"Allowme，Mr。Ivolgin，"hesaidirritably。"Whatisthegoodofallthisrigmarole？Pardonme。Allisnowclear，andweacknowledgethetruthofyourmainpoint。Whygointothesetediousdetails？Youwishperhapstoboastoftheclevernessofyourinvestigation，tocryupyourtalentsasdetective？OrperhapsyourintentionistoexcuseBurdovsky，byrovingthathetookupthematterinignorance？Well，Iconsiderthatextremelyimpudentonyourpart！YououghttoknowthatBurdovskyhasnoneedofbeingexcusedorjustifiedbyyouoranyoneelse！Itisaninsult！Theaffairisquitepainfulenoughforhimwithoutthat。Willnothingmakeyouunderstand？"
　　"Enough！enough！Mr。Terentieff，"interruptedGania。
　　"Don’texciteyourself；youseemveryill，andIamsorryforthat。Iamalmostdone，butthereareafewfactstowhichI
　　mustbrieflyrefer，asIamconvincedthattheyoughttobeclearlyexplainedonceforall……"Amovementofimpatiencewasnoticedinhisaudienceasheresumed:"Imerelywishtostate，fortheinformationofallconcerned，thatthereasonforMr。Pavlicheff’sinterestinyourmother，Mr。Burdovsky，wassimplythatshewasthesisterofaserf-girlwithwhomhewasdeeplyinloveinhisyouth，andwhommostcertainlyhewouldhavemarriedbutforhersuddendeath。Ihaveproofsthatthiscircumstanceisalmost，ifnotquite，forgotten。Imayaddthatwhenyourmotherwasabouttenyearsold，Pavlichefftookherunderhiscare，gaveheragoodeducation，andlater，aconsiderabledowry。Hisrelationswerealarmed，andfearedhemightgosofarastomarryher，butshegaveherhandtoayoungland-surveyornamedBurdovskywhenshereachedtheageoftwenty。
　　Icanevensaydefinitelythatitwasamarriageofaffection。
　　Afterhisweddingyourfathergaveuphisoccupationasland-
　　surveyor，andwithhiswife’sdowryoffifteenthousandroubleswentinforcommercialspeculations。Ashehadhadnoexperience，hewascheatedonallsides，andtooktodrinkinordertoforgethistroubles。Heshortenedhislifebyhisexcesses，andeightyearsafterhismarriagehedied。Yourmothersaysherselfthatshewasleftinthedirestpoverty，andwouldhavediedofstarvationhaditnotbeenforPavlicheff，whogenerouslyallowedherayearlypensionofsixhundredroubles。Manypeoplerecallhisextremefondnessforyouasalittleboy。Yourmotherconfirmsthis，andagreeswithothersinthinkingthathelovedyouthemorebecauseyouwereasicklychild，stammeringinyourspeech，andalmostdeformed——foritisknownthatallhislifeNicolaiAndreevitchhadapartialityforunfortunatesofeverykind，especiallychildren。Inmyopinionthisismostimportant。
　　ImayaddthatIdiscoveredyetanotherfact，thelastonwhichI
　　employedmydetectivepowers。SeeinghowfondPavlicheffwasofyou，——itwasthankstohimyouwenttoschool，andalsohadtheadvantageofspecialteachers——hisrelationsandservantsgrewtobelievethatyouwerehisson，andthatyourfatherhadbeenbetrayedbyhiswife。ImaypointoutthatthisideawasonlyaccreditedgenerallyduringthelastyearsofPavlicheff’slife，whenhisnext-of-kinweretremblingaboutthesuccession，whentheearlierstorywasquiteforgotten，andwhenallopportunityfordiscoveringthetruthhadseeminglypassedaway。Nodoubtyou，Mr。Burdovsky，heardthisconjecture，anddidnothesitatetoacceptitastrue。Ihavehadthehonourofmakingyourmother’sacquaintance，andIfindthatsheknowsallaboutthesereports。Whatshedoesnotknowisthatyou，herson，shouldhavelistenedtothemsocomplaisantly。IfoundyourrespectedmotheratPskoff，illandindeeppoverty，asshehasbeeneversincethedeathofyourbenefactor。Shetoldmewithtearsofgratitudehowyouhadsupportedher；sheexpectsmuchofyou，andbelievesferventlyinyourfuturesuccess……"
　　"Oh，thisisunbearable！"saidLebedeff’snephewimpatiently。
　　"Whatisthegoodofallthisromancing？"
　　"Itisrevoltingandunseemly！"criedHippolyte，jumpingupinafury。
　　Burdovskyalonesatsilentandmotionless。
　　"Whatisthegoodofit？"repeatedGavrilaArdalionovitch，withpretendedsurprise。"Well，firstly，becausenowperhapsMr。
　　BurdovskyisquiteconvincedthatMr。Pavlicheff’sloveforhimcamesimplyfromgenerosityofsoul，andnotfrompaternalduty。
　　Itwasmostnecessarytoimpressthisfactuponhismind，consideringthatheapprovedofthearticlewrittenbyMr。
　　Keller。IspeakthusbecauseIlookonyou，Mr。Burdovsky，asanhonourableman。Secondly，itappearsthattherewasnointentionofcheatinginthiscase，evenonthepartofTchebaroff。Iwishtosaythisquiteplainly，becausetheprincehintedawhileagothatItoothoughtitanattemptatrobberyandextortion。Onthecontrary，everyonehasbeenquitesincereinthematter，andalthoughTchebaroffmaybesomewhatofarogue，inthisbusinesshehasactedsimplyasanysharplawyerwoulddounderthecircumstances。Helookedatitasacasethatmightbringhiminalotofmoney，andhedidnotcalculatebadly；becauseontheonehandhespeculatedonthegenerosityoftheprince，andhisgratitudetothelateMr。Pavlicheff，andontheothertohischivalrousideasastotheobligationsofhonourandconscience。
　　AstoMr。Burdovsky，allowingforhisprinciples，wemayacknowledgethatheengagedinthebusinesswithverylittlepersonalaiminview。AttheinstigationofTchebaroffandhisotherfriends，hedecidedtomaketheattemptintheserviceoftruth，progress，andhumanity。Inshort，theconclusionmaybedrawnthat，inspiteofallappearances，Mr。Burdovskyisamanofirreproachablecharacter，andthustheprincecanallthemorereadilyofferhimhisfriendship，andtheassistanceofwhichhespokejustnow……"
　　"Hush！hush！GavrilaArdalionovitch！"criedMuishkinindismay，butitwastoolate。
　　"Isaid，andIhaverepeateditoverandoveragain，"shoutedBurdovskyfuriously，"thatIdidnotwantthemoney。Iwillnottakeit……why……Iwillnot……Iamgoingaway！"
　　Hewasrushinghurriedlyfromtheterrace，whenLebedeff’snephewseizedhisarms，andsaidsomethingtohiminalowvoice。
　　Burdovskyturnedquickly，anddrawinganaddressedbutunsealedenvelopefromhispocket，hethrewitdownonalittletablebesidetheprince。
　　"There’sthemoney！……Howdareyou？……Themoney！"
　　"Thosearethetwohundredandfiftyroublesyoudaredtosendhimasacharity，bythehandsofTchebaroff，"explainedDoktorenko。
　　"Thearticleinthenewspaperputitatfifty！"criedColia。
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"saidtheprince，goinguptoBurdovsky。"I
　　havedoneyouagreatwrong，butIdidnotsendyouthatmoneyasacharity，believeme。AndnowIamagaintoblame。Ioffendedyoujustnow。"Theprincewasmuchdistressed；heseemedwornoutwithfatigue，andspokealmostincoherently。"Ispokeofswindling……butIdidnotapplythattoyou。Iwasdeceived……Isaidyouwere……afflicted……likeme……Butyouarenotlikeme……yougivelessons……yousupportyourmother。I
　　saidyouhaddishonouredyourmother，butyouloveher。Shesayssoherself……Ididnotknow……GavrilaArdalionovitchdidnottellmethat……Forgiveme！Idaredtoofferyoutenthousandroubles，butIwaswrong。Ioughttohavedoneitdifferently，andnow……thereisnowayofdoingit，foryoudespiseme……"
　　"Ideclare，thisisalunaticasylum！"criedLizabethaProkofievna。
　　"Ofcourseitisalunaticasylum！"repeatedAglayasharply，butherwordswereoverpoweredbyothervoices。Everybodywastalkingloudly，makingremarksandcomments；somediscussedtheaffairgravely，otherslaughed。IvanFedorovitchEpanchinwasextremelyindignant。Hestoodwaitingforhiswifewithanairofoffendeddignity。Lebedeff’snephewtookupthewordagain。
