，you’llsee；IshallcatchHIMtrippingyet，andnotheme。"
"Whydidyougethimoverhere，ifyouhatehimso？Andisitreallyworthyourwhiletotrytoscoreoffhim？"
"Why，itwasyourselfwhoadvisedmetobringhimover！"
"Ithoughthemightbeuseful。YouknowheisinlovewithAglayahimself，now，andhaswrittentoher；hehasevenwrittentoLizabethaProkofievna！"
"Oh！he’snotdangerousthere！"criedGania，laughingangrily。
"However，Ibelievethereissomethingofthatsortintheair；
heisverylikelytobeinlove，forheisamereboy。Buthewon’twriteanonymousletterstotheoldlady；thatwouldbetooaudaciousathingforhimtoattempt；butIdaresweartheveryfirstthinghedidwastoshowmeuptoAglayaasabasedeceiverandintriguer。IconfessIwasfoolenoughtoattemptsomethingthroughhimatfirst。Ithoughthewouldthrowhimselfintomyserviceoutofrevengefulfeelingstowardstheprince，theslylittlebeast！ButIknowhimbetternow。Asforthetheft，hemayhaveheardofitfromthewidowinPetersburg，foriftheoldmancommittedhimselftosuchanact，hecanhavedoneitfornootherobjectbuttogivethemoneytoher。Hippolytesaidtome，withoutanyprelude，thatthegeneralhadpromisedthewidowfourhundredroubles。OfcourseIunderstood，andthelittlewretchlookedatmewithanastysortofsatisfaction。Iknowhim；youmaydependuponithewentandtoldmothertoo，forthepleasureofwoundingher。Andwhydoesn’thedie，Ishouldliketoknow？
Heundertooktodiewithinthreeweeks，andhereheisgettingfatter。Hiscoughisbetter，too。Itwasonlyyesterdaythathesaidthatwastheseconddayhehadn’tcoughedblood。"
"Well，turnhimout！"
"Idon’tHATE，Idespisehim，"saidGania，grandly。"Well，Idohatehim，ifyoulike！"headded，withasuddenaccessofrage，"andI’lltellhimsotohisface，evenwhenhe’sdying！Ifyouhadbutreadhisconfession——goodLord！whatrefinementofimpudence！Oh，butI’dhavelikedtowhiphimthenandthere，likeaschoolboy，justtoseehowsurprisedhewouldhavebeen！
Nowhehateseverybodybecausehe——Oh，Isay，whatoneartharetheydoingthere！Listentothatnoise！Ireallycan’tstandthisanylonger。Ptitsin！"hecried，asthelatterenteredtheroom，"whatinthenameofgoodnessarewecomingto？Listentothat——"
Butthenoisecamerapidlynearer，thedoorburstopen，andoldGeneralIvolgin，raging，furious，purple-faced，andtremblingwithanger，rushedin。HewasfollowedbyNinaAlexandrovna，Colia，andbehindtherest，Hippolyte。
II。
HIPPOLYTEhadnowbeenfivedaysatthePtitsins’。Hisflittingfromtheprince’stothesenewquartershadbeenbroughtaboutquitenaturallyandwithoutmanywords。Hedidnotquarrelwiththeprince——infact，theyseemedtopartasfriends。Gania，whohadbeenhostileenoughonthateventfulevening，hadhimselfcometoseehimacoupleofdayslater，probablyinobediencetosomesuddenimpulse。Forsomereasonorother，Rogojintoohadbeguntovisitthesickboy。Theprincethoughtitmightbebetterforhimtomoveawayfromhis(theprince’s)house。
Hippolyteinformedhim，ashetookhisleave，thatPtitsin"hadbeenkindenoughtoofferhimacorner，"anddidnotsayawordaboutGania，thoughGaniahadprocuredhisinvitation，andhimselfcametofetchhimaway。Ganianoticedthisatthetime，andputittoHippolyte’sdebitonaccount。
GaniawasrightwhenhetoldhissisterthatHippolytewasgettingbetter；thathewasbetterwasclearatthefirstglance。
Heenteredtheroomnowlastofall，deliberately，andwithadisagreeablesmileonhislips。
NinaAlexandrovnacamein，lookingfrightened。Shehadchangedmuchsincewelastsawher，halfayearago，andhadgrownthinandpale。Colialookedworriedandperplexed。Hecouldnotunderstandthevagariesofthegeneral，andknewnothingofthelastachievementofthatworthy，whichhadcausedsomuchcommotioninthehouse。Buthecouldseethathisfatherhadoflatechangedverymuch，andthathehadbeguntobehaveinsoextraordinaryafashionbothathomeandabroadthathewasnotlikethesameman。Whatperplexedanddisturbedhimasmuchasanythingwasthathisfatherhadentirelygivenupdrinkingduringthelastfewdays。ColiaknewthathehadquarrelledwithbothLebedeffandtheprince，andhadjustboughtasmallbottleofvodkaandbroughtithomeforhisfather。
"Really，mother，"hehadassuredNinaAlexandrovnaupstairs，"reallyyouhadbetterlethimdrink。Hehasnothadadropforthreedays；hemustbesufferingagonies——Thegeneralnowenteredtheroom，threwthedoorwideopen，andstoodonthethresholdtremblingwithindignation。
"Lookhere，mydearsir，"hebegan，addressingPtitsininaveryloudtoneofvoice；"ifyouhavereallymadeupyourmindtosacrificeanoldman——yourfathertoooratalleventsfatherofyourwife——anoldmanwhohasservedhisemperor——toawretchedlittleatheistlikethis，allIcansayis，sir，myfootshallceasetotreadyourfloors。Makeyourchoice，sir；makeyourchoicequickly，ifyouplease！Meorthis——screw！Yes，screw，sir；Isaiditaccidentally，butletthewordstand——thisscrew，forhescrewsanddrillshimselfintomysoul——"
"Hadn’tyoubettersaycorkscrew？"saidHippolyte。
"No，sir，NOTcorkscrew。Iamageneral，notabottle，sir。Makeyourchoice，sir——meorhim。"
HereColiahandedhimachair，andhesubsidedintoit，breathlesswithrage。
"Hadn’tyoubetter——better——takeanap？"murmuredthestupefiedPtitsin。
"Anap？"shriekedthegeneral。"Iamnotdrunk，sir；youinsultme！Isee，"hecontinued，rising，"Iseethatallareagainstmehere。Enough——Igo；butknow，sirs——knowthat——"
Hewasnotallowedtofinishhissentence。Somebodypushedhimbackintohischair，andbeggedhimtobecalm。NinaAlexandrovnatrembled，andcriedquietly。Ganiaretiredtothewindowindisgust。
"ButwhathaveIdone？Whatishisgrievance？"askedHippolyte，grinning。
"Whathaveyoudone，indeed？"putinNinaAlexandrovna。"Yououghttobeashamedofyourself，teasinganoldmanlikethat——
andinyourposition，too。"
"AndpraywhatISmyposition，madame？Ihavethegreatestrespectforyou，personally；but——"
"He’salittlescrew，"criedthegeneral；"hedrillsholesmyheartandsoul。Hewishesmetobeaperverttoatheism。Know，youyounggreenhorn，thatIwascoveredwithhonoursbeforeeveryouwereborn；andyouarenothingbetterthanawretchedlittleworm，tornintwowithcoughing，anddyingslowlyofyourownmaliceandunbelief。WhatdidGavrilabringyouoverherefor？
They’reallagainstme，eventomyownson——allagainstme。"
"Oh，come——nonsense！"criedGania；"ifyoudidnotgoshamingusalloverthetown，thingsmightbebetterforallparties。"
"What——shameyou？I？——whatdoyoumean，youyoungcalf？Ishameyou？Icanonlydoyouhonour，sir；Icannotshameyou。"
Hejumpedupfromhischairinafitofuncontrollablerage。
Ganiawasveryangrytoo。
"Honour，indeed！"saidthelatter，withcontempt。
"Whatdoyousay，sir？"growledthegeneral，takingasteptowardshim。
"IsaythatIhavebuttoopenmymouth，andyou——"
Ganiabegan，butdidnotfinish。Thetwo——fatherandson——stoodbeforeoneanother，bothunspeakablyagitated，especiallyGania。
"Gania，Gania，reflect！"criedhismother，hurriedly。
