"Oncemoreletusbegyoutobecalm，mydearboy。We’lltalkofallthisanothertime——Ishalldosowiththegreatestpleasure，forone，"saidtheolddignitary，withasmile。
　　IvanPetrovitchgruntedandtwistedroundinhischair。GeneralEpanchinmovednervously。Thelatter’schiefhadstartedaconversationwiththewifeofthedignitary，andtooknonoticewhateveroftheprince，buttheoldladyveryoftenglancedathim，andlistenedtowhathewassaying。
　　"No，Ihadbetterspeak，"continuedtheprince，withanewoutburstoffeverishemotion，andturningtowardstheoldmanwithanairofconfidentialtrustfulness。"Yesterday，AglayaIvanovnaforbademetotalk，andevenspecifiedtheparticularsubjectsImustnottouchupon——sheknowswellenoughthatIamoddwhenIgetuponthesematters。Iamnearlytwenty-sevenyearsold，andyetIknowIamlittlebetterthanachild。Ihavenorighttoexpressmyideas，andsaidsolongago。OnlyinMoscow，withRogojin，didIeverspeakabsolutelyfreely！HeandIreadPushkintogether——allhisworks。RogojinknewnothingofPushkin，hadnotevenheardhisname。IamalwaysafraidofspoilingagreatThoughtorIdeabymyabsurdmanner。Ihavenoeloquence，Iknow。Ialwaysmakethewronggestures——
　　inappropriategestures——andthereforeIdegradetheThought，andraisealaughinsteadofdoingmysubjectjustice。Ihavenosenseofproportioneither，andthatisthechiefthing。IknowitwouldbemuchbetterifIwerealwaystositstillandsaynothing。WhenIdoso，Iappeartobequiteasensiblesortofaperson，andwhat’smore，Ithinkaboutthings。ButnowImustspeak；itisbetterthatIshould。Ibegantospeakbecauseyoulookedsokindlyatme；youhavesuchabeautifulface。I
　　promisedAglayaIvanovnayesterdaythatIwouldnotspeakalltheevening。"
　　"Really？"saidtheoldman，smiling。
　　"But，attimes，Ican’thelpthinkingthatIam。wronginfeelingsoaboutit，youknow。Sincerityismoreimportantthanelocution，isn’tit？"
　　"Sometimes。"
　　"Iwanttoexplainalltoyou——everything——everything！IknowyouthinkmeUtopian，don’tyou——anidealist？Oh，no！I’mnot，indeed——myideasareallsosimple。Youdon’tbelieveme？Youaresmiling。Doyouknow，Iamsometimesverywicked——forIlosemyfaith？ThiseveningasIcamehere，Ithoughttomyself，’WhatshallItalkabout？HowamItobegin，sothattheymaybeabletounderstandpartially，atallevents？’HowafraidIwas——
　　dreadfullyafraid！Andyet，howCOULDIbeafraid——wasitnotshamefulofme？WasIafraidoffindingabottomlessabyssofemptyselfishness？Ah！that’swhyIamsohappyatthismoment，becauseIfindthereisnobottomlessabyssatall——butgood，healthymaterial，fulloflife。
　　"Itisnotsuchaverydreadfulcircumstancethatweareoddpeople，isit？Forwereallyareodd，youknow——careless，reckless，easilyweariedofanything。Wedon’tlookthoroughlyintomatters——don’tcaretounderstandthings。Wearealllikethis——youandI，andallofthem！Why，hereareyou，now——youarenotabitangrywithmeforcallingyouodd，’areyou？And，ifso，surelythereisgoodmaterialinyou？Doyouknow，I
　　sometimesthinkitisagoodthingtobeodd。Wecanforgiveoneanothermoreeasily，andbemorehumble。Noonecanbeginbybeingperfect——thereismuchonecannotunderstandinlifeatfirst。Inordertoattaintoperfection，onemustbeginbyfailingtounderstandmuch。Andifwetakeinknowledgetooquickly，weverylikelyarenottakingitinatall。Isayallthistoyou——youwhobythistimeunderstandsomuch——anddoubtlesshavefailedtounderstandsomuch，also。Iamnotafraidofyouanylonger。Youarenotangrythatamereboyshouldsaysuchwordstoyou，areyou？Ofcoursenot！Youknowhowtoforgetandtoforgive。Youarelaughing，IvanPetrovitch？
　　YouthinkIamachampionofotherclassesofpeople——thatIamTHEIRadvocate，ademocrat，andanoratorofEquality？"Theprincelaughedhysterically；hehadseveraltimesburstintotheselittle，shortnervouslaughs。"Oh，no——itisforyou，formyself，andforallofustogether，thatIamalarmed。Iamaprinceofanoldfamilymyself，andIamsittingamongmypeers；
　　andIamtalkinglikethisinthehopeofsavingusall；inthehopethatourclasswillnotdisappearaltogether——intothedarkness——unguessingitsdanger——blamingeverythingaroundit，andlosinggroundeveryday。Whyshouldwedisappearandgiveplacetoothers，whenwemaystill，ifwechoose，remaininthefrontrankandleadthebattle？Letusbeservants，thatwemaybecomelordsindueseason！"
　　Hetriedtogetuponhisfeetagain，buttheoldmanstillrestrainedhim，gazingathimwithincreasingperturbationashewenton。
　　"Listen——Iknowitisbestnottospeak！Itisbestsimplytogiveagoodexample——simplytobeginthework。Ihavedonethis——
　　Ihavebegun，and——and——oh！CANanyonebeunhappy，really？Oh！
　　whatdoesgriefmatter——whatdoesmisfortunematter，ifoneknowshowtobehappy？Doyouknow，Icannotunderstandhowanyonecanpassbyagreentree，andnotfeelhappyonlytolookatit！Howanyonecantalktoamanandnotfeelhappyinlovinghim！Oh，itismyownfaultthatIcannotexpressmyselfwellenough！ButtherearelovelythingsateverystepItake——thingswhicheventhemostmiserablemanmustrecognizeasbeautiful。Lookatalittlechild——lookatGod’sday-dawn——lookatthegrassgrowing——
　　lookattheeyesthatloveyou，astheygazebackintoyoureyes！"
　　Hehadrisen，andwasspeakingstandingup。Theoldgentlemanwaslookingathimnowinunconcealedalarm。LizabethaProkofievnawrungherhands。"Oh，myGod！"shecried。Shehadguessedthestateofthecasebeforeanyoneelse。
　　Aglayarushedquicklyuptohim，andwasjustintimetoreceivehiminherarms，andtohearwithdreadandhorrorthatawful，wildcryashefellwrithingtotheground。
　　Therehelayonthecarpet，andsomeonequicklyplacedacushionunderhishead。
　　Noonehadexpectedthis。
　　InaquarterofanhourorsoPrinceN。andEvgeniePavlovitchandtheolddignitarywerehardatworkendeavouringtorestoretheharmonyoftheevening，butitwasofnoavail，andverysoonaftertheguestsseparatedandwenttheirways。
　　Agreatdealofsympathywasexpressed；aconsiderableamountofadvicewasvolunteered；IvanPetrovitchexpressedhisopinionthattheyoungmanwas"aSlavophile，orsomethingofthatsort"；
　　butthatitwasnotadangerousdevelopment。Theolddignitarysaidnothing。
　　Trueenough，mostoftheguests，nextdayandthedayafter，werenotinverygoodhumour。IvanPetrovitchwasalittleoffended，butnotseriouslyso。GeneralEpanchin’schiefwasrathercooltowardshimforsomewhileaftertheoccurrence。Theolddignitary，aspatronofthefamily，tooktheopportunityofmurmuringsomekindofadmonitiontothegeneral，andadded，inflatteringterms，thathewasmostinterestedinAglaya’sfuture。
　　Hewasamanwhoreallydidpossessakindheart，althoughhisinterestintheprince，intheearlierpartoftheevening，wasdue，amongotherreasons，tothelatter’sconnectionwithNastasiaPhilipovna，accordingtopopularreport。Hehadheardagooddealofthisstoryhereandthere，andwasgreatlyinterestedinit，somuchsothathelongedtoaskfurtherquestionsaboutit。
