TheprincegazedaffectionatelyatColia，who，ofcourse，hadcomeinsolelyforthepurposeoftalkingaboutthis"giganticthought。"
　　"Butitisnotanyoneparticularthought，only；itisthegeneralcircumstancesofthecase。IfVoltairehadwrittenthisnow，orRousseau，Ishouldhavejustreaditandthoughtitremarkable，butshouldnothavebeensoIMPRESSEDbyit。Butamanwhoknowsforcertainthathehasbuttenminutestoliveandcantalklikethat——why——it’s——it’sPRIDE，thatis！Itisreallyamostextraordinary，exaltedassertionofpersonaldignity，it’s——it’sDEFIANT！WhataGIGANTICstrengthofwill，eh？Andtoaccuseafellowlikethatofnotputtinginthecaponpurpose；
　　it’sbaseandmean！Youknowhedeceiveduslastnight，thecunningrascal。Ineverpackedhisbagforhim，andIneversawhispistol。Hepackedithimself。Butheputmeoffmyguardlikethat，yousee。Verasaysyouaregoingtolethimstayon；I
　　swearthere’snodanger，especiallyaswearealwayswithhim。"
　　"Whowasbyhimatnight？"
　　"I，andBurdovsky，andKostiaLebedeff。Kellerstayedalittlewhile，andthenwentovertoLebedeff’stosleep。FerdishenkosleptatLebedeff’s，too；buthewentawayatseveno’clock。MyfatherisalwaysatLebedeff’s；buthehasgoneoutjustnow。I
　　daresayLebedeffwillbecominginheredirectly；hehasbeenlookingforyou；Idon’tknowwhathewants。Shallwelethiminornot，ifyouareasleep？I’mgoingtohaveanap，too。By-the-
　　by，suchacuriousthinghappened。Burdovskywokemeatseven，andImetmyfatherjustoutsidetheroom，sodrunk，hedidn’tevenknowme。Hestoodbeforemelikealog，andwhenherecoveredhimself，askedhurriedlyhowHippolytewas。’Yes，’hesaid，whenItoldhim，’that’sallverywell，butIREALLYcametowarnyouthatyoumustbeverycarefulwhatyousaybeforeFerdishenko。’Doyoufollowme，prince？"
　　"Yes。Isitreallyso？However，it’sallthesametous，ofcourse。"
　　"Ofcourseitis；wearenotasecretsociety；andthatbeingthecase，itisallthemorecuriousthatthegeneralshouldhavebeenonhiswaytowakemeupinordertotellmethis。"
　　"Ferdishenkohasgone，yousay？"
　　"Yes，hewentatseveno’clock。Hecameintotheroomonhiswayout；Iwaswatchingjustthen。Hesaidhewasgoingtospend’therestofthenight’atWilkin’s；there’satipsyfellow，afriendofhis，ofthatname。Well，I’moff。Oh，here’sLebedeffhimself！
　　Theprincewantstogotosleep，LukianTimofeyovitch，soyoumayjustgoawayagain。"
　　"Onemoment，mydearprince，justone。Imustabsolutelyspeaktoyouaboutsomethingwhichismostgrave，"saidLebedeff，mysteriouslyandsolemnly，enteringtheroomwithabowandlookingextremelyimportant。Hehadbutjustreturned，andcarriedhishatinhishand。Helookedpreoccupiedandmostunusuallydignified。
　　Theprincebeggedhimtotakeachair。
　　"Ihearyouhavecalledtwice；Isupposeyouarestillworriedaboutyesterday’saffair。"
　　"What，aboutthatboy，youmean？Ohdearno，yesterdaymyideaswerealittle——well——mixed。Today，Iassureyou，Ishallnotopposeintheslightestdegreeanysuggestionsitmaypleaseyoutomake。"
　　"What’supwithyouthismorning，Lebedeff？Youlooksoimportantanddignified，andyouchooseyourwordssocarefully，"saidtheprince，smiling。
　　"NicolaiArdalionovitch！"saidLebedeff，inamostamiabletoneofvoice，addressingtheboy。"AsIhaveacommunicationtomaketotheprincewhichconcernsonlymyself——"
　　"Ofcourse，ofcourse，notmyaffair。Allright，"saidColia，andawayhewent。
　　"Ilovethatboyforhisperception，"saidLebedeff，lookingafterhim。"Mydearprince，"hecontinued，"Ihavehadaterriblemisfortune，eitherlastnightorearlythismorning。Icannottelltheexacttime。"
　　"Whatisit？"
　　"Ihavelostfourhundredroublesoutofmysidepocket！They’regone！"saidLebedeff，withasoursmile。
　　"You’velostfourhundredroubles？Oh！I’msorryforthat。"
　　"Yes，itisseriousforapoormanwholivesbyhistoil。"
　　"Ofcourse，ofcourse！Howwasit？"
　　"Oh，thewineistoblame，ofcourse。Iconfesstoyou，prince，asIwouldtoProvidenceitself。YesterdayIreceivedfourhundredroublesfromadebtorataboutfiveintheafternoon，andcamedownherebytrain。Ihadmypurseinmypocket。WhenI
　　changed，Iputthemoneyintothepocketofmyplainclothes，intendingtokeepitbyme，asIexpectedtohaveanapplicantforitintheevening。"
　　"It’struethen，Lebedeff，thatyouadvertisetolendmoneyongoldorsilverarticles？"
　　"Yes，throughanagent。Myownnamedoesn’tappear。Ihavealargefamily，yousee，andatasmallpercentage——"
　　"Quiteso，quiteso。Ionlyaskedforinformation——excusethequestion。Goon。"
　　"Well，meanwhilethatsickboywasbroughthere，andthoseguestscamein，andwehadtea，and——well，wemademerry——tomyruin！
　　Hearingofyourbirthdayafterwards，andexcitedwiththecircumstancesoftheevening，Iranupstairsandchangedmyplainclothesoncemoreformyuniform[CivilServiceclerksinRussiawearuniform。]——youmusthavenoticedIhadmyuniformonalltheevening？Well，Iforgotthemoneyinthepocketofmyoldcoat——
　　youknowwhenGodwillruinamanhefirstofallbereaveshimofhissenses——anditwasonlythismorningathalf-pastseventhatIwokeupandgrabbedatmycoatpocket，firstthing。Thepocketwasempty——thepursegone，andnotatracetobefound！"
　　"Dearme！Thisisveryunpleasant！"
　　"Unpleasant！Indeeditis。Youhavefoundaveryappropriateexpression，"saidLebedeff，politely，butwithsarcasm。
　　"Butwhat’stobedone？It’saseriousmatter，"saidtheprince，thoughtfully。"Don’tyouthinkyoumayhavedroppeditoutofyourpocketwhilstintoxicated？"
　　"Certainly。Anythingispossiblewhenoneisintoxicated，asyouneatlyexpressit，prince。Butconsider——ifI，intoxicatedornot，droppedanobjectoutofmypocketontotheground，thatobjectoughttoremainontheground。Whereistheobject，then？"
　　"Didn’tyouputitawayinsomedrawer，perhaps？"
　　"I’velookedeverywhere，andturnedouteverything。"
　　"Iconfessthisdisturbsmeagooddeal。Someonemusthavepickeditup，then。"
　　"Ortakenitoutofmypocket——twoalternatives。"
　　"Itisverydistressing，becauseWHO——？That’sthequestion！"
　　"Mostundoubtedly，excellentprince，youhavehitit——thatistheveryquestion。Howwonderfullyyouexpresstheexactsituationinafewwords！"
　　"Come，come，Lebedeff，nosarcasm！It’saserious——"
　　"Sarcasm！"criedLebedeff，wringinghishands。
　　"Allright，allright，I’mnotangry。I’monlyputoutaboutthis。Whomdoyoususpect？"
　　"Thatisaverydifficultandcomplicatedquestion。Icannotsuspecttheservant，forshewasinthekitchenthewholeevening，nordoIsuspectanyofmychildren。"
　　"Ishouldthinknot。Goon。"
　　"Thenitmustbeoneoftheguests。"
　　"Issuchathingpossible？"
　　"Absolutelyandutterlyimpossible——andyet，soitmustbe。ButonethingIamsureof，ifitbeatheft，itwascommitted，notintheeveningwhenwewerealltogether，buteitheratnightorearlyinthemorning；therefore，byoneofthosewhoslepthere。
　　BurdovskyandColiaIexcept，ofcourse。Theydidnotevencomeintomyroom。"
