Whydoyouteasehim？"criedtheprince，suddenly。
　　"You’vemovedhimtotears，"addedFerdishenko。ButHippolytewasbynomeansweeping。Hewasabouttomovefromhisplace，whenhisfourguardsrushedathimandseizedhimoncemore。Therewasalaughatthis。
　　"Heleduptothisonpurpose。Hetookthetroubleofwritingallthatsothatpeopleshouldcomeandgrabhimbythearm，"
　　observedRogojin。"Good-night，prince。Whatatimewe’vesathere，myverybonesache！"
　　"Ifyoureallyintendedtoshootyourself，Terentieff，"saidEvgeniePavlovitch，laughing，"ifIwereyou，afterallthesecompliments，Ishouldjustnotshootmyselfinordertovexthemall。"
　　"Theyareveryanxioustoseemeblowmybrainsout，"saidHippolyte，bitterly。
　　"Yes，they’llbeawfullyannoyediftheydon’tseeit。"
　　"Thenyouthinktheywon’tseeit？"
　　"Iamnottryingtoeggyouon。Onthecontrary，Ithinkitverylikelythatyoumayshootyourself；buttheprincipalthingistokeepcool，"saidEvgeniewithadrawl，andwithgreatcondescension。
　　"IonlynowperceivewhataterriblemistakeImadeinreadingthisarticletothem，"saidHippolyte，suddenly，addressingEvgenie，andlookingathimwithanexpressionoftrustandconfidence，asthoughhewereapplyingtoafriendforcounsel。
　　"Yes，it’sadrollsituation；Ireallydon’tknowwhatadvicetogiveyou，"repliedEvgenie，laughing。Hippolytegazedsteadfastlyathim，butsaidnothing。Tolookathimonemighthavesupposedthathewasunconsciousatintervals。
　　"Excuseme，"saidLebedeff，"butdidyouobservetheyounggentleman’sstyle？’I’llgoandblowmybrainsoutinthepark，’
　　sayshe，’soasnottodisturbanyone。’Hethinkshewon’tdisturbanybodyifhegoesthreeyardsaway，intothepark，andblowshisbrainsoutthere。"
　　"Gentlemen——"begantheprince。
　　"No，no，excuseme，mostreveredprince，"Lebedeffinterrupted，excitedly。"Sinceyoumusthaveobservedyourselfthatthisisnojoke，andsinceatleasthalfyourguestsmustalsohaveconcludedthatafterallthathasbeensaidthisyouthMUSTblowhisbrainsoutforhonour’ssake——I——asmasterofthishouse，andbeforethesewitnesses，nowcalluponyoutotakesteps。"
　　"Yes，butwhatamItodo，Lebedeff？WhatstepsamItotake？I
　　amready。"
　　"I’lltellyou。Inthefirstplacehemustimmediatelydeliverupthepistolwhichheboastedof，withallitsappurtenances。IfhedoesthisIshallconsenttohisbeingallowedtospendthenightinthishouse——consideringhisfeeblestateofhealth，andofcourseconditionallyuponhisbeingunderpropersupervision。Buttomorrowhemustgoelsewhere。Excuseme，prince！Shouldherefusetodeliveruphisweapon，thenIshallinstantlyseizeoneofhisarmsandGeneralIvolgintheother，andweshallholdhimuntilthepolicearriveandtakethematterintotheirownhands。
　　Mr。Ferdishenkowillkindlyfetchthem。"
　　Atthistherewasadreadfulnoise；Lebedeffdancedaboutinhisexcitement；Ferdishenkopreparedtogoforthepolice；Ganiafranticallyinsistedthatitwasallnonsense，"fornobodywasgoingtoshootthemselves。"EvgeniePavlovitchsaidnothing。
　　"Prince，"whisperedHippolyte，suddenly，hiseyesallablaze，"youdon’tsupposethatIdidnotforeseeallthishatred？"Helookedattheprinceasthoughheexpectedhimtoreply，foramoment。"Enough！"headdedatlength，andaddressingthewholecompany，hecried:"It’sallmyfault，gentlemen！Lebedeff，here’sthekey，"hetookoutasmallbunchofkeys；"thisone，thelastbutone——Coliawillshowyou——Colia，where’sColia？"hecried，lookingstraightatColiaandnotseeinghim。"Yes，he’llshowyou；hepackedthebagwithmethismorning。Takehimup，Colia；mybagisupstairsintheprince’sstudy，underthetable。
　　Here’sthekey，andinthelittlecaseyou’llfindmypistolandthepowder，andall。Coliapackedithimself，Mr。Lebedeff；he’llshowyou；butit’sonconditionthattomorrowmorning，whenI
　　leaveforPetersburg，youwillgivemebackmypistol，doyouhear？Idothisfortheprince’ssake，notyours。"
　　"Capital，that’smuchbetter！"criedLebedeff，andseizingthekeyhemadeoffinhaste。
　　Coliastoppedamomentasthoughhewishedtosaysomething；butLebedeffdraggedhimaway。
　　Hippolytelookedaroundatthelaughingguests。Theprinceobservedthathisteethwerechatteringasthoughinaviolentattackofague。
　　"Whatbrutestheyallare！"hewhisperedtotheprince。Wheneverheaddressedhimheloweredhisvoice。
　　"Letthemalone，you’retooweaknow——"
　　Yes，directly；I’llgoawaydirectly。I’ll——"
　　SuddenlyheembracedMuishkin。
　　"PerhapsyouthinkIammad，eh？"heaskedhim，laughingverystrangely。
　　"No，butyou——"
　　"Directly，directly！Standstillamoment，Iwishtolookinyoureyes；don’tspeak——standso——letmelookatyou！Iambiddingfarewelltomankind。"
　　Hestoodsofortenseconds，gazingattheprince，motionless，deadlypale，histempleswetwithperspiration；heheldtheprince’shandinastrangegrip，asthoughafraidtolethimgo。
　　"Hippolyte，Hippolyte，whatisthematterwithyou？"criedMuishkin。
　　"Directly！There，that’senough。I’llliedowndirectly。Imustdrinktothesun’shealth。Iwishto——Iinsistuponit！Letgo！"
　　Heseizedaglassfromthetable，brokeawayfromtheprince，andinamomenthadreachedtheterracesteps。
　　Theprincemadeafterhim，butitsohappenedthatatthismomentEvgeniePavlovitchstretchedouthishandtosaygood-night。Thenextinstanttherewasageneraloutcry，andthenfollowedafewmomentsofindescribableexcitement。
　　Reachingthesteps，Hippolytehadpaused，holdingtheglassinhislefthandwhileheputhisrighthandintohiscoatpocket。
　　Kellerinsistedafterwardsthathehadheldhisrighthandinhispocketallthewhile，whenhewasspeakingtotheprince，andthathehadheldthelatter’sshoulderwithhislefthandonly。
　　Thiscircumstance，Kelleraffirmed，hadledhimtofeelsomesuspicionfromthefirst。Howeverthismaybe，KellerranafterHippolyte，buthewastoolate。
　　HecaughtsightofsomethingflashinginHippolyte’srighthand，andsawthatitwasapistol。Herushedathim，butatthatveryinstantHippolyteraisedthepistoltohistempleandpulledthetrigger。Therefollowedasharpmetallicclick，butnoreport。
　　WhenKellerseizedthewould-besuicide，thelatterfellforwardintohisarms，probablyactuallybelievingthathewasshot。
　　Kellerhadholdofthepistolnow。Hippolytewasimmediatelyplacedinachair，whilethewholecompanythrongedaroundexcitedly，talkingandaskingeachotherquestions。Everyoneofthemhadheardthesnapofthetrigger，andyettheysawaliveandapparentlyunharmedmanbeforethem。