　　PrincessBielokonski，asshedroveawayonthiseventfulevening，tookoccasiontosaytoLizabethaProkofievna:
　　"Well——he’sagoodmatch——andabadone；andifyouwantmyopinion，morebadthangood。Youcanseeforyourselfthemanisaninvalid。"
　　LizabethathereforedecidedthattheprincewasimpossibleasahusbandforAglaya；andduringtheensuingnightshemadeavowthatneverwhileshelivedshouldhemarryAglaya。Withthisresolvefirmlyimpresseduponhermind，sheawokenextday；butduringthemorning，afterherearlylunch，shefellintoaconditionofremarkableinconsistency。
　　Inreplytoaveryguardedquestionofhersisters’，Aglayahadansweredcoldly，butexceedinglyhaughtily:
　　"Ihavenevergivenhimmywordatall，norhaveIevercountedhimasmyfuturehusband——neverinmylife。Heisjustaslittletomeasalltherest。"
　　LizabethaProkofievnasuddenlyflaredup。
　　"Ididnotexpectthatofyou，Aglaya，"shesaid。"Heisanimpossiblehusbandforyou，——Iknowit；andthankGodthatweagreeuponthatpoint；butIdidnotexpecttohearsuchwordsfromyou。IthoughtIshouldhearaverydifferenttonefromyou。
　　Iwouldhaveturnedouteveryonewhowasintheroomlastnightandkepthim，——that’sthesortofmanheis，inmyopinion！"
　　Hereshesuddenlypaused，afraidofwhatshehadjustsaid。Butshelittleknewhowunfairshewastoherdaughteratthatmoment。ItwasallsettledinAglaya’smind。Shewasonlywaitingforthehourthatwouldbringthemattertoafinalclimax；andeveryhint，everycarelessprobingofherwound，didbutfurtherlacerateherheart。
　　VIII。
　　THISsamemorningdawnedfortheprincepregnantwithnolesspainfulpresentiments，——whichfacthisphysicalstatewas，ofcourse，quiteenoughtoaccountfor；buthewassoindefinablymelancholy，——hissadnesscouldnotattachitselftoanythinginparticular，andthistormentedhimmorethananythingelse。Ofcoursecertainfactsstoodbeforehim，clearandpainful，buthissadnesswentbeyondallthathecouldrememberorimagine；herealizedthathewaspowerlesstoconsolehimselfunaided。Littlebylittlehebegantodeveloptheexpectationthatthisdaysomethingimportant，somethingdecisive，wastohappentohim。
　　Hisattackofyesterdayhadbeenaslightone。Exceptingsomelittleheavinessintheheadandpaininthelimbs，hedidnotfeelanyparticulareffects。Hisbrainworkedallright，thoughhissoulwasheavywithinhim。
　　Heroselate，andimmediatelyuponwakingrememberedallaboutthepreviousevening；healsoremembered，thoughnotquitesoclearly，how，halfanhourafterhisfit，hehadbeencarriedhome。
　　HesoonheardthatamessengerfromtheEpanchins’hadalreadybeentoinquireafterhim。Athalf-pastelevenanotherarrived；
　　andthispleasedhim。
　　VeraLebedeffwasoneofthefirsttocometoseehimandofferherservices。Nosoonerdidshecatchsightofhimthansheburstintotears；butwhenhetriedtosoothehershebegantolaugh。
　　Hewasquitestruckbythegirl’sdeepsympathyforhim；heseizedherhandandkissedit。Veraflushedcrimson。
　　"Oh，don’t，don’t！"sheexclaimedinalarm，snatchingherhandaway。Shewenthastilyoutoftheroominastateofstrangeconfusion。
　　Lebedeffalsocametoseetheprince，inagreathurrytogetawaytothe"deceased，"ashecalledGeneralIvolgin，whowasalivestill，butveryill。Coliaalsoturnedup，andbeggedtheprinceforpity’ssaketotellhimallheknewabouthisfatherwhichhadbeenconcealedfromhimtillnow。Hesaidhehadfoundoutnearlyeverythingsinceyesterday；thepoorboywasinastateofdeepaffliction。Withallthesympathywhichhecouldbringintoplay，theprincetoldColiathewholestorywithoutreserve，detailingthefactsasclearlyashecould。ThetalestruckColialikeathunderbolt。Hecouldnotspeak。Helistenedsilently，andcriedsoftlytohimselfthewhile。Theprinceperceivedthatthiswasanimpressionwhichwouldlastforthewholeoftheboy’slife。Hemadehastetoexplainhisviewofthematter，andpointedoutthattheoldman’sapproachingdeathwasprobablybroughtonbyhorroratthethoughtofhisaction；andthatitwasnoteveryonewhowascapableofsuchafeeling。
　　Colia’seyesflashedashelistened。
　　"GaniaandVariaandPtitsinareaworthlesslot！Ishallnotquarrelwiththem；butfromthismomentourfeetshallnottravelthesameroad。Oh，prince，Ihavefeltmuchthatisquitenewtomesinceyesterday！Itisalessonforme。Ishallnowconsidermymotherasentirelymyresponsibility；thoughshemaybesafeenoughwithVaria。Still，meatanddrinkisnoteverything。"
　　Hejumpedupandhurriedoff，rememberingsuddenlythathewaswantedathisfather’sbedside；butbeforehewentoutoftheroomheinquiredhastilyaftertheprince’shealth，andreceivingthelatter’sreply，added:
　　"Isn’ttheresomethingelse，prince？Iheardyesterday，butI
　　havenorighttotalkaboutthis……Ifyoueverwantatruefriendandservant——neitheryounorIaresoveryhappy，arewe？——
　　cometome。Iwon’taskyouquestions，though。"
　　Heranoffandlefttheprincemoredejectedthanever。
　　Everyoneseemedtobespeakingprophetically，hintingatsomemisfortuneorsorrowtocome；theyhadalllookedathimasthoughtheyknewsomethingwhichhedidnotknow。Lebedeffhadaskedquestions，Coliahadhinted，andVerahadshedtears。Whatwasit？
　　Atlast，withasighofannoyance，hesaidtohimselfthatitwasnothingbuthisowncursedsicklysuspicion。Hisfacelightedupwithjoywhen，atabouttwoo’clock，heespiedtheEpanchinscomingalongtopayhimashortvisit，"justforaminute。"Theyreallyhadonlycomeforaminute。
　　LizabethaProkofievnahadannounced，directlyafterlunch，thattheywouldalltakeawalktogether。Theinformationwasgivenintheformofacommand，withoutexplanation，drilyandabruptly。
　　Allhadissuedforthinobediencetothemandate；thatis，thegirls，mamma，andPrinceS。LizabethaProkofievnawentoffinadirectionexactlycontrarytotheusualone，andallunderstoodverywellwhatshewasdrivingat，butheldtheirpeace，fearingtoirritatethegoodlady。She，asthoughanxioustoavoidanyconversation，walkedahead，silentandalone。AtlastAdelaidaremarkedthatitwasnouseracingalongatsuchapace，andthatshecouldnotkeepupwithhermother。
　　"Lookhere，"saidLizabethaProkofievna，turningroundsuddenly；
　　"wearepassinghishouse。WhateverAglayamaythink，andinspiteofanythingthatmayhappen，heisnotastrangertous；
　　besideswhich，heisillandinmisfortune。I，forone，shallcallinandseehim。Letanyonefollowmewhocaresto。"
　　Ofcourseeveryoneofthemfollowedher。
　　Theprincehastenedtoapologize，veryproperly，foryesterday’smishapwiththevase，andforthescenegenerally。
