\"Oh，nonsense，nonsense，\"saidthegeneral，withdecision。\"Whatextraordinaryideasyouhave，Gania！Asifshewouldhint；that’snotherwayatall。Besides，whatcouldyougiveher，withouthavingthousandsatyourdisposal？Youmighthavegivenheryourportrait，however。Hassheeveraskedyouforit？\"
\"No，notyet。Verylikelysheneverwill。Isupposeyouhaven’tforgottenabouttonight，haveyou，IvanFedorovitch？Youwereoneofthosespeciallyinvited，youknow。\"
\"Ohno，Irememberallright，andIshallgo，ofcourse。Ishouldthinkso！She’stwenty-fiveyearsoldtoday！And，youknow，Gania，youmustbereadyforgreatthings；shehaspromisedbothmyselfandAfanasyIvanovitchthatshewillgiveadecidedanswertonight，yesorno。Sobeprepared！\"
Ganiasuddenlybecamesoillateasethathisfacegrewpalerthanever。
\"Areyousureshesaidthat？\"heasked，andhisvoiceseemedtoquiverashespoke。
\"Yes，shepromised。Webothworriedhersothatshegavein；butshewishedustotellyounothingaboutituntiltheday。\"
ThegeneralwatchedGania’sconfusionintently，andclearlydidnotlikeit。
\"Remember，IvanFedorovitch，\"saidGania，ingreatagitation，\"thatIwastobefreetoo，untilherdecision；andthateventhenIwastohavemy’yesorno’free。\"
\"Why，don’tyou，aren’tyou——\"beganthegeneral，inalarm。
\"Oh，don’tmisunderstand——\"
\"But，mydearfellow，whatareyoudoing，whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Oh，I’mnotrejectingher。Imayhaveexpressedmyselfbadly，butIdidn’tmeanthat。\"
\"Rejecther！Ishouldthinknot！\"saidthegeneralwithannoyance，andapparentlynotintheleastanxioustoconcealit。
\"Why，mydearfellow，it’snotaquestionofyourrejectingher，itiswhetheryouarepreparedtoreceiveherconsentjoyfully，andwithpropersatisfaction。Howarethingsgoingonathome？\"
\"Athome？Oh，IcandoasIlikethere，ofcourse；onlymyfatherwillmakeafoolofhimself，asusual。Heisrapidlybecomingageneralnuisance。Idon’tevertalktohimnow，butIholdhimincheek，safeenough。Iswearifithadnotbeenformymother，I
shouldhaveshownhimthewayout，longago。Mymotherisalwayscrying，ofcourse，andmysistersulks。IhadtotellthematlastthatIintendedtobemasterofmyowndestiny，andthatI
expecttobeobeyedathome。Atleast，Igavemysistertounderstandasmuch，andmymotherwaspresent。\"
\"Well，Imustsay，Icannotunderstandit！\"saidthegeneral，shrugginghisshouldersanddroppinghishands。\"Yourememberyourmother，NinaAlexandrovna，thatdayshecameandsathereandgroaned-andwhenIaskedherwhatwasthematter，shesays，’Oh，it’ssuchaDISHONOURtous！’dishonour！Stuffandnonsense！
IshouldliketoknowwhocanreproachNastasiaPhilipovna，orwhocansayawordofanykindagainsther。DidshemeanbecauseNastasiahadbeenlivingwithTotski？Whatnonsenseitis！Youwouldnotlethercomenearyourdaughters，saysNinaAlexandrovna。Whatnext，Iwonder？Idon’tseehowshecanfailto——tounderstand——\"
\"Herownposition？\"promptedGania。\"Shedoesunderstand。Don’tbeannoyedwithher。Ihavewarnedhernottomeddleinotherpeople’saffairs。However，althoughthere’scomparativepeaceathomeatpresent，thestormwillbreakifanythingisfinallysettledtonight。\"
Theprinceheardthewholeoftheforegoingconversation，ashesatatthetable，writing。Hefinishedatlast，andbroughttheresultofhislabourtothegeneral’sdesk。
\"SothisisNastasiaPhilipovna，\"hesaid，lookingattentivelyandcuriouslyattheportrait。\"Howwonderfullybeautiful！\"heimmediatelyadded，withwarmth。Thepicturewascertainlythatofanunusuallylovelywoman。Shewasphotographedinablacksilkdressofsimpledesign，herhairwasevidentlydarkandplainlyarranged，hereyesweredeepandthoughtful，theexpressionofherfacepassionate，butproud。Shewasratherthin，perhaps，andalittlepale。BothGaniaandthegeneralgazedattheprinceinamazement。
\"Howdoyouknowit’sNastasiaPhilipovna？\"askedthegeneral；
\"yousurelydon’tknowheralready，doyou？\"
\"Yes，Ido！IhaveonlybeenonedayinRussia，butIhaveheardofthegreatbeauty！\"AndtheprinceproceededtonarratehismeetingwithRogojininthetrainandthewholeofthelatter’sstory。
\"There’snews！\"saidthegeneralinsomeexcitement，afterlisteningtothestorywithengrossedattention。
\"Oh，ofcourseit’snothingbuthumbug！\"criedGania，alittledisturbed，however。\"It’sallhumbug；theyoungmerchantwaspleasedtoindulgeinalittleinnocentrecreation！IhaveheardsomethingofRogojin！\"
\"Yes，sohaveI！\"repliedthegeneral。\"NastasiaPhilipovnatoldusallabouttheearringsthatveryday。Butnowitisquiteadifferentmatter。Youseethefellowreallyhasamillionofroubles，andheispassionatelyinlove。Thewholestorysmellsofpassion，andweallknowwhatthisclassofgentryiscapableofwheninfatuated。Iammuchafraidofsomedisagreeablescandal，Iamindeed！\"
\"Youareafraidofthemillion，Isuppose，\"saidGania，grinningandshowinghisteeth。
\"AndyouareNOT，Ipresume，eh？\"
