Lebedeffandtheprince——aprettypair！Bothwereprobablydrunk。"
　　"Fatherisadrunkardandathief；Iamabeggar，andthehusbandofmysisterisausurer，"continuedGania，bitterly。"TherewasaprettylistofadvantageswithwhichtoenchanttheheartofAglaya。"
　　"Thatsamehusbandofyoursister，theusurer——"
　　"Feedsme？Goon。Don’tstandonceremony，pray。"
　　"Don’tloseyourtemper。Youarejustlikeaschoolboy。YouthinkthatallthissortofthingwouldharmyouinAglaya’seyes，doyou？Youlittleknowhercharacter。Sheiscapableofrefusingthemostbrilliantparty，andrunningawayandstarvinginagarretwithsomewretchedstudent；that’sthesortofgirlsheis。Younevercouldordidunderstandhowinterestingyouwouldhaveseeninhereyesifyouhadcomefirmlyandproudlythroughourmisfortunes。Theprincehassimplycaughtherwithhookandline；firstly，becauseheneverthoughtoffishingforher，andsecondly，becauseheisanidiotintheeyesofmostpeople。It’squiteenoughforherthatbyacceptinghimsheputsherfamilyoutandannoysthemallround——that’swhatshelikes。Youdon’tunderstandthesethings。"
　　"WeshallseewhetherIunderstandorno！"saidGania，enigmatically。"ButIshouldn’tlikehertoknowallaboutfather，allthesame。Ithoughttheprincewouldmanagetoholdhistongueaboutthis，atleast。HepreventedLebedeffspreadingthenews——hewouldn’teventellmeallwhenIaskedhim——"
　　"Thenyoumustseethatheisnotresponsible。Whatdoesitmattertoyounow，inanycase？Whatareyouhopingforstill？IfyouHAVEahopeleft，itisthatyoursufferingairmaysoftenherhearttowardsyou。"
　　"Oh，shewouldfunkascandallikeanyoneelse。Youarealltarredwithonebrush！"
　　"What！AGLAYAwouldhavefunked？Youareachicken-heartedfellow，Gania！"saidVaria，lookingatherbrotherwithcontempt。
　　"Notoneofusisworthmuch。Aglayamaybeawildsortofagirl，butsheisfarnoblerthananyofus，athousandtimesnobler！"
　　"Well——come！there’snothingtogetcrossabout，"saidGania。
　　"AllI’mafraidofis——mother。I’mafraidthisscandalaboutfathermaycometoherears；perhapsithasalready。Iamdreadfullyafraid。"
　　"Itundoubtedlyhasalready！"observedGania。
　　Variahadrisenfromherplaceandhadstartedtogoupstairstohermother；butatthisobservationofGania’ssheturnedandgazedathimattentively。
　　"Whocouldhavetoldher？"
　　"Hippolyte，probably。Hewouldthinkitthemostdelightfulamusementintheworldtotellherofittheinstanthemovedoverhere；Ihaven’tadoubtofit。"
　　"Buthowcouldheknowanythingofit？Tellmethat。Lebedeffandtheprincedeterminedtotellnoone——evenColiaknowsnothing。"
　　"What，Hippolyte？Hefounditouthimself，ofcourse。Why，youhavenoideawhatacunninglittleanimalheis；dirtylittlegossip！Hehasthemostextraordinarynoseforsmellingoutotherpeople’ssecrets，oranythingapproachingtoscandal。Believeitornot，butI’mprettysurehehasgotroundAglaya。Ifhehasn’t，hesoonwill。Rogojinisintimatewithhim，too。Howtheprincedoesn’tnoticeit，Ican’tunderstand。Thelittlewretchconsidersmehisenemynowanddoeshisbesttocatchmetripping。Whatonearthdoesitmattertohim，whenhe’sdying？
　　However，you’llsee；IshallcatchHIMtrippingyet，andnotheme。"
　　"Whydidyougethimoverhere，ifyouhatehimso？Andisitreallyworthyourwhiletotrytoscoreoffhim？"
　　"Why，itwasyourselfwhoadvisedmetobringhimover！"
　　"Ithoughthemightbeuseful。YouknowheisinlovewithAglayahimself，now，andhaswrittentoher；hehasevenwrittentoLizabethaProkofievna！"
　　"Oh！he’snotdangerousthere！"criedGania，laughingangrily。
　　"However，Ibelievethereissomethingofthatsortintheair；
　　heisverylikelytobeinlove，forheisamereboy。Buthewon’twriteanonymousletterstotheoldlady；thatwouldbetooaudaciousathingforhimtoattempt；butIdaresweartheveryfirstthinghedidwastoshowmeuptoAglayaasabasedeceiverandintriguer。IconfessIwasfoolenoughtoattemptsomethingthroughhimatfirst。Ithoughthewouldthrowhimselfintomyserviceoutofrevengefulfeelingstowardstheprince，theslylittlebeast！ButIknowhimbetternow。Asforthetheft，hemayhaveheardofitfromthewidowinPetersburg，foriftheoldmancommittedhimselftosuchanact，hecanhavedoneitfornootherobjectbuttogivethemoneytoher。Hippolytesaidtome，withoutanyprelude，thatthegeneralhadpromisedthewidowfourhundredroubles。OfcourseIunderstood，andthelittlewretchlookedatmewithanastysortofsatisfaction。Iknowhim；youmaydependuponithewentandtoldmothertoo，forthepleasureofwoundingher。Andwhydoesn’thedie，Ishouldliketoknow？
　　Heundertooktodiewithinthreeweeks，andhereheisgettingfatter。Hiscoughisbetter，too。Itwasonlyyesterdaythathesaidthatwastheseconddayhehadn’tcoughedblood。"
　　"Well，turnhimout！"
　　"Idon’tHATE，Idespisehim，"saidGania，grandly。"Well，Idohatehim，ifyoulike！"headded，withasuddenaccessofrage，"andI’lltellhimsotohisface，evenwhenhe’sdying！Ifyouhadbutreadhisconfession——goodLord！whatrefinementofimpudence！Oh，butI’dhavelikedtowhiphimthenandthere，likeaschoolboy，justtoseehowsurprisedhewouldhavebeen！
　　Nowhehateseverybodybecausehe——Oh，Isay，whatoneartharetheydoingthere！Listentothatnoise！Ireallycan’tstandthisanylonger。Ptitsin！"hecried，asthelatterenteredtheroom，"whatinthenameofgoodnessarewecomingto？Listentothat——"
　　Butthenoisecamerapidlynearer，thedoorburstopen，andoldGeneralIvolgin，raging，furious，purple-faced，andtremblingwithanger，rushedin。HewasfollowedbyNinaAlexandrovna，Colia，andbehindtherest，Hippolyte。
　　II。
　　HIPPOLYTEhadnowbeenfivedaysatthePtitsins’。Hisflittingfromtheprince’stothesenewquartershadbeenbroughtaboutquitenaturallyandwithoutmanywords。Hedidnotquarrelwiththeprince——infact，theyseemedtopartasfriends。Gania，whohadbeenhostileenoughonthateventfulevening，hadhimselfcometoseehimacoupleofdayslater，probablyinobediencetosomesuddenimpulse。Forsomereasonorother，Rogojintoohadbeguntovisitthesickboy。Theprincethoughtitmightbebetterforhimtomoveawayfromhistheprince’shouse。
　　Hippolyteinformedhim，ashetookhisleave，thatPtitsin"hadbeenkindenoughtoofferhimacorner，"anddidnotsayawordaboutGania，thoughGaniahadprocuredhisinvitation，andhimselfcametofetchhimaway。Ganianoticedthisatthetime，andputittoHippolyte’sdebitonaccount。
　　GaniawasrightwhenhetoldhissisterthatHippolytewasgettingbetter；thathewasbetterwasclearatthefirstglance。
　　Heenteredtheroomnowlastofall，deliberately，andwithadisagreeablesmileonhislips。
　　NinaAlexandrovnacamein，lookingfrightened。Shehadchangedmuchsincewelastsawher，halfayearago，andhadgrownthinandpale。Colialookedworriedandperplexed。Hecouldnotunderstandthevagariesofthegeneral，andknewnothingofthelastachievementofthatworthy，whichhadcausedsomuchcommotioninthehouse。Buthecouldseethathisfatherhadoflatechangedverymuch，andthathehadbeguntobehaveinsoextraordinaryafashionbothathomeandabroadthathewasnotlikethesameman。Whatperplexedanddisturbedhimasmuchasanythingwasthathisfatherhadentirelygivenupdrinkingduringthelastfewdays。ColiaknewthathehadquarrelledwithbothLebedeffandtheprince，andhadjustboughtasmallbottleofvodkaandbroughtithomeforhisfather。
　　"Really，mother，"hehadassuredNinaAlexandrovnaupstairs，"reallyyouhadbetterlethimdrink。Hehasnothadadropforthreedays；hemustbesufferingagonies——Thegeneralnowenteredtheroom，threwthedoorwideopen，andstoodonthethresholdtremblingwithindignation。