"It’sallnonsenseonbothsides，"snappedoutVaria。"Letthemalone，mother。"
"It’sonlyformother’ssakethatIsparehim，"saidGania，tragically。
"Speak！"saidthegeneral，besidehimselfwithrageandexcitement；"speak——underthepenaltyofafather’scurse"Oh，father’scursebehanged——youdon’tfrightenmethatway！"
saidGania。"WhosefaultisitthatyouhavebeenasmadasaMarchhareallthisweek？Itisjustaweek——yousee，Icountthedays。Takecarenow；don’tprovokemetoomuch，orI’lltellall。
WhydidyougototheEpanchins’yesterday——tellmethat？Andyoucallyourselfanoldman，too，withgreyhair，andfatherofafamily！H’m——nicesortofafather。"
"Bequiet，Gania，"criedColia。"Shutup，youfool！"
"Yes，buthowhaveIoffendedhim？"repeatedHippolyte，stillinthesamejeeringvoice。"Whydoeshecallmeascrew？Youallheardit。HecametomehimselfandbegantellingmeaboutsomeCaptainEropegoff。Idon’twishforyourcompany，general。I
alwaysavoidedyou——youknowthat。WhathaveItodowithCaptainEropegoff？AllIdidwastoexpressmyopinionthatprobablyCaptainEropegoffneverexistedatall！"
"Ofcourseheneverexisted！"Ganiainterrupted。
Butthegeneralonlystoodstupefiedandgazedaroundinadazedway。Gania’sspeechhadimpressedhim，withitsterriblecandour。
Forthefirstmomentortwohecouldfindnowordstoanswerhim，anditwasonlywhenHippolyteburstoutlaughing，andsaid:
"There，yousee！EvenyourownsonsupportsmystatementthatthereneverwassuchapersonasCaptainEropegoff！"thattheoldfellowmutteredconfusedly:
"KapitonEropegoff——notCaptainEropegoff！——Kapiton——majorretired——Eropegoff——Kapiton。"
"Kapitondidn’texisteither！"persistedGania，maliciously。
"What？Didn’texist？"criedthepoorgeneral，andadeepblushsuffusedhisface。
"That’lldo，Gania！"criedVariaandPtitsin。
"Shutup，Gania！"saidColia。
Butthisintercessionseemedtorekindlethegeneral。
"Whatdidyoumean，sir，thathedidn’texist？Explainyourself，"
herepeated，angrily。
"BecauseheDIDN’Texist——nevercouldandneverdid——there！You’dbetterdropthesubject，Iwarnyou！"
"Andthisismyson——myownson——whomI——oh，graciousHeaven！
Eropegoff——EroshkaEropegoffdidn’texist！"
"Ha，ha！it’sEroshkanow，"laughedHippolyte。
"No，sir，Kapitoshka——notEroshka。Imean，KapitonAlexeyevitch——
retiredmajor——marriedMariaPetrovnaLu——Lu——hewasmyfriendandcompanion——Lutugoff——fromourearliestbeginnings。Iclosedhiseyesforhim——hewaskilled。KapitonEropegoffneverexisted！
tfu！"
Thegeneralshoutedinhisfury；butitwastobeconcludedthathiswrathwasnotkindledbytheexpresseddoubtastoKapiton’sexistence。Thiswashisscapegoat；buthisexcitementwascausedbysomethingquitedifferent。AsarulehewouldhavemerelyshouteddownthedoubtastoKapiton，toldalongyarnabouthisfriend，andeventuallyretiredupstairstohisroom。Buttoday，inthestrangeuncertaintyofhumannature，itseemedtorequirebutsosmallanoffenceasthistomakehiscuptooverflow。Theoldmangrewpurpleintheface，heraisedhishands。"Enoughofthis！"heyelled。"Mycurse——away，outofthehouseIgo！Colia，bringmybagaway！"Helefttheroomhastilyandinaparoxysmofrage。
Hiswife，Colia，andPtitsinranoutafterhim。
"Whathaveyoudonenow？"saidVariatoGania。"He’llprobablybemakingoffTHEREagain！Whatadisgraceitallis！"
"Well，heshouldn’tsteal，"criedGania，pantingwithfury。AndjustatthismomenthiseyemetHippolyte’s。
"Asforyou，sir，"hecried，"youshouldatleastrememberthatyouareinastrangehouseand——receivinghospitality；youshouldnottaketheopportunityoftormentinganoldman，sir，whoistooevidentlyoutofhismind。"
Hippolytelookedfurious，butherestrainedhimself。
"Idon’tquiteagreewithyouthatyourfatherisoutofhismind，"heobserved，quietly。"Onthecontrary，Icannothelpthinkinghehasbeenlessdementedoflate。Don’tyouthinkso？
Hehasgrownsocunningandcareful，andweighshiswordssodeliberately；hespoketomeaboutthatKapitonfellowwithanobject，youknow！Justfancy——hewantedmeto——"
"Oh，deviltakewhathewantedyoutodo！Don’ttrytobetoocunningwithme，youngman！"shoutedGania。"Ifyouareawareoftherealreasonformyfather’spresentcondition(andyouhavekeptsuchanexcellentspyingwatchduringtheselastfewdaysthatyouaresuretobeawareofit)——youhadnorightwhatevertotormentthe——unfortunateman，andtoworrymymotherbyyourexaggerationsoftheaffair；becausethewholebusinessisnonsense——simplyadrunkenfreak，andnothingmore，quiteunprovedbyanyevidence，andIdon’tbelievethatmuchofit！"
(hesnappedhisfingers)。"Butyoumustneedsspyandwatchoverusall，becauseyouarea-a——"
"Screw！"laughedHippolyte。
"Becauseyouareahumbug，sir；andthoughtfittoworrypeopleforhalfanhour，andtriedtofrightenthemintobelievingthatyouwouldshootyourselfwithyourlittleemptypistol，pirouettingaboutandplayingatsuicide！Igaveyouhospitality，youhavefattenedonit，yourcoughhasleftyou，andyourepayallthis——"
"Excuseme——twowords！IamVarvaraArdalionovna’sguest，notyours；YOUhaveextendednohospitalitytome。Onthecontrary，ifIamnotmistaken，IbelieveyouareyourselfindebtedtoMr。
Ptitsin’shospitality。FourdaysagoIbeggedmymothertocomedownhereandfindlodgings，becauseIcertainlydofeelbetterhere，thoughIamnotfat，norhaveIceasedtocough。Iamtodayinformedthatmyroomisreadyforme；therefore，havingthankedyoursisterandmotherfortheirkindnesstome，Iintendtoleavethehousethisevening。Ibegyourpardon——Iinterruptedyou——Ithinkyouwereabouttoaddsomething？"
"Oh——ifthatisthestateofaffairs——"beganGania。
"Excuseme——Iwilltakeaseat，"interruptedHippolyteoncemore，sittingdowndeliberately；"forIamnotstrongyet。Nowthen，I
amreadytohearyou。Especiallyasthisisthelastchanceweshallhaveofatalk，andverylikelythelastmeetingweshalleverhaveatall。"
Ganiafeltalittleguilty。
"IassureyouIdidnotmeantoreckonupdebitsandcredits，"hebegan，"andifyou——"
"Idon’tunderstandyourcondescension，"saidHippolyte。"Asforme，Ipromisedmyself，onthefirstdayofmyarrivalinthishouse，thatIwouldhavethesatisfactionofsettlingaccountswithyouinaverythoroughmannerbeforeIsaidgood-byetoyou。
Iintendtoperformthisoperationnow，ifyoulike；afteryou，though，ofcourse。"
"MayIaskyoutobesogoodastoleavethisroom？"
"You’dbetterspeakout。You’llbesorryafterwardsifyoudon’t。"
"Hippolyte，stop，please！It’ssodreadfullyundignified，"saidVaria。
"Well，onlyforthesakeofalady，"saidHippolyte，laughing。"I
amreadytoputoffthereckoning，butonlyputitoff，VarvaraArdalionovna，becauseanexplanationbetweenyourbrotherandmyselfhasbecomeanabsolutenecessity，andIcouldnotthinkofleavingthehousewithoutclearingupallmisunderstandingsfirst。"
"Inaword，youareawretchedlittlescandal-monger，"criedGania，"andyoucannotgoawaywithoutascandal！"
"Yousee，"saidHippolyte，coolly，"youcan’trestrainyourself。
You’llbedreadfullysorryafterwardsifyoudon’tspeakoutnow。
