Everyoneintheroombegantolaugh。
　　"Heistellinglies！"criedthenephew。"Evennowhecannotspeakthetruth。HeisnotcalledTimofeyLukianovitch，prince，butLukianTimofeyovitch。Nowdotelluswhyyoumustneedslieaboutit？LukianorTimofey，itisallthesametoyou，andwhatdifferencecanitmaketotheprince？Hetellslieswithouttheleastnecessity，simplybyforceofhabit，Iassureyou。"
　　"Isthattrue？"saidtheprinceimpatiently。
　　"MynamereallyisLukianTimofeyovitch，"acknowledgedLebedeff，loweringhiseyes，andputtinghishandonhisheart。
　　"Well，forGod’ssake，whatmadeyousaytheother？"
　　"Tohumblemyself，"murmuredLebedeff。
　　"Whatonearthdoyoumean？OhIifonlyIknewwhereColiawasatthismoment！"criedtheprince，standingup，asiftogo。
　　"IcantellyouallaboutColia，"saidtheyoungman"Oh！no，no！"saidLebedeff，hurriedly。
　　"Coliaspentthenighthere，andthismorningwentafterhisfather，whomyouletoutofprisonbypayinghisdebts——Heavenonlyknowswhy！Yesterdaythegeneralpromisedtocomeandlodgehere，buthedidnotappear。Mostprobablyhesleptatthehotelcloseby。NodoubtColiaisthere，unlesshehasgonetoPavlofsktoseetheEpanchins。Hehadalittlemoney，andwasintendingtogothereyesterday。HemustbeeitheratthehoteloratPavlofsk。"
　　"AtPavlofsk！HeisatPavlofsk，undoubtedly！"interruptedLebedeff……"Butcome——letusgointothegarden——wewillhavecoffeethere……"AndLebedeffseizedtheprince’sarm，andledhimfromtheroom。Theywentacrosstheyard，andfoundthemselvesinadelightfullittlegardenwiththetreesalreadyintheirsummerdressofgreen，thankstotheunusuallyfineweather。Lebedeffinvitedhisguesttositdownonagreenseatbeforeatableofthesamecolourfixedintheearth，andtookaseatfacinghim。Inafewminutesthecoffeeappeared，andtheprincedidnotrefuseit。ThehostkepthiseyesfixedonMuishkin，withanexpressionofpassionateservility。
　　"Iknewnothingaboutyourhomebefore，"saidtheprinceabsently，asifhewerethinkingofsomethingelse。
　　"Poororphans，"beganLebedeff，hisfaceassumingamournfulair，buthestoppedshort，fortheotherlookedathiminattentively，asifhehadalreadyforgottenhisownremark。Theywaitedafewminutesinsilence，whileLebedeffsatwithhiseyesfixedmournfullyontheyoungman’sface。
　　"Well！"saidthelatter，atlastrousinghimself。"Ah！yes！YouknowwhyIcame，Lebedeff。Yourletterbroughtme。Speak！Tellmeallaboutit。"
　　Theclerk，ratherconfused，triedtosaysomething，hesitated，begantospeak，andagainstopped。Theprincelookedathimgravely。
　　"IthinkIunderstand，LukianTimofeyovitch:youwerenotsurethatIshouldcome。YoudidnotthinkIshouldstartatthefirstwordfromyou，andyoumerelywrotetorelieveyourconscience。
　　However，youseenowthatIhavecome，andIhavehadenoughoftrickery。Giveupserving，ortryingtoserve，twomasters。
　　Rogojinhasbeenherethesethreeweeks。Haveyoumanagedtosellhertohimasyoudidbefore？Tellmethetruth。"
　　"Hediscoveredeverything，themonster……himself……"
　　"Don’tabusehim；thoughIdaresayyouhavesomethingtocomplainof……"
　　"Hebeatme，hethrashedmeunmercifully！"repliedLebedeffvehemently。"HesetadogonmeinMoscow，abloodhound，aterriblebeastthatchasedmealldownthestreet。"
　　"Youseemtotakemeforachild，Lebedeff。Tellme，isitafactthatshelefthimwhiletheywereinMoscow？"
　　"Yes，itisafact，andthistime，letmetellyou，ontheveryeveoftheirmarriage！ItwasaquestionofminuteswhensheslippedofftoPetersburg。Shecametomedirectlyshearrived——
　　’Saveme，Lukian！findmesomerefuge，andsaynothingtotheprince！’Sheisafraidofyou，evenmorethansheisofhim，andinthatsheshowsherwisdom！"AndLebedeffslilyputhisfingertohisbrowashesaidthelastwords。
　　"Andnowitisyouwhohavebroughtthemtogetheragain？"
　　"Excellency，howcouldI，howcouldIpreventit？"
　　"Thatwilldo。Icanfindoutformyself。Onlytellme，whereisshenow？Athishouse？Withhim？"
　　"Ohno！Certainlynot！’Iamfree，’shesays；youknowhowsheinsistsonthatpoint。’Iamentirelyfree。’Sherepeatsitoverandoveragain。SheislivinginPetersburgskaia，withmysister-
　　in-law，asItoldyouinmyletter。"
　　"Sheisthereatthismoment？"
　　"Yes，unlessshehasgonetoPavlofsk:thefineweathermayhavetemptedher，perhaps，intothecountry，withDariaAlexeyevna。’I
　　amquitefree，’shesays。OnlyyesterdaysheboastedofherfreedomtoNicolaiArdalionovitch——abadsign，"addedLebedeff，smiling。
　　"Coliagoestoseeheroften，doeshenot？"
　　"Heisastrangeboy，thoughtless，andinclinedtobeindiscreet。"
　　"Isitlongsinceyousawher？"
　　"Igotoseehereveryday，everyday。"
　　"Thenyouwerethereyesterday？"
　　"N-no:Ihavenotbeenthesethreelastdays。"
　　"Itisapityyouhavetakentoomuchwine，LebedeffIwanttoaskyousomething……but……"
　　"Allright！allright！Iamnotdrunk，"repliedtheclerk，preparingtolisten。
　　"Tellme，howwasshewhenyoulefther？"
　　"Sheisawomanwhoisseeking……"
　　"Seeking？"
　　"Sheseemsalwaystobesearchingabout，asifshehadlostsomething。Themereideaofhercomingmarriagedisgustsher；shelooksonitasaninsult。ShecaresasmuchforHIMasforapieceoforange-peel——notmore。YetIammuchmistakenifshedoesnotlookonhimwithfearandtrembling。Sheforbidshisnametobementionedbeforeher，andtheyonlymeetwhenunavoidable。Heunderstands，wellenough！ButitmustbegonethroughSheisrestless，mocking，deceitful，violent……"
　　"Deceitfulandviolent？"
　　"Yes，violent。Icangiveyouaproofofit。AfewdaysagoshetriedtopullmyhairbecauseIsaidsomethingthatannoyedher。
　　ItriedtosootheherbyreadingtheApocalypsealoud。"
　　"What？"exclaimedtheprince，thinkinghehadnotheardaright。
　　"ByreadingtheApocalypse。Theladyhasarestlessimagination，he-he！Shehasalikingforconversationonserioussubjects，ofanykind；infacttheypleasehersomuch，thatitflattershertodiscussthem。NowforfifteenyearsatleastIhavestudiedtheApocalypse，andsheagreeswithmeinthinkingthatthepresentistheepochrepresentedbythethirdhorse，theblackonewhoseriderholdsameasureinhishand。Itseemstomethateverythingisruledbymeasureinourcentury；allmenareclamouringfortheirrights；’ameasureofwheatforapenny，andthreemeasuresofbarleyforapenny。’But，addedtothis，mendesirefreedomofmindandbody，apureheart，ahealthylife，andallGod’sgoodgifts。Nowbypleadingtheirrightsalone，theywillneverattainallthis，sothewhitehorse，withhisriderDeath，comesnext，andisfollowedbyHell。Wetalkedaboutthismatterwhenwemet，anditimpressedherverymuch。"
