V。
　　ITwaslatenow，nearlyhalf-pasttwo，andtheprincedidnotfindGeneralEpanchinathome。Heleftacard，anddeterminedtolookupColia，whohadaroomatasmallhotelnear。Coliawasnotin，buthewasinformedthathemightbebackshortly，andhadleftwordthatifhewerenotinbyhalf-pastthreeitwastobeunderstoodthathehadgonetoPavlofsktoGeneralEpanchin’s，andwoulddinethere。Theprincedecidedtowaittillhalf-pastthree，andorderedsomedinner。Athalf-pastthreetherewasnosignofColia。Theprincewaiteduntilfouro’clock，andthenstrolledoffmechanicallywhereverhisfeetshouldcarryhim。
　　InearlysummerthereareoftenmagnificentdaysinSt。
　　Petersburg——bright，hotandstill。Thishappenedtobesuchaday。
　　Forsometimetheprincewanderedaboutwithoutaimorobject。Hedidnotknowthetownwell。Hestoppedtolookabouthimonbridges，atstreetcorners。Heenteredaconfectioner’sshoptorest，once。Hewasinastateofnervousexcitementandperturbation；henoticednothingandnoone；andhefeltacravingforsolitude，tobealonewithhisthoughtsandhisemotions，andtogivehimselfuptothempassively。Heloathedtheideaoftryingtoanswerthequestionsthatwouldriseupinhisheartandmind。"Iamnottoblameforallthis，"hethoughttohimself，halfunconsciously。
　　Towardssixo’clockhefoundhimselfatthestationoftheTsarsko-Selskirailway。
　　Hewastiredofsolitudenow；anewrushoffeelingtookholdofhim，andafloodoflightchasedawaythegloom，foramoment，fromhissoul。HetookatickettoPavlofsk，anddeterminedtogetthereasfastashecould，butsomethingstoppedhim；areality，andnotafantasy，ashewasinclinedtothinkit。Hewasabouttotakehisplaceinacarriage，whenhesuddenlythrewawayhisticketandcameoutagain，disturbedandthoughtful。A
　　fewmomentslater，inthestreet，herecalledsomethingthathadbotheredhimalltheafternoon。Hecaughthimselfengagedinastrangeoccupationwhichhenowrecollectedhehadtakenupatoddmomentsforthelastfewhours——itwaslookingaboutallaroundhimforsomething，hedidnotknowwhat。Hehadforgottenitforawhile，halfanhourorso，andnow，suddenly，theuneasysearchhadrecommenced。
　　Buthehadhardlybecomeconsciousofthiscuriousphenomenon，whenanotherrecollectionsuddenlyswamthroughhisbrain，interestinghimforthemoment，exceedingly。Herememberedthatthelasttimehehadbeenengagedinlookingaroundhimfortheunknownsomething，hewasstandingbeforeacutler’sshop，inthewindowofwhichwereexposedcertaingoodsforsale。Hewasextremelyanxiousnowtodiscoverwhetherthisshopandthesegoodsreallyexisted，orwhetherthewholethinghadbeenahallucination。
　　Hefeltinaverycuriousconditiontoday，aconditionsimilartothatwhichhadprecededhisfitsinbygoneyears。
　　Herememberedthatatsuchtimeshehadbeenparticularlyabsentminded，andcouldnotdiscriminatebetweenobjectsandpersonsunlessheconcentratedspecialattentionuponthem。
　　Herememberedseeingsomethinginthewindowmarkedatsixtycopecks。Therefore，iftheshopexistedandifthisobjectwerereallyinthewindow，itwouldprovethathehadbeenabletoconcentratehisattentiononthisarticleatamomentwhen，asageneralrule，hisabsenceofmindwouldhavebeentoogreattoadmitofanysuchconcentration；infact，veryshortlyafterhehadlefttherailwaystationinsuchastateofagitation。
　　Sohewalkedbacklookingabouthimfortheshop，andhisheartbeatwithintolerableimpatience。Ah！herewastheveryshop，andtherewasthearticlemarked60cop。""Ofcourse，it’ssixtycopecks，"hethought，andcertainlyworthnomore。"Thisideaamusedhimandhelaughed。
　　Butitwasahystericallaugh；hewasfeelingterriblyoppressed。
　　Herememberedclearlythatjusthere，standingbeforethiswindow，hehadsuddenlyturnedround，justasearlierinthedayhehadturnedandfoundthedreadfuleyesofRogojinfixeduponhim。Convinced，therefore，thatinthisrespectatalleventshehadbeenundernodelusion，helefttheshopandwenton。
　　Thismustbethoughtout；itwasclearthattherehadbeennohallucinationatthestationthen，either；somethinghadactuallyhappenedtohim，onbothoccasions；therewasnodoubtofit。Butagainaloathingforallmentalexertionovermasteredhim；hewouldnotthinkitoutnow，hewouldputitoffandthinkofsomethingelse。Herememberedthatduringhisepilepticfits，orratherimmediatelyprecedingthem，hehadalwaysexperiencedamomentortwowhenhiswholeheart，andmind，andbodyseemedtowakeuptovigourandlight；whenhebecamefilledwithjoyandhope，andallhisanxietiesseemedtobesweptawayforever；
　　thesemomentswerebutpresentiments，asitwere，oftheonefinalseconditwasnevermorethanasecondinwhichthefitcameuponhim。Thatsecond，ofcourse，wasinexpressible。Whenhisattackwasover，andtheprincereflectedonhissymptoms，heusedtosaytohimself:"Thesemoments，shortastheyare，whenI
　　feelsuchextremeconsciousnessofmyself，andconsequentlymoreoflifethanatothertimes，aredueonlytothedisease——tothesuddenruptureofnormalconditions。Thereforetheyarenotreallyahigherkindoflife，butalower。"Thisreasoning，however，seemedtoendinaparadox，andleadtothefurtherconsideration:——"Whatmatterthoughitbeonlydisease，anabnormaltensionofthebrain，ifwhenIrecallandanalyzethemoment，itseemstohavebeenoneofharmonyandbeautyinthehighestdegree——aninstantofdeepestsensation，overflowingwithunboundedjoyandrapture，ecstaticdevotion，andcompletestlife？"Vaguethoughthissounds，itwasperfectlycomprehensibletoMuishkin，thoughheknewthatitwasbutafeebleexpressionofhissensations。
　　Thattherewas，indeed，beautyandharmonyinthoseabnormalmoments，thattheyreallycontainedthehighestsynthesisoflife，hecouldnotdoubt，norevenadmitthepossibilityofdoubt。Hefeltthattheywerenotanalogoustothefantasticandunrealdreamsduetointoxicationbyhashish，opiumorwine。Ofthathecouldjudge，whentheattackwasover。Theseinstantswerecharacterized——todefineitinaword——byanintensequickeningofthesenseofpersonality。Since，inthelastconsciousmomentprecedingtheattack，hecouldsaytohimself，withfullunderstandingofhiswords:"Iwouldgivemywholelifeforthisoneinstant，"thendoubtlesstohimitreallywasworthalifetime。Fortherest，hethoughtthedialecticalpartofhisargumentoflittleworth；hesawonlytooclearlythattheresultoftheseecstaticmomentswasstupefaction，mentaldarkness，idiocy。Noargumentwaspossibleonthatpoint。Hisconclusion，hisestimateofthe"moment，"doubtlesscontainedsomeerror，yettherealityofthesensationtroubledhim。What’smoreunanswerablethanafact？Andthisfacthadoccurred。Theprincehadconfessedunreservedlytohimselfthatthefeelingofintensebeatitudeinthatcrowdedmomentmadethemomentworthalifetime。"Ifeelthen，"hesaidonedaytoRogojininMoscow，"IfeelthenasifI
