Itfellfromagreatheight，butitlookedquitelow，anditwashalfamileaway，thoughitdidnotseemfiftypaces。Ilovedtolistentoitatnight，butitwasthenthatIbecamesorestless。
　　SometimesIwentandclimbedthemountainandstoodthereinthemidstofthetallpines，allaloneintheterriblesilence，withourlittlevillageinthedistance，andtheskysoblue，andthesunsobright，andanoldruinedcastleonthemountain-side，faraway。Iusedtowatchthelinewhereearthandskymet，andlongedtogoandseektherethekeyofallmysteries，thinkingthatImightfindthereanewlife，perhapssomegreatcitywherelifeshouldbegranderandricher——andthenitstruckmethatlifemaybegrandenougheveninaprison。"
　　"Ireadthatlastmostpraiseworthythoughtinmymanual，whenI
　　wastwelveyearsold，"saidAglaya。
　　"Allthisispurephilosophy，"saidAdelaida。"Youareaphilosopher，prince，andhavecomeheretoinstructusinyourviews。"
　　"Perhapsyouareright，"saidtheprince，smiling。"IthinkIamaphilosopher，perhaps，andwhoknows，perhapsIdowishtoteachmyviewsofthingstothoseImeetwith？"
　　"Yourphilosophyisratherlikethatofanoldwomanweknow，whoisrichandyetdoesnothingbuttryhowlittleshecanspend。
　　Shetalksofnothingbutmoneyallday。YourgreatphilosophicalideaofagrandlifeinaprisonandyourfourhappyyearsinthatSwissvillagearelikethis，rather，"saidAglaya。
　　"Astolifeinaprison，ofcoursetheremaybetwoopinions，"
　　saidtheprince。"Ionceheardthestoryofamanwholivedtwelveyearsinaprison——Ihearditfromthemanhimself。Hewasoneofthepersonsundertreatmentwithmyprofessor；hehadfits，andattacksofmelancholy，thenhewouldweep，andoncehetriedtocommitsuicide。HISlifeinprisonwassadenough；hisonlyacquaintanceswerespidersandatreethatgrewoutsidehisgrating-butIthinkIhadbettertellyouofanothermanImetlastyear。Therewasaverystrangefeatureinthiscase，strangebecauseofitsextremelyrareoccurrence。Thismanhadoncebeenbroughttothescaffoldincompanywithseveralothers，andhadhadthesentenceofdeathbyshootingpasseduponhimforsomepoliticalcrime。Twentyminuteslaterhehadbeenreprievedandsomeotherpunishmentsubstituted；buttheintervalbetweenthetwosentences，twentyminutes，oratleastaquarterofanhour，hadbeenpassedinthecertaintythatwithinafewminuteshemustdie。Iwasveryanxioustohearhimspeakofhisimpressionsduringthatdreadfultime，andIseveraltimesinquiredofhimastowhathethoughtandfelt。Herememberedeverythingwiththemostaccurateandextraordinarydistinctness，anddeclaredthathewouldneverforgetasingleiotaoftheexperience。
　　"Abouttwentypacesfromthescaffold，wherehehadstoodtohearthesentence，werethreeposts，fixedintheground，towhichtofastenthecriminalsofwhomtherewereseveral。Thefirstthreecriminalsweretakentotheposts，dressedinlongwhitetunics，withwhitecapsdrawnovertheirfaces，sothattheycouldnotseetheriflespointedatthem。Thenagroupofsoldierstooktheirstandoppositetoeachpost。Myfriendwastheeighthonthelist，andthereforehewouldhavebeenamongthethirdlottogoup。Apriestwentaboutamongthemwithacross:andtherewasaboutfiveminutesoftimeleftforhimtolive。
　　"Hesaidthatthosefiveminutesseemedtohimtobeamostinterminableperiod，anenormouswealthoftime；heseemedtobeliving，intheseminutes，somanylivesthattherewasnoneedasyettothinkofthatlastmoment，sothathemadeseveralarrangements，dividingupthetimeintoportions——oneforsayingfarewelltohiscompanions，twominutesforthat；thenacouplemoreforthinkingoverhisownlifeandcareerandallabouthimself；andanotherminuteforalastlookaround。Herememberedhavingdividedhistimelikethisquitewell。Whilesayinggood-
　　byetohisfriendsherecollectedaskingoneofthemsomeveryusualeverydayquestion，andbeingmuchinterestedintheanswer。
　　Thenhavingbadefarewell，heembarkeduponthosetwominuteswhichhehadallottedtolookingintohimself；heknewbeforehandwhathewasgoingtothinkabout。Hewishedtoputittohimselfasquicklyandclearlyaspossible，thatherewashe，aliving，thinkingman，andthatinthreeminuteshewouldbenobody；orifsomebodyorsomething，thenwhatandwhere？Hethoughthewoulddecidethisquestiononceforallintheselastthreeminutes。Alittlewayofftherestoodachurch，anditsgildedspireglitteredinthesun。Herememberedstaringstubbornlyatthisspire，andattheraysoflightsparklingfromit。Hecouldnottearhiseyesfromtheseraysoflight；hegottheideathattheserayswerehisnewnature，andthatinthreeminuteshewouldbecomeoneofthem，amalgamatedsomehowwiththem。
　　"Therepugnancetowhatmustensuealmostimmediately，andtheuncertainty，weredreadful，hesaid；butworstofallwastheidea，’WhatshouldIdoifIwerenottodienow？WhatifIweretoreturntolifeagain？Whataneternityofdays，andallmine！
　　HowIshouldgrudgeandcountupeveryminuteofit，soastowastenotasingleinstant！’Hesaidthatthisthoughtweighedsouponhimandbecamesuchaterribleburdenuponhisbrainthathecouldnotbearit，andwishedtheywouldshoothimquicklyandhavedonewithit。"
　　Theprincepausedandallwaited，expectinghimtogoonagainandfinishthestory。
　　"Isthatall？"askedAglaya。
　　"All？Yes，"saidtheprince，emergingfromamomentaryreverie。
　　"Andwhydidyoutellusthis？"
　　"Oh，Ihappenedtorecallit，that’sall！Itfittedintotheconversation——"
　　"Youprobablywishtodeduce，prince，"saidAlexandra，"thatmomentsoftimecannotbereckonedbymoneyvalue，andthatsometimesfiveminutesareworthpricelesstreasures。Allthisisverypraiseworthy；butmayIaskaboutthisfriendofyours，whotoldyoutheterribleexperienceofhislife？Hewasreprieved，yousay；inotherwords，theydidrestoretohimthat’eternityofdays。’Whatdidhedowiththeserichesoftime？Didhekeepcarefulaccountofhisminutes？"
　　"Ohno，hedidn’t！Iaskedhimmyself。Hesaidthathehadnotlivedabitashehadintended，andhadwastedmany，andmanyaminute。"
　　"Verywell，thenthere’sanexperiment，andthethingisproved；
　　onecannotliveandcounteachmoment；saywhatyoulike，butoneCANNOT。"
　　"Thatistrue，"saidtheprince，"Ihavethoughtsomyself。Andyet，whyshouldn’tonedoit？"
　　"Youthink，then，thatyoucouldlivemorewiselythanotherpeople？"saidAglaya。
　　"Ihavehadthatidea。"
　　"Andyouhaveitstill？"
　　"Yes——Ihaveitstill，"theprincereplied。
　　HehadcontemplatedAglayauntilnow，withapleasantthoughrathertimidsmile，butasthelastwordsfellfromhislipshebegantolaugh，andlookedathermerrily。
　　"Youarenotverymodest！"saidshe。
　　"Buthowbraveyouare！"saidhe。"Youarelaughing，andI——
　　thatman’staleimpressedmesomuch，thatIdreamtofitafterwards；yes，Idreamtofthosefiveminutes……"
　　Helookedathislistenersagainwiththatsameserious，searchingexpression。
　　"Youarenotangrywithme？"heaskedsuddenly，andwithakindofnervoushurry，althoughhelookedthemstraightintheface。
　　"Whyshouldwebeangry？"theycried。
