Allthiswassuspiciousandunsatisfactory。Verylikelytheporterhadreceivednewinstructionsduringtheintervaloftheprince’sabsence；hismannerwassodifferentnow。Hehadbeenobliging——nowhewasasobstinateandsilentasamule。However，theprincedecidedtocallagaininacoupleofhours，andafterthattowatchthehouse，incaseofneed。HishopewasthathemightyetfindNastasiaattheaddresswhichhehadjustreceived。Tothataddresshenowsetoffatfullspeed。
　　Butalas！attheGermanlady’shousetheydidnotevenappeartounderstandwhathewanted。Afterawhile，bymeansofcertainhints，hewasabletogatherthatNastasiamusthavehadaquarrelwithherfriendtwoorthreeweeksago，sincewhichdatethelatterhadneitherheardnorseenanythingofher。HewasgiventounderstandthatthesubjectofNastasia’spresentwhereaboutswasnotoftheslightestinteresttoher；andthatNastasiamightmarryalltheprincesintheworldforallshecared！SoMuishkintookhisleavehurriedly。ItstruckhimnowthatshemighthavegoneawaytoMoscowjustasshehaddonethelasttime，andthatRogojinhadperhapsgoneafterher，orevenWITHher。Ifonlyhecouldfindsometrace！
　　However，hemusttakehisroomatthehotel；andhestartedoffinthatdirection。Havingengagedhisroom，hewasaskedbythewaiterwhetherhewouldtakedinner；replyingmechanicallyintheaffirmative，hesatdownandwaited；butitwasnotlongbeforeitstruckhimthatdiningwoulddelayhim。Enragedatthisidea，hestartedup，crossedthedarkpassagewhichfilledhimwithhorribleimpressionsandgloomyforebodings，andsetoutoncemoreforRogojin’s。Rogojinhadnotreturned，andnoonecametothedoor。Herangattheoldlady’sdooropposite，andwasinformedthatParfenSemionovitchwouldnotreturnforthreedays。Thecuriositywithwhichtheoldservantstaredathimagainimpressedtheprincedisagreeably。Hecouldnotfindtheporterthistimeatall。
　　Asbefore，hecrossedthestreetandwatchedthewindowsfromtheotherside，walkingupanddowninanguishofsoulforhalfanhourorsointhestiflingheat。Nothingstirred；theblindsweremotionless；indeed，theprincebegantothinkthattheapparitionofRogojin’sfacecouldhavebeennothingbutfancy。Soothedbythisthought，hedroveoffoncemoretohisfriendsattheIsmailofskybarracks。Hewasexpectedthere。ThemotherhadalreadybeentothreeorfourplacestolookforNastasia，buthadnotfoundatraceofanykind。
　　Theprincesaidnothing，butenteredtheroom，satdownsilently，andstaredatthem，oneaftertheother，withtheairofamanwhocannotunderstandwhatisbeingsaidtohim。Itwasstrange——
　　onemomentheseemedtobesoobservant，thenextsoabsent；hisbehaviourstruckallthefamilyasmostremarkable。Atlengthherosefromhisseat，andbeggedtobeshownNastasia’srooms。Theladiesreportedafterwardshowhehadexaminedeverythingintheapartments。Heobservedanopenbookonthetable，MadamBovary，andrequestedtheleaveoftheladyofthehousetotakeitwithhim。Hehadturneddowntheleafattheopenpage，andpocketeditbeforetheycouldexplainthatitwasalibrarybook。Hehadthenseatedhimselfbytheopenwindow，andseeingacard-table，heaskedwhoplayedcards。
　　HewasinformedthatNastasiausedtoplaywithRogojineveryevening，eitherat"preference"or"littlefool，"or"whist"；
　　thatthishadbeentheirpracticesinceherlastreturnfromPavlofsk；thatshehadtakentothisamusementbecauseshedidnotliketoseeRogojinsittingsilentanddullforwholeeveningsatatime；thatthedayafterNastasiahadmadearemarktothiseffect，Rogojinhadwhippedapackofcardsoutofhispocket。Nastasiahadlaughed，butsoontheybeganplaying。Theprinceaskedwherewerethecards，butwastoldthatRogojinusedtobringanewpackeveryday，andalwayscarrieditawayinhispocket。
　　ThegoodladiesrecommendedtheprincetotryknockingatRogojin’soncemore——notatonce，butintheeveningMeanwhile，themotherwouldgotoPavlofsktoinquireatDanaAlexeyevna’swhetheranythinghadbeenheardofNastasiathere。Theprincewastocomebackatteno’clockandmeether，tohearhernewsandarrangeplansforthemorrow。