\"Howdidhestrikeyou，prince？\"askedGania，suddenly。\"Didheseemtobeaserioussortofaman，orjustacommonrowdyfellow？Whatwasyourownopinionaboutthematter？\"
WhileGaniaputthisquestion，anewideasuddenlyflashedintohisbrain，andblazedout，impatiently，inhiseyes。Thegeneral，whowasreallyagitatedanddisturbed，lookedattheprincetoo，butdidnotseemtoexpectmuchfromhisreply。
\"Ireallydon’tquiteknowhowtotellyou，\"repliedtheprince，\"butitcertainlydidseemtomethatthemanwasfullofpassion，andnot，perhaps，quitehealthypassion。Heseemedtobestillfarfromwell。Verylikelyhewillbeinbedagaininadayortwo，especiallyifhelivesfast。\"
\"No！doyouthinkso？\"saidthegeneral，catchingattheidea。
\"Yes，Idothinkso！\"
\"Yes，butthesortofscandalIreferredtomayhappenatanymoment。Itmaybethisveryevening，\"remarkedGaniatothegeneral，withasmile。
\"Ofcourse；quiteso。Inthatcaseitalldependsuponwhatisgoingoninherbrainatthismoment。\"
\"Youknowthekindofpersonsheisattimes。\"
\"How？Whatkindofpersonisshe？\"criedthegeneral，arrivedatthelimitsofhispatience。Lookhere，Gania，don’tyougoannoyinghertonightWhatyouaretodoistobeasagreeabletowardsheraseveryoucan。Well，whatareyousmilingat？Youmustunderstand，Gania，thatIhavenointerestwhateverinspeakinglikethis。Whicheverwaythequestionissettled，itwillbetomyadvantage。NothingwillmoveTotskifromhisresolution，soIrunnorisk。IfthereisanythingIdesire，youmustknowthatitisyourbenefitonly。Can’tyoutrustme？Youareasensiblefellow，andIhavebeencountingonyou；for，inthismatter，that，that——\"
\"Yes，that’sthechiefthing，\"saidGania，helpingthegeneraloutofhisdifficultiesagain，andcurlinghislipsinanenvenomedsmile，whichhedidnotattempttoconceal。Hegazedwithhisfeveredeyesstraightintothoseofthegeneral，asthoughhewereanxiousthatthelattermightreadhisthoughts。
Thegeneralgrewpurplewithanger。
\"Yes，ofcourseitisthechiefthing！\"hecried，lookingsharplyatGania。\"Whataverycuriousmanyouare，Gania！YouactuallyseemtobeGLADtohearofthismillionairefellow’sarrival-
justasthoughyouwishedforanexcusetogetoutofthewholething。Thisisanaffairinwhichyououghttoacthonestlywithbothsides，andgiveduewarning，toavoidcompromisingothers。But，evennow，thereisstilltime。Doyouunderstandme？
Iwishtoknowwhetheryoudesirethisarrangementorwhetheryoudonot？Ifnot，sayso，——and-andwelcome！Nooneistryingtoforceyouintothesnare，GavrilaArdalionovitch，ifyouseeasnareinthematter，atleast。\"
\"Idodesireit，\"murmuredGania，softlybutfirmly，loweringhiseyes；andherelapsedintogloomysilence。
Thegeneralwassatisfied。Hehadexcitedhimself，andwasevidentlynowregrettingthathehadgonesofar。Heturnedtotheprince，andsuddenlythedisagreeablethoughtofthelatter’spresencestruckhim，andthecertaintythathemusthaveheardeverywordoftheconversation。Buthefeltateaseinanothermoment；itonlyneededoneglanceattheprincetoseethatinthatquartertherewasnothingtofear。
\"Oh！\"criedthegeneral，catchingsightoftheprince’sspecimenofcaligraphy，whichthelatterhadnowhandedhimforinspection。\"Why，thisissimplybeautiful；lookatthat，Gania，there’srealtalentthere！\"
Onasheetofthickwriting-papertheprincehadwritteninmedievalcharactersthelegend:
\"ThegentleAbbotPafnutesignedthis。\"
\"There，\"explainedtheprince，withgreatdelightandanimation，\"there，that’stheabbot’srealsignature——fromamanuscriptofthefourteenthcentury。Alltheseoldabbotsandbishopsusedtowritemostbeautifully，withsuchtasteandsomuchcareanddiligence。HaveyounocopyofPogodin，general？IfyouhadoneI
couldshowyouanothertype。Stopabit——hereyouhavethelargeroundwritingcommoninFranceduringtheeighteenthcentury。
Someofthelettersareshapedquitedifferentlyfromthosenowinuse。Itwasthewritingcurrentthen，andemployedbypublicwritersgenerally。Icopiedthisfromoneofthem，andyoucanseehowgooditis。Lookatthewell-roundedaandd。IhavetriedtotranslatetheFrenchcharacterintotheRussianletters——
adifficultthingtodo，butIthinkIhavesucceededfairly。
Hereisafinesentence，writteninagood，originalhand——’Zealtriumphsoverall。’ThatisthescriptoftheRussianWarOffice。
Thatishowofficialdocumentsaddressedtoimportantpersonagesshouldbewritten。Thelettersareround，thetypeblack，andthestylesomewhatremarkable。Astylistwouldnotallowtheseornaments，orattemptsatflourishes——justlookattheseunfinishedtails！——butithasdistinctionandreallydepictsthesoulofthewriter。Hewouldliketogiveplaytohisimagination，andfollowtheinspirationofhisgenius，butasoldierisonlyateaseintheguard-room，andthepenstopshalf-way，aslavetodiscipline。Howdelightful！ThefirsttimeImetanexampleofthishandwriting，Iwaspositivelyastonished，andwheredoyouthinkIchancedtofindit？InSwitzerland，ofallplaces！NowthatisanordinaryEnglishhand。