　　"Doyoubelieveallthis？"askedMuishkin，lookingcuriouslyathiscompanion。
　　"Ibothbelieveitandexplainit。Iambutapoorcreature，abeggar，anatominthescaleofhumanity。WhohastheleastrespectforLebedeff？Heisatargetforalltheworld，thebuttofanyfoolwhochoosestokickhim。ButininterpretingrevelationIamtheequalofanyone，greatashemaybe！Suchisthepowerofthemindandthespirit。Ihavemadealordlypersonagetremble，ashesatinhisarmchair……onlybytalkingtohimofthingsconcerningthespirit。Twoyearsago，onEasterEve，HisExcellencyNilAlexeyovitch，whosesubordinateI
　　wasthen，wishedtohearwhatIhadtosay，andsentamessagebyPeterZakkaritchtoaskmetogotohisprivateroom。’TheytellmeyouexpoundthepropheciesrelatingtoAntichrist，’saidhe，whenwewerealone。’Isthatso？’’Yes，’Iansweredunhesitatingly，andIbegantogivesomecommentsontheApostle’sallegoricalvision。Atfirsthesmiled，butwhenwereachedthenumericalcomputationsandcorrespondences，hetrembled，andturnedpale。Thenhebeggedmetoclosethebook，andsentmeaway，promisingtoputmynameontherewardlist。
　　ThattookplaceasIsaidontheeveofEaster，andeightdayslaterhissoulreturnedtoGod。"
　　"What？"
　　"Itisthetruth。Oneeveningafterdinnerhestumbledashesteppedoutofhiscarriage。Hefell，andstruckhisheadonthecurb，anddiedimmediately。Hewasseventy-threeyearsofage，andhadaredface，andwhitehair；hedelugedhimselfwithscent，andwasalwayssmilinglikeachild。PeterZakkaritchrecalledmyinterviewwithhim，andsaid，’YOUFORETOLDHIS
　　DEATH。’"
　　Theprincerosefromhisseat，andLebedeff，surprisedtoseehisguestpreparingtogososoon，remarked:"Youarenotinterested？"inarespectfultone。
　　"Iamnotverywell，andmyheadaches。Doubtlesstheeffectofthejourney，"repliedtheprince，frowning。
　　"Youshouldgointothecountry，"saidLebedefftimidly。
　　Theprinceseemedtobeconsideringthesuggestion。
　　"Yousee，Iamgoingintothecountrymyselfinthreedays，withmychildrenandbelongings。Thelittleoneisdelicate；sheneedschangeofair；andduringourabsencethishousewillbedoneup。
　　IamgoingtoPavlofsk。"
　　"YouaregoingtoPavlofsktoo？"askedtheprincesharply。
　　"Everybodyseemstobegoingthere。Haveyouahouseinthatneighbourhood？"
　　"Idon’tknowofmanypeoplegoingtoPavlofsk，andasforthehouse，IvanPtitsinhasletmeoneofhisvillasrathercheaply。
　　Itisapleasantplace，lyingonahillsurroundedbytrees，andonecanlivethereforameresong。Thereisgoodmusictobeheard，sonowonderitispopular。Ishallstayinthelodge。Astothevillaitself……"
　　"Haveyouletit？"
　　"N-no——notexactly。"
　　"Letittome，"saidtheprince。
　　NowthiswaspreciselywhatLebedeffhadmadeuphismindtodointhelastthreeminutes。Notthathebadanydifficultyinfindingatenant；infactthehousewasoccupiedatpresentbyachancevisitor，whohadtoldLebedeffthathewouldperhapstakeitforthesummermonths。Theclerkknewverywellthatthis"PERHAPS"meant"CERTAINLY，"butashethoughthecouldmakemoreoutofatenantliketheprince，hefeltjustifiedinspeakingvaguelyaboutthepresentinhabitant’sintentions。"Thisisquiteacoincidence，"thoughthe，andwhenthesubjectofpricewasmentioned，hemadeagesturewithhishand，asiftowaiveawayaquestionofsolittleimportance。
　　"Ohwell，asyoulike！"saidMuishkin。"Iwillthinkitover。Youshalllosenothing！"
　　Theywerewalkingslowlyacrossthegarden。
　　"Butifyou……Icould……"stammeredLebedeff，"if……ifyouplease，prince，tellyousomethingonthesubjectwhichwouldinterestyou，Iamsure。"Hespokeinwheedlingtones，andwriggledashewalkedalong。
　　Muishkinstoppedshort。
　　"DariaAlexeyevnaalsohasavillaatPavlofsk。"
　　"Well？"
　　"Acertainpersonisveryfriendlywithher，andintendstovisitherprettyoften。"
　　Well？"
　　"AglayaIvanovna……"
　　"Ohstop，Lebedeff！"interposedMuishkin，feelingasifhehadbeentouchedonanopenwound。"That……thathasnothingtodowithme。Ishouldliketoknowwhenyouaregoingtostart。ThesoonerthebetterasfarasIamconcerned，forIamatanhotel。"
　　Theyhadleftthegardennow，andwerecrossingtheyardontheirwaytothegate。
　　"Well，leaveyourhotelatonceandcomehere；thenwecanallgotogethertoPavlofskthedayaftertomorrow。"
　　"Iwillthinkaboutit，"saidtheprincedreamily，andwentoff。
　　Theclerkstoodlookingafterhisguest，struckbyhissuddenabsent-mindedness。Hehadnotevenrememberedtosaygoodbye，andLebedeffwasthemoresurprisedattheomission，asheknewbyexperiencehowcourteoustheprinceusuallywas。
　　III
　　Itwasnowcloseontwelveo’clock。
　　TheprinceknewthatifhecalledattheEpanchins’nowhewouldonlyfindthegeneral，andthatthelattermightprobablycarryhimstraightofftoPavlofskwithhim；whereastherewasonevisithewasmostanxioustomakewithoutdelay。
　　SoattheriskofmissingGeneralEpanchinaltogether，andthuspostponinghisvisittoPavlofskforaday，atleast，theprincedecidedtogoandlookforthehousehedesiredtofind。
　　Thevisithewasabouttopaywas，insomerespects，ariskyone。
　　Hewasintwomindsaboutit，butknowingthatthehousewasintheGorohovaya，notfarfromtheSadovaya，hedeterminedtogointhatdirection，andtotrytomakeuphismindontheway。
　　ArrivedatthepointwheretheGorohovayacrossestheSadovaya，hewassurprisedtofindhowexcessivelyagitatedhewas。Hehadnoideathathisheartcouldbeatsopainfully。
　　OnehouseintheGorohovayabegantoattracthisattentionlongbeforehereachedit，andtheprincerememberedafterwardsthathehadsaidtohimself:"Thatisthehouse，I’msureofit。"Hecameuptoitquitecurioustodiscoverwhetherhehadguessedright，andfeltthathewouldbedisagreeablyimpressedtofindthathehadactuallydoneso。Thehousewasalargegloomy-
　　lookingstructure，withouttheslightestclaimtoarchitecturalbeauty，incolouradirtygreen。Thereareafewoftheseoldhouses，builttowardstheendofthelastcentury，stillstandinginthatpartofSt。Petersburg，andshowinglittlechangefromtheiroriginalformandcolour。Theyaresolidlybuilt，andareremarkableforthethicknessoftheirwalls，andforthefewnessoftheirwindows，manyofwhicharecoveredbygratings。Ontheground-floorthereisusuallyamoney-changer’sshop，andtheownerlivesoverit。Withoutaswellaswithin，thehousesseeminhospitableandmysterious——animpressionwhichisdifficulttoexplain，unlessithassomethingtodowiththeactualarchitecturalstyle。Thesehousesarealmostexclusivelyinhabitedbythemerchantclass。