　　Inspiteofthekindly-meantconsolationsofhisnewfriends，theprincewalkedtohishotelininexpressibleanguishofspirit，throughthehot，dustystreets，aimlesslystaringatthefacesofthosewhopassedhim。Arrivedathisdestination，hedeterminedtorestawhileinhisroombeforebestartedforRogojin’soncemore。Hesatdown，restedhiselbowsonthetableandhisheadonhishands，andfelltothinking。
　　Heavenknowshowlonganduponwhatsubjectshethought。Hethoughtofmanythings——ofVeraLebedeff，andofherfather；ofHippolyte；ofRogojinhimself，firstatthefuneral，thenashehadmethiminthepark，then，suddenly，astheyhadmetinthisverypassage，outside，whenRogojinhadwatchedinthedarknessandawaitedhimwithupliftedknife。Theprincerememberedhisenemy’seyesastheyhadglaredathiminthedarkness。Heshuddered，asasuddenideastruckhim。
　　Thisideawas，thatifRogojinwereinPetersburg，thoughhemighthideforatime，yethewasquitesuretocometohim——theprince——beforelong，witheithergoodorevilintentions，butprobablywiththesameintentionasonthatotheroccasion。Atallevents，ifRogojinweretocomeatallhewouldbesuretoseektheprincehere——hehadnoothertownaddress——perhapsinthissamecorridor；hemightwellseekhimhereifheneededhim。Andperhapshedidneedhim。Thisideaseemedquitenaturaltotheprince，thoughhecouldnothaveexplainedwhyheshouldsosuddenlyhavebecomenecessarytoRogojin。Rogojinwouldnotcomeifallwerewellwithhim，thatwaspartofthethought；hewouldcomeifallwerenotwell；andcertainly，undoubtedly，allwouldnotbewellwithhim。Theprincecouldnotbearthisnewidea；hetookhishatandrushedouttowardsthestreet。Itwasalmostdarkinthepassage。
　　"WhatifheweretocomeoutofthatcornerasIgobyand——andstopme？"thoughttheprince，asheapproachedthefamiliarspot。
　　Butnoonecameout。
　　Hepassedunderthegatewayandintothestreet。Thecrowdsofpeoplewalkingabout——asisalwaysthecaseatsunsetinPetersburg，duringthesummer——surprisedhim，buthewalkedoninthedirectionofRogojin’shouse。
　　Aboutfiftyyardsfromthehotel，atthefirstcross-road，ashepassedthroughthecrowdoffoot-passengerssaunteringalong，someonetouchedhisshoulder，andsaidinawhisperintohisear:
　　"LefNicolaievitch，myfriend，comealongwithme。"ItwasRogojin。
　　Theprinceimmediatelybegantotellhim，eagerlyandjoyfully，howhehadbutthemomentbeforeexpectedtoseehiminthedarkpassageofthehotel。
　　"Iwasthere，"saidRogojin，unexpectedly。"Comealong。"Theprincewassurprisedatthisanswer；buthisastonishmentincreasedacoupleofminutesafterwards，whenhebegantoconsiderit。Havingthoughtitover，heglancedatRogojininalarm。Thelatterwasstridingalongayardorsoahead，lookingstraightinfrontofhim，andmechanicallymakingwayforanyonehemet。
　　"Whydidyounotaskformeatmyroomifyouwereinthehotel？"
　　askedtheprince，suddenly。
　　Rogojinstoppedandlookedathim；thenreflected，andrepliedasthoughhehadnotheardthequestion:
　　"Lookhere，LefNicolaievitch，yougostraightontothehouse；I
　　shallwalkontheotherside。Seethatwekeeptogether。"
　　Sosaying，Rogojincrossedtheroad。
　　Arrivedontheoppositepavement，helookedbacktoseewhethertheprinceweremoving，wavedhishandinthedirectionoftheGorohovaya，andstrodeon，lookingacrosseverymomenttoseewhetherMuishkinunderstoodhisinstructions。TheprincesupposedthatRogojindesiredtolookoutforsomeonewhomhewasafraidtomiss；butifso，whyhadhenottoldHIMwhomtolookoutfor？
　　Sothetwoproceededforhalfamileorso。Suddenlytheprincebegantotremblefromsomeunknowncause。Hecouldnotbearit，andsignalledtoRogojinacrosstheroad。
　　Thelattercameatonce。
　　"IsNastasiaPhilipovnaatyourhouse？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Andwasityoulookedoutofthewindowundertheblindthismorning？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Thenwhydid——"