Itcanhardlybeimproved，itissorefinedandexquisite——almostperfection。Thisisanexampleofanotherkind，amixtureofstyles。ThecopywasgivenmebyaFrenchcommercialtraveller。
ItisfoundedontheEnglish，butthedownstrokesarealittleblacker，andmoremarked。Noticethattheovalhassomeslightmodification——itismorerounded。Thiswritingallowsforflourishes；nowaflourishisadangerousthing！Itsuserequiressuchtaste，but，ifsuccessful，whatadistinctionitgivestothewhole！Itresultsinanincomparabletype——onetofallinlovewith！\"
\"Dearme！Howyouhavegoneintoalltherefinementsanddetailsofthequestion！Why，mydearfellow，youarenotacaligraphist，youareanartist！Eh，Gania？\"
\"Wonderful！\"saidGania。\"Andheknowsittoo，\"headded，withasarcasticsmile。
\"Youmaysmile，——butthere’sacareerinthis，\"saidthegeneral。
\"Youdon’tknowwhatagreatpersonageIshallshowthisto，prince。Why，youcancommandasituationatthirty-fiveroublespermonthtostartwith。However，it’shalf-pasttwelve，\"heconcluded，lookingathiswatch；\"sotobusiness，prince，forI
mustbesettingtoworkandshallnotseeyouagaintoday。Sitdownaminute。IhavetoldyouthatIcannotreceiveyoumyselfveryoften，butIshouldliketobeofsomeassistancetoyou，somesmallassistance，ofakindthatwouldgiveyousatisfaction。IshallfindyouaplaceinoneoftheStatedepartments，aneasyplace——butyouwillrequiretobeaccurate。
Now，astoyourplans——inthehouse，orratherinthefamilyofGaniahere——myyoungfriend，whomIhopeyouwillknowbetter——hismotherandsisterhavepreparedtwoorthreeroomsforlodgers，andletthemtohighlyrecommendedyoungfellows，withboardandattendance。IamsureNinaAlexandrovnawilltakeyouinonmyrecommendation。Thereyouwillbecomfortableandwelltakencareof；forIdonotthink，prince，thatyouarethesortofmantobelefttothemercyofFateinatownlikePetersburg。NinaAlexandrovna，Gania’smother，andVarvaraAlexandrovna，areladiesforwhomIhavethehighestpossibleesteemandrespect。
NinaAlexandrovnaisthewifeofGeneralArdalionAlexandrovitch，myoldbrotherinarms，withwhom，Iregrettosay，onaccountofcertaincircumstances，Iamnolongeracquainted。Igiveyouallthisinformation，prince，inordertomakeitcleartoyouthatI
ampersonallyrecommendingyoutothisfamily，andthatinsodoing，Iammoreorlesstakinguponmyselftoanswerforyou。
Thetermsaremostreasonable，andItrustthatyoursalarywillveryshortlyproveamplysufficientforyourexpenditure。Ofcoursepocket-moneyisanecessity，ifonlyalittle；donotbeangry，prince，ifIstronglyrecommendyoutoavoidcarryingmoneyinyourpocket。Butasyourpurseisquiteemptyatthepresentmoment，youmustallowmetopressthesetwenty-fiveroublesuponyouracceptance，assomethingtobeginwith。Ofcoursewewillsettlethislittlematteranothertime，andifyouaretheupright，honestmanyoulook，Ianticipateverylittletroublebetweenusonthatscore。TakingsomuchinterestinyouasyoumayperceiveIdo，Iamnotwithoutmyobject，andyoushallknowitingoodtime。Yousee，Iamperfectlycandidwithyou。Ihope，Gania，youhavenothingtosayagainsttheprince’stakinguphisabodeinyourhouse？\"
\"Oh，onthecontrary！mymotherwillbeveryglad，\"saidGania，courteouslyandkindly。
\"Ithinkonlyoneofyourroomsisengagedasyet，isitnot？
ThatfellowFerd-Ferd——\"
\"Ferdishenko。\"
\"Yes——Idon’tlikethatFerdishenko。Ican’tunderstandwhyNastasiaPhilipovnaencourageshimso。Ishereallyhercousin，ashesays？\"
\"Ohdearno，it’sallajoke。NomorecousinthanIam。\"
\"Well，whatdoyouthinkofthearrangement，prince？\"
\"Thankyou，general；youhavebehavedverykindlytome；allthemoresosinceIdidnotaskyoutohelpme。Idon’tsaythatoutofpride。Icertainlydidnotknowwheretolaymyheadtonight。
Rogojinaskedmetocometohishouse，ofcourse，but——\"
\"Rogojin？No，no，mygoodfellow。Ishouldstronglyrecommendyou，paternally，——or，ifyoupreferit，asafriend，——toforgetallaboutRogojin，and，infact，tosticktothefamilyintowhichyouareabouttoenter。\"
\"Thankyou，\"begantheprince；\"andsinceyouaresoverykindthereisjustonematterwhichI——\"
\"Youmustreallyexcuseme，\"interruptedthegeneral，\"butI
positivelyhaven’tanothermomentnow。IshalljusttellElizabethaProkofievnaaboutyou，andifshewishestoreceiveyouatonce——asIshalladviseher——Istronglyrecommendyoutoingratiateyourselfwithheratthefirstopportunity，formywifemaybeofthegreatestservicetoyouinmanyways。Ifshecannotreceiveyounow，youmustbecontenttowaittillanothertime。Meanwhileyou，Gania，justlookovertheseaccounts，willyou？Wemustn’tforgettofinishoffthatmatter——\"
Thegenerallefttheroom，andtheprinceneversucceededinbroachingthebusinesswhichhehadonhand，thoughhehadendeavouredtodosofourtimes。
