Shewasevidentlyindifficultiesastohowbesttogoon。"MayI
　　speakofsomethingserioustoyou，foronceinmylife？"sheasked，angrily。Shewasirritatedatsheknewnotwhat，andcouldnotrestrainherwrath。
　　"Ofcourseyoumay；Iamverygladtolisten，"repliedMuishkin。
　　Aglayawassilentamomentandthenbeganagainwithevidentdislikeofhersubject:
　　"Idonotwishtoquarrelwiththemaboutthis；insomethingstheywon’tbereasonable。Ialwaysdidfeelaloathingforthelawswhichseemtoguidemamma’sconductattimes。Idon’tspeakoffather，forhecannotbeexpectedtobeanythingbutwhatheis。Motherisanoble-mindedwoman，Iknow；youtrytosuggestanythingmeantoher，andyou’llsee！Butsheissuchaslavetothesemiserablecreatures！Idon’tmeanoldBielokonskialone。
　　Sheisacontemptibleoldthing，butsheisabletotwistpeopleroundherlittlefinger，andIadmirethatinher，atallevents！
　　Howmeanitallis，andhowfoolish！Wewerealwaysmiddle-class，thoroughlymiddle-class，people。Whyshouldweattempttoclimbintothegiddyheightsofthefashionableworld？Mysistersareallforit。It’sPrinceS。theyhavetothankforpoisoningtheirminds。WhyareyousogladthatEvgeniePavlovitchiscoming？"
　　"Listentome，Aglaya，"saidtheprince，"IdobelieveyouarenervouslestIshallmakeafoolofmyselftomorrowatyourparty？"
　　"Nervousaboutyou？"Aglayablushed。"WhyshouldIbenervousaboutyou？Whatwoulditmattertomeifyouweretomakeeversuchafoolofyourself？Howcanyousaysuchathing？Whatdoyoumeanby’makingafoolofyourself’？Whatavulgarexpression！Isupposeyouintendtotalkinthatsortofwaytomorrowevening？Lookupafewmoresuchexpressionsinyourdictionary；do，you’llmakeagrandeffect！I’msorrythatyouseemtobeabletocomeintoaroomasgracefullyasyoudo；
　　wheredidyoulearntheart？Doyouthinkyoucandrinkacupofteadecently，whenyouknoweverybodyislookingatyou，onpurposetoseehowyoudoit？"
　　"Yes，IthinkIcan。"
　　"Canyou？I’msorryforitthen，forIshouldhavehadagoodlaughatyouotherwise。DobreakSOMETHINGatleast，inthedrawing-room！UpsettheChinesevase，won’tyou？It’savaluableone；DObreakit。Mammavaluesit，andshe’llgooutofhermind——itwasapresent。She’llcrybeforeeveryone，you’llsee！Waveyourhandabout，youknow，asyoualwaysdo，andjustsmashit。
　　Sitdownnearitonpurpose。"
　　"Onthecontrary，IshallsitasfarfromitasIcan。Thanksforthehint。"
　　"Ha，ha！ThenyouareafraidyouWILLwaveyourarmsabout！I
　　wouldn’tmindbettingthatyou’lltalkaboutsomeloftysubject，somethingseriousandlearned。Howdelightful，howtactfulthatwillbe！"
　　"Ishouldthinkitwouldbeveryfoolishindeed，unlessithappenedtocomeinappropriately。"
　　"Lookhere，onceforall，"criedAglaya，boilingover，"ifIhearyoutalkingaboutcapitalpunishment，ortheeconomicalconditionofRussia，oraboutBeautyredeemingtheworld，oranythingofthatsort，I’ll——well，ofcourseIshalllaughandseemverypleased，butIwarnyoubeforehand，don’tlookmeinthefaceagain！I’mseriousnow，mind，thistimeIAMREALLYserious。"Shecertainlydidsaythisveryseriously，somuchso，thatshelookedquitedifferentfromwhatsheusuallywas，andtheprincecouldnothelpnoticingthefact。Shedidnotseemtobejokingintheslightestdegree。
　　"Well，you’veputmeintosuchafrightthatIshallcertainlymakeafoolofmyself，andverylikelybreaksomethingtoo。I
　　wasn’tabitalarmedbefore，butnowI’masnervousascanbe。"
　　"Thendon’tspeakatall。Sitstillanddon’ttalk。"
　　"Oh，Ican’tdothat，youknow！Ishallsaysomethingfoolishoutofpure’funk，’andbreaksomethingforthesameexcellentreason；IknowIshall。PerhapsIshallslipandfallontheslipperyfloor；I’vedonethatbeforenow，youknow。Ishalldreamofitallnightnow。Whydidyousayanythingaboutit？"
　　Aglayalookedblacklyathim。
　　"Doyouknowwhat，Ihadbetternotcomeatalltomorrow！I’llpleadsick-listandstayaway，"saidtheprince，withdecision。
　　Aglayastampedherfoot，andgrewquitepalewithanger。
　　Oh，mygoodness！Justlistentothat！’Betternotcome，’whenthepartyisonpurposeforhim！GoodLord！Whatadelightfulthingitistohavetodowithsucha——suchastupidasyouare！"
　　"Well，I’llcome，I’llcome，"interruptedtheprince，hastily，"andI’llgiveyoumywordofhonourthatIwillsitthewholeeveningandnotsayaword。"
　　"Ibelievethat’sthebestthingyoucando。Yousaidyou’d’pleadsick-list’justnow；whereintheworlddoyougetholdofsuchexpressions？Whydoyoutalktomelikethis？Areyoutryingtoirritateme，orwhat？"
　　"Forgiveme，it’saschoolboyexpression。Iwon’tdoitagain。I
　　knowquitewell，Iseeit，thatyouareanxiousonmyaccountnow，don’tbeangry，anditmakesmeveryhappytoseeit。Youwouldn’tbelievehowfrightenedIamofmisbehavingsomehow，andhowgladIamofyourinstructions。Butallthispanicissimplynonsense，youknow，Aglaya！Igiveyoumyworditis；Iamsopleasedthatyouaresuchachild，suchadeargoodchild。HowCHARMINGyoucanbeifyoulike，Aglaya。"
　　Aglayawantedtobeangry，ofcourse，butsuddenlysomequiteunexpectedfeelingseizeduponherheart，allinamoment。
　　"Andyouwon’treproachmeforalltheserudewordsofmine——someday——afterwards？"sheasked，ofasudden。
　　"Whatanidea！Ofcoursenot。Andwhatareyoublushingforagain？Andtherecomesthatfrownoncemore！You’vetakentolookingtoogloomysometimes，Aglaya，muchmorethanyouusedto。
　　Iknowwhyitis。"
　　"Bequiet，dobequiet！"
　　"No，no，Ihadmuchbetterspeakout。Ihavelongwishedtosayit，andHAVEsaidit，butthat’snotenough，foryoudidn’tbelieveme。Betweenustwotherestandsabeingwho——"
　　"Bequiet，bequiet，bequiet，bequiet！"Aglayastruckin，suddenly，seizinghishandinhers，andgazingathimalmostinterror。
　　Atthismomentshewascalledbysomeone。Shebrokeloosefromhimwithanairofreliefandranaway。
　　Theprincewasinafeverallnight。Itwasstrange，buthehadsufferedfromfeverforseveralnightsinsuccession。Onthisparticularnight，whileinsemi-delirium，hehadanidea:whatifonthemorrowheweretohaveafitbeforeeverybody？Thethoughtseemedtofreezehisbloodwithinhim。Allnighthefanciedhimselfinsomeextraordinarysocietyofstrangepersons。Theworstofitwasthathewastalkingnonsense；heknewthatheoughtnottospeakatall，andyethetalkedthewholetime；heseemedtobetryingtopersuadethemalltosomething。EvgenieandHippolytewereamongtheguests，andappearedtobegreatfriends。
　　Heawoketowardsnineo’clockwithaheadache，fullofconfusedideasandstrangeimpressions。ForsomereasonorotherhefeltmostanxioustoseeRogojin，toseeandtalktohim，butwhathewishedtosayhecouldnottell。Next，hedeterminedtogoandseeHippolyte。Hismindwasinaconfusedstate，somuchsothattheincidentsofthemorningseemedtobeimperfectlyrealized，thoughacutelyfelt。
　　OneoftheseincidentswasavisitfromLebedeff。Lebedeffcameratherearly——beforeten——buthewastipsyalready。Thoughtheprincewasnotinanobservantcondition，yethecouldnotavoidseeingthatforatleastthreedays——eversinceGeneralIvolginhadleftthehouseLebedeffhadbeenbehavingverybadly。Helookeduntidyanddirtyatalltimesoftheday，anditwassaidthathehadbeguntorageaboutinhisownhouse，andthathistemperwasverybad。Assoonashearrivedthismorning，hebegantoholdforth，beatinghisbreastandapparentlyblaminghimselfforsomething。
　　"I’ve——I’vehadarewardformymeanness——I’vehadaslapintheface，"heconcluded，tragically。
　　"Aslapintheface？Fromwhom？Andsoearlyinthemorning？"
　　"Early？"saidLebedeff，sarcastically。"Timecountsfornothing，eveninphysicalchastisement；butmyslapinthefacewasnotphysical，itwasmoral。"
　　Hesuddenlytookaseat，veryunceremoniously，andbeganhisstory。Itwasverydisconnected；theprincefrowned，andwishedhecouldgetaway；butsuddenlyafewwordsstruckhim。Hesatstiffwithwonder——Lebedeffsaidsomeextraordinarythings。
　　Inthefirstplacehebeganaboutsomeletter；thenameofAglayaIvanovnacamein。Thensuddenlyhebrokeoffandbegantoaccusetheprinceofsomething；hewasapparentlyoffendedwithhim。Atfirsthedeclaredthattheprincehadtrustedhimwithhisconfidencesasto"acertainperson"NastasiaPhilipovna，butthatoflatehisfriendshiphadbeenthrustbackintohisbosom，andhisinnocentquestionasto"approachingfamilychanges"hadbeencurtlyputaside，whichLebedeffdeclared，withtipsytears，hecouldnotbear；especiallyasheknewsomuchalreadybothfromRogojinandNastasiaPhilipovnaandherfriend，andfromVarvaraArdalionovna，andevenfromAglayaIvanovna，throughhisdaughterVera。"AndwhotoldLizabethaProkofievnasomethinginsecret，byletter？WhotoldherallaboutthemovementsofacertainpersoncalledNastasiaPhilipovna？Whowastheanonymousperson，eh？Tellme！"
　　"Surelynotyou？"criedtheprince。
　　"Justso，"saidLebedeff，withdignity；"andonlythisverymorningIhavesentupalettertothenoblelady，statingthatI
　　haveamatterofgreatimportancetocommunicate。Shereceivedtheletter；Iknowshegotit；andshereceivedME，too。"
　　"HaveyoujustseenLizabethaProkofievna？"askedtheprince，scarcelybelievinghisears。
　　"Yes，Isawher，andgotthesaidslapinthefaceasmentioned。
　　Shechuckedtheletterbacktomeunopened，andkickedmeoutofthehouse，morally，notphysically，althoughnotfaroffit。"
　　"Whatletterdoyoumeanshereturnedunopened？"
　　"What！didn’tItellyou？Ha，ha，ha！IthoughtIhad。Why，I
　　receivedaletter，youknow，tobehandedover——"Fromwhom？Towhom？"
　　Butitwasdifficult，ifnotimpossible，toextractanythingfromLebedeff。Alltheprincecouldgatherwas，thattheletterhadbeenreceivedveryearly，andhadarequestwrittenontheoutsidethatitmightbesentontotheaddressgiven。
　　"Justasbefore，sir，justasbefore！Toacertainperson，andfromacertainhand。Theindividual’snamewhowrotetheletteristoberepresentedbytheletterA——"
　　"What？Impossible！ToNastasiaPhilipovna？Nonsense！"criedtheprince。
　　"Itwas，Iassureyou，andifnottoherthentoRogojin，whichisthesamething。Mr。Hippolytehashadletters，too，andallfromtheindividualwhosenamebeginswithanA。，"smirkedLebedeff，withahideousgrin。
　　Ashekeptjumpingfromsubjecttosubject，andforgettingwhathehadbeguntotalkabout，theprincesaidnothing，butwaited，togivehimtime。
　　Itwasallveryvague。Whohadtakentheletters，ifletterstherewere？ProbablyVera——andhowcouldLebedeffhavegotthem？
　　Inallprobability，hehadmanagedtostealthepresentletterfromVera，andhadhimselfgoneovertoLizabethaProkofievnawithsomeideainhishead。Sotheprinceconcludedatlast。
　　"Youaremad！"hecried，indignantly。
　　"Notquite，esteemedprince，"repliedLebedeff，withsomeacerbity。"IconfessIthoughtofdoingyoutheserviceofhandingtheletterovertoyourself，butIdecidedthatitwouldpaymebettertodeliverituptothenobleladyaforesaid，asI
　　hadinformedherofeverythinghithertobyanonymousletters；sowhenIsentherupanotefrommyself，withtheletter，youknow，inordertofixameetingforeighto’clockthismorning，I
　　signedit’yoursecretcorrespondent。’Theyletmeinatonce——
　　veryquickly——bythebackdoor，andthenobleladyreceivedme。"
　　"Well？Goon。"
　　"Oh，well，whenIsawhershealmostpunchedmyhead，asIsay；
　　infactsonearlythatonemightalmostsayshedidpunchmyhead。Shethrewtheletterinmyface；sheseemedtoreflectfirst，asifshewouldhavelikedtokeepit，butthoughtbetterofitandthrewitinmyfaceinstead。’Ifanybodycanhavebeensuchafoolastotrustamanlikeyoutodelivertheletter，’
　　saysshe，’takeitanddeliverit！’Hey！shewasgrandlyindignant。Afierce，fieryladythat，sir！"
　　"Where’stheletternow？"
　　"Oh，I’vestillgotit，here！"
　　AndhehandedtheprincetheveryletterfromAglayatoGania，whichthelattershowedwithsomuchtriumphtohisSisteratalaterhour。
　　"Thislettercannotbeallowedtoremaininyourhands。"
　　"It’sforyou——foryou！I’vebroughtityouonpurpose！"criedLebedeff，excitedly。"Why，I’myoursagainnow，heartandhand，yourslave；therewasbutamomentarypauseintheflowofmyloveandesteemforyou。Meaculpa，meaculpa！asthePopeofRomesays。
　　"Thislettershouldbesentonatonce，"saidtheprince，disturbed。"I’llhanditovermyself。"
　　"Wouldn’titbebetter，esteemedprince，wouldn’titbebetter——
　　to——don’tyouknow——"
　　Lebedeffmadeastrangeandveryexpressivegrimace；hetwistedaboutinhischair，anddidsomething，apparentlysymbolical，withhishands。
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"saidtheprince。
　　"Why，openit，forthetimebeing，don’tyouknow？"hesaid，mostconfidentiallyandmysteriously。
　　TheprincejumpedupsofuriouslythatLebedeffrantowardsthedoor；havinggainedwhichstrategicposition，however，hestoppedandlookedbacktoseeifhemighthopeforpardon。
　　"Oh，Lebedeff，Lebedeff！Canamanreallysinktosuchdepthsofmeanness？"saidtheprince，sadly。
　　Lebedeff’sfacebrightened。
　　"Oh，I’mameanwretch——ameanwretch！"hesaid，approachingtheprinceoncemore，andbeatinghisbreast，withtearsinhiseyes。
　　"It’sabominabledishonesty，youknow！"
　　"Dishonesty——itis，itis！That’stheveryword！"
　　"Whatintheworldinducesyoutoactso？Youarenothingbutaspy。Whydidyouwriteanonymouslytoworrysonobleandgenerousalady？WhyshouldnotAglayaIvanovnawriteanotetowhomevershepleases？Whatdidyoumeantocomplainoftoday？Whatdidyouexpecttogetbyit？Whatmadeyougoatall？"
　　"Pureamiablecuriosity，——Iassureyou——desiretodoaservice。
　　That’sall。NowI’mentirelyyoursagain，yourslave；hangmeifyoulike！"
　　"DidyougobeforeLizabethaProkofievnainyourpresentcondition？"inquiredtheprince。
　　"No——ohno，fresher——morethecorrectcard。IonlybecamethislikeafterthehumiliationIsufferedthere，"Well——that’lldo；nowleaveme。"
　　Thisinjunctionhadtoberepeatedseveraltimesbeforethemancouldbepersuadedtomove。Eventhenheturnedbackatthedoor，cameasfarasthemiddleoftheroom，andtherewentthroughhismysteriousmotionsdesignedtoconveythesuggestionthattheprinceshouldopentheletter。Hedidnotdareputhissuggestionintowordsagain。
　　Afterthisperformance，hesmiledsweetlyandlefttheroomontiptoe。
　　Allthishadbeenverypainfultolistento。Onefactstoodoutcertainandclear，andthatwasthatpoorAglayamustbeinastateofgreatdistressandindecisionandmentaltorment"fromjealousy，"theprincewhisperedtohimself。Undoubtedlyinthisinexperienced，buthotandproudlittlehead，therewereallsortsofplansforming，wildandimpossibleplans，maybe；andtheideaofthissofrightenedtheprincethathecouldnotmakeuphismindwhattodo。Somethingmustbedone，thatwasclear。
　　Helookedattheaddressontheletteroncemore。Oh，hewasnotintheleastdegreealarmedaboutAglayawritingsuchaletter；
　　hecouldtrusther。WhathedidnotlikeaboutitwasthathecouldnottrustGania。
　　However，hemadeuphismindthathewouldhimselftakethenoteanddeliverit。Indeed，hewentsofarastoleavethehouseandwalkuptheroad，butchangedhismindwhenhehadnearlyreachedPtitsin’sdoor。However，hethereluckilymetColia，andcommissionedhimtodeliverthelettertohisbrotherasifdirectfromAglaya。Coliaaskednoquestionsbutsimplydeliveredit，andGaniaconsequentlyhadnosuspicionthatithadpassedthroughsomanyhands。
　　Arrivedhomeagain，theprincesentforVeraLebedeffandtoldherasmuchaswasnecessary，inordertorelievehermind，forshehadbeeninadreadfulstateofanxietysinceshehadmissedtheletter。Sheheardwithhorrorthatherfatherhadtakenit。
　　MuishkinlearnedfromherthatshehadonseveraloccasionsperformedsecretmissionsbothforAglayaandforRogojin，without，however，havinghadtheslightestideathatinsodoingshemightinjuretheprinceinanyway。
　　Thelatter，withonethingandanother，wasnowsodisturbedandconfused，thatwhen，acoupleofhoursorsolater，amessagecamefromColiathatthegeneralwasill，hecouldhardlytakethenewsin。
　　However，whenhedidmasterthefact，itacteduponhimasatonicbycompletelydistractinghisattention。HewentatoncetoNinaAlexandrovna’s，whitherthegeneralhadbeencarried，andstayedthereuntiltheevening。Hecoulddonogood，buttherearepeoplewhomtohavenearoneisablessingatsuchtimes。
　　Coliawasinanalmosthystericalstate；hecriedcontinuously，butwasrunningaboutallday，allthesame；fetchingdoctors，ofwhomhecollectedthree；goingtothechemist’s，andsoon。
　　Thegeneralwasbroughtroundtosomeextent，butthedoctorsdeclaredthathecouldnotbesaidtobeoutofdanger。VariaandNinaAlexandrovnaneverleftthesickman’sbedside；Ganiawasexcitedanddistressed，butwouldnotgoupstairs，andseemedafraidtolookatthepatient。Hewrunghishandswhentheprincespoketohim，andsaidthat"suchamisfortuneatsuchamoment"
　　wasterrible。
　　TheprincethoughtheknewwhatGaniameantby"suchamoment。"
　　Hippolytewasnotinthehouse。Lebedeffturneduplateintheafternoon；hehadbeenasleepeversincehisinterviewwiththeprinceinthemorning。Hewasquitesobernow，andcriedwithrealsincerityoverthesickgeneral——mourningforhimasthoughhewerehisownbrother。Heblamedhimselfaloud，butdidnotexplainwhy。HerepeatedoverandoveragaintoNinaAlexandrovnathathealonewastoblame——nooneelse——butthathehadactedoutof"pureamiablecuriosity，"andthat"thedeceased，"asheinsisteduponcallingthestilllivinggeneral，hadbeenthegreatestofgeniuses。
　　Helaidmuchstressonthegeniusofthesufferer，asifthisideamustbeoneofimmensesolaceinthepresentcrisis。
　　NinaAlexandrovna——seeinghissincerityoffeeling——saidatlast，andwithoutthefaintestsuspicionofreproachinhervoice:
　　"Come，come——don’tcry！Godwillforgiveyou！"
　　Lebedeffwassoimpressedbythesewords，andthetoneinwhichtheywerespoken，thathecouldnotleaveNinaAlexandrovnaalltheevening——infact，forseveraldays。Tillthegeneral’sdeath，indeed，hespentalmostallhistimeathisside。
　　TwiceduringthedayamessengercametoNinaAlexandrovnafromtheEpanchinstoinquireaftertheinvalid。
　　When——lateintheevening——theprincemadehisappearanceinLizabethaProkofievna’sdrawing-room，hefounditfullofguests。
　　Mrs。Epanchinquestionedhimveryfullyaboutthegeneralassoonasheappeared；andwhenoldPrincessBielokonskiwishedtoknow"whothisgeneralwas，andwhowasNinaAlexandrovna，"sheproceededtoexplaininamannerwhichpleasedtheprinceverymuch。
　　Hehimself，whenrelatingthecircumstancesofthegeneral’sillnesstoLizabethaProkofievna，"spokebeautifully，"asAglaya’ssistersdeclaredafterwards——"modestly，quietly，withoutgesturesortoomanywords，andwithgreatdignity。"Hehadenteredtheroomwithproprietyandgrace，andhewasperfectlydressed；henotonlydidnot"falldownontheslipperyfloor，"
　　ashehadexpressedit，butevidentlymadeaveryfavourableimpressionupontheassembledguests。
　　Asforhisownimpressiononenteringtheroomandtakinghisseat，heinstantlyremarkedthatthecompanywasnotintheleastsuchasAglaya’swordshadledhimtofear，andashehaddreamedof——innightmareform——allnight。
　　Thiswasthefirsttimeinhislifethathehadseenalittlecornerofwhatwasgenerallyknownbytheterriblenameof"society。"Hehadlongthirsted，forreasonsofhisown，topenetratethemysteriesofthemagiccircle，and，therefore，thisassemblagewasofthegreatestpossibleinteresttohim。
　　Hisfirstimpressionwasoneoffascination。Somehoworotherhefeltthatallthesepeoplemusthavebeenbornonpurposetobetogether！ItseemedtohimthattheEpanchinswerenothavingapartyatall；thatthesepeoplemusthavebeenherealways，andthathehimselfwasoneofthem——returnedamongthemafteralongabsence，butoneofthem，naturallyandindisputably。
　　Itneverstruckhimthatallthisrefinedsimplicityandnobilityandwitandpersonaldignitymightpossiblybenomorethananexquisiteartisticpolish。Themajorityoftheguests——whoweresomewhatempty-headed，afterall，inspiteoftheiraristocraticbearing——neverguessed，intheirself-satisfiedcomposure，thatmuchoftheirsuperioritywasmereveneer，whichindeedtheyhadadoptedunconsciouslyandbyinheritance。
　　Theprincewouldneversomuchassuspectsuchathinginthedelightofhisfirstimpression。
　　Hesaw，forinstance，thatoneimportantdignitary，oldenoughtobehisgrandfather，brokeoffhisownconversationinordertolistentoHIM——ayoungandinexperiencedman；andnotonlylistened，butseemedtoattachvaluetohisopinion，andwaskindandamiable，andyettheywerestrangersandhadneverseeneachotherbefore。Perhapswhatmostappealedtotheprince’simpressionabilitywastherefinementoftheoldman’scourtesytowardshim。Perhapsthesoilofhissusceptiblenaturewasreallypredisposedtoreceiveapleasantimpression。
　　Meanwhileallthesepeople-thoughfriendsofthefamilyandofeachothertoacertainextent——wereveryfarfrombeingsuchintimatefriendsofthefamilyandofeachotherastheprinceconcluded。ThereweresomepresentwhoneverwouldthinkofconsideringtheEpanchinstheirequals。Therewereevensomewhohatedoneanothercordially。Forinstance，oldPrincessBielokonskihadallherlifedespisedthewifeofthe"dignitary，"whilethelatterwasveryfarfromlovingLizabethaProkofievna。ThedignitaryhimselfhadbeenGeneralEpanchin’sprotectorfromhisyouthup；andthegeneralconsideredhimsomajesticapersonagethathewouldhavefeltaheartycontemptforhimselfifhehadevenforonemomentallowedhimselftoposeasthegreatman’sequal，ortothinkofhim——inhisfearandreverence-asanythinglessthananOlympicGod！Therewereotherspresentwhohadnotmetforyears，andwhohadnofeelingwhateverforeachother，unlessitweredislike；andyettheymettonightasthoughtheyhadseeneachotherbutyesterdayinsomefriendlyandintimateassemblyofkindredspirits。
　　Itwasnotalargeparty，however。BesidesPrincessBielokonskiandtheolddignitarywhowasreallyagreatmanandhiswife，therewasanoldmilitarygeneral——acountorbaronwithaGermanname，amanreputedtopossessgreatknowledgeandadministrativeability。HewasoneofthoseOlympianadministratorswhoknoweverythingexceptRussia，pronounceawordofextraordinarywisdom，admiredbyall，aboutonceinfiveyears，and，afterbeinganeternityintheservice，generallydiefullofhonourandriches，thoughtheyhaveneverdoneanythinggreat，andhaveevenbeenhostiletoallgreatness。ThisgeneralwasIvanFedorovitch’simmediatesuperiorintheservice；anditpleasedthelattertolookuponhimalsoasapatron。Ontheotherhand，thegreatmandidnotatallconsiderhimselfEpanchin’spatron。
　　Hewasalwaysverycooltohim，whiletakingadvantageofhisreadyservices，andwouldinstantlyhaveputanotherinhisplaceiftherehadbeentheslightestreasonforthechange。
　　Anotherguestwasanelderly，important-lookinggentleman，adistantrelativeofLizabethaProkofievna’s。Thisgentlemanwasrich，heldagoodposition，wasagreattalker，andhadthereputationofbeing"oneofthedissatisfied，"thoughnotbelongingtothedangeroussectionsofthatclass。Hehadthemanners，tosomeextent，oftheEnglisharistocracy，andsomeoftheirtastesespeciallyinthematterofunder-doneroastbeef，harness，men-servants，etc。。Hewasagreatfriendofthedignitary’s，andLizabethaProkofievna，forsomereasonorother，hadgotholdoftheideathatthisworthyintendedatnodistantdatetooffertheadvantagesofhishandandhearttoAlexandra。
　　Besidestheelevatedandmoresolidindividualsenumerated，therewerepresentafewyoungerthoughnotlesselegantguests。
　　BesidesPrinceS。andEvgeniePavlovitch，wemustnametheeminentandfascinatingPrinceN——oncethevanquisheroffemaleheartsalloverEurope。Thisgentlemanwasnolongerinthefirstbloomofyouth——hewasforty-five，butstillveryhandsome。Hewaswelloff，andlived，asarule，abroad，andwasnotedasagoodtellerofstories。Thencameafewguestsbelongingtoalowerstratumofsociety——peoplewho，liketheEpanchinsthemselves，movedonlyoccasionallyinthisexaltedsphere。TheEpanchinslikedtodraftamongtheirmoreelevatedguestsafewpickedrepresentativesofthislowerstratum，andLizabethaProkofievnareceivedmuchpraiseforthispractice，whichproved，herfriendssaid，thatshewasawomanoftact。TheEpanchinspridedthemselvesuponthegoodopinionpeopleheldofthem。
　　Oneoftherepresentativesofthemiddle-classpresenttodaywasacolonelofengineers，averyseriousmanandagreatfriendofPrinceS。，whohadintroducedhimtotheEpanchins。Hewasextremelysilentinsociety，anddisplayedontheforefingerofhisrighthandalargering，probablybestoweduponhimforservicesofsomesort。Therewasalsoapoet，Germanbyname，butaRussianpoet；verypresentable，andevenhandsome-thesortofmanonecouldbringintosocietywithimpunity。ThisgentlemanbelongedtoaGermanfamilyofdecidedlybourgeoisorigin，buthehadaknackofacquiringthepatronageof"big-wigs，"andofretainingtheirfavour。HehadtranslatedsomegreatGermanpoemintoRussianverse，andclaimedtohavebeenafriendofafamousRussianpoet，sincedead。Itisstrangehowgreatamultitudeofliterarypeopletherearewhohavehadtheadvantagesoffriendshipwithsomegreatmanoftheirownprofessionwhois，unfortunately，dead。Thedignitary’swifehadintroducedthisworthytotheEpanchins。Thisladyposedasthepatronessofliterarypeople，andshecertainlyhadsucceededinobtainingpensionsforafewofthem，thankstoherinfluencewiththoseinauthorityonsuchmatters。Shewasaladyofweightinherownway。Heragewasaboutforty-five，sothatshewasaveryyoungwifeforsuchanelderlyhusbandasthedignitary。Shehadbeenabeautyinherdayandstillloved，asmanyladiesofforty-fivedolove，todressalittletoosmartly。Herintellectwasnothingtoboastof，andherliteraryknowledgeverydoubtful。Literarypatronagewas，however，withherasmuchamaniaaswastheloveofgorgeousclothes。Manybooksandtranslationswerededicatedtoherbyherproteges，andafewofthesetalentedindividualshadpublishedsomeoftheirownletterstoher，uponveryweightysubjects。
　　This，then，wasthesocietythattheprinceacceptedatonceastruecoin，aspuregoldwithoutalloy。
　　Itsohappened，however，thatonthisparticulareveningallthesegoodpeoplewereinexcellenthumourandhighlypleasedwiththemselves。EveryoneofthemfeltthattheyweredoingtheEpanchinsthegreatestpossiblehonourbytheirpresence。Butalas！theprinceneversuspectedanysuchsubtleties！Forinstance，hehadnosuspicionofthefactthattheEpanchins，havingintheirmindsoimportantastepasthemarriageoftheirdaughter，wouldneverthinkofpresumingtotakeitwithouthavingpreviously"shownoff"theproposedhusbandtothedignitary——therecognizedpatronofthefamily。Thelatter，too，thoughhewouldprobablyhavereceivednewsofagreatdisastertotheEpanchinfamilywithperfectcomposure，wouldneverthelesshaveconsidereditapersonaloffenceiftheyhaddaredtomarrytheirdaughterwithouthisadvice，orwemightalmostsay，hisleave。
　　TheamiableandundoubtedlywittyPrinceN。couldnotbutfeelthathewasasasun，risenforonenightonlytoshineupontheEpanchindrawing-room。Heaccountedthemimmeasurablyhisinferiors，anditwasthisfeelingwhichcausedhisspecialamiabilityanddelightfuleaseandgracetowardsthem。Heknewverywellthathemusttellsomestorythiseveningfortheedificationofthecompany，andleduptoitwiththeinspirationofanticipatorytriumph。
　　Theprince，whenheheardthestoryafterwards，feltthathehadneveryetcomeacrosssowonderfulahumorist，orsuchremarkablebrilliancyaswasshownbythisman；andyetifhehadonlyknownit，thisstorywastheoldest，stalest，andmostworn-outyarn，andeverydrawing-roomintownwassicktodeathofit。ItwasonlyintheinnocentEpanchinhouseholdthatitpassedforanewandbrillianttale——asasuddenandstrikingreminiscenceofasplendidandtalentedman。
　　EventheGermanpoet，thoughasamiableaspossible，feltthathewasdoingthehousethegreatestofhonoursbyhispresenceinit。
　　Buttheprinceonlylookedatthebrightside；hedidnotturnthecoatandseetheshabbylining。
　　Aglayahadnotforeseenthatparticularcalamity。Sheherselflookedwonderfullybeautifulthisevening。Allthreesistersweredressedverytastefully，andtheirhairwasdonewithspecialcare。
　　AglayasatnexttoEvgeniePavlovitch，andlaughedandtalkedtohimwithanunusualdisplayoffriendliness。Evgeniehimselfbehavedrathermoresedatelythanusual，probablyoutofrespecttothedignitary。Evgeniehadbeenknowninsocietyforalongwhile。HehadappearedattheEpanchins’todaywithcrapeonhishat，andPrincessBielokonskihadcommendedthisactiononhispart。Noteverysocietymanwouldhaveworncrapefor"suchanuncle。"LizabethaProkofievnahadlikeditalso，butwastoopreoccupiedtotakemuchnotice。TheprinceremarkedthatAglayalookedattentivelyathimtwoorthreetimes，andseemedtobesatisfiedwithhisbehaviour。
　　Littlebylittlehebecameveryhappyindeed。AllhislateanxietiesandapprehensionsafterhisconversationwithLebedeffnowappearedlikesomanybaddreams——impossible，andevenlaughable。
　　Hedidnotspeakmuch，onlyansweringsuchquestionsaswereputtohim，andgraduallysettleddownintounbrokensilence，listeningtowhatwenton，andsteepedinperfectsatisfactionandcontentment。
　　Littlebylittleasortofinspiration，however，begantostirwithinhim，readytospringintolifeattherightmoment。Whenhedidbegintospeak，itwasaccidentally，inresponsetoaquestion，andapparentlywithoutanyspecialobject。
　　VII。
　　WHILEhefeastedhiseyesuponAglaya，asshetalkedmerrilywithEvgenieandPrinceN。，suddenlytheoldanglomaniac，whowastalkingtothedignitaryinanothercorneroftheroom，apparentlytellinghimastoryaboutsomethingorother——suddenlythisgentlemanpronouncedthenameof"NicolaiAndreevitchPavlicheff"aloud。Theprincequicklyturnedtowardshim，andlistened。
　　Theconversationhadbeenonthesubjectofland，andthepresentdisorders，andtheremusthavebeensomethingamusingsaid，fortheoldmanhadbeguntolaughathiscompanion’sheatedexpressions。
　　Thelatterwasdescribingineloquentwordshow，inconsequenceofrecentlegislation，hewasobligedtosellabeautifulestateintheN。province，notbecausehewantedreadymoney——infact，hewasobligedtosellitathalfitsvalue。"ToavoidanotherlawsuitaboutthePavlicheffestate，Iranaway，"hesaid。"WithafewmoreinheritancesofthatkindIshouldsoonberuined！"
　　AtthispointGeneralEpanchin，noticinghowinterestedMuishkinhadbecomeintheconversation，saidtohim，inalowtone:
　　"Thatgentleman——IvanPetrovitch——isarelationofyourlatefriend，Mr。Pavlicheff。Youwantedtofindsomeofhisrelations，didyounot？"
　　Thegeneral，whohadbeentalkingtohischiefuptothismoment，hadobservedtheprince’ssolitudeandsilence，andwasanxioustodrawhimintotheconversation，andsointroducehimagaintothenoticeofsomeoftheimportantpersonages。
　　"LefNicolaievitchwasawardofNicolaiAndreevitchPavlicheff，afterthedeathofhisownparents，"heremarked，meetingIvanPetrovitch’seye。
　　"Veryhappytomeethim，I’msure，"remarkedthelatter。"I
　　rememberLefNicolaievitchwell。WhenGeneralEpanchinintroducedusjustnow，Irecognizedyouatonce，prince。Youareverylittlechanged，thoughIsawyoulastasachildofsometenorelevenyearsold。Therewassomethinginyourfeatures，I
　　suppose，that——"
　　"Yousawmeasachild！"exclaimedtheprince，withsurprise。
　　"Oh！yes，longago，"continuedIvanPetrovitch，"whileyouwerelivingwithmycousinatZlatoverhoff。Youdon’trememberme？No，Idaresayyoudon’t；youhadsomemaladyatthetime，I
　　remember。ItwassoseriousthatIwassurprised——"
　　"No；Iremembernothing！"saidtheprince。Afewmorewordsofexplanationfollowed，wordswhichwerespokenwithoutthesmallestexcitementbyhiscompanion，butwhichevokedthegreatestagitationintheprince；anditwasdiscoveredthattwooldladiestowhosecaretheprincehadbeenleftbyPavlicheff，andwholivedatZlatoverhoff，werealsorelationsofIvanPetrovitch。
　　ThelatterhadnoideaandcouldgivenoinformationastowhyPavlicheffhadtakensogreataninterestinthelittleprince，hisward。
　　"InpointoffactIdon’tthinkIthoughtmuchaboutit，"saidtheoldfellow。Heseemedtohaveawonderfullygoodmemory，however，forhetoldtheprinceallaboutthetwooldladies，Pavlicheff’scousins，whohadtakencareofhim，andwhom，hedeclared，hehadtakentotaskforbeingtooseverewiththeprinceasasmallsicklyboy——theeldersister，atleast；theyoungerhadbeenkind，herecollected。Theybothnowlivedinanotherprovince，onasmallestatelefttothembyPavlicheff。
　　Theprincelistenedtoallthiswitheyessparklingwithemotionanddelight。
　　Hedeclaredwithunusualwarmththathewouldneverforgivehimselfforhavingtravelledaboutinthecentralprovincesduringtheselastsixmonthswithouthavinghunteduphistwooldfriends。
　　Hedeclared，further，thathehadintendedtogoeveryday，buthadalwaysbeenpreventedbycircumstances；butthatnowhewouldpromisehimselfthepleasure——howeverfaritwas，hewouldfindthemout。AndsoIvanPetrovitchREALLYknewNataliaNikitishna！——
　　whatasaintlynaturewashers！——andMarthaNikitishna！IvanPetrovitchmustexcusehim，butreallyhewasnotquitefairondearoldMartha。Shewassevere，perhaps；butthenwhatelsecouldshebewithsuchalittleidiotashewasthen？Ha，ha。
　　Hereallywasanidiotthen，IvanPetrovitchmustknow，thoughhemightnotbelieveit。Ha，ha。Sohehadreallyseenhimthere！
　　Goodheavens！AndwashereallyandtrulyandactuallyacousinofPavlicheff’s？
　　"Iassureyouofit，"laughedIvanPetrovitch，gazingamusedlyattheprince。
　　"Oh！Ididn’tsayitbecauseIDOUBTthefact，youknow。Ha，ha。HowcouldIdoubtsuchathing？Ha，ha，ha。Imadetheremarkbecause——becauseNicolaiAndreevitchPavlicheffwassuchasplendidman，don’tyousee！Suchahigh-souledman，hereallywas，Iassureyou。"
　　Theprincedidnotexactlypantforbreath，buthe"seemedalmosttoCHOKEoutofpuresimplicityandgoodnessofheart，"asAdelaidaexpressedit，ontalkingthepartyoverwithherfiance，thePrinceS。，nextmorning。
　　"But，mygoodnessme，"laughedIvanPetrovitch，"whycan’tIbecousintoevenasplendidman？"
　　"Oh，dear！"criedtheprince，confused，tryingtohurryhiswordsout，andgrowingmoreandmoreeagereverymoment:"I’vegoneandsaidanotherstupidthing。Idon’tknowwhattosay。I——Ididn’tmeanthat，youknow——I——I——hereallywassuchasplendidman，wasn’the？"
　　Theprincetrembledallover。Whywashesoagitated？Whyhadheflownintosuchtransportsofdelightwithoutanyapparentreason？Hehadfaroutshotthemeasureofjoyandemotionconsistentwiththeoccasion。Whythiswasitwouldbedifficulttosay。
　　Heseemedtofeelwarmlyanddeeplygratefultosomeoneforsomethingorother——perhapstoIvanPetrovitch；butlikelyenoughtoalltheguests，individually，andcollectively。Hewasmuchtoohappy。
　　IvanPetrovitchbegantostareathimwithsomesurprise；thedignitary，too，lookedathimwithconsiderableattention；
　　PrincessBielokonskiglaredathimangrily，andcompressedherlips。PrinceN。，Evgenie，PrinceS。，andthegirls，allbrokeofftheirownconversationsandlistened。Aglayaseemedalittlestartled；asforLizabethaProkofievna，herheartsankwithinher。
　　ThiswasoddofLizabethaProkofievnaandherdaughters。Theyhadthemselvesdecidedthatitwouldbebetteriftheprincedidnottalkalltheevening。Yetseeinghimsittingsilentandalone，butperfectlyhappy，theyhadbeenonthepointofexertingthemselvestodrawhimintooneofthegroupsoftalkersaroundtheroom。Nowthathewasinthemidstofatalktheybecamemorethaneveranxiousandperturbed。
　　"Thathewasasplendidmanisperfectlytrue；youarequiteright，"repeatedIvanPetrovitch，butseriouslythistime。"Hewasafineandaworthyfellow——worthy，onemaysay，ofthehighestrespect，"headded，moreandmoreseriouslyateachpause；"anditisagreeabletosee，onyourpart，such——"
　　"Wasn’titthissamePavlicheffaboutwhomtherewasastrangestoryinconnectionwithsomeabbot？Idon’trememberwhotheabbotwas，butIrememberatonetimeeverybodywastalkingaboutit，"remarkedtheolddignitary。
　　"Yes——AbbotGurot，aJesuit，"saidIvanPetrovitch。"Yes，that’sthesortofthingourbestmenareapttodo。Amanofrank，too，andrich——amanwho，ifhehadcontinuedtoserve，mighthavedoneanything；andthentothrowuptheserviceandeverythingelseinordertogoovertoRomanCatholicismandturnJesuit——
　　openly，too——almosttriumphantly。ByJove！itwaspositivelyamercythathediedwhenhedid——itwasindeed——everyonesaidsoatthetime。"
　　Theprincewasbesidehimself。
　　"Pavlicheff？——PavlicheffturnedRomanCatholic？Impossible！"hecried，inhorror。
　　"H’m！impossibleisratherastrongword，"saidIvanPetrovitch。
　　"Youmustallow，mydearprince……However，ofcourseyouvaluethememoryofthedeceasedsoveryhighly；andhecertainlywasthekindestofmen；towhichfact，bytheway，Iascribe，morethantoanythingelse，thesuccessoftheabbotininfluencinghisreligiousconvictions。Butyoumayaskme，ifyouplease，howmuchtroubleandworryI，personally，hadoverthatbusiness，andespeciallywiththissameGurot！Wouldyoubelieveit，"hecontinued，addressingthedignitary，"theyactuallytriedtoputinaclaimunderthedeceased’swill，andIhadtoresorttotheverystrongestmeasuresinordertobringthemtotheirsenses？Iassureyoutheyknewtheircue，didthesegentlemen——
　　wonderful！ThankgoodnessallthiswasinMoscow，andIgottheCourt，youknow，tohelpme，andwesoonbroughtthemtotheirsenses。
　　"Youwouldn’tbelievehowyouhavepainedandastonishedme，"
　　criedtheprince。
　　"Verysorry；butinpointoffact，youknow，itwasallnonsenseandwouldhaveendedinsmoke，asusual——I’msureofthat。Lastyear，"——heturnedtotheoldmanagain，——"CountessK。joinedsomeRomanConventabroad。Ourpeopleneverseemtobeabletoofferanyresistancesosoonastheygetintothehandsofthese——
　　intriguers——especiallyabroad。"
　　"Thatisallthankstoourlassitude，Ithink，"repliedtheoldman，withauthority。"Andthentheirwayofpreaching；theyhaveaskilfulmannerofdoingit！Andtheyknowhowtostartleone，too。Igotquiteafrightmyselfin’32，inVienna，Iassureyou；
　　butIdidn’tcaveintothem，Iranawayinstead，ha，ha！"
　　"Come，come，I’vealwaysheardthatyouranawaywiththebeautifulCountessLevitskythattime——throwingupeverythinginordertodoit——andnotfromtheJesuitsatall，"saidPrincessBielokonski，suddenly。
　　"Well，yes——butwecallitfromtheJesuits，youknow；itcomestothesamething，"laughedtheoldfellow，delightedwiththepleasantrecollection。
　　"Youseemtobeveryreligious，"hecontinued，kindly，addressingtheprince，"whichisathingonemeetssoseldomnowadaysamongyoungpeople。"
　　Theprincewaslisteningopen-mouthed，andstillinaconditionofexcitedagitation。Theoldmanwasevidentlyinterestedinhim，andanxioustostudyhimmoreclosely。
　　"PavlicheffwasamanofbrightintellectandagoodChristian，asincereChristian，"saidtheprince，suddenly。"Howcouldhepossiblyembraceafaithwhichisunchristian？RomanCatholicismis，sotospeak，simplythesamethingasunchristianity，"headdedwithflashingeyes，whichseemedtotakeineverybodyintheroom。
　　"Come，that’salittleTOOstrong，isn’tit？"murmuredtheoldman，glancingatGeneralEpanchininsurprise。
　　"HowdoyoumakeoutthattheRomanCatholicreligionisUNCHRISTIAN？Whatisit，then？"askedIvanPetrovitch，turningtotheprince。
　　"ItisnotaChristianreligion，inthefirstplace，"saidthelatter，inextremeagitation，quiteoutofproportiontothenecessityofthemoment。"Andinthesecondplace，RomanCatholicismis，inmyopinion，worsethanAtheismitself。Yes——
　　thatismyopinion。Atheismonlypreachesanegation，butRomanismgoesfurther；itpreachesadisfigured，distortedChrist——itpreachesAnti-Christ——Iassureyou，Iswearit！Thisismyownpersonalconviction，andithaslongdistressedme。TheRomanCatholicbelievesthattheChurchonearthcannotstandwithoutuniversaltemporalPower。Hecries’nonpossumus！’InmyopiniontheRomanCatholicreligionisnotafaithatall，butsimplyacontinuationoftheRomanEmpire，andeverythingissubordinatedtothisidea——beginningwithfaith。ThePopehasseizedterritoriesandanearthlythrone，andhasheldthemwiththesword。Andsothethinghasgoneon，onlythattotheswordtheyhaveaddedlying，intrigue，deceit，fanaticism，superstition，swindling；——theyhaveplayedfastandloosewiththemostsacredandsincerefeelingsofmen；——theyhaveexchangedeverything——everythingformoney，forbaseearthlyPOWER！AndisthisnottheteachingofAnti-Christ？HowcouldtheupshotofallthisbeotherthanAtheism？AtheismisthechildofRomanCatholicism——itproceededfromtheseRomansthemselves，thoughperhapstheywouldnotbelieveit。Itgrewandfattenedonhatredofitsparents；itistheprogenyoftheirliesandspiritualfeebleness。Atheism！Inourcountryitisonlyamongtheupperclassesthatyoufindunbelievers；menwhohavelosttherootorspiritoftheirfaith；butabroadwholemassesofthepeoplearebeginningtoprofessunbelief——atfirstbecauseofthedarknessandliesbywhichtheyweresurrounded；butnowoutoffanaticism，outofloathingfortheChurchandChristianity！"
　　Theprincepausedtogetbreath。Hehadspokenwithextraordinaryrapidity，andwasverypale。
　　Allpresentinterchangedglances，butatlasttheolddignitaryburstoutlaughingfrankly。PrinceN。tookouthiseye-glasstohaveagoodlookatthespeaker。TheGermanpoetcameoutofhiscornerandcreptnearertothetable，withaspitefulsmile。
　　"Youexaggeratethematterverymuch，"saidIvanPetrovitch，withratheraboredair。"Thereare，intheforeignChurches，manyrepresentativesoftheirfaithwhoareworthyofrespectandesteem。"
　　"Oh，butIdidnotspeakofindividualrepresentatives。IwasmerelytalkingaboutRomanCatholicism，anditsessence——ofRomeitself。AChurchcanneverentirelydisappear；Ineverhintedatthat！"
　　"Agreedthatallthismaybetrue；butweneednotdiscussasubjectwhichbelongstothedomainoftheology。"
　　"Oh，no；oh，no！Nottotheologyalone，Iassureyou！Why，SocialismistheprogenyofRomanismandoftheRomanisticspirit。ItanditsbrotherAtheismproceedfromDespairinoppositiontoCatholicism。Itseekstoreplaceinitselfthemoralpowerofreligion，inordertoappeasethespiritualthirstofparchedhumanityandsaveit；notbyChrist，butbyforce。
　　’Don’tdaretobelieveinGod，don’tdaretopossessanyindividuality，anyproperty！FraterniteoulaMort；twomillionheads。’Bytheirworksyeshallknowthem’——wearetold。Andwemustnotsupposethatallthisisharmlessandwithoutdangertoourselves。Oh，no；wemustresist，andquickly，quickly！WemustletoutChristshineforthupontheWesternnations，ourChristwhomwehavepreservedintact，andwhomtheyhaveneverknown。
　　Notasslaves，allowingourselvestobecaughtbythehooksoftheJesuits，butcarryingourRussiancivilizationtoTHEM，wemuststandbeforethem，notlettingitbesaidamongusthattheirpreachingis’skilful，’assomeoneexpresseditjustnow。"
　　"Butexcuseme，excuseme；"criedIvanPetrovitchconsiderablydisturbed，andlookingarounduneasily。"Yourideasare，ofcourse，mostpraiseworthy，andinthehighestdegreepatriotic；
　　butyouexaggeratethematterterribly。Itwouldbebetterifwedroppedthesubject。"
　　"No，sir，Idonotexaggerate，Iunderstatethematter，ifanything，undoubtedlyunderstateit；simplybecauseIcannotexpressmyselfasIshouldlike，but——"
　　"Allowme！"
　　Theprincewassilent。HesatstraightupinhischairandgazedferventlyatIvanPetrovitch。
　　"Itseemstomethatyouhavebeentoopainfullyimpressedbythenewsofwhathappenedtoyourgoodbenefactor，"saidtheolddignitary，kindly，andwiththeutmostcalmnessofdemeanour。
　　"Youareexcitable，perhapsastheresultofyoursolitarylife。
　　Ifyouwouldmakeupyourmindtolivemoreamongyourfellowsinsociety，Itrust，Iamsure，thattheworldwouldbegladtowelcomeyou，asaremarkableyoungman；andyouwouldsoonfindyourselfabletolookatthingsmorecalmly。Youwouldseethatallthesethingsaremuchsimplerthanyouthink；and，besides，theserarecasescomeabout，inmyopinion，fromennuiandfromsatiety。"
　　"Exactly，exactly！Thatisatruethought！"criedtheprince。
　　"Fromennui，fromourennuibutnotfromsatiety！Oh，no，youarewrongthere！SayfromTHIRSTifyoulike；thethirstoffever！
　　Andpleasedonotsupposethatthisissosmallamatterthatwemayhavealaughatitanddismissit；wemustbeabletoforeseeourdisastersandarmagainstthem。WeRussiansnosoonerarriveatthebrinkofthewater，andrealizethatwearereallyatthebrink，thanwearesodelightedwiththeoutlookthatinweplungeandswimtothefarthestpointwecansee。Whyisthis？
　　YousayyouaresurprisedatPavlicheff’saction；youascribeittomadness，tokindnessofheart，andwhatnot，butitisnotso。
　　"OurRussianintensitynotonlyastonishesourselves；allEuropewondersatourconductinsuchcases！For，ifoneofusgoesovertoRomanCatholicism，heissuretobecomeaJesuitatonce，andarabidoneintothebargain。IfoneofusbecomesanAtheist，hemustneedsbegintoinsistontheprohibitionoffaithinGodbyforce，thatis，bythesword。Whyisthis？Whydoeshethenexceedallboundsatonce？Becausehehasfoundlandatlast，thefatherlandthathesoughtinvainbefore；and，becausehissoulisrejoicedtofindit，hethrowshimselfuponitandkissesit！
　　Oh，itisnotfromvanityalone，itisnotfromfeelingsofvanitythatRussiansbecomeAtheistsandJesuits！Butfromspiritualthirst，fromanguishoflongingforhigherthings，fordryfirmland，forfootholdonafatherlandwhichtheyneverbelievedinbecausetheyneverknewit。ItiseasierforaRussiantobecomeanAtheist，thanforanyothernationalityintheworld。AndnotonlydoesaRussian’becomeanAtheist，’butheactuallyBELIEVESINAtheism，justasthoughhehadfoundanewfaith，notperceivingthathehaspinnedhisfaithtoanegation。Suchisouranguishofthirst！’WhosohasnocountryhasnoGod。’Thatisnotmyownexpression；itistheexpressionofamerchant，oneoftheOldBelievers，whomIoncemetwhiletravelling。Hedidnotsayexactlythesewords。Ithinkhisexpressionwas:
　　"’WhosoforsakeshiscountryforsakeshisGod。’
　　"ButletthesethirstyRussiansoulsfind，likeColumbus’
　　discoverers，anewworld；letthemfindtheRussianworld，letthemsearchanddiscoverallthegoldandtreasurethatlieshidinthebosomoftheirownland！Showthemtherestitutionoflosthumanity，inthefuture，byRussianthoughtalone，andbymeansoftheGodandoftheChristofourRussianfaith，andyouwillseehowmightyandjustandwiseandgoodagiantwillriseupbeforetheeyesoftheastonishedandfrightenedworld；
　　astonishedbecausetheyexpectnothingbuttheswordfromus，becausetheythinktheywillgetnothingoutofusbutbarbarism。
　　Thishasbeenthecaseuptonow，andthelongermattersgoonastheyarenowproceeding，themoreclearwillbethetruthofwhatIsay；andI——"
　　Butatthismomentsomethinghappenedwhichputamostunexpectedendtotheorator’sspeech。Allthisheatedtirade，thisoutflowofpassionatewordsandecstaticideaswhichseemedtohustleandtumbleovereachotherastheyfellfromhislips，boreevidenceofsomeunusuallydisturbedmentalconditionintheyoungfellowwhohad"boiledover"insucharemarkablemanner，withoutanyapparentreason。
　　Ofthosewhowerepresent，suchasknewtheprincelistenedtohisoutburstinastateofalarm，somewithafeelingofmortification。Itwassounlikehisusualtimidself-constraint；
　　soinconsistentwithhisusualtasteandtact，andwithhisinstinctivefeelingforthehigherproprieties。Theycouldnotunderstandtheoriginoftheoutburst；itcouldnotbesimplythenewsofPavlicheff’sperversion。Bytheladiestheprincewasregardedaslittlebetterthanalunatic，andPrincessBielokonskiadmittedafterwardsthat"inanotherminuteshewouldhavebolted。"
　　Thetwooldgentlemenlookedquitealarmed。TheoldgeneralEpanchin’schiefsatandglaredattheprinceinseveredispleasure。Thecolonelsatimmovable。EventheGermanpoetgrewalittlepale，thoughheworehisusualartificialsmileashelookedaroundtoseewhattheotherswoulddo。
　　Inpointoffactitisquitepossiblethatthematterwouldhaveendedinaverycommonplaceandnaturalwayinafewminutes。Theundoubtedlyastonished，butnowmorecollected，GeneralEpanchinhadseveraltimesendeavouredtointerrupttheprince，andnothavingsucceededhewasnowpreparingtotakefirmerandmorevigorousmeasurestoattainhisend。Inanotherminuteortwohewouldprobablyhavemadeuphismindtoleadtheprincequietlyoutoftheroom，onthepleaofhisbeingillanditwasmorethanlikelythatthegeneralwasrightinhisbeliefthattheprinceWASactuallyill，butitsohappenedthatdestinyhadsomethingdifferentinstore。
　　Atthebeginningoftheevening，whentheprincefirstcameintotheroom，hehadsatdownasfaraspossiblefromtheChinesevasewhichAglayahadspokenofthedaybefore。
　　Willitbebelievedthat，afterAglaya’salarmingwords，anineradicableconvictionhadtakenpossessionofhismindthat，howeverhemighttrytoavoidthisvasenextday，hemustcertainlybreakit？Butsoitwas。
　　Duringtheeveningotherimpressionsbegantoawakeninhismind，aswehaveseen，andheforgothispresentiment。ButwhenPavlicheffwasmentionedandthegeneralintroducedhimtoIvanPetrovitch，hehadchangedhisplace，andwentovernearertothetable；when，itsohappened，hetookthechairnearesttothebeautifulvase，whichstoodonapedestalbehindhim，justaboutonalevelwithhiselbow。
　　Ashespokehislastwordshehadrisensuddenlyfromhisseatwithawaveofhisarm，andtherewasageneralcryofhorror。
　　Thehugevaseswayedbackwardsandforwards；itseemedtobeuncertainwhetherornototoppleoverontotheheadofoneoftheoldmen，buteventuallydeterminedtogotheotherway，andcamecrashingovertowardstheGermanpoet，whodartedoutofthewayinterror。
　　Thecrash，thecry，thesightofthefragmentsofvaluablechinacoveringthecarpet，thealarmofthecompany——whatallthismeanttothepoorprinceitwouldbedifficulttoconveytothemindofthereader，orforhimtoimagine。
　　Butoneverycuriousfactwasthatalltheshameandvexationandmortificationwhichhefeltovertheaccidentwerelesspowerfulthanthedeepimpressionofthealmostsupernaturaltruthofhispremonition。Hestoodstillinalarm——inalmostsuperstitiousalarm，foramoment；thenallmistsseemedtoclearawayfromhiseyes；hewasconsciousofnothingbutlightandjoyandecstasy；
　　hisbreathcameandwent；butthemomentpassed。ThankGoditwasnotthat！Hedrewalongbreathandlookedaround。
　　Forsomeminuteshedidnotseemtocomprehendtheexcitementaroundhim；thatis，hecomprehendeditandsaweverything，buthestoodaside，asitwere，likesomeoneinvisibleinafairytale，asthoughhehadnothingtodowithwhatwasgoingon，thoughitpleasedhimtotakeaninterestinit。
　　Hesawthemgatherupthebrokenbitsofchina；heheardtheloudtalkingoftheguestsandobservedhowpaleAglayalooked，andhowverystrangelyshewasgazingathim。Therewasnohatredinherexpression，andnoangerwhatever。Itwasfullofalarmforhim，andsympathyandaffection，whileshelookedaroundattheotherswithflashing，angryeyes。Hisheartfilledwithasweetpainashegazedather。
　　Atlengthheobserved，tohisamazement，thatallhadtakentheirseatsagain，andwerelaughingandtalkingasthoughnothinghadhappened。Anotherminuteandthelaughtergrewlouder——theywerelaughingathim，athisdumbstupor——laughingkindlyandmerrily。
　　Severalofthemspoketohim，andspokesokindlyandcordially，especiallyLizabethaProkofievna——shewassayingthekindestpossiblethingstohim。
　　SuddenlyhebecameawarethatGeneralEpanchinwastappinghimontheshoulder；IvanPetrovitchwaslaughingtoo，butstillmorekindandsympathizingwastheolddignitary。Hetooktheprincebythehandandpresseditwarmly；thenhepattedit，andquietlyurgedhimtorecollecthimself——speakingtohimexactlyashewouldhavespokentoalittlefrightenedchild，whichpleasedtheprincewonderfully；andnextseatedhimbesidehimself。
　　Theprincegazedintohisfacewithpleasure，butstillseemedtohavenopowertospeak。Hisbreathfailedhim。Theoldman’sfacepleasedhimgreatly。
　　"Doyoureallyforgiveme？"hesaidatlast。"And——andLizabethaProkofievnatoo？"Thelaughincreased，tearscameintotheprince’seyes，hecouldnotbelieveinallthiskindness——hewasenchanted。
　　"Thevasecertainlywasaverybeautifulone。Irememberithereforfifteenyears——yes，quitethat！"remarkedIvanPetrovitch。
　　"Oh，whatadreadfulcalamity！Awretchedvasesmashed，andamanhalfdeadwithremorseaboutit，"saidLizabethaProkofievna，loudly。"Whatmadeyousodreadfullystartled，LefNicolaievitch？"sheadded，alittletimidly。"Come，mydearboy！
　　cheerup。Youreallyalarmme，takingtheaccidentsotoheart。"
　　"Doyouforgivemeall——ALL，besidesthevase，Imean？"saidtheprince，risingfromhisseatoncemore，buttheoldgentlemancaughthishandanddrewhimdownagain——heseemedunwillingtolethimgo。
　　"C’esttres-curieuxetc’esttres-serieux，"hewhisperedacrossthetabletoIvanPetrovitch，ratherloudly。Probablytheprinceheardhim。
　　"SothatIhavenotoffendedanyofyou？YouwillnotbelievehowhappyIamtobeabletothinkso。Itisasitshouldbe。AsifI
　　COULDoffendanyonehere！Ishouldoffendyouagainbyevensuggestingsuchathing。"
　　"Calmyourself，mydearfellow。Youareexaggeratingagain；youreallyhavenooccasiontobesogratefultous。Itisafeelingwhichdoesyougreatcredit，butanexaggeration，forallthat。"
　　"Iamnotexactlythankingyou，Iamonlyfeelingagrowingadmirationforyou——itmakesmehappytolookatyou。IdaresayIamspeakingveryfoolishly，butImustspeak——Imustexplain，ifitbeoutofnothingbetterthanself-respect。"
　　Allhesaidanddidwasabrupt，confused，feverish——verylikelythewordshespoke，asoftenasnot，werenotthosehewishedtosay。HeseemedtoinquirewhetherheMIGHTspeak。HiseyeslightedonPrincessBielokonski。
　　"Allright，myfriend，talkaway，talkaway！"sheremarked。"Onlydon’tloseyourbreath；youwereinsuchahurrywhenyoubegan，andlookwhatyou’vecometonow！Don’tbeafraidofspeaking——
　　alltheseladiesandgentlemenhaveseenfarstrangerpeoplethanyourself；youdon’tastonishTHEM。Youarenothingout-of-the-wayremarkable，youknow。You’vedonenothingbutbreakavase，andgiveusallafright。"
　　Theprincelistened，smiling。
　　"Wasn’tityou，"hesaid，suddenlyturningtotheoldgentleman，"whosavedthestudentPorkunoffandaclerkcalledShoabrinfrombeingsenttoSiberia，twoorthreemonthssince？"
　　Theolddignitaryblushedalittle，andmurmuredthattheprincehadbetternotexcitehimselffurther。
　　"AndIhaveheardofYOU，"continuedtheprince，addressingIvanPetrovitch，"thatwhensomeofyourvillagerswereburnedoutyougavethemwoodtobuilduptheirhousesagain，thoughtheywerenolongeryourserfsandhadbehavedbadlytowardsyou。"
　　"Oh，come，come！Youareexaggerating，"saidIvanPetrovitch，beamingwithsatisfaction，allthesame。Hewasright，however，inthisinstance，forthereporthadreachedtheprince’searsinanincorrectform。
　　"Andyou，princess，"hewenton，addressingPrincessBielokonski，"wasitnotyouwhoreceivedmeinMoscow，sixmonthssince，askindlyasthoughIhadbeenyourownson，inresponsetoaletterfromLizabethaProkofievna；andgavemeonepieceofadvice，againastoyourownson，whichIshallneverforget？Doyouremember？"
　　"Whatareyoumakingsuchafussabout？"saidtheoldlady，withannoyance。"Youareagoodfellow，butverysilly。Onegivesyouahalfpenny，andyouareasgratefulasthoughonehadsavedyourlife。Youthinkthisispraiseworthyonyourpart，butitisnot——itisnot，indeed。"
　　Sheseemedtobeveryangry，butsuddenlyburstoutlaughing，quitegood-humouredly。
　　LizabethaProkofievna’sfacebrightenedup，too；sodidthatofGeneralEpanchin。
　　"ItoldyouLefNicolaievitchwasaman——aman——ifonlyhewouldnotbeinsuchahurry，astheprincessremarked，"saidthelatter，withdelight。
　　Aglayaaloneseemedsadanddepressed；herfacewasflushed，perhapswithindignation。
　　"Hereallyisverycharming，"whisperedtheolddignitarytoIvanPetrovitch。
　　"Icameintothisroomwithanguishinmyheart，"continuedtheprince，withever-growingagitation，speakingquickerandquicker，andwithincreasingstrangeness。"I——Iwasafraidofyouall，andafraidofmyself。Iwasmostafraidofmyself。WhenI
　　returnedtoPetersburg，Ipromisedmyselftomakeapointofseeingourgreatestmen，andmembersofouroldestfamilies——theoldfamilieslikemyown。Iamnowamongprinceslikemyself，amInot？Iwishedtoknowyou，anditwasnecessary，very，verynecessary。Ihadalwaysheardsomuchthatwasevilsaidofyouall——moreevilthangood；astohowsmallandpettywereyourinterests，howabsurdyourhabits，howshallowyoureducation，andsoon。Thereissomuchwrittenandsaidaboutyou！Icameheretodaywithanxiouscuriosity；IwishedtoseeformyselfandformmyownconvictionsastowhetheritweretruethatthewholeofthisupperstratumofRussiansocietyisWORTHLESS，hasoutliveditstime，hasexistedtoolong，andisonlyfittodie——
　　andyetisdyingwithpetty，spitefulwarringagainstthatwhichisdestinedtosupersedeitandtakeitsplace——hinderingtheComingMen，andknowingnotthatitselfisinadyingcondition。
　　Ididnotfullybelieveinthisviewevenbefore，forthereneverwassuchaclassamongus——exceptingperhapsatcourt，byaccident——orbyuniform；butnowthereisnoteventhat，isthere？Ithasvanished，hasitnot？"
　　"No，notabitofit，"saidIvanPetrovitch，withasarcasticlaugh。
　　"GoodLord，he’soffagain！"saidPrincessBielokonski，impatiently。
　　"Laissez-ledire！Heistremblingallover，"saidtheoldman，inawarningwhisper。
　　Theprincecertainlywasbesidehimself。
　　"Well？WhathaveIseen？"hecontinued。"Ihaveseenmenofgracefulsimplicityofintellect；IhaveseenanoldmanwhoisnotabovespeakingkindlyandevenLISTENINGtoaboylikemyself；Iseebeforemepersonswhocanunderstand，whocanforgive——kind，goodRussianhearts——heartsalmostaskindandcordialasImetabroad。ImaginehowdelightedImusthavebeen，andhowsurprised！Oh，letmeexpressthisfeeling！Ihavesooftenheard，andIhaveevenbelieved，thatinsocietytherewasnothingbutemptyforms，andthatrealityhadvanished；butInowseeformyselfthatthiscanneverbethecaseHERE，amongus——itmaybetheorderelsewhere，butnotinRussia。SurelyyouarenotallJesuitsanddeceivers！IheardPrinceN。’sstoryjustnow。
　　Wasitnotsimple-minded，spontaneoushumour？Couldsuchwordscomefromthelipsofamanwhoisdead？——amanwhoseheartandtalentsaredriedup？Coulddeadmenandwomenhavetreatedmesokindlyasyouhaveallbeentreatingmeto-day？Istherenotmaterialforthefutureinallthis——forhope？CansuchpeoplefailtoUNDERSTAND？Cansuchmenfallawayfromreality？"