　　Buttheprincecouldnotfinishhisquestion；hedidnotknowwhattosay。Besidesthis，hisheartwasbeatingsothathefounditdifficulttospeakatall。Rogojinwassilentalsoandlookedathimasbefore，withanexpressionofdeepthoughtfulness。
　　"Well，I’mgoing，"hesaid，atlast，preparingtorecrosstheroad。"Yougoalonghereasbefore；wewillkeeptodifferentsidesoftheroad；it’sbetterso，you’llsee。"
　　WhentheyreachedtheGorohovaya，andcamenearthehouse，theprince’slegsweretremblingsothathecouldhardlywalk。Itwasaboutteno’clock。Theoldlady’swindowswereopen，asbefore；
　　Rogojin’swereallshut，andinthedarknessthewhiteblindsshowedwhiterthanever。Rogojinandtheprinceeachapproachedthehouseonhisrespectivesideoftheroad；Rogojin，whowasonthenearside，beckonedtheprinceacross。Hewentovertothedoorway。
　　"EventheporterdoesnotknowthatIhavecomehomenow。Itoldhim，andtoldthematmymother’stoo，thatIwasofftoPavlofsk，"saidRogojin，withacunningandalmostsatisfiedsmile。"We’llgoinquietlyandnobodywillhearus。"
　　Hehadthekeyinhishand。Mountingthestaircaseheturnedandsignalledtotheprincetogomoresoftly；heopenedthedoorveryquietly，lettheprincein，followedhim，lockedthedoorbehindhim，andputthekeyinhispocket。
　　"Comealong，"hewhispered。
　　Hehadspokeninawhisperalltheway。Inspiteofhisapparentoutwardcomposure，hewasevidentlyinastateofgreatmentalagitation。Arrivedinalargesalon，nexttothestudy，hewenttothewindowandcautiouslybeckonedtheprinceuptohim。
　　"WhenyourangthebellthismorningIthoughtitmustbeyou。I
　　wenttothedoorontip-toeandheardyoutalkingtotheservantopposite。Ihadtoldherbeforethatifanyonecameandrang——
　　especiallyyou，andIgaveheryourname——shewasnottotellaboutme。ThenIthought，whatifhegoesandstandsoppositeandlooksup，orwaitsabouttowatchthehouse？SoIcametothisverywindow，lookedout，andthereyouwerestaringstraightatme。That’showitcameabout。"
　　"WhereisNastasiaPhilipovna？"askedtheprince，breathlessly。
　　"She’shere，"repliedRogojin，slowly，afteraslightpause。
　　"Where？"
　　Rogojinraisedhiseyesandgazedintentlyattheprince。
　　"Come，"hesaid。
　　Hecontinuedtospeakinawhisper，verydeliberatelyasbefore，andlookedstrangelythoughtfulanddreamy。Evenwhilehetoldthestoryofhowhehadpeepedthroughtheblind，hegavetheimpressionofwishingtosaysomethingelse。Theyenteredthestudy。Inthisroomsomechangeshadtakenplacesincetheprincelastsawit。Itwasnowdividedintotwoequalpartsbyaheavygreensilkcurtainstretchedacrossit，separatingthealcovebeyond，wherestoodRogojin’sbed，fromtherestoftheroom。
　　Theheavycurtainwasdrawnnow，anditwasverydark。ThebrightPetersburgsummernightswerealreadybeginningtoclosein，andbutforthefullmoon，itwouldhavebeendifficulttodistinguishanythinginRogojin’sdismalroom，withthedrawnblinds。Theycouldjustseeoneanothersfaces，however，thoughnotindetail。Rogojin’sfacewaswhite，asusual。Hisglitteringeyeswatchedtheprincewithanintentstare。
　　"Hadyounotbetterlightacandle？"saidMuishkin。
　　"No，Ineedn’t，"repliedRogojin，andtakingtheotherbythehandhedrewhimdowntoachair。Hehimselftookachairoppositeanddrewitupsoclosethathealmostpressedagainsttheprince’sknees。Attheirsidewasalittleroundtable。
　　Sitdown，"saidRogojin；"let’srestabit。"Therewassilenceforamoment。
　　"Iknewyouwouldbeatthathotel，"hecontinued，justasmensometimescommenceaseriousconversationbydiscussinganyoutsidesubjectbeforeleadinguptothemainpoint。"AsI
　　enteredthepassageitstruckmethatperhapsyouweresittingandwaitingforme，justasIwaswaitingforyou。HaveyoubeentotheoldladyatIsmailofskybarracks？"
　　"Yes，"saidtheprince，squeezingthewordoutwithdifficultyowingtothedreadfulbeatingofhisheart。