　　"Well，prince，todoyoujustice，youcertainlyknowhowtomakethemostofyour——letuscallitinfirmity，forthesakeofpoliteness；youhavesetaboutofferingyourmoneyandfriendshipinsuchawaythatnoself-respectingmancouldpossiblyacceptthem。Thisisanexcessofingenuousnessorofmalice——yououghttoknowbetterthananyonewhichwordbestfitsthecase。"
　　"Allowme，gentlemen，"saidGavrilaArdalionovitch，whohadjustexaminedthecontentsoftheenvelope，"thereareonlyahundredroubleshere，nottwohundredandfifty。Ipointthisout，prince，topreventmisunderstanding。"
　　"Nevermind，nevermind，"saidtheprince，signingtohimtokeepquiet。
　　"Butwedomind，"saidLebedeff’snephewvehemently。"Prince，your’nevermind’isaninsulttous。Wehavenothingtohide；
　　ouractionscanbeardaylight。Itistruethatthereareonlyahundredroublesinsteadoftwohundredandfifty，butitisallthesame。"
　　"Why，no，itishardlythesame，"remarkedGavrilaArdalionovitch，withanairofingenuoussurprise。
　　"Don’tinterrupt，wearenotsuchfoolsasyouthink，Mr。
　　Lawyer，"criedLebedeff’snephewangrily。"Ofcoursethereisadifferencebetweenahundredroublesandtwohundredandfifty，butinthiscasetheprincipleisthemainpoint，andthatahundredandfiftyroublesaremissingisonlyasideissue。ThepointtobeemphasizedisthatBurdovskywillnotacceptyourhighness’scharity；heflingsitbackinyourface，anditscarcelymattersifthereareahundredroublesortwohundredandfifty。Burdovskyhasrefusedtenthousandroubles；youheardhim。Hewouldnothavereturnedevenahundredroublesifhewasdishonest！ThehundredandfiftyroubleswerepaidtoTchebaroffforhistravellingexpenses。Youmayjeeratourstupidityandatourinexperienceinbusinessmatters；youhavedoneallyoucouldalreadytomakeuslookridiculous；butdonotdaretocallusdishonest。Thefourofuswillclubtogethereverydaytorepaythehundredandfiftyroublestotheprince，ifwehavetopayitininstalmentsofaroubleatatime，butwewillrepayit，withinterest。Burdovskyispoor，hehasnomillions。AfterhisjourneytoseetheprinceTchebaroffsentinhisbill。Wecountedonwinning……Whowouldnothavedonethesameinsuchacase？"
　　"Whoindeed？"exclaimedPrinceS。
　　"Ishallcertainlygomad，ifIstayhere！"criedLizabethaProkofievna。
　　"Itremindsme，"saidEvgeniePavlovitch，laughing，"ofthefamouspleaofacertainlawyerwholatelydefendedamanformurderingsixpeopleinordertorobthem。Heexcusedhisclientonthescoreofpoverty。’Itisquitenatural，’hesaidinconclusion，’consideringthestateofmiseryhewasin，thatheshouldhavethoughtofmurderingthesesixpeople；whichofyou，gentlemen，wouldnothavedonethesameinhisplace？’"
　　"Enough，"criedLizabethaProkofievnaabruptly，tremblingwithanger，"wehavehadenoughofthisbalderdash！"
　　Inastateofterribleexcitementshethrewbackherhead，withflamingeyes，castinglooksofcontemptanddefianceuponthewholecompany，inwhichshecouldnolongerdistinguishfriendfromfoe。Shehadrestrainedherselfsolongthatshefeltforcedtoventherrageonsomebody。ThosewhoknewLizabethaProkofievnasawatoncehowitwaswithher。"Shefliesintotheseragessometimes，"saidIvanFedorovitchtoPrinceS。thenextday，"butsheisnotoftensoviolentasshewasyesterday；
　　itdoesnothappenmorethanonceinthreeyears。"
　　"Bequiet，IvanFedorovitch！Leavemealone！"criedMrs。
　　Epanchin。"Whydoyouoffermeyourarmnow？Youhadnotsenseenoughtotakemeawaybefore。Youaremyhusband，youareafather，itwasyourdutytodragmeawaybyforce，ifinmyfollyIrefusedtoobeyyouandgoquietly。Youmightatleasthavethoughtofyourdaughters。Wecanfindourwayoutnowwithoutyourhelp。Hereisshameenoughforayear！Waitamoment’tillI
　　thanktheprince！Thankyou，prince，fortheentertainmentyouhavegivenus！Itwasmostamusingtoheartheseyoungmen……Itisvile，vile！Achaos，ascandal，worsethananightmare！Isitpossiblethattherecanbemanysuchpeopleonearth？Bequiet，Aglaya！Bequiet，Alexandra！Itisnoneofyourbusiness！Don’tfussroundmelikethat，EvgeniePavlovitch；youexasperateme！
　　So，mydear，"shecried，addressingtheprince，"yougosofarastobegtheirpardon！Hesays，’Forgivemeforofferingyouafortune。’Andyou，youmountebank，whatareyoulaughingat？"shecried，turningsuddenlyonLebedeff’snephew。"’Werefusetenthousandroubles；wedonotbeseech，wedemand！’Asifhedidnotknowthatthisidiotwillcallonthemtomorrowtorenewhisoffersofmoneyandfriendship。Youwill，won’tyou？Youwill？
　　Come，willyou，orwon’tyou？"
　　"Ishall，"saidtheprince，withgentlehumility。
　　"Youhearhim！Youcountuponit，too，"shecontinued，turninguponDoktorenko。"Youareassureofhimnowasifyouhadthemoneyinyourpocket。Andthereyouareplayingtheswaggerertothrowdustinoureyes！No，mydearsir，youmaytakeotherpeoplein！Icanseethroughallyourairsandgraces，Iseeyourgame！"
　　"LizabethaProkofievna！"exclaimedtheprince。
　　"Come，LizabethaProkofievna，itisquitetimeforustobegoing，wewilltaketheprincewithus，"saidPrinceS。withasmile，inthecoolestpossibleway。
　　Thegirlsstoodapart，almostfrightened；theirfatherwaspositivelyhorrified。Mrs。Epanchin’slanguageastonishedeverybody。Somewhostoodalittlewayoffsmiledfurtively，andtalkedinwhispers。Lebedeffworeanexpressionofutmostecstasy。
　　"Chaosandscandalaretobefoundeverywhere，madame，"remarkedDoktorenko，whowasconsiderablyputoutofcountenance。
　　"Notlikethis！Nothinglikethespectacleyouhavejustgivenus，sir，"answeredLizabethaProkofievna，withasortofhystericalrage。"Leavemealone，willyou？"shecriedviolentlytothosearoundher，whoweretryingtokeepherquiet。"No，EvgeniePavlovitch，if，asyousaidyourselfjustnow，alawyersaidinopencourtthathefounditquitenaturalthatamanshouldmurdersixpeoplebecausehewasinmisery，theworldmustbecomingtoanend。Ihadnotheardofitbefore。NowI
　　understandeverything。Andthisstutterer，won’theturnoutamurderer？"shecried，pointingtoBurdovsky，whowasstaringatherwithstupefaction。"Ibethewill！Hewillhavenoneofyourmoney，possibly，hewillrefuseitbecausehisconsciencewillnotallowhimtoacceptit，buthewillgomurderingyoubynightandwalkingoffwithyourcashbox，withaclearconscience！Hedoesnotcallitadishonestactionbut’theimpulseofanobledespair’；’anegation’；orthedevilknowswhat！Bah！everythingisupsidedown，everyonewalksheaddownwards。Ayounggirl，broughtupathome，suddenlyjumpsintoacabinthemiddleofthestreet，saying:’Good-bye，mother，ImarriedKarlitch，orIvanitch，theotherday！’Andyouthinkitquiteright？Youcallsuchconductestimableandnatural？The’womanquestion’？Lookhere，"shecontinued，pointingtoColia，"theotherdaythatwhippersnappertoldmethatthiswasthewholemeaningofthe’womanquestion。’Butevensupposingthatyourmotherisafool，youarenonetheless，boundtotreatherwithhumanity。Whydidyoucomeheretonightsoinsolently？’Giveusourrights，butdon’tdaretospeakinourpresence。Showuseverymarkofdeepestrespect，whilewetreatyoulikethescumoftheearth。’
　　Themiscreantshavewrittenatissueofcalumnyintheirarticle，andthesearethemenwhoseekfortruth，anddobattlefortheright！’Wedonotbeseech，wedemand，youwillgetnothanksfromus，becauseyouwillbeactingtosatisfyyourownconscience！’
　　Whatmorality！But，good。heavens！ifyoudeclarethattheprince’sgenerositywill，excitenogratitudeinyou，hemightanswerthatheisnot，boundtobegratefultoPavlicheff，whoalsowasonlysatisfyinghisownconscience。Butyoucountedontheprince’s，gratitudetowardsPavlicheff；youneverlenthimanymoney；heowesyounothing；thenwhatwereyoucountinguponifnotonhisgratitude？Andifyouappealtothatsentimentinothers，whyshouldyouexpecttobeexemptedfromit？Theyaremad！Theysaysocietyissavageand。inhumanbecauseitdespisesayounggirlwhohasbeenseduced。Butifyoucallsocietyinhumanyouimplythattheyounggirlismadetosufferbyitscensure。Howthen，canyouholdheruptothescornofsocietyinthenewspaperswithoutrealizingthatyouaremakinghersuffering，stillgreater？Madmen！Vainfools！Theydon’tbelieveinGod，theydon’tbelieveinChrist！Butyouaresoeaten。upbyprideandvanity，thatyouwillendbydevouringeachother——thatismyprophecy！Isnotthisabsurd？Isitnotmonstrouschaos？
　　Andafterallthis，thatshamelesscreaturewillgoandbegtheirpardon！Aretheremanypeoplelikeyou？Whatareyousmilingat？
　　BecauseIamnotashamedtodisgracemyselfbeforeyou？——Yes，I
　　amdisgraced——itcan’tbehelpednow！Butdon’tyoujeeratme，youscum！"thiswasaimedatHippolyte。"Heisalmostathislastgasp，yethecorruptsothers。You，havegotholdofthislad"——shepointedtoColia；"you，haveturnedhishead，youhavetaughthimtobeanatheist，youdon’tbelieveinGod，andyouarenottoooldtobewhipped，sir！Aplagueuponyou！Andso，PrinceLefNicolaievitch，youwillcallonthemtomorrow，willyou？"sheaskedtheprincebreathlessly，forthesecondtime。
　　"Yes。"
　　"ThenIwillneverspeaktoyouagain。"Shemadeasuddenmovementtogo，andthenturnedquicklyback。"Andyouwillcallonthatatheist？"shecontinued，pointingtoHippolyte。"Howdareyougrinatmelikethat？"sheshoutedfuriously，rushingattheinvalid，whosemockingsmiledrovehertodistraction。
　　Exclamationsaroseonallsides。
　　"LizabethaProkofievna！LizabethaProkofievna！LizabethaProkofievna！"
　　"Mother，thisisdisgraceful！"criedAglaya。
　　Mrs。EpanchinhadapproachedHippolyteandseizedhimfirmlybythearm，whilehereyes，blazingwithfury，werefixeduponhisface。
　　"Donotdistressyourself，AglayaIvanovitch，"heansweredcalmly；"yourmotherknowsthatonecannotstrikeadyingman。I
　　amreadytoexplainwhyIwaslaughing。Ishallbedelightedifyouwillletme——"
　　Aviolentfitofcoughing，whichlastedafullminute，preventedhimfromfinishinghissentence。
　　"Heisdying，yethewillnotstopholdingforth！"criedLizabethaProkofievna。Sheloosedherholdonhisarm，almostterrified，asshesawhimwipingthebloodfromhislips。"Whydoyoutalk？Yououghttogohometobed。"
　　"SoIwill，"hewhisperedhoarsely。"AssoonasIgethomeIwillgotobedatonce；andIknowIshallbedeadinafortnight；
　　Botkinetoldmesohimselflastweek。ThatiswhyIshouldliketosayafewfarewellwords，ifyouwillletme。"
　　"Butyoumustbemad！Itisridiculous！Youshouldtakecareofyourself；whatistheuseofholdingaconversationnow？Gohometobed，do！"criedMrs。Epanchininhorror。
　　"WhenIdogotobedIshallnevergetupagain，"saidHippolyte，withasmile。"ImeanttotaketomybedyesterdayandstaytheretillIdied，butasmylegscanstillcarryme，Iputitofffortwodays，soastocomeherewiththemto-day——butIamverytired。"
　　"Oh，sitdown，sitdown，whyareyoustanding？"
　　LizabethaProkofievnaplacedachairforhimwithherownhands。
　　"Thankyou，"hesaidgently。"Sitoppositetome，andletustalk。Wemusthaveatalknow，LizabethaProkofievna；Iamveryanxiousforit。"Hesmiledatheroncemore。"Rememberthattoday，forthelasttime，Iamoutintheair，andinthecompanyofmyfellow-men，andthatinafortnightIshallIcertainlybenolongerinthisworld。So，inaway，thisismyfarewelltonatureandtomen。Iamnotverysentimental，butdoyouknow，I
　　amquitegladthatallthishashappenedatPavlofsk，whereatleastonecanseeagreentree。"
　　"Butwhytalknow？"repliedLizabethaProkofievna，moreandmorealarmed；"arequitefeverish。Justnowyouwouldnotstopshouting，andnowyoucanhardlybreathe。Youaregasping。"
　　"Ishallhavetimetorest。Whywillyounotgrantmylastwish？
　　Doyouknow，LizabethaProkofievna，thatIhavedreamedofmeetingyouforalongwhile？IhadoftenheardofyoufromColia；heisalmosttheonlypersonwhostillcomestoseeme。
　　Youareanoriginalandeccentricwoman；Ihaveseenthatformyself——Doyouknow，Ihaveevenbeenratherfondofyou？"
　　"Goodheavens！AndIverynearlystruckhim！"
　　"YouwerepreventedbyAglayaIvanovna。IthinkIamnotmistaken？Thatisyourdaughter，AglayaIvanovna？SheissobeautifulthatIrecognizedherdirectly，althoughIhadneverseenherbefore。Letme，atleast，lookonbeautyforthelasttimeinmylife，"hesaidwithawrysmile。"Youareherewiththeprince，andyourhusband，andalargecompany。Whyshouldyourefusetogratifymylastwish？"
　　"Givemeachair！"criedLizabethaProkofievna，butsheseizedoneforherselfandsatdownoppositetoHippolyte。"Colia，youmustgohomewithhim，"shecommandedandtomorrowIwillcomemyself。"
　　"Willyouletmeasktheprinceforacupoftea？……Iamexhausted。Doyouknowwhatyoumightdo，LizabethaProkofievna？
　　Ithinkyouwantedtotaketheprincehomewithyoufortea。Stayhere，andletusspendtheeveningtogether。Iamsuretheprincewillgiveusallsometea。Forgivemeforbeingsofreeandeasy——
　　butIknowyouarekind，andtheprinceiskind，too。Infact，weareallgood-naturedpeople——itisreallyquitecomical。"
　　Theprincebestirredhimselftogiveorders。Lebedeffhurriedout，followedbyVera。
　　"Itisquitetrue，"saidMrs。Epanchindecisively。"Talk，butnottooloud，anddon’texciteyourself。Youhavemademesorryforyou。Prince，youdon’tdeservethatIshouldstayandhaveteawithyou，yetIwill，allthesame，butIwon’tapologize。I
　　apologizetonobody！Nobody！Itisabsurd！However，forgiveme，prince，ifIblewyouup——thatis，ifyoulike，ofcourse。Butpleasedon’tletmekeepanyone，"sheaddedsuddenlytoherhusbandanddaughters，inatoneofresentment，asthoughtheyhadgrievouslyoffendedher。"Icancomehomealonequitewell。"
　　Buttheydidnotletherfinish，andgatheredroundhereagerly。
　　Theprinceimmediatelyinvitedeveryonetostayfortea，andapologizedfornothavingthoughtofitbefore。Thegeneralmurmuredafewpolitewords，andaskedLizabethaProkofievnaifshedidnotfeelcoldontheterrace。HeverynearlyaskedHippolytehowlonghehadbeenattheUniversity，butstoppedhimselfintime。EvgeniePavlovitchandPrinceS。suddenlygrewextremelygayandamiable。AdelaidaandAlexandrahadnotrecoveredfromtheirsurprise，butitwasnowmingledwithsatisfaction；inshort，everyoneseemedverymuchrelievedthatLizabethaProkofievnahadgotoverherparoxysm。Aglayaalonestillfrowned，andsatapartinsilence。Alltheotherguestsstayedonaswell；noonewantedtogo，notevenGeneralIvolgin，butLebedeffsaidsomethingtohiminpassingwhichdidnotseemtopleasehim，forheimmediatelywentandsulkedinacorner。
　　TheprincetookcaretoofferteatoBurdovskyandhisfriendsaswellastherest。Theinvitationmadethemratheruncomfortable。
　　TheymutteredthattheywouldwaitforHippolyte，andwentandsatbythemselvesinadistantcorneroftheverandah。Teawasservedatonce；Lebedeffhadnodoubtordereditforhimselfandhisfamilybeforetheothersarrived。Itwasstrikingeleven。
　　X。
　　AFTERmoisteninghislipswiththeteawhichVeraLebedeffbroughthim，Hippolytesetthecupdownonthetable，andglancedround。Heseemedconfusedandalmostataloss。
　　"Justlook，LizabethaProkofievna，"hebegan，withakindoffeverishhaste；"thesechinacupsaresupposedtobeextremelyvaluable。Lebedeffalwayskeepsthemlockedupinhischina-
　　cupboard；theywerepartofhiswife’sdowry。Yethehasbroughtthemouttonight——inyourhonour，ofcourse！Heissopleased——"
　　Hewasabouttoaddsomethingelse，butcouldnotfindthewords。
　　"There，heisfeelingembarrassed；Iexpectedasmuch，"whisperedEvgeniePavlovitchsuddenlyintheprince’sear。"Itisabadsign；whatdoyouthink？Now，outofspite，hewillcomeoutwithsomethingsooutrageousthatevenLizabethaProkofievnawillnotbeabletostandit。"
　　Muishkinlookedathiminquiringly。
　　"Youdonotcareifhedoes？"addedEvgeniePavlovitch。"NeitherdoI；infact，Ishouldbeglad，merelyasaproperpunishmentforourdearLizabethaProkofievna。Iamveryanxiousthatsheshouldgetit，withoutdelay，andIshallstaytillshedoes。Youseemfeverish。"
　　"Nevermind；by-and-by；yes，Iamnotfeelingwell，"saidtheprinceimpatiently，hardlylistening。HehadjustheardHippolytementionhisownname。
　　"Youdon’tbelieveit？"saidtheinvalid，withanervouslaugh。
　　"Idon’twonder，buttheprincewillhavenodifficultyinbelievingit；hewillnotbeatallsurprised。"
　　"Doyouhear，prince——doyouhearthat？"saidLizabethaProkofievna，turningtowardshim。
　　Therewaslaughterinthegrouparoundher，andLebedeffstoodbeforehergesticulatingwildly。
　　"Hedeclaresthatyourhumbugofalandlordrevisedthisgentleman’sarticle——thearticlethatwasreadaloudjustnow——inwhichyougotsuchacharmingdressing-down。"
　　TheprinceregardedLebedeffwithastonishment。
　　"Whydon’tyousaysomething？"criedLizabethaProkofievna，stampingherfoot。
　　"Well，"murmuredtheprince，withhiseyesstillfixedonLebedeff，"Icanseenowthathedid。"
　　"Isittrue？"sheaskedeagerly。
　　"Absolutely，yourexcellency，"saidLebedeff，withouttheleasthesitation。
　　Mrs。Epanchinalmostsprangupinamazementathisanswer，andattheassuranceofhistone。
　　"Heactuallyseemstoboastofit！"shecried。
　　"Iambase——base！"mutteredLebedeff，beatinghisbreast，andhanginghishead。
　　"WhatdoIcareifyouarebaseornot？Hethinkshehasonlytosay，’Iambase，’andthereisanendofit。Astoyou，prince，areyounotashamed？——Irepeat，areyounotashamed，tomixwithsuchriff-raff？Iwillneverforgiveyou！"
　　"Theprincewillforgiveme！"saidLebedeffwithemotionalconviction。
　　Kellersuddenlylefthisseat，andapproachedLizabetha。
　　Prokofievna。
　　"Itwasonlyoutofgenerosity，madame，"hesaidinaresonantvoice，"andbecauseIwouldnotbetrayafriendinanawkwardposition，thatIdidnotmentionthisrevisionbefore；thoughyouheardhimyourselfthreateningtokickusdownthesteps。Toclearthematterup，IdeclarenowthatIdidhaverecoursetohisassistance，andthatIpaidhimsixroublesforit。ButIdidnotaskhimtocorrectmystyle；Isimplywenttohimforinformationconcerningthefacts，ofwhichIwasignoranttoagreatextent，andwhichhewascompetenttogive。Thestoryofthegaiters，theappetiteintheSwissprofessor’shouse，thesubstitutionoffiftyroublesfortwohundredandfifty——allsuchdetails，infact，weregotfromhim。Ipaidhimsixroublesforthem；buthedidnotcorrectthestyle。"
　　"ImuststatethatIonlyrevisedthefirstpartofthearticle，"
　　interposedLebedeffwithfeverishimpatience，whilelaughterrosefromallaroundhim；"butwefelloutinthemiddleoveroneidea，soInevercorrectedthesecondpart。ThereforeIcannotbeheldresponsibleforthenumerousgrammaticalblundersinit。"
　　"Thatisallhethinksof！"criedLizabethaProkofievna。
　　"MayIaskwhenthisarticlewasrevised？"saidEvgeniePavlovitchtoKeller。
　　"Yesterdaymorning，"hereplied，"wehadaninterviewwhichweallgaveourwordofhonourtokeepsecret。"
　　"Theverytimewhenhewascringingbeforeyouandmakingprotestationsofdevotion！Oh，themeanwretches！IwillhavenothingtodowithyourPushkin，andyourdaughtershallnotsetfootinmyhouse！"
　　LizabethaProkofievnawasabouttorise，whenshesawHippolytelaughing，andturneduponhimwithirritation。
　　"Well，sir，Isupposeyouwantedtomakemelookridiculous？"
　　"Heavenforbid！"heanswered，withaforcedsmile。"ButIammorethaneverstruckbyyoureccentricity，LizabethaProkofievna。I
　　admitthatItoldyouofLebedeff’sduplicity，onpurpose。Iknewtheeffectitwouldhaveonyou，——onyoualone，fortheprincewillforgivehim。Hehasprobablyforgivenhimalready，andisrackinghisbrainstofindsomeexcuseforhim——isnotthatthetruth，prince？"
　　Hegaspedashespoke，andhisstrangeagitationseemedtoincrease。
　　"Well？"saidMrs。Epanchinangrily，surprisedathistone；"well，whatmore？"
　　"Ihaveheardmanythingsofthekindaboutyou……theydelightedme……Ihavelearnedtoholdyouinthehighestesteem，"continuedHippolyte。
　　Hiswordsseemedtingedwithakindofsarcasticmockery，yethewasextremelyagitated，castingsuspiciousglancesaroundhim，growingconfused，andconstantlylosingthethreadofhisideas。
　　Allthis，togetherwithhisconsumptiveappearance，andthefrenziedexpressionofhisblazingeyes，naturallyattractedtheattentionofeveryonepresent。
　　"ImighthavebeensurprisedthoughIadmitIknownothingoftheworld，notonlythatyoushouldhavestayedonjustnowinthecompanyofsuchpeopleasmyselfandmyfriends，whoarenotofyourclass，butthatyoushouldletthese……youngladieslistentosuchascandalousaffair，thoughnodoubtnovel-readinghastaughtthemallthereistoknow。Imaybemistaken；IhardlyknowwhatIamsaying；butsurelynoonebutyouwouldhavestayedtopleaseawhippersnapperyes，awhippersnapper；Iadmitittospendtheeveningandtakepartineverything——onlytobeashamedofittomorrow。IknowIexpressmyselfbadly。I
　　admireandappreciateitallextremely，thoughtheexpressiononthefaceofhisexcellency，yourhusband，showsthathethinksitveryimproper。He-he！"Heburstoutlaughing，andwasseizedwithafitofcoughingwhichlastedfortwominutesandpreventedhimfromspeaking。
　　"Hehaslosthisbreathnow！"saidLizabethaProkofievnacoldly，lookingathimwithmorecuriositythanpity:"Come，mydearboy，thatisquiteenough——letusmakeanendofthis。"
　　IvanFedorovitch，nowquiteoutofpatience，interruptedsuddenly。"Letmeremarkinmyturn，sir，"hesaidintonesofdeepannoyance，"thatmywifeishereastheguestofPrinceLefNicolaievitch，ourfriendandneighbour，andthatinanycase，youngman，itisnotforyoutopassjudgmentontheconductofLizabethaProkofievna，ortomakeremarksaloudinmypresenceconcerningwhatfeelingsyouthinkmaybereadinmyface。Yes，mywifestayedhere，"continuedthegeneral，withincreasingirritation，"moreoutofamazementthananythingelse。Everyonecanunderstandthatacollectionofsuchstrangeyoungmenwouldattracttheattentionofapersoninterestedincontemporarylife。Istayedmyself，justasIsometimesstoptolookoninthestreetwhenIseesomethingthatmayberegardedas-as-as-"
　　"Asacuriosity，"suggestedEvgeniePavlovitch，seeinghisexcellencyinvolvedinacomparisonwhichhecouldnotcomplete。
　　"ThatisexactlythewordIwanted，"saidthegeneralwithsatisfaction——"acuriosity。However，themostastonishingand，ifImaysoexpressmyself，themostpainful，thinginthismatter，isthatyoucannotevenunderstand，youngman，thatLizabethaProkofievna，onlystayedwithyoubecauseyouareill，——ifyoureallyaredying——movedbythepityawakenedbyyourplaintiveappeal，andthathername，character，andsocialpositionplaceheraboveallriskofcontamination。LizabethaProkofievna！"hecontinued，nowcrimsonwithrage，"ifyouarecoming，wewillsaygoodnighttotheprince，and——"
　　"Thankyouforthelesson，general，"saidHippolyte，withunexpectedgravity，regardinghimthoughtfully。
　　"Twominutesmore，ifyouplease，dearIvanFedorovitch，"saidLizabethaProkofievnatoherhusband；"itseemstomethatheisinafeveranddelirious；youcanseebyhiseyeswhatastateheisin；itisimpossibletolethimgobacktoPetersburgtonight。Canyouputhimup，LefNicolaievitch？Ihopeyouarenotbored，dearprince，"sheaddedsuddenlytoPrinceS。"Alexandra，mydear，comehere！Yourhairiscomingdown。"
　　Shearrangedherdaughter’shair，whichwasnotintheleastdisordered，andgaveherakiss。Thiswasallthatshehadcalledherfor。
　　"Ithoughtyouwerecapableofdevelopment，"saidHippolyte，comingoutofhisfitofabstraction。"Yes，thatiswhatImeanttosay，"headded，withthesatisfactionofonewhosuddenlyrememberssomethinghehadforgotten。"HereisBurdovsky，sincerelyanxioustoprotecthismother；isnotthatso？Andhehimselfisthecauseofherdisgrace。TheprinceisanxioustohelpBurdovskyandoffershimfriendshipandalargesumofmoney，inthesincerityofhisheart。Andheretheystandliketwoswornenemies——ha，ha，ha！YouallhateBurdovskybecausehisbehaviourwithregardtohismotherisshockingandrepugnanttoyou；doyounot？Isnotthattrue？Isitnottrue？Youallhaveapassionforbeautyanddistinctioninoutwardforms；thatisallyoucarefor，isn’tit？Ihavesuspectedforalongtimethatyoucaredfornothingelse！Well，letmetellyouthatperhapsthereisnotoneofyouwholovedyourmotherasBurdovskylovedhis。
　　Astoyou，prince，IknowthatyouhavesentmoneysecretlytoBurdovsky’smotherthroughGania。Well，Ibetnow，"hecontinuedwithanhystericallaugh，"thatBurdovskywillaccuseyouofindelicacy，andreproachyouwithawantofrespectforhismother！Yes，thatisquitecertain！Ha，ha，ha！"
　　Hecaughthisbreath，andbegantocoughoncemore。
　　"Come，thatisenough！Thatisallnow；youhavenomoretosay？
　　Nowgotobed；youareburningwithfever，"saidLizabethaProkofievnaimpatiently。Heranxiouseyeshadneverlefttheinvalid。"Goodheavens，heisgoingtobeginagain！"
　　"Youarelaughing，Ithink？Whydoyoukeeplaughingatme？"saidHippolyteirritablytoEvgeniePavlovitch，whocertainlywaslaughing。
　　"Ionlywanttoknow，Mr。Hippolyte——excuseme，Iforgetyoursurname。"
　　"Mr。Terentieff，"saidtheprince。
　　"Ohyes，Mr。Terentieff。Thankyouprince。Ihearditjustnow，buthadforgottenit。Iwanttoknow，Mr。Terentieff，ifwhatI
　　haveheardaboutyouistrue。Itseemsyouareconvincedthatifyoucouldspeaktothepeoplefromawindowforaquarterofanhour，youcouldmakethemalladoptyourviewsandfollowyou？"
　　"Imayhavesaidso，"answeredHippolyte，asiftryingtoremember。"Yes，Icertainlysaidso，"hecontinuedwithsuddenanimation，fixinganunflinchingglanceonhisquestioner。"Whatofit？"
　　"Nothing。Iwasonlyseekingfurtherinformation，toputthefinishingtouch。"
　　EvgeniePavlovitchwassilent，butHippolytekepthiseyesfixeduponhim，waitingimpatientlyformore。
　　"Well，haveyoufinished？"saidLizabethaProkofievnatoEvgenie。
　　"Makehaste，sir；itistimehewenttobed。Haveyoumoretosay？"Shewasveryangry。
　　"Yes，Ihavealittlemore，"saidEvgeniePavlovitch，withasmile。"Itseemstomethatallyouandyourfriendshavesaid，Mr。Terentieff，andallyouhavejustputforwardwithsuchundeniabletalent，maybesummedupinthetriumphofrightaboveall，independentofeverythingelse，totheexclusionofeverythingelse；perhapsevenbeforehavingdiscoveredwhatconstitutestheright。Imaybemistaken？"
　　"Youarecertainlymistaken；Idonotevenunderstandyou。Whatelse？"
　　MurmursaroseintheneighbourhoodofBurdovskyandhiscompanions；Lebedeff’snephewprotestedunderhisbreath。
　　"Ihavenearlyfinished，"repliedEvgeniePavlovitch。
　　"Iwillonlyremarkthatfromthesepremissesonecouldconcludethatmightisright——Imeantherightoftheclenchedfist，andofpersonalinclination。Indeed，theworldhasoftencometothatconclusion。Prudhonupheldthatmightisright。IntheAmericanWarsomeofthemostadvancedLiberalstooksideswiththeplantersonthescorethattheblackswereaninferiorracetothewhites，andthatmightwastherightofthewhiterace。"
　　"Well？"
　　"Youmean，nodoubt，thatyoudonotdenythatmightisright？"
　　"Whatthen？"
　　"Youareatleastlogical。Iwouldonlypointoutthatfromtherightofmight，totherightoftigersandcrocodiles，orevenDaniloffandGorsky，isbutastep。"
　　"Iknownothingaboutthat；whatelse？"
　　Hippolytewasscarcelylistening。Hekeptsayingwell？"and"whatelse？"mechanically，withouttheleastcuriosity，andbymereforceofhabit。
　　"Why，nothingelse；thatisall。"
　　"However，Ibearyounogrudge，"saidHippolytesuddenly，and，hardlyconsciousofwhathewasdoing，heheldouthishandwithasmile。ThegesturetookEvgeniePavlovitchbysurprise，butwiththeutmostgravityhetouchedthehandthatwasofferedhimintokenofforgiveness。
　　"Icanbutthankyou，"hesaid，inatonetoorespectfultobesincere，"foryourkindnessinlettingmespeak，forIhaveoftennoticedthatourLiberalsneverallowotherpeopletohaveanopinionoftheirown，andimmediatelyanswertheiropponentswithabuse，iftheydonothaverecoursetoargumentsofastillmoreunpleasantnature。"
　　"Whatyousayisquitetrue，"observedGeneralEpanchin；then，claspinghishandsbehindhisback，hereturnedtohisplaceontheterracesteps，whereheyawnedwithanairofboredom。
　　"Come，sir，thatwilldo；youwearyme，"saidLizabethaProkofievnasuddenlytoEvgeniePavlovitch。
　　Hippolyteroseallatonce，lookingtroubledandalmostfrightened。
　　"Itistimeformetogo，"hesaid，glancingroundinperplexity。
　　"Ihavedetainedyou……Iwantedtotellyoueverything……I
　　thoughtyouall……forthelasttime……itwasawhim……"
　　Heevidentlyhadsuddenfitsofreturninganimation，whenheawokefromhissemi-delirium；then，recoveringfullself-
　　possessionforafewmoments，hewouldspeak，indisconnectedphraseswhichhadperhapshauntedhimforalongwhileonhisbedofsuffering，duringweary，sleeplessnights。
　　"Well，good-bye，"hesaidabruptly。"Youthinkitiseasyformetosaygood-byetoyou？Ha，ha！"
　　Feelingthathisquestionwassomewhatgauche，hesmiledangrily。
　　Thenasifvexedthathecouldnoteverexpresswhathereallymeant，hesaidirritably，inaloudvoice:
　　"Excellency，Ihavethehonourofinvitingyoutomyfuneral；
　　thatis，ifyouwilldeigntohonouritwithyourpresence。I
　　inviteyouall，gentlemen，aswellasthegeneral。"
　　Heburstoutlaughingagain，butitwasthelaughterofamadman。
　　LizabethaProkofievnaapproachedhimanxiouslyandseizedhisarm。Hestaredatherforamoment，stilllaughing，butsoonhisfacegrewserious。
　　"DoyouknowthatIcameheretoseethosetrees？"pointingtothetreesinthepark。"Itisnotridiculous，isit？Saythatitisnotridiculous！"hedemandedurgentlyofLizabethaProkofievna。Thenheseemedtobeplungedinthought。Amomentlaterheraisedhishead，andhiseyessoughtforsomeone。HewaslookingforEvgeniePavlovitch，whowasclosebyonhisrightasbefore，buthehadforgottenthis，andhiseyesrangedovertheassembledcompany。"Ah！youhavenotgone！"hesaid，whenhecaughtsightofhimatlast。"Youkeptonlaughingjustnow，becauseIthoughtofspeakingtothepeoplefromthewindowforaquarterofanhour。ButIamnoteighteen，youknow；lyingonthatbed，andlookingoutofthatwindow，Ihavethoughtofallsortsofthingsforsuchalongtimethat……adeadmanhasnoage，youknow。Iwassayingthattomyselfonlylastweek，whenI
　　wasawakeinthenight。Doyouknowwhatyoufearmost？Youfearoursinceritymorethananything，althoughyoudespiseus！Theideacrossedmymindthatnight……YouthoughtIwasmakingfunofyoujustnow，LizabethaProkofievna？No，theideaofmockerywasfarfromme；Ionlymeanttopraiseyou。Coliatoldmetheprincecalledyouachild——verywell——butletmesee，I
　　hadsomethingelsetosay……"Hecoveredhisfacewithhishandsandtriedtocollecthisthoughts。
　　"Ah，yes——youweregoingawayjustnow，andIthoughttomyself:
　　’Ishallneverseethesepeopleagain-neveragain！ThisisthelasttimeIshallseethetrees，too。IshallseenothingafterthisbuttheredbrickwallofMeyer’shouseoppositemywindow。
　　Tellthemaboutit——trytotellthem，’Ithought。’Hereisabeautifulyounggirl——youareadeadman；makethemunderstandthat。Tellthemthatadeadmanmaysayanything——andMrs。Grundywillnotbeangry——ha-ha！Youarenotlaughing？"Helookedanxiouslyaround。"ButyouknowIgetsomanyqueerideas，lyingthereinbed。Ihavegrownconvincedthatnatureisfullofmockery——youcalledmeanatheistjustnow，butyouknowthisnature……whyareyoulaughingagain？Youareverycruel！"headdedsuddenly，regardingthemallwithmournfulreproach。"I
　　havenotcorruptedColia，"heconcludedinadifferentandveryserioustone，asifrememberingsomethingagain。
　　"Nobodyhereislaughingatyou。Calmyourself"saidLizabethaProkofievna，muchmoved。"Youshallseeanewdoctortomorrow；
　　theotherwasmistaken；butsitdown，donotstandlikethat！Youaredelirious——Oh，whatshallwedowithhimshecriedinanguish，asshemadehimsitdownagaininthearm-chair。
　　Atearglistenedonhercheek。AtthesightofitHippolyteseemedamazed。Heliftedhishandtimidlyand，touchedthetearwithhisfinger，smilinglikeachild。
　　"I……you，"hebeganjoyfully。"YoucannottellhowI……healwaysspokesoenthusiasticallyofyou，Coliahere；Ilikedhisenthusiasm。Iwasnotcorruptinghim！ButImustleavehim，too——
　　Iwantedtoleavethemall——therewasnotoneofthem——notone！I
　　wantedtobeamanofaction——Ihadarighttobe。Oh！whatalotofthingsIwanted！NowIwantnothing；Irenounceallmywants；IsworetomyselfthatIwouldwantnothing；letthemseekthetruthwithoutme！Yes，natureisfullofmockery！Why"——hecontinuedwithsuddenwarmth——"doesshecreatethechoicestbeingsonlytomockatthem？Theonlyhumanbeingwhoisrecognizedasperfect，whennatureshowedhimtomankind，wasgiventhemissiontosaythingswhichhavecausedthesheddingofsomuchbloodthatitwouldhavedrownedmankindifithadallbeenshedatonce！Oh！itisbetterformetodie！Ishouldtellsomedreadfullietoo；naturewouldsocontriveit！Ihavecorruptednobody。Iwantedtoliveforthehappinessofallmen，tofindandspreadthetruth。IusedtolookoutofmywindowatthewallofMeyer’shouse，andsaytomyselfthatifIcouldspeakforaquarterofanhourIwouldconvincethewholeworld，andnowforonceinmylifeIhavecomeintocontactwith……
　　you——ifnotwiththeothers！Andwhatistheresult？Nothing！Thesoleresultisthatyoudespiseme！ThereforeImustbeafool，I
　　amuseless，itistimeIdisappeared！AndIshallleavenotevenamemory！Notasound，notatrace，notasingledeed！Ihavenotspreadasingletruth！……Donotlaughatthefool！Forgethim！Forgethimforever！Ibeseechyou，donotbesocruelastoremember！DoyouknowthatifIwerenotconsumptive，Iwouldkillmyself？"
　　Thoughheseemedtowishtosaymuchmore，hebecamesilent。Hefellbackintohischair，and，coveringhisfacewithhishands，begantosoblikealittlechild。
　　"Oh！whatoneartharewetodowithhim？"criedLizabethaProkofievna。Shehastenedtohimandpressedhisheadagainstherbosom，whilehesobbedconvulsively。
　　"Come，come，come！There，youmustnotcry，thatwilldo。Youareagoodchild！Godwillforgiveyou，becauseyouknewnobetter。
　　Comenow，beaman！Youknowpresentlyyouwillbeashamed。"
　　Hippolyteraisedhisheadwithaneffort，saying:
　　"Ihavelittlebrothersandsisters，overthere，pooravidinnocent。Shewillcorruptthem！Youareasaint！Youareachildyourself——savethem！Snatchthemfromthat……sheis……itisshameful！Oh！helpthem！Godwillrepayyouahundredfold。FortheloveofGod，fortheloveofChrist！"
　　"Speak，IvanFedorovitch！Whatarewetodo？"criedLizabethaProkofievna，irritably。"Pleasebreakyourmajesticsilence！I
　　tellyou，ifyoucannotcometosomedecision，Iwillstayhereallnightmyself。Youhavetyrannizedovermeenough，youautocrat！"
　　Shespokeangrily，andingreatexcitement，andexpectedanimmediatereply。Butinsuchacase，nomatterhowmanyarepresent，allprefertokeepsilence:noonewilltaketheinitiative，butallreservetheircommentstillafterwards。Thereweresomepresent——VarvaraArdalionovna，forinstance——whowouldhavewillinglysattheretillmorningwithoutsayingaword。
　　Varvarahadsatapartalltheeveningwithoutopeningherlips，butshelistenedtoeverythingwiththeclosestattention；
　　perhapsshehadherreasonsforsodoing。
　　"Mydear，"saidthegeneral，"itseemstomethatasick-nursewouldbeofmoreuseherethananexcitablepersonlikeyou。
　　Perhapsitwouldbeaswelltogetsomesober，reliablemanforthenight。Inanycasewemustconsulttheprince，andleavethepatienttorestatonce。Tomorrowwecanseewhatcanbedoneforhim。"
　　"Itisnearlymidnight；wearegoing。Willhecomewithus，orishetostayhere？"Doktorenkoaskedcrosslyoftheprince。
　　"Youcanstaywithhimifyoulike，"saidMuishkin。
　　"Thereisplentyofroomhere。"
　　Suddenly，totheastonishmentofall，Kellerwentquicklyuptothegeneral。
　　"Excellency，"hesaid，impulsively，"ifyouwantareliablemanforthenight，Iamreadytosacrificemyselfformyfriend——suchasoulashehas！Ihavelongthoughthimagreatman，excellency！Myarticleshowedmylackofeducation，butwhenhecriticizeshescatterspearls！"
　　IvanFedorovitchturnedfromtheboxerwithagestureofdespair。
　　"Ishallbedelightedifhewillstay；itwouldcertainlybedifficultforhimtogetbacktoPetersburg，"saidtheprince，inanswertotheeagerquestionsofLizabethaProkofievna。
　　"Butyouarehalfasleep，areyounot？Ifyoudon’twanthim，I
　　willtakehimbacktomyhouse！Why，goodgracious！Hecanhardlystanduphimself！Whatisit？Areyouill？"
　　Notfindingtheprinceonhisdeath-bed，LizabethaProkofievnahadbeenmisledbyhisappearancetothinkhimmuchbetterthanhewas。Buthisrecentillness，thepainfulmemoriesattachedtoit，thefatigueofthisevening，theincidentwith"Pavlicheff’sson，"andnowthisscenewithHippolyte，hadallsoworkedonhisoversensitivenaturethathewasnowalmostinafever。Moreover，anewtrouble，almostafear，showeditselfinhiseyes；hewatchedHippolyteanxiouslyasifexpectingsomethingfurther。
　　SuddenlyHippolytearose。Hisface，shockinglypale，wasthatofamanoverwhelmedwithshameanddespair。Thiswasshownchieflyinthelookoffearandhatredwhichhecastupontheassembledcompany，andinthewildsmileuponhistremblinglips。Thenhecastdownhiseyes，andwiththesamesmile，staggeredtowardsBurdovskyandDoktorenko，whostoodattheentrancetotheverandah。Hehaddecidedtogowiththem。
　　"There！thatiswhatIfeared！"criedtheprince。"Itwasinevitable！"
　　Hippolyteturneduponhim，apreytomaniacalrage，whichsetallthemusclesofhisfacequivering。
　　"Ah！thatiswhatyoufeared！Itwasinevitable，yousay！Well，letmetellyouthatifIhateanyonehere——Ihateyouall，"hecried，inahoarse，strainedvoice-"butyou，you，withyourjesuiticalsoul，yoursoulofsicklysweetness，idiot，beneficentmillionaire——Ihateyouworsethananythingoranyoneonearth！I
　　sawthroughyouandhatedyoulongago；fromthedayIfirstheardofyou。Ihatedyouwithmywholeheart。Youhavecontrivedallthis！Youhavedrivenmeintothisstate！Youhavemadeadyingmandisgracehimself。You，you，youarethecauseofmyabjectcowardice！IwouldkillyouifIremainedalive！Idonotwantyourbenefits；Iwillacceptnonefromanyone；doyouhear？
　　Notfromanyone！Iwantnothing！Iwasdelirious，donotdaretotriumph！Icurseeveryoneofyou，onceforall！"
　　Breathfailedhimhere，andhewasobligedtostop。
　　"Heisashamedofhistears！"whisperedLebedefftoLizabethaProkofievna。"Itwasinevitable。Ah！whatawonderfulmantheprinceis！Hereadhisverysoul。"
　　ButMrs。EpanchinwouldnotdeigntolookatLebedeff。Drawnuphaughtily，withherheadheldhigh，shegazedatthe"riff-raff，"
　　withscornfulcuriosity。WhenHippolytehadfinished，IvanFedorovitchshruggedhisshoulders，andhiswifelookedhimangrilyupanddown，asiftodemandthemeaningofhismovement。
　　Thensheturnedtotheprince。
　　"Thanks，prince，manythanks，eccentricfriendofthefamily，forthepleasanteveningyouhaveprovidedforus。Iamsureyouarequitepleasedthatyouhavemanagedtomixusupwithyourextraordinaryaffairs。Itisquiteenough，dearfamilyfriend；
　　thankyouforgivingusanopportunityofgettingtoknowyousowell。"
　　Shearrangedhercloakwithhandsthattrembledwithangerasshewaitedforthe"riff-raff"togo。ThecabwhichLebedeff’ssonhadgonetofetchaquarterofanhourago，byDoktorenko’sorder，arrivedatthatmoment。Thegeneralthoughtfittoputinawordafterhiswife。
　　"Really，prince，Ihardlyexpectedafter——afterallourfriendlyintercourse——andyousee，LizabethaProkofievna——"
　　"Papa，howcanyou？"criedAdelaida，walkingquicklyuptotheprinceandholdingoutherhand。
　　Hesmiledabsentlyather；thensuddenlyhefeltaburningsensationinhisearasanangryvoicewhispered:
　　"Ifyoudonotturnthosedreadfulpeopleoutofthehousethisveryinstant，Ishallhateyouallmylife——allmylife！"ItwasAglaya。Sheseemedalmostinafrenzy，butsheturnedawaybeforetheprincecouldlookather。However，therewasnoonelefttoturnoutofthehouse，fortheyhadmanagedmeanwhiletogetHippolyteintothecab，andithaddrivenoff。
　　"Well，howmuchlongeristhisgoingtolast，IvanFedorovitch？
　　Whatdoyouthink？ShallIsoonbedeliveredfromtheseodiousyouths？"
　　"Mydear，Iamquiteready；naturally……theprince。"
　　IvanFedorovitchheldouthishandtoMuishkin，butranafterhiswife，whowasleavingwitheverysignofviolentindignation，beforehehadtimetoshakeit。Adelaida，herfiance，andAlexandra，saidgood-byetotheirhostwithsincerefriendliness。
　　EvgeniePavlovitchdidthesame，andhealoneseemedingoodspirits。
　　"WhatIexpectedhashappened！ButIamsorry，youpoorfellow，thatyoushouldhavehadtosufferforit，"hemurmured，withamostcharmingsmile。
　　Aglayaleftwithoutsayinggood-bye。Buttheeveningwasnottoendwithoutalastadventure。AnunexpectedmeetingwasyetinstoreforLizabethaProkofievna。
　　ShehadscarcelydescendedtheterracestepsleadingtothehighroadthatskirtstheparkatPavlofsk，whensuddenlytheredashedbyasmartopencarriage，drawnbyapairofbeautifulwhitehorses。Havingpassedsometenyardsbeyondthehouse，thecarriagesuddenlydrewup，andoneofthetwoladiesseatedinitturnedsharproundasthoughshehadjustcaughtsightofsomeacquaintancewhomsheparticularlywishedtosee。
　　"EvgeniePavlovitch！Isthatyou？"criedaclear，sweetvoice，whichcausedtheprince，andperhapssomeoneelse，totremble。
　　"Well，IAMgladI’vefoundyouatlast！I’vesenttotownforyoutwicetodaymyself！Mymessengershavebeensearchingforyoueverywhere！"
　　EvgeniePavlovitchstoodonthestepslikeonestruckbylightning。Mrs。Epanchinstoodstilltoo，butnotwiththepetrifiedexpressionofEvgenie。Shegazedhaughtilyattheaudaciouspersonwhohadaddressedhercompanion，andthenturnedalookofastonishmentuponEvgeniehimself。
　　"There’snews！"continuedtheclearvoice。"YouneednotbeanxiousaboutKupferof’sIOU’s——Rogojinhasboughtthemup。I
　　persuadedhimto！——IdaresayweshallsettleBiscuptoo，soit’sallright，yousee！Aurevoir，tomorrow！Anddon’tworry！"Thecarriagemovedon，anddisappeared。
　　"Thewoman’smad！"criedEvgenie，atlast，crimsonwithanger，andlookingconfusedlyaround。"Idon’tknowwhatshe’stalkingabout！WhatIOU’s？Whoisshe？"Mrs。Epanchincontinuedtowatchhisfaceforacoupleofseconds；thenshemarchedbrisklyandhaughtilyawaytowardsherownhouse，therestfollowingher。
　　Aminuteafterwards，EvgeniePavlovitchreappearedontheterrace，ingreatagitation。
　　"Prince，"hesaid，"tellmethetruth；doyouknowwhatallthismeans？"
　　"Iknownothingwhateveraboutit！"repliedthelatter，whowas，himself，inastateofnervousexcitement。
　　"No？"
　　"No？
　　"Well，nordoI！"saidEvgeniePavlovitch，laughingsuddenly。"I
　　haven’ttheslightestknowledgeofanysuchIOU’sasshementioned，IswearIhaven’t——What’sthematter，areyoufainting？"
　　"Oh，no-no-I’mallright，Iassureyou！"
　　XI。
　　THEangeroftheEpanchinfamilywasunappeasedforthreedays。
　　Asusualtheprincereproachedhimself，andhadexpectedpunishment，buthewasinwardlyconvincedthatLizabethaProkofievnacouldnotbeseriouslyangrywithhim，andthatsheprobablywasmoreangrywithherself。Hewaspainfullysurprised，therefore，whenthreedayspassedwithnowordfromher。Otherthingsalsotroubledandperplexedhim，andoneofthesegrewmoreimportantinhiseyesasthedayswentby。Hehadbeguntoblamehimselffortwooppositetendencies——ontheonehandtoextreme，almost"senseless，"confidenceinhisfellows，ontheothertoa"vile，gloomysuspiciousness。"
　　BytheendofthethirddaytheincidentoftheeccentricladyandEvgeniePavlovitchhadattainedenormousandmysteriousproportionsinhismind。Hesorrowfullyaskedhimselfwhetherhehadbeenthecauseofthisnew"monstrosity，"orwasit……butherefrainedfromsayingwhoelsemightbeinfault。AsforthelettersN。P。B。，helookedonthatasaharmlessjoke，amerechildishpieceofmischief——sochildishthathefeltitwouldbeshameful，almostdishonourable，toattachanyimportancetoit。
　　Thedayafterthesescandalousevents，however，theprincehadthehonourofreceivingavisitfromAdelaidaandherfiance，PrinceS。Theycame，ostensibly，toinquireafterhishealth。
　　Theyhadwanderedoutforawalk，andcalledin"byaccident，"
　　andtalkedforalmostthewholeofthetimetheywerewithhimaboutacertainmostlovelytreeinthepark，whichAdelaidahadsetherheartuponforapicture。This，andalittleamiableconversationonPrinceS。’spart，occupiedthetime，andnotawordwassaidaboutlastevening’sepisodes。AtlengthAdelaidaburstoutlaughing，apologized，andexplainedthattheyhadcomeincognito；fromwhich，andfromthecircumstancethattheysaidnothingabouttheprince’seitherwalkingbackwiththemorcomingtoseethemlateron，thelatterinferredthathewasinMrs。Epanchin’sblackbooks。Adelaidamentionedawatercolourthatshewouldmuchliketoshowhim，andexplainedthatshewouldeithersenditbyColia，orbringitherselfthenextday——
　　whichtotheprinceseemedverysuggestive。
　　Atlength，however，justasthevisitorswereonthepointofdeparting，PrinceS。seemedsuddenlytorecollecthimself。"Ohyes，by-the-by，"hesaid，"doyouhappentoknow，mydearLefNicolaievitch，whothatladywaswhocalledouttoEvgeniePavlovitchlastnight，fromthecarriage？"
　　"ItwasNastasiaPhilipovna，"saidtheprince；"didn’tyouknowthat？Icannottellyouwhohercompanionwas。"
　　"Butwhatonearthdidshemean？Iassureyouitisarealriddletome——tome，andtoothers，too！"PrinceS。seemedtobeundertheinfluenceofsincereastonishment。
　　"ShespokeofsomebillsofEvgeniePavlovitch’s，"saidtheprince，simply，"whichRogojinhadboughtupfromsomeone；andimpliedthatRogojinwouldnotpresshim。"
　　"Oh，Iheardthatmuch，mydearfellow！Butthethingissoimpossiblyabsurd！AmanofpropertylikeEvgenietogiveIOU’stoamoney-lender，andtobeworriedaboutthem！Itisridiculous。Besides，hecannotpossiblybeonsuchintimatetermswithNastasiaPhilipovnaasshegaveustounderstand；that’stheprincipalpartofthemystery！Hehasgivenmehiswordthatheknowsnothingwhateveraboutthematter，andofcourseIbelievehim。Well，thequestionis，mydearprince，doyouknowanythingaboutit？Hasanysortofsuspicionofthemeaningofitcomeacrossyou？"
　　"No，Iknownothingwhateveraboutit。IassureyouIhadnothingatalltodowithit。"
　　"Oh，prince，howstrangeyouhavebecome！Iassureyou，Ihardlyknowyouforyouroldself。HowcanyousupposethatIeversuggestedyoucouldhavehadafingerinsuchabusiness？Butyouarenotquiteyourselftoday，Icansee。"Heembracedtheprince，andkissedhim。
　　"Whatdoyoumean，though，"askedMuishkin，"’bysuchabusiness’？Idon’tseeanyparticular’business’aboutitatall！"
　　"Oh，undoubtedly，thispersonwishedsomehow，andforsomereason，todoEvgeniePavlovitchabadturn，byattributingtohim——beforewitnesses——qualitieswhichheneitherhasnorcanhave，"repliedPrinceS。drilyenough。
　　Muiskhinlookeddisturbed，butcontinuedtogazeintentlyandquestioninglyintoPrinceS。’sface。Thelatter，however，remainedsilent。
　　"Thenitwasnotsimplyamatterofbills？"Muishkinsaidatlast，withsomeimpatience。"Itwasnotasshesaid？"
　　"ButIaskyou，mydearsir，howcantherebeanythingincommonbetweenEvgeniePavlovitch，and——her，andagainRogojin？Itellyouheisamanofimmensewealth——asIknowforafact；andhehasfurtherexpectationsfromhisuncle。SimplyNastasiaPhilipovna——"
　　PrinceS。paused，asthoughunwillingtocontinuetalkingaboutNastasiaPhilipovna。
　　"Thenatalleventsheknowsher！"remarkedtheprince，afteramoment’ssilence。
　　"Oh，thatmaybe。Hemayhaveknownhersometimeago——twoorthreeyears，atleast。HeusedtoknowTotski。Butitisimpossiblethatthereshouldbeanyintimacybetweenthem。Shehasnotevenbeenintheplace——manypeopledon’tevenknowthatshehasreturnedfromMoscow！Ihaveonlyobservedhercarriageaboutforthelastthreedaysorso。"
　　"It’salovelycarriage，"saidAdelaida。
　　"Yes，itwasabeautifulturn-out，certainly！"
　　Thevisitorsleftthehouse，however，onnolessfriendlytermsthanbefore。Butthevisitwasofthegreatestimportancetotheprince，fromhisownpointofview。Admittingthathehadhissuspicions，fromthemomentoftheoccurrenceoflastnight，perhapsevenbefore，thatNastasiahadsomemysteriousendinview，yetthisvisitconfirmedhissuspicionsandjustifiedhisfears。Itwasallcleartohim；PrinceS。waswrong，perhaps，inhisviewofthematter，buthewassomewherenearthetruth，andwasrightinsofarasthatheunderstoodtheretobeanintrigueofsomesortgoingon。PerhapsPrinceS。sawitallmoreclearlythanhehadallowedhishearerstounderstand。Atallevents，nothingcouldbeplainerthanthatheandAdelaidahadcomefortheexpresspurposeofobtainingexplanations，andthattheysuspectedhimofbeingconcernedintheaffair。Andifallthiswereso，thenSHEmusthavesometerribleobjectinview！Whatwasit？TherewasnostoppingHER，asMuishkinknewfromexperience，intheperformanceofanythingshehadsethermindon！"Oh，sheismad，mad！"thoughtthepoorprince。
　　Butthereweremanyotherpuzzlingoccurrencesthatday，whichrequiredimmediateexplanation，andtheprincefeltverysad。A
　　visitfromVeraLebedeffdistractedhimalittle。ShebroughttheinfantLubotchkawithherasusual，andtalkedcheerfullyforsometime。Thencameheryoungersister，andlaterthebrother，whoattendedaschoolcloseby。HeinformedMuishkinthathisfatherhadlatelyfoundanewinterpretationofthestarcalled"wormwood，"whichfelluponthewater-springs，asdescribedintheApocalypse。HehaddecidedthatitmeantthenetworkofrailroadsspreadoverthefaceofEuropeatthepresenttime。TheprincerefusedtobelievethatLebedeffcouldhavegivensuchaninterpretation，andtheydecidedtoaskhimaboutitattheearliestopportunity。VerarelatedhowKellerhadtakenuphisabodewiththemonthepreviousevening。Shethoughthewouldremainforsometime，ashewasgreatlypleasedwiththesocietyofGeneralIvolginandofthewholefamily。Buthedeclaredthathehadonlycometotheminordertocompletehiseducation！
　　TheprincealwaysenjoyedthecompanyofLebedeff’schildren，andtodayitwasespeciallywelcome，forColiadidnotappearallday。EarlythatmorninghehadstartedforPetersburg。Lebedeffalsowasawayonbusiness。ButGavrilaArdalionovitchhadpromisedtovisitMuishkin，whoeagerlyawaitedhiscoming。
　　Aboutsevenintheevening，soonafterdinner，hearrived。Atthefirstglanceitstrucktheprincethathe，atanyrate，mustknowallthedetailsoflastnight’saffair。Indeed，itwouldhavebeenimpossibleforhimtoremaininignoranceconsideringtheintimaterelationshipbetweenhim，VarvaraArdalionovna，andPtitsin。Butalthoughheandtheprincewereintimate，inasense，andalthoughthelatterhadplacedtheBurdovskyaffairinhishands-andthiswasnottheonlymarkofconfidencehehadreceived——itseemedcurioushowmanymatterstherewerethatweretacitlyavoidedintheirconversations。MuishkinthoughtthatGaniaattimesappearedtodesiremorecordialityandfrankness。
　　Itwasapparentnow，whenheentered，thathe，wasconvincedthatthemomentforbreakingtheicebetweenthemhadcomeatlast。
　　ButallthesameGaniawasinhaste，forhissisterwaswaitingatLebedeff’stoconsulthimonanurgentmatterofbusiness。Ifhehadanticipatedimpatientquestions，orimpulsiveconfidences，hewassoonundeceived。Theprincewasthoughtful，reserved，evenalittleabsent-minded，andaskednoneofthequestions——oneinparticular——thatGaniahadexpected。Soheimitatedtheprince’sdemeanour，andtalkedfastandbrilliantlyuponallsubjectsbuttheoneonwhichtheirthoughtswereengaged。AmongotherthingsGaniatoldhishostthatNastasiaPhilipovnahadbeenonlyfourdaysinPavlofsk，andthateveryonewastalkingaboutheralready。ShewasstayingwithDariaAlexeyevna，inanuglylittlehouseinMattrosskyStreet，butdroveaboutinthesmartestcarriageintheplace。Acrowdoffollowershadpursuedherfromthefirst，youngandold。Someescortedheronhorse-backwhenshetooktheairinhercarriage。