　　Hippolytehimselfsatquiteunconsciousofwhatwasgoingon，andgazedaroundwithasenselessexpression。
　　LebedeffandColiacamerushingupatthismoment。
　　"Whatisit？"someoneasked，breathlessly——"Amisfire？"
　　"Perhapsitwasn’tloaded，"saidseveralvoices。
　　"It’sloadedallright，"saidKeller，examiningthepistol，"but——"
　　"What！diditmissfire？"
　　"Therewasnocapinit，"Kellerannounced。
　　Itwouldbedifficulttodescribethepitiablescenethatnowfollowed。Thefirstsensationofalarmsoongaveplacetoamusement；someburstoutlaughingloudandheartily，andseemedtofindamalicioussatisfactioninthejoke。PoorHippolytesobbedhysterically；hewrunghishands；heapproachedeveryoneinturn——evenFerdishenko——andtookthembybothhands，andsworesolemnlythathehadforgotten——absolutelyforgotten——
　　"accidentally，andnotonpurpose，"——toputacapin——thathe"hadtenofthem，atleast，inhispocket。"Hepulledthemoutandshowedthemtoeveryone；heprotestedthathehadnotlikedtoputoneinbeforehandforfearofanaccidentalexplosioninhispocket。Thathehadthoughthewouldhavelotsoftimetoputitinafterwards——whenrequired——and，that，intheheatofthemoment，hehadforgottenallaboutit。Hethrewhimselfupontheprince，thenonEvgeniePavlovitch。HeentreatedKellertogivehimbackthepistol，andhe’dsoonshowthemallthat"hishonour——hishonour，"——buthewas"dishonoured，now，forever！"
　　Hefellsenselessatlast——andwascarriedintotheprince’sstudy。
　　Lebedeff，nowquitesobereddown，sentforadoctor；andheandhisdaughter，withBurdovskyandGeneralIvolgin，remainedbythesickman’scouch。
　　Whenhewascarriedawayunconscious，Kellerstoodinthemiddleoftheroom，andmadethefollowingdeclarationtothecompanyingeneral，inaloudtoneofvoice，withemphasisuponeachword。
　　"Gentlemen，ifanyoneofyoucastsanydoubtagain，beforeme，uponHippolyte’sgoodfaith，orhintsthatthecapwasforgottenintentionally，orsuggeststhatthisunhappyboywasactingapartbeforeus，Ibegtoannouncethatthepersonsospeakingshallaccounttomeforhiswords。"
　　Noonereplied。
　　Thecompanydepartedveryquickly，inamass。Ptitsin，Gania，andRogojinwentawaytogether。
　　TheprincewasmuchastonishedthatEvgeniePavlovitchchangedhismind，andtookhisdeparturewithouttheconversationhehadrequested。
　　"Why，youwishedtohaveatalkwithmewhentheothersleft？"hesaid。
　　"Quiteso，"saidEvgenie，sittingdownsuddenlybesidehim，"butIhavechangedmymindforthetimebeing。Iconfess，Iamtoodisturbed，andso，Ithink，areyou；andthematterastowhichI
　　wishedtoconsultyouistooserioustotacklewithone’smindevenalittledisturbed；tooseriousbothformyselfandforyou。
　　Yousee，prince，foronceinmylifeIwishtoperformanabsolutelyhonestaction，thatis，anactionwithnoulteriormotive；andIthinkIamhardlyinaconditiontotalkofitjustatthismoment，and——and——well，we’lldiscussitanothertime。
　　Perhapsthemattermaygaininclearnessifwewaitfortwoorthreedays——justthetwoorthreedayswhichImustspendinPetersburg。"
　　Hereheroseagainfromhischair，sothatitseemedstrangethatheshouldhavethoughtitworthwhiletositdownatall。
　　Theprincethought，too，thathelookedvexedandannoyed，andnotnearlysofriendlytowardshimselfashehadbeenearlierinthenight。
　　"Isupposeyouwillgotothesufferer’sbedsidenow？"headded。
　　"Yes，Iamafraid……"begantheprince。
　　"Oh，youneedn’tfear！He’llliveanothersixweeksallright。
　　Verylikelyhewillrecoveraltogether；butIstronglyadviseyoutopackhimofftomorrow。"
　　"IthinkImayhaveoffendedhimbysayingnothingjustnow。IamafraidhemaysuspectthatIdoubtedhisgoodfaith，——aboutshootinghimself，youknow。Whatdoyouthink，EvgeniePavlovitch？"
　　"Notabitofit！Youaremuchtoogoodtohim；youshouldn’tcareahangaboutwhathethinks。Ihaveheardofsuchthingsbefore，butnevercameacross，tilltonight，amanwhowouldactuallyshoothimselfinordertogainavulgarnotoriety，orblowouthisbrainsforspite，ifhefindsthatpeopledon’tcaretopathimonthebackforhissanguinaryintentions。Butwhatastonishesmemorethananythingisthefellow’scandidconfessionofweakness。You’dbettergetridofhimtomorrow，inanycase。
　　"Doyouthinkhewillmakeanotherattempt？"
　　"Ohno，nothe，notnow！Butyouhavetobeverycarefulwiththissortofgentleman。Crimeistoooftenthelastresourceofthesepettynonentities。Thisyoungfellowisquitecapableofcuttingthethroatsoftenpeople，simplyforalark，ashetoldusinhis’explanation。’Iassureyouthoseconfoundedwordsofhiswillnotletmesleep。"
　　"Ithinkyoudisturbyourselftoomuch。"
　　"Whatanextraordinarypersonyouare，prince！Doyoumeantosaythatyoudoubtthefactthatheiscapableofmurderingtenmen？"
　　"Idaren’tsay，onewayortheother；allthisisverystrange——
　　but——"
　　"Well，asyoulike，justasyoulike，"saidEvgeniePavlovitch，irritably。"Onlyyouaresuchapluckyfellow，takecareyoudon’tgetincludedamongthetenvictims！"
　　"Oh，heismuchmorelikelynottokillanyoneatall，"saidtheprince，gazingthoughtfullyatEvgenie。Thelatterlaugheddisagreeably。
　　"Well，aurevoir！Didyouobservethathe’willed’acopyofhisconfessiontoAglayaIvanovna？"
　　"Yes，Idid；Iamthinkingofit。"
　　"Inconnectionwith’theten，’eh？"laughedEvgenie，ashelefttheroom。
　　Anhourlater，towardsfouro’clock，theprincewentintothepark。Hehadendeavouredtofallasleep，butcouldnot，owingtothepainfulbeatingofhisheart。
　　Hehadleftthingsquietandpeaceful；theinvalidwasfastasleep，andthedoctor，whohadbeencalledin，hadstatedthattherewasnospecialdanger。Lebedeff，Colia，andBurdovskywerelyingdowninthesick-room，readytotakeitinturnstowatch。
　　Therewasnothingtofear，therefore，athome。
　　Buttheprince’smentalperturbationincreasedeverymoment。Hewanderedaboutthepark，lookingabsentlyaroundhim，andpausedinastonishmentwhenhesuddenlyfoundhimselfintheemptyspacewiththerowsofchairsroundit，neartheVauxhall。Thelookoftheplacestruckhimasdreadfulnow:soheturnedroundandwentbythepathwhichhehadfollowedwiththeEpanchinsonthewaytotheband，untilhereachedthegreenbenchwhichAglayahadpointedoutfortheirrendezvous。Hesatdownonitandsuddenlyburstintoaloudfitoflaughter，immediatelyfollowedbyafeelingofirritation。Hisdisturbanceofmindcontinued；hefeltthathemustgoawaysomewhere，anywhere。