　　Arrivedatthegate，theprincelookedupatthelegendoverit，whichran:
　　"HouseofRogojin，hereditaryandhonourablecitizen。"
　　Hehesitatednolonger；butopenedtheglazeddooratthebottomoftheouterstairsandmadehiswayuptothesecondstorey。Theplacewasdarkandgloomy-looking；thewallsofthestonestaircasewerepaintedadullred。Rogojinandhismotherandbrotheroccupiedthewholeofthesecondfloor。TheservantwhoopenedthedoortoMuishkinledhim，withouttakinghisname，throughseveralroomsandupanddownmanystepsuntiltheyarrivedatadoor，whereheknocked。
　　ParfenRogojinopenedthedoorhimself。
　　Onseeingtheprincehebecamedeadlywhite，andapparentlyfixedtotheground，sothathewasmorelikeamarblestatuethanahumanbeing。Theprincehadexpectedsomesurprise，butRogojinevidentlyconsideredhisvisitanimpossibleandmiraculousevent。Hestaredwithanexpressionalmostofterror，andhislipstwistedintoabewilderedsmile。
　　"Parfen！perhapsmyvisitisill-timed。I-Icangoawayagainifyoulike，"saidMuishkinatlast，ratherembarrassed。
　　"No，no；it’sallright，comein，"saidParfen，recollectinghimself。
　　Theywereevidentlyonquitefamiliarterms。InMoscowtheyhadhadmanyoccasionsofmeeting；indeed，somefewofthosemeetingswerebuttoovividlyimpressedupontheirmemories。Theyhadnotmetnow，however，forthreemonths。
　　Thedeathlikepallor，andasortofslightconvulsionaboutthelips，hadnotleftRogojin’sface。Thoughhewelcomedhisguest，hewasstillobviouslymuchdisturbed。Asheinvitedtheprincetositdownnearthetable，thelatterhappenedtoturntowardshim，andwasstartledbythestrangeexpressiononhisface。A
　　painfulrecollectionflashedintohismind。Hestoodforatime，lookingstraightatRogojin，whoseeyesseemedtoblazelikefire。AtlastRogojinsmiled，thoughhestilllookedagitatedandshaken。
　　"Whatareyoustaringatmelikethatfor？"hemuttered。"Sitdown。"
　　Theprincetookachair。
　　"Parfen，"hesaid，"tellmehonestly，didyouknowthatIwascomingtoPetersburgorno？"
　　"Oh，Isupposedyouwerecoming，"theotherreplied，smilingsarcastically，andIwasrightinmysupposition，yousee；buthowwasItoknowthatyouwouldcomeTODAY？"
　　Acertainstrangenessandimpatienceinhismannerimpressedtheprinceveryforcibly。
　　"AndifyouhadknownthatIwascomingtoday，whybesoirritatedaboutit？"heasked，inquietsurprise。
　　"Whydidyouaskme？"
　　"BecausewhenIjumpedoutofthetrainthismorning，twoeyesglaredatmejustasyoursdidamomentsince。"
　　"Ha！andwhoseeyesmaytheyhavebeen？"saidRogojin，suspiciously。Itseemedtotheprincethathewastrembling。
　　"Idon’tknow；Ithoughtitwasahallucination。Ioftenhavehallucinationsnowadays。IfeeljustasIdidfiveyearsagowhenmyfitswereabouttocomeon。"
　　"Well，perhapsitwasahallucination，Idon’tknow，"saidParfen。
　　Hetriedtogivetheprinceanaffectionatesmile，anditseemedtothelatterasthoughinthissmileofhissomethinghadbroken，andthathecouldnotmendit，tryashewould。
　　"Shallyougoabroadagainthen？"heasked，andsuddenlyadded，"DoyourememberhowwecameupinthetrainfromPskofftogether？Youandyourcloakandleggings，eh？"
　　AndRogojinburstoutlaughing，thistimewithunconcealedmalice，asthoughheweregladthathehadbeenabletofindanopportunityforgivingventtoit。
　　"Haveyouquitetakenupyourquartershere？"askedtheprince"Yes，I’mathome。WhereelseshouldIgoto？"
　　"Wehaven’tmetforsometime。MeanwhileIhaveheardthingsaboutyouwhichIshouldnothavebelievedtobepossible。"
　　"Whatofthat？Peoplewillsayanything，"saidRogojindrily。
　　"Atallevents，you’vedisbandedyourtroop——andyouarelivinginyourownhouseinsteadofbeingfastandlooseabouttheplace；
　　that’sallverygood。Isthishouseallyours，orjointproperty？"
　　"Itismymother’s。Yougettoherapartmentsbythatpassage。"
　　"Where’syourbrother？"
　　"Intheotherwing。"
　　"Ishemarried？"
　　"Widower。Whydoyouwanttoknowallthis？"
　　Theprincelookedathim，butsaidnothing。Hehadsuddenlyrelapsedintomusing，andhadprobablynotheardthequestionatall。Rogojindidnotinsistuponananswer，andtherewassilenceforafewmoments。
　　"Iguessedwhichwasyourhousefromahundredyardsoff，"saidtheprinceatlast。
　　"Whyso？"
　　"Idon’tquiteknow。Yourhousehastheaspectofyourselfandallyourfamily；itbearsthestampoftheRogojinlife；butaskmewhyIthinkso，andIcantellyounothing。Itisnonsense，ofcourse。Iamnervousaboutthiskindofthingtroublingmesomuch。Ihadneverbeforeimaginedwhatsortofahouseyouwouldlivein，andyetnosoonerdidIseteyesonthisonethanIsaidtomyselfthatitmustbeyours。"
　　"Really！"saidRogojinvaguely，nottakinginwhattheprincemeantbyhisratherobscureremarks。
　　Theroomtheywerenowsittinginwasalargeone，loftybutdark，wellfurnished，principallywithwriting-tablesanddeskscoveredwithpapersandbooks。AwidesofacoveredwithredmoroccoevidentlyservedRogojinforabed。Onthetablebesidewhichtheprincehadbeeninvitedtoseathimselflaysomebooks；
　　onecontainingamarkerwherethereaderhadleftoff，wasavolumeofSolovieff’sHistory。Someoil-paintingsinworngildedframeshungonthewalls，butitwasimpossibletomakeoutwhatsubjectstheyrepresented，soblackenedweretheybysmokeandage。One，alife-sizedportrait，attractedtheprince’sattention。Itshowedamanofaboutfifty，wearingalongriding-
　　coatofGermancut。Hehadtwomedalsonhisbreast；hisbeardwaswhite，shortandthin；hisfaceyellowandwrinkled，withasly，suspiciousexpressionintheeyes。
　　"Thatisyourfather，isitnot？"askedtheprince。
　　"Yes，itis，"repliedRogojinwithanunpleasantsmile，asifhehadexpectedhisguesttoaskthequestion，andthentomakesomedisagreeableremark。
　　"WasheoneoftheOldBelievers？"
　　"No，hewenttochurch，buttotellthetruthhereallypreferredtheoldreligion。Thiswashisstudyandisnowmine。WhydidyouaskifhewereanOldBeliever？"
　　"Areyougoingtobemarriedhere？"
　　"Ye-yes！"repliedRogojin，startingattheunexpectedquestion。
　　"Soon？"
　　"Youknowyourselfitdoesnotdependonme。"
　　"Parfen，Iamnotyourenemy，andIdonotintendtoopposeyourintentionsinanyway。IrepeatthistoyounowjustasIsaidittoyouoncebeforeonaverysimilaroccasion。WhenyouwerearrangingforyourprojectedmarriageinMoscow，Ididnotinterferewithyou——youknowIdidnot。Thatfirsttimeshefledtomefromyou，fromtheveryaltaralmost，andbeggedmeto’saveherfromyou。’Afterwardssheranawayfrommeagain，andyoufoundherandarrangedyourmarriagewithheroncemore；andnow，Ihear，shehasrunawayfromyouandcometoPetersburg。