　　"Yes，oreveniftheyhad！Butwhodidsleepwithyou？""Fourofus，includingmyself，intworooms。Thegeneral，myself，Keller，andFerdishenko。Oneofusfouritmusthavebeen。Idon’tsuspectmyself，thoughsuchcaseshavebeenknown。"
　　"Oh！DOgoon，Lebedeff！Don’tdragitoutso。"
　　"Well，therearethreeleft，then——Kellerfirstly。Heisadrunkardtobeginwith，andaliberalinthesenseofotherpeople’spockets，otherwisewithmoreoftheancientknightabouthimthanofthemodernliberal。Hewaswiththesickmanatfirst，butcameoverafterwardsbecausetherewasnoplacetoliedownintheroomandthefloorwassohard。"
　　"Yoususpecthim？"
　　"IDIDsuspecthim。WhenIwokeupathalf-pastsevenandtoremyhairindespairformylossandcarelessness，Iawokethegeneral，whowassleepingthesleepofinnocencenearme。TakingintoconsiderationthesuddendisappearanceofFerdishenko，whichwassuspiciousinitself，wedecidedtosearchKeller，whowaslyingtheresleepinglikeatop。Well，wesearchedhisclothesthoroughly，andnotafarthingdidwefind；infact，hispocketsallhadholesinthem。Wefoundadirtyhandkerchief，andalove-
　　letterfromsomescullery-maid。Thegeneraldecidedthathewasinnocent。Weawokehimforfurtherinquiries，andhadthegreatestdifficultyinmakinghimunderstandwhatwasup。Heopenedhismouthandstared——helookedsostupidandsoabsurdlyinnocent。Itwasn’tKeller。"
　　"Oh，I’msoglad！"saidtheprince，joyfully。"Iwassoafraid。"
　　"Afraid！Thenyouhadsomegroundsforsupposinghemightbetheculprit？"saidLebedeff，frowning。
　　"Ohno——notabit！ItwasfoolishofmetosayIwasafraid！
　　Don’trepeatitplease，Lebedeff，don’ttellanyoneIsaidthat！"
　　"Mydearprince！yourwordslieinthelowestdepthofmyheart——
　　itistheirtomb！"saidLebedeff，solemnly，pressinghishattotheregionofhisheart。
　　"Thanks；verywell。ThenIsupposeit’sFerdishenko；thatis，I
　　mean，yoususpectFerdishenko？"
　　"Whomelse？"saidLebedeff，softly，gazingintentlyintotheprincesface。
　　"Ofcourse——quiteso，whomelse？Butwhataretheproofs？"
　　"Wehaveevidence。Inthefirstplace，hismysteriousdisappearanceatseveno’clock，orevenearlier。"
　　"Iknow，Coliatoldmethathehadsaidhewasoffto——Iforgetthename，somefriendofhis，tofinishthenight。"
　　"H’m！thenColiahasspokentoyoualready？"
　　"Notaboutthetheft。"
　　"Hedoesnotknowofit；Ihavekeptitasecret。Verywell，FerdishenkowentofftoWilkin’s。Thatisnotsocuriousinitself，butheretheevidenceopensoutfurther。Helefthisaddress，yousee，whenhewent。Nowprince，consider，whydidheleavehisaddress？WhydoyousupposehewentoutofhiswaytotellColiathathehadgonetoWilkin’s？WhocaredtoknowthathewasgoingtoWilkin’s？No，no！prince，thisisfinesse，thieves’finesse！Thisisasgoodassaying，’There，howcanIbeathiefwhenIleavemyaddress？I’mnotconcealingmymovementsasathiefwould。’Doyouunderstand，prince？"
　　"Ohyes，butthatisnotenough。"
　　"Secondproof。Thescentturnsouttobefalse，andtheaddressgivenisasham。Anhourafter——thatisatabouteight，IwenttoWilkin’smyself，andtherewasnotraceofFerdishenko。Themaiddidtellme，certainly，thatanhourorsosincesomeonehadbeenhammeringatthedoor，andhadsmashedthebell；shesaidshewouldnotopenthedoorbecauseshedidn’twanttowakehermaster；probablyshewastoolazytogetupherself。Suchphenomenaaremetwithoccasionally！"
　　"Butisthatallyourevidence？Itisnotenough！"
　　"Well，prince，whomarewetosuspect，then？Consider！"saidLebedeffwithalmostservileamiability，smilingattheprince。
　　Therewasalookofcunninginhiseyes，however。
　　"Youshouldsearchyourroomandallthecupboardsagain，"saidtheprince，afteramomentortwoofsilentreflection。
　　"ButIhavedoneso，mydearprince！"saidLebedeff，moresweetlythanever。
　　"H’m！whymustyouneedsgoupandchangeyourcoatlikethat？"
　　askedtheprince，bangingthetablewithhisfist，inannoyance。
　　"Oh，don’tbesoworriedonmyaccount，prince！IassureyouIamnotworthit！Atleast，notIalone。ButIseeyouaresufferingonbehalfofthecriminaltoo，forwretchedFerdishenko，infact！"
　　"Ofcourseyouhavegivenmeadisagreeableenoughthingtothinkabout，"saidtheprince，irritably，"butwhatareyougoingtodo，sinceyouaresosureitwasFerdishenko？"
　　"ButwhoelseCOULDitbe，myverydearprince？"repeatedLebedeff，assweetassugaragain。"Ifyoudon’twishmetosuspectMr。Burdovsky？"
　　"Ofcoursenot。"
　　"Northegeneral？Ha，ha，ha！"
　　"Nonsense！"saidtheprince，angrily，turningrounduponhim。
　　"Quiteso，nonsense！Ha，ha，ha！dearme！Hedidamuseme，didthegeneral！WewentoffonthehotscenttoWilkin’stogether，youknow；butImustfirstobservethatthegeneralwasevenmorethunderstruckthanImyselfthismorning，whenIawokehimafterdiscoveringthetheft；somuchsothathisveryfacechanged——hegrewredandthenpale，andatlengthflewintoaparoxysmofsuchnoblewraththatIassureyouIwasquitesurprised！Heisamostgenerous-heartedman！Hetellsliesbythethousands，I
　　know，butitismerelyaweakness；heisamanofthehighestfeelings；asimple-mindedmantoo，andamanwhocarriestheconvictionofinnocenceinhisveryappearance。Ilovethatman，sir；Imayhavetoldyousobefore；itisaweaknessofmine。
　　Well——hesuddenlystoppedinthemiddleoftheroad，openedouthiscoatandbaredhisbreast。"Searchme，"hesays，"yousearchedKeller；whydon’tyousearchmetoo？Itisonlyfair！"
　　sayshe。Andallthewhilehislegsandhandsweretremblingwithanger，andheaswhiteasasheetallover！SoIsaidtohim，"Nonsense，general；ifanybodybutyourselfhadsaidthattome，I’dhavetakenmyhead，myownhead，andputitonalargedishandcarrieditroundtoanyonewhosuspectedyou；andIshouldhavesaid:’There，youseethathead？It’smyhead，andI’llgobailwiththatheadforhim！Yes，andwalkthroughthefireforhim，too。There，’saysI，’that’showI’danswerforyou，general！’Thenheembracedme，inthemiddleofthestreet，andhuggedmesotightcryingovermeallthewhilethatIcoughedfittochoke！’Youaretheonefriendlefttomeamidallmymisfortunes，’sayshe。Oh，he’samanofsentiment，that！Hewentontotellmeastoryofhowhehadbeenaccused，orsuspected，ofstealingfivehundredthousandroublesonce，asayoungman；
　　andhow，theverynextday，hehadrushedintoaburning，blazinghouseandsavedtheverycountwhosuspectedhim，andNinaAlexandrovnawhowasthenayounggirl，fromafierydeath。Thecountembracedhim，andthatwashowhecametomarryNinaAlexandrovna，hesaid。Asforthemoney，itwasfoundamongtheruinsnextdayinanEnglishironboxwithasecretlock；ithadgotunderthefloorsomehow，andifithadnotbeenforthefireitwouldneverhavebeenfound！Thewholethingis，ofcourse，anabsolutefabrication，thoughwhenhespokeofNinaAlexandrovnahewept！She’sagrandwoman，isNinaAlexandrovna，thoughsheisveryangrywithme！"
　　"Areyouacquaintedwithher？"