　　Abovehisheadsomelittlebirdsangout，ofasudden；hebegantopeeraboutforitamongtheleaves。Suddenlythebirddartedoutofthetreeandaway，andinstantlyhethoughtofthe"flybuzzingaboutinthesun’srays"thatHippolytehadtalkedof；
　　howthatitknewitsplaceandwasaparticipatorintheuniversallife，whilehealonewasan"outcast。"Thispicturehadimpressedhimatthetime，andhemeditateduponitnow。Anold，forgottenmemoryawokeinhisbrain，andsuddenlyburstintoclearnessandlight。ItwasarecollectionofSwitzerland，duringthefirstyearofhiscure，theveryfirstmonths。Atthattimehehadbeenprettynearlyanidiotstill；hecouldnotspeakproperly，andhaddifficultyinunderstandingwhenothersspoketohim。Heclimbedthemountain-side，onesunnymorning，andwanderedlongandaimlesslywithacertainthoughtinhisbrain，whichwouldnotbecomeclear。Abovehimwastheblazingsky，below，thelake；allaroundwasthehorizon，clearandinfinite。
　　Helookedoutuponthis，longandanxiously。Herememberedhowhehadstretchedouthisarmstowardsthebeautiful，boundlessblueofthehorizon，andwept，andwept。Whathadsotormentedhimwastheideathathewasastrangertoallthis，thathewasoutsidethisgloriousfestival。
　　Whatwasthisuniverse？Whatwasthisgrand，eternalpageanttowhichhehadyearnedfromhischildhoodup，andinwhichhecouldnevertakepart？Everymorningthesamemagnificentsun；everymorningthesamerainbowinthewaterfall；everyeveningthesameglowonthesnow-mountains。
　　Everylittleflythatbuzzedinthesun’srayswasasingerintheuniversalchorus，"knewitsplace，andwashappyinit。
　　"Everybladeofgrassgrewandwashappy。Everythingknewitspathandlovedit，wentforthwithasongandreturnedwithasong；onlyheknewnothing，understoodnothing，neithermennorwords，noranyofnature’svoices；hewasastrangerandanoutcast。
　　Oh，hecouldnotthenspeakthesewords，orexpressallhefelt！
　　Hehadbeentormenteddumbly；butnowitappearedtohimthathemusthavesaidtheseverywords——eventhen——andthatHippolytemusthavetakenhispictureofthelittleflyfromhistearsandwordsofthattime。
　　Hewassureofit，andhisheartbeatexcitedlyatthethought，heknewnotwhy。
　　Hefellasleeponthebench；buthismentaldisquietcontinuedthroughhisslumbers。
　　Justbeforehedozedoff，theideaofHippolytemurderingtenmenflittedthroughhisbrain，andhesmiledattheabsurdityofsuchathought。
　　Aroundhimallwasquiet；onlytheflutterandwhisperoftheleavesbrokethesilence，butbrokeitonlytocauseittoappearyetmoredeepandstill。
　　Hedreamedmanydreamsashesatthere，andallwerefullofdisquiet，sothatheshudderedeverymoment。
　　Atlengthawomanseemedtoapproachhim。Heknewher，oh！heknewheronlytoowell。Hecouldalwaysnameherandrecognizeheranywhere；but，strange，sheseemedtohavequiteadifferentfacefromhers，ashehadknownit，andhefeltatormentingdesiretobeabletosayshewasnotthesamewoman。Inthefacebeforehimtherewassuchdreadfulremorseandhorrorthathethoughtshemustbeacriminal，thatshemusthavejustcommittedsomeawfulcrime。
　　Tearsweretremblingonherwhitecheek。Shebeckonedhim，butplacedherfingeronherlipasthoughtowarnhimthathemustfollowherveryquietly。Hisheartfrozewithinhim。Hewouldn’t，heCOULDN’Tconfesshertobeacriminal，andyethefeltthatsomethingdreadfulwouldhappenthenextmoment，somethingwhichwouldblasthiswholelife。
　　Sheseemedtowishtoshowhimsomething，notfaroff，inthepark。
　　Herosefromhisseatinordertofollowher，whenabright，clearpealoflaughterrangoutbyhisside。Hefeltsomebody’shandsuddenlyinhisown，seizedit，pressedithard，andawoke。
　　BeforehimstoodAglaya，laughingaloud。
　　VIII。
　　SHElaughed，butshewasratherangrytoo。
　　"He’sasleep！Youwereasleep，"shesaid，withcontemptuoussurprise。
　　"Isitreallyyou？"mutteredtheprince，notquitehimselfasyet，andrecognizingherwithastartofamazement。"Ohyes，ofcourse，"headded，"thisisourrendezvous。Ifellasleephere。"
　　"SoIsaw。"
　　"Didnooneawakemebesidesyourself？Wastherenooneelsehere？Ithoughttherewasanotherwoman。"
　　"Therewasanotherwomanhere？"
　　Atlasthewaswideawake。
　　"Itwasadream，ofcourse，"hesaid，musingly。"StrangethatI
　　shouldhaveadreamlikethatatsuchamoment。Sitdown——"
　　Hetookherhandandseatedheronthebench；thensatdownbesideherandreflected。
　　Aglayadidnotbegintheconversation，butcontentedherselfwithwatchinghercompanionintently。
　　Helookedbackather，butattimesitwasclearthathedidnotseeherandwasnotthinkingofher。
　　Aglayabegantoflushup。
　　"Ohyes！"criedtheprince，starting。"Hippolyte’ssuicide——"
　　"What？Atyourhouse？"sheasked，butwithoutmuchsurprise。"Hewasaliveyesterdayevening，wasn’the？Howcouldyousleephereafterthat？"shecried，growingsuddenlyanimated。
　　"Oh，buthedidn’tkillhimself；thepistoldidn’tgooff。"
　　Aglayainsistedonhearingthewholestory。Shehurriedtheprincealong，butinterruptedhimwithallsortsofquestions，nearlyallofwhichwereirrelevant。Amongotherthings，sheseemedgreatlyinterestedineverywordthatEvgeniePavlovitchhadsaid，andmadetheprincerepeatthatpartofthestoryoverandoveragain。
　　"Well，that’lldo；wemustbequick，"sheconcluded，afterhearingall。"Wehaveonlyanhourhere，tilleight；Imustbehomebythenwithoutfail，sothattheymaynotfindoutthatI
　　cameandsatherewithyou；butI’vecomeonbusiness。Ihaveagreatdealtosaytoyou。Butyouhavebowledmeoverconsiderablywithyournews。AstoHippolyte，Ithinkhispistolwasboundnottogooff；itwasmoreconsistentwiththewholeaffair。Areyousurehereallywishedtoblowhisbrainsout，andthattherewasnohumbugaboutthematter？"
　　"Nohumbugatall。"
　　"Verylikely。Sohewrotethatyouweretobringmeacopyofhisconfession，didhe？Whydidn’tyoubringit？"
　　"Why，hedidn’tdie！I’llaskhimforit，ifyoulike。"
　　"Bringitbyallmeans；youneedn’taskhim。Hewillbedelighted，youmaybesure；for，inallprobability，heshotathimselfsimplyinorderthatImightreadhisconfession。Don’tlaughatwhatIsay，please，LefNicolaievitch，becauseitmayverywellbethecase。"
　　"I’mnotlaughing。Iamconvinced，myself，thatthatmayhavebeenpartlythereason。
