Thequestionastowhatshemighthavetosayofspecialinteresttohimselfoccurredtohimonceortwice。Hedidnotdoubt，foramoment，thatshereallyhadsomesuchsubjectofconversationinstore，butsoverylittleinterestedinthematterwashethatitdidnotstrikehimtowonderwhatitcouldbe。Thecrunchofgravelonthepathsuddenlycausedhimtoraisehishead。
　　Aman，whosefaceitwasdifficulttoseeinthegloom，approachedthebench，andsatdownbesidehim。Theprincepeeredintohisface，andrecognizedthelividfeaturesofRogojin。
　　"Iknewyou’dbewanderingaboutsomewherehere。Ididn’thavetolookforyouverylong，"mutteredthelatterbetweenhisteeth。
　　Itwasthefirsttimetheyhadmetsincetheencounteronthestaircaseatthehotel。
　　PainfullysurprisedashewasatthissuddenapparitionofRogojin，theprince，forsomelittlewhile，wasunabletocollecthisthoughts。Rogojin，evidently，sawandunderstoodtheimpressionhehadmade；andthoughheseemedmoreorlessconfusedatfirst，yethebegantalkingwithwhatlookedlikeassumedeaseandfreedom。However，theprincesoonchangedhismindonthisscore，andthoughtthattherewasnotonlynoaffectationofindifference，butthatRogojinwasnotevenparticularlyagitated。Iftherewerealittleapparentawkwardness，itwasonlyinhiswordsandgestures。Themancouldnotchangehisheart。
　　"Howdidyou——findmehere？"askedtheprinceforthesakeofsayingsomething。
　　"KellertoldmeIfoundhimatyourplacethatyouwereinthepark。’Ofcourseheis！’Ithought。"
　　"Whyso？"askedtheprinceuneasily。
　　Rogojinsmiled，butdidnotexplain。
　　"Ireceivedyourletter，LefNicolaievitch——what’sthegoodofallthat？——It’snouse，youknow。I’vecometoyoufromHER，——shebademetellyouthatshemustseeyou，shehassomethingtosaytoyou。Shetoldmetofindyoutoday。"
　　"I’llcometomorrow。NowI’mgoinghome——areyoucomingtomyhouse？"
　　"WhyshouldI？I’vegivenyouthemessage——Goodbye！"
　　"Won’tyoucome？"askedtheprinceinagentlevoice。
　　"Whatanextraordinarymanyouare！Iwonderatyou！"Rogojinlaughedsarcastically。
　　"Whydoyouhatemeso？"askedtheprince，sadly。"Youknowyourselfthatallyoususpectedisquiteunfounded。Ifeltyouwerestillangrywithme，though。Doyouknowwhy？Becauseyoutriedtokillme——that’swhyyoucan’tshakeoffyourwrathagainstme。ItellyouthatIonlyremembertheParfenRogojinwithwhomIexchangedcrosses，andvowedbrotherhood。Iwroteyouthisinyesterday’sletter，inorderthatyoumightforgetallthatmadnessonyourpart，andthatyoumightnotfeelcalledtotalkaboutitwhenwemet。Whydoyouavoidme？Whydoyouholdyourhandbackfromme？Itellyouagain，Iconsiderallthathaspassedadelirium，aninsanedream。Icanunderstandallyoudid，andallyoufeltthatday，asifitweremyself。Whatyouwerethenimaginingwasnotthecase，andcouldneverbethecase。
　　Why，then，shouldtherebeangerbetweenus？"
　　"Youdon’tknowwhatangeris！"laughedRogojin，inreplytotheprince’sheatedwords。
　　Hehadmovedapaceortwoaway，andwashidinghishandsbehindhim。
　　"No，itisimpossibleformetocometoyourhouseagain，"headdedslowly。
　　"Why？Doyouhatemesomuchasallthat？"
　　"Idon’tloveyou，LefNicolaievitch，and，therefore，whatwouldbetheuseofmycomingtoseeyou？Youarejustlikeachild——
　　youwantaplaything，anditmustbetakenoutandgivenyou——andthenyoudon’tknowhowtoworkit。Youaresimplyrepeatingallyousaidinyourletter，andwhat’stheuse？OfcourseIbelieveeverywordyousay，andIknowperfectlywellthatyouneitherdidorevercandeceivemeinanyway，andyet，Idon’tloveyou。
　　Youwritethatyou’veforgotteneverything，andonlyrememberyourbrotherParfen，withwhomyouexchangedcrosses，andthatyoudon’trememberanythingabouttheRogojinwhoaimedaknifeatyourthroat。Whatdoyouknowaboutmyfeelings，eh？"Rogojinlaugheddisagreeably。"HereyouareholdingoutyourbrotherlyforgivenesstomeforathingthatIhaveperhapsneverrepentedofintheslightestdegree。Ididnotthinkofitagainallthatevening；allmythoughtswerecentredonsomethingelse——"
　　"Notthinkofitagain？Ofcourseyoudidn’t！"criedtheprince。
　　"AndIdareswearthatyoucamestraightawaydownheretoPavlofsktolistentothemusicanddogheraboutinthecrowd，andstareather，justasyoudidtoday。There’snothingsurprisinginthat！Ifyouhadn’tbeeninthatconditionofmindthatyoucouldthinkofnothingbutonesubject，youwould，probably，neverhaveraisedyourknifeagainstme。Ihadapresentimentofwhatyouwoulddo，thatday，eversinceIsawyoufirstinthemorning。Doyouknowyourselfwhatyoulookedlike？
　　Iknewyouwouldtrytomurdermeevenattheverymomentwhenweexchangedcrosses。Whatdidyoutakemetoyourmotherfor？Didyouthinktostayyourhandbydoingso？Perhapsyoudidnotputyourthoughtsintowords，butyouandIwerethinkingthesamething，orfeelingthesamethingloomingoverus，atthesamemoment。Whatshouldyouthinkofmenowifyouhadnotraisedyourknifetome——theknifewhichGodavertedfrommythroat？I
　　wouldhavebeenguiltyofsuspectingyouallthesame——andyouwouldhaveintendedthemurderallthesame；thereforeweshouldhavebeenmutuallyguiltyinanycase。Come，don’tfrown；youneedn’tlaughatme，either。Yousayyouhaven’t’repented。’
　　Repented！Youprobablycouldn’t，ifyouweretotry；youdislikemetoomuchforthat。Why，ifIwereanangeloflight，andasinnocentbeforeyouasababe，youwouldstillloathemeifyoubelievedthatSHElovedme，insteadoflovingyourself。That’sjealousy——thatistherealjealousy。
　　"ButdoyouknowwhatIhavebeenthinkingoutduringthislastweek，Parfen？I’lltellyou。Whatifshelovesyounowbetterthananyone？AndwhatifshetormentsyouBECAUSEshelovesyou，andinproportiontoherloveforyou，soshetormentsyouthemore？Shewon’ttellyouthis，ofcourse；youmusthaveeyestosee。Whydoyousupposesheconsentstomarryyou？Shemusthaveareason，andthatreasonshewilltellyousomeday。Somewomendesirethekindofloveyougiveher，andsheisprobablyoneofthese。Yourloveandyourwildnatureimpressher。Doyouknowthatawomaniscapableofdrivingamancrazyalmost，withhercrueltiesandmockeries，andfeelsnotonesinglepangofregret，becauseshelooksathimandsaystoherself，’There！I’lltormentthismannearlyintohisgrave，andthen，oh！howI’llcompensatehimforitallwithmylove！’"
　　Rogojinlistenedtotheend，andthenburstoutlaughing:
　　"Why，prince，Ideclareyoumusthavehadatasteofthissortofthingyourself——haven’tyou？Ihaveheardtellofsomethingofthekind，youknow；isittrue？"
　　"What？Whatcanyouhaveheard？"saidtheprince，stammering。
　　Rogojincontinuedtolaughloudly。Hehadlistenedtotheprince’sspeechwithcuriosityandsomesatisfaction。Thespeaker’simpulsivewarmthhadsurprisedandevencomfortedhim。
　　"Why，I’venotonlyheardofit；Iseeitformyself，"hesaid。
　　"Whenhaveyoueverspokenlikethatbefore？Itwasn’tlikeyourself，prince。Why，ifIhadn’theardthisreportaboutyou，I
　　shouldneverhavecomeallthiswayintothepark——atmidnight，too！"
　　"Idon’tunderstandyouintheleast，Parfen。"