　　Isittrue？Lebedeffwrotemetothiseffect，andthat’swhyIcamehere。ThatyouhadoncemorearrangedmatterswithNastasiaPhilipovnaIonlylearnedlastnightinthetrainfromafriendofyours，Zaleshoff——ifyouwishtoknow。
　　"IconfessIcameherewithanobject。IwishedtopersuadeNastasiatogoabroadforherhealth；sherequiresit。Bothmindandbodyneedachangebadly。Ididnotintendtotakeherabroadmyself。Iwasgoingtoarrangeforhertogowithoutme。NowI
　　tellyouhonestly，Parfen，ifitistruethatallismadeupbetweenyou，Iwillnotsomuchasseteyesuponher，andIwillneverevencometoseeyouagain。
　　"YouknowquitewellthatIamtellingthetruth，becauseIhavealwaysbeenfrankwithyou。Ihaveneverconcealedmyownopinionfromyou。IhavealwaystoldyouthatIconsideramarriagebetweenyouandherwouldberuintoher。Youwouldalsoberuined，andperhapsevenmorehopelessly。Ifthismarriageweretobebrokenoffagain，IadmitIshouldbegreatlypleased；butatthesametimeIhavenottheslightestintentionoftryingtopartyou。Youmaybequiteeasyinyourmind，andyouneednotsuspectme。YouknowyourselfwhetherIwaseverreallyyourrivalornot，evenwhensheranawayandcametome。
　　"There，youarelaughingatme——Iknowwhyyoulaugh。Itisperfectlytruethatwelivedapartfromoneanotherallthetime，indifferenttowns。ItoldyoubeforethatIdidnotloveherwithlove，butwithpity！Yousaidthenthatyouunderstoodme；
　　didyoureallyunderstandmeornot？Whathatredthereisinyoureyesatthismoment！Icametorelieveyourmind，becauseyouaredeartomealso。Iloveyouverymuch，Parfen；andnowIshallgoawayandnevercomebackagain。Goodbye。"
　　Theprincerose。
　　"Stayalittle，"saidParfen，notleavinghischairandrestinghisheadonhisrighthand。"Ihaven’tseenyouforalongtime。"
　　Theprincesatdownagain。Bothweresilentforafewmoments。
　　"WhenyouarenotwithmeIhateyou，LefNicolaievitch。IhaveloathedyoueverydayofthesethreemonthssinceIlastsawyou。
　　ByheavenIhave！"saidRogojin。"Icouldhavepoisonedyouatanyminute。Now，youhavebeenwithmebutaquarterofanhour，andallmymaliceseemstohavemeltedaway，andyouareasdeartomeasever。Stayherealittlelonger。"
　　"WhenIamwithyouyoutrustme；butassoonasmybackisturnedyoususpectme，"saidtheprince，smiling，andtryingtohidehisemotion。
　　"Itrustyourvoice，whenIhearyouspeak。IquiteunderstandthatyouandIcannotbeputonalevel，ofcourse。"
　　"Whydidyouaddthat？——There！Nowyouarecrossagain，"saidtheprince，wondering。
　　"Wewerenotasked，yousee。Weweremadedifferent，withdifferenttastesandfeelings，withoutbeingconsulted。Yousayyouloveherwithpity。Ihavenopityforher。Shehatesme——
　　that’stheplaintruthofthematter。Idreamofhereverynight，andalwaysthatsheislaughingatmewithanotherman。Andsoshedoeslaughatme。Shethinksnomoreofmarryingmethanifshewerechanginghershoe。Wouldyoubelieveit，Ihaven’tseenherforfivedays，andIdaren’tgonearher。SheasksmewhatI
　　comefor，asifshewerenotcontentwithhavingdisgracedme——"
　　"Disgracedyou！How？"
　　"Justasthoughyoudidn’tknow！Why，sheranawayfromme，andwenttoyou。Youadmittedityourself，justnow。"
　　"Butsurelyyoudonotbelievethatshe……"
　　"ThatshedidnotdisgracemeatMoscowwiththatofficer。
　　Zemtuznikoff？Iknowforcertainshedid，afterhavingfixedourmarriage-dayherself！"
　　"Impossible！"criedtheprince。
　　"Iknowitforafact，"repliedRogojin，withconviction。
　　"Itisnotlikeher，yousay？Myfriend，that’sabsurd。Perhapssuchanactwouldhorrifyher，ifshewerewithyou，butitisquitedifferentwhereIamconcerned。Shelooksonmeasvermin。
　　HeraffairwithKellerwassimplytomakealaughing-stockofme。
　　Youdon’tknowwhatafoolshemadeofmeinMoscow；andthemoneyIspentoverher！Themoney！themoney！"
　　"Andyoucanmarryhernow，Parfen！Whatwillcomeofitall？"
　　saidtheprince，withdreadinhisvoice。
　　Rogojingazedbackgloomily，andwithaterribleexpressioninhiseyes，butsaidnothing。
　　"Ihaven’tbeentoseeherforfivedays，"herepeated，afteraslightpause。"I’mafraidofbeingturnedout。Shesaysshe’sstillherownmistress，andmayturnmeoffaltogether，andgoabroad。Shetoldmethisherself，"hesaid，withapeculiarglanceatMuishkin。"Ithinksheoftendoesitmerelytofrightenme。Sheisalwayslaughingatme，forsomereasonorother；butatothertimesshe’sangry，andwon’tsayaword，andthat’swhatI’mafraidof。Itookherashawloneday，thelikeofwhichshemightneverhaveseen，althoughshedidliveinluxuryandshegaveitawaytohermaid，Katia。SometimeswhenIcankeepawaynolonger，Istealpastthehouseonthesly，andonceIwatchedatthegatetilldawn——Ithoughtsomethingwasgoingon——andshesawmefromthewindow。SheaskedmewhatIshoulddoifIfoundshehaddeceivedme。Isaid，’Youknowwellenough。’"
　　"Whatdidsheknow？"criedtheprince。
　　"HowwasItotell？"repliedRogojin，withanangrylaugh。"IdidmybesttocatchhertrippinginMoscow，butdidnotsucceed。
　　However，Icaughtholdofheroneday，andsaid:’Youareengagedtobemarriedintoarespectablefamily，anddoyouknowwhatsortofawomanyouare？THAT’Sthesortofwomanyouare，’I
　　said。"
　　"Youtoldherthat？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Well，goon。"
　　"Shesaid，’Iwouldn’tevenhaveyouforafootmannow，muchlessforahusband。’’Ishan’tleavethehouse，’Isaid，’soitdoesn’tmatter。’’ThenIshallcallsomebodyandhaveyoukickedout，’shecried。SothenIrushedather，andbeathertillshewasbruisedallover。"
　　"Impossible！"criedtheprince，aghast。
　　"Itellyouit’strue，"saidRogojinquietly，butwitheyesablazewithpassion。
　　"ThenforadayandahalfIneitherslept，norate，nordrank，andwouldnotleaveher。Ikneltatherfeet:’Ishalldiehere，’
　　Isaid，’ifyoudon’tforgiveme；andifyouhavemeturnedout，Ishalldrownmyself；because，whatshouldIbewithoutyounow？’
　　Shewaslikeamadwomanallthatday；nowshewouldcry；nowshewouldthreatenmewithaknife；nowshewouldabuseme。ShecalledinZaleshoffandKeller，andshowedmetothem，shamedmeintheirpresence。’Let’sallgotothetheatre，’shesays，’andleavehimhereifhewon’tgo——it’snotmybusiness。They’llgiveyousometea，ParfenSemeonovitch，whileIamaway，foryoumustbehungry。’Shecamebackfromthetheatrealone。’Thosecowardswouldn’tcome，’shesaid。’Theyareafraidofyou，andtriedtofrightenme，too。"Hewon’tgoawayashecame，"theysaid，"he’llcutyourthroat——seeifhedoesn’t。"Now，Ishallgotomybedroom，andIshallnotevenlockmydoor，justtoshowyouhowmuchIamafraidofyou。Youmustbeshownthatonceforall。Didyouhavetea？’’No，’Isaid，’andIdon’tintendto。’’Ha，ha！