　　"Youareconvinced？Youdon’treallymeantosayyouthinkthathonestly？"askedAglaya，extremelysurprised。
　　Sheputherquestionsveryquicklyandtalkedfast，everynowandthenforgettingwhatshehadbeguntosay，andnotfinishinghersentence。Sheseemedtobeimpatienttowarntheprinceaboutsomethingorother。Shewasinastateofunusualexcitement，andthoughsheputonabraveandevendefiantair，sheseemedtoberatheralarmed。Shewasdressedverysimply，butthissuitedherwell。Shecontinuallytrembledandblushed，andshesatontheveryedgeoftheseat。
　　Thefactthattheprinceconfirmedheridea，aboutHippolyteshootinghimselfthatshemightreadhisconfession，surprisedhergreatly。
　　"Ofcourse，"addedtheprince，"hewishedusalltoapplaudhisconduct——besidesyourself。"
　　"Howdoyoumean——applaud？"
　　"Well——howamItoexplain？Hewasveryanxiousthatweshouldallcomearoundhim，andsayweweresosorryforhim，andthatwelovedhimverymuch，andallthat；andthatwehopedhewouldn’tkillhimself，butremainalive。Verylikelyhethoughtmoreofyouthantherestofus，becausehementionedyouatsuchamoment，thoughperhapshedidnotknowhimselfthathehadyouinhismind’seye。"
　　"Idon’tunderstandyou。Howcouldhehavemeinview，andnotbeawareofithimself？Andyet，Idon’tknow——perhapsIdo。DoyouknowIhaveintendedtopoisonmyselfatleastthirtytimes——eversinceIwasthirteenorso——andtowritetomyparentsbeforeI
　　didit？Iusedtothinkhowniceitwouldbetolieinmycoffin，andhavethemallweepingovermeandsayingitwasalltheirfaultforbeingsocruel，andallthat——whatareyousmilingat？"
　　sheadded，knittingherbrow。"WhatdoYOUthinkofwhenyougomooningaboutalone？Isupposeyouimagineyourselfafield-
　　marshal，andthinkyouhaveconqueredNapoleon？"
　　"Well，Ireallyhavethoughtsomethingofthesortnowandthen，especiallywhenjustdozingoff，"laughedtheprince。"OnlyitistheAustrianswhomIconquer——notNapoleon。"
　　"Idon’twishtojokewithyou，LefNicolaievitch。IshallseeHippolytemyself。Tellhimso。Asforyou，Ithinkyouarebehavingverybadly，becauseitisnotrighttojudgeaman’ssoulasyouarejudgingHippolyte’s。Youhavenogentleness，butonlyjustice——soyouareunjust。"
　　Theprincereflected。
　　"Ithinkyouareunfairtowardsme，"hesaid。"ThereisnothingwronginthethoughtsIascribetoHippolyte；theyareonlynatural。ButofcourseIdon’tknowforcertainwhathethought。
　　Perhapshethoughtnothing，butsimplylongedtoseehumanfacesoncemore，andtohearhumanpraiseandfeelhumanaffection。Whoknows？Onlyitallcameoutwrong，somehow。Somepeoplehaveluck，andeverythingcomesoutrightwiththem；othershavenone，andneverathingturnsoutfortunately。"
　　"Isupposeyouhavefeltthatinyourowncase，"saidAglaya。
　　"Yes，Ihave，"repliedtheprince，quiteunsuspiciousofanyironyintheremark。
　　"H’m——well，atallevents，Ishouldn’thavefallenasleephere，inyourplace。Itwasn’tniceofyou，that。Isupposeyoufallasleepwhereveryousitdown？"
　　"ButIdidn’tsleepawinkallnight。Iwalkedandwalkedabout，andwenttowherethemusicwas——"
　　"Whatmusic？"
　　"Wheretheyplayedlastnight。ThenIfoundthisbenchandsatdown，andthoughtandthought——andatlastIfellfastasleep。"
　　"Oh，isthatit？Thatmakesadifference，perhaps。Whatdidyougotothebandstandfor？"
　　"Idon’tknow；I——"
　　"Verywell——afterwards。Youarealwaysinterruptingme。Whatwomanwasityouweredreamingabout？"
　　"Itwas——about——yousawher——"
　　"Quiteso；Iunderstand。Iunderstandquitewell。Youarevery——
　　Well，howdidsheappeartoyou？Whatdidshelooklike？No，I
　　don’twanttoknowanythingabouther，"saidAglaya，angrily；
　　"don’tinterruptme——"
　　Shepausedamomentasthoughgettingbreath，ortryingtomasterherfeelingofannoyance。
　　"Lookhere；thisiswhatIcalledyouherefor。Iwishtomakeyoua——toaskyoutobemyfriend。Whatdoyoustareatmelikethatfor？"sheadded，almostangrily。
　　Theprincecertainlyhaddartedaratherpiercinglookather，andnowobservedthatshehadbeguntoblushviolently。Atsuchmoments，themoreAglayablushed，theangriershegrewwithherself；andthiswasclearlyexpressedinhereyes，whichflashedlikefire。Asarule，sheventedherwrathonherunfortunatecompanion，beitwhoitmight。Shewasveryconsciousofherownshyness，andwasnotnearlysotalkativeashersistersforthisreason——infact，attimesshewasmuchtooquiet。When，therefore，shewasboundtotalk，especiallyatsuchdelicatemomentsasthis，sheinvariablydidsowithanairofhaughtydefiance。Shealwaysknewbeforehandwhenshewasgoingtoblush，longbeforetheblushcame。
　　"Perhapsyoudonotwishtoacceptmyproposition？"sheasked，gazinghaughtilyattheprince。
　　"Ohyes，Ido；butitissounnecessary。Imean，Ididnotthinkyouneedmakesuchaproposition，"saidtheprince，lookingconfused。
　　"Whatdidyousuppose，then？WhydidyouthinkIinvitedyououthere？Isupposeyouthinkmea’littlefool，’astheyallcallmeathome？"
　　"Ididn’tknowtheycalledyouafool。Icertainlydon’tthinkyouone。"
　　"Youdon’tthinkmeone！Oh，dearme！——that’sverycleverofyou；
　　youputitsoneatly，too。"
　　"Inmyopinion，youarefarfromafoolsometimes——infact，youareveryintelligent。YousaidaverycleverthingjustnowaboutmybeingunjustbecauseIhadONLYjustice。Ishallrememberthat，andthinkaboutit。"
　　Aglayablushedwithpleasure。Allthesechangesinherexpressioncameaboutsonaturallyandsorapidly——theydelightedtheprince；hewatchedher，andlaughed。
　　"Listen，"shebeganagain；"Ihavelongwaitedtotellyouallthis，eversincethetimewhenyousentmethatletter——evenbeforethat。HalfofwhatIhavetosayyouheardyesterday。I
　　consideryouthemosthonestanduprightofmen——morehonestanduprightthananyotherman；andifanybodysaysthatyourmindis——issometimesaffected，youknow——itisunfair。Ialwayssaysoandupholdit，becauseevenifyoursurfacemindbealittleaffectedofcourseyouwillnotfeelangrywithmefortalkingso——Iamspeakingfromahigherpointofviewyetyourrealmindisfarbetterthanalltheirsputtogether。SuchamindastheyhaveneverevenDREAMEDof；becausereally，thereareTWOminds——
　　thekindthatmatters，andthekindthatdoesn’tmatter。Isn’titso？"
　　"Maybe！maybeso！"saidtheprince，faintly；hisheartwasbeatingpainfully。
　　"Iknewyouwouldnotmisunderstandme，"shesaid，triumphantly。