　　"Oh，SHEtoldmeallaboutitlongago，andtonightIsawformyself。Isawyouatthemusic，youknow，andwhomyouweresittingwith。Shesworetomeyesterday，andagaintoday，thatyouaremadlyinlovewithAglayaIvanovna。Butthat’sallthesametome，prince，andit’snotmyaffairatall；forifyouhaveceasedtoloveHER，SHEhasnotceasedtoloveYOU。Youknow，ofcourse，thatshewantstomarryyoutothatgirl？She’ssworntoit！Ha，ha！Shesaystome，’UntilthenIwon’tmarryyou。Whentheygotochurch，we’llgotoo-andnotbefore。’Whatonearthdoesshemeanbyit？Idon’tknow，andIneverdid。
　　Eithershelovesyouwithoutlimitsor——yet，ifshelovesyou，whydoesshewishtomarryyoutoanothergirl？Shesays，’Iwanttoseehimhappy，’whichistosay——shelovesyou。"
　　"Iwrote，andIsaytoyouoncemore，thatsheisnotinherrightmind，"saidtheprince，whohadlistenedwithanguishtowhatRogojinsaid。
　　"Goodnessknows——youmaybewrongthere！Atallevents，shenamedthedaythisevening，asweleftthegardens。’Inthreeweeks，’
　　saysshe，’andperhapssooner，weshallbemarried。’Shesworetoit，tookoffhercrossandkissedit。Soitalldependsuponyounow，prince，Yousee！Ha，ha！"
　　"That’sallmadness。Whatyousayaboutme，Parfen，nevercanandneverwillbe。Tomorrow，Ishallcomeandseeyou——"
　　"Howcanshebemad，"Rogojininterrupted，"whensheissaneenoughforotherpeopleandonlymadforyou？HowcanshewriteletterstoHER，ifshe’smad？Ifshewereinsanetheywouldobserveitinherletters。"
　　"Whatletters？"saidtheprince，alarmed。
　　"ShewritestoHER——andthegirlreadstheletters。Haven’tyouheard？——Youaresuretohear；she’ssuretoshowyouthelettersherself。"
　　"Iwon’tbelievethis！"criedtheprince。
　　"Why，prince，you’veonlygoneafewstepsalongthisroad，I
　　perceive。Youareevidentlyamerebeginner。Waitabit！Beforelong，you’llhaveyourowndetectives，you’llwatchdayandnight，andyou’llknoweverylittlethingthatgoesonthere——
　　thatis，if——"
　　"Dropthatsubject，Rogojin，andnevermentionitagain。Andlisten:asIhavesathere，andtalked，andlistened，ithassuddenlystruckmethattomorrowismybirthday。Itmustbeabouttwelveo’clock，now；comehomewithme——do，andwe’llseethedayin！We’llhavesomewine，andyoushallwishme——Idon’tknowwhat——butyou，especiallyyou，mustwishmeagoodwish，andIshallwishyoufullhappinessinreturn。Otherwise，handmemycrossbackagain。Youdidn’treturnittomenextday。Haven’tyougotitonnow？"
　　"Yes，Ihave，"saidRogojin。
　　"Comealong，then。Idon’twishtomeetmynewyearwithoutyou——
　　mynewlife，Ishouldsay，foranewlifeisbeginningforme。
　　Didyouknow，Parfen，thatanewlifehadbegunforme？"
　　"Iseeformyselfthatitisso——andIshalltellHER。Butyouarenotquiteyourself，LefNicolaievitch。"
　　IV。
　　THEprinceobservedwithgreatsurprise，asheapproachedhisvilla，accompaniedbyRogojin，thatalargenumberofpeoplewereassembledonhisverandah，whichwasbrilliantlylightedup。Thecompanyseemedmerryandwerenoisilylaughingandtalking——evenquarrelling，tojudgefromthesounds。Atalleventstheywereclearlyenjoyingthemselves，andtheprinceobservedfurtheroncloserinvestigation——thatallhadbeendrinkingchampagne。Tojudgefromthelivelyconditionofsomeoftheparty，itwastobesupposedthataconsiderablequantityofchampagnehadbeenconsumedalready。
　　Alltheguestswereknowntotheprince；butthecuriouspartofthematterwasthattheyhadallarrivedonthesameevening，asthoughwithoneaccord，althoughhehadonlyhimselfrecollectedthefactthatitwashisbirthdayafewmomentssince。
　　"Youmusthavetoldsomebodyyouweregoingtotrotoutthechampagne，andthat’swhytheyareallcome！"mutteredRogojin，asthetwoenteredtheverandah。"Weknowallaboutthat！You’veonlytowhistleandtheycomeupinshoals！"hecontinued，almostangrily。Hewasdoubtlessthinkingofhisownlateexperienceswithhisbooncompanions。
　　Allsurroundedtheprincewithexclamationsofwelcome，and，onhearingthatitwashisbirthday，withcriesofcongratulationanddelight；manyofthemwereverynoisy。
　　Thepresenceofcertainofthoseintheroomsurprisedtheprincevastly，buttheguestwhoseadventfilledhimwiththegreatestwonder——almostamountingtoalarm——wasEvgeniePavlovitch。Theprincecouldnotbelievehiseyeswhenhebeheldthelatter，andcouldnothelpthinkingthatsomethingwaswrong。
　　Lebedeffranuppromptlytoexplainthearrivalofallthesegentlemen。Hewashimselfsomewhatintoxicated，buttheprincegatheredfromhislong-windedperiodsthatthepartyhadassembledquitenaturally，andaccidentally。
　　FirstofallHippolytehadarrived，earlyintheevening，andfeelingdecidedlybetter，haddeterminedtoawaittheprinceontheverandah。ThereLebedeffhadjoinedhim，andhishouseholdhadfollowed——thatis，hisdaughtersandGeneralIvolgin。
　　BurdovskyhadbroughtHippolyte，andstayedonwithhim。GaniaandPtitsinhaddroppedinaccidentallylateron；thencameKeller，andheandColiainsistedonhavingchampagne。EvgeniePavlovitchhadonlydroppedinhalfanhourorsoago。Lebedeffhadservedthechampagnereadily。
　　"Myownthough，prince，myown，mind，"hesaid，"andthere’llbesomesupperlateron；mydaughterisgettingitreadynow。Comeandsitdown，prince，weareallwaitingforyou，wewantyouwithus。Fancywhatwehavebeendiscussing！Youknowthequestion，’tobeornottobe，’——outofHamlet！Acontemporarytheme！Quiteup-to-date！Mr。Hippolytehasbeeneloquenttoadegree。Hewon’tgotobed，buthehasonlydrunkalittlechampagne，andthatcan’tdohimanyharm。Comealong，prince，andsettlethequestion。Everyoneiswaitingforyou，sighingforthelightofyourluminousintelligence……"
　　Theprincenoticedthesweet，welcominglookonVeraLebedeff’sface，asshemadeherwaytowardshimthroughthecrowd。Heheldouthishandtoher。Shetookit，blushingwithdelight，andwishedhim"ahappylifefromthatdayforward。"Thensheranofftothekitchen，where。herpresencewasnecessarytohelpinthepreparationsforsupper。Beforetheprince’sarrivalshehadspentsometimeontheterrace，listeningeagerlytotheconversation，thoughthevisitors，mostlyundertheinfluenceofwine，werediscussingabstractsubjectsfarbeyondhercomprehension。Inthenextroomheryoungersisterlayonawoodenchest，soundasleep，withhermouthwideopen；buttheboy，Lebedeff’sson，hadtakenuphispositionclosebesideColiaandHippolyte，hisfacelitupwithinterestintheconversationofhisfatherandtherest，towhichhewouldwillinglyhavelistenedfortenhoursatastretch。
　　"Ihavewaitedforyouonpurpose，andamverygladtoseeyouarrivesohappy，"saidHippolyte，whentheprincecameforwardtopresshishand，immediatelyaftergreetingVera。
　　"AndhowdoyouknowthatIam’sohappy’？
　　"Icanseeitbyyourface！Say’howdoyoudo’totheothers，andcomeandsitdownhere，quick——I’vebeenwaitingforyou！"headded，accentuatingthefactthathehadwaited。Ontheprince’sasking，"Willitnotbeinjurioustoyoutositoutsolate？"herepliedthathecouldnotbelievethathehadthoughthimselfdyingthreedaysorsoago，forheneverhadfeltbetterthanthisevening。
　　Burdovskynextjumpedupandexplainedthathehadcomeinbyaccident，havingescortedHippolytefromtown。Hemurmuredthathewasgladhehad"writtennonsense"inhisletter，andthenpressedtheprince’shandwarmlyandsatdownagain。
　　TheprinceapproachedEvgeniePavlovitchlastofall。Thelatterimmediatelytookhisarm。