　　"Well，hardlyatall。IwishIwere，ifonlyforthesakeofjustifyingmyselfinhereyes。NinaAlexandrovnahasagrudgeagainstmefor，asshethinks，encouragingherhusbandindrinking；whereasinrealityInotonlydonotencouragehim，butIactuallykeephimoutofharm’sway，andoutofbadcompany。
　　Besides，he’smyfriend，prince，sothatIshallnotlosesightofhim，again。Wherehegoes，Igo。He’squitegivenupvisitingthecaptain’swidow，thoughsometimeshethinkssadlyofher，especiallyinthemorning，whenhe’sputtingonhisboots。I
　　don’tknowwhyit’satthattime。Buthehasnomoney，andit’snousehisgoingtoseeherwithout。Hasheborrowedanymoneyfromyou，prince？"
　　"No，hehasnot。"
　　"Ah，he’sashamedto！HeMEANTtoaskyou，Iknow，forhesaidso。Isupposehethinksthatasyougavehimsomeonceyouremember，youwouldprobablyrefuseifheaskedyouagain。"
　　"Doyouevergivehimmoney？"
　　"Prince！Money！WhyIwouldgivethatmannotonlymymoney，butmyverylife，ifhewantedit。Well，perhapsthat’sexaggeration；
　　notlife，we’llsay，butsomeillness，aboilorabadcough，oranythingofthatsort，Iwouldstandwithpleasure，forhissake；
　　forIconsiderhimagreatmanfallen——money，indeed！"
　　"H’m，thenyouDOgivehimmoney？"
　　"N-no，Ihavenevergivenhimmoney，andheknowswellthatI
　　willnevergivehimany；becauseIamanxioustokeephimoutofintemperateways。Heisgoingtotownwithmenow；foryoumustknowIamofftoPetersburgafterFerdishenko，whilethescentishot；I’mcertainheisthere。Ishallletthegeneralgooneway，whileIgotheother；wehavesoarrangedmattersinordertopopoutuponFerdishenko，yousee，fromdifferentsides。ButIamgoingtofollowthatnaughtyoldgeneralandcatchhim，Iknowwhere，atacertainwidow’shouse；forIthinkitwillbeagoodlesson，toputhimtoshamebycatchinghimwiththewidow。"
　　"Oh，Lebedeff，don’t，don’tmakeanyscandalaboutit！"saidtheprince，muchagitated，andspeakinginalowvoice。
　　"Notfortheworld，notfortheworld！Imerelywishtomakehimashamedofhimself。Oh，prince，greatthoughthismisfortunebetomyself，Icannothelpthinkingofhismorals！Ihaveagreatfavourtoaskofyou，esteemedprince；Iconfessthatitisthechiefobjectofmyvisit。YouknowtheIvolgins，youhaveevenlivedintheirhouse；soifyouwouldlendmeyourhelp，honouredprince，inthegeneral’sowninterestandforhisgood。"
　　Lebedeffclaspedhishandsinsupplication。
　　"Whathelpdoyouwantfromme？YoumaybecertainthatIammostanxioustounderstandyou，Lebedeff。"
　　"Ifeltsureofthat，orIshouldnothavecometoyou。WemightmanageitwiththehelpofNinaAlexandrovna，sothathemightbecloselywatchedinhisownhouse。UnfortunatelyIamnotonterms……otherwise……butNicolaiArdalionovitch，whoadoresyouwithallhisyouthfulsoul，mighthelp，too。"
　　"No，no！HeavenforbidthatweshouldbringNinaAlexandrovnaintothisbusiness！OrColia，either。ButperhapsIhavenotyetquiteunderstoodyou，Lebedeff？"
　　Lebedeffmadeanimpatientmovement。
　　"Butthereisnothingtounderstand！Sympathyandtenderness，thatisall——thatisallourpoorinvalidrequires！Youwillpermitmetoconsiderhimaninvalid？"
　　"Yes，itshowsdelicacyandintelligenceonyourpart。"
　　"Iwillexplainmyideabyapracticalexample，tomakeitclearer。Youknowthesortofmanheis。Atpresenthisonlyfailingisthatheiscrazyaboutthatcaptain’swidow，andhecannotgotoherwithoutmoney，andImeantocatchhimatherhousetoday——forhisowngood；butsupposingitwasnotonlythewidow，butthathehadcommittedarealcrime，oratleastsomeverydishonourableactionofwhichheis，ofcourse，incapable，Irepeatthateveninthatcase，ifheweretreatedwithwhatI
　　maycallgeneroustenderness，onecouldgetatthewholetruth，forheisverysoft-hearted！Believeme，hewouldbetrayhimselfbeforefivedayswereout；hewouldburstintotears，andmakeacleanbreastofthematter；especiallyifmanagedwithtact，andifyouandhisfamilywatchedhiseverystep，sotospeak。Oh，mydearprince，"Lebedeffaddedmostemphatically，"Idonotpositivelyassertthathehas……Iamready，asthesayingis，toshedmylastdropofbloodforhimthisinstant；butyouwilladmitthatdebauchery，drunkenness，andthecaptain’swidow，allthesetogethermayleadhimveryfar。"
　　"Iam，ofcourse，quitereadytoaddmyeffortstoyoursinsuchacase，"saidtheprince，rising；"butIconfess，Lebedeff，thatIamterriblyperplexed。Tellme，doyoustillthink……
　　plainly，yousayyourselfthatyoususpectMr。Ferdishenko？"
　　Lebedeffclaspedhishandsoncemore。
　　"Why，whoelsecouldIpossiblysuspect？Whoelse，mostoutspokenprince？"hereplied，withanunctuoussmile。
　　Muishkinfrowned，androsefromhisseat。
　　"Yousee，Lebedeff，amistakeherewouldbeadreadfulthing。
　　ThisFerdishenko，Iwouldnotsayawordagainsthim，ofcourse；
　　but，whoknows？Perhapsitreallywashe？Imeanhereallydoesseemtobeamorelikelymanthan……thananyother。"
　　Lebedeffstrainedhiseyesandearstotakeinwhattheprincewassaying。Thelatterwasfrowningmoreandmore，andwalkingexcitedlyupanddown，tryingnottolookatLebedeff。
　　"Yousee，"hesaid，"IwasgiventounderstandthatFerdishenkowasthatsortofman，——thatonecan’tsayeverythingbeforehim。
　　Onehastotakecarenottosaytoomuch，youunderstand？Isaythistoprovethathereallyis，sotospeak，morelikelytohavedonethisthananyoneelse，eh？Youunderstand？Theimportantthingis，nottomakeamistake。"
　　"AndwhotoldyouthisaboutFerdishenko？"
　　"Oh，Iwastold。OfcourseIdon’taltogetherbelieveit。IamverysorrythatIshouldhavehadtosaythis，becauseIassureyouIdon’tbelieveitmyself；itisallnonsense，ofcourse。Itwasstupidofmetosayanythingaboutit。"
　　"Yousee，itisveryimportant，itismostimportanttoknowwhereyougotthisreportfrom，"saidLebedeff，excitedly。Hehadrisenfromhisseat，andwastryingtokeepstepwiththeprince，runningafterhim，upanddown。"Becauselookhere，prince，I
　　don’tmindtellingyounowthatasweweregoingalongtoWilkin’sthismorning，aftertellingmewhatyouknowaboutthefire，andsavingthecountandallthat，thegeneralwaspleasedtodropcertainhintstothesameeffectaboutFerdishenko，butsovaguelyandclumsilythatIthoughtbettertoputafewquestionstohimonthematter，withtheresultthatIfoundthewholethingwasaninventionofhisexcellency’sownmind。Ofcourse，heonlylieswiththebestintentions；still，helies。
　　But，suchbeingthecase，wherecouldyouhaveheardthesamereport？Itwastheinspirationofthemomentwithhim，youunderstand，sowhocouldhavetoldYOU？Itisanimportantquestion，yousee！"
　　"ItwasColiatoldme，andhisfathertoldHIMataboutsixthismorning。Theymetatthethreshold，whenColiawasleavingtheroomforsomethingorother。"TheprincetoldLebedeffallthatColiahadmadeknowntohimself，indetail。
　　"Therenow，that’swhatwemaycallSCENT！"saidLebedeff，rubbinghishandsandlaughingsilently。"Ithoughtitmustbeso，yousee。Thegeneralinterruptedhisinnocentslumbers，atsixo’clock，inordertogoandwakehisbelovedson，andwarnhimofthedreadfuldangerofcompanionshipwithFerdishenko。