　　youareplayingoffyourprideagainstyourstomach！Thatsortofheroismdoesn’tsitwellonyou，’shesaid。
　　"Withthatshedidasshehadsaidshewould；shewenttobed，anddidnotlockherdoor。Inthemorningshecameout。’Areyouquitemad？’shesaid，sharply。’Why，you’lldieofhungerlikethis。’’Forgiveme，’Isaid。’No，Iwon’t，andIwon’tmarryyou。
　　I’vesaidit。Surelyyouhaven’tsatinthischairallnightwithoutsleeping？’’Ididn’tsleep，’Isaid。’H’m！howsensibleofyou。Andareyougoingtohavenobreakfastordinnertoday？’
　　’ItoldyouIwouldn’t。Forgiveme！’’You’venoideahowunbecomingthissortofthingistoyou，’shesaid，’it’slikeputtingasaddleonacow’sback。Doyouthinkyouarefrighteningme？Myword，whatadreadfulthingthatyoushouldsithereandeatnofood！HowterriblyfrightenedIam！’Shewasn’tangrylong，anddidn’tseemtoremembermyoffenceatall。
　　Iwassurprised，forsheisavindictive，resentfulwoman——butthenIthoughtthatperhapsshedespisedmetoomuchtofeelanyresentmentagainstme。Andthat’sthetruth。
　　"Shecameuptomeandsaid，’DoyouknowwhothePopeofRomeis？’’I’veheardofhim，’Isaid。’Isupposeyou’vereadtheUniversalHistory，ParfenSemeonovitch，haven’tyou？’sheasked。
　　’I’velearnednothingatall，’Isaid。’ThenI’lllendittoyoutoread。YoumustknowtherewasaRomanPopeonce，andhewasveryangrywithacertainEmperor；sotheEmperorcameandneitheratenordrank，butkneltbeforethePope’spalacetillheshouldbeforgiven。AndwhatsortofvowsdoyouthinkthatEmperorwasmakingduringallthosedaysonhisknees？Stop，I’llreadittoyou！’Thenshereadmealotofverses，whereitsaidthattheEmperorspentallthetimevowingvengeanceagainstthePope。’Youdon’tmeantosayyoudon’tapproveofthepoem，ParfenSemeonovitch，’shesays。’Allyouhavereadoutisperfectlytrue，’sayI。’Aha！’saysshe，’youadmitit’strue，doyou？AndyouaremakingvowstoyourselfthatifImarryyou，youwillremindmeofallthis，andtakeitoutofme。’’Idon’tknow，’I
　　say，’perhapsIwasthinkinglikethat，andperhapsIwasnot。
　　I’mnotthinkingofanythingjustnow。’’Whatareyourthoughts，then？’’I’mthinkingthatwhenyourisefromyourchairandgopastme，Iwatchyou，andfollowyouwithmyeyes；ifyourdressdoesbutrustle，myheartsinks；ifyouleavetheroom，Iremembereverylittlewordandaction，andwhatyourvoicesoundedlike，andwhatyousaid。Ithoughtofnothingalllastnight，butsatherelisteningtoyoursleepingbreath，andheardyoumovealittle，twice。’’Andasforyourattackuponme，’shesays，’IsupposeyouneveroncethoughtofTHAT？’’PerhapsIdidthinkofit，andperhapsnot，’Isay。AndwhatifIdon’teitherforgiveyouormarry，you’’ItellyouIshallgoanddrownmyself。’’H’m！’shesaid，andthenrelapsedintosilence。Thenshegotangry，andwentout。’Isupposeyou’dmurdermebeforeyoudrownedyourself，though！’shecriedasshelefttheroom。
　　"Anhourlater，shecametomeagain，lookingmelancholy。’Iwillmarryyou，ParfenSemeonovitch，’shesays，notbecauseI’mfrightenedofyou，butbecauseit’sallthesametomehowIruinmyself。AndhowcanIdoitbetter？Sitdown；they’llbringyousomedinnerdirectly。AndifIdomarryyou，I’llbeafaithfulwifetoyou——youneednotdoubtthat。’Thenshethoughtabit，andsaid，’Atallevents，youarenotaflunkey；atfirst，I
　　thoughtyouwerenobetterthanaflunkey。’Andshearrangedtheweddingandfixedthedaystraightawayonthespot。
　　"Then，inanotherweek，shehadrunawayagain，andcameheretoLebedeff’s；andwhenIfoundherhere，shesaidtome，’I’mnotgoingtorenounceyoualtogether，butIwishtoputofftheweddingabitlongeryet——justaslongasIlike——forIamstillmyownmistress；soyoumaywait，ifyoulike。’That’showthematterstandsbetweenusnow。Whatdoyouthinkofallthis，LefNicolaievitch？"
　　"’Whatdoyouthinkofityourself？"repliedtheprince，lookingsadlyatRogojin。
　　"AsifIcanthinkanythingaboutit！I——"Hewasabouttosaymore，butstoppedindespair。
　　Theprinceroseagain，asifhewouldleave。
　　"Atallevents，Ishallnotinterferewithyou！"hemurmured，asthoughmakinganswertosomesecretthoughtofhisown。
　　"I’lltellyouwhat！"criedRogojin，andhiseyesflashedfire。
　　"Ican’tunderstandyouryieldinghertomelikethis；Idon’tunderstandit。Haveyougivenuplovingheraltogether？Atfirstyousufferedbadly——Iknowit——Isawit。Besides，whydidyoucomepost-hasteafterus？Outofpity，eh？He，he，he！"Hismouthcurvedinamockingsmile。
　　"DoyouthinkIamdeceivingyou？"askedtheprince。
　　"No！Itrustyou——butIcan’tunderstand。Itseemstomethatyourpityisgreaterthanmylove。"Ahungrylongingtospeakhismindoutseemedtoflashintheman’seyes，combinedwithanintenseanger。
　　"Yourloveismingledwithhatred，andtherefore，whenyourlovepasses，therewillbethegreatermisery，"saidtheprince。"I
　　tellyouthis，Parfen——"
　　"What！thatI’llcutherthroat，youmean？"
　　Theprinceshuddered。
　　"You’llhateherafterwardsforallyourpresentlove，andforallthetormentyouaresufferingonheraccountnow。Whatseemstomethemostextraordinarythingis，thatshecanagainconsenttomarryyou，afterallthathaspassedbetweenyou。WhenIheardthenewsyesterday，Icouldhardlybringmyselftobelieveit。
　　Why，shehasruntwicefromyou，fromtheveryaltarrails，asitwere。Shemusthavesomepresentimentofevil。Whatcanshewantwithyounow？Yourmoney？Nonsense！Besides，Ishouldthinkyoumusthavemadeafairlylargeholeinyourfortunealready。
　　Surelyitisnotbecausesheissoveryanxioustofindahusband？Shecouldfindmanyaonebesidesyourself。Anyonewouldbebetterthanyou，becauseyouwillmurderher，andIfeelsureshemustknowthatbuttoowellbynow。Isitbecauseyoulovehersopassionately？Indeed，thatmaybeit。Ihaveheardthattherearewomenwhowantjustthatkindoflove……butstill……"
　　Theprincepaused，reflectively。
　　"Whatareyougrinningatmyfather’sportraitagainfor？"askedRogojin，suddenly。Hewascarefullyobservingeverychangeintheexpressionoftheprince’sface。
　　"Ismiledbecausetheideacameintomyheadthatifitwerenotforthisunhappypassionofyoursyoumighthave，andwouldhave，becomejustsuchamanasyourfather，andthatveryquickly，too。You’dhavesettleddowninthishouseofyourswithsomesilentandobedientwife。Youwouldhavespokenrarely，trustednoone，heedednoone，andthoughtofnothingbutmakingmoney。"