　　"Ithoughtyouwould。’They’lltalkaboutit，’Ithought；soI
　　determinedtogoandfetchyoutospendthenighthere——’Wewillbetogether，’Ithought，’forthisonenight——’"
　　"Rogojin，WHEREisNastasiaPhilipovna？"saidtheprince，suddenlyrisingfromhisseat。Hewasquakinginallhislimbs，andhiswordscameinascarcelyaudiblewhisper。Rogojinrosealso。
　　"There，"hewhispered，noddinghisheadtowardsthecurtain。
　　"Asleep？"whisperedtheprince。
　　Rogojinlookedintentlyathimagain，asbefore。
　　"Let’sgoin——butyoumustn’t——well——let’sgoin。"
　　Heliftedthecurtain，paused——andturnedtotheprince。"Goin，"
　　hesaid，motioninghimtopassbehindthecurtain。Muishkinwentin。
　　It’ssodark，"hesaid。
　　"Youcanseequiteenough，"mutteredRogojin。
　　"Icanjustseethere’sabed——"
　　"Gonearer，"suggestedRogojin，softly。
　　Theprincetookastepforward——thenanother——andpaused。Hestoodandstaredforaminuteortwo。
　　Neitherofthemenspokeawordwhileatthebedside。Theprince’sheartbeatsoloudthatitsknockingseemedtobedistinctlyaudibleinthedeathlysilence。
　　Butnowhiseyeshadbecomesofaraccustomedtothedarknessthathecoulddistinguishthewholeofthebed。Someonewasasleepuponit——inanabsolutelymotionlesssleep。Nottheslightestmovementwasperceptible，notthefaintestbreathingcouldbeheard。Thesleeperwascoveredwithawhitesheet；theoutlineofthelimbswashardlydistinguishable。Hecouldonlyjustmakeoutthatahumanbeinglayoutstretchedthere。
　　Allaround，onthebed，onachairbesideit，onthefloor，werescatteredthedifferentportionsofamagnificentwhitesilkdress，bitsoflace，ribbonsandflowers。Onasmalltableatthebedsideglitteredamassofdiamonds，tornoffandthrowndownanyhow。Fromunderaheapoflaceattheendofthebedpeepedasmallwhitefoot，whichlookedasthoughithadbeenchiselledoutofmarble；itwasterriblystill。
　　Theprincegazedandgazed，andfeltthatthemorehegazedthemoredeath-likebecamethesilence。Suddenlyaflyawokesomewhere，buzzedacrosstheroom，andsettledonthepillow。Theprinceshuddered。
　　"Let’sgo，"saidRogojin，touchinghisshoulder。Theyleftthealcoveandsatdowninthetwochairstheyhadoccupiedbefore，oppositetooneanother。Theprincetrembledmoreandmoreviolently，andnevertookhisquestioningeyesoffRogojin’sface。
　　"Iseeyouareshuddering，LefNicolaievitch，"saidthelatter，atlength，"almostasyoudidonceinMoscow，beforeyourfit；
　　don’tyouremember？Idon’tknowwhatIshalldowithyou——"
　　Theprincebentforwardtolisten，puttingallthestrainhecouldmusteruponhisunderstandinginordertotakeinwhatRogojinsaid，andcontinuingtogazeatthelatter’sface。
　　"Wasityou？"hemuttered，atlast，motioningwithhisheadtowardsthecurtain。
　　"Yes，itwasI，"whisperedRogojin，lookingdown。
　　Neitherspokeforfiveminutes。
　　"Because，youknow，"Rogojinrecommenced，asthoughcontinuingaformersentence，"ifyouwereillnow，orhadafit，orscreamed，oranything，theymighthearitintheyard，oreveninthestreet，andguessthatsomeonewaspassingthenightinthehouse。Theywouldallcomeandknockandwanttocomein，becausetheyknowIamnotathome。Ididn’tlightacandleforthesamereason。WhenIamnothere——fortwoorthreedaysatatime，nowandthen——noonecomesintotidythehouseoranything；thosearemyorders。SothatIwantthemtonotknowwearespendingthenighthere——"
　　"Wait，"interruptedtheprince。"IaskedboththeporterandthewomanwhetherNastasiaPhilipovnahadspentlastnightinthehouse；sotheyknew——"
　　"Iknowyouasked。Itoldthemthatshehadcalledinfortenminutes，andthengonestraightbacktoPavlofsk。Nooneknowssheslepthere。LastnightwecameinjustascarefullyasyouandIdidtoday。IthoughtasIcamealongwithherthatshewouldnotliketocreepinsosecretly，butIwasquitewrong。
