Everyonelaughedatthis。
　　"Aspecialcase——accidental，ofcourse！"criedAlexandraandAdelaida。
　　"Letmeremindyouoncemore，Evgenie，"saidPrinceS。，"thatyourjokeisgettingalittlethreadbare。"
　　"Whatdoyouthinkaboutit，prince？"askedEvgenie，takingnonoticeofthelastremark，andobservingMuishkin’sseriouseyesfixeduponhisface。"Whatdoyouthink——wasitaspecialorausualcase——therule，oranexception？IconfessIputthequestionespeciallyforyou。"
　　"No，Idon’tthinkitwasaspecialcase，"saidtheprince，quietly，butfirmly。
　　"Mydearfellow！"criedPrinceS。，withsomeannoyance，"don’tyouseethatheischaffingyou？Heissimplylaughingatyou，andwantstomakegameofyou。"
　　"IthoughtEvgeniePavlovitchwastalkingseriously，"saidtheprince，blushinganddroppinghiseyes。
　　"Mydearprince，"continuedPrinceS。"rememberwhatyouandI
　　weresayingtwoorthreemonthsago。WespokeofthefactthatinournewlyopenedLawCourtsonecouldalreadylayone’sfingeruponsomanytalentedandremarkableyoungbarristers。Howpleasedyouwerewiththestateofthingsaswefoundit，andhowgladIwastoobserveyourdelight！Webothsaiditwasamattertobeproudof；butthisclumsydefencethatEvgeniementions，thisstrangeargumentCAN，ofcourse，onlybeanaccidentalcase——oneinathousand！"
　　Theprincereflectedalittle，butverysoonhereplied，withabsoluteconvictioninhistone，thoughhestillspokesomewhatshylyandtimidly:
　　"Ionlywishedtosaythatthis’distortion，’asEvgeniePavlovitchexpressedit，ismetwithveryoften，andisfarmorethegeneralrulethantheexception，unfortunatelyforRussia。Somuchso，thatifthisdistortionwerenotthegeneralrule，perhapsthesedreadfulcrimeswouldbelessfrequent。"
　　"Dreadfulcrimes？ButIcanassureyouthatcrimesjustasdreadful，andprobablymorehorrible，haveoccurredbeforeourtimes，andatalltimes，andnotonlyhereinRussia，buteverywhereelseaswell。Andinmyopinionitisnotatalllikelythatsuchmurderswillceasetooccurforaverylongtimetocome。Theonlydifferenceisthatinformertimestherewaslesspublicity，whilenoweveryonetalksandwritesfreelyaboutsuchthings——whichfactgivestheimpressionthatsuchcrimeshaveonlynowsprungintoexistence。Thatiswhereyourmistakelies——anextremelynaturalmistake，Iassureyou，mydearfellow！"saidPrinceS。
　　"Iknowthattherewerejustasmany，andjustasterrible，crimesbeforeourtimes。NotlongsinceIvisitedaconvictprisonandmadeacquaintancewithsomeofthecriminals。Thereweresomeevenmoredreadfulcriminalsthanthisonewehavebeenspeakingof——menwhohavemurderedadozenoftheirfellow-
　　creatures，andfeelnoremorsewhatever。ButwhatIespeciallynoticedwasthis，thattheverymosthopelessandremorselessmurderer——howeverhardenedacriminalhemaybe——stillKNOWSTHAT
　　HEISACRIMINAL；thatis，heisconsciousthathehasactedwickedly，thoughhemayfeelnoremorsewhatever。Andtheywerealllikethis。ThoseofwhomEvgeniePavlovitchhasspoken，donotadmitthattheyarecriminalsatall；theythinktheyhadarighttodowhattheydid，andthattheywereevendoingagooddeed，perhaps。Iconsiderthereisthegreatestdifferencebetweenthetwocases。Andrecollect——itwasaYOUTH，attheparticularagewhichismosthelplesslysusceptibletothedistortionofideas！"
　　PrinceS。wasnownolongersmiling；hegazedattheprinceinbewilderment。
　　Alexandra，whohadseemedtowishtoputinherwordwhentheprincebegan，nowsatsilent，asthoughsomesuddenthoughthadcausedhertochangehermindaboutspeaking。
　　EvgeniePavlovitchgazedathiminrealsurprise，andthistimehisexpressionoffacehadnomockeryinitwhatever。
　　"Whatareyoulookingsosurprisedabout，myfriend？"askedMrs。
　　Epanchin，suddenly。"Didyousupposehewasstupiderthanyourself，andwasincapableofforminghisownopinions，orwhat？"
　　"No！Ohno！Notatall！"saidEvgenie。"But——howisit，prince，thatyou——excusethequestion，willyou？——ifyouarecapableofobservingandseeingthingsasyouevidentlydo，howisitthatyousawnothingdistortedorpervertedinthatclaimuponyourproperty，whichyouacknowledgedadayortwosince；andwhichwasfullofargumentsfoundeduponthemostdistortedviewsofrightandwrong？"
　　"I’lltellyouwhat，myfriend，"criedMrs。Epanchin，ofasudden，"hereareweallsittinghereandimaginingweareveryclever，andperhapslaughingattheprince，someofus，andmeanwhilehehasreceivedaletterthisverydayinwhichthatsameclaimantrenounceshisclaim，andbegstheprince’spardon。
　　ThereIwedon’toftengetthatsortofletter；andyetwearenotashamedtowalkwithournosesintheairbeforehim。"
　　"AndHippolytehascomedownheretostay，"saidColia，suddenly。
　　"What！hashearrived？"saidtheprince，startingup。
　　"Yes，Ibroughthimdownfromtownjustafteryouhadleftthehouse。"
　　"Therenow！It’sjustlikehim，"criedLizabethaProkofievna，boilingoveroncemore，andentirelyobliviousofthefactthatshehadjusttakentheprince’spart。"Idareswearthatyouwentuptotownyesterdayonpurposetogetthelittlewretchtodoyouthegreathonourofcomingtostayatyourhouse。Youdidgouptotown，youknowyoudid——yousaidsoyourself！Nowthen，didyou，ordidyounot，godownonyourkneesandbeghimtocome，confess！"
　　"No，hedidn’t，forIsawitallmyself，"saidColia。"Onthecontrary，Hippolytekissedhishandtwiceandthankedhim；andalltheprincesaidwasthathethoughtHippolytemightfeelbetterhereinthecountry！"
　　"Don’t，Colia，——whatistheuseofsayingallthat？"criedtheprince，risingandtakinghishat。
　　"Whereareyougoingtonow？"criedMrs。Epanchin。
　　"Nevermindabouthimnow，prince，"saidColia。"Heisallrightandtakinganapafterthejourney。Heisveryhappytobehere；
　　butIthinkperhapsitwouldbebetterifyoulethimalonefortoday，——heisverysensitivenowthatheissoill——andhemightbeembarrassedifyoushowhimtoomuchattentionatfirst。Heisdecidedlybettertoday，andsayshehasnotfeltsowellforthelastsixmonths，andhascoughedmuchless，too。"
　　TheprinceobservedthatAglayacameoutofhercornerandapproachedthetableatthispoint。
　　Hedidnotdarelookather，buthewasconscious，totheverytipsofhisfingers，thatshewasgazingathim，perhapsangrily；
　　andthatshehadprobablyflushedupwithalookoffieryindignationinherblackeyes。
　　"Itseemstome，Mr。Colia，thatyouwereveryfoolishtobringyouryoungfrienddown——ifheisthesameconsumptiveboywhoweptsoprofusely，andinvitedusalltohisownfuneral，"remarkedEvgeniePavlovitch。"Hetalkedsoeloquentlyabouttheblankwalloutsidehisbedroomwindow，thatI’msurehewillneversupportlifeherewithoutit。"
　　"Ithinksotoo，"saidMrs。Epanchin；"hewillquarrelwithyou，andbeoff，"andshedrewherworkboxtowardsherwithanairofdignity，quiteobliviousofthefactthatthefamilywasabouttostartforawalkinthepark。
　　"Yes，Irememberheboastedabouttheblankwallinanextraordinaryway，"continuedEvgenie，"andIfeelthatwithoutthatblankwallhewillneverbeabletodieeloquently；andhedoessolongtodieeloquently！"
　　"Oh，youmustforgivehimtheblankwall，"saidtheprince，quietly。"Hehascomedowntoseeafewtreesnow，poorfellow。"
　　"Oh，Iforgivehimwithallmyheart；youmaytellhimsoifyoulike，"laughedEvgenie。
　　"Idon’tthinkyoushouldtakeitquitelikethat，"saidtheprince，quietly，andwithoutremovinghiseyesfromthecarpet。
　　"Ithinkitismoreacaseofhisforgivingyou"