　　"Lookhere，mydearsir，"hebegan，addressingPtitsininaveryloudtoneofvoice；"ifyouhavereallymadeupyourmindtosacrificeanoldman——yourfathertoooratalleventsfatherofyourwife——anoldmanwhohasservedhisemperor——toawretchedlittleatheistlikethis，allIcansayis，sir，myfootshallceasetotreadyourfloors。Makeyourchoice，sir；makeyourchoicequickly，ifyouplease！Meorthis——screw！Yes，screw，sir；Isaiditaccidentally，butletthewordstand——thisscrew，forhescrewsanddrillshimselfintomysoul——"
　　"Hadn’tyoubettersaycorkscrew？"saidHippolyte。
　　"No，sir，NOTcorkscrew。Iamageneral，notabottle，sir。Makeyourchoice，sir——meorhim。"
　　HereColiahandedhimachair，andhesubsidedintoit，breathlesswithrage。
　　"Hadn’tyoubetter——better——takeanap？"murmuredthestupefiedPtitsin。
　　"Anap？"shriekedthegeneral。"Iamnotdrunk，sir；youinsultme！Isee，"hecontinued，rising，"Iseethatallareagainstmehere。Enough——Igo；butknow，sirs——knowthat——"
　　Hewasnotallowedtofinishhissentence。Somebodypushedhimbackintohischair，andbeggedhimtobecalm。NinaAlexandrovnatrembled，andcriedquietly。Ganiaretiredtothewindowindisgust。
　　"ButwhathaveIdone？Whatishisgrievance？"askedHippolyte，grinning。
　　"Whathaveyoudone，indeed？"putinNinaAlexandrovna。"Yououghttobeashamedofyourself，teasinganoldmanlikethat——
　　andinyourposition，too。"
　　"AndpraywhatISmyposition，madame？Ihavethegreatestrespectforyou，personally；but——"
　　"He’salittlescrew，"criedthegeneral；"hedrillsholesmyheartandsoul。Hewishesmetobeaperverttoatheism。Know，youyounggreenhorn，thatIwascoveredwithhonoursbeforeeveryouwereborn；andyouarenothingbetterthanawretchedlittleworm，tornintwowithcoughing，anddyingslowlyofyourownmaliceandunbelief。WhatdidGavrilabringyouoverherefor？
　　They’reallagainstme，eventomyownson——allagainstme。"
　　"Oh，come——nonsense！"criedGania；"ifyoudidnotgoshamingusalloverthetown，thingsmightbebetterforallparties。"
　　"What——shameyou？I？——whatdoyoumean，youyoungcalf？Ishameyou？Icanonlydoyouhonour，sir；Icannotshameyou。"
　　Hejumpedupfromhischairinafitofuncontrollablerage。
　　Ganiawasveryangrytoo。
　　"Honour，indeed！"saidthelatter，withcontempt。
　　"Whatdoyousay，sir？"growledthegeneral，takingasteptowardshim。
　　"IsaythatIhavebuttoopenmymouth，andyou——"
　　Ganiabegan，butdidnotfinish。Thetwo——fatherandson——stoodbeforeoneanother，bothunspeakablyagitated，especiallyGania。
　　"Gania，Gania，reflect！"criedhismother，hurriedly。
　　"It’sallnonsenseonbothsides，"snappedoutVaria。"Letthemalone，mother。"
　　"It’sonlyformother’ssakethatIsparehim，"saidGania，tragically。
　　"Speak！"saidthegeneral，besidehimselfwithrageandexcitement；"speak——underthepenaltyofafather’scurse"Oh，father’scursebehanged——youdon’tfrightenmethatway！"
　　saidGania。"WhosefaultisitthatyouhavebeenasmadasaMarchhareallthisweek？Itisjustaweek——yousee，Icountthedays。Takecarenow；don’tprovokemetoomuch，orI’lltellall。
　　WhydidyougototheEpanchins’yesterday——tellmethat？Andyoucallyourselfanoldman，too，withgreyhair，andfatherofafamily！H’m——nicesortofafather。"
　　"Bequiet，Gania，"criedColia。"Shutup，youfool！"
　　"Yes，buthowhaveIoffendedhim？"repeatedHippolyte，stillinthesamejeeringvoice。"Whydoeshecallmeascrew？Youallheardit。HecametomehimselfandbegantellingmeaboutsomeCaptainEropegoff。Idon’twishforyourcompany，general。I
　　alwaysavoidedyou——youknowthat。WhathaveItodowithCaptainEropegoff？AllIdidwastoexpressmyopinionthatprobablyCaptainEropegoffneverexistedatall！"
　　"Ofcourseheneverexisted！"Ganiainterrupted。
　　Butthegeneralonlystoodstupefiedandgazedaroundinadazedway。Gania’sspeechhadimpressedhim，withitsterriblecandour。
　　Forthefirstmomentortwohecouldfindnowordstoanswerhim，anditwasonlywhenHippolyteburstoutlaughing，andsaid:
　　"There，yousee！EvenyourownsonsupportsmystatementthatthereneverwassuchapersonasCaptainEropegoff！"thattheoldfellowmutteredconfusedly:
　　"KapitonEropegoff——notCaptainEropegoff！——Kapiton——majorretired——Eropegoff——Kapiton。"
　　"Kapitondidn’texisteither！"persistedGania，maliciously。
　　"What？Didn’texist？"criedthepoorgeneral，andadeepblushsuffusedhisface。
　　"That’lldo，Gania！"criedVariaandPtitsin。
　　"Shutup，Gania！"saidColia。
　　Butthisintercessionseemedtorekindlethegeneral。
　　"Whatdidyoumean，sir，thathedidn’texist？Explainyourself，"
　　herepeated，angrily。
　　"BecauseheDIDN’Texist——nevercouldandneverdid——there！You’dbetterdropthesubject，Iwarnyou！"
　　"Andthisismyson——myownson——whomI——oh，graciousHeaven！
　　Eropegoff——EroshkaEropegoffdidn’texist！"
　　"Ha，ha！it’sEroshkanow，"laughedHippolyte。
　　"No，sir，Kapitoshka——notEroshka。Imean，KapitonAlexeyevitch——
　　retiredmajor——marriedMariaPetrovnaLu——Lu——hewasmyfriendandcompanion——Lutugoff——fromourearliestbeginnings。Iclosedhiseyesforhim——hewaskilled。KapitonEropegoffneverexisted！
　　tfu！"
　　Thegeneralshoutedinhisfury；butitwastobeconcludedthathiswrathwasnotkindledbytheexpresseddoubtastoKapiton’sexistence。Thiswashisscapegoat；buthisexcitementwascausedbysomethingquitedifferent。AsarulehewouldhavemerelyshouteddownthedoubtastoKapiton，toldalongyarnabouthisfriend，andeventuallyretiredupstairstohisroom。Buttoday，inthestrangeuncertaintyofhumannature，itseemedtorequirebutsosmallanoffenceasthistomakehiscuptooverflow。Theoldmangrewpurpleintheface，heraisedhishands。"Enoughofthis！"heyelled。"Mycurse——away，outofthehouseIgo！Colia，bringmybagaway！"Helefttheroomhastilyandinaparoxysmofrage。
　　Hiswife，Colia，andPtitsinranoutafterhim。
　　"Whathaveyoudonenow？"saidVariatoGania。"He’llprobablybemakingoffTHEREagain！Whatadisgraceitallis！"
　　"Well，heshouldn’tsteal，"criedGania，pantingwithfury。AndjustatthismomenthiseyemetHippolyte’s。
　　"Asforyou，sir，"hecried，"youshouldatleastrememberthatyouareinastrangehouseand——receivinghospitality；youshouldnottaketheopportunityoftormentinganoldman，sir，whoistooevidentlyoutofhismind。"
　　Hippolytelookedfurious，butherestrainedhimself。
　　"Idon’tquiteagreewithyouthatyourfatherisoutofhismind，"heobserved，quietly。"Onthecontrary，Icannothelpthinkinghehasbeenlessdementedoflate。Don’tyouthinkso？
　　Hehasgrownsocunningandcareful，andweighshiswordssodeliberately；hespoketomeaboutthatKapitonfellowwithanobject，youknow！Justfancy——hewantedmeto——"
　　"Oh，deviltakewhathewantedyoutodo！Don’ttrytobetoocunningwithme，youngman！"shoutedGania。"Ifyouareawareoftherealreasonformyfather’spresentconditionandyouhavekeptsuchanexcellentspyingwatchduringtheselastfewdaysthatyouaresuretobeawareofit——youhadnorightwhatevertotormentthe——unfortunateman，andtoworrymymotherbyyourexaggerationsoftheaffair；becausethewholebusinessisnonsense——simplyadrunkenfreak，andnothingmore，quiteunprovedbyanyevidence，andIdon’tbelievethatmuchofit！"
　　hesnappedhisfingers。"Butyoumustneedsspyandwatchoverusall，becauseyouarea-a——"
　　"Screw！"laughedHippolyte。
　　"Becauseyouareahumbug，sir；andthoughtfittoworrypeopleforhalfanhour，andtriedtofrightenthemintobelievingthatyouwouldshootyourselfwithyourlittleemptypistol，pirouettingaboutandplayingatsuicide！Igaveyouhospitality，youhavefattenedonit，yourcoughhasleftyou，andyourepayallthis——"
　　"Excuseme——twowords！IamVarvaraArdalionovna’sguest，notyours；YOUhaveextendednohospitalitytome。Onthecontrary，ifIamnotmistaken，IbelieveyouareyourselfindebtedtoMr。
　　Ptitsin’shospitality。FourdaysagoIbeggedmymothertocomedownhereandfindlodgings，becauseIcertainlydofeelbetterhere，thoughIamnotfat，norhaveIceasedtocough。Iamtodayinformedthatmyroomisreadyforme；therefore，havingthankedyoursisterandmotherfortheirkindnesstome，Iintendtoleavethehousethisevening。Ibegyourpardon——Iinterruptedyou——Ithinkyouwereabouttoaddsomething？"
　　"Oh——ifthatisthestateofaffairs——"beganGania。
　　"Excuseme——Iwilltakeaseat，"interruptedHippolyteoncemore，sittingdowndeliberately；"forIamnotstrongyet。Nowthen，I
　　amreadytohearyou。Especiallyasthisisthelastchanceweshallhaveofatalk，andverylikelythelastmeetingweshalleverhaveatall。"
　　Ganiafeltalittleguilty。
　　"IassureyouIdidnotmeantoreckonupdebitsandcredits，"hebegan，"andifyou——"
　　"Idon’tunderstandyourcondescension，"saidHippolyte。"Asforme，Ipromisedmyself，onthefirstdayofmyarrivalinthishouse，thatIwouldhavethesatisfactionofsettlingaccountswithyouinaverythoroughmannerbeforeIsaidgood-byetoyou。
　　Iintendtoperformthisoperationnow，ifyoulike；afteryou，though，ofcourse。"
　　"MayIaskyoutobesogoodastoleavethisroom？"
　　"You’dbetterspeakout。You’llbesorryafterwardsifyoudon’t。"
　　"Hippolyte，stop，please！It’ssodreadfullyundignified，"saidVaria。
　　"Well，onlyforthesakeofalady，"saidHippolyte，laughing。"I
　　amreadytoputoffthereckoning，butonlyputitoff，VarvaraArdalionovna，becauseanexplanationbetweenyourbrotherandmyselfhasbecomeanabsolutenecessity，andIcouldnotthinkofleavingthehousewithoutclearingupallmisunderstandingsfirst。"
　　"Inaword，youareawretchedlittlescandal-monger，"criedGania，"andyoucannotgoawaywithoutascandal！"
　　"Yousee，"saidHippolyte，coolly，"youcan’trestrainyourself。
　　You’llbedreadfullysorryafterwardsifyoudon’tspeakoutnow。
　　Come，youshallhavethefirstsay。I’llwait。"
　　Ganiawassilentandmerelylookedcontemptuouslyathim。
　　"Youwon’t？Verywell。Ishallbeasshortaspossible，formypart。Twoorthreetimesto-dayIhavehadtheword’hospitality’
　　pusheddownmythroat；thisisnotfair。Ininvitingmehereyouyourselfentrappedmeforyourownuse；youthoughtIwishedtorevengemyselfupontheprince。YouheardthatAglayaIvanovnahadbeenkindtomeandreadmyconfession。MakingsurethatI
　　shouldgivemyselfuptoyourinterests，youhopedthatyoumightgetsomeassistanceoutofme。Iwillnotgointodetails。I
　　don’taskeitheradmissionorconfirmationofthisfromyourself；
　　Iamquitecontenttoleaveyoutoyourconscience，andtofeelthatweunderstandoneanothercapitally。"
　　"Whatahistoryyouareweavingoutofthemostordinarycircumstances！"criedVaria。
　　"Itoldyouthefellowwasnothingbutascandalmonger，"saidGania。
　　"Excuseme，VariaArdalionovna，Iwillproceed。Ican，ofcourse，neitherlovenorrespecttheprince，thoughheisagood-heartedfellow，ifalittlequeer。Butthereisnoneedwhateverformetohatehim。Iquiteunderstoodyourbrotherwhenhefirstofferedmeaidagainsttheprince，thoughIdidnotshowit；I
　　knewwellthatyourbrotherwasmakingaridiculousmistakeinme。Iamreadytosparehim，however，evennow；butsolelyoutofrespectforyourself，VarvaraArdalionovna。
　　"HavingnowshownyouthatIamnotquitesuchafoolasIlook，andthatIhavetobefishedforwitharodandlineforagoodlongwhilebeforeIamcaught，IwillproceedtoexplainwhyI
　　speciallywishedtomakeyourbrotherlookafool。Thatmymotivepowerishate，Idonotattempttoconceal。IhavefeltthatbeforedyingandIamdying，howevermuchfatterImayappeartoyou，Imustabsolutelymakeafoolof，atleast，oneofthatclassofmenwhichhasdoggedmeallmylife，whichIhatesocordially，andwhichissoprominentlyrepresentedbyyourmuchesteemedbrother。Ishouldnotenjoyparadisenearlysomuchwithouthavingdonethisfirst。Ihateyou，GavrilaArdalionovitch，solelythismayseemcurioustoyou，butI
　　repeat——solelybecauseyouarethetype，andincarnation，andhead，andcrownofthemostimpudent，themostself-satisfied，themostvulgaranddetestableformofcommonplaceness。Youareordinaryoftheordinary；youhavenochanceofeverfatheringthepettiestideaofyourown。Andyetyouareasjealousandconceitedasyoucanpossiblybe；youconsideryourselfagreatgenius；ofthisyouarepersuaded，althoughtherearedarkmomentsofdoubtandrage，wheneventhisfactseemsuncertain。
　　Therearespotsofdarknessonyourhorizon，thoughtheywilldisappearwhenyoubecomecompletelystupid。Butalongandchequeredpathliesbeforeyou，andofthisIamglad。Inthefirstplaceyouwillnevergainacertainperson。"
　　"Come，come！Thisisintolerable！Youhadbetterstop，youlittlemischief-makingwretch！"criedVaria。Ganiahadgrownverypale；
　　hetrembled，butsaidnothing。
　　Hippolytepaused，andlookedathimintentlyandwithgreatgratification。HethenturnedhisgazeuponVaria，bowed，andwentout，withoutaddinganotherword。
　　Ganiamightjustlycomplainofthehardnesswithwhichfatetreatedhim。Variadarednotspeaktohimforalongwhile，ashestrodepasther，backwardsandforwards。Atlasthewentandstoodatthewindow，lookingout，withhisbackturnedtowardsher。Therewasafearfulrowgoingonupstairsagain。
　　"Areyouoff？"saidGania，suddenly，remarkingthatshehadrisenandwasabouttoleavetheroom。"Waitamoment——lookatthis。"
　　Heapproachedthetableandlaidasmallsheetofpaperbeforeher。Itlookedlikealittlenote。
　　"Goodheavens！"criedVaria，raisingherhands。
　　Thiswasthenote:
　　"GAVRILAARDOLIONOVITCH，——persuadedofyourkindnessofheart，I
　　havedeterminedtoaskyouradviceonamatterofgreatimportancetomyself。Ishouldliketomeetyoutomorrowmorningatseveno’clockbythegreenbenchinthepark。Itisnotfarfromourhouse。VarvaraArdalionovna，whomustaccompanyyou，knowstheplacewell。
　　"A。E。"
　　"Whatonearthisonetomakeofagirllikethat？"saidVaria。
　　Gania，littleashefeltinclinedforswaggeratthismoment，couldnotavoidshowinghistriumph，especiallyjustaftersuchhumiliatingremarksasthoseofHippolyte。Asmileofself-
　　satisfactionbeamedonhisface，andVariatoowasbrimmingoverwithdelight。
　　"Andthisistheverydaythattheyweretoannouncetheengagement！Whatwillshedonext？"
　　"Whatdoyousupposeshewantstotalkabouttomorrow？"askedGania。
　　"Oh，THAT’Sallthesame！Thechiefthingisthatshewantstoseeyouaftersixmonths’absence。Lookhere，Gania，thisisaSERIOUSbusiness。Don’tswaggeragainandlosethegame——playcarefully，butdon’tfunk，doyouunderstand？AsifshecouldpossiblyavoidseeingwhatIhavebeenworkingforallthislastsixmonths！Andjustimagine，Iwastherethismorningandnotawordofthis！Iwasthere，youknow，onthesly。Theoldladydidnotknow，orshewouldhavekickedmeout。Iransomeriskforyou，yousee。Ididsowanttofindout，atallhazards。"
　　Heretherewasafranticnoiseupstairsoncemore；severalpeopleseemedtoberushingdownstairsatonce。
　　"Now，Gania，"criedVaria，frightened，"wecan’tlethimgoout！
　　Wecan’taffordtohaveabreathofscandalaboutthetownatthismoment。Runafterhimandbeghispardon——quick。"
　　Butthefatherofthefamilywasoutintheroadalready。Coliawascarryinghisbagforhim；NinaAlexandrovnastoodandcriedonthedoorstep；shewantedtorunafterthegeneral，butPtitsinkeptherback。
　　"Youwillonlyexcitehimmore，"hesaid。"Hehasnowhereelsetogoto——he’llbebackhereinhalfanhour。I’vetalkeditalloverwithColia；lethimplaythefoolabit，itwilldohimgood。"
　　"Whatareyouupto？Whereareyouoffto？You’venowheretogoto，youknow，"criedGania，outofthewindow。
　　"Comeback，father；theneighbourswillhear！"criedVaria。
　　Thegeneralstopped，turnedround，raisedhishandsandremarked:
　　"Mycursebeuponthishouse！"
　　"Whichobservationshouldalwaysbemadeinastheatricalatoneaspossible，"mutteredGania，shuttingthewindowwithabang。
　　Theneighboursundoubtedlydidhear。Variarushedoutoftheroom。
　　Nosoonerhadhissisterlefthimalone，thanGaniatookthenoteoutofhispocket，kissedit，andpirouettedaround。
　　III。
　　Asageneralrule，oldGeneralIvolgin’sparoxysmsendedinsmoke。Hehadbeforethisexperiencedfitsofsuddenfury，butnotveryoften，becausehewasreallyamanofpeacefulandkindlydisposition。Hehadtriedhundredsoftimestoovercomethedissolutehabitswhichhehadcontractedoflateyears。Hewouldsuddenlyrememberthathewas"afather，"wouldbereconciledwithhiswife，andshedgenuinetears。HisfeelingforNinaAlexandrovnaamountedalmosttoadoration；shehadpardonedsomuchinsilence，andlovedhimstillinspiteofthestateofdegradationintowhichhehadfallen。Butthegeneral’sstruggleswithhisownweaknessneverlastedverylong。Hewas，inhisway，animpetuousman，andaquietlifeofrepentanceinthebosomofhisfamilysoonbecameinsupportabletohim。Intheendherebelled，andflewintorageswhichheregretted，perhaps，evenashegavewaytothem，butwhichwerebeyondhiscontrol。Hepickedquarrelswitheveryone，begantoholdfortheloquently，exactedunlimitedrespect，andatlastdisappearedfromthehouse，andsometimesdidnotreturnforalongtime。Hehadgivenupinterferingintheaffairsofhisfamilyfortwoyearsnow，andknewnothingaboutthembutwhathegatheredfromhearsay。
　　Butonthisoccasiontherewassomethingmoreseriousthanusual。
　　Everyoneseemedtoknowsomething，buttobeafraidtotalkaboutit。
　　Thegeneralhadturnedupinthebosomofhisfamilytwoorthreedaysbefore，butnot，asusual，withtheolivebranchofpeaceinhishand，notinthegarbofpenitence——inwhichhewasusuallycladonsuchoccasions——but，onthecontrary，inanuncommonlybadtemper。Hehadarrivedinaquarrelsomemood，pitchingintoeveryonehecameacross，andtalkingaboutallsortsandkindsofsubjectsinthemostunexpectedmanner，sothatitwasimpossibletodiscoverwhatitwasthatwasreallyputtinghimout。Atmomentshewouldbeapparentlyquitebrightandhappy；butasarulehewouldsitmoodyandthoughtful。HewouldabruptlycommencetoholdforthabouttheEpanchins，aboutLebedeff，ortheprince，andequallyabruptlywouldstopshortandrefusetospeakanotherword，answeringallfurtherquestionswithastupidsmile，unconsciousthathewassmiling，orthathehadbeenaskedaquestion。Thewholeofthepreviousnighthehadspenttossingaboutandgroaning，andpoorNinaAlexandrovnahadbeenbusymakingcoldcompressesandwarmfomentationsandsoon，withoutbeingveryclearhowtoapplythem。Hehadfallenasleepafterawhile，butnotforlong，andhadawakedinastateofviolenthypochondriawhichhadendedinhisquarrelwithHippolyte，andthesolemncursingofPtitsin’sestablishmentgenerally。Itwasalsoobservedduringthosetwoorthreedaysthathewasinastateofmorbidself-esteem，andwasspeciallytouchyonallpointsofhonour。Coliainsisted，indiscussingthematterwithhismother，thatallthiswasbuttheoutcomeofabstinencefromdrink，orperhapsofpiningafterLebedeff，withwhomuptothistimethegeneralhadbeenupontermsofthegreatestfriendship；
　　butwithwhom，forsomereasonorother，hehadquarrelledafewdayssince，partingfromhimingreatwrath。Therehadalsobeenascenewiththeprince。Coliahadaskedanexplanationofthelatter，buthadbeenforcedtoconcludethathewasnottoldthewholetruth。
　　IfHippolyteandNinaAlexandrovnahad，asGaniasuspected，hadsomespecialconversationaboutthegeneral’sactions，itwasstrangethatthemaliciousyouth，whomGaniahadcalledascandal-mongertohisface，hadnotallowedhimselfasimilarsatisfactionwithColia。
　　ThefactisthatprobablyHippolytewasnotquitesoblackasGaniapaintedhim；anditwashardlylikelythathehadinformedNinaAlexandrovnaofcertainevents，ofwhichweknow，forthemerepleasureofgivingherpain。Wemustneverforgetthathumanmotivesaregenerallyfarmorecomplicatedthanweareapttosuppose，andthatwecanveryrarelyaccuratelydescribethemotivesofanother。Itismuchbetterforthewriter，asarule，tocontenthimselfwiththebarestatementofevents；andweshalltakethislinewithregardtothecatastropherecordedabove，andshallstatetheremainingeventsconnectedwiththegeneral’stroubleshortly，becausewefeelthatwehavealreadygiventothissecondarycharacterinourstorymoreattentionthanweoriginallyintended。
　　Thecourseofeventshadmarchedinthefollowingorder。WhenLebedeffreturned，incompanywiththegeneral，aftertheirexpeditiontotownafewdayssince，forthepurposeofinvestigation，hebroughttheprincenoinformationwhatever。Ifthelatterhadnothimselfbeenoccupiedwithotherthoughtsandimpressionsatthetime，hemusthaveobservedthatLebedeffnotonlywasveryuncommunicative，butevenappearedanxioustoavoidhim。
　　Whentheprincedidgivethematteralittleattention，herecalledthefactthatduringthesedayshehadalwaysfoundLebedefftobeinradiantlygoodspirits，whentheyhappenedtomeet；andfurther，thatthegeneralandLebedeffwerealwaystogether。Thetwofriendsdidnotseemevertobepartedforamoment。
　　Occasionallytheprinceheardloudtalkingandlaughingupstairs，andoncehedetectedthesoundofajollysoldier’ssonggoingonabove，andrecognizedtheunmistakablebassofthegeneral’svoice。Butthesuddenoutbreakofsongdidnotlast；andforanhourafterwardstheanimatedsoundofapparentlydrunkenconversationcontinuedtobeheardfromabove。Atlengththerewastheclearestevidenceofagrandmutualembracing，andsomeoneburstintotears。Shortlyafterthis，however，therewasaviolentbutshort-livedquarrel，withloudtalkingonbothsides。
　　AllthesedaysColiahadbeeninastateofgreatmentalpreoccupation。Muishkinwasusuallyoutallday，andonlycamehomelateatnight。OnhisreturnhewasinvariablyinformedthatColiahadbeenlookingforhim。However，whentheydidmeet，Colianeverhadanythingparticulartotellhim，exceptingthathewashighlydissatisfiedwiththegeneralandhispresentconditionofmindandbehaviour。
　　"Theydrageachotherabouttheplace，"hesaid，andgetdrunktogetheratthepubclosebyhere，andquarrelinthestreetonthewayhome，andembraceoneanotherafterit，anddon’tseemtopartforamoment。"
　　Whentheprincepointedoutthattherewasnothingnewaboutthat，forthattheyhadalwaysbehavedinthismannertogether，Coliadidnotknowwhattosay；infacthecouldnotexplainwhatitwasthatspeciallyworriedhim，justnow，abouthisfather。
　　Onthemorningfollowingthebacchanaliansongsandquarrelsrecordedabove，astheprincesteppedoutofthehouseatabouteleveno’clock，thegeneralsuddenlyappearedbeforehim，muchagitated。
　　"Ihavelongsoughtthehonourandopportunityofmeetingyou——
　　much-esteemedLefNicolaievitch，"hemurmured，pressingtheprince’shandveryhard，almostpainfullyso；"long——verylong。"
　　Theprincebeggedhimtostepinandsitdown。
　　"No——Iwillnotsitdown，——Iamkeepingyou，Isee，——anothertime！——IthinkImaybepermittedtocongratulateyouupontherealizationofyourheart’sbestwishes，isitnotso？"
　　"Whatbestwishes？"
　　Theprinceblushed。Hethought，assomanyinhispositiondo，thatnobodyhadseen，heard，noticed，orunderstoodanything。
　　"Oh——beeasy，sir，beeasy！Ishallnotwoundyourtenderestfeelings。I’vebeenthroughitallmyself，andIknowwellhowunpleasantitiswhenanoutsiderstickshisnoseinwhereheisnotwanted。Iexperiencethiseverymorning。Icametospeaktoyouaboutanothermatter，though，animportantmatter。Averyimportantmatter，prince。"
　　Thelatterrequestedhimtotakeaseatoncemore，andsatdownhimself。
　　"Well——justforonesecond，then。Thefactis，Icameforadvice。
　　OfcourseIlivenowwithoutanyverypracticalobjectsinlife；
　　but，beingfullofself-respect，inwhichqualitytheordinaryRussianissodeficientasarule，andofactivity，Iamdesirous，inaword，prince，ofplacingmyselfandmywifeandchildreninapositionof——infact，Iwantadvice。"
　　Theprincecommendedhisaspirationswithwarmth。
　　"Quiteso——quiteso！Butthisisallmerenonsense。Icameheretospeakofsomethingquitedifferent，somethingveryimportant，prince。AndIhavedeterminedtocometoyouastoamaninwhosesincerityandnobilityoffeelingIcantrustlike——like——areyousurprisedatmywords，prince？"
　　Theprincewaswatchinghisguest，ifnotwithmuchsurprise，atalleventswithgreatattentionandcuriosity。
　　Theoldmanwasverypale；everynowandthenhislipstrembled，andhishandsseemedunabletorestquietly，butcontinuallymovedfromplacetoplace。Hehadtwicealreadyjumpedupfromhischairandsatdownagainwithoutbeingintheleastawareofit。Hewouldtakeupahookfromthetableandopenit——talkingallthewhile，——lookattheheadingofachapter，shutitandputitbackagain，seizinganotherimmediately，butholdingitunopenedinhishand，andwavingitintheairashespoke。
　　"Butenough！"hecried，suddenly。"IseeIhavebeenboringyouwithmy——"
　　"Notintheleast——notintheleast，Iassureyou。Onthecontrary，Iamlisteningmostattentively，andamanxioustoguess-"
　　"Prince，Iwishtoplacemyselfinarespectableposition——Iwishtoesteemmyself——andto——"
　　"Mydearsir，amanofsuchnobleaspirationsisworthyofallesteembyvirtueofthoseaspirationsalone。"
　　Theprincebroughtouthis"copy-booksentence"inthefirmbeliefthatitwouldproduceagoodeffect。Hefeltinstinctivelythatsomesuchwell-soundinghumbug，broughtoutatthepropermoment，wouldsoothetheoldman’sfeelings，andwouldbespeciallyacceptabletosuchamaninsuchaposition。Atallhazards，hisguestmustbedespatchedwithheartrelievedandspiritcomforted；thatwastheproblembeforetheprinceatthismoment。
　　Thephraseflatteredthegeneral，touchedhim，andpleasedhimmightily。Heimmediatelychangedhistone，andstartedoffonalongandsolemnexplanation。Butlistenashewould，theprincecouldmakeneitherheadnortailofit。
　　Thegeneralspokehotlyandquicklyfortenminutes；hespokeasthoughhiswordscouldnotkeeppacewithhiscrowdingthoughts。
　　Tearsstoodinhiseyes，andyethisspeechwasnothingbutacollectionofdisconnectedsentences，withoutbeginningandwithoutend——astringofunexpectedwordsandunexpectedsentiments——collidingwithoneanother，andjumpingoveroneanother，astheyburstfromhislips。
　　"Enough！"heconcludedatlast，"youunderstandme，andthatisthegreatthing。Aheartlikeyourscannothelpunderstandingthesufferingsofanother。Prince，youaretheidealofgenerosity；
　　whatareothermenbesideyourself？Butyouareyoung——acceptmyblessing！Myprincipalobjectistobegyoutofixanhourforamostimportantconversation——thatismygreathope，prince。Myheartneedsbutalittlefriendshipandsympathy，andyetI
　　cannotalwaysfindmeanstosatisfyit。"
　　"Butwhynotnow？Iamreadytolisten，and——"
　　"No，no——prince，notnow！Nowisadream！Anditistoo，tooimportant！ItistobethehourofFatetome——MYOWNhour。Ourinterviewisnottobebrokeninuponbyeverychancecomer，everyimpertinentguest——andthereareplentyofsuchstupid，impertinentfellows"——hebentoverandwhisperedmysteriously，withafunny，frightenedlookonhisface——"whoareunworthytotieyourshoe，prince。Idon’tsayMINE，mind——youwillunderstandme，prince。OnlyYOUunderstandme，prince——nooneelse。HEdoesn’tunderstandme，heisabsolutely——ABSOLUTELY
　　unabletosympathize。ThefirstqualificationforunderstandinganotherisHeart。"
　　Theprincewasratheralarmedatallthis，andwasobligedtoendbyappointingthesamehourofthefollowingdayfortheinterviewdesired。Thegenerallefthimmuchcomfortedandfarlessagitatedthanwhenhehadarrived。
　　Atsevenintheevening，theprincesenttorequestLebedefftopayhimavisit。Lebedeffcameatonce，and"esteemeditanhonour，"asheobserved，theinstantheenteredtheroom。Heactedasthoughtherehadneverbeentheslightestsuspicionofthefactthathehadsystematicallyavoidedtheprinceforthelastthreedays。
　　Hesatdownontheedgeofhischair，smilingandmakingfaces，andrubbinghishands，andlookingasthoughhewereindelightedexpectationofhearingsomeimportantcommunication，whichhadbeenlongguessedbyall。
　　Theprincewasinstantlycoveredwithconfusion；foritappearedtobeplainthateveryoneexpectedsomethingofhim——thateveryonelookedathimasthoughanxioustocongratulatehim，andgreetedhimwithhints，andsmiles，andknowinglooks。
　　Keller，forinstance，hadrunintothehousethreetimesoflate，"justforamoment，"andeachtimewiththeairofdesiringtoofferhiscongratulations。Colia，too，inspiteofhismelancholy，hadonceortwicebegunsentencesinmuchthesamestrainofsuggestionorinsinuation。
　　Theprince，however，immediatelybegan，withsomeshowofannoyance，toquestionLebedeffcategorically，astothegeneral’spresentcondition，andhisopinionthereon。Hedescribedthemorning’sinterviewinafewwords。
　　"Everyonehashisworries，prince，especiallyinthesestrangeandtroubloustimesofours，"Lebedeffreplied，drily，andwiththeairofamandisappointedofhisreasonableexpectations。
　　"Dearme，whataphilosopheryouare！"laughedtheprince。
　　Philosophyisnecessary，sir——verynecessary——inourday。Itistoomuchneglected。Asforme，muchesteemedprince，Iamsensibleofhavingexperiencedthehonourofyourconfidenceinacertainmatteruptoacertainpoint，butneverbeyondthatpoint。Idonotforamomentcomplain——"
　　"Lebedeff，youseemtobeangryforsomereason！"saidtheprince。
　　"Nottheleastbitintheworld，esteemedandreveredprince！Nottheleastbitintheworld！"criedLebedeff，solemnly，withhishanduponhisheart。"Onthecontrary，Iamtoopainfullyawarethatneitherbymypositionintheworld，norbymygiftsofintellectandheart，norbymyriches，norbyanyformerconductofmine，haveIinanywaydeservedyourconfidence，whichisfarabovemyhighestaspirationsandhopes。Ohno，prince；Imayserveyou，butonlyasyourhumbleslave！Iamnotangry，ohno！
　　Notangry；painedperhaps，butnothingmore。
　　"MydearLebedeff，I——"
　　"Oh，nothingmore，nothingmore！Iwassayingtomyselfbutnow……
　　’Iamquiteunworthyoffriendlyrelationswithhim，’sayI；
　　’butperhapsaslandlordofthishouseImay，atsomefuturedate，inhisgoodtime，receiveinformationastocertainimminentandmuchtobedesiredchanges——’"
　　SosayingLebedefffixedtheprincewithhissharplittleeyes，stillinhopethathewouldgethiscuriositysatisfied。
　　Theprincelookedbackathiminamazement。
　　"Idon’tunderstandwhatyouaredrivingat！"hecried，almostangrily，"and，and——whatanintrigueryouare，Lebedeff！"headded，burstingintoafitofgenuinelaughter。
　　Lebedefffollowedsuitatonce，anditwasclearfromhisradiantfacethatheconsideredhisprospectsofsatisfactionimmenselyimproved。
　　"Anddoyouknow，"theprincecontinued，"Iamamazedatyournaiveways，Lebedeff！Don’theangrywithme——notonlyyours，everybodyelse’salso！YouarewaitingtohearsomethingfrommeatthisverymomentwithsuchsimplicitythatIdeclareIfeelquiteashamedofmyselfforhavingnothingwhatevertotellyou。
　　Isweartoyousolemnly，thatthereisnothingtotell。There！
　　Canyoutakethatin？"Theprincelaughedagain。
　　Lebedeffassumedanairofdignity。Itwastrueenoughthathewassometimesnaivetoadegreeinhiscuriosity；buthewasalsoanexcessivelycunninggentleman，andtheprincewasalmostconvertinghimintoanenemybyhisrepeatedrebuffs。TheprincedidnotsnubLebedeff’scuriosity，however，becausehefeltanycontemptforhim；butsimplybecausethesubjectwastoodelicatetotalkabout。Onlyafewdaysbeforehehadlookeduponhisowndreamsalmostascrimes。ButLebedeffconsideredtherefusalascausedbypersonaldisliketohimself，andwashurtaccordingly。
　　Indeed，therewasatthismomentapieceofnews，mostinterestingtotheprince，whichLebedeffknewandevenhadwishedtotellhim，butwhichhenowkeptobstinatelytohimself。
　　"AndwhatcanIdoforyou，esteemedprince？SinceIamtoldyousentformejustnow，"hesaid，afterafewmoments’silence。
　　"Oh，itwasaboutthegeneral，"begantheprince，wakingabruptlyfromthefitofmusingwhichhetoohadindulgedin"and-andaboutthetheftyoutoldmeof。"
　　"Thatis——er——about——whattheft？"
　　"Ohcome！justasifyoudidn’tunderstand，LukianTimofeyovitch！
　　Whatareyouupto？Ican’tmakeyouout！Themoney，themoney，sir！Thefourhundredroublesthatyoulostthatday。Youcameandtoldmeaboutitonemorning，andthenwentofftoPetersburg。There，NOWdoyouunderstand？"
　　"Oh——h——h！Youmeanthefourhundredroubles！"saidLebedeff，draggingthewordsout，justasthoughithadonlyjustdawneduponhimwhattheprincewastalkingabout。"Thanksverymuch，prince，foryourkindinterest——youdometoomuchhonour。I
　　foundthemoney，longago！"
　　"Youfoundit？ThankGodforthat！"
　　"Yourexclamationprovesthegeneroussympathyofyournature，prince；forfourhundredroubles——toastrugglingfamilymanlikemyself——isnosmallmatter！"
　　"Ididn’tmeanthat；atleast，ofcourse，I’mgladforyoursake，too，"addedtheprince，correctinghimself，"but——howdidyoufindit？"
　　"Verysimplyindeed！Ifounditunderthechairuponwhichmycoathadhung；sothatitisclearthepursesimplyfelloutofthepocketandontothefloor！"
　　"Underthechair？Impossible！Why，youtoldmeyourselfthatyouhadsearchedeverycorneroftheroom？Howcouldyounothavelookedinthemostlikelyplaceofall？"
　　"OfcourseIlookedthere，——ofcourseIdid！Verymuchso！I
　　lookedandscrambledabout，andfeltforit，andwouldn’tbelieveitwasnotthere，andlookedagainandagain。Itisalwayssoinsuchcases。Onelongsandexpectstofindalostarticle；oneseesitisnotthere，andtheplaceisashareasone’spalm；andyetonereturnsandlooksagainandagain，fifteenortwentytimes，likelyenough！"
　　"Oh，quiteso，ofcourse。Buthowwasitinyourcase？——Idon’tquiteunderstand，"saidthebewilderedprince。"Yousayitwasn’tthereatfirst，andthatyousearchedtheplacethoroughly，andyetitturneduponthatveryspot！"
　　"Yes，sir——onthatveryspot。"TheprincegazedstrangelyatLebedeff。"Andthegeneral？"heasked，abruptly。
　　"The——thegeneral？Howdoyoumean，thegeneral？"saidLebedeff，dubiously，asthoughhehadnottakeninthedriftoftheprince’sremark。
　　"Oh，goodheavens！Imean，whatdidthegeneralsaywhenthepurseturnedupunderthechair？Youandhehadsearchedforittogetherthere，hadn’tyou？"
　　"Quiteso——together！ButthesecondtimeIthoughtbettertosaynothingaboutfindingit。Ifounditalone。"
　　"But——whyintheworld——andthemoney？Wasitallthere？"
　　"Iopenedthepurseandcounteditmyself；righttoasinglerouble。"
　　"Ithinkyoumighthavecomeandtoldme，"saidtheprince，thoughtfully。
　　"Oh——Ididn’tliketodisturbyou，prince，inthemidstofyourprivateanddoubtlessmostinterestingpersonalreflections。
　　Besides，Iwantedtoappear，myself，tohavefoundnothing。I
　　tookthepurse，andopenedit，andcountedthemoney，andshutitandputitdownagainunderthechair。"
　　"Whatintheworldfor？"
　　"Oh，justoutofcuriosity，"saidLebedeff，rubbinghishandsandsniggering。
　　"What，it’sstilltherethen，isit？Eversincethedaybeforeyesterday？"
　　"Ohno！Yousee，Iwashalfinhopesthegeneralmightfindit。
　　BecauseifIfoundit，whyshouldnothetooobserveanobjectlyingbeforehisveryeyes？Imovedthechairseveraltimessoastoexposethepursetoview，butthegeneralneversawit。Heisveryabsentjustnow，evidently。Hetalksandlaughsandtellsstories，andsuddenlyfliesintoaragewithme，goodnessknowswhy。"
　　"Well，but——haveyoutakenthepurseawaynow？"
　　"No，itdisappearedfromunderthechairinthenight。"
　　"Whereisitnow，then？"
　　"Here，"laughedLebedeff，atlast，risingtohisfullheightandlookingpleasantlyattheprince，"here，intheliningofmycoat。Look，youcanfeelitforyourself，ifyoulike！"
　　Sureenoughtherewassomethingstickingoutofthefrontofthecoat——somethinglarge。Itcertainlyfeltasthoughitmightwellbethepursefallenthroughaholeinthepocketintothelining。
　　"Itookitoutandhadalookatit；it’sallright。I’veletitslipbackintotheliningnow，asyousee，andsoIhavebeenwalkingabouteversinceyesterdaymorning；itknocksagainstmylegswhenIwalkalong。"
　　"H’m！andyoutakenonoticeofit？"
　　"Quiteso，Itakenonoticeofit。Ha，ha！andthinkofthis，prince，mypocketsarealwaysstrongandwhole，andyet，hereinonenight，isahugehole。Iknowthephenomenonisunworthyofyournotice；butsuchisthecase。Iexaminedthehole，andI
　　declareitactuallylooksasthoughithadbeenmadewithapen-
　　knife，amostimprobablecontingency。"
　　"And——and——thegeneral？"
　　"Ah，veryangryallday，sir；allyesterdayandalltoday。Heshowsdecidedbacchanalianpredilectionsatonetime，andatanotheristearfulandsensitive，butatanymomentheisliabletoparoxysmsofsuchragethatIassureyou，prince，Iamquitealarmed。Iamnotamilitaryman，youknow。Yesterdayweweresittingtogetherinthetavern，andtheliningofmycoatwas——
　　quiteaccidentally，ofcourse——stickingoutrightinfront。Thegeneralsquintedatit，andflewintoarage。Heneverlooksmequiteinthefacenow，unlessheisverydrunkormaudlin；butyesterdayhelookedatmeinsuchawaythatashiverwentalldownmyback。Iintendtofindthepursetomorrow；buttillthenIamgoingtohaveanothernightofitwithhim。"
　　"What’sthegoodoftormentinghimlikethis？"criedtheprince。
　　"Idon’ttormenthim，prince，Idon’tindeed！"criedLebedeff，hotly。"Ilovehim，mydearsir，Iesteemhim；andbelieveitornot，Ilovehimallthebetterforthisbusiness，yes——andvaluehimmore。"
　　Lebedeffsaidthissoseriouslythattheprincequitelosthistemperwithhim。
　　"Nonsense！lovehimandtormenthimso！Why，bytheveryfactthatheputthepurseprominentlybeforeyou，firstunderthechairandtheninyourlining，heshowsthathedoesnotwishtodeceiveyou，butisanxioustobegyourforgivenessinthisartlessway。Doyouhear？Heisaskingyourpardon。Heconfidesinthedelicacyofyourfeelings，andinyourfriendshipforhim。
　　Andyoucanallowyourselftohumiliatesothoroughlyhonestaman！"
　　"Thoroughlyhonest，quiteso，prince，thoroughlyhonest！"saidLebedeff，withflashingeyes。"Andonlyyou，prince，couldhavefoundsoveryappropriateanexpression。Ihonouryouforit，prince。Verywell，that’ssettled；Ishallfindthepursenowandnottomorrow。Here，Ifinditandtakeitoutbeforeyoureyes！
　　Andthemoneyisallright。Takeit，prince，andkeepittilltomorrow，willyou？TomorrowornextdayI’lltakeitbackagain。
　　Ithink，prince，thatthenightafteritsdisappearanceitwasburiedunderabushinthegarden。SoIbelieve——whatdoyouthinkofthat？"
　　"Well，takecareyoudon’ttellhimtohisfacethatyouhavefoundthepurse。Simplylethimseethatitisnolongerintheliningofyourcoat，andformhisownconclusions。"
　　"Doyouthinkso？HadInotjustbettertellhimIhavefoundit，andpretendIneverguessedwhereitwas？"
　　"No，Idon’tthinkso，"saidtheprince，thoughtfully；"it’stoolateforthat——thatwouldbedangerousnow。No，no！Bettersaynothingaboutit。Benicewithhim，youknow，butdon’tshowhim——oh，YOUknowwellenough——"
　　"Iknow，prince，ofcourseIknow，butI’mafraidIshallnotcarryitout；fortodosooneneedsaheartlikeyourown。Heissoveryirritablejustnow，andsoproud。Atonemomenthewillembraceme，andthenexthefliesoutatmeandsneersatme，andthenIsticktheliningforwardonpurpose。Well，aurevoir，prince，IseeIamkeepingyou，andboringyou，too，interferingwithyourmostinterestingprivatereflections。"
　　"Now，dobecareful！Secrecy，asbefore！"
　　"Oh，silenceisn’ttheword！Softly，softly！"
　　Butinspiteofthisconclusiontotheepisode，theprinceremainedaspuzzledasever，ifnotmoreso。Heawaitednextmorning’sinterviewwiththegeneralmostimpatiently。
　　IV。
　　THEtimeappointedwastwelveo’clock，andtheprince，returninghomeunexpectedlylate，foundthegeneralwaitingforhim。Atthefirstglance，hesawthatthelatterwasdispleased，perhapsbecausehehadbeenkeptwaiting。Theprinceapologized，andquicklytookaseat。Heseemedstrangelytimidbeforethegeneralthismorning，forsomereason，andfeltasthoughhisvisitorweresomepieceofchinawhichhewasafraidofbreaking。
　　Onscrutinizinghim，theprincesoonsawthatthegeneralwasquiteadifferentmanfromwhathehadbeenthedaybefore；helookedlikeonewhohadcometosomemomentousresolve。Hiscalmness，however，wasmoreapparentthanreal。Hewascourteous，buttherewasasuggestionofinjuredinnocenceinhismanner。
　　"I’vebroughtyourbookback，"hebegan，indicatingabooklyingonthetable。"Muchobligedtoyouforlendingittome。"
　　"Ah，yes。Well，didyoureadit，general？It’scurious，isn’tit？"saidtheprince，delightedtobeabletoopenupconversationuponanoutsidesubject。
　　"Curiousenough，yes，butcrude，andofcoursedreadfulnonsense；
　　probablythemanliesineveryothersentence。"
　　Thegeneralspokewithconsiderableconfidence，anddraggedhiswordsoutwithaconceiteddrawl。
　　"Oh，butit’sonlythesimpletaleofanoldsoldierwhosawtheFrenchenterMoscow。Someofhisremarkswerewonderfullyinteresting。Remarksofaneye-witnessarealwaysvaluable，whoeverhebe，don’tyouthinkso"HadIbeenthepublisherIshouldnothaveprintedit。Astotheevidenceofeye-witnesses，inthesedayspeoplepreferimpudentliestothestoriesofmenofworthandlongservice。Iknowofsomenotesoftheyear1812，which——Ihavedetermined，prince，toleavethishouse，Mr。Lebedeff’shouse。"
　　Thegenerallookedsignificantlyathishost。
　　"OfcourseyouhaveyourownlodgingatPavlofskat——atyourdaughter’shouse，"begantheprince，quiteatalosswhattosay。
　　Hesuddenlyrecollectedthatthegeneralhadcomeforadviceonamostimportantmatter，affectinghisdestiny。
　　"Atmywife’s；inotherwords，atmyownplace，mydaughter’shouse。"
　　"Ibegyourpardon，I——"
　　"IleaveLebedeff’shouse，mydearprince，becauseIhavequarrelledwiththisperson。Ibrokewithhimlastnight，andamverysorrythatIdidnotdosobefore。Iexpectrespect，prince，evenfromthosetowhomIgivemyheart，sotospeak。Prince，I
　　haveoftengivenawaymyheart，andamnearlyalwaysdeceived。
　　Thispersonwasquiteunworthyofthegift。"
　　"Thereismuchthatmightbeimprovedinhim，"saidtheprince，moderately，"buthehassomequalitieswhich——thoughamidthemonecannotbutdiscernacunningnature——revealwhatisoftenadivertingintellect。"
　　Theprince’stonewassonaturalandrespectfulthatthegeneralcouldnotpossiblysuspecthimofanyinsincerity。
　　"Oh，thathepossessesgoodtraits，Iwasthefirsttoshow，whenIverynearlymadehimapresentofmyfriendship。Iamnotdependentuponhishospitality，anduponhishouse；Ihavemyownfamily。Idonotattempttojustifymyownweakness。Ihavedrunkwiththisman，andperhapsIdeplorethefactnow，butIdidnottakehimupforthesakeofdrinkaloneexcusethecrudenessoftheexpression，prince；Ididnotmakefriendswithhimforthatalone。Iwasattractedbyhisgoodqualities；butwhenthefellowdeclaresthathewasachildin1812，andhadhisleftlegcutoff，andburiedintheVagarkoffcemetery，inMoscow，suchacock-and-bullstoryamountstodisrespect，mydearsir，to——toimpudentexaggeration。"
　　"Oh，hewasverylikelyjoking；hesaiditforfun。"
　　"Iquiteunderstandyou。Youmeanthataninnocentlieforthesakeofagoodjokeisharmless，anddoesnotoffendthehumanheart。Somepeoplelie，ifyouliketoputitso，outofpurefriendship，inordertoamusetheirfellows；butwhenamanmakesuseofextravaganceinordertoshowhisdisrespectandtomakeclearhowtheintimacyboreshim，itistimeforamanofhonourtobreakoffthesaidintimacy。，andtoteachtheoffenderhisplace。"
　　Thegeneralflushedwithindignationashespoke。
　　"Oh，butLebedeffcannothavebeeninMoscowin1812。Heismuchtooyoung；itisallnonsense。"
　　"Verywell，butevenifweadmitthathewasalivein1812，canonebelievethataFrenchchasseurpointedacannonathimforalark，andshothisleftlegoff？Hesayshepickedhisownlegupandtookitawayandburieditinthecemetery。Hesworehehadastoneputupoveritwiththeinscription:’HereliesthelegofCollegiateSecretaryLebedeff，’andontheotherside，’Rest，belovedashes，tillthemornofjoy，’andthathehasaservicereadoveriteveryyearwhichissimplysacrilege，andgoestoMoscowonceayearonpurpose。HeinvitesmetoMoscowinordertoprovehisassertion，andshowmehisleg’stomb，andtheverycannonthatshothim；hesaysit’stheeleventhfromthegateoftheKremlin，anold-fashionedfalconettakenfromtheFrenchafterwards。"
　　"And，meanwhilebothhislegsarestillonhisbody，"saidtheprince，laughing。"Iassureyou，itisonlyaninnocentjoke，andyouneednotbeangryaboutit。"
　　"Excuseme——waitaminute——hesaysthatthelegweseeisawoodenone，madebyTchernosvitoff。"
　　"Theydosayonecandancewiththose！"
　　"Quiteso，quiteso；andheswearsthathiswifeneverfoundoutthatoneofhislegswaswoodenallthewhiletheyweremarried。
　　WhenIshowedhimtheridiculousnessofallthis，hesaid，’Well，ifyouwereoneofNapoleon’spagesin1812，youmightletmeburymylegintheMoscowcemetery。’
　　"Why，didyousay——"begantheprince，andpausedinconfusion。
　　Thegeneralgazedathishostdisdainfully。
　　"Oh，goon，"hesaid，"finishyoursentence，byallmeans。SayhowodditappearstoyouthatamanfallentosuchadepthofhumiliationasI，caneverhavebeentheactualeye-witnessofgreatevents。Goon，Idon’tmind！Hashefoundtimetotellyouscandalaboutme？"
　　"No，I’veheardnothingofthisfromLebedeff，ifyoumeanLebedeff。"
　　"H’m；Ithoughtdifferently。Yousee，weweretalkingoverthisperiodofhistory。Iwascriticizingacurrentreportofsomethingwhichthenhappened，andhavingbeenmyselfaneye-
　　witnessoftheoccurrence——youaresmiling，prince——youarelookingatmyfaceasif——"
　　"Ohno！notatall——I——"
　　"Iamratheryoung-looking，Iknow；butIamactuallyolderthanIappeartobe。Iwastenorelevenintheyear1812。Idon’tknowmyageexactly，butithasalwaysbeenaweaknessofminetomakeitoutlessthanitreallyis。
　　"Iassureyou，general，Idonotintheleastdoubtyourstatement。OneofourlivingautobiographersstatesthatwhenhewasasmallbabyinMoscowin1812theFrenchsoldiersfedhimwithbread。"
　　"Well，thereyousee！"saidthegeneral，condescendingly。"Thereisnothingwhateverunusualaboutmytale。Truthveryoftenappearstobeimpossible。Iwasapage——itsoundsstrange，Idaresay。HadIbeenfifteenyearsoldIshouldprobablyhavebeenterriblyfrightenedwhentheFrencharrived，asmymotherwaswhohadbeentooslowaboutclearingoutofMoscow；butasI
　　wasonlyjusttenIwasnotintheleastalarmed，andrushedthroughthecrowdtotheverydoorofthepalacewhenNapoleonalightedfromhishorse。"
　　"Undoubtedly，attenyearsoldyouwouldnothavefeltthesenseoffear，asyousay，"blurtedouttheprince，horriblyuncomfortableinthesensationthathewasjustabouttoblush。
　　"Ofcourse；anditallhappenedsoeasilyandnaturally。Andyet，wereanovelisttodescribetheepisode，hewouldputinallkindsofimpossibleandincredibledetails。"
　　"Oh，"criedtheprince，"Ihaveoftenthoughtthat！Why，Iknowofamurder，forthesakeofawatch。It’sinallthepapersnow。
　　Butifsomewriterhadinventedit，allthecriticswouldhavejumpeddownhisthroatandsaidthethingwastooimprobableforanything。Andyetyoureaditinthepaper，andyoucan’thelpthinkingthatoutofthesestrangedisclosuresistobegainedthefullknowledgeofRussianlifeandcharacter。Yousaidthatwell，general；itissotrue，"concludedtheprince，warmly，delightedtohavefoundarefugefromthefieryblusheswhichhadcoveredhisface。
　　"Yes，it’squitetrue，isn’tit？"criedthegeneral，hiseyessparklingwithgratification。"Asmallboy，achild，wouldnaturallyrealizenodanger；hewouldshovehiswaythroughthecrowdstoseetheshineandglitteroftheuniforms，andespeciallythegreatmanofwhomeveryonewasspeaking，foratthattimealltheworldhadbeentalkingofnoonebutthismanforsomeyearspast。Theworldwasfullofhisname；I——sotospeak——drewitinwithmymother’smilk。Napoleon，passingacoupleofpacesfromme，caughtsightofmeaccidentally。Iwasverywelldressed，andbeingallalone，inthatcrowd，asyouwilleasilyimagine……
　　"Oh，ofcourse！Naturallythesightimpressedhim，andprovedtohimthatnotALLthearistocracyhadleftMoscow；thatatleastsomenoblesandtheirchildrenhadremainedbehind。"
　　Justsojustso！Hewantedtowinoverthearistocracy！Whenhiseagleeyefellonme，mineprobablyflashedbackinresponse。’
　　Voilaungarconbieneveille！Quiesttonpere？’Iimmediatelyreplied，almostpantingwithexcitement，’Ageneral，whodiedonthebattle-fieldsofhiscountry！"Lefilsd’unboyardetd’unbrave，pardessuslemarche。J’aimelesboyards。M’aimes-tu，petit？’TothiskeenquestionIrepliedaskeenly，’TheRussianheartcanrecognizeagreatmaneveninthebitterenemyofhiscountry。’Atleast，Idon’tremembertheexactwords，youknow，buttheideawasasIsay。Napoleonwasstruck；hethoughtaminuteandthensaidtohissuite:’Ilikethatboy’spride；ifallRussiansthinklikethischild’，thenhedidn’tfinish，hutwentonandenteredthepalace。Iinstantlymixedwithhissuite，andfollowedhim。Iwasalreadyinhighfavour。Irememberwhenhecameintothefirsthall，theemperorstoppedbeforeaportraitoftheEmpressKatherine，andafterathoughtfulglanceremarked，’Thatwasagreatwoman，’andpassedon。
　　"Well，inacoupleofdaysIwasknownalloverthepalaceandtheKremlinas’lepetitboyard。’Ionlywenthometosleep。Theywerenearlyoutoftheirmindsaboutmeathome。Acoupleofdaysafterthis，Napoleon’spage，DeBazancour，died；hehadnotbeenabletostandthetrialsofthecampaign。Napoleonrememberedme；
　　Iwastakenawaywithoutexplanation；thedeadpage’suniformwastriedonme，andwhenIwastakenbeforetheemperor，dressedinit，henoddedhisheadtome，andIwastoldthatIwasappointedtothevacantpostofpage。
　　"Well，Iwasgladenough，forIhadlongfeltthegreatestsympathyforthisman；andthentheprettyuniformandallthat——
　　onlyachild，youknow——andsoon。Itwasadarkgreendresscoatwithgoldbuttons——redfacings，whitetrousers，andawhitesilkwaistcoat——silkstockings，shoeswithbuckles，andtop-bootsifI
　　wereridingoutwithhismajestyorwiththesuite。
　　"Thoughthepositionofallofusatthattimewasnotparticularlybrilliant，andthepovertywasdreadfulallround，yettheetiquetteatcourtwasstrictlypreserved，andthemorestrictlyinproportiontothegrowthoftheforebodingsofdisaster。"
　　"Quiteso，quiteso，ofcourse！"murmuredthepoorprince，whodidn’tknowwheretolook。"Yourmemoirswouldbemostinteresting。"
　　Thegeneralwas，ofcourse，repeatingwhathehadtoldLebedeffthenightbefore，andthusbroughtitoutgliblyenough，butherehelookedsuspiciouslyattheprinceoutofthecornersofhiseyes。
　　"Mymemoirs！"hebegan，withredoubledprideanddignity。"Writemymemoirs？Theideahasnottemptedme。Andyet，ifyouplease，mymemoirshavelongbeenwritten，buttheyshallnotseethelightuntildustreturnstodust。Then，Idoubtnot，theywillbetranslatedintoalllanguages，notofcourseonaccountoftheiractualliterarymerit，butbecauseofthegreateventsofwhichI
　　wastheactualwitness，thoughbutachildatthetime。Asachild，Iwasabletopenetrateintothesecrecyofthegreatman’sprivateroom。AtnightsIhaveheardthegroansandwailingsofthis’giantindistress。’HecouldfeelnoshameinweepingbeforesuchamerechildasIwas，thoughIunderstoodeventhenthatthereasonforhissufferingwasthesilenceoftheEmperorAlexander。"
　　"Yes，ofcourse；hehadwrittenletterstothelatterwithproposalsofpeace，hadhenot？"putintheprince。
　　"Wedidnotknowthedetailsofhisproposals，buthewroteletterafterletter，alldayandeveryday。Hewasdreadfullyagitated。SometimesatnightIwouldthrowmyselfuponhisbreastwithtearsOh，howIlovedthatman！。’Askforgiveness，Oh，askforgivenessoftheEmperorAlexander！’Iwouldcry。Ishouldhavesaid，ofcourse，’MakepeacewithAlexander，’butasachildI
　　expressedmyideainthenaivewayrecorded。’Oh，mychild，’hewouldsayhelovedtotalktomeandseemedtoforgetmytenderyears，’Oh，mychild，IamreadytokissAlexander’sfeet，butI
　　hateandabominatetheKingofPrussiaandtheAustrianEmperor，and——and——butyouknownothingofpolitics，mychild。’Hewouldpullup，rememberingwhomhewasspeakingto，buthiseyeswouldsparkleforalongwhileafterthis。Wellnow，ifIweretodescribeallthis，andIhaveseengreatereventsthanthese，allthesecriticalgentlemenofthepressandpoliticalparties——Oh，nothanks！I’mtheirveryhumbleservant，butnothanks！"