　　understoodthoseamazingwords——’Thereshallbenomoretime。’"
　　Andheaddedwithasmile:"NodoubttheepilepticMahometreferstothatsamemomentwhenhesaysthathevisitedallthedwellingsofAllah，inlesstimethanwasneededtoemptyhispitcherofwater。"Yes，hehadoftenmetRogojininMoscow，andmanywerethesubjectstheydiscussed。"HetoldmeIhadbeenabrothertohim，"thoughttheprince。"Hesaidsotoday，forthefirsttime。"
　　HewassittingintheSummerGardenonaseatunderatree，andhisminddweltonthematter。Itwasaboutseveno’clock，andtheplacewasempty。Thestiflingatmosphereforetoldastorm，andtheprincefeltacertaincharminthecontemplativemoodwhichpossessedhim。Hefoundpleasure，too，ingazingattheexteriorobjectsaroundhim。Allthetimehewastryingtoforgetsomething，toescapefromsomeideathathauntedhim；butmelancholythoughtscameback，thoughhewouldsowillinglyhaveescapedfromthem。Herememberedsuddenlyhowhehadbeentalkingtothewaiter，whilehedined，aboutarecentlycommittedmurderwhichthewholetownwasdiscussing，andashethoughtofitsomethingstrangecameoverhim。Hewasseizedallatoncebyaviolentdesire，almostatemptation，againstwhichhestroveinvain。
　　Hejumpedupandwalkedoffasfastashecouldtowardsthe"PetersburgSide。"[OneofthequartersofSt。Petersburg。]Hehadaskedsomeone，alittlewhilebefore，toshowhimwhichwasthePetersburgSide，onthebanksoftheNeva。Hehadnotgonethere，however；andheknewverywellthatitwasofnousetogonow，forhewouldcertainlynotfindLebedeff’srelationathome。
　　Hehadtheaddress，butshemustcertainlyhavegonetoPavlofsk，orColiawouldhavelethimknow。Ifheweretogonow，itwouldmerelybeoutofcuriosity，butasudden，newideahadcomeintohishead。
　　However，itwassomethingtomoveonandknowwherehewasgoing。
　　Aminutelaterhewasstillmovingon，butwithoutknowinganything。Hecouldnolongerthinkouthisnewidea。Hetriedtotakeaninterestinallhesaw；inthesky，intheNeva。Hespoketosomechildrenhemet。Hefelthisepilepticconditionbecomingmoreandmoredeveloped。Theeveningwasveryclose；thunderwasheardsomewayoff。
　　TheprincewashauntedallthatdaybythefaceofLebedeff’snephewwhomhehadseenforthefirsttimethatmorning，justasoneishauntedattimesbysomepersistentmusicalrefrain。Byacuriousassociationofideas，theyoungmanalwaysappearedasthemurdererofwhomLebedeffhadspokenwhenintroducinghimtoMuishkin。Yes，hehadreadsomethingaboutthemurder，andthatquiterecently。SincehecametoRussia，hehadheardmanystoriesofthiskind，andwasinterestedinthem。Hisconversationwiththewaiter，anhourago，chancedtobeonthesubjectofthismurderoftheZemarins，andthelatterhadagreedwithhimaboutit。Hethoughtofthewaiteragain，anddecidedthathewasnofool，butasteady，intelligentman:though，saidhetohimself，"Godknowswhathemayreallybe；inacountrywithwhichoneisunfamiliaritisdifficulttounderstandthepeopleonemeets。"HewasbeginningtohaveapassionatefaithintheRussiansoul，however，andwhatdiscoverieshehadmadeinthelastsixmonths，whatunexpecteddiscoveries！Buteverysoulisamystery，anddepthsofmysterylieinthesoulofaRussian。
　　HehadbeenintimatewithRogojin，forexample，andabrotherlyfriendshiphadsprungupbetweenthem——yetdidhereallyknowhim？Whatchaosanduglinessfillstheworldattimes！Whataself-satisfiedrascalisthatnephewofLebedeff’s！"ButwhatamIthinking，"continuedtheprincetohimself。"Canhereallyhavecommittedthatcrime？Didhekillthosesixpersons？Iseemtobeconfusingthings……howstrangeitallis……Myheadgoesround……AndLebedeff’sdaughter——howsympatheticandcharmingherfacewasassheheldthechildinherarms！Whataninnocentlookandchild-likelaughshehad！ItiscuriousthatI
　　hadforgottenheruntilnow。IexpectLebedeffadoresher——andI
　　reallybelieve，whenIthinkofit，thatassureastwoandtwomakefour，heisfondofthatnephew，too！"
　　Well，whyshouldhejudgethemsohastily！Couldhereallysaywhattheywere，afteroneshortvisit？EvenLebedeffseemedanenigmatoday。Didheexpecttofindhimso？Hehadneverseenhimlikethatbefore。LebedeffandtheComtesseduBarry！GoodHeavens！IfRogojinshouldreallykillsomeone，itwouldnot，atanyrate，besuchasenseless，chaoticaffair。Aknifemadetoaspecialpattern，andsixpeoplekilledinakindofdelirium。ButRogojinalsohadaknifemadetoaspecialpattern。CanitbethatRogojinwishestomurderanyone？Theprincebegantotrembleviolently。"Itisacrimeonmyparttoimagineanythingsobase，withsuchcynicalfrankness。"Hisfacereddenedwithshameatthethought；andthentherecameacrosshimasinaflashthememoryoftheincidentsatthePavlofskstation，andattheotherstationinthemorning；andthequestionaskedhimbyRogojinaboutTHEEYESandRogojin’scross，thathewasevennowwearing；
　　andthebenedictionofRogojin’smother；andhisembraceonthedarkenedstaircase——thatlastsupremerenunciation——andnow，tofindhimselffullofthisnew"idea，"staringintoshop-windows，andlookingroundforthings——howbasehewas！
　　Despairovermasteredhissoul；hewouldnotgoon，hewouldgobacktohishotel；heeventurnedandwenttheotherway；butamomentafterhechangedhismindagainandwentonintheolddirection。
　　Why，herehewasonthePetersburgSidealready，quiteclosetothehouse！Wherewashis"idea"？Hewasmarchingalongwithoutitnow。Yes，hismaladywascomingback，itwasclearenough；allthisgloomandheaviness，allthese"ideas，"werenothingmorenorlessthanafitcomingon；perhapshewouldhaveafitthisveryday。
　　Butjustnowallthegloomanddarknesshadfled，hisheartfeltfullofjoyandhope，therewasnosuchthingasdoubt。Andyes，hehadn’tseenherforsolong；hereallymustseeher。HewishedhecouldmeetRogojin；hewouldtakehishand，andtheywouldgotohertogether。Hisheartwaspure，hewasnorivalofParfen’s。
　　Tomorrow，hewouldgoandtellhimthathehadseenher。Why，hehadonlycomeforthesolepurposeofseeingher，allthewayfromMoscow！Perhapsshemightbeherestill，whoknows？ShemightnothavegoneawaytoPavlofskyet。
　　Yes，allthismustbeputstraightandabove-board，theremustbenomorepassionaterenouncements，suchasRogojin’s。Itmustallbeclearasday。CannotRogojin’ssoulbearthelight？Hesaidhedidnotloveherwithsympathyandpity；true，headdedthat"yourpityisgreaterthanmylove，"buthewasnotquitefaironhimselfthere。Kin！Rogojinreadingabook——wasn’tthatsympathybeginning？Diditnotshowthathecomprehendedhisrelationswithher？Andhisstoryofwaitingdayandnightforherforgiveness？Thatdidn’tlookquitelikepassionalone。