　　"Oh，that’snothing，"repliedLizabetha；"I’mnotsorryforthevase，I’msorryforyou。H’m！soyoucanseethattherewasa’scene，’canyou？Well，itdoesn’tmattermuch，foreveryonemustrealizenowthatitisimpossibletobehardonyou。Well，aurevoir。Iadviseyoutohaveawalk，andthengotosleepagainifyoucan。Comeinasusual，ifyoufeelinclined；andbeassured，onceforall，whateverhappens，andwhatevermayhavehappened，youshallalwaysremainthefriendofthefamily——mine，atallevents。Icananswerformyself。"
　　Inresponsetothischallengealltheotherschimedinandre-
　　echoedmamma’ssentiments。
　　Andsotheytooktheirdeparture；butinthishastyandkindlydesignedvisittherewashiddenafundofcrueltywhichLizabethaProkofievnaneverdreamedof。Inthewords"asusual，"andagaininheradded，"mine，atallevents，"thereseemedanominousknellofsomeeviltocome。
　　TheprincebegantothinkofAglaya。Shehadcertainlygivenhimawonderfulsmile，bothatcomingandagainatleave-taking，buthadnotsaidaword，notevenwhentheothersallprofessedtheirfriendshipforhim。Shehadlookedveryintentlyathim，butthatwasall。Herfacehadbeenpalerthanusual；shelookedasthoughshehadsleptbadly。
　　Theprincemadeuphismindthathewouldmakeapointofgoingthere"asusual，"tonight，andlookedfeverishlyathiswatch。
　　VeracameinthreeminutesaftertheEpanchinshadleft。"LefNicolaievitch，"shesaid，"AglayaIvanovnahasjustgivenmeamessageforyou。"
　　Theprincetrembled。
　　"Isitanote？"
　　"No，averbalmessage；shehadhardlytimeevenforthat。Shebegsyouearnestlynottogooutofthehouseforasinglemomentallto-day，untilseveno’clockintheevening。Itmayhavebeennine；Ididn’tquitehear。"
　　"But——but，whyisthis？Whatdoesitmean？"
　　"Idon’tknowatall；butshesaidIwastotellyouparticularly。"
　　"Didshesaythat？"
　　"Notthoseverywords。Sheonlyjusthadtimetowhisperasshewentby；butbythewayshelookedatmeIknewitwasimportant。
　　Shelookedatmeinawaythatmademyheartstopbeating。"
　　Theprinceaskedafewmorequestions，andthoughhelearnednothingelse，hebecamemoreandmoreagitated。
　　Leftalone，helaydownonthesofa，andbegantothink。
　　"Perhaps，"hethought，"someoneistobewiththemuntilninetonightandsheisafraidthatImaycomeandmakeafoolofmyselfagain，inpublic。"Sohespenthistimelongingfortheeveningandlookingathiswatch。Buttheclearing-upofthemysterycamelongbeforetheevening，andcameintheformofanewandagonizingriddle。
　　HalfanhouraftertheEpanchinshadgone，Hippolytearrived，sotiredthat，almostunconscious，hesankintoachair，andbrokeintosuchafitofcoughingthathecouldnotstop。Hecoughedtillthebloodcame。Hiseyesglittered，andtworedspotsonhischeeksgrewbrighterandbrighter。Theprincemurmuredsomethingtohim，butHippolyteonlysignedthathemustbeleftaloneforawhile，andsatsilent。Atlasthecametohimself。
　　"Iamoff，"hesaid，hoarsely，andwithdifficulty。
　　"ShallIseeyouhome？"askedtheprince，risingfromhisseat，butsuddenlystoppingshortasherememberedAglaya’sprohibitionagainstleavingthehouse。Hippolytelaughed。
　　"Idon’tmeanthatIamgoingtoleaveyourhouse，"hecontinued，stillgaspingandcoughing。"Onthecontrary，Ithoughtitabsolutelynecessarytocomeandseeyou；otherwiseIshouldnothavetroubledyou。Iamoffthere，youknow，andthistimeI
　　believe，seriously，thatIamoff！It’sallover。Ididnotcomehereforsympathy，believeme。Ilaydownthismorningatteno’clockwiththeintentionofnotrisingagainbeforethattime；
　　butIthoughtitoverandrosejustoncemoreinordertocomehere；fromwhichyoumaydeducethatIhadsomereasonforwishingtocome。"
　　"Itgrievesmetoseeyouso，Hippolyte。Whydidn’tyousendmeamessage？Iwouldhavecomeupandsavedyouthistrouble。"
　　"Well，well！Enough！You’vepitiedme，andthat’sallthatgoodmannersexact。Iforgot，howareyou？"
　　"I’mallright；yesterdayIwasalittle——"
　　"Iknow，Iheard；thechinavasecaughtit！I’msorryIwasn’tthere。I’vecomeaboutsomethingimportant。InthefirstplaceI
　　had，thepleasureofseeingGavrilaArdalionovitchandAglayaIvanovnaenjoyingarendezvousonthegreenbenchinthepark。I
　　wasastonishedtoseewhatafoolamancanlook。IremarkeduponthefacttoAglayaIvanovnawhenhehadgone。Idon’tthinkanythingeversurprisesyou，prince！"addedHippolyte，gazingincredulouslyattheprince’scalmdemeanour。"Tobeastonishedbynothingisasign，theysay，ofagreatintellect。Inmyopinionitwouldserveequallywellasasignofgreatfoolishness。Iamnothintingaboutyou；pardonme！Iamveryunfortunatetodayinmyexpressions。
　　"IknewyesterdaythatGavrilaArdalionovitch——"begantheprince，andpausedinevidentconfusion，thoughHippolytehadshownannoyanceathisbetrayingnosurprise。
　　"Youknewit？Come，that’snews！Butno——perhapsbetternottellme。Andwereyouawitnessofthemeeting？"
　　"IfyouwerethereyourselfyoumusthaveknownthatIwasNOT
　　there！"
　　"Oh！butyoumayhavebeensittingbehindthebushessomewhere。
　　However，Iamveryglad，onyouraccount，ofcourse。IwasbeginningtobeafraidthatMr。Gania——mighthavethepreference！"
　　"MayIaskyou，Hippolyte，nottotalkofthissubject？Andnottousesuchexpressions？"
　　"Especiallyasyouknowall，eh？"
　　"Youarewrong。Iknowscarcelyanything，andAglayaIvanovnaisawarethatIknownothing。Iknewnothingwhateveraboutthismeeting。Yousaytherewasameeting。Verywell；let’sleaveitso——"
　　"Why，whatdoyoumean？Yousaidyouknew，andnowsuddenlyyouknownothing！Yousay’verywell；let’sleaveitso。’ButIsay，don’tbesoconfiding，especiallyasyouknownothing。YouareconfidingsimplyBECAUSEyouknownothing。Butdoyouknowwhatthesegoodpeoplehaveintheirminds’eye——Ganiaandhissister？
　　Perhapsyouaresuspicious？Well，well，I’lldropthesubject！"
　　headded，hastily，observingtheprince’simpatientgesture。"ButI’vecometoyouonmyownbusiness；Iwishtomakeyouaclearexplanation。Whatanuisanceitisthatonecannotdiewithoutexplanations！Ihavemadesuchaquantityofthemalready。DoyouwishtohearwhatIhavetosay？"
　　"Speakaway，Iamlistening。"
　　"Verywell，butI’llchangemymind，andbeginaboutGania。Justfancytobeginwith，ifyoucan，thatI，too，wasgivenanappointmentatthegreenbenchtoday！However，Iwon’tdeceiveyou；Iaskedfortheappointment。IsaidIhadasecrettodisclose。Idon’tknowwhetherIcametheretooearly，IthinkI
