"Iwouldtakelibertyfromanyhandasahungrymanwouldsnatchapieceofbread。"
MissHALDIN
PARTFIRST
TobeginwithIwishtodisclaimthepossessionofthosehighgiftsofimaginationandexpressionwhichwouldhaveenabledmypentocreateforthereaderthepersonalityofthemanwhocalledhimself，aftertheRussiancustom，CyrilsonofIsidor——KiryloSidorovitch—Razumov，IfIhaveeverhadthesegiftsinanysortoflivingformtheyhavebeensmotheredoutofexistencealongtimeagounderawildernessofwords。Words，asiswellknown，arethegreatfoesofreality。Ihavebeenformanyyearsateacheroflanguages。
Itisanoccupationwhichatlengthbecomesfataltowhatevershareofimagination，observation，andinsightanordinarypersonmaybeheirto。Toateacheroflanguagestherecomesatimewhentheworldisbutaplaceofmanywordsandmanappearsameretalkinganimalnotmuchmorewonderfulthanaparrot。
Thisbeingso，IcouldnothaveobservedMr。Razumovorguessedathisrealitybytheforceofinsight，muchlesshaveimaginedhimashewas。Eventoinventthemerebaldfactsofhislifewouldhavebeenutterlybeyondmypowers。ButIthinkthatwithoutthisdeclarationthereadersofthesepageswillbeabletodetectinthestorythemarksofdocumentaryevidence。Andthatisperfectlycorrect。Itisbasedonadocument；allIhavebroughttoitismyknowledgeoftheRussianlanguage，whichissufficientforwhatisattemptedhere。Thedocument，ofcourse，issomethinginthenatureofajournal，adiary，yetnotexactlythatinitsactualform。Forinstance，mostofitwasnotwrittenupfromdaytoday，thoughalltheentriesaredated。Someoftheseentriescovermonthsoftimeandextendoverdozensofpages。Alltheearlierpartisaretrospect，inanarrativeform，relatingtoaneventwhichtookplaceaboutayearbefore。
ImustmentionthatIhavelivedforalongtimeinGeneva。A
wholequarterofthattown，onaccountofmanyRussiansresidingthere，iscalledLaPetiteRussie——LittleRussia。IhadaratherextensiveconnexioninLittleRussiaatthattime。YetI
confessthatIhavenocomprehensionoftheRussiancharacter。
Theillogicalityoftheirattitude，thearbitrarinessoftheirconclusions，thefrequencyoftheexceptional，shouldpresentnodifficultytoastudentofmanygrammars；buttheremustbesomethingelseintheway，somespecialhumantrait——oneofthosesubtledifferencesthatarebeyondthekenofmereprofessors。
WhatmustremainstrikingtoateacheroflanguagesistheRussians’extraordinaryloveofwords。Theygatherthemup；theycherishthem，buttheydon’thoardthemintheirbreasts；onthecontrary，theyarealwaysreadytopourthemoutbythehourorbythenightwithanenthusiasm，asweepingabundance，withsuchanaptnessofapplicationsometimesthat，asinthecaseofveryaccomplishedparrots，onecan’tdefendoneselffromthesuspicionthattheyreallyunderstandwhattheysay。Thereisagenerosityintheirardourofspeechwhichremovesitasfaraspossiblefromcommonloquacity；anditisevertoodisconnectedtobeclassedaseloquence……ButImustapologizeforthisdigression。
ItwouldbeidletoinquirewhyMr。Razumovhasleftthisrecordbehindhim。Itisinconceivablethatheshouldhavewishedanyhumaneyetoseeit。Amysteriousimpulseofhumannaturecomesintoplayhere。PuttingasideSamuelPepys，whohasforcedinthiswaythedoorofimmortality，innumerablepeople，criminals，saints，philosophers，younggirls，statesmen，andsimpleimbeciles，havekeptself—revealingrecordsfromvanitynodoubt，butalsofromothermoreinscrutablemotives。Theremustbeawonderfulsoothingpowerinmerewordssincesomanymenhaveusedthemforself—communion。BeingmyselfaquietindividualItakeitthatwhatallmenarereallyafterissomeformorperhapsonlysomeformulaofpeace。Certainlytheyarecryingloudenoughforitatthepresentday。WhatsortofpeaceKiryloSidorovitchRazumovexpectedtofindinthewritingupofhisrecorditpassethmyunderstandingtoguess。
Thefactremainsthathehaswrittenit。
Mr。Razumovwasatall，well—proportionedyoungman，quiteunusuallydarkforaRussianfromtheCentralProvinces。Hisgoodlookswouldhavebeenunquestionableifithadnotbeenforapeculiarlackoffinenessinthefeatures。Itwasasifafacemodelledvigorouslyinwax（withsomeapproacheventoaclassicalcorrectnessoftype）hadbeenheldclosetoafiretillallsharpnessoflinehadbeenlostinthesofteningofthematerial。Buteventhushewassufficientlygood—looking。Hismanner，too，wasgood。Indiscussionhewaseasilyswayedbyargumentandauthority。Withhisyoungercompatriotshetooktheattitudeofaninscrutablelistener，alistenerofthekindthathearsyououtintelligentlyandthen——justchangesthesubject。
Thissortoftrick，whichmayariseeitherfromintellectualinsufficiencyorfromanimperfecttrustinone’sownconvictions，procuredforMr。Razumovareputationofprofundity。
Amongstalotofexuberanttalkers，inthehabitofexhaustingthemselvesdailybyardentdiscussion，acomparativelytaciturnpersonalityisnaturallycreditedwithreservepower。ByhiscomradesattheSt。PetersburgUniversity，KiryloSidorovitchRazumov，thirdyear’sstudentinphilosophy，waslookeduponasastrongnature——analtogethertrustworthyman。This，inacountrywhereanopinionmaybealegalcrimevisitedbydeathorsometimesbyafateworsethanmeredeath，meantthathewasworthyofbeingtrustedwithforbiddenopinions。Hewaslikedalsoforhisamiabilityandforhisquietreadinesstoobligehiscomradesevenatthecostofpersonalinconvenience。
Mr。RazumovwassupposedtobethesonofanArchpriestandtobeprotectedbyadistinguishednobleman——perhapsofhisowndistantprovince。Buthisoutwardappearanceaccordedbadlywithsuchhumbleorigin。Suchadescentwasnotcredible。Itwas，indeed，suggestedthatMr。RazumovwasthesonofanArchpriest’sprettydaughter——which，ofcourse，wouldputadifferentcomplexiononthematter。Thistheoryalsorenderedintelligibletheprotectionofthedistinguishednobleman。Allthis，however，hadneverbeeninvestigatedmaliciouslyorotherwise。Noonekneworcaredwhothenoblemaninquestionwas。Razumovreceivedamodestbutverysufficientallowancefromthehandsofanobscureattorney，whoseemedtoactashisguardianinsomemeasure。