　　Dearme！whatadreadfullydangerousmanFerdishenkomustbe，andwhattouchingpaternalsolicitude，onthepartofhisexcellency，ha！ha！ha！"
　　"Listen，Lebedeff，"begantheprince，quiteoverwhelmed；"DOactquietly——don’tmakeascandal，Lebedeff，Iaskyou——Ientreatyou！Noonemustknow——NOONE，mind！Inthatcaseonly，Iwillhelpyou。"
　　"Beassured，mosthonourable，mostworthyofprinces——beassuredthatthewholemattershallbeburiedwithinmyheart！"criedLebedeff，inaparoxysmofexaltation。"I’dgiveeverydropofmyblood……Illustriousprince，Iamapoorwretchinsoulandspirit，butasktheveriestscoundrelwhetherhewouldprefertodealwithonelikehimself，orwithanoble-heartedmanlikeyou，andthereisnodoubtastohischoice！He’llanswerthatheprefersthenoble-heartedman——andthereyouhavethetriumphofvirtue！Aurevoir，honouredprince！YouandItogether——softly！
　　softly！"
　　X。
　　THEprinceunderstoodatlastwhyheshiveredwithdreadeverytimehethoughtofthethreelettersinhispocket，andwhyhehadputoffreadingthemuntiltheevening。
　　Whenhefellintoaheavysleeponthesofaontheverandah，withouthavinghadthecouragetoopenasingleoneofthethreeenvelopes，heagaindreamedapainfuldream，andoncemorethatpoor，"sinful"womanappearedtohim。Againshegazedathimwithtearssparklingonherlonglashes，andbeckonedhimafterher；
　　andagainheawoke，asbefore，withthepictureofherfacehauntinghim。
　　Helongedtogetupandgotoheratonce——butheCOULDNOT。Atlength，almostindespair，heunfoldedtheletters，andbegantoreadthem。
　　Theseletters，too，werelikeadream。Wesometimeshavestrange，impossibledreams，contrarytoallthelawsofnature。Whenweawakewerememberthemandwonderattheirstrangeness。Youremember，perhaps，thatyouwereinfullpossessionofyourreasonduringthissuccessionoffantasticimages；eventhatyouactedwithextraordinarylogicandcunningwhilesurroundedbymurdererswhohidtheirintentionsandmadegreatdemonstrationsoffriendship，whilewaitingforanopportunitytocutyourthroat。Yourememberhowyouescapedthembysomeingeniousstratagem；thenyoudoubtediftheywerereallydeceived，orwhethertheywereonlypretendingnottoknowyourhiding-place；
　　thenyouthoughtofanotherplanandhoodwinkedthemonceagain。
　　Yourememberallthisquiteclearly，buthowisitthatyourreasoncalmlyacceptedallthemanifestabsurditiesandimpossibilitiesthatcrowdedintoyourdream？Oneofthemurdererssuddenlychangedintoawomanbeforeyourveryeyes；
　　thenthewomanwastransformedintoahideous，cunninglittledwarf；andyoubelievedit，andaccepteditallalmostasamatterofcourse——whileatthesametimeyourintelligenceseemedunusuallykeen，andaccomplishedmiraclesofcunning，sagacity，andlogic！Whyisitthatwhenyouawaketotheworldofrealitiesyounearlyalwaysfeel，sometimesveryvividly，thatthevanisheddreamhascarriedwithitsomeenigmawhichyouhavefailedtosolve？Yousmileattheextravaganceofyourdream，andyetyoufeelthatthistissueofabsurditycontainedsomerealidea，somethingthatbelongstoyourtruelife，——somethingthatexists，andhasalwaysexisted，inyourheart。Yousearchyourdreamforsomeprophecythatyouwereexpecting。Ithasleftadeepimpressionuponyou，joyfulorcruel，butwhatitmeans，orwhathasbeenpredictedtoyouinit，youcanneitherunderstandnorremember。
　　Thereadingoftheselettersproducedsomesucheffectupontheprince。Hefelt，beforeheevenopenedtheenvelopes，thattheveryfactoftheirexistencewaslikeanightmare。Howcouldsheeverhavemadeuphermindtowritetoher？heaskedhimself。Howcouldshewriteaboutthatatall？Andhowcouldsuchawildideahaveenteredherhead？Andyet，thestrangestpartofthematterwas，thatwhilehereadtheletters，hehimselfalmostbelievedinthepossibility，andeveninthejustification，oftheideahehadthoughtsowild。Ofcourseitwasamaddream，anightmare，andyettherewassomethingcruellyrealaboutit。Forhourshewashauntedbywhathehadread。Severalpassagesreturnedagainandagaintohismind，andashebroodedoverthem，hefeltinclinedtosaytohimselfthathehadforeseenandknownallthatwaswrittenhere；itevenseemedtohimthathehadreadthewholeofthissometimeorother，long，longago；andallthathadtormentedandgrievedhimuptonowwastobefoundintheseold，longsinceread，letters。
　　"Whenyouopenthisletter"sothefirstbegan，"lookfirstatthesignature。Thesignaturewilltellyouall，sothatIneedexplainnothing，norattempttojustifymyself。WereIinanywayonafootingwithyou，youmightbeoffendedatmyaudacity；butwhoamI，andwhoareyou？Weareatsuchextremes，andIamsofarremovedfromyou，thatIcouldnotoffendyouifIwishedtodoso。"
　　Fartheron，inanotherplace，shewrote:"Donotconsidermywordsasthesicklyecstasiesofadiseasedmind，butyouare，inmyopinion——perfection！Ihaveseenyou——Iseeyoueveryday。I
　　donotjudgeyou；IhavenotweighedyouinthescalesofReasonandfoundyouPerfection——itissimplyanarticleoffaith。ButI
　　mustconfessonesinagainstyou——Iloveyou。Oneshouldnotloveperfection。Oneshouldonlylookonitasperfection——yetIaminlovewithyou。Thoughloveequalizes，donotfear。Ihavenotloweredyoutomylevel，eveninmymostsecretthoughts。Ihavewritten’Donotfear，’asifyoucouldfear。IwouldkissyourfootprintsifIcould；but，oh！Iamnotputtingmyselfonalevelwithyou！——Lookatthesignature——quick，lookatthesignature！"
　　"However，observe"shewroteinanotheroftheletters，"thatalthoughIcoupleyouwithhim，yetIhavenotonceaskedyouwhetheryoulovehim。Hefellinlovewithyou，thoughhesawyoubutonce。Hespokeofyouasof’thelight。’Thesearehisownwords——Iheardhimusethem。ButIunderstoodwithouthissayingitthatyouwereallthatlightistohim。Ilivednearhimforawholemonth，andIunderstoodthenthatyou，too，mustlovehim。
　　Ithinkofyouandhimasone。"
　　"Whatwasthematteryesterday？"shewroteonanothersheet。"I
　　passedbyyou，andyouseemedtometoBLUSH。Perhapsitwasonlymyfancy。IfIweretobringyoutothemostloathsomeden，andshowyoutherevelationofundisguisedvice——youshouldnotblush。Youcanneverfeelthesenseofpersonalaffront。Youmayhateallwhoaremean，orbase，orunworthy——butnotforyourself——onlyforthosewhomtheywrong。NoonecanwrongYOU。
　　Doyouknow，Ithinkyououghttoloveme——foryouarethesameinmyeyesasinhis-youareaslight。Anangelcannothate，perhapscannotlove，either。Ioftenaskmyself——isitpossibletoloveeverybody？Indeeditisnot；itisnotinnature。
　　Abstractloveofhumanityisnearlyalwaysloveofself。Butyouaredifferent。Youcannothelplovingall，sinceyoucancomparewithnone，andareaboveallpersonaloffenceoranger。Oh！howbitteritwouldbetometoknowthatyoufeltangerorshameonmyaccount，forthatwouldbeyourfall——youwouldbecomecomparableatoncewithsuchasme。
　　"Yesterday，afterseeingyou，Iwenthomeandthoughtoutapicture。