　　Shewhispered，andwalkedontip-toe；shecarriedherskirtoverherarm，sothatitshouldn’trustle，andsheheldupherfingeratmeonthestairs，sothatIshouldn’tmakeanoise——itwasyoushewasafraidof。Shewasmadwithterrorinthetrain，andshebeggedmetobringhertothishouse。IthoughtoftakinghertoherroomsattheIsmailofskybarracksfirst；butshewouldn’thearofit。Shesaid，’No——notthere；he’llfindmeoutatoncethere。Takemetoyourownhouse，whereyoucanhideme，andtomorrowwe’llsetoffforMoscow。’ThenceshewouldgotoOrel，shesaid。Whenshewenttobed，shewasstilltalkingaboutgoingtoOrel。"
　　"Wait！Whatdoyouintendtodonow，Parfen？"
　　"Well，I’mafraidofyou。Youshudderandtrembleso。We’llpassthenightheretogether。Therearenootherbedsbesidesthatone；butI’vethoughthowwe’llmanage。I’lltakethecushionsoffallthesofas，andlaythemdownonthefloor，upagainstthecurtainhere——foryouandme——sothatweshallbetogether。Foriftheycomeinandlookaboutnow，youknow，they’llfindher，andcarryheraway，andthey’llbeaskingmequestions，andIshallsayIdidit，andthenthey’lltakemeaway，too，don’tyousee？
　　Soletherlieclosetous——closetoyouandme。
　　"Yes，yes，"agreedtheprince，warmly。
　　"Sowewillnotsayanythingaboutit，orletthemtakeheraway？"
　　"Notforanything！"criedtheother；"no，no，no！"
　　"SoIhaddecided，myfriend；nottogiveheruptoanyone，"
　　continuedRogojin。"We’llbeveryquiet。Ihaveonlybeenoutofthehouseonehourallday，alltherestofthetimeIhavebeenwithher。Idaresaytheairisverybadhere。Itissohot。Doyoufinditbad？"
　　"Idon’tknow——perhaps——bymorningitwillbe。"
　　"I’vecoveredherwithoil-cloth——bestAmericanoilcloth，andputthesheetoverthat，andfourjarsofdisinfectant，onaccountofthesmell——astheydidatMoscow——youremember？Andshe’slyingsostill；youshallsee，inthemorning，whenit’slight。What！
　　can’tyougetup？"askedRogojin，seeingtheotherwastremblingsothathecouldnotrisefromhisseat。
　　"Mylegswon’tmove，"saidtheprince；"it’sfear，Iknow。Whenmyfearisover，I’llgetup——"
　　"Waitabit——I’llmakethebed，andyoucanliedown。I’llliedown，too，andwe’lllistenandwatch，forIdon’tknowyetwhatIshalldo……Itellyoubeforehand，sothatyoumaybereadyincaseI——"
　　Mutteringthesedisconnectedwords，Rogojinbegantomakeupthebeds。Itwasclearthathehaddevisedthesebedslongbefore；
　　lastnighthesleptonthesofa。Buttherewasnoroomfortwoonthesofa，andheseemedanxiousthatheandtheprinceshouldbeclosetooneanother；therefore，henowdraggedcushionsofallsizesandshapesfromthesofas，andmadeasortofbedofthemclosebythecurtain。Hethenapproachedtheprince，andgentlyhelpedhimtorise，andledhimtowardsthebed。Buttheprincecouldnowwalkbyhimself，sothathisfearmusthavepassed；forallthat，however，hecontinuedtoshudder。
　　"It’shotweather，yousee，"continuedRogojin，ashelaydownonthecushionsbesideMuishkin，"and，naturally，therewillbeasmell。Idaren’topenthewindow。Mymotherhassomebeautifulflowersinpots；theyhaveadeliciousscent；Ithoughtoffetchingthemin，butthatoldservantwillfindout，she’sveryinquisitive。
　　"Yes，sheisinquisitive，"assentedtheprince。
　　"Ithoughtofbuyingflowers，andputtingthemallroundher；butIwasafraiditwouldmakeussadtoseeherwithflowersroundher。"
　　"Lookhere，"saidtheprince；hewasbewildered，andhisbrainwandered。Heseemedtobecontinuallygropingforthequestionshewishedtoask，andthenlosingthem。"Listen——tellme——howdidyou——withaknife？——Thatsameone？"
　　"Yes，thatsameone。"
　　"Waitaminute，Iwanttoaskyousomethingelse，Parfen；allsortsofthings；buttellmefirst，didyouintendtokillherbeforemywedding，atthechurchdoor，withyourknife？"
　　"Idon’tknowwhetherIdidornot，"saidRogojin，drily，seemingtobealittleastonishedatthequestion，andnotquitetakingitin。
　　"DidyounevertakeyourknifetoPavlofskwithyou？""No。Astotheknife，"headded，"thisisallIcantellyouaboutit。"Hewassilentforamoment，andthensaid，"Itookitoutofthelockeddrawerthismorningaboutthree，foritwasintheearlymorningallthis——happened。Ithasbeeninsidethebookeversince——and——and——thisiswhatissuchamarveltome，theknifeonlywentinacoupleofinchesatmost，justunderherleftbreast，andtherewasn’tmorethanhalfatablespoonfulofbloodaltogether，notmore。"