　　musthave；butscarcelyhadIsatdownbesideAglayaIvanovnathanIsawGavrilaArdalionovitchandhissisterVariacomingalong，arminarm，justasthoughtheywereenjoyingamorningwalktogether。Bothofthemseemedverymuchastonished，nottosaydisturbed，atseeingme；theyevidentlyhadnotexpectedthepleasure。AglayaIvanovnablushedup，andwasactuallyalittleconfused。Idon’tknowwhetheritwasmerelybecauseIwasthere，orwhetherGania’sbeautywastoomuchforher！Butanyway，sheturnedcrimson，andthenfinishedupthebusinessinaveryfunnymanner。Shejumpedupfromherseat，bowedbacktoGania，smiledtoVaria，andsuddenlyobserved:’Ionlycameheretoexpressmygratitudeforallyourkindwishesonmybehalf，andtosaythatifIfindIneedyourservices，believeme——’Hereshebowedthemaway，asitwere，andtheybothmarchedoffagain，lookingveryfoolish。Ganiaevidentlycouldnotmakeheadnortailofthematter，andturnedasredasalobster；butVariaunderstoodatoncethattheymustgetawayasquicklyastheycould，soshedraggedGaniaaway；sheisagreatdealclevererthanheis。Asformyself，IwenttheretoarrangeameetingtobeheldbetweenAglayaIvanovnaandNastasiaPhilipovna。"
　　"NastasiaPhilipovna！"criedtheprince。
　　"Aha！Ithinkyouaregrowinglesscool，myfriend，andarebeginningtobeatriflesurprised，aren’tyou？I’mgladthatyouarenotaboveordinaryhumanfeelings，foronce。I’llconsoleyoualittlenow，afteryourconsternation。SeewhatIgetforservingayoungandhigh-souledmaiden！ThismorningIreceivedaslapinthefacefromthelady！"
　　"A——amoralone？"askedtheprince，involuntarily。
　　"Yes——notaphysicalone！Idon’tsupposeanyone——evenawoman——
　　wouldraiseahandagainstmenow。EvenGaniawouldhesitate！I
　　didthinkatonetimeyesterday，thathewouldflyatme，though。
　　IbetanythingthatIknowwhatyouarethinkingofnow！Youarethinking:’Ofcourseonecan’tstrikethelittlewretch，butonecouldsuffocatehimwithapillow，orawettowel，whenheisasleep！OneOUGHTtogetridofhimsomehow。’Icanseeinyourfacethatyouarethinkingthatatthisverysecond。"
　　"Ineverthoughtofsuchathingforamoment，"saidtheprince，withdisgust。
　　"Idon’tknow——IdreamedlastnightthatIwasbeingsuffocatedwithawetclothby——somebody。I’lltellyouwhoitwas——Rogojin！
　　Whatdoyouthink，canamanbesuffocatedwithawetcloth？"
　　"Idon’tknow。"
　　"I’veheardso。Well，we’llleavethatquestionjustnow。WhyamIascandal-monger？Whydidshecallmeascandal-monger？Andmind，AFTERshehadheardeverywordIhadtotellher，andhadaskedallsortsofquestionsbesides——butsuchisthewayofwomen。ForHERsakeIenteredintorelationswithRogojin——aninterestingman！AtHERrequestIarrangedapersonalinterviewbetweenherselfandNastasiaPhilipovna。CouldshehavebeenangrybecauseIhintedthatshewasenjoyingNastasiaPhilipovna’s’leavings’？Why，Ihavebeenimpressingituponherallthiswhileforherowngood。TwolettershaveIwrittenherinthatstrain，andIbeganstraightofftodayaboutitsbeinghumiliatingforher。Besides，theword’leavings’isnotmyinvention。Atallevents，theyalluseditatGania’s，andsheuseditherself。SowhyamIascandal-monger？Isee——Iseeyouaretremendouslyamused，atthismoment！Probablyyouarelaughingatmeandfittingthosesillylinestomycase——
　　"’MaybesadLoveuponhissettingsmiles，Andwithvainhopeshisfarewellhourbeguiles。
　　"Ha，ha，ha！"
　　Hippolytesuddenlyburstintoafitofhystericallaughter，whichturnedintoachokingcough。
　　"Observe，"hegasped，throughhiscoughing，"whatafellowGaniais！HetalksaboutNastasia’s’leavings，’butwhatdoeshewanttotakehimself？"
　　Theprincesatsilentforalongwhile。Hismindwasfilledwithdreadandhorror。
　　"YouspokeofameetingwithNastasiaPhilipovna，"hesaidatlast，inalowvoice。
　　"Oh——come！SurelyyoumustknowthatthereistobeameetingtodaybetweenNastasiaandAglayaIvanovna，andthatNastasiahasbeensentforonpurpose，throughRogojin，fromSt。Petersburg？
　　IthasbeenbroughtaboutbyinvitationofAglayaIvanovnaandmyownefforts，andNastasiaisatthismomentwithRogojin，notfarfromhere——atDanaAlexeyevna’s——thatcuriousfriendofhers；andtothisquestionablehouseAglayaIvanovnaistoproceedforafriendlychatwithNastasiaPhilipovna，andforthesettlementofseveralproblems。Theyaregoingtoplayatarithmetic——didn’tyouknowaboutit？Wordofhonour？"
　　"It’samostimprobablestory。"
　　"Oh，verywell！ifit’simprobable——itis——that’sall！Andyet——
　　whereshouldyouhaveheardit？ThoughImustsay，ifaflycrossestheroomit’sknownallovertheplacehere。However，I’vewarnedyou，andyoumaybegratefultome。Well——aurevoir——
　　probablyinthenextworld！Onemorething——don’tthinkthatIamtellingyouallthisforyoursake。Oh，dear，no！DoyouknowthatIdedicatedmyconfessiontoAglayaIvanovna？Ididthough，andhowshetookit，ha，ha！Oh，no！Iamnotactingfromanyhigh，exaltedmotives。ButthoughImayhavebehavedlikeacadtoyou，IhavenotdoneHERanyharm。Idon’tapologizeformywordsabout’leavings’andallthat。Iamatoningforthat，yousee，bytellingyoutheplaceandtimeofthemeeting。Goodbye！
　　Youhadbettertakeyourmeasures，ifyouareworthythenameofaman！Themeetingisfixedforthisevening——that’scertain。"
　　Hippolytewalkedtowardsthedoor，buttheprincecalledhimbackandhestopped。
　　"ThenyouthinkAglayaIvanovnaherselfintendstogotoNastasiaPhilipovna’stonight？"heasked，andbrighthecticspotscameoutonhischeeksandforehead。
　　"Idon’tknowabsolutelyforcertain；butinallprobabilityitisso，"repliedHippolyte，lookinground。"Nastasiawouldhardlygotoher；andtheycan’tmeetatGania’s，withamannearlydeadinthehouse。"
　　"It’simpossible，forthatveryreason，"saidtheprince。"Howwouldshegetoutifshewishedto？Youdon’tknowthehabitsofthathouse——sheCOULDnotgetawayalonetoNastasiaPhilipovna’s！It’sallnonsense！"
　　"Lookhere，mydearprince，noonejumpsoutofthewindowiftheycanhelpit；butwhenthere’safire，thedandiestgentlemanorthefinestladyintheworldwillskipout！Whenthemomentcomes，andthere’snothingelsetobedone——ouryoungladywillgotoNastasiaPhilipovna’s！Don’ttheylettheyoungladiesoutofthehousealone，then？"
　　"Ididn’tmeanthatexactly。"
　　"Ifyoudidn’tmeanthat，thenshehasonlytogodownthestepsandwalkoff，andsheneednevercomebackunlessshechooses:
　　Shipsareburnedbehindonesometimes，andonedoesn’tcaretoreturnwhenceonecame。Lifeneednotconsistonlyoflunches，anddinners，andPrinceS’s。ItstrikesmeyoutakeAglayaIvanovnaforsomeconventionalboarding-schoolgirl。Isaidsotoher，andshequiteagreedwithme。Waittillsevenoreighto’clock。InyourplaceIwouldsendsomeonetheretokeepwatch，soastoseizetheexactmomentwhenshestepsoutofthehouse。
　　SendColia。He’llplaythespywithpleasure——foryouatleast。
　　Ha，ha，ha！"
　　Hippolytewentout。
　　Therewasnoreasonfortheprincetosetanyonetowatch，evenifhehadbeencapableofsuchathing。Aglaya’scommandthatheshouldstayathomealldayseemedalmostexplainednow。Perhapsshemeanttocallforhim，herself，oritmightbe，ofcourse，thatshewasanxioustomakesureofhisnotcomingthere，andthereforebadehimremainathome。Hisheadwhirled；thewholeroomseemedtobeturninground。Helaydownonthesofa，andclosedhiseyes。