　　"PrinceS。andEvgeniePavlovitchandAlexandradon’tunderstandanythingaboutthesetwokindsofmind，but，justfancy，mammadoes！"
　　"YouareverylikeLizabethaProkofievna。"
　　"What！surelynot？"saidAglaya。
　　"Yes，youare，indeed。"
　　"Thankyou；Iamgladtobelikemamma，"shesaid，thoughtfully。
　　"Yourespectherverymuch，don’tyou？"sheadded，quiteunconsciousofthenaivenessofthequestion。
　　"VERYmuch；andIamsogladthatyouhaverealizedthefact。"
　　"Iamveryglad，too，becausesheisoftenlaughedatbypeople。
　　Butlistentothechiefpoint。Ihavelongthoughtoverthematter，andatlastIhavechosenyou。Idon’twishpeopletolaughatme；Idon’twishpeopletothinkmea’littlefool。’I
　　don’twanttobechaffed。Ifeltallthisofasudden，andI
　　refusedEvgeniePavlovitchflatly，becauseIamnotgoingtobeforeverthrownatpeople’sheadstobemarried。Iwant——Iwant——
　　well，I’lltellyou，Iwishtorunawayfromhome，andIhavechosenyoutohelpme。"
　　"Runawayfromhome？"criedtheprince。
　　"Yes——yes——yes！Runawayfromhome！"sherepeated，inatransportofrage。"Iwon’t，Iwon’tbemadetoblusheveryminutebythemall！Idon’twanttoblushbeforePrinceS。orEvgeniePavlovitch，oranyone，andthereforeIhavechosenyou。Ishalltellyoueverything，EVERYTHING，eventhemostimportantthingsofall，wheneverIlike，andyouaretohidenothingfrommeonyourside。Iwanttospeaktoatleastoneperson，asIwouldtomyself。TheyhavesuddenlybeguntosaythatIamwaitingforyou，andinlovewithyou。Theybeganthisbeforeyouarrivedhere，andsoIdidn’tshowthemtheletter，andnowtheyallsayit，everyoneofthem。Iwanttobebrave，andbeafraidofnobody。Idon’twanttogototheirballsandthings——Iwanttodogood。Ihavelongdesiredtorunaway，forIhavebeenkeptshutupfortwentyyears，andtheyarealwaystryingtomarrymeoff。IwantedtorunawaywhenIwasfourteenyearsold——Iwasalittlefoolthen，Iknow——butnowIhaveworkeditallout，andI
　　havewaitedforyoutotellmeaboutforeigncountries。IhaveneverseenasingleGothiccathedral。ImustgotoRome；Imustseeallthemuseums；ImuststudyinParis。AllthislastyearI
　　havebeenpreparingandreadingforbiddenbooks。AlexandraandAdelaidaareallowedtoreadanythingtheylike，butImayn’t。I
　　don’twanttoquarrelwithmysisters，butItoldmyparentslongagothatIwishtochangemysocialposition。Ihavedecidedtotakeupteaching，andIcountonyoubecauseyousaidyoulovedchildren。Canwegoinforeducationtogether——ifnotatonce，thenafterwards？Wecoulddogoodtogether。Iwon’tbeageneral’sdaughteranymore！Tellme，areyouaverylearnedman？"
　　"Ohno；notatall。"
　　"Oh-h-h！I’msorryforthat。Ithoughtyouwere。IwonderwhyI
　　alwaysthoughtso——butatalleventsyou’llhelpme，won’tyou？
　　BecauseI’vechosenyou，youknow。"
　　"AglayaIvanovna，it’sabsurd。"
　　ButIwill，IWILLrunaway！"shecried——andhereyesflashedagainwithanger——"andifyoudon’tagreeIshallgoandmarryGavrilaArdalionovitch！Iwon’tbeconsideredahorriblegirl，andaccusedofgoodnessknowswhat。"
　　"Areyououtofyourmind？"criedtheprince，almoststartingfromhisseat。"Whatdotheyaccuseyouof？Whoaccusesyou？"
　　"Athome，everybody，mother，mysisters，PrinceS。，eventhatdetestableColia！Iftheydon’tsayit，theythinkit。Itoldthemallsototheirfaces。Itoldmotherandfatherandeverybody。Mammawasillallthedayafterit，andnextdayfatherandAlexandratoldmethatIdidn’tunderstandwhatnonsenseIwastalking。Iinformedthemthattheylittleknewme——
　　Iwasnotasmallchild——Iunderstoodeverywordinthelanguage——
　　thatIhadreadacoupleofPauldeKok’snovelstwoyearssinceonpurpose，soastoknowallabouteverything。Nosoonerdidmammahearmesaythisthanshenearlyfainted！"
　　Astrangethoughtpassedthroughtheprince’sbrain；hegazedintentlyatAglayaandsmiled。
　　HecouldnotbelievethatthiswasthesamehaughtyyounggirlwhohadoncesoproudlyshownhimGania’sletter。Hecouldnotunderstandhowthatproudandausterebeautycouldshowherselftobesuchanutterchild——achildwhoprobablydidnotevennowunderstandsomewords。
　　"Haveyoualwayslivedathome，AglayaIvanovna？"heasked。"I
　　mean，haveyouneverbeentoschool，orcollege，oranything？"
　　"No——never——nowhere！I’vebeenathomeallmylife，corkedupinabottle；andtheyexpectmetobemarriedstraightoutofit。
　　Whatareyoulaughingatagain？Iobservethatyou，too，havetakentolaughingatme，andrangeyourselfontheirsideagainstme，"sheadded，frowningangrily。"Don’tirritateme——I’mbadenoughwithoutthat——Idon’tknowwhatIamdoingsometimes。IampersuadedthatyoucameheretodayinthefullbeliefthatIaminlovewithyou，andthatIarrangedthismeetingbecauseofthat，"shecried，withannoyance。
　　"IadmitIwasafraidthatthatwasthecase，yesterday，"
　　blunderedtheprincehewasratherconfused，"buttodayIamquiteconvincedthat"
　　"How？"criedAglaya——andherlowerliptrembledviolently。"YouwereAFRAIDthatI——youdaredtothinkthatI——goodgracious！yoususpected，perhaps，thatIsentforyoutocomehereinordertocatchyouinatrap，sothattheyshouldfindusheretogether，andmakeyoumarryme——"
　　"AglayaIvanovna，aren’tyouashamedofsayingsuchathing？Howcouldsuchahorribleideaenteryoursweet，innocentheart？Iamcertainyoudon’tbelieveawordofwhatyousay，andprobablyyoudon’tevenknowwhatyouaretalkingabout。"
　　Aglayasatwithhereyesontheground；sheseemedtohavealarmedevenherselfbywhatshehadsaid。
　　"No，I’mnot；I’mnotabitashamed！"shemurmured。"Andhowdoyouknowmyheartisinnocent？Andhowdaredyousendmealove——
　　letterthattime？"
　　"LOVE-LETTER？Myletteralove-letter？Thatletterwasthemostrespectfulofletters；itwentstraightfrommyheart，atwhatwasperhapsthemostpainfulmomentofmylife！Ithoughtofyouatthetimeasakindoflight。I——"
　　"Well，verywell，verywell！"shesaid，butquiteinadifferenttone。Shewasremorsefulnow，andbentforwardtotouchhisshoulder，thoughstilltryingnottolookhimintheface，asifthemorepersuasivelytobeghimnottobeangrywithher。"Verywell，"shecontinued，lookingthoroughlyashamedofherself，"I
　　feelthatIsaidaveryfoolishthing。Ionlydiditjusttotryyou。Takeitasunsaid，andifIoffendedyou，forgiveme。Don’tlookstraightatmelikethat，please；turnyourheadaway。Youcalledita’horribleidea’；Ionlysaidittoshockyou。VeryoftenIammyselfafraidofsayingwhatIintendtosay，andoutitcomesallthesame。Youhavejusttoldmethatyouwrotethatletteratthemostpainfulmomentofyourlife。Iknowwhatmomentthatwas！"sheaddedsoftly，lookingatthegroundagain。