　　"Yes——yes——yes——"Theprincejumpedupinextraordinaryagitation。"Iknow，Iknow，I’vereadofthatsortofthing——it’sinternalhaemorrhage，youknow。Sometimesthereisn’tadrop——iftheblowgoesstraighttotheheart——"
　　"Wait——listen！"criedRogojin，suddenly，startingup。"Somebody’swalkingabout，doyouhear？Inthehall。"Bothsatuptolisten。
　　"Ihear，"saidtheprinceinawhisper，hiseyesfixedonRogojin。
　　"Footsteps？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Shallweshutthedoor，andlockit，ornot？"
　　"Yes，lockit。"
　　Theylockedthedoor，andbothlaydownagain。Therewasalongsilence。
　　"Yes，by-the-by，"whisperedtheprince，hurriedlyandexcitedlyasbefore，asthoughhehadjustseizedholdofanideaandwasafraidoflosingitagain。"I——Iwantedthosecards！Theysayyouplayedcardswithher？"
　　"Yes，Iplayedwithher，"saidRogojin，afterashortsilence。
　　"Wherearethecards？"
　　"Heretheyare，"saidRogojin，afterastilllongerpause。
　　Hepulledoutapackofcards，wrappedinabitofpaper，fromhispocket，andhandedthemtotheprince。Thelattertookthem，withasortofperplexity。Anew，sad，helplessfeelingweighedonhisheart；hehadsuddenlyrealizedthatnotonlyatthismoment，butforalongwhile，hehadnotbeensayingwhathewantedtosay，hadnotbeenactingashewantedtoact；andthatthesecardswhichheheldinhishand，andwhichhehadbeensodelightedtohaveatfirst，werenowofnouse——nouse……Herose，andwrunghishands。Rogojinlaymotionless，andseemedneithertohearnorseehismovements；buthiseyesblazedinthedarkness，andwerefixedinawildstare。
　　Theprincesatdownonachair，andwatchedhiminalarm。Halfanhourwentby。
　　SuddenlyRogojinburstintoaloudabruptlaugh，asthoughhehadquiteforgottenthattheymustspeakinwhispers。
　　"Thatofficer，eh！——thatyoungofficer——don’tyourememberthatfellowattheband？Eh？Ha，ha，ha！Didn’tshewhiphimsmartly，eh？"
　　Theprincejumpedupfromhisseatinrenewedterror。WhenRogojinquieteddownwhichhedidatoncetheprincebentoverhim，satdownbesidehim，andwithpainfullybeatingheartandstillmorepainfulbreath，watchedhisfaceintently。Rogojinneverturnedhishead，andseemedtohaveforgottenallabouthim。Theprincewatchedandwaited。Timewenton——itbegantogrowlight。
　　Rogojinbegantowander——mutteringdisconnectedly；thenhetooktoshoutingandlaughing。Theprincestretchedoutatremblinghandandgentlystrokedhishairandhischeeks——hecoulddonothingmore。Hislegstrembledagainandheseemedtohavelosttheuseofthem。Anewsensationcameoverhim，fillinghisheartandsoulwithinfiniteanguish。
　　Meanwhilethedaylightgrewfullandstrong；andatlasttheprincelaydown，asthoughovercomebydespair，andlaidhisfaceagainstthewhite，motionlessfaceofRogojin。HistearsflowedontoRogojin’scheek，thoughhewasperhapsnotawareofthemhimself。
　　Atalleventswhen，aftermanyhours，thedoorwasopenedandpeoplethrongedin，theyfoundthemurdererunconsciousandinaragingfever。Theprincewassittingbyhim，motionless，andeachtimethatthesickmangavealaugh，orashout，hehastenedtopasshisowntremblinghandoverhiscompanion’shairandcheeks，asthoughtryingtosootheandquiethim。ButalasIheunderstoodnothingofwhatwassaidtohim，andrecognizednoneofthosewhosurroundedhim。
　　IfSchneiderhimselfhadarrivedthenandseenhisformerpupilandpatient，rememberingtheprince’sconditionduringthefirstyearinSwitzerland，hewouldhaveflunguphishands，despairingly，andcried，ashedidthen:
　　"Anidiot！"
　　XII。