Ganialitacigaretteandofferedonetotheprince。Thelatteracceptedtheoffer，butdidnottalk，beingunwillingtodisturbGania’swork。Hecommencedtoexaminethestudyanditscontents。ButGaniahardlysomuchasglancedatthepaperslyingbeforehim；hewasabsentandthoughtful，andhissmileandgeneralappearancestrucktheprincestillmoredisagreeablynowthatthetwowereleftalonetogether。
SuddenlyGaniaapproachedourherowhowasatthemomentstandingoverNastasiaPhilipovna’sportrait，gazingatit。
\"Doyouadmirethatsortofwoman，prince？\"heasked，lookingintentlyathim。Heseemedtohavesomespecialobjectinthequestion。
\"It’sawonderfulface，\"saidtheprince，\"andIfeelsurethatherdestinyisnotbyanymeansanordinary，uneventfulone。Herfaceissmilingenough，butshemusthavesufferedterribly——
hasn’tshe？Hereyesshowit——thosetwobonesthere，thelittlepointsunderhereyes，justwherethecheekbegins。It’saproudfacetoo，terriblyproud！AndI——Ican’tsaywhethersheisgoodandkind，ornot。Oh，ifshebebutgood！Thatwouldmakeallwell！\"
\"Andwouldyoumarryawomanlikethat，now？\"continuedGania，nevertakinghisexcitedeyesofftheprince’sface。
\"Icannotmarryatall，\"saidthelatter。\"Iamaninvalid。\"
\"WouldRogojinmarryher，doyouthink？\"
\"Whynot？Certainlyhewould，Ishouldthink。Hewouldmarryhertomorrow！——marryhertomorrowandmurderherinaweek！\"
HardlyhadtheprinceutteredthelastwordwhenGaniagavesuchafearfulshudderthattheprincealmostcriedout。
\"What’sthematter？\"saidhe，seizingGania’shand。
\"Yourhighness！Hisexcellencybegsyourpresenceinherexcellency’sapartments！\"announcedthefootman，appearingatthedoor。
Theprinceimmediatelyfollowedthemanoutoftheroom。
IV。
ALLthreeoftheMissEpanchinswerefine，healthygirls，well-
grown，withgoodshouldersandbusts，andstrong——almostmasculine——hands；and，ofcourse，withalltheaboveattributes，theyenjoyedcapitalappetites，ofwhichtheywerenotintheleastashamed。
ElizabethaProkofievnasometimesinformedthegirlsthattheywerealittletoocandidinthismatter，butinspiteoftheiroutwarddeferencetotheirmotherthesethreeyoungwomen，insolemnconclave，hadlongagreedtomodifytheunquestioningobediencewhichtheyhadbeeninthehabitofaccordingtoher；
andMrs。GeneralEpanchinhadjudgeditbettertosaynothingaboutit，though，ofcourse，shewaswellawareofthefact。
Itistruethathernaturesometimesrebelledagainstthesedictatesofreason，andthatshegrewyearlymorecapriciousandimpatient；buthavingarespectfulandwell-disciplinedhusbandunderherthumbatalltimes，shefounditpossible，asarule，toemptyanylittleaccumulationsofspleenuponhishead，andthereforetheharmonyofthefamilywaskeptdulybalanced，andthingswentassmoothlyasfamilymatterscan。
Mrs。Epanchinhadafairappetiteherself，andgenerallytookhershareofthecapitalmid-daylunchwhichwasalwaysservedforthegirls，andwhichwasnearlyasgoodasadinner。Theyoungladiesusedtohaveacupofcoffeeeachbeforethismeal，atteno’clock，whilestillinbed。Thiswasafavouriteandunalterablearrangementwiththem。Athalf-pasttwelve，thetablewaslaidinthesmalldining-room，andoccasionallythegeneralhimselfappearedatthefamilygathering，ifhehadtime。
Besidesteaandcoffee，cheese，honey，butter，pan-cakesofvariouskindstheladyofthehouselovedthesebest，cutlets，andsoon，therewasgenerallystrongbeefsoup，andothersubstantialdelicacies。
Ontheparticularmorningonwhichourstoryhasopened，thefamilyhadassembledinthedining-room，andwerewaitingthegeneral’sappearance，thelatterhavingpromisedtocomethisday。Ifhehadbeenonemomentlate，hewouldhavebeensentforatonce；butheturneduppunctually。
Ashecameforwardtowishhiswifegood-morningandkissherhands，ashiscustomwas，heobservedsomethinginherlookwhichbodedill。Hethoughtheknewthereason，andhadexpectedit，butstill，hewasnotaltogethercomfortable。Hisdaughtersadvancedtokisshim，too，andthoughtheydidnotlookexactlyangry，therewassomethingstrangeintheirexpressionaswell。
Thegeneralwas，owingtocertaincircumstances，alittleinclinedtobetoosuspiciousathome，andneedlesslynervous；
but，asanexperiencedfatherandhusband，hejudgeditbettertotakemeasuresatoncetoprotecthimselffromanydangerstheremightbeintheair。