Come，youshallhavethefirstsay。I’llwait。"
Ganiawassilentandmerelylookedcontemptuouslyathim。
"Youwon’t？Verywell。Ishallbeasshortaspossible，formypart。Twoorthreetimesto-dayIhavehadtheword’hospitality’
pusheddownmythroat；thisisnotfair。Ininvitingmehereyouyourselfentrappedmeforyourownuse；youthoughtIwishedtorevengemyselfupontheprince。YouheardthatAglayaIvanovnahadbeenkindtomeandreadmyconfession。MakingsurethatI
shouldgivemyselfuptoyourinterests，youhopedthatyoumightgetsomeassistanceoutofme。Iwillnotgointodetails。I
don’taskeitheradmissionorconfirmationofthisfromyourself；
Iamquitecontenttoleaveyoutoyourconscience，andtofeelthatweunderstandoneanothercapitally。"
"Whatahistoryyouareweavingoutofthemostordinarycircumstances！"criedVaria。
"Itoldyouthefellowwasnothingbutascandalmonger，"saidGania。
"Excuseme，VariaArdalionovna，Iwillproceed。Ican，ofcourse，neitherlovenorrespecttheprince，thoughheisagood-heartedfellow，ifalittlequeer。Butthereisnoneedwhateverformetohatehim。Iquiteunderstoodyourbrotherwhenhefirstofferedmeaidagainsttheprince，thoughIdidnotshowit；I
knewwellthatyourbrotherwasmakingaridiculousmistakeinme。Iamreadytosparehim，however，evennow；butsolelyoutofrespectforyourself，VarvaraArdalionovna。
"HavingnowshownyouthatIamnotquitesuchafoolasIlook，andthatIhavetobefishedforwitharodandlineforagoodlongwhilebeforeIamcaught，IwillproceedtoexplainwhyI
speciallywishedtomakeyourbrotherlookafool。Thatmymotivepowerishate，Idonotattempttoconceal。Ihavefeltthatbeforedying(andIamdying，howevermuchfatterImayappeartoyou)，Imustabsolutelymakeafoolof，atleast，oneofthatclassofmenwhichhasdoggedmeallmylife，whichIhatesocordially，andwhichissoprominentlyrepresentedbyyourmuchesteemedbrother。Ishouldnotenjoyparadisenearlysomuchwithouthavingdonethisfirst。Ihateyou，GavrilaArdalionovitch，solely(thismayseemcurioustoyou，butI
repeat)——solelybecauseyouarethetype，andincarnation，andhead，andcrownofthemostimpudent，themostself-satisfied，themostvulgaranddetestableformofcommonplaceness。Youareordinaryoftheordinary；youhavenochanceofeverfatheringthepettiestideaofyourown。Andyetyouareasjealousandconceitedasyoucanpossiblybe；youconsideryourselfagreatgenius；ofthisyouarepersuaded，althoughtherearedarkmomentsofdoubtandrage，wheneventhisfactseemsuncertain。
Therearespotsofdarknessonyourhorizon，thoughtheywilldisappearwhenyoubecomecompletelystupid。Butalongandchequeredpathliesbeforeyou，andofthisIamglad。Inthefirstplaceyouwillnevergainacertainperson。"
"Come，come！Thisisintolerable！Youhadbetterstop，youlittlemischief-makingwretch！"criedVaria。Ganiahadgrownverypale；
hetrembled，butsaidnothing。
Hippolytepaused，andlookedathimintentlyandwithgreatgratification。HethenturnedhisgazeuponVaria，bowed，andwentout，withoutaddinganotherword。
Ganiamightjustlycomplainofthehardnesswithwhichfatetreatedhim。Variadarednotspeaktohimforalongwhile，ashestrodepasther，backwardsandforwards。Atlasthewentandstoodatthewindow，lookingout，withhisbackturnedtowardsher。Therewasafearfulrowgoingonupstairsagain。
"Areyouoff？"saidGania，suddenly，remarkingthatshehadrisenandwasabouttoleavetheroom。"Waitamoment——lookatthis。"
Heapproachedthetableandlaidasmallsheetofpaperbeforeher。Itlookedlikealittlenote。
"Goodheavens！"criedVaria，raisingherhands。
Thiswasthenote:
"GAVRILAARDOLIONOVITCH，——persuadedofyourkindnessofheart，I
havedeterminedtoaskyouradviceonamatterofgreatimportancetomyself。Ishouldliketomeetyoutomorrowmorningatseveno’clockbythegreenbenchinthepark。Itisnotfarfromourhouse。VarvaraArdalionovna，whomustaccompanyyou，knowstheplacewell。
"A。E。"
"Whatonearthisonetomakeofagirllikethat？"saidVaria。
Gania，littleashefeltinclinedforswaggeratthismoment，couldnotavoidshowinghistriumph，especiallyjustaftersuchhumiliatingremarksasthoseofHippolyte。Asmileofself-
satisfactionbeamedonhisface，andVariatoowasbrimmingoverwithdelight。
"Andthisistheverydaythattheyweretoannouncetheengagement！Whatwillshedonext？"
"Whatdoyousupposeshewantstotalkabouttomorrow？"askedGania。
"Oh，THAT’Sallthesame！Thechiefthingisthatshewantstoseeyouaftersixmonths’absence。Lookhere，Gania，thisisaSERIOUSbusiness。Don’tswaggeragainandlosethegame——playcarefully，butdon’tfunk，doyouunderstand？AsifshecouldpossiblyavoidseeingwhatIhavebeenworkingforallthislastsixmonths！Andjustimagine，Iwastherethismorningandnotawordofthis！Iwasthere，youknow，onthesly。Theoldladydidnotknow，orshewouldhavekickedmeout。Iransomeriskforyou，yousee。Ididsowanttofindout，atallhazards。"
Heretherewasafranticnoiseupstairsoncemore；severalpeopleseemedtoberushingdownstairsatonce。
"Now，Gania，"criedVaria，frightened，"wecan’tlethimgoout！
Wecan’taffordtohaveabreathofscandalaboutthetownatthismoment。Runafterhimandbeghispardon——quick。"
Butthefatherofthefamilywasoutintheroadalready。Coliawascarryinghisbagforhim；NinaAlexandrovnastoodandcriedonthedoorstep；shewantedtorunafterthegeneral，butPtitsinkeptherback。
"Youwillonlyexcitehimmore，"hesaid。"Hehasnowhereelsetogoto——he’llbebackhereinhalfanhour。I’vetalkeditalloverwithColia；lethimplaythefoolabit，itwilldohimgood。"
"Whatareyouupto？Whereareyouoffto？You’venowheretogoto，youknow，"criedGania，outofthewindow。
"Comeback，father；theneighbourswillhear！"criedVaria。
Thegeneralstopped，turnedround，raisedhishandsandremarked:
"Mycursebeuponthishouse！"
"Whichobservationshouldalwaysbemadeinastheatricalatoneaspossible，"mutteredGania，shuttingthewindowwithabang。
Theneighboursundoubtedlydidhear。Variarushedoutoftheroom。
Nosoonerhadhissisterlefthimalone，thanGaniatookthenoteoutofhispocket，kissedit，andpirouettedaround。
III。
Asageneralrule，oldGeneralIvolgin’sparoxysmsendedinsmoke。Hehadbeforethisexperiencedfitsofsuddenfury，butnotveryoften，becausehewasreallyamanofpeacefulandkindlydisposition。Hehadtriedhundredsoftimestoovercomethedissolutehabitswhichhehadcontractedoflateyears。Hewouldsuddenlyrememberthathewas"afather，"wouldbereconciledwithhiswife，andshedgenuinetears。HisfeelingforNinaAlexandrovnaamountedalmosttoadoration；shehadpardonedsomuchinsilence，andlovedhimstillinspiteofthestateofdegradationintowhichhehadfallen。Butthegeneral’sstruggleswithhisownweaknessneverlastedverylong。Hewas，inhisway，animpetuousman，andaquietlifeofrepentanceinthebosomofhisfamilysoonbecameinsupportabletohim。Intheendherebelled，andflewintorageswhichheregretted，perhaps，evenashegavewaytothem，butwhichwerebeyondhiscontrol。Hepickedquarrelswitheveryone，begantoholdfortheloquently，exactedunlimitedrespect，andatlastdisappearedfromthehouse，andsometimesdidnotreturnforalongtime。Hehadgivenupinterferingintheaffairsofhisfamilyfortwoyearsnow，andknewnothingaboutthembutwhathegatheredfromhearsay。