　　WHENthewidowhurriedawaytoPavlofsk，shewentstraighttoDariaAlexeyevna’shouse，andtellingallsheknew，threwherintoastateofgreatalarm。BothladiesdecidedtocommunicateatoncewithLebedeff，who，asthefriendandlandlordoftheprince，wasalsomuchagitated。VeraLebedefftoldallsheknew，andbyLebedeff’sadviceitwasdecidedthatallthreeshouldgotoPetersburgasquicklyaspossible，inordertoavert"whatmightsoeasilyhappen。"
　　Thisishowitcameaboutthatateleveno’clocknextmorningRogojin’sflatwasopenedbythepoliceinthepresenceofLebedeff，thetwoladies，andRogojin’sownbrother，wholivedinthewing。
　　TheevidenceoftheporterwentfurtherthananythingelsetowardsthesuccessofLebedeffingainingtheassistanceofthepolice。HedeclaredthathehadseenRogojinreturntothehouselastnight，accompaniedbyafriend，andthatbothhadgoneupstairsverysecretlyandcautiously。Afterthistherewasnohesitationaboutbreakingopenthedoor，sinceitcouldnotbegotopeninanyotherway。
　　Rogojinsufferedfrombrainfeverfortwomonths。Whenherecoveredfromtheattackhewasatoncebroughtupontrialformurder。
　　Hegavefull，satisfactory，anddirectevidenceoneverypoint；
　　andtheprince’snamewas，thankstothis，notbroughtintotheproceedings。Rogojinwasveryquietduringtheprogressofthetrial。Hedidnotcontradicthiscleverandeloquentcounsel，whoarguedthatthebrainfever，orinflammationofthebrain，wasthecauseofthecrime；clearlyprovingthatthismaladyhadexistedlongbeforethemurderwasperpetrated，andhadbeenbroughtonbythesufferingsoftheaccused。
　　ButRogojinaddednowordsofhisowninconfirmationofthisview，andasbefore，herecountedwithmarvellousexactnessthedetailsofhiscrime。Hewasconvicted，butwithextenuatingcircumstances，andcondemnedtohardlabourinSiberiaforfifteenyears。Heheardhissentencegrimly，silently，andthoughtfully。Hiscolossalfortune，withtheexceptionofthecomparativelysmallportionwastedinthefirstwantonperiodofhisinheritance，wenttohisbrother，tothegreatsatisfactionofthelatter。
　　Theoldlady，Rogojin’smother，isstillalive，andremembersherfavouritesonParfensometimes，butnotclearly。Godsparedhertheknowledgeofthisdreadfulcalamitywhichhadovertakenherhouse。
　　Lebedeff，Keller，Gania，Ptitsin，andmanyotherfriendsofourscontinuetoliveasbefore。Thereisscarcelyanychangeinthem，sothatthereisnoneedtotelloftheirsubsequentdoings。
　　Hippolytediedingreatagitation，andrathersoonerthanheexpected，aboutafortnightafterNastasiaPhiipovna’sdeath。
　　Coliawasmuchaffectedbytheseevents，anddrewnearertohismotherinheartandsympathy。NinaAlexandrovnaisanxious，becauseheis"thoughtfulbeyondhisyears，"buthewill，wethink，makeausefulandactiveman。
　　Theprince’sfurtherfatewasmoreorlessdecidedbyColia，whoselected，outofallthepersonshehadmetduringthelastsixorsevenmonths，EvgeniePavlovitch，asfriendandconfidant。Tohimhemadeoverallthatheknewastotheeventsaboverecorded，andastothepresentconditionoftheprince。Hewasnotfarwronginhischoice。EvgeniePavlovitchtookthedeepestinterestinthefateoftheunfortunate"idiot，"and，thankstohisinfluence，theprincefoundhimselfoncemorewithDr。
　　Schneider，inSwitzerland。
　　EvgeniePavlovitch，whowentabroadatthistime，intendingtolivealongwhileonthecontinent，being，asheoftensaid，quitesuperfluousinRussia，visitshissickfriendatSchneider’severyfewmonths。
　　ButDr。Schneiderfrownsevermoreandmoreandshakeshishead；
　　hehintsthatthebrainisfatallyinjured；hedoesnotasyetdeclarethathispatientisincurable，butheallowshimselftoexpressthegravestfears。
　　Evgenietakesthismuchtoheart，andhehasaheart，asisprovedbythefactthathereceivesandevenanswerslettersfromColia。Butbesidesthis，anothertraitinhischaracterhasbecomeapparent，andasitisagoodtraitwewillmakehastetorevealit。AftereachvisittoSchneider’sestablishment，EvgeniePavlovitchwritesanotherletter，besidesthattoColia，givingthemostminuteparticularsconcerningtheinvalid’scondition。
