AtmidnightVaninkareturnedwithherfather。Ahiddenfeverhadbeenconsumingheralltheevening：neverhadshelookedsolovely，andshehadbeenoverwhelmedbythehomageofthemostdistinguishednoblesandcourtiers。Whenshereturned，shefoundAnnouschkainthevestibulewaitingtotakehercloak。Asshegaveittoher，Vaninkasentheroneofthosequestioningglancesthatseemtoexpresssomuch。\"Itisdone，\"saidthegirlinalowvoice。Vaninkabreathedasighofrelief，asifamountainhadbeenremovedfromherbreast。
Greataswasherself-control，shecouldnolongerbearherfather’spresence，andexcusedherselffromremainingtosupperwithhim，onthepleaofthefatiguesoftheevening。Vaninkawasnosoonerinherroom，withthedooronceclosed，thanshetoretheflowersfromherhair，thenecklacefromherthroat，cutwithscissorsthecorsetswhichsuffocatedher，andthen，throwingherselfonherbed，shegavewaytohergrief。AnnouschkathankedGodforthisoutburst；hermistress’scalmnesshadfrightenedhermorethanherdespair。Thefirstcrisisover，Vaninkawasabletopray。Shespentanhouronherknees，then，yieldingtotheentreatiesofherfaithfulattendant，wenttobed。Annouschkasatdownatthefootofthebed。
Neitherslept，butwhendaycamethetearswhichVaninkahadshedhadcalmedher。
Annouschkawasinstructedtorewardherbrother。Toolargeasumgiventoaslaveatoncemighthavearousedsuspicion，thereforeAnnouschkacontentedherselfwithtellingIvanthatwhenhehadneedofmoneyhehadonlytoaskherforit。
Gregory，profitingbyhislibertyandwishingtomakeuseofhisthousandroubles，boughtalittletavernontheoutskirtsofthetown，where，thankstohisaddressandtotheacquaintanceshehadamongtheservantsinthegreathouseholdsofSt。Petersburg，hebegantodevelopanexcellentbusiness，sothatinashorttimetheRedHouse（whichwasthenameandcolourofGregory’sestablishment）