However，IhopeIshallnotinterferewiththepropersequenceofmynarrativetoomuch，ifIdivergeforamomentatthispoint，inordertoexplainthemutualrelationsbetweenGeneralEpanchin’sfamilyandothersactingapartinthishistory，atthetimewhenwetakeupthethreadoftheirdestiny。Ihavealreadystatedthatthegeneral，thoughhewasamanoflowlyorigin，andofpooreducation，was，forallthat，anexperiencedandtalentedhusbandandfather。Amongotherthings，heconsidereditundesirabletohurryhisdaughterstothematrimonialaltarandtoworrythemtoomuchwithassurancesofhispaternalwishesfortheirhappiness，asisthecustomamongparentsofmanygrown-updaughters。Heevensucceededinranginghiswifeonhissideonthisquestion，thoughhefoundthefeatverydifficulttoaccomplish，becauseunnatural；butthegeneral’sargumentswereconclusive，andfoundeduponobviousfacts。Thegeneralconsideredthatthegirls’tasteandgoodsenseshouldbeallowedtodevelopandmaturedeliberately，andthattheparents’dutyshouldmerelybetokeepwatch，inorderthatnostrangeorundesirablechoicebemade；butthattheselectiononceeffected，bothfatherandmotherwereboundfromthatmomenttoenterheartandsoulintothecause，andtoseethatthematterprogressedwithouthindranceuntilthealtarshouldbehappilyreached。
Besidesthis，itwasclearthattheEpanchins’positiongainedeachyear，withgeometricalaccuracy，bothastofinancialsolidityandsocialweight；and，therefore，thelongerthegirlswaited，thebetterwastheirchanceofmakingabrilliantmatch。
Butagain，amidsttheincontrovertiblefactsjustrecorded，onemore，equallysignificant，roseuptoconfrontthefamily；andthiswas，thattheeldestdaughter，Alexandra，hadimperceptiblyarrivedathertwenty-fifthbirthday。Almostatthesamemoment，AfanasyIvanovitchTotski，amanofimmensewealth，highconnections，andgoodstanding，announcedhisintentionofmarrying。AfanasyIvanovitchwasagentlemanoffifty-fiveyearsofage，artisticallygifted，andofmostrefinedtastes。Hewishedtomarrywell，and，moreover，hewasakeenadmirerandjudgeofbeauty。
Now，sinceTotskihad，oflate，beenupontermsofgreatcordialitywithEpanchin，whichexcellentrelationswereintensifiedbythefactthattheywere，sotospeak，partnersinseveralfinancialenterprises，itsohappenedthattheformernowputinafriendlyrequesttothegeneralforcounselwithregardtotheimportantstephemeditated。Mighthesuggest，forinstance，suchathingasamarriagebetweenhimselfandoneofthegeneral’sdaughters？
Evidentlythequiet，pleasantcurrentofthefamilylifeoftheEpanchinswasabouttoundergoachange。
Theundoubtedbeautyofthefamily，parexcellence，wastheyoungest，Aglaya，asaforesaid。ButTotskihimself，thoughanegotistoftheextremesttype，realizedthathehadnochancethere；Aglayawasclearlynotforsuchashe。
PerhapsthesisterlyloveandfriendshipofthethreegirlshadmoreorlessexaggeratedAglaya’schancesofhappiness。Intheiropinion，thelatter’sdestinywasnotmerelytobeveryhappy；
shewastoliveinaheavenonearth。Aglaya’shusbandwastobeacompendiumofallthevirtues，andofallsuccess，nottospeakoffabulouswealth。Thetwoeldersistershadagreedthatallwastobesacrificedbythem，ifneedbe，forAglaya’ssake；herdowrywastobecolossalandunprecedented。
Thegeneralandhiswifewereawareofthisagreement，and，therefore，whenTotskisuggestedhimselfforoneofthesisters，theparentsmadenodoubtthatoneofthetwoeldergirlswouldprobablyaccepttheoffer，sinceTotskiwouldcertainlymakenodifficultyastodowry。Thegeneralvaluedtheproposalveryhighly。Heknewlife，andrealizedwhatsuchanofferwasworth。
Theanswerofthesisterstothecommunicationwas，ifnotconclusive，atleastconsolingandhopeful。Itmadeknownthattheeldest，Alexandra，wouldverylikelybedisposedtolistentoaproposal。
Alexandrawasagood-naturedgirl，thoughshehadawillofherown。Shewasintelligentandkind-hearted，and，ifsheweretomarryTotski，shewouldmakehimagoodwife。Shedidnotcareforabrilliantmarriage；shewaseminentlyawomancalculatedtosootheandsweetenthelifeofanyman；decidedlypretty，ifnotabsolutelyhandsome。WhatbettercouldTotskiwish？
Sothemattercreptslowlyforward。ThegeneralandTotskihadagreedtoavoidanyhastyandirrevocablestep。Alexandra’sparentshadnotevenbeguntotalktotheirdaughtersfreelyuponthesubject，whensuddenly，asitwere，adissonantchordwasstruckamidtheharmonyoftheproceedings。Mrs。Epanchinbegantoshowsignsofdiscontent，andthatwasaseriousmatter。A
certaincircumstancehadcreptin，adisagreeableandtroublesomefactor，whichthreatenedtooverturnthewholebusiness。
Thiscircumstancehadcomeintoexistenceeighteenyearsbefore。
ClosetoanestateofTotski’s，inoneofthecentralprovincesofRussia，therelived，atthattime，apoorgentlemanwhoseestatewasofthewretchedestdescription。Thisgentlemanwasnotedinthedistrictforhispersistentill-fortune；hisnamewasBarashkoff，and，asregardsfamilyanddescent，hewasvastlysuperiortoTotski，buthisestatewasmortgagedtothelastacre。Oneday，whenhehadriddenovertothetowntoseeacreditor，thechiefpeasantofhisvillagefollowedhimshortlyafter，withthenewsthathishousehadbeenburntdown，andthathiswifehadperishedwithit，buthischildrenweresafe。
EvenBarashkoff，inuredtothestormsofevilfortuneashewas，couldnotstandthislaststroke。Hewentmadanddiedshortlyafterinthetownhospital。Hisestatewassoldforthecreditors；andthelittlegirls——twoofthem，ofsevenandeightyearsofagerespectively，——wereadoptedbyTotski，whoundertooktheirmaintenanceandeducationinthekindnessofhisheart。