　　"Ihaveacoupleofwordstosaytoyou，"hebegan，"andthoseonaveryimportantmatter；let’sgoasideforaminuteortwo。"
　　"Justacoupleofwords！"whisperedanothervoiceintheprince’sotherear，andanotherhandtookhisotherarm。Muishkinturned，andtohisgreatsurpriseobservedared，flushedfaceandadroll-lookingfigurewhichherecognizedatonceasthatofFerdishenko。Goodnessknowswherehehadturnedupfrom！
　　"DoyourememberFerdishenko？"heasked。
　　"Wherehaveyoudroppedfrom？"criedtheprince。
　　"Heissorryforhissinsnow，prince，"criedKeller。"Hedidnotwanttoletyouknowhewashere；hewashiddenoverthereinthecorner，——butherepentsnow，hefeelshisguilt。"
　　"Why，whathashedone？"
　　"Imethimoutsideandbroughthimin——he’sagentlemanwhodoesn’toftenallowhisfriendstoseehim，oflate——buthe’ssorrynow。"
　　"Delighted，I’msure！——I’llcomebackdirectly，gentlemen，——sitdowntherewiththeothers，please，——excusemeonemoment，"saidthehost，gettingawaywithdifficultyinordertofollowEvgenie。
　　"Youareverygayhere，"beganthelatter，"andIhavehadquiteapleasanthalf-hourwhileIwaitedforyou。Nowthen，mydearLefNicolaievitch，thisiswhat’sthematter。I’vearrangeditallwithMoloftsoff，andhavejustcomeintorelieveyourmindonthatscore。Youneedbeundernoapprehensions。Hewasverysensible，asheshouldbe，ofcourse，forIthinkhewasentirelytoblamehimself。"
　　"WhatMoloftsoff？"
　　"Theyoungfellowwhosearmsyouheld，don’tyouknow？Hewassowildwithyouthathewasgoingtosendafriendtoyoutomorrowmorning。"
　　"Whatnonsense！"
　　"Ofcourseitisnonsense，andinnonsenseitwouldhaveended，doubtless；butyouknowthesefellows，they——"
　　"Excuseme，butIthinkyoumusthavesomethingelsethatyouwishedtospeakabout，EvgeniePavlovitch？"
　　"Ofcourse，Ihave！"saidtheother，laughing。"Yousee，mydearfellow，tomorrow，veryearlyinthemorning，Imustbeofftotownaboutthisunfortunatebusinessmyuncle，youknow！。Justimagine，mydearsir，itisalltrue——wordforword——and，ofcourse，everybodyknewitexceptingmyself。AllthishasbeensuchablowtomethatIhavenotmanagedtocallinattheEpanchins’。TomorrowIshallnotseethemeither，becauseI
　　shallbeintown。Imaynotbehereforthreedaysormore；inaword，myaffairsarealittleoutofgear。Butthoughmytownbusinessis，ofcourse，mostpressing，stillIdeterminednottogoawayuntilIhadseenyou，andhadaclearunderstandingwithyouuponcertainpoints；andthatwithoutlossoftime。Iwillwaitnow，ifyouwillallowme，untilthecompanydeparts；Imayjustaswell，forIhavenowhereelsetogoto，andIshallcertainlynotdoanysleepingtonight；I’mfartooexcited。Andfinally，Imustconfessthat，thoughIknowitisbadformtopursueamaninthisway，Ihavecometobegyourfriendship，mydearprince。Youareanunusualsortofaperson；youdon’tlieateverystep，assomemendo；infact，youdon’tlieatall，andthereisamatterinwhichIneedatrueandsincerefriend，forIreallymayclaimtobeamongthenumberofbonafideunfortunatesjustnow。"
　　Helaughedagain。
　　"Butthetroubleis，"saidtheprince，afteraslightpauseforreflection，"thatgoodnessonlyknowswhenthispartywillbreakup。Hadn’twebetterstrollintothepark？I’llexcusemyself，there’snodangeroftheirgoingaway。"
　　"No，no！Ihavemyreasonsforwishingthemnottosuspectusofbeingengagedinanyspeciallyimportantconversation。Therearegentrypresentwhoarealittletoomuchinterestedinus。Youarenotawareofthatperhaps，prince？Itwillbeagreatdealbetteriftheyseethatwearefriendlyjustinanordinaryway。
　　They’llallgoinacoupleofhours，andthenI’llaskyoutogivemetwentyminutes-halfanhouratmost。"
　　"Byallmeans！IassureyouIamdelighted——youneednothaveenteredintoalltheseexplanations。Asforyourremarksaboutfriendshipwithme——thanks，verymuchindeed。Youmustexcusemybeingalittleabsentthisevening。Doyouknow，Icannotsomehowbeattentivetoanythingjustnow？"
　　"Isee，Isee，"saidEvgenie，smilinggently。Hismirthseemedverynearthesurfacethisevening。
　　"Whatdoyousee？"saidtheprince，startled。
　　"Idon’twantyoutosuspectthatIhavesimplycomeheretodeceiveyouandpumpinformationoutofyou！"saidEvgenie，stillsmiling，andwithoutmakinganydirectreplytothequestion。
　　"Oh，butIhaven’ttheslightestdoubtthatyoudidcometopumpme，"saidtheprince，laughinghimself，atlast；"andIdaresayyouarequitepreparedtodeceivemetoo，sofarasthatgoes。
　　Butwhatofthat？I’mnotafraidofyou；besides，you’llhardlybelieveit，IfeelasthoughIreallydidn’tcareascraponewayortheother，justnow！——And-and-andasyouareacapitalfellow，Iamconvincedofthat，Idaresaywereallyshallendbybeinggoodfriends。IlikeyouverymuchEvgeniePavlovitch；Iconsideryouaverygoodfellowindeed。"
　　"Well，inanycase，youareamostdelightfulmantohavetodealwith，bethebusinesswhatitmay，"concludedEvgenie。"Comealongnow，I’lldrinkaglasstoyourhealth。I’mcharmedtohaveenteredintoalliancewithyou。By-the-by，"headdedsuddenly，hasthisyoungHippolytecomedowntostaywithyou"Yes。"
　　"He’snotgoingtodieatonce，Ishouldthink，ishe？"
　　"Why？"
　　"Oh，Idon’tknow。I’vebeenhalfanhourherewithhim，andhe——"
　　Hippolytehadbeenwaitingfortheprinceallthistime，andhadneverceasedlookingathimandEvgeniePavlovitchastheyconversedinthecorner。Hebecamemuchexcitedwhentheyapproachedthetableoncemore。Hewasdisturbedinhismind，itseemed；perspirationstoodinlargedropsonhisforehead；inhisgleamingeyesitwaseasytoreadimpatienceandagitation；hisgazewanderedfromfacetofaceofthosepresent，andfromobjecttoobjectintheroom，apparentlywithoutaim。Hehadtakenapart，andananimatedone，inthenoisyconversationofthecompany；buthisanimationwasclearlytheoutcomeoffever。Histalkwasalmostincoherent；hewouldbreakoffinthemiddleofasentencewhichhehadbegunwithgreatinterest，andforgetwhathehadbeensaying。TheprincediscoveredtohisdismaythatHippolytehadbeenallowedtodrinktwolargeglassesofchampagne；theonenowstandingbyhimbeingthethird。Allthishefoundoutafterwards；atthemomenthedidnotnoticeanything，veryparticularly。
　　"DoyouknowIamspeciallygladthattodayisyourbirthday！"
　　criedHippolyte。
　　"Why？"
　　"You’llsoonsee。D’youknowIhadafeelingthattherewouldbealotofpeopleheretonight？It’snotthefirsttimethatmypresentimentshavebeenfulfilled。IwishIhadknownitwasyourbirthday，I’dhavebroughtyouapresent——perhapsIhavegotapresentforyou！Whoknows？Ha，ha！Howlongisitnowbeforedaylight？"
　　"Notacoupleofhours，"saidPtitsin，lookingathiswatch。
　　What’sthegoodofdaylightnow？Onecanreadallnightintheopenairwithoutit，"saidsomeone。
　　"Thegoodofit！Well，Iwantjusttoseearayofthesun，"saidHippolyte。Canonedrinktothesun’shealth，doyouthink，prince？"
　　"Oh，Idaresayonecan；butyouhadbetterbecalmandliedown，Hippolyte——that’smuchmoreimportant。
　　"Youarealwayspreachingaboutresting；youarearegularnursetome，prince。Assoonasthesunbeginsto’resound’inthesky——whatpoetsaidthat？’Thesunresoundedinthesky。’Itisbeautiful，thoughthere’snosenseinit！——thenwewillgotobed。Lebedeff，tellme，isthesunthesourceoflife？Whatdoesthesource，or’spring，’oflifereallymeanintheApocalypse？
　　Youhaveheardofthe’StarthatiscalledWormwood，’prince？"
　　"IhaveheardthatLebedeffexplainsitastherailroadsthatcoverEuropelikeanet。"
　　Everybodylaughed，andLebedeffgotupabruptly。
　　"No！Allowme，thatisnotwhatwearediscussing！"hecried，wavinghishandtoimposesilence。"Allowme！Withthesegentlemen……allthesegentlemen，"headded，suddenlyaddressingtheprince，"oncertainpoints……thatis……"Hethumpedthetablerepeatedly，andthelaughterincreased。Lebedeffwasinhisusualeveningcondition，andhadjustendedalongandscientificargument，whichhadlefthimexcitedandirritable。Onsuchoccasionshewasapttoevinceasupremecontemptforhisopponents。
　　"Itisnotright！Halfanhourago，prince，itwasagreedamongusthatnooneshouldinterrupt，nooneshouldlaugh，thateachpersonwastoexpresshisthoughtsfreely；andthenattheend，wheneveryonehadspoken，objectionsmightbemade，evenbytheatheists。Wechosethegeneralaspresident。Nowwithoutsomesuchruleandorder，anyonemightbeshouteddown，evenintheloftiestandmostprofoundthought……"
　　"Goon！Goon！Nobodyisgoingtointerruptyou！"criedseveralvoices。
　　"Speak，butkeeptothepoint！"
　　"Whatisthis’star’？"askedanother。
　　Ihavenoidea，"repliedGeneralIvolgin，whopresidedwithmuchgravity。
　　"Ilovethesearguments，prince，"saidKeller，alsomorethanhalfintoxicated，movingrestlesslyinhischair。"Scientificandpolitical。"Then，turningsuddenlytowardsEvgeniePavlovitch，whowasseatednearhim:"Doyouknow，IsimplyadorereadingtheaccountsofthedebatesintheEnglishparliament。Notthatthediscussionsthemselvesinterestme；Iamnotapolitician，youknow；butitdelightsmetoseehowtheyaddresseachother’thenoblelordwhoagreeswithme，’’myhonourableopponentwhoastonishedEuropewithhisproposal，’’thenobleviscountsittingopposite’——alltheseexpressions，allthisparliamentarismofafreepeople，hasanenormousattractionforme。Itfascinatesme，prince。Ihavealwaysbeenanartistinthedepthsofmysoul，I
　　assureyou，EvgeniePavlovitch。"
　　"Doyoumeantosay，"criedGania，fromtheothercorner，"doyoumeantosaythatrailwaysareaccursedinventions，thattheyareasourceofruintohumanity，apoisonpouredupontheearthtocorruptthespringsoflife？"
　　GavrilaArdalionovitchwasinhighspiritsthatevening，anditseemedtotheprincethathisgaietywasmingledwithtriumph。OfcoursehewasonlyjokingwithLebedeff，meaningtoegghimon，buthegrewexcitedhimselfatthesametime。
　　"Nottherailways，ohdear，no！"repliedLebedeff，withamixtureofviolentangerandextremeenjoyment。"Consideredalone，therailwayswillnotpollutethespringsoflife，butasawholetheyareaccursed。Thewholetendencyofourlatestcenturies，initsscientificandmaterialisticaspect，ismostprobablyaccursed。"
　　"Isitcertainlyaccursed？……ordoyouonlymeanitmightbe？
　　Thatisanimportantpoint，"saidEvgeniePavlovitch。
　　"Itisaccursed，certainlyaccursed！"repliedtheclerk，vehemently。
　　"Don’tgosofast，Lebedeff；youaremuchmilderinthemorning，"
　　saidPtitsin，smiling。
　　"But，ontheotherhand，morefrankintheevening！Intheeveningsincereandfrank，"repeatedLebedeff，earnestly。"Morecandid，moreexact，morehonest，morehonourable，and……
　　althoughImayshowyoumyweakside，Ichallengeyouall；youatheists，forinstance！Howareyougoingtosavetheworld？Howfindastraightroadofprogress，youmenofscience，ofindustry，ofcooperation，oftradesunions，andalltherest？
　　Howareyougoingtosaveit，Isay？Bywhat？Bycredit？Whatiscredit？Towhatwillcreditleadyou？"
　　"Youaretooinquisitive，"remarkedEvgeniePavlovitch。
　　"Well，anyonewhodoesnotinteresthimselfinquestionssuchasthisis，inmyopinion，amerefashionabledummy。"
　　"Butitwillleadatleasttosolidarity，andbalanceofinterests，"saidPtitsin。
　　"Youwillreachthatwithnothingtohelpyoubutcredit？Withoutrecoursetoanymoralprinciple，havingforyourfoundationonlyindividualselfishness，andthesatisfactionofmaterialdesires？
　　Universalpeace，andthehappinessofmankindasawhole，beingtheresult！IsitreallysothatImayunderstandyou，sir？"
　　"Buttheuniversalnecessityofliving，ofdrinking，ofeating——
　　inshort，thewholescientificconvictionthatthisnecessitycanonlybesatisfiedbyuniversalco-operationandthesolidarityofinterests——is，itseemstome，astrongenoughideatoserveasabasis，sotospeak，anda’springoflife，’forhumanityinfuturecenturies，"saidGavrilaArdalionovitch，nowthoroughlyroused。
　　"Thenecessityofeatinganddrinking，thatistosay，solelytheinstinctofself-preservation……"
　　"Isnotthatenough？Theinstinctofself-preservationisthenormallawofhumanity……"
　　"Whotoldyouthat？"brokeinEvgeniePavlovitch。
　　"Itisalaw，doubtless，butalawneithermorenorlessnormalthanthatofdestruction，evenself-destruction。Isitpossiblethatthewholenormallawofhumanityiscontainedinthissentimentofself-preservation？"
　　"Ah！"criedHippolyte，turningtowardsEvgeniePavlovitch，andlookingathimwithaqueersortofcuriosity。
　　ThenseeingthatRadomskiwaslaughing，hebegantolaughhimself，nudgedColia，whowassittingbesidehim，withhiselbow，andagainaskedwhattimeitwas。HeevenpulledColia’ssilverwatchoutofhishand，andlookedatiteagerly。Then，asifhehadforgotteneverything，hestretchedhimselfoutonthesofa，puthishandsbehindhishead，andlookedupatthesky。
　　AfteraminuteortwohegotupandcamebacktothetabletolistentoLebedeff’soutpourings，asthelatterpassionatelycommentatedonEvgeniePavlovitch’sparadox。
　　"Thatisanartfulandtraitorousidea。Asmartnotion，"
　　vociferatedtheclerk，"thrownoutasanappleofdiscord。Butitisjust。Youareascoffer，amanoftheworld，acavalryofficer，and，thoughnotwithoutbrains，youdonotrealizehowprofoundisyourthought，norhowtrue。Yes，thelawsofself-
　　preservationandofself-destructionareequallypowerfulinthisworld。Thedevilwillholdhisempireoverhumanityuntilalimitoftimewhichisstillunknown。Youlaugh？Youdonotbelieveinthedevil？ScepticismastothedevilisaFrenchidea，anditisalsoafrivolousidea。Doyouknowwhothedevilis？Doyouknowhisname？Althoughyoudon’tknowhisnameyoumakeamockeryofhisform，followingtheexampleofVoltaire。Yousneerathishoofs，athistail，athishorns——allofthemtheproduceofyourimagination！Inrealitythedevilisagreatandterriblespirit，withneitherhoofs，nortail，norhorns；itisyouwhohaveendowedhimwiththeseattributes！But……heisnotthequestionjustnow！"
　　"Howdoyouknowheisnotthequestionnow？"criedHippolyte，laughinghysterically。
　　"Anotherexcellentidea，andworthconsidering！"repliedLebedeff。"But，again，thatisnotthequestion。Thequestionatthismomentiswhetherwehavenotweakened’thespringsoflife’
　　bytheextension……"
　　"Ofrailways？"putinColiaeagerly。
　　"Notrailways，properlyspeaking，presumptuousyouth，butthegeneraltendencyofwhichrailwaysmaybeconsideredastheoutwardexpressionandsymbol。Wehurryandpushandhustle，forthegoodofhumanity！’Theworldisbecomingtoonoisy，toocommercial！’groanssomesolitarythinker。’Undoubtedlyitis，butthenoiseofwaggonsbearingbreadtostarvinghumanityisofmorevaluethantranquillityofsoul，’repliesanothertriumphantly，andpassesonwithanairofpride。Asforme，I