　　"ArtistsalwaysdrawtheSaviourasanactorinoneoftheGospelstories。Ishoulddodifferently。IshouldrepresentChristalone——thedisciplesdidleaveHimaloneoccasionally。IshouldpaintonelittlechildleftwithHim。ThischildhasbeenplayingaboutnearHim，andhadprobablyjustbeentellingtheSavioursomethinginitsprettybabyprattle。Christhadlistenedtoit，butwasnowmusing——onehandreposingonthechild’sbrighthead。
　　Hiseyeshaveafar-awayexpression。Thought，greatastheUniverse，isinthem——Hisfaceissad。ThelittleoneleansitselbowuponChrist’sknee，andwithitscheekrestingonitshand，gazesupatHim，ponderingaschildrensometimesdoponder。Thesunissetting。Thereyouhavemypicture。
　　"Youareinnocent——andinyourinnocenceliesallyourperfection——oh，rememberthat！Whatismypassiontoyou？——youareminenow；Ishallbenearyouallmylife——Ishallnotlivelong！"
　　Atlength，inthelastletterofall，hefound:
　　"ForHeaven’ssake，don’tmisunderstandme！DonotthinkthatI
　　humiliatemyselfbywritingthustoyou，orthatIbelongtothatclassofpeoplewhotakeasatisfactioninhumiliatingthemselves——frompride。Ihavemyconsolation，thoughitwouldbedifficulttoexplainit——butIdonothumiliatemyself。
　　"WhydoIwishtouniteyoutwo？Foryoursakesormyown？Formyownsake，naturally。Alltheproblemsofmylifewouldthusbesolved；Ihavethoughtsoforalongtime。IknowthatoncewhenyoursisterAdelaidasawmyportraitshesaidthatsuchbeautycouldoverthrowtheworld。ButIhaverenouncedtheworld。YouthinkitstrangethatIshouldsayso，foryousawmedeckedwithlaceanddiamonds，inthecompanyofdrunkardsandwastrels。Takenonoticeofthat；IknowthatIhavealmostceasedtoexist。Godknowswhatitisdwellingwithinmenow——itisnotmyself。Icanseeiteverydayintwodreadfuleyeswhicharealwayslookingatme，evenwhennotpresent。Theseeyesaresilentnow，theysaynothing；butIknowtheirsecret。Hishouseisgloomy，andthereisasecretinit。Iamconvincedthatinsomeboxhehasarazorhidden，tiedroundwithsilk，justliketheonethatMoscowmurdererhad。Thismanalsolivedwithhismother，andhadarazorhiddenaway，tiedroundwithwhitesilk，andwiththisrazorheintendedtocutathroat。
　　"AllthewhileIwasintheirhouseIfeltsurethatsomewherebeneaththefloortherewashiddenawaysomedreadfulcorpse，wrappedinoil-cloth，perhapsburiedtherebyhisfather，whoknows？JustasintheMoscowcase。Icouldhaveshownyoutheveryspot！
　　"Heisalwayssilent，butIknowwellthathelovesmesomuchthathemusthateme。Myweddingandyoursaretobeonthesameday；soIhavearrangedwithhim。Ihavenosecretsfromhim。I
　　wouldkillhimfromveryfright，buthewillkillmefirst。Hehasjustburstoutlaughing，andsaysthatIamraving。HeknowsIamwritingtoyou。"
　　Therewasmuchmoreofthisdeliriouswanderingintheletters——
　　oneofthemwasverylong。
　　Atlasttheprincecameoutofthedark，gloomypark，inwhichhehadwanderedaboutforhoursjustasyesterday。Thebrightnightseemedtohimtobelighterthanever。"Itmustbequiteearly，"
　　hethought。Hehadforgottenhiswatch。Therewasasoundofdistantmusicsomewhere。"Ah，"hethought，"theVauxhall！Theywon’tbetheretoday，ofcourse！"Atthismomenthenoticedthathewasclosetotheirhouse；hehadfeltthathemustgravitatetothisspoteventually，and，withabeatingheart，hemountedtheverandahsteps。
　　Noonemethim；theverandahwasempty，andnearlypitchdark。Heopenedthedoorintotheroom，butit，too，wasdarkandempty。
　　Hestoodinthemiddleoftheroominperplexity。Suddenlythedooropened，andincameAlexandra，candleinhand。Seeingtheprinceshestoppedbeforehiminsurprise，lookingathimquestioningly。
　　Itwasclearthatshehadbeenmerelypassingthroughtheroomfromdoortodoor，andhadnothadtheremotestnotionthatshewouldmeetanyone。
　　"Howdidyoucomehere？"sheasked，atlast。
　　"I-I——camein——"
　　"Mammaisnotverywell，norisAglaya。Adelaidahasgonetobed，andIamjustgoing。Wewerealonethewholeevening。FatherandPrinceS。havegonetotown。"
　　"Ihavecometoyou——now——to——"
　　"Doyouknowwhattimeitis？"
　　"N——no！"
　　"Half-pasttwelve。Wearealwaysinbedbyone。"
　　"I-Ithoughtitwashalf-pastnine！"
　　"Nevermind！"shelaughed，"butwhydidn’tyoucomeearlier？
　　Perhapsyouwereexpected！"
　　"Ithought"hestammered，makingforthedoor。
　　"Aurevoir！Ishallamusethemallwiththisstorytomorrow！"
　　Hewalkedalongtheroadtowardshisownhouse。Hisheartwasbeating，histhoughtswereconfused，everythingaroundseemedtobepartofadream。
　　Andsuddenly，justastwicealreadyhehadawakedfromsleepwiththesamevision，thatveryapparitionnowseemedtoriseupbeforehim。Thewomanappearedtostepoutfromthepark，andstandinthepathinfrontofhim，asthoughshehadbeenwaitingforhimthere。
　　Heshudderedandstopped；sheseizedhishandandpresseditfrenziedly。
　　No，thiswasnoapparition！
　　Thereshestoodatlast，facetofacewithhim，forthefirsttimesincetheirparting。
　　Shesaidsomething，buthelookedsilentlybackather。Hisheartachedwithanguish。Oh！neverwouldhebanishtherecollectionofthismeetingwithher，andheneverremembereditbutwiththesamepainandagonyofmind。
　　Shewentonherkneesbeforehim——thereintheopenroad——likeamadwoman。Heretreatedastep，butshecaughthishandandkissedit，and，justasinhisdream，thetearsweresparklingonherlong，beautifullashes。
　　"Getup！"hesaid，inafrightenedwhisper，raisingher。"Getupatonce！"
　　"Areyouhappy——areyouhappy？"sheasked。"Saythisoneword。
　　Areyouhappynow？Today，thismoment？Haveyoujustbeenwithher？Whatdidshesay？"
　　Shedidnotrisefromherknees；shewouldnotlistentohim；sheputherquestionshurriedly，asthoughshewerepursued。
　　"Iamgoingawaytomorrow，asyoubademe——Iwon’twrite——sothatthisisthelasttimeIshallseeyou，thelasttime！ThisisreallytheLASTTIME！"
　　"Oh，becalm——becalm！Getup！"heentreated，indespair。
　　Shegazedthirstilyathimandclutchedhishands。
　　"Good-bye！"shesaidatlast，androseandlefthim，veryquickly。
　　TheprincenoticedthatRogojinhadsuddenlyappearedatherside，andhadtakenherarmandwasleadingheraway。
　　"Waitaminute，prince，"shoutedthelatter，ashewent。"Ishallbebackinfiveminutes。"
　　Hereappearedinfiveminutesashehadsaid。Theprincewaswaitingforhim。
　　"I’veputherinthecarriage，"hesaid；"ithasbeenwaitingroundthecornertheresinceteno’clock。SheexpectedthatyouwouldbewithTHEMalltheevening。Itoldherexactlywhatyouwroteme。Shewon’twritetothegirlanymore，shepromises；andtomorrowshewillbeoff，asyouwish。Shedesiredtoseeyouforthelasttime，althoughyourefused，sowe’vebeensittingandwaitingonthatbenchtillyoushouldpassonyourwayhome。"
　　"Didshebringyouwithherofherownaccord？"
　　"Ofcourseshedid！"saidRogojin，showinghisteeth；"andIsawformyselfwhatIknewbefore。You’vereadherletters，I
　　suppose？"
　　"Didyoureadthem？"askedtheprince，struckbythethought。
　　"Ofcourse——sheshowedthemtomeherself。Youarethinkingoftherazor，eh？Ha，ha，ha！"
　　"Oh，sheismad！"criedtheprince，wringinghishands。"Whoknows？Perhapssheisnotsomadafterall，"saidRogojin，softly，asthoughthinkingaloud。
　　Theprincemadenoreply。
　　"Well，good-bye，"saidRogojin。"I’mofftomorrowtoo，youknow。
　　Remembermekindly！By-the-by，"headded，turningroundsharplyagain，"didyouanswerherquestionjustnow？Areyouhappy，ornot？"
　　"No，no，no！"criedtheprince，withunspeakablesadness。
　　"Ha，ha！Ineversupposedyouwouldsay’yes，’"criedRogojin，laughingsardonically。
　　Andhedisappeared，withoutlookingroundagain。
　　PARTIV
　　I。
　　AWEEKhadelapsedsincetherendezvousofourtwofriendsonthegreenbenchinthepark，when，onefinemorningatabouthalf-
　　pastteno’clock，VarvaraArdalionovna，otherwiseMrs。Ptitsin，whohadbeenouttovisitafriend，returnedhomeinastateofconsiderablementaldepression。
　　Therearecertainpeopleofwhomitisdifficulttosayanythingwhichwillatoncethrowthemintorelief——inotherwords，describethemgraphicallyintheirtypicalcharacteristics。Thesearetheywhoaregenerallyknownas"commonplacepeople，"andthisclasscomprises，ofcourse，theimmensemajorityofmankind。
　　Authors，asarule，attempttoselectandportraytypesrarelymetwithintheirentirety，butthesetypesareneverthelessmorerealthanreallifeitself。
　　"Podkoleosin"[AcharacterinGogol’scomedy，TheWedding。]wasperhapsanexaggeration，buthewasbynomeansanon-existentcharacter；onthecontrary，howmanyintelligentpeople，afterhearingofthisPodkoleosinfromGogol，immediatelybegantofindthatscoresoftheirfriendswereexactlylikehim！Theyknew，perhaps，beforeGogoltoldthem，thattheirfriendswerelikePodkoleosin，buttheydidnotknowwhatnametogivethem。Inreallife，youngfellowsseldomjumpoutofthewindowjustbeforetheirweddings，becausesuchafeat，nottospeakofitsotheraspects，mustbeadecidedlyunpleasantmodeofescape；andyetthereareplentyofbridegrooms，intelligentfellowstoo，whowouldbereadytoconfessthemselvesPodkoleosinsinthedepthsoftheirconsciousness，justbeforemarriage。Nordoeseveryhusbandfeelboundtorepeatateverystep，"Tul’asvoulu，GeorgesDandin！"likeanothertypicalpersonage；andyethowmanymillionsandbillionsofGeorgesDandinsthereareinreallifewhofeelinclinedtoutterthissoul-drawncryaftertheirhoneymoon，ifnotthedayafterthewedding！Therefore，withoutenteringintoanymoreseriousexaminationofthequestion，I
　　willcontentmyselfwithremarkingthatinreallifetypicalcharactersare"watereddown，"sotospeak；andalltheseDandinsandPodkoleosinsactuallyexistamonguseveryday，butinadilutedform。Iwilljustadd，however，thatGeorgesDandinmighthaveexistedexactlyasMolierepresentedhim，andprobablydoesexistnowandthen，thoughrarely；andsoIwillendthisscientificexamination，whichisbeginningtolooklikeanewspapercriticism。Butforallthis，thequestionremains，——
　　whatarethenoveliststodowithcommonplacepeople，andhowaretheytobepresentedtothereaderinsuchaformastobeintheleastdegreeinteresting？Theycannotbeleftoutaltogether，forcommonplacepeoplemeetoneateveryturnoflife，andtoleavethemoutwouldbetodestroythewholerealityandprobabilityofthestory。Tofillanovelwithtypicalcharactersonly，orwithmerelystrangeanduncommonpeople，wouldrenderthebookunrealandimprobable，andwouldverylikelydestroytheinterest。Inmyopinion，thedutyofthenovelististoseekoutpointsofinterestandinstructioneveninthecharactersofcommonplacepeople。
　　Forinstance，whenthewholeessenceofanordinaryperson’snatureliesinhisperpetualandunchangeablecommonplaceness；
　　andwheninspiteofallhisendeavourstodosomethingoutofthecommon，thispersonends，eventually，byremaininginhisunbrokenlineofroutine。Ithinksuchanindividualreallydoesbecomeatypeofhisown——atypeofcommonplacenesswhichwillnotfortheworld，ifitcanhelpit，becontented，butstrainsandyearnstobesomethingoriginalandindependent，withouttheslightestpossibilityofbeingso。Tothisclassofcommonplacepeoplebelongseveralcharactersinthisnovel；——
　　characterswhich——Iadmit——Ihavenotdrawnveryvividlyuptonowformyreader’sbenefit。
　　Suchwere，forinstance，VarvaraArdalionovnaPtitsin，herhusband，andherbrother，Gania。
　　Thereisnothingsoannoyingastobefairlyrich，ofafairlygoodfamily，pleasingpresence，averageeducation，tobe"notstupid，"kind-hearted，andyettohavenotalentatall，nooriginality，notasingleideaofone’sown——tobe，infact，"justlikeeveryoneelse。"
　　Ofsuchpeopletherearecountlessnumbersinthisworld——farmoreeventhanappear。Theycanbedividedintotwoclassesasallmencan——thatis，thoseoflimitedintellect，andthosewhoaremuchcleverer。Theformeroftheseclassesisthehappier。
　　Toacommonplacemanoflimitedintellect，forinstance，nothingissimplerthantoimaginehimselfanoriginalcharacter，andtorevelinthatbeliefwithouttheslightestmisgiving。
　　Manyofouryoungwomenhavethoughtfittocuttheirhairshort，putonbluespectacles，andcallthemselvesNihilists。Bydoingthistheyhavebeenabletopersuadethemselves，withoutfurthertrouble，thattheyhaveacquirednewconvictionsoftheirown。
　　Somemenhavebutfeltsomelittlequalmofkindnesstowardstheirfellow-men，andthefacthasbeenquiteenoughtopersuadethemthattheystandaloneinthevanofenlightenmentandthatnoonehassuchhumanitarianfeelingsasthey。Othershavebuttoreadanideaofsomebodyelse’s，andtheycanimmediatelyassimilateitandbelievethatitwasachildoftheirownbrain。
　　The"impudenceofignorance，"ifImayusetheexpression，isdevelopedtoawonderfulextentinsuchcases；——unlikelyasitappears，itismetwithateveryturn。
　　ThisconfidenceofastupidmaninhisowntalentshasbeenwonderfullydepictedbyGogolintheamazingcharacterofPirogoff。Pirogoffhasnottheslightestdoubtofhisowngenius，——nay，ofhisSUPERIORITYofgenius，——socertainisheofitthatheneverquestionsit。HowmanyPirogoffshavetherenotbeenamongourwriters——scholars——propagandists？Isay"havebeen，"butindeedthereareplentyofthematthisveryday。
　　Ourfriend，Gania，belongedtotheotherclass——tothe"muchcleverer"persons，thoughhewasfromheadtofootpermeatedandsaturatedwiththelongingtobeoriginal。Thisclass，asIhavesaidabove，isfarlesshappy。Forthe"clevercommonplace"
　　person，thoughhemaypossiblyimaginehimselfamanofgeniusandoriginality，nonethelesshaswithinhisheartthedeathlesswormofsuspicionanddoubt；andthisdoubtsometimesbringsaclevermantodespair。Asarule，however，nothingtragichappens；——hisliverbecomesalittledamagedinthecourseoftime，nothingmoreserious。Suchmendonotgiveuptheiraspirationsafteroriginalitywithoutaseverestruggle，——andtherehavebeenmenwho，thoughgoodfellowsinthemselves，andevenbenefactorstohumanity，havesunktothelevelofbasecriminalsforthesakeoforiginality。
　　Ganiawasabeginner，asitwere，uponthisroad。Adeepandunchangeableconsciousnessofhisownlackoftalent，combinedwithavastlongingtobeabletopersuadehimselfthathewasoriginal，hadrankledinhisheart，evenfromchildhood。
　　Heseemedtohavebeenbornwithoverwroughtnerves，andinhispassionatedesiretoexcel，hewasoftenledtothebrinkofsomerashstep；andyet，havingresolveduponsuchastep，whenthemomentarrived，heinvariablyprovedtoosensibletotakeit。Hewasready，inthesameway，todoabaseactioninordertoobtainhiswished-forobject；andyet，whenthemomentcametodoit，hefoundthathewastoohonestforanygreatbaseness。Notthatheobjectedtoactsofpettymeanness——hewasalwaysreadyforTHEM。Helookedwithhateandloathingonthepovertyanddownfallofhisfamily，andtreatedhismotherwithhaughtycontempt，althoughheknewthathiswholefuturedependedonhercharacterandreputation。
　　Aglayahadsimplyfrightenedhim；yethedidnotgiveupallthoughtsofher——thoughheneverseriouslyhopedthatshewouldcondescendtohim。Atthetimeofhis"adventure"withNastasiaPhilipovnahehadcometotheconclusionthatmoneywashisonlyhope——moneyshoulddoallforhim。
　　AtthemomentwhenhelostAglaya，andafterthescenewithNastasia，hehadfeltsolowinhisowneyesthatheactuallybroughtthemoneybacktotheprince。Ofthisreturningofthemoneygiventohimbyamadwomanwhohadreceiveditfromamadman，hehadoftenrepentedsince——thoughheneverceasedtobeproudofhisaction。DuringtheshorttimethatMuishkinremainedinPetersburgGaniahadhadtimetocometohatehimforhissympathy，thoughtheprincetoldhimthatitwas"noteveryonewhowouldhaveactedsonobly"astoreturnthemoney。Hehadlongpondered，too，overhisrelationswithAglaya，andhadpersuadedhimselfthatwithsuchastrange，childish，innocentcharacterashers，thingsmighthaveendedverydifferently。
　　Remorsethenseizedhim；hethrewuphispost，andburiedhimselfinself-tormentandreproach。
　　HelivedatPtitsin’s，andopenlyshowedcontemptforthelatter，thoughhealwayslistenedtohisadvice，andwassensibleenoughtoaskforitwhenhewantedit。GavrilaArdalionovitchwasangrywithPtitsinbecausethelatterdidnotcaretobecomeaRothschild。"IfyouaretobeaJew，"hesaid，"doitproperly——
　　squeezepeoplerightandleft，showsomecharacter；betheKingoftheJewswhileyouareaboutit。"
　　Ptitsinwasquietandnoteasilyoffended——heonlylaughed。ButononeoccasionheexplainedseriouslytoGaniathathewasnoJew，thathedidnothingdishonest，thathecouldnothelpthemarketpriceofmoney，that，thankstohisaccuratehabits，hehadalreadyagoodfootingandwasrespected，andthathisbusinesswasflourishing。
　　"Ishan’teverbeaRothschild，andthereisnoreasonwhyI
　　should，"headded，smiling；"butIshallhaveahouseintheLiteynaya，perhapstwo，andthatwillbeenoughforme。""WhoknowsbutwhatImayhavethree！"heconcludedtohimself；butthisdream，cherishedinwardly，heneverconfidedtoasoul。
　　Naturelovesandfavourssuchpeople。Ptitsinwillcertainlyhavehisreward，notthreehouses，butfour，preciselybecausefromchildhooduphehadrealizedthathewouldneverbeaRothschild。
　　ThatwillbethelimitofPtitsin’sfortune，and，comewhatmay，hewillneverhavemorethanfourhouses。
　　VarvaraArdalionovnawasnotlikeherbrother。Shetoo，hadpassionatedesires，buttheywerepersistentratherthanimpetuous。Herplanswereaswiseashermethodsofcarryingthemout。Nodoubtshealsobelongedtothecategoryofordinarypeoplewhodreamofbeingoriginal，butshesoondiscoveredthatshehadnotagrainoftrueoriginality，andshedidnotletittroublehertoomuch。Perhapsacertainkindofpridecametoherhelp。ShemadeherfirstconcessiontothedemandsofpracticallifewithgreatresolutionwhensheconsentedtomarryPtitsin。
　　However，whenshemarriedshedidnotsaytoherself，"Nevermindameanactionifitleadstotheendinview，"asherbrotherwouldcertainlyhavesaidinsuchacase；itisquiteprobablethathemayhavesaiditwhenheexpressedhiselder-brotherlysatisfactionatherdecision。Farfromthis；VarvaraArdalionovnadidnotmarryuntilshefeltconvincedthatherfuturehusbandwasunassuming，agreeable，almostcultured，andthatnothingonearthwouldtempthimtoareallydishonourabledeed。Astosmallmeannesses，suchtriflesdidnottroubleher。Indeed，whoisfreefromthem？Itisabsurdtoexpecttheideal！Besides，sheknewthathermarriagewouldprovidearefugeforallherfamily。
　　SeeingGaniaunhappy，shewasanxioustohelphim，inspiteoftheirformerdisputesandmisunderstandings。Ptitsin，inafriendlyway，wouldpresshisbrother-in-lawtoenterthearmy。
　　"Youknow，"hesaidsometimes，jokingly，"youdespisegeneralsandgeneraldom，butyouwillseethat’they’willallendbybeinggeneralsintheirturn。Youwillseeitifyoulivelongenough！"
　　"ButwhyshouldtheysupposethatIdespisegenerals？"Ganiathoughtsarcasticallytohimself。
　　Toserveherbrother’sinterests，VarvaraArdalionovnawasconstantlyattheEpanchins’house，helpedbythefactthatinchildhoodsheandGaniahadplayedwithGeneralIvanFedorovitch’sdaughters。Itwouldhavebeeninconsistentwithhercharacterifinthesevisitsshehadbeenpursuingachimera；herprojectwasnotchimericalatall；shewasbuildingonafirmbasis——onherknowledgeofthecharacteroftheEpanchinfamily，especiallyAglaya，whomshestudiedclosely。AllVarvara’seffortsweredirectedtowardsbringingAglayaandGaniatogether。
　　Perhapssheachievedsomeresult；perhaps，also，shemadethemistakeofdependingtoomuchuponherbrother，andexpectingmorefromhimthanhewouldeverbecapableofgiving。Howeverthismaybe，hermanoeuvreswereskilfulenough。ForweeksatatimeshewouldnevermentionGania。Herattitudewasmodestbutdignified，andshewasalwaysextremelytruthfulandsincere。
　　Examiningthedepthsofherconscience，shefoundnothingtoreproachherselfwith，andthisstillfurtherstrengthenedherinherdesigns。ButVarvaraArdalionovnasometimesremarkedthatshefeltspiteful；thattherewasagooddealofvanityinher，perhapsevenofwoundedvanity。Shenoticedthisatcertaintimesmorethanatothers，andespeciallyafterhervisitstotheEpanchins。
　　Today，asIhavesaid，shereturnedfromtheirhousewithaheavyfeelingofdejection。Therewasasensationofbitterness，asortofmockingcontempt，mingledwithit。
　　Arrivedatherownhouse，Variaheardaconsiderablecommotiongoingonintheupperstorey，anddistinguishedthevoicesofherfatherandbrother。OnenteringthesalonshefoundGaniapacingupanddownatfranticspeed，palewithrageandalmosttearinghishair。Shefrowned，andsubsidedontothesofawithatiredair，andwithouttakingthetroubletoremoveherhat。Sheverywellknewthatifshekeptquietandaskedherbrothernothingabouthisreasonfortearingupanddowntheroom，hiswrathwouldfalluponherhead。Soshehastenedtoputthequestion:
　　"Theoldstory，eh？"
　　"Oldstory？No！Heavenknowswhat’supnow——Idon’t！Fatherhassimplygonemad；mother’sinfloodsoftears。Uponmyword，Varia，Imustkickhimoutofthehouse；orelsegomyself，"headded，probablyrememberingthathecouldnotwellturnpeopleoutofahousewhichwasnothisown。
　　"Youmustmakeallowances，"murmuredVaria。
　　"Makeallowances？Forwhom？Him——theoldblackguard？No，no，Varia——thatwon’tdo！Itwon’tdo，Itellyou！Andlookattheswaggeroftheman！He’salltoblamehimself，andyetheputsonsomuch’side’thatyou’dthink——myword！——’It’stoomuchtroubletogothroughthegate，youmustbreakthefenceforme！’
　　That’sthesortofairheputson；butwhat’sthematterwithyou，Varia？Whatacuriousexpressionyouhave！"
　　"I’mallright，"saidVaria，inatonethatsoundedasthoughshewereallwrong。
　　Ganialookedmoreintentlyather。
　　"You’vebeenTHERE？"heasked，suddenly。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Didyoufindoutanything？"
　　"Nothingunexpected。Idiscoveredthatit’salltrue。Myhusbandwaswiserthaneitherofus。Justashesuspectedfromthebeginning，soithasfallenout。Whereishe？"
　　"Out。Well——whathashappened？——goon。"
　　"Theprinceisformallyengagedtoher——that’ssettled。Theeldersisterstoldmeaboutit。Aglayahasagreed。Theydon’tattempttoconcealitanylonger；youknowhowmysteriousandsecrettheyhaveallbeenuptonow。Adelaida’sweddingisputoffagain，sothatbothcanbemarriedononeday。Isn’tthatdelightfullyromantic？Somebodyoughttowriteapoemonit。Sitdownandwriteanodeinsteadoftearingupanddownlikethat。ThiseveningPrincessBielokonskiistoarrive；shecomesjustintime——theyhaveapartytonight。HeistobepresentedtooldBielokonski，thoughIbelieveheknowsheralready；probablytheengagementwillbeopenlyannounced。Theyareonlyafraidthathemayknocksomethingdown，ortripoversomethingwhenhecomesintotheroom。Itwouldbejustlikehim。"
　　Ganialistenedattentively，buttohissister’sastonishmenthewasbynomeanssoimpressedbythisnewswhichshould，shethought，havebeensoimportanttohimasshehadexpected。
　　"Well，itwasclearenoughallalong，"hesaid，afteramoment’sreflection。"Sothat’stheend，"headded，withadisagreeablesmile，continuingtowalkupanddowntheroom，butmuchslowerthanbefore，andglancingslylyintohissister’sface。
　　"It’sagoodthingthatyoutakeitphilosophically，atallevents，"saidVaria。"I’mreallyverygladofit。"
　　"Yes，it’soffourhands——offYOURS，Ishouldsay。"
　　"IthinkIhaveservedyoufaithfully。IneverevenaskedyouwhathappinessyouexpectedtofindwithAglaya。"
　　"DidIeverexpecttofindhappinesswithAglaya？"
　　"Come，come，don’toverdoyourphilosophy。Ofcourseyoudid。Nowit’sallover，andagoodthing，too；pairoffoolsthatwehavebeen！IconfessIhaveneverbeenabletolookatitseriously。I
　　busiedmyselfinitforyoursake，thinkingthattherewasnoknowingwhatmighthappenwithafunnygirllikethattodealwith。Therewereninetytoonechancesagainstit。TothismomentIcan’tmakeoutwhyyouwishedforit。"
　　"H’m！now，Isuppose，youandyourhusbandwillneverwearyofeggingmeontoworkagain。You’llbeginyourlecturesaboutperseveranceandstrengthofwill，andallthat。Iknowitallbyheart，"saidGania，laughing。
　　"He’sgotsomenewideainhishead，"thoughtVaria。"Aretheypleasedoverthere——theparents？"askedGania，suddenly。
　　"N——no，Idon’tthinktheyare。Youcanjudgeforyourself。I
　　thinkthegeneralispleasedenough；hermotherisalittleuneasy。ShealwaysloathedtheideaoftheprinceasaHUSBAND；
　　everybodyknowsthat。"
　　"Ofcourse，naturally。Thebridegroomisanimpossibleandridiculousone。Imean，hasSHEgivenherformalconsent？"
　　"Shehasnotsaid’no，’uptonow，andthat’sall。Itwassuretobesowithher。Youknowwhatsheislike。Youknowhowabsurdlyshysheis。Yourememberhowsheusedtohideinacupboardasachild，soastoavoidseeingvisitors，forhoursatatime。Sheisjustthesamenow；but，doyouknow，Ithinkthereissomethingseriousinthematter，evenfromherside；Ifeelit，somehow。Shelaughsattheprince，theysay，frommorntonightinordertohideherrealfeelings；butyoumaybesureshefindsoccasiontosaysomethingorothertohimonthesly，forhehimselfisinastateofradianthappiness。Hewalksintheclouds；theysayheisextremelyfunnyjustnow；Ihearditfromthemselves。Theyseemedtobelaughingatmeintheirsleeves——
　　thoseeldergirls——Idon’tknowwhy。"
　　Ganiahadbeguntofrown，andprobablyVariaaddedthislastsentenceinordertoprobehisthought。However，atthismoment，thenoisebeganagainupstairs。
　　"I’llturnhimout！"shoutedGania，gladoftheopportunityofventinghisvexation。"Ishalljustturnhimout——wecan’thavethis。"
　　"Yes，andthenhe’llgoabouttheplaceanddisgraceusashedidyesterday。"
　　"How’ashedidyesterday’？Whatdoyoumean？Whatdidhedoyesterday？"askedGania，inalarm。
　　"Why，goodnessme，don’tyouknow？"Variastoppedshort。
　　"What？Youdon’tmeantosaythathewentthereyesterday！"criedGania，flushingredwithshameandanger。"Goodheavens，Varia！
　　Speak！Youhavejustbeenthere。WAShethereornot，QUICK？"AndGaniarushedforthedoor。Variafollowedandcaughthimbybothhands。
　　"Whatareyoudoing？Whereareyougoingto？Youcan’tlethimgonow；ifyoudohe’llgoanddosomethingworse。"
　　"Whatdidhedothere？Whatdidhesay？""Theycouldn’ttellmethemselves；theycouldn’tmakeheadortailofit；buthefrightenedthemall。Hecametoseethegeneral，whowasnotathome；soheaskedforLizabethaProkofievna。Firstofall，hebeggedherforsomeplace，orsituation，forworkofsomekind，andthenhebegantocomplainaboutUS，aboutmeandmyhusband，andyou，especiallyYOU；hesaidalotofthings。"
　　"Oh！couldn’tyoufindout？"mutteredGania，tremblinghysterically。
　　"No——nothingmorethanthat。Why，theycouldn’tunderstandhimthemselves；andverylikelydidn’ttellmeall。"
　　Ganiaseizedhisheadwithbothhandsandtotteredtothewindow；
　　Variasatdownattheotherwindow。
　　"Funnygirl，Aglaya，"sheobserved，afterapause。"Whensheleftmeshesaid，’Givemyspecialandpersonalrespectstoyourparents；Ishallcertainlyfindanopportunitytoseeyourfatheroneday，’andsoseriousoverit。She’sastrangecreature。"
　　"Wasn’tshejoking？Shewasspeakingsarcastically！""Notabitofit；that’sjustthestrangepartofit。"
　　"Doessheknowaboutfather，doyouthink——ornot？"
　　"ThattheydoNOTknowaboutitinthehouseisquitecertain，therestofthem，Imean；butyouhavegivenmeanidea。Aglayaperhapsknows。Shealone，though，ifanyone；forthesisterswereasastonishedasIwastohearherspeaksoseriously。Ifsheknows，theprincemusthavetoldher。"
　　"Oh！it’snotagreatmattertoguesswhotoldher。Athief！A
　　thiefinourfamily，andtheheadofthefamily，too！"
　　"Oh！nonsense！"criedVaria，angrily。"Thatwasnothingbutadrunkard’stale。Nonsense！Why，whoinventedthewholething