Nowandthenheappearedatsomeprofessor’sinformalreception。
ApartfromthatRazumovwasnotknowntohaveanysocialrelationsinthetown。Heattendedtheobligatorylecturesregularlyandwasconsideredbytheauthoritiesasaverypromisingstudent。Heworkedathomeinthemannerofamanwhomeanstogeton，butdidnotshuthimselfupseverelyforthatpurpose。Hewasalwaysaccessible，andtherewasnothingsecretorreservedinhislife。
I
THEoriginofMr。Razumov’srecordisconnectedwithaneventcharacteristicofmodernRussiaintheactualfact：theassassinationofaprominentstatesman——andstillmorecharacteristicofthemoralcorruptionofanoppressedsocietywherethenoblestaspirationsofhumanity，thedesireoffreedom，anardentpatriotism，theloveofjustice，thesenseofpity，andeventhefidelityofsimplemindsareprostitutedtothelustsofhateandfear，theinseparablecompanionsofanuneasydespotism。
ThefactalludedtoaboveisthesuccessfulattemptonthelifeofMr。deP———，thePresidentofthenotoriousRepressiveCommissionofsomeyearsago，theMinisterofStateinvestedwithextraordinarypowers。Thenewspapersmadenoiseenoughaboutthatfanatical，narrow—chestedfigureingold—laceduniform，withafaceofcrumpledparchment，insipid，bespectacledeyes，andthecrossoftheOrderofSt。Procopiushungundertheskinnythroat。
Foratime，itmayberemembered，notamonthpassedwithouthisportraitappearinginsomeoneoftheillustratedpapersofEurope。Heservedthemonarchybyimprisoning，exiling，orsendingtothegallowsmenandwomen，youngandold，withanequable，unweariedindustry。Inhismysticacceptanceoftheprincipleofautocracyhewasbentonextirpatingfromthelandeveryvestigeofanythingthatresembledfreedominpublicinstitutions；andinhisruthlesspersecutionoftherisinggenerationheseemedtoaimatthedestructionoftheveryhopeoflibertyitself。
Itissaidthatthisexecratedpersonalityhadnotenoughimaginationtobeawareofthehateheinspired。Itishardlycredible；butitisafactthathetookveryfewprecautionsforhissafety。InthepreambleofacertainfamousStatepaperhehaddeclaredoncethat"thethoughtoflibertyhasneverexistedintheActoftheCreator。Fromthemultitudeofmen’scounselnothingcouldcomebutrevoltanddisorder；andrevoltanddisorderinaworldcreatedforobedienceandstabilityissin。ItwasnotReasonbutAuthoritywhichexpressedtheDivineIntention。GodwastheAutocratoftheUniverse……"ItmaybethatthemanwhomadethisdeclarationbelievedthatheavenitselfwasboundtoprotecthiminhisremorselessdefenceofAutocracyonthisearth。
Nodoubtthevigilanceofthepolicesavedhimmanytimes；but，asamatteroffact，whenhisappointedfateovertookhim，thecompetentauthoritiescouldnothavegivenhimanywarning。TheyhadnoknowledgeofanyconspiracyagainsttheMinister’slife，hadnohintofanyplotthroughtheirusualchannelsofinformation，hadseennosigns，wereawareofnosuspiciousmovementsordangerouspersons。
Mr。deP———wasbeingdriventowardstherailwaystationinatwo—horseuncoveredsleighwithfootmanandcoachmanonthebox。
Snowhadbeenfallingallnight，makingtheroadway，unclearedasyetatthisearlyhour，veryheavyforthehorses。Itwasstillfallingthickly。Butthesleighmusthavebeenobservedandmarkeddown。Asitdrewovertotheleftbeforetakingaturn，thefootmannoticedapeasantwalkingslowlyontheedgeofthepavementwithhishandsinthepocketsofhissheepskincoatandhisshouldershuncheduptohisearsunderthefallingsnow。Onbeingovertakenthispeasantsuddenlyfacedaboutandswunghisarm。Inaninstanttherewasaterribleshock，adetonationmufffledinthemultitudeofsnowflakes；bothhorseslaydeadandmangledonthegroundandthecoachman，withashrillcry，hadfallenofftheboxmortallywounded。Thefootman（whosurvived）
hadnotimetoseethefaceofthemaninthesheepskincoat。
Afterthrowingthebombthislastgotaway，butitissupposedthat，seeingalotofpeoplesurginguponallsidesofhiminthefallingsnow，andallrunningtowardsthesceneoftheexplosion，hethoughtitsafertoturnbackwiththem。
Inanincrediblyshorttimeanexcitedcrowdassembledroundthesledge。TheMinister—President，gettingoutunhurtintothedeepsnow，stoodnearthegroaningcoachmanandaddressedthepeoplerepeatedlyinhisweak，colourlessvoice："Ibegofyoutokeepoff：FortheloveofGod，Ibegofyougoodpeopletokeepoff。"
Itwasthenthatatallyoungmanwhohadremainedstandingperfectlystillwithinacarriagegateway，twohouseslowerdown，steppedoutintothestreetandwalkinguprapidlyflunganotherbombovertheheadsofthecrowd。ItactuallystrucktheMinister—Presidentontheshoulderashestoopedoverhisdyingservant，thenfallingbetweenhisfeetexplodedwithaterrificconcentratedviolence，strikinghimdeadtotheground，finishingthewoundedmanandpracticallyannihilatingtheemptysledgeinthetwinklingofaneye。Withayellofhorrorthecrowdbrokeupandfledinalldirections，exceptforthosewhofelldeadordyingwheretheystoodnearesttotheMinister—President，andoneortwootherswhodidnotfalltilltheyhadrunalittleway。
Thefirstexplosionhadbroughttogetheracrowdasifbyenchantment，thesecondmadeasswiftlyasolitudeinthestreetforhundredsofyardsineachdirection。Throughthefallingsnowpeoplelookedfromafaratthesmallheapofdeadbodieslyinguponeachothernearthecarcasesofthetwohorses。
NobodydaredtoapproachtillsomeCossacksofastreet—patrolgallopedupand，dismounting，begantoturnoverthedead。
Amongsttheinnocentvictimsofthesecondexplosionlaidoutonthepavementtherewasabodydressedinapeasant’ssheepskincoat；butthefacewasunrecognisable，therewasabsolutelynothingfoundinthepocketsofitspoorclothing，anditwastheonlyonewhoseidentitywasneverestablished。