　　don’tbelieveinthesewaggonsbringingbreadtohumanity。For，foundedonnomoralprinciple，thesemaywell，evenintheactofcarryingbreadtohumanity，coldlyexcludeaconsiderableportionofhumanityfromenjoyingit；thathasbeenseenmorethanonce。
　　"What，thesewaggonsmaycoldlyexclude？"repeatedsomeone。
　　"Thathasbeenseenalready，"continuedLebedeff，notdeigningtonoticetheinterruption。"Malthuswasafriendofhumanity，but，withill-foundedmoralprinciples，thefriendofhumanityisthedevourerofhumanity，withoutmentioninghispride；for，touchthevanityofoneofthesenumberlessphilanthropists，andtoavengehisself-esteem，hewillbereadyatoncetosetfiretothewholeglobe；andtotellthetruth，weareallmoreorlesslikethat。I，perhaps，mightbethefirsttosetalighttothefuel，andthenrunaway。But，again，Imustrepeat，thatisnotthequestion。"
　　"Whatisitthen，forgoodness’sake？"
　　"Heisboringus！"
　　"Thequestionisconnectedwiththefollowinganecdoteofpasttimes；forIamobligedtorelateastory。Inourtimes，andinourcountry，whichIhopeyouloveasmuchasIdo，forasfarasIamconcerned，Iamreadytoshedthelastdropofmyblood……
　　"Goon！Goon！"
　　"Inourdearcountry，asindeedinthewholeofEurope，afaminevisitshumanityaboutfourtimesacentury，asfarasIcanremember；onceineverytwenty-fiveyears。Iwon’tsweartothisbeingtheexactfigure，butanyhowtheyhavebecomecomparativelyrare。"
　　"Comparativelytowhat？"
　　"Tothetwelfthcentury，andthoseimmediatelyprecedingandfollowingit。Wearetoldbyhistoriansthatwidespreadfaminesoccurredinthosedayseverytwoorthreeyears，andsuchwastheconditionofthingsthatmenactuallyhadrecoursetocannibalism，insecret，ofcourse。Oneofthesecannibals，whohadreachedagoodage，declaredofhisownfreewillthatduringthecourseofhislongandmiserablelifehehadpersonallykilledandeaten，inthemostprofoundsecrecy，sixtymonks，nottomentionseveralchildren；thenumberofthelatterhethoughtwasaboutsix，aninsignificanttotalwhencomparedwiththeenormousmassofecclesiasticsconsumedbyhim。Astoadults，laymenthatistosay，hehadnevertouchedthem。"
　　Thepresidentjoinedinthegeneraloutcry。
　　"That’simpossible！"saidheinanaggrievedtone。"Iamoftendiscussingsubjectsofthisnaturewithhim，gentlemen，butforthemostparthetalksnonsenseenoughtomakeonedeaf:thisstoryhasnopretenceofbeingtrue。"
　　"General，rememberthesiegeofKars！Andyou，gentlemen，I
　　assureyoumyanecdoteisthenakedtruth。Imayremarkthatreality，althoughitisgovernedbyinvariablelaw，hasattimesaresemblancetofalsehood。Infact，thetruerathingisthelesstrueitsounds。"
　　"Butcouldanyonepossiblyeatsixtymonks？"objectedthescoffinglisteners。
　　"Itisquiteclearthathedidnoteatthemallatonce，butinaspaceoffifteenortwentyyears:fromthatpointofviewthethingiscomprehensibleandnatural……"
　　"Natural？"
　　"Andnatural，"repeatedLebedeffwithpedanticobstinacy。
　　"Besides，aCatholicmonkisbynatureexcessivelycurious；itwouldbequiteeasythereforetoenticehimintoawood，orsomesecretplace，onfalsepretences，andtheretodealwithhimassaid。ButIdonotdisputeintheleastthatthenumberofpersonsconsumedappearstodenoteaspiceofgreediness。"
　　"Itisperhapstrue，gentlemen，"saidtheprince，quietly。Hehadbeenlisteninginsilenceuptothatmomentwithouttakingpartintheconversation，butlaughingheartilywiththeothersfromtimetotime。Evidentlyhewasdelightedtoseethateverybodywasamused，thateverybodywastalkingatonce，andeventhateverybodywasdrinking。Itseemedasifhewerenotintendingtospeakatall，whensuddenlyheintervenedinsuchaseriousvoicethateveryonelookedathimwithinterest。
　　"Itistruethattherewerefrequentfaminesatthattime，gentlemen。Ihaveoftenheardofthem，thoughIdonotknowmuchhistory。Butitseemstomethatitmusthavebeenso。WhenIwasinSwitzerlandIusedtolookwithastonishmentatthemanyruinsoffeudalcastlesperchedonthetopofsteepandrockyheights，halfamileatleastabovesea-level，sothattoreachthemonehadtoclimbmanymilesofstonytracks。Acastle，asyouknow，is，akindofmountainofstones——adreadful，almostanimpossible，labour！Doubtlessthebuilderswereallpoormen，vassals，andhadtopayheavytaxes，andtokeepupthepriesthood。How，then，couldtheyprovideforthemselves，andwhenhadtheytimetoploughandsowtheirfields？Thegreaternumbermust，literally，havediedofstarvation。Ihavesometimesaskedmyselfhowitwasthatthesecommunitieswerenotutterlysweptoffthefaceoftheearth，andhowtheycouldpossiblysurvive。Lebedeffisnotmistaken，inmyopinion，whenhesaysthattherewerecannibalsinthosedays，perhapsinconsiderablenumbers；butIdonotunderstandwhyheshouldhavedraggedinthemonks，norwhathemeansbythat。"
　　"Itisundoubtedlybecause，inthetwelfthcentury，monksweretheonlypeopleonecouldeat；theywerethefat，amongmanylean，"saidGavrilaArdalionovitch。
　　"Abrilliantidea，andmosttrue！"criedLebedeff，"forhenevereventouchedthelaity。Sixtymonks，andnotasinglelayman！Itisaterribleidea，butitishistoric，itisstatistic；itisindeedoneofthosefactswhichenablesanintelligenthistoriantoreconstructthephysiognomyofaspecialepoch，foritbringsoutthisfurtherpointwithmathematicalaccuracy，thattheclergywereinthosedayssixtytimesricherandmoreflourishingthantherestofhumanity。andperhapssixtytimesfatteralso……"
　　"Youareexaggerating，youareexaggerating，Lebedeff！"criedhishearers，amidlaughter。
　　"Iadmitthatitisanhistoricthought，butwhatisyourconclusion？"askedtheprince。
　　HespokesoseriouslyinaddressingLebedeff，thathistonecontrastedquitecomicallywiththatoftheothers。Theywereverynearlylaughingathim，too，buthedidnotnoticeit。
　　"Don’tyouseeheisalunatic，prince？"whisperedEvgeniePavlovitchinhisear。"Someonetoldmejustnowthatheisabittouchedonthesubjectoflawyers，thathehasamaniaformakingspeechesandintendstopasstheexaminations。Iamexpectingasplendidburlesquenow。"