Butonthisoccasiontherewassomethingmoreseriousthanusual。
Everyoneseemedtoknowsomething，buttobeafraidtotalkaboutit。
Thegeneralhadturnedupinthebosomofhisfamilytwoorthreedaysbefore，butnot，asusual，withtheolivebranchofpeaceinhishand，notinthegarbofpenitence——inwhichhewasusuallycladonsuchoccasions——but，onthecontrary，inanuncommonlybadtemper。Hehadarrivedinaquarrelsomemood，pitchingintoeveryonehecameacross，andtalkingaboutallsortsandkindsofsubjectsinthemostunexpectedmanner，sothatitwasimpossibletodiscoverwhatitwasthatwasreallyputtinghimout。Atmomentshewouldbeapparentlyquitebrightandhappy；butasarulehewouldsitmoodyandthoughtful。HewouldabruptlycommencetoholdforthabouttheEpanchins，aboutLebedeff，ortheprince，andequallyabruptlywouldstopshortandrefusetospeakanotherword，answeringallfurtherquestionswithastupidsmile，unconsciousthathewassmiling，orthathehadbeenaskedaquestion。Thewholeofthepreviousnighthehadspenttossingaboutandgroaning，andpoorNinaAlexandrovnahadbeenbusymakingcoldcompressesandwarmfomentationsandsoon，withoutbeingveryclearhowtoapplythem。Hehadfallenasleepafterawhile，butnotforlong，andhadawakedinastateofviolenthypochondriawhichhadendedinhisquarrelwithHippolyte，andthesolemncursingofPtitsin’sestablishmentgenerally。Itwasalsoobservedduringthosetwoorthreedaysthathewasinastateofmorbidself-esteem，andwasspeciallytouchyonallpointsofhonour。Coliainsisted，indiscussingthematterwithhismother，thatallthiswasbuttheoutcomeofabstinencefromdrink，orperhapsofpiningafterLebedeff，withwhomuptothistimethegeneralhadbeenupontermsofthegreatestfriendship；
butwithwhom，forsomereasonorother，hehadquarrelledafewdayssince，partingfromhimingreatwrath。Therehadalsobeenascenewiththeprince。Coliahadaskedanexplanationofthelatter，buthadbeenforcedtoconcludethathewasnottoldthewholetruth。
IfHippolyteandNinaAlexandrovnahad，asGaniasuspected，hadsomespecialconversationaboutthegeneral’sactions，itwasstrangethatthemaliciousyouth，whomGaniahadcalledascandal-mongertohisface，hadnotallowedhimselfasimilarsatisfactionwithColia。
ThefactisthatprobablyHippolytewasnotquitesoblackasGaniapaintedhim；anditwashardlylikelythathehadinformedNinaAlexandrovnaofcertainevents，ofwhichweknow，forthemerepleasureofgivingherpain。Wemustneverforgetthathumanmotivesaregenerallyfarmorecomplicatedthanweareapttosuppose，andthatwecanveryrarelyaccuratelydescribethemotivesofanother。Itismuchbetterforthewriter，asarule，tocontenthimselfwiththebarestatementofevents；andweshalltakethislinewithregardtothecatastropherecordedabove，andshallstatetheremainingeventsconnectedwiththegeneral’stroubleshortly，becausewefeelthatwehavealreadygiventothissecondarycharacterinourstorymoreattentionthanweoriginallyintended。
Thecourseofeventshadmarchedinthefollowingorder。WhenLebedeffreturned，incompanywiththegeneral，aftertheirexpeditiontotownafewdayssince，forthepurposeofinvestigation，hebroughttheprincenoinformationwhatever。Ifthelatterhadnothimselfbeenoccupiedwithotherthoughtsandimpressionsatthetime，hemusthaveobservedthatLebedeffnotonlywasveryuncommunicative，butevenappearedanxioustoavoidhim。
Whentheprincedidgivethematteralittleattention，herecalledthefactthatduringthesedayshehadalwaysfoundLebedefftobeinradiantlygoodspirits，whentheyhappenedtomeet；andfurther，thatthegeneralandLebedeffwerealwaystogether。Thetwofriendsdidnotseemevertobepartedforamoment。
Occasionallytheprinceheardloudtalkingandlaughingupstairs，andoncehedetectedthesoundofajollysoldier’ssonggoingonabove，andrecognizedtheunmistakablebassofthegeneral’svoice。Butthesuddenoutbreakofsongdidnotlast；andforanhourafterwardstheanimatedsoundofapparentlydrunkenconversationcontinuedtobeheardfromabove。Atlengththerewastheclearestevidenceofagrandmutualembracing，andsomeoneburstintotears。Shortlyafterthis，however，therewasaviolentbutshort-livedquarrel，withloudtalkingonbothsides。
AllthesedaysColiahadbeeninastateofgreatmentalpreoccupation。Muishkinwasusuallyoutallday，andonlycamehomelateatnight。OnhisreturnhewasinvariablyinformedthatColiahadbeenlookingforhim。However，whentheydidmeet，Colianeverhadanythingparticulartotellhim，exceptingthathewashighlydissatisfiedwiththegeneralandhispresentconditionofmindandbehaviour。
"Theydrageachotherabouttheplace，"hesaid，andgetdrunktogetheratthepubclosebyhere，andquarrelinthestreetonthewayhome，andembraceoneanotherafterit，anddon’tseemtopartforamoment。"
Whentheprincepointedoutthattherewasnothingnewaboutthat，forthattheyhadalwaysbehavedinthismannertogether，Coliadidnotknowwhattosay；infacthecouldnotexplainwhatitwasthatspeciallyworriedhim，justnow，abouthisfather。
Onthemorningfollowingthebacchanaliansongsandquarrelsrecordedabove，astheprincesteppedoutofthehouseatabouteleveno’clock，thegeneralsuddenlyappearedbeforehim，muchagitated。
"Ihavelongsoughtthehonourandopportunityofmeetingyou——
much-esteemedLefNicolaievitch，"hemurmured，pressingtheprince’shandveryhard，almostpainfullyso；"long——verylong。"
Theprincebeggedhimtostepinandsitdown。
"No——Iwillnotsitdown，——Iamkeepingyou，Isee，——anothertime！——IthinkImaybepermittedtocongratulateyouupontherealizationofyourheart’sbestwishes，isitnotso？"
"Whatbestwishes？"
Theprinceblushed。Hethought，assomanyinhispositiondo，thatnobodyhadseen，heard，noticed，orunderstoodanything。
"Oh——beeasy，sir，beeasy！Ishallnotwoundyourtenderestfeelings。I’vebeenthroughitallmyself，andIknowwellhowunpleasantitiswhenanoutsiderstickshisnoseinwhereheisnotwanted。Iexperiencethiseverymorning。Icametospeaktoyouaboutanothermatter，though，animportantmatter。Averyimportantmatter，prince。"
Thelatterrequestedhimtotakeaseatoncemore，andsatdownhimself。
"Well——justforonesecond，then。Thefactis，Icameforadvice。
OfcourseIlivenowwithoutanyverypracticalobjectsinlife；
but，beingfullofself-respect，inwhichqualitytheordinaryRussianissodeficientasarule，andofactivity，Iamdesirous，inaword，prince，ofplacingmyselfandmywifeandchildreninapositionof——infact，Iwantadvice。"
Theprincecommendedhisaspirationswithwarmth。
"Quiteso——quiteso！Butthisisallmerenonsense。Icameheretospeakofsomethingquitedifferent，somethingveryimportant，prince。AndIhavedeterminedtocometoyouastoamaninwhosesincerityandnobilityoffeelingIcantrustlike——like——areyousurprisedatmywords，prince？"