ThatdayMr。RazumovgotupathisusualhourandspentthemorningwithintheUniversitybuildingslisteningtothelecturesandworkingforsometime，inthelibrary。Heheardthefirstvaguerumourofsomethinginthewayofbomb—throwingatthetableofthestudents’ordinary，wherehewasaccustomedtoeathistwoo’clockdinner。Butthisrumourwasmadeupofmerewhispers，andthiswasRussia，whereitwasnotalwayssafe，forastudentespecially，toappeartoomuchinterestedincertainkindsofwhispers。Razumovwasoneofthosemenwho，livinginaperiodofmentalandpoliticalunrest，keepaninstinctiveholdonnormal，practical，everydaylife。Hewasawareoftheemotionaltensionofhistime；heevenrespondedtoitinanindefiniteway。Buthismainconcernwaswithhiswork，hisstudies，andwithhisownfuture。
Officiallyandinfactwithoutafamily（forthedaughteroftheArchpriesthadlongbeendead），nohomeinfluenceshadshapedhisopinionsorhisfeelings。Hewasaslonelyintheworldasamanswimminginthedeepsea。ThewordRazumovwasthemerelabelofasolitaryindividuality。TherewerenoRazumovsbelongingtohimanywhere。HisclosestparentagewasdefinedinthestatementthathewasaRussian。Whatevergoodheexpectedfromlifewouldbegiventoorwithheldfromhishopesbythatconnexionalone。Thisimmenseparentagesufferedfromthethroesofinternaldissensions，andheshrankmentallyfromthefrayasagood—naturedmanmayshrinkfromtakingdefinitesidesinaviolentfamilyquarrel。
Razumov，goinghome，reflectedthathavingpreparedallthemattersoftheforthcomingexamination，hecouldnowdevotehistimetothesubjectoftheprizeessay。Hehankeredafterthesilvermedal。TheprizewasofferedbytheMinistryofEducation；thenamesofthecompetitorswouldbesubmittedtotheMinisterhimself。Themerefactoftryingwouldbeconsideredmeritoriousinthehigherquarters；andthepossessoroftheprizewouldhaveaclaimtoanadministrativeappointmentofthebettersortafterhehadtakenhisdegree。ThestudentRazumovinanaccessofelationforgotthedangersmenacingthestabilityoftheinstitutionswhichgiverewardsandappointments。Butrememberingthemedallistoftheyearbefore，Razumov，theyoungmanofnoparentage，wassobered。Heandsomeothershappenedtobeassembledintheircomrade’sroomsattheverytimewhenthatlastreceivedtheofficialadviceofhissuccess。Hewasaquiet，unassumingyoungman："Forgiveme，"hehadsaidwithafaintapologeticsmileandtakinguphiscap，"Iamgoingouttoorderupsomewine。ButImustfirstsendatelegramtomyfolkathome。
Isay!Won’ttheoldpeoplemakeitafestivetimefortheneighboursfortwentymilesaroundourplace。"
Razumovthoughttherewasnothingofthatsortforhimintheworld。Hissuccesswouldmattertonoone。Buthefeltnobitternessagainstthenoblemanhisprotector，whowasnotaprovincialmagnateaswasgenerallysupposed。HewasinfactnobodylessthanPrinceK———，onceagreatandsplendidfigureintheworldandnow，hisdaybeingover，aSenatorandagoutyinvalid，livinginastillsplendidbutmoredomesticmanner。Hehadsomeyoungchildrenandawifeasaristocraticandproudashimself。
InallhislifeRazumovwasallowedonlyoncetocomeintopersonalcontactwiththePrince。
Ithadtheairofachancemeetinginthelittleattorney’soffice。OnedayRazumov，cominginbyappointment，foundastrangerstandingthere——atall，aristocratic—lookingPersonagewithsilky，greysidewhiskers。Thebald—headed，slylittlelawyer—fellowcalledout，"Comein——comein，Mr。Razumov，"withasortofironicheartiness。Thenturningdeferentiallytothestrangerwiththegrandair，"Awardofmine，your，Excellency。
OneofthemostpromisingstudentsofhisfacultyintheSt。
PetersburgUniversity。"
TohisintensesurpriseRazumovsawawhiteshapelyhandextendedtohim。Hetookitingreatconfusion（itwassoftandpassive）
andheardatthesametimeacondescendingmurmurinwhichhecaughtonlythewords"Satisfactory"and"Persevere。"Butthemostamazingthingofallwastofeelsuddenlyadistinctpressureofthewhiteshapelyhandjustbeforeitwaswithdrawn：
alightpressurelikeasecretsign。Theemotionofitwasterrible。Razumov’sheartseemedtoleapintohisthroat。Whenheraisedhiseyesthearistocraticpersonage，motioningthelittlelawyeraside，hadopenedthedoorandwasgoingout。
Theattorneyrummagedamongstthepapersonhisdeskforatime。
"Doyouknowwhothatwas？"heaskedsuddenly。
Razumov，whoseheartwasthumpinghardyet，shookhisheadinsilence。
"ThatwasPrinceK———。Youwonderwhathecouldbedoingintheholeofapoorlegalratlikemyself——eh？Theseawfullygreatpeoplehavetheirsentimentalcuriositieslikecommonsinners。ButifIwereyou，KiryloSidorovitch，"hecontinued，leeringandlayingapeculiaremphasisonthepatronymic，"
Iwouldn’tboastatlargeoftheintroduction。Itwouldnotbeprudent，KiryloSidorovitch。Ohdearno!Itwouldbeinfactdangerousforyourfuture。"
Theyoungman’searsburnedlikefire；hissightwasdim。
"Thatman!"Razumovwassayingtohimself。"He!"
HenceforthitwasbythismonosyllablethatMr。Razumovgotintothehabitofreferringmentallytothestrangerwithgreysilkyside—whiskers。Fromthattimetoo，whenwalkinginthemorefashionablequarters，henotedwithinterestthemagnificenthorsesandcarriageswithPrinceK———’sliveriesonthebox。
OncehesawthePrincessgetout——shewasshopping——followedbytwogirls，ofwhichonewasnearlyaheadtallerthantheother。
TheirfairhairhungloosedowntheirbacksintheEnglishstyle；
theyhadmerryeyes，theircoats，muffs，andlittlefurcapswereexactlyalike，andtheircheeksandnosesweretingedacheerfulpinkbythefrost。Theycrossedthepavementinfrontofhim，andRazumovwentonhiswaysmilingshylytohimself。"His"
daughters。Theyresembled"Him。"Theyoungmanfeltaglowofwarmfriendlinesstowardsthesegirlswhowouldneverknowofhisexistence。PresentlytheywouldmarryGeneralsorKammerherrsandhavegirlsandboysoftheirown，whoperhapswouldbeawareofhimasacelebratedoldprofessor，decorated，possiblyaPrivyCouncillor，oneofthegloriesofRussia——nothingmore!
Butacelebratedprofessorwasasomebody。DistinctionwouldconvertthelabelRazumovintoanhonouredname。TherewasnothingstrangeinthestudentRazumov’swishfordistinction。Aman’sreallifeisthataccordedtohiminthethoughtsofothermenbyreasonofrespectornaturallove。
ReturninghomeonthedayoftheattemptonMr。deP———’slifeRazumovresolvedtohaveagoodtryforthesilvermedal。
Climbingslowlythefourflightsofthedark，dirtystaircaseinthehousewherehehadhislodgings，hefeltconfidentofsuccess。Thewinner’snamewouldbepublishedinthepapersonNewYear’sDay。Andatthethoughtthat"He"wouldmostprobablyreaditthere，Razumovstoppedshortonthestairsforaninstant，thenwentonsmilingfaintlyathisownemotion。"Thisisbutashadow，"hesaidtohimself，"butthemedalisasolidbeginning。"
Withthoseideasofindustryinhisheadthewarmthofhisroomwasagreeableandencouraging。"Ishallputinfourhoursofgoodwork，"hethought。Butnosoonerhadheclosedthedoorthanhewashorriblystartled。Allblackagainsttheusualtallstoveofwhitetilesgleaminginthedusk，stoodastrangefigure，wearingaskirted，close—fitting，brownclothcoatstrappedroundthewaist，inlongboots，andwithalittleAstrakhancaponitshead。Itloomedlitheandmartial。Razumovwasutterlyconfounded。Itwasonlywhenthefigureadvancingtwopacesaskedinanuntroubled，gravevoiceiftheouterdoorwasclosedthatheregainedhispowerofspeech。
"Haldin!……VictorVictorovitch!……Isthatyou？……Yes。Theouterdoorisshutallright。Butthisisindeedunexpected。"
VictorHaldin，astudentolderthanmostofhiscontemporariesattheUniversity，wasnotoneoftheindustriousset。Hewashardlyeverseenatlectures；theauthoritieshadmarkedhimas"restless"and"unsound"——verybadnotes。Buthehadagreatpersonalprestigewithhiscomradesandinfluencedtheirthoughts。Razumovhadneverbeenintimatewithhim。Theyhadmetfromtimetotimeatgatheringsinotherstudents’houses。
Theyhadevenhadadiscussiontogether——oneofthosediscussionsonfirstprinciplesdeartothesanguinemindsofyouth。
Razumovwishedthemanhadchosensomeothertimetocomeforachat。Hefeltingoodtrimtotackletheprizeessay。ButasHaldincouldnotbeslightinglydismissedRazumovadoptedthetoneofhospitality，askinghimtositdownandsmoke。
"KiryloSidorovitch，"saidtheother，flingingoffhiscap，"wearenotperhapsinexactlythesamecamp。Yourjudgmentismorephilosophical。Youareamanoffewwords，butIhaven’tmetanybodywhodaredtodoubtthegenerosityofyoursentiments。
Thereisasolidityaboutyourcharacterwhichcannotexistwithoutcourage。
Razumovfeltflatteredandbegantomurmurshylysomethingaboutbeingverygladofhisgoodopinion，whenHaldinraisedhishand。
"ThatiswhatIwassayingtomyself，"hecontinued，"asIdodgedinthewoodyarddownbytheriver—side。’Hehasastrongcharacterthisyoungman，’Isaidtomyself。’Hedoesnotthrowhissoultothewinds。’Yourreservehasalwaysfascinatedme，KiryloSiderovitch。SoItriedtorememberyouraddress。Butlookhere——itwasapieceofluck。Yourdvornikwasawayfromthegatetalkingtoasleigh—driverontheothersideofthestreet。Imetnooneonthestairs，notasoul。AsIcameuptoyourfloorIcaughtsightofyourlandladycomingoutofyourrooms。Butshedidnotseeme。Shecrossedthelandingtoherownside，andthenIslippedin。Ihavebeenheretwohoursexpectingyoutocomeineverymoment。
Razumovhadlistenedinastonishment；butbeforehecouldopenhismouthHaldinadded，speakingdeliberately，"ItwasI
whoremoveddeP———thismorning。"Razumovkeptdownacryofdismay。Thesentimentofhislifebeingutterlyruinedbythiscontactwithsuchacrimeexpresseditselfquaintlybyasortofhalf—derisivementalexclamation，"Theregoesmysilvermedal!"
Haldincontinuedafterwaitingawhile——
"Yousaynothing，KiryloSidorovitch!Iunderstandyoursilence。
Tobesure，IcannotexpectyouwithyourfrigidEnglishmannertoembraceme。Butnevermindyourmanners。Youhaveenoughhearttohaveheardthesoundofweepingandgnashingofteeththismanraisedintheland。Thatwouldbeenoughtogetoveranyphilosophicalhopes。Hewasuprootingthetenderplant。Hehadtobestopped。Hewasadangerousman——aconvincedman。
Threemoreyearsofhisworkwouldhaveputusbackfiftyyearsintobondage——andlookatalltheliveswasted，atallthesoulslostinthattime。"
Hiscurt，self—confidentvoicesuddenlylostitsringanditwasinadulltonethatheadded，"Yes，brother，Ihavekilledhim。
It’swearywork。"
Razumovhadsunkintoachair。Everymomentheexpectedacrowdofpolicementorushin。Theremusthavebeenthousandsofthemoutlookingforthatmanwalkingupanddowninhisroom。Haldinwastalkingagaininarestrained，steadyvoice。Nowandthenheflourishedanarm，slowly，withoutexcitement。
HetoldRazumovhowhehadbroodedforayear；howhehadnotsleptproperlyforweeks。Heand"Another"hadawarningoftheMinister’smovementsfrom"acertainperson"latetheeveningbefore。HeandthatAnother"preparedtheir"engines"and"resolvedtohavenosleeptill"thedeed"wasdone。Theywalkedthestreetsunderthefallingsnowwiththe"engines"
onthem，exchangingnotawordthelivelongnight。Whentheyhappenedtomeetapolicepatroltheytookeachotherbythearmandpretendedtobeacoupleofpeasantsonthespree。
Theyreeledandtalkedindrunkenhoarsevoices。Exceptforthesestrangeoutbreakstheykeptsilence，movingonceaselessly。
Theirplanshadbeenpreviouslyarranged。Atdaybreaktheymadetheirwaytothespotwhichtheyknewthesledgemustpass。
Whenitappearedinsighttheyexchangedamutteredgood—byeandseparated。The"other"remainedatthecorner，Haldintookupapositionalittlefartherupthestreet……
Afterthrowinghis"engine"heranoffandinamomentwasovertakenbythepanic—struckpeopleflyingawayfromthespotafterthesecondexplosion。Theywerewildwithterror。Hewasjostledonceortwice。Hesloweddownfortherushtopasshimandthenturnedtotheleftintoanarrowstreet。Therehewasalone。
Hemarvelledatthisimmediateescape。Theworkwasdone。Hecouldhardlybelieveit。Hefoughtwithanalmostirresistiblelongingtoliedownonthepavementandsleep。Butthissortoffaintness——adrowsyfaintness——passedoffquickly。Hewalkedfaster，makinghiswaytooneofthepoorerpartsofthetowninordertolookupZiemianitch。
ThisZiemianitch，Razumovunderstood，wasasortoftown—peasantwhohadgoton；ownerofasmallnumberofsledgesandhorsesforhire。Haldinpausedinhisnarrativetoexclaim——
"Abrightspirit!Ahardysoul!ThebestdriverinSt。Petersburg。
Hehasateamofthreehorsesthere……Ah!He’safellow!"
Thismanhaddeclaredhimselfwillingtotakeoutsafely，atanytime，oneortwopersonstothesecondorthirdrailwaystationononeofthesouthernlines。Buttherehadbeennotimetowarnhimthenightbefore。Hisusualhauntseemedtobealow—classeating—houseontheoutskirtsofthetown。WhenHaldingottherethemanwasnottobefound。Hewasnotexpectedtoturnupagaintilltheevening。Haldinwanderedawayrestlessly。
Hesawthegateofawoodyardopenandwentintogetoutofthewindwhichsweptthebleakbroadthoroughfare。Thegreatrectangularpilesofcutwoodloadedwithsnowresembledthehutsofavillage。Atfirstthewatchmanwhodiscoveredhimcrouchingamongstthemtalkedinafriendlymanner。Hewasadried—upoldmanwearingtworaggedarmycoatsoneovertheother；hiswizenedlittleface，tiedupunderthejawandovertheearsinadirtyredhandkerchief，lookedcomical。Presentlyhegrewsulky，andthenallatoncewithoutrhymeorreasonbegantoshoutfuriously。
"Aren’tyouevergoingtoclearoutofthis，youloafer？Weknowallaboutfactoryhandsofyoursort。Abig，strong，youngchap!
Youaren’tevendrunk。Whatdoyouwanthere？Youdon’tfrightenus。
Takeyourselfandyouruglyeyesaway。"
HaldinstoppedbeforethesittingRazumov。Hissupplefigure，withthewhiteforeheadabovewhichthefairhairstoodstraightup，hadanaspectofloftydaring。
"Hedidnotlikemyeyes，"hesaid。"Andso……hereIam。"
Razumovmadeanefforttospeakcalmly。
"Butpardonme，VictorVictorovitch。Weknoweachothersolittle……Idon’tseewhyyou……"
"Confidence，"saidHaldin。
ThiswordsealedRazumov’slipsasifahandhadbeenclappedonhismouth。Hisbrainseethedwitharguments"Andso——hereyouare，"hemutteredthroughhisteeth。
Theotherdidnotdetectthetoneofanger。Neversuspectedit。
"Yes。AndnobodyknowsIamhere。Youarethelastpersonthatcouldbesuspected——shouldIgetcaught。That’sanadvantage，yousee。Andthen——speakingtoasuperiormindlikeyoursIcanwellsayallthetruth。Itoccurredtomethatyou——youhavenoonebelongingtoyou——noties，noonetosufferforitifthiscameoutbysomemeans。TherehavebeenenoughruinedRussianhomesasitis。ButIdon’tseehowmypassagethroughyourroomscanbeeverknown。IfIshouldbegotholdof，I’llknowhowtokeepsilent——nomatterwhattheymaybepleasedtodotome，"
headdedgrimly。
HebegantowalkagainwhileRazumovsatstillappalled。
"Youthoughtthat————"hefalteredoutalmostsickwithindignation。
"Yes，Razumov。Yes，brother。Somedayyoushallhelptobuild。
YousupposethatIamaterrorist，now——adestructorofwhatis，Butconsiderthatthetruedestroyersaretheywhodestroythespiritofprogressandtruth，nottheavengerswhomerelykillthebodiesofthepersecutorsofhumandignity。Menlikemearenecessarytomakeroomforself—contained，thinkingmenlikeyou。
Well，wehavemadethesacrificeofourlives，butallthesameI
wanttoescapeifitcanbedone。ItisnotmylifeIwanttosave，butmypowertodo。Iwon’tliveidle。Ohno!Don’tmakeanymistake，Razumov。Menlikemearerare。And，besides，anexamplelikethisismoreawfultooppressorswhentheperpetratorvanisheswithoutatrace。Theysitintheirofficesandpalacesandquake。AllIwantyoutodoistohelpmetovanish。Nogreatmatterthat。OnlytogobyandbyandseeZiemianitchformeatthatplacewhereIwentthismorning。
Justtellhim，’Hewhomyouknowwantsawell—horsedsledgetopulluphalfanhouraftermidnightattheseventhlamp—postontheleftcountingfromtheupperendofKarabelnaya。Ifnobodygetsin，thesledgeistorunroundablockortwo，soastocomebackpastthesamespotintenminutes’time。’"
Razumovwonderedwhyhehadnotcutshortthattalkandtoldthismantogoawaylongbefore。Wasitweaknessorwhat？
Heconcludedthatitwasasoundinstinct。Haldinmusthavebeenseen。Itwasimpossiblethatsomepeopleshouldnothavenoticedthefaceandappearanceofthemanwhothrewthesecondbomb。
Haldinwasanoticeableperson。Thepoliceintheirthousandsmusthavehadhisdescriptionwithinthehour。Witheverymomentthedangergrew。Sentouttowanderinthestreetshecouldnotescapebeingcaughtintheend。
Thepolicewouldverysoonfindoutallabouthim。Theywouldsetaboutdiscoveringaconspiracy。EverybodyHaldinhadeverknownwouldbeinthegreatestdanger。Unguardedexpressions，littlefactsinthemselvesinnocentwouldbecountedforcrimes。
Razumovrememberedcertainwordshesaid，thespeecheshehadlistenedto，theharmlessgatheringshehadattended——itwasalmostimpossibleforastudenttokeepoutofthatsortofthing，withoutbecomingsuspecttohiscomrades。
Razumovsawhimselfshutupinafortress，worried，badgered，perhapsill—used。Hesawhimselfdeportedbyanadministrativeorder，hislifebroken，ruined，androbbedofallhope。Hesawhimself——atbest——leadingamiserableexistenceunderpolicesupervision，insomesmall，farawayprovincialtown，withoutfriendstoassisthisnecessitiesoreventakeanystepstoalleviatehislot——asothershad。Othershadfathers，mothers，brothers，relations，connexions，tomoveheavenandearthontheirbehalf——hehadnoone。Theveryofficialsthatsentencedhimsomemorningwouldforgethisexistencebeforesunset。
Hesawhisyouthpassawayfromhiminmiseryandhalfstarvation——hisstrengthgiveway，hismindbecomeanabjectthing。Hesawhimselfcreeping，brokendownandshabby，aboutthestreets——dyingunattendedinsomefilthyholeofaroom，oronthesordidbedofaGovernmenthospital。
Heshuddered。Thenthepeaceofbittercalmnesscameoverhim。
Itwasbesttokeepthismanoutofthestreetstillhecouldbegotridofwithsomechanceofescaping。Thatwasthebestthatcouldbedone。Razumov，ofcourse，feltthesafetyofhislonelyexistencetobepermanentlyendangered。Thisevening’sdoingscouldturnupagainsthimatanytimeaslongasthismanlivedandthepresentinstitutionsendured。Theyappearedtohimrationalandindestructibleatthatmoment。Theyhadaforceofharmony——incontrastwiththehorriblediscordofthisman’spresence。Hehatedtheman。Hesaidquietly——
"Yes，ofcourse，Iwillgo。’Youmustgivemeprecisedirections，andfortherest——dependonme。"
"Ah!Youareafellow!Collected——coolasacucumber。AregularEnglishman。Wheredidyougetyoursoulfrom？Therearen’tmanylikeyou。Lookhere，brother!Menlikemeleavenoposterity，buttheirsoulsarenotlost。Noman’ssouliseverlost。Itworksforitself——orelsewherewouldbethesenseofself—sacrifice，ofmartyrdom，ofconviction，offaith——thelaboursofthesoul？WhatwillbecomeofmysoulwhenIdieinthewayImustdie——soon——verysoonperhaps？Itshallnotperish。
Don’tmakeamistake，Razumov。Thisisnotmurder——itiswar，war。MyspiritshallgoonwarringinsomeRussianbodytillallfalsehoodissweptoutoftheworld。Themoderncivilizationisfalse，butanewrevelationshallcomeoutofRussia。Ha!yousaynothing。Youareasceptic。Irespectyourphilosophicalscepticism，Razumov，butdon’ttouchthesoul。TheRussiansoulthatlivesinallofus。Ithasafuture。Ithasamission，Itellyou，orelsewhyshouldIhavebeenmovedtodothis——reckless———likeabutcher——inthemiddleofalltheseinnocentpeople——scatteringdeath——I!I!……Iwouldn’thurtafly!"
"Notsoloud，"warnedRazumovharshly。
Haldinsatdownabruptly，andleaninghisheadonhisfoldedarmsburstintotears。Heweptforalongtime。Theduskhaddeepenedintheroom。Razumov，motionlessinsombrewonder，listenedtothesobs。
Theotherraisedhishead，gotupandwithaneffortmasteredhisvoice。
"Yes。Menlikemeleavenoposterity，"herepeatedinasubduedtone。"Ihaveasisterthough。She’swithmyoldmother——Ipersuadedthemtogoabroadthisyear——thankGod。
Notabadlittlegirlmysister。Shehasthemosttrustfuleyesofanyhumanbeingthateverwalkedthisearth。Shewillmarrywell，Ihope。Shemayhavechildren——sonsperhaps。Lookatme。
MyfatherwasaGovernmentofficialintheprovinces，Hehadalittlelandtoo。AsimpleservantofGod——atrueRussianinhisway。Hiswasthesoulofobedience。ButIamnotlikehim。TheysayIresemblemymother’seldestbrother，anofficer。Theyshothimin’28。UnderNicholas，youknow。Haven’tItoldyouthatthisiswar，war……ButGodofJustice!Thisiswearywork。"
Razumov，inhischair，leaninghisheadonhishand，spokeasiffromthebottomofanabyss。
"YoubelieveinGod，Haldin？"
"Thereyougocatchingatwordsthatarewrungfromone。Whatdoesitmatter？WhatwasittheEnglishmansaid：’Thereisadivinesoulinthings……’Deviltakehim——Idon’tremembernow。Buthespokethetruth。Whenthedayofyouthinkerscomesdon’tyouforgetwhat’sdivineintheRussiansoul——andthat’sresignation。Respectthatinyourintellectualrestlessnessanddon’tletyourarrogantwisdomspoilitsmessagetotheworld。I
amspeakingtoyounowlikeamanwitharoperoundhisneck。
WhatdoyouimagineIam？Abeinginrevolt？No。It’syouthinkerswhoareineverlastingrevolt。Iamoneoftheresigned。WhenthenecessityofthisheavyworkcametomeandI
understoodthatithadtobedone——whatdidIdo？DidIexult？
DidItakeprideinmypurpose？DidItrytoweighitsworthandconsequences？No!Iwasresigned。Ithought’God’swillbedone。’"
HethrewhimselffulllengthonRazumov’sbedandputtingthebacksofhishandsoverhiseyesremainedperfectlymotionlessandsilent。Noteventhesoundofhisbreathingcouldbeheard。
ThedeadstillnessortheroomremainedundisturbedtillinthedarknessRazumovsaidgloomily——
"Haldin。"
"Yes，"answeredtheotherreadily，quiteinvisiblenowonthebedandwithouttheslighteststir。
"Isn’tittimeformetostart？"
"Yes，brother。"Theotherwasheard，lyingstillinthedarknessasthoughheweretalkinginhissleep。"Thetimehascometoputfatetothetest。"
Hepaused，thengaveafewluciddirectionsinthequietimpersonalvoiceofamaninatrance。Razumovmadereadywithoutawordofanswer。Ashewasleavingtheroomthevoiceonthebedsaidafterhim——
"GowithGod，thousilentsoul。"
Onthelanding，movingsoftly，Razumovlockedthedoorandputthekeyinhispocket。
II
ThewordsandeventsofthateveningmusthavebeengravenasifwithasteeltoolonMr。Razumov’sbrainsincehewasabletowritehisrelationwithsuchfullnessandprecisionagoodmanymonthsafterwards。
Therecordofthethoughtswhichassailedhiminthestreetisevenmoreminuteandabundant。TheyseemtohaverusheduponhimwiththegreaterfreedombecausehisthinkingpowerswerenolongercrushedbyHaldin’spresence——theappallingpresenceofagreatcrimeandthestunningforceofagreatfanaticism。OnlookingthroughthepagesofMr。Razumov’sdiaryIownthata"rushofthoughts"isnotanadequateimage。
Themoreadequatedescriptionwouldbeatumultofthoughts——thefaithfulreflectionofthestateofhisfeelings。Thethoughtsinthemselveswerenotnumerous——theywerelikethethoughtsofmosthumanbeings，fewandsimple——buttheycannotbereproducedhereinalltheirexclamatoryrepetitionswhichwentoninanendlessandwearyturmoil——forthewalkwaslong。
IftotheWesternreadertheyappearshocking，inappropriate，orevenimproper，itmustberememberedthatastothefirstthismaybetheeffectofmycrudestatement。FortherestIwillonlyremarkherethatthisisnotastoryoftheWestofEurope。
NationsitmaybehavefashionedtheirGovernments，buttheGovernmentshavepaidthembackinthesamecoin。ItisunthinkablethatanyyoungEnglishmanshouldfindhimselfinRazumov’ssituation。Thisbeingsoitwouldbeavainenterprisetoimaginewhathewouldthink。TheonlysafesurmisetomakeisthathewouldnotthinkasMr。Razumovthoughtatthiscrisisofhisfate。Hewouldnothaveanhereditaryandpersonalknowledgeorthemeansbywhichhistoricalautocracyrepressesideas，guardsitspower，anddefendsitsexistence。Byanactofmentalextravagancehemightimaginehimselfarbitrarilythrownintoprison，butitwouldneveroccurtohimunlessheweredelirious（andperhapsnoteventhen）thathecouldbebeatenwithwhipsasapracticalmeasureeitherofinvestigationorofpunishment。
ThisisbutacrudeandobviousexampleofthedifferentconditionsofWesternthought。Idon’tknowthatthisdangeroccurred，speciallytoMr。Razumov。Nodoubtitenteredunconsciouslyintothegeneraldreadandthegeneralappallingnessofthiscrisis。Razumov，ashasbeenseen，wasawareofmoresubtlewaysinwhichanindividualmaybeundonebytheproceedingsofadespoticGovernment。AsimpleexpulsionfromtheUniversity（theveryleastthatcouldhappentohim），withanimpossibilitytocontinuehisstudiesanywhere，wasenoughtoruinutterlyayoungmandependingentirelyuponthedevelopmentofhisnaturalabilitiesforhisplaceintheworld。
HewasaRussian：andforhimtobeimplicatedmeantsimplysinkingintothelowestsocialdepthsamongstthehopelessandthedestitute——thenightbirdsofthecity。
ThepeculiarcircumstancesofRazumov’sparentage，orratherofhislackofparentage，shouldbetakenintotheaccountofhisthoughts。Andherememberedthemtoo。HehadbeenlatelyremindedoftheminapeculiarlyatrociouswaybythisfatalHaldin。"BecauseIhaven’tthat，musteverythingelsebetakenawayfromme？"hethought。
Henervedhimselfforanotherefforttogoon。Alongtheroadwaysledgesglidedphantom—likeandjinglingthroughaflutteringwhitenessontheblackfaceofthenight。"Foritisacrime，"
hewassayingtohimself。"Amurderisamurder。Though，ofcourse，somesortofliberalinstitutions……"
Afeelingofhorriblesicknesscameoverhim。"Imustbecourageous，"heexhortedhimselfmentally。Allhisstrengthwassuddenlygoneasiftakenoutbyahand。Thenbyamightyeffortofwillitcamebackbecausehewasafraidoffaintinginthestreetandbeingpickedupbythepolicewiththekeyofhislodgingsinhispocket。TheywouldfindHaldinthere，andthen，indeed，hewouldbeundone。
Strangelyenoughitwasthisfearwhichseemstohavekepthimuptotheend。Thepassers—bywererare。Theycameuponhimsuddenly，loomingupblackinthesnowflakescloseby，thenvanishingallatonce—withoutfootfalls。
Itwasthequarteroftheverypoor。Razumovnoticedanelderlywomantiedupinraggedshawls。Underthestreetlampsheseemedabeggaroffduty。Shewalkedleisurelyintheblizzardasthoughshehadnohometohurryto，shehuggedunderonearmaroundloafofblackbreadwithanairofguardingapricelessbooty：
andRazumovavertinghisglanceenviedherthepeaceofhermindandtheserenityofherfate。
ToonereadingMr。Razumov’snarrativeitisreallyawonderhowhemanagedtokeepgoingashedidalongoneinterminablestreetafteranotheronpavementsthatweregraduallybecomingblockedwithsnow。ItwasthethoughtofHaldinlockedupinhisroomsandthedesperatedesiretogetridofhispresencewhichdrovehimforward。Norationaldeterminationhadanypartinhisexertions。Thus，whenonarrivingattheloweating—househeheardthatthemanofhorses，Ziemianitch，wasnotthere，hecouldonlystarestupidly。
Thewaiter，awild—hairedyouthintarredbootsandapinkshirt，exclaimed，uncoveringhispalegumsinasillygrin，thatZiemianitchhadgothisskinfulearlyintheafternoonandhadgoneawaywithabottleundereacharmtokeepitupamongstthehorses——hesupposed。
Theownerofthevileden，abonyshortmaninadirtyclothcaftancomingdowntohisheels，stoodby，hishandstuckedintohisbelt，andnoddedconfirmation。
Thereekofspirits，thegreasyrancidsteamoffoodgotRazumovbythethroat。Hestruckatablewithhisclenchedhandandshoutedviolently——
"Youlie。"
Blearyunwashedfaceswereturnedtohisdirection。Amild—eyedraggedtrampdrinkingteaatthenexttablemovedfartheraway。
Amurmurofwonderarosewithanundertoneofuneasiness。A
laughwasheardtoo，andanexclamation，"There!there!"
jeeringlysoothing。Thewaiterlookedallroundandannouncedtotheroom——
"Thegentlemanwon’tbelievethatZiemianitchisdrunk。"
>Fromadistantcornerahoarsevoicebelongingtoahorrible，nondescript，shaggybeingwithablackfacelikethemuzzleofabeargruntedangrily——
"Thecurseddriverofthieves。Whatdowewantwithhisgentlemenhere？Weareallhonestfolkinthisplace。"
Razumov，bitinghisliptillbloodcametokeephimselffromburstingintoimprecations，followedtheowneroftheden，who，whispering"Comealong，littlefather，"ledhimintoatinyholeofaplacebehindthewoodencounter，whenceproceededasoundofsplashing。Awetandbedraggledcreature，asortofsexlessandshiveringscarecrow，washedglassesinthere，bendingoverawoodentubbythelightofatallowdip。
"Yes，littlefather，"themaninthelongcaftansaidplaintively。Hehadabrown，cunninglittleface，athingreyishbeard。Tryingtolightatinlanternhehuggedittohisbreastandtalkedgarrulouslythewhile。
HewouldshowZiemianitchtothegentlemantoprovetherewerenoliestold。Andhewouldshowhimdrunk。Hiswoman，itseems，ranawayfromhimlastnight。"Suchahagshewas!Thin!
Pfui!"Hespat。Theywerealwaysrunningawayfromthatdriverofthedevil——andhesixtyyearsoldtoo；couldnevergetusedtoit。ButeachheartknowssorrowafteritsownkindandZiemianitchwasabornfoolallhisdays。Andthenhewouldflytothebottle。"’Whocouldbearlifeinourlandwithoutthebottle？’hesays。AproperRussianman——thelittlepig……
Bepleasedtofollowme。"
Razumovcrossedaquadrangleofdeepsnowenclosedbetweenhighwallswithinnumerablewindows。Hereandthereadimyellowlighthungwithinthefour—squaremassofdarkness。Thehousewasanenormousslum，ahiveofhumanvermin，amonumentalabodeofmiserytoweringonthevergeofstarvationanddespair。
Inacornerthegroundslopedsharplydown，andRazumovfollowedthelightofthelanternthroughasmalldoorwayintoalongcavernousplacelikeaneglectedsubterraneanbyre。Deepwithin，threeshaggylittlehorsestieduptoringshungtheirheadstogether，motionlessandshadowyinthedimlightofthelantern。
ItmusthavebeenthefamousteamofHaldin’sescape。Razumovpeeredfearfullyintothegloom。Hisguidepawedinthestrawwithhisfoot。
"Hereheis。Ah!thelittlepigeon。AtrueRussianman。
’Noheavyheartsforme，’hesays。’Bringoutthebottleandtakeyouruglymugoutofmysight。’Ha!ha!ha!That’sthefellowheis。"
Heheldthelanternoveraproneformofaman，apparentlyfullydressedforoutdoors。Hisheadwaslostinapointedclothhood。
Ontheothersideofaheapofstrawprotrudedapairoffeetinmonstrousthickboots。
"Alwaysreadytodrive，"commentedthekeeperoftheeating—house。"AproperRussiandriverthat。Saintordevil，nightordayisallonetoZiemianitchwhenhisheartisfreefromsorrow。’Idon’taskwhoyouare，butwhereyouwanttogo，’hesays。HewoulddriveSatanhimselftohisownabodeandcomebackchirrupingtohishorses。ManyaonehehasdrivenwhoisclankinghischainsintheNertchinskminesbythistime。"
Razumovshuddered。
"Callhim，wakehimup，"hefalteredout。
Theothersetdownhislight，steppedbackandlaunchedakickattheprostratesleeper。Themanshookattheimpactbutdidnotmove。Atthethirdkickhegruntedbutremainedinertasbefore。
Theeating—housekeeperdesistedandfetchedadeepsigh。
"Youseeforyourselfhowitis。Wehavedonewhatwecanforyou。"
Hepickedupthelantern。Theintenseblackspokesofshadowswungaboutinthecircleoflight。Aterriblefury——theblindrageofself—preservation——possessedRazumov。
"Ah!Thevilebeast，"hebellowedoutinanunearthlytonewhichmadethelanternjumpandtremble!"Ishallwakeyou!
Giveme……Giveme……"
Helookedroundwildly，seizedthehandleofastableforkandrushingforwardstruckattheprostratebodywithinarticulatecries。Afteratimehiscriesceased，andtherainofblowsfellinthestillnessandshadowsofthecellar—likestable。RazumovbelabouredZiemianitchwithaninsatiablefury，ingreatvolleysofsoundingthwacks。ExceptfortheviolentmovementsofRazumovnothingstirred，neitherthebeatenmannorthespoke—likeshadowsonthewalls。Andonlythesoundofblowswasheard。Itwasaweirdscene。
Suddenlytherewasasharpcrack。Thestickbrokeandhalfofitflewfarawayintothegloombeyondthelight。AtthesametimeZiemianitchsatup。AtthisRazumovbecameasmotionlessasthemanwiththelantern——onlyhisbreastheavedforairasifreadytoburst。
Somedullsensationofpainmusthavepenetratedatlasttheconsolingnightofdrunkennessenwrappingthe"brightRussiansoul"ofHaldin’senthusiasticpraise。ButZiemianitchevidentlysawnothing。Hiseyeballsblinkedallwhiteinthelightonce，twice——thenthegleamwentout。Foramomenthesatinthestrawwithclosedeyeswithastrangeairofwearymeditation，thenfelloverslowlyonhissidewithoutmakingtheslightestsound。
Onlythestrawrustledalittle。Razumovstaredwildly，fightingforhisbreath。Afterasecondortwoheheardalightsnore。
Heflungfromhimthepieceofstickremaininginhisgrasp，andwentoffwithgreathastystrideswithoutlookingbackonce。
Aftergoingheedlesslyforsomefiftyyardsalongthestreethewalkedintoasnowdriftandwasuptohiskneesbeforehestopped。
Thisrecalledhimtohimself；andglancingabouthediscoveredhehadbeengoinginthewrongdirection。Heretracedhissteps，butnowatamoremoderatepace。Whenpassingbeforethehousehehadjustleftheflourishedhisfistatthesombrerefugeofmiseryandcrimerearingitssinisterbulkonthewhiteground。
Ithadanairofbrooding。Helethisarmfallbyhisside——discouraged。
Ziemianitch’spassionatesurrendertosorrowandconsolationhadbaffledhim。Thatwasthepeople。AtrueRussianman!Razumovwasgladhehadbeatenthatbrute——the"brightsoul"oftheother。Heretheywere：thepeopleandtheenthusiast。
Betweenthetwohewasdonefor。Betweenthedrunkennessofthepeasantincapableofactionandthedream—intoxicationoftheidealistincapableofperceivingthereasonofthings，andthetruecharacterofmen。Itwasasortofterriblechildishness。
Butchildrenhadtheirmasters。"Ah!thestick，thestick，thesternhand，"thoughtRazumov，longingforpowertohurtanddestroy。
Hewasgladhehadthrashedthatbrute。Thephysicalexertionhadlefthisbodyinacomfortableglow。Hismentalagitationtoowasclarifiedasifallthefeverishnesshadgoneoutofhiminafitofoutwardviolence。Togetherwiththepersistingsenseofterribledangerhewasconsciousnowofatranquil，unquenchablehate。
Hewalkedslowerandslower。Andindeed，consideringtheguesthehadinhisrooms，itwasnowonderhelingeredontheway。Itwaslikeharbouringapestilentialdiseasethatwouldnotperhapstakeyourlife，butwouldtakefromyouallthatmadelifeworthliving——asubtlepestthatwouldconvertearthintoahell。
Whatwashedoingnow？Lyingonthebedasifdead，withthebackofhishandsoverhiseyes？RazumovhadamorbidlyvividvisionofHaldinonhisbed——thewhitepillowhollowedbythehead，thelegsinlongboots，theupturnedfeet。Andinhisabhorrencehesaidtohimself，"I’llkillhimwhenIgethome。"
Butheknewverywellthatthatwasofnouse。Thecorpsehangingroundhisneckwouldbenearlyasfatalasthelivingman。Nothingshortofcompleteannihilationwoulddo。Andthatwasimpossible。Whatthen？Mustonekilloneselftoescapethisvisitation？
Razumov’sdespairwastooprofoundlytingedwithhatetoacceptthatissue。
Andyetitwasdespair——nothingless——atthethoughtofhavingtolivewithHaldinforanindefinitenumberofdaysinmortalalarmateverysound。Butperhapswhenheheardthatthis"brightsoul"ofZiemianitchsufferedfromadrunkeneclipsethefellowwouldtakehisinfernalresignationsomewhereelse。Andthatwasnotlikelyonthefaceofit。
Razumovthought："Iambeingcrushed——andIcan’tevenrunaway。"
Othermenhadsomewhereacorneroftheearth——somelittlehouseintheprovinceswheretheyhadarighttotaketheirtroubles。