　　"OnlybecauseIseemtobegivingyoualecture，allthetime！"
　　Atthistheylaughedheartily。
　　"Pleasedon’tbeangrywithme，"continuedtheprince。"IknowverywellthatIhaveseenlessoflifethanotherpeople，andhavelessknowledgeofit。Imustappeartospeakstrangelysometimes……"
　　Hesaidthelastwordsnervously。
　　"Yousayyouhavebeenhappy，andthatprovesyouhavelived，notless，butmorethanotherpeople。Whymakealltheseexcuses？"
　　interruptedAglayainamockingtoneofvoice。"Besides，youneednotmindaboutlecturingus；youhavenothingtoboastof。Withyourquietism，onecouldlivehappilyforahundredyearsatleast。Onemightshowyoutheexecutionofafelon，orshowyouone’slittlefinger。Youcoulddrawamoralfromeither，andbequitesatisfied。Thatsortofexistenceiseasyenough。"
　　"Ican’tunderstandwhyyoualwaysflyintoatemper，"saidMrs。
　　Epanchin，whohadbeenlisteningtotheconversationandexaminingthefacesofthespeakersinturn。"Idonotunderstandwhatyoumean。Whathasyourlittlefingertodowithit？Theprincetalkswell，thoughheisnotamusing。Hebeganallright，butnowheseemssad。"
　　"Nevermind，mamma！Prince，Iwishyouhadseenanexecution，"
　　saidAglaya。"Ishouldliketoaskyouaquestionaboutthat，ifyouhad。"
　　"Ihaveseenanexecution，"saidtheprince。
　　"Youhave！"criedAglaya。"Imighthaveguessedit。That’safittingcrowntotherestofthestory。Ifyouhaveseenanexecution，howcanyousayyoulivedhappilyallthewhile？"
　　"Butistherecapitalpunishmentwhereyouwere？"askedAdelaida。
　　"IsawitatLyons。Schneidertookusthere，andassoonaswearrivedwecameinforthat。"
　　"Well，anddidyoulikeitverymuch？Wasitveryedifyingandinstructive？"askedAglaya。
　　"No，Ididn’tlikeitatall，andwasillafterseeingit；butI
　　confessIstaredasthoughmyeyeswerefixedtothesight。I
　　couldnottearthemaway。"
　　"I，too，shouldhavebeenunabletotearmyeyesaway，"saidAglaya。
　　"Theydonotatallapproveofwomengoingtoseeanexecutionthere。Thewomenwhodogoarecondemnedforitafterwardsinthenewspapers。"
　　"Thatis，bycontendingthatitisnotasightforwomentheyadmitthatitisasightformen。Icongratulatethemonthededuction。Isupposeyouquiteagreewiththem，prince？"
　　"Tellusabouttheexecution，"putinAdelaida。
　　"Iwouldmuchrathernot，justnow，"saidtheprince，alittledisturbedandfrowningslightly；
　　"Youdon’tseemtowanttotellus，"saidAglaya，withamockingair。
　　"No，——thethingis，Iwastellingallabouttheexecutionalittlewhileago，and——"
　　"Whomdidyoutellaboutit？"
　　"Theman-servant，whileIwaswaitingtoseethegeneral。"
　　"Ourman-servant？"exclaimedseveralvoicesatonce。
　　"Yes，theonewhowaitsintheentrancehall，agreyish，red-
　　facedman——"
　　"Theprinceisclearlyademocrat，"remarkedAglaya。
　　"Well，ifyoucouldtellAlekseyaboutit，surelyyoucantellustoo。"
　　"Idosowanttohearaboutit，"repeatedAdelaida。
　　"Justnow，Iconfess，"begantheprince，withmoreanimation，"whenyouaskedmeforasubjectforapicture，IconfessIhadseriousthoughtsofgivingyouone。Ithoughtofaskingyoutodrawthefaceofacriminal，oneminutebeforethefalloftheguillotine，whilethewretchedmanisstillstandingonthescaffold，preparatorytoplacinghisneckontheblock。"
　　"What，hisface？onlyhisface？"askedAdelaida。"Thatwouldbeastrangesubjectindeed。Andwhatsortofapicturewouldthatmake？"
　　"Oh，whynot？"theprinceinsisted，withsomewarmth。"WhenIwasinBasleIsawapictureverymuchinthatstyle——Ishouldliketotellyouaboutit；Iwillsometimeorother；itstruckmeveryforcibly。"
　　"Oh，youshalltellusabouttheBaslepictureanothertime；nowwemusthaveallabouttheexecution，"saidAdelaida。"Tellusaboutthatfaceas；itappearedtoyourimagination-howshoulditbedrawn？——justthefacealone，doyoumean？"
　　"Itwasjustaminutebeforetheexecution，"begantheprince，readily，carriedawaybytherecollectionandevidentlyforgettingeverythingelseinamoment；"justattheinstantwhenhesteppedofftheladderontothescaffold。Hehappenedtolookinmydirection:Isawhiseyesandunderstoodall，atonce——buthowamItodescribeit？Idosowishyouorsomebodyelsecoulddrawit，you，ifpossible。Ithoughtatthetimewhatapictureitwouldmake。Youmustimagineallthatwentbefore，ofcourse，all——all。Hehadlivedintheprisonforsometimeandhadnotexpectedthattheexecutionwouldtakeplaceforatleastaweekyet——hehadcountedonalltheformalitiesandsoontakingtime；butitsohappenedthathispapershadbeengotreadyquickly。Atfiveo’clockinthemorninghewasasleep——itwasOctober，andatfiveinthemorningitwascoldanddark。Thegovernoroftheprisoncomesinontip-toeandtouchesthesleepingman’sshouldergently。Hestartsup。’Whatisit？’hesays。’Theexecutionisfixedforteno’clock。’Hewasonlyjustawake，andwouldnotbelieveatfirst，butbegantoarguethathispaperswouldnotbeoutforaweek，andsoon。Whenhewaswideawakeandrealizedthetruth，hebecameverysilentandarguednomore——sotheysay；butafterabithesaid:’Itcomesveryhardononesosuddenly’andthenhewassilentagainandsaidnothing。
　　"Thethreeorfourhourswentby，ofcourse，innecessarypreparations——thepriest，breakfast，coffee，meat，andsomewinetheygavehim；doesn’titseemridiculous？AndyetI
　　believethesepeoplegivethemagoodbreakfastoutofpurekindnessofheart，andbelievethattheyaredoingagoodaction。
　　Thenheisdressed，andthenbeginstheprocessionthroughthetowntothescaffold。Ithinkhe，too，mustfeelthathehasanagetolivestillwhiletheycarthimalong。Probablyhethought，ontheway，’Oh，Ihavealong，longtimeyet。Threestreetsoflifeyet！Whenwe’vepassedthisstreetthere’llbethatotherone；andthenthatonewherethebaker’sshopisontheright；
　　andwhenshallwegetthere？It’sages，ages！’Aroundhimarecrowdsshouting，yelling——tenthousandfaces，twentythousandeyes。Allthishastobeendured，andespeciallythethought:
　　’Herearetenthousandmen，andnotoneofthemisgoingtobeexecuted，andyetIamtodie。’Well，allthatispreparatory。
　　"Atthescaffoldthereisaladder，andjustthereheburstintotears——andthiswasastrongman，andaterriblywickedone，theysay！Therewasapriestwithhimthewholetime，talking；eveninthecartastheydrovealong，hetalkedandtalked。Probablytheotherheardnothing；hewouldbegintolistennowandthen，andatthethirdwordorsohehadforgottenallaboutit。
　　"Atlasthebegantomountthesteps；hislegsweretied，sothathehadtotakeverysmallsteps。Thepriest，whoseemedtobeawiseman，hadstoppedtalkingnow，andonlyheldthecrossforthewretchedfellowtokiss。Atthefootoftheladderhehadbeenpaleenough；butwhenhesetfootonthescaffoldatthetop，hisfacesuddenlybecamethecolourofpaper，positivelylikewhitenotepaper。Hislegsmusthavebecomesuddenlyfeebleandhelpless，andhefeltachokinginhisthroat——youknowthesuddenfeelingonehasinmomentsofterriblefear，whenonedoesnotloseone’swits，butisabsolutelypowerlesstomove？Ifsomedreadfulthingweresuddenlytohappen；ifahousewerejustabouttofallonone；——don’tyouknowhowonewouldlongtositdownandshutone’seyesandwait，andwait？Well，whenthisterriblefeelingcameoverhim，thepriestquicklypressedthecrosstohislips，withoutaword——alittlesilvercrossitwas-