Theprincewaswatchinghisguest，ifnotwithmuchsurprise，atalleventswithgreatattentionandcuriosity。
Theoldmanwasverypale；everynowandthenhislipstrembled，andhishandsseemedunabletorestquietly，butcontinuallymovedfromplacetoplace。Hehadtwicealreadyjumpedupfromhischairandsatdownagainwithoutbeingintheleastawareofit。Hewouldtakeupahookfromthetableandopenit——talkingallthewhile，——lookattheheadingofachapter，shutitandputitbackagain，seizinganotherimmediately，butholdingitunopenedinhishand，andwavingitintheairashespoke。
"Butenough！"hecried，suddenly。"IseeIhavebeenboringyouwithmy——"
"Notintheleast——notintheleast，Iassureyou。Onthecontrary，Iamlisteningmostattentively，andamanxioustoguess-"
"Prince，Iwishtoplacemyselfinarespectableposition——Iwishtoesteemmyself——andto——"
"Mydearsir，amanofsuchnobleaspirationsisworthyofallesteembyvirtueofthoseaspirationsalone。"
Theprincebroughtouthis"copy-booksentence"inthefirmbeliefthatitwouldproduceagoodeffect。Hefeltinstinctivelythatsomesuchwell-soundinghumbug，broughtoutatthepropermoment，wouldsoothetheoldman’sfeelings，andwouldbespeciallyacceptabletosuchamaninsuchaposition。Atallhazards，hisguestmustbedespatchedwithheartrelievedandspiritcomforted；thatwastheproblembeforetheprinceatthismoment。
Thephraseflatteredthegeneral，touchedhim，andpleasedhimmightily。Heimmediatelychangedhistone，andstartedoffonalongandsolemnexplanation。Butlistenashewould，theprincecouldmakeneitherheadnortailofit。
Thegeneralspokehotlyandquicklyfortenminutes；hespokeasthoughhiswordscouldnotkeeppacewithhiscrowdingthoughts。
Tearsstoodinhiseyes，andyethisspeechwasnothingbutacollectionofdisconnectedsentences，withoutbeginningandwithoutend——astringofunexpectedwordsandunexpectedsentiments——collidingwithoneanother，andjumpingoveroneanother，astheyburstfromhislips。
"Enough！"heconcludedatlast，"youunderstandme，andthatisthegreatthing。Aheartlikeyourscannothelpunderstandingthesufferingsofanother。Prince，youaretheidealofgenerosity；
whatareothermenbesideyourself？Butyouareyoung——acceptmyblessing！Myprincipalobjectistobegyoutofixanhourforamostimportantconversation——thatismygreathope，prince。Myheartneedsbutalittlefriendshipandsympathy，andyetI
cannotalwaysfindmeanstosatisfyit。"
"Butwhynotnow？Iamreadytolisten，and——"
"No，no——prince，notnow！Nowisadream！Anditistoo，tooimportant！ItistobethehourofFatetome——MYOWNhour。Ourinterviewisnottobebrokeninuponbyeverychancecomer，everyimpertinentguest——andthereareplentyofsuchstupid，impertinentfellows"——(hebentoverandwhisperedmysteriously，withafunny，frightenedlookonhisface)——"whoareunworthytotieyourshoe，prince。Idon’tsayMINE，mind——youwillunderstandme，prince。OnlyYOUunderstandme，prince——nooneelse。HEdoesn’tunderstandme，heisabsolutely——ABSOLUTELY
unabletosympathize。ThefirstqualificationforunderstandinganotherisHeart。"
Theprincewasratheralarmedatallthis，andwasobligedtoendbyappointingthesamehourofthefollowingdayfortheinterviewdesired。Thegenerallefthimmuchcomfortedandfarlessagitatedthanwhenhehadarrived。
Atsevenintheevening，theprincesenttorequestLebedefftopayhimavisit。Lebedeffcameatonce，and"esteemeditanhonour，"asheobserved，theinstantheenteredtheroom。Heactedasthoughtherehadneverbeentheslightestsuspicionofthefactthathehadsystematicallyavoidedtheprinceforthelastthreedays。
Hesatdownontheedgeofhischair，smilingandmakingfaces，andrubbinghishands，andlookingasthoughhewereindelightedexpectationofhearingsomeimportantcommunication，whichhadbeenlongguessedbyall。
Theprincewasinstantlycoveredwithconfusion；foritappearedtobeplainthateveryoneexpectedsomethingofhim——thateveryonelookedathimasthoughanxioustocongratulatehim，andgreetedhimwithhints，andsmiles，andknowinglooks。
Keller，forinstance，hadrunintothehousethreetimesoflate，"justforamoment，"andeachtimewiththeairofdesiringtoofferhiscongratulations。Colia，too，inspiteofhismelancholy，hadonceortwicebegunsentencesinmuchthesamestrainofsuggestionorinsinuation。
Theprince，however，immediatelybegan，withsomeshowofannoyance，toquestionLebedeffcategorically，astothegeneral’spresentcondition，andhisopinionthereon。Hedescribedthemorning’sinterviewinafewwords。
"Everyonehashisworries，prince，especiallyinthesestrangeandtroubloustimesofours，"Lebedeffreplied，drily，andwiththeairofamandisappointedofhisreasonableexpectations。
"Dearme，whataphilosopheryouare！"laughedtheprince。
Philosophyisnecessary，sir——verynecessary——inourday。Itistoomuchneglected。Asforme，muchesteemedprince，Iamsensibleofhavingexperiencedthehonourofyourconfidenceinacertainmatteruptoacertainpoint，butneverbeyondthatpoint。Idonotforamomentcomplain——"
"Lebedeff，youseemtobeangryforsomereason！"saidtheprince。
"Nottheleastbitintheworld，esteemedandreveredprince！Nottheleastbitintheworld！"criedLebedeff，solemnly，withhishanduponhisheart。"Onthecontrary，Iamtoopainfullyawarethatneitherbymypositionintheworld，norbymygiftsofintellectandheart，norbymyriches，norbyanyformerconductofmine，haveIinanywaydeservedyourconfidence，whichisfarabovemyhighestaspirationsandhopes。Ohno，prince；Imayserveyou，butonlyasyourhumbleslave！Iamnotangry，ohno！
Notangry；painedperhaps，butnothingmore。
"MydearLebedeff，I——"
"Oh，nothingmore，nothingmore！Iwassayingtomyselfbutnow……
’Iamquiteunworthyoffriendlyrelationswithhim，’sayI；
’butperhapsaslandlordofthishouseImay，atsomefuturedate，inhisgoodtime，receiveinformationastocertainimminentandmuchtobedesiredchanges——’"
SosayingLebedefffixedtheprincewithhissharplittleeyes，stillinhopethathewouldgethiscuriositysatisfied。
Theprincelookedbackathiminamazement。
"Idon’tunderstandwhatyouaredrivingat！"hecried，almostangrily，"and，and——whatanintrigueryouare，Lebedeff！"headded，burstingintoafitofgenuinelaughter。
Lebedefffollowedsuitatonce，anditwasclearfromhisradiantfacethatheconsideredhisprospectsofsatisfactionimmenselyimproved。
"Anddoyouknow，"theprincecontinued，"Iamamazedatyournaiveways，Lebedeff！Don’theangrywithme——notonlyyours，everybodyelse’salso！YouarewaitingtohearsomethingfrommeatthisverymomentwithsuchsimplicitythatIdeclareIfeelquiteashamedofmyselfforhavingnothingwhatevertotellyou。
Isweartoyousolemnly，thatthereisnothingtotell。There！
Canyoutakethatin？"Theprincelaughedagain。