　　Andastoherface，coulditinspirenothingbutpassion？Couldherfaceinspirepassionatallnow？Oh，itinspiredsuffering，grief，overwhelminggriefofthesoul！Apoignant，agonizingmemorysweptovertheprince’sheart。
　　Yes，agonizing。Herememberedhowhehadsufferedthatfirstdaywhenhethoughtheobservedinherthesymptomsofmadness。Hehadalmostfallenintodespair。HowcouldhehavelosthisholduponherwhensheranawayfromhimtoRogojin？Heoughttohaverunafterherhimself，ratherthanwaitfornewsashehaddone。
　　CanRogojinhavefailedtoobserve，uptonow，thatsheismad？
　　Rogojinattributesherstrangenesstoothercauses，topassion！
　　Whatinsanejealousy！Whatwasithehadhintedatinthatsuggestionofhis？Theprincesuddenlyblushed，andshudderedtohisveryheart。
　　Butwhyrecallallthis？Therewasinsanityonbothsides。Forhim，theprince，tolovethiswomanwithpassion，wasunthinkable。Itwouldbecruelandinhuman。Yes。Rogojinisnotfairtohimself；hehasalargeheart；hehasaptitudeforsympathy。Whenhelearnsthetruth，andfindswhatapitiablebeingisthisinjured，broken，half-insanecreature，hewillforgiveherallthetormentshehascausedhim。Hewillbecomeherslave，herbrother，herfriend。CompassionwillteachevenRogojin，itwillshowhimhowtoreason。Compassionisthechieflawofhumanexistence。Oh，howguiltyhefelttowardsRogojin！
　　And，forafewwarm，hastywordsspokeninMoscow，Parfenhadcalledhim"brother，"whilehe——butno，thiswasdelirium！Itwouldallcomeright！ThatgloomyParfenhadimpliedthathisfaithwaswaning；hemustsufferdreadfully。Hesaidhelikedtolookatthatpicture；itwasnotthathelikedit，buthefelttheneedoflookingatit。Rogojinwasnotmerelyapassionatesoul；hewasafighter。Hewasfightingfortherestorationofhisdyingfaith。Hemusthavesomethingtoholdontoandbelieve，andsomeonetobelievein。WhatastrangepicturethatofHolbein’sis！Why，thisisthestreet，andhere’sthehouse，No。16。
　　Theprincerangthebell，andaskedforNastasiaPhilipovna。Theladyofthehousecameout，andstatedthatNastasiahadgonetostaywithDariaAlexeyevnaatPavlofsk，andmightbetheresomedays。
　　MadameFilisoffwasalittlewomanofforty，withacunningface，andcrafty，piercingeyes。When，withanairofmystery，sheaskedhervisitor’sname，herefusedatfirsttoanswer，butinamomenthechangedhismind，andleftstrictinstructionsthatitshouldbegiventoNastasiaPhilipovna。TheurgencyofhisrequestseemedtoimpressMadameFilisoff，andsheputonaknowingexpression，asiftosay，"Youneednotbeafraid，I
　　quiteunderstand。"Theprince’snameevidentlywasagreatsurprisetoher。Hestoodandlookedabsentlyatherforamoment，thenturned，andtooktheroadbacktohishotel。Buthewentawaynotashecame。Agreatchangehadsuddenlycomeoverhim。Hewentblindlyforward；hiskneesshookunderhim；hewastormentedby"ideas"；hislipswereblue，andtrembledwithafeeble，meaninglesssmile。Hisdemonwasuponhimoncemore。
　　Whathadhappenedtohim？Whywashisbrowclammywithdropsofmoisture，hiskneesshakingbeneathhim，andhissouloppressedwithacoldgloom？Wasitbecausehehadjustseenthesedreadfuleyesagain？Why，hehadlefttheSummerGardenonpurposetoseethem；thathadbeenhis"idea。"Hehadwishedtoassurehimselfthathewouldseethemoncemoreatthathouse。Thenwhywashesooverwhelmednow，havingseenthemasheexpected？justasthoughhehadnotexpectedtoseethem！Yes，theyweretheverysameeyes；andnodoubtaboutit。Thesamethathehadseeninthecrowdthatmorningatthestation，thesamethathehadsurprisedinRogojin’sroomssomehourslater，whenthelatterhadrepliedtohisinquirywithasneeringlaugh，"Well，whoseeyeswerethey？"ThenforthethirdtimetheyhadappearedjustashewasgettingintothetrainonhiswaytoseeAglaya。HehadhadastrongimpulsetorushuptoRogojin，andrepeathiswordsofthemorning"Whoseeyesarethey？"Insteadhehadfledfromthestation，andknewnothingmore，untilhefoundhimselfgazingintothewindowofacutler’sshop，andwonderingifaknifewithastaghornhandlewouldcostmorethansixtycopecks。AndastheprincesatdreamingintheSummerGardenunderalime-tree，awickeddemonhadcomeandwhisperedinhiscar:"Rogojinhasbeenspyinguponyouandwatchingyouallthemorninginafrenzyofdesperation。WhenhefindsyouhavenotgonetoPavlofsk——aterriblediscoveryforhim——hewillsurelygoatoncetothathouseinPetersburgSide，andwatchforyouthere，althoughonlythismorningyougaveyourwordofhonournottoseeHER，andsworethatyouhadnotcometoPetersburgforthatpurpose。"Andthereupontheprincehadhastenedofftothathouse，andwhatwasthereinthefactthathehadmetRogojinthere？Hehadonlyseenawretched，sufferingcreature，whosestateofmindwasgloomyandmiserable，butmostcomprehensible。InthemorningRogojinhadseemedtobetryingtokeepoutoftheway；butatthestationthisafternoonhehadstoodout，hehadconcealedhimself，indeed，lessthantheprincehimself；atthehouse，now，hehadstoodfiftyyardsoffontheothersideoftheroad，withfoldedhands，watching，plainlyinviewandapparentlydesirousofbeingseen。Hehadstoodtherelikeanaccuser，likeajudge，notlikea——awhat？
　　Andwhyhadnottheprinceapproachedhimandspokentohim，insteadofturningawayandpretendinghehadseennothing，althoughtheireyesmet？Yes，theireyeshadmet，andtheyhadlookedateachother。Why，hehadhimselfwishedtotakeRogojinbythehandandgointogether，hehadhimselfdeterminedtogotohimonthemorrowandtellhimthathehadseenher，hehadrepudiatedthedemonashewalkedtothehouse，andhishearthadbeenfullofjoy。
　　Wastheresomethinginthewholeaspectoftheman，today，sufficienttojustifytheprince’sterror，andtheawfulsuspicionsofhisdemon？Somethingseen，butindescribable，whichfilledhimwithdreadfulpresentiments？Yes，hewasconvincedofit——convincedofwhat？Oh，howmeanandhideousofhimtofeelthisconviction，thispresentiment！Howheblamedhimselfforit！"Speakifyoudare，andtellme，whatisthepresentiment？"
　　herepeatedtohimself，overandoveragain。"Putitintowords，speakoutclearlyanddistinctly。Oh，miserablecowardthatI
　　am！"Theprinceflushedwithshameforhisownbaseness。"HowshallIeverlookthismaninthefaceagain？MyGod，whataday！
　　Andwhatanightmare，whatanightmare！"
　　Therewasamoment，duringthislong，wretchedwalkbackfromthePetersburgSide，whentheprincefeltanirresistibledesiretogostraighttoRogojin’s，waitforhim，embracehimwithtearsofshameandcontrition，andtellhimofhisdistrust，andfinishwithit——onceforall。
　　Butherehewasbackathishotel。
　　Howoftenduringthedayhehadthoughtofthishotelwithloathing——itscorridor，itsrooms，itsstairs。Howhehaddreadedcomingbacktoit，forsomereason。
　　"WhataregularoldwomanIamtoday，"hehadsaidtohimselfeachtime，withannoyance。"Ibelieveineveryfoolishpresentimentthatcomesintomyhead。"