　　andhekeptonpressingittotheman’slipseverysecond。Andwheneverthecrosstouchedhislips，theeyeswouldopenforamoment，andthelegsmovedonce，andhekissedthecrossgreedily，hurriedly——justasthoughhewereanxioustocatchholdofsomethingincaseofitsbeingusefultohimafterwards，thoughhecouldhardlyhavehadanyconnectedreligiousthoughtsatthetime。Andsouptotheveryblock。
　　"Howstrangethatcriminalsseldomswoonatsuchamoment！Onthecontrary，thebrainisespeciallyactive，andworksincessantly——
　　probablyhard，hard，hard——likeanengineatfullpressure。I
　　imaginethatvariousthoughtsmustbeatloudandfastthroughhishead——allunfinishedones，andstrange，funnythoughts，verylikely！——likethis，forinstance:’Thatmanislookingatme，andhehasawartonhisforehead！andtheexecutionerhasburstoneofhisbuttons，andthelowestoneisallrusty！’Andmeanwhilehenoticesandrememberseverything。Thereisonepointthatcannotbeforgotten，roundwhicheverythingelsedancesandturnsabout；andbecauseofthispointhecannotfaint，andthislastsuntiltheveryfinalquarterofasecond，whenthewretchedneckisontheblockandthevictimlistensandwaitsandKNOWS——
　　that’sthepoint，heKNOWSthatheisjustNOWabouttodie，andlistensfortheraspoftheironoverhishead。IfIlaythere，I
　　shouldcertainlylistenforthatgratingsound，andhearit，too！
　　Therewouldprobablybebutthetenthpartofaninstantlefttohearitin，butonewouldcertainlyhearit。Andimagine，somepeopledeclarethatwhentheheadfliesoffitisCONSCIOUSofhavingflownoff！Justimaginewhatathingtorealize！Fancyifconsciousnessweretolastforevenfiveseconds！
　　"Drawthescaffoldsothatonlythetopstepoftheladdercomesinclearly。Thecriminalmustbejuststeppingontoit，hisfaceaswhiteasnote-paper。Thepriestisholdingthecrosstohisbluelips，andthecriminalkissesit，andknowsandseesandunderstandseverything。Thecrossandthehead——there’syourpicture；thepriestandtheexecutioner，withhistwoassistants，andafewheadsandeyesbelow。Thosemightcomeinassubordinateaccessories——asortofmist。There’sapictureforyou。"Theprincepaused，andlookedaround。
　　"Certainlythatisn’tmuchlikequietism，"murmuredAlexandra，halftoherself。
　　"Nowtellusaboutyourloveaffairs，"saidAdelaida，afteramoment’spause。
　　Theprincegazedatherinamazement。
　　"Youknow，"Adelaidacontinued，"youoweusadescriptionoftheBaslepicture；butfirstIwishtohearhowyoufellinlove。
　　Don’tdenythefact，foryoudid，ofcourse。Besides，youstopphilosophizingwhenyouaretellingaboutanything。"
　　"Whyareyouashamedofyourstoriesthemomentafteryouhavetoldthem？"askedAglaya，suddenly。
　　"Howsillyyouare！"saidMrs。Epanchin，lookingindignantlytowardsthelastspeaker。
　　"Yes，thatwasn’tacleverremark，"saidAlexandra。
　　"Don’tlistentoher，prince，"saidMrs。Epanchin；"shesaysthatsortofthingoutofmischief。Don’tthinkanythingoftheirnonsense，itmeansnothing。Theylovetochaff，buttheylikeyou。Icanseeitintheirfaces——Iknowtheirfaces。"
　　"Iknowtheirfaces，too，"saidtheprince，withapeculiarstressonthewords。
　　"Howso？"askedAdelaida，withcuriosity。
　　"WhatdoYOUknowaboutourfaces？"exclaimedtheothertwo，inchorus。
　　Buttheprincewassilentandserious。Allawaitedhisreply。
　　"I’lltellyouafterwards，"hesaidquietly。
　　"Ah，youwanttoarouseourcuriosity！"saidAglaya。"Andhowterriblysolemnyouareaboutit！"
　　"Verywell，"interruptedAdelaida，"thenifyoucanreadfacessowell，youmusthavebeeninlove。Comenow；I’veguessed——let’shavethesecret！"
　　"Ihavenotbeeninlove，"saidtheprince，asquietlyandseriouslyasbefore。"Ihavebeenhappyinanotherway。"
　　"How，how？"
　　"Well，I’lltellyou，"saidtheprince，apparentlyinadeepreverie。
　　VI。
　　"Hereyouallare，"begantheprince，"settlingyourselvesdowntolistentomewithsomuchcuriosity，thatifIdonotsatisfyyouyouwillprobablybeangrywithme。No，no！I’monlyjoking！"headded，hastily，withasmile。
　　"Well，then——theywereallchildrenthere，andIwasalwaysamongchildrenandonlywithchildren。TheywerethechildrenofthevillageinwhichIlived，andtheywenttotheschoolthere——allofthem。Ididnotteachthem，ohno；therewasamasterforthat，oneJulesThibaut。Imayhavetaughtthemsomethings，butIwasamongthemjustasanoutsider，andIpassedallfouryearsofmylifethereamongthem。Iwishedfornothingbetter；Iusedtotellthemeverythingandhidnothingfromthem。Theirfathersandrelationswereveryangrywithme，becausethechildrencoulddonothingwithoutmeatlast，andusedtothrongaftermeatalltimes。Theschoolmasterwasmygreatestenemyintheend！Ihadmanyenemies，andallbecauseofthechildren。EvenSchneiderreproachedme。Whatweretheyafraidof？Onecantellachildeverything，anything。Ihaveoftenbeenstruckbythefactthatparentsknowtheirchildrensolittle。Theyshouldnotconcealsomuchfromthem。Howwellevenlittlechildrenunderstandthattheirparentsconcealthingsfromthem，becausetheyconsiderthemtooyoungtounderstand！Childrenarecapableofgivingadviceinthemostimportantmatters。Howcanonedeceivethesedearlittlebirds，whentheylookatonesosweetlyandconfidingly？Icallthembirdsbecausethereisnothingintheworldbetterthanbirds！
　　"However，mostofthepeoplewereangrywithmeaboutoneandthesamething；butThibautsimplywasjealousofme。AtfirsthehadwaggedhisheadandwonderedhowitwasthatthechildrenunderstoodwhatItoldthemsowell，andcouldnotlearnfromhim；andhelaughedlikeanythingwhenIrepliedthatneitherhenorIcouldteachthemverymuch，butthatTHEYmightteachusagooddeal。
　　"Howhecouldhatemeandtellscandalousstoriesaboutme，livingamongchildrenashedid，iswhatIcannotunderstand。
　　Childrensootheandhealthewoundedheart。Iremembertherewasonepoorfellowatourprofessor’swhowasbeingtreatedformadness，andyouhavenoideawhatthosechildrendidforhim，eventually。Idon’tthinkhewasmad，butonlyterriblyunhappy。ButI’lltellyouallabouthimanotherday。NowImustgetonwiththisstory。
　　"Thechildrendidnotlovemeatfirst；Iwassuchasickly，awkwardkindofafellowthen——andIknowIamugly。Besides，I
　　wasaforeigner。Thechildrenusedtolaughatme，atfirst；andtheyevenwentsofarastothrowstonesatme，whentheysawmekissMarie。Ionlykissedheronceinmylife——no，no，don’tlaugh！"Theprincehastenedtosuppressthesmilesofhisaudienceatthispoint。"ItwasnotamatterofLOVEatall！Ifonlyyouknewwhatamiserablecreatureshewas，youwouldhavepitiedher，justasIdid。Shebelongedtoourvillage。Hermotherwasanold，oldwoman，andtheyusedtosellstringandthread，andsoapandtobacco，outofthewindowoftheirlittlehouse，andlivedonthepittancetheygainedbythistrade。Theoldwomanwasillandveryold，andcouldhardlymove。Mariewasherdaughter，agirloftwenty，weakandthinandconsumptive；