Lebedeffassumedanairofdignity。Itwastrueenoughthathewassometimesnaivetoadegreeinhiscuriosity；buthewasalsoanexcessivelycunninggentleman，andtheprincewasalmostconvertinghimintoanenemybyhisrepeatedrebuffs。TheprincedidnotsnubLebedeff’scuriosity，however，becausehefeltanycontemptforhim；butsimplybecausethesubjectwastoodelicatetotalkabout。Onlyafewdaysbeforehehadlookeduponhisowndreamsalmostascrimes。ButLebedeffconsideredtherefusalascausedbypersonaldisliketohimself，andwashurtaccordingly。
Indeed，therewasatthismomentapieceofnews，mostinterestingtotheprince，whichLebedeffknewandevenhadwishedtotellhim，butwhichhenowkeptobstinatelytohimself。
"AndwhatcanIdoforyou，esteemedprince？SinceIamtoldyousentformejustnow，"hesaid，afterafewmoments’silence。
"Oh，itwasaboutthegeneral，"begantheprince，wakingabruptlyfromthefitofmusingwhichhetoohadindulgedin"and-andaboutthetheftyoutoldmeof。"
"Thatis——er——about——whattheft？"
"Ohcome！justasifyoudidn’tunderstand，LukianTimofeyovitch！
Whatareyouupto？Ican’tmakeyouout！Themoney，themoney，sir！Thefourhundredroublesthatyoulostthatday。Youcameandtoldmeaboutitonemorning，andthenwentofftoPetersburg。There，NOWdoyouunderstand？"
"Oh——h——h！Youmeanthefourhundredroubles！"saidLebedeff，draggingthewordsout，justasthoughithadonlyjustdawneduponhimwhattheprincewastalkingabout。"Thanksverymuch，prince，foryourkindinterest——youdometoomuchhonour。I
foundthemoney，longago！"
"Youfoundit？ThankGodforthat！"
"Yourexclamationprovesthegeneroussympathyofyournature，prince；forfourhundredroubles——toastrugglingfamilymanlikemyself——isnosmallmatter！"
"Ididn’tmeanthat；atleast，ofcourse，I’mgladforyoursake，too，"addedtheprince，correctinghimself，"but——howdidyoufindit？"
"Verysimplyindeed！Ifounditunderthechairuponwhichmycoathadhung；sothatitisclearthepursesimplyfelloutofthepocketandontothefloor！"
"Underthechair？Impossible！Why，youtoldmeyourselfthatyouhadsearchedeverycorneroftheroom？Howcouldyounothavelookedinthemostlikelyplaceofall？"
"OfcourseIlookedthere，——ofcourseIdid！Verymuchso！I
lookedandscrambledabout，andfeltforit，andwouldn’tbelieveitwasnotthere，andlookedagainandagain。Itisalwayssoinsuchcases。Onelongsandexpectstofindalostarticle；oneseesitisnotthere，andtheplaceisashareasone’spalm；andyetonereturnsandlooksagainandagain，fifteenortwentytimes，likelyenough！"
"Oh，quiteso，ofcourse。Buthowwasitinyourcase？——Idon’tquiteunderstand，"saidthebewilderedprince。"Yousayitwasn’tthereatfirst，andthatyousearchedtheplacethoroughly，andyetitturneduponthatveryspot！"
"Yes，sir——onthatveryspot。"TheprincegazedstrangelyatLebedeff。"Andthegeneral？"heasked，abruptly。
"The——thegeneral？Howdoyoumean，thegeneral？"saidLebedeff，dubiously，asthoughhehadnottakeninthedriftoftheprince’sremark。
"Oh，goodheavens！Imean，whatdidthegeneralsaywhenthepurseturnedupunderthechair？Youandhehadsearchedforittogetherthere，hadn’tyou？"
"Quiteso——together！ButthesecondtimeIthoughtbettertosaynothingaboutfindingit。Ifounditalone。"
"But——whyintheworld——andthemoney？Wasitallthere？"
"Iopenedthepurseandcounteditmyself；righttoasinglerouble。"
"Ithinkyoumighthavecomeandtoldme，"saidtheprince，thoughtfully。
"Oh——Ididn’tliketodisturbyou，prince，inthemidstofyourprivateanddoubtlessmostinterestingpersonalreflections。
Besides，Iwantedtoappear，myself，tohavefoundnothing。I
tookthepurse，andopenedit，andcountedthemoney，andshutitandputitdownagainunderthechair。"
"Whatintheworldfor？"
"Oh，justoutofcuriosity，"saidLebedeff，rubbinghishandsandsniggering。
"What，it’sstilltherethen，isit？Eversincethedaybeforeyesterday？"
"Ohno！Yousee，Iwashalfinhopesthegeneralmightfindit。
BecauseifIfoundit，whyshouldnothetooobserveanobjectlyingbeforehisveryeyes？Imovedthechairseveraltimessoastoexposethepursetoview，butthegeneralneversawit。Heisveryabsentjustnow，evidently。Hetalksandlaughsandtellsstories，andsuddenlyfliesintoaragewithme，goodnessknowswhy。"
"Well，but——haveyoutakenthepurseawaynow？"
"No，itdisappearedfromunderthechairinthenight。"
"Whereisitnow，then？"
"Here，"laughedLebedeff，atlast，risingtohisfullheightandlookingpleasantlyattheprince，"here，intheliningofmycoat。Look，youcanfeelitforyourself，ifyoulike！"
Sureenoughtherewassomethingstickingoutofthefrontofthecoat——somethinglarge。Itcertainlyfeltasthoughitmightwellbethepursefallenthroughaholeinthepocketintothelining。
"Itookitoutandhadalookatit；it’sallright。I’veletitslipbackintotheliningnow，asyousee，andsoIhavebeenwalkingabouteversinceyesterdaymorning；itknocksagainstmylegswhenIwalkalong。"
"H’m！andyoutakenonoticeofit？"
"Quiteso，Itakenonoticeofit。Ha，ha！andthinkofthis，prince，mypocketsarealwaysstrongandwhole，andyet，hereinonenight，isahugehole。Iknowthephenomenonisunworthyofyournotice；butsuchisthecase。Iexaminedthehole，andI
declareitactuallylooksasthoughithadbeenmadewithapen-
knife，amostimprobablecontingency。"
"And——and——thegeneral？"
"Ah，veryangryallday，sir；allyesterdayandalltoday。Heshowsdecidedbacchanalianpredilectionsatonetime，andatanotheristearfulandsensitive，butatanymomentheisliabletoparoxysmsofsuchragethatIassureyou，prince，Iamquitealarmed。Iamnotamilitaryman，youknow。Yesterdayweweresittingtogetherinthetavern，andtheliningofmycoatwas——
quiteaccidentally，ofcourse——stickingoutrightinfront。Thegeneralsquintedatit，andflewintoarage。Heneverlooksmequiteinthefacenow，unlessheisverydrunkormaudlin；butyesterdayhelookedatmeinsuchawaythatashiverwentalldownmyback。Iintendtofindthepursetomorrow；buttillthenIamgoingtohaveanothernightofitwithhim。"
"What’sthegoodoftormentinghimlikethis？"criedtheprince。
"Idon’ttormenthim，prince，Idon’tindeed！"criedLebedeff，hotly。"Ilovehim，mydearsir，Iesteemhim；andbelieveitornot，Ilovehimallthebetterforthisbusiness，yes——andvaluehimmore。"
Lebedeffsaidthissoseriouslythattheprincequitelosthistemperwithhim。
"Nonsense！lovehimandtormenthimso！Why，bytheveryfactthatheputthepurseprominentlybeforeyou，firstunderthechairandtheninyourlining，heshowsthathedoesnotwishtodeceiveyou，butisanxioustobegyourforgivenessinthisartlessway。Doyouhear？Heisaskingyourpardon。Heconfidesinthedelicacyofyourfeelings，andinyourfriendshipforhim。
Andyoucanallowyourselftohumiliatesothoroughlyhonestaman！"
"Thoroughlyhonest，quiteso，prince，thoroughlyhonest！"saidLebedeff，withflashingeyes。"Andonlyyou，prince，couldhavefoundsoveryappropriateanexpression。Ihonouryouforit，prince。Verywell，that’ssettled；Ishallfindthepursenowandnottomorrow。Here，Ifinditandtakeitoutbeforeyoureyes！