　　Onewayortheotherthequestionwastobedecidedatlast——
　　finally。
　　Oh，no，hedidnotthinkofAglayaasaboarding-schoolmiss，orayoungladyoftheconventionaltype！Hehadlongsincefearedthatshemighttakesomesuchstepasthis。ButwhydidshewishtoseeNastasia？
　　Heshiveredalloverashelay；hewasinhighfeveragain。
　　No！hedidnotaccountherachild。Certainofherlooks，certainofherwords，oflate，hadfilledhimwithapprehension。Attimesithadstruckhimthatshewasputtingtoogreatarestraintuponherself，andherememberedthathehadbeenalarmedtoobservethis。Hehadtried，allthesedays，todriveawaytheheavythoughtsthatoppressedhim；butwhatwasthehiddenmysteryofthatsoul？Thequestionhadlongtormentedhim，althoughheimplicitlytrustedthatsoul。Andnowitwasalltobeclearedup。Itwasadreadfulthought。And"thatwoman"again！Whydidhealwaysfeelasthough"thatwoman"werefatedtoappearateachcriticalmomentofhislife，andtearthethreadofhisdestinylikeabitofrottenstring？ThathealwaysHADfeltthishewasreadytoswear，althoughhewashalfdeliriousatthemoment。Ifhehadtriedtoforgether，allthistime，itwassimplybecausehewasafraidofher。Didhelovethewomanorhateher？Thisquestionhedidnotonceaskhimselftoday；hisheartwasquitepure。Heknewwhomheloved。Hewasnotsomuchafraidofthismeeting，norofitsstrangeness，norofanyreasonstheremightbeforit，unknowntohimself；hewasafraidofthewomanherself，NastasiaPhilipovna。Heremembered，somedaysafterwards，howduringallthosefeveredhourshehadseenbutHEReyes，HERlook，hadheardHERvoice，strangewordsofhers；
　　herememberedthatthiswasso，althoughhecouldnotrecollectthedetailsofhisthoughts。
　　HecouldrememberthatVerabroughthimsomedinner，andthathetookit；butwhetherhesleptafterdinner，orno，hecouldnotrecollect。
　　HeonlyknewthathebegantodistinguishthingsclearlyfromthemomentwhenAglayasuddenlyappeared，andhejumpedupfromthesofaandwenttomeether。Itwasjustaquarterpastseventhen。
　　Aglayawasquitealone，anddressed，apparentlyhastily，inalightmantle。Herfacewaspale，asithadbeeninthemorning，andhereyeswereablazewithbrightbutsubduedfire。Hehadneverseenthatexpressioninhereyesbefore。
　　Shegazedattentivelyathim。
　　"Youarequiteready，Iobserve，"shesaid，withabsolutecomposure，"dressed，andyourhatinyourhand。Iseesomebodyhasthoughtfittowarnyou，andIknowwho。Hippolyte？"
　　"Yes，hetoldme，"saidtheprince，feelingonlyhalfalive。
　　"Comethen。Youknow，Isuppose，thatyoumustescortmethere？
　　Youarewellenoughtogoout，aren’tyou？"
　　"Iamwellenough；butisitreallypossible？——"
　　Hebrokeoffabruptly，andcouldnotaddanotherword。Thiswashisoneattempttostopthemadchild，and，afterhehadmadeit，hefollowedherasthoughhehadnowillofhisown。Confusedashisthoughtswere，hewas，nevertheless，capableofrealizingthefactthatifhedidnotgowithher，shewouldgoalone，andsohemustgowithheratallhazards。Heguessedthestrengthofherdetermination；itwasbeyondhimtocheckit。
　　Theywalkedsilently，andsaidscarcelyawordalltheway。Heonlynoticedthatsheseemedtoknowtheroadverywell；andonce，whenhethoughtitbettertogobyacertainlane，andremarkedtoherthatitwouldbequieterandlesspublic，sheonlysaid，"it’sallthesame，"andwenton。
　　WhentheywerealmostarrivedatDariaAlexeyevna’shouseitwasalargewoodenstructureofancientdate，agorgeously-dressedladyandayounggirlcameoutofit。Boththeseladiestooktheirseatsinacarriage，whichwaswaitingatthedoor，talkingandlaughingloudlythewhile，anddroveawaywithoutappearingtonoticetheapproachingcouple。
　　Nosoonerhadthecarriagedrivenoffthanthedooropenedoncemore；andRogojin，whohadapparentlybeenawaitingthem，lettheminandcloseditafterthem。
　　"Thereisnotanothersoulinthehousenowexceptingourfourselves，"hesaidaloud，lookingattheprinceinastrangeway。
　　NastasiaPhilipovnawaswaitingfortheminthefirstroomtheywentinto。Shewasdressedverysimply，inblack。
　　Sheroseattheirentrance，butdidnotsmileorgiveherhand，eventotheprince。HeranxiouseyeswerefixeduponAglaya。Bothsatdown，atalittledistancefromoneanother——Aglayaonthesofa，inthecorneroftheroom，Nastasiabythewindow。TheprinceandRogojinremainedstanding，andwerenotinvitedtosit。
　　MuishkinglancedatRogojininperplexity，butthelatteronlysmileddisagreeably，andsaidnothing。Thesilencecontinuedforsomefewmoments。
　　AnominousexpressionpassedoverNastasiaPhilipovna’sface，ofasudden。Itbecameobstinate-looking，hard，andfullofhatred；
　　butshedidnottakehereyesoffhervisitorsforamoment。
　　Aglayawasclearlyconfused，butnotfrightened。Onenteringshehadmerelyglancedmomentarilyatherrival，andthenhadsatstill，withhereyesontheground，apparentlyinthought。Onceortwicesheglancedcasuallyroundtheroom。Ashadeofdisgustwasvisibleinherexpression；shelookedasthoughshewereafraidofcontaminationinthisplace。
　　Shemechanicallyarrangedherdress，andfidgeteduncomfortably，eventuallychangingherseattotheotherendofthesofa。
　　Probablyshewasunconsciousofherownmovements；butthisveryunconsciousnessaddedtotheoffensivenessoftheirsuggestedmeaning。
　　AtlengthshelookedstraightintoNastasia’seyes，andinstantlyreadalltherewastoreadinherrival’sexpression。Womanunderstoodwoman！Aglayashuddered。
　　"YouknowofcoursewhyIrequestedthismeeting？"shesaidatlast，quietly，andpausingtwiceinthedeliveryofthisveryshortsentence。
　　"No——Iknownothingaboutit，"saidNastasia，drilyandabruptly。
　　Aglayablushed。Perhapsitstruckherasverystrangeandimpossiblethatsheshouldreallybesittinghereandwaitingfor"thatwoman’s"replytoherquestion。
　　AtthefirstsoundofNastasia’svoiceashudderranthroughherframe。Ofcourse"thatwoman"observedandtookinallthis。
　　"Youknowquitewell，butyouarepretendingtobeignorant，"
　　saidAglaya，verylow，withhereyesontheground。
　　"WhyshouldI？"askedNastasiaPhilipovna，smilingslightly。
　　"Youwanttotakeadvantageofmyposition，nowthatIaminyourhouse，"continuedAglaya，awkwardly。
　　"ForthatpositionYOUaretoblameandnotI，"saidNastasia，flaringupsuddenly。"_I_didnotinviteYOU，butyoume；andtothismomentIamquiteignorantastowhyIamthushonoured。"
　　Aglayaraisedherheadhaughtily。
　　"Restrainyourtongue！"shesaid。"Ididnotcomeheretofightyouwithyourownweapons。
　　"Oh！thenyoudidcome’tofight，’Imayconclude？Dearme！——andIthoughtyouwerecleverer——"
　　Theylookedatoneanotherwithundisguisedmalice。Oneofthesewomenhadwrittentotheother，solately，suchlettersaswehaveseen；anditallwasdispersedattheirfirstmeeting。Yetitappearedthatnotoneofthefourpersonsintheroomconsideredthisinanydegreestrange。