　　"Oh，ifyoucouldknowall！"
　　"IDOknowall！"shecried，withanotherburstofindignation。
　　"Youwerelivinginthesamehouseasthathorriblewomanwithwhomyouranaway。"Shedidnotblushasshesaidthis；onthecontrary，shegrewpale，andstartedfromherseat，apparentlyobliviousofwhatshedid，andimmediatelysatdownagain。Herlipcontinuedtotrembleforalongtime。
　　Therewassilenceforamoment。Theprincewastakenabackbythesuddennessofthislastreply，anddidnotknowtowhatheshouldattributeit。
　　"Idon’tloveyouabit！"shesaidsuddenly，justasthoughthewordshadexplodedfromhermouth。
　　Theprincedidnotanswer，andtherewassilenceagain。"IloveGavrilaArdalionovitch，"shesaid，quickly；buthardlyaudibly，andwithherheadbentlowerthanever。
　　"ThatisNOTtrue，"saidtheprince，inanequallylowvoice。
　　"What！Itellstories，doI？Itistrue！Igavehimmypromiseacoupleofdaysagoonthisveryseat。"
　　Theprincewasstartled，andreflectedforamoment。
　　"Itisnottrue，"herepeated，decidedly；"youhavejustinventedit！"
　　"Youarewonderfullypolite。Youknowheisgreatlyimproved。Helovesmebetterthanhislife。Helethishandburnbeforemyveryeyesinordertoprovetomethathelovedmebetterthanhislife！"
　　"Heburnedhishand！"
　　"Yes，believeitornot！It’sallthesametome！"
　　Theprincesatsilentoncemore。Aglayadidnotseemtobejoking；shewastooangryforthat。
　　"What！hebroughtacandlewithhimtothisplace？Thatis，iftheepisodehappenedhere；otherwiseIcan’t"
　　"Yes，acandle！What’sthereimprobableaboutthat？"
　　"Awholeone，andinacandlestick？"
　　"Yes——no-halfacandle——anend，youknow——no，itwasawholecandle；it’sallthesame。Bequiet，can’tyou！Hebroughtaboxofmatchestoo，ifyoulike，andthenlightedthecandleandheldhisfingerinitforhalfanhourandmore！——There！Can’tthatbe？"
　　"Isawhimyesterday，andhisfingerswereallright！"
　　Aglayasuddenlyburstoutlaughing，assimplyasachild。
　　"DoyouknowwhyIhavejusttoldyoutheselies？"Sheappealedtotheprince，ofasudden，withthemostchildlikecandour，andwiththelaughstilltremblingonherlips。"Becausewhenonetellsalie，ifoneinsistsonsomethingunusualandeccentric——
　　somethingtoo’outoftheway’’foranything，youknow——themoreimpossiblethethingis，themoreplausibledoestheliesound。
　　I’venoticedthis。ButImanageditbadly；Ididn’tknowhowtoworkit。"Shesuddenlyfrownedagainatthispointasthoughatsomesuddenunpleasantrecollection。
　　"If"——shebegan，lookingseriouslyandevensadlyathim——"ifwhenIreadyouallthataboutthe’poorknight，’Iwishedto-topraiseyouforonething——IalsowishedtoshowyouthatIknewall——anddidnotapproveofyourconduct。"
　　"Youareveryunfairtome，andtothatunfortunatewomanofwhomyouspokejustnowinsuchdreadfulterms，Aglaya。"
　　"BecauseIknowall，all——andthatiswhyIspeakso。Iknowverywellhowyou——halfayearsince——offeredheryourhandbeforeeverybody。Don’tinterruptme。Yousee，Iammerelystatingfactswithoutanycommentuponthem。AfterthatsheranawaywithRogojin。Thenyoulivedwithheratsomevillageortown，andsheranawayfromyou。"Aglayablusheddreadfully。"ThenshereturnedtoRogojinagain，wholovesherlikeamadman。Thenyou——likeawisemanasyouare——camebackhereafterherassoonaseveryouheardthatshehadreturnedtoPetersburg。Yesterdayeveningyousprangforwardtoprotecther，andjustnowyoudreamedabouther。Yousee，Iknowall。Youdidcomebackhereforher，forher——nowdidn’tyou？"
　　"Yes——forher！"saidtheprincesoftlyandsadly，andbendinghisheaddown，quiteunconsciousofthefactthatAglayawasgazingathimwitheyeswhichburnedlikelivecoals。"Icametofindoutsomething——Idon’tbelieveinherfuturehappinessasRogojin’swife，although——inaword，Ididnotknowhowtohelpherorwhattodoforher——butIcame，onthechance。"
　　HeglancedatAglaya，whowaslisteningwithalookofhatredonherface。
　　"Ifyoucamewithoutknowingwhy，Isupposeyouloveherverymuchindeed！"shesaidatlast。
　　"No，"saidtheprince，"no，Idonotloveher。Oh！ifyouonlyknewwithwhathorrorIrecallthetimeIspentwithher！"
　　Ashudderseemedtosweepoverhiswholebodyattherecollection。
　　"Tellmeaboutit，"saidAglaya。
　　"Thereisnothingwhichyoumightnothear。WhyIshouldwishtotellyou，andonlyyou，thisexperienceofmine，Ireallycannotsay；perhapsitreallyisbecauseIloveyouverymuch。Thisunhappywomanispersuadedthatsheisthemosthopeless，fallencreatureintheworld。Oh，donotcondemnher！Donotcaststonesather！Shehassufferedtoomuchalreadyintheconsciousnessofherownundeservedshame。
　　"Andsheisnotguilty——ohGod！——Everymomentshebemoansandbewailsherself，andcriesoutthatshedoesnotadmitanyguilt，thatsheisthevictimofcircumstances——thevictimofawickedlibertine。
　　"Butwhatevershemaysay，rememberthatshedoesnotbelieveitherself，——rememberthatshewillbelievenothingbutthatsheisaguiltycreature。
　　"WhenItriedtoridhersoulofthisgloomyfallacy，shesufferedsoterriblythatmyheartwillneverbequiteatpeacesolongasIcanrememberthatdreadfultime！——Doyouknowwhysheleftme？Simplytoprovetomewhatisnottrue——thatsheisbase。Buttheworstofitis，shedidnotrealizeherselfthatthatwasallshewantedtoprovebyherdeparture！Shewentawayinresponsetosomeinnerpromptingtodosomethingdisgraceful，inorderthatshemightsaytoherself——’There——you’vedoneanewactofshame——youdegradedcreature！’
　　"Oh，Aglaya——perhapsyoucannotunderstandallthis。Trytorealizethatintheperpetualadmissionofguiltsheprobablyfindssomedreadfulunnaturalsatisfaction——asthoughshewererevengingherselfuponsomeone。
　　"NowandthenIwasabletopersuadeheralmosttoseelightaroundheragain；butshewouldsoonfall，oncemore，intoheroldtormentingdelusions，andwouldgosofarastoreproachmeforplacingmyselfonapedestalaboveherIneverhadanideaofsuchathing！，andinformedme，inreplytomyproposalofmarriage，thatshe’didnotwantcondescendingsympathyorhelpfromanybody。’Yousawherlastnight。Youdon’tsupposeshecanbehappyamongsuchpeopleasthose——youcannotsupposethatsuchsocietyisfitforher？Youhavenoideahowwell-educatedsheis，andwhatanintellectshehas！Sheastonishedmesometimes。"
　　"Andyoupreachedhersermonsthere，didyou？"