　　"Laughaway！Shesaidexactlythesame，almostwordforword，whenshesawmyfather’sportrait。It’sremarkablehowentirelyyouandsheareatonenow-a-days。"
　　"What，hasshebeenhere？"askedtheprincewithcuriosity。
　　"Yes！Shelookedlongattheportraitandaskedallaboutmyfather。’You’dbejustsuchanother，’shesaidatlast，andlaughed。’Youhavesuchstrongpassions，Parfen，’shesaid，’thatthey’dhavetakenyoutoSiberiainnotimeifyouhadnot，luckily，intelligenceaswell。Foryouhaveagooddealofintelligence。’Shesaidthis——believeitornot。ThefirsttimeIeverheardanythingofthatsortfromher。’You’dsoonhavethrownupallthisrowdyismthatyouindulgeinnow，andyou’dhavesettleddowntoquiet，steadymoney-making，becauseyouhavelittleeducation；andhereyou’dhavestayedjustlikeyourfatherbeforeyou。Andyou’dhavelovedyourmoneysothatyou’damassnottwomillion，likehim，buttenmillion；andyou’dhavediedofhungeronyourmoneybagstofinishupwith，foryoucarryeverythingtoextremes。’There，that’sexactlywordforwordasshesaidittome。Shenevertalkedtomelikethatbefore。Shealwaystalksnonsenseandlaughswhenshe’swithme。
　　Wewentalloverthisoldhousetogether。’Ishallchangeallthis，’Isaid，’orelseI’llbuyanewhouseforthewedding。’
　　’No，no！’shesaid，’don’ttouchanything；leaveitallasitis；
　　IshalllivewithyourmotherwhenImarryyou。’
　　"Itookhertoseemymother，andshewasasrespectfulandkindasthoughshewereherowndaughter。Motherhasbeenalmostdementedeversincefatherdied——she’sanoldwoman。Shesitsandbowsfromherchairtoeveryoneshesees。Ifyouleftheraloneanddidn’tfeedherforthreedays，Idon’tbelieveshewouldnoticeit。Well，Itookherhand，andIsaid，’Giveyourblessingtothislady，mother，she’sgoingtobemywife。’SoNastasiakissedmother’shandwithgreatfeeling。’Shemusthavesufferedterribly，hasn’tshe？’shesaid。Shesawthisbookherelyingbeforeme。’What！haveyoubeguntoreadRussianhistory？’sheasked。ShetoldmeonceinMoscow，youknow，thatIhadbettergetSolovieff’sRussianHistoryandreadit，becauseIknewnothing。’That’sgood，’shesaid，’yougoonlikethat，readingbooks。I’llmakeyoualistmyselfofthebooksyououghttoreadfirst——shallI？’Shehadneveroncespokentomelikethisbefore；itwasthefirsttimeIfeltIcouldbreathebeforeherlikealivingcreature。"
　　"I’mvery，verygladtohearofthis，Parfen，"saidtheprince，withrealfeeling。"Whoknows？MaybeGodwillyetbringyouneartooneanother。"
　　"Never，never！"criedRogojin，excitedly。
　　"Lookhere，Parfen；ifyoulovehersomuch，surelyyoumustbeanxioustoearnherrespect？Andifyoudosowish，surelyyoumayhopeto？IsaidjustnowthatIconsidereditextraordinarythatshecouldstillbereadytomarryyou。Well，thoughIcannotyetunderstandit，Ifeelsureshemusthavesomegoodreason，orshewouldn’tdoit。Sheissureofyourlove；butbesidesthat，shemustattributeSOMETHINGelsetoyou——somegoodqualities，otherwisethethingwouldnotbe。Whatyouhavejustsaidconfirmsmywords。Yousayyourselfthatshefounditpossibletospeaktoyouquitedifferentlyfromherusualmanner。Youaresuspicious，youknow，andjealous，thereforewhenanythingannoyinghappenstoyou，youexaggerateitssignificance。Ofcourse，ofcourse，shedoesnotthinksoillofyouasyousay。
　　Why，ifshedid，shewouldsimplybewalkingtodeathbydrowningorbytheknife，withhereyeswideopen，whenshemarriedyou。
　　Itisimpossible！Asifanybodywouldgototheirdeathdeliberately！"
　　Rogojinlistenedtotheprince’sexcitedwordswithabittersmile。Hisconvictionwas，apparently，unalterable。
　　"Howdreadfullyyoulookatme，Parfen！"saidtheprince，withafeelingofdread。
　　"Waterortheknife？"saidthelatter，atlast。"Ha，ha——that’sexactlywhysheisgoingtomarryme，becausesheknowsforcertainthattheknifeawaitsher。Prince，canitbethatyoudon’tevenyetseewhat’sattherootofitall？"
　　"Idon’tunderstandyou。"
　　"Perhapshereallydoesn’tunderstandme！Theydosaythatyouarea——youknowwhat！Shelovesanother——there，youcanunderstandthatmuch！JustasIloveher，exactlysoshelovesanotherman。Andthatothermanis——doyouknowwho？It’syou。
　　There——youdidn’tknowthat，eh？"
　　"I？"
　　"You，you！Shehaslovedyoueversincethatday，herbirthday！
　　Onlyshethinksshecannotmarryyou，becauseitwouldbetheruinofyou。’EverybodyknowswhatsortofawomanIam，’shesays。Shetoldmeallthisherself，tomyveryface！She’safraidofdisgracingandruiningyou，shesays，butitdoesn’tmatteraboutme。Shecanmarrymeallright！Noticehowmuchconsiderationsheshowsforme！"
　　"Butwhydidsherunawaytome，andthenagainfrommeto——"
　　"Fromyoutome？Ha，ha！that’snothing！Why，shealwaysactsasthoughshewereinadeliriumnow-a-days！Eithershesays，’Comeon，I’llmarryyou！Let’shavetheweddingquickly！’andfixestheday，andseemsinahurryforit，andwhenitbeginstocomenearshefeelsfrightened；orelsesomeotherideagetsintoherhead——goodnessknows！you’veseenher——youknowhowshegoeson——
　　laughingandcryingandraving！There’snothingextraordinaryaboutherhavingrunawayfromyou！Sheranawaybecauseshefoundouthowdearlyshelovedyou。Shecouldnotbeartobenearyou。YousaidjustnowthatIhadfoundheratMoscow，whensheranawayfromyou。Ididn’tdoanythingofthesort；shecametomeherself，straightfromyou。’Nametheday——I’mready！’shesaid。’Let’shavesomechampagne，andgoandhearthegipsiessing！’Itellyoushe’dhavethrownherselfintothewaterlongagoifitwerenotforme！Shedoesn’tdoitbecauseIam，perhaps，evenmoredreadfultoherthanthewater！She’smarryingmeoutofspite；ifshemarriesme，Itellyou，itwillbeforspite！"
　　"Buthowdoyou，howcanyou——"begantheprince，gazingwithdreadandhorroratRogojin。
　　"Whydon’tyoufinishyoursentence？ShallItellyouwhatyouwerethinkingtoyourselfjustthen？Youwerethinking，’Howcanshemarryhimafterthis？Howcanitpossiblybepermitted？’Oh，Iknowwhatyouwerethinkingabout！"
　　"Ididn’tcomehereforthatpurpose，Parfen。Thatwasnotinmymind——"
　　"Thatmaybe！Perhapsyoudidn’tCOMEwiththeidea，buttheideaiscertainlythereNOW！Ha，ha！well，that’senough！Whatareyouupsetabout？Didn’tyoureallyknowitallbefore？Youastonishme！"
　　"Allthisismerejealousy——itissomemaladyofyours，Parfen！
　　Youexaggerateeverything，"saidtheprince，excessivelyagitated。"Whatareyoudoing？"