TheywerebroughtuptogetherwiththechildrenofhisGermanbailiff。Verysoon，however，therewasonlyoneofthemleft-
NastasiaPhilipovna——fortheotherlittleonediedofwhooping-
cough。Totski，whowaslivingabroadatthistime，verysoonforgotallaboutthechild；butfiveyearsafter，returningtoRussia，itstruckhimthathewouldliketolookoverhisestateandseehowmattersweregoingthere，and，arrivedathisbailiff’shouse，hewasnotlongindiscoveringthatamongthechildrenofthelattertherenowdweltamostlovelylittlegirloftwelve，sweetandintelligent，andbright，andpromisingtodevelopbeautyofmostunusualquality-astowhichlastTotskiwasanundoubtedauthority。
Heonlystayedathiscountryscatafewdaysonthisoccasion，buthehadtimetomakehisarrangements。Greatchangestookplaceinthechild’seducation；agoodgovernesswasengaged，aSwissladyofexperienceandculture。ForfouryearsthisladyresidedinthehousewithlittleNastia，andthentheeducationwasconsideredcomplete。Thegovernesstookherdeparture，andanotherladycamedowntofetchNastia，byTotski’sinstructions。
ThechildwasnowtransportedtoanotherofTotski’sestatesinadistantpartofthecountry。Hereshefoundadelightfullittlehouse，justbuilt，andpreparedforherreceptionwithgreatcareandtaste；andhereshetookupherabodetogetherwiththeladywhohadaccompaniedherfromheroldhome。Inthehousethereweretwoexperiencedmaids，musicalinstrumentsofallsorts，acharming\"younglady’slibrary，\"pictures，paint-boxes，alap-
dog，andeverythingtomakelifeagreeable。WithinafortnightTotskihimselfarrived，andfromthattimeheappearedtohavetakenagreatfancytothispartoftheworldandcamedowneachsummer，stayingtwoandthreemonthsatatime。Sopassedfouryearspeacefullyandhappily，incharmingsurroundings。
Attheendofthattime，andaboutfourmonthsafterTotski’slastvisithehadstayedbutafortnightonthisoccasion，areportreachedNastasiaPhilipovnathathewasabouttobemarriedinSt。Petersburg，toarich，eminent，andlovelywoman。
Thereportwasonlypartiallytrue，themarriageprojectbeingonlyinanembryocondition；butagreatchangenowcameoverNastasiaPhilipovna。Shesuddenlydisplayedunusualdecisionofcharacter；andwithoutwastingtimeinthought，shelefthercountryhomeandcameuptoSt。Petersburg，straighttoTotski’shouse，allalone。
Thelatter，amazedatherconduct，begantoexpresshisdispleasure；butheverysoonbecameawarethathemustchangehisvoice，style，andeverythingelse，withthisyounglady；thegoodoldtimesweregone。Anentirelynewanddifferentwomansatbeforehim，betweenwhomandthegirlhehadleftinthecountrylastJulythereseemednothingincommon。
Inthefirstplace，thisnewwomanunderstoodagooddealmorethanwasusualforyoungpeopleofherage；somuchindeed，thatTotskicouldnothelpwonderingwhereshehadpickedupherknowledge。Surelynotfromher\"younglady’slibrary\"？Itevenembracedlegalmatters，andthe\"world\"ingeneral，toaconsiderableextent。
Hercharacterwasabsolutelychanged。Nomoreofthegirlishalternationsoftimidityandpetulance，theadorablenaivete，thereveries，thetears，theplayfulness……Itwasanentirelynewandhithertounknownbeingwhonowsatandlaughedathim，andinformedhimtohisfacethatshehadneverhadthefaintestfeelingforhimofanykind，exceptloathingandcontempt——
contemptwhichhadfollowedcloselyuponhersensationsofsurpriseandbewildermentafterherfirstacquaintancewithhim。
Thisnewwomangavehimfurthertounderstandthatthoughitwasabsolutelythesametoherwhomhemarried，yetshehaddecidedtopreventthismarriage——fornoparticularreason，butthatshechosetodoso，andbecauseshewishedtoamuseherselfathisexpenseforthatitwas\"quiteherturntolaughalittlenow！\"
Suchwereherwords——verylikelyshedidnotgiveherrealreasonforthiseccentricconduct；but，atallevents，thatwasalltheexplanationshedeignedtooffer。
Meanwhile，Totskithoughtthematteroveraswellashisscatteredideaswouldpermit。Hismeditationslastedafortnight，however，andattheendofthattimehisresolutionwastaken。
Thefactwas，Totskiwasatthattimeamanoffiftyyearsofage；hispositionwassolidandrespectable；hisplaceinsocietyhadlongbeenfirmlyfixeduponsafefoundations；helovedhimself，hispersonalcomforts，andhispositionbetterthanalltheworld，aseveryrespectablegentlemanshould！
AtthesametimehisgraspofthingsingeneralsoonshowedTotskithathenowhadtodealwithabeingwhowasoutsidethepaleoftheordinaryrulesoftraditionalbehaviour，andwhowouldnotonlythreatenmischiefbutwouldundoubtedlycarryitout，andstopfornoone。
Therewasevidently，heconcluded，somethingatworkhere；somestormofthemind，someparoxysmofromanticanger，goodnessknowsagainstwhomorwhat，someinsatiablecontempt——inaword，somethingaltogetherabsurdandimpossible，butatthesametimemostdangeroustobemetwithbyanyrespectablepersonwithapositioninsocietytokeepup。