　　butstillshedidheavyworkatthehousesaround，daybyday。
　　Well，onefinedayacommercialtravellerbetrayedherandcarriedheroff；andaweeklaterhedesertedher。Shecamehomedirty，draggled，andshoeless；shehadwalkedforawholeweekwithoutshoes；shehadsleptinthefields，andcaughtaterriblecold；herfeetwereswollenandsore，andherhandstornandscratchedallover。Sheneverhadbeenprettyevenbefore；buthereyeswerequiet，innocent，kindeyes。
　　"Shewasveryquietalways——andIrememberonce，whenshehadsuddenlybegunsingingatherwork，everyonesaid，’Marietriedtosingtoday！’andshegotsochaffedthatshewassilentforeverafter。Shehadbeentreatedkindlyintheplacebefore；butwhenshecamebacknow——illandshunnedandmiserable——notoneofthemallhadtheslightestsympathyforher。Cruelpeople！Oh，whathazyunderstandingstheyhaveonsuchmatters！Hermotherwasthefirsttoshowtheway。Shereceivedherwrathfully，unkindly，andwithcontempt。’Youhavedisgracedme，’shesaid。
　　Shewasthefirsttocastherintoignominy；butwhentheyallheardthatMariehadreturnedtothevillage，theyranouttoseeherandcrowdedintothelittlecottage——oldmen，children，women，girls——suchahurrying，stamping，greedycrowd。Mariewaslyingonthefloorattheoldwoman’sfeet，hungry，torn，draggled，crying，miserable。
　　"Wheneveryonecrowdedintotheroomshehidherfaceinherdishevelledhairandlaycoweringonthefloor。Everyonelookedatherasthoughshewereapieceofdirtofftheroad。Theoldmenscoldedandcondemned，andtheyoungoneslaughedather。Thewomencondemnedhertoo，andlookedathercontemptuously，justasthoughsheweresomeloathsomeinsect。
　　"Hermotherallowedallthistogoon，andnoddedherheadandencouragedthem。Theoldwomanwasveryillatthattime，andknewshewasdyingshereallydiddieacoupleofmonthslater，andthoughshefelttheendapproachingsheneverthoughtofforgivingherdaughter，totheverydayofherdeath。Shewouldnotevenspeaktoher。Shemadehersleeponstrawinashed，andhardlygaveherfoodenoughtosupportlife。
　　"Mariewasverygentletohermother，andnursedher，anddideverythingforher；buttheoldwomanacceptedallherserviceswithoutawordandnevershowedhertheslightestkindness。Marieboreallthis；andIcouldseewhenIgottoknowherthatshethoughtitquiterightandfitting，consideringherselfthelowestandmeanestofcreatures。
　　"Whentheoldwomantooktoherbedfinally，theotheroldwomeninthevillagesatwithherbyturns，asthecustomisthere；andthenMariewasquitedrivenoutofthehouse。Theygavehernofoodatall，andshecouldnotgetanyworkinthevillage；nonewouldemployher。Themenseemedtoconsiderhernolongerawoman，theysaidsuchdreadfulthingstoher。SometimesonSundays，iftheyweredrunkenough，theyusedtothrowherapennyortwo，intothemud，andMariewouldsilentlypickupthemoney。Shehadbegantospitbloodatthattime。
　　"Atlastherragsbecamesotatteredandtornthatshewasashamedofappearinginthevillageanylonger。Thechildrenusedtopeltherwithmud；soshebeggedtobetakenonasassistantcowherd，butthecowherdwouldnothaveher。Thenshetooktohelpinghimwithoutleave；andhesawhowvaluableherassistancewastohim，anddidnotdriveherawayagain；onthecontrary，heoccasionallygavehertheremnantsofhisdinner，breadandcheese。Heconsideredthathewasbeingverykind。Whenthemotherdied，thevillageparsonwasnotashamedtoholdMarieuptopublicderisionandshame。Mariewasstandingatthecoffin’shead，inallherrags，crying。
　　"Acrowdofpeoplehadcollectedtoseehowshewouldcry。Theparson，ayoungfellowambitiousofbecomingagreatpreacher，beganhissermonandpointedtoMarie。’There，’hesaid，’thereisthecauseofthedeathofthisvenerablewoman’——whichwasalie，becauseshehadbeenillforatleasttwoyears——’thereshestandsbeforeyou，anddaresnotlifthereyesfromtheground，becausesheknowsthatthefingerofGodisuponher。Lookathertattersandrags——thebadgeofthosewholosetheirvirtue。Whoisshe？herdaughter！’andsoontotheend。
　　"Andjustfancy，thisinfamypleasedthem，allofthem，nearly。
　　Onlythechildrenhadaltered——forthentheywereallonmysideandhadlearnedtoloveMarie。
　　"Thisishowitwas:IhadwishedtodosomethingforMarie；I
　　longedtogivehersomemoney，butIneverhadafarthingwhileI
　　wasthere。ButIhadalittlediamondpin，andthisIsoldtoatravellingpedlar；hegavemeeightfrancsforit——itwasworthatleastforty。
　　"IlongsoughttomeetMariealone；andatlastIdidmeether，onthehillsidebeyondthevillage。IgavehertheeightfrancsandaskedhertotakecareofthemoneybecauseIcouldgetnomore；andthenIkissedherandsaidthatshewasnottosupposeIkissedherwithanyevilmotivesorbecauseIwasinlovewithher，forthatIdidsosolelyoutofpityforher，andbecausefromthefirstIhadnotaccountedherasguiltysomuchasunfortunate。Ilongedtoconsoleandencouragehersomehow，andtoassureherthatshewasnotthelow，basethingwhichsheandothersstrovetomakeout；butIdon’tthinksheunderstoodme。
　　Shestoodbeforeme，dreadfullyashamedofherself，andwithdowncasteyes；andwhenIhadfinishedshekissedmyhand。I
　　wouldhavekissedhers，butshedrewitaway。Justatthismomentthewholetroopofchildrensawus。Ifoundoutafterwardsthattheyhadlongkeptawatchuponme。Theyallbeganwhistlingandclappingtheirhands，andlaughingatus。Marieranawayatonce；
　　andwhenItriedtotalktothem，theythrewstonesatme。Allthevillageheardofitthesameday，andMarie’spositionbecameworsethanever。Thechildrenwouldnotletherpassnowinthestreets，butannoyedherandthrewdirtathermorethanbefore。
　　Theyusedtorunafterher——sheracingawaywithherpoorfeeblelungspantingandgasping，andtheypeltingherandshoutingabuseather。
　　"OnceIhadtointerferebyforce；andafterthatItooktospeakingtothemeverydayandwheneverIcould。Occasionallytheystoppedandlistened；buttheyteasedMarieallthesame。
　　"ItoldthemhowunhappyMariewas，andafterawhiletheystoppedtheirabuseofher，andlethergobysilently。Littlebylittlewegotintothewayofconversingtogether，thechildrenandI。Iconcealednothingfromthem，Itoldthemall。TheylistenedveryattentivelyandsoonbegantobesorryforMarie。
　　Atlastsomeofthemtooktosaying’Good-morning’toher，kindly，whentheymether。Itisthecustomtheretosaluteanyoneyoumeetwith’Good-morning’whetheracquaintedornot。I
　　canimaginehowastonishedMariewasatthesefirstgreetingsfromthechildren。
　　"Oncetwolittlegirlsgotholdofsomefoodandtookittoher，andcamebackandtoldme。Theysaidshehadburstintotears，andthattheylovedherverymuchnow。VerysoonafterthattheyallbecamefondofMarie，andatthesametimetheybegantodevelopthegreatestaffectionformyself。Theyoftencametomeandbeggedmetotellthemstories。IthinkImusthavetoldstorieswell，fortheydidsolovetohearthem。AtlastItooktoreadingupinterestingthingsonpurposetopassthemontothelittleones，andthiswentonforalltherestofmytimethere，threeyears。Later，wheneveryone——evenSchneider——wasangrywithmeforhidingnothingfromthechildren，Ipointedouthowfoolishitwas，fortheyalwaysknewthings，onlytheylearnttheminawaythatsoiledtheirmindsbutnotsofromme。Onehasonlytorememberone’sownchildhoodtoadmitthetruthofthis。