　　Theprincewho，uptoyesterday，wouldnothavebelievedthathecouldevendreamofsuchanimpossiblesceneasthis，stoodandlistenedandlookedon，andfeltasthoughhehadlongforeseenitall。Themostfantasticdreamseemedsuddenlytohavebeenmetamorphosedintothemostvividreality。
　　Oneofthesewomensodespisedtheother，andsolongedtoexpresshercontemptforherperhapsshehadonlycomeforthatverypurpose，asRogojinsaidnextday，thathowsoeverfantasticalwastheotherwoman，howsoeverafflictedherspiritanddisturbedherunderstanding，nopreconceivedideaofherscouldpossiblystandupagainstthatdeadlyfemininecontemptofherrival。TheprincefeltsurethatNastasiawouldsaynothingaboutthelettersherself；buthecouldjudgebyherflashingeyesandtheexpressionofherfacewhatthethoughtofthoselettersmustbecostingheratthismoment。HewouldhavegivenhalfhislifetopreventAglayafromspeakingofthem。ButAglayasuddenlybracedherselfup，andseemedtomasterherselffully，allinaninstant。
　　"Youhavenotquiteunderstood，"shesaid。"Ididnotcometoquarrelwithyou，thoughIdonotlikeyou。Icametospeaktoyouas……asonehumanbeingtoanother。IcamewithmymindmadeupastowhatIhadtosaytoyou，andIshallnotchangemyintention，althoughyoumaymisunderstandme。Somuchtheworseforyou，notformyself！Iwishedtoreplytoallyouhavewrittentomeandtoreplypersonally，becauseIthinkthatisthemoreconvenientway。Listentomyreplytoallyourletters。
　　IbegantobesorryforPrinceLefNicolaievitchontheverydayImadehisacquaintance，andwhenIheard——afterwards——ofallthattookplaceatyourhouseintheevening，Iwassorryforhimbecausehewassuchasimple-mindedman，andbecausehe，inthesimplicityofhissoul，believedthathecouldbehappywithawomanofyourcharacter。WhatIfearedactuallytookplace；youcouldnotlovehim，youtorturedhim，andthrewhimover。Youcouldnotlovehimbecauseyouaretooproud——no，notproud，thatisanerror；becauseyouaretoovain——no，notquitethateither；
　　tooself-loving；youareself-lovingtomadness。Yourletterstomeareaproofofit。Youcouldnotlovesosimpleasoulashis，andperhapsinyourheartyoudespisedhimandlaughedathim。
　　Allyoucouldlovewasyourshameandtheperpetualthoughtthatyouweredisgracedandinsulted。Ifyouwerelessshameful，orhadnocauseatallforshame，youwouldbestillmoreunhappythanyouarenow。
　　Aglayabroughtoutthesethrongingwordswithgreatsatisfaction。
　　Theycamefromherlipshurriedlyandimpetuously，andhadbeenpreparedandthoughtoutlongago，evenbeforeshehadeverdreamedofthepresentmeeting。ShewatchedwitheagernesstheeffectofherspeechasshowninNastasia’sface，whichwasdistortedwithagitation。
　　"Youremember，"shecontinued，"hewrotemealetteratthattime；hesaysyouknowallaboutthatletterandthatyouevenreadit。Iunderstandallbymeansofthisletter，andunderstanditcorrectly。Hehassinceconfirmeditalltome——whatInowsaytoyou，wordforword。AfterreceivinghisletterIwaited；I
　　guessedthatyouwouldsooncomebackhere，becauseyoucouldneverdowithoutPetersburg；youarestilltooyoungandlovelyfortheprovinces。However，thisisnotmyownidea，"sheadded，blushingdreadfully；andfromthismomentthecolourneverlefthercheekstotheendofherspeech。WhenInextsawtheprinceI
　　begantofeelterriblypainedandhurtonhisaccount。Donotlaugh；ifyoulaughyouareunworthyofunderstandingwhatI
　　say。"
　　"SurelyyouseethatIamnotlaughing，"saidNastasia，sadlyandsternly。
　　"However，it’sallthesametome；laughornot，justasyouplease。WhenIaskedhimaboutyou，hetoldmethathehadlongsinceceasedtoloveyou，thattheveryrecollectionofyouwasatorturetohim，butthathewassorryforyou；andthatwhenhethoughtofyouhisheartwaspierced。IoughttotellyouthatI
　　neverinmylifemetamananythinglikehimfornoblesimplicityofmindandforboundlesstrustfulness。Iguessedthatanyonewholikedcoulddeceivehim，andthathewouldimmediatelyforgiveanyonewhodiddeceivehim；anditwasforthisthatIgrewtolovehim——"
　　Aglayapausedforamoment，asthoughsuddenlybroughtupinastonishmentthatshecouldhavesaidthesewords，butatthesametimeagreatprideshoneinhereyes，likeadefiantassertionthatitwouldnotmattertoherif"thiswoman"laughedinherfacefortheadmissionjustmade。
　　"Ihavetoldyouallnow，andofcourseyouunderstandwhatI
　　wishofyou。"
　　"PerhapsIdo；buttellmeyourself，"saidNastasiaPhilipovna，quietly。
　　Aglayaflushedupangrily。
　　"Iwishedtofindoutfromyou，"shesaid，firmly，"bywhatrightyoudaretomeddlewithhisfeelingsforme？Bywhatrightyoudaredsendmethoseletters？Bywhatrightdoyoucontinuallyremindbothmeandhimthatyoulovehim，afteryouyourselfthrewhimoverandranawayfromhiminsoinsultingandshamefulaway？"
　　"InevertoldeitherhimoryouthatIlovedhim！"repliedNastasiaPhilipovna，withaneffort。"And——andIdidrunawayfromhim——youarerightthere，"sheadded，scarcelyaudibly。
　　"Nevertoldeitherhimorme？"criedAglaya。"Howaboutyourletters？Whoaskedyoutotrytopersuademetomarryhim？Wasnotthatadeclarationfromyou？Whydoyouforceyourselfuponusinthisway？IconfessIthoughtatfirstthatyouwereanxioustoarouseanaversionforhiminmyheartbyyourmeddling，inorderthatImightgivehimup；anditwasonlyafterwardsthatIguessedthetruth。Youimaginedthatyouweredoinganheroicaction！Howcouldyouspareanyloveforhim，whenyouloveyourownvanitytosuchanextent？Whycouldyounotsimplygoawayfromhere，insteadofwritingmethoseabsurdletters？WhydoyounotNOWmarrythatgenerousmanwholovesyou，andhasdoneyouthehonourofofferingyouhishand？Itisplainenoughwhy；ifyoumarryRogojinyouloseyourgrievance；
　　youwillhavenothingmoretocomplainof。Youwillbereceivingtoomuchhonour。EvgeniePavlovitchwassayingtheotherdaythatyouhadreadtoomanypoemsandaretoowelleducatedfor——yourposition；andthatyouliveinidleness。Addtothisyourvanity，and，thereyouhavereasonenough——"
　　"Anddoyounotliveinidleness？"
　　Thingshadcometothisunexpectedpointtooquickly。UnexpectedbecauseNastasiaPhilipovna，onherwaytoPavlofsk，hadthoughtandconsideredagooddeal，andhadexpectedsomethingdifferent，thoughperhapsnotaltogethergood，fromthisinterview；butAglayahadbeencarriedawaybyherownoutburst，justasarollingstonegathersimpetusasitcareersdownhill，andcouldnotrestrainherselfinthesatisfactionofrevenge。
　　Itwasstrange，NastasiaPhilipovnafelt，toseeAglayalikethis。Shegazedather，andcouldhardlybelievehereyesandearsforamomentortwo。