ForamanofTotski’swealthandstanding，itwould，ofcourse，havebeenthesimplestpossiblemattertotakestepswhichwouldridhimatoncefromallannoyance；whileitwasobviouslyimpossibleforNastasiaPhilipovnatoharmhiminanyway，eitherlegallyorbystirringupascandal，for，incaseofthelatterdanger，hecouldsoeasilyremovehertoasphereofsafety。
However，theseargumentswouldonlyholdgoodincaseofNastasiaactingasothersmightinsuchanemergency。Shewasmuchmorelikelytooversteptheboundsofreasonableconductbysomeextraordinaryeccentricity。
HerethesoundjudgmentofTotskistoodhimingoodstead。HerealizedthatNastasiaPhilipovnamustbewellawarethatshecoulddonothingbylegalmeanstoinjurehim，andthatherflashingeyesbetrayedsomeentirelydifferentintention。
NastasiaPhilipovnawasquitecapableofruiningherself，andevenofperpetratingsomethingwhichwouldsendhertoSiberia，forthemerepleasureofinjuringamanforwhomshehaddevelopedsoinhumanasenseofloathingandcontempt。Hehadsufficientinsighttounderstandthatshevaluednothingintheworld——herselfleastofall——andhemadenoattempttoconcealthefactthathewasacowardinsomerespects。Forinstance，ifhehadbeentoldthathewouldbestabbedatthealtar，orpubliclyinsulted，hewouldundoubtedlyhavebeenfrightened；butnotsomuchattheideaofbeingmurdered，orwounded，orinsulted，asatthethoughtthatifsuchthingsweretohappenhewouldbemadetolookridiculousintheeyesofsociety。
HeknewwellthatNastasiathoroughlyunderstoodhimandwheretowoundhimandhow，andtherefore，asthemarriagewasstillonlyinembryo，Totskidecidedtoconciliateherbygivingitup。HisdecisionwasstrengthenedbythefactthatNastasiaPhilipovnahadcuriouslyalteredoflate。Itwouldbedifficulttoconceivehowdifferentshewasphysically，atthepresenttime，tothegirlofafewyearsago。Shewasprettythen……butnow！……
Totskilaughedangrilywhenhethoughthowshort-sightedhehadbeen。Indaysgonebyherememberedhowhehadlookedatherbeautifuleyes，howeventhenhehadmarvelledattheirdarkmysteriousdepths，andattheirwonderinggazewhichseemedtoseekananswertosomeunknownriddle。Hercomplexionalsohadaltered。Shewasnowexceedinglypale，but，curiously，thischangeonlymadehermorebeautiful。Likemostmenoftheworld，Totskihadratherdespisedsuchacheaply-boughtconquest，butoflateyearshehadbeguntothinkdifferentlyaboutit。IthadstruckhimaslongagoaslastspringthatheoughttobefindingagoodmatchforNastasia；forinstance，somerespectableandreasonableyoungfellowservinginagovernmentofficeinanotherpartofthecountry。HowmaliciouslyNastasialaughedattheideaofsuchathing，now！
However，itappearedtoTotskithathemightmakeuseofherinanotherway；andhedeterminedtoestablishherinSt。
Petersburg，surroundingherwithallthecomfortsandluxuriesthathiswealthcouldcommand。Inthiswayhemightgaingloryincertaincircles。
FiveyearsofthisPetersburglifewentby，and，ofcourse，duringthattimeagreatdealhappened。Totski’spositionwasveryuncomfortable；having\"funked\"once，hecouldnottotallyregainhisease。Hewasafraid，hedidnotknowwhy，buthewassimplyafraidofNastasiaPhilipovna。Forthefirsttwoyearsorsohehadsuspectedthatshewishedtomarryhimherself，andthatonlyhervanitypreventedhertellinghimso。Hethoughtthatshewantedhimtoapproachherwithahumbleproposalfromhisownside，Buttohisgreat，andnotentirelypleasurableamazement，hediscoveredthatthiswasbynomeansthecase，andthatwerehetoofferhimselfhewouldberefused。Hecouldnotunderstandsuchastateofthings，andwasobligedtoconcludethatitwaspride，theprideofaninjuredandimaginativewoman，whichhadgonetosuchlengthsthatitpreferredtositandnurseitscontemptandhatredinsolituderatherthanmounttoheightsofhithertounattainablesplendour。Tomakemattersworse，shewasquiteimpervioustomercenaryconsiderations，andcouldnotbebribedinanyway。
Finally，Totskitookcunningmeanstotrytobreakhischainsandbefree。Hetriedtotemptherinvariouswaystoloseherheart；
heinvitedprinces，hussars，secretariesofembassies，poets，novelists，evenSocialists，toseeher；butnotoneofthemallmadethefaintestimpressionuponNastasia。Itwasasthoughshehadapebbleinplaceofaheart，asthoughherfeelingsandaffectionsweredriedupandwitheredforever。
Shelivedalmostentirelyalone；sheread，shestudied，shelovedmusic。Herprincipalacquaintanceswerepoorwomenofvariousgrades，acoupleofactresses，andthefamilyofapoorschoolteacher。Amongthesepeopleshewasmuchbeloved。
Shereceivedfourorfivefriendssometimes，ofanevening。
Totskioftencame。Lately，too，GeneralEpanchinhadbeenenabledwithgreatdifficultytointroducehimselfintohercircle。Ganiamadeheracquaintancealso，andotherswereFerdishenko，anill-