　　Butnobodywasconvinced……ItwastwoweeksbeforehermotherdiedthatIhadkissedMarie；andwhentheclergymanpreachedthatsermonthechildrenwereallonmyside。
　　"WhenItoldthemwhatashameitwasoftheparsontotalkashehaddone，andexplainedmyreason，theyweresoangrythatsomeofthemwentandbrokehiswindowswithstones。OfcourseI
　　stoppedthem，forthatwasnotright，butallthevillageheardofit，andhowIcaughtitforspoilingthechildren！EveryonediscoverednowthatthelittleoneshadtakentobeingfondofMarie，andtheirparentswereterriblyalarmed；butMariewassohappy。Thechildrenwereforbiddentomeether；buttheyusedtorunoutofthevillagetotheherdandtakeherfoodandthings；
　　andsometimesjustranoffthereandkissedher，andsaid，’Jevousaime，Marie！’andthentrottedbackagain。TheyimaginedthatIwasinlovewithMarie，andthiswastheonlypointonwhichIdidnotundeceivethem，fortheygotsuchenjoymentoutofit。Andwhatdelicacyandtendernesstheyshowed！
　　"IntheeveningIusedtowalktothewaterfall。Therewasaspottherewhichwasquiteclosedinandhiddenfromviewbylargetrees；andtothisspotthechildrenusedtocometome。TheycouldnotbearthattheirdearLeonshouldloveapoorgirlwithoutshoestoherfeetanddressedallinragsandtatters。
　　So，wouldyoubelieveit，theyactuallyclubbedtogether，somehow，andboughthershoesandstockings，andsomelinen，andevenadress！Ican’tunderstandhowtheymanagedit，buttheydidit，alltogether。WhenIaskedthemaboutittheyonlylaughedandshouted，andthelittlegirlsclappedtheirhandsandkissedme。IsometimeswenttoseeMariesecretly，too。Shehadbecomeveryill，andcouldhardlywalk。Shestillwentwiththeherd，butcouldnothelptheherdsmananylonger。Sheusedtositonastonenear，andwaittherealmostmotionlessallday，tilltheherdwenthome。Herconsumptionwassoadvanced，andshewassoweak，thatsheusedtositwithclosedeyes，breathingheavily。Herfacewasasthinasaskeleton’s，andsweatusedtostandonherwhitebrowinlargedrops。Ialwaysfoundhersittingjustlikethat。Iusedtocomeupquietlytolookather；
　　butMariewouldhearme，openhereyes，andtrembleviolentlyasshekissedmyhands。Ididnottakemyhandawaybecauseitmadeherhappytohaveit，andsoshewouldsitandcryquietly。
　　Sometimesshetriedtospeak；butitwasverydifficulttounderstandher。Shewasalmostlikeamadwoman，withexcitementandecstasy，wheneverIcame。Occasionallythechildrencamewithme；whentheydidso，theywouldstandsomewayoffandkeepguardoverus，soastotellmeifanybodycamenear。Thiswasagreatpleasuretothem。
　　"Whenwelefther，Marieusedtorelapseatonceintoheroldcondition，andsitwithclosedeyesandmotionlesslimbs。Onedayshecouldnotgooutatall，andremainedathomeallaloneintheemptyhut；butthechildrenverysoonbecameawareofthefact，andnearlyallofthemvisitedherthatdayasshelayaloneandhelplessinhermiserablebed。
　　"Fortwodaysthechildrenlookedafterher，andthen，whenthevillagepeoplegottoknowthatMariewasreallydying，someoftheoldwomencameandtookitinturnstositbyherandlookafterherabit。Ithinktheybegantobealittlesorryforherinthevillageatlast；atalleventstheydidnotinterferewiththechildrenanymore，onheraccount。
　　"Marielayinastateofuncomfortabledeliriumthewholewhile；
　　shecougheddreadfully。Theoldwomenwouldnotletthechildrenstayintheroom；buttheyallcollectedoutsidethewindoweachmorning，ifonlyforamoment，andshouted’Bonjour，notrebonneMarie！’andMarienosoonercaughtsightof，orheardthem，andshebecamequiteanimatedatonce，and，inspiteoftheoldwomen，wouldtrytositupandnodherheadandsmileatthem，andthankthem。Thelittleonesusedtobringhernicethingsandsweetstoeat，butshecouldhardlytouchanything。Thankstothem，Iassureyou，thegirldiedalmostperfectlyhappy。Shealmostforgothermisery，andseemedtoaccepttheirloveasasortofsymbolofpardonforheroffence，thoughsheneverceasedtoconsiderherselfadreadfulsinner。Theyusedtoflutteratherwindowjustlikelittlebirds，callingout:’Noust’aimons，Marie！’
　　"Shediedverysoon；Ihadthoughtshewouldlivemuchlonger。
　　ThedaybeforeherdeathIwenttoseeherforthelasttime，justbeforesunset。Ithinksherecognizedme，forshepressedmyhand。
　　"NextmorningtheycameandtoldmethatMariewasdead。Thechildrencouldnotberestrainednow；theywentandcoveredhercoffinwithflowers，andputawreathoflovelyblossomsonherhead。Thepastordidnotthrowanymoreshamefulwordsatthepoordeadwoman；buttherewereveryfewpeopleatthefuneral。
　　However，whenitcametocarryingthecoffin，allthechildrenrushedup，tocarryitthemselves。Ofcoursetheycouldnotdoitalone，buttheyinsistedonhelping，andwalkedalongsideandbehind，crying。
　　"Theyhaveplantedrosesallroundhergrave，andeveryyeartheylookaltertheflowersandmakeMarie’sresting-placeasbeautifulastheycan。Iwasinillodourafterallthiswiththeparentsofthechildren，andespeciallywiththeparsonandschoolmaster。SchneiderwasobligedtopromisethatIshouldnotmeetthemandtalktothem；butweconversedfromadistancebysigns，andtheyusedtowritemesweetlittlenotes。AfterwardsI
　　camecloserthanevertothoselittlesouls，buteventhenitwasverydeartome，tohavethemsofondofme。
　　"SchneidersaidthatIdidthechildrengreatharmbymypernicious’system’；whatnonsensethatwas！Andwhatdidhemeanbymysystem？HesaidafterwardsthathebelievedIwasachildmyself——justbeforeIcameaway。’Youhavetheformandfaceofanadult’hesaid，’butasregardssoul，andcharacter，andperhapsevenintelligence，youareachildinthecompletestsenseoftheword，andalwayswillbe，ifyoulivetobesixty。’Ilaughedverymuch，forofcoursethatisnonsense。ButitisafactthatIdonotcaretobeamonggrown-uppeopleandmuchpreferthesocietyofchildren。Howeverkindpeoplemaybetome，Ineverfeelquiteathomewiththem，andamalwaysgladtogetbacktomylittlecompanions。Nowmycompanionshavealwaysbeenchildren，notbecauseIwasachildmyselfonce，butbecauseyoungthingsattractme。OnoneofthefirstdaysofmystayinSwitzerland，Iwasstrollingaboutaloneandmiserable，whenI
　　cameuponthechildrenrushingnoisilyoutofschool，withtheirslatesandbags，andbooks，theirgames，theirlaughterandshouts——andmysoulwentouttothem。IstoppedandlaughedhappilyasIwatchedtheirlittlefeetmovingsoquickly。Girlsandboys，laughingandcrying；forastheywenthomemanyofthemfoundtimetofightandmakepeace，toweepandplay。Iforgotmytroublesinlookingatthem。Andthen，allthosethreeyears，I