　　Hestoppedforamomentatthedoor；agreatflushofshamecameoverhim。"Iamacoward，awretchedcoward，"hesaid，andmovedforwardagain；butoncemorehepaused。
　　Amongalltheincidentsoftheday，onerecurredtohismindtotheexclusionoftherest；althoughnowthathisself-controlwasregained，andhewasnolongerundertheinfluenceofanightmare，hewasabletothinkofitcalmly。ItconcernedtheknifeonRogojin’stable。"WhyshouldnotRogojinhaveasmanyknivesonhistableashechooses？"thoughttheprince，wonderingathissuspicions，ashehaddonewhenhefoundhimselflookingintothecutler’swindow。"Whatcouldithavetodowithme？"hesaidtohimselfagain，andstoppedasifrootedtothegroundbyakindofparalysisoflimbsuchasattackspeopleunderthestressofsomehumiliatingrecollection。
　　Thedoorwaywasdarkandgloomyatanytime；butjustatthismomentitwasrendereddoublysobythefactthatthethunder-
　　stormhadjustbroken，andtherainwascomingdownintorrents。
　　Andinthesemi-darknesstheprincedistinguishedamanstandingclosetothestairs，apparentlywaiting。
　　Therewasnothingparticularlysignificantinthefactthatamanwasstandingbackinthedoorway，waitingtocomeoutorgoupstairs；buttheprincefeltanirresistibleconvictionthatheknewthisman，andthatitwasRogojin。Themanmovedonupthestairs；amomentlatertheprincepassedupthem，too。Hisheartfrozewithinhim。"InaminuteortwoIshallknowall，"hethought。
　　Thestaircaseledtothefirstandsecondcorridorsofthehotel，alongwhichlaytheguests’bedrooms。AsisoftenthecaseinPetersburghouses，itwasnarrowandverydark，andturnedaroundamassivestonecolumn。
　　Onthefirstlanding，whichwasassmallasthenecessaryturnofthestairsallowed，therewasanicheinthecolumn，abouthalfayardwide，andinthisnichetheprincefeltconvincedthatamanstoodconcealed。Hethoughthecoulddistinguishafigurestandingthere。Hewouldpassbyquicklyandnotlook。Hetookastepforward，butcouldbeartheuncertaintynolongerandturnedhishead。
　　Theeyes——thesametwoeyes——methis！Themanconcealedinthenichehadalsotakenastepforward。Foronesecondtheystoodfacetoface。
　　Suddenlytheprincecaughtthemanbytheshoulderandtwistedhimroundtowardsthelight，sothathemightseehisfacemoreclearly。
　　Rogojin’seyesflashed，andasmileofinsanitydistortedhiscountenance。Hisrighthandwasraised，andsomethingglitteredinit。Theprincedidnotthinkoftryingtostopit。Allhecouldrememberafterwardswasthatheseemedtohavecalledout:
　　"Parfen！Iwon’tbelieveit。"
　　Nextmomentsomethingappearedtoburstopenbeforehim:awonderfulinnerlightilluminatedhissoul。Thislastedperhapshalfasecond，yethedistinctlyrememberedhearingthebeginningofthewail，thestrange，dreadfulwail，whichburstfromhislipsofitsownaccord，andwhichnoeffortofwillonhispartcouldsuppress。
　　Nextmomenthewasabsolutelyunconscious；blackdarknessblottedouteverything。
　　Hehadfalleninanepilepticfit……
　　Asiswellknown，thesefitsoccurinstantaneously。Theface，especiallytheeyes，becometerriblydisfigured，convulsionsseizethelimbs，aterriblecrybreaksfromthesufferer，awailfromwhicheverythinghumanseemstobeblottedout，sothatitisimpossibletobelievethatthemanwhohasjustfallenisthesamewhoemittedthedreadfulcry。Itseemsmoreasthoughsomeotherbeing，insidethestrickenone，hadcried。Manypeoplehavebornewitnesstothisimpression；andmanycannotbeholdanepilepticfitwithoutafeelingofmysteriousterroranddread。
　　Suchafeeling，wemustsuppose，overtookRogojinatthismoment，andsavedtheprince’slife。Notknowingthatitwasafit，andseeinghisvictimdisappearheadforemostintothedarkness，hearinghisheadstrikethestonestepsbelowwithacrash，Rogojinrusheddownstairs，skirtingthebody，andflunghimselfheadlongoutofthehotel，likearavingmadman。
　　Theprince’sbodyslippedconvulsivelydownthestepstillitrestedatthebottom。Verysoon，infiveminutesorso，hewasdiscovered，andacrowdcollectedaroundhim。
　　Apoolofbloodonthestepsnearhisheadgaverisetogravefears。Wasitacaseofaccident，orhadtherebeenacrime？Itwas，however，soonrecognizedasacaseofepilepsy，andidentificationandpropermeasuresforrestorationfollowedoneanother，owingtoafortunatecircumstance。ColiaIvolginhadcomebacktohishotelaboutseveno’clock，owingtoasuddenimpulsewhichmadehimrefusetodineattheEpanchins’，and，findinganotefromtheprinceawaitinghim，hadspedawaytothelatter’saddress。Arrivedthere，heorderedacupofteaandsatsippingitinthecoffee-room。Whilethereheheardexcitedwhispersofsomeonejustfoundatthebottomofthestairsinafit；uponwhichhehadhurriedtothespot，withapresentimentofevil，andatoncerecognizedtheprince。
　　Thesuffererwasimmediatelytakentohisroom，andthoughhepartiallyregainedconsciousness，helaylonginasemi-dazedcondition。
　　Thedoctorstatedthattherewasnodangertobeapprehendedfromthewoundonthehead，andassoonastheprincecouldunderstandwhatwasgoingonaroundhim，ColiahiredacarriageandtookhimawaytoLebedeff’s。Therehewasreceivedwithmuchcordiality，andthedeparturetothecountrywashastenedonhisaccount。
　　ThreedayslatertheywereallatPavlofsk。
　　VI。
　　LEBEDEFF’Scountry-housewasnotlarge，butitwasprettyandconvenient，especiallythepartwhichwaslettotheprince。
　　Arowoforangeandlemontreesandjasmines，plantedingreentubs，stoodonthefairlywideterrace。AccordingtoLebedeff，thesetreesgavethehouseamostdelightfulaspect。Someweretherewhenheboughtit，andhewassocharmedwiththeeffectthathepromptlyaddedtotheirnumber。Whenthetubscontainingtheseplantsarrivedatthevillaandweresetintheirplaces，Lebedeffkeptrunningintothestreettoenjoytheviewofthehouse，andeverytimehedidsotherenttobedemandedfromthefuturetenantwentupwithabound。
　　Thiscountryvillapleasedtheprinceverymuchinhisstateofphysicalandmentalexhaustion。OnthedaythattheyleftforPavlofsk，thatisthedayafterhisattack，heappearedalmostwell，thoughinrealityhefeltveryfarfromit。Thefacesofthosearoundhimforthelastthreedayshadmadeapleasantimpression。Hewaspleasedtosee，notonlyColia，whohadbecomehisinseparablecompanion，butLebedeffhimselfandallthefamily，exceptthenephew，whohadleftthehouse。HewasalsogladtoreceiveavisitfromGeneralIvolgin，beforeleavingSt。
　　Petersburg。