Andthemoneyisallright。Takeit，prince，andkeepittilltomorrow，willyou？TomorrowornextdayI’lltakeitbackagain。
Ithink，prince，thatthenightafteritsdisappearanceitwasburiedunderabushinthegarden。SoIbelieve——whatdoyouthinkofthat？"
"Well，takecareyoudon’ttellhimtohisfacethatyouhavefoundthepurse。Simplylethimseethatitisnolongerintheliningofyourcoat，andformhisownconclusions。"
"Doyouthinkso？HadInotjustbettertellhimIhavefoundit，andpretendIneverguessedwhereitwas？"
"No，Idon’tthinkso，"saidtheprince，thoughtfully；"it’stoolateforthat——thatwouldbedangerousnow。No，no！Bettersaynothingaboutit。Benicewithhim，youknow，butdon’tshowhim——oh，YOUknowwellenough——"
"Iknow，prince，ofcourseIknow，butI’mafraidIshallnotcarryitout；fortodosooneneedsaheartlikeyourown。Heissoveryirritablejustnow，andsoproud。Atonemomenthewillembraceme，andthenexthefliesoutatmeandsneersatme，andthenIsticktheliningforwardonpurpose。Well，aurevoir，prince，IseeIamkeepingyou，andboringyou，too，interferingwithyourmostinterestingprivatereflections。"
"Now，dobecareful！Secrecy，asbefore！"
"Oh，silenceisn’ttheword！Softly，softly！"
Butinspiteofthisconclusiontotheepisode，theprinceremainedaspuzzledasever，ifnotmoreso。Heawaitednextmorning’sinterviewwiththegeneralmostimpatiently。
IV。
THEtimeappointedwastwelveo’clock，andtheprince，returninghomeunexpectedlylate，foundthegeneralwaitingforhim。Atthefirstglance，hesawthatthelatterwasdispleased，perhapsbecausehehadbeenkeptwaiting。Theprinceapologized，andquicklytookaseat。Heseemedstrangelytimidbeforethegeneralthismorning，forsomereason，andfeltasthoughhisvisitorweresomepieceofchinawhichhewasafraidofbreaking。
Onscrutinizinghim，theprincesoonsawthatthegeneralwasquiteadifferentmanfromwhathehadbeenthedaybefore；helookedlikeonewhohadcometosomemomentousresolve。Hiscalmness，however，wasmoreapparentthanreal。Hewascourteous，buttherewasasuggestionofinjuredinnocenceinhismanner。
"I’vebroughtyourbookback，"hebegan，indicatingabooklyingonthetable。"Muchobligedtoyouforlendingittome。"
"Ah，yes。Well，didyoureadit，general？It’scurious，isn’tit？"saidtheprince，delightedtobeabletoopenupconversationuponanoutsidesubject。
"Curiousenough，yes，butcrude，andofcoursedreadfulnonsense；
probablythemanliesineveryothersentence。"
Thegeneralspokewithconsiderableconfidence，anddraggedhiswordsoutwithaconceiteddrawl。
"Oh，butit’sonlythesimpletaleofanoldsoldierwhosawtheFrenchenterMoscow。Someofhisremarkswerewonderfullyinteresting。Remarksofaneye-witnessarealwaysvaluable，whoeverhebe，don’tyouthinkso"HadIbeenthepublisherIshouldnothaveprintedit。Astotheevidenceofeye-witnesses，inthesedayspeoplepreferimpudentliestothestoriesofmenofworthandlongservice。Iknowofsomenotesoftheyear1812，which——Ihavedetermined，prince，toleavethishouse，Mr。Lebedeff’shouse。"
Thegenerallookedsignificantlyathishost。
"OfcourseyouhaveyourownlodgingatPavlofskat——atyourdaughter’shouse，"begantheprince，quiteatalosswhattosay。
Hesuddenlyrecollectedthatthegeneralhadcomeforadviceonamostimportantmatter，affectinghisdestiny。
"Atmywife’s；inotherwords，atmyownplace，mydaughter’shouse。"
"Ibegyourpardon，I——"
"IleaveLebedeff’shouse，mydearprince，becauseIhavequarrelledwiththisperson。Ibrokewithhimlastnight，andamverysorrythatIdidnotdosobefore。Iexpectrespect，prince，evenfromthosetowhomIgivemyheart，sotospeak。Prince，I
haveoftengivenawaymyheart，andamnearlyalwaysdeceived。
Thispersonwasquiteunworthyofthegift。"
"Thereismuchthatmightbeimprovedinhim，"saidtheprince，moderately，"buthehassomequalitieswhich——thoughamidthemonecannotbutdiscernacunningnature——revealwhatisoftenadivertingintellect。"
Theprince’stonewassonaturalandrespectfulthatthegeneralcouldnotpossiblysuspecthimofanyinsincerity。
"Oh，thathepossessesgoodtraits，Iwasthefirsttoshow，whenIverynearlymadehimapresentofmyfriendship。Iamnotdependentuponhishospitality，anduponhishouse；Ihavemyownfamily。Idonotattempttojustifymyownweakness。Ihavedrunkwiththisman，andperhapsIdeplorethefactnow，butIdidnottakehimupforthesakeofdrinkalone(excusethecrudenessoftheexpression，prince)；Ididnotmakefriendswithhimforthatalone。Iwasattractedbyhisgoodqualities；butwhenthefellowdeclaresthathewasachildin1812，andhadhisleftlegcutoff，andburiedintheVagarkoffcemetery，inMoscow，suchacock-and-bullstoryamountstodisrespect，mydearsir，to——toimpudentexaggeration。"
"Oh，hewasverylikelyjoking；hesaiditforfun。"
"Iquiteunderstandyou。Youmeanthataninnocentlieforthesakeofagoodjokeisharmless，anddoesnotoffendthehumanheart。Somepeoplelie，ifyouliketoputitso，outofpurefriendship，inordertoamusetheirfellows；butwhenamanmakesuseofextravaganceinordertoshowhisdisrespectandtomakeclearhowtheintimacyboreshim，itistimeforamanofhonourtobreakoffthesaidintimacy。，andtoteachtheoffenderhisplace。"
Thegeneralflushedwithindignationashespoke。
"Oh，butLebedeffcannothavebeeninMoscowin1812。Heismuchtooyoung；itisallnonsense。"
"Verywell，butevenifweadmitthathewasalivein1812，canonebelievethataFrenchchasseurpointedacannonathimforalark，andshothisleftlegoff？Hesayshepickedhisownlegupandtookitawayandburieditinthecemetery。Hesworehehadastoneputupoveritwiththeinscription:’HereliesthelegofCollegiateSecretaryLebedeff，’andontheotherside，’Rest，belovedashes，tillthemornofjoy，’andthathehasaservicereadoveriteveryyear(whichissimplysacrilege)，andgoestoMoscowonceayearonpurpose。HeinvitesmetoMoscowinordertoprovehisassertion，andshowmehisleg’stomb，andtheverycannonthatshothim；hesaysit’stheeleventhfromthegateoftheKremlin，anold-fashionedfalconettakenfromtheFrenchafterwards。"
"And，meanwhilebothhislegsarestillonhisbody，"saidtheprince，laughing。"Iassureyou，itisonlyaninnocentjoke，andyouneednotbeangryaboutit。"
"Excuseme——waitaminute——hesaysthatthelegweseeisawoodenone，madebyTchernosvitoff。"
"Theydosayonecandancewiththose！"
"Quiteso，quiteso；andheswearsthathiswifeneverfoundoutthatoneofhislegswaswoodenallthewhiletheyweremarried。
WhenIshowedhimtheridiculousnessofallthis，hesaid，’Well，ifyouwereoneofNapoleon’spagesin1812，youmightletmeburymylegintheMoscowcemetery。’
"Why，didyousay——"begantheprince，andpausedinconfusion。
Thegeneralgazedathishostdisdainfully。
"Oh，goon，"hesaid，"finishyoursentence，byallmeans。SayhowodditappearstoyouthatamanfallentosuchadepthofhumiliationasI，caneverhavebeentheactualeye-witnessofgreatevents。Goon，Idon’tmind！Hashefoundtimetotellyouscandalaboutme？"
"No，I’veheardnothingofthisfromLebedeff，ifyoumeanLebedeff。"
"H’m；Ithoughtdifferently。Yousee，weweretalkingoverthisperiodofhistory。Iwascriticizingacurrentreportofsomethingwhichthenhappened，andhavingbeenmyselfaneye-
witnessoftheoccurrence——youaresmiling，prince——youarelookingatmyfaceasif——"
"Ohno！notatall——I——"
"Iamratheryoung-looking，Iknow；butIamactuallyolderthanIappeartobe。Iwastenorelevenintheyear1812。Idon’tknowmyageexactly，butithasalwaysbeenaweaknessofminetomakeitoutlessthanitreallyis。
"Iassureyou，general，Idonotintheleastdoubtyourstatement。OneofourlivingautobiographersstatesthatwhenhewasasmallbabyinMoscowin1812theFrenchsoldiersfedhimwithbread。"
"Well，thereyousee！"saidthegeneral，condescendingly。"Thereisnothingwhateverunusualaboutmytale。Truthveryoftenappearstobeimpossible。Iwasapage——itsoundsstrange，Idaresay。HadIbeenfifteenyearsoldIshouldprobablyhavebeenterriblyfrightenedwhentheFrencharrived，asmymotherwas(whohadbeentooslowaboutclearingoutofMoscow)；butasI
wasonlyjusttenIwasnotintheleastalarmed，andrushedthroughthecrowdtotheverydoorofthepalacewhenNapoleonalightedfromhishorse。"
"Undoubtedly，attenyearsoldyouwouldnothavefeltthesenseoffear，asyousay，"blurtedouttheprince，horriblyuncomfortableinthesensationthathewasjustabouttoblush。
"Ofcourse；anditallhappenedsoeasilyandnaturally。Andyet，wereanovelisttodescribetheepisode，hewouldputinallkindsofimpossibleandincredibledetails。"
"Oh，"criedtheprince，"Ihaveoftenthoughtthat！Why，Iknowofamurder，forthesakeofawatch。It’sinallthepapersnow。
Butifsomewriterhadinventedit，allthecriticswouldhavejumpeddownhisthroatandsaidthethingwastooimprobableforanything。Andyetyoureaditinthepaper，andyoucan’thelpthinkingthatoutofthesestrangedisclosuresistobegainedthefullknowledgeofRussianlifeandcharacter。Yousaidthatwell，general；itissotrue，"concludedtheprince，warmly，delightedtohavefoundarefugefromthefieryblusheswhichhadcoveredhisface。
"Yes，it’squitetrue，isn’tit？"criedthegeneral，hiseyessparklingwithgratification。"Asmallboy，achild，wouldnaturallyrealizenodanger；hewouldshovehiswaythroughthecrowdstoseetheshineandglitteroftheuniforms，andespeciallythegreatmanofwhomeveryonewasspeaking，foratthattimealltheworldhadbeentalkingofnoonebutthismanforsomeyearspast。Theworldwasfullofhisname；I——sotospeak——drewitinwithmymother’smilk。Napoleon，passingacoupleofpacesfromme，caughtsightofmeaccidentally。Iwasverywelldressed，andbeingallalone，inthatcrowd，asyouwilleasilyimagine……
"Oh，ofcourse！Naturallythesightimpressedhim，andprovedtohimthatnotALLthearistocracyhadleftMoscow；thatatleastsomenoblesandtheirchildrenhadremainedbehind。"
Justsojustso！Hewantedtowinoverthearistocracy！Whenhiseagleeyefellonme，mineprobablyflashedbackinresponse。’
Voilaungarconbieneveille！Quiesttonpere？’Iimmediatelyreplied，almostpantingwithexcitement，’Ageneral，whodiedonthebattle-fieldsofhiscountry！"Lefilsd’unboyardetd’unbrave，pardessuslemarche。J’aimelesboyards。M’aimes-tu，petit？’TothiskeenquestionIrepliedaskeenly，’TheRussianheartcanrecognizeagreatmaneveninthebitterenemyofhiscountry。’Atleast，Idon’tremembertheexactwords，youknow，buttheideawasasIsay。Napoleonwasstruck；hethoughtaminuteandthensaidtohissuite:’Ilikethatboy’spride；ifallRussiansthinklikethischild’，thenhedidn’tfinish，hutwentonandenteredthepalace。Iinstantlymixedwithhissuite，andfollowedhim。Iwasalreadyinhighfavour。Irememberwhenhecameintothefirsthall，theemperorstoppedbeforeaportraitoftheEmpressKatherine，andafterathoughtfulglanceremarked，’Thatwasagreatwoman，’andpassedon。
"Well，inacoupleofdaysIwasknownalloverthepalaceandtheKremlinas’lepetitboyard。’Ionlywenthometosleep。Theywerenearlyoutoftheirmindsaboutmeathome。Acoupleofdaysafterthis，Napoleon’spage，DeBazancour，died；hehadnotbeenabletostandthetrialsofthecampaign。Napoleonrememberedme；
Iwastakenawaywithoutexplanation；thedeadpage’suniformwastriedonme，andwhenIwastakenbeforetheemperor，dressedinit，henoddedhisheadtome，andIwastoldthatIwasappointedtothevacantpostofpage。
"Well，Iwasgladenough，forIhadlongfeltthegreatestsympathyforthisman；andthentheprettyuniformandallthat——
onlyachild，youknow——andsoon。Itwasadarkgreendresscoatwithgoldbuttons——redfacings，whitetrousers，andawhitesilkwaistcoat——silkstockings，shoeswithbuckles，andtop-bootsifI
wereridingoutwithhismajestyorwiththesuite。
"Thoughthepositionofallofusatthattimewasnotparticularlybrilliant，andthepovertywasdreadfulallround，yettheetiquetteatcourtwasstrictlypreserved，andthemorestrictlyinproportiontothegrowthoftheforebodingsofdisaster。"
"Quiteso，quiteso，ofcourse！"murmuredthepoorprince，whodidn’tknowwheretolook。"Yourmemoirswouldbemostinteresting。"
Thegeneralwas，ofcourse，repeatingwhathehadtoldLebedeffthenightbefore，andthusbroughtitoutgliblyenough，butherehelookedsuspiciouslyattheprinceoutofthecornersofhiseyes。
"Mymemoirs！"hebegan，withredoubledprideanddignity。"Writemymemoirs？Theideahasnottemptedme。Andyet，ifyouplease，mymemoirshavelongbeenwritten，buttheyshallnotseethelightuntildustreturnstodust。Then，Idoubtnot，theywillbetranslatedintoalllanguages，notofcourseonaccountoftheiractualliterarymerit，butbecauseofthegreateventsofwhichI
wastheactualwitness，thoughbutachildatthetime。Asachild，Iwasabletopenetrateintothesecrecyofthegreatman’sprivateroom。AtnightsIhaveheardthegroansandwailingsofthis’giantindistress。’HecouldfeelnoshameinweepingbeforesuchamerechildasIwas，thoughIunderstoodeventhenthatthereasonforhissufferingwasthesilenceoftheEmperorAlexander。"
"Yes，ofcourse；hehadwrittenletterstothelatterwithproposalsofpeace，hadhenot？"putintheprince。
"Wedidnotknowthedetailsofhisproposals，buthewroteletterafterletter，alldayandeveryday。Hewasdreadfullyagitated。SometimesatnightIwouldthrowmyselfuponhisbreastwithtears(Oh，howIlovedthatman！)。’Askforgiveness，Oh，askforgivenessoftheEmperorAlexander！’Iwouldcry。Ishouldhavesaid，ofcourse，’MakepeacewithAlexander，’butasachildI
expressedmyideainthenaivewayrecorded。’Oh，mychild，’hewouldsay(helovedtotalktomeandseemedtoforgetmytenderyears)，’Oh，mychild，IamreadytokissAlexander’sfeet，butI
hateandabominatetheKingofPrussiaandtheAustrianEmperor，and——and——butyouknownothingofpolitics，mychild。’Hewouldpullup，rememberingwhomhewasspeakingto，buthiseyeswouldsparkleforalongwhileafterthis。Wellnow，ifIweretodescribeallthis，andIhaveseengreatereventsthanthese，allthesecriticalgentlemenofthepressandpoliticalparties——Oh，nothanks！I’mtheirveryhumbleservant，butnothanks！"