第10章

RaskolnikovwentstraighttothehouseonthecanalbankwhereSonialived。Itwasanoldgreenhouseofthreestoreys。HefoundtheporterandobtainedfromhimvaguedirectionsastothewhereaboutsofKapernaumov，thetailor。Havingfoundinthecornerofthecourtyardtheentrancetothedarkandnarrowstaircase，hemountedtothesecondfloorandcameoutintoagallerythatranroundthewholesecondstoreyovertheyard。Whilehewaswanderinginthedarkness，uncertainwheretoturnforKapernaumov’sdoor，adooropenedthreepacesfromhim；hemechanicallytookholdofit。

“Whoisthere？”awoman’svoiceaskeduneasily。

“It’sI…cometoseeyou，”answeredRaskolnikovandhewalkedintothetinyentry。

Onabrokenchairstoodacandleinabatteredcoppercandlestick。

“It’syou！Goodheavens！”criedSoniaweakly，andshestoodrootedtothespot。

“Whichisyourroom？Thisway？”andRaskolnikov，tryingnottolookather，hastenedin。

AminutelaterSonia，too，cameinwiththecandle，setdownthecandlestickand，completelydisconcerted，stoodbeforehiminexpressiblyagitatedandapparentlyfrightenedbyhisunexpectedvisit。Thecolourrushedsuddenlytoherpalefaceandtearscameintohereyes…Shefeltsickandashamedandhappy，too。…Raskolnikovturnedawayquicklyandsatonachairbythetable。Hescannedtheroominarapidglance。

Itwasalargebutexceedinglylow-pitchedroom，theonlyoneletbytheKapernaumovs，towhoseroomsacloseddoorledinthewallontheleft。Intheoppositesideontherighthandwallwasanotherdoor，alwayskeptlocked。Thatledtothenextflat，whichformedaseparatelodging。Sonia’sroomlookedlikeabarn；itwasaveryirregularquadrangleandthisgaveitagrotesqueappearance。Awallwiththreewindowslookingoutontothecanalranaslantsothatonecornerformedaveryacuteangle，anditwasdifficulttoseeinitwithoutverystronglight。Theothercornerwasdisproportionatelyobtuse。Therewasscarcelyanyfurnitureinthebigroom:inthecornerontherightwasabedstead，besideit，nearestthedoor，achair。Aplain，dealtablecoveredbyablueclothstoodagainstthesamewall，closetothedoorintotheotherflat。Tworush-bottomchairsstoodbythetable。Ontheoppositewallneartheacuteanglestoodasmallplainwoodenchestofdrawerslooking，asitwere，lostinadesert。Thatwasalltherewasintheroom。Theyellow，scratchedandshabbywall-paperwasblackinthecorners。Itmusthavebeendampandfulloffumesinthewinter。Therewaseverysignofpoverty；eventhebedsteadhadnocurtain。

Sonialookedinsilenceathervisitor，whowassoattentivelyandunceremoniouslyscrutinisingherroom，andevenbeganatlasttotremblewithterror，asthoughshewasstandingbeforeherjudgeandthearbiterofherdestinies。

“Iamlate。…It’seleven，isn’tit？”heasked，stillnotliftinghiseyes。

“Yes，”mutteredSonia，“ohyes，itis，”sheadded，hastily，asthoughinthatlayhermeansofescape。“Mylandlady’sclockhasjuststruck…Ihearditmyself。…”

“I’vecometoyouforthelasttime，”Raskolnikovwentongloomily，althoughthiswasthefirsttime。“Imayperhapsnotseeyouagain…”

“Areyou…goingaway？”

“Idon’tknow…to-morrow。…”

“ThenyouarenotcomingtoKaterinaIvanovnato-morrow？”Sonia’svoiceshook。

“Idon’tknow。Ishallknowto-morrowmorning。…Nevermindthat:I’vecometosayoneword。…”

Heraisedhisbroodingeyestoherandsuddenlynoticedthathewassittingdownwhileshewasallthewhilestandingbeforehim。

“Whyareyoustanding？Sitdown，”hesaidinachangedvoice，gentleandfriendly。

Shesatdown。Helookedkindlyandalmostcompassionatelyather。

“Howthinyouare！Whatahand！Quitetransparent，likeadeadhand。”

Hetookherhand。Soniasmiledfaintly。

“Ihavealwaysbeenlikethat，”shesaid。

“Evenwhenyoulivedathome？”

“Yes。”

“Ofcourse，youwere，”headdedabruptlyandtheexpressionofhisfaceandthesoundofhisvoicechangedagainsuddenly。

Helookedroundhimoncemore。

“YourentthisroomfromtheKapernaumovs？”

“Yes。…”

“Theylivethere，throughthatdoor？”

“Yes。…Theyhaveanotherroomlikethis。”

“Allinoneroom？”

“Yes。”

“Ishouldbeafraidinyourroomatnight，”heobservedgloomily。

“Theyareverygoodpeople，verykind，”answeredSonia，whostillseemedbewildered，“andallthefurniture，everything…everythingistheirs。Andtheyareverykindandthechildren，too，oftencometoseeme。”

“Theyallstammer，don’tthey？”

“Yes。…Hestammersandhe’slame。Andhiswife，too。…It’snotexactlythatshestammers，butshecan’tspeakplainly。Sheisaverykindwoman。Andheusedtobeahouseserf。Andtherearesevenchildren…andit’sonlytheeldestonethatstammersandtheothersaresimplyill…buttheydon’tstammer。…Butwheredidyouhearaboutthem？”sheaddedwithsomesurprise。

“Yourfathertoldme，then。Hetoldmeallaboutyou。…Andhowyouwentoutatsixo’clockandcamebackatnineandhowKaterinaIvanovnakneltdownbyyourbed。”

Soniawasconfused。

“IfanciedIsawhimto-day，”shewhisperedhesitatingly。

“Whom？”

“Father。Iwaswalkinginthestreet，outthereatthecorner，aboutteno’clockandheseemedtobewalkinginfront。Itlookedjustlikehim。IwantedtogotoKaterinaIvanovna。…”

“Youwerewalkinginthestreets？”

“Yes，”Soniawhisperedabruptly，againovercomewithconfusionandlookingdown。

“KaterinaIvanovnausedtobeatyou，Idaresay？”

“Ohno，whatareyousaying？No！”Sonialookedathimalmostwithdismay。

“Youloveher，then？”

“Loveher？Ofcourse！”saidSoniawithplaintiveemphasis，andsheclaspedherhandsindistress。“Ah，youdon’t。…Ifyouonlyknew！Yousee，sheisquitelikeachild。…Hermindisquiteunhinged，yousee…fromsorrow。Andhowcleversheusedtobe…howgenerous…howkind！Ah，youdon’tunderstand，youdon’tunderstand！”

Soniasaidthisasthoughindespair，wringingherhandsinexcitementanddistress。Herpalecheeksflushed，therewasalookofanguishinhereyes。Itwasclearthatshewasstirredtotheverydepths，thatshewaslongingtospeak，tochampion，toexpresssomething。Asortofinsatiablecompassion，ifonemaysoexpressit，wasreflectedineveryfeatureofherface。

“Beatme！howcanyou？Goodheavens，beatme！Andifshedidbeatme，whatthen？Whatofit？Youknownothing，nothingaboutit。…Sheissounhappy…ah，howunhappy！Andill。…Sheisseekingrighteousness，sheispure。Shehassuchfaiththattheremustberighteousnesseverywhereandsheexpectsit。…Andifyouweretotortureher，shewouldn’tdowrong。Shedoesn’tseethatit’simpossibleforpeopletoberighteousandsheisangryatit。Likeachild，likeachild。Sheisgood！”

“Andwhatwillhappentoyou？”

Sonialookedathiminquiringly。

“Theyareleftonyourhands，yousee。Theywereallonyourhandsbefore，though。…Andyourfathercametoyoutobegfordrink。Well，howwillitbenow？”

“Idon’tknow，”Soniaarticulatedmournfully。

“Willtheystaythere？”

“Idon’tknow。…Theyareindebtforthelodging，butthelandlady，Ihear，saidto-daythatshewantedtogetridofthem，andKaterinaIvanovnasaysthatshewon’tstayanotherminute。”

“Howisitsheissobold？Shereliesuponyou？”

“Oh，no，don’ttalklikethat。…Weareone，welivelikeone。”Soniawasagitatedagainandevenangry，asthoughacanaryorsomeotherlittlebirdweretobeangry。“Andwhatcouldshedo？What，whatcouldshedo？”shepersisted，gettinghotandexcited。“Andhowshecriedto-day！Hermindisunhinged，haven’tyounoticedit？Atoneminutesheisworryinglikeachildthateverythingshouldberightto-morrow，thelunchandallthat。…Thensheiswringingherhands，spittingblood，weeping，andallatonceshewillbeginknockingherheadagainstthewall，indespair。Thenshewillbecomfortedagain。Shebuildsallherhopesonyou；shesaysthatyouwillhelphernowandthatshewillborrowalittlemoneysomewhereandgotohernativetownwithmeandsetupaboardingschoolforthedaughtersofgentlemenandtakemetosuperintendit，andwewillbeginanewsplendidlife。Andshekissesandhugsme，comfortsme，andyouknowshehassuchfaith，suchfaithinherfancies！Onecan’tcontradicther。Andallthedaylongshehasbeenwashing，cleaning，mending。Shedraggedthewashtubintotheroomwithherfeeblehandsandsankonthebed，gaspingforbreath。WewentthismorningtotheshopstobuyshoesforPolenkaandLidafortheirsarequitewornout。Onlythemoneywe’dreckonedwasn’tenough，notnearlyenough。Andshepickedoutsuchdearlittleboots，forshehastaste，youdon’tknow。Andthereintheshopsheburstoutcryingbeforetheshopmenbecauseshehadn’tenough。…Ah，itwassadtoseeher。…”

“Well，afterthatIcanunderstandyourlivinglikethis，”Raskolnikovsaidwithabittersmile。

“Andaren’tyousorryforthem？Aren’tyousorry？”Soniaflewathimagain。“Why，Iknow，yougaveyourlastpennyyourself，thoughyou’dseennothingofit，andifyou’dseeneverything，ohdear！Andhowoften，howoftenI’vebroughthertotears！Onlylastweek！Yes，I！Onlyaweekbeforehisdeath。Iwascruel！AndhowoftenI’vedoneit！Ah，I’vebeenwretchedatthethoughtofitallday！”

Soniawrungherhandsasshespokeatthepainofrememberingit。

“Youwerecruel？”

“Yes，I—I。Iwenttoseethem，”shewenton，weeping，“andfathersaid，‘readmesomething，Sonia，myheadaches，readtome，here’sabook。’HehadabookhehadgotfromAndreySemyonovitchLebeziatnikov，helivesthere，healwaysusedtogetholdofsuchfunnybooks。AndIsaid，‘Ican’tstay，’asIdidn’twanttoread，andI’dgoneinchieflytoshowKaterinaIvanovnasomecollars。Lizaveta，thepedlar，soldmesomecollarsandcuffscheap，pretty，new，embroideredones。KaterinaIvanovnalikedthemverymuch；sheputthemonandlookedatherselfintheglassandwasdelightedwiththem。‘Makemeapresentofthem，Sonia，’shesaid，‘pleasedo。’‘Pleasedo，’shesaid，shewantedthemsomuch。Andwhencouldshewearthem？Theyjustremindedherofheroldhappydays。Shelookedatherselfintheglass，admiredherself，andshehasnoclothesatall，nothingsofherown，hasn’thadalltheseyears！Andsheneverasksanyoneforanything；sheisproud，she’dsoonergiveawayeverything。Andthesesheaskedfor，shelikedthemsomuch。AndIwassorrytogivethem。‘Whatusearetheytoyou，KaterinaIvanovna？’Isaid。Ispokelikethattoher，Ioughtnottohavesaidthat！Shegavemesuchalook。Andshewassogrieved，sogrievedatmyrefusingher。Anditwassosadtosee。…Andshewasnotgrievedforthecollars，butformyrefusing，Isawthat。Ah，ifonlyIcouldbringitallback，changeit，takebackthosewords！Ah，ifI…butit’snothingtoyou！”

“DidyouknowLizaveta，thepedlar？”

“Yes。…Didyouknowher？”Soniaaskedwithsomesurprise。

“KaterinaIvanovnaisinconsumption，rapidconsumption；shewillsoondie，”saidRaskolnikovafterapause，withoutansweringherquestion。

“Oh，no，no，no！”

AndSoniaunconsciouslyclutchedbothhishands，asthoughimploringthatsheshouldnot。

“Butitwillbebetterifshedoesdie。”

“No，notbetter，notatallbetter！”Soniaunconsciouslyrepeatedindismay。

“Andthechildren？Whatcanyoudoexcepttakethemtolivewithyou？”

“Oh，Idon’tknow，”criedSonia，almostindespair，andsheputherhandstoherhead。

Itwasevidentthatthatideahadveryoftenoccurredtoherbeforeandhehadonlyrouseditagain。

“And，what，ifevennow，whileKaterinaIvanovnaisalive，yougetillandaretakentothehospital，whatwillhappenthen？”hepersistedpitilessly。

“Howcanyou？Thatcannotbe！”

AndSonia’sfaceworkedwithawfulterror。

“Cannotbe？”Raskolnikovwentonwithaharshsmile。“Youarenotinsuredagainstit，areyou？Whatwillhappentothemthen？Theywillbeinthestreet，allofthem，shewillcoughandbegandknockherheadagainstsomewall，asshedidto-day，andthechildrenwillcry。…Thenshewillfalldown，betakentothepolicestationandtothehospital，shewilldie，andthechildren…”

“Oh，no。…Godwillnotletitbe！”brokeatlastfromSonia’soverburdenedbosom。

Shelistened，lookingimploringlyathim，claspingherhandsindumbentreaty，asthoughitalldependeduponhim。

Raskolnikovgotupandbegantowalkabouttheroom。Aminutepassed。Soniawasstandingwithherhandsandherheadhanginginterribledejection。

“Andcan’tyousave？Putbyforarainyday？”heasked，stoppingsuddenlybeforeher。

“No，”whisperedSonia。

“Ofcoursenot。Haveyoutried？”headdedalmostironically。

“Yes。”

“Anditdidn’tcomeoff！Ofcoursenot！Noneedtoask。”

Andagainhepacedtheroom。Anotherminutepassed。

“Youdon’tgetmoneyeveryday？”

Soniawasmoreconfusedthaneverandcolourrushedintoherfaceagain。

“No，”shewhisperedwithapainfuleffort。

“ItwillbethesamewithPolenka，nodoubt，”hesaidsuddenly。

“No，no！Itcan’tbe，no！”Soniacriedaloudindesperation，asthoughshehadbeenstabbed。“Godwouldnotallowanythingsoawful！”

“Heletsotherscometoit。”

“No，no！Godwillprotecther，God！”sherepeatedbesideherself。

“But，perhaps，thereisnoGodatall，”Raskolnikovansweredwithasortofmalignance，laughedandlookedather。

Sonia’sfacesuddenlychanged；atremorpassedoverit。Shelookedathimwithunutterablereproach，triedtosaysomething，butcouldnotspeakandbrokeintobitter，bittersobs，hidingherfaceinherhands。

“YousayKaterinaIvanovna’smindisunhinged；yourownmindisunhinged，”hesaidafterabriefsilence。

Fiveminutespassed。Hestillpacedupanddowntheroominsilence，notlookingather。Atlasthewentuptoher；hiseyesglittered。Heputhistwohandsonhershouldersandlookedstraightintohertearfulface。Hiseyeswerehard，feverishandpiercing，hislipsweretwitching。Allatoncehebentdownquicklyanddroppingtotheground，kissedherfoot。Soniadrewbackfromhimasfromamadman。Andcertainlyhelookedlikeamadman。

“Whatareyoudoingtome？”shemuttered，turningpale，andasuddenanguishclutchedatherheart。

Hestoodupatonce。

“Ididnotbowdowntoyou，Iboweddowntoallthesufferingofhumanity，”hesaidwildlyandwalkedawaytothewindow。“Listen，”headded，turningtoheraminutelater。“Isaidjustnowtoaninsolentmanthathewasnotworthyourlittlefinger…andthatIdidmysisterhonourmakinghersitbesideyou。”

“Ach，yousaidthattothem！Andinherpresence？”criedSonia，frightened。“Sitdownwithme！Anhonour！Why，I’m…dishonourable。…Ah，whydidyousaythat？”

“ItwasnotbecauseofyourdishonourandyoursinIsaidthatofyou，butbecauseofyourgreatsuffering。Butyouareagreatsinner，that’strue，”headdedalmostsolemnly，“andyourworstsinisthatyouhavedestroyedandbetrayedyourselffornothing。Isn’tthatfearful？Isn’titfearfulthatyouarelivinginthisfilthwhichyouloatheso，andatthesametimeyouknowyourself(you’veonlytoopenyoureyes)thatyouarenothelpinganyonebyit，notsavinganyonefromanything？Tellme，”hewentonalmostinafrenzy，“howthisshameanddegradationcanexistinyousidebysidewithother，opposite，holyfeelings？Itwouldbebetter，athousandtimesbetterandwisertoleapintothewaterandenditall！”

“Butwhatwouldbecomeofthem？”Soniaaskedfaintly，gazingathimwitheyesofanguish，butnotseemingsurprisedathissuggestion。

Raskolnikovlookedstrangelyather。Hereaditallinherface；soshemusthavehadthatthoughtalready，perhapsmanytimes，andearnestlyshehadthoughtoutinherdespairhowtoenditandsoearnestly，thatnowshescarcelywonderedathissuggestion。Shehadnotevennoticedthecrueltyofhiswords。(Thesignificanceofhisreproachesandhispeculiarattitudetohershameshehad，ofcourse，notnoticedeither，andthat，too，wascleartohim。)Buthesawhowmonstrouslythethoughtofherdisgraceful，shamefulpositionwastorturingherandhadlongtorturedher。“What，what，”hethought，“couldhithertohavehinderedherfromputtinganendtoit？”Onlythenherealisedwhatthosepoorlittleorphanchildrenandthatpitifulhalf-crazyKaterinaIvanovna，knockingherheadagainstthewallinherconsumption，meantforSonia。

But，nevertheless，itwascleartohimagainthatwithhercharacterandtheamountofeducationshehadafterallreceived，shecouldnotinanycaseremainso。Hewasstillconfrontedbythequestion，howcouldshehaveremainedsolonginthatpositionwithoutgoingoutofhermind，sinceshecouldnotbringherselftojumpintothewater？OfcourseheknewthatSonia’spositionwasanexceptionalcase，thoughunhappilynotuniqueandnotinfrequent，indeed；butthatveryexceptionalness，hertingeofeducation，herpreviouslifemight，onewouldhavethought，havekilledheratthefirststeponthatrevoltingpath。Whatheldherup—surelynotdepravity？Allthatinfamyhadobviouslyonlytouchedhermechanically，notonedropofrealdepravityhadpenetratedtoherheart；hesawthat。Hesawthroughherasshestoodbeforehim。…

“Therearethreewaysbeforeher，”hethought，“thecanal，themadhouse，or…atlasttosinkintodepravitywhichobscuresthemindandturnsthehearttostone。”

Thelastideawasthemostrevolting，buthewasasceptic，hewasyoung，abstract，andthereforecruel，andsohecouldnothelpbelievingthatthelastendwasthemostlikely。

“Butcanthatbetrue？”hecriedtohimself。“Canthatcreaturewhohasstillpreservedthepurityofherspiritbeconsciouslydrawnatlastintothatsinkoffilthandiniquity？Cantheprocessalreadyhavebegun？Canitbethatshehasonlybeenabletobearittillnow，becausevicehasbeguntobelessloathsometoher？No，no，thatcannotbe！”hecried，asSoniahadjustbefore。“No，whathaskeptherfromthecanaltillnowistheideaofsinandthey，thechildren。…Andifshehasnotgoneoutofhermind…butwhosaysshehasnotgoneoutofhermind？Issheinhersenses？Canonetalk，canonereasonasshedoes？Howcanshesitontheedgeoftheabyssofloathsomenessintowhichsheisslippingandrefusetolistenwhensheistoldofdanger？Doessheexpectamiracle？Nodoubtshedoes。Doesn’tthatallmeanmadness？”

Hestayedobstinatelyatthatthought。Helikedthatexplanationindeedbetterthananyother。Hebeganlookingmoreintentlyather。

“SoyoupraytoGodagreatdeal，Sonia？”heaskedher。

Soniadidnotspeak；hestoodbesideherwaitingforananswer。

“WhatshouldIbewithoutGod？”shewhisperedrapidly，forcibly，glancingathimwithsuddenlyflashingeyes，andsqueezinghishand。

“Ah，sothatisit！”hethought。

“AndwhatdoesGoddoforyou？”heasked，probingherfurther。

Soniawassilentalongwhile，asthoughshecouldnotanswer。Herweakchestkeptheavingwithemotion。

“Besilent！Don’task！Youdon’tdeserve！”shecriedsuddenly，lookingsternlyandwrathfullyathim。

“That’sit，that’sit，”herepeatedtohimself。

“Hedoeseverything，”shewhisperedquickly，lookingdownagain。

“That’sthewayout！That’stheexplanation，”hedecided，scrutinisingherwitheagercuriosity，withanew，strange，almostmorbidfeeling。Hegazedatthatpale，thin，irregular，angularlittleface，thosesoftblueeyes，whichcouldflashwithsuchfire，suchsternenergy，thatlittlebodystillshakingwithindignationandanger—anditallseemedtohimmoreandmorestrange，almostimpossible。“Sheisareligiousmaniac！”herepeatedtohimself。

Therewasabooklyingonthechestofdrawers。Hehadnoticediteverytimehepacedupanddowntheroom。Nowhetookitupandlookedatit。ItwastheNewTestamentintheRussiantranslation。Itwasboundinleather，oldandworn。

“Wheredidyougetthat？”hecalledtoheracrosstheroom。

Shewasstillstandinginthesameplace，threestepsfromthetable。

“Itwasbroughtme，”sheanswered，asitwereunwillingly，notlookingathim。

“Whobroughtit？”

“Lizaveta，Iaskedherforit。”

“Lizaveta！strange！”hethought。

EverythingaboutSoniaseemedtohimstrangerandmorewonderfuleverymoment。Hecarriedthebooktothecandleandbegantoturnoverthepages。

“WhereisthestoryofLazarus？”heaskedsuddenly。

Sonialookedobstinatelyatthegroundandwouldnotanswer。Shewasstandingsidewaystothetable。

“WhereistheraisingofLazarus？Finditforme，Sonia。”

Shestoleaglanceathim。

“Youarenotlookingintherightplace。…It’sinthefourthgospel，”shewhisperedsternly，withoutlookingathim。

“Finditandreadittome，”hesaid。Hesatdownwithhiselbowonthetable，leanedhisheadonhishandandlookedawaysullenly，preparedtolisten。

“Inthreeweeks’timethey’llwelcomemeinthemadhouse！IshallbethereifIamnotinaworseplace，”hemutteredtohimself。

SoniaheardRaskolnikov’srequestdistrustfullyandmovedhesitatinglytothetable。Shetookthebookhowever。

“Haven’tyoureadit？”sheasked，lookingupathimacrossthetable。

Hervoicebecamesternerandsterner。

“Longago。…WhenIwasatschool。Read！”

“Andhaven’tyouhearditinchurch？”

“I…haven’tbeen。Doyouoftengo？”

“N-no，”whisperedSonia。

Raskolnikovsmiled。

“Iunderstand。…Andyouwon’tgotoyourfather’sfuneralto-morrow？”

“Yes，Ishall。Iwasatchurchlastweek，too…Ihadarequiemservice。”

“Forwhom？”

“ForLizaveta。Shewaskilledwithanaxe。”

Hisnervesweremoreandmorestrained。Hisheadbegantogoround。

“WereyoufriendswithLizaveta？”

“Yes。…Shewasgood…sheusedtocome…notoften…shecouldn’t。…Weusedtoreadtogetherand…talk。ShewillseeGod。”

Thelastphrasesoundedstrangeinhisears。Andherewassomethingnewagain:themysteriousmeetingswithLizavetaandbothofthem—religiousmaniacs。

“Ishallbeareligiousmaniacmyselfsoon！It’sinfectious！”

“Read！”hecriedirritablyandinsistently。

Soniastillhesitated。Herheartwasthrobbing。Shehardlydaredtoreadtohim。Helookedalmostwithexasperationatthe“unhappylunatic。”

“Whatfor？Youdon’tbelieve？…”shewhisperedsoftlyandasitwerebreathlessly。

“Read！Iwantyouto，”hepersisted。“YouusedtoreadtoLizaveta。”

Soniaopenedthebookandfoundtheplace。Herhandswereshaking，hervoicefailedher。Twiceshetriedtobeginandcouldnotbringoutthefirstsyllable。

“NowacertainmanwassicknamedLazarusofBethany…”sheforcedherselfatlasttoread，butatthethirdwordhervoicebrokelikeanoverstrainedstring。Therewasacatchinherbreath。

RaskolnikovsawinpartwhySoniacouldnotbringherselftoreadtohimandthemorehesawthis，themoreroughlyandirritablyheinsistedonherdoingso。Heunderstoodonlytoowellhowpainfulitwasforhertobetrayandunveilallthatwasherown。Heunderstoodthatthesefeelingsreallywerehersecrettreasure，whichshehadkeptperhapsforyears，perhapsfromchildhood，whileshelivedwithanunhappyfatherandadistractedstepmothercrazedbygrief，inthemidstofstarvingchildrenandunseemlyabuseandreproaches。Butatthesametimeheknewnowandknewforcertainthat，althoughitfilledherwithdreadandsuffering，yetshehadatormentingdesiretoreadandtoreadtohimthathemighthearit，andtoreadnowwhatevermightcomeofit！…Hereadthisinhereyes，hecouldseeitinherintenseemotion。Shemasteredherself，controlledthespasminherthroatandwentonreadingtheeleventhchapterofSt。John。Shewentontothenineteenthverse:

“AndmanyoftheJewscametoMarthaandMarytocomfortthemconcerningtheirbrother。

“ThenMarthaassoonassheheardthatJesuswascomingwentandmetHim:butMarysatstillinthehouse。

“ThensaidMarthauntoJesus，Lord，ifThouhadstbeenhere，mybrotherhadnotdied。

“ButIknowthatevennowwhatsoeverThouwiltaskofGod，GodwillgiveitThee。…”

Thenshestoppedagainwithashamefacedfeelingthathervoicewouldquiverandbreakagain。

“Jesussaiduntoher，thybrothershallriseagain。

“MarthasaithuntoHim，Iknowthatheshallriseagainintheresurrection，atthelastday。

“Jesussaiduntoher，Iamtheresurrectionandthelife:hethatbelievethinMethoughheweredead，yetshallhelive。

“AndwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinMeshallneverdie。Believestthouthis？

“ShesaithuntoHim，”

(Anddrawingapainfulbreath，Soniareaddistinctlyandforciblyasthoughsheweremakingapublicconfessionoffaith。)

“Yea，Lord:IbelievethatThouarttheChrist，theSonofGodWhichshouldcomeintotheworld。”

Shestoppedandlookedupquicklyathim，butcontrollingherselfwentonreading。Raskolnikovsatwithoutmoving，hiselbowsonthetableandhiseyesturnedaway。Shereadtothethirty-secondverse。

“ThenwhenMarywascomewhereJesuswasandsawHim，shefelldownatHisfeet，sayinguntoHim，LordifThouhadstbeenhere，mybrotherhadnotdied。

“WhenJesusthereforesawherweeping，andtheJewsalsoweepingwhichcamewithher，Hegroanedinthespiritandwastroubled，

“Andsaid，Wherehaveyelaidhim？TheysaiduntoHim，Lord，comeandsee。

“Jesuswept。

“ThensaidtheJews，beholdhowHelovedhim！

“Andsomeofthemsaid，couldnotthisManwhichopenedtheeyesoftheblind，havecausedthateventhismanshouldnothavedied？”

Raskolnikovturnedandlookedatherwithemotion。Yes，hehadknownit！Shewastremblinginarealphysicalfever。Hehadexpectedit。Shewasgettingnearthestoryofthegreatestmiracleandafeelingofimmensetriumphcameoverher。Hervoicerangoutlikeabell；triumphandjoygaveitpower。Thelinesdancedbeforehereyes，butsheknewwhatshewasreadingbyheart。Atthelastverse“CouldnotthisManwhichopenedtheeyesoftheblind…”droppinghervoiceshepassionatelyreproducedthedoubt，thereproachandcensureoftheblinddisbelievingJews，whoinanothermomentwouldfallatHisfeetasthoughstruckbythunder，sobbingandbelieving。…“Andhe，he—too，isblindedandunbelieving，he，too，willhear，he，too，willbelieve，yes，yes！Atonce，now，”waswhatshewasdreaming，andshewasquiveringwithhappyanticipation。

“JesusthereforeagaingroaninginHimselfcomethtothegrave。Itwasacave，andastonelayuponit。

“Jesussaid，Takeyeawaythestone。Martha，thesisterofhimthatwasdead，saithuntoHim，Lordbythistimehestinketh:forhehathbeendeadfourdays。”

Shelaidemphasisonthewordfour。

“Jesussaithuntoher，SaidInotuntotheethatifthouwouldestbelieve，thoushouldestseethegloryofGod？

“Thentheytookawaythestonefromtheplacewherethedeadwaslaid。AndJesusliftedupHiseyesandsaid，Father，IthankTheethatThouhastheardMe。

“AndIknewthatThouhearestMealways；butbecauseofthepeoplewhichstandbyIsaidit，thattheymaybelievethatThouhastsentMe。

“AndwhenHethushadspoken，Hecriedwithaloudvoice，Lazarus，comeforth。

“Andhethatwasdeadcameforth。”

(Shereadloudly，coldandtremblingwithecstasy，asthoughshewereseeingitbeforehereyes。)

“Boundhandandfootwithgraveclothes；andhisfacewasboundaboutwithanapkin。Jesussaithuntothem，Loosehimandlethimgo。

“ThenmanyoftheJewswhichcametoMaryandhadseenthethingswhichJesusdidbelievedonHim。”

Shecouldreadnomore，closedthebookandgotupfromherchairquickly。

“ThatisallabouttheraisingofLazarus，”shewhisperedseverelyandabruptly，andturningawayshestoodmotionless，notdaringtoraisehereyestohim。Shestilltrembledfeverishly。Thecandle-endwasflickeringoutinthebatteredcandlestick，dimlylightingupinthepoverty-strickenroomthemurdererandtheharlotwhohadsostrangelybeenreadingtogethertheeternalbook。Fiveminutesormorepassed。

“Icametospeakofsomething，”Raskolnikovsaidaloud，frowning。HegotupandwenttoSonia。Sheliftedhereyestohiminsilence。Hisfacewasparticularlysternandtherewasasortofsavagedeterminationinit。

“Ihaveabandonedmyfamilyto-day，”hesaid，“mymotherandsister。Iamnotgoingtoseethem。I’vebrokenwiththemcompletely。”

“Whatfor？”askedSoniaamazed。Herrecentmeetingwithhismotherandsisterhadleftagreatimpressionwhichshecouldnotanalyse。Sheheardhisnewsalmostwithhorror。

“Ihaveonlyyounow，”headded。“Letusgotogether。…I’vecometoyou，wearebothaccursed，letusgoourwaytogether！”

Hiseyesglittered“asthoughheweremad，”Soniathought，inherturn。

“Gowhere？”sheaskedinalarmandsheinvoluntarilysteppedback。

“HowdoIknow？Ionlyknowit’sthesameroad，Iknowthatandnothingmore。It’sthesamegoal！”

Shelookedathimandunderstoodnothing。Sheknewonlythathewasterribly，infinitelyunhappy。

“Nooneofthemwillunderstand，ifyoutellthem，butIhaveunderstood。Ineedyou，thatiswhyIhavecometoyou。”

“Idon’tunderstand，”whisperedSonia。

“You’llunderstandlater。Haven’tyoudonethesame？You，too，havetransgressed…havehadthestrengthtotransgress。Youhavelaidhandsonyourself，youhavedestroyedalife…yourown(it’sallthesame！)。Youmighthavelivedinspiritandunderstanding，butyou’llendintheHayMarket。…Butyouwon’tbeabletostandit，andifyouremainaloneyou’llgooutofyourmindlikeme。Youarelikeamadcreaturealready。Sowemustgotogetheronthesameroad！Letusgo！”

“Whatfor？What’sallthisfor？”saidSonia，strangelyandviolentlyagitatedbyhiswords。

“Whatfor？Becauseyoucan’tremainlikethis，that’swhy！Youmustlookthingsstraightinthefaceatlast，andnotweeplikeachildandcrythatGodwon’tallowit。Whatwillhappen，ifyoushouldreallybetakentothehospitalto-morrow？Sheismadandinconsumption，she’llsoondieandthechildren？DoyoumeantotellmePolenkawon’tcometogrief？Haven’tyouseenchildrenhereatthestreetcornerssentoutbytheirmotherstobeg？I’vefoundoutwherethosemothersliveandinwhatsurroundings。Childrencan’tremainchildrenthere！Atseventhechildisviciousandathief。Yetchildren，youknow，aretheimageofChrist:‘theirsisthekingdomofHeaven。’Hebadeushonourandlovethem，theyarethehumanityofthefuture。…”

“What’stobedone，what’stobedone？”repeatedSonia，weepinghystericallyandwringingherhands。

“What’stobedone？Breakwhatmustbebroken，onceforall，that’sall，andtakethesufferingononeself。What，youdon’tunderstand？You’llunderstandlater。…Freedomandpower，andaboveall，power！Overalltremblingcreationandalltheant-heap！…That’sthegoal，rememberthat！That’smyfarewellmessage。Perhapsit’sthelasttimeIshallspeaktoyou。IfIdon’tcometo-morrow，you’llhearofitall，andthenrememberthesewords。Andsomedaylateron，inyearstocome，you’llunderstandperhapswhattheymeant。IfIcometo-morrow，I’lltellyouwhokilledLizaveta。…Good-bye。”

Soniastartedwithterror。

“Why，doyouknowwhokilledher？”sheasked，chilledwithhorror，lookingwildlyathim。

“Iknowandwilltell…you，onlyyou。Ihavechosenyouout。I’mnotcomingtoyoutoaskforgiveness，butsimplytotellyou。Ichoseyououtlongagotohearthis，whenyourfathertalkedofyouandwhenLizavetawasalive，Ithoughtofit。Good-bye，don’tshakehands。To-morrow！”

Hewentout。Soniagazedathimasatamadman。Butsheherselfwaslikeoneinsaneandfeltit。Herheadwasgoinground。

“Goodheavens，howdoesheknowwhokilledLizaveta？Whatdidthosewordsmean？It’sawful！”Butatthesametimetheideadidnotenterherhead，notforamoment！“Oh，hemustbeterriblyunhappy！…Hehasabandonedhismotherandsister。…Whatfor？Whathashappened？Andwhathadheinhismind？Whatdidhesaytoher？Hehadkissedherfootandsaid…said(yes，hehadsaiditclearly)thathecouldnotlivewithouther。…Oh，mercifulheavens！”

Soniaspentthewholenightfeverishanddelirious。Shejumpedupfromtimetotime，weptandwrungherhands，thensankagainintofeverishsleepanddreamtofPolenka，KaterinaIvanovnaandLizaveta，ofreadingthegospelandhim…himwithpaleface，withburningeyes…kissingherfeet，weeping。

Ontheothersideofthedoorontheright，whichdividedSonia’sroomfromMadameResslich’sflat，wasaroomwhichhadlongstoodempty。Acardwasfixedonthegateandanoticestuckinthewindowsoverthecanaladvertisingittolet。Soniahadlongbeenaccustomedtotheroom’sbeinguninhabited。ButallthattimeMr。Svidrigailovhadbeenstanding，listeningatthedooroftheemptyroom。WhenRaskolnikovwentouthestoodstill，thoughtamoment，wentontiptoetohisownroomwhichadjoinedtheemptyone，broughtachairandnoiselesslycarriedittothedoorthatledtoSonia’sroom。Theconversationhadstruckhimasinterestingandremarkable，andhehadgreatlyenjoyedit—somuchsothathebroughtachairthathemightnotinthefuture，to-morrow，forinstance，havetoenduretheinconvenienceofstandingawholehour，butmightlistenincomfort。

Whennextmorningateleveno’clockpunctuallyRaskolnikovwentintothedepartmentoftheinvestigationofcriminalcausesandsenthisnameintoPorfiryPetrovitch，hewassurprisedatbeingkeptwaitingsolong:itwasatleasttenminutesbeforehewassummoned。Hehadexpectedthattheywouldpounceuponhim。Buthestoodinthewaiting-room，andpeople，whoapparentlyhadnothingtodowithhim，werecontinuallypassingtoandfrobeforehim。Inthenextroomwhichlookedlikeanoffice，severalclerksweresittingwritingandobviouslytheyhadnonotionwhoorwhatRaskolnikovmightbe。Helookeduneasilyandsuspiciouslyabouthimtoseewhethertherewasnotsomeguard，somemysteriouswatchbeingkeptonhimtopreventhisescape。Buttherewasnothingofthesort:hesawonlythefacesofclerksabsorbedinpettydetails，thenotherpeople，nooneseemedtohaveanyconcernwithhim。Hemightgowherehelikedforthem。Theconvictiongrewstrongerinhimthatifthatenigmaticmanofyesterday，thatphantomsprungoutoftheearth，hadseeneverything，theywouldnothavelethimstandandwaitlikethat。Andwouldtheyhavewaitedtillheelectedtoappearateleven？Eitherthemanhadnotyetgiveninformation，or…orsimplyheknewnothing，hadseennothing(andhowcouldhehaveseenanything？)andsoallthathadhappenedtohimthedaybeforewasagainaphantomexaggeratedbyhissickandoverstrainedimagination。Thisconjecturehadbeguntogrowstrongthedaybefore，inthemidstofallhisalarmanddespair。Thinkingitallovernowandpreparingforafreshconflict，hewassuddenlyawarethathewastrembling—andhefeltarushofindignationatthethoughtthathewastremblingwithfearatfacingthathatefulPorfiryPetrovitch。Whathedreadedaboveallwasmeetingthatmanagain；hehatedhimwithanintense，unmitigatedhatredandwasafraidhishatredmightbetrayhim。Hisindignationwassuchthatheceasedtremblingatonce；hemadereadytogoinwithacoldandarrogantbearingandvowedtohimselftokeepassilentaspossible，towatchandlistenandforonceatleasttocontrolhisoverstrainednerves。AtthatmomenthewassummonedtoPorfiryPetrovitch。

HefoundPorfiryPetrovitchaloneinhisstudy。Hisstudywasaroomneitherlargenorsmall，furnishedwithalargewriting-table，thatstoodbeforeasofa，upholsteredincheckedmaterial，abureau，abookcaseinthecornerandseveralchairs—allgovernmentfurniture，ofpolishedyellowwood。Inthefurtherwalltherewasacloseddoor，beyondittherewerenodoubtotherrooms。OnRaskolnikov’sentrancePorfiryPetrovitchhadatonceclosedthedoorbywhichhehadcomeinandtheyremainedalone。Hemethisvisitorwithanapparentlygenialandgood-temperedair，anditwasonlyafterafewminutesthatRaskolnikovsawsignsofacertainawkwardnessinhim，asthoughhehadbeenthrownoutofhisreckoningorcaughtinsomethingverysecret。

“Ah，mydearfellow！Hereyouare…inourdomain”…beganPorfiry，holdingoutbothhandstohim。“Come，sitdown，oldman…orperhapsyoudon’tliketobecalled‘mydearfellow’and‘oldman！’—toutcourt？Pleasedon’tthinkittoofamiliar。…Here，onthesofa。”

Raskolnikovsatdown，keepinghiseyesfixedonhim。“Inourdomain，”theapologiesforfamiliarity，theFrenchphrasetoutcourt，wereallcharacteristicsigns。

“Heheldoutbothhandstome，buthedidnotgivemeone—hedrewitbackintime，”struckhimsuspiciously。Bothwerewatchingeachother，butwhentheireyesmet，quickaslightningtheylookedaway。

“Ibroughtyouthispaper…aboutthewatch。Hereitis。IsitallrightorshallIcopyitagain？”

“What？Apaper？Yes，yes，don’tbeuneasy，it’sallright，”PorfiryPetrovitchsaidasthoughinhaste，andafterhehadsaidithetookthepaperandlookedatit。“Yes，it’sallright。Nothingmoreisneeded，”hedeclaredwiththesamerapidityandhelaidthepaperonthetable。

Aminutelaterwhenhewastalkingofsomethingelsehetookitfromthetableandputitonhisbureau。

“Ibelieveyousaidyesterdayyouwouldliketoquestionme…formally…aboutmyacquaintancewiththemurderedwoman？”Raskolnikovwasbeginningagain。“WhydidIputin‘Ibelieve’”passedthroughhismindinaflash。“WhyamIsouneasyathavingputinthat‘Ibelieve’？”cameinasecondflash。AndhesuddenlyfeltthathisuneasinessatthemerecontactwithPorfiry，atthefirstwords，atthefirstlooks，hadgrowninaninstanttomonstrousproportions，andthatthiswasfearfullydangerous。Hisnerveswerequivering，hisemotionwasincreasing。“It’sbad，it’sbad！Ishallsaytoomuchagain。”

“Yes，yes，yes！There’snohurry，there’snohurry，”mutteredPorfiryPetrovitch，movingtoandfroaboutthetablewithoutanyapparentaim，asitweremakingdashestowardsthewindow，thebureauandthetable，atonemomentavoidingRaskolnikov’ssuspiciousglance，thenagainstandingstillandlookinghimstraightintheface。

Hisfatroundlittlefigurelookedverystrange，likeaballrollingfromonesidetotheotherandreboundingback。

“We’veplentyoftime。Doyousmoke？haveyouyourown？Here，acigarette！”hewenton，offeringhisvisitoracigarette。“YouknowIamreceivingyouhere，butmyownquartersarethroughthere，youknow，mygovernmentquarters。ButIamlivingoutsideforthetime，Ihadtohavesomerepairsdonehere。It’salmostfinishednow。…Governmentquarters，youknow，areacapitalthing。Eh，whatdoyouthink？”

“Yes，acapitalthing，”answeredRaskolnikov，lookingathimalmostironically。

“Acapitalthing，acapitalthing，”repeatedPorfiryPetrovitch，asthoughhehadjustthoughtofsomethingquitedifferent。“Yes，acapitalthing，”healmostshoutedatlast，suddenlystaringatRaskolnikovandstoppingshorttwostepsfromhim。

Thisstupidrepetitionwastooincongruousinitsineptitudewiththeserious，broodingandenigmaticglanceheturneduponhisvisitor。

ButthisstirredRaskolnikov’sspleenmorethaneverandhecouldnotresistanironicalandratherincautiouschallenge。

“Tellme，please，”heaskedsuddenly，lookingalmostinsolentlyathimandtakingakindofpleasureinhisowninsolence。“Ibelieveit’sasortoflegalrule，asortoflegaltradition—forallinvestigatinglawyers—tobegintheirattackfromafar，withatrivial，oratleastanirrelevantsubject，soastoencourage，orrather，todivertthemantheyarecross-examining，todisarmhiscautionandthenallatoncetogivehimanunexpectedknock-downblowwithsomefatalquestion。Isn’tthatso？It’sasacredtradition，mentioned，Ifancy，inallthemanualsoftheart？”

“Yes，yes。…Why，doyouimaginethatwaswhyIspokeaboutgovernmentquarters…eh？”

AndashesaidthisPorfiryPetrovitchscreweduphiseyesandwinked；agood-humoured，craftylookpassedoverhisface。Thewrinklesonhisforeheadweresmoothedout，hiseyescontracted，hisfeaturesbroadenedandhesuddenlywentoffintoanervousprolongedlaugh，shakingalloverandlookingRaskolnikovstraightintheface。Thelatterforcedhimselftolaugh，too，butwhenPorfiry，seeingthathewaslaughing，brokeintosuchaguffawthatheturnedalmostcrimson，Raskolnikov’srepulsionovercameallprecaution；heleftofflaughing，scowledandstaredwithhatredatPorfiry，keepinghiseyesfixedonhimwhilehisintentionallyprolongedlaughterlasted。Therewaslackofprecautiononbothsides，however，forPorfiryPetrovitchseemedtobelaughinginhisvisitor’sfaceandtobeverylittledisturbedattheannoyancewithwhichthevisitorreceivedit。ThelatterfactwasverysignificantinRaskolnikov’seyes:hesawthatPorfiryPetrovitchhadnotbeenembarrassedjustbeforeeither，butthathe，Raskolnikov，hadperhapsfallenintoatrap；thattheremustbesomething，somemotivehereunknowntohim；that，perhaps，everythingwasinreadinessandinanothermomentwouldbreakuponhim…

Hewentstraighttothepointatonce，rosefromhisseatandtookhiscap。

“PorfiryPetrovitch，”hebeganresolutely，thoughwithconsiderableirritation，“yesterdayyouexpressedadesirethatIshouldcometoyouforsomeinquiries”(helaidspecialstressontheword“inquiries”)。“Ihavecomeandifyouhaveanythingtoaskme，askit，andifnot，allowmetowithdraw。Ihavenotimetospare。…Ihavetobeatthefuneralofthatmanwhowasrunover，ofwhomyou…knowalso，”headded，feelingangryatonceathavingmadethisadditionandmoreirritatedathisanger。“Iamsickofitall，doyouhear？andhavelongbeen。It’spartlywhatmademeill。Inshort，”heshouted，feelingthatthephraseabouthisillnesswasstillmoreoutofplace，“inshort，kindlyexaminemeorletmego，atonce。Andifyoumustexamineme，dosointheproperform！Iwillnotallowyoutodosootherwise，andsomeanwhile，good-bye，aswehaveevidentlynothingtokeepusnow。”

“Goodheavens！Whatdoyoumean？WhatshallIquestionyouabout？”cackledPorfiryPetrovitchwithachangeoftone，instantlyleavingofflaughing。“Pleasedon’tdisturbyourself，”hebeganfidgetingfromplacetoplaceandfussilymakingRaskolnikovsitdown。“There’snohurry，there’snohurry，it’sallnonsense。Oh，no，I’mverygladyou’vecometoseemeatlast…Ilookuponyousimplyasavisitor。Andasformyconfoundedlaughter，pleaseexcuseit，RodionRomanovitch。RodionRomanovitch？Thatisyourname？…It’smynerves，youtickledmesowithyourwittyobservation；Iassureyou，sometimesIshakewithlaughterlikeanindia-rubberballforhalfanhouratatime。…I’moftenafraidofanattackofparalysis。Dositdown。Pleasedo，orIshallthinkyouareangry…”

Raskolnikovdidnotspeak；helistened，watchinghim，stillfrowningangrily。Hedidsitdown，butstillheldhiscap。

“Imusttellyouonethingaboutmyself，mydearRodionRomanovitch，”PorfiryPetrovitchcontinued，movingabouttheroomandagainavoidinghisvisitor’seyes。“Yousee，I’mabachelor，amanofnoconsequenceandnotusedtosociety；besides，Ihavenothingbeforeme，I’mset，I’mrunningtoseedand…andhaveyounoticed，RodionRomanovitch，thatinourPetersburgcircles，iftwoclevermenmeetwhoarenotintimate，butrespecteachother，likeyouandme，ittakesthemhalfanhourbeforetheycanfindasubjectforconversation—theyaredumb，theysitoppositeeachotherandfeelawkward。Everyonehassubjectsofconversation，ladiesforinstance…peopleinhighsocietyalwayshavetheirsubjectsofconversation，c’estderigueur，butpeopleofthemiddlesortlikeus，thinkingpeoplethatis，arealwaystongue-tiedandawkward。Whatisthereasonofit？Whetheritisthelackofpublicinterest，orwhetheritiswearesohonestwedon’twanttodeceiveoneanother，Idon’tknow。Whatdoyouthink？Doputdownyourcap，itlooksasifyouwerejustgoing，itmakesmeuncomfortable…Iamsodelighted…”

RaskolnikovputdownhiscapandcontinuedlisteninginsilencewithaseriousfrowningfacetothevagueandemptychatterofPorfiryPetrovitch。“Doeshereallywanttodistractmyattentionwithhissillybabble？”

“Ican’tofferyoucoffeehere；butwhynotspendfiveminuteswithafriend？”Porfirypatteredon，“andyouknowalltheseofficialduties…pleasedon’tmindmyrunningupanddown，excuseit，mydearfellow，Iamverymuchafraidofoffendingyou，butexerciseisabsolutelyindispensableforme。I’malwayssittingandsogladtobemovingaboutforfiveminutes…Isufferfrommysedentarylife…Ialwaysintendtojoinagymnasium；theysaythatofficialsofallranks，evenPrivyCouncillors，maybeseenskippinggailythere；thereyouhaveit，modernscience…yes，yes。…Butasformydutieshere，inquiriesandallsuchformalities…youmentionedinquiriesyourselfjustnow…Iassureyoutheseinterrogationsaresometimesmoreembarrassingfortheinterrogatorthanfortheinterrogated。…Youmadetheobservationyourselfjustnowveryaptlyandwittily。”(Raskolnikovhadmadenoobservationofthekind。)“Onegetsintoamuddle！Aregularmuddle！Onekeepsharpingonthesamenote，likeadrum！Thereistobeareformandweshallbecalledbyadifferentname，atleast，he-he-he！Andasforourlegaltradition，asyousowittilycalledit，Ithoroughlyagreewithyou。Everyprisonerontrial，eventherudestpeasant，knowsthattheybeginbydisarminghimwithirrelevantquestions(asyousohappilyputit)andthendealhimaknock-downblow，he-he-he！—yourfelicitouscomparison，he-he！SoyoureallyimaginedthatImeantby‘governmentquarters’…he-he！Youareanironicalperson。Come。Iwon’tgoon！Ah，bytheway，yes！Onewordleadstoanother。Youspokeofformalityjustnow，aproposoftheinquiry，youknow。Butwhat’stheuseofformality？Inmanycasesit’snonsense。Sometimesonehasafriendlychatandgetsagooddealmoreoutofit。Onecanalwaysfallbackonformality，allowmetoassureyou。Andafterall，whatdoesitamountto？Anexamininglawyercannotbeboundedbyformalityateverystep。Theworkofinvestigationis，sotospeak，afreeartinitsownway，he-he-he！”

PorfiryPetrovitchtookbreathamoment。Hehadsimplybabbledonutteringemptyphrases，lettingslipafewenigmaticwordsandagainrevertingtoincoherence。Hewasalmostrunningabouttheroom，movinghisfatlittlelegsquickerandquicker，lookingattheground，withhisrighthandbehindhisback，whilewithhisleftmakinggesticulationsthatwereextraordinarilyincongruouswithhiswords。Raskolnikovsuddenlynoticedthatasheranabouttheroomheseemedtwicetostopforamomentnearthedoor，asthoughhewerelistening。

“Isheexpectinganything？”

“Youarecertainlyquiterightaboutit，”Porfirybegangaily，lookingwithextraordinarysimplicityatRaskolnikov(whichstartledhimandinstantlyputhimonhisguard)；“certainlyquiterightinlaughingsowittilyatourlegalforms，he-he！Someoftheseelaboratepsychologicalmethodsareexceedinglyridiculousandperhapsuseless，ifoneadherestoocloselytotheforms。Yes…Iamtalkingofformsagain。Well，ifIrecognise，ormorestrictlyspeaking，ifIsuspectsomeoneorothertobeacriminalinanycaseentrustedtome…you’rereadingforthelaw，ofcourse，RodionRomanovitch？”

“Yes，Iwas…”

“Well，thenitisaprecedentforyouforthefuture—thoughdon’tsupposeIshouldventuretoinstructyouafterthearticlesyoupublishaboutcrime！No，Isimplymakeboldtostateitbywayoffact，ifItookthismanorthatforacriminal，why，Iask，shouldIworryhimprematurely，eventhoughIhadevidenceagainsthim？InonecaseImaybebound，forinstance，toarrestamanatonce，butanothermaybeinquiteadifferentposition，youknow，sowhyshouldn’tIlethimwalkaboutthetownabit？he-he-he！ButIseeyoudon’tquiteunderstand，soI’llgiveyouaclearerexample。IfIputhiminprisontoosoon，Imayverylikelygivehim，sotospeak，moralsupport，he-he！You’relaughing？”

Raskolnikovhadnoideaoflaughing。Hewassittingwithcompressedlips，hisfeverisheyesfixedonPorfiryPetrovitch’s。

“Yetthatisthecase，withsometypesespecially，formenaresodifferent。Yousay‘evidence’。Well，theremaybeevidence。Butevidence，youknow，cangenerallybetakentwoways。Iamanexamininglawyerandaweakman，Iconfessit。Ishouldliketomakeaproof，sotosay，mathematicallyclear。Ishouldliketomakeachainofevidencesuchastwicetwoarefour，itoughttobeadirect，irrefutableproof！AndifIshuthimuptoosoon—eventhoughImightbeconvincedhewastheman，Ishouldverylikelybedeprivingmyselfofthemeansofgettingfurtherevidenceagainsthim。Andhow？Bygivinghim，sotospeak，adefiniteposition，Ishallputhimoutofsuspenseandsethismindatrest，sothathewillretreatintohisshell。TheysaythatatSevastopol，soonafterAlma，thecleverpeoplewereinaterriblefrightthattheenemywouldattackopenlyandtakeSevastopolatonce。Butwhentheysawthattheenemypreferredaregularsiege，theyweredelighted，Iamtoldandreassured，forthethingwoulddragonfortwomonthsatleast。You’relaughing，youdon’tbelievemeagain？Ofcourse，you’reright，too。You’reright，you’reright。Thesearespecialcases，Iadmit。Butyoumustobservethis，mydearRodionRomanovitch，thegeneralcase，thecaseforwhichalllegalformsandrulesareintended，forwhichtheyarecalculatedandlaiddowninbooks，doesnotexistatall，forthereasonthateverycase，everycrime，forinstance，sosoonasitactuallyoccurs，atoncebecomesathoroughlyspecialcaseandsometimesacaseunlikeanythat’sgonebefore。Verycomiccasesofthatsortsometimesoccur。IfIleaveonemanquitealone，ifIdon’ttouchhimanddon’tworryhim，butlethimknoworatleastsuspecteverymomentthatIknowallaboutitandamwatchinghimdayandnight，andifheisincontinualsuspicionandterror，he’llbeboundtolosehishead。He’llcomeofhimself，ormaybedosomethingwhichwillmakeitasplainastwicetwoarefour—it’sdelightful。Itmaybesowithasimplepeasant，butwithoneofoursort，anintelligentmancultivatedonacertainside，it’sadeadcertainty。For，mydearfellow，it’saveryimportantmattertoknowonwhatsideamaniscultivated。Andthentherearenerves，therearenerves，youhaveoverlookedthem！Why，theyareallsick，nervousandirritable！…Andthenhowtheyallsufferfromspleen！ThatIassureyouisaregulargold-mineforus。Andit’snoanxietytome，hisrunningaboutthetownfree！Lethim，lethimwalkaboutforabit！IknowwellenoughthatI’vecaughthimandthathewon’tescapeme。Wherecouldheescapeto，he-he？Abroad，perhaps？APolewillescapeabroad，butnothere，especiallyasIamwatchingandhavetakenmeasures。Willheescapeintothedepthsofthecountryperhaps？Butyouknow，peasantslivethere，realrudeRussianpeasants。Amoderncultivatedmanwouldpreferprisontolivingwithsuchstrangersasourpeasants。He-he！Butthat’sallnonsense，andonthesurface。It’snotmerelythathehasnowheretorunto，heispsychologicallyunabletoescapeme，he-he！Whatanexpression！Throughalawofnaturehecan’tescapemeifhehadanywheretogo。Haveyouseenabutterflyroundacandle？That’showhewillkeepcirclingandcirclingroundme。Freedomwillloseitsattractions。He’llbegintobrood，he’llweaveatangleroundhimself，he’llworryhimselftodeath！What’smorehewillprovidemewithamathematicalproof—ifIonlygivehimlongenoughinterval。…Andhe’llkeepcirclingroundme，gettingnearerandnearerandthen—flop！He’llflystraightintomymouthandI’llswallowhim，andthatwillbeveryamusing，he-he-he！Youdon’tbelieveme？”

Raskolnikovmadenoreply；hesatpaleandmotionless，stillgazingwiththesameintensityintoPorfiry’sface。

“It’salesson，”hethought，turningcold。“Thisisbeyondthecatplayingwithamouse，likeyesterday。Hecan’tbeshowingoffhispowerwithnomotive…promptingme；heisfartoocleverforthat…hemusthaveanotherobject。Whatisit？It’sallnonsense，myfriend，youarepretending，toscareme！You’venoproofsandthemanIsawhadnorealexistence。Yousimplywanttomakemelosemyhead，toworkmeupbeforehandandsotocrushme。Butyouarewrong，youwon’tdoit！Butwhygivemesuchahint？Ishereckoningonmyshatterednerves？No，myfriend，youarewrong，youwon’tdoiteventhoughyouhavesometrapforme…letusseewhatyouhaveinstoreforme。”

Andhebracedhimselftofaceaterribleandunknownordeal。AttimeshelongedtofallonPorfiryandstranglehim。Thisangerwaswhathedreadedfromthebeginning。Hefeltthathisparchedlipswerefleckedwithfoam，hisheartwasthrobbing。Buthewasstilldeterminednottospeaktilltherightmoment。Herealisedthatthiswasthebestpolicyinhisposition，becauseinsteadofsayingtoomuchhewouldbeirritatinghisenemybyhissilenceandprovokinghimintospeakingtoofreely。Anyhow，thiswaswhathehopedfor。

“No，Iseeyoudon’tbelieveme，youthinkIamplayingaharmlessjokeonyou，”Porfirybeganagain，gettingmoreandmorelively，chucklingateveryinstantandagainpacingroundtheroom。“Andtobesureyou’reright:Godhasgivenmeafigurethatcanawakennonebutcomicideasinotherpeople；abuffoon；butletmetellyou，andIrepeatit，excuseanoldman，mydearRodionRomanovitch，youareamanstillyoung，sotosay，inyourfirstyouthandsoyouputintellectaboveeverything，likeallyoungpeople。Playfulwitandabstractargumentsfascinateyouandthat’sforalltheworldliketheoldAustrianHof-kriegsrath，asfarasIcanjudgeofmilitarymatters，thatis:onpaperthey’dbeatenNapoleonandtakenhimprisoner，andthereintheirstudytheyworkeditalloutinthecleverestfashion，butlookyou，GeneralMacksurrenderedwithallhisarmy，he-he-he！Isee，Isee，RodionRomanovitch，youarelaughingatacivilianlikeme，takingexamplesoutofmilitaryhistory！ButIcan’thelpit，it’smyweakness。Iamfondofmilitaryscience。AndI’meversofondofreadingallmilitaryhistories。I’vecertainlymissedmypropercareer。Ioughttohavebeeninthearmy，uponmywordIought。Ishouldn’thavebeenaNapoleon，butImighthavebeenamajor，he-he！Well，I’lltellyouthewholetruth，mydearfellow，aboutthisspecialcase，Imean:actualfactandaman’stemperament，mydearsir，areweightymattersandit’sastonishinghowtheysometimesdeceivethesharpestcalculation！I—listentoanoldman—amspeakingseriously，RodionRomanovitch”(ashesaidthisPorfiryPetrovitch，whowasscarcelyfive-and-thirty，actuallyseemedtohavegrownold；evenhisvoicechangedandheseemedtoshrinktogether)“Moreover，I’macandidman…amIacandidmanornot？Whatdoyousay？IfancyIreallyam:Itellyouthesethingsfornothinganddon’tevenexpectarewardforit，he-he！Well，toproceed，witinmyopinionisasplendidthing，itis，sotosay，anadornmentofnatureandaconsolationoflife，andwhattricksitcanplay！Sothatitsometimesishardforapoorexamininglawyertoknowwhereheis，especiallywhenhe’sliabletobecarriedawaybyhisownfancy，too，foryouknowheisamanafterall！Butthepoorfellowissavedbythecriminal’stemperament，worseluckforhim！Butyoungpeoplecarriedawaybytheirownwitdon’tthinkofthat‘whentheyoverstepallobstacles，’asyouwittilyandcleverlyexpressedityesterday。Hewilllie—thatis，themanwhoisaspecialcase，theincognito，andhewillliewell，inthecleverestfashion；youmightthinkhewouldtriumphandenjoythefruitsofhiswit，butatthemostinteresting，themostflagrantmomenthewillfaint。Ofcoursetheremaybeillnessandastuffyroomaswell，butanyway！Anywayhe’sgivenustheidea！Heliedincomparably，buthedidn’treckononhistemperament。That’swhatbetrayshim！Anothertimehewillbecarriedawaybyhisplayfulwitintomakingfunofthemanwhosuspectshim，hewillturnpaleasitwereonpurposetomislead，buthispalenesswillbetoonatural，toomuchliketherealthing，againhehasgivenusanidea！Thoughhisquestionermaybedeceivedatfirst，hewillthinkdifferentlynextdayifheisnotafool，and，ofcourse，itislikethatateverystep！Heputshimselfforwardwhereheisnotwanted，speakscontinuallywhenheoughttokeepsilent，bringsinallsortsofallegoricalallusions，he-he！Comesandaskswhydidn’tyoutakemelongago？he-he-he！Andthatcanhappen，youknow，withthecleverestman，thepsychologist，theliteraryman。Thetemperamentreflectseverythinglikeamirror！Gazeintoitandadmirewhatyousee！Butwhyareyousopale，RodionRomanovitch？Istheroomstuffy？ShallIopenthewindow？”

“Oh，don’ttrouble，please，”criedRaskolnikovandhesuddenlybrokeintoalaugh。“Pleasedon’ttrouble。”

Porfirystoodfacinghim，pausedamomentandsuddenlyhetoolaughed。Raskolnikovgotupfromthesofa，abruptlycheckinghishystericallaughter。

“PorfiryPetrovitch，”hebegan，speakingloudlyanddistinctly，thoughhislegstrembledandhecouldscarcelystand。“IseeclearlyatlastthatyouactuallysuspectmeofmurderingthatoldwomanandhersisterLizaveta。LetmetellyouformypartthatIamsickofthis。Ifyoufindthatyouhavearighttoprosecutemelegally，toarrestme，thenprosecuteme，arrestme。ButIwillnotletmyselfbejeeredattomyfaceandworried…”

Hislipstrembled，hiseyesglowedwithfuryandhecouldnotrestrainhisvoice。

“Iwon’tallowit！”heshouted，bringinghisfistdownonthetable。“Doyouhearthat，PorfiryPetrovitch？Iwon’tallowit。”

“Goodheavens！Whatdoesitmean？”criedPorfiryPetrovitch，apparentlyquitefrightened。“RodionRomanovitch，mydearfellow，whatisthematterwithyou？”

“Iwon’tallowit，”Raskolnikovshoutedagain。

“Hush，mydearman！They’llhearandcomein。Justthink，whatcouldwesaytothem？”PorfiryPetrovitchwhisperedinhorror，bringinghisfaceclosetoRaskolnikov’s。

“Iwon’tallowit，Iwon’tallowit，”Raskolnikovrepeatedmechanically，buthetoospokeinasuddenwhisper。

Porfiryturnedquicklyandrantoopenthewindow。

“Somefreshair！Andyoumusthavesomewater，mydearfellow。You’reill！”andhewasrunningtothedoortocallforsomewhenhefoundadecanterofwaterinthecorner。“Come，drinkalittle，”hewhispered，rushinguptohimwiththedecanter。“Itwillbesuretodoyougood。”

PorfiryPetrovitch’salarmandsympathyweresonaturalthatRaskolnikovwassilentandbeganlookingathimwithwildcuriosity。Hedidnottakethewater，however。

“RodionRomanovitch，mydearfellow，you’lldriveyourselfoutofyourmind，Iassureyou，ach，ach！Havesomewater，dodrinkalittle。”

Heforcedhimtotaketheglass。Raskolnikovraiseditmechanicallytohislips，butsetitonthetableagainwithdisgust。

“Yes，you’vehadalittleattack！You’llbringbackyourillnessagain，mydearfellow，”PorfiryPetrovitchcackledwithfriendlysympathy，thoughhestilllookedratherdisconcerted。“Goodheavens，youmusttakemorecareofyourself！DmitriProkofitchwashere，cametoseemeyesterday—Iknow，Iknow，I’veanasty，ironicaltemper，butwhattheymadeofit！…Goodheavens，hecameyesterdayafteryou’dbeen。Wedinedandhetalkedandtalkedaway，andIcouldonlythrowupmyhandsindespair！Didhecomefromyou？Butdositdown，formercy’ssake，sitdown！”

“No，notfromme，butIknewhewenttoyouandwhyhewent，”Raskolnikovansweredsharply。

“Youknew？”

“Iknew。Whatofit？”

“Whythis，RodionRomanovitch，thatIknowmorethanthataboutyou；Iknowabouteverything。Iknowhowyouwenttotakeaflatatnightwhenitwasdarkandhowyourangthebellandaskedabouttheblood，sothattheworkmenandtheporterdidnotknowwhattomakeofit。Yes，Iunderstandyourstateofmindatthattime…butyou’lldriveyourselfmadlikethat，uponmyword！You’llloseyourhead！You’refullofgenerousindignationatthewrongsyou’vereceived，firstfromdestiny，andthenfromthepoliceofficers，andsoyourushfromonethingtoanothertoforcethemtospeakoutandmakeanendofitall，becauseyouaresickofallthissuspicionandfoolishness。That’sso，isn’tit？Ihaveguessedhowyoufeel，haven’tI？Onlyinthatwayyou’llloseyourheadandRazumihin’s，too；he’stoogoodamanforsuchaposition，youmustknowthat。Youareillandheisgoodandyourillnessisinfectiousforhim…I’lltellyouaboutitwhenyouaremoreyourself。…Butdositdown，forgoodness’sake。Pleaserest，youlookshocking，dositdown。”

Raskolnikovsatdown；henolongershivered，hewashotallover。InamazementhelistenedwithstrainedattentiontoPorfiryPetrovitchwhostillseemedfrightenedashelookedafterhimwithfriendlysolicitude。Buthedidnotbelieveawordhesaid，thoughhefeltastrangeinclinationtobelieve。Porfiry’sunexpectedwordsabouttheflathadutterlyoverwhelmedhim。“Howcanitbe，heknowsabouttheflatthen，”hethoughtsuddenly，“andhetellsitmehimself！”

“Yes，inourlegalpracticetherewasacasealmostexactlysimilar，acaseofmorbidpsychology，”Porfirywentonquickly。“Amanconfessedtomurderandhowhekeptitup！Itwasaregularhallucination；hebroughtforwardfacts，heimposeduponeveryoneandwhy？Hehadbeenpartly，butonlypartly，unintentionallythecauseofamurderandwhenheknewthathehadgiventhemurdererstheopportunity，hesankintodejection，itgotonhismindandturnedhisbrain，hebeganimaginingthingsandhepersuadedhimselfthathewasthemurderer。ButatlasttheHighCourtofAppealwentintoitandthepoorfellowwasacquittedandputunderpropercare。ThankstotheCourtofAppeal！Tut-tut-tut！Why，mydearfellow，youmaydriveyourselfintodeliriumifyouhavetheimpulsetoworkuponyournerves，togoringingbellsatnightandaskingaboutblood！I’vestudiedallthismorbidpsychologyinmypractice。Amanissometimestemptedtojumpoutofawindoworfromabelfry。Justthesamewithbell-ringing。…It’sallillness，RodionRomanovitch！Youhavebeguntoneglectyourillness。Youshouldconsultanexperienceddoctor，what’sthegoodofthatfatfellow？Youarelightheaded！Youweredeliriouswhenyoudidallthis！”

ForamomentRaskolnikovfelteverythinggoinground。

“Isitpossible，isitpossible，”flashedthroughhismind，“thatheisstilllying？Hecan’tbe，hecan’tbe。”Herejectedthatidea，feelingtowhatadegreeoffuryitmightdrivehim，feelingthatthatfurymightdrivehimmad。

“Iwasnotdelirious。IknewwhatIwasdoing，”hecried，strainingeveryfacultytopenetratePorfiry’sgame，“Iwasquitemyself，doyouhear？”

“Yes，Ihearandunderstand。Yousaidyesterdayyouwerenotdelirious，youwereparticularlyemphaticaboutit！Iunderstandallyoucantellme！A-ach！…Listen，RodionRomanovitch，mydearfellow。Ifyouwereactuallyacriminal，orweresomehowmixedupinthisdamnablebusiness，wouldyouinsistthatyouwerenotdeliriousbutinfullpossessionofyourfaculties？Andsoemphaticallyandpersistently？Woulditbepossible？Quiteimpossible，tomythinking。Ifyouhadanythingonyourconscience，youcertainlyoughttoinsistthatyouweredelirious。That’sso，isn’tit？”

Therewasanoteofslynessinthisinquiry。RaskolnikovdrewbackonthesofaasPorfirybentoverhimandstaredinsilentperplexityathim。

“AnotherthingaboutRazumihin—youcertainlyoughttohavesaidthathecameofhisownaccord，tohaveconcealedyourpartinit！Butyoudon’tconcealit！Youlaystressonhiscomingatyourinstigation。”

Raskolnikovhadnotdoneso。Achillwentdownhisback。

“Youkeeptellinglies，”hesaidslowlyandweakly，twistinghislipsintoasicklysmile，“youaretryingagaintoshowthatyouknowallmygame，thatyouknowallIshallsaybeforehand，”hesaid，conscioushimselfthathewasnotweighinghiswordsasheought。“Youwanttofrightenme…oryouaresimplylaughingatme…”

Hestillstaredathimashesaidthisandagaintherewasalightofintensehatredinhiseyes。

“Youkeeplying，”hesaid。“Youknowperfectlywellthatthebestpolicyforthecriminalistotellthetruthasnearlyaspossible…toconcealaslittleaspossible。Idon’tbelieveyou！”

“Whatawilypersonyouare！”Porfirytittered，“there’snocatchingyou；you’veaperfectmonomania。Soyoudon’tbelieveme？Butstillyoudobelieveme，youbelieveaquarter；I’llsoonmakeyoubelievethewhole，becauseIhaveasincerelikingforyouandgenuinelywishyougood。”

Raskolnikov’slipstrembled。

“Yes，Ido，”wentonPorfiry，touchingRaskolnikov’sarmgenially，“youmusttakecareofyourillness。Besides，yourmotherandsisterareherenow；youmustthinkofthem。Youmustsootheandcomfortthemandyoudonothingbutfrightenthem…”

“Whathasthattodowithyou？Howdoyouknowit？Whatconcernisitofyours？Youarekeepingwatchonmeandwanttoletmeknowit？”

“Goodheavens！Why，Ilearntitallfromyouyourself！Youdon’tnoticethatinyourexcitementyoutellmeandotherseverything。FromRazumihin，too，Ilearntanumberofinterestingdetailsyesterday。No，youinterruptedme，butImusttellyouthat，forallyourwit，yoursuspiciousnessmakesyoulosethecommon-senseviewofthings。Toreturntobell-ringing，forinstance。I，anexamininglawyer，havebetrayedapreciousthinglikethat，arealfact(foritisafactworthhaving)，andyouseenothinginit！Why，ifIhadtheslightestsuspicionofyou，shouldIhaveactedlikethat？No，IshouldfirsthavedisarmedyoursuspicionsandnotletyouseeIknewofthatfact，shouldhavedivertedyourattentionandsuddenlyhavedealtyouaknock-downblow(yourexpression)saying:‘Andwhatwereyoudoing，sir，pray，attenornearlyelevenatthemurderedwoman’sflatandwhydidyouringthebellandwhydidyouaskaboutblood？Andwhydidyouinvitetheporterstogowithyoutothepolicestation，tothelieutenant？’That’showIoughttohaveactedifIhadagrainofsuspicionofyou。Ioughttohavetakenyourevidenceindueform，searchedyourlodgingandperhapshavearrestedyou，too…soIhavenosuspicionofyou，sinceIhavenotdonethat！Butyoucan’tlookatitnormallyandyouseenothing，Isayagain。”

RaskolnikovstartedsothatPorfiryPetrovitchcouldnotfailtoperceiveit。

“Youarelyingallthewhile，”hecried，“Idon’tknowyourobject，butyouarelying。YoudidnotspeaklikethatjustnowandIcannotbemistaken！”

“Iamlying？”Porfiryrepeated，apparentlyincensed，butpreservingagood-humouredandironicalface，asthoughhewerenotintheleastconcernedatRaskolnikov’sopinionofhim。“Iamlying…buthowdidItreatyoujustnow，I，theexamininglawyer？Promptingyouandgivingyoueverymeansforyourdefence；illness，Isaid，delirium，injury，melancholyandthepoliceofficersandalltherestofit？Ah！He-he-he！Though，indeed，allthosepsychologicalmeansofdefencearenotveryreliableandcutbothways:illness，delirium，Idon’tremember—that’sallright，butwhy，mygoodsir，inyourillnessandinyourdeliriumwereyouhauntedbyjustthosedelusionsandnotbyanyothers？Theremayhavebeenothers，eh？He-he-he！”

Raskolnikovlookedhaughtilyandcontemptuouslyathim。

“Briefly，”hesaidloudlyandimperiously，risingtohisfeetandinsodoingpushingPorfirybackalittle，“briefly，Iwanttoknow，doyouacknowledgemeperfectlyfreefromsuspicionornot？Tellme，PorfiryPetrovitch，tellmeonceforallandmakehaste！”

“WhatabusinessI’mhavingwithyou！”criedPorfirywithaperfectlygood-humoured，slyandcomposedface。“Andwhydoyouwanttoknow，whydoyouwanttoknowsomuch，sincetheyhaven’tbeguntoworryyou？Why，youarelikeachildaskingformatches！Andwhyareyousouneasy？Whydoyouforceyourselfuponus，eh？He-he-he！”

“Irepeat，”Raskolnikovcriedfuriously，“thatIcan’tputupwithit！”

“Withwhat？Uncertainty？”interruptedPorfiry。

“Don’tjeeratme！Iwon’thaveit！ItellyouIwon’thaveit。Ican’tandIwon’t，doyouhear，doyouhear？”heshouted，bringinghisfistdownonthetableagain。

“Hush！Hush！They’lloverhear！Iwarnyouseriously，takecareofyourself。Iamnotjoking，”Porfirywhispered，butthistimetherewasnotthelookofoldwomanishgoodnatureandalarminhisface。Nowhewasperemptory，stern，frowningandforoncelayingasideallmystification。

Butthiswasonlyforaninstant。Raskolnikov，bewildered，suddenlyfellintoactualfrenzy，but，strangetosay，heagainobeyedthecommandtospeakquietly，thoughhewasinaperfectparoxysmoffury。

“Iwillnotallowmyselftobetortured，”hewhispered，instantlyrecognisingwithhatredthathecouldnothelpobeyingthecommandanddriventoevengreaterfurybythethought。“Arrestme，searchme，butkindlyactindueformanddon’tplaywithme！Don’tdare！”

“Don’tworryabouttheform，”Porfiryinterruptedwiththesameslysmile，asitwere，gloatingwithenjoymentoverRaskolnikov。“Iinvitedyoutoseemequiteinafriendlyway。”

“Idon’twantyourfriendshipandIspitonit！Doyouhear？And，here，Itakemycapandgo。Whatwillyousaynowifyoumeantoarrestme？”

Hetookuphiscapandwenttothedoor。

“Andwon’tyouseemylittlesurprise？”chuckledPorfiry，againtakinghimbythearmandstoppinghimatthedoor。

Heseemedtobecomemoreplayfulandgood-humouredwhichmaddenedRaskolnikov。

“Whatsurprise？”heasked，standingstillandlookingatPorfiryinalarm。

“Mylittlesurprise，it’ssittingtherebehindthedoor，he-he-he！”(Hepointedtothelockeddoor。)“Ilockedhiminthatheshouldnotescape。”

“Whatisit？Where？What？…”

Raskolnikovwalkedtothedoorandwouldhaveopenedit，butitwaslocked。

“It’slocked，hereisthekey！”

Andhebroughtakeyoutofhispocket。

“Youarelying，”roaredRaskolnikovwithoutrestraint，“youlie，youdamnedpunchinello！”andherushedatPorfirywhoretreatedtotheotherdoor，notatallalarmed。

“Iunderstanditall！YouarelyingandmockingsothatImaybetraymyselftoyou…”

“Why，youcouldnotbetrayyourselfanyfurther，mydearRodionRomanovitch。Youareinapassion。Don’tshout，Ishallcalltheclerks。”

“Youarelying！Calltheclerks！YouknewIwasillandtriedtoworkmeintoafrenzytomakemebetraymyself，thatwasyourobject！Produceyourfacts！Iunderstanditall。You’venoevidence，youhaveonlywretchedrubbishlysuspicionslikeZametov’s！Youknewmycharacter，youwantedtodrivemetofuryandthentoknockmedownwithpriestsanddeputies。…Areyouwaitingforthem？eh！Whatareyouwaitingfor？Wherearethey？Producethem？”

“Whydeputies，mygoodman？Whatthingspeoplewillimagine！Andtodosowouldnotbeactinginformasyousay，youdon’tknowthebusiness，mydearfellow。…Andthere’snoescapingform，asyousee，”Porfirymuttered，listeningatthedoorthroughwhichanoisecouldbeheard。

“Ah，they’recoming，”criedRaskolnikov。“You’vesentforthem！Youexpectedthem！Well，producethemall:yourdeputies，yourwitnesses，whatyoulike！…Iamready！”

Butatthismomentastrangeincidentoccurred，somethingsounexpectedthatneitherRaskolnikovnorPorfiryPetrovitchcouldhavelookedforsuchaconclusiontotheirinterview。