bred，andwould-bewitty，youngclerk，andPtitsin，amoney-
lenderofmodestandpolishedmanners，whohadrisenfrompoverty。Infact，NastasiaPhilipovna’sbeautybecameathingknowntoallthetown；butnotasinglemancouldboastofanythingmorethanhisownadmirationforher；andthisreputationofhers，andherwitandcultureandgrace，allconfirmedTotskiintheplanhehadnowprepared。
AnditwasatthismomentthatGeneralEpanchinbegantoplaysolargeandimportantapartinthestory。
WhenTotskihadapproachedthegeneralwithhisrequestforfriendlycounselastoamarriagewithoneofhisdaughters，hehadmadeafullandcandidconfession。Hehadsaidthatheintendedtostopatnomeanstoobtainhisfreedom；evenifNastasiaweretopromisetoleavehimentirelyaloneinfuture，hewouldnothesaidbelieveandtrusther；wordswerenotenoughforhim；hemusthavesolidguaranteesofsomesort。Soheandthegeneraldeterminedtotrywhatanattempttoappealtoherheartwouldeffect。HavingarrivedatNastasia’shouseoneday，withEpanchin，Totskiimmediatelybegantospeakoftheintolerabletormentofhisposition。Headmittedthathewastoblameforall，butcandidlyconfessedthathecouldnotbringhimselftofeelanyremorseforhisoriginalguilttowardsherself，becausehewasamanofsensualpassionswhichwereinbornandineradicable，andthathehadnopoweroverhimselfinthisrespect；butthathewished，seriously，tomarryatlast，andthatthewholefateofthemostdesirablesocialunionwhichhecontemplated，wasinherhands；inaword，heconfidedhisalltohergenerosityofheart。
GeneralEpanchintookuphispartandspokeinthecharacteroffatherofafamily；hespokesensibly，andwithoutwastingwordsoveranyattemptatsentimentality，hemerelyrecordedhisfulladmissionofherrighttobethearbiterofTotski’sdestinyatthismoment。Hethenpointedoutthatthefateofhisdaughter，andverylikelyofbothhisotherdaughters，nowhunguponherreply。
ToNastasia’squestionastowhattheywishedhertodo，Totskiconfessedthathehadbeensofrightenedbyher，fiveyearsago，thathecouldnevernowbeentirelycomfortableuntilsheherselfmarried。Heimmediatelyaddedthatsuchasuggestionfromhimwould，ofcourse，beabsurd，unlessaccompaniedbyremarksofamorepointednature。Heverywellknew，hesaid，thatacertainyounggentlemanofgoodfamily，namely，GavrilaArdalionovitchIvolgin，withwhomshewasacquainted，andwhomshereceivedatherhouse，hadlonglovedherpassionately，andwouldgivehislifeforsomeresponsefromher。TheyoungfellowhadconfessedthisloveofhistohimTotskiandhadalsoadmitteditinthehearingofhisbenefactor，GeneralEpanchin。Lastly，hecouldnothelpbeingofopinionthatNastasiamustbeawareofGania’sloveforher，andifheTotskimistooknot，shehadlookedwithsomefavouruponit，beingoftenlonely，andrathertiredofherpresentlife。Havingremarkedhowdifficultitwasforhim，ofallpeople，tospeaktoherofthesematters，TotskiconcludedbysayingthathetrustedNastasiaPhilipovnawouldnotlookwithcontemptuponhimifhenowexpressedhissinceredesiretoguaranteeherfuturebyagiftofseventy-fivethousandroubles。
Headdedthatthesumwouldhavebeenleftherallthesameinhiswill，andthatthereforeshemustnotconsiderthegiftasinanywayanindemnificationtoherforanything，butthattherewasnoreason，afterall，whyamanshouldnotbeallowedtoentertainanaturaldesiretolightenhisconscience，etc。，etc。；
infact，allthatwouldnaturallybesaidunderthecircumstances。
Totskiwasveryeloquentallthrough，and，inconclusion，justtouchedonthefactthatnotasoulintheworld，notevenGeneralEpanchin，hadeverheardawordabouttheaboveseventy-fivethousandroubles，andthatthiswasthefirsttimehehadevergivenexpressiontohisintentionsinrespecttothem。
NastasiaPhilipovna’sreplytothislongrigmaroleastonishedboththefriendsconsiderably。
Notonlywastherenotraceofherformerirony，ofheroldhatredandenmity，andofthatdreadfullaughter，theveryrecollectionofwhichsentacoldchilldownTotski’sbacktothisveryday；butsheseemedcharmedandreallygladtohavetheopportunityoftalkingseriouslywithhimforonceinaway。Sheconfessedthatshehadlongwishedtohaveafrankandfreeconversationandtoaskforfriendlyadvice，butthatpridehadhithertopreventedher；now，however，thattheicewasbroken，nothingcouldbemorewelcometoherthanthisopportunity。
First，withasadsmile，andthenwithatwinkleofmerrimentinhereyes，sheadmittedthatsuchastormasthatoffiveyearsagowasnowquiteoutofthequestion。Shesaidthatshehadlongsincechangedherviewsofthings，andrecognizedthatfactsmustbetakenintoconsiderationinspiteofthefeelingsoftheheart。Whatwasdonewasdoneandended，andshecouldnotunderstandwhyTotskishouldstillfeelalarmed。
ShenextturnedtoGeneralEpanchinandobserved，mostcourteously，thatshehadlongsinceknownofhisdaughters，andthatshