THEPOSSESSED(TheDevils)

ANOVELINTHREEPARTSBYFYODORDOSTOEVSKY

ScannedbyDavidMoynihan(dmoynihan@blackmask.com)
AdditionalproofingbyJamesRusk.
Pleasesendallcorrectionstodmoynihan@blackmask.com.
% PARTI
% CHAPTERI.INTRODUCTORY
% CHAPTERII.PRINCEHARRY.MATCHMAKING.
% CHAPTERIII.THESINSOFOTHERS
% CHAPTERIV.THECRIPPLE
% CHAPTERV.THESUBTLESERPENT
% PARTII
% CHAPTERI.NIGHT
% CHAPTERII.NIGHT(continued)
% CHAPTERIII.THEDUEL
% CHAPTERIV.ALLINEXPECTATION
% CHAPTERV.ONTHEEVEOPTHEFETE
% CHAPTERVI.PYOTRSTEPANOVITCHISBUSY
% CHAPTERVII.AMEETING
% CHAPTERVIII.IVANTHETSAREVITCH
% CHAPTERIX.ARAIDATSTEFANTROFIMOVITCH'S
% CHAPTERX.FILIBUSTERS.AFATALMORNING
% PARTIII
% CHAPTERI.THEFETEFIRSTPART
% CHAPTERII.THEENDOFTHEFETE
% CHAPTERIII.AROMANCEENDED
% CHAPTERIV.THELASTRESOLUTION
% CHAPTERV.AWANDERER
% CHAPTERVI.ABUSYNIGHT
% CHAPTERVII.STEPANTROFIMOVITCH'SLASTWANDERING
% CHAPTERVIII.CONCLUSION

TRANSLATEDFROMTHERUSSIANBYCONSTANCEGARNETT

1916
Strikemedead,thetrackhasvanished,Well,whatnow?We'velosttheway,Demonshave
bewitchedourhorses,Ledusinthewildsastray.
Whatanumber!Whitherdriftthey?What'sthemournfuldirgetheysing?Dotheyhaila
witch'smarriageOragoblin'sburying?

A.Pushkin.

Andtherewasoneherdofmanyswinefeedingonthismountain;andtheybesoughthimthat
hewouldsufferthemtoenterintothem.Andhesufferedthem.

Thenwentthedevilsoutofthemanandenteredintotheswine;andtheherdranviolently
downasteepplaceintothelakeandwerechoked.

Whentheythatfedthemsawwhatwasdone,theyfled,andwentandtolditinthecityandin
thecountry.

Thentheywentouttoseewhatwasdone;andcametoJesusandfoundtheman,outof
whomthedevilsweredeparted,sittingatthefeetofJesus,clothedandinhisrightmind;and
theywereafraid.

Luke,ch.viii.3237.

PARTI
CHAPTERI.INTRODUCTORY

SOME DETAILS OF THE BIOGRAPHY OF THAT HIGHLY RESPECTED

GENTLEMANSTEFANTEOFIMOVITCHVERHOVENSKY.

IN UNDERTAKING to describe the recent and strange incidents in our town, till lately
wrappedinuneventfulobscurity,Ifind'myselfforcedinabsenceofliteraryskilltobeginmy
storyratherfarback,thatistosay,withcertainbiographicaldetailsconcerningthattalented
andhighlyesteemedgentleman,StepanTrofimovitchVerhovensky.Itrustthatthesedetails
mayatleastserveasanintroduction,whilemyprojectedstoryitselfwillcomelater.

IwillsayatoncethatStepanTrofimovitchhadalwaysfilledaparticularroleamongus,that
oftheprogressivepatriot,sotosay,andhewaspassionatelyfondofplayingthepartso
muchsothatIreallybelievehecouldnothaveexistedwithoutit.NotthatIwouldputhimon
alevelwithanactoratatheatre,Godforbid,forIreallyhavearespectforhim.Thismayall
havebeentheeffectofhabit,orrather,moreexactlyofagenerouspropensityhehadfromhis
earliestyearsforindulginginanagreeabledaydreaminwhichhefiguredasapicturesque
publiccharacter.Hefondlyloved,forinstance,hispositionasapersecutedmanand,soto
speak,anexile.Thereisasortoftraditionalglamouraboutthosetwolittlewordsthat
fascinatedhimonceforalland,exaltinghimgraduallyinhisownopinion,raisedhiminthe
courseofyearstoaloftypedestalverygratifyingtovanity.InanEnglishsatireofthelast
century,Gulliver,returningfromthelandoftheLilliputianswherethepeoplewereonlythree
orfourincheshigh,hadgrownsoaccustomedtoconsiderhimselfagiantamongthem,thatas
hewalkedalongthestreetsofLondonhecouldnothelpcryingouttocarriagesandpassers
bytobecarefulandgetoutofhiswayforfearheshouldcrushthem,imaginingthatthey
werelittleandhewasstillagiant.Hewaslaughedatandabusedforit,androughcoachmen
evenlashedatthegiantwiththeirwhips.Butwasthatjust?Whatmaynotbedonebyhabit?
HabithadbroughtStepanTrofimovitchalmosttothesameposition,butinamoreinnocent
andinoffensiveform,ifonemayusesuchexpressions,forhewasamostexcellentman.

Iameveninclinedtosupposethattowardstheendhehadbeenentirelyforgotteneverywhere;
butstillitcannotbesaidthathisnamehadneverbeenknown.Itisbeyondquestionthathe
hadatonetimebelongedtoacertaindistinguishedconstellationofcelebratedleadersofthe
last generation, and at one timethough only for the briefest momenthis name was
pronouncedbymanyhastypersonsofthatdayalmostasthoughitwereonalevelwiththe
namesofTchaadaev,ofByelinsky.ofGranovsky,andofHerzen,whohadonlyjustbegunto
write abroad. But Stepan Trofimovitch's activity ceased almost at the moment it began,
owing,sotosay,toavortexofcombinedcircumstances.Andwouldyoubelieveit?It
turnedoutafterwardsthattherehadbeennovortexandevennocircumstances,atleastin
thatconnection.Ionlylearnedtheotherdaytomyintenseamazement,thoughonthemost
unimpeachableauthority,thatStepanTrofimovitchhadlivedamongusinourprovincenotas
an exile as we were accustomed to believe, and had never even been under police
supervisionatall.Suchistheforceofimagination!Allhislifehesincerelybelievedthatin
certainsphereshewasaconstantcauseofapprehension,thateverystephetookwaswatched
andnoted,andthateachoneofthethreegovernorswhosucceededoneanotherduringtwenty
yearsinourprovincecamewithspecialanduneasyideasconcerninghim,whichhad,by
higher powers, been impressed upon each before everything else, on receiving the
appointment.Hadanyoneassuredthehonestmanonthemostirrefutablegroundsthathehad
nothingtobeafraidof,hewouldcertainlyhavebeenoffended.YetStepanTrofimovitchwas
a most intelligent and gifted man, even, so to say, a man of science, though indeed, in
science...well,infacthehadnotdonesuchgreatthingsinscience.Ibelieveindeedhehad
donenothingatall.Butthat'sveryoftenthecase,ofcourse,withmenofscienceamongusin
Russia.

Hecamebackfromabroadandwasbrilliantinthecapacityoflecturerattheuniversity,
towardstheendoftheforties.Heonlyhadtimetodeliverafewlectures,Ibelievetheywere
about the Arabs; he maintained, too, a brilliant thesis on the political and Hanseatic
importanceoftheGermantownHanau,ofwhichtherewaspromiseintheepochbetween
1413and1428,andonthespecialandobscurereasonswhythatpromisewasneverfulfilled.
ThisdissertationwasacruelandskilfulthrustattheSlavophilsoftheday,andatoncemade
himnumerousandirreconcilableenemiesamongthem.Lateronafterhehadlosthispostas
lecturer,howeverhepublished(bywayofrevenge,sotosay,andtoshowthemwhataman
theyhadlost)inaprogressivemonthlyreview,whichtranslatedDickensandadvocatedthe
views of George Sand, the beginning of a very profound investigation into the causes, I
believe,oftheextraordinarymoralnobilityofcertainknightsatacertainepochorsomething
ofthatnature.
Someloftyandexceptionallynobleideawasmaintainedinit,anyway.Itwassaidafterwards
thatthecontinuationwashurriedlyforbiddenandeventhattheprogressivereviewhadto
sufferforhavingprintedthefirstpart.Thatmayverywellhavebeenso,forwhatwasnot
possibleinthosedays?Though,inthiscase,itismorelikelythattherewasnothingofthe
kind,andthattheauthorhimselfwastoolazytoconcludehisessay.Hecutshorthislectures
ontheArabsbecause,somehowandbysomeone(probablyoneofhisreactionaryenemies)a
letterhadbeenseizedgivinganaccountofcertaincircumstances,inconsequenceofwhich
someonehaddemandedanexplanationfromhim.Idon'tknowwhetherthestoryistrue,but
itwasassertedthatatthesametimetherewasdiscoveredinPetersburgavast,unnatural,and
illegalconspiracyofthirtypeoplewhichalmostshooksocietytoitsfoundations.Itwassaid
thattheywerepositivelyonthepointoftranslatingFourier.Asthoughofdesignapoemof
StepanTrofimovitch'swasseizedinMoscowatthatverytime,thoughithadbeenwrittensix
yearsbeforeinBerlininhisearliestyouth,andmanuscriptcopieshadbeenpassedrounda
circleconsistingoftwopoeticalamateursandonestudent.Thispoemislyingnowonmy
table.NolongeragothanlastyearIreceivedarecentcopyinhisownhandwritingfrom
StepanTrofimovitchhimself,signedbyhim,andboundinasplendidredleatherbinding.Itis
notwithoutpoeticmerit,however,andevenacertaintalent.It'sstrange,butinthosedays(or
tobemoreexact,inthethirties)peoplewereconstantlycomposinginthatstyle.Ifindit
difficulttodescribethesubject,forIreallydonotunderstandit.Itissomesortofanallegory
inlyricaldramaticform,recallingthesecondpartofFaust.Thesceneopenswithachorusof
women,followedbyachorusofmen,thenachorusofincorporealpowersofsomesort,and
attheendofallachorusofspiritsnotyetlivingbutveryeagertocometolife.Allthese
chorusessingaboutsomethingveryindefinite,forthemostpartaboutsomebody'scurse,but
withatingeofthehigherhumour.Butthesceneissuddenlychanged.Therebeginsasortof
festival of life at which even insects sing, a tortoise comes on the scene with certain
sacramentalLatinwords,andeven,ifIrememberaright,amineralsingsaboutsomethingthat
isaquiteinanimateobject.Infact,theyallsingcontinually,oriftheyconverse,itissimplyto
abuseoneanothervaguely,butagainwithatingeofhighermeaning.Atlastthesceneis
changedagain;awildernessappears,andamongtherockstherewandersacivilizedyoung
man who picks and sucks certain herbs. Asked by a fairy why he sucks these herbs, he
answersthat,consciousofasuperfluityoflifeinhimself,heseeksforgetfulness,andfindsit
inthejuiceoftheseherbs,butthathisgreatdesireistolosehisreasonatonce(adesire
possiblysuperfluous).Thenayouthofindescribablebeautyridesinonablacksteed,andan
immensemultitudeofallnationsfollowhim.Theyouthrepresentsdeath,forwhomallthe
peoplesareyearning.Andfinally,inthelastscenewearesuddenlyshowntheTowerof
Babel,andcertainathletesatlastfinishbuildingitwithasongofnewhope,andwhenat
lengththeycompletethetopmostpinnacle,thelord(ofOlympia,letussay)takesflightina
comicfashion,andman,graspingthesituationandseizinghisplace,atoncebeginsanewlife
withnewinsightintothings.Well,thispoemwasthoughtatthattimetobedangerous.Last
yearIproposedtoStepanTrofimovitchtopublishit,onthegroundofitsperfectharmlessness
nowadays, but he declined the suggestion with evident dissatisfaction. My view of its
completeharmlessnessevidentlydispleasedhim,andIevenascribetoitacertaincoldnesson
hispart,whichlastedtwowholemonths.
Andwhatdoyouthink?Suddenly,almostatthetimeIproposedprintingithere,ourpoem
waspublishedabroadinacollectionofrevolutionaryverse,withouttheknowledgeofStepan
Trofimovitch.Hewasatfirstalarmed,rushedtothegovernor,andwroteanobleletterinself
defencetoPetersburg.Hereadittometwice,butdidnotsendit,notknowingtowhomto
addressit.Infacthewasinastateofagitationforawholemonth,butIamconvincedthatin
thesecretrecessesofhishearthewasenormouslyflattered.Healmosttookthecopyofthe
collectiontobedwithhim,andkeptithiddenunderhismattressinthedaytime;hepositively
wouldnotallowthewomentoturnhisbed,andalthoughheexpectedeverydayatelegram,
heheldhisheadhigh.Notelegramcame.Thenhemadefriendswithmeagain,whichisa
proofoftheextremekindnessofhisgentleandunresentfulheart.

II

OfcourseIdon'tassertthathehadneversufferedforhisconvictionsatall,butIamfully
convincedthathemighthavegoneonlecturingonhisArabsaslongasheliked,ifhehad
onlygiventhenecessaryexplanations.Buthewastoolofty,andheproceededwithpeculiar
hastetoassurehimselfthathiscareerwasruinedforeverbythevortexofcircumstance.
Andifthewholetruthistobetoldtherealcauseofthechangeinhiscareerwasthevery
delicatepropositionwhichhadbeenmadebeforeandwasthenrenewedbyVarvaraPetrovna
Stavrogin,aladyofgreatwealth,thewifeofalieutenantgeneral,thatheshouldundertake
theeducationandthewholeintellectualdevelopmentofheronlysoninthecapacityofa
superiorsortofteacherandfriend,tosaynothingofamagnificentsalary.Thisproposalhad
beenmadetohimthefirsttimeinBerlin,atthemomentwhenhewasfirstleftawidower.His
firstwifewasafrivolousgirlfromourprovince,whomhemarriedinhisearlyandunthinking
youth,andapparentlyhehadhadagreatdealoftroublewiththisyoungperson,charmingas
shewas,owingtothelackofmeansforhersupport;andalsofromother,moredelicate,
reasons.ShediedinParisafterthreeyears'separationfromhim,leavinghimasonoffive
yearsold;thefruitofourfirst,joyous,anduncloudedlove,werethewordsthesorrowing
fatheronceletfallinmypresence.

Thechildhad,fromthefirst,beensentbacktoRussia,wherehewasbroughtupinthecharge
of distant cousins in some remote region. Stepan Trofimovitch had declined Varvara
Petrovna'sproposalonthatoccasionandhadquicklymarriedagain,beforetheyearwasover,
ataciturnBerlingirl,and,whatmakesitmorestrange,therewasnoparticularnecessityfor
him to do so. But apart from his marriage there were, it appears, other reasons for his
decliningthesituation.Hewastemptedbytheresoundingfameofaprofessor,celebratedat
thattime,andhe,inhisturn,hastenedtothelecturer'schairforwhichhehadbeenpreparing
himself,totryhiseaglewingsinflight.Butnowwithsingedwingshenaturallyremembered
thepropositionwhicheventhenhadmadehimhesitate.Thesuddendeathofhissecondwife,
whodidnotliveayearwithhim,settledthematterdecisively.Toputitplainlyitwasall
broughtaboutbythepassionatesympathyandpriceless,sotospeak,classicfriendshipof
VarvaraPetrovna,ifonemayusesuchanexpressionoffriendship.Heflunghimselfintothe
armsofthisfriendship,andhispositionwassettledformorethantwentyyears.Iusethe
expressionflunghimselfintothearmsof,butGodforbidthatanyoneshouldflytoidleand
superfluousconclusions.Theseembracesmustbeunderstoodonlyinthemostloftilymoral
sense.Themostrefinedanddelicatetieunitedthesetwobeings,bothsoremarkable,forever.

Thepostoftutorwasthemorereadilyacceptedtoo,asthepropertyaverysmalloneleft
to Stepan Trofimovitch by his first wife was close to Skvoreshniki, the Stavrogins'
magnificentestateontheoutskirtsofourprovincialtown.Besides,inthestillnessofhis
study,farfromtheimmenseburdenofuniversitywork,itwasalwayspossibletodevote
himself to the service of science, and to enrich the literature of his country with erudite
studies.Theseworksdidnotappear.Butontheotherhanditdidappearpossibletospendthe
restofhislife,morethantwentyyears,areproachincarnate,sotospeak,tohisnative
country,inthewordsofapopularpoet:

Reproachincarnatethoudidststand

ErectbeforethyFatherland,

0Liberalidealist!

Butthepersontowhomthepopularpoetreferredmayperhapshavehadtherighttoadoptthat
posefortherestofhislifeifhehadwishedtodoso,thoughitmusthavebeentedious.Our
Stepan Trofimovitch was, to tell the truth, only an imitator compared with such people;
moreover,hehadgrownwearyofstandingerectandoftenlaydownforawhile.But,todo
himjustice,theincarnationofreproachwaspreservedevenintherecumbentattitude,the
moresoasthatwasquitesufficientfortheprovince.Youshouldhaveseenhimatourclub
whenhesatdowntocards.HiswholefigureseemedtoexclaimCards!Mesitdowntowhist
withyou!Isitconsistent?Whoisresponsibleforit?Whohasshatteredmyenergiesand
turnedthemtowhist?Ah,perish,Russia!andhewouldmajesticallytrumpwithaheart.

Andtotellthetruthhedearlylovedagameofcards,whichledhim,especiallyinlateryears,
intofrequentandunpleasantskirmisheswithVarvaraPetrovna,particularlyashewasalways
losing.Butofthatlater.Iwillonlyobservethathewasamanoftenderconscience(thatis,
sometimes)andsowasoftendepressed.Inthecourseofhistwentyyears'friendshipwith
VarvaraPetrovnaheusedregularly,threeorfourtimesayear,tosinkintoastateofpatriotic
grief,asitwascalledamongus,orratherreallyintoanattackofspleen,butourestimable
VarvaraPetrovnapreferredtheformerphrase.Oflateyearshisgriefhadbeguntobenotonly
patriotic,butattimesalcoholictoo;butVarvaraPetrovna'salertnesssucceededinkeeping
himallhislifefromtrivialinclinations.Andheneededsomeonetolookafterhimindeed,for
hesometimesbehavedveryoddly:inthemidstofhisexaltedsorrowhewouldbeginlaughing
likeanysimplepeasant.Thereweremomentswhenhebegantotakeahumoroustoneeven
abouthimself.ButtherewasnothingVarvaraPetrovnadreadedsomuchasahumoroustone.
Shewasawomanoftheclassictype,afemaleMaecenas,invariablyguidedonlybythe
highestconsiderations.Theinfluenceofthisexaltedladyoverherpoorfriendfortwenty
yearsisafactofthefirstimportance.Ishallneedtospeakofhermoreparticularly,whichI
nowproceedtodo.
III

Therearestrangefriendships.Thetwofriendsarealwaysreadytoflyatoneanother,andgo
onlikethatalltheirlives,andyettheycannotseparate.Parting,infact,isutterlyimpossible.
Theonewhohasbegunthequarrelandseparatedwillbethefirsttofallillandevendie,
perhaps,iftheseparationcomesoff.IknowforapositivefactthatseveraltimesStepan
Trofimovitchhasjumpedupfromthesofaandbeatenthewallwithhisfistsafterthemost
'intimateandemotionalteteatetewithVarvaraPetrovna.

Thisproceedingwasbynomeansanemptysymbol;indeed,ononeoccasion,hebrokesome
plasteroffthewall.ItmaybeaskedhowIcometoknowsuchdelicatedetails.WhatifIwere
myselfawitnessofit?WhatifStepanTrofimovitchhimselfhas,onmorethanoneoccasion,
sobbedonmyshoulderwhilehedescribedtomeinluridcoloursallhismostsecretfeelings.
(Andwhatwastherehedidnotsayatsuchtimes!)Butwhatalmostalwayshappenedafter
thesetearfuloutbreakswasthatnextdayhewasreadytocrucifyhimselfforhisingratitude.
HewouldsendformeinahurryorrunovertoseemesimplytoassuremethatVarvara
Petrovnawasanangelofhonouranddelicacy,whilehewasverymuchtheopposite.He
didnotonlyruntoconfideinme,but,onmorethanoneoccasion,describeditalltoherinthe
mosteloquentletter,andwroteafullsignedconfessionthatnolongeragothanthedaybefore
hehadtoldanoutsiderthatshekepthimoutofvanity,thatshewasenviousofhistalentsand
erudition,thatshehatedhimandwasonlyafraidtoexpressherhatredopenly,dreadingthat
hewouldleaveherandsodamageherliteraryreputation,thatthisdrovehimtoselfcontempt,
andhewasresolvedtodieaviolentdeath,andthathewaswaitingforthefinalwordfromher
whichwoulddecideeverything,andsoonandsooninthesamestyle.Youcanfancyafter
thiswhatanhystericalpitchthenervousoutbreaksofthismostinnocentofallfiftyyearold
infantssometimesreached!Ioncereadoneoftheselettersaftersomequarrelbetweenthem,
arising from a trivial matter, but growing venomous as it went on. I was horrified and
besoughthimnottosendit.

Imust...morehonourable...duty...IshalldieifIdon'tconfesseverything,everything!
heansweredalmostindelirium,andhedidsendtheletter.

Thatwasthedifferencebetweenthem,thatVarvaraPetrovnaneverwouldhavesentsucha
letter.Itistruethathewaspassionatelyfondofwriting,hewrotetoherthoughhelivedinthe
samehouse,andduringhystericalinterludeshewouldwritetwolettersaday.Iknowfora
factthatshealwaysreadtheseletterswiththegreatestattention,evenwhenshereceivedtwo
aday,andafterreadingthemsheputthemawayinaspecialdrawer,sortedandannotated;
moreover,sheponderedtheminherheart.Butshekeptherfriendalldaywithoutananswer,
met him as though there were nothing the matter, exactly as though nothing special had
happenedthedaybefore.Bydegreesshebrokehiminsocompletelythatatlasthedidnot
himselfdaretoalludetowhathadhappenedthedaybefore,andonlyglancedintohereyesat
times.Butsheneverforgotanything,whilehesometimesforgottooquickly,andencouraged
byhercomposurehewouldnotinfrequently,iffriendscamein,laughandmakejokesover
thechampagnetheverysameday.Withwhatmalignancyshemusthavelookedathimat
suchmoments,whilehenoticednothing!Perhapsinaweek'stime,amonth'stime,oreven
sixmonthslater,chancingtorecallsomephraseinsuchaletter,andthenthewholeletterwith
allitsattendantcircumstances,hewouldsuddenlygrowhotwithshame,andbesoupsetthat
hefellillwithoneofhisattacksofsummercholera.Theseattacksofasortofsummer
cholerawere,insomecases,theregularconsequenceofhisnervousagitationsandwerean
interestingpeculiarityofhisphysicalconstitution.

NodoubtVarvaraPetrovnadidveryoftenhatehim.Buttherewasonethinghehadnot
discerneduptotheend:thatwasthathehadbecomeforherason,hercreation,even,one
maysay,herinvention;hehadbecomefleshofherflesh,andshekeptandsupportedhimnot
simply from envy of his talents. And how wounded she must have been by such
suppositions! An inexhaustible love for him lay concealed in her heart in the midst of
continualhatred,jealousy,andcontempt.Shewouldnotletaspeckofdustfalluponhim,
coddledhimupfortwentytwoyears,wouldnothavesleptfornightstogetheriftherewere
thefaintestbreathagainsthisreputationasapoet,alearnedman,andapubliccharacter.She
hadinventedhim,andhadbeenthefirsttobelieveinherowninvention.Hewas,aftera
fashion,herdaydream....Butinreturnsheexactedagreatdealfromhim,sometimeseven
slavishness.Itwasincrediblehowlongsheharbouredresentment.Ihavetwoanecdotestotell
aboutthat.

IV

Ononeoccasion,justatthetimewhenthefirstrumoursoftheemancipationoftheserfswere
in the air, when all Russia was exulting and making ready for a complete regeneration,
VarvaraPetrovnawasvisitedbyabaronfromPetersburg,amanofthehighestconnections,
andverycloselyassociatedwiththenewreform.VarvaraPetrovnaprizedsuchvisitshighly,
asherconnectionsinhighercircleshadgrownweakerandweakersincethedeathofher
husband,andhadatlastceasedaltogether.Thebaronspentanhourdrinkingteawithher.
TherewasnooneelsepresentbutStepanTrofimovitch,whomVarvaraPetrovnainvitedand
exhibited.Thebaronhadheardsomethingabouthimbeforeoraffectedtohavedoneso,but
paidlittleattentiontohimattea.StepanTrofimovitchofcoursewasincapableofmakinga
socialblunder,andhismannersweremostelegant.ThoughIbelievehewasbynomeansof
exalted origin, yet it happened that he had from earliest childhoodbeenbrought up in a
Moscowhouseholdofhighrank,andconsequentlywaswellbred.HespokeFrenchlikea
Parisian.Thusthebaronwastohaveseenfromthefirstglancethesortofpeoplewithwhom
VarvaraPetrovnasurroundedherself,eveninprovincialseclusion.Butthingsdidnotfallout
likethis.Whenthebaronpositivelyassertedtheabsolutetruthoftherumoursofthegreat
reform,whichwerethenonlyjustbeginningtobeheard,StepanTrofimovitchcouldnot
contain himself, and suddenly shouted Hurrah! and even made some gesticulation
indicativeofdelight.Hisejaculationwasnotoverloudandquitepolite,hisdelightwaseven
perhapspremeditated,andhisgesturepurposelystudiedbeforethelookingglasshalfanhour
beforetea.Butsomethingmusthavebeenamisswithit,forthebaronpermittedhimselfa
faintsmile,thoughhe,atonce,withextraordinarycourtesy,putinaphraseconcerningthe
universal and befitting emotion of all Russian hearts in view of the great event. Shortly
afterwardshetookhisleaveandatpartingdidnotforgettoholdouttwofingerstoStepan
Trofimovitch.OnreturningtothedrawingroomVarvaraPetrovnawasatfirstsilentfortwo
orthreeminutes,andseemedtobelookingforsomethingonthetable.Thensheturnedto
StepanTrofimovitch,andwithpalefaceandflashingeyesshehissedinawhisper:

Ishallneverforgiveyouforthat!

Next day she met her friend as though nothing had happened, she never referred to the
incident,butthirteenyearsafterwards,atatragicmoment,sherecalleditandreproachedhim
withit,andsheturnedpale,justasshehaddonethirteenyearsbefore.Onlytwiceinthe
courseofherlifedidshesaytohim:

Ishallneverforgiveyouforthat!

Theincidentwiththebaronwasthesecondtime,butthefirstincidentwassocharacteristic
andhadsomuchinfluenceonthefateofStepanTrofimovitchthatIventuretorefertothat
too.

Itwasin1855,inspringtime,inMay,justafterthenewshadreachedSkvoreshnikiofthe
death of LieutenantGeneral Gavrogin, a frivolous old gentleman who died of a stomach
ailmentonthewaytotheCrimea,wherehewashasteningto'jointhearmyonactiveservice.
VarvaraPetrovnawasleftawidowandputondeepmourning.Shecouldnot,itistrue,
deplorehisdeathverydeeply,since,forthelastfouryears,shehadbeencompletelyseparated
from him owing to incompatibility of temper, and was giving him an allowance. (The
LieutenantGeneralhimselfhadnothingbutonehundredandfiftyserfsandhispay,besides
his position and his connections. All the money and Skvoreshniki belonged to Varvara
Petrovna,theonlydaughterofaveryrichcontractor.)Yetshewasshockedbythesuddenness
ofthenews,andretiredintocompletesolitude.StepanTrofimovitch,ofcourse,wasalwaysat
herside.

Maywasinitsfullbeauty.Theeveningswereexquisite.Thewildcherrywasinflower.The
twofriendswalkedeveryeveninginthegardenandusedtosittillnightfallinthearbour,and
pourouttheirthoughtsandfeelingstooneanother.Theyhadpoeticmoments.Underthe
influenceofthechangeinherpositionVarvaraPetrovnatalkedmorethanusual.She,asit
were,clungtotheheartofherfriend,andthiscontinuedforseveralevenings.Astrangeidea
suddenlycameoverStepanTrofimovitch:Wasnottheinconsolablewidowreckoningupon
him,andexpectingfromhim,whenhermourningwasover,theofferofhishand?Acynical
idea,buttheveryloftinessofaman'snaturesometimesincreasesadispositiontocynical
ideasifonlyfromthemanysidednessofhisculture.Hebegantolookmoredeeplyintoit,
andthoughtitseemedlikeit.Hepondered:Herfortuneisimmense,ofcourse,but...
VarvaraPetrovnacertainlycouldnotbecalledabeauty.Shewasatall,yellow,bonywoman
withanextremelylongface,suggestiveofahorse.StepanTrofimovitchhesitatedmoreand
more,hewastorturedbydoubts,hepositivelyshedtearsofindecisiononceortwice(hewept
notinfrequently).Intheevenings,thatistosayinthearbour,hiscountenanceinvoluntarily
begantoexpresssomethingcapriciousandironical,somethingcoquettishandatthesame
timecondescending.Thisisapttohappenasitwerebyaccident,andthemoregentlemanly
themanthemorenoticeableitis.Goodnessonlyknowswhatoneistothinkaboutit,butit's
mostlikelythatnothinghadbegunworkinginherheartthatcouldhavefullyjustifiedStepan
Trofimovitch'ssuspicions.Moreover,shewouldnothavechangedhername,Stavrogin,for
hisname,famousasitwas.Perhapstherewasnothinginitbuttheplayoffemininityonher
side;themanifestationofanunconsciousfeminineyearningsonaturalinsomeextremely
femininetypes.However,Iwon'tanswerforit;thedepthsofthefemalehearthavenotbeen
exploredtothisday.ButImustcontinue.

Itistobesupposedthatshesooninwardlyguessedthesignificanceofherfriend'sstrange
expression;shewasquickandobservant,andhewassometimesextremelyguileless.Butthe
eveningswentonasbefore,andtheirconversationswerejustaspoeticandinteresting.And
behold on one occasion at nightfall, afterthe most lively and poetical conversation, they
partedaffectionately,warmlypressingeachother'shandsatthestepsofthelodgewhere
StepanTrofimovitchslept.Everysummerheusedtomoveintothislittlelodgewhichstood
adjoiningthehugeseignorialhouseofSkvoreshniki,almostinthegarden.Hehadonlyjust
gonein,andinrestlesshesitationtakenacigar,andnothavingyetlightedit,wasstanding
wearyandmotionless before the openwindow, gazing at the light featherywhite clouds
glidingaroundthebrightmoon,whensuddenlyafaintrustlemadehimstartandturnround.
VarvaraPetrovna,whomhehadleftonlyfourminutesearlier,wasstandingbeforehimagain.
Heryellowfacewasalmostblue.Herlipswerepressedtightlytogetherandtwitchingatthe
corners.Fortenfullsecondsshelookedhimintheeyesinsilencewithafirmrelentlessgaze,
andsuddenlywhisperedrapidly:

Ishallneverforgiveyouforthis!

When,tenyearslater,StepanTrofimovitch,afterclosingthedoors,toldmethismelancholy
taleinawhisper,hevowedthathehadbeensopetrifiedonthespotthathehadnotseenor
heardhow.VarvaraPetrovnahaddisappeared.Assheneveronceafterwardsalludedtothe
incidentandeverythingwentonasthoughnothinghadhappened,hewasallhislifeinclined
totheideathatitwasallanhallucination,asymptomofillness,themoresoashewas
actuallytakenillthatverynightandwasindisposedforafortnight,which,bytheway,cut
shorttheinterviewsinthearbour.

Butinspiteofhisvaguetheoryofhallucinationheseemedeveryday,allhislife,tobe
expectingthecontinuation,and,sotosay,thedenouementofthisaffair.Hecouldnotbelieve
thatthatwastheendofit!Andifsohemusthavelookedstrangelysometimesathisfriend.

Shehadherselfdesignedthecostumeforhimwhichheworefortherestofhislife.Itwas
elegantandcharacteristic;alongblackfrockcoat,buttonedalmosttothetop,butstylishly
cut;asofthat(insummerastrawhat)withawidebrim,awhitebatistecravatwithafullbow
andhangingends,acanewithasilverknob;hishairflowedontohisshoulders.Itwasdark
brown,andonlylatelyhadbeguntogetalittlegrey.Hewascleanshaven.Hewassaidto
have been very handsome in his youth. And, to my mind, he was still an exceptionally
impressivefigureeveninoldage.Besides,whocantalkofoldageatfiftythree?Fromhis
specialposeasapatriot,however,hedidnottrytoappearyounger,butseemedrather'to
pridehimselfonthesolidityofhisage,and,dressedasdescribed,tallandthinwithflowing
hair,helookedalmostlikeapatriarch,orevenmoreliketheportraitofthepoetKukolnik,
engravedintheeditionofhisworkspublishedin1830orthereabouts.Thisresemblancewas
especially striking when he sat in the garden in summertime, on a seat under a bush of
floweringlilac,withbothhandsproppedonhiscaneandanopenbookbesidehim,musing
poeticallyoverthesettingsun.InregardtobooksImayremarkthathecameinlateryears
rathertoavoidreading.Butthatwasonlyquitetowardstheend.Thepapersandmagazines
orderedingreatprofusionbyVarvaraPetrovnahewascontinuallyreading.Heneverlost
interestinthesuccessesofRussianliteratureeither,thoughhealwaysmaintainedadignified
attitudewithregardtothem.Hewasatonetimeengrossedinthestudyofourhomeand
foreignpolitics,buthesoongaveuptheundertakingwithagestureofdespair.Itsometimes
happenedthathewouldtakeDeTocquevillewithhimintothegardenwhilehehadaPaulde
Kockinhispocket.Butthesearetrivialmatters.

ImustobserveinparenthesisabouttheportraitofKukolnik;theengravinghadfirstcomeinto
the hands of Varvara Petrovna when she was a girl in a highclass boardingschool in
Moscow.Shefellinlovewiththeportraitatonce,afterthehabitofallgirlsatschoolwhofall
inlovewithanythingtheycomeacross,aswellaswiththeirteachers,especiallythedrawing
andwritingmasters.Whatisinterestinginthis,though,isnotthecharacteristicsofgirlsbut
thefactthatevenatfiftyVarvaraPetrovnakepttheengravingamonghermostintimateand
treasuredpossessions,sothatperhapsitwasonlyonthisaccountthatshehaddesignedfor
StepanTrofimovitchacostumesomewhatlikethepoet'sintheengraving.Butthat,ofcourse,
isatriflingmattertoo.

Forthefirstyearsor,moreaccurately,forthefirsthalfofthetimehespentwithVarvara
Petrovna,StepanTrofimovitchwasstillplanningabookandeverydayseriouslypreparedto
writeit.Butduringthelaterperiodhemusthaveforgottenevenwhathehaddone.Moreand
morefrequentlyheusedtosaytous:

Iseemtobereadyforwork,mymaterialsarecollected,yettheworkdoesn'tgetdone!
Nothingisdone!

Andhewouldbowhisheaddejectedly.Nodoubtthiswascalculatedtoincreasehisprestige
inoureyesasamartyrtoscience,but.hehimselfwaslongingforsomethingelse.Theyhave
forgotten me! I'm no use to anyone! broke from him more than once. This intensified
depressiontookspecialholdofhimtowardstheendofthefifties.VarvaraPetrovnarealised
atlastthatitwasaseriousmatter.Besides,shecouldnotenduretheideathatherfriendwas
forgottenanduseless.Todistracthimandatthesametimetorenewhisfameshecarriedhim
offtoMoscow,whereshehadfashionableacquaintancesintheliteraryandscientificworld;
butitappearedthatMoscowtoowasunsatisfactory.

Itwasapeculiartime;somethingnewwasbeginning,quiteunlikethestagnationofthepast,
somethingverystrangetoo,thoughitwasfelteverywhere,evenatSkvoreshniki.Rumoursof
allsortsreachedus.Thefactsweregenerallymoreorlesswellknown,butitwasevidentthat
inadditiontothefactstherewerecertainideasaccompanyingthem,andwhat'smore,agreat
numberofthem.Andthiswasperplexing.Itwasimpossibletoestimateandfindoutexactly
what was the drift of these ideas. Varvara Petrovna was prompted by the feminine
compositionofhercharactertoacompellingdesiretopenetratethesecretofthem.Shetook
toreadingnewspapersandmagazines,prohibitedpublicationsprintedabroadandeventhe
revolutionarymanifestoeswhichwerejustbeginningtoappearatthetime(shewasableto
procurethemall);butthisonlysetherheadinawhirl.Shefelltowritingletters;shegotfew
answers,andtheygrewmoreincomprehensibleastimewenton.StepanTrofimovitchwas
solemnlycalledupontoexplaintheseideastoheronceforall,butsheremaineddistinctly
dissatisfiedwithhisexplanations.

StepanTrofimovitch'sviewofthegeneralmovementwassuperciliousintheextreme.Inhis
eyes all it amounted to was that he was forgotten and of no use. At last his name was
mentioned, at first in periodicals published abroad as that of an exiled martyr, and
immediatelyafterwardsinPetersburgasthatofaformerstarinacelebratedconstellation.He
wasevenforsomereasoncomparedwithRadishtchev.Thensomeoneprintedthestatement
that he was dead and promised an obituary notice of him. Stepan Trofimovitch instantly
perkedupandassumedanairofimmensedignity.Allhisdisdainforhiscontemporaries
evaporatedandhebegantocherishthedreamofjoiningthemovementandshowinghis
powers.VarvaraPetrovna'sfaithineverythinginstantlyrevivedandshewasthrownintoa
violentferment.ItwasdecidedtogotoPetersburgwithoutamoment'sdelay,tofindout
everythingonthespot,togointoeverythingpersonally,and,ifpossible,tothrowthemselves
heart andsoulintothe newmovement.Amongotherthingssheannouncedthat shewas
preparedtofoundamagazineofherown,andhenceforwardtodevoteherwholelifetoit.
Seeingwhatithadcometo,StepanTrofimovitchbecamemorecondescendingthanever,and
onthejourneybegantobehavealmostpatronisinglytoVarvaraPetrovnawhichsheatonce
laidupinherheartagainsthim.Shehad,however,anotherveryimportantreasonforthetrip,
whichwastorenewherconnectionsinhigherspheres.Itwasnecessary,asfarasshecould,to
remindtheworldofherexistence,oratanyratetomakeanattempttodoso.Theostensible
object of the journey was to see her only son, who was just finishing his studies at a
Petersburglyceum.

VI

TheyspentalmostthewholewinterseasoninPetersburg.ButbyLenteverythingburstlikea
rainbowcolouredsoapbubble.

Theirdreamsweredissipated,andthemuddle,farfrombeingclearedup,hadbecomeeven
morerevoltinglyincomprehensible.Tobeginwith,connectionswiththehighersphereswere
not established, or only on a microscopic scale, and by humiliating exertions. In her
mortificationVarvaraPetrovnathrewherselfheartandsoulintothenewideas,andbegan
givingeveningreceptions.Sheinvitedliterarypeople,andtheywerebroughttoheratoncein
multitudes. Afterwards they came of themselves without invitation, one brought another.
Neverhadsheseensuchliterarymen.Theywereincrediblyvain,butquiteopenintheir
vanity,asthoughtheywereperformingadutybythedisplayofit.Some(butbynomeansall)
of them even turned up intoxicated, seeming, however, to detect in this a peculiar, only
recentlydiscovered,merit.Theywereallstrangelyproudofsomething.Oneveryfacewas
writtenthattheyhadonlyjustdiscoveredsomeextremelyimportantsecret.Theyabusedone
another,andtookcredittothemselvesforit.Itwasratherdifficulttofindoutwhattheyhad
written exactly, but among them there were critics, novelists, dramatists, satirists, and
exposersofabuses.StepanTrofimovitchpenetratedintotheirveryhighestcirclefromwhich
themovementwasdirected.Incredibleheightshadtobescaledtoreachthisgroup;butthey
gavehimacordialwelcome,though,ofcourse,nooneofthemhadeverheardofhimorknew
anythingabouthimexceptthatherepresentedanidea.Hismanoeuvresamongthemwere
sosuccessfulthathegotthemtwicetoVarvaraPetrovna'ssaloninspiteoftheirOlympian
grandeur.Thesepeoplewereveryseriousandverypolite;theybehavednicely;theothers
wereevidentlyafraidofthem;butitwasobviousthattheyhadnotimetospare.Twoorthree
former literary celebrities who happened to be in Petersburg, and with whom Varvara
Petrovnahadlongmaintainedamostrefinedcorrespondence,camealso.Buttohersurprise
thesegenuineandquiteindubitablecelebritieswerestillerthanwater,humblerthanthegrass,
andsomeofthemsimplyhungontothisnewrabble,andwereshamefullycringingbefore
them.AtfirstStepanTrofimovitchwasasuccess.Peoplecaughtathimandbegantoexhibit
himatpublicliterarygatherings.Thefirsttimehecameontotheplatformatsomepublic
readinginwhichhewastotakepart,hewasreceivedwithenthusiasticclappingwhichlasted
forfiveminutes.Herecalledthiswithtearsnineyearsafterwards,thoughratherfromhis
naturalartisticsensibilitythanfromgratitude.Iswear,andI'mreadytobet,hedeclared(but
onlytome,andinsecret),thatnotoneofthataudienceknewanythingwhateveraboutme.
A noteworthy admission. He must have had a keen intelligence since he was capable of
graspinghispositionsoclearlyevenontheplatform,eveninsuchastateofexaltation;italso
followsthathehadnotakeenintelligenceif,nineyearsafterwards,hecouldnotrecallit
withoutmortification,hewasmadetosigntwoorthreecollectiveprotests(againstwhathe
did not know); he signed them. Varvara Petrovna too was made to protest against some
disgracefulactionandshesignedtoo.Themajorityofthesenewpeople,however,though
theyvisitedVarvaraPetrovna,feltthemselvesforsomereasoncalledupontoregardherwith
contempt,andwithundisguisedirony.StepanTrofimovitchhintedtomeatbittermoments
afterwardsthatitwasfromthattimeshehadbeenenviousofhim.Shesaw,ofcourse,thatshe
couldnotgetonwiththesepeople,yetshereceivedthemeagerly,withallthehysterical
impatienceofhersex,and,whatismore,sheexpectedsomething.Atherpartiesshetalked
little,althoughshecouldtalk,butshelistenedthemore.Theytalkedoftheabolitionofthe
censorship,andofphoneticspelling,ofthesubstitutionoftheLatincharactersfortheRussian
alphabet,ofsomeone'shavingbeensentintoexilethedaybefore,ofsomescandal,ofthe
advantageofsplittingRussiaintonationalitiesunitedinafreefederation,oftheabolitionof
thearmyandthenavy,oftherestorationofPolandasfarastheDnieper,ofthepeasant
reforms,andofthemanifestoes,oftheabolitionofthehereditaryprinciple,ofthefamily,of
children, and of priests, of women's rights, of Kraevsky's house, for which no one ever
seemedabletoforgiveMr.Kraevsky,andsoon,andsoon.Itwasevidentthatinthismobof
newpeoplethereweremanyimpostors,butundoubtedlytherewerealsomanyhonestand
veryattractivepeople,inspiteofsomesurprisingcharacteristicsinthem.Thehonestones
werefarmoredifficulttounderstandthanthecoarseanddishonest,butitwasimpossibleto
tellwhichwasbeingmadeatoolofbytheother.WhenVarvaraPetrovnaannouncedheridea
offoundingamagazine,peopleflockedtoherinevenlargernumbers,butchargesofbeinga
capitalistandanexploiteroflabourwereshowereduponhertoherface.Therudenessof
these accusations was only equalled by their unexpectedness. The aged General Ivan
IvanovitchDrozdov,anoldfriendandcomradeofthelateGeneralStavrogin's,knowntous
allhereasanextremelystubbornandirritable,thoughveryestimable,man(inhisownway,
ofcourse),whoateagreatdeal,andwasdreadfullyafraidofatheism,quarrelledatoneof
Varvara Petrovna's parties with a distinguished young man. The latter at the first word
exclaimed,Youmustbeageneralifyoutalklikethat,meaningthathecouldfindnoword
ofabuseworsethangeneral.

IvanIvanovitchflewintoaterriblepassion:Yes,sir,Iamageneral,andalieutenantgeneral,
andIhaveservedmyTsar,andyou,sir,areapuppyandaninfidel!

Anoutrageousscenefollowed.Nextdaytheincidentwasexposedinprint,andtheybegan
gettingupacollectiveprotestagainstVarvaraPetrovna'sdisgracefulconductinnothaving
immediately turned the general out. In an illustrated paper there appeared a malignant
caricature in which Varvara Petrovna, Stepan Trofimovitch, and General Drozdov were
depictedasthreereactionaryfriends.Therewereversesattachedtothiscaricaturewrittenbya
popularpoetespeciallyfortheoccasion.Imayobserve,formyownpart,thatmanypersons
ofgeneral'srankcertainlyhaveanabsurdhabitofsaying,IhaveservedmyTsar...justas
thoughtheyhadnotthesameTsarasalltherestofus,theirsimplefellowsubjects,buthada
specialTsaroftheirown.

Itwasimpossible,ofcourse,toremainanylongerinPetersburg,allthemoresoasStepan
Trofimovitchwasovertakenbyacompletefiasco.Hecouldnotresisttalkingoftheclaimsof
art,andtheylaughedathimmoreloudlyastimewenton.Athislastlecturehethoughtto
impressthemwithpatrioticeloquence,hopingtotouchtheirhearts,andreckoningonthe
respect inspired by his persecution. He did not attempt to dispute the uselessness and
absurdityofthewordfatherland,acknowledgedtheperniciousinfluenceofreligion,but
firmlyandloudlydeclaredthatbootswereoflessconsequencethanPushkin;ofmuchless,
indeed.Hewashissedsomercilesslythatheburstintotears,thereandthen,ontheplatform.
VarvaraPetrovnatookhimhomemoredeadthanalive.Onm'atraits,commeunvieux
bonnetdecoton, hebabbledsenselessly.Shewaslookingafterhimallnight,givinghim
laureldropsandrepeatingtohimtilldaybreak,Youwillstillbeofuse;youwillstillmake
yourmark;youwillbeappreciated...inanotherplace.

EarlynextmorningfiveliterarymencalledonVarvaraPetrovna,threeofthemcomplete
strangers,whomshehadeverseteyesonbefore.Withasternairtheyinformedherthatthey
hadlookedintothequestionofhermagazine,andhadbroughthertheirdecisiononthe
subject. Varvara Petrovna had never authorised anyone to look into or decide anything
concerninghermagazine.Theirdecisionwasthat,havingfoundedthemagazine,sheshould
atoncehanditovertothemwiththecapitaltorunit,onthebasisofacooperativesociety.
She herself was to go back to Skvoreshniki, not forgetting to take with her Stepan
Trofimovitch,whowasoutofdate.Fromdelicacytheyagreedtorecognisetherightof
propertyinhercase,andtosendhereveryyearasixthpartofthenetprofits.Whatwasmost
touching about it was that of these five men, four certainly were not actuated by any
mercenarymotive,andweresimplyactingintheinterestsofthecause.

Wecameawayutterlyataloss,StepanTrofimovitchusedtosayafterwards.Icouldn't
makeheadortailofit,andkeptmuttering,Iremember,totherumbleofthetrain:

'Vyek,andvyek,andLyovKambek,LyovKambekandvyek,andvyek.'

andgoodnessknowswhat,allthewaytoMoscow.ItwasonlyinMoscowthatIcameto
myselfasthoughwereallymightfindsomethingdifferentthere.

Oh,myfriends!hewouldexclaimtoussometimeswithfervour,''youcannotimaginewhat
wrath and sadness overcome your whole soul when a great idea, which you have long
cherishedasholy,iscaughtupbytheignorantanddraggedforthbeforefoolslikethemselves
intothestreet,andyousuddenlymeetitinthemarketunrecognisable,inthemud,absurdly
setup,withoutproportion,withoutharmony,theplaythingoffoolishlouts!No!Inourdayit
wasnotso,anditwasnotthisforwhichwestrove.No,no,notthisatall.Idon'trecognise
it....Ourdaywillcomeagainandwillturnallthetotteringfabricoftodayintoatruepath.If
not,whatwillhappen?...

VII

Immediately on their return from Petersburg Varvara Petrovna sent her friend abroad to
recruit"; and, indeed, it was necessary forthem to part for a time, she felt that. Stepan
Trofimovitchwasdelightedtogo.

ThereIshallrevive!heexclaimed.There,atlast,Ishallsettowork!Butinthefirstofhis
lettersfromBerlinhestruckhisusualnote:

Myheartisbroken!hewrotetoVarvaraPetrovna.Icanforgetnothing!Here,inBerlin,
everythingbringsbacktomemyoldpast,myfirstrapturesandmyfirstagonies.Whereis
she?Wherearetheyboth?WhereareyoutwoangelsofwhomIwasneverworthy?Whereis
myson,mybelovedson?Andlastofall,whereamI,whereismyoldself,strongassteel.
firmasarock,whennowsomeAndreev,ourorthodoxclownwithabeard,pentbriserman
existenceendeuxandsoon.

AsforStepanTrofimovitch'sson,hehadonlyseenhimtwiceinhislife,thefirsttimewhen
hewasbornandthesecondtimelatelyinPetersburg,wheretheyoungmanwaspreparingto
entertheuniversity.Theboyhadbeenallhislife,aswehavesaidalready,broughtupbyhis
aunts(atVarvaraPetrovna'sexpense)inaremoteprovince,nearlysixhundredmilesfrom
Skvoreshniki.AsforAndreev,hewasnothingmoreorlessthanourlocalshopkeeper,avery
eccentric fellow, a selftaught archaeologist who had a passion for collecting Russian
antiquities and sometimes tried to outshine Stepan Trofimovitch in erudition and in the
progressivenessofhisopinions.Thisworthyshopkeeper,withagreybeardandsilverrimmed
spectacles,stillowedStepanTrofimovitchfourhundredroublesforsomeacresoftimberhe
hadbought onthe latter's little estate (near Skvoreshniki). ThoughVarvara Petrovna had
liberallyprovidedherfriendwithfundswhenshesenthimtoBerlin,yetStepanTrofimovitch
had,beforestarting,particularlyreckonedongettingthatfourhundredroubles,probablyfor
hissecretexpenditure,andwasreadytocrywhenAndreevaskedleavetodeferpaymentfora
month,whichhehadarighttodo,sincehehadbroughtthefirstinstallmentsofthemoney
almostsixmonthsinadvancetomeetStepanTrofimovitch'sspecialneedatthetime.

VarvaraPetrovnareadthisfirstlettergreedily,andunderlininginpenciltheexclamation:
Wherearetheyboth?numbereditandputitawayinadrawer.Hehad,ofcourse,referred
tohistwodeceasedwives.ThesecondlettershereceivedfromBerlinwasinadifferent
strain:

Iamworkingtwelvehoursoutofthetwentyfour.("Elevenwouldbeenough,muttered
VarvaraPetrovna.)I'mrummaginginthelibraries,collating,copying,rushingabout.I've
visitedtheprofessors.IhaverenewedmyacquaintancewiththedelightfulDundasovfamily.
WhatacharmingcreatureLizavetaMkolaevnaisevennow!Shesendsyouhergreetings.Her
younghusbandandthreenephewsareallinBerlin.Isituptalkingtilldaybreakwiththe
young people and we have almost Athenian evenings, Athenian, I mean, only in their
intellectualsubtletyandrefinement.Everythingisinnoblestyle; greatdealofmusic,
Spanishairs,dreamsoftheregenerationofallhumanity,ideasofeternalbeauty,oftheSistine
Madonna,lightinterspersedwithdarkness,buttherearespotsevenonthesun!Oh,myfriend,
mynoble,faithfulfriend!InheartIamwithyouandamyours;withyoualone,always,en
tout pays, evenin le paysde Makar et de ses veaux, ofwhich we often used totalkin
agitationinPetersburg,doyouremember,beforewecameaway.Ithinkofitwithasmile.
CrossingthefrontierIfeltmyselfinsafety,asensation,strangeandnew,forthefirsttime
aftersomanyyearsandsoonandsoon.

Come,it'sallnonsense!VarvaraPetrovnacommented,foldingupthatlettertoo.Ifhe'sup
tilldaybreakwithhisAtheniannights,heisn'tathisbooksfortwelvehoursaday.Washe
drunkwhenhewroteit?ThatDundasovwomandarestosendmegreetings!Butthere,lethim
amusehimself!

ThephrasedanslepaysdeMakaretdesesveauxmeant:whereverMakarmaydrivehis
calves. Stepan Trofimovitch sometimes purposely translated Russian proverbs and
traditional sayings into French in the most stupid way, though no doubt he was able to
understandandtranslatethembetter.Buthediditfromafeelingthatitwaschic,andthought
itwitty.

Buthedidnotamusehimselfforlong.Hecouldnotholdoutforfourmonths,andwassoon
flyingbacktoSkvoreshniki.Hislastlettersconsistedofnothingbutoutpouringsofthemost
sentimentalloveforhisabsentfriend,andwereliterallywetwithtears.Therearenatures
extremelyattachedtohomelikelapdogs.Themeetingofthefriendswasenthusiastic.Within
two days everything was as before and even duller than before. My friend, Stepan
Trofimovitchsaidtomeafortnightafter,mdeadsecret,Ihavediscoveredsomethingawful
forme...somethingnew: jesuisunsimple dependent, etriendeplus!Maisrrriende
plus.'

VIII

Afterthiswehadaperiodofstagnationwhichlastednineyears.Thehystericaloutbreaksand
sobbings on my shoulder that recurred at regular intervals did not in the least mar our
prosperity.IwonderthatStepanTrofimovitchdidnotgrowstoutduringthisperiod.Hisnose
wasalittleredder,andhismannerhadgainedinurbanity,thatwasall.Bydegreesacircleof
friendshadformedaroundhim,althoughitwasneveraverylargeone.ThoughVarvara
Petrovnahadlittletodowiththecircle,yetweallrecognisedherasourpatroness.Afterthe
lessonshehadreceivedinPetersburg,shesettleddowninourtownforgood.Inwintershe
livedinhertownhouseandspentthesummeronherestateintheneighbourhood.Shehad
neverenjoyedsomuchconsequenceandprestigeinourprovincialsocietyasduringthelast
sevenyearsofthisperiod,thatisuptothetimeoftheappointmentofourpresentgovernor.
Ourformergovernor,themildIvanOssipovitch,whowillneverbeforgottenamongus,wasa
nearrelationofVarvaraPetrovna's,andhadatonetimebeenunderobligationstoher.His
wifetrembledattheverythoughtofdispleasingher,whilethehomagepaidherbyprovincial
societywascarriedalmosttoapitchthatsuggestedidolatry.SoStepanTrofimovitch,too,had
agoodtime.Hewasamemberoftheclub,lostatcardsmajestically,andwaseverywhere
treatedwithrespect,thoughmanypeopleregardedhimonlyasalearnedman.Lateron,
whenVarvaraPetrovnaallowedhimtoliveinaseparatehouse,weenjoyedgreaterfreedom
thanbefore.Twiceaweekweusedtomeetathishouse.Wewereamerryparty,especially
when he was not sparing of the champagne. The wine came from the shop of the same
Andreev.ThebillwaspaidtwiceayearbyVarvaraPetrovna,andonthedayitwaspaid
StepanTrofimoivitchalmostinvariablysufferedfromanattackofhissummercholera.

OneofthefirstmembersofourcirclewasLiputin,anelderlyprovincialofficial,andagreat
liberal,whowasreputedinthetowntobeanatheist.Hehadmarriedforthesecondtimea
youngandprettywifewithadowry,andhad,besides,threegrownupdaughters.Hebrought
uphisfamilyinthefearofGod,andkeptatighthandoverthem.Hewasextremelystingy,
and out of his salary had bought himself a house and amassed a fortune. He was an
uncomfortablesortofman,andhadnotbeenintheservice.Hewasnotmuchrespectedinthe
town,andwasnotreceivedinthebestcircles.Moreover,hewasascandalmonger,andhad
morethanoncehadtosmartforhisbackbiting,forwhichhehadbeenbadlypunishedbyan
officer,andagainbyacountrygentleman,therespectableheadofafamilyButwelikedhis
wit,hisinquiringmind,hispeculiar,maliciousliveliness.VarvaraPetrovnadislikedhim,but
healwaysknewhowtomakeuptoher.

NordidshecareforShatov,whobecameoneofourcircleduringthelastyearsofthisperiod.
Shatovhadbeenastudentandhadbeenexpelledfromtheuniversityaftersomedisturbance.
InhischildhoodhehadbeenastudentofStepanTrofimovitch'sandwasbybirthaserfof
Varvara Petrovna's, the son of aformervalet of hers, Pavel Fyodoritch, and was greatly
indebtedtoherbounty.Shedislikedhimforhisprideandingratitudeandcouldneverforgive
himfornothavingcomestraighttoheronhisexpulsionfromtheuniversity.Onthecontrary
hehadnotevenansweredthelettershehadexpresslysenthimatthetime,andpreferredtobe
adrudgeinthefamilyofamerchantofthenewstyle,withwhomhewentabroad,looking
afterhischildrenmoreinthepositionofanursethanofatutor.Hewasveryeagertotravelat
thetime.Thechildrenhadagovernesstoo,alivelyyoungRussianlady,whoalsobecameone
ofthehouseholdontheeveoftheirdeparture,andhadbeenengagedchieflybecauseshewas
socheap.Twomonthslaterthemerchantturnedheroutofthehouseforfreethinking.
ShatovtookhimselfoffafterherandsoonafterwardsmarriedherinGeneva.Theylived
togetheraboutthreeweeks,andthenpartedasfreepeoplerecognisingnobonds,though,no
doubt,alsothroughpoverty.HewanderedaboutEuropealoneforalongtimeafterwards,
livingGodknowshow;heissaidtohaveblackedbootsinthestreet,andtohavebeena
porterinsomedockyard.Atlast,ayearbefore,hehadreturnedtohisnativeplaceamongus
andsettledwithanoldaunt,whomheburiedamonthlater.HissisterDasha,whohadalso
beenbroughtupbyVarvaraPetrovna,wasafavouriteofhers,andtreatedwithrespectand
considerationinherhouse.Hesawhissisterrarelyandwasnotonintimatetermswithher.In
our circle he was always sullen, and never talkative; but from time to time, when his
convictionsweretouchedupon,hebecamemorbidlyirritableandveryunrestrainedinhis
language.

OnehastotieShatovupandthenarguewithhim,StepanTrofimovitchwouldsometimes
sayinjoke,buthelikedhim.

Shatov had radically changed some of his former socialistic convictions abroad and had
rushedtotheoppositeextreme.HewasoneofthoseidealisticbeingscommoninRussia,who
aresuddenlystruckbysomeovermasteringideawhichseems,asitwere,tocrushthemat
once,andsometimesforever.Theyareneverequaltocopingwithit,butputpassionatefaith
init,andtheirwholelifepassesafterwards,asitwere,inthelastagoniesundertheweightof
thestonethathasfallenuponthemandhalfcrushedthem.InappearanceShatovwasin
completeharmonywithhisconvictions:hewasshort,awkward,hadashockofflaxenhair,
broadshoulders,thicklips,verythickoverhangingwhiteeyebrows,awrinkledforehead,and
ahostile,obstinatelydowncast,asitwereshamefaced,expressioninhiseyes.Hishairwas
alwaysinawildtangleandstoodupinashockwhichnothingcouldsmooth.Hewasseven
oreightandtwenty.

Inolongerwonderthathiswiferanawayfromhim,VarvaraPetrovnaenunciatedonone
occasionaftergazingintentlyathim.Hetriedtobeneatinhisdress,inspiteofhisextreme
poverty.HerefrainedagainfromappealingtoVarvaraPetrovna,andstruggledalongasbest
hecould,doingvariousjobsfortradespeople.Atonetimeheservedinashop,atanotherhe
wasonthepointofgoingasanassistantclerkonafreightsteamer,buthefellilljustatthe
time of sailing. It is hard to imagine what poverty he was capable of enduring without
thinking about it at all. After his illness Varvara Petrovna sent him a hundred roubles,
anonymouslyandinsecret.Hefoundoutthesecret,however,andaftersomereflectiontook
themoneyandwenttoVarvaraPetrovnatothankher.Shereceivedhimwithwarmth,buton
this occasion, too, he shamefully disappointed her. He only stayed five minutes, staring
blanklyatthegroundandsmilingstupidlyinprofoundsilence,andsuddenly,atthemost
interesting point, without listening to what she was saying, he got up, made an uncouth
sidewaysbow,helplesswithconfusion,caughtagainstthelady'sexpensiveinlaidworktable,
upsettingitonthefloorandsmashingittoatoms,andwalkedoutnearlydeadwithshame.
Liputinblamedhimseverelyafterwardsforhavingacceptedthehundredroublesandhaving
evengonetothankVarvaraPetrovnaforthem,insteadofhavingreturnedthemoneywith
contempt,becauseithadcomefromhisformerdespoticmistress.Helivedinsolitudeonthe
outskirtsofthetown,anddidnotlikeanyofustogoandseehim.Heusedtoturnup
invariablyatStepanTrofimovitch'sevenings,andborrowednewspapersandbooksfromhim.

Therewasanotheryoungmanwhoalwayscame,oneVirginsky,aclerkintheservicehere,
whohadsomethingincommonwithShatov,thoughonthesurfaceheseemedhiscomplete
oppositeineveryrespect.Hewasafamilymantoo.Hewasapatheticandveryquietyoung
manthoughhewasthirty;hehadconsiderableeducationthoughhewaschieflyselftaught.
Hewaspoor,married,andintheservice,andsupportedtheauntandsisterofhiswife.His
wifeandalltheladiesofhisfamilyprofessedtheverylatestconvictions,butinratheracrude
form.Itwasacaseofanideadraggedforthintothestreet,asStepanTrofimovitchhad
expressedituponaformeroccasion.Theygotitalloutofbooks,andatthefirsthintcoming
fromanyofourlittleprogressivecornersinPetersburgtheywerepreparedtothrowanything
overboard,sosoonastheywereadvisedtodoso,MadameVirginskypractisedasamidwife
inthetown.ShehadlivedalongwhileinPetersburgasagirl.Virginskyhimselfwasaman
ofraresingleheartedness,andIhaveseldommetmorehonestfervour.

Iwillnever,never,abandonthesebrighthopes,heusedtosaytomewithshiningeyes.Of
thesebrighthopeshealwaysspokequietly,inablissfulhalfwhisper,asitweresecretly.
Hewasrathertall,butextremelythinandnarrowshouldered,andhadextraordinarilylank
hairofareddishhue.AllStepanTrofimovitch'scondescendinggibesatsomeofhisopinions
he accepted mildly, answered him sometimes very seriously, and often nonplussed him.
StepanTrofimovitchtreatedhimverykindly,andindeedhebehavedlikeafathertoallofus.
Youareallhalfheartedchickens,heobservedtoVirginskyinjoke.Allwhoarelikeyou,
thoughinyou,Virginsky,IhavenotobservedthatnarrowmindednessIfoundinPetersburg,
chezcessiminaristes. Butyou'reahalfhatchedchickenallthesame.Shatovwouldgive
anythingtohatchout,,buthe'shalfhatchedtoo.

AndI?Liputininquired.

You'resimplythegoldenmeanwhichwillgetonanywhereinitsownway.Liputinwas
offended.

ThestorywastoldofVirginsky,anditwasunhappilyonlytootrue,thatbeforehiswifehad
spentayearinlawfulwedlockwithhimsheannouncedthathewassupersededandthatshe
preferredLebyadkin.ThisLebyadkin,astrangertothetown,turnedoutafterwardstobea
verydubiouscharacter,andnotaretiredcaptainasherepresentedhimselftobe.Hecoulddo
nothingbuttwisthismoustache,drink,andchatterthemostineptnonsensethatcanpossibly
beimagined.Thisfellow,whowasutterlylackingindelicacy,atoncesettledinhishouse,
gladtoliveatanotherman'sexpense,ateandsleptthereandcame,intheend,totreatingthe
master of the house with condescension. It was asserted that when Virginsky's wife had
announcedtohimthathewassupersededhesaidtoher:

Mydear,hithertoIhaveonlylovedyou,butnowIrespectyou,butIdoubtwhetherthis
renunciation,worthyofancientHome,waseverreallyuttered.Onthecontrarytheysaythat
heweptviolently.Afortnightafterhewassuperseded,allofthem,inafamilyparty,went
onedayforapicnictoawoodoutsidethetowntodrinkteawiththeirfriends.Virginskywas
inafeverishlylivelymoodandtookpartinthedances.Butsuddenly,withoutanypreliminary
quarrel,heseizedthegiantLebyadkinwithbothhands,bythehair,justasthelatterwas
dancing a cancan solo, pushed him down, and began dragging him along with shrieks,
shouts,andtears.Thegiantwassopanicstrickenthathedidnotattempttodefendhimself,
and hardly uttered a sound all the time he was being dragged along. But afterwards he
resenteditwithalltheheatofanhonourableman.Virginskyspentawholenightonhisknees
begging his wife's forgiveness. But this forgiveness was not granted, as he refused to
apologisetoLebyadkin;moreover,hewasupbraidedforthemeannessofhisideasandhis
foolishness,thelatterchargebasedonthefactthathekneltdownintheinterviewwithhis
wife.Thecaptainsoondisappearedanddidnotreappearinourtowntillquitelately,whenhe
camewithhissister,andwithentirelydifferentaims;butofhimlater.Itwasnowonderthat
thepooryounghusbandsoughtoursocietyandfoundcomfortinit.Butheneverspokeofhis
homelifetous.Ononeoccasiononly,returningwithmefromStepanTrofimovitch's,he
madearemoteallusiontohisposition,butclutchingmyhandatoncehecriedardently:

It'sofnoconsequence.It'sonlyapersonalincident.It'snohindrancetothe'cause,'notthe
slightest!

Strayguestsvisitedourcircletoo;aJew,calledLyamshin,andaCaptainKartusovcame.An
oldgentlemanofinquiringmindusedtocomeatonetime,buthedied.Liputinbroughtan
exiledPolishpriestcalledSlontsevsky,andforatimewereceivedhimonprinciple,but
afterwardswedidn'tkeepitup.

IX

Atonetimeitwasreportedaboutthetownthatourlittlecirclewasahotbedofnihilism,
profligacy,andgodlessness,andtherumourgainedmoreandmorestrength.Andyetwedid
nothingbutindulgeinthemostharmless,agreeable,typicallyRussian,lightheartedliberal
chatter.Thehigherliberalismandthehigherliberal,thatis,aliberalwithoutanydefinite
aim,isonlypossibleinRussia.

StepanTrofimovitch,likeeverywittyman,neededalistener,and,besidesthat,heneededthe
consciousnessthathewasfulfillingtheloftydutyofdisseminatingideas.Andfinallyhehad
tohavesomeonetodrinkchampagnewith,andoverthewinetoexchangelighthearted
viewsofacertainsort,aboutRussiaandtheRussianspirit,aboutGodingeneral,andthe
RussianGodinparticular,torepeatforthehundredthtimethesameRussianscandalous
storiesthateveryoneknewandeveryonerepeated.Wehadnodistasteforthegossipofthe
townwhichoften,indeed,ledustothemostsevereandloftilymoralverdicts.Wefellinto
generalisingabouthumanity,madesternreflectionsonthefutureofEuropeandmankindin
general,authoritativelypredictedthatafterCaesarismFrancewouldatoncesinkintothe
positionofasecondratepower,andwerefirmlyconvincedthatthismightterriblyeasilyand
quicklycometopass.WehadlongagopredictedthatthePopewouldplaythepartofa
simplearchbishopinaunitedItaly,andwerefirmlyconvincedthatthisthousandyearold
questionhad,inourageofhumanitarianism,industry,andrailways,becomeatriflingmatter.
But,ofcourse,Russianhigherliberalismcouldnotlookatthequestioninanyotherway.
StepanTrofimovitchsometimestalkedofart,andverywell,thoughratherabstractly.He
sometimesspokeofthefriendsofhisyouthallnamesnoteworthyinthehistoryofRussian
progress.Hetalkedofthemwithemotionandreverence,thoughsometimeswithenvy.Ifwe
wereverymuchbored,theJew,Lyamshin(alittlepostofficeclerk),awonderfulperformer
onthepiano,satdowntoplay,andintheintervalswouldimitateapig,athunderstorm,a
confinementwiththefirstcryofthebaby,andsoon,andsoon;itwasonlyforthisthathe
wasinvited,indeed.Ifwehaddrunkagreatdealandthatdidhappensometimes,thoughnot
oftenweflewintoraptures,andevenononeoccasionsangtheMarseillaiseinchorusto
theaccompanimentofLyamshin,thoughIdon'tknowhowitwentoff.Thegreatday,the
nineteenthofFebruary,wewelcomedenthusiastically,andforalongtimebeforehanddrank
toastsinitshonour.Butthatwaslongago,beforetheadventofShatovorVirginsky,when
StepanTrofimovitchwasstilllivinginthesamehousewithVarvaraPetrovna.Forsometime
beforethegreatdayStepanTrofimovitchfellintothehabitofmutteringtohimselfwell
known, though rather farfetched, lines which must have been written by some liberal
landownerofthepast:

Thepeasantwithhisaxeiscoming,

Somethingterriblewillhappen.

Somethingofthatsort,Idon'tremembertheexactwords.VarvaraPetrovnaoverheardhimon
oneoccasion,andcrying,Nonsense,nonsense!shewentoutoftheroominarage.Liputin,
whohappenedtobepresent,observedmalignantlytoStepanTrofimovitch:

It'llbeapityiftheirformerserfsreallydosomemischiefto messieursles landownersto

celebratetheoccasion,andhedrewhisforefingerroundhisthroat.

Cherami, StepanTrofimovitchobserved,believemethatthis(herepeatedthegesture)
willneverbeofanyusetoourlandownersnortoanyofusingeneral.Weshallneverbe
capable of organising anything even without our heads, though our heads hinder our
understandingmorethananything.

Imayobservethatmanypeopleamongusanticipatedthatsomethingextraordinary,suchas
Liputinpredicted,wouldtakeplaceonthedayoftheemancipation,andthosewhoheldthis
viewwerethesocalledauthoritiesonthepeasantryandthegovernment.IbelieveStepan
Trofimovitchsharedthisidea,somuchsothatalmostontheeveofthegreatdayhebegan
askingVarvaraPetrovna'sleavetogoabroad;infacthebegantobeuneasy.Butthegreatday
passed,andsometimepassedafterit,andthecondescendingsmilereappearedonStepan
Trofimovitch'slips.Inourpresencehedeliveredhimselfofsomenoteworthythoughtsonthe
characteroftheRussianingeneral,andtheRussianpeasantinparticular.

Likehastypeoplewehavebeenintoogreatahurrywithourpeasants,hesaidinconclusion
ofaseriesofremarkableutterances.Wehavemadethemthefashion,andawholesectionof
writershaveforseveralyearstreatedthemasthoughtheywerenewlydiscoveredcuriosities.
We have put laurelwreaths on lousy heads. The Russian village has given us only
'Kamarinsky'inathousandyears.AremarkableRussianpoetwhowasalsosomethingofa
wit, seeing the great Rachel on the stage for the first time cried in ecstasy, 'I wouldn't
exchangeRachelforapeasant!'Iampreparedtogofurther.Iwould';giveallthepeasantsin
RussiaforoneRachel.It'shightimetolookthingsinthefacemoresoberly,andnottomixup
ournationalrusticpitchwithbouquetdeI'lmpiratrice.

Liputinagreedatonce,butremarkedthatonehadtoperjureoneselfandpraisethepeasantall
thesameforthesakeofbeingprogressive,thatevenladiesingoodsocietyshedtearsreading
PoorAnton,andthatsomeofthemevenwrotefromParistotheirbailiffsthattheywere,
henceforward,totreatthepeasantsashumanelyaspossible.

Ithappened,andasillluckwouldhaveitjustaftertherumoursoftheAntonPetrovaffairhad
reachedus,thattherewassomedisturbanceinourprovincetoo,onlyabouttenmilesfrom
Skvoreshniki,sothatadetachmentofsoldierswassentdowninahurry.

ThistimeStepanTrofimovitchwassomuchupsetthatheevenfrightenedus.Hecriedoutat
theclubthatmoretroopswereneeded,thattheyoughttobetelegraphedforfromanother
province;herushedofftothegovernortoprotestthathehadnohandinit,beggedhimnotto
allowhisnameonaccountofoldassociationstobebroughtintoit,andofferedtowriteabout
hisprotesttotheproperquarterinPetersburg.Fortunatelyitallpassedoverquicklyand
endedinnothing,butIwassurprisedatStepanTrofimovitchatthetime.

Threeyearslater,aseveryoneknows,peoplewerebeginningtotalkofnationalism,and
publicopinionfirstcameuponthescene.StepanTrofimovitchlaughedagreatdeal.

Myfriends,heinstructedus,ifournationalismhas'dawned'astheykeeprepeatinginthe
papersit'sstillatschool,atsomeGerman'Peterschule,'sittingoveraGermanbookand
repeatingitseverlastingGermanlesson,anditsGermanteacherwillmakeitgodownonits
kneeswhenhethinksfit.IthinkhighlyoftheGermanteacher.Butnothinghashappenedand
nothingofthekindhasdawnedandeverythingisgoingonintheoldway,thatis,asordained
byGod.TomythinkingthatshouldbeenoughforRussia,pournotreSainteRussie.Besides,
allthisSlavismandnationalismistoooldtobenew.Nationalism,ifyoulike,hasnever
existedamongusexceptasadistractionforgentlemen'sclubs,andMoscowonesatthat.I'm
nottalkingofthedaysofIgor,ofcourse.Andbesidesitallcomesofidleness.Everythingin
Russiacomesofidleness,everythinggoodandfineeven.Itallspringsfromthecharming,
cultured,whimsicalidlenessofourgentry!I'mreadytorepeatitforthirtythousandyears.We
don'tknowhowtolivebyourownlabour.Andasforthefussthey'remakingnowaboutthe
'dawn'ofsomesortofpublicopinion,hasitsosuddenlydroppedfromheavenwithoutany
warning?Howisittheydon'tunderstandthatbeforewecanhaveanopinionofourownwe
musthavework,ourownwork,ourowninitiativeinthings,ourownexperience.Nothingis
tobegainedfornothing.Ifweworkweshallhaveanopinionofourown.Butaswenever
shallwork,ouropinionswillbeformedforusbythosewhohavehithertodonethework
insteadofus,thatis,asalways,Europe,theeverlastingGermansourteachersforthelast
two centuries. Moreover, Russia is too big a tangle for us to unravel alone without the
Germans,andwithouthardwork.ForthelasttwentyyearsI'vebeensoundingthealarm,and
thesummonstowork.I'vegivenupmylifetothatappeal,and,inmyfollyIputfaithinit.
NowIhavelostfaithinit,butIsoundthealarmstill,andshallsoundittothe'tomb.Iwill
pullatthebellropesuntiltheytollformyownrequiem!

Alas!Wecoulddonothingbutassent.Weapplaudedourteacherandwithwhatwarmth,
indeed!And,afterall,myfriends,don'twestillheartoday,everyhour,ateverystep,the
gamecharming,clever,liberal,oldRussiannonsense?OurteacherbelievedinGod.

Ican'tunderstandwhytheymakemeoutaninfidelhere,heusedtosaysometimes.I
believeinGod,maisdistinguons,IbelieveinHimasaBeingwhoisconsciousofHimselfin
meonly.IcannotbelieveasmyNastasya(theservant)orlikesomecountrygentlemanwho
believes'tobeonthesafeside,'orlikeourdearShatovbutno,Shatovdoesn'tcomeintoit.
Shitovbelieves'onprinciple,'likeaMoscowSlavophil.asforChristianity,forallmygenuine
respectforit,I'mnotaChristian.Iammoreofanantiquepagan,likethegreatGoethe,orlike
anancientGreek.TheveryfactthatChristianityhasfailedtounderstandwomanisenough,as
GeorgeSandhassosplendidlyshowninoneofhergreat'novels.Asforthebowings,fasting
andalltherestofit,Idon'tunderstandwhattheyhavetodowithme.Howeverbusythe
informersmaybehere,Idon'tcaretobecomeaJesuit.Intheyear1847Byelinsky,whowas
abroad,senthisfamouslettertoGogol,andwarmlyreproachedhimforbelievinginsomesort
ofGod.Entrenoussoitdit,IcanimaginenothingmorecomicthanthemomentwhenGogol
(theGogolofthatperiod!)readthatphrase,and...thewholeletter!Butdismissingthe
humorousaspect,and,asIamfundamentallyinagreement,Ipointtothemandsaythese
weremen!Theyknewhowtolovetheirpeople,theyknewhowtosufferforthem,theyknew
howtosacrificeeverythingforthem,yettheyknewhowtodifferfromthemwhentheyought,
anddidnotfilchcertainideasfromthem.CouldByelinskyhavesoughtsalvationinLenten
oil,orpeaswithradish!...ButatthispointShatovinterposed.

Thosemenofyoursneverlovedthepeople,theydidn'tsufferforthem,anddidn'tsacrifice
anythingforthem,thoughtheymayhaveamusedthemselvesbyimaginingit!hegrowled
sullenly,lookingdown,andmovingimpatientlyinhischair.

Theydidn'tlovethepeople!yelledStepanTrofimovitch.Oh,howtheylovedRussia!

NeitherRussianorthepeople!Shatovyelledtoo.withflashingeyes.Youcan'tlovewhat
youdon'tknowandtheyhadnoconceptionoftheRussianpeople.Allofthempeeredatthe
Russianpeoplethroughtheirfingers,andyoudotoo;Byelinskyespecially:fromthatvery
lettertoGogolonecanseeit.Byelinsky,liketheInquisitiveManinKrylov'sfable,didnot
noticetheelephantinthemuseumofcuriosities,butconcentratedhiswholeattentiononthe
FrenchSocialistbeetles;hedidnotgetbeyondthem.Andyetperhapshewasclevererthan
anyofyou.You'venotonlyoverlookedthepeople,you'vetakenupanattitudeofdisgusting
contemptforthem,ifonlybecauseyoucouldnotimagineanybuttheFrenchpeople,the
Parisiansindeed,andwereashamedthattheRussianswerenotlikethem.That'sthenaked
truth. And he who has no people has no God. You may be sure that all who cease to
understandtheirownpeopleandlosetheirconnectionwiththematoncelosetothesame
extentthefaithoftheirfathers,andbecomeatheisticorindifferent.I'mspeakingthetruth!
Thisisafactwhichwillberealised.That'swhyallofyouandallofusnowareeitherbeastly
atheistsorcareless,dissoluteimbeciles,andnothingmore.Andyoutoo,StepanTrofimovitch,
Idon'tmakeanexceptionofyouatall!Infact,itisonyouraccountIamspeaking,letmetell
youthat!

Asarule,afterutteringsuchmonologues(whichhappenedtohimprettyfrequently)Shatov
snatcheduphiscapandrushedtothedoor,inthefullconvictionthateverythingwasnow
over,andthathehadcutshortallfriendlyrelationswithStepanTrofimovitchforever.But
thelatteralwayssucceededinstoppinghimintime.

Hadn'twebettermakeitup,Shatov,afteralltheseendearments,hewouldsay,benignly
holdingouthishandtohimfromhisarmchair.

Shatov,clumsyandbashful,dislikedsentimentality.Externallyhewasrough,butinwardly,I
believe,hehadgreatdelicacy.Althoughheoftenwenttoofar,hewasthefirsttosufferforit.
Muttering something between his teeth in response to Stepan Trofimovitch's appeal, and
shufflingwithhisfeetlikeabear,hegaveasuddenandunexpectedsmile,putdownhiscap,
andsatdowninthesamechairasbefore,withhiseyesstubbornlyfixedontheground.Wine
was, of course, brought in, and Stepan Trofimovitch proposed some suitable toast, for
instancethememoryofsomeleadingmanofthepast.

CHAPTERII.PRINCEHARRY.MATCHMAKING.

THERE WAS ANOTHER being in the world to whom Varvara Petrovna was as much
attached as she was to Stepan Trofimovitch, her only son, Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch
Stavrogin.ItwastoundertakehiseducationthatStepanTrofimovitchhadbeenengaged.The
boywasatthattimeeightyearsold,andhisfrivolousfather,GeneralStavrogin,wasalready
livingapartfromVarvaraPetrovna,sothatthechildgrewupentirelyinhismother'scare.To
doStepanTrofimovitchjustice,heknewhowtowinhispupil'sheart.Thewholesecretofthis
layinthefactthathewasachildhimself.Iwasnotthereinthosedays,andhecontinuallyfelt
thewantofarealfriend.Hedidnothesitatetomakeafriendofthislittlecreatureassoonas
hehadgrownalittleolder.Itsomehowcametopassquitenaturallythatthereseemedtobe
nodiscrepancyofagebetweenthem.Morethanonceheawakedhistenorelevenyearold
friendatnight,simplytopourouthiswoundedfeelingsandweepbeforehim,ortotellhim
somefamilysecret,withoutrealisingthatthiswasanoutrageousproceeding.Theythrew
themselvesintoeachother'sarmsandwept.Theboyknewthathismotherlovedhimvery
much,butIdoubtwhetherhecaredmuchforher.Shetalkedlittletohimanddidnotoften
interferewithhim,buthewasalwaysmorbidlyconsciousofherintent,searchingeyesfixed
upon him. Yet the mother confided his whole instruction and moral education to Stepan
Trofimovitch.Atthattimeherfaithinhimwasunshaken.Onecan'thelpbelievingthatthe
tutorhadratherabadinfluenceonhispupil'snerves.Whenatsixteenhewastakentoa
lyceum he was fragilelooking and pale, strangely quiet and dreamy. (Later on he was
distinguished by great physical strength.) One must assume too that the friends went on
weeping at night, throwing themselves in each other's arms, though their tears were not
alwaysduetodomesticdifficulties.StepanTrofimovitchsucceededinreachingthedeepest
chordsinhispupil'sheart,andhadarousedinhimavaguesensationofthateternal,sacred
yearningwhichsomeelectsoulscannevergiveupforcheapgratificationwhenoncethey
havetastedandknownit.(Therearesomeconnoisseurswhoprizethisyearningmorethanthe
mostcompletesatisfactionofit,ifsuchwerepossible.)Butinanycaseitwasjustaswellthat
thepupilandthepreceptorwere,thoughnonetoosoon,parted.

Forthefirsttwoyearstheladusedtocomehomefromthelyceumfortheholidays.While
Varvara PetrovnaandStepanTrofimovitchwerestayinginPetersburghewassometimes
presentattheliteraryeveningsathismother's,helistenedandlookedon.Hespokelittle,and
was quiet and shy as before. His manner to Stepan Trofimovitch was as affectionately
attentiveasever,buttherewasashadeofreserveinit.Heunmistakablyavoideddistressing,
loftysubjectsorreminiscencesofthepast.Byhismother'swishheenteredthearmyon
completingtheschoolcourse,andsoonreceivedacommissioninoneofthemostbrilliant
regimentsoftheHorseGuards.Hedidnotcometoshowhimselftohismotherinhisuniform,
andhislettersfromPetersburgbegantobeinfrequent.VarvaraPetrovnasenthimmoney
withoutstint,thoughaftertheemancipationtherevenuefromherestatewassodiminished
thatatfirstherincomewaslessthanhalfwhatithadbeenbefore.Shehad,however,a
considerable sum laid by through years of economy. She took great interest in her son's
successinthehighestPetersburgsociety.Whereshehadfailed,thewealthyyoungofficer
withexpectationssucceeded.Herenewedacquaintanceswhichshehadhardlydaredtodream
of, and was welcomed everywhere with pleasure. But very soon rather strange rumours
reachedVarvaraPetrovna.Theyoungmanhadsuddenlytakentoriotouslivingwithasortof
frenzy.Notthathegambledordranktoomuch;therewasonlytalkofsavagerecklessness,of
runningoverpeopleinthestreetwithhishorses,ofbrutalconducttoaladyofgoodsociety
withwhomhehadaliaisonandwhomheafterwardspubliclyinsulted.Therewasacallous
nastinessaboutthisaffair. It wasadded, too,that he haddevelopedintoaregularbully,
insulting people for the mere pleasure of insulting them. Varvara Petrovna was greatly
agitatedanddistressed.StepanTrofimovitchassuredherthatthiswasonlythefirstriotous
effervescenceofatoorichlyendowednature,thatthestormwouldsubsideandthatthiswas
onlyliketheyouthofPrinceHarry,whocarousedwithFalstaff,Poins,andMrs.Quickly,as
describedbyShakespeare.

ThistimeVarvaraPetrovnadidnotcryout,Nonsense,nonense!asshewasveryapttodo
inlateryearsinresponsetoStepanTrofimovitch.Onthecontraryshelistenedveryeagerly,
askedhimtoexplainthistheorymoreexactly,tookupShakespeareherselfandwithgreat
attentionreadtheimmortalchronicle.Butitdidnotcomforther,andindeedshedidnotfind
theresemblanceverystriking.Withfeverishimpatiencesheawaitedanswerstosomeofher
letters.Shehadnotlongtowaitforthem.ThefatalnewssoonreachedherthatPrinceHarry
hadbeeninvolvedintwoduelsalmostatonce,wasentirelytoblameforbothofthem,had
killedoneofhisadversariesonthespotandhadmaimedtheotherandwasawaitinghistrial
inconsequence.Thecaseendedinhisbeingdegradedtotheranks,deprivedoftherightsofa
nobleman,andtransferredtoaninfantrylineregiment,andheonlyescapedworsepunishment
byspecialfavour.

In1863hesomehowsucceededindistinguishinghimself;hereceivedacross,waspromoted
tobeanoncommissionedofficer,androserapidlytotherankofanofficer.Duringthis
periodVarvaraPetrovnadespatchedperhapshundredsofletterstothecapital,fullofprayers
and supplications. She even stooped to some humiliation in this extremity. After his
promotiontheyoungmansuddenlyresignedhiscommission,buthedidnotcomebackto
Skvoreshnikiagain,andgaveupwritingtohismotheraltogether.Theylearnedbyroundabout
meansthathewasbackinPetersburg,butthathewasnottobemetinthesamesocietyas
before;heseemedtobeinhiding.Theyfoundoutthathewaslivinginstrangecompany,
associatingwiththedregsofthepopulationofPetersburg,withslipshodgovernmentclerks,
discharged military men, beggars of the higherclass, and drunkards of allsortsthat he
visitedtheirfilthyfamilies,spentdaysandnightsindarkslumsandallsortsoflowhaunts,
thathehadsunkverylow,thathewasinrags,andthatapparentlyhelikedit.Hedidnotask
hismotherformoney,hehadhisownlittleestateoncethepropertyofhisfather,General
Stavrogin,whichyieldedatleastsomerevenue,andwhich,itwasreported,hehadlettoa
GermanfromSaxony.Atlasthismotherbesoughthimtocometoher,andPrinceHarry
madehisappearanceinourtown.Ihadneverfeeteyeshimbefore,butnowIgotavery
distinctimpressionofhim.Hewasaveryhandsomeyoungmanoffiveandtwenty,andI
mustownIwasimpressedbyhim.Ihadexpectedtoseeadirtyragamuffin,soddenwithdrink
and debauchery. He was on the contrary, the most elegant gentleman I had ever met'
extremelywelldressed,withanairandmanneronlytobefoundinamanaccustomedto
culture and refinement. I was not the only person surprised. It was a surprise to all the
townspeopletowhom,ofcourse,youngStavrogin'swholebiographywaswellknowninits
minutestdetails,thoughonecouldnotimaginehowtheyhadgotholdofthem,and,whatwas
stillmoresurprising,halfoftheirstoriesabouthimturnedouttobetrue.

Allourladieswerewildoverthenewvisitor.Theyweresharplydividedintotwoparties,one
ofwhichadoredhimwhiletheotherhalfregardedhimwithahatredthatwasalmostblood
thirsty:butbothwerecrazyabouthim.Someofthemwereparticularlyfascinatedbytheidea
thathehadperhapsafatefulsecrethiddeninhissoul;otherswerepositivelydelightedatthe
factthathewasamurderer.Itappearedtoothathehadhadaverygoodeducationandwas
indeed a man of considerable culture. No great acquirements were needed, of course, to
astonishus.Buthecouldjudgealsoofveryinterestingeverydayaffairs,and,whatwasofthe
utmostvalue,hejudgedofthemwithremarkablegoodsense.Imustmentionasapeculiar
factthatalmostfromthefirstdayweallofusthoughthimaverysensiblefellow.Hewasnot
verytalkative,hewaselegantwithoutexaggeration,surprisinglymodest,andatthesametime
boldandselfreliant,asnoneofuswere.Ourdandiesgazedathimwithenvy,andwere
completelyeclipsedbyhim.Hisface,too,impressedme.Hishairwasofapeculiarlyintense
black,hislightcolouredeyeswerepeculiarlylightandcalm,hiscomplexionwaspeculiarly
softandwhite,theredinhischeekswastoobrightandclear,histeethwerelikepearls,and
hislipslikecoralonewouldhavethoughtthathemustbeaparagonofbeauty,yetatthe
sametimethereseemedsomethingrepellentabouthim.Itwassaidthathisfacesuggesteda
mask;somuchwassaidthough,amongotherthingstheytalkedofhisextraordinaryphysical
strength.Hewasrathertall.VarvaraPetrovnalookedathimwithpride,yetwithcontinual
uneasiness.Hespentaboutsixmonthsamonguslistless,quiet,rathermorose.Hemadehis
appearanceinsociety,andwithunfailingproprietyperformedallthedutiesdemandedbyour
provincialetiquette.Hewasrelated,onhisfather'sside,tothegovernor,andwasreceivedby
thelatterasanearkinsman.Butafewmonthspassedandthewildbeastshowedhisclaws.

Imayobservebytheway,inparenthesis,thatIvanOssipovitch,ourdearmildgovernor,was
rather like an old woman, though he was of good family and highly connectedwhich
explainsthefactthatheremainedsolongamongus,thoughhesteadilyavoidedalltheduties
ofhisoffice.Fromhismunificenceandhospitalityheoughtrathertohavebeenamarshalof
nobilityofthegoodolddaysthanagovernorinsuchbusytimesasours.Itwasalwayssaidin
thetownthatitwasnothe,butVarvaraPetrovnawhogovernedtheprovince.Ofcoursethis
wassaidsarcastically;however,itwascertainlyafalsehood.And,indeed,muchwitwas
wastedonthesubjectamongus.Onthecontrary,inlateryears,VarvaraPetrovnapurposely
andconsciouslywithdrewfromanythinglikeapositionofauthority,and,inspiteofthe
extraordinaryrespectinwhichshewasheldbythewholeprovince,voluntarilyconfinedher
influencewithinstrictlimitssetupbyherself.Insteadofthesehigherresponsibilitiesshe
suddenlytookupthemanagementofherestate,and,withintwoorthreeyears,raisedthe
revenuefromitalmosttowhatithadyieldedinthepast.Givingupherformerromantic
impulses(tripstoPetersburg,plansforfoundingamagazine,andsoon)shebegantobe
carefulandtosavemoney.ShekeptevenStepanTrofimovitchatadistance,allowinghimto
takelodgingsinanotherhouse(achangeforwhichhehadlongbeenworryingherunder
variouspretexts).LittlebylittleStepanTrofimovitchbegantocallheraprosaicwoman,or
morejestingly,Myprosaicfriend.Ineedhardlysayheonlyventuredonsuchjestsinan
extremelyrespectfulform,andonrare,andcarefullychosen,occasions.

AllofusinherintimatecirclefeltStepanTrofimovitchmoreacutelythananyofusthat
her son had come to her almost, as it were, as a new hope, and even as a sort of new
aspiration.HerpassionforhersondatedfromthetimeofhissuccessesinPetersburgsociety,
andgrewmoreintensefromthemomentthathewasdegradedinthearmy.Yetshewas
evidentlyafraidofhim,andseemedlikeaslaveinhispresence.Itcouldbeseenthatshewas
afraidofsomethingvagueandmysteriouswhichshecouldnothaveputintowords,andshe
oftenstolesearchingglancesatNicolas,scrutinisinghimreflectively...andbeholdthe
wildbeastsuddenlyshowedhisclaws.

II

Suddenly, apropos of nothing, our prince was guilty of incredible outrages upon various
persons and, what was most striking these outrages were utterly unheard of, quite
inconceivable, unlike anything commonly done, utterly silly and mischievous, quite
unprovokedandobjectless.Oneofthemostrespectedofourclubmembers,onourcommittee
ofmanagement,PyotrPavlovitchGaganov,anelderlymanofhighrankintheservice,had
formedtheinnocenthabitofdeclaringvehementlyonallsortsofoccasions:No,youcan't
leadmebythenose!Well,thereisnoharminthat.Butonedayattheclub,whenhebrought
outthisphraseinconnectionwithsomeheateddiscussioninthemidstofalittlegroupof
members(allpersonsofsomeconsequence)NikolayVsyevolodovitch,whowasstandingon
oneside,aloneandunnoticed,suddenlywentuptoPyotrPavlovitch,tookhimunexpectedly
andfirmlywithtwofingersbythenose,andsucceededinleadinghimtwoorthreesteps
acrosstheroom.HecouldhavehadnogrudgeagainstMr.Gaganov.Itmightbethoughttobe
a mere schoolboy prank, though, of course, a most unpardonable one. Yet, describing it
afterwards,peoplesaidthathelookedalmostdreamyattheveryinstantoftheoperation,as
though he had gone out of his mind, but that was recalled and reflected upon long
afterwards.Intheexcitementofthemomentalltheyrecalledwastheminuteafter,whenhe
certainlysawitallasitreallywas,andfarfrombeingconfusedsmiledgailyandmaliciously
without the slightest regret. There was a terrific outcry; he was surrounded. Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchkept turning round, lookingabout him, answering nobody, and glancing
curiouslyatthepersonsexclaimingaroundhim.Atlastheseemedsuddenly,asitwere,to
sinkintothoughtagainsoatleastitwasreportedfrowned,wentfirmlyuptotheaffronted
PyotrPavlovitch,andwithevidentvexationsaidinarapidmutter:

Youmustforgiveme,ofcourse...Ireallydon'tknowwhatsuddenlycameoverme...it's
silly.

The carelessness of his apology was almost equivalent to a fresh insult. The outcry was
greaterthanever.NikolayVsyevolodovitchshruggedhisshouldersandwentaway.Allthis
wasverystupid,tosaynothingofitsgrossindecency

A calculated and premeditated indecency as it seemed at first sightand therefore a

premeditatedandutterlybrutalinsulttoourwholesociety.Soitwastakentobebyeveryone.
WebeganbypromptlyandunanimouslystrikingyoungStavrogin'snameoffthelistofclub
members. Then it was decided to send an. appeal in the name of the whole club to the
governor,begginghimatonce(withoutwaitingforthecasetobeformallytriedincourt)to
use the administrative power entrusted to him to restrain this dangerous ruffian, this
duellingbullyfromthecapital,andsoprotectthetranquillityofallthegentryofourtown
frominjuriousencroachments.Itwasaddedwithangryresentmentthatalawmightbe
foundtocontrolevenMr.Stavrogin.Thisphrasewaspreparedbywayofathrustatthe
governoronaccountofVarvaraPetrovna.Theyelaborateditwithrelish.Asillluckwould
haveit,thegovernorwasnotinthetownatthetime.Hehadgonetoalittledistancetostand
godfather to the child of a very charming lady, recently left a widow in an interesting
condition.Butitwasknownthathewouldsoonbeback.Inthemeanwhiletheygotupa
regularovationfortherespectedandinsultedgentleman;peopleembracedandkissedhim;
thewholetowncalleduponhim.Itwasevenproposedtogiveasubscriptiondinnerinhis
honour,andtheyonlygaveuptheideaathisearnestrequestreflectingpossiblyatlastthat
themanhad,afterall,beenpulledbythenoseandthatthatwasreallynothingtocongratulate
himupon.Yet,howhadithappened?Howcouldithavehappened?Itisremarkablethatno
oneinthewholetownputdownthissavageacttomadness.Theymusthavebeenpredisposed
toexpectsuchactionsfromNikolayVsyevolodovitch,evenwhenhewassane.FormypartI
don'tknowtothisdayhowtoexplainit,inspiteoftheeventthatquicklyfollowedand
apparentlyexplainedeverything,andconciliatedeveryone.Iwilladdalsothat,fouryears
later, in reply to a discreet question from me about the incident at the club, Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchanswered,frowning:Iwasn'tquitewellatthetime.Butthereisnoneedto
anticipateevents.

Thegeneraloutburstofhatredwithwhicheveryonefellupontheruffianandduellingbully
fromthecapitalalsostruckmeascurious.Theyinsistedonseeinganinsolentdesignand
deliberateintentiontoinsultourwholesocietyatonce.Thetruthwasnoonelikedthefellow,
but,onthecontrary,hehadseteveryoneagainsthimandonewondershow.Uptothelast
incidenthehadneverquarrelledwithanyone,norinsultedanyone,butwasascourteousasa
gentlemaninafashionplate,ifonlythelatterwereabletospeak.Iimaginethathewashated
forhispride.Evenourladies,whohadbegunbyadoringhim,railedagainsthimnow,more
loudly than the men. Varvara Petrovna was dreadfully overwhelmed. She confessed
afterwardstoStepanTrofimovitchthatshehadhadaforebodingofallthislongbefore,that
everydayforthelastsixmonthsshehadbeenexpectingjustsomethingofthatsort,a
remarkableadmissiononthepartofhisownmother.It'sbegun!shethoughttoherselfwith
ashudder.Themorningaftertheincidentattheclubshecautiouslybutfirmlyapproachedthe
subjectwithherson,butthepoorwomanwastremblingalloverinspiteofherfirmness.She
hadnotsleptallnightandevenwentoutearlytoStepanTrofimovitch'slodgingstoaskhis
advice,andshedtearsthere,athingwhichshehadneverbeenknowntodobeforeanyone.
ShelongedforNicolastosaysomethingtoher,todeigntogivesomeexplanation.Nikolay,
whowasalwayssopoliteandrespectfultohismother,listenedtoherforsometimescowling,
butveryseriously.Hesuddenlygotupwithoutsayingaword,kissedherhandandwent
away.Thatveryevening,asthoughbydesign,heperpetratedanotherscandal.Itwasofa
moreharmlessandordinarycharacterthanthefirst.Yet,owingtothestateofthepublicmind,
itincreasedtheoutcryinthetown.

OurfriendLiputinturnedupandcalledonNikolayVsyevolodovitchimmediatelyafterthe
latter'sinterviewwithhismother,andearnestlybeggedforthehonourofhiscompanyata
littlepartyhewasgivingforhiswife'sbirthdaythatevening.VarvaraPetrovnahadlong
watchedwithapangatherheartherson'stasteforsuchlowcompany,butshehadnotdared
tospeakofittohim.HehadmadeseveralacquaintancesbesidesLiputininthethirdrankof
oursociety,andeveninlowerdepthshehadapropensityformakingsuchfriends.Hehad
neverbeeninLiputin'shousebefore,thoughhehadmetthemanhimself.Heguessedthat
Liputin'sinvitationnowwastheconsequenceofthepreviousday'sscandal,andthatasalocal
liberalhewasdelightedatthescandal,genuinelybelievingthatthatwastheproperwayto
treatstewardsattheclub,andthatitwasverywelldone.NikolayVsyevolodovitchsmiled
andpromisedtocome.
Agreatnumberofguestshadassembled.Thecompanywasnotverypresentable,butvery
sprightly. Liputin, vain and envious, only entertained visitors twice a year, but on those
occasions he did it without stint. The most honoured of the invited guests, Stepan
Trofimovitch,waspreventedbyillnessfrombeingpresent.Teawashanded,andtherewere
refreshmentsandvodkainplenty.Cardswereplayedatthreetables,andwhilewaitingfor
suppertheyoungpeoplegotupadance.NikolayVsyevolodovitchledoutMadameLiputin
averyprettylittlewomanwhowasdreadfullyshyofhimtooktwoturnsroundtheroom
withher,satdownbesideher,drewherintoconversationandmadeherlaugh.Noticingatlast
howprettyshewaswhenshelaughed,hesuddenly,beforeallthecompany,seizedherround
thewaistandkissedheronthelipstwoorthreetimeswithgreatrelish.Thepoorfrightened
ladyfainted.NikolayVsyevolodovitchtookhishatandwentuptothehusband,whostood
petrifiedinthemiddleofthegeneralexcitement.Lookingathimhe,too,becameconfused
andmutteringhurriedlyDon'tbeangry,wentaway.Liputinranafterhimintheentry,gave
himhisfurcoatwithhisownhands,andsawhimdownthestairs,bowing.Butnextdaya
rather amusing sequel followed this comparatively harmless pranka sequel from which
Liputingainedsomecredit,andofwhichhetookthefullestpossibleadvantage.

At ten o'clock in the morning Liputin's servant Agafya, an easymannered, lively, rosy
cheekedpeasantwomanofthirty,madeherappearanceatStavrogin'shouse,withamessage
forNikolayVsyevolodovitch.Sheinsistedonseeinghishonourhimself.Hehadaverybad
headache,buthewentout.VarvaraPetrovnasucceededinbeingpresentwhenthemessage
wasgiven.

SergayVassilyevitch(Liputin'sname),Agafyarattledoffbriskly,bademefirstofallgive
youhisrespectfulgreetingsandaskafteryourhealth,whatsortofnightyourhonourspent
afteryesterday'sdoings,andhowyourhonourfeelsnowafteryesterday'sdoings?

NikolayVsyevolodovitchsmiled.

Givehimmygreetingsandthankhim,andtellyourmasterfromme,Agafya,thathe'sthe
mostsensiblemaninthetown.

Andhetoldmetoanswerthat,Agafyacaughthimupstillmorebriskly,thatheknowsthat
withoutyourtellinghim,andwishesyouthesame.

Really!ButhowcouldhetellwhatIshouldsaytoyou?

Ican'tsayinwhatwayhecouldtell,butwhen I hadsetoffandhadgonerightdownthe
street,Iheardsomething,andtherehewas,runningaftermewithouthiscap.Isay,Agafya,
ifbyanychancehesaystoyou,'Tellyourmasterthathehasmoresensethanallthetown,'
youtellhimatonce,don'tforget,'Themasterhimselfknowsthatverywell,andwishesyou
thesame.'

III
Atlasttheinterviewwiththegovernortookplacetoo.Ourdear,mild,IvanOssipovitchhad
onlyjustreturnedandonlyjusthadtimetoheartheangrycomplaintfromtheclub.Therewas
nodoubtthatsomethingmustbedone,buthewastroubled.Thehospitableoldmanseemed
alsoratherafraidofhisyoungkinsman.Hemadeuphismind,however,toinducehimto
apologisetotheclubandtohisvictiminsatisfactoryform,and,ifrequired,byletter,andthen
topersuadehimtoleaveusforatime,travelling,forinstance,toimprovehiemind,inItaly,
or in fact anywhere abroad. In the waitingroom in which on this occasion he received
NikolayVsyevoloctoyitch(whohadbeenatothertimesprivilegedasarelationtowanderall
overthehouseunchecked),AlyoshaTelyatnikov,aclerkofrefinedmanners,whowasalsoa
memberofthegovernor'shousehold,wassittinginacorneropeningenvelopesatatable,and
inthenextroom,atthewindownearesttothedoor,astoutandsturdycolonel,aformerfriend
andcolleagueofthegovernor,wassittingalonereadingthe Oolos, payingnoattention,of
course,towhatwastakingplaceinthewaitingroom;infact,hehadhisbackturned.Ivan
Ossipovitch approached the subject in a roundabout way, almost in a whisper, but kept
gettingalittlemuddled.Nikolaylookedanythingbutcordial,notatallasarelationshould.
Hewaspaleandsatlookingdownandcontinuallymovinghiseyebrowsasthoughtryingto
controlacutepain.

Youhaveakindheartandagenerousone,Nicolas,theoldmanputinamongotherthings,
you'reamanofgreatculture,you'vegrownupinthehighestcircles,andheretooyour
behaviourhashithertobeenamodel,whichhasbeenagreatconsolationtoyourmother,who
is so precious to all of us. ... And now again everything has appeared in such an
unaccountablelight,sodetrimentaltoall!Ispeakasafriendofyourfamily,asanoldman
wholovesyousincerelyandarelation,atwhosewordsyoucannottakeoffence....Tellme,
whatdrivesyoutosuchrecklessproceedingssocontrarytoallacceptedrulesandhabits?
Whatcanbethemeaningofsuchactswhichseemalmostlikeoutbreaksofdelirium?

Nikolaylistenedwithvexationandimpatience.Allatoncetherewasagleamofsomething
slyandmockinginhiseyes.

I'lltellyouwhatdrivesmetoit,hesaidsullenly,andlookingroundhimhebentdownto
Ivan Ossipovitch's ear. The refined Alyosha Telyatnikov moved three steps farther away
towards the window, and the colonel coughed over the Qolos. Poor Ivan Ossipovitch
hurriedlyandtrustfullyinclinedhisear;hewasexceedinglycurious.Andthensomething
utterlyincredible,thoughontheothersideonlytoounmistakable,tookplace.Theoldman
suddenlyfeltthat,insteadoftellinghimsomeinterestingsecret,Nikolayhadseizedtheupper
partofhisearbetweenhisteethandwasnippingitratherhard.Heshuddered,andbreath
failedhim.

Nicolas,thisisbeyondajoke!hemoanedmechanicallyinavoicenothisown.

Alyoshaandthecolonelhadnotyetgraspedthesituation,besidestheycouldn'tsee,and
fancieduptotheendthatthetwowerewhisperingtogether;andyettheoldman'sdesperate
facealarmedthem.Theylookedatoneanotherwithwideopeneyes,notknowingwhetherto
rushtohisassistanceasagreedortowait.Nikolaynoticedthisperhaps,andbittheharder.
Nicolas!Nicolas!hisvictimmoanedagain,come...you'vehadyourjoke,that'senough!

Inanothermomentthepoorgovernorwouldcertainlyhavediedofterror;butthemonsterhad
mercyonhim,andletgohisear.Theoldman'sdeadlyterrorlastedforafullminute,andit
wasfollowedbyasortoffit.WithinhalfanhourNikolaywasarrestedandremovedforthe
timetotheguardroom,wherehewasconfinedinaspecialcell,withaspecialsentinelatthe
door.Thisdecisionwasaharshone,butourmildgovernorwassoangrythathewasprepared
totaketheresponsibilityevenifhehadtofaceVarvaraPetrovna.Tothegeneralamazement,
whenthisladyarrivedatthegovernor'sinhasteandinnervousirritationtodiscussthematter
withhimatonce,shewasrefusedadmittance,whereupon,withoutgettingoutofthecarriage,
shereturnedhome,unabletobelievehersenses.

Andatlasteverythingwasexplained!Attwoo'clockinthemorningtheprisoner,whohadtill
thenbeencalmandhadevenslept,suddenlybecamenoisy,beganfuriouslybeatingonthe
doorwithhisfists,withunnaturalstrengthwrenchedtheirongratingoffthedoor,brokethe
window,andcuthishandsallover.Whentheofficerondutyranwithadetachmentofmen
andthekeysandorderedthecelltobeopenedthattheymightrushinandbindthemaniac,it
appearedthathewassufferingfromacutebrainfever.Hewastakenhometohismother.

Everythingwasexplainedatonce.Allourthreedoctorsgaveitastheiropinionthatthe
patientmightwellhavebeeninadeliriousstateforthreedaysbefore,andthatthoughhe
mighthaveapparentlybeeninpossessionoffullconsciousnessandcunning,yethemight
havebeendeprivedofcommonsenseandwill,whichwasindeedborneoutbythefacts.Soit
turnedoutthatLiputinhadguessedthetruthsoonerthananyone.IvanOssipovitch,whowas
amanofdelicacyandfeeling,wascompletelyabashed.Butwhatwasstrikingwasthathe,
too,hadconsideredNikolayVsyevolodovitchcapableofanymadactionevenwheninthefull
possessionofhisfaculties.Attheclub,too,peoplewereashamedandwonderedhowitwas
theyhadfailedtoseetheelephantandhadmissedtheonlyexplanationofallthesemarvels:
therewere,ofcourse,scepticsamongthem,buttheycouldnotlongmaintaintheirposition.

Nikolay was in bed for more than two months. A famous doctor was summoned from
Moscowforaconsultation;thewholetowncalledonVarvaraPetrovna.Sheforgavethem.
WheninthespringNikolayhadcompletelyrecoveredandassentedwithoutdiscussiontohis
mother'sproposalthatheshouldgoforatourtoItaly,shebeggedhimfurthertopayvisitsof
farewell;toalltheneighbours,andsofaraspossibletoapologisewherenecessary.Nikolay
agreed with great alacrity. It became known at the club that he had had a most delicate
explanation with Pyotr Pavlovitch Gaganov, at the house of the latter, who had been
completelysatisfiedwithhisapology.AshewentroundtopaythesecallsNikolaywasvery
graveandevengloomy.Everyoneappearedtoreceivehimsympathetically,buteverybody
seemedembarrassedandgladthathewasgoingtoItaly.IvanOssipovitchwaspositively
tearful,butwas,forsomereason,unabletobringhimselftoembracehim,evenatthefinal
leavetaking.Itistruethatsomeofusretainedtheconvictionthatthescamphadsimplybeen
makingfunofus,andthattheillnesswasneitherherenorthere.HewenttoseeLiputintoo.

Tellme,hesaid,howcouldyouguessbeforehandwhatIshouldsayaboutyoursenseand
primeAgafyawithananswertoit?

Why,laughedLiputin,itwasbecauseIrecognisedthatyouwereacleverman,andsoI
foresawwhatyouranswerwouldbe.

Anyway,itwasaremarkablecoincidence.But,excuseme,didyouconsidermeasensible
manandnotinsanewhenyousentAgafya?

Forthecleverestandmostrational,andIonlypretendedtobelievethatyouwereinsane....
Andyouguessedatoncewhatwasinmymind,andsentatestimonialtomywitthrough
Agafya.

Well, there you're a little mistaken. I really was . . . unwell . . . muttered Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitch,frowning.Bah!hecried,doyousupposeI'mcapableofattackingpeople
whenI'minmysenses?Whatobjectwouldtherebeinit?

Liputinshranktogetheranddidn'tknowwhattoanswer.Nikolayturnedpaleor,atleast,soit
seemedtoLiputin.

Youhaveaverypeculiarwayoflookingatthings,anyhow,Nikolaywenton,butasfor
Agafya,Iunderstand,ofcourse,thatyousimplysenthertoberudetome.

Icouldn'tchallengeyoutoaduel,couldI?

Oh,no,ofcourse!Iseemtohaveheardthatyou'renotfondofduels....

WhyborrowfromtheFrench?saidLiputin,doubling

upagain.

You'refornationalism,then?

Liputinshrankintohimselfmorethanever.

Ba, ba! What do I see? cried Nicolas, noticing a volume of Considerant in the most
conspicuousplaceonthetable.Youdon'tmeantosayyou'reaFourierist!I'mafraidyou
mustbe!Andisn'tthistooborrowingfromtheFrench?helaughed,tappingthebookwithhis
finger.

No,that'snottakenfromtheFrench,Liputincriedwithpositivefury,jumpingupfromhis
chair.Thatistakenfromtheuniversallanguageofhumanity,notsimplyfromtheFrench.
Fromthelanguageoftheuniversalsocialrepublicandharmonyofmankind,letmetellyou!
NotsimplyfromtheFrench!

Foo!hangitall!There'snosuchlanguage!laughedNikolay.

Sometimesatriflewillcatchtheattentionandexclusivelyabsorbitforatime.MostofwhatI
havetotellofyoungStavroginwillcomelater.ButIwillnotenowasacuriousfactthatofall
theimpressionsmadeonhimbyhisstayinourtown,theonemostsharplyimprintedonhis
memorywastheunsightlyandalmostabjectfigureofthelittleprovincialofficial,thecoarse
and jealous family despot, the miserly moneylender who picked up the candleends and
scrapsleftfromdinner,andwasatthesametimeapassionatebelieverinsomevisionary
futuresocialharmony,whoatnightgloatedinecstasiesoverfantasticpicturesofafuture
phalanstery, in the approaching realisation of which, in Russia, and in our province, he
believedasfirmlyasinhisownexistence.Andthatintheveryplacewherehehadsavedup
tobuyhimselfalittlehome,wherehehadmarriedforthesecondtime,gettingadowry
withhisbride,whereperhaps,forahundredmilesroundtherewasnotoneman,himself
included,whowastheveryleastlikeafuturememberoftheuniversalhumanrepublicand
socialharmony.

Godknowshowthesepeoplecometoexist!Nikolaywondered,recallingsometimesthe
unlookedforFourierist.

IV

Ourprincetravelledforoverthreeyears,sothathewasalmostforgotteninthetown.We
learnedfromStepanTrofimovitchthathehadtravelledalloverEurope,thathehadevenbeen
inEgyptandhadvisitedJerusalem,andthenhadjoinedsomescientificexpeditiontoIceland,
andheactuallydidgotoIceland.Itwasreportedtoothathehadspentonewinterattending
lecturesinaGermanuniversity.Hedidnotwriteoftentohismother,twiceayear,oreven
less,butVarvaraPetrovnawasnotangryoroffendedatthis.Sheacceptedsubmissivelyand
withoutrepiningtherelationsthathadbeenestablishedonceforallbetweenhersonand
herself.ShefrettedforherNicolasanddreamedofhimcontinually.Shekeptherdreams
and lamentations to herself. She seemed to have become less intimate even with Stepan
Trofimovitch.Shewasformingsecretprojects,andseemedtohavebecomemorecareful
aboutmoneythanever.Shewasmorethanevergiventosavingmoneyandbeingangryat
StepanTrofimovitch'slossesatcards.

Atlast,intheAprilofthisyear,shereceivedaletterfromParisfromPraskovyaIvanovna
Drozdov,thewidowofthegeneralandthefriendofVarvaraPetrovna'schildhood.Praskovya
Ivanovna,whomVarvaraPetrovnahadnotseenorcorrespondedwithforeightyears,wrote,
informingherthatNikolayVsyevolodovitchhadbecomeveryintimatewiththemandagreat
friend of her only daughter, Liza, and that he was intending to accompany them to
Switzerland,toVerneyMontreux,thoughinthehouseholdofCountK.(averyinfluential
personageinPetersburg),whowasnowstayinginParis.Hewasreceivedlikeasonofthe
family,sothathealmostlivedatthecount's.Theletterwasbrief,andtheobjectofitwas
perfectly clear, though it contained only a plain statement of the abovementioned facts
withoutdrawinganyinferencesfromthem.VarvaraPetrovnadidnotpauselongtoconsider;
shemadeuphermindinstantly,madeherpreparations,andtakingwithherherprotegee,
Dasha(Shatov'ssister),shesetoffinthemiddleofAprilforParis,andfromtherewentonto
Switzerland.ShereturnedinJuly,alone,leavingDashawiththeDrozdovs.Shebroughtusthe
newsthattheDrozdovsthemselveshadpromisedtoarriveamongusbytheendofAugust.
TheDrozdovs,too,werelandownersofourprovince,buttheofficialdutiesofGeneralIvan
IvanovitchDrozdov(whohadbeenafriendofVarvaraPetrovna'sandacolleagueofher
husband's)hadalwayspreventedthemfromvisitingtheirmagnificentestate.Onthedeathof
thegeneral,whichhadtakenplacetheyearbefore,theinconsolablewidowhadgoneabroad
withherdaughter,partlyinordertotrythegrapecurewhichsheproposedtocarryoutat
VerneyMontreuxduringthelatterhalfofthesummer.OntheirreturntoRussiatheyintended
tosettleinourprovinceforgood.Shehadalargehouseinthetownwhichhadstoodempty
formanyyearswiththewindowsnailedup.Theywerewealthypeople.PraskovyaIvanovna
had been, in her first marriage, a Madame Tushin, and like her schoolfriend, Varvara
Petrovna,wasthedaughterofagovernmentcontractoroftheoldschool,andshetoohadbeen
anheiressathermarriage.Tushin,aretiredcavalrycaptain,wasalsoamanofmeans,andof
someability.AthisdeathheleftasnugfortunetohisonlydaughterLiza,achildofseven.
Now that Lizaveta Nikolaevna was twentytwo her private fortune might confidently be
reckonedat200,000roubles,tosaynothingofthepropertywhichwasboundtocometoher
atthedeathofhermother,whohadnochildrenbyhersecondmarriage.VarvaraPetrovna
seemedtobeverywellsatisfiedwithherexpedition.Inherownopinionshehadsucceededin
comingtoasatisfactoryunderstandingwithPraskovyaIvanovna,andimmediatelyonher
arrivalsheconfidedeverythingtoStepanTrofimovitch.Shewaspositivelyeffusivewithhim
asshehadnotbeenforaverylongtime.

Hurrah!criedStepanTrofimovitch,andsnappedhisfingers.

Hewasinaperfectrapture,especiallyashehadspentthewholetimeofhisfriend'sabsence
inextremedejection.Onsettingoffshehadnoteventakenleaveofhimproperly,andhad
saidnothingofherplantothatoldwoman,dreading,perhaps,thathemightchatteraboutit.
Shewascrosswithhimatthetimeonaccountofaconsiderablegamblingdebtwhichshehad
suddenlydiscovered.ButbeforesheleftSwitzerlandshehadfeltthatonherreturnshemust
makeupforittoherforsakenfriend,especiallyasshehadtreatedhimverycurtlyforalong
timepast.Herabruptandmysteriousdeparturehadmadeaprofoundandpoignantimpression
onthetimidheartofStepanTrofimovitch,andtomakemattersworsehewasbesetwithother
difficultiesatthesametime.Hewasworriedbyaveryconsiderablemoneyobligation,which
had weighed upon him for a long time and which he could never hope to meet without
VarvaraPetrovna'sassistance.Moreover,intheMayofthisyear,thetermofofficeofour
mildandgentleIvanOssipovitchcametoanend.Hewassupersededunderratherunpleasant
circumstances.Then,whileVarvaraPetrovnawasstillaway,therefollowedthearrivalofour
newgovernor,AndreyAntonovitchvonLembke,andwiththatachangebeganatoncetobe
perceptibleinthe attitudeofalmostthe whole ofourprovincialsocietytowardsVarvara
Petrovna,andconsequentlytowardsStepanTrofimovitch.Hehadalreadyhadtimeanywayto
makesomedisagreeablethoughvaluableobservations,andseemedveryapprehensivealone
withoutVarvaraPetrovna.Hehadanagitatingsuspicionthathehadalreadybeenmentioned
tothegovernorasadangerousman.Heknewforafactthatsomeofourladiesmeanttogive
upcallingonVarvaraPetrovna.Ofourgovernor'swife(whowasonlyexpectedtoarrivein
theautumn)itwasreportedthatthoughshewas,soitwasheard,proud,shewasareal
aristocrat,andnotlikethatpoorVarvaraPetrovna.Everybodyseemedtoknowforafact,
andinthegreatestdetail,thatourgovernor'swifeandVarvaraPetrovnahadmetalreadyin
societyandhadpartedenemies,sothatthemerementionofMadamevonLembke'sname
would,' it was said, make a painful impression on Varvara Petrovna. The confident and
triumphantairofVarvaraPetrovna,thecontemptuousindifferencewithwhichsheheardof
theopinionsofourprovincialladiesandtheagitationinlocalsociety,revivedtheflagging
spirits of Stepan Trofimovitch and cheered him up at once. With peculiar, gleefully
obsequioushumour,hewasbeginningtodescribethenewgovernor'sarrival.

Youarenodoubtaware, excellenteamie, hesaid,jauntilyandcoquettishlydrawlinghis

words,whatismeantbyaRussianadministrator,speakinggenerally,andwhatismeantbya
newRussianadministrator,thatisthenewlybaked,newlyestablished... ces interminables
motsRusses! ButIdon'tthinkyoucanknowinpracticewhatismeantbyadministrative
ardour,andwhatsortofthingthatis.

Administrativeardour?Idon'tknowwhatthatis.

Well...Voussavezcheznous...Enunmot, setthemostinsignificantnonentitytosell
miserableticketsatarailwaystation,andthenonentitywillatoncefeelprivilegedtolook
downonyoulikeaJupiter, pourmontrersonpouvoir whenyougototakeaticket.'Now
then,' he says, 'I shall show you my power' . . . and in them it comes to a genuine,
administrativeardour.Enunmot,I'vereadthatsomevergerinoneofourRussianchurches
abroadmaisc'estirescurieuxdrove,literallydroveadistinguishedEnglishfamily, les
damescharmantes, outofthechurchbeforethebeginningoftheLentenservice... vous
savezceschantsetlelivredeJob...onthesimplepretextthat'foreignersarenotallowedto
loafaboutaRussianchurch,andthattheymustcomeatthetimefixed....'Andhesentthem
intofaintingfits....Thatvergerwassufferingfromanattackofadministrativeardour,etila
montresonpouvoir.

Cutitshortifyoucan,StepanTrofimovitch.

Mr.vonLembkeismakingatouroftheprovincenow.Enunmot,thisAndreyAntonovitch,
thoughheisarussifiedGermanandoftheOrthodoxpersuasion,andevenIwillsaythatfor
himaremarkablyhandsomemanofaboutforty...

Whatmakesyouthinkhe'sahandsomeman?Hehaseyeslikeasheep's.

Preciselyso.ButinthisIyield,ofcourse,totheopinionofourladies.

Let'sgeton,StepanTrofimovitch,Ibegyou!Bytheway,you'rewearingarednecktie.Isit
longsinceyou'vetakentoit?

I've...I'veonlyputitontoday.

Anddoyoutakeyourconstitutional?Doyougoforafourmilewalkeverydayasthedoctor
toldyouto?
Nnot...always.

Iknewyoudidn't!IfeltsureofthatwhenIwasinSwitzerland!shecriedirritably.Now
youmustgonotfourbutsixmilesaday!You'vegrownterriblyslack,terribly,terribly!
You'renotsimplygettingold,you'regettingdecrepit....YoushockedmewhenIfirstsaw
youjustnow,inspiteofyourredtie,quelleideerouge!GoonaboutVonLembkeifyou've
reallysomethingtotellme,anddofinishsometime,Ientreatyou,I'mtired.

Enunmot,I onlywantedtosaythatheisoneofthoseadministratorswhobegintohave
power at forty, who, till they're forty, have been stagnating in insignificance and then
suddenly come to the front through suddenly acquiring a wife, or some other equally
desperatemeans....Thatis,hehasgoneawaynow...thatis,Imeantosay,itwasatonce
whispered in both his ears that I am a corrupter of youth, and a hotbed of provincial
atheism....Hebeganmakinginquiriesatonce.

Isthattrue?

Itookstepsaboutit,infact.Whenhewas'informed'thatyou'ruledtheprovince,' vous
savez,heallowedhimselftousetheexpressionthat'thereshallbenothingofthatsortinthe
future.'

Didhesaythat?

That'thereshallbenothingofthesortinfuture,'and,aveccettemorgue....Hiswife,Yulia
Mihailovna,weshallbeholdattheendofAugust,she'scomingstraightfromPetersburg.

Fromabroad.Wemetthere.

Vraiment?"

InParisandinSwitzerland.She'srelatedtotheDrozdovs.

Related!Whatanextraordinarycoincidence!Theysaysheisambitiousand...supposedto
havegreatconnections.

Nonsense!Connectionsindeed!Shewasanoldmaidwithoutafarthingtillshewasfiveand
forty.Butnowshe'shookedherVonLembke,and,ofcourse,herwholeobjectistopushhim
forward.They'rebothintriguers.

Andtheysayshe'stwoyearsolderthanheis?

Five.HermotherusedtowearoutherskirtsonmydoorstepsinMoscow;sheusedtobegfor
aninvitationtoourballsasafavourwhenmyhusbandwasliving.Andthiscreatureusedto
sitallnightaloneinacornerwithoutdancing,withherturquoiseflyonherforehead,sothat
simplyfrompityIusedtohavetosendherherfirstpartnerattwoo'clockinthemorning.She
wasfiveandtwentythen,andtheyusedtorigheroutinshortskirtslikealittlegirl.Itwas
impropertohavethemaboutatlast.

Iseemtoseethatfly.

Itellyou,assoonasIarrivedIwasinthethickofanintrigue.YoureadMadameDrozdov's
letter,ofcourse.Whatcouldbeclearer?WhatdidIfind?ThatfoolPraskovyaherselfshe
alwayswasafoollookedatmeasmuchastoaskwhyI'dcome.Youcanfancyhow
surprisedIwas.Ilookedround,andtherewasthatLembkewomanathertricks,andthat
cousinofhersoldDrozdov'snephewitwasallclear.YoumaybesureIchangedallthat
inatwinkling,andPraskovyaisonmysideagain,butwhatanintrigue

Inwhichyoucameoffvictor,however.Bismarck!

WithoutbeingaBismarckI'mequaltofalsenessandstupiditywhereverImeetit.falseness,
andPraskovya'sfolly.Idon'tknowwhenI'vemetsuchaflabbywoman,andwhat'smoreher
legsareswollen,andshe'sagoodnaturedsimpleton,too.Whatcanbemorefoolishthana
goodnaturedsimpleton?

Aspitefulfool, mabonneamie, aspitefulfoolisstillmorefoolish,StepanTrofimovitch

protestedmagnanimously.

You'reright,perhaps.DoyourememberLiza?

Charmanteenfant!

Butshe'snotan enfant now,butawoman,andawomanofcharacter.She'sagenerous,

passionatecreature,andwhatIlikeabouther,shestandsuptothatconfidingfool,hermother.
Therewasalmostarowoverthatcousin.

Bah,andofcoursehe'snorelationofLizavetaNikolaevna'satall....Hashedesignson
her?

Yousee,he'sayoungofficer,notbyanymeanstalkative,modestinfact.Ialwayswanttobe
just.Ifancyheisopposedtotheintriguehimself,andisn'taimingatanything,anditwasonly
theVonLembke'stricks.HehadagreatrespectforNicolas.Youunderstand,italldependson
Liza.ButIleftheronthebestoftermswithNicolas,andhepromisedhewouldcometousin
November.Soit'sonlytheVonLembkevwhoisintriguing,andPraskovyaisablindwoman.
Shesuddenlytellsmethatallmysuspicionsarefancy.Itoldhertoherfaceshewasafool.I
amreadytorepeatitatthedayofjudgment.Andifithadn'tbeenforNicolasbeggingmeto
leaveitforatime,Iwouldn'thavecomeawaywithoutunmaskingthatfalsewoman.She's
beentryingtoingratiateherselfwithCountK.throughNicolas.Shewantstocomebetween
motherandson.ButLiza'sonourside,andIcametoanunderstandingwithPraskovya.Do
youknowthatKarmazinovisarelationofhers?

What?ArelationofMadamevonLembke?"
Yes,ofhers.Distant.

Karmazinov,thenovelist?

Yes,thewriter.Whydoesitsurpriseyou?Ofcourseheconsidershimselfagreatman.
Stuckupcreature!She'scomingherewithhim.Nowshe'smakingafussofhimoutthere.
She'sgotanotionofsettingupasortofliterarysocietyhere.He'scomingforamonth,he
wantstosellhislastpieceofpropertyhere.IverynearlymethiminSwitzerland,andwas
veryanxiousnotto.ThoughIhopehewilldeigntorecogniseme.Hewroteletterstomein
theolddays,hehasbeeninmyhouse.Ishouldlikeyoutodressbetter,StepanTrofimovitch;
you'regrowingmoreslovenlyeveryday....Oh,howyoutormentme!Whatareyoureading
now?

I...I...

Iunderstand.Thesameasever,friendsanddrinking,theclubandcards,andthereputation
ofanatheist.Idon'tlikethatreputation,StepanTrofimovitch;Idon'tcareforyoutobecalled
anatheist,particularlynow.Ididn'tcareforitinolddays,forit'sallnothingbutempty
chatter.Itmustbesaidatlast.

Mais,machere...

Listen, Stepan Trofimovitch, of course I'm ignorant compared with you on all learned
subjects,butasIwastravellinghereIthoughtagreatdealaboutyou.I'vecometoone
conclusion.

Whatconclusion?

ThatyouandIarenotthewisestpeopleintheworld,butthattherearepeoplewiserthanwe
are.

Wittyandapt.Iftherearepeoplewiserthanweare,thentherearepeoplemorerightthanwe
are,andwemaybemistaken,youmean?Mais,mabonneamie,grantedthatImaymakea
mistake, yet have I not the common, human, eternal, supreme [right of freedom of
conscience?IhavetherightnottobebigotedorsuperstitiousifIdon'twishto,andforthatI
shallnaturallybehatedbycertainpersonstotheendoftime. Elpuis,commeontrouve
toujoursplusdemoinesquederaison,andasIthoroughlyagreewiththat...

What,whatdidyousay?"

Isaid,ontrouve,toujoursplusdemoinesquederaison,andasIthoroughly...

I'msurethat'snotyoursaying.Youmusthavetakenitfromsomewhere.

ItwasPascalsaidthat.
JustasIthought...it'snotyourown.Whydon'tyoueversayanythinglikethatyourself,so
shortlyandtothepoint,insteadofdraggingthingsouttosuchalength?That'smuch,better
thanwhatyousaidjustnowaboutadministrativeardour...

Mafoi,chere... why?InthefirstplaceprobablybecauseI'mnotaPascalafterall, et
puis...secondly,weRussiansnevercansayanythinginourownlanguage....Wenever
havesaidanythinghitherto,atanyrate....

H'm! That's not true, perhaps. Anyway, you'd better make a note of such phrases, and
rememberthem,youknow,incaseyouhavetotalk....Ach,StephanTrofimovitch.Ihave
cometotalktoyouseriously,quiteseriously.

Chere,chereamie!

NowthatalltheseVonLembkesandKarmazinovs...Oh,mygoodness,howyouhave
deteriorated!...Oh,mygoodness,howyoudotormentme!...Ishouldhavelikedthese
peopletofeelarespectforyou,forthey'renotworthyourlittlefingerbutthewayyou
behave!...Whatwilltheysee?WhatshallIhavetoshowthem?Insteadofnoblystandingas
anexample, keeping upthe tradition ofthe past, you surround yourself with a wretched
rabble,youhavepickedupimpossiblehabits,you'vegrownfeeble,youcan'tdowithoutwine
andcards,youreadnothingbutPauldeKock,andwritenothing,whileallofthemwrite;all
yourtime'swastedingossip. Howcanyoubringyourselftobefriendswithawretched
creaturelikeyourinseparableLiputin?

Whyishemineandinseparable1StepanTrofimovitchProtestedtimidly.

Whereishenow?VarvaraPetrovnawenton,sharplyandsternly.

He...hehasaninfiniterespectforyou,andhe'sgonetoSk,toreceiveaninheritance
lefthimbyhismother.

Heseemstodonothingbutgetmoney.Andhow'sShatov?Ishejustthesame?

Irascible,maisbon,

Ican'tendureyourShatov.He'sspitefulandhethinkstoomuchofhimself.

HowisDaryaPavlovna?

You mean Dasha? What made you think of her? Varvara Petrovna looked at him
inquisitively.She'squitewell.IleftherwiththeDrozdovs.Iheardsomethingaboutyourson
inSwitzerland.Nothinggood.

Oh,c'estunhistoirebienbete!Jevousattendais,mabonneamie,pourvousraconter...

Enough,StepanTrofimovitch.Leavemeinpeace.I'mwornout.Weshallhavetimetotalk
toourheart'scontent,especiallyofwhat'sunpleasant.You'vebeguntosplutterwhenyou
laugh,it'sasignofsenility!Andwhatastrangewayoflaughingyou'vetakento!...Good
Heavens,whatalotofbadhabitsyou'vefalleninto!Karmazinovwon'tcomeandseeyou!
Andpeopleareonlytoogladtomakethemostofanythingasitis....You'vebetrayed
yourselfcompletelynow.Well,come,that'senough,that'senough,I'mtired.Youreallymight
havemercyuponone!

StepanTrofimovitchhadmercy,buthewithdrewingreatperturbation.

Ourfriendcertainlyhadfallenintonotafewbadhabits,especiallyoflate.Hehadobviously
andrapidlydeteriorated;anditwastruethathehadbecomeslovenly.Hedrankmoreandhad
becomemoretearfulandnervous;andhadgrowntooimpressionableontheartisticside.His
facehadacquiredastrangefacilityforchangingwithextraordinaryquickness,fromthemost
solemnexpression,forinstance,tothemostabsurd,andevenfoolish.Hecouldnotendure
solitude,andwasalwayscravingforamusement.Onehadalwaystorepeattohimsome
gossip,somelocalanecdote,andeverydayanewone.Ifno;onecametoseehimforalong
timehewandereddisconsolatelyabouttherooms,walkedtothewindow,puckeringuphis
lips, heaved deep sighs, and almost fell to whimpering at last. He was always full of
forebodings,wasafraidofsomethingunexpectedandinevitable;hehadbecometimorous;he
begantopaygreatattentiontohisdreams.

Hespentallthatdayandeveningingreatdepression,hesentforme,wasverymuchagitated,
talkedalongwhile,gavemealongaccountofthings,butallratherdisconnected.Varvara
Petrovnahadknownforalongtimethatheconcealednothingfromme.Itseemedtomeat
lastthathewasworriedaboutsomethingparticular,andwasperhapsunabletoformadefinite
ideaofithimself.Asarulewhenwemetteteateteandhebeganmakinglongcomplaintsto
me,abottlewasalmostalwaysbroughtinafteralittletime,andthingsbecamemuchmore
comfortable. Thistime there was no wine, andhe wasevidentlystruggling allthe while
againstthedesiretosendforit.

Andwhyisshealwayssocross?hecomplainedeveryminute,likeachild.Tows les
hommesdegenieetdeprogresenMussieetaient,sont,etseronttoujoursdesgamblersetdes
drunkardsquiboiventinoutbreaks...andI'mnotsuchagamblerafterall,andI'mnotsucha
drunkard.Shereproachesmefornotwritinganything.Strangeidea!...SheaskswhyIlie
down?ShesaysIoughttostand,'anexampleandreproach.'Mais,entrenoussoitdit,whatis
amantodowhoisdestinedtostandasa'reproach,'ifnottoliedown?Doessheunderstand
that?

Andatlastitbecamecleartomewhatwasthechiefparticulartroublewhichwasworrying
himsopersistentlyatthistime.Manytimesthateveninghewenttothelookingglass,and
stoodalongwhilebeforeit.Atlastheturnedfromthelookingglasstome,andwithasortof
strangedespair,said:Moncher,jesuisun brokendownman.Yes,certainly,uptothat
time,uptothatverydaytherewasonethingonlyofwhichhehadalwaysfeltconfidentin
spiteofthenewviews,andofthechangeinVarvaraPetrovna'sideas,thatwas,the
convictionthatstillhehadafascinationforherfeminineheart,notsimplyasanexileora
celebrated man of learning, but as a handsome man. For twenty years this soothing and
flatteringopinionhadbeenrootedinhismind,andperhapsofallhisconvictionsthiswasthe
hardesttopartwith.Hadheanypresentimentthateveningofthecolossalordealwhichwas
preparingforhimintheimmediatefuture?

VI

Iwillnowenteruponthedescriptionofthatalmostforgottenincidentwithwhichmystory
properlyspeakingbegins.

AtlastattheveryendofAugusttheDrozdovsreturned.Theirarrivalmadeaconsiderable
sensationinlocalsociety,andtookplaceshortlybeforetheirrelation,ournewgovernor's
wife,madeherlongexpectedappearance.ButofalltheseinterestingeventsIwillspeaklater.
ForthepresentIwillconfinemyselftosayingthatPraskovyaIvanovnabroughtVarvara
Petrovna,whowasexpectinghersoimpatiently,amostperplexingproblem:Nikolayhad
partedfromtheminJuly,and,meetingCountK.ontheRhine,hadsetoffwithhimandhis
familyforPetersburg.(N.B.TheCount'sthreedaughterswereallofmarriageableage.)

LizavetaissoproudandobstinatethatIcouldgetnothingoutofher,PraskovyaIvanovna
saidinconclusion.ButIsawformyselfthatsomethinghadhappenedbetweenherand
NikolayVsyevolodovitch.Idon'tknowthereasons,butIfancy,mydearVarvaraPetrovna,
thatyouwillhavetoaskyourDaryaPavlovnaforthem.TomythinkingLizawasoffended.
I'mglad.IcantellyouthatI'vebroughtyoubackyourfavouriteatlastandhandedheroverto
you;it'saweightoffmymind.

These venomous words were uttered with remarkable irritability. It was evident that the
flabby woman had prepared them and gloated beforehand over the effect they would
produce.ButVarvaraPetrovnawasnotthewomantobedisconcertedbysentimentaleffects
andenigmas.Shesternlydemandedthemostpreciseandsatisfactoryexplanations.Praskovya
Ivanovna immediately lowered her tone and even ended by dissolving into tears and
expressions of the warmest friendship. This irritable but sentimental lady, like Stepan
Trofimovitch,wasforeveryearningfortruefriendship,andherchiefcomplaintagainsther
daughterLizavetaMkolaevnawasjustthatherdaughterwasnotafriendtoher.

Butfromallherexplanationsandoutpouringsnothingcertaincouldbegatheredbutthatthere
actuallyhadbeensomesortofquarrelbetweenLizaandNikolay,butofthenatureofthe
quarrel Praskovya Ivanovna was obviously unable to form a definite idea. As for her
imputationsagainstDaryaPavlovna,shenotonlywithdrewthemcompletelyintheend,but
evenparticularlybeggedVarvaraPetrovnatopaynoattentiontoherwords,becausethey
hadbeensaidinirritation.Infact,ithadallbeenleftveryfarfromclearsuspicious,indeed.
AccordingtoheraccountthequarrelhadarisenfromLiza'sobstinateandironicalcharacter.
''NikolayVsyevolodovitchisproud,too,andthoughhewasverymuchinlove,yethecould
not endure sarcasm, and began to be sarcastic himself. Soon afterwards we made the
acquaintanceofayoungman,thenephew,Ibelieve,ofyour'Professor'and,indeed,the
surname'sthesame.

Theson,notthenephew,VarvaraPetrovnacorrectedher.

EveninolddaysPraskovyaIvanovnahadbeenalwaysunabletorecallStepanTrofimovitch's
name,andhadalwayscalledhimtheProfessor.

Well,hisson,then;somuchthebetter.Ofcourse,it'sallthesametome.Anordinaryyoung
man,verylivelyandfreeinhismanners,butnothingspecialinhim.Well,then,Lizaherself
did wrong, she made friends with the young man with the idea of making Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchjealous.Idon'tseemuchharminthat;it'sthewayofgirls,quiteusual,even
charminginthem.OnlyinsteadofbeingjealousNikolayVsyevolodovitchmadefriendswith
theyoungmanhimself,justasthoughhesawnothinganddidn'tcare.ThismadeLizafurious.
Theyoungmansoonwentaway(hewasinagreathurrytogetsomewhere)andLizatookto
pickingquarrelswithNikolayVsyevolodovitchateveryopportunity.Shenoticedthatheused
sometimestotalktoDasha;and,well,shegotinsuchafranticstatethatevenmylifewasn't
worthliving,mydear.Thedoctorshaveforbiddenmybeingirritated,andIwassosickof
theirlaketheymakesuchafussabout,itsimplygavemetoothache,Ihadsuchrheumatism.
It'sstatedinprintthattheLakeofGenevadoesgivepeoplethetoothache.It'safeatureofthe
place.ThenNikolayVsyevolodovitchsuddenlygotaletterfromthecountessandheleftusat
once.Hepackedupinoneday.Theypartedinafriendlyway,andLizabecameverycheerful
andfrivolous,andlaughedagreatdealseeinghimoff;onlythatwasallputon.Whenhehad
goneshebecameverythoughtful,andshegaveupspeakingofhimaltogetherandwouldn'tlet
mementionhisname.AndIshouldadviseyou,dearVarvaraPetrovna,nottoapproachthe
subjectwithLiza,you'llonlydoharm.Butifyouholdyourtongueshe'llbegintotalkofit
herself,andthenyou'lllearnmore.Ibelievethey'llcometogetheragain,ifonlyNikolay
Vsyevolodovitchdoesn'tputoffcoming,ashepromised.

I'llwritetohimatonce.Ifthat'showitwas,therewasnothinginthequarrel;allnonsense!
AndIknowDaryatoowell.It'snonsense!

I'm sorry for what I said about Dashenka, I did wrong. Their conversations were quite
ordinaryandtheytalkedoutloud,too.Butitallupsetmesomuchatthetime,mydear.And
Liza,Isaw,gotonwithheragainasaffectionatelyasbefore....

ThatverydayVarvaraPetrovnawrotetoNikolay,andbeggedhimtocome,ifonlyone
month, earlierthanthe date he hadfixed.Butyetshe stillfeltthat therewassomething
unexplainedandobscureinthematter.Sheponderedoveritalltheeveningandallnight.
Praskovya'sopinionseemedtohertooinnocentandsentimental.Praskovyahasalwaysbeen
toosentimentalfromtheoldschooldaysupwards,shereflected.Nicolasisnotthemanto
runawayfromagirl'staunts.There'ssomeotherreasonforit,iftherereallyhasbeenabreach
betweenthem.Thatofficer'sherethough,they'vebroughthimwiththem.Asarelationhe
livesintheirhouse.And,asforDarya,Praskovyawasintoomuchhastetoapologise.She
musthavekeptsomethingtoherself,whichshewouldn'ttellme.
BythemorningVarvaraPetrovnahadmaturedaprojectforputtingastoponceforalltoone
misunderstandingatleast;aprojectamazinginitsunexpectedness.Whatwasinherheart
when she conceived it? It would be hard to decide and I will not undertake to explain
beforehand all the incongruities of which it was made up. I simply confine myself as
chroniclertorecordingeventspreciselyastheyhappened,anditisnotmyfaultiftheyseem
incredible.YetImustoncemoretestifythatbythemorningtherewasnottheleastsuspicion
ofDashaleftinVarvaraPetrovna'smind,thoughinrealitythereneverhadbeenanyshehad
toomuchconfidenceinher.Besides,shecouldnotadmittheideathatNicolascouldbe
attractedbyherDarya.NextmorningwhenDaryaPavlovnawaspouringoutteaatthetable
VarvaraPetrovnalookedforalongwhileintentlyatherand,perhapsforthetwentiethtime
sincethepreviousday,repeatedtoherself:It'sallnonsense!

AllshenoticedwasthatDashalookedrathertired,andthatshewasevenquieterandmore
apatheticthansheusedtobe.Aftertheirmorningtea,accordingtotheirinvariablecustom,
theysatdowntoneedlework.VarvaraPetrovnademandedfromherafullaccountofher
impressionsabroad,especiallyofnature,oftheinhabitants,ofthetowns,thecustoms,their
artsandcommerceofeverythingshehadtimetoobserve.Sheaskednoquestionsaboutthe
Drozdovs or how she had got on with them. Dasha, sitting beside her at the worktable
helpingherwiththeembroidery,talkedforhalfanhourinhereven,monotonous,butrather
weakvoice.

Darya!VarvaraPetrovnainterruptedsuddenly,istherenothingspecialyouwanttotell
me?

No,nothing,saidDasha,afteramoment'sthought,andsheglancedatVarvaraPetrovna
withherlightcolouredeyes.

Nothingonyoursoul,onyourheart,oryourconscience?

Nothing,Dasharepeated,quietly,butwithasortofsullenfirmness.

Iknewtherewasn't!Believeme,Darya,Ishallneverdoubtyou.Nowsitstillandlisten.In
frontofme,onthatchair.Iwanttoseethewholeofyou.That'sright.Listen,doyouwantto
bemarried?

Dasharespondedwithalong,inquiring,butnotgreatlyastonishedlook.

Stay,holdyourtongue.Inthefirstplacethereisaverygreatdifferenceinage,butofcourse
youknowbetterthananyonewhatnonsensethatis.You'reasensiblegirl,andtheremustbe
nomistakesinyourlife.Besides,he'sstillahandsomeman...Inshort,StepanTrofimovitch,
forwhomyouhavealwayshadsucharespect.Well?

Dashalookedatherstillmoreinquiringly,andthistimenotsimplywithsurprise;sheblushed
perceptibly.

Stay,holdyourtongue,don'tbeinahurry!Thoughyouwillhavemoneyundermywill,yet
whenIdie,whatwillbecomeofyou,evenifyouhavemoney?You'llbedeceivedandrobbed
ofyourmoney,you'llbelostinfact.Butmarriedtohimyou'rethewifeofadistinguished
man.Lookathimontheotherhand.ThoughI'veprovidedforhim,ifIdiewhatwillbecome
ofhimIButIcouldtrusthimtoyou.Stay,I'venotfinished.He'sfrivolous,shillyshally,
cruel,egoistic,hehaslowhabits.Butmindyouthinkhighlyofhim,inthefirstplacebecause
therearemanyworse.Idon'twanttogetyouoffmyhandsbymarryingyoutoarascal,you
don'timagineanythingofthatsort,doyou?And,aboveall,becauseIaskyou,you'llthink
highlyofhim,

Shebrokeoffsuddenlyandirritably.Doyouhear?Whywon'tyousaysomething?

Dashastilllistenedanddidnotspeak.

Stay,waitalittle.He'sanoldwoman,butyouknow,that'sallthebetterforyou.Besides,
he'sapatheticoldwoman.Hedoesn'tdeservetobelovedbyawomanatall,buthedeserves
tobelovedforhishelplessness,andyoumustlovehimforhishelplessness.Youunderstand
me,don'tyou?Doyouunderstandme?

Dashanoddedherheadaffirmatively.

Iknewyouwould.Iexpectedasmuchofyou.Hewillloveyoubecauseheought,heought;
he ought to adore you. Varvara Petrovna almost shrieked with peculiar exasperation.
Besides,hewillbeinlovewithyouwithoutanyoughtaboutit.Iknowhim.Andanother
thing,Ishallalwaysbehere.YoumaybesureIshallalwaysbehere.Hewillcomplainof
you,he'llbegintosaythingsagainstyoubehindyourback,he'llwhisperthingsagainstyouto
anystraypersonhemeets,he'llbeforeverwhiningandwhining;he'llwriteyoulettersfrom
oneroomtoanother,twoaday,buthewon'tbeabletogetonwithoutyouallthesame,and
that'sthechiefthing.Makehimobeyyou.Ifyoucan'tmakehimyou'llbeafool.He'llwantto
hanghimselfandthreaten,todon'tyoubelieveit.It'snothingbutnonsense.Don'tbelieveit;
butstillkeepasharplookout,younevercantell,andonedayhemayhanghimself.Itdoes
happen withpeople like that. It's not throughstrengthof will but through weakness that
peoplehangthemselves,andsoneverdrivehimtoanextreme,that'sthefirstruleinmarried
life.Remember,too,thathe'sapoet.Listen,Dasha,there'snogreaterhappinessthanself
sacrifice.Andbesides,you'llbegivingmegreatsatisfactionandthat'sthechiefthing.Don't
thinkI'vebeentalkingnonsense.IunderstandwhatI'msaying.I'manegoist,youbeanegoist,
too.OfcourseI'mnotforcingyou.It'sentirelyforyoutodecide.Asyousay,soitshallbe.
Well,what'sthegoodofsittinglikethis.Speak!

Idon'tmind,VarvaraPetrovna,ifIreallymustbemarried,saidDashafirmly.

Must?Whatareyouhintingat?VarvaraPetrovnalookedsternlyandintentlyather.

Dashawassilent,pickingatherembroiderycanvaswithherneedle.

Thoughyou'reaclevergirl,you'retalkingnonsense;thoughitistruethatIhavecertainlyset
myheartonmarryingyou,yetit'snotbecauseit'snecessary,butsimplybecausetheideahas
occurredtome,andonlytoStepanTrofimovitch.IfithadnotbeenforStepanTrofimovitch,I
shouldnothavethoughtofmarryingyouyet,thoughyouaretwenty....Well?

I'lldoasyouwish,VarvaraPetrovna.

Thenyouconsent!Stay,bequiet.Whyareyouinsuchahurry?Ihaven'tfinished.Inmywill
I'veleftyoufifteenthousandroubles.I'llgiveyouthatatonce,onyourweddingday.You
willgiveeightthousandofittohim;thatis,nottohimbuttome.Hehasadebtofeight
thousand.I'llpayit,buthemustknowthatitisdonewithyourmoney.You'llhaveseven
thousandleftinyourhands.Neverlethimtouchafarthingofit.Don'tpayhisdebtsever.If
onceyoupaythem,you'llneverbefreeofthem.Besides,Ishallalwaysbehere.Youshall
havetwelvehundredroublesayearfromme,withextras,fifteenhundred,besidesboardand
lodging,whichshallbeatmyexpense,justashehasitnow.Onlyyoumustsetupyourown
servants.Youryearlyallowanceshallbepaidtoyouallatoncestraightintoyourhands.But
bekind,andsometimesgivehimsomething,andlethisfriendscometoseehimonceaweek,
butiftheycomemoreoften,turnthemout.ButIshallbehere,too.AndifIdie,yourpension
willgoontillhisdeath,doyouhear,tillhisdeath,forit'shispension,notyours.Andbesides
theseventhousandyou'llhavenow,whichyououghttokeepuntouchedifyou'renotfoolish,
I'llleaveyouanothereightthousandinmywill.Andyou'llgetnothingmorethanthatfrom
me,it'srightthatyoushouldknowit.Come,youconsent,eh?Willyousaysomethingat
last?

Ihavetoldyoualready,VarvaraPetrovna.

Rememberthatyou'refreetodecide.Asyoulike,soitshallbe.

Then,mayIask,VarvaraPetrovna,hasStepanTrofimovitchsaidanythingyet?

No,hehasn'tsaidanything,hedoesn'tknow...buthewillspeakdirectly.

Shejumpedupatonceandthrewonablackshawl.Dashaflushedalittleagain,andwatched
herwithquestioningeyes.VarvaraPetrovnaturnedsuddenlytoherwithafaceflamingwith
anger.

You'reafool!Sheswoopeddownonherlikeahawk.Anungratefulfool!What'sinyour
mind?CanyouimaginethatI'dcompromiseyou,inanyway,inthesmallestdegree.Why,he
shallcrawlonhiskneestoaskyou,hemustbedyingofhappiness,that'showitshallbe
arranged.Why,youknowthatI'dneverletyousuffer.Ordoyousupposehe'lltakeyoufor
thesakeofthateightthousand,andthatI'mhurryingofftosellyou?You'reafool,afool!
You'reallungratefulfools.Givememyumbrella!

And she flewoff to walkbythe wet brickpavements andthe woodenplanks to Stepan

Trofimovitch's.

VII
ItwastruethatshewouldneverhaveletDashasuffer;onthecontrary,sheconsiderednow
thatshewasactingasherbenefactress.Themostgenerousandlegitimateindignationwas
glowinginhersoul,when,assheputonhershawl,shecaughtfixeduponhertheembarrassed
andmistrustfuleyesofherprotegee.Shehadgenuinelylovedthegirlfromherchildhood
upwards.PraskovyaIvanovnahadwithjusticecalledDaryaPavlovnaherfavourite.Longago
VarvaraPetrovnahadmadeuphermindonceforallthatDarya'sdispositionwasnotlikeher
brother's(not,thatis,likeIvanShatov's),thatshewasquietandgentle,andcapableofgreat
selfsacrifice; that she was distinguished by a power of devotion, unusual modesty, rare
reasonableness,and,aboveall,bygratitude.TillthattimeDashahad,toallappearances,
completelyjustifiedherexpectations.

Inthatlifetherewillbenomistakes,saidVarvaraPetrovnawhenthegirlwasonlytwelve
yearsold,andasitwascharacteristicofhertoattachherselfdoggedlyandpassionatelytoany
dreamthatfascinatedher,anynewdesign,anyideathatstruckherasnoble,shemadeupher
mindatoncetoeducateDashaasthoughshewereherowndaughter.Sheatoncesetasidea
sumofmoneyforher,andsentforagoverness,MissCriggs,wholivedwiththemuntilthe
girlwassixteen,butshewasforsomereasonsuddenlydismissed.Teacherscameforherfrom
theHighSchool,amongthemarealFrenchman,whotaughtDashaFrench.He,too,was
suddenlydismissed,almostturnedoutofthehouse.Apoorlady,awidowofgoodfamily,
taughthertoplaythepiano.YetherchieftutorwasStepanTrofimovitch.

InrealityhefirstdiscoveredDasha.HebeganteachingthequietchildevenbeforeVarvara
Petrovnahadbeguntothinkabouther.Irepeatagain,itwaswonderfulhowchildrentookto
him.LizavetaNikolaevnaTushinhadbeentaughtbyhimfromtheageofeighttilleleven
(StepanTrofimovitchtooknofees,ofcourse,forhislessons,andwouldnotonanyaccount
havetakenpaymentfromtheDrozdovs).Buthefellinlovewiththecharmingchildandused
totellherpoemsofasortaboutthecreationoftheworld,abouttheearth,andthehistoryof
humanity.Hislecturesabouttheprimitivepeoplesandprimitivemanweremoreinteresting
thantheArabianNights.Liza,whowasecstaticoverthesestories,usedtomimicStepan
Trofimovitchveryfunnilyathome.Heheardofthisandoncepeepedinonherunawares.
Liza, overcome with confusion, flung herself into his arms and shed tears; Stepan
Trofimovitchwepttoowithdelight.ButLizasoonafterwentaway,andonlyDashawasleft.
WhenDashabegantohaveotherteachers,StepanTrofimovitchgaveuphislessonswithher,
andbydegreesleftoffnoticingher.Thingswentonlikethisforalongtime.Oncewhenshe
wasseventeenhewasstruckbyherprettiness.IthappenedatVarvaraPetrovna'stable.He
begantotalktotheyounggirl,wasmuchpleasedwithheranswers,andendedbyofferingto
giveheraseriousandcomprehensivecourseoflessonsonthehistoryofRussianliterature.
VarvaraPetrovnaapproved,andthankedhimforhisexcellentidea,andDashawasdelighted.
StepanTrofimovitchproceededtomakespecialpreparationsforthelectures,andatlastthey
began.Theybeganwiththemostancientperiod.Thefirstlecturewentoffenchantingly.
VarvaraPetrovnawaspresent.WhenStepanTrofimovitchhadfinished,andashewasgoing
informedhispupilthatthenexttimehewoulddealwithTheStoryoftheExpeditionof
Igor,VarvaraPetrovnasuddenlygotupandannouncedthattherewouldbenomorelessons.
StepanTrofimovitchwinced,butsaidnothing,andDashaflushedcrimson.Itputastoptothe
scheme,however.ThishadhappenedjustthreeyearsbeforeVarvaraPetrovna'sunexpected
fancy.

PoorStepanTrofimovitchwassittingalonefreefromallmisgivings.Plungedinmournful
reverieshehadforsometimebeenlookingoutofthewindowtoseewhetheranyofhis
friendswerecoining.Butnobodywouldcome.Itwasdrizzling.Itwasturningcold,hewould
havetohavethestoveheated.Hesighed.Suddenlyaterribleapparitionflasheduponhiseyes:

VarvaraPetrovnainsuchweatherandatsuchanunexpectedhourtoseehim!Andonfoot!
Hewassoastoundedthatheforgottoputonhiscoat,andreceivedherashewas,inhis
everlastingpinkwaddeddressingjacket.

Mabonneamie!hecriedfaintly,togreether.You'realone;I'mglad;Ican'tendureyour
friends. How you do smoke! Heavens, what an atmosphere! You haven't finished your
morningteaandit'snearlytwelveo'clock.It'syourideaofblissdisorder!Youtakepleasure
indirt.What'sthattornpaperonthefloor?Nastasya,Nastasya!WhatisyourNastasyaabout?
Openthewindow,thecasement,thedoors,flingeverythingwideopen.Andwe'llgointothe
drawingroom.I'vecometoyouonamatterofimportance.Andyousweepup,mygood
woman,foronceinyourlife.

Theymakesuchamuck!Nastasyawhinedinavoiceofplaintiveexasperation.

Well,youmustsweep,sweepitupfifteentimesaday!You'veawretcheddrawingroom
(whentheyhadgoneintothedrawingroom).Shutthedoorproperly.She'llbelistening.You
musthaveitrepapered.Didn'tIsendapaperhangertoyouwithpatterns?Whydidn'tyou
chooseone?Sitdown,andlisten.Dositdown,Ibegyou.Whereareyouoffto?Whereare
youofftoIWhereareyouoffto?

I'llbebackdirectly,StepanTrofimovitchcriedfromthenextroom.Here,Iamagain.

Ah,you'vechangedyourcoat.Shescannedhimmockingly.(Hehadflunghiscoatonover
thedressingjacket.)Well,certainlythat'smoresuitedtooursubject.Dositdown,Ientreat
you.

Shetoldhimeverythingatonce,abruptlyandimpressivelyShehintedattheeightthousandof
whichhestoodinsuchterribleneed.Shetoldhimindetailofthedowry.StepanTrofimovitch
sattrembling,openinghiseyeswiderandwider.Hehearditall,buthecouldnotrealiseit
clearly.Hetriedtospeak,buthisvoicekeptbreaking.Allheknewwasthateverythingwould
beasshesaid,thattoprotestandrefusetoagreewouldbeuseless,andthathewasamarried
manirrevocably.

Mais,mabonneamie!... forthethirdtime,andatmyage...andtosuchachild.He
broughtoutatlast,"Mais,c'estuneenfant!

Achildwhoistwentyyearsold,thankGod.Pleasedon'trollyoureyes,Ientreatyou,you're
notonthestage.You'reverycleverandlearned,butyouknownothingatallaboutlife.You
willalwayswantanursetolookafteryou.Ishalldie,andwhatwillbecomeofyou?Shewill
beagoodnursetoyou;she'samodestgirl,strongwilled,reasonable;besides,Ishallbehere
too,Ishan'tdiedirectly.She'sfondofhome,she'sanangelofgentleness.Thishappythought
cametomeinSwitzerland.DoyouunderstandifItellyoumyselfthatsheisanangelof
gentleness!shescreamedwithsuddenfury.Yourhouseisdirty,shewillbringinorder,
cleanliness.Everythingwillshinelikeamirror.Goodgracious,doyouexpectmetogoonmy
kneestoyouwithsuchatreasure,toenumeratealltheadvantages,tocourtyou!Why,you
oughttobeonyourknees....Oh,youshallow,shallow,faintheartedman!

But...I'manoldman!

Whatdoyourfiftythreeyearsmatter!Fiftyisthemiddleoflife,nottheendofit.Youarea
handsomemanandyouknowityourself.Youknow,too,whatarespectshehasforyou.IfI
die,whatwillbecomeofher?Butmarriedtoyoushe'llbeatpeace,andIshallbeatpeace.
Youhaverenown,aname,alovingheart.YoureceiveapensionwhichIlookuponasan
obligation.Youwillsaveherperhaps,youwillsaveher!Inanycaseyouwillbedoingheran
honour.Youwillformherforlife,youwilldevelopherheart,youwilldirectherideas.How
manypeoplecometogriefnowadaysbecausetheirideasarewronglydirected.Bythattime
yourbookwillbeready,andyouwillatoncesetpeopletalkingaboutyouagain.

Iam,infact,hemuttered,atonceflatteredbyVarvaraPetrovna'sadroitinsinuations.Iwas
justpreparingtositdowntomy'TalesfromSpanishHistory.'

Well,thereyouare.It'sjustcomeright.

But...she?Haveyouspokentoher?

Don'tworryabouther.Andthere'snoneedforyoutobeinquisitive.Ofcourse,youmustask
heryourself,entreathertodoyouthehonour,youunderstand?Butdon'tbeuneasy.Ishallbe
here.Besides,youloveher.''

StepanTrofimovitchfeltgiddy.Thewallsweregoinground.Therewasoneterribleidea
underlyingthistowhichhecould

notreconcilehimself.

Excellenteamiehisvoicequiveredsuddenly.Icouldneverhaveconceivedthatyouwould
makeupyourmindtogivemeinmarriagetoanother...woman.

You'renotagirl,StepanTrofimovitch.Onlygirlsaregiveninmarriage.Yonaretakinga
wife,VarvaraPetrovnahissedmalignantly.

Oui,j'aiprisunmotpourunautre.Maisc'estegal.Hegazedatherwithahopelessair.

Iseethate'estegal,shemutteredcontemptuouslythroughherteeth.Goodheavens!Why
he'sgoingtofaint.Nastasya,Nastasya,water!
Butwaterwasnotneeded.Hecametohimself.VarvaraPetrovnatookupherumbrella.

Iseeit'snousetalkingtoyounow....

Oui,oui,jesuisincapable.

Batbytomorrowyou'llhaverestedandthoughtitover.Stayathome.Ifanythinghappens
letmeknow,evenifit'satnight.Don'twriteletters,Ishan'treadthem.TomorrowI'llcome
againatthistimealone,forafinalanswer,andItrustitwillbesatisfactory.Trytohave
nobodyhereandnountidiness,fortheplaceisn'tfittobeseen.Nastasya,Nastasya!

Thenextday,ofcourse,heconsented,and,indeed,hecoulddonothingelse.Therewasone
circumstance...

VIII

StepanTrofimovitch'sestate,asweusedtocallit(whichconsistedoffiftysouls,reckoningin
theoldfashion,andborderedonSkvoreshniki),wasnotreallyhisatall,buthisfirstwife's,
andsobelongednowtohissonPyotrStepanovitchVerhovensky.StepanTrofimovitchwas
simplyhistrustee,andso,whenthenestlingwasfullfledged,hehadgivenhisfatheraformal
authorisationtomanagetheestate.Thistransactionwasaprofitableonefortheyoungman.
Hereceivedasmuchasathousandroublesayearbywayofrevenuefromtheestate,though
underthenewregimeitcouldnothaveyieldedmorethanfivehundred,andpossiblynotthat.
Godknowshowsuchanarrangementhadarisen.Thewholesum,however,wassentthe
youngmanbyVarvaraPetrovna,andStepanTrofimovitchhadnothingtodowithasingle
roubleofit.Ontheotherhand,thewholerevenuefromthelandremainedinhispocket,and
hehad,besides,completelyruinedtheestate,lettingittoamercenaryrogue,andwithoutthe
knowledgeofVarvaraPetrovnasellingthetimberwhichgavetheestateitschiefvalue.He
hadsometimebeforehesoldthewoodsbitbybit.Itwasworthatleasteightthousand,yethe
hadonlyreceivedfivethousandforit.Buthesometimeslosttoomuchattheclub,andwas
afraidtoaskVarvaraPetrovnaforthemoney.Sheclenchedherteethwhensheheardatlastof
everything.Andnow,allatonce,hissonannouncedthathewascominghimselftosellhis
propertyforwhathecouldgetforit,andcommissionedhisfathertotakestepspromptlyto
arrangethesale.ItwasclearthatStepanTrofimovitch,beingagenerousanddisinterested
man,feltashamedofhistreatmentofcecherenfant(whomhehadseenforthelasttimenine
yearsbeforeasastudentinPetersburg).Theestatemightoriginallyhavebeenworththirteen
Orfourteenthousand.Nowitwasdoubtfulwhetheranyonewouldgivefiveforit.Nodoubt
StepanTrofimovitchwasfullyentitledbythetermsofthetrusttosellthewood,andtaking
intoaccounttheincrediblylargeyearlyrevenueofathousandroubleswhichhadbeensent
punctuallyforsomanyyears,hecouldhaveputupagooddefenceofhismanagement.But
StepanTrofimovitchwasagenerousmanofexaltedimpulses.Awonderfullyfineinspiration
occurredtohismind:whenPetrushareturned,tolayonthetablebeforehimthemaximum
priceoffifteenthousandroubleswithoutahintatthesumsthathadbeensenthimhitherto,
andwarmlyandwithtearstopress cecherfils tohisheart,andsotomakeanendofall
accounts between them. He began cautiously and indirectly unfolding this picture before
VarvaraPetrovna.Hehintedthatthiswouldaddapeculiarlynoblenotetotheirfriendship...
totheiridea. Thiswouldset theparentsofthelast generationandpeopleofthelast
generationgenerallyinsuchadisinterestedandmagnanimouslightincomparisonwiththe
newfrivolousandsocialisticyoungergeneration.Hesaidagreatdealmore,butVarvara
Petrovnawasobstinatelysilent.Atlastsheinformedhimairilythatshewaspreparedtobuy
theirestate,andtopayforitthemaximumprice,thatis,sixorseventhousand(thoughfour
wouldhavebeenafairpriceforit).Oftheremainingeightthousandwhichhadvanishedwith
thewoodsshesaidnotaword.

This conversation took place a month before the match was proposed to him. Stepan
Trofimovitchwasoverwhelmed,andbegantoponder.Theremightinthepasthavebeena
hopethathissoftwouldnotcome,afterallanoutsider,thatistosay,mighthavehopedso.
StepanTrofimovitchasafatherwould;haveindignantlyrejectedtheinsinuationthathecould
entertainsuchahope.AnywayqueerrumourshadhithertobeenreachingusaboutPetrusha.
Tobeginwith,oncompletinghisstudiesattheuniversitysixyearsbefore,hehadhungabout
in Petersburgwithout gettingwork. Suddenly we got the news that he had taken part in
issuingsomeanonymousmanifestoandthathewasimplicatedintheaffair.Thenhesuddenly
turnedupabroadinSwitzerlandatGenevahehadescaped,verylikely.

It's surprising to me, Stepan Trofimovitch commented, greatly disconcerted. Petrusha,

c'estunesipauvretete!He'sgood,noblehearted,verysensitive,andIwassodelightedwith
himinPetersburg,comparinghimwiththeyoungpeopleoftoday.Butc'estunpauvresire,
tout de meme.. . . And you know it all comes from that same halfbakedness, that
sentimentality. They are fascinated, not by realism, but by the emotional ideal side of
socialism,bythereligiousnoteinit,sotosay,bythepoetryofit...secondhand,ofcourse.
Andforme,forme,thinkwhatitmeans!Ihavesomanyenemieshereandmorestillthere,
they'llputitdowntothefather'sinfluence.GoodGod!Petrushaarevolutionist!Whattimes
welivein!

Verysoon,however,PetrushasenthisexactaddressfromSwitzerlandformoneytobesent
himasusual;sohe.couldnotbeexactlyanexile.Andnow,afterfouryearsabroad,hewas
suddenlymakinghisappearanceagaininhisowncountry",andannouncedthathewould
arriveshortly,sotherecouldbenochargeagainsthim.Whatwasmore,someoneseemedto
beinterestedinhimandprotectinghim.HewrotenowfromthesouthofRussia,wherehe
wasbusilyengagedinsomeprivatebutimportantbusiness.Allthiswascapital,butwhere
washisfathertogetthatothersevenoreightthousand,tomakeupasuitablepriceforthe
estate?Andwhatifthereshouldbeanoutcry,andinsteadofthatimposingpictureitshould
cometoalawsuit?SomethingtoldStepanTrofimovitchthatthesensitivePetrushawouldnot
relinquishanythingthatwastohisinterest.WhyisitasI'venoticed,StepanTrofimovitch
whisperedtomeonce,whyisitthatallthesedesperatesocialistsandcommunistsareatthe
sametimesuchincredibleskinflints,soavaricious,sokeenoverproperty,and,infact,the
moresocialistic,themoreextremetheyare,thekeenertheyareoverproperty...whyisit?
Canthat,too,comefromsentimentalism?Idon'tknowwhetherthereisanytruthinthis
observationofStepanTrofimovitch's.IonlyknowthatPetrushahadsomehowgotwindofthe
saleofthewoodsandtherestofit,andthatStepanTrofimovitchwasawareofthefact.I
happened,too,toreadsomeofPetrusha'sletterstohisfather.Hewroteextremelyrarely,once
ayear,orevenlessoften.Onlyrecently,toinformhimofhisapproachingvisit,hehadsent
twoletters,onealmostimmediatelyaftertheother.Allhisletterswereshort,dry,consisting
onlyofinstructions,andasthefatherandsonhad,sincetheirmeetinginPetersburg,adopted
the fashionable thou and thee, Petrusha's letters had a striking resemblance to the
missivesthatusedtobesentbylandownersoftheoldschoolfromthetowntotheirserfs
whomtheyhadleftinchargeoftheirestates.Andnowsuddenlythiseightthousandwhich
wouldsolvethedifficultywouldbewaftedtohimbyVarvaraPetrovna'sproposition.Andat
the same time she made him distinctly feel that it never could be wafted to him from
anywhereelse.OfcourseStepanTrofimovitchconsented.

Hesentformedirectlyshehadgoneandshuthimselfupforthewholeday,admittingnoone
else.Hecried,ofcourse,talkedwellandtalkedagreatdeal,contradictedhimselfcontinually,
madeacasualpun,andwasmuchpleasedwithit.Thenhehadaslightattackofhissummer
choleraeverythinginfactfollowedtheusualcourse.Thenhebroughtouttheportraitofhis
Germanbride,nowtwentyyearsdeceased,andbeganplaintivelyappealingtoher:Willyou
forgiveme?Infactheseemedsomehowdistracted.Ourgriefledustogetalittledrunk.He
soonfellintoasweetsleep,however.Nextmorninghetiedhiscravatinmasterlyfashion,
dressed with care, and went frequently to look at himself in the glass. He sprinkled his
handkerchiefwithscent,onlyaslightdashofit,however,andassoonashesawVarvara
Petrovnaoutofthewindowhehurriedlytookanotherhandkerchiefandhidthescentedone
underthepillow.

Excellent!VarvaraPetrovnaapproved,onreceivinghisconsent.Inthefirstplaceyou
show a fine decision, and secondly you've listened to the voice of reason, to which you
generallypaysolittleheedinyourprivateaffairs.There'snoneedofhaste,however,she
added,scanningtheknotofhiswhitetie,forthepresentsaynothing,andIwillsaynothing.
Itwillsoonbeyourbirthday;Iwillcometoseeyouwithher.Giveusteaintheevening,and
pleasewithoutwineorotherrefreshments,butI'llarrangeitallmyself.Inviteyourfriends,
butwe'llmakethelisttogether.Youcantalktoherthedaybefore,ifnecessary.Andatyour
partywewon'texactlyannounceit,ormakeanengagementofanysort,butonlyhintatit,and
letpeopleknowwithoutanysortofceremony.Andthentheweddingafortnightlater,asfar
aspossiblewithoutanyfuss....Youtwomightevengoawayforatimeafterthewedding,to
Moscow,forinstance.I'llgowithyou,too,perhaps...Thechiefthingis,keepquiettillthen.

StepanTrofimovitchwassurprised.Hetriedtofalterthathecouldnotdolikethat,thathe
musttalkitoverwithhisbride.ButVarvaraPetrovnaflewathiminexasperation.

Whatfor?Inthefirstplaceitmayperhapscometonothing.

Cometonothing!mutteredthebridegroom,utterlydumbfoundered.

Yes.I'llsee....ButeverythingshallbeasI'vetoldyou,anddon'tbeuneasy.I'llprepareher
myself.There'sreallynoneedforyou.Everythingnecessaryshallbesaidanddone,and
there'snoneedforyoutomeddle.Whyshouldyou?Inwhatcharacter?Don'tcomeanddon't
writeletters.Andnotasightorsoundofyou,Ibeg.Iwillbesilenttoo.

She absolutely refused to explain herself, and went away, obviously upset. Stepan
Trofimovitch'sexcessivereadinessevidentlyimpressedher.Alas!hewasutterlyunableto
grasphisposition,andthequestionhadnotyetpresenteditselftohimfromcertainother
pointsofview.Onthecontraryanewnotewasapparentinhim,asortofconqueringand
jauntyair.Heswaggered.

Idolikethat!heexclaimed,standingbeforeme,andflingingwidehisarms.Didyouhear?
Shewantstodrivemetorefusingatlast.Why,Imaylosepatience,too,and...refuse!'Sit
still,there'snoneedforyoutogotoher.'Butafterall,whyshouldIbemarried?Simply
becauseshe'stakenanabsurdfancyintoherheart.ButI'maseriousman,andIcanrefuseto
submittotheidlewhimsofagiddywoman!Ihavedutiestomysonand..,andtomyself!
I'mmakingasacrifice.Doessherealisethat?Ihaveagreed,perhaps,becauseIamwearyof
lifeandnothingmatterstome.Butshemayexasperateme,andthenitwillmatter.Ishall
resentitandrefuse.Etenftn,leridicule...whatwilltheysayattheclub?Whatwill...what
will...Laputinsay?'Perhapsnothingwillcomeofit'whatathingtosay!Thatbeats
everything.That'sreally...whatisonetosaytothat?...Jesuisunforfat,unBadinguet,un
manpushedtothewall....

Andatthesametimeasortofcapriciouscomplacency,somethingfrivolousandplayful,
couldbeseeninthemidstofalltheseplaintiveexclamations.Intheeveningwedranktoo
muchagain.

CHAPTERIII.THESINSOFOTHERS

ABOUTAWEEKhadpassed,andthepositionhadbeguntogrowmorecomplicated.

ImaymentioninpassingthatIsufferedagreatdealduringthatunhappyweek,asIscarcely
leftthesideofmyaffiancedfriend,inthecapacityofhismostintimateconfidant.What
weigheduponhimmostwasthefeelingofshame,thoughwesawnooneallthatweek,and
satindoorsalone.Buthewasevenashamedbeforeme,andsomuchsothatthemorehe
confidedtomethemorevexedhewaswithmeforit.Hewassomorbidlyapprehensivethat
heexpectedthateveryoneknewaboutitalready,thewholetown,andwasafraidtoshow
himself,notonlyattheclub,buteveninhiscircleoffriends.Hepositivelywouldnotgoout
totakehisconstitutionaltillwellafterdusk,whenitwasquitedark.

Aweekpassedandhestilldidnotknowwhetherhewerebetrothedornot,andcouldnotfind
outforafact,howevermuchhetried.Hehadnotyetseenhisfuturebride,anddidnotknow
whethershewastobehisbrideornot;didnot,infact,knowwhethertherewasanything
seriousinitatall.VarvaraPetrovna,forsomereason,resolutelyrefusedtoadmithimtoher
presence.Inanswertooneofhisfirstletterstoher(andhewroteagreatnumberofthem)she
beggedhimplainlytospareherallcommunicationswithhimforatime,becauseshewasvery
busy, and having a great deal ofthe utmost importance to communicate to him she was
waitingforamorefreemomenttodoso,andthatshewouldlethimknowintimewhenhe
couldcometoseeher.Shedeclaredshewouldsendbackhislettersunopened,astheywere
simpleselfindulgence.Ireadthatlettermyselfheshoweditme.

Yetallthisharshnessandindefinitenesswerenothingcomparedwithhischiefanxiety.That
anxietytormentedhimtotheutmostandwithoutceasing.Hegrewthinanddispiritedthrough
it.Itwassomethingofwhichhewasmoreashamedthanofanythingelse,andofwhichhe
would not on any account speak, even to me; on the contrary, he lied on occasion, and
shuffledbeforemelikealittleboy;andatthesametimehesentformehimselfeveryday,
couldnotstaytwohourswithoutme,needingmeasmuchasairorwater.

Suchconductratherwoundedmyvanity.IneedhardlysaythatIhadlongagoprivately
guessedthisgreatsecretofhis,andsawthroughitcompletely.Itwasmyfirmestconvictionat
thetimethattherevelationofthissecret,thischiefanxietyofStepanTrofimovitch'swould
nothaveredoundedtohiscredit,and,therefore,asIwasstillyoung,Iwasratherindignantat
thecoarsenessofhisfeelingsandtheuglinessofsomeofhissuspicions.Inmywarmthand,
Imustconfess,inmywearinessofbeinghisconfidantIperhapsblamedhimtoomuch.I
wassocruelastotryandforcehimtoconfessitalltomehimself,thoughIdidrecognisethat
itmightbedifficulttoconfesssomethings.He,too,sawthroughme;thatis,heclearly
perceivedthatIsawthroughhim,andthatIwasangrywithhimindeed,andhewasangry
withmetooforbeingangrywithhimandseeingthroughhim.Myirritationwasperhapspetty
and stupid; but the unrelieved solitude of two friends together is sometimes extremely
prejudicialtotruefriendship.Fromacertainpointofviewhehadaverytrueunderstandingof
someaspectsofhisposition,anddefinedit,indeed,verysubtlyonthosepointsaboutwhich
hedidnotthinkitnecessarytobesecret.

Oh,howdifferentshewasthen!hewouldsometimessaytomeaboutVarvaraPetrovna.
Howdifferentshewasintheolddayswhenweusedtotalktogether....Doyouknowthat
shecouldtalkinthosedays!Canyoubelievethatshehadideasinthosedays,originalideas!
Now,everythinghaschanged!Shesaysallthat'sonlyoldfashionedtwaddle.Shedespisesthe
past....Nowshe'slikesomeshopmanorcashier,shehasgrownhardhearted,andshe's
alwayscross....

Whyisshecrossnowifyouarecarryingouther'orders'?Ianswered.

Helookedatmesubtly.

Cherami;ifIhadnotagreedshewouldhavebeendreadfullyangry,dreadfully!Butyet
lessthannowthatIhave

consented.

Hewaspleasedwiththissayingofhis,andweemptiedabottlebetweenusthatevening.But
thatwasonlyforamoment,nextdayhewasworseandmoreillhumouredthanever.
ButwhatIwasmostvexedwithhimforwasthathecouldnotbringhimselftocallonthe
Drozdovs,asheshouldhavedoneontheirarrival,torenewtheacquaintanceofwhich,sowe
heardtheywerethemselvesdesirous,sincetheykeptaskingabouthim.Itwasasourceof
dailydistresstohim.HetalkedofLizavetaNikolaevnawithanecstasywhichIwasataloss
tounderstand.Nodoubtherememberedinherthechildwhomhehadonceloved.Butbesides
that,heimaginedforsomeunknownreasonthathewouldatoncefindinhercompanya
solaceforhispresentmisery,andeventhesolutionofhismoreseriousdoubts.Heexpectedto
meetinLizavetaNikolaevnaanextraordinarybeing.Andyethedidnotgotoseeherthough
he meant to do so every day. The worst of it was that I was desperately anxious to be
presented to her and to make her acquaintance, and I could look to no one but Stepan
Trofimovitchtoeffectthis.Iwasfrequentlymeetingher,inthestreetofcourse,whenshewas
outriding,wearingaridinghabitandmountedonafinehorse,andaccompaniedbyher
cousin,socalled,ahandsomeofficer,thenephewofthelateGeneralDrozdovandthese
meetingsmadeanextraordinaryimpressiononmeatthetime.Myinfatuationlastedonlya
moment,andIverysoonafterwardsrecognisedtheimpossibilityofmydreamsmyselfbut
thoughitwasafleetingimpressionitwasaveryrealone,andsoitmaywellbeimaginedhow
indignantIwasatthetimewithmypoorfriendforkeepingsoobstinatelysecluded.

AllthemembersofourcirclehadbeenofficiallyinformedfromthebeginningthatStepan
Trofimovitchwouldseenobodyforatime,andbeggedthemtoleavehimquitealone.He
insistedonsendingroundacircularnoticetothiseffect,thoughItriedtodissuadehim.Iwent
roundtoeveryoneathisrequestandtoldeverybodythatVarvaraPetrovnahadgivenourold
man(asweallusedtocallStepanTrofimovitchamongourselves)aspecialjob,toarrangein
ordersomecorrespondencelastingovermanyyears;thathehadshuthimselfuptodoitandI
washelpinghim.LiputinwastheonlyoneIdidnothavetimetovisit,andIkeptputtingitoff
totelltherealtruthIwasafraidtogotohim.Iknewbeforehandthathewouldnotbelieve
onewordofmystory,thathewouldcertainlyimaginethattherewassomesecretatthe
bottomofit,whichtheyweretryingtohidefromhimalone,andassoonasIlefthimhe
wouldsettoworktomakeinquiriesandgossipalloverthetown.WhileIwaspicturingall
thistomyselfIhappenedtorunacrosshiminthestreet.Itturnedoutthathehadheardall
aboutitfromourfriends,whomIhadonlyjustinformed.But,strangetosay,insteadofbeing
inquisitiveandaskingquestionsaboutStepanTrofimovitch,heinterruptedme,whenIbegan
apologisingfornothavingcometohimbefore,andatoncepassedtoothersubjects.Itistrue
thathehadagreatdealstoreduptotellme.Hewasinastateofgreatexcitement,andwas
delightedtohavegotholdofmeforalistener.Hebegantalkingofthenewsofthetown,of
thearrivalofthegovernor'swife,withnew!topicsofconversation,ofanoppositionparty
alreadyformedintheclub,ofhowtheywereallinahubbuboverthenewideas,andhow
charminglythissuitedhim,andsoon.Hetalkedforaquarterofanhourandsoamusingly
thatIcouldnottearmyselfaway.ThoughIcouldnotendurehim,yetImustadmithehadthe
giftofmakingonelistentohim,especiallywhenhewasveryangryatsomething.Thisman
was,inmyopinion,aregularspyfromhisverynature.Ateverymomentheknewthevery
latestgossipandallthetriflingincidentsofourtown,especiallytheunpleasantones,andit
wassurprisingtomehowhetookthingstoheartthatweresometimesabsolutelynoconcern
ofhis.Italwaysseemedtomethattheleadingfeatureofhischaracterwasenvy.WhenItold
Stepan Trofimovitch the same evening of my meeting Liputin that morning and our
conversation,thelattertomyamazementbecamegreatlyagitated,andaskedmethewild
question:DoesLiputinknowornot?"

Ibegantryingtoprovethattherewasnopossibilityofhisfindingitoutsosoon,andthat
therewasnobodyfromwhomhecouldhearit.ButStepanTrofimovitchwasnottobeshaken.
Well,youmaybelieveitornot,heconcludedunexpectedlyatlast,butI'mconvincedthat
henotonlyknowseverydetailof'our'position,butthatheknowssomethingelsebesides,
somethingneitheryounorIknowyet,andperhapsnevershall,orshallonlyknowwhenit's
toolate,whenthere'snoturningback!...

Isaidnothing,butthesewordssuggestedagreatdeal.Forfivewholedaysafterthatwedid
notsayonewordaboutLiputin;itwascleartomethatStepanTrofimovitchgreatlyregretted
havinglethistonguerunawaywithhim,andhavingrevealedsuchsuspicionsbeforeme.

II

One morning, on the seventh or eighth day after Stepan Trofimovitch had consented to
becomeengaged,abouteleveno'clock,whenIwashurryingasusualtomyafflictedfriend,
Ihadanadventureontheway.

ImetKarmazinov,thegreatwriter,asLiputincalledhim.IhadreadKarmazinovfroma
child.Hisnovelsandtaleswerewellknowntothepastandeventothepresentgeneration.I
revelledinthem;theywerethegreatenjoymentofmychildhoodandyouth.AfterwardsI
grewratherlessenthusiasticoverhiswork.Ididnotcaresomuchforthenovelswitha
purposewhichhehadbeenwritingoflateasforhisfirst,earlyworks,whichweresofullof
spontaneouspoetry,andhislatestpublicationsIhadnot.likedatall.Speakinggenerally,ifI
mayventuretoexpressmyopiniononsodelicateasubject,allthesetalentedgentlemenofthe
middlingsortwhoaresometimesintheirlifetimeacceptedalmostasgeniuses,passoutof
memoryquitesuddenlyandwithoutatracewhentheydie,andwhat'smore,itoftenhappens
thatevenduringtheirlifetime,assoonasanewgenerationgrowsupandtakestheplaceof
theoneinwhichtheyhaveflourished,theyareforgottenandneglectedbyeveryoneinan
incrediblyshorttime.Thissomehowhappensamongusquitesuddenly,liketheshiftingofthe
scenesonthestage.Oh,it'snotatallthesameaswithPushkin,Gogol,Moliere,Voltaire,all
thosegreatmenwhoreallyhadaneworiginalwordtosay!It'strue,too,thatthesetalented
gentlemenofthemiddlingsortinthedeclineoftheirvenerableyearsusuallywritethemselves
outinthemostpitifulway,thoughtheydon'tobservethefactthemselves.Ithappensnot
infrequentlythatawriterwhohasbeenforalongtimecreditedwithextraordinaryprofundity
andexpectedtoexerciseagreatandseriousinfluenceontheprogressofsociety,betraysin
theendsuchpoverty,suchinsipidityinhisfundamentalideasthatnooneregretsthathe
succeededinwritinghimselfoutsosoon.Buttheoldgreybeardsdon'tnoticethis,andare
angry.Theirvanitysometimes,especiallytowardstheendoftheircareer,reachesproportions
thatmaywellprovokewonder.Godknowswhattheybegintotakethemselvesforforgods
atleast!PeopleusedtosayaboutKarmazinovthathisconnectionswitharistocraticsociety
andpowerfulpersonagesweredearertohimthanhisownsoul,peopleusedtosaythaton
meetingyouhewouldbecordial,thathewouldfascinateandenchantyouwithhisopen
heartedness,especiallyifyouwereofusetohiminsomeway,andifyoucametohimwith
some preliminary recommendation. But that before any stray prince, any stray countess,
anyonethathewasafraidof,hewouldregarditashissacreddutytoforgetyourexistence
withthemostinsultingcarelessness,likeachipofwood,likeafly,beforeyouhadeventime
togetoutofhissight;heseriouslyconsideredthisthebestandmostaristocraticstyle.Inspite
ofthebestofbreedingandperfectknowledgeofgoodmannersheis,theysay,vaintosuchan
hystericalpitchthathecannotconcealhisirritabilityasanauthorevenin.thosecirclesof
societywherelittleinterestistakeninliterature.Ifanyoneweretosurprisehimbybeing
indifferent,hewouldbemorbidlychagrined,andtrytorevengehimself.

Ayearbefore,Ihadreadanarticleofhisinareview,writtenwithanimmenseaffectationof
naivepoetry,andpsychologytoo.HedescribedthewreckofsomesteamerontheEnglish
coast,ofwhichhehadbeenthewitness,andhowhehadseenthedrowningpeoplesaved,and
thedeadbodiesbroughtashore.Allthisratherlongandverbosearticlewaswrittensolely
with the object of selfdisplay. One seemed to read between the lines: Concentrate
yourselvesonme.BeholdwhatIwaslikeatthosemoments.Whatarethesea,thestorm,the
rocks,thesplintersofwreckedshipstoyou?Ihavedescribedallthatsufficientlytoyouwith
mymightypen.Whylookatthatdrownedwomanwiththedeadchildinherdeadarms?Look
ratheratme,seehowIwasunabletobearthatsightandturnedawayfromit.HereIstood
withmybacktoit;hereIwashorrifiedandcouldnotbringmyselftolook;Iblinkedmyeyes
isn't that interesting? When I told Stepan Trofimovitch my opinion of Karmazinov's
articlehequiteagreedwithme.

WhenrumourshadreachedusoflatethatKarmazinovwascomingtotheneighbourhoodI
was,ofcourse,veryeagertoseehim,and,ifpossible,tomakehisacquaintance.Iknewthat
thismightbedonethroughStepanTrofimovitch,theyhadoncebeenfriends.AndnowI
suddenlymethimatthecrossroads.Iknewhimatonce.Hehadbeenpointedouttometwo
orthreedaysbeforewhenhedrovepastwiththegovernor'swife.Hewasashort,stiff
lookingoldman,thoughnotoverfiftyfive,witharatherredlittleface,withthickgreylocks
ofhairclusteringunderhischimneypothat,andcurlingroundhiscleanlittlepinkears.His
cleanlittlefacewasnotaltogetherhandsomewithitsthin,long,craftylookinglips,withits
ratherfleshynose,anditssharp,shrewdlittleeyes.Hewasdressedsomewhatshabbilyina
sortofcapesuchaswouldbeworninSwitzerlandorNorthItalyatthattimeofyear.But,at
anyrate,alltheminordetailsofhiscostume,thelittlestuds,andcollar,thebuttons,the
tortoiseshelllorgnetteonanarrowblackribbon,thesignetring,wereallsuchasarewornby
personsofthemostirreproachablegoodform.Iamcertainthatinsummerhemusthaveworn
lightprunellashoeswithmotherofpearlbuttonsattheside.Whenwemethewasstanding
stillattheturningandlookingabouthim,attentively.NoticingthatIwaslookingathimwith
interest,heaskedmeinasugary,thoughrathershrillvoice:

Allowmetoask,whichismynearestwaytoBykovyStreet?

ToBykovyStreet?Oh,that'shere,closeby,Icriedingreatexcitement.Straightonalong
thisstreetandthesecondturningtotheleft.
Verymuchobligedtoyou.

Acurseonthatminute!IfancyIwasshy,andlookedcringing.Heinstantlynoticedallthat,
andofcourserealiseditallatonce;thatis,realisedthatIknewwhohewas,thatIhadread
himandreveredhimfromachild,andthatIwasshyandlookedathimcringingly.Hesmiled,
noddedagain,andwalkedonasIhaddirectedhim.Idon'tknowwhyIturnedbacktofollow
him;Idon'tknowwhyIranfortenpacesbesidehim.Hesuddenlystoodstillagain.

Andcouldyoutellmewhereisthenearestcabstand?heshoutedouttomeagain.

Itwasahorridshout!Ahorridvoice!

Acabstand?Thenearestcabstandis...bytheCathedral;therearealwayscabsstanding
there,andIalmostturnedtorunforacabforhim.Ialmostbelievethatthatwaswhathe
expectedmetodo.OfcourseIcheckedmyselfatonce,andstoodstill,buthehadnoticedmy
movementandwasstillwatchingmewiththesamehorridsmile.Thensomethinghappened
whichIshallneverforget.

Hesuddenlydroppedatinybag,whichhewasholdinginhislefthand;thoughindeeditwas
notabag,butratheralittlebox,ormoreprobablysomepartofapocketbook,ortobemore
accuratealittlereticule,ratherlikeanoldfashionedlady'sreticule,thoughIreallydon'tknow
whatitwas.IonlyknowthatIflewtopickitup.

IamconvincedthatIdidnotreallypickitup,butmyfirstmotionwasunmistakable.Icould
notconcealit,and,likeafool,Iturnedcrimson.Thecunningfellowatoncegotallthatcould
begotoutofthecircumstance.

Don'ttrouble,I'llpickitup,hepronouncedcharmingly;thatis,whenhewasquitesurethat
Iwasnotgoingtopickupthereticule,hepickeditupasthoughforestallingme,noddedonce
more,andwenthisway,leavingmetolooklikeafool.ItwasasgoodasthoughIhadpicked
itupmyself.ForfiveminutesIconsideredmyselfutterlydisgracedforever,butasIreached
Stepan Trofimovitch's house I suddenly burst out laughing; the meeting struck me as so
amusingthatIimmediatelyresolvedtoentertainStepanTrofimovitchwithanaccountofit,
andeventoactthewholescenetohim.

III

ButthistimetomysurpriseIfoundanextraordinarychangeinhim.Hepouncedonmewitha
sortofavidity,itistrue,assoonasIwentin,andbeganlisteningtome,butwithsucha
distractedairthatatfirstheevidentlydidnottakeinmywords.ButassoonasIpronounced
thenameofKarmazinovhesuddenlyflewintoafrenzy.

Don'tspeakofhim!Don'tpronouncethatname!heexclaimed,almostinafury.Here,
look,readit!Readit!

Heopenedthedrawerandthrewonthetablethreesmallsheetsofpaper,coveredwitha
hurriedpencilscrawl,allfromVarvaraPetrovna.Thefirstletterwasdatedthedaybefore
yesterday, the second had come yesterday, and the last that day, an hour before. Their
contentswerequitetrivial,andallreferredtoKarmazinovandbetrayedthevainandfussy
uneasinessofVarvaraPetrovnaandherapprehensionthatKarmazinovmightforgettopay
heravisit.Hereisthefirstonedatingfromtwodaysbefore.(Probablytherehadbeenone
alsothreedaysbefore,andpossiblyanotherfourdaysbeforeaswell.)

Ifhedeignstovisityoutoday,notawordaboutme,Ibeg.Notthefaintesthint.Don'tspeak
ofme,don'tmentionme.V.S.

Theletterofthedaybefore:

Ifhedecidestopayyouavisitthismorning,Ithinkthemostdignifiedthingwouldbenotto
receivehim.That'swhatIthinkaboutit;Idon'tknowwhatyouthink.V.S.

Today's,thelast:

Ifeelsurethatyou'reinaregularlitterandcloudsoftobaccosmoke.I'msendingyouMarya
andFomushka.They'lltidyyouupinhalfanhour.Anddon'thinderthem,butgoandsitin
thekitchenwhiletheyclearup.I'msendingyouaBokhararugandtwochinavases.I'velong
beenmeaningtomakeyouapresentofthem,andI'msendingyoumyTeniers,too,fora
time.!YoucanputthevasesinthewindowandhangtheTeniersontherightunderthe
portraitofGoethe;itwillbemoreconspicuousthereandit'salwayslightthereinthemorning.
Ifhedoesturnupatlast,receivehimwiththeutmostcourtesybuttryandtalkoftrifling
matters,ofsomeintellectualsubject,andbehaveasthoughyouhadseeneachotherlately.
Notawordaboutme.PerhapsImaylookinonyouintheevening.V.S.

P.S.Ifhedoesnotcometodayhewon'tcomeatall.

Ireadandwasamazedthathewasinsuchexcitementoversuchtrifles.Lookingathim
inquiringly,InoticedthathehadhadtimewhileIwasreadingtochangetheeverlastingwhite
tiehealwayswore,foraredone.Hishatandsticklayonthetable.Hewaspale,andhis
handswerepositivelytrembling.

Idon'tcareahangaboutheranxieties,hecriedfrantically,inresponsetomyinquiring
look.Jem'enfiche! ShehasthefacetobeexcitedaboutKarmazinov,andshedoesnot
answermyletters.Hereismyunopenedletterwhichshesentmebackyesterday,hereonthe
tableunderthebook,underL'Hommequirit.Whatisittomethatshe'swearingherselfout
overNikolay!Jem'enfiche,etjeproclamemaliberte!AudiableleKarmazinov!Audiablela
Lembke!I'vehiddenthevasesintheentry,andtheTeniersinthechestofdrawers,andIhave
demandedthatsheistoseemeatonce.Doyouhear.I'veinsisted!I'vesentherjustsucha
scrap of paper, a pencil scrawl, unsealed, by Nastasya, and I'm waiting. I want Darya
Pavlovnatospeaktomewithherownlips,beforethefaceofHeaven,oratleastbeforeyou.
Vousmeseconderez,n'estcepas,commeamiettimoin.Idon'twanttohavetoblush,tolie,I
don'twantsecrets,Iwon'thavesecretsinthismatter.Letthemconfesseverythingtome
openly,frankly,honourablyandthen...thenperhapsImaysurprisethewholegenerationby
mymagnanimity....AmIascoundrelornot,mydearsir?heconcludedsuddenly,looking
menacinglyatme,asthoughI'dconsideredhimascoundrel.

Iofferedhimasipofwater;Ihadneverseenhimlikethisbefore.Allthewhilehewastalking
hekeptrunningfromoneendoftheroomtotheother,buthesuddenlystoodstillbeforeme
inanextraordinaryattitude.

Canyousuppose,hebeganagainwithhystericalhaughtiness,lookingmeupanddown,
canyouimaginethatI,StepanVerhovensky,cannotfindinmyselfthemoralstrengthtotake
mybagmybeggar'sbagandlayingitonmyfeebleshoulderstogooutatthegateand
vanishforever,whenhonourandthegreatprincipleofindependencedemanditIIt'snotthe
firsttimethatStepanVerhovenskyhashadtorepeldespotismbymoralforce,eventhoughit
bethedespotismofacrazywoman,thatis,themostcruelandinsultingdespotismwhichcan
existonearth,althoughyouhave,Ifancy,forgottenyourselfsomuchastolaughatmy
phrase,mydearsir!Oh,youdon'tbelievethatIcanfindthemoralstrengthinmyselftoend
mylifeasatutorinamerchant'sfamily,ortodieofhungerinaditch!Answerme,answerat
once;doyoubelieveit,ordon'tyoubelieveit?

ButIwaspurposelysilent.Ievenaffectedtohesitatetowoundhimbyansweringinthe
negative,buttobeunabletoansweraffirmatively.Inallthisnervousexcitementofhisthere
wassomethingwhichreallydidoffendme,andnotpersonally,oh,no!But...Iwillexplain
lateron.Hepositivelyturnedpale.

Perhapsyouareboredwithme,Gv(thisismysurname),

andyouwouldlike...nottocomeandseemeatall?hesaidinthattoneofpalecomposure
whichusuallyprecedessomeextraordinaryoutburst.Ijumpedupinalarm.Atthatmoment
Nastasyacamein,and,withoutaword,handedStepanTrofimovitchapieceofpaper,on
whichsomethingwaswritteninpencil.Heglancedatitandflungittome.Onthepaper,in
VarvaraPetrovna'shandthreewordswerewritten:Stayathome.

StepanTrofimovitchsnatcheduphishatandstickinsilenceandwentquicklyoutofthe
room. MechanicallyIfollowedhim.Suddenlyvoicesandsoundsofrapidfootstepswere
heardinthepassage.Hestoodstill,asthoughthunderstruck.

It'sLiputin;Iamlost!hewhispered,clutchingatmyarm.

AtthesameinstantLiputinwalkedintotheroom.

IV

WhyheshouldbelostowingtoLiputinIdidnotknow,andindeedIdidnotattachmuch
significancetothewords;Iputitalldowntohisnerves.Histerror,however,wasremarkable,
andImadeupmymindtokeepacarefulwatchonhim.
TheveryappearanceofLiputinashecameinassuredusthathehadonthisoccasionaspecial
righttocomein,inspiteoftheprohibition.Hebroughtwithhimanunknowngentleman,who
musthavebeenanewarrivalinthetown.Inreplytothesenselessstareofmypetrifiedfriend,
hecalledoutimmediatelyinaloudvoice:

I'm bringing you a visitor, a special one! I make bold to intrude on your solitude. Mr.
Kirillov,averydistinguishedcivilengineer.Andwhat'smoreheknowsyourson,themuch
esteemedPyotrStepanovitch,veryintimately;andhehasamessagefromhim.He'sonlyjust
arrived.

Themessageisyourownaddition,thevisitorobservedcurtly.There'snomessageatall.
ButIcertainlydoknowVerhovensky.IlefthimintheX.province,tendaysaheadofus.

StepanTrofimovitchmechanicallyofferedhishandandmotionedhimtositdown.Helooked
at me* he looked at Liputin, and then as though suddenly recollecting himself sat down
himself,thoughhestillkepthishatandstickinhishandswithoutbeingawareofit.

Bah,butyouweregoingoutyourself!Iwastoldthatyouwerequiteknockedupwithwork.

Yes,I'mill,andyousee,Imeanttogoforawalk,I...StepanTrofimovitchchecked
himself,quicklyflunghishatandstickonthesofaandturnedcrimson.

Meantime,Iwashurriedlyexaminingthevisitor.Hewasayoungman,abouttwentyseven,
decentlydressed,wellmade,slenderanddark,withapale,rathermuddycolouredfaceand
black lustreless eyes. He seemed rather thoughtful and absentminded, spoke jerkily and
ungrammatically, transposing words in rather a strange way, and getting muddled if he
attemptedasentenceofanylength.LiputinwasperfectlyawareofStepanTrofimovitch's
alarm,andwasobviouslypleasedatit.Hesatdowninawickerchairwhichhedragged
almostintothemiddleoftheroom,soastobeatanequaldistancebetweenhishostandthe
visitor,whohadinstalledthemselvesonsofasonoppositesidesoftheroom.Hissharpeyes
dartedinquisitivelyfromonecorneroftheroomtoanother.

It's....alongwhilesinceI'veseenPetrusha....Youmetabroad?StepanTrofimovitch
managedtomuttertothevisitor.

Bothhereandabroad.

AlexeyNilitchhasonlyjustreturnedhimselfafterlivingfouryearsabroad,putinLiputin.
Hehasbeentravellingtoperfecthimselfinhisspecialityandhascometousbecausehehas
goodreasonstoexpectajobonthebuildingofourrailwaybridge,andhe'snowwaitingfor
an answer about it. He knows the Drozdovs and Lizaveta Nikolaevna, through Pyotr
Stepanovitch.

Theengineersat,asitwere,witharuffledair,andlistenedwithawkwardimpatience.It
seemedtomethathewasangryaboutsomething.
HeknowsNikolayVsyevolodovitchtoo.

DoyouknowNikolayVsyevolodovitch?inquiredStepanTrofimovitch.

Iknowhimtoo.

It's...it'saverylongtimesinceI'veseenPetrusha,and...IfeelIhavesolittlerighttocall
myselfafather...c'estlemot;I...howdidyouleavehim?

Oh,yes,Ilefthim...hecomeshimself,repliedMr.Kirillov,inhastetoberidofthe
questionagain.Hecertainlywasangry.

He'scoming!AtlastI...yousee,it'sverylongsinceI'veseePetrusha!StepanTrofimovitch
couldnotgetawayfromthisphrase.NowIexpectmypoorboytowhom...towhomIhave
beensomuchtoblame!Thatis,Imeantosay,whenIlefthiminPetersburg,I...inshort,I
lookedonhimasanonentity,quelquechosedanscegenre.Hewasaverynervousboy,you
know,emotional,and...verytimid.Whenhesaidhisprayersgoingtobedheusedtobow
downtotheground,andmakethesignofthecrossonhispillowthathemightnotdieinthe
night....Jem'ensouviens.Enfin,noartisticfeelingwhatever,notasignofanythinghigher,
ofanythingfundamental,noembryoofafutureideal...c'etaitcommaunpetitidiot,butI'm
afraidIamincoherent;excuseme...youcameuponme...

Yousayseriouslythathecrossedhispillow?theengineeraskedsuddenlywithmarked
curiosity.

Yes,heusedto...

Allright.Ijustasked.Goon.

StepanTrofimovitchlookedinterrogativelyatLiputin.

I'mverygratefultoyouforyourvisit.ButImustconfessI'm...notinacondition...just
now...Butallowmetoaskwhereyouarelodging.

AtFilipov's,inBogoyavlenskyStreet.

Ach,that'swhereShatovlives,Iobservedinvoluntarily.

Justso,intheverysamehouse,criedLiputin,onlyShatovlodgesabove,intheattic,while
he'sdownbelow,atCaptainLebyadkin's.HeknowsShatovtoo,andheknowsShatov'swife.
Hewasveryintimatewithher,abroad.

Comment!Doyoureallyknowanythingaboutthatunhappymarriagedecepauvreamiand
thatwoman,criedStepanTrofimovitch,carriedawaybysuddenfeeling.Youarethefirst
manI'vemetwhohasknownherpersonally;andifonly...
What nonsense! the engineer snapped out, flushing all over. How you add to things,
Liputin!I'venotseenShatov'swife;I'veonlyonceseenherinthedistanceandnotatall
close....IknowShatov.Whydoyouaddthingsofallsorts?

Heturnedroundsharplyonthesofa,clutchedhishat,thenlaiditdownagain,andsettling
himselfdownoncemoreasbefore,fixedhisangryblackeyesonStepanTrofimovitchwitha
sortofdefiance.Iwasatalosstounderstandsuchstrangeirritability.

Excuseme,StepanTrofimovitchobservedimpressively.Iunderstandthatitmaybeavery
delicatesubject....'

Nosortofdelicatesubjectinit,andindeedit'sshameful,andIdidn'tshoutatyouthatit's
nonsense,butatLiputin,becauseheaddsthings.Excusemeifyoutookittoyourself.Iknow
Shatov,butIdon'tknowhiswifeatall...Idon'tknowheratall!

Iunderstand.Iunderstand.AndifIinsisted,it'sonlybecauseI'mveryfondofourpoor
friend, noireirascibleami, andhavealwaystakenaninterestinhim....Inmyopinionthat
manchangedhisformer,possiblyoveryouthfulbutyetsoundideas,tooabruptly.Andnow
hesaysallsortsofthingsaboutnotreSainteRussietosuchadegreethatI'velongexplained
thisupheavalinhiswholeconstitution,Icanonlycallitthat,tosomeviolentshockinhis
familylife,and,infact,tohisunsuccessfulmarriage.I,whoknowmypoorRussialikethe
fingersonmyhand,andhavedevotedmywholelifetotheRussianpeople,Icanassureyou
thathedoesnotknowtheRussianpeople,andwhat'smore...

Idon'tknowtheRussianpeopleatall,either,andIhaven'ttimetostudythem,theengineer
snappedoutagain,andagainheturnedsharplyonthesofa.StepanTrofimovitchwaspulled
upinthemiddleofhisspeech.

Heisstudyingthem,heisstudyingthem,interposedLiputin.Hehasalreadybegunthe
studyofthem,andiswritingaveryinterestingarticledealingwiththecausesoftheincrease
ofsuicideinRussia,and,generallyspeaking,thecausesthatleadtotheincreaseordecrease
ofsuicideinsociety.Hehasreachedamazingresults.

Theengineerbecamedreadfullyexcited.Youhavenorightatall,hemutteredwrathfully.
I'mnotwritinganarticle.I'mnotgoingtodosillythings.Iaskedyouconfidentially,quiteby
chance.There'snoarticleatall.I'mnotpublishing,andyouhaven'ttheright...Liputinwas
obviouslyenjoyinghimself.

Ibegyourpardon,perhapsImadeamistakeincallingyourliteraryworkanarticle.Heis
onlycollectingobservations,andtheessenceofthequestion,or,sotosay,itsmoralaspecthe
isnottouchingatall.And,indeed,herejectsmoralityitselfaltogether,andholdswiththelast
newprincipleofgeneraldestructionforthesakeofultimategood.Hedemandsalreadymore
thanahundredmillionheadsfortheestablishmentofcommonsenseinEurope;manymore
thantheydemandedatthelastPeaceCongress.AlexeyNilitchgoesfurtherthananyonein
thatsense.Theengineerlistenedwithapaleandcontemptuoussmile.Forhalfaminute
everyonewassilent.

Allthisisstupid,Liputin,Mr.Kirillovobservedatlast,withacertaindignity.IfIby
chancehadsaidsomethingstoyou,andyoucaughtthemupagain,asyoulike.Butyouhave
noright,forIneverspeaktoanyone.Iscorntotalk....Ifonehasaconvictionthenit'sclear
tome....Butyou'redoingfoolishly.Idon'targueaboutthingswheneverything'ssettled.I
can'tbeararguing.Ineverwanttoargue....

Andperhapsyouareverywise,StepanTrofimovitchcouldnotresistsaying.

Iapologisetoyou,butIamnotangrywithanyonehere,thevisitorwenton,speakinghotly
andrapidly.''Ihaveseenfewpeopleforfouryears.ForfouryearsIhavetalkedlittleand
havetriedtoseenoone,formyownobjectswhichdonotconcernanyoneelse,forfouryears.
Liputinfoundthisoutandislaughing.Iunderstandanddon'tmind.I'mnotreadytotake
offence,onlyannoyedathisliberty.AndifIdon'texplainmyideastoyou,heconcluded
unexpectedly,scanningusallwithresoluteeyes,it'snotatallthatI'mafraidofyourgiving
informationtothegovernment;that'snotso;pleasedonotimaginenonsenseofthatsort.

Noonemadeanyreplytothesewords.Weonlylookedateachother.EvenLiputinforgotto
snigger.

Gentlemen,I'mverysorryStepanTrofimovitchgotupresolutelyfromthesofabutI
feelillandupset.Excuseme.

Ach,that'sforustogo.Mr.Kirillovstarted,snatchinguphiscap.It'sagoodthingyou
toldus.I'msoforgetful.

Herose,andwithagoodnaturedairwentuptoStepanTrofimovitch,holdingouthishand.

I'msorryyou'renotwell,andIcame,

Iwishyoueverysuccessamongus,answeredStepanTrofimovitch,shakinghandswithhim
heartilyandwithouthaste.'Iunderstandthat,ifasyousayyouhavelivedsolongabroad,
cuttingyourselfofffrompeopleforobjectsofyourownandforgettingRussia,youmust
inevitablylookwithwonderonuswhoareRussianstothebackbone,andwemustfeelthe
sameaboutyou. Maiscelapassera. I'monlypuzzledatonething:youwanttobuildour
bridge and at the same time you declare that you hold with the principle of universal
destruction.Theywon'tletyoubuildourbridge.

What!What'sthatyousaid?Ach,Isay!Kirillovcried,muchstruck,andhesuddenlybroke
intothemostfrankandgoodhumouredlaughter.Foramomenthisfacetookaquitechildlike
expression,whichIthoughtsuitedhimparticularly.Liputinrubbedhishandwithdelightat
StepanTrofimovitch'swittyremark.IkeptwonderingtomyselfwhyStepanTrofimovitch
was so frightenedofLiputin, and whyhe hadcriedout Iam lost when he heardhim
coming.Wewereallstandinginthedoorway.Itwasthemomentwhenhostsandguests
hurriedlyexchangethelastandmostcordialwords,andthenparttotheirmutualgratification.
Thereasonhe'ssocrosstoday,Liputindroppedallatonce,asitwerecasually,whenhe
was just going out of the room, is because he had a disturbance today with Captain
Lebyadkinoverhissister.CaptainLebyadkinthrashesthatprecioussisterofhis,themadgirl,
everydaywithawhip,arealCossackwhip,everymorningandevening.SoAlexeyNilibch
haspositivelytakenthelodgesoasnottobepresent.Well,goodbye.

A sister? An invalid? With a whip? Stepan Trofimovitch cried out, as though he had
suddenlybeenlashedwithawhiphimself.Whatsister?WhatLebyadkin?Allhisformer
terrorcamebackinaninstant.Lebyadkin!Oh,that'stheretiredcaptain;heusedonlytocall
himselfalieutenantbefore....

Oh,whatishisranktome?Whatsister?Goodheavens!...YousayLebyadkin?Butthere
usedtobeaLebyadkinhere....

That'stheveryman.'Our'Lebyadkin,atVirginsky's,youremember?

Buthewascaughtwithforgedpapers?

Well,nowhe'scomeback.He'sbeenherealmostthreeweeksandunderthemostpeculiar
circumstances.

Why,buthe'sascoundrel?

Asthoughnoonecouldbeascoundrelamongus,Liputingrinnedsuddenly,hisknavish
littleeyesseemingtopeerintoStepanTrofimovitch'ssoul.

Goodheavens!Ididn'tmeanthatatall...thoughIquiteagreewithyouaboutthat,withyou
particularly.Butwhatthen,whatthen?Whatdidyoumeanbythat?Youcertainlymeant
somethingbythat.

Why,it'sallsotrivial....Thiscaptaintoallappearanceswentawayfromusatthattime;not
becauseoftheforgedpapers,butsimplytolookforhissister,whowasinhidingfromhim
somewhere,itseems;well,andnowhe'sbroughtherandthat'sthewholestory.Whydoyou
seemfrightened,StepanTrofimovitch?Ionlytellthisfromhisdrunkenchatterthough,he
doesn'tspeakofithimselfwhenhe'ssober.He'sanirritableman,and,sotospeak,aestheticin
amilitarystyle;onlyhehasbadtaste.Andthissisterislameaswellasmad.Sheseemsto
havebeenseducedbysomeone,andMr.Lebyadkinhas,itseems,formanyyearsreceiveda
yearlygrantfromtheseducerbywayofcompensationforthewoundtohishonour,soit
wouldseematleastfromhischatter,thoughIbelieveit'sonlydrunkentalk.It'ssimplyhis
brag.Besides,thatsortofthingisdonemuchcheaper.Butthathehasasumofmoneyis
perfectlycertain.Tendaysagohewaswalkingbarefoot,andnowI'veseenhundredsinhis
hands.Hissisterhasfitsofsomesorteveryday,sheshrieksandhe'keepsherinorder'with
thewhip.Youmustinspireawomanwithrespect,hesays.WhatIcan'tunderstandishow
Shatovgoesonlivingabovehim.AlexeyNilitchhasonlybeenthreedayswiththem.They
were acquainted in Petersburg, and now he's taken the lodge to get away from the
disturbance.

Isthisalltrue?saidStepanTrofimovitch,addressingtheengineer.

Youdogossipalot,Liputin,thelattermutteredwrathfully.

Mysteries, secrets! Where have allthese mysteriesand secrets amongus sprung from?
StepanTrofimovitchcouldnotrefrainfromexclaiming.

Theengineerfrowned,flushedred,shruggedhisshouldersandwentoutoftheroom.

AlexeyNilitchpositivelysnatchedthewhipoutofhishand,brokeitandthrewitoutofthe
window,andtheyhadaviolentquarrel,addedLiputin.

Why are you chattering, Liputin; it's stupid. What for? Alexey Nilitch turned again
instantly.

Whybesomodestandconcealthegenerousimpulsesofone'ssoul;thatis,ofyoursoul?I'm
notspeakingofmyown.

Howstupiditis...andquiteunnecessary.Lebyadkin'sstupidandquiteworthlessandno
usetothecause,and...utterlymischievous.Whydoyoukeepbabblingallsortsofthings?
I'mgoing.

Oh,whatapity!criedLiputinwithacandidsmile,orI'dhaveamusedyouwithanother
littlestory,StepanTrofimovitch.Icame,indeed,onpurposetotellyou,thoughIdaresay
you'vehearditalready.Well,tillanothertime,AlexeyNilitchisinsuchahurry.Goodbye
for the present. The story concerns Varvara Petrovna. She amused me the day before
yesterday;shesentformeonpurpose.It'ssimplykilling.Goodbye.

But at this Stepan Trofimovitch absolutely would not let him go. He seized him by the
shoulders,turnedhimsharplybackintotheroom,andsathimdowninachair.Liputinwas
positivelyscared.

Why,tobesure,hebegan,lookingwarilyatStepanTrofimovitchfromhischair,she
suddenly sent for me and asked me 'confidentially' my private opinion, whether Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchismadorinhisrightmind.Isn'tthatastonishing?

You'reoutofyourmind!mutteredStepanTrofimovitch,andsuddenly,asthoughhewere
beside himself: Liputin, you know perfectly well that you only came here to tell me
somethinginsultingofthatsortand...somethingworse!

Inaflash,IrecalledhisconjecturethatLiputinknewnotonlymorethanwedidaboutour
affair,butsomethingelsewhichweshouldneverknow.

Uponmyword,StepanTrofimovitch,mutteredLiputin,seeminggreatlyalarmed,uponmy
word...

Holdyourtongueandbegin!Ibegyou,Mr.Kirillov,tocomebacktoo,andbepresent.I
earnestly beg you! Sit down, and you, Liputin, begin directly, simply and without any
excuses.

IfIhadonlyknownitwouldupsetyousomuchIwouldn'thavebegunatall.AndofcourseI
thoughtyouknewallaboutitfromVarvaraPetrovnaherself.

Youdidn'tthinkthatatall.Begin,begin,Itellyou.

Onlydomethefavourtositdownyourself,orhowcanIsitherewhenyouarerunning
aboutbeforemeinsuchexcitement.Ican'tspeakcoherently.

Stepan Trofimovitch restrained himself and sank impressively into an easy chair. The
engineerstaredgloomilyatthefloor.Liputinlookedatthemwithintenseenjoyment,

HowamItobegin?...I'mtoooverwhelmed....

VI

Thedaybeforeyesterdayaservantwassuddenlysenttome:'Youareaskedtocallattwelve
o'clock,'saidhe.Canyoufancysuchathing?Ithrewasidemywork,andpreciselyatmidday
yesterdayIwasringingatthebell.Iwasletintothedrawing,room;Iwaitedaminuteshe
camein;shemademesitdownandsatdownherself,opposite.Isatdown,andIcouldn't
believeit;youknowhowshehasalwaystreatedme.Shebeganatoncewithoutbeatingabout
thebush,youknowherway.'Youremember,'shesaid,'thatfouryearsagowhenNikolay
Vsyevolodovitchwasillhedidsomestrangethingswhichmadeallthetownwondertillthe
position was explained. One of those actions concerned you personally. When Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchrecoveredhewentatmyrequesttocallonyou.Iknowthathetalkedtoyou
severaltimesbefore,too.Tellmeopenlyandcandidlywhatyou...(shefalteredalittleat
thispoint)whatyouthoughtofNikolayVsyevolodovitchthen...whatwasyourviewofhim
altogether...whatideayouwereabletoformofhimatthattime...and,stillhave?'

Hereshewascompletelyconfused,sothatshepausedforawholeminute,andsuddenly
flushed.Iwasalarmed.Shebeganagaintouchinglyisnotquitetheword,it'snotapplicable
toherbutinaveryimpressivetone:

'Iwantyou,'shesaid,'tounderstandmeclearlyandwithoutmistake.I'vesentforyounow
becauseIlookuponyouasakeensightedandquickwittedman,qualifiedtomakeaccurate
observations.' (What compliments!) 'You'll understand too,' she said, 'that I am a mother
appealingtoyou....NikolayVsyevolodovitchhassufferedsomecalamitiesandhaspassed
throughmanychangesoffortuneinhislife.Allthat,'shesaid,'mightwellhaveaffectedthe
stateofhismind.I'mnotspeakingofmadness,ofcourse,'shesaid,'that'squiteoutofthe
question!'(Thiswasutteredproudlyandresolutely.)'Buttheremightbesomethingstrange,
somethingpeculiar,someturnofthought,atendencytosomeparticularwayoflookingat
things.'(Thosewereherexactwords,andIadmired,StepanTrofimovitch,theexactnesswith
whichVarvaraPetrovnacanputthings.She'saladyofsuperiorintellect!)'Ihavenoticedin
him,anyway,'shesaid,'aperpetualrestlessnessandatendencytopeculiarimpulses.ButIam
amotherandyouareanimpartialspectator,andthereforequalifiedwithyourintelligenceto
formamoreimpartialopinion.Iimploreyou,infact'(yes,thatword,'implore'wasuttered!),
'totellmethewholetruth,withoutmincingmatters.Andifyouwillgivemeyourwordnever
toforgetthatIhavespokentoyouinconfidence,youmayreckonuponmyalwaysbeing
readytoseizeeveryopportunityinthefuturetoshowmygratitude.'Well,whatdoyousayto
that?

Youhave...soamazedme...falteredStepanTrofimovitch,thatIdon'tbelieveyou.

Yes, observe, observe, cried Liputin, as thoughhe hadnot heard Stepan Trofimovitch,
observewhatmustbeheragitationanduneasinessifshestoopsfromhergrandeurtoappeal
toamanlikeme,andevencondescendstobegmetokeepitsecret.Whatdoyoucallthat?
Hasn'tshereceivedsomenewsofNikolayVsyevolodovitch,somethingunexpected?

Idon'tknow...ofnewsofanysort...Ihaven'tseenherforsomedays,but...butImustsay
... lisped Stepan Trofimovitch, evidently hardly able to think clearly, but I must say,
Liputin, that if it was said to you in confidence, and here you're telling it before every
one...

Absolutelyinconfidence!ButGodstrikemedeadifI...Butasfortellingithere...what
doesitmatterIArewestrangers,evenAlexeyNilitch?

Idon'tsharethatattitude.Nodoubtwethreeherewillkeepthesecret,butI'mafraidofthe
fourth,you,andwouldn'ttrustyouinanything....

What do you mean by that? Why it's more to my interest than anyone's, seeing I was
promisedeternalgratitude!WhatIwantedwastopointoutinthisconnectiononeextremely
strangeincident,rathertosay,psychologicalthansimplystrange.Yesterdayevening,under
theinfluenceofmyconversationwithVarvaraPetrovnayoucanfancyyourselfwhatan
impressionitmadeonmeIapproachedAlexeyNilitchwithadiscreetquestion:'Youknew
NikolayVsyevolodovitchabroad,'saidI,'andusedtoknowhimbeforeinPetersburgtoo.
Whatdoyouthinkofhismindandhisabilities?'saidI.Heansweredlaconically,ashisway
is,thathewasamanofsubtleintellectandsoundjudgment.'Andhaveyounevernoticedin
thecourseofyears,'saidI,'anyturnofideasorpeculiarwayoflookingatthings,orany,soto
say,insanity?'Infact,IrepeatedVarvaraPetrovna'sownquestion.Andwouldyoubelieveit,
AlexeyNilitchsuddenlygrewthoughtful,andscowled,justashe'sdoingnow.'Yes,'saidhe,
'Ihavesometimesthoughttherewassomethingstrange.'Takenote,too,thatifanythingcould
haveseemedstrangeeventoAlexeyNilitch,itmustreallyhavebeensomething,mustn'tit?

Isthattrue?saidStepanTrofimovitch,turningtoAlexeyNilitch.
Ishouldprefernottospeakofit,answeredAlexeyNilitch,suddenlyraisinghishead,and
lookingathimwithflashingeyes.Iwishtocontestyourrighttodothis,Liputin.You'veno
righttodragmeintothis.Ididnotgivemywholeopinionatall.ThoughIknewNikolay
StavrogininPetersburgthatwaslongago,andthoughI'vemethimsinceIknowhimvery
little.Ibegyoutoleavemeoutand...Allthisissomethinglikescandal.

Liputinthrewuphishandswithanairofoppressedinnocence.

Ascandalmonger!Whynotsayaspywhileyou'reaboutit?It'sallverywellforyou,
AlexeyNilitch,tocriticisewhenyoustandalooffromeverything.Butyouwouldn'tbelieveit,
StepanTrofimovitchtakeCaptainLebyadkin,heisstupidenough,onemaysay...infact,
one'sashamedtosayhowstupidheis;thereisaRussiancomparison,tosignifythedegreeof
it;anddoyouknowheconsidershimselfinjuredbyNikolayVsyevolodovitch,thoughheis
fullofadmirationforhiswit.'I'mamazed,'saidhe,'atthatman.He'sasubtleserpent.'His
ownwords.AndIsaidtohim(stillundertheinfluenceofmyconversation,andafterIhad
spokentoAlexeyNilitch),'Whatdoyouthink,captain,isyoursubtleserpentmadornot?'
Wouldyoubelieveit,itwasjustasifI'dgivenhimasuddenlashfrombehind.Hesimply
leaptupfromhisseat.'Yes,'saidhe,'...yes,onlythat,'hesaid,'cannotaffect...''Affect
what?'Hedidn'tfinish.Yes,andthenhefelltothinkingsobitterly,thinkingsomuch,thathis
drunkennessdroppedoffhim.WeweresittinginFilipov'srestaurant.Anditwasn'ttillhalfan
hourlaterthathesuddenlystruckthetablewithhisfist.'Yes,'saidhe,'maybehe'smad,but
thatcan'taffectit....'Againhedidn'tsaywhatitcouldn'taffect.OfcourseI'monlygiving
youanextractoftheconversation,butonecanunderstandthesenseofit.Youmayaskwhom
youlike,theyallhavethesameideaintheirheads,thoughitneverenteredanyone'shead
before.'Yes,'theysay,'he'smad;he'sveryclever,butperhapshe'smadtoo.'

StepanTrofimovitchsatpondering,andthoughtintently.

AndhowdoesLebyadkinknow?

DoyoumindinquiringaboutthatofAlexeyNilitch,whohasjustcalledmeaspy?I'maspy,
yetIdon'tknow,butAlexeyNilitchknowsalltheinsandoutsofit,andholdshistongue.

Iknownothingaboutit,orhardlyanything,answeredtheengineerwiththesameirritation.
YoumakeLebyadkindranktofindout.Youbroughtmeheretofindoutandtomakeme
say.Andsoyoumustbeaspy.

Ihaven'tmadehimdrunkyet,andhe'snotworththemoneyeither,withallhissecrets.They
arenotworththattome.Idon'tknowwhattheyaretoyou.Onthecontrary,heisscattering
themoney,thoughtwelvedaysagohebeggedfifteenkopecksofme,andit'shetreatsmeto
champagne,notIhim.Butyou'vegivenmeanidea,andifthereshouldbeoccasionIwill
makehimdrunk,justtogettothebottomofitandmaybeIshallfindout...allyourlittle
secrets,Liputinsnappedbackspitefully.

Stepan Trofimovitch looked in bewilderment at the two disputants. Both were giving
themselvesaway,andwhat'smore,werenotstandingonceremony.Thethoughtcrossedmy
mindthatLiputinhadbroughtthisAlexeyNilitchtouswiththesimpleobjectofdrawinghim
intoaconversationthroughathirdpersonforpurposesofhisownhisfavouritemanoauvre.

AlexeyNilitchknowsNikolayVsyevolodovitchquitewell,hewenton,irritably,onlyhe
concealsit.AndastoyourquestionaboutCaptainLebyadkin,hemadehisacquaintance
beforeanyofusdid,sixyearsagoinPetersburg,inthatobscure,ifonemaysoexpressit,
epochinthelifeofNikolayVsyevolodovitch,beforehehaddreamedofrejoicingourhearts
bycominghere.Ourprince,onemustconclude,surroundedhimselfwith.ratheraqueer
selectionofacquaintances.Itwasatthattime,itseems,thathemadeacquaintancewiththis
gentlemanhere.

Takecare,Liputin.Iwarnyou,NikolayVsyevolodovitchmeanttobeheresoonhimself,and
heknowshowtodefendhimself.

Whywarnme?Iamthefirsttocryoutthatheisamanofthemostsubtleandrefined
intelligence,andIquitereassuredVarvaraPetrovnayesterdayonthatscore.'It'shischaracter,'
Isaidtoher,'thatIcan'tanswerfor.'Lebyadkinsaidthesamethingyesterday:'Alotofharm
hascometomefromhischaracter,'hesaid.StepanTrofimovitch,it'sallverywellforyouto
cryoutaboutslanderandspying,andattheverytimeobservethatyouwringitalloutofme,
and with such immense curiosity too. Now, Varvara Petrovna went straight to the point
yesterday.'Youhavehadapersonalinterestinthebusiness,'shesaid,'that'swhyIappealto
you.'Ishouldsayso!WhatneedtolookformotiveswhenI'veswallowedapersonalinsult
fromhisexcellencybeforethewholesocietyoftheplace.IshouldthinkIhavegroundstobe
interested,notmerelyforthesakeofgossip.Heshakeshandswithyouoneday,andnextday,
fornoearthlyreason,hereturnsyourhospitalitybyslappingyouonthecheeksinthefaceof
alldecentsociety,ifthefancytakeshim,outofsheerwantonness.Andwhat'smore,thefair
sexiseverythingforthem,thesebutterfliesandmettlesomecocks!Grandgentlemenwith
littlewingsliketheancientcupids,ladykillingPetchorins!It'sallverywellforyou,Stepan
Trofimovitch,aconfirmedbachelor,totalklikethat,stickupforhisexcellencyandcallmea
slanderer.Butifyoumarriedaprettyyoungwifeasyou'restillsuchafinefellowthenI
daresayyou'dboltyourdooragainstourprince,andthrowupbarricadesinyourhouse!Why,
ifonlythatMademoiselleLebyadkin,whoisthrashedwithawhip,werenotmadandbandy
legged,byJove,Ishouldfancyshewasthevictimofthepassionsofourgeneral,andthatit
wasfromhimthatCaptainLebyadkinhadsuffered'inhisfamilydignity,'asheexpressesit
himself.Onlyperhapsthatisinconsistentwithhisrefinedtaste,though,indeed,eventhat'sno
hindrancetohim.Everyberryisworthpickingifonlyhe'sinthemoodforit.Youtalkof
slander,butI'mnotcryingthisaloudthoughthewholetownisringingwithit;Ionlylisten
andassent.That'snotprohibited.

Thetown'sringingwithit?What'sthetownringingwith?

Thatis,CaptainLebyadkinisshoutingforallthetowntohear,andisn'tthatjustthesameas
themarketplaceringingwithit?HowamItoblame?Iinterestmyselfinitonlyamong
friends,for,afterall,Iconsidermyselfamongfriendshere.Helookedatuswithaninnocent
air.Something'shappened,onlyconsider:theysayhisexcellencyhassentthreehundred
roublesfromSwitzerlandbyamosthonourableyounglady,and,sotosay,modestorphan,
whom I have the honour of knowing, to be handed over to Captain Lebyadkin. And
Lebyadkin,alittlelater,wastoldasanabsolutefactalsobyaveryhonourableandtherefore
trustworthyperson,Iwon'tsaywhom,thatnotthreehundredbutathousandroubleshadbeen
sent!...Andso,Lebyadkinkeepscryingout'theyoungladyhasgrabbedsevenhundred
roublesbelongingtome,'andhe'salmostreadytocallinthepolice;hethreatensto,anyway,
andhe'smakinganuproaralloverthetown.

Thisisvile,vileofyou!criedtheengineer,leapingupsuddenlyfromhischair.

ButIsay,youareyourselfthehonourablepersonwhobroughtwordtoLebyadkinfrom
NikolayVsyevolodovitchthatathousandroublesweresent,notthreehundred.Why,the
captaintoldmesohimselfwhenhewasdrunk.

It's...it'sanunhappymisunderstanding.Someone'smadeamistakeandit'sledto...It's
nonsense,andit'sbaseofyou.

ButI'mreadytobelievethatit'snonsense,andI'mdistressedatthestory,for,takeitasyou
will,agirlofanhonourablereputationisimplicatedfirstoverthesevenhundredroubles,and
secondlyinunmistakableintimacywithNikolayVsyevolodovitch.Forhowmuchdoesit
meantohisexcellencytodisgraceagirlofgoodcharacter,orputtoshameanotherman's
wife,likethatincidentwithme?Ifhecomesacrossagenerousheartedmanhe'llforcehimto
coverthesinsofothersundertheshelterofhishonourablename.That'sjustwhatIhadtoput
upwith,I'mspeakingofmyself....

Becareful,Liputin.StepanTrofimovitchgotupfromhiseasychairandturnedpale.

Don'tbelieveit,don'tbelieveit!SomebodyhasmadeamistakeandLebyadkin'sdrunk...
exclaimedtheengineerinindescribableexcitement.Itwillallbeexplained,butIcan't....
AndIthinkit'slow....Andthat'senough,enough!

Heranoutoftheroom.

Whatareyouabout?Why,I'mgoingwithyou!criedLiputin,startled.Hejumpedupand
ranafterAlexeyNilitch.

VII

StepanTrofimovitchstoodamomentreflecting,lookedatmeasthoughhedidnotseeme,
tookuphishatandstickandwalkedquietlyoutoftheroom.Ifollowedhimagain,asbefore.
Aswewentoutofthegate,noticingthatIwasaccompanyinghim,hesaid:

Ohyes,youmayserveasawitness...deI'accident.Vousm'accompagnerez,riestcepas?"

StepanTrofimovitch,surelyyou'renotgoingthereagain?Thinkwhatmaycomeofit!
Withapitifulanddistractedsmile,asmileofshameandutterdespair,andatthesametimeof
asortofstrangeecstasy,hewhisperedtome,standingstillforaninstant:

Ican'tmarrytocover'anotherman'ssins'!

ThesewordswerejustwhatIwasexpecting.Atlastthatfatalsentencethathehadkept
hidden from me was uttered aloud, after a whole week of shuffling and pretence. I was
positivelyenraged.

Andyou,StepanVerhovensky,withyourluminousmind,yourkindheart,canharboursuch
adirty,suchalowidea...andcouldbeforeLiputincame!

Helookedatme,madenoanswerandwalkedoninthesamedirection.Ididnotwanttobe
leftbehind.IwantedtogiveVarvaraPetrovnamyversion.Icouldhaveforgivenhimifhe
hadsimplywithhiswomanishfaintheartednessbelievedLiputin,butnowitwasclearthathe
hadthoughtofitallhimselflongbefore,andthatLiputinhadonlyconfirmedhissuspicions
andpouredoilontheflames.Hehadnothesitatedtosuspectthegirlfromtheveryfirstday,
beforehehadanykindofgrounds,evenLiputin'swords,togoupon.VarvaraPetrovna's
despoticbehaviourhehadexplainedtohimselfasduetoherhastetocoverupthearistocratic
misdoingsofherprecious''Nicolasbymarryingthegirltoanhonourableman!Ilongedfor
himtobepunishedforit.

Oh,Dieu,quiestsigrandetsiban! Oh,whowillcomfortme!heexclaimed,halting
suddenlyagain,afterwalkingahundredpaces.

ComestraighthomeandI'llmakeeverythingcleartoyou,Icried,turninghimbyforce
towardshome.

It'she!StepanTrofimovitch,it'syou?You?Afresh,joyousyoungvoicerangoutlike
musicbehindus.

Wehadseennothing,butaladyonhorsebacksuddenlymadeherappearancebesideus
LizavetaNikolaevnawithherinvariablecompanion.Shepulledupherhorse.

Comehere,comeherequickly!shecalledtous,loudlyandmerrily.It'stwelveyearssince
I'veseenhim,andIknowhim,whilehe....Doyoureallynotknowme?

StepanTrofimovitchclaspedthehandheldouttohimandkisseditreverently.Hegazedat
herasthoughhewereprayingandcouldnotutteraword.

Heknowsme,andisglad!MavrikyNikolaevitch,he'sdelightedtoseeme!Whyisityou
haven'tbeentoseeusallthisfortnight?Auntietriedtopersuademeyouwereillandmustnot
bedisturbed;butIknowAuntietellslies.Ikeptstampingandswearingatyou,butIhadmade
upmymind,quitemadeupmymind,thatyoushouldcometomefirst,thatwaswhyIdidn't
sendtoyou.Heavens,whyhehasn'tchangedabit!Shescrutinisedhim,bendingdownfrom
thesaddle.He'sabsurdlyunchanged.Oh,yes,hehaswrinkles,alotofwrinkles,roundhis
eyesandonhischeekssomegreyhair,buthiseyesarejustthesame.AndhaveIchanged?
HaveIchanged?Whydon'tyousaysomething?

Irememberedatthatmomentthestorythatshehadbeenalmostillwhenshewastakenaway
toPetersburgatelevenyearsold,andthatshehadcriedduringherillnessandaskedfor
StepanTrofimovitch.

You...I...hefalterednowinavoicebreakingwithjoy.Iwasjustcryingout'whowill
comfortme?'andIheardyourvoice.Ilookonitasamiracleetjecommencedcroire.

EnDieu!EnDieuquiestlahautetquiestsigrandetsibon?Yousee,Iknowallyour
lecturesbyheart.MavrikyNikolaevitch,whatfaithheusedtopreachtomethen,enDieuqui
est si grand et si bon! And do you remember your story of how Columbus discovered
America,andtheyallcriedout,'Land!land!'?MynurseAlyonaFrolovnasaysIwaslight
headed at night afterwards, and kept crying out 'land! land!' in my sleep. And do you
rememberhowyoutoldmethestoryofPrinceHamlet?Anddoyourememberhowyou
describedtomehowthepooremigrantsweretransportedfromEuropetoAmerica?Andit
wasalluntrue;Ifoundoutafterwardshowtheyweretransited.Butwhatbeautifulfibshe
usedtotellmethen,MavrikyNikolaevitch!Theywerebetterthanthetruth.Whydoyoulook
atMavrikyNikolaevitchlikethat?Heisthebestandbestmanonthefaceoftheglobeand
youmustlikehimjustyoudome!Ilfaittoutcequejeveux.But,dearStepanTrofimovitch,
youmustbeunhappyagain,sinceyoucryoutinthemiddleofthestreetaskingwhowill
comfortyou.Unhappy,aren'tyou?Aren'tyou?

NowI'mhappy....

Auntishorridtoyou?shewenton,withoutlistening.She'sjustthesameasever,cross,
unjust,andalwaysourpreciousaunt!Anddoyourememberhowyouthrewyourselfintomy
armsinthegardenandIcomfortedyouandcrieddon'tbeafraidofMavrikyNikolaevitch;
hehasknownallaboutyou,everything,foreversolong;youcanweeponhisshoulderas
longasyoulike,andhe'llstandthereaslongasyoulike!...Liftupyourhat,takeitoff
altogetherforaminute,liftupyourhead,standontiptoe,Iwanttokissyouontheforehead
asIkissedyouforthelasttimewhenweparted.Doyouseethatyounglady'sadmiringusout
ofthewindow?Comecloser,closer!Heavens!Howgreyheis!

Andbendingoverinthesaddleshekissedhimontheforehead.

Come,nowtoyourhome!Iknowwhereyoulive.I'llbewithyoudirectly,inaminute.I'll
makeyouthefirstvisit,youstubbornman,andthenImusthaveyouforawholedayathome.
Youcangoandmakereadyforme.

Andshegallopedoffwithhercavalier.Wereturned.StepanTrofimovitchsatdownonthe
sofaandbegantocry.

Dieu,Dieu.'heexclaimed,enftnuneminutedebonheur!
Notmorethantenminutesafterwardsshereappearedaccordingtoherpromise,escortedby
herMavrikyNikolaevitch.

Vousetlebonheur,vousarrivezenmemetemps!Hegotuptomeether.

Here'sanosegayforyou;IrodejustnowtoMadameChevalier's,shehasflowersallthe
winterfornamedays.Here'sMavrikyNikolaevitch,pleasemakefriends.Iwantedtobring
youacakeinsteadofanosegay,butMavrikyNikolaevitchdeclaresthatisnotintheRussian
spirit.

Mavriky Nikolaevitch was an artillery captain, a tall and handsome man of thirtythree,
irreproachably correct in appearance, with an imposing and at first sight almost stern
countenance, in spite of his wonderful and delicate kindness which no one could fail to
perceive almost the first moment of making his acquaintance. He was taciturn, however,
seemedveryselfpossessedandmadenoeffortstogainfriends.Manyofussaidlaterthathe
wasbynomeansclever;butthiswasnotaltogetherjust.

Iwon'tattempttodescribethebeautyofLizavetaNikolaevna.Thewholetownwastalkingof
it,thoughsomeofourladiesandyounggirlsindignantlydifferedonthesubject.Therewere
someamongthemwhoalreadydetestedher,andprincipallyforherpride.TheDrozdovshad
scarcelybeguntopaycalls,whichmortifiedthem,thoughtherealreasonforthedelaywas
PraskovyaIvanovna'sinvalidstate.Theydetestedherinthesecondplacebecauseshewasa
relativeofthegovernor'swife,andthirdlybecausesherodeouteverydayonhorseback.We
had never had young ladies who rode on horseback before; it was only natural that the
appearanceofLizavetaNikolaevnaohhorsebackandherneglecttopaycallswasboundto
offendlocalsociety.Yeteveryoneknewthatridingwasprescribedherbythedoctor'sorders,
andtheytalkedsarcasticallyofherillness.Shereallywasill.Whatstruckmeatfirstsightin
herwasherabnormal,nervous,incessantrestlessness.Alas,thepoorgirlwasveryunhappy,
andeverythingwasexplainedlater.Today,recallingthepast,Ishouldnotsayshewassucha
beautyassheseemedtomethen.Perhapsshewasreallynotprettyatall.Tall,slim,but
strongandsupple,shestruckonebytheirregularitiesofthelinesofherface.Hereyeswere
setsomewhatlikeaKalmuck's,slanting;shewaspaleandthininthefacewithhighcheek
bones, but there was something in the face that conquered and fascinated! There was
somethingpowerfulintheardentglanceofherdarkeyes.Shealwaysmadeherappearance
likeaConqueringheroine,andtospreadherconquests.Sheseemedproudandattimes
evenarrogant.Idon'tknowwhethershesucceededinbeingkind,butIknowthatshewanted
to,andmadeterribleeffortstoforceherselftobealittlekind.Therewere,nodoubt,many
fine impulses and the very best elements in her character, but everything in her seemed
perpetuallyseekingitsbalanceandunabletofindit;everythingwasinchaos,inagitation,in
uneasiness.Perhapsthedemandsshemadeuponherselfweretoosevere,andshewasnever
abletofindinherselfthestrengthtosatisfythem.

Shesatonthesofaandlookedroundtheroom.

WhydoIalwaysbegintofeelsadatsuchmoments;explainthatmystery,youlearned
person?I'vebeenthinkingallmylifethatIshouldbegoodnessknowshowpleasedatseeing
youandrecallingeverything,andhereIsomehowdon'tfeelpleasedatall,althoughIdolove
you. . . . Ach, heavens! He has my portrait on the wall! Give it here. I remember it! I
rememberit!

AnexquisiteminiatureinwatercolourofLizaattwelveyearsoldhadbeensentnineyears
beforetoStepanTrofimovitchfromPetersburgbytheDrozdovs.Hehadkeptithangingon
hiswalleversince.

WasIsuchaprettychild?Canthatreallyhavebeenmyface?

Shestoodup,andwiththeportraitinherhandlookedinthelookingglass.

Makehaste,takeit!shecried,givingbacktheportrait.Don'thangitupnow,afterwards.I
don'twanttolookatit.

Shesatdownonthesofaagain.Onelifeisoverandanotherisbegun,thenthatoneisover
athirdbegins,andsoon,endlessly.Alltheendsaresnippedoffasitwerewithscissors.See
whatstalethingsI'mtellingyou.Yethowmuchtruththereisinthem!

Shelookedatme,smiling;shehadglancedatmeseveraltimesalready,butinhisexcitement
StepanTrofimovitchforgot:thathehadpromisedtointroduceme.

Andwhyhaveyouhungmyportraitunderthosedaggers?Andwhyhaveyougotsomany
daggersandsabres?

Hehadasafacthangingonthewall,Idon'tknowwhy,twocrosseddaggersandabovethem
agenuineCircassiansabre.AssheaskedthisquestionshelookedsodirectlyatmethatI
wantedtoanswer,buthesitatedtospeak.StepanTrofimovitchgraspedthepositionatlastand
introducedme.

Iknow,Iknow,shesaid,I'mdelightedtomeetyou.Motherhasheardagreatdealabout
you,too.LetmeintroduceyoutoMavrikyNikolaevitchtoo,he'sasplendidperson.Ihad
formedafunnynotionofyoualready.You'reStepanTrofimovitch'sconfidant,aren'tyou?

Iturnedratherred.

Ach,forgiveme,please.Iusedquitethewrongword:notfunnyatall,butonly...Shewas
confusedandblushed.''Whybeashamedthoughatyourbeingasplendidperson?Well,it's
timeweweregoing,MavrikyNikolaevitch!StepanTrofimovitch,youmustbewithusinhalf
anhour.Mercy,whatalotweshalltalk!NowI'myourconfidante,andabouteverything,
everything,youunderstand?

StepanTrofimovitchwasalarmedatonce.

Oh,MavrikyNikolaevitchknowseverything,don'tmindhim!
Whatdoesheknow?

Why,whatdoyoumean?shecriedinastonishment.Bah,whyit'struethenthatthey're
hidingit!Iwouldn'tbelieveit!Andthey'rehidingDasha,too.Auntwouldn'tletmegointo
seeDashatoday.Shesaysshe'sgotaheadache.

But...buthowdidyoufindout?

Mygoodness,likeeveryoneelse.Thatneedsnocunning!

Butdoeseveryoneelse...?

Why,ofcourse.Mother,it'strue,hearditfirstthroughAlyonaFrolovna,mynurse;your
Nastasyaranroundtotellher.YoutoldNastasya,didn'tyou?Shesaysyoutoldheryourself.

I...Ididoncespeak,StepanTrofimovitchfaltered,crimsoningallover,but...Ionly
hinted...j'etaissinerveuxetmalade,etpuis...

Shelaughed.

Andyourconfidantdidn'thappentobeathand,andNastasyaturnedup.Wellthatwas
enough!Andthewholetown'sfullofhercronies!Come,itdoesn'tmatter,letthemknow;it's
allthebetter.Makehasteandcometous,wedineearly....Oh,Iforgot,sheadded,sitting
downagain;listen,whatsortofpersonisShatov?

Shatov?He'sthebrotherofDaryaPavlovna.

Iknowhe'sherbrother!Whatapersonyouare,really,sheinterruptedimpatiently.Iwant
toknowwhathe'slike;whatsortofmanheis.

C'estunpensecreuxd'ici.C'estlemeilleuretleplusirasciblel'homme,dumonde.

I'veheardthathe'sratherqueer.Butthatwasn'twhatImeant.I'veheardthatheknowsthree
languages,oneofthemEnglish,andcandoliterarywork.InthatcaseI'vealotofworkfor
him.Iwantsomeonetohelpmeandthesoonerthebetter.Wouldhetaketheworkornot?
He'sbeenrecommendedtome....

Oh,mostcertainlyhewill.Etvousferezunbienfait....

I'mnotdoingitasabienfait.Ineedsomeonetohelpme.

IknowShatovprettywell,Isaid,andifyouwilltrustmewithamessagetohimI'llgoto
himthisminute.

Tellhimtocometomeattwelveo'clocktomorrowmorning.Capital!Thankyou.Mavriky
Nikolaevitch,areyouready?
Theywentaway.Iranatonce,ofcourse,toShatov.

Manami! saidStepanTrofimovitch,overtakingmeonthesteps.Besuretobeatmy
lodgingattenoreleveno'clockwhenIcomeback.Oh,I'veactedverywronglyinmyconduct
toyouandtoeveryone.

VIII

IdidnotfindShatovathome.Iranroundagain,twohourslater.Hewasstillout.Atlast,at
eighto'clockIwenttohimagain,meaningtoleaveanoteifIdidnotfindhim;againIfailed
tofindhim.Hislodgingwasshutup,andhelivedalonewithoutaservantofanysort.Idid
thinkofknockingatCaptainLebyadkin'sdownbelowtoaskaboutShatov;butitwasallshut
upbelow,too,andtherewasnosoundorlightasthoughtheplacewereempty.Ipassedby
Lebyadkin'sdoorwithcuriosity,rememberingthestoriesIhadheardthatday.Finally,Imade
upmymindtocomeveryearlynextmorning:TotellthetruthIdidnotputmuchconfidence
intheeffectofanote.Shatovmighttakenonoticeofit;hewassoobstinateandshy.Cursing
mywantofsuccess,IwasgoingoutofthegatewhenallatonceIstumbledonMr.Kirillov.
Hewasgoingintothehouseandherecognisedmefirst.Ashebeganquestioningmeof
himself,Itoldhimhowthingswere,andthatIhadanote.

Letusgoin,saidhe,Iwilldoeverything.

I remembered that Liputin had told us hp had taken the wooden lodge in the yard that
morning.Inthelodge,whichwastoolargeforhim,adeafoldwomanwhowaiteduponhim
waslivingtoo.Theownerofthehousehadmovedintoanewhouseinanotherstreet,where
hekeptarestaurant,andthisoldwoman,arelationofhis,Ibelieve,wasleftbehindtolook
aftereverythingintheoldhouse.Theroomsinthelodgewerefairlyclean,thoughthewall
papersweredirty.Intheonewewentintothefurniturewasofdifferentsorts,pickeduphere
andthere,andallutterlyworthless.Thereweretwocardtables,achestofdrawersmadeof
elder,abigdealtablethatmusthavecomefromsomepeasanthutorkitchen,chairsanda
sofa with trelliswork back and hard leather cushions. In one corner there was an old
fashionedikon,infrontofwhichtheoldwomanhadlightedalampbeforewecamein,and
on the walls hung two dingy oilpaintings, one, a portrait of the Tsar Nikolas I, painted
apparentlybetween1820and1830;theothertheportraitofsomebishop.Mr.Kirillovlighted
acandleandtookoutofhistrunk,whichstoodnotyetunpackedinacorner,anenvelope,
sealingwax,andaglassseal.

Sealyournoteandaddresstheenvelope.

Iwouldhaveobjectedthatthiswasunnecessary,butheinsisted.WhenIhadaddressedthe
envelopeItookmycap.

Iwasthinkingyou'dhavetea,hesaid.Ihaveboughttea.Willyou?

Icouldnotrefuse.Theoldwomansoonbroughtinthetea,thatis,averylargeteapotof
boiling water, a little teapot full of strong tea, two large earthenware cups, coarsely
decorated,afancyloaf,andawholedeepsauceroflumpsugar.

Iloveteaatnight,saidhe.Iwalkmuchanddrinkittilldaybreak.Abroadteaatnightis
inconvenient.

Yougotobedatdaybreak?

Always;foralongwhile.Ieatlittle;alwaystea.Liputin'ssly,butimpatient.

I was surprised at his wanting to talk; I made up my mind to take advantage of the
opportunity.Therewereunpleasantmisunderstandingsthismorning,Iobserved.

Hescowled.

That'sfoolishness;that'sgreatnonsense.AllthisisnonsensebecauseLebyadkinisdrunk.I
didnottellLiputin,butonlyexplainedthenonsense,becausehegotitallwrong.Liputinhas
agreatdealoffantasy,hebuiltupamountainoutofnonsense.ItrustedLiputinyesterday.

Andmetoday?Isaid,laughing.

Butyousee,youknewallaboutitalreadythismorning;Liputinisweakorimpatient,or
maliciousor...he'senvious.

Thelastwordstruckme.

You've mentioned so many adjectives, however, that it would be strange if one didn't
describehim.

Orallatonce.

Yes,andthat'swhatLiputinreallyishe'sachaos.Hewaslyingthismorningwhenhesaid
youwerewritingsomething,wasn'the?

Whyshouldhe?hesaid,scowlingagainandstaringatthefloor.

Iapologised,andbeganassuringhimthatIwasnotinquisitive.Heflushed.

Hetoldthetruth;Iamwriting.Onlythat'snomatter.

Weweresilentforaminute.HesuddenlysmiledwiththechildlikesmileIhadnoticedthat
morning.

He invented that about heads himself out of a book, and told me first himself, and
understandsbadly.ButIonlyseekthecauseswhymendarenotkillthemselves;that'sall.
Andit'sallnomatter.
Howdoyoumeantheydon'tdare?Aretheresofewsuicides?

Veryfew.

Doyoureallythinkso?

Hemadenoanswer,gotup,andbeganwalkingtoandfrolostinthought.

Whatisitrestrainspeoplefromsuicide,doyouthink?Iasked.

Helookedatmeabsentmindedly,asthoughtryingtorememberwhatweweretalkingabout.

I...Idon'tknowmuchyet....Twoprejudicesrestrainthem,twothings;onlytwo,one
verylittle,theotherverybig.

Whatisthelittlething?

Pain.

Pain?Canthatbeofimportanceatsuchamoment?

Ofthegreatest.Therearetwosorts:thosewhokillthemselveseitherfromgreatsorrowor
fromspite,orbeingmad,ornomatterwhat...theydoitsuddenly.Theythinklittleaboutthe
pain,butkillthemselvessuddenly.Butsomedoitfromreasontheythinkagreatdeal.

Why,aretherepeoplewhodoitfromreason?

Verymany.Ifitwerenotforsuperstitiontherewouldbemore,verymany,all.

What,all?

Hedidnotanswer.

Butaren'ttheremeansofdyingwithoutpain?

Imaginehestoppedbeforemeimagineastoneasbigasagreathouse;ithangsand
youareunderit;ifitfallsonyou,onyourhead,willithurtyou?

Astoneasbigasahouse?Ofcourseitwouldbefearful.

Ispeaknotofthefear.Willithurt?

Astoneasbigasamountain,weighingmillionsoftons?Ofcourseitwouldn'thurt.

Butreallystandthereandwhileithangsyouwillfearverymuchthatitwillhurt.Themost
learnedman,thegreatestdoctor,all,allwillbeverymuchfrightened.Everyonewillknow
thatitwon'thurt,andeveryonewillbeafraidthatitwillhurt.
Well,andthesecondcause,thebigone?

Theotherworld!

Youmeanpunishment?

That'snomatter.Theotherworld;onlytheotherworld.

Aretherenoatheists,suchasdon'tbelieveintheotherworldatall?

Againhedidnotanswer.

Youjudgefromyourself,perhaps.

Every one cannot judge except from himself, he said, reddening. There will be full
freedomwhenitwillbejustthesametoliveornottolive.That'sthegoalforall.

Thegoal?Butperhapsnoonewillcaretolivethen?

Noone,hepronouncedwithdecision.

Manfearsdeathbecauseheloveslife.That'showIunderstandit,Iobserved,andthat's
determinedbynature.

That'sabject;andthat'swherethedeceptioncomesin.Hiseyesflashed.Lifeispain,lifeis
terror,andmanisunhappy.Nowallispainandterror.Nowmanloveslife,becauseheloves
painandterror,andsotheyhavedoneaccording.Lifeisgivennowforpainandterror,and
that'sthedeception.Nowmanisnotyetwhathewillbe.Therewillbeanewman,happyand
proud.Forwhomitwillbethesametoliveornottolive,hewillbethenewman.Hewho
willconquerpainandterrorwillhimselfbeagod.AndthisGodwillnotbe.

ThenthisGoddoesexistaccordingtoyou?

Hedoesnotexist,butHeis.Inthestonethereisnopain,butinthefearofthestoneisthe
pain.Godisthepainofthefearofdeath.Hewhowillconquerpainandterrorwillbecome
himselfagod.Thentherewillbeanewlife,anewman;everythingwillbenew...thenthey
willdividehistoryintotwoparts:fromthegorillatotheannihilationofGod,andfromthe
annihilationofGodto...

Tothegorilla?

...Tothetransformationoftheearth,andofmanphysically.ManwillbeGod,andwillbe
transformedphysically,andtheworldwillbetransformedandthingswillbetransformedand
thoughtsandallfeelings.Whatdoyouthink:willmanbechangedphysicallythen?

Ifitwillbejustthesamelivingornotliving,allwillkillthemselves,andperhapsthat'swhat
thechangewillbe?
That'snomatter.Theywillkilldeception.Everyonewhowantsthesupremefreedommust
daretokillhimself.Hewhodarestokillhimselfhasfoundoutthesecretofthedeception.
There isnofreedom beyond; that is all, and there is nothing beyond. He whodares kill
himselfisGod.NoweveryonecandosothatthereshallbenoGodandshallbenothing.But
noonehasoncedoneityet.

Therehavebeenmillionsofsuicides.

Butalwaysnotforthat;alwayswithterrorandnotforthatobject.Nottokillfear.Hewho
killshimselfonlytokillfearwillbecomeagodatonce.

Hewon'thavetime,perhaps,Iobserved.

That'snomatter,heansweredsoftly,withcalmpride,almostdisdain.I'msorrythatyou
seemtobelaughing,headdedhalfaminutelater.

Itseemsstrangetomethatyouweresoirritablethismorningandarenowsocalm,though
youspeakwithwarmth.

Thismorning?Itwasfunnythismorning,heansweredwithasmile.Idon'tlikescolding,
andIneverlaugh,headdedmournfully.

Yes,youdon'tspendyournightsverycheerfullyoveryourtea.

Igotupandtookmycap.

You think not? he smiledwith some surprise. Why? No, I... I don't know. He was
suddenlyconfused.Iknownothowitiswiththeothers,andIfeelthatIcannotdoasothers.
Everybodythinksandthenatoncethinksofsomethingelse.Ican'tthinkofsomethingelse.I
thinkallmylifeofonething.Godhastormentedmeallmylife,heendedupsuddenlywith
astonishingexpansiveness.

Andtellme,ifImayask,whyisityouspeakRussiannotquitecorrectly?Surelyyouhaven't
forgottenitafterfiveyearsabroad?

Don'tIspeakcorrectly?Idon'tknow.No,it'snotbecauseofabroad.Ihavetalkedlikethat
allmylife...it'snomattertome.

Anotherquestion,amoredelicateone.Iquitebelieveyouthatyou'redisinclinedtomeet
peopleandtalkverylittle.Whyhaveyoutalkedtomenow?

Toyou?Thismorningyousatsonicelyandyou...butit'sallnomatter...youarelikemy
brother,verymuch,extremely,headded,flushing.Hehasbeendeadsevenyears.Hewas
older,very,verymuch.

Isupposehehadagreatinfluenceonyourwayofthinking?
Nno.Hesaidlittle;hesaidnothing.I'llgiveyournote.

Hesawmetothegatewithalantern,tolockitafterme.Ofcoursehe'smad,Idecided.In
thegatewayImetwithanotherencounter.

IX

Ihadonlyjustliftedmylegoverthehighbarrieracrossthebottomofthegateway,when
suddenlyastronghandclutchedatmychest.

Who'sthis?roaredavoice,afriendoranenemy?Ownup!

He'soneofus;oneofus!Liputin'svoicesquealednearby.It'sMr.Gv,ayoungman
ofclassicaleducation,intouchwiththehighestsociety.

Ilovehimifhe'sinsociety,classi...thatmeanshe'shighlyeducated.Theretired
CaptainIgnatLebyadkin,attheserviceoftheworldandhisfriends...ifthey'retrueones,if
they'retrueones,thescoundrels.

CaptainLebyadkin,astout,fleshymanoversixfeetinheight,withcurlyhairandaredface,
was so extremely drunk that he could scarcely stand up before me, and articulated with
difficulty.Ihadseenhimbefore,however,inthedistance.

Andthisone!heroaredagain,noticingKirillov,whowasstillstandingwiththelantern;he
raisedhisfist,butletitfallagainatonce.

Iforgiveyouforyourlearning!IgnatLebyadkinhighlyeducated....

'Abomboflovewithstingingsmart

ExplodedinIgnaty'sheart.

InanguishdireIweepagain

ThearmthatatSevastopol

Ilostinbitterpain!'

NotthatIeverwasatSevastopol,oreverlostmyarm,butyouknowwhatrhymeis.He
pusheduptomewithhisugly,tipsyface.

Pieisinahurry,heisgoinghome!Liputintriedtopersuadehim.He'lltellLizaveta
Nikolaevnatomorrow.

Lizaveta!heyelledagain.Stay,don'tgo!Avariation;

'AmongtheAmazonsastar,
Uponhersteedsheflashesby,

Andsmilesuponmefromafar,

Thechildofaristocracy!

ToaStarryAmazon.'

Youknowthat'sahymn.It'sahymn,ifyou'renotanass!Theduffers,theydon'tunderstand!
Stay!

Hecaughtholdofmycoat,thoughIpulledmyselfawaywithallmymight.

TellherI'maknightandthesoulofhonour,andasforthatDasha...I'dpickherupand
chuckherout....She'sonlyaserf,shedaren't...

Atthispointhefelldown,forIpulledmyselfviolentlyoutofhishandsandranintothestreet.
Liputinclungontome.

AlexeyNilitchwillpickhimup.DoyouknowwhatI'vejustfoundoutfromhim?he
babbledindesperatehaste.Didyouhearhisverses?He'ssealedthoseversestothe'Starry
Amazon'inanenvelopeandisgoingtosendthemtomorrowtoLizavetaNikolaevna,signed
withhisnameinfull.Whatafellow!

Ibetyousuggestedittohimyourself.

You'llloseyourbet,laughedLiputin.He'sinlove,inlovelikeacat,anddoyouknowit
beganwithhatred.HehatedLizavetaNikolaevnaatfirstsomuch,forridingonhorseback
thathealmostsworealoudatherinthestreet.Yes,hedidabuseher!Onlythedaybefore
yesterdayhesworeatherwhensherodebyluckilyshedidn'thear.And,suddenly,today
poetry!Doyouknowhemeanstoriskaproposal?Seriously!Seriously!

Iwonderatyou,Liputin;wheneverthere'sanythingnastygoingonyou'realwaysonthespot
takingaleadingpartinit,Isaidangrily.

You'regoingratherfar,Mr.Gv.Isn'tyourpoorlittle

heartquaking,perhaps,interrorofarival?

Whaat!Icried,standingstill.

Well,nowtopunishyouIwon'tsayanythingmore,andwouldn'tyouliketoknowthough?
Takethisalone,thatthatloutisnotasimplecaptainnowbutalandownerofourprovince,
andratheranimportantone,too,forNikolayVsyevolodovitchsoldhimallhisestatetheother
day,formerlyoftwohundredserfs;andasGod'sabove,I'mnotlying.I'veonlyjustheardit,
butitwasfromamostreliablesource.Andnowyoucanferretitoutforyourself;I'llsay
nothingmore;goodbye.

StepanTrofimovitchwasawaitingmewithhystericalimpatience.Itwasanhoursincehehad
returned.Ifoundhiminastateresemblingintoxication;forthefirstfiveminutesatleastI
thoughthewasdrunk.Alas,thevisittotheDrozdovshadbeenthefinishingstroke.

Monami! Ihavecompletelylostthethread...Lise...Iloveandrespectthatangelas
before;justasbefore;butitseemstometheybothaskedmesimplytofindoutsomething
fromme,thatismoresimplytogetsomethingoutofme,andthentogetridofme....That's
howitis.

Yououghttobeashamed!Icouldn'thelpexclaiming.Myfriend,nowIamutterlyalone.
Enfin,c'estridicule.Wouldyoubelieveit,theplaceispositivelypackedwithmysteriesthere
too.Theysimplyflewatmeaboutthoseearsandnoses,andsomemysteriesinPetersburg
too.Youknowtheyhadn'theardtilltheycameaboutthetricksNicolasplayedherefouryears
ago.'Youwerehere,yousawit,isittruethatheismad?'WheretheygottheideaIcan'tmake
out.WhyisitthatPraskovyaissoanxiousNicolasshouldbemad?Thewomanwillhaveit
so,shewill. CeMaurice, orwhat'shisname,MavrikyNikolaevitch, bravehommetoutde
meme... butcanitbeforhissake,andaftershewroteherselffromParisto cettepauvre
amie? . . . Enfin, this Praskovya, as cette chere amie calls her, is a type. She's Gogol's
MadameBox,ofimmortalmemory,onlyshe'saspitefulMadameBox,amalignantBox,and
inanimmenselyexaggeratedform.

That'smakingheroutaregularpackingcaseifit'sanexaggeratedform.

Well,perhapsit'stheopposite;it'sallthesame,onlydon'tinterruptme,forI'mallinawhirl.
Theyareallatloggerheads,exceptLise,shekeepsonwithher'Auntie,auntie!'butLise'ssly,
and there's something behind it too. Secrets. She has quarrelled with the old lady. Cette
pauvreauntietyrannisesovereveryoneit'strue,andthenthere'sthegovernor'swife,andthe
rudenessoflocalsociety,andKarmazinov's'rudeness';andthenthisideaofmadness, ce
Lipoutine,cequejenecomprendspas...and...andtheysayshe'sbeenputtingvinegaron
herhead,andherearewewithourcomplaintsandletters....Oh,howIhavetormentedher
andatsuchatime!Jesuisuningrat!Onlyimagine,Icomebackandfindaletterfromher;
readit,readit!Oh,howungratefulitwasofme!

HegavemealetterhehadjustreceivedfromVarvaraPetrovna.Sheseemedtohaverepented
ofherstayathome.Theletterwasamiablebutdecidedintone,andbrief.Sheinvited
StepanTrofimovitchtocometoherthedayaftertomorrow,whichwasSunday,attwelve
o'clock,andadvisedhimtobringoneofhisfriendswithhim.(Mynamewasmentionedin
parenthesis).ShepromisedonhersidetoinviteShatov,asthebrotherofDaryaPavlovna.
Youcanobtainafinalanswerfromher:willthatbeenoughforyou?Isthistheformality
youweresoanxiousfor?

Observethatirritablephraseaboutformality.Poorthing,poorthing,thefriendofmywhole
life!Iconfessthesuddendeterminationofmywholefuturealmostcrushedme....IconfessI
stillhadhopes,butnowtoutestdit.Iknownowthatallisover.C'estterrible!Oh,thatthat
Sundaywouldnevercomeandeverythingwouldgoonintheoldway.Youwouldhavegone
oncomingandI'dhavegoneonhere....

You'vebeenupsetbyallthosenastythingsLiputinsaid,thoseslanders.

Mydear,youhavetouchedonanothersorespotwithyourfriendlyfinger.Suchfriendly
fingersaregenerallymercilessandsometimesunreasonable;pardon,youmayriotbelieveit,
butI'dalmostforgottenallthat,allthatnastiness,notthatIforgotit,indeed,butinmy
foolishnessItriedallthewhileIwaswithLisetobehappyandpersuadedmyselfIwas
happy.Butnow...Oh,nowI'mthinkingofthatgenerous,humanewoman,solongsuffering
withmycontemptiblefailingsnotthatshe'sbeenaltogetherlongsuffering,butwhathaveI
beenwithmyhorrid,worthlesscharacter!I'macapriciouschild,withalltheegoismofachild
andnoneoftheinnocence.Forthelasttwentyyearsshe'sbeenlookingaftermelikeanurse,
cettepauvreauntie,asLisesocharminglycallsher....Andnow,aftertwentyyears,thechild
clamourstobemarried,sendingletterafterletter,whileherhead'sinavinegarcompressand.
..nowhe'sgotitonSundayIshallbeamarriedman,that'snojoke....AndwhydidI
keepinsistingmyself,whatdidIwritethoselettersfor?Oh,Iforgot.LiseidolizesDarya
Pavlovna,shesayssoanyway;shesaysofher'c'estunange,onlyratherareservedone.'They
bothadvisedme,evenPraskovya....Praskovyadidn'tadvisemethough.Oh,whatvenom
liesconcealedinthat'Box'!AndLisedidn'texactlyadviseme:'Whatdoyouwanttoget
marriedfor,'shesaid,'yourintellectualpleasuresoughttobeenoughforyou.'Shelaughed.I
forgiveherforlaughing,forthere'sanacheinherownheart.Youcan'tgetonwithouta
womanthough,theysaidtome.Theinfirmitiesofagearecominguponyou,andshewilltuck
youup,orwhateveritis....Mafoi,I'vebeenthinkingmyselfallthistimeI'vebeensitting
withyouthatProvidencewassendinghertomeinthedeclineofmystormyyearsandthat
shewouldtuckmeup,orwhatevertheycallit...enfin,she'llbehandyforthehousekeeping.
Seewhatalitterthereis,lookhoweverything'slyingabout.Isaiditmustbeclearedupthis
morning, and look at the book on the floor! La pauvre amie was always angry at the
untidinesshere....Ah,nowIshallnolongerhearhervoice!Vingtans!Anditseemsthey've
hadanonymousletters.Onlyfancy,it'ssaidthatNicolashassoldLebyadkinhisproperty.
C'estunmonstre;etenfinwhatisLebyadkin?Liselistens,andlistens,ooh,howshelistens!I
forgaveherlaughing.Isawherfaceasshelistened,andceMaurice...Ishouldn'tcaretobein
hisshoesnow,bravehommetoutdememe,butrathershy;butnevermindhim....

Hepaused.Hewastiredandupset,andsatwithdroopinghead,staringatthefloorwithhis
tiredeyes.ItookadvantageoftheintervaltotellhimofmyvisittoFilipov'shouse,andcurtly
anddrylyexpressedmyopinionthatLebyadkin'ssister(whomIhadneverseen)reallymight
havebeensomehowVictimisedbyNicolasatsometimeduringthatmysteriousperiodofhis
life,asLiputinhadcalledit,andthatitwasverypossiblethatLebyadkinreceivedsumsof
money from Nicolas for some reason, but that was all. As for the scandal about Darya
Pavlovna, that was all nonsense, all that brute Liputin's misrepresentations, that this was
anywaywhatAlexeyNilitchwarmlymaintained,andwehadnogroundsfordisbelieving
him.StepanTrofimovitchlistenedtomyassuranceswithanabsentair,asthoughtheydidnot
concernhim.ImentionedbythewaymyconversationwithKirillov,andaddedthathemight
bemad.

He'snotmad,butoneofthoseshallowmindedpeople,hemumbledlistlessly.Cesgensil
supposentlanatureetlasocietehumaineautresqueDieunelesafaitesetqu'ellesnesont
reellement.Peopletrytomakeuptothem,butStepanVerhovenskydoesnot,anyway.Isaw
themthattimeinPetersburgaveccettechereamie(oh,howIusedtowoundherthen),andI
wasn'tafraidoftheirabuseorevenoftheirpraise.I'mnotafraidnoweither. Maisparlous
d'autrechose....IbelieveIhavedonedreadfulthings.Onlyfancy,Isentaletteryesterdayto
DaryaPavlovnaand...howIcursemyselfforit!

Whatdidyouwriteabout?

Oh,myfriend,believeme,itwasalldonein'anoblespirit.IletherknowthatIhadwritten
toNicolasfivedaysbefore,alsoinanoblespirit.

Iunderstandnow!Icriedwithheat.Andwhatrighthadyoutocoupletheirnameslike
that?

But,moncher,don'tcrushmecompletely,don'tshoutatme;asitisI'mutterlysquashedlike
...ablackbeetle.And,afterall,Ithoughtitwasallsohonourable.Supposethatsomething
reallyhappened... enSuisse ...orwasbeginning.Iwasboundtoquestiontheirhearts
beforehandthatI..enfin,thatImightnotconstraintheirhearts,andbeastumblingblockin
theirpaths.Iactedsimplyfromhonourablefeeling.

Oh,heavens!Whatastupidthingyou'vedone!Icriedinvoluntarily.

Yes,yes,heassentedwithpositiveeagerness.Youhaveneversaidanythingmorejust,
c'etaitbete,maisquefaire?Toutestdit.Ishallmarryherjustthesameevenifitbetocover
'another'ssins.'Sotherewasnoobjectinwriting,wasthere?

You'reatthatideaagain!

Oh,youwon'tfrightenmewithyourshoutsnow.YouseeadifferentStepanVerhovensky
beforeyounow.ThemanIwasisburied.Enfin,toutestdit.Andwhydoyoucryout?Simply
becauseyou'renotgettingmarried,andyouwon'thavetowearacertaindecorationonyour
head.Doesthatshockyouagain?Mypoorfriend,youdon'tknowwoman,whileIhavedone
nothingbutstudyher.'Ifyouwanttoconquertheworld,conqueryourselftheonegood
thingthatanotherromanticlikeyou,mybride'sbrother,Shatov,hassucceededinsaying.I
wouldgladlyborrowfromhimhisphrase.Well,hereIamreadytoconquermyself,andI'm
gettingmarried.AndwhatamIconqueringbywayofthewholeworld?Oh,myfriend,
marriageisthemoraldeathofeveryproudsoul,ofallindependence.Marriedlifewillcorrupt
me, it will sap my energy, my courage in the service of the cause. Children will come,
probablynotmyowneithercertainlynotmyown:awisemanisnotafraidtofacethetruth.
LiputinproposedthismorningputtingupbarricadestokeepoutNicolas;Liputin'safool.A
womanwoulddeceivetheallseeingeyeitself.LebonDieuknewwhatHewasinforwhen
Hewascreatingwoman,butI'msurethatshemeddledinitherselfandforcedHimtocreate
hersuchassheis...andwithsuchattributes:forwhowouldhaveincurredsomuchtrouble
fornothing?IknowNastasyamaybeangrywithmeforfreethinking,but...enfin,tautest
dit.

Hewouldn'thavebeenhimselfifhecouldhavedispensedwiththecheapgibingfreethought
whichwasinvogueinhisday.Now,atanyrate,hecomfortedhimselfwithagibe,butnotfor
long.

Oh,ifthatdayaftertomorrow,thatSunday,mightnevercome!heexclaimedsuddenly,
thistimeinutterdespair.WhycouldnotthisoneweekbewithoutaSundaysilemiracle
exists?WhatwoulditbetoProvidencetoblotoutoneSundayfromthecalendar?Ifonlyto
proveHispowertotheatheistsetquetoutsoitdit!Oh,howIlovedher!Twentyyears,these
twentyyears,andshehasneverunderstoodme!

Butofwhomareyoutalking?EvenIdon'tunderstandyou!Iasked,wondering.

Vingtans! Andshehasnotonceunderstoodme;oh,it'scruel!Andcanshereallybelieve
thatIammarryingfromfear,frompoverty?Oh,theshameofit!Oh,Auntie,Auntie,Idoit
foryou!...Oh,letherknow,thatAuntie,thatsheistheonewomanIhaveadoredfortwenty
years!Shemustlearnthis,itmustbeso,ifnottheywillneedforcetodragmeundercequ'on
appelleleweddingcrown.

ItwasthefirsttimeIhadheardthisconfession,andsovigorouslyuttered.Iwon'tconcealthe
factthatIwasterriblytemptedtolaugh.Iwaswrong.

Heistheonlyoneleftmenow,theonlyone,myonehope!hecriedsuddenly,claspinghis
handsasthoughstruckbyanewidea.Onlyhe,mypoorboy,cansavemenow,and,oh,why
doesn'thecome!Oh,myson,oh,myPetrusha....AndthoughIdonotdeservethenameof
father,butratherthatoftiger,yet...Laissezmoi,monami,I'llliedownalittle,tocollectmy
ideas.Iamsotired,sotired.AndIthinkit'stimeyouwereinbed. Voyezvous, it'stwelve
o'clock....

CHAPTERIV.THECRIPPLE

SHATOVWASNOTPERVERSEbutactedonmynote,andcalledatmiddayonLizaveta
Nikolaevna.Wewentinalmosttogether;Iwasalsogoingtomakemyfirstcall.Theywere
all, that is Liza, her mother, and Mavriky Nikolaevitch, sitting in the big drawingroom,
arguing.ThemotherwasaskingLizatoplaysomewaltzonthepiano,andassoonasLiza
begantoplaythepieceaskedfor,declareditwasnottherightone.MavrikyNikolaevitchin
thesimplicityofhishearttookLiza'spart,maintainingthatitwastherightwaltz.Theelder
ladywassoangrythatshebegantocry.Shewasillandwalkedwithdifficulty.Herlegswere
swollen,andforthelastfewdaysshehadbeencontinuallyfractious,quarrellingwithevery
one,thoughshealwaysstoodratherinaweofLiza.Theywerepleasedtoseeus.Lizaflushed
withpleasure,andsayingmercitome,onShatov'saccountofcourse,wenttomeethim,
lookingathimwithinterest.

Shatovstoppedawkwardlyinthedoorway.Thankinghimforcomingsheledhimuptoher
mother.

ThisisMr.Shatov,ofwhomIhavetoldyou,andthisisMr.Gv,agreatfriendofmine
andofStepanTrofimovitch's.MavrikyNikolaevitchmadehisacquaintanceyesterday,too.

Andwhichistheprofessor?

There'snoprofessoratall,maman.

But there is. You said yourself that there'd be a professor. It's this one, probably. She
disdainfullyindicatedShatov.

Ididn'ttellyouthatthere'dbeaprofessor.Mr.Gvis

intheservice,andMr.Shatovisaformerstudent.

Astudentorprofessor,theyallcomefromtheuniversityjustthesame.Youonlywantto
argue.ButtheSwissonehadmoustachesandabeard.

It'sthesonofStepanTrofimovitchthatmamanalwayscallstheprofessor,saidLiza,and
shetookShatovawaytothesofaattheotherendofthedrawingroom.

When her legs swell, she's always like this, you understandshe's ill, she whispered to
Shatov,stillwiththesamemarkedcuriosity,scrutinisinghim,especiallyhisshockofhair.

Areyouanofficer?theoldladyinquiredofme.Lizahadmercilesslyabandonedmetoher.

Nno.I'mintheservice....

Mr.GvisagreatfriendofStepanTrofimovitch's,Lizachimedinimmediately.

AreyouinStepanTrofimovitch'sservice?Yes,andhe'saprofessor,too,isn'the?

Ah,maman,youmustdreamatnightofprofessors,criedLizawithannoyance.

IseetoomanywhenI'mawake.Butyoualwayswillcontradictyourmother.Wereyouhere
fouryearsagowhenNikolayVsyevolodovitchwasintheneighbourhood?

IansweredthatIwas.

AndtherewassomeEnglishmanwithyou?

No,therewasnot.
Lizalaughed.

Well,youseetherewasnoEnglishman,soitmusthavebeenidlegossip.AndVarvara
PetrovnaandStepanTrofimovitchbothtelllies.Andtheyalltelllies.

Auntie and Stepan Trofimovitch yesterday thought there was a resemblance between
NikolayVsyevolodovitchandPrinceHarryinShakespeare'sHenryIV,andinanswertothat
mamansaysthattherewasnoEnglishmanhere,Lizaexplainedtous.

If Harry wasn't here, there was no Englishman. It was no one else but Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchathistricks.

Iassureyouthatmaman'sdoingitonpurpose,LizathoughtnecessarytoexplaintoShatov.
She'sreallyheardofShakespeare.IreadherthefirstactofOthellomyself.Butshe'singreat
painnow.Maman,listen,it'sstrikingtwelve,it'stimeyoutookyourmedicine.

Thedoctor'scome,amaidservantannouncedatthedoor.

Theoldladygotupandbegancallingherdog:Zemirka,Zemirka,youcomewithmeat
least.

Zemirka,ahorridlittleolddog,insteadofobeying,creptunderthesofawhereLizawas
sitting.

Don'tyouwantto?ThenIdon'twantyou.Goodbye,mygoodsir,Idon'tknowyourname
oryourfather's,shesaid,addressingme.

AntonLavrentyevitch...

Well,itdoesn'tmatter,withmeitgoesinatoneearandoutoftheother.Don'tyoucome
withme,MavrikyNikolaevitch,itwasZemirkaIcalled.ThankGodIcanstillwalkwithout
helpandtomorrowIshallgoforadrive.

Shewalkedangrilyoutofthedrawingroom.

AntonLavrentyevitch,willyoutalkmeanwhiletoMavrikyNikolaevitch;Iassureyouyou'll
bothbegainersbygettingtoknowoneanotherbetter,saidLiza,andshegaveafriendly
smiletoMavrikyNikolaevitch,whobeamedalloverasshelookedathim.Therewasnohelp
forit,IremainedtotalktoMavrikyNikolaevitch.

II

Lizaveta Nikolaevna's business with Shatov turned out, to my surprise, to be really only
concernedwithliterature.Ihadimagined,Idon'tknowwhy,thatshehadaskedhimtocome
withsomeotherobject.We,MavrikyNikolaevitchandIthatis,seeingthattheyweretalking
aloudandnottryingtohideanythingfromus,begantolisten,andatlasttheyaskedour
advice.ItturnedoutthatLizavetaNikolaevnawasthinkingofbringingoutabookwhichshe
thoughtwouldbeofuse,butbeingquiteinexperiencedsheneededsomeonetohelpher.The
earnestnesswithwhichshebegantoexplainherplantoShatovquitesurprisedme.

She must be one of the new people, I thought. She has not been to Switzerland for
nothing.

Shatovlistenedwithattention,hiseyesfixedontheground,showingnottheslightestsurprise
thatagiddyyoungladyinsocietyshouldtakeupworkthatseemedsooutofkeepingwith
her.

Herliteraryschemewasasfollows.Numbersofpapersandjournalsarepublishedinthe
capitalsandtheprovincesofRussia,andeverydayanumberofeventsarereportedinthem.
Theyearpasses,thenewspapersareeverywherefoldedupandputawayincupboards,orare
tornupandbecomelitter,orareusedformakingparcelsorwrappingthings.Numbersof
thesefactsmakeanimpressionandarerememberedbythepublic,butinthecourseofyears
theyareforgotten.Manypeoplewouldliketolookthemup,butitisalabourforthemto
embarkuponthisseaofpaper,oftenknowingnothingofthedayorplaceorevenyearin
whichtheincidentoccurred.Yetifallthefactsforawholeyearwerebroughttogetherinto
one book, ona definite plan, andwitha definite object, underheadingswithreferences,
arrangedaccordingtomonthsanddays,suchacompilationmightreflectthecharacteristicsof
Russianlifeforthewholeyear,eventhoughthefactspublishedareonlyasmallfractionof
theeventsthattakeplace.

Insteadofanumberofnewspaperstherewouldbeafewfatbooks,that'sall,observed
Shatov.

ButLizavetaNikolaevnaclungtoheridea,inspiteofthedifficultyofcarryingitoutandher
inability to describe it. It ought to be one book, and not even a very thick one, she
maintained.Butevenifitwerethickitwouldbeclear,forthegreatpointwouldbetheplan
and the character of the presentation of facts. Of course not all would be collected and
reprinted. . The decrees and acts of government, local regulations, lawsall such facts,
howeverimportant,mightbealtogetheromittedfromtheproposedpublication.Theycould
leave out a great deal and confine themselves to a selection of events more or less
characteristicofthemorallifeofthepeople,ofthepersonalcharacteroftheRussianpeopleat
thepresentmoment.Ofcourseeverythingmightbeputin:strangeincidents,fires,public
subscriptions,anythinggoodorbad,everyspeechorword,perhapsevenfloodingsofthe
rivers,perhapsevensomegovernmentdecrees,butonlysuchthingstobeselectedasare
characteristic of the period; everything would be put in with a certain view, a special
significanceandintention,withanideawhichwouldilluminatethefactslookedatinthe
aggregate,asawhole.Andfinallythebookoughttobeinterestingevenforlightreading,
apartfromitsvalueasaworkofreference.Itwouldbe,sotosay,apresentationofthe
spiritual,moral,innerlifeofRussiaforawholeyear.

Wewanteveryonetobuyit,wewantittobeabookthatwillbefoundoneverytable,Liza
declared.Iunderstandthatallliesintheplan,andthat'swhyIapplytoyou,sheconcluded.
She grew very warm over it, and although her explanation was obscure and incomplete,
Shatovbegantounderstand.

Soitwouldamounttosomethingwithapoliticaltendency,aselectionoffactswithaspecial
tendency,hemuttered,stillnotraisinghishead.

Notatall,wemustnotselectwithaparticularbias,andweoughtnottohaveanypolitical
tendencyinit.Nothingbutimpartialitythatwillbetheonlytendency.

Butatendencywouldbenoharm,saidShatov,withaslightmovement,andonecan
hardlyavoiditifthereisanyselectionatall.Theveryselectionoffactswillsuggesthowthey
aretobeunderstood.Yourideaisnotabadone.

Thensuchabookispossible?criedLizadelightedly.

Wemustlookintoitandconsider.It'sanimmenseundertaking.Onecan'tworkitoutonthe
spurofthemoment.Weneedexperience.AndwhenwedopublishthebookIdoubtwhether
weshallfindouthowtodoit.Possiblyaftermanytrials;butthethoughtisalluring.It'sa
usefulidea.

He raised his eyes at last, and they were positively sparkling with pleasure, he was so
interested.

Wasityourownidea?heaskedLiza,inafriendlyand,asitwere,bashfulway.

Theidea'snotrouble,youknow,it'stheplanisthetrouble,Lizasmiled.Iunderstandvery
little.Iamnotveryclever,andIonlypursuewhatiscleartome,myself....

Pursue?

Perhapsthat'snottherightword?Lizainquiredquickly.

Thewordisallright;Imeantnothing.

IthoughtwhileIwasabroadthatevenImightbeofsomeuse.Ihavemoneyofmyown
lying idle. Why shouldn't I even Iwork for the common cause? Besides, the idea
somehowoccurredtomeallatonceofitself.Ididn'tinventitatall,andwasdelightedwithit.
ButIsawatoncethatIcouldn'tgetonwithoutsomeonetohelp,becauseIamnotcompetent
todoanythingofmyself.Myhelper,ofcourse,wouldbethecoeditorofthebook.Wewould
gohalves.Youwouldgivetheplanandthework.Minewouldbetheoriginalideaandthe
meansforpublishingit.Wouldthebookpayitsexpenses,doyouthink?

Ifwehitonagoodplanthebookwillgo.

IwarnyouthatIamnotdoingitforprofit;butIamveryanxiousthatthebookshould
circulateandshouldbeveryproudofmakingaprofit.

Well,buthowdoIcomein?

Why,Iinviteyoutobemyfellowworker,togohalves.Youwillthinkouttheplan.

HowdoyouknowthatIamcapableofthinkingouttheplan?

Peoplehavetalkedaboutyoutome,andhereI'veheard

...Iknowthatyouareverycleverand...areworkingforthecause...andthinkagreatdeal.
PyotrStepanovitchVerhovenskyspokeaboutyouinSwitzerland,sheaddedhurriedly.He's
averycleverman,isn'the?

Shatovstoleafleeting,momentaryglanceather,butdroppedhiseyesagain.

NikolayVsyevolodovitchtoldmeagreatdealaboutyou,too.

Shatovsuddenlyturnedred.

Butherearethenewspapers.Lizahurriedlypickedupfromachairabundleofnewspapers
thatlaytiedupready.I'vetriedtomarkthefactshereforselection,tosortthem,andIhave
putthepaperstogether...youwillsee.

Shatovtookthebundle.

Takethemhomeandlookatthem.Wheredoyoulive?

InBogoyavlenskyStreet,Filipov'shouse.

Iknow.Ithinkit'sthere,too,I'vebeentold,acaptainlives,besideyou,Mr.Lebyadkin,said
Lizainthesamehurriedmanner.

Shatovsatforafullminutewiththebundleinhisoutstretchedhand,makingnoanswerand
staringatthefloor.

You'dbetterfindsomeoneelseforthesejobs.Ishouldn'tsuityouatall,hebroughtoutat
last,droppinghisvoiceinanawfullystrangeway,almosttoawhisper.

Lizaflushedcrimson.

Whatjobsareyouspeakingof?MavrikyNikolaevitch,shecried,pleasebringthatletter
here.

ItoofollowedMavrikyNikolaevitchtothetable,

Lookatthis,sheturnedsuddenlytome,unfoldingtheletteringreatexcitement.Haveyou
everseenanythinglikeit.Pleasereaditaloud.IwantMr.Shatovtohearittoo.

WithnolittleastonishmentIreadaloudthefollowingmissive:

Tothe.

Perfection,MissTushin.

GraciousLady

LizavetaNikolaevna!

Oh,she'sasweetqueen,LizavetaTushin!

Whenonsidesaddleshegallopsby,

Andinthebreezeherfairtressesfly!

Orwhenwithhermotherinchurchshebowslow

Andondevoutfacesaredflushdothflow!

ThenforthejoysoflawfulwedlockIaspire,

Andfollowherandhermotherwithtearsofdesire.

Composedbyanunlearnedmaninthemidstofadiscussion.

GraciousLady!

IpitymyselfaboveallmenthatIdidnotlosemyarmatSevastopol,nothavingbeenthereat
all,butservedallthecampaigndeliveringpaltryprovisions,whichIlookonasadegradation.
Youareagoddessofantiquity,andIamnothing,buthavehadaglimpseofinfinity.Lookon
it as apoem and no more, for, after all, poetryisnonsense and justifieswhat wouldbe
consideredimpudenceinprose.Canthesunbeangrywiththeinfusoriaifthelattercomposes
versestoherfromthedropofwater,wherethereisamultitudeofthemifyoulookthrough
themicroscope?Eventheclubforpromotinghumanitytothelargeranimalsintiptopsociety
inPetersburg,winchrightlyfeelscompassionfordogsandhorses,despisesthebriefinfusoria
makingnoreferencetoitwhatever,becauseitisnotbigenough.I'mnotbigenougheither.
Theideaofmarriagemightseemdroll,butsoonIshallhavepropertyworthtwohundred
soulsthroughamisanthropistwhomyououghttodespise.IcantellalotandIcanundertake
toproducedocumentsthatwouldmeanSiberia.Don'tdespisemyproposal.Aletterfroman
infusoriaisofcourseinverse.

CaptainLebyadkinyourmosthumblefriend

Andhehastimenoend.
Thatwaswrittenbyamaninadrunkencondition,aworthlessfellow,Icriedindignantly.I
knowhim.

ThatletterIreceivedyesterday,Lizabegantoexplain,flushingandspeakinghurriedly.I
sawmyself,atonce,thatitcamefromsomefoolishcreature,andIhaven'tyetshownitto
maman,forfearofupsettinghermore.Butifheisgoingtokeeponlikethat,Idon'tknow
howtoact.MavrikyNikolaevitchwantstogooutandforbidhimtodoit.AsIhavelooked
uponyouasacolleague,sheturnedtoShatov,andasyoulivethere,Iwantedtoquestion
yousoastojudgewhatmoreistobeexpectedofhim.

He'sadrunkardandaworthlessfellow,Shatovmutteredwithapparentreluctance.

Ishealwayssostupid?

No,he'snotstupidatallwhenhe'snotdrunk.

Iusedtoknowageneralwhowroteversesexactlylikethat,Iobserved,laughing.

One can see from the letter that he is clever enough for his own purposes, Mavriky
Nikolaevitch,whohadtillthenbeensilent,putinunexpectedly.

Heliveswithsomesister?Lizaqueried.

Yes,withhissister.

Theysayhetyrannisesoverher,isthattrue?

ShatovlookedatLizaagain,scowled,andmuttering,Whatbusinessisitofmine?moved
towardsthedoor.

Ah,stay!criedLiza,inaflutter.Whereareyougoing?Wehavesomuchstilltotalk
over....

Whatistheretotalkover?I'llletyouknowtomorrow.

Why,themostimportantthingofalltheprintingpress!DobelievemethatIamnotinjest,
thatIreallywanttoworkingoodearnest!Lizaassuredhimingrowingagitation.Ifwe
decidetopublishit,whereisittobeprinted?Youknowit'samostimportantquestion,forwe
shan'tgotoMoscowforit, andthe printingpresshere isoutofthe questionforsucha
publication.Imadeupmymindlongagotosetupaprintingpressofmyown,inyourname
perhapsandIknowmamanwillallowitsolongasitisinyourname....

HowdoyouknowthatIcouldbeaprinter?Shatovaskedsullenly.

Why,PyotrStepanovitchtoldmeofyouinSwitzerland,andreferredmetoyouasonewho
knowsthebusinessandabletosetupaprintingpress.Heevenmeanttogivemeanoteto
youfromhimself,butIforgotit.

Shatov'sfacechanged,asIrecollectnow.Hestoodforafewsecondslonger,thenwentoutof
theroom.

Lizawasangry.

Doeshealwaysgooutlikethat?sheasked,turningtome.

IwasjustshruggingmyshoulderswhenShatovsuddenlycameback,wentstraightuptothe
tableandputdowntherollofpapershehadtaken.

I'mnotgoingtobeyourhelper,Ihaven'tthetime....

Why?Why?Ithinkyouareangry!Lizaaskedhiminagrievedandimploringvoice.

Thesoundofhervoiceseemedtostrikehim;forsomemomentshelookedatherintently,as
thoughtryingtopenetratetoherverysoul.

Nomatter,hemuttered,softly,Idon'twantto....

Andhewentawayaltogether.

Lizawascompletelyoverwhelmed,quitedisproportionatelyinfact,soitseemedtome.

Wonderfullyqueerman,MavrikyNikolaevitchobservedaloud.

III

Hecertainlywasqueer,butinallthistherewasaverygreatdealnotcleartome.Therewas
somethingunderlyingitall?Isimplydidnotbelieveinthispublication;thenthatstupidletter,
in which there was an offer, only too barefaced, to give information and produce
documents,thoughtheywereallsilentaboutthat,andtalkedofsomethingquitedifferent;
finallythatprintingpressandShatov'ssuddenexit,justbecausetheyspokeofaprinting
press.AllthisledmetoimaginethatsomethinghadhappenedbeforeIcameinofwhichI
knewnothing;and,consequently,thatitwasnobusinessofmineandthatIwasintheway.
And,indeed,itwastimetotakeleave,Ihadstayedlongenoughforthefirstcall.Iwentupto
saygoodbyetoLizavetaNikolaevna.

SheseemedtohaveforgottenthatIwasintheroom,andwasstillstandinginthesameplace
bythetablewithherheadbowed,plungedinthought,gazingfixedlyatonespotonthe
carpet.

Ah,you,too,aregoing,goodbye,shemurmuredinanordinaryfriendlytone.Givemy
greetingstoStepanTrofimovitch,andpersuadehimtocomeandseemeassoonashecan.
MavrikyNikolaevitch,AntonLavrentyevitchisgoing.Excusemaman'snotbeingableto
comeoutandsaygoodbyetoyou....

Iwentoutandhadreachedthebottomofthestairswhenafootmansuddenlyovertookmeat
thestreetdoor.

Myladybegsyoutocomeback....

Themistress,orLizavetaNikolaevna?

Theyounglady.

IfoundLizanotinthebigroomwherewehadbeensitting,butinthereceptionroomnextto
it.Thedoorbetweenitandthedrawingroom,whereMavrikyNikolaevitchwasleftalone,
wasclosed.

Lizasmiledtomebutwaspale.Shewasstandinginthemiddleoftheroominevident
indecision,visiblystrugglingwithherself;butshesuddenlytookmebythehand,andledme
quicklytothewindow.

Iwanttoseeheratonce,shewhispered,bendinguponmeaburning,passionate,impatient
glance,whichwouldnotadmitahintofopposition.''Imustseeherwithmyowneyes,andI
begyoutohelpme.

Shewasinaperfectfrenzy,andindespair.

Whoisityouwanttosee,LizavetaNikolaevna?Iinquiredindismay.

ThatLebyadkin'ssister,thatlamegirl....Isittruethatshe'slame?

Iwasastounded.

Ihaveneverseenher,butI'veheardthatshe'slame.Iheardityesterday,Isaidwithhurried
readiness,andalsoinawhisper.

Imustseeher,absolutely.Couldyouarrangeittoday?

Ifeltdreadfullysorryforher.

That'sutterlyimpossible,and,besides,Ishouldnotknowatallhowtosetaboutit,Ibegan
persuadingher.I'llgotoShatov....

Ifyoudon'tarrangeitbytomorrowI'llgotoherbymyself,alone,forMavrikyNikolaevitch
hasrefused.IrestallmyhopesonyouandI'venooneelse;IspokestupidlytoShatov....
I'msurethatyouareperfectlyhonestandperhapsreadytodoanythingforme,onlyarrange
it.

Ifeltapassionatedesiretohelpherineveryway.
ThisiswhatI'lldo,Isaid,afteramoment'sthought.I'llgomyselftodayandwillseeher
forsure,forsure.Iwillmanagesoastoseeher.Igiveyoumywordofhonour.Onlyletme
confideinShatov.

TellhimthatIdodesireit,andthatIcan'twaitanylonger,butthatIwasn'tdeceivinghim
justnow.Hewentawayperhapsbecausehe'sveryhonestandhedidn'tlikemyseemingto
deceivehim.Iwasn'tdeceivinghim,Ireallydowanttoeditbooksandfoundaprintingpress.
...

Heishonest,veryhonest,Iassentedwarmly.

Ifit'snotarrangedbytomorrow,though,Ishallgomyselfwhateverhappens,andevenif
everyoneweretoknow.

I can't be with you before three o'clock tomorrow, I observed, after a moment's
deliberation.

Atthreeo'clockthen.ThenitwastruewhatIimaginedyesterdayatStepanTrofimovitch's,
thatyouareratherdevotedtome?shesaidwithasmile,hurriedlypressingmyhandto
saygoodbye,andhurryingbacktotheforsakenMavrikyNikolaevitch.

Iwentoutweigheddownbymypromise,andunabletounderstandwhathadhappened.Ihad
seenawomaninrealdespair,nothesitatingtocompromiseherselfbyconfidinginamanshe
hardlyknew.Herwomanlysmileatamomentsoterribleforherandherhintthatshehad
noticedmyfeelingsthedaybeforesentapangtomyheart;butIfeltsorryforher,verysorry
thatwasall!Hersecretsbecameatoncesomethingsacredforme,andifanyonehadbegun
torevealthemtomenow,IthinkIshouldhavecoveredmyears,andshouldhaverefusedto
hearanythingmore.Ionlyhadapresentimentofsomething...yetIwasutterlyatalossto
seehowIcoulddoanything.What'smoreIdidnotevenyetunderstandexactlywhatIhadto
arrange;aninterview,butwhatsortofaninterview?AndhowcouldIbringthemtogether?
MyonlyhopewasShatov,thoughIcouldbesurethathewouldn'thelpmeinanyway.Butall
thesame,Ihurriedtohim.

IV

Ididnotfindhimathometillpastseveno'clockthatevening.Tomysurprisehehadvisitors
withhimAlexeyNilitch,andanothergentlemanIhardlyknew,oneShigalov,thebrotherof
Virginsky'swife.

Thisgentlemanmust,Ithink,havebeenstayingabouttwomonthsinthetown;Idon'tknow
wherehecamefrom.Ihadonlyheardthathehadwrittensomesortofarticleinaprogressive
Petersburgmagazine.Virginskyhadintroducedmecasuallytohiminthestreet.Ihadnever
inmylifeseeninaman'sfacesomuchdespondency,gloom,andmoroseness.Helookedas
thoughhewereexpectingthedestructionoftheworld,andnotatsomeindefinitetimein
accordancewithprophecies,whichmightneverbefulfilled,butquitedefinitely,asthoughit
weretobethedayaftertomorrowattwentyfiveminutespastten.Wehardlysaidawordto
oneanotheronthatoccasion,buthadsimplyshakenhandsliketwoconspirators.Iwasmost
struckbyhisears,whichwereofunnaturalsize,long,broad,andthick,stickingoutina
peculiarway.Hisgestureswereslowandawkward.

If Liputin had imagined that a phalanstery might be established in our province, this
gentlemancertainlyknewthedayandthehourwhenitwouldbefounded.Hemadeasinister
impressiononme.Iwasthemoresurprisedatfindinghimhere,asShatovwasnotfondof
visitors.

Icouldhearfromthestairsthattheyweretalkingveryloud,allthreeatonce,andIfancythey
were disputing; but as soon as I went in, they all ceased speaking. They were arguing,
standingup,butnowtheyallsuddenlysatdown,sothatIhadtositdowntoo.Therewasa
stupidsilencethatwasnotbrokenforfullythreeminutes.ThoughShigalovknewme,he
affectednottoknowme,probablynotfromhostilefeelings,butfornoparticularreason.
AlexeyNilitchandIbowedtooneanotherinsilence,andforsomereasondidnotshake
hands.Shigalovbeganatlastlookingatme sternlyandfrowningly, withthe most naive
assurancethatIshouldimmediatelygetupandgoaway.AtlastShatovgotupfromhischair
andtheothersjumpedupatonce.Theywentoutwithoutsayinggoodbye.Shigalovonlysaid
inthedoorwaytoShatov,whowasseeinghimout:

Rememberthatyouareboundtogiveanexplanation.

Hangyourexplanation,andwhothedevilamIboundto?saidShatov.Heshowedthemout
andfastenedthedoorwiththelatch.

Snipes!hesaid,lookingatme,withasortofwrysmile.

Hisfacelookedangry,anditseemedstrangetomethathespokefirst.WhenIhadbeentosee
himbefore(whichwasnotoften)ithadusuallyhappenedthathesatscowlinginacorner,
answeredillhumouredlyandonlycompletelythawedandbegantotalkwithpleasureaftera
considerabletime.Evenso,whenhewassayinggoodbyehealwaysscowled,andletoneout
asthoughheweregettingridofapersonalenemy.

IhadteayesterdaywiththatAlexeyNilitch,Iobserved.Ithinkhe'smadonatheism.

Russianatheismhasnevergonefurtherthanmakingajoke,growledShatov,puttingupa
newcandleinplaceofanendthathadburntout.

No,thisonedoesn'tseemtomeajoker,Ithinkhedoesn'tknowhowtotalk,letalonetrying
tomakejokes.

Menmadeofpaper!Itallcomesfromflunkeyismofthought,Shatovobservedcalmly,
sittingdownonachairinthecorner,andpressingthepalmsofbothhandsonhisknees.

There'shatredinit,too,hewenton,afteraminute'spause.They'dbethefirsttobeterribly
unhappyifRussiacouldbesuddenlyreformed,eventosuittheirownideas,andbecame
extraordinarilyprosperous andhappy. They'dhave no one to hate then, noone to curse,
nothingtofindfaultwith.ThereisnothinginitbutanimmenseanimalhatredforRussia
whichhaseatenintotheirorganism....Anditisn'tacaseoftearsunseenbytheworldunder
coverofasmile!TherehasneverbeenafalserwordsaidinRussiathanaboutthoseunseen
tears,hecried,almostwithfury.

Goodnessonlyknowswhatyou'resaying,Ilaughed.

Oh, you're a 'moderate liberal,' said Shatov, smiling too. Do you know, he went on
suddenly,Imayhavebeentalkingnonsenseaboutthe'flunkeyismofthought.'Youwillsay
tomenodoubtdirectly,'it'syouwhoarethesonofaflunkey,butI'mnotaflunkey.'

Iwasn'tdreamingofsuchathing....Whatareyousaying!

Youneednotapologise.I'mnotafraidofyou.OnceIwasonlythesonofaflunkey,butnow
I'vebecomeaflunkeymyself,likeyou.OurRussianliberalisaflunkeybeforeeverything,
andisonlylookingforsomeonewhosebootshecanclean.

Whatboots?Whatallegoryisthis?

Allegory,indeed!Youarelaughing,Isee....StepanTrofimovitchsaidtrulythatIlieunder
astone,crushedbutnotkilled,anddonothingbutwriggle.Itwasagoodcomparisonofhis.

Stepan Trofimovitch declares that you are mad over the Germans, I laughed. We've
borrowedsomethingfromthemanyway.

Wetooktwentykopecks,butwegaveupahundredroublesofourown.

Weweresilentaminute.

HegotthatsorelyinginAmerica.

Who?Whatsore?

ImeanKirillov.Ispentfourmonthswithhimlyingonthefloorofahut.

Why,haveyoubeeninAmerica?Iasked,surprised.Younevertoldmeaboutit.

Whatistheretotell?Theyearbeforelastwespentourlastfarthing,threeofus,goingto
Americainanemigrantsteamer,totestthelifeoftheAmericanworkmanonourselves,and
toverifybypersonalexperimentthestateofamaninthehardestsocialconditions.Thatwas
ourobjectingoingthere.

Good Lord! I laughed. You'd much better have gone somewhere in our province at
harvesttimeifyouwantedto'makeapersonalexperiment'insteadofboltingtoAmerica.
Wehiredourselvesoutasworkmentoanexploiter;thereweresixofusRussiansworking
forhimstudents,evenlandownerscomingfromtheirestates,someofficers,too,andall
withthesamegrandobject.Well,soweworked,sweated,woreourselvesout;KirillovandI
wereexhaustedatlast;fellillwentawaywecouldn'tstandit.Ouremployercheatedus
whenhepaidusoff;insteadofthirtydollars,ashehadagreed,hepaidmeeightandKirillov
fifteen;hebeatus,too,morethanonce.Sothenwewereleftwithoutwork,KirillovandI,and
wespentfourmonthslyingonthefloorinthatlittletown.HethoughtofonethingandI
thoughtofanother.

Youdon'tmeantosayyouremployerbeatyou?InAmerica?Howyoumusthaveswornat
him!

Notabitofit.Onthecontrary,KirillovandImadeupourmindsfromthefirstthatwe
RussianswerelikelittlechildrenbesidetheAmericans,andthatonemustbeborninAmerica,
oratleastliveformanyyearswithAmericanstobeonalevelwiththem.Anddoyouknow,
ifwewereaskedadollarforathingworthafarthing,weusedtopayitwithpleasure,infact
withenthusiasm.Weapprovedofeverything:spiritualism,lynchlaw,revolvers,tramps.Once
whenweweretravellingafellowslippedhishandintomypocket,tookmybrush,andbegan
brushinghishairwithit.KirillovandIonlylookedatoneanother,andmadeupourminds
thatthatwastherightthingandthatwelikeditverymuch....

Thestrangethingisthatwithusallthisisnotonlyinthebrainbutiscarriedoutinpractice,
Iobserved.

Menmadeofpaper,Shatovrepeated.

Buttocrosstheoceaninanemigrantsteamer,though,togo.toanunknowncountry,evento
make a personal experiment and all thatby Jove . . . there really is a largehearted
staunchnessaboutit....Buthowdidyougetoutofit?

IwrotetoamaninEuropeandhesentmeahundredroubles.

AsShatovtalkedhelookeddoggedlyatthegroundashealwaysdid,evenwhenhewas
excited.Atthispointhesuddenlyraisedhishead.

Doyouwanttoknowtheman'sname?

Whowasit?

NikolayStavrogin.

Hegotupsuddenly,turnedtohislimewoodwritingtableandbegansearchingforsomething
onit.Therewasavague,thoughwellauthenticatedrumouramongusthatShatov'swifehad
atonetimehadaliaisonwithNikolayStavrogin,inParis,andjustabouttwoyearsago,thatis
whenShatovwasinAmerica.Itistruethatthiswaslongafterhiswifehadlefthimin
Geneva.
Ifso,whatpossesseshimnowtobringhisnameforwardandtolaystressonit?Ithought.

Ihaven'tpaidhimbackyet,hesaid,turningsuddenlytomeagain,andlookingatme
intentlyhesatdowninthesameplaceasbeforeinthecorner,andaskedabruptly,inquitea
differentvoice:

Youhavecomenodoubtwithsomeobject.Whatdoyouwant?

Itoldhimeverythingimmediately,initsexacthistoricalorder,andaddedthatthoughIhad
timetothinkitovercoollyafterthefirstexcitementwasover,Iwasmorepuzzledthanever.I
sawthatitmeantsomethingveryimportanttoLizavetaNikolaevna.Iwasextremelyanxious
tohelpher,butthetroublewasthatIdidn'tknowhowtokeepthepromiseIhadmadeher,
and didn't even quite understand now what I had promised her. Then I assured him
impressivelyoncemorethatshehadnotmeanttodeceivehim,andhadhadnothoughtof
doingso;thattherehadbeensomemisunderstanding,andthatshehadbeenverymuchhurt
bytheextraordinarywayinwhichhehadgoneoffthatmorning.

Helistenedveryattentively.

PerhapsIwasstupidthismorning,asIusuallyam....Well,ifshedidn'tunderstandwhyI
wentawaylikethat...somuchthebetterforher.

Hegotup,wenttothedoor,openedit,andbeganlisteningonthestairs.

Doyouwanttoseethatpersonyourself?

That'sjustwhatIwanted,buthowisittobedone?Icried,delighted.

Let'ssimplygodownwhileshe'salone.Whenheconiesinhe'llbeatherhorriblyifhefinds
outwe'vebeenthere.Ioftengoinonthesly.Iwentforhimthismorningwhenhebegan
beatingheragain.

Whatdoyoumean?

Idraggedhimoffherbythehair.Hetriedtobeatme,butIfrightenedhim,andsoitended.
I'mafraidhe'llcomebackdrunk,andwon'tforgetithe'llgiveherabadbeatingbecauseof
it.

Wewentdownstairsatonce.

TheLebyadkins'doorwasshutbutnotlocked,andwewereabletogoin.Theirlodging
consistedoftwonastylittlerooms,withsmokebegrimedwallsonwhichthefilthywallpaper
literallyhungintatters.Ithadbeenusedforsomeyearsasaneatinghouse,untilFilipov,the
tavernkeeper,movedtoanotherhouse.Theotherroomsbelowwhathadbeentheeating
housewerenowshutup,andthesetwowerealltheLebyadkinshad.Thefurnitureconsisted
ofplainbenchesanddealtables,exceptforanoldarmchairthathadlostitsarms.Inthe
secondroomtherewasthebedsteadthatbelongedtoMile.Lebyadkinstandinginthecorner,
coveredwithachintzquilt;thecaptainhimselfwenttobedanywhereonthefloor,often
withoutundressing.Everythingwasindisorder,wetandfilthy;ahugesoakingraglayinthe
middleofthefloorinthefirstroom,andabatteredoldshoelaybesideitinthewet.Itwas
evident that no one looked after anything here. The stove was not heated, food was not
cooked;theyhadnotevenasamovarasShatovtoldme.Thecaptainhadcometothetown
withhissisterutterlydestitute,andhad,asLiputinsaid,atfirstactuallygonefromhouseto
housebegging.Buthavingunexpectedlyreceivedsomemoney,hehadtakentodrinkingat
once,andhadbecomesobesottedthathewasincapableoflookingafterthings.

Mile.Lebyadkin,whomIwassoanxioustosee,wassittingquietlyatadealkitchentableon
abenchinthecorneroftheinnerroom,notmakingasound.Whenweopenedthedoorshe
didnotcallouttousorevenmovefromherplace.Shatovsaidthatthedoorintothepassage
wouldnotlockandithadoncestoodwideopenallnight.Bythedimlightofathincandlein
an iron candlestick, I made out a woman of about thirty, perhaps, sickly and emaciated,
wearinganolddressofdarkcottonmaterial,withherlongneckuncovered,herscantydark
hairtwistedintoaknotonthenapeofherneck,nolargerthanthefistofatwoyearoldchild.
Shelookedatusrathercheerfully.Besidesthecandlestick,shehadonthetableinfrontofher
alittlepeasantlookingglass,anoldpackofcards,atatteredbookofsongs,andawhiteroll
ofGermanbreadfromwhichoneortwobiteshadbeentaken.ItwasnoticeablethatMile.
Lebyadkinusedpowderandrouge,andpaintedherlips.Shealsoblackenedhereyebrows,
whichwerefine,long,andblackenoughwithoutthat.Threelongwrinklesstoodsharply
conspicuousacrossherhigh,narrowforeheadinspiteofthepowderonit.Ialreadyknewthat
shewaslame,butonthisoccasionshedidnotattempttogetuporwalk.Atsometime,
perhapsinearlyyouth,thatwastedfacemayhavebeenpretty;buthersoft,gentlegreyeyes
wereremarkableevennow.Therewassomethingdreamyandsincereinhergentle,almost
joyful,expression.Thisgentleserenejoy,whichwasreflectedalsoinhersmile,astonished
meafterallIhadheardoftheCossackwhipandherbrother'sviolence.Strangetosay,instead
of the oppressive repulsion and almost dread one usually feels in the presence of these
creaturesafflictedbyGod,Ifeltitalmostpleasanttolookatherfromthefirstmoment,and
myheartwasfilledafterwardswithpityinwhichtherewasnotraceofaversion.

Thisishowshesitsliterallyfordaystogether,utterlyalone,withoutmoving;shetriesher
fortunewiththecards,orlooksinthelookingglass,saidShatov,pointingherouttomefrom
the doorway. He doesn't feed her, you know. The old woman in the lodge brings her
somethingsometimesoutofcharity;howcantheyleaveherallalonelikethiswithacandle!

TomysurpriseShatovspokealoud,justasthoughshewerenotintheroom.

Goodday,Shatushka!Mile.Lebyadkinsaidgenially.

I'vebroughtyouavisitor,MaryaTimofyevna,saidShatov.

Thevisitorisverywelcome.Idon'tknowwhoitisyou'vebrought,Idon'tseemtoremember
him.Shescrutinisedmeintentlyfrombehindthecandle,andturnedagainatoncetoShatov
(andshetooknomorenoticeofmefortherestoftheconversation,asthoughIhadnotbeen
nearher).

Areyoutiredofwalkingupanddownaloneinyourgarret?shelaughed,displayingtwo
rowsofmagnificentteeth.

Iwastiredofit,andIwantedtocomeandseeyou.

Shatovmovedabenchuptothetable,satdownonitandmademesitbesidehim.

I'malwaysgladtohaveatalk,thoughyou'reafunnyperson,Shatushka,justlikeamonk.
WhendidyoucombyourhairlastILetmedoitforyou.Andshepulledalittlecomboutof
herpocket.Idon'tbelieveyou'vetoucheditsinceIcombeditlast.

Well,Ihaven'tgotacomb,saidShatov,laughingtoo.

Really?ThenI'llgiveyoumine;onlyremindme,notthisonebutanother.

Withamostseriousexpressionshesettoworktocombhishair.Sheevenparteditonone
side;drewbackalittle,lookedtoseewhetheritwasrightandputthecombbackinher
pocket.

Doyouknowwhat,Shatushka?Sheshookherhead.Youmaybeaverysensiblemanbut
you'redull.It'sstrangeformetolookatallofyou.Idon'tunderstandhowitispeopleare
dull.Sadnessisnotdullness.I'mhappy.

Andareyouhappywhenyourbrother'shere?

YoumeanLebyadkin?He'smyfootman.AndIdon'tcarewhetherhe'shereornot.Icallto
him:'Lebyadkin,bringthewater!'or'Lebyadkin,bringmyshoes!'andheruns.Sometimes
onedoeswrongandcan'thelplaughingathim.

That'sjusthowitis,saidShatov,addressingmealoudwithoutceremony.Shetreatshim
justlikeafootman.I'veheardhermyselfcallingtohim,'Lebyadkin,givemesomewater!'
Andshelaughedasshesaidit.Theonlydifferenceisthathedoesn'tfetchthewaterbutbeats
herforit;butsheisn'tabitafraidofhim.Shehassomesortofnervousfits,almosteveryday,
and they are destroying her memory so that afterwards she forgets everything that's just
happened,andisalwaysinamuddleovertime.Youimaginesheremembershowyoucame
in;perhapsshedoesremember,butnodoubtshehaschangedeverythingtopleaseherself,
and she takes us now for different people from what we are, though she knows I'm
'Shatushka.'Itdoesn'tmattermyspeakingaloud,shesoonleavesofflisteningtopeoplewho
talk to her, and plunges into dreams. Yes, plunges. She's an extraordinary person for
dreaming;she'llsitforeighthours,forwholedaystogetherinthesameplace.Youseethere's
arolllyingthere,perhapsshe'sonlytakenonebiteatitsincethemorning,andshe'llfinishit
tomorrow.Nowshe'sbeguntryingherfortuneoncards....
Ikeeptryingmyfortune,Shatushka,butitdoesn'tcomeoutright,MaryaTimofyevnaputin
suddenly,catchingthelastword,andwithoutlookingatitsheputoutherlefthandfortheroll
(shehadheardsomethingabouttherolltooverylikely).Shegotholdoftherollatlastand
afterkeepingitforsometimeinherlefthand,whileherattentionwasdistractedbythe
conversationwhichsprangupagain,sheputitbackagainonthetableunconsciouslywithout
havingtakenabiteofit.

Italwayscomesoutthesame,ajourney,awickedman,somebody'streachery,adeathbed,a
letter,unexpectednews.Ithinkit'sallnonsense.Shatushka,whatdoyouthink?Ifpeoplecan
telllieswhyshouldn'tacard?Shesuddenlythrewthecardstogetheragain.Isaidthesame
thingtoMotherPraskovya,she'saveryvenerablewoman,sheusedtoruntomycelltotell
herfortuneonthecards,withoutlettingtheMotherSuperiorknow.Yes,andshewasn'tthe
onlyonewhocametome.Theysigh,andshaketheirheadsatme,theytalkitoverwhileI
laugh.'Whereareyougoingtogetaletterfrom,MotherPraskovya,'Isay,'whenyouhaven't
hadonefortwelveyears?'HerdaughterhadbeentakenawaytoTurkeybyherhusband,and
fortwelveyearstherehadbeennosightnorsoundofher.OnlyIwassittingthenextevening
atteawiththeMotherSuperior(shewasaprincessbybirth),therewassomeladytheretoo,a
visitor,agreatdreamer,andalittlemonkfromAthoswassittingtheretoo,aratherabsurd
man to my thinking. What do you think, Shatushka, that monk from Athos had brought
MotherPraskovyaaletterfromherdaughterinTurkey,thatmorningsomuchfortheknave
ofdiamondsunexpectednews!Weweredrinkingourtea,andthemonkfromAthossaidto
the Mother Superior, 'Blessed Mother Superior, God has blessed your convent above all
thingsinthatyoupreservesogreatatreasureinitsprecincts,'saidhe.'Whattreasureisthat?'
askedtheMotherSuperior.'TheMotherLizaveta,theBlessed.'ThisLizavetatheBlessedwas
enshrinedinthenunnerywall,inacagesevenfeetlongandfivefeethigh,andshehadbeen
sittingthereforseventeenyearsinnothingbutahempenshift,summerandwinter,andshe
alwayskeptpeckingatthehempenclothwithastraworatwigofsomesort,andshenever
saidaword,andnevercombedherhair,orwashed,forseventeenyears.Inthewinterthey
usedtoputasheepskininforher,andeverydayapieceofbreadandajugofwater.The
pilgrimsgazeather,sighandexclaim,andmakeofferingsofmoney.'Atreasureyou've
pitchedon,'answeredtheMotherSuperior(shewasangry,shedislikedLizavetadreadfully)
'Lizavetaonlysitsthereoutofspite,outofpureobstinacy,itisnothingbuthypocrisy.'I
didn'tlikethis;Iwasthinkingatthetimeofshuttingmyselfuptoo.'Ithink,'saidI,'thatGod
andnaturearejustthesamething.'Theyallcriedoutwithonevoiceatme,'Well,now!'The
MotherSuperiorlaughed,whisperedsomethingtotheladyandcalledmeup,pettedme,and
theladygavemeapinkribbon.Wouldyoulikemetoshowittoyou?Andthemonkbeganto
admonishme.Buthetalkedsokindly,sohumbly,andsowisely,Isuppose.Isatandlistened.
'Doyouunderstand?'heasked.'No,'Isaid,'Idon'tunderstandaword,butleavemequite
alone.'Eversincethenthey'veleftmeinpeace,Shatushka.Andatthattimeanoldwoman
whowaslivingintheconventdoingpenanceforprophesyingthefuture,whisperedtomeas
shewascomingoutofchurch,'WhatisthemotherofGod?Whatdoyouthink?''Thegreat
mother,'Ianswer,'thehopeofthehumanrace.''Yes,'sheanswered,'themotherofGodisthe
greatmotherthedampearth,andthereinliesgreatjoyformen.Andeveryearthlywoeand
everyearthlytearisajoyforus;andwhenyouwatertheearthwithyourtearsafootdeep,
youwillrejoiceateverythingatonce,andyoursorrowwillbenomore,suchistheprophecy.'
Thatwordsankintomyheartatthetime.SincethenwhenIbowdowntothegroundatmy
prayers,I'vetakentokissingtheearth.Ikissitandweep.Andletmetellyou,Shatushka,
there'snoharminthosetears;andevenifonehasnogrief,one'stearsflowfromjoy.The
tearsflowofthemselves,that'sthetruth.Iusedtogoouttotheshoresofthelake;ononeside
wasourconventandontheotherthepointedmountain,theycalleditthePeak.Iusedtogoup
thatmountain,facingtheeast,falldowntotheground,andweepandweep,andIdon'tknow
howlongIwept,andIdon'trememberorknowanythingaboutit.Iwouldgetup,andturn
backwhenthesunwassetting,itwassobig,andsplendidandgloriousdoyoulikelooking
atthesun,Shatushka?It'sbeautifulbutsad.Iwouldturntotheeastagain,andtheshadow,
theshadowofourmountainwasflyinglikeanarrowoverourlake,long,longandnarrow,
stretchingamilebeyond,rightuptotheislandonthelakeandcuttingthatrockyislandright
in two, and as it cut it in two, the sun would set altogether and suddenly all would be
darkness.AndthenIusedtobequitemiserable,suddenlyIusedtoremember,I'm.afraidof
thedark,Shatushka.AndwhatIweptformostwasmybaby....

Why,hadyouone?AndShatov,whohadbeenlisteningattentivelyallthetime,nudgedme
withhiselbow.

Why,ofcourse.Alittlerosybabywithtinylittlenails,andmyonlygriefisIcan'tremember
whetheritwasaboyoragirl.SometimesIrememberitwasaboy,andsometimesitwasa
girl.Andwhenhewasborn,Iwrappedhimincambricandlace,andputpinkribbonsonhim,
strewed him with flowers, got him ready, said prayers over him. I took him away un
christened and carried him through the forest, and I was afraid of the forest, and I was
frightened,andwhatIweepformostisthatIhadababyandIneverhadahusband.

Perhapsyouhadone?Shatovqueriedcautiously.

You'reabsurd,Shatushka,withyourreflections.Ihad,perhapsIhad,butwhat'stheuseof
myhavinghadone,ifit'sjustthesameasthoughIhadn't.There'saneasyriddleforyou.
Guessit!shelaughed.

Wheredidyoutakeyourbaby?

Itookittothepond,shesaidwithasigh.

Shatovnudgedmeagain.

Andwhatifyouneverhadababyandallthisisonlyawilddream?

Youaskmeahardquestion,Shatushka,sheanswereddreamily,withoutatraceofsurprise
atsuchaquestion.Ican'ttellyouanythingaboutthat,perhapsIhadn't;Ithinkthat'sonly
yourcuriosity.Ishan'tleaveoffcryingforhimanyway,Icouldn'thavedreamtit.Andbig
tearsglitteredinhereyes.Shatushka,Shatushka,isittruethatyourwiferanawayfrom
you?
Shesuddenlyputbothhandsonhisshoulders,andlookedathimpityingly.Don'tbeangry,I
feel sick myself. Do you know, Shatushka, I've had a dream: he came to me again, he
beckonedme,calledme.'Mylittlepuss,'hecriedtome,'littlepuss,cometome!'AndIwas
moredelightedatthat'littlepuss'thananything;helovesme,Ithought.

Perhapshewillcomeinreality,Shatovmutteredinanundertone.

No,Shatushka,that'sadream....Hecan'tcomeinreality.Youknowthesong:

'AnewfinehouseIdonotcrave,

Thistinycell'senoughforme;

TherewillIdwellmysoultosave

AndeverpraytoGodforthee.'

Ach,Shatushka,Shatushka,mydear,whydoyouneverask

meaboutanything?

Why,youwon'ttell.That'swhyIdon'task.

Iwon'ttell,Iwon'ttell,sheansweredquickly.Youmaykillme,Iwon'ttell.Youmay
burnme,Iwon'ttell.

AndwhateverIhadtobearI'dnevertell,peoplewon'tfindout!

There,yousee.Everyonehassomethingoftheirown,Shatovsaid,stillmoresoftly,his
headdroopinglowerandlower.

ButifyouweretoaskperhapsIshouldtell,perhapsIshould!sherepeatedecstatically.
Whydon'tyouaskIAsk,askmenicely,Shatushka,perhapsIshalltellyou.Entreatme,
Shatushka,sothatIshallconsentofmyself.Shatushka,Shatushka!

ButShatushkawassilent.Therewascompletesilencelastingaminute.Tearsslowlytrickled
downherpaintedcheeks.ShesatforgettinghertwohandsonShatov'sshoulders,butno
longerlookingathim.

Ach,whatisittodowithme,andit'sasin.Shatovsuddenlygotupfromthebench.

Getup!Heangrilypulledthebenchfromundermeandputitbackwhereitstoodbefore.

He'llbecoming,sowemustmindhedoesn'tguess.It'stimewewereoff.

Ach,you'retalkingofmyfootman,MaryaTimofyevnalaughedsuddenly.You'reafraidof
him.Well,goodbye,dearvisitors,butlistenforoneminute,I'vesomethingtotellyou.That
NilitchcameherewithFilipov,thelandlord,aredbeard,andmyfellowhadflownatmejust
then,sothelandlordcaughtholdofhimandpulledhimabouttheroomwhileheshouted'It's
notmyfault,I'msufferingforanotherman'ssin!'Sowouldyoubelieveit,weallburstout
laughing....

Ach,Timofyevna,whyitwasI,nottheredbeard,itwasIpulledhimawayfromyoubyhis
hair,thismorning;thelandlordcamethedaybeforeyesterdaytomakearow;you'vemixedit
up.

Stay,Ireallyhavemixeditup.Perhapsitwasyou.Whydisputeabouttrifles?Whatdoesit
mattertohimwhoitisgiveshimabeating?Shelaughed.

Comealong!Shatovpulledme.Thegate'screaking,he'llfindusandbeather.

Andbeforewehadtimetorunoutontothestairsweheardadrunkenshoutandashowerof
oathsatthegate.

Shatovletmeintohisroomandlockedthedoor.

You'llhavetostayaminuteifyoudon'twantascene.He'ssquealinglikealittlepig,he
musthavestumbledoverthegateagain.Hefallsflateverytime.

Wedidn'tgetoffwithoutascene,however.

VI

Shatovstoodatthecloseddoorofhisroomandlistened;suddenlyhesprangback.

He'scominghere,Iknewhewould,hewhisperedfuriously.Nowthere'llbenogettingrid
ofhimtillmidnight.

Severalviolentthumpsofafistonthedoorfollowed.

Shatov,Shatov,friend....!open!yelledthecaptain.Shatov,

Ihavecome,totheetotellthee

Thatthesundothrrriseapace,

Thattheforestglowsandtrrrembles

In...thefireof...his...embrace.

TelltheeIhavewaked,Goddamnthee,

Wakenedunderthebirchtwigs....'
("Asitmightbeunderthebirchrods,haha!)

'Silverylittlebird...is...thirsty,

SaysI'mgoing

to...haveadrink,
ButIdon't...knowwhattodrink....'

Damnhisstupidcuriosity!Shatov,doyouunderstandhowgooditistobealive!

Don'tanswer!Shatovwhisperedtomeagain.

Open the door! Do you understand that there's something higher than brawling ... in
mankind;therearemomentsofanhonhonhonourableman....Shatov,I'mgood;I'llforgive
you....Shatov,damnthemanifestoes,eh?

Silence.

Doyouunderstand,youass,thatI'minlove,thatI'veboughtadresscoat,look,thegarbof
love,fifteenroubles;acaptain'slovecallsforthenicetiesofstyle....Openthedoor!he
roaredsavagelyallofasudden,andhebeganfuriouslybangingwithhisfistsagain.

Gotohell!Shatovroaredsuddenly..

Ssslave!Bondslave,andyoursister'saslave,abondswoman...ath...th...ief!

Andyousoldyoursister.

That'salie!Iputupwiththelibelthough.Icouldwithoneword...doyouunderstandwhat
sheis?

What?Shatovatoncedrewnearthedoorinquisitively.

Butwillyouunderstand?

Yes,Ishallunderstand,tellmewhat?

I'mnotafraidtosay!I'mneverafraidtosayanythinginpublic!...

Younotafraid?Alikelystory,saidShatov,tauntinghim,andnoddingtometolisten.

Meafraid?

Yes,Ithinkyouare.

Meafraid?
Wellthen,tellawayifyou'renotafraidofyourmaster'swhip....You'reacoward,though
youareacaptain!

I...I...she's...she's...falteredLebyadkininavoiceshakingwithexcitement.

Well?Shatovputhiseartothedoor.

Asilencefollowed,lastingatleasthalfaminute.

Scououndrel!camefromtheothersideofthedooratlast,andthecaptainhurriedlybeata
retreatdownstairs,puffinglikeasamovar,stumblingoneverystep.

Yes,he'saslyone,andwon'tgivehimselfawayevenwhenhe'sdrunk.

Shatovmovedawayfromthedoor.

What'sitallabout?Iasked.

Shatovwavedasidethequestion,openedthedoorandbeganlisteningonthestairsagain.He
listenedalongwhile,andevenstealthilydescendedafewsteps.Atlasthecameback.

There'snothingtobeheard;heisn'tbeatingher;hemusthavefloppeddownatoncetogoto
sleep.It'stimeforyoutogo.

Listen,Shatov,whatamItogatherfromallthis?

Oh,gatherwhatyoulike!heansweredinawearyanddisgustedvoice,andhesatdownto
hiswritingtable.

Iwentaway.Animprobableideawasgrowingstrongerandstrongerinmymind.Ithoughtof
thenextdaywithdistress....

VII

Thisnextday,theverySundaywhichwastodecideStepanTrofimovitch'sfateirrevocably,
wasoneofthemostmemorabledaysinmychronicle.Itwasadayofsurprises,a,daythat
solvedpastriddlesandsuggestednewones,adayofstartlingrevelations,andstillmore
hopeless perplexity. In the morning, as the reader is already aware, I had by Varvara,
Petrovna'sparticularrequesttoaccompanymyfriendonhisvisittoher,andatthreeo'clock
intheafternoonIhadtobewithLizavetaNikolaevnainordertotellherIdidnotknow
whatandtoassistherIdidnotknowhow.Andmeanwhileitallendedasnoonecould
haveexpected.Inaword,itwasadayofwonderfulcoincidences.

To begin with, when Stepan Trofimovitch and I arrived at Varvara Petrovna's at twelve
o'clockpunctually,thetimeshehadfixed,wedidnotfindherathome;shehadnotyetcome
back from church. My poor friend was so disposed, or, more accurately speaking, so
indisposedthatthiscircumstancecrushedhimatonce;hesankalmosthelplessintoanarm
chairinthedrawingroom.Isuggestedaglassofwater;butinspiteofhispallorandthe
tremblingofhishands,herefuseditwithdignity.Hisgetupfortheoccasionwas,bytheway,
extremelyrecherche:ashirtofbatisteandembroidered,almostfitforaball,awhitetie,anew
hatinhishand,newstrawcolouredgloves,andevenasuspicionofscent.Wehadhardlysat
downwhenShatovwasshowninbythebutler,obviouslyalsobyofficialinvitation.Stepan
Trofimovitchwasrisingtoshakehandswithhim,butShatov,afterlookingattentivelyatus
both, turnedawayintoa corner, andsat downthere without evennoddingtous. Stepan
Trofimovitchlookedatmeindismayagain.

Wesatlikethisforsomeminuteslongerincompletesilence.StepanTrofimovitchsuddenly
beganwhisperingsomethingtomeveryquickly,butIcouldnotcatchit;andindeed,hewas
so agitated himself that he broke off without finishing. The butler came in once more,
ostensiblytosetsomethingstraightonthetable,moreprobablytotakealookatus.

Shatovsuddenlyaddressedhimwithaloudquestion:

AlexeyYegorytch,doyouknowwhetherDaryaPavlovnahasgonewithher?

Varvara Petrovna was pleased to drive to the cathedral alone, and Darya Pavlovna was
pleased to remain in her room upstairs, being indisposed, Alexey Yegorytch announced
formallyandreprovingly.

Mypoorfriendagainstoleahurriedandagitatedglanceatme,sothatatlastIturnedaway
fromhim.Suddenlyacarriagerumbledattheentrance,andsomecommotionatadistancein
thehousemadeusawareofthelady'sreturn.Weallleaptupfromoureasychairs,butagaina
surpriseawaitedus;weheardthenoiseofmanyfootsteps,soourhostessmusthavereturned
notalone,andthiscertainlywasratherstrange,sinceshehadfixedthattimeherself.Finally,
weheardsomeonecomeinwithstrangerapidityasthoughrunning,inawaythatVarvara
Petrovnacouldnothavecomein.And,allatonceshealmostflewintotheroom,pantingand
extremelyagitated.AfterheralittlelaterandmuchmorequicklyLizavetaNikolaevnacame
in, and with her, hand in hand, Marya Timofyevna Lebyadkin! If I had seen this in my
dreams,eventhenIshouldnothavebelievedit.

Toexplaintheirutterlyunexpectedappearance,Imustgobackanhouranddescribemorein
detailanextraordinaryadventurewhichhadbefallenVarvaraPetrovnainchurch.

Inthefirstplacealmostthewholetown,thatis,ofcourse,alloftheupperstratumofsociety,
wereassembledinthecathedral.Itwasknownthatthegovernor'swifewastomakeher
appearancethereforthefirsttimesinceherarrivalamongstus.Imustmentionthattherewere
alreadyrumoursthatshewasafreethinker,andafollowerofthenewprinciples.Allthe
ladies were also aware that she would be dressed with magnificence and extraordinary
elegance.Andsothecostumesofourladieswereelaborateandgorgeousfortheoccasion.

OnlyVarvaraPetrovnawasmodestlydressedinblackasshealwayswas,andhadbeenfor
thelastfouryears.Shehadtakenherusualplaceinchurchinthefirstrowontheleft,anda
footmaninliveryhadputdownavelvetcushionforhertokneelon;everythinginfact,had
beenasusual.Butitwasnoticed,too,thatallthroughtheservicesheprayedwithextreme
fervour.Itwasevenassertedafterwardswhenpeoplerecalledit,thatshehadhadtearsinher
eyes.Theservicewasoveratlast,andourchiefpriest,FatherPavel,cameouttodelivera
solemnsermon.Welikedhissermonsandthoughtveryhighlyofthem.Weusedeventotry
topersuadehimtoprintthem,buthenevercouldmakeuphismindto.Onthisoccasionthe
sermonwasaparticularlylongone.

And behold, duringthe sermona ladydrove up to the churchinanoldfashionedhired

droshky,thatis,oneinwhichtheladycouldonlysitsideways,holdingontothedriver'ssash,
shakingateveryjoltlikeabladeofgrassinthebreeze.Suchdroshkysarestilltobeseenin
ourtown.Stoppingatthecornerofthecathedralfortherewereanumberofcarriages,and
mountedpolicetoo,atthegatestheladysprangoutofthedroshkyandhandedthedriver
fourkopecksinsilver.

Isn't it enough, Vanya? she cried, seeing his grimace. It's all I've got, she added
plaintively.

Well,there,blessyou.Itookyouwithoutfixingtheprice,saidthedriverwithahopeless
gesture,andlookingatherheaddedasthoughreflecting:

Anditwouldbeasintotakeadvantageofyoutoo.

Then, thrustinghisleatherpurse intohisbosom, hetoucheduphishorse anddrove off,

followedbythejeersofthedriversstandingnear.Jeers,andwondertoo,followedtheladyas
shemadeherwaytothecathedralgates,betweenthecarriagesandthefootmenwaitingfor
their masters to come out. And indeed, there certainly was something extraordinary and
surprisingtoeveryoneinsuchaperson'ssuddenlyappearinginthestreetamongpeople.She
waspainfullythinandshelimped,shewasheavilypowderedandrouged;herlongneckwas
quitebare,shehadneitherkerchiefnorpelisse;shehadnothingonbutanolddarkdressin
spiteofthecoldandwindy,thoughbright,Septemberday.Shewasbareheaded,andherhair
wastwistedupintoatinyknot,andontherightsideofitwasstuckanartificialrose,suchas
areusedtodedicatecherubssoldinPalmweek.Ihadnoticedjustsuchaonewithawreathof
paperrosesinacornerundertheikonswhenIwasatMaryTimofyevna'sthedaybefore.To
putafinishingtouchtoit,thoughtheladywalkedwithmodestlydowncasteyestherewasa
slyandmerrysmileonherface.Ifshehadlingeredamomentlonger,shewouldperhapsnot
havebeenallowedtoenterthecathedral.Butshesucceededinslippingby,andenteringthe
building,graduallypressedforward.

Thoughitwashalfwaythroughthesermon,andthedensecrowdthatfilledthecathedralwas
listening to it with absorbed and silent attention, yet several pairs of eyes glanced with
curiosityandamazementatthenewcomer.Shesankontothefloor,bowedherpaintedface
down toit, laythere a longtime, unmistakably weeping; but raisingher head again and
gettingupfromherknees,shesoonrecovered,andwasdiverted.Gailyandwithevidentand
intenseenjoymentshelethereyesroveoverthefaces,andoverthewallsofthecathedral.She
lookedwithparticularcuriosityatsomeoftheladies,evenstandingontiptoetolookatthem,
and even laughed once or twice, giggling strangely. But the sermon was over, and they
broughtoutthecross.Thegovernor'swifewasthefirsttogouptothecross,butshestopped
shorttwostepsfromit,evidentlywishingtomakewayforVarvara.Petrovna,who,onher
side,movedtowardsitquitedirectlyasthoughshenoticednooneinfrontofher.Therewas
anobviousand,initsway,clevermaliceimpliedinthisextraordinaryactofdeferenceonthe
partofthegovernor'swife;everyonefeltthis;VarvaraPetrovnamusthavefeltittoo;butshe
wentonasbefore,apparentlynoticingnoone,andwiththesameunfalteringairofdignity
kissedthecross,andatonceturnedtoleavethecathedral.Afootmaninliveryclearedthe
wayforher,thougheveryonesteppedbackspontaneouslytoletherpass.Butjustasshewas
goingout,intheporchthecloselypackedmassofpeopleblockedthewayforamoment.
VarvaraPetrovnastoodstill,andsuddenlyastrange,extraordinarycreature,thewomanwith
thepaperroseonherhead,squeezedthroughthepeople,andfellonherkneesbeforeher.
VarvaraPetrovna,whowasnoteasilydisconcerted,especiallyinpublic,lookedathersternly
andwithdignity.

Ihastentoobservehere,asbrieflyaspossible,thatthoughVarvaraPetrovnahadbecome,it
wassaid,excessivelycarefulandevenstingy,yetsometimesshewasnotsparingofmoney,
especiallyforbenevolentobjects.Shewasamemberofacharitablesocietyinthecapital.In
thelastfamineyearshehadsentfivehundredroublestothechiefcommitteeforthereliefof
thesufferers,andpeopletalkedofitinthetown.Moreover,justbeforetheappointmentofthe
newgovernor,shehadbeenontheverypointoffoundingalocalcommitteeofladiestoassist
thepoorestmothersinthetownandintheprovince.Shewasseverelycensuredamongusfor
ambition; but Varvara Petrovna's wellknown strenuousness and, at the .same time, her
persistence nearly triumphed over all obstacles. The society was almost formed, and the
originalideaembracedawiderandwiderscopeintheenthusiasticmindofthefoundress.She
wasalreadydreamingoffoundingasimilarsocietyinMoscow,andthegradualexpansionof
itsinfluenceoveralltheprovincesofRussia.Andnow,withthesuddenchangeofgovernor,
everythingwasatastandstill;andthenewgovernor'swifehad,itwassaid,alreadyutteredin
societysomebiting,and,whatwasworse,aptandsensibleremarksabouttheimpracticability
ofthefundamentalideaofsuchacommittee,whichwas,withadditionsofcourse,repeatedto
VarvaraPetrovna.Godaloneknowsthesecretsofmen'shearts;butIimaginethatVarvara
Petrovna stood still now at the very cathedral gates positively with a certain pleasure,
knowingthatthegovernor'swifeand,afterher,allthecongregation,wouldhavetopassby
immediately,andletherseeforherselfhowlittleIcarewhatshethinks,andwhatpointed
thingsshesaysaboutthevanityofmybenevolence.Somuchforallofyou!

Whatisitmydear?Whatareyouasking?saidVarvaraPetrovna,lookingmoreattentively
atthekneelingwomanbeforeher,whogazedatherwithafearfullypanicstricken,shame
faced,butalmostreverentexpression,andsuddenlybrokeintothesamestrangegiggle.

Whatdoesshewant?Whoisshe

VarvaraPetrovnabentanimperiousandinquiringgazeonallaroundher.Everyonewas
silent.

Youareunhappy?Youareinneedofhelp?

Iaminneed....Ihavecome...falteredtheunhappycreature,inavoicebrokenwith
emotion.Ihavecomeonlytokissyourhand....

Againshegiggled.Withthechildishlookwithwhichlittlechildrencaresssomeone,begging
forafavour,shestretchedforwardtoseizeVarvaraPetrovna'shand,but,asthoughpanic
stricken,drewherhandsback.

Isthatallyouhavecomefor?saidVarvaraPetrovna,withacompassionatesmile;butat
onceshedrewhermotherofpearlpurseoutofherpocket,tookoutatenroublenoteand
gave it to the unknown. The latter took it. Varvara Petrovna was much interested and
evidentlydidnotlookuponherasanordinarylowclassbeggar.

Isay,shegavehertenroubles!someonesaidinthecrowd.

Letmekissyourhand,falteredtheunknown,holdingtightinthefingersofherlefthandthe
corner of the tenrouble note, which fluttered in the draught. Varvara Petrovna frowned
slightly,andwithaserious,almostsevere,faceheldoutherhand.Thecripplekisseditwith
reverence.Hergratefuleyesshonewithpositiveecstasy.Atthatmomentthegovernor'swife
cameup,andawholecrowdofladiesandhighofficialsflockedafterher.Thegovernor'swife
wasforcedtostandstillforamomentinthecrush;manypeoplestopped.

Youaretrembling.Areyoucold?VarvaraPetrovnaobservedsuddenly,andflingingoffher
pelissewhichafootmancaughtinmidair,shetookfromherownshouldersaveryexpensive
blackshawl,andwithherownhandswrappeditroundthebareneckofthestillkneeling
woman.

Butgetup,getupfromyourkneesIbegyou!

Thewomangotup.

Wheredoyoulive?Isitpossiblenooneknowswhereshelives?VarvaraPetrovnaglanced
round impatiently again. But the crowd was different now: she saw only the faces of
acquaintances,peopleinsociety,surveyingthescene,somewithsevereastonishment,others
with sly curiosity and at the same time guileless eagerness for a sensation, while others
positivelylaughed.

Ibelievehername'sLebyadkin,agoodnaturedpersonvolunteeredatlastinanswerto
Varvara Petrovna. It was our respectable and respected merchant Andreev, a man in
spectacleswithagreybeard,wearingRussiandressandholdingahighroundhatinhishands.
TheyliveintheFilipovs'houseinBogoyavlenskyStreet.

Lebyadkin?Filipovs'house?Ihaveheardsomething....Thankyou,NikonSemyonitch.But
whoisthisLebyadkin?

Hecallshimselfacaptain,aman,itmustbesaid,notovercarefulinhisbehaviour.Andno
doubtthisishissister.Shemusthaveescapedfromundercontrol,NikonSemyonitchwent
on,droppinghisvoice,andglancingsignificantlyatVarvaraPetrovna.

Iunderstand.Thankyou,NikonSemyonitch.YournameisMile.Lebyadkin?

No,myname'snotLebyadkin.

Thenperhapsyourbrother'snameisLebyadkin?

Mybrother'snameisLebyadkin.

ThisiswhatI'lldo,I'lltakeyouwithmenow,mydear,andyoushallbedrivenfrommeto
yourfamily.Wouldyouliketogowithme?

Ach,Ishould!criedMile.Lebyadkin,claspingherhands.

Auntie,auntie,takemewithyoutoo!thevoiceofLizavetaNikolaevnacriedsuddenly.

ImustobservethatLizavetaNikolaevnahadcometothecathedralwiththegovernor'swife,
whilePraskovyaIvanovnahadbythedoctor'sordersgoneforadriveinhercarriage,taking
MavrikyNikolaevitchtoentertainher.Lizasuddenlyleftthegovernor'swifeandranupto
VarvaraPetrovna.

Mydear,youknowI'malwaysgladtohaveyou,butwhatwillyourmothersay?Varvara
Petrovnabeganmajestically,butshebecamesuddenlyconfused,noticingLiza'sextraordinary
agitation.

Auntie,auntie,Imustcomewithyou!Lizaimplored,kissingVarvaraPetrovna.

Maisqu'avezvousdone,Lise?thegovernor'swifeaskedwithexpressivewonder.

Ah,forgiveme,darling,cherecousine,I'mgoingtoauntie's.

Lizaturnedinpassingtoherunpleasantlysurprisedcherecousine,andkissedhertwice.

Andtellmamantofollowmetoauntie'sdirectly;mamanmeant,fullymeanttocomeandsee
you,shesaidsothismorningherself,Iforgottotellyou,Lizapatteredon.Ibegyour
pardon,don'tbeangry,Julie,chere...cousine....Auntie,I'mready!

Ifyoudon'ttakemewithyou,auntie,I'llrunafteryourcarriage,screaming,shewhispered
rapidlyanddespairinglyinVarvaraPetrovna'sear;itwasluckythatnooneheard.Varvara
Petrovnapositivelystaggeredback,andbentherpenetratinggazeonthemadgirl.Thatgaze
settledeverything.ShemadeuphermindtotakeLizawithher.
Wemustputanendtothis!brokefromherlips.Verywell,I'lltakeyouwithpleasure,
Liza,sheaddedaloud,ifYuliaMihailovnaiswillingtoletyoucome,ofcourse.Witha
candidairandstraightforwarddignitysheaddressedthegovernor'swifedirectly.

Oh,certainly,Idon'twanttodepriveherofsuchapleasureespeciallyasIammyself...
YuliaMihailovnalispedwithamazingaffabilityImyself...knowwellwhatafantastic,
wilfullittleheaditis!YuliaMihailovnagaveacharmingsmile.

Ithankyouextremely,saidVarvaraPetrovna,withacourteousanddignifiedbow.

And I am the more gratified, Yulia Mihailovna went on, lisping almost rapturously,
flushingalloverwithagreeableexcitement,that,apartfromthepleasureofbeingwithyou
Liza should be carried away by such an excellent, I may say lofty, feeling ... of
compassion...(sheglancedattheunhappycreature")and...andattheveryportalofthe
temple....

Such a feeling does you honour, Varvara Petrovna approved magnificently. Yulia
Mihailovna impulsively held out her hand and Varvara Petrovna with perfect readiness
toucheditwithherfingers.The general effectwasexcellent,thefacesofsomeofthose
presentbeamedwithpleasure,someblandandinsinuatingsmilesweretobeseen.

InshortitwasmademanifesttoeveryoneinthetownthatitwasnotYuliaMihailovnawho
haduptillnowneglectedVarvaraPetrovnainnotcallinguponher,butonthecontrarythat
VarvaraPetrovnahadkeptYuliaMihailovnawithinboundsatadistance,whilethelatter
wouldhavehastenedtopayheravisit,goingonfootperhapsifnecessary,hadshebeenfully
assuredthatVarvaraPetrovnawouldnotturnheraway.AndVarvaraPetrovna'sprestigewas
enormouslyincreased.

Getin,mydear.VarvaraPetrovnamotionedMile.Lebyadkintowardsthecarriagewhich
haddrivenup.

Theunhappycreaturehurriedgleefullytothecarriagedoor,andtherethefootmanliftedher
in.

What!You'relame!criedVarvaraPetrovna,seemingquitealarmed,andsheturnedpale.
(Everyonenoticeditatthetime,butdidnotunderstandit.)

Thecarriagerolledaway.VarvaraPetrovna'shousewasverynearthecathedral.Lizatoldme
afterwards that Miss Lebyadkin laughed hysterically for the three minutes that the drive
lasted,whileVarvaraPetrovnasatasthoughinamesmericsleep.Liza'sownexpression.

CHAPTERV.THESUBTLESERPENT

VARVARAPETROVNArangthebellandthrewherselfintoaneasychairbythewindow.

Sithere,mydear.ShemotionedMaryaTimofyevnatoaseatinthemiddleoftheroom,by
alargeroundtable.StepanTrofimovitch,whatisthemeaningofthis?See,see,lookatthis
woman,whatisthemeaningofit?

I...I...falteredStepanTrofimovitch.

Butafootmancamein.

Acupofcoffeeatonce,wemusthaveitasquicklyaspossible!Keepthehorses!

Mais,chereetexcellenteamie,dansquelleinquietude...StepanTrofimovitchexclaimed
inadyingvoice.

Ach! French! French! I can see at once that it's the highest society, cried Marya
Timofyevna,clappingherhands,ecstaticallypreparingherselftolistentoaconversationin
French.VarvaraPetrovnastaredatheralmostindismay.

Weallsatinsilence,waitingtoseehowitwouldend.Shatovdidnotliftuphishead,and
StepanTrofimovitchwasoverwhelmedwithconfusionasthoughitwereallhisfault;the
perspirationstoodoutonhistemples.IglancedatLiza(shewassittinginthecorneralmost
besideShatov).HereyesdartedkeenlyfromVarvaraPetrovnatothecrippleandbackagain;
herlipsweredrawnintoasmile,butnotapleasantone.VarvaraPetrovnasawthatsmile.
Meanwhile Marya Timofyevna was absolutely transported. With evident enjoyment and
withoutatraceofembarrassmentshestaredatVarvaraPetrovna'sbeautifuldrawingroom
thefurniture,thecarpets,thepicturesonthewalls,theoldfashionedpaintedceiling,thegreat
bronzecrucifixinthecorner,thechinalamp,thealbums,theobjectsonthetable.

Andyou'rehere,too,Shatushka!shecriedsuddenly.Onlyfancy,Isawyoualongtime
ago,butIthoughtitcouldn'tbeyou!Howcouldyoucomehere!Andshelaughedgaily.

Youknowthiswoman?saidVarvaraPetrovna,turningtohimatonce.

Iknowher,mutteredShatov.Heseemedabouttomovefromhischair,butremainedsitting.

Whatdoyouknowofher?Makehaste,please!

Oh,well...hestammeredwithanincongruoussmile.Youseeforyourself....

WhatdoIsee?Comenow,saysomething!

ShelivesinthesamehouseasIdo...withherbrother...anofficer.

Well?

Shatovstammeredagain.

It'snotworthtalkingabout...hemuttered,andrelapsedintodeterminedsilence.He
positivelyflushedwithdetermination.
Ofcourseonecanexpectnothingelsefromyou,saidVarvaraPetrovnaindignantly.Itwas
cleartohernowthattheyallknewsomethingand,atthesametime,thattheywereallscared,
thattheywereevadingherquestions,andanxioustokeepsomethingfromher.

Thefootmancameinandbroughther,onalittlesilvertray,thecupofcoffeeshehadso
speciallyordered,butatasignfromhermovedwithitatoncetowardsMaryaTimofyevna.

Youwereverycoldjustnow,mydear;makehasteanddrinkitandgetwarm.

Herd.

MaryaTimofyevnatookthecupandatoncewentoffintoagiggleathavingsaidmercitothe
footman.ButmeetingVarvaraPetrovna'sreprovingeyes,shewasovercomewithshynessand
putthecuponthetable.

Auntie,surelyyou'renotangry?shefalteredwithasortofflippantplayfulness.

Whaat?VarvaraPetrovnastarted,anddrewherselfupinherchair.I'mnotyouraunt.
Whatareyouthinkingof?

MaryaTimofyevna,notexpectingsuchanangryoutburst,begantremblingalloverinlittle
convulsiveshudders,asthoughshewereinafit,andsankbackinherchair.

I ... I ... thought that was the proper way, she faltered, gazing openeyed at Varvara
Petrovna.Lizacalledyouthat.

WhatLiza?

Why,thisyoungladyhere,saidMaryaTimofyevna,pointingwithherfinger.

Soshe'sLizaalready?

Youcalledherthatyourselfjustnow,saidMaryaTimofyevnagrowingalittleholder.And
Idreamedofabeautylikethat,sheadded,laughing,asitwereaccidentally.

VarvaraPetrovnareflected,andgrewcalmer,sheevensmiledfaintlyatMaryaTimofyevna's
lastwords;thelatter,catchinghersmile,gotupfromherchair,andlimping,wenttimidly
towardsher.

Takeit.Iforgottogiveitback.Don'tbeangrywithmyrudeness.

ShetookfromhershoulderstheblackshawlthatVarvaraPetrovnahadwrappedroundher.

Putitonagainatonce,andyoucankeepitalways.Goandsitdown,drinkyourcoffee,and
pleasedon'tbeafraidofme,mydear,don'tworryyourself.Iambeginningtounderstand
you.
Chereamie...StepanTrofimovitchventuredagain.

Ach,StepanTrofimovitch,it'sbewilderingenoughwithoutyou.Youmightatleastspareme.
...Pleaseringthatbellthere,nearyou,tothemaid'sroom.

Asilencefollowed.Hereyesstrayedirritablyandsuspiciouslyoverallourfaces.Agasha,her
favouritemaid,camein.

Bringmemycheckshawl,theoneIboughtinGeneva.What'sDaryaPavlovnadoing?

She'snotverywell,madam.

Goandaskhertocomehere.SaythatIwantherparticularly,evenifshe'snotwell.

Atthatinstanttherewasagain,asbefore,anunusualnoiseofstepsandvoicesinthenext
room,andsuddenlyPraskovyaIvanovna,pantinganddistracted,appearedinthedoorway.
ShewasleaningonthearmofMavrikyNikolaevitch.

Ach,heavens,Icouldscarcelydragmyselfhere.Liza,youmadgirl,howyoutreatyour
mother!shesqueaked,concentratinginthatsqueak,asweakandirritablepeoplearewontto
do,allheraccumulatedirritability.VarvaraPetrovna,I'vecomeformydaughter!

VarvaraPetrovnalookedatherfromunderherbrows,halfrosetomeether,andscarcely
concealinghervexationbroughtout:Goodmorning,PraskovyaIvanovna,pleasebeseated,
knewyouwouldcome!

II

There could be nothing surprising to Praskovya Ivanovna in such a reception. Varvara

Petrovnahadfromchildhoodupwardstreatedheroldschoolfriendtyrannically,andundera
showoffriendshipalmostcontemptuously.Andthiswasanexceptionaloccasiontoo.During
thelastfewdaystherehadalmostbeenacompleterupturebetweenthetwohouseholds,asI
havementionedincidentallyalready.ThereasonofthisrupturewasstillamysterytoVarvara
Petrovna, which made it all the more offensive; but the chief cause of offence was that
Praskovya Ivanovna had succeeded in taking up an extraordinarily supercilious attitude
towardsVarvaraPetrovna.VarvaraPetrovnawaswoundedofcourse,andmeanwhilesome
strange rumours had reached her which also irritated her extremely, especially by their
vagueness.VarvaraPetrovnawasofadirectandproudlyfrankcharacter,somewhatslapdash
inhermethods,indeed,iftheexpressionispermissible.Therewasnothingshedetestedso
muchassecretandmysteriousinsinuations,shealwayspreferredwarintheopen.Anyway,
thetwoladieshadnotmetforfivedays.ThelastvisithadbeenpaidbyVarvaraPetrovna,
whohadcomebackfromthatDrozdovwomanoffendedandperplexed.Icansaywith
certaintythatPraskovyaIvanovnahadcomeonthisoccasionwiththenaiveconvictionthat
VarvaraPetrovnawould,forsomereason,besuretostandinaweofher.Thiswasevident
fromtheveryexpressionofherface.Evidentlytoo,VarvaraPetrovnawasalwayspossessed
byademonofhaughtypridewhenevershehadtheleastgroundforsuspectingthatshewas
forsomereasonsupposedtobehumiliated.Likemanyweakpeople,whoforalongtime
'allow themselves to be insulted without resenting it, Praskovya Ivanovna showed an
extraordinaryviolenceinherattackatthefirstfavourableopportunity.Itistruethatshewas
notwell,andalwaysbecamemoreirritableinillness.Imustaddfinally,thatourpresencein
thedrawingroomcouldhardlybemuchchecktothetwoladieswhohadbeenfriendsfrom
childhood,ifaquarrelhadbrokenoutbetweenthem.Wewerelookeduponasfriendsofthe
family,andalmostastheirsubjects.Imadethatreflectionwithsomealarmatthetime.Stepan
Trofimovitch,whohadnotsatdownsincetheentranceofVarvaraPetrovna,sankhelplessly
intoanarmchaironhearingPraskovyaIvanovna'ssqueal,andtriedtocatchmyeyewitha
look of despair. Shatov turned sharply in his chair, and growled something to himself. I
believehemeanttogetupandgoaway.Lizarosefromherchairbutsankbackagainatonce
withoutevenpayingbefittingattentiontohermother'ssquealnotfromwaywardness,but
obviouslybecauseshewasentirelyabsorbedbysomeotheroverwhelmingimpression.She
waslookingabsentmindedlyintotheair,nolongernoticingevenMaryaTimofyevna.

III

Ach,here!PraskovyaIvanovnaindicatedaneasychairnearthetableandsankheavilyinto
itwiththeassistanceofMavrikyNikolaevitch.Iwouldn'thavesatdowninyourhouse,my
lady,ifitweren'tformylegs,sheaddedinabreakingvoice.

VarvaraPetrovnaraisedherheadalittle,andwithanexpressionofsufferingpressedthe
fingersofherrighthandtoherrighttemple,evidentlyinacutepain(ticdouloureux).

Whyso,PraskovyaIvanovna;whywouldn'tyousitdowninmyhouse?Ipossessedyourlate
husband'ssincerefriendshipallhislife;andyouandIusedtoplaywithourdollsatschool
togetherasgirls.

PraskovyaIvanovnawavedherhands.

Iknewthatwascoming!Youalwaysbeginabouttheschoolwhenyouwanttoreproachme
that'syourway.Buttomythinkingthat'sonlyfinetalk.Ican'tstandtheschoolyou're
alwaystalkingabout.

You'vecomeinratherabadtemper,I'mafraid;howareyourlegs?Herethey'rebringingyou
somecoffee,pleasehavesome,drinkitanddon'tbecross.

VarvaraPetrovna,youtreatmeasthoughIwereachild.Iwon'thaveanycoffee,sothere!

Andshepettishlywavedawaythefootmanwhowasbringinghercoffee.(Alltheothers
refusedcoffeetooexceptMavrikyNikolaevitchandme.StepanTrofimovitchtookit,butput
itasideonthetable.ThoughMaryaTimofyevnawasveryeagertohaveanothercupandeven
put out her hand to take it, on second thoughts she refused it ceremoniously, and was
obviouslypleasedwithherselffordoingso.)

VarvaraPetrovnagaveawrysmile.
I'lltellyouwhatitis,PraskovyaIvanovna,myfriend,youmusthavetakensomefancyinto
yourheadagain,andthat'swhyyou'vecome.You'vesimplylivedonfanciesallyourlife.
Youflewintoafuryatthemerementionofourschool;butdoyourememberhowyoucame
andpersuadedalltheclassthatahussarcalledShablykinhadproposedtoyou,andhowMme.
Lefebure proved on the spot you were lying. Yet you weren't lying, you were simply
imaginingitalltoamuseyourself.Come,tellme,whatisitnow?Whatareyoufancying
now;whatisitvexesyou?

Andyoufellinlovewiththepriestwhousedtoteachusscriptureatschoolsomuchfor
you,sinceyou'vesuchaspitefulmemory.Hahaha!

Shelaughedviciouslyandwentoffintoafitofcoughing.

Ah, you've not forgotten the priest then . . . said Varvara Petrovna, looking at her
vindictively.

Herfaceturnedgreen.PraskovyaIvanovnasuddenlyassumedadignifiedair.

I'minnolaughingmoodnow,madam.Whyhaveyoudrawnmydaughterintoyourscandals
inthefaceofthewholetown?That'swhatI'vecomeabout.'

Myscandals?VarvaraPetrovnadrewherselfupmenacingly.

Maman,Ientreatyoutoo,torestrainyourself,LizavetaNikolaevnabroughtoutsuddenly.

What'sthatyousay?Themamanwasonthepointofbreakingintoasquealagain,but
catchingherdaughter'sflashingeye,shesubsidedsuddenly.

Howcouldyoutalkaboutscandal,maman?criedLiza,flushingred.Icameofmyown
accordwithYuliaMihailovna'spermission,becauseIwantedtolearnthisunhappywoman's
storyandtobeofusetoher.

Thisunhappywoman'sstory!PraskovyaIvanovnadrawledwithaspitefullaugh.Isityour
placetomixyourselfupwithsuch'stories.'Ach,enoughofyourtyrannising!Sheturned
furiouslytoVarvaraPetrovna.Idon'tknowwhetherit'strueornot,theysayyoukeepthe
wholetowninorder,butitseemsyourturnhascomeatlast.

VarvaraPetrovnasatstraightasanarrowreadytoflyfromthebow.Fortensecondsshe
lookedsternlyandimmovablyatPraskovyaIvanovna.

Well,Praskovya,youmustthankGodthatallherepresentareourfriends,shesaidatlast
withominouscomposure.You'vesaidagreatdealbetterunsaid.

ButI'mnotsomuchafraidofwhattheworldwillsay,mylady,assomepeople.It'syou
who,underashowofpride,aretremblingatwhatpeoplewillsay.Andasforallherebeing
yourfriends,it'sbetterforyouthanifstrangershadbeenlistening.
Haveyougrownwiserduringthislastweek?

It'snotthatI'vegrownwiser,butsimplythatthetruthhascomeoutthisweek.

Whattruthhascomeoutthisweek?Listen,PraskovyaIvanovna,don'tirritateme.Explainto
methisminute,Ibegyouasafavour,whattruthhascomeoutandwhatdoyoumeanby
that?

Whythereitis,sittingbeforeyou!andPraskovyaIvanovnasuddenlypointedatMarya
Timofyevnawiththatdesperatedeterminationwhichtakesnoheedofconsequences,ifonlyit
canmakeanimpressionatthemoment.MaryaTimofyevna,whohadwatchedherallthetime
with lighthearted curiosity, laughed exultingly at the sight of the wrathful guest's finger
pointedimpetuouslyather,andwriggledgleefullyinhereasychair.

GodAlmightyhavemercyonus,they'veallgonecrazy!exclaimedVarvaraPetrovna,and
turningpaleshesankbackinherchair.

Sheturnedsopalethatitcausedsomecommotion.StepanTrofimovitchwasthefirsttorush
uptoher.Idrewnearalso;evenLizagotupfromherseat,thoughshedidnotcomeforward.
ButthemostalarmedofallwasPraskovyaIvanovnaherself;Sheutteredascream,gotupas
farasshecouldandalmostwailedinalachrymosevoice:

Varvara Petrovna, dear, forgive me for my wicked foolishness! Give her some water,
somebody.

Don'twhimper,please,PraskovyaIvanovna,andleavemealone,gentlemen,please,Idon't
wantanywater!VarvaraPetrovnapronouncedinafirmthoughlowvoice,withblanched
lips.

VarvaraPetrovna,mydear,PraskovyaIvanovnawenton,alittlereassured,thoughIamto
blameformyrecklesswords,what'supsetmemorethananythingaretheseanonymousletters
thatsomelowcreatureskeepbombardingmewith;theymightwritetoyou,sinceitconcerns
you,butI'veadaughter!

VarvaraPetrovnalookedatherinsilence,withwideopeneyes,listeningwithwonder.Atthat
moment a sidedoor in the corner opened noiselessly, and Darya Pavlovna made her
appearance.Shestoodstillandlookedround.Shewasstruckbyourperturbation.Probably
she did not at first distinguish Marya Timofyevna, of whose presence she had not been
informed.StepanTrofimovitchwasthefirsttonoticeher;hemadearapidmovement,turned
red,andforsomereasonproclaimedinaloudvoice:DaryaPavlovna!sothatalleyes
turnedonthenewcomer.

Oh,isthisyourDaryaPavlovna!criedMaryaTimofyevna.Well,Shatushka,yoursister's
notlikeyou.HowcanmyfellowcallsuchacharmertheserfwenchDasha?

Meanwhile Darya Pavlovna had gone up to Varvara Petrovna, but struck by Marya
Timofyevna'sexclamationsheturnedquicklyandstoppedjustbeforeherchair,lookingatthe
imbecilewithalongfixedgaze.

Sitdown,Dasha,VarvaraPetrovnabroughtoutwithterrifyingcomposure.Nearer,that's
right.Youcanseethiswoman,sittingdown.Doyouknowher?

Ihaveneverseenher,Dashaansweredquietly,andafterapausesheaddedatonce:

ShemustbetheinvalidsisterofCaptainLebyadkin.

Andit'sthefirsttimeI'veseteyesonyou,mylove,thoughI'vebeeninterestedandwanted
toknowyoualongtime,forIseehowwellbredyouareineverymovementyoumake,
MaryaTimofyevnacriedenthusiastically.Andthoughmyfootmanswearsatyou,cansucha
welleducatedcharmingpersonasyoureallyhavestolenmoneyfromhim?Foryouaresweet,
sweet,sweet,Itellyouthatfrommyself!sheconcluded,enthusiasticallywavingherhand.

Canyoumakeanythingofit?VarvaraPetrovnaaskedwithprouddignity.

Iunderstandit....

Haveyouheardaboutthemoney?

Nodoubtit'sthemoneythatIundertookatNikolayVsyevolodovitch'srequesttohandover
toherbrother,CaptainLebyadkin.

Asilencefollowed.

DidNikolayVsyevolodovitchhimselfaskyoutodoso?

Hewasveryanxioustosendthatmoney,threehundredroubles,toMr.Lebyadkin.Andas
hedidn'tknowhisaddress,butonlyknewthathewastobeinourtown,hechargedmeto
giveittoMr.Lebyadkinifhecame.

Whatisthemoney...lost?Whatwasthiswomanspeakingaboutjustnow?

ThatIdon'tknow.I'veheardbeforethatMr.LebyadkinsaysIdidn'tgivehimallthemoney,
butIdon'tunderstandhiswords.TherewerethreehundredroublesandIsenthimthree
hundredroubles.

DaryaPavlovnahadalmostcompletelyregainedhercomposure.Anditwasdifficult,Imay
mention,asarule,toastonishthegirlorrufflehercalmforlongwhatevershemightbe
feeling.Shebroughtoutallheranswersnowwithouthaste,repliedimmediatelytoevery
questionwithaccuracy,quietly,smoothly,andwithoutatraceofthesuddenemotionshehad
shownatfirst,ortheslightestembarrassmentwhichmighthavesuggestedaconsciousnessof
guilt.VarvaraPetrovna'seyeswerefasteneduponherallthetimeshewasspeaking.Varvara
Petrovnathoughtforaminute:
If,shepronouncedatlastfirmly,evidentlyaddressingallpresent,thoughsheonlylookedat
Dasha,ifNikolayVsyevolodovitchdidnotappealeventomebutaskedyoutodothisfor
him,hemusthavehadhisreasonsfordoingso.Idon'tconsiderIhaveanyrighttoinquire
intothem,iftheyarekeptsecretfromme.Buttheveryfactofyourhavingtakenpartinthe
matterreassuresmeonthatscore,besureofthat,Darya,inanycase.Butyousee,mydear,
youmay,throughignoranceoftheworld,havequiteinnocentlydonesomethingimprudent;
andyoudidsowhenyouundertooktohavedealingswithalowcharacter.Therumours
spreadbythisrascalshowwhatamistakeyoumade.ButIwillfindoutabouthim,andasitis
mytasktoprotectyou,Ishallknowhowtodefendyou.Butnowallthismustbeputastop
to.

Thebestthingtodo,saidMaryaTimofyevna,poppingupfromherchair,istosendhimto
thefootmen'sroomwhenhecomes.Lethimsitonthebenchesthereandplaycardswiththem
whilewesithereanddrinkcoffee.Wemightsendhimacupofcoffeetoo,butIhaveagreat
contemptforhim.

Andshewaggedherheadexpressively.

We must put a stop to this, Varvara Petrovna repeated, listening attentively to Marya
Timofyevna.Ring,StepanTrofimovitch,Ibegyou.

StepanTrofimovitchrang,andsuddenlysteppedforward,allexcitement.

If...if...hefalteredfeverishly,flushing,breakingoffandstuttering,ifItoohaveheard
themostrevoltingstory,orratherslander,itwaswithutterindignation... enfinc'estun
hommeperdu,etquelquechosecommeunformatevade....

Hebrokedownandcouldnotgoon.VarvaraPetrovna,screwinguphereyes,lookedhimup
anddown.

TheceremoniousbutlerAlexeyYegorytchcamein.

Thecarriage,VarvaraPetrovnaordered.Andyou,AlexeyYegorytch,getreadytoescort
MissLebyadkinhome;shewillgiveyoutheaddressherself.

Mr.Lebyadkinhasbeenwaitingforherforsometimedownstairs,andhasbeenbeggingme
toannouncehim.

That'simpossible,VarvaraPetrovna!andMavrikyNikolaevitch,whohadsatallthetimein
unbrokensilence,suddenlycameforwardinalarm.IfImayspeak,heisnotamanwhocan
beadmittedintosociety.He...he...he'sanimpossibleperson,VarvaraPetrovna!

Waitamoment,saidVarvaraPetrovnatoAlexeyYegorytch,andhedisappearedatonce.

C'estunhommemalhonneteetjecroismemequec'estunformatevadeouquelquechose
danscegenre,StepanTrofimovitchmutteredagain,andagainheflushedredandbrokeoff.
Liza,it'stimeweweregoing,announcedPraskovyaIvanovnadisdainfully,gettingupfrom
her seat. She seemed sorry that in her alarm she had called herself a fool. While Darya
Pavlovnawasspeaking,shelistened,pressingherlipssuperciliously.Butwhatstruckme
mostwastheexpressionofLizavetaNikolaevnafromthemomentDaryaPavlovnahadcome
in.Therewasagleamofhatredandhardlydisguisedcontemptinhereyes.

Waitoneminute,PraskovyaIvanovna,Ibegyou.VarvaraPetrovnadetainedher,stillwith
thesameexaggeratedcomposure.Kindlysitdown.Iintendtospeakout,andyourlegsare
bad.That'sright,thankyou.Ilostmytemperjustnowandutteredsomeimpatientwords.Be
sogoodastoforgiveme.IbehavedfoolishlyandI'mthefirsttoregretit,becauseIlike
fairnessineverything.Losingyourtempertoo,ofcourse,youspokeofcertainanonymous
letters. Every anonymous communication is deserving of contempt, just because it's not
signed.IfyouthinkdifferentlyI'msorryforyou.Inanycase,ifIwereinyourplace,Iwould
notpryintosuchdirtycorners,Iwouldnotsoilmyhandswithit.Butyouhavesoiledyours.
However,sinceyouhavebegunonthesubjectyourself,ImusttellyouthatsixdaysagoItoo
received a clownish anonymous letter. In it some rascal informs me that Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchhasgoneoutofhismind,andthatIhavereasontofearsomelamewoman,
who'isdestinedtoplayagreatpartinmylife.'Iremembertheexpression.Reflectingand
beingawarethatNikolayVsyevolodovitchhasverynumerousenemies,Ipromptlysentfora
manlivinghere,oneofhissecretenemies,andthemostvindictiveandcontemptibleofthem,
and from my conversation with him I gathered what was the despicable source of the
anonymousletter.Ifyoutoo,mypoorPraskovyaIvanovna,havebeenworriedbysimilar
lettersonmyaccount,andasyousay'bombarded'withthem,Iam,ofcourse,thefirstto
regret having been the innocent cause of it. That's all I wanted to tell you by way of
explanation.I'mverysorrytoseethatyouaresotiredandsoupset.Besides,Ihavequite
madeupmymindtoseethatsuspiciouspersonageofwhomMavrikyNikolaevitchsaidjust
now,alittleinappropriately,thatitwasimpossibletoreceivehim.Lizainparticularneed
havenothingtodowithit.Cometome,Liza,mydear,letmekissyouagain.

LizacrossedtheroomandstoodinsilencebeforeVarvaraPetrovna.Thelatterkissedher,
tookherhands,and,holdingheratarm'slength,lookedatherwithfeeling,thenmadethe
signofthecrossoverherandkissedheragain.

Well,goodbye,Liza(therewasalmostthesoundoftearsinVarvaraPetrovna'svoice),
believethatIshallneverceasetoloveyouwhateverfatehasinstoreforyou.Godbewith
you.IhavealwaysblessedHisholyWill....

She would have added something more, but restrained herself and broke off. Liza was
walkingbacktoherplace,stillinthesamesilence,asitwereplungedinthought,butshe
suddenlystoppedbeforehermother.

Iamnotgoingyet,mother.I'llstayalittlelongeratauntie's,shebroughtoutinalowvoice,
buttherewasanote.ofirondeterminationinthosequietwords.

Mygoodness!Whatnow?wailedPraskovyaIvanovna,claspingherhandshelplessly.But
Lizadidnotanswer,andseemedindeednottohearher;shesatdowninthesamecornerand
felltogazingintospaceagainasbefore.

TherewasalookofprideandtriumphinVarvaraPetrovna'sface.

MavrikyNikolaevitch,Ihaveagreatfavourtoaskofyou.Besokindastogoandtakea
lookatthatpersondownstairs,andifthereisanypossibilityofadmittinghim,bringhimup
here.

MavrikyNikolaevitchbowedandwentout.AmomentlaterhebroughtinMr.Lebyadkin.

IV

Ihavesaidsomethingofthisgentleman'soutwardappearance.Hewasatall,curlyhaired,
thicksetfellowaboutfortywithapurplish,ratherbloatedandflabbyface,withcheeksthat
quiveredateverymovementofhishead,withlittlebloodshoteyesthatweresometimesrather
crafty,withmoustachesandsidewhiskers,andwithanincipientdoublechin,fleshyandrather
unpleasantlooking.Butwhatwasmoststrikingabouthimwasthefactthatheappearednow
wearingadresscoatandcleanlinen.

Therearepeopleonwhomcleanlinenisalmostunseemly,asLiputinhadoncesaidwhen
StepanTrofimovitchreproachedhiminjestforbeinguntidy.Thecaptainhadperfectlynew
blackglovestoo,ofwhichheheldtherightoneinhishand,whiletheleft,tightlystretched
andunbuttoned,coveredpartofthehugefleshyfistinwhichheheldabrannew,glossy
roundhat,probablywornforthefirsttimethatday.Itappearedthereforethatthegarbof
love,ofwhichhehadshoutedtoShatovthedaybefore,reallydidexist.Allthis,thatis,the
dresscoat and clean linen, had been procured by Liputin's advice with some mysterious
objectinview(asIfoundoutlater).Therewasnodoubtthathiscomingnow(inahired
carriage)wasattheinstigationandwiththeassistanceofsomeoneelse;itwouldneverhave
dawned on him, nor could he by himself have succeeded in dressing, getting ready and
making up his mind in threequarters of an hour, even if the scene in the porch of the
cathedralhadreachedhisearsatonce.Hewasnotdrunk,butwasinthedull,heavy,dazed
conditionofamansuddenlyawakenedaftermanydaysofdrinking.Itseemedasthoughhe
wouldbedrunkagainifoneweretoputone'shandsonhisshouldersandrockhimtoandfro
onceortwice.Hewashurryingintothedrawingroombutstumbledoverarugnearthe
doorway. Marya Timofyevna was helpless with laughter. He looked savagely at her and
suddenlytookafewrapidstepstowardsVarvaraPetrovna.

Ihavecome,madam...heblaredoutlikeatrumpetblast.

Besogood,sir,astotakeaseatthere,onthatchair,saidVarvaraPetrovna,drawingherself
up.Ishallhearyouaswellfromthere,anditwillbemoreconvenientformetolookatyou
fromhere.

Thecaptainstoppedshort,lookingblanklybeforehim.Heturned,however,andsatdownon
theseatindicatedclosetothedoor.Anextremelackofselfconfidenceandatthesametime
insolence,andasortofincessantirritability,wereapparentintheexpressionofhisface.He
washorriblyscared,thatwasevident,buthisselfconceitwaswounded,anditmightbe
surmisedthathismortifiedvanitymightonoccasionleadhimtoanyeffrontery,inspiteofhis
cowardice.Hewasevidentlyuneasyateverymovementofhisclumsyperson.Weallknow
thatwhensuchgentlemenarebroughtbysomemarvellouschanceintosociety,theyfindtheir
worst ordeal in their ownhands, andthe impossibility of disposing them becomingly, of
whichtheyareconsciousateverymoment.Thecaptainsatrigidinhischair,withhishatand
glovesinhishandsandhiseyesfixedwithasenselessstareonthesternfaceofVarvara
Petrovna.Hewouldhaveliked,perhaps,tohavelookedaboutmorefreely,buthecouldnot
bring himself to do so yet. Marya Timofyevna, apparently thinking his appearance very
funny,laughedagain,buthedidnotstir.VarvaraPetrovnaruthlesslykepthiminthisposition
foralongtime,awholeminute,staringathimwithoutmercy.

Inthefirstplaceallowmetolearnyournamefromyourself,VarvaraPetrovnapronounced
inmeasuredandimpressivetones.

Captain Lebyadkin, thundered the captain. I have come, madam . . . He made a

movementagain.

Allowme!VarvaraPetrovnacheckedhimagain.Isthisunfortunatepersonwhointerests
mesomuchreallyyoursister?

Mysister,madam,whohasescapedfromcontrol,forsheisinacertaincondition....

Hesuddenlyfalteredandturnedcrimson.Don'tmisunderstandme,madam,hesaid,terribly
confused.Herownbrother'snotgoingtothrowmudather...inacertainconditiondoesn't
meaninsuchacondition...inthesenseofaninjuredreputation...inthelaststage...he
suddenlybrokeoff.

Sir!saidVarvaraPetrovna,raisingherhead.

Inthiscondition!heconcludedsuddenly,tappingthemiddleofhisforeheadwithhisfinger.

Apausefollowed.

Andhasshesufferedinthiswayforlong?askedVarvaraPetrovna,withaslightdrawl.

Madam,Ihavecometothankyouforthegenerosityyoushowedintheporch,inaRussian,
brotherlyway.

Brotherly?

Imean,notbrotherly,butsimplyinthesensethatIammysister'sbrother;andbelieveme,
madam,hewentonmorehurriedly,turningcrimsonagain,IamnotsouneducatedasImay
appearatfirstsightinyourdrawingroom.MysisterandIarenothing,madam,compared
with the luxury we observe here. Having enemies who slander us, besides. But on the
questionofreputationLebyadkinisproud,madam...and...and...andI'vecometorepay
withthanks....Hereismoney,madam!

Atthispointhepulledoutapocketbook,drewoutofitabundleofnotes,andbeganturning
themoverwithtremblingfingersinaperfectfuryofimpatience.Itwasevidentthathewasin
hastetoexplainsomething,andindeeditwasquitenecessarytodoso.Butprobablyfeeling
himselfthathisflusterwiththemoneymadehimlookevenmorefoolish,helostthelast
tracesofselfpossession.Themoneyrefusedtobecounted.Hisfingersfumbledhelplessly,
and to complete his shame a green note escaped from the pocketbook, and fluttered in
zigzagsontothecarpet.

Twentyroubles,madam.Heleaptupsuddenlywiththerollofnotesinhishand,hisface
perspiringwithdiscomfort.Noticingthenotewhichhaddroppedonthefloor,hewasbending
downtopickitup,butforsomereasonovercomebyshame,hedismisseditwithawave.

Foryourservants,madam;forthefootmanwhopicksitup.Letthemremembermysister!

Icannotallowthat,VarvaraPetrovnabroughtouthurriedly,evenwithsomealarm.

Inthatcase...

Hebentdown,pickeditup,flushingcrimson,andsuddenlygoinguptoVarvaraPetrovna
heldoutthenoteshehadcounted.

What'sthis?shecried,reallyalarmedatlast,andpositivelyshrinkingbackinherchair.

MavrikyNikolaevitch,StepanTrofimovitch,andIallsteppedforward.

Don'tbealarmed,don'tbealarmed;I'mnotmad,byGod,I'mnotmad,thecaptainkept
asseveratingexcitedly.Yes,sir,you'reoutofyoursenses.

Madam,she'snotatallasyousuppose.Iamaninsignificantlink.Oh,madam,wealthyare
yourmansions,butpooristhedwellingofMaryaAnonyma,mysister,whosemaidenname
wasLebyadkin,butwhomwe'llcallAnonymaforthetime,onlyforthetime,madam,forGod
Himselfwillnotsufferitforever.Madam,yougavehertenroublesandshetookit,becauseit
wasfrom you, madam!Doyouhear,madam?Fromnooneelseintheworldwouldthis
MaryaAnonymatakeit,orhergrandfather,theofficerkilledintheCaucasusbeforethevery
eyesofYermolov,wouldturninhisgrave.Butfromyou,madam,fromyoushewilltake
anything.Butwithonehandshetakesit,andwiththeothersheholdsouttoyoutwenty
roubles by way of subscription to one of the benevolent committees in Petersburg and
Moscow,ofwhichyouareamember...foryoupublishedyourself,madam,intheMoscow
News,thatyouarereadytoreceivesubscriptionsinourtown,andthatanyonemaysubscribe.
...

Thecaptainsuddenlybrokeoff;hebreathedhardasthoughaftersomedifficultachievement.
Allhesaidaboutthebenevolentsocietyhadprobablybeenpreparedbeforehand,perhaps
underLiputin'ssupervision.Heperspiredmorethanever;dropsliterallytrickleddownhis
temples.VarvaraPetrovnalookedsearchinglyathim.

Thesubscriptionlist,shesaidseverely,isalwaysdownstairsinchargeofmyporter.There
youcanenteryoursubscriptionsifyouwishto.AndsoIbegyoutoputyournotesawayand
nottowavethemintheair.That'sright.Ibegyoualsotogobacktoyourseat.That'sright.I
amverysorry,sir,thatImadeamistakeaboutyoursister,andgavehersomethingasthough
shewerepoorwhensheissorich.There'sonlyonethingIdon'tunderstand,whyshecanonly
takefromme,andnooneelse.YousoinsisteduponthatthatIshouldlikeafullexplanation.

Madam,thatisasecretthatmaybeburiedonlyinthegrave!answeredthecaptain.

Why?VarvaraPetrovnaasked,notquitesofirmly.

Madam,madam...

Herelapsedintogloomysilence,lookingonthefloor,layinghisrighthandonhisheart.
VarvaraPetrovnawaited,nottakinghereyesoffhim.

Madam!heroaredsuddenly.Willyouallowmetoaskyouonequestion?Onlyone,but
frankly,directly,likeaRussian,fromtheheart?

Kindlydoso.

Haveyoueversufferedmadam,inyourlife?

Yousimplymeantosaythatyouhavebeenorarebeingilltreatedbysomeone.

Madam, madam! He jumped up again, probably unconscious of doing so, and struck
himselfonthebreast.Hereinthisbosomsomuchhasaccumulated,somuchthatGod
HimselfwillbeamazedwhenitisrevealedattheDayofJudgment.

H'm!Astrongexpression!

Madam,Ispeakperhapsirritably....

Don'tbeuneasy.Iknowmyselfwhentostopyou.

MayIaskyouanotherquestion,madam?

Askanotherquestion.

Canonediesimplyfromthegenerosityofone'sfeelings?

Idon'tknow,asI'veneveraskedmyselfsuchaquestion.
Youdon'tknow!You'veneveraskedyourselfsuchaquestion,hesaidwithpatheticirony.
Well,ifthat'sit,ifthat'sit...

Bestill,despairingheart!

Andhestruckhimselffuriouslyonthechest.Hewasbynowwalkingabouttheroomagain.

Itistypicalofsuchpeopletobeutterlyincapableofkeepingtheirdesirestothemselves;they
have,onthecontrary,anirresistibleimpulsetodisplaytheminalltheirunseemlinessassoon
astheyarise.Whensuchagentlemangetsintoacircleinwhichheisnotathomeheusually
begins timidly,but you have only to give him an inch and he will at once rush into
impertinence.Thecaptainwasalreadyexcited.Hewalkedaboutwavinghisarmsandnot
listeningtoquestions,talkedabouthimselfvery,veryquickly,sothatsometimeshistongue
wouldnotobeyhim,andwithoutfinishingonephrasehepassedtoanother.Itistruehewas
probablynotquitesober.Moreover,LizavetaNikolaevnawassittingtheretoo,andthoughhe
didnotonceglanceather,herpresenceseemedtooverexcitehimterribly;that,however,is
only my supposition. There must have been some reason which led Varvara Petrovna to
resolvetolistentosuchamaninspiteofherrepugnance,PraskovyaIvanovnawassimply
shakingwithterror,though,Ibelieveshereallydidnotquiteunderstandwhatitwasabout.''
Stepan Trofimovitch was trembling too, but that was, on the contrary, because he was
disposed to understand everything, and exaggerate it. Mavriky Nikolaevitch stood in the
attitudeofonereadytodefendallpresent;Lizawaspale,andshegazedfixedlywithwide
open eyes at the wild captain. Shatov sat in the same position as before, but, what was
strangestofall,MaryaTimofyevnahadnotonlyceasedlaughing,buthadbecometerribly
sad.Sheleanedherrightelbowonthetable,andwithaprolonged,mournfulgazewatched
herbrotherdeclaiming.DaryaPavlovnaaloneseemedtomecalm.

Allthatisnonsensicalallegory,saidVarvaraPetrovna,gettingangryatlast.Youhaven't
answeredmyquestion,why?Iinsistonananswer.

Ihaven'tanswered,why?Youinsistonananswer,why?repeatedthecaptain,winking.
Thatlittleword'why'hasrunthroughalltheuniversefromthefirstdayofcreation,andall
naturecrieseveryminutetoit'sCreator,'why?'Andforseventhousandyearsithashadno
answer,andmustCaptainLebyadkinaloneanswer?Andisthatjustice,madam?

That'sallnonsenseandnottothepoint!criedVarvaraPetrovna,gettingangryandlosing
patience. That's allegory; besides, you express yourself too sensationally, sir, which I
considerimpertinence.

Madam,thecaptainwenton,nothearing,IshouldhavelikedperhapstobecalledErnest,
yetIamforcedtobearthevulgarnameIgnatwhyisthatdoyousuppose?Ishouldhave
likedtobecalledPrincedeMonbart,yetIamonlyLebyadkin,derivedfromaswan.*Whyis
that?Iamapoet,madam,apoetinsoul,andmightbegettingathousandroublesatatime
fromapublisher,yetIamforcedtoliveinapigpail.Why?Why,madam?Tomymind
Russiaisafreakofnatureandnothingelse.
Canyoureallysaynothingmoredefinite?

Icanreadyouthepoem,'TheCockroach,'madam.

Whaat?

Madam,I'mnotmadyet!Ishallbemad,nodoubtIshallbe,butI'mnotsoyet.Madam,a
friend of minea most honourable manhas written a Krylov's fable, called 'The
Cockroach.'MayIreadit?

YouwanttoreadsomefableofKrylov's?

No,it'snotafableofKrylov'sIwanttoread.It'smyfable,myowncomposition.Believe
me,madam,withoutoffenceI'mnotsouneducatedanddepravedasnottounderstandthat
Russiacanboastofagreatfablewriter,Krylov,towhomtheMinisterofEducationhasraised
amonumentintheSummerGardensforthediversionoftheyoung.Here,madam,youaskme
why?Theanswerisattheendofthisfable,inlettersoffire.

Readyourfable.

Livedacockroachintheworld

Suchwashiscondition,

Inaglasshechancedtofall

Fullofflyperdition.

Heavens!Whatdoesitmean?criedVarvaraPetrovna.That'swhenfliesgetintoaglassin
thesummertime,thecaptainexplainedhurriedlywiththeirritableimpatienceofanauthor
interrupted in reading. Then it is perdition to the flies, any fool can understand. Don't
interrupt,don'tinterrupt.You'llsee,you'llsee....Hekeptwavinghisarms.

Buthesqueezedagainsttheflies,

Theywokeupandcursedhim,

RaisedtoJovetheirangrycries;

'Theglassisfulltobursting!'

Inthemiddleofthedin

CamealongNikifor,

Fineoldman,andlookingin...
*FromLebyed,aSwan.

Ihaven'tquitefinishedit.Butnomatter,I'lltellitinwords,thecaptainrattledon.Nikifor
takestheglass,andinspiteoftheiroutcryemptiesawaythewholestew,flies,andbeetlesand
all,intothepigpail,whichoughttohavebeendonelongago.Butobserve,madam,observe,
the cockroach doesn't complain. That's the answer to your question, why? he cried
triumphantly.'Thecockroachdoesnotcomplain.'AsforNikiforhetypifiesnature,he
added,speakingrapidlyandwalkingcomplacentlyabouttheroom.

VarvaraPetrovnawasterriblyangry.

And allow me to ask you about that money said to have been received from Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitch,andnottohavebeengiventoyou,aboutwhichyoudaredtoaccusea
personbelongingtomyhousehold.

It'saslander!roaredLebyadkin,flinginguphisrighthandtragically.

No,it'snotaslander.

Madam, there are circumstances that force one to endure family disgrace rather than
proclaimthetruthaloud.Lebyadkinwillnotblab,madam!

Heseemeddazed;hewascarriedaway;hefelthisimportance;hecertainlyhadsomefancyin
hismind.Bynowhewantedtoinsultsomeone,todosomethingnastytoshowhispower.

Ring,please,StepanTrofimovitch,VarvaraPetrovnaaskedhim.

Lebyadkin'scunning,madam.hesaid,winkingwithhisevilsmile;he'scunning,buthetoo
hasaweakspot,hetooattimesisintheportalsofpassions,andtheseportalsaretheold
militaryhussars'bottle,celebratedbyDenisDavydov.Sowhenheisinthoseportals,madam,
hemayhappentosendaletterinverse,amostmagnificentletterbutwhichafterwardshe
wouldhavewishedtotakeback,withthetearsofallhislife;forthefeelingofthebeautifulis
destroyed.Butthebirdhasflown,youwon'tcatchitbythetail.Inthoseportalsnow,madam,
Lebyadkinmayhavespokenaboutanhonourableyounglady,inthehonourableindignation
ofasoulrevoltedbywrongs,andhisslanderershavetakenadvantageofit.ButLebyadkinis
cunning,madam!Andinvainamalignantwolfsitsoverhimeveryminute,fillinghisglass
andwaitingfortheend.Lebyadkinwon'tblab.Andatthebottomofthebottlehealwaysfinds
insteadLebyadkin'scunning.Butenough,oh,enough,madam!Yoursplendidhallsmight
belongtothenoblestintheland,butthecockroachwillnotcomplain.Observethat,observe
thathedoesnotcomplain,andrecognisehisnoblespirit!

Atthatinstantabellrangdownstairsfromtheporter'sroom,andalmostatthesamemoment
Alexey Yegorytch appeared in response to Stepan Trofimovitch's ring, which he had
somewhatdelayedanswering.Thecorrectoldservantwasunusuallyexcited.

Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch has graciously arrived this moment and is coming here, he
pronounced,inreplytoVarvaraPetrovna'squestioningglance.Iparticularlyrememberherat
thatmoment;atfirstsheturnedpale,butsuddenlyhereyesflashed.Shedrewherselfupinher
chairwithanairofextraordinarydetermination.Everyonewasastoundedindeed.Theutterly
unexpectedarrivalofNikolayVsyevolodovitch,whowasnotexpectedforanothermonth,
wasnotonlystrangefromitsunexpectednessbutfromitsfatefulcoincidencewiththepresent
moment.Eventhecaptainremainedstandinglikeapostinthemiddleoftheroomwithhis
mouthwideopen,staringatthedoorwithafearfullystupidexpression.

And, behold, from the next rooma verylarge andlong apartmentcame the sound of
swiftlyapproachingfootsteps,little,exceedinglyrapidsteps;someoneseemedtoberunning,
andthatsomeonesuddenlyflewintothedrawingroom,notNikolayVsyevolodovitch,buta
youngmanwhowasacompletestrangertoall.

Iwillpermitmyselftohaltheretosketchinafewhurriedstrokesthispersonwhohadso
suddenlyarrivedonthescene.

Hewasayoungmanoftwentysevenorthereabouts,alittleabovethemediumheight,with
ratherlong,lank,flaxenhair,andwithfaintlydefined,irregularmoustacheandbeard.Hewas
dressedneatly,andinthefashion,thoughnotlikeadandy.Atthefirstglancehelooked
roundshoulderedandawkward,butyethewasnotroundshouldered,andhismannerwas
easy.Heseemedaqueerfish,andyetlateronweallthoughthismannersgood,andhis
conversationalwaystothepoint.

Noonewouldhavesaidthathewasugly,andyetnoonewouldhavelikedhisfaceHishead
waselongatedattheback,andlookedflattenedatthesides,sothathisfaceseemedpointed,
hisforeheadwashighandnarrow,buthisfeaturesweresmall;hiseyeswerekeen,hisnose
wassmallandsharp,hislipswerelongandthin.Theexpressionofhisfacesuggestedill
health,butthiswasmisleading.Hehadawrinkleoneachcheekwhichgavehimthelookofa
manwhohadjustrecoveredfromaseriousillness.Yethewasperfectlywellandstrong,and
hadneverbeenill.

Hewalkedandmovedveryhurriedly,yetneverseemedinahurrytobeoff.Itseemedas
thoughnothingcoulddisconcerthim;ineverycircumstanceandineverysortofsocietyhe
remainedthesame.Hehadagreatdealofconceit,butwasutterlyunawareofithimself.

Hetalkedquickly,hurriedly,butatthesametimewithassurance,andwasneveratalossfora
word.Inspiteofhishurriedmannerhisideaswereinperfectorder,distinctanddefiniteand
thiswasparticularlystriking.Hisarticulationwaswonderfullyclear.Hiswordspatteredout
likesmooth,longgrains,alwayswellchosen,andatyourservice.Atfirstthisattractedone,
butafterwardsitbecamerepulsive,justbecauseofthisoverdistinctarticulation,thisstringof
everreadywords,onesomehowbegantoimaginethathemusthaveatongueofspecial
shape,somehowexceptionallylongandthin,extremelyredwithaverysharpeverlastingly
activelittletip.
Well,thiswastheyoungmanwhodartednowintothedrawingroom,andreally,Ibelieveto
thisday,thathebegantotalkinthenextroom,andcameinspeaking.Hewasstandingbefore
VarvaraPetrovnainatrice.

...Onlyfancy,VarvaraPetrovna,hepatteredon,Icameinexpectingtofindhe'dbeen
hereforthelastquarterofanhour;hearrivedanhourandahalfago;wemetatKirillov's:he
setoffhalfanhouragomeaningtocomestraighthere,andtoldmetocomeheretoo,a
quarterofanhourlater....

Butwho?Whotoldyoutocomehere?VarvaraPetrovnainquired.

Why,NikolayVsyevolodovitch!Surelythisisn'tthefirstyou'veheardofit!Buthisluggage
musthavebeenherealongwhile,anyway.Howisityouweren'ttold?ThenI'mthefirstto
bringthenews.Onemightsendouttolookforhim;he'ssuretobeherehimselfdirectly
though.AndIfancy,atthemomentthatjustfitsinwithsomeofhisexpectations,andisfaras
Icanjudge,atleast,someofhiscalculations.

Atthispointheturnedhiseyesabouttheroomandfixedthemwithspecialattentiononthe
captain.

Ach,LizavetaNikolaevna,howgladIamtomeetyouattheveryfirststep,delightedto
shakehandswithyou.HeflewuptoLiza,whowassmilinggaily,totakeherprofferedhand,
andIobservethatmyhonouredfriendPraskovyaIvanovnahasnotforgottenher'professor,'
andactuallyisn'tcrosswithhim,asshealwaysusedtobeinSwitzerland.Buthowareyour
legs,here,PraskovyaIvanovna,andweretheSwissdoctorsrightwhenattheconsultation
theyprescribedyournativeair?What?Fomentations?Thatoughttodogood.ButhowsorryI
was,VarvaraPetrovna(heturnedrapidlytoher)''thatIdidn'tarriveintimetomeetyou
abroad,andoffermyrespectstoyouinperson;Ihadsomuchtotellyoutoo.Ididsendword
tomyoldmanhere,butIfancythathedidashealwaysdoes.,.

Petrusha!criedStepanTrofimovitch,instantlyrousedfromhisstupefaction.Heclaspedhis
handsandflewtohisson.Pierre,monenfant!Why,Ididn'tknowyou!Hepressedhimin
hisarmsandthetearsrolleddownhischeeks.

Come, be quiet, be quiet, no flourishes, that's enough, that's enough, please, Petrusha
mutteredhurriedly,tryingtoextricatehimselffromhisembrace.

I'vealwayssinnedagainstyou,always!

Well,that'senough.Wecantalkofthatlater.Iknewyou'dcarryon.Come,bealittlemore
sober,please.

Butit'stenyearssinceI'veseenyou.

Thelessreasonfordemonstrations.
Monenfant!...

Come,Ibelieveinyouraffection,Ibelieveinit,takeyourarmsaway.Yousee,you're
disturbingotherpeople....Ah,here'sNikolayVsyevolodovitch;keepquiet,please.

NikolayVsyevolodovitchwasalreadyintheroom;hecameinveryquietlyandstoodstillfor
aninstantinthedoorway,quietlyscrutinisingthecompany.

IwasstruckbythefirstsightofhimjustasIhadbeenfouryearsbefore,whenIsawhimfor
thefirsttime.Ihadnotforgottenhimintheleast.ButIthinktherearesomecountenances
whichalwaysseemtoexhibitsomethingnewwhichonehasnotnoticedbefore,everytime
onemeetsthem,thoughonemayhaveseenthemahundredtimesalready.Apparentlyhewas
exactlythesameashehadbeenfouryearsbefore.Hewasaselegant,asdignified,hemoved
withthesameairofconsequenceasbefore,indeedhelookedalmostasyoung.Hisfaintsmile
had just the same official graciousness and complacency. His eyes had the same stern,
thoughtfuland,asitwere,preoccupiedlook.Infact,itseemedasthoughwehadonlyparted
the day before. But one thing struck me. In old days, though he had been considered
handsome,hisfacewaslikeamask,assomeofoursharptonguedladieshadexpressedit.
Nownow,Idon'tknowwhyheimpressedmeatonceasabsolutely,incontestablybeautiful,
sothatnoonecouldhavesaidthathisfacewaslikeamask.Wasn'titperhapsthathewasa
littlepalerandseemedratherthinnerthanbefore?Orwasthere,perhaps,thelightofsome
newideainhiseyes?

NikolayVsyevolodovitch!criedVarvaraPetrovna,drawingherselfupbutnotrisingfrom
herchair.Stopaminute!Shecheckedhisadvancewithaperemptorygesture.

Buttoexplaintheawfulquestionwhichimmediatelyfollowedthatgestureandexclamation
aquestionwhichIshouldhaveimaginedtobeimpossibleeveninVarvaraPetrovna,Imust
ask the reader to remember what that lady's temperament had always been, and the
extraordinaryimpulsivenesssheshowedatsomecriticalmoments.Ibeghimtoconsideralso,
thatinspiteoftheexceptionalstrengthofherspiritandtheveryconsiderableamountof
commonsenseandpractical,sotosaybusiness,tactshepossessed,thereweremomentsin
herlifeinwhichsheabandonedherselfaltogether,entirelyand,ifit'spermissibletosayso,
absolutelywithoutrestraint.Ibeghimtotakeintoconsiderationalsothatthepresentmoment
mightreallybeforheroneofthoseinwhichalltheessenceoflife,ofallthepastandallthe
present,perhaps,too,allthefuture,isconcentrated,asitwere,focused.Imustbrieflyrecall,
too,theanonymousletterofwhichshehadspokentoPraskovyaIvanovnawithsomuch
irritation,thoughIthinkshesaidnothingofthelatterpartofit.Yetitperhapscontainedthe
explanationofthepossibilityoftheterriblequestionwithwhichshesuddenlyaddressedher
son.

NikolayVsyevolodovitch,sherepeated,rappingoutherwordsinaresolutevoiceinwhich
therewasaringofmenacingchallenge,Ibegyoutotellmeatonce,withoutmovingfrom
thatplace;isittruethatthisunhappycrippleheresheis,here,lookatherisittruethatshe
is...yourlawfulwife?
Irememberthatmomentonlytoowell;hedidnotwinkaneyelashbutlookedintentlyathis
mother.Notthefaintestchangeinhisfacefollowed.Atlasthesmiled,asortofindulgent
smile,andwithoutansweringawordwentquietlyuptohismother,tookherhand,raisedit
respectfully to his lips and kissed it. And so great was his invariable and irresistible
ascendancyoverhismotherthatevennowshecouldnotbringherselftopullawayherhand.
Sheonlygazedathim,herwholefigureoneconcentratedquestion,seemingtobetraythatshe
couldnotbearthesuspenseanothermoment.

Buthewasstillsilent.Whenhehadkissedherhand,hescannedthewholeroomoncemore,
andmoving,asbefore,withouthastewenttowardsMaryaTimofyevna.Itisverydifficultto
describe people's countenances at certain moments. I remember, for instance, that Marya
Timofyevna,breathlesswithfear,rosetoherfeettomeethimandclaspedherhandsbefore
her,asthoughbeseechinghim.AndatthesametimeIrememberthefranticecstasywhich
almostdistortedherfaceanecstasyalmosttoogreatforanyhumanbeingtobear.Perhaps
bothwerethere,boththeterrorandtheecstasy.ButIremembermovingquicklytowardsher
(Iwasstandingnotfaroff),forIfanciedshewasgoingtofaint.

Youshouldnotbehere,NikolayVsyevolodovitchsaidtoherinacaressingandmelodious
voice;andtherewasthelightofanextraordinarytendernessinhiseyes.Hestoodbeforeher
inthemostrespectfulattitude,andeverygestureshowedsincererespectforher.Thepoorgirl
falteredimpulsivelyinahalfwhisper.

ButmayI...kneeldown...toyounow?

No,youcan'tdothat.

He smiled at her magnificently, so that she too laughed joyfully at once. In the same
melodiousvoice,coaxinghertenderlyasthoughshewereachild,hewentongravely.

Onlythinkthatyouareagirl,andthatthoughI'myourdevotedfriendI'manoutsider,not
yourhusband,noryourfather,noryourbetrothed.Givemeyourarmandletusgo;Iwilltake
youtothecarriage,andifyouwillletmeIwillseeyouallthewayhome.

Shelistened,andbentherheadasthoughmeditating.

Let'sgo,shesaidwithasigh,givinghimherhand.

Butatthatpointaslightmischancebefellher.Shemusthaveturnedcarelessly,restingonher
lameleg,whichwasshorterthantheother.Shefellsidewaysintothechair,andifthechair
hadnotbeentherewouldhavefallenontothefloor.Heinstantlyseizedandsupportedher,
andholdingherarmfirmlyinhis,ledhercarefullyandsympatheticallytothedoor.Shewas
evidentlymortifiedathavingfallen;shewasoverwhelmed,blushed,andwasterriblyabashed.
Lookingdumblyontheground,limpingpainfully,shehobbledafterhim,almosthangingon
hisarm.Sotheywentout.Liza,Isaw,suddenlyjumpedupfromherchairforsomereasonas
theyweregoingout,andshefollowedthemwithintenteyestilltheyreachedthedoor.Then
shesatdownagaininsilence,buttherewasanervoustwitchinginherface,asthoughshehad
touchedaviper.

WhilethisscenewastakingplacebetweenNikolayVsyevolodovitchandMaryaTimofyevna
everyonewasspeechlesswithamazement;onecouldhaveheardafly;butassoonasthey
hadgoneout,everyonebegansuddenlytalking.

VI

Itwasverylittleofittalk,however;itwasmostlyexclamation.I'veforgottenalittletheorder
inwhichthingshappened,forasceneofconfusionfollowed.StepanTrofimovitchuttered
someexclamationinFrench,claspinghishands,butVarvaraPetrovnahadnothoughtfor
him. Even Mavriky Nikolaevitch muttered some rapid, jerky comment. But Pyotr
Stepanovitchwasthemostexcitedofall.Hewastryingdesperatelywithboldgesticulations
topersuadeVarvaraPetrovnaofsomething,butitwasalongtimebeforeIcouldmakeout
whatitwas.HeappealedtoPraskovyaIvanovna,andLizavetaNikolaevnatoo,even,inhis
excitement,addressedapassingshouttohisfatherinfactheseemedallovertheroomat
once.VarvaraPetrovna,flushingallover,sprangupfromherseatandcriedtoPraskovya
Ivanovna:

Didyouhearwhathesaidtoherherejustnow,didyouhearit?

Butthelatterwasincapableofreplying.Shecouldonlymuttersomethingandwaveherhand.
Thepoorwomanhadtroublesofherowntothinkabout.Shekeptturningherheadtowards
Lizaandwaswatchingherwithunaccountableterror,butshedidn'tevendaretothinkof
gettingupandgoingawayuntilherdaughtershouldgetup.Inthemeantimethecaptain
wantedtoslipaway.ThatInoticed.Therewasnodoubtthathehadbeeninagreatpanic
from the instant that Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch had made his appearance; but Pyotr
Stepanovitchtookhimbythearmandwouldnotlethimgo.

Itisnecessary,quitenecessary,hepatteredontoVarvaraPetrovna,stilltryingtopersuade
her.Hestoodfacingher,asshewassittingdownagaininhereasychair,and,Iremember,
waslisteningtohimeagerly;hehadsucceededinsecuringherattention.

Itisnecessary.Youcanseeforyourself,VarvaraPetrovna,thatthereisamisunderstanding
here,andmuchthatisstrangeonthesurface,andyetthething'sasclearasdaylight,andas
simpleasmyfinger.Iquiteunderstandthatnoonehasauthorisedmetotellthestory,andI
dare say I look ridiculous putting myself forward. But in the first place, Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchattachesnosortofsignificancetothematterhimself,and,besides,thereare
incidentsofwhichitisdifficultforamantomakeuphismindtogiveanexplanationhimself.
Andsoit'sabsolutelynecessarythatitshouldbeundertakenbyathirdperson,forwhomit's
easiertoputsomedelicatepointsintowords.Believeme,VarvaraPetrovna,thatNikolay
Vsyevolodovitchisnotatalltoblamefornotimmediatelyansweringyourquestionjustnow
withafullexplanation,it'sallatrivialaffair.I'veknownhimsincehisPetersburgdays.
Besides,thewholestoryonlydoeshonourtoNikolayVsyevolodovitch,ifonemustmakeuse
ofthatvagueword'honour.'

You mean to say that you were a witness of some incident which gave rise ... to this
misunderstanding?askedVarvaraPetrovna.

Iwitnessedit,andtookpartinit,PyotrStepanovitchhastenedtodeclare.

Ifyou'llgivemeyourwordthatthiswillnotwoundNikolayVsyevolodovitch'sdelicacyin
regardtohisfeelingforme,fromwhomheneeverconcealsanything...andifyouare
convincedalsothatyourdoingthiswillbeagreeabletohim...

Certainlyitwillbeagreeable,andforthatreasonIconsideritaparticularlyagreeableduty.I
amconvincedthathewouldbegmetodoithimself.

Theintrusivedesireofthisgentleman,whoseemedtohavedroppedonusfromheaventotell
storiesaboutotherpeople'saffairs,wasratherstrangeandinconsistentwithordinaryusage.

ButhehadcaughtVarvaraPetrovnabytouchingontoopainfulaspot.Ididnotknowthe
man'scharacteratthattime,andstilllesshisdesigns.

Iamlistening,VarvaraPetrovnaannouncedwithareservedandcautiousmanner.Shewas
ratherpainfullyawareofhercondescension.

It'sashortstory;infactifyoulikeit'snotastoryatall,herattledon,thoughanovelist
might work it up into a novel in an idle hour. It's rather an interesting little incident,
PraskovyaIvanovna,andIamsurethatLizavetaNikolaevnawillbeinterestedtohearit,
becausethereareagreatmanythingsinitthatareoddifnotwonderful.Fiveyearsago,in
Petersburg,NikolayVsyevolodovitchmadetheacquaintanceofthisgentleman,thisveryMr.
Lebyadkinwho'sstandingherewithhismouthopen,anxious,Ithink,toslipawayatonce.
Excuseme,VarvaraPetrovna.Idon'tadviseyoutomakeyourescapethough,youdischarged
clerkintheformercommissariatdepartmentyousee;Irememberyouverywell.Nikolay
VsyevolodovitchandIknowverywellwhatyou'vebeenuptohere,and,don'tforget,you'll
havetoanswerforit.Iaskyourpardononcemore,VarvaraPetrovna.InthosedaysNikolay
Vsyevolodovitch used to call this gentleman his Falstaff; that must be, he explained
suddenly,someoldburlesquecharacter,atwhomeveryonelaughs,andwhoiswillingtolet
everyonelaughathim,ifonlythey'llpayhimforit.NikolayVsyevolodovitchwasleadingat
thattimeinPetersburgalife,sotosay,ofmockery.Ican'tfindanotherwordtodescribeit,
becauseheisnotamanwhofallsintodisillusionment,andhedisdainedtobeoccupiedwith
workatthattime.I'monlyspeakingofthatperiod,VarvaraPetrovna.Lebyadkinhadasister,
thewomanwhowassittingherejustnow.Thebrotherandsisterhadn'tacorner*oftheir
own,butwerealwaysquarteringthemselvesondifferentpeople.Heusedtohangaboutthe
arcades in the Gostiny Dvor, always wearing his old uniform, and would stop the more
respectablelookingpassersby,andeverythinghegotfromthemhe'dspendindrink.His
sisterlivedlikethebirdsofheaven.She'dhelppeopleintheir'corners,'anddojobsforthem
onoccasion.ItwasaregularBedlam.I'llpassoverthedescriptionofthislifein'corners,'a
lifetowhichNikolayVsyevolodovitchhadtaken,

*InthepoorerquartersofRussiantownsasingleroomisoftenletouttoseveralfamilies,
eachofwhichoccupiesacorner.

at thattime, from eccentricity.I'monlytalkingofthatperiod,Varvara Petrovna;asfor

'eccentricity,'that'shisownexpression.Hedoesnotconcealmuchfromme.Mile.Lebyadkin,
whowasthrowninthewayofmeetingNikolayVsyevolodovitchveryoften,atonetime,was
fascinatedbyhisappearance.Hewas,sotosay,adiamondsetinthedirtybackgroundofher
life.Iamapoorhandatdescribingfeelings,soI'llpassthemover;butsomeofthatdirtylot
tooktojeeringatheronce,anditmadehersad.Theyalwayshadlaughedather,butshedid
notseemtonoticeitbefore.Shewasn'tquiterightinherheadeventhen,butverydifferent
fromwhatsheisnow.There'sreasontobelievethatinherchildhoodshereceivedsomething
likeaneducationthroughthekindnessofabenevolentlady.NikolayVsyevolodovitchhad
nevertakentheslightestnoticeofher.Heusedtospendhistimechieflyinplayingpreference
withagreasyoldpackofcardsforstakesofaquarterfarthingwithclerks.Butonce,when
shewasbeingilltreated,hewentup(withoutinquiringintothecause)andseizedoneofthe
clerks by the collar and flung him out of a secondfloor window. It was not a case of
chivalrousindignationatthesightofinjuredinnocence;thewholeoperationtookplaceinthe
midstofroarsoflaughter,andtheonewholaughedloudestwasNikolayVsyevolodovitch
himself.Asitallendedwithoutharm,theywerereconciledandbegandrinkingpunch.But
theinjuredinnocentherselfdidnotforgetit.Ofcourseitendedinherbecomingcompletely
crazy.IrepeatI'mapoorhandatdescribingfeelings.Butadelusionwasthechieffeaturein
this case. And Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch aggravated that delusion as though he did it on
purpose.InsteadoflaughingatherhebeganallatoncetreatingMile.Lebyadkinwithsudden
respect.Kirillov,whowasthere(averyoriginalman,VarvaraPetrovna,andveryabrupt,
you'llseehimperhapsoneday,forhe'sherenow),well,thisKirillovwho,asarule,is
perfectlysilent,suddenlygothot,andsaidtoNikolayVsyevolodovitch,Iremember,thathe
treatedthegirlasthoughshewereamarquise,andthatthatwasdoingforheraltogether.I
mustaddthatNikolayVsyevolodovitchhadratherarespectforthisKirillov.Whatdoyou
supposewastheanswerhegavehim:'Youimagine,Mr.Kirillov,thatIamlaughingather.
Getridofthatidea,Ireallydorespecther,forshe'sbetterthananyofus.'And,doyouknow,
hesaiditinsuchaserioustone.Meanwhile,hehadn'treallysaidawordtoherfortwoor
threemonths,except'goodmorning'and'goodbye.'Iremember,forIwasthere,thatshe
cameatlasttothepointoflookingonhimalmostasherbetrothedwhodarednot'elopewith
her,'simplybecausehehadmanyenemiesandfamilydifficulties,orsomethingofthesort.
Therewasagreatdealoflaughteraboutit.ItendedinNikolayVsyevolodovitch'smaking
provisionforherwhenhehadtocomehere,andIbelievehearrangedtopayaconsiderable
sum,threehundredroublesayear,ifnotmore,asapensionforher.Inshortitwasalla
caprice,afancyofamanprematurelywearyonhisside,perhapsitmayevenhavebeen,as
Kirillovsays,anewexperimentofablaseman,withtheobjectoffindingoutwhatyoucan
bringacrazycrippleto.(Youpickedoutonpurpose,hesaid,thelowestcreature,acripple,
forevercoveredwithdisgraceandblows,knowing,too,thatthiscreaturewasdyingofcomic
loveforyou,andsettoworktomystifyhercompletelyonpurpose,simplytoseewhatwould
comeofit.)Though,howisamansoparticularlytoblameforthefanciesofacrazywoman,
towhom he hadhardly uttered twosentencesthe whole time. There are things, Varvara
Petrovna,ofwhichitisnotonlyimpossibletospeaksensibly,butit'sevennonsensicalto
beginspeakingofthematall.Well,eccentricitythen,letitstandatthat.Anyway,there's
nothingworsetobesaidthanthat;andyetnowthey'vemadethisscandaloutofit....Iamto
someextentaware,VarvaraPetrovna,ofwhatishappeninghere.

ThespeakersuddenlybrokeoffandwasturningtoLebyadkin.ButVarvaraPetrovnachecked
him.Shewasinastateofextremeexaltation.

Haveyoufinished?sheasked.

Notyet;tocompletemystoryIshouldhavetoaskthisgentlemanoneortwoquestionsif
you'llallowme...you'llseethepointinaminute,VarvaraPetrovna.

Enough,afterwards,leaveitforthemomentIbegyou.Oh,Iwasquiterighttoletyou
speak!

And note this, Varvara Petrovna, Pyotr Stepanovitch said hastily. Could Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchhaveexplainedallthisjustnowinanswertoyourquestion,whichwas
perhapstooperemptory?

Oh,yes,itwas.

Andwasn'tIrightinsayingthatinsomecasesit'smucheasierforathirdpersontoexplain
thingsthanforthepersoninterested?

Yes,yes...butinonethingyouweremistaken,and,Iseewithregret,arestillmistaken.

Really,what'sthat?

Yousee....Butwon'tyousitdown,PyotrStepanovitch?

Oh,asyouplease.Iamtiredindeed.Thankyou.Heinstantlymovedupaneasychairand
turneditsothathehadVarvaraPetrovnaononesideandPraskovyaIvanovnaatthetableon
theother,whilehefacedLebyadkin,fromwhomhedidnottakehiseyesforoneminute.

Youaremistakenincallingthiseccentricity....

Oh,ifit'sonlythat....

No,no,no,waitalittle,saidVarvaraPetrovna,whowasobviouslyabouttosayagooddeal
andtospeakwithenthusiasm.AssoonasPyotrStepanovitchnoticedit,hewasallattention.

No,itwassomethinghigherthaneccentricity,andIassureyou,somethingsacredeven!A
proudmanwhohassufferedhumiliationearlyinlifeandreachedthestageof'mockery'as
you so subtly called itPrince Harry, in fact, to use the capital nickname Stepan
Trofimovitchgavehimthen,whichwouldhavebeenperfectlycorrectifitwerenotthatheis
morelikeHamlet,tomythinkingatleast.

Etvousavezraison,StepanTrofimovitchpronounced,impressivelyandwithfeeling.

Thankyou,StepanTrofimovitch.Ithankyouparticularlytooforyourunvaryingfaithin
Nicolas,intheloftinessofhissoulandofhisdestiny.Thatfaithyouhaveevenstrengthened
inmewhenIwaslosingheart.

Chere, chere. Stepan Trofimovitch was stepping forward, when he checked himself,
reflectingthatitwasdangeroustointerrupt.

AndifNicolashadalwayshadathisside(VarvaraPetrovnaalmostshouted)agentle
Horatio,greatinhishumilityanotherexcellentexpressionofyours,StepanTrofimovitch
hemightlongagohavebeensavedfromthesadand'suddendemonofirony,'whichhas
tormentedhimallhislife.('Thedemonofirony'wasawonderfulexpressionofyoursagain,
StepanTrofimovitch.)ButNicolashasneverhadanHoratiooranOphelia.Hehadnoonebut
hismother,andwhatcanamotherdoalone,andinsuchcircumstances?Doyouknow,Pyotr
Stepanovitch,it'sperfectlycomprehensibletomenowthatabeinglikeNicolascouldbe
foundeveninsuchfilthyhauntsasyouhavedescribed.Icansoclearlypicturenowthat
'mockery' of life. (A wonderfully subtle expression of yours!) That insatiable thirst of
contrast,thatgloomybackgroundagainstwhichhestandsoutlikeadiamond,touseyour
comparisonagain,PyotrStepanovitch.Andthenhemeetsthereacreatureilltreatedbyevery
one,crippled,halfinsane,andatthesametimeperhapsfilledwithnoblefeelings.

H'm....Yes,perhaps.

Andafterthatyoudon'tunderstandthathe'snotlaughingatherlikeeveryone.Oh,you
people!Youcan'tunderstandhisdefendingherfrominsult,treatingherwithrespect'likea
marquise'(thisKirillovmusthaveanexceptionallydeepunderstandingofmen,thoughhe
didn'tunderstandNicolas).Itwasjustthiscontrast,ifyoulike,thatledtothetrouble.Ifthe
unhappycreaturehadbeenindifferentsurroundings,perhapsshewouldneverhavebeen
brought to entertain such a frantic delusion. Only a woman can understand it, Pyotr
Stepanovitch,onlyawoman.HowsorryIamthatyou...notthatyou'renotawoman,but
thatyoucan'tbeonejustforthemomentsoastounderstand.

Youmeaninthesensethattheworsethingsarethebetteritis.Iunderstand,Iunderstand,
VarvaraPetrovna.It'sratherasitisinreligion;theharderlifeisforamanorthemore
crushedandpoorthepeopleare,themoreobstinatelytheydreamofcompensationinheaven;
and if a hundred thousand priests are at work at it too, inflaming their delusion, and
speculatingonit,then...Iunderstandyou,VarvaraPetrovna,Iassureyou.

That'snotquiteit;buttellme,oughtNicolastohavelaughedatherandhavetreatedheras
theotherclerks,inordertoextinguishthedelusioninthisunhappyorganism.(WhyVarvara
PetrovnausedthewordorganismIcouldn'tunderstand.)Canyoureallyrefusetorecognise
theloftycompassion,thenobletremorofthewholeorganismwithwhichNicolasanswered
Kirillov:'Idonotlaughather.'Anoble,sacredanswer!

Sublime,mutteredStepanTrofimovitch.

Andobserve,too,thatheisbynomeanssorichasyousuppose.Themoneyismineandnot
his,andhewouldtakenexttonothingfrommethen.

I understand, I understand all that, Varvara Petrovna, said Pyotr Stepanovitch, with a
movementofsomeimpatience.

Oh, it's my character! I recognise myself in Nicolas. I recognise that youthfulness, that
liability to violent, tempestuous impulses. And if we ever come to be friends, Pyotr
Stepanovitch, and, for my part, I sincerely hope we may, especially as I am so deeply
indebtedtoyou,then,perhapsyou'llunderstand....

Oh,Iassureyou,Ihopeforittoo,PyotrStepanovitchmutteredjerkily.

You'llunderstandthentheimpulsewhichleadsoneintheblindnessofgenerousfeelingto
takeupamanwhoisunworthyofoneineveryrespect,amanwhoutterlyfailstounderstand
one,whoisreadytotortureoneateveryopportunityand,incontradictiontoeverything,to
exaltsuchamanintoasortofideal,intoadream.Toconcentrateinhimallone'shopes,to
bowdownbeforehim;tolovehimallone'slife,absolutelywithoutknowingwhyperhaps
justbecausehewasunworthyofit....Oh,howI'vesufferedallmylife,PyotrStepanovitch!

StepanTrofimovitch,withalookofsufferingonhisface,begantryingtocatchmyeye,butI
turnedawayintime.

...Andonlylately,onlylatelyoh,howunjustI'vebeentoNicolas!...Youwouldnot
believe howtheyhavebeenworryingmeonall sides, all, all, enemies, andrascals,and
friends,friendsperhapsmorethanenemies.Whenthefirstcontemptibleanonymousletter
wassenttome,PyotrStepanovitch,you'llhardlybelieveit,butIhadnotstrengthenoughto
treat all this wickedness with contempt. ... I shall never, never forgive myself for my
weakness.

Ihadheardsomethingofanonymouslettersherealready,saidPyotrStepanovitch,growing
suddenlymorelively,andI'llfindoutthewritersofthem,youmaybesure.

But you can't imagine the intrigues that have been got up here. They have even been
pesteringourpoorPraskovyaIvanovna,andwhatreasoncantheyhaveforworryingher?I
was quite unfair to you today perhaps, my dear Praskovya Ivanovna, she added in a
generousimpulseofkindliness,thoughnotwithoutacertaintriumphantirony.

Don'tsayanymore,mydear,theotherladymutteredreluctantly.Tomythinkingwe'd
bettermakeanendofallthis;toomuchhasbeensaid.
AndagainshelookedtimidlytowardsLiza,butthelatterwaslookingatPyotrSterjanovitch.

AndIintendnowtoadoptthispoorunhappycreature,thisinsanewomanwhohaslost
everythingandkeptonlyherheart,VarvaraPetrovnaexclaimedsuddenly.It'sasacredduty
Iintendtocarryout.Itakeherundermyprotectionfromthisday.

Andthatwillbeaverygoodthinginoneway,PyotrStepanovitchcried,growingquite
eageragain.Excuseme,Ididnotfinishjustnow.It'sjustthecareofherIwanttospeakof.
Wouldyoubelieveit,thatassoonasNikolayVsyevolodovitchhadgone(I'mbeginningfrom
where I left off, Varvara Petrovna), this gentleman here, this Mr. Lebyadkin, instantly
imaginedhehadtherighttodisposeofthewholepensionthatwasprovidedforhissister.
And he did dispose of it. I don't know exactly how it had been arranged by Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitch at that time. But a year later, when he learned from abroad what had
happened,hewasobligedtomakeotherarrangements.Again,Idon'tknowthedetails;he'll
tellyouthemhimself.Ionlyknowthattheinterestingyoungpersonwasplacedsomewherein
aremotenunnery,inverycomfortablesurroundings,butunderfriendlysuperintendence
youunderstand?ButwhatdoyouthinkMr.LebyadkinmadeuphismindtodoIHeexerted
himselftotheutmost,tobeginwith,tofindwherehissourceofincome,thatishissister,was
hidden.Onlylatelyheattainedhisobject,tookherfromthenunnery,assertingsomeclaimto
her,andbroughtherstraighthere.Herehedoesn'tfeedherproperly,beatsher,andbullies
her.AssoonasbysomemeanshegetsaconsiderablesumfromNikolayVsyevolodovitch,he
doesnothingbutgetdrunk,andinsteadofgratitudeendsbyimpudentlydefyingNikolay
Vsyevolodovitch,makingsenselessdemands,threateninghimwithproceedingsifthepension
is not paid straight into his hands. So he takes what is a voluntary gift from Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchasataxcanyouimagineit?Mr.Lebyadkin,isthatalltruethatIhavesaid
justnow?

Thecaptain,whohadtillthatmomentstoodinsilencelookingdown,tooktworapidsteps
forwardandturnedcrimson.

PyotrStepanovitch,you'vetreatedmecruelly,hebroughtoutabruptly.

Whycruelly?How?Butallowustodiscussthequestionofcrueltyorgentlenesslateron.
Nowanswermyfirstquestion;isittrueallthatIhavesaidornot?Ifyouconsiderit'sfalse
youareatlibertytogiveyourownversionatonce.

I...youknowyourself,PyotrStepanovitch,thecaptainmuttered,buthecouldnotgoon
andrelapsedintosilence.ItmustbeobservedthatPyotrStepanovitchwassittinginaneasy
chairwithonelegcrossedovertheother,whilethecaptainstoodbeforehiminthemost
respectfulattitude.

Lebyadkin'shesitationseemedtoannoyPyotrStepanovitch;aspasmofangerdistortedhis
face.

Then you have a statement you want to make? he said, looking subtly at the captain.
Kindlyspeak.We'rewaitingforyou.

YouknowyourselfPyotrStepanovitch,thatIcan'tsayanything.

No,Idon'tknowit.It'sthefirsttimeI'veheardit.Whycan'tyouspeak?

Thecaptainwassilent,withhiseyesontheground.

Allowmetogo,PyotrStepanovitch,hebroughtoutresolutely.

No,nottillyouanswermyquestion:isitalltruethatI'vesaid?

Itistrue,Lebyadkinbroughtoutinahollowvoice,lookingathistormentor.Dropsof
perspirationstoodoutonhisforehead.

Isitalltrue?

It'salltrue.

Haveyounothingtoaddortoobserve?Ifyouthinkthatwe'vebeenunjust,sayso;protest,
stateyourgrievancealoud.

No,Ithinknothing.

DidyouthreatenNikolayVsyevolodovitchlately?

Itwas...itwasmoredrinkthananything,PyotrStepanovitch.Hesuddenlyraisedhishead.
If family honour and undeserved disgrace cry out among men thenthen is a man to
blame?heroaredsuddenly,forgettinghimselfasbefore.

Areyousobernow,Mr.Lebyadkin?

PyotrStepanovitchlookedathimpenetratingly.

Iam...sober.

Whatdoyoumeanbyfamilyhonourandundeserveddisgrace?

Ididn'tmeananybody,anybodyatall.Imeantmyself,thecaptainsaid,collapsingagain.

YouseemtobeverymuchoffendedbywhatI'vesaidaboutyouandyourconduct?Youare
veryirritable,Mr.Lebyadkin.ButletmetellyouI'vehardlybegunyetwhatI'vegottosay
aboutyourconduct,initsrealsense.I'llbegintodiscussyourconductinitsrealsense.Ishall
begin,thatmayverywellhappen,butsofarI'venotbegun,inarealsense.

LebyadkinstartedandstaredwildlyatPyotrStepanovitch.
PyotrStepanovitch,Iamjustbeginningtowakeup.

H'm!Andit'sIwhohavewakedyouup?

Yes,it'syouwhohavewakedme,PyotrStepanovitch;andI'vebeenasleepforthelastfour
yearswithastormcloudhangingoverme.MayIwithdrawatlast,PyotrStepanovitch?

Nowyoumay,unlessVarvaraPetrovnathinksitnecessary...

Butthelatterdismissedhimwithawaveofherhand.

Thecaptainbowed,tooktwostepstowardsthedoor,stoppedsuddenly,laidhishandonhis
heart, tried to say something, did not say it, and was moving quickly away. But in the
doorwayhecamefacetofacewithNikolayVsyevolodovitch;thelatterstoodaside.The
captainshrankintohimself,asitwere,beforehim,andstoodasthoughfrozentothespot,his
eyes fixed upon him like a rabbit before a boaconstrictor. After a little pause Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchwavedhimasidewithaslightmotionofhishand,andwalkedintothe
drawingroom.

VII

Hewascheerfulandserene.Perhapssomethingverypleasanthadhappenedtohim,ofwhich
weknewnothingasyet;butheseemedparticularlycontented.

Doyouforgiveme,Nicolas?VarvaraPetrovnahastenedtosay,andgotupsuddenlyto
meethim.

ButNicolaspositivelylaughed.

JustasIthought,hesaid,goodhumouredlyandjestingly.Iseeyouknowallaboutit
already.WhenIhadgonefromhereIreflectedinthecarriagethatIoughtatleasttohavetold
youthestoryinsteadofgoingofflikethat.ButwhenIrememberedthatPyotrStepanovitch
wasstillhere,Ithoughtnomoreofit.

Ashespokehetookacursorylookround.

PyotrStepanovitchtoldusanoldPetersburgepisodeinthelifeofaqueerfellow,Varvara
Petrovnarejoinedenthusiasticallyamadandcapriciousfellow,thoughalwaysloftyinhis
feelings,alwayschivalrousandnoble....

Chivalrous?Youdon'tmeantosayit'scometothat,laughedNicolas.However,I'mvery
gratefultoPyotrStepanovitchforbeinginsuchahurrythistime.Heexchangedarapid
glancewiththelatter.Youmustknow,maman,thatPyotrStepanovitchistheuniversal
peacemaker;that'shispartinlife,hisweakness,hishobby,andIparticularlyrecommendhim
toyoufromthatpointofview.Icanguesswhatayarnhe'sbeenspinning.He'sagreathand
atspinningthem;hehasaperfectrecordofficeinhishead.He'ssucharealist,youknow,that
hecan'ttellalie,andpreferstruthfulnesstoeffect...except,ofcourse,inspecialcaseswhen
effectismoreimportantthantruth.(Ashesaidthishewasstilllookingabouthim.)So,you
seeclearly,maman,thatit'snotforyoutoaskmyforgiveness,andifthere'sanycraziness
aboutthisaffairit'smyfault,anditprovesthat,whenall'ssaidanddone,Ireallyammad....I
mustkeepupmycharacterhere....

Thenhetenderlyembracedhismother.

Inanycasethesubjecthasbeenfullydiscussedandisdonewith,headded,andtherewasa
ratherdryandresolutenote inhisvoice.Varvara Petrovna understoodthat note,buther
exaltationwasnotdamped,quitethecontrary.

Ididn'texpectyouforanothermonth,Nicolas!

Iwillexplaineverythingtoyou,maman,ofcourse,butnow...

AndhewenttowardsPraskovyaIvanovna.

Butshescarcelyturnedherheadtowardshim,thoughshehadbeencompletelyoverwhelmed
byhisfirstappearance.Nowshehadfreshanxietiestothinkof;atthemomentthecaptainhad
stumbled upon Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch as he was going out, Liza had suddenly begun
laughingatfirstquietlyandintermittently,butherlaughtergrewmoreandmoreviolent,
louder and more conspicuous. She flushed crimson, in striking contrast with her gloomy
expressionjustbefore.

WhileNikolayVsyevolodovitchwas.talkingtoVarvaraPetrovna,shehadtwicebeckonedto
MavrikyNikolaevitchasthoughshewantedtowhispersomethingtohim;butassoonasthe
youngmanbentdowntoher,sheinstantlyburstintolaughter;sothatitseemedasthoughit
was at poor Mavriky Nikolaevitch that she was laughing. She evidently tried to control
herself,however,andputherhandkerchieftoherlips.NikolayVsyevolodovitchturnedto
greetherwithamostinnocentandopenheartedair.

Please excuse me, she responded, speaking quickly. You . . . you've seen Mavriky
Nikolaevitch of course. . . . My goodness, how inexcusably tall you are, Mavriky
Nikolaevitch!

Andlaughteragain,MavrikyNikolaevitchwastall,butbynomeansinexcusablyso.

Have . . . you been here long? she muttered, restraining herself again, genuinely
embarrassedthoughhereyeswereshining.

Morethantwohours,answeredNicolas,lookingatherintently.Imayremarkthathewas
exceptionallyreservedandcourteous,butthatapartfromhiscourtesyhisexpressionwas
utterlyindifferent,evenlistless.

Andwhereareyougoingtostay?
Here.

VarvaraPetrovna,too,waswatchingLiza,butshewassuddenlystruckbyanidea.

Wherehaveyoubeenallthistime,Nicolas,morethantwohours?shesaid,goingupto
him.Thetraincomesinatteno'clock.

IfirsttookPyotrStepanovitchtoKirillov's.IcameacrossPyotrStepanovitchatMatveyev
(threestationsaway),andwetravelledtogether.

IhadbeenwaitingatMatveyevsincesunrise,putinPyotrStepanovitch.Thelastcarriages
ofourtrainranofftherailsinthenight,andwenearlyhadourlegsbroken.

Yourlegsbroken!criedLiza.Maman,maman,youandImeanttogotoMatveyevlast
week,weshouldhavebrokenourlegstoo!

Heavenhavemercyonus!criedPraskovyaIvanovna,crossingherself.

Maman,maman,dearmaman,youmustn'tbefrightenedifIbreakbothmylegs'.Itmayso
easily happen to me; you say yourself that I ride so recklessly every day. Mavriky
Nikolaevitch,willyougoaboutwithmewhenI'mlame?Shebegangigglingagain.Ifit
doeshappenIwon'tletanyonetakemeaboutbutyou,youcanreckononthat....Well,
supposeIbreakonlyoneleg.Come,bepolite,sayyou'llthinkitapleasure.

Apleasuretobecrippled?saidMavrikyNikolaevitch,frowninggravely.

Butthenyou'llleadmeabout,onlyyouandnooneelse.

Eventhenit'llbeyouleadingmeabout,Lizaveta

Nikolaevna,murmuredMavrikyNikolaevitch,evenmoregravely.

Why,he'stryingtomakeajoke!criedLiza,almostindismay.MavrikyNikolaevitch,don't
youeverdaretaketothat!Butwhatanegoistyouare!Iamcertainthat,toyourcredit,you're
slanderingyourself.Itwillbequitethecontrary;frommorningtillnightyou'llassuremethat
Ihavebecomemorecharmingforhavinglostmyleg.There'soneinsurmountabledifficulty
you'resofearfullytall,andwhenI'velostmylegIshallbesoverytiny..Howwillyoube
abletotakemeonyourarm;weshalllookastrangecouple!

Andshelaughedhysterically.Herjestsandinsinuationswerefeeble,butshewasnotcapable
ofconsideringtheeffectshewasproducing.

Hysterics!PyotrStepanovitchwhisperedtome.Aglassofwater,makehaste!

Hewasright.Aminutelatereveryonewasfussingabout,waterwasbrought.Lizaembraced
hermother,kissedherwarmly,weptonhershoulder,thendrawingbackandlookingherin
thefaceshefelltolaughingagain.Themothertoobeganwhimpering.VarvaraPetrovna
madehastetocarrythembothofftoherownrooms,goingoutbythesamedoorbywhich
DaryaPavlovnahadcometous.Buttheywerenotawaylong,notmorethanfourminutes.

Iamtryingtoremembernoweverydetailoftheselastmomentsofthatmemorablemorning.I
rememberthatwhenwewereleftwithouttheladies(exceptDaryaPavlovna,whohadnot
moved from her seat), Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch made the round, greeting us all except
Shatov,whostillsatinhiscorner,hisheadmorebowedthanever.StepanTrofimovitchwas
beginning something very witty to Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch, but the latter turned away
hurriedlytoDaryaPavlovna.Butbeforehereachedher,PyotrStepanovitchcaughthimand
drew him away, almost violently, towards the window, where he whispered something
quicklytohim,apparentlysomethingveryimportanttojudgebytheexpressionofhisface
and the gestures that accompanied the whisper. Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch listened
inattentivelyandlistlesslywithhisofficialsmile,andatlastevenimpatiently,andseemedall
thetimeonthepointofbreakingaway.Hemovedawayfromthewindowjustastheladies
cameback.VarvaraPetrovnamadeLizasitdowninthesameseatasbefore,declaringthat
shemustwaitandrestanothertenminutes;andthatthefreshairwouldperhapsbetoomuch
forhernervesatonce.ShewaslookingafterLizawithgreatdevotion,andsatdownbeside
her.PyotrStepanovitch,nowdisengaged,skippeduptothematonce,andbrokeintoarapid
andlivelyflowofconversation.AtthatpointNikolayVsyevolodovitchatlastwentupto
DaryaPavlovnawithhisleisurelystep.Dashabeganstirringuneasilyathisapproach,and
jumpedupquicklyinevidentembarrassment,flushingalloverherface.

Ibelieveonemaycongratulateyou...orisittoosoon?hebroughtoutwithapeculiarline
inhisface.

Dashamadehimsomeanswer,butitwasdifficulttocatchit.

Forgive my indiscretion, he added, raising his voice, but you know I was expressly
informed.Didyouknowaboutit?

Yes,Iknowthatyouwereexpresslyinformed.

ButIhopeIhavenotdoneanyharmbymycongratulations,helaughed.AndifStepan
Trofimovitch...

What,what'sthecongratulationabout?PyotrStepanovitchsuddenlyskippeduptothem.
Whatareyoubeingcongratulatedabout,DaryaPavlovna?Bah!Surelythat'snotit?Your
blushprovesI'veguessedright.Andindeed,whatelsedoesonecongratulateourcharming
andvirtuousyoungladieson?Andwhatcongratulationsmakethemblushmostreadily?Well,
acceptminetoo,then,ifI'veguessedright!Andpayup.Doyourememberwhenwewerein
Switzerlandyoubetyou'dneverbemarried....Oh,yes,aproposofSwitzerlandwhatamI
thinkingabout?Onlyfancy,that'shalfwhatIcameabout,andIwasalmostforgettingit.Tell
me,heturnedquicklytoStepanTrofimovitch,whenareyougoingtoSwitzerland?
I...toSwitzerland?StepanTrofimovitchreplied,wonderingandconfused.

What?Aren'tyougoing?Whyyou'regettingmarried,too,youwrote?

Pierre!criedStepanTrofimovitch.

Well,whyPierre?...Yousee,ifthat'llpleaseyou,I'veflownheretoannouncethatI'mnot
atallagainstit,sinceyouweresetonhavingmyopinionasquicklyaspossible;andif,
indeed,hepatteredon,youwantto'besaved,'asyouwrote,beseechingmyhelpinthe
sameletter,Iamatyourserviceagain.Isittruethatheisgoingtobemarried,Varvara
Petrovna?Heturnedquicklytoher.IhopeI'mnotbeingindiscreet;hewriteshimselfthat
thewholetownknowsitandeveryone'scongratulatinghim,sothat,toavoiditheonlygoes
outatnight.I'vegothislettersinmypocket.Butwouldyoubelieveit,VarvaraPetrovna,I
can'tmakeheadortailofit?Justtellmeonething,StepanTrofimovitch,areyoutobe
congratulatedorareyoutobe'saved'IYouwouldn'tbelieveit;inonelinehe'sdespairingand
inthenexthe'smostjoyful.Tobeginwithhebegsmyforgiveness;well,ofcourse,that'stheir
way...thoughitmustbesaid;fancy,theman'sonlyseenmetwiceinhislifeandthenby
accident.Andsuddenlynow,whenhe'sgoingtobemarriedforthethirdtime,heimagines
thatthisisabreachofsomesortofparentaldutytome,andentreatsmeathousandmiles
awaynottobeangryandtoallowhimto.Pleasedon'tbehurt,StepanTrofimovitch.It's
characteristicofyourgeneration,Itakeabroadviewofit,anddon'tblameyou.Andlet's
admititdoesyouhonourandalltherest.ButthepointisagainthatIdon'tseethepointofit.
There'ssomethingaboutsomesortof'sinsinSwitzerland.''I'mgettingmarried,'hesays,for
mysinsoronaccountofthe'sins'ofanother,'orwhateveritis'sins'anyway.'Thegirl,'says
he,'isapearlandadiamond,'and,well,ofcourse,he's'unworthyofher';it'stheirwayof
talking;butonaccountofsomesinsorcircumstances'heisobligedtoleadhertothealtar,
and go to Switzerland, and therefore abandon everything and fly to save me.' Do you
understandanythingofallthat?However...however,Inoticefromtheexpressionofyour
faces(heturnedaboutwiththeletterinhishandlookingwithaninnocentsmileintothe
facesofthecompany)that,asusual,Iseemtohaveputmyfootinitthroughmystupid
wayofbeingopen,or,asNikolayVsyevolodovitchsays,'beinginahurry.'Ithought,of
course,thatwewereallfriendshere,thatis,yourfriends,StepanTrofimovitch,yourfriends.I
amreallyastranger,andIsee...andIseethatyouallknowsomething,andthatjustthat
somethingIdon'tknow.Hestillwentonlookingabouthim.

SoStepanTrofimovitchwrotetoyouthathewasgettingmarriedforthe'sinsofanother
committedinSwitzerland,'andthatyouweretoflyhere'tosavehim,'inthoseverywords?
saidVarvaraPetrovna,addressinghimsuddenly.Herfacewasyellowanddistorted,andher
lipsweretwitching.

Well,yousee,ifthere'sanythingI'venotunderstood,saidPyotrStepanovitch,asthoughin
alarm,talkingmorequicklythanever,it'shisfault,ofcourse,forwritinglikethat.Here'sthe
letter.Youknow,VarvaraPetrovna,hislettersareendlessandincessant,and,youknow,for
the last two or three months there has been letter upon letter, till, I must own, at last I
sometimes didn't read them through. Forgive me, Stepan Trofimovitch, for my foolish
confession,butyoumustadmit,please,that,thoughyouaddressedthemtome,youwrote
themmoreforposterity,sothatyoureallycan'tmind....Come,come,don'tbeoffended;
we'refriends,anyway.Butthisletter,VarvaraPetrovna,thisletter,Ididreadthrough.These
'sins'these'sinsofanother'areprobablysomelittlesinsofourown,andIdon'tmind
bettingveryinnocentones,thoughtheyhavesuddenlymadeustakeafancytoworkupa
terriblestory,withaglamouroftheheroicaboutit;andit'sjustforthesakeofthatglamour
we've got it up. You see there's something a little lame about our accountsit must be
confessed, in the end. We've a great weakness for cards, you know. . . . But this is
unnecessary,quiteunnecessary,I'msorry,Ichattertoomuch.Butuponmyword,Varvara
Petrovna,hegavemeafright,andIreallywashalfpreparedtosavehim.Hereallymademe
feelashamed.Didheexpectmetoholdaknifetohisthroat,orwhat?AmIsuchamerciless
creditor?Hewritessomethinghereofadowry....Butareyoureallygoingtogetmarried,
StepanTrofimovitch?Thatwouldbejustlikeyou,tosayalotforthesakeoftalking.Ach,
VarvaraPetrovna,I'msureyoumustbeblamingmenow,andjustformywayoftalking
too....

Onthecontrary,onthecontrary,Iseethatyouaredrivenoutofallpatience,and,nodoubt
youhavehadgoodreason,VarvaraPetrovnaansweredspitefully.Shehadlistenedwith
spitefulenjoymenttoallthecandidoutburstsofPyotrStepanovitch,whowasobviously
playingapart(whatpartIdidnotknowthen,butitwasunmistakable,andoveractedindeed).

Onthecontrary,shewenton,I'monlytoogratefultoyouforspeaking;butforyouImight
not have known of it. My eyes are opened for the first time for twenty years. Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitch,yousaidjustnowthatyouhadbeenexpresslyinformed;surelyStepan
Trofimovitchhasn'twrittentoyouinthesamestyle?

Ididgetaveryharmlessand...and...verygenerousletterfromhim....

Youhesitate,youpickoutyourwords.That'senough!StepanTrofimovitch,Irequestagreat
favourfromyou.Shesuddenlyturnedtohimwithflashingeyes.Kindlyleaveusatonce,
andneversetfootinmyhouseagain.

Imustbegthereadertorememberherrecentexaltation,whichhadnotyetpassed.It'strue
thatStepanTrofimovitchwasterriblytoblame!Butwhatwasacompletesurprisetomethen
wasthewonderfuldignityofhisbearingunderhisson'saccusation,whichhehadnever
thoughtofinterrupting,andbeforeVarvaraPetrovna'sdenunciation.Howdidhecomeby
suchspirit?Ionlyfoundoutonething,thathehadcertainlybeendeeplywoundedathisfirst
meetingwithPetrusha,bythewayhehadembracedhim.Itwasadeepandgenuinegrief;at
leastinhiseyesandtohisheart.Hehadanothergriefatthesametime,thatisthepoignant
consciousnessofhavingactedcontemptibly.Headmittedthistomeafterwardswithperfect
openness.Andyouknowrealgenuinesorrowwillsometimesmakeevenaphenomenally
frivolous,unstablemansolidandstoical;forashorttimeatanyrate;what'smore,evenfools
are by genuine sorrow turned into wise men, also only for a short time of course; it is
characteristic of sorrow. And if so, what might not happen with a man like Stepan
Trofimovitch?Itworkedacompletetransformationthoughalsoonlyforatime,ofcourse.
HebowedwithdignitytoVarvaraPetrovnawithoututteringaword(therewasnothingelse
leftforhimtodo,indeed).Hewasonthepointofgoingoutwithoutaword,butcouldnot
refrainfromapproachingDaryaPavlovna.Sheseemedtoforeseethathewoulddoso,forshe
beganspeakingofherownaccordherself,inutterdismay,asthoughinhastetoanticipate
him.

Please,StepanTrofimovitch,forGod'ssake,don'tsayanything,shebegan,speakingwith
hasteandexcitement,withalookofpaininherface,hurriedlystretchingoutherhandsto
him.BesurethatIstillrespectyouasmuch...andthinkjustashighlyofyou,and...think
wellofmetoo,StepanTrofimovitch,thatwillmeanagreatdealtome,agreatdeal....

StepanTrofimovitchmadeheravery,verylowbow.

It'sforyoutodecide,DaryaPavlovna;youknowthatyonareperfectlyfreeinthewhole
matter! You have been, and you are now, and you always will be, Varvara Petrovna
concludedimpressively.

Bah!NowIunderstanditall!criedPyotrStepanovitch,slappinghimselfontheforehead.
But...butwhatapositionIamputinbyallthis!DaryaPavlovna,pleaseforgiveme!...
Whatdoyoucallyourtreatmentofme,eh?hesaid,addressinghisfather.

Pierre, you might speak to me differently, mightn't you, my boy, Stepan Trofimovitch
observedquitequietly.

Don'tcryout,please,saidPierre,withawaveofhishand.Believeme,it'sallyoursickold
nerves,andcryingoutwilldonogoodatall.You'dbettertellmeinstead,whydidn'tyou
warnmesinceyoumighthavesupposedIshouldspeakoutatthefirstchance?

StepanTrofimovitchlookedsearchinglyathim.

Pierre,youwhoknowsomuchofwhatgoesonhere,canyoureallyhaveknownnothingof
thisbusinessandhaveheardnothingaboutit?

What?Whataset!Soit'snotenoughtobeachildinyouroldage,youmustbeaspiteful
childtoo!VarvaraPetrovna,didyouhearwhathesaid?

Therewasageneraloutcry;butthensuddenlyanincidenttookplacewhichnoonecouldhave
anticipated.

VIII

FirstofallImustmentionthat,forthelasttwoorthreeminutesLizavetaNikolaevnahad
seemedtobepossessedbyanewimpulse;shewaswhisperingsomethinghurriedlytoher
mother,andtoMavrikyNikolaevitch,whobentdowntolisten.Herfacewasagitated,butat
thesametimeithadalookofresolution.Atlastshegotupfromherseatinevidenthasteto
goaway,andhurriedher:motherwhomMavrikyNikolaevitchbeganhelpingupfromherlow
chair.Butitseemedtheywerenotdestinedtogetawaywithoutseeingeverythingtotheend.

Shatov, who had been forgotten by every one in his corner (not far from Lizaveta
Nikolaevna),andwhodidnotseemtoknowhimselfwhyhewentonsittingthere,gotupfrom
hischair,andwalked,withouthaste,withresolutestepsrightacrosstheroomtoNikolay
Vsyevolodovitch,lookinghimstraightintheface.Thelatternoticedhimapproachingatsome
distance,andfaintlysmiled,butwhenShatovwasclosetohimheleftoffsmiling.

WhenShatovstoodstillfacinghimwithhiseyesfixedonhim,andwithoututteringaword,
everyonesuddenlynoticeditandtherewasageneralhush;PyotrStepanovitchwasthelastto
ceasespeaking.Lizaandhermotherwerestandinginthemiddleoftheroom.Sopassedfive
seconds; the look of haughty astonishment was followed by one of anger on Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitch'sface;hescowled....

AndsuddenlyShatovswunghislong,heavyarm,andwithallhismightstruckhimablowin
theface.NikolayVsyevolodovitchstaggeredviolently.

Shatovstrucktheblowinapeculiarway,notatallaftertheconventionalfashion(ifonemay
usesuchanexpression).Itwasnotaslapwiththepalmofhishand,butablowwiththe
wholefist,anditwasabig,heavy,bonyfistcoveredwithredhairsandfreckles.Iftheblow
hadstruckthenose,itwouldhavebrokenit.Butithithimonthecheek,andstrucktheleft
cornerofthelipandtheupperteeth,fromwhichbloodstreamedatonce.

I believe there was a sudden scream, perhaps Varvara Petrovna screamedthat I don't
remember,becausetherewasadeadhushagain;thewholescenedidnotlastmorethanten
seconds,however.

Yetaverygreatdealhappenedinthoseseconds.

ImustremindthereaderagainthatNikolayVsyevolodovitch'swasoneofthosenaturesthat
knownothingoffear.Ataduelhecouldfacethepistolofhisopponentwithindifference,and
couldtakeaimandkillwithbrutalcoolness.Ifanyonehadslappedhimintheface,Ishould
haveexpectedhimnottochallengehisassailanttoaduel,buttomurderhimonthespot.He
wasjustoneofthosecharacters,andwouldhavekilledtheman,knowingverywellwhathe
wasdoing,andwithoutlosinghisselfcontrol.Ifancy,indeed,thatheneverwasliableto
thosefitsofblindragewhichdepriveamanofallpowerofreflection.Evenwhenovercome
withintenseanger,ashesometimeswas,hewasalwaysabletoretaincompleteselfcontrol,
andthereforetorealisethathewouldcertainlybesenttopenalservitudeformurderingaman
notinaduel;nevertheless,he'dhavekilledanyonewhoinsultedhim,andwithoutthefaintest
hesitation.

IhavebeenstudyingNikolayVsyevolodovitchoflate,andthroughspecialcircumstancesI
knowagreatmanyfactsabouthimnow,atthetimeIwrite.Ishouldcomparehim,perhaps,
withsomegentlemenofthepastofwhomlegendarytraditionsarestillperceivedamongus.
Wearetold,forinstance,abouttheDecabristLn,thathewasalwaysseekingfordanger,
thatherevelledinthesensation,andthatithadbecomeacravingofhisnature;thatinhis
youthhehadrushedintoduelsfornothing;thatinSiberiaheusedtogotokillbearswith
nothingbutaknife;thatintheSiberianforestshelikedtomeetwithrunawayconvicts,who
are, I may observe in passing, more formidable than bears. There is no doubt that these
legendary gentlemen were capable of a feeling of fear, and even to an extreme degree,
perhaps,ortheywouldhavebeenagreatdealquieter,andasenseofdangerwouldnever'
havebecomeaphysicalcravingwiththem.Buttheconquestoffearwaswhatfascinated
them.Thecontinualecstasyofvanquishingandtheconsciousnessthatnoonecouldvanquish
themwaswhatattractedthem.ThesameLnstruggledwithhungerforsometimebefore
hewassentintoexile,andtoiledtoearnhisdailybreadsimplybecausehedidnotcareto
complywiththerequestsofhisrichfather,whichheconsideredunjust.Sohisconceptionof
strugglewasmanysided,andhedidnotprizestoicismandstrengthofcharacteronlyinduels
andbearfights.

Butmanyyearshavepassedsincethosetimes,andthenervous,exhausted,complexcharacter
ofthemenoftodayisincompatiblewiththecravingforthosedirectandunmixedsensations
whichweresosoughtafterbysomerestlesslyactivegentlemenofthegoodolddays.Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchwould,perhaps,havelookeddownonLn,andhavecalledhimaboastful
cockahoopcoward;it'struehewouldn'thaveexpressedhimselfaloud.Stavroginwould
haveshothisopponentinaduel,andwouldhavefacedabearifnecessary,andwouldhave
defendedhimselffromabrigandintheforestassuccessfullyandasfearlesslyasLn,butit
wouldbewithouttheslightestthrillofenjoyment,languidly,listlessly,evenwithennuiand
entirelyfromunpleasantnecessity.Inanger,ofcourse,therehasbeenaprogresscompared
withLn,evencomparedwithLermontov.There wasperhapsmore malignantangerin
NikolayVsyevolodovitchthaninbothputtogether,butitwasacalm,cold,ifonemaysosay,
reasonableanger,andthereforethemostrevoltingandmostterriblepossible.Irepeatagain,I
consideredhimthen,andIstillconsiderhim(nowthateverythingisover),amanwho,ifhe
receivedaslapintheface,oranyequivalentinsult,wouldbecertaintokillhisassailantat
once,onthespot,withoutchallenginghim.

Yet,inthepresentcase,whathappenedwassomethingdifferentandamazing.

Hehadscarcelyregainedhisbalanceafterbeingalmostknockedoverinthishumiliatingway,
andthehorrible,asitwere,sodden,thudoftheblowinthefacehadscarcelydiedawayinthe
roomwhenheseizedShatovbytheshoulderswithbothhands,butatonce,almostatthesame
instant,pulledbothhandsawayandclaspedthembehindhisback.Hedidnotspeak,but
lookedatShatov,andturnedaswhiteashisshirt.But,strangetosay,thelightinhiseyes
seemedtodieout.Tensecondslaterhiseyeslookedcold,andI'msureI'mnotlyingcalm.
Onlyhewasterriblypale.OfcourseIdon'tknowwhatwaspassingwithintheman,Isaw
onlyhisexterior.Itseemstomethatifamanshouldsnatchupabarofredhotironandhold
ittightinhishandtotesthisfortitude,andafterstrugglingfortensecondswithinsufferable
pain end by overcoming it, such a man would, I fancy, go through something like what
NikolayVsyevolodovitchwasenduringduringthosetenseconds.
Shatovwasthefirsttodrophiseyes,andevidentlybecausehewasunabletogoonfacing
him;thenheturnedslowlyandwalkedoutoftheroom,butwithaverydifferentstep.He
withdrewquietly,withpeculiarawkwardness,withhisshouldershunched,hisheadhanging
asthoughhewereinwardlyponderingsomething.Ibelievehewaswhisperingsomething.He
madehiswaytothedoorcarefully,withoutstumblingagainstanythingorknockinganything
over;heopenedthedooraverylittleway,andsqueezedthroughalmostsideways.Ashewent
outhisshockofhairstandingonendatthebackofhisheadwasparticularlynoticeable.

Thenfirstofallonefearfulscreamwasheard.IsawLizavetaNikolaevnaseizehermotherby
theshoulderandMavrikyNikolaevitchbythearmandmaketwoorthreeviolenteffortsto
drawthemoutoftheroom.Butshesuddenlyutteredashriek,andfellfulllengthonthefloor,
fainting.Icanhearthethudofherheadonthecarpettothisday.

PARTII
CHAPTERI.NIGHT

EIGHTDAYSHADPASSED.NowthatitisalloverandIamwritingarecordofit,we
knowallaboutit;butatthetimeweknewnothing,anditwasnaturalthatmanythingsshould
seemstrangetous:StepanTrofimovitchandI,anyway,shutourselvesupforthefirstpartof
thetime,andlookedonwithdismayfromadistance.Idid,indeed,goabouthereandthere,
and,asbefore,broughthimvariousitemsofnews,withoutwhichhecouldnotexist.

Ineedhardlysaythattherewererumoursofthemostvariedkindgoingaboutthetownin
regardtotheblowthatStavroginhadreceived,LizavetaNikolaevna'sfaintingfit,andallthat
happenedonthatSunday.Butwhatwewonderedwas,throughwhomthestoryhadgotabout
soquicklyandsoaccurately.Notoneofthepersonspresenthadanyneedtogiveawaythe
secretofwhathadhappened,orinteresttoservebydoingso.

Theservantshadnotbeenpresent.Lebyadkinwastheonlyonewhomighthavechattered,not
somuchfromspite,forhehadgoneoutingreatalarm(andfearofanenemydestroysspite
against him), but simply from incontinence of speechBut Lebyadkin and his sister had
disappearednextday,andnothingcouldbeheardofthem.Therewasnotraceofthemat
Filipov'shouse,theyhadmoved,nooneknewwhere,andseemedtohavevanished.Shatov,
ofwhomIwantedtoinquireaboutMaryaTimofyevna,wouldnotopenhisdoor,andIbelieve
satlockedupinhisroomforthewholeofthoseeightdays,evendiscontinuinghisworkinthe
town.Hewouldnotseeme.IwenttoseehimonTuesdayandknockedathisdoor.Igotno
answer,butbeingconvincedbyunmistakableevidencethathewasathome,Iknockeda
secondtime.Then,jumpingup,apparentlyfromhisbed,hestrodetothedoorandshoutedat
thetopofhisvoice:

Shatovisnotathome!

WiththatIwentaway.
StepanTrofimovitchandI,notwithoutdismayattheboldnessofthesupposition,thoughwe
triedtoencourageoneanother,reachedatlastaconclusion:wemadeupourmindthatthe
onlypersonwhocouldberesponsibleforspreadingtheserumourswasPyotrStepanovitch,
thoughhehimselfnotlongafterassuredhisfatherthathehadfoundthestoryoneveryone's
lips,especiallyattheclub,andthatthegovernorandhiswifewerefamiliarwitheverydetail
ofit.Whatisevenmoreremarkableisthatthenextday,Mondayevening,ImetLiputin,and
hekneweverywordthathadbeenpassed,sothathemusthavehearditfirsthand.Manyof
theladies(andsomeoftheleadingones)wereveryinquisitiveaboutthemysteriouscripple,
astheycalledMaryaTimdfyevna.Thereweresome,indeed,whowereanxioustoseeherand
makeheracquaintance,sotheinterventionofthepersonswhohadbeeninsuchhasteto
concealtheLebyadkinswastimely.ButLizavetaNikolaevna'sfaintingcertainlytookthe
foremost place in the story, and all society was interested, if only because it directly
concernedYuliaMihailovna,asthekinswomanandpatronessoftheyounglady.Andwhat
wastheretheydidn'tsay!Whatincreasedthegossipwasthemysteriouspositionofaffairs;
bothhouseswereobstinatelyclosed;LizavetaNikolaevna,sotheysaid,wasinbedwithbrain
fever.ThesamethingwasassertedofNikolayVsyevolodovitch,withtherevoltingaddition
ofatoothknockedoutandaswollenface.Itwasevenwhisperedincornersthattherewould
soonbemurderamongus,thatStavroginwasnotthemantoputupwithsuchaninsult,and
thathewouldkillShatov,butwiththesecrecyofaCorsicanvendetta.Peoplelikedthisidea,
butthemajorityofouryoungpeoplelistenedwithcontempt,andwithanairofthemost
nonchalant indifference, which was, of course, assumed. The old hostility to Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchinthetownwasingeneralstrikinglymanifest.Evensobermindedpeople
wereeagertothrowblameonhimthoughtheycouldnothavesaidforwhat.Itwaswhispered
that he had ruined Lizaveta Nikolaevna's reputation, and that there had been an intrigue
between them in Switzerland. Cautious people, of course, restrained themselves, but all
listenedwithrelish.Therewereotherthingssaid,thoughnotinpublic,butinprivate,onrare
occasionsandalmostinsecret,extremelystrangethings,towhichIonlyrefertowarnmy
readersofthemwithaviewtothelatereventsofmystory.Somepeople,withknittedbrows,
said, God knows on what foundation, that Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch had some special
businessinourprovince,thathehad,throughCountK.,beenbroughtintotouchwithexalted
circlesinPetersburg,thathewaseven,perhaps,ingovernmentservice,andmightalmostbe
saidtohavebeenfurnishedwithsomesortofcommissionfromsomeone.Whenverysober
mindedandsensiblepeoplesmiledatthisrumour,observingveryreasonablythataman
always,mixedupwithscandals,andwhowasbeginninghiscareeramongus,withaswollen
facedidnotlooklikeagovernmentofficial,theyweretoldinawhisperthathewasemployed
not in the official, but, so to say, the confidential service, and that in such cases it was
essentialtobeaslittlelikeanofficialaspossible.Thisremarkproducedasensation;weknew
thattheZemstvoofourprovincewastheobjectofmarkedattentioninthecapital.Irepeat,
thesewereonlyflittingrumoursthatdisappearedforatimewhenNikolayVsyevolodovitch
firstcameamongus.ButImayobservethatmanyoftherumourswerepartlyduetoafew
briefbutmaliciouswords,vaguelyanddisconnectedlydroppedattheclubbyagentleman
whohadlatelyreturnedfromPetersburg.Thiswasaretiredcaptainintheguards,Artemy
PavlovitchGaganov.HewasaVerylargelandownerinourprovinceanddistrict,amanused
tothesocietyofPetersburg,andasonofthelatePavelPavlovitchGaganov,thevenerableold
manwithwhomNikolayVsyevolodovitchhad,overfouryearsbefore,hadtheextraordinarily
coarseandsuddenencounterwhichIhavedescribedalreadyinthebeginningofmystory.

ItimmediatelybecameknowntoeveryonethatYuliaMihailovnahadmadeaspecialcallon
VarvaraPetrovna>andhadbeeninformedattheentrance:Herhonourwastoounwelltosee
visitors.Itwasknown,too,thatYuliaMihailovnasentIamessagetwodayslatertoinquire
afterVarvaraPetrovna'shealth.AtlastshebegandefendingVarvaraPetrovnaeverywhere,
ofcourseonlyintheloftiestsense,thatis,inthevaguestpossibleway.Shelistenedcoldly
andsternlytothehurriedremarksmadeatfirstaboutthesceneonSunday,sothatduringthe
laterdaystheywerenotrenewedinherpresence.Sothatthebeliefgainedgroundeverywhere
thatYuliaMihailovnaknewnotonlythewholeofthemysteriousstorybutallitssecret
significancetothesmallestdetail,andnotasanoutsider,butasonetakingpartinit.Imay
observe,bytheway,thatshewasalreadygraduallybeginningtogainthatexaltedinfluence
amongusforwhichshewassoeagerandwhichshewascertainlystrugglingtowin,andwas
alreadybeginningtoseeherselfsurroundedbyacircle.Asectionofsocietyrecognisedher
practical sense and tact . . . but of that later. Her patronage partly explained Pyotr
Stepanovitch'srapidsuccessinoursocietyasuccesswithwhichStepanTrofimovitchwas
particularlyimpressedatthetime.

Wepossiblyexaggeratedit.Tobeginwith,PyotrStepanovitchseemedtomakeacquaintance
almostinstantlywiththewholetownwithinthefirstfourdaysofhisarrival.Heonlyarrived
onSunday;andonTuesdayIsawhiminacarriagewithArtemyPavlovitchGaganov,aman
whowasproud,irritable,andsupercilious,inspiteofhisgoodbreeding,andwhowasnot
easytogetonwith.Atthegovernor's,too,PyotrStepanovitchmetwithawarmwelcome,so
muchsothathewasatonceonanintimatefooting,likeayoungfriend,treated,sotosay,
affectionately. He dined with Yulia Mihailovna almost every day. He had made her
acquaintanceinSwitzerland,buttherewascertainlysomethingcuriousabouttherapidityof
hissuccessinthegovernor'shouse.Inanycasehewasreputed,whethertrulyornot,tohave
beenatonetimearevolutionistabroad,hehadhadsomethingtodowithsomepublications
and some congresses abroad, which one can prove from the newspapers, to quote the
malicious remark of Alyosha Telyatnikov, who had also been once a young friend
affectionatelytreatedinthehouseofthelategovernor,butwasnow,alas,aclerkonthe
retiredlist.Butthefactwasunmistakable:theformerrevolutionist,farfrombeinghindered
fromreturningtohisbelovedFatherland,seemedalmosttohavebeenencouragedtodoso,so
perhapstherewasnothinginit.Liputinwhisperedtomeoncethattherewererumoursthat
PyotrStepanovitchhadonceprofessedhimselfpenitent,andonhisreturnhadbeenpardoned
onmentioningcertainnamesandso,perhaps,hadsucceededinexpiatinghisoffence,by
promisingtobeofusetothegovernmentinthefuture.Irepeatedthesemalignantphrasesto
StepanTrofimovitch,andalthoughthelatterwasinsuchastatethathewashardlycapableof
reflection,heponderedprofoundly.ItturnedoutlaterthatPyotrStepanovitchhadcometous
withaveryinfluentialletterofrecommendation,thathehad,atanyrate,broughtonetothe
governor'swifefromaveryimportantoldladyinPetersburg,whosehusbandwasoneofthe
mostdistinguishedolddignitariesinthecapital.Thisoldlady,whowasYuliaMihailovna's
godmother,mentionedinherletterthatCountK.knewPyotrStepanovitchverywellthrough
NikolayVsyevolodovitch,mademuchofhim,andthoughthimaveryexcellentyoungman
inspiteofhisformererrors.YuliaMihailovnasetthegreatestvalueonherrelationswiththe
higherspheres,whichwerefewandmaintainedwithdifficulty,andwas,nodoubt,pleased
togettheoldlady'sletter,butstilltherewassomethingpeculiaraboutit.Sheevenforcedher
husbanduponafamiliarfootingwithPyotrStepanovitch,somuchsothatMr.vonLembke
complainedofit...butofthat,too,later.Imaymention,too,thatthegreatauthorwasalso
favourablydisposedtoPyotrStepanovitch,andatonceinvitedhimtogoandseehim.Such
alacrityonthepartofamansopuffedupwithconceitstungStepanTrofimovitchmore
painfullythananything;butIputadifferentinterpretationonit.Ininvitinganihilisttosee
him, Mr. Karmazinov, no doubt, had in view his relations with the progressives of the
younger generation in both capitals. The great author trembled nervously before the
revolutionaryyouthofRussia,andimagining,inhisignorance,thatthefuturelayintheir
hands,fawnedupontheminadespicableway,chieflybecausetheypaidnoattentiontohim
whatever.

II

PyotrStepanovitchranroundtoseehisfathertwice,butunfortunatelyIwasabsentonboth
occasions.HevisitedhimforthefirsttimeonlyonWednesday,thatis,nottillthefourthday
aftertheirfirstmeeting,andthenonlyonbusiness.Theirdifficultiesoverthepropertywere
settled,bytheway,withoutfussorpublicity.VarvaraPetrovnatookitallonherself,andpaid
allthatwasowing,takingovertheland,ofcourse,andonlyinformedStepanTrofimovitch
thatitwasallsettledandherbutler,AlexeyYegorytch,was,byherauthorisation,bringing
him something to sign. This Stepan Trofimovitch did, in silence, with extreme dignity.
Aproposofhisdignity,ImaymentionthatIhardlyrecognisedmyoldfriendduringthose
days.Hebehavedashehadneverdonebefore;becameamazinglytaciturnandhadnoteven
writtenonelettertoVarvaraPetrovnasinceSunday,whichseemedtomealmostamiracle.
What'smore,hehadbecomequitecalm.Hehadfasteneduponafinalanddecisiveideawhich
gavehimtranquillity.Thatwasevident.Hehadhituponthisidea,andsatstill,expecting
something. At first, however, he wasill, especially on Monday. He had anattackofhis
summercholera.Hecouldnotremainallthattimewithoutnewseither;butassoonasI
departedfromthestatementoffacts,andbegandiscussingthecaseinitself,andformulated
anytheory,heatoncegesticulatedtometostop.Butbothhisinterviewswithhissonhada
distressingeffectonhim,thoughtheydidnotshakehisdetermination.Aftereachinterview
hespentthewholedaylyingonthesofawithahandkerchiefsoakedinvinegaronhishead.
Buthecontinuedtoremaincalminthedeepestsense.

Sometimes,however,hedidnothindermyspeaking.Sometimes,too,itseemedtomethatthe
mysterious determination he had taken seemed to be failing him and he appeared to be
strugglingwithanew,seductivestreamofideas.Thatwasonlyatmoments,butImadeanote
of it. I suspected that he was longing to assert himself again, to come forth from his
seclusion,toshowfight,tostruggletothelast.

Cher,Icouldcrushthem!brokefromhimonThursdayeveningafterhissecondinterview
withPyotrStepanovitch,whenhelaystretchedonthesofawithhisheadwrappedinatowel.
Tillthatmomenthehadnotutteredonewordallday.

Fils,fils,cher,andsoon,Iagreeallthoseexpressionsarenonsense,kitchentalk,andso
beit.Iseeitformyself.Inevergavehimfoodordrink,IsenthimatinybabyfromBerlinto
Xprovincebypost,andallthat,Iadmitit....'Yougavemeneitherfoodnordrink,andsent
mebypost,'hesays,'andwhat'smoreyou'verobbedmehere.'

'Butyouunhappyboy,'Icriedtohim,'myhearthasbeenachingforyouallmylife;though
Ididsendyoubypost.'Ilrit.

ButIadmitit.Iadmitit,granteditwasbypost,heconcluded,almostindelirium.

Passons,hebeganagain,fiveminuteslater.Idon'tunderstandTurgenev.ThatBazarovof
hisisafictitiousfigure,itdoesnotexistanywhere.Thefellowsthemselveswerethefirstto
disownhimasunlikeanyone.ThatBazarovisasortofindistinctmixtureofNozdryovand
Byron, c'est le mot. Look at them attentively: they caper about and squeal with joy like
puppiesinthesun.Theyarehappy,theyarevictorious!WhatisthereofByroninthem!...
andwiththat,suchordinariness!Whatalowbred,irritablevanity?Whatanabjectcravingto
fairedubruitautourdesonnom, withoutnoticingthat sonnom.... Oh,it'sacaricature!
'Surely,'Icriedtohim,'youdon'twanttoofferyourselfjustasyouareasasubstitutefor
Christ?'Ilrit.Ilritbeaucoup.Ilrittrap.Hehasastrangesmile.Hismotherhadnotasmile
likethat.Ilrittoujours.

Silencefollowedagain.

Theyarecunning;theywereactingincollusiononSunday,heblurtedoutsuddenly....

Oh,notadoubtofit,Icried,prickingupmyears.Itwasagotupthinganditwastoo
transparent,andsobadlyacted.

Idon'tmeanthat.Doyouknowthatitwasalltootransparentonpurpose,thatthose...who
hadto,mightunderstandit.Doyouunderstandthat?

Idon'tunderstand.

Tantmieux;passons.Iamveryirritabletoday.

Butwhyhaveyoubeenarguingwithhim,StepanTrofimovitch?Iaskedhimreproachfully.

Jevoulaisconvertiryou'lllaughofcoursecettepauvre auntie, elleentendradebelles

choses!Oh,mydearboy,wouldyoubelieveit.Ifeltlikeapatriot.IalwaysrecognisedthatI
wasaRussian,however...agenuineRussianmustbelikeyouandme. Ilyaid,dedans
quelquechosed'aveugleetdelouche.

Notadoubtofit,Iassented.
Mydear,therealtruthalwayssoundsimprobable,doyouknowthat?Tomaketruthsound
probableyoumustalwaysmixinsomefalsehoodwithit.Menhavealwaysdoneso.Perhaps
there'ssomethinginitthatpassesourunderstanding.Whatdoyouthink:istheresomething
wedon'tunderstandinthattriumphantsqueal?Ishouldliketothinktherewas.Ishouldlike
tothinkso.

Ididnotspeak.He,too,wassilentforalongtime.TheysaythatFrenchcleverness...he
babbledsuddenly,asthoughinafever...that'sfalse,italwayshasbeen.WhylibelFrench
cleverness?It'ssimplyRussianindolence,ourdegradingimpotencetoproduceideas,our
revoltingparasitismintherankofnations. Ilssonttoutsimplementdesparesseux, andnot
Frenchcleverness.Oh,theRussiansoughttobeextirpatedforthegoodofhumanity,like
noxiousparasites!We'vebeenstrivingforsomethingutterly,utterlydifferent.Icanmake
nothingofit.Ihavegivenupunderstanding.'Doyouunderstand,'Icriedtohim,'thatifyou
havetheguillotineintheforegroundofyourprogrammeandaresoenthusiasticaboutittoo,
it'ssimplybecausenothing'seasierthancuttingoffheads,andnothing'sharderthantohave
anidea.Vousetesdesparesseux!Votredrapeauestunguenille,uneimpuissance.It'sthose
carts,or,whatwasit?...therumbleofthecartscarryingbreadtohumanitybeingmore
importantthantheSistineMadonna,or,what'sthesaying?...unebetisedanscegenre.Don't
youunderstand,don'tyouunderstand,'Isaidtohim,'thatunhappinessisjustasnecessaryto
manashappiness.'Ilrit.'Allyoudoistomakeabonmot,'hesaid,'withyourlimbssnugona
velvetsofa.'...(Heusedacoarserexpression.)Andthishabitofaddressingafatherso
familiarlyisverynicewhenfatherandsonareongoodterms,butwhatdoyouthinkofit
whentheyareabusingoneanother?

Weweresilentagainforaminute.

Cher, he concluded at last, getting up quickly, do you know this is bound to end in
something?

Ofcourse,saidI.

Vousnecomprenezpas.Passons.But...usuallyinourworldthingscometonothing,but
thiswillendinsomething;it'sboundto,it'sboundto!

Hegotup,andwalkedacrosstheroominviolentemotion,andcomingbacktothesofasank
ontoitexhausted.

On Friday morning, Pyotr Stepanovitch went off somewhere in the neighbourhood, and
remained away till Monday. I heard of his departure from Liputin, and in the course of
conversationIlearnedthattheLebyadkins,brotherandsister,hadmovedtotheriverside
quarter.Imovedthem,headded,and,droppingtheLebyadkins,hesuddenlyannouncedto
methatLizavetaNikolaevnawasgoingtomarryMavrikyNikolaevitch,that,althoughithad
notbeenannounced,theengagementwasasettledthing.NextdayImetLizavetaNikolaevna
outridingwithMavrikyNikolaevitch;shewasoutforthefirsttimeafterherillness.She
beamedatmefromthedistance,laughed,andnoddedinaveryfriendlyway.Itoldallthisto
StepanTrofimovitch;hepaidnoattention,excepttothenewsabouttheLebyadkins.

Andnow,havingdescribedourenigmaticpositionthroughoutthoseeightdaysduringwhich
we knew nothing, I will pass on to the description of the succeeding incidents of my
chronicle, writing, so to say, with full knowledge, and describing things as they became
knownafterwards,andareclearlyseentoday.Iwillbeginwiththeeighthdayafterthat
Sunday,thatis,theMondayeveningforinrealityanewscandalbeganwiththatevening.

III

Itwasseveno'clockintheevening.NikolayVsyevolodovitchwassittingaloneinhisstudy
theroomhehadbeenfondofinolddays.Itwaslofty,carpetedwithrugs,andcontained
somewhatheavyoldfashionedfurniture.Hewassittingonthesofainthecorner,dressedas
thoughtogoout,thoughhedidnotseemtobeintendingtodoso.Onthetablebeforehim
stoodalampwithashade.Thesidesandcornersofthebigroomwereleftinshadow.His
eyeslookeddreamyandconcentrated,notaltogethertranquil;hisfacelookedtiredandhad
grownalittlethinner.Hereallywasillwithaswollenface;butthestoryofatoothhaving
beenknockedoutwasanexaggeration.Onehadbeenloosened,butithadgrownintoitsplace
again:hehadhadacutontheinnersideoftheupperlip,butthat,too,hadhealed.The
swellingonhisfacehadlastedalltheweeksimplybecausetheinvalidwouldnothavea
doctor,andinsteadofhavingtheswellinglancedhadwaitedforittogodown.Hewouldnot
hearofadoctor,andwouldscarcelyallowevenhismothertocomenearhim,andthenonly
foramoment,onceaday,andonlyatdusk,afteritwasdarkandbeforelightshadbeen
brought in. He did not receive Pyotr Stepanovitch either, though the latter ran round to
VarvaraPetrovna'stwoorthreetimesadaysolongasheremainedinthetown.Andnow,at
last,returningontheMondaymorningafterhisthreedays'absence,PyotrStepanovitchmade
acircuitofthetown,and,afterdiningatYuliaMihailovna's,cameatlastintheeveningto
Varvara Petrovna, who was impatiently expecting him. The interdict had been removed,
NikolayVsyevolodovitchwasathome.VarvaraPetrovnaherselfledthevisitortothedoor
of the study; she had long looked forward to their meeting, and Pyotr Stepanovitch had
promised to run to her and repeat what passed. She knocked timidly at Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitch'sdoor,andgettingnoanswerventuredtoopenthedooracoupleofinches.

Nicolas,mayIbringPyotrStepanovitchintoseeyou?sheasked,inasoftandrestrained
voice,tryingtomakeoutherson'sfacebehindthelamp.

Youcanyoucan,ofcourseyoucan,PyotrStepanovitchhimselfcriedout,loudlyand
gaily.Heopenedthedoorwithhishandandwentin.

NikolayVsyevolodovitchhadnotheardtheknockatthedoor,andonlycaughthismother's
timidquestion,andhadnothadtimetoanswerit.Beforehim,atthatmoment,therelaya
letter he had just read over, which he was pondering deeply. He started, hearing Pyotr
Stepanovitch'ssuddenoutburst,andhurriedlyputtheletterunderapaperweight,butdidnot
quitesucceed;acorneroftheletterandalmostthewholeenvelopeshowed.
Icalledoutonpurposethatyoumightbeprepared,PyotrStepanovitchsaidhurriedly,with
surprisingnaivete,runninguptothetable,andinstantlystaringatthecorneroftheletter,
whichpeepedoutfrombeneaththepaperweight.

AndnodoubtyouhadtimetoseehowIhidtheletterIhadjustreceived,underthepaper
weight,saidNikolayVsyevolodovitchcalmly,withoutmovingfromhisplace.

Aletter?Blessyouandyourletters,whataretheytodowithme?criedthevisitor.But...
whatdoesmatter...hewhisperedagain,turningtothedoor,whichwasbynowclosed,and
noddinghisheadinthatdirection.

Sheneverlistens,NikolayVsyevolodovitchobservedcoldly.

What if she did overhear? cried Pyotr Stepanovitch, raising his voice cheerfully, and
settlingdowninanarmchair.I'venothingagainstthat,onlyI'vecomeherenowtospeakto
youalone.Well,atlastI'vesucceededingettingatyou.Firstofall,howareyou?Iseeyou're
gettingonsplendidly.Tomorrowyou'llshowyourselfagaineh?

Perhaps.

Settheirmindsatrest.Setmineatrestatlast.Hegesticulatedviolentlywithajocoseand
amiableair.IfonlyyouknewwhatnonsenseI'vehadtotalktothem.Youknow,though.
Helaughed.

Idon'tknoweverything.Ionlyheardfrommymotherthatyou'vebeen...veryactive.

Oh, well, I've said nothing definite, Pyotr Stepanovitch flared up at once, as though
defendinghimselffromanawfulattack.IsimplytrottedoutShatov'swife;youknow,thatis,
the rumours of your liaison in Paris, which accounted, of course, for what happened on
Sunday.You'renotangry?

I'msureyou'vedoneyourbest.

Oh,that'sjustwhatIwasafraidof.Thoughwhatdoesthatmean,'doneyourbest'?That'sa
reproach,isn'tit?Youalwaysgostraightforthings,though....WhatIwasmostafraidof,as
Icamehere,wasthatyouwouldn'tgostraightforthepoint.

Idon'twanttogostraightforanything,saidNikolayVsyevolodovitchwithsomeirritation
Buthelaughedatonce.

I didn't mean that, I didn't mean that, don't make a mistake, cried Pyotr Stepanovitch,
wavinghishands,rattlinghiswordsoutlikepeas,andatoncerelievedathiscompanion's
irritability.I'mnotgoingtoworryyouwithourbusiness,especiallyinyourpresentposition.
I'veonlycomeaboutSunday'saffair,andonlytoarrangethemostnecessarysteps,because,
yousee,it'simpossible.I'vecomewiththefrankestexplanationswhichIstandinmoreneed
ofthanyousomuchforyourvanity,butatthesametimeit'strue.I'vecometobeopenwith
youfromthistimeforward.

Thenyouhavenotbeenopenwithmebefore?

Youknowthatyourself.I'vebeencunningwithyoumanytimes...yousmile;I'mveryglad
ofthatsmileasapreludetoourexplanation.Iprovokedthatsmileonpurposebyusingthe
word'cunning,'sothatyoumightgetcrossdirectlyatmydaringtothinkIcouldbecunning,
sothatImighthaveachanceofexplainingmyselfatonce.Yousee,youseehowopenIhave
becomenow!Well,doyoucaretolisten?

IntheexpressionofNikolayVsyevolodovitch'sface,whichwascontemptuouslycomposed,
andevenironical,inspiteofhisvisitor'sobviousdesiretoirritatehimbytheinsolenceofhis
premeditatedandintentionallycoarsenaivetes,therewas,atlast,alookofratheruneasy
curiosity.

Listen,saidPyotrStepanovitch,wrigglingmorethanever,whenIsetofftocomehere,I
meanhereinthelargesense,tothistown,tendaysago,Imadeupmymind,ofcourse,to
assumeacharacter.Itwouldhavebeenbesttohavedonewithoutanything,tohavekeptone's
owncharacter,wouldn'tit?Thereisnobetterdodgethanone'sowncharacter,becausenoone
believesinit.Imeant,Imustown,toassumethepartofafool,becauseitiseasiertobeafool
thantoactone'sowncharacter;butasafoolisafterallsomethingextreme,andanything
extremeexcitescuriosity,Iendedbystickingtomyowncharacter.Andwhatismyown
character?Thegoldenmean:neitherwisenorfoolish,ratherstupid,anddroppedfromthe
moon,assensiblepeoplesayhere,isn'tthatit?

Perhapsitis,saidNikolayVsyevolodovitch,withafaintsmile.

Ah,youagreeI'mveryglad;Iknewbeforehandthatitwasyourownopinion....You
needn'ttrouble,Iamnotannoyed,andIdidn'tdescribemyselfinthatwaytogetaflattering
contradictionfromyouno,you'renotstupid,you'reclever....Ah!you'resmilingagain!...
I'veblunderedoncemore.Youwouldnothavesaid'you'reclever,'granted;I'llletitpass
anyway.Passons,aspapasays,and,inparenthesis,don'tbevexedwithmyverbosity.Bythe
way,Ialwayssayalot,thatis,useagreatmanywordsandtalkveryfast,andIneverspeak
well.AndwhydoIusesomanywords,andwhydoIneverspeakwell?BecauseIdon'tknow
howtospeak.Peoplewhocanspeakwell,speakbriefly.SothatIamstupid,amInot?Butas
thisgiftofstupidityisnaturaltome,whyshouldn'tImakeskilfuluseofit?AndIdomake
useofit.It'struethatasIcamehere,Ididthink,atfirst,ofbeingsilent.Butyouknowsilence
isagreattalent,andthereforeincongruousforme,andsecondlysilencewouldberisky,
anyway.SoImadeupmymindfinallythatitwouldbebesttotalk,buttotalkstupidlythat
is,totalkandtalkandtalktobeinatremendoushurrytoexplainthings,andintheendto
getmuddledinmyownexplanations,sothatmylistenerwouldwalkawaywithouthearing
theend,withashrug,or,betterstill,withacurse.Yousucceedstraightoffinpersuadingthem
ofyoursimplicity,inboringthemandinbeingincomprehensiblethreeadvantagesallat
once!Doyousupposeanybodywillsuspectyouofmysteriousdesignsafterthat?Why,every
oneofthemwouldtakeitasapersonalaffrontifanyoneweretosayIhadsecretdesigns.And
Isometimesamusethemtoo,andthat'spriceless.Why,they'rereadytoforgivemeeverything
now,justbecausethecleverfellowwhousedtopublishmanifestoesoutthereturnsouttobe
stupiderthanthemselvesthat'sso,isn'tit?FromyoursmileIseeyouapprove.

NikolayVsyevolodovitchwasnotsmilingatall,however.

Onthecontrary,hewaslisteningwithafrownandsomeimpatience.

Eh?What?Ibelieveyousaid'nomatter.'

PyotrStepanovitchrattledon.(NikolayVsyevolodovitchhadsaidnothingatall.)Ofcourse,
ofcourse.IassureyouI'mnotheretocompromiseyoubymycompany,byclaimingyouas
mycomrade.Butdoyouknowyou'rehorriblycaptioustoday;Iranintoyouwithalightand
openheart,andyouseemtobelayingupeverywordIsayagainstme.IassureyouI'mnot
goingtobeginaboutanythingshockingtoday,Igiveyoumyword,andIagreebeforehandto
allyourconditions.

NikolayVsyevolodovitchwasobstinatelysilent.

Eh?What?Didyousaysomething?Isee,IseethatI'vemadeablunderagain,itseems;
you'venotsuggestedconditionsandyou'renotgoingto;Ibelieveyou,Ibelieveyou;well,
youcansetyourmindatrest;Iknow,ofcourse,thatit'snotworthwhileformetosuggest
them,isit?I'll answerforyoubeforehand, andjustfromstupidity,ofcourse;stupidity
again....You'relaughing?Eh?What?

Nothing,NikolayVsyevolodovitchlaughedatlast.IjustrememberedthatIreallydidcall
youstupid,butyouweren'ttherethen,sotheymusthaverepeatedit....Iwouldaskyouto
makehasteandcometothepoint.

Why,butIamatthepoint!IamtalkingaboutSunday,babbledPyotrStepanovitch.Why,
whatwasIonSunday?Whatwouldyoucallit?Justfussy,mediocrestupidity,andinthe
stupidestwayItookpossessionoftheconversationbyforce.Buttheyforgavemeeverything,
firstbecauseIdroppedfromthemoon,thatseemstobesettledhere,now,byeveryone;and,
secondly,becauseItoldthemaprettylittlestory,andgotyoualloutofascrape,didn'tthey,
didn'tthey?

Thatis,youtoldyourstorysoastoleavethemindoubtandsuggestsomecompactand
collusionbetweenus,whentherewasnocollusionandI'dnotaskedyoutodoanything.

Justso,justso!PyotrStepanovitchcaughthimup,apparentlydelighted.That'sjustwhatI
diddo,forIwantedyoutoseethatIimpliedit;Iexertedmyselfchieflyforyoursake,forI
caughtyouandwantedtocompromiseyou,aboveallIwantedtofindouthowfaryou're
afraid.

Itwouldbeinterestingtoknowwhyyouaresoopennow?
Don'tbeangry,don'tbeangry,don'tglareatme....You'renot,though.YouwonderwhyI
amsoopen?Why,justbecauseit'sallchangednow;ofcourse,it'sover,buriedUnderthe
sand.I'vesuddenlychangedmyideasaboutyou.Theoldwayisclosed;nowIshallnever
compromiseyouintheoldway,itwillbeinanewwaynow.

You'vechangedyourtactics?

Therearenotactics.Nowit'sforyoutodecideineverything,thatis,ifyouwantto,sayyes,
andifyouwantto,sayno.Thereyouhavemynewtactics.AndIwon'tsayawordaboutour
causetillyoubidmeyourself.Youlaugh?Laughaway.I'mlaughingmyself.ButI'min
earnestnow,inearnest,inearnest,thoughamanwhoisinsuchahurryisstupid,isn'the?
Nevermind,Imaybestupid,butI'minearnest,inearnest.

Hereallywasspeakinginearnestinquiteadifferenttone,andwithapeculiarexcitement,so
thatNikolayVsyevolodovitchlookedathimwithcuriosity.

Yousayyou'vechangedyourideasaboutme?heasked.

IchangedmyideasaboutyouatthemomentwhenyoudrewyourhandsbackafterShatov's
attack,and,that'senough,that'senough,noquestions,please,I'llsaynothingmorenow.

He jumped up, waving his hands as though waving off questions. But as there were no
questions,andhehadnoreasontogoaway,hesankintoanarmchairagain,somewhat
reassured.

Bytheway,inparenthesis,herattledonatonce,somepeopleherearebabblingthatyou'll
killhim,andtakingbetsaboutit,sothatLembkepositivelythoughtofsettingthepoliceon,
butYuliaMihailovnaforbadeit....Butenoughaboutthat,quiteenough,Ionlyspokeofitto
letyouknow.Bytheway,ImovedtheLebyadkinsthesameday,youknow;didyougetmy
notewiththeiraddress?

Ireceiveditatthetime.

Ididn'tdothatbywayof'stupidity.'Ididitgenuinely,toserveyou.Ifitwasstupid,anyway,
itwasdoneingoodfaith.

Oh,allright,perhapsitwasnecessary....saidNikolayVsyevolodovitchdreamily,only
don'twriteanymoreletterstome,Ibegyou.

Impossibletoavoidit.Itwasonlyone.

SoLiputinknows?

Impossibletohelpit:butLiputin,youknowyourself,darenot...Bytheway,yououghtto
meetourfellows,thatis, thefellowsnotourfellows,oryou'llbefindingfaultagain.Don't
disturbyourself,notjustnow,butsometime.Justnowit'sraining.I'llletthemknow,they'll
meettogether,andwe'llgointheevening.They'rewaiting,withtheirmouthsopenlikeyoung
crowsinanest,toseewhatpresentwe'vebroughtthem.They'reahotheadedlot.They've
broughtoutleaflets,they'reonthepointofquarrelling.Virginskyisauniversalhumanity
man,LiputinisaFourieristwithamarkedinclinationforpolicework;aman,Iassureyou,
whoispreciousfromonepointofview,thoughherequiresstrictsupervisioninallothers;
and,lastofall,thatfellowwiththelongears,he'llreadanaccountofhisownsystem.Anddo
youknow,they'reoffendedatmytreatingthemcasually,andthrowingcoldwateroverthem,
butwecertainlymustmeet.

You'vemademeoutsomesortofchief?NikolayVsyevolodovitchdroppedascarelesslyas
possible.

PyotrStepanovitchlookedquicklyathim.

Bytheway,heinterposed,inhastetochangethesubject,asthoughhehadnotheard.I've
beenheretwoorthreetimes,youknow,toseeherexcellency,VarvaraPetrovna,andIhave
beenobligedtosayagreatdealtoo.

SoIimagine.

No,don'timagine,I'vesimplytoldherthatyouwon'tkillhim,well,andothersweetthings.
Andonlyfancy;theverynextdaysheknewI'dmovedMaryaTimofyevnabeyondtheriver.
Wasityoutoldher?

Ineverdreamedofit!

Iknewitwasn'tyou.Whoelsecoulditbe?It'sinteresting.

Liputin,ofcourse.

Nno,notLiputin,mutteredPyotrStepanovitch,frowning;I'llfindoutwho.It'smorelike
Shatov....That'snonsensethough.Let'sleavethat!Thoughit'sawfullyimportant....Bythe
way,Ikeptexpectingthatyourmotherwouldsuddenlyburstoutwiththegreatquestion....
Ach!yes,shewashorriblyglumatfirst,butsuddenly,whenIcametoday,shewasbeaming
allover,whatdoesthatmean?

It's because I promised her today that within five days I'll be engaged to Lizaveta
Nikolaevna,NikolayVsyevolodovitchsaidwithsurprisingopenness.

Oh!. .. Yes, ofcourse, faltered Pyotr Stepanovitch, seemingdisconcerted. There are

rumoursofherengagement,youknow.It'strue,too.Butyou'reright,she'drunfromunder
theweddingcrown,you'veonlytocalltoher.You'renotangryatmysayingso?

No,I'mnotangry.

Inoticeit'sawfullyhardtomakeyouangrytoday,andIbegintobeafraidofyou.I'm
awfullycurioustoknowhowyou'llappeartomorrow.Iexpectyou'vegotalotofthings
ready.You'renotangryatmysayingso?

Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch made no answer at all, which completed Pyotr Stepanovitch's

irritation.

Bytheway,didyousaythatinearnesttoyourmother,aboutLizavetaNikolaevna?he
asked.

NikolayVsyevolodovitchlookedcoldlyathim.

Oh,Iunderstand,itwasonlytosootheher,ofcourse.

Andifitwereinearnest?NikolayVsyevolodovitchaskedfirmly.

Oh,Godblessyouthen,astheysayinsuchcases.Itwon'thinderthecause(yousee,Idon't
say'our,'youdon'tliketheword'our')andI...well,I...amatyourservice,asyouknow.

Youthinkso?

Ithinknothingnothing,PyotrStepanovitchhurriedlydeclared,laughing,becauseIknow
youconsiderwhatyou'reaboutbeforehandforyourself,andeverythingwithyouhasbeen
thoughtout.IonlymeanthatIamseriouslyatyourservice,alwaysandeverywhere,andin
everysortofcircumstance,everysortreally,doyouunderstandthat?

NikolayVsyevolodovitchyawned.

I'veboredyou,PyotrStepanovitchcried,jumpingupsuddenly,andsnatchinghisperfectly
newroundhatasthoughheweregoingaway.Heremainedandwentontalking,however,
thoughhestoodup,sometimespacingabouttheroomandtappinghimselfonthekneewith
hishatatexcitingpartsoftheconversation.

ImeanttoamuseyouwithstoriesoftheLembkes,too,hecriedgaily.

Afterwards,perhaps,notnow.ButhowisYuliaMihailovna?

Whatconventionalmannersallofyouhave!Herhealthisnomoretoyouthanthehealthof
thegreycat,yetyouaskafterit.Iapproveofthat.She'squitewell,andherrespectforyou
amountstoasuperstition,herimmenseanticipationsofyouamounttoasuperstition.She
does not say a word about what happened on Sunday, and is convinced that you will
overcome everything yourself by merely making your appearance. Upon my word! She
fanciesyoucandoanything.You'reanenigmaticandromanticfigurenow,morethanever
youwereextremelyadvantageousposition.Itisincrediblehoweagereveryoneistosee
you.TheywereprettyhotwhenIwentaway,butnowitismoresothanever.Thanksagain
foryourletter.TheyareallafraidofCountK.Doyouknowtheylookuponyouasaspy?I
keepthatup,you'renotangry?
Itdoesnotmatter.

Itdoesnotmatter;it'sessentialinthelongrun.Theyhavetheirwaysofdoingthingshere.I
encourageit,ofcourse;YuliaMihailovna,inthefirstplace,Gaganovtoo....Youlaugh?But
youknowIhavemypolicy;IbabbleawayandsuddenlyIsaysomethingcleverjustasthey
areonthelookoutforit.TheycrowdroundmeandIhumbugawayagain.They'veallgiven
meupindespairbynow:'he'sgotbrainsbuthe'sdroppedfromthemoon.'Lembkeinvitesme
toentertheservicesothatImaybereformed.YouknowItreathimmockingly,thatis,I
compromise him and he simply stares, Yulia Mihailovna encourages it. Oh, by the way,
Gaganovisinanawfulragewithyou.Hesaidthenastiestthingsaboutyouyesterdayat
Duhovo.Itoldhimthewholetruthonthespot,thatis,ofcourse,notthewholetruth.Ispent
thewholedayatDuhovo.It'sasplendidestate,afinehouse.

ThenisheatDuhovonow?NikolayVsyevolodovitchbrokeinsuddenly,makingasudden
startforwardandalmostleapingupfromhisseat.

No, he drove me here this morning, we returned together, said Pyotr Stepanovitch,
appearingnottonoticeStavrogin'smomentaryexcitement.What'sthis?Idroppedabook.
Hebentdowntopickupthekeepsakehehadknockeddown.TheWomenofBalzac,'with
illustrations.Heopeneditsuddenly.Ihaven'treadit.Lembkewritesnovelstoo.

Yes?queriedNikolayVsyevolodovitch,asthoughbeginningtobeinterested.

InRussian,onthesly,ofcourse,YuliaMihailovnaknowsandallowsit.He'shenpecked,but
withgoodmanners;it'stheirsystem.Suchstrictformsuchselfrestraint!Somethingofthe
sortwouldbethethingforus.

Youapproveofgovernmentmethods?

I should rather think so! It's the one thing that's natural and practicable in Russia. ... I
won't...Iwon't,hecriedoutsuddenly,I'mnotreferringtothatnotawordondelicate
subjects.Goodbye,though,youlookrathergreen.

I'mfeverish.

I can well believe it; you should go to bed. By the way, there are Skoptsi here in the
neighbourhoodthey'recuriouspeople...ofthatlater,though.Ah,here'sanotheranecdote.
There'saninfantryregimenthereinthedistrict.IwasdrinkinglastFridayeveningwiththe
officers.We'vethreefriendsamongthem, vouscomprenez? Theywerediscussingatheism
andIneedhardlysaytheymadeshortworkofGod.Theyweresquealingwithdelight.Bythe
way,Shatovdeclaresthatifthere'stobearisinginRussiawemustbeginwithatheism.
Maybeit'strue.Onegrizzledoldstagerofacaptainsatmum,notsayingaword.Allatonce
hestandsupinthemiddleofthe'roomandsaysaloud,asthoughspeakingtohimself:'If
there'snoGod,howcanIbeacaptainthen?'HetookupHiscapandwentout,flinginguphis
hands.
Heexpressedarathersensibleidea,saidNikolayVsyevolodovitch,yawningforthethird
time.

Yes?Ididn'tunderstandit;Imeanttoaskyouaboutit.WellwhatelsehaveItotellyou?
TheShpigulinfactory'sinteresting;asyouknow,therearefivehundredworkmeninit,it'sa
hotbedofcholera,it'snotbeencleanedforfifteenyearsandthefactoryhandsareswindled.
Theownersaremillionaires.Iassureyouthatsomeamongthehandshaveanideaofthe
Internationale,.What,yousmile?You'llseeonlygivemeeversolittletime!I'veaskedyou
tofixthetimealreadyandnowIaskyouagainandthen....ButIbegyourpardon,Iwon't,I
won'tspeakofthat,don'tfrown.There!Heturnedbacksuddenly.Iquiteforgotthechief
thing.IwastoldjustnowthatourboxhadcomefromPetersburg.

Youmean...NikolayVsyevolodovitchlookedathim,notunderstanding.

Yourbox,yourthings,coats,trousers,andlinenhavecome.Isittrue?

Yes...theysaidsomethingaboutitthismorning.

Ach,thencan'tIopenitatonce!...

AskAlexey.

Well,tomorrow,then,willtomorrowdo?Youseemynewjacket,dresscoatandthree
pair'softrousersarewithyourthings,fromSharmer's,byyourrecommendation,doyou
remember?

Ihearyou'regoinginforbeingagentlemanhere,saidNikolayVsyevolodovitchwitha
smile.Isittrueyou'regoingtotakelessonsattheridingschool?

PyotrStepanovitchsmiledawrysmile.Isay,hesaidsuddenly,withexcessivehasteina
voicethatquiveredandfaltered,Isay,NikolayVsyevolodovitch,let'sdroppersonalities
onceforall.Ofcourse,youcandespisemeasmuchasyoulikeifitamusesyoubutwe'd
betterdispensewithpersonalitiesforatime,hadn'twe?

Allright,NikolayVsyevolodovitchassented.

PyotrStepanovitchgrinned,tappedhiskneewithhishat,shiftedfromonelegtotheother,
andrecoveredhisformerexpression.

SomepeopleherepositivelylookuponmeasyourrivalwithLizavetaNikolaevna,soImust
thinkofmyappearance,mustn'tI,helaughed.Whowasittoldyouthatthough?H'm.It's
justeighto'clock;wellImustbeoff.IpromisedtolookinonVarvaraPetrovna,butIshall
makemyescape.Andyougotobedandyou'llbestrongertomorrow.It'sraininganddark,
butI'veacab,it'snotoversafeinthestreetshereatnight....Ach,bytheway,there'sarun
awayconvictfromSiberia,Fedka,wanderingaboutthetownandtheneighbourhood.Only
fancy,heusedtobeaserfofmine,andmypapasenthimforasoldierfifteenyearsagoand
tookthemoneyforhim.He'saveryremarkableperson.

Youhavebeentalkingtohim?NikolayVsyevolodovitchscannedhim.

Ihave.Heletsmeknowwhereheis.He'sreadyforanything,anything,formoneyofcourse,
buthehasconvictions,too,ofasort,ofcourse.Ohyes,bytheway,again,ifyoumeant
anythingofthatplan,youremember,aboutLizavetaNikolaevna,Itellyouonceagain,Itoo
amafellowreadyforanythingofanykindyoulike,andabsolutelyatyourservice....Hullo!
areyoureachingforyourstick.Ohno...onlyfancy...Ithoughtyouwerelookingforyour
stick.

NikolayVsyevolodovitchwaslookingfornothingandsaidnothing.

Buthehadrisentohisfeetverysuddenlywithastrangelookinhisface.

IfyouwantanyhelpaboutMr.Gaganoveither,PyotrStepanovitchblurtedoutsuddenly,
thistimelookingstraightatthepaperweight,ofcourseIcanarrangeitall,andI'mcertain
youwon'tbeabletomanagewithoutme.

Hewentoutsuddenlywithoutwaitingforananswer,butthrusthisheadinatthedooronce
more.Imentionthat,hegabbledhurriedly,becauseShatovhadnorighteither,youknow,
toriskhislifelastSundaywhenheattackedyou,hadhe?Ishouldbegladifyouwouldmake
anoteofthat.Hedisappearedagainwithoutwaitingforananswer.

IV

Perhaps he imagined, as he made his exit, that as soon as he was left alone, Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchwouldbeginbeatingonthewallwithhisfists,andnodoubthewouldhave
beengladtoseethis,ifthathadbeenpossible.But,ifso,hewasgreatlymistaken.Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchwasstillcalm.Heremainedstandingfortwominutesinthesameposition
bythetable,apparentlyplungedinthought,butsoonacoldandlistlesssmilecameontohis
lips.Heslowlysatdownagaininthesameplaceinthecornerofthesofa,andshuthiseyesas
thoughfromweariness.Thecorneroftheletterwasstillpeepingfromunderthepaperweight,
buthedidn'tevenmovetocoverit.

Hesoonsankintocompleteforgetfulness.

WhenPyotrStepanovitchwentoutwithoutcomingtoseeher,ashehadpromised,Varvara
Petrovna,whohadbeenwornoutbyanxietyduringthesedays,couldnotcontrolherself,and
venturedtovisithersonherself,thoughitwasnotherregulartime.Shewasstillhauntedby
the idea that he would tell her something conclusive. She knocked at the doorgentlyas
before, and again receiving no answer, she opened the door. Seeing that Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchwassittingstrangelymotionless,shecautiouslyadvancedtothesofawitha
throbbingheart.Sheseemedstruckbythefactthathecouldfallasleepsoquicklyandthathe
couldsleepsittinglikethat,soerectandmotionless,sothathisbreathingevenwasscarcely
perceptible.Hisfacewaspaleandforbidding,butitlooked,asitwere,numbandrigid.His
browsweresomewhatcontractedandfrowning.Hepositivelyhadthelookofalifelesswax
figure.Shestoodoverhimforaboutthreeminutes,almostholdingherbreath,andsuddenly
shewasseizedwithterror.Shewithdrewontiptoe,stoppedatthedoor,hurriedlymadethe
sign of the cross over him, and retreated unobserved, with a new oppression and a new
anguishatherheart.

Hesleptalongwhile,morethananhour,andstillinthesamerigidpose:notamuscleofhis
facetwitched,therewasnotthefaintestmovementinhiswholebody,andhisbrowswerestill
contractedinthesameforbiddingfrown.IfVarvaraPetrovnahadremainedanotherthree
minutesshecouldnothaveenduredthestiflingsensationthatthismotionlesslethargyroused
inher,andwouldhavewakedhim.Buthesuddenlyopenedhiseyes,andsatfortenminutes
asimmovableasbefore,staringpersistentlyandcuriously,asthoughatsomeobjectinthe
cornerwhichhadstruckhim,althoughtherewasnothingneworstrikingintheroom.

Suddenlythererangoutthelowdeepnoteoftheclockonthewall.

Withsomeuneasinessheturnedtolookatit,butalmostatthesamemomenttheotherdoor
opened,andthebutler,AlexeyYegorytchcamein.Hehadinonehandagreatcoat,ascarf,
andahat,andintheotherasilvertraywithanoteonit.

Halfpastnine,heannouncedsoftly,andlayingtheotherthingsonachair,heheldoutthe
traywiththenoteascrapofpaperunsealedandscribbledinpencil.Glancingthroughit,
NikolayVsyevolodovitchtookapencilfromthetable,addedafewwords,andputthenote
backonthetray.

TakeitbackassoonasIhavegoneout,andnowdressme,hesaid,gettingupfromthe
sofa.

Noticingthathehadonalightvelvetjacket,hethoughtaminute,andtoldthemantobring
him a cloth coat, which he wore on more ceremonious occasions. At last, when he was
dressedandhadputonhishat,helockedthedoorbywhichhismotherhadcomeintothe
room,tooktheletterfromunderthepaperweight,andwithoutsayingawordwentoutintothe
corridor,followedbyAlexeyYegorytch.Fromthecorridortheywentdownthenarrowstone
stepsofthebackstairstoapassagewhichopenedstraightintothegarden.Inthecornerstood
alanternandabigumbrella.

Owingtotheexcessiverainthemudinthestreetsisbeyondanything,AlexeyYegorytch
announced,makingafinalefforttodeterhismasterfromtheexpedition.Butopeninghis
umbrellathelatterwentwithoutawordintothedampandsoddengarden,whichwasdarkas
acellar.Thewindwasroaringandtossingthebaretreetops.Thelittlesandypathswerewet
andslippery.AlexeyYegoryvitchwalkedalongashewas,bareheaded,inhisswallowtail
coat,lightingupthepathforaboutthreestepsbeforethemwiththelantern.

Won'titbenoticed?NikolayVsyevolodovitchaskedsuddenly.
Notfromthewindows.BesidesIhaveseentoallthatalready,theoldservantansweredin
quietandmeasuredtones.

Hasmymotherretired?

Herexcellencylockedherselfinatnineo'clockasshehasdonethelastfewdays,andthere
isnopossibilityofherknowinganything.AtwhathouramItoexpectyourhonour?

Atoneorhalfpast,notlaterthantwo.

Yes,sir.

Crossingthegardenbythewindingpathsthattheybothknewbyheart,theyreachedthestone
wall,andthereinthefarthestcornerfoundalittledoor,whichledoutintoanarrowand
desertedlane,andwasalwayskeptlocked.ItappearedthatAlexeyYegorytchhadthekeyin
hishand.

Won'tthedoorcreak?NikolayVsyevolodovitchinquiredagain.

ButAlexeyYegorytchinformedhimthatithadbeenoiledyesterdayaswellastoday.He
wasbynowwetthrough.UnlockingthedoorhegavethekeytoNikolayVsyevolodovitch.

Ifitshouldbeyourpleasuretobetakingadistantwalk,IwouldwarnyourhonourthatIam
notconfidentofthefolkhere,especiallyinthebacklanes,andespeciallybeyondtheriver,
hecouldnotresistwarninghimagain.Hewasanoldservant,whohadbeenlikeanurseto
NikolayVsyevolodovitch,andatonetimeusedtodandlehiminhisarms;hewasagraveand
severemanwhowasfondoflisteningtoreligiousdiscourseandreadingbooksofdevotion.

Don'tbeuneasy,AlexeyYegorytch.

MayGod'sblessingrestonyou,sir,butonlyinyourrighteousundertakings.

What?saidNikolayVsyevolodovitch,stoppingshortinthelane.

AlexeyYegorytchresolutelyrepeatedhiswords.Hehadneverbeforeventuredtoexpress
himselfinsuchlanguageinhismaster'spresence.

NikolayVsyevolodovitchlockedthedoor,putthekeyinhispocket,andcrossedthelane,
sinkingfiveorsixinchesintothemudateverystep.Hecameoutatlastintoalongdeserted
street.Heknewthetownlikethefivefingersofhishand,butBogoyavlenskyStreetwasa
longwayoff.Itwaspasttenwhenhestoppedatlastbeforethelockedgatesofthedarkold
housethatbelongedtoFilipov.ThegroundfloorhadstoodemptysincetheLebyadkinshad
leftit,andthewindowswereboardedup,buttherewasalightburninginShatov'sroomon
thesecondfloor.Astherewasnobellhebeganbangingonthegatewithhishand.Awindow
wasopenedandShatovpeepedoutintothestreet.Itwasterriblydark,anddifficulttomake
outanything.Shatovwaspeeringoutforsometime,aboutaminute.
Isthatyou?heaskedsuddenly.

Yes,repliedtheuninvitedguest.

Shatovslammedthewindow,wentdownstairsandopenedthegate.NikolayVsyevolodovitch
steppedoverthehighsill,andwithoutawordpassedbyhimstraightintoKjrillov'slodge.

Thereeverythingwasunlockedandallthedoorsstoodopen.

Thepassageandthefirsttworoomsweredark,buttherewasalightshininginthelast,in
whichKirillovlivedanddranktea,andlaughterandstrangecriescamefromit.Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchwent towardsthe light, but stoodstill inthe doorwaywithoutgoingin.
Therewasteaonthetable.Inthemiddleoftheroomstoodtheoldwomanwhowasarelation
ofthelandlord.Shewasbareheadedandwasdressedinapetticoatandahareskinjacket,and
herstockinglessfeetwerethrustintoslippers.Inherarmsshehadaneighteenmonthsold
baby,withnothingonbutitslittleshirt;withbarelegs,flushedcheeks,andruffledwhitehair.
Ithadonlyjustbeentakenoutofthecradle.Itseemedtohavejustbeencrying;therewere
stilltearsinitseyes.Butatthatinstantitwasstretchingoutitslittlearms,clappingitshands,
andlaughingwithasobaslittlechildrendo.Kirillovwasbouncingabigredindiarubberball
onthefloorbeforeit.Theballbounceduptotheceiling,and.jacktothefloor,thebaby
shriekedBaw!baw!Kirillovcaughtthebaw'.'andgaveittoit.Thebabythrewititself
withitsawkwardlittlehand's,andKirillovrantopickitupagain.

Atlastthebawrolledunderthecupboard.Baw!baw!criedthechild.Kirillovlaydown
on the floor, trying to reach the ball with his hand under the cupboard. Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchwentintotheroom.Thebabycaughtsightofhim,nestledagainsttheold
woman,andwentoffintoaprolongedinfantilewail.Thewomanimmediatelycarrieditoutof
theroom.

Stavrogin?saidKirillov,beginningtogetupfromthefloorwiththeballinhishand,and
showingnosurpriseattheunexpectedvisit.Willyouhavetea?

Herosetohisfeet.

Ishouldbeverygladofit,ifit'shot,saidNikolayVsyevolodovitch;I'mwetthrough.

It'shot,nearlyboilinginfact,Kirillovdeclareddelighted.Sitdown.You'remuddy,but
that'snothing;I'llmopupthefloorlater.

NikolayVsyevolodovitchsatdownandemptiedthecuphehandedhimalmostatagulp.

Somemore?askedKirillov.

No,thankyou.

Kirillov,whohadnotsatdowntillthen,seatedhimselffacinghim,andinquired:
Whyhaveyoucome?

Onbusiness.Here,readthisletterfromGaganov;doyouremember,Italkedtoyouabout
himinPetersburg.

Kirillovtooktheletter,readit,laiditonthetableandlookedathimexpectantly.

Asyouknow,ImetthisGaganovforthefirsttimeinmylifeamonthago,inPetersburg,
NikolayVsyevolodovitchbegantoexplain.Wecameacrosseachothertwoorthreetimesin
companywithotherpeople.Withoutmakingmyacquaintanceandwithoutaddressingme,he
managedtobeveryinsolenttome.Itoldyousoatthetime;butnowforsomethingyoudon't
know.AshewasleavingPetersburgbeforeIdid,hesentmealetter,notlikethisone,yet
impertinentinthehighestdegree,andwhatwasqueeraboutitwasthatitcontainednosortof
explanationofwhyitwaswritten.Iansweredhimatonce,alsobyletter,andsaid,quite
frankly,thathewasprobablyangrywithmeonaccountoftheincidentwithhisfatherfour
yearsagointheclubhere,andthatIformypartwaspreparedtomakehimeverypossible
apology,seeingthatmyactionwasunintentionalandwastheresultofillness.Ibeggedhimto
considerandacceptmyapologies.Hewentawaywithoutanswering,andnowhereIfindhim
inaregularfury.Severalthingshehassaidaboutmeinpublichavebeenrepeatedtome,
absolutelyabusive,andmakingastoundingchargesagainst me.Finally, today, Igetthis
letter,alettersuchasnoonehaseverhadbefore,Ishouldthink,containingsuchexpressions
as'thepunchyougotinyouruglyface.'Icameinthehopethatyouwouldnotrefusetobemy
second.

Yousaidnoonehaseverhadsuchaletter,observedKirillov,theymaybesentinarage.
Suchlettershavebeenwrittenmorethanonce.PushkinwrotetoHekern.Allright,I'llcome.
Tellmehow.

NikolayVsyevolodovitchexplainedthathewantedittobetomorrow,andthathemustbegin
byrenewinghisoffersofapology,andevenwiththepromiseofanotherletterofapology,but
onconditionthatGaganov,onhisside,shouldpromisetosendnomoreletters.Theletterhe
hadreceivedhewouldregardasunwritten.

Toomuchconcession;hewon'tagree,saidKirillov.

I'vecomefirstofalltofindoutwhetheryouwouldconsenttobethebearerofsuchterms.

I'lltakethem.It'syouraffair.Buthewon'tagree.

Iknowhewon'tagree.

Hewantstofight.Sayhowyou'llfight.

ThepointisthatIwantthethingsettledtomorrow.Bynineo'clockinthemorningyoumust
beathishouse.He'lllisten,andwon'tagree,butwillputyouincommunicationwithhis
secondletussayabouteleven.Youwillarrangethingswithhim,andletusallbeonthe
spotbyoneortwoo'clock.Pleasetrytoarrangethat.Theweapons,ofcourse,willbepistols.
AndIparticularlybegyoutoarrangetofixthebarriersattenpacesapart;thenyouputeach
ofustenpacesfromthebarrier,andatagivensignalweapproach.Eachmustgorightupto
hisbarrier,butyoumayfirebefore,ontheway.Ibelievethat'sall.

Tenpacesbetweenthebarriersisverynear,observedKirillov.

Well,twelvethen,butnotmore.Youunderstandthathewantstofightinearnest.Doyou
knowhowtoloadapistol?

Ido.I'vegotpistols.I'llgivemywordthatyou'veneverfiredthem.Hissecondwillgivehis
wordabouthis.There'llbetwopairsofpistols,andwe'lltossup,hisorours?

Excellent.

Wouldyouliketolookatthepistols?

Verywell.

Kirillovsquattedonhisheelsbeforethetrunkinthecorner,whichhehadneveryetunpacked,
thoughthingshadbeenpulledoutofitasrequired.Hepulledoutfromthebottomapalm
woodboxlinedwithredvelvet,andfromittookoutapairofsmartandveryexpensive
pistols.

I'vegoteverything,powder,bullets,cartridges.I'vearevolverbesides,wait.

HestoopeddowntothetrunkagainandtookoutasixchamberedAmericanrevolver.

You'vegotweaponsenough,andverygoodones.

Very,extremely.

Kirillov,whowaspoor,almostdestitute,thoughhenevernoticedhispoverty,wasevidently
proudofshowingpreciousweapons,whichhehadcertainlyobtainedwithgreatsacrifice.

Youstillhavethesameintentions?Stavroginaskedafteramoment'ssilence,andwitha
certainwariness.

Yes,answeredKirillovshortly,guessingatoncefromhisvoicewhathewasaskingabout,
andhebegantakingtheweaponsfromthetable.

When?NikolayVsyevolodovitchinquiredstillmorecautiously,afterapause.

InthemeantimeKjrillovhadputboththeboxesbackinhistrunk,andsatdowninhisplace
again.

Thatdoesn'tdependonme,asyouknowwhentheytellme,hemuttered,as.though
disliking the question; but at the same time with evident readiness to answer any other
question.Hekepthisblack,lustrelesseyesfixedcontinuallyonStavroginwithacalmbut
warmandkindlyexpressioninthem.

I understand shooting oneself, of course, Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch began suddenly,

frowningalittle,afteradreamysilencethatlastedthreeminutes.Isometimeshavethought
ofitmyself,andthentherealwayscameanewidea:ifonedidsomethingwicked,or,worse
still,somethingshameful,thatis,disgraceful,onlyveryshamefuland...ridiculous,suchas
peoplewouldrememberforathousandyearsandholdinscornforathousandyears,and
suddenlythethoughtcomes:'oneblowinthetempleandtherewouldbenothingmore.'One
wouldn'tcarethenformenandthattheywouldholdoneinscornforathousandyears,would
one?"

Youcallthatanewidea?saidKirillov,afteramoment'sthought.

I...didn'tcallitso,butwhenIthoughtitIfeltitasanewidea.

You'felttheidea'?observedKirillov.That'sgood.Therearelotsofideasthatarealways
thereandyetsuddenlybecomenew.That'strue.Iseeagreatdealnowasthoughitwerefor
thefirsttime.

Supposeyouhadlivedinthemoon,Stavrogininterrupted,notlistening,butpursuinghis
ownthought,andsupposethereyouhaddoneallthesenastyandridiculousthings....You
knowfromhereforcertainthattheywilllaughatyouandholdyouinscornforathousand
yearsaslongasthemoonlasts.Butnowyouarehere,andlookingatthemoonfromhere.
Youdon'tcarehereforanythingyou'vedonethere,andthatthepeopletherewillholdyouin
scornforathousandyears,doyou?

Idon'tknow,answeredKirillov.I'venotbeeninthemoon,headded,withoutanyirony,
simplytostatethefact.

Whosebabywasthatjustnow?

Theoldwoman'smotherinlawwashereno,daughterinlaw,it'sallthesame.Threedays.
She'slyingillwiththebaby,itcriesalotatnight,it'sthestomach.Themothersleeps,butthe
oldwomanpicksitup;Iplayballwithit.Theball'sfromHamburg.IboughtitinHamburgto
throwitandcatchit,itstrengthensthespine.It'sagirl.

Areyoufondofchildren?

Iam,answeredKirillov,thoughratherindifferently.

Thenyou'refondoflife?

Yes,I'mfondoflife!Whatofit?
Thoughyou'vemadeupyourmindtoshootyourself.

Whatofit?Whyconnectit?Life'sonethingandthat'sanother.Lifeexists,butdeathdoesn't
atall.

You'vebeguntobelieveinafutureeternallife?

No, not in a future eternal life, but in eternal life here. There are moments, you reach
moments,andtimesuddenlystandsstill,anditwillbecomeeternal.

Youhopetoreachsuchamoment?

Yes.

That'llscarcelybepossibleinourtime,NikolayVsyevolodovitchrespondedslowlyand,as
itwere,dreamily;thetwospokewithouttheslightestirony.IntheApocalypsetheangel
swearsthattherewillbenomoretime.

Iknow.That'sverytrue;distinctandexact.Whenallmankindattainshappinessthenthere
willbenomoretime,forthere'llbenoneedofit,averytruethought.

Wherewilltheyputit?

Nowhere.Time'snotanobjectbutanidea.Itwillbeextinguishedinthemind.

The old commonplacesofphilosophy, the same from the beginning of time, Stavrogin
mutteredwithakindofdisdainfulcompassion.

Always the same, always the same, from the beginning of time and never any other,
Kirillovsaidwithsparklingeyes,asthoughtherewerealmostatriumphinthatidea.

Youseemtobeveryhappy,Kirillov.

Yes,veryhappy,heanswered,asthoughmakingthemostordinaryreply.

Butyouweredistressedsolately,angrywithLiputin.

H'm...I'mnotscoldingnow.Ididn'tknowthenthatIwashappy.Haveyouseenaleaf,a
leaffromatree?

Yes.

Isawayellowonelately,alittlegreen.Itwasdecayedattheedges.Itwasblownbythe
wind.WhenIwastenyearsoldIusedtoshutmyeyesinthewinteronpurposeandfancya
greenleaf,bright,withveinsonit,andthesunshining.Iusedtoopenmyeyesandnot
believethem,becauseitwasverynice,andIusedtoshutthemagain.
What'sthat?Anallegory?

Nno...why?I'mnotspeakingofanallegory,butofaleaf,onlyaleaf.Theleafisgood.
Everything'sgood.

Everything?

Everything.Manisunhappybecausehedoesn'tknowhe'shappy.It'sonlythat.That'sall,
that'sall!Ifanyonefindsouthe'llbecomehappyatonce,thatminute.Thatmotherinlawwill
die;butthebabywillremain.It'sallgood.Idiscovereditallofasudden.

Andifanyonediesofhunger,andifanyoneinsultsandoutragesthelittlegirl,isthatgood?

Yes!Andifanyoneblowshisbrainsoutforthebaby,that'sgoodtoo.Andifanyonedoesn't,
that'sgoodtoo.It'sallgood,all.It'sgoodforallthosewhoknowthatit'sallgood.Ifthey
knewthatitwasgoodforthem,itwouldbegoodforthem,butaslongastheydon'tknowit's
goodforthem,itwillbebadforthem.That'sthewholeidea,thewholeofit.

Whendidyoufindoutyouweresohappy?

Lastweek,onTuesday,no,Wednesday,foritwasWednesdaybythattime,inthenight.

Bywhatreasoning?

Idon'tremember;Iwaswalkingabouttheroom;nevermind.Istoppedmyclock.Itwas
thirtysevenminutespasttwo.

Asanemblemofthefactthattherewillbenomoretime!

Kirillovwassilent.

They'rebadbecausetheydon'tknowthey'regood.Whentheyfindout,theywon'toutragea
littlegirl.They'llfindoutthatthey'regoodandthey'llallbecomegood,everyoneofthem.

Hereyou'vefounditout,sohaveyoubecomegoodthen?

Iamgood.

ThatIagreewith,though,Stavroginmuttered,frowning.

Hewhoteachesthatallaregoodwillendtheworld.

Hewhotaughtitwascrucified.

Hewillcome,andhisnamewillbethemangod.

Thegodman?
Themangod.That'sthedifference.

Surelyitwasn'tyoulightedthelampundertheikon?

Yes,itwasIlightedit.

Didyoudoitbelieving?

Theoldwomanlikestohavethelampandshehadn'ttimetodoittoday,mutteredKirillov.

Youdon'tsayprayersyourself?

Ipraytoeverything.Youseethespidercrawlingonthewall,Ilookatitandthankitfor
crawling.

His eyes glowed again. He kept looking straight at Stavrogin with firm and unflinching
expression.Stavroginfrownedandwatchedhimdisdainfully,buttherewasnomockeryinhis
eyes.

I'llbetthatwhenIcomenexttimeyou'llbebelievingin

Godtoo,hesaid,gettingupandtakinghishat.

Why?saidKirillov,gettinguptoo.

IfyouweretofindoutthatyoubelieveinGod,thenyou'dbelieveinHim;butsinceyou
don't know that you believe in Him, then you don't believe in Him, laughed Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitch.

That's not right, Kirillov pondered, you've distorted the idea. It's a flippant joke.
Rememberwhatyouhavemeantinmylife,Stavrogin.

Goodbye,Kirillov.

Comeatnight;whenwillyou?

Why,haven'tyouforgottenabouttomorrow?

Ach,I'dforgotten.Don'tbeuneasy.Iwon'toversleep.Atnineo'clock.Iknowhowtowake
upwhenIwantto.Igotobedsaying'seveno'clock,'andIwakeupatseveno'clock,'ten
o'clock,'andIwakeupatteno'clock.

Youhaveremarkablepowers,saidNikolayVsyevolodovitch,lookingathispaleface.

I'llcomeandopenthegate.

Don'ttrouble,Shatovwillopenitforme.
Ah,Shatov.Verywell,goodbye.

VI

ThedooroftheemptyhouseinwhichShatovwaslodgingwasnotclosed;but,makinghis
wayintothepassage,Stavroginfoundhimselfinutterdarkness,andbeganfeelingwithhis
handforthestairstotheupperstory.Suddenlyadooropenedupstairsandalightappeared.
Shatov did not come out himself, but simply opened his door. When Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchwasstandinginthedoorwayoftheroom,hesawShatovstandingatthe
tableinthecorner,waitingexpectantly.

Willyoureceivemeonbusiness?hequeriedfromthedoorway.

Comeinandsitdown,answeredShatov.Shutthedoor;stay,I'llshutit.

Helockedthedoor,returnedtothetable,andsatdown,facingNikolayVsyevolodovitch.He
hadgrownthinnerduringthatweek,andnowheseemedinafever.

You'vebeenworryingmetodeath,hesaid,lookingdown,inasofthalfwhisper.Why
didn'tyoucome?

YouweresosureIshouldcomethen?

Yes,stay,Ihavebeendelirious...perhapsI'mdeliriousnow....Stayamoment.

Hegotupandseizedsomethingthatwaslyingontheuppermostofhisthreebookshelves.It
wasarevolver.

Onenight,indelirium,Ifanciedthatyouwerecorningtokillme,andearlynextmorningI
spentmylastfarthingonbuyingarevolverfromthatgoodfornothingfellowLyamshin;Idid
notmeantoletyoudoit.ThenIcametomyselfagain...I'veneitherpowdernorshot;ithas
beenlyingthereontheshelftillnow;waitaminute....

Hegotupandwasopeningthecasement.

Don'tthrowitaway,whyshouldyou?NikolayVsyevolodovitchcheckedhim.It'sworth
something.Besides,tomorrowpeoplewillbeginsayingthattherearerevolverslyingabout
underShatov'swindow.Putitback,that'sright;sitdown.Tellme,whydoyouseemtobe
penitentforhavingthoughtIshouldcometokillyou?Ihavenotcomenowtobereconciled,
buttotalkofsomethingnecessary.Enlightenmetobeginwith.Youdidn'tgivemethatblow
becauseofmyconnectionwithyourwife?

YouknowIdidn't,yourself,saidShatov,lookingdownagain.

AndnotbecauseyoubelievedthestupidgossipaboutDaryaPavlovna?
No,no,ofcoursenot!It'snonsense!Mysistertoldmefromtheveryfirst...Shatovsaid,
harshlyandimpatiently,andevenwithaslightstampofhisfoot.

ThenIguessedrightandyoutooguessedright,NikolayVsyevolodovitchwentonina
tranquilvoice.Youareright.MaryaTimofyevnaLebyadkinismylawfulwife,marriedto
mefourandahalfyearsagoinPetersburg.Isupposetheblowwasonheraccount?

Shatov,utterlyastounded,listenedinsilence.

Iguessed,butdidnotbelieveit,hemutteredatlast,lookingstrangelyatStavrogin.

Andyoustruckme?

Shatovflushedandmutteredalmostincoherently:

Becauseofyourfall...yourlie.Ididn'tgouptoyoutopunishyou...Ididn'tknowwhenI
wentuptoyouthatIshouldstrikeyou...Ididitbecauseyoumeantsomuchtomeinmy
life...I...

Iunderstand,Iunderstand,spareyourwords.Iamsorryyouarefeverish.I'vecomeabouta
mosturgentmatter.

Ihavebeenexpectingyoutoolong.Shatovseemedtobequiveringallover,andhegotup
fromhisseat.Saywhatyouhavetosay...I'llspeaktoo...later.

Hesatdown.

What I have come about is nothing of that kind, began Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch,
scrutinisinghimwithcuriosity.OwingtocertaincircumstancesIwasforcedthisverydayto
choosesuchanhourtocomeandtellyouthattheymaymurderyou.

Shatovlookedwildlyathim.

IknowthatImaybeinsomedanger,hesaidinmeasuredtones,buthowcanyouhave
cometoknowofit?

BecauseIbelongtothemasyoudo,andamamemberoftheirsociety,justasyouare.

You...youareamemberofthesociety?

Iseefromyoureyesthatyouwerepreparedforanythingfrommeratherthanthat,said
Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch, with afaint smile. But, excuse me, youknew thenthat there
wouldbeanattemptonyourlife?

Nothingofthesort.AndIdon'tthinksonow,inspiteofyourwords,though...though
there'snobeingsureofanythingwiththesefools!hecriedsuddenlyinafury,strikingthe
tablewithhisfist.I'mnotafraidofthem!I'vebrokenwiththem.Thatfellow'srunherefour
timestotellmeitwaspossible...buthelookedatStavroginwhatdoyouknowabout
it,exactly?

Don'tbeuneasy;Iamnotdeceivingyou,NikolayVsyevolodovitchwenton,rathercoldly,
withtheairofamanwhoisonlyfulfillingaduty.YouquestionmeastowhatIknow.I
knowthatyouenteredthatsocietyabroad,twoyearsago,atthetimeoftheoldorganisation,
justbeforeyouwenttoAmerica,andIbelieve,justafterourlastconversation,aboutwhich
youwrotesomuchtomeinyourletterfromAmerica.Bytheway,Imustapologisefornot
havingansweredyoubyletter,butconfinedmyselfto...

Tosendingthemoney;waitabit,Shatovinterrupted,hurriedlypullingoutadrawerinthe
tableandtakingfromundersomepapersarainbowcolourednote.Here,takeit,thehundred
roublesyousentme;butforyouIshouldhaveperishedoutthere.Ishouldhavebeenalong
timepayingitbackifithadnotbeenforyourmother.Shemademeapresentofthatnotenine
monthsago,becauseIwassobadlyoffaftermyillness.But,goon,please....

Hewasbreathless.

InAmericayouchangedyourviews,andwhenyoucamebackyouwantedtoresign.They
gaveyounoanswer,butchargedyoutotakeoveraprintingpresshereinRussiafromsome
one,andtokeepittillyouhandeditovertosomeonewhowouldcomefromthemforit.I
don'tknowthedetailsexactly,butIfancythat'sthepositioninoutline.Youundertookitin
thehope,oronthecondition,thatitwouldbethelasttasktheywouldrequireofyou,andthat
thentheywouldreleaseyoualtogether.Whetherthatissoornot,Ilearntit,notfromthem,
butquitebychance.ButnowforwhatIfancyyoudon'tknow;thesegentryhavenointention
ofpartingwithyou.

That'sabsurd!criedShatov.I'vetoldthemhonestlythatI'vecutmyselfofffromthemin
everything.Thatismyright,therighttofreedomofconscienceandofthought....Iwon'tput
upwithit!There'snopowerwhichcould...

I say, don't shout, Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch said earnestly, checking him. That
Verhovenskyissuchafellowthathemaybelisteningtousnowinyourpassage,perhaps,
withhisownearsorsomeoneelse's.Eventhatdrunkard,Lebyadkin,wasprobablyboundto
keepaneyeonyou,andyouonhim,too,Idaresay?You'dbettertellme,hasVerhovensky
acceptedyourargumentsnow,ornot?

Hehas.HehassaidthatitcanbedoneandthatIhavetheright....

Wellthen,he'sdeceivingyou.IknowthatevenKirillov,whoscarcelybelongstothematall,
hasgiventheminformationaboutyou.Andtheyhavelotsofagents,evenpeoplewhodon't
knowthatthey'reservingthesociety.They'vealwayskeptawatchonyou.Oneofthethings
PyotrVerhovenskycamehereforwastosettleyourbusinessonceforall,andheisfully
authorisedtodoso,thatisatthefirstgoodopportunity,togetridofyou,asamanwhoknows
toomuchandmightgivethemaway.Irepeatthatthisiscertain,andallowmetoaddthatthey
are,forsomereason,convincedthatyouareaspy,andthatifyouhaven'tinformedagainst
themyet,youwill.Isthattrue?

Shatovmadeawryfaceathearingsuchaquestionaskedinsuchamatteroffacttone.

IfIwereaspy,whomcouldIinform?hesaidangrily,notgivingadirectanswer.No,
leavemealone,letmegotothedevil!hecriedsuddenly,catchingagainathisoriginalidea,
whichagitatedhimviolently.Apparentlyitaffectedhimmoredeeplythanthenewsofhis
own danger. You, you, Stavrogin, how could you mix yourself up with such shameful,
stupid,secondhandabsurdity?Youamemberofthesociety?WhatanexploitforStavrogin!
hecriedsuddenly,indespair.

Heclaspedhishands,asthoughnothingcouldbeabittererandmoreinconsolablegriefto
himthansuchadiscovery.

Excuse me,said NikolayVsyevolodovitch, extremelysurprised, but you seem to look

uponmeasasortofsun,andonyourselfasaninsectincomparison.Inoticedthatevenfrom
yourletterinAmerica.

You...youknow....Oh,letusdropmealtogether,Shatovbrokeoffsuddenly,andif
youcanexplainanythingaboutyourselfexplainit....Answermyquestion!herepeated
feverishly.

Withpleasure.YouaskhowIcouldgetintosuchaden?AfterwhatIhavetoldyou,I'm
boundtobefrankwithyoutosomeextentonthesubject.Yousee,strictlyspeaking,Idon't
belongtothesocietyatall,andIneverhavebelongedtoit,andI'vemuchmorerightthanyou
toleavethem,becauseIneverjoinedthem.Infact,fromtheverybeginningItoldthemthatI
wasnotoneofthem,andthatifI'vehappenedtohelpthemithassimplybeenbyaccidentasa
manofleisure.Itooksomepartinreorganisingthesociety,onthenewplan,butthatwasall.
But now they've changed their views, and have made up their minds that it would be
dangeroustoletmego,andIbelieveI'msentencedtodeathtoo.

Oh,theydonothingbutsentencetodeath,andallbymeansofsealeddocuments,signedby
threemenandahalf.Andyouthinkthey'veanypower!

You'repartlyrightthereandpartlynot,Stavroginansweredwiththesameindifference,
almostlistlessness.There'snodoubtthatthere'sagreatdealthat'sfancifulaboutit,asthere
alwaysisinsuchcases:ahandfulmagnifiesitssizeandsignificance.Tomythinking,ifyou
willhaveit,theonlyoneisPyotrVerhovensky,andit'ssimplygoodnatureonhispartto
considerhimselfonlyanagentofthesociety.Butthefundamentalideaisnostupiderthan
others of the sort. They are connected with the Internationale. They have succeeded in
establishingagentsinRussia,theyhaveevenhitonaratheroriginalmethod,thoughit'sonly
theoretical,ofcourse.Asfortheirintentionshere,themovementsofourRussianorganisation
aresomethingsoobscureandalmostalwaysunexpectedthatreallytheymighttryanything
amongus.NotethatVerhovenskyisanobstinateman.
He'sabug,anignoramus,abuffoon,whounderstandsnothinginRussia!criedShatov
spitefully.

Youknowhimverylittle.It'squitetruethatnoneofthemunderstandmuchaboutRussia,
butnotmuchlessthanyouandIdo.Besides,Verhovenskyisanenthusiast.

Verhovenskyanenthusiast?

Oh,yes.Thereisapointwhenheceasestobeabuffoonandbecomesamadman.Ibegyou
torememberyourownexpression:'Doyouknowhowpowerfulasinglemanmaybe?'Please
don'tlaughaboutit,he'squitecapableofpullingatrigger.TheyareconvincedthatIamaspy
too.Astheydon'tknowhowtodothingsthemselves,they'reawfullyfondofaccusingpeople
ofbeingspies.

Butyou'renotafraid,areyou?

Nno.I'mnotverymuchafraid....Butyourcaseisquitedifferent.Iwarnedyouthatyou
mightanywaykeepitinmind.Tomythinkingthere'snoreasontobeoffendedinbeing
threatenedwithdangerbyfools;theirbrainsdon'taffectthequestion.They'veraisedtheir
handagainstbettermenthanyouorme.It'saquarterpasteleven,though.Helookedathis
watchandgotupfromhischair.Iwantedtoaskyouonequiteirrelevantquestion.

ForGod'ssake!criedShatov,risingimpulsivelyfromhisseat.

Ibegyourpardon?NikolayVsyevolodovitchlookedathiminquiringly.

Askit,askyourquestionforGod'ssake,Shatovrepeatedinindescribableexcitement,but
onconditionthatIaskyouaquestiontoo.Ibeseechyoutoallowme...Ican't...askyour
question!

Stavroginwaitedamomentandthenbegan.I'veheardthatyouhavesomeinfluenceon
MaryaTimofyevna,andthatshewasfondofseeingyouandhearingyoutalk.Isthatso?

Yes...sheusedtolisten...saidShatov,confused.WithinadayortwoIintendtomake
apublicannouncementofourmarriagehereinthetown.

Isthatpossible?Shatovwhispered,almostwithhorror.

Idon'tquiteunderstandyou.There'snosortofdifficultyaboutit,witnessestothemarriage
arehere.EverythingtookplaceinPetersburg,perfectlylegallyandsmoothly,andifithasnot
beenmadeknowntillnow,itissimplybecausethewitnesses,Kirillov,PyotrVerhovensky,
andLebyadkin(whomInowhavethepleasureofclaimingasabrotherinlaw)promisedto
holdtheirtongues.

Idon'tmeanthat...Youspeaksocalmly...butgood!Listen!Youweren'tforcedintothat
marriage,wereyou?
No,nooneforcedmeintoit.NikolayVsyevolodovitchsmiledatShatov'simportunate
haste.

Andwhat'sthattalkshekeepsupaboutherbaby?Shatovinterposeddisconnectedly,with
feverishhaste.

Shetalksaboutherbaby?Bah!Ididn'tknow.It'sthefirsttimeI'veheardofit.Sheneverhad
ababyandcouldn'thavehad:MaryaTimofyevnaisavirgin.

Ah!That'sjustwhatIthought!Listen!

What'sthematterwithyou,Shatov?

Shatov hid his face in his hands, turned away, but suddenly clutched Stavrogin by the
shoulders.

Doyouknowwhy,doyouknowwhy,anyway,heshouted,whyyoudidallthis,andwhy
youareresolvedonsuchapunishmentnow!

Yourquestioniscleverandmalignant,butImeantosurpriseyoutoo;IfancyIdoknowwhy
Igotmarriedthen,andwhyIamresolvedonsuchapunishmentnow,asyouexpressit.

Let'sleavethat...ofthatlater.Putitoff.Let'stalkofthechiefthing,thechiefthing.I've
beenwaitingtwoyearsforyou.

Yes?

I'vewaitedtoolongforyou.I'vebeenthinkingofyouincessantly.Youaretheonlyman
whocouldmove...IwrotetoyouaboutitfromAmerica.

Irememberyourlongletterverywell.

Toolongtoberead?Nodoubt;sixsheetsofnotepaper.Don'tspeak!Don'tspeak!Tellme,
canyousparemeanothertenminutes?...Butnow,thisminute...Ihavewaitedforyoutoo
long.

Certainly,halfanhourifyoulike,butnotmore,ifthatwillsuityou.

Andoncondition,too,Shatovputinwrathfully,thatyoutakeadifferenttone.Doyou
hear?IdemandwhenIoughttoentreat.Doyouunderstandwhatitmeanstodemandwhen
oneoughttoentreat?

Iunderstandthatinthatwayyouliftyourselfaboveallordinaryconsiderationsforthesake
ofloftieraims,saidNikolayVsyevolodovitchwithafaintsmile.Iseewithregret,too,that
you'refeverish.

Ibegyoutotreatmewithrespect,Iinsistonit!shoutedShatov,notmypersonalityI
don'tcareahangforthat,butsomethingelse,justforthisonce.WhileIamtalking...weare
twobeings,andhavecometogetherininfinity...forthelasttimeintheworld.Dropyour
tone,andspeaklikeahumanbeing!Speak,ifonlyforonceinyourlifewiththevoiceofa
man.Isayitnotformysakebutforyours.Doyouunderstandthatyououghttoforgiveme
thatblowinthefaceifonlybecauseIgaveyoutheopportunityofrealisingyourimmense
power....Againyousmileyourdisdainful,worldlysmile!Oh,whenwillyouunderstand
me!Havedonewithbeingasnob!UnderstandthatIinsistonthat.Iinsistonit,elseIwon't
speak,I'mnotgoingtoforanything!

Hisexcitementwasapproachingfrenzy.NikolayVsyevolodovitchfrownedandseemedto
becomemoreonhisguard.

SinceIhaveremainedanotherhalfhourwithyouwhentimeissoprecious,hepronounced
earnestlyandimpressively,youmayrestassuredthatImeantolistentoyouatleastwith
interest...andIamconvincedthatIshallhearfromyoumuchthatisnew.

Hesatdownonachair.

Sitdown!criedShatov,andhesatdownhimself.

Pleaseremember,Stavrogininterposedoncemore,thatIwasabouttoaskarealfavourof
youconcerningMaryaTimofyevna,ofgreatimportanceforher,anyway....

What?Shatovfrownedsuddenlywiththeairofamanwhohasjustbeeninterruptedatthe
mostimportantmoment,andwhogazesatyouunabletograspthequestion.

Andyoudidnotletmefinish,NikolayVsyevolodovitchwentonwithasmile.

Oh,nonsense,afterwards!Shatovwavedhishanddisdainfully,grasping,atlast,whathe
wanted,andpassedatoncetohisprincipaltheme.

VII

Doyouknow,hebegan,withflashingeyes,almostmenacingly,bendingrightforwardin
hischair,raisingtheforefingerofhisrighthandabovehim(obviouslyunawarethathewas
doing so), do you know who are the only 'godbearing' people on earth, destined to
regenerateandsavetheworldinthenameofanewGod,andtowhomaregiventhekeysof
lifeandofthenewworld...Doyouknowwhichisthatpeopleandwhatisitsname?

FromyourmannerIamforcedtoconclude,andIthinkImayaswelldosoatonce,thatitis
theRussianpeople.

Andyoucanlaugh,oh,whatarace!Shatovburstout.

Calmyourself,Ibegofyou;onthecontrary,Iwasexpectingsomethingofthesortfrom
you.
Youexpectedsomethingofthesort?Anddon'tyouknowthosewordsyourself?

Iknowthemverywell.Iseeonlytoowellwhatyou'redrivingat.Allyourphrases,eventhe
expression'godbearingpeople'isonlyasequeltoourtalktwoyearsago,abroad,notlong
beforeyouwenttoAmerica....Atleast,asfarasIcanrecallitnow.

It'syourphrasealtogether,notmine.Yourown,notsimplythesequelofourconversation.
'Our'conversationitwasnotatall.Itwasateacherutteringweightywords,andapupilwho
wasraisedfromthedead.Iwasthatpupilandyouweretheteacher.

But, if you remember, it was just after my words you joined their society, and only
afterwardswentawaytoAmerica.

Yes,andIwrotetoyoufromAmericaaboutthat.Iwrotetoyouabouteverything.Yes,I
couldnotatoncetearmybleedingheartfromwhatIhadgrownintofromchildhood,on
whichhadbeenlavishedalltherapturesofmyhopesandallthetearsofmyhatred....Itis
difficulttochangegods.Ididnotbelieveyouthen,becauseIdidnotwanttobelieve,I
plungedforthelasttimeintothatsewer....Buttheseedremainedandgrewup.Seriously,
tellmeseriously,didn'tyoureadallmyletterfromAmerica,perhapsyoudidn'treaditatall?

Ireadthreepagesofit.Thetwofirstandthelast.AndIglancedthroughthemiddleaswell.
ButIwasalwaysmeaning...

Ah,nevermind,dropit!Damnit!criedShatov,wavinghishand..Ifyou'verenounced
thosewordsaboutthepeoplenow,howcouldyouhaveutteredthemthen?...That'swhat
crushesmenow.

Iwasn'tjokingwithyouthen;inpersuadingyouIwasperhapsmoreconcernedwithmyself
thanwithyou,Stavroginpronouncedenigmatically.

Youweren'tjoking!InAmericaIwaslyingforthreemonthsonstrawbesideahapless
creature,andIlearntfromhimthatattheverytimewhenyouweresowingtheseedofGod
andtheFatherlandinmyheart,atthatverytime,perhapsduringthoseverydays,youwere
infecting the heart of that hapless creature, that maniac Kirillov, with poison . . . you
confirmedfalsemalignantideasinhim,andbroughthimtothevergeofinsanity....Go,look
athimnow,heisyourcreation...you'veseenhimthough.

Inthefirstplace,ImustobservethatKirillovhimselftoldmethatheishappyandthathe's
good.Yoursuppositionthatallthiswasgoingonatthesametimeisalmostcorrect.Butwhat
ofit?Irepeat,Iwasnotdeceivingeitherofyou.

Areyouanatheist?Anatheistnow?

Yes.

Andthen?
JustasIwasthen.

I wasn't askingyouto treat me withrespect when I began the conversation. With your
intellectyoumighthaveunderstoodthat,Shatovmutteredindignantly.

Ididn'tgetupatyourfirstword,Ididn'tclosetheconversation,Ididn'tgoawayfromyou,
buthavebeensittinghereeversincesubmissivelyansweringyourquestionsand...cries,so
itseemsIhavenotbeenlackinginrespecttoyouyet.Shatovinterrupted,wavinghishand.

Doyourememberyourexpressionthat'anatheistcan'tbeaRussian,'that'anatheistatonce
ceasestobeaRussian'?Doyouremembersayingthat?

DidI?NikolayVsyevolodovitchquestionedhimback.Youask?You'veforgotten?And
yetthatwasoneofthetrueststatementsoftheleadingpeculiarityoftheRussiansoul,which
youdivined.Youcan'thaveforgottenit!Iwillremindyouofsomethingelse:yousaidthen
that'amanwhowasnotorthodoxcouldnotbeRussian.'

Iimaginethat'saSlavophilidea.

TheSlavophilsoftodaydisownit.Nowadays,peoplehavegrowncleverer.Butyouwent
further:youbelievedthatRomanCatholicismwasnotChristianity;youassertedthatRome
proclaimedChristsubjecttothethirdtemptationofthedevil.Announcingtoalltheworldthat
Christwithoutanearthlykingdomcannotholdhisgrounduponearth,Catholicismbyso
doingproclaimedAntichristandruinedthewholeWesternworld.Youpointedoutthatif
France is in agonies now it's simply the fault of Catholicism, for she has rejected the
iniquitousGodofRomeandhasnotfoundanewone.That'swhatyoucouldsaythen!I
rememberourconversations.

IfIbelieved,nodoubtIshouldrepeatitevennow.Iwasn'tlyingwhenIspokeasthoughI
hadfaith,NikolayVsyevolodovitchpronouncedveryearnestly.ButImusttellyou,this
repetitionofmyideasinthepastmakesaverydisagreeableimpressiononme.Can'tyou
leaveoff?

Ifyoubelieveit?repeatedShatov,payingnottheslightestattentiontothisrequest.But
didn'tyoutellmethatifitweremathematicallyprovedtoyouthatthetruthexcludesChrist,
you'dprefertosticktoChristratherthantothetruth?Didyousaythat?Didyou?''

Butallowmetooatlasttoaskaquestion,saidNikolayVsyevolodovitch,raisinghisvoice.
Whatistheobjectofthisirritableand...maliciouscrossexamination?

Thisexaminationwillbeoverforalleternity,andyouwillneverhearitmentionedagain.

Youkeepinsistingthatweareoutsidethelimitsoftimeandspace.

Holdyourtongue!Shatovcriedsuddenly.Iamstupidandawkward,butletmyname
perishinignominy!Letmerepeatyourleadingidea....Oh,onlyadozenlines,onlythe
conclusion.

Repeatit,ifit'sonlytheconclusion....Stavroginmadeamovementtolookathiswatch,
butrestrainedhimselfanddidnotlook.

Shatovbentforwardinhischairagainandagainhelduphisfingerforamoment.

Notasinglenation,hewenton,asthoughreadingitlinebyline,stillgazingmenacinglyat
Stavrogin,notasinglenationhaseverbeenfoundedonprinciplesofscienceorreason.
Therehasneverbeenanexampleofit,exceptforabriefmoment,throughfolly.Socialismis
fromitsverynatureboundtobeatheism,seeingthatithasfromtheveryfirstproclaimedthat
itisanatheisticorganisationofsociety,andthatitintendstoestablishitselfexclusivelyonthe
elementsofscienceandreason.Scienceandreasonhave,fromthebeginningoftime,playeda
secondaryandsubordinatepartinthelifeofnations;soitwillbetilltheendoftime.Nations
arebuiltupandmovedbyanotherforcewhichswaysanddominatesthem,theoriginof
whichisunknownandinexplicable:thatforceistheforceofaninsatiabledesiretogoonto
theend,thoughatthesametimeitdeniesthatend.Itistheforceofthepersistentassertionof
one'sownexistence,andadenialofdeath.It'sthespiritoflife,astheScripturescallit,'the
riveroflivingwater,'thedryingupofwhichisthreatenedintheApocalypse.It'stheaesthetic
principle,asthephilosopherscallit,theethicalprinciplewithwhichtheyidentifyit,'the
seekingforGod,'asIcallitmoresimply.Theobjectofeverynationalmovement,inevery
peopleandateveryperiodofitsexistenceisonlytheseekingforitsgod,whomustbeitsown
god,andthefaithinHimastheonlytrueone.Godisthesyntheticpersonalityofthewhole
people,takenfromitsbeginningtoitsend.Ithasneverhappenedthatall,orevenmany,
peopleshavehadonecommon,god,buteachhasalwayshaditsown.It'sasignofthedecay
ofnationswhentheybegintohavegodsincommon.Whengodsbegintobecommonto
severalnationsthegodsaredyingandthefaithinthem,togetherwiththenationsthemselves.
ThestrongerapeoplethemoreindividualtheirGod.Thereneverhasbeenanationwithouta
religion,thatis,withoutanideaofgoodandevil.Everypeoplehasitsownconceptionof
goodandevil, anditsowngoodandevil.Whenthe sameconceptionsofgoodandevil
become prevalent in several nations, then these nations are dying, and then the very
distinctionbetweengoodandevilisbeginningtodisappear.Reasonhasneverhadthepower
todefinegoodandevil,oreventodistinguishbetweengoodandevil,evenapproximately;on
thecontrary,ithasalwaysmixedthemupinadisgracefulandpitifulway;sciencehaseven
giventhesolutionbythefist.Thisisparticularlycharacteristicofthehalftruthsofscience,
themostterrible scourge ofhumanity, unknowntill thiscentury, andworsethanplague,
famine,orwar.Ahalftruthisadespot..suchashasneverbeenintheworldbefore.Adespot
thathasitspriestsanditsslaves,adespottowhomalldohomagewithloveandsuperstition
hithertoinconceivable,beforewhichscienceitselftremblesandcringesinashamefulway.
Theseareyourownwords,Stavrogin,allexceptthataboutthehalftruth;that'smyown
becauseIammyselfacaseofhalfknowledge,andthat'swhyIhateitparticularly.Ihaven't
alteredanythingofyourideasorevenofyourwords,notasyllable.

Idon'tagreethatyou'venotalteredanything,Stavroginobservedcautiously.Youaccepted
themwithardour,andinyourardourhavetransformedthemunconsciously.Theveryfact
thatyoureduceGodtoasimpleattributeofnationality...

HesuddenlybeganwatchingShatovwithintenseandpeculiarattention,notsomuchhis
wordsashimself.

IreduceGodtotheattributeofnationality?criedShatov.Onthecontrary,Iraisethe
peopletoGod.Andhasiteverbeenotherwise?ThepeopleisthebodyofGod.Everypeople
is only a people so long as it has its own god and excludes all other gods on earth
irreconcilably;solongasitbelievesthatbyitsgoditwillconqueranddriveoutoftheworld
allothergods.Such,fromthebeginningoftime,hasbeenthebeliefofallgreatnations,all,
anyway,whohavebeenspeciallyremarkable,allwhohavebeenleadersofhumanity.There
isnogoingagainstfacts.TheJewslivedonlytoawaitthecomingofthetrueGodandleftthe
worldthetrueGod.TheGreeksdeifiednatureandbequeathedtheworldtheirreligion,thatis,
philosophyandart.RomedeifiedthepeopleintheState,andbequeathedtheideaoftheState
tothenations.Francethroughoutherlonghistorywasonlytheincarnationanddevelopment
oftheRomangod,andiftheyhaveatlastflungtheirRomangodintotheabyssandplunged
intoatheism,which,forthetimebeing,theycallsocialism,itissolelybecausesocialismis,
anyway,healthierthanRomanCatholicism.Ifagreatpeopledoesnotbelievethatthetruthis
onlytobefoundinitselfalone(initselfaloneandinitexclusively);ifitdoesnotbelievethat
italoneisfitanddestinedtoraiseupandsavealltherestbyitstruth,itwouldatoncesink
intobeingethnographicalmaterial,andnotagreatpeople.Areallygreatpeoplecannever
acceptasecondarypartinthehistoryofHumanity,norevenoneofthefirst,butwillhavethe
firstpart.Anationwhichlosesthisbeliefceasestobeanation.Butthereisonlyonetruth,
andthereforeonlyasingleoneoutofthenationscanhavethetrueGod,eventhoughother
nationsmayhavegreatgodsoftheirown.Onlyonenationis'godbearing,'that'stheRussian
people,and...and...andcanyouthinkmesuchafool,Stavrogin,heyelledfranticallyall
at once, that I can't distinguish whether my words at this moment are the rotten old
commonplacesthathavebeengroundoutinalltheSlavophilmillsinMoscow,oraperfectly
newsaying,thelastword,thesolewordofrenewalandresurrection,and...andwhatdoI
careforyourlaughteratthisminute!WhatdoIcarethatyouutterly,utterlyfailtounderstand
me,notaword,notasound!Oh,howIdespiseyourhaughtylaughterandyourlookatthis
minute!

Hejumpedupfromhisseat;therewaspositivelyfoamonhislips.

OnthecontraryShatov,onthecontrary,Stavroginbeganwithextraordinaryearnestness
andselfcontrol,stillkeepinghisseat,onthecontrary,yourferventwordshaverevived
manyextremelypowerfulrecollectionsinme.InyourwordsIrecognisemyownmoodtwo
yearsago,andnowIwillnottellyou,asIdidjustnow,thatyouhaveexaggeratedmyideas.I
believe,indeed,thattheywereevenmoreexceptional,evenmoreindependent,andIassure
youforthethirdtimethatIshouldbeverygladtoconfirmallthatyou'vesaidjustnow,every
syllableofit,but...

Butyouwantahare!
What?

Yourownnastyexpression,Shatovlaughedspitefully,sittingdownagain.Tocookyour
hareyoumustfirstcatchit,tobelieveinGodyoumustfirsthaveagod.Youusedtosaythat
inPetersburg,I'mtold,likeNozdryov,whotriedtocatchaharebyhishindlegs.

No,whathedidwastoboasthe'dcaughthim.Bytheway,allowmetotroubleyouwitha
questionthough,forindeedIthinkIhavetherighttoonenow.Tellme,haveyoucaughtyour
hare?

Don'tdaretoaskmeinsuchwords!Askdifferently,quitedifferently.Shatovsuddenly
begantremblingallover.

CertainlyI'llaskdifferently.NikolayVsyevolodovitchlookedcoldlyathim.Ionlywanted
toknow,doyoubelieveinGod,yourself?

IbelieveinRussia....Ibelieveinherorthodoxy....IbelieveinthebodyofChrist....I
believethatthenewadventwilltakeplaceinRussia....Ibelieve...Shatovmuttered
frantically.

AndinGod?InGod?

I...IwillbelieveinGod.

NotonemusclemovedinStavrogin'sface.Shatovlookedpassionatelyanddefiantlyathim,
asthoughhewouldhavescorchedhimwithhiseyes.

Ihaven'ttoldyouthatIdon'tbelieve,,hecriedatlast.IwillonlyhaveyouknowthatIam
a luckless, tedious book, and nothing more so far, so far. . . . But confound me! We're
discussingyounotme....I'mamanofnotalent,andcanonlygivemyblood,nothingmore,
likeeverymanwithouttalent;nevermindmybloodeither!I'mtalkingaboutyou.I'vebeen
waitingheretwoyearsforyou....HereI'vebeendancingaboutinmynakednessbeforeyou
forthelasthalfhour.You,onlyyoucanraisethatflag!...

Hebrokeoff,andsatasthoughindespair,withhiselbowsonthetableandhisheadinhis
hands.

Imerelymentionitassomethingqueer,Stavrogininterruptedsuddenly.Everyonefor
someinexplicablereasonkeepsfoistingaflaguponme.PyotrVerhovensky,too,isconvinced
thatImight'raisehisflag,'that'showhiswordswererepeatedtome,anyway.Hehastakenit
into his head that I'm capable of playing the part of Stenka Razin for them, 'from my
extraordinaryaptitudeforcrime,'hissayingtoo.

What?criedShatov,'fromyourextraordinaryaptitudeforcrime'?

Justso.
H'm!Andisittrue?heasked,withanangrysmile.Isittruethatwhenyouwerein
Petersburgyoubelongedtoasecretsocietyforpractisingbeastlysensuality?Isittruethatyou
couldgivelessonstotheMarquisdeSade?Isittruethatyoudecoyedandcorruptedchildren?
Speak,don'tdaretolie,hecried,besidehimself.NikolayStavrogincannotlietoShatov,
whostruckhimintheface.Tellmeeverything,andifit'strueI'llkillyou,here,onthespot!

Ididtalklikethat,butitwasnotIwhooutragedchildren,Stavroginbroughtout,aftera
silencethatlastedtoolong.Heturnedpaleandhiseyesgleamed.

Butyoutalkedlikethat,Shatovwentonimperiously,keepinghisflashingeyesfastened
uponhim.Isittruethatyoudeclaredthatyousawnodistinctioninbeautybetweensome
brutal obscene action and any great exploit, even the sacrifice of life for the good of
humanity? Is it true that you have found identical beauty, equal enjoyment, in both
extremes?

It'simpossibletoanswerlikethis....Iwon'tanswer,mutteredStavrogin,whomightwell
havegotupandgoneaway,butwhodidnotgetupandgoaway.

Idon'tknoweitherwhyevilishatefulandgoodisbeautiful,butIknowwhythesenseof
thatdistinctioniseffacedandlostinpeopleliketheStavrogins,Shatovpersisted,trembling
allover.Doyouknowwhyyoumadethatbaseandshamefulmarriage?Simplybecausethe
shameandsenselessnessofitreachedthepitchofgenius!Oh,youarenotoneofthosewho
lingeronthebrink.Youflyheadforemost.Youmarriedfromapassionformartyrdom,from
acravingforremorse,throughmoralsensuality.Itwasalacerationofthenerves...Defiance
ofcommonsensewastootempting.Stavroginandawretched,halfwitted,crippledbeggar!
Whenyoubitthegovernor'seardidyoufeelsensualpleasure?Didyou?Youidle,loafing,
littlesnob.Didyou1

You're a psychologist, said Stavrogin, turning paler and paler, though you're partly
mistakenastothereasonsofmymarriage.Butwhocanhavegivenyouallthisinformation?
heasked,smiling,withaneffort.WasitKirillov?Buthehadnothingtodowithit.

Youturnpale.

Butwhatisityouwant?NikolayVsyevolodovitchasked,raisinghisvoiceatlast.I've
beensittingunderyourlashforthelasthalfhour,andyoumightatleastletmegocivilly.
Unlessyoureallyhavesomereasonableobjectintreatingmelikethis.

Reasonableobject?

Ofcourse,you'reindutybound,anyway,toletmeknowyourobject.I'vebeenexpecting
youtodosoallthetime,butyou'veshownmenothingsofarbutfrenziedspite.Ibegyouto
openthegateforme.

Hegotupfromthechair.Shatovrushedfranticallyafterhim.Kisstheearth,wateritwith
yourtears,prayforforgiveness,hecried,clutchinghimbytheshoulder.
Ididn'tkillyou...thatmorning,though...Idrewbackmyhands...Stavroginbroughtout
almostwithanguish,keepinghiseyesontheground.

Speakout!Speakout!Youcametowarnmeofdanger.Youhaveletmespeak.Youmean
tomorrowtoannounceyourmarriagepublicly....DoyousupposeIdon'tseefromyourface
thatsomenewmenacingideaisdominatingyou?...Stavrogin,whyamIcondemnedto
believeinyouthroughalleternity?CouldIspeaklikethistoanyoneelse?Ihavemodesty,
butIamnotashamedofmynakednessbecauseit'sStavroginIamspeakingto.Iwasnot
afraidofcaricaturingagrandideabyhandlingitbecauseStavroginwaslisteningtome....
Shan'tIkissyourfootprintswhenyou'vegone?Ican'ttearyououtofmyheart,Nikolay
Stavrogin!

I'msorryIcan'tfeelaffectionforyou,Shatov,Stavroginrepliedcoldly.

Iknowyoucan't,andIknowyouarenotlying.Listen.Icansetitallright.Ican'catchyour
hare'foryou.

Stavrogindidnotspeak.

You'reanatheistbecauseyou'reasnob,asnobofthesnobs.You'velostthedistinction
betweengoodandevilbecauseyou'velosttouchwithyourownpeople.Anewgenerationis
coming,straightfromtheheartofthepeople,andyouwillknownothingofit,neitheryounor
theVerhovenskys,fatherorson;norI,forI'masnobtooI,thesonofyourserfandlackey,
Pashka....Listen.AttaintoGodbywork;itallliesinthat;ordisappearlikerottenmildew.
AttaintoHimbywork.

Godbywork?Whatsortofwork?

Peasants'work.Go,giveupallyourwealth....Ah!youlaugh,you'reafraidofsometrick?

ButStavroginwasnotlaughing.

YousupposethatonemayattaintoGodbywork,andbypeasants'work,herepeated,
reflectingasthoughhehadreallycomeacrosssomethingnewandseriouswhichwasworth
considering.Bytheway,hepassedsuddenlytoanewidea,youremindedmejustnow.Do
youknowthatI'mnotrichatall,thatI'venothingtogiveup?I'mscarcelyinapositioneven
toprovideforMaryaTimofyevna'sfuture....Anotherthing:Icametoaskyouifitwouldbe
possibleforyoutoremainnearMaryaTimofyevnainthefixture,asyouaretheonlyperson
whohassomeinfluenceoverherpoorbrain.Isaythissoastobepreparedforanything.

Allright,allright.You'respeakingofMaryaTimofyevna,saidShatov,wavingonehand,
whileheheldacandleintheother.Allright.Afterwards,ofcourse....Listen.Goto
Tihon.

Towhom?
ToTihon,whousedtobeabishop.Helivesretirednow,onaccountofillness,hereinthe
town,intheBogorodskymonastery.''

Whatdoyoumean?

Nothing.Peoplegoandseehim.Yougo.Whatisittoyou?Whatisittoyou?

It'sthefirsttimeI'veheardofhim,and...I'veneverseenanythingofthatsortofpeople.
Thankyou,I'llgo.

Thisway.

Shatovlightedhimdownthestairs.Goalong.Heflungopenthegateintothestreet.

Ishan'tcometoyouanymore,Shatov,saidStavroginquietlyashesteppedthroughthe
gateway.

Thedarknessandtheraincontinuedasbefore.

CHAPTERII.NIGHT(continued)
HE WALKED THE LENGTH of Bogoyavlensky Street. At last the road began to go
downhill;hisfeetslippedinthemudandsuddenlytherelayopenbeforehimawide,misty,as
itwereemptyexpansetheriver.Thehouseswerereplacedbyhovels;thestreetwaslostina
multitudeofirregularlittlealleys.

NikolayVsyevolodovitchwasalongwhilemakinghiswaybetweenthefences,keepingclose
totheriverbank,butfindinghiswayconfidently,andscarcelygivingitathoughtindeed.He
wasabsorbedinsomethingquitedifferent,andlookedroundwithsurprisewhensuddenly,
wakingupfromaprofoundreverie,hefoundhimselfalmostinthemiddleofonelong,wet,
floatingbridge.

Therewasnotasoultobeseen,sothatitseemedstrangetohimwhensuddenly,almostathis
elbow,heheardadeferentiallyfamiliar,butratherpleasant,voice,withasuaveintonation,
suchasisaffectedbyouroverrefinedtradespeopleorbefrizzledyoungshopassistants.

Willyoukindlyallowme,sir,toshareyourumbrella?

Thereactuallywasafigurethatcreptunderhisumbrella,ortriedtoappeartodoso.The
trampwaswalkingbesidehim,almostfeelinghiselbow,asthesoldierssay.Slackeninghis
pace,NikolayVsyevolodovitchbentdowntolookmoreclosely,asfarashecould,inthe
darkness.Itwasashortman,andseemedlikeanartisanwhohadbeendrinking;hewas
shabbilyandscantilydressed;aclothcap,soakedbytherainandwiththebrimhalftornoff,
perchedonhisshaggy,curlyhead.Helookedathin,vigorous,swarthymanwithdarkhair;
hiseyeswerelargeandmusthavebeenblack,withahardglitterandayellowtingeinthem,
likeagipsy's;thatcouldbedivinedeveninthedarkness.Hewasaboutforty,andwasnot
drunk.

Do you know me? asked Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch. Mr. Stavrogin, Nikolay

Vsyevolodovitch.Youwere pointedouttomeatthe station, whenthe trainstoppedlast
Sunday,thoughIhadheardenoughofyoubeforehand.

PromPyotrStepanovitch?Areyou...Fedkatheconvict?

IwaschristenedFyodorFyodorovitch.Mymotherislivingtothisdayintheseparts;she'san
oldwoman,andgrowsmoreandmorebenteveryday.ShepraystoGodforme,dayand
night,sothatshedoesn'twasteheroldagelyingonthestove.

Youescapedfromprison?

I'vehadachangeofluck.IgaveupbooksandbellsandchurchgoingbecauseI'dalife
sentence,sothatIhadaverylongtimetofinishmyterm.

Whatareyoudoinghere?

Well,IdowhatIcan.Myuncle,too,diedlastweekinprisonhere.Hewasthereforfalse
coin,soIthrewtwodozenstonesatthedogsbywayofmemorial.That'sallI'vebeendoing
sofar.MoreoverPyotrStepanovitchgivesmehopesofapassport,andamerchant'sone,too,
togoalloverRussia,soI'mwaitingonhiskindness.'Because,'sayshe,'mypapalostyouat
cardsattheEnglishclub,andI,'sayshe,'findthatinhumanityunjust.'Youmighthavethe
kindnesstogivemethreeroubles,sir,foraglasstowarmmyself.

Soyou'vebeenspyingonme.Idon'tlikethat.Bywhoseorders?

Astoorders,it'snothingofthesort;it'ssimplythatIknewofyourbenevolence,whichis
knowntoalltheworld.Allweget,asyouknow,isanarmfulofhay,oraprodwithafork.
LastFridayIfilledmyselfasfullofpieasMartindidofsoap;sincethenIdidn'teatoneday,
andthedayafterIfasted,andonthethirdI'dnothingagain.I'vehadmyfillofwaterfromthe
river.I'mbreedingfishinmybelly....Sowon'tyourhonourgivemesomething?I'vea
sweetheartexpectingmenotfarfromhere,butIdaren'tshowmyselftoherwithoutmoney.

WhatdidPyotrStepanovitchpromiseyoufromme?

Hedidn'texactlypromiseanything,butonlysaidthatImightbeofusetoyourhonourifmy
luckturnsoutgood,buthowexactlyhedidn'texplain;forPyotrStepanovitchwantstoseeifI
havethepatienceofaCossack,andfeelsnosortofconfidenceinme.

Why?

PyotrStepanovitchisanastronomer,andhaslearntallGod'splanets,butevenhemaybe
criticised.Istandbeforeyou,sir,asbeforeGod,becauseIhaveheardsomuchaboutyou.
PyotrStepanovitchisonething,butyou,sir,maybe,aresomethingelse.Whenhe'ssaidofa
manhe'sascoundrel,heknowsnothingmoreabouthimexceptthathe'sascoundrel.Orif
he'ssaidhe'safool,thenthatmanhasnocallingwithhimexceptthatoffool.ButImaybea
foolTuesdayandWednesday,andonThursdaywiserthanhe.Herenowheknowsaboutme
thatI'mawfullysicktogetapassport,forthere'snogettingoninRussiawithoutpapersso
he thinks that he's snared my soul. I tell you, sir, life's a very easy business for Pyotr
Stepanovitch,forhefanciesamantobethisandthat,andgoesonasthoughhereallywas.
And,what'smore,he'sbeastlystingy.It'shisnotionthat,apartfromhim,Idaren'ttrouble
you,butIstandbeforeyou,sir,asbeforeGod.ThisisthefourthnightI'vebeenwaitingfor
yourhonouronthisbridge,toshowthatIcanfindmyownwayonthequiet,withouthim.I'd
betterbowtoaboot,thinksI,thantoapeasant'sshoe.

AndwhotoldyouthatIwasgoingtocrossthebridgeatnight?

Well,that,I'llown,cameoutbychance,mostthroughCaptainLebyadkin'sfoolishness,
becausehecan'tkeepanythingtohimself....Sothatthreeroublesfromyourhonourwould
paymeforthewearytimeI'vehadthesethreedaysandnights.AndtheclothesI'vehad
soaked,Ifeelthattoomuchtospeakofit.

I'mgoingtotheleft;you'llgototheright.Here'stheendofthebridge.Listen,Fyodor;Ilike
peopletounderstandwhatIsay,onceforall.Iwon'tgiveyouafarthing.Don'tmeetmein
futureonthebridgeoranywhere.I'venoneedofyou,andnevershallhave,andifyoudon't
obey,I'lltieyouandtakeyoutothepolice.March!

Ehheh!Flingmesomethingformycompany,anyhow.I'vecheeredyouonyourway.

Beoff!

Butdoyouknowthewayhere?Thereareallsortsofturnings....Icouldguideyou;forthis
townisforalltheworldasthoughthedevilcarrieditinhisbasketanddroppeditinbitshere
andthere.

I'lltieyouup!saidNikolayVsyevolodovitch,turninguponhimmenacingly.

Perhapsyou'llchangeyourmind,sir;it'seasytoilltreatthehelpless.

Well,Iseeyoucanrelyonyourself!

Irelyuponyou,sir,andnotverymuchonmyself....

I'venoneedofyouatall.I'vetoldyousoalready.

ButIhaveneed,that'showitis!Ishallwaitforyouonthewayback.There'snothingforit.

IgiveyoumywordofhonourifImeetyouI'lltieyouup.

Well,I'llgetabeltreadyforyoutotiemewith.Aluckyjourneytoyou,sir.Youkeptthe
helplesssnugunderyourUmbrella.ForthataloneI'llbegratefultoyoutomydyingday.He
fellbehind.NikolayVsyevolodovitchwalkedontohisdestination,feelingdisturbed.This
manwhohaddroppedfromtheskywasabsolutelyconvincedthatheWasindispensableto
him, Stavrogin, and was in insolent haste to tell him so. He was being treated
unceremoniouslyallround.Butitwaspossible,too,thatthetramphadnotbeenaltogether
lying, and had tried to force his services upon him on his own initiative, without Pyotr
Stepanovitch'sknowledge,andthatwouldbemorecuriousstill.

II

The house which Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch had reached stood alone in a deserted lane
betweenfences,beyondwhichmarketgardensstretched,attheveryendofthetown.ItWasa
verysolitarylittlewoodenhouse,whichwasonlyjustbuiltandnotyetweatherboarded.In
oneofthelittlewindowstheshutterswerenotyetclosed,andtherewasacandlestandingon
thewindowledge,evidentlyasasignaltothelateguestwhowasexpectedthatnight.Thirty
pacesawayStavroginmadeoutonthedoorstepthefigureofatallman,evidentlythemaster
ofthehouse,whohadcomeouttostareimpatientlyUptheroad.Heheardhisvoice,too,
impatientand,asitwere,timid.

Isthatyou?You?

Yes,respondedNikolayVsyevolodovitch,butnottillhehadmountedthestepsandwas
foldinguphisumbrella.

Atlast,sir.CaptainLebyadkin,foritwashe,ranfussilytoandfro.Letmetakeyour
umbrella,please.It'sverywet;I'llopenitonthefloorhere,inthecorner.Pleasewalkin.
Pleasewalkin.

Thedoorwasopenfromthepassageintoaroomthatwaslightedbytwocandles.

Ifithadnotbeenforyourpromisethatyouwouldcertainlycome,Ishouldhavegivenup
expectingyou.

Aquartertoone,saidNikolayVsyevolodovitch,lookingathiswatch,ashewentintothe
room.

Andinthisrain;andsuchaninterestingdistance.I'venoclock...andtherearenothingbut
marketgardensroundme...sothatyoufallbehindthetimes.NotthatImurmurexactly;forI
darenot,Idarenot,butonlybecauseI'vebeendevouredwithimpatiencealltheweek...to
havethingssettledatlast.

Howso?

Tohearmyfate,NikolayVsyevolodovitch.Pleasesitdown.

Hebowed,pointingtoaseatbythetable,beforethesofa.
NikolayVsyevolodovitchlookedround.Theroomwastinyandlowpitched.Thefurniture
consistedonlyofthemostessentialarticles,plainwoodenchairsandasofa,alsonewlymade
withoutcoveringorcushions.Thereweretwotablesoflimewood;onebythesofa,andthe
otherinthecornerwascoveredwithatablecloth,laidwiththingsoverwhichacleantable
napkinhadbeenthrown.And,indeed,thewholeroomwasobviouslykeptextremelyclean.

CaptainLebyadkinhadnotbeendrunkforeightdays.Hisfacelookedbloatedandyellow.
Hiseyeslookeduneasy,inquisitive,andobviouslybewildered.Itwasonlytooevidentthathe
didnotknowwhattonehecouldadopt,andwhatlineitwouldbemostadvantageousforhim
totake.

Here,heindicatedhissurroundings,IlivelikeZossima.Sobriety,solitude,andpoverty
thevowoftheknightsofold.

Youimaginethattheknightsofoldtooksuchvows?

Perhaps I'm mistaken. Alas! I have no culture. I've ruined all. Believe me, Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitch,herefirstIhaverecoveredfromshamefulpropensitiesnotaglassnora
drop!Ihaveahome,andforsixdayspastIhaveexperiencedaconscienceatease.Eventhe
wallssmellofresinandremindmeofnature.AndwhathaveIbeen;whatwasI?

'Atnightwithoutabed

Iwander
Andmytongueputoutbyday

...'
tousethewordsofapoetofgenius.Butyou'rewetthrough....Wouldn'tyoulikesometea?

Don'ttrouble.

Thesamovarhasbeenboilingsinceeighto'clock,butitwentoutatlastlikeeverythingin
thisworld.Thesun,too,theysay,willgooutinitsturn.ButifyoulikeI'llgetupthe
samovar.Agafyaisnotasleep.

Tellme,MaryaTimofyevna...

She'shere,here,Lebyadkinrepliedatonce,inawhisper.Wouldyouliketohavealookat
her?Hepointedtothecloseddoortothenextroom.She'snotasleep?

Oh,no,no.Howcouldshebe?Onthecontrary,she'sbeenexpectingyoualltheevening,
andassoonassheheardyouwerecomingshebeganmakinghertoilet.

Hewasjusttwistinghismouthintoajocosesmile,butheinstantlycheckedhimself.

Howisshe,onthewhole?askedNikolayVsyevolodovitch,frowning.
Onthewhole?Youknowthatyourself,sir.Heshruggedhisshoulderscommiseratingly.
Butjustnow...justnowshe'stellingherfortunewithcards....

Verygood.Lateron.FirstofallImustfinishwithyou.

NikolayVsyevolodovitchsettledhimselfinachair.Thecaptaindidnotventuretositdown
onthesofa,butatoncemovedupanotherchairforhimself,andbentforwardtolisten,ina
tremorofexpectation.

Whathaveyougotthereunderthetablecloth?askedNikolayVsyevolodovitch,suddenly
noticingit.

That?saidLebyadkin,turningtowardsitalso.That'sfromyourgenerosity,bywayof
housewarming,sotosay;consideringalsothelengthofthewalk,andyournaturalfatigue,
hesniggeredingratiatingly.Thenhegotupontiptoe,andrespectfullyandcarefullyliftedthe
tableclothfromthetableinthecorner.Underitwasseenaslightmeal:ham,veal,sardines,
cheese,alittlegreendecanter,andalongbottleofBordeaux.Everythinghadbeenlaidneatly,
expertly,andalmostdaintily.

Wasthatyoureffort?

Yes,sir.EversinceyesterdayI'vedonemybest,andalltodoyouhonour....Marya
Timofyevnadoesn'ttroubleherself,asyouknow,onthatscore.Andwhat'smoreitsallfrom
yourliberality,yourownproviding,asyou'rethemasterofthehouseandnotI,andI'monly,
sotosay,youragent.Allthesame,allthesame,NikolayVsyevolodovitch,allthesame,in
spirit, I'm independent! Don't take away from me this last possession! he finished up
pathetically.

H'm!Youmightsitdownagain.

Graateful, grateful,andindependent.Hesat down. Ah, NikolayVsyevolodovitch,so

muchhasbeenfermentinginthisheartthatIhavenotknownhowtowaitforyourcoming.
Nowyouwilldecidemyfate,and...thatunhappycreature's,andthen...shallIpouroutall
IfeeltoyouasIusedtoinolddays,fouryearsago?Youdeignedtolistentomethen,you
readmyverses....TheymightcallmeyourFalstafffromShakespeareinthosedays,butyou
meantsomuchinmylife!Ihavegreatterrorsnow,anditsonlytoyouIlookforcounseland
light.PyotrStepanovitchistreatingmeabominably!

NikolayVsyevolodovitchlistenedwithinterest,andlookedathimattentively.Itwasevident
thatthoughCaptainLebyadkinhadleftoffdrinkinghewasfarfrombeinginaharmonious
state of mind. Drunkards of many years' standing, like Lebyadkin, often show traces of
incoherence,ofmentalcloudiness,ofsomething,asitwere,damaged,andcrazy,thoughthey
maydeceive,cheat,andswindle,almostaswellasanybodyifoccasionarises.

Iseethatyouhaven'tchangedabitinthesefouryearsandmore,captain,saidNikolay
Vsyevolodovitch,somewhatmoreamiably.Itseems,infact,asthoughthesecondhalfofa
man'slifeisusuallymadeupofnothingbutthehabitshehasaccumulatedduringthefirst
half.

Grandwords!Yousolvetheriddleoflife!saidthecaptain,halfcunningly,halfingenuine
andunfeignedadmiration,forhewasagreatloverofwords.Ofallyoursayings,Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitch,Irememberonethingaboveall;youwereinPetersburgwhenyousaidit:
'Onemustreallybeagreatmantobeabletomakeastandevenagainstcommonsense.'That
wasit.

Yes,andafoolaswell.

Afoolaswell,maybe.Butyou'vebeenscatteringcleversayingsallyourlife,whilethey...
ImagineLiputin,imaginePyotrStepanovitchsayinganythinglikethat!Oh,howcruellyPyotr
Stepanovitchhastreatedme!

Buthowaboutyourself,captain?Whatcanyousayofyourbehaviour?

Drunkenness,andthemultitudeofmyenemies.Butnowthat'sallover,allover,andIhavea
newskin,likeasnake.Doyouknow,NikolayVsyevolodovitch,Iammakingmywill;infact,
I'vemadeitalready?

That'sinteresting.Whatareyouleaving,andtowhom?

Tomyfatherland,tohumanity,andtothestudents.NikolayVsyevolodovitch,Ireadinthe
paperthebiographyofanAmerican.Heleftallhisvastfortunetofactoriesandtotheexact
sciences,andhisskeletontothestudentsoftheacademythere,andhisskintobemadeintoa
drum,sothattheAmericannationalhymnmightbebeatenuponitdayandnight.Alas!we
are pigmies in mind compared with the soaring thought of the States of North America.
Russiaistheplayofnaturebutnotofmind.IfIweretotryleavingmyskinforadrum,for
instance,totheAkmolinskyinfantryregiment,inwhichIhadthehonourofbeginningmy
service,onconditionofbeatingtheRussiannationalhymnuponiteveryday,infaceofthe
regiment,they'dtakeitforliberalismandprohibitmyskin...andsoIconfinemyselftothe
students.Iwanttoleavemyskeletontotheacademy,butontheconditionthough,onthe
conditionthatalabelshouldbestuckontheforeheadforeverandever,withthewords:'A
repentantfreethinker.'Therenow!

Thecaptainspokeexcitedly,andgenuinelybelieved,ofcourse,thattherewassomethingfine
in the American will, but he was cunning too, and very anxious to entertain Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitch,withwhomhehadplayedthepartofabuffoonforalongtimeinthepast.
Butthelatterdidnotevensmile,onthecontrary,heasked,asitwere,suspiciously:

Soyouintendtopublishyourwillinyourlifetimeandgetrewardedforit?

AndwhatifIdo,NikolayVsyevolodovitch?WhatifIdo?saidLebyadkin,watchinghim
carefully.WhatsortofluckhaveIhad?I'vegivenupwritingpoetry,andatonetimeeven
youwereamusedbymyverses,NikolayVsyevolodovitch.Doyourememberourreading
themoverabottle?Butit'salloverwithmypen.I'vewrittenonlyonepoem,likeGogol's
'TheLastStory.'DoyourememberheproclaimedtoRussiathatitbrokespontaneouslyfrom
hisbosom?It'sthesamewithme;I'vesungmylastandit'sover.

Whatsortofpoem?

'Incasesheweretobreakherleg.'

Whaat?

Thatwasallthecaptainwaswaitingfor.Hehadanunboundedadmirationforhisownpoems,
but,throughacertaincunningduplicity,hewaspleased,too,thatNikolayVsyevolodovitch
alwaysmademerryoverhispoems,andsometimeslaughedatthemimmoderately.Inthis
wayhekilledtwobirdswithonestone,satisfyingatoncehispoeticalaspirationsandhis
desire tobe of service; but nowhe had a thirdspecial andveryticklishobject in view.
Bringinghisversesonthescene,thecaptainthoughttoexculpatehimselfononepointabout
which,forsomereason,healwaysfelthimselfmostapprehensive,andmostguilty.

'Incaseofherbreakingherleg.'Thatis,ofherridingonhorseback.It'safantasy,Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitch,awildfancy,butthefancyofapoet.OnedayIwasstruckbymeetinga
ladyonhorseback,andaskedmyselfthevitalquestion,'Whatwouldhappenthen?'Thatis,in
caseofaccident.Allherfollowersturnaway,allhersuitorsaregone.Aprettykettleoffish.
Only the poet remains faithful, with his heart shattered in his breast, Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitch.Evenalousemaybeinlove,andisnotforbiddenbylaw.Andyetthelady
wasoffendedbytheletterandtheverses.I'mtoldthatevenyouwereangry.Wereyou?I
wouldn't believe in anything so grievous. Whom could I harm simply by imagination?
Besides,Iswearonmyhonour,Liputinkeptsaying,'Sendit,sendit,'everyman,however
humble,hasarighttosendaletter!AndsoIsentit.

Youofferedyourselfasasuitor,Iunderstand.

Enemies,enemies,enemies?

Repeattheverses,saidNikolayVsyevolodovitchsternly.

Ravings,ravings,morethananything.

However,hedrewhimselfup,stretchedouthishand,andbegan:

Withbrokenlimbsmybeauteousqueen

Istwiceascharmingasbefore,

And,deepinloveasIhavebeen,

TodayIloveherevenmore.
Come,that'senough,saidNikolayVsyevolodovitch,awaveofhishand.

IdreamofPetersburg,criedLebyadkin,passingquicklytoanothersubject,asthoughthere
hadbeennomentionofverses.

Idreamofregeneration....Benefactor!MayIreckonthatyouwon'trefusethemeansfor
thejourney?I'vebeenwaitingforyoualltheweekasmysunshine.

I'lldonothingofthesort.I'vescarcelyanymoneyleft.AndwhyshouldIgiveyoumoney?

NikolayVsyevolodovitchseemedsuddenlyangry.Drylyandbrieflyherecapitulatedallthe
captain'smisdeeds;hisdrunkenness,hislying,hissquanderingofthemoneymeantforMarya
Timofyevna,hishavingtakenherfromthenunnery,hisinsolentlettersthreateningtopublish
thesecret,thewayhehadbehavedaboutDaryaPavlovna,andsoon,andsoon.Thecaptain
heaved,gesticulated,begantoreply,buteverytimeNikolayVsyevolodovitchstoppedhim.
peremptorily.

Andlisten,heobservedatlast,youkeepwritingabout'familydisgrace.'Whatdisgraceis
ittoyouthatyoursisteristhelawfulwifeofaStavrogin?

Butmarriageinsecret,NikolayVsyevolodovitchafatalsecret.Ireceivemoneyfromyou,
andI'msuddenlyaskedthequestion,'What'sthatmoneyfor?'Myhandsaretied;Icannot
answertothedetrimentofmysister,tothedetrimentofthefamilyhonour.

Thecaptainraisedhisvoice.Helikedthatsubjectandreckonedboldlyuponit.Alas!hedid
notrealisewhatablowwasinstoreforhim.

Calmlyandexactly,asthoughhewerespeakingofthemosteverydayarrangement,Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchinformedhimthatinafewdays,perhapseventomorroworthedayafter,
he intended to make his marriage known everywhere, to the police as well as to local
society.Andsothequestionoffamilyhonourwouldbesettledonceforall,andwithitthe
questionofsubsidy.Thecaptain'seyeswerereadytodropoutofhishead;hepositivelycould
nottakeitin.Ithadtobeexplainedtohim.

Butsheis...crazy.

Ishallmakesuitablearrangements.

But...howaboutyourmother?

Well,shemustdoasshelikes.

Butwillyoutakeyourwifetoyourhouse?

Perhapsso.Butthatisabsolutelynothingtodowithyouandnoconcernofyours.
Noconcernofmine!criedthecaptain.Whataboutmethen?

Well,certainlyyouwon'tcomeintomyhouse.

But,youknow,I'marelation.

Onedoesone'sbesttoescapefromsuchrelations.WhyshouldIgoongivingyoumoney
then?Judgeforyourself.

Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch, Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch, this is impossible. You will think

betterofit,perhaps?Youdon'twanttolayhandsupon....Whatwillpeoplethink?Whatwill
theworldsay?

MuchIcareforyourworld.Imarriedyoursisterwhenthefancytookme,afteradrunken
dinner,forabet,andnowI'llmakeitpublic...sincethatamusesmenow.

Hesaidthiswithapeculiarirritability,sothatLebyadkinbeganwithhorrortobelievehim.

Butme,me?Whataboutme?I'mwhatmattersmost!...Perhapsyou'rejoking,Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitch?

No,I'mnotjoking.

As you will, Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch, but I don't believe you. . . . Then I'll take
proceedings.

You'refearfullystupid,captain.

Maybe,butthisisallthat'sleftme,saidthecaptain,losinghisheadcompletely.Inold
daysweusedtogetfreequarters,anyway,fortheworkshedidinthe'corners.'Butwhatwill
happennowifyouthrowmeoveraltogether?

ButyouwanttogotoPetersburgtotryanewcareer.Bytheway,isittruewhatIhear,that
youmeantogoandgiveinformation,inthehopeofobtainingapardon,bybetrayingallthe
others?

Thecaptainstoodgapingwithwideopeneyes,andmadenoanswer.

Listen, captain,Stavroginbegansuddenly,withgreat earnestness, bendingdowntothe

table.Untilthenhehadbeentalking,asitwere,ambiguously,sothatLebyadkin,whohad
wideexperienceinplayingthepartofbuffoon,wasuptothelastmomentatrifleuncertain
whetherhispatronwerereallyangryorsimplyputtingiton;whetherhereallyhadthewild
intention ofmakinghismarriage public, or whether he were onlyplaying. NowNikolay
Vsyevolodovitch'ssternexpressionwassoconvincingthatashiverrandownthecaptain's
back.
Listen,andtellthetruth,Lebyadkin.Haveyoubetrayedanythingyet,ornot?Haveyou
succeededindoinganythingreally?Haveyousentalettertosomebodyinyourfoolishness?

No,Ihaven't...andIhaven'tthoughtofdoingit,saidthecaptain,lookingfixedlyathim.

That's a lie, that you haven't thought of doing it. That's what you're asking to go to
Petersburgfor.Ifyouhaven'twritten,haveyoublabbedtoanybodyhere?Speakthetruth.I've
heardsomething.

WhenIwasdrunk,toLiputin.Liputin'satraitor.Iopenedmyhearttohim,whisperedthe
poorcaptain.

That'sallverywell,butthere'snoneedtobeanass.Ifyouhadanideayoushouldhavekept
ittoyourself.Sensiblepeopleholdtheirtonguesnowadays;theydon'tgochattering.

NikolayVsyevolodovitch!saidthecaptain,quaking.You'vehadnothingtodowithit
yourself;it'snotyouI've...

Yes.Youwouldn'thaveventuredtokillthegoosethatlaidyourgoldeneggs.

Judgeforyourself,NikolayVsyevolodovitch,judgeforyourself,and,indespair,withtears,
thecaptainbeganhurriedlyrelatingthestoryofhislifeforthelastfouryears.Itwasthemost
stupidstoryofafool,drawnintomattersthatdidnotconcernhim,andinhisdrunkennessand
debaucheryunable,tillthelastminute,tograsptheirimportance.Hesaidthatbeforeheleft
Petersburg'hehadbeendrawnin,atfirstsimplythroughfriendship,likearegularstudent,
althoughhewasn'tastudent,'andknowingnothingaboutit,'withoutbeingguiltyofanything,'
hehadscatteredvariouspapersonstaircases,leftthembydozensatdoors,onbellhandles,
hadthrusttheminasthoughtheywerenewspapers,takenthemtothetheatre,putthemin
people'shats,andslippedthemintopockets.Afterwardshehadtakenmoneyfromthem,'for
what means had I? 'He had distributed all sorts of rubbish through the districts of two
provinces.Oh,NikolayVsyevolodovitch!heexclaimed,whatrevoltedmemostwasthat
thiswasutterlyopposedtocivic,andstillmoretopatrioticlaws.Theysuddenlyprintedthat
menweretogooutwithpitchforks,andtorememberthatthosewhowentoutpoorinthe
morning might go home rich at night. Only think of it! It made me shudder, and yet I
distributedit.OrsuddenlyfiveorsixlinesaddressedtothewholeofRussia,aproposof
nothing,'Makehasteandlockupthechurches,abolishGod,doawaywithmarriage,destroy
therightofinheritance,takeupyourknives,that'sall,andGodknowswhatitmeans.tell
you,Ialmostgotcaughtwiththisfivelineleaflet.Theofficersintheregimentgavemea
thrashing,but,blessthemforit,letmego.AndlastyearIwasalmostcaughtwhenIpassed
offFrenchcounterfeitnotesforfiftyroublesonKorovayev,but,thankGod,Korovayevfell
intothepondwhenhewasdrunk,andwasdrownedinthenickoftime,andtheydidn't
succeedintrackingme.Here,atVirginsky's,Iproclaimedthefreedomofthecommunistic
wife.InJuneIwasdistributingmanifestoesagaininXdistrict.Theysaytheywillmakeme
doitagain....PyotrStepanovitchsuddenlygavemetounderstandthatImustobey;he's
beenthreateningmealongtime.HowhetreatedmethatSunday!NikolayVsyevolodovitch,I
amaslave,Iamaworm,butnotaGod,whichiswhereIdifferfromDerzhavin.*ButI'veno
income,noincome!

NikolayVsyevolodovitchhearditallwithcuriosity.

A great deal of that I had heard nothing of, he said. Of course, anything may have
happenedtoyou...,Listen,hesaid,afteraminute'sthought.Ifyoulike,youcantellthem,
you know whom, that Liputin was lying, and that you were only pretending to give
informationtofrightenme,supposingthatI,too,wascompromised,andthatyoumightget
moremoneyoutofmethatway....Doyouunderstand?

DearNikolayVsyevolodovitch,isitpossiblethatthere'ssuchadangerhangingovermeI
I'vebeenlongingforyoutocome,toaskyou.

NikolayVsyevolodovitchlaughed.

Theycertainlywouldn'tletyougotoPetersburg,evenifIweretogiveyoumoneyforthe
journey.*...Butit'stimeformetoseeMaryaTimofyevna.Andhegotupfromhischair.

NikolayVsyevolodovitch,buthowaboutMaryaTimofyevna?

Why,asItoldyou.

Canitbetrue?

Youstilldon'tbelieveit?

Willyoureallycastmeofflikeanoldwornoutshoe?

I'llsee,laughedNikolayVsyevolodovitch.Come,letmego.

Wouldn'tyoulikemetostandonthesteps...forfearImightbychanceoverhearsomething
...fortheroomsaresmall?

That'saswell.Standonthesteps.Takemyumbrella.

Yourumbrella....AmIworthit?saidthecaptainoversweetly.

*ThereferenceistoapoemofDerzhavin's.

Anyoneisworthyofanumbrella.

Atonestrokeyoudefinetheminimumofhumanrights....

But he was by now muttering mechanically. He was too much crushed by what he had
learned,andwascompletelythrownoutofhisreckoning.Andyetalmostassoonashehad
goneoutontothestepsandhadputuptheumbrella,therehisshallowandcunningbrain
caughtagaintheeverpresent,comfortingideathathewasbeingcheatedanddeceived,andif
sotheywereafraidofhim,andtherewasnoneedforhimtobeafraid.

Ifthey'relyinganddeceivingme,what'satthebottomofit?wasthethoughtthatgnawedat
hismind.Thepublicannouncementofthemarriageseemedtohimabsurd.It'struethatwith
suchawonderworkeranythingmaycometopass;helivestodoharm.Butwhatifhe'safraid
himself,sincetheinsultofSunday,andafraidashe'sneverbeenbefore?Andsohe'sina
hurrytodeclarethathe'llannounceithimself,fromfearthatIshouldannounceit.Eh,don't
blunder,Lebyadkin!Andwhydoeshecomeonthesly,atnight,ifhemeanstomakeitpublic
himself?Andifhe'safraid,itmeansthathe'safraidnow,atthismoment, forthese few
days....Eh,don'tmakeamistake,Lebyadkin!

HescaresmewithPyotrStepanovitch.Oy,I'mfrightened,I'mfrightened!Yes,thisiswhat's
sofrightening!AndwhatinducedmetoblabtoLiputin.Goodnessknowswhatthesedevils
areupto.Inevercanmakeheadortailofit.Nowtheyareallastiragainastheywerefive
yearsago.TowhomcouldIgiveinformation,indeed?'Haven'tIwrittentoanyoneinmy
foolishness?'H'm!SothenImightwriteasthoughthroughfoolishness?Isn'thegivingmea
hint?'You'regoingtoPetersburgonpurpose.'Theslyrogue.I'vescarcelydreamedofit,and
heguessesmydreams.Asthoughhewereputtingmeuptogoinghimself.It'soneortheother
oftwogameshe'supto.Eitherhe'safraidbecausehe'sbeenuptosomeprankshimself...or
he'snotafraidforhimself,butissimplyeggingmeontogivethemallaway!Ach,it'sterrible,
Lebyadkin!Ach,youmustnotmakeablunder!

Hewassoabsorbedinthoughtthatheforgottolisten.Itwasnoteasytoheareither.Thedoor
wasasolidone,andtheyweretalkinginaverylowvoice.Nothingreachedthecaptainbut
indistinctsounds.Hepositivelyspatindisgust,andwentoutagain,lostinthought,towhistle
onthesteps.

III

Marya Timofyevna's room was twice as large as the one occupied by the captain, and
furnishedinthesameroughstyle;butthetableinfrontofthesofawascoveredwithagay
colouredtablecloth,andonitalampwasburning.Therewasahandsomecarpetonthefloor.
Thebedwasscreenedoffbyagreencurtain,whichranthelengthoftheroom,andbesides
thesofatherestoodbythetablealarge,softeasychair,inwhichMaryaTimofyevnanever
sat,however.Inthecornertherewasanikonastherehadbeeninheroldroom,andalittle
lampwasburningbeforeit,andonthetablewereallherindispensableproperties.Thepack
ofcards,thelittlelookingglass,thesongbook,evenamilkloaf.Besidesthesetherewere
twobookswithcolouredpicturesone,extractsfromapopularbookoftravels,publishedfor
juvenilereading,theotheracollectionofverylight,edifyingtales,forthemostpartaboutthe
daysofchivalry,intendedforChristmaspresentsorschoolreading.Shehad,too,analbumof
photographsofvarioussorts.

MaryaTimofyevnawas,ofcourse,expectingthevisitor,asthecaptainhadannounced.But
whenNikolayVsyevolodovitchwentin,shewasasleep,halfrecliningonthesofa,propped
onawoolworkcushion.Hervisitorclosedthedoorafterhimnoiselessly,and,standingstill,
scrutinisedthesleepingfigure.

The captain had been romancing when he told Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch she had been
dressingherselfup.ShewaswearingthesamedarkdressasonSundayatVarvaraPetrovna's.
Herhairwasdoneupinthesamelittlecloseknotatthebackofherhead;herlongthinneck
wasexposedinthesameway.TheblackshawlVarvaraPetrovnahadgivenherlaycarefully
folded on the sofa. She was coarsely rouged and powdered as before. Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchdidnotstandtheremorethanaminute.Shesuddenlywakedup,asthough
shewereconsciousofhiseyesfixeduponher;sheopenedhereyes,andquicklydrewherself
up.Butsomethingstrangemusthavehappenedtohervisitor:heremainedstandingatthe
sameplacebythedoor.Withafixedandsearchingglancehelookedmutelyandpersistently
intoherface.Perhapsthatlookwastoogrim,perhapstherewasanexpressionofaversionin
it,evenamalignantenjoymentofherfrightifitwerenotafancyleftbyherdreams;but
suddenly, after almost a moment of expectation, the poor woman's face wore a look of
absoluteterror;ittwitchedconvulsively;sheliftedhertremblinghandsandsuddenlyburst
intotears,exactlylikeafrightenedchild;inanothermomentshewouldhavescreamed.But
NikolayVsyevolodovitchpulledhimselftogether;hisfacechangedinoneinstant,andhe
wentuptothetablewiththemostcordialandamiablesmile.

I'msorry,MaryaTimofyevna,Ifrightenedyoucominginsuddenlywhenyouwereasleep,
hesaid,holdingouthishandtoher.

Thesoundofhiscaressingwordsproducedtheireffect.Herfearvanished,althoughshestill
lookedathimwithdismay,evidentlytryingtounderstandsomething.Sheheldoutherhands
timorouslyalso.Atlastashysmilerosetoherlips.

Howdoyoudo,prince?shewhispered,lookingathimstrangely.

Youmusthavehadabaddream,hewenton,withastillmorefriendlyandcordialsmile.

ButhowdoyouknowthatIwasdreamingaboutthat?Andagainshebegantrembling,and
startedback,puttingupherhandasthoughtoprotectherself,onthepointofcryingagain.
Calmyourself.That'senough.Whatareyouafraidof?Surelyyouknowme?saidNikolay
Vsyevolodovitch,tryingtosootheher;butitwaslongbeforehecouldsucceed.Shegazedat
himdumblywiththesamelookofagonisingperplexity,withapainfulideainherpoorbrain,
andshestillseemedtobetryingtoreachsomeconclusion.Atonemomentshedroppedher
eyes,thensuddenlyscrutinisedhiminarapidcomprehensiveglance.Atlast,thoughnot
reassured,sheseemedtocometoaconclusion.

Sitdownbesideme,please,thatImaylookatyouthoroughlylateron,shebroughtoutwith
morefirmness,evidentlywithanewobject.Butdon'tbeuneasy,Iwon'tlookatyounow.I'll
lookdown.Don'tyoulookatmeeithertillIaskyouto.Sitdown,sheadded,withpositive
impatience.
Anewsensationwasobviouslygrowingstrongerandstrongerinher.

NikolayVsyevolodovitchsatdownandwaited.Ratheralongsilencefollowed.

H'm!Itallseemssostrangetome,shesuddenlymutteredalmostdisdainfully.OfcourseI
wasdepressedbybaddreams,butwhyhaveIdreamtofyoulookinglikethat?

Come, let's have done with dreams, he said impatiently, turning to her in spite of her
prohibition,andperhapsthesameexpressiongleamedforamomentinhiseyesagain.Hesaw
thatsheseveraltimeswanted,verymuchinfact,tolookathimagain,butthatsheobstinately
controlledherselfandkepthereyescastdown.

Listen,prince,sheraisedhervoicesuddenly,listenprince....

Whydoyouturnaway?Whydon'tyoulookatme?What'stheobjectofthisfarce?he
cried,losingpatience.

Butsheseemednottohearhim.

Listen,prince,sherepeatedforthethirdtimeinaresolutevoice,withadisagreeable,fussy
expression.Whenyoutoldmeinthecarriagethatourmarriagewasgoingtobemadepublic,
Iwasalarmedattherebeinganendtothemystery.NowIdon'tknow.I'vebeenthinkingitall
over,andIseeclearlythatI'mnotfitforitatall.Iknowhowtodress,andIcouldreceive
guests,perhaps.There'snothingmuchinaskingpeopletohaveacupoftea,especiallywhen
therearefootmen.Butwhatwillpeoplesaythough?IsawagreatdealthatSundaymorning
inthathouse.Thatprettyyoungladylookedatmeallthetime,especiallyafteryoucamein.It
was you came in, wasn't it? Her mother's simply an absurd worldly old woman. My
Lebyadkindistinguishedhimselftoo.Ikeptlookingattheceilingtokeepfromlaughing;the
ceilingthereisfinelypainted.Hismotheroughttobeanabbess.I'mafraidofher,thoughshe
didgivemeablackshawl.Ofcourse,theymustallhavecometostrangeconclusionsabout
me.Iwasn'tvexed,butIsatthere,thinkingwhatrelationamItothem?Ofcourse,froma
countessonedoesn'texpectanybutspiritualqualities;forthedomesticonesshe'sgotplenty
offootmen;andalsoalittleworldlycoquetry,soastobeabletoentertainforeigntravellers.
ButyetthatSundaytheydidlookuponmeashopeless.OnlyDasha'sanangel.I'mawfully
afraidtheymaywoundhimbysomecarelessallusiontome.

Don'tbeafraid,anddon'tbeuneasy,saidNikolayVsyevolodovitch,makingawryface.

However,thatdoesn'tmattertome,ifheisalittleashamedofme,fortherewillalwaysbe
morepitythanshame,thoughitdifferswithpeople,ofcourse.Heknows,tobesure,thatI
oughtrathertopitythemthantheyme.

Youseemtobeverymuchoffendedwiththem,MaryaTimofyevna?

I?Oh,no,shesmiledwithsimpleheartedmirth.Notatall.Ilookedatyouall,then.You
wereallangry,youwereallquarrelling.Theymeettogether,andtheydon'tknowhowto
laughfromtheirhearts.Somuchwealthandsolittlegaiety.Italldisgustsme.ThoughIfeel
fornoonenowexceptmyself.

I'veheardthatyou'vehadahardlifewithyourbrotherwithoutme?

Whotoldyouthat?It'snonsense.It'smuchworsenow.Nowmydreamsarenotgood,and
mydreamsarebad,becauseyou'vecome.Whathaveyoucomefor,I'dliketoknow.Tellme
please?

Wouldn'tyouliketogobackintothenunnery?

Iknewthey'dsuggestthenunneryagain.Yournunneryisafinemarvelforme!Andwhy
shouldIgotoit?WhatshouldIgofornow?I'mallaloneintheworldnow.It'stoolatefor
metobeginathirdlife.

Youseemveryangryaboutsomething.Surelyyou'renotafraidthatI'veleftofflovingyou?

I'mnottroublingaboutyouatall.I'mafraidthatImayleaveofflovingsomebody.

Shelaughedcontemptuously.

Imusthavedonehimsomegreatwrong,sheaddedsuddenly,asitweretoherself,onlyI
don'tknowwhatI'vedonewrong;that'salwayswhattroublesme.Always,always,forthelast
fiveyears.I'vebeenafraiddayandnightthatI'vedonehimsomewrong.I'veprayedand
prayedandalwaysthoughtofthegreatwrongI'ddonehim.Andnowitturnsoutitwagtrue.

What'sturnedout?

I'm only afraid whether there's something on his side, she went on, not answering his
question,nothearingitinfact.Andthen,again,hecouldn'tgetonwithsuchhorridpeople.
Thecountesswouldhavelikedtoeatme,thoughshedidmakemesitinthecarriagebeside
her.They'reallintheplot.Surelyhe'snotbetrayedme?(Herchinandlipsweretwitching.)
Tellme,haveyoureadaboutGrishkaOtrepyev,howhewascursedinsevencathedrals?

NikolayVsyevolodovitchdidnotspeak.

ButI'llturnroundnowandlookatyou.Sheseemedtodecidesuddenly.Youturntome,
too,andlookatme,butmoreattentively.Iwanttomakesureforthelasttime.

I'vebeenlookingatyouforalongtime.

H'm!saidMaryaTimofyevna,lookingathimintently.You'vegrownmuchfatter.

Shewantedtosaysomethingmore,butsuddenly,forthethirdtime,thesameterrorinstantly
distortedherface,andagainshedrewback,puttingherhandupbeforeher.

What'sthematterwithyou?criedNikolayVsyevolodovitch,almostenraged.
Butherpaniclastedonlyoneinstant,herfaceworkedwithasortofstrangesmile,suspicious
andunpleasant.

Ibegyou,prince,getupandcomein,shebroughtoutsuddenly,inafirm,emphaticvoice.

Comein?WhereamItocomein?

I'vebeenfancyingforfiveyearshowhewouldcomein.Getupandgooutofthedoorinto
theotherroom.I'llsitasthoughIweren'texpectinganything,andI'lltakeupabook,and
suddenlyyou'llcomeinafterfiveyears'travelling.Iwanttoseewhatitwillbelike.

NikolayVsyevolodovitchgroundhisteeth,andmutteredsomethingtohimself.

Enough,hesaid,strikingthetablewithhisopenhand.Ibegyoutolistentome,Marya
Timofyevna. Do me the favour to concentrate all your attention if you can. You're not
altogethermad,youknow!hebrokeoutimpatiently.TomorrowIshallmakeourmarriage
public.Youneverwillliveinapalace,getthatoutofyourhead.Doyouwanttolivewithme
fortherestofyourlife,onlyveryfarawayfromhere?InthemountainsinSwitzerland,there's
aplacethere....Don'tbeafraid.I'llneverabandonyouorputyouinamadhouse.Ishall
havemoneyenoughtolivewithoutaskinganyone'shelp.Youshallhaveaservant,youshall
donoworkatall.Everythingyouwantthat'spossibleshallbegotforyou.Youshallpray,go
whereyoulike,anddowhatyoulike.Iwon'ttouchyou.Iwon'tgoawayfromtheplace
myselfatall.Ifyoulike,Iwon'tspeaktoyouallmylife,orifyoulike,youcantellmeyour
storieseveryeveningasyouusedtodoinPetersburginthecorners.I'llreadaloudtoyouif
youlike.Butitmustbeallyourlifeinthesameplace,andthatplaceisagloomyone.Will
you?Areyouready?Youwon'tregretit,tormentmewithtearsandcurses,willyou?

Shelistenedwithextremecuriosity,andforalongtimeshewassilent,thinking.

Itallseemsincredibletome,shesaidatlast,ironicallyanddisdainfully.Imightlivefor
fortyyearsinthosemountains,shelaughed.

Whatofit?Let'slivefortyyearsthen...saidNikolayVsyevolodovitch,scowling.

H'm!Iwon'tcomeforanything.

Notevenwithme?

AndwhatareyouthatIshouldgowithyou?I'mtositonamountainbesidehimforforty
yearsonendaprettystory!Anduponmyword,howlongsufferingpeoplehavebecome
nowadays!No,itcannotbethatafalconhasbecomeanowl.Myprinceisnotlikethat!she
said,raisingherheadproudlyandtriumphantly.

Lightseemedtodawnuponhim.

Whatmakesyoucallmeaprince,and...forwhomdoyoutakeme?heaskedquickly.
Why,aren'tyoutheprince?

Ineverhavebeenone.

Soyourself,yourself,youtellmestraighttomyfacethatyou'renottheprince?

ItellyouIneverhavebeen.

Good Lord! she cried, clasping her hands. I was ready to expect anything from his
enemies, but such insolence, never! Is he alive? she shrieked in a frenzy, turning upon
NikolayVsyevolodovitch.Haveyoukilledhim?Confess!

Whomdoyoutakemefor?hecried,jumpingupfromhischairwithadistortedface;butit
wasnoteasynowtofrightenher.Shewastriumphant.

Whocantellwhoyouareandwhereyou'vesprungfrom?Onlymyheart,myhearthad
misgivingsallthesefiveyears,ofalltheintrigues.AndI'vebeensittingherewonderingwhat
blindowlwasmakinguptome?No,mydear,you'reapooractor,worsethanLebyadkin
even.Givemyhumblegreetingstothecountessandtellhertosendsomeonebetterthanyou.
Hasshehiredyou,tellme?Havetheygivenyouaplaceinherkitchenoutofcharity?Isee
throughyourdeception.Iunderstandyouall,everyoneofyou.

Heseizedherfirmlyabovetheelbow;shelaughedinhisface.

You'relikehim,verylike,perhapsyou'rearelationyou'reaslylot!Onlymineisabright
falconandaprince,andyou'reanowl,andashopman!MinewillbowdowntoGodifit
pleaseshim,andwon'tifitdoesn't.AndShatushka(he'smydear,mydarling!)slappedyouon
thecheeks,myLebyadkintoldme.Andwhatwereyouafraidofthen,whenyoucamein?
Whohadfrightenedyouthen?WhenIsawyourmeanfaceafterI'dfallendownandyou
pickedmeupitwaslikeawormcrawlingintomyheart.It'snothe,Ithought,nothe!My
falconwouldneverhavebeenashamedofmebeforeafashionableyounglady.Ohheavens!
Thatalonekeptmehappyforthosefiveyearsthatmyfalconwaslivingsomewherebeyond
themountains,soaring,gazingatthesun....Tellme,youimpostor,haveyougotmuchbyit
IDidyouneedabigbribetoconsent? I wouldn'thavegivenyouafarthing.Hahaha!Ha
ha!...

Ugh,idiot!snarledNikolayVsyevolodovitch,stillholdinghertightbythearm.

Goaway,impostor!sheshoutedperemptorily.I'mthewifeofmyprince;I'mnotafraidof
yourknife!

Knife!

Yes,knife,you'veaknifeinyourpocket.YouthoughtIwasasleepbutIsawit.Whenyou
cameinjustnowyoutookoutyourknife!
Whatareyousaying,unhappycreature?Whatdreamsyouhave!heexclaimed,pushingher
awayfromhimwithallhismight,sothatherheadandshouldersfellpainfullyagainstthe
sofa.Hewasrushingaway;butsheatonceflewtoovertakehim,limpingandhopping,and
thoughLebyadkin,panicstricken,heldherbackwithallhismight,shesucceededinshouting
afterhimintothedarkness,shriekingandlaughing:

Acurseonyou,GrishkaOtrepyev!

IV

Aknife,aknife,herepeatedwithuncontrollableanger,stridingalongthroughthemudand
puddles,withoutpickinghisway.Itistruethatatmomentshehadaterribledesiretolaugh
aloudfrantically;butforsomereasonhecontrolledhimselfandrestrainedhislaughter.He
recoveredhimselfonlyonthebridge,onthespotwhereFedkahadmethimthatevening.He
foundthemanlyinginwaitforhimagain.SeeingNikolayVsyevolodovitchhetookoffhis
cap,grinnedgaily,andbeganbabblingbrisklyandmerrilyaboutsomething.AtfirstNikolay
Vsyevolodovitchwalkedonwithoutstopping,andfor.sometimedidnotevenlistentothe
trampwhowaspesteringhimagain.Hewassuddenlystruckbythethoughtthathehad
entirely forgotten him, and had forgotten him at the very moment when he himself was
repeating,Aknife,aknife.Heseizedthetrampbythecollarandgaveventtohispentup
ragebyflinginghimviolentlyagainstthebridge.Foroneinstantthemanthoughtoffighting,
but almost at once realisingthat comparedwith his adversary, who had fallen uponhim
unawares,hewasnobetterthanawispofstraw,hesubsidedandwassilent,withoutoffering
anyresistance.Crouchingonthegroundwithhiselbowscrookedbehindhisback,thewily
trampcalmlywaitedforwhatwouldhappennext,apparentlyquiteincredulousofdanger.He
wasrightinhisreckoning.NikolayVsyevolodovitchhadalreadywithhislefthandtakenoff
histhickscarftotiehisprisoner'sarms,butsuddenly,forsomereason,heabandonedhim,
andshovedhimaway.Themaninstantlysprangontohisfeet,turnedround,andashort,
broadbootknifesuddenlygleamedinhishand.

Awaywiththatknife;putitaway,atonce!NikolayVsyevolodovitchcommandedwithan
impatientgesture,andtheknifevanishedasinstantaneouslyasithadappeared.

Withoutspeakingagainorturninground,NikolayVsyevolodovitchwentonhisway.Butthe
persistentvagabonddidnotleavehimevennow,thoughnow,itistrue,hedidnotchatter,and
evenrespectfullykepthisdistance,afullstepbehind.

Theycrossedthebridgelikethisandcameoutontotheriverbank,turningthistimetothe
left,againintoalongdesertedbackstreet,whichledtothecentreofthetownbyashorter
waythangoingthroughBogoyavlenskyStreet.

Isittrue, astheysay, that you robbeda church inthe district the other day? Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchaskedsuddenly.

Iwentintosaymyprayersinthefirstplace,thetrampanswered,sedatelyandrespectfully
asthoughnothinghadhappened;morethansedately,infact,almostwithdignity.Therewas
notraceofhisformerfriendlyfamiliarity.Allthatwastobeseenwasaserious,business
likeman,whohadindeedbeengratuitouslyinsulted,butwhowascapableofoverlookingan
insult.

ButwhentheLordledmethere,hewenton,ech,Ithoughtwhataheavenlyabundance!It
wasallowingtomyhelplessstate,asinourwayoflifethere'snodoingwithoutassistance.
And,now,Godbemywitness,sir,itwasmyownloss.TheLordpunishedmeformysins,
andwhatwiththecenserandthedeacon'shalter,Ionlygottwelveroublesaltogether.The
chinsettingofSt.Nikolayofpuresilverwentfornexttonothing.Theysaiditwasplated.

Youkilledthewatchman?

Thatis,Iclearedtheplaceouttogetherwiththatwatchman,butafterwards,nextmorning,by
theriver,wefelltoquarrellingwhichshouldcarrythesack.Isinned,Ididlightenhisloadfor
him.

Well,youcanrobandmurderagain.

That's the very advice Pyotr Stepanovitch gives me, in the very same words, for he's
uncommonlymeanandhardheartedabouthelpingafellowcreature.Andwhat'smore,he
hasn'taha'porthofbeliefintheHeavenlyCreator,whomadeusoutofearthlyclay;buthe
saysit'salltheworkofnatureeventothelastbeast.Hedoesn'tunderstandeitherthatwithour
wayoflifeit'simpossibleforustogetalongwithoutfriendlyassistance.Ifyoubegintotalk
tohimhelookslikeasheepatthewater;itmakesonewonder.Wouldyoubelieve,atCaptain
Lebyadkin's, out yonder, whom your honour's just been visiting, when he was living at
Filipov's,beforeyoucame,thedoorstoodopenallnightlong.He'dbedrunkandsleeping
likethedead,andhismoneydroppingoutofhispocketsalloverthefloor.I'vechancedtosee
itwithmyowneyes,forinourwayoflifeit'simpossibletolivewithoutassistance....

Howdoyoumeanwithyourowneyes?Didyougoinatnightthen?

MaybeIdidgoin,butnooneknowsofit.

Whydidn'tyoukillhim?

Reckoningitout,Isteadiedmyself.ForoncehavinglearnedforsurethatIcanalwaysget
onehundredandfiftyroubles,whyshouldIgosofarwhenIcangetfifteenhundredroubles,
ifIonlybidemytime.ForCaptainLebyadkin(I'veheardhimwithmyownears)hadgreat
hopesofyouwhenhewasdrunk;andthereisn'tatavernherenotthelowestpothouse
wherehehasn'ttalkedaboutitwhenhewasinthatstate.Sothathearingitfrommanylips,I
began,too,torestallmyhopesonyourexcellency.Ispeaktoyou,sir,astomyfather,ormy
ownbrother;forPyotrStepanovitchwillneverlearnthatfromme,andnotasoulintheworld.
Sowon'tyourexcellencysparemethreeroublesinyourkindness?Youmightsetmymindat
rest,sothatImightknowtherealtruth;forwecan'tgetonwithoutassistance.
NikolayVsyevolodovitchlaughedaloud,andtakingouthispurse,inwhichhehadasmuchas
fiftyroubles,insmallnotes,threwhimonenoteoutofthebundle,thenasecond,athird,a
fourth.Fedkaflewtocatchthemintheair.Thenotesdroppedintothemud,andhesnatched
themupcrying,Ech!ech!NikolayVsyevolodovitchfinishedbyflingingthewholebundle
athim,and,stilllaughing,wentondownthestreet,thistimealone.Thetrampremained
crawlingonhiskneesinthemud,lookingforthenoteswhichwereblownaboutbythewind
andsoakinginthepuddles,andforan<hourafterhisspasmodiccriesofEch!ech!were
stilltobeheardinthedarkness.

CHAPTERIII.THEDUEL

THENEXTDAY,attwoo'clockintheafternoon,thedueltookplaceasarranged.Things
were hastened forward by Gaganov's obstinate desire to fight at all costs. He did not
understand his adversary's conduct, and was in a fury. For a whole month he had been
insultinghimwithimpunity,andhadsofarbeenunabletomakehimlosepatience.Whathe
wantedwasachallengeonthepartofNikolayVsyevolodovitch,ashehadnothimselfany
directpretextforchallenginghim.Hissecretmotiveforit,thatis,hisalmostmorbidhatredof
Stavroginfortheinsulttohisfamilyfouryearsbefore,hewasforsomereasonashamedto
confess. And indeed he regarded this himself as an impossible pretext for a challenge,
especiallyinviewofthehumbleapologyofferedbyNikolayStavrogintwicealready.He
privatelymadeuphismindthatStavroginwasashamelesscoward;andcouldnotunderstand
howhecouldhaveacceptedShatov'sblow.Sohemadeuphismindatlasttosendhimthe
extraordinarilyrudeletterthathadfinallyrousedNikolayVsyevolodovitchhimselftopropose
ameeting.Havingdispatchedthisletterthedaybefore,heawaitedachallengewithfeverish
impatience,andwhilemorbidlyreckoningthechancesatonemomentwithhopeandatthe
nextwithdespair,hegotreadyforanyemergencybysecuringasecond,towit,Mavriky
NikolaevitchDrozdov,whowasafriendofhis,anoldschoolfellow,amanforwhomhehad
agreatrespect.SowhenKirillovcamenextmorningatnineo'clockwithhismessagehe
found things in readiness. All the apologies and unheardof condescension of Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitchwereatonce,atthefirstword,rejectedwithextraordinaryexasperation.
MavrikyNikolaevitch,whohadonlybeenmadeacquaintedwiththepositionofaffairsthe
eveningbefore,openedhismouthwithsurpriseatsuchincredibleconcessions,andwould
have urged a reconciliation, but seeing that Gaganov, guessing his intention, was almost
tremblinginhischair,refrained,andsaidnothing.Ifithadnotbeenforthepromisegivento
hisoldschoolfellowhewouldhaveretiredimmediately;heonlyremainedinthehopeof
beingsomehelponthesceneofaction.Kirillovrepeatedthechallenge.Alltheconditionsof
theencountermadebyStavroginwereacceptedonthespot,withoutthefaintestobjection.
Onlyoneadditionwasmade,andthataferociousone.Ifthefirstshotshadnodecisiveeffect,
theyweretofireagain,andifthesecondencounterwereinconclusive,itwastobefollowed
byathird.Kirillovfrowned,objectedtothethirdencounter,butgainingnothingbyhisefforts
agreedonthecondition,however,thatthreeshouldbethelimit,andthatafourthencounter
wasoutofthequestion.Thiswasconceded.Accordinglyattwoo'clockintheafternoonthe
meetingtookplaceatBrykov,thatis,inalittlecopseintheoutskirtsofthetown,lying
betweenSkvoreshnikiandtheShpigulinfactory.Therainofthepreviousnightwasover,but
itwasdamp,grey,andwindy.Low,ragged,dingycloudsmovedrapidlyacrossthecoldsky.
The treetops roared with a deep droning sound, and creaked on their roots; it was a
melancholymorning.

MavrikyNikolaevitchandGaganovarrivedonthespotinasmartcharabancwithapairof
horsesdrivenbythelatter.Theywereaccompaniedbyagroom.NikolayVsyevolodovitch
and Kirillov arrived almost at the same instant. They were not driving, they were on
horseback,andwerealsofollowedbyamountedservant.Kirillov,whohadnevermounteda
horsebefore,satupboldly,erectinthesaddle,graspinginhisrighthandtheheavyboxof
pistolswhichhewouldnotentrusttotheservant.Inhisinexperiencehewascontinuallywith
hislefthandtuggingatthereins,whichmadethehorsetosshisheadandshowaninclination
torear.This,however,seemedtocausehisridernouneasiness.Gaganov,whowasmorbidly
suspiciousandalwaysreadytobedeeplyoffended,consideredtheircomingonhorsebackasa
fresh insult to himself, inasmuch as it showed that his opponents were too confident of
success,sincetheyhadnoteventhoughtitnecessarytohaveacarriageincaseofbeing
woundedanddisabled.Hegotoutofhischarabanc,yellowwithanger,andfeltthathis
hands were trembling, as he told Mavriky Nikolaevitch. He made no response at all to
Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch's bow, and turned away. The seconds cast lots. The lot fell on
Kirillov'spistols.Theymeasuredoutthebarrierandplacedthecombatants.Theservantswith
thecarriageandhorsesweremovedbackthreehundredpaces.Theweaponswereloadedand
handedtothecombatants.

I'msorrythatIhavetotellmystorymorequicklyandhavenotimefordescriptions.ButI
can'trefrainfromsomecomments.MavrikyNikolaevitchwasmelancholyandpreoccupied.
Kirillov,ontheotherhand,wasperfectlycalmandunconcerned,veryexactoverthedetailsof
thedutieshehadundertaken,butwithouttheslightestfussinessorevencuriosityastothe
issueofthefatefulcontestthatwassonearathand.NikolayVsyevolodovitchwaspalerthan
usual.Hewasratherlightlydressedinanovercoatandawhitebeaverhat.Heseemedvery
tired,hefrownedfromtimetotime,andseemedtofeelitsuperfluoustoconcealhisill
humour.ButGaganovwasatthismomentmoreworthyofmentionthananyone,sothatitis
quiteimpossiblenottosayafewwordsabouthiminparticular.

II

Ihavehithertonothadoccasiontodescribehisappearance.Hewasatallmanofthirtythree,
and well fed, asthe commonfolk express it,almost fat, with lank flaxen hair, and with
featureswhichmightbecalledhandsome.Hehadretiredfromtheservicewiththerankof
colonel,andifhehadservedtillhereachedtherankofgeneralhewouldhavebeeneven
moreimpressiveinthatposition,andwouldverylikelyhavebecomeanexcellentfighting
general.

Imustadd,ascharacteristicoftheman,thatthechiefcauseofhisleavingthearmywasthe
thoughtofthefamilydisgracewhichhadhauntedhimsopainfullysincetheinsultpaidtohis
father by Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch four years before at the club. He conscientiously
considereditdishonourabletoremainintheservice,andwasinwardlypersuadedthathewas
contaminatingtheregimentandhiscompanions,althoughtheyknewnothingoftheincident.
It'struethathehadoncebeforebeendisposedtoleavethearmylongbeforetheinsulttohis
father,andonquiteothergrounds,buthehadhesitated.Strangeasitistowrite,theoriginal
design,orratherdesire,toleavethearmywasduetotheproclamationofthe19thofFebruary
oftheemancipationoftheserfs.Gaganov,whowasoneoftherichestlandownersinthe
province,andwhohadnotlostverymuchbytheemancipation,andwas,moreover,quite
capableofunderstandingthehumanityofthereformanditseconomicadvantages,suddenly
felthimselfpersonallyinsultedbytheproclamation.Itwassomethingunconscious,afeeling;
butwasallthestrongerforbeingunrecognised.Hecouldnotbringhimself,however,totake
anydecisivesteptillhisfather'sdeath.Buthebegantobewellknownforhisgentlemanly
ideastomanypersonsofhighpositioninPetersburg,withwhomhestrenuouslykeptup
connections.Hewassecretiveandselfcontained.Anothercharacteristic:hebelongedtothat
strangesectionofthenobility,stillsurvivinginRussia,whosetanextremevalueontheir
pureandancientlineage,andtakeittooseriously.Atthesametimehecouldnotendure
Russianhistory,and,indeed,lookeduponRussiancustomsingeneralasmoreorlesspiggish.
Eveninhischildhood,inthespecialmilitaryschoolforthesonsofparticularlywealthyand
distinguished families inwhich he had the privilege ofbeingeducated, from first tolast
certainpoetic notionswere deeplyrootedinhismind. Helovedcastles, chivalry;all the
theatricalpartofit.HewasreadytocrywithshamethatinthedaysoftheMoscowTsarsthe
sovereignhadtherighttoinflictcorporalpunishmentontheRussianboyars,andblushedat
the contrast. This stiff and extremely severe man, who had a remarkable knowledge of
militaryscienceandperformedhisdutiesadmirably,wasatheartadreamer.Itwassaidthat
hecouldspeakatmeetingsandhadthegiftoflanguage,butatnotimeduringthethirtythree
yearsofhislifehadhespoken.EveninthedistinguishedcirclesinPetersburg,inwhichhe
hadmovedoflate,hebehavedwithextraordinaryhaughtiness.HismeetinginPetersburgwith
NikolayVsyevolodovitch,whohadjustreturnedfromabroad,almostsenthimoutofhis
mind. At the present moment, standing at the barrier, he was terribly uneasy. He kept
imaginingthattheduelwouldsomehownotcomeoff;theleastdelaythrewhimintoatremor.
TherewasanexpressionofanguishinhisfacewhenKirillov,insteadofgivingthesignalfor
themtofire,begansuddenlyspeaking,onlyforform,indeed,ashehimselfexplainedaloud.

Simplyasaformality,nowthatyouhavethepistolsinyourhands,andImustgivethe
signal,Iaskyouforthelasttime,willyounotbereconciled?It'sthedutyofasecond.

Asthoughtospitehim,MavrikyNikolaevitch,whohadtillthenkeptsilence,althoughhehad
beenreproachinghimselfalldayforhiscomplianceandacquiescence,suddenlycaughtup
Kirillov'sthoughtandbegantospeak:

IentirelyagreewithMr.Kirillov'swords....Thisideathatreconciliationisimpossibleat
the barrier is a prejudice, only suitable for Frenchmen. Besides, with your leave, I don't
understandwhattheoffenceis.I'vebeenwantingtosaysoforalongtime...becauseevery
apologyisoffered,isn'tit?

Heflushedallover.Hehadrarelyspokensomuch,andwithsuchexcitement.
I repeat again my offer to make every possible apology, Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch
interposedhurriedly.

This is impossible, shouted Gaganov furiously, addressing Mavriky Nikolaevitch, and

stamping with rage. Explain to this man, he pointed with his pistol at Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitch,ifyou'remysecondandnotmyenemy,MavrikyNikolaevitch,thatsuch
overturesonlyaggravatetheinsult.Hefeelsitimpossibletobeinsultedbyme!...Hefeelsit
nodisgracetowalkawayfrommeatthebarrier!Whatdoeshetakemefor,afterthat,doyou
think?...Andyou,you,mysecond,too!You'resimplyirritatingmethatImaymiss.

Hestampedagain.Therewereflecksoffoamonhislips.

Negotiationsareover.Ibegyoutolistentothesignal!Kirillovshoutedatthetopofhis
voice.One!Two!Three!

AtthewordThreethecombatantstookaimatoneanother.Gaganovatonceraisedhis
pistol,andatthefifthorsixthstephefired.Forasecondhestoodstill,and,makingsurethat
hehadmissed,advancedtothebarrier.NikolayVsyevolodovitchadvancedtoo,raisinghis
pistol,butsomehowholdingitveryhigh,andfired,almostwithouttakingaim.Thenhetook
outhishandkerchiefandbounditroundthelittlefingerofhisrighthand.Onlythentheysaw
thatGaganovhadnotmissedhimcompletely,butthebullethadonlygrazedthefleshypartof
hisfingerwithouttouchingthebone;itwasonlyaslightscratch.Kirillovatonceannounced
thattheduelwouldgoon,unlessthecombatantsweresatisfied.

I declare, said Gaganov hoarsely (his throat felt parched), again addressing Mavriky
Nikolaevitch,thatthisman,againhepointedinStavrogin'sdirection,firedintheairon
purpose . . . intentionally. . . . This is an insult again. . . . He wants to make the duel
impossible!

Ihave the righttofireasIlikesolongasIkeepthe rules, NikolayVsyevolodovitch

assertedresolutely.

No,hehasn't!Explainittohim!Explainit!criedGaganov.

I'mincompleteagreementwithNikolayVsyevolodovitch,proclaimedKirillov.

Whydoeshespareme?Gaganovraged,nothearinghim.Idespisehismercy....Ispiton
it....I...

IgiveyoumywordthatIdidnotintendtoinsultyou,criedNikolayVsyevolodovitch
impatiently.IshothighbecauseIdon'twanttokillanyoneelse,eitheryouoranyoneelse.
It'snothingtodowithyoupersonally.It'struethatIdon'tconsidermyselfinsulted,andI'm
sorrythatangersyou.ButIdon'tallowanyonetointerferewithmyrights.

If he's so afraid of bloodshed, ask him why he challenged me, yelled Gaganov, still
addressingMavrikyNikolaevitch.
Howcouldhehelpchallengingyou?saidKirillov,intervening.Youwouldn'tlistento
anything.Howwasonetogetridofyou?

I'll only mention one thing, observed Mavriky Nikolaevitch, ponderingthe matter with
painfuleffort.Ifacombatantdeclaresbeforehandthathewillfireintheairtheduelcertainly
cannotgoon...forobviousand...delicatereasons.

Ihaven'tdeclaredthatI'llfireintheaireverytime,criedStavrogin,losingallpatience.
Youdon'tknowwhat'sinmymindorhowIintendtofireagain....I'mnotrestrictingthe
duelatall.

Inthatcasetheencountercangoon,saidMavrikyNikolaevitchtoGaganov.

Gentlemen,takeyourplaces,Kirillovcommanded.Againtheyadvanced,againGaganov
missedandStavroginfiredintotheair.Theremighthavebeenadisputeastohisfiringinto
theair.NikolayVsyevolodovitchmighthaveflatlydeclaredthathe'dfiredproperly,ifhehad
notadmittedthathehadmissedintentionally.Hedidnotaimstraightattheskyoratthetrees,
butseemedtoaimathisadversary,thoughashepointedthepistolthebulletflewayard
abovehishat.Thesecondtimetheshotwasevenlower,evenlesslikeanintentionalmiss.
NothingwouldhaveconvincedGaganovnow.

Again!hemuttered,grindinghisteeth.Nomatter!I'vebeenchallengedandI'llmakeuse
ofmyrights.I'llfireathirdtime...whateverhappens.

Youhavefullrighttodoso,Kirillovrappedout.MavrikyNikolaevitchsaidnothing.The
opponentswereplacedathirdtime,thesignalwasgiven.ThistimeGaganovwentrightupto
thebarrier,andbeganfromtheretakingaim,atadistanceoftwelvepaces.Hishandwas
tremblingtoomuchtotakegoodaim.Stavroginstoodwithhispistolloweredandawaitedhis
shotwithoutmoving.

Toolong;you'vebeenaimingtoolong!Kirillovshoutedimpetuously.Fire!Fire!

Buttheshotrangout,andthistimeStavrogin'swhitebeaverhatflewoff.Theaimhadbeen
fairlycorrect.Thecrownofthehatwaspiercedverylowdown;aquarterofaninchlowerand
all would have been over. Kirillov picked up the hat and handed it to Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitch.

Fire;don'tdetainyouradversary!criedMavrikyNikolaevitchinextremeagitation,seeing
thatStavroginseemedtohaveforgottentofire,andwasexaminingthehatwithKirillov.
Stavroginstarted,lookedatGaganov,turnedroundandthistime,withouttheslightestregard
forpunctilio,firedtooneside,intothecopse.Theduelwasover.Gaganovstoodasthough
overwhelmed.MavrikyNikolaevitchwentupandbegansayingsomethingtohim,buthedid
notseemtounderstand.Kirillovtookoffhishatashewentaway,andnoddedtoMavriky
Nikolaevitch.ButStavroginforgothisformerpoliteness.Whenhehadshotintothecopsehe
didnoteventurntowardsthebarrier.HehandedhispistoltoKirillovandhastenedtowards
thehorses.Hisfacelookedangry;hedidnotspeak.Kirillov,too,wassilent.Theygotontheir
horsesandsetoffatagallop.

III

Whydon'tyouspeak?hecalledimpatientlytoKirillov,whentheywerenotfarfromhome.

Whatdoyouwant?repliedthelatter,almostslippingoffhishorse,whichwasrearing.

Stavroginrestrainedhimself.

Ididn'tmeantoinsultthat...fool,andI'veinsultedhimagain,hesaidquietly.

Yes,you'veinsultedhimagain,Kirillovjerkedout,andbesides,he'snotafool.

I'vedoneallIcan,anyway.

No.

WhatoughtItohavedone?

Nothavechallengedhim.

Acceptanotherblowintheface?

Yes,acceptanother.

Ican'tunderstandanythingnow,saidStavroginwrathfully.Whydoeseveryoneexpectof
mesomethingnotexpectedfromanyoneelse?WhyamItoputupwithwhatnooneelseputs
upwith,andundertakeburdensnooneelsecanbear?

Ithoughtyouwereseekingaburdenyourself.

Iseekaburden?

Yes.

You've...seenthat?

Yes.

Isitsonoticeable?

Yes.

There wassilence for amoment. Stavroginhada verypreoccupiedface. He wasalmost

impressed.
Ididn'taimbecauseIdidn'twanttokillanyone.Therewasnothingmoreinit,Iassureyou,
hesaidhurriedly,andwithagitation,asthoughjustifyinghimself.

Yououghtnottohaveoffendedhim.

WhatoughtItohavedonethen?

Yououghttohavekilledhim.

AreyousorryIdidn'tkillhim?

I'mnotsorryforanything.Ithoughtyoureallymeanttokillhim.Youdon'tknowwhat
you'reseeking.

Iseekaburden,laughedStavrogin.

Ifyoudidn'twantbloodyourself,whydidyougivehimachancetokillyou?

IfIhadn'tchallengedhim,he'dhavekilledmesimply,withoutaduel.

That'snotyouraffair.Perhapshewouldn'thavekilledyou.

Onlyhavebeatenme?

That'snotyourbusiness.Bearyourburden.Orelsethere'snomerit.

Hangyourmerit.Idon'tseekanyone'sapprobation.

Ithoughtyouwereseekingit,Kirillovcommentedwithterribleunconcern.

Theyrodeintothecourtyardofthehouse.

Doyoucaretocomein?saidNikolayVsyevolodovitch.

No;I'mgoinghome.Goodbye.

Hegotoffthehorseandtookhisboxofpistolsunderhisarm.

Anyway,you'renotangrywithme?saidStavrogin,holdingouthishandtohim.

Notintheleast,saidKirillov,turningroundtoshakehandswithhim.Ifmyburden'slight
it'sbecauseit'sfromnature;perhapsyourburden'sheavierbecausethat'syournature.There's
noneedtobemuchashamed;onlyalittle.

IknowI'maworthlesscharacter,andIdon'tpretendtobeastrongone.

You'dbetternot;you'renotastrongperson.Comeandhavetea.
NikolayVsyevolodovitchwentintothehouse,greatlyperturbed.

IV

HelearnedatoncefromAlexeyYegorytchthatVarvaraPetrovnahadbeenverygladtohear
thatNikolayVsyevolodovitchhadgoneoutforaridethefirsttimehehadleftthehouse
aftereightdays'illness.Shehadorderedthecarriage,andhaddrivenoutaloneforabreathof
freshairaccordingtothehabitofthepast,asshehadforgottenforthelasteightdayswhatit
meanttobreathefreshair.

Alone,orwithDaryaPavlovna?NikolayVsyevolodovitchinterruptedtheoldmanwitha
rapid question, and he scowled when he heard that Darya Pavlovna had declined to go
abroadonaccountofindispositionandwasinherrooms.

Listen,oldman,hesaid,asthoughsuddenlymakinguphismind.Keepwatchoverherall
today,andifyounoticehercomingtome,stopheratonce,andtellherthatIcan'tseeherfor
afewdaysatleast...thatIaskhernottocomemyself....I'llletherknowmyself,whenthe
timecomes.Doyouhear?

I'lltellher,sir,saidAlexeyYegorytch,withdistressinhisvoice,droppinghiseyes.

Nottillyouseeclearlyshe'smeaningtocomeandseemeofherself,though.

Don'tbeafraid,sir,thereshallbenomistake.Yourinterviewshaveallpassedthroughme,
hitherto.You'vealwaysturnedtomeforhelp.

Iknow.Nottillshecomesofherself,anyway.Bringmesometea,ifyoucan,atonce.

Theoldmanhadhardlygoneout,whenalmostatthesameinstantthedoorreopened,and
DaryaPavlovnaappearedinthedoorway.Hereyesweretranquil,thoughherfacewaspale.

Wherehaveyoucomefrom?exclaimedStavrogin.

Iwasstandingthere,andwaitingforhimtogoout,tocomeintoyou.Iheardtheorderyou
gavehim,andwhenhecameoutjustnowIhidroundthecorner,ontheright,andhedidn't
noticeme.

I'velongmeanttobreakoffwithyou,Dasha...forawhile...forthepresent.Icouldn'tsee
youlastnight,inspiteofyournote.Imeanttowritetoyoumyself,butIdon'tknowhowto
write,headdedwithvexation,almostasthoughwithdisgust.

I thought myself that we must break it off. Varvara Petrovna is too suspicious of our
relations.

Well,letherbe.
Shemustn'tbeworried.Sonowweparttilltheendcomes.

Youstillinsistonexpectingtheend?

Yes,I'msureofit.

Butnothingintheworldeverhasanend.

Thiswillhaveanend.Thencallme.I'llcome.Now,goodbye.

Andwhatsortofendwillitbe?smiledNikolayVsyevolodovitch.

You'renotwounded,and...havenotshedblood?sheasked,notansweringhisquestion.

Itwasstupid.Ididn'tkillanyone.Don'tbeuneasy.However,you'llhearallaboutittoday
fromeveryone.I'mnotquitewell.

I'mgoing.Theannouncementofthemarriagewon'tbetoday?sheaddedirresolutely.

Itwon'tbetoday,anditwon'tbetomorrow.Ican'tsayaboutthedayaftertomorrow.
Perhapsweshallallbedead,andsomuchthebetter.Leavemealone,leavemealone,do.

Youwon'truinthatother...madgirl?

Iwon'truineitherofthemadcreatures.ItseemstobethesaneI'mruining.I'msovileand
loathsome,Dasha,thatImightreallysendforyou,'atthelatterend,'asyousay.Andinspite
ofyoursanityyou'llcome.Whywillyoubeyourownruin?

IknowthatattheendIshallbetheonlyoneleftyou,and...I'mwaitingforthat.

AndwhatifIdon'tsendforyouafterall,butrunawayfromyou?

Thatcan'tbe.Youwillsendforme.

There'sagreatdealofcontemptformeinthat.

Youknowthatthere'snotonlycontempt.

Thenthereiscontempt,anyway?

Iusedthewrongword.Godismywitness,it'smygreatestwishthatyoumayneverhave
needofme.

Onephraseisasgoodasanother.Ishouldalsohavewishednottohaveruinedyou.

Youcannever,anyhow,bemyruin;andyouknowthatyourself,betterthananyone,Darya
Pavlovnasaid,rapidlyandresolutely.IfIdon'tcometoyouIshallbeasisterofmercy,a
nurse,shallwaituponthesick,orgosellingthegospel.I'vemadeupmymindtothat.I
cannotbeanyone'swife.Ican'tliveinahouselikethis,either.That'snotwhatIwant....
Youknowallthat.

No,Inevercouldtellwhatyouwant.Itseemstomethatyou'reinterestedinme,assome
veteran nurses get specially interested in some particular invalid in comparison with the
others,orstillmore,likesomepiousoldwomenwhofrequentfuneralsandfindonecorpse
moreattractivethananother.Whydoyoulookatmesostrangely?

Are you very ill? she asked sympathetically, lookingat him ina peculiar way. Good
heavens!Andthismanwantstodowithoutme!

Listen,Dasha,nowI'malwaysseeingphantoms.Onedevilofferedmeyesterday,onthe
bridge,tomurderLebyadkinandMaryaTimofyevna,tosettlethemarriagedifficulty,andto
cover up all traces. He asked me to give him three roubles on account, but gave me to
understand that the whole operation wouldn't cost less than fifteen hundred. Wasn't he a
calculatingdevil!Aregularshopkeeper.Haha!

Butyou'refullyconvincedthatitwasanhallucination?

Oh,no;notabitanhallucination!ItwassimplyFedkatheconvict,therobberwhoescaped
from prison. But that's not the point. What do you suppose I did! I gave him all I had,
everythinginmypurse,andnowhe'ssureI'vegivenhimthatonaccount!

Youmethimatnight,andhemadesuchasuggestion?Surelyyoumustseethatyou'rebeing
caughtintheirnetsoneveryside!

Well,letthembe.Butyou'vegotsomequestionatthetipofyourtongue,youknow.Iseeit
byyoureyes,headdedwitharesentfulandirritablesmile.

Dashawasfrightened.

I'venoquestionatall,andnodoubtwhatever;you'dbetterbequiet!shecriedindismay,as
thoughwavingoffhisquestion.

Thenyou'reconvincedthatIwon'tgotoFedka'slittleshop?

Oh,God!shecried,claspingherhands.Whydoyoutorturemelikethis?

Oh,forgivememystupidjoke.Imustbepickingupbadmannersfromthem.Doyouknow,
eversincelastnightIfeelawfullyinclinedtolaugh,togoonlaughingcontinuallyforeverso
long.It'sasthoughImustexplodewithlaughter.It'slikeanillness....Oh!mymother's
comingin.Ialwaysknowbytherumblewhenhercarriagehasstoppedattheentrance.

Dashaseizedhishand.
Godsaveyoufromyourdemon,and...callme,callmequickly!

Oh!afinedemon!It'ssimplyalittlenasty,scrofulousimp,withacoldinhishead,oneof
theunsuccessfulones.Butyouhavesomethingyoudon'tdaretosayagain,Dasha?

Shelookedathimwithpainandreproach,andturnedtowardsthedoor.

Listen,hecalledafterher,withamalignantanddistortedsmile.If...Yes,if,inoneword,
if...youunderstand,evenifIdidgotothatlittleshop,andifIcalledyouafterthatwould
youcomethen?

Shewentout,hidingherfaceinherhands,andneitherturningnoranswering.

Shewillcomeevenaftertheshop,hewhispered,thinkingamoment,andanexpressionof
scornfuldisdaincameintohisface.Anurse!H'm!...butperhapsthat'swhatIwant.

CHAPTERIV.ALLINEXPECTATION

Theimpressionmadeonthewholeneighbourhoodbythestoryoftheduel,whichwasrapidly
noised abroad, was particularly remarkable from the unanimity with which every one
hastenedtotakeupthecudgelsforNikolayVsyevolodovitch.Manyofhisformerenemies
declaredthemselveshisfriends.Thechiefreasonforthischangeoffrontinpublicopinion
waschieflyduetooneperson,whohadhithertonotexpressedheropinion,butwhonowvery
distinctly uttered a few words, which at once gave the event a significance exceedingly
interestingtothevastmajority.Thiswashowithappened.Onthedayaftertheduel,allthe
townwasassembledattheMarshalofNobility'sinhonourofhiswife'snameday.Yulia
Mihailovnawaspresent,or,rather,presided,accompaniedbyLizavetaNikolaevna,radiant
with beauty and peculiar gaiety, which struck many of our ladies at once as particularly
suspicious at this time. And I may mention, by the way, her engagement to Mavriky
Nikolaevitchwasbynowanestablishedfact.Toaplayfulquestionfromaretiredgeneralof
muchconsequence,ofwhomweshallhavemoretosaylater,LizavetaNikolaevnafrankly
repliedthateveningthatshewasengaged.Andonlyimagine,notoneofourladieswould
believeinherengagement.Theyallpersistedinassumingaromanceofsomesort,somefatal
familysecret,somethingthathadhappenedinSwitzerland,andforsomereasonimaginedthat
YuliaMihailovnamusthavehadsomehandinit.Itwasdifficulttounderstandwhythese
rumours, or rather fancies, persisted so obstinately, and why Yulia Mihailovna was so
positivelyconnectedwithit.Assoonasshecamein,allturnedtoherwithstrangelooks,
brimfulofexpectation.Itmustbeobservedthatowingtothefreshnessoftheevent,and
certain circumstances accompanying it, at the party people talked of it with some
circumspection, in undertones. Besides, nothing yet was known of the line taken by the
authorities.Asfaraswasknown,neitherofthecombatantshadbeentroubledbythepolice.
Everyoneknew,forinstance,thatGaganovhadsetoffhomeearlyinthemorningtoDuhovo,
withoutbeinghindered.Meanwhile,ofcourse,allwereeagerforsomeonetobethefirstto
speakofitaloud,andsotoopenthedoortothegeneralimpatience.Theyrestedtheirhopes
onthegeneralabovementioned,andtheywerenotdisappointed.
Thisgeneral,alandowner,thoughnotawealthyone,wasoneofthemostimposingmembers
ofourclub,andamanofanabsolutelyuniqueturnofmind.Heflirtedintheoldfashioned
waywiththeyoungladies,andwasparticularlyfond,inlargeassemblies,ofspeakingaloud
withalltheweightinessofageneral,onsubjectstowhichotherswerealludingindiscreet
whispers.Thiswas,sotosay,his'specialroleinlocalsociety.Hedrawled,too,andspoke
withpeculiarsuavity,probablyhavingpickedupthehabitfromRussianstravellingabroad,or
fromthosewealthylandownersofformerdayswhohadsufferedmostfromtheemancipation.
StepanTrofimovitchhadobservedthatthemorecompletelyalandownerwasruined,the
moresuavelyhelispedanddrawledhiswords.Hedid,asafact,lispanddrawlhimself,but
wasnotawareofitinhimself.

Thegeneralspokelikeapersonofauthority.Hewas,besides,adistantrelationofGaganov's,
thoughhewasonbadtermswithhim,andevenengagedinlitigationwithhim.Hehad,
moreover,inthepast,foughttwoduelshimself,andhadevenbeendegradedtotheranksand
sent to the Caucasus on account of one of them. Some mention was made of Varvara
Petrovna'shavingdrivenoutthatdayandthedaybefore,afterbeingkeptindoorsbyillness,
thoughtheallusionwasnottoher,buttothemarvellousmatchingofherfourgreyhorsesof
the Stavrogins' own breeding. The general suddenly observed that he had met young
Stavroginthatday,onhorseback....Everyonewasinstantlysilent.Thegeneralmunched
hislips,andsuddenlyproclaimed,twistinginhisfingershispresentationgoldsnuffbox.

I'msorryIwasn'theresomeyearsago...ImeanwhenIwasatCarlsbad...H'm!I'mvery
muchinterestedinthatyoungmanaboutwhomIheardsomanyrumoursatthattime.H'm!
And,Isay,isittruethathe'smad?Someonetoldmesothen.SuddenlyI'mtoldthathehas
beeninsultedbysomestudenthere,inthepresenceofhiscousins,andheslippedunderthe
tabletogetawayfromhim.AndyesterdayIheardfromStepanVysotskythatStavroginhad
beenfightingwithGaganov.Andsimplywiththegallantobjectofofferinghimselfasatarget
toaninfuriatedman,justtogetridofhim.H'm!Quiteinthestyleoftheguardsofthe
twenties.Isthereanyhousewherehevisitshere?

Thegeneralpausedasthoughexpectingananswer.Awayhadbeenopenedforthepublic
impatiencetoexpressitself.

Whatcouldbesimpler?criedYuliaMihailovna,raisinghervoice,irritatedthatallpresent
hadturnedtheireyesuponher,asthoughatawordofcommand.Canonewonderthat
StavroginfoughtGaganovandtooknonoticeofthestudent?Hecouldn'tchallengeaman
whousedtobehisserf!

Anoteworthysaying!Aclearandsimplenotion,yetithadenterednobody'sheadtillthat
moment.Itwasasayingthathadextraordinaryconsequences.Allscandalandgossip,allthe
pettytittletattlewasthrownintothebackground,anothersignificancehadbeendetected.A
newcharacterwasrevealedwhomallhadmisjudged;acharacter,almostideallysevereinhis
standards. Mortally insulted by a student, that is, an educated man, no longer a serf, he
despisedtheaffrontbecausehisassailanthadoncebeenhisserf.Societyhadgossipedand
slanderedhim;shallowmindedpeoplehadlookedwithcontemptonamanwhohadbeen
struckintheface.Hehaddespisedapublicopinion,whichhadnotrisentothelevelofthe
higheststandards,thoughitdiscussedthem.

And,meantime,youandI,IvanAlexandrovitch,sitanddiscussthecorrectstandards,one
oldclubmemberobservedtoanother,withawarmandgenerousglowofselfreproach.

Yes, Pyotr Mihailovitch, yes, the other chimed in with zest, talk of the younger
generation!

It'snotaquestionoftheyoungergeneration,observedathird,puttinginhisspoke,it's
nothingtodowiththeyoungergeneration;he'sastar,notoneoftheyoungergeneration;
that'sthewaytolookatit.

Andit'sjustthatsortweneed;they'rerarepeople.Thechiefpointinallthiswasthatthe
new man, besides showing himself an unmistakable nobleman, was the wealthiest
landownerintheprovince,andwas,therefore,boundtobealeadingmanwhocouldbeof
assistance.I'vealreadyalludedinpassingtotheattitudeofthelandownersofourprovince.
Peoplewereenthusiastic:

Hedidn'tmerelyrefrainfromchallengingthestudent.Heputhishandsbehindhim,notethat
particularly,yourexcellency,somebodypointedout.

Andhedidn'thaulhimupbeforethenewlawcourts,either,addedanother.

Inspiteofthefactthatforapersonalinsulttoanoblemanhe'dhavegotfifteenroubles
damages!Hehehe!

No,I'lltellyouasecretaboutthenewcourts,criedathird,inafrenzyofexcitement,if
anyone'scaughtrobbingorswindlingandconvicted,he'dbetterrunhomewhilethere'syet
time,andmurderhismother.He'llbeacquittedofeverythingatonce,andladieswillwave
theirbatistehandkerchiefsfromtheplatform.It'stheabsolutetruth!

It'sthetruth.It'sthetruth!

Theinevitableanecdotesfollowed:NikolayVsyevolodovitch'sfriendlyrelationswithCount
K.wererecalled.CountK.'ssternandindependentattitudetorecentreformswaswellknown,
aswellashisremarkablepublicactivity,thoughthathadsomewhatfallenoffoflate.And
now,suddenly,everyonewaspositivethatNikolayVsyevolodovitchwasbetrothedtooneof
thecount'sdaughters,thoughnothinghadgivengroundsforsuchasupposition.Andasfor
somewonderfuladventuresinSwitzerlandwithLizavetaNikolaevna,eventheladiesquite
droppedallreferencetoit.Imustmention,bytheway,thattheDrozdovshadbythistime
succeeded in paying all the visits they had omitted at first. Every one now confidently
consideredLizavetaNikolaevnaamostordinarygirl,whoparadedherdelicatenerves.Her
faintingonthedayofNikolayVsyevolodovitch'sarrivalwasexplainednowasduetoher
terroratthestudent'soutrageousbehaviour.Theyevenincreasedtheprosaicnessofthatto
whichbeforetheyhadstriventogivesuchafantasticcolour.Asforalamewomanwhohad
beentalkedof,shewasforgottencompletely.Theywereashamedtorememberher.

Andiftherehadbeenahundredlamegirlswe'veallbeenyoungonce!

NikolayVsyevolodovitch'srespectfulnesstohismotherwasenlargedupon.Variousvirtues
werediscoveredinhim.Peopletalkedwithapprobationofthelearninghehadacquiredinthe
four years he had spent in German universities. Gaganov's conduct was declared utterly
tactless:notknowingfriendfromfoe.YuliaMihailovna'skeeninsightwasunhesitatingly
admitted.

SobythetimeNikolayVsyevolodovitchmadehisappearanceamongthemhewasreceived
by every one with naive solemnity. In all eyes fastened upon him could be read eager
anticipation.NikolayVsyevolodovitchatoncewrappedhimselfinthemostausteresilence,
which,ofcourse,gratifiedeveryonemuchmorethanifhehadtalkedtilldoomsday.Ina
word,hewasasuccess,hewasthefashion.Ifonceonehasfiguredinprovincialsociety,
there'snoretreatingintothebackground.NikolayVsyevolodovitchbegantofulfilallhis
socialdutiesintheprovincepunctiliouslyasbefore.Hewasnotfoundcheerfulcompany:a
manwhohasseensuffering;amannotlikeotherpeople;hehassomethingtobemelancholy
about.Eventheprideanddisdainfulaloofnessforwhichhehadbeensodetestedfouryears
beforewasnowlikedandrespected.

VarvaraPetrovnawastriumphant.Idon'tknowwhethershegrievedmuchovertheshattering
ofherdreamsconcerningLizavetaNikolaevna.Familypride,ofcourse,helpedhertogetover
it. One thing was strange: Varvara Petrovna was suddenly convinced that Nikolay
VsyevolodovitchreallyhadmadehischoiceatCountK.'s.Andwhatwasstrangestofall,
shewasledtobelieveitbyrumourswhichreachedheronnobetterauthoritythanother
people.ShewasafraidtoaskNikolayVsyevolodovitchadirectquestion.Twoorthreetimes,
however, she couldnot refrain from slyly andgoodhumouredlyreproachinghim for not
beingopenwithher.NikolayVsyevolodovitchsmiledandremainedsilent.Thesilencewas
takenasasignofassent.Andyet,allthetimesheneverforgotthecripple.Thethoughtofher
lay like a stone on her heart, a nightmare, she was tortured by strange misgivings and
surmises,andallthisatthesametimeasshedreamedofCountK.'sdaughters.Butofthiswe
shall speak later. Varvara Petrovna began again, of course, to be treated with extreme
deferenceandrespectinsociety,butshetooklittleadvantageofitandwentoutrarely.

Shedid,however,payavisitofceremonytothegovernor'swife.Ofcourse,noonehadbeen
morecharmedanddelightedbyYuliaMihailovna'swordsspokenatthemarshal'ssoireethan
she.Theyliftedaloadofcareoffherheart,andhadatoncerelievedmuchofthedistressshe
hadbeensufferingsincethat

lucklessSunday.

Imisunderstoodthatwoman,shedeclared,andwithhercharacteristicimpulsivenessshe
franklytoldYuliaMihailovnathatshehadcometothankher.YuliaMihailovnawasflattered,
butshebehavedwithdignity.Shewasbeginningaboutthistimetobeveryconsciousofher
own importance, too much so, in fact. She announced, for example, in the course of
conversation,thatshehadneverheardofStepanTrofimovitchasaleadingmanorasavant.

IknowyoungVerhovensky,ofcourse,andmakemuchofhim.He'simprudent,butthenhe's
young;he'sthoroughlywellinformed,though.He'snotanoutofdate,oldfashionedcritic,
anyway.VarvaraPetrovnahastenedtoobservethatStepanTrofimovitchhadneverbeena
critic,buthad,onthecontrary,spentallhislifeinherhouse.Hewasrenownedthrough
circumstancesofhisearlycareer,onlytoowellknowntothewholeworld,andoflatefor
hisresearchesinSpanishhistory.Nowheintendedtowritealsoonthepositionofmodern
Germanuniversities,and,shebelieved,somethingabouttheDresdenMadonnatoo.Inshort,
VarvaraPetrovnarefusedtosurrenderStepanTrofimovitchtothetendermerciesofYulia
Mihailovna.

TheDresdenMadonna?YoumeantheSistineMadonna? Come VarvaraPetrovna,Ispent

two hours sitting before that picture and came away utterly disillusioned. I could make
nothingofitandwasincompleteamazement.Karmazinov,too,saysit'shardtounderstandit.
Theyallseenothinginitnow,RussiansandEnglishalike.Allitsfameisjustthetalkofthe
lastgeneration.

Fashionsarechangedthen?

WhatIthinkisthatonemustn'tdespiseouryoungergenerationeither.Theycryoutthat
they'recommunists,butwhat I sayisthatwemustappreciatethemandmustn'tbehardon
them.Ireadeverythingnowthepapers,communismthenaturalsciencesIgeteverything
because,afterall,onemustknowwhereone'slivingandwithwhomonehastodo.One
mustn'tspendone'swholelifeontheheightsofone'sownfancy.I'vecometotheconclusion,
andadopteditasaprinciple,thatonemustbekindtotheyoungpeopleandsokeepthem
fromthebrink.Believeme,VarvaraPetrovna,thatnonebutwewhomakeupgoodsociety
canbyourkindnessandgoodinfluencekeepthemfromtheabysstowardswhichtheyare
broughtbytheintoleranceofalltheseoldmen.Iamgladthoughtolearnfromyouabout
StepanTrofimovitch.Yousuggestanideatome:hemaybeusefulatourliterarymatinee,
youknowI'marrangingforawholedayoffestivities,asubscriptionentertainmentforthe
benefit of the poor governesses ofour province. Theyare scatteredabout Russia; inour
districtalonewecanreckonupsixofthem.Besidesthat,therearetwogirlsinthetelegraph
office,twoarebeingtrainedintheacademy,therestwouldliketobebuthavenotthemeans.
TheRussianwoman'sfateisaterribleone,VarvaraPetrovna!It'soutofthatthey'remaking
theuniversityquestionnow,andthere'sevenbeenameetingoftheImperialCouncilaboutit.
InthisstrangeRussiaofoursonecandoanythingonelikes;andthat,again,iswhyit'sonly
bythekindnessandthedirectwarmsympathyofallthebetterclassesthatwecandirectthis
greatcommoncauseinthetruepath.Oh,heavens,havewemanynoblepersonalitiesamong
us!Therearesome,ofcourse,buttheyarescatteredfarandwide.Letusuniteandweshallbe
stronger.Inoneword,Ishallfirsthavealiterarymatinee,thenalightluncheon,thenan
interval,andintheeveningaball.Wemeanttobegintheeveningbylivingpictures,butit
wouldinvolveagreatdealofexpense,andso,topleasethepublic,therewillbeoneortwo
quadrilles in masks and fancy dresses, representing wellknown literary schools. This
humorousideawassuggestedbyKarmazinov.Hehasbeenagreathelptome.Doyouknow
he'sgoingtoreadusthelastthinghe'swritten,whichnoonehasseenyet.Heislayingdown
thepen,andwillwritenomore.Thislastessayishisfarewelltothepublic.It'sacharming
littlethingcalled'Merci.'ThetitleisFrench;hethinksthatmoreamusingandevensubtler.I
do,too.InfactIadvisedit.IthinkStepanTrofimovitchmightreadussomethingtoo,ifit
werequiteshortand...notsoverylearned.IbelievePyotrStepanovitchandsomeoneelse
too will read something. Pyotr Stepanovitch shall run round to you and tell you the
programme.Betterstill,letmebringittoyoumyself.

Allowmetoputmynamedowninyoursubscriptionlisttoo.I'lltellStepanTrofimovitch
andwillbeghimtoconsent.

VarvaraPetrovnareturnedhomecompletelyfascinated.ShewasreadytostandupforYulia
Mihailovnathroughthickandthin,andforsomereasonwasalreadyquiteputoutwithStepan
Trofimovitch,whilehe,poorman,satathome,allunconscious.

I'minlovewithher.Ican'tunderstandhowIcouldbesomistakeninthatwoman,shesaid
toNikolayVsyevolodovitchandPyotrStepanovitch,whodroppedinthatevening.

Butyoumustmakepeacewiththeoldmanallthesame,PyotrStepanovitchsubmitted.
He'sindespair.You'vequitesenthimtoCoventry.Yesterdayhemetyourcarriageand
bowed, and you turned away. We'll trot him out, you know; I'm reckoning on him for
something,andhemaystillbeuseful.

Oh,he'llreadsomething.

Idon'tmeanonlythat.AndIwasmeaningtodropinonhimtoday.SoshallItellhim?

If you like. I don't know, though, how you'll arrange it, she said irresolutely. I was
meaningtohaveatalkwithhimmyself,andwantedtofixthetimeandplace.

Shefrowned.

Oh,it'snotworthwhilefixingatime.I'llsimplygivehint;themessage.

Verywell,do.AddthatIcertainlywillfixatimetoseehimthough.Besuretosaythattoo.

Pyotr Stepanovitch ran off, grinning. He was, in fact, to the best of my recollection,
particularlyspitefulallthistime,andventureduponextremelyimpatientsallieswithalmost
everyone.Strangetosay,everyone,somehow,forgavehim.Itwasgenerallyacceptedthathe
was not to be looked at from the ordinary standpoint. I may remark that he took up an
extremelyresentfulattitudeaboutNikolayVsyevolodovitch'sduel.Ittookhimunawares.He
turnedpositivelygreenwhenhewastoldofit.Perhapshisvanitywaswounded:heonly
heardofitnextdaywheneveryoneknewofit.
Youhadnorighttofight,youknow,hewhisperedtoStavrogin,fivedayslater,whenhe
chancedtomeethimattheclub.Itwasremarkablethattheyhadnotoncemetduringthose
fivedays,thoughPyotrStepanovitchhaddroppedinatVarvaraPetrovna'salmosteveryday.

NikolayVsyevolodovitchlookedathiminsilencewithanabsentmindedair,asthoughnot
understandingwhatwasthematter,andhewentonwithoutstopping.Hewascrossingthebig
halloftheclubonhiswaytotherefreshmentroom.

You'vebeentoseeShatovtoo....YoumeantomakeitknownaboutMaryaTimofyevna,
PyotrStepanovitchmuttered,runningafterhim,and,asthoughnotthinkingofwhathewas
doingheclutchedathisshoulder.

Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch shook his hand off and turned round quickly to him with a
menacingscowl.PyotrStepanovitchlookedathimwithastrange,prolongedsmile.Itall
lastedonlyonemoment.NikolayVsyevolodovitchwalkedon.

II

HewenttotheoldmanstraightfromVarvaraPetrovna's,andhewasinsuchhastesimply
fromspite,thathemightrevengehimselfforaninsultofwhichIhadnoideaatthattime.The
factisthatattheirlastinterviewontheThursdayofthepreviousweek,StepanTrofimovitch,
thoughthedisputewasoneofhisownbeginning,hadendedbyturningPyotrStepanovitch
outwithhisstick.Heconcealedtheincidentfrommeatthetime.Butnow,assoonasPyotr
Stepanovitchraninwithhiseverlastinggrin,whichwassonaivelycondescending,andhis
unpleasantlyinquisitiveeyespeeringintoeverycorner,StepanTrofimovitchatoncemadea
signal aside to me, not to leave the room. This was how their real relations came to be
exposedbeforeme,foronthisoccasionIheardtheirwholeconversation.

StepanTrofimovitchwassittingstretchedoutonalounge.Hehadgrownthinandsallow
sincethatThursday.PyotrStepanovitchseatedhimselfbesidehimwithamostfamiliarair,
unceremoniouslytuckinghislegsupunderhim,andtakingupmoreroomontheloungethan
deferencetohisfathershouldhaveallowed.StepanTrofimovitchmovedaside,insilence,and
withdignity.

Onthetablelayanopenbook.Itwasthenovel,What'stobedone?Alas,Imustconfess
onestrangeweaknessinmyfriend;thefantasythatheoughttocomeforthfromhissolitude
and fight a last battle was getting more and more hold upon his deluded imagination. I
guessedthathehadgotthenovelandwasstudyingitsolelyinorderthatwhentheinevitable
conflict with the shriekers came about he might know their methods and arguments
beforehand,fromtheirverycatechism,andinthatwaybepreparedtoconfutethemall
triumphantly,beforehereyes.Oh,howthatbooktorturedhim!Hesometimesflungitasidein
despair,andleapingup,pacedabouttheroomalmostinafrenzy.

Iagreethattheauthor'sfundamentalideaisatrueone,hesaidtomefeverishly,butthat
onlymakesitmoreawful.It'sjustouridea,exactlyours;wefirstsowedtheseed,nurturedit,
preparedtheway,and,indeed,whatcouldtheysaynew,afterus?But,heavens!Howit'sall
expressed,distorted,mutilated!heexclaimed,tappingthebookwithhisfingers.Werethese
theconclusionswewerestrivingfor.Whocanunderstandtheoriginalideainthis?

Improvingyourmind?sniggeredPyotrStepanovitch,takingthebookfromthetableand
readingthetitle.It'shightime.I'llbringyoubetter,ifyoulike.

StepanTrofimovitchagainpreservedadignifiedsilence.Iwassittingonasofainthecorner.

Pyotr Stepanovitch quickly explained the reason of his coming. Of course, Stepan
Trofimovitch was absolutely staggered, and he listened in alarm, which was mixed with
extremeindignation.

AndthatYuliaMihailovnacountsonmycomingtoreadforher!

Well,they'rebynomeansinsuchneedofyou.Onthecontrary,it'sbywayofanattentionto
you,soastomakeuptoVarvaraPetrovna.But,ofcourse,youwon'tdaretorefuse,andI
expectyouwanttoyourself,headdedwithagrin.Youoldfogiesareallsodevilishly
ambitious.But,Isaythough,youmustlookoutthatit'snottooboring.Whathaveyougot?
Spanishhistory,orwhatisit?You'dbetterletmelookatitthreedaysbeforehand,orelse
you'llputustosleepperhaps.

Thehurriedandtoobarefacedcoarsenessofthesethrustswasobviouslypremeditated.He
affectedtobehaveasthoughitwereimpossibletotalktoStepanTrofimovitchindifferentand
moredelicatelanguage.StepanTrofimovitchresolutelypersistedinignoringhisinsults,but
whathissontoldhimmadeamoreandmoreoverwhelmingimpressionuponhim.

Andshe,sheherselfsentmethismessagethroughyou?heasked,turningpale.

Well,yousee,shemeanstofixatimeandplaceforamutualexplanation,therelicsofyour
sentimentalising.You'vebeencoquettingwithherfortwentyyearsandhavetrainedhertothe
mostridiculoushabits.Butdon'ttroubleyourself,it'squitedifferentnow.Shekeepssaying
herselfthatshe'sonlybeginningnowto'havehereyesopened.'Itoldherinsomanywords
thatallthisfriendshipofyoursisnothingbutamutualpouringforthofsloppiness.Shetold
melots,myboy.Foo!whataflunkey'splaceyou'vebeenfillingallthistime.Ipositively
blushedforyou.

Ifillingaflunkey'splace?criedStepanTrofimovitch,unabletorestrainhimself.

Worse,you'vebeenaparasite,thatis,avoluntaryflunkeytoolazytowork,whileyou'vean
appetiteformoney.She,too,understandsallthatnow.It'sawfulthethingsshe'sbeentelling
meaboutyou,anyway.Ididlaugh,myboy,overyourletterstoher;shamefulanddisgusting.
Butyou'reallsodepraved,sodepraved!There'salwayssomethingdepravingincharity
you'reagoodexampleofit!

Sheshowedyoumyletters!
All;though,ofcourse,onecouldn'treadthemall.Foo,whatalotofpaperyou'vecovered!I
believetherearemorethantwothousandlettersthere.Anddoyouknow,oldchap,Ibelieve
therewasonemomentwhenshe'dhavebeenreadytomarryyou.Youletslipyourchancein
thesilliestway.Ofcourse,I'mspeakingfromyourpointofview,though,anyway,itwould
havebeenbetterthannowwhenyou'vealmostbeenmarriedto'coveranotherman'ssins,'like
abuffoon,forajest,formoney.

Formoney!She,shesaysitwasformoney!StepanTrofimovitchwailedinanguish.

Whatelse,then?But,ofcourse,Istoodupforyou.That'syouronlylineofdefence,you
know.Sheseesforherselfthatyouneededmoneylikeeveryoneelse,andthatfromthatpoint
ofviewmaybeyouwereright.Iprovedtoherasclearastwicetwomakesfourthatitwasa
mutualbargain.Shewasacapitalistandyouwereasentimentalbuffooninherservice.She's
notangryaboutthemoney,thoughyouhavemilkedherlikeagoat.She'sonlyinarageat
havingbelievedinyoufortwentyyears,atyourhavingsotakenherinoverthesenoble
sentiments,andmadehertellliesforsolong.Sheneverwilladmitthatshetoldliesofherself,
butyou'llcatchitthemoreforthat.Ican'tmakeouthowitwasyoudidn'tseethatyou'dhave
tohaveadayofreckoning.Forafterallyouhadsomesense.Iadvisedheryesterdaytoput
youinanalmshouse,agenteelone,don'tdisturbyourself;there'llbenothinghumiliating;I
believethat'swhatshe'lldo.Doyourememberyourlastlettertome,threeweeksago?

Canyouhaveshownherthat?criedStepanTrofimovitch,leapingupinhorror.

Rather!Firstthing.Theoneinwhichyoutoldmeshewasexploitingyou,enviousofyour
talent;oh,yes,andthatabout'othermen'ssins.'Youhavegotaconceitthough,myboy!How
Ididlaugh.Asaruleyourlettersareverytedious.

Youwriteahorriblestyle.Ioftendon'treadthematall,andI'veonelyingabouttothisday,
unopened.I'llsendittoyoutomorrow.Butthatone,thatlastletterofyourswasthetiptopof
perfection!HowIdidlaugh!Oh,howIlaughed!

Monster,monster!wailedStepanTrofimovitch.

Foo,damnitall,there'snotalkingtoyou.Isay,you'regettinghuffyagainasyouwerelast
Thursday.

StepanTrofimovitchdrewhimselfup,menacingly.

Howdareyouspeaktomeinsuchlanguage?

Whatlanguage?It'ssimpleandclear.

Tellme,youmonster,areyoumysonornot?

Youknowthatbest.Tobesureallfathersaredisposedtobeblindinsuchcases.
Silence!Silence!criedStepanTrofimovitch,shakingallover.

Youseeyou'rescreamingandswearingatmeasyoudidlastThursday.Youtriedtoliftyour
stickagainstme,butyouknow,Ifoundthatdocument.Iwasrummagingalltheeveningin
mytrunkfromcuriosity.It'struethere'snothingdefinite,youcantakethatcomfort.It'sonlya
letterofmymother'stothatPole.Buttojudgefromhercharacter...

AnotherwordandI'llboxyourears.

Whatasetofpeople!saidPyotrStepanovitch,suddenlyaddressinghimselftome.You
see,thisishowwe'vebeeneversincelastThursday.I'mgladyou'reherethistime,anyway,
andcanjudgebetweenus.Tobeginwith,afact:hereproachesmeforspeakinglikethisof
mymother,butdidn'theeggmeontoit?InPetersburgbeforeIlefttheHighSchool,didn'the
wakemetwiceinthenight,toembraceme,andcrylikeawoman,andwhatdoyousuppose
hetalkedtomeaboutatnightIWhy,thesamemodestanecdotesaboutmymother!Itwas
fromhimIfirstheardthem.

Oh,Imeantthatinahighersense!Oh,youdidn'tunderstandme!Youunderstoodnothing,
nothing.

But,anyway,itwasmeanerinyouthaninme,meaner,acknowledgethat.Yousee,it's
nothingtomeifyoulike.I'mspeakingfromyourpointofview.Don'tworryaboutmypoint
ofview.Idon'tblamemymother;ifit'syou,thenit'syou,ifit'saPole,thenit'saPole,it'sall
thesametome.I'mnottoblamebecauseyouandshemanagedsostupidlyinBerlin.As
thoughyoucouldhavemanagedthingsbetter.Aren'tyouan.absurdset,afterthat?Anddoes
itmattertoyouwhetherI'myoursonornot?Listen,hewenton,turningtomeagain,he's
neverspentapennyonmeallhislife;tillIwassixteenhedidn'tknowmeatall;afterwards
herobbedmehere,andnowhecriesoutthathishearthasbeenachingovermeallhislife,
andcarriesonbeforemelikeanactor.I'mnotVarvaraPetrovna,mindyou.

Hegotupandtookhishat.

Icurseyouhenceforth!

StepanTrofimovitch,aspaleasdeath,stretchedouthishandabovehim.

Ach,whatfollyamanwilldescendto!criedPyotrStepanovitch,actuallysurprised.Well,
goodbye,oldfellow,Ishallnevercomeandseeyouagain.Sendmethearticlebeforehand,
don'tforget,andtryandletitbefreefromnonsense.Facts,facts,facts.Andaboveall,letitbe
short.Goodbye.

III

Outside influences, too, had come into play in the matter, however. Pyotr Stepanovitch
certainlyhadsomedesignsonhisparent.Inmyopinionhecalculateduponreducingtheold
mantodespair,andsotodrivinghimtosomeopenscandalofacertainsort.Thiswastoserve
someremoteandquiteotherobjectofhisown,ofwhichIshallspeakhereafter.Allsortsof
plansandcalculationsofthiskindwereswarminginmassesinhismindatthattime,and
almostall,ofcourse,ofafantasticcharacter.HehaddesignsonanothervictimbesideStepan
Trofimovitch.Infact,asappearedafterwards,hisvictimswerenotfewinnumber,butthis
onehereckoneduponparticularly,anditwasMr.vonLembkehimself.

Andrey Antonovitchvon Lembke belonged tothat race, so favouredby nature, which is

reckonedbyhundredsofthousandsattheRussiancensus,andisperhapsunconsciousthatit
formsthroughoutitswholemassastrictlyorganisedunion.Andthisunion,ofcourse,isnot
planned and premeditated, but exists spontaneously in the whole race, without words or
agreementsasamoralobligationconsistinginmutualsupportgivenbyallmembersofthe
racetooneanother,atalltimesandplaces,and'Underallcircumstances.AndreyAntonovitch
had the honour of being educated in one of those more exalted Russian educational
institutions which are filled with the youth from families well provided with wealth or
connections.Almostimmediatelyonfinishingtheirstudiesthepupilswereappointedtorather
importantpostsinoneofthegovernmentdepartments.AndreyAntonovitchhadoneunclea
colonelofengineers,andanotherabaker.Buthemanagedtogetintothisaristocraticschool,
and met many of his fellowcountrymen in a similar position. He was a goodhumoured
companion, was rather stupid at his studies, but always popular. And when many of his
companionsintheupperformschieflyRussianshadalreadylearnttodiscusstheloftiest
modernquestions,andlookedasthoughtheywereonlywaitingtoleaveschooltosettlethe
affairsoftheuniverse,AndreyAntonovitchwasstillabsorbedinthemostinnocentschoolboy
interests.Heamusedthemall,itistrue,byhispranks,whichwereofaverysimplecharacter,
atthemostalittlecoarse,buthemadeithisobjecttobefunny.Atonetimehewouldblow
hisnoseinawonderfulwaywhentheprofessoraddressedaquestiontohim,therebymaking
hisschoolfellowsandtheprofessorlaugh.Anothertime,inthedormitory,hewouldactsome
indecent living picture, to the general applause, or he would play the overture to Fra
Diavolowithhisnoseratherskilfully.Hewasdistinguished,too,byintentionaluntidiness,
thinkingthis,forsomereason,witty.InhisverylastyearatschoolhebeganwritingRussian
poetry.

Ofhisnativelanguagehehadonlyanungrammaticalknowledge,likemanyofhisracein
Russia.Thisturnforversifyingdrewhimtoagloomyanddepressedschoolfellow,thesonof
a poor Russian general, who was considered in the school to be a great future light in
literature.Thelatterpatronisedhim.Butithappenedthatthreeyearsafterleavingschoolthis
melancholy schoolfellow, who had flung up his official career for the sake of Russian
literature,andwasconsequentlygoingaboutintornboots,withhisteethchatteringwithcold,
wearingalightsummerovercoatinthelateautumn,met,onedayontheAnitchinbridge,his
former protege, Lembka, as he always used to be called at school. And, what do you
suppose?Hedidnotatfirstrecognisehim,andstoodstillinsurprise.Beforehimstoodan
irreproachablydressedyoungmanwithwonderfullywellkeptwhiskersofareddishhue,with
pincenez, with patentleather boots, and the freshest of gloves, in a full overcoat from
Sharmer's,andwithaportfoliounderhisarm.Lembkewascordialtohisoldschoolfellow,
gavehimhisaddress,andbeggedhimtocomeandseehimsomeevening.Itappeared,too,
thathewasbynownotLembkabutVonLembke.Theschoolfellowcametoseehim,
however,simplyfrommaliceperhaps.Onthestaircase,whichwascoveredwithredfeltand
wasratheruglyandbynomeanssmart,hewasmetandquestionedbythehouseporter.A
bell rang loudly upstairs. But instead ofthe wealthwhichthe visitor expected, he found
Lembkeinaverylittlesideroom,whichhadadarkanddilapidatedappearance,partitioned
into two by a large dark green curtain, and furnished with very old though comfortable
furniture,withdarkgreenblindsonhighnarrowwindows.VonLembkelodgedinthehouse
ofaverydistantrelation,ageneralwhowashispatron.Hemethisvisitorcordially,was
seriousandexquisitelypolite.Theytalkedofliterature,too,butkeptwithintheboundsof
decorum.Amanservantinawhitetiebroughtthemsomeweakteaandlittledry,round
biscuits.Theschoolfellow,fromspite,askedforsomeseltzerwater.Itwasgivenhim,but
aftersomedelays,andLembkewassomewhatembarrassedathavingtosummonthefootman
asecondtimeandgivehimorders.Butofhimselfheaskedhisvisitorwhetherhewouldlike
somesupper,andwasobviouslyrelievedwhenherefusedandwentaway.Inshort,Lembke
was making his career, and was living in dependence on his fellowcountryman, the
influentialgeneral.

Hewasatthattimesighingforthegeneral'sfifthdaughter,anditseemedtohimthathis
feelingwasreciprocated.ButAmaliawasnonethelessmarriedinduetimetoanelderly
factoryowner,aGerman,andanoldcomradeofthegeneral's.AndreyAntonovitchdidnot
shedmanytears,butmadeapapertheatre.Thecurtaindrewup,theactorscamein,and
gesticulatedwiththeirarms.Therewerespectatorsintheboxes,theorchestramovedtheir
bowsacrosstheirfiddlesbymachinery,the conductorwavedhisbaton, andinthe stalls
officersanddandiesclappedtheirhands.Itwasallmadeofcardboard,itwasallthoughtout
andexecutedbyLembkehimself.Hespentsixmonthsoverthistheatre.Thegeneralarranged
a friendly party on purpose. The theatre was exhibited, all the general's five daughters,
includingthenewlymarriedAmaliawithherfactoryowner,numerousfrausandfrauleins
withtheirmenfolk,attentivelyexaminedandadmiredthetheatre,afterwhichtheydanced.
Lembkewasmuchgratifiedandwasquicklyconsoled.

Theyearspassedbyandhiscareerwassecured.Healwaysobtainedgoodpostsandalways
underchiefsofhisownrace;andheworkedhiswayupatlasttoaveryfinepositionfora
manofhis age. He had, fora long time, been wishingto marryandlookingabout him
carefully. Without the knowledge of his superiorshe had sent a novel to the editor of a
magazine,butithadnotbeenaccepted.Ontheotherhand,hecutoutacompletetoyrailway,
andagainhiscreationwasmostsuccessful.Passengerscameontotheplatformwithbagsand
portmanteaux,withdogsandchildren,andgotintothecarriages.Theguardsandporters
movedaway,thebellwasrung,thesignalwasgiven,andthetrainstartedoff.Hewasawhole
yearbusyoverthisclevercontrivance.Buthehadtogetmarriedallthesame.Thecircleof
his acquaintance was fairly wide, chiefly in the world of his compatriots, but his duties
broughthimintoRussianspheresalso,ofcourse.Finally,whenhewasinhisthirtyninth
year,hecameinforalegacy.Hisunclethebakerdied,andlefthimthirteenthousandroubles
inhiswill.Theonethingneedfulwasasuitablepost.Inspiteoftheratherelevatedstyleof
hissurroundingsintheservice,Mr.vonLembkewasaverymodestman.Hewouldhavebeen
perfectlysatisfiedwithsomeindependentlittlegovernmentpost,withtherighttoasmuch
government timberas he liked, orsomethingsnug of that sort, andhe would have been
contentallhislifelong.Butnow,insteadoftheMinnaorErnestinehehadexpected,Yulia
Mihailovna suddenly appeared on the scene. His career was instantly raised to a more
elevatedplane.Themodestandprecisemanfeltthathetoowascapableofambition.

YuliaMihailovnahadafortuneoftwohundredserfs,toreckonintheoldstyle,andshehad
besidespowerfulfriends.OntheotherhandLembkewashandsome,andshewasalreadyover
forty.Itisremarkablethathefellgenuinelyinlovewithherbydegreesashebecamemore
usedtobeingbetrothedtoher.Onthemorningofhisweddingdayhesentherapoem.She
likedallthisverymuch,eventhepoem;it'snojoketobeforty.Hewasveryquicklyraisedto
acertaingradeandreceivedacertainorderofdistinction,andthenwasappointedgovernorof
ourprovince.

BeforecomingtousYuliaMihailovnaworkedhardatmouldingherhusband.Inheropinion
hewasnotwithoutabilities,heknewhowtomakeanentranceandtoappeartoadvantage,he
understoodhowtolistenandbesilentwithprofundity,hadacquiredaquitedistinguished
deportment,couldmakeaspeech,indeedhadevensomeoddsandendsofthought,andhad
caughtthenecessaryglossofmodernliberalism.Whatworriedher,however,wasthathewas
not very open to new ideas, and after the long, everlasting plodding for a career, was
unmistakablybeginningtofeeltheneedofrepose.Shetriedtoinfecthimwithherown
ambition,andhesuddenlybeganmakingatoychurch:thepastorcameouttopreachthe
sermon,thecongregationlistenedwiththeirhandsbeforethem,oneladywasdryinghertears
withherhandkerchief,oneoldgentlemanwasblowinghisnose;finallytheorganpealed
forth.IthadbeenorderedfromSwitzerland,andmadeexpresslyinspiteofallexpense.Yulia
Mihailovna,inpositivealarm,carriedoffthewholestructureassoonassheknewaboutit,
andlockeditupinaboxinherownroom.Tomakeupforitsheallowedhimtowriteanovel
onconditionofitsbeingkeptsecret.Fromthattimeshebegantoreckononlyuponherself.
Unhappilytherewasagooddealofshallownessandlackofjudgmentinherattitude.Destiny
hadkepthertoolonganoldmaid.Nowoneideaafteranotherflutteredthroughherambitious
and rather overexcited brain. She cherished designs, she positively desired to rule the
province,dreamedofbecomingatoncethecentreofacircle,adoptedpoliticalsympathies.
VonLembkewasactuallyalittlealarmed,though,withhisofficialtact,hequicklydivined
thathehadnoneedatalltobeuneasyaboutthegovernmentoftheprovinceitself.Thefirst
twoorthreemonthspassedindeedverysatisfactorily.ButnowPyotrStepanovitchhadturned
up,andsomethingqueerbegantohappen.

ThefactwasthatyoungVerhovensky,fromthefirststep,haddisplayedaflagrantlackof
respectforAndreyAntonovitch,andhadassumedastrangerighttodictatetohim;while
Yulia Mihailovna, who had always till then been so jealous of her husband's dignity,
absolutelyrefusedtonoticeit;or,atanyrate,attachednoconsequencetoit.Theyoungman
becameafavourite,ate,drank,andalmostsleptinthehouse.VonLembketriedtodefend
himself,calledhimyoungmanbeforeotherpeople,andslappedhimpatronisinglyonthe
shoulder,butmadenoimpression.PyotrStepanovitchalwaysseemedtobelaughinginhis
faceevenwhenheappearedonthesurfacetobetalkingseriouslytohim,andhewouldsay
themoststartlingthingstohimbeforecompany.Returninghomeonedayhefoundtheyoung
man had installed himself in his study and was asleep on the sofa there, uninvited. He
explainedthathehadcomein,andfindingnooneathomehadhadagoodsleep.

VonLembkewasoffendedandagaincomplainedtohiswife.Laughingathisirritabilityshe
observedtartlythatheevidentlydidnotknowhowtokeepuphisowndignity;andthatwith
her,anyway,theboyhadneverpermittedhimselfanyunduefamiliarity,hewasnaiveand
freshindeed,thoughnotregardfuloftheconventionsofsociety.VonLembkesulked.This
timeshemadepeacebetweenthem.PyotrStepanovitchdidnotgosofarastoapologise,but
gotoutofitwithacoarsejest,whichmightatanothertimehavebeentakenforafresh
offence,butwasacceptedonthisoccasionasatokenofrepentance.TheweakspotinAndrey
Antonovitch'spositionwasthathehadblunderedinthefirstinstancebydivulgingthesecret
ofhisnoveltohim.Imagininghimtobeanardentyoungmanofpoeticfeelingandhaving
longdreamedofsecuringalistener,hehad,duringtheearlydaysoftheiracquaintance,on
oneoccasionreadaloudtwochapterstohim.Theyoungmanhadlistenedwithoutdisguising
hisboredom,hadrudelyyawned,hadvouchsafednowordofpraise;butonleavinghadasked
forthemanuscriptthathemightformanopinionofitathisleisure,andAndreyAntonovitch
hadgivenithim.Hehadnotreturnedthemanuscriptsince,thoughhedroppedineveryday,
andhadturnedoffallinquirieswithalaugh.Afterwardshedeclaredthathehadlostitinthe
street.AtthetimeYuliaMihailovnawasterriblyangrywithherhusbandwhensheheardofit.

Perhapsyoutoldhimaboutthechurchtoo?sheburstoutalmostindismay.

VonLembkeunmistakablybegantobrood,andbroodingwasbadforhim,andhadbeen
forbiddenbythedoctors.Apartfromthefactthatthereweresignsoftroubleintheprovince,
ofwhichwewillspeaklater,hehadprivatereasonsforbrooding,hisheartwaswounded,not
merelyhisofficialdignity.WhenAndreyAntonovitchhadentereduponmarriedlife,hehad
never conceived the possibility of conjugal strife, or dissension in the future. It was
inconsistentwiththedreamshehadcherishedallhislifeofhisMinnaorErnestine.Hefelt
thathewasunequaltoenduringdomesticstorms.YuliaMihailovnahadanopenexplanation
withhimatlast.

Youcan'tbeangryatthis,shesaid,ifonlybecauseyou'vestillasmuchsenseashehas,
andareimmeasurablyhigherinthesocialscale.Theboystillpreservesmanytracesofhisold
freethinkinghabits;Ibelieveit'ssimplymischief;butonecandonothingsuddenly,ina
hurry;youmustdothingsbydegrees.Wemustmakemuchofouryoungpeople;Itreatthem
withaffectionandholdthembackfromthebrink.

Buthesayssuchdreadfulthings,VonLembkeobjected.Ican'tbehavetolerantlywhenhe
maintainsinmypresenceandbeforeotherpeoplethatthegovernmentpurposelydrenchesthe
peoplewithvodkainordertobrutalisethem,andsokeepthemfromrevolution.Fancymy
positionwhenI'mforcedtolistentothatbeforeeveryone.

As he said this, Von Lembke recalled a conversation he had recently had with Pyotr
Stepanovitch.WiththeinnocentobjectofdisplayinghisLiberaltendencieshehadshownhim
hisownprivatecollectionofeverypossiblekindofmanifesto,Russianandforeign,whichhe
hadcarefullycollectedsincetheyear1859,notsimplyfromaloveofcollectingbutfroma
laudableinterestinthem.PyotrStepanovitch,seeinghisobject,expressedtheopinionthat
there was more sense in one line of some manifestoes than in a whole government
department,notevenexcludingyours,maybe.

Lembkewinced.

Butthisisprematureamongus,premature,hepronouncedalmostimploringly,pointingto
themanifestoes.

No,it'snotpremature;youseeyou'reafraid,soit'snotpremature.

Buthere,forinstance,isanincitementtodestroychurches.

Andwhynot?You'reasensibleman,andofcourseyoudon'tbelieveinityourself,butyou
knowperfectlywellthatyouneedreligiontobrutalisethepeople.Truthishonesterthan
falsehood....

Iagree,Iagree,Iquiteagreewithyou,butitispremature,prematureinthiscountry...
saidVonLembke,frowning.

Andhowcanyoubeanofficialofthegovernmentafterthat,whenyouagreetodemolishing
churches,andmarchingonPetersburgarmedwithstaves,andmakeitallsimplyaquestionof
date?

Lembkewasgreatlyputoutatbeingsocrudelycaught.

It'snotso,notsoatall,hecried,carriedawayandmoreandmoremortifiedinhisamour
propre.You'reyoung,andknownothingofouraims,andthat'swhyyou'remistaken.You
see, my dear Pyotr Stepanovitch, you call us officials of the government, don't you?
Independent officials, don't you? But let me ask you, how are we acting? Ours is the
responsibility,butinthelongrunweservethecauseofprogressjustasyoudo.Weonlyhold
togetherwhatyouareunsettling,andwhat,butforus,wouldgotopiecesinalldirections.We
arenotyourenemies,notabitofit.Wesaytoyou,goforward,progress,youmayeven
unsettlethings,thatis,thingsthatareantiquatedandinneedofreform.Butwewillkeepyou,
whenneedbe,withinnecessarylimits,andsosaveyoufromyourselves,forwithoutusyou
wouldsetRussiatottering,robbingherofallexternaldecency,whileourtaskistopreserve
externaldecency.Understandthatwearemutuallyessentialtooneanother.InEnglandthe
WhigsandToriesareinthesamewaymutuallyessentialtooneanother.Well,you'reWhigs
andwe'reTories.That'showIlookatit.

AndreyAntonovitchrosetopositiveeloquence.HehadbeenfondoftalkinginaLiberaland
intellectualstyleeveninPetersburg,andthegreatthingherewasthattherewasnoonetoplay
thespyonhim.
PyotrStepanovitchwassilent,andmaintainedanunusuallygraveair.Thisexcitedtheorator
morethanever.

DoyouknowthatI,the'personresponsiblefortheprovince,'hewenton,walkingaboutthe
study,doyouknowIhavesomanydutiesIcan'tperformoneofthem,and,ontheother
hand,Icansayjustastrulythatthere'snothingformetodohere.Thewholesecretofitis,
thateverythingdependsupontheviewsofthegovernment.Supposethegovernmentwere
evertofoundarepublic,frompolicy,ortopacifypublicexcitement,andatthesametimeto
increasethepowerofthegovernors,thenwegovernorswouldswallowuptherepublic;and
nottherepubliconly.Anythingyoulikewe'llswallowup.I,atleast,feelthatIamready.In
oneword,ifthegovernmentdictatestomebytelegram,activitedevorante,I'llsupplyactivite
devorante. I'vetoldthemherestraightintheirfaces:'Dearsirs,tomaintaintheequilibrium
andtodevelopalltheprovincialinstitutionsonethingisessential;theincreaseofthepower
ofthegovernor.'Youseeit'snecessarythatalltheseinstitutions,thezemstvos,thelawcourts,
shouldhaveatwofoldexistence,thatis,ontheonehand,it'snecessarytheyshouldexist(I
agree that it is necessary), on the other hand, it's necessary that they shouldn't. It's all
accordingtotheviewsofthegovernment.Ifthemoodtakesthemsothatinstitutionsseem
suddenlynecessary,Ishallhavethematonceinreadiness.Thenecessitypassesandnoone
willfindthemundermyrule.That'swhatIunderstandbyactivitedevorante, andyoucan't
haveitwithoutanincreaseofthegovernor'spower.We'retalkingteteatete.YouknowI've
alreadylaidbeforethegovernmentinPetersburgthenecessityofaspecialsentinelbeforethe
governor'shouse.I'mawaitingananswer.

Yououghttohavetwo,PyotrStepanovitchcommented.

Whytwo?saidVonLembke,stoppingshortbeforehim.

One'snotenoughtocreaterespectforyou.Youcertainlyoughttohavetwo.

AndreyAntonovitchmadeawryface.

You...there'snolimittothelibertiesyoutake,PyotrStepanovitch.Youtakeadvantageof
mygoodnature,yousaycuttingthings,andplaythepartofabourrubienfaisant....

Well,that'sasyouplease,mutteredPyotrStepanovitch;anywayyoupavethewayforus
andprepareforoursuccess.

Now,whoare'we,'andwhatsuccess?saidVonLembke,staringathiminsurprise.Buthe
gotnoanswer.

YuliaMihailovna,receivingareportoftheconversation,wasgreatlydispleased.

But I can't exercise my official authority upon your favourite, Andrey Antonovitch
protestedinselfdefence,especiallywhenwe'reteteatete....Imaysaytoomuch...inthe
goodnessofmyheart.
Fromtoomuchgoodnessofheart.Ididn'tknowyou'dgotacollectionofmanifestoes.Beso
goodastoshowthemtome.

But...heaskedtohavethemforoneday.

And you've let him have them, again! cried Yulia Mihailovna getting angry. How
tactless!

I'llsendsomeonetohimatoncetogetthem.

Hewon'tgivethemup.

I'llinsistonit,criedVonLembke,boilingover,andhejumpedupfromhisseat.Who'she
thatweshouldbesoafraidofhim,andwhoamIthatIshouldn'tdaretodoanything?

Sitdownandcalmyourself,saidYuliaMihailovna,checkinghim.Iwillansweryourfirst
question.Hecametomewiththehighestrecommendations.He'stalented,andsometimes
says extremely clever things. Karmazinov tells me that he has connections almost
everywhere, and extraordinary influence over the younger generation in Petersburg and
Moscow.AndifthroughhimIcanattractthemallandgroupthemroundmyself,Ishallbe
saving them from perdition by guiding them into a new outlet for their ambitions. He's
devotedtomewithhiswholeheartandisguidedbymeineverything.

Butwhilethey'rebeingpetted...thedevilknowswhattheymaynotdo.Ofcourse,it'san
idea...saidVonLembke,vaguelydefendinghimself,but...buthereI'veheardthat
manifestoesofsomesorthavebeenfoundinXdistrict.

Buttherewasarumourofthatinthesummermanifestoes,falsebanknotes,andalltherest
ofit,buttheyhaven'tfoundoneofthemsofar.Whotoldyou?

IhearditfromVonBlum.

Ah,don'ttalktomeofyourBlum.Don'teverdarementionhimagain!

YuliaMihailovnaflewintoarage,andforamomentcouldnotspeak.VonBlumwasaclerk
inthegovernor'sofficewhomsheparticularlyhated.Ofthatlater.

Pleasedon'tworryyourselfaboutVerhovensky,shesaidinconclusion.Ifhehadtaken
partinanymischiefhewouldn'ttalkashedoestoyou,andeveryoneelsehere.Talkersare
notdangerous,andIwillevengosofarastosaythatifanythingweretohappenIshouldbe
thefirsttohearofitthroughhim.He'squitefanaticallydevotedtome.

Iwillobserve,anticipatingeventsthat,haditnotbeenforTuliaMihailovna'sobstinacyand
selfconceit,probablynothingofallthemischiefthesewretchedpeoplesucceededinbringing
aboutamongstuswouldhavehappened.Shewasresponsibleforagreatdeal
 CHAPTERV.ONTHEEVEOPTHEFETE

thedateofthefetewhichYuliaMihailovnawasgettingupforthebenefitofthegovernesses
ofourprovincehadbeenseveraltimesfixedandputoff.Shehadinvariablybustlinground
herPyotrStepanovitchandalittleclerk,Lyamshin,whousedatonetimetovisitStepan
Trofimovitch,andhadsuddenlyfoundfavourinthegovernor'shouseforthewayheplayed
thepianoandnowwasofuserunningerrands.Liputinwasthereagooddealtoo,andYulia
Mihailovnadestinedhimtobetheeditorofanewindependentprovincialpaper.Therewere
alsoseveralladies,marriedandsingle,andlastly,evenKarmazinovwho,thoughhecouldnot
besaidtobustle,announcedaloudwithacomplacentairthathewouldagreeablyastonish
every one when the literary quadrille began. An extraordinary multitude of donors and
subscribers had turned up, all the select society of the town; but even the unselect were
admitted,ifonlytheyproducedthecash.YuliaMihailovnaobservedthatsometimesitwasa
positivedutytoallowthemixingofclasses,forotherwisewhoistoenlightenthem?

Aprivatedrawingroomcommitteewasformed,atwhichitwasdecidedthatthefetewasto
be of a democratic character. The enormous list of subscriptions tempted them to lavish
expenditure.Theywantedtodosomethingonamarvellousscalethat'swhyitwasputoff.
Theywerestillundecidedwheretheballwastotakeplace,whetherintheimmensehouse
belongingtothemarshal'swife,whichshewaswillingtogiveuptothemfortheday,orat
VarvaraPetrovna'smansionatSkvoreshniki.ItwasratheradistancetoSkvoreshniki,but
manyofthecommitteewereofopinionthatitwouldbefreerthere.VarvaraPetrovna
woulddearlyhavelikedittohavebeeninherhouse.It'sdifficulttounderstandwhythis
proudwomanseemedalmostmakinguptoYuliaMihailovna.Probablywhatpleasedherwas
thatthelatterinherturnseemedalmostfawninguponNikolayVsyevolodovitchandwas
moregracioustohimthantoanyone.IrepeatagainthatPyotrStepanovitchwasalways,in
continualwhispers,strengtheninginthegovernor'shouseholdanideahehadinsinuatedthere
already,thatNikolayVsyevolodovitchwasamanwhohadverymysteriousconnectionswith
verymysteriouscircles,andthathehadcertainlycomeherewithsomecommissionfrom
them.

Peoplehereseemedinastrangestateofmindatthetime.Amongtheladiesespeciallyasort
offrivolitywasconspicuous,anditcouldnotbesaidtobeagradualgrowth.Certainvery
freeandeasynotionsseemedtobeintheair.Therewasasortofdissipatedgaietyandlevity,
and I can't say it was always quite pleasant. A lax way of thinking was the fashion.
Afterwardswhenitwasallover,peopleblamedYuliaMihailovna,hercircle,herattitude.But
itcanhardlyhavebeenaltogetherduetoYuliaMihailovna.Onthecontrary;atfirstmany
peopleviedwithoneanotherinpraisingthenewgovernor'swifeforhersuccessinbringing
localsocietytogether,andformakingthingsmorelively.Severalscandalousincidentstook
place,forwhichYuliaMihailovnawasinnowayresponsible,butatthetimepeoplewere
amusedanddidnothingbutlaugh,andtherewasnoonetocheckthem.Aratherlargegroup
ofpeople,itistrue,heldthemselvesaloof,andhadviewsoftheirownonthecourseof
events.Buteventhesemadenocomplaintatthetime;theysmiled,infact.
Irememberthatafairlylargecirclecameintoexistence,asitwere,spontaneously,thecentre
ofwhichperhapswasreallytobefoundinYuliaMihailovna'sdrawingroom.Inthisintimate
circlewhichsurroundedher,amongtheyoungermembersofit,ofcourse,itwasconsidered
admissibletoplayallsortsofpranks,sometimesratherfreeandeasyones,and,infact,such
conductbecameaprincipleamongthem.Inthiscircletherewereevensomeverycharming
ladies.Theyoungpeoplearrangedpicnics,andevenparties,andsometimeswentaboutthe
towninaregularcavalcade,incarriagesandonhorseback.Theysoughtoutadventures,even
gotthemupthemselves,simplyforthesakeofhavinganamusingstorytotell.Theytreated
ourtownasthoughitwereasortofGlupov.Peoplecalledthemthejeerersorsneerers,
becausetheydidnotstickatanything.Ithappened,forinstance,thatthewifeofalocal
lieutenant,alittlebrunette,veryyoungthoughshelookedwornoutfromherhusband'sill
treatment,ataneveningpartythoughtlesslysatdowntoplaywhistforhighstakesinthe
ferventhopeofwinningenoughtobuyherselfamantle,andinsteadofwinning,lostfifteen
roubles.Beingafraidofherhusband,andhavingnomeansofpaying,shepluckedupthe
courageofformerdaysandventuredontheslytoaskforaloan,onthespot,attheparty,
fromthesonofourmayor,averynastyyouth,precociouslyvicious.Thelatternotonly
refusedit,butwentlaughingaloudtotellherhusband.Thelieutenant,whocertainlywas
poor,withnothingbuthissalary,tookhiswifehomeandavengedhimselfuponhertohis
heart'scontentinspiteofhershrieks,wails,andentreatiesonherkneesforforgiveness.This
revoltingstoryexcitednothingbutmirthalloverthetown,andthoughthepoorwifedidnot
belongtoYuliaMihailovna'scircle,oneoftheladiesofthecavalcade,aneccentricand
adventurouscharacterwhohappenedtoknowher,droveround,andsimplycarriedheroffto
herownhouse.Hereshewasatoncetakenupbyourmadcaps,mademuchof,loadedwith
presents,andkeptforfourdayswithoutbeingsentbacktoherhusband.Shestayedatthe
adventurous lady's all day long, drove about with her and all the sportive company in
expeditionsaboutthetown,andtookpartindancesandmerrymaking.Theykepteggingher
ontohaulherhusbandbeforethecourtandtomakeascandal.Theydeclaredthattheywould
allsupportherandwouldcomeandbearwitness.Thehusbandkeptquiet,notdaringto
opposethem.Thepoorthingrealisedatlastthatshehadgotintoahopelesspositionand,
moredeadthanalivewithfright,onthefourthdaysheranoffintheduskfromherprotectors
toherlieutenant.It'snotdefinitelyknownwhattookplacebetweenhusbandandwife,buttwo
shuttersofthelowpitchedlittlehouseinwhichthelieutenantlodgedwerenotopenedfora
fortnight.YuliaMihailovnawasangrywiththemischiefmakerswhensheheardaboutitall,
andwasgreatlydispleasedwiththeconductoftheadventurouslady,thoughthelatterhad
presentedthelieutenant'swifetoheronthedayshecarriedheroff.However,thiswassoon
forgotten.

Anothertimeapettyclerk,arespectableheadofafamily,marriedhisdaughter,abeautiful
girlofseventeen,knowntoeveryoneinthetown,toanotherpettyclerk,ayoungmanwho
camefromadifferentdistrict.Butsuddenlyitwaslearnedthattheyounghusbandhadtreated
thebeautyveryroughlyontheweddingnight,chastisingherforwhatheregardedasastain
onhishonour.Lyamshin,whowasalmostawitnessoftheaffair,becausehegotdrunkatthe
wedding and so stayed the night, as soon as day dawned, ran round with the diverting
intelligence.
Instantlyapartyofadozenwasmadeup,allofthemonhorseback,someonhiredCossack
horses,PyotrStepanovitch,forinstance,andLiputin,who,inspiteofhisgreyhairs,tookpart
inalmosteveryscandalousadventureofourrecklessyoungsters.Whentheyoungcouple
appearedinthestreetinadroshkywithapairofhorsestomakethecallswhichareobligatory
inourtownonthedayafterawedding,inspiteofanythingthatmayhappen,thewhole
cavalcade,withmerrylaughter,surroundedthedroshkyandfollowedthemaboutthetownall
the morning. They did not, it's true, go into the house, but waited for them outside, on
horseback.Theyrefrainedfrommarkedinsulttothebrideorbridegroom,butstilltheycaused
ascandal.Thewholetownbegantalkingofit.Everyonelaughed,ofcourse.ButatthisVon
Lembke was angry, and again had a lively scene with Yulia Mihailovna. She, too, was
extremelyangry,andformedtheintentionofturningthescapegracesoutofherhouse.But
nextdaysheforgavethemallafterpersuasionsfromPyotrStepanovitchandsomewords
fromKarmazinov,whoconsideredtheaffairratheramusing.

It'sinharmonywiththetraditionsoftheplace,hesaid.Anywayit'scharacteristicand...
bold;andlook,everyone'slaughing,you'retheonlypersonindignant.

Buttherewerepranksofacertaincharacterthatwereabsolutelypastendurance.

Arespectablewomanoftheartisanclass,whowentaboutsellinggospels,cameintothetown.
Peopletalkedabouther,becausesomeinterestingreferencestothesegospelwomenhadjust
appearedinthePetersburgCapers.Againthesamebuffoon,Lyamshin,withthehelpofa
divinitystudent,whowastakingaholidaywhilewaitingforapostintheschool,succeeded,
onthepretenceofbuyingbooksfromthegospelwoman,inthrustingintoherbagawhole
bundle of indecent and obscene photographs from abroad, sacrificed expressly for the
purpose,aswelearnedafterwards,byahighlyrespectableoldgentleman(Iwillomithis
name)withanorderonhisbreast,who,tousehisownwords,lovedahealthylaughanda
merry jest. When the poor woman went to take out the holy books in the bazaar, the
photographswerescatteredabouttheplace.Therewereroarsoflaughterandmurmursof
indignation.Acrowdcollected,beganabusingher,andwouldhavecometoblowsifthe
policehadnotarrivedinthenickoftime.Thegospelwomanwastakentothelockup,and
onlyintheevening,thankstotheeffortsofMavrikyNikolaevitch,whohadlearnedwith
indignationthesecretdetailsofthisloathsomeaffair,shewasreleasedandescortedoutofthe
town.AtthispointYuliaMihailovnawouldcertainlyhaveforbiddenLyamshinherhouse,but
thatveryeveningthewholecirclebroughthimtoherwiththeintelligencethathehadjust
composedanewpieceforthepiano,andpersuadedheratleasttohearit.Thepieceturnedout
tobereallyamusing,andborethecomictitleofTheFrancoPrussianWar.Itbeganwith
themenacingstrainsoftheMarseillaise:

Qu'unsangimpurabreuvenossillons.

There is heard the pompous challenge, the intoxication of future victories. But suddenly
minglingwiththemasterlyvariationsonthenationalhymn,somewherefromsomecorner
quiteclose,ononesidecomethevulgarstrainsofMeinlieberAugustin.TheMarseillaise
goesonunconsciousofthem.TheMarseillaiseisattheclimaxofitsintoxicationwithits
owngrandeur;butAugustingainsstrength;Augustingrowsmoreandmoreinsolent,and
suddenlythemelodyofAugustinbeginstoblendwiththemelodyoftheMarseillaise.The
latterbegins,asitwere,togetangry;becomingawareofAugustinatlastshetriestoflinghim
off,tobrushhimasidelikeatiresomeinsignificantfly.ButMeinlieberAugustinholdshis
ground firmly, he is cheerful and selfconfident, he is gleeful and impudent, and the
Marseillaiseseemssuddenlytobecometerriblystupid.Shecannolongerconcealher
angerandmortification;itisawailofindignation,tears,andcurses,withhandsoutstretched
toProvidence.

Pasunpolicedenoire,terrain;pasunedenosforteresses.

ButsheisforcedtosingintimewithMeinlieberAugustin.Hermelodypassesinasortof
foolishwayintoAugustin;sheyieldsanddiesaway.Andonlybysnatchesthereisheard
again:

Qu'unsangimpur...

Butatonceitpassesveryoffensivelyintothevulgarwaltz.Shesubmitsaltogether.ItisJules
Favre sobbing on Bismarck's bosom and surrendering every thing. . . . But at this point
Augustintoogrowsfierce;hoarsesoundsareheard;thereisasuggestionofcountlessgallons
ofbeer,ofafrenzyofselfglorification,demandsformillions,forfinecigars,champagne,and
hostages.Augustinpassesintoawildyell....TheFrancoPrussianWarisover.Ourcircle
applauded,YuliaMihailovnasmiled,andsaid,Now,howisonetoturnhimout?Peacewas
made.Therascalreallyhadtalent.StepanTrofimovitchassuredmeononeoccasionthatthe
veryhighestartistictalentsmayexistinthemostabominableblackguards,andthattheone
thingdoesnotinterferewiththeother.TherewasarumourafterwardsthatLyamshinhad
stolenthisburlesquefromatalentedandmodestyoungmanofhisacquaintance,whosename
remainedunknown.Butthisisbesidethemark.Thisworthlessfellowwhohadhungabout
StepanTrofimovitchforyears,whousedathiseveningparties,wheninvited,tomimicJews
ofvarioustypes,adeafpeasantwomanmakingherconfession,orthebirthofachild,nowat
YuliaMihailovna'scaricaturedStepanTrofimovitchhimselfinakillingway,underthetitleof
ALiberaloftheForties.Everybodyshookwithlaughter,sothatintheenditwasquite
impossibletoturnhimout:hehadbecometoonecessaryaperson.Besideshefawnedupon
PyotrStepanovitchinaslavishway,andhe,inhisturn,hadobtainedbythistimeastrange
andunaccountableinfluenceoverYuliaMihailovna.

Iwouldn'thavetalkedaboutthisscoundrel,and,indeed,hewouldnotbeworthdwelling
upon,buttherewasanotherrevoltingstory,sopeopledeclare,inwhichhehadahand,and
thisstoryIcannotomitfrommyrecord.

Onemorningthenewsofahideousandrevoltingsacrilegewasalloverthetown.Atthe
entrancetoourimmensemarketplacetherestandstheancientchurchofOurLady'sNativity,
whichwasaremarkableantiquityinourancienttown.Atthegatesoftheprecinctsthereisa
largeikonoftheMotherofGodfixedbehindagratinginthewall.Andbehold,onenightthe
ikonhadbeenrobbed,theglassofthecasewasbroken,thegratingwassmashedandseveral
stonesandpearls(Idon'tknowwhethertheywereverypreciousones)hadbeenremoved
fromthecrownandthesetting.Butwhatwasworse,besidesthetheftasenseless,scoffing
sacrilegehadbeenperpetrated.Behindthebrokenglassoftheikontheyfoundinthemorning,
soitwassaid,alivemouse.Now,fourmonthssince,ithasbeenestablishedbeyonddoubt
thatthecrimewascommittedbytheconvictFedka,butforsomereasonitisaddedthat
Lyamshintookpartinit.AtthetimenoonespokeofLyamshinorhadanysuspicionofhim.
Butnoweveryonesaysitwashewhoputthemousethere.Irememberallourresponsible
officialswereratherstaggered.Acrowdthrongedroundthesceneofthecrimefromearly
morning.Therewasacrowdcontinuallybeforeit,notaveryhugeone,butalwaysabouta
hundredpeople,somecomingandsomegoing.Astheyapproachedtheycrossedthemselves
and bowed down to the ikon. They began to give offerings, and a church dish made its
appearance,andwiththedishamonk.Butitwasonlyaboutthreeo'clockintheafternoonit
occurredtotheauthoritiesthatitwaspossibletoprohibitthecrowdsstandingabout,andto
commandthemwhentheyhadprayed,boweddownandlefttheirofferings,topasson.Upon
VonLembkethisunfortunateincidentmadethegloomiestimpression.AsIwastold,Yulia
Mihailovnasaidafterwardsitwasfromthisillomenedmorningthatshefirstnoticedinher
husbandthatstrangedepressionwhichpersistedinhimuntilheleftourprovinceonaccount
ofillnesstwomonthsago,and,Ibelieve,hauntshimstillinSwitzerland,wherehehasgone
forarestafterhisbriefcareeramongstus.

Irememberatoneo'clockintheafternoonIcrossedthemarketplace;thecrowdwassilent
andtheirfacessolemnandgloomy.Amerchant,fatandsallow,droveup,gotoutofhis
carriage,madeabowtotheground,kissedtheikon,offeredarouble,sighing,gotbackinto
hiscarriageanddroveoff.Anothercarriagedroveupwithtwoladiesaccompaniedbytwoof
ourscapegraces. The youngpeople (one ofwhom was not quite young)got out oftheir
carriagetoo,andsqueezedtheirwayuptotheikon,pushingpeopleasiderathercarelessly.
Neitheroftheyoungmentookoffhishat,andoneofthemputapincenezonhisnose.Inthe
crowdtherewasamurmur,vaguebutunfriendly.Thedandywiththepinceneztookoutof
hispurse,whichwasstuffedfullofbanknotes,acopperfarthingandflungitintothedish.
Both laughed, and, talking loudly, went back to their carriage. At that moment Lizaveta
Nikolaevnagallopedup,escortedbyMavrikyNikolaevitch.Shejumpedoffherhorse,flung
thereinstohercompanion,who,atherbidding,remainedonhishorse,andapproachedthe
ikonattheverymomentwhenthefarthinghadbeenflungdown.Aflushofindignation
suffusedhercheeks;shetookoffherroundhatandhergloves,fellstraightonherknees
beforetheikononthemuddypavement,andreverentlyboweddownthreetimestotheearth.
Thenshetookoutherpurse,butasitappearedshehadonlyafewsmallcoinsinitshe
instantlytookoffherdiamondearringsandputtheminthedish.

MayI?MayI?Fortheadornmentofthesetting?sheaskedthemonk.

Itispermitted,repliedthelatter,everygiftisgood.Thecrowdwassilent,expressing
neitherdissentnorapproval.

Lizagotonherhorseagain,inhermuddyridinghabit,andgallopedaway.
II

TwodaysaftertheincidentIhavedescribedImetherinanumerouscompany,whowere
drivingoutonsomeexpeditioninthreecoaches,surroundedbyothersonhorseback.She
beckonedtome,stoppedhercarriage,andpressinglyurgedmetojointheirparty.Aplace
was found for me in the carriage, and she laughingly introduced me to her companions,
gorgeouslyattiredladies,andexplainedtomethattheywereallgoingonaveryinteresting
expedition.Shewaslaughing,andseemedsomewhatexcessivelyhappy.Justlatelyshehad
beenverylively,evenplayful,infact.

Theexpeditionwascertainlyaneccentricone.Theywereallgoingtoahousetheotherside
oftheriver,tothemerchantSevastyanov's.Inthelodgeofthismerchant'shouseoursaintand
prophet,SemyonYakovlevitch,whowasfamousnotonlyamongstusbutinthesurrounding
provincesandeveninPetersburgandMoscow,hadbeenlivingforthelasttenyears,in
retirement, ease, and Comfort. Every one went to see him, especially visitors to the
neighbourhood,extractingfromhimsomecrazyutterance,bowingdowntohim,andleaving
anoffering.Theseofferingsweresometimesconsiderable,andifSemyonYakovlevitchdid
nothimselfassignthemtosomeotherpurposewerepiouslysenttosomechurchormore
oftentothemonasteryofOurLady.Amonkfromthemonasterywasalwaysinwaitingupon
SemyonYakovlevitchwiththisobject.

All were in expectation of great amusement. No one of the party had seen Semyon
Yakovlevitchbefore,exceptLyamshin,whodeclaredthatthesainthadgivenordersthathe
shouldbedrivenoutwithabroom,andhadwithhisownhandflungtwobigbakedpotatoes
afterhim.AmongthepartyInoticedPyotrStepanovitch,againridingahiredCossackhorse,
onwhichhesatextremelybadly,andNikolayVsyevolodovitch,alsoonhorseback.Thelatter
didnotalwaysholdalooffromsocialdiversions,andonsuchoccasionsalwaysworeanairof
gaiety,although,asalways,hespokelittleandseldom.Whenourpartyhadcrossedthebridge
andreachedthehotelofthetown,someonesuddenlyannouncedthatinoneoftheroomsof
thehoteltheyhadjustfoundatravellerwhohadshothimself,andwereexpectingthepolice.
Atoncethesuggestionwasmadethattheyshouldgoandlookatthesuicide.Theideamet
withapproval:ourladieshadneverseenasuicide.Irememberoneofthemsaidaloudonthe
occasion,Everything'ssoboring,onecan'tbesqueamishoverone'samusements,aslongas
they'reinteresting.Onlyafewofthemremainedoutside.Theotherswentinabodyintothe
dirtycorridor,andamongsttheothersIsaw,tomyamazement,LizavetaNikolaevna.The
dooroftheroomwasopen,andtheydidnot,ofcourse,daretopreventourgoingintolookat
thesuicide.Hewasquiteayounglad,notmorethannineteen.Hemusthavebeenverygood
looking,withthickfairhair,witharegularovalface,andafine,pureforehead.Thebodywas
alreadystiff,andhiswhiteyoungfacelookedlikemarble.Onthetablelayanote,inhis
handwriting,totheeffectthatnoonewastoblameforhisdeath,thathehadkilledhimself
becausehehadsquanderedfourhundredroubles.Thewordsquanderedwasusedinthe
letter;inthefourlinesofhislettertherewerethreemistakesinspelling,Astoutcountry
gentleman,evidentlyaneighbour,whohadbeenstayinginthehotelonsomebusinessofhis
own,wasparticularlydistressedaboutit.Fromhiswordsitappearedthattheboyhadbeen
sentbyhisfamily,thatis,awidowedmother,sisters,andaunts,fromthecountrytothetown
inorderthat,underthesupervisionofafemalerelationinthetown,hemightpurchaseand
takehomewithhimvariousarticlesforthetrousseauofhiseldestsister,whowasgoingtobe
married.Thefamilyhad,withsighsofapprehension,entrustedhimwiththefourhundred
roubles,thesavingsoftenyears,andhadsenthimonhiswaywithexhortations,prayers,and
signsofthecross.Theboyhadtillthenbeenwellbehavedandtrustworthy.Arrivingthree
daysbeforeatthetown,hehadnotgonetohisrelations,hadputupatthehotel,andgone
straighttotheclubinthehopeoffindinginsomebackroomatravellingbanker,oratleast
somegameofcardsformoney.Butthateveningtherewasnobankerthereorgambling
goingon.Goingbacktothehotelaboutmidnightheaskedforchampagne,Havanacigars,
andorderedasupperofsixorsevendishes.Butthechampagnemadehimdrunk,andthe
cigarmadehimsick,sothathedidnottouchthefoodwhenitwasbroughttohim,andwent
tobedalmostunconscious.Wakingnextmorningasfreshasanapple,hewentatoncetothe
gipsies'camp,whichwasinasuburbbeyondtheriver,andofwhichhehadheardtheday
beforeattheclub.Hedidnotreappearatthehotelfortwodays.Atlast,atfiveo'clockinthe
afternoonofthepreviousday,hehadreturneddrunk,hadatoncegonetobed,andhadslept
tillteno'clockintheevening.Onwakinguphehadaskedforacutlet,abottleofChateau
d'Yquem,andsomegrapes,paper,andink,andhisbill.Noonenoticedanythingspecialabout
him;hewasquiet,gentle,andfriendly.Hemusthaveshothimselfataboutmidnight,though
itwasstrangethatnoonehadheardtheshot,andtheyonlyraisedthealarmatmidday,when,
afterknockinginvain,theyhadbrokeninthedoor.ThebottleofChateaud'Yquemwashalf
empty,therewashalfaplatefulofgrapeslefttoo.Theshothadbeenfiredfromalittlethree
chamberedrevolver,straightintotheheart.Verylittlebloodhadflowed.Therevolverhad
droppedfromhishandontothecarpet.Theboyhimselfwashalflyinginacornerofthesofa.
Deathmusthavebeeninstantaneous.Therewasnotraceoftheanguishofdeathintheface;
theexpressionwasserene,almosthappy,asthoughtherewerenocaresinhislife.Allour
partystaredathimwithgreedycuriosity.Ineverymisfortuneofone'sneighbourthereis
alwayssomethingcheeringforanonlookerwhoeverhemaybe.Ourladiesgazedinsilence,
theircompanions distinguished themselvesbytheirwit andtheirsuperbequanimity. One
observedthathiswasthebestwayoutofit,andthattheboycouldnothavehituponanything
moresensible;anotherobservedthathehadhadagoodtimeifonlyforamoment.Athird
suddenlyblurtedouttheinquirywhypeoplehadbegunhangingandshootingthemselves
amongusoflate,asthoughtheyhadsuddenlylosttheirroots,asthoughthegroundwere
givingwayundereveryone'sfeet.Peoplelookedcoldlyatthisraisonneur.ThenLyamshin,
who prided himself on playing the fool, took abunch of grapesfrom the plate; another,
laughing,followedhisexample,andathirdstretchedouthishandfortheChateaud'Yquem.
But the head of police arriving checked him, and even ordered that the room should be
cleared. As every one hadseenall theywanted they went out without disputing, though
Lyamshinbeganpesteringthepolicecaptainabout something. Thegeneralmerrymaking,
laughter,andplayfultalkweretwiceaslivelyonthelatterhalfoftheway.

WearrivedatSemyonYakovlevitch'sjustatoneo'clock.Thegateoftheratherlargehouse
stoodunfastened,andtheapproachtothelodgewasopen.WelearntatoncethatSemyon
Yakovlevitchwasdining,butwasreceivingguests.Thewholecrowdofuswentin.Theroom
inwhichthesaintdinedandreceivedvisitorshadthreewindows,andwasfairlylarge.Itwas
dividedintotwoequalpartsbyawoodenlatticeworkpartition,whichranfromwalltowall,
andwasthreeorfourfeethigh.Ordinaryvisitorsremainedontheoutsideofthispartition,but
luckyoneswerebythesaint'sinvitationadmittedthroughthepartitiondoorsintohishalfof
theroom.Andifsodisposedhemadethemsitdownonthesofaoronhisoldleatherchairs.
HehimselfinvariablysatinanoldfashionedshabbyVoltairearmchair.Hewasaratherbig,
bloatedlooking,yellowfacedmanoffiveandfifty,withabaldheadandscantyflaxenhair.
Heworenobeard;hisrightcheekwasswollen,andhismouthseemedsomehowtwisted
awry.Hehadalargewartontheleftsideofhisnose;narroweyes,andacalm,stolid,sleepy
expression.HewasdressedinEuropeanstyle,inablackcoat,buthadnowaistcoatortie.A
rathercoarse,butwhiteshirt,peepedoutbelowhiscoat.Therewassomethingthematterwith
hisfeet,Ibelieve,andhekepttheminslippers.I'veheardthathehadatonetimebeenaclerk,
andreceivedarankintheservice.Hehadjustfinishedsomefishsoup,andwasbeginninghis
seconddishofpotatoesintheirskins,eatenwithsalt.Heneverateanythingelse,buthedrank
agreatdealoftea,ofwhichhewasveryfond.Threeservantsprovidedbythemerchantwere
runningtoandfroabouthim.Oneofthemwasinaswallowtail,thesecondlookedlikea
workman,andthethirdlikeaverger.Therewasalsoaverylivelyboyofsixteen.Besidesthe
servantstherewaspresent,holdingajug,areverend,greyheadedmonk,whowasalittletoo
fat.Ononeofthetablesahugesamovarwasboiling,andatraywithalmosttwodozen
glasses was standing near it. On another table opposite offerings had been placed: some
loavesandalsosomepoundsofsugar,twopoundsoftea,apairofembroideredslippers,a
foulardhandkerchief,alengthofcloth,apieceoflinen,andsoon.Moneyofferingsalmostall
wentintothemonk'sjug.Theroomwasfullofpeople,atleastadozenvisitors,ofwhomtwo
weresittingwithSemyonYakovlevitchontheothersideofthepartition.Onewasagrey
headed old pilgrim of the peasant class, and the other a little, driedup monk, who sat
demurely,withhiseyescastdown.Theothervisitorswereallstandingonthenearaideofthe
partition,andweremostly,too,ofthepeasantclass,exceptoneelderlyandpovertystricken
lady,onelandowner,andastoutmerchant,whohadcomefromthedistricttown,amanwith
a big beard, dressed in the Russian style, though he was known to be worth a hundred
thousand.

Allwerewaitingfortheirchance,notdaringtospeakofthemselves.Fourwereontheir
knees,buttheonewhoattractedmostattentionwasthelandowner,astoutmanoffortyfive,
kneeling right at the partition, more conspicuous than any one, waiting reverently for a
propitiouswordorlookfromSemyonYakovlevitch.Hehadbeenthereforaboutanhour
already,butthesaintstilldidnotnoticehim.

Ourladiescrowdedrightuptothepartition,whisperinggailyandlaughinglytogether.They
pushedasideorgotinfrontofalltheothervisitors,eventhoseontheirknees,exceptthe
landowner, who remained obstinately in his prominent position even holding on to the
partition.MerryandgreedilyinquisitiveeyeswereturneduponSemyonYakovlevitch,as
wellaslorgnettes,pincenez,andevenoperaglasses.Lyamshin,atanyrate,lookedthrough
anoperaglass.SemyonYakovlevitchcalmlyandlazilyscannedallwithhislittleeyes.
Milovzors!Milovzors!hedeignedtopronounce,inahoarsebass,andslightlystaccato.

All our party laughed: '' What's the meaning of 'Milovzors'? But Semyon Yakovlevitch
relapsedintosilence,andfinishedhispotatoes.Presentlyhewipedhislipswithhisnapkin,
andtheyhandedhimtea.

Asarule,hedidnottaketeaalone,butpouredoutsomeforhisvisitors,butbynomeansfor
all,usuallypointinghimselftothosehewishedtohonour.Andhischoicealwayssurprised
people byits unexpectedness. Passing by the wealthy and the highplaced, he sometimes
pitcheduponapeasantorsomedecrepitoldwoman.Anothertimehewouldpassoverthe
beggarstohonoursomefatwealthymerchant.Teawasserveddifferently,too,todifferent
people,sugarwasputintosomeoftheglassesandhandedseparatelywithothers,whilesome
gotitwithoutanysugaratall.Thistimethefavouredonewasthemonksittingbyhim,who
hadsugarputin;andtheoldpilgrim,towhomitwasgivenwithoutanysugar.Thefatmonk
withthejug,fromthemonastery,forsomereasonhadnonehandedtohimatall,thoughup
tillthenhehadhadhisglasseveryday.

SemyonYakovlevitch,dosaysomethingtome.I'vebeenlongingtomakeyouracquaintance
foreversolong,carolledthegorgeouslydressedladyfromourcarriage,screwingupher
eyesandsmiling.Shewastheladywhohadobservedthatonemustnotbesqueamishabout
one'samusements,solongastheywereinteresting.SemyonYakovlevitchdidnotevenlook
ather.Thekneelinglandownerutteredadeep,sonoroussigh,likethesoundofabigpairof
bellows.

Withsugarinit!saidSemyonYakovlevitchsuddenly,pointingtothewealthymerchant.
Thelattermovedforwardandstoodbesidethekneelinggentleman.

Somemoresugarforhim!orderedSemyonYakovlevitch,aftertheglasshadalreadybeen
pouredout.Theyputsomemorein.More,more,forhim!Morewasputinathirdtime,and
againafourth.Themerchantbegansubmissivelydrinkinghissyrup.

Heavens!whisperedthepeople,crossingthemselves.Thekneelinggentlemanagainheaved
adeep,sonoroussigh.

Father!SemyonYakovlevitch!Thevoiceofthepoorladyrangoutallatonceplaintively,
thoughsosharplythatitwasstartling.Ourpartyhadshovedherbacktothewall.Awhole
hour, dear father, I've been waiting for grace. Speak to me. Consider my case in my
helplessness.

Askher,saidSemyonYakovlevitchtotheverger,whowenttothepartition.

HaveyoudonewhatSemyonYakovlevitchbadeyoulasttime?heaskedthewidowina
softandmeasuredvoice.

Doneit!FatherSemyonYakovlevitch.Howcanonedoitwiththem?wailedthewidow.
They'recannibals;they'relodgingacomplaintagainstme,inthecourt;theythreatentotake
ittothesenate.That'showtheytreattheirownmother!

Giveher!SemyonYakovlevitchpointedtoasugarloaf.Theboyskippedup,seizedthe
sugarloafanddraggedittothewidow.

Ach,father;greatisyourmercifulkindness.WhatamItodowithsomuch?wailedthe
widow.

More,more,saidSemyonYakovlevitchlavishly.

Theydraggedheranothersugarloaf.More,more!thesaintcommanded.Theytookhera
third,andfinallyafourth.Thewidowwassurroundedwithsugaronallsides.Themonkfrom
themonasterysighed;allthismighthavegonetothemonasterythatdayasithaddoneon
formeroccasions.

WhatamItodowithsomuch,thewidowsighedobsequiously.It'senoughtomakeone
personsick!...Isitsomesortofaprophecy,father?

Besureit'sbywayofaprophecy,saidsomeoneinthecrowd.

Anotherpoundforher,another!SemyonYakovlevitchpersisted.

Therewasawholesugarloafstillonthetable,butthesaintorderedapoundtobegiven,and
theygaveherapound.

Lordhavemercyonus!gaspedthepeople,crossingthemselves.It'ssurelyaprophecy.

Sweetenyourheartforthefuturewithmercyandlovingkindness,andthencometomake
complaintsagainstyourownchildren;boneofyourbone.That'swhatwemusttakethis
emblemtomean,thestoutmonkfromthemonastery,whohadhadnoteagiventohim,said
softly but selfcomplacently, taking upon himself the role of interpreter in an access of
woundedvanity.

Whatareyousaying,father?criedthewidow,suddenlyinfuriated.Why,theydraggedme
intothefirewitharoperoundmewhentheVerhishins'housewasburnt,andtheylockedupa
deadcatinmychest.Theyarereadytodoanyvillainy....

Awaywithher!Awaywithher!SemyonYakovlevitchsaidsuddenly,wavinghishands.

Thevergerandtheboydashedthroughthepartition.Thevergertookthewidowbythearm,
andwithoutresistingshetrailedtothedoor,keepinghereyesfixed_ontheloavesofsugar
thathadbeenbestowedonher,whichtheboydraggedafterher.

Onetobetakenaway.Takeitaway,SemyonYakovlevitchcommandedtotheservantlike
aworkman,whoremainedwithhim.Thelatterrushedaftertheretreatingwoman,andthe
three servants returned somewhat later bringing back one loaf of sugar which had been
presentedtothewidowandnowtakenawayfromher.Shecarriedoffthree,however.

SemyonYakovlevitch,saidavoiceatthedoor.Idreamtofabird,ajackdaw;itflewoutof
thewaterandflewintothefire.Whatdoesthedreammean?

Frost,SemyonYakovlevitchpronounced.

SemyonYakovlevitch,whydon'tyouanswermeallthistime?I'vebeeninterestedinyou
eversolong,theladyofourpartybeganagain.

Ask him! said Semyon Yakovlevitch, not heeding her, but pointing to the kneeling
gentleman.

Themonkfromthemonasterytowhomtheorderwasgivenmovedsedatelytothekneeling
figure.

Howhaveyousinned?Andwasnotsomecommandlaiduponyou?

Nottofight;nottogivethereintomyhands,answeredthekneelinggentlemanhoarsely.

Haveyouobeyed?askedthemonk.

Icannotobey.Myownstrengthgetsthebetterofme.

Awaywithhim,awaywithhim!Withabroom,withabroom!criedSemyonYakovlevitch,
wavinghishands.Thegentlemanrushedoutoftheroomwithoutwaitingforthispenalty.

He'sleftagoldpiecewhereheknelt,observedthemonk,pickingupahalfimperial.

Forhim!saidthesaint,pointingtotherichmerchant.Thelatterdarednotrefuseit,and
tookit.

Goldtogold,themonkfromthemonasterycouldnotrefrainfromsaying.

Andgivehimsomewithsugarinit,saidthesaint,pointingtoMavrikyNikolaevitch.The
servantpouredouttheteaandtookitbymistaketothedandywiththepincenez.

Thelongone,thelongone!SemyonYakovlevitchcorrectedhim.

MavrikyNikolaevitchtooktheglass,madeamilitaryhalfbow,andbegandrinkingit.Idon't
knowwhy,butallourpartyburstintopealsoflaughter.

MavrikyNikolaevitch,criedLiza,addressinghimsuddenly.Thatkneelinggentlemanhas
goneaway.Youkneeldowninhisplace.

MavrikyNikolaevitchlookedatherinamazement.
Ibegyouto.You'lldomethegreatestfavour.Listen,MavrikyNikolaevitch,shewenton,
speakinginanemphatic,obstinate,excited,andrapidvoice.Youmustkneeldown;Imust
seeyoukneeldown.Ifyouwon't,don'tcomenearme.Iinsist,Iinsist!

Idon'tknowwhatshemeantbyit;butsheinsisteduponitrelentlessly,asthoughshewerein
afit.MavrikyNikolaevitch,asweshallseelater,setdownthesecapriciousimpulses,which
hadbeenparticularlyfrequentoflate,tooutbreaksofblindhatredforhim,notduetospite,
for,onthecontrary,sheesteemedhim,lovedhim,andrespectedhim,andheknewthat
himselfbutfromapeculiarunconscioushatredwhichattimesshecouldnotcontrol.

Insilencehegavehiscuptoanoldwomanstandingbehindhim,openedthedoorofthe
partition,and,withoutbeinginvited,steppedintoSemyonYakovlevitch'sprivateapartment,
andkneltdowninthemiddleoftheroominsightofall.Iimaginethathewasdeeplyshocked
in his candid and delicate heart by Liza's coarse and mocking freak before the whole
company.Perhapsheimaginedthatshewouldfeelashamedofherself,seeinghishumiliation,
onwhichshehadsoinsisted.Ofcoursenoonebuthewouldhavedreamtofbringinga
woman to reason by so naive and risky a proceeding. He remained kneeling with his
imperturbablegravitylong,tall,awkward,andridiculous.Butourpartydidnotlaugh.The
unexpectednessoftheactionproducedapainfulshock.EveryonelookedatLiza.

Anoint,anoint!mutteredSemyonYakovlevitch.

Lizasuddenlyturnedwhite,criedout,andrushedthroughthepartition.Thenarapidand
hystericalscenefollowed.ShebeganpullingMavrikyNikolaevitchupwithallhermight,
tuggingathiselbowswithbothhands.

Getup!Getup!shescreamed,asthoughshewerecrazy.Getupatonce,atonce.How
dareyou?

MavrikyNikolaevitchgotupfromhisknees.Sheclutchedhisarmsabovetheelbowand
lookedintentlyintohisface.Therewasterrorinherexpression.

Milovzors!Milovzors!SemyonYakovlevitchrepeatedagain.

ShedraggedMavrikyNikolaevitchbacktotheotherpartoftheroomatlast.Therewassome
commotioninallourcompany.Theladyfromourcarriage,probablyintendingtorelievethe
situation,loudlyandshrillyaskedthesaintforthethirdtime,withanaffectedsmile:

Well,SemyonYakovlevitch,won'tyouuttersomesayingformeII'vebeenreckoningso
muchonyou.

Outwiththe,outwiththe,saidSemyonYakovlevitch,suddenlyaddressingher,
with an extremely indecent word. The words were uttered savagely, and with horrifying
distinctness.Ourladiesshrieked,andrushedheadlongaway,whilethegentlemenescorting
themburstintoHomericlaughter.SoendedourvisittoSemyonYakovlevitch.
Atthispoint,however,theretookplace,Iamtold,anextremelyenigmaticincident,and,I
mustown,itwaschieflyonaccountofitthatIhavedescribedthisexpeditionsominutely.

Iamtoldthatwhenallnockedout,Liza,supportedbyMavrikyNikolaevitch,wasjostled
againstNikolayVsyevolodovitchinthecrushinthedoorway.Imustmentionthatsincethat
Sundaymorningwhenshefaintedtheyhadnotapproachedeachother,norexchangedaword,
thoughtheyhadmetmorethanonce.Isawthembroughttogetherinthedoorway.Ifancied
theybothstoodstillforaninstant,andlooked,asitwere,strangelyatoneanother,butImay
nothaveseenrightlyinthecrowd.Itisasserted,onthecontrary,andquiteseriously,that
Liza,glancingatNikolayVsyevolodovitch,quicklyraisedherhandtothelevelofhisface,
andwouldcertainlyhavestruckhimifhehadnotdrawnbackintime.Perhapsshewas
displeasedwiththeexpressionofhisface,orthewayhesmiled,particularlyjustaftersuchan
episodewithMavrikyNikolaevitch.ImustadmitIsawnothingmyself,butalltheothers
declaredtheyhad,thoughtheycertainlycouldnotallhaveseenitinsuchacrush,though
perhaps some may have. But I did not believe it at the time. Iremember, however, that
NikolayVsyevolodovitchwasratherpaleallthewayhome.

III

Almostatthesametime,andcertainlyonthesameday,theinterviewatlasttookplace
betweenStepanTrofimovitchandVarvaraPetrovna.Shehadlonghadthismeetinginher
mind,andhadsentwordaboutittoherformerfriend,butforsomereasonshehadkept
puttingitofftillthen.IttookplaceatSkvoreshniki:VarvaraPetrovnaarrivedathercountry
houseallinabustle:ithadbeendefinitelydecidedtheeveningbeforethatthefetewastotake
placeatthemarshal's,butVarvaraPetrovna'srapidbrainatoncegraspedthatnoonecould
preventherfromafterwardsgivingherownspecialentertainmentatSkvoreshniki,andagain
assemblingthewholetown.Theneveryonecouldseeforthemselveswhosehousewasbest,
andinwhichmoretastewasdisplayedinreceivingguestsandgivingaball.Altogethershe
was hardly to be recognised. She seemed completely transformed, and instead of the
unapproachablenoblelady(StepanTrofimovitch'sexpression)seemedchangedintothe
mostcommonplace,whimsicalsocietywoman.Butperhapsthismayonlyhavebeenonthe
surface.

Whenshereachedtheemptyhouseshehadgonethroughalltherooms,accompaniedbyher
faithfuloldbutler,AlexeyYegorytch,andbyFomushka,amanwhohadseenmuchoflife
andwasaspecialistindecoration.Theybegantoconsultanddeliberate:whatfurniturewasto
bebroughtfromthetownhouse,whatthings,whatpictures,wheretheyweretobeput,how
theconservatoriesandflowerscouldbeputtothebestuse,wheretoputnewcurtains,where
tohavetherefreshmentrooms,whetheroneortwo,andsoonandsoon.And,behold,inthe
midst of this exciting bustle she suddenly took it into her head to send for Stepan
Trofimovitch.

Thelatterhadlongbeforereceivednoticeofthisinterviewandwaspreparedforit,andhehad
everydaybeenexpectingjustsuchasuddensummons.Ashegotintothecarriagehecrossed
himself:hisfatewasbeingdecided.Hefoundhisfriendinthebigdrawingroomonthelittle
sofaintherecess,beforealittlemarbletablewithapencilandpaperinherhands.Fomushka,
with a yard measure, was measuring the height of the galleries and the windows, while
VarvaraPetrovnaherselfwaswritingdownthenumbersandmakingnotesonthemargin.She
noddedinStepanTrofimovitch'sdirectionwithoutbreakingofffromwhatshewasdoing,and
whenthelattermutteredsomesortofgreeting,shehurriedlygavehimherhand,andwithout
lookingathimmotionedhimtoaseatbesideher.

Isatwaitingforfiveminutes,'masteringmyheart,'hetoldmeafterwards.Isawbeforeme
notthewomanwhomIhadknownfortwentyyears.Anabsoluteconvictionthatallwasover
gavemeastrengthwhichastoundedevenher.Iswearthatshewassurprisedatmystoicismin
thatlasthour.

VarvaraPetrovnasuddenlyputdownherpencilonthetableandturnedquicklytoStepan
Trofimovitch.

StepanTrofimovitch,wehavetotalkofbusiness.I'msureyouhavepreparedallyourfervent
wordsandvariousphrases,butwe'dbettergostraighttothepoint,hadn'twe?

Shehadbeenintoogreatahurrytoshowthetoneshemeanttotake.Andwhatmightnot
comenext?

Wait,bequiet;letmespeak.Afterwardsyoushall,thoughreallyIdon'tknowwhatyoucan
answer me, she said in a rapid patter. The twelve hundred roubles of your pension I
considerasacredobligationtopayyouaslongasyoulive.Thoughwhyasacredobligation,
simplyacontract;thatwouldbeagreatdealmorereal,wouldn'tit?Ifyoulike,we'llwriteit
out.Specialarrangementshavebeenmadeincaseofmydeath.Butyouarereceivingfrom
meatpresentlodging,servants,andyourmaintenanceinaddition.Reckoningthatinmoneyit
would amount to fifteen hundred roubles, wouldn't it? I will add another three hundred
roubles,makingthreethousandroublesinall.Willthatbeenoughayearforyou?Ithink
that'snottoolittle?InanyextremeemergencyIwouldaddsomethingmore.Andso,take
yourmoney,sendmebackmyservants,andlivebyyourselfwhereyoulikeinPetersburg,in
Moscow,abroad,orhere,onlynotwithme.Doyouhear?

Only lately those lips dictated to me as imperatively and as suddenly very different
demands,saidStepanTrofimovitchslowlyandwithsorrowfuldistinctness.Isubmitted...
anddancedtheCossackdancetopleaseyou.Oui,lacomparaisonpeutetrepermise.C'etait
commeunpetitCosaqueduDonquisautaitsursapropretombe.Now...

Stop,StepanTrofimovitch,youarehorriblylongwinded.Youdidn'tdance,butcametosee
meinanewtie,newlinen,gloves,scentedandpomatumed.Iassureyouthatyouwerevery
anxioustogetmarriedyourself;itwaswrittenonyourface,andIassureyouamostunseemly
expressionitwas.IfIdidnotmentionittoyouatthetime,itwassimplyoutofdelicacy.But
youwishedit,youwantedtobemarried,inspiteoftheabominablethingsyouwroteabout
meandyourbetrothed.Nowit'sverydifferent.AndwhathastheCosaqueduDontodowith
it,andwhattombdoyoumean?Idon'tunderstandthecomparison.Onthecontrary,youhave
onlytolive.Liveaslongasyoucan.Ishallbedelighted.

Inanalmshouse?

Inanalmshouse?Peopledon'tgointoalmshouseswiththreethousandroublesayear.Ah,I
remember,shelaughed.PyotrStepanovitchdidjokeaboutanalmshouseonce.Bah,there
certainlyisaspecialalmshouse,whichisworthconsidering.It'sforpersonswhoarehighly
respectable;therearecolonelsthere,andthere'spositivelyonegeneralwhowantstogetinto
it.Ifyouwentintoitwithallyourmoney,youwouldfindpeace,comfort,servantstowaiton
you.Thereyoucouldoccupyyourselfwithstudy,andcouldalwaysmakeupapartyfor
cards.

Passons"

Passons?" VarvaraPetrovnawinced.But,ifso,that'sall.You'vebeeninformedthatwe
shalllivehenceforwardentirelyapart.

Andthat'sall?hesaid.Allthat'sleftoftwentyyears?Ourlastfarewell?

You'reawfullyfondoftheseexclamations,StepanTrofimovitch.It'snotatallthefashion.
Nowadayspeopletalkroughlybutsimply.Youkeepharpingonourtwentyyears!Twenty
yearsofmutualvanity,andnothingmore.Everyletteryou'vewrittenmewaswrittennotfor
mebutforposterity.You'reastylist,andnotafriend,andfriendshipisonlyasplendidword.
Inrealityamutualexchangeofsloppiness....

Goodheavens!Howmanysayingsnotyourown!Lessonslearnedbyheart!They'vealready
puttheiruniformonyoutoo.You,too,arerejoicing;you,too,arebaskinginthesunshine.
Chere.chere,forwhatamessofpottageyouhavesoldthemyourfreedom!

I'mnotaparrot,torepeatotherpeople'sphrases!criedVarvaraPetrovna,boilingover.
YoumaybesureIhavestoredupmanysayingsofmyown.Whathaveyoubeendoingfor
meallthesetwentyyears?YourefusedmeeventhebooksIorderedforyou,though,except
forthebinder,theywouldhaveremaineduncut.WhatdidyougivemetoreadwhenIasked
youduringthosefirstyearstobemyguide?AlwaysKapfig,andnothingbutKapfig.You
werejealousofmycultureeven,andtookmeasures.Andallthewhileeveryone'slaughingat
you.ImustconfessIalwaysconsideredyouonlyasacritic.Youarealiterarycriticand
nothingmore.WhenonthewaytoPetersburgItoldyouthatImeanttofoundajournalandto
devotemywholelifetoit,youlookedatmeironicallyatonce,andsuddenlybecamehorribly
supercilious.

Thatwasnotthat,notthat....wewereafraidthenofpersecution....

Itwasjustthat.Andyoucouldn'thavebeenafraidofpersecutioninPetersburgatthattime.
DoyourememberthatinFebruary,too,whenthenewsoftheemancipationcame,youranto
meinapanic,anddemandedthatIshouldatoncegiveyouawrittenstatementthatthe
proposedmagazinehadnothingtodowithyou;thattheyoungpeoplehadbeencomingtosee
meandnotyou;thatyouwereonlyatutorwholivedinthehouse,onlybecausehehadnot
yetreceivedhissalary.Isn'tthatso?Dorememberthat?Youhavedistinguishedyourselfall
yourlife,StepanTrofimovitch.

That was only a moment of weakness, a moment when we were alone, he exclaimed
mournfully.Butisitpossible,isitpossible,tobreakoffeverythingforthesakeofsuchpetty
impressions?Canitbethatnothingmorehasbeenleftbetweenusafterthoselongyears?

Youarehorriblycalculating;youkeeptryingtoleavemeinyourdebt.Whenyoucameback
fromabroadyoulookeddownuponmeandwouldn'tletmeutteraword,butwhenIcame
backmyselfandtalkedtoyouafterwardsofmyimpressionsoftheMadonna,youwouldn't
hearme,youbegansmilingcondescendinglyintoyourcravat,asthoughIwereincapableof
thesamefeelingsasyou.

Itwasnotso.Itwasprobablynotso.J'aioublie!

No;itwasso,sheanswered,and,what'smore,you'venothingtoprideyourselfon.That's
allnonsense,andoneofyourfancies.Now,there'snoone,absolutelynoone,inecstasies
overtheMadonna;noonewastestimeoveritexceptoldmenwhoarehopelesslyoutofdate.
That'sestablished.

Established,isit?

It'sofnousewhatever.Thisjug'sofusebecauseonecanpourwaterintoit.Thispencil'sof
usebecauseyoucanwriteanythingwithit.Butthatwoman'sfaceisinferiortoanyfacein
nature.Trydrawinganapple,andputarealapplebesideit.Whichwouldyoutake?You
wouldn'tmakeamistake,I'msure.Thisiswhatallourtheoriesamountto,nowthatthefirst
lightoffreeinvestigationhasdawneduponthem.

Indeed,indeed.

''Youlaughironically.Andwhatusedyoutosaytomeaboutcharity?Yettheenjoyment
derivedfromcharityisahaughtyandimmoralenjoyment.Therichman'senjoymentinhis
wealth,hispower,andinthecomparisonofhisimportancewiththepoor.Charitycorrupts
giverandtakeralike;and,what'smore,doesnotattainit'sobject,asitonlyincreasespoverty.
Fatherswhodon'twanttoworkcrowdroundthecharitablelikegamblersroundthegambling
table,hopingforgain,whilethepitifulfarthingsthatareflungthemareahundredtimestoo
little.Haveyougivenawaymuchinyourlife?Lessthanarouble,ifyoutryandthink.Tryto
rememberwhenlastyougaveawayanything;it'llbetwoyearsago,maybefour.Youmake
anoutcryandonlyhinderthings.Charityoughttobeforbiddenbylaw,eveninthepresent
stateofsociety.Inthenewregimetherewillbenopooratall.

Oh,whataneruptionofborrowedphrases!Soit'scometothenewregimealready?Unhappy
woman,Godhelpyou!

Yes;ithas,StepanTrofimovitch.Youcarefullyconcealedallthesenewideasfromme,
thougheveryone'sfamiliarwiththemnowadays.Andyoudiditsimplyoutofjealousy,soas
tohavepoweroverme.SothatnoweventhatYuliaisahundredmilesaheadofme.Butnow
myeyeshavebeenopened.Ihavedefendedyou,StepanTrofimovitch,allIcould,butthereis
noonewhodoesnotblameyou.

Enough!saidhe,gettingupfromhisseat.Enough!AndwhatcanIwishyounow,unless
it'srepentance?

Sitstillaminute,StepanTrofimovitch.Ihaveanotherquestiontoaskyou.You'vebeentold
oftheinvitationtoreadattheliterarymatinee.Itwasarrangedthroughme.Tellmewhat
you'regoingtoread?

Why,aboutthatveryQueenofQueens,thatidealofhumanity,theSistineMadonna,whoto
yourthinkingisinferiortoaglassorapencil.

Soyou'renottakingsomethinghistorical?'saidVarvaraPetrovnainmournfulsurprise.
Buttheywon'tlistentoyou.You'vegotthatMadonnaonyourbrain.Youseembenton
puttingeveryonetosleep!Letmeassureyou,StepanTrofimovitch,Iamspeakingentirelyin
yourowninterest.Itwouldbeadifferentmatterifyouwouldtakesomeshortbutinteresting
storyofmediaevalcourtlifefromSpanishhistory,or,betterstill,someanecdote,andpadit
outwithotheranecdotesandwittyphrasesofyourown.Thereweremagnificentcourtsthen;
ladies, you know, poisonings. Karmazinov says it would be strange if you couldn't read
somethinginterestingfromSpanishhistory.

Karmazinovthatfoolwhohaswrittenhimselfoutlookingforasubjectforme!.

Karmazinov, that almost imperial intellect. You are too free in your language, Stepan
Trofimovitch.

YourKarmazinovisaspitefuloldwomanwhosedayisover.Chere,chere,howlonghave
youbeensoenslavedbythem?OhGod!

Ican'tendurehimevennowfortheairshegiveshimself.ButIdojusticetohisintellect.I
repeat,IhavedonemybesttodefendyouasfarasIcould.Andwhydoyouinsistonbeing
absurdandtedious?Onthecontrary,comeontotheplatformwithadignifiedsmileasthe
representativeofthelastgeneration,andtellthemtwoorthreeanecdotesinyourwittyway,
asonlyyoucantellthingssometimes.Thoughyoumaybeanoldmannow,thoughyoumay
belongtoapastage,thoughyoumayhavedroppedbehindthem,infact,yetyou'llrecognise
ityourself,withasmile,inyourpreface,andallwillseethatyou'reanamiable,goodnatured,
wittyrelic...inbrief,amanoftheoldsavour,andsofaradvancedastobecapableof
appreciating at their value all the absurdities of certain ideas which you have hitherto
followed.Come,asafavourtome,Ibegyou.

Chere,enough.Don'taskme.Ican't.IshallspeakoftheMadonna,butIshallraiseastorm
thatwilleithercrushthemallorshattermealone.,
Itwillcertainlybeyoualone,StepanTrofimovitch.

Suchismyfate.Iwillspeakofthecontemptibleslave,ofthestinking,depravedflunkey
whowillfirstclimbaladderwithscissorsinhishands,andslashtopiecesthedivineimageof
thegreatideal,inthenameofequality,envy,and...digestion.Letmycursethunderout
uponthem,andthenthen...

Themadhouse?

Perhaps.Butinanycase,whetherIshallbeleftvanquishedorvictorious,thatveryeveningI
shalltakemybag,mybeggar'sbag.Ishallleaveallmygoodsandchattels,allyourpresents,
allyourpensionsandpromisesoffuturebenefits,andgoforthonfoottoendmylifeatutorin
amerchant'sfamilyortodiesomewhereofhungerinaditch.Ihavesaidit.Aleajactaeat.
Hegotupagain.

I'vebeenconvincedforyears,saidVarvaraPetrovna,gettingupwithflashingeyes,that
youronlyobjectinlifeistoputmeandmyhousetoshamebyyourcalumnies!Whatdoyou
meanbybeingatutorinamerchant'sfamilyordyinginaditch?It'sspite,calumny,and
nothingmore.

Youhavealwaysdespisedme.ButIwillendlikeaknight,faithfultomylady.Yourgood
opinionhasalwaysbeendearerItomethananything.FromthismomentIwilltakenothing,
butwillworshipyoudisinterestedly.

Howstupidthatis!

Youhaveneverrespectedme.Imayhavehadamassofweaknesses.Yes,Ihavespongedon
you.Ispeakthelanguageofnihilism,butsponginghasneverbeentheguidingmotiveofmy
action. It has happened so of itself. I don't know how. ... I always imagined there was
somethinghigherthanmeatanddrinkbetweenus,andI'venever,neverbeenascoundrel!
Andso,totaketheopenroad,tosetthingsright.Isetofflate,lateautumnoutofdoors,the
mistliesoverthefields,thehoarfrostofoldagecoverstheroadbeforeme,andthewind
howlsabouttheapproachinggrave....Butsoforward,forward,onmynewway

'Filledwithpurestloveandfervour,

Faithwhichmysweetdreamdidyield.'

Oh,mydreams.Farewell.Twentyyears.Aleajactaest!

Hisfacewaswetwithasuddengushoftears.Hetookhishat.

Idon'tunderstandLatin,saidVarvaraPetrovna,doingherbesttocontrolherself.

Whoknows,perhaps,shetoofeltlikecrying.Butcapriceandindignationoncemoregotthe
upperhand.
I know only one thing, that all this is childish nonsense. You will never be capable of
carrying out your threats, which are a mass of egoism. You will set off nowhere, to no
merchant;you'llendverypeaceablyonmyhands,takingyourpension,andreceivingyour
utterlyimpossiblefriendsonTuesdays.Goodbye,StepanTrofimovitch.

Aleajactaest!Hemadeheradeepbow,andreturnedhome,almostdeadwithemotion.

CHAPTERVI.PYOTRSTEPANOVITCHISBUSY

thedateofthefetewasdefinitelyfixed,andVonLembkebecamemoreandmoredepressed.
Hewasfullofstrangeandsinisterforebodings,andthismadeYuliaMihailovnaseriously
uneasy.Indeed,thingswerenotaltogethersatisfactory.Ourmildgovernorhadlefttheaffairs
oftheprovincealittleoutofgear;atthemomentwewerethreatenedwithcholera;serious
outbreaksofcattleplaguehadappearedinseveralplaces;fireswereprevalentthatsummerin
towns and villages; whilst among the peasantry foolish rumours of incendiarism grew
strongerandstronger.Casesofrobberyweretwiceasnumerousasusual.Butallthis,of
course,wouldhavebeenperfectlyordinaryhadtherebeennootherandmoreweightyreasons
todisturbtheequanimityofAudreyAntonovitch,whohadtillthenbeeningoodspirits.

WhatstruckYuliaMihailovnamostofallwasthathebecamemoresilentand,strangetosay,
moresecretiveeveryday.Yetitwashardtoimaginewhathehadtohide.Itistruethathe
rarelyopposedherandasarulefollowedherleadwithoutquestion.Atherinstigation,for
instance,twoorthreeregulationsofariskyandhardlylegalcharacterwereintroducedwith
the object of strengthening the authority of the governor. There were several ominous
instancesoftransgressionsbeingcondonedwiththesameendinview;personswhodeserved
to be sent to prison and Siberia were, solely because she insisted, recommended for
promotion.Certaincomplaintsandinquiriesweredeliberatelyandsystematicallyignored.All
thiscameoutlateron.NotonlydidLembkesigneverything,buthedidnotevengointothe
questionofthesharetakenbyhiswifeintheexecutionofhisduties.Ontheotherhand,he
began at times to be restive about the most trifling matters, to the surprise of Yulia
Mihailovna. No doubt he felt the need to make up for the days of suppression by brief
moments of mutiny. Unluckily, Yulia Mihailovna was unable, for all her insight, to
understand this honourable punctiliousness in an honourable character. Alas, she had no
thoughttospareforthat,andthatwasthesourceofmanymisunderstandings.

Therearesomethingsofwhichitisnotsuitableformetowrite,andindeedIamnotina
positiontodoso.Itisnotmybusinesstodiscusstheblundersofadministrationeither,andI
prefertoleaveoutthisadministrativeaspectofthesubjectaltogether.InthechronicleIhave
begunI'vesetbeforemyselfadifferenttask.Moreoveragreatdealwillbebroughttolightby
theCommissionofInquirywhichhasjustbeenappointedforourprovince;it'sonlyamatter
ofwaitingalittle.Certainexplanations,however,cannotbeomitted.

But to returntoYulia Mihailovna. The poor lady (I feel verysorry forher)might have
attainedallthatattractedandalluredher(renownandsoon)withoutanysuchviolentand
eccentricactionsassheresolveduponattheveryfirststep.Buteitherfromanexaggerated
passionfortheromanticorfromthefrequentlyblightedhopesofheryouth,shefeltsuddenly,
atthechangeofherfortunes,thatshehadbecomeoneofthespeciallyelect,almostGod's
anointed,overwhomtheregleamedaburningtongueoffire,andthistongueofflamewas
therootofthemischief,for,afterall,itisnotlikeachignon,whichwillfitanywoman'shead.
Butthereisnothingofwhichitismoredifficulttoconvinceawomanthanofthis;onthe
contrary,anyonewhocarestoencouragethedelusioninherwillalwaysbesuretomeetwith
success.AndpeopleviedwithoneanotherinencouragingthedelusioninYuliaMihailovna.
Thepoorwomanbecameatoncethesportofconflictinginfluences,whilefullypersuadedof
her own originality. Many clever people feathered their nests and took advantage of her
simplicityduringthebriefperiodofherruleintheprovince.Andwhatajumbletherewas
under this assumption of independence! She was fascinated at the same time by the
aristocraticelementandthesystemofbiglandedpropertiesandtheincreaseofthegovernor's
power,andthedemocraticelement,andthenewreformsanddiscipline,andfreethinkingand
straySocialisticnotions,andthecorrecttoneofthearistocraticsalonandthefreeandeasy,
almostpothouse,mannersoftheyoungpeoplethatsurroundedher.Shedreamedofgiving
happinessandreconcilingtheirreconcilable,or,rather,ofunitingallandeverythinginthe
adoration of her own person. She had favourites too; she was particularly fond of Pyotr
Stepanovitch,whohadrecourseattimestothegrossestflatteryindealingwithher.Butshe
wasattractedbyhimforanotherreason,anamazingone,andmostcharacteristicofthepoor
lady:shewasalwayshopingthathewouldrevealtoheraregularconspiracyagainstthe
government.Difficultasitistoimaginesuchathing,itreallywasthecase.Shefanciedfor
somereasonthattheremustbeanihilistplotConcealedintheprovince.Byhissilenceatone
timeandhishintsatanotherPyotrStepanovitchdidmuchtostrengthenthisstrangeideain
her.SheimaginedthathewasincommunicationwitheveryrevolutionaryelementinRussia
butatthesametimepassionatelydevotedtoher.Todiscovertheplot,toreceivethegratitude
ofthegovernment,toenteronabrilliantcareer,toinfluencetheyoungbykindness,andto
restrainthemfromextremesallthesedreamsexistedsidebysideinherfantasticbrain.She
hadsavedPyotrStepanovitch,shehadconqueredhim(ofthisshewasforsomereasonfirmly
convinced);shewouldsaveothers.None,noneofthemshouldperish,sheshouldsavethem
all;shewouldpickthemout;shewouldsendintherightreportofthem;shewouldactinthe
interestsoftheloftiestjustice,andperhapsposterityandRussianliberalismwouldblessher
name;yettheconspiracywouldbediscovered.Everyadvantageatonce.

Stillitwasessentialthat.AndreyAntonovitchshouldbeinratherbetterspiritsbeforethe
festival.Hemustbecheeredupandreassured.ForthispurposeshesentPyotrStepanovitchto
himinthehopethathewouldrelievehisdepressionbysomemeansofconsolationbest
knowntohimself,perhapsbygivinghimsomeinformation,sotospeak,firsthand.Sheput
implicitfaithinhisdexterity.

ItwassometimesincePyotrStepanovitchhadbeeninMr.vonLembke'sstudy.Hepoppedin
onhimjustwhenthesuffererwasinamoststubbornmood.

II

AcombinationofcircumstanceshadarisenwhichMr.vonLembkewasquiteunabletodeal
with. In the very district where Pyotr Stepanovitch had been having a festive time a
sublieutenanthadbeencalleduptobecensuredbyhisimmediatesuperior,andthereproof
wasgiveninthepresenceofthewholecompany.Thesublieutenantwasayoungmanfresh
fromPetersburg,alwayssilentandmorose,ofdignifiedappearancethoughsmall,stout,and
rosycheeked.Heresentedthereprimandandsuddenly,withastartlingshriekthatastonished
thewholecompany,hechargedathissuperiorofficerwithhisheadbentdownlikeawild
beast's,struckhim,andbithimontheshoulderwithallhismight;theyhaddifficultyin
gettinghimoff.Therewasnodoubtthathehadgoneoutofhismind;anyway,itbecame
knownthatoflatehehadbeenobservedperformingincrediblystrangeactions.Hehad,for
instance,flungtwoikonsbelongingtohislandladyoutofhislodgingsandsmasheduponeof
themwithanaxe;inhisownroomhehad,onthreestandsresemblinglecterns,laidoutthe
worksofVogt,Moleschott,andBuchner,andbeforeeachlecternheusedtoburnachurch
waxcandle.Fromthenumberofbooksfoundinhisroomsitcouldbegatheredthathewasa
wellreadman.Ifhehadhadfiftythousandfrancshewouldperhapshavesailedtotheisland
ofMarquisaslikethecadettowhomHerzenalludeswithsuchsprightlyhumourinoneof
hiswritings.Whenhewasseized,wholebundlesofthemostdesperatemanifestoeswere
foundinhispocketsandhislodgings.

Manifestoesareatrivialmattertoo,andtomythinkingnotworthtroublingabout.Wehave
seenplentyofthem.Besides,theywerenotnewmanifestoes;theywere,itwassaidlater,just
thesameashadbeencirculatedintheXprovince,andLiputin,whohadtravelledinthat
districtandtheneighbouringprovincesixweekspreviously,declaredthathehadseenexactly
thesameleafletstherethen.ButwhatstruckAndreyAntonovitchmostwasthattheoverseer
ofShpigulin'sfactoryhadbroughtthepolicejustatthesametimetwoorthreepacketsof
exactlythesameleafletsashadbeenfoundonthelieutenant.Thebundles,whichhadbeen
droppedinthefactoryinthenight,hadnotbeenopened,andnoneofthefactoryhandshad
hadtimetoreadoneofthem.Theincidentwasatrivialone,butitsetAndreyAntonovitch
ponderingdeeply.Thepositionpresenteditselftohiminanunpleasantlycomplicatedlight.

InthisfactorythefamousShpigulinscandalwasjustthenbrewing,whichmadesomuch
talkamongusandgotintothePetersburgandMoscowpaperswithallsortsofvariations.
ThreeweekspreviouslyoneofthehandshadfallenillanddiedofAsiaticcholera;then
several others were stricken down. The whole town was in a panic, for the cholera was
comingnearerandnearerandhadreachedtheneighbouringprovince.Imayobservethat
satisfactorysanitarymeasureshadbeen,sofaraspossible,takentomeettheunexpected
guest.ButthefactorybelongingtotheShpigulins,whoweremillionairesandwellconnected
people,hadsomehowbeenoverlooked.Andtherewasasuddenoutcryfromeveryonethat
thisfactorywasthehotbedofinfection,thatthefactoryitself,andespeciallythequarters
inhabitedbytheworkpeople,weresoinveteratelyfilthythatevenifcholerahadnotbeenin
theneighbourhoodtheremightwellhavebeenanoutbreakthere.Stepswereimmediately
taken, of course, and Andrey Antonovitch vigorously insisted on their being carried out
withoutdelaywithinthreeweeks.Thefactorywascleansed,buttheShpigulins,forsome
unknownreason,closedit.OneoftheShpigulinbrothersalwayslivedinPetersburgandthe
otherwentawaytoMoscowwhentheorderwasgivenforcleansingthefactory.Theoverseer
proceededtopayofftheworkpeopleand,asitappeared,cheatedthemshamelessly.The
handsbegantocomplainamongthemselves,askingtobepaidfairly,andfoolishlywenttothe
police,thoughwithoutmuchdisturbance,fortheywerenotsoverymuchexcited.Itwasjust
atthismomentthatthemanifestoeswerebroughttoAndreyAntonovitchbytheoverseer.

PyotrStepanovitchpoppedintothestudyunannounced,likeanintimatefriendandoneofthe
family; besides, he had amessage from Yulia Mihailovna. Seeinghim, Lembke frowned
grimlyandstoodstillatthetablewithoutwelcominghim.Tillthatmomenthehadbeen
pacingupanddownthestudyandhadbeendiscussingsomething teteatete withhisclerk
Blum,averyclumsyandsurlyGermanwhomhehadbroughtwithhimfromPetersburg,in
spiteoftheviolentoppositionofYuliaMihailovna.OnPyotrStepanovitch'sentrancethe
clerkhadmovedtothedoor,buthadnotgoneout.PyotrStepanovitchevenfanciedthathe
exchangedsignificantglanceswithhischief.

Aha,I'vecaughtyouatlast,yousecretivemonarchofthetown!PyotrStepanovitchcried
out laughing, and laid his hand over the manifesto on the table. This increases your
collection,eh?

AndreyAntonovitchflushedcrimson;hisfaceseemedtotwitch.

Leaveoff,leaveoffatonce!hecried,tremblingwithrage.Anddon'tyoudare...sir...

What'sthematterwithyou?Youseemtobeangry!

Allowmetoinformyou,sir,thatI'venointentionofputtingupwithyour sansfaisson
henceforward,andIbegyoutoremember...

Why,damnitall,heisinearnest!

Holdyourtongue,holdyourtongueVonLembkestampedonthecarpetanddon't
dare...

Godknowswhatitmighthavecometo.Alas,therewasonecircumstanceinvolvedinthe
matterofwhichneitherPyotrStepanovitchnorevenYuliaMihailovnaherselfhadanyidea.
ThelucklessAndreyAntonovitchhadbeensogreatlyupsetduringthelastfewdaysthathe
hadbeguntobesecretlyjealousofhiswifeandPyotrStepanovitch.Insolitude,especiallyat
night,hespentsomeverydisagreeablemoments.

Well,Iimaginedthatifamanreadsyouhisnoveltwodaysrunningtillaftermidnightand
wantstohearyouropinionofit,hehasofhisownactdiscardedofficialrelations,anyway....
Yulia Mihailovna treats me as a friend; there's no making you out, Pyotr Stepanovitch
broughtout,withacertaindignityindeed.Hereisyournovel,bytheway.Helaidonthe
tablealargeheavymanuscriptrolledupinbluepaper.

Lembketurnedredandlookedembarrassed.
Wheredidyoufindit?heaskeddiscreetly,witharushofjoywhichhewasunableto
suppress,thoughhedidhisutmosttoconcealit.

Onlyfancy,doneuplikethis,itrolledunderthechestofdrawers.Imusthavethrownit
downcarelesslyonthechestwhenIwentout.Itwasonlyfoundthedaybeforeyesterday,
whenthefloorwasscrubbed.Youdidsetmeatask,though!

Lembkedroppedhiseyessternly.

Ihaven'tsleptforthelasttwonights,thankstoyou.Itwasfoundthedaybeforeyesterday,
butIkeptit,andhavebeenreadingiteversince.I'venotimeintheday,soI'vereaditat
night.Well,Idon'tlikeit;it'snotmywayoflookingatthings.Butthat'snomatter;I'venever
setupforbeingacritic,butIcouldn'ttearmyselfawayfromit,mydearman,thoughIdidn't
likeit!Thefourthandfifthchaptersare...theyreallyare...damnitall,theyarebeyond
words!Andwhatalotofhumouryou'vepackedintoit;itmademelaugh!Howyoucanmake
funofthingssansquecelaparaisse!Asfortheninthandtenthchapters,it'sallaboutlove;
that'snotmyline,butit'seffectivethough.IwasnearlyblubberingoverEgrenev'sletter,
thoughyou'veshownhimupsocleverly....Youknow,it'stouching,thoughatthesametime
youwanttoshowthefalsesideofhim,asitwere,don'tyou?HaveIguessedright?ButI
couldsimplybeatyoufortheending.ForwhatareyousettingupIWhy,thesameoldidolof
domestic happiness, begetting children and making money; 'they were married and lived
happy ever afterwards'come, it's too much! You will enchant your readers, for even I
couldn'tputthebookdown;butthatmakesitalltheworse!Thereadingpublicisasstupidas
ever,butit'sthedutyofsensiblepeopletowakethemup,whileyou...Butthat'senough.
Goodbye.Don'tbecrossanothertime;IcameintoyoubecauseIhadacoupleofwordsto
saytoyou,butyouaresounaccountable...

AndreyAntonovitchmeantimetookhisnovelandlockeditupinanoakbookcase,seizingthe
opportunitytowinktoBlumtodisappear.Thelatterwithdrewwithalong,mournfulface.

Iamnotunaccountable,Iamsimply...nothingbutannoyances,hemuttered,frowningbut
withoutanger,andsittingdowntothetable.Sitdownandsaywhatyouhavetosay.It'sa
longtimesinceI'veseenyou,PyotrStepanovitch,onlydon'tburstuponmeinthefuturewith
suchmanners...sometimes,whenonehasbusiness,it's...

Mymannersarealwaysthesame....

Iknow,andIbelievethatyoumeannothingbyit,butsometimesoneisworried....Sit
down.

PyotrStepanovitchimmediatelylolledbackonthesofaanddrewhislegsunderhim.

III

Whatsortofworries?Surelynotthesetrifles?Henoddedtowardsthemanifesto.Ican
bringyouasmanyofthemasyoulike;ImadetheiracquaintanceinXprovince.
Youmeanatthetimeyouwerestayingthere?

Ofcourse,itwasnotinmyabsence.Iremembertherewasahatchetprintedatthetopofit.
Allowme.(Hetookupthemanifesto.)Yes,there'sthehatchetheretoo;that'sit,thevery
same.

Yes,here'sahatchet.Yousee,ahatchet.

Well,isitthehatchetthatscaresyou?

No, it's not . . . and I am not scared; but this business ... it is a business; there are
circumstances.

Whatsort?Thatit'scomefromthefactory?Hehe!Butdoyouknow,atthatfactorythe
workpeoplewillsoonbewritingmanifestoesforthemselves.

Whatdoyoumean?VonLembkestaredathimseverely.

WhatIsay.You'veonlytolookatthem.Youaretoosoft,AndreyAntonovitch;youwrite
novels.Butthishastobehandledinthegoodoldway.

Whatdoyoumeanbythegoodoldway?Whatdoyoumeanbyadvisingme?Thefactory
hasbeencleaned;Igavetheorderandthey'vecleanedit.

Andtheworkmenareinrebellion.Theyoughttobeflogged,everyoneofthem;thatwould
betheendofit.

Inrebellion?That'snonsense;Igavetheorderandthey'vecleanedit.

Ech,youaresoft,AndreyAntonovitch!

Inthefirstplace,Iamnotsosoftasyouthink,andinthesecondplace...VonLembke
waspiquedagain.Hehadexertedhimselftokeepuptheconversationwiththeyoungman
fromcuriosity,wonderingifhewouldtellhimanythingnew.

Ha ha, an oldacquaintance again, PyotrStepanovitchinterrupted, pouncing onanother

documentthatlayunderapaperweight,somethinglikeamanifesto,obviouslyprintedabroad
andinverse.Oh,come,Iknowthisonebyheart,'ANoblePersonality.'Letmehavealook
at ityes, 'A Noble Personality' it is. I made acquaintance with that personality abroad.
Wheredidyouunearthit?

Yousayyou'veseenitabroad?VonLembkesaideagerly.

Ishouldthinkso,fourmonthsago,ormaybefive.

Youseemtohaveseenagreatdealabroad.VonLembkelookedathimsubtly.
PyotrStepanovitch,notheedinghim,unfoldedthedocumentandreadthepoemaloud:

ANOBLEPERSONALITY

Hewasnotofrankexalted,

Hewasnotofnoblebirth,

Hewasbredamongthepeople

InthebreastofMotherEarth.

Butthemaliceofthenobles

AndtheTsar'srevengefulwrath

Drovehimforthtogriefandtorture

Onthemartyr'schosenpath.

Hesetouttoteachthepeople

Freedom,love,equality,

Toexhortthemtoresistance;

Buttofleethepenalty

Oftheprison,whipandgallows,

Toaforeignlandhewent.

Whilethepeoplewaitedhoping

FromSmolensktofarTashkent,

Waitedeagerforhiscoming

Torebelagainsttheirfate,

ToariseandcrushtheTsardom

Andthenobles'vicioushate,

Toshareallthewealthincommon,

Andtheantiquatedthrall
Ofthechurch,thehomeandmarriage

Toabolishonceforall.

Yougotitfromthatofficer,Isuppose,eh?askedPyotrStepanovitch.

Why,doyouknowthatofficer,then,too?

Ishouldthinkso.Ihadagaytimewithhimtherefortwodays;hewasboundtogooutofhis
mind.

Perhapshedidnotgooutofhismind.

Youthinkhedidn'tbecausehebegantobite?

But,excuseme,ifyousawthoseversesabroadandthen,itappears,atthatofficer's...

What,puzzling,isit?Youareputtingmethroughanexamination,AndreyAntonovitch,I
see.Yousee,hebegansuddenlywithextraordinarydignity,astowhatIsawabroadIhave
alreadygivenexplanations,andmyexplanationswerefoundsatisfactory,otherwiseIshould
nothavebeengratifyingthistownwithmypresence.Iconsiderthatthequestionasregards
mehasbeensettled,andIamnotobligedtogiveanyfurtheraccountofmyself,notbecauseI
amaninformer,butbecauseIcouldnothelpactingasIdid.ThepeoplewhowrotetoYulia
Mihailovnaaboutmeknewwhattheyweretalkingabout,andtheysaidIwasanhonestman..
..Butthat'sneitherherenorthere;I'vecometoseeyouaboutaseriousmatter,andit'saswell
you've sent your chimneysweep away. It's a matter of importance to me, Andrey
Antonovitch.Ishallhaveaverygreatfavourtoaskofyou.

Afavour?H'm...byallmeans;Iamwaitingand,Iconfess,withcuriosity.AndImustadd,
PyotrStepanovitch,thatyousurprisemenotalittle.

VonLembkewasinsomeagitation.PyotrStepanovitchcrossedhislegs.

InPetersburg,hebegan,Italkedfreelyofmostthings,buttherewerethingsthis,for
instance(hetappedtheNoblePersonalitywithhisfinger)aboutwhichIheldmytongue
inthefirstplace,becauseitwasn'tworthtalkingabout,andsecondly,becauseIonly
answered questions. I don't care to put myselfforwardin such matters; inthat Isee the
distinctionbetweenarogueandanhonestmanforcedbycircumstances.Well,inshort,we'll
dismissthat.Butnow...nowthatthesefools...nowthatthishascometothesurfaceandis
inyourhands,andIseethatyou'llfindoutallaboutitforyouareamanwitheyesandone
can'ttellbeforehandwhatyou'lldoandthesefoolsarestillgoingon,I...I...well,thefact
is,I'vecometoaskyoutosaveoneman,afooltoo,mostlikelymad,forthesakeofhis
youth,hismisfortunes,inthenameofyourhumanity....Youcan'tbesohumaneonlyinthe
novelsyoumanufacture!hesaid,breakingoffwithcoarsesarcasmandimpatience.

Infact,hewasseentobeastraightforwardman,awkwardandimpoliticfromexcessof
humane feeling and perhaps from excessive sensitivenessabove all, a man of limited
intelligence,asVonLembkesawatoncewithextraordinarysubtlety.Hehadindeedlong
suspectedit,especiallywhenduringthepreviousweekhehad,sittingaloneinhisstudyat
night,secretlycursedhimwithallhisheartfortheinexplicablewayinwhichhehadgained
YuliaMihailovna'sgoodgraces.

Forwhomareyouinterceding,andwhatdoesallthismean?heinquiredmajestically,trying
toconcealhiscuriosity.

It...it's...damnit!It'snotmyfaultthatItrustyou!IsitmyfaultthatIlookuponyouasa
mosthonourableand,aboveall,asensibleman...capable,thatis,ofunderstanding...
damn...

Thepoorfellowevidentlycouldnotmasterhisemotion.

Youmustunderstandatlast,hewenton,youmustunderstandthatinpronouncinghis
nameIambetrayinghimtoyouIambetrayinghim,amInot?Iam,amInot?

ButhowamItoguessifyoudon'tmakeupyourmindtospeakout?

That'sjustit;youalwayscutthegroundfromunderone'sfeetwithyourlogic,damnit....
Well,heregoes...this'noblepersonality,'this'student'...isShatov...that'sall.

Shatov?Howdoyoumeanit'sShatov?

Shatovisthe'student'whoismentionedinthis.Heliveshere,hewasonceaserf,theman
whogavethatslap....

Iknow,Iknow.Lembkescreweduphiseyes.Butexcuseme,whatisheaccusedof?
Preciselyand,aboveall,whatisyourpetition?

Ibegyoutosavehim,doyouunderstand?Iusedtoknowhimeightyearsago,Imight
almostsayIwashisfriend,criedPyotrStepanovitch,completelycarriedaway.ButIam
notboundtogiveyouanaccountofmypastlife,headded,withagestureofdismissal.All
thisisofnoconsequence;it'sthecaseofthreemenandahalf,andwiththosethatareabroad
you can't make up a dozen. But what I am building upon is your humanity and your
intelligence.Youwillunderstandandyouwillputthematterinitstruelight,asthefoolish
dreamofamandrivencrazy...bymisfortunes,bycontinuedmisfortunes,andnotassome
impossiblepoliticalplotorGodknowswhat!

Hewasalmostgaspingforbreath.

H'm.Iseethatheisresponsibleforthemanifestoeswiththeaxe,Lembkeconcludedalmost
majestically.Excuseme,though,ifheweretheonlypersonconcerned,howcouldhehave
distributeditbothhereandinotherdistrictsandintheXprovince...and,aboveall,where
didhegetthem?
ButItellyouthatattheutmosttherearenotmorethanfivepeopleinitadozenperhaps.
HowcanItell?

Youdon'tknow?

HowshouldIknow?damnitall.

Why,youknewthatShatovwasoneoftheconspirators.

Ech! Pyotr Stepanovitch waved his hand as though to keep off the overwhelming
penetrationoftheinquirer.Well,listen.I'lltellyouthewholetruth:ofthemanifestoesI
knownothingthatis,absolutelynothing.Damnitall,don'tyouknowwhatnothingmeans?.
..Thatsublieutenant,tobesure,andsomebodyelseandsomeoneelsehere...andShatov
perhapsandsomeoneelsetoowell,that'sthelotofthem...awretchedlot....ButI've
cometointercedeforShatov.Hemustbesaved,forthispoemishis,hisowncomposition,
anditwasthroughhimitwaspublishedabroad;thatIknoworafact,butofthemanifestoesI
reallyknownothing.

Ifthepoemishiswork,nodoubtthemanifestoesaretoo.Butwhatdatahaveyoufor
suspectingMr.Shatov?

PyotrStepanovitch,withtheairofamandrivenoutofallpatience,pulledapocketbookout
ofhispocketandtookanoteoutofit.

Herearethefacts,hecried,flingingitonthetable.

Lembkeunfoldedit;itturnedouttobeanotewrittensixmonthsbeforefromheretosome
addressabroad.Itwasabriefnote,onlytwolines:

Ican'tprint'ANoblePersonality'here,andinfactIcandonothing;printitabroad.

LembkelookedintentlyatPyotrStepanovitch.VarvaraPetrovnahadbeenrightinsayingthat
hehadattimestheexpressionofasheep.

Yousee,it'slikethis,PyotrStepanovitchburstout.Hewrotethispoemheresixmonths
ago,buthecouldn'tgetitprintedhere,inasecretprintingpress,andsoheaskstohaveit
printedabroad....Thatseemsclear.

Yes,that'sclear,buttowhomdidhewrite?That'snotclearyet,Lembkeobservedwiththe
mostsubtleirony.

Why,Kirillov,ofcourse;theletterwaswrittentoKirillovabroad....Surelyyouknewthat?
What'ssoannoyingisthatperhapsyouareonlyputtingitonbeforeme,andmostlikelyyou
knewallaboutthispoemandeverythinglongago!Howdiditcometobeonyourtable?It
founditswaytheresomehow!Whyareyoutorturingme,ifso?
Hefeverishlymoppedhisforeheadwithhishandkerchief.

Iknowsomething,perhaps.Lembkeparrieddexterously.ButwhoisthisKirillov?

An engineer whohas latelycome to the town. He was Stavrogin's second, a maniac, a

madman; your sublieutenant may really only be suffering from temporary delirium, but
Kirillov is a thoroughgoing madmanthoroughgoing, that I guarantee. Ah, Audrey
Antonovitch,ifthegovernmentonlyknewwhatsortofpeopletheseconspiratorsallare,they
wouldn'thavethehearttolayafingeronthem.Everysingleoneofthemoughttobeinan
asylum;IhadagoodlookattheminSwitzerlandandatthecongresses.

Fromwhichtheydirectthemovementhere?

Why,whodirectsit?Threemenandahalf.Itmakesonesicktothinkofthem.Andwhat
sort of movement is there here? Manifestoes! And what recruits have they made? Sub
lieutenantsinbrainfeverandtwoorthreestudents!Youareasensibleman:answerthis
question.Whydon'tpeopleofconsequencejointheirranks?Whyaretheyallstudentsand
halfbakedboysoftwentytwo?Andnotmanyofthose.Idaresaytherearethousandsof
bloodhoundsontheirtrack,buthavetheytrackedoutmanyofthemISeven!Itellyouit
makesonesick.

Lembkelistenedwithattentionbutwithanexpressionthatseemedtosay,Youdon'tfeed
nightingalesonfairytales.

Excuseme,though.Youassertedthattheletterwassentabroad,butthere'snoaddressonit;
howdoyoucometoknowthatitwasaddressedtoMr.Kirillovandabroadtooand...
and...thatitreallywaswrittenbyMr.Shatov?

Why, fetch some specimen of Shatov's writing and compare it. You must have some
signatureofhisinyouroffice.AsforitsbeingaddressedtoKirillov,itwasKirillovhimself
showeditmeatthetime.

Thenyouwereyourself...

OfcourseIwas,myself.Theyshowedmelotsofthingsoutthere.Andasforthispoem,they
sayitwaswrittenbyHerzentoShatovwhenhewasstillwanderingabroad,inmemoryof
theirmeeting,sotheysay,bywayofpraiseandrecommendationdamnitall...andShatov
circulatesitamongtheyoungpeopleasmuchastosay,'ThiswasHerzen'sopinionofme.'

Haha!criedLembke,feelinghehadgottothebottomofitatlast.That'sjustwhatIwas
wondering:onecanunderstandthemanifesto,butwhat'stheobjectofthepoem?

Ofcourseyou'dseeit.GoodnessknowswhyI'vebeenbabblingtoyou.Listen.SpareShatov
formeandtherestmaygotothedevilevenKirillov,whoisinhidingnow,shutupin
Filipov'shouse,whereShatovlodgestoo.Theydon'tlikemebecauseI'veturnedround...
but promise me Shator and I'll dish them all up for you. I shall be of use, Andrey
Antonovitch!Ireckonnineortenmenmakeupthewholewretchedlot.Iamkeepinganeye
onthemmyself,onmy.ownaccount.Weknowofthreealready:Shatov,Kirillov,andthat
sublieutenant.TheothersIamonlywatchingcarefully...thoughIamprettysharpsighted
too.It'sthesameoveragainasitwasintheXprovince:twostudents,aschoolboy,two
noblemenoftwenty,ateacher,andahalfpaymajorofsixty,crazywithdrink,havebeen
caughtwithmanifestoes;thatwasallyoucantakemywordforit,thatwasall;itwasquitea
surprisethatthatwasall.ButImusthavesixdays.Ihavereckoneditoutsixdays,notless.
Ifyouwanttoarriveatanyresult,don'tdisturbthemforsixdaysandIcankillallthebirds
withonestoneforyou;butifyouflutterthembefore,thebirdswillflyaway.Butspareme
Shatov.IspeakforShatov....Thebestplanwouldbetofetchhimheresecretly,inafriendly
way,toyourstudyandquestionhimwithoutdisguisingthefacts....Ihavenodoubthe'll
throwhimselfatyourfeetandburstintotears!Heisahighlystrungandunfortunatefellow;
hiswifeiscarryingonwithStavrogin.Bekindtohimandhewilltellyoueverything,butI
musthavesixdays....And,aboveall,aboveall,notawordtoYuliaMihailovna.It'sa
secret.Mayitbeasecret?

What?criedLembke,openingwidehiseyes.Doyoumeantosayyousaidnothingofthis
toYuliaMihailovna?

Toher?Heavenforbid!Ech,AndreyAntonovitch!Yousee,IvalueherfriendshipandIhave
thehighestrespectforher...andalltherestofit...butIcouldn'tmakesuchablunder.I
don'tcontradicther,for,asyouknowyourself,it'sdangeroustocontradicther.Imayhave
droppedawordtoher,forIknowshelikesthat,buttosupposethatImentionednamestoher
asIhavetoyouoranythingofthatsort!Mygoodsir!WhyamIappealingtoyou?Because
youareaman,anyway,aseriouspersonwitholdfashionedfirmnessandexperienceinthe
service.You'veseenlife.Youmustknowbyhearteverydetailofsuchaffairs,Iexpect,from
whatyou'veseeninPetersburg.ButifIweretomentionthosetwonames,forinstance,toher,
she'dstirupsuchahubbub....Youknow,shewouldliketoastonishPetersburg.No,she's
toohotheaded,shereallyis.

Yes, she has something of that owgrwe, Andrey Antonovitch muttered with some
satisfaction,thoughatthesametimeheresentedthisunmannerlyfellow'sdaringtoexpress
himselfratherfreelyaboutYuliaMihailovna.ButPyotrStepanovitchprobablyimaginedthat
hehadnotgonefarenoughandthathemustexerthimselffurthertoflatterLembkeandmake
acompleteconquestofhim.

Fougueisjustit,heassented.Shemaybeawomanofgenius,aliterarywoman,butshe
wouldscareoursparrows.Shewouldn'tbeabletokeepquietforsixhours,letalonesixdays.
Ech,AndreyAntonovitch,don'tattempttotieawomandownforsixdays!Youdoadmitthat
Ihavesomeexperienceinthissortofthing,Imean;Iknowsomethingaboutit,andyou
knowthatImayverywellknowsomethingaboutit.Iamnotaskingforsixdaysforfunbut
withanobject.

Ihaveheard...(Lembkehesitatedtoutterhisthought)Ihaveheardthatonyourreturn
fromabroadyoumadesomeexpression...asitwereofrepentance,intheproperquarter?
Well,that'sasitmaybe.

And,ofcourse,Idon'twanttogointoit....Butithasseemedtomeallalongthatyou've
talked in quite a different styleabout the Christian faith, for instance, about social
institutions,aboutthegovernmenteven...,

I'vesaidlotsofthings,nodoubt,Iamsayingthemstill;butsuchideasmustn'tbeappliedas
thosefoolsdoit,that'sthepoint.What'sthegoodofbitinghissuperior'sshoulder!Youagreed
withmeyourself,onlyyousaiditwaspremature.

Ididn'tmeanthatwhenIagreedandsaiditwaspremature.

Youweigheverywordyouutter,though.Hehe!Youareacarefulman!PyotrStepanovitch
observedgailyallofasudden.Listen,oldfriend.Ihadtogettoknowyou;that'swhyI
talkedinmyownstyle.YouarenottheonlyoneIgettoknowlikethat.MaybeIneededto
findoutyourcharacter.

What'smycharactertoyou?

HowcanItellwhatitmaybetome?Helaughedagain.Yousee,mydearandhighly
respectedAndreyAntonovitch,youarecunning,butit'snotcometothatyetanditcertainly
neverwillcometoit,youunderstand?Perhapsyoudounderstand.ThoughIdidmakean
explanationintheproperquarterwhenIcamebackfromabroad,andIreallydon'tknowwhy
amanofcertainconvictionsshouldnotbeabletoworkfortheadvancementofhissincere
convictions...butnobodythere.hasyetinstructedmetoinvestigateyourcharacterandI've
notundertakenanysuchjobfromthem.Consider:Ineednothavegiventhosetwonamesto
you.Imighthavegonestraightthere;thatiswhereImademyfirstexplanations.AndifI'd
beenactingwithaviewtofinancialprofitormyowninterestinanyway,itwouldhavebeen
abadspeculationonmypart,fornowthey'llbegratefultoyouandnottomeatheadquarters.
I'vedoneitsolelyforShatov'ssake,PyotrStepanovitchaddedgenerously,forShatov's
sake, because of our old friendship. . .. But when you take up your pen to write to
headquarters,youmayputinawordforme,ifyoulike....I'llmakenoobjection,hehe!
Adieu,though;I'vestayedtoolongandtherewasnoneedtogossipsomuch!headdedwith
someamiability,andhegotupfromthesofa.

On the contrary, I am very glad that the position has been defined, so to speak. Von
Lembketoogotupandhetoolookedpleasant,obviouslyaffectedbythelastwords.Iaccept
yourservicesandacknowledgemyobligation,andyoumaybesurethatanythingIcandoby
wayofreportingyourzeal...

Sixdaysthegreatthingistoputitoffforsixdays,andthatyoushouldn'tstirforthosesix
days,that'swhatIwant.

Sobeit.

Ofcourse,Idon'ttieyourhandsandshouldn'tventureto.Youareboundtokeepwatch,only
don'tnutterthenesttoosoon;Irelyonyoursenseandexperienceforthat.ButIshouldthink
you'veplentyofbloodhoundsandtrackersofyourowninreserve,haha!PyotrStepanovitch
blurtedoutwiththegaietyandirresponsibilityofyouth.

Notquiteso.Lembkeparriedamiably.Youngpeopleareapttosupposethatthereisa
greatdealinthebackground....But,bytheway,allowmeonelittleword:ifthisKirillor
wasStavrogin'ssecond,thenMr.Stavrogintoo...

WhataboutStavrogin?

Imean,iftheyaresuchfriends?

Oh,no,no,no!Thereyouarequiteoutofit,thoughyouarecunning.Youreallysurprise
me.Ithoughtthatyouhadsomeinformationaboutit....H'm...Stavroginit'squitethe
opposite,quite....Avisaulecteur.

Doyoumeanit?Andcanitbeso?Lembkearticulatedmistrustfully.YuliaMihailovna
told me that from what she heard from Petersburg he is a man acting on some sort of
instructions,sotospeak....

I know nothing about it; I know nothing, absolutely nothing. Adieu. Avis au lecteur!
AbruptlyandobviouslyPyotrStepanovitchdeclinedtodiscussit.

Hehurriedtothedoor.

Stay,PyotrStepanovitch,stay,criedLembke.OneothertinymatterandIwon'tdetain
you.

Hedrewanenvelopeoutofatabledrawer.

Here is a little specimen of the same kind of thing, and I let you see it to show how
completelyItrustyou.Here,andtellmeyouropinion.

In the envelope was a letter, a strange anonymous letter addressed to Lembke and only
receivedbyhimthedaybefore.WithintensevexationPyotrStepanovitchreadasfollows:

yourexcellency,Forsuchyouarebyrank.HerewithImakeknownthatthereisanattempt
tobemadeonthelifeofpersonagesofgeneral'srankandontheFatherland.Forit'sworking
upstraightforthat.Imyselfhavebeendisseminatingunceasinglyforanumberofyears.
There's infidelity too. There's a rebellion being got up and there are some thousands of
manifestoes,andforeveryoneofthemtherewillbeahundredrunningwiththeirtonguesout,
unlessthey'vebeentakenawaybeforehandbythepolice.Forthey'vebeenpromisedamighty
lotofbenefits,andthesimplepeoplearefoolish,andthere'svodkatoo.Thepeoplewillattack
oneafteranother,takingthemtobeguilty,and,fearingbothsides,IrepentofwhatIhadno
share in, my circumstances being what they are. If you want information to save the
Fatherland,andalsotheChurchandtheikons,Iamtheonlyonethatcandoit.Butonlyon
conditionthatIgetapardonfromtheSecretPolicebytelegramatonce,mealone,buttherest
mayanswerforit.Putacandleeveryeveningatseveno'clockintheporter'swindowfora
signal.Seeingit,IshallbelieveandcometokissthemercifulhandfromPetersburg.Buton
conditionthere'sapensionforme,forelsehowamItolive?Youwon'tregretitforitwill
meanastarforyou.Youmustgosecretlyorthey'llwringyourneck.Yourexcellency's
desperateservantfallsatyourfeet.

repentantfreethinkerincognito.

VonLembkeexplainedthattheletterhadmadeitsappearanceintheporter'sroomwhenit
wasleftemptythedaybefore.

Sowhatdoyouthink?PyotrStepanovitchaskedalmostrudely.

Ithinkit'sananonymousskitbywayofahoax.

Mostlikelyitis.There'snotakingyouin.

Whatmakesmethinkthatisthatit'ssostupid.

Haveyoureceivedsuchdocumentsherebefore?

Onceortwice,anonymousletters.

Oh,ofcoursetheywouldn'tbesigned.Inadifferentstyle?Indifferenthandwritings?

Yes.

Andweretheybuffoonerylikethisone?

Yes,andyouknow...verydisgusting.

Well,ifyouhadthembefore,itmustbethesamethingnow.

Especiallybecauseit'ssostupid.Becausethesepeopleareeducatedandwouldn'twriteso
stupidly.

Ofcourse,ofcourse.

Butwhatifthisissomeonewhoreallywantstoturninformer?

It'snotverylikely,PyotrStepanovitchrappedoutdryly.Whatdoeshemeanbyatelegram
fromtheSecretPoliceand;apension?It'sobviouslyahoax.

Yes,yes,Lembkeadmitted,abashed.

Itellyouwhat:youleavethiswithme.Icancertainly;findoutforyoubeforeItrackoutthe
others.

Takeit,Lembkeassented,thoughwithsomehesitation.

Haveyoushownittoanyone?

Isitlikely!No.

NottoYuliaMihailovna?

Oh,Heavenforbid!AndforGod'ssakedon'tyoushowither!Lembkecriedinalarm.
She'llbesoupset...andwillbedreadfullyangrywithme.

Yes,you'llbethefirsttocatchit;she'dsayyoubroughtitonyourselfifpeoplewritelike
thattoyou.Iknowwhatwomen'slogicis.Well,goodbye.IdaresayIshallbringyouthe
writerinacoupleofdaysorso.Aboveall,ourcompact!

IV

ThoughPyotrStepanovitchwasperhapsfarfrombeingastupidman,Fedkatheconvicthad
saidofhimtrulythathewouldmakeupamanhimselfandgoonlivingwithhimtoo.He
cameawayfromLembkefullypersuadedthatforthenextsixdays,anyway,hehadputhis
mindatrest,andthisintervalwasabsolutelynecessaryforhisownpurposes.Butitwasa
falseideaandfoundedentirelyonthe.factthathehadmadeupforhimselfonceforallan
AndreyAntonovitchwhowasaperfectsimpleton.

Like every morbidly suspicious man, Andrey Antonovitch was always exceedingly and
joyfullytrustfulthemomenthegotontosureground.Thenewturnofaffairsstruckhimat
first in a rather favourable light in spite of some fresh and troublesome complications.
Anyway,hisformerdoubtsfelltotheground.Besides,hehadbeensotiredforthelastfew
days,soexhaustedandhelpless,thathissoulinvoluntarilyyearnedforrest.Butalas!hewas
againuneasy.ThelongtimehehadspentinPetersburghadleftineradicabletracesinhis
heart.Theofficialandeventhesecrethistoryoftheyoungergenerationwasfairlyfamiliar
to himhe was a curious man and used to collect manifestoesbut he could never
understandawordofit.Nowhefeltlikeamanlostinaforest.Everyinstincttoldhimthat
there was something in Pyotr Stepanovitch's words utterly incongruous, anomalous, and
grotesque,thoughthere'snotellingwhatmaynothappenwiththis'youngergeneration,'and
thedevilonlyknowswhat'sgoingonamongthem,hemused,lostinperplexity.

Andatthismoment,tomakemattersworse,Blumpokedhisheadin.Hehadbeenwaitingnot
faroffthroughthewholeofPyotrStepanovitch'svisit.ThisBlumwasactuallyadistant
relation of Andrey Antonovitch, though the relationship had always been carefully and
timorouslyconcealed.Imustapologisetothereaderfordevotingafewwordsheretothis
insignificantperson.BlumwasoneofthatstrangeclassofunfortunateGermanswhoare
unfortunatenotthroughlackofabilitybutthroughsomeinexplicableillluck.Unfortunate
Germansarenotamyth,butreallydoexisteveninRussia,andareofaspecialtype.Andrey
Antonoyitchhadalwayshadaquitetouchingsympathyforhim,andwhereverhecould,ashe
rosehimselfintheservice,hadpromotedhimtosubordinatepositionsunderhim;butBlum
hadneverbeensuccessful.Eitherthepostwasabolishedafterhehadbeenappointedtoit,ora
newchieftookchargeofthedepartment;oncehewasalmostarrestedbymistakewithother
people.Hewasprecise,buthewasgloomytoexcessandtohisowndetriment.Hewastall
andhadredhair;hestoopedandwasdepressedandevensentimental;andinspiteofhisbeing
humbledbyhislife,hewasobstinateandpersistentasanox,thoughalwaysatthewrong
moment.ForAndreyAntonovitchhe,aswellashiswifeandnumerousfamily,hadcherished
formanyyearsareverentdevotion.ExceptAndreyAntonovitchnoonehadeverlikedhim.
Yulia Mihailovna would have discarded him from the first, but could not overcome her
husband'sobstinacy.Itwasthecauseoftheirfirstconjugalquarrel.Ithadhappenedsoonafter
theirmarriage,intheearlydaysoftheirhoneymoon,whenshewasconfrontedwithBlum,
who,togetherwiththehumiliatingsecretofhisrelationship,hadbeenuntilthencarefully
concealed from her. Andrey Antonovitch besought her with clasped hands, told her
patheticallyallthestoryofBlumandtheirfriendshipfromchildhood,butYuliaMihailovna
consideredherselfdisgracedforever,andevenhadrecoursetofainting.VonLembkewould
notbudgeaninch,anddeclaredthathewouldnotgiveupBlumorpartfromhimforanything
intheworld,sothatshewassurprisedatlastandwasobligedtoputupwithBlum.Itwas
settled,however,thattherelationshipshouldbeconcealedevenmorecarefullythanbeforeif
possible,andthatevenBlum'sChristiannameandpatronymicshouldbechanged,becausehe
toowasforsomereasoncalledAndreyAntonovitch.Blumknewnooneinthetownexcept
the German chemist, had not called on anyone, and led, as he always did, a lonely and
niggardlyexistence.HehadlongbeenawareofAndreyAntonovitch'sliterarypeccadilloes.
Hewasgenerallysummonedtolistentosecretteteatetereadingsofhisnovel;hewouldsit
likeapostforsixhoursatastretch,perspiringandstraininghisutmosttokeepawakeand
smile.Onreachinghomehewouldgroanwithhislongleggedandlankywifeovertheir
benefactor'sunhappyweaknessforRussianliterature.

AndreyAntonovitchlookedwithanguishatBlum.

Ibegyoutoleavemealone,Blum,hebeganwithagitatedhaste,obviouslyanxioustoavoid
anyrenewalofthepreviousconversationwhichhadbeeninterruptedbyPyotrStepanovitch.

Andyetthismaybearrangedinthemostdelicatewayandwithnopublicity;youhavefull
power. Blum respectfully but obstinately insisted on some point, stooping forward and
comingnearerandnearerbysmallstepstoAndreyAntonovitch.

Blum,youaresodevotedtomeandsoanxioustoservemethatIamalwaysinapanicwhen
Ilookatyou.

Youalwayssaywittythings,andsleepinpeacesatisfiedwithwhatyou'vesaid,butthat's
howyoudamageyourself.

Blum,Ihavejustconvincedmyselfthatit'squiteamistake,quiteamistake.
Notfromthewordsofthatfalse,viciousyoungmanwhomyoususpectyourself?Hehas
wonyoubyhisflatteringpraiseofyourtalentforliterature.

Blum,youunderstandnothingaboutit;yourprojectisabsurd,Itellyou.Weshallfind
nothingandtherewillbeafearfulupsetandlaughtertoo,andthenYuliaMihailovna...

Weshall.certainlyfindeverythingwearelookingfor.Blumadvancedfirmlytowardshim,
layinghisrighthandonhisheart.Wewillmakeasearchsuddenlyearlyinthemorning,
carefullyshowingeveryconsiderationforthepersonhimselfandstrictlyobservingallthe
prescribedformsofthelaw.Theyoungmen,LyamshinandTelyatnikov,assertpositivelythat
weshallfindallwewant.Theywereconstantvisitorsthere.Nobodyisfavourablydisposedto
Mr.Verhovensky.MadameStavroginhasopenlyrefusedhimhergraces,andeveryhonest
man,ifonlythereissuchaoneinthiscoarsetown,ispersuadedthatahotbedofinfidelity
and social doctrines has always been concealed there. He keeps all the forbidden books,
Ryliev's.'Reflections,'all.Herzen'sworks....Ihaveanapproximatecatalogue,incaseof
need.

Ohheavens!Everyonehasthesebooks;howsimpleyouare,mypoorBlum.

Andmanymanifestoes,Blumwentonwithoutheedingtheobservation.Weshallendby
certainlycomingupontracesoftherealmanifestoeshere.ThatyoungVerhovenskyIfeel
verysuspiciousof.

Butyouaremixingupthefatherandtheson.Theyarenotongoodterms.Thesonopenly
laughsathisfather.

That'sonlyamask.

Blum,you'vesworntotormentme!Think!heisaconspicuousfigurehere,afterall.He's
beenaprofessor,heisawellknownman.He'llmakesuchanuproarandtherewillbesuch
gibesalloverthetown,andweshallmakeamessofitall....AndonlythinkhowYulia
Mihailovnawilltakeit.Blumpressedforwardanddidnotlisten.Hewasonlyalecturer,
onlyalecturer,andofalowrankwhenheretired.Hesmotehimselfonthechest.Hehasno
marksofdistinction.Hewasdischargedfromtheserviceonsuspicionofplotsagainstthe
government.Hehasbeenundersecretsupervision,andundoubtedlystillisso.Andinviewof
thedisordersthathavecometolightnow,youareundoubtedlyboundinduty.Youarelosing
yourchanceofdistinctionbylettingsliptherealcriminal.

YuliaMihailovna!Getaway,Blum,VonLembkecriedsuddenly,hearingthevoiceofhis
spouseinthenextroom.Blumstartedbutdidnotgivein.

Allowme,allowme,hepersisted,pressingbothhandsstillmoretightlyonhischest.

Getaway!hissedAndreyAntonovitch.Dowhatyoulike...afterwards.Oh,myGod!

The curtain was raised and Yulia Mihailovna made her appearance. She stood still
majesticallyatthesightofBlum,castingahaughtyandoffendedglanceathim,asthoughthe
verypresenceofthismanwasanaffronttoher.Blumrespectfullymadeheradeepbow
withoutspeakingand,doubledupwithveneration,movedtowardsthedoorontiptoewithhis
armsheldalittleawayfromhim.

Either because he really took Andrey Antonovitch's last hysterical outbreak as a direct
permissiontoactashewasasking,orwhetherhestrainedapointinthiscaseforthedirect
advantage of his benefactor, because he was too confident that success would crown his
efforts; anyway, as we shall see later on, this conversation of the governor with his
subordinate led to a very surprising event which amused many people, became public
property,movedYuliaMihailovnatofierceanger,utterlydisconcertingAndreyAntonovitch
andreducinghimatthecrucialmomenttoastateofdeplorableindecision.

ItwasabusydayforPyotrStepanovitch.FromVonLembkehehastenedtoBogoyavlensky
Street,butashewentalongBykovyStreet,pastthehousewhereKarmazinovwasstaying,
hesuddenlystopped,grinned,andwentintothehouse.Theservanttoldhimthathewas
expected,whichinterestedhim,ashehadsaidnothingbeforehandofhiscoming.

Butthegreatwriterreallyhadbeenexpectinghim,notonlythatdaybutthedaybeforeand
thedaybeforethat.ThreedaysbeforehehadhandedhimhismanuscriptMerci(which.he
hadmeanttoreadattheliterarymatineeatYuliaMihailovna'sfete).Hehaddonethisoutof
amiability,fullyconvincedthathewasagreeablynatteringtheyoungman'svanitybyletting
himreadthegreatworkbeforehand.PyotrStepanovitchhadnoticedlongbeforethatthis
vainglorious,spoiledgentleman,whowassooffensivelyunapproachableforallbuttheelect,
thiswriterwiththeintellectofastatesman,wassimplytryingtocurryfavourwithhim,
evenwithavidity.IbelievetheyoungmanguessedatlastthatKarmazinovconsideredhim,if
nottheleaderofthewholesecretrevolutionarymovementinRussia,atleastoneofthose
mostdeeplyinitiatedintothesecretsoftheRussianrevolutionwhohadanincontestable
influenceontheyoungergeneration.ThestateofmindofthecleverestmaninRussia
interestedPyotrStepanovitch,buthithertohehad,forcertainreasons,avoidedexplaining
himself.

Thegreatwriterwasstayinginthehousebelongingtohissister,whowasthewifeofa
kammerherr and had an estate in the neighbourhood. Both she and her husband had the
deepest reverence for their illustrious relation, but to their profound regret both of them
happenedtobeinMoscowatthetimeofhisvisit,sothatthehonourofreceivinghimfellto
thelotofanoldlady,apoorrelationofthekammerherr's,whohadforyearslivedinthe
familyandlookedafterthehousekeeping.Allthehouseholdhadmovedaboutontiptoesince
Karmazinov'sarrival.TheoldladysentnewstoMoscowalmosteveryday,howhehadslept,
whathehaddeignedtoeat,andhadoncesentatelegramtoannouncethatafteradinnerparty
at the mayor's he was obliged to take a spoonful of a wellknown medicine. She rarely
pluckedupcouragetoenterhisroom,thoughhebehavedcourteouslytoher,butdryly,and
onlytalkedtoherofwhatwasnecessary.

WhenPyotrStepanovitchcamein,hewaseatinghismorningcutletwithhalfaglassofred
wine.PyotrStepanovitchhadbeentoseehimbeforeandalwaysfoundhimeatingthiscutlet,
whichhefinishedinhispresencewithouteverofferinghimanything.Afterthecutletalittle
cupofcoffeewasserved.Thefootmanwhobroughtinthedishesworeaswallowtailcoat,
noiselessboots,andgloves.

Haha!Karmazinovgotupfromthesofa,wipinghismouthwithatablenapkin,andcame
forward to kiss him with an air of unmixed delightafter the characteristic fashion of
Russiansiftheyareveryillustrious.ButPyotrStepanovitchknewbyexperiencethat,though
Karmazinovmadeashowofkissinghim,hereallyonlyprofferedhischeek,andsothistime
hedidthesame:thecheeksmet.Karmazinovdidnotshowthathenoticedit,satdownonthe
sofa,andaffablyofferedPyotrStepanovitchaneasychairfacinghim,inwhichthelatter
stretchedhimselfatonce.

Youdon't...wouldn'tlikesomelunch?inquiredKarmazinov,abandoninghisusualhabit
butwithanair,ofcourse,whichwouldpromptapoliterefusal.PyotrStepanovitchatonce
expressedadesireforlunch.Ashadeofoffendedsurprisedarkenedthefaceofhishost,but
onlyforaninstant;henervouslyrangfortheservantand,inspiteofallhisbreeding,raised
hisvoicescornfullyashegaveordersforasecondlunchtobeserved.

Whatwillyouhave,cutletorcoffee?heaskedoncemore,

Acutletandcoffee,andtellhimtobringsomemorewine,Iamhungry,answeredPyotr
Stepanovitch,calmlyscrutinisinghishost'sattire.Mr.Karmazinovwaswearingasortof
indoorwaddedjacketwithpearlbuttons,butitwastooshort,whichwasfarfrombecomingto
hisrathercomfortablestomachandthesolidcurvesofhiships.Buttastesdiffer.Overhis
kneeshehadacheckeredwoollenplaidreachingtothefloor,thoughitwaswarmintheroom.

Areyouunwell?commentedPyotrStepanovitch.

No,notunwell,butIamafraidofbeingsointhisclimate,answeredthewriterinhis
squeakyvoice,thoughheutteredeachwordwithasoftcadenceandagreeablegentlemanly
lisp.I'vebeenexpectingyousinceyesterday.

Why?Ididn'tsayI'dcome.

No,butyouhavemymanuscript.Haveyou...readit?

Manuscript?Whichone?

Karmazinovwasterriblysurprised.

Butyou'vebroughtitwithyou,haven'tyou?Hewassodisturbedthatheevenleftoffeating
andlookedatPyotrStepanovitchwithafaceofdismay.

Ah,thatBonjouryoumean....
Merci.

Oh,allright.I'dquiteforgottenitandhadn'treadit;Ihaven'thadtime.Ireallydon'tknow,
it'snotinmypockets...itmustbeonmytable.Don'tbeuneasy,itwillbefound.

No,I'dbettersendtoyourroomsatonce.Itmightbelost;besides,itmightbestolen.

Oh,who'dwantit!Butwhyareyousoalarmed?Why,YuliaMihailovnatoldmeyoualways
haveseveralcopiesmadeonekeptatanotary'sabroad,anotherinPetersburg,athirdin
Moscow,andthenyousendsometoabank,Ibelieve.

ButMoscowmightbeburntagainandmymanuscriptwithit.No,I'dbettersendatonce.

Stay,hereitis!PyotrStepanovitchpulledarollofnotepaperoutofapocketatthebackof
hiscoat.It'salittlecrumpled.Onlyfancy,it'sbeenlyingtherewithmypockethandkerchief
eversinceItookitfromyou;Iforgotit.

Karmazinovgreedilysnatchedthemanuscript,carefullyexaminedit,countedthepages,and
laiditrespectfullybesidehimonaspecialtable,forthetime,insuchawaythathewouldnot
losesightofitforaninstant.

Youdon'treadverymuch,itseems?hehissed,unabletorestrainhimself.

No,notverymuch.

AndnothinginthewayofRussianliterature?

InthewayofRussianliterature?Letmesee,Ihavereadsomething....'OntheWay'or
'Away!'or'AtthePartingoftheWays'somethingofthesort;Idon'tremember.It'salong
timesinceIreadit,fiveyearsago.I'venotime.

Asilencefollowed.

WhenIcameIassuredeveryonethatyouwereaveryintelligentman,andnowIbelieve
everyonehereiswildoveryou.

Thankyou,PyotrStepanovitchansweredcalmly.

Lunchwasbroughtin.PyotrStepanovitchpouncedonthecutletwithextraordinaryappetite,
hadeatenitinatrice,tossedoffthewineandswallowedhiscoffee.

Thisboor,thoughtKarmazinov,lookingathimaskanceashemunchedthelastmorseland
drainedthelastdropsthisboorprobablyunderstoodthebitingtauntinmywords...and
nodoubthehasreadthemanuscriptwitheagerness;heissimplylyingwithsomeobject.But
possiblyheisnotlyingandisonlygenuinelystupid.Ilikeageniustoberatherstupid.Mayn't
hebeasortofgeniusamongthem?Deviltakethefellow!
Hegotupfromthesofaandbeganpacingfromoneendoftheroomtotheotherforthesake
ofexercise,ashealwaysdidafterlunch.

Leavingheresoon?askedPyotrStepanovitchfromhiseasychair,lightingacigarette.

IreallycametosellanestateandIaminthehandsofmybailiff.

Youleft,Ibelieve,becausetheyexpectedanepidemicoutthereafterthewar?

Nno,notentirelyforthatreason,Mr.Karmazinovwenton,utteringhisphraseswithan
affableintonation,andeachtimeheturnedroundinpacingthecornertherewasafaintbut
jauntyquiverofhisrightleg.IcertainlyintendtoliveaslongasIcan.Helaughed,not
withoutvenom.ThereissomethinginourRussiannobilitythatmakesthemwearoutvery
quickly,fromeverypointofview.ButIwishtowearoutaslateaspossible,andnowIam
goingabroadforgood;theretheclimateisbetter,thehousesareofstone,andeverything
stronger.Europewilllastmytime,Ithink.Whatdoyouthink?

HowcanItell?

H'm.IftheBabylonouttherereallydoesfall,andgreatwillbethefallthereof(aboutwhichI
quiteagreewithyou,yetIthinkitwilllastmytime),there'snothingtofallhereinRussia,
comparativelyspeaking.Therewon'tbestonestofall,everythingwillcrumbleintodirt.Holy
Russiahaslesspowerofresistancethananythingintheworld.TheRussianpeasantryisstill
heldtogethersomehowbytheRussianGod;butaccordingtothelatestaccountstheRussian
Godisnottobereliedupon,andscarcelysurvivedtheemancipation;itcertainlygaveHima
severeshock.Andnow,whatwithrailways,whatwithyou...I'venofaithintheRussian
God.

AndhowabouttheEuropeanone?

Idon'tbelieveinany.I'vebeenslanderedtotheyouthofRussia.I'vealwayssympathised
witheverymovementamongthem.Iwasshownthemanifestoeshere.Everyonelooksat
themwithperplexitybecausetheyarefrightenedatthewaythingsareputinthem,butevery
oneisconvincedoftheirpowereveniftheydon'tadmitittothemselves.Everybodyhasbeen
rollingdownhill,andeveryonehasknownforagesthattheyhavenothingtoclutchat.Iam
persuadedofthesuccessofthismysteriouspropaganda,ifonlybecauseRussiaisnowpre
eminently the place in all the world where anything you like may happen without any
opposition.IunderstandonlytoowellwhywealthyRussiansallflockabroad,andmoreand
moresoeveryyear.It'ssimplyinstinct.Iftheshipissinking,theratsarethefirsttoleaveit.
HolyRussiaisacountryofwood,ofpoverty...andofdanger,thecountryofambitious
beggarsinitsupperclasses,whiletheimmensemajorityliveinpokylittlehuts.Shewillbe
gladofanywayofescape;youhaveonlytopresentittoher.It'sonlythegovernmentthat
stillmeanstoresist,butitbrandishesitscudgelinthedarkandhitsitsownmen.Everything
hereisdoomedandawaitingtheend.Russiaassheishasnofuture.IhavebecomeaGerman
andIamproudofit.
Butyoubeganaboutthemanifestoes.Tellmeeverything:howdoyoulookatthem?

Everyoneisafraidofthem,sotheymustbeinfluential.Theyopenlyunmaskwhatisfalse
andprovethatthereisnothingtolayholdofamongus,andnothingtoleanupon.Theyspeak
aloudwhileallissilent.Whatismosteffectiveaboutthem(inspiteoftheirstyle)isthe
incredibleboldnesswithwhichtheylookthetruthstraightintheface.Tolookfactsstraightin
thefaceisonlypossibletoRussiansofthisgeneration.No,inEuropetheyarenotyetsobold;
itisarealmofstone,therethereisstillsomethingtoleanupon.SofarasIseeandamableto
judge,thewholeessenceoftheRussianrevolutionaryidealiesinthenegationofhonour.I
likeitsbeingsoboldlyandfearlesslyexpressed.No,inEuropetheywouldn'tunderstandit
yet, but that's just what we shall clutch at. For a Russian a sense of honour is only a
superfluousburden,anditalwayshasbeenaburdenthroughallhishistory.Theopen'rightto
dishonourwillattracthimmorethananything.Ibelongtotheoldergenerationand,Imust
confess,stillclingtohonour,butonlyfromhabit.ItisonlythatIprefertheoldforms,granted
it'sfromtimidity;youseeonemustlivesomehowwhat'sleftofone'slife.

Hesuddenlystopped.

Iamtalking,hethought,whileheholdshistongueandwatchesme.Hehascometomake
measkhimadirectquestion.AndIshallaskhim.

YuliaMihailovnaaskedmebysomestratagemtofindoutfromyouwhatthesurpriseisthat
youarepreparingfortheballtomorrow,PyotrStepanovitchaskedsuddenly.

Yes,therereallywillbeasurpriseandIcertainlyshallastonish...saidKarmazinovwith
increaseddignity.ButIwon'ttellyouwhatthesecretis.

PyotrStepanovitchdidnotinsist.

ThereisayoungmanherecalledShatov,observedthegreatwriter.Wouldyoubelieveit,
Ihaven'tseenhim.

Averyniceperson.Whatabouthim?

Oh,nothing.Hetalksaboutsomething.Isn'thethepersonwhogaveStavroginthatslapin
theface?

Yes.

Andwhat'syouropinionofStavrogin?

Idon'tknow;heissuchaflirt.

KarmazinovdetestedStavroginbecauseitwasthelattershabitnottotakeanynoticeofhim.

Thatflirt,hesaid,chuckling,ifwhatisadvocatedinyourmanifestoesevercomestopass,
willbethefirsttobehanged.

Perhapsbefore,PyotrStepanovitchsaidsuddenly.

Quiterighttoo,Karmazinovassented,notlaughing,andwithpronouncedgravity.

Youhavesaidsooncebefore,and,doyouknow,Irepeatedittohim.

What,yousurelydidn'trepeatit?Karmazinovlaughedagain.

Hesaidthatifheweretobehangeditwouldbeenoughforyoutobeflogged,notsimplyas
acomplimentbuttohurt,astheyflogthepeasants.

PyotrStepanovitchtookhishatandgotupfromhisseat.Karmazinovheldoutbothhandsto
himatparting.

Andwhatifallthatyouare...plottingforisdestinedtocometopass...hepiped
suddenly,inahoneyedvoicewithapeculiarintonation,stillholdinghishandsinhis.How
sooncoulditcomeabout?

HowcouldItell?PyotrStepanovitchansweredratherroughly.Theylookedintentlyinto
eachother'seyes.

Ataguess?Approximately?Karmazinovpipedstillmoresweetly.

You'llhavetimetosellyourestateandtimetoclearouttoo,PyotrStepanovitchmuttered
stillmoreroughly.Theylookedatoneanotherevenmoreintently.

Therewasaminuteofsilence.

ItwillbeginearlynextMayandwillbeoverbyOctober,PyotrStepanovitchsaidsuddenly.

Ithankyousincerely,Karmazinovpronouncedinavoicesaturatedwithfeeling,pressing
hishands.

Youwillhavetimetogetoutoftheship,yourat,PyotrStepanovitchwasthinkingashe
wentoutintothestreet.Well,ifthat'imperialintellect'inquiressoconfidentlyofthedayand
thehourandthanksmesorespectfullyfortheinformationIhavegiven,wemustn'tdoubtof
ourselves.[Hegrinned.]H'm!Buthereallyisn'tstupid...andheissimplyaratescaping;
menlikethatdon'ttelltales!

HerantoFilipov'shouseinBogoyavlenskyStreet.

VI

PyotrStepanovitchwentfirsttoKirillov's.Hefoundhim,asusual,alone,andatthemoment
practisinggymnastics,thatis,standingwithhislegsapart,brandishinghisarmsabovehis
headinapeculiarway.Onthefloorlayaball.Theteastoodcoldonthetable,notcleared
sincebreakfast.PyotrStepanovitchstoodforaminuteonthethreshold.

Youareveryanxiousaboutyourhealth,itseems,hesaidinaloudandcheerfultone,going
intotheroom.Whatajollyball,though;foo,howitbounces!Isthatforgymnasticstoo?

Kirillovputonhiscoat.

Yes,that'sforthegoodofmyhealthtoo,hemuttereddryly.Sitdown.

I'monlyhereforaminute.Still,I'llsitdown.Healthisallverywell,butI'vecometoremind
youofouragreement.Theappointedtimeisapproaching...inacertainsense,heconcluded
awkwardly.

Whatagreement?

Howcanyouask?PyotrStepanovitchwasstartledandevendismayed.

It'snotanagreementandnotanobligation.Ihavenotboundmyselfinanyway;it'sa
mistakeonyourpart.

Isay,what'sthisyou'redoing?PyotrStepanovitchjumpedup.

WhatIchoose.

Whatdoyouchoose?

Thesameasbefore.

HowamItounderstandthat?Doesthatmeanthatyouareinthesamemind?

Yes.Onlythere'snoagreementandneverhasbeen,andIhavenotboundmyselfinanyway.
IcoulddoasIlikeandIcanstilldoasIlike.

Kirillovexplainedhimselfcurtlyandcontemptuously.

Iagree,Iagree;beasfreeasyoulikeifyoudon'tchangeyourmind.PyotrStepanovitchsat
downagainwithasatisfiedair.Youareangryoveraword.You'vebecomeveryirritableof
late;that'swhyI'veavoidedcomingtoseeyou,Iwasquitesure,though,youwouldbeloyal.

Idislikeyouverymuch,butyoucanbeperfectlysurethoughIdon'tregarditasloyalty
anddisloyalty.

But do you know (Pyotr Stepanovitch was startled again) we must talk things over
thoroughlyagainsoasnottogetinamuddle.Thebusinessneedsaccuracy,andyoukeep
givingmesuchshocks.Willyouletmespeak?
Speak,snappedKirillov,lookingaway.

Youmadeupyourmindlongagototakeyourlife...Imean,youhadtheideainyourmind.
Isthattherightexpression?Isthereanymistakeaboutthat?

Ihavethesameideastill.

Excellent.Takenotethatnoonehasforceditonyou.

Rathernot;whatnonsenseyoutalk.

IdaresayIexpressitverystupidly.Ofcourse,itwouldbeverystupidtoforceanybodytoit.
I'll go on. You were a member of the society before its organisation was changed, and
confessedittooneofthemembers.

Ididn'tconfessit,Isimplysaidso.

Quiteso.Anditwouldbeabsurdtoconfesssuchathing.Whataconfession!Yousimply
saidso.Excellent.

No,it'snotexcellent,foryouarebeingtedious.Iamnotobligedtogiveyouanyaccountof
myselfandyoucan'tunderstandmyideas.Iwanttoputanendtomylife,becausethat'smy
idea,becauseIdon'twanttobeafraidofdeath,because...becausethere'snoneedforyouto
know.Whatdoyouwant?Wouldyouliketea?It'scold.Letmegetyouanotherglass.

PyotrStepanovitchactuallyhadtakenuptheteapotandwaslookingforanemptyglass.
Kirillovwenttothecupboardandbroughtacleanglass.

I'vejusthadlunchatKarmazinov's,observedhisvisitor,thenIlistenedtohimtalking,and
perspiredand.gotintoasweatagainrunninghere.Iamfearfullythirsty.

Drink.Coldteaisgood.

Kirillovsatdownonhischairagainandagainfixedhiseyesonthefarthestcorner.

Theideahadariseninthesociety,hewentoninthesamevoice,thatImightbeofuseifI
killedmyself,andthatwhenyougetupsomebitofmischiefhere,andtheyarelookingfor
theguilty,ImightsuddenlyshootmyselfandleavealettersayingIdiditall,sothatyou
mightescapesuspicionforanotheryear.

Forafewdays,anyway;onedayisprecious.

Good.Soforthatreasontheyaskedme,ifIwould,towait.IsaidI'dwaittillthesociety
fixedtheday,becauseitmakesnodifferencetome.

Yes,butrememberthatyouboundyourselfnottomakeupyourlastletterwithoutmeand
thatinRussiayouwouldbeatmy...well,atmydisposition,thatisforthatpurposeonly.I
needhardlysay,ineverythingelse,ofcourse,youarefree,PyotrStepanovitchaddedalmost
amiably.

Ididn'tbindmyself,Iagreed,becauseitmakesnodifferencetome.

Good,good.Ihavenointentionofwoundingyourvanity,but...

It'snotaquestionofvanity.

Butrememberthatahundredandtwentythalerswerecollectedforyourjourney,soyou've
takenmoney.

Notatall.Kirillovfiredup.Themoneywasnotonthatcondition.Onedoesn'ttakemoney
forthat.

Peoplesometimesdo.

That'salie.IsentaletterfromPetersburg,andinPetersburgIpaidyouahundredand
twentythalers;Iputitinyourhand...andithasbeensentoffthere,unlessyou'vekeptitfor
yourself.

Allright,allright,Idon'tdisputeanything;ithasbeensentoff.Allthatmattersisthatyou
arestillinthesamemind.

Exactlythesame.Whenyoucomeandtellmeit'stime,I'llcarryitallout.Willitbevery
soon?

Notverymanydays....Butremember,we'llmakeupthelettertogether,thesamenight.

Thesamedayifyoulike.YousayImusttaketheresponsibilityforthemanifestoeson
myself?

Andsomethingelsetoo.

Iamnotgoingtomakemyselfoutresponsibleforeverything.

Whatwon'tyouberesponsiblefor?saidPyotrStepanovitchagain.

WhatIdon'tchoose;that'senough.Idon'twanttotalkaboutitanymore.

PyotrStepanovitchcontrolledhimselfandchangedthesubject.

Tospeakofsomethingelse,hebegan,willyoubewithusthisevening?It'sVirginsky's
nameday;that'sthepretextforourmeeting.

Idon'twantto.
Domeafavour.Docome.Youmust.Wemustimpressthembyournumberandourlooks.
Youhaveaface...well,inoneword,youhaveafatefulface.

Youthinkso?laughedKirillov.Verywell,I'llcome,butnotforthesakeofmyface.What
timeisit?

Oh,quiteearly,halfpastsix.And,youknow,youcangoin,sitdown,andnotspeaktoany
one,howevermanytheremaybethere.Only,Isay,don'tforgettobringpencilandpaperwith
you.

What'sthatfor?

Why,itmakesnodifferencetoyou,andit'smyspecialrequest.You'llonlyhavetositstill,
speakingtonoone,listen,andsometimesseemtomakeanote.Youcandrawsomething,if
youlike.

Whatnonsense!Whatfor?

Why,sinceitmakesnodifferencetoyou!Youkeepsayingthatit'sjustthesametoyou.

No,whatfor?

Why,becausethatmemberofthesociety,theinspector,hasstoppedatMoscowandItold
someofthemherethatpossiblytheinspectormayturnuptonight;andthey'llthinkthatyou
are the inspector. And as you've been here three weeks already, they'll be still more
surprised.

Stagetricks.Youhaven'tgotaninspectorinMoscow.

Well,supposeIhaven'tdamnhim!whatbusinessisthatofyoursandwhatbotherwillit
betoyou?Youareamemberofthesocietyyourself.

TellthemIamtheinspector;I'llsitstillandholdmytongue,butIwon'thavethepenciland
paper.

Butwhy?

Idon'twantto.

Pyotr Stepanovitch was really angry; he turned positively green, but again he controlled
himself.Hegotupandtookhishat.

Isthatfellowwithyou?hebroughtoutsuddenly,inalowvoice.

Yes.

That'sgood.I'llsoongethimaway.Don'tbeuneasy.
Iamnotuneasy.Heisonlyhereatnight.Theoldwomanisinthehospital,herdaughterin
lawisdead.I'vebeenaloneforthelasttwodays.I'veshownhimtheplaceinthepalingwhere
youcantakeaboardout;hegetsthrough,noonesees.

I'lltakehimawaysoon.

Hesayshehasgotplentyofplacestostaythenightin.

That'srot;theyarelookingforhim,butherehewouldn'tbenoticed.Doyouevergetinto
talkwithhim?

Yes,atnight.Heabusesyoutremendously.I'vebeenreadingthe'Apocalypse'tohimat
night,andwehavetea.Helistenedeagerly,veryeagerly,thewholenight.

Hangitall,you'llconverthimtoChristianity!

HeisaChristianasit is. Don'tbeuneasy, he'lldothemurder.Whomdoyouwantto

murder?

No,Idon'twanthimforthat,Iwanthimforsomethingdifferent....AnddoesShatovknow
aboutPedka?

Idon'ttalktoShatov,andIdon'tseehim.

Isheangry?

No,wearenotangry,onlyweshunoneanother.WelaytoolongsidebysideinAmerica.

Iamgoingtohimdirectly.

Asyoulike.

StavroginandImaycomeandseeyoufromthere,aboutteno'clock.

Do.

Iwanttotalktohimaboutsomethingimportant....Isay,makemeapresentofyourball;
whatdoyouwantwithitnow?Iwantitforgymnasticstoo.I'llpayyouforitifyoulike.

Youcantakeitwithout.

PyotrStepanovitchputtheballinthebackpocketofhiscoat.

ButI'llgiveyounothingagainstStavrogin,Kirillovmutteredafterhisguest,ashesawhim
out.Thelatterlookedathiminamazementbutdidnotanswer.

Kirillov'slastwordsperplexedPyotrStepanovitchextremely;hehadnottimeyettodiscover
theirmeaning,butevenwhilehewasonthestairsofShatov'slodginghetriedtoremoveall
traceofannoyanceandtoassumeanamiableexpression.Shatovwasathomeandrather
unwell.Hewaslyingonhisbed,thoughdressed.

Whatbadluck!PyotrStepanovitchcriedoutinthedoorway.Areyoureallyill?

Theamiableexpressionofhisfacesuddenlyvanished;therewasagleamofspiteinhiseyes.

Notatall.Shatovjumpedupnervously.Iamnotillatall...alittleheadache...

Hewasdisconcerted;thesuddenappearanceofsuchavisitorpositivelyalarmedhim.

Youmustn'tbeillforthejobI'vecomeabout,PyotrStepanovitchbeganquicklyand,asit
were,peremptorily.Allowmetositdown.(Hesatdown.)Andyousitdownagainonyour
bedstead; that's right. There will be a partyofour fellowsat Virginsky's tonight on the
pretextofhisbirthday;itwillhavenopoliticalcharacter,howeverwe'veseentothat.Iam
comingwithNikolayStavrogin.Iwouldnot,ofcourse,havedraggedyouthere,knowing
yourwayofthinkingatpresent...simplytosaveyourbeingworried,notbecausewethink
youwouldbetrayus.Butasthingshaveturnedout,youwillhavetogo.You'llmeettherethe
verypeoplewithwhomweshallfinallysettlehowyouaretoleavethesocietyandtowhom
youaretohandoverwhatisinyourkeeping.We'lldoitwithoutbeingnoticed;I'lltakeyou
asideintoacorner;there'llbealotofpeopleandthere'snoneedforeveryonetoknow.Imust
confessI'vehadtokeepmytonguewaggingonyourbehalf;butnowIbelievethey'veagreed,
onconditionyouhandovertheprintingpressandallthepapers,ofcourse.Thenyoucango
whereyouplease.

Shatovlistened,frowningandresentful.Thenervousalarmofamomentbeforehadentirely
lefthim.

Idon'tacknowledgeanysortofobligationtogiveanaccounttothedevilknowswhom,he
declareddefinitely.Noonehastheauthoritytosetmefree.

Notquiteso.Agreatdealhasbeenentrustedtoyou.Youhadn'ttherighttobreakoffsimply.
Besides, you made no clear statement about it, so that you put them in an ambiguous
position.

IstatedmypositionclearlybyletterassoonasIarrivedhere.

No,itwasn'tclear,PyotrStepanovitchretortedcalmly.Isentyou'ANoblePersonality'to
beprintedhere,andmeaningthecopiestobekeptheretilltheywerewanted;andthetwo
manifestoesaswell.Youreturnedthemwithanambiguousletterwhichexplainednothing.

Irefuseddefinitelytoprintthem.

Well,notdefinitely.Youwrotethatyoucouldn't,butyoudidn'texplainforwhatreason.'I
can't'doesn'tmean'Idon'twantto.'Itmightbesupposedthatyouweresimplyunablethrough
circumstances.Thatwashowtheytookit,andconsideredthatyoustillmeanttokeepupyour
connectionwiththesociety,sothattheymighthaveentrustedsomethingtoyouagainandso
havecompromisedthemselves.Theysayherethatyousimplymeanttodeceivethem,sothat
youmightbetraythemwhenyougotholdofsomethingimportant.Ihavedefendedyoutothe
bestofmypowers,andhaveshownyourbriefnoteasevidenceinyourfavour.ButIhadto
admitonrereadingthosetwolinesthattheyweremisleadingandnotconclusive.

Youkeptthatnotesocarefullythen?

Mykeepingitmeansnothing;I'vegotitstill.

Well,Idon't care, damnit! Shatovcriedfuriously. YourfoolsmayconsiderthatI've

betrayedthemiftheylikewhatisittome?Ishouldliketoseewhatyoucandotome?

Yournamewouldbenoted,andatthefirstsuccessoftherevolutionyouwouldbehanged.

That'swhenyougettheupperhandanddominateRussia?

Youneedn'tlaugh.Itellyouagain,Istoodupforyou.Anyway,Iadviseyoutoturnupto
day.Whywastewordsthroughfalsepride?Isn'titbettertopartfriends?Inanycaseyou'll
havetogiveuptheprintingpressandtheoldtypeandpapersthat'swhatwemusttalk
about.

I'llcome,Shatovmuttered,lookingdownthoughtfully.

PyotrStepanovitchglancedaskanceathimfromhisplace.

WillStavroginbethere?Shatovaskedsuddenly,raisinghishead.

Heiscertaintobe.

Haha!

Againtheyweresilentforaminute.Shatovgrinneddisdainfullyandirritably.

Andthatcontemptible'NoblePersonality'ofyours,thatIwouldn'tprinthere.Hasitbeen
printed?heasked.

Yes.

TomaketheschoolboysbelievethatHerzenhimselfhadwrittenitinyouralbum?

Yes,Herzenhimself.

Againtheyweresilentforthreeminutes.AtlastShatovgotupfromthebed.

Gooutofmyroom;Idon'tcaretositwithyou.
I'mgoing,PyotrStepanovitchbroughtoutwithpositivealacrity,gettingupatonce.Only
oneword:Kirillovisquitealoneinthelodgenow,isn'the,withoutaservant?

Quitealone.Getalong;Ican'tstandbeinginthesameroomwithyou.

Well,youareapleasantcustomernow!PyotrStepanovitchreflectedgailyashewentout
intothestreet,andyouwillbepleasantthiseveningtoo,andthatjustsuitsme;nothingbetter
couldbewished,nothingbettercouldbewished!TheRussianGodHimselfseemshelping
me.

VII

Hehadprobablybeenverybusythatdayonallsortsoferrandsandprobablywithsuccess,
which was reflected in the selfsatisfied expression of his face when at six o'clock that
eveningheturned'upatStavrogin's.Buthewasnotatonceadmitted:Stavroginhadjust
locked himself in the study with Mavriky Nikolaevitch. This news instantly made Pyotr
Stepanovitchanxious.Heseatedhimselfclosetothestudydoortowaitforthevisitortogo
away.Hecouldhearconversationbutcouldnotcatchthewords.Thevisitdidnotlastlong;
soonheheardanoise,thesoundofanextremelyloudandabruptvoice,thenthedooropened
and Mavriky Nikolaevitch came out with a very pale face. He did not notice Pyotr
Stepanovitch,andquicklypassedby.PyotrStepanovitchinstantlyranintothestudy.

Icannotomitadetailedaccountoftheverybriefinterviewthathadtakenplacebetweenthe
two rivalsan interview which might well have seemed impossible under the
circumstances,butwhichhadyettakenplace..

Thisishowithadcomeabout.NikolayVsyevolodovitchhadbeenenjoyinganafterdinner
naponthecouchinhisstudywhenAlexeyYegorytchhadannouncedtheunexpectedvisitor.
Hearing the name, he had positively leapt up, unwilling to believe it. But soon a smile
gleamedonhislipsasmileofhaughtytriumphandatthesametimeofablank,incredulous
wonder.Thevisitor,MavrikyNikolaevitch,seemedstruckbytheexpressionofthatsmileas
hecamein;anyway,hestoodstillinthemiddleoftheroomasthoughuncertainwhetherto
comefurtherinortoturnback.Stavroginsucceededatonceintransformingtheexpressionof
hisface,andwithanairofgravesurprisetookasteptowardshim.Thevisitordidnottakehis
outstretchedhand,butawkwardlymovedachairand,notutteringaword,satdownwithout
waitingforhishosttodoso.NikolayVsyevolodovitchsatdownonthesofafacinghim
obliquelyand,lookingatMavrikyNikolaevitch,waitedinsilence.

Ifyoucan,marryLizavetaNikolaevna,MavrikyNikolaevitchbroughtoutsuddenlyatlast,
andwhatwasmostcurious,itwasimpossibletotellfromhistonewhetheritwasanentreaty,
arecommendation,asurrender,oracommand.

Stavroginstillremainedsilent,butthevisitorhadevidentlysaidallhehadcometosayand
gazedathimpersistently,waitingforananswer.
IfIamnotmistaken(butit'squitecertain),LizavetaNikolaevnaisalreadybetrothedtoyou,
Stavroginsaidatlast.

Promisedandbetrothed,MavrikyNikolaevitchassentedfirmlyandclearly.

Youhave...quarrelled?Excuseme,MavrikyNikolaevitch.

No,she'lovesandrespectsme';thoseareherwords.Herwordsaremorepreciousthan
anything.

Ofthattherecanbenodoubt.

Butletmetellyou,ifshewerestandinginthechurchatherweddingandyouweretocall
her,she'dgiveupmeandeveryoneandgotoyou.

Fromthewedding?

Yes,andafterthewedding.

Aren'tyoumakingamistake?

No.Underherpersistent,sincere,andintensehatredforyouloveisflashingoutatevery
moment...andmadness...thesincerestinfiniteloveand...madness!Onthecontrary,
behindtheloveshefeelsforme,whichissinceretoo,everymomentthereareflashesof
hatred...themostintensehatred!Icouldneverhavefanciedallthesetransitions...before.

But I wonder, though, how could you come here and dispose of the hand of Lizaveta
Nikolaevna?Haveyoutherighttodoso?Hassheauthorisedyou?

MavrikyNikolaevitchfrownedandforaminutehelookeddown.

That'sallwordsonyourpart,hebroughtoutsuddenly,wordsofrevengeandtriumph;I
amsureyoucanreadbetweenthelines,andisthisthetimeforpettyvanity?Haven'tyou
satisfactionenough?MustIreallydotmyi'sandgointoitall?Verywell,Iwilldotmyi's,if
youaresoanxiousformyhumiliation.Ihavenoright,it'simpossibleformetobeauthorised;
LizavetaNikolaevnaknowsnothingaboutitandherbetrothedhasfinallylosthissensesand
isonlyfitforamadhouse,and,tocrowneverything,hascometotellyousohimself.Youare
theonlymanintheworldwhocanmakeherhappy,andIamtheonetomakeherunhappy.
Youaretryingtogether,youarepursuingher,butIdon'tknowwhyyouwon'tmarry
her.Ifit'sbecauseofalovers'quarrelabroadandImustbesacrificedtoendit,sacrificeme.
SheistoounhappyandIcan'tendureit.Mywordsarenotasanction,notaprescription,and
soit'snosluronyourpride.Ifyoucaretotakemyplaceatthealtar,youcandoitwithoutany
sanction from me, and there is no ground for me to come to you with a mad proposal,
especiallyasourmarriageisutterlyimpossibleafterthestepIamtakingnow.Icannotlead
hertothealtarfeelingmyselfanabjectwretch.WhatIamdoinghereandmyhandingher
overtoyou,perhapsherbitterestfoe,istomymindsomethingsoabjectthatIshallneverget
overit.

Willyoushootyourselfonourweddingday?

No,muchlater.Whystainherbridaldresswithmyblood?PerhapsIshallnotshootmyself
atall,eithernoworlater.

Isupposeyouwanttocomfortmebysayingthat?

You? What would the blood of one more mean to you? He turned pale and his eyes
gleamed.Aminuteofsilencefollowed.

ExcusemeforthequestionsI'veaskedyou,Stavroginbeganagain;someofthemIhadno
businesstoaskyou,butoneofthemIthinkIhaveeveryrighttoputtoyou.Tellme,what
factshaveledyoutoformaconclusionastomyfeelingsforLizavetaNikolaevna?Imeanto
aconvictionofadegreeoffeelingonmypartaswouldjustifyyourcominghere...and
riskingsuchaproposal.

What?MavrikyNikolaevitchpositivelystarted.Haven'tyoubeentryingtowinher?Aren't
youtryingtowinher,anddon'tyouwanttowinher?

Generallyspeaking,Ican'tspeakofmyfeelingforthiswomanorthattoathirdpersonorto
anyoneexceptthewomanherself.Youmustexcuseit,it'saconstitutionalpeculiarity.Butto
makeupforit,I'lltellyouthetruthabouteverythingelse;Iammarried,andit'simpossible
formeeithertomarryortotry'towin'anyone.

MavrikyNikolaevitchwassoastoundedthathestartedbackinhischairandforsometime
staredfixedlyintoStavrogin'sface.

Onlyfancy,Ineverthoughtofthat,hemuttered.Yousaidthen,thatmorning,thatyou
werenotmarried...andsoIbelievedyouwerenotmarried.

Heturnedterriblypale;suddenlyhebroughthisfistdownonthetablewithallhismight.

Ifafterthatconfessionyoudon'tleaveLizavetaNikolaevnaalone,ifyoumakeherunhappy,
I'llkillyouwithmysticklikeadoginaditch!

Hejumpedupandwalkedquicklyoutoftheroom.PyotrStepanovitch,runningin,foundhis
hostinamostunexpectedframeofmind.

Ah,that'syou!Stavroginlaughedloudly;hislaughterseemedtobeprovokedsimplybythe
appearanceofPyotrStepanovitchasheraninwithsuchimpulsivecuriosity.

Wereyoulisteningatthedoor?Waitabit.Whathaveyoucomeabout?Ipromisedyou
something,didn'tI?Ah,bah!Iremember,tomeet'ourfellows.'Letusgo.Iamdelighted.
Youcouldn'thavethoughtofanythingmoreappropriate.Hesnatcheduphishatandthey
bothwentatonceoutofthehouse.

Areyoulaughingbeforehandattheprospectofseeing'ourfellows'?chirpedgailyPyotr
Stepanovitch,dodgingroundhimwithobsequiousalacrity,atonemomenttryingtowalk
besidehiscompaniononthenarrowbrickpavementandatthenextrunningrightintothe
mudoftheroad;forStavroginwalkedinthemiddleofthepavementwithoutobservingthat
heleftnoroomforanyoneelse.

Iamnotlaughingatall,heansweredloudlyandgaily;onthecontrary,Iamsurethatyou
havethemostserioussetofpeoplethere.

'Surlydullards,'asyouoncedeignedtoexpressit.

Nothingismoreamusingsometimesthanasurlydullard.

Ah,youmeanMavrikyNikolaevitch'?Iamconvincedhecametogiveuphisbetrothedto
you,eh?Ieggedhimontodoit,indirectly,wouldyoubelieveit?Andifhedoesn'tgiveher
up,we'lltakeher,anyway,won'tweeh?

PyotrStepanovitchknewnodoubtthathewasrunningsomeriskinventuringonsuchsallies,
butwhenhewasexcitedhepreferredtoriskanythingratherthantoremaininuncertainty.
Stavroginonlylaughed.

Youstillreckonyou'llhelpme?heasked.Ifyoucallme.Butyouknowthere'soneway,
andthebestone.

DoIknowyourway?

Ohno,that'sasecretforthetime.Onlyremember,asecrethasitsprice.

Iknowwhatitcosts,Stavroginmutteredtohimself,butherestrainedhimselfandwas
silent.

Whatitcosts?Whatdidyousay?PyotrStepanovitchwasstartled.

Isaid,'Damnyouandyoursecret!'You'dbetterbetellingmewhowillbethere.Iknowthat
wearegoingtoanamedayparty,butwhowillbethere?

Oh,allsorts!EvenKirillov.

Allmembersofcircles?

Hangitall,youareinahurry!There'snotonecircleformedyet.

Howdidyoumanagetodistributesomanymanifestoesthen?

Wherewearegoingonlyfouraremembersofthecircle.Theothersonprobationarespying
ononeanotherwithjealouseagerness,andbringreportstome.Theyareatrustworthyset.It's
allmaterialwhichwemustorganise,andthenwemustclearout.Butyouwrotetherules
yourself,there'snoneedtoexplain.

Arethingsgoingbadlythen?Isthereahitch?

Going?Couldn'tbebetter.Itwillamuseyou:thefirstthingwhichhasatremendouseffectis
giving them titles. Nothing has more influence than a title. I invent ranks and duties on
purpose;Ihavesecretaries,secretspies,treasurers,presidents,registrars,theirassistants
theylikeitawfully,it'stakencapitally.Then,thenextforceissentimentalism,ofcourse.You
know,amongstussocialismspreadsprincipallythroughsentimentalism.Butthetroubleis
theselieutenantswhobite;sometimesyouputyourfootinit.Thencometheoutandout
rogues;well,theyareagoodsort,ifyoulike,andsometimesveryuseful;buttheywastealot
ofone'stime,theywantincessantlookingafter.Andthemostimportantforceofallthe
cementthatholdseverythingtogetheristheirbeingashamedofhavinganopinionoftheir
own.Thatisaforce!Andwhoseworkisit,whosepreciousachievementisit,thatnotone
ideaoftheirownisleftintheirheads!Theythinkoriginalityadisgrace.

Ifso,whydoyoutakesomuchtrouble?

Why,ifpeopleliesimplygapingateveryone,howcanyouresistannexingthem?Canyou
seriouslyrefusetobelieveinthepossibilityofsuccess?Yes,youhavethefaith,butonewants
will.It'sjustwithpeoplelikethisthatsuccessispossible.ItellyouIcouldmakethemgo
throughfire;onehasonlytodinitintothemthattheyarenotadvancedenough.Thefools
reproach me that I have taken in every one here over the central committee and 'the
innumerablebranches.'Youonceblamedmeforityourself,butwhere'sthedeception?You
andIarethecentralcommitteeandtherewillbeasmanybranchesaswelike.

Andalwaysthesamesortofrabble!

Rawmaterial.Eventheywillbeofuse.

Andyouarestillreckoningonme?

Youarethechief,youarethehead;Ishallonlybeasubordinate,yoursecretary.Weshall
taketoourbarque,youknow;theoarsareofmaple,thesailsareofsilk,atthehelmsitsafair
maiden,LizavetaNikolaevna...hangit,howdoesitgointheballad?

Heisstuck,laughedStavrogin.No,I'dbettergiveyoumyversion.Thereyoureckonon
yourfingerstheforcesthatmakeupthecircles.Allthatbusinessoftitlesandsentimentalism
isaverygoodcement,butthereissomethingbetter;persuadefourmembersofthecircleto
doforafifthonthepretencethatheisatraitor,andyou'lltiethemalltogetherwiththeblood
they'veshedasthoughitwereaknot.They'llbeyourslaves,theywon'tdaretorebelorcall
youtoaccount.Hahaha!

Butyou...youshallpayforthosewords,PyotrStepanovitchthoughttohimself,andthis
veryevening,infact.Yougotoofar.

This or something like this must have been Pyotr Stepanovitch's reflection. They were
approachingVirginsky'shouse.

You'verepresentedme,nodoubt,asamemberfromabroad,aninspectorinconnectionwith
theInternationale?Stavroginaskedsuddenly.

No,notaninspector;youwon'tbeaninspector;butyouareoneoftheoriginalmembers
fromabroad,whoknowsthemostimportantsecretsthat'syourrole.Youaregoingtospeak,
ofcourse?

What'sputthatideaintoyourhead?

Nowyouareboundtospeak.

Stavroginpositivelystoodstillinthemiddleofthestreetinsurprise,notfarfromastreet
lamp.PyotrStepanovitchfacedhisscrutinycalmlyanddefiantly.Stavrogincursedandwent
on.

Andareyougoingtospeak?hesuddenlyaskedPyotrStepanovitch.

No,Iamgoingtolistentoyon.

Damnyou,youreallyaregivingmeanidea?

Whatidea?PyotrStepanovitchaskedquickly.

PerhapsIwillspeakthere,butafterwardsIwillgiveyouahidingandasoundonetoo,you
know.

Bytheway,ItoldKarmazinovthismorningthatyousaidheoughttobethrashed,andnot
simplyasaformbuttohurt,astheyflogpeasants.

ButIneversaidsuchathing;haha!

Nomatter.Senonevero...

Well,thanks.Iamtrulyobliged.

Andanotherthing.Doyouknow,Karmazinovsaysthattheessenceofourcreedisthe
negationofhonour,andthatbytheopenadvocacyofarighttobedishonourableaRussian
canbewonovermoreeasilythanbyanything.

Anexcellentsaying!Goldenwords!criedStavrogin.He'shitthemarkthere!Therightto
dishonourwhy, they'd all flock to us for that, not one would stay behind! And listen,
Verhovensky,youarenotoneofthehigherpolice,areyou?
Anyonewhohasaquestionlikethatinhisminddoesn'tutterit,

Iunderstand,butwearebyourselves.

No,sofarIamnotoneofthehigherpolice.Enough,hereweare.Composeyourfeatures,
Stavrogin;IalwaysdominewhenIgoin.Agloomyexpression,that'sall,nothingmoreis
wanted;it'saverysimplebusiness.

CHAPTERVII.AMEETING

VIRGINSKYLIVEDINHISOWNhouse,orratherhiswife's,inMuravyinStreet.Itwasa
woodenhouseofonestory,andtherewerenolodgersinit:OnthepretextofVirginsky's
namedayparty,aboutfifteenguestswereassembled;buttheentertainmentwasnotinthe
leastlikeanordinaryprovincialnamedayparty.Fromtheverybeginningoftheirmarriedlife
thehusbandandwifehadagreedonceforallthatitwasutterlystupidtoinvitefriendsto
celebratenamedays,andthatthereisnothingtorejoiceaboutinfact.Inafewyearsthey
hadsucceededincompletelycuttingthemselvesofffromallsociety.Thoughhewasamanof
someability,andbynomeansverypoor,hesomehowseemedtoeveryoneaneccentric
fellowwhowasfondofsolitude,and, what'smore,stuckupinconversation. Madame
Virginskywasamidwifebyprofessionandbythatveryfactwasonthelowestrungofthe
socialladder,lowereventhanthepriest'swifeinspiteofherhusband'srankasanofficer.But
shewasconspicuouslylackinginthehumilitybefittingherposition.Andafterherverystupid
andunpardonablyopenliaisononprinciplewithCaptainLebyadkin,anotoriousrogue,even
themostindulgentofourladiesturnedawayfromherwithmarkedcontempt.ButMadame
Virginskyacceptedallthisasthoughitwerewhatshewanted.Itisremarkablethatthosevery
ladies applied to Arina Prohorovna (that is, Madame Virginsky) when they were in an
interestingcondition,ratherthantoanyoneoftheotherthreeaccoucheusesofthetown.She
wassentforevenbycountryfamilieslivingintheneighbourhood,sogreatwasthebeliefin
herknowledge,luck,andskillincriticalcases.Itendedinherpractisingonlyamongthe
wealthiestladies;shewasgreedyofmoney.Feelingherpowertothefull,sheendedbynot
puttingherselfoutforanyone.Possiblyonpurpose,indeed,inherpracticeinthebesthouses
sheusedtoscarenervouspatientsbythemostincredibleandnihilisticdisregardofgood
manners,orbyjeeringateverythingholy,attheverytimewheneverythingholymight
havecomeinmostuseful.Ourtowndoctor,Rozanovhetoowasanaccoucheurasserted
mostpositivelythatononeoccasionwhenapatientinlabourwascryingoutandcallingon
thenameoftheAlmighty,afreethinkingsallyfromArinaProhorovna,firedofflikeapistol
shot,hadsoterrifyinganeffectonthepatientthatitgreatlyacceleratedherdelivery.

Butthoughshewasanihilist,MadameVirginskydidnot,whenoccasionarose,disdainsocial
orevenoldfashionedsuperstitionsandcustomsiftheycouldbeofanyadvantagetoherself.
Shewouldnever,forinstance,havestayedawayfromababy'schristening,andalwaysputon
agreensilkdresswithatrainandadornedherchignonwithcurlsandringletsforsuchevents,
thoughatothertimesshepositivelyrevelledinslovenliness.Andthoughduringtheceremony
shealwaysmaintainedthemostinsolentair,sothatsheputtheclergytoconfusion,yet
whenitwasoversheinvariablyhandedchampagnetotheguests(itwasforthatthatshecame
anddressedup),anditwasnousetryingtotaketheglasswithoutacontributiontoher
porridgebowl.

The guests who assembled that evening at Virginsky's (mostly men) had a casual and
exceptionalair.Therewasnosuppernorcards.Inthemiddleofthelargedrawingroom,
whichwaspaperedwithextremelyoldblue paper, twotableshadbeenputtogetherand
coveredwithalargethoughnotquitecleantablecloth,andonthemtwosamovarswere
boiling.Theendofthetablewastakenupbyahugetraywithtwentyfiveglassesonitanda
basket with ordinary French bread cut into a number of slices, as one sees it in genteel
boardingschoolsforboysorgirls.Theteawaspouredoutbyamaidenladyofthirty,Arina
Prohorovna'ssister,asilentandmalevolentcreature,withflaxenhairandnoeyebrows,who
shared her sister's progressive ideas and was an object of terror to Virginsky himself in
domesticlife.Therewereonlythreeladiesintheroom:theladyofthehouse,hereyebrowless
sister,andVirginsky'ssister,agirlwhohadjustarrivedfromPetersburg.ArinaProhorovna,a
goodlooking and buxom woman of sevenandtwenty, rather dishevelled, in an everyday
greenishwoollendress, wassittingscanningtheguestswithherboldeyes, andherlook
seemedinhastetosay,YouseeIamnotintheleastafraidofanything.MissVirginsky,a
rosycheekedstudentandanihilist,whowasalsogoodlooking,short,plumpandroundasa
littleball,hadsettledherselfbesideArinaProhorovna,almostinhertravellingclothes.She
heldarollofpaperinherhand,andscrutinisedtheguestswithimpatientandrovingeyes.
Virginskyhimselfwasratherunwellthatevening,buthecameinandsatinaneasychairby
theteatable.Alltheguestsweresittingdowntoo,andtheorderlywayinwhichtheywere
ranged on chairs suggested a meeting. Evidently all were expecting something and were
fillinguptheintervalwithloudbutirrelevantconversation.WhenStavroginandVerhovensky
appearedtherewasasuddenhush.

ButImustbeallowedtogiveafewexplanationstomakethingsclear.

Ibelievethat allthese peoplehadcome togetherintheagreeableexpectationofhearing

somethingparticularlyinteresting,andhadnoticeofitbeforehand.Theyweretheflowerof
thereddestRadicalismofourancienttown,andhadbeencarefullypickedoutbyVirginsky
forthismeeting.Imayremark,too,thatsomeofthem(thoughnotverymany)hadnever
visited him before. Of course most of the guests had no clear idea why they had been
summoned.ItwastruethatatthattimealltookPyotrStepanovitchforafullyauthorised
emissaryfromabroad;thisideahadsomehowtakenrootamongthematonceandnaturally
flatteredthem.Andyetamongthecitizensassembledostensiblytokeepanameday,there
were some who had been approached with definite proposals. Pyotr Verhovensky had
succeededingettingtogetheraquintetamongstusliketheonehehadalreadyformedin
Moscowand,asappearedlater,inourprovinceamongtheofficers.Itwassaidthathehad
anotherinXprovince.Thisquintetoftheelectweresittingnowatthegeneraltable,andvery
skilfullysucceededingivingthemselvestheairofbeingquiteordinarypeople,sothatnoone
could have known them. They weresince it is no longer a secretfirst Liputin, then
Virginsky himself, then Shigalov (a gentleman with long ears, the brother of Madame
Virginsky),Lyamshin,andlastlyastrangepersoncalledTolkatchenko,amanofforty,who
wasfamedforhisvastknowledgeofthepeople,especiallyofthievesandrobbers.Heusedto
frequentthetavernsonpurpose(thoughnotonlywiththeobjectofstudyingthepeople),and
plumedhimselfonhisshabbyclothes,tarredboots,andcraftywinkandaflourishofpeasant
phrases.LyamshinhadonceortwicebroughthimtoStepanTrofimovitch'sgatherings,where,
however,hedidnotmakeagreatsensation.Heusedtomakehisappearanceinthetownfrom
timetotime,chieflywhenhewasoutofajob;hewasemployedontherailway.

Everyoneofthesefinechampionshadformedthisfirstgroupintheferventconvictionthat
theirquintetwasonlyoneofhundredsandthousandsofsimilargroupsscatteredallover
Russia,andthattheyalldependedonsomeimmensecentralbutsecretpower,whichinits
turnwasintimatelyconnectedwiththerevolutionarymovementalloverEurope.ButIregret
tosaythatevenatthattimetherewasbeginningtobedissensionamongthem.Thoughthey
had ever since the spring been expecting Pyotr Verhovensky, whose coming had been
heraldedfirstbyTolkatchenkoandthenbythearrivalofShigalov,thoughtheyhadexpected
extraordinarymiraclesfromhim,andthoughtheyhadrespondedtohisfirstsummonswithout
the slightest criticism, yet they had nosooner formedthe quintet than they all somehow
seemedtofeelinsulted;andIreallybelieveitwasowingtothepromptitudewithwhichthey
consentedtojoin.Theyhadjoined,ofcourse,fromanotignoblefeelingofshame,forfear
peoplemightsayafterwardsthattheyhadnotdaredtojoin;stilltheyfeltPyotrVerhovensky
oughttohaveappreciatedtheirheroismandhaverewardeditbytellingthemsomereally
important bits of news at least. But Verhovensky was not at all inclined to satisfy their
legitimatecuriosity,andtoldthemnothingbutwhatwasnecessary;hetreatedthemingeneral
withgreatsternnessandevenrathercasually.Thiswaspositivelyirritating,andComrade
Shigalovwasalreadyeggingtheothersontoinsistonhisexplaininghimself,though,of
course,notatVirginsky's,wheresomanyoutsiderswerepresent.

Ihaveanideathattheabovementionedmembersofthefirstquintetweredisposedtosuspect
that among the guests of Virginsky's that evening some were members of other groups,
unknowntothem,belongingtothesamesecretorganisationandfoundedinthetownbythe
sameVerhovensky;sothatinfactallpresentweresuspectingoneanother,andposedin
variouswaystooneanother,whichgavethewholepartyaveryperplexingandevenromantic
air.Yettherewerepersonspresentwhowerebeyondallsuspicion.Forinstance,amajorin
theservice,anearrelationofVirginsky,aperfectlyinnocentpersonwhohadnotbeeninvited
buthadcomeofhimselfforthenamedaycelebration,sothatitwasimpossiblenottoreceive
him.ButVirginskywasquiteunperturbed,asthemajorwasincapableofbetrayingthem";
forinspiteofhisstupidityhehadallhislifebeenfondofdroppinginwhereverextreme
Radicalsmet;hedidnotsympathisewiththeirideashimself,butwasveryfondoflisteningto
them.What'smore,hehadevenbeencompromisedindeed.Ithadhappenedinhisyouththat
wholebundlesofmanifestoesandofnumbersofTheflellhadpassedthroughhishands,and
althoughhehadbeenafraideventoopenthem,yethewouldhaveconsidereditabsolutely
contemptibletorefusetodistributethemandtherearesuchpeopleinRussiaeventothis
day.

Therestoftheguestswereeithertypesofhonourableamourproprecrushedandembittered,
ortypesofthegenerousimpulsivenessofardentyouth.Thereweretwoorthreeteachers,of
whomone,alamemanoffortyfive,amasterinthehighschool,wasaverymaliciousand
strikinglyvainperson;andtwoorthreeofficers.Ofthelatter,oneveryyoungartilleryofficer
whohadonlyjustcomefromamilitarytrainingschool,asilentladwhohadnotyetmade
friendswithanyone,turnedupnowatVirginsky'swithapencilinhishand,and,scarcely
takinganypartintheconversation,continuallymadenotesinhisnotebook.Everybodysaw
this,buteveryonepretendednotto.Therewas,too,anidledivinitystudentwhohadhelped
Lyamshintoputindecentphotographsintothegospelwoman'spack.Hewasasolidyouth
with a freeandeasy though mistrustful manner, with an unchangeably satirical smile,
togetherwithacalmairoftriumphantfaithinhisownperfection.Therewasalsopresent,I
don'tknowwhy,themayor'sson,thatunpleasantandprematurelyexhaustedyouthtowhomI
havereferredalreadyintellingthestoryofthelieutenant'slittlewife.Hewassilentthewhole
evening.Finallytherewasaveryenthusiasticandtousleheadedschoolboyofeighteen,who
satwiththegloomyairofayoungmanwhosedignityhasbeenwounded,evidentlydistressed
by his eighteen years. This infant was already the head of an independent group of
conspiratorswhichhadbeenformedinthehighestclassofthegymnasium,asitcameout
afterwardstothesurpriseofeveryone.

Ihaven'tmentionedShatov.Hewasthereatthefarthestcornerofthetable,hischairpushed
backalittleoutoftherow.Hegazedattheground,wasgloomilysilent,refusedteaand
bread,anddidnotforoneinstantlethiscapgooutofhishand,asthoughtoshowthathewas
notavisitor,buthadcomeonbusiness,andwhenhelikedwouldgetupandgoaway.Kirillov
wasnotfarfromhim.He,too,wasverysilent,buthedidnotlookattheground;onthe
contrary,hescrutinisedintentlyeveryspeakerwithhisfixed,lustrelesseyes,andlistenedto
everythingwithouttheslightestemotionorsurprise.Someofthevisitorswhohadneverseen
himbeforestolethoughtfulglancesathim.Ican'tsaywhetherMadameVirginskyknew
anythingabouttheexistenceofthequintet.Iimagineshekneweverythingandfromher
husband.Thegirlstudent,ofcourse,tooknopartinanything;butshehadananxietyofher
own:sheintendedtostayonlyadayortwoandthentogoonfartherandfartherfromone
universitytowntoanothertoshowactivesympathywiththesufferingsofpoorstudentsand
torousethemtoprotest.Shewastakingwithhersomehundredsofcopiesofalithographed
appeal,Ibelieveofherowncomposition.Itisremarkablethattheschoolboyconceivedan
almostmurderoushatredforherfromthefirstmoment,thoughhesawherforthefirsttimein
hislife;andshefeltthesameforhim.Themajorwasheruncle,andmethertodayforthe
firsttimeaftertenyears.WhenStavroginandVerhovenskycamein,hercheekswereasred
ascranberries:shehadjustquarrelledwithheruncleoverhisviewsonthewomanquestion.

II

WithconspicuousnonchalanceVerhovenskyloungedinthechairattheupperendofthe
table, almost without greeting anyone. His expression was disdainful and even haughty.
Stavroginbowedpolitely,butinspiteofthefactthattheywereallonlywaitingforthem,
everybody,asthoughactingoninstruction,appearedscarcelytonoticethem.Theladyofthe
houseturnedseverelytoStavroginassoonashewasseated.
Stavrogin,willyouhavetea?

Please,heanswered.

TeaforStavrogin,shecommandedhersisteratthesamovar.Andyou,willyou?(This
wastoVerhovensky.)

Ofcourse.Whataquestiontoaskavisitor!Andgivemecreamtoo;youalwaysgiveone
suchfilthystuffbywayoftea,andwithanamedaypartyinthehouse!

What,youbelieveinkeepingnamedaystoo!thegirlstudentlaughedsuddenly.Wewere
justtalkingofthat.

That'sstale,mutteredtheschoolboyattheotherendofthetable.

What'sstale?Todisregardconventions,eventhemostinnocentisnotstale;onthecontrary,
tothedisgraceofeveryone,sofarit'sanovelty,thegirlstudentansweredinstantly,darting
forwardonherchair.Besides,therearenoinnocentconventions,sheaddedwithintensity.

I only meant, cried the schoolboy with tremendous excitement, to say that though
conventions of course are stale and must be eradicated, yet about namedays everybody
knowsthattheyarestupidandverystaletowasteprecioustimeupon,whichhasbeenwasted
alreadyallovertheworld,sothatitwouldbeaswelltosharpenone'switsonsomethingmore
useful....

Youdragitoutso,onecan'tunderstandwhatyoumean,shoutedthegirl.

Ithinkthateveryonehasarighttoexpressanopinionaswellaseveryoneelse,andifI
wanttoexpressmyopinionlikeanybodyelse...

Nooneisattackingyourrighttogiveanopinion,theladyofthehouseherselfcutin
sharply.Youwereonlyaskednottoramblebecausenoonecanmakeoutwhatyoumean.

Butallowmetoremarkthatyouarenottreatingmewithrespect.IfIcouldn'tfullyexpress
my thought, it's not from want of thought but from too much thought, the schoolboy
muttered,almostindespair,losinghisthreadcompletely.

Ifyoudon'tknowhowtotalk,you'dbetterkeepquiet,blurtedoutthegirl.

Theschoolboypositivelyjumpedfromhischair.

Ionlywantedtostate,heshouted,crimsonwithshameandafraidtolookabouthim,that
youonlywantedtoshowoffyourclevernessbecauseMr.Stavrogincameinsothere!

That'sanastyandimmoralideaandshowstheworthlessnessofyourdevelopment.Ibeg
younottoaddressmeagain,thegirlrattledoff.
Stavrogin,begantheladyofthehouse,they'vebeendiscussingtherightsofthefamily
beforeyoucamethisofficerhereshenoddedtowardsherrelation,themajorand,of
course,Iamnotgoingtoworryyouwithsuchstalenonsense,whichhasbeendealtwithlong
ago.Buthowhavetherightsanddutiesofthefamilycomeaboutinthesuperstitiousformin
whichtheyexistatpresent?That'sthequestion.What'syouropinion?

Whatdoyoumeanby'comeabout'?Stavroginaskedinhisturn.

Weknow,forinstance,thatthesuperstitionaboutGodcamefromthunderandlightning.
Thegirlstudentrushedintothefrayagain,staringatStavroginwithhereyesalmostjumping
outofherhead.It'swellknownthatprimitiveman,scaredbythunderandlightning,madea
godoftheunseenenemy,feelingtheirweaknessbeforeit.Buthowdidthesuperstitionofthe
familyarise?Howdidthefamilyitselfarise?

That'snotquitethesamething....MadameVirginskytriedtocheckher.

Ithinktheanswertothisquestionwouldn'tbequitediscreet,answeredStavrogin.

Howso?saidthegirlstudent,craningforwardsuddenly.Buttherewasanaudibletitterin
thegroupofteachers,whichwasatoncecaughtupattheotherendbyLyamshinandthe
schoolboyandfollowedbyahoarsechucklefromthemajor.

Yououghttowritevaudevilles,MadameVirginskyobservedtoStavrogin.

Itdoesyounocredit,Idon'tknowwhatyournameis,thegirlrappedoutwithpositive
indignation.

Anddon'tyoubetooforward,boomedthemajor.Youareayoungladyandyououghtto
behavemodestly,andyoukeepjumpingaboutasthoughyouweresittingonaneedle.

Kindlyholdyourtongueanddon'taddressmefamiliarlywithyournastycomparisons.I've
neverseenyoubeforeandIdon'trecognisetherelationship.

ButIamyouruncle;Iusedtocarryyouaboutwhenyou%ereababy!

Idon'tcarewhatbabiesyouusedtocarryabout.Ididn'taskyoutocarryme.Itmusthave
beenapleasuretoyoutodoso,yourudeofficer.Andallowmetoobserve,don'tdareto
addressmesofamiliarly,unlessit'sasafellowcitizen.Iforbidyoutodoit,onceforall.

There,theyarealllikethat!criedthemajor,bangingthetablewithhisfistandaddressing
Stavrogin,whowassittingopposite.But,allowme,IamfondofLiberalismandmodern
ideas,andIamfondoflisteningtocleverconversation;masculineconversation,though,I
warnyou.Buttolistentothesewomen,thesenightlywindmillsno,thatmakesmeacheall
over!Don'twriggleabout!heshoutedtothegirl,whowasleapingupfromherchair.No,
it'smyturntospeak,I'vebeeninsulted.
Youcan'tsayanythingyourself,andonlyhinderotherpeopletalking,theladyofthehouse
grumbledindignantly.

No,Iwillhavemysay,saidthemajorhotly,addressingStavrogin.Ireckononyou,Mr.
Stavrogin,asafreshpersonwhohasonlyjustcomeonthescene,thoughIhaven'tthehonour
ofknowingyou.Withoutmenthey'llperishlikefliesthat'swhatIthink.Alltheirwoman
question is only lack of originality. I assure you that all this woman question has been
inventedforthembymeninfoolishnessandtotheirownhurt.IonlythankGodIamnot
married.There'snottheslightestvarietyinthem,theycan'teveninventasimplepattern;they
havetogetmentoinventthemforthem!HereIusedtocarryherinmyarms,usedtodance
the mazurka with her when she was ten years old; today she's come, naturally I fly to
embraceher,andatthesecondwordshetellsmethere'snoGod.Shemighthavewaiteda
little,shewasintoogreatahurry!Cleverpeopledon'tbelieve,Idaresay;butthat'sfromtheir
cleverness.Butyou,chicken,whatdoyouknowaboutGod,Isaidtoher.'Somestudent
taughtyou,andifhe'dtaughtyoutolightthelampbeforetheikonsyouwouldhavelighted
it.'

You keep telling lies, you are a very spiteful person. I proved to you just now the
untenabilityofyourposition,thegirlansweredcontemptuously,asthoughdisdainingfurther
explanationswithsuchaman.Itoldyoujustnowthatwe'veallbeentaughtintheCatechism
ifyouhonouryourfatherandyourparentsyouwilllivelongandhavewealth.That'sinthe
TenCommandments.IfGodthoughtitnecessarytoofferrewardsforlove,yourGodmustbe
immoral.That'showIprovedittoyou.Itwasn'tthesecondword,anditwasbecauseyou
assertedyourrights.It'snotmyfaultifyouarestupidanddon'tunderstandevennow.Youare
offendedandyouarespitefulandthat'swhatexplainsallyourgeneration.

You'reagoose!saidthemajor.

Andyouareafool!

Youcancallmenames!

Excuseme,KapitonMaximitch,youtoldmeyourselfyoudon'tbelieveinGod,Liputin
pipedfromtheotherendofthetable.

WhatifIdidsaysothat'sadifferentmatter.Ibelieve,perhaps,onlynotaltogether.Evenif
Idon'tbelievealtogether,stillIdon'tsayGodoughttobeshot.IusedtothinkaboutGod
beforeIleftthehussars.Fromallthepoemsyouwouldthinkthathussarsdonothingbut
carouseanddrink.Yes,Ididdrink,maybe,butwouldyoubelieveit,Iusedtojumpoutof
bedatnightandstoodcrossingmyselfbeforetheimageswithnothingbutmysockson,
prayingtoGodtogivemefaith;foreventhenIcouldn'tbeatpeaceastowhethertherewasa
Godornot.Itusedtofretmeso!Inthemorning,ofcourse,onewouldamuseoneselfand
one'sfaithwouldseemtobelostagain;andinfactI'venoticedthatfaithalwaysseemstobe
lessinthedaytime.
Haven't you any cards? asked Verhovensky, with a mighty yawn, addressing Madame
Virginsky.

I sympathise with your question, I sympathise entirely, the girlstudent broke in hotly,
flushedwithindignationatthemajor'swords.

Wearewastingprecioustimelisteningtosillytalk,snappedouttheladyofthehouse,and
shelookedreprovinglyatherhusband.

Thegirlpulledherselftogether.

Iwantedtomakeastatementtothemeetingconcerningthesufferingsofthestudentsand
theirprotest,butastimeisbeingwastedinimmoralconversation...

There'snosuchthingasmoralorimmoral,theschoolboybroughtout,unabletorestrain
himselfassoonasthegirlbegan.

Iknewthat,Mr.Schoolboy,longbeforeyouweretaughtit.

And I maintain, he answered savagely, that you are a child come from Petersburg to
enlightenusall,thoughweknowforourselvesthecommandment'honourthyfatherandthy
mother,'whichyoucouldnotrepeatcorrectly;andthefactthatit'simmoraleveryonein
RussiaknowsfromByelinsky.

Areweevertohaveanendofthis?MadameVirginskysaidresolutelytoherhusband.As
the hostess, she blushed for the ineptitude of the conversation, especially as she noticed
.smilesandevenastonishmentamongtheguestswhohadbeeninvitedforthefirsttime.

Gentlemen,saidVirginsky,suddenlyliftinguphisvoice,ifanyonewishestosayanything
morenearlyconnectedwithourbusiness,orhasanystatementtomake,Icalluponhimtodo
sowithoutwastingtime.

I'll venture to ask one question, said the lame teacher suavely. He had been sitting
particularlydecorouslyandhadnotspokentillthen.Ishouldliketoknow,arewesomesort
ofmeeting,orarewesimplyagatheringofordinarymortalspayingavisit?Iasksimplyfor
thesakeoforderandsoasnottoremaininignorance.

Thisslyquestionmadeanimpression.Peoplelookedateachother,everyoneexpecting
someoneelsetoanswer,andsuddenlyall,asthoughatawordofcommand,turnedtheireyes
toVerhovenskyandStavrogin.

Isuggestourvotingontheanswertothequestionwhetherweareameetingornot,said
MadameVirginsky.

I entirely agree with the suggestion, Liputin chimed in, though the question is rather
vague.
Iagreetoo.

AndsodoI,criedvoices.Itoothinkitwouldmakeourproceedingsmoreinorder,
confirmedVirginsky.

Tothevotethen,saidhiswife.Lyamshin,pleasesitdowntothepiano;youcangiveyour
votefromtherewhenthevotingbegins.

Again!criedLyamshin.I'vestrummedenoughforyou.

Ibegyoumostparticularly,sitdownandplay.Don'tyoucaretodoanythingforthecause?

ButIassureyou,ArinaProhorovna,nobodyiseavesdropping.It'sonlyyourfancy.Besides,
thewindowsarehigh,andpeoplewouldnotunderstandiftheydidhear.

Wedon'tunderstandourselves,someonemuttered.ButItellyouonemustalwaysbeon
one'sguard.Imeanincasethereshouldbespies,sheexplainedtoVerhovensky.Letthem
hearfromthestreetthatwehavemusicandanamedayparty.

Hangitall!Lyamshinswore,andsittingdowntothepiano,beganstrummingavalse,
bangingonthekeysalmostwithhisfists,atrandom.

Iproposethatthosewhowantittobeameetingshouldputuptheirrighthands,Madame
Virginskyproposed.

Someputthemup,othersdidnot.Someheldthemupandthenputthemdownagainandthen
heldthemupagain.Poo!Idon'tunderstanditatall,oneofficershouted.Idon'teither,
criedtheother.

Oh,Iunderstand,criedathird.Ifit'syes,youholdyourhandup.

Butwhatdoes'yes'mean?

Meansameeting.

No,itmeansnotameeting.

Ivotedforameeting,criedtheschoolboytoMadameVirginsky.

Thenwhydidn'tyouholdupyourhand?

Iwaslookingatyou.Youdidn'tholdupyours,soIdidn'tholdupmine.

Howstupid!Ididn'tholdupmyhandbecauseIproposedit.Gentlemen,nowIproposethe
contrary.Thosewhowantameeting,sitstillanddonothing;thosewhodon't,holduptheir
righthands.
Thosewhodon'twantit?inquiredtheschoolboy.Areyoudoingitonpurpose?cried
MadameVirginskywrathfully.

No.Excuseme,thosewhowantit,orthosewhodon'twantit?Foronemustknowthat
definitely,criedtwoorthreevoices.

Thosewhodon'twantitthosewhodon'twantit.

Yes,tatwhatisonetodo,holdupone'shandornotholditupifonedoesn'twantit?cried
anofficer.

Ech,wearenotaccustomedtoconstitutionalmethodsyet!remarkedthemajor.

Mr.Lyamshin,excuseme,butyouarethumpingsothatnoonecanhearanything,observed
thelameteacher.

But, upon my word, Arina Prohorovna, nobody is listening, really! cried Lyamshin,
jumpingup.Iwon'tplay!I'vecometoyouasavisitor,notasadrummer!

Gentlemen,Virginskywenton,answerverbally,areweameetingornot?

Weare!Weare!washeardonallsides.Ifso,there'snoneedtovote,that'senough.Are
yousatisfied,gentlemen?Isthereanyneedtoputittothevote?

Noneednoneed,weunderstand.

Perhapssomeonedoesn'twantittobeameeting?

No,no;weallwantit.

Butwhatdoes'meeting'mean?criedavoice.Nooneanswered.

Wemustchooseachairman,peoplecriedfromdifferentpartsoftheroom.

Ourhost,ofcourse,ourhost!

Gentlemen,ifso,Virginsky,thechosenchairman,began,Iproposemyoriginalmotion.If
anyonewantstosayanythingmorerelevanttothesubject,orhassomestatementtomake,let
himbringitforwardwithoutlossoftime.

Therewasageneralsilence.TheeyesofallwereturnedagainonVerhovenskyandStavrogin.

Verhovensky,haveyounostatementtomake?MadameVirginskyaskedhimdirectly.

Nothingwhatever,heanswered,yawningandstretchingonhischair.ButIshouldlikea
glassofbrandy.
Stavrogin,don'tyouwantto?

Thankyou,Idon'tdrink.

Imeandon'tyouwanttospeak,notdon'tyouwantbrandy.

Tospeak,whatabout?No,Idon'twantto.

They'llbringyousomebrandy,sheansweredVerhovensky,Thegirlstudentgotup.She
haddartedupseveraltimes

already.

Ihavecometomakeastatementaboutthesufferingsofpoorstudentsandthemeansof
rousingthemtoprotest.

Butshebrokeoff.Attheotherendofthetablearivalhadrisen,andalleyesturnedtohim.
Shigalov,themanwiththelongears,slowlyrosefromhisseatwithagloomyandsullenair
andmournfullylaidonthetableathicknotebookfilledwithextremelysmallhandwriting.He
remained standing in silence. Many people looked at the notebook in consternation, but
Liputin,Virginsky,andthelameteacherseemedpleased.

Iaskleavetoaddressthemeeting,Shigalovpronouncedsullenlybutresolutely.

Youhaveleave.Virginskygavehissanction.

Theoratorsatdown,wassilentforhalfaminute,andpronouncedinasolemnvoice,

Gentlemen!

Here'sthebrandy,thesisterwhohadbeenpouringoutteaandhadgonetofetchbrandy
rappedout,contemptuouslyanddisdainfullyputtingthebottlebeforeVerhovensky,together
withthewineglasswhichshebroughtinherfingerswithoutatrayoraplate.

Theinterruptedoratormadeadignifiedpause.

Nevermind,goon,Iamnotlistening,criedVerhovensky,pouringhimselfoutaglass.

Gentlemen,askingyourattentionand,asyouwillseelater,solicitingyouraidinamatterof
thefirstimportance,Shigalovbeganagain,Imustmakesomeprefatoryremarks.

ArinaProhorovna,haven'tyousomescissors?PyotrStepanovitchaskedsuddenly.

Whatdoyouwantscissorsfor?sheasked,withwideopeneyes.

I'veforgottentocutmynails;I'vebeenmeaningtoforthelastthreedays,heobserved,
scrutinisinghislonganddirtynailswithunruffledcomposure.
ArinaProhorovnacrimsoned,butMissVirginskyseemedpleased.

IbelieveIsawthemjustnowonthewindow.Shegotupfromthetable,wentandfoundthe
scissors,andatoncebroughtthem.PyotrStepanovitchdidnotevenlookather,tookthe
scissors, and set to work with them. Arina Prohorovna grasped that these were realistic
manners,andwasashamedofhersensitiveness.Peoplelookedatoneanotherinsilence.The
lameteacherlookedvindictivelyandenviouslyatVerhovensky.Shigalovwenton.

Dedicatingmyenergiestothestudyofthesocialorganisationwhichisinthefutureto
replacethepresentconditionofthings,I'vecometotheconvictionthatallmakersofsocial
systemsfromancienttimesuptothepresentyear,187,havebeendreamers,tellersoffairy
tales,foolswhocontradictedthemselves,whounderstoodnothingofnaturalscienceandthe
strangeanimalcalledman.Plato,Rousseau,Fourier,columnsofaluminium,areonlyfitfor
sparrowsandnotforhumansociety.But,nowthatweareallatlastpreparingtoact,anew
formofsocialorganisationisessential.Inordertoavoidfurtheruncertainty,Iproposemy
ownsystemofworldorganisation.Hereitis.Hetappedthenotebook.Iwantedtoexpound
myviewstothemeetinginthemostconciseformpossible,butIseethatIshouldneedtoadd
agreatmanyverbalexplanations,andsothewholeexpositionwouldoccupyatleastten
evenings,oneforeachofmychapters.(Therewasthesoundoflaughter.)Imustadd,
besides,thatmysystemisnotyetcomplete.(Laughteragain.)Iamperplexedbymyown
data and my conclusion is a direct contradiction of the original idea with which I start.
Startingfromunlimitedfreedom,Iarriveatunlimiteddespotism.Iwilladd,however,that
therecanbenosolutionofthesocialproblembutmine.

Thelaughtergrewlouderandlouder,butitcamechieflyfromtheyoungerandlessinitiated
visitors.TherewasanexpressionofsomeannoyanceonthefacesofMadameVirginsky,
Liputin,andthelameteacher.

Ifyou'vebeenunsuccessfulinmakingyoursystemconsistent,andhavebeenreducedto
despairyourself,whatcouldwedowithit?oneofficerobservedwarily.

Youareright,Mr.OfficerShigalovturnedsharplytohimespeciallyinusingtheword
despair.Yes,Iamreducedtodespair.Nevertheless,nothingcantaketheplaceofthesystem
setforthinmybook,andthereisnootherwayoutofit;noonecaninventanythingelse.And
soIhastenwithoutlossoftimetoinvitethewholesocietytolistenforteneveningstomy
bookandthengivetheiropinionsofit.Ifthemembersareunwillingtolistentome,letus
breakupfromthestartthementotakeupserviceundergovernment,thewomentotheir
cooking;forifyourejectmysolutionyou'llfindnoother,nonewhatever!Iftheyletthe
opportunityslip,itwillsimplybetheirloss,fortheywillbeboundtocomebacktoitagain.

Therewasastirinthecompany.Ishemad,orwhat?voicesasked.

SothewholepointliesinShigalov'sdespair,Lyamshincommented,andtheessential
questioniswhetherhemustdespairornot?
Shigalov'sbeingonthebrinkofdespairisapersonalquestion,declaredtheschoolboy.

IproposeweputittothevotehowfarShigalov'sdespairaffectsthecommoncause,andat
thesametimewhetherit'sworthwhilelisteningtohimornot,anofficersuggestedgaily.

That'snotright.Thelameteacherputinhisspokeatlast.Asarulehespokewitharather
mockingsmile,sothatitwasdifficulttomakeoutwhetherhewasinearnestorjoking.
That'snotright,gentlemen.Mr.Shigalovistoomuchdevotedtohistaskandisalsotoo
modest. Iknowhisbook.He suggestsasafinalsolutionofthequestionthe divisionof
mankindintotwounequalparts.Onetenthenjoysabsolutelibertyandunboundedpowerover
theotherninetenths.Theothershavetogiveupallindividualityandbecome,sotospeak,a
herd,and,throughboundlesssubmission,willbyaseriesofregenerationsattainprimaeval
innocence,somethingliketheGardenofEden.They'llhavetowork,however.Themeasures
proposed by the author for depriving ninetenths of mankind of their freedom and
transforming them into a herd through the education of whole generations are very
remarkable,foundedonthefactsofnatureandhighlylogical.Onemaynotagreewithsome
ofthedeductions,butitwouldbedifficulttodoubttheintelligenceandknowledgeofthe
author.It'sapitythatthetimerequiredteneveningsisimpossibletoarrangefor,orwe
mighthearagreatdealthat'sinteresting.

Canyoubeinearnest?MadameVirginskyaddressedthelamegentlemanwithashadeof
positiveuneasinessinhervoice,whenthatmandoesn'tknowwhattodowithpeopleandso
turnsninetenthsofthemintoslaves?I'vesuspectedhimforalongtime.

Yousaythatofyourownbrother?askedthelameman.

Relationship?Areyoulaughingatme?

And besides, to work for aristocrats and to obey them as though they were gods is
contemptible!observedthegirlstudentfiercely.

WhatIproposeisnotcontemptible;it'sparadise,anearthlyparadise,andtherecanbeno
otheronearth,Shigalovpronouncedauthoritatively.

Formypart,saidLyamshin,ifIdidn'tknowwhattodowithninetenthsofmankind,I'd
takethemandblowthemupintotheairinsteadofputtingtheminparadise.I'donlyleavea
handfulofeducatedpeople,whowouldlivehappilyeverafterwardsonscientificprinciples.

Noonebutabuffooncantalklikethat!criedthegirl,flaringup.

Heisabuffoon,butheisofuse,MadameVirginskywhisperedtoher.

Andpossiblythatwouldbethebestsolutionoftheproblem,saidShigalov,turninghotlyto
Lyamshin.Youcertainlydon'tknowwhataprofoundthingyou'vesucceededinsaying,my
merryfriend.Butasit'shardlypossibletocarryoutyouridea,wemustconfineourselvesto
anearthlyparadise,sincethat'swhattheycallit.
Thisisprettythoroughrot,broke,asthoughinvoluntarily,fromVerhovensky.Without
evenraisinghiseyes,however,hewentoncuttinghisnailswithperfectnonchalance.

Whyisitrot?Thelamemantookitupinstantly,asthoughhehadbeenlyinginwaitforhis
firstwordstocatchatthem.Whyisitrot?Mr.Shigalovissomewhatfanaticalinhislovefor
humanity,butrememberthatFourier,stillmoreCabetandevenProudhonhimself,advocated
anumberofthemostdespoticandevenfantasticmeasures.Mr.Shigalovisperhapsfarmore
soberinhissuggestionsthantheyare.Iassureyouthatwhenonereadshisbookit'salmost
impossiblenottoagreewithsomethings.Heisperhapslessfarfromrealismthananyoneand
hisearthlyparadiseisalmosttherealoneifiteverexistedforthelossofwhichmanis
alwayssighing.

IknewIwasinforsomething,Verhovenskymutteredagain.

Allow me, said the lame man, getting more and more excited. Conversations and
arguments about the future organisation of society are almost an actual necessity for all
thinkingpeoplenowadays.Herzenwasoccupiedwithnothingelseallhislife.Byelinsky,asI
knowonverygoodauthority,usedtospendwholeeveningswithhisfriendsdebatingand
settlingbeforehandeventheminutest,sotospeak,domestic,detailsofthesocialorganisation
ofthefuture.

Somepeoplegocrazyoverit,themajorobservedsuddenly.

Wearemorelikelytoarriveatsomethingbytalking,anyway,thanbysittingsilentand
posingasdictators,Liputinhissed,asthoughatlastventuringtobegintheattack.

I didn't mean Shigalov when I said it was rot, Verhovensky mumbled. You see,
gentlemen,heraisedhiseyesatrifletomymindallthesebooks,Fourier,Cabet,allthis
talkabouttherighttowork,andShigalov'stheoriesarealllikenovelsofwhichonecan
writeahundredthousandanaestheticentertainment.Icanunderstandthatinthislittletown
youarebored,soyourushtoinkandpaper.

Excuseme,saidthelameman,wrigglingonhischair,thoughweareprovincialsandof
course objects of commiseration on that ground, yet we know that so far nothing has
happened in the world new enough to be worth our weeping at having missed it. It is
suggestedtousinvariouspamphletsmadeabroadandsecretlydistributedthatweshould
uniteandformgroupswiththesoleobjectofbringingaboutuniversaldestruction.It'surged
that,howevermuchyoutinkerwiththeworld,youcan'tmakeagoodjobofit,butthatby
cuttingoffahundredmillionheadsandsolighteningone'sburden,onecanjumpoverthe
ditchmoresafely.Afineidea,nodoubt,butquiteasimpracticableasShigalov'stheories,
whichyoureferredtojustnowsocontemptuously.

Well,butIhaven'tcomeherefordiscussion.Verhovenskyletdropthissignificantphrase,
and,asthoughquiteunawareofhisblunder,drewthecandlenearertohimthathemightsee
better.
It'sapity,agreatpity,thatyouhaven'tcomefordiscussion,andit'sagreatpitythatyouare
sotakenupjustnowwithyourtoilet.

What'smytoilettoyou?

Toremoveahundredmillionheadsisasdifficultastotransformtheworldbypropaganda.
Possiblymoredifficult,especiallyinRussia,Liputinventuredagain.

It'sRussiatheyresttheirhopesonnow,saidanofficer.

We'veheardtheyarerestingtheirhopesonit,interposedthelameman.Weknowthata
mysteriousfingerispointingtoourdelightfulcountryasthelandmostfittedtoaccomplish
thegreattask.Butthere'sthis:bythegradualsolutionoftheproblembypropagandaIshall
gainsomething,anywayIshallhavesomepleasanttalk,atleast,andshallevengetsome
recognitionfromgovernmentformyservicestothecauseofsociety.Butinthesecondway,
by the rapid method of cutting off a hundred million heads, what benefit shall I get
personally?Ifyoubeganadvocatingthat,yourtonguemightbecutout.

Yourscertainlywouldbe,observedVerhovensky.

Yousee.Andasunderthemostfavourablecircumstancesyouwouldnotgetthroughsucha
massacreinlessthanfiftyoratthebestthirtyyearsfortheyarenotsheep,youknow,and
perhapstheywouldnotletthemselvesbeslaughteredwouldn'titbebettertopackone's
bundle and migrate to some quiet island beyond calm seas and there close one's eyes
tranquilly?Believemehetappedthetablesignificantlywithhisfingeryouwillonly
promoteemigrationbysuchpropagandaandnothingelse!

Hefinishedevidentlytriumphant.Hewasoneoftheintellectsoftheprovince.Liputinsmiled
slyly, Virginsky listened rather dejectedly, the others followed the discussion with great
attention,especiallytheladiesandofficers.Theyallrealisedthattheadvocateofthehundred
millionheadstheoryhadbeendrivenintoacorner,andwaitedtoseewhatwouldcomeofit.

Thatwasagoodsayingofyours,though,Verhovenskymumbledmorecarelesslythanever,
infactwithanairofpositiveboredom.Emigrationisagoodidea.Butallthesame,ifin
spiteofalltheobviousdisadvantagesyouforesee,moreandmorecomeforwardeveryday
readytofightforthecommoncause,itwillbeabletodowithoutyou.It'sanewReligion,my
goodfriend,comingtotaketheplaceoftheoldone.That'swhysomanyfighterscome
forward,andit'sabigmovement.You'dbetteremigrate!And,youknow,Ishouldadvise
Dresden,not'thecalmislands.'Tobeginwith,it'satownthathasneverbeenvisitedbyan
epidemic,andasyouareamanofculture,nodoubtyouareafraidofdeath.Anotherthing,it's
neartheRussianfrontier,soyoucanmoreeasilyreceiveyourincomefromyourbeloved
Fatherland.Thirdly,itcontainswhatarecalledtreasuresofart,andyouareamanofaesthetic
tastes,formerlyateacherofliterature,Ibelieve.And,finally,ithasaminiatureSwitzerlandof
itsowntoprovideyouwithpoeticinspiration,fornodoubtyouwriteverse.Infactit'sa
treasureinanutshell!Therewasageneralmovement,especiallyamongtheofficers.In
anotherinstanttheywouldhaveallbeguntalkingatonce.Butthelamemanroseirritablyto
thebait.

No,perhapsIamnotgoingtogiveupthecommoncause.Youmustunderstandthat...

What,wouldyoujointhequintetifIproposedittoyou?Verhovenskyboomedsuddenly,
andhelaiddownthescissors.

Everyoneseemedstartled.Themysteriousmanhadrevealedhimselftoofreely.Hehadeven
spokenopenlyofthequintet.

Everyonefeelshimselftobeanhonestmanandwillnotshirkhispartinthecommon
causethelamemantriedtowriggleoutofitbut...

No,thisisnotaquestionwhichallowsofa but, Verhovenskyinterruptedharshlyand

peremptorily.Itellyou,gentlemen,Imusthaveadirectanswer.Iquiteunderstandthat,
having come here and having called you together myself, I am bound to give you
explanations(againanunexpectedrevelation),butIcangiveyounonetillIknowwhatis
yourattitudetothesubject.Tocutthemattershortforwecan'tgoontalkingforanother
thirtyyearsaspeoplehavedoneforthelastthirtyIaskyouwhichyouprefer:theslow
way,whichconsistsinthecompositionofsocialisticromancesandtheacademicorderingof
thedestiniesofhumanityathousandyearshence,whiledespotismwillswallowthesavoury
morselswhichwouldalmostflyintoyourmouthsofthemselvesifyou'dtakealittletrouble;
ordoyou,whateveritmayimply,preferaquickerwaywhichwillatlastuntieyourhands,
andwilllethumanitymakeitsownsocialorganisationinfreedomandinaction,noton
paper?Theyshout'ahundredmillionheads';thatmaybeonlyametaphor;butwhybeafraid
ofitif,withtheslowdaydreamonpaper,despotisminthecourseofsomehundredyearswill
devournotahundredbutfivehundredmillionheads?Takenotetoothatanincurableinvalid
willnotbecuredwhateverprescriptionsarewrittenforhimonpaper.Onthecontrary,ifthere
isdelay,hewillgrowsocorruptthathewillinfectustooandcontaminateallthefreshforces
whichonemightstillreckonuponnow,sothatweshallallatlastcometogrieftogether.I
thoroughlyagreethatit'sextremelyagreeabletochatterliberallyandeloquently,butactionis
alittletrying....However,Iamnohandattalking;Icameherewithcommunications,andso
Ibegallthehonourablecompanynottovote,butsimplyanddirectlytostatewhichyou
prefer:walkingatasnail'spaceinthemarsh,orputtingonfullsteamtogetacrossit?

Iamcertainlyforcrossingatfullsteam!criedtheschoolboyinanecstasy.

SoamI,Lyamshinchimedin.

Therecanbenodoubtaboutthechoice,mutteredanofficer,followedbyanother,thenby
some one else. What struck them all most was that Verhovensky had come with
communicationsandhadhimselfjustpromisedtospeak.

Gentlemen,Iseethatalmostalldecideforthepolicyofthemanifestoes,hesaid,looking
roundatthecompany.

All,all!criedthemajorityofvoices.

IconfessIamratherinfavourofamorehumanepolicy,saidthemajor,butasallareon
theotherside,Igowithalltherest.

Itappears,then,thatevenyouarenotopposedtoit,saidVerhovensky,addressingthelame
man.

Iamnotexactly...saidthelatter,turningratherred,butifIdoagreewiththerestnow,
it'ssimplynottobreakup

Youarealllikethat!ReadytoargueforsixmonthstopractiseyourLiberaleloquenceandin
theendyouvotethesameastherest!Gentlemen,considerthough,isittruethatyouareall
ready?

(Readyforwhat?Thequestionwasvague,butveryalluring.)

Allare,ofcourse!voiceswereheard.Butallwerelookingatoneanother.

Butafterwardsperhapsyouwillresenthavingagreedsoquickly?That'salmostalwaysthe
waywithyou.

Thecompanywasexcitedinvariousways,greatlyexcited.Thelamemanflewathim.

Allowmetoobserve,however,thatanswerstosuchquestionsareconditional.Evenifwe
havegivenourdecision,youmustnotethatquestionsputinsuchastrangeway...

Inwhatstrangeway?

Inawaysuchquestionsarenotasked.

Teachmehow,please.Butdoyouknow,Ifeltsureyou'dbethefirsttotakeoffence.

You'veextractedfromusananswerastoourreadinessforimmediateaction;butwhatright
hadyoutodoso?Bywhatauthoritydoyouasksuchquestions?

Youshouldhavethoughtofaskingthatquestionsooner!Whydidyouanswer?Youagree
andthenyougobackonit!

Buttomymindtheirresponsibilityofyourprincipalquestionsuggeststomethatyouhave
noauthority,noright,andonlyaskedfrompersonalcuriosity.

Whatdoyoumean?Whatdoyoumean?criedVerhovensky,apparentlybeginningtobe
muchalarmed.
Why,thattheinitiationofnewmembersintoanythingyoulikeisdone,anyway,teteatete
andnotinthecompanyoftwentypeopleonedoesn'tknow!blurtedoutthelameman.He
hadsaidallthatwasinhismindbecausehewastooirritatedtorestrainhimself.Verhovensky
turnedtothegeneralcompanywithacapitallysimulatedlookofalarm.

Gentlemen,Ideemitmydutytodeclarethatallthisisfolly,andthatourconversationhas
gonetoofar.Ihavesofarinitiatednoone,andnoonehastherighttosayofmethatIinitiate
members.Weweresimplydiscussingouropinions.That'sso,isn'tit?Butwhetherthat'ssoor
not,youalarmmeverymuch.Heturnedtothelamemanagain.Ihadnoideathatitwas
unsafeheretospeakofsuchpracticallyinnocentmattersexceptteteatete.Areyouafraidof
informers?Cantherepossiblybeaninformeramongushere?

Theexcitementbecametremendous;allbegantalking.

Gentlemen,ifthatisso,Verhovenskywenton,I havecompromisedmyselfmorethan
anyone,andsoIwillaskyoutoansweronequestion,ifyoucareto,ofcourse.Youareall
perfectlyfree.

Whatquestion?Whatquestion?everyoneclamoured.

Aquestionthatwillmakeitclearwhetherwearetoremaintogether,ortakeupourhatsand
goourseveralwayswithoutspeaking.

Thequestion!Thequestion!

If any one of us knew of a proposed political murder, would he, in view of all the
consequences,gotogiveinformation,orwouldhestayathomeandawaitevents?Opinions
maydifferonthispoint.Theanswertothequestionwilltellusclearlywhetherweareto
separate,ortoremaintogetherandforfarlongerthanthisoneevening.Letmeappealtoyou
first.Heturnedtothelameman.

Whytomefirst?

Becauseyoubeganitall.Besogoodasnottoprevaricate;itwon'thelpyoutobecunning.
Butpleaseyourself,it'sforyoutodecide.

Excuseme,butsuchaquestionispositivelyinsulting.

No,can'tyoubemoreexactthanthat?

I'veneverbeenanagentoftheSecretPolice,repliedthelatter,wrigglingmorethanever.

Besogoodastobemoredefinite,don'tkeepuswaiting.

Thelamemanwassofuriousthatheleftoffanswering.Withoutawordheglaredwrathfully
fromunderhisspectaclesathistormentor.
Yesorno?Wouldyouinformornot?criedVerhovensky.

OfcourseIwouldn't,thelamemanshoutedtwiceasloudly.

Andnoonewould,ofcoursenot!criedmanyvoices.

Allowmetoappealtoyou,Mr.Major.Wouldyouinformornot?Verhovenskywenton.
AndnotethatIappealtoyouonpurpose.

Iwon'tinform.

Butifyouknewthatsomeonemeanttorobandmurdersomeoneelse,anordinarymortal,
thenyouwouldinformandgivewarning?

Yes,ofcourse;butthat'saprivateaffair,whiletheotherwouldbeapoliticaltreachery.I've
neverbeenanagentoftheSecretPolice.

Andnooneherehas,voicescriedagain.It'sanunnecessaryquestion.Everyonewillmake
thesameanswer.Therearenoinformershere.

Whatisthatgentlemangettingupfor?criedthegirlstudent.

That'sShatov.Whatareyougettingupfor?criedtheladyofthehouse.

Shatovdid,infact,standup.HewasholdinghiscapinhishandandlookingatVerhovensky.
Apparentlyhewantedtosaysomethingtohim,butwashesitating.Hisfacewaspaleand
wrathful,buthecontrolledhimself.Hedidnotsayoneword,butinsilencewalkedtowards
thedoor.

Shatov,thiswon'tmakethingsbetterforyou!Verhovenskycalledafterhimenigmatically.

Butitwillforyou,sinceyouareaspyandascoundrel!Shatovshoutedtohimfromthe
door,andhewentout.

Shoutsandexclamationsagain.

That'swhatcomesofatest,criedavoice.

It'sbeenofuse,criedanother.

Hasn'titbeenofusetoolate?observedathird.

Whoinvitedhim?Wholethimin?Whoishe?WhoisShatov?Willheinform,orwon'the?
Therewasashowerofquestions.

Ifhewereaninformerhewouldhavekeptupappearancesinsteadofcursingitallandgoing
away,observedsomeone.
See,Stavroginisgettinguptoo.Stavroginhasnotansweredthequestioneither,criedthe
girlstudent.

Stavrogindidactuallystandup,andattheotherendofthetableKirillovroseatthesame
time.

Excuseme,Mr.Stavrogin,MadameVirginskyaddressedhimsharply,weallansweredthe
question,whileyouaregoingawaywithoutaword.

Iseenonecessitytoanswerthequestionwhichinterestsyou,mutteredStavrogin.

Butwe'vecompromisedourselvesandyouwon't,shoutedseveralvoices.

Whatbusinessisitofmineifyouhavecompromisedyourselves?laughedStavrogin,but
hiseyesflashed.

Whatbusiness?Whatbusiness?voicesexclaimed.

Manypeoplegotupfromtheirchairs.

Allowme,gentlemen,allowme,criedthelameman.Mr.Verhovenskyhasn'tanswered
thequestioneither;hehasonlyaskedit.

Theremarkproducedastrikingeffect.Alllookedatoneanother.Stavroginlaughedaloudin
thelameman'sfaceandwentout;Kirillovfollowedhim;Verhovenskyranafterthemintothe
passage.

Whatareyoudoing?hefaltered,seizingStavrogin'shandandgrippingitwithallhismight
inhis.Stavroginpulledawayhishandwithoutaword.

BeatKirillov'sdirectly,I'llcome....It'sabsolutelynecessaryformetoseeyou!...

Itisn'tnecessaryforme,Stavrogincuthimshort.

Stavroginwillbethere,Kirillovsaidfinally.Stavrogin,itisnecessaryforyou.Iwillshow
youthatthere.

Theywentout.

CHAPTERVIII.IVANTHETSAREVITCH

theyhadgone.PyotrStepanovitchwasabouttorushbacktothemeetingtobringorderinto
chaos,butprobablyreflectingthatitwasn'tworthbotheringabout,lefteverything,andtwo
minutes later was flying after the other two. On the way he remembered a short cut to
Filipov'shouse.Herushedalongit,uptohiskneesinmud,anddidinfactarriveatthevery
momentwhenStavroginandKirillovwerecominginatthegate.
Youherealready?observedKirillov.That'sgood.Comein.

Howisityoutoldusyoulivedalone,askedStavrogin,passingaboilingsamovarinthe
passage.

YouwillseedirectlywhoitisIlivewith,mutteredKirillov.Goin.

TheyhadhardlyenteredwhenVerhovenskyatoncetookoutofhispockettheanonymous
letter he had taken from Lembke, and laid it before Stavrogin. They all then sat down.
Stavroginreadtheletterinsilence.

Well?heasked.

That scoundrel will do as he writes, Verhovensky explained. So, as he is under your

control,tellmehowtoact.IassureyouhemaygotoLembketomorrow.

Well,lethimgo.

Lethimgo!Andwhenwecanpreventhim,too!

Youaremistaken.Heisnotdependentonme.Besides,Idon'tcare;hedoesn'tthreatenmein
anyway;heonlythreatensyou.

Youtoo.

Idon'tthinkso.

Butthereare otherpeople whomaynot spare you. Surelyyouunderstandthat? Listen,

Stavrogin.Thisisonlyplayingwithwords.Surelyyoudon'tgrudgethemoney?

Why,woulditcostmoney?

Itcertainlywould;twothousandoratleastfifteenhundred.Giveittometomorroworeven
today,andtomorroweveningI'llsendhimtoPetersburgforyou.That'sjustwhathewants.
Ifyoulike,hecantakeMaryaTimofyevna.Notethat.

Therewassomethingdistractedabouthim.Hespoke,asitwere,withoutcaution,andhedid
notreflectonhiswords.Stavroginwatchedhim,wondering.

I'venoreasontosendMaryaTimofyevnaaway.

Perhapsyoudon'tevenwantto,PyotrStepanovitchsmiledironically.

PerhapsIdon't.

Inshort,willtherebethemoneyornot?hecriedwithangryimpatience,andasitwere
peremptorily,toStavrogin.Thelatterscrutinisedhimgravely.Therewon'tbethemoney.
Lookhere,Stavrogin!Youknowsomething,orhavedonesomethingalready!Youaregoing
it!

Hisfaceworked,thecornersofhismouthtwitched,andhesuddenlylaughedanunprovoked
andirrelevantlaugh.

Butyou'vehadmoneyfromyourfatherfortheestate,Stavroginobservedcalmly.Maman
sentyousixoreightthousandforStepanTrofimovitch.Soyoucanpaythefifteenhundred
outofyourownmoney.Idon'tcaretopayforotherpeople.I'vegivenalotasitis.Itannoys
me....Hesmiledhimselfathisownwords.Ah,youarebeginningtojoke!

Stavrogingotupfromhischair.Verhovenskyinstantlyjumpeduptoo,andmechanically
stoodwithhisbacktothedoorasthoughbarringthewaytohim.Stavroginhadalreadymade
amotiontopushhimasideandgoout,whenhestoppedshort.

Iwon'tgiveupShatovtoyou,hesaid.PyotrStepanovitchstarted.Theylookedatone
another.

ItoldyouthiseveningwhyyouneededShatov'sblood,saidStavrogin,withflashingeyes.
It'sthecementyouwanttobindyourgroupstogetherwith.YoudroveShatovawaycleverly
justnow.Youknewverywellthathewouldn'tpromisenottoinformandhewouldhave
thoughtitmeantolietoyou.Butwhatdoyouwantwithme?Whatdoyouwantwithme?
Eversincewemetabroadyouwon'tletmealone.Theexplanationyou'vegivenmesofarwas
simplyraving.MeanwhileyouaredrivingatmygivingLebyadkinfifteenhundredroubles,so
as to give Fedka an opportunity to murder him. I know that you think I want my wife
murderedtoo.Youthinktotiemyhandsbythiscrime,andhavemeinyourpower.That'sit,
isn'tit?Whatgoodwillthatbetoyou?Whatthedevildoyouwantwithme?Lookatme.
Onceforall,amIthemanforyou?Andletmealone.

HasFedkabeentoyouhimself?Verhovenskyaskedbreathlessly.

Yes,hecame.Hispriceisfifteenhundredtoo....Buthere;he'llrepeatithimself.Therehe
stands.Stavroginstretchedouthishand.

PyotrStepanovitchturnedroundquickly.Anewfigure,Fedka,wearingasheepskincoat,but
withoutacap,asthoughhewereathome,steppedoutofthedarknessinthedoorway.He
stoodtherelaughingandshowinghisevenwhiteteeth.Hisblackeyes,withyellowwhites,
dartedcautiouslyabouttheroomwatchingthegentlemen.Therewassomethinghedidnot
understand.HehadevidentlybeenjustbroughtinbyKirillov,andhisinquiringeyesturnedto
thelatter.Hestoodinthedoorway,butwasunwillingtocomeintotheroom.

Isupposeyougothimreadyheretolistentoourbargaining,orthathemayactuallyseethe
moneyinourhands.Isthatit?askedStavrogin;andwithoutwaitingforananswerhewalked
outofthehouse.Verhovensky,almostfrantic,overtookhimatthegate.

Stop!Notanotherstep!hecried,seizinghimbythearm.Stavrogintriedtopullawayhis
arm,butdidnotsucceed.Hewasovercomewithfury.SeizingVerhovenskybythehairwith
hislefthandheflunghimwithallhismightonthegroundandwentoutatthegate.Buthe
hadnotgonethirtypacesbeforeVerhovenskyovertookhimagain.

Letusmakeitup;letusmakeitup!hemurmuredinaspasmodicwhisper.

Stavroginshruggedhisshoulders,butneitheranswerednorturnedround.

Listen.IwillbringyouLizavetaNikolaevnatomorrow;shallI?No?Whydon'tyouanswer?
Tellmewhatyouwant.I'lldoit.Listen.I'llletyouhaveShatov.ShallI?

Thenit'struethatyoumeanttokillhim?criedStavrogin.

WhatdoyouwantwithShatov?Whatishetoyou?PyotrStepanovitchwenton,gasping,
speakingrapidly.Hewasinafrenzy,andkeptrunningforwardandseizingStavroginbythe
elbow,probablyunawareofwhathewasdoing.Listen.I'llletyouhavehim.Let'smakeit
up.Yourpriceisaverygreatone,but...Let'smakeitup!

Stavroginglancedathimatlast,andwasamazed.Theeyes,thevoice,werenotthesameas
always,orastheyhadbeenintheroomjustnow.Whathesawwasalmostanotherface.The
intonationofthevoicewasdifferent.Verhovenskybesought,implored.Hewasamanfrom
whomwhatwasmostpreciouswasbeingtakenorhadbeentaken,andwhowasstillstunned
bytheshock.

Butwhat'sthematterwithyou?criedStavrogin.Theotherdidnotanswer,butranafterhim
andgazedathimwiththesameimploringbutyetinflexibleexpression.

Let'smakeitup!hewhisperedoncemore.Listen.LikeFedka,Ihaveaknifeinmyboot,
butI'llmakeitupwithyou!

But what do you want with me, damn you? Stavrogin cried, with intense anger and
amazement.Istheresomemysteryaboutit?AmIasortoftalismanforyou?

Listen. We are going to make a revolution, the other muttered rapidly, and almost in
delirium.Youdon'tbelieveweshallmakearevolution?Wearegoingtomakesuchan
upheavalthateverythingwillbeuprootedfromitsfoundation.Karmazinovisrightthatthere
isnothingtolayholdof.Karmazinovisveryintelligent.Anothertensuchgroupsindifferent
partsofRussiaandIamsafe.

Groupsoffoolslikethat?brokereluctantlyfromStavrogin.

Oh,don'tbesoclever,Stavrogin;don'tbesocleveryourself.Andyouknowyouarebyno
meanssointelligentthatyouneedwishotherstobe.Youareafraid,youhavenofaith.You
arefrightenedatourdoingthingsonsuchascale.Andwhyaretheyfools?Theyarenotsuch
fools. No one has a mind of his own nowadays. There are terribly few original minds
nowadays.Virginskyisapureheartedman,tentimesaspureasyouorI;butnevermind
abouthim.Liputinisarogue,butIknowonepointabouthim.Everyroguehassomepointin
him....Lyamshinistheonlyonewhohasn't,butheisinmyhands.Afewmoregroups,and
Ishouldhavemoneyandpassportseverywhere;somuchatleast.Supposeitwereonlythat?
Andsafeplaces,sothattheycansearchastheylike.Theymightuprootonegroupbutthey'd
stickatthenext.We'llsetthingsinaferment....Surelyyoudon'tthinkthatwetwoarenot
enough?

TakeShigalov,andletmealone....

Shigalovisamanofgenius!DoyouknowheisageniuslikeFourier,butbolderthan
Fourier;stronger.I'lllookafterhim.He'sdiscovered'equality'!

He is in a fever; he is raving; something very queer has happened to him, thought

Stavrogin,lookingathimoncemore.Bothwalkedonwithoutstopping.

He'swrittenagoodthinginthatmanuscript,Verhovenskywenton.Hesuggestsasystem
ofspying.Everymemberofthesocietyspiesontheothers,andit'shisdutytoinformagainst
them.Everyonebelongstoallandalltoeveryone.Allareslavesandequalintheirslavery.
Inextremecasesheadvocatesslanderandmurder,butthegreatthingaboutitisequality.To
beginwith,thelevelofeducation,science,andtalentsislowered.Ahighlevelofeducation
andscienceisonlypossibleforgreatintellects,andtheyarenotwanted.Thegreatintellects
havealwaysseizedthepowerandbeendespots.Greatintellectscannothelpbeingdespots
andthey'vealwaysdonemoreharmthangood.Theywillbebanishedorputtodeath.Cicero
willhavehistonguecutout,Copernicuswillhavehiseyesputout,Shakespearewillbe
stonedthat's Shigalovism. Slaves are bound to be equal. There has never been either
freedomorequalitywithoutdespotism,butintheherdthereisboundtobeequality,andthat's
Shigalovism!Hahaha!Doyouthinkitstrange?IamforShigalovism.

Stavrogintriedtoquickenhispace,andtoreachhomeassoonaspossible.Ifthisfellowis
drunk,wheredidhemanagetogetdrunk?crossedhismind.Canitbethebrandy?

Listen,Stavrogin.Tolevelthemountainsisafineidea,notanabsurdone.IamforShigalov.
Downwithculture.We'vehadenoughscience!Withoutsciencewehavematerialenoughto
goonforathousandyears,butonemusthavediscipline.Theonethingwantingintheworld
isdiscipline.Thethirstforcultureisanaristocraticthirst.Themomentyouhavefamilytiesor
love you get the desire for property. We will destroy that desire; we'll make use of
drunkenness,slander,spying;we'llmakeuseofincrediblecorruption;we'llstifleeverygenius
initsinfancy.We'llreducealltoacommondenominator!Completeequality!'We'velearned
atrade,andwearehonestmen;weneednothingmore,'thatwasananswergivenbyEnglish
workingmenrecently.Onlythenecessaryisnecessary,that'sthemottoofthewholeworld
henceforward.Butitneedsashock.That'sforus,thedirectors,tolookafter.Slavesmusthave
directors. Absolute submission, absolute loss of individuality, but once in thirty years
Shigalovwouldletthemhaveashockandtheywouldallsuddenlybegineatingoneanother
up,toacertainpoint,simplyasaprecautionagainstboredom.Boredomisanaristocratic
sensation. The Shigalovians will have no desires. Desire and suffering are our lot, but
Shigalovismisfortheslaves.

Youexcludeyourself?Stavroginbrokeinagain.

You,too.Doyouknow,IhavethoughtofgivinguptheworldtothePope.Lethimcome
forth,onfoot,andbarefoot,andshowhimselftotherabble,saying,'Seewhattheyhave
broughtmeto!'andtheywillallrushafterhim,eventhetroops.ThePopeatthehead,withus
roundhim,andbelowusShigalovism.Allthat'sneededisthatthe Internationale should
cometoanagreementwiththePope;soitwill.Andtheoldchapwillagreeatonce.There's
nothingelsehecando.Remembermywords!Haha!Isitstupid?Tellme,isitstupidornot?

That'senough!Stavroginmutteredwithvexation.

Enough!Listen.I'vegivenupthePope!DamnShigalovism!DamnthePope!Wemusthave
something more everyday. Not Shigalovism, for Shigalovism is a rare specimen of the
jeweller's art. It's an ideal; it's in the future. Shigalov is an artist and a fool like every
philanthropist.Weneedcoarsework,andShigalovdespisescoarsework.Listen.ThePope
shallbeforthewest,andyoushallbeforus,youshallbeforus!

Letmealone,youdrunkenfellow!mutteredStavrogin,andhequickenedhispace.

Stavrogin,youarebeautiful,criedPyotrStepanovitch,almostecstatically.Doyouknow
thatyouarebeautiful!What'sthemostpreciousthingaboutyouisthatyousometimesdon't
knowit.Oh,I'vestudiedyou!Ioftenwatchyouonthesly!There'salotofsimpleheartedness
andnaiveteaboutyoustill.Doyouknowthat?Therestillis,thereis!Youmustbesuffering
andsufferinggenuinelyfromthatsimpleheartedness.Ilovebeauty.Iamanihilist,butIlove
beauty.Arenihilistsincapableoflovingbeauty?It'sonlyidolstheydislike,butIloveanidol.
Youaremyidol!Youinjurenoone,andeveryonehatesyou.Youtreateveryoneasan
equal, and yet every one is afraid of youthat's good. Nobody would slap you on the
shoulder. You are an awful aristocrat. An aristocrat is irresistible when he goes in for
democracy!Tosacrificelife,yourownoranother'sisnothingtoyou.Youarejusttheman
that'sneeded.It'sjustsuchamanasyouthatIneed.Iknownoonebutyou.Youarethe
leader,youarethesunandIamyourworm.

Hesuddenlykissedhishand.AshiverrandownStavrogin'sspine,andhepulledawayhis
handindismay.Theystoodstill.

Madman!whisperedStavrogin.

PerhapsIamraving;perhapsIamraving,PyotrStepanovitchassented,speakingrapidly.
ButI'vethoughtofthefirststep!Shigalovwouldneverhavethoughtofit.Therearelotsof
Shigalovs,butonlyoneman,onemaninRussiahashitonthefirststepandknowshowto
takeit.AndIamthatman!Whydoyoulookatme?Ineedyou,you;withoutyouIam
nothing.WithoutyouIamafly,abottledidea;ColumbuswithoutAmerica.

Stavroginstoodstillandlookedintentlyintohiswildeyes.
Listen. First of all we'll make an upheaval, Verhovensky went on in desperate haste,
continuallyclutchingatStavrogin'sleftsleeve.I'vealreadytoldyou.Weshallpenetrateto
thepeasantry.Doyouknowthatwearetremendouslypowerfulalready?Ourpartydoesnot
consistonlyofthosewhocommitmurderandarson,fireoffpistolsinthetraditionalfashion,
orbitecolonels.Theyareonlyahindrance.Idon'tacceptanythingwithoutdiscipline.Iama
scoundrel,ofcourse,andnotasocialist.Haha!Listen.I'vereckonedthemallup:ateacher
wholaughswithchildrenattheirGodandattheircradle;isonourside.Thelawyerwho
defendsaneducatedmurdererbecauseheismoreculturedthanhisvictimsandcouldnot,
helpmurderingthemtogetmoneyisoneofus.Theschoolboyswhomurderapeasantforthe
sakeofsensationareours.Thejurieswhoacquiteverycriminalareours.Theprosecutorwho
tremblesatatrialforfearheshouldnotseemadvancedenoughisours,ours.Amongofficials
andliterarymenwehavelots,lots,andtheydon'tknowitthemselves.Ontheotherhand,the
docilityofschoolboysandfoolshasreachedanextremepitch;theschoolmastersarebitter
andbilious.Onallsidesweseevanitypuffedupoutofallproportion;brutal,monstrous
appetites....Doyouknowhowmanyweshallcatchbylittle,readymadeideas?WhenIleft
Russia,Littre'sdictumthatcrimeisinsanitywasalltherage;IcomebackandIfindthat
crime is nolonger insanity, but simply commonsense, almost a duty; anyway, a gallant
protest.'Howcanweexpectaculturedmannottocommitamurder,ifheisinneedof
money.'Buttheseareonlythefirstfruits.TheRussianGodhasalreadybeenvanquishedby
cheapvodka. The peasantsare drunk, the mothersare drunk, the children are drunk, the
churchesareempty,andinthepeasantcourtsonehears,'Twohundredlashesorstandusa
bucketofvodka.'Oh,thisgenerationhasonlytogrowup.It'sonlyapitywecan'taffordto
wait,orwemighthaveletthemgeta.bitmoretipsy!Ah,whatapitythere'snoproletariat!
Buttherewillbe,therewillbe;wearegoingthatway....

It's a pity, too, that we've grown greaterfools, mutteredStavrogin, movingforward as

before.

Listen.I'veseenachildofsixyearsoldleadinghomehisdrunkenmother,whilstsheswore
athimwithfoulwords.DoyousupposeIamgladofthat?Whenit'sinourhands,maybe
we'llmendthings...ifneedbe,we'lldrivethemforfortyyearsintothewilderness....But
oneortwogenerationsofviceareessentialnow;monstrous,abjectvicebywhichamanis
transformedintoaloathsome,cruel,egoisticreptile.That'swhatweneed!Andwhat'smore,a
little 'fresh blood' that we may get accustomed to it. Why are you laughing? I am not
contradictingmyself.IamonlycontradictingthephilanthropistsandShigalovism,notmyself!
I am a scoundrel, not a socialist. Ha ha ha! I'm only sorry there's no time. I promised
KarmazinovtobegininMay,andtomakeanendbyOctober.Isthattoosoon?Haha!Doyou
knowwhat,Stavrogin?ThoughtheRussianpeopleusefoullanguage,there'snothingcynical
aboutthemsofar.DoyouknowtheserfshadmoreselfrespectthanKarmazinov?Though
theywerebeatentheyalwayspreservedtheirgods,whichismorethanKarmazinov'sdone.

Well,Verhovensky,thisisthefirsttimeI'veheardyoutalk,andIlistenwithamazement,
observedStavrogin.Soyouarereallynotasocialist,then,butsomesortof...ambitious
politician?
Ascoundrel,ascoundrel!YouarewonderingwhatIam.I'lltellyouwhatIamdirectly,
that'swhatIamleadingupto.ItwasnotfornothingthatIkissedyourhand.Butthepeople
mustbelievethatweknowwhatweareafter,whiletheothersidedonothingbut'brandish
theircudgelsandbeattheirownfollowers.'Ah,ifweonlyhadmoretime!That'stheonly
trouble,wehavenotime.Wewillproclaimdestruction.....Whyisit,whyisitthatideahas
suchafascination.Butwemusthavealittleexercise;wemust.We'llsetfiresgoing....We'll
setlegendsgoing.Everyscurvy'group'willbeofuse.OutofthoseverygroupsI'llpickyou
outfellowssokeenthey'llnotshrinkfromshooting,andbegratefulforthehonourofajob,
too.Well,andtherewillbeanupheaval!There'sgoingtobesuchanupsetastheworldhas
neverseenbefore....Russiawillbeoverwhelmedwithdarkness,theearthwillweepforits
oldgods.....Well,thenweshallbringforward...whom?

Whom.

IvantheTsarevitch.

Whom?

IvantheTsarevitch.You!You!

Stavroginthoughtaminute.

Apretender?heaskedsuddenly,lookingwithintensesurpriseathisfranticcompanion.
Ah!sothat'syourplanatlast!

Weshallsaythatheis'inhiding,'Verhovenskysaidsoftly,inasortoftenderwhisper,as
thoughhereallyweredrunkindeed.Doyouknowthemagicofthatphrase,'heisinhiding'?
Buthewillappear,hewillappear.We'llsetalegendgoingbetterthantheSkoptsis'.He
exists,butnoonehasseenhim.Oh,whatalegendonecansetgoing!Andthegreatthingisit
willbeanewforceatwork!Andweneedthat;that'swhattheyarecryingfor.Whatcan
Socialismdo:it'sdestroyedtheoldforcesbuthasn'tbroughtinanynew..Butinthiswehave
aforce,andwhataforce!Incredible.Weonlyneedonelevertoliftuptheearth.Everything
willriseup!

Thenhaveyoubeenseriouslyreckoningonme?Stavroginsaidwithamalicioussmile.

Whydoyoulaugh,andsospitefully?Don'tfrightenme.Iamlikealittlechildnow.Icanbe
frightenedtodeathbyonesmilelikethat.Listen.I'llletnooneseeyou,noone.Soitmustbe.
Heexists,butnoonehasseenhim;heisinhiding.Anddoyouknow,onemightshowyou,to
oneoutofahundredthousand,forinstance.Andtherumourwillspreadoveralltheland,
'We'veseenhim,we'veseenhim.'

IvanFilipovitchtheGodofSabaoth,hasbeenseen,too,whenheascendedintoheaveninhis
chariotinthesightofmen.Theysawhimwiththeirowneyes.AndyouarenotanIvan
Filipovitch.YouarebeautifulandproudasaGod;youareseekingnothingforyourself,with
thehaloofavictimroundyou,'inhiding.'Thegreatthingisthelegend.You'llconquerthem,
you'llhaveonlytolook,andyouwillconquerthem.Heis'inhiding,'andwillcomeforth
bringing a new truth. And, meanwhile, we'll pass two or three judgments as wise as
Solomon's.Thegroups,youknow,thequintetswe'venoneedofnewspapers.Ifoutoften
thousandpetitionsonlyoneisgranted,allwouldcomewithpetitions.Ineveryparish,every
peasantwillknowthatthereissomewhereahollowtreewherepetitionsaretobeput.Andthe
wholelandwillresoundwiththecry,'Anewjustlawistocome,'andtheseawillbetroubled
andthewholegimcrackshowwillfalltotheground,andthenweshallconsiderhowtobuild
upanedificeofstone.Forthefirsttime!Wearegoingtobuildit,we,andonlywe!

Madness,saidStavrogin.

Why,whydon'tyouwantit?Areyouafraid?That'swhyIcaughtatyou,becauseyouare
afraidofnothing.Isitunreasonabe?Butyousee,sofarIamColumbuswithoutAmerica.
WouldColumbuswithoutAmericaseemreasonable?

Stavrogindidnotspeak.Meanwhiletheyhadreachedthehouseandstoppedattheentrance.

Listen,Verhovenskybentdowntohisear.I'lldoitforyouwithoutthemoney.I'llsettle
MaryaTimofyevnatomorrow!...Withoutthemoney,andtomorrowI'llbringyouLiza.
WillyouhaveLizatomorrow?

Ishereallymad?Stavroginwonderedsmiling.Thefrontdoorwasopened.

StavroginisAmericaours?saidVerhovensky,seizinghishandforthelasttime.

Whatfor?saidNikolayVsyevolodovitch,gravelyandsternly.

Youdon'tcare,Iknewthat!criedVerhovenskyinanaccessoffuriousanger.Youare
lying,youmiserable,profligate,perverted,littlearistocrat!Idon'tbelieveyou,you'vethe

*ThereferenceistothelegendcurrentinthesectofFlagellants.Translator'snote.

appetiteofawolf!...Understandthatyou'vecostmesuchaprice,Ican'tgiveyouupnow!
There'snooneonearthbutyou!Iinventedyouabroad;Iinventeditall,lookingatyou.IfI
hadn'twatchedyoufrommycorner,nothingofallthiswouldhaveenteredmyhead!

Stavroginwentupthestepswithoutanswering.

Stavrogin!Verhovenskycalledafterhim,Igiveyouaday...two,then...three,then;
morethanthreeIcan'tandthenyou'retoanswer!

CHAPTERIX.ARAIDATSTEFANTROFIMOVITCH'S

meanwhileanincidenthadoccurredwhichastoundedmeandshatteredStepanTrofimovitch.
Ateighto'clockinthemorningNastasyaranroundtomefromhimwiththenewsthather
masterwasraided.AtfirstIcouldnotmakeoutwhatshemeant;Icouldonlygatherthatthe
raidwascarriedoutbyofficials,thattheyhadcomeandtakenhispapers,andthatasoldier
hadtiedthemupinabundleandwheeledthemawayinabarrow.Itwasafantasticstory.I
hurriedatoncetoStepanTrofimovitch.

Ifoundhim ina surprising condition: upset and in great agitation, but at the same time
unmistakablytriumphant.Onthetableinthemiddleoftheroomthesamovarwasboiling,and
therewasaglassofteapouredoutbutuntouchedandforgotten.StepanTrofimovitchwas
wanderingroundthetableandpeepingintoeverycorneroftheroom,unconsciousofwhathe
wasdoing.Hewaswearinghisusualredknittedjacket,butseeingme,hehurriedlyputonhis
coatandwaistcoatathinghehadneverdonebeforewhenanyofhisintimatefriendsfound
himinhisjacket.Hetookmewarmlybythehandatonce.

Enfinunami! (Heheavedadeepsigh.)Cher, I'vesenttoyouonly,andnooneknows

anything.WemustgiveNastasyaorderstolockthedoorsandnotadmitanyone,except,of
coursethem....Vouscomprenez?"

Helookedatmeuneasily,asthoughexpectingareply.Imadehaste,ofcourse,toquestion
him, and from his disconnected and broken sentences, full of unnecessary parentheses, I
succeededinlearningthatatseveno'clockthatmorninganofficialoftheprovincehad'allof
asudden'calledonhim.

Pardon,j'aioubliesonnom,Iln'estpasdupays, butIthinkhecametothetownwith
Lembke,quelquechosedebeteetd'Allemanddanslaphysionomie.Ils'appelleBosenthal.

Wasn'titBlum?

Yes,thatwashisname.Vousleconnaissez?Quelquechosed'Maiteetdetrescontentdans
la figure, pomtant tres severe, roide et serieux. A type of the police, of the submissive
subordinates,jem'yconnais.Iwasstillasleep,and,wouldyoubelieveit,heaskedtohavea
lookatmybooksandmanuscripts! Oui,jem'ensouviens,ilaemployecemot. Hedidnot
arrestme,butonlythebooks.Ilsetenaitadistance,andwhenhebegantoexplainhisvisithe
lookedasthoughI...enfinilavaitVairdecroirequejetomberaisurluiimmediatementet
quejecommenceraialebattrecommeplatre.Touscesgensdubasetagesontcommeca
whentheyhavetodowithagentleman.IneedhardlysayIunderstooditallatonce.Voild
vingtansquejem'yprepare. Iopenedallthedrawersandhandedhimallthekeys;Igave
themmyself,Igavehimall.J'etaisdigneetcalme.Fromthebookshetooktheforeignedition
ofHerzen,theboundvolumeofTheSell,fourcopiesofmypoem,etenfintoutfa.Thenhe
tookmylettersandmypapers etquelquesunesdemesebaucheshistoriques,critiqueset
politiques. Allthattheycarriedoff.Nastasyasaysthatasoldierwheeledthemawayina
barrow and covered them withanapron; oui, c'est cela, with anapron. It sounded like
delirium.Whocouldmakeheadortailofit?Ipeltedhimwithquestionsagain.HadBlum
comealone,orwithothers?Onwhoseauthority?Bywhatright?Howhadhedared?Howdid
heexplainit?

Il etait seul, bien seul, but there was some one else dans I'antichambre, oui, je m'en
souviens,etpuis...ThoughIbelievetherewassomeoneelsebesides,andtherewasaguard
standingintheentry.YoumustaskNastasya;sheknowsallaboutitbetterthanIdo.J'etais
surexcite,voyezvous.Ilparlait,ilparlait...untasdechases;hesaidverylittlethough,it
wasIsaidallthat....Itoldhimthestoryofmylife,simplyfromthatpointofview,ofcourse.
J'etaissurexcite,maisdigne,jevousassure. ...Iamafraid,though,Imayhaveshedtears.
Theygotthebarrowfromtheshopnextdoor.

Oh,heavens!howcouldallthishavehappened?Butformercy'ssake,speakmoreexactly,
StepanTrofimovitch.Whatyoutellmesoundslikeadream.

Cher, IfeelasthoughIwereinadreammyself.... Savezvous!Ilaprononcelenomde

Telyatnikof, andIbelievethatthatmanwasconcealedintheentry.Yes,Iremember,he
suggested:callingtheprosecutorandDmitriDmitritch,Ibelieve...; quimedoitencore
quinzeroublesIwonatcards,soitAitenpassant.Enfin,jen'aipastropcompris.ButIgotthe
betterofthem,andwhatdoIcareforDmitriDmitritch?IbelieveIbeggedhimveryearnestly
tokeepitquiet;Ibeggedhimparticularly,mostparticularly.IamafraidIdemeanedmyself,
infact,commentcroyezvous?Enfinilaconsenti.Yes,Iremember,hesuggestedthathimself
thatitwouldbebettertokeepitquiet,forhehadonlycome'tohavealookround' etrien
deplus, andnothingmore,nothingmore...andthatiftheyfindnothing,nothingwill
happen.Sothatweendeditallenamis,jesuistoutafaitcontent.

Why, then he suggested the usual course of proceedings in such cases and regular
guarantees,andyourejectedthemyourself,Icriedwithfriendlyindignation.

Yes,it'sbetterwithouttheguarantees.Andwhymakeascandal?Let'skeepit enamis so
longaswecan.Youknow,inourtown,iftheygettoknowit...mesennemis,etpuis,aquoi
bon,leprocureur,cecochondenotreprocureur,quideuxfoism'amanquedepolitesseet
qu'onarosseaplaisirVautreanneechezcettecharmanteetbelleNatalyaPavlovnaquandil
secachadanssonboudoir.Etpuis,monami,don'tmakeobjectionsanddon'tdepressme,I
begyou,fornothingismoreunbearablewhenamanisintroublethanforahundredfriendsto
pointouttohimwhatafoolhehasmadeofhimself.Sitdownthoughandhavesometea.I
mustadmitIamawfullytired....Hadn'tIbetterliedownandputvinegaronmyhead?What
doyouthink?

Certainly,Icried,iceeven.Youareverymuchupset.Youarepaleandyourhandsare
trembling.Liedown,rest,andputofftellingme.I'llsitbyyouandwait.

Hehesitated,butIinsistedonhislyingdown.Nastasyabroughtacupofvinegar.Iwetteda
towelandlaiditonhishead.ThenNastasyastoodonachairandbeganlightingalampbefore
theikoninthecorner.Inoticedthiswithsurprise;therehadneverbeenalamptherebefore
andnowsuddenlyithadmadeitsappearance.

Iarrangedforthatassoonastheyhadgoneaway,mutteredStepanTrofimovitch,lookingat
meslyly.Quandonadeceschosesladanssachambreetqu'onvientvousarreteritmakes
animpressionandtheyaresuretoreportthattheyhaveseenit....
Whenshehaddonethelamp,Nastasyastoodinthedoorway,leanedhercheekinherright
hand,andbegangazingathimwithalachrymoseair.

Eloignezla onsomeexcuse,henoddedtomefromthesofa.Ican'tendurethisRussian
sympathy,etpuiscam'embete.

Butshewentawayofherself.Inoticedthathekeptlookingtowardsthedoorandlisteningfor
soundsinthepassage.

Ilfautetreprit,voyezvous,hesaid,lookingatmesignificantly,chaquemoment...they
maycomeandtakeoneand,phew!amandisappears.

Heavens!who'llcome?Whowilltakeyou?

Voyezvous,moncher,Iaskedstraightoutwhenhewasgoingaway,whatwouldtheydoto
menow.

You'dbetterhaveaskedthemwhereyou'dbeexiled!Icriedoutinthesameindignation.

That'sjustwhatImeantwhenIasked,buthewentawaywithoutanswering.Voyezvous:as
forlinen,clothes,warmthingsespecially,thatmustbeastheydecide;iftheytellmetotake
themallright,ortheymightsendmeinasoldier'sovercoat.ButIthrustthirtyfiveroubles
(hesuddenlydroppedhisvoice,lookingtowardsthedoorbywhichNastasyahadgoneout)
inaslitinmywaistcoatpocket,here,feel....Ibelievetheywon'ttakethewaistcoatoff,and
leftsevenroublesinmypursetokeepupappearances,asthoughthatwereallIhave.You
see,it'sinsmallchangeandthecoppersareonthetable,sotheywon'tguessthatI'vehidden
themoney,butwillsupposethatthat'sall.ForGodknowswhereImayhavetosleepto
night!

Ibowedmyheadbeforesuchmadness.Itwasobviousthatamancouldnotbearrestedand
searchedinthewayhewasdescribing,andhemusthavemixedthingsup.It'strueitall
happenedinthedaysbeforeourpresent,morerecentregulations.Itistrue,too,thataccording
tohisownaccounttheyhadofferedtofollowthemoreregularprocedure,buthegotthe
betterofthemandrefused....Ofcoursenotlongagoagovernormight,inextremecases....
Buthowcouldthisbeanextremecase?That'swhatbaffledme.

NodoubttheyhadatelegramfromPetersburg,StepanTrofimovitchsaidsuddenly.

Atelegram?Aboutyou?BecauseoftheworksofHerzenandyourpoem?Haveyoutaken
leaveofyoursenses?Whatisthereinthattoarrestyoufor?

I was positively angry. He made a grimace and was evidently mortifiednot at my

exclamation,butattheideathattherewasnogroundforarrest.

Whocantellinourdaywhathemaynotbearrestedfor?hemutteredenigmatically.
Awildandnonsensicalideacrossedmymind.

StepanTrofimovitch,tellmeasafriend,Icried,asarealfriend,Iwillnotbetrayyou:do
youbelongtosomesecretsocietyornot?

Andonthis,tomyamazement,hewasnotquitecertainwhetherhewasorwasnotamember
ofsomesecretsociety.

Thatdepends,voyezvous.'

Howdoyoumean'itdepends'?

Whenwithone'swholeheartoneisanadherentofprogressand...whocananswerit?You
maysupposeyoudon'tbelong,andsuddenlyitturnsoutthatyoudobelongtosomething.

Nowisthatpossible?It'sacaseofyesorno.

CeladatedePetersburg whensheandIweremeaningtofoundamagazinethere.That's
what'sattherootofit.Shegavethemtheslipthen,andtheyforgotus,butnowthey've
remembered.Cher,cher,don'tyouknowme?hecriedhysterically.Andthey'lltakeus,put
usinacart,andmarchusofftoSiberiaforever,orforgetusinprison.

Andhesuddenlybrokeintobitterweeping.Histearspositivelystreamed.Hecoveredhisface
withhisredsilkhandkerchiefandsobbed,sobbedconvulsivelyforfiveminutes.Itwrungmy
heart.Thiswasthemanwhohadbeenaprophetamongusfortwentyyears,aleader,a
patriarch,theKukolnikwhohadbornehimselfsoloftilyandmajesticallybeforeallofus,
beforewhomweboweddownwithgenuinereverence,feelingproudofdoingsoandallofa
suddenherehewassobbing,sobbinglikeanaughtychildwaitingfortherodwhichthe
teacherisfetchingforhim.Ifeltfearfullysorryforhim.Hebelievedintherealityofthat
cartashebelievedthatIwassittingbyhisside,andheexpecteditthatmorning,atonce,
thatveryminute,andallthisonaccountofhisHerzenandsomepoem!Suchcomplete,
absoluteignoranceofeverydayrealitywastouchingandsomehowrepulsive.

Atlastheleftoffcrying,gotupfromthesofaandbeganwalkingabouttheroomagain,
continuingtotalktome,thoughhelookedoutofthewindoweveryminuteandlistenedto
everysoundinthepassage.Ourconversationwasstilldisconnected.Allmyassurancesand
attemptstoconsolehimreboundedfromhimlikepeasfromawall.Hescarcelylistened,but
yetwhatheneededwasthatIshouldconsolehimandkeepontalkingwiththatobject.Isaw
thathecouldnotdowithoutmenow,andwouldnotletmegoforanything.Iremained,and
wespentmorethantwohourstogether.InconversationherecalledthatBlumhadtakenwith
himtwomanifestoeshehadfound.

Manifestoes!Isaid,foolishlyfrightened.Doyoumeantosayyou...

Oh,tenwerelefthere,heansweredwithvexation(hetalkedtomeatonemomentina
vexedandhaughtytoneandatthenextwithdreadfulplaintivenessandhumiliation),butI
haddisposedofeightalready,andBlumonlyfoundtwo.Andhesuddenlyflushedwith
indignation.Vousmemettezaveccesgensla!DoyousupposeIcouldbeworkingwiththose
scoundrels,thoseanonymouslibellers,withmysonPyotrStepanovitch,aveccesespritsforts
delaachete?Oh,heavens!

Bah!haven'ttheymixedyouupperhaps?...Butit'snonsense,itcan'tbeso,Iobserved.

Savezvous, broke from him suddenly, I feel at moments que je ferai idbas quelque
esclandre.Oh,don'tgoaway,don'tleavemealone!Macarriereestfinieaujourd'hui,jele
sens.Doyouknow,Imightfallonsomebodythereandbitehim,likethatlieutenant.

Helookedatmewithastrangeexpressionalarmed,andatthesametimeanxioustoalarm
me.Hecertainlywasgettingmoreandmoreexasperatedwithsomebodyandaboutsomething
astimewentonandthepolicecartdidnotappear;hewaspositivelywrathful.Suddenly
Nastasya,whohadcomefromthekitchenintothepassageforsomereason,upsetaclothes
horsethere.StepanTrofimovitchtrembledandturnednumbwithterrorashesat;butwhen
thenoisewasexplained,healmostshriekedatNastasyaand,stamping,droveherbacktothe
kitchen.Aminutelaterhesaid,lookingatmeindespair:Iamruined!Cherhesatdown
suddenlybesidemeandlookedpiteouslyintomyfacecher,it'snotSiberiaIamafraidof,
Iswear.Oh,jevousjure!(Tearspositivelystoodinhiseyes.)It'ssomethingelseIfear.

Isawfromhisexpressionthathewantedatlasttotellmesomethingofgreatimportance
whichhehadtillnowrefrainedfromtelling.

I am afraid of disgrace, he whispered mysteriously. What disgrace? On the contrary!

Believeme,StepanTrofimovitch,thatallthiswillbeexplainedtodayandwillendtoyour
advantage....

Areyousosurethattheywillpardonme?

Pardonyou?What!Whataword!Whathaveyoudone?Iassureyouyou'vedonenothing.

Qu'ensavezvous;allmylifehasbeen...cher...They'llremembereverything...andif
theyfindnothing,itwillbeworsestill,headdedallofasudden,unexpectedly.Howdoyou
meanitwillbeworse?

Itwillbeworse.

Idon'tunderstand.

Myfriend,letitbeSiberia,Archangel,lossofrightsifImustperish,letmeperish!But...I
amafraidofsomethingelse.(Againwhispering,ascaredface,mystery.)Butofwhat?Of
what?

They'llflogme,hepronounced,lookingatmewithafaceofdespair.
Who'llflogyou?Whatfor?Where?Icried,feelingalarmedthathewasgoingoutofhis
mind.

Where?Whythere...where'that's'done.

Butwhereisitdone?

Eh,cher,'hewhisperedalmostinmyear.Thefloorsuddenlygiveswayunderyou,you
drophalfthrough....Everyoneknowsthat.

Legends!Icried,guessingwhathemeant.Oldtales.Canyouhavebelievedthemtill
now?Ilaughed.

Tales!Buttheremustbefoundationforthem;floggedmentellnotales.I'veimagineditten
thousandtimes.

Butyou,whyyou?You'vedonenothing,youknow.

Thatmakesitworse.They'llfindoutI'vedonenothingandflogmeforit.

Andyouaresurethatyou'llbetakentoPetersburgforthat.

Myfriend,I'vetoldyoualreadythatIregretnothing,macarriereestfinie.Fromthathour
whenshesaidgoodbyetomeatSkvoreshnikimylifehashadnovalueforme...but
disgrace,disgrace,quediratelleifshefindsout?

Helookedatmeindespair.Andthepoorfellowflushedallover.Idroppedmyeyestoo.

She'llfindoutnothing,fornothingwillhappentoyou.IfeelasifIwerespeakingtoyoufor
thefirsttimeinmylife,StepanTrofimovitch,you'veastonishedmesothismorning.

But,myfriend,thisisn'tfear.ForevenifIampardoned,evenifIambroughthereand
nothingisdonetomethenIamundone. Ellemesoupfonneratoutesavieme,me,the
poet,thethinker,themanwhomshehasworshippedfortwentytwoyears!

Itwillneverenterherhead.

It will, he whispered with profound conviction. We've talked of it several times in

Petersburg, in Lent, before we came away, when we were both afraid. . . . Elle me
soupfonneratoutesavie...andhowcanIdisabuseher?Itwon'tsoundlikely.Andinthis
wretchedtownwho'dbelieveit, c'estinvraisemblable....Etpuislesfemmes, shewillbe
pleased.Shewillbegenuinelygrievedlikeatruefriend,butsecretlyshewillbepleased....I
shallgiveheraweaponagainstmefortherestofmylife.Oh,it'salloverwithme!Twenty
yearsofsuchperfecthappinesswithher...andnow!Hehidhisfaceinhishands.

Stepan Trofimovitch, oughtn't you to let Varvara Petrovna know at once of what has
happened?Isuggested.

Godpreserveme!hecried,shudderingandleapingupfromhisplace.Onnoaccount,
never,afterwhatwassaidatpartingatSkvoreshnikinever!Hiseyesflashed.

Wewentonsittingtogetheranotherhourormore,Ibelieve,expectingsomethingallthetime
theideahadtakensuchholdofus.Helaydownagain,evenclosedhiseyes,andlayfor
twentyminuteswithoututteringaword, sothat Ithoughthewasasleeporunconscious.
Suddenlyhegotupimpulsively,pulledthetoweloffhishead,jumpedupfromthesofa,
rushedtothelookingglass,withtremblinghandstiedhiscravat,andinavoiceofthunder
calledtoNastasya,tellinghertogivehimhisovercoat,hisnewhatandhisstick.

Icanbearnomore,hesaidinabreakingvoice.Ican't,Ican't!Iamgoingmyself.

Where?Icried,jumpinguptoo.

ToLembke. Cher, Iought,Iamobliged.It'smyduty.Iamacitizenandaman,nota

worthlesschip.Ihaverights;Iwantmyrights....FortwentyyearsI'venotinsistedonmy
rights.AllmylifeI'veneglectedthemcriminally...butnowI'lldemandthem.Hemusttell
meeverythingeverything.Hereceivedatelegram.Hedarenottortureme;ifso,lethim
arrestme,lethimarrestme!

Hestampedandvociferatedalmostwithshrieks.Iapproveofwhatyousay,Isaid,speaking
ascalmlyaspossible,onpurpose,thoughIwasverymuchafraidforhim.

Certainlyitisbetterthansittinghereinsuchmisery,butIcan'tapproveofyourstateof
mind.Justseewhatyoulooklikeandinwhatastateyouaregoingthere!Ilfautetredigneet
calmeavecLembke.Youreallymightrushatsomeonethereandbitehim.

Iamgivingmyselfup.IamwalkingstraightintothejawsoftheHon....

I'llgowithyou.

Iexpectednolessofyou,Iacceptyoursacrifice,thesacrificeofatruefriend;butonlyasfar
asthehouse,onlyasfarasthehouse.Yououghtnot,youhavenorighttocompromise
yourselffurtherbybeingmyconfederate.Oh,croyezmoi,jeseraicalme.IfeelthatIamat
thismomentdlahauteurdetoutcequeilyadeplussacre....

Imayperhapsgointothehousewithyou,Iinterruptedhim.Ihadamessagefromtheir
stupidcommitteeyesterdaythroughVysotskythattheyreckononmeandinvitemetothefile
tomorrowasoneofthestewardsorwhateveritis...oneofthesixyoungmenwhosedutyit
istolookafterthetrays,waitontheladies,takethegueststotheirplaces,andweararosette
ofcrimsonandwhiteribbonontheleftshoulder.Imeanttorefuse,butnowwhyshouldn'tI
gointothehouseontheexcuseofseeingYuliaMihailovnaherselfaboutit?...Sowewillgo
intogether.
Helistened,nodding,butIthinkheunderstoodnothing.Westoodonthethreshold.

Cherhestretchedouthisarmtothelampbeforetheikoncher,Ihaveneverbelieved
inthis,but...sobeit,sobeit!Hecrossedhimself.Allans!

Well,that'sbetterso,IthoughtasIwentoutontothestepswithhim.Thefreshairwilldo
himgoodontheway,andweshallcalmdown,turnback,andgohometobed....

ButIreckonedwithoutmyhost.OnthewayanadventureoccurredwhichagitatedStepan
Trofimovitchevenmore,andfinallydeterminedhimtogoon...sothatIshouldneverhave
expectedofourfriendsomuchspiritashesuddenlydisplayedthatmorning.Poorfriend,
kindheartedfriend!

CHAPTERX.FILIBUSTERS.AFATALMORNING

theadventurethatbefellusonthewaywasalsoasurprisingone.ButImusttellthestoryin
dueorder.AnhourbeforeStepanTrofimovitchandIcameoutintothestreet,acrowdof
people,thehandsfromShpigulins'factory,seventyormoreinnumber,hadbeenmarching
through the town, and had been an object of curiosity to many spectators. They walked
intentionallyingoodorderandalmostinsilence.Afterwardsitwasassertedthattheseseventy
hadbeenelectedoutofthewholenumberoffactoryhands,amountingtoaboutninehundred,
togotothegovernorandtotryandgetfromhim,intheabsenceoftheiremployer,ajust
settlementoftheirgrievancesagainstthemanager,who,inclosingthefactoryanddismissing
theworkmen,hadcheatedthemallinanimpudentwayafactwhichhassincebeenproved
conclusively.Somepeoplestilldenythattherewasanyelectionofdelegates,maintainingthat
seventywastoolargeanumbertoelect,andthatthecrowdsimplyconsistedofthosewhohad
beenmostunfairlytreated,andthattheyonlycametoaskforhelpintheirowncase,sothat
thegeneralmutinyofthefactoryworkers,aboutwhichtherewassuchanuproarlateron,
hadneverexistedatall.Othersfiercelymaintainedthattheseseventymenwerenotsimple
strikersbutrevolutionists,thatis,notmerelythattheywerethemostturbulent,butthatthey
musthavebeenworkeduponbyseditiousmanifestoes.Thefactis,itisstilluncertainwhether
therehadbeenanyoutsideinfluenceorincitementatworkornot.Myprivateopinionisthat
theworkmenhadnotreadtheseditiousmanifestoesatall,andiftheyhadreadthem,would
nothaveunderstoodoneword,foronereasonbecausetheauthorsofsuchliteraturewritevery
obscurelyinspiteoftheboldnessoftheirstyle.Butastheworkmenreallywereinadifficult
plightandthepolicetowhomtheyappealedwouldnotenterintotheirgrievances,whatcould
bemorenaturalthantheirideaofgoinginabodytothegeneralhimselfifpossible,withthe
petitionattheirhead,formingupinanorderlywaybeforehisdoor,andassoonasheshowed
himself,allfallingontheirkneesandcryingouttohimastoprovidenceitself?Tomymind
thereisnoneedtoseeinthisamutinyorevenadeputation,forit'satraditional,historical
modeofaction;theRussianpeoplehavealwayslovedtoparleywiththegeneralhimselffor
themeresatisfactionofdoingso,regardlessofhowtheconversationmayend.

AndsoIamquiteconvincedthat,eventhoughPyotrStepanovitch,Liputin,andperhapssome
othersperhapsevenFedkatoohadbeenflittingaboutamongtheworkpeopletalkingto
them(andthereisfairlygoodevidenceofthis),theyhadonlyapproachedtwo,three,fiveat
themost,tryingtosoundthem,andnothinghadcomeoftheirconversation.Asforthemutiny
they advocated, if the factoryworkers did understand anything of their propaganda, they
wouldhaveleftofflisteningtoitatonceastosomethingstupidthathadnothingtodowith
them.Fedkawasadifferentmatter:hehadmoresuccess,Ibelieve,thanPyotrStepanovitch.
TwoworkmenarenowknownforafacttohaveassistedFedkaincausingthefireinthetown
whichoccurredthreedaysafterwards,andamonthlaterthreemenwhohadworkedinthe
factorywerearrestedforrobberyandarsonintheprovince.ButifinthesecasesFedkadid
lurethemtodirectandimmediateaction,hecouldonlyhavesucceededwiththesefive,for
weheardofnothingofthesortbeingdonebyothers.

Bethatasitmay,thewholecrowdofworkpeoplehadatlastreachedtheopenspaceinfront
ofthegovernor'shouseandweredrawnupthereinsilenceandgoodorder.Then,gaping
openmouthedatthefrontdoor,theywaited.Iamtoldthatassoonastheyhaltedtheytook
offtheircaps,thatis,agoodhalfhourbeforetheappearanceofthegovernor,who,asillluck
wouldhaveit,wasnotathomeatthemoment.Thepolicemadetheirappearanceatonce,at
first individual policemen and then as large a contingent of them as could be gathered
together; they began, of course, by being menacing, ordering them to break up. But the
workmenremainedobstinately,likeaflockofsheepatafence,andrepliedlaconicallythat
theyhadcometoseethegeneralhimself";itwasevidentthattheywerefirmlydetermined.
Theunnaturalshoutingofthepoliceceased,andwasquicklysucceededbydeliberations,
mysteriouswhisperedinstructions,andstern,fussyperplexity,whichwrinkledthebrowsof
thepoliceofficers.Theheadofthepolicepreferredtoawaitthearrivalofthegovernor
himself.Itwasnottruethathegallopedtothespotwiththreehorsesatfullspeed,andbegan
hittingoutrightandleftbeforehealightedfromhiscarriage.It'struethatheusedtodash
aboutandwasfondofdashingaboutatfullspeedinacarriagewithayellowback,andwhile
his tracehorses, who were so trained to carry their heads that they looked positively
perverted,gallopedmoreandmorefrantically,rousingtheenthusiasmofalltheshopkeepers
inthebazaar,hewouldriseupinthecarriage,standerect,holdingonbyastrapwhichhad
beenfixedonpurposeattheside,andwithhisrightarmextendedintospacelikeafigureona
monument,surveythetownmajestically.Butinthepresentcasehedidnotusehisfists,and
thoughashegotoutofthecarriagehecouldnotrefrainfromaforcibleexpression,thiswas
simplydonetokeepuphispopularity.Thereisastillmoreabsurdstorythatsoldierswere
broughtupwithbayonets,andthatatelegramwassentforartilleryandCossacks;thoseare
legendswhicharenotbelievednowevenbythosewhoinventedthem.It'sanabsurdstory,
too,thatbarrelsofwaterwerebroughtfromthefirebrigade,andthatpeopleweredrenched
withwaterfromthem.ThesimplefactisthatIlyaIlyitchshoutedinhisheatthathewouldn't
letoneofthemcomedryoutofthewater;probablythiswasthefoundationofthebarrel
legendwhichgotintothecolumnsofthePetersburgandMoscownewspapers.Probablythe
mostaccurateversionwasthatatfirstalltheavailablepoliceformedacordonroundthe
crowd,andamessengerwassentforLembke,apolicesuperintendent,whodashedoffinthe
carriage belonging to the head of the police on the way to Skvoreshniki, knowing that
Lembkehadgonethereinhiscarriagehalfanhourbefore.
ButImustconfessthatIamstillunabletoanswerthequestionhowtheycouldatfirstsight,
fromthefirstmoment,havetransformedaninsignificant,thatistosayanordinary,crowdof
petitioners,eventhoughtherewereseveralofthem,intoarebellionwhichthreatenedtoshake
thefoundationsofthe state. WhydidLembke himselfrushatthatidea whenhearrived
twentyminutesafterthemessenger?Iimagine(butagainit'sonlymyprivateopinion)thatit
wastotheinterestofIlyaIlyitch,whowasacronyofthefactorymanager's,torepresentthe
crowdinthislighttoLembke,inordertopreventhimfromgoingintothecase;andLembke
himselfhadputtheideaintohishead.Inthecourseofthelasttwodays,hehadhadtwo
unusualandmysteriousconversationswithMm.Itistruetheywereexceedinglyobscure,but
IlyaIlyitchwasabletogatherfromthemthatthegovernorhadthoroughlymadeuphismind
thattherewerepoliticalmanifestoes,andthatShpigulins'factoryhandswerebeingincitedto
aSocialistrising,andthathewassopersuadedofitthathewouldperhapshaveregretteditif
thestoryhadturnedouttobenonsense.HewantstogetdistinctioninPetersburg,ourwily
IlyaIlyitchthoughttohimselfasheleftVonLembke;well,thatjustsuitsme.

ButIamconvincedthatpoorAndreyAntonovitchwouldnothavedesiredarebellionevenfor
thesakeofdistinguishinghimself.Hewasamostconscientiousofficial,whohadlivedina
stateofinnocenceuptothetimeofhismarriage.Andwasithisfaultthat,insteadofan
innocent allowance of wood from the government and an equally innocent Minnchen, a
princessoffortysummershadraisedhimtoherlevel?Iknowalmostforcertainthatthe
unmistakablesymptomsofthementalconditionwhichbroughtpoorAndreyAntonovitchtoa
wellknownestablishmentinSwitzerland,where,Iamtold,heisnowregaininghisenergies,
were first apparent on that fatal morning. But once we admit that unmistakable signs of
somethingwerevisiblethatmorning,itmaywellbeallowedthatsimilarsymptoms.mayhave
beenevidentthedaybefore,thoughnotsoclearly.Ihappentoknowfromthemostprivate
sources(well,youmayassumethatYuliaMihailovnalateron,notintriumphbutalmostin
remorseforawomanisincapableofcompleteremorserevealedpartofittomeherself)
thatAndreyAntonovitchhadgoneintohiswife'sroominthemiddleofthepreviousnight,
pasttwoo'clockinthemorning,hadwakedherup,andhadinsistedonherlisteningtohis
ultimatum.''Hedemandeditsoinsistentlythatshewasobligedtogetupfromherbedin
indignationandcurlpapers,and,sittingdownonacouch,shehadtolisten,thoughwith
sarcastic disdain. Only then she grasped for the first time how far gone her Andrey
Antonovitchwas,andwassecretlyhorrified.Sheoughttohavethoughtwhatshewasabout
andhavebeensoftened,butsheconcealedherhorrorandwasmoreobstinatethanever.Like
everywifeshehadherownmethodoftreatingAndreyAntonovitch,whichshehadtriedmore
thanoncealreadyandwithitdrivenhimtofrenzy.YuliaMihailovna'smethodwasthatof
contemptuoussilence,foronehour,two,awholeday.andalmostforthreedaysandnights
silencewhateverhappened,whateverhesaid,whateverhedid,evenifhehadclamberedupto
throw himself out of a threestory windowa method unendurable for a sensitive man!
WhetherYuliaMihailovnameanttopunishherhusbandforhisblundersofthelastfewdays
andthejealousenvyhe,asthechiefauthorityinthetown,feltforheradministrativeabilities;
whethershewasindignantathiscriticismofherbehaviourwiththeyoungpeopleandlocal
societygenerally,andlackofcomprehensionofhersubtleandfarsightedpoliticalaims;or
wasangrywithhisstupidandsenselessjealousyofPyotrStepanovitchhoweverthatmay
havebeen,shemadeuphermindnottobesoftenedevennow,inspiteofitsbeingthree
o'clockatnight,andthoughAndreyAntonovitchwasinastateofemotionsuchasshehad
neverseenhiminbefore.

Pacingupanddowninalldirectionsovertherugsofherboudoir,besidehimself,hepoured
out everything, everything, quite disconnectedly, it's true, but everything that had been
ranklinginhisheart,foritwasoutrageous.Hebeganbysayingthathewasalaughing
stocktoeveryoneandwasbeingledbythenose.

Cursetheexpression,hesquealed,atoncecatchinghersmile,letitstand,it'strue....No,
madam,thetimehascome;letmetellyouit'snotatimeforlaughterandfeminineartsnow.
Wearenotintheboudoirofamincinglady,butliketwoabstractcreaturesinaballoonwho
havemettospeakthetruth.(Hewasnodoubtconfusedandcouldnotfindtherightwords
forhisideas,howeverjusttheywere.)Itisyou,madam,youwhohavedestroyedmyhappy
past.Itookupthispostsimplyforyoursake,forthesakeofyourambition....Yousmile
sarcastically?Don'ttriumph,don'tbeinahurry.Letmetellyou,madam,letmetellyouthatI
shouldhavebeenequaltothisposition,andnotonlythispositionbutadozenpositionslikeit,
forIhaveabilities;butwithyou,madam,withyouit'simpossible,forwithyouhereIhave
noabilities.Therecannotbetwocentres,andyouhavecreatedtwooneofmineandonein
yourboudoirtwocentresofpower,madam,butIwon'tallowit,Iwon'tallowit!Inthe
service,asinmarriage,theremustbeonecentre,twoareimpossible....Howhaveyourepaid
me?hewenton.Ourmarriagehasbeennothingbutyourprovingtomeallthetime,every
hour,thatIamanonentity,afool,andevenarascal,andIhavebeenallthetime,everyhour,
forcedinadegradingwaytoprovetoyouthatIamnotanonentity,notafoolatall,andthatI
impresseveryonewithmyhonourablecharacter.Isn'tthatdegradingforbothsides?

Atthispointhebeganrapidlystampingwithbothfeetonthecarpet,sothatYuliaMihailovna
wasobligedtogetupwithsterndignity.Hesubsidedquickly,butpassedtobeingpathetic
andbegansobbing(yes,sobbing!),beatinghimselfonthebreastalmostforfiveminutes,
gettingmoreandmorefranticatYuliaMihailovna'sprofoundsilence.Atlasthemadeafatal
blunder,andletslipthathewasjealousofPyotrStepanovitch.Realisingthathehadmadean
utterfoolofhimself,hebecamesavagelyfurious,andshoutedthathewouldnotallowthem
todenyGodandthathewouldsendhersalonofirresponsibleinfidelspacking,thatthe
governorofaprovincewasboundtobelieveinGodandsohiswifewastoo,thathe
wouldn'tputupwiththeseyoungmen;thatyou,madam,forthesakeofyourowndignity,
oughttohavethoughtofyourhusbandandtohavestoodupforhisintelligenceevenifhe
wereamanofpoorabilities(andI'mbynomeansamanofpoorabilities!),andyetit'syour
doingthateveryoneheredespisesme,itwasyouputthemalluptoit!Heshoutedthathe
would annihilate the woman question, that he would eradicate every trace of it, that to
morrowhewouldforbidandbreakuptheirsillyfeteforthebenefitofthegovernesses(damn
them!),thatthefirstgovernesshecameacrosstomorrowmorninghewoulddriveoutofthe
provincewithaCossack!I'llmakeapointofit!heshrieked.Doyouknow,hescreamed,
doyouknowthatyourrascalsareincitingmenatthefactory,andthatIknowit?Letmetell
you, I know the names of four of these rascals and that I am going out of my mind,
hopelessly,hopelessly!...

ButatthispointYuliaMihailovnasuddenlybrokehersilenceandsternlyannouncedthatshe
hadlongbeenawareofthesecriminaldesigns,andthatitwasallfoolishness,andthathehad
takenittooseriously,andthatasforthesemischievousfellows,sheknewnotonlythosefour
butallofthem(itwasalie);butthatshehadnotthefaintestintentionofgoingoutofher
mindonaccountofit,but,onthecontrary,hadallthemoreconfidenceinherintelligenceand
hopedtobringitalltoaharmoniousconclusion:toencouragetheyoungpeople,tobring
themtoreason,toshowthemsuddenlyandunexpectedlythattheirdesignswereknown,and
thentopointouttothemnewaimsforrationalandmorenobleactivity.

Oh, how can I describe the effect of this on Andrey Antonovitch! Hearing that Pyotr
Stepanovitchhaddupedhimagainandhadmadeafoolofhimsocoarsely,thathehadtold
her much more than he had told him, and sooner than him, and that perhaps Pyotr
Stepanovitchwasthechiefinstigatorofallthesecriminaldesignsheflewintoafrenzy.
Senselessbutmalignantwoman,hecried,snappinghisbondsatoneblow,letmetellyou,
Ishallarrestyourworthlessloveratonce,Ishallputhiminfettersandsendhimtothe
fortress,orIshalljumpoutofwindowbeforeyoureyesthisminute!

Yulia Mihailovna, turning green with anger, greeted this tirade at once with a burst of
prolonged,ringinglaughter,goingoffintopealssuchasonehearsattheFrenchtheatrewhen
aParisianactress,importedforafeeofahundredthousandtoplayacoquette,laughsinher
husband'sfacefordaringtobejealousofher.

VonLembkerushedtothewindow,butsuddenlystoppedasthoughrootedtothespot,folded
hisarmsacrosshischest,and,whiteasacorpse,lookedwithasinistergazeatthelaughing
lady.Doyouknow,Yulia,doyouknow,hesaidinagaspingandsuppliantvoice,doyou
know that even I can do something? But at the renewed and even louder laughter that
followedhislastwordsheclenchedhis,teeth,groaned,andsuddenlyrushed,nottowardsthe
window,butathisspouse,withhisfistraised!Hedidnotbringitdownno,Irepeatagain
andagain,no;butitwasthelaststraw.Herantohisownroom,notknowingwhathewas
doing, flung himself, dressed as he was, face downwards on his bed, wrapped himself
convulsively, head and all, in the sheet, and lay so for two hours incapable of sleep,
incapableofthought,withaloadonhisheartandblank,immovabledespairinhissoul.Now
andthenheshiveredalloverwithanagonising,feverishtremor.Disconnectedandirrelevant
thingskeptcomingintohismind:atoneminutehethoughtoftheoldclockwhichusedto
hangonhiswallfifteenyearsagoinPetersburgandhadlosttheminutehand;atanotherof
the cheerful clerk, Millebois, and how they had once caught a sparrow together in
Alexandrovsky Park and had laughed so that they could be heard all over the park,
rememberingthatoneofthemwasalreadyacollegeassessor.Iimaginethataboutsevenin
themorninghemusthavefallenasleepwithoutbeingawareofithimself,andmusthaveslept
withenjoyment,withagreeabledreams.

Wakingaboutteno'clock,hejumpedwildlyoutofbedrememberedeverythingatonce,and
slappedhimselfonthehead;herefusedhisbreakfast,andwouldseeneitherBlumnorthe
chiefofthepolicenortheclerkwhocametoremindhimthathewasexpectedtopresideover
ameetingthatmorning;hewouldlistentonothing,anddidnotwanttounderstand.Heran
likeonepossessedtoYuliaMihailovna'spartofthehouse.ThereSofyaAntropovna,anold
ladyofgoodfamilywhohadlivedforyearswithYuliaMihailovna,explainedtohimthathis
wifehadsetoffatteno'clockthatmorningwithalargecompanyinthreecarriagestoVarvara
PetrovnaStavrogin's,toSkvoreshniki,tolookovertheplacewithaviewtothesecondfete
whichwasplannedforafortnightlater,andthatthevisittodayhadbeenarrangedwith
Varvara Petrovna three days before. Overwhelmed with this news, Andrey Antonovitch
returnedtohisstudyandimpulsivelyorderedthehorses.Hecouldhardlywaitforthemtobe
gotready.HissoulwashungeringforYuliaMihailovnatolookather,tobenearherfor
fiveminutes;perhapsshewouldglanceathim,noticehim,wouldsmileasbefore,forgive
him...0oh!Aren'tthehorsesready?Mechanicallyheopenedathickbooklyingonthe
table.(Hesometimesusedtotryhisfortuneinthiswaywithabook,openingitatrandomand
readingthethreelinesatthetopoftherighthandpage.)Whatturnedupwas:Toutestpour
le mieux dans le meilleur des mondes possibles. Voltaire, Candide. He uttered an
ejaculationofcontemptandrantogetintothecarriage.Skvoreshniki!

Thecoachmansaidafterwardsthathismasterurgedhimonalltheway,butassoonasthey
weregettingnearthemansionhesuddenlytoldhimtoturnanddrivebacktothetown,
biddinghimDrivefast;pleasedrivefast!Beforetheyreachedthetownwallmastertold
metostopagain,gotoutofthecarriage,andwentacrosstheroadintothefield;Ithoughthe
feltillbuthestoppedandbeganlookingattheflowers,andsohestoodforatime.Itwas
strange,really;Ibegantofeelquiteuneasy.Thiswasthecoachman'stestimony.Iremember
theweatherthat morning:itwasacold, clear,butwindySeptemberday; beforeAndrey
Antonovitchstretchedaforbiddinglandscapeofbarefieldsfromwhichthecrophadlong
beenharvested;therewereafewdyingyellowflowers,pitifulrelicsblownaboutbythe
howlingwind.Didhewanttocomparehimselfandhisfatewiththosewretchedflowers
batteredbytheautumnandthefrost?Idon'tthinkso;infactIfeelsureitwasnotso,andthat
herealisednothingabouttheflowersinspiteoftheevidenceofthecoachmanandofthe
policesuperintendent,whodroveupatthatmomentandassertedafterwardsthathefoundthe
governorwithabunchofyellowflowersinhishand.Thispolicesuperintendent,Flibusterov
byname,wasanardentchampionofauthoritywhohadonlyrecentlycometoourtownbut
hadalreadydistinguishedhimselfandbecomefamousbyhisinordinatezeal,byacertain
vehemenceintheexecutionofhisduties,andhisinveterateinebriety.Jumpingoutofthe
carriage,andnottheleastdisconcertedatthesightofwhatthegovernorwasdoing,heblurted
outallinonebreath,withafranticexpression,yetwithanairofconviction,thatThere'san
upsetinthetown.

Eh?What?saidAndreyAntonovitch,turningtohimwithasternface,butwithoutatraceof
surpriseoranyrecollectionofhiscarriageandhiscoachman,asthoughhehadbeeninhis
ownstudy.

PolicesuperintendentFlibusterov,yourExcellency.There'sariotinthetown.
Filibusters?AndreyAntonovitchsaidthoughtfully.

Justso,yourExcellency.TheShpigulinmenaremakingariot.

TheShpigulinmen!...

ThenameShpigulinseemedtoremindhimofsomething.Hestartedandputhisfingerto
his forehead: The Shpigulin men! In silence, and still plunged in thought, he walked
withouthastetothecarriage,tookhisseat,andtoldthecoachmantodrivetothetown.The
policesuperintendentfollowedinthedroshky.

Iimaginethathehadvagueimpressionsofmanyinterestingthingsofallsortsontheway,but
Idoubtwhetherhehadanydefiniteideaoranysettledintentionashedroveintotheopen
spaceinfrontofhishouse.Butnosoonerdidheseetheresoluteandorderlyranksofthe
rioters,thecordonofpolice,thehelpless(andperhapspurposelyhelpless)chiefofpolice,
andthegeneralexpectationofwhichhewastheobject,thanallthebloodrushedtohisheart.
Withapalefacehesteppedoutofhiscarriage.

Capsoff!hesaidbreathlesslyandhardlyaudibly.Onyourknees!hesquealed,tothe
surpriseofeveryone,tohisownsurprisetoo,andperhapstheveryunexpectednessofthe
positionwastheexplanationofwhatfollowed.Canasledgeonaswitchbackatcarnivalstop
shortasitfliesdownthehill?Whatmadeitworse,AndreyAntonovitchhadbeenallhislife
sereneincharacter,andnevershoutedorstampedatanyone;andsuchpeoplearealwaysthe
most dangerous if it once happens that something sets their sledge sliding downhill.
Everythingwaswhirlingbeforehiseyes.

Filibusters!heyelledstillmoreshrillyandabsurdly,andhisvoicebroke.Hestood,not
knowing what he was going to do, but knowing and feeling in his whole being that he
certainlywoulddosomethingdirectly.

Lord!washeardfromthecrowd.Aladbegancrossinghimself;threeorfourmenactually
didtrytokneeldown,butthewholemassmovedthreestepsforward,andsuddenlyallbegan
talkingatonce:YourExcellency...wewerehiredforaterm...themanager...youmustn't
say,andsoonandsoon.Itwasimpossibletodistinguishanything.

Alas!AndreyAntonovitchcoulddistinguishnothing:theflowerswerestillinhishands.The
riotwasasrealtohimastheprisoncartsweretoStepanTrofimovitch.Andflittingtoandfro
inthecrowdofrioterswhogazedopeneyedathim,heseemedtoseePyotrStepanovitch,
whohadeggedthemonPyotrStepanovitch,whomhehatedandwhoseimagehadnever
lefthimsinceyesterday.

Rods!hecriedevenmoreunexpectedly.Adeadsilencefollowed.

FromthefactsIhavelearntandthoseIhaveconjectured,thismusthavebeenwhathappened
atthebeginning;butIhavenosuchexactinformationforwhatfollowed,norcanIconjecture
itsoeasily.Therearesomefacts,however.
Inthefirstplace,rodswerebroughtonthescenewithstrangerapidity;theyhadevidently
beengotreadybeforehandinexpectationbytheintelligentchiefofthepolice.Notmorethan
two,oratmostthree,wereactuallyflogged,however;thatfactIwishtolaystresson.It'san
absolutefabricationtosaythatthewholecrowdofrioters,oratleasthalfofthem,were
punished.Itisanonsensicalstory,too,thatapoorbutrespectableladywascaughtasshe
passedbyandpromptlythrashed;yetIreadmyselfanaccountofthisincidentafterwards
amongtheprovincialitemsofaPetersburgnewspaper.Manypeopleinthetowntalkedofan
oldwomancalledAvdotyaPetrovnaTarapyginwholivedinthealmshousebythecemetery.
She,wassaid,onherwayhomefromvisitingafriend,tohaveforcedherwayintothecrowd
ofspectatorsthroughnaturalcuriosity.Seeingwhatwasgoingon,shecriedout,Whata
shame!andspatontheground.Forthisitwassaidshehadbeenseizedandfloggedtoo.This
storynotonlyappearedinprint,butinourexcitementwepositivelygotupasubscriptionfor
herbenefit.Isubscribedtwentykopecksmyself.Andwouldyoubelieveit?Itappearsnow
thattherewasnooldwomancalledTarapyginlivinginthealmshouseatall!Iwenttoinquire
atthealmshousebythecemeterymyself;theyhadneverheardofanyonecalledTarapygin
there,and,what'smore,theywerequiteoffendedwhenItoldthemthestorythatwasgoing
round.ImentionthisfabulousAvdotyaPetrovnabecausewhathappenedtoher(ifshereally
hadexisted)verynearlyhappenedtoStepanTrofimovitch.Possibly,indeed,hisadventure
mayhavebeenatthebottomoftheridiculoustaleabouttheoldwoman,thatis,asthegossip
wentongrowinghewastransformedintothisolddame.

WhatIfindmostdifficulttounderstandishowhecametoslipawayfrommeassoonashe
gotintothesquare.AsIhadamisgivingofsomethingveryunpleasant,Iwantedtotakehim
roundthesquarestraighttotheentrancetothegovernor's,butmyowncuriositywasroused,
andIstoppedonlyforoneminutetoquestionthefirstpersonIcameacross,andsuddenlyI
lookedroundandfoundStepanTrofimovitchnolongeratmyside.InstinctivelyIdartedoff
tolookforhiminthemostdangerousplace;somethingmademefeelthathissledge,too,was
flyingdownhill.AndIdid,asafact,findhimintheverycentreofthings.IrememberIseized
himbythearm;buthelookedquietlyandproudlyatmewithanairofimmenseauthority.

Cher, hepronouncedinavoicewhichquiveredonabreakingnote,iftheyaredealing
withpeoplesounceremoniouslybeforeus,inanopensquare,whatistobeexpectedfrom
thatman,forinstance...ifhehappenstoactonhisownauthority?

Andshakingwithindignationandwithanintensedesiretodefythem,hepointedamenacing,
accusingfingeratFlibusterov,whowasgazingatusopeneyedtwopacesaway.

Thatman!criedthelatter,blindwithrage.Whatman?Andwhoareyou?Hesteppedup
tohim,clenchinghisfist.Whoareyou?heroaredferociously,hysterically,anddesperately.
(ImustmentionthatheknewStepanTrofimovitchperfectlywellbysight.)Anothermoment
andhewouldhavecertainlyseizedhimbythecollar;butluckily,hearinghimshout,Lembke
turnedhishead.HegazedintenselybutwithperplexityatStepanTrofimovitch,seemingto
considersomething,andsuddenlyheshookhishandimpatiently.Flibusterovwaschecked.I
drewStepanTrofimovitchoutofthecrowd,thoughperhapshemayhavewishedtoretreat
himself.

Home,home,Iinsisted;itwascertainlythankstoLembkethatwewerenotbeaten.

Go,myfriend;Iamtoblameforexposingyoutothis.Youhaveafutureandacareerofa
sortbeforeyou,whileImanheureestsonnee.

Heresolutelymountedthegovernor'ssteps.Thehallporterknewme;Isaidthatweboth
wantedtoseeYuliaMihailovna.

Wesat downinthe waitingroom andwaited. I was unwilling toleave my friend, but I

thought it unnecessary to say anything more to him. He had the air of a man who had
consecratedhimselftocertaindeathforthesakeofhiscountry.Wesatdown,notsideby
side,butindifferentcornersInearertotheentrance,heatsomedistancefacingme,withhis
headbentinthought,leaninglightlyonhisstick.Heheldhiswidebrimmedhatinhisleft
hand.Wesatlikethatfortenminutes.

II

Lembke suddenly came in with rapid steps, accompanied by the chief of police, looked
absentmindedlyatusand,takingnonoticeofus,wasabouttopassintohisstudyonthe
right,butStepanTrofimovitchstoodbeforehimblockinghisway.ThetallfigureofStepan
Trofimovitch,sounlikeotherpeople,madeanimpression.Lembkestopped.

Whoisthis?hemuttered,puzzled,asifhewerequestioningthechiefofpolice,thoughhe
didnotturnhisheadtowardshim,andwasallthetimegazingatStepanTrofimovitch.

Retired college assessor, Stepan Trofimovitch Verhovensky, your Excellency, answered

StepanTrofimovitch,bowingmajestically.HisExcellencywentonstaringathimwithavery
blankexpression,however.

What is it? And with the curtness of a great official he turned his ear to Stepan
Trofimovitchwithdisdainfulimpatience,takinghimforanordinarypersonwithawritten
petitionofsomesort.

IwasvisitedandmyhousewassearchedtodaybyanofficialactinginyourExcellency's
name;thereforeIamdesirous...

Name? Name? Lembke asked impatiently, seeming suddenly to have an inkling of

something.StepanTrofimovitchrepeatedhisnamestillmoremajestically.

Aaah!It's...thathotbed...Youhaveshownyourself,sir,insuchalight....Areyoua
professor?aprofessor?

IoncehadthehonourofgivingsomelecturestotheyoungmenoftheXuniversity.
Theyoungmen!Lembkeseemedtostart,thoughIamreadytobetthathegraspedvery
littleofwhatwasgoingonoreven,perhaps,didnotknowwithwhomhewastalking.

That,sir,Iwon'tallow,hecried,suddenlygettingterriblyangry.Iwon'tallowyoungmen!
It'sallthesemanifestoes?It'sanassaultonsociety,sir,apiraticalattack,filibustering....
Whatisyourrequest?

Onthecontrary,yourwiferequestedmetoreadsomethingtomorrowatherfete.I'venot
cometomakearequestbuttoaskformyrights....

Atthefete?There'llbenofete.Iwon'tallowyourfete.Alecture?Alecture?hescreamed
furiously.

I should be very glad if you would speak to me rather more politely, your Excellency,
withoutstampingorshoutingatme'asthoughIwereaboy.

Perhapsyouunderstandwhomyouarespeakingto?saidLembke,turningcrimson.

Perfectly,yourExcellency.

Iamprotectingsocietywhileyouaredestroyingit!...You...Irememberaboutyou,though:
youusedtobeatutorinthehouseofMadameStavrogin?

Yes,Iwasintheposition...oftutor...inthehouseofMadameStavrogin.

And have been for twenty years the hotbed of all that has now accumulated ... all the
fruits....IbelieveIsawyoujustnowinthesquare.You'dbetterlookout,sir,you'dbetter
lookout;yourwayofthinkingiswellknown.YoumaybesurethatIkeepmyeyeonyou.I
cannotallowyourlectures,sir,Icannot.Don'tcomewithsuchrequeststome.

Hewouldhavepassedonagain.

IrepeatthatyourExcellencyismistaken;itwasyourwifewhoaskedmetogive,nota
lecture,butaliteraryreadingatthefetetomorrow.ButIdeclinetodosoinanycasenow.I
humblyrequestthatyouwillexplaintomeifpossiblehow,why,andforwhatreasonIwas
subjectedtoanofficialsearchtoday?Someofmybooksandpapers,privateletterstome,
weretakenfrommeandwheeledthroughthetowninabarrow.

Who searched you? said Lembke, starting and returning to full consciousness of the
position. He suddenly flushed all over. He turned quickly to the chief of police. At that
momentthelong,stooping,andawkwardfigureofBlumappearedinthedoorway.

Why,thisofficialhere,saidStepanTrofimovitch,indicatingMm.Blumcameforwardwith
afacethatadmittedhisresponsibilitybutshowednocontrition.

Vousnefaitesquedesbeatises,Lembkethrewathiminatoneofvexationandanger,and
suddenlyhewastransformedandcompletelyhimselfagain.

Excuseme,hemuttered,utterlydisconcertedandturningabsolutelycrimson,allthis...all
thiswasprobablyamereblunder,amisunderstanding...nothingbutamisunderstanding.

Your Excellency, observed Stepan Trofimovitch, once when I was young I saw a
characteristicincident.Inthecorridorofatheatreamanranuptoanotherandgavehima
soundingsmackinthefacebeforethewholepublic.Perceivingatoncethathisvictimwasnot
thepersonwhomhehadintendedtochastisebutsomeonequitedifferentwhoonlyslightly
resembledhim,hepronouncedangrily,withthehasteofonewhosemomentsareprecious
as your Excellency did just now I've made a mistake . . . excuse me, it was a
misunderstanding,nothingbutamisunderstanding.'Andwhentheoffendedmanremained
resentfulandcriedout,heobservedtohim,withextremeannoyance:'Why,Itellyouitwasa
misunderstanding.Whatareyoucryingoutabout?'

That's...that'sveryamusing,ofcourseLembkegaveawrysmilebut...butcan't
youseehowunhappyIammyself?

Healmostscreamed,andseemedabouttohidehisfacein.hishands.

Thisunexpectedandpiteousexclamation,almostasob,wasalmostmorethanonecouldbear.
Itwasprobablythefirstmomentsincethepreviousdaythathehadfull,vividconsciousness
ofallthathadhappenedanditwasfollowedbycomplete,humiliatingdespairthatcouldnot
be disguisedwho knows, in another minute he might have sobbed aloud. For the first
momentStepanTrofimovitchlookedwildlyathim;thenhesuddenlybowedhisheadandina
voicepregnantwithfeelingpronounced:

YourExcellency,don'ttroubleyourselfwithmypetulantcomplaint,andonlygiveordersfor
mybooksandletterstoberestoredtome....

Hewasinterrupted.AtthatveryinstantYuliaMihailovnareturnedandenterednoisilywith
allthepartywhichhadaccompaniedher.ButatthispointIshouldliketotellmystoryinas
muchdetailaspossible.

III

Inthefirstplace,thewholecompanywhohadfilledthreecarriagescrowdedintothewaiting
room. There was a special entrance to Yulia Mihailovna's apartments on the left as one
entered the house; but on this occasion they all went through the waitingroomand I
imaginejustbecauseStepanTrofimovitchwasthere,andbecauseallthathadhappenedto
himaswellastheShpigulinaffairhadreachedYuliaMihailovna'searsasshedroveintothe
town.Lyamshin,whoforsomemisdemeanourhadnotbeeninvitedtojointhepartyandso
knewallthathadbeenhappeninginthetownbeforeanyoneelse,broughtherthenews.With
spitefulgleehehiredawretchedCossacknagandhastenedonthewaytoSkvoreshnikito
meetthereturningcavalcadewiththedivertingintelligence.Ifancythat,inspiteofherlofty
determination,YuliaMihailovnawasalittledisconcertedonhearingsuchsurprisingnews,
butprobablyonlyforaninstant.Thepoliticalaspectoftheaffair,forinstance,couldnot
causeheruneasiness;PyotrStepanovitchhadimpresseduponherthreeorfourtimesthatthe
Shpigulinruffiansoughttobeflogged,andPyotrStepanovitchcertainlyhadforsometime
pastbeenagreatauthorityinhereyes.But...anyway,Ishallmakehimpayforit,she
doubtlessreflected,thehe,ofcourse,referringtoherspouse.Imustobserveinpassingthat
onthisoccasion,asthoughpurposely,PyotrStepanovitchhadtakennopartintheexpedition,
andnoonehadseenhimallday.Imustmentiontoo,bytheway,thatVarvaraPetrovnahad
comebacktothetownwithherguests(hithesamecarriagewithYuliaMihailovna)inorder
tobepresentatthelastmeetingofthecommitteewhichwasarrangingthefeteforthenext
day.Shetoomusthavebeeninterested,andperhapsevenagitated,bythenewsaboutStepan
TrofimovitchcommunicatedbyLyamshin.

ThehourofreckoningforAndreyAntonovitchfollowedatonce.Alas!hefeltthatfromthe
firstglanceathisadmirablewife.Withanopenairandanenchantingsmileshewentquickly
uptoStepanTrofimovitch,heldoutherexquisitelyglovedhand,andgreetedhimwitha
perfectshowerofnatteringphrasesasthoughtheonlythingshecaredaboutthatmorning
wastomakehastetobecharmingtoStepanTrofimovitchbecauseatlastshesawhiminher
house.Therewasnotonehintofthesearchthatmorning;itwasasthoughsheknewnothing
ofit.Therewasnotonewordtoherhusband,notoneglanceinhisdirectionasthoughhe
hadnotbeenintheroom.What'smore,shepromptlyconfiscatedStepanTrofimovitchand
carriedhimofftothedrawingroomasthoughhehadhadnointerviewwithLembke,oras
though it was not worth prolonging if he had. I repeat again, I think that in this, Yulia
Mihailovna,inspiteofheraristocratictone,madeanothergreatmistake.AndKarmazinov
particularly did much to aggravate this. (He had taken part in the expedition at Yulia
Mihailovna's special request, and in that way had, incidentally, paid his visit to Varvara
Petrovna,andshewassopoorspiritedastobeperfectlydelightedatit.)OnseeingStepan
Trofimovitch, he called out from the doorway (he came in behind the rest) and pressed
forwardtoembracehim,eveninterruptingYuliaMihailovna.

Whatyears,whatages!Atlast...excellentami.

Hemadeasthoughtokisshim,offeringhischeek,ofcourse,andStepanTrofimovitchwasso
flutteredthathecouldnotavoidsalutingit.

Cher,hesaidtomethatevening,recallingalltheeventsofthatday,Iwonderedatthat
momentwhichofuswasthemostcontemptible:he,embracingmeonlytohumiliateme,orI,
despisinghimandhisfaceandkissingitonthespot,thoughImighthaveturnedaway....
Poo!

Come, tell me about yourself, tell me everything, Karmazinov drawled and lisped, as
thoughitwerepossibleforhimonthespurofthemomenttogiveanaccountoftwentyfive
yearsofhislife.Butthisfoolishtriflingwastheheightof"chic.

RememberthatthelasttimewemetwasattheGranovskydinnerinMoscow,andthat
twentyfouryearshavepassedsincethen...StepanTrofimovitchbeganveryreasonably
(andconsequentlynotatallinthesamechicstyle).

Cecherhomme,Karmazinovinterruptedwithshrillfamiliarity,squeezinghisshoulderwith
exaggeratedfriendliness.Makehasteandtakeustoyourroom,YuliaMihailovna;therehe'll
sitdownandtelluseverything.

AndyetIwasneveratallintimatewiththatpeevisholdwoman,StepanTrofimovitchwent
oncomplainingtomethatsameevening,shakingwithanger;wewerealmostboys,andI'd
beguntodetesthimeventhen...justashehadme,ofcourse.

Yulia Mihailovna's drawingroom filled up quickly. Varvara Petrovna was particularly

excited,thoughshetriedtoappearindifferent,butIcaughtheronceortwiceglancingwith
hatredatKarmazinovandwithwrathatStepanTrofimovitchthewrathofanticipation,the
wrath of jealousy and love: if Stepan Trofimovitch had blundered this time and had let
Karmazinovmakehimlooksmallbeforeeveryone,Ibelieveshewouldhaveleaptupand
beatenhim.IhaveforgottentosaythatLizatoowasthere,andIhadneverseenhermore
radiant,carelesslylighthearted,andhappy.MavrikyNikolaevitchwastheretoo,ofcourse.In
thecrowdofyoungladiesandrathervulgaryoungmenwhomadeupYuliaMihailovna's
usualretinue,andamongwhomthisvulgaritywastakenforsprightliness,andcheapcynicism
forwit,Inoticedtwoorthreenewfaces:averyobsequiousPolewhowasonavisitinthe
town;aGermandoctor,asturdyoldfellowwhokeptloudlylaughingwithgreatzestathis
ownwit;andlastly,averyyoungprincelingfromPetersburglikeanautomatonfigure,with
thedeportmentofastatedignitaryandafearfullyhighcollar.ButitwasevidentthatYulia
Mihailovna had a very high opinion of this visitor, and was even a little anxious of the
impressionhersalonwasmakingonhim.

CherM.Karmazinov, saidStepanTrofimovitch,sittinginapicturesqueposeonthesofa
andsuddenlybeginningtolispasdaintilyasKarmazinovhimself,cherM.Karmazinov,the
lifeofamanofourtimeandofcertainconvictions,evenafteranintervaloftwentyfive
years,isboundtoseemmonotonous...

TheGermanwentoffintoaloudabruptguffawlikeaneigh,evidentlyimaginingthatStepan
Trofimovitchhadsaidsomethingexceedinglyfunny.Thelattergazedathimwithstudied
amazementbutproducednoeffectonhimwhatever.Theprince,too,lookedattheGerman,
turninghead,collarandall,towardshimandputtinguphispincenez,thoughwithoutthe
slightestcuriosity.

...Isboundtoseemmonotonous,StepanTrofimovitchintentionallyrepeated,drawlingeach
wordasdeliberatelyandnonchalantlyaspossible.Andsomylifehasbeenthroughoutthis
quarterofacentury,etcommeontrouvepartoutplusdemoinesquederaison,andasIam
entirelyofthisopinion,ithascometopassthatthroughoutthisquarterofacenturyI...

C'estcharmant,lesmoines,whisperedYuliaMihailovna,turningtoVarvaraPetrovna,who
wassittingbesideher.
VarvaraPetrovnarespondedwithalookofpride.ButKarmazinovcouldnotstomachthe
successoftheFrenchphrase,andquicklyandshrillyinterruptedStepanTrofimovitch.

Asforme,Iamquiteatrestonthatscore,andforthepastsevenyearsI'vebeensettledat
Karlsruhe.Andlastyear,whenitwasproposedbythetowncounciltolaydownanewwater
pipe,IfeltinmyheartthatthisquestionofwaterpipesinKarlsruhewasdearerandcloserto
my heart than all the questions of my precious Fatherland ... in this period of socalled
reform.

Ican'thelpsympathising,thoughitgoesagainstthegrain,sighedStepanTrofimovitch,
bowinghisheadsignificantly.

YuliaMihailovnawastriumphant:the conversationwasbecomingprofoundandtakinga
politicalturn.

Adrainpipe?thedoctorinquiredinaloudvoice.

Awaterpipe,doctor,awaterpipe,andIpositivelyassistedthemindrawinguptheplan.

Thedoctorwentoffintoadeafeningguffaw.Manypeoplefollowedhisexample,laughingin
thefaceofthedoctor,whoremainedunconsciousofitandwashighlydelightedthatevery
onewaslaughing.

You must allow me to differ from you, Karmazinov, Yulia Mihailovna hastened to
interpose.Karlsruheisallverywell,butyouarefondofmystifyingpeople,andthistimewe
don'tbelieveyou.WhatRussianwriterhaspresentedsomanymoderntypes,hasbrought
forwardsomanycontemporaryproblems,hasputhisfingeronthemostvitalmodernpoints
whichmakeupthetypeofthemodernmanofaction?You,onlyyou,andnooneelse.It'sno
useyourassuringusofyourcoldnesstowardsyourowncountryandyourardentinterestin
thewaterpipesofKarlsruhe.Haha!

Yes,nodoubt,lispedKarmazinov.IhaveportrayedinthecharacterofPogozhevallthe
failings of the Slavophils and in the character of Nikodimov all the failings of the
Westerners....

Isay,hardly all! Lyamshinwhisperedslyly.ButIdothisbytheway,simplytowhile

awaythetedioushoursandtosatisfythepersistentdemandsofmyfellowcountrymen.

Youareprobablyaware,StepanTrofimovitch,YuliaMihailovnawentonenthusiastically,
thattomorrowweshallhavethedelightofhearingthecharminglines...oneofthelastof
SemyonYakovlevitch'sexquisiteliteraryinspirationsit'scalled Merci. Heannouncesin
thispiecethathewillwritenomore,thatnothingintheworldwillinducehimto,ifangels
fromHeavenor,what'smore,allthebestsocietyweretoimplorehimtochangehismind.In
factheislayingdownthepenforgood,andthisgracefulMerciisaddressedtothepublicin
gratefulacknowledgmentoftheconstantenthusiasmwithwhichithasforsomanyyears
greetedhisunswervingloyaltytotrueRussianthought.
YuliaMihailovnawasattheacmeofbliss.Yes,Ishallmakemyfarewell;Ishallsaymy
Merci and depart and there ... in Karlsruhe ... I shall close my eyes. Karmazinov was
graduallybecomingmaudlin.

likemanyofourgreatwriters(andtherearenumbersofthemamongstus),hecouldnotresist
praise,andbegantobelimpatonce,inspiteofhispenetratingwit.ButIconsiderthisis
pardonable. They say that one of our Shakespeares positively blurted out in private
conversation that we great men can't do otherwise, and so on, and, what's more, was
unawareofit.

ThereinKarlsruheIshallclosemyeyes.Whenwehavedoneourduty,allthat'sleftforus
greatmenistomakehastetocloseoureyeswithoutseekingareward.Ishalldosotoo.

GivemetheaddressandIshallcometoKarlsruhetovisityourtomb,saidtheGerman,
laughingimmoderately.

They send corpses by rail nowadays,'' one of the less important young men said
unexpectedly.

Lyamshin positively shrieked with delight. Yulia Mihailovna frowned. Nikolay Stavrogin
walkedin.

Why,Iwastoldthatyouwerelockedup?hesaidaloud,addressingStepanTrofimovitch
beforeeveryoneelse.

No,itwasacaseofunlocking,jestedStepanTrofimovitch.

ButIhopethatwhat'shappenedwillhavenoinfluenceonwhatIaskedyoutodo,Yulia
Mihailovnaputinagain.Itrustthatyouwillnotletthisunfortunateannoyance,ofwhichI
hadnoidea,leadyoutodisappointoureagerexpectationsanddepriveusoftheenjoymentof
hearingyourreadingatourliterarymatinee.

Idon'tknow,I...now...

Really,Iamsounlucky,VarvaraPetrovna...andonlyfancy,justwhenIwassolongingto
makethepersonalacquaintanceofoneofthemostremarkableandindependentintellectsof
RussiaandhereStepanTrofimovitchsuddenlytalksofdesertingus.

Your compliment is uttered so audibly that I ought to pretend not to hear it, Stepan
Trofimovitch said neatly, but I cannot believe that my insignificant presence is so
indispensableatyourfetetomorrow.However,I...

Why,you'llspoilhim!criedPyotrStepanovitch,burstingintotheroom.I'veonlyjustgot
himinhandandinonemorninghehasbeensearched,arrested,takenbythecollarbya
policeman,andhereladiesarecooingtohiminthegovernor'sdrawingroom.Everybonein
hisbodyisachingwithrapture;inhiswildestdreamshehadneverhopedforsuchgood
fortune.Nowhe'llbegininformingagainsttheSocialistsafterthis!

Impossible,PyotrStepanovitch!SocialismistoograndanideatobeunrecognisedbyStepan
Trofimovitch.YuliaMihailovnatookupthegauntletwithenergy.

It'sagreatideabutitsexponentsarenotalwaysgreatmen,etbrisonsid,moncher,Stepan
Trofimovitchended,addressinghissonandrisinggracefullyfromhisseat.

Butatthispointanutterlyunexpectedcircumstanceoccurred.VonLembkehadbeeninthe
roomforsometimebutseemedunnoticedbyanyone,thougheveryonehadseenhimcome
in.Inaccordancewithherformerplan,YuliaMihailovnawentonignoringhim.Hetookup
hispositionnearthedoorandwithasternfacelistenedgloomilytotheconversation.Hearing
anallusiontotheeventsofthemorning,hebeganfidgetinguneasily,staredattheprince,
obviouslystruckbyhisstifflystarched,prominentcollar;thensuddenlyheseemedtostarton
hearingthevoiceofPyotrStepanovitchandseeinghimburstin;andnosoonerhadStepan
TrofimovitchutteredhisphraseaboutSocialiststhanLembkewentuptohim,pushingagainst
Lyamshin,whoatonceskippedoutofthewaywithanaffectedgestureofsurprise,rubbing
hisshoulderandpretendingthathehadbeenterriblybruised.

Enough!saidVonLembketoStepanTrofimovitch,vigorouslygrippingthehandofthe
dismayed gentleman and squeezing it with all his might in both of his. Enough! The
filibustersofourdayareunmasked.Notanotherword.Measureshavebeentaken....

He spoke loudly enough to be heard by all the room, and concluded with energy. The
impressionheproducedwaspoignant.Everybodyfeltthatsomethingwaswrong.IsawYulia
Mihailovnaturnpale.Theeffectwasheightenedbyatrivialaccident.Afterannouncingthat
measureshadbeentaken,Lembketurnedsharplyandwalkedquicklytowardsthedoor,buthe
hadhardlytakentwostepswhenhestumbledoverarug,swervedforward,andalmostfell.
Foramomenthestoodstill,lookedattherugatwhichhehadstumbled,and,utteringaloud
Changeit!wentoutoftheroom.YuliaMihailovnaranafterhim.Herexitwasfollowedby
anuproar,inwhichitwasdifficulttodistinguishanything.Somesaidhewasderanged,
othersthathewasliabletoattacks";othersputtheirfingerstotheirforehead;Lyamshin,in
thecorner,puthis.twofingersabovehisforehead.Peoplehintedatsomedomesticdifficulties
inawhisper,ofcourse.Noonetookuphishat;allwerewaiting.Idon'tknowwhatYulia
Mihailovnamanagedtodo,butfiveminuteslatershecameback,doingherutmosttoappear
composed. She replied evasively that Andrey Antonovitch was rather excited, but that it
meantnothing,thathehadbeenlikethatfromachild,thatsheknewmuchbetter,andthat
thefetenextdaywouldcertainlycheerhimup.Thenfollowedafewflatteringwordsto
Stepan Trofimovitch simply from civility, and a loud invitation to the members of the
committeetoopenthemeetingnow,atonce.Onlythen,allwhowerenotmembersofthe
committeepreparedtogohome;butthepainfulincidentsofthisfataldaywerenotyetover.

I noticed at the moment when Nikolay Stavrogin came in that Liza looked quickly and
intentlyathimandwasforalongtimeunabletotakehereyesoffhimsomuchsothatat
lastitattractedattention.IsawMavrikyNikolaevitchbendoverherfrombehind;heseemed
tomeantowhispersomethingtoher,butevidentlychangedhisintentionanddrewhimselfup
quickly,lookingroundateveryonewithaguiltyair.MkolayVsyevolodovitchtooexcited
curiosity;hisfacewaspalerthanusualandtherewasastrangelyabsentmindedlookinhis
eyes. After flinging his question at Stepan Trofimovitch he seemed to forget about him
altogether,andIreallybelieveheevenforgottospeaktohishostess.Hedidnotoncelookat
Lizanotbecausehedidnotwantto,butIamcertainbecausehedidnotnoticehereither.
Andsuddenly,afterthebriefsilencethatfollowedYuliaMihailovna'sinvitationtoopenthe
meetingwithoutlossoftime,Liza'smusicalvoice,intentionallyloud,washeard.Shecalled
toStavrogin.

NikolayVsyevolodovitch,acaptainwhocallshimselfarelationofyours,thebrotherofyour
wife,andwhosenameisLebyadkin,keepswritingimpertinentletterstome,complainingof
youandofferingtotellmesomesecretsaboutyou.Ifhereallyisaconnectionofyours,
pleasetellhimnottoannoyme,andsavemefromthisunpleasantness.

Therewasanoteofdesperatechallengeinthesewordseveryonerealisedit.Theaccusation
wasunmistakable,thoughperhapsitwasasurprisetoherself.Shewaslikeamanwhoshuts
hiseyesandthrowshimselffromtheroof.

ButNikolayStavrogin'sanswerwasevenmoreastounding.

Tobeginwith,itwasstrangethathewasnotintheleastsurprisedandlistenedtoLizawith
unruffled attention. There was no trace of either confusion or anger in his face. Simply,
firmly,evenwithanairofperfectreadiness,heansweredthefatalquestion:

Yes,Ihavethemisfortunetobeconnectedwiththatman.Ihavebeenthehusbandofhis
sisterfornearlyfiveyears.YoumaybesureIwillgivehimyourmessageassoonaspossible,
andI'llanswerforitthatheshan'tannoyyouagain.

IshallneverforgetthehorrorthatwasreflectedonthefaceofVarvaraPetrovna.Witha
distractedairshegotupfromherseat,liftingupherrighthandasthoughtowardoffablow.
MkolayVsyevolodovitchlookedather,lookedatLiza,atthespectators,andsuddenlysmiled
withinfinitedisdain;hewalkeddeliberatelyoutoftheroom.EveryonesawhowLizaleapt
upfromthesofaassoonasheturnedtogoandunmistakablymadeamovementtorunafter
him.Butshecontrolledherselfanddidnotrunafterhim;shewentquietlyoutoftheroom
without saying a word or even looking at anyone, accompanied, of course, by Mavriky
Nikolaevitch,whorushedafterher.

Theuproarandthe gossipthatnight inthe townIwill not attempttodescribe. Varvara

PetrovnashutherselfupinhertownhouseandNikolayVsyevolodovitch,itwassaid,went
straighttoSkvoreshnikiwithoutseeinghismother.StepanTrofimovitchsentmethatevening
tocettechereamietoimplorehertoallowhimtocometoher,butshewouldnotseeme.He
wasterriblyoverwhelmed;heshedtears.Suchamarriage!Suchamarriage!Suchanawful
thinginthefamily!hekeptrepeating.HerememberedKarmazinov,however,andabused
him terribly. He set to work vigorously to prepare for the reading too andthe artistic
temperament!rehearsedbeforethelookingglassandwentoverallthejokesandwitticisms
utteredinthecourseofhislifewhichhehadwrittendowninaseparatenotebook,toinsert
intohisreadingnextday.

Mydear,Idothisforthesakeofagreatidea,hesaidtome,obviouslyjustifyinghimself.
Cherami,IhavebeenstationaryfortwentyfiveyearsandsuddenlyI'vebeguntomove
whither,IknownotbutI'vebeguntomove....

PARTIII
CHAPTERI.THEFETEFIRSTPART

thefetetookplaceinspiteofalltheperplexitiesoftheprecedingShpigulinday.Ibelieve
thatevenifLembkehaddiedthepreviousnight,thefetewouldstillhavetakenplacenext
morningsopeculiarwasthesignificanceYuliaMihailovnaattachedtoit.Alas!uptothe
lastmomentshewasblindandhadnoinklingofthestateofpublicfeeling.Noonebelieved
atlastthatthefestivedaywouldpasswithoutsometremendousscandal,somecatastrophe
assomepeopleexpressedit,rubbingtheirhandsinanticipation.Manypeople,itistrue,tried
toassumeafrowninganddiplomaticcountenance;but,speakinggenerally,everyRussianis
inordinatelydelightedatanypublicscandalanddisorder.Itistruethatwedidfeelsomething
much more serious than the mere craving for a scandal: there was a general feeling of
irritation,afeelingofimplacableresentment;everyoneseemedthoroughlydisgustedwith
everything. A kind of bewildered cynicism, a forced, as it were, strained cynicism was
predominantineveryone.Theonlypeoplewhowerefreefrombewildermentweretheladies,
andtheywereclearononlyonepoint:'theirremorselessdetestationofYuliaMihailovna.
Ladiesofallshadesofopinionwereagreedinthis.Andshe,poordear,hadnosuspicion;up
tothelasthourshewaspersuadedthatshewassurroundedbyfollowers,andthattheywere
stillfanaticallydevotedtoher.

Ihavealreadyhintedthatsomelowfellowsofdifferentsortshadmadetheirappearance
amongstus.Inturbulenttimesofupheavalortransitionlowcharactersalwayscometothe
fronteverywhere.Iamnotspeakingnowofthesocalledadvancedpeoplewhoarealways
inahurrytobeinadvanceofeveryoneelse(theirabsorbinganxiety)andwhoalwayshave
somemoreorlessdefinite,thoughoftenverystupid,aim.No,Iamspeakingonlyoftheriff
raff.Ineveryperiodoftransitionthisriffraff,whichexistsineverysociety,risestothe
surface,andisnotonlywithoutanyaimbuthasnotevenasymptomofanidea,andmerely
does its utmost to give expression to uneasiness and impatience. Moreover, this riffraff
almostalwaysfallsunconsciouslyunderthecontrolofthelittlegroupofadvancedpeople
whodoactwithadefiniteaim,andthislittlegroupcandirectallthisrabbleasitpleases,if
onlyitdoesnotitselfconsistofabsoluteidiots,which,however,issometimesthecase.Itis
said among us now that it is all over, that Pyotr Stepanovitch was directed by the
Internationale,andYuliaMihailovnabyPyotrStepanovitch,whileshecontrolled,underhis
rule,arabbleofallsorts.Themoresobermindsamongstuswonderatthemselvesnow,and
can'tunderstandhowtheycametobesofoolishatthetime.
What constituted the turbulence of our time and what transition it was we were passing
throughIdon'tknow,norIthinkdoesanyone,unlessitweresomeofthosevisitorsofours.
Yet the most worthless fellows suddenly gained predominant influence, began loudly
criticisingeverythingsacred,thoughtillthentheyhadnotdaredtoopentheirmouths,while
theleadingpeople,whohadtillthensosatisfactorilykepttheupperhand,beganlisteningto
themandholdingtheirpeace,someevensimperedapprovalinamostshamelessway.People
likeLyamshinandTelyatnikov,likeGogol'sTentyotnikov,drivellinghomebrededitionsof
Radishtchev,wretchedlittleJewswithamournfulbuthaughtysmile,guffawingforeigners,
poetsofadvancedtendenciesfromthecapital,poetswhomadeupwithpeasantcoatsand
tarred boots for the lack of tendencies or talents, majors and colonels who ridiculed the
senselessnessoftheservice,andwhowouldhavebeenreadyforanextraroubletounbuckle
theirswords,andtakejobsasrailwayclerks;generalswhohadabandonedtheirdutiesto
becomelawyers;advancedmediators,advancingmerchants,innumerabledivinitystudents,
women who were the embodiment of the woman questionall these suddenly gained
complete sway among us and over whom? Over the club, the venerable officials, over
generalswithwoodenlegs,overtheverystrictandinaccessibleladiesofourlocalsociety.
SinceevenVarvaraPetrovnawasalmostatthebeckandcallofthisrabble,rightuptothe
timeofthecatastrophewithherson,ourotherlocalMinervasmaywellbepardonedfortheir
temporary aberration. Now all this is attributed, as I have mentioned already, to the
Internationale.Thisideahastakensuchrootthatitisgivenastheexplanationtovisitorsfrom
otherparts.OnlylatelycouncillorKubrikov,amanofsixtytwo,withtheStanislavOrderon
hisbreast,cameforwarduninvitedandconfessedinavoicefulloffeelingthathehadbeyond
ashadowofdoubtbeenforfullythreemonthsundertheinfluenceofthe Internationale.
Whenwitheverydeferenceforhisyears'andserviceshewasinvitedtobemoredefinite,he
stuckfirmlytohisoriginalstatement,thoughhecouldproducenoevidenceexceptthathe
hadfeltitinallhisfeelings,sothattheycrossexaminedhimnofurther.

Irepeatagain,therewasstillevenamongusasmallgroupwhoheldthemselvesalooffrom
thebeginning,andevenlockedthemselvesup.Butwhatlockcanstandagainstalawof
nature? Daughters will grow up even in the most careful families, and it is essential for
grownupdaughterstodance.

Andsoallthesepeople,too,endedbysubscribingtothegovernesses'fund.

Theballwasassumedtobeanentertainmentsobrilliant,sounprecedented;marvelsweretold
aboutit;therewererumoursofprincesfromadistancewithlorgnettes;oftenstewards,all
youngdandies,withrosettesontheirleftshoulder;ofsomePetersburgpeoplewhowere
settingthethinggoing;therewasarumourthatKarmazinovhadconsentedtoincreasethe
subscriptions to the fund by reading his Merci in the costume of the governesses of the
district;thattherewouldbealiteraryquadrilleallincostume,andeverycostumewould
symbolise some special line of thought; and finally that honest Russian thought would
danceincostumewhichwouldcertainlybeacompletenoveltyinitself.Whocouldresist
subscribing?Everyonesubscribed.
II

Theprogrammeofthefetewasdividedintotwoparts:theliterarymatineefrommiddaytill
fouro'clock,andafterwardsaballfromteno'clockonwardsthroughthenight.Butinthis
very programme there lay concealed germs of disorder. In the first place, from the very
beginningarumourhadgainedgroundamongthepublicconcerningaluncheonimmediately
aftertheliterarymatinee,orevenwhileitwasgoingon,duringanintervalarrangedexpressly
for ita free luncheon, of course, which would form part of the programme and be
accompanied by champagne. The immense price of the tickets (three roubles) tended to
confirmthisrumour.Asthoughonewouldsubscribefornothing?Thefeteisarrangedfor
twentyfourhours,sofoodmustbeprovided.Peoplewillgethungry.Thiswashowpeople
reasonedinthetown.ImustadmitthatYuliaMihailovnadidmuchtoconfirmthisdisastrous
rumourbyherownheedlessness.Amonthearlier,underthefirstspellofthegreatproject,she
wouldbabbleaboutittoanyoneshemet;andevensentaparagraphtooneofthePetersburg
papersaboutthetoastsandspeechesarrangedforherfete.Whatfascinatedhermostatthat
timewastheideaofthesetoasts;shewantedtoproposethemherselfandwascontinually
composingtheminanticipation.Theyweretomakeclearwhatwastheirbanner(whatwasit?
Idon'tmindbettingthatthepoordearcomposednothingafterall),theyweretogetintothe
PetersburgandMoscowpapers,totouchandfascinatethehigherpowersandthentospread
theideaoveralltheprovincesofRussia,rousingpeopletowonderandimitation.

But for toasts, champagne was essential, and as champagne can't be drunk on an empty
stomach, it followed that a lunch was essential too. Afterwards, when by her efforts a
committeehadbeenformedandhadattackedthesubjectmoreseriously,itwasprovedclearly
toheratoncethatiftheyweregoingtodreamofbanquetstherewouldbeverylittleleftfor
thegovernesses,howeverwellpeoplesubscribed.Thereweretwowaysoutofthedifficulty:
eitherBelshazzar'sfeastwithtoastsandspeeches,andninetyroublesforthegovernesses,ora
considerablesumofmoneywiththefeteonlyasamatterofformtoraiseit.Thecommittee,
however,onlywantedtoscareher,andhadofcourseworkedoutathirdcourseofaction,
whichwasreasonableandcombinedtheadvantagesofboth,thatis,averydecentfetein
everyrespectonlywithoutchampagne,andsoyieldingaveryrespectablesum,muchmore
thanninetyroubles.ButYuliaMihailovnawouldnotagreetoit:herproudspiritrevolted
frompaltrycompromise.Shedecidedatoncethatiftheoriginalideacouldnotbecarriedout
theyshouldrushtotheoppositeextreme,thatis,raiseanenormoussubscriptionthatwouldbe
theenvyofotherprovinces.Thepublicmustunderstand,shesaidattheendofherflaming
speechtothecommittee,thattheattainmentofanobjectofuniversalhumaninterestis
infinitelyloftierthanthecorporealenjoymentsofthepassingmoment,thatthefeteinits
essenceisonlytheproclamationofagreatidea,andsoweoughttobecontentwiththemost
frugalGermanballsimplyasasymbol,thatis,ifwecan'tdispensewiththisdetestableball
altogether,sogreatwastheaversionshesuddenlyconceivedforit.Butshewaspacifiedat
last.Itwasthenthattheliteraryquadrilleandtheotheraestheticitemswereinventedand
proposedassubstitutesforthecorporealenjoyments.ItwasthenthatKarmazinovfinally
consentedtoread Herd (until thenhe hadonlytantalisedthembyhishesitation)andso
eradicatetheveryideaofvictualsfromthemindsofourincontinentpublic.Sotheballwas
oncemoretobeamagnificentfunction,thoughinadifferentstyle.Andnottobetooethereal
itwasdecidedthatteawithlemonandroundbiscuitsshouldbeservedatthebeginningofthe
ball,andlateronorchadeandlemonadeandattheendevenicesbutnothingelse.For
thosewhoalwaysandeverywherearehungryand,stillmore,thirsty,theymightopenabuffet
inthefarthestofthesuiteofroomsandputitinchargeofProhorovitch,theheadcookofthe
club, who would, subject to the strict supervision of the committee, serve whatever was
wanted, at a fixed charge, and a notice should be put up on the door of the hall that
refreshmentswereextra.Butonthemorningtheydecidednottoopenthebuffetatallforfear
ofdisturbingthereading,thoughthebuffetwouldhavebeenfiveroomsofftheWhiteHallin
whichKarmazinovhadconsentedtoreadMerci.

It is remarkable that the committee, and even the most practical people in it, attached
enormousconsequencetothisreading.Asforpeopleofpoeticaltendencies,themarshal's
wife,forinstance,informedKarmazinovthatafterthereadingshewouldimmediatelyordera
marbleslabtobeputupinthewalloftheWhiteHallwithaninscriptioningoldletters,that
onsuchadayandyear,here,inthisplace,thegreatwriterofRussiaandofEuropehadread
Mercionlayingasidehispen,andsohadforthefirsttimetakenleaveoftheRussianpublic
representedbytheleadingcitizensofourtown,andthatthisinscriptionwouldbereadbyall
at the ball, that is, only five hours after Merci had been read. I know for a fact that
Karmazinovitwaswhoinsistedthatthereshouldbenobuffetinthemorningonanyaccount,
whilehewasreading,inspiteofsomeprotestsfrommembersofthecommitteethatthiswas
ratheropposedtoourwayofdoingthings.

Thiswasthepositionofaffairs,whileinthetownpeoplewerestillreckoningonaBelshazzar
feast,thatis,onrefreshmentsprovidedbythecommittee;theybelievedinthistothelasthour.
Eventheyoungladiesweredreamingofmassesofsweetsandpreserves,andsomethingmore
beyondtheirimagination.Everyoneknewthatthesubscriptionshadreachedahugesum,that
allthetownwasstrugglingtogo,thatpeopleweredrivinginfromthesurroundingdistricts,
andthattherewerenotticketsenough.Itwasknown,too,thattherehadbeensomelarge
subscriptionsapartfromthepricepaidfortickets:VarvaraPetrovna,forinstance,hadpaid
three hundred roubles for her ticket and had given almost all the flowers from her
conservatorytodecoratetheroom.Themarshal'swife,whowasamemberofthecommittee,
providedthehouseandthelighting;theclubfurnishedthemusic,theattendants,andgaveup
Prohorovitchforthewholeday.Therewereothercontributionsaswell,thoughlesserones,so
muchsoindeedthattheideawasmootedofcuttingdownthepriceofticketsfromthree
roublestotwo.Indeed,thecommitteewereafraidatfirstthatthreeroubleswouldbetoo
muchforyoungladiestopay,andsuggestedthattheymighthavefamilytickets,sothatevery
familyshouldpayforonedaughteronly,whiletheotheryoungladiesofthefamily,evenif
therewereadozenspecimens,shouldbeadmittedfree.Butalltheirapprehensionsturnedout
tobegroundless:itwasjusttheyoungladieswhodidcome.Eventhepoorestclerksbrought
theirgirls,anditwasquiteevidentthatiftheyhadhadnogirlsitwouldneverhaveoccurred
to them to subscribe for tickets. One insignificant little secretary brought all his seven
daughters,tosaynothingofhiswifeandanieceintothebargain,andeveryoneofthese
personsheldinherhandanentranceticketthatcostthreeroubles.
Itmaybeimaginedwhatanupheavalitmadeinthetown!Onehasonlytorememberthatas
thefetewasdividedintotwopartseveryladyneededtwocostumesforthe occasiona
morningoneforthematineeandaballdressfortheevening.Manymiddleclasspeople,asit
appearedafterwards,hadpawnedeverythingtheyhadforthatday,eventhefamilylinen,even
thesheets,andpossiblythemattresses,totheJews,whohadbeensettlinginourtowningreat
numbersduringtheprevioustwoyearsandwhobecamemoreandmorenumerousastime
went on. Almost all the officials hadasked fortheirsalaryinadvance, andsome of the
landownerssoldbeaststheycouldillspare,andallsimplytobringtheirladiesgotupas
marchionesses,andtobeasgoodasanybodyThemagnificenceofdressesonthisoccasion
wassomethingunheardofinourneighbourhood.Forafortnightbeforehandthetownwas
overflowingwithfunnystorieswhichwereallbroughtbyourwitstoYuliaMihailovna's
court.Caricatureswerepassedfromhandtohand.Ihaveseensomedrawingsofthesort
myself,inYuliaMihailovna'salbum.Allthisreachedtheearsofthefamilieswhowerethe
sourceofthejokes;IbelievethiswasthecauseofthegeneralhatredofYuliaMihailovna
whichhadgrownsostronginthetown.Peopleswearandgnashtheirteethwhentheythinkof
itnow.Butitwasevident,evenatthetime,thatifthecommitteeweretodispleasethemin
anything, or if anything went wrong at the ball, the outburst of indignation would be
somethingsurprising.That'swhyeveryonewassecretlyexpectingascandal;andifitwasso
confidentlyexpected,howcoulditfailtocometopass?Theorchestrastruckuppunctuallyat
midday.Beingoneofthestewards,thatis,oneofthetwelveyoungmenwitharosette,I
saw with my own eyes how this day of ignominious memory began. It began with an
enormouscrushatthedoors.Howwasitthateverything,includingthepolice,wentwrong
thatday?Idon'tblamethegenuinepublic:thefathersoffamiliesdidnotcrowd,nordidthey
pushagainstanyone,inspiteoftheirposition.Onthecontrary,Iamtoldthattheywere
disconcertedeveninthestreet,atthesightofthecrowdshovinginawayunheardofinour
town,besiegingtheentryandtakingitbyassault,insteadofsimplygoingin.Meanwhilethe
carriageskeptdrivingup,andatlastblockedthestreet.Now,atthetimeIwrite,Ihavegood
groundsforaffirmingthatsomeofthelowestrabbleofourtownwerebroughtinwithout
ticketsbyLyamshinandLiputin,possibly,too,byotherpeoplewhowerestewardslikeme.
Anyway, some complete strangers, who had come from the surrounding districts and
elsewhere,werepresent.Assoonasthesesavagesenteredthehalltheybeganaskingwhere
thebuffetwas,asthoughtheyhadbeenputuptoitbeforehand,andlearningthattherewasno
buffettheybeganswearingwithbrutaldirectness,andanunprecedentedinsolence;someof
them,itistrue,weredrunkwhentheycame.Someofthemweredazedlikesavagesatthe
splendourofthehall,astheyhadneverseenanythinglikeit,andsubsidedforaminutegazing
atitopenmouthed.ThisgreatWhiteHallreallywasmagnificent,thoughthebuildingwas
fallingintodecay:itwasofimmensesize,withtworowsofwindows,withanoldfashioned
ceilingcoveredwithgiltcarving,withagallerywithmirrorsonthewalls,redandwhite
draperies, marble statues (nondescript but still statues) with heavy old furniture of the
Napoleonicperiod,whiteandgold,upholsteredinredvelvet.AtthemomentIamdescribing,
ahighplatformhadbeenputupfortheliterarygentlemenwhoweretoread,andthewhole
hallwasfilledwithchairsliketheparterreofatheatrewithwideaislesfortheaudience.

Butafterthefirstmomentsofsurprisethemostsenselessquestionsandprotestsfollowed.
Perhapswedon'tcareforareading....We'vepaidourmoney....Theaudiencehasbeen
impudentlyswindled....Thisisourentertainment,nottheLembkes'!Theyseemed,infact,
tohavebeenletinforthispurpose.Irememberspeciallyanencounterinwhichtheprinceling
withthestandupcollarandthefaceofaDutchdoll,whomIhadmetthemorningbeforeat
YuliaMihailovna's,distinguishedhimself.Hehad,atherurgentrequest,consentedtopina
rosetteonhisleftshoulderandtobecomeoneofourstewards.Itturnedoutthatthisdumb
wax figure could act after a fashion of his own, if he could not talk. When a colossal
pockmarkedcaptain,supportedbyaherdofrabblefollowingathisheels,pesteredhimby
askingwhichwaytothebuffet?hemadeasigntoapolicesergeant.Hishintwaspromptly
acted upon, and in spite of the drunken captain's abuse he was dragged out of the hall.
Meantimethegenuinepublicbegantomakeitsappearance,andstretchedinthreelongfiles
betweenthechairs.Thedisorderlyelementsbegantosubside,butthepublic,eventhemost
respectableamongthem,hadadissatisfiedandperplexedair;someoftheladieslooked
positivelyscared.

Atlastallwereseated;themusicceased.Peoplebeganblowingtheirnosesandlookingabout
them.Theywaitedwithtoosolemnanairwhichisalwaysabadsign.Butnothingwastobe
seenyetoftheLembkes.Silks,velvets,diamondsglowedandsparkledoneveryside;whiffs
offragrancefilledtheair.Themenwerewearingalltheirdecorations,andtheoldmenwere
even in uniform. At last the marshal's wife came in with Liza. Liza had never been so
dazzlinglycharmingorsosplendidlydressedasthatmorning.Herhairwasdoneupincurls,
hereyessparkled,asmilebeamedonherface.Shemadeanunmistakablesensation:people
scrutinisedherandwhisperedabouther.TheysaidthatshewaslookingforStavrogin,but
neither Stavrogin nor Varvara Petrovna were there. At the time I did not understand the
expressionofherface:whywastheresomuchhappiness,suchjoy,suchenergyandstrength
inthatface?Irememberedwhathadhappenedthedaybeforeandcouldnotmakeitout.

But still the Lembkes did not come. This was distinctly a blunder. I learned that Yulia
MihailovnawaitedtillthelastminuteforPyotrStepanovitch,withoutwhomshecouldnotstir
astep,thoughsheneveradmittedittoherself.Imustmention,inparenthesis,thatonthe
previousdayPyotrStepanovitchhadatthelastmeetingofthecommitteedeclinedtowearthe
rosetteofasteward,whichhaddisappointedherdreadfully,eventothepointoftears.Toher
surpriseand,lateron,herextremediscomfiture(toanticipatethings)hevanishedforthe
wholemorninganddidnotmakehisappearanceattheliterarymatineeatall,sothatnoone
methimtillevening.Atlasttheaudiencebegantomanifestunmistakablesignsofimpatience.
Nooneappearedontheplatformeither.Thebackrowsbeganapplauding,asinatheatre.The
elderly gentlemen and the ladies frowned. The Lembkes are really giving themselves
unbearableairs.Evenamongthebetterpartoftheaudienceanabsurdwhisperbegantogain
groundthatperhapstherewouldnotbeafeteatall,thatLembkeperhapswasreallyunwell,
andsoonandsoon.But,thankGod,theLembkesatlastappeared,shewasleaningonhis
arm; I must confess I was in great apprehension myself about their appearance. But the
legendsweredisproved,andthetruthwastriumphant.Theaudienceseemedrelieved.Lembke
himselfseemedperfectlywell.Everyone,Iremember,wasofthatopinion,foritcanbe
imaginedhowmanyeyeswereturnedonhim.Imaymention,ascharacteristicofoursociety,
thattherewereveryfewofthebetterclasspeoplewhosawreasontosupposethattherewas
anythingwrongwithhim;hisconductseemedtothemperfectlynormal,andsomuchsothat
theactionhehadtakeninthesquarethemorningbeforewasacceptedandapproved.

That'showitshouldhavebeenfromthefirst,thehigherofficialsdeclared.Ifamanbegins
asaphilanthropisthehastocometothesamethingintheend,thoughhedoesnotseethatit
wasnecessaryfromthepointofviewofphilanthropyitselfthat,atleast,wastheopinion
attheclub.Theyonlyblamedhimforhavinglosthistemper.Itoughttohavebeendone
morecoolly,butthere,heisanewman,saidtheauthorities.

AlleyesturnedwithequaleagernesstoYuliaMihailovna.Ofcoursenoonehastherightto
expectfrommeanexactaccountinregardtoonepoint:thatisamysterious,afeminine
question.ButIonlyknowonething:ontheeveningofthepreviousdayshehadgoneinto
Andrey Antonovitch's study and was there with him till long after midnight. Andrey
Antonovitch was comforted and forgiven. The husband and wife came to a complete
understanding,everythingwasforgotten,andwhenattheendoftheinterviewLembkewent
downonhisknees,recallingwithhorrorthefinalincidentofthepreviousnight,theexquisite
hand,andafteritthelipsofhiswife,checkedtheferventflowofpenitentphrasesofthe
chivalrously delicate gentleman who was limp with emotion. Every one could see the
happinessinherface.Shewalkedinwithanopenheartedair,wearingamagnificentdress.
Sheseemedtobeattheverypinnacleofherheart'sdesires,thefetethegoalandcrownof
her diplomacywas an accomplished fact. As they walked to their seats in front of the
platform,theLembkesbowedinalldirectionsandrespondedtogreetings.Theywereatonce
surrounded.Themarshal'swifegotuptomeetthem.

Butatthatpointahorridmisunderstandingoccurred;theorchestra,aproposofnothing,struck
upaflourish,notatriumphalmarchofanykind,butasimpleflourishsuchaswasplayedat
theclubwhensomeone'shealthwasdrunkatanofficialdinner.IknownowthatLyamshin,
inhiscapacityofsteward,hadarrangedthis,asthoughinhonouroftheLembkes'entrance.
Ofcoursehecouldalwaysexcuseitasablunderorexcessivezeal....Alas!Ididnotknowat
thetimethattheynolongercaredeventofindexcuses,andthatallsuchconsiderationswere
fromthatdayathingofthepast.Buttheflourishwasnottheendofit:inthemidstofthe
vexatiousastonishmentandthesmilesoftheaudiencetherewasasuddenhurrahfromthe
endofthehallandfromthegalleryalso,apparentlyinLembke'shonour.Thehurrahswere
few,butImustconfesstheylastedforsometime.YuliaMihailovnaflushed,hereyesflashed.
Lembke stood still at his chair, and turning towards the voices sternly and majestically
scannedtheaudience....Theyhastenedtomakehimsitdown.Inoticedwithdismaythe
samedangeroussmileonhisfaceashehadwornthemorningbefore,inhiswife'sdrawing
room,whenhestaredatStepanTrofimovitchbeforegoinguptohim.Itseemedtomethat
now, too, there was an ominous, and, worst of all, a rather comic expression on his
countenance,theexpressionofamanresignedtosacrificehimselftosatisfyhiswife'slofty
aims. . . . Yulia Mihailovna beckoned to me hurriedly, and whispered to me to run to
Karmazinov and entreat him to begin. And no sooner had I turned away than another
disgracefulincident,muchmoreunpleasantthanthefirst,tookplace.
Ontheplatform,theemptyplatform,onwhichtillthatmomentalleyesandallexpectations
werefastened,andwherenothingwastobeseenbutasmalltable,achairinfrontofit,and
on the table a glass of water on a silver salveron the empty platform there suddenly
appearedthecolossalfigureofCaptainLebyadkinwearingadresscoatandawhitetie.Iwas
so astounded I could not believe my eyes. The captain seemed confused and remained
standingatthebackoftheplatform.Suddenlytherewasashoutintheaudience,Lebyadkin!
You?Thecaptain'sstupidredface(hewashopelesslydrunk)expandedinabroadvacant
grinatthisgreeting.Heraisedhishand,rubbedhisforeheadwithit,shookhisshaggyhead
and,asthoughmakinguphismindtogothroughwithit,tooktwostepsforwardandsuddenly
wentoffintoaseriesofprolonged,blissful,gurgling,butnotloudguffaws,whichmadehim
screwuphiseyesandsetallhisbulkypersonheaving.Thisspectaclesetalmosthalfthe
audiencelaughing,twentypeopleapplauded.Theseriouspartoftheaudiencelookedatone
anothergloomily;italllastedonlyhalfaminute,however.Liputin,wearinghissteward's
rosette,ranontotheplatformwithtwoservants;theycarefullytookthecaptainbybotharms,
whileLiputinwhisperedsomethingtohim.Thecaptainscowled,mutteredAh,well,ifthat's
it!wavedhishand,turnedhishugebacktothepublicandvanishedwithhisescort.Buta
minutelaterLiputinskippedontotheplatformagain.Hewaswearingthesweetestofhis
invariablesmiles,whichusuallysuggestedvinegarandsugar,andcarriedinhishandsasheet
ofnotepaper.Withtinybutrapidstepshecameforwardtotheedgeoftheplatform.

Ladiesandgentlemen,hesaid,addressingthepublic,throughourinadvertencytherehas
arisenacomicalmisunderstandingwhichhasbeenremoved;butI'vehopefullyundertakento
dosomethingattheearnestandmostrespectfulrequestofoneofourlocalpoets.Deeply
touchedbythehumaneandloftyobject...in'spiteofhisappearance...theobjectwhichhas
broughtusalltogether...towipeawaythetearsofthepoorbutwelleducatedgirlsofour
province...thisgentleman,Imeanthislocalpoet...althoughdesirousofpreservinghis
incognito,wouldgladlyhaveheardhispoemreadatthebeginningoftheball...thatis,I
mean,ofthematinee.Thoughthispoemisnotintheprogramme...forithasonlybeen
receivedhalfanhourago...yetithasseemedtous(Us?Whomdidhemeanbyus?I
reporthisconfusedandincoherentspeechwordforword)thatthroughitsremarkable
naiveteoffeeling,togetherwithitsequallyremarkablegaiety,thepoemmightwellberead,
thatis,notassomethingserious,butassomethingappropriatetotheoccasion,thatistothe
idea . . . especially as some lines . . . And I wanted to ask the kind permission of the
audience.

Readit!boomedavoiceatthebackofthehall.

ThenIamtoreadit?

Readit,readit!criedmanyvoices.

WiththepermissionoftheaudienceIwillreadit,Liputinmincedagain,stillwiththesame
sugarysmile.Hestillseemedtohesitate,andIeventhoughtthathewasratherexcited.These
peoplearesometimesnervousinspiteoftheirimpudence.Adivinitystudentwouldhave
carrieditthroughwithoutwinking,butLiputindid,afterall,belongtothelastgeneration.
Imustsay,thatis,Ihavethehonourtosaybywayofpreface,thatitisnotpreciselyanode
suchasusedtobewrittenforfetes,butisrather,sotosay,ajest,butfullofundoubted
feeling,togetherwithplayfulhumour,and,sotosay,themostrealistictruthfulness.

Readit,readit!

Heunfoldedthepaper.Nooneofcoursewasintimetostophim.Besides,hewaswearinghis
steward'sbadge.Inaringingvoicehedeclaimed:

TothelocalgovernessesoftheFatherlandfromthepoetatthefete:

Governessesall,goodmorrow,

Triumphonthisfestiveday.

RetrogradeorvowedGeorgeSanderNevermind,justfriskaway!

But that's Lebyadkin's! Lebyadkin's! cried several voices. There waslaughterandeven

applause,thoughnotfromverymany.

TeachingFrenchtowetnosedchildren,Youaregladenoughtothink

Youcancatchawornoutsexton

Evenheisworthawink!

Hurrah!hurrah!

Butinthesegreatdaysofprogress,Ladies,toyoursorrowknow,

Youcan'tevencatchasexton,

Ifyouhavenotgota'dot'.

Tobesure,tobesure,that'srealism.Youcan'thookahusbandwithouta'dot'!

But,henceforth,sincethroughourfeastingCapitalhasflowedfromall,

Andwesendyouforthtoconquest

Dancing,downedfromthishallRetrogradeorvowedGeorgeSander,Nevermind,rejoice
youmay,

You'reagovernesswithadowry,

Spitonallandfriskaway!
ImustconfessIcouldnotbelievemyears.Theinsolenceofitwassounmistakablethatthere
wasnopossibilityofexcusingLiputinonthegroundofstupidity.Besides,Liputinwasbyno
meansstupid.Theintentionwasobvious,tome,anyway;theyseemedinahurrytocreate
disorder.Somelinesintheseidioticverses,forinstancethelast,weresuchthatnostupidity
couldhaveletthempass.Liputinhimselfseemedtofeelthathehadundertakentoomuch;
whenhehadachievedhisexploithewassoovercomebyhisownimpudencethathedidnot
evenleave the platform but remainedstanding, as though there were something more he
wantedtosay.Hehadprobablyimaginedthatitwouldsomehowproduceadifferenteffect;
buteventhegroupofruffianswhohadapplaudedduringthereadingsuddenlysankinto
silence,asthoughthey,too,wereovercome.Whatwassilliestofall,manyofthemtookthe
wholeepisodeseriously,thatis,didnotregardtheversesasalampoonbutactuallythoughtit
realistic and true as regards the governessesa poem with a tendency, in fact. But the
excessivefreedomoftheversesstruckeventhematlast;asforthegeneralpublictheywere
not only scandalised but obviously offended. I am sure I am not mistaken as to the
impression.YuliaMihailovnasaidafterwardsthatinanothermomentshewouldhavefallen
intoaswoon.Oneofthemostrespectableoldgentlemenhelpedhisoldwifeontoherfeet,
andtheywalkedoutofthehallaccompaniedbytheagitatedglancesoftheaudience.Who
knows,theexamplemighthaveinfectedothersifKarmazinovhimself,wearingadresscoat
andawhitetieandcarryingamanuscript,inhishand,hadnotappearedontheplatformat
thatmoment.YuliaMihailovnaturnedanecstaticgazeathimasonherdeliverer....ButI
wasbythattimebehindthescenes.IwasinquestofLiputin.

Youdidthatonpurpose!Isaid,seizinghimindignantlybythearm.

IassureyouIneverthought...hebegan,cringingandlyingatonce,pretendingtobe
unhappy. The verses had only just been brought and I thought that as an amusing
pleasantry....

Youdidnotthinkanythingofthesort.Youcan'treallythinkthatstupidrubbishanamusing
pleasantry?

Yes,Ido.

Youaresimplylying,anditwasn'tbroughttoyoujustnow.YouhelpedLebyadkinto
composeityourself,yesterdayverylikely,tocreateascandal.Thelastversemusthavebeen
yours,thepartaboutthesextontoo.Whydidhecomeoninadresscoat?Youmusthave
meanthimtoreadit,too,ifhehadnotbeendrunk?

Liputinlookedatmecoldlyandironically.Whatbusinessisitofyours?heaskedsuddenly
withstrangecalm.

WhatbusinessisitofmineIYouarewearingthesteward'sbadge,too....WhereisPyotr
Stepanovitch?

Idon'tknow,somewherehere;whydoyouask?
BecausenowIseethroughit.It'ssimplyaplotagainstYuliaMihailovnasoastoruinthe
daybyascandal....Liputinlookedatmeaskanceagain.

Butwhatisittoyou?hesaid,grinning.Heshruggedhisshouldersandwalkedaway.

Itcameovermewitharush.Allmysuspicionswereconfirmed.Tillthen,IhadbeenhopingI
was mistaken! What was I to do? I was on the point of asking the advice of Stepan
Trofimovitch,buthewasstandingbeforethelookingglass,tryingondifferentsmiles,and
continuallyconsultingapieceofpaperonwhichhehadnotes.Hehadtogoonimmediately
after Karmazinov, and was not in a fit state for conversation. Should I run to Yulia
Mihailovna?Butitwastoosoontogotoher:sheneededamuchsternerlessontocureherof
herconvictionthatshehadafollowing,andthateveryonewasfanaticallydevotedtoher.
Shewouldnothavebelievedme,andwouldhavethoughtIwasdreaming.Besides,whathelp
couldshebe?Eh,Ithought,afterall,whatbusinessisitofmine?I'lltakeoffmybadge
andgohomewhenitbegins.Thatwasmymentalphrase,whenitbegins";Irememberit.

ButIhadtogoandlistentoKarmazinov.Takingalastlookroundbehindthescenes,I
noticedthatagoodnumberofoutsiders,evenwomenamongthem,wereflittingabout,going
inandout.Behindthesceneswasratheranarrowspacecompletelyscreenedfromthe
audiencebyacurtainandcommunicatingwithotherroomsbymeansofapassage.Hereour
readerswereawaitingtheirturns.ButIwasstruckatthatmomentbythereaderwhowasto
followStepanTrofimovitch.He,too,wassomesortofprofessor(Idon'tknowtothisday
exactlywhathewas)whohadvoluntarilyleftsomeeducationalinstitutionafteradisturbance
amongthestudents,andhadarrivedinthetownonlyafewdaysbefore.He,too,hadbeen
recommendedtoYuliaMihailovna,andshehadreceivedhimwithreverence.Iknownow
thathehadonlyspentoneeveninginhercompanybeforethereading;hehadnotspokenall
thatevening,hadlistenedwithanequivocalsmiletothejestsandthegeneraltoneofthe
companysurroundingYuliaMihailovna,andhadmadeanunpleasantimpressiononevery
onebyhisairofhaughtiness,andatthesametimealmosttimorousreadinesstotakeoffence.
ItwasYuliaMihailovnaherselfwhohadenlistedhisservices.Nowhewaswalkingfrom
cornertocorner,and,likeStepanTrofimovitch,wasmutteringtohimself,thoughhelooked
onthegroundinsteadofinthelookingglass.Hewasnottryingonsmiles,thoughheoften
smiledrapaciously.Itwasobviousthatitwasuselesstospeaktohimeither.Helookedabout
forty,wasshortandbald,hadagreyishbeard,andwasdecentlydressed.Butwhatwasmost
interestingabouthimwasthatateveryturnhetookhethrewuphisrightfist,brandishedit
abovehisheadandsuddenlybroughtitdown.againasthoughcrushinganantagonistto
atoms.Hewentthroughthisbyplayeverymoment.Itmademeuncomfortable.Ihastened
awaytolistentoKarmazinov.

III

Therewasafeelinginthehallthatsomethingwaswrongagain.Letmestatetobeginwith
thatIhavethedeepestreverenceforgenius,butwhydoourgeniusesinthedeclineoftheir
illustriousyearsbehavesometimesexactlylikelittleboys?WhatthoughhewasKarmazinov,
andcameforwardwithasmuchdignityasfiveKammerherrsrolledintoone?Howcouldhe
expecttokeepanaudiencelikeourslisteningforawholehourtoasinglepaper?Ihave
observed,infact,thathoweverbigageniusamanmaybe,hecan'tmonopolisetheattention
ofanaudienceatafrivolousliterarymatineeformorethantwentyminuteswithimpunity.
The entrance of the great writer was received, indeed, with the utmost respect: even the
severestelderlymenshowedsignsofapprovalandinterest,andtheladiesevendisplayed
some enthusiasm. The applause was brief, however, and somehow uncertain and not
unanimous.Yettherewasnounseemlybehaviourinthebackrows,tillKarmazinovbeganto
speak,notthatanythingverybadfollowedthen,butonlyasortofmisunderstanding.Ihave
mentionedalreadythathehadratherashrillvoice,almostfeminineinfact,andatthesame
timeagenuinelyaristocraticlisp.Hehadhardlyarticulatedafewwordswhensomeonehad
theeffronterytolaughaloudprobablysomeignorantsimpletonwhoknewnothingofthe
world, and was congenitally disposed to laughter. But there was nothing like a hostile
demonstration;onthecontrarypeoplesaidshh!andtheoffenderwascrushed.ButMr.
Karmazinov,withanaffectedairandintonation,announcedthatatfirsthehaddeclined
absolutelytoread.(Muchneedtherewastomentionit!)Therearesomelineswhichcome
sodeeplyfromtheheartthatitisimpossibletoutterthemaloud,sothattheseholythings
cannotbelaidbefore,thepublic(Whylaythemthen?)butashehadbeenbeggedtodo
so,hewasdoingso,andashewas,moreover,layingdownhispenforever,andhadswornto
write no more, he had written this last farewell; and as he had sworn never, on any
inducement,toreadanythinginpublic,andsoon,andsoon,allinthatstyle.

Butallthatwouldnothavemattered;everyoneknowswhatauthors'prefacesarelike,though,
Imayobserve,thatconsideringthelackofcultureofouraudienceandtheirritabilityofthe
backrows,allthismayhavehadaninfluence.Surelyitwouldhavebeenbettertohavereada
little story, a short tale such as he had 'written in the pastoverelaborate, that is, and
affected,butsometimeswitty.Itwouldhavesavedthesituation.No,thiswasquiteanother
story!Itwasaregularoration!Goodheavens,whatwasn'tthereinit!Iampositivethatit
wouldhavereducedtorigidityevenaPetersburgaudience,letaloneours.Imagineanarticle
thatwouldhavefilledsomethirtypagesofprintofthemostaffected,aimlessprattle;andto
makemattersworse,thegentlemanreaditwithasortofmelancholycondescensionasthough
itwereafavour,sothatitwasalmostinsultingtotheaudience.Thesubject....Whocould
makeitout?Itwasasortofdescriptionofcertainimpressionsandreminiscences.Butof
what?Andaboutwhat?Thoughtheleadingintellectsoftheprovincedidtheirutmostduring
thefirsthalfofthereading,theycouldmakenothingofit,andtheylistenedtothesecondpart
simplyoutofpoliteness.Agreatdealwassaidaboutlove,indeed,oftheloveofthegenius
forsomeperson,butImustadmititmaderatheranawkwardimpression.Forthegreatwriter
totellusabouthisfirstkissseemedtomymindalittleincongruouswithhisshortandfat
littlefigure...Anotherthingthatwasoffensive;thesekissesdidnotoccurastheydowith
therestofmankind.Therehadtobeaframeworkofgorse(ithadtobegorseorsomesuch
plantthatonemustlookupinaflora)andtherehadtobeatintofpurpleinthesky,suchas
nomortalhadeverobservedbefore,orifsomepeoplehadseenit,theyhadnevernoticedit,
butheseemedtosay,Ihaveseenitandamdescribingittoyou,fools,asifitwereamost
ordinarything.Thetreeunderwhichtheinterestingcouplesathadofcoursetobeofan
orange colour. They were sitting somewhere in Germany. Suddenly they see Pompey or
Cassiusontheeveofabattle,andbotharepenetratedbyahillofecstasy.Somewood
nymphsqueakedinthebushes.Gluckplayedtheviolinamongthereeds.Thetitleofthepiece
liewasplayingwasgiveninfull,butnooneknewit,sothatonewouldhavehadtolookitup
inamusicaldictionary.Meanwhileafogcameon,suchafog,suchafog,thatitwasmore
likeamillionpillowsthanafog.Andsuddenlyeverythingdisappearsandthegreatgeniusis
crossingthefrozenVolgainathaw.Twoandahalfpagesarefilledwiththecrossing,and
,yethefallsthroughtheice.Thegeniusisdrowningyouimaginehewasdrowned?Notabit
ofit;thiswassimplyinorderthatwhenhewasdrowningandathislastgasp,hemightcatch
sightofabitofice,thesizeofapea,butpureandcrystalasafrozentear,andinthattear
wasreflectedGermany,ormoreaccuratelytheskyofGermany,anditsiridescentsparkle
recalledtohismindtheverytearwhichdostthouremember,fellfromthineeyeswhenwe
weresittingunderthatemeraldtree,andthoudidstcryoutjoyfully:'Thereisnocrime!''No,'I
saidthroughmytears,'butifthatisso,therearenorighteouseither.'Wesobbedandparted
forever.Shewentoffsomewheretotheseacoast,whilehewenttovisitsomecaves,and
thenhedescendsanddescendsanddescendsforthreeyearsunderSuharevTowerinMoscow,
andsuddenlyintheverybowelsoftheearth,hefindsinacavealamp,andbeforethelampa
hermit.Thehermitispraying.Thegeniusleansagainstalittlebarredwindow,andsuddenly
hearsasigh.Doyousupposeitwasthehermitsighing?Muchhecaresaboutthehermit!Not
a bit of it, this sigh simply reminds him of her first sigh, thirtyseven years before, in
Germany,when,dostthouremember,wesatunderanagatetreeandthoudidstsaytome,
'Whylove?SeeochraisgrowingallaroundandIlovethee;buttheochrawillceasetogrow,
andIshallceasetolove.'Thenthefogcomesonagain,Hoffmanappearsonthescene,the
woodnymph whistles a tune from Chopin, and suddenly out of the fog appears Ancus
MarciusovertheroofsofRome,wearingalaurelwreath.Achillofecstasyrandownour
backsandwepartedforeverandsoonandsoon.

PerhapsIamnotreportingitquiterightanddon'tknowhowtoreportit,butthedriftofthe
babblewassomethingofthatsort.Andafterall,howdisgracefulthispassionofourgreat
intellectsforjestinginasuperiorwayreallyis!ThegreatEuropeanphilosopher,thegreat
manofscience,theinventor,themartyrallthesewholabourandareheavyladen,aretothe
greatRussiangeniusnomorethansomanycooksinhiskitchen.Heisthemasterandthey
cometohim,capinhand,awaitingorders.ItistruehejeerssuperciliouslyatRussiatoo,and
thereisnothinghelikesbetterthanexhibitingthebankruptcyofRussiaineveryrelation
beforethegreatmindsofEurope,butasregardshimself,no,heisatahigherlevelthanallthe
greatmindsofEurope;theyareonlymaterialforhisjests.Hetakesanotherman'sidea,tacks
ontoititsantithesis,andtheepigramismade.Thereissuchathingascrime,thereisnosuch
thingascrime;thereisnosuchthingasjustice,therearenojustmen;atheism,Darwinism,
theMoscowbells....Butalas,henolongerbelievesintheMoscowbells;Rome,laurels....
Buthehasnobeliefinlaurelseven....WehaveaconventionalattackofByronicspleen,a
grimacefromHeine,somethingofPetchorinandthemachinegoesonrolling,whistling,at
fullspeed.Butyoumaypraiseme,youmaypraiseme,thatIlikeextremely;it'sonlyina
mannerofspeakingthatIlaydownthepen;Ishallboreyouthreehundredtimesmore,you'll
growwearyofreadingme....
Ofcourseitdidnotendwithouttrouble;buttheworstofitwasthatitwashisowndoing.
Peoplehadforsometimebegunshufflingtheirfeet,blowingtheirnoses,coughing,anddoing
everythingthatpeopledowhenalecturer,whoeverhemaybe,keepsanaudienceforlonger
thantwentyminutesataliterarymatinee.Butthegeniusnoticednothingofallthis.Hewent
onlispingandmumbling,withoutgivingathoughttotheaudience,sothateveryonebeganto
wonder.Suddenlyinabackrowasolitarybutloudvoicewasheard:

GoodLord,whatnonsense!

Theexclamationescapedinvoluntarily,andIamsurewasnotintendedasademonstration.
The man was simplyworn out. But Mr. Karmazinovstopped, lookedsarcasticallyat the
audience,andsuddenlylispedwiththedeportmentofanaggrievedkammerherr.

I'mafraidI'vebeenboringyoudreadfully,gentlemen?

Thatwashisblunder,thathewasthefirsttospeak;forprovokingananswerinthiswayhe
gaveanopeningfortherabbletospeak,too,andevenlegitimately,sotosay,whileifhehad
restrainedhimself,peoplewouldhavegoneonblowingtheirnosesanditwouldhavepassed
offsomehow.Perhapsheexpectedapplauseinresponsetohisquestion,buttherewasno
soundofapplause;onthecontrary,everyoneseemedtosubsideandshrinkbackindismay.

YouneverdidseeAncusMarcius,that'sallbrag,criedavoicethatsoundedfullofirritation
andevennervousexhaustion.

Just so, another voice agreed at once. There are no such things as ghosts nowadays,
nothingbutnaturalscience.Lookit.upinascientificbook.

Gentlemen, there was nothing I expected less than such objections, said Karmazinov,
extremely surprised. The great genius had completely lost touch with his Fatherland in
Karlsruhe.

Nowadaysit'soutrageoustosaythattheworldstandsonthreefishes,ayoungladysnapped
outsuddenly.Youcan'thavegonedowntothehermit'scave,Karmazinov.Andwhotalks
abouthermitsnowadays?

Gentlemen,whatsurprisesmemostofallisthatyoutakeitallsoseriously.However...
however,youareperfectlyright.NoonehasgreaterrespectfortruthandrealismthanI
have....

Thoughhesmiledironicallyhewastremendouslyovercome.Hisfaceseemedtoexpress:I
amnotthesortofmanyouthink,Iamonyourside,onlypraiseme,praisememore,asmuch
aspossible,Ilikeitextremely....

Gentlemen,hecried,completelymortifiedatlast,Iseethatmypoorpoemisquiteoutof
placehere.And,indeed,Iamoutofplaceheremyself,Ithink.
Youthrewatthecrowandyouhitthecow,somefool,probablydrunk,shoutedatthetopof
hisvoice,andofcoursenonoticeoughttohavebeentakenofhim.Itistruetherewasasound
ofdisrespectfullaughter.

Acow,yousay?Karmazinovcaughtitupatonce,hisvoicegrewshrillerandshriller.As
forcrowsandcows,gentlemen,Iwillrefrain.I'vetoomuchrespectforanyaudienceto
permitmyselfcomparisons,howeverharmless;butIdidthink...

You'dbetterbecareful,sir,someoneshoutedfromabackrow.

ButIhadsupposedthatlayingasidemypenandsayingfarewelltomyreaders,Ishouldbe
heard...

No,no,wewanttohearyou,wewantto,afewvoicesfromthefrontrowpluckedupspirit
toexclaimatlast.

Read,read!severalenthusiasticladies'voiceschimedin,andatlasttherewasanoutburstof
applause,sparseandfeeble,itistrue.

Believeme,Karmazinov,everyonelooksonitasanhonour...themarshal'swifeherself
couldnotresistsaying.

Mr.Karmazinov!criedafreshyoungvoiceinthebackofthehallsuddenly.Itwasthe
voiceofaveryyoungteacherfromthedistrictschoolwhohadonlylatelycomeamongus,an
excellentyoungman,quietandgentlemanly.Hestoodupinhisplace.Mr.Karmazinov,ifI
hadthehappinesstofallinloveasyouhavedescribedtous,Ireallyshouldn'trefertomy
loveinanarticleintendedforpublicreading....Heflushedredallover.

Ladies and gentlemen, cried Karmazinov, I have finished. I will omit the end and
withdraw.Onlyallowmetoreadthesixlastlines:

Yes,dearreader,farewell!hebeganatoncefromthemanuscriptwithoutsittingdownagain
inhischair.Farewell,reader;Idonotgreatlyinsistonourpartingfriends;whatneedto
trouble you, indeed. You may abuse me, abuse me as you will if it affords you any
satisfaction.Butbestofallifweforgetoneanotherforever.Andifyouall,readers,were
suddenlysokindastofallonyourkneesandbeginbeggingmewithtears,'Write,oh,write
forus,KarmazinovforthesakeofRussia,forthesakeofposterity,towinlaurels,'even
thenIwouldansweryou,thankingyou,ofcourse,witheverycourtesy,'No,we'vehadenough
ofoneanother,dearfellowcountrymen,merci!It'stimewetookourseparateways!''Herd,
mem,merci!

Karmazinovbowedceremoniously,and,asredasthoughhehadbeencooked,retiredbehind
thescenes.

Nobodywouldgodownontheirknees;awildidea!
Whatconceit!

That'sonlyhumour,someonemorereasonablesuggested.Sparemeyourhumour.

Icallitimpudence,gentlemen!

Well,he'sfinishednow,anyway!

Ech,whatadullshow!

Butalltheseignorantexclamationsinthebackrows(thoughtheywereconfinedtotheback
rows) were drowned in applause from the other half of the audience. They called for
Karmazinov.SeveralladieswithYuliaMihailovnaandthemarshal'swifecrowdedroundthe
platform.InYuliaMihailovna'shandswasagorgeouslaurelwreathrestingonanotherwreath
oflivingrosesonawhitevelvetcushion.

Laurels!Karmazinovpronouncedwithasubtleandrathersarcasticsmile.Iamtouched,of
course, andacceptwithreal emotionthiswreathpreparedbeforehand,butstill freshand
unwithered,butIassureyou,mesdames,thatIhavesuddenlybecomesorealisticthatIfeel
laurelswouldinthisagebefarmoreappropriateinthehandsofaskilfulcookthaninmine...
.

Well,acookismoreuseful,criedthedivinitystudent,whohadbeenatthemeetingat
Virgirisky's.

There was some disorder. In many rows people jumped up to get a better view of the
presentationofthelaurelwreath.

I'dgiveanotherthreeroublesfora,cookthisminute,anothervoiceassentedloudly,too
loudly;insistently,infact.

SowouldI.

AndI.

Isitpossiblethere'snobuffet?...

Gentlemen,it'ssimplyaswindle....

Itmustbeadmitted,however,thatalltheseunbridledgentlemenstillstoodinaweofour
higherofficialsandofthepolicesuperintendent,whowaspresentinthehall.Tenminutes
laterallhadsomehowgotbackintotheirplaces,buttherewasnotthesamegoodorderas
before.AnditwasintothisincipientchaosthatpoorStepanTrofimovitchwasthrust.

IV

Iranouttohimbehindthescenesoncemore,andhadtimetowarnhimexcitedlythatinmy
opinionthegamewasup,thathehadbetternotappearatall,buthadbettergohomeatonce
ontheexcuseofhisusualailment,forinstance,andIwouldtakeoffmybadgeandcomewith
him.Atthatinstanthewasonhiswaytotheplatform;hestoppedsuddenly,andhaughtily
lookingmeupanddownhepronouncedsolemnly:

Whatgroundshaveyou,sir,forthinkingmecapableofsuchbaseness?

d rew back. I was as sure as twice two make four that he would not get off without a
catastrophe.Meanwhile,asIstoodutterlydejected,Isawmovingbeforemeagainthefigure
oftheprofessor,whoseturnitwastoappearafterStepanTrofimovitch,andwhokeptlifting
uphisfistandbringingitdownagainwithaswing.Hekeptwalkingupanddown,absorbed
in himself and muttering something to himself with a diabolical but triumphant smile. I
somehowalmostunintentionallywentuptohim.Idon'tknowwhatinducedmetomeddle
again.
Doyouknow,Isaid,judgingfrommanyexamples,ifalecturerkeepsanaudiencefor
morethantwentyminutesitwon'tgoonlistening.Nocelebrityisabletoholdhisownforhalf
anhour.

He stopped short and seemed almost quivering with resentment. Infinite disdain was
expressedinhiscountenance.

Don'ttroubleyourself,hemutteredcontemptuouslyandwalkedon.AtthatmomentStepan
Trofimovitch'svoicerangoutinthehall.

Oh,hangyouall,Ithought,andrantothehall.

StepanTrofimovitchtookhisseatinthelecturer'schairinthemidstofthestillpersisting
disorder.Hewasgreetedbythefirstrowswithlookswhichwereevidentlynotoverfriendly.
(Oflate,attheclub,peoplealmostseemednottolikehim,andtreatedhimwithmuchless
respectthanformerly.)Butitwassomethingtothegoodthathewasnothissed.Ihadhada
strangeideainmyheadeversincethepreviousday:Ikeptfancyingthathewouldbereceived
withhissesassoonasheappeared.Theyscarcelynoticedhim,however,inthedisorder.What
couldthatmanhopeforifKarmazinovwastreatedlikethis?Hewaspale;itwastenyears
sincehehadappearedbeforeanaudience.FromhisexcitementandfromallthatIknewso
wellinhim,itwascleartomethathe,too,regardedhispresentappearanceontheplatformas
aturningpointofhisfate,orsomethingofthekind.ThatwasjustwhatIwasafraidof.The
manwasdeartome.AndwhatweremyfeelingswhenheopenedhislipsandIheardhisfirst
phrase?

Ladiesandgentlemen,hepronouncedsuddenly,asthoughresolvedtoventureeverything,
thoughinanalmostbreakingvoice.Ladiesandgentlemen!Onlythismorningtherelay
beforemeoneoftheillegalleafletsthathavebeendistributedherelately,andIaskedmyself
forthehundredthtime,'Whereinliesitssecret?'
Thewholehallbecameinstantlystill,alllookswereturnedtohim,somewithpositivealarm.
Therewasnodenying,heknewhowtosecuretheirinterestfromthefirstword.Headswere
thrustoutfrombehindthescenes;LiputinandLyamshinlistenedgreedily.YuliaMihailovna
wavedtomeagain.

Stophim,whateverhappens,stophim,shewhisperedinagitation.Icouldonlyshrugmy
shoulders:howcouldonestopamanresolvedtoventureeverything?Alas,Iunderstoodwhat
wasinStepanTrofimovitch'smind.

Haha,themanifestoes!waswhisperedintheaudience;thewholehallwasstirred.

Ladiesandgentlemen,I'vesolvedthewholemystery.Thewholesecretoftheireffectliesin
their stupidity. (His eyes flashed.) Yes. gentlemen, if this stupidity were intentional,
pretendedandcalculated,oh,thatwouldbeastrokeofgenius!Butwemustdothemjustice:
theydon'tpretendanything.It'sthebarest,mostsimplehearted,mostshallowstupidity.C'est
labetisedanssonessencelapluspure,quelquechosecommeunsimplechimique.Ifitwere
expressedeversolittlemorecleverly,everyonewouldseeatoncethepovertyofthisshallow
stupidity. But as it is, every one is left wondering: no one can believe that it is such
elementarystupidity.'It'simpossiblethatthere'snothingmoreinit,'everyonesaystohimself
andtriestofindthesecretofit,seesamysteryinit,triestoreadbetweenthelinestheeffect
is attained! Oh, never has stupidity been so solemnly rewarded, though it has so often
deservedit....For,enparenthese,stupidityisofasmuchservicetohumanityastheloftiest
genius....

Epigramof1840wascommented,inaverymodestvoice,however,butitwasfollowedby
ageneraloutbreakofnoiseanduproar.

Ladiesandgentlemen,hurrah!Iproposeatoasttostupidity!criedStepanTrofimovitch,
defyingtheaudienceinaperfectfrenzy.

Iranuponthepretextofpouringoutsomewaterforhim.

StepanTrofimovitch,leaveoff,YuliaMihailovnaentreatsyouto.

No,youleavemealone,idleyoungman,hecriedoutatmeatthetopofhisvoice.Iran
away.Messieurs,hewenton,whythisexcitement,whytheoutcriesofindignationIhear?
Ihavecomeforwardwithanolivebranch.Ibringyouthelastword,forinthisbusinessI
havethelastwordandweshallbereconciled.

Downwithhim!shoutedsome.

Hush,lethimspeak,lethimhavehissay!yelledanothersection.Theyoungteacherwas
particularlyexcited;havingoncebroughthimselftospeakheseemednowunabletobesilent.

Messieurs,thelastwordinthisbusinessisforgiveness.I,anoldmanattheendofmylife,
Isolemnlydeclarethatthespiritoflifebreathesinusstill,andthereisstillalivingstrengthin
theyounggeneration.Theenthusiasmoftheyouthoftodayisaspureandbrightasinour
age.Allthathashappenedisachangeofaim,thereplacingofonebeautybyanother!The
wholedifficultyliesinthequestionwhichismorebeautiful,Shakespeareorboots,Raphaelor
petroleum?

It'streachery!growledsome.

Compromisingquestions!

Agentprovocateur!

ButImaintain,StepanTrofimovitchshrilledattheutmostpitchofexcitement,Imaintain
thatShakespeareandRaphaelaremorepreciousthantheemancipationoftheserfs,more
precious than Nationalism, more precious than Socialism, more precious than the young
generation,morepreciousthanchemistry,morepreciousthanalmostallhumanitybecause
theyarethefruit,therealfruitofallhumanityandperhapsthehighestfruitthatcanbe.A
formofbeautyalreadyattained,butfortheattainingofwhichIwouldnotperhapsconsentto
live....Oh,heavens!hecried,claspinghishands,tenyearsagoIsaidthesamethingfrom
theplatforminPetersburg,exactlythesamething,inthesamewords,andinjustthesame
waytheydidnotunderstandit,theylaughedandhissedasnow;shallowpeople,whatis
lackinginyouthatyoucannotunderstand?Butletmetellyou,letmetellyou,withoutthe
English,lifeisstillpossibleforhumanity,withoutGermany,lifeispossible,withoutthe
Russiansitisonlytoopossible,withoutscience,withoutbread,lifeispossibleonlywithout
beautyitisimpossible,fortherewillbenothingleftintheworld.That'sthesecretatthe
bottomofeverything,that'swhathistoryteaches!Evensciencewouldnotexistamoment
withoutbeautydoyouknowthat,youwholaughitwillsinkintobondage,youwon't
inventanaileven!..Iwon'tyieldaninch!heshoutedabsurdlyinconfusion,andwithallhis
mightbangedhisfistonthetable.

Butallthewhilethathewasshriekingsenselesslyandincoherently,thedisorderinthehall
increased. Many people jumped up from their seats, some dashed forward, nearer to the
platform.ItallhappenedmuchmorequicklythanIdescribeit,andtherewasnotimetotake
steps,perhapsnowishto,either.

It'sallrightforyou,witheverythingfoundforyou,youpamperedcreatures!thesame
divinity student bellowed at the foot of the platform, grinning with relish at Stepan
Trofimovitch,whonoticeditanddartedtotheveryedgeoftheplatform.

Haven'tI,haven'tIjustdeclaredthattheenthusiasmoftheyounggenerationisaspureand
brightasitwas,andthatitiscomingtogriefthroughbeingdeceivedonlyintheformsof
beauty!Isn'tthatenoughforyou?Andifyouconsiderthathewhoproclaimsthisisafather
crushed and insulted, can oneoh, shallow heartscan one rise to greater heights of
impartialityandfairness?...Ungrateful...unjust....Why,whycan'tyoubereconciled!

Andheburstintohystericalsobs.Hewipedawayhisdroppingtearswithhisfingers.His
shouldersandbreastwereheavingwithsobs.Hewaslosttoeverythingintheworld.

Aperfectpaniccameovertheaudience,almostallgotupfromtheirseats.YuliaMihailovna,
too,jumpedupquickly,seizingherhusbandbythearmandpullinghimuptoo....Thescene
wasbeyondallbelief.

Stepan Trofimovitch! the divinity student roared gleefully. There's Fedka the convict
wanderingaboutthetownandtheneighbourhood,escapedfromprison.Heisarobberand
hasrecentlycommittedanothermurder.Allowmetoaskyou:ifyouhadnotsoldhimasa
recruitfifteenyearsagotopayagamblingdebt,thatis,moresimply,losthimatcards,tell
me,wouldhehavegotintoprison?Wouldhehavecutmen'sthroatsnow,inhisstrugglefor
existence?Whatdoyousay,Mr.Esthete?

Ideclinetodescribethescenethatfollowed.Tobeginwiththerewasafuriousvolleyof
applause.Theapplausedidnotcomefromallprobablyfromsomefifthpartoftheaudience
buttheyapplaudedfuriously.Therestofthepublicmadefortheexit,butastheapplauding
partoftheaudiencekeptpressingforwardtowardstheplatform,therewasaregularblock.
Theladiesscreamed,someofthegirlsbegantocryandaskedtogohome.Lembke,standing
upbyhischair,keptgazingwildlyabouthim.YuliaMihailovnacompletelylostherhead
forthefirsttimeduringhercareeramongstus.AsforStepanTrofimovitch,forthefirst
momentheseemedliterallycrushedbythedivinitystudent'swords,buthesuddenlyraisedhis
armsasthoughholdingthemoutabovethepublicandyelled:

IshakethedustfromoffmyfeetandIcurseyou....It'stheend,theend....

Andturning,heranbehindthescenes,wavinghishandsmenacingly.

Hehasinsultedtheaudience!...Verhovensky!theangrysectionroared.Theyevenwanted
torushinpursuitofItwasimpossibletoappeasethem,atthemoment,anyway,andafinal
catastrophebrokelikeabombontheassemblyandexplodedinitsmidst:thethirdreader,the
maniacwhokeptwavinghisfistbehindthescenes,suddenlyranontotheplatform.He
looked like a perfect madman. With a broad, triumphant smile, full of boundless self
confidence,helookedroundattheagitatedhallandheseemedtobedelightedatthedisorder.
Hewasnotintheleastdisconcertedathavingtospeakinsuchanuproar,onthecontrary,he
wasobviouslydelighted.Thiswassoobviousthatitattractedattentionatonce.

What'sthisnow?peoplewereheardasking.Whoisthis?Shh!Whatdoeshewantto
say?

Ladiesandgentlemen,themaniacshoutedwithallhismight,standingattheveryedgeof
the platform and speaking with almost as shrill, feminine a voice as Karmazinov's, but
withoutthearistocraticlisp.Ladiesandgentlemen!Twentyyearsago,ontheeveofwarwith
halfEurope,Russiawasregardedasanidealcountrybyofficialsofallranks!Literaturewas
intheserviceofthecensorship;militarydrillwasallthatwastaughtattheuniversities;the
troopsweretrainedlikeaballet,andthepeasantspaidthetaxesandweremuteunderthelash
ofserfdom.Patriotismmeantthewringingofbribesfromthequickandthedead.Thosewho
didnottakebribeswerelookeduponasrebelsbecausetheydisturbedthegeneralharmony.
Thebirchcopseswereextirpatedinsupportofdiscipline.Europetrembled....Butneverin
thethousandyearsofitssenselessexistencehadRussiasunktosuchignominy....

Heraisedhisfist,waveditecstaticallyandmenacinglyoverhisheadandsuddenlybroughtit
downfuriously,asthoughpoundinganadversarytopowder.Afranticyellrosefromthe
wholehall,therewasadeafeningroarofapplause;almosthalftheaudiencewasapplauding:
theirenthusiasmwasexcusable.Russiawasbeingputtoshamepublicly,beforeeveryone.
Whocouldfailtoroarwithdelight?

This is the real thing! Come, this is something like! Hurrah! Yes, this is none of your
aesthetics!

Themaniacwentonecstatically:

Twentyyearshavepassedsincethen.Universitieshavebeenopenedandmultiplied.Military
drillhaspassedintoalegend;officersaretoofewbythousands,therailwayshaveeatenupall
thecapitalandhavecoveredRussiaaswithaspider'sweb,sothatinanotherfifteenyearsone
will perhapsget somewhere. Bridgesare rarelyonfire, andfires intowns occur onlyat
regularintervals,inturn,attheproperseason.Inthelawcourtsjudgmentsareaswiseas
Solomon's, and the jury only take bribes through the struggle for existence, to escape
starvation.Theserfsarefree,andflogoneanotherinsteadofbeingfloggedbytheland
owners.Seasandoceansofvodkaareconsumedtosupportthebudget,andinNovgorod,
oppositetheancientanduselessSt.Sophia,therehasbeensolemnlyputupacolossalbronze
globetocelebrateathousandyearsofdisorderandconfusion;Europescowlsandbeginstobe
uneasyagain....Fifteenyearsofreforms!Andyetnevereveninthemostgrotesqueperiods
ofitsmadnesshasRussiasunk...

Thelastwordscouldnotbeheardintheroarofthecrowd.Onecouldseehimagainraisehis
armandbringitdowntriumphantlyagain.Enthusiasmwasbeyondallbounds:peopleyelled,
clappedtheirhands,evensomeoftheladiesshouted:Enough,youcan'tbeatthat!Some
mighthavebeendrunk.Theoratorscannedthemallandseemedrevellinginhisowntriumph.
I caught a glimpse of Lembke in indescribable excitement, pointing something out to
somebody.YuliaMihailovna,withapaleface,saidsomethinginhastetotheprince,whohad
runuptoher.Butatthatmomentagroupofsixmen,officialsmoreorless,burstontothe
platform,seizedtheoratoranddraggedhimbehindthescenes.Ican'tunderstandhowhe
managedtotearhimselfawayfromthem,buthedidescape,darteduptotheedgeofthe
platformagainandsucceededinshoutingagain,atthetopofhisvoice,wavinghisfist:But
neverhasRussiasunk...

Buthewasdraggedawayagain.Isawsomefifteenmendashbehindthescenestorescuehim,
notcrossingtheplatformbutbreakingdownthelightscreenatthesideofit....Isaw
afterwards,thoughIcouldhardlybelievemyeyes,thegirlstudent(Virginsky'ssister)leapon
totheplatformwiththesamerollunderherarm,dressedasbefore,asplumpandrosyasever,
surroundedbytwoorthreewomenandtwoorthreemen,andaccompaniedbyhermortal
enemy,theschoolboy.Ievencaughtthephrase:

Ladiesandgentlemen,I'vecometocallattentiontotheIsufferingsofpoorstudentsandto
rousethemtoageneralprotest...

ButIranaway.HidingmybadgeinmypocketImademywayfromthehouseintothestreet
bybackpassageswhichIknewof.Firstofall,ofcourse,IwenttoStepanTrofimovitch's.

CHAPTERII.THEENDOFTHEFETE

HEWOULDNOTSEEME.Hehadshuthimselfupandwaswriting.Atmyrepeatedknocks
andappealsheansweredthroughthedoor:

Myfriend,Ihavefinishedeverything.Whocanaskanythingmoreofme?

Youhaven'tfinishedanything,you'veonlyhelpedtomakeamessofthewholething.For
God'ssake,noepigrams,StepanTrofimovitch!Openthedoor.Wemusttakesteps;theymay
stillcomeandinsultyou....

Ithoughtmyselfentitledtobeparticularlysevereandevenrigorous.Iwasafraidhemightbe
goingtodosomethingstillmoremad.ButtomysurpriseImetanextraordinaryfirmness.

Don'tbethefirsttoinsultmethen.Ithankyouforthepast,butIrepeatI'vedonewithall
men,goodandbad.IamwritingtoDaryaPavlovna,whomI'veforgottensounpardonablytill
now.Youmaytakeittohertomorrow,ifyoulike,nowmerci.

StepanTrofimovitch,Iassureyouthatthematterismoreseriousthanyouthink.Doyou
thinkthatyou'vecrushedsomeonethere?You'vepulverisednoone,buthavebrokenyourself
topieceslikeanemptybottle.(Oh,Iwascoarseanddiscourteous;.Irememberitwith
regret.)You'veabsolutelynoreasontowritetoDaryaPavlovna...andwhatwillyoudo
withyourselfwithoutme?Whatdoyouunderstandaboutpracticallife?Iexpectyouare
plottingsomethingelse?You'llsimplycometogriefagainifyougoplottingsomethingmore.
...

Heroseandcamecloseuptothedoor.

You'venotbeenlongwiththem,butyou'vecaughttheinfectionoftheirtoneandlanguage.
Dieuvouspardonne,monami,etDieuvousgarde.ButI'vealwaysseeninyouthegermsof
delicatefeeling,andyouwillgetoveritperhapsapresletemps, ofcourse,likeallofus
Russians.Asforwhatyousayaboutmyimpracticability,I'llremindyouofarecentideaof
mine: a whole mass of people in Russia do nothing whatever but attack other people's
impracticability with the utmost fury and with the tiresome persistence of flies in the
summer,accusingeveryoneofitexceptthemselvesCher,rememberthatIamexcited,and
don'tdistressme.Oncemore merciforeverything,andletuspartlikeKarmazinovandthe
public;thatis,letusforgeteachotherwithasmuchgenerosityaswecan.Hewasposingin
begginghisformerreaderssoearnestlytoforgethim;quantamoi,Iamnotsoconceited,and
I rest my hopes on the youth of your inexperienced heart. How should you remember a
uselessoldmanforlong?'Livemore,'myfriend,asNastasyawishedmeonmylastnameday
(cespauvresgensontquelquefoisdesmotscharmantsetpleinsdephilosophie).Idonotwish
youmuchhappinessitwillboreyou.Idonotwishyoutroubleeither,but,followingthe
philosophyofthepeasant,Iwillrepeatsimply'livemore'andtrynottobemuchbored;this
uselesswishIaddfrommyself.Well,goodbye,andgoodbyeforgood.Don'tstandatmy
door,Iwillnotopenit.

HewentawayandIcouldgetnothingmoreoutofhim.Inspiteofhisexcitement,hespoke
smoothly, deliberately, withweight, obviouslytryingtobeimpressive. Ofcourse he was
rathervexedwithmeandwasavenginghimselfindirectly,possiblyevenfortheyesterday's
prisoncartsandfloorsthat give way.Histearsinpublicthat morning, inspite ofa
triumphofasort,hadputhim,heknew,inratheracomicposition,andthereneverwasaman
more solicitous of dignity and punctilio in his relations with his friends than Stepan
Trofimovitch.Oh,Idon'tblamehim.Butthisfastidiousnessandironywhichhepreservedin
spiteofallshocksreassuredmeatthetime.AmanwhoWassolittledifferentfromhis
ordinary self was, of course, not in the mood at that moment for anything tragic or
extraordinary.SoIreasonedatthetime,and,heavens,whatamistakeImade!Ilefttoomuch
outofmyreckoning.

InanticipationofeventsIwillquotethefewfirstlinesofthelettertoDaryaPavlovna,which
sheactuallyreceivedthefollowingday:

Monenfant,myhandtrembles,butI'vedonewitheverything.Youwerenotpresentatmy
laststruggle:youdidnotcometothatmatinee,andyoudidwelltostayaway.Butyouwillbe
told that inourRussia, whichhasgrownso poor inmen ofcharacter, one manhad the
couragetostandupand,inspiteofdeadlymenacesshoweredonhimfromallsides,totellthe
foolsthetruth,thatis,thattheyarefools.Oh,cesontdespauvrespetitsvauriensetriende
plus,despetitsfoolsvoildlemot!Thedieiscast;IamgoingfromthistownforeverandI
knownotwhither.EveryoneIlovedhasturnedfromme.Butyou,youareapureandnaive
creature;you,agentlebeingwhoselifehasbeenallbutlinkedwithmineatthewillofa
capriciousandimperiousheart;youwholookedatmeperhapswithcontemptwhenIshed
weaktearsontheeveofourfrustratedmarriage;you,whocannotinanycaselookonme
exceptasacomicfigureforyou,foryouisthelastcryofmyheart,foryoumylastduty,
foryoualone!Icannotleaveyouforeverthinkingofmeasanungratefulfool,achurlish
egoist,asprobablyacruelandungratefulheartwhom,alas,Icannotforgetiseveryday
describingmetoyou....

Andsoonandsoon,fourlargepages.

AnsweringhisIwon'topenwiththreebangswithmyfistonthedoor,andshoutingafter
himthatIwassurehewouldsendNastasyaformethreetimesthatday,butIwouldnotcome,
IgavehimupandranofftoYuliaMihailovna.
II

ThereIwasthewitnessofarevoltingscene:thepoorwomanwasdeceivedtoherface,andI
coulddonothing.Indeed,whatcouldIsaytoher?Ihadhadtimetoreconsiderthingsalittle
andreflectthatIhadnothingtogouponbutcertainfeelingsandsuspiciouspresentiments.I
foundherintears,almostinhysterics,withcompressesofeaudeCologneandaglassof
water.BeforeherstoodPyotrStepanovitch,whotalkedwithoutstopping,andtheprince,who
held his tongue as though it had been under a lock. With tears and lamentations she
reproachedPyotrStepanovitchforhisdesertion.Iwasstruckatoncebythefactthatshe
ascribedthewholefailure,thewholeignominyofthematinee,everythinginfact,toPyotr
Stepanovitch'sabsence.

InhimIobservedanimportantchange:heseemedashadetooanxious,almostserious.Asa
ruleheneverseemedserious;hewasalwayslaughing,evenwhenhewasangry,andhewas
oftenangry.Oh,hewasangrynow!Hewasspeakingcoarsely,carelessly,withvexationand
impatience.HesaidthathehadbeentakenillatGaganov'slodging,wherehehadhappened
togoearlyinthemorning.Alas,thepoorwomanwassoanxioustobedeceivedagain!The
chiefquestionwhichIfoundbeingdiscussedwaswhethertheball,thatis,thewholesecond
halfofthefete,shouldorshouldnottakeplace.YuliaMihailovnacouldnotbeinducedto
appearattheballaftertheinsultsshehadreceivedthatmorning;inotherwords,herheart
wassetonbeingcompelledtodoso,andbyhim,byPyotrStepanovitch.Shelookedupon
himasanoracle,andIbelieveifhehadgoneawayshewouldhavetakentoherbedatonce.
Buthedidnotwanttogoaway;hewasdesperatelyanxiousthattheballshouldtakeplace
andthatYuliaMihailovnashouldbepresentatit.

Come,whatistheretocryabout?Areyousetonhavingascene?Onventingyourangeron
somebody?Well,ventitonme;onlymakehasteaboutit,forthetimeispassingandyoumust
makeupyourmind.Wemadeamessofitwiththematinee;we'llpickupontheball.Here,
theprincethinksasIdo.Yes,ifithadn'tbeenfortheprince,howwouldthingshaveended
there?

The prince had been at first opposed to the ball (that is, opposed to Yulia Mihailovna's
appearingatit;theballwasboundtogooninanycase),butaftertwoorthreesuchreferences
tohisopinionhebeganlittlebylittletogrunthisacquiescence.

IwassurprisedtooattheextraordinaryrudenessofPyotrStepanovitch'stone.Oh,Iscout
withindignationthecontemptibleslanderwhichwasspreadlaterofsomesupposedliaison
betweenYuliaMihailovnaandPyotrStepanovitch.Therewasnosuchthing,norcouldthere
be.Hegainedhisascendencyoverherfromthefirstonlybyencouragingherinherdreamsof
influenceinsocietyandintheministry,byenteringintoherplans,byinventingthemforher,
andworkinguponherwiththegrossestflattery.Hehadgothercompletelyintohistoilsand
hadbecomeasnecessarytoherastheairshebreathed.Seeingme,shecried,withflashing
eyes:

Here,askhim.Hekeptbymysideallthewhile,justliketheprincedid.Tellme,isn'titplain
thatitwasallapreconcertedplot,abase,designingplottodamageAndreyAntonovitchand
measmuchaspossible?Oh,theyhadarrangeditbeforehand.Theyhadaplan!It'saparty,a
regularparty.

Youareexaggeratingasusual.You'vealwayssomeromanticnotioninyourhead.ButIam
gladtoseeMr....(Hepretendedtohaveforgottenmyname.)He'llgiveushisopinion.

Myopinion,Ihastenedtoputin,isthesameasYuliaMihailovna's.Theplotisonlytoo
evident.Ihavebroughtyoutheseribbons,YuliaMihailovna.Whethertheballistotakeplace
ornotisnotmybusiness,forit'snotinmypowertodecide;butmypartasstewardisover.
Forgive my warmth, but I can't act against the dictates of common sense and my own
convictions.

Youhear!Youhear!Sheclaspedherhands.

Ihear,andItellyouthis.Heturnedtome.Ithinkyoumusthaveeatensomethingwhich
hasmadeyoualldelirious.Tomythinking,nothinghashappened,absolutelynothingbut
whathashappenedbeforeandisalwaysliabletohappeninthistown.Aplot,indeed!Itwas
anuglyfailure,disgracefullystupid.Butwhere'stheplot?AplotagainstYuliaMihailovna,
who has spoiled them and protected them and fondly forgiven them all their schoolboy
pranks! Yulia Mihailovna! What have I been hammering into you for the last month
continually?WhatdidIwarnyou?Whatdidyouwantwithallthesepeoplewhatdidyou
wantwiththem?Whatinducedyoutomixyourselfupwiththesefellows?Whatwasthe
motive,whatwastheobjectofit?Tounitesociety?But,mercyonus!willtheyeverbe
united?

Whendidyouwarnme?Onthecontrary,youapprovedofit,youeveninsistedonit....I
confessIamsosurprised....Youbroughtallsortsofstrangepeopletoseemeyourself.

Onthecontrary,Iopposedyou;Ididnotapproveofit.Asforbringingthemtoseeyou,I
certainlydid,butonlyafterthey'dgotinbydozensandonlyoflatetomakeup'theliterary
quadrille'wecouldn'tgetonwithouttheserogues.OnlyIdon'tmindbettingthatadozenor
twomoreofthesamesortwereletinwithoutticketstoday.

Notadoubtofit,Iagreed.

There,yousee,youareagreeingalready.ThinkwhatthetonehasbeenlatelyhereImean
inthiswretchedtown.It'snothingbutinsolence,impudence;it'sbeenacryingscandalallthe
time.Andwho'sbeenencouragingit?Who'sscreeneditbyherauthority?Who'supsetthem
all?Whohasmadeallthesmallfryhuffy?Alltheirfamilysecretsarecaricaturedinyour
album.Didn'tyoupatthemontheback,yourpoetsandcaricaturists?Didn'tyouletLyamshin
kissyourhand?Didn'tadivinitystudentabuseanactualstatecouncillorinyourpresenceand
spoilhisdaughter'sdresswithhistarredboots?Now,canyouwonderthatthepublicisset
againstyou?
Butthat'sallyourdoing,yours!Oh,mygoodness!

No,Iwarnedyou.Wequarrelled.Doyouhear,wequarrelled?

Why,youarelyingtomyface!

Ofcourseit'seasyforyoutosaythat.Youneedavictimtoventyourwrathon.Well,ventit
onmeasI'vesaidalready.I'dbetterappealtoyou,Mr....(Hewasstillunabletorecallmy
name.)We'llreckononourfingers.Imaintainthat,apartfromLiputin,therewasnothing
preconcerted,nothing!Iwillproveit,butfirstletusanalyseLiputin.Hecameforwardwith
thatfoolLebyadkin'sverses.Doyoumaintainthatthatwasaplot?Butdoyouknowitmight
simplyhavestruckLiputinasacleverthingtodo.Seriously,seriously.Hesimplycame
forwardwiththeideaofmakingeveryonelaughandentertainingthemhisprotectressYulia
Mihailovnafirstofall.Thatwasall.Don'tyoubelieveit?Isn'tthatinkeepingwithallthathas
beengoingonhereforthelastmonth?Doyouwantmetotellthewholetruth?Ideclarethat
underothercircumstancesitmighthavegoneoffallright.Itwasacoarsejokewell,abit
strong,perhaps;butitwasamusing,youknow,wasn'tit?

What! You think what Liputin did was clever? Yulia Mihailovna cried in intense
indignation.Suchstupidity,suchtactlessness,socontemptible,somean!Itwasintentional!
Oh,youaresayingitonpurpose!Ibelieveafterthatyouareintheplotwiththemyourself.

OfcourseIwasbehindthescenes,Iwasinhiding,Isetitallgoing.ButifIwereintheplot
understandthat,anywayitwouldn'thaveendedwithLiputin.SoaccordingtoyouIhad
arrangedwithmypapatoothatheshouldcausesuchasceneonpurpose?Well,whosefaultis
itthatmypapawasallowedtoread?Whotriedonlyyesterdaytopreventyoufromallowing
it,onlyyesterday?

Oh,hierilavaittantd'esprit,Iwassoreckoningonhim;andthenhehassuchmanners.I
thoughtwithhimandKarmazinov...Onlythink!

Yes,onlythink.Butinspiteoftantd'espritpapahasmadethingsworse,andifI'dknown
beforehand that he'd make such a mess of it, I should certainly not have persuaded you
yesterdaytokeepthegoatoutofthekitchengarden,shouldIsinceIamtakingpartinthis
conspiracyagainstyourfetethatyouaresopositiveabout?AndyetIdidtrytodissuadeyou
yesterday;ItriedtobecauseIforesawit.Toforeseeeverythingwas,ofcourse,impossible;he
probablydidnotknowhimselfaminutebeforewhathewouldfireoffthesenervousold
mencan'tbereckonedonlikeotherpeople.Butyoucanstillsavethesituation:tosatisfythe
public,sendtohim tomorrowbyadministrative order, andwithall theceremonies,two
doctorstoinquireintohishealth.Eventoday,infact,andtakehimstraighttothehospital
andapplycoldcompresses.Everyonewouldlaugh,anyway,andseethattherewasnothingto
takeoffenceat.I'lltellpeopleaboutitintheeveningattheball,asIamhisson.Karmazinov
is another story. He was a perfect ass and dragged out his article for a whole hour. He
certainlymusthavebeenintheplotwithme!'I'llmakeamessofittoo,'hethought,'to
damageYuliaMihailovna.'
Oh,Karmazinov!Quellehonte!Iwasburning,burningwithshameforhisaudience!

Well,Ishouldn'thaveburnt,buthavecookedhiminstead.Theaudiencewasright,you
know.WhowastoblameforKarmazinov,again?DidIfoisthimuponyou?WasIoneofhis
worshippers?Well,hanghim!Butthethirdmaniac,thepoliticalthat'sadifferentmatter.
Thatwaseveryone'sblunder,notonlymyplot.

Ah,don'tspeakofit!Thatwasawful,awful!Thatwasmyfault,entirelymyfault!

Ofcourseitwas,butIdon'tblameyouforthat.Noonecancontrolthem,thesecandidsouls!
Youcan'talwaysbesafefromthem,eveninPetersburg.Hewasrecommendedtoyou,andin
whattermstoo!Soyouwilladmitthatyouareboundtoappearattheballtonight.It'san
importantbusiness.Itwasyouputhimontotheplatform.Youmustmakeitplainnowtothe
publicthatyouarenotinleaguewithhim,thatthefellowisinthehandsofthepolice,and
thatyouwereinsomeinexplicablewaydeceived.Yououghttodeclarewithindignationthat
youwerethevictimofamadman.Becauseheisamadmanandnothingmore.That'showyou
mustputitabouthim.Ican'tendurethesepeoplewhobite.Isayworsethingsperhaps,butnot
fromtheplatform,youknow.Andtheyaretalkingaboutasenatortoo.

Whatsenator?Who'stalking?

I don't understand it myself, you know. Do you know anything about a senator, Yulia
Mihailovna?

Asenator?

Yousee,theyareconvincedthatasenatorhasbeenappointedtobegovernorhere,andthat
youarebeingsupersededfromPetersburg.I'vehearditfromlotsofpeople.

I'veheardittoo,Iputin.

Whosaidso?askedYuliaMihailovna,flushingallover.

Youmean,whosaidsofirst?HowcanItell?Butthereitis,peoplesayso.Massesofpeople
aresayingso.Theyweresayingsoyesterdayparticularly.Theyareallveryseriousaboutit,
thoughIcan'tmakeitout.Ofcoursethemoreintelligentandcompetentdon'ttalk,buteven
someofthoselisten.

Howmean!And...howstupid!

Well,that'sjustwhyyoumustmakeyourappearance,toshowthesefools.

IconfessIfeelmyselfthatit'smyduty,but...whatifthere'sanotherdisgraceinstorefor
us?Whatifpeopledon'tcome?Noonewillcome,youknow,noone!

How hot you are! They not come! What about the new clothes? What about the girls'
dresses?Igiveyouupasawomanafterthat!Isthatyourknowledgeofhumannature?

Themarshal'swifewon'tcome,shewon't.

But, after all, what has happened? Why won't they come? he cried at last with angry
impatience.

Ignominy,disgracethat'swhat'shappened.Idon'tknowwhattocallit,butafteritIcan't
facepeople.

Why?Howareyoutoblameforit,afterall?Whydoyoutaketheblameofitonyourself?
Isn'titratherthefaultoftheaudience,ofyourrespectableresidents,yourpatresfamilias?
Theyoughttohavecontrolledtheroughsandtherowdiesforitwasalltheworkofroughs
androwdies,nothingserious.Youcannevermanagethingswiththepolicealoneinany
society,anywhere.Amonguseveryoneasksforaspecialpolicemantoprotecthimwherever
he goes. People don't understand that society must protect itself. And what do our
patresfamilias,theofficials,thewivesanddaughters,doinsuchcases?Theysitquietand
sulk.Infactthere'snotenoughsocialinitiativetokeepthedisorderlyincheck.

Ah,that'sthesimpletruth!Theysitquiet,sulkand...gazeaboutthem.

Andifit'sthetruth,yououghttosaysoaloud,proudly,sternly,justtoshowthatyouarenot
defeated,tothoserespectableresidentsandmothersoffamilies.Oh,youcandoit;youhave
thegiftwhenyourheadisclear.Youwillgatherthemroundyouandsayitaloud.Andthena
paragraphintheVoiceandtheFinancialNews.Waitabit,I'llundertakeitmyself,I'llarrange
itallforyou.Ofcoursetheremustbemoresuperintendence:youmustlookafterthebuffet;
youmustasktheprince,youmustaskMr....Youmustnotdesertus,monsieur,justwhen
we have to begin all over again. And finally, you must appear arminarm with Andrey
Antonovitch....HowisAndreyAntonovitch?

Oh,howunjustly,howuntruly,howcruellyyouhavealwaysjudgedthatangelicman!
YuliaMihailovnacriedinasudden,outburst,almostwithtears,puttingherhandkerchiefto
hereyes.

PyotrStepanovitchwaspositivelytakenabackforthemoment.Goodheavens!I....What
haveIsaid?I'vealways...

Youneverhave,never!Youhaveneverdonehimjustice.

There'snounderstandingawoman,grumbledPyotrStepanovitch,withawrysmile.

Heisthemostsincere,themostdelicate,themostangelicofmen!Themostkindheartedof
men!

Well,really,asforkindheartedness...I'vealwaysdonehimjustice....
Never!Butletusdropit.Iamtooawkwardinmydefenceofhim.Thismorningthatlittle
Jesuit,themarshal'swife,alsodroppedsomesarcastichintsaboutwhathappenedyesterday.

Oh,shehasnothoughtstospareforyesterdaynow,sheisfulloftoday.Andwhyareyouso
upsetathernotcomingtotheballtonight?Ofcourse,shewon'tcomeaftergettingmixedup
insuchascandal.Perhapsit'snotherfault,butstillherreputation...herhandsaresoiled.

Whatdoyoumean;Idon'tunderstand?Whyareherhandssoiled?YuliaMihailovnalooked
athiminperplexity.

Idon'tvouchforthetruthofit,butthetownisringingwiththestorythatitwasshebrought
themtogether.

Whatdoyoumean?Broughtwhomtogether?

What,doyoumeantosayyoudon'tknow?heexclaimedwithwellsimulatedwonder.

WhyStavroginandLizavetaNikolaevna.

What?How?weallcriedoutatonce.

Isitpossibleyoudon'tknow?Phew!Why,itisquiteatragicromance:LizavetaNikolaevna
waspleasedtogetoutofthatlady'scarriageandgetstraightintoStavrogin'scarriage,and
slippedoffwith'thelatter'toSkvoreshnikiinfulldaylight.Onlyanhourago,hardlyanhour.

Wewereflabbergasted.Ofcoursewefelltoquestioninghim,buttoourwonder,althoughhe
happenedtobeawitnessofthescenehimself,hecouldgiveusnodetailedaccountofit.
Thethingseemedtohavehappenedlikethis:whenthemarshal'swifewasdrivingLizaand
MavrikyNikolaevitchfromthematineetothehouseofPraskovyaIvanovna(whoselegswere
stillbad)theysawacarriagewaitingashortdistance,abouttwentyfivepaces,toonesideof
thefrontdoor.WhenLizajumpedout,sheranstraighttothiscarriage;thedoorwasflung
openandshutagain;LizacalledtoMavrikyNikolaevitch,Spareme,andthecarriagedrove
offatfullspeedtoSkvoreshniki.Toourhurriedquestionswhetheritwasbyarrangement?
Whowasinthecarriage?PyotrStepanovitchansweredthatheknewnothingaboutit;no
doubtithadbeenarranged,butthathedidnotseeStavroginhimself;possiblytheoldbutler,
AlexeyYegorytch,mighthavebeeninthecarriage.TothequestionHowdidhecometobe
there,andhowdidheknowforafactthatshehaddriventoSkvoreshniki?heansweredthat
hehappenedtobepassingand,atseeingLiza,hehadrunuptothecarriage(andyethecould
notmakeoutwhowasinit,aninquisitivemanlikehim!)andthatMavrikyNikolaevitch,far
fromsettingoffinpursuit,hadnoteventriedtostopLiza,andhadevenlaidarestraining
hand on the marshal's wife, who was shouting at the top of her voice: She is going to
Stavrogin, to Stavrogin. At this point I lost patience, and cried furiously to Pyotr
Stepanovitch:

It'sallyourdoing,yourascal!Thiswaswhatyouweredoingthismorning.Youhelped
Stavrogin,youcameinthecarriage,youhelpedherintoit...itwasyou,you,you!Yulia
Mihailovna,heisyourenemy;hewillbeyourruintoo!Bewareofhim!

AndIranheadlongoutofthehouse.IwondermyselfandcannotmakeouttothisdayhowI
cametosaythattohim.ButIguessedquiteright:ithadallhappenedalmostexactlyasIsaid,
asappearedlater.Whatstruckmemostwastheobviouslyartificialwayinwhichhebrokethe
news.Hehadnottolditatonceonenteringthehouseasanextraordinarypieceofnews,but
pretendedthatweknewwithouthistellinguswhichwasimpossibleinsoshortatime.Andif
wehadknownit,wecouldnotpossiblyhaverefrainedfrommentioningittillheintroduced
thesubject.Besides,hecouldnothaveheardyetthatthetownwasringingwithgossip
aboutthemarshal'swifeinsoshortatime.Besides,hehadonceortwicegivenavulgar,
frivoloussmileashetoldthestory,probablyconsideringthatwewerefoolsandcompletely
takenin.

But I had no thought to spare for him; the central fact I believed, and ran from Yulia
Mihailovna's,besidemyself.Thecatastrophecutmetotheheart.Iwaswoundedalmostto
tears;perhapsIdidshedsomeindeed.Iwasatacompletelosswhattodo.IrushedtoStepan
Trofimovitch's,butthevexatiousmanstillrefusedtoopenthedoor.Nastasyainformedme,in
a reverent whisper, that he had gone to bed, but I did not believe it. At Liza's house I
succeededinquestioningtheservants.Theyconfirmedthestoryoftheelopement,butknew
nothing themselves. There was great commotion in the house; their mistress had been
attackedbyfaintingfits,andMavrikyNikolaevitchwaswithher.Ididnotfeelitpossibleto
askforMavrikyNikolaevitch.TomyinquiriesaboutPyotrStepanovitchtheytoldmethathe
hadbeeninandoutcontinuallyoflate,sometimestwiceintheday.Theservantsweresad,
andshowedparticularrespectfulnessinspeakingofLiza;theywerefondofher.Thatshewas
ruined,utterlyruined,Ididnotdoubt;butthepsychologicalaspectofthematterIwasutterly
unabletounderstand,especiallyafterherscenewithStavroginthepreviousday.Torunabout
thetownandinquireatthehousesofacquaintances,whowould,ofcourse,bynowhave
heardthenewsandberejoicingatit,seemedtomerevolting,besidesbeinghumiliatingfor
Liza.But,strangetosay,IrantoseeDaryaPavlovna,thoughIwasnotadmitted(noonehad
beenadmittedintothehousesincethepreviousmorning).Idon'tknowwhatIcouldhavesaid
toherandwhatmademeruntoher.FromherIwenttoherbrother's.Shatovlistenedsullenly
andinsilence.ImayobservethatIfoundhimmoregloomythanIhadeverseenhimbefore;
hewasawfullypreoccupiedandseemedonlytolistentomewithaneffort.Hesaidscarcely
anythingandbeganwalkingupanddownhiscellfromcornertocorner,treadingmorenoisily
thanusual.AsIwasgoingdownthestairsheshoutedaftermetogotoLiputin's:There
you'llheareverything.YetIdidnotgotoLiputin's,butafterI'dgoneagoodwaytowards
homeIturnedbacktoShatov'sagain,and,halfopeningthedoorwithoutgoingin,suggested
tohimlaconicallyandwithnokindofexplanation,Won'tyougotoMaryaTimofyevnato
day?AtthisShatovsworeatme,andIwentaway.InoteherethatImaynotforgetitthathe
didpurposelygothateveningtotheotherendofthetowntoseeMaryaTimofyevna,whom
hehadnotseenforsometime.HefoundherinexcellenthealthandspiritsandLebyadkin
deaddrunk,asleeponthesofainthefirstroom.Thiswasatnineo'clock.Hetoldmeso
himselfnextdaywhenwemetforamomentinthestreet.Beforeteno'clockImadeupmy
mindtogototheball,butnotinthecapacityofasteward(besidesmyrosettehadbeenleftat
Yulia Mihailovna's). I was tempted by irresistible curiosity to listen, without asking any
questions,towhatpeopleweresayinginthetownaboutallthathadhappened.Iwanted,too,
tohavealookatYuliaMihailovna,ifonlyatadistance.IreproachedmyselfgreatlythatI
hadlefthersoabruptlythatafternoon.

III

Allthatnight,withitsalmostgrotesqueincidents,andtheterribledenouementthatfollowed
intheearlymorning,stillseemstomelikeahideousnightmare,andis,formeatleast,the
mostpainfulchapterinmychronicle.Iwaslatefortheball,anditwasdestinedtoendso
quicklythatIarrivednotlongbeforeitwasover.Itwaseleveno'clockwhenIreachedthe
entranceofthemarshal'shouse,wherethesameWhiteHallinwhichthematineehadtaken
placehad,inspiteoftheshortintervalbetween,beenclearedandmadereadytoserveasthe
chiefballroomforthewholetown,asweexpected,todancein.ButfarasIhadbeenthat
morningfromexpectingtheballtobeasuccess,Ihadhadnopresentimentofthefulltruth.
Notonefamilyofthehighercirclesappeared;eventhesubordinateofficialsofrathermore
consequencewereabsentandthiswasaverystrikingfact.Asforladiesandgirls,Pyotr
Stepanovitch'sarguments(theduplicityofwhichwasobviousnow)turnedouttobeutterly
incorrect:exceedinglyfewhadcome;tofourmentherewasscarcelyoneladyandwhat
ladiestheywere!Regimentalladiesofasort,threedoctors'wiveswiththeirdaughters,twoor
threepoorladiesfromthecountry,thesevendaughtersandthenieceofthesecretarywhomI
havementionedalready,somewivesoftradesmen,ofpostofficeclerksandothersmallfry
wasthiswhatYuliaMihailovnaexpected?Halfthetradespeopleevenwereabsent.Asforthe
men,inspiteofthecompleteabsenceofallpersonsofconsequence,therewasstillacrowdof
them,buttheymadeadoubtfulandsuspiciousimpression.Therewere,ofcourse,somequiet
andrespectfulofficerswiththeirwives,someofthemostdocilefathersoffamilies,likethat
secretary, for instance, the father of his seven daughters. All these humble, insignificant
peoplehadcome,asoneofthesegentlemenexpressedit,becauseitwasinevitable.But,on
theotherhand,themassoffreeandeasypeopleandthemasstooofthosewhomPyotr
StepanovitchandIhadsuspectedofcominginwithouttickets,seemedevenbiggerthaninthe
afternoon.Sofartheywereallsittingintherefreshmentbar,andhadgonestraightthereon
arriving,asthoughitwerethemeetingplacetheyhadagreedupon.Soatleastitseemedto
me.Therefreshmentbarhadbeenplacedinalargeroom,thelastofseveralopeningoutof
oneanother.HereProhoritchwasinstalledwithalltheattractionsoftheclubcuisineandwith
atemptingdisplayofdrinksanddainties.Inoticedseveralpersonswhosecoatswerealmost
inragsandwhosegetupwasaltogethersuspiciousandutterlyunsuitableforaball.Theyhad
evidentlybeenwithgreatpainsbroughttoastateofpartialsobrietywhichwouldnotlast
long;andgoodnessknowswheretheyhadbeenbroughtfrom,theywerenotlocalpeople.I
knew,ofcourse,thatitwaspartofYuliaMihailovna'sideathattheballshouldbeofthemost
democraticcharacter,andthatevenworkingpeopleandshopmenshouldnotbeexcludedif
anyoneofthatclasschancedtopayforaticket.Shecouldbravelyuttersuchwordsinher
committeewithabsolutesecuritythatnoneoftheworkingpeopleofourtown,whoalllived
inextremepoverty,woulddreamoftakingaticket.Butinspiteofthedemocraticsentiments
ofthecommittee,Icouldhardlybelievethatsuchsinisterlookingandshabbypeoplecould
havebeenadmittedintheregularway.Butwhocouldhaveadmittedthem,andwithwhat
object?LyamshinandLiputinhadalreadybeendeprivedoftheirsteward'srosettes,though
theywerepresentattheball,astheyweretakingpartintheliteraryquadrille.But,tomy
amazement,Liputin'splacewastakenbythedivinitystudent,whohadcausedthegreatest
scandalatthematineebyhisskirmishwithStepanTrofimovitch;andLyamshin'swastaken
byPyotrStepanovitchhimself.Whatwastobelookedforunderthecircumstances?

I tried to listen to the conversation. I was struck by the wildness of some ideas I heard
expressed.Itwasmaintainedinonegroup,forinstance,thatYuliaMihailovnahadarranged
Liza'selopementwithStavroginandhadbeenpaidbythelatterfordoingso.Eventhesum
paidwasmentioned.Itwasassertedthatshehadarrangedthewholefetewithaviewtoit,and
thatthatwasthereasonwhyhalfthetownhadnotturnedupattheball,andthatLembke
himselfwassoupsetaboutitthathismindhadgivenway,andthat,crazyashewas,she
hadgothimintow.Therewasagreatdealoflaughtertoo,hoarse,wildandsignificant.
Everyonewascriticisingtheball,too,withgreatseverity,andabusingYuliaMihailovna
withoutceremony.Infactitwasdisorderly,incoherent,drunkenandexcitedbabble,soitwas
difficulttoputittogetherandmakeanythingofit.Atthesametimethereweresimplehearted
peopleenjoyingthemselvesattherefreshmentbar;therewereevensomeladiesofthesort
whoaresurprisedandfrightenedatnothing,verygenialandfestive,chieflymilitaryladies
withtheirhusbands.Theymadepartiesatthelittletables,weredrinkingtea,andwerevery
merry.Therefreshmentbarmadeasnugrefugeforalmosthalfoftheguests.Yetinalittle
timeallthismassofpeoplemuststreamintotheballroom.Itwashorribletothinkofit!

MeanwhiletheprincehadsucceededinarrangingthreeskimpyquadrillesintheWhiteHall.
Theyoungladiesweredancing,whiletheirparentswereenjoyingwatchingthem.Butmany
oftheserespectablepersonshadalreadybeguntothinkhowtheycould,aftergivingtheirgirls
atreat,getoffingoodtimebeforethetroublebegan.Absolutelyeveryonewasconvinced
thatitcertainlywouldbegin.ItwouldbedifficultformetodescribeYuliaMihailovna'sstate
ofmind.IdidnottalktoherthoughIwentcloseuptoher.ShedidnotrespondtothebowI
madeheronentering;shedidnotnoticeme(reallydidnotnotice).Therewasapainfullook
inherfaceandacontemptuousandhaughtythoughrestlessandagitatedexpressioninher
eyes.Shecontrolledherself with evidentsufferingforwhosesake,withwhatobject?She
certainly ought to have gone away, still more to have got her husband away, and she
remained!Fromherfaceonecouldseethathereyeswerefullyopened,andthatitwas
uselessforhertoexpectany.thingmore.ShedidnotevensummonPyotrStepanovitch(he
seemedtoavoidher;Isawhimintherefreshmentroom,hewasextremelylively).Butshe
remainedattheballanddidnotletAndreyAntonovitchleavehersideforamoment.Oh,up
totheverylastmoment,eventhatmorningshewouldhaverepudiatedanyhintabouthis
healthwithgenuineindignation.Butnowhereyesweretobeopenedonthissubjecttoo.As
forme,IthoughtfromthefirstglancethatAndreyAntonovitchlookedworsethanhehad
doneinthemorning.Heseemedtobeplungedintoasortofoblivionandhardlytoknow
where he was. Sometimes he looked about him with unexpected severity at me, for
instance,twice.Oncehetriedtosaysomething;hebeganloudlyandaudiblybutdidnot
finishthesentence,throwingamodestoldclerkwhohappenedtobenearhimalmostintoa
panic.Buteventhishumblesectionoftheassemblyheldsullenlyandtimidlyalooffrom
YuliaMihailovnaandatthesametimeturneduponherhusbandexceedinglystrangeglances,
openandstaring,quiteoutofkeepingwiththeirhabituallysubmissivedemeanour.

Yes, that struck me, and I suddenly began to guess about Andrey Antonovitch, Yulia
Mihailovnaconfessedtomeafterwards.

Yes,shewastoblameagain!ProbablywhenaftermydepartureshehadsettledwithPyotr
Stepanovitchthatthereshouldbeaballandthatsheshouldbepresentshemusthavegone
againtothestudywhereAndreyAntonovitchwassitting,utterlyshatteredbythematinee;
mustagainhaveusedallherfascinationstopersuadehimtocomewithher.Butwhatmisery
shemusthavebeeninnow!Andyetshedidnotgoaway.Whetheritwasprideorsimplyshe
lostherhead,Idonotknow.Inspiteofherhaughtiness,sheattemptedwithsmilesand
humiliationtoenterintoconversationwithsomeladies,buttheywereconfused,confined
themselvestodistrustfulmonosyllables,YesandNo,andevidentlyavoidedher.

Theonlypersonofundoubtedconsequencewhowaspresentattheballwasthatdistinguished
generalwhomIhavedescribedalready,theonewhoafterStavrogin'sduelwithGaganov
openedthedoortopublicimpatienceatthemarshal'swife's.Hewalkedwithanairofdignity
throughtherooms,lookedabout,andlistened,andtriedtoappearasthoughhehadcome
ratherforthesakeofobservationthanforthesakeofenjoyinghimself....Heendedby
establishinghimselfbesideYuliaMihailovnaandnotmovingastepawayfromher,evidently
tryingtokeepupherspirits,andreassureher.Hecertainlywasamostkindheartedman,of
veryhighrank,andsooldthatevencompassionfromhimwasnotwounding.Buttoadmitto
herselfthatthisoldgossipwasventuringtopityherandalmosttoprotecther,knowingthat
hewasdoingherhonourbyhispresence,wasveryvexatious.Thegeneralstayedbyherand
neverceasedchattering.

Theysayatowncan'tgoonwithoutsevenrighteousmen...seven,Ithinkitis,Iamnot
sureofthenumberfixed....Idon'tknowhowmanyoftheseseven,thecertifiedrighteousof
thetown...havethehonourofbeingpresentatyourball.YetinspiteoftheirpresenceI
begintofeelunsafe.Vousmepardonnez,charmantedame,n'estcepas?Ispeakallegorically,
but I went into the refreshmentroom and I am glad I escaped alive. . . . Our priceless
Prohoritchisnotinhisplacethere,andIbelievehisbarwillbedestroyedbeforemorning.
ButIamlaughing.Iamonlywaitingtoseewhatthe'literaryquadrille'isgoingtobelike,and
thenhometobed.Youmustexcuseagoutyoldfellow.Igoearlytobed,andIwouldadvise
youtootogo'byby,'astheysay auxenfants. I'vecome,youknow,tohavealookatthe
prettygirls...whom,ofcourse,Icouldmeetnowhereinsuchprofusionashere.Theyalllive
beyondtheriverandIdon'tdriveoutsofar.There'sawifeofanofficer...inthechasseursI
believeheis...whoisdistinctlypretty,distinctly,and...sheknowsitherself.I'vetalkedto
theslypuss;sheisasprightlyone...andthegirlstooarefreshlooking;butthat'sall,there's
nothingbutfreshness.Still,it'sapleasuretolookatthem.Therearesomerosebuds,buttheir
lipsarethick.Asarulethere'sanirregularityaboutfemalebeautyinRussia,and...theyare
alittlelikebuns....vousmepardonnez,n'estcepas?...withgoodeyes,however,laughing
eyes....Theserosebudsarecharmingfortwoyearswhentheyareyoung...evenforthree.
..thentheybroadenoutandarespoiltforever..producingintheirhusbandsthatdeplorable
indifferencewhichdoessomuchtopromotethewomanmovement...thatis,ifIunderstand
itcorrectly....H'm!It'safinehall;theroomsarenotbadlydecorated.Itmightbeworse.The
music might be much worse. ... I don't say it ought to have been. What makes a bad
impressionisthattherearesofewladies.Isaynothingaboutthedresses.It'sbadthatthat
chapinthegreytrousersshoulddaretodancethecancansoopenly.Icanforgivehimifhe
doesitinthegaietyofhisheart,andsinceheisthelocalchemist....Still,eleveno'clockisa
bitearlyevenforchemists.Thereweretwofellowsfightingintherefreshmentbarandthey
weren'tturnedout.Ateleveno'clockpeopleoughttobeturnedoutforfighting,whateverthe
standardofmanners....Threeo'clockisadifferentmatter;thenonehastomakeconcessions
topublicopinionifonlythisballsurvivestillthreeo'clock.VarvaraPetrovnahasnotkept
herword,though,andhasn'tsentflowers.H'm!Shehasnothoughtsforflowers, pauvre
mere!AndpoorLiza!Haveyouheard?Theysayit'samysteriousstory...andStavroginis
tothefrontagain....H'm!Iwouldhavegonehometobed...Icanhardlykeepmyeyes
open.Butwhenisthis'literaryquadrille'comingon?

Atlasttheliteraryquadrillebegan.Wheneveroflatetherehadbeenconversationinthe
town on the ball it had invariably turned on this literary quadrille, and as no one could
imaginewhatitwouldbelike,itarousedextraordinarycuriosity.Nothingcouldbemore
unfavourabletoitschanceofsuccess,andgreatwasthedisappointment.

ThesidedoorsoftheWhiteHallwerethrownopenandseveralmaskedfiguresappeared.The
publicsurroundedthemeagerly.Alltheoccupantsoftherefreshmentbartroopedtothelast
manintothehall.Themaskedfigurestooktheirplacesforthedance.Isucceededinmaking
mywaytothefrontandinstalledmyselfjustbehindYuliaMihailovna,VonLembke,andthe
general.AtthispointPyotrStepanovitch,whohadkeptawaytillthattime,skippedupto
YuliaMihailovna.

I'vebeenintherefreshmentroomallthistime,watching,hewhispered,withtheairofa
guiltyschoolboy,whichhe,however,assumedonpurposetoirritate herevenmore.She
turnedcrimsonwithanger.

Youmightgiveuptryingtodeceivemenowatleast,insolentman!brokefromheralmost
aloud,sothatitwasheardbyotherpeople.PyotrStepanovitchskippedawayextremelywell
satisfiedwithhimself.

Itwouldbedifficulttoimagineamorepitiful,vulgar,dullandinsipidallegorythanthis
literaryquadrille.Nothingcouldheimaginedlessappropriatetoourlocalsociety.Yetthey
sayitwasKarmazinov'sidea.ItwasLiputinindeedwhoarrangeditwiththehelpofthelame
teacherwhohadbeenatthemeetingatVirginsky's.ButKarmazinovhadgiventheideaand
had,itwassaid,meanttodressupandtotakeaspecialandprominentpartinit.Thequadrille
wasmadeupofsixcouplesofmaskedfigures,whowerenotinfancydressexactly,fortheir
clotheswerelikeeveryoneelse's.Thus,forinstance,oneshortandelderlygentlemanwearing
adresscoatinfact,dressedlikeeveryoneworeavenerablegreybeard,tiedon(andthis
constitutedhisdisguise).Ashedancedhepoundedupanddown,takingtinyandrapidsteps
on the same spot with a stolid expression of countenance. He gave vent to sounds in a
subduedbuthuskybass,andthishuskinesswasmeanttosuggestoneofthewellknown
papers.Oppositethisfiguredancedtwogiants,XandZ,andtheseletterswerepinnedontheir
coats, but what the letters meant remained unexplained. Honest Russian thought was
representedbyamiddleagedgentlemaninspectacles,dresscoatandgloves,andwearing
fetters(realfetters).Underhisarmhehadaportfoliocontainingpapersrelatingtosome
case.Toconvincethesceptical,aletterfromabroadtestifyingtothehonestyofhonest
Russianthoughtpeepedoutofhispocket.Allthiswasexplainedbythestewards,asthe
letterwhichpeepedoutofhispocketcouldnotberead.HonestRussianthoughthadhis
righthandraisedandinitheldaglassasthoughhewantedtoproposeatoast.InalineWith
himoneachsidetrippedacropheadednihilistgirl;while visavis dancedanotherelderly
gentlemaninadresscoatwithaheavycudgelinhishand.Hewasmeanttorepresenta
formidableperiodical(notaPetersburgone),andseemedtobesaying,I'llpoundyoutoa
jelly.ButinspiteofhiscudgelhecouldnotbearthespectaclesofhonestRussianthought
fixeduponhimandtriedtolookaway,andwhenhedidthepasdedeux,hetwisted,turned,
anddid not know what to dowithhimselfso terrible, probably, were the stingsof his
conscience!Idon'trememberalltheabsurdtrickstheyplayed,however;itwasallinthesame
style,sothatIfeltatlastpainfullyashamed.Andthissameexpression,asitwere,ofshame
wasreflectedinthewholepublic,evenonthemostsullenfiguresthathadcomeoutofthe
refreshmentroom.Forsometimeallweresilentandgazedwithangryperplexity.Whena
manisashamedhegenerallybeginstogetangryandisdisposedtobecynical.Bydegreesa
murmuraroseintheaudience.

What'sthemeaningofit?amanwhohadcomeinfromtherefreshmentroommutteredin
oneofthegroups.

It'ssilly.

It'ssomethingliterary.It'sacriticismoftheVoice.

What'sthattome?

Fromanothergroup:

Asses!

No,theyarenotasses;it'swewhoaretheasses.

Whyareyouanass?

Iamnotanass.

Well,ifyouarenot,Iamcertainlynot.

Fromathirdgroup:
Weoughttogivethemagoodsmackingandsendthemflying.

Pulldownthehall!

Fromafourthgroup:

IwondertheLembkesarenotashamedtolookon!

Whyshouldtheybeashamed?Youarenot.

Yes,Iamashamed,andheisthegovernor.

Andyouareapig.

I'veneverseensuchacommonplaceballinmylife,aladyobservedviciously,quiteclose
toYuliaMihailovna,obviouslywiththeintentionofbeingoverheard.Shewasastoutladyof
fortywithrougeonhercheeks,wearingabrightcolouredsilkdress.Almosteveryoneinthe
townknewher,butnoonereceivedher.Shewasthewidowofacivilcouncillor,whohadleft
herawoodenhouseandasmallpension;butshelivedwellandkepthorses.Twomonths
previouslyshehadcalledonYuliaMihailovna,butthelatterhadnotreceivedher.

Thatmighthavebeenforeseen,sheadded,lookinginsolentlyintoYuliaMihailovna'sface.

Ifyoucouldforeseeit,whydidyoucome?YuliaMihailovnacouldnotresistsaying.

BecauseIwastoosimple,thesprightlyladyansweredinstantly,upinarmsandeagerfor
thefray;butthegeneralintervened.

CheredamehebentovertoYuliaMihailovnayou'dreallybetterbegoing.Weare
onlyintheirwayandthey'llenjoythemselvesthoroughlywithoutus.You'vedoneyourpart,
you'veopenedtheball,nowleavetheminpeace.AndAudreyAntonovitchdoesn'tseemtobe
feelingquitesatisfactorily....Toavoidtrouble.

Butitwastoolate.

All through the quadrille Andrey Antonovitch gazed at the dancers with a sort of angry
perplexity,andwhenheheardthecommentsoftheaudiencehebeganlookingabouthim
uneasily.Thenforthefirsttimehecaughtsightofsomeofthepersonswhohadcomefrom
therefreshmentroom;therewasanexpressionofextremewonderinhisface.Suddenlythere
was a loud roar of laughter at a caper that was cut in the quadrille. The editor of the
menacingperiodical,notaPetersburgone,whowasdancingwiththecudgelinhishands,
felt utterly unable to endure the spectacled gaze of honest Russian thought, and not
knowinghowtoescapeit,suddenlyinthelastfigureadvancedtomeethimstandingonhis
head,whichwasmeant,bytheway,totypifythecontinualturningupsidedownofcommon
sensebythemenacingnonPetersburggazette.AsLyamshinwastheonlyonewhocould
walkstandingonhishead,hehadundertakentorepresenttheeditorwiththecudgel.Yulia
Mihailovnahadhadnoideathatanyonewasgoingtowalkonhishead.Theyconcealedthat
fromme,theyconcealedit,sherepeatedtomeafterwardsindespairandindignation.The
laughterfromthecrowdwas,ofcourse,provokednotbytheallegory,whichinterestedno
one,butsimplybyaman'swalkingonhisheadinaswallowtailcoat.Lembkeflewintoa
rageandshookwithfury.

Rascal!hecried,pointingtoLyamshin,takeholdofthescoundrel,turnhimover...turn
hislegs...hishead...sothathishead'sup...up!

Lyamshinjumpedontohisfeet.Thelaughtergrewlouder.

Turnoutallthescoundrelswhoarelaughing!Lembkeprescribedsuddenly.

Therewasanangryroarandlaughterinthecrowd.

Youcan'tdolikethat,yourExcellency.

Youmustn'tabusethepublic.

Youareafoolyourself!avoicecriedsuddenlyfromacorner.

Filibusters!shoutedsomeonefromtheotherendofthe

room.

Lembkelookedroundquicklyattheshoutandturnedpale.Avacantsmilecameontohis
lips,asthoughhesuddenlyunderstoodandrememberedsomething.

Gentlemen,saidYuliaMihailovna,addressingthecrowdwhichwaspressingroundthem,
as she drew her husband awaygentlemen, excuse Andrey Antonovitch. Andrey
Antonovitchisunwell...excuse...forgivehim,gentlemen.

Ipositivelyheardhersayforgivehim.Itallhappenedveryquickly.ButIrememberfora
factthatasectionofthepublicrushedoutofthehallimmediatelyafterthosewordsofYulia
Mihailovna'sasthoughpanicstricken.Irememberonehysterical,tearfulfeminineshriek:

Ach,thesamethingagain!

Andintheretreatoftheguests,whichwasalmostbecomingacrush,anotherbombexploded
exactlyasintheafternoon.

Fire!Alltheriversidequarterisonfire!

Idon'trememberwherethisterriblecryrosefirst,whetheritwasfirstraisedinthehall,or
whethersomeoneranupstairsfromtheentry,butitwasfollowedbysuchalarmthatIcan't
attempttodescribeit.Morethanhalftheguestsattheballcamefromthequarterbeyondthe
river,andwereownersoroccupiersofwoodenhousesinthatdistrict.Theyrushedtothe
windows,pulledbackthecurtainsinaflash,andtoredowntheblinds.Theriversidewasin
flames.Thefire,itistrue,wasonlybeginning,butitwasinflamesinthreeseparateplaces
andthatwaswhatwasalarming.

Arson!TheShpigulinmen!roaredthecrowd.

Iremembersomeverycharacteristicexclamations:

I'vehadapresentimentinmyheartthatthere'dbearson,I'vehadapresentimentofitthese
lastfewdays!

TheShpigulinmen,theShpigulinmen,nooneelse!

Wewereallluredhereonpurposetosetfiretoit!

Thislastmostamazingexclamationcamefromawoman;itwasanunintentionalinvoluntary
shriekofahousewifewhosegoodswereburning.Everyonerushedforthedoor.Iwon't
describethecrushinthevestibuleoversortingoutcloaks,shawls,andpelisses,theshrieksof
thefrightenedwomen,theweepingoftheyoungladies.Idoubtwhethertherewasanytheft,
butitwasnowonderthatinsuchdisordersomewentawaywithouttheirwrapsbecausethey
wereunabletofindthem,andthisgrewintoalegendwithmanyadditions,longpreservedin
thetown.LembkeandYuliaMihailovnawerealmostcrushedbythecrowdatthedoors.

Stop,everyone!Don'tletanyoneout!yelledLembke,stretchingouthisarmsmenacingly
towardsthecrowdingpeople.

Everyonewithoutexceptiontobestrictlysearchedatonce!

Astormofviolentoathsrosefromthecrowd.

AndreyAntonovitch!AndreyAntonovitch!criedYuliaMihailovnaincompletedespair.

Arrestherfirst!shoutedherhusband,pointinghisfingeratherthreateningly.Searchher
first!Theballwasarrangedwithaviewtothefire....

Shescreamedandfellintoaswoon.(Oh,therewasnodoubtofitsbeingarealone.)The
general,theprince,andIrushedtoherassistance;therewereothers,evenamongtheladies,
whohelpedusatthatdifficultmoment.Wecarriedtheunhappywomanoutofthishelltoher
carriage,butsheonlyregainedconsciousnessasshereachedthehouse,andherfirstutterance
wasaboutAndreyAntonovitchagain.Withthedestructionofallherfancies,theonlything
leftinhermindwasAndreyAntonovitch.Theysentforadoctor.Iremainedwithherfora
wholehour;theprincedidsotoo.Thegeneral,inanaccessofgenerousfeeling(thoughhe
hadbeenterriblyscared),meanttoremainallnightbythebedsideoftheunhappylady,but
withintenminuteshefellasleepinanarmchairinthedrawingroomwhilewaitingforthe
doctor,andtherewelefthim.
Thechiefofthepolice,whohadhurriedfromtheballtothefire,hadsucceededingetting
AndreyAntonovitchoutofthehallafterus,andattemptedtoputhimintoYuliaMihailovna's
carriage,tryingallhecouldtopersuadehisExcellencytoseekrepose.ButIdon'tknow
whyhedidnotinsist.AndreyAntonovitch,ofcourse,wouldnothearofrepose,andwasset
ongoingtothefire;butthatwasnotasufficientreason.Itendedinhistakinghimtothefire
inhisdroshky.HetoldusafterwardsthatLembkewasgesticulatingallthewayandshouting
ordersthatitwasimpossibletoobeyowingtotheirunusualness.Itwasofficiallyreported
lateronthathisExcellencyhadatthattimebeeninadeliriousconditionowingtoasudden
fright.

Thereisnoneedtodescribehowtheballended.Afewdozenrowdyfellows,andwiththem
some ladies, remained in the hall. There were nopolice present. Theywould not let the
orchestrago,andbeatthemusicianswhoattemptedtoleave.Bymorningtheytadpulledall
Prohoritch'sstalltopieces,haddrunkthemselvessenseless,dancedtheKamarinskyinits
unexpurgatedform,madetheroomsinashockingmess,andonlytowardsdaybreakpartof
thishopelesslydrunkenrabblereachedthesceneofthefiretomakefreshdisturbancesthere.
Theotherpartspentthenightintheroomsdeaddrunk,withdisastrousconsequencestothe
velvetsofasandthefloor.Nextmorning,attheearliestpossibility,theyweredraggedoutby
theirlegsintothestreetSoendedthefeteforthebenefitofthegovernessesofourprovince.

IV

Thefirefrightenedtheinhabitantsoftheriversidejustbecauseitwasevidentlyacaseof
arson.ItwascuriousthatatthefirstcryoffireanothercrywasraisedthattheShpigulin
menhaddoneit.ItisnowwellknownthatthreeShpigulinmenreallydidhaveasharein
settingfiretothetown,butthatwasall;alltheotherfactoryhandswerecompletelyacquitted,
notonlyofficiallybutalsobypublicopinion.Besidesthosethreerascals(ofwhomonehas
been caught and confessed and the other two have so far escaped), Fedka the convict
undoubtedlyhadahandinthearson.Thatisallthatisknownforcertainaboutthefiretill
now;butwhenitcomestoconjecturesit'saverydifferentmatter.Whathadledthesethree
rascalstodoit?Hadtheybeeninstigatedbyanyone?Itisverydifficulttoanswerallthese
questionsevennow.

Owingtothestrongwind,thefactthatthehousesattheriversidewerealmostallwooden,and
thattheyhadbeensetfiretointhreeplaces,thefirespreadquicklyandenvelopedthewhole
quarterwithextraordinaryrapidity.(Thefireburnt,however,onlyattwoends;atthethird
spot it was extinguished almost as soon as it began to burnof which later.) But the
PetersburgandMoscowpapersexaggeratedourcalamity.Notmorethanaquarter,roughly
speaking,oftheriversidedistrictwasburntdown;possiblylessindeed.Ourfirebrigade,
thoughitwashardlyadequatetothesizeandpopulationofthetown,workedwithgreat
promptitudeanddevotion.Butitwouldnothavebeenofmuchavail,evenwiththezealous
cooperationoftheinhabitants,ifthewindhadnotsuddenlydroppedtowardsmorning.When
anhourafterourflightfromtheballImademywaytotheriverside,thefirewasatitsheight.
Awholestreetparallelwiththeriverwasinflames.Itwasaslightasday.Iwon'tdescribethe
fire;everyoneinRussiaknowswhatitlookslike.Thebustleandcrushwasimmenseinthe
lanes adjoiningthe burning street. The inhabitants, fullyexpecting the fire toreach their
houses, werehaulingouttheirbelongings, but hadnotyet lefttheirdwellings, andwere
waitingmeanwhilesittingontheirboxesandfeatherbedsundertheirwindows.Partofthe
malepopulationwerehardatworkruthlesslychoppingdownfencesandevenwholehuts
whichwerenearthefireandonthewindwardside.Nonewerecryingexceptthechildren,
whohadbeenwakedoutoftheirsleep,thoughthewomenwhohaddraggedouttheirchattels
werelamentinginsingsongvoices.Thosewhohadnotfinishedtheirtaskwerestillsilent,
busilycarryingouttheirgoods.Sparksandemberswerecarriedalongwayinalldirections.
Peopleputthemoutasbesttheycould.Somehelpedtoputthefireoutwhileothersstood
about,admiringit.Agreatfireatnightalwayshasathrillingandexhilaratingeffect.Thisis
whatexplainstheattractionoffireworks.Butinthatcasetheartisticregularitywithwhichthe
fire is presented and the complete lack of danger give an impression of lightness and
playfulnessliketheeffectofaglassofchampagne.Arealconflagrationisaverydifferent
matter.Thenthehorrorandacertainsenseofpersonaldanger,togetherwiththeexhilarating
effectofafireatnight,produceonthespectator(thoughofcoursenotinthehouseholder
whosegoodsarebeingburnt)acertainconcussionofthebrainand,asitwere,achallengeto
thosedestructiveinstinctswhich,alas,liehiddenineveryheart,eventhatofthemildestand
mostdomesticlittleclerk....Thissinistersensationisalmostalwaysfascinating.Ireally
don'tknowwhetheronecanlookatafirewithoutacertainpleasure.Thisiswordforword
whatStepanTrofimovitchsaidtomeonenightonreturninghomeafterhehadhappenedto
witnessafireandwasstillundertheinfluenceofthespectacle.Ofcourse,theverymanwho
enjoysthespectaclewillrushintothefirehimselftosaveachildoranoldwoman;butthatis
altogetheradifferentmatter.

Followinginthewakeofthecrowdofsightseers,Isucceeded,withoutaskingquestions,in
reachingthechiefcentreofdanger,whereatlastIsawLembke,whomIwasseekingatYulia
Mihailovna'srequest.Hispositionwasstrangeandextraordinary.Hewasstandingonthe
ruinsofafence.Thirtypacestotheleftofhimrosetheblackskeletonofatwostoriedhouse
whichhadalmostburntout.Ithadholesinsteadofwindowsateachstory,itsroofhadfallen
in,andtheflameswerestillhereandtherecreepingamongthecharredbeamsAtthefarther
end of the courtyard, twenty paces away, the lodge, also a twostoried building, was
beginningtoburn,andthefiremenweredoingtheirutmosttosaveit.Ontherightthefiremen
andthepeopleweretryingtosavearatherlargewoodenbuildingwhichwasnotactually
burning,thoughithadcaughtfireseveraltimesandwasinevitablyboundtobeburntinthe
end.Lembkestoodfacingthelodge,shoutingandgesticulating.Hewasgivingorderswhich
nooneattemptedtocarryout.Itseemedtomethateveryonehadgivenhimupashopeless
andlefthim.Anyway,thougheveryoneinthevastcrowdofallclasses,amongwhomthere
were gentlemen, and even the cathedral priest, was listening to him with curiosity and
wonder,noonespoketohimortriedtogethimaway.Lembke,withapalefaceandglittering
eyes,wasutteringthemostamazingthings.Tocompletethepicture,hehadlosthishatand
wasbareheaded.

It'sallincendiarism!It'snihilism!Ifanythingisburning,it'snihilism!Iheardalmostwith
horror;andthoughtherewasnothingtobesurprisedat,yetactualmadness,whenoneseesit,
alwaysgivesoneashock.

YourExcellency,saidapoliceman,cominguptohim,whatifyouweretotrytherepose
ofhome?...It'sdangerousforyourExcellencyeventostandhere.

Thispoliceman,asIheardafterwards,hadbeentoldoffbythechiefofpolicetowatchover
AndreyAntonovitch,todohisutmosttogethimhome,andincaseofdangereventouse
forceataskevidentlybeyondtheman'spower.

Theywillwipeawaythetearsofthepeoplewhosehouseshavebeenburnt,buttheywill
burndownthetown.It'salltheworkoffourscoundrels,fourandahalf!Arrestthescoundrel!
Hewormshimselfintothehonouroffamilies.Theymadeuseofthegovernessestoburn
down the houses. It's vile, vile! Aie, what's he about? he shouted, suddenly noticing a
firemanatthetopoftheburninglodge,underwhomtheroofhadalmostburntawayand
roundwhomtheflameswerebeginningtoflareup.Pullhimdown!Pullhimdown!Hewill
fall,hewillcatchfire,puthimout!...Whatishedoingthere?

Heisputtingthefireout,yourExcellency.

Notlikely.Thefireisinthemindsofmenandnotintheroofsofhouses.Pullhimdownand
giveitup!Bettergiveitup,muchbetter!Letitputitselfout.Aie,whoiscryingnow?Anold
woman!It'sanoldwomanshouting.Whyhavetheyforgottentheoldwoman?

Thereactuallywasanoldwomancryingonthegroundflooroftheburninglodge.Shewasan
oldcreatureofeighty,arelationoftheshopkeeperwhoownedthehouse.Butshehadnot
beenforgotten;shehadgonebacktotheburninghousewhileitwasstillpossible,withthe
insane idea of rescuing her feather bed from a corner room which was still untouched.
Chokingwiththesmokeandscreamingwiththeheat,fortheroomwasonfirebythetimeshe
reachedit,shewasstilltryingwithherdecrepithandstosqueezeherfeatherbedthrougha
brokenwindowpane.Lembkerushedtoherassistance.Everyonesawhimrunuptothe
window,catchholdofonecornerofthefeatherbedandtrywithallhismighttopullitout.
Asillluckwouldhaveit,aboardfellatthatmomentfromtheroofandhittheunhappy
governor. It did not kill him, it merely grazed him on the neck as it fell, but Audrey
Antonovitch'scareerwasover,amongusatleast;theblowknockedhimoffhisfeetandhe
sankonthegroundunconscious.

Thedaydawnedatlast,gloomyandsullen.Thefirewasabating;thewindwasfollowedbya
suddencalm,andthenafinedrizzlingrainfell.Iwasbythattimeinanotherpart,some
distancefromwhereLembkehadfallen,andhereIoverheardverystrangeconversationsin
thecrowd.Astrangefacthadcometolight.Ontheveryoutskirtsofthequarter,onapieceof
wastelandbeyondthekitchengardens,notlessthanfiftypacesfromanyotherbuildings,
therestoodalittlewoodenhousewhichhadonlylatelybeenbuilt,andthissolitaryhousehad
beenonfireattheverybeginning,almostbeforeanyother.Evenhaditburntdown,itwasso
farfromotherhousesthatnootherbuildinginthetowncouldhavecaughtfirefromit,and,
vice versa, if the whole riverside had been burnt to the ground, that house might have
remainedintact,whateverthewindhadbeen.Itfollowedthatithadcaughtfireseparatelyand
independentlyandthereforenotaccidentally.Butthechiefpointwasthatitwasnotburntto
theground,andatdaybreakstrangethingswerediscoveredwithinit.Theownerofthisnew
house,wholivedintheneighbourhood,rushedupassoonashesawitinflamesandwiththe
helpofhisneighboursPulledapartapileoffaggotswhichhadbeenheapedupbytheside
wallandsetfireto.Inthiswayhesavedthehouse.Buttherewerelodgersinthehousethe
captain,whowaswellknowninthetown,hissister,andtheirelderlyservant,andthesethree
personsthecaptain,hissister,andtheirservanthadbeenmurderedandapparentlyrobbed
inthenight.(ItwasherethatthechiefofpolicehadgonewhileLembkewasrescuingthe
featherbed.)

Bymorningthenewshadspreadandanimmensecrowdofallclasses,eventheriverside
peoplewhohadbeenburntouthadflockedtothewastelandwherethenewhousestood.It
wasdifficulttogetthere,sodensewasthecrowd.Iwastoldatoncethatthecaptainhadbeen
foundlyingdressedonthebenchwithhisthroatcut,andthathemusthavebeendeaddrunk
whenhewaskilled,sothathehadfeltnothing,andhehadbledlikeabull";thathissister
MaryaTimofeyevnahadbeenstabbedalloverwithaknifeandshewaslyingonthefloor
inthedoorway,sothatprobablyshehadbeenawakeandhadfoughtandstruggledwiththe
murderer.Theservant,whohadalsoprobablybeenawake,hadherskullbroken.Theowner
ofthehousesaidthatthecaptainhadcometoseehimthemorningbefore,andthatinhis
drunkenbragginghehadshownhimalotofmoney,asmuchastwohundredroubles.The
captain's shabby old green pocketbook was found empty on the floor, but Marya
Timofeyevna'sboxhadnotbeentouched,andthesilversettingoftheikonhadnotbeen
removedeither;thecaptain'sclothes,too,hadnotbeendisturbed.Itwasevidentthatthethief
hadbeeninahurryandwasamanfamiliarwiththecaptain'scircumstances,whohadcome
onlyformoneyandknewwhereitwaskept.Iftheownerofthehousehadnotrunupatthat
momenttheburningfaggotstackwouldcertainlyhavesetfiretothehouseanditwouldhave
beendifficulttofindoutfromthecharredcorpseshowtheyhaddied.

Sothestorywastold.Oneotherfactwasadded:thatthepersonwhohadtakenthishousefor
the Lebyadkins was no other than Mr. Stavrogin, Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch, the son of
VarvaraPetrovna.Hehadcomehimselftotakeitandhadhadmuchadotopersuadethe
ownertoletit,asthelatterhadintendedtouseitasatavern;butNikolayVsyevolodovitch
wasreadytogiveanyrentheaskedandhadpaidforsixmonthsinadvance.

Thefirewasn'tanaccident,Iheardsaidinthecrowd.

Butthemajoritysaidnothing.People'sfacesweresullen,butIdidnotseesignsofmuch
muchindignation.Peoplepersisted,however,ingossipingaboutStavrogin,sayingthatthe
murderedwomanwashiswife;thatonthepreviousdayhehaddishonourablyabducteda
youngladybelongingtothebestfamilyintheplace,thedaughterofMadameDrozdov,and
thatacomplaintwastobelodgedagainsthiminPetersburg;andthathiswifehadbeen
murderedevidentlythathemightmarrytheyounglady.Skvoreshnikiwasnotmorethana
mileandahalfaway,andIrememberIwonderedwhetherIshouldnotletthemknowthe
positionofaffairs.Ididnotnotice,however,thattherewasanyoneeggingthecrowdonandI
don'twanttoaccusepeoplefalsely,thoughIdidseeandrecognisedatonceinthecrowdat
the fire two or three of the rowdy lot I had seen in the refreshmentroom. I particularly
rememberonethin,tallfellow,acabinetmaker,asIfoundoutlater,withanemaciatedface
andacurlyhead,blackasthoughgrimedwithsoot.Hewasnotdrunk,butincontrasttothe
gloomypassivityofthecrowdseemedbesidehimselfwithexcitement.Hekeptaddressingthe
people,thoughIdon'trememberhiswords;nothingcoherentthathesaidwaslongerthanI
say,lads,whatdoyousaytothis?Arethingstogoonlikethis?andsosayinghewavedhis
arms.

CHAPTERIII.AROMANCEENDED

FROMTHELARGEBALLROOMofSkvoreshniki(theroominwhichthelastinterview
withVarvaraPetrovnaandStepanTrofimovitchhadtakenplace)thefirecouldbeplainly
seenAtdaybreak,soonafterfiveinthemorning,Lizawasstandingatthefarthestwindowon
therightlookingintentlyatthefadingglow.Shewasaloneintheroom.Shewaswearingthe
dressshehadwornthedaybeforeatthematineeaverysmartlightgreendresscoveredwith
lace,butcrushedandputoncarelesslyandwithhaste.Suddenlynoticingthatsomeofthe
hookswereundoneinfrontsheflushed,hurriedlysetitright,snatchedupfromachairthered
shawlshehadflungdownwhenshecameinthedaybefore,andputitroundherneck.Some
locksofherluxurianthairhadcomelooseandshowedbelowtheshawlonherrightshoulder.
Herfacelookedwearyandcareworn.buthereyesglowedunderherfrowningbrows.She
wentuptothewindowagainandpressedherburningforeheadagainstthecoldpane.The
dooropenedandNikolayVsyevolodovitchcamein.

I'vesentamessengeronhorseback,hesaid.Intenminutesweshallhearallaboutit,
meantimetheservantssaythatpartoftheriversidequarterhasbeenburntdown,ontheright
sideofthebridgenearthequay.It'sbeenburningsinceeleveno'clock;nowthefireisgoing
down.

Hedidnotgonearthewindow,butstoodthreestepsbehindher;shedidnotturntowards
him.

Itoughttohavebeenlightanhouragobythecalendar,andit'sstillalmostnight,shesaid
irritably.

'Calendarsalwaystelllies,'heobservedwithapolitesmile,but,alittleashamed;hemade
hastetoadd:It'sdulltolivebythecalendar,Liza.

Andherelapsedintosilence,vexedattheineptitudeofthesecondsentence.Lizagaveawry
smile.

Youareinsuchamelancholymoodthatyoucannotevenfindwordstospeaktome.Butyou
neednottrouble,there'sapointinwhatyousaid.Ialwayslivebythecalendar.EverystepI
takeisregulatedbythecalendar.Doesthatsurpriseyou?
Sheturnedquicklyfromthewindowandsatdowninalowchair.

Yousitdown,too,please.Wehaven'tlongtobetogetherandIwanttosayanythingIlike...
.Whyshouldn'tyou,too,sayanythingyoulike?

NikolayVsyevolodovitchsatbesideherandsoftly,almosttimidlytookherhand.

What'sthemeaningofthistone,Liza?Wherehasitsuddenlysprungfrom?Whatdoyou
meanby'wehaven'tlongtobetogether'?That'sthesecondmysteriousphrasesinceyou
waked,halfanhourago.

Youarebeginningtoreckonupmymysteriousphrases!shelaughed.DoyourememberI
toldyouIwasadeadwomanwhenIcameinyesterday?Thatyouthoughtfittoforget.To
forgetornottonotice.

Idon'tremember,Liza.Whydead?Youmustlive.

Andisthatall?You'vequitelostyourflowofwords.I'velivedmyhourandthat'senough.
DoyourememberChristopherIvanovitch?

NoIdon't,heanswered,frowning.

ChristopherIvanovitchatLausanne?Heboredyoudreadfully.Healwaysusedtoopenthe
doorandsay,'I'vecomeforoneminute,'andthenstaythewholeday.Idon'twanttobelike
ChristopherIvanovitchandstaythewholeday.Alookofpaincameintohisface.

Liza,itgrievesme,thisunnaturallanguage.Thisaffectationmusthurtyou,too.What'sit
for?What'stheobjectofit?

Hiseyesglowed.

Liza,hecried,IswearIloveyounowmorethanyesterdaywhenyoucametome!

Whatastrangedeclaration!Whybringinyesterdayandtodayandthesecomparisons?

Youwon'tleaveme,hewenton,almostwithdespair;wewillgoawaytogether,today,
won'twe?Won'twe?

Aie,don'tsqueezemyhandsopainfully!Wherecouldwegotogethertoday?To'riseagain'
somewhere?No,we'vemadeexperimentsenough...andit'stooslowforme;andIamnot
fitforit;it'stooexaltedforme.Ifwearetogo,letitbetoMoscow,topayvisitsandentertain
that'smyidealyouknow;eveninSwitzerlandIdidn'tdisguisefromyouwhatIwaslike.
Aswecan'tgotoMoscowandpayvisitssinceyouaremarried,it'snousetalkingofthat.

Liza!Whathappenedyesterday!

Whathappenedisover!
That'simpossible!That'scruel?

Whatifitiscruel?Youmustbearitifitiscruel.

Youareavengingyourselfonmeforyesterday'scaprice,hemutteredwithanangrysmile.
Lizaflushed.

Whatameanthought!

Whythendidyoubestowonme...sogreatahappiness?HaveItherighttoknow?

No,youmustmanagewithoutrights;don'taggravatethemeannessofyoursuppositionby
stupidity.Youarenotluckytoday.Bytheway,yousurelycan'tbeafraidofpublicopinion
andthatyouwillbeblamedforthis'greathappiness'?Ifthat'sit,forGod'ssakedon'talarm
yourself.It'snotyourdoingatallandyouarenotresponsibletoanyone.WhenIopenedyour
dooryesterday,youdidn'tevenknowwhowascomingin.Itwassimplymycaprice,asyou
expresseditjustnow,andnothingmore!Youcanlookeveryoneinthefaceboldlyand
triumphantly!

Yourwords,thatlaugh,havebeenmakingmefeelcoldwithhorrorforthelasthour.That
'happiness'ofwhichyouspeakfranticallyisworth...everythingtome.HowcanIloseyou
now?IswearIlovedyoulessyesterday.Whyareyoutakingeverythingfrommetoday?Do
youknowwhatithascostme,thisnewhope?I'vepaidforitwithlife.

Yourownlifeoranother's?Hegotupquickly.

Whatdoesthatmean?hebroughtout,lookingathersteadily.

Haveyoupaidforitwithyourlifeorwithmine?iswhatImean.Orhaveyoulostallpower
ofunderstanding?criedLiza,flushing.Whydidyoustartupsosuddenly?Whydoyou
stareatmewithsuchalook?Youfrightenme?Whatisityouareafraidofallthetime?I
noticedsometimeagothatyouwereafraidandyouarenow,thisveryminute...Good
heavens,howpaleyouare!

Ifyouknowanything,Liza,IswearIdon't...andIwasn'ttalkingofthatjustnowwhenI
saidthatIhadpaidforitwithlife....

Idon'tunderstandyou,shebroughtout,falteringapprehensively.

Atlastaslowbroodingsmilecameontohislips.Heslowlysatdown,puthiselbowsonhis
knees,andcoveredhisfacewithhishands.

Abaddreamanddelirium....Weweretalkingoftwodifferentthings.

Idon'tknowwhatyouweretalkingabout....Doyoumeantosayyoudidnotknow
yesterdaythatIshouldleaveyoutoday,didyouknowornot?Don'ttellalie,didyouor
not?

Idid,hesaidsoftly.

Well then, what would you have? You knew and yet you accepted 'that moment' for
yourself.Aren'twequits?

Tellmethewholetruth,hecriedinintensedistress.Whenyouopenedmydooryesterday,
didyouknowyourselfthatitwasonlyforonehour?

Shelookedathimwithhatred.

Really, the most sensible personcanaskmost amazingquestions. And whyare you so

uneasy?Canitbevanitythatawomanshouldleaveyoufirstinsteadofyourleavingher?Do
youknow,NikolayVsyevolodovitch,sinceI'vebeenwithyouI'vediscoveredthatyouare
verygeneroustome,andit'sjustthatIcan'tendurefromyou.

Hegotupfromhisseatandtookafewstepsabouttheroom.

Verywell,perhapsitwasboundtoendso....Buthowcanitallhavehappened?

That'saquestiontoworryabout!Especiallyasyouknowtheansweryourselfperfectlywell,
andunderstanditbetterthananyoneonearth,andwerecountingonityourself.Iamayoung
lady,myhearthasbeentrainedontheopera,that'showitallbegan,that'sthesolution.

No.

Thereisnothinginittofretyourvanity.Itisalltheabsolutetruth.Itbeganwithafine
momentwhichwastoomuchformetobear.Thedaybeforeyesterday,whenIinsultedyou
beforeeveryoneandyouansweredmesochivalrously,Iwenthomeandguessedatoncethat
youwererunningawayfrommebecauseyouweremarried,andnotfromcontemptforme
which,asafashionableyounglady,Idreadedmorethananything.Iunderstoodthatitwasfor
mysake,forme,madasIwas,thatyouranaway.YouseehowIappreciateyourgenerosity.
ThenPyotrStepanovitchskippeduptomeandexplaineditalltomeatonce.Herevealedto
methatyouweredominatedbya'greatidea,'beforewhichheandIwereasnothing,butyet
thatIwasastumblingblockinyourpath.Hebroughthimselfin,heinsistedthatwethree
shouldworktogether,andsaidthemostfantasticthingsaboutaboatandaboutmaplewood
oarsoutofsomeRussiansong.Icomplimentedhimandtoldhimhewasapoet,whichhe
swallowedastherealthing.AndasapartfromhimIhadknownlongbeforethatIhadnotthe
strengthtodoanythingforlong,Imadeupmymindonthespot.Well,that'sallandquite
enough,andpleaseletushavenomoreexplanations.Wemightquarrel.Don'tbeafraidof
anyone,Itakeitallonmyself.Iamhorridandcapricious,Iwasfascinatedbythatoperatic
boat,Iamayounglady...butyouknowIdidthinkthatyouweredreadfullyinlovewith
me.Don'tdespisethepoorfool,anddon'tlaughatthetearthatdroppedjustnow.Iam
awfullygiventocryingwithselfpity.Come,that'senough,that'senough.Iamnogoodfor
anything and you are no good for anything; it's as bad for both of us, so let's comfort
ourselveswiththat.Anyway,iteasesourvanity.

Dream and delirium, cried Stavrogin, wringing his hands, and pacing about the room.
Liza,poorchild,whathaveyoudonetoyourself?

I'veburntmyselfinacandle,nothingmore.Surelyyouarenotcrying,too?Youshouldshow
lessfeelingandbetterbreeding....

Why,whydidyoucometome?

Don'tyouunderstandwhataludicrouspositionyouputyourselfinintheeyesoftheworld
byaskingsuchquestions?

Whyhaveyouruinedyourself,sogrotesquelyandsostupidly,andwhat'stobedonenow?

AndthisisStavrogin,'thevampireStavrogin,'asyouarecalledbyaladyherewhoisinlove
withyou!Listen!Ihavetoldyoualready,I'veputallmylifeintoonehourandIamatpeace.
Do the same with yours . . . though you've no need to: you have plenty of 'hours' and
'moments'ofallsortsbeforeyou.

Asmanyasyou;Igiveyoumysolemnword,notonehourmorethanyou!

Hewasstillwalkingupanddownanddidnotseetherapidpenetratingglancesheturned
upon him, in which there seemed a dawning hope. But the light died away at the same
moment.

IfyouknewwhatitcostsmethatIcan'tbesincereatthismoment,Liza,ifIcouldonlytell
you...

Tellme?Youwanttotellmesomething,tome?Godsavemefromyoursecrets!shebroke
inalmostinterror.Hestoppedandwaiteduneasily.

IoughttoconfessthateversincethosedaysinSwitzerlandIhavehadastrongfeelingthat
you have something awful, loathsome, some bloodshed on your conscience . . . and yet
somethingthatwouldmakeyoulookveryridiculous.Bewareoftellingme,ifit'strue:Ishall
laughyoutoscorn.Ishalllaughatyoufortherestofyourlife....Aie,youareturningpale
again?Iwon't,Iwon't,I'llgoatonce.Shejumpedupfromherchairwithamovementof
disgustandcontempt.

Tortureme,punishme,ventyourspiteonme,hecriedindespair.Youhavethefullright.
IknewIdidnotloveyouandyetIruinedyou!Yes,Iacceptedthemomentformyown;Ihad
ahope...I'vehaditalongtime...mylasthope....Icouldnotresisttheradiancethat
floodedmyheartwhenyoucameintomeyesterday,ofyourself,alone,ofyourownaccord.I
suddenlybelieved....PerhapsIhavefaithinitstill.

Iwillrepaysuchnoblefranknessbybeingasfrank.Idon'twanttobeaSisterofMercyfor
you.PerhapsIreallymaybecomeanurseunlessIhappenappropriatelytodietoday;butifI
doIwon'tbeyournurse,though,ofcourse,youneedoneasmuchasanycrippledcreature.I
alwaysfanciedthatyouwouldtakemetosomeplacewheretherewasahugewickedspider,
bigasaman,andweshouldspendourliveslookingatitandbeingafraidofit.That'showour
lovewouldspenditself.AppealtoDashenka;shewillgowithyouanywhereyoulike.

Can'tyouhelpthinkingofherevennow?

Poorlittlespaniel!Givehermygreetings.DoessheknowthateveninSwitzerlandyouhad
fixedonherforyouroldage?Whatprudence!Whatforesight!Aie,who'sthat?

Atthefartherendoftheroomadooropenedacrack;aheadwasthrustinandvanishedagain
hurriedly.

Isthatyou,AlexeyYegorytch?askedStavrogin.No,it'sonlyI.PyotrStepanovitchthrust
himself halfinagain. How do youdo, Lizaveta Nikolaevna? Good morning, anyway. I
guessedIshouldfindyoubothinthisroom.Ihavecomeforonemomentliterally,Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitch.Iwaganxioustohaveacoupleofwordswithyouatallcostsabsolutely
necessary...onlyafewwords!

StavroginmovedtowardshimbutturnedbacktoLizaatthethirdstep.

Ifyouhearanythingdirectly,Liza,letmetellyouIamtoblameforit!

Shestartedandlookedathimindismay;buthehurriedlywentout.

II

TheroomfromwhichPyotrStepanovitchhadpeepedinwasalargeovalvestibule.Alexey
YegorytchhadbeensittingtherebeforePyotrStepanovitchcamein,butthelattersenthim
away.Stavroginclosedthedoorafterhimandstoodexpectant.PyotrStepanovitchlooked
rapidlyandsearchinglyathim.

Well?

Ifyouknowalready,saidPyotrStepanovitchhurriedly,hiseyeslookingasthoughthey
woulddiveintoStavrogin'ssoul,then,ofcourse,wearenoneofustoblame,aboveallnot
you,forit'ssuchaconcatenation...suchacoincidenceofevents...inbrief,youcan'tbe
legallyimplicatedandI'verushedheretotellyousobeforehand.

Havetheybeenburnt?murdered?

Murderedbutnotburnt,that'sthetrouble,butIgiveyoumywordofhonourthatit'snotbeen
myfault,howevermuchyoumaysuspectme,eh?Doyouwantthewholetruth:youseethe
ideareallydidcrossmymindyouhintedityourself,notseriously,butteasingme(for,of
course,youwouldnothintitseriously),butIcouldn'tbringmyselftoit,andwouldn'tbring
myselftoitforanything,notforahundredroublesandwhatwastheretobegainedbyit,I
meanforme,forme....(Hewasindesperatehasteandhistalkwasliketheclackingofa
rattle.)Butwhatacoincidenceofcircumstances:IgavethatdrunkenfoolLebyadkintwo
hundredandthirtyroublesofmyownmoney(doyouhear,myownmoney,therewasn'ta
roubleofyoursand,what'smore,youknowityourself)thedaybeforeyesterday,inthe
eveningdoyouhear,notyesterdayafterthematinee,butthedaybeforeyesterday,makea
noteofit:it'saveryimportantcoincidenceforIdidnotknowforcertainatthattimewhether
LizavetaNikolaevnawouldcometoyouornot;Igavemyownmoneysimplybecauseyou
distinguishedyourselfbytakingitintoyourheadtobetrayyoursecrettoeveryone.Well,I
won'tgointothat...that'syouraffair...yourchivalry.butImustownIwasamazed,itwas
aknockdownblow.AndforasmuchasIwasexceedingwearyofthesetragicstoriesand
letmetellyou,ItalkseriouslythoughIdouseBiblicallanguageasitwasallupsettingmy
plansinfact,Imadeupmymindatanycost,andwithoutyourknowledge,topackthe
LebyadkinsofftoPetersburg,especiallyashewassetongoinghimself.Imadeonemistake:I
gavethemoneyinyourname;wasitamistakeornot?Perhapsitwasn'tamistake,eh?
Listennow,listenhowithasallturnedout....

IntheheatofhistalkhewentcloseuptoStavroginandtookholdofthereversofhiscoat
(really,itmayhavebeenonpurpose).WithaviolentmovementStavroginstruckhimonthe
arm.

Come,whatisit...giveover...you'llbreakmyarm,..whatmattersisthewaythingshave
turnedout,herattledon,notintheleastsurprisedattheblow.Iforkedoutthemoneyinthe
eveningonconditionthathissisterandheshouldsetoffearlynextmorning;Itrustedthat
rascalLiputinwiththejobofgettingthemintothetrainandseeingthemoff.Butthatbeast
Liputinwantedtoplayhis schoolboy pranks onthe public perhaps youheard? At the
matinee?Listen,listen:theybothgotdrunk,madeupversesofwhichhalfareLiputin's;he
riggedLebyadkinoutinadresscoat,assuringmemeanwhilethathehadpackedhimoffthat
morning,buthekepthimshutsomewhereinabackroom,tillhethrusthimontheplatformat
thematinee.ButLebyadkingotdrunkquicklyandunexpectedly.Thencamethescandalous
sceneyouknowof,andthentheygothimhomemoredeadthanalive,andLiputinniched
awaythetwohundredroubles,leavinghimonlysmallchange.Butitappearsunluckilythat
alreadythatmorningLebyadkinhadtakenthattwohundredroublesoutofhispocket,boasted
ofitandshownitinundesirablequarters.AndasthatwasjustwhatFedkawasexpecting,and
ashehadheardsomethingatKirillov's(doyouremember,yourhint?)hemadeuphismindto
takeadvantageofit.That'sthewholetruth.Iamglad,anyway,thatFedkadidnotfindthe
money,therascalwasreckoningonathousand,youknow!Hewasinahurryandseemsto
have been frightenedby the fire himself. . . . Would youbelieve it, that fire came as a
thunderboltforme.Devilonlyknowswhattomakeofit!Itistakingthingsintotheirown
hands....Yousee,asIexpectsomuchofyouIwillhidenothingfromyou:I'velongbeen
hatchingthisideaofafirebecauseitsuitsthenationalandpopulartaste;butIwaskeepingit
foracriticalmoment,forthatprecioustimewhenweshouldallriseupand...Andthey
suddenlytookitintotheirheadstodoit,ontheirowninitiative,withoutorders,nowatthe
verymomentwhenweoughttobelyinglowandkeepingquiet!Suchpresumption!...The
factis,I'venotgottothebottomofityet,theytalkabouttwoShpigulinmen.butifthereare
anyofourfellowsinit,ifanyoneofthemhashadahandinitsomuchtheworseforhim!
Youseewhatcomesoflettingpeoplegeteversolittleoutofhand!No,thisdemocratic
rabble,withitsquintets,isapoorfoundation;whatwewantisonemagnificent,despoticwill,
likeanidol,restingonsomethingfundamentalandexternal....Thenthequintetswillcringe
intoobedienceandbeobsequiouslyreadyonoccasion.But,anyway,though,theyareall
cryingoutnowthatStavroginwantedhiswifetobeburntandthatthat'swhatcausedthefire
inthetown,but...

Why,aretheyallsayingthat?

Well,notyet,andImustconfessIhaveheardnothingofthesort,butwhatonecandowith
people,especiallywhenthey'vebeenburntout!VoxpopulivoxDei.Astupidrumourissoon
setgoing.Butyoureallyhavenothingtobeafraidof.Fromthelegalpointofviewyouareall
right,andwithyourconsciencealso.Foryoudidn'twantitdone,didyou?There'snoclue,
nothingbutthecoincidence....TheonlythingisFedkamayrememberwhatyousaidthat
nightatKirillov's(andwhatmadeyousayit?)butthatprovesnothingandweshallstop
Fedka'smouth.Ishallstopittoday....

Andweren'tthebodiesburntatall?

Notabit;thatruffiancouldnotmanageanythingproperly.ButIamglad,anyway,thatyou
aresocalm...forthoughyouarenotinanywaytoblame,eveninthought,butallthe
same....Andyoumustadmitthatallthissettlesyourdifficultiescapitally:youaresuddenly
freeandawidowerandcanmarryacharminggirlthisminutewithalotofmoney,whois
alreadyyours,intothebargain.Seewhatcanbedonebycrude,simplecoincidenceeh?

Areyouthreateningme,youfool?

Come,leaveoff,leaveoff!Hereyou.are,callingmeafool,andwhatatonetouse!You
oughttobeglad,yetyou...Irushedhereonpurposetoletyouknowingoodtime....
Besides,howcouldIthreatenyou?AsifIcaredforwhatIcouldgetbythreats!Iwantyouto
helpfromgoodwillandnotfromfear.Youarethelightandthesun....It'sIwhoamterribly
afraidofyou,notyouofme!IamnotMavrikyNikolaevitch....Andonlyfancy,asIflew
hereinaracingdroshkyIsawMavrikyNikolaevitchbythefenceatthefarthestcornerof
yourgarden...inhisgreatcoat,drenchedthrough,hemusthavebeensittingthereallnight!
Queergoingson!Howmadpeoplecanbe!

MavrikyNikolaevitch?Isthattrue?

Yes,yes.Heissittingbythegardenfence.Aboutthreehundredpacesfromhere,Ithink.I
madehastetopasshim,buthesawme.Didn'tyouknow?InthatcaseIamgladIdidn'tforget
totellyou.Amanlikethatismoredangerousthananyoneifhehappenstohavearevolver
abouthim,andthenthenight,thesleet,ornaturalirritabilityforafterallheisinanice
position,haha!WhatdoyouthinkVWhyishesittingthere?
HeiswaitingforLizavetaNikolaevna,ofcourse.

Well!Whyshouldshegoouttohim?And...insuchraintoo...whatafool!

Sheisjustgoingouttohim!

Eh!That'sapieceofnews!Sothen...Butlisten,herpositioniscompletelychangednow.
WhatdoesshewantwithMavrikynow?Youarefree,awidower,andcanmarryherto
morrow?Shedoesn'tknowyetleaveittomeandI'llarrangeitallforyou.Whereisshe?
Wemustrelievehermindtoo.

Relievehermind?

Rather!Let'sgo.

And do you suppose she won't guess what those dead bodies mean? said Stavrogin,
screwinguphiseyesinapeculiarway.

Ofcourseshewon't,saidPyotrStepanovitchwithalltheconfidenceofaperfectsimpleton,
forlegally...Ech,whatamanyouare!Whatifshedidguess?Womenaresocleverat
shutting their eyes to such things, you don't understand women! Apart from it's being
altogethertoherinteresttomarryyounow,becausethere'snodenyingshe'sdisgracedherself;
apartfromthat,Italkedtoherof'theboat'andIsawthatonecouldaffectherbyit,sothat
showsyouwhatthegirlismadeof.Don'tbeuneasy,shewillstepoverthosedeadbodies
withoutturningahairespeciallyasyouarenottoblameforthem;notintheleast,areyou?
Shewillonlykeeptheminreservetousethemagainstyouwhenyou'vebeenmarriedtwoor
threeyears.Everywomansavesupsomethingofthesortoutofherhusband'spastwhenshe
getsmarried,butbythattime...whatmaynothappeninayear?Haha!

Ifyou'vecomeinaracingdroshky,takehertoMavrikyNikolaevitchnow.Shesaidjustnow
thatshecouldnotenduremeandwouldleaveme,andshecertainlywillnotacceptmy
carriage.

What!Canshereallybeleaving?Howcanthishavecomeabout?saidPyotrStepanovitch,
staringstupidlyathim.

She'sguessedsomehowduringthisnightthatIdon'tloveher...whichsheknewallalong,
indeed.

Butdon'tyouloveher?saidPyotrStepanovitch,withanexpressionofextremesurprise.If
so,whydidyoukeepherwhenshecametoyouyesterday,insteadoftellingherplainlylike
anhonourablemanthatyoudidn'tcareforher?Thatwashorriblyshabbyonyourpart;and
howmeanyoumakemelookinhereyes!

Stavroginsuddenlylaughed.
Iamlaughingatmymonkey,heexplainedatonce.

Ah!YousawthatIwasputtingiton!criedPyotrStepanovitch,laughingtoo,withgreat
enjoyment.Ididittoamuseyou!Onlyfancy,assoonasyoucameouttomeIguessedfrom
yourfacethatyou'dbeen'unlucky.'Acompletefiasco,perhaps.Eh?There!I'llbetanything,
hecried,almostgaspingwithdelight,thatyou'vebeensittingsidebysideinthedrawing
roomallnightwastingyourprecioustimediscussingsomethingloftyandelevated...There,
forgiveme,forgiveme;it'snotmybusiness.Ifeltsureyesterdaythatitwouldallendin
foolishness.Ibroughthertoyousimplytoamuseyou,andtoshowyouthatyouwouldn't
haveadulltimewithme.Ishallbeofusetoyouahundredtimesinthatway.Ialwayslike
pleasingpeople.Ifyoudon'twanthernow,whichwaswhatIwasreckoningonwhenIcame,
then...

Soyoubroughthersimplyformyamusement?

Why,whatelse?

Nottomakemekillmywife?

Come.You'venotkilledher?Whatatragicfellowyouare!

It'sjustthesame;youkilledher.

Ididn'tkillher!ItellyouIhadnohandinit....Youarebeginningtomakemeuneasy,
though....

Goon.Yousaid,'ifyoudon'twanthernow,then...'

Then,leaveittome,ofcourse. I canquiteeasilymarryherofftoMavrikyNikolaevitch,
thoughIdidn'tmakehimsitdownbythefence.Don'ttakethatnotionintoyourhead.Iam
afraidofhim,now.Youtalkaboutmydroshky,butIsimplydashedby....Whatifhehasa
revolver?It'sagoodthingIbroughtmine.Hereitis.Hebroughtarevolveroutofhispocket,
showedit,andhiditagainatonce.ItookitasIwascomingsuchalongway....ButI'll
arrangeallthatforyouinatwinkling:herlittleheartisachingatthismomentforMavriky;it
shouldbe,anyway....And,doyouknow,Iamreallyrathersorryforher?IfItakeherto
Mavrikyshewillbeginaboutyoudirectly;shewillpraiseyoutohimandabusehimtohis
face.Youknowtheheartofwoman!Thereyouare,laughingagain!Iamawfullygladthat
youaresocheerfulnow.Come,let'sgo.I'llbeginwithMavrikyrightaway,andaboutthem..
.thosewho'vebeenmurdered...hadn'twebetterkeepquietnow?She'llhearlateron,
anyway.

What will she hear? Who's been murdered? What were you saying about Mavriky
Nikolaevitch?saidLiza,suddenlyopeningthedoor.

Ah!You'vebeenlistening?
WhatwereyousayingjustnowaboutMavrikyNikolaevitch?Hashebeenmurdered?

Ah!Thenyoudidn'thear?Don'tdistressyourself,MavrikyNikolaevitchisaliveandwell,
andyoucansatisfyyourselfofitinaninstant,forheisherebythewayside,bythegarden
fence . . . and I believe he's been sitting there all night. He is drenched through in his
greatcoat!HesawmeasIdrovepast.

That'snottrue.Yousaid'murdered.'...Who'sbeenmurdered?sheinsistedwithagonising
mistrust.

Theonlypeoplewhohavebeenmurderedaremywife,herbrotherLebyadkin,andtheir
servant,Stavroginbroughtoutfirmly.

Lizatrembledandturnedterriblypale.

A strange brutal outrage, Lizaveta Nikolaevna. A simple case of robbery, Pyotr

StepanovitchrattledoffatonceSimplyrobbery,undercoverofthefire.Thecrimewas
committedbyFedkatheconvict,anditwasallthatfoolLebyadkin'sfaultforshowingevery
onehismoney....Irushedherewiththenews...itfellonmelikeathunderbolt.Stavrogin
couldhardlystandwhenItoldhim.Weweredeliberatingherewhethertotellyouatonceor
not?

NikolayVsyevolodovitch,ishetellingthetruth?Lizaarticulatedfaintly.

No;it'sfalse.

False?saidPyotrStepanovitch,starting.Whatdoyoumeanbythat?

Heavens!Ishallgomad!criedLiza.

Doyouunderstand,anyway,thatheismadnow!PyotrStepanovitchcriedatthetopofhis
voice.Afterall,hiswifehasjustbeenmurdered.Youseehowwhiteheis....Why,hehas
beenwithyouthewholenight.Hehasn'tleftyoursideaminute.Howcanyoususpecthim?

NikolayVsyevolodovitch,tellme,asbeforeGod,areyouguiltyornot,andIswearI'll
believeyourwordasthoughitwereGod's,andI'llfollowyoutotheendoftheearth.Yes,I
will.I'llfollowyoulikeadog.

Why are you tormenting her, you fantastic creature? cried Pyotr Stepanovitch in
exasperation.LizavetaNikolaevna,uponmyoath,youcancrushmeintopowder,butheis
notguilty.Onthecontrary,ithascrushedhim,andheisraving,youseethat.Heisnotto
blameinanyway,notinanyway,noteveninthought!...It'salltheworkofrobberswho
willprobablybefoundwithinaweekandflogged....It'salltheworkofFedkatheconvict,
andsomeShpigulinmen,allthetownisagogwithit.That'swhyIsaysotoo.

Isthatright?Isthatright?Lizawaitedtremblingforherfinalsentence.
Ididnotkillthem,andIwasagainstit,butIknewtheyweregoingtobekilledandIdidnot
stopthemurderers.Leaveme,Liza,Stavroginbroughtout,andhewalkedintothedrawing
room.

Lizahidherfaceinherhandsandwalkedoutofthehouse.PyotrStepanovitchwasrushing
afterher,butatonce'hurriedbackandwentintothedrawingroom.

Sothat's yourline? That'syourline? Sothere'snothingyouare afraidof? He flew at

Stavrogininanabsolutefury,mutteringincoherently,scarcelyabletofindwordsandfoaming
atthemouth.

Stavroginstoodinthemiddleoftheroomanddidnotansweraword.Heclutchedalockof
hishairinhislefthandandsmiledhelplessly.PyotrStepanovitchpulledhimviolentlybythe
sleeve.

Isitalloverwithyou?Sothat'sthelineyouaretaking?You'llinformagainstallofus,and
gotoamonasteryyourself,ortothedevil....ButI'lldoforyou,thoughyouarenotafraidof
me!

Ah!That'syouchattering!saidStavrogin,noticinghimatlast.Run,hesaid,comingto
himselfsuddenly,runafterher,orderthecarriage,don'tleaveher....Run,run!Takeher
homesothatnoonemayknow...andthatshemayn'tgothere...tothebodies...tothe
bodies....Forcehertogetintothecarriage...AlexeyYegorytch!AlexeyYegorytch!

Stay,don'tshout!BynowsheisinMavriky'sarms....Mavrikywon'tputherintoyour
carriage....Stay!There'ssomethingmoreimportantthanthecarriage!

Heseizedhisrevolveragain.Stavroginlookedathimgravely.

Verywell,killme,hesaidsoftly,almostconciliatorily.

Foo.Damnit!Whatamazeoffalsesentimentamancangetinto!saidPyotrStepanovitch,
shakingwithrage.Yes,really,yououghttobekilled!Sheoughtsimplytospitatyou!Fine
sortof'magicboat,'youare;youareabrokendown,leakyoldhulk!...Yououghttopull
yourselftogetherifonlyfromspite!Ech!Why,whatdifferencewoulditmaketoyousince
youaskforabulletthroughyourbrainsyourself?

Stavroginsmiledstrangely.

IfyouwerenotsuchabuffoonImightperhapshavesaidyesnow....Ifyouhadonlyagrain
ofsense...

Iamabuffoon,butIdon'twantyou,mybetterhalf,tobeone!Doyouunderstandme?,.

Stavrogin did understand, though perhaps no one else did. Shatov, for instance, was
astonishedwhenStavrogintoldhimthatPyotrStepanovitchhadenthusiasm.
Gotothedevilnow,andtomorrowperhapsImaywringsomethingoutofmyself.Cometo
morrow.

Yes?Yes?

HowcanItell!...Gotohell.Gotohell.Andhewalkedoutoftheroom.

Perhaps,afterall,itmaybeforthebest,PyotrStepanovitchmutteredtohimselfashehid
therevolver.

III

HerushedofftoovertakeLizavetaNikolaevna.Shehadnotgotfaraway,onlyafewsteps,
from the house. She hadbeendetainedbyAlexeyYegorytch, whowas following astep
behind her, in a tail coat, and without a hat; his head was bowed respectfully. He was
persistentlyentreatinghertowaitforacarriage;theoldmanwasalarmedandalmostintears.

Goalong.Yourmasterisaskingfortea,andthere'snoonetogiveittohim,saidPyotr
Stepanovitch,pushinghimaway.HetookLiza'sarm.

Shedidnotpullherarmaway,butsheseemedhardlytoknowwhatshewasdoing;shewas
stilldazed.

Tobeginwith,youaregoingthewrongway,babbledPyotrStepanovitch.Weoughttogo
thisway,andnotbythegarden,and,secondly,walkingisimpossibleinanycase.It'sover
twomiles,andyouarenotproperlydressed.Ifyouwouldwaitasecond,Icameinadroshky;
thehorseisintheyard.I'llgetitinstantly,putyouin,andgetyouhomesothatnoonesees
you.

Howkindyouare,saidLizagraciously.Oh,notatall.Anyhumanemaninmyposition
woulddothesame....

Lizalookedathim,andwassurprised.

Goodheavens!WhyIthoughtitwasthatoldmanherestill.

Listen.Iamawfullygladthatyoutakeitlikethis,becauseit'sallsuchafrightfullystupid
convention,andsinceit'scometothat,hadn'tIbettertelltheoldmantogetthecarriageat
once.It'sonlyamatteroftenminutesandwe'llturnbackandwaitintheporch,eh?

Iwantfirst...wherearethosemurderedpeople?

Ah!Whatnext?ThatwaswhatIwasafraidof....No,we'dbetterleavethosewretched
creaturesalone;it'snouseyourlookingatthem.

Iknowwheretheyare.Iknowthathouse.
Well?Whatifyoudoknowit?Come;it'sraining,andthere'safog.(Anicejobthissacred
dutyI'vetakenuponmyself.)Listen,LizavetaNikolaevna!It'soneoftwoalternatives.Either
youcomewithmeinthedroshkyinthatcasewaithere,anddon'ttakeanotherstep,forif
wegoanothertwentystepswemustbeseenbyMavrikyNikolaevitch.

MavrikyNikolaevitch!Where?Where?

Well,ifyouwanttogowithhim,I'lltakeyoualittlefarther,ifyoulike,andshowyou
wherehesits,butIdon'tcaretogouptohimjustnow.No,thankyou.

Heiswaitingforme.GoodGod!shesuddenlystopped,andaflushofcolourfloodedher
face.

Oh!Comenow.Ifheisanunconventionalman!Youknow,LizavetaNikolaevna,it'snone
ofmybusiness.Iamacompleteoutsider,andyouknowthatyourself.But,still,Iwishyou
well....Ifyour'fairyboat'hasfailedyou,ifithasturnedouttobenothingmorethanarotten
oldhulk,onlyfittobechoppedup...

Ah!That'sfine,that'slovely,criedLiza.

Lovely,andyetyourtearsarefalling.Youmusthavespirit.Youmustbeasgoodasaman
ineveryway.Inourage,whenwoman...Foo,hangit,PyotrStepanovitchwasonthepoint
ofspitting.Andthechiefpointisthatthereisnothingtoregret.Itmayallturnoutforthe
best.MavrikyNikolaevitchisaman....Infact,heisamanoffeelingthoughnottalkative,but
that'sagoodthing,too,aslongashehasnoconventionalnotions,ofcourse....

Lovely,lovely!Lizalaughedhysterically.

Well,hangitall...LizavetaNikolaevna,saidPyotrStepanovitchsuddenlypiqued.Iam
simplyhereonyouraccount....It'snothingtome....Ihelpedyouyesterdaywhenyou
wantedityourself.Today...well,youcanseeMavrikyNikolaevitchfromhere;therehe's
sitting;hedoesn'tseeus.Isay,LizavetaNikolaevna,haveyoueverread'PolenkaSaxe'?

What'sthat?

It'sthenameofanovel,'PolenkaSaxe.'IreaditwhenIwasastudent....Initaverywealthy
officialofsomesort,Saxe,arrestedhiswifeatasummervillaforinfidelity....But,hangit;
it'snoconsequence!You'llsee,MavrikyNikolaevitchwillmakeyouanofferbeforeyouget
home.Hedoesn'tseeusyet.

Ach!Don'tlethimseeus!Lizacriedsuddenly,likeamadcreature.Comeaway,come
away!Tothewoods,tothefields!

Andsheranback.

LizavetaNikolaevna,thisissuchcowardice,criedPyotrStepanovitch,runningafterher.
Andwhydon'tyouwanthimtoseeyou?Onthecontrary,youmustlookhimstraightinthe
face,withpride....Ifit'ssomefeelingaboutthat..somemaidenly...that'ssuchaprejudice,
sooutofdate...Butwhereareyougoing?Whereareyougoing?Ech!sheisrunning!Better
gobacktoStavrogin'sandtakemydroshky....Whereareyougoing?That'sthewaytothe
fields!There!She'sfallendown!...

Hestopped.Lizawasflyingalonglikeabird,notconsciouswhereshewasgoing,andPyotr
Stepanovitchwasalreadyfiftypacesbehindher.Shestumbledoveramoundofearthandfell
down.Atthesamemomenttherewasthesoundofaterribleshoutfrombehind.Itcamefrom
MavrikyNikolaevitch,whohadseenherflightandherfall,andwasrunningtoheracrossthe
field.InaflashPyotrStepanovitchhadretiredintoStavrogin'sgatewaytomakehasteandget
intohisdroshky.

MavrikyNikolaevitchwasalreadystandinginterriblealarmbyLiza,whohadrisentoher
feet; he was bending over her and holding her hands in both of his. All the incredible
surroundingsofthismeetingoverwhelmedhim,andtearswererollingdownhischeeks.He
sawthewomanforwhomhehadsuchreverentdevotionrunningmadlyacrossthefields,at
suchanhour,insuchweather,withnothingoverherdress,thegaydresssheworetheday
beforenowcrumpledandmuddyfromherfall....Hecouldnotutteraword;hetookoffhis
greatcoat,andwithtremblinghandsputitroundhershoulders.Suddenlyheutteredacry,
feelingthatshehadpressedherlipstohishand.

Liza,hecried,Iamnogoodforanything,butdon'tdrivemeawayfromyou!

Oh,no!Letusmakehasteawayfromhere.Don'tleaveme!and,seizinghishand,shedrew
himafterher.MavrikyNikolaevitch,shesuddenlydroppedhervoicetimidly,Ikeptabold
facethereallthetime,butnowIamafraidofdeath.Ishalldiesoon,verysoon,butIam
afraid,Iamafraidtodie....shewhispered,pressinghishandtight.

Oh,ifthereweresomeone,helookedroundindespair.Somepasserby!Youwillget
yourfeetwet,you...willloseyourreason!

It'sallright;it'sallright,shetriedtoreassurehim.That'sright.Iamnotsofrightenedwith
you.Holdmyhand,leadme....Wherearewegoingnow?Home?No!Iwantfirsttoseethe
peoplewhohavebeenmurdered.Hiswifehasbeenmurderedtheysay,andhesayshekilled
herhimself.Butthat'snottrue,isit?Iwanttoseeformyselfthosethreewho'vebeenkilled...
onmyaccount...it'sbecauseofthemhisloveformehasgrowncoldsincelastnight....I
shallseeandfindouteverything.Makehaste,makehaste,Iknowthehouse...there'safire
there....MavrikyNikolaevitch,mydearone,don'tforgivemeinmyshame!Whyforgive
me?Whyareyoucrying?Givemeablowandkillmehereinthefield,likeadog!

Nooneisyourjudgenow,MavrikyNikolaevitchpronouncedfirmly.Godforgiveyou.I
leastofallcanbeyourjudge.

Butitwouldbestrangetodescribetheirconversation.Andmeanwhiletheywalkedhandin
handquickly,hurryingasthoughtheywerecrazy.Theyweregoingstraighttowardsthefire.
MavrikyNikolaevitchstillhadhopesofmeetingacartatleast,butnoonecamethatway.A
mistoffine,drizzlingrainenvelopedthewholecountry,swallowingupeveryrayoflight,
everygleamofcolour,andtransformingeverythingintoonesmoky,leaden,indistinguishable
mass.Ithadlongbeendaylight,yetitseemedasthoughitwerestillnight.Andsuddenlyin
this cold foggy mist there appeared coming towards them a strange and absurd figure.
Picturing it now I think I should not have believed my eyes if I had been in Lizaveta
Nikolaevna'splace,yetsheutteredacryofjoy,andrecognisedtheapproachingfigureat
once.ItwasStepanTrofimovitch.Howhehadgoneoff,howtheinsane,impracticableideaof
hisflightcametobecarriedout,ofthatlater.Iwillonlymentionthathewasinafeverthat
morning,yetevenillnessdidnotpreventhisstarting.Hewaswalkingresolutelyonthedamp
ground.Itwasevidentthathehadplannedtheenterprisetothebestofhisability,alonewith
hisinexperienceandlackofpracticalsense.Heworetravellingdress,thatis,agreatcoat
withawidepatentleatherbelt,fastenedwithabuckleandapairofnewhighbootspulled
overhistrousers.Probablyhehadforsometimepastpicturedatravelleraslookinglikethis,
andthebeltandthehighbootswiththeshiningtopslikeahussar's,inwhichhecouldhardly
walk,hadbeenreadysometimebefore.Abroadbrimmedhat,aknittedscarf,twistedclose
roundhisneck,astickinhisrighthand,andanexceedinglysmallbutextremelytightly
packedbaginhisleft,completedhisgetup.Hehad,besides,inthesamerighthand,anopen
umbrella.Thesethreeobjectstheumbrella,thestick,andthebaghadbeenveryawkward
tocarryforthefirstmile,andhadbeguntobeheavybythesecond.

Canitreallybeyou?criedLiza,lookingathimwithdistressedwonder,afterherfirstrush
ofinstinctivegladness.

Use,criedStepanTrofimovitch,rushingtoheralmostindeliriumtoo.Chere,chere....
Canyoubeout,too..insuchafog?Youseetheglowoffire.Voustiesmalheureuse,n'estce
pas?Isee,Isee.Don'ttellme,butdon'tquestionmeeither.Noussommestousmalheureux
maisilfautlespardonnertons.Pardonnons,Lise,andletusbefreeforever.Tobequitofthe
worldandbecompletelyfree.Ilfautpardonner,pardonner,etpardonner!

Butwhyareyoukneelingdown?

Because,takingleaveoftheworld,Iwanttotakeleaveofallmypastinyourperson!He
weptandraisedbothherhandstohistearstainedeyes.Ikneeltoallthatwasbeautifulinmy
life.Ikissandgivethanks!NowI'vetornmyselfinhalf;leftbehindamadvisionarywho
dreamedofsoaringtothesky.Vingtdeuxans,here.Ashattered,frozenoldman.Atutorchez
cemarchand,s'ilexistepourtantcemarchand....Buthowdrenchedyouare,Lisehecried,
jumpingontohisfeet,feelingthathiskneestooweresoakedbythewetearth.Andhowisit
possible...youareinsuchadress...andonfoot,andinthesefields?...Youarecrying!
Vousetesmalheureuse.Bah,Ididhearsomething....Butwherehaveyoucomefromnow?
Heaskedhurriedquestionswithanuneasyair,lookinginextremebewildermentatMavriky
Nikolaevitch.Maissavezvousl'heurequ'ilest?"

StepanTrofimovitch,haveyouheardanythingaboutthepeoplewho'vebeenmurdered?...Is
ittrue?Isittrue?

Thesepeople!Isawtheglowoftheirworkallnight.Theywereboundtoendinthis....
Hiseyesflashedagain.

Iamfleeingawayfrommadness,fromadeliriousdream.Iamfleeingawaytoseekfor
Russia. Existetelle,laRussie?Bah!C'estvous,chercapitaine! I'veneverdoubtedthatI
shouldmeetyousomewhereonsomehighadventure....Buttakemyumbrella,andwhy
mustyoubeonfoot?ForGod'ssake,doatleasttakemyumbrella,forIshallhireacarriage
somewhereinanycase.IamonfootbecauseStasie(Imean,Nastasya)wouldhaveshouted
forthebenefitofthewholestreetifshe'dfoundoutIwasgoingaway.SoIslippedawayas
far as possible incognito. I don't know; in the Voice they write of there being brigands
everywhere,butIthoughtsurelyIshouldn'tmeetabrigandthemomentIcameoutonthe
road.ChereLise,Ithoughtyousaidsomethingofsomeone'sbeingmurdered.Oh,monDieu!
Youareill!

Comealong,comealong!criedLiza,almostinhysterics,drawingMavrikyNikolaevitch
afterheragain.Waitaminute,StepanTrofimovitch!shecamebacksuddenlytohim.Stay,
poordarling,letmesignyouwiththecross.Perhaps,itwouldbebettertoputyouunder
control,butI'drathermakethesignofthecrossoveryou.You,too,prayfor'poor'Lizajust
a little, don't bother too much about it. Mavriky Nikolaevitch, give that baby back his
umbrella.Youmustgiveithim.That'sright....Come,letusgo,letusgo!

Theyreachedthefatalhouseattheverymomentwhenthehugecrowd,whichhadgathered
roundit,hadalreadyheardagooddealofStavrogin,andofhowmuchitwastohisinterestto
murderhiswife.Yet,Irepeat,theimmensemajoritywentonlisteningwithoutmovingor
utteringaword.Theonlypeoplewhowereexcitedwerebawlingdrunkardsandexcitable
individualsofthesamesortasthegesticulatorycabinetmaker.Everyoneknewthelatterasa
manreallyofmilddisposition,buthewasliableonoccasiontogetexcitedandtoflyoffata
tangentifanythingstruckhiminacertainway.IdidnotseeLizaandMavrikyNikolaevitch
arrive.Petrifiedwithamazement,IfirstnoticedLizasomedistanceawayinthecrowd,andI
didnotatoncecatchsightofMavrikyNikolaevitch.Ifancytherewasamomentwhenhefell
twoorthreestepsbehindherorwaspressedbackbythecrush.Liza,forcingherwaythrough
thecrowd,seeingandnoticingnothingroundher,likeoneinadelirium,likeapatientescaped
fromahospital,attractedattentiononlytooquickly,ofcourse.Therearoseahubbubofloud
talkingandatlastsuddenshouts.Someonebawledout,It'sStavrogin'swoman!Andonthe
otherside,It'snotenoughtomurderthem,shewantstolookatthem!AllatonceIsawan
armraisedaboveherheadfrombehindandsuddenlybroughtdownuponit.Lizafelltothe
ground.WeheardafearfulscreamfromMavrikyNikolaevitchashedashedtoherassistance
andstruckwithallhisstrengththemanwhostoodbetweenhimandLiza.Butatthatinstant
thesamecabinetmakerseizedhimwithbotharmsfrombehind.Forsomeminutesnothing
couldbedistinguishedinthescrimmagethatfollowed.IbelieveLizagotupbutwasknocked
downbyanotherblow.Suddenlythecrowdpartedandasmallspacewasleftemptyround
Liza'sprostratefigure,andMavrikyNikolaevitch,franticwithgriefandcoveredwithblood,
wasstandingoverher,screaming,weeping,andwringinghishands.Idon'trememberexactly
whatfollowedafter;IonlyrememberthattheybegantocarryLizaaway.Iranafterher.She
wasstillaliveandperhapsstillconscious.Thecabinetmakerandthreeothermeninthe
crowd were seized. These three still deny having taken any part in the dastardly deed,
stubbornlymaintainingthattheyhavebeenarrestedbymistake.Perhapsit'sthetruth.Though
theevidenceagainstthecabinetmakerisclear,heissoirrationalthatheisstillunableto
explainwhathappenedcoherently.Itoo,asaspectator,thoughatsomedistance,hadtogive
evidenceattheinquest.Ideclaredthatithadallhappenedentirelyaccidentallythroughthe
actionofmenperhapsmovedbyillfeeling,yetscarcelyconsciousofwhattheyweredoing
drunkandirresponsible.Iamofthatopiniontothisday.

CHAPTERIV.THELASTRESOLUTION

THATMORNINGMANYpeoplesawPyotrStepanovitch.Allwhosawhimremembered
thathewasinaparticularlyexcitedstate.Attwoo'clockhewenttoseeGaganov,whohad
arrivedfromthecountryonlythedaybefore,andwhosehousewasfullofvisitorshotly
discussingtheeventsofthepreviousday.PyotrStepanovitchtalkedmorethananyoneand
madethemlistentohim.Hewasalwaysconsideredamongusasachatterboxofastudent
withascrewloose,butnowhetalkedofYuliaMihailovna,andinthegeneralexcitementthe
themewasanenthrallingone.Asonewhohadrecentlybeenherintimateandconfidential
friend,hedisclosedmanynewandunexpecteddetailsconcerningher;incidentally(andof
courseunguardedly)herepeatedsomeofherownremarksaboutpersonsknowntoallinthe
town,andtherebypiquedtheirvanity.Hedroppeditallinavagueandramblingway,likea
manfreefromguiledrivenbyhissenseofhonourtothepainfulnecessityofclearingupa
perfectmountainofmisunderstandings,andsosimpleheartedthathehardlyknewwhereto
begin and where to leave off. He let slip in a rather unguarded way, too, that Yulia
MihailovnaknewthewholesecretofStavroginandthatshehadbeenatthebottomofthe
wholeintrigue.Shehadtakenhimintoo,forhe,PyotrStepanovitch,hadalsobeeninlove
withthisunhappyLiza,yethehadbeensohoodwinkedthathehad almost takenherto
Stavroginhimselfinthecarriage.Yes,yes,it'sallverywellforyoutolaugh,gentlemen,but
ifonlyI'dknown,ifI'dknownhowitwouldend!heconcluded.Tovariousexcitedinquiries
aboutStavroginhebluntlyrepliedthatinhisopinionthecatastrophetotheLebyadkinswasa
purecoincidence,andthatitwasallLebyadkin'sownfaultfordisplayinghismoney.He
explained this particularly well. One of his listeners observed that it was no good his
pretending";thathehadeatenanddrunkandalmostsleptatYuliaMihailovna's,yetnowhe
wasthefirsttoblackenhercharacter,andthatthiswasbynomeanssuchafinethingtodoas
hesupposed.ButPyotrStepanovitchimmediatelydefendedhimself.

IateanddranktherenotbecauseIhadnomoney,andit'snotmyfaultthatIwasinvited
there.AllowmetojudgeformyselfhowfarIneedtobegratefulforthat.

Thegeneralimpressionwasinhisfavour.Hemayberatherabsurd,andofcourseheisa
nonsensicalfellow,yetstillheisnotresponsibleforYuliaMihailovna'sfoolishness.Onthe
contrary,itappearsthathetriedtostopher.
Abouttwoo'clockthenewssuddenlycamethatStavrogin,aboutwhomtherewassomuch
talk,hadsuddenlyleftforPetersburgbythemiddaytrain.Thisinterestedpeopleimmensely;
manyofthemfrowned.PyotrStepanovitchwassomuchstruckthatIwastoldheturnedquite
paleandcriedoutstrangely,Why,howcouldtheyhavelethimgo?Hehurriedawayfrom
Gaganov'sforthwith,yethewasseenintwoorthreeotherhouses.

TowardsduskhesucceededingettingintoseeYuliaMihailovnathoughhehadthegreatest
painstodoso,asshehadabsolutelyrefusedtoseehim.Iheardofthisfromtheladyherself
onlythreeweeksafterwards,justbeforeherdepartureforPetersburg.Shegavemenodetails,
butobservedwithashudderthathehadonthatoccasionastoundedherbeyondallbelief.I
imagine that all he did was to terrify her by threatening to charge her with being an
accompliceifshesaidanything.Thenecessityforthisintimidationarosefromhisplansat
themoment,ofwhichshe,ofcourse,knewnothing;andonlylater,fivedaysafterwards,she
guessedwhyhehadbeensodoubtfulofherreticenceandsoafraidofanewoutburstof
indignationonherpart.

Betweensevenandeighto'clock,whenitwasdark,allthefivemembersofthequintetmet
togetheratEnsignErkel'slodgingsinalittlecrookedhouseattheendofthetown.The
meetinghadbeenfixedbyPyotrStepanovitchhimself,buthewasunpardonablylate,andthe
memberswaitedoveranhourforhim.ThisEnsignErkelwasthatyoungofficerwhohadsat
thewholeeveningatVirginsky'swithapencilinhishandandanotebookbeforehim.Hehad
notlongbeeninthetown;helodgedalonewithtwooldwomen,sisters,inasecludedby
streetandwasshortlytoleavethetown;ameetingathishousewaslesslikelytoattractnotice
thananywhere.Thisstrangeboywasdistinguishedbyextremetaciturnity:hewascapableof
sittingforadozeneveningsinsuccessioninnoisycompany,withthemostextraordinary
conversationgoingonaroundhim,withoututteringaword,thoughhelistenedwithextreme
attention,watchingthespeakerswithhischildlikeeyes.Hisfacewasveryprettyandevenhad
acertainlookofcleverness.Hedidnotbelongtothequintet;itwassupposedthathehad
somespecialjobofapurelypracticalcharacter.Itisknownnowthathehadnothingofthe
sortandprobablydidnotunderstandhispositionhimself.Itwassimplythathewasfilled
withheroworshipforPyotrStepanovitch,whomhehadonlylatelymet.Ifhehadmeta
monsterofiniquitywhohadincitedhimtofoundabandofbrigandsonthepretextofsome
romanticandsocialisticobject,andasatesthadbiddenhimrobandmurderthefirstpeasant
hemet,hewouldcertainlyhaveobeyedanddoneit.Hehadaninvalidmothertowhomhe
senthalfofhisscantypayandhowshemusthavekissedthatpoorlittleflaxenhead,how
shemusthavetrembledandprayedoverit!IgointothesedetailsabouthimbecauseIfeel
verysorryforhim.

Ourfellowswereexcited.Theeventsofthepreviousnighthadmadeagreatimpressionon
them, andI fancytheywere ina panic. The simple disorderliness in which they had so
zealouslyandsystematicallytakenparthadendedinawaytheyhadnotexpected.Thefirein
thenight,themurderoftheLebyadkins,thesavagebrutalityofthecrowdwithLiza,hadbeen
aseriesofsurpriseswhichtheyhadnotanticipatedintheirprogramme.Theyhotlyaccused
thehandthathadguidedthemofdespotismandduplicity.Infact,whiletheywerewaitingfor
PyotrStepanovitchtheyworkedeachotheruptosuchapointthattheyresolvedagaintoask
himforadefiniteexplanation,andifheevadedagain,ashehaddonebefore,todissolvethe
quintetandtofoundinsteadanewsecretsocietyforthepropagandaofideasandontheir
owninitiativeonthebasisofdemocracyandequality.Liputin,Shigalov,andtheauthorityon
the peasantry supported this plan; Lyamshin said nothing, though he looked approving.
VirginskyhesitatedandwantedtohearPyotrStepanovitchfirst.ItwasdecidedtohearPyotr
Stepanovitch,butstillhedidnotcome;suchcasualnessaddedfueltotheflames.Erkelwas
absolutelysilentanddidnothingbutorderthetea,whichhebroughtfromhislandladiesin
glassesonatray,notbringinginthesamovarnorallowingtheservanttoenter.

PyotrStepanovitehdidnotturnuptillhalfpasteight.Withrapidstepshewentuptothe
circulartablebeforethesofaroundwhichthecompanywereseated;hekepthiscapinhis
handandrefusedtea.Helookedangry,severe,andsupercilious.Hemusthaveobservedat
oncefromtheirfacesthattheyweremutinous.

BeforeIopenmymouth,you'vegotsomethinghidden;outwithit.

Liputinbeganinthenameofall,anddeclaredinavoicequiveringwithresentmentthatif
thingsweregoingonlikethattheymightaswellblowtheirbrainsout.Oh,theywerenotat
allafraidtoblowtheirbrainsout,theywerequitereadyto,infact,butonlytoservethe
commoncause(ageneralmovementofapprobation).Sohemustbemoreopenwiththemso
thattheymightalwaysknowbeforehand,orelsewhatwouldthingsbecomingto?(Againa
stirandsomegutturalsounds.)Tobehavelikethiswashumiliatinganddangerous.Wedon't
saysobecauseweareafraid,butifoneactsandtherestareonlypawns,thenonewould
blunderandallwouldbelost.(Exclamations.Yes,yes.Generalapproval.)

Damnitall,whatdoyouwant?

What connection is there between the common cause and the petty intrigues of Mr.
Stavrogin?criedLiputin,boilingover.Supposeheisinsomemysteriousrelationtothe
centre,ifthatlegendarycentrereallyexistsatall,it'snoconcernofours.Andmeantimea
murderhasbeencommitted,thepolicehavebeenroused;iftheyfollowthethreadtheymay
findwhatitstartsfrom.

If Stavrogin and you are caught, we shall be caught too, added the authority on the
peasantry.

Andtonogoodpurposeforthecommoncause,Virginskyconcludeddespondently.

Whatnonsense!Themurderisachancecrime;itwascommittedbyFedkaforthesakeof
robbery.

H'm!Strangecoincidence,though,saidLiputin,wriggling.

Andifyouwillhaveit,it'sallthroughyou.
Throughus?

Inthefirstplace,you,Liputin,hadashareintheintrigueyourself;andthesecondchief
pointis,youwereorderedtogetLebyadkinawayandgivenmoneytodoit;andwhatdidyou
do?Ifyou'dgothimawaynothingwouldhavehappened.

Butwasn'tityouyourselfwhosuggestedtheideathatitwouldbeagoodthingtosethimon
toreadhisverses?

Anideaisnotacommand.Thecommandwastogethimaway.

Command!Ratheraqueerword....Onthecontrary,

yourordersweretodelaysendinghimoff.

Youmadeamistakeandshowedyourfoolishnessandselfwill.Themurderwastheworkof
Fedka,andhecarrieditoutaloneforthesakeofrobbery.Youheardthegossipandbelieved
it.Youwerescared.Stavroginisnotsuchafool,andtheproofofthatisheleftthetownat
twelveo'clockafteraninterviewwiththevicegovernor;iftherewereanythinginitthey
wouldnotlethimgotoPetersburginbroaddaylight.

But we are not making out that Mr. Stavrogin committed the murder himself, Liputin
rejoinedspitefullyandunceremoniously.Hemayhaveknownnothingaboutit,likeme;and
youknowverywellthatIknewnothingaboutit,thoughIammixedupinitlikemuttonina
hash.

Whomareyouaccusing?saidPyotrStepanovitch,lookingathimdarkly.

Thosewhoseinterestitistoburndowntowns.

Youmakemattersworsebywrigglingoutofit.However,won'tyoureadthisandpassitto
theothers,simplyasafactofinterest?

HepulledoutofhispocketLebyadkin'sanonymouslettertoLembkeandhandedittoLiputin.
Thelatterreadit,wasevidentlysurprised,andpasseditthoughtfullytohisneighbour;the
letterquicklywenttheround.

IsthatreallyLebyadkin'shandwriting?observedShigalov.

Itis,answeredLiputinandTolkatchenko(theauthorityonthepeasantry).

IsimplybroughtitasafactofinterestandbecauseIknewyouweresosentimentalover
Lebyadkin,repeatedPyotrStepanovitch,takingtheletterback.Soitturnsout,gentlemen,
thatastrayFedkarelievesusquitebychanceofadangerousman.That'swhatchancedoes
sometimes!It'sinstructive,isn'tit?
Themembersexchangedrapidglances.

Andnow,gentlemen,it'smyturntoaskquestions,saidPyotrStepanovitch,assuminganair
ofdignity.Letmeknowwhatbusinessyouhadtosetfiretothetownwithoutpermission.

What's this! We, we set fire to the town? That is laying the blame on others! they
exclaimed.

I quite understand that you carried the game too far, Pyotr Stepanovitch persisted
stubbornly,butit'snotamatterofpettyscandalswithYuliaMihailovna.I'vebroughtyou
heregentlemen,toexplaintoyouthegreatnessofthedangeryouhavesostupidlyincurred,
whichisamenacetomuchbesidesyourselves.

Excuseme,we,onthecontrary,wereintendingjustnowtopointouttoyouthegreatnessof
thedespotismandunfairnessyouhaveshownintakingsuchaseriousandalsostrangestep
withoutconsultingthemembers,Virginsky,whohadbeenhithertosilent,protested,almost
withindignation.

Andsoyoudenyit?ButImaintainthatyousetfiretothetown,youandnonebutyou.
Gentlemen,don'ttelllies!Ihavegoodevidence.Byyourrashnessyouexposedthecommon
causetodanger.Youareonlyoneknotinanendlessnetworkofknotsandyourdutyis
blindobediencetothecentre.YetthreemenofyouincitedtheShpigulinmentosetfiretothe
townwithouttheleastinstructiontodoso,andthefirehastakenplace.

Whatthree?Whatthreeofus?

Thedaybeforeyesterday,atthreeo'clockinthenight,you,Tolkatchenko,wereinciting
FomkaZavyalovatthe'Forgetmenot.'

Uponmyword!criedthelatter,jumpingup,Iscarcelysaidawordtohim,andwhatIdid
saywaswithoutintention,simplybecausehehadbeenfloggedthatmorning.AndIdroppedit
atonce;Isawhewastoodrunk.IfyouhadnotreferredtoitIshouldnothavethoughtofit
again.Awordcouldnotsettheplaceonfire.

Youarelikeamanwhoshouldbesurprisedthatatinysparkcouldblowawholepowder
magazineintotheair.

Ispokeinawhisperinhisear,inacorner;howcouldyouhaveheardofit?

Tolkatchenkoreflectedsuddenly.

Iwassittingthereunderthetable.Don'tdisturbyourselves,gentlemen;Iknoweverystep
youtake.Yousmilesarcastically,Mr.Liputin?ButIknow,forinstance,thatyoupinched
yourwifeblackandblueatmidnight,threedaysago,inyourbedroomasyouweregoingto
bed.
Liputin'smouthfellopenandheturnedpale.(Itwasafterwardsfoundoutthatheknewofthis
exploitofLiputin'sfromAgafya,Liputin'sservant,whomhehadpaidfromthebeginningto
spyonhim;thisonlycameoutlater.)

MayIstateafact?saidShigalov,gettingup.

Stateit.

Shigalovsatdownandpulledhimselftogether.

SofarasIunderstandandit'simpossiblenottounderstandityouyourselfatfirstanda
second time later, drew with great eloquence, but too theoretically, a picture of Russia
coveredwithanendlessnetworkofknots.Eachofthesecentresofactivity,proselytisingand
ramifyingendlessly,aimsbysystematicdenunciationtoinjuretheprestigeoflocalauthority,
toreducethevillagestoconfusion,tospreadcynicismandscandals,togetherwithcomplete
disbeliefineverythingandaneagernessforsomethingbetter,andfinally,bymeansoffires,
asapreeminentlynationalmethod,toreducethecountryatagivenmoment,ifneedbe,to
desperation. Are those your words which I tried to remember accurately? Is that the
programmeyougaveusastheauthorisedrepresentativeofthecentralcommittee,whichisto
thisdayutterlyunknowntousandalmostlikeamyth?

It'scorrect,onlyyouareverytedious.

Everyonehasarighttoexpresshimselfinhisownway.Givingustounderstandthatthe
separate knots of the general network already covering Russia number by now several
hundred,andpropoundingthetheorythatifeveryonedoeshisworksuccessfully,allRussia
atagivenmoment,atasignal...

Ah,damnitall,Ihaveenoughtodowithoutyou!criedPyotrStepanovitch,twistinginhis
chair.

Verywell,I'llcutitshortandI'llendsimplybyaskingifwe'veseenthedisorderlyscenes,
we'veseenthediscontentofthepeople,we'veseenandtakenpartinthedownfalloflocal
administration,andfinally,we'veseenwithourowneyesthetownonfire?Whatdoyoufind
amiss?Isn'tthatyourprogramme?Whatcanyoublameusfor?

Actingonyourowninitiative!PyotrStepanovitchcriedfuriously.WhileIamhereyou
oughtnottohavedaredtoactwithoutmypermission.Enough.Weareontheeveofbetrayal,
andperhapstomorrowortonightyou'llbeseized.Sothere.Ihaveauthenticinformation.

Atthisallwereagapewithastonishment.

Youwillbearrestednotonlyastheinstigatorsofthefire,butasaquintet.Thetraitorknows
thewholesecretofthenetwork.Soyouseewhatamessyou'vemadeofit!

Stavrogin,nodoubt,criedLiputin.
What...whyStavrogin?PyotrStepanovitchseemedsuddenlytakenaback.Hangitall,
hecried,pullinghimselftogetheratonce,it'sShatov!IbelieveyouallknownowthatShatov
inhistimewasoneofthesociety.Imusttellyouthat,watchinghimthroughpersonshedoes
notsuspect, I found,outtomyamazementthatheknowsallabouttheorganisationofthe
networkand...everything,infact.Tosavehimselffrombeingchargedwithhavingformerly
belonged,hewillgiveinformationagainstall.HehasbeenhesitatinguptillnowandIhave
sparedhim.Yourfirehasdecidedhim:heisshakenandwillhesitatenolonger.Tomorrow
weshallbearrestedasincendiariesandpoliticaloffenders.

Isittrue?HowdoesShatovknow?Theexcitementwasindescribable.

It'sallperfectlytrue.IhavenorighttorevealthesourcefromwhichIlearntitorhowI
discoveredit,butItellyouwhatIcandoforyoumeanwhile:throughonepersonIcanacton
Shatovsothatwithouthissuspectingithewillputoftgivinginformation,butnotmorethan
fortwentyfourhours.Allweresilent.

Wereallymustsendhimtothedevil!Tolkatchenkowasthefirsttoexclaim.

Itoughttohavebeendonelongago,Lyamshinputinmalignantly,strikingthetablewith
hisfist.

Buthowisittobedone?mutteredLiputin.PyotrStepanovitchatoncetookupthequestion
andunfoldedhisplan.TheplanwasthefollowingdayatnightfalltodrawShatovawaytoa
secludedspottohandoverthesecretprintingpress.whichhadbeeninhiskeepingandwas
buriedthere,andtheretosettlethings.Hewentintovariousessentialdetailswhichwewill
omithere,andexplainedminutelyShatov'spresentambiguousattitudetothecentralsociety,
ofwhichthereaderknowsalready.

That'sallverywell,Liputinobservedirresolutely,butsinceitwillbeanotheradventure...
ofthesamesort...itwillmaketoogreatasensation.

Nodoubt,assentedPyotrStepanovitch,butI'veprovidedagainstthat.Wehavethemeans
ofavertingsuspicioncompletely.

AndwiththesameminutenesshetoldthemaboutKirillov,ofhisintentiontoshoothimself,
andofhispromisetowaitforasignalfromthemandtoleavealetterbehindhimtakingon
himselfanythingtheydictatedtohim(allofwhichthereaderknowsalready).

Hisdeterminationtotakehisownlifeaphilosophic,orasIshouldcallit,insanedecision
hasbecomeknowntherePyotrStepanovitchwentontoexplain.Therenotathread,nota
grainofdustisoverlooked;everythingisturnedtotheserviceofthecause.Foreseeinghow
usefulitmightbeandsatisfyingthemselvesthathisintentionwasquiteserious,theyhad
offeredhimthemeanstocometoRussia(hewassetforsomereasonondyinginRussia),
gave him acommissionwhich he promised tocarryout (andhe had done so), and had,
moreover,boundhimbyapromise,asyoualreadyknow,tocommitsuicideonlywhenhe
wastoldto.Hepromisedeverything.Youmustnotethathebelongstotheorganisationona
particularfootingandisanxioustobeofservice;morethanthatIcan'ttellyou.Tomorrow,
afterShatov'saffair,I'lldictateanotetohimsayingthatheisresponsibleforhisdeath.That
willseemveryplausible:theywerefriendsandtravelledtogethertoAmerica,therethey
quarrelled;anditwillallbeexplainedintheletter...and...andperhaps,ifitseems
feasible,wemightdictatesomethingmoretoKirillovsomethingaboutthemanifestoes,for
instance, and even perhaps about the fire. But I'll think about that. You needn't worry
yourselves,hehasnoprejudices;he'llsignanything.

Therewereexpressionsofdoubt.Itsoundedafantasticstory.Buttheyhadallheardmoreor
lessaboutKirillov;Liputinmorethanall.

Hemaychangehismindandnotwantto,saidShigalov;heisamadmananyway,soheis
notmuchtobuildupon.

Don'tbeuneasy,gentlemen,hewillwantto,PyotrStepanovitchsnappedout.Iamobliged
byouragreementtogivehimwarningthedaybefore,soitmustbetoday.IinviteLiputinto
gowithmeatoncetoseehimandmakecertain,andhewilltellyou,gentlemen,whenhe
comesbacktodayifneedbewhetherwhatIsayistrue.However,hebrokeoffsuddenly
withintenseexasperation,asthoughhesuddenlyfelthewasdoingpeoplelikethemtoomuch
honourbywastingtimeinpersuadingthem,however,doasyouplease.Ifyoudon'tdecide
todoit,theunionisbrokenupbutsolelythroughyourinsubordinationandtreachery.In
thatcaseweareallindependentfromthismoment.Butunderthosecircumstances,besides
theunpleasantnessofShatov'sbetrayalanditsconsequences,youwillhavebroughtupon
yourselvesanotherlittleunpleasantnessofwhichyouweredefinitelywarnedwhentheunion
wasformed.AsfarasIamconcerned,Iamnotmuchafraidofyou,gentlemen....Don't
imaginethatIamsoinvolvedwithyou....Butthat'snomatter.

Yes,wedecidetodoit,Liputinpronounced.

There'snootherwayoutofit,mutteredTolkatchenko,andifonlyLiputinconfirmsabout
Kirillov,then...

Iamagainstit;withallmysoulandstrengthIprotestagainstsuchamurderousdecision,
saidVirginsky,standingup.

But?askedPyotrStepanovitch....

Butwhat?

Yousaidbut...andIamwaiting.

Idon'tthinkIdidsaybut...Ionlymeanttosaythatifyoudecidetodoit,then...

Then?
Virginskydidnotanswer.

Ithinkthatoneisatlibertytoneglectdangertoone'sownlife,saidErkel,suddenlyopening
hismouth,butifitmayinjurethecause,thenIconsideroneoughtnottodaretoneglect
dangertoone'slife....

Hebrokeoffinconfusion,blushing.Absorbedastheyallwereintheirownideas,theyall
lookedathiminamazementitwassuchasurprisethathetoocouldspeak.

Iamforthecause,Virginskypronouncedsuddenly.

Everyonegotup.Itwasdecidedtocommunicateoncemoreandmakefinalarrangementsat
middayonthe morrow, thoughwithout meeting. The place where theprintingpresswas
hidden was announced and each was assigned his part and his duty. Liputin and Pyotr
StepanovitchpromptlysetofftogethertoKirillov.

II

AllourfellowsbelievedthatShatovwasgoingtobetraythem;buttheyalsobelievedthat
PyotrStepanovitchwasplayingwiththemlikepawns.Andyettheyknew,too,thatinany
case they would all meet onthe spot next dayand that Shatov's fatewas sealed. They
suddenlyfeltlikefliescaughtinawebbyahugespider;theywerefurious,buttheywere
tremblingwithterror.

PyotrStepanovitch,ofcourse,hadtreatedthembadly;itmightallhavegoneofffarmore
harmoniously and easily if he had taken the trouble to embellish the facts ever so little.
Insteadofputtingthefactsinadecorouslight,asanexploitworthyofancientRomeor
somethingofthesort,hesimplyappealedtotheiranimalfearsandlaidstressonthedangerto
theirownskins,whichwassimplyinsulting;ofcoursetherewasastruggleforexistencein
everythingandtherewasnootherprincipleinnature,theyallknewthat,butstill...

ButPyotrStepanovitchhadnotimetotrotouttheRomans;hewascompletelythrownoutof
hisreckoning.Stavrogin'sflighthadastoundedandcrushedhim.Itwasaliewhenhesaidthat
Stavroginhadseenthevicegovernor;whatworriedPyotrStepanovitchwasthatStavrogin
hadgoneoffwithoutseeinganyone,evenhismotheranditwascertainlystrangethathehad
been allowed to leave without hindrance. (The authorities were called to account for it
afterwards.)PyotrStepanovitchhadbeenmakinginquiriesallday,butsofarhadfoundout
nothing,andhehadneverbeensoupset.Andhowcouldhe,howcouldhegiveupStavrogin
allatoncelikethis!Thatwaswhyhecouldnotbeverytenderwiththequintet.Besides,they
tiedhishands:hehadalreadydecidedtogallopafterStavroginatonce;andmeanwhilehe
was detained by Shatov; he had to cement the quintet together once for all, in case of
emergency.Pitytowastethem,theymightbeofuse.That,Iimagine,washiswayof
reasoning.

AsforShatov,PyotrStepanovitchwasfirmlyconvincedthathewouldbetraythem.Allthat
hehadtoldtheothersaboutitwasalie:hehadneverseenthedocumentnorheardofit,but
hethoughtitascertainasthattwicetwomakesfour.Itseemedtohimthatwhathadhappened
thedeathofLiza,thedeathofMaryaTimofyevnawouldbetoomuchforShatov,andthat
hewouldmakeuphismindatonce.Whoknows?perhapshehadgroundsforsupposingit.It
isknown,too,thathehatedShatovpersonally;therehadatsometimebeenaquarrelbetween
them,andPyotrStepanovitchneverforgaveanoffence.Iamconvinced,indeed,thatthiswas
hisleadingmotive.

Wehavenarrowbrickpavementsinourtown,andinsomestreetsonlyraisedwoodenplanks
insteadofapavement.PyotrStepanovitchwalkedinthemiddleofthepavement,takingup
thewholeofit,utterlyregardlessofLiputin,whohadnoroomtowalkbesidehimandsohad
to hurry a step behind or run in the muddy road if he wanted to speak to him. Pyotr
Stepanovitchsuddenlyrememberedhowhehadlatelysplashedthroughthemudtokeeppace
withStavrogin,whohadwalked,ashewasdoingnow,takingupthewholepavement.He
recalledthewholescene,andragechokedhim.

ButLiputin,too,waschokingwithresentment.PyotrStepanovitchmighttreattheothersashe
liked,buthim!Why,heknewmorethanalltherest,wasinclosertouchwiththeworkand
takingmoreintimatepartinitthananyone,andhithertohisserviceshadbeencontinual,
thoughindirect.Oh,heknewthatevennowPyotrStepanovitchmightruinhimifitcameto
theworst. ButhehadlonghatedPyotrStepanovitch,andnotbecausehewasadangerbut
becauseofhisoverbearingmanner.Now,whenhehadtomakeuphismindtosuchadeed,he
ragedinwardlymorethanalltherestputtogether.Alas!heknewthatnextdaylikeaslave
hewouldbethefirstonthespotandwouldbringtheothers,andifhecouldsomehowhave
murderedPyotrStepanovitchbeforethemorrow,withoutruininghimself,ofcourse,hewould
certainlyhavemurderedhim.

Absorbedinhissensations,hetrudgeddejectedlyafterhistormentor,whoseemedtohave
forgottenhisexistence,thoughhegavehimarudeandcarelessshovewithhiselbownowand
then.SuddenlyPyotrStepanovitchhaltedinoneoftheprincipalthoroughfaresandwentinto
arestaurant.

Whatareyoudoing?criedLiputin,boilingover.Thisisarestaurant.

Iwantabeefsteak.

Uponmyword!Itisalwaysfullofpeople.

Whatifitis?

But...weshallbelate.It'steno'clockalready.

Youcan'tbetoolatetogothere.

ButIshallbelate!Theyareexpectingmeback.
Well,letthem;butitwouldbestupidofyoutogotothem.WithallyourbobberyI'vehadno
dinner.AndthelateryougotoKirillov'sthemoresureyouaretofindhim.

PyotrStepanovitchwenttoaroomapart.Liputinsatinaneasychairononeside,angryand
resentful,andwatchedhimeating.Halfanhourandmorepassed.PyotrStepanovitchdidnot
hurryhimself;heatewithrelish,rangthebell,askedforadifferentkindofmustard,thenfor
beer,withoutsayingawordtoLiputin.Hewasponderingdeeply.Hewascapableofdoing
twothingsatonceeatingwithrelishandponderingdeeply.Liputinloathedhimsointensely
atlastthathecouldnottearhimselfaway.Itwaslikeanervousobsession.Hecountedevery
morselofbeefsteakthatPyotrStepanovitchputintohismouth;heloathedhimforthewayhe
openedit,forthewayhechewed,forthewayhesmackedhislipsoverthefatmorsels,he
loathedthesteakitself.Atlastthingsbegantoswimbeforehiseyes;hebegantofeelslightly
giddy;hefelthotandcoldrundownhisspinebyturns.

Youaredoingnothing;readthat,saidPyotrStepanovitchsuddenly,throwinghimasheetof
paper. Liputin went nearer to the candle. The paper was closely covered with bad
handwriting,withcorrectionsineveryline.BythetimehehadmastereditPyotrStepanovitch
hadpaidhisbillandwasreadytogo.WhentheywereonthepavementLiputinhandedhim
backthepaper.

Keepit;I'lltellyouafterwards....Whatdoyousaytoit,though?

Liputinshudderedallover.

Inmyopinion...suchamanifesto...isnothingbutaridiculousabsurdity.

Hisangerbrokeout;hefeltasthoughhewerebeingcaughtupandcarriedalong.

If we decide to distribute such manifestoes, he said, quivering all over, we'll make
ourselves,contemptiblebyourstupidityandincompetence.

H'm!Ithinkdifferently,saidPyotrStepanovitch,walkingonresolutely.

SodoI;surelyitisn'tyourwork?

That'snotyourbusiness.

I think too that doggerel, 'A Noble Personality,' is the most utter trash possible, and it
couldn'thavebeenwrittenbyHerzen.

Youaretalkingnonsense;it'sagoodpoem.

Iamsurprised,too,forinstance,saidLiputin,stilldashingalongwithdesperateleaps,that
itissuggestedthatweshouldactsoastobringeverythingtotheground.It'snaturalinEurope
towishtodestroyeverythingbecausethere'saproletariatthere,butweareonlyamateurshere
andinmyopinionareonlyshowingoff.
IthoughtyouwereaFourierist.

Fouriersayssomethingquitedifferent,quitedifferent.

Iknowit'snonsense.

No,Fourierisn'tnonsense....Excuseme,Ican'tbelievethattherewillbearisinginMay.

Liputinpositivelyunbuttonedhiscoat,hewassohot.

Well,that'senough;butnow,thatImayn'tforgetit,saidPyotrStepanovitch,passingwith
extraordinarycoolnesstoanothersubject,youwillhavetoprintthismanifestowithyour
ownhands.We'regoingtodigupShatov'sprintingpress,andyouwilltakeittomorrow.As
quicklyaspossibleyoumustprintasmanycopiesasyoucan,andthendistributethemallthe
winter.Themeanswillbeprovided.Youmustdoasmanycopiesaspossible,foryou'llbe
askedforthemfromotherplaces.

No,excuseme;Ican'tundertakesucha...Idecline.

You'lltakeitallthesame.Iamactingontheinstructionsofthecentralcommittee,andyou
areboundtoobey.

AndIconsiderthatourcentresabroadhaveforgottenwhatRussiaislikeandhavelostall
touch,andthat'swhytheytalksuchnonsense....Ieventhinkthatinsteadofmanyhundreds
ofquintetsinRussia,wearetheonlyonethatexists,andthereisnonetworkatall,Liputin
gaspedfinally.

Themorecontemptibleofyou,then,torunafterthecausewithoutbelievinginit...andyou
arerunningaftermenowlikeameanlittlecur.

No,I'mnot.Wehaveafullrighttobreakoffandfoundanewsociety.

Fool!PyotrStepanovitchboomedathimthreateninglyallofasudden,withflashingeyes.

Theystoodfacingoneanotherforsometime.PyotrStepanovitchturnedandpursuedhisway
confidently.

TheideaflashedthroughLiputin'smind,Turnandgoback;ifIdon'tturnnowIshallnever
goback.Heponderedthisfortensteps,butattheeleventhanewanddesperateideaflashed
intohismind:hedidnotturnanddidnotgoback.

TheywereapproachingFilipov'shouse,butbeforereachingittheyturneddownasidestreet,
or,tobemoreaccurate,aninconspicuouspathunderafence,sothatforsometimetheyhad
towalkalongasteepslopeaboveaditchwheretheycouldnotkeeptheirfootingwithout
holdingthefence.AtadarkcornerintheslantingfencePyotrStepanovitchtookoutaplank,
leavingagap,throughwhichhepromptlyscrambled.Liputinwassurprised,buthecrawled
throughafterhim;thentheyreplacedtheplankafterthem.Thiswasthesecretwaybywhich
FedkausedtovisitKirillov.

Shatovmustn'tknowthatwearehere,PyotrStepanovitchwhisperedsternlytoLiputin.

III

Kirillovwassittingonhisleathersofadrinkingtea,ashealwayswasatthathour.Hedidnot
getuptomeetthem,butgaveasortofstartandlookedatthenewcomersanxiously.

Youarenotmistaken,saidPyotrStepanovitch,it'sjustthatI'vecomeabout.

Today?

No,no,tomorrow...aboutthistime.Andhehurriedlysatdownatthetable,watching
Kirillov'sagitationwithsomeuneasiness.Butthelatterhadalreadyregainedhiscomposure
andlookedasusual.

Thesepeoplestillrefusetobelieveinyou.YouarenotvexedatmybringingLiputin?

TodayIamnotvexed;tomorrowIwanttobealone.

ButnotbeforeIcome,andthereforeinmypresence..

Ishouldprefernotinyourpresence.

YourememberyoupromisedtowriteandtosignallIdictated.

Idon'tcare.Andnowwillyoubeherelong?

Ihavetoseeonemanandtoremainhalfanhour,sowhateveryousayIshallstaythathalf
hour.

Kirillovdidnotspeak.Liputinmeanwhilesatdownononesideundertheportraitofthe
bishop.Thatlastdesperateideagainedmoreandmorepossessionofhim.Kirillovscarcely
noticedhim.LiputinhadheardofKirillov'stheorybeforeandalwayslaughedathim;butnow
hewassilentandlookedgloomilyroundhim.

I'venoobjectiontosometea,saidPyotrStepanovitch,movingup.I'vejusthadsomesteak
andwasreckoningongettingteawithyou.

Drinkit.Youcanhavesomeifyoulike.

Youusedtoofferittome,observedPyotrStepanovitchsourly.

That'snomatter.LetLiputinhavesometoo.
No,I...can't.

Don'twanttoorcan't?saidPyotrStepanovitch,turningquicklytohim.

Iamnotgoingtohere,Liputinsaidexpressively.

PyotrStepanovitchfrowned.

There'saflavourofmysticismaboutthat;goodnessknowswhattomakeofyoupeople!

Nooneanswered;therewasafullminuteofsilence.

ButIknowonething,headdedabruptly,thatnosuperstitionwillpreventanyoneofus
fromdoinghisduty.

HasStavrogingone?askedKirillov.

Yes.

He'sdonewell.

PyotrStepanovitch'seyesgleamed,butherestrainedhimself.

Idon'tcarewhatyouthinkaslongaseveryonekeepshisword.

I'llkeepmyword.

Ialwaysknewthatyouwoulddoyourdutylikeanindependentandprogressiveman.

Youareanabsurdfellow.

Thatmaybe;Iamverygladtoamuseyou.IamalwaysgladifIcangivepeoplepleasure.

YouareveryanxiousIshouldshootmyselfandareafraidImightsuddenlynot?

Well,yousee,itwasyourowndoingconnectingyourplanwithourwork.Reckoningon
yourplanwehavealreadydonesomething,sothatyoucouldn'trefusenowbecauseyou'velet
usinforit.

You'venoclaimatall.

Iunderstand,Iunderstand;youareperfectlyfree,andwedon'tcomeinsolongasyourfree
intentioniscarriedout.

AndamItotakeonmyselfallthenastythingsyou'vedone?

Listen,Kirillov,areyouafraid?Ifyouwanttocryoff,saysoatonce.
Iamnotafraid.

Iaskbecauseyouaremakingsomanyinquiries.

Areyougoingsoon?

Askingquestionsagain?Kirillovscannedhimcontemptuously.

Yousee,PyotrStepanovitchwenton,gettingangrierandangrier,andunabletotakethe
righttone,youwantmetogoaway,tobealone,toconcentrateyourself,butallthat'sabad
signforyouforyouaboveall.Youwanttothinkagreatdeal.Tomymindyou'dbetternot
think.Andreallyyoumakemeuneasy.

There'sonlyonethingIhate,thatatsuchamomentIshouldhaveareptilelikeyoubeside
me.

Oh,thatdoesn'tmatter.I'llgoawayatthetimeandstandonthestepsifyoulike.Ifyouare
soconcernedabouttrifleswhenitcomestodying,then...it'sallaverybadsign.I'llgoout
ontothestepsandyoucanimagineIknownothingaboutit,andthatIamamaninfinitely
belowyou.

No,notinfinitely;you'vegotabilities,butthere'salotyoudon'tunderstandbecauseyouare
alowman.

Delighted,delighted.ItoldyoualreadyIamdelightedtoprovideentertainment...atsucha
moment.

Youdon'tunderstandanything.

Thatis,I...well,Ilistenwithrespect,anyway.

Youcandonothing;evennowyoucan'thideyourpettyspite,thoughit'snottoyourinterest
to show it. You'll make me cross, and then I may want another six months. Pyotr
Stepanovitchlookedathiswatch.Ineverunderstoodyourtheory,butIknowyoudidn't
inventitforoursakes,soIsupposeyouwouldcarryitoutapartfromus.AndIknowtoothat
youhaven'tmasteredtheideabuttheideahasmasteredyou,soyouwon'tputitoff.

What?Theideahasmasteredme?

Yes.

AndnotImasteredtheidea?That'sgood.Youhavealittlesense.OnlyyouteasemeandI
amproud.

That'sagoodthing,that'sagoodthing.Justwhatyouneed,tobeproud.

Enough.You'vedrunkyourtea;goaway.
Damnit all, Isuppose ImustPyotr Stepanovitch got up though it'searly. Listen,
Kirillov.ShallIfindthatmanyouknowwhomImeanatMyasnitchiha's?Orhasshetoo
beenlying?

Youwon'tfindhim,becauseheishereandnotthere.

Here!Damnitall,where?

Sittinginthekitchen,eatinganddrinking.

Howdaredhe?criedPyotrStepanovitch,flushingangrily.Itwashisdutytowait...what
nonsense!Hehasnopassport,nomoney!

Idon'tknow.Hecametosaygoodbye;heisdressedandready.Heisgoingawayandwon't
comeback.Hesaysyouareascoundrelandhedoesn'twanttowaitforyourmoney.

Haha!HeisafraidthatI'll...ButevennowIcan...if...Whereishe,inthekitchen?

Kirillovopenedasidedoorintoatinydarkroom;fromthisroomthreestepsledstraightto
thepartofthekitchenwherethecook'sbedwasusuallyput,behindthepartition.Here,inthe
cornerundertheikons,Fedkawassittingnow,atabaredealtable.Beforehimstoodapint
bottle,aplateofbread,andsomecoldbeefandpotatoesonanearthenwaredish.Hewas
eatinginaleisurelywayandwasalreadyhalfdrunk,buthewaswearinghissheepskincoat
andwasevidentlyreadyforajourney.Asamovarwasboilingtheothersideofthescreen,but
itwasnotforFedka,whohadeverynightforaweekormorezealouslyblownitupandgotit
readyforAlexeyNilitch,forhe'ssuchahabitofdrinkingteaatnights.Iamstrongly
disposedtobelievethat,asKirillovhadnotacook,hehadcookedthebeefandpotatoesthat
morningwithhisownhandsforFedka.

Whatnotionisthis?criedPyotrStepanovitch,whiskingintotheroom.Whydidn'tyou
waitwhereyouwereordered?

Andswinginghisfist,hebroughtitdownheavilyonthetable.

Fedkaassumedanairofdignity.

Youwaitabit,PyotrStepanovitch,youwaitabit,hebegan,withaswaggeringemphasis
oneachword,it'syourfirstdutytounderstandherethatyouareonapolitevisittoMr.
Kirillov,AlexeyNilitch,whosebootsyoumightcleananyday,becausebesideyouheisa
manofcultureandyouareonlyfoo!

Andhemadeajauntyshowofspittingtooneside.Haughtinessanddeterminationwere
evidentinhismanner,andacertainverythreateningassumptionofargumentativecalmthat
suggestedanoutbursttofollow.ButPyotrStepanovitchhadnotimetorealisethedanger,and
itdidnotfitinwithhispreconceivedideas.Theincidentsanddisastersofthedayhadquite
turnedhishead.Liputin,atthetopofthethreesteps,staredinquisitivelydownfromthelittle
darkroom.

Doyouordon'tyouwantatrustworthypassportandgoodmoneytogowhereyou'vebeen
told?Yesorno?

D'yousee,PyotrStepanovitch,you'vebeendeceivingmefromthefirst,andsoyou'vebeena
regularscoundreltome.Foralltheworldlikeafilthyhumanlousethat'showIlookonyou.
You'vepromisedmealotofmoneyforsheddinginnocentbloodandsworeitwasforMr.
Stavrogin,thoughitturnsouttobenothingbutyourwantofbreeding.Ididn'tgetafarthing
outofit,letalonefifteenhundred,andMr.Stavroginhityouintheface,whichhascometo
ourears.Nowyouaxethreateningmeagainandpromisingmemoneywhatfor,youdon't
say.AndIshouldn'twonderifyouaresendingmetoPetersburgtoplotsomerevengeinyour
spiteagainstMr.Stavrogin,NikolayVsyevolodovitch,reckoningonmysimplicity.Andthat
provesyouarethechiefmurderer.Anddoyouknowwhatyoudeservefortheveryfactthat
inthedepravityofyourheartyou'vegivenupbelievinginGodHimself,thetrueCreator?
YouarenobetterthananidolaterandareonalevelwiththeTatarandtheMordva.Alexey
Nilitch,whoisaphilosopher,hasexpoundedthetrueGod,theCreator,manyatimetoyou,
aswellasthecreationoftheworldandthefatethat'stocomeandthetransformationofevery
sortofcreatureandeverysortofbeastoutoftheApocalypse,butyou'vepersistedlikea
senselessidolinyourdeafnessandyourdumbnessandhavebroughtEnsignErkeltothe
same,liketheveriestevilseducerandsocalledatheist....

Ah,youdrunkendog!HestripstheikonsoftheirsettingandthenpreachesaboutGod!

D'yousee,PyotrStepanovitch,ItellyoutrulythatIhavestrippedtheikons,butIonlytook
outthepearls;andhowdoyouknow?Perhapsmyowntearwastransformedintoapearlin
thefurnaceoftheMostHightomakeupformysufferings,seeingIamjustthatveryorphan,
havingnodailyrefuge.Doyouknowfromthebooksthatonce,inancienttimes,amerchant
withjustsuchtearfulsighsandprayersstoleapearlfromthehalooftheMotherofGod,and
afterwards,inthefaceofallthepeople,laidthewholepriceofitatherfeet,andtheHoly
Mothershelteredhimwithhermantlebeforeallthepeople,sothatitwasamiracle,andthe
commandwasgiventhroughtheauthoritiestowriteitalldownwordforwordintheImperial
books.Andyouletamousein,soyouinsultedtheverythroneofGod.Andifyouwerenot
mynaturalmaster,whomIdandledinmyarmswhenIwasastripling,Iwouldhavedonefor
younow,withoutbudgingfromthisplace!

PyotrStepanovitchflewintoaviolentrage.

Tellme,haveyouseenStavrogintoday?

Don'tyoudaretoquestionme.Mr.Stavroginisfairlyamazedatyou,andhehadnosharein
iteveninwish,letaloneinstructionsorgivingmoney.You'vepresumedwithme.

You'llgetthemoneyandyou'llgetanothertwothousandinPetersburg,whenyougetthere,
inalumpsum,andyou'llgetmore.
Youarelying,myfinegentleman,anditmakesmelaughtoseehoweasilyyouaretakenin.
Mr.Stavroginstandsatthetopoftheladderaboveyou,andyouyelpathimfrombelowlikea
sillypuppydog,whilehethinksitwouldbedoingyouanhonourtospitatyou.

Butdoyouknow,criedPyotrStepanovitchinarage,thatIwon'tletyoustirastepfrom
here,youscoundrel,andI'llhandyoustraightovertothepolice.

Fedkaleaptontohisfeetandhiseyesgleamedwithfury.PyotrStepanovitchpulledouthis
revolver.Thenfollowedarapidandrevoltingscene:beforePyotrStepanovitchcouldtake
aim,Fedkaswungroundandinaflashstruckhimonthecheekwithallhismight.Thenthere
wasthethudofasecondblow,athird,thenafourth,allonthecheek.PyotrStepanovitchwas
dazed;withhiseyesstartingoutofhishead,hemutteredsomething,andsuddenlycrashed
fulllengthtotheground.

Thereyouare;takehim,shoutedFedkawithatriumphantswagger;heinstantlytookuphis
cap, his bag from under the bench, and was gone. Pyotr Stepanovitch lay gasping and .
unconscious.Liputinevenimaginedthathehadbeenmurdered.Kirillovranheadlongintothe
kitchen.

Water!hecried,andladlingsomewaterinanirondipperfromabucket,hepoureditover
theinjuredman'shead.PyotrStepanovitchstirred,raisedhishead,satup,andlookedblankly
abouthim.

Well,howareyou?askedKirillov.PyotrStepanovitchlookedathimintently,stillnot
recognisinghim;butseeingLiputinpeepinginfromthekitchen,hesmiledhishatefulsmile
andsuddenlygotup,pickinguphisrevolverfromthefloor.

IfyoutakeitintoyourheadtorunawaytomorrowlikethatscoundrelStavrogin,hecried,
pouncingfuriouslyonKirillov,pale,stammering,andhardlyabletoarticulatehiswords,I'll
hangyou...likeafly...orcrushyou...ifit'sattheotherendoftheworld...doyou
understand!

AndheheldtherevolverstraightatKirillov'shead;butalmostatthesameminute,coming
completelytohimself,hedrewbackhishand,thrusttherevolverintohispocket,andwithout
sayinganotherwordranoutofthehouse.Liputinfollowedhim.Theyclamberedthroughthe
samegapandagainwalkedalongtheslopeholdingtothefence.PyotrStepanovitchstrode
rapidlydownthestreetsothatLiputincouldscarcelykeepupwithhim.Atthefirstcrossing
hesuddenlystopped.

Well?HeturnedtoLiputinwithachallenge.

Liputin remembered the revolver and was still trembling all over after the scene he had
witnessed;buttheanswerseemedtocomeofitselfirresistiblyfromhistongue:

Ithink...Ithinkthat...
DidyouseewhatFedkawasdrinkinginthekitchen?

Whathewasdrinking?Hewasdrinkingvodka.

Wellthen,letmetellyouit'sthelasttimeinhislifehewilldrinkvodka.Irecommendyouto
rememberthatandreflectonit.Andnowgotohell;youarenotwantedtilltomorrow.But
mindnow,don'tbeafool!

Liputinrushedhomefullspeed.

IV

Hehadlonghadapassportinreadinessmadeoutinafalsename.Itseemsawildideathat
thisprudentlittleman,thepettydespotofhisfamily,whowas,aboveallthings,asharpman
ofbusinessandacapitalist,andwhowasanofficialtoo(thoughhewasaFourierist),should
long before have conceived the fantastic project of procuring this passport in case of
emergency,thathemightescapeabroadbymeansofitif...hedidadmitthepossibilityof
thisif,thoughnodoubthewasneverablehimselftoformulatewhatthisifmightmean.

Butnowitsuddenlyformulateditself,andinamostunexpectedway.Thatdesperateidea
withwhichhehadgonetoKirillov'safterthatfoolhehadheardfromPyotrStepanovitch
onthepavement,hadbeentoabandoneverythingatdawnnextdayandtoemigrateabroad.If
anyonedoubtsthatsuchfantasticincidentsoccurineverydayRussianlife,evennow,lethim
lookintothebiographiesofalltheRussianexilesabroad.Notoneofthemescapedwithmore
wisdomorrealjustification.Ithasalwaysbeentheunrestraineddominationofphantomsand
nothingmore.

Runninghome,hebeganbylockinghimselfin,gettingouthistravellingbag,andfeverishly
beginningtopack.Hischiefanxietywasthequestionofmoney,andhowmuchhecould
rescuefromtheimpendingruinandbywhatmeans.Hethoughtofitasrescuing,forit
seemedtohimthathecouldnotlingeranhour,andthatbydaylighthemustbeonthehigh
road.Hedidnotknowwheretotakethetraineither;hevaguelydeterminedtotakeitatthe
secondorthirdbigstationfromthetown,andtomakehiswaythereonfoot,ifnecessary.In
thatway,instinctivelyandmechanicallyhebusiedhimselfinhispackingwithaperfectwhirl
ofideasinhisheadand suddenlystopped short, gave it all up, and with adeepgroan
stretchedhimselfonthesofa.

Hefeltclearly,andsuddenlyrealisedthathemightescape,butthathewasbynowutterly
incapableofdecidingwhetherheoughttomakeoffbeforeorafterShatov'sdeath;thathewas
simplyalifelessbody,acrudeinertmass;thathewasbeingmovedbyanawfuloutside
power;andthat,thoughhehadapassporttogoabroad,thatthoughhecouldrunawayfrom
Shatov(otherwisewhatneedwasthereofsuchhaste?),yethewouldrunaway,notfrom
Shatov,notbeforehismurder,butafterit,andthatthatwasdetermined,signed,andsealed.

In insufferable distress, trembling every instant and wondering at himself, alternately

groaningaloudandnumbwithterror,hemanagedtoexisttilleleveno'clocknextmorning
locked in and lying on the sofa; then came the shock he was awaiting, and it at once
determinedhim.Whenheunlockedhisdoorandwentouttohishouseholdateleveno'clock
theytoldhimthattherunawayconvictandbrigand,Fedka,whowasaterrortoeveryone,
whohadpillagedchurchesandonlylatelybeenguiltyofmurderandarson,whowasbeing
pursuedandcouldnotbecapturedbyourpolice,hadbeenfoundatdaybreakmurdered,five
milesfromthetown,ataturningoffthehighroad,andthatthewholetownwastalkingofit
already.Herushedheadlongoutofthehouseatoncetofindoutfurtherdetails,andlearned,
tobeginwith,thatFedka,whohadbeenfoundwithhisskullbroken,hadapparentlybeen
robbedand,secondly,thatthepolicealreadyhadstrongsuspicionandevengoodgroundsfor
believingthatthemurdererwasoneoftheShpigulinmencalledTomka,theveryonewho
hadbeenhisaccompliceinmurderingtheLebyadkinsandsettingfiretotheirhouse,andthat
therehadbeenaquarrelbetweenthemontheroadaboutalargesumofmoneystolenfrom
Lebyadkin,whichFedkawassupposedtohavehidden.LiputinrantoPyotrStepanovitch's
lodgings and succeeded in learning at the back door, on the sly, that though Pyotr
Stepanovitchhadnotreturnedhometillaboutoneo'clockatnight,hehadslepttherequietly
allnighttilleighto'clocknextmorning.Ofcourse,therecouldbenodoubtthattherewas
nothingextraordinaryaboutFedka'sdeath,andthatsuchcareersusuallyhavesuchanending;
butthecoincidenceofthefatalwordsthatitwasthelasttimeFedkawoulddrinkvodka,
with the prompt fulfilment of the prediction, was so remarkable that Liputin no longer
hesitated. The shock had been given; it was as though a stone had fallen upon him and
crushedhimforever.Returninghome,hethrusthistravellingbagunderthebedwithouta
word,andintheeveningatthehourfixedhewasthefirsttoappearattheappointedspotto
meetShatov,thoughit'struehestillhadhispassportinhispocket.

CHAPTERV.AWANDERER

THE CATASTROPHE WITH Liza and the death of Marya Timofyevna made an
overwhelmingimpressiononShatov.IhavealreadymentionedthatthatmorningImethimin
passing;heseemedtomenothimself.Hetoldmeamongotherthingsthatontheevening
beforeatnineo'clock(thatis,threehoursbeforethefirehadbrokenout)hehadbeenat
MaryaTimofyevna's.Hewentinthemorningtolookatthecorpses,butasfarasIknowgave
noevidenceofanysortthatmorning.Meanwhile,towardstheendofthedaytherewasa
perfecttempestinhissoul,and...IthinkIcansaywithcertaintythattherewasamomentat
duskwhenhewantedtogetup,gooutandtelleverything.Whatthateverythingwas,noone
buthecouldsay.Ofcoursehewouldhaveachievednothing,andwouldhavesimplybetrayed
himself.Hehadnoproofswhateverwithwhichtoconvicttheperpetratorsofthecrime,and,
indeed,hehadnothingbutvagueconjecturestogoupon,thoughtohimtheyamountedto
complete certainty. But he was ready to ruin himself if he could only crush the
scoundrelshisownwords.PyotrStepanovitchhadguessedfairlycorrectlyatthisimpulse
inhim,andheknewhimselfthathewasriskingagreatdealinputtingofftheexecutionofhis
newawfulprojecttillnextday.Onhissidetherewas,asusual,greatselfconfidenceand
contemptforallthesewretchedcreaturesandforShatovinparticular.Hehadforyears
despisedShatovforhiswhiningidiocy,ashehadexpresseditinformerdaysabroad,and
hewasabsolutelyconfidentthathecoulddealwithsuchaguilelesscreature,thatis,keepan
eyeonhimallthatday,andputacheckonhimatthefirstsignofdanger.Yetwhatsavedthe
scoundrelsforashorttimewassomethingquiteunexpectedwhichtheyhadnotforeseen....

Towards eight o'clock in the evening (at the very time when the quintet was meeting at
Erkel's,andwaitinginindignationandexcitementforPyotrStepanovitch)Shatovwaslying
inthedarkonhisbedwithaheadacheandaslightchill;hewastorturedbyuncertainty,he
wasangry,hekeptmakinguphismind,andcouldnotmakeitupfinally,andfelt,witha
curse,thatitwouldallleadtonothing.Graduallyhesankintoabriefdozeandhadsomething
likeanightmare.Hedreamtthathewaslyingonhisbed,tiedupwithcordsandunabletostir,
andmeantimeheheardaterriblebangingthatechoedalloverthehouse,abangingonthe
fence,atthegate,athisdoor,inKirillov'slodge,sothatthewholehousewasshaking,anda
farawayfamiliarvoicethatwrunghisheartwascallingtohimpiteously.Hesuddenlywoke
andsatupinbed.Tohissurprisethebangingatthegatewenton,thoughnotnearlysoviolent
asithadseemedinhisdream.Theknockswererepeatedandpersistent,andthestrangevoice
thatwrunghisheartcouldstillbeheardbelowatthegate,thoughnotpiteouslybutangrily
andimpatiently,alternatingwithanothervoice,morerestrainedandordinary.Hejumpedup,
openedthecasementpaneandputhisheadout.

Who'sthere?hecalled,literallynumbwithterror.

IfyouareShatov,theanswercameharshlyandresolutelyfrombelow,besogoodasto
tellmestraightoutandhonestlywhetheryouagreetoletmeinornot?

Itwastrue:herecognisedthevoice!

Marie!...Isityou?

Yes,yes,MaryaShatov,andIassureyouIcan'tkeepthedriveraminutelonger.

Thisminute...I'llgetacandle,Shatovcriedfaintly.Thenherushedtolookforthe
matches.Thematches,asalwayshappensatsuchmoments,couldnotbefound.Hedropped
thecandlestickandthecandleonthefloorandassoonasheheardtheimpatientvoicefrom
belowagain,heabandonedthesearchanddasheddownthesteepstairstoopenthegate.

BesogoodastoholdthebagwhileIsettlewiththisblockhead,washowMadameMarya
Shatovgreetedhimbelow,andshethrustintohishandsaratherlightcheapcanvashandbag
studdedwithbrassnails,ofDresdenmanufacture.Sheattackedthedriverwithexasperation.

Allowmetotellyou,youareaskingtoomuch.Ifyou'vebeendrivingmeforanextrahour
throughthesefilthystreets,that'syourfault,becauseitseemsyoudidn'tknowwheretofind
thisstupidstreetandimbecilehouse.Takeyourthirtykopecksandmakeupyourmindthat
you'llgetnothingmore.

Ech, lady, you told me yourself Voznesensky Street and this is Bogoyavlensky;
Voznesenskyiseversofaraway.You'vesimplyputthehorseintoasteam.
Voznesensky,BogoyavlenskyyououghttoknowallthosestupidnamesbetterthanIdo,as
youareaninhabitant;besides,youareunfair,ItoldyoufirstofallFilipov'shouseandyou
declaredyouknewit.Inanycaseyoucanhavemeuptomorrowinthelocalcourt,butnowI
begyoutoletmealone.

Here,here'sanotherfivekopecks.WitheagerhasteShatovpulledafivekopeckpieceout
ofhispocketandgaveittothedriver.

Domeafavour,Ibegyou,don'tdaretodothat!MadameShatovflaredup,butthedriver
droveoffandShatov,takingherhand,drewherthroughthegate.

Makehaste,Marie,makehaste...that'snomatter,and...youarewetthrough.Takecare,
wegoupherehowsorryIamthere'snolightthestairsaresteep,holdtight,holdtight!
Well,thisismyroom.Excusemyhavingnolight.

..Oneminute!

Hepickedupthecandlestickbutitwasalongtimebeforethematcheswerefound.Madame
Shatovstoodwaitinginthemiddleoftheroom,silentandmotionless.

ThankGod,heretheyareatlast!hecriedjoyfully,lightinguptheroom.MaryaShatovtook
acursorysurveyofhisabode.

Theytoldmeyoulivedinapoorway,butIdidn'texpectittobeasbadasthis,she
pronouncedwithanairofdisgust,andshemovedtowardsthebed.

Oh,Iamtired!shesatdownonthehardbed,withanexhaustedair.Pleaseputdownthe
bagandsitdownonthechairyourself.Justasyoulikethough;youareinthewaystanding
there.Ihavecometoyouforatime,tillIcangetwork,becauseIknownothingofthisplace
andIhavenomoney.ButifIshallbeinyourwayIbegyouagain,besogoodastotellmeso
atonce,asyouareboundtodoifyouareanhonestman.Icouldsellsomethingtomorrow
andpayforaroomatanhotel,butyoumusttakemetothehotelyourself....Oh,butIam
tired!

Shatovwasallofatremor.

Youmustn't,Marie,youmustn'tgotoanhotel?Anhotel!Whatfor?Whatfor?

Heclaspedhishandsimploringly....

Well,ifIcangetonwithoutthehotel...Imust,anyway,explaintheposition.Remember,
Shatov,thatwelivedinGenevaasmanandwifeforafortnightandafewdays;it'sthree
yearssinceweparted,withoutanyparticularquarrelthough.Butdon'timaginethatI'vecome
backtorenewanyofthefoolishnessofthepast.I'vecomebacktolookforwork,andthatI've
comestraighttothistownisjustbecauseit'sallthesametome.I'venotcometosayIam
sorryforanything;pleasedon'timagineanythingsostupidasthat.
Oh,Marie!Thisisunnecessary,quiteunnecessary,Shatovmutteredvaguely.

Ifso,ifyouaresofardevelopedastobeabletounderstandthat,Imayallowmyselftoadd,
thatifI'vecomestraighttoyounowandaminyourlodging,it'spartlybecauseIalways
thoughtyouwerefarfrombeingascoundrelandwereperhapsmuchbetterthanother...
blackguards!

Hereyesflashed.Shemusthavehadtobearagreatdealatthehandsofsomeblackguards.

Andpleasebelieveme,Iwasn'tlaughingatyoujustnowwhenItoldyouyouweregood.I
spokeplainly,withoutfinephrasesandIcan'tendurethem.Butthat'sallnonsense.Ialways
hopedyouwouldhavesenseenoughnottopesterme....Enough,Iamtired.

Andshebentonhimalong,harassedandwearygaze.Shatovstoodfacingherattheother
endoftheroom,whichwasfivepacesaway,andlistenedtohertimidlywithalookofnew
lifeandunwontedradianceonhisface.Thisstrong,ruggedman,allbristlesonthesurface,
was suddenly all softness and shining gladness. There was a thrill of extraordinary and
unexpectedfeelinginhissoul.Threeyearsofseparation,threeyearsofthebrokenmarriage
hadeffacednothingfromhisheart.Andperhapseverydayduringthosethreeyearshehad
dreamedofher,ofthatbelovedbeingwhohadoncesaidtohim,Iloveyou.Knowing
ShatovIcansaywithcertaintythathecouldneverhaveallowedhimselfeventodreamthata
womanmightsaytohim,Iloveyou.Hewassavagelymodestandchaste,helookedon
himselfasaperfectmonster,detestedhisownfaceaswellashischaracter,comparedhimself
to some freak only fit to be exhibited at fairs. Consequently he valued honesty above
everything and was fanatically devoted to his convictions; he was gloomy, proud, easily
movedtowrath,andsparingofwords.Butherewastheonebeingwhohadlovedhimfora
fortnight(thathehadneverdoubted,never!),abeinghehadalwaysconsideredimmeasurably
abovehiminspiteofhisperfectlysoberunderstandingofhererrors;,abeingtowhomhe
couldforgiveeverything,everything(ofthattherecouldbenoquestion;indeeditwasquite
theotherway,hisideawasthathewasentirelytoblame);thiswoman,thisMaryaShatov,
wasinhishouse,inhispresenceagain...itwasalmostinconceivable!Hewassoovercome,
therewassomuchthatwasterribleandatthesametimesomuchhappinessinthiseventthat
hecouldnot,perhapswouldnotperhapswasafraidtorealisetheposition.Itwasadream.
Butwhenshelookedathimwiththatharassedgazehesuddenlyunderstoodthatthiswoman
helovedsodearlywassuffering,perhapshadbeenwronged.Hisheartwentcold.Helooked
atherfeatureswithanguish:thefirstbloomofyouthhadlongfadedfromthisexhaustedface.
It'struethatshewasstillgoodlookinginhiseyesabeauty,asshehadalwaysbeen.In
realityshewasawomanoftwentyfive,ratherstronglybuilt,abovethemediumheight(taller
thanShatov), withabundantdarkbrownhair,apaleovalface, andlargedarkeyesnow
glitteringwithfeverishbrilliance.Butthelighthearted,naiveandgoodnaturedenergyhehad
knownsowellinthepastwasreplacednowbyasullenirritabilityanddisillusionment,asort
ofcynicismwhichwasnotyethabitualtoherherself,andwhichweigheduponher.Butthe
chiefthingwasthatshewasill,thathecouldseeclearly.Inspiteoftheaweinwhichhestood
ofherhesuddenlywentuptoherandtookherbybothhands.
Marie...youknow...youareverytired,perhaps,forGod'ssake,don'tbeangry....If
you'dconsenttohavesometea,forinstance,eh?Teapicksoneupso,doesn'tit?Ifyou'd
consent!

Whytalkaboutconsenting!OfcourseIconsent,whatababyyouarestill.Getmesomeif
youcan.Howcrampedyouarehere.Howcolditis!

Oh,I'llgetsomelogsforthefiredirectly,somelogs...I'vegotlogs.Shatovwasallastir.
Logs...thatis...butI'llgetteadirectly,hewavedhishandasthoughwithdesperate
determinationandsnatcheduphiscap.

Whereareyougoing?Soyou'venoteainthehouse?

Thereshallbe,thereshallbe,thereshallbe,thereshallbeeverythingdirectly....I...he
tookhisrevolverfromtheshelf,I'llsellthisrevolverdirectly...orpawnit....

''Whatfoolishnessandwhatatimethatwilltake!Takemymoneyifyou'venothing,there's
eightykopeckshere,Ithink;that'sallIhave.Thisislikeamadhouse.

Idon'twantyourmoney,Idon'twantitI'llbeheredirectly,inoneinstant.Icanmanage
withouttherevolver....

AndherushedstraighttoKirillov's.ThiswasprobablytwohoursbeforethevisitofPyotr
StepanovitchandLiputintoKirillov.ThoughShatovandKirillovlivedinthesameyardthey
hardlyeversaweachother,andwhentheymettheydidnotnodorspeak:theyhadbeentoo
longlyingsidebysideinAmerica....

Kirillov,youalwayshavetea;haveyougotteaanda

samovar?

Kirillov,whowaswalkingupanddowntheroom,ashewasinthehabitofdoingallnight,
stoppedandlookedintentlyathishurriedvisitor,thoughwithoutmuchsurprise.

I'vegotteaandsugarandasamovar.Butthere'snoneedofthesamovar,theteaishot.Sit
downandsimplydrinkit.

Kirillov,welaysidebysideinAmerica....Mywifehascometome...I...givemethe
tea....Ishallwantthesamovar.

Ifyourwifeishereyouwantthesamovar.Buttakeitlater.I'vetwo.Andnowtakethe
teapotfromthetable.It'shot,boilinghot.Takeeverything,takethesugar,allofit.Bread...
there'splentyofbread;allofit.There'ssomeveal.I'vearouble.

Giveitme,friend,I'llpayitbacktomorrow!Ach,Kirillov!
IsitthesamewifewhowasinSwitzerland?That'sagoodthing.Andyourrunninginlike
this,that'sagoodthingtoo.

Kirillov!criedShatov,takingtheteapotunderhisarmandcarryingthebreadandsugarin
bothhands.Kirillov,if...ifyoucouldgetridofyourdreadfulfanciesandgiveupyour
atheisticravings...oh,whatamanyou'dbe,Kirillov!

One can see you love your wife after Switzerland. It's a good thing you doafter
Switzerland.Whenyouwanttea,comeagain.Youcancomeallnight,Idon'tsleepatall.
There'llbeasamovar.Taketherouble,hereitis.Gotoyourwife,I'llstayhereandthink
aboutyouandyourwife.

MaryaShatovwasunmistakablypleasedatherhusband'shasteandfellupontheteaalmost
greedily, but there was no need to run for the samovar; she drank only half a cup and
swallowedatinypieceofbread.Thevealsherefusedwithdisgustandirritation.

Youareill,Marie,allthisisasignofillness,Shatovremarkedtimidlyashewaitedupon
her.

OfcourseI'mill,pleasesitdown.Wheredidyougettheteaifyouhaven'tany?

ShatovtoldheraboutKirillovbriefly.Shehadheardsomethingofhim.

Iknowheismad;saynomore,please;'thereareplentyoffools.Soyou'vebeeninAmerica?
Iheard,youwrote.

Yes,I...IwrotetoyouinParis.

Enough,pleasetalkofsomethingelse.AreyouaSlavophilinyourconvictions?

I...1amnotexactly....SinceIcannotbeaRussian,IbecameaSlavophil.Hesmileda
wrysmilewiththeeffortofonewhofeelshehasmadeastrainedandinappropriatejest.

Why,aren'tyouaRussian?

No,I'mnot.

Well,that'sallfoolishness.Dositdown,Ientreatyou.Whyareyouallovertheplace?Do
youthinkIamlightheaded?PerhapsIshallbe.Yousaythereareonlyyoutwointhehouse.

Yes....Downstairs...

Andbothsuchcleverpeople.Whatistheredownstairs?Yousaiddownstairs?

No,nothing.

Whynothing?Iwanttoknow.
Ionlymeanttosaythatnowweareonlytwointheyard,butthattheLebyadkinsusedtolive
downstairs....

Thatwomanwhowasmurderedlastnight?shestartedsuddenly.Iheardofit.Iheardofit
assoonasIarrived.Therewasafirehere,wasn'tthere?

Yes,Marie,yes,andperhapsIamdoingascoundrellythingthismomentinforgivingthe
scoundrels....Hestoodupsuddenlyandpacedabouttheroom,raisinghisarmsasthoughin
afrenzy.

But Marie had not quite understood him. She heard his answers inattentively; she asked
questionsbutdidnotlisten.

Finethingsarebeingdoneamongyou!Oh,howcontemptibleitallis!Whatscoundrelsmen
allare!Butdositdown,Ibegyou,oh,howyouexasperateme!andsheletherheadsinkon
thepillow,exhausted.

Marie,Iwon't....Perhapsyou'llliedown,Marie?Shemadenoanswerandclosedhereyes
helplessly.Herpalefacelookeddeathlike.Shefellasleepalmostinstantly.Shatovlooked
round,snuffedthecandle,lookeduneasilyatherfaceonce,more,pressedhishandstightin
frontofhimandwalkedontiptoeoutoftheroomintothepassage.Atthetopofthestairshe
stoodinthecornerwithhisfacetothewallandremainedsofortenminuteswithoutsoundor
movement. He would have stood there longer, but he suddenly caught the sound of soft
cautious steps below. Some one was coming up the stairs. Shatov remembered he had
forgottentofastenthegate.

Who'sthere?heaskedinawhisper.Theunknownvisitorwentonslowlymountingthe
stairswithoutanswering.Whenhereachedthetophestoodstill;itwasimpossibletoseehis
faceinthedark;suddenlyShatovheardthecautiousquestion:

IvanShatov?

Shatovsaidwhohewas,butatonceheldouthishandtocheckhisadvance.Thelattertook
hishand,andShatovshudderedasthoughhehadtouchedsometerriblereptile.

Standhere,hewhisperedquickly.Don'tgoin,Ican'treceiveyoujustnow.Mywifehas
comeback.I'llfetchthecandle.

Whenhereturnedwiththecandlehefoundayoungofficerstandingthere;hedidnotknow
hisnamebuthehadseenhimbefore.

Erkel,saidthelad,introducinghimself.You'veseenmeatVirginsky's.

Iremember;yousatwriting.Listen,saidShatovinsuddenexcitement,goinguptohim
frantically,butstilltalkinginawhisper.Yougavemeasignjustnowwhenyoutookmy
hand.ButyouknowIcantreatallthesesignalswithcontempt!Idon'tacknowledgethem....
Idon'twantthem....Icanthrowyoudownstairsthisminute,doyouknowthat?

No,IknownothingaboutthatandIdon'tknowwhatyouareinsucharageabout,the
visitoransweredwithoutmaliceandalmostingenuously.Ihaveonlytogiveyouamessage,
andthat'swhatI'vecomefor,beingparticularlyanxiousnottolosetime.Youhaveaprinting
presswhichdoesnotbelongtoyou,andofwhichyouareboundtogiveanaccount,asyou
knowyourself.Ihavereceivedinstructionstorequestyoutogiveituptomorrowatseven
o'clockintheeveningtoLiputin.Ihavebeeninstructedtotellyoualsothatnothingmorewill
beaskedofyou.

Nothing?

Absolutelynothing.Yourrequestisgranted,andyouarestruckoffourlist.Iwasinstructed
totellyouthatpositively.

Whoinstructedyoutotellme?

Thosewhotoldmethesign.

Haveyoucomefromabroad?

I...Ithinkthat'snomattertoyou.

Oh,hangit!Whydidn'tyoucomebeforeifyouweretoldto?

Ifollowedcertaininstructionsandwasnotalone.

Iunderstand,Iunderstandthatyouwerenotalone.Eh...hangit!Butwhydidn'tLiputin
comehimself?

SoIshallcomeforyoutomorrowatexactlysixo'clockintheevening,andwe'llgothereon
foot.Therewillbenoonetherebutusthree.

WillVerhovenskybethere?

No,hewon't.Verhovenskyisleavingthetownateleveno'clocktomorrowmorning.

JustwhatIthought!Shatovwhisperedfuriously,andhestruckhisfistonhiship.He'srun
off,thesneak!

Hesankintoagitatedreflection.Erkellookedintentlyathimandwaitedinsilence.

Buthowwillyoutakeit?Youcan'tsimplypickitupinyourhandsandcarryit.

Therewillbenoneedto.You'llsimplypointouttheplaceandwe'lljustmakesurethatit
reallyisburiedthere.Weonlyknowwhereaboutstheplaceis,wedon'tknowtheplaceitself.
Andhaveyoupointedtheplaceouttoanyoneelseyet?Shatovlookedathim.
You,you,achitofaboylikeyou,asillyboylikeyou,youtoohavegotcaughtinthatnet
like a sheep? Yes, that's just the young blood they want! Well, go along. Eech! that
scoundrel'stakenyouallinandrunaway.

Erkellookedathimserenelyandcalmlybutdidnotseemtounderstand.

Verhovensky,Verhovenskyhasrunaway!Shatovgrowledfiercely.

Butheisstillhere,heisnotgoneaway.Heisnotgoingtilltomorrow,Erkelobserved
softlyandpersuasively.Iparticularlybeggedhimtobepresentasawitness;myinstructions
allreferredtohim(heexplainedfranklylikeayoungandinexperiencedboy).ButIregretto
sayhedidnotagreeonthegroundofhisdeparture,andhereallyisinahurry.

Shatovglancedcompassionatelyatthesimpleyouthagain,butsuddenlygaveagestureof
despairasthoughhethoughttheyarenotworthpitying.

Allright,I'llcome,hecuthimshort.Andnowgetaway,beoff.

SoI'llcomeforyouatsixo'clockpunctually.Erkelmadeacourteousbowandwalked
deliberatelydownstairs.

Littlefool!Shatovcouldnothelpshoutingafterhimfromthetop.

Whatisit?respondedtheladfromthebottom.

Nothing,youcango.

Ithoughtyousaidsomething.

II

Erkelwasalittlefoolwhowasonlylackinginthehigherformofreason,therulingpower
oftheintellect;butofthelesser,thesubordinatereasoningfaculties,hehadplentyevento
thepointofcunning.Fanatically,childishlydevotedtothecauseorratherinrealitytoPyotr
Verhovensky,heactedontheinstructionsgiventohimwhenatthemeetingofthequintet
they had agreed and had distributed the various duties for the next day. When Pyotr
Stepanovitchgavehimthejobofmessenger,hesucceededintalkingtohimasideforten
minutes.

Acravingforactiveservicewascharacteristicofthisshallow,unreflectingnature,whichwas
foreveryearningtofollowtheleadofanotherman'swill,ofcourseforthegoodofthe
commonorthegreatcause.Notthatthatmadeanydifference,forlittlefanaticslikeErkel
canneverimagineservingacauseexceptbyidentifyingitwiththepersonwho,totheir
minds,istheexpressionofit.Thesensitive,affectionateandkindheartedErkelwasperhaps
themostcallousofShatov'swouldbemurderers,and,thoughhehadnopersonalspiteagainst
him,hewouldhavebeenpresentathismurderwithoutthequiverofaneyelid.Hehadbeen
instructed;forinstance,tohaveagoodlookatShatov'ssurroundingswhilecarryingouthis
commission,andwhenShatov,receivinghimatthetopofthestairs,blurtedouttohim,
probablyunawareintheheatofthemoment,thathiswifehadcomebacktohimErkelhad
theinstinctivecunningtoavoiddisplayingtheslightestcuriosity,thoughtheideaflashed
throughhismindthatthefactofhiswife'sreturnwasofgreatimportanceforthesuccessof
theirundertaking.

And so it was inreality; it was onlythat fact that savedthe scoundrels from Shatov's
carryingouthisintention,andatthesametimehelpedthemtogetridofhim.Tobegin
with,itagitatedShatov,threwhimoutofhisregularroutine,anddeprivedhimofhisusual
clearsightednessandcaution.Anyideaofhisowndangerwouldbethelastthingtoenterhis
head at this moment when he was absorbed with such different considerations. On the
contrary,heeagerlybelievedthatPyotrVerhovenskywasrunningawaythenextday:itfellin
exactlywithhissuspicions!Returningtotheroomhesatdownagaininacorner,leanedhis
elbowsonhiskneesandhidhisfaceinhishands.Bitterthoughtstormentedhim....

Thenhewouldraisehisheadagainandgoontiptoetolookather.GoodGod!shewillbein
afeverbytomorrowmorning;perhapsit'sbegunalready!Shemusthavecaughtcold.Sheis
notaccustomedtothisawfulclimate,andthenathirdclasscarriage,thestorm,therain,and
shehassuchathinlittlepelisse,nowrapatall....Andtoleaveherlikethis,toabandonher
inherhelplessness!Herbag,too,herbagwhatatiny,lightthing,allcrumpledup,scarcely
weighstenpounds!Poorthing,howwornoutsheis,howmuchshe'sbeenthrough!Sheis
proud,that'swhyshewon'tcomplain.Butsheisirritable,veryirritable.It'sillness;anangel
willgrowirritableinillness.Whatadryforehead,itmustbehothowdarksheisunderthe
eyes,and...andyethowbeautifultheovalofherfaceisandherrichhair,how...

Andhemadehastetoturnawayhiseyes,towalkawayasthoughhewerefrightenedatthe
veryideaofseeinginheranythingbutanunhappy,exhaustedfellowcreaturewhoneeded
helphowcouldhethinkof hopes, oh,howmean,howbaseisman!Andhewouldgo
back to his corner, sit down, hide his face in his hands and again sink into dreams and
reminiscences...andagainhewashauntedbyhopes.

Oh,Iamtired,Iamtired,herememberedherexclamations,herweakbrokenvoice.Good
God!Abandonhernow,andshehasonlyeightykopecks;sheheldoutherpurse,atinyold
thing!She'scometolookforajob.Whatdoessheknowaboutjobs?Whatdotheyknow
aboutRussia?Why,theyarelikenaughtychildren,they'venothingbuttheirownfancies
madeupbythemselves,andsheisangry,poorthing,thatRussiaisnotliketheirforeign
dreams!Theluckless,innocentcreatures!...It'sreallycoldhere,though.

Herememberedthatshehadcomplained,thathehadpromisedtoheatthestove.Thereare
logshere,IcanfetchthemifonlyIdon'twakeher.ButIcandoitwithoutwakingher.But
whatshallIdoabouttheveal?Whenshegetsupperhapsshewillbehungry....Well,that
willdolater:Kirillovdoesn'tgotobedallnight.WhatcouldIcoverherwith,sheissleeping
sosoundly,butshemustbecold,ah,shemustbecold!Andoncemorehewenttolookat
her;herdresshadworkedupalittleandherrightlegwashalfuncoveredtotheknee.He
suddenlyturnedawayalmostindismay,tookoffhiswarmovercoat,and,remaininginhis
wretchedoldjacket,covereditup,tryingnottolookatit.

Agreatdealoftimewasspentinrightingthefire,steppingaboutontiptoe,lookingatthe
sleepingwoman,dreaminginthecorner,thenlookingatheragain.Twoorthreehourshad
passed.DuringthattimeVerhovenskyandLiputinhadbeenatKirillov's.Atlasthe,too,
begantodozeinthecorner.Heheardhergroan;shewakedupandcalledhim;hejumpedup
likeacriminal.

Marie,Iwasdroppingasleep.'...Ah,whatawretchIam,Marie!

Shesatup,lookingaboutherwithwonder,seemingnottorecognisewhereshewas,and
suddenlyleaptupinindignationandanger.

I'vetakenyourbed,IfellasleepsotiredIdidn'tknowwhatIwasdoing;howdaredyounot
wakeme?HowcouldyoudareimagineImeanttobeaburdentoyou?

HowcouldIwakeyou,Marie?

Youcould,yououghttohave!You'venootherbedhere,andI'vetakenyours.Youhadno
businesstoputmeintoafalseposition.OrdoyousupposethatI'vecometotakeadvantageof
yourcharity?KindlygetintoyourbedatonceandI'llliedowninthecorneronsomechairs.

Marie,therearen'tchairsenough,andthere'snothingtoputonthem.

Thensimplyoilthefloor.Oryou'llhavetolieontheflooryourself.Iwanttolieonthefloor
atonce,atonce!

Shestoodup,triedtotakeastep,butsuddenlyaviolentspasmofpaindeprivedherofall
powerandalldetermination,andwithaloudgroanshefellbackonthebed.Shatovranup,
butMarie,hidingherfaceinthepillow,seizedhishandandgrippedandsqueezeditwithall
hermight.Thislastedaminute.

Mariedarling,there'sadoctorFrenzellivinghere,afriendofmine....Icouldrunforhim.

Nonsense!

Whatdoyoumeanbynonsense?Tellme,Marie,whatisithurtingyou?Forwemighttry
fomentations...onthestomachforinstance....Icandothatwithoutadoctor....Orelse
mustardpoultices.

What'sthis,sheaskedstrangely,raisingherheadandlookingathimindismay.

What'swhat,Marie?saidShatov,notunderstanding.Whatareyouaskingabout?Good
heavens!Iamquitebewildered,excusemynotunderstanding.
Ach,letmealone;it'snotyourbusinesstounderstand.Anditwouldbetooabsurd...she
saidwithabittersmile.Talktomeaboutsomething.Walkabouttheroomandtalk.Don't
standovermeanddon'tlookatme,Iparticularlyaskyouthatforthefivehundredthtime!

Shatovbeganwalkingupanddowntheroom,lookingatthefloor,anddoinghisutmostnotto
glanceather.

There'sdon'tbeangry,Marie,Ientreatyouthere'ssomevealhere,andthere'steanotfar
off....Youhadsolittlebefore.

Shemadeanangrygestureofdisgust.Shatovbithistongueindespair.

Listen,Iintendtoopenabookbindingbusinesshere,onrationalcooperativeprinciples.
Sinceyouliveherewhatdoyouthinkofit,woulditbesuccessful?

Ech,Marie,peopledon'treadbookshere,andtherearenonehereatall.Andaretheylikely
tobeginbindingthem!

Whoarethey?

Thelocalreadersandinhabitantsgenerally,Marie.

Well,then,speakmoreclearly.Theyindeed,andonedoesn'tknowwhotheyare.Youdon't
knowgrammar!

It'sinthespiritofthelanguage,Shatovmuttered.

Oh,getalongwithyourspirit,youboreme.Whyshouldn'tthelocalinhabitantorreader
havehisbooksbound?

Becausereadingbooksandhavingthemboundaretwodifferentstagesofdevelopment,and
there'savastgulfbetweenthem.Tobeginwith,amangraduallygetsusedtoreading,inthe
courseofagesofcourse,buttakesnocareofhisbooksandthrowsthemabout,notthinking
themworthattention.Butbindingimpliesrespectforbooks,andimpliesthatnotonlyhehas
grownfondofreading,butthathelooksuponitassomethingofvalue.Thatperiodhasnot
beenreachedanywhereinRussiayet.InEuropebookshavebeenboundforalongwhile.

Thoughthat'spedantic,anyway,it'snotstupid,andremindsmeofthetimethreeyearsago;
youusedtoberathercleversometimesthreeyearsago.

Shesaidthisasdisdainfullyasherothercapriciousremarks.

Marie,Marie,saidShatov,turningtoher,muchmoved,oh,Marie!Ifyouonlyknewhow
muchhashappenedinthosethreeyears!Iheardafterwardsthatyoudespisedmeforchanging
myconvictions.ButwhatarethemenI'vebrokenwith?Theenemiesofalltruelife,outof
dateLiberalswhoareafraidoftheirownindependence,theflunkeysofthought,theenemies
ofindividualityandfreedom,thedecrepitadvocatesofdeadnessandrottenness!Alltheyhave
to offer is senility, a glorious mediocrity of the most bourgeois kind, contemptible
shallowness,ajealousequality,equalitywithoutindividualdignity,equalityasit'sunderstood
byflunkeysorbytheFrenchin'93.Andtheworstofitisthereareswarmsofscoundrels
amongthem,swarmsofscoundrels!

Yes,therearealotofscoundrels,shebroughtoutabruptlywithpainfuleffort.Shelay
stretchedout,motionless,asthoughafraidtomove,withherheadthrownbackonthepillow,
ratherononeside,staringattheceilingwithexhaustedbutglowingeyes.Herfacewaspale,
herlipsweredryandhot.

Yourecogniseit,Marie,yourecogniseit,criedShatov.Shetriedtoshakeherhead,and
suddenlythesamespasmcameoverheragain.Againshehidherfaceinthepillow,andagain
forafullminuteshesqueezed.Shatov'shandtillithurt.Hehadrunup,besidehimselfwith
alarm.

Marie,Marie!Butitmaybeveryserious,Marie!

Bequiet...Iwon'thaveit,Iwon'thaveit,shescreamedalmostfuriously,turningherface
upwardsagain.Don'tdaretolookatmewithyoursympathy!Walkabouttheroom,say
something,talk....

Shatovbeganmutteringsomethingagain,likeonedistraught.

Whatdoyoudohere?sheasked,interruptinghimwithcontemptuousimpatience.

Iworkinamerchant'soffice.IcouldgetafairamountofmoneyevenhereifIcaredto,
Marie.

Somuchthebetterforyou....

Oh,don'tsupposeImeantanything,Marie.Isaiditwithoutthinking.

Andwhatdoyoudobesides?Whatareyoupreaching?Youcan'texistwithoutpreaching,
that'syourcharacter!

IampreachingGod,Marie.

Inwhomyoudon'tbelieveyourself.Inevercouldseethe

ideaofthat.

Let'sleavethat,Marie;we'lltalkofthatlater.

WhatsortofpersonwasthisMaryaTimofyevnahere?

We'lltalkofthatlatertoo,Marie.
Don'tdaretosaysuchthingstome!Isittruethatherdeathmayhavebeencausedby...the
wickedness...ofthesepeople?

Notadoubtofit,growledShatov.

Mariesuddenlyraisedherheadandcriedoutpainfully:

Don'tdarespeakofthattomeagain,don'tdareto,never,

never!

Andshefellbackinbedagain,overcomebythesameconvulsiveagony;itwasthethirdtime,
butthistimehergroanswerelouder,infactshescreamed.

Oh,youinsufferableman!Oh,youunbearableman,shecried,tossingaboutrecklessly,and
pushingawayShatovashebentoverher.

Marie,I'lldoanythingyoulike....I'llwalkaboutandtalk....

Surelyyoumustseethatithasbegun!

What'sbegun,Marie?

HowcanItell!DoIknowanythingaboutit?...Icursemyself!Oh,curseitallfromthe
beginning!

Marie,ifyou'dtellmewhat'sbeginning...orelseI...ifyoudon't,whatamItomakeofit?

Youareauseless,theoreticalbabbler.Oh,curseeverythingonearth!

Marie,Marie!Heseriouslythoughtthatshewasbeginningtogomad.

SurelyyoumustseethatIamintheagoniesofchildbirth,shesaid,sittingupandgazingat
himwithaterrible,hystericalvindictivenessthatdistortedherwholeface.Icursehimbefore
heisborn,thischild!

Marie,criedShatov,realisingatlastwhatitmeant.Marie...butwhydidn'tyoutellme
before. He pulled himself together at once and seized his cap with an air of vigorous
determination.

HowcouldItellwhenIcameinhere?ShouldIhavecometoyouifI'dknown?Iwastoldit
wouldbeanothertendays!Whereareyougoing?...Whereareyougoing?Youmustn't
dare!

Tofetchamidwife!I'llselltherevolver.Wemustgetmoneybeforeanythingelsenow.

Don'tdaretodoanything,don'tdaretofetchamidwife!Bringapeasantwoman,anyold
woman, I've eighty kopecks in my purse. . . . Peasant women have babies without
midwives....AndifIdie,somuchthebetter....

Youshallhaveamidwifeandanoldwomantoo.ButhowamItoleaveyoualone,Marie!

Butreflectingthatitwasbettertoleaveheralonenowinspiteofherdesperatestatethanto
leaveherwithouthelplater,hepaidnoattentiontohergroans,norherangryexclamations,
butrusheddownstairs,hurryingallhecould.

III

FirstofallhewenttoKirillov.Itwasbynowaboutoneo'clockinthenight.Kirillovwas
standinginthemiddleoftheroom.

Kirillov,mywifeisinchildbirth.

Howdoyoumean?

Childbirth,bearingachild!

You...arenotmistaken?

Oh,no,no,sheisinagonies!Iwantawoman,anyoldwoman,Imusthaveoneatonce....
Canyougetonenow?Youusedtohavealotofoldwomen....

VerysorrythatIamnogoodatchildbearing,Kirillovansweredthoughtfully;thatis,notat
childbearing,butatdoinganythingforchildbearing...or...no,Idon'tknowhowtosayit.

Youmeanyoucan'tassistataconfinementyourself?Butthat'snotwhatI'vecomefor.An
oldwoman,Iwantawoman,anurse,aservant!

Youshallhaveanoldwoman,butnotdirectly,perhaps...IfyoulikeI'llcomeinstead....

Oh,impossible;IamrunningtoMadameVirginsky,themidwife,now.

Ahorridwoman!

Oh,yes,Kirillov,yes,butsheisthebestofthemall.Yes,it'llallbewithoutreverence,
withoutgladness,withcontempt,withabuse,withblasphemyinthepresenceofsogreata
mystery,thecomingofanewcreature!Oh,sheiscursingitalready!

IfyoulikeI'll...

No,no,butwhileI'mrunning(oh,I'llmakeMadameVirginskycome),willyougotothe
footofmystaircaseandquietlylisten?Butdon'tventuretogoin,you'llfrightenher;don'tgo
inonanyaccount,youmustonlylisten...incaseanythingdreadfulhappens.Ifanythingvery
badhappens,thenrunin.
Iunderstand.I'veanotherrouble.Hereitis.Imeanttohaveafowltomorrow,butnowI
don'twantto,makehaste,runwithallyourmight.There'sasamovarallthenight.

Kirillovknewnothingof'thepresentdesignagainstShatov,norhadhehadanyideainthe
pastofthedegreeofdangerthatthreatenedhim.HeonlyknewthatShatovhadsomeold
sooreswiththosepeople,andalthoughhewastosomeextentinvolvedwiththemhimself
throughinstructionshehadreceivedfromabroad(notthatthesewereofmuchconsequence,
however,forhehadnevertakenanydirectshareinanything),yetoflatehehadgivenitall
up,havingleftoffdoinganythingespeciallyforthecause,anddevotedhimselfentirelytoa
lifeofcontemplation.AlthoughPyotrStepanovitchhadatthemeetinginvitedLiputintogo
withhimtoKirillov'stomakesurethatthelatterwouldtakeuponhimself,atagivenmoment,
theresponsibilityfortheShatovbusiness,yetinhisinterviewwithKirillovhehadsaidno
wordaboutShatovnoralludedtohiminanywayprobablyconsideringitimpolitictodoso,
andthinkingthatKirillovcouldnotbereliedupon.Heputoffspeakingaboutittillnextday,
whenitwouldbealloverandwouldthereforenotmattertoKirillov;suchatleastwasPyotr
Stepanovitch'sjudgmentofhim.Liputin,too,wasstruckbythefactthatShatovwasnot
mentionedinspiteofwhatPyotrStepanovitchhadpromised,buthewastoomuchagitatedto
protest.

ShatovranlikeahurricanetoVirginsky'shouse,cursingthedistanceandfeelingitendless.

HehadtoknockalongtimeatVirginsky's;everyonehadbeenasleepalongwhile.But
Shatovdidnotscrupletobangattheshutterswithallhismight.Thedogchainedupinthe
yarddashedaboutbarkingfuriously.Thedogscaughtitupallalongthestreet,andtherewas
aregularbabelofbarking.

Why are you knocking and what do you want? Shatov heard at the window at last
Virginsky'sgentlevoice,betrayingnoneoftheresentmentappropriatetotheoutrage.The
shutterwaspushedbackalittleandthecasementwasopened.

Who'sthere,whatscoundrelisit?shrilledafemalevoicewhichbetrayedalltheresentment
appropriatetotheoutrage.Itwastheoldmaid,Virginsky'srelation.

IamShatov,mywifehascomebacktomeandsheisjustconfined....

Well,letherbe,getalong.

I'vecomeforArinaProhorovna;Iwon'tgowithoutArinaProhorovna!

She can't attend to every one. Practice at night is a special line. Take yourself off to
Maksheyev'sanddon'tdaretomakethatdin,rattledtheexasperatedfemalevoice.Hecould
hearVirginskycheckingher;buttheoldmaidpushedhimawayandwouldnotdesist.

Iamnotgoingaway!Shatovcriedagain.

Waitalittle,waitalittle,Virginskycriedatlast,overpoweringthelady.Ibegyoutowait
fiveminutes,Shatov.I'llwakeArinaProhorovna.Pleasedon'tknockanddon'tshout....Oh,
howawfulitallis!

Afterfiveendlessminutes,ArinaProhorovnamadeherappearance.

Hasyourwifecome?Shatovheardhervoiceatthewindow,.andtohissurpriseitwasnot
atallilltempered,onlyasusualperemptory,butArinaProhorovnacouldnotspeakexceptin
aperemptorytone.

Yes,mywife,andsheisinlabour.

MaryaIgnatyevna?

Yes,MaryaIgnatyevna.Ofcourseit'sMaryaIgnatyevna.

Asilencefollowed.Shatovwaited.Heheardawhisperinginthehouse.

Hasshebeenherelong?MadameVirginskyaskedagain.

Shecamethiseveningateighto'clock.Pleasemakehaste.

Againheheardwhispering,asthoughtheywereconsulting.Listen,youarenotmakinga
mistake?Didshesendyouformeherself?

No, she didn't send for you, she wants a peasant woman, so as not to burden me with
expense,butdon'tbeafraid,I'llpayyou.

Verygood,I'llcome,whetheryoupayornot.IalwaysthoughthighlyofMaryaIgnatyevna
fortheindependenceofhersentiments,thoughperhapsshewon'trememberme.Haveyou
gotthemostnecessarythings?

I'venothing,butI'llgeteverything,everything.

There is something generous even in these people, Shatov reflected, as he set off to
Lyamshin's.Theconvictionsandthemanaretwoverydifferentthings,verylikelyI'vebeen
veryunfairtothem!...Wearealltoblame,wearealltoblame...andifonlyallwere
convincedofit!

HehadnottoknocklongatLyamshin's;thelatter,toShatov'ssurprise,openedhiscasement
atonce,jumpingoutofbed,barefootandinhisnightclothesattheriskofcatchingcold;and
hewashypochondriacalandalwaysanxiousabouthishealth.Buttherewasaspecialcause
forsuchalertnessandhaste:Lyamshinhadbeeninatremoralltheevening,andhadnotbeen
abletosleepforexcitementafterthemeetingofthequintet;hewashauntedbythedreadof
uninvitedandundesiredvisitors.ThenewsofShatov'sgivinginformationtormentedhim
morethananything....Andsuddenlytherewasthisterribleloudknockingatthewindowas
thoughtojustifyhisfears.
HewassofrightenedatseeingShatovthatheatonceslammedthecasementandjumpedback
intobed.Shatovbeganfuriouslyknockingandshouting.

How dare you knock like that in the middle of the night? shouted Lyamshin, in a
threateningvoice,thoughhewasnumbwithfear,whenatleasttwominuteslaterheventured
toopenthecasementagain,andwasatlastconvincedthatShatovhadcomealone.

Here'syourrevolverforyou;takeitback,givemefifteenroubles.

What'sthematter,areyoudrunk?Thisisoutrageous,Ishallsimplycatchcold.Waita
minute,I'lljustthrowmyrugoverme.

Givemefifteenroublesatonce.Ifyoudon'tgiveitme,I'llknockandshouttilldaybreak;I'll
breakyourwindowframe.

AndI'llshoutpoliceandyou'llbetakentothelockup.

AndamIdumb?Can'tIshout'police'too?Whichofushasmostreasontobeafraidofthe
police,youorI?

Andyoucanholdsuchcontemptibleopinions!Iknowwhatyouarehintingat....Stop,stop,
forGod'ssakedon'tgoonknocking!Uponmyword,whohasmoneyatnight?Whatdoyou
wantmoneyfor,unlessyouaredrunk?

Mywifehascomeback.I'vetakentenroublesofftheprice,Ihaven'tfireditonce;takethe
revolver,takeitthisminute!

Lyamshinmechanicallyputhishandoutofthecasementandtooktherevolver;hewaiteda
little,andsuddenlythrustinghisheadoutofthecasement,andwithashiverrunningdownhis
spine,falteredasthoughhewerebesidehimself.

Youarelying,yourwifehasn'tcomebacktoyou....It's...it'ssimplythatyouwanttorun
away.

Youareafool.WhereshouldIrunto?It'sforyourPyotrVerhovenskytorunaway,notfor
me.I'vejustbeentothemidwife,MadameVirginsky,andsheconsentedatoncetocometo
me.Youcanaskthem.Mywifeisinagony;Ineedthemoney;giveitme!

AswarmofideasflaredupinLyamshin'scraftymindlike ashoweroffireworks.Itall
suddenlytookadifferentcolour,thoughstillpanicpreventedhimfromreflecting.

Buthow...youarenotlivingwithyourwife?

I'llbreakyourskullforquestionslikethat.

Oh dear, Iunderstand, forgive me, I was struckall ofa heap. . . . But Iunderstand, I
understand...isArinaProhorovnareallycoming?Yousaidjustnowthatshehadgone?You
know,that'snottrue.Yousee,yousee,youseewhatliesyoutellateverystep.

Bynow,shemustbewithmywife...don'tkeepme...it'snotmyfaultyouareafool.

That'salie,Iamnotafool.Excuseme,Ireallycan't...

Andutterlydistraughthebeganshuttingthecasementagainforthethirdtime,butShatov
gavesuchayellthatheputhisheadoutagain.

Butthisissimplyanunprovokedassault!Whatdoyouwantofme,whatisit,whatisit,
formulateit?Andthink,onlythink,it'sthemiddleofthenight!

Iwantfifteenroubles,yousheep'shead!

ButperhapsIdon'tcaretotakebacktherevolver.Youhavenorighttoforceme.You
boughtthethingandthematterissettled,andyou'venoright....Ican'tgiveyouasumlike
thatinthenight,anyhow.WhereamItogetasumlikethat?

Youalwayshavemoney.I'vetakentenroublesofftheprice,buteveryoneknowsyouarea
skinflint.

Comethedayaftertomorrow,doyouhear,thedayaftertomorrowattwelveo'clock,and
I'llgiveyouthewholeofit,thatwilldo,won'tit?

Shatovknockedfuriouslyatthewindowframeforthethirdtime.

Givemetenroubles,andtomorrowearlytheotherfive.

No,thedayaftertomorrowtheotherfive,tomorrowIswearIshan'thaveit.You'dbetter
notcome,you'dbetternotcome.

Givemeten,youscoundrel!

Whyareyousoabusive.Waitaminute,Imustlightacandle;you'vebrokenthewindow....
Nobodyswearslikethatatnight.Hereyouare!Heheldanotetohimoutofthewindow.

Shatovseizedititwasanoteforfiveroubles.

OnmyhonourIcan'tdomore,ifyouweretomurderme,Icouldn't;thedayaftertomorrow
Icangiveyouitall,butnowIcandonothing.

Iamnotgoingaway!roaredShatov.

Verywell,takeit,here'ssomemore,see,here'ssomemore,andIwon'tgivemore.Youcan
shoutatthetopofyourvoice,butIwon'tgivemore,Iwon't,whateverhappens,Iwon't,I
won't.
Hewasinaperfectfrenzy,desperateandperspiring.Thetwonoteshehadjustgivenhim
wereeachforarouble.Shatovhadsevenroublesaltogethernow.

Well,damnyou,then,I'llcometomorrow.I'llthrashyou,Lyamshin,ifyoudon'tgiveme
theothereight.

Youwon'tfindmeathome,youfool!Lyamshinreflectedquickly.

Stay,stay!heshoutedfranticallyafterShatov,whowasalreadyrunningoff.Stay,come
back.Tellmeplease,isittruewhatyousaidthatyourwifehascomeback?

Fool!criedShatov,withagestureofdisgust,andranhomeashardashecould.

IV

ImaymentionthatAnnaProhorovnaknewnothingoftheresolutionsthathadbeentakenat
themeetingthedaybefore.Onreturninghomeoverwhelmedandexhausted,Virginskyhad
notventuredtotellherofthedecisionthathadbeentaken,yethecouldnotrefrainfrom
telling her halfthat is, all that Verhovensky had told them of the certainty of Shatov's
intentiontobetraythem;butheaddedatthesametimethathedidnotquitebelieveit.Arina
Prohorovnawasterriblyalarmed.ThiswaswhyshedecidedatoncetogowhenShatovcame
tofetchher,thoughshewastiredout,asshehadbeenhardatworkataconfinementah!the
night before. She had always been convinced that a wretched creature like Shatov was
capable of any political baseness, but the arrival of Marya Ignatyevna put things in a
differentlight.Shatov'salarm,thedespairingtoneofhisentreaties,thewayhebeggedfor
help,clearlyshowedacompletechangeoffeelinginthetraitor:amanwhowasreadyto
betrayhimselfmerelyforthesakeofruiningotherswould,shethought,havehadadifferent
airandtone.Inshort,ArinaProhorovnaresolvedtolookintothematterforherself,withher
owneyes.*Virginskywasverygladofherdecision,hefeltasthoughahundredweighthad
beenliftedoffhim!Heevenbegantofeelhopeful:Shatov'sappearanceseemedtohimutterly
incompatiblewithVerhovensky'ssupposition.

Shatovwasnotmistaken:ongettinghomehefoundArinaProhorovnaalreadywithMarie.
Shehadjustarrived,hadcontemptuouslydismissedKirillov,whomshefoundhangingabout
thefootofthestairs,hadhastilyintroducedherselftoMarie,whohadnotrecognisedheras
herformeracquaintance,foundherinaverybadway,thatisilltempered,irritableandin
a state of cowardly despair, and within five minutes had completely silenced all her
protests.

Whydoyoukeeponthatyoudon'twantanexpensivemidwife?shewassayingatthe
momentwhenShatovcamein.That'sperfectnonsense,it'safalseideaarisingfromthe
abnormality of your condition. In the hands of some ordinary old woman, some peasant
midwife, you'd have fifty chances of going wrongand thenyou'd have more bother and
expensethanwitharegularmidwife.HowdoyouknowIamanexpensivemidwife?Youcan
payafterwards;Iwon'tchargeyoumuchandIanswerformysuccess;youwon'tdieinmy
hands,I'veseenworsecasesthanyours.AndIcansendthebabytoafoundlingasylumto
morrow,ifyoulike,andthentobebroughtupinthecountry,andthat'sallitwillmean.And
meantimeyou'llgrowstrongagain,takeupsomerationalwork,andinaveryshorttimeyou'll
repayShatovforshelteringyouandfortheexpense,whichwillnotbesogreat.

It'snotthat...I'venorighttobeaburden....

Rationalfeelingsandworthyofacitizen,butyoucantakemywordforit,Shatovwillspend
scarcelyanything,ifheiswillingtobecomeeversolittleamanofsoundideasinsteadofthe
fantasticpersonheis.Hehasonlynottodoanythingstupid,nottoraiseanalarm,nottorun
aboutthetownwithhistongueout.Ifwedon'trestrainhimhewillbeknockingupallthe
doctorsofthetownbeforethemorning;hewakedallthedogsinmystreet.There'snoneedof
doctorsI'vesaidalready.I'llanswerforeverything.Youcanhireanoldwomanifyouliketo
waitonyou,thatwon'tcostmuch.Thoughhetoocandosomethingbesidesthesillythings
he'sbeendoing.He'sgothandsandfeet,hecanruntothechemist'swithoutoffendingyour
feelingsbybeingtoobenevolent.Asthoughitwereacaseofbenevolence!Hasn'thebrought
you into this position? Didn't he make you break with the family in which you were a
governess,withtheegoisticobjectofmarryingyou?Weheardofit,youknow...thoughhe
didrunformelikeonepossessedandyellsoallthestreetcouldhear.Iwon'tforcemyself
uponanyoneandhavecomeonlyforyoursake,ontheprinciplethatallofusareboundto
holdtogether!AndItoldhimsobeforeIleftthehouse.IfyouthinkIamintheway,good
bye,Ionlyhopeyouwon'thavetroublewhichmightsoeasilybeaverted.

Andshepositivelygotupfromthechair.Mariewassohelpless,insuchpain,andthetruth
mustbeconfessedsofrightenedofwhatwasbeforeherthatshedarednotlethergo.But
thiswomanwassuddenlyhatefultoher,whatshesaidwasnotwhatshewanted,therewas
somethingquitedifferentinMarie'ssoul.Yetthepredictionthatshemightpossiblydieinthe
handsofaninexperiencedpeasantwomanovercameheraversion.Butshemadeupforitby
beingmoreexactingandmoreruthlessthaneverwithShatov.Sheendedbyforbiddinghim
notonlytolookatherbuteventostandfacingher.Herpainsbecamemoreviolent.Her
curses,herabusebecamemoreandmorefrantic.

Ech,we'llsendhimaway,ArinaProhorovnarappedout.Idon'tknowwhathelookslike,
heissimplyfrighteningyou;heisaswhiteasacorpse!Whatisittoyou,tellmeplease,you
absurdfellow?Whatafarce!

Shatovmadenoreply,hemadeuphismindtosaynothing.I'veseenmanyafoolishfather,
halfcrazyinsuchcases.Butthey,atanyrate...

Bequietorleavemetodie!Don'tsayanotherword!Iwon'thaveit,Iwon'thaveit!
screamedMarie.

It'simpossiblenottosayanotherword,ifyouarenotoutofyourmind,asIthinkyouarein
yourcondition.Wemusttalkofwhatwewant,anyway:tellme,haveyouanythingready?
Youanswer,Shatov,sheisincapable.
Tellmewhat'sneeded?

Thatmeansyou'venothingready.Shereckonedupallthatwasquitenecessary,andone
mustdoherthejusticetosaysheonlyaskedforwhatwasabsolutelyindispensable,thebarest
necessaries.SomethingsShatovhad.Marietookoutherkeyandhelditouttohim,forhimto
lookinherbag.Ashishandsshookhewaslongerthanheshouldhavebeenopeningthe
unfamiliarlock.Marieflewintoarage,butwhenArinaProhorovnarusheduptotakethekey
fromhim,shewouldnotallowheronanyaccounttolookintoherbagandwithpeevishcries
andtearsinsistedthatnooneshouldopenthebagbutShatov.

SomethingshehadtofetchfromKirillov's.NosoonerhadShatovturnedtogoforthemthan
she began frantically calling him back and was only quieted when Shatov had rushed
impetuouslybackfromthestairs,andexplainedthatheshouldonlybegoneaminutetofetch
somethingindispensableandwouldbebackatonce.

Well,mylady,it'shardtopleaseyou,laughedArinaProhorovna,oneminutehemust
standwithhisfacetothewallandnotdaretolookatyou,andthenexthemustn'tbegonefor
aminute,oryoubegincrying.Hemaybegintoimaginesomething.Come,come,don'tbe
silly,don'tblubber,Iwaslaughing,youknow.

Hewon'tdaretoimagineanything.

Tut,tut,tut,ifhedidn'tloveyoulikeasheephewouldn'trunaboutthestreetswithhis
tongueoutandwouldn'thaverousedallthedogsinthetown.Hebrokemywindowframe.

HefoundKirillovstillpacingupanddownhisroomsopreoccupiedthathehadforgottenthe
arrivalofShatov'swife,andheardwhathesaidwithoutunderstandinghim.

Oh,yes!herecollectedsuddenly,asthoughtearinghimselfwithaneffortandonlyforan
instantfromsomeabsorbingidea,yes...anoldwoman....Awifeoranoldwoman?Staya
minute:awifeandanoldwoman,isthatit?Iremember.I'vebeen,theoldwomanwillcome,
onlynot just now. Take the pillow. Isthere anything else? Yes. . . . Stay, do youhave
momentsoftheeternalharmony,Shatov?

Youknow,Kirillov,youmustn'tgoonstayingupeverynight.

Kirillovcameoutofhisreverieand,strangetosay,spokefarmorecoherentlythanheusually
did;itwasclearthathehadformulateditlongagoandperhapswrittenitdown.

Therearesecondstheycomefiveorsixatatimewhenyousuddenlyfeelthepresenceof
theeternalharmonyperfectlyattained.It'ssomethingnotearthlyIdon'tmeaninthesense
thatit'sheavenlybutinthatsensethatmancannotendureitinhisearthlyaspect.Hemust
be physically changed or die. This feeling is clear and unmistakable; it's as though you
apprehendallnatureandsuddenlysay,'Yes,that'sright.'God,whenHecreatedtheworld,
saidattheendofeachdayofcreation,'Yes,it'sright,it'sgood.'It...it'snotbeingdeeply
moved, but simply joy. You don't forgive anything because there is no more need of
forgiveness.It'snotthatyouloveoh,there'ssomethinginithigherthanlovewhat'smost
awfulisthatit'sterriblyclearandsuchjoy.Ifitlastedmorethanfiveseconds,thesoulcould
notendureitandmustperish.InthosefivesecondsIlivethroughalifetime,andI'dgivemy
wholelifeforthem,becausetheyareworthit.Toenduretensecondsonemustbephysically
changed.Ithinkmanoughttogiveuphavingchildrenwhat'stheuseofchildren,what'sthe
useofevolutionwhenthegoalhasbeenattained?Inthegospelitiswrittenthattherewillbe
nochildbearingintheresurrection,butthatmenwillbeliketheangelsoftheLord.That'sa
hint.Isyourwifebearingachild?

Kirillov,doesthisoftenhappen?

Onceinthreedays,oronceaweek.

Don'tyouhavefits,perhaps?

No.

Well, you will. Be careful, Kirillov. I've heard that's just how fits begin. An epileptic
describedexactlythatsensationbeforeafit,wordforwordasyou'vedone.Hementionedfive
seconds,too,andsaidthatmorecouldnotbeendured.RememberMahomet'spitcherfrom
whichnodropofwaterwasspiltwhilehecircledParadiseonhishorse.Thatwasacaseof
fivesecondstoo;that'stoomuchlikeyoureternalharmony,andMahometwasanepileptic.
Becareful,Kirillov,it's.epilepsy!

Itwon'thavetime,Kirillovsmiledgently.

VI

Thenightwaspassing.Shatovwassenthitherandthither,abused,calledback.Mariewas
reducedtothemostabjectterrorforlife.Shescreamedthatshewantedtolive,thatshemust,
shemust,andwasafraidtodie.Idon'twantto,Idon'twantto!sherepeated.IfArina
Prohorovnahadnotbeenthere,thingswouldhavegoneverybadly.Bydegreesshegained
completecontrolofthepatientwhobegantoobeyeveryword,everyorderfromherlikea
child.ArinaProhorovnaruledbysternnessnotbykindness,butshewasfirstrateatherwork.
Itbegantogetlight...ArinaProhorovnasuddenlyimaginedthatShatovhadjustrunouton
tothestairstosayhisprayersandbeganlaughing.Marielaughedtoo,spitefully,malignantly,
asthoughsuchlaughterrelievedher.AtlasttheydroveShatovawayaltogether.Adamp,cold
morningdawned.Hepressedhisfacetothewallinthecornerjustashehaddonetheevening
beforewhenErkelcame.Hewastremblinglikealeaf,afraidtothink,buthismindcaughtat
everythoughtasitdoesindreams.

Hewascontinuallybeingcarriedawaybydaydreams,whichsnappedoffshortlikearotten
thread.Fromtheroomcamenolongergroansbutawfulanimalcries,unendurable,incredible.
Hetriedtostopuphisears,butcouldnot,andhefellonhisknees,repeatingunconsciously,
Marie,Marie!Thensuddenlyheheardacry,anewcry,whichmadeShatovstartandjump
upfromhisknees,thecryofababy,aweakdiscordantcry.Hecrossedhimselfandrushed
intotheroom.ArinaProhorovnaheldinherhandsalittleredwrinkledcreature,screaming,
andmovingitslittlearmsandlegs,fearfullyhelpless,andlookingasthoughitcouldbeblown
awaybyapuffofwind,butscreamingandseemingtoassertitsfullrighttolive.Mariewas
lyingasthoughinsensible,butaminutelatersheopenedhereyes,andbentastrange,strange
lookonShatov:itwassomethingquitenew,thatlook.Whatitmeantexactlyhewasnotable
tounderstandyet,buthehadneverknownsuchalookonherfacebefore.

Isitaboy?Isitaboy?sheaskedArinaProhorovnainanexhaustedvoice.

Itisaboy,thelattershoutedinreply,assheboundupthechild.

Whenshe had bound him upand wasabout tolayhim acrossthe bedbetween the two
pillows,shegavehimtoShatovforaminutetohold.Mariesignedtohimontheslyasthough
afraidofArinaProhorovna.Heunderstoodatonceandbroughtthebabytoshowher.

How...prettyheis,shewhisperedweaklywithasmile.

Poo, what does he look like, Arina Prohorovna laughed gaily in triumph, glancing at
Shatov'sface.Whatafunnyface!

You may be merry, Arina Prohorovna. . . . It's a great joy, Shatov faltered with an
expressionofidioticbliss,radiantatthephraseMariehadutteredaboutthechild.

Where does the great joy come in? said Arina Prohorovna goodhumouredly, bustling
about,clearingup,andworkinglikeaconvict.

Themysteriouscomingofanewcreature,agreatandinexplicablemystery;andwhatapity
itis,ArinaProhorovna,thatyoudon'tunderstandit.

Shatovspokeinanincoherent,stupefiedandecstaticway.Somethingseemedtobetottering
inhisheadandwellingupfromhissoulapartfromhisownwill.

Thereweretwoandnowthere'sathirdhumanbeing,anewspirit,finishedandcomplete,
unlikethehandiworkofman;anewthoughtandanewlove...it'spositivelyfrightening....
Andthere'snothinggranderintheworld.

Ech,whatnonsensehetalks!It'ssimplyafurtherdevelopmentoftheorganism,andthere's
nothing else init, nomystery, saidArina Prohorovna withgenuine and goodhumoured
laughter.Ifyoutalklikethat,everyflyisamystery.ButItellyouwhat:superfluouspeople
oughtnottobeborn.Wemustfirstremouldeverythingsothattheywon'tbesuperfluousand
thenbringthemintotheworld.Asitis,weshallhavetotakehimtotheFoundling,theday
aftertomorrow....Thoughthat'sasitshouldbe.

IwillneverlethimgototheFoundling,Shatovpronouncedresolutely,staringatthefloor.
Youadopthimasyourson?

Heismyson.

OfcourseheisaShatov,legallyheisaShatov,andthere'snoneedforyoutoposeasa
humanitarian.Mencan'tgetonwithoutfinewords.There,there,it'sallright,butlookhere,
myfriends,sheadded,havingfinishedclearingupatlast,it'stimeformetogo.I'llcome
againthismorning,andagainintheeveningifnecessary,butnow,sinceeverythinghasgone
offsowell,Imustrunofftomyotherpatients,they'vebeenexpectingmelongago.Ibelieve
yougotanoldwomansomewhere,Shatov;anoldwomanisallverywell,butdon'tyou,her
tenderhusband,deserther;sitbesideher,youmaybeofuse;MaryaIgnatyevnawon'tdrive
youaway,Ifancy....There,there,Iwasonlylaughing.

Atthegate,towhichShatovaccompaniedher,sheaddedtohimalone.

You'vegivenmesomethingtolaughatfortherestofmylife;Ishan'tchargeyouanything;I
shalllaughatyouinmysleep!Ihaveneverseenanythingfunnierthanyoulastnight.

Shewentoffverywellsatisfied.Shatov'sappearanceandconversationmadeitasclearas
daylightthatthismanwasgoinginforbeingafatherandwasaninny.Sheranhomeon
purposetotellVirginskyaboutit,thoughitwasshorterandmoredirecttogotoanother
patient.

Marie,shetoldyounottogotosleepforalittletime,though,Isee,it'sveryhardforyou,
Shatovbegantimidly.I'llsitherebythewindowandtakecareofyou,shallI?

Andhesatdown,bythewindowbehindthesofasothatshecouldnotseehim.Butbeforea
minutehadpassedshecalledhimandfretfullyaskedhimtoarrangethepillow.Hebegan
arrangingit.Shelookedangrilyatthewall.

That'snotright,that'snotright....Whathands!

Shatovdiditagain.

Stoopdowntome,shesaidwildly,tryinghardnottolookathim.

Hestartedbutstoopeddown.

More...notso...nearer,andsuddenlyherleftarmwasimpulsivelythrownroundhisneck
andhefeltherwarmmoistkissonhisforehead.

Marie!

Herlipswerequivering,shewasstrugglingwithherself,butsuddenlysheraisedherselfand
saidwithflashingeyes:
NikolayStavroginisascoundrel!Andshefellbackhelplesslywithherfaceinthepillow,
sobbinghysterically,andtightlysqueezingShatov'shandinhers.

Fromthatmomentshewouldnotlethimleaveher;sheinsistedonhissittingbyherpillow.
She could not talk much but she kept gazing at him and smiling blissfully. She seemed
suddenlytohavebecomeasillygirl.Everythingseemedtransformed.Shatovcriedlikeaboy,
then talked of God knows what, wildly, crazily, with inspiration, kissed her hands; she
listenedentranced,perhapsnotunderstandinghim,butcaressinglyrufflinghishairwithher
weakhand,smoothingitandadmiringit.HetalkedaboutKirillov,ofhowtheywouldnow
beginanewlifeforgood,oftheexistenceofGod,ofthegoodnessofallmen....Shetook
outthechildagaintogazeatitrapturously.

Marie,hecried,asheheldthechildinhisarms,alltheoldmadness,shame,anddeadness
isover,isn'tit?Letusworkhardandbeginanewlife,thethreeofus,yes,yes!...Oh,bythe
way,whatshallwecallhim,Marie?

Whatshallwecallhim?sherepeatedwithsurprise,andtherewasasuddenlookofterrible
griefinherface.

Sheclaspedherhands,lookedreproachfullyatShatovandhidherfaceinthepillow.

Marie,whatisit?hecriedwithpainfulalarm.

Howcouldyou,howcouldyou...Oh,youungratefulman!

Marie,forgiveme,Marie...Ionlyaskedyouwhathisnameshouldbe.Idon'tknow....

Ivan,Ivan.Sheraisedherflushedandtearstainedface.Howcouldyousupposeweshould
callhimbyanotherhorriblename?

Marie,calmyourself;oh,whatanervousstateyouarein!

That'srudeagain,puttingitdowntomynerves.IbetthatifI'dsaidhisnamewastobethat
other...horriblename,you'dhaveagreedatonceandnothavenoticediteven!Oh,men,the
meanungratefulcreatures,theyareallalike!

Aminutelater,ofcourse,theywerereconciled.Shatovpersuadedhertohaveanap.Shefell
asleepbutstillkepthishandinhers;shewakedupfrequently,lookedathim,asthoughafraid
hewouldgoaway,anddroppedasleepagain.

Kirillovsentanoldwomantocongratulatethem,aswellassomehottea,somefreshly
cookedcutlets,andsomebrothandwhitebreadforMaryaIgnatyevna.Thepatientsippedthe
brothgreedily,theoldwomanundidthebaby'swrappingsandswaddleditafresh,Mariemade
Shatovhaveacutlettoo.

Timewaspassing.Shatov,exhausted,fellasleephimselfinhischair,withhisheadonMarie's
pillow.SotheywerefoundbyArinaProhorovna,whokeptherword.Shewakedthemup
gaily,askedMariesomenecessaryquestions,examinedthebaby,andagainforbadeShatovto
leaveher.Then,jestingatthehappycouple,withashadeofcontemptandsuperciliousness
shewentawayaswellsatisfiedasbefore.

ItwasquitedarkwhenShatovwakedup.Hemadehastetolightthecandleandranfortheold
woman;buthehadhardlybeguntogodownthestairswhenhewasstruckbythesoundofthe
soft,deliberatestepsofsomeonecominguptowardshim.Erkelcamein.

Don'tcomein,whisperedShatov,andimpulsivelyseizinghimbythehandhedrewhim
back towards the gate. Wait here, I'll come directly, I'd completely forgotten you,
completely!Oh,howyoubroughtitback!

HewasinsuchhastethathedidnotevenrunintoKirillov's,butonlycalledtheoldwoman.
Mariewasindespairandindignationthathecoulddreamofleavingheralone.

But,hecriedecstatically,thisistheverylaststep!Andthenforanewlifeandwe'llnever,
neverthinkoftheoldhorrorsagain!

Hesomehowappeasedherandpromisedtobebackatnineo'clock;hekissedherwarmly,
kissedthebabyandrandownquicklytoErkel.

TheysetofftogethertoStavrogin'sparkatSkvoreshniki,where,inasecludedplaceatthe
veryedgeoftheparkwhereitadjoinedthepinewood,hehad,eighteenmonthsbefore,buried
theprintingpresswhichhadbeenentrustedtohim.Itwasawildanddesertedplace,quite
hiddenandatsomedistancefromtheStavrogins'house.Itwastwoorperhapsthreemiles
fromFilipov'shouse.

Arewegoingtowalkalltheway?I'lltakeacab.

Iparticularlybegyounotto,repliedErkel.''Theyinsistedonthat.Acabmanwouldbea
witness.

Well...bother!Idon'tcare,onlytomakeanendof

it.

Theywalkedveryfast.

Erkel,youlittleboy,criedShatov,haveyoueverbeenhappy?

Youseemtobeveryhappyjustnow,observedErkelwithcuriosity.

CHAPTERVI.ABUSYNIGHT

duringthatdayVirginskyhadspenttwohoursinrunningroundtoseethemembersofthe
quintetandtoinformthemthatShatovwouldcertainlynotgiveinformation,becausehiswife
hadcomebackandgivenbirthtoachild,andnoonewhoknewanythingofhumannature
couldsupposethatShatovcouldbeadangeratthismoment.Buttohisdiscomfiturehe
foundnoneofthemathomeexceptErkelandLyamshin.Erkellistenedinsilence,looking
candidlyintohiseyes,andinanswertothedirectquestionWouldhegoatsixo'clockor
not?herepliedwiththebrightestofsmilesthatofcoursehewouldgo.

Lyamshinwasinbed,seriouslyill,asitseemed,withhisheadcoveredwithaquilt.Hewas
alarmedatVirginsky'scomingin,andassoonasthelatterbeganspeakinghewavedhimoff
fromunderthebedclothes,entreatinghimtolethimalone.Helistenedtoallhesaidabout
Shatov,however,andseemedforsomereasonextremelystruckbythenewsthatVirginsky
had found no one at home. It seemed that Lyamshin knew already (through Liputin) of
Fedka'sdeath, andhurriedly andincoherentlytoldVirginskyabout it,at whichthe latter
seemedstruckinhisturn.ToVirginsky'sdirectquestion,Shouldtheygoornot?hebegan
suddenlywavinghishandsagain,entreatinghimtolethimalone,andsayingthatitwasnot
hisbusiness,andthatheknewnothingaboutit.

Virginskyreturnedhomedejectedandgreatlyalarmed.Itweigheduponhimthathehadto
hideitfromhisfamily;hewasaccustomedtotellhiswifeeverything;andifhisfeverishbrain
hadnothatchedanewideaatthatmoment,anewplanofconciliationforfurtheraction,he
mighthavetakentohisbedlikeLyamshin.Butthisnewideasustainedhim;what'smore,he
beganimpatientlyawaitingthehourfixed,andsetofffortheappointedspotearlierthanwas
necessary.Itwasaverygloomyplaceattheendofthehugepark.Iwentthereafterwardson
purposetolookatit.Howsinisteritmusthavelookedonthatchillautumnevening!Itwasat
theedgeofanoldwoodbelongingtotheCrown.Hugeancientpinesstoodoutasvague
sombreblursinthedarkness.Itwassodarkthattheycouldhardlyseeeachothertwopaces
off,butPyotrStepanovitch,Liputin,andafterwardsErkel,broughtlanternswiththem.At
someunrecordeddateinthepastaratherabsurdlookinggrottohadforsomereasonbeen
builthereofroughunhewnstones.Thetableandbenchesinthegrottohadlongagodecayed
andfallen.Twohundredpacestotherightwasthebankofthethirdpondofthepark.These
threepondsstretchedoneafteranotherforamilefromthehousetotheveryendofthepark.
One could scarcely imagine that any noise, a scream, or even a shot, could reach the
inhabitants of the Stavrogins' deserted house. Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch's departure the
previousdayandAlexeyYegorytch'sabsenceleftonlyfiveorsixpeopleinthehouse,all
moreorlessinvalided,sotospeak.Inanycaseitmightbeassumedwithperfectconfidence
thatifcriesorshoutsforhelpwereheardbyanyoftheinhabitantsoftheisolatedhousethey
wouldonlyhaveexcitedterror;noonewouldhavemovedfromhiswarmstoveorsnugshelf
togiveassistance.

BytwentypastsixalmostallofthemexceptErkel,whohadbeentoldofftofetchShatov,had
turnedupatthe trystingplace. Thistime PyotrStepanovitchwasnot late; he came with
Tolkatchenko.Tolkatchenkolookedfrowningandanxious;allhisassumeddeterminationand
insolentbravadohadvanished.HescarcelyleftPyotrStepanovitch'sside,andseemedtohave
becomeallatonceimmenselydevotedtohim.Hewascontinuallythrustinghimselfforward
to whisper fussily to him, but the latter scarcely answered him, or muttered something
irritablytogetridofhim.

ShigalovandVirginskyhadarrivedratherbeforePyotrStepanovitch,andassoonashecame
theydrewalittleapartinprofoundandobviouslyintentionalsilence.PyotrStepanovitch
raisedhislanternandexaminedthemwithunceremoniousandinsultingminuteness.They
meantospeak,flashedthroughhismind.

Isn'tLyamshinhere?heaskedVirginsky.Whosaidhewasill?

Iamhere,respondedLyamshin,suddenlycomingfrombehindatree.Hewasinawarm
greatcoatandthicklymuffledinarug,sothatitwasdifficulttomakeouthisfaceevenwitha
lantern.

SoLiputinistheonlyonenothere?

Liputintoocameoutofthegrottowithoutspeaking.PyotrStepanovitchraisedthelantern
again.

Whywereyouhidinginthere?Whydidn'tyoucomeout?

Iimaginewestillkeeptherightoffreedom...ofouractions,Liputinmuttered,though
probablyhehardlyknewwhathewantedtoexpress.

Gentlemen,saidPyotrStepanovitch,raisinghisvoiceforthefirsttimeaboveawhisper,
whichproducedaneffect,Ithinkyoufullyunderstandthatit'suselesstogooverthings
again.Everythingwassaidandfullythrashedoutyesterday,openlyanddirectly.Butperhaps
asIseefromyourfacessomeonewantstomakesomestatement;inthatcaseIbegyou
tomakehaste.Damnitall!there'snotmuchtime,andErkelmaybringhiminaminute....

Heissuretobringhim,Tolkatchenkoputinforsomereason.

If I am not mistaken, the printing press will be handed over, to begin with? inquired
Liputin,thoughagainheseemedhardlytounderstandwhyheaskedthequestion.

Ofcourse.Whyshouldweloseit?saidPyotrStepanovitch,liftingthelanterntohisface.
But,yousee,weallagreedyesterdaythatitwasnotreallynecessarytotakeit.Heneedonly
showyoutheexactspotwhereit'sburied;wecandigitupafterwardsforourselves.Iknow
thatit'ssomewheretenpacesfromacornerofthisgrotto.But,damnitall!howcouldyou
haveforgotten,Liputin?Itwasagreedthatyoushouldmeethimaloneandthatweshould
comeoutafterwards....It'sstrangethatyoushouldaskordidn'tyoumeanwhatyousaid?

Liputinkeptgloomilysilent.Allweresilent.Thewindshookthetopsofthepinetrees.

Itrust,however,gentlemen,thateveryonewilldohisduty,PyotrStepanovitchrappedout
impatiently.
IknowthatShatov'swifehascomebackandhasgivenbirthtoachild,Virginskysaid
suddenly, excited and gesticulating and scarcely able to speak distinctly. Knowing what
human nature is, we can be sure that now he won't give information . . . because he is
happy....SoIwenttoeveryonethismorningandfoundnooneathome,soperhapsnow
nothingneedbedone....

Hestoppedshortwithacatchinhisbreath.

Ifyousuddenlybecamehappy,Mr.Virginsky,saidPyotrStepanovitch,steppinguptohim,
wouldyouabandonnotgivinginformation;there'snoquestionofthatbutanyperilous
publicactionwhichyouhadplannedbeforeyouwerehappyandwhichyouregardedasa
dutyandobligationinspiteoftheriskandlossofhappiness?

No,Iwouldn'tabandonit!Iwouldn'tonanyaccount!saidVirginskywithabsurdwarmth,
twitchingallover.

Youwouldratherbeunhappyagainthanbeascoundrel?

Yes,yes....Quitethecontrary....I'dratherbeacompletescoundrel...thatisno...nota
scoundrelatall,butonthecontrarycompletelyunhappyratherthanascoundrel.

Wellthen,letmetellyouthatShatovlooksonthisbetrayalasapublicduty.It'shismost
cherishedconviction,andtheproofofitisthatherunssomeriskhimself;though,ofcourse,
theywillpardonhimagreatdealforgivinginformation.Amanlikethatwillnevergiveup
the idea. No sort of happiness would overcome him. In another day he'll go back on it,
reproachhimself,andwillgostraighttothepolice.What'smore,Idon'tseeanyhappinessin
the fact that his wife has come back after three years' absence to bear him a child of
Stavrogin's.

ButnoonehasseenShatov'sletter,Shigalovbroughtoutallatonce,emphatically.

I'veseenit,criedPyotrStepanovitch.Itexists,andallthisisawfullystupid,gentlemen.

AndIprotest...Virginskycried,boilingoversuddenly:Iprotestwithallmymight....I
want...thisiswhatIwant.Isuggestthatwhenhearrivesweallcomeoutandquestionhim,
andifit'strue,weinducehimtorepentofit;andifhegivesushiswordofhonour,lethimgo.
Inanycasewemusthaveatrial;itmustbedoneaftertrial.Wemustn'tlieinwaitforhimand
thenfalluponhim.

Riskthecauseonhiswordofhonourthat'stheacmeofstupidity!Damnation,howstupid
itallisnow,gentlemen!Andaprettypartyouarechoosingtoplayatthemomentofdanger!

Iprotest,Iprotest!Virginskypersisted.

Don'tbawl,anyway;weshan'thearthesignal.Shatov,gentlemen....(Damnation,how
stupid this is now!) I've told you already that Shatov is a Slavophil, that is, one of the
stupidestsetofpeople....But,damnitall,nevermind,that'snomatter!Youputmeout!...
Shatovisanembitteredman,gentlemen,andsincehehasbelongedtotheparty,anyway,
whetherhewantedtoorno,Ihadhopedtillthelastminutethathemighthavebeenofservice
tothecauseandmighthavebeenmadeuseofasanembitteredman.Isparedhimandwas
keepinghiminreserve,inspiteofmostexactinstructions....I'vesparedhimahundred
timesmorethanhedeserved!Buthe'sendedbybetrayingus....But,hangitall,Idon'tcare!
You'dbettertryrunningawaynow,anyofyou!Nooneofyouhastherighttogiveupthe
job!Youcankisshimifyoulike,butyouhaven'ttherighttostakethecauseonhiswordof
honour!That'sactinglikeswineandspiesingovernmentpay!

Who'saspyingovernmentpayhere?Liputinfilteredout.

You,perhaps.You'dbetterholdyourtongue,Liputin;youtalkforthesakeoftalking,asyou
alwaysdo.Allmenarespies,gentlemen,whofunktheirdutyatthemomentofdanger.There
willalwaysbesomefoolswho'llruninapanicatthelastmomentandcryout,'Aie,forgive
me,andI'llgivethemallaway!'Butletmetellyou,gentlemen,nobetrayalwouldwinyoua
pardonnow.EvenifyoursentenceweremitigateditwouldmeanSiberia;and,what'smore,
there'snoescapingtheweaponsoftheothersideandtheirweaponsaresharperthanthe
government's.

PyotrStepanovitchwasfuriousandsaidmorethanhemeantto.WitharesoluteairShigalov
tookthreestepstowardshim.SinceyesterdayeveningI'vethoughtoverthequestion,he
began,speakingwithhisusualpedantryandassurance.(Ibelievethatiftheearthhadgiven
way under his feet he would not have raised his voice nor have varied one tone in his
methodical exposition.) Thinking the matter over, I've come to the conclusion that the
projectedmurderisnotmerelyawasteofprecioustimewhichmightbeemployedinamore
suitable and befitting manner, but presents, moreover, that deplorable deviation from the
normalmethodwhichhasalwaysbeen'mostprejudicialtothecauseandhasdelayedits
triumphforscoresofyears,undertheguidanceofshallowthinkersandpreeminentlyofmen
ofpoliticalinsteadofpurelysocialisticleanings.Ihavecomeheresolelytoprotestagainstthe
projected enterprise, for the general edification, intending then to withdraw at the actual
moment,whichyou,forsomereasonIdon'tunderstand,speakofasamomentofdangerto
you.IamgoingnotfromfearofthatdangernorfromasentimentalfeelingforShatov,
whomIhavenoinclinationtokiss,butsolelybecauseallthisbusinessfrombeginningtoend
isindirectcontradictiontomyprogramme.Asformybetrayingyouandmybeinginthepay
ofthegovernment,youcansetyourmindcompletelyatrest.Ishallnotbetrayyou.

Heturnedandwalkedaway.

Damnitall,he'llmeetthemandwarnShatov!criedPyotrStepanovitch,pullingouthis
revolver.Theyheardtheclickofthetrigger.

Youmaybeconfident,saidShigalov,turningoncemore,thatifImeetShatovontheway
Imaybowtohim,butIshallnotwarnhim.
Butdoyouknow,youmayhavetopayforthis,Mr.Fourier?

IbegyoutoobservethatIamnotFourier.Ifyoumixmeupwiththatmawkishtheoretical
twaddleryousimplyprovethatyouknownothingofmymanuscript,thoughithasbeenin
yourhands.Asforyourvengeance,letmetellyouthatit'samistaketocockyourpistol:that's
absolutelyagainstyourinterestsatthepresentmoment.Butifyouthreatentoshootmeto
morrow,orthedayafter,you'llgainnothingbyitbutunnecessarytrouble.Youmaykillme,
butsoonerorlateryou'llcometomysystemallthesame.Goodbye.

Atthatinstantawhistlewasheardinthepark,twohundredpacesawayfromthedirectionof
thepond.Liputinatonceanswered,whistlingalsoashadbeenagreedtheeveningbefore.(As
hehadlostseveralteethanddistrustedhisownpowers,hehadthismorningboughtfora
farthinginthemarketachild'sclaywhistleforthepurpose.)ErkelhadwarnedShatovonthe
waythattheywouldwhistleasasignal,sothatthelatterfeltnouneasiness.

Don'tbeuneasy,I'llavoidthemandtheywon'tnoticemeatall,Shigalovdeclaredinan
impressivewhisper;andthereupondeliberatelyandwithouthastehewalkedhomethrough
thedarkpark.

Everything,tothesmallestdetailofthisterribleaffair,isnowfullyknown.Tobeginwith,
LiputinmetErkelandShatovattheentrancetothegrotto.Shatovdidnotboworofferhim
hishand,butatoncepronouncedhurriedlyinaloudvoice:

Well,wherehaveyouputthespade,andhaven'tyouanotherlantern?Youneedn'tbeafraid,
there'sabsolutelynoonehere,andtheywouldn'thearatSkvoreshnikinowifwefireda
cannonhere.Thisistheplace,herethisveryspot.

Andhestampedwithhisfoottenpacesfromtheendofthegrottotowardsthewood.Atthat
momentTolkatchenkorushedoutfrombehindatreeandsprangathimfrombehind,while
Erkelseizedhimbytheelbows.Liputinattackedhimfromthefront.Thethreeofthemat
onceknockedhimdownandpinnedhimtotheground.AtthispointPyotrStepanovitch
dartedupwithhisrevolver.ItissaidthatShatovhadtimetoturnhisheadandwasabletosee
andrecognisehim.Threelanternslightedupthescene.Shatovsuddenlyutteredashortand
desperatescream.Buttheydidnotlethimgoonscreaming.PyotrStepanovitchfirmlyand
accuratelyputhisrevolvertoShatov'sforehead,pressedittoit,andpulledthetrigger.The
shotseemsnottohavebeenloud;nothingwasheardatSkvoreshniki,anyway.Shigalov,who
wasscarcelythreepacesaway,ofcoursehearditheheardtheshoutandtheshot,but,ashe
testifiedafterwards,hedidnotturnnorevenstop.Deathwasalmostinstantaneous.Pyotr
Stepanovitchwastheonlyonewhopreservedallhisfaculties,butIdon'tthinkhewasquite
cool.Squattingonhisheels,hesearchedthemurderedman'spocketshastily,thoughwith
steadyhand.Nomoneywasfound(hispursehadbeenleftunderMaryaIgnatyevna'spillow).
Twoorthreescrapsofpaperofnoimportancewerefound:anotefromhisoffice,thetitleof
somebook,andanoldbillfromarestaurantabroadwhichhadbeenpreserved,goodness
knowswhy,fortwoyearsinhispocket.PyotrStepanovitchtransferredthesescrapsofpaper
tohisownpocket,andsuddenlynoticingthattheyhadallgatheredround,weregazingatthe
corpseanddoingnothing,hebeganrudelyandangrilyabusingthemandurgingthemon.
TolkatchenkoandErkelrecoveredthemselves,andrunningtothegrottobroughtinstantly
fromittwostoneswhichtheyhadgotreadytherethatmorning.Thesestones,whichweighed
abouttwentypoundseach,weresecurelytiedwithcord.Astheyintendedtothrowthebody
in the nearest of the three ponds, they proceeded to tie the stones to the head and feet
respectively.PyotrStepanovitchfastenedthestoneswhileTolkatchenkoandErkelonlyheld
andpassedthem.Erkelwasforemost,andwhilePyotrStepanovitch,grumblingandswearing,
tiedthe dead man'sfeet togetherwiththe cord andfastenedthe stone to thema rather
lengthyoperationTolkatchenkostoodholdingtheotherstoneatarm'slength,hiswhole
personbendingforward,asitwere,deferentially,tobeinreadinesstohanditwithoutdelay.It
neveronceoccurredtohimtolayhisburdenonthegroundintheinterval.Whenatlastboth
stonesweretiedonandPyotrStepanovitchgotupfromthegroundtoscrutinisethefacesof
hiscompanions,somethingstrangehappened,utterlyunexpectedandsurprisingtoalmost
everyone.

AsIhavesaidalready,allexceptperhapsTolkatchenkoandErkelwerestandingstilldoing
nothing.ThoughVirginskyhadrusheduptoShatovwiththeothershehadnotseizedhimor
helpedtoholdhim.Lyamshinhadjoinedthegroupaftertheshothadbeenfired.Afterwards,
whilePyotrStepanovitchwasbusywiththecorpseforperhapstenminutesnoneofthem
seemedtohavebeenfullyconscious.Theygroupedthemselvesaroundandseemedtohave
feltamazementratherthananxietyoralarm.Liputinstoodforemost,closetothecorpse.
Virginsky stood behind him, peeping over his shoulder with a peculiar, as it were
unconcerned,curiosity;heevenstoodontiptoetogetabetterview.Lyamshinhidbehind
Virginsky.Hetookanapprehensivepeepfromtimetotimeandslippedbehindhimagainat
once. When the stones had been tied on and Pyotr Stepanovitch had risen to his feet,
Virginskybeganfaintlyshudderingallover,claspedhishands,andcriedoutbitterlyatthetop
ofhisvoice:

It'snottherightthing,it'snot,it'snotatall!Hewouldperhapshaveaddedsomethingmore
tohisbelatedexclamation,butLyamshindidnotlethimfinish:hesuddenlyseizedhimfrom
behindandsqueezedhimwithallhismight,utteringanunnaturalshriek.Therearemoments
ofviolentemotion,ofterror,forinstance,whenamanwillcryoutinavoicenothisown,
unlikeanythingonecouldhaveanticipatedfromhim,andthishassometimesaveryterrible
effect.Lyamshingaveventtoascreammoreanimalthanhuman.SqueezingVirginskyfrom
behindmoreandmoretightlyandconvulsively,hewentonshriekingwithoutapause,his
mouthwideopenandhiseyesstartingoutofhishead,keepingupacontinualpatterwithhis
feet,asthoughhewerebeatingadrum.Virginskywassoscaredthathetooscreamedoutlike
a madman, and with a ferocity, a vindictiveness that one could never have expected of
Virginsky.HetriedtopullhimselfawayfromLyamshin,scratchingandpunchinghimasfar
ashecouldwithhisarmsbehindhim.ErkelatlasthelpedtopullLyamshinaway.Butwhen,
inhisterror,Virginskyhadskippedtenpacesawayfromhim,Lyamshin,catchingsightof
PyotrStepanovitch,beganyellingagainandflewathim.Stumblingoverthecorpse,hefell
uponPyotrStepanovitch,pressinghisheadtothelatter'schestandgrippinghimsotightlyin
hisarmsthatPyotrStepanovitch,Tolkatchenko,andLiputincouldallofthemdonothingat
thefirstmoment.PyotrStepanovitchshouted,swore,beathimontheheadwithhisfists.At
last,wrenchinghimselfaway,hedrewhisrevolverandputitintheopenmouthofLyamshin,
whowasstillyellingandwasbynowtightlyheldbyTolkatchenko,Erkel,andLiputin.But
Lyamshin went on shrieking in spite of the revolver. At last Erkel, crushing his silk
handkerchief intoa ball, deftly thrust it into his mouth and the shriek ceased. Meantime
Tolkatchenkotiedhishandswithwhatwasleftoftherope.

It'sverystrange,saidPyotrStepanovitch,scrutinisingthemadmanwithuneasywonder.He
wasevidentlystruck.Iexpectedsomethingverydifferentfromhim,headdedthoughtfully.

TheyleftErkelinchargeofhimforatime.Theyhadtomakehastetogetridofthecorpse:
there had been so much noise that some one might have heard. Tolkatchenko and Pyotr
Stepanovitch took up the lanterns and lifted the corpse by the head, while Liputin and
Virginskytookthefeet,andsotheycarrieditaway.Withthetwostonesitwasaheavy
burden,andthedistancewasmorethantwohundredpaces.Tolkatchenkowasthestrongestof
them.Headvisedthemtokeepinstep,butnooneansweredhimandtheyallwalkedanyhow.
PyotrStepanovitchwalkedontherightand,bendingforward,carriedthedeadman'sheadon
hisshoulderwhilewiththelefthandhesupportedthestone.AsTolkatchenkowalkedmore
thanhalfthewaywithoutthinkingofhelpinghimwiththestone,PyotrStepanovitchatlast
shoutedathimwithanoath.Itwasasingle,suddenshout.Theyallwentoncarryingthebody
insilence,anditwasonlywhentheyreachedthepondthatVirginsky,stoopingunderhis
burdenandseemingtobeexhaustedbytheweightofit,criedoutagaininthesameloudand
wailingvoice:

It'snottherightthing,no,no,it'snottherightthing!

Theplacetowhichtheycarriedthedeadmanattheextremeendoftheratherlargepond,
which was the farthest of the three from the house, was one of the most solitary and
unfrequentedspotsinthepark,especiallyatthislateseasonoftheyear.Atthatendthepond
wasovergrownwithweedsbythebanks.Theyputdownthelantern,swungthecorpseand
threwitintothepond.Theyheardamuffledandprolongedsplash.PyotrStepanovitchraised
thelanternandeveryonefollowedhisexample,peeringcuriouslytoseethebodysink,but
nothingcouldbeseen:weightedwiththetwostones,thebodysankatonce.Thebigripples
spreadoverthesurfaceofthewaterandquicklypassedaway.Itwasover.

VirginskywentoffwithErkel,whobeforegivingupLyamshintoTolkatchenkobroughthim
to Pyotr Stepanovitch, reportingtothe latterthat Lyamshinhad come tohissenses, was
penitentandbeggedforgiveness,andindeedhadnorecollectionofwhathadhappenedto
him. Pyotr Stepanovitch walked off alone, going round by the farther side of the pond,
skirtingthepark.Thiswasthelongestway.TohissurpriseLiputinovertookhimbeforehe
gothalfwayhome.

PyotrStepanovitch!PyotrStepanovitch!Lyamshinwillgiveinformation!

No,hewillcometohissensesandrealisethathewillbethefirsttogotoSiberiaifhedid.
Noonewillbetrayusnow.Evenyouwon't.

Whataboutyou?

Nofear!I'llgetyoualloutofthewaytheminuteyouattempttoturntraitors,andyouknow
that.Butyouwon'tturntraitors.Haveyourunamileandahalftotellmethat?

PyotrStepanovitch,PyotrStepanovitch,perhapsweshallnevermeetagain!

What'sputthatintoyourhead?

Onlytellmeonething.

Well,what?ThoughIwantyoutotakeyourselfoff.

Onequestion,butanswerittruly:arewetheonlyquintetintheworld,orisittruethatthere
arehundredsofothers?It'saquestionoftheutmostimportancetome,PyotrStepanovitch.

I see that from the frantic state you are in. But do you know, Liputin, you are more
dangerousthanLyamshin?

Iknow,Iknow;buttheanswer,youranswer!

Youareastupidfellow!Ishouldhavethoughtitcouldmakenodifferencetoyounow
whetherit'stheonlyquintetoroneofathousand.

Thatmeansit'stheonlyone!Iwassureofit...criedLiputin.Ialwaysknewitwasthe
onlyone,Iknewitallalong.Andwithoutwaitingforanyreplyheturnedandquickly
vanishedintothedarkness.

PyotrStepanovitchponderedalittle.

No,noonewillturntraitor,heconcludedwithdecision,butthegroupmustremaina
groupandobey,orI'U...Whatawretchedsettheyarethough!

II

He first went home,andcarefully,without haste,packedhistrunk.At sixo'clockinthe

morningtherewasaspecialtrainfromthetown.Thisearlymorningexpressonlyranoncea
week,andwasonlyarecentexperiment.ThoughPyotrStepanovitchhadtoldthemembersof
thequintetthathewasonlygoingtobeawayforashorttimeintheneighbourhood,his
intentions,asappearedlater,wereinrealityverydifferent.Havingfinishedpacking,hesettled
accountswithhislandladytowhomhehadpreviouslygivennoticeofhisdeparture,and
droveinacabtoErkel'slodgings,nearthestation.Andthenjustupononeo'clockatnighthe
walkedtoKirillov's,approachingasbeforebyFedka'ssecretway.

PyotrStepanovitchwasinapainfulstateofmind.Apartfromotherextremelygravereasons
fordissatisfaction(hewasstillunabletolearnanythingofStavrogin),hehad,itseemsforI
cannotassertitforafactreceivedinthecourseofthatday,probablyfromPetersburg,secret
informationofadangerawaitinghimintheimmediatefuture.Thereare,ofcourse,many
legendsinthetownrelatingtothisperiod;butifanyfactswereknown,itwasonlytothose
immediatelyconcerned.IcanonlysurmiseasmyownconjecturethatPyotrStepanovitch
maywellhavehadaffairsgoingoninotherneighbourhoodsaswellasinourtown,sothathe
reallymayhavereceivedsuchawarning.Iamconvinced,indeed,inspiteofLiputin'scynical
and despairing doubts, that he really had two or three other quintets; for instance, in
Petersburg and Moscow, and if not quintets at least colleagues and correspondents, and
possiblywasinverycuriousrelationswiththem.Notmorethanthreedaysafterhisdeparture
anorderforhisimmediatearrestarrivedfromPetersburgwhetherinconnectionwithwhat
hadhappenedamongus,orelsewhere,Idon'tknow.Thisorderonlyservedtoincreasethe
overwhelming,almostpanicterrorwhichsuddenlycameuponourlocalauthoritiesandthe
societyofthetown,tillthensopersistentlyfrivolousinitsattitude,onthediscoveryofthe
mysteriousandportentousmurderofthestudentShatovtheclimaxofthelongseriesof
senseless actions in our midstas well as the extremely mysterious circumstances that
accompaniedthatmurder.Buttheordercametoolate:PyotrStepanovitchwasalreadyin
Petersburg,livingunderanothername,and,learningwhatwasgoingon,hemadehasteto
makehisescapeabroad....ButIamanticipatinginashockingway.

HewentintoKirillov,lookingillhumouredandquarrelsome.Apartfromtherealtaskbefore
him, he felt, as it were, tempted to satisfy some personal grudge, to avenge himself on
Kirillovforsomething.Kirillovseemedpleasedtoseehim;hehadevidentlybeenexpecting
himalongtimewithpainfulimpatience.Hisfacewaspalerthanusual;therewasafixedand
heavylookinhisblackeyes.

Ithoughtyouweren'tcoming,hebroughtoutdrearilyfromhiscornerofthesofa,from
whichhehadnot,however,movedtogreethim.

PyotrStepanovitchstoodbeforehimand,beforeutteringaword,lookedintentlyathisface.

Everythingisinorder,then,andwearenotdrawingbackfromourresolution.Bravo!He
smiledanoffensivelypatronisingsmile.But,afterall,headdedwithunpleasantjocosity,if
Iambehindmytime,it'snotforyoutocomplain:Imadeyouapresentofthreehours.

Idon'twantextrahoursasapresentfromyou,andyoucan'tmakemeapresent...you
fool!

What?PyotrStepanovitchwasstartled,butinstantlycontrolledhimself.Whathuffiness!
Soweareinasavagetemper?herappedout,stillwiththesameoffensivesuperciliousness.
Atsuchamomentcomposureiswhatyouneed.Thebestthingyoucandoistoconsider
yourselfaColumbusandmeamouse,andnottotakeoffenceatanythingIsay.Igaveyou
thatadviceyesterday.

Idon'twanttolookuponyouasamouse.
What'sthat,acompliment?Buttheteaiscoldandthatshowsthateverythingistopsy
turvy.Bah!ButIseesomethinginthewindow,onaplate.Hewenttothewindow.Ohoh,
boiledchickenandrice!...Butwhyhaven'tyoubegunuponityet?Soweareinsuchastate
ofmindthatevenchicken...

I'vedined,andit'snotyourbusiness.Holdyourtongue!

Oh, of course; besides, it's no consequencethough for me at the moment it is of

consequence.Onlyfancy,Iscarcelyhadanydinner,andsoif,asIsuppose,thatchickenisnot
wantednow...eh?

Eatitifyoucan.

Thankyou,andthenI'llhavetea.

He instantly settled himself at the other end of the sofa and fell upon the chicken with
extraordinarygreediness;atthesametimehekeptaconstantwatchonhisvictim.Kirillov
lookedathimfixedlywithangryaversion,asthoughunabletotearhimselfaway.

Isay,though,PyotrStepanovitchfiredoffsuddenly,whilehestillwentoneating,what
aboutourbusiness?Wearenotcryingoff,arewe?Howaboutthatdocument?

I'vedecidedinthenightthatit'snothingtome.I'llwriteit.Aboutthemanifestoes?

Yes,aboutthemanifestoestoo.ButI'lldictateit.Ofcourse,that'snothingtoyou.Canyou
possiblymindwhat'sintheletteratsuchamoment?

That'snotyourbusiness.

It'snotmine,ofcourse.Itneedonlybeafewlines,though:thatyouandShatovdistributed
themanifestoesandwiththehelpofFedka,whohidinyourlodgings.Thislastpointabout
Fedkaandyourlodgingsisveryimportantthemostimportantofall,indeed.Yousee,Iam
talkingtoyouquiteopenly.

Shatov?WhyShatov?Iwon'tmentionShatovforanything.

Whatnext!Whatisittoyou?Youcan'thurthimnow.

Hiswifehascomebacktohim.Shehaswakedupandhassenttoaskmewhereheis.

Shehassenttoaskyouwhereheis?H'm...that'sunfortunate.Shemaysendagain;noone
oughttoknowIamhere.

PyotrStepanovitchwasuneasy.

Shewon'tknow,she'sgonetosleepagain.There'samidwifewithher,ArinaVirginsky.
Sothat'showitwas....Shewon'toverhear,Isuppose?Isay,you'dbettershutthefront
door.

Shewon'toverhearanything.AndifShatovcomesI'llhideyouinanotherroom.

Shatovwon'tcome;andyoumustwritethatyouquarrelledwithhimbecauseheturned
traitorandinformedthepolice...thisevening...andcausedhisdeath.

Heisdead!criedKirillov,jumpingupfromthesofa.

Hediedatseveno'clockthisevening,orrather,atseveno'clockyesterdayevening,andnow
it'soneo'clock.

Youhavekilledhim!...AndIforesawityesterday!

Nodoubtyoudid!Withthisrevolverhere.(Hedrewouthisrevolverasthoughtoshowit,
butdidnotputitbackagainandstillhelditinhisrighthandasthoughinreadiness.)Youare
astrangeman,though,Kirillov;youknewyourselfthatthestupidfellowwasboundtoend
likethis.Whatwastheretoforeseeinthat?Imadethatasplainaspossibleoverandover
again.Shatovwasmeaningtobetrayus;Iwaswatchinghim,anditcouldnotbeleftlikethat.
Andyoutoohadinstructionstowatchhim;youtoldmesoyourselfthreeweeksago....

Holdyourtongue!You'vedonethisbecausehespatinyourfaceinGeneva!

Forthatandforotherthingstooformanyotherthings;notfromspite,however.Whydo
youjumpup?Whylooklikethat?Ohoh,sothat'sit,isit?

Hejumpedupandheldouthisrevolverbeforehim.Kirillovhadsuddenlysnatchedupfrom
thewindowhisrevolver,whichhadbeenloadedandputreadysincethemorning.Pyotr
Stepanovitch took ,up his position and aimed his weapon at Kirillov. The latter laughed
angrily.

Confess,youscoundrel,thatyoubroughtyourrevolverbecauseImightshootyou....ButI
shan'tshootyou...though...though...

AndagainheturnedhisrevolveruponPyotrStepanovitch,asitwererehearsing,asthough
unable to deny himself the pleasure of imagining how he would shoot him. Pyotr
Stepanovitch,holdinghisground,waitedforhim,waitedforhimtillthelastminutewithout
pullingthetrigger,attheriskofbeingthefirsttogetabulletinhishead:itmightwellbe
expectedofthemaniac.Butatlastthemaniacdroppedhishand,gaspingandtrembling
andunabletospeak.

You'veplayedyourlittlegameandthat'senough.PyotrStepanovitch,too,droppedhis
weapon.Iknewitwasonlyagame;onlyyouranarisk,letmetellyou:Imighthavefired.

Andhesatdownonthesofawithafairshowofcomposureandpouredhimselfoutsometea,
thoughhishandtrembledalittle.Kirillovlaidhisrevolveronthetableandbeganwalkingup
anddown.

Iwon'twritethatIkilledShatov...andIwon'twriteanythingnow.Youwon'thavea
document!

Ishan't?

No,youwon't.

Whatmeannessandwhatstupidity!PyotrStepanovitchturnedgreenwithresentment.I
foresawit,though.You'venottakenmebysurprise,letmetellyou.Asyouplease,however.
IfIcouldmakeyoudoitbyforce,Iwould.Youareascoundrel,though.PyotrStepanovitch
wasmoreandmorecarriedawayandunabletorestrainhimself.Youaskedusformoneyout
thereandpromisedusnoendofthings....Iwon'tgoawaywithnothing,however:I'llsee
youputthebulletthroughyourbrainsfirst,anyway.

Iwantyoutogoawayatonce.Kirillovstoodfirmlybeforehim.

No,that'simpossible.PyotrStepanovitchtookuphisrevolveragain.Nowinyourspite
andcowardiceyoumaythinkfittoputitoffandtoturntraitortomorrow,soastogetmoney
again; they'll pay you for that, of course. Damn it all, fellows like you are capable of
anything!Onlydon'ttroubleyourself;I'veprovidedforallcontingencies:Iamnotgoingtill
I'vedashedyourbrainsoutwiththisrevolver,asIdidtothatscoundrelShatov,ifyouare
afraidtodoityourselfandputoffyourintention,damnyou!

Youaresetonseeingmyblood,too?

Iamnotactingfromspite;letmetellyou,it'snothingtome.Iamdoingittobeateaseabout
thecause.Onecan'trelyonmen;youseethatforyourself.Idon'tunderstandwhatfancy
possessesyoutoputyourselftodeath.Itwasn'tmyidea;youthoughtofityourselfbeforeI
appeared,andtalkedofyourintentiontothecommitteeabroadbeforeyousaidanythingto
me.Andyouknow,noonehasforceditoutofyou;nooneofthemknewyou,butyoucame
toconfideinthemyourself,fromsentimentalism.Andwhat'stobedoneifaplanofaction
here,whichcan'tbealterednow,wasfoundeduponthatwithyourconsentanduponyour
suggestion?...yoursuggestion,mindthat!Youhaveputyourselfinapositioninwhichyou
knowtoomuch.Ifyouareanassandgoofftomorrowtoinformthepolice,thatwouldbe
ratheradisadvantagetous;whatdoyouthinkaboutit?Yes,you'veboundyourself;you've
givenyourword,you'vetakenmoney.Thatyoucan'tdeny....

PyotrStepanovitchwasmuchexcited,butforsometimepastKirillovhadnotbeenlistening.
Hepacedupanddowntheroom,lostinthoughtagain.

IamsorryforShatov,hesaid,stoppingbeforePyotrStepanovitchagain.

Whyso?Iamsorry,ifthat'sall,anddoyousuppose...
Holdyourtongue,youscoundrel,roaredKirillov,makinganalarmingandunmistakable
movement;I'llkillyou.

There,there,there!Itoldalie,Iadmitit;Iamnotsorryatall.Come,that'senough,that's
enough.PyotrStepanovitchstartedupapprehensively,puttingouthishand.

Kirillovsubsidedandbeganwalkingupanddownagain.

Iwon'tputitoff;Iwanttokillmyselfnow:allarescoundrels.

Well,that'sanidea;ofcourseallarescoundrels;andsincelifeisabeastlythingforadecent
man...

Fool,Iamjustsuchascoundrelasyou,asall,notadecentman.There'sneverbeenadecent
mananywhere.

He'sguessedthetruthatlast!Canyou,Kirillov,withyoursense,havefailedtoseetillnow
thatallmenarealike,thattherearenonebetterorworse,onlysomearestupider,thanothers,
andthatifallarescoundrels(whichisnonsense,though)thereoughtn'ttobeanypeoplethat
arenot?

Ah!Why,youare.reallyinearnest?Kirillovlookedathimwithsomewonder.Youspeak
withheatandsimply....Canitbethatevenfellowslikeyouhaveconvictions?

Kirillov,I'veneverbeenabletounderstandwhyyoumeantokillyourself.Ionlyknowit's
fromconviction...strongconviction.Butifyoufeelayearningtoexpressyourself,soto
say,Iamatyourservice....Onlyyoumustthinkofthetime.

Whattimeisit?

Ohoh,justtwo.PyotrStepanovitchlookedathiswatchandlightedacigarette.

Itseemswecancometotermsafterall,hereflected.

I'venothingtosaytoyou,mutteredKirillov.

IrememberthatsomethingaboutGodcomesintoit...youexplainedittomeoncetwice,
infact.Ifyoustoppedyourself,youbecomeGod;that'sit,isn'tit?

Yes,IbecomeGod.

PyotrStepanovitchdidnotevensmile;hewaited.Kirillovlookedathimsubtly.

Youareapoliticalimpostorandintriguer.Youwanttoleadmeonintophilosophyand
enthusiasmandtobringaboutareconciliationsoastodispersemyanger,andthen,whenI
amreconciledwithyou,begfrommeanotetosayIkilledShatov.''
PyotrStepanovitchansweredwithalmostnaturalfrankness.

Well,supposingIamsuchascoundrel.Butatthelastmomentsdoesthatmattertoyou,
Kirillov?Whatarewequarrellingabout?Tellme,please.YouareonesortofmanandIam
anotherwhatofit?Andwhat'smore,wearebothofus...

Scoundrels.

Yes,scoundrelsifyoulike.Butyouknowthatthat'sonlywords.

AllmylifeIwanteditnottobeonlywords.IlivedbecauseIdidnotwantittobe.Evennow
everydayIwantittobenotwords.

Well,everyoneseekstobewhereheisbestoff.Thefish...thatis,everyoneseekshisown
comfort,that'sall.That'sbeenacommonplaceforagesandages.

Comfort,doyousay?

Oh,it'snotworthwhilequarrellingoverwords.

No,youwererightinwhatyousaid;letitbecomfort.Godisnecessaryandsomustexist.

Well,that'sallright,then.

ButIknowHedoesn'tandcan't.

That'smorelikely.

Surelyyoumustunderstandthatamanwithtwosuchideascan'tgoonliving?

Mustshoothimself,youmean?

Surely you must understand that one might shoot oneself for that alone? You don't
understandthattheremaybeaman,onemanoutofyourthousandsofmillions,onemanwho
won'tbearitanddoesnotwantto.

AllIunderstandisthatyouseemtobehesitating....That'sverybad.

Stavrogin,too,isconsumedbyanidea,Kirillovsaidgloomily,pacingupanddownthe
room.Hehadnotnoticedthepreviousremark.

What?PyotrStepanovitchprickeduphisears.Whatidea?Didhe tell yousomething

himself?

No,Iguesseditmyself:ifStavroginhasfaith,hedoesnotbelievethathehasfaith.Ifhe
hasn'tfaith,hedoesnotbelievethathehasn't.
Well,Stavroginhasgotsomethingelseworsethanthatinhishead,PyotrStepanovitch
mutteredpeevishly,uneasilywatchingtheturntheconversationhadtakenandthepallorof
Kirillov.

Damnitall,hewon'tshoothimself!hewasthinking.Ialwayssuspectedit;it'samaggotin
thebrainandnothingmore;whatarottenlotofpeople!

Youarethelasttobewithme;Ishouldn'tliketopartonbadtermswithyou,Kirillov
vouchsafedsuddenly.

PyotrStepanovitchdidnotansweratonce.Damnitall,whatisitnow?hethoughtagain.

Iassureyou,Kirillov,Ihavenothingagainstyoupersonallyasaman,andalways...

Youareascoundrelandafalseintellect.ButIamjustthesameasyouare,andIwillshoot
myselfwhileyouwillremainliving.

Youmeantosay,IamsoabjectthatIwanttogoonliving.

Hecouldnotmakeuphismindwhetheritwasjudicioustokeepupsuchaconversationat
such a moment or not, and resolved to be guided by circumstances. But the tone of
superiorityandofcontemptforhim,whichKirillovhadneverdisguised,hadalwaysirritated
him,andnowforsomereasonitirritatedhimmorethaneverpossiblybecauseKirillov,who
wastodiewithinanhourorso(PyotrStepanovitchstillreckoneduponthis),seemedtohim,
asitwere,alreadyonlyhalfaman,somecreaturewhomhecouldnotallowtobehaughty.

Youseemtobeboastingtomeofyourshootingyourself.

I'vealwaysbeensurprisedateveryone'sgoingonliving,saidKirillov,nothearinghis
remark.

H'm!Admittingthat'sanidea,but...

You ape, you assent to get the better of me. Hold your tongue; you won't understand
anything.IfthereisnoGod,thenIamGod.

There,Icouldneverunderstandthatpointofyours:whyareyouGod?

IfGodexists,allisHiswillandfromHiswillIcannotescape.Ifnot,it'sallmywillandI
amboundtoshowselfwill.

Selfwill?Butwhyareyoubound?

Becauseallwillhasbecomemine.Canitbethatnooneinthewholeplanet,aftermakingan
endofGodandbelievinginhisownwill,willdaretoexpresshisselfwillonthemostvital
point?It'slikeabeggarinheritingafortuneandbeingafraidofitandnotdaringtoapproach
thebagofgold,thinkinghimselftooweaktoownit.Iwanttomanifestmyselfwill.Imaybe
theonlyone,butI'lldoit.

Doitbyallmeans.

Iamboundtoshootmyselfbecausethehighestpointofmyselfwillistokillmyselfwith
myownhands.

Butyouwon'tbetheonlyonetokillyourself;therearelotsofsuicides.

Withgoodcause.Buttodoitwithoutanycauseatall,simplyforselfwill,Iamtheonly
one.

Hewon'tshoothimself,flashedacrossPyotrStepanovitch'sruinedagain.

Doyouknow,heobservedirritably,ifIwereinyourplaceIshouldkillsomeoneelseto
showmyselfwill,notmyself.Youmightbeofuse.I'lltellyouwhom,ifyouarenotafraid.
Thenyouneedn'tshootyourselftoday,perhaps.Wemaycometoterms.

Tokillsomeonewouldbethelowestpointofselfwill,andyoushowyourwholesoulin
that.Iamnotyou:IwantthehighestpointandI'llkillmyself.

He'scometoitofhimself,PyotrStepanovitchmutteredmalignantly.

Iamboundtoshowmyunbelief,saidKirillov,walkingabouttheroom.Ihavenohigher
ideathandisbeliefinGod.Ihaveallthehistoryofmankindonmyside.Manhasdone
nothingbutinventGodsoastogoonliving,andnotkillhimself;that'sthewholeofuniversal
historyuptillnow.Iamthefirstoneinthewholehistoryofmankindwhowouldnotinvent
God.Letthemknowitonceforall.

Hewon'tshoothimself,PyotrStepanovitchthoughtanxiously.

Letwhomknowit?hesaid,egginghimon.It'sonlyyouandmehere;youmeanLiputin?

Leteveryoneknow;allwillknow.Thereisnothingsecretthatwillnotbemadeknown.He
saidso.

AndhepointedwithfeverishenthusiasmtotheimageoftheSaviour,beforewhichalamp
wasburning.PyotrStepanovitchlosthistempercompletely.

SoyoustillbelieveinHim,andyou'velightedthelamp;'tobeonthesafeside,'Isuppose?

Theotherdidnotspeak.

Doyouknow,tomythinking,youbelieveperhapsmorethoroughlythananypriest.

Believeinwhom?In Him? Listen.Kirillovstoodstill,gazingbeforehimwithfixedand

ecstaticlook.Listentoagreatidea:therewasadayonearth,andinthemidstoftheearth
therestoodthreecrosses.OneontheCrosshadsuchfaiththathesaidtoanother,'Todaythou
shaltbewithmeinParadise.'Thedayended;bothdiedandpassedawayandfoundneither
Paradisenorresurrection.Hiswordsdidnotcometrue.Listen:thatManwastheloftiestofall
onearth,Hewasthatwhichgavemeaningtolife.Thewholeplanet,witheverythingonit,is
meremadnesswithoutthatMan.TherehasneverbeenanylikeHimbeforeorsince,never,up
toamiracle.Forthatisthemiracle,thatthereneverwasorneverwillbeanotherlikeHim.
Andifthatisso,ifthelawsofnaturedidnotspareevenHim,havenotsparedeventheir
miracleandmadeevenHimliveinalieanddieforalie,thenalltheplanetisalieandrests
onalieandonmockery.Sothen,theverylawsoftheplanetarealieandthevaudevilleof
devils.Whatistheretolivefor?Answer,ifyouareaman.

That'sadifferentmatter.Itseemstomeyou'vemixeduptwodifferentcauses,andthat'sa
veryunsafethingtodo.Butexcuseme,ifyouareGodIIftheliewereendedandifyou
realisedthatallthefalsitycomesfromthebeliefinthatformerGod?

Soatlastyouunderstand!criedKirillovrapturously.Soitcanbeunderstoodifevena
fellowlikeyouunderstands.Doyouunderstandnowthatthesalvationforallconsistsin
provingthisideatoeveryoneIWhowillproveit?I!Ican'tunderstandhowanatheistcould
knowthatthereisnoGodandnotkillhimselfonthespot.TorecognisethatthereisnoGod
andnottorecogniseatthesameinstantthatoneisGodoneselfisanabsurdity,elseonewould
certainlykilloneself.Ifyourecogniseityouaresovereign,andthenyouwon'tkillyourself
butwillliveinthegreatestglory.Butone,thefirst,mustkillhimself,forelsewhowillbegin
andproveit?SoImustcertainlykillmyself,tobeginandproveit.NowIamonlyagod
againstmywillandIamunhappy,becauseIam bound toassertmywill.Allareunhappy
becauseallareafraidtoexpresstheirwill.Manhashithertobeensounhappyandsopoor
becausehehasbeenafraidtoasserthiswillinthehighestpointandhasshownhisselfwill
onlyinlittlethings,likeaschoolboy.Iamawfullyunhappy,forI'mawfullyafraid.Terroris
thecurseofman....ButIwillassertmywill,IamboundtobelievethatIdon'tbelieve.I
willbeginandwillmakeanendofitandopenthedoor,andwillsave.That'stheonlything
thatwillsavemankindandwillrecreatethenextgenerationphysically;forwithhispresent
physicalnaturemancan'tgetonwithouthisformerGod,Ibelieve.ForthreeyearsI'vebeen
seekingfortheattributeofmygodheadandI'vefoundit;theattributeofmygodheadisself
will!That'sallIcandotoproveinthehighestpointmyindependenceandmynewterrible
freedom.Foritisveryterrible.Iamkillingmyselftoprovemyindependenceandmynew
terriblefreedom.

Hisfacewasunnaturallypale,andtherewasaterriblyheavylookinhiseyes.Hewaslikea
manindelirium.PyotrStepanovitehthoughthewoulddropontothefloor.

Givemethepen!Kirillovcriedsuddenly,quiteunexpectedly,inapositivefrenzy.Dictate;
I'llsignanything.I'llsignthatIkilledShatoveven.Dictatewhileitamusesme.Iamnot
afraidofwhatthehaughtyslaveswillthink!Youwillseeforyourselfthatallthatissecret
shallbemademanifest!Andyouwillbecrushed....Ibelieve,Ibelieve!
PyotrStepanovitehjumpedupfromhisseatandinstantlyhandedhimaninkstandandpaper,
andbegandictating,seizingthemoment,quiveringwithanxiety.

I,AlexeyKirillov,declare...

Stay;Iwon't!TowhomamIdeclaringit?

Kirillovwasshakingasthoughhewereinafever.Thisdeclarationandthesuddenstrange
ideaofitseemedtoabsorbhimentirely,asthoughitwereameansofescapebywhichhis
torturedspiritstroveforamoment'srelief.

TowhomamIdeclaringit?Iwanttoknowtowhom?

Tonoone,everyone,thefirstpersonwhoreadsit.Whydefineit?Thewholeworld!

Thewholeworld!Bravo!AndIwon'thaveanyrepentance.Idon'twantpenitenceandI
don'twantitforthepolice!

No,ofcourse,there'sridneedofit,damnthepolice!Write,ifyouareinearnest!Pyotr
Stepanovitehcriedhysterically.

Stay!Iwanttoputatthetopafacewiththetongueout.

Ech,whatnonsense,criedPyotrStepanovitehcrossly,youcanexpressallthatwithoutthe
drawing,bythetone.

Bythetone?That'strue.Yes,bythetone,bythetoneofit.Dictate,thetone.

I, Alexey Kirillov, Pyotr Stepanoviteh dictated firmly and peremptorily, bending over
Kirillov'sshoulderandfollowingeveryletterwhichthelatterformedwithahandtrembling
withexcitement,I,Kirillov,declarethattoday,thethOctober,atabouteighto'clockin
theevening,IkilledthestudentShatovintheparkforturningtraitorandgivinginformation
ofthemanifestoesandofFedka,whohasbeenlodgingwithusfortendaysinFilipov'shouse.
Iamshootingmyselftodaywithmyrevolver,notbecauseIrepentandamafraidofyou,but
becausewhenIwasabroadImadeupmymindtoputanendtomylife.

Isthatall?criedKirillovwithsurpriseandindignation.Notanotherword,criedPyotr
Stepanovitch,wavinghishand,attemptingtosnatchthedocumentfromhim.

Stay.Kirillovputhishandfirmlyonthepaper.Stay,it'snonsense!Iwanttosaywith
whomIkilledhim.WhyFedka?Andwhataboutthefire?IwantitallandIwanttobe
abusiveintone,too,intone!

Enough,Kirillov,Iassureyouit'senough,criedPyotrStepanovitchalmostimploringly,
tremblinglestheshouldtearupthepaper;thattheymaybelieveyou,youmustsayitas
obscurelyaspossible,justlikethat,simplyinhints.Youmustonlygivethemapeepofthe
truth,justenoughtotantalisethem.They'lltellastorybetterthanours,andofcoursethey'll
believethemselvesmorethantheywouldus;andyouknow,it'sbetterthananythingbetter
thananything!Letmehaveit,it'ssplendidasitis;giveittome,giveittome!

Andhekepttryingtosnatchthepaper.Kirillovlistenedopeneyedandappearedtobetrying
toreflect,butheseemedbeyondunderstandingnow.

Damnitall,PyotrStepanovitchcriedallatonce,illhumouredly,hehasn'tsignedit!Why
areyoustaringlikethat?Sign!

Iwanttoabusethem,mutteredKirillov.Hetookthepen,however,andsigned.Iwantto
abusethem.

Write'Vivelarepublique,'andthatwillbeenough.

Bravo!Kirillovalmostbellowedwithdelight.'Vivelarepubliquedemocratiquesocialeet
universelleoulamart!' No,no,that'snotit.'Liberte,egalite,fraterniteoulamort.' There,
that'sbetter,that'sbetter.Hewroteitgleefullyunderhissignature.

Enough,enough,repeatedPyotrStepanovitch.

Stay,alittlemore.I'llsignitagaininFrench,youknow.'DeKirilloff,gentilhommerusseet
citoyendumonde.'Haha!Hewentoffinapealoflaughter.No,no,no;stay.I'vefound
something better than all. Eureka! 'Gentilhomme, seminariste russe et citoyen du monde
civilise!'That'sbetterthanany....Hejumpedupfromthesofaandsuddenly,witharapid
gesture,snatcheduptherevolverfromthewindow,ranwithitintothenextroom,andclosed
thedoorbehindhim.

PyotrStepanovitchstoodforamoment,ponderingandgazingatthedoor.

Ifhedoesitatonce,perhapshe'lldoit,butifhebeginsthinking,nothingwillcomeofit.

Meanwhile he took up the paper, sat down, and looked at it again. The wording of the
documentpleasedhimagain.

What'sneededforthemoment?What'swantedistothrowthemalloffthescentandkeep
thembusyforatime.Thepark?There'snoparkinthetownandthey'llguessitsSkvoreshniki
ofthemselves.Butwhiletheyarearrivingatthat,timewillbepassing;thenthesearchwill
taketimetoo;thenwhentheyfindthebodyitwillprovethatthestoryistrue,anditwill
follow that's it all true, that it's true about Fedka too. And Fedka explains the fire, the
Lebyadkins;sothatitwasallbeinghatchedhere,atFilipov's,whiletheyoverlookeditand
sawnothingthatwillquiteturntheirheads!Theywillneverthinkofthequintet;Shatovand
KirillovandFedkaandLebyadkin,andwhytheykilledeachotherthatwillbeanother
questionforthem.Oh,damnitall,Idon'theartheshot!

Thoughhehadbeenreadingandadmiringthewordingofit,hehadbeenlisteninganxiously
allthetime,andhesuddenlyflewintoarage.Helookedanxiouslyathiswatch;itwasgetting
lateanditwasfullytenminutessinceKirillovhadgoneout....Snatchingupthecandle,he
wenttothedooroftheroomwhereKirillovhadshuthimselfup.Hewasjustatthedoorwhen
thethoughtstruckhimthatthecandlehadburntout,thatitwouldnotlastanothertwenty
minutes,andthattherewasnootherintheroom.Hetookholdofthehandleandlistened
warily;hedidnotheartheslightestsound.Hesuddenlyopenedthedoorandliftedupthe
candle:somethingutteredaroarandrushedathim.Heslammedthedoorwithallhismight
andpressedhisweightagainstit;butallsoundsdiedawayandagaintherewasdeathlike
stillness.

Hestoodforalongwhileirresolute,withthecandleinhishand.Hehadbeenabletoseevery
littleinthesecondheheldthedooropen,buthehadcaughtaglimpseofthefaceofKirillov
standingattheotherendoftheroombythewindow,andthesavagefurywithwhichthelatter
hadrusheduponhim.PyotrStepanovitchstarted,rapidlysetthecandleonthetable,made
readyhisrevolver,andretreatedontiptoetothefarthestcorneroftheroom,sothatifKirillov
openedthedoorandrusheduptothetablewiththerevolverhewouldstillhavetimetobethe
firsttoaimandfire.

PyotrStepanovitchhadbynowlostallfaithinthesuicide.Hewasstandinginthemiddleof
theroom,thinking,flashedlikeawhirlwindthroughPyotrStepanovitch'smind,andthe
roomwasdarkandhorribletoo....Heroaredandrushedatme.Therearetwopossibilities:
eitherIinterruptedhimattheverysecondwhenhewaspullingthetriggeror...orhewas
standingplanninghowtokillme.Yes,that'sit,hewasplanningit....HeknowsIwon'tgo
awaywithoutkillinghimifhefunksithimselfsothathewouldhavetokillmefirstto
preventmykillinghim....Andagain,againthereissilence.Iamreallyfrightened:hemay
openthedoorallofasudden....ThenuisanceofitisthathebelievesinGodlikeany
priest....Hewon'tshoothimselfforanything!Therearelotsofthesepeoplenowadays
'who'vecometoitofthemselves.'Arottenlot!Oh,damnit,thecandle,thecandle!It'llgoout
withinaquarterofanhourforcertain....Imustputastoptoit;comewhatmay,Imustputa
stoptoit....NowIcankillhim....Withthatdocumentherenoonewouldthinkofmy
killinghim.Icanputhiminsuchanattitudeohthefloorwithanunloadedrevolverinhis
handthatthey'dbecertainhe'ddoneithimself....Ach,damnit!howisonetokillhim?IfI
openthedoorhe'llrushoutagainandshootmefirst.Damnitall,he'llbesuretomiss!

Hewasinagonies,tremblingatthenecessityofactionandhisownindecision.Atlasthetook
upthecandleandagainapproachedthedoorwiththerevolverheldupinreadiness;heputhis
lefthand,inwhichheheldthecandle,onthedoorhandle.Buthemanagedawkwardly:the
handleclanked,therewasarattleandacreak.Hewillfirestraightway,flashedthrough
PyotrStepanovitch'smind.Withhisfootheflungthedooropenviolently,raisedthecandle,
andheldouttherevolver;butnoshotnorcrycamefromwithin....Therewasnooneinthe
room.

Hestarted.Theroomlednowhere.Therewasnoexit,nomeansofescapefromit.Helifted
thecandlehigherandlookedabouthimmoreattentively:therewascertainlynoone.He
calledKirillov'snameinalowvoice,thenagainlouder;nooneanswered.
Canhehavegotoutbythewindow?Thecasementinonewindowwas,infact,open.
Absurd!Hecouldn'thavegotawaythrough,thecasement.PyotrStepanovitchcrossedthe
roomandwentuptothewindow.Hecouldn'tpossibly.Allatonceheturnedroundquickly
andwasaghastatsomethingextraordinary.

Againstthewallfacingthewindowsontherightofthedoorstoodacupboard.Ontheright
sideofthiscupboard,inthecornerformedbythecupboardandthewall,stoodKirillov,and
hewasstandinginaverystrangeway;motionless,perfectlyerect,withhisarmsheldstifflyat
hissides,hisheadraisedandpressedtightlybackagainstthewallintheverycorner,he
seemedtobetryingtoconcealandeffacehimself.Everythingseemedtoshowthathewas
hiding,yetsomehowitwasnoteasytobelieveit.PyotrStepanovitchwasstandingalittle
sidewaystothecorner,andcouldonlyseetheprojectingpartsofthefigure.Hecouldnot
bringhimselftomovetothelefttogetafullviewofKirillovandsolvethemystery.Hisheart
beganbeatingviolently,andhefeltasuddenrushofblindfury:hestartedfromwherehe
stood,and,shoutingandstampingwithhisfeet,herushedtothehorribleplace.

ButwhenhereachedKirillovhestoppedshortagain,stillmoreovercome,horrorstricken.
Whatstruckhimmostwasthat,inspiteofhisshoutandhisfuriousrush,thefiguredidriot
stir,didnotmoveinasinglelimbasthoughitwereofstoneorofwax.Thepallorofthe
facewasunnatural,theblackeyeswerequiteunmovingandwerestaringawayatapointin
thedistance.PyotrStepanovitchloweredthecandleandraiseditagain,lightingupthefigure
fromallpointsofviewandscrutinisingit.Hesuddenlynoticedthat,althoughKirillovwas
lookingstraightbeforehim,hecouldseehimandwasperhapswatchinghimoutofthecorner
ofhiseye.Thentheideaoccurredtohimtoholdthecandlerightuptothewretch'sface,to
scorchhimandseewhathewoulddo.HesuddenlyfanciedthatKirillov'schintwitchedand
thatsomethinglikeamockingsmilepassedoverhislipsasthoughhehadguessedPyotr
Stepanovitch'sthought. Heshudderedarid,beside himself, clutchedviolentlyat Kirillov's
shoulder.

ThensomethinghappenedsohideousandsosoonoverthatPyotrStepanovitchcouldnever
afterwardsrecoveracoherentimpressionofit.HehadhardlytouchedKirillovwhenthelatter
bentdownquicklyandwithhisheadknockedthecandleoutofPyotrStepanovitch'shand;the
candlestickfellwithaclangonthegroundandthecandlewentout.Atthesamemomenthe
wasconsciousofafearfulpaininthelittlefingerofhislefthand.Hecriedout,andallthathe
couldrememberwasthat,besidehimself,hehitoutwithallhismightandstruckthreeblows
withtherevolverontheheadofKirillov,whohadbentdowntohimandhadbittenhisfinger.
Atlasthetoreawayhisfingerandrushedheadlongtogetoutofthehouse,feelinghiswayin
thedark.Hewaspursuedbyterribleshoutsfromtheroom.

Directly,directly,directly,directly.Tentimes.Buthestillranon,andwasrunningintothe
porchwhenhesuddenlyheardaloudshot.Thenhestoppedshortinthedarkporchandstood
deliberatingforfiveminutes;atlasthemadehiswaybackintothehouse.Buthehadtoget
thecandle.Hehadonlytofeelonthefloorontherightofthecupboardforthecandlestick;
buthowwashetolightthecandle?Theresuddenlycameintohismindavaguerecollection:
herecalledthatwhenhehadrunintothekitchenthedaybeforetoattackFedkahehad
noticedinpassingalargeredboxofmatchesinacorneronashelf.Feelingwithhishands,he
madehiswaytothedoorontheleftleadingtothekitchen,foundit,crossedthepassage,and
wentdownthesteps.Ontheshelf,ontheveryspotwherehehadjustrecalledseeingit,hefelt
inthedarkafullunopenedboxofmatches.Hehurriedlywentupthestepsagainwithout
strikingalight,anditwasonlywhenhewasnearthecupboard,atthespotwherehehad
struckKirillovwiththerevolverandbeenbittenbyhim,thatherememberedhisbittenfinger,
andatthesameinstantwasconsciousthatitwasunbearablypainful.Clenchinghisteeth,he
managedsomehowtolightthecandleend,setitinthecandlestickagain,andlookedabout
him:neartheopencasement,withhisfeettowardstherighthandcorner,laythedeadbodyof
Kirillov.Theshothadbeenfiredattherighttempleandthebullethadcomeoutatthetopon
theleft,shatteringtheskull.Thereweresplashesofbloodandbrains.Therevolverwasstillin
thesuicide'shandonthefloor.Deathmusthavebeeninstantaneous.Afteracarefullook
round,PyotrStepanovitchgotupandwentoutontiptoe,closedthedoor,leftthecandleon
thetableintheouterroom,thoughtamoment,andresolvednottoputitout,reflectingthatit
couldnotpossiblysetfiretoanything.Lookingoncemoreatthedocumentleftonthetable,
hesmiledmechanicallyandthenwentoutofthehouse,stillforsomereasonwalkingon
tiptoe.HecreptthroughFedka'sholeagainandcarefullyreplacedthepostsafterhim.

III

PreciselyattenminutestosixPyotrStepanovitchandErkelwerewalkingupanddownthe
platformattherailwaystationbesidearatherlongtrain.PyotrStepanovitchwassettingoft
andErkelwassayinggoodbyetohim.Theluggagewasin,andhisbagwasintheseathehad
takeninasecondclasscarriage.Thefirstbellhadrungalready;theywerewaitingforthe
second.PyotrStepanovitchlookedabouthim,openlywatchingthepassengersastheygotinto
thetrain.Buthedidnotmeetanyoneheknewwell;onlytwicehenoddedtoacquaintances
amerchantwhomheknewslightly,andthenayoungvillagepriestwhowasgoingtohis
parishtwostationsaway.Erkelevidentlywantedtospeakofsomethingofimportanceinthe
lastmoments,thoughpossiblyhedidnothimselfknowexactlyofwhat,buthecouldnot
bringhimselftobegin!HekeptfancyingthatPyotrStepanovitchseemedanxioustogetridof
himandwasimpatientforthelastbell.

Youlookateveryonesoopenly,heobservedwithsometimidity,asthoughhewouldhave
warnedhim.

Whynot?Itwouldnotdoformetoconcealmyselfatpresent.It'stoosoon.Don'tbeuneasy.
AllIamafraidofisthatthedevilmightsendLiputinthisway;hemightscentmeoutand
raceoffhere.

PyotrStepanovitch,theyarenottobetrusted,Erkelbroughtoutresolutely.Liputin?

Noneofthem,PyotrStepanovitch.

Nonsense!theyareallboundbywhathappenedyesterday.Thereisn'tonewhowouldturn
traitor.Peoplewon'tgotocertaindestructionunlessthey'velosttheirreason.
PyotrStepanovitch,buttheywilllosetheirreason.Evidentlythatideahadalreadyoccurred
toPyotrStepanovitchtoo,andsoErkel'sobservationirritatedhimthemore.

Youarenotinafunktoo,areyou,Erkel?Irelyonyoumorethanonanyofthem.I'veseen
nowwhateachofthemisworth.TellthemtodayallI'vetoldyou.Ileavetheminyour
charge. Go round to each of them this morning. Read them my written instructions to
morrow,orthedayafter,whenyouarealltogetherandtheyarecapableoflisteningagain...
andbelieveme,theywillbebytomorrow,forthey'llbeinanawfulfunk,andthatwillmake
themassoftaswax....Thegreatthingisthatyoushouldn'tbedownhearted.

Ach,PyotrStepanovitch,itwouldbebetterifyouweren'tgoingaway.

ButIamonlygoingforafewdays;Ishallbebackinnotime.

PyotrStepanovitch,Erkelbroughtoutwarilybutresolutely,whatifyouweregoingto
Petersburg?Ofcourse,Iunderstandthatyouareonlydoingwhat'snecessaryforthecause.

Iexpectedasmuchfromyou,Erkel.IfyouhaveguessedthatIamgoingtoPetersburgyou
canrealisethatIcouldn'ttellthemyesterday,atthatmoment,thatIwasgoingsofarforfear
offrighteningthem.Yousawforyourselfwhatastatetheywerein.ButyouunderstandthatI
amgoingforthecause,forworkofthefirstimportance,forthecommoncause,andnotto
savemyskin,asLiputinimagines.

Pyotr Stepanovitch, what if you were going abroad? I should understand ... I should
understand that you must be careful of yourself because you are everything and we are
nothing.Ishallunderstand,PyotrStepanovitch.Thepoorboy'svoiceactuallyquivered.

Thankyou,Erkel....Aie,you'vetouchedmybadfinger.(Erkelhadpressedhishand
awkwardly;thebadfingerwasdiscreetlyboundupinblacksilk.)ButItellyoupositively
againthatIamgoingtoPetersburgonlytosniffround,andperhapsshallonlybetherefor
twentyfour hours and then back here again at once. When I come back I shall stay at
Gaganov'scountryplaceforthesakeofappearances.Ifthereisanynotionofdanger,Ishould
bethefirsttotaketheleadandshareit.IfIstaylonger,inPetersburgI'llletyouknowatonce
...inthewaywe'vearranged,andyou'lltellthem.Thesecondbellrang.

Ah,thenthere'sonlyfive,minutesbeforethetrainstarts.Idon'twantthegroupheretobreak
up,youknow.Iamnotafraid;don'tbeanxiousaboutme.Ihaveplentyofsuchcentres,and
it'snotmuchconsequence;butthere'snoharminhayingasmanycentresaspossible.ButI
amquiteateaseaboutyou,thoughIamleavingyoualmostalonewiththoseidiots.Don'tbe
uneasy;theywon'tturntraitor,theywon'thavethepluck....Haha,yougoingtodaytoo?
hecriedsuddenlyinaquitedifferent,cheerfulvoicetoaveryyoungman,whocameupgaily
togreethim.Ididn'tknowyouweregoingbytheexpresstoo.Whereareyouoffto...your
mother's?

Themotheroftheyoungmanwasaverywealthylandownerinaneighbouringprovince,and
theyoungmanwasadistantrelationofYuliaMihailovna'sandhadbeenstayingabouta
fortnightinourtown.

No, I am going farther, to R. I've eight hours to live through in the train. Off to
Petersburg?laughedtheyoungman.

WhatmakesyousupposeImustbegoingtoPetersburg?saidPyotrStepanovitch,laughing
evenmoreopenly.

Theyoungmanshookhisglovedfingerathim.

Well,you'veguessedright,PyotrStepanovitchwhisperedtohimmysteriously.Iamgoing
withlettersfromYuliaMihailovnaandhavetocallonthreeorfourpersonages,asyoucan
imaginebotherthemall,tospeakcandidly.It'sabeastlyjob!

Butwhyissheinsuchapanic?Tellme,theyoungmanwhisperedtoo.Shewouldn'tsee
evenmeyesterday.Idon'tthinkshehasanythingtofearforherhusband,quitethecontrary;
hefelldownsocreditablyatthefirereadytosacrificehislife,sotospeak.

Well,thereitis,laughedPyotrStepanovitch.Yousee,sheisafraidthatpeoplemayhave
writtenfromherealready...thatis,somegentlemen....Thefactis,Stavroginisatthe
bottomofit,orratherPrinceK....Ech,it'salongstory;I'lltellyousomethingaboutiton
thejourneyifyoulikeasfarasmychivalrousfeelingswillallowme,atleast....Thisismy
relation,LieutenantErkel,wholivesdownhere.

Theyoungman,whohadbeenstealthilyglancingatErkel,touchedhishat;Erkelmadea
bow.

ButIsay,Verhovensky,eighthoursinthetrainisanawfulordeal.Berestov,thecolonel,an
awfullyfunnyfellow,istravellingwithmeinthefirstclass.Heisaneighbourofoursinthe
country,andhiswifeisaGarin (nee deGarine),andyouknowheisaverydecentfellow.
He'sgotideastoo.He'sonlybeenhereacoupleofdays.He'spassionatelyfondofwhist;
couldn'twegetupagame,eh?I'vealreadyfixedonafourth

Pripuhlov,ourmerchantfromTwithabeard,amillionaire.Imeanit,arealmillionaire;
youcantakemywordforit....I'llintroduceyou;heisaveryinterestingmoneybag.Weshall
havealaugh.

Ishallbedelighted,andIamawfullyfondofcardsinthetrain,butIamgoingsecondclass.

Nonsense,that'snomatter.Getinwithus.I'lltellthemdirectlytomoveyoutothefirstclass.
ThechiefguardwoulddoanythingItellhim.Whathaveyougot?...abag?arug?

Firstrate.Comealong!

Pyotr Stepanovitch took his bag, his rug, and his book, and at once and with alacrity
transferredhimselftothefirstclass.Erkelhelpedhim.Thethirdbellrang.

Well,Erkel.Hurriedly,andwithapreoccupiedair,PyotrStepanovitchheldouthishand
fromthewindowforthelasttime.Yousee,Iamsittingdowntocardswiththem.

Whyexplain,PyotrStepanovitch?Iunderstand,Iunderstanditall!

Well,aurevoir,PyotrStepanovitchturnedawaysuddenlyonhisnamebeingcalledbythe
youngman,whowantedtointroducehimtohispartners.AndErkelsawnothingmoreof
PyotrStepanovitch.

Hereturnedhomeverysad.NotthathewasalarmedatPyotrStepanovitch'sleavingthemso
suddenly,but...hehadturnedawayfromhimsoquicklywhenthatyoungswellhadcalledto
himand...hemighthavesaidsomethingdifferenttohim,notAurevoir,or...oratleast
have pressed his hand more warmly. That last was bitterest of all. Something else was
beginningtognawinhispoorlittleheart,somethingwhichhecouldnotunderstandhimself
yet,somethingconnectedwiththeeveningbefore.

CHAPTERVII.STEPANTROFIMOVITCH'SLASTWANDERING

IampersuadedthatStepanTrofimovitchwasterriblyfrightenedashefeltthetimefixedfor
hisinsaneenterprisedrawingnear.Iamconvincedthathesuffereddreadfullyfromterror,
especiallyonthenightbeforehestartedthatawfulnight.Nastasyamentionedafterwards
thathehadgonetobedlateandfallenasleep.Butthatprovesnothing;mensentencedtodeath
sleepverysoundly,theysay,eventhenightbeforetheirexecution.Thoughhesetoffby
daylight,whenanervousmanisalwaysalittlemoreconfident(andthemajor,Virginsky's
relative,usedtogiveupbelievinginGodeverymorningwhenthenightwasover),yetIam
convincedhecouldnever,withouthorror,haveimaginedhimselfaloneonthehighroadin
suchaposition.Nodoubtacertaindesperationinhisfeelingssoftenedatfirsttheterrible
sensation of sudden solitude in which he at once found himself as soon as he had left
Nastasya,andthecornerinwhichhehadbeenwarmandsnugfortwentyyears.Butitmade
nodifference;evenwiththeclearestrecognitionofallthehorrorsawaitinghimhewould
have gone out to the high road and walked along it! There was something proud in the
undertakingwhichalluredhiminspiteofeverything.Oh,hemighthaveacceptedVarvara
Petrovna'sluxuriousprovisionandhaveremainedlivingonhercharity,commeunhumble
dependent.Buthehadnotacceptedhercharityandwasnotremaining!Andherehewas
leavingherofhimself,andholdingaloftthestandardofagreatidea,andgoingtodieforit
ontheopenroad.Thatishowhemusthavebeenfeeling;that'showhisactionmusthave
appearedtohim.

Anotherquestionpresenteditselftomemorethanonce.Whydidherunaway,thatis,literally
runawayonfoot,ratherthansimplydriveaway?Iputitdownatfirsttotheimpracticability
offiftyyearsandthefantasticbentofhismindundertheinfluenceofstrongemotion.I
imaginedthatthethoughtofpostingticketsandhorses(eveniftheyhadbells)wouldhave
seemed too simple and prosaic to him; a pilgrimage, on the other hand, even under an
umbrella,waseversomuchmorepicturesqueandincharacterwithloveandresentment.But
nowthateverythingisover,Iaminclinedtothinkthatitallcameaboutinamuchsimpler
way.Tobeginwith,hewasafraidtohirehorsesbecauseVarvaraPetrovnamighthaveheard
ofitandpreventedhimfromgoingbyforce;whichshecertainlywouldhavedone,andhe
certainlywouldhavegivenin,andthenfarewelltothegreatideaforever.Besides,totake
ticketsforanywherehemusthaveknownatleastwherehewasgoing.Buttothinkaboutthat
wasthegreatestagonytohimatthatmoment;hewasutterlyunabletofixuponaplace.Forif
hehadtofixonanyparticulartownhisenterprisewouldatoncehaveseemedinhisowneyes
absurdandimpossible;hefeltthatverystrongly.Whatshouldhedointhatparticulartown
ratherthaninanyother?Lookoutforcemarchand?Butwhatmarchand?Atthatpointhis
secondandmostterriblequestioncroppedup.Inrealitytherewasnothinghedreadedmore
thancemarchand,whomhehadrushedofftoseeksorecklessly,though,ofcourse,hewas
terriblyafraidoffindinghim.No,bettersimplythehighroad,bettersimplytosetoffforit,
andwalkalongitandtothinkofnothingsolongashecouldputoffthinking.Thehighroadis
somethingveryverylong,ofwhichonecannotseetheendlikehumanlife,likehuman
dreams.Thereisanideaintheopenroad,butwhatsortofideaisthereintravellingwith
postingtickets?Postingticketsmeananendtoideas.VivelagranderouteandthenasGod
wills.

AfterthesuddenandunexpectedinterviewwithLizawhichIhavedescribed,herushedon,
morelostinforgetfulnessthanever.ThehighroadpassedhalfamilefromSkvoreshnikiand,
strangetosay,hewasnotatfirstawarethathewasonit.Logicalreasoningorevendistinct
consciousnesswasunbearabletohimatthismoment.Afinerainkeptdrizzling,ceasing,and
drizzlingagain;buthedidnotevennoticetherain.Hedidnotevennoticeeitherhowhe
threwhisbagoverhisshoulder,norhowmuchmorecomfortablyhewalkedwithitso.He
musthavewalkedlikethatfornearlyamileorsowhenhesuddenlystoodstillandlooked
round.Theoldroad,black,markedwithwheelrutsandplantedwithwillowsoneachside,
ranbeforehimlikeanendlessthread;ontherighthandwerebareplainsfromwhichthe
harvesthadlongagobeencarried;onthelefttherewerebushesandinthedistancebeyond
themacopse.

Andfar,farawayascarcelyperceptiblelineoftherailway,runningaslant,andonitthe
smokeofatrain,butnosoundwasheard.StepanTrofimovitchfeltalittletimid,butonlyfor
amoment.Heheavedavaguesigh,putdownhisbagbesideawillow,andsatdowntorest.
Ashemovedtositdownhewasconsciousofbeingchillyandwrappedhimselfinhisrug;
noticingatthesametimethatitwasraining,heputuphisumbrella.Hesatlikethatforsome
time,movinghislipsfromtimetotimeandfirmlygraspingtheumbrellahandle.Imagesofall
sortspassedinfeverishprocessionbeforehim,rapidlysucceedingoneanotherinhismind.

Lise,Lise,hethought,andwithherceMaurice....Strangepeople....Butwhatwasthe
strangefire,andwhatweretheytalkingabout,andwhoweremurdered?IfancyNastasyahas
notfoundoutyetandisstillwaitingformewithmycoffee...cards?DidIreallylosemenat
cards?H'm!AmongusinRussiainthetimesofserfdom,socalled....MyGod,yes
Fedka!
He started all over with terror and looked about him. What if that Fedka is in hiding
somewherebehindthebushes?Theysayhehasaregularbandofrobbershereonthehigh
road.Oh,mercy,I...I'lltellhimthewholetruththen,thatIwastoblame...andthatI've
beenmiserableabouthimfortenyears.Moremiserablethanhewasasasoldier,and...I'll
givehimmypurse.H'm!J'aientoutquaranteroubles;ilprendralesroublesetilmetuera
toutdememe.

Inhispanicheforsomereasonshutuptheumbrellaandlaiditdownbesidehim.Acartcame
intosightonthehighroadinthedistancecomingfromthetown.

GraceaDieu,that'sacartandit'scomingatawalkingpace;thatcan'tbedangerous.The
wretchedlittlehorseshere...Ialwayssaidthatbreed...ItwasPyotrIlyitchthough,hetalked
attheclubabouthorsebreedingandItrumpedhim,etpuis...butwhat'sthatbehind?...I
believethere'sawomaninthecart.Apeasantandawoman,celacommencedetrerassurant.
Thewomanbehindandthemaninfrontc'esttresrassurant.There'sacowbehindthecart
tiedbythehorns,c'estrassurantauplushautdegre.

Thecartreachedhim;itwasafairlysolidpeasantcart.Thewomanwassittingonatightly
stuffedsackandthemanonthefrontofthecartwithhislegshangingovertowardsStepan
Trofimovitch.Aredcowwas,infact,shamblingbehind,tiedbythehornstothecart.The
manandthewomangazedopeneyedatStepanTrofimovitch,andStepanTrofimovitchgazed
backatthemwithequalwonder,butafterhehadletthempasstwentypaces,hegotup
hurriedlyallofasuddenandwalkedafterthem.Intheproximityofthecartitwasnaturalthat
heshouldfeelsafer,butwhenhehadovertakenithebecameobliviousofeverythingagain
and sank back into his disconnected thoughts and fancies. He stepped along with no
suspicion,ofcourse,thatforthetwopeasantshewasatthatinstantthemostmysteriousand
interestingobjectthatonecouldmeetonthehighroad.

Whatsortmayyoube,pray,ifit'snotunciviltoask?thewomancouldnotresistaskingat
lastwhenStepanTrofimovitchglancedabsentmindedlyather.Shewasawomanofabout
sevenandtwenty,sturdilybuilt,withblackeyebrows,rosycheeks,andafriendlysmileonher
redlips,betweenwhichgleamedwhiteeventeeth.

You...youareaddressingme?mutteredStepanTrofimovitchwithmournfulwonder.

Amerchant,forsure,thepeasantobservedconfidently.Hewasawellgrownmanofforty
withabroadandintelligentface,framedinareddishbeard.

No,Iamnotexactlyamerchant,I...I...moic'estautrechose.StepanTrofimovitchparried
thequestionsomehow,andtobeonthesafesidehedroppedbackalittlefromthecart,sothat
hewaswalkingonalevelwiththecow.

Mustbeagentleman,themandecided,hearingwordsnotRussian,andhegaveatugatthe
horse.
That's what set us wondering. You are out for a walk seemingly? the woman asked
inquisitivelyagain.

You...youaskme?

Foreignerscomefromotherpartssometimesbythetrain;yourbootsdon'tseemtobefrom
hereabouts....

Theyarearmyboots,themanputincomplacentlyandsignificantly.

No,Iamnotpreciselyinthearmy,I...

Whataninquisitivewoman!StepanTrofimovitchmusedwithvexation.Andhowthey
stareatme...maisenfin.Infact,it'sstrangethatIfeel,asitwere,consciencestrickenbefore
them,andyetI'vedonethemnoharm.

Thewomanwaswhisperingtotheman.

Ifit'snooffence,we'dgiveyoualiftifsobeit'sagreeable.

StepanTrofimovitchsuddenlyrousedhimself.

Yes,yes,myfriends,Iacceptitwithpleasure,forI'mverytired;buthowamItogetin?

Howwonderfulitis,hethoughttohimself,thatI'vebeenwalkingsolongbesidethatcow
anditneverenteredmyheadtoaskthemforalift.This'reallife'hassomethingveryoriginal
aboutit.

Butthepeasanthadnot,however,pulledupthehorse.

Butwhereareyouboundfor?heaskedwithsomemistrustfulness.

StepanTrofimovitchdidnotunderstandhimatonce.

ToHatovo,Isuppose?

Hatov?No,nottoHatov'sexactly?...AndIdon'tknowhimthoughI'veheardofhim.

ThevillageofHatovo,thevillage,sevenmilesfromhere.

Avillage?C'estcharmant,tobesureI'veheardofit....

StepanTrofimovitchwasstillwalking,theyhadnotyettakenhimintothecart.Aguessthat
wasastrokeofgeniusflashedthroughhismind.

YouthinkperhapsthatIam...I'vegotapassportandIamaprofessor,thatis,ifyoulike,a
teacher...butaheadteacher.Iamaheadteacher.Oui,c'estcommecaqu'onpenttraduire.I
shouldbeverygladofaliftandI'llbuyyou...I'llbuyyouaquartofvodkaforit.

It'llbehalfarouble,sir;it'sabadroad.

Oritwouldn'tbefairtoourselves,putinthewoman.

Halfarouble?Verygoodthen,halfarouble. C'estencore mieux;faientout quarante

roublesmais...

ThepeasantstoppedthehorseandbytheirunitedeffortsStepanTrofimovitchwasdragged
intothecart,andseatedonthesackbythewoman.Hewasstillpursuedbythesamewhirlof
ideas.Sometimeshewasawarehimselfthathewasterriblyabsentminded,andthathewas
notthinkingofwhatheoughttobethinkingofandwonderedatit.Thisconsciousnessof
abnormalweaknessofmindbecameatmomentsverypainfulandevenhumiliatingtohim.

How...howisthisyou'vegotacowbehind?hesuddenlyaskedthewoman.

Whatdoyoumean,sir,asthoughyou'dneverseenone,laughedthewoman.

Weboughtitinthetown,thepeasantputin.Ourcattlediedlastspring...theplague.All
thebeastshavediedroundus,allofthem.Therearen'thalfofthemleft,it'sheartbreaking.

Andagainhelashedthehorse,whichhadgotstuckinarut.

Yes,thatdoeshappenamongyouinRussia...ingeneralweRussians...Well,yes,it
happens,StepanTrofimovitchbrokeoff.

Ifyouareateacher,whatareyougoingtoHatovofor?Maybeyouaregoingonfarther.

I...I'mnotgoingfartherprecisely....C'estddire,I'mgoingtoamerchant's.

ToSpasov,Isuppose?

Yes,yes,toSpasov.Butthat'snomatter.

IfyouaregoingtoSpasovandonfoot,itwilltakeyouaweekinyourboots,laughedthe
woman.

Idaresay,Idaresay,nomatter, mesamis, nomatter.StepanTrofimovitchcuthershort

impatiently.

Awfullyinquisitivepeople;butthewomanspeaksbetterthanhedoes,andInoticethatsince
February19,*theirlanguagehasalteredalittle,and...andwhatbusinessisitofmine
whetherI'mgoingtoSpasovornot?Besides,I'llpaythem,sowhydotheypesterme.

IfyouaregoingtoSpasov,youmusttakethesteamer,thepeasantpersisted.
.That'strueindeed,thewomanputinwithanimation,forifyoudrivealongthebankit's
twentyfivemilesoutoftheway.

Thirtyfive.

You'll just catch the steamer at Ustyevo at two o'clock tomorrow, the woman decided
finally. But Stepan Trofimovitch was obstinately silent. His questioners, too, sank into
silence.Thepeasanttuggedathishorseatrareintervals;thepeasantwomanexchangedbrief
remarkswithhim.StepanTrofimovitchfellintoadoze.Hewastremendouslysurprisedwhen
thewoman,laughing,gavehimapokeandhefoundhimselfinaratherlargevillageatthe
doorofacottagewiththreewindows.

You'vehadanap,sir?

Whatisit?WhereamI?Ah,yes!Well...nevermind,sighedStepanTrofimovitch,andhe
gotoutofthecart.

Helookedabouthimmournfully;thevillagesceneseemedstrangetohimandsomehow
terriblyremote.

*February19,1861,thedayoftheEmancipationoftheSerfs,ismeant.Translator'snote.

Andthehalfrouble,Iwasforgettingit!hesaidtothepeasant,turningtohimwithan
excessivelyhurriedgesture;hewasevidentlybynowafraidtopartfromthem.

We'llsettleindoors,walkin,thepeasantinvitedhim.

It'scomfortableinside,thewomansaidreassuringly.

StepanTrofimovitchmountedtheshakysteps.Howcanitbe?hemurmuredinprofound
andapprehensiveperplexity.Hewentintothecottage,however.EllePavouluhefeltastab
athisheartandagainhebecameobliviousofeverything,evenofthefactthathehadgone
intothecottage.

Itwasalightandfairlycleanpeasant'scottage,withthreewindowsandtworooms;not
exactlyaninn,butacottageatwhichpeoplewhoknewtheplacewereaccustomedtostop
ontheirwaythroughthevillage.StepanTrofimovitch,quiteunembarrassed,wenttothe
foremost corner; forgot to greet anyone, sat down and sank into thought. Meanwhile a
sensationofwarmth,extremelyagreeableafterthreehoursoftravellinginthedamp,was
suddenlydiffusedthroughouthisperson.Eventheslightshiversthatspasmodicallyrandown
hisspinesuchasalwaysoccurinparticularlynervouspeoplewhentheyarefeverishand
have suddenly come into a Warm room from the coldbecame all at once strangely
agreeable.Heraisedhisheadandthedeliciousfragranceofthehotpancakeswithwhichthe
womanofthehousewasbusyatthestovetickledhisnostrils.Withachildlikesmilehe
leanedtowardsthewomanandsuddenlysaid:
What'sthat?Aretheypancakes?Mais...c'estcharmant.

Wouldyoulikesome,sir?thewomanpolitelyofferedhimatonce.

Ishouldlikesome,Icertainlyshould,and...mayIaskyouforsometeatoo,saidStepan
Trofimovitch,reviving.

Getthesamovar?Withthegreatestpleasure.

Onalargeplatewithabigbluepatternonitwereservedthepancakesregularpeasant
pancakes,thin,madehalfofwheat,coveredwithfreshhotbutter,mostdeliciouspancakes.
StepanTrofimovitchtastedthemwithrelish.

Howrichtheyareandhowgood!Andifonecouldonlyhaveundoigtd'eaudevie.

It'sadropofvodkayouwouldlike,sir,isn'tit?

Justso,justso,alittle,untoutpetitnew,

Fivefarthings'worth,Isuppose?

Five,yes,five,five,five, untoutpetitrien, StepanTrofimovitchassentedwithablissful

smile.

Askapeasanttodoanythingforyou,andifhecan,andwill,hewillserveyouwithcareand
friendliness;butaskhimtofetchyouvodkaandhishabitualserenityandfriendlinesswill
passatonceintoasortofjoyfulhasteandalacrity;hewillbeaskeeninyourinterestas
thoughyouwereoneofhisfamily.Thepeasantwhofetchesvodkaeventhoughyouare
goingtodrinkitandnotheandheknowsthatbeforehandseems,asitwere,tobeenjoying
partofyourfuturegratification.Withinthreeminutes(thetavernwasonlytwopacesaway),a
bottleandalargegreenishwineglassweresetonthetablebeforeStepanTrofimovitch.

Isthatallforme!Hewasextremelysurprised.I'vealwayshadvodkabutIneverknewyou
couldgetsomuchforfivefarthings.

Hefilledthewineglass,gotupandwithacertainsolemnitycrossedtheroomtotheother
cornerwherehisfellowtraveller,theblackbrowedpeasantwoman,whohadsharedthesack
withhimandbotheredhimwithherquestions,hadensconcedherself.Thewomanwastaken
aback,andbegantodecline,butafterhavingsaidallthatwasprescribedbypoliteness,she
stoodupanddrankitdecorouslyinthreesips,aswomendo,and,withanexpressionof
intensesufferingonherface,gavebackthewineglassandbowedtoStepanTrofimovitch.He
returnedthebowwithdignityandreturnedtothetablewithanexpressionofpositiveprideon
hiscountenance.

Allthiswasdoneontheinspirationofthemoment:asecondbeforehehadnoideathathe
wouldgoandtreatthepeasantwoman.
Iknowhowtogetonwithpeasantstoperfection,toperfection,andI'vealwaystoldthem
so,hethoughtcomplacently,pouringouttherestofthevodka;thoughtherewaslessthana
glassleft,itwarmedandrevivedhim,andevenwentalittletohishead.

Jesuismaladetoutafait,maiscen'estpastrapmauvaisd'etremalade.

Wouldyoucaretopurchase?agentlefemininevoiceaskedclosebyhim.

Heraisedhiseyesandtohissurprisesawaladyunedame,etdieenavaitPair,somewhat
overthirty,verymodestinappearance,dressednotlikeapeasant,inadarkgownwithagrey
shawlonhershoulders.TherewassomethingverykindlyinherfacewhichattractedStepan
Trofimovitchimmediately.Shehadonlyjustcomebacktothecottage,whereherthingshad
been left on a bench close by the place where Stepan Trofimovitch had seated himself.
Amongthemwasaportfolio,atwhichherememberedhehadlookedwithcuriosityongoing
in,andapack,notverylarge,ofAmericanleather.Fromthispackshetookouttwonicely
boundbookswithacrossengravedonthecover,andofferedthemtoStepanTrofimovitch.

Et...maisjecroisquec'estI'Evangile... withthegreatestpleasure....Ah,nowI
understand.... Vousetescequ'onappelle agospelwoman;I'vereadmorethanonce....
Halfarouble?

Thirtyfivekopecks,answeredthegospelwoman.Withthegreatestpleasure.Jen'airien
centrel'Evangile,andI'vebeenwantingtorereaditforalongtime....

Theideaoccurredtohimatthemomentthathehadnotreadthegospelforthirtyyearsat
least,andatmosthadrecalledsomepassagesofit,sevenyearsbefore,whenreadingKenan's
ViedeJesus.Ashehadnosmallchangehepulledouthisfourtenroublenotesallthathe
had.Thewomanofthehouseundertooktogetchange,andonlythenhenoticed,looking
round, that a good many people had come into the cottage, and that they had all been
watchinghimforsometimepast,andseemedtobetalkingabouthim.Theyweretalkingtoo
ofthefireinthetown,especiallytheownerofthecartwhohadonlyjustreturnedfromthe
townwiththecow.Theytalkedofarson,oftheShpigulinmen.

Hesaidnothingtomeaboutthefirewhenhebroughtmealong,althoughhetalkedof
everything,struckStepanTrofimovitchforsomereason.

Master,StepanTrofimovitch,sir,isityouIsee?Well,Inevershouldhavethoughtit!...
Don'tyouknowme?exclaimedamiddleagedmanwholookedlikeanoldfashionedhouse
serf, wearing no beard and dressed in an overcoat with a wide turndown collar. Stepan
Trofimovitchwasalarmedathearinghisownname.

Excuseme,hemuttered,Idon'tquiterememberyou.

Youdon'trememberme.IamAnisim,AnisimIvanov.Iusedtobeintheserviceofthelate
Mr. Gaganov, and many's the time I've seen you, sir, with Varvara Petrovna at the late
AvdotyaSergyevna's.Iusedtogotoyouwithbooksfromher,andtwiceIbroughtyou
Petersburgsweetsfromher....

Why,yes,Irememberyou,Anisim,saidStepanTrofimovitch,smiling.Doyoulivehere?

I live near Spasov, close to the V Monastery, in the service of Marta Sergyevna,
AvdotyaSergyevna'ssister.Perhapsyourhonourremembersher;shebrokeherlegfallingout
ofhercarriageonherwaytoaball.Nowherhonourlivesnearthemonastery,andIaminher
service.Andnowasyourhonoursees,Iamonmywaytothetowntoseemykinsfolk.

Quiteso,quiteso.

IfeltsopleasedwhenIsawyou,youusedtobesokindtome,Anisimsmileddelightedly.
Butwhereareyoutravellingto,sir,allbyyourselfasitseems....You'veneverbeena
journeyalone,Ifancy?

StepanTrofimovitchlookedathiminalarm.

Youaregoing,maybe,toourparts,toSpasov?

Yes,IamgoingtoSpasov.IlmesemblequetoutlemondevaaSpassof.

Youdon'tsayit'stoFyodorMatveyevitch's?Theywillbepleasedtoseeyou.Hehadsucha
respectforyouinolddays;heoftenspeaksofyounow.

Yes,yes,toFyodorMatveyevitch's.

Tobesure,tobesure.Thepeasantsherearewondering;theymakeouttheymetyou,sir,
walkingonthehighroad.Theyareafoolishlot.

I...I...Yes,youknow,Anisim,Imadeawager,youknow,likeanEnglishman,thatIwould
goonfootandI...

Theperspirationcameoutonhisforehead.

Tobesure,tobesure.Anisimlistenedwithmercilesscuriosity.ButStepanTrofimovitch
couldbearitnolonger.Hewassodisconcertedthathewasonthepointofgettingupand
goingoutofthecottage.Butthesamovarwasbroughtin,andatthesamemomentthegospel
woman,whohadbeenoutoftheroom,returned.Withtheairofamanclutchingatastrawhe
turnedtoherandofferedhertea.Anisimsubmittedandwalkedaway.

Thepeasantscertainlyhadbeguntofeelperplexed:Whatsortofpersonishe?Hewasfound
walkingonthehighroad,hesaysheisateacher,heisdressedlikeaforeigner,andhasno
moresensethanalittlechild;heanswersqueerlyasthoughhehadrunawayfromsomeone,
andhe'sgotmoney!Anideawasbeginningtogaingroundthatinformationmustbegivento
theauthorities,especiallyasthingsweren'tquiterightinthetown.ButAnisimsetallthat
rightinaminute.Goingintothepassageheexplainedtoeveryonewhocaredtolistenthat
StepanTrofimovitchwasnotexactlyateacherbutaverylearnedmanandbusywithvery
learnedstudies,andwasalandownerofthedistricthimself,andhadbeenlivingfortwenty
twoyearswithherexcellency,thegeneral'swidow,thestoutMadameStavrogin,andwasby
wayofbeingthemostimportantpersoninherhouse,andwasheldinthegreatestrespectby
everyoneinthetown.Heusedtolosebyfiftiesandhundredsinaneveningattheclubofthe
nobility,andinrankhewasacouncillor,whichwasequaltoalieutenantcolonelinthearmy,
whichwasnextdoortobeingacolonel.Asforhishavingmoney,hehadsomuchfromthe
stoutMadameStavroginthattherewasnoreckoningitandsoonandsoon.

Maisc'estune.dameettrescommeilfaut,thoughtStepanTrofimovitch,asherecovered
fromAnisim'sattack,gazingwithagreeablecuriosityathisneighbour,thegospelpedlar,who
was,however,drinkingtheteafromasaucerandnibblingatapieceofsugar.Cepetit
morceaudesucre,cen'estrien....Thereissomethingnobleandindependentabouther,and
atthesametimegentle.Lecommeilfauttoutpur,butratherinadifferentstyle.

HesoonlearnedfromherthathernamewasSofyaMatveyevnaUlitinandshelivedatK,
thatshehadasisterthere,awidow;thatshewasawidowtoo,andthatherhusband,whowas
asublieutenantrisenfromtheranks,hadbeenkilledatSevastopol.

Butyouarestillsoyoung,vousn'avezpastrenteans.

Thirtyfour,saidSofyaMatveyevna,smiling.

What,youunderstandFrench?

Alittle.Ilivedforfouryearsafterthatinagentleman'sfamily,andthereIpickeditupfrom
thechildren.

ShetoldhimthatbeingleftawidowateighteenshewasforsometimeinSevastopolasa
nurse,andhadafterwardslivedinvariousplaces,andnowshetravelledaboutsellingthe
gospel.

Mais,monDieu, wasn'tityouwhohadastrangeadventureinourtown,averystrange
adventure?

Sheflushed;itturnedoutthatithadbeenshe.

Cesvauriens,cesmalheureux, hebeganinavoicequiveringwithindignation;miserable
andhatefulrecollectionsstirredpainfullyinhisheart.Foraminuteheseemedtosinkinto
oblivion.

Bah,butshe'sgoneawayagain,hethought,withastart,noticingthatshewasnotbyhis
side.Shekeepsgoingoutandisbusyaboutsomething;Inoticethatsheseemsupsettoo....
Bah,jedeviensegoiste!

HeraisedhiseyesandsawAnisimagain,butthistimeinthemostmenacingsurroundings.
Thewholecottagewasfullofpeasants,anditwasevidentlyAnisimwhohadbroughtthemall
in. Amongthem were the master of the house, and the peasant with the cow, twoother
peasants(theyturnedouttobecabdrivers),anotherlittleman,halfdrunk,dressedlikea
peasantbutcleanshaven,whoseemedlikeatownsmanruinedbydrinkandtalkedmorethan
anyofthem.Andtheywerealldiscussinghim,StepanTrofimovitch.Thepeasantwiththe
cowinsistedonhispointthattogoroundbythelakewouldbethirtyfivemilesoutofthe
way,andthathecertainlymustgobysteamer.Thehalfdrunkenmanandthemanofthe
housewarmlyretorted:

Seeingthat,thoughofcourseitwillbenearerforhishonouronthesteameroverthelake;
that'strueenough,butmaybeaccordingtopresentarrangementsthesteamerdoesn'tgothere,
brother.

Itdoesgo,itdoes,itwillgoforanotherweek,criedAnisim,moreexcitedthananyofthem.

That's true enough, but it doesn't arrive punctually, seeing it's late in the season, and
sometimesit'llstaythreedaystogetheratUstyevo.

It'llbetheretomorrowattwoo'clockpunctually.You'llbeatSpasovpunctuallybythe
evening,criedAnisim,eagertodohisbestforStepanTrofimovitch.

Maisqu'estcequ'ila,cethomme,thoughtStepanTrofimovitch,tremblingandwaitingin
terrorforwhatwasinstoreforhim.

Thecabdrivers,too,cameforwardandbeganbargainingwithhim;theyaskedthreeroubles
toUstyevo.Theothersshoutedthatthatwasnottoomuch,thatthatwasthefare,andthatthey
hadbeendrivingfromheretoUstyevoallthesummerforthatfare.

But...it'sniceheretoo....AndIdon'twant...StepanTrofimovitchmumbledinprotest.

Nice it is, sir, you are right there, it's wonderfully nice at Spasov now and Fyodor
Matveyevitchwillbesopleasedtoseeyou.

ManDieu,mesamis,allthisissuchasurprisetome.

AtlastSofyaMatveyevnacameback.Butshesatdownonthebenchlookingdejectedand
mournful.

Ican'tgettoSpasov!shesaidtothewomanofthecottage.

Why,youareboundtoSpasov,too,then?criedStepanTrofimovitch,starting.

ItappearedthataladyhadthedaybeforetoldhertowaitatHatovoandhadpromisedtotake
hertoSpasov,andnowthisladyhadnotturnedupafterall.

WhatamItodonow?repeatedSofyaMatveyevna.
Mais,machereetnouvelleamie,I cantakeyoujustaswellastheladytothatvillage,
whatever it is, to which I've hired horses, and tomorrowwell, tomorrow, we'll go on
togethertoSpasov.

Why,areyougoingtoSpasovtoo?

Maisquefaire,etjesuisenchante!Ishalltakeyouwiththegreatestpleasure;youseethey
want to take me, I've engaged them already. Which of you did I engage? Stepan
TrofimovitchsuddenlyfeltanintensedesiretogotoSpasov.

Withinaquarterofanhourtheyweregettingintoacoveredtrap,heverylivelyandquite
satisfied,shewithherpackbesidehim,withagratefulsmileonherface.Anisimhelpedthem
in.

Agoodjourneytoyou,sir,saidhe,bustlingofficiouslyroundthetrap,ithasbeenatreat
toseeyou.

Goodbye,goodbye,myfriend,goodbye.

You'llseeFyodorMatveyevitch,sir...

Yes,myfriend,yes...FyodorPetrovitch...onlygoodbye.

II

Yousee,myfriend...you'llallowmetocallmyselfyourfriend, n'estcepas?Stepan
Trofimovitchbeganhurriedlyassoonasthetrapstarted.YouseeI...J'aimelepeuple,c'est
indispensable,maisilmesemblequejenem'avaisjamaisvudepres.Stasie...celavasans
direqu'elleestaussidupeuple,maislevraipeuple,thatis,therealones,whoareonthehigh
road,itseemstometheycarefornothing,butwhereexactlyIamgoing...Butletbygones
bebygones.IfancyIamtalkingat,random,butIbelieveit'sfrombeingflustered.

Youdon'tseemquitewell.SofyaMatveyevnawatchedhim'keenlythoughrespectfully.

No,no,Imustonlywrapmyselfup,besidesthere'safreshwind,veryfreshinfact,but...let
usforgetthat.That'snotwhatIreallymeanttosay.Chereetincomparableamie,IfeelthatI
amalmosthappy,andit'syourdoing.Happinessisnotgoodformeforitmakesmerushto
forgiveallmyenemiesatonce....

Why,that'saverygoodthing,sir.

Not always, chere innocente. L'Evangile . . . voyezvous, desormais nous precherons

ensembleandIwillgladlysellyourbeautifullittlebooks.Yes,Ifeelthatthatperhapsisan
idea, quelquechosedetresnouveaudanscegenre. Thepeasantsarereligious, c'estadmis,
buttheydon'tyetknowthegospel.Iwillexpoundittothem....Byverbalexplanationone
mightcorrectthemistakesinthatremarkablebook,whichIamofcoursepreparedtotreat
withtheutmostrespect.Iwillbeofserviceevenonthehighroad.I'vealwaysbeenofuse,I
alwaystoldthemsoetd,cettechereingrate....Oh,wewillforgive,wewillforgive,firstof
allwewillforgiveallandalways....Wewillhopethatwetooshallbeforgiven.Yes,forall,
everyoneofus,havewrongedoneanother,allareguilty!

That'saverygoodsaying,Ithink,sir.

Yes,yes....IfeelthatIamspeakingwell.Ishallspeaktothemverywell,butwhatwasthe
chiefthingImeanttosay?Ikeeplosingthethreadandforgetting....Willyouallowmeto
remainwithyou?Ifeelthatthelookinyoureyesand...Iamsurprisedinfactatyour
manners.Youaresimplehearted,youcallme'sir,'andturnyourcupupsidedownonyour
saucer...andthathorridlumpofsugar;butthere'ssomethingcharmingaboutyou,andIsee
from your features.. . . Oh, don't blush and don't be afraid of me as a man. Chere et
incomparable,pourmoiunefemmec'esttout.Ican'tlivewithoutawoman,butonlyather
side,onlyatherside;...Iamawfullymuddled,awfully.Ican'trememberwhatImeanttosay.
Oh,blessedishetowhomGodalwayssendsawomanand...andIfancy,indeed,thatIam
inasortofecstasy.There'saloftyideaintheopenroadtoo!That'swhatImeanttosay,that's
itabouttheidea.NowI'verememberedit,butIkeptlosingitbefore.Andwhyhavethey
takenusfarther.Itwasnicetheretoo,buthereceladementtropfroid.Apropos,j'aientout
quaranteroublesetvoilacetargent,takeit,takeit,Ican'ttakecareofit,Ishallloseitorit
willbetakenawayfromme....Iseemtobesleepy,I'veagiddinessinmyhead.Yes,Iam
giddy,Iamgiddy,Iamgiddy.Oh,howkindyouare,what'sthatyouarewrappingmeupin?

YouarecertainlyinaregularfeverandI'vecoveredyouwithmyrug;onlyaboutthemoney,
I'drather.

Oh,forGod'ssake,n'enparlousplusparcequecelamefaitmal.Oh,howkindyouare!

Heceasedspeaking,andwithstrangesuddennessdroppedintoafeverishshiverysleep.The
roadbywhichtheydrovethetwelvemileswasnotasmoothone,andtheircarriagejolted
cruelly. Stepan Trofimovitch woke up frequently, quickly raised his head from the little
pillowwhichSofyaMatveyevnahadslippedunderit,clutchedherbythehandandasked
Areyouhere?asthoughhewereafraidshehadlefthim.Hetoldher,too,thathehad
dreamed of gaping jaws full of teeth, and that he had very much disliked it. Sofya
Matveyevnawasingreatanxietyabouthim.

Theyweredrivenstraightuptoalargecottagewithafrontageoffourwindowsandother
roomsintheyard.StepanTrofimovitchwakedup,hurriedlywentinandwalkedstraightinto
thesecondroom,whichwasthelargestandbestinthehouse.Anexpressionoffussiness
cameintohissleepyface.Hespokeatoncetothelandlady,atall,thicksetwomanofforty
withverydarkhairandaslightmoustache,andexplainedthatherequiredthewholeroomfor
himself,andthatthedoorwastobeshutandnooneelsewastobeadmitted,parcequenous
avonsaparler.Oui,faibeaucoupavousdire,chereamie.I'llpayyou,I'llpayyou,hesaid
withawaveofdismissaltothelandlady.
Though he was ina hurry, he seemed toarticulate with difficulty. The landladylistened
grimly,andwassilentintokenofconsent,buttherewasafeelingofsomethingmenacing
abouthersilence.Hedidnotnoticethis,andhurriedly(hewasinaterriblehurry)insistedon
hergoingawayandbringingthemtheirdinnerasquicklyaspossible,withoutamoment's
delay.

Atthatpointthemoustachedwomancouldcontainherselfnolonger.

Thisisnotaninn,sir;wedon'tprovidedinnersfortravellers.Wecanboilyousomecrayfish
orsetthesamovar,butwe'venothingmore.Therewon'tbefreshfishtilltomorrow.

ButStepanTrofimovitchwavedhishands,repeatingwithwrathfulimpatience:I'llpay,only
makehaste,makehaste.

Theysettledonfish,soup,androastfowl;thelandladydeclaredthatfowlwasnottobe
procuredinthewholevillage;sheagreed,however,togoinsearchofone,butwiththeairof
doinghimanimmensefavour.

AssoonasshehadgoneStepanTrofimovitchinstantlysatdownonthesofaandmadeSofya
Matveyevnasitdownbesidehim.Therewereseveralarmchairsaswellasasofaintheroom,
buttheywereofamostuninvitingappearance.Theroomwasratheralargeone,witha
corner,inwhichtherewasabed,partitionedoff.Itwascoveredwitholdandtatteredyellow
paper,andhadhorriblelithographsofmythologicalsubjectsonthewalls;inthecornerfacing
thedoortherewasalongrowofpaintedikonsandseveralsetsofbrassones.Thewholeroom
withitsstrangelyillassortedfurniturewasanunattractivemixtureofthetownelementandof
peasanttraditions.Buthedidnotevenglanceatitall,norlookoutofthewindowatthevast
lake,theedgeofwhichwasonlyseventyfeetfromthecottage.

At last we are by ourselves and we will admit no one! I want to tell you everything,
everythingfromtheverybeginning.

SofyaMatveyevnacheckedhimwithgreatuneasiness.

Areyouaware,StepanTrofimovitch?...

Comment,voussavesdejamonnom?"Hesmiledwithdelight.

IhearditthismorningfromAnisimIvanovitchwhenyouweretalkingtohim.ButIventure
totellyouformypart...

Andshewhisperedhurriedlytohim,lookingnervouslyatthecloseddoorforfearanyone
shouldoverhearthathereinthisvillage,itwasdreadful.Thatthoughallthepeasantswere
fishermen,theymadetheirlivingchieflybycharging.travellerseverysummerwhateverthey
thoughtfit.Thevillagewasnotonthehighroadbutanoutofthewayone,andpeopleonly
calledtherebecausethesteamersstoppedthere,andthatwhenthesteamerdidnotcalland
iftheweatherwasintheleastunfavourable,itwouldnotthennumbersoftravellerswould
bewaitingthereforseveraldays,andallthecottagesinthevillagewouldbeoccupied,and
thatwasjustthevillagers'opportunity,fortheychargedthreetimesitsvalueforeverything
andtheirlandlordherewasproudandstuckupbecausehewas,fortheseparts,veryrich;he
hadanetwhichhadcostathousandroubles.

StepanTrofimovitchlookedalmostreproachfullyatSofyaMatveyevna'sextremelyexcited
face,andseveraltimeshemadeamotiontostopher.Butshepersistedandsaidallshehadto
say:shesaidshehadbeentherebeforealreadyinthesummerwithaverygenteelladyfrom
thetown,andstayedtheretoofortwowholedaystillthesteamercame,andwhattheyhadto
putupwithdidnotbearthinkingof.Here,StepanTrofimovitch,you'vebeenpleasedtoask
forthisroomforyourselfalone....Ionlyspeaktowarnyou....Intheotherroomthereare
travellersalready.Anelderlymanandayoungmanandaladywithchildren,andbyto
morrowbeforetwoo'clockthewholehousewillbefilledup,forsincethesteamerhasn'tbeen
herefortwodaysitwillbesuretocometomorrow.Soforaroomapartandforordering
dinner,andforputtingouttheothertravellers,they'llchargeyouapriceunheardofevenin
thecapital....

Buthewasindistress,inrealdistress.Assez,monenfant,Ibeseechyou,nousavonsnotre
argentetapres,lebonDieu.AndIamsurprisedthat,withtheloftinessofyourideas,you..
.Assez,assez,vousmetourmentez,hearticulatedhysterically,wehaveallourfuturebefore
us,andyou...youfillmewithalarmforthefuture.

Heproceededatoncetounfoldhiswholestorywithsuchhastethatatfirstitwasdifficultto
understandhim.Itwentonforalongtime.Thesoupwasserved,thefowlwasbroughtin,
followedatlastbythesamovar,andstillhetalkedon.Hetolditsomewhatstrangelyand
hysterically,andindeedhewasill.Itwasasudden,extremeeffortofhisintellectualfaculties,
whichwasboundinhisoverstrainedcondition,ofcourseSofyaMatveyevnaforesawitwith
distressallthetimehewastalkingtoresultimmediatelyafterwardsinextremeexhaustion.
He beganhisstoryalmost withhischildhood,when,withfreshheart, heranabout the
meadows;itwasanhourbeforehereachedhistwomarriagesandhislifeinBerlin.Idarenot
laugh,however.Itreallywasforhimamatteroftheutmostimportance,andtoadoptthe
modernjargon,almostaquestionofstrugglingforexistence.Hesawbeforehimthewoman
whomhehadalreadyelectedtosharehisnewlife,andwasinhastetoconsecrateher,soto
speak.Hisgeniusmustnotbehiddenfromher....Perhapshehadformedaveryexaggerated
estimateofSofyaMatveyevna,buthehadalreadychosenher.Hecouldnotexistwithouta
woman.Hesawclearlyfromherfacethatshehardlyunderstoodhim,andcouldnotgrasp
eventhemostessentialpart.Cen'estrien,nousattendrons,andmeanwhileshecanfeelit
intuitively....Myfriend,Ineednothingbutyourheart!heexclaimed,interruptinghis
narrative,andthatsweetenchantinglookwithwhichyouaregazingatmenow.Oh,don't
blush!I'vetoldyoualready...Thepoorwomanwhohadfallenintohishandsfoundmuch
that was obscure, especially when his autobiography almost passed into a complete
dissertationonthefactthatnoonehadbeeneverabletounderstandStepanTrofimovitch,and
thatmenofgeniusarewastedinRussia.Itwasallsoveryintellectual,shereported
afterwards dejectedly. She listened in evident misery, rather roundeyed. When Stepan
Trofimovitchfellintoahumorousveinandthrewoffwittysarcasmsattheexpenseofour
advancedandgoverningclasses,shetwicemadegrievouseffortstolaughinresponsetohis
laughter, but the result was worse than tears, so that Stepan Trofimovitch was at last
embarrassedbyithimselfandattackedthenihilistsandmodernpeoplewithallthegreater
wrathandzest.Atthispointhesimplyalarmedher,anditwasnotuntilhebeganuponthe
romanceofhislifethatshefeltsomeslightrelief,thoughthattoowasdeceptive.Awomanis
alwaysawomanevenifsheisanun.Shesmiled,shookherheadandthenblushedcrimson
anddroppedhereyes,whichrousedStepanTrofimovitchtoabsoluteecstasyandinspiration
somuchthathebeganfibbingfreely.VarvaraPetrovnaappearedinhisstoryasanenchanting
brunette(whohadbeentherageofPetersburgandmanyEuropeancapitals)andherhusband
hadbeenstruckdownonthefieldofSevastopolsimplybecausehehadfeltunworthyofher
love,andhadyieldedhertohisrival,thatis,StepanTrofimovitch....Don'tbeshocked,my
gentleone,myChristian,heexclaimedtoSofyaMatveyevna,almostbelievinghimselfinall
thathewastelling,itwassomethingsolofty,sosubtle,thatweneverspokeofittoone
anotherallourlives.Asthestorywenton,thecauseofthispositionofaffairsappearedtobe
ablondelady(ifnotDaryaPavlovnaIdon'tknowofwhomStepanTrofimovitchcouldhave
beenthinking),thisblondeowedeverythingtothebrunette,andhadgrownupinherhouse,
beingadistantrelation.ThebrunetteobservingatlasttheloveoftheblondegirltoStepan
Trofimovitch,keptherfeelingslockedupinherheart.Theblondegirl,noticingonherpart
theloveofthebrunettetoStepanTrofimovitch,alsolockedherfeelingsinherownheart.
Andallthree,piningwithmutualmagnanimity,keptsilentinthiswayfortwentyyears,
lockingtheirfeelingsintheirhearts.Oh,whatapassionthatwas,whatapassionthatwas!
heexclaimedwithastifledsobofgenuineecstasy.Isawthefullbloomingofherbeauty(of
thebrunette's,thatis),Isawdailywithanacheinmyhearthowshepassedbymeasthough
ashamedshewassofair(oncehesaidashamedshewassofat").Atlasthehadrunaway,
castingoffallthisfeverishdreamoftwentyyearsvingtansandnowherehewasonthe
highroad....

TheninasortofdeliriumbebeganexplainingtoSofyaMatveyevnathesignificanceoftheir
meetingthatday,sochanceanencounterandsofatefulforalleternity.SofyaMatveyevna
gotupfromthesofainterribleconfusionatlast.Hehadpositivelymadeanattempttodrop
onhiskneesbeforeher,whichmadehercry.Itwasbeginningtogetdark.Theyhadbeenfor
somehoursshutupintheroom....

No,you'dbetterletmegointotheotherroom,shefaltered,orelsethere'snoknowing
whatpeoplemaythink....

Shetoreherselfawayatlast;helethergo,promisinghertogotobedatonce.Astheyparted
hecomplainedthathehadabadheadache.SofyaMatveyevnahadonenteringthecottageleft
herbagandthingsinthefirstroom,meaningtospendthenightwiththepeopleofthehouse;
butshegotnorest.

InthenightStepanTrofimovitchwasattackedbythemaladywithwhichIandallhisfriends
weresofamiliarthesummercholera,whichwasalwaystheoutcomeofanynervousstrain
ormoralshockwithhim.PoorSofyaMatveyevnadidnotsleepallnight.Asinwaitingonthe
invalidshewasobligedprettyoftentogoinandoutofthecottagethroughthelandlady's
room,thelatter,aswellasthetravellerswhoweresleepingthere,grumbledandevenbegan
swearingwhentowardsmorningshesetaboutpreparingthesamovar.StepanTrofimovitch
washalfunconsciousallthroughtheattack;attimeshehadavisionofthesamovarbeingset,
ofsomeonegivinghimsomethingtodrink(raspberrytea),andputtingsomethingwarmto
hisstomachandhischest.Buthefeltalmosteveryinstantthatshewashere,besidehim;that
itwasshegoingoutandcomingin,liftinghimoffthebedandsettlinghiminitagain.
Towardsthreeo'clockinthemorninghebegantobeeasier;hesatup,puthislegsoutofbed
andthinkingofnothinghefellontheflooratherfeet.Thiswasaverydifferentmatterfrom
thekneelingoftheevening;hesimplyboweddownatherfeetandkissedthehemofher
dress.

Don't,sir,Iamnotworthit,shefaltered,tryingtogethimbackontothebed.

Mysaviour,hecried,claspinghishandsreverentlybeforeher.Vousetesnoblecommeune
marquise!IIamawretch.Oh,I'vebeendishonestallmylife....

Calmyourself!SofyaMatveyevnaimploredhim.

ItwasallliesthatItoldyouthiseveningtoglorifymyself,tomakeitsplendid,frompure
wantonnessall,all,everyword,oh,Iamawretch,Iamawretch!

Thefirstattackwassucceededinthiswaybyasecondanattackofhystericalremorse.I
havementionedtheseattacksalreadywhenIdescribedhisletterstoVarvaraPetrovna.He
suddenlyrecalledLiseandtheirmeetingthepreviousmorning.Itwassoawful,andthere
musthavebeensomedisasterandIdidn'task,didn'tfindout!Ithoughtonlyofmyself.Oh,
what'sthematterwithher?Doyouknowwhat'sthematterwithher?hebesoughtSofya
Matveyevna.

Thenhesworethathewouldneverchange,thathewouldgobacktoher(thatis,Varvara
Petrovna).We(thatis,heandSofyaMatveyevna)willgotoherstepseverydaywhenshe
isgettingintohercarriageforhermorningdrive,andwewillwatchherinsecret....Oh,I
wishhertosmitemeontheothercheek;it'sajoytowishit!Ishallturnhermyothercheek
commedansvotrelivre!OnlynowforthefirsttimeIunderstandwhatismeantby...turning
theothercheek.Ineverunderstoodbefore!

ThetwodaysthatfollowedwereamongthemostterribleinSofyaMatveyevna'slife;she
remembersthemwithashuddertothisday.StepanTrofimovitchbecamesoseriouslyillthat
hecouldnotgoonboardthesteamer,whichonthisoccasionarrivedpunctuallyattwoo'clock
intheafternoon.Shecouldnotbringherselftoleavehimalone,soshedidnotleavefor
Spasoveither.Fromheraccounthewaspositivelydelightedatthesteamer'sgoingwithout
him.

Well,that'sagoodthing,that'scapital!hemutteredinhisbed.I'vebeenafraidallthetime
thatweshouldgo.Hereit'ssonice,betterthananywhere....Youwon'tleaveme?Oh,you
havenotleftme!

Itwasbynomeanssoniceherehowever.Hedidnotcaretohearofherdifficulties;his
headwasfulloffanciesandnothingelse.Helookeduponhisillnessassomethingtransitory,
atriflingailment,anddidnotthinkaboutitatall;hethoughofnothingbuthowtheywould
goandsellthesebooks.Heaskedhertoreadhimthegospel.

Ihaven'treaditforalongtime...intheoriginal.SomeonemayaskmeaboutitandIshall
makeamistake;Ioughttopreparemyselfafterall.

Shesatdownbesidehimandopenedthebook.

Youreadbeautifully,heinterruptedherafterthefirstline.Isee,IseeIwasnotmistaken,
headdedobscurelybutecstatically.Hewas,infact,inacontinualstateofenthusiasmShe
readtheSermonontheMount.

Assez,assez,manenfant,enough....Don'tyouthinkthatthatisenough?

Andheclosedhiseyeshelplessly.Hewasveryweak,buthadnotyetlostconsciousness.
SofyaMatveyevnawasgettingup,thinkingthathewantedtosleep.Buthestoppedher.

Myfriend,I'vebeentellingliesallmylife.EvenwhenItoldthetruthIneverspokeforthe
sakeofthetruth,butalwaysformyownsake.Iknewitbefore,butIonlyseeitnow....Oh,
wherearethosefriendswhomIhaveinsultedwithmyfriendshipallmylife?Andall,all!
Savezvous...perhapsIamtellingliesnow;nodoubtIamtellingliesnow.Theworstofitis
thatIbelievemyselfwhenIamlying.Thehardestthinginlifeistolivewithouttelling
lies...andwithoutbelievinginone'slies.Yes,yes,that'sjustit....Butwaitabit,thatcanall
comeafterwards....We'llbetogether,together,headdedenthusiastically.

StepanTrofimovitch,SofyaMatveyevnaaskedtimidly,hadn'tIbettersendtothetownfor
thedoctor?

Hewastremendouslytakenaback.

What for? Estce que je suis si malade? Mais rien de serieux. What need have we of
outsiders?Theymayfind,besidesandwhatwillhappenthen?No,no,nooutsidersandwe'll
betogether.

Doyouknow,hesaidafterapause,readmesomethingmore,justthefirstthingyoucome
across.

SofyaMatveyevnaopenedtheTestamentandbeganreading.

Whereveritopens,whereverithappenstoopen,herepeated.

'AnduntotheangelofthechurchoftheLaodiceans...'
What'sthat?Whatisit?Whereisthatfrom?

It'sfromtheRRevelation.

Oh,jem'ensouviens,oui,l'Apocalypse.Lisez,lisez,Iamtryingourfuturefortunesbythe
book.Iwanttoknowwhathasturnedup.Readonfromthere....

'AnduntotheangelofthechurchoftheLaodiceanswrite:ThesethingssaiththeAmen,the
faithfulandtruewitness,thebeginningofthecreationofGod;

'Iknowthyworks,thatthouartneithercoldnorhot;Iwouldthouwertcoldorhot.

'Sothenbecausethouartlukewarm,andneithercoldnorhot,Iwillspuetheeoutofmy
mouth.

'Becausethousayest,Iamrichandincreasedwithgoods,andhaveneedofnothing:andthou
knowestnotthatthouartwretched,andmiserable,andpoor,andblind,andnaked.'

Thattoo...andthat'sinyourbooktoo!heexclaimed,withflashingeyesandraisinghis
headfromthepillow.Ineverknewthatgrandpassage!Youhear,betterbecold,betterbe
coldthanlukewarm,thanonlylukewarm.Oh,I'llproveit!Onlydon'tleaveme,don'tleave
mealone!We'llproveit,we'llproveit!

Iwon'tleaveyou,StepanTrofimovitch.I'llneverleaveyou!Shetookhishand,presseditin
bothofhers,andlaiditagainstherheart,lookingathimwithtearsinhereyes.("Ifeltvery
sorryforhimatthatmoment,shesaid,describingitafterwards.)

Hislipstwitchedconvulsively.

But,StepanTrofimovitch,whatarewetodothough?Oughtn'twetoletsomeofyourfriends
know,orperhapsyourrelations?

Butatthathewassodismayedthatshewasverysorrythatshehadspokenofitagain.
Tremblingandshaking,hebesoughthertofetchnoone,nottodoanything.Hekeptinsisting,
Noone,noone!We'llbealone,byourselves,alone,nouspartironsensemble.

Anotherdifficultywasthatthepeopleofthehousetoobegantobeuneasy;theygrumbled,
andkeptpesteringSofyaMatveyevna.Shepaidthemandmanagedtoletthemseehermoney.
This softened them for the time, but the man insisted on seeing Stepan Trofimovitch's
papers.Theinvalidpointedwithasupercilioussmiletohislittlebag.SofyaMatveyevna
foundinitthecertificateofhishavingresignedhispostattheuniversity,orsomethingofthe
kind,whichhadservedhimasapassportallhislife.Themanpersisted,andsaidthathe
mustbetakensomewhere,becausetheirhousewasn'tahospital,andifheweretodiethere
mightbeabother.Weshouldhavenoendoftrouble.SofyaMatveyevnatriedtospeakto
himofthedoctor,butitappearedthatsendingtothetownwouldcostsomuchthatshehadto
giveupallideaofthedoctor.Shereturnedindistresstoherinvalid.StepanTrofimovitchwas
gettingweakerandweaker.

Nowreadmeanotherpassage....Aboutthepigs,hesaidsuddenly.

What? asked Sofya Matveyevna, very much alarmed. About the pigs . . . that's there
too...cescochons.Irememberthedevilsenteredintoswineandtheyallweredrowned.You
mustreadmethat;I'lltellyouwhyafterwards.Iwanttorememberitwordforword.Iwantit
wordforword.

SofyaMatveyevnaknewthegospelwellandatoncefoundthepassageinSt.LukewhichI
havechosenasthemottoofmyrecord.Iquoteithereagain:

'Andtherewasthereoneherdofmanyswinefeedingonthemountain;andtheybesought
himthathewouldsufferthemtoenterintothem.Andhesufferedthem.

'Thenwentthedevilsoutofthemanandenteredintotheswine;andtheherdranviolently
downasteepplaceintothelake,andwerechoked.

'Whentheythatfedthemsawwhatwasdone,theyfled,andwentandtolditinthecityand
inthecountry.

'Thentheywentouttoseewhatwasdone;andcametoJesusandfoundtheman,outof
whomthedevilsweredeparted,sittingatthefeetofJesus,clothed,andinhisrightmind;and
theywereafraid.'

My friend, said Stepan Trofimovitch in great excitement savezvous, that wonderful

and...extraordinarypassagehasbeenastumblingblocktomeallmylife... dansce
livre .... so much so that I remembered those verses from childhood. Now an idea has
occurredtome;unecomparaison.Agreatnumberofideaskeepcomingintomymindnow.
Yousee,that'sexactlylikeourRussia,thosedevilsthatcomeoutofthesickmanandenter
intotheswine.Theyareallthesores,allthefoulcontagions,alltheimpurities,allthedevils
greatandsmallthathavemultipliedinthatgreatinvalid,ourbelovedRussia,inthecourseof
agesandages.Oui,cetteRussiequej'aimaistoujours.ButagreatideaandagreatWillwill
encompassitfromonhigh,aswiththatlunaticpossessedofdevils...andallthosedevils
willcomeforth,alltheimpurity,alltherottennessthatwasputrefyingonthesurface...and
theywillbegofthemselvestoenterintoswine;andindeedmaybetheyhaveenteredinto
themalready!Theyarewe,weandthose...andPetrushaandlesautresaveclui...andI
perhapsattheheadofthem,andweshallcastourselvesdown,possessedandraving,fromthe
rocksintothesea,andweshallallbedrownedandagoodthingtoo,forthatisallwearefit
for.Butthesickmanwillbehealedand'willsitatthefeetofJesus,'andallwilllookupon
himwithastonishment....Mydear, vouscomprendrezapres, butnowitexcitesmevery
much....Vouscomprendrezapres.Nouscomprendronsensemble.

Hesankintodeliriumandatlastlostconsciousness.Soitwentonallthefollowingday.Sofya
Matveyevnasatbesidehim,crying.Shescarcelysleptatallforthreenights,andavoided
seeingthepeopleofthehouse,whowere,shefelt,beginningtotakesomesteps.Deliverance
onlycameonthethirdday.InthemorningStepanTrofimovitchreturnedtoconsciousness,
recognisedher,andheldouthishandtoher.Shecrossedherselfhopefully.Hewantedtolook
outofthewindow.Tiens,unlac!hesaid.Goodheavens,Ihadnotseenitbefore!...At
thatmomenttherewastherumbleofacarriageatthecottagedoorandagreathubbubinthe
housefollowed.

III

ItwasVarvaraPetrovnaherself.Shehadarrived,withDaryaPavlovna,inaclosedcarriage
drawnbyfourhorses,withtwofootmen.Themarvelhadhappenedinthesimplestway:
Anisim,dyingofcuriosity,wenttoVarvaraPetrovna'sthedayafterhereachedthetownand
gossipedtotheservants,tellingthemhehadmetStepanTrofimovitchaloneinavillage,that
thelatterhadbeenseenbypeasantswalkingbyhimselfonthehighroad,andthathehadset
offforSpasovbywayofUstyevoaccompaniedbySofyaMatveyevna.AsVarvaraPetrovna
was,forherpart,interribleanxietyandhaddoneeverythingshecouldtofindherfugitive
friend,shewasatoncetoldaboutAnisim.Whenshehadheardhisstory,especiallythedetails
of the departure for Ustyevo in a cart in the company of some Sofya Matvoyevna, she
instantlygotreadyandsetoffposthasteforUstyevoherself.

Hersternandperemptoryvoiceresoundedthroughthecottage;eventhelandlordandhiswife
wereintimidated.Shehadonlystoppedtoquestionthemandmakeinquiries,beingpersuaded
thatStepanTrofimovitchmusthavereachedSpasovlongbefore.Learningthathewasstill
hereandill,sheenteredthecottageingreatagitation.

Well,whereishe?Ah,that'syou!shecried,seeingSofyaMatveyevna,whoappearedat
thatveryinstantinthedoorwayofthenextroom.Icanguessfromyourshamelessfacethat
it'syou.Goaway,youvilehussy!Don'tletmefindatraceofherinthehouse!Turnherout,
orelse,mygirl,I'llgetyoulockedupforgood.Keephersafeforatimeinanotherhouse.
She'sbeeninprisononcealreadyinthetown;shecangobackthereagain.Andyou,mygood
man,don'tdaretoletanyoneinwhileIamhere,Ibegofyou.IamMadameStavrogin,and
I'lltakethewholehouse.Asforyou,mydear,you'llhavetogivemeafullaccountofitall.

ThefamiliarsoundsoverwhelmedStepanTrofimovitch.Hebegantotremble.Butshehad
alreadysteppedbehindthescreen.Withflashingeyesshedrewupachairwithherfoot,and,
sinkingbackinit,sheshoutedtoDasha:

Goawayforatime!Stayintheotherroom.Whyareyousoinquisitive?Andshutthedoor
properlyafteryou.

Forsometimeshegazedinsilencewithasortofpredatorylookintohisfrightenedface.

Well,howareyougettingon,StepanTrofimovitch?Soyou'vebeenenjoyingyourself?
brokefromherwithferociousirony.
Chere,StepanTrofimovitchfaltered,notknowingwhathewassaying,I'velearnttoknow
reallifeinRussia...etjeprecherail'Evangile.

Oh,shameless,ungratefulman!shewailedsuddenly,claspingherhands.''Asthoughyou
hadnotdisgracedmeenough,you'vetakenupwith...oh,youshamelessoldreprobate!

Chere..

.
Hisvoicefailedhimandhecouldnotarticulateasyllablebutsimplygazedwitheyeswide
withhorror.

Whoisshe?"

C'estunange;c'etaitplusqu'unangepourmoi. She'sbeenallnight...Oh,don'tshout,
don'tfrightenher,chere,chere...

Withaloudnoise,VarvaraPetrovnapushedbackherchair,utteringaloudcryofalarm.

Water,water!

Thoughhereturnedtoconsciousness,shewasstillshakingwithterror,and,withpalecheeks,
looked at his distorted face. It was only then, for the first time, that she guessed the
seriousnessofhisillness.

Darya, she whispered suddenly to Darya Pavlovna, send at once for the doctor, for
Salzfish;letYegorytchgoatonce.Lethimhirehorseshereandgetanothercarriagefromthe
town.Hemustbeherebynight.

Dashaflewtodoherbidding.StepanTrofimovitchstillgazedatherwiththesamewideopen,
frightenedeyes;hisblanchedlipsquivered.

Waitabit,StepanTrofimovitch,waitabit,mydear!shesaid,coaxinghimlikeachild.
There, there, wait a bit! Darya will come back and ... My goodness, the landlady, the
landlady,youcome,anyway,mygoodwoman!

Inherimpatiencesheranherselftothelandlady.

Fetchthatwomanbackatonce,thisminute.Bringherback,bringherback!

FortunatelySofyaMatveyevnahadnotyethadtimetogetawayandwasonlyjustgoingout
ofthegatewithherpackandherbag.Shewasbroughtback.Shewassopanicstrickenthat
shewastremblingineverylimb.VarvaraPetrovnapouncedonherlikeahawkonachicken,
seizedherbythehandanddraggedherimpulsivelytoStepanTrofimovitch.

Here,heresheis,then.I'venoteatenher.YouthoughtI'deatenher.
StepanTrofimovitchclutchedVarvaraPetrovna'shand,raisedittohiseyes,andburstinto
tears,sobbingviolentlyandconvulsively.

There,calmyourself,there,there,mydear,there,poordearman'!Ach,mercyonus!Calm
yourself,willyou?sheshoutedfrantically.Oh,youbaneofmylife!

Mydear,StepanTrofimovitchmurmuredatlast,addressingSofyaMatveyevna,stayout
there,mydear,Iwanttosaysomethinghere....

SofyaMatveyevnahurriedoutatonce.

Cherie...cherie...hegasped.

Don'ttalkforabit,StepanTrofimovitch,waitalittletillyou'verested.Here'ssomewater.
Dowait,willyou!

Shesatdownonthechairagain.StepanTrofimovitchheldherhandtight.Foralongwhile
shewouldnotallowhimtospeak.Heraisedherhandtohislipsandfelltokissingit.Sheset
herteethandlookedawayintothecorneroftheroom.

Jevousaimais,brokefromhimatlast.Shehadneverheardsuchwordsfromhim,uttered
insuchavoice.

H'm!shegrowledinresponse.

Jevousaimaistoutemavie...vingtans!

Sheremainedsilentfortwoorthreeminutes.

AndwhenyouweregettingyourselfupforDashayousprinkledyourselfwithscent,she
saidsuddenly,inaterriblewhisper.

StepanTrofimovitchwasdumbfoundered.

Youputonanewtie...

Againsilencefortwominutes.

Doyourememberthecigar?

Myfriend,hefaltered,overcomewithhorror.

Thatcigaratthewindowintheevening...themoonwasshining...afterthearbour...at
Skvoreshniki?Doyouremember,doyouremember?Shejumpedupfromherplace,seized
hispillowbythecornersandshookitwithhisheadonit.Doyouremember,youworthless,
worthless,ignoble,cowardly,worthlessman,alwaysworthless!shehissedinherfurious
whisper,restrainingherselffromspeakingloudly.Atlastshelefthimandsankonthechair,
coveringherfacewithherhands.Enough!shesnappedout,drawingherselfup.Twenty
yearshavepassed,there'snocallingthemback.Iamafooltoo.

Jevousaimais.Heclaspedhishandsagain.

Whydoyoukeeponwithyour aimais andaimais? Enough!shecried,leapingupagain.

Andifyoudon'tgotosleepatonceI'll...Youneedrest;gotosleep,gotosleepatonce,shut
youreyes.Ach,mercyonus,perhapshewantssomelunch!Whatdoyoueat?Whatdoeshe
eat?Ach,mercyonus!Whereisthatwoman?Whereisshe?

Therewasageneralbustleagain.ButStepanTrofimovitchfalteredinaweakvoicethathe
reallywouldliketogotosleep uneheure, andthen unbouillon,unthe....enfinilestsi
heureux.Helaybackandreallydidseemtogotosleep(heprobablypretendedto).Varvara
Petrovnawaitedalittle,andstoleoutontiptoefrombehindthepartition.

Shesettledherselfinthelandlady'sroom,turnedoutthelandladyandherhusband,andtold
Dashatobringherthatwoman.Therefollowedanexaminationinearnest.

Tellmeallaboutit,mygoodgirl.Sitdownbesideme;that'sright.Well?

ImetStepanTrofimovitch...

Stay,holdyourtongue!Iwarnyouthatifyoutellliesorconcealanything,I'llferretitout.
Well?

StepanTrofimovitchandI...assoonasIcametoHatovo...SofyaMatveyevnabegan
almostbreathlessly.

Stay,holdyourtongue,waitabit!Whydoyougabblelikethat?Tobeginwith,whatsortof
creatureareyou?

SofyaMatveyevnatoldherafterafashion,givingaverybriefaccountofherself,however,
beginningwithSevastopol.VarvaraPetrovnalistenedinsilence,sittinguperectinherchair,
lookingsternlystraightintothespeaker'seyes.

Whyareyousofrightened?Whydoyoulookattheground?Ilikepeoplewholookme
straightinthefaceandholdtheirownwithme.Goon.

Shetoldoftheirmeeting,ofherbooks,ofhowStepanTrofimovitchhadregaledthepeasant
womanwithvodka...That'sright,that'sright,don'tleaveouttheslightestdetail,Varvara
Petrovnaencouragedher.

Atlastshedescribedhowtheyhadsetoff,andhowStepanTrofimovitchhadgoneontalking,
reallyillbythattime,andherehadgivenanaccountofhislifefromtheverybeginning,
talkingforsomehours.Tellmeabouthislife.
SofyaMatveyevnasuddenlystoppedandwascompletelynonplussed.

Ican'ttellyouanythingaboutthat,madam,shebroughtout,almostcrying;besides,I
couldhardlyunderstandawordofit.

Nonsense!Youmusthaveunderstoodsomething.

Hetoldalongtimeaboutadistinguishedladywithblackhair.SofyaMatveyevnaflushed
terriblythoughshenoticedVarvaraPetrovna'sfairhairandhercompletedissimilaritywith
thebrunetteofthestory.

Blackhaired?Whatexactly?Come,speak!

Howthisgrandladywasdeeplyinlovewithhishonourallherlifelongandfortwenty
years,butneverdaredtospeak,andwasshamefacedbeforehimbecauseshewasaverystout
lady....

Thefool!VarvaraPetrovnarappedoutthoughtfullybutresolutely.

SofyaMatveyevnawasintearsbynow.

Idon'tknowhowtotellanyofitproperly,madam,becauseIwasinagreatfrightoverhis
honour;andIcouldn'tunderstand,asheissuchanintellectualgentleman.

It'snotforagooselikeyoutojudgeofhisintellect.Didheofferyouhishand?

Thespeakertrembled.

Didhefallinlovewithyou?Speak!Didheofferyouhishand?VarvaraPetrovnashouted
peremptorily.

That was pretty much how it was, she murmured tearfully. But I took it all to mean
nothing,becauseofhisillness,sheaddedfirmly,raisinghereyes.

Whatisyourname?

SofyaMatveyevna,madam,

Well,then,letmetellyou,SofyaMatveyevna,thatheisawretchedandworthlesslittleman.
...GoodLord!Doyoulookuponmeasawickedwoman'!

SofyaMatveyevnagazedopeneyed.

Awickedwoman,atyrant?Whohasruinedhislife?

Howcanthatbewhenyouarecryingyourself,madam?
VarvaraPetrovnaactuallyhadtearsinhereyes.

Well,sitdown,sitdown,don'tbefrightened.Lookmestraightinthefaceagain.Whyare
you blushing? Dasha, come here. Look at her. What do you think of her? Her heart is
pure....

AndtotheamazementandperhapsstillgreateralarmofSofyaMatveyevna,shesuddenly
pattedheronthecheek.

It'sonlyapitysheisafool.Toogreatafoolforherage.That'sallright,mydear,I'lllook
afteryou.Iseethatit'sallnonsense.Staynearhereforthetime.Aroomshallbetakenfor
youandyoushallhavefoodandeverythingelsefromme...tillIaskforyou.

SofyaMatveyevnastammeredinalarmthatshemusthurryon.

You'venoneedtohurry.I'llbuyallyourbooks,andmeantimeyoustayhere.Holdyour
tongue;don'tmakeexcuses.IfIhadn'tcomeyouwouldhavestayedwithhimallthesame,
wouldn'tyou?

Iwouldn'thavelefthimonanyaccount,SofyaMatveyevnabroughtoutsoftlyandfirmly,
wipinghertears.

ItwaslateatnightwhenDoctorSalzfishwasbrought.Hewasaveryrespectableoldmanand
a practitioner of fairly wide experience who had recently lost his post in the service in
consequence of some quarrel on a point of honour with his superiors. Varvara Petrovna
instantlyandactivelytookhimunderherprotection.Heexaminedthepatientattentively,
questionedhim,andcautiouslypronouncedtoVarvaraPetrovnathatthesufferer'scondition
washighlydubiousinconsequenceofcomplications,andthattheymustbepreparedeven
fortheworst.VarvaraPetrovna,whohadduringtwentyyearsgetaccustomedtoexpecting
nothingseriousordecisivetocomefromStepanTrofimovitch,wasdeeplymovedandeven
turnedpale.Istherereallynohope?

Canthereeverbesaidtobeabsolutelynohope?But...Shedidnotgotobedallnight,and
feltthatthemorningwouldnevercome.Assoonasthepatientopenedhiseyesandreturned
toconsciousness(hewasconsciousallthetime,however,thoughhewasgrowingweaker
everyhour),shewentuptohimwithaveryresoluteair.

StepanTrofimovitch,onemustbepreparedforanything.I'vesentforapriest.Youmustdo
whatisright....

Knowing his convictions, she was terribly afraid of his refusing. He looked at her with
surprise.

Nonsense,nonsense!shevociferated,thinkinghewasalreadyrefusing.Thisisnotimefor
whims.Youhaveplayedthefoolenough.
But...amIreallysoill,then?

Heagreedthoughtfully.AndindeedIwasmuchsurprisedtolearnfromVarvaraPetrovna
afterwardsthatheshowednofearofdeathatall.Possiblyitwasthathesimplydidnot
believeit,andstilllookeduponhisillnessasatriflingone.

Heconfessedandtookthesacramentveryreadily.Everyone,SofyaMatveyevna,andeven
theservants,cametocongratulatehimontakingthesacrament.Theywereallmovedtotears
lookingathissunkenandexhaustedfaceandhisblanchedandquiveringlips.

Oui,mesamis,andIonlywonderthatyou...takesomuchtrouble.Ishallmostlikelyget
uptomorrow,andwewill...setoff....Toutecetteceremonie...forwhich,ofcourse,I
feeleveryproperrespect...was...

Ibegyou,father,toremainwiththeinvalid,saidVarvaraPetrovnahurriedly,stoppingthe
priest,whohadalreadytakenoffhisvestments.Assoonasteahasbeenhanded,Ibegyouto
begintospeakofreligion,tosupporthisfaith.

Thepriestspoke;everyonewasstandingorsittingroundthesickbed.

Inoursinfuldays,thepriestbegansmoothly,withacupofteainhishand,faithinthe
MostHighisthesolerefugeoftheraceofmaninallthetrialsandtribulationsoflife,aswell
asitshopeforthateternalblisspromisedtotherighteous.

StepanTrofimovitchseemedtorevive,asubtlesmilestrayedonhislips.

Manpere,jevousremercieetvousetesbienbon,mais...

Nomaisaboutit,nomaisatall!exclaimedVarvaraPetrovna,boundingupfromherchair.
Father,shesaid,addressingthepriest,heisamanwho...heisamanwho...Youwill
havetoconfesshimagaininanotherhour!That'sthesortofmanheis.

StepanTrofimovitchsmiledfaintly.

Myfriends,hesaid,Godisnecessarytome,ifonlybecauseHeistheonlybeingwhom
onecanloveeternally.

Whetherhewasreallyconverted,orwhetherthestatelyceremonyoftheadministrationofthe
sacramenthadimpressedhimandstirredtheartisticresponsivenessofhistemperamentor
not, he firmly and, I am told, with great feeling uttered some words which were in flat
contradictionwithmanyofhisformerconvictions.

My immortality is necessary if only because God will not be guilty of injustice and
extinguishaltogethertheflameofloveforHimoncekindledinmyheart.Andwhatismore
preciousthanlove?Loveishigherthanexistence,loveisthecrownofexistence;andhowis
itpossiblethatexistenceshouldnotbeunderitsdominance?IfIhaveoncelovedHimand
rejoicedinmylove,isitpossiblethatHeshouldextinguishmeandmyjoyandbringmeto
nothingnessagain?IfthereisaGod,thenIamimmortal.Voilamaprofessiondefoi.

ThereisaGod,StepanTrofimovitch,Iassureyouthereis,VarvaraPetrovnaimploredhim.
Give it up, drop all your foolishness for once in your life! (I think she had not quite
understoodhisprofessiondefoi.)

Myfriend,hesaid,growingmoreandmoreanimated,thoughhisvoicebrokefrequently,
assoonasIunderstood...thatturningofthecheek,I...understoodsomethingelseaswell.
J'aimentitoutemavie,allmylife,all!Ishouldlike...butthatwilldotomorrow....To
morrowwewillallsetout.

VarvaraPetrovnaburstintotears.Hewaslookingaboutforsomeone.

Heresheis,sheishere!SheseizedSofyaMatveyevnabythehandandledhertohim.He
smiledtenderly.

Oh,Ishoulddearlyliketoliveagain!heexclaimedwithanextraordinaryrushofenergy.
Everyminute,everyinstantoflifeoughttobeablessingtoman...theyoughttobe,they
certainlyoughttobe!It'sthedutyofmantomakeitso;that'sthelawofhisnature,which
alwaysexistsevenifhidden....Oh,IwishIcouldseePetrusha...andallofthem...
Shatov...

ImayremarkthatasyetnoonehadheardofShatov'sfatenotVarvaraPetrovnanorDarya
Pavlovna,norevenSalzfish,whowasthelasttocomefromthetown.

StepanTrofimovitchbecamemoreandmoreexcited,feverishlyso,beyondhisstrength.

Themerefactoftheeverpresentideathatthereexistssomethinginfinitelymorejustand
morehappythanIamfillsmethroughandthroughwithtenderecstasyandglorifiesme
oh,whoeverImaybe,whateverIhavedone!Whatisfarmoreessentialformanthanpersonal
happinessistoknowandtobelieveateveryinstantthatthereissomewhereaperfectand
serenehappinessforallmenandforeverything....Theoneessentialconditionofhuman
existenceisthatmanshouldalwaysbeabletobowdownbeforesomethinginfinitelygreat.If
menaredeprivedoftheinfinitelygreattheywillnotgoonlivingandwilldieofdespair.The
InfiniteandtheEternalareasessentialformanasthelittleplanetonwhichhedwells.My
friends,all,all:hailtotheGreatIdea!TheEternal,InfiniteIdea!Itisessentialtoeveryman,
whoeverhemaybe,tobowdownbeforewhatistheGreatIdea.Eventhestupidestmanneeds
somethinggreat.Petrusha...oh,howIwanttoseethemallagain!Theydon'tknow,they
don'tknowthatthatsameEternal,GrandIdealiesinthemall!

DoctorSalzfishwasnotpresentattheceremony.Cominginsuddenly,hewashorrified,and
clearedtheroom,insistingthatthepatientmustnotbeexcited.

StepanTrofimovitchdiedthreedayslater,butbythattimehewascompletelyunconscious.
He quietly went out like a candle that is burnt down. After having the funeral service
performed,VarvaraPetrovnatookthebodyofherpoorfriendtoSkvoreshniki.Hisgraveisin
theprecinctsofthechurchandisalreadycoveredwithamarbleslab.Theinscriptionandthe
railingwillbeaddedinthespring.

VarvaraPetrovna'sabsencefromtownhadlastedeightdays.SofyaMatveyevnaarrivedinthe
carriagewithherandseemstohavesettledwithherforgood.Imaymentionthatassoonas
StepanTrofimovitchlostconsciousness(themorningthathereceivedthesacrament)Varvara
PetrovnapromptlyaskedSofyaMatveyevnatoleavethecottageagain,andwaitedonthe
invalidherselfunassistedtotheend,butshesentforheratoncewhenhehadbreathedhis
last. Sofya Matveyevna wasterriblyalarmedbyVarvara Petrovna'sproposition,orrather
command,thatsheshouldsettleforgoodatSkvoreshniki,butthelatterrefusedtolistentoher
protests.

That'sallnonsense!Iwillgowithyoutosellthegospel.Ihavenooneintheworldnow.

Youhaveason,however,Salzfishobserved.

Ihavenoson!VarvaraPetrovnasnappedoutanditwaslikeaprophecy.

CHAPTERVIII.CONCLUSION

ALLTHECRIMESANDVILLAINIESTHAThadbeenperpetratedwerediscoveredwith
extraordinaryrapidity,muchmorequicklythanPyotrStepanovitchhadexpected.Tobegin
with,thelucklessMaryaIgnatyevnawakedupbeforedaybreakonthenightofherhusband's
murder,missedhimandflewintoindescribableagitation,notseeinghimbesideher.The
womanwhohadbeenhiredbyAnnaProhorovna,andwasthereforthenight,couldnot
succeedincalmingher,andassoonasitwasdaylightrantofetchArinaProhorovnaherself,
assuringtheinvalidthatthelatterknewwhereherhusbandwas,andwhenhewouldbeback.
Meantime Arina Prohorovna was in some anxiety too; she had already heard from her
husband ofthe deed perpetrated that night at Skvoreshniki. He had returned home about
eleveno'clockinaterriblestateofmindandbody;wringinghishands,heflunghimselfface
downwardsonhisbedandshakingwithconvulsivesobskeptrepeating,It'snotright,it'snot
right,it'snotrightatall!Heended,ofcourse,byconfessingitalltoArinaProhorovnabut
tonooneelseinthehouse.Shelefthimonhisbed,sternlyimpressinguponhimthatifhe
mustblubberhemustdoitinhispillowsoasnottobeoverheard,andthathewouldbeafool
ifheshowedanytracesofitnextday.Shefeltsomewhatanxious,however,andbeganat
once to clear things up in case of emergency: she succeeded in hiding or completely
destroyingallsuspiciouspapers,books,manifestoesperhaps.Atthesametimeshereflected
thatshe,hersister,heraunt,hersisterinlawthestudent,andperhapsevenherlongeared
brotherhadreallynothingmuchtobeafraidof.Whenthenurserantoherinthemorningshe
went without a second thought to Marya Ignatyevna's. She was desperately anxious,
moreover,tofindoutwhetherwhatherhusbandhadtoldherthatnightinaterrifiedand
franticwhisper,thatwasalmostlikedelirium,wastruethatis,whetherPyotrStepanovitch
hadbeenrightinhisreckoningthatKirillovwouldsacrificehimselfforthegeneralbenefit.
ButshearrivedatMaryaIgnatyevna'stoolate:whenthelatterhadsentoffthewomanand
wasleftalone,shewasunabletobearthesuspense;shegotoutofbed,andthrowinground
herthefirstgarmentshecouldfind,somethingverylightandunsuitablefortheweather,I
believe,sherandowntoKirillov'slodgeherself,thinkingthatheperhapswouldbebetterable
thananyonetotellhersomethingaboutherhusband.Theterribleeffectonherofwhatshe
sawtheremaywellbeimagined.ItisremarkablethatshedidnotreadKirillov'slastletter,
whichlayconspicuouslyonthetable,overlookingit,ofcourse,inherfright.Sheranbackto
herroom,snatchedupherbaby,andwentwithitoutofthehouseintothestreet.Itwasa
dampmorning,therewasafog.Shemetnopassersbyinsuchanoutofthewaystreet.She
ranonbreathlessthroughthewet,coldmud,andatlastbeganknockingatthedoorsofthe
houses.Inthefirsthousenoonecametothedoor,inthesecondtheyweresolongincoming
thatshegaveitupimpatientlyandbeganknockingatathirddoor.Thiswasthehouseofa
merchantcalledTitov.Hereshewailedandkeptdeclaringincoherentlythatherhusbandwas
murdered,causingagreatflutterinthehouse.SomethingwasknownaboutShatovandhis
storyintheTitovhousehold;theywerehorrorstrickenthatsheshouldberunningaboutthe
streetsinsuchattireandinsuchcoldwiththebabyscarcelycoveredinherarms,when,
accordingtoherstory,shehadonlybeenconfinedthedaybefore.Theythoughtatfirstthat
shewasdelirious,especiallyastheycouldnotmakeoutwhetheritwasKirillovwhowas
murderedorherhusband.Seeingthattheydidnotbelievehershewouldhaverunonfarther,
buttheykeptherbyforce,andIamtoldshescreamedandstruggledterribly.Theywentto
Filipov's,andwithintwohoursKirillov'ssuicideandtheletterhehadleftwereknowntothe
wholetown.ThepolicecametoquestionMaryaIgnatyevna,whowasstillconscious,andit
appearedatoncethatshehadnotreadKirillov'sletter,andtheycouldnotfindoutfromher
whathadledhertoconcludethatherhusbandhadbeenmurdered.Sheonlyscreamedthatif
Kirillovwasmurdered,thenherhusbandwasmurdered,theyweretogether.Towardsmidday
shesankintoastateofunconsciousnessfromwhichsheneverrecovered,andshediedthree
dayslater.Thebabyhadcaughtcoldanddiedbeforeher.

ArinaProhorovnanotfindingMaryaIgnatyevnaandthebaby,andguessingsomethingwas
wrong,wasabouttorunhome,butshecheckedherselfatthegateandsentthenurseto
inquireofthegentlemanatthelodgewhetherMaryaIgnatyevnawasnotthereandwhetherhe
knewanythingabouther.Thewomancamebackscreamingfrantically.Persuadinghernotto
scream and not to tell anyone by the timehonoured argument that she would get into
trouble,shestoleoutoftheyard.

Itgoeswithoutsayingthatshewasquestionedthesamemorningashavingactedasmidwife
toMaryaIgnatyevna;buttheydidnotgetmuchoutofher.Shegaveaverycoolandsensible
accountofallshehadherselfheardandseenatShatov's,butastowhathadhappenedshe
declaredthatsheknewnothing,andcouldnotunderstandit.

Itmaywellbeimaginedwhatanuproartherewasinthetown.Anewsensation,another
murder! But there was anotherelement in this case: it was clear that a secret society of
murderers,incendiaries,andrevolutionistsdidexist,didactuallyexist.Liza'sterribledeath,
themurderofStavrogin'swife,Stavroginhimself,thefire,theballforthebenefitofthe
governesses,thelaxityofmannersandmoralsinYuliaMihailovna'scircle....Eveninthe
disappearanceofStepanTrofimovitchpeopleinsistedonscentingamystery.Allsortsof
thingswerewhisperedaboutNikolayVsyevolodovitch.Bytheendofthedaypeopleknewof
PyotrStepanovitch'sabsencetoo,and,strangetosay,lesswassaidofhimthanofanyone.
Whatwastalkedofmostallthatdaywasthesenator.Therewasacrowdalmostalldayat
Filipov'shouse.ThepolicecertainlywereledastraybyKirillov'sletter.Theybelievedthat
KirillovhadmurderedShatovandhadhimselfcommittedsuicide.Yet,thoughtheauthorities
were thrown into perplexity, they were not altogether hoodwinked. The wordpark, for
instance,sovaguelyinsertedinKirillov'sletter,didnotpuzzleanyoneasPyotrStepanovitch
hadexpecteditwould.ThepoliceatoncemadearushforSkvoreshniki,notsimplybecauseit
wastheonlyparkintheneighbourhoodbutalsoledthitherbyasortofinstinctbecauseallthe
horrorsofthelastfewdayswereconnecteddirectlyorindirectlywithSkvoreshniki.Thatat
leastismytheory.(Imayremarkthat;VarvaraPetrovnahaddrivenoffearlythatmorningin
chaseofStepanTrofimovitch,andknewnothingofwhathadhappenedinthetown.)

Thebodywasfoundinthepondthatevening.Whatledtothediscoveryofitwasthefinding
ofShatov'scapatthesceneofthemurder,whereithadbeenwithextraordinarycarelessness
overlooked by the murderers. The appearance of the body, the medical examination and
certain deductions from it roused immediate suspicions that Kirillov must have had
accomplices.ItbecameevidentthatasecretsocietyreallydidexistofwhichShatovand
Kirillov were members and which was connected with the manifestoes. Who were these
accomplices?Nooneeventhoughtofanymemberofthequintetthatday.Itwasascertained
thatKirillovhadlivedlikeahermit,andinsocompleteaseclusionthatithadbeenpossible,
asstatedintheletter,forFedkatolodgewithhimforsomanydays,evenwhileanactive
searchwasbeingmadeforhim.Thechiefthingthatworriedeveryonewastheimpossibility
ofdiscoveringaconnectinglinkinthischaos.

There is no saying what conclusions and what disconnected theories our panicstricken
townspeoplewouldhavereached,ifthewholemysteryhadnotbeensuddenlysolvednext
day,thankstoLyamshin.

Hebrokedown.HebehavedasevenPyotrStepanovitchhadtowardstheendbeguntofearhe
would.LeftinchargeofTolkatchenko,andafterwardsofErkel,hespentallthefollowingday
lyinginhisbedwithhisfaceturnedtothewall,apparentlycalm,notutteringaword,and
scarcelyansweringwhenhewasspokento.Thisishowitwasthatheheardnothingalldayof
what was happening in the town. But Tolkatchenko, who was very well informed about
everything,tookintohisheadbytheeveningtothrowupthetaskofwatchingLyamshin
whichPyotrStepanovitchhadlaiduponhim,andleftthetown,thatis,toputitplainly,made
hisescape;thefactis,theylosttheirheadsasErkelhadpredictedtheywould.Imaymention,
bytheway,thatLiputinhaddisappearedthesamedaybeforetwelveo'clock.Butthingsfell
outsothathisdisappearancedidnotbecomeknowntotheauthoritiestilltheeveningofthe
followingday,when,thepolicewenttoquestionhisfamily,whowerepanicstrickenathis
absencebutkeptquietfromfearofconsequences.ButtoreturntoLyamshin:assoonashe
wasleftalone(Erkelhadgonehomeearlier,relyingonTolkatchenko)heranoutofhishouse,
and,ofcourse,verysoonlearnedthepositionofaffairs.Withoutevenreturninghomehetoo
triedtorunawaywithoutknowingwherehewasgoing.Butthenightwassodarkandto
escapewassoterribleanddifficult,thataftergoingthroughtwoorthreestreets,hereturned
homeandlockedhimselfupforthewholenight.Ibelievethattowardsmorningheattempted
to commit suicide but did not succeed. He remained locked up till middayand then
suddenlyherantotheauthorities.Heissaidtohavecrawledonhisknees,tohavesobbedand
shrieked,tohavekissedthefloorcryingoutthathewasnotworthytokissthebootsofthe
officials standing before him. They soothed him, were positively affable to him. His
examinationlasted,Iamtold,forthreehours.Heconfessedeverything,everything,toldevery
detail,everythingheknew,everypoint,anticipatingtheirquestions,hurriedtomakeaclean
breastofitall,volunteeringunnecessaryinformationwithoutbeingasked.Itturnedoutthat
heknewenough,andpresentedthingsinafairlytruelight:thetragedyofShatovandKirillov,
thefire,thedeathoftheLebyadkins,andtherestofitwererelegatedtothebackground.Pyotr
Stepanovitch,thesecretsociety,theorganisation,andthenetworkwereputinthefirstplace.
Whenaskedwhatwastheobjectofsomanymurdersandscandalsanddastardlyoutrages,he
answeredwithfeverishhastethatitwaswiththeideaofsystematicallyunderminingthe
foundations,systematicallydestroyingsocietyandallprinciples;withtheideaofnonplussing
everyoneandmakinghayofeverything,andthen,whensocietywastottering,sickandoutof
joint,cynicalandscepticalthoughfilledwithanintenseeagernessforselfpreservationand
forsomeguidingidea,suddenlytoseizeitintheirhands,raisingthestandardofrevoltand
relyingonacompletenetworkofquintets,whichwereactively,meanwhile,gatheringrecruits
andseekingouttheweakspotswhichcouldbeattacked.Inconclusion,hesaidthatherein
our town Pyotr Stepanovitch had organised only the first experiment in such systematic
disorder,sotospeakasaprogrammeforfurtheractivity,andforallthequintetsandthat
thiswashisown(Lyamshin's)idea,hisowntheory,andthathehopedtheywouldremember
itandbearinmindhowopenlyandproperlyhehadgivenhisinformation,andtherefore
mightbeofusehereafter.Beingaskeddefinitelyhowmanyquintetstherewere,heanswered
thattherewereimmensenumbersofthem,thatallRussiawasoverspreadwithanetwork,and
although he brought forward no proofs, I believe his answer was perfectly sincere. He
producedonlytheprogrammeofthesociety,printedabroad,andtheplanfordevelopinga
system of future activity roughly sketched in Pyotr Stepanovitch's own handwriting. It
appearedthatLyamshinhadquotedthephraseaboutunderminingthefoundation,wordfor
wordfromthisdocument,notomittingasinglestoporcomma,thoughhehaddeclaredthatit
wasallhisown,theory.OfYuliaMihailovnaheveryfunnilyandquitewithoutprovocation
volunteeredtheremark,thatshewasinnocentaridhadbeenmadeafoolof.''But,strangeto
say, he exonerated Nikolay Stavrogin from all share in the secret society, from any
collaborationwithPyotrStepanovic.(Lyamshiuhadnoconceptionofthesecretandvery
absurd hopes that Pyotr Stepanovitch was resting on Stavrogin.) According to his story
NikolayStavroginhadnothingwhatevertodowiththedeathoftheLebyadkins,whichhad
beenplannedbyPyotrStepanovitchaloneandwiththesubtleaimofimplicatingtheformerin
the.crime,andthereforemakinghimdependentonPyotrStepanovitch;butinsteadofthe
gratitudeonwhichPyotrStepanovitchhadreckonedwithshallowconfidence,hehadroused
nothingbutindignationandevendespairinthegenerousheartofNikolayVsyevolodovitch.
Hewoundup,byahint,evidentlyintentional,volunteeredhastily,thatStavroginwasperhaps
averyimportantpersonage,butthattherewassomesecretaboutthat,thathehadbeenliving
amongus,sotosay,incognito,thathehadsomecommission,andthatverypossiblyhewould
comebacktousagainfromPetersburg.(LyamshinwasconvincedthatStavroginhadgoneto
Petersburg),butinquiteadifferentcapacityandindifferentsurroundings,inthesuiteof
personsofwhomperhapsweshouldsoonhear,andthatallthishehadheardfromPyotr
Stepanovitch,NikolayVsyevolodovitch'ssecretenemy.

HereIwillnotethattwomonthslater,LyamshinadmittedthathehadexoneratedStavrogin
onpurpose,hopingthathewouldprotecthimandwouldobtainforhimamitigationinthe
seconddegreeofhissentence,andthathewouldprovidehimwithmoneyandlettersof
introduction in Siberia. From this confession it is evident that he had an extraordinarily
exaggeratedconceptionofStavrogin'spowers.

Onthesameday,ofcourse,thepolicearrestedVirginskyandintheirzealtookhiswhole
familytoo.(ArinaProhorovna,hersister,aunt,andeventhegirlstudentwerereleasedlong
ago;theysaythatShigalovtoowillbesetfreeveryshortlybecausehecannotbeclassedwith
anyoftheotherprisoners.Butallthatissofaronlygossip.)Virginskyatoncepleadedguilty.
Hewaslyingillwithfeverwhenhewasarrested.Iamtoldthatheseemedalmostrelieved;it
wasaloadoffhisheart,heisreportedtohavesaid.Itisrumouredthatheisgivinghis
evidencewithoutreservation,butwithacertaindignity,andhasnotgivenupanyofhis
brighthopes,thoughatthesametimehecursesthepoliticalmethod(asopposedtothe
Socialistone),inwhichhehadbeenunwittinglyandheedlesslycarriedbythevortexof
combinedcircumstances.Hisconductatthetimeofthemurderhasbeenputinafavourable
light,andIimaginethathetoomayreckononsomemitigationofhissentence.Thatatleastis
whatisassertedinthetown.

ButIdoubtwhetherthereisanyhopeformercyinErkel'scase.Eversincehisarresthehas
beenobstinatelysilent,orhasmisrepresentedthefactsasfarashecould.Notonewordof
regrethasbeenwrungfromhimsofar.Yeteventhesternestofthejudgestryinghimhasbeen
movedtosomecompassionbyhisyouth,byhishelplessness,bytheunmistakableevidence
thatheisnothingbutafanaticalvictimofapoliticalimpostor,and,mostofall,byhisconduct
tohismother,towhom,asitappears,heusedtosendalmostthehalfofhissmallsalary.His
motherisnowinthetown;sheisadelicateandailingwoman,agedbeyondheryears;she
weepsandpositivelygrovelsonthegroundimploringmercyforherson.Whatevermay
happen,manyamongusfeelsorryforErkel.

LiputinwasarrestedinPetersburg,wherehehadbeenlivingforafortnight.Hisconductthere
soundsalmostincredibleandis:difficulttoexplain.Heissaidtohavehadapassportina
forgednameandquitealargesumofmoneyuponhim,andhadeverypossibilityofescaping
abroad, yet insteadof goinghe remained in Petersburg. He spent some time hunting for
StavroginandPyotrStepanovitch.Suddenlyhetooktodrinkingandgavehimselfuptoa
debaucherythatexceededallbounds,likeamanwhohadlostallreasonandunderstandingof
hisposition.HewasarrestedinPetersburgdrunkinabrothel.Thereisarumourthathehas
not by any means lost heart, that he tells lies in his evidence and is preparing for the
approachingtrial hopefully(?)and, asit were, triumphantly. He even intends tomake a
speechatthetrial.Tolkatchenko,whowasarrestedintheneighbourhoodtendaysafterhis
flight,behaveswithincomparablymoredecorum;hedoesnotshuffleortelllies,hetellsall
heknows,doesnotjustifyhimself,blameshimselfwithallmodesty,thoughhe,too,hasa
weaknessforrhetoric;hetellsreadilywhatheknows,andwhenknowledgeofthepeasantry
andtherevolutionaryelementsamongthemistouchedupon,hepositivelyattitudinisesandis
eagertoproduceaneffect.He,too,ismeaning,Iamtold,tomakeaspeechatthetrial.
NeitherhenorLiputinseemverymuchafraid,curiousasitseems.

Irepeatthatthecaseisnotyetover.Now,threemonthsafterwards,localsocietyhashadtime
torest,hasrecovered,hasgotoverit,hasanopinionofitsown,somuchsothatsomepeople
positively look upon Pyotr Stepanovitch as a genius or at least as possessed of some
characteristicsofagenius.Organisation!theysayattheclub,holdingupafinger.Butall
thisisveryinnocentandtherearenotmanypeoplewhotalklikethat.Others,ontheother
hand,donotdenyhisacuteness,butpointoutthathewasutterlyignorantofreallife,thathe
wasterriblytheoretical,grotesquelyandstupidlyonesided,andconsequentlyshallowinthe
extreme.Asforhismoralqualitiesallareagreed;aboutthattherearenotwoopinions.

Idonotknowwhomtomentionnextsoasnottoforgetanyone.MavrikyNikolaevitchhas
goneawayforgood,Idon'tknowwhere.OldMadameDrozdovhassunkintodotage....I
havestilloneverygloomystorytotell,however.Iwillconfinemyselftothebarefacts.

OnherreturnfromUstyevo,VarvaraPetrovnastayedathertownhouse.Alltheaccumulated
newsbrokeuponheratonceandgaveheraterribleshock.Sheshutherselfupalone.Itwas
evening;everyonewastiredandwenttobedearly.

InthemorningamaidwithamysteriousairhandedanotetoDaryaPavlovna.Thenotehad,
soshesaid,arrivedtheeveningbefore,butlate,whenallhadgonetobed,sothatshehadnot
venturedtowakeher.Ithadnotcomebypost,buthadbeenputinAlexeyYegorytch'shand
inSkvoreshnikibysomeunknownperson.AndAlexeyYegorytchhadimmediatelysetoff
andputitintoherhandshimselfandhadthenreturnedtoSkvoreshniki.

ForalongwhileDaryaPavlovnagazedattheletterwithabeatingheart,anddarednotopen
it. She knewfrom whom it came: the writerwas Nikolay Stavrogin. She read what was
writtenontheenvelope:ToAlexeyYegorytch,tobegivensecretlytoDaryaPavlovna.

Hereistheletterwordforword,withouttheslightestcorrectionofthedefectsinstyleofa
RussianaristocratwhohadnevermasteredtheRussiangrammarinspiteofhisEuropean
education.

DearDabyaPavlovna,Atonetimeyouexpressedawishtobemynurseandmademe
promisetosendforyouwhenIwantedyou.Iamgoingawayintwodaysandshallnotcome
back.Willyougowithme?

Lastyear,likeHerzen,IwasnaturalisedasacitizenofthecantonofUri,andthatnobody
knows.ThereI'vealreadyboughtalittlehouse,I'vestilltwelvethousandroublesleft;we'llgo
andlivethereforever.Idon'twanttogoanywhereelseever.

It'saverydullplace,anarrowvalley,themountainsrestrictbothvisionandthought.It's
verygloomy.Ichosetheplacebecausetherewasalittlehousetobesold.Ifyoudon'tlikeit
I'llsellitandbuyanotherinsomeotherplace.

Iamnotwell,butIhopetogetridofhallucinationsinthatair.It'sphysical,andasforthe
moralyouknoweverything;butdoyouknowall?

I'vetoldyouagreatdealofmylife,butnotall.Eventoyou!Notall.Bytheway,Irepeat
thatinmyconscienceIfeelmyselfresponsibleformywife'sdeath.Ihaven'tseenyousince
then,that'swhyIrepeatit.IfeelguiltyaboutLizavetaNikolaevnatoo;butyouknowabout
that;youforetoldalmostallthat.

Betternotcometome.Myaskingyoutoisahorriblemeanness.Andwhyshouldyoubury
yourlifewithme?Youaredeartome,andwhenIwasmiserableitwasgoodtobebeside
you;onlywithyouIcouldspeakofmyselfaloud.Butthatprovesnothing.Youdefinedit
yourself,'anurse'it'syourownexpression;whysacrificesomuch?Graspthis,too,thatI
havenopityforyousinceIaskyou,andnorespectforyousinceIreckononyou.AndyetI
askyouandIreckononyou.InanycaseIneedyouranswerforImustsetoffverysoon.In
thatcaseIshallgoalone.

IexpectnothingofUri;Iamsimplygoing.Ihavenotchosenagloomyplaceonpurpose.I
havenotiesinRussiaeverythingisasalientomethereaseverywhere.It'struethatI
dislikelivingtheremorethananywhere;butIcan'thateanythingeventhere!

I'vetriedmystrengtheverywhere.Youadvisedmetodothis'thatImightlearntoknow
myself.'AslongasIwasexperimentingformyselfandforothersitseemedinfinite,asithas
all my life. Before your eyes I endured a blow from your brother; I acknowledged my
marriageinpublic.Buttowhattoapplymystrength,thatiswhatI'veneverseen,anddonot
seenowinspiteofallyourpraisesinSwitzerland,whichIbelievedin.Iamstillcapable,asI
alwayswas,ofdesiringtodosomethinggood,andoffeelingpleasurefromit;atthesame
timeIdesireevilandfeelpleasurefromthattoo.Butbothfeelingsarealwaystoopetty,and
areneververystrong.Mydesiresaretooweak;theyarenotenoughtoguideme.Onalogone
maycrossariverbutnotonachip.IsaythisthatyoumaynotbelievethatIamgoingtoUri
withhopesofanysort.

AsalwaysIblamenoone.I'vetriedthedepthsofdebaucheryandwastedmystrengthover
it.ButIdon'tlikeviceandIdidn'twantit.Youhavebeenwatchingmeoflate.Doyouknow
thatIlookeduponouriconoclastswithspite,fromenvyoftheirhopes?Butyouhadnoneed
tobeafraid.IcouldnothavebeenoneofthemforIneversharedanythingwiththem.Andto
doitforfun,fromspiteIcouldnoteither,notbecauseIamafraidoftheridiculousIcannot
beafraidoftheridiculousbutbecauseIhave,afterall,thehabitsofagentlemanandit
disgustedme.ButifIhadfeltmorespiteandenvyofthemImightperhapshavejoinedthem.
Youcanjudgehowhardithasbeenforme,andhowI'vestruggledfromonethingtoanother.
Dearfriend!GreatandtenderheartwhichIdivined!Perhapsyoudreamofgivingmeso
muchloveandlavishingonmesomuchthatisbeautifulfromyourbeautifulsoul,thatyou
hopetosetupsomeaimformeatlastbyit?No,it'sbetterforyoutobemorecautious,my
lovewillbeaspettyasIammyselfandyouwillbeunhappy.Yourbrothertoldmethatthe
manwholosesconnectionwithhiscountryloseshisgods,thatis,allhisaims.Onemayargue
abouteverythingendlessly,butfrommenothinghascomebutnegation,withnogreatnessof
soul,noforce.Evennegationhasnotcomefromme.Everythinghasalwaysbeenpettyand
spiritless.Kirillov,inthegreatnessofhissoul,couldnotcompromisewithanidea,andshot
himself;butIsee,ofcourse,thathewasgreatsouledbecausehehadlosthisreason.Ican
neverlosemyreason,andIcanneverbelieveinanideatosuchadegreeashedid.Icannot
evenbeinterestedinanideatosuchadegree.Icannever,nevershootmyself.

IknowIoughttokillmyself,tobrushmyselfofftheearthlikeanastyinsect;butIamafraid
ofsuicide,forIamafraidofshowinggreatnessofsoul.Iknowthatitwillbeanothersham
againthelastdeceptioninanendlessseriesofdeceptions.Whatgoodisthereindeceiving
oneself?Simplytoplayatgreatnessofsoul?IndignationandshameIcanneverfeel,therefore
notdespair.

Forgivemeforwritingsomuch.Iwrotewithoutnoticing.Ahundredpageswouldbetoo
littleandtenlineswouldbeenough.Tenlineswouldbeenoughtoaskyoutobeanurse.
SinceIleftSkvoreshnikiI'vebeenlivingatthesixthstationontheline,atthestationmaster's.
IgottoknowhiminthetimeofdebaucheryfiveyearsagoinPetersburg.NooneknowsIam
livingthere.Writetohim.Ienclosetheaddress.

NikolayStavrogin.

DaryaPavlovnawentatonceandshowedthelettertoVarvaraPetrovna.Shereaditandasked
Dashatogooutoftheroomsothatshemightreaditagainalone;butshecalledherbackvery
quickly.

Areyougoing?sheaskedalmosttimidly.

Iamgoing,answeredDasha.

Getready!We'llgotogether.

Dashalookedatherinquiringly.

Whatisthereleftformetodohere?Whatdifficultywillitmake?I'llbenaturalisedinUri,
too,andliveinthevalley....Don'tbeuneasy,Iwon'tbeintheway.

Theybeganpackingquicklytobeintimetocatchthemiddaytrain.Butinlessthanhalfan
hour's time Alexey Yegorytch arrived from Skvoreshniki. He announced that Nikolay
Vsyevolodovitch had suddenly arrived that morning by the early train, and was now at
Skvoreshniki but in such a state that his honour did not answer any questions, walked
throughalltheroomsandshuthimselfupinhisownwing....
ThoughIreceivednoordersIthoughtitbesttocomeandinformyou,AlexeyYegorytch
concludedwithaverysignificantexpression.

VarvaraPetrovnalookedathimsearchinglyanddidnotquestionhim.Thecarriagewasgot
readyinstantly.VarvaraPetrovnasetoffwithDasha.Theysaythatshekeptcrossingherself
onthejourney.

InNikolayVsyevolodovitch'swingofthehouseallthedoorswereopenandhewasnowhere
tobeseen.

Wouldn'thebeupstairs?Fomushkaventured.

ItwasremarkablethatseveralservantsfollowedVarvaraPetrovnawhiletheothersallstood
waiting in the drawingroom. They would never have dared to commit such a breach of
etiquettebefore.VarvaraPetrovnasawitandsaidnothing.

Theywentupstairs.Theretherewerethreerooms;buttheyfoundnoonethere.

Wouldn'thishonourhavegoneupthere?someonesuggested,pointingtothedoorofthe
loft.Andinfact,thedooroftheloftwhichwasalwaysclosedhadbeenopenedandwas
standingajar.Theloftwasrightundertheroofandwasreachedbyalong,verysteepand
narrowwoodenladder.Therewasasortoflittleroomuptheretoo.

Iamnotgoingupthere.Whyshouldhegoupthere?saidVarvaraPetrovna,turningterribly
pale asshelookedatthe servants.Theygazedbackat herandsaidnothing.Dashawas
trembling.

VarvaraPetrovnarusheduptheladder;Dashafollowed,butshehadhardlyenteredtheloft
whensheutteredascreamandfellsenseless.

ThecitizenofthecantonofUriwashangingtherebehindthedoor.Onthetablelayapieceof
paperwiththewordsinpencil:Nooneistoblame,Ididitmyself.Besideitonthetablelay
ahammer,apieceofsoap,andalargenailobviouslyanextraoneincaseofneed.The
strongsilkcorduponwhichNikolayVsyevolodovitchhadhangedhimselfhadevidentlybeen
chosenandpreparedbeforehandandwasthicklysmearedwithsoap.Everythingprovedthat
therehadbeenpremeditationandconsciousnessuptothelastmoment.

Attheinquestourdoctorsabsolutelyandemphaticallyrejectedallideaofinsanity.

THEEND

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