　　Whethershewereawomanwhohadreadtoomanypoems，asEvgeniePavlovitchsupposed，orwhethersheweremad，astheprincehadassuredAglaya，atallevents，thiswasawomanwho，inspiteofheroccasionallycynicalandaudaciousmanner，wasfarmorerefinedandtrustfulandsensitivethanappeared。Therewasacertainamountofromanticdreaminessandcapriceinher，butwiththefantasticwasmingledmuchthatwasstronganddeep。
　　Theprincerealizedthis，andgreatsufferingexpresseditselfinhisface。
　　Aglayaobservedit，andtrembledwithanger。
　　"Howdareyouspeaksotome？"shesaid，withahaughtinesswhichwasquiteindescribable，replyingtoNastasia’slastremark。
　　"YoumusthavemisunderstoodwhatIsaid，"saidNastasia，insomesurprise。
　　"Ifyouwishedtopreserveyourgoodname，whydidyounotgiveupyour——your’guardian，’Totski，withoutallthattheatricalposturing？"saidAglaya，suddenlyaproposofnothing。
　　"Whatdoyouknowofmyposition，thatyoudaretojudgeme？"
　　criedNastasia，quiveringwithrage，andgrowingterriblywhite。
　　"Iknowthismuch，thatyoudidnotgoouttohonestwork，butwentawaywitharichman，Rogojin，inordertoposeasafallenangel。Idon’twonderthatTotskiwasnearlydriventosuicidebysuchafallenangel。"
　　"Silence！"criedNastasiaPhilipovna。"Youareaboutasfittounderstandmeasthehousemaidhere，whoborewitnessagainstherloverincourttheotherday。Shewouldunderstandmebetterthanyoudo。"
　　"Probablyanhonestgirllivingbyherowntoil。Whydoyouspeakofahousemaidsocontemptuously？"
　　"Idonotdespisetoil；Idespiseyouwhenyouspeakoftoil。"
　　"Ifyouhadcaredtobeanhonestwoman，youwouldhavegoneoutasalaundress。"
　　Bothhadrisen，andweregazingatoneanotherwithpallidfaces。
　　"Aglaya，don’t！Thisisunfair，"criedtheprince，deeplydistressed。
　　Rogojinwasnotsmilingnow；hesatandlistenedwithfoldedarms，andlipstightcompressed。
　　"There，lookather，"criedNastasia，tremblingwithpassion。
　　"Lookatthisyounglady！AndIimaginedheranangel！Didyoucometomewithoutyourgoverness，AglayaIvanovna？Oh，fie，nowshallIjusttellyouwhyyoucameheretoday？ShallItellyouwithoutanyembellishments？Youcamebecauseyouwereafraidofme！"
　　"AfraidofYOU？"askedAglaya，besideherselfwithnaiveamazementthattheothershoulddaretalktoherlikethis。
　　"Yes，me，ofcourse！Ofcourseyouwereafraidofme，oryouwouldnothavedecidedtocome。Youcannotdespiseoneyoufear。
　　AndtothinkthatIhaveactuallyesteemedyouuptothisverymoment！Doyouknowwhyyouareafraidofme，andwhatisyourobjectnow？Youwishedtosatisfyyourselfwithyourowneyesastowhichhelovesbest，myselforyou，becauseyouarefearfullyjealous。"
　　"Hehastoldmealreadythathehatesyou，"murmuredAglaya，scarcelyaudibly。
　　"Perhaps，perhaps！Iamnotworthyofhim，Iknow。ButIthinkyouarelying，allthesame。Hecannothateme，andhecannothavesaidso。Iamreadytoforgiveyou，inconsiderationofyourposition；butIconfessIthoughtbetterofyou。Ithoughtyouwerewiser，andmorebeautiful，too；Idid，indeed！Well，takeyourtreasure！See，heisgazingatyou，hecan’trecollecthimself。Takehim，butononecondition；goawayatonce，thisinstant！"
　　Shefellbackintoachair，andburstintotears。Butsuddenlysomenewexpressionblazedinhereyes。ShestaredfixedlyatAglaya，androsefromherseat。
　　"Orwouldyoulikemetobidhim，BIDHIM，doyouhear，COMMAND
　　HIM，now，atonce，tothrowyouup，andremainmineforever？
　　ShallI？Hewillstay，andhewillmarrymetoo，andyoushalltrothomeallalone。ShallI？——shallIsaytheword？"shescreamedlikeamadwoman，scarcelybelievingherselfthatshecouldreallypronouncesuchwildwords。
　　Aglayahadmadeforthedoorinterror，butshestoppedatthethreshold，andlistened。"ShallIturnRogojinoff？Ha！ha！youthoughtIwouldmarryhimforyourbenefit，didyou？Why，I’llcalloutNOW，ifyoulike，inyourpresence，’Rogojin，getout！’
　　andsaytotheprince，’Doyourememberwhatyoupromisedme？’
　　Heavens！whatafoolIhavebeentohumiliatemyselfbeforethem！
　　Why，prince，youyourselfgavemeyourwordthatyouwouldmarrymewhateverhappened，andwouldneverabandonme。Yousaidyoulovedmeandwouldforgivemeall，and——andresp——yes，youevensaidthat！Ionlyranawayfromyouinordertosetyoufree，andnowIdon’tcaretoletyougoagain。Whydoesshetreatmeso——
　　soshamefully？Iamnotaloosewoman——askRogojinthere！He’lltellyou。Willyougoagainnowthatshehasinsultedme，beforeyoureyes，too；turnawayfrommeandleadheraway，arm-in-arm？
　　Mayyoubeaccursedtoo，foryouweretheonlyoneItrustedamongthemall！Goaway，Rogojin，Idon’twantyou，"shecontinued，blindwithfury，andforcingthewordsoutwithdrylipsanddistortedfeatures，evidentlynotbelievingasinglewordofherowntirade，but，atthesametime，doingherutmosttoprolongthemomentofself-deception。
　　Theoutburstwassoterriblyviolentthattheprincethoughtitwouldhavekilledher。
　　"Thereheis！"sheshriekedagain，pointingtotheprinceandaddressingAglaya。"Thereheis！andifhedoesnotapproachmeatonceandtakeMEandthrowyouover，thenhavehimforyourown——Igivehimuptoyou！Idon’twanthim！"
　　BothsheandAglayastoodandwaitedasthoughinexpectation，andbothlookedattheprincelikemadwomen。
　　Buthe，perhaps，didnotunderstandthefullforceofthischallenge；infact，itiscertainhedidnot。Allhecouldseewasthepoordespairingfacewhich，ashehadsaidtoAglaya，"hadpiercedhisheartforever。"
　　Hecouldbearitnolonger，andwithalookofentreaty，mingledwithreproach，headdressedAglaya，pointingtoNastasiathewhile:
　　"Howcanyou？"hemurmured；"sheissounhappy。"
　　Buthehadnotimetosayanotherwordbefore。Aglaya’sterriblelookberefthimofspeech。Inthatlookwasembodiedsodreadfulasufferingandsodeadlyahatred，thathegaveacryandflewtoher；butitwastoolate。
　　Shecouldnotholdoutlongenougheventowitnesshismovementinherdirection。Shehadhiddenherfaceinherhands，criedonce"Oh，myGod！"andrushedoutoftheroom。Rogojinfollowedhertoundotheboltsofthedoorandletheroutintothestreet。
　　Theprincemadearushafterher，buthe，wascaughtandheldback。Thedistorted，lividfaceofNastasiagazedathimreproachfully，andherbluelipswhispered:
　　"What？Wouldyougotoher——toher？"
　　Shefellsenselessintohisarms。
　　Heraisedher，carriedherintotheroom，placedherinanarm-
　　chair，andstoodoverher，stupefied。Onthetablestoodatumblerofwater。Rogojin，whonowreturned，tookthisandsprinkledalittleinherface。Sheopenedhereyes，butforamomentsheunderstoodnothing。
　　Suddenlyshelookedaround，shuddered，gavealoudcry，andthrewherselfintheprince’sarms。
　　"Mine，mine！"shecried。"Hastheproudyoungladygone？Ha，ha，ha！"shelaughedhysterically。"AndIhadgivenhimuptoher！
　　Why——whydidI？Mad——mad！Getaway，Rogojin！Ha，ha，ha！"
　　Rogojinstaredintentlyatthem；thenhetookhishat，andwithoutaword，lefttheroom。
　　Afewmomentslater，theprincewasseatedbyNastasiaonthesofa，gazingintohereyesandstrokingherfaceandhair，ashewouldalittlechild’s。Helaughedwhenshelaughed，andwasreadytocrywhenshecried。Hedidnotspeak，butlistenedtoherexcited，disconnectedchatter，hardlyunderstandingawordofitthewhile。Nosoonerdidhedetecttheslightestappearanceofcomplaining，orweeping，orreproaching，thanhewouldsmileatherkindly，andbeginstrokingherhairandhercheeks，soothingandconsolingheroncemore，asifshewereachild。
　　IX。
　　AFORTNIGHThadpassedsincetheeventsrecordedinthelastchapter，andthepositionoftheactorsinourstoryhadbecomesochangedthatitisalmostimpossibleforustocontinuethetalewithoutsomefewexplanations。Yetwefeelthatweoughttolimitourselvestothesimplerecordoffacts，withoutmuchattemptatexplanation，foraverypatentreason:becauseweourselveshavethegreatestpossibledifficultyinaccountingforthefactstoberecorded。Suchastatementonourpartmayappearstrangetothereader。Howisanyonetotellastorywhichhecannotunderstandhimself？Inordertokeepclearofafalseposition，wehadperhapsbettergiveanexampleofwhatwemean；
　　andprobablytheintelligentreaderwillsoonunderstandthedifficulty。Moreespeciallyareweinclinedtotakethiscoursesincetheexamplewillconstituteadistinctmarchforwardofourstory，andwillnothindertheprogressoftheeventsremainingtoberecorded。
　　Duringthenextfortnight——thatis，throughtheearlypartofJuly——thehistoryofourherowascirculatedintheformofstrange，diverting，mostunlikely-soundingstories，whichpassedfrommouthtomouth，throughthestreetsandvillasadjoiningthoseinhabitedbyLebedeff，Ptitsin，NastasiaPhilipovnaandtheEpanchins；infact，prettywellthroughthewholetownanditsenvirons。Allsociety——boththeinhabitantsoftheplaceandthosewhocamedownofaneveningforthemusic——hadgotholdofoneandthesamestory，inathousandvarietiesofdetail——astohowacertainyoungprincehadraisedaterriblescandalinamostrespectablehousehold，hadthrownoveradaughterofthefamily，towhomhewasengaged，andhadbeencapturedbyawomanofshadyreputationwhomhewasdeterminedtomarryatonce——
　　breakingoffalloldtiesforthesatisfactionofhisinsaneidea；and，inspiteofthepublicindignationrousedbyhisaction，themarriagewastotakeplaceinPavlofskopenlyandpublicly，andtheprincehadannouncedhisintentionofgoingthroughwithitwithheaderectandlookingthewholeworldintheface。Thestorywassoartfullyadornedwithscandalousdetails，andpersonsofsogreateminenceandimportancewereapparentlymixedupinit，while，atthesametime，theevidencewassocircumstantial，thatitwasnowonderthemattergavefoodforplentyofcuriosityandgossip。
　　Accordingtothereportsofthemosttalentedgossip-mongers——
　　thosewho，ineveryclassofsociety，arealwaysinhastetoexplaineveryeventtotheirneighbours——theyounggentlemanconcernedwasofgoodfamily——aprince——fairlyrich——weakofintellect，butademocratandadabblerintheNihilismoftheperiod，asexposedbyMr。Turgenieff。HecouldhardlytalkRussian，buthadfalleninlovewithoneoftheMissEpanchins，andhissuitmetwithsomuchencouragementthathehadbeenreceivedinthehouseastherecognizedbridegroom-to-beoftheyounglady。ButliketheFrenchmanofwhomthestoryistoldthathestudiedforholyorders，tookalltheoaths，wasordainedpriest，andnextmorningwrotetohisbishopinforminghimthat，ashedidnotbelieveinGodandconsidereditwrongtodeceivethepeopleandliveupontheirpockets，hebeggedtosurrendertheordersconferreduponhimthedaybefore，andtoinformhislordshipthathewassendingthislettertothepublicpress，——
　　likethisFrenchman，theprinceplayedafalsegame。Itwasrumouredthathehadpurposelywaitedforthesolemnoccasionofalargeeveningpartyatthehouseofhisfuturebride，atwhichhewasintroducedtoseveraleminentpersons，inorderpubliclytomakeknownhisideasandopinions，andtherebyinsultthe"big-wigs，"andtothrowoverhisbrideasoffensivelyaspossible；andthat，resistingtheservantswhoweretoldofftoturnhimoutofthehouse，hehadseizedandthrowndownamagnificentchinavase。Asacharacteristicadditiontotheabove，itwascurrentlyreportedthattheyoungprincereallylovedtheladytowhomhewasengaged，andhadthrownheroveroutofpurelyNihilisticmotives，withtheintentionofgivinghimselfthesatisfactionofmarryingafallenwomaninthefaceofalltheworld，therebypublishinghisopinionthatthereisnodistinctionbetweenvirtuousanddisreputablewomen，butthatallwomenarealike，free；anda"fallen"woman，indeed，somewhatsuperiortoavirtuousone。
　　Itwasdeclaredthathebelievedinnoclassesoranythingelse，excepting"thewomanquestion。"
　　Allthislookedlikelyenough，andwasacceptedasfactbymostoftheinhabitantsoftheplace，especiallyasitwasborneout，moreorless，bydailyoccurrences。
　　Ofcoursemuchwassaidthatcouldnotbedeterminedabsolutely。
　　Forinstance，itwasreportedthatthepoorgirlhadsolovedherfuturehusbandthatshehadfollowedhimtothehouseoftheotherwoman，thedayaftershehadbeenthrownover；otherssaidthathehadinsistedonhercoming，himself，inordertoshameandinsultherbyhistauntsandNihilisticconfessionswhenshereachedthehouse。Howeverallthesethingsmightbe，thepublicinterestinthemattergrewdaily，especiallyasitbecameclearthatthescandalousweddingwasundoubtedlytotakeplace。
　　Sothatifourreadersweretoaskanexplanation，notofthewildreportsabouttheprince’sNihilisticopinions，butsimplyastohowsuchamarriagecouldpossiblysatisfyhisrealaspirations，orastothespiritualconditionofourheroatthistime，weconfessthatweshouldhavegreatdifficultyingivingtherequiredinformation。
　　Allweknowis，thatthemarriagereallywasarranged，andthattheprincehadcommissionedLebedeffandKellertolookafterallthenecessarybusinessconnectedwithit；thathehadrequestedthemtosparenoexpense；thatNastasiaherselfwashurryingonthewedding；thatKellerwastobetheprince’sbestman，athisownearnestrequest；andthatBurdovskywastogiveNastasiaaway，tohisgreatdelight。TheweddingwastotakeplacebeforethemiddleofJuly。
　　But，besidestheabove，wearecognizantofcertainotherundoubtedfacts，whichpuzzleusagooddealbecausetheyseemflatlytocontradicttheforegoing。
　　Wesuspect，forinstance，thathavingcommissionedLebedeffandtheothers，asabove，theprinceimmediatelyforgotallaboutmastersofceremoniesandeventheceremonyitself；andwefeelquitecertainthatinmakingthesearrangementshedidsoinorderthathemightabsolutelyescapeallthoughtofthewedding，andevenforgetitsapproachifhecould，bydetailingallbusinessconcerningittoothers。