　　ItwasgettinglatewhenthepartyarrivedatPavlofsk，butseveralpeoplecalledtoseetheprince，andassembledintheverandah。Ganiawasthefirsttoarrive。Hehadgrownsopaleandthinthattheprincecouldhardlyrecognizehim。ThencameVariaandPtitsin，whowererusticatingintheneighbourhood。AstoGeneralIvolgin，hescarcelybudgedfromLebedeff’shouse，andseemedtohavemovedtoPavlofskwithhim。LebedeffdidhisbesttokeepArdalionAlexandrovitchbyhim，andtopreventhimfrominvadingtheprince’squarters。Hechattedwithhimconfidentially，sothattheymighthavebeentakenforoldfriends。Duringthosethreedaystheprincehadnoticedthattheyfrequentlyheldlongconversations；heoftenheardtheirvoicesraisedinargumentondeepandlearnedsubjects，whichevidentlypleasedLebedeff。Heseemedasifhecouldnotdowithoutthegeneral。ButitwasnotonlyArdalionAlexandrovitchwhomLebedeffkeptoutoftheprince’sway。Sincetheyhadcometothevilla，hetreatedhisownfamilythesame。Uponthepretextthathistenantneededquiet，hekepthimalmostinisolation，andMuishkinprotestedinvainagainstthisexcessofzeal。Lebedeffstampedhisfeetathisdaughtersanddrovethemawayiftheyattemptedtojointheprinceontheterrace；notevenVerawasexcepted。
　　"Theywillloseallrespectiftheyareallowedtobesofreeandeasy；besidesitisnotproperforthem，"hedeclaredatlast，inanswertoadirectquestionfromtheprince。
　　"Whyonearthnot？"askedthelatter。"Really，youknow，youaremakingyourselfanuisance，bykeepingguardovermelikethis。I
　　getboredallbymyself；Ihavetoldyousooverandoveragain，andyougetonmynervesmorethaneverbywavingyourhandsandcreepinginandoutinthemysteriouswayyoudo。"
　　ItwasafactthatLebedeff，thoughhewassoanxioustokeepeveryoneelsefromdisturbingthepatient，wascontinuallyinandoutoftheprince’sroomhimself。Heinvariablybeganbyopeningthedooracrackandpeeringintoseeiftheprincewasthere，orifhehadescaped；thenhewouldcreepsoftlyuptothearm-
　　chair，sometimesmakingMuishkinjumpbyhissuddenappearance。
　　Healwaysaskedifthepatientwantedanything，andwhenthelatterrepliedthatheonlywantedtobeleftinpeace，hewouldturnawayobedientlyandmakeforthedoorontip-toe，withdeprecatorygesturestoimplythathehadonlyjustlookedin，thathewouldnotspeakaword，andwouldgoawayandnotintrudeagain；whichdidnotpreventhimfromreappearingintenminutesoraquarterofanhour。Coliahadfreeaccesstotheprince，atwhichLebedeffwasquitedisgustedandindignant。Hewouldlistenatthedoorforhalfanhouratatimewhilethetwoweretalking。Coliafoundthisout，andnaturallytoldtheprinceofhisdiscovery。
　　"Doyouthinkyourselfmymaster，thatyoutrytokeepmeunderlockandkeylikethis？"saidtheprincetoLebedeff。"Inthecountry，atleast，Iintendtobefree，andyoumaymakeupyourmindthatImeantoseewhomIlike，andgowhereIplease。"
　　"Why，ofcourse，"repliedtheclerk，gesticulatingwithhishands。
　　Theprincelookedhimsternlyupanddown。
　　"Well，LukianTimofeyovitch，haveyoubroughtthelittlecupboardthatyouhadattheheadofyourbedwithyouhere？"
　　"No，Ileftitwhereitwas。"
　　"Impossible！"
　　"Itcannotbemoved；youwouldhavetopullthewalldown，itissofirmlyfixed。"
　　"Perhapsyouhaveonelikeithere？"
　　"Ihaveonethatisevenbetter，muchbetter；thatisreallywhyIboughtthishouse。"
　　"Ah！Whatvisitordidyouturnawayfrommydoor，aboutanhourago？"
　　"The-thegeneral。Iwouldnotlethimin；thereisnoneedforhimtovisityou，prince……Ihavethedeepestesteemforhim，heisa——agreatman。Youdon’tbelieveit？Well，youwillsee，andyet，mostexcellentprince，youhadmuchbetternotreceivehim。"
　　"MayIaskwhy？andalsowhyyouwalkaboutontiptoeandalwaysseemasifyouweregoingtowhisperasecretinmyearwheneveryoucomenearme？"
　　"Iamvile，vile；Iknowit！"criedLebedeff，beatinghisbreastwithacontriteair。"Butwillnotthegeneralbetoohospitableforyou？"
　　"Toohospitable？"
　　"Yes。First，heproposestocomeandliveinmyhouse。Wellandgood；buthesticksatnothing；heimmediatelymakeshimselfoneofthefamily。Wehavetalkedoverourrespectiverelationsseveraltimes，anddiscoveredthatweareconnectedbymarriage。
　　Itseemsalsothatyouareasortofnephewonhismother’sside；
　　hewasexplainingittomeagainonlyyesterday。Ifyouarehisnephew，itfollowsthatImustalsobearelationofyours，mostexcellentprince。Nevermindaboutthat，itisonlyafoible；butjustnowheassuredmethatallhislife，fromthedayhewasmadeanensigntothe11thoflastJune，hehasentertainedatleasttwohundredguestsathistableeveryday。Finally，hewentsofarastosaythattheyneverrosefromthetable；theydined，supped，andhadtea，forfifteenhoursatastretch。Thiswentonforthirtyyearswithoutabreak；therewasbarelytimetochangethetable-cloth；directlyonepersonleft，anothertookhisplace。Onfeast-daysheentertainedasmanyasthreehundredguests，andtheynumberedsevenhundredonthethousandthanniversaryofthefoundationoftheRussianEmpire。Itamountstoapassionwithhim；itmakesoneuneasytohearofit。Itisterribletohavetoentertainpeoplewhodothingsonsuchascale。ThatiswhyIwonderwhethersuchamanisnottoohospitableforyouandme。"
　　"Butyouseemtobeonthebestoftermswithhim？"
　　"Quitefraternal——Ilookuponitasajoke。Letusbebrothers-
　　in-law，itisallthesametome，——ratheranhonourthannot。ButinspiteofthetwohundredguestsandthethousandthanniversaryoftheRussianEmpire，Icanseethatheisaveryremarkableman。Iamquitesincere。YousaidjustnowthatIalwayslookedasifIwasgoingtotellyouasecret；youareright。Ihaveasecrettotellyou:acertainpersonhasjustletmeknowthatsheisveryanxiousforasecretinterviewwithyou。"
　　"Whyshoulditbesecret？Notatall；Iwillcallonhermyselftomorrow。"
　　"No，ohno！"criedLebedeff，wavinghisarms；"ifsheisafraid，itisnotforthereasonyouthink。Bytheway，doyouknowthatthemonstercomeseverydaytoinquireafteryourhealth？"
　　"Youcallhimamonstersooftenthatitmakesmesuspicious。"
　　"Youmusthavenosuspicions，nonewhatever，"saidLebedeffquickly。"Ionlywantyoutoknowthatthepersoninquestionisnotafraidofhim，butofsomethingquite，quitedifferent。"
　　"Whatonearthissheafraidof，then？Tellmeplainly，withoutanymorebeatingaboutthebush，"saidtheprince，exasperatedbytheother’smysteriousgrimaces。
　　"Ahthatisthesecret，"saidLebedeff，withasmile。
　　"Whosesecret？"
　　"Yours。Youforbademeyourselftomentionitbeforeyou，mostexcellentprince，"murmuredLebedeff。Then，satisfiedthathehadworkedupMuishkin’scuriositytothehighestpitch，headdedabruptly:"SheisafraidofAglayaIvanovna。"
　　Theprincefrownedforamomentinsilence，andthensaidsuddenly:
　　"Really，Lebedeff，Imustleaveyourhouse。WhereareGavrilaArdalionovitchandthePtitsins？Aretheyhere？Haveyouchasedthemaway，too？"
　　"Theyarecoming，theyarecoming；andthegeneralaswell。I
　　willopenallthedoors；Iwillcallallmydaughters，allofthem，thisveryminute，"saidLebedeffinalowvoice，thoroughlyfrightened，andwavinghishandsasheranfromdoortodoor。
　　AtthatmomentColiaappearedontheterrace；heannouncedthatLizabethaProkofievnaandherthreedaughterswereclosebehindhim。
　　Movedbythisnews，Lebedeffhurrieduptotheprince。
　　"ShallIcallthePtitsins，andGavrilaArdalionovitch？ShallI
　　letthegeneralin？"heasked。
　　"Whynot？Letinanyonewhowantstoseeme。Iassureyou，Lebedeff，youhavemisunderstoodmypositionfromtheveryfirst；
　　youhavebeenwrongallalong。Ihavenottheslightestreasontohidemyselffromanyone，"repliedtheprincegaily。
　　Seeinghimlaugh，Lebedeffthoughtfittolaughalso，andthoughmuchagitatedhissatisfactionwasquitevisible。
　　Coliawasright；theEpanchinladieswereonlyafewstepsbehindhim。AstheyapproachedtheterraceothervisitorsappearedfromLebedeff’ssideofthehouse-thePtitsins，Gania，andArdalionAlexandrovitch。
　　TheEpanchinshadonlyjustheardoftheprince’sillnessandofhispresenceinPavlofsk，fromColia；anduptothistimehadbeeninastateofconsiderablebewildermentabouthim。Thegeneralbroughttheprince’scarddownfromtown，andMrs。
　　Epanchinhadfeltconvincedthathehimselfwouldfollowhiscardatonce；shewasmuchexcited。
　　Invainthegirlsassuredherthatamanwhohadnotwrittenforsixmonthswouldnotbeinsuchadreadfulhurry，andthatprobablyhehadenoughtodointownwithoutneedingtobustledowntoPavlofsktoseethem。Theirmotherwasquiteangryattheveryideaofsuchathing，andannouncedherabsoluteconvictionthathewouldturnupthenextdayatlatest。
　　Sonextdaytheprincewasexpectedallthemorning，andatdinner，tea，andsupper；andwhenhedidnotappearintheevening，Mrs。Epanchinquarrelledwitheveryoneinthehouse，findingplentyofpretextswithoutsomuchasmentioningtheprince’sname。
　　Onthethirddaytherewasnotalkofhimatall，untilAglayaremarkedatdinner:"Mammaiscrossbecausetheprincehasn’tturnedup，"towhichthegeneralrepliedthatitwasnothisfault。
　　Mrs。Epanchinmisunderstoodtheobservation，andrisingfromherplaceshelefttheroominmajesticwrath。Intheevening，however，Coliacamewiththestoryoftheprince’sadventures，sofarasheknewthem。Mrs。Epanchinwastriumphant；althoughColiahadtolistentoalonglecture。"Heidlesaboutherethewholedaylong，onecan’tgetridofhim；andthenwhenheiswantedhedoesnotcome。Hemighthavesentalineifhedidnotwishtoinconveniencehimself。"
　　Atthewords"onecan’tgetridofhim，"Coliawasveryangry，andnearlyflewintoarage；butheresolvedtobequietforthetimeandshowhisresentmentlater。Ifthewordshadbeenlessoffensivehemighthaveforgiventhem，sopleasedwashetoseeLizabethaProkofievnaworriedandanxiousabouttheprince’sillness。
　　ShewouldhaveinsistedonsendingtoPetersburgatonce，foracertaingreatmedicalcelebrity；butherdaughtersdissuadedher，thoughtheywerenotwillingtostaybehindwhensheatoncepreparedtogoandvisittheinvalid。Aglaya，however，suggestedthatitwasalittleunceremonioustogoenmassetoseehim。
　　"Verywellthen，stayathome，"saidMrs。Epanchin，andagoodthingtoo，forEvgeniePavlovitchiscomingdownandtherewillbenooneathometoreceivehim。"
　　Ofcourse，afterthis，Aglayawentwiththerest。Infact，shehadneverhadtheslightestintentionofdoingotherwise。
　　PrinceS。，whowasinthehouse，wasrequestedtoescorttheladies。HehadbeenmuchinterestedwhenhefirstheardoftheprincefromtheEpanchins。Itappearedthattheyhadknownoneanotherbefore，andhadspentsometimetogetherinalittleprovincialtownthreemonthsago。PrinceS。hadgreatlytakentohim，andwasdelightedwiththeopportunityofmeetinghimagain，Thegeneralhadnotcomedownfromtownasyet，norhadEvgeniePavlovitcharrived。
　　ItwasnotmorethantwoorthreehundredyardsfromtheEpanchins’housetoLebedeff’s。ThefirstdisagreeableimpressionexperiencedbyMrs。Epanchinwastofindtheprincesurroundedbyawholeassemblyofotherguests——nottomentionthefactthatsomeofthosepresentwereparticularlydetestableinhereyes。
　　Thenextannoyingcircumstancewaswhenanapparentlystrongandhealthyyoungfellow，welldressed，andsmiling，cameforwardtomeetherontheterrace，insteadofthehalf-dyingunfortunatewhomshehadexpectedtosee。
　　Shewasastonishedandvexed，andherdisappointmentpleasedColiaimmensely。Ofcoursehecouldhaveundeceivedherbeforeshestarted，butthemischievousboyhadbeencarefulnottodothat，foreseeingtheprobablylaughabledisgustthatshewouldexperiencewhenshefoundherdearfriend，theprince，ingoodhealth。ColiawasindelicateenoughtovoicethedelighthefeltathissuccessinmanagingtoannoyLizabethaProkofievna，withwhom，inspiteoftheirreallyamicablerelations，hewasconstantlysparring。
　　"Justwaitawhile，myboy！"saidshe；"don’tbetoocertainofyourtriumph。"Andshesatdownheavily，inthearm-chairpushedforwardbytheprince。
　　Lebedeff，Ptitsin，andGeneralIvolginhastenedtofindchairsfortheyoungladies。Variagreetedthemjoyfully，andtheyexchangedconfidencesinecstaticwhispers。
　　"Imustadmit，prince，Iwasalittleputouttoseeyouupandaboutlikethis——Iexpectedtofindyouinbed；butIgiveyoumyword，Iwasonlyannoyedforaninstant，beforeIcollectedmythoughtsproperly。Iamalwayswiseronsecondthoughts，andI
　　daresayyouarethesame。IassureyouIamasgladtoseeyouwellasthoughyouweremyownson，——yes，andmore；andifyoudon’tbelievemethemoreshametoyou，andit’snotmyfault。
　　Butthatspitefulboydelightsinplayingallsortsoftricks。
　　Youarehispatron，itseems。Well，IwarnyouthatonefinemorningIshalldeprivemyselfofthepleasureofhisfurtheracquaintance。"
　　"WhathaveIdonewrongnow？"criedColia。"Whatwasthegoodoftellingyouthattheprincewasnearlywellagain？Youwouldnothavebelievedme；itwassomuchmoreinterestingtopicturehimonhisdeath-bed。"
　　"Howlongdoyouremainhere，prince？"askedMadameEpanchin。
　　"Allthesummer，andperhapslonger。"
　　"Youarealone，aren’tyou，——notmarried？"
　　"No，I’mnotmarried！"repliedtheprince，smilingattheingenuousnessofthislittlefeeler。
　　"Oh，youneedn’tlaugh！Thesethingsdohappen，youknow！Nowthen——whydidn’tyoucometous？Wehaveawingquiteempty。Butjustasyoulike，ofcourse。DoyouleaseitfromHIM？——thisfellow，Imean，"sheadded，noddingtowardsLebedeff。"Andwhydoeshealwayswriggleso？"
　　AtthatmomentVera，carryingthebabyinherarmsasusual，cameoutofthehouse，ontotheterrace。Lebedeffkeptfidgetingamongthechairs，anddidnotseemtoknowwhattodowithhimself，thoughhehadnointentionofgoingaway。Henosoonercaughtsightofhisdaughter，thanherushedinherdirection，wavinghisarmstokeepheraway；heevenforgothimselfsofarastostamphisfoot。