　　"Letgoofit！"saidParfen，seizingfromtheprince’shandaknifewhichthelatterhadatthatmomenttakenupfromthetable，whereitlaybesidethehistory。Parfenreplaceditwhereithadbeen。
　　"Iseemedtoknowit——Ifeltit，whenIwascomingbacktoPetersburg，"continuedtheprince，"Ididnotwanttocome，I
　　wishedtoforgetallthis，touprootitfrommymemoryaltogether！Well，good-bye——whatisthematter？"
　　Hehadabsentlytakenuptheknifeasecondtime，andagainRogojinsnatcheditfromhishand，andthrewitdownonthetable。Itwasaplainlookingknife，withabonehandle，abladeabouteightincheslong，andbroadinproportion，itdidnotclasp。
　　Seeingthattheprincewasconsiderablystruckbythefactthathehadtwiceseizedthisknifeoutofhishand，Rogojincaughtitupwithsomeirritation，putitinsidethebook，andthrewthelatteracrosstoanothertable。
　　"Doyoucutyourpageswithit，orwhat？"askedMuishkin，stillratherabsently，asthoughunabletothrowoffadeeppreoccupationintowhichtheconversationhadthrownhim。
　　"Yes。"
　　"It’sagardenknife，isn’tit？"
　　"Yes。Can’tonecutpageswithagardenknife？"
　　"It’squitenew。"
　　"Well，whatofthat？Can’tIbuyanewknifeifIlike？"shoutedRogojinfuriously，hisirritationgrowingwitheveryword。
　　Theprinceshuddered，andgazedfixedlyatParfen。Suddenlyheburstoutlaughing。
　　"Why，whatanidea！"hesaid。"Ididn’tmeantoaskyouanyofthesequestions；Iwasthinkingofsomethingquitedifferent！Butmyheadisheavy，andIseemsoabsent-mindednowadays！Well，good-bye——Ican’trememberwhatIwantedtosay——good-bye！"
　　"Notthatway，"saidRogojin。
　　"There，I’veforgottenthattoo！"
　　"Thisway——comealong——I’llshowyou。"
　　IV。
　　THEYpassedthroughthesameroomswhichtheprincehadtraversedonhisarrival。Inthelargesttherewerepicturesonthewalls，portraitsandlandscapesoflittleinterest。Overthedoor，however，therewasoneofstrangeandratherstrikingshape；itwassixorsevenfeetinlength，andnotmorethanafootinheight。ItrepresentedtheSaviourjusttakenfromthecross。
　　Theprinceglancedatit，buttooknofurthernotice。Hemovedonhastily，asthoughanxioustogetoutofthehouse。ButRogojinsuddenlystoppedunderneaththepicture。
　　"Myfatherpickedupallthesepicturesverycheapatauctions，andsoon，"hesaid；"theyareallrubbish，excepttheoneoverthedoor，andthatisvaluable。Amanofferedfivehundredroublesforitlastweek。"
　　"Yes——that’sacopyofaHolbein，"saidtheprince，lookingatitagain，"andagoodcopy，too，sofarasIamabletojudge。Isawthepictureabroad，andcouldnotforgetit——what’sthematter？"
　　Rogojinhaddroppedthesubjectofthepictureandwalkedon。Ofcoursehisstrangeframeofmindwassufficienttoaccountforhisconduct；but，still，itseemedqueertotheprincethatheshouldsoabruptlydropaconversationcommencedbyhimself。
　　Rogojindidnottakeanynoticeofhisquestion。
　　"LefNicolaievitch，"saidRogojin，afterapause，duringwhichthetwowalkedalongalittlefurther，"Ihavelongwishedtoaskyou，doyoubelieveinGod？"
　　"Howstrangelyyouspeak，andhowoddyoulook！"saidtheother，involuntarily。
　　"Ilikelookingatthatpicture，"mutteredRogojin，notnoticing，apparently，thattheprincehadnotansweredhisquestion。
　　"Thatpicture！Thatpicture！"criedMuishkin，struckbyasuddenidea。"Why，aman’sfaithmightberuinedbylookingatthatpicture！"
　　"Soitis！"saidRogojin，unexpectedly。Theyhadnowreachedthefrontdoor。
　　Theprincestopped。
　　"How？"hesaid。"Whatdoyoumean？Iwashalfjoking，andyoutookmeupquiteseriously！WhydoyouaskmewhetherIbelieveinGod"Oh，noparticularreason。Imeanttoaskyoubefore——manypeopleareunbelieversnowadays，especiallyRussians，Ihavebeentold。
　　Yououghttoknow——you’velivedabroad。"
　　Rogojinlaughedbitterlyashesaidthesewords，andopeningthedoor，helditfortheprincetopassout。Muishkinlookedsurprised，butwentout。Theotherfollowedhimasfarasthelandingoftheouterstairs，andshutthedoorbehindhim。Theybothnowstoodfacingoneanother，asthoughobliviousofwheretheywere，orwhattheyhadtodonext。
　　"Well，good-bye！"saidtheprince，holdingouthishand。
　　"Good-bye，"saidRogojin，pressingithard，butquitemechanically。
　　Theprincemadeonestepforward，andthenturnedround。
　　"Astofaith，"hesaid，smiling，andevidentlyunwillingtoleaveRogojininthisstate——"astofaith，Ihadfourcuriousconversationsintwodays，aweekorsoago。OnemorningImetamaninthetrain，andmadeacquaintancewithhimatonce。Ihadoftenheardofhimasaverylearnedman，butanatheist；andI
　　wasverygladoftheopportunityofconversingwithsoeminentandcleveraperson。Hedoesn’tbelieveinGod，andhetalkedagooddealaboutit，butallthewhileitappearedtomethathewasspeakingOUTSIDETHESUBJECT。Andithasalwaysstruckme，bothinspeakingtosuchmenandinreadingtheirbooks，thattheydonotseemreallytobetouchingonthatatall，thoughonthesurfacetheymayappeartodoso。Itoldhimthis，butIdaresayIdidnotclearlyexpresswhatImeant，forhecouldnotunderstandme。
　　"ThatsameeveningIstoppedatasmallprovincialhotel，anditsohappenedthatadreadfulmurderhadbeencommittedtherethenightbefore，andeverybodywastalkingaboutit。Twopeasants——
　　elderlymenandoldfriends——hadhadteatogethertherethenightbefore，andweretooccupythesamebedroom。Theywerenotdrunkbutoneofthemhadnoticedforthefirsttimethathisfriendpossessedasilverwatchwhichhewaswearingonachain。Hewasbynomeansathief，andwas，aspeasantsgo，arichman；butthiswatchsofascinatedhimthathecouldnotrestrainhimself。
　　Hetookaknife，andwhenhisfriendturnedhisback，hecameupsoftlybehind，raisedhiseyestoheaven，crossedhimself，andsayingearnestly——’Godforgiveme，forChrist’ssake！’hecuthisfriend’sthroatlikeasheep，andtookthewatch。"
　　Rogojinroaredwithlaughter。Helaughedasthoughhewereinasortoffit。Itwasstrangetoseehimlaughingsoafterthesombremoodhehadbeeninjustbefore。
　　"Oh，Ilikethat！Thatbeatsanything！"hecriedconvulsively，pantingforbreath。"Oneisanabsoluteunbeliever；theotherissuchathorough——goingbelieverthathemurdershisfriendtothetuneofaprayer！Oh，prince，prince，that’stoogoodforanything！Youcan’thaveinventedit。It’sthebestthingI’veheard！"
　　"NextmorningIwentoutforastrollthroughthetown，"
　　continuedtheprince，sosoonasRogojinwasalittlequieter，thoughhislaughterstillburstoutatintervals，"andsoonobservedadrunken-lookingsoldierstaggeringaboutthepavement。