　　triedtounderstandwhymenshouldbeforevertormentingthemselves。Ilivedthelifeofachildthere，andthoughtI
　　shouldneverleavethelittlevillage；indeed，IwasfarfromthinkingthatIshouldeverreturntoRussia。ButatlastI
　　recognizedthefactthatSchneidercouldnotkeepmeanylonger。
　　Andthensomethingsoimportanthappened，thatSchneiderhimselfurgedmetodepart。Iamgoingtoseenowifcangetgoodadviceaboutit。Perhapsmylotinlifewillbechanged；butthatisnottheprincipalthing。Theprincipalthingistheentirechangethathasalreadycomeoverme。Ileftmanythingsbehindme——toomany。Theyhavegone。OnthejourneyIsaidtomyself，’Iamgoingintotheworldofmen。Idon’tknowmuch，perhaps，butanewlifehasbegunforme。’Imadeupmymindtobehonest，andsteadfastinaccomplishingmytask。PerhapsIshallmeetwithtroublesandmanydisappointments，butIhavemadeupmymindtobepoliteandsinceretoeveryone；morecannotbeaskedofme。
　　Peoplemayconsidermeachildiftheylike。Iamoftencalledanidiot，andatonetimeIcertainlywassoillthatIwasnearlyasbadasanidiot；butIamnotanidiotnow。HowcanIpossiblybesowhenIknowmyselfthatIamconsideredone？
　　"WhenIreceivedaletterfromthosedearlittlesouls，whilepassingthroughBerlin，IonlythenrealizedhowmuchIlovedthem。Itwasvery，verypainful，gettingthatfirstlittleletter。Howmelancholytheyhadbeenwhentheysawmeoff！Foramonthbefore，theyhadbeentalkingofmydepartureandsorrowingoverit；andatthewaterfall，ofanevening，whenwepartedforthenight，theywouldhugmesotightandkissmesowarmly，farmoresothanbefore。AndeverynowandthentheywouldturnuponebyonewhenIwasalone，justtogivemeakissandahug，toshowtheirloveforme。Thewholeflockwentwithmetothestation，whichwasaboutamilefromthevillage，andeverynowandthenoneofthemwouldstoptothrowhisarmsroundme，andallthelittlegirlshadtearsintheirvoices，thoughtheytriedhardnottocry。Asthetrainsteamedoutofthestation，Isawthemallstandingontheplatformwavingtomeandcrying’Hurrah！’tilltheywerelostinthedistance。
　　"Iassureyou，whenIcameinherejustnowandsawyourkindfacesIcanreadfaceswellmyheartfeltlightforthefirsttimesincethatmomentofparting。IthinkImustbeoneofthosewhoareborntobeinluck，foronedoesnotoftenmeetwithpeoplewhomonefeelshecanlovefromthefirstsightoftheirfaces；andyet，nosoonerdoIstepoutoftherailwaycarriagethanIhappenuponyou！
　　"Iknowitismoreorlessashamefacedthingtospeakofone’sfeelingsbeforeothers；andyethereamItalkinglikethistoyou，andamnotabitashamedorshy。Iamanunsociablesortoffellowandshallverylikelynotcometoseeyouagainforsometime；butdon’tthinktheworseofmeforthat。ItisnotthatIdonotvalueyoursociety；andyoumustneversupposethatIhavetakenoffenceatanything。
　　"Youaskedmeaboutyourfaces，andwhatIcouldreadinthem；I
　　willtellyouwiththegreatestpleasure。You，AdelaidaIvanovna，haveaveryhappyface；itisthemostsympatheticofthethree。
　　Nottospeakofyournaturalbeauty，onecanlookatyourfaceandsaytoone’sself，’Shehasthefaceofakindsister。’Youaresimpleandmerry，butyoucanseeintoanother’sheartveryquickly。That’swhatIreadinyourface。
　　"Youtoo，AlexandraIvanovna，haveaverylovelyface；butI
　　thinkyoumayhavesomesecretsorrow。Yourheartisundoubtedlyakind，goodone，butyouarenotmerry。Thereisacertainsuspicionof’shadow’inyourface，likeinthatofHolbein’sMadonnainDresden。Somuchforyourface。HaveIguessedright？
　　"Asforyourface，LizabethaProkofievna，Inotonlythink，butamperfectlySURE，thatyouareanabsolutechild——inall，inall，mind，bothgoodandbad-andinspiteofyouryears。Don’tbeangrywithmeforsayingso；youknowwhatmyfeelingsforchildrenare。AnddonotsupposethatIamsocandidoutofpuresimplicityofsoul。Ohdearno，itisbynomeansthecase！
　　PerhapsIhavemyownveryprofoundobjectinview。"
　　VII。
　　Whentheprinceceasedspeakingallweregazingmerrilyathim——
　　evenAglaya；butLizabethaProkofievnalookedthejolliestofall。
　　"Well！"shecried，"weHAVE’puthimthroughhispaces，’withavengeance！Mydears，youimagined，Ibelieve，thatyouwereabouttopatronizethisyounggentleman，likesomepoorprotegepickedupsomewhere，andtakenunderyourmagnificentprotection。Whatfoolswewere，andwhataspeciallybigfoolisyourfather！Welldone，prince！Iassureyouthegeneralactuallyaskedmetoputyouthroughyourpaces，andexamineyou。Astowhatyousaidaboutmyface，youareabsolutelycorrectinyourjudgment。Iamachild，andknowit。Iknewitlongbeforeyousaidso；youhaveexpressedmyownthoughts。Ithinkyournatureandminemustbeextremelyalike，andIamverygladofit。Weareliketwodropsofwater，onlyyouareamanandIawoman，andI’venotbeentoSwitzerland，andthatisallthedifferencebetweenus。"
　　"Don’tbeinahurry，mother；theprincesaysthathehassomemotivebehindhissimplicity，"criedAglaya。
　　"Yes，yes，sohedoes，"laughedtheothers。
　　"Oh，don’tyoubeginbanteringhim，"saidmamma。"Heisprobablyagooddealclevererthanallthreeofyougirlsputtogether。Weshallsee。Onlyyouhaven’ttoldusanythingaboutAglayayet，prince；andAglayaandIarebothwaitingtohear。"
　　"Icannotsayanythingatpresent。I’lltellyouafterwards。"
　　"Why？Herfaceisclearenough，isn’tit？"
　　"Ohyes，ofcourse。Youareverybeautiful，AglayaIvanovna，sobeautifulthatoneisafraidtolookatyou。"
　　"Isthatall？Whatabouthercharacter？"persistedMrs。Epanchin。
　　"Itisdifficulttojudgewhensuchbeautyisconcerned。Ihavenotpreparedmyjudgment。Beautyisariddle。"
　　"ThatmeansthatyouhavesetAglayaariddle！"saidAdelaida。
　　"Guessit，Aglaya！Butshe’spretty，prince，isn’tshe？"
　　"Mostwonderfullyso，"saidthelatter，warmly，gazingatAglayawithadmiration。"AlmostaslovelyasNastasiaPhilipovna，butquiteadifferenttype。"
　　Allpresentexchangedlooksofsurprise。
　　"AslovelyasWHO？"saidMrs。Epanchin。"AsNASTASIAPHILIPOVNA？
　　WherehaveyouseenNastasiaPhilipovna？WhatNastasiaPhilipovna？"
　　"GavrilaArdalionovitchshowedthegeneralherportraitjustnow。"
　　"Howso？Didhebringtheportraitformyhusband？"
　　"Onlytoshowit。NastasiaPhilipovnagaveittoGavrilaArdalionovitchtoday，andthelatterbroughtitheretoshowtothegeneral。"
　　"Imustseeit！"criedMrs。Epanchin。"Whereistheportrait？Ifshegaveittohim，hemusthaveit；andheisstillinthestudy。Heneverleavesbeforefouro’clockonWednesdays。SendforGavrilaArdalionovitchatonce。No，Idon’tlongtoseeHIM
　　somuch。Lookhere，dearprince，BEsokind，willyou？Juststeptothestudyandfetchthisportrait！Saywewanttolookatit。
　　Pleasedothisforme，willyou？"
　　"Heisanicefellow，butalittletoosimple，"saidAdelaida，astheprincelefttheroom。
　　"Heis，indeed，"saidAlexandra；"almostlaughablysoattimes。"
　　Neitheronenortheotherseemedtogiveexpressiontoherfullthoughts。
　　"Hegotoutofitveryneatlyaboutourfaces，though，"saidAglaya。Heflatteredusallround，evenmamma。"