　　Intheselettersistobedetected，andineachonemorethanthelast，agrowingfeelingoffriendshipandsympathy。
　　TheindividualwhocorrespondsthuswithEvgeniePavlovitch，andwhoengagessomuchofhisattentionandrespect，isVeraLebedeff。Wehaveneverbeenabletodiscoverclearlyhowsuchrelationssprangup。Ofcoursetherootofthemwasintheeventswhichwehavealreadyrecorded，andwhichsofilledVerawithgriefontheprince’saccountthatshefellseriouslyill。Butexactlyhowtheacquaintanceandfriendshipcameabout，wecannotsay。
　　WehavespokenoftheseletterschieflybecauseinthemisoftentobefoundsomenewsoftheEpanchinfamily，andofAglayainparticular。EvgeniePavlovitchwroteofherfromParis，thatafterashortandsuddenattachmenttoacertainPolishcount，anexile，shehadsuddenlymarriedhim，quiteagainstthewishesofherparents，thoughtheyhadeventuallygiventheirconsentthroughfearofaterriblescandal。Then，afterasixmonths’
　　silence，EvgeniePavlovitchinformedhiscorrespondent，inalongletter，fullofdetail，thatwhilepayinghislastvisittoDr。
　　Schneider’sestablishment，hehadtherecomeacrossthewholeEpanchinfamilyexceptingthegeneral，whohadremainedinSt。
　　PetersburgandPrinceS。Themeetingwasastrangeone。TheyallreceivedEvgeniePavlovitchwitheffusivedelight；AdelaidaandAlexandraweredeeplygratefultohimforhis"angelickindnesstotheunhappyprince。"
　　LizabethaProkofievna，whenshesawpoorMuishkin，inhisenfeebledandhumiliatedcondition，hadweptbitterly。Apparentlyallwasforgivenhim。
　　PrinceS。hadmadeafewjustandsensibleremarks。ItseemedtoEvgeniePavlovitchthattherewasnotyetperfectharmonybetweenAdelaidaandherfiance，buthethoughtthatintimetheimpulsiveyounggirlwouldletherselfbeguidedbyhisreasonandexperience。Besides，therecenteventsthathadbefallenherfamilyhadgivenAdelaidamuchtothinkabout，especiallythesadexperiencesofheryoungersister。Withinsixmonths，everythingthatthefamilyhaddreadedfromthemarriagewiththePolishcounthadcometopass。Heturnedouttobeneithercountnorexile——atleast，inthepoliticalsenseoftheword——buthadhadtoleavehisnativelandowingtosomeratherdubiousaffairofthepast。Itwashisnoblepatriotism，ofwhichhemadeagreatdisplay，thathadrenderedhimsointerestinginAglaya’seyes。
　　Shewassofascinatedthat，evenbeforemarryinghim，shejoinedacommitteethathadbeenorganizedabroadtoworkfortherestorationofPoland；andfurther，shevisitedtheconfessionalofacelebratedJesuitpriest，whomadeanabsolutefanaticofher。Thesupposedfortuneofthecounthaddwindledtoamerenothing，althoughhehadgivenalmostirrefutableevidenceofitsexistencetoLizabethaProkofievnaandPrinceS。
　　Besidesthis，beforetheyhadbeenmarriedhalfayear，thecountandhisfriendthepriestmanagedtobringaboutaquarrelbetweenAglayaandherfamily，sothatitwasnowseveralmonthssincetheyhadseenher。Inaword，therewasagreatdealtosay；butMrs。Epanchin，andherdaughters，andevenPrinceS。，werestillsomuchdistressedbyAglaya’slatestinfatuationsandadventures，thattheydidhotcaretotalkofthem，thoughtheymusthaveknownthatEvgenieknewmuchofthestoryalready。
　　PoorLizabethaProkofievnawasmostanxioustogethome，and，accordingtoEvgenie’saccount，shecriticizedeverythingforeignwithmuchhostility。
　　"Theycan’tbakebreadanywhere，decently；andtheyallfreezeintheirhouses，duringwinter，likealotofmiceinacellar。Atallevents，I’vehadagoodRussiancryoverthispoorfellow，"
　　sheadded，pointingtotheprince，whohadnotrecognizedherintheslightestdegree。"Soenoughofthisnonsense；it’stimewefacedthetruth。Allthiscontinentallife，allthisEuropeofyours，andallthetrashabout’goingabroad’issimplyfoolery，anditismerefooleryonourparttocome。RememberwhatIsay，myfriend；you’lllivetoagreewithmeyourself。"
　　Sospokethegoodlady，almostangrily，asshetookleaveofEvgeniePavlovitch。
　　End