　　Hecameuptomeandsaid，’Buymysilvercross，sir！Youshallhaveitforfourpence——it’srealsilver。’Ilooked，andthereheheldacross，justtakenoffhisownneck，evidently，alargetinone，madeaftertheByzantinepattern。Ifishedoutfourpence，andputhiscrossonmyownneck，andIcouldseebyhisfacethathewasaspleasedashecouldbeatthethoughtthathehadsucceededincheatingafoolishgentleman，andawayhewenttodrinkthevalueofhiscross。AtthattimeeverythingthatIsawmadeatremendousimpressionuponme。IhadunderstoodnothingaboutRussiabefore，andhadonlyvagueandfantasticmemoriesofit。SoIthought，’IwillwaitawhilebeforeIcondemnthisJudas。OnlyGodknowswhatmaybehiddenintheheartsofdrunkards。’
　　"Well，Iwenthomewards，andnearthehotelIcameacrossapoorwoman，carryingachild——ababyofsomesixweeksold。Themotherwasquiteagirlherself。Thebabywassmilingupather，forthefirsttimeinitslife，justatthatmoment；andwhileIwatchedthewomanshesuddenlycrossedherself，oh，sodevoutly！’Whatisit，mygoodwomanIaskedher。Iwasneverbutaskingquestionsthen！Exactlyasisamother’sjoywhenherbabysmilesforthefirsttimeintohereyes，soisGod’sjoywhenoneofHischildrenturnsandpraystoHimforthefirsttime，withallhisheart！’Thisiswhatthatpoorwomansaidtome，almostwordforword；andsuchadeep，refined，trulyreligiousthoughtitwas——athoughtinwhichthewholeessenceofChristianitywasexpressedinoneflash——thatis，therecognitionofGodasourFather，andofGod’sjoyinmenasHisownchildren，whichisthechiefideaofChrist。Shewasasimplecountry-woman——amother，it’strue——
　　andperhaps，whoknows，shemayhavebeenthewifeofthedrunkensoldier！
　　"Listen，Parfen；youputaquestiontomejustnow。Thisismyreply。Theessenceofreligiousfeelinghasnothingtodowithreason，oratheism，orcrime，oractsofanykind——ithasnothingtodowiththesethings——andneverhad。Thereissomethingbesidesallthis，somethingwhichtheargumentsoftheatheistscannevertouch。Buttheprincipalthing，andtheconclusionofmyargument，isthatthisismostclearlyseenintheheartofaRussian。ThisisaconvictionwhichIhavegainedwhileIhavebeeninthisRussiaofours。Yes，Parfen！thereisworktobedone；thereisworktobedoneinthisRussianworld！RememberwhattalksweusedtohaveinMoscow！AndIneverwishedtocomehereatall；andIneverthoughttomeetyoulikethis，Parfen！
　　Well，well——good-bye——good-bye！Godbewithyou！"
　　Heturnedandwentdownstairs。
　　"LefNicolaievitch！"criedParfen，beforehehadreachedthenextlanding。"Haveyougotthatcrossyouboughtfromthesoldierwithyou？"
　　"Yes，Ihave，"andtheprincestoppedagain。
　　"Showitme，willyou？"
　　Anewfancy！Theprincereflected，andthenmountedthestairsoncemore。Hepulledoutthecrosswithouttakingitoffhisneck。
　　"Giveittome，"saidParfen。
　　"Why？doyou——"
　　Theprincewouldratherhavekeptthisparticularcross。
　　"I’llwearit；andyoushallhavemine。I’lltakeitoffatonce。"
　　"Youwishtoexchangecrosses？Verywell，Parfen，ifthat’sthecase，I’mgladenough——thatmakesusbrothers，youknow。"
　　Theprincetookoffhistincross，Parfenhisgoldone，andtheexchangewasmade。
　　Parfenwassilent。Withsadsurprisetheprinceobservedthatthelookofdistrust，thebitter，ironicalsmile，hadstillnotaltogetherlefthisnewly-adoptedbrother’sface。Atmoments，atallevents，itshoweditselfbuttooplainly，AtlastRogojintooktheprince’shand，andstoodsoforsomemoments，asthoughhecouldnotmakeuphismind。Thenhedrewhimalong，murmuringalmostinaudibly，"Come！"
　　Theystoppedonthelanding，andrangthebellatadooroppositetoParfen’sownlodging。
　　AnoldwomanopenedtothemandbowedlowtoParfen，whoaskedhersomequestionshurriedly，butdidnotwaittohearheranswer。Heledtheprinceonthroughseveraldark，cold-lookingrooms，spotlesslyclean，withwhitecoversoverallthefurniture。
　　Withouttheceremonyofknocking，Parfenenteredasmallapartment，furnishedlikeadrawing-room，butwithapolishedmahoganypartitiondividingonehalfofitfromwhatwasprobablyabedroom。Inonecornerofthisroomsatanoldwomaninanarm-
　　chair，closetothestove。Shedidnotlookveryold，andherfacewasapleasant，roundone；butshewaswhite-hairedand，asonecoulddetectatthefirstglance，quiteinhersecondchildhood。Sheworeablackwoollendress，withablackhandkerchiefroundherneckandshoulders，andawhitecapwithblackribbons。Herfeetwereraisedonafootstool。Besidehersatanotheroldwoman，alsodressedinmourning，andsilentlyknittingastocking；thiswasevidentlyacompanion。Theybothlookedasthoughtheyneverbrokethesilence。Thefirstoldwoman，sosoonasshesawRogojinandtheprince，smiledandbowedcourteouslyseveraltimes，intokenofhergratificationattheirvisit。
　　"Mother，"saidRogojin，kissingherhand，"hereismygreatfriend，PrinceMuishkin；wehaveexchangedcrosses；hewaslikearealbrothertomeatMoscowatonetime，anddidagreatdealforme。Blesshim，mother，asyouwouldblessyourownson。Waitamoment，letmearrangeyourhandsforyou。"
　　Buttheoldlady，beforeParfenhadtimetotouchher，raisedherrighthand，and，withthreefingersheldup，devoutlymadethesignofthecrossthreetimesovertheprince。Shethennoddedherheadkindlyathimoncemore。
　　"There，comealong，LefNicolaievitch；that’sallIbroughtyouherefor，"saidRogojin。
　　Whentheyreachedthestairsagainheadded:
　　"SheunderstoodnothingofwhatIsaidtoher，anddidnotknowwhatIwantedhertodo，andyetsheblessedyou；thatshowsshewishedtodosoherself。Well，goodbye；it’stimeyouwent，andI
　　mustgotoo。"
　　Heopenedhisowndoor。
　　"Well，letmeatleastembraceyouandsaygoodbye，youstrangefellow！"criedtheprince，lookingwithgentlereproachatRogojin，andadvancingtowardshim。Butthelatterhadhardlyraisedhisarmswhenhedroppedthemagain。Hecouldnotmakeuphismindtoit；heturnedawayfromtheprinceinordertoavoidlookingathim。Hecouldnotembracehim。
　　"Don’tbeafraid，"hemuttered，indistinctly，"thoughIhavetakenyourcross，Ishallnotmurderyouforyourwatch。"Sosaying，helaughedsuddenly，andstrangely。Theninamomenthisfacebecametransfigured；hegrewdeadlywhite，hislipstrembled，hisevesburnedlikefire。Hestretchedouthisarmsandheldtheprincetightlytohim，andsaidinastrangledvoice:
　　"Well，takeher！It’sFate！She’syours。Isurrenderher……
　　RememberRogojin！"Andpushingtheprincefromhim，withoutlookingbackathim，hehurriedlyenteredhisownflat，andbangedthedoor。