　　"Ohno，"continuedtheprincethoughtfully，notnoticingAglaya’smockingtone，"Iwasalmostalwayssilentthere。Ioftenwishedtospeak，butIreallydidnotknowwhattosay。Insomecasesitisbesttosaynothing，Ithink。Ilovedher，yes，Ilovedherverymuchindeed；butafterwards——afterwardssheguessedall。"
　　"Whatdidsheguess？"
　　"ThatIonlyPITIEDher——and——andlovedhernolonger！"
　　"Howdoyouknowthat？Howdoyouknowthatsheisnotreallyinlovewiththat——thatrichcad——themansheelopedwith？"
　　"Ohno！Iknowsheonlylaughsathim；shehasmadeafoolofhimallalong。"
　　"Hassheneverlaughedatyou？"
　　"No——inanger，perhaps。Ohyes！shereproachedmedreadfullyinanger；andsufferedherself，too！Butafterwards——oh！don’tremindme——don’tremindmeofthat！"
　　Hehidhisfaceinhishands。
　　"Areyouawarethatshewritestomealmosteveryday？"
　　"Sothatistrue，isit？"criedtheprince，greatlyagitated。
　　"Ihadheardareportofit，butwouldnotbelieveit。"
　　"Whomdidyouhearitfrom？"askedAglaya，alarmed。"Rogojinsaidsomethingaboutityesterday，butnothingdefinite。"
　　"Yesterday！Morningorevening？Beforethemusicorafter？"
　　"After——itwasabouttwelveo’clock。"
　　"Ah！Well，ifitwasRogojin——butdoyouknowwhatshewritestomeabout？"
　　"Ishouldnotbesurprisedbyanything。Sheismad！"
　　"Therearetheletters。"Aglayatookthreelettersoutofherpocketandthrewthemdownbeforetheprince。"Forawholeweekshehasbeenentreatingandworryingandpersuadingmetomarryyou。She——well，sheisclever，thoughshemaybemad——muchclevererthanIam，asyousay。Well，shewritesthatsheisinlovewithmeherself，andtriestoseemeeveryday，ifonlyfromadistance。Shewritesthatyouloveme，andthatshehaslongknownitandseenit，andthatyouandshetalkedaboutme——
　　there。Shewishestoseeyouhappy，andshesaysthatsheiscertainonlyIcanensureyouthehappinessyoudeserve。Shewritessuchstrange，wildletters——Ihaven’tshownthemtoanyone。Now，doyouknowwhatallthismeans？Canyouguessanything？"
　　"Itismadness——itismerelyanotherproofofherinsanity！"saidtheprince，andhislipstrembled。
　　"Youarecrying，aren’tyou？"
　　"No，Aglaya。No，I’mnotcrying。"Theprincelookedather。
　　"Well，whatamItodo？Whatdoyouadviseme？Icannotgoonreceivingtheseletters，youknow。"
　　"Oh，letheralone，Ientreatyou！"criedtheprince。Whatcanyoudointhisdark，gloomymystery？Letheralone，andI’lluseallmypowertopreventherwritingyouanymoreletters。"
　　"Ifso，youareaheartlessman！"criedAglaya。Asifyoucan’tseethatitisnotmyselfsheloves，butyou，you，andonlyyou！
　　Surelyyouhavenotremarkedeverythingelseinher，andonlynotTHIS？Doyouknowwhattheselettersmean？Theymeanjealousy，sir——nothingbutpurejealousy！She——doyouthinkshewilleverreallymarrythisRogojin，asshesayshereshewill？ShewouldtakeherownlifethedayafteryouandIweremarried。"
　　Theprinceshuddered；hisheartseemedtofreezewithinhim。HegazedatAglayainwonderment；itwasdifficultforhimtorealizethatthischildwasalsoawoman。
　　"Godknows，Aglaya，thattorestoreherpeaceofmindandmakeherhappyIwouldwillinglygiveupmylife。ButIcannotloveher，andsheknowsthat。"
　　"Oh，makeasacrificeofyourself！Thatsortofthingbecomesyouwell，youknow。Whynotdoit？Anddon’tcallme’Aglaya’；youhavedoneitseveraltimeslately。Youarebound，itisyourDUTY
　　to’raise’her；youmustgooffsomewhereagaintosootheandpacifyher。Why，youloveher，youknow！"
　　"Icannotsacrificemyselfso，thoughIadmitIdidwishtodosoonce。Whoknows，perhapsIstillwishto！ButIknowforCERTAIN，thatifshemarriedmeitwouldbeherruin；IknowthisandthereforeIleaveheralone。Ioughttogotoseehertoday；nowIshallprobablynotgo。Sheisproud，shewouldneverforgivemethenatureoftheloveIbearher，andweshouldbothberuined。
　　Thismaybeunnatural，Idon’tknow；buteverythingseemsunnatural。Yousayshelovesme，asifthiswereLOVE！AsifshecouldloveME，afterwhatIhavebeenthrough！No，no，itisnotlove。"
　　"Howpaleyouhavegrown！"criedAglayainalarm。
　　Oh，it’snothing。Ihaven’tslept，that’sall，andI’mrathertired。I——wecertainlydidtalkaboutyou，Aglaya。"
　　"Oh，indeed，itistruethen！YOUCOULDACTUALLYTALKABOUTME
　　WITHHER；and——andhowcouldyouhavebeenfondofmewhenyouhadonlyseenmeonce？"
　　"Idon’tknow。PerhapsitwasthatIseemedtocomeuponlightinthemidstofmygloom。ItoldyouthetruthwhenIsaidIdidnotknowwhyIthoughtofyoubeforeallothers。Ofcourseitwasallasortofdream，adreamamidstthehorrorsofreality。
　　AfterwardsIbegantowork。Ididnotintendtocomebackherefortwoorthreeyears——"
　　"Thenyoucameforhersake？"Aglaya’svoicetrembled。
　　"Yes，Icameforhersake。"
　　Therewasamomentortwoofgloomysilence。Aglayarosefromherseat。
　　"Ifyousay，"shebeganinshakytones，"ifyousaythatthiswomanofyoursismad——atalleventsIhavenothingtodowithherinsanefancies。Kindlytakethesethreeletters，LefNicolaievitch，andthrowthembacktoher，fromme。Andifshedares，"criedAglayasuddenly，muchlouderthanbefore，"ifshedaressomuchaswritemeonewordagain，tellherIshalltellmyfather，andthatsheshallbetakentoalunaticasylum。"
　　TheprincejumpedupinalarmatAglaya’ssuddenwrath，andamistseemedtocomebeforehiseyes。
　　"Youcannotreallyfeellikethat！Youdon’tmeanwhatyousay。
　　Itisnottrue，"hemurmured。
　　"ItIStrue，itIStrue，"criedAglaya，almostbesideherselfwithrage。
　　"What’strue？What’sallthis？What’strue？"saidanalarmedvoicejustbesidethem。
　　BeforethemstoodLizabethaProkofievna。
　　"Why，it’struethatIamgoingtomarryGavrilaArdalionovitch，thatIlovehimandintendtoelopewithhimtomorrow，"criedAglaya，turninguponhermother。"Doyouhear？Isyourcuriositysatisfied？Areyoupleasedwithwhatyouhaveheard？"
　　Aglayarushedawayhomewardswiththesewords。
　　"H’m！well，YOUarenotgoingawayjustyet，myfriend，atallevents，"saidLizabetha，stoppingtheprince。"Kindlystephomewithme，andletmehavealittleexplanationofthemystery。
　　Nicegoingson，these！Ihaven’tsleptawinkallnightasitis。"
　　Theprincefollowedher。
　　IX。
　　ARRIVEDatherhouse，LizabethaProkofievnapausedinthefirstroom。Shecouldgonofarther，andsubsidedontoacouchquiteexhausted；toofeebletoremembersomuchastoasktheprincetotakeaseat。Thiswasalargereception-room，fullofflowers，andwithaglassdoorleadingintothegarden。