　　"Ishemad？"askedMadameEpanchinsuddenly。
　　"No，he……"
　　"Perhapsheisdrunk？Yourcompanyisratherpeculiar，"sheadded，withaglanceattheotherguests……
　　"Butwhataprettygirl！Whoisshe？"
　　"ThatisLebedeff’sdaughter——VeraLukianovna。"
　　"Indeed？Shelooksverysweet。Ishouldliketomakeheracquaintance。"
　　Thewordswerehardlyoutofhermouth，whenLebedeffdraggedVeraforward，inordertopresenther。
　　"Orphans，poororphans！"hebeganinapatheticvoice。
　　"Thechildshecarriesisanorphan，too。SheisVera’ssister，mydaughterLuboff。Thedaythisbabewasborn，sixweeksago，mywifedied，bythewillofGodAlmighty……Yes……Veratakeshermother’splace，thoughsheisbuthersister……nothingmore……nothingmore……"
　　"Andyou！Youarenothingmorethanafool，ifyou’llexcuseme！
　　Well！well！youknowthatyourself，Iexpect，"saidtheladyindignantly。
　　Lebedeffbowedlow。"Itisthetruth，"hereplied，withextremerespect。
　　"Oh，Mr。Lebedeff，IamtoldyoulectureontheApocalypse。Isittrue？"askedAglaya。
　　"Yes，thatisso……forthelastfifteenyears。"
　　"Ihaveheardofyou，andIthinkreadofyouinthenewspapers。"
　　"No，thatwasanothercommentator，whomthepapersnamed。Heisdead，however，andIhavetakenhisplace，"saidtheother，muchdelighted。
　　"Weareneighbours，sowillyoubesokindastocomeoveronedayandexplaintheApocalypsetome？"saidAglaya。"Idonotunderstanditintheleast。"
　　"Allowmetowarnyou，"interposedGeneralIvolgin，thatheisthegreatestcharlatanonearth。"Hehadtakenthechairnexttothegirl，andwasimpatienttobegintalking。"Nodoubttherearepleasuresandamusementspeculiartothecountry，"hecontinued，"andtolistentoapretendedstudentholdingforthonthebookoftheRevelationsmaybeasgoodasanyother。Itmayevenbeoriginal。But……youseemtobelookingatmewithsomesurprise——mayIintroducemyself——GeneralIvolgin——Icarriedyouinmyarmsasababy——"
　　"Delighted，I’msure，"saidAglaya；"IamacquaintedwithVarvaraArdalionovnaandNinaAlexandrovna。"Shewastryinghardtorestrainherselffromlaughing。
　　Mrs。Epanchinflushedup；someaccumulationofspleeninhersuddenlyneededanoutlet。ShecouldnotbearthisGeneralIvolginwhomshehadonceknown，longago——insociety。
　　"Youaredeviatingfromthetruth，sir，asusual！"sheremarked，boilingoverwithindignation；"younevercarriedherinyourlife！"
　　"Youhaveforgotten，mother，"saidAglaya，suddenly。"Hereallydidcarrymeabout，——inTver，youknow。Iwassixyearsold，I
　　remember。Hemademeabowandarrow，andIshotapigeon。Don’tyouremembershootingapigeon，youandI，oneday？"
　　"Yes，andhemademeacardboardhelmet，andalittlewoodensword——Iremember！"saidAdelaida。
　　"Yes，Iremembertoo！"saidAlexandra。"Youquarrelledaboutthewoundedpigeon，andAdelaidawasputinthecorner，andstoodtherewithherhelmetandswordandall。"
　　ThepoorgeneralhadmerelymadetheremarkabouthavingcarriedAglayainhisarmsbecausehealwaysdidsobeginaconversationwithyoungpeople。Butithappenedthatthistimehehadreallyhituponthetruth，thoughhehadhimselfentirelyforgottenthefact。ButwhenAdelaidaandAglayarecalledtheepisodeofthepigeon，hismindbecamefilledwithmemories，anditisimpossibletodescribehowthispooroldman，usuallyhalfdrunk，wasmovedbytherecollection。
　　"Iremember——Irememberitall！"hecried。"Iwascaptainthen。
　　Youweresuchalovelylittlething——NinaAlexandrovna！——Gania，listen！IwasreceivedthenbyGeneralEpanchin。"
　　"Yes，andlookwhatyouhavecometonow！"interruptedMrs。
　　Epanchin。"However，Iseeyouhavenotquitedrunkyourbetterfeelingsaway。Butyou’vebrokenyourwife’sheart，sir——andinsteadoflookingafteryourchildren，youhavespentyourtimeinpublic-housesanddebtors’prisons！Goaway，myfriend，standinsomecornerandweep，andbemoanyourfallendignity，andperhapsGodwillforgiveyouyet！Go，go！I’mserious！There’snothingsofavourableforrepentanceastothinkofthepastwithfeelingsofremorse！"
　　Therewasnoneedtorepeatthatshewasserious。Thegeneral，likealldrunkards，wasextremelyemotionalandeasilytouchedbyrecollectionsofhisbetterdays。Heroseandwalkedquietlytothedoor，someeklythatMrs。Epanchinwasinstantlysorryforhim。
　　"ArdalionAlexandrovitch，"shecriedafterhim，"waitamoment，weareallsinners！Whenyoufeelthatyourconsciencereproachesyoualittleless，comeovertomeandwe’llhaveatalkaboutthepast！IdaresayIamfiftytimesmoreofasinnerthanyouare！Andnowgo，go，good-bye，youhadbetternotstayhere！"sheadded，inalarm，asheturnedasthoughtocomeback。
　　"Don’tgoafterhimjustnow，Colia，orhe’llbevexed，andthebenefitofthismomentwillbelost！"saidtheprince，astheboywashurryingoutoftheroom。
　　"Quitetrue！MuchbettertogoinhalfanhourorsosaidMrs。
　　Epanchin。
　　"That’swhatcomesoftellingthetruthforonceinone’slife！"
　　saidLebedeff。"Itreducedhimtotears。"
　　"Come，come！thelessYOUsayaboutitthebetter——tojudgefromallIhaveheardaboutyou！"repliedMrs。Epanchin。
　　TheprincetookthefirstopportunityofinformingtheEpanchinladiesthathehadintendedtopaythemavisitthatday，iftheyhadnotthemselvescomethisafternoon，andLizabethaProkofievnarepliedthatshehopedhewouldstilldoso。
　　Bythistimesomeofthevisitorshaddisappeared。
　　PtitsinhadtactfullyretreatedtoLebedeff’swing；andGaniasoonfollowedhim。
　　Thelatterhadbehavedmodestly，butwithdignity，onthisoccasionofhisfirstmeetingwiththeEpanchinssincetherupture。TwiceMrs。Epanchinhaddeliberatelyexaminedhimfromheadtofoot；buthehadstoodfirewithoutflinching。Hewascertainlymuchchanged，asanyonecouldseewhohadnotmethimforsometime；andthisfactseemedtoaffordAglayaagooddealofsatisfaction。
　　"ThatwasGavrilaArdalionovitch，whojustwentout，wasn’tit？"
　　sheaskedsuddenly，interruptingsomebodyelse’sconversationtomaketheremark。
　　"Yes，itwas，"saidtheprince。
　　"Ihardlyknewhim；heismuchchanged，andforthebetter！"
　　"Iamveryglad，"saidtheprince。
　　"Hehasbeenveryill，"addedVaria。
　　"Howhashechangedforthebetter？"askedMrs。Epanchin。"I
　　don’tseeanychangeforthebetter！What’sbetterinhim？WheredidyougetTHATideafrom？WHAT’Sbetter？"
　　"There’snothingbetterthanthe’poorknight’！"saidColia，whowasstandingnearthelastspeaker’schair。
　　"Iquiteagreewithyouthere！"saidPrinceS。，laughing。
　　"SodoI，"saidAdelaida，solemnly。
　　"WHATpoorknight？"askedMrs。Epanchin，lookingroundatthefaceofeachofthespeakersinturn。Seeing，however，thatAglayawasblushing，sheadded，angrily:
　　"Whatnonsenseyouarealltalking！Whatdoyoumeanbypoorknight？"