　　"Myconclusionisvast，"repliedLebedeff，inavoicelikethunder。"Letusexaminefirstthepsychologicalandlegalpositionofthecriminal。Weseethatinspiteofthedifficultyoffindingotherfood，theaccused，or，aswemaysay，myclient，hasoftenduringhispeculiarlifeexhibitedsignsofrepentance，andofwishingtogiveupthisclericaldiet。Incontrovertiblefactsprovethisassertion。Hehaseatenfiveorsixchildren，arelativelyinsignificantnumber，nodoubt，butremarkableenoughfromanotherpointofview。Itismanifestthat，prickedbyremorse——formyclientisreligious，inhisway，andhasaconscience，asIshallprovelater——anddesiringtoextenuatehissinasfaraspossible，hehastriedsixtimesatleasttosubstitutelaynourishmentforclerical。Thatthiswasmerelyanexperimentwecanhardlydoubt:forifithadbeenonlyaquestionofgastronomicvariety，sixwouldhavebeentoofew；whyonlysix？Whynotthirty？Butifweregarditasanexperiment，inspiredbythefearofcommittingnewsacrilege，thenthisnumbersixbecomesintelligible。Sixattemptstocalmhisremorse，andtheprickingofhisconscience，wouldamplysuffice，fortheseattemptscouldscarcelyhavebeenhappyones。Inmyhumbleopinion，achildistoosmall；Ishouldsay，notsufficient；whichwouldresultinfourorfivetimesmorelaychildrenthanmonksbeingrequiredinagiventime。Thesin，lessenedontheonehand，wouldthereforebeincreasedontheother，inquantity，notinquality。Pleaseunderstand，gentlemen，thatinreasoningthus，Iamtakingthepointofviewwhichmighthavebeentakenbyacriminalofthemiddleages。Asformyself，amanofthelatenineteenthcentury，I，ofcourse，shouldreasondifferently；Isaysoplainly，andthereforeyouneednotjeeratmenormockme，gentlemen。Asforyou，general，itisstillmoreunbecomingonyourpart。Inthesecondplace，andgivingmyownpersonalopinion，achild’sfleshisnotasatisfyingdiet；itistooinsipid，toosweet；andthecriminal，inmakingtheseexperiments，couldhavesatisfiedneitherhisconsciencenorhisappetite。Iamabouttoconclude，gentlemen；andmyconclusioncontainsareplytooneofthemostimportantquestionsofthatdayandofourown！Thiscriminalendedatlastbydenouncinghimselftotheclergy，andgivinghimselfuptojustice。Wecannotbutask，rememberingthepenalsystemofthatday，andthetorturesthatawaitedhim——thewheel，thestake，thefire！——wecannotbutask，Irepeat，whatinducedhimtoaccusehimselfofthiscrime？Whydidhenotsimplystopshortatthenumbersixty，andkeephissecretuntilhislastbreath？Whycouldhenotsimplyleavethemonksalone，andgointothedeserttorepent？
　　Orwhynotbecomeamonkhimself？Thatiswherethepuzzlecomesin！Theremusthavebeensomethingstrongerthanthestakeorthefire，oreventhanthehabitsoftwentyyears！Theremusthavebeenanideamorepowerfulthanallthecalamitiesandsorrowsofthisworld，famineortorture，leprosyorplague——anideawhichenteredintotheheart，directedandenlargedthespringsoflife，andmadeeventhathellsupportabletohumanity！Showmeaforce，apowerlikethat，inthisourcenturyofvicesandrailways！Imightsay，perhaps，inourcenturyofsteamboatsandrailways，butIrepeatinourcenturyofvicesandrailways，becauseIamdrunkbuttruthful！Showmeasingleideawhichunitesmennowadayswithhalfthestrengththatithadinthosecenturies，anddaretomaintainthatthe’springsoflife’havenotbeenpollutedandweakenedbeneaththis’star，’beneaththisnetworkinwhichmenareentangled！Don’ttalktomeaboutyourprosperity，yourriches，therarityoffamine，therapidityofthemeansoftransport！Thereismoreofriches，butlessofforce。Theideaunitingheartandsoultoheartandsoulexistsnomore。Allisloose，soft，limp——weareallofuslimp……
　　Enough，gentlemen！Ihavedone。Thatisnotthequestion。No，thequestionisnow，excellency，Ibelieve，tositdowntothebanquetyouareabouttoprovideforus！"
　　Lebedeffhadrousedgreatindignationinsomeofhisauditorsitshouldberemarkedthatthebottleswereconstantlyuncorkedduringhisspeech；butthisunexpectedconclusioncalmedeventhemostturbulentspirits。"That’showacleverbarristermakesagoodpoint！"saidhe，whenspeakingofhisperorationlateron。
　　Thevisitorsbegantolaughandchatteronceagain；thecommitteelefttheirseats，andstretchedtheirlegsontheterrace。KelleralonewasstilldisgustedwithLebedeffandhisspeech；heturnedfromonetoanother，sayinginaloudvoice:
　　"Heattackseducation，heboastsofthefanaticismofthetwelfthcentury，hemakesabsurdgrimaces，andaddedtothatheisbynomeanstheinnocenthemakeshimselfouttobe。Howdidhegetthemoneytobuythishouse，allowmetoask？"
　　Inanothercornerwasthegeneral，holdingforthtoagroupofhearers，amongthemPtitsin，whomhehadbuttonholed。"Ihaveknown，"saidhe，"arealinterpreteroftheApocalypse，thelateGregorySemeonovitchBurmistroff，andhe——hepiercedtheheartlikeafieryflash！Hebeganbyputtingonhisspectacles，thenheopenedalargeblackbook；hiswhitebeard，andhistwomedalsonhisbreast，recallingactsofcharity，alladdedtohisimpressiveness。Hebeganinasternvoice，andbeforehimgenerals，hardmenoftheworld，boweddown，andladiesfelltothegroundfainting。Butthisonehere——heendsbyannouncingabanquet！Thatisnottherealthing！"
　　Ptitsinlistenedandsmiled，thenturnedasiftogethishat；
　　butifhehadintendedtoleave，hechangedhismind。Beforetheothershadrisenfromthetable，Ganiahadsuddenlyleftoffdrinking，andpushedawayhisglass，adarkshadowseemedtocomeoverhisface。Whentheyallrose，hewentandsatdownbyRogojin。Itmighthavebeenbelievedthatquitefriendlyrelationsexistedbetweenthem。Rogojin，whohadalsoseemedonthepointofgoingawaynowsatmotionless，hisheadbent，seemingtohaveforgottenhisintention。Hehaddrunknowine，andappearedabsorbedinreflection。Fromtimetotimeheraisedhiseyes，andexaminedeveryonepresent；onemighthaveimaginedthathewasexpectingsomethingveryimportanttohimself，andthathehaddecidedtowaitforit。Theprincehadtakentwoorthreeglassesofchampagne，andseemedcheerful。AsherosehenoticedEvgeniePavlovitch，and，rememberingtheappointmenthehadmadewithhim，smiledpleasantly。EvgeniePavlovitchmadeasignwithhisheadtowardsHippolyte，whomhewasattentivelywatching。Theinvalidwasfastasleep，stretchedoutonthesofa。
　　"Tellme，prince，whyonearthdidthisboyintrudehimselfuponyou？"heasked，withsuchannoyanceandirritationinhisvoicethattheprincewasquitesurprised。"Iwouldn’tmindlayingoddsthatheisuptosomemischief。"
　　"Ihaveobserved，"saidtheprince，"thatheseemstobeanobjectofverysingularinteresttoyou，EvgeniePavlovitch。Whyisit？"
　　"YoumayaddthatIhavesurelyenoughtothinkof，onmyownaccount，withouthim；andthereforeitisallthemoresurprisingthatIcannottearmyeyesandthoughtsawayfromhisdetestablephysiognomy。"
　　"Oh，come！Hehasahandsomeface。"
　　"Why，lookathim——lookathimnow！"
　　TheprinceglancedagainatEvgeniePavlovitchwithconsiderablesurprise。
　　V。
　　HIPPOLYTE，whohadfallenasleepduringLebedeff’sdiscourse，nowsuddenlywokeup，justasthoughsomeonehadjoggedhimintheside。Heshuddered，raisedhimselfonhisarm，gazedaround，andgrewverypale。Alookalmostofterrorcrossedhisfaceasherecollected。
　　"What！aretheyalloff？Isitallover？Isthesunup？"Hetrembled，andcaughtattheprince’shand。"Whattimeisit？Tellme，quick，forgoodness’sake！HowlonghaveIslept？"headded，almostindespair，justasthoughhehadoversleptsomethinguponwhichhiswholefatedepended。
　　"Youhavesleptsevenorperhapseightminutes，"saidEvgeniePavlovitch。
　　Hippolytegazedeagerlyatthelatter，andmusedforafewmoments。
　　"Oh，isthatall？"hesaidatlast。"ThenI——"
　　Hedrewalong，deepbreathofrelief，asitseemed。Herealizedthatallwasnotoverasyet，thatthesunhadnotrisen，andthattheguestshadmerelygonetosupper。Hesmiled，andtwohecticspotsappearedonhischeeks。
　　"SoyoucountedtheminuteswhileIslept，didyou，EvgeniePavlovitch？"hesaid，ironically。"Youhavenottakenyoureyesoffmealltheevening——Ihavenoticedthatmuch，yousee！Ah，Rogojin！I’vejustbeendreamingabouthim，prince，"headded，frowning。"Yes，bytheby，"startingup，"where’stheorator？
　　Where’sLebedeff？Hashefinished？Whatdidhetalkabout？Isittrue，prince，thatyouoncedeclaredthat’beautywouldsavetheworld’？GreatHeaven！Theprincesaysthatbeautysavestheworld！AndIdeclarethatheonlyhassuchplayfulideasbecausehe’sinlove！Gentlemen，theprinceisinlove。Iguesseditthemomenthecamein。Don’tblush，prince；youmakemesorryforyou。Whatbeautysavestheworld？ColiatoldmethatyouareazealousChristian；isitso？ColiasaysyoucallyourselfaChristian。"
　　Theprinceregardedhimattentively，butsaidnothing。
　　"Youdon’tanswerme；perhapsyouthinkIamveryfondofyou？"
　　addedHippolyte，asthoughthewordshadbeendrawnfromhim。
　　"No，Idon’tthinkthat。Iknowyoudon’tloveme。"
　　"What，afteryesterday？Wasn’tIhonestwithyou？"
　　"Iknewyesterdaythatyoudidn’tloveme。"
　　"Whyso？whyso？BecauseIenvyyou，eh？Youalwaysthinkthat，I
　　know。ButdoyouknowwhyIamsayingallthis？Lookhere！Imusthavesomemorechampagne——pourmeoutsome，Keller，willyou？"
　　"No，you’renottodrinkanymore，Hippolyte。Iwon’tletyou。"
　　Theprincemovedtheglassaway。
　　"Wellperhapsyou’reright，"saidHippolyte，musing。Theymightsay——yet，deviltakethem！whatdoesitmatter？——prince，whatcanitmatterwhatpeoplewillsayofusTHEN，eh？IbelieveI’mhalfasleep。I’vehadsuchadreadfuldream——I’veonlyjustrememberedit。Prince，Idon’twishyousuchdreamsasthat，thoughsureenough，perhaps，IDON’Tloveyou。Whywishamanevil，thoughyoudonotlovehim，eh？Givemeyourhand——letmepressitsincerely。There——you’vegivenmeyourhand——youmustfeelthatI
　　DOpressitsincerely，don’tyou？Idon’tthinkIshalldrinkanymore。Whattimeisit？Nevermind，Iknowthetime。Thetimehascome，atallevents。What！theyarelayingsupperoverthere，arethey？Thenthistableisfree？Capital，gentlemen！I——hem！thesegentlemenarenotlistening。Prince，IwilljustreadoveranarticleIhavehere。Supperismoreinteresting，ofcourse，but——"
　　HereHippolytesuddenly，andmostunexpectedly，pulledoutofhisbreast-pocketalargesealedpaper。Thisimposing-lookingdocumentheplaceduponthetablebeforehim。
　　Theeffectofthissuddenactionuponthecompanywasinstantaneous。EvgeniePavlovitchalmostboundedoffhischairinexcitement。Rogojindrewnearertothetablewithalookonhisfaceasifheknewwhatwascoming。Ganiacamenearertoo；sodidLebedeffandtheothers——thepaperseemedtobeanobjectofgreatinteresttothecompanyingeneral。
　　"Whathaveyougotthere？"askedtheprince，withsomeanxiety。
　　"Atthefirstglimpseoftherisingsun，prince，Iwillgotobed。ItoldyouIwould，wordofhonour！Youshallsee！"criedHippolyte。"YouthinkI’mnotcapableofopeningthispacket，doyou？"Heglareddefiantlyroundattheaudienceingeneral。
　　Theprinceobservedthathewastremblingallover。
　　"Noneofuseverthoughtsuchathing！"Muishkinrepliedforall。
　　"Whyshouldyousupposeitofus？Andwhatareyougoingtoread，Hippolyte？Whatisit？"
　　"Yes，whatisit？"askedothers。Thepacketsealedwithredwaxseemedtoattracteveryone，asthoughitwereamagnet。
　　"Iwrotethisyesterday，myself，justafterIsawyou，prince，andtoldyouIwouldcomedownhere。Iwrotealldayandallnight，andfinisheditthismorningearly。AfterwardsIhadadream。"
　　"Hadn’twebetterhearittomorrow？"askedtheprincetimidly。
　　"Tomorrow’therewillbenomoretime！’"laughedHippolyte，hysterically。"Youneedn’tbeafraid；Ishallgetthroughthewholethinginfortyminutes，atmostanhour！Lookhowinterestedeverybodyis！Everybodyhasdrawnnear。Look！lookatthemallstaringatmysealedpacket！IfIhadn’tsealeditupitwouldn’thavebeenhalfsoeffective！Ha，ha！that’smystery，thatis！Nowthen，gentlemen，shallIbreakthesealornot？Saytheword；it’samystery，Itellyou——asecret！Prince，youknowwhosaidtherewouldbe’nomoretime’？ItwasthegreatandpowerfulangelintheApocalypse。"
　　"Betternotreaditnow，"saidtheprince，puttinghishandonthepacket。
　　"No，don’treadit！"criedEvgeniesuddenly。Heappearedsostrangelydisturbedthatmanyofthosepresentcouldnothelpwondering。
　　"Reading？Noneofyourreadingnow！"saidsomebody；"it’ssupper-
　　time。""Whatsortofanarticleisit？Forapaper？Probablyit’sverydull，"saidanother。Buttheprince’stimidgesturehadimpressedevenHippolyte。
　　"ThenI’mnottoreadit？"hewhispered，nervously。"AmInottoreadit？"herepeated，gazingaroundateachfaceinturn。"Whatareyouafraidof，prince？"heturnedandaskedthelattersuddenly。
　　"WhatshouldIbeafraidof？"
　　"Hasanyoneacoinaboutthem？Givemeatwenty-copeckpiece，somebody！"AndHippolyteleaptfromhischair。
　　"Hereyouare，"saidLebedeff，handinghimone；hethoughttheboyhadgonemad。
　　"VeraLukianovna，"saidHippolyte，"tossit，willyou？Heads，I
　　read，tails，Idon’t。"
　　VeraLebedefftossedthecoinintotheairandletitfallonthetable。
　　Itwas"heads。"
　　"ThenIreadit，"saidHippolyte，inthetoneofonebowingtothefiatofdestiny。Hecouldnothavegrownpalerifaverdictofdeathhadsuddenlybeenpresentedtohim。
　　"Butafterall，whatisit？IsitpossiblethatIshouldhavejustriskedmyfatebytossingup？"hewenton，shuddering；andlookedroundhimagain。Hiseyeshadacuriousexpressionofsincerity。"Thatisanastonishingpsychologicalfact，"hecried，suddenlyaddressingtheprince，inatoneofthemostintensesurprise。"Itis……itissomethingquiteinconceivable，prince，"herepeatedwithgrowinganimation，likeamanregainingconsciousness。"Takenoteofit，prince，rememberit；youcollect，Iamtold，factsconcerningcapitalpunishment……Theytoldmeso。Ha，ha！MyGod，howabsurd！"Hesatdownonthesofa，puthiselbowsonthetable，andlaidhisheadonhishands。"Itisshameful——thoughwhatdoesitmattertomeifitisshameful？
　　"Gentlemen，gentlemen！Iamabouttobreaktheseal，"hecontinued，withdetermination。"I-I——ofcourseIdon’tinsistuponanyonelisteningiftheydonotwishto。"
　　Withtremblingfingershebrokethesealanddrewoutseveralsheetsofpaper，smoothedthemoutbeforehim，andbegansortingthem。
　　"Whatonearthdoesallthismean？What’shegoingtoread？"
　　mutteredseveralvoices。Otherssaidnothing；butoneandallsatdownandwatchedwithcuriosity。Theybegantothinksomethingstrangemightreallybeabouttohappen。Verastoodandtrembledbehindherfather’schair，almostintearswithfright；Coliawasnearlyasmuchalarmedasshewas。LebedeffjumpedupandputacoupleofcandlesnearertoHippolyte，sothathemightseebetter。
　　"Gentlemen，this——you’llsoonseewhatthisis，"beganHippolyte，andsuddenlycommencedhisreading。
　　"It’sheaded，’ANecessaryExplanation，’withthemotto，’Apresmoiledeluge！’Oh，deucetakeitall！SurelyIcanneverhaveseriouslywrittensuchasillymottoasthat？Lookhere，gentlemen，Ibegtogivenoticethatallthisisverylikelyterriblenonsense。Itisonlyafewideasofmine。Ifyouthinkthatthereisanythingmysteriouscoming——orinaword——"
　　"Betterreadonwithoutanymorebeatingaboutthebush，"saidGania。
　　"Affectation！"remarkedsomeoneelse。
　　"Toomuchtalk，"saidRogojin，breakingthesilenceforthefirsttime。
　　Hippolyteglancedathimsuddenly，andwhentheireye，metRogojinshowedhisteethinadisagreeablesmile，andsaidthefollowingstrangewords:"That’snotthewaytosettlethisbusiness，myfriend；that’snotthewayatall。"
　　OfcoursenobodyknewwhatRogojinmeantbythis；buthiswordsmadeadeepimpressionuponall。Everyoneseemedtoseeinaflashthesameidea。
　　AsforHippolyte，theireffectuponhimwasastounding。Hetrembledsothattheprincewasobligedtosupporthim，andwouldcertainlyhavecriedout，butthathisvoiceseemedtohaveentirelylefthimforthemoment。Foraminuteortwohecouldnotspeakatall，butpantedandstaredatRogojin。Atlasthemanagedtoejaculate:
　　"ThenitwasYOUwhocame——YOU——YOU？"
　　"Camewhere？Whatdoyoumean？"askedRogojin，amazed。ButHippolyte，pantingandchokingwithexcitement，interruptedhimviolently。
　　"YOUcametomelastweek，inthenight，attwoo’clock，thedayIwaswithyouinthemorning！Confessitwasyou！"
　　"Lastweek？Inthenight？Haveyougonecracked，mygoodfriend？"
　　Hippolytepausedandconsideredamoment。Thenasmileofcunning——almosttriumph——crossedhislips。
　　"Itwasyou，"hemurmured，almostinawhisper，butwithabsoluteconviction。"Yes，itwasyouwhocametomyroomandsatsilentlyonachairatmywindowforawholehour——more！Itwasbetweenoneandtwoatnight；youroseandwentoutataboutthree。Itwasyou，you！Whyyoushouldhavefrightenedmeso，whyyoushouldhavewishedtotormentmelikethat，Icannottell——butyouitwas。"
　　Therewasabsolutehatredinhiseyesashesaidthis，buthislookoffearandhistremblinghadnotlefthim。
　　"Youshallhearallthisdirectly，gentlemen。I-I——listen！"
　　Heseizedhispaperinadesperatehurry；hefidgetedwithit，andtriedtosortit，butforalongwhilehistremblinghandscouldnotcollectthesheetstogether。"He’seithermadordelirious，"murmuredRogojin。Atlasthebegan。
　　Forthefirstfiveminutesthereader’svoicecontinuedtotremble，andhereaddisconnectedlyandunevenly；butgraduallyhisvoicestrengthened。Occasionallyaviolentfitofcoughingstoppedhim，buthisanimationgrewwiththeprogressofthereading——asdidalsothedisagreeableimpressionwhichitmadeuponhisaudience，——untilitreachedthehighestpitchofexcitement。
　　Hereisthearticle。
　　MYNECESSARYEXPLANATION。
　　"Apresmoiledeluge。
　　"Yesterdaymorningtheprincecametoseeme。Amongotherthingsheaskedmetocomedowntohisvilla。Iknewhewouldcomeandpersuademetothisstep，andthathewouldadducetheargumentthatitwouldbeeasierformetodie’amongpeopleandgreentrees，’——asheexpressedit。Buttodayhedidnotsay’die，’hesaid’live。’Itisprettymuchthesametome，inmyposition，whichhesays。WhenIaskedhimwhyhemadesuchapointofhis’greentrees，’hetoldme，tomyastonishment，thathehadheardthatlasttimeIwasinPavlofskIhadsaidthatIhadcome’tohavealastlookatthetrees。’
　　"WhenIobservedthatitwasallthesamewhetheronediedamongtreesorinfrontofablankbrickwall，ashere，andthatitwasnotworthmakinganyfussoverafortnight，heagreedatonce。
　　ButheinsistedthatthegoodairatPavlofskandthegreennesswouldcertainlycauseaphysicalchangeforthebetter，andthatmyexcitement，andmyDREAMS，wouldbeperhapsrelieved。I
　　remarkedtohim，withasmile，thathespokelikeamaterialist，andheansweredthathehadalwaysbeenone。Ashenevertellsalie，theremustbesomethinginhiswords。Hissmileisapleasantone。Ihavehadagoodlookathim。Idon’tknowwhetherIlikehimornot；andIhavenotimetowasteoverthequestion。
　　ThehatredwhichIfeltforhimforfivemonthshasbecomeconsiderablymodified，Imaysay，duringthelastmonth。Whoknows，perhapsIamgoingtoPavlofskonpurposetoseehim！ButwhydoIleavemychamber？Thosewhoaresentencedtodeathshouldnotleavetheircells。IfIhadnotformedafinalresolve，buthaddecidedtowaituntilthelastminute，Ishouldnotleavemyroom，oraccepthisinvitationtocomeanddieatPavlofsk。Imustbequickandfinishthisexplanationbeforetomorrow。Ishallhavenotimetoreaditoverandcorrectit，forImustreadittomorrowtotheprinceandtwoorthreewitnesseswhomIshallprobablyfindthere。
　　"Asitwillbeabsolutelytrue，withoutatouchoffalsehood，I
　　amcurioustoseewhatimpressionitwillmakeuponmemyselfatthemomentwhenIreaditout。Thisismy’lastandsolemn’——butwhyneedIcallitthat？Thereisnoquestionaboutthetruthofit，foritisnotworthwhilelyingforafortnight；afortnightoflifeisnotitselfworthhaving，whichisaproofthatIwritenothingherebutpuretruth。
　　"N。B——Letmeremembertoconsider；amImadatthismoment，ornot？orratheratthesemoments？Ihavebeentoldthatconsumptivessometimesdogooutoftheirmindsforawhileinthelaststagesofthemalady。IcanprovethistomorrowwhenI
　　readitout，bytheimpressionitmakesupontheaudience。Imustsettlethisquestiononceandforall，otherwiseIcan’tgoonwithanything。
　　"IbelieveIhavejustwrittendreadfulnonsense；butthere’snotimeforcorrecting，asIsaidbefore。Besidesthat，IhavemademyselfapromisenottoalterasinglewordofwhatIwriteinthispaper，eventhoughIfindthatIamcontradictingmyselfeveryfivelines。Iwishtoverifytheworkingofthenaturallogicofmyideastomorrowduringthereading——whetherIamcapableofdetectinglogicalerrors，andwhetherallthatIhavemeditatedoverduringthelastsixmonthsbetrue，ornothingbutdelirium。
　　"IftwomonthssinceIhadbeencalledupontoleavemyroomandtheviewofMeyer’swallopposite，IverilybelieveIshouldhavebeensorry。ButnowIhavenosuchfeeling，andyetIamleavingthisroomandMeyer’sbrickwallFOREVER。Sothatmyconclusion，thatitisnotworthwhileindulgingingrief，oranyotheremotion，forafortnight，hasprovedstrongerthanmyverynature，andhastakenoverthedirectionofmyfeelings。Butisitso？Isitthecasethatmynatureisconqueredentirely？IfI
　　weretobeputontheracknow，Ishouldcertainlycryout。I
　　shouldnotsaythatitisnotworthwhiletoyellandfeelpainbecauseIhavebutafortnighttolive。
　　"ButisittruethatIhavebutafortnightoflifelefttome？I
　　knowItoldsomeofmyfriendsthatDoctorB。hadinformedmethatthiswasthecase；butInowconfessthatIlied；B。hasnotevenseenme。However，aweekago，Icalledinamedicalstudent，Kislorodoff，whoisaNationalist，anAtheist，andaNihilist，byconviction，andthatiswhyIhadhim。Ineededamanwhowouldtellmethebaretruthwithoutanyhumbugorceremony——andsohedid——indeed，almostwithpleasurewhichIthoughtwasgoingalittletoofar。
　　"Well，heplumpedoutthatIhadaboutamonthleftme；itmightbealittlemore，hesaid，underfavourablecircumstances，butitmightalsobeconsiderablyless。AccordingtohisopinionI
　　mightdiequitesuddenly——tomorrow，forinstance——therehadbeensuchcases。OnlyadayortwosinceayoungladyatColomnawhosufferedfromconsumption，andwasaboutonaparwithmyselfinthemarchofthedisease，wasgoingouttomarkettobuyprovisions，whenshesuddenlyfeltfaint，laydownonthesofa，gaspedonce，anddied。
　　"Kislorodofftoldmeallthiswithasortofexaggerateddevil-
　　may-carenegligence，andasthoughhedidmegreathonourbytalkingtomeso，becauseitshowedthatheconsideredmethesamesortofexaltedNihilisticbeingashimself，towhomdeathwasamatterofnoconsequencewhatever，eitherway。
　　"Atallevents，thefactremained——amonthoflifeandnomore！