　　AlexandraandAdelaidacameinalmostimmediately，andlookedinquiringlyattheprinceandtheirmother。
　　Thegirlsgenerallyroseataboutnineinthemorninginthecountry；Aglaya，oflate，hadbeeninthehabitofgettingupratherearlierandhavingawalkinthegarden，butnotatseveno’clock；abouteightoralittlelaterwasherusualtime。
　　LizabethaProkofievna，whoreallyhadnotsleptallnight，roseatabouteightonpurposetomeetAglayainthegardenandwalkwithher；butshecouldnotfindhereitherinthegardenorinherownroom。
　　Thisagitatedtheoldladyconsiderably；andsheawokeherotherdaughters。Next，shelearnedfromthemaidthatAglayahadgoneintotheparkbeforeseveno’clock。ThesistersmadeajokeofAglaya’slastfreak，andtoldtheirmotherthatifshewentintotheparktolookforher，Aglayawouldprobablybeveryangrywithher，andthatshewasprettysuretobesittingreadingonthegreenbenchthatshehadtalkedoftwoorthreedayssince，andaboutwhichshehadnearlyquarrelledwithPrinceS。，whodidnotseeanythingparticularlylovelyinit。
　　Arrivedattherendezvousoftheprinceandherdaughter，andhearingthestrangewordsofthelatter，LizabethaProkofievnahadbeendreadfullyalarmed，formanyreasons。However，nowthatshehaddraggedtheprincehomewithher，shebegantofeelalittlefrightenedatwhatshehadundertaken。WhyshouldnotAglayameettheprinceintheparkandhaveatalkwithhim，evenifsuchameetingshouldbebyappointment？
　　"Don’tsuppose，prince，"shebegan，bracingherselfupfortheeffort，"don’tsupposethatIhavebroughtyouheretoaskquestions。Afterlastnight，Iassureyou，Iamnotsoexceedinglyanxioustoseeyouatall；Icouldhavepostponedthepleasureforalongwhile。"Shepaused。
　　"ButatthesametimeyouwouldbeverygladtoknowhowI
　　happenedtomeetAglayaIvanovnathismorning？"Theprincefinishedherspeechforherwiththeutmostcomposure。
　　"Well，whatthen？SupposingIshouldliketoknow？"criedLizabethaProkofievna，blushing。"I’msureIamnotafraidofplainspeaking。I’mnotoffendinganyone，andIneverwishto，and——"
　　"Pardonme，itisnooffencetowishtoknowthis；youarehermother。Wemetatthegreenbenchthismorning，punctuallyatseveno’clock，——accordingtoanagreementmadebyAglayaIvanovnawithmyselfyesterday。Shesaidthatshewishedtoseemeandspeaktomeaboutsomethingimportant。WemetandconversedforanhouraboutmattersconcerningAglayaIvanovnaherself，andthat’sall。"
　　"Ofcourseitisall，myfriend。Idon’tdoubtyouforamoment，"
　　saidLizabethaProkofievnawithdignity。
　　"Welldone，prince，capital！"criedAglaya，whoenteredtheroomatthismoment。"ThankyouforassumingthatIwouldnotdemeanmyselfwithlies。Come，isthatenough，mamma，ordoyouintendtoputanymorequestions？"
　　"YouknowIhaveneverneededtoblushbeforeyou，uptothisday，thoughperhapsyouwouldhavebeengladenoughtomakeme，"
　　saidLizabethaProkofievna，——withmajesty。"Good-bye，prince；
　　forgivemeforbotheringyou。Itrustyouwillrestassuredofmyunalterableesteemforyou。"
　　Theprincemadehisbowsandretiredatonce。AlexandraandAdelaidasmiledandwhisperedtoeachother，whileLizabethaProkofievnaglaredseverelyatthem。"Weareonlylaughingattheprince’sbeautifulbows，mamma，"saidAdelaida。"Sometimeshebowsjustlikeameal-sack，butto-dayhewaslike——likeEvgeniePavlovitch！"
　　"ItistheHEARTwhichisthebestteacherofrefinementanddignity，notthedancing-master，"saidhermother，sententiously，anddepartedupstairstoherownroom，notsomuchasglancingatAglaya。
　　Whentheprincereachedhome，aboutnineo’clock，hefoundVeraLebedeffandthemaidontheverandah。Theywerebothbusytryingtotidyuptheplaceafterlastnight’sdisorderlyparty。
　　"Thankgoodness，we’vejustmanagedtofinishitbeforeyoucamein！"saidVera，joyfully。
　　"Good-morning！Myheadwhirlsso；Ididn’tsleepallnight。I
　　shouldliketohaveanapnow。"
　　"Here，ontheverandah？Verywell，I’lltellthemallnottocomeandwakeyou。Papahasgoneoutsomewhere。"
　　Theservantlefttheroom。Verawasabouttofollowher，butreturnedandapproachedtheprincewithapreoccupiedair。
　　"Prince！"shesaid，"havepityonthatpoorboy；don’tturnhimouttoday。"
　　"Notfortheworld；heshalldojustashelikes。"
　　"Hewon’tdoanyharmnow；and——anddon’tbetooseverewithhim，"
　　"Ohdearno！Why——"
　　"And——andyouwon’tLAUGHathim？That’sthechiefthing。"
　　"Ohno！Never。"
　　"HowfoolishIamtospeakofsuchthingstoamanlikeyou，"
　　saidVera，blushing。"ThoughyouDOlooktired，"sheadded，halfturningaway，"youreyesaresosplendidatthismoment——sofullofhappiness。"
　　"Really？"askedtheprince，gleefully，andhelaughedindelight。
　　ButVera，simple-mindedlittlegirlthatshewasjustlikeaboy，infact，herebecamedreadfullyconfused，ofasudden，andranhastilyoutoftheroom，laughingandblushing。
　　"Whatadearlittlethingsheis，"thoughttheprince，andimmediatelyforgotallabouther。
　　Hewalkedtothefarendoftheverandah，wherethesofastood，withatableinfrontofit。Herehesatdownandcoveredhisfacewithhishands，andsoremainedfortenminutes。Suddenlyheputhishandinhiscoat-pocketandhurriedlyproducedthreeletters。
　　Butthedooropenedagain，andoutcameColia。
　　Theprinceactuallyfeltgladthathehadbeeninterrupted，——andmightreturntheletterstohispocket。Hewasgladoftherespite。
　　"Well，"saidColia，plunginginmediasres，ashealwaysdid，"here’sago！WhatdoyouthinkofHippolytenow？Don’trespecthimanylonger，eh？"
　　"Whynot？Butlookhere，Colia，I’mtired；besides，thesubjectistoomelancholytobeginuponagain。Howishe，though？"
　　"Asleep——he’llsleepforacoupleofhoursyet。Iquiteunderstand——youhaven’tslept——youwalkedaboutthepark，Iknow。
　　Agitation——excitement——allthatsortofthing——quitenatural，too！"
　　"HowdoyouknowIwalkedintheparkanddidn’tsleepathome？"
　　"Verajusttoldme。Shetriedtopersuademenottocome，butI
　　couldn’thelpmyself，justforoneminute。Ihavebeenhavingmyturnatthebedsideforthelasttwohours；KostiaLebedeffistherenow。Burdovskyhasgone。Now，liedown，prince，makeyourselfcomfortable，andsleepwell！I’mawfullyimpressed，youknow。"
　　"Naturally，allthis——"
　　"No，no，Imeanwiththe’explanation，’especiallythatpartofitwherehetalksaboutProvidenceandafuturelife。Thereisagiganticthoughtthere。"