　　"Nonsense"criedthelatter。"Hedidnotflatterme。ItwasIwhofoundhisappreciationflattering。Ithinkyouareagreatdealmorefoolishthanheis。Heissimple，ofcourse，butalsoveryknowing。Justlikemyself。"
　　"Howstupidofmetospeakoftheportrait，"thoughttheprinceasheenteredthestudy，withafeelingofguiltathisheart，"andyet，perhapsIwasrightafterall。"Hehadanidea，unformedasyet，butastrangeidea。
　　GavrilaArdalionovitchwasstillsittinginthestudy，buriedinamassofpapers。Helookedasthoughhedidnottakehissalaryfromthepubliccompany，whoseservanthewas，forasinecure。
　　Hegrewverywrothandconfusedwhentheprinceaskedfortheportrait，andexplainedhowitcameaboutthathehadspokenofit。
　　"Oh，curseitall，"hesaid；"whatonearthmustyougoblabbingfor？Youknownothingaboutthething，andyet——idiot！"headded，mutteringthelastwordtohimselfinirrepressiblerage。
　　"Iamverysorry；Iwasnotthinkingatthetime。ImerelysaidthatAglayawasalmostasbeautifulasNastasiaPhilipovna。"
　　Ganiaaskedforfurtherdetails；andtheprinceoncemorerepeatedtheconversation。Ganialookedathimwithironicalcontemptthewhile。
　　"NastasiaPhilipovna，"hebegan，andtherepaused；hewasclearlymuchagitatedandannoyed。Theprinceremindedhimoftheportrait。
　　"Listen，prince，"saidGania，asthoughanideahadjuststruckhim，"Iwishtoaskyouagreatfavour，andyetIreallydon’tknow——"
　　Hepausedagain，hewastryingtomakeuphismindtosomething，andwasturningthematterover。Theprincewaitedquietly。OncemoreGaniafixedhimwithintentandquestioningeyes。
　　"Prince，"hebeganagain，"theyareratherangrywithme，inthere，owingtoacircumstancewhichIneednotexplain，sothatIdonotcaretogoinatpresentwithoutaninvitation。I
　　particularlywishtospeaktoAglaya，butIhavewrittenafewwordsincaseIshallnothavethechanceofseeingher"heretheprinceobservedasmallnoteinhishand，"andIdonotknowhowtogetmycommunicationtoher。Don’tyouthinkyoucouldundertaketogiveittoheratonce，butonlytoher，mind，andsothatnooneelseshouldseeyougiveit？Itisn’tmuchofasecret，butstill——Well，willyoudoit？"
　　"Idon’tquitelikeit，"repliedtheprince。
　　"Oh，butitisabsolutelynecessaryforme，"Ganiaentreated。
　　"Believeme，ifitwerenotso，Iwouldnotaskyou；howelseamItogetittoher？Itismostimportant，dreadfullyimportant！"
　　Ganiawasevidentlymuchalarmedattheideathattheprincewouldnotconsenttotakehisnote，andhelookedathimnowwithanexpressionofabsoluteentreaty。
　　"Well，Iwilltakeitthen。"
　　"Butmind，nobodyistosee！"criedthedelightedGania"AndofcourseImayrelyonyourwordofhonour，eh？"
　　"Iwon’tshowittoanyone，"saidtheprince。
　　"Theletterisnotsealed——"continuedGania，andpausedinconfusion。
　　"Oh，Iwon’treadit，"saidtheprince，quitesimply。
　　Hetookuptheportrait，andwentoutoftheroom。
　　Gania，leftalone，clutchedhisheadwithhishands。
　　"Onewordfromher，"hesaid，"onewordfromher，andImayyetbefree。"
　　Hecouldnotsettlehimselftohispapersagain，foragitationandexcitement，butbeganwalkingupanddowntheroomfromcornertocorner。
　　Theprincewalkedalong，musing。Hedidnotlikehiscommission，anddislikedtheideaofGaniasendinganotetoAglayaatall；butwhenhewastworoomsdistantfromthedrawing-room，wheretheyallwere，hestoppedathoughrecallingsomething；wenttothewindow，nearerthelight，andbegantoexaminetheportraitinhishand。
　　HelongedtosolvethemysteryofsomethinginthefaceNastasiaPhilipovna，somethingwhichhadstruckhimashelookedattheportraitforthefirsttime；theimpressionhadnotlefthim。Itwaspartlythefactofhermarvellousbeautythatstruckhim，andpartlysomethingelse。Therewasasuggestionofimmenseprideanddisdaininthefacealmostofhatred，andatthesametimesomethingconfidingandveryfullofsimplicity。Thecontrastarousedadeepsympathyinhisheartashelookedatthelovelyface。Theblindinglovelinessofitwasalmostintolerable，thispalethinfacewithitsflamingeyes；itwasastrangebeauty。
　　Theprincegazedatitforaminuteortwo，thenglancedaroundhim，andhurriedlyraisedtheportraittohislips。When，aminuteafter，hereachedthedrawing-roomdoor，hisfacewasquitecomposed。ButjustashereachedthedoorhemetAglayacomingoutalone。
　　"GavrilaArdalionovitchbeggedmetogiveyouthis，"hesaid，handingherthenote。
　　Aglayastopped，tooktheletter，andgazedstrangelyintotheprince’seyes。Therewasnoconfusioninherface；alittlesurprise，perhaps，butthatwasall。ByherlooksheseemedmerelytochallengetheprincetoanexplanationastohowheandGaniahappenedtobeconnectedinthismatter。Butherexpressionwasperfectlycoolandquiet，andevencondescending。
　　Sotheystoodforamomentortwo，confrontingoneanother。Atlengthafaintsmilepassedoverherface，andshepassedbyhimwithoutaword。
　　Mrs。EpanchinexaminedtheportraitofNastasiaPhilipovnaforsomelittlewhile，holdingitcriticallyatarm’slength。
　　"Yes，sheispretty，"shesaidatlast，"evenverypretty。Ihaveseenhertwice，butonlyatadistance。Soyouadmirethiskindofbeauty，doyou？"sheaskedtheprince，suddenly。
　　"Yes，Ido——thiskind。"
　　"Doyoumeanespeciallythiskind？"
　　"Yes，especiallythiskind。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Thereismuchsufferinginthisface，"murmuredtheprince，moreasthoughtalkingtohimselfthanansweringthequestion。
　　"Ithinkyouarewanderingalittle，prince，"Mrs。Epanchindecided，afteralengthenedsurveyofhisface；andshetossedtheportraitontothetable，haughtily。
　　Alexandratookit，andAdelaidacameup，andboththegirlsexaminedthephotograph。JustthenAglayaenteredtheroom。
　　"Whatapower！"criedAdelaidasuddenly，assheearnestlyexaminedtheportraitoverhersister’sshoulder。
　　"Whom？Whatpower？"askedhermother，crossly。
　　"Suchbeautyisrealpower，"saidAdelaida。"Withsuchbeautyasthatonemightoverthrowtheworld。"Shereturnedtohereaselthoughtfully。
　　Aglayamerelyglancedattheportrait——frowned，andputoutherunderlip；thenwentandsatdownonthesofawithfoldedhands。
　　Mrs。Epanchinrangthebell。
　　"AskGavrilaArdalionovitchtostepthisway，"saidshetothemanwhoanswered。
　　"Mamma！"criedAlexandra，significantly。
　　"Ishalljustsaytwowordstohim，that’sall，"saidhermother，silencingallobjectionbyhermanner；shewasevidentlyseriouslyputout。"Yousee，prince，itisallsecretswithus，justnow——allsecrets。Itseemstobetheetiquetteofthehouse，forsomereasonor，other。Stupidnonsense，andinamatterwhichoughttobeapproachedwithallcandourandopen-
　　heartedness。Thereisamarriagebeingtalkedof，andIdon’tlikethismarriage——"
　　"Mamma，whatareyousaying？"saidAlexandraagain，hurriedly。
　　"Well，what，mydeargirl？Asifyoucanpossiblylikeityourself？Theheartisthegreatthing，andtherestisallrubbish——thoughonemusthavesenseaswell。Perhapssenseisreallythegreatthing。Don’tsmilelikethat，Aglaya。Idon’tcontradictmyself。Afoolwithaheartandnobrainsisjustasunhappyasafoolwithbrainsandnoheart。Iamoneandyouaretheother，andthereforebothofussuffer，bothofusareunhappy。"