　　"It’snotthefirsttimethisurchin，yourfavourite，hasshownhisimpudencebytwistingotherpeople’swords，"saidAglaya，haughtily。
　　EverytimethatAglayashowedtemperandthiswasveryoften，therewassomuchchildishpouting，such"school-girlishness，"asitwere，inherapparentwrath，thatitwasimpossibletoavoidsmilingather，toherownunutterableindignation。Ontheseoccasionsshewouldsay，"Howcanthey，howDAREtheylaughatme？"
　　Thistimeeveryonelaughedather，hersisters，PrinceS。，PrinceMuishkinthoughhehimselfhadflushedforsomereason，andColia。Aglayawasdreadfullyindignant，andlookedtwiceasprettyinherwrath。
　　"He’salwaystwistingroundwhatonesays，"shecried。
　　"Iamonlyrepeatingyourownexclamation！"saidColia。"AmonthagoyouwereturningoverthepagesofyourDonQuixote，andsuddenlycalledout’thereisnothingbetterthanthepoorknight。’Idon’tknowwhomyouwerereferringto，ofcourse，whethertoDonQuixote，orEvgeniePavlovitch，orsomeoneelse，butyoucertainlysaidthesewords，andafterwardstherewasalongconversation……"
　　"Youareinclinedtogoalittletoofar，mygoodboy，withyourguesses，"saidMrs。Epanchin，withsomeshowofannoyance。
　　"Butit’snotIalone，"criedColia。"Theyalltalkedaboutit，andtheydostill。Why，justnowPrinceS。andAdelaidaIvanovnadeclaredthattheyupheld’thepoorknight’；soevidentlytheredoesexista’poorknight’；andifitwerenotforAdelaidaIvanovna，weshouldhaveknownlongagowhothe’poorknight’
　　was。"
　　"Why，howamItoblame？"askedAdelaida，smiling。
　　"Youwouldn’tdrawhisportraitforus，that’swhyyouaretoblame！AglayaIvanovnaaskedyoutodrawhisportrait，andgaveyouthewholesubjectofthepicture。Sheinventeditherself；
　　andyouwouldn’t。"
　　"WhatwasItodraw？Accordingtothelinesshequoted:
　　"’FromhisfaceheneverliftedThateternalmaskofsteel。’"
　　"WhatsortofafacewasItodraw？Icouldn’tdrawamask。"
　　"Idon’tknowwhatyouaredrivingat；whatmaskdoyoumean？"
　　saidMrs。Epanchin，irritably。Shebegantoseeprettyclearlythoughwhatitmeant，andwhomtheyreferredtobythegenerallyacceptedtitleof"poorknight。"Butwhatspeciallyannoyedherwasthattheprincewaslookingsouncomfortable，andblushinglikeaten-year-oldchild。
　　"Well，haveyoufinishedyoursillyjoke？"sheadded，andamItobetoldwhatthis’poorknight’means，orisitasolemnsecretwhichcannotbeapproachedlightly？"
　　Buttheyalllaughedon。
　　"It’ssimplythatthereisaRussianpoem，"beganPrinceS。，evidentlyanxioustochangetheconversation，"astrangething，withoutbeginningorend，andallabouta’poorknight。’Amonthorsoago，wewerealltalkingandlaughing，andlookingupasubjectforoneofAdelaida’spictures——youknowitistheprincipalbusinessofthisfamilytofindsubjectsforAdelaida’spictures。Well，wehappeneduponthis’poorknight。’Idon’trememberwhothoughtofitfirst——"
　　"Oh！AglayaIvanovnadid，"saidColia。
　　"Verylikely——Idon’trecollect，"continuedPrinceS。
　　"Someofuslaughedatthesubject；somelikedit；butshedeclaredthat，inordertomakeapictureofthegentleman，shemustfirstseehisface。Wethenbegantothinkoverallourfriends’facestoseeifanyofthemwoulddo，andnonesuitedus，andsothematterstood；that’sall。Idon’tknowwhyNicolaiArdalionovitchhasbroughtupthejokenow。Whatwasappropriateandfunnythen，hasquitelostallinterestbythistime。"
　　"Probablythere’ssomenewsillinessaboutit，"saidMrs。
　　Epanchin，sarcastically。
　　"Thereisnosillinessaboutitatall——onlytheprofoundestrespect，"saidAglaya，veryseriously。Shehadquiterecoveredhertemper；infact，fromcertainsigns，itwasfairtoconcludethatshewasdelightedtoseethisjokegoingsofar；andacarefulobservermighthaveremarkedthathersatisfactiondatedfromthemomentwhenthefactoftheprince’sconfusionbecameapparenttoall。
　　"’Profoundestrespect！’Whatnonsense！First，insanegiggling，andthen，allofasudden，adisplayof’profoundestrespect。’
　　Whyrespect？Tellmeatonce，whyhaveyousuddenlydevelopedthis’profoundrespect，’eh？"
　　"Because，"repliedAglayagravely，"inthepoemtheknightisdescribedasamancapableoflivinguptoanidealallhislife。
　　Thatsortofthingisnottobefoundeverydayamongthemenofourtimes。Inthepoemitisnotstatedexactlywhattheidealwas，butitwasevidentlysomevision，somerevelationofpureBeauty，andtheknightworeroundhisneck，insteadofascarf，arosary。Adevice——A。N。B——themeaningofwhichisnotexplained，wasinscribedonhisshield——"
　　"No，A。N。D。，"correctedColia。
　　"IsayA。N。B。，andsoitshallbe！"criedAglaya，irritably。
　　"Anyway，the’poorknight’didnotcarewhathisladywas，orwhatshedid。Hehadchosenhisideal，andhewasboundtoserveher，andbreaklancesforher，andacknowledgeherastheidealofpureBeauty，whatevershemightsayordoafterwards。Ifshehadtakentostealing，hewouldhavechampionedherjustthesame。Ithinkthepoetdesiredtoembodyinthisonepicturethewholespiritofmedievalchivalryandtheplatonicloveofapureandhigh-souledknight。Ofcourseit’sallanideal，andinthe’poorknight’thatspiritreachedtheutmostlimitofasceticism。
　　HeisaDonQuixote，onlyseriousandnotcomical。Iusednottounderstandhim，andlaughedathim，butnowIlovethe’poorknight，’andrespecthisactions。"
　　SoendedAglaya；and，tolookather，itwasdifficult，indeed，tojudgewhethershewasjokingorinearnest。
　　"Pooh！hewasafool，andhisactionsweretheactionsofafool，"saidMrs。Epanchin；"andasforyou，youngwoman，yououghttoknowbetter。Atallevents，youarenottotalklikethatagain。Whatpoemisit？Reciteit！Iwanttohearthispoem！
　　Ihavehatedpoetryallmylife。Prince，youmustexcusethisnonsense。Weneitherofuslikethissortofthing！Bepatient！"
　　Theycertainlywereputout，bothofthem。
　　Theprincetriedtosaysomething，buthewastooconfused，andcouldnotgethiswordsout。Aglaya，whohadtakensuchlibertiesinherlittlespeech，wastheonlypersonpresent，perhaps，whowasnotintheleastembarrassed。Sheseemed，infact，quitepleased。
　　Shenowrosesolemnlyfromherseat，walkedtothecentreoftheterrace，andstoodinfrontoftheprince’schair。Alllookedonwithsomesurprise，andPrinceS。andhersisterswithfeelingsofdecidedalarm，toseewhatnewfrolicshewasupto；ithadgonequitefarenoughalready，theythought。ButAglayaevidentlythoroughlyenjoyedtheaffectationandceremonywithwhichshewasintroducingherrecitationofthepoem。
　　Mrs。Epanchinwasjustwonderingwhethershewouldnotforbidtheperformanceafterall，when，attheverymomentthatAglayacommencedherdeclamation，twonewguests，bothtalkingloudly，enteredfromthestreet。ThenewarrivalswereGeneralEpanchinandayoungman。
　　Theirentrancecausedsomeslightcommotion。