Shewasascapriciousaseverinthechoiceofheracquaintances，andadmittedfewintohernarrowcircle。Yetshealreadyhadanumerousfollowingandmanychampionsonwhomshecoulddependintimeofneed。Onegentlemanonhisholidayhadbrokenoffhisengagementonheraccount，andanoldgeneralhadquarrelledwithhisonlysonforthesamereason。
　　Shewasaccompaniedsometimesinhercarriagebyagirlofsixteen，adistantrelativeofherhostess。Thisyoungladysangverywell；infact，hermusichadgivenakindofnotorietytotheirlittlehouse。Nastasia，however，wasbehavingwithgreatdiscretiononthewhole。Shedressedquietly，thoughwithsuchtasteastodrivealltheladiesinPavlofskmadwithenvy，ofthat，aswellasofherbeautyandhercarriageandhorses。
　　"Asforyesterday’sepisode，"continuedGania，"ofcourseitwaspre-arranged。"Herehepaused，asthoughexpectingtobeaskedhowheknewthat。Buttheprincedidnotinquire。ConcerningEvgeniePavlovitch，Ganiastated，withoutbeingasked，thathebelievedtheformerhadnotknownNastasiaPhilipovnainpastyears，butthathehadprobablybeenintroducedtoherbysomebodyintheparkduringthesefourdays。AstothequestionoftheIOU’sshehadspokenof，theremighteasilybesomethinginthat；forthoughEvgeniewasundoubtedlyamanofwealth，yetcertainofhisaffairswereequallyundoubtedlyindisorder。
　　Arrivedatthisinterestingpoint，Ganiasuddenlybrokeoff，andsaidnomoreaboutNastasia’sprankofthepreviousevening。
　　AtlastVarvaraArdalionovnacameinsearchofherbrother，andremainedforafewminutes。WithoutMuishkin’saskingher，sheinformedhimthatEvgeniePavlovitchwasspendingthedayinPetersburg，andperhapswouldremainthereovertomorrow；andthatherhusbandhadalsogonetotown，probablyinconnectionwithEvgeniePavlovitch’saffairs。
　　"LizabethaProkofievnaisinareallyfiendishtempertoday，"
　　sheadded，asshewentout，"butthemostcuriousthingisthatAglayahasquarrelledwithherwholefamily；notonlywithherfatherandmother，butwithhersistersalso。Itisnotagoodsign。"Shesaidallthisquitecasually，thoughitwasextremelyimportantintheeyesoftheprince，andwentoffwithherbrother。Regardingtheepisodeof"Pavlicheff’sson，"Ganiahadbeenabsolutelysilent，partlyfromakindoffalsemodesty，partly，perhaps，to"sparetheprince’sfeelings。"Thelatter，however，thankedhimagainforthetroublehehadtakenintheaffair。
　　Muishkinwasgladenoughtobeleftalone。Hewentoutofthegarden，crossedtheroad，andenteredthepark。Hewishedtoreflect，andtomakeuphismindastoacertain"step。"Thisstepwasoneofthosethings，however，whicharenotthoughtout，asarule，butdecidedfororagainsthastily，andwithoutmuchreflection。Thefactis，hefeltalongingtoleaveallthisandgoaway——goanywhere，ifonlyitwerefarenough，andatonce，withoutbiddingfarewelltoanyone。Hefeltapresentimentthatifheremainedbutafewdaysmoreinthisplace，andamongthesepeople，hewouldbefixedthereirrevocablyandpermanently。
　　However，inaveryfewminuteshedecidedthattorunawaywasimpossible；thatitwouldbecowardly；thatgreatproblemslaybeforehim，andthathehadnorighttoleavethemunsolved，oratleasttorefusetogiveallhisenergyandstrengthtotheattempttosolvethem。Havingcometothisdetermination，heturnedandwenthome，hiswalkhavinglastedlessthanaquarterofanhour。Atthatmomenthewasthoroughlyunhappy。
　　Lebedeffhadnotreturned，sotowardseveningKellermanagedtopenetrateintotheprince’sapartments。Hewasnotdrunk，butinaconfidentialandtalkativemood。HeannouncedthathehadcometotellthestoryofhislifetoMuishkin，andhadonlyremainedatPavlofskforthatpurpose。Therewasnomeansofturninghimout；nothingshortofanearthquakewouldhaveremovedhim。
　　Inthemannerofonewithlonghoursbeforehim，hebeganhishistory；butafterafewincoherentwordshejumpedtotheconclusion，whichwasthat"havingceasedtobelieveinGodAlmighty，hehadlosteveryvestigeofmorality，andhadgonesofarastocommitatheft。""Couldyouimaginesuchathing？"saidhe。
　　"Listentome，Keller，"returnedtheprince。"IfIwereinyourplace，Ishouldnotacknowledgethatunlessitwereabsolutelynecessaryforsomereason。Butperhapsyouaremakingyourselfouttobeworsethanyouare，purposely？"
　　"Ishouldtellittonoonebutyourself，prince，andIonlynameitnowasahelptomysoul’sevolution。WhenIdie，thatsecretwilldiewithme！But，excellency，ifyouknew，ifyouonlyhadtheleastidea，howdifficultitistogetmoneynowadays！Wheretofinditisthequestion。Askforaloan，theanswerisalwaysthesame:’Giveusgold，jewels，ordiamonds，anditwillbequiteeasy。’Exactlywhatonehasnotgot！Canyoupicturethattoyourself？Igotangryatlast，andsaid，’Isupposeyouwouldacceptemeralds？’’Certainly，weacceptemeraldswithpleasure。
　　Yes！’’Well，that’sallright，’saidI。’Gotothedevil，youdenofthieves！’AndwiththatIseizedmyhat，andwalkedout。"
　　"Hadyouanyemeralds？"askedtheprince。
　　"What？Ihaveemeralds？Oh，prince！withwhatsimplicity，withwhatalmostpastoralsimplicity，youlookuponlife！"
　　Couldnotsomethingbemadeofthismanundergoodinfluences？
　　askedtheprinceofhimself，forhebegantofeelakindofpityforhisvisitor。Hethoughtlittleofthevalueofhisownpersonalinfluence，notfromasenseofhumility，butfromhispeculiarwayoflookingatthingsingeneral。Imperceptiblytheconversationgrewmoreanimatedandmoreinteresting，sothatneitherofthetwofeltanxioustobringittoaclose。Kellerconfessed，withapparentsincerity，tohavingbeenguiltyofmanyactsofsuchanaturethatitastonishedtheprincethathecouldmentionthem，eventohim。Ateveryfreshavowalheprofessedthedeepestrepentance，anddescribedhimselfasbeing"bathedintears"；butthisdidnotpreventhimfromputtingonaboastfulairattimes，andsomeofhisstoriesweresoabsurdlycomicalthatbothheandtheprincelaughedlikemadmen。
　　"Onepointinyourfavouristhatyouseemtohaveachild-likemind，andextremetruthfulness，"saidtheprinceatlast。"Doyouknowthatthatatonesformuch？"
　　"Iamassuredlynoble-minded，andchivalroustoadegree！"saidKeller，muchsoftened。"But，doyouknow，thisnobilityofmindexistsinadream，ifonemayputitso？Itneverappearsinpracticeordeed。Now，whyisthat？Icanneverunderstand。"
　　"Donotdespair。Ithinkwemaysaywithoutfearofdeceivingourselves，thatyouhavenowgivenafairlyexactaccountofyourlife。I，atleast，thinkitwouldbeimpossibletoaddmuchtowhatyouhavejusttoldme。"
　　"Impossible？"criedKeller，almostpityingly。"Ohprince，howlittleyoureallyseemtounderstandhumannature！"
　　"Istherereallymuchmoretobeadded？"askedtheprince，withmildsurprise。"Well，whatisityoureallywantofme？Speakout；tellmewhyyoucametomakeyourconfessiontome？"
　　"WhatdidIwant？Well，tobeginwith，itisgoodtomeetamanlikeyou。Itisapleasuretotalkovermyfaultswithyou。I
　　knowyouforoneofthebestofmen……andthen……then……"
　　Hehesitated，andappearedsomuchembarrassedthattheprincehelpedhimout。
　　"Thenyouwantedmetolendyoumoney？"
　　Thewordswerespokeninagravetone，andevensomewhatshyly。
　　Kellerstarted，gaveanastonishedlookatthespeaker，andthumpedthetablewithhisfist。
　　"Well，prince，that’senoughtoknockmedown！Itastoundsme！
　　Hereyouare，assimpleandinnocentasaknightofthegoldenage，andyet……yet……youreadaman’ssoullikeapsychologist！Now，doexplainittome，prince，becauseI……I
　　reallydonotunderstand！……Ofcourse，myaimwastoborrowmoneyallalong，andyou……youaskedthequestionasiftherewasnothingblameableinit——asifyouthoughtitquitenatural。"
　　"Yes……fromyouitisquitenatural。"
　　"Andyouarenotoffended？"
　　"WhyshouldIbeoffended？"
　　"Well，justlisten，prince。Iremainedherelastevening，partlybecauseIhaveagreatadmirationfortheFrencharchbishopBourdaloue。Ienjoyedadiscussionoverhimtillthreeo’clockinthemorning，withLebedeff；andthen……
　　then——IswearbyallIholdsacredthatIamtellingyouthetruth——thenIwishedtodevelopmysoulinthisfrankandheartfeltconfessiontoyou。ThiswasmythoughtasIwassobbingmyselftosleepatdawn。JustasIwaslosingconsciousness，tearsinmysoul，tearsonmyfaceIrememberhowIlaytheresobbing，anideafromhellstruckme。’Whynot，afterconfessing，borrowmoneyfromhim？’Yousee，thisconfessionwasakindofmasterstroke；Iintendedtouseitasameanstoyourgoodgraceandfavour——andthen——thenImeanttowalkoffwithahundredandfiftyroubles。Now，doyounotcallthatbase？"
　　"Itishardlyanexactstatementofthecase，"saidtheprinceinreply。"Youhaveconfusedyourmotivesandideas，asIneedscarcelysaytoooftenhappenstomyself。Icanassureyou，Keller，Ireproachmyselfbitterlyforitsometimes。WhenyouweretalkingjustnowIseemedtobelisteningtosomethingaboutmyself。AttimesIhaveimaginedthatallmenwerethesame，"hecontinuedearnestly，forheappearedtobemuchinterestedintheconversation，"andthatconsoledmeinacertaindegree，foraDOUBLEmotiveisathingmostdifficulttofightagainst。Ihavetried，andIknow。Godknowswhencetheyarise，theseideasthatyouspeakofasbase。Ifearthesedoublemotivesmorethaneverjustnow，butIamnotyourjudge，andinmyopinionitisgoingtoofartogivethenameofbasenesstoit——whatdoyouthink？
　　Youweregoingtoemployyourtearsasaruseinordertoborrowmoney，butyoualsosay——infact，youhavesworntothefact——
　　thatindependentlyofthisyourconfessionwasmadewithanhonourablemotive。Asforthemoney，youwantitfordrink，doyounot？Afteryourconfession，thatisweakness，ofcourse；but，afterall，howcananyonegiveupabadhabitatamoment’snotice？Itisimpossible。Whatcanwedo？Itisbest，Ithink，toleavethemattertoyourownconscience。Howdoesitseemtoyou？"AsheconcludedtheprincelookedcuriouslyatKeller；
　　evidentlythisproblemofdoublemotiveshadoftenbeenconsideredbyhimbefore。
　　"Well，howanybodycancallyouanidiotafterthat，ismorethanIcanunderstand！"criedtheboxer。
　　Theprincereddenedslightly。
　　"Bourdaloue，thearchbishop，wouldnothavesparedamanlikeme，"Kellercontinued，"butyou，youhavejudgedmewithhumanity。ToshowhowgratefulIam，andasapunishment，Iwillnotacceptahundredandfiftyroubles。Givemetwenty-five——thatwillbeenough；itisallIreallyneed，forafortnightatleast。Iwillnotaskyouformoreforafortnight。IshouldliketohavegivenAgathaapresent，butshedoesnotreallydeserveit。Oh，mydearprince，Godblessyou！"
　　AtthismomentLebedeffappeared，havingjustarrivedfromPetersburg。Hefrownedwhenhesawthetwenty-fiveroublenoteinKeller’shand，butthelatter，havinggotthemoney，wentawayatonce。Lebedeffbegantoabusehim。
　　"Youareunjust；Ifoundhimsincerelyrepentant，"observedtheprince，afterlisteningforatime。
　　"Whatisthegoodofrepentancelikethat？Itisthesameexactlyasmineyesterday，whenIsaid，’Iambase，Iambase，’——words，andnothingmore！"
　　"Thentheywereonlywordsonyourpart？Ithought，onthecontrary……"
　　"Well，Idon’tmindtellingyouthetruth——youonly！Becauseyouseethroughamansomehow。Wordsandactions，truthandfalsehood，arealljumbleduptogetherinme，andyetIamperfectlysincere。Ifeelthedeepestrepentance，believeitornot，asyouchoose；butwordsandliescomeoutintheinfernalcravingtogetthebetterofotherpeople。Itisalwaysthere——thenotionofcheatingpeople，andofusingmyrepentanttearstomyownadvantage！Iassureyouthisisthetruth，prince！Iwouldnottellanyothermanfortheworld！Hewouldlaughandjeeratme——butyou，youjudgeamanhumanely。"
　　"Why，Kellersaidthesamethingtomenearlywordforwordafewminutesago！"criedMuishkin。"Andyoubothseeminclinedtoboastaboutit！Youastonishme，butIthinkheismoresincerethanyou，foryoumakearegulartradeofit。Oh，don’tputonthatpatheticexpression，anddon’tputyourhandonyourheart！
　　Haveyouanythingtosaytome？Youhavenotcomefornothing……"
　　Lebedeffgrinnedandwriggled。
　　"Ihavebeenwaitingalldayforyou，becauseIwanttoaskyouaquestion；and，foronceinyourlife，pleasetellmethetruthatonce。Hadyouanythingtodowiththataffairofthecarriageyesterday？"
　　Lebedeffbegantogrinagain，rubbedhishands，sneezed，butspokenotawordinreply。
　　"Iseeyouhadsomethingtodowithit。"
　　"Indirectly，quiteindirectly！Iamspeakingthetruth——Iamindeed！ImerelytoldacertainpersonthatIhadpeopleinmyhouse，andthatsuchandsuchpersonagesmightbefoundamongthem。"
　　"Iamawarethatyousentyoursontothathouse——hetoldmesohimselfjustnow，butwhatisthisintrigue？"saidtheprince，impatiently。
　　"Itisnotmyintrigue！"criedLebedeff，wavinghishand。
　　"Itwasengineeredbyotherpeople，andis，properlyspeaking，ratherafantasythananintrigue！"
　　"Butwhatisitallabout？Tellme，forHeaven’ssake！Cannotyouunderstandhownearlyittouchesme？WhyaretheyblackeningEvgeniePavlovitch’sreputation？"
　　Lebedeffgrimacedandwriggledagain。
　　"Prince！"saidhe。"Excellency！Youwon’tletmetellyouthewholetruth；Ihavetriedtoexplain；morethanonceIhavebegun，butyouhavenotallowedmetogoon……"
　　Theprincegavenoanswer，andsatdeepinthought。Evidentlyhewasstrugglingtodecide。
　　"Verywell！Tellmethetruth，"hesaid，dejectedly。
　　"AglayaIvanovna……"beganLebedeff，promptly。
　　"Besilent！Atonce！"interruptedtheprince，redwithindignation，andperhapswithshame，too。"Itisimpossibleandabsurd！Allthathasbeeninventedbyyou，orfoolslikeyou！Letmeneverhearyousayawordagainonthatsubject！"
　　LateintheeveningColiacameinwithawholebudgetofPetersburgandPavlofsknews。HedidnotdwellmuchonthePetersburgpartofit，whichconsistedchieflyofintelligenceabouthisfriendHippolyte，butpassedquicklytothePavlofsktidings。HehadgonestraighttotheEpanchins’fromthestation。
　　"There’sthedeuceandallgoingonthere！"hesaid。"Firstofallabouttherowlastnight，andIthinktheremustbesomethingnewaswell，thoughIdidn’tliketoask。NotawordaboutYOU，prince，thewholetime！"ThemostinterestingfactwasthatAglayahadbeenquarrellingwithherpeopleaboutGania。Coliadidnotknowanydetails，exceptthatithadbeenaterriblequarrel！AlsoEvgeniePavlovitchhadcalled，andmetwithanexcellentreceptionallround。Andanothercuriousthing:Mrs。
　　EpanchinwassoangrythatshecalledVariatoher——Variawastalkingtothegirls——andturnedheroutofthehouse"onceforall"shesaid。"IhearditfromVariaherself——Mrs。Epanchinwasquitepolite，butfirm；andwhenVariasaidgood-byetothegirls，shetoldthemnothingaboutit，andtheydidn’tknowtheyweresayinggoodbyeforthelasttime。I’msorryforVaria，andforGaniatoo；heisn’thalfabadfellow，inspiteofhisfaults，andIshallneverforgivemyselffornotlikinghimbefore！Idon’tknowwhetherIoughttocontinuetogototheEpanchins’now，"concludedColia——"Iliketobequiteindependentofothers，andofotherpeople’squarrelsifIcan；
　　butImustthinkoverit。"
　　"Idon’tthinkyouneedbreakyourheartoverGania，"saidtheprince；"forifwhatyousayistrue，hemustbeconsidereddangerousintheEpanchinhousehold，andifso，certainhopesofhismusthavebeenencouraged。"
　　"What？Whathopes？"criedColia；"yousurelydon’tmeanAglaya？——
　　oh，no！——"
　　"You’readreadfulsceptic，prince，"hecontinued，afteramoment’ssilence。"Ihaveobservedoflatethatyouhavegrownscepticalabouteverything。Youdon’tseemtobelieveinpeopleasyoudid，andarealwaysattributingmotivesandsoon——amI
　　usingtheword’sceptic’initspropersense？"
　　"Ibelieveso；butI’mnotsure。"
　　"Well，I’llchangeit，rightorwrong；I’llsaythatyouarenotsceptical，butJEALOUS。There！youaredeadlyjealousofGania，overacertainprouddamsel！Come！"Coliajumpedup，withthesewords，andburstoutlaughing。Helaughedashehadperhapsneverlaughedbefore，andstillmorewhenhesawtheprinceflushinguptohistemples。HewasdelightedthattheprinceshouldbejealousaboutAglaya。However，hestoppedimmediatelyonseeingthattheotherwasreallyhurt，andtheconversationcontinued，veryearnestly，foranhourormore。
　　Nextdaytheprincehadtogototown，onbusiness。Returningintheafternoon，hehappeneduponGeneralEpanchinatthestation。
　　Thelatterseizedhishand，glancingaroundnervously，asifhewereafraidofbeingcaughtinwrong-doing，anddraggedhimintoafirst-classcompartment。Hewasburningtospeakaboutsomethingofimportance。
　　"Inthefirstplace，mydearprince，don’tbeangrywithme。I
　　wouldhavecometoseeyouyesterday，butIdidn’tknowhowLizabethaProkofievnawouldtakeit。Mydearfellow，myhouseissimplyahelljustnow，asortofsphinxhastakenupitsabodethere。Weliveinanatmosphereofriddles；Ican’tmakeheadortailofanything。Asforyou，Ifeelsureyouaretheleasttoblameofanyofus，thoughyoucertainlyhavebeenthecauseofagooddealoftrouble。Yousee，it’sallverypleasanttobeaphilanthropist；butitcanbecarriedtoofar。OfcourseIadmirekind-heartedness，andIesteemmywife，but——"
　　Thegeneralwanderedoninthisdisconnectedwayforalongtime；
　　itwasclearthathewasmuchdisturbedbysomecircumstancewhichhecouldmakenothingof。
　　"Itisplaintome，thatYOUarenotinitatall，"hecontinued，atlast，alittlelessvaguely，"butperhapsyouhadbetternotcometoourhouseforalittlewhile。Iaskyouinthefriendliestmanner，mind；justtillthewindchangesagain。AsforEvgeniePavlovitch，"hecontinuedwithsomeexcitement，"thewholethingisacalumny，adirtycalumny。Itissimplyaplot，anintrigue，toupsetourplansandtostirupaquarrel。Yousee，prince，I’lltellyouprivately，Evgenieandourselveshavenotsaidawordyet，wehavenoformalunderstanding，weareinnowayboundoneitherside，butthewordmaybesaidverysoon，don’tyousee，VERYsoon，andallthisismostinjurious，andismeanttobeso。Why？I’msureIcan’ttellyou。She’sanextraordinarywoman，yousee，aneccentricwoman；ItellyouIamsofrightenedofthatwomanthatIcan’tsleep。Whatacarriagethatwas，andwherediditcomefrom，eh？Ideclare，IwasbaseenoughtosuspectEvgenieatfirst；butitseemscertainthatthatcannotbethecase，andifso，whyissheinterferinghere？
　　That’stheriddle，whatdoesshewant？IsittokeepEvgenietoherself？But，mydearfellow，Isweartoyou，Iswearhedoesn’tevenKNOWher，andasforthosebills，why，thewholethingisaninvention！Andthefamiliarityofthewoman！It’squiteclearwemusttreattheimpudentcreature’sattemptwithdisdain，andredoubleourcourtesytowardsEvgenie。Itoldmywifeso。
　　"NowI’lltellyoumysecretconviction。I’mcertainthatshe’sdoingthistorevengeherselfonme，onaccountofthepast，thoughIassureyouthatallthetimeIwasblameless。Iblushattheveryidea。Andnowsheturnsupagainlikethis，whenI
　　thoughtshehadfinallydisappeared！Where’sRogojinallthistime？IthoughtshewasMrs。Rogojin，longago。"
　　Theoldmanwasinastateofgreatmentalperturbation。Thewholeofthejourney，whichoccupiednearlyanhour，hecontinuedinthisstrain，puttingquestionsandansweringthemhimself，shrugginghisshoulders，pressingtheprince’shand，andassuringthelatterthat，atallevents，hehadnosuspicionwhateverofHIM。Thislastassurancewassatisfactory，atallevents。ThegeneralfinishedbyinforminghimthatEvgenie’sunclewasheadofoneofthecivilservicedepartments，andrich，veryrich，andagourmand。"And，well，Heavenpreservehim，ofcourse——butEvgeniegetshismoney，don’tyousee？But，forallthis，I’muncomfortable，Idon’tknowwhy。There’ssomethingintheair，I
　　feelthere’ssomethingnastyintheair，likeabat，andI’mbynomeanscomfortable。"
　　AnditwasnotuntilthethirddaythattheformalreconciliationbetweentheprinceandtheEpanchinstookplace，assaidbefore。
　　XII。
　　ITwassevenintheevening，andtheprincewasjustpreparingtogooutforawalkinthepark，whensuddenlyMrs。Epanchinappearedontheterrace。
　　"Inthefirstplace，don’tdaretosuppose，"shebegan，"thatI
　　amgoingtoapologize。Nonsense！Youwereentirelytoblame。"
　　Theprinceremainedsilent。
　　"Wereyoutoblame，ornot？"
　　"No，certainlynot，nomorethanyourself，thoughatfirstI
　　thoughtIwas。"
　　"Oh，verywell，let’ssitdown，atallevents，forIdon’tintendtostandupallday。Andremember，ifyousay，onewordabout’mischievousurchins，’Ishallgoawayandbreakwithyoualtogether。Nowthen，didyou，ordidyounot，sendalettertoAglaya，acoupleofmonthsorsoago，aboutEaster-tide？"
　　"Yes！"
　　"Whatfor？Whatwasyourobject？Showmetheletter。"Mrs。
　　Epanchin’seyesflashed；shewasalmosttremblingwithimpatience。
　　"Ihavenotgottheletter，"saidtheprince，timidly，extremelysurprisedattheturntheconversationhadtaken。"Ifanyonehasit，ifitstillexists，AglayaIvanovnamusthaveit。"
　　"Nofinessing，please。Whatdidyouwriteabout？"
　　"Iamnotfinessing，andIamnotintheleastafraidoftellingyou；butIdon’tseetheslightestreasonwhyIshouldnothavewritten。"
　　"Bequiet，youcantalkafterwards！Whatwastheletterabout？
　　Whyareyoublushing？"
　　Theprincewassilent。Atlasthespoke。
　　"Idon’tunderstandyourthoughts，LizabethaProkofievna；butI
　　canseethatthefactofmyhavingwrittenisforsomereasonrepugnanttoyou。YoumustadmitthatIhaveaperfectrighttorefusetoansweryourquestions；but，inordertoshowyouthatI
　　amneitherashamedoftheletter，norsorrythatIwroteit，andthatIamnotintheleastinclinedtoblushaboutit"heretheprince’sblushesredoubled，"Iwillrepeatthesubstanceofmyletter，forIthinkIknowitalmostbyheart。"
　　Sosaying，theprincerepeatedtheletteralmostwordforword，ashehadwrittenit。
　　"Mygoodness，whatuttertwaddle，andwhatmayallthisnonsensehavesignified，pray？Ifithadanymeaningatall！"saidMrs。
　　Epanchin，cuttingly，afterhavinglistenedwithgreatattention。
　　"Ireallydon’tabsolutelyknowmyself；Iknowmyfeelingwasverysincere。Ihadmomentsatthattimefulloflifeandhope。"
　　"Whatsortofhope？"
　　"Itisdifficulttoexplain，butcertainlynotthehopesyouhaveinyourmind。Hopes——well，inaword，hopesforthefuture，andafeelingofjoythatTHERE，atallevents，Iwasnotentirelyastrangerandaforeigner。Ifeltanecstasyinbeinginmynativelandoncemore；andonesunnymorningItookupapenandwroteherthatletter，butwhytoHER，Idon’tquiteknow。Sometimesonelongstohaveafriendnear，andIevidentlyfelttheneedofonethen，"addedtheprince，andpaused。
　　"Areyouinlovewithher？"
　　"N-no！Iwrotetoherastoasister；Isignedmyselfherbrother。"
　　"Ohyes，ofcourse，onpurpose！Iquiteunderstand。"
　　"Itisverypainfultometoanswerthesequestions，LizabethaProkofievna。"
　　"Idaresayitis；butthat’snoaffairofmine。Nowthen，assuremetrulyasbeforeHeaven，areyoulyingtomeornot？"
　　"No，Iamnotlying。"
　　"Areyoutellingthetruthwhenyousayyouarenotinlove？"
　　"Ibelieveitistheabsolutetruth。"
　　"’Ibelieve，’indeed！Didthatmischievousurchingiveittoher？"
　　"IaskedNicolaiArdalionovitch……"
　　"Theurchin！theurchin！"interruptedLizabethaProkofievnainanangryvoice。"IdonotwanttoknowifitwereNicolaiArdalionovitch！Theurchin！"
　　"NicolaiArdalionovitch……"
　　"Theurchin，Itellyou！"
　　"No，itwasnottheurchin:itwasNicolaiArdalionovitch，"saidtheprinceveryfirmly，butwithoutraisinghisvoice。
　　"Well，allright！Allright，mydear！Ishallputthatdowntoyouraccount。"
　　Shewassilentamomenttogetbreath，andtorecoverhercomposure。
　　"Well！——andwhat’sthemeaningofthe’poorknight，’eh？"
　　"Idon’tknowintheleast；Iwasn’tpresentwhenthejokewasmade。ItISajoke。Isuppose，andthat’sall。"
　　"Well，that’sacomfort，atallevents。Youdon’tsupposeshecouldtakeanyinterestinyou，doyou？Why，shecalledyouan’idiot’herself。"
　　"Ithinkyoumighthavesparedmethat，"murmuredtheprincereproachfully，almostinawhisper。
　　"Don’tbeangry；sheisawilful，mad，spoiltgirl。Ifshelikesapersonshewillpitchintohim，andchaffhim。Iusedtobejustsuchanother。Butforallthatyouneedn’tflatteryourself，myboy；sheisnotforyou。Idon’tbelieveit，anditisnottobe。Itellyousoatonce，sothatyoumaytakeproperprecautions。Now，Iwanttohearyouswearthatyouarenotmarriedtothatwoman？"
　　"LizabethaProkofievna，whatareyouthinkingof？"criedtheprince，almostleapingtohisfeetinamazement。
　　"Why？Youverynearlywere，anyhow。"
　　"Yes——Inearlywas，"whisperedtheprince，hanginghishead。
　　"Wellthen，haveyoucomehereforHER？AreyouinlovewithHER？
　　WithTHATcreature？"
　　"Ididnotcometomarryatall，"repliedtheprince。
　　"Isthereanythingyouholdsacred？"
　　"Thereis。"
　　"ThenswearbyitthatyoudidnotcomeheretomarryHER！"
　　"I’llswearitbywhateveryouplease。"
　　"Ibelieveyou。Youmaykissme；Ibreathefreelyatlast。Butyoumustknow，mydearfriend，Aglayadoesnotloveyou，andsheshallneverbeyourwifewhileIamoutofmygrave。Sobewarnedintime。Doyouhearme？"
　　"Yes，Ihear。"
　　Theprinceflushedupsomuchthathecouldnotlookherintheface。
　　"Ihavewaitedforyouwiththegreatestimpatiencenotthatyouwereworthit。EverynightIhavedrenchedmypillowwithtears，notforyou，myfriend，notforyou，don’tflatteryourself！I
　　havemyowngrief，alwaysthesame，alwaysthesame。ButI’lltellyouwhyIhavebeenawaitingyousoimpatiently，becauseI
　　believethatProvidenceitselfsentyoutobeafriendandabrothertome。Ihaven’tafriendintheworldexceptPrincessBielokonski，andsheisgrowingasstupidasasheepfromoldage。Nowthen，tellme，yesorno？Doyouknowwhyshecalledoutfromhercarriagetheothernight？"
　　"IgiveyoumywordofhonourthatIhadnothingtodowiththematterandknownothingaboutit。"
　　"Verywell，Ibelieveyou。Ihavemyownideasaboutit。UptoyesterdaymorningIthoughtitwasreallyEvgeniePavlovitchwhowastoblame；nowIcannothelpagreeingwiththeothers。ButwhyhewasmadesuchafoolofIcannotunderstand。However，heisnotgoingtomarryAglaya，Icantellyouthat。Hemaybeaveryexcellentfellow，but——soitshallbe。Iwasnotatallsureofacceptinghimbefore，butnowIhavequitemadeupmymindthatI
　　won’thavehim。’Putmeinmycoffinfirstandthenintomygrave，andthenyoumaymarrymydaughtertowhomsoeveryouplease，’soIsaidtothegeneralthisverymorning。YouseehowItrustyou，myboy。"
　　"Yes，Iseeandunderstand。"
　　Mrs。Epanchingazedkeenlyintotheprince’seyes。ShewasanxioustoseewhatimpressionthenewsastoEvgeniePavlovitchhadmadeuponhim。
　　"DoyouknowanythingaboutGavrilaArdalionovitch？"sheaskedatlast。
　　"Ohyes，Iknowagooddeal。"
　　"DidyouknowhehadcommunicationswithAglaya？"
　　"No，Ididn’t，"saidtheprince，tremblingalittle，andingreatagitation。"YousayGavrilaArdalionovitchhasprivatecommunicationswithAglaya？——Impossible！"
　　"Onlyquitelately。Hissisterhasbeenworkinglikearattoclearthewayforhimallthewinter。"
　　"Idon’tbelieveit！"saidtheprinceabruptly，afterashortpause。"HaditbeensoIshouldhaveknownlongago。"
　　"Oh，ofcourse，yes；hewouldhavecomeandweptouthissecretonyourbosom。Oh，yousimpleton——yousimpleton！Anyonecandeceiveyouandtakeyouinlikea——likea，——aren’tyouashamedtotrusthim？Can’tyouseethathehumbugsyoujustasmuchaseverhepleases？"
　　"Iknowverywellthathedoesdeceivemeoccasionally，andheknowsthatIknowit，but——"Theprincedidnotfinishhissentence。
　　"Andthat’swhyyoutrusthim，eh？SoIshouldhavesupposed。
　　GoodLord，wasthereeversuchamanasyou？Tfu！andareyouaware，sir，thatthisGania，orhissisterVaria，havebroughtherintocorrespondencewithNastasiaPhilipovna？"
　　"Broughtwhom？"criedMuishkin。
　　"Aglaya。"
　　"Idon’tbelieveit！It’simpossible！Whatobjectcouldtheyhave？"Hejumpedupfromhischairinhisexcitement。
　　"NordoIbelieveit，inspiteoftheproofs。Thegirlisself-
　　willedandfantastic，andinsane！She’swicked，wicked！I’llrepeatitforathousandyearsthatshe’swicked；theyALLare，justnow，allmydaughters，eventhat’wethen’Alexandra。AndyetIdon’tbelieveit。BecauseIdon’tchoosetobelieveit，perhaps；butIdon’t。Whyhaven’tyoubeen？"sheturnedontheprincesuddenly。"Whydidn’tyoucomenearusallthesethreedays，eh？"
　　Theprincebegantogivehisreasons，butsheinterruptedhimagain。
　　"Everybodytakesyouinanddeceivesyou；youwenttotownyesterday。Idareswearyouwentdownonyourkneestothatrogue，andbeggedhimtoacceptyourtenthousandroubles！"
　　"Ineverthoughtofdoinganysuchthing。Ihavenotseenhim，andheisnotarogue，inmyopinion。Ihavehadaletterfromhim。"
　　"Showitme！"
　　Theprincetookapaperfromhispocket-book，andhandedittoLizabethaProkofievna。Itranasfollows:
　　"SIR，"IntheeyesoftheworldIamsurethatIhavenocauseforprideorself-esteem。Iammuchtooinsignificantforthat。Butwhatmaybesotoothermen’seyesisnotsotoyours。Iamconvincedthatyouarebetterthanotherpeople。Doktorenkodisagreeswithme，butIamcontenttodifferfromhimonthispoint。Iwillneveracceptonesinglecopeckfromyou，butyouhavehelpedmymother，andIamboundtobegratefultoyouforthat，howeverweakitmayseem。Atanyrate，Ihavechangedmyopinionaboutyou，andIthinkrighttoinformyouofthefact；butIalsosupposethattherecanbenofurtherintercoursebetweenus"ANTIPBURDOVSKY。
　　"P。S——ThetwohundredroublesIoweyoushallcertainlyberepaidintime。"
　　"Howextremelystupid！"criedMrs。Epanchin，givingbacktheletterabruptly。"Itwasnotworththetroubleofreading。Whyareyousmiling？"
　　"Confessthatyouarepleasedtohavereadit。"
　　"What！Pleasedwithallthatnonsense！Why，cannotyouseethattheyareallinfatuatedwithprideandvanity？"
　　"Hehasacknowledgedhimselftobeinthewrong。Don’tyouseethatthegreaterhisvanity，themoredifficultthisadmissionmusthavebeenonhispart？Oh，whatalittlechildyouare，LizabethaProkofievna！"
　　"Areyoutemptingmetoboxyourearsforyou，orwhat？"
　　"Notatall。Iamonlyprovingthatyouaregladabouttheletter。Whyconcealyourrealfeelings？Youalwaysliketodoit。"
　　"Nevercomenearmyhouseagain！"criedMrs。Epanchin，palewithrage。"Don’tletmeseeasmuchasaSHADOWofyouabouttheplace！Doyouhear？"
　　"Ohyes，andinthreedaysyou’llcomeandinvitemeyourself。
　　Aren’tyouashamednow？Theseareyourbestfeelings；youareonlytormentingyourself。"
　　"I’lldiebeforeIinviteyou！Ishallforgetyourveryname！
　　I’veforgottenitalready！"
　　Shemarchedtowardsthedoor。
　　"ButI’mforbiddenyourhouseasitis，withoutyouraddedthreats！"criedtheprinceafterher。
　　"What？Whoforbadeyou？"
　　Sheturnedroundsosuddenlythatonemighthavesupposedaneedlehadbeenstuckintoher。
　　Theprincehesitated。Heperceivedthathehadsaidtoomuchnow。
　　"WHOforbadeyou？"criedMrs。Epanchinoncemore。
　　"AglayaIvanovnatoldme——"
　　"When？Speak——quick！"
　　"Shesenttosay，yesterdaymorning，thatIwasnevertodaretocomenearthehouseagain。"
　　LizabethaProkofievnastoodlikeastone。
　　"Whatdidshesend？Whom？Wasitthatboy？Wasitamessage？-
　　quick！"
　　"Ihadanote，"saidtheprince。
　　"Whereisit？Giveithere，atonce。"
　　Theprincethoughtamoment。Thenhepulledoutofhiswaistcoatpocketanuntidyslipofpaper，onwhichwasscrawled:
　　"PRINCELEFNICOLAIEVITCH，——Ifyouthinkfit，afterallthathaspassed，tohonourourhousewithavisit，Icanassureyouyouwillnotfindmeamongthenumberofthosewhoareinanywaydelightedtoseeyou。
　　"AGLAYAEPANCHIN。"
　　Mrs。Epanchinreflectedamoment。Thenextminutesheflewattheprince，seizedhishand，anddraggedhimafterhertothedoor。
　　"Quick——comealong！"shecried，breathlesswithagitationandimpatience。"Comealongwithmethismoment！"
　　"ButyoudeclaredIwasn’t——"
　　"Don’tbeasimpleton。Youbehavejustasthoughyouweren’tamanatall。Comeon！Ishallsee，now，withmyowneyes。Ishallseeall。"
　　"Well，letmegetmyhat，atleast。"
　　"Here’syourmiserablehatHecouldn’tevenchoosearespectableshapeforhishat！Comeon！ShedidthatbecauseItookyourpartandsaidyououghttohavecome——littlevixen！——elseshewouldneverhavesentyouthatsillynote。It’samostimpropernote，I
　　callit；mostimproperforsuchanintelligent，well-brought-upgirltowrite。H’m！Idaresayshewasannoyedthatyoudidn’tcome；butsheoughttohaveknownthatonecan’twritelikethattoanidiotlikeyou，foryou’dbesuretotakeitliterally。"
　　Mrs。Epanchinwasdraggingtheprincealongwithherallthetime，andneverletgoofhishandforaninstant。"Whatareyoulisteningfor？"sheadded，seeingthatshehadcommittedherselfalittle。"Shewantsaclownlikeyou——shehasn’tseenoneforsometime——toplaywith。That’swhysheisanxiousforyoutocometothehouse。AndrightgladIamthatshe’llmakeathoroughgoodfoolofyou。Youdeserveit；andshecandoit——oh！
　　shecan，indeed！——aswellasmostpeople。"
　　PARTIII
　　I。
　　THEEpanchinfamily，oratleastthemoreseriousmembersofit，weresometimesgrievedbecausetheyseemedsounliketherestoftheworld。Theywerenotquitecertain，buthadattimesastrongsuspicionthatthingsdidnothappentothemastheydidtootherpeople。Othersledaquiet，uneventfullife，whiletheyweresubjecttocontinualupheavals。Otherskeptontherailswithoutdifficulty；theyranoffattheslightestobstacle。Otherhousesweregovernedbyatimidroutine；theirswassomehowdifferent。
　　PerhapsLizabethaProkofievnawasaloneinmakingthesefretfulobservations；thegirls，thoughnotwantinginintelligence，werestillyoung；thegeneralwasintelligent，too，butnarrow，andinanydifficultyhewascontenttosay，"H’m！"andleavethemattertohiswife。Consequently，onherfelltheresponsibility。Itwasnotthattheydistinguishedthemselvesasafamilybyanyparticularoriginality，orthattheirexcursionsoffthetrackledtoanybreachoftheproprieties。Ohno。
　　Therewasnothingpremeditated，therewasnotevenanyconsciouspurposeinitall，andyet，inspiteofeverything，thefamily，althoughhighlyrespected，wasnotquitewhateveryhighlyrespectedfamilyoughttobe。ForalongtimenowLizabethaProkofievnahadhaditinhermindthatallthetroublewasowingtoher"unfortunatecharacter，"andthisaddedtoherdistress。
　　Sheblamedherownstupidunconventional"eccentricity。"Alwaysrestless，alwaysonthego，sheconstantlyseemedtoloseherway，andtogetintotroubleoverthesimplestandmoreordinaryaffairsoflife。
　　Wesaidatthebeginningofourstory，thattheEpanchinswerelikedandesteemedbytheirneighbours。Inspiteofhishumbleorigin，IvanFedorovitchhimselfwasreceivedeverywherewithrespect。Hedeservedthis，partlyonaccountofhiswealthandposition，partlybecause，thoughlimited，hewasreallyaverygoodfellow。Butacertainlimitationofmindseemstobeanindispensableasset，ifnottoallpublicpersonages，atleasttoallseriousfinanciers。Addedtothis，hismannerwasmodestandunassuming；heknewwhentobesilent，yetneverallowedhimselftobetrampledupon。Also——andthiswasmoreimportantthanall——
　　hehadtheadvantageofbeingunderexaltedpatronage。
　　AstoLizabethaProkofievna，she，asthereaderknows，belongedtoanaristocraticfamily。True，Russiansthinkmoreofinfluentialfriendsthanofbirth，butshehadboth。Shewasesteemedandevenlovedbypeopleofconsequenceinsociety，whoseexampleinreceivingherwasthereforefollowedbyothers。
　　Itseemshardlynecessarytoremarkthatherfamilyworriesandanxietieshadlittleornofoundation，orthatherimaginationincreasedthemtoanabsurddegree；butifyouhaveawartonyourforeheadornose，youimaginethatalltheworldislookingatit，andthatpeoplewouldmakefunofyoubecauseofit，evenifyouhaddiscoveredAmerica！DoubtlessLizabethaProkofievnawasconsidered"eccentric"insociety，butshewasnonethelessesteemed:thepitywasthatshewasceasingtobelieveinthatesteem。Whenshethoughtofherdaughters，shesaidtoherselfsorrowfullythatshewasahindranceratherthanahelptotheirfuture，thathercharacterandtemperwereabsurd，ridiculous，insupportable。Naturally，sheputtheblameonhersurroundings，andfrommorningtonightwasquarrellingwithherhusbandandchildren，whomshereallylovedtothepointofself-sacrifice，even，onemightsay，ofpassion。
　　Shewas，abovealldistressedbytheideathatherdaughtersmightgrowup"eccentric，"likeherself；shebelievedthatnoothersocietygirlswerelikethem。"TheyaregrowingintoNihilists！"sherepeatedoverandoveragain。Foryearsshehadtormentedherselfwiththisidea，andwiththequestion:"Whydon’ttheygetmarried？"
　　"Itistoannoytheirmother；thatistheironeaiminlife；itcanbenothingelse。Thefactisitisallofapiecewiththesemodernideas，thatwretchedwoman’squestion！SixmonthsagoAglayatookafancytocutoffhermagnificenthair。Why，evenI，whenIwasyoung，hadnothinglikeit！Thescissorswereinherhand，andIhadtogodownonmykneesandimploreher……Shedidit，Iknow，fromsheermischief，tospitehermother，forsheisanaughty，capriciousgirl，arealspoiledchildspitefulandmischievoustoadegree！AndthenAlexandrawantedtoshaveherhead，notfromcapriceormischief，but，likealittlefool，simplybecauseAglayapersuadedhershewouldsleepbetterwithoutherhair，andnotsufferfromheadache！Andhowmanysuitorshavetheynothadduringthelastfiveyears！Excellentoffers，too！Whatmoredotheywant？Whydon’ttheygetmarried？
　　Fornootherreasonthantovextheirmother——none——none！"
　　ButLizabethaProkofievnafeltsomewhatconsoledwhenshecouldsaythatoneofhergirls，Adelaida，wassettledatlast。"Itwillbeoneoffourhands！"shedeclaredaloud，thoughinprivatesheexpressedherselfwithgreatertenderness。Theengagementwasbothhappyandsuitable，andwasthereforeapprovedinsociety。
　　PrinceS。wasadistinguishedman，hehadmoney，andhisfuturewifewasdevotedtohim；whatmorecouldbedesired？LizabethaProkofievnahadfeltlessanxiousaboutthisdaughter，however，althoughsheconsideredherartistictastessuspicious。Buttomakeupforthemshewas，ashermotherexpressedit，"merry，"
　　andhadplentyof"common-sense。"ItwasAglaya’sfuturewhichdisturbedhermost。Withregardtohereldestdaughter，Alexandra，themotherneverquiteknewwhethertherewascauseforanxietyornot。Sometimesshefeltasiftherewasnothingtobeexpectedfromher。Shewastwenty-fivenow，andmustbefatedtobeanoldmaid，and"withsuchbeauty，too！"Themotherspentwholenightsinweepingandlamenting，whileallthetimethecauseofhergriefslumberedpeacefully。"Whatisthematterwithher？IssheaNihilist，orsimplyafool？"
　　ButLizabethaProkofievnaknewperfectlywellhowunnecessarywasthelastquestion。ShesetahighvalueonAlexandraIvanovna’sjudgment，andoftenconsultedherindifficulties；butthatshewasa’wethen’sheneverforamomentdoubted。"Sheissocalm；
　　nothingrousesher——thoughwethensarenotalwayscalm！Oh！I
　　can’tunderstandit！"HereldestdaughterinspiredLizabethawithakindofpuzzledcompassion。ShedidnotfeelthisinAglaya’scase，thoughthelatterwasheridol。Itmaybesaidthattheseoutburstsandepithets，suchas"wethen"inwhichthematernalsolicitudeusuallyshoweditself，onlymadeAlexandralaugh。
　　SometimesthemosttrivialthingannoyedMrs。Epanchin，anddroveherintoafrenzy。Forinstance，AlexandraIvanovnalikedtosleeplate，andwasalwaysdreaming，thoughherdreamshadthepeculiarityofbeingasinnocentandnaiveasthoseofachildofseven；andtheveryinnocenceofherdreamsannoyedhermother。
　　Onceshedreamtofninehens，andthiswasthecauseofquiteaseriousquarrel——nooneknewwhy。Anothertimeshehad——itwasmostunusual——adreamwithasparkoforiginalityinit。Shedreamtofamonkinadarkroom，intowhichshewastoofrightenedtogo。AdelaidaandAglayarushedoffwithshrieksoflaughtertorelatethistotheirmother，butshewasquiteangry，andsaidherdaughterswereallfools。
　　"H’m！sheisasstupidasafool！Averitable’wethen’！Nothingexcitesher；andyetsheisnothappy；somedaysitmakesonemiserableonlytolookather！Whyissheunhappy，Iwonder？"AttimesLizabethaProkofievnaputthisquestiontoherhusband，andasusualshespokeinthethreateningtoneofonewhodemandsanimmediateanswer。IvanFedorovitchwouldfrown，shrughisshoulders，andatlastgivehisopinion:"Sheneedsahusband！"
　　"Godforbidthatheshouldshareyourideas，IvanFedorovitch！"
　　hiswifeflashedback。"Orthatheshouldbeasgrossandchurlishasyou！"
　　Thegeneralpromptlymadehisescape，andLizabethaProkofievnaafterawhilegrewcalmagain。Thatevening，ofcourse，shewouldbeunusuallyattentive，gentle，andrespectfultoher"grossandchurlish"husband，her"dear，kindIvanFedorovitch，"forshehadneverleftofflovinghim。Shewasevenstill"inlove"withhim。
　　Heknewitwell，andforhispartheldherinthegreatestesteem。
　　Butthemother’sgreatandcontinualanxietywasAglaya。"Sheisexactlylikeme——myimageineverything，"saidMrs。Epanchintoherself。"Atyrant！Areallittledemon！ANihilist！Eccentric，senselessandmischievous！GoodLord，howunhappyshewillbe！"
　　Butaswesaidbefore，thefactofAdelaida’sapproachingmarriagewasbalmtothemother。Forawholemonthsheforgotherfearsandworries。
　　Adelaida’sfatewassettled；andwithhernamethatofAglaya’swaslinked，insocietygossip。PeoplewhisperedthatAglaya，too，was"asgoodasengaged；"andAglayaalwayslookedsosweetandbehavedsowellduringthisperiod，thatthemother’sheartwasfullofjoy。Ofcourse，EvgeniePavlovitchmustbethoroughlystudiedfirst，beforethefinalstepshouldbetaken；but，really，howlovelydearAglayahadbecome——sheactuallygrewmorebeautifuleveryday！Andthen——Yes，andthen——thisabominableprinceshowedhisfaceagain，andeverythingwenttopsy-turvyatonce，andeveryoneseemedasmadasMarchhares。
　　Whathadreallyhappened？
　　IfithadbeenanyotherfamilythantheEpanchins’，nothingparticularwouldhavehappened。But，thankstoMrs。Epanchin’sinvariablefussinessandanxiety，therecouldnotbetheslightesthitchinthesimplestmattersofeverydaylife，butsheimmediatelyforesawthemostdreadfulandalarmingconsequences，andsufferedaccordingly。
　　Whatthenmusthavebeenhercondition，when，amongalltheimaginaryanxietiesandcalamitieswhichsoconstantlybesether，shenowsawloomingaheadaseriouscauseforannoyance——
　　somethingreallylikelytoarousedoubtsandsuspicions！
　　"Howdaredthey，howDAREDtheywritethathatefulanonymousletterinformingmethatAglayaisincommunicationwithNastasiaPhilipovna？"shethought，asshedraggedtheprincealongtowardsherownhouse，andagainwhenshesathimdownattheroundtablewherethefamilywasalreadyassembled。"HowdaredtheysomuchasTHINKofsuchathing？IshouldDIEwithshameifIthoughttherewasaparticleoftruthinit，orifIweretoshowthelettertoAglayaherself！WhodaresplaythesejokesuponUS，theEpanchins？WHYdidn’twegototheYelagininsteadofcomingdownhere？ITOLDyouwehadbettergototheYelaginthissummer，IvanFedorovitch。It’sallyourfault。IdaresayitwasthatVariawhosenttheletter。It’sallIvanFedorovitch。THATwomanisdoingitallforhim，Iknowsheis，toshowshecanmakeafoolofhimnowjustasshedidwhenheusedtogiveherpearls。
　　"Butafterallissaid，wearemixedupinit。Yourdaughtersaremixedupinit，IvanFedorovitch；youngladiesinsociety，youngladiesatanagetobemarried；theywerepresent，theyheardeverythingtherewastohear。Theyweremixedupwiththatotherscene，too，withthosedreadfulyouths。Youmustbepleasedtoremembertheyhearditall。Icannotforgivethatwretchedprince。Inevershallforgivehim！Andwhy，ifyouplease，hasAglayahadanattackofnervesfortheselastthreedays？Whyhassheallbutquarrelledwithhersisters，evenwithAlexandra——
　　whomsherespectssomuchthatshealwayskissesherhandsasthoughshewerehermother？Whatarealltheseriddlesofhersthatwehavetoguess？WhathasGavrilaArdalionovitchtodowithit？Whydidshetakeuponherselftochampionhimthismorning，andburstintotearsoverit？Whyisthereanallusiontothatcursed’poorknight’intheanonymousletter？AndwhydidIrushofftohimjustnowlikealunatic，anddraghimbackhere？IdobelieveI’vegonemadatlast。WhatonearthhaveIdonenow？Totalktoayoungmanaboutmydaughter’ssecrets——andsecretshavingtodowithhimself，too！Thankgoodness，he’sanidiot，andafriendofthehouse！SurelyAglayahasn’tfalleninlovewithsuchagaby！Whatanidea！Pfu！weoughtalltobeputunderglasscases——myselffirstofall——andbeshownoffascuriosities，attencopecksapeep！"
　　"Ishallneverforgiveyouforallthis，IvanFedorovitch——never！
　　Lookathernow。Whydoesn’tshemakefunofhim？Shesaidshewould，andshedoesn’t。Lookthere！Shestaresathimwithallhereyes，anddoesn’tmove；andyetshetoldhimnottocome。Helookspaleenough；andthatabominablechatterbox，EvgeniePavlovitch，monopolizesthewholeoftheconversation。Nobodyelsecangetawordin。IcouldsoonfindoutallabouteverythingifIcouldonlychangethesubject。"
　　Theprincecertainlywasverypale。Hesatatthetableandseemedtobefeeling，byturns，sensationsofalarmandrapture。
　　Oh，howfrightenedhewasoflookingtooneside——oneparticularcorner——whenceheknewverywellthatapairofdarkeyeswerewatchinghimintently，andhowhappyhewastothinkthathewasoncemoreamongthem，andoccasionallyhearingthatwell-knownvoice，althoughshehadwrittenandforbiddenhimtocomeagain！
　　"Whatonearthwillshesaytome，Iwonder？"hethoughttohimself。
　　Hehadnotsaidawordyet；hesatsilentandlistenedtoEvgeniePavlovitch’seloquence。Thelatterhadneverappearedsohappyandexcitedasonthisevening。Theprincelistenedtohim，butforalongtimedidnottakeinawordhesaid。
　　ExceptingIvanFedorovitch，whohadnotasyetreturnedfromtown，thewholefamilywaspresent。PrinceS。wasthere；andtheyallintendedtogoouttohearthebandverysoon。
　　Coliaarrivedpresentlyandjoinedthecircle。"Soheisreceivedasusual，afterall，"thoughttheprince。
　　TheEpanchins’country-housewasacharmingbuilding，builtafterthemodelofaSwisschalet，andcoveredwithcreepers。Itwassurroundedonallsidesbyaflowergarden，andthefamilysat，asarule，ontheopenverandahasattheprince’shouse。
　　Thesubjectunderdiscussiondidnotappeartobeverypopularwiththeassembly，andsomewouldhavebeendelightedtochangeit；butEvgeniewouldnotstopholdingforth，andtheprince’sarrivalseemedtospurhimontostillfurtheroratoricalefforts。
　　LizabethaProkofievnafrowned，buthadnotasyetgraspedthesubject，whichseemedtohavearisenoutofaheatedargument。
　　Aglayasatapart，almostinthecorner，listeninginstubbornsilence。
　　"Excuseme，"continuedEvgeniePavlovitchhotly，"Idon’tsayawordagainstliberalism。Liberalismisnotasin，itisanecessarypartofagreatwhole，whichwholewouldcollapseandfalltopieceswithoutit。Liberalismhasjustasmuchrighttoexistashasthemostmoralconservatism；butIamattackingRUSSIANliberalism；andIattackitforthesimplereasonthataRussianliberalisnotaRussianliberal，heisanon-Russianliberal。ShowmearealRussianliberal，andI’llkisshimbeforeyouall，withpleasure。"
　　"Ifhecaredtokissyou，thatis，"saidAlexandra，whosecheekswereredwithirritationandexcitement。
　　"Lookatthat，now，"thoughtthemothertoherself，"shedoesnothingbutsleepandeatforayearatatime，andthensuddenlyfliesoutinthemostincomprehensibleway！"
　　TheprinceobservedthatAlexandraappearedtobeangrywithEvgenie，becausehespokeonaserioussubjectinafrivolousmanner，pretendingtobeinearnest，butwithanunder-currentofirony。
　　"Iwassayingjustnow，beforeyoucamein，prince，thattherehasbeennothingnationaluptonow，aboutourliberalism，andnothingtheliberalsdo，orhavedone，isintheleastdegreenational。Theyaredrawnfromtwoclassesonly，theoldlandowningclass，andclericalfamilies——"
　　"How，nothingthattheyhavedoneisRussian？"askedPrinceS。
　　"ItmaybeRussian，butitisnotnational。OurliberalsarenotRussian，norareourconservatives，andyoumaybesurethatthenationdoesnotrecognizeanythingthathasbeendonebythelandedgentry，orbytheseminarists，orwhatistobedoneeither。"
　　"Come，that’sgood！Howcanyoumaintainsuchaparadox？Ifyouareserious，thatis。Icannotallowsuchastatementaboutthelandedproprietorstopassunchallenged。Why，youarealandedproprietoryourself！"criedPrinceS。hotly。
　　"Isupposeyou’llsaythereisnothingnationalaboutourliteratureeither？"saidAlexandra。
　　"Well，Iamnotagreatauthorityonliteraryquestions，butI
　　certainlydoholdthatRussianliteratureisnotRussian，exceptperhapsLomonosoff，PouschkinandGogol。"
　　"Inthefirstplace，thatisaconsiderableadmission，andinthesecondplace，oneoftheabovewasapeasant，andtheothertwowerebothlandedproprietors！"
　　"Quiteso，butdon’tbeinsuchahurry！Forsinceithasbeenthepartofthesethreemen，andonlythesethree，tosaysomethingabsolutelytheirown，notborrowed，sobythisveryfactthesethreemenbecomereallynational。IfanyRussianshallhavedoneorsaidanythingreallyandabsolutelyoriginal，heistobecallednationalfromthatmoment，thoughhemaynotbeabletotalktheRussianlanguage；stillheisanationalRussian。I
　　considerthatanaxiom。Butwewerenotspeakingofliterature；
　　webeganbydiscussingthesocialists。Verywellthen，IinsistthattheredoesnotexistonesingleRussiansocialist。Theredoesnot，andtherehasneverexistedsuchaone，becauseallsocialistsarederivedfromthetwoclasses——thelandedproprietors，andtheseminarists。Alloureminentsocialistsaremerelyoldliberalsoftheclassoflandedproprietors，menwhowereliberalsinthedaysofserfdom。Whydoyoulaugh？Givemetheirbooks，givemetheirstudies，theirmemoirs，andthoughI
　　amnotaliterarycritic，yetIwillproveasclearasdaythateverychapterandeverywordoftheirwritingshasbeentheworkofaformerlandedproprietoroftheoldschool。You’llfindthatalltheirraptures，alltheirgeneroustransportsareproprietary，alltheirwoesandtheirtears，proprietary；allproprietaryorseminarist！Youarelaughingagain，andyou，prince，aresmilingtoo。Don’tyouagreewithme？"
　　Itwastrueenoughthateverybodywaslaughing，theprinceamongthem。
　　"IcannottellyouontheinstantwhetherIagreewithyouornot，"saidthelatter，suddenlystoppinghislaughter，andstartinglikeaschoolboycaughtatmischief。"But，Iassureyou，Iamlisteningtoyouwithextremegratification。"
　　Sosaying，healmostpantedwithagitation，andacoldsweatstooduponhisforehead。Thesewerehisfirstwordssincehehadenteredthehouse；hetriedtolifthiseyes，andlookaround，butdarednot；EvgeniePavlovitchnoticedhisconfusion，andsmiled。
　　"I’lljusttellyouonefact，ladiesandgentlemen，"continuedthelatter，withapparentseriousnessandevenexaltationofmanner，butwithasuggestionof"chaff"behindeveryword，asthoughhewerelaughinginhissleeveathisownnonsense——"afact，thediscoveryofwhich，Ibelieve，Imayclaimtohavemadebymyselfalone。Atallevents，nootherhaseversaidorwrittenawordaboutit；andinthisfactisexpressedthewholeessenceofRussianliberalismofthesortwhichIamnowconsidering。
　　"Inthefirstplace，whatisliberalism，speakinggenerally，butanattackwhethermistakenorreasonable，isquiteanotherquestionupontheexistingorderofthings？Isthisso？Yes。
　　Verywell。Thenmy’fact’consistsinthis，thatRUSSIAN
　　liberalismisnotanattackupontheexistingorderofthings，butanattackupontheveryessenceofthingsthemselves——indeed，onthethingsthemselves；notanattackontheRussianorderofthings，butonRussiaitself。MyRussianliberalgoessofarastorejectRussia；thatis，hehatesandstrikeshisownmother。
　　Everymisfortuneandmishapofthemother-countryfillshimwithmirth，andevenwithecstasy。Hehatesthenationalcustoms，Russianhistory，andeverything。Ifhehasajustification，itisthathedoesnotknowwhatheisdoing，andbelievesthathishatredofRussiaisthegrandestandmostprofitablekindofliberalism。Youwilloftenfindaliberalwhoisapplaudedandesteemedbyhisfellows，butwhoisinrealitythedreariest，blindest，dullestofconservatives，andisnotawareofthefact。ThishatredforRussiahasbeenmistakenbysomeofour’Russianliberals’forsincereloveoftheircountry，andtheyboastthattheyseebetterthantheirneighbourswhatrealloveofone’scountryshouldconsistin。Butoflatetheyhavegrown，morecandidandareashamedoftheexpression’loveofcountry，’
　　andhaveannihilatedtheveryspiritofthewordsassomethinginjuriousandpettyandundignified。Thisisthetruth，andI
　　holdbyit；butatthesametimeitisaphenomenonwhichhasnotbeenrepeatedatanyothertimeorplace；andtherefore，thoughI
　　holdtoitasafact，yetIrecognizethatitisanaccidentalphenomenon，andmaylikelyenoughpassaway。Therecanbenosuchthinganywhereelseasaliberalwhoreallyhateshiscountry；
　　andhowisthisfacttobeexplainedamongUS？BymyoriginalstatementthataRussianliberalisNOTaRUSSIANliberal——that’stheonlyexplanationthatIcansee。"
　　"Itakeallthatyouhavesaidasajoke，"saidPrinceS。
　　seriously。
　　"Ihavenotseenallkindsofliberals，andcannot，therefore，setmyselfupasajudge，"saidAlexandra，"butIhaveheardallyouhavesaidwithindignation。Youhavetakensomeaccidentalcaseandtwisteditintoauniversallaw，whichisunjust。"
　　"Accidentalcase！"saidEvgeniePavlovitch。"Doyouconsideritanaccidentalcase，prince？"
　　"Imustalsoadmit，"saidtheprince，"thatIhavenotseenmuch，orbeenveryfarintothequestion；butIcannothelpthinkingthatyouaremoreorlessright，andthatRussianliberalism——
　　thatphaseofitwhichyouareconsidering，atleast——reallyissometimesinclinedtohateRussiaitself，andnotonlyitsexistingorderofthingsingeneral。OfcoursethisisonlyPARTIALLYthetruth；youcannotlaydownthelawforall……"
　　Theprinceblushedandbrokeoff，withoutfinishingwhathemeanttosay。
　　Inspiteofhisshynessandagitation，hecouldnothelpbeinggreatlyinterestedintheconversation。Aspecialcharacteristicofhiswasthenaivecandourwithwhichhealwayslistenedtoargumentswhichinterestedhim，andwithwhichheansweredanyquestionsputtohimonthesubjectatissue。Intheveryexpressionofhisfacethisnaivetewasunmistakablyevident，thisdisbeliefintheinsincerityofothers，andunsuspectingdisregardofironyorhumourintheirwords。
　　ButthoughEvgeniePavlovitchhadputhisquestionstotheprincewithnootherpurposebuttoenjoythejokeofhissimple-mindedseriousness，yetnow，athisanswer，hewassurprisedintosomeseriousnesshimself，andlookedgravelyatMuishkinasthoughhehadnotexpectedthatsortofansweratall。
　　"Why，howstrange！"heejaculated。"Youdidn’tanswermeseriously，surely，didyou？"
　　"Didnotyouaskmethequestionseriously"inquiredtheprince，inamazement。
　　Everybodylaughed。
　　"Oh，trustHIMforthat！"saidAdelaida。"EvgeniePavlovitchturnseverythingandeverybodyhecanlayholdoftoridicule。
　　Youshouldhearthethingshesayssometimes，apparentlyinperfectseriousness。"
　　"Inmyopiniontheconversationhasbeenapainfulonethroughout，andweoughtnevertohavebegunit，"saidAlexandra。
　　"Wewereallgoingforawalk——"
　　"Comealongthen，"saidEvgenie；"it’sagloriousevening。But，toprovethatthistimeIwasspeakingabsolutelyseriously，andespeciallytoprovethistotheprinceforyou，prince，haveinterestedmeexceedingly，andIsweartoyouthatIamnotquitesuchanassasIliketoappearsometimes，althoughIamratheranass，Iadmit，and——well，ladiesandgentlemen，willyouallowmetoputjustonemorequestiontotheprince，outofpurecuriosity？Itshallbethelast。Thisquestioncameintomymindacoupleofhourssinceyousee，prince，Idothinkseriouslyattimes，andImademyowndecisionuponit；nowIwishtohearwhattheprincewillsaytoit。"
　　"Wehavejustusedtheexpression’accidentalcase。’Thisisasignificantphrase；weoftenhearit。Well，notlongsinceeveryonewastalkingandreadingaboutthatterriblemurderofsixpeopleonthepartofa——youngfellow，andoftheextraordinaryspeechofthecounselforthedefence，whoobservedthatinthepoverty-strickenconditionofthecriminalitmusthavecomeNATURALLYintohisheadtokillthesesixpeople。Idonotquotehiswords，butthatisthesenseofthem，orsomethingverylikeit。Now，inmyopinion，thebarristerwhoputforwardthisextraordinarypleawasprobablyabsolutelyconvincedthathewasstatingthemostliberal，themosthumane，themostenlightenedviewofthecasethatcouldpossiblybebroughtforwardinthesedays。Now，wasthisdistortion，thiscapacityforapervertedwayofviewingthings，aspecialoraccidentalcase，orissuchageneralrule？"