　　"Whyareyousounhappy，mother？"askedAdelaida，whoaloneofallthecompanyseemedtohavepreservedhergoodtemperandspiritsuptonow。
　　"Inthefirstplace，becauseofmycarefullybrought-updaughters，"saidMrs。Epanchin，cuttingly；"andasthatisthebestreasonIcangiveyouweneednotbotheraboutanyotheratpresent。Enoughofwords，now！WeshallseehowbothofyouI
　　don’tcountAglayawillmanageyourbusiness，andwhetheryou，mostreveredAlexandraIvanovna，willbehappywithyourfinemate。"
　　"Ah！"sheadded，asGaniasuddenlyenteredtheroom，"here’sanothermarryingsubject。Howdoyoudo？"shecontinued，inresponsetoGania’sbow；butshedidnotinvitehimtositdown。
　　"Youaregoingtobemarried？"
　　"Married？how——whatmarriage？"murmuredGania，overwhelmedwithconfusion。
　　"Areyouabouttotakeawife？Iask，——ifyoupreferthatexpression。"
　　"No，noI-I——no！"saidGania，bringingouthisliewithatell-
　　taleblushofshame。HeglancedkeenlyatAglaya，whowassittingsomewayoff，anddroppedhiseyesimmediately。
　　Aglayagazedcoldly，intently，andcomposedlyathim，withouttakinghereyesoffhisface，andwatchedhisconfusion。
　　"No？Yousayno，doyou？"continuedthepitilessMrs。General。
　　"Verywell，IshallrememberthatyoutoldmethisWednesdaymorning，inanswertomyquestion，thatyouarenotgoingtobemarried。Whatdayisit，Wednesday，isn’tit？"
　　"Yes，Ithinkso！"saidAdelaida。
　　"Youneverknowthedayoftheweek；what’sthedayofthemonth？"
　　"Twenty-seventh！"saidGania。
　　"Twenty-seventh；verywell。Good-byenow；youhaveagooddealtodo，I’msure，andImustdressandgoout。Takeyourportrait。
　　Givemyrespectstoyourunfortunatemother，NinaAlexandrovna。
　　Aurevoir，dearprince，comeinandseeusoften，do；andIshalltelloldPrincessBielokonskiaboutyou。Ishallgoandseeheronpurpose。Andlisten，mydearboy，IfeelsurethatGodhassentyoutoPetersburgfromSwitzerlandonpurposeforme。Maybeyouwillhaveotherthingstodo，besides，butyouaresentchieflyformysake，Ifeelsureofit。Godsentyoutome！Aurevoir！Alexandra，comewithme，mydear。"
　　Mrs。Epanchinlefttheroom。
　　Gania——confused，annoyed，furious——tookuphisportrait，andturnedtotheprincewithanastysmileonhisface。
　　"Prince，"hesaid，"Iamjustgoinghome。Ifyouhavenotchangedyourmindastolivingwithus，perhapsyouwouldliketocomewithme。Youdon’tknowtheaddress，Ibelieve？"
　　"Waitaminute，prince，"saidAglaya，suddenlyrisingfromherseat，"dowritesomethinginmyalbumfirst，willyou？Fathersaysyouareamosttalentedcaligraphist；I’llbringyoumybookinaminute。"Shelefttheroom。
　　"Well，aurevoir，prince，"saidAdelaida，"Imustbegoingtoo。"
　　Shepressedtheprince’shandwarmly，andgavehimafriendlysmileasshelefttheroom。ShedidnotsomuchaslookatGania。
　　"Thisisyourdoing，prince，"saidGania，turningonthelattersosoonastheotherswerealloutoftheroom。"Thisisyourdoing，sir！YOUhavebeentellingthemthatIamgoingtobemarried！"Hesaidthisinahurriedwhisper，hiseyesflashingwithrageandhisfaceablaze。"Youshamelesstattler！"
　　"Iassureyou，youareunderadelusion，"saidtheprince，calmlyandpolitely。"Ididnotevenknowthatyouweretobemarried。"
　　"Youheardmetalkingaboutit，thegeneralandme。YouheardmesaythateverythingwastobesettledtodayatNastasiaPhilipovna’s，andyouwentandblurteditouthere。Youlieifyoudenyit。WhoelsecouldhavetoldthemDeviltakeit，sir，whocouldhavetoldthemexceptyourself？Didn’ttheoldwomanasgoodashintasmuchtome？"
　　"Ifshehintedtoyouwhotoldheryoumustknowbest，ofcourse；
　　butIneversaidawordaboutit。"
　　"Didyougivemynote？Isthereananswer？"interruptedGania，impatiently。
　　ButatthismomentAglayacameback，andtheprincehadnotimetoreply。
　　"There，prince，"saidshe，"there’smyalbum。Nowchooseapageandwritemesomething，willyou？There’sapen，anewone；doyoumindasteelone？Ihaveheardthatyoucaligraphistsdon’tlikesteelpens。"
　　Conversingwiththeprince，AglayadidnotevenseemtonoticethatGaniawasintheroom。Butwhiletheprincewasgettinghispenready，findingapage，andmakinghispreparationstowrite，GaniacameuptothefireplacewhereAglayawasstanding，totherightoftheprince，andintrembling，brokenaccentssaid，almostinherear:
　　"Oneword，justonewordfromyou，andI’msaved。"
　　Theprinceturnedsharplyroundandlookedatbothofthem。
　　Gania’sfacewasfullofrealdespair；heseemedtohavesaidthewordsalmostunconsciouslyandontheimpulseofthemoment。
　　Aglayagazedathimforsomesecondswithpreciselythesamecomposureandcalmastonishmentasshehadshownalittlewhilebefore，whentheprincehandedherthenote，anditappearedthatthiscalmsurpriseandseeminglyabsoluteincomprehensionofwhatwassaidtoher，weremoreterriblyoverwhelmingtoGaniathaneventhemostplainlyexpresseddisdainwouldhavebeen。
　　"WhatshallIwrite？"askedtheprince。
　　"I’lldictatetoyou，"saidAglaya，cominguptothetable。"Nowthen，areyouready？Write，’Inevercondescendtobargain！’Nowputyournameandthedate。Letmeseeit。"
　　Theprincehandedherthealbum。
　　"Capital！Howbeautifullyyouhavewrittenit！Thankssomuch。Aurevoir，prince。Waitaminute，"；sheadded，"Iwanttogiveyousomethingforakeepsake。Comewithmethisway，willyou？"
　　Theprincefollowedher。Arrivedatthedining-room，shestopped。
　　"Readthis，"shesaid，handinghimGania’snote。
　　Theprincetookitfromherhand，butgazedatherinbewilderment。
　　"Oh！IKNOWyouhaven’treadit，andthatyoucouldneverbethatman’saccomplice。Readit，Iwishyoutoreadit。"
　　Theletterhadevidentlybeenwritteninahurry:
　　"Myfateistobedecidedtoday"itran，"youknowhow。ThisdayImustgivemywordirrevocably。Ihavenorighttoaskyourhelp，andIdarenotallowmyselftoindulgeinanyhopes；butonceyousaidjustoneword，andthatwordlightedupthenightofmylife，andbecamethebeaconofmydays。Sayonemoresuchword，andsavemefromutterruin。Onlytellme，’breakoffthewholething！’andIwilldosothisveryday。Oh！whatcanitcostyoutosayjustthisoneword？Indoingsoyouwillbutbegivingmeasignofyoursympathyforme，andofyourpity；onlythis，onlythis；nothingmore，NOTHING。Idarenotindulgeinanyhope，becauseIamunworthyofit。Butifyousaybutthisword，Iwilltakeupmycrossagainwithjoy，andreturnoncemoretomybattlewithpoverty。Ishallmeetthestormandbegladofit；
　　Ishallriseupwithrenewedstrength。
　　"Sendmebackthenthisonewordofsympathy，onlysympathy，I
　　sweartoyou；andoh！donotbeangrywiththeaudacityofdespair，withthedrowningmanwhohasdaredtomakethislastefforttosavehimselffromperishingbeneaththewaters。
　　"G。L。"
　　"Thismanassuresme，"saidAglaya，scornfully，whentheprincehadfinishedreadingtheletter，"thatthewords’breakoffeverything’donotcommitmetoanythingwhatever；andhimselfgivesmeawrittenguaranteetothateffect，inthisletter。