　　"Forgivingme！whyso？WhathaveIdonetoneedhisforgiveness？"
　　"Ifyoudon’tunderstand，then——butofcourse，youdounderstand。
　　Hewished——hewishedtoblessyouallroundandtohaveyourblessing——beforehedied——that’sall。"
　　"Mydearprince，"beganPrinceS。，hurriedly，exchangingglanceswithsomeofthosepresent，"youwillnoteasilyfindheavenonearth，andyetyouseemtoexpectto。Heavenisadifficultthingtofindanywhere，prince；farmoredifficultthanappearstothatgoodheartofyours。Betterstopthisconversation，orweshallallbegrowingquitedisturbedinourminds，and——"
　　"Let’sgoandheartheband，then，"saidLizabethaProkofievna，angrilyrisingfromherplace。
　　Therestofthecompanyfollowedherexample。
　　II。
　　THEprincesuddenlyapproachedEvgeniePavlovitch。
　　"EvgeniePavlovitch，"hesaid，withstrangeexcitementandseizingthelatter’shandinhisown，"beassuredthatIesteemyouasagenerousandhonourableman，inspiteofeverything。Beassuredofthat。"
　　EvgeniePavlovitchfellbackastepinastonishment。Foronemomentitwasallhecoulddotorestrainhimselffromburstingoutlaughing；but，lookingcloser，heobservedthattheprincedidnotseemtobequitehimself；atallevents，hewasinaverycuriousstate。
　　"Iwouldn’tmindbetting，prince，"hecried，"thatyoudidnotintheleastmeantosaythat，andverylikelyyoumeanttoaddresssomeoneelsealtogether。Whatisit？Areyoufeelingunwelloranything？"
　　"Verylikely，extremelylikely，andyoumustbeaverycloseobservertodetectthefactthatperhapsIdidnotintendtocomeuptoYOUatall。"
　　Sosayinghesmiledstrangely；butsuddenlyandexcitedlyhebeganagain:
　　"Don’tremindmeofwhatIhavedoneorsaid。Don’t！Iamverymuchashamedofmyself，I——"
　　"Why，whathaveyoudone？Idon’tunderstandyou。"
　　"Iseeyouareashamedofme，EvgeniePavlovitch；youareblushingforme；that’sasignofagoodheart。Don’tbeafraid；
　　Ishallgoawaydirectly。"
　　"What’sthematterwithhim？Dohisfitsbeginlikethat？"saidLizabethaProkofievna，inahighstateofalarm，addressingColia。
　　"No，no，LizabethaProkofievna，takenonoticeofme。Iamnotgoingtohaveafit。Iwillgoawaydirectly；butIknowIamafflicted。Iwastwenty-fouryearsaninvalid，yousee——thefirsttwenty-fouryearsofmylife——sotakeallIdoandsayasthesayingsandactionsofaninvalid。I’mgoingawaydirectly，I
　　reallyam——don’tbeafraid。Iamnotblushing，forIdon’tthinkI
　　needblushaboutit，needI？ButIseethatIamoutofplaceinsociety——societyisbetterwithoutme。It’snotvanity，Iassureyou。Ihavethoughtoveritalltheselastthreedays，andIhavemadeupmymindthatIoughttounbosommyselfcandidlybeforeyouatthefirstopportunity。Therearecertainthings，certaingreatideas，whichImustnotsomuchasapproach，asPrinceS。
　　hasjustremindedme，orIshallmakeyoualllaugh。Ihavenosenseofproportion，Iknow；mywordsandgesturesdonotexpressmyideas——theyareahumiliationandabasementoftheideas，andtherefore，Ihavenoright——andIamtoosensitive。Still，I
　　believeIambelovedinthishousehold，andesteemedfarmorethanIdeserve。ButIcan’thelpknowingthataftertwenty-fouryearsofillnesstheremustbesometraceleft，sothatitisimpossibleforpeopletorefrainfromlaughingatmesometimes；
　　don’tyouthinkso？"
　　Heseemedtopauseforareply，forsomeverdict，asitwere，andlookedhumblyaroundhim。
　　Allpresentstoodrootedtotheearthwithamazementatthisunexpectedandapparentlyuncalled-foroutbreak；butthepoorprince’spainfulandramblingspeechgaverisetoastrangeepisode。
　　"Whydoyousayallthishere？"criedAglaya，suddenly。"WhydoyoutalklikethistoTHEM？"
　　Sheappearedtobeinthelaststagesofwrathandirritation；
　　hereyesflashed。Theprincestooddumblyandblindlybeforeher，andsuddenlygrewpale。
　　"Thereisnotoneofthemallwhoisworthyofthesewordsofyours，"continuedAglaya。"Notoneofthemisworthyourlittlefinger，notoneofthemhasheartorheadtocomparewithyours！
　　Youaremorehonestthanall，andbetter，nobler，kinder，wiserthanall。Therearesomeherewhoareunworthytobendandpickupthehandkerchiefyouhavejustdropped。Whydoyouhumiliateyourselflikethis，andplaceyourselflowerthanthesepeople？
　　Whydoyoudebaseyourselfbeforethem？Whyhaveyounopride？"
　　"MyGod！Whowouldeverhavebelievedthis？"criedMrs。Epanchin，wringingherhands。
　　"Hurrahforthe’poorknight’！"criedColia。
　　"Bequiet！Howdaretheylaughatmeinyourhouse？"saidAglaya，turningsharplyonhermotherinthathystericalframeofmindthatridesrecklesslyovereveryobstacleandplungesblindlythroughproprieties。"Whydoeseveryone，everyoneworryandtormentme？Whyhavetheyallbeenbullyingmethesethreedaysaboutyou，prince？Iwillnotmarryyou——never，andundernocircumstances！Knowthatonceandforall；asifanyonecouldmarryanabsurdcreaturelikeyou！Justlookintheglassandseewhatyoulooklike，thisverymoment！Why，WHYdotheytormentmeandsayIamgoingtomarryyou？Youmustknowit；youareintheplotwiththem！"
　　"Nooneevertormentedyouonthesubject，"murmuredAdelaida，aghast。
　　"Nooneeverthoughtofsuchathing！Therehasneverbeenawordsaidaboutit！"criedAlexandra。
　　"Whohasbeenannoyingher？Whohasbeentormentingthechild？Whocouldhavesaidsuchathingtoher？Issheraving？"criedLizabethaProkofievna，tremblingwithrage，tothecompanyingeneral。
　　"Everyoneofthemhasbeensayingit——everyoneofthem——allthesethreedays！AndIwillnever，nevermarryhim！"
　　Sosaying，Aglayaburstintobittertears，and，hidingherfaceinherhandkerchief，sankbackintoachair。
　　"Buthehasnevereven——"
　　"Ihaveneveraskedyoutomarryme，AglayaIvanovna！"saidtheprince，ofasudden。
　　"WHAT？"criedMrs。Epanchin，raisingherhandsinhorror。"WHAT’S
　　that？"
　　Shecouldnotbelieveherears。
　　"Imeanttosay——Ionlymeanttosay，"saidtheprince，faltering，"ImerelymeanttoexplaintoAglayaIvanovna——tohavethehonourtoexplain，asitwere——thatIhadnointention——neverhad——toaskthehonourofherhand。IassureyouIamnotguilty，AglayaIvanovna，Iamnot，indeed。Ineverdidwishto——Ineverthoughtofitatall——andnevershall——you’llseeityourself——
　　youmaybequiteassuredofit。Somewickedpersonhasbeenmaligningmetoyou；butit’sallright。Don’tworryaboutit。"
　　Sosaying，theprinceapproachedAglaya。
　　Shetookthehandkerchieffromherface，glancedkeenlyathim，tookinwhathehadsaid，andburstoutlaughing——suchamerry，unrestrainedlaugh，soheartyandgay，that。Adelaidacouldnotcontainherself。She，too，glancedattheprince’spanic-strickencountenance，thenrushedathersister，threwherarmsroundherneck，andburstintoasmerryafitoflaughterasAglaya’sown。
　　Theylaughedtogetherlikeacoupleofschool-girls。Hearingandseeingthis，theprincesmiledhappily，andinaccentsofreliefandjoy，heexclaimed"Well，thankGod——thankGod！"
　　Alexandranowjoinedin，anditlookedasthoughthethreesistersweregoingtolaughonforever。
　　"Theyareinsane，"mutteredLizabethaProkofievna。"Eithertheyfrightenoneoutofone’swits，orelse——"
　　ButPrinceS。waslaughingnow，too，sowasEvgeniePavlovitch，sowasColia，andsowastheprincehimself，whocaughttheinfectionashelookedroundradiantlyupontheothers。
　　"Comealong，let’sgooutforawalk！"criedAdelaida。"We’llallgotogether，andtheprincemustabsolutelygowithus。Youneedn’tgoaway，youdeargoodfellow！ISN’Theadear，Aglaya？
　　Isn’the，mother？Imustreallygivehimakissfor——forhisexplanationtoAglayajustnow。Mother，dear，Imaykisshim，mayn’tI？Aglaya，mayIkissYOURprince？"criedtheyoungrogue，andsureenoughsheskippeduptotheprinceandkissedhisforehead。
　　Heseizedherhands，andpressedthemsohardthatAdelaidanearlycriedout；hethengazedwithdelightintohereyes，andraisingherrighthandtohislipswithenthusiasm，kisseditthreetimes。
　　"Comealong，"saidAglaya。"Prince，youmustwalkwithme。Mayhe，mother？Thisyoungcavalier，whowon’thaveme？YousaidyouwouldNEVERhaveme，didn’tyou，prince？No-no，notlikethat；
　　THAT’Snotthewaytogiveyourarm。Don’tyouknowhowtogiveyourarmtoaladyyet？There——so。Now，comealong，youandI
　　willleadtheway。Wouldyouliketoleadthewaywithmealone，tete-a-tete？"
　　Shewentontalkingandchattingwithoutapause，withoccasionallittleburstsoflaughterbetween。
　　"ThankGod——thankGod！"saidLizabethaProkofievnatoherself，withoutquiteknowingwhyshefeltsorelieved。
　　"Whatextraordinarypeopletheyare！"thoughtPrinceS。，forperhapsthehundredthtimesincehehadenteredintointimaterelationswiththefamily；but——helikedthese"extraordinarypeople，"allthesame。AsforPrinceLefNicolaievitchhimself，PrinceS。didnotseemquitetolikehim，somehow。Hewasdecidedlypreoccupiedandalittledisturbedastheyallstartedoff。
　　EvgeniePavlovitchseemedtobeinalivelyhumour。HemadeAdelaidaandAlexandralaughallthewaytotheVauxhall；buttheybothlaughedsoveryreallyandpromptlythattheworthyEvgeniebeganatlasttosuspectthattheywerenotlisteningtohimatall。
　　Atthisidea，heburstoutlaughingallatonce，inquiteunaffectedmirth，andwithoutgivinganyexplanation。
　　Thesisters，whoalsoappearedtobeinhighspirits，nevertiredofglancingatAglayaandtheprince，whowerewalkinginfront。
　　Itwasevidentthattheiryoungersisterwasathoroughpuzzletothemboth。
　　PrinceS。triedhardtogetupaconversationwithMrs。Epanchinuponoutsidesubjects，probablywiththegoodintentionofdistractingandamusingher；butheboredherdreadfully。Shewasabsent-mindedtoadegree，andansweredatcrosspurposes，andsometimesnotatall。
　　ButthepuzzleandmysteryofAglayawasnotyetoverfortheevening。Thelastexhibitionfelltothelotoftheprincealone。
　　Whentheyhadproceededsomehundredpacesorsofromthehouse，Aglayasaidtoherobstinatelysilentcavalierinaquickhalf-
　　whisper:
　　"Looktotheright！"
　　Theprinceglancedinthedirectionindicated。
　　"Lookcloser。Doyouseethatbench，intheparkthere，justbythosethreebigtrees——thatgreenbench？"
　　Theprincerepliedthathesawit。
　　"Doyoulikethepositionofit？Sometimesofamorningearly，atseveno’clock，whenalltherestarestillasleep，Icomeoutandsittherealone。"
　　Theprincemutteredthatthespotwasalovelyone。
　　"Now，goaway，Idon’twishtohaveyourarmanylonger；orperhaps，better，continuetogivemeyourarm，andwalkalongbesideme，butdon’tspeakawordtome。Iwishtothinkbymyself。"
　　Thewarningwascertainlyunnecessary；fortheprincewouldnothavesaidawordalltherestofthetimewhetherforbiddentospeakornot。HisheartbeatloudandpainfullywhenAglayaspokeofthebench；couldshe——butno！hebanishedthethought，afteraninstant’sdeliberation。
　　AtPavlofsk，onweekdays，thepublicismoreselectthanitisonSundaysandSaturdays，whenthetownsfolkcomedowntowalkaboutandenjoythepark。
　　Theladiesdresselegantly，onthesedays，anditisthefashiontogatherroundtheband，whichisprobablythebestofourpleasure-gardenbands，andplaysthenewestpieces。Thebehaviourofthepublicismostcorrectandproper，andthereisanappearanceoffriendlyintimacyamongtheusualfrequenters。Manycomefornothingbuttolookattheiracquaintances，butthereareotherswhocomeforthesakeofthemusic。Itisveryseldomthatanythinghappenstobreaktheharmonyoftheproceedings，though，ofcourse，accidentswillhappeneverywhere。
　　Onthisparticulareveningtheweatherwaslovely，andtherewerealargenumberofpeoplepresent。Alltheplacesanywhereneartheorchestrawereoccupied。
　　Ourfriendstookchairsnearthesideexit。ThecrowdandthemusiccheeredMrs。Epanchinalittle，andamusedthegirls；theybowedandshookhandswithsomeoftheirfriendsandnoddedatadistancetoothers；theyexaminedtheladies’dresses，noticedcomicalitiesandeccentricitiesamongthepeople，andlaughedandtalkedamongthemselves。EvgeniePavlovitch，too，foundplentyoffriendstobowto。SeveralpeoplenoticedAglayaandtheprince，whowerestilltogether。
　　Beforeverylongtwoorthreeyoungmenhadcomeup，andoneortworemainedtotalk；alloftheseyoungmenappearedtobeonintimatetermswithEvgeniePavlovitch。Amongthemwasayoungofficer，aremarkablyhandsomefellow——verygood-naturedandagreatchatterbox。HetriedtogetupaconversationwithAglaya，anddidhisbesttosecureherattention。Aglayabehavedverygraciouslytohim，andchattedandlaughedmerrily。EvgeniePavlovitchbeggedtheprince’sleavetointroducetheirfriendtohim。Theprincehardlyrealizedwhatwaswantedofhim，buttheintroductioncameoff；thetwomenbowedandshookhands。
　　EvgeniePavlovitch’sfriendaskedtheprincesomequestion，butthelatterdidnotreply，orifhedid，hemutteredsomethingsostrangelyindistinctthattherewasnothingtobemadeofit。Theofficerstaredintentlyathim，thenglancedatEvgenie，divinedwhythelatterhadintroducedhim，andgavehisundividedattentiontoAglayaagain。OnlyEvgeniePavlovitchobservedthatAglayaflushedupforamomentatthis。
　　TheprincedidnotnoticethatothersweretalkingandmakingthemselvesagreeabletoAglaya；infact，atmoments，healmostforgotthathewassittingbyherhimself。Atothermomentshefeltalongingtogoawaysomewhereandbealonewithhisthoughts，andtofeelthatnooneknewwherehewas。
　　Orifthatwereimpossiblehewouldliketobealoneathome，ontheterrace-withouteitherLebedefforhischildren，oranyoneelseabouthim，andtoliethereandthink——adayandnightandanotherdayagain！Hethoughtofthemountains-andespeciallyofacertainspotwhichheusedtofrequent，whencehewouldlookdownuponthedistantvalleysandfields，andseethewaterfall，faroff，likealittlesilverthread，andtheoldruinedcastleinthedistance。Oh！howhelongedtobetherenow——alonewithhisthoughts——tothinkofonethingallhislife——onething！A
　　thousandyearswouldnotbetoomuchtime！Andleteveryonehereforgethim——forgethimutterly！Howmuchbetteritwouldhavebeeniftheyhadneverknownhim——ifallthiscouldbutprovetobeadream。Perhapsitwasadream！
　　NowandthenhelookedatAglayaforfiveminutesatatime，withouttakinghiseyesoffherface；buthisexpressionwasverystrange；hewouldgazeatherasthoughshewereanobjectacoupleofmilesdistant，orasthoughhewerelookingatherportraitandnotatherselfatall。
　　"Whydoyoulookatmelikethat，prince？"sheaskedsuddenly，breakingoffhermerryconversationandlaughterwiththoseabouther。"I’mafraidofyou！Youlookasthoughyouwerejustgoingtoputoutyourhandandtouchmyfacetoseeifit’sreal！
　　Doesn’the，EvgeniePavlovitch——doesn’thelooklikethat？"
　　Theprinceseemedsurprisedthatheshouldhavebeenaddressedatall；hereflectedamoment，butdidnotseemtotakeinwhathadbeensaidtohim；atallevents，hedidnotanswer。Butobservingthatsheandtheothershadbeguntolaugh，hetooopenedhismouthandlaughedwiththem。
　　Thelaughterbecamegeneral，andtheyoungofficer，whoseemedaparticularlylivelysortofperson，simplyshookwithmirth。
　　Aglayasuddenlywhisperedangrilytoherselftheword——
　　"Idiot！"
　　"Mygoodness——surelysheisnotinlovewithsucha——surelysheisn’tmad！"groanedMrs。Epanchin，underherbreath。
　　"It’sallajoke，mamma；it’sjustajokelikethe’poorknight’——
　　nothingmorewhatever，Iassureyou！"Alexandrawhisperedinherear。"Sheischaffinghim——makingafoolofhim，afterherownprivatefashion，that’sall！Butshecarriesitjustalittletoofar——sheisaregularlittleactress。Howshefrightenedusjustnow——didn’tshe？——andallforalark！"
　　"Well，it’sluckyshehashappeneduponanidiot，then，that’sallIcansay！"whisperedLizabethaProkofievna，whowassomewhatcomforted，however，byherdaughter’sremark。
　　Theprincehadheardhimselfreferredtoas"idiot，"andhadshudderedatthemoment；buthisshudder，itsohappened，wasnotcausedbythewordappliedtohim。Thefactwasthatinthecrowd，notfarfromwhereliewassitting，apalefamiliarface，withcurlyblackhair，andawell-knownsmileandexpression，hadflashedacrosshisvisionforamoment，anddisappearedagain。
　　Verylikelyhehadimaginedit！Thereonlyremainedtohimtheimpressionofastrangesmile，twoeyes，andabrightgreentie。
　　Whetherthemanhaddisappearedamongthecrowd，orwhetherhehadturnedtowardstheVauxhall，theprincecouldnotsay。
　　Butamomentortwoafterwardshebegantoglancekeenlyabouthim。Thatfirstvisionmightonlytoolikelybetheforerunnerofasecond；itwasalmostcertaintobeso。SurelyhehadnotforgottenthepossibilityofsuchameetingwhenhecametotheVauxhall？Trueenough，hehadnotremarkedwherehewascomingtowhenhesetoutwithAglaya；hehadnotbeeninaconditiontoremarkanythingatall。
　　Hadhebeenmorecarefultoobservehiscompanion，hewouldhaveseenthatforthelastquarterofanhourAglayahadalsobeenglancingaroundinapparentanxiety，asthoughsheexpectedtoseesomeone，orsomethingparticular，amongthecrowdofpeople。
　　Now，atthemomentwhenhisownanxietybecamesomarked，herexcitementalsoincreasedvisibly，andwhenhelookedabouthim，shedidthesame。
　　Thereasonfortheiranxietysoonbecameapparent。FromthatverysideentrancetotheVauxhall，nearwhichtheprinceandalltheEpanchinpartywereseated，theresuddenlyappearedquitealargeknotofpersons，atleastadozen。
　　Headingthislittlebandwalkedthreeladies，twoofwhomwereremarkablylovely；andtherewasnothingsurprisinginthefactthattheyshouldhavehadalargetroopofadmirersfollowingintheirwake。
　　Buttherewassomethingintheappearanceofboththeladiesandtheiradmirerswhichwaspeculiar，quitedifferentforthatoftherestofthepublicassembledaroundtheorchestra。
　　Nearlyeveryoneobservedthelittlebandadvancing，andallpretendednottoseeornoticethem，exceptafewyoungfellowswhoexchangedglancesandsmiled，sayingsomethingtooneanotherinwhispers。
　　Itwasimpossibletoavoidnoticingthem，however，inreality，fortheymadetheirpresenceonlytooconspicuousbylaughingandtalkingloudly。Itwastobesupposedthatsomeofthemweremorethanhalfdrunk，althoughtheywerewellenoughdressed，someevenparticularlywell。Therewereoneortwo，however，whowereverystrange-lookingcreatures，withflushedfacesandextraordinaryclothes；someweremilitarymen；notallwerequiteyoung；oneortwoweremiddle-agedgentlemenofdecidedlydisagreeableappearance，menwhoareavoidedinsocietyliketheplague，deckedoutinlargegoldstudsandrings，andmagnificently"gotup，"generally。
　　Amongoursuburbanresortstherearesomewhichenjoyaspeciallyhighreputationforrespectabilityandfashion；butthemostcarefulindividualisnotabsolutelyexemptfromthedangerofatilefallingsuddenlyuponhisheadfromhisneighbour’sroof。
　　Suchatilewasabouttodescendupontheelegantanddecorouspublicnowassembledtohearthemusic。
　　InordertopassfromtheVauxhalltotheband-stand，thevisitorhastodescendtwoorthreesteps。Justatthesestepsthegrouppaused，asthoughitfearedtoproceedfurther；butveryquicklyoneofthethreeladies，whoformeditsapex，steppedforwardintothecharmedcircle，followedbytwomembersofhersuite。
　　Oneofthesewasamiddle-agedmanofveryrespectableappearance，butwiththestampofparvenuuponhim，amanwhomnobodyknew，andwhoevidentlyknewnobody。Theotherfollowerwasyoungerandfarlessrespectable-looking。
　　Nooneelsefollowedtheeccentriclady；butasshedescendedthestepsshedidnotevenlookbehindher，asthoughitwereabsolutelythesametoherwhetheranyonewerefollowingornot。
　　Shelaughedandtalkedloudly，however，justasbefore。Shewasdressedwithgreattaste，butwithrathermoremagnificencethanwasneededfortheoccasion，perhaps。
　　Shewalkedpasttheorchestra，towhereanopencarriagewaswaiting，neartheroad。
　　TheprincehadnotseenHERformorethanthreemonths。AllthesedayssincehisarrivalfromPetersburghehadintendedtopayheravisit，butsomemysteriouspresentimenthadrestrainedhim。Hecouldnotpicturetohimselfwhatimpressionthismeetingwithherwouldmakeuponhim，thoughhehadoftentriedtoimagineit，withfearandtrembling。Onefactwasquitecertain，andthatwasthatthemeetingwouldbepainful。
　　Severaltimesduringthelastsixmonthshehadrecalledtheeffectwhichthefirstsightofthisfacehadhaduponhim，whenheonlysawitsportrait。Herecollectedwellthateventheportraitfacehadleftbuttoopainfulanimpression。
　　Thatmonthintheprovinces，whenhehadseenthiswomannearlyeveryday，hadaffectedhimsodeeplythathecouldnotnowlookbackuponitcalmly。Intheverylookofthiswomantherewassomethingwhichtorturedhim。InconversationwithRogojinhehadattributedthissensationtopity——immeasurablepity，andthiswasthetruth。Thesightoftheportraitfacealonehadfilledhisheartfulloftheagonyofrealsympathy；andthisfeelingofsympathy，nay，ofactualSUFFERING，forher，hadneverlefthisheartsincethathour，andwasstillinfullforce。Ohyes，andmorepowerfulthanever！
　　ButtheprincewasnotsatisfiedwithwhathehadsaidtoRogojin。Onlyatthismoment，whenshesuddenlymadeherappearancebeforehim，didherealizetothefulltheexactemotionwhichshecalledupinhim，andwhichhehadnotdescribedcorrectlytoRogojin。
　　And，indeed，therewerenowordsinwhichhecouldhaveexpressedhishorror，yes，HORROR，forhewasnowfullyconvincedfromhisownprivateknowledgeofher，thatthewomanwasmad。
　　If，lovingawomanaboveeverythingintheworld，oratleasthavingaforetasteofthepossibilityofsuchloveforher，oneweresuddenlytobeholdheronachain，behindbarsandunderthelashofakeeper，onewouldfeelsomethinglikewhatthepoorprincenowfelt。
　　"What’sthematter？"askedAglaya，inawhisper，givinghissleevealittletug。
　　Heturnedhisheadtowardsherandglancedatherblackandforsomereasonflashingeyes，triedtosmile，andthen，apparentlyforgettingherinaninstant，turnedtotherightoncemore，andcontinuedtowatchthestartlingapparitionbeforehim。
　　NastasiaPhilipovnawasatthismomentpassingtheyoungladies’
　　chairs。
　　EvgeniePavlovitchcontinuedsomeapparentlyextremelyfunnyandinterestinganecdotetoAlexandra，speakingquicklyandwithmuchanimation。TheprincerememberedthatatthismomentAglayaremarkedinahalf-whisper:
　　"WHATa——"
　　Shedidnotfinishherindefinitesentence；sherestrainedherselfinamoment；butitwasenough。
　　NastasiaPhilipovna，whouptonowhadbeenwalkingalongasthoughshehadnotnoticedtheEpanchinparty，suddenlyturnedherheadintheirdirection，asthoughshehadjustobservedEvgeniePavlovitchsittingthereforthefirsttime。
　　"Why，Ideclare，hereheis！"shecried，stoppingsuddenly。"Themanonecan’tfindwithallone’smessengerssentabouttheplace，sittingjustunderone’snose，exactlywhereoneneverthoughtoflooking！Ithoughtyouweresuretobeatyouruncle’sbythistime。"
　　EvgeniePavlovitchflushedupandlookedangrilyatNastasiaPhilipovna，thenturnedhisbackonher。
　　"WhatIdon’tyouknowaboutityet？Hedoesn’tknow——imaginethat！Why，he’sshothimself。Youruncleshothimselfthisverymorning。Iwastoldattwothisafternoon。Halfthetownmustknowitbynow。Theysaytherearethreehundredandfiftythousandroubles，governmentmoney，missing；somesayfivehundredthousand。AndIwasundertheimpressionthathewouldleaveyouafortune！He’swhistleditallaway。Amostdepravedoldgentleman，really！Well，ta，ta！——bonnechance！Surelyyouintendtobeoffthere，don’tyou？Ha，ha！You’veretiredfromthearmyingoodtime，Isee！Plainclothes！Welldone，slyrogue！Nonsense！Isee——youknewitallbefore——Idaresayyouknewallaboutityesterday-"
　　Althoughtheimpudenceofthisattack，thispublicproclamationofintimacy，asitwere，wasdoubtlesspremeditated，andhaditsspecialobject，yetEvgeniePavlovitchatfirstseemedtointendtomakenoshowofobservingeitherhistormentororherwords。
　　ButNastasia’scommunicationstruckhimwiththeforceofathunderclap。Onhearingofhisuncle’sdeathhesuddenlygrewaswhiteasasheet，andturnedtowardshisinformant。
　　Atthismoment，LizabethaProkofievnaroseswiftlyfromherseat，beckonedhercompanions，andlefttheplacealmostatarun。
　　Onlytheprincestoppedbehindforamoment，asthoughinindecision；andEvgeniePavlovitchlingeredtoo，forhehadnotcollectedhisscatteredwits。ButtheEpanchinshadnothadtimetogetmorethantwentypacesawaywhenascandalousepisodeoccurred。Theyoungofficer，EvgeniePavlovitch’sfriendwhohadbeenconversingwithAglaya，saidaloudinagreatstateofindignation:
　　"Sheoughttobewhipped——that’stheonlywaytodealwithcreatureslikethat——sheoughttobewhipped！"
　　ThisgentlemanwasaconfidantofEvgenie’s，andhaddoubtlessheardofthecarriageepisode。
　　Nastasiaturnedtohim。Hereyesflashed；sherusheduptoayoungmanstandingnear，whomshedidnotknowintheleast，butwhohappenedtohaveinhishandathincane。Seizingthisfromhim，shebroughtitwithallherforceacrossthefaceofherinsulter。
　　Allthisoccurred，ofcourse，inoneinstantoftime。
　　Theyoungofficer，forgettinghimself，sprangtowardsher。
　　Nastasia’sfollowerswerenotbyheratthemomenttheelderlygentlemanhavingdisappearedaltogether，andtheyoungermansimplystandingasideandroaringwithlaughter。
　　Inanothermoment，ofcourse，thepolicewouldhavebeenonthespot，anditwouldhavegonehardwithNastasiaPhilipovnahadnotunexpectedaidappeared。
　　Muishkin，whowasbutacoupleofstepsaway，hadtimetospringforwardandseizetheofficer’sarmsfrombehind。
　　Theofficer，tearinghimselffromtheprince’sgrasp，pushedhimsoviolentlybackwardsthathestaggeredafewstepsandthensubsidedintoachair。
　　ButtherewereotherdefendersforNastasiaonthespotbythistime。Thegentlemanknownasthe"boxer"nowconfrontedtheenragedofficer。
　　"Kellerismyname，sir；ex-lieutenant，"hesaid，veryloud。"Ifyouwillacceptmeaschampionofthefairsex，Iamatyourdisposal。Englishboxinghasnosecretsfromme。Isympathizewithyoufortheinsultyouhavereceived，butIcan’tpermityoutoraiseyourhandagainstawomaninpublic。Ifyouprefertomeetme——aswouldbemorefittingtoyourrank——insomeothermanner，ofcourseyouunderstandme，captain。"
　　Buttheyoungofficerhadrecoveredhimself，andwasnolongerlistening。AtthismomentRogojinappeared，elbowingthroughthecrowd；hetookNastasia’shand，drewitthroughhisarm，andquicklyledheraway。Heappearedtobeterriblyexcited；hewastremblingallover，andwasaspaleasacorpse。
　　AshecarriedNastasiaoff，heturnedandgrinnedhorriblyintheofficer’sface，andwithlowmaliceobserved:
　　"Tfu！lookwhatthefellowgot！Lookatthebloodonhischeek！
　　Ha，ha！"
　　Recollectinghimself，however，andseeingataglancethesortofpeoplehehadtodealwith，theofficerturnedhisbackonbothhisopponents，andcourteously，butconcealinghisfacewithhishandkerchief，approachedtheprince，whowasnowrisingfromthechairintowhichhehadfallen。
　　"PrinceMuishkin，Ibelieve？ThegentlemantowhomIhadthehonourofbeingintroduced？"
　　"Sheismad，insane——Iassureyou，sheismad，"repliedtheprinceintremblingtones，holdingoutbothhishandsmechanicallytowardstheofficer。
　　"Icannotboastofanysuchknowledge，ofcourse，butIwishedtoknowyourname。"
　　Hebowedandretiredwithoutwaitingforananswer。
　　Fivesecondsafterthedisappearanceofthelastactorinthisscene，thepolicearrived。Thewholeepisodehadnotlastedmorethanacoupleofminutes。Someofthespectatorshadrisenfromtheirplaces，anddepartedaltogether；somemerelyexchangedtheirseatsforothersalittlefurtheroff；someweredelightedwiththeoccurrence，andtalkedandlaughedoveritforalongtime。
　　Inaword，theincidentclosedassuchincidentsdo，andthebandbegantoplayagain。TheprincewalkedawayaftertheEpanchinparty。Hadhethoughtoflookingroundtotheleftafterhehadbeenpushedsounceremoniouslyintothechair，hewouldhaveobservedAglayastandingsometwentyyardsaway。Shehadstayedtowatchthescandaloussceneinspiteofhermother’sandsisters’anxiouscriestohertocomeaway。
　　PrinceS。ranuptoherandpersuadedher，atlast，tocomehomewiththem。
　　LizabethaProkofievnasawthatshereturnedinsuchastateofagitationthatitwasdoubtfulwhethershehadevenheardtheircalls。Butonlyacoupleofminuteslater，whentheyhadreachedthepark，Aglayasuddenlyremarked，inherusualcalm，indifferentvoice:
　　"Iwantedtoseehowthefarcewouldend。"
　　III。
　　THEoccurrenceattheVauxhallhadfilledbothmotheranddaughterswithsomethinglikehorror。IntheirexcitementLizabethaProkofievnaandthegirlswerenearlyrunningallthewayhome。
　　Inheropiniontherewassomuchdisclosedandlaidbarebytheepisode，that，inspiteofthechaoticconditionofhermind，shewasabletofeelmoreorlessdecidedoncertainpointswhich，uptonow，hadbeeninacloudycondition。
　　However，oneandallofthepartyrealizedthatsomethingimportanthadhappened，andthat，perhapsfortunatelyenough，somethingwhichhadhithertobeenenvelopedintheobscurityofguess-workhadnowbeguntocomeforthalittlefromthemists。
　　InspiteofPrinceS。’sassurancesandexplanations，EvgeniePavlovitch’srealcharacterandpositionwereatlastcomingtolight。Hewaspubliclyconvictedofintimacywith"thatcreature。"SothoughtLizabethaProkofievnaandhertwoelderdaughters。
　　Buttherealupshotofthebusinesswasthatthenumberofriddlestobesolvedwasaugmented。Thetwogirls，thoughratherirritatedattheirmother’sexaggeratedalarmandhastetodepartfromthescene，hadbeenunwillingtoworryheratfirstwithquestions。
　　Besides，theycouldnothelpthinkingthattheirsisterAglayaprobablyknewmoreaboutthewholematterthanboththeyandtheirmotherputtogether。
　　PrinceS。lookedasblackasnight，andwassilentandmoody。
　　Mrs。Epanchindidnotsayawordtohimallthewayhome，andhedidnotseemtoobservethefact。Adelaidatriedtopumphimalittlebyasking，"whowastheuncletheyweretalkingabout，andwhatwasitthathadhappenedinPetersburg？"Buthehadmerelymutteredsomethingdisconnectedabout"makinginquiries，"andthat"ofcourseitwasallnonsense。""Oh，ofcourse，"repliedAdelaida，andaskednomorequestions。Aglaya，too，wasveryquiet；andtheonlyremarkshemadeonthewayhomewasthattheywere"walkingmuchtoofasttobepleasant。"
　　Oncesheturnedandobservedtheprincehurryingafterthem。
　　Noticinghisanxietytocatchthemup，shesmiledironically，andthenlookedbacknomore。Atlength，justastheynearedthehouse，GeneralEpanchincameoutandmetthem；hehadonlyjustarrivedfromtown。
　　HisfirstwordwastoinquireafterEvgeniePavlovitch。ButLizabethastalkedpasthim，andneitherlookedathimnoransweredhisquestion。
　　HeimmediatelyjudgedfromthefacesofhisdaughtersandPrinceS。thattherewasathunderstormbrewing，andhehimselfalreadyboreevidencesofunusualperturbationofmind。
　　Heimmediatelybutton-holedPrinceS。，andstandingatthefrontdoor，engagedinawhisperedconversationwithhim。Bythetroubledaspectofbothofthem，whentheyenteredthehouse，andapproachedMrs。Epanchin，itwasevidentthattheyhadbeendiscussingverydisturbingnews。
　　LittlebylittlethefamilygatheredtogetherupstairsinLizabethaProkofievna’sapartments，andPrinceMuishkinfoundhimselfaloneontheverandahwhenhearrived。Hesettledhimselfinacornerandsatwaiting，thoughheknewnotwhatheexpected。
　　Itneverstruckhimthathehadbettergoaway，withallthisdisturbanceinthehouse。Heseemedtohaveforgottenalltheworld，andtobereadytositonwherehewasforyearsonend。
　　Fromupstairshecaughtsoundsofexcitedconversationeverynowandthen。
　　Hecouldnotsayhowlonghesatthere。Itgrewlateandbecamequitedark。
　　SuddenlyAglayaenteredtheverandah。Sheseemedtobequitecalm，thoughalittlepale。
　　Observingtheprince，whomsheevidentlydidnotexpecttoseethere，aloneinthecorner，shesmiled，andapproachedhim:
　　"Whatareyoudoingthere？"sheasked。
　　Theprincemutteredsomething，blushed，andjumpedup；butAglayaimmediatelysatdownbesidehim；sohereseatedhimself。
　　Shelookedsuddenly，butattentivelyintohisface，thenatthewindow，asthoughthinkingofsomethingelse，andthenagainathim。
　　"Perhapsshewantstolaughatme，"thoughttheprince，"butno；
　　forifshedidshecertainlywoulddoso。"
　　"Wouldyoulikesometea？I’llordersome，"shesaid，afteraminuteortwoofsilence。
　　"N-nothanks，Idon’tknow——"
　　"Don’tknow！Howcanyounotknow？By-the-by，lookhere——ifsomeoneweretochallengeyoutoaduel，whatshouldyoudo？I
　　wishedtoaskyouthis——sometimeago——"
　　"Why？Nobodywouldeverchallengemetoaduel！"
　　"Butiftheywereto，wouldyoubedreadfullyfrightened？"
　　"IdaresayIshouldbe——muchalarmed！"
　　"Seriously？Thenareyouacoward？"
　　"N-no！——Idon’tthinkso。Acowardisamanwhoisafraidandrunsaway；themanwhoisfrightenedbutdoesnotrunaway，isnotquiteacoward，"saidtheprincewithasmile，afteramoment’sthought。
　　"Andyouwouldn’trunaway？"
　　"No——Idon’tthinkIshouldrunaway，"repliedtheprince，laughingoutrightatlastatAglaya’squestions。
　　"ThoughIamawoman，Ishouldcertainlynotrunawayforanything，"saidAglaya，inaslightlypainedvoice。"However，I
　　seeyouarelaughingatmeandtwistingyourfaceupasusualinordertomakeyourselflookmoreinteresting。Nowtellme，theygenerallyshootattwentypaces，don’tthey？Atten，sometimes？I
　　supposeifattentheymustbeeitherwoundedorkilled，mustn’tthey？"
　　"Idon’tthinktheyoftenkilleachotheratduels。"
　　"TheykilledPushkinthatway。"
　　"Thatmayhavebeenanaccident。"
　　"Notabitofit；itwasadueltothedeath，andhewaskilled。"
　　"Thebulletstrucksolowdownthatprobablyhisantagonistwouldneverhaveaimedatthatpartofhim——peopleneverdo；hewouldhaveaimedathischestorhead；sothatprobablythebullethithimaccidentally。Ihavebeentoldthisbycompetentauthorities。"
　　"Well，asoldieroncetoldmethattheywerealwaysorderedtoaimatthemiddleofthebody。Soyouseetheydon’taimatthechestorhead；theyaimloweronpurpose。Iaskedsomeofficeraboutthisafterwards，andhesaiditwasperfectlytrue。"
　　"Thatisprobablywhentheyfirefromalongdistance。"
　　"Canyoushootatall？"
　　"No，Ihavenevershotinmylife。"
　　"Can’tyouevenloadapistol？"
　　"No！Thatis，Iunderstandhowit’sdone，ofcourse，butIhaveneverdoneit。"
　　"Then，youdon’tknowhow，foritisamatterthatneedspractice。Nowlistenandlearn；inthefirstplacebuygoodpowder，notdamptheysayitmustn’tbeatalldamp，butverydry，somefinekinditis——youmustaskforPISTOLpowder，notthestufftheyloadcannonswith。Theysayonemakesthebulletsoneself，somehoworother。Haveyougotapistol？"
　　"No——andIdon’twantone，"saidtheprince，laughing。
　　"Oh，whatNONSENSE！Youmustbuyone。FrenchorEnglisharethebest，theysay。Thentakealittlepowder，aboutathimbleful，orperhapstwo，andpouritintothebarrel。Betterputplenty。ThenpushinabitoffeltitMUSTbefelt，forsomereasonorother；youcaneasilygetabitoffsomeoldmattress，oroffadoor；it’susedtokeepthecoldout。Well，whenyouhavepushedthefeltdown，putthebulletin；doyouhearnow？Thebulletlastandthepowderfirst，nottheotherway，orthepistolwon’tshoot。Whatareyoulaughingat？Iwishyoutobuyapistolandpractiseeveryday，andyoumustlearntohitamarkforCERTAIN；
　　willyou？"
　　Theprinceonlylaughed。Aglayastampedherfootwithannoyance。
　　Herseriousair，however，duringthisconversationhadsurprisedhimconsiderably。Hehadafeelingthatheoughttobeaskinghersomething，thattherewassomethinghewantedtofindoutfarmoreimportantthanhowtoloadapistol；buthisthoughtshadallscattered，andhewasonlyawarethatshewassittingby，him，andtalkingtohim，andthathewaslookingather；astowhatshehappenedtobesayingtohim，thatdidnotmatterintheleast。
　　Thegeneralnowappearedontheverandah，comingfromupstairs。
　　Hewasonhiswayout，withanexpressionofdeterminationonhisface，andofpreoccupationandworryalso。
　　"Ah！LefNicolaievitch，it’syou，isit？Whereareyouofftonow？"heasked，obliviousofthefactthattheprincehadnotshowedtheleastsignofmoving。"Comealongwithme；Iwanttosayawordortwotoyou。"
　　"Aurevoir，then！"saidAglaya，holdingoutherhandtotheprince。
　　Itwasquitedarknow，andMuishkincouldnotseeherfaceclearly，butaminuteortwolater，whenheandthegeneralhadleftthevilla，hesuddenlyflushedup，andsqueezedhisrighthandtightly。
　　Itappearedthatheandthegeneralweregoinginthesamedirection。Inspiteofthelatenessofthehour，thegeneralwashurryingawaytotalktosomeoneuponsomeimportantsubject。
　　Meanwhilehetalkedincessantlybutdisconnectedlytotheprince，andcontinuallybroughtinthenameofLizabethaProkofievna。
　　Iftheprincehadbeeninaconditiontopaymoreattentiontowhatthegeneralwassaying，hewouldhavediscoveredthatthelatterwasdesirousofdrawingsomeinformationoutofhim，orindeedofaskinghimsomequestionoutright；butthathecouldnotmakeuphismindtocometothepoint。
　　Muishkinwassoabsent，thatfromtheveryfirsthecouldnotattendtoawordtheotherwassaying；andwhenthegeneralsuddenlystoppedbeforehimwithsomeexcitedquestion，hewasobligedtoconfess，ignominiously，thathedidnotknowintheleastwhathehadbeentalkingabout。
　　Thegeneralshruggedhisshoulders。
　　"Howstrangeeveryone，yourselfincluded，hasbecomeoflate，"
　　saidhe。"IwastellingyouthatIcannotintheleastunderstandLizabethaProkofievna’sideasandagitations。Sheisinhystericsupthere，andmoansandsaysthatwehavebeen’shamedanddisgraced。’How？Why？When？Bywhom？IconfessthatIamverymuchtoblamemyself；Idonotconcealthefact；buttheconduct，theoutrageousbehaviourofthiswoman，mustreallybekeptwithinlimits，bythepoliceifnecessary，andIamjustonmywaynowtotalkthequestionoverandmakesomearrangements。Itcanallbemanagedquietlyandgently，evenkindly，andwithouttheslightestfussorscandal。Iforeseethatthefutureispregnantwithevents，andthatthereismuchthatneedsexplanation。Thereisintrigueinthewind；butifononesidenothingisknown，ontheothersidenothingwillbeexplained。IfIhaveheardnothingaboutit，norhaveYOU，norHE，norSHE——
　　whoHASheardaboutit，Ishouldliketoknow？HowCANallthisbeexplainedexceptbythefactthathalfofitismirageormoonshine，orsomehallucinationofthatsort？"
　　"SHEisinsane，"mutteredtheprince，suddenlyrecollectingallthathadpassed，withaspasmofpainathisheart。
　　"Itoohadthatidea，andIsleptinpeace。ButnowIseethattheiropinionismorecorrect。Idonotbelieveinthetheoryofmadness！Thewomanhasnocommonsense；butsheisnotonlynotinsane，sheisartfultoadegree。HeroutburstofthiseveningaboutEvgenie’suncleprovesthatconclusively。ItwasVILLAINOUS，simplyjesuitical，anditwasallforsomespecialpurpose。"
　　"WhataboutEvgenie’suncle？"
　　"Mygoodness，LefNicolaievitch，why，youcan’thaveheardasinglewordIsaid！Lookatme，I’mstilltremblingalloverwiththedreadfulshock！Itisthatthatkeptmeintownsolate。
　　EvgeniePavlovitch’suncle——"
　　Well？"criedtheprince。
　　"Shothimselfthismorning，atseveno’clock。Arespected，eminentoldmanofseventy；andexactlypointforpointasshedescribedit；asumofmoney，aconsiderablesumofgovernmentmoney，missing！"
　　"Why，howcouldshe——"
　　"What，knowofit？Ha，ha，ha！Why，therewasawholecrowdroundherthemomentsheappearedonthesceneshere。Youknowwhatsortofpeoplesurroundhernowadays，andsolicitthehonourofher’acquaintance。’Ofcourseshemighteasilyhaveheardthenewsfromsomeonecomingfromtown。AllPetersburg，ifnotallPavlofsk，knowsitbynow。LookattheslynessofherobservationaboutEvgenie’suniform！Imean，herremarkthathehadretiredjustintime！There’savenomoushintforyou，ifyoulike！No，no！there’snoinsanitythere！OfcourseIrefusetobelievethatEvgeniePavlovitchcouldhaveknownbeforehandofthecatastrophe；thatis，thatatsuchandsuchadayatseveno’clock，andallthat；buthemightwellhavehadapresentimentofthetruth。AndI——allofus——PrinceS。andeverybody，believedthathewastoinheritalargefortunefromthisuncle。It’sdreadful，horrible！Mind，Idon’tsuspectEvgenieofanything，bequiteclearonthatpoint；butthethingisalittlesuspicious，nevertheless。PrinceS。can’tgetoverit。Altogetheritisaveryextraordinarycombinationofcircumstances。"
　　"WhatsuspicionattachestoEvgeniePavlovitch？"
　　"Oh，noneatall！Hehasbehavedverywellindeed。Ididn’tmeantodropanysortofhint。Hisownfortuneisintact，Ibelieve。
　　LizabethaProkofievna，ofcourse，refusestolistentoanything。
　　That’stheworstofitall，thesefamilycatastrophesorquarrels，orwhateveryouliketocallthem。Youknow，prince，youareafriendofthefamily，soIdon’tmindtellingyou；itnowappearsthatEvgeniePavlovitchproposedtoAglayaamonthago，andwasrefused。"
　　"Impossible！"criedtheprince。
　　"Why？Doyouknowanythingaboutit？Lookhere，"continuedthegeneral，moreagitatedthanever，andtremblingwithexcitement，"maybeIhavebeenlettingthecatoutofthebagtoofreelywithyou，ifso，itisbecauseyouare——thatsortofman，youknow！
　　Perhapsyouhavesomespecialinformation？"
　　"IknownothingaboutEvgeniePavlovitch！"saidtheprince。
　　"NordoI！Theyalwaystrytoburymeundergroundwhenthere’sanythinggoingon；theydon’tseemtoreflectthatitisunpleasanttoamantobetreatedso！Iwon’tstandit！Wehavejusthadaterriblescene！——mind，IspeaktoyouasIwouldtomyownson！Aglayalaughsathermother。HersistersguessedaboutEvgeniehavingproposedandbeenrejected，andtoldLizabetha。
　　"Itellyou，mydearfellow，Aglayaissuchanextraordinary，suchaself-willed，fantasticallittlecreature，youwouldn’tbelieveit！Everyhighquality，everybrillianttraitofheartandmind，aretobefoundinher，and，withitall，somuchcapriceandmockery，suchwildfancies——indeed，alittledevil！
　　Shehasjustbeenlaughingathermothertoherveryface，andathersisters，andatPrinceS。，andeverybody——andofcourseshealwayslaughsatme！YouknowIlovethechild——Iloveherevenwhenshelaughsatme，andIbelievethewildlittlecreaturehasaspecialfondnessformeforthatveryreason。Sheisfonderofmethananyoftheothers。IdareswearshehashadagoodlaughatYOUbeforenow！Youwerehavingaquiettalkjustnow，I
　　observed，afterallthethunderandlightningupstairs。Shewassittingwithyoujustasthoughtherehadbeennorowatall。"
　　Theprinceblushedpainfullyinthedarkness，andclosedhisrighthandtightly，buthesaidnothing。
　　"MydeargoodPrinceLefNicolaievitch，"beganthegeneralagain，suddenly，"bothIandLizabethaProkofievna——whohasbeguntorespectyouoncemore，andmethroughyou，goodnessknowswhy！——
　　webothloveyouverysincerely，andesteemyou，inspiteofanyappearancestothecontrary。Butyou’lladmitwhatariddleitmusthavebeenforuswhenthatcalm，cold，littlespitfire，Aglaya——forshestooduptohermotherandansweredherquestionswithinexpressiblecontempt，andminestillmoreso，because，likeafool，Ithoughtitmydutytoassertmyselfasheadofthefamily——whenAglayastoodupofasuddenandinformedusthat’thatmadwoman’strangelyenough，sheusedexactlythesameexpressionasyoudid’hastakenitintoherheadtomarrymetoPrinceLefNicolaievitch，andthereforeisdoingherbesttochokeEvgeniePavlovitchoff，andridthehouseofhim。’That’swhatshesaid。Shewouldnotgivetheslightestexplanation；sheburstoutlaughing，bangedthedoor，andwentaway。Weallstoodtherewithourmouthsopen。Well，IwastoldafterwardsofyourlittlepassagewithAglayathisafternoon，and-and——dearprince——youareagood，sensiblefellow，don’tbeangryifIspeakout——sheislaughingatyou，myboy！Sheisenjoyingherselflikeachild，atyourexpense，andtherefore，sincesheisachild，don’tbeangrywithher，anddon’tthinkanythingofit。Iassureyou，sheissimplymakingafoolofyou，justasshedoeswithoneandallofusoutofpurelackofsomethingbettertodo。Well——good-bye！Youknowourfeelings，don’tyou——oursincerefeelingsforyourself？Theyareunalterable，youknow，dearboy，underallcircumstances，but——
　　Well，herewepart；Imustgodowntotheright。RarelyhaveI
　　satsouncomfortablyinmysaddle，astheysay，asInowsit。Andpeopletalkofthecharmsofacountryholiday！"
　　Lefttohimselfatthecross-roads，theprinceglancedaroundhim，quicklycrossedtheroadtowardsthelightedwindowofaneighbouringhouse，andunfoldedatinyscrapofpaperwhichhehadheldclaspedinhisrighthandduringthewholeofhisconversationwiththegeneral。
　　Hereadthenoteintheuncertainraysthatfellfromthewindow。
　　Itwasasfollows:
　　"Tomorrowmorning，Ishallbeatthegreenbenchintheparkatseven，andshallwaitthereforyou。Ihavemadeupmymindtospeaktoyouaboutamostimportantmatterwhichcloselyconcernsyourself。
　　"P。S——Itrustthatyouwillnotshowthisnotetoanyone。ThoughIamashamedofgivingyousuchinstructions，IfeelthatImustdoso，consideringwhatyouare。Ithereforewritethewords，andblushforyoursimplecharacter。
　　"P。P。S——ItisthesamegreenbenchthatIshowedyoubefore。
　　There！aren’tyouashamedofyourself？Ifeltthatitwasnecessarytorepeateventhatinformation。"
　　Thenotewaswrittenandfoldedanyhow，evidentlyinagreathurry，andprobablyjustbeforeAglayahadcomedowntotheverandah。
　　Ininexpressibleagitation，amountingalmosttofear，theprinceslippedquicklyawayfromthewindow，awayfromthelight，likeafrightenedthief，butashedidsohecollidedviolentlywithsomegentlemanwhoseemedtospringfromtheearthathisfeet。
　　"Iwaswatchingforyou，prince，"saidtheindividual。
　　"Isthatyou，Keller？"saidtheprince，insurprise。
　　"Yes，I’vebeenlookingforyou。IwaitedforyouattheEpanchins’house，butofcourseIcouldnotcomein。Idoggedyoufrombehindasyouwalkedalongwiththegeneral。Well，prince，hereisKeller，absolutelyatyourservice——commandhim！——readytosacrificehimself——eventodieincaseofneed。"
　　"But-why？"
　　"Oh，why？——Ofcourseyou’llbechallenged！ThatwasyoungLieutenantMoloftsoff。Iknowhim，orratherofhim；hewon’tpassaninsult。HewilltakenonoticeofRogojinandmyself，and，therefore，youaretheonlyonelefttoaccountfor。You’llhavetopaythepiper，prince。Hehasbeenaskingaboutyou，andundoubtedlyhisfriendwillcallonyoutomorrow——perhapsheisatyourhousealready。Ifyouwoulddomethehonourtohavemeforasecond，prince，Ishouldbehappy。That’swhyIhavebeenlookingforyounow。"
　　"Duel！You’vecometotalkaboutaduel，too！"Theprinceburstoutlaughing，tothegreatastonishmentofKeller。Helaughedunrestrainedly，andKeller，whohadbeenonpinsandneedles，andinafeverofexcitementtoofferhimselfas"second，"wasverynearbeingoffended。
　　"Youcaughthimbythearms，youknow，prince。Nomanofproperpridecanstandthatsortoftreatmentinpublic。"
　　"Yes，andhegavemeafearfuldiginthechest，"criedtheprince，stilllaughing。"Whatarewetofightabout？Ishallbeghispardon，that’sall。Butifwemustfight——we’llfight！Lethimhaveashotatme，byallmeans；Ishouldratherlikeit。Ha，ha，ha！Iknowhowtoloadapistolnow；doyouknowhowtoloadapistol，Keller？First，youhavetobuythepowder，youknow；itmustn’tbewet，anditmustn’tbethatcoarsestuffthattheyloadcannonswith——itmustbepistolpowder。Thenyoupourthepowderin，andgetholdofabitoffeltfromsomedoor，andthenshovethebulletin。Butdon’tshovethebulletinbeforethepowder，becausethethingwouldn’tgooff——doyouhear，Keller，thethingwouldn’tgooff！Ha，ha，ha！Isn’tthatagrandreason，Keller，myfriend，eh？Doyouknow，mydearfellow，Ireallymustkissyou，andembraceyou，thisverymoment。Ha，ha！Howwasityousosuddenlypoppedupinfrontofmeasyoudid？Cometomyhouseassoonasyoucan，andwe’llhavesomechampagne。We’llallgetdrunk！DoyouknowIhaveadozenofchampagneinLebedeff’scellar？LebedeffsoldthemtomethedayafterI
　　arrived。Itookthelot。We’llinviteeverybody！Areyougoingtodoanysleepingtonight？"
　　"Asmuchasusual，prince——why？"
　　"Pleasantdreamsthen——ha，ha！"
　　Theprincecrossedtheroad，anddisappearedintothepark，leavingtheastonishedKellerinastateofludicrouswonder。Hehadneverbeforeseentheprinceinsuchastrangeconditionofmind，andcouldnothaveimaginedthepossibilityofit。
　　"Fever，probably，"hesaidtohimself，"forthemanisallnerves，andthisbusinesshasbeenalittletoomuchforhim。HeisnotAFRAID，that’sclear；thatsortneverfunks！H’m！
　　champagne！Thatwasaninterestingitemofnews，atallevents！——
　　Twelvebottles！Dearme，that’saveryrespectablelittlestockindeed！IbetanythingLebedefflentsomebodymoneyondepositofthisdozenofchampagne。Hum！he’sanicefellow，isthisprince！
　　Ilikethissortofman。Well，Ineedn’tbewastingtimehere，andifit’sacaseofchampagne，why——there’snotimelikethepresent！"
　　Thattheprincewasalmostinafeverwasnomorethanthetruth。
　　Hewanderedabouttheparkforalongwhile，andatlastcametohimselfinalonelyavenue。Hewasvaguelyconsciousthathehadalreadypacedthisparticularwalk——fromthatlarge，darktreetothebenchattheotherend——aboutahundredyardsaltogether——atleastthirtytimesbackwardsandforwards。
　　Astorecollectingwhathehadbeenthinkingofallthattime，hecouldnot。Hecaughthimself，however，indulginginonethoughtwhichmadehimroarwithlaughter，thoughtherewasnothingreallytolaughatinit；buthefeltthathemustlaugh，andgoonlaughing。
　　ItstruckhimthattheideaoftheduelmightnothaveoccurredtoKelleralone，butthathislessonintheartofpistol-loadingmighthavebeennotaltogetheraccidental！"Pooh！nonsense！"hesaidtohimself，struckbyanotherthought，ofasudden。"Why，shewasimmenselysurprisedtofindmethereontheverandah，andlaughedandtalkedaboutTEA！Andyetshehadthislittlenoteinherhand，thereforeshemusthaveknownthatIwassittingthere。
　　Sowhywasshesurprised？Ha，ha，ha！"
　　Hepulledthenoteoutandkissedit；thenpausedandreflected。
　　"Howstrangeitallis！howstrange！"hemuttered，melancholyenoughnow。Inmomentsofgreatjoy，heinvariablyfeltasensationofmelancholycomeoverhim——hecouldnottellwhy。
　　Helookedintentlyaroundhim，andwonderedwhyhehadcomehere；
　　hewasverytired，soheapproachedthebenchandsatdownonit。
　　Aroundhimwasprofoundsilence；themusicintheVauxhallwasover。Theparkseemedquiteempty，thoughitwasnot，inreality，laterthanhalf-pasteleven。Itwasaquiet，warm，clearnight——arealPetersburgnightofearlyJune；butinthedenseavenue，wherehewassitting，itwasalmostpitchdark。
　　Ifanyonehadcomeupatthismomentandtoldhimthathewasinlove，passionatelyinlove，hewouldhaverejectedtheideawithastonishment，and，perhaps，withirritation。AndifanyonehadaddedthatAglaya’snotewasalove-letter，andthatitcontainedanappointmenttoalover’srendezvous，hewouldhaveblushedwithshameforthespeaker，and，probably，havechallengedhimtoaduel。
　　Allthiswouldhavebeenperfectlysincereonhispart。Hehadneverforamomententertainedtheideaofthepossibilityofthisgirllovinghim，orevenofsuchathingashimselffallinginlovewithher。Thepossibilityofbeinglovedhimself，"amanlikeme，"asheputit，herankedamongridiculoussuppositions。
　　ItappearedtohimthatitwassimplyajokeonAglaya’spart，iftherereallywereanythinginitatall；butthatseemedtohimquitenatural。Hispreoccupationwascausedbysomethingdifferent。
　　AstothefewwordswhichthegeneralhadletslipaboutAglayalaughingateverybody，andathimselfmostofall——heentirelybelievedthem。Hedidnotfeeltheslightestsensationofoffence；onthecontrary，hewasquitecertainthatitwasasitshouldbe。
　　Hiswholethoughtswerenowastonextmorningearly；hewouldseeher；hewouldsitbyheronthatlittlegreenbench，andlistentohowpistolswereloaded，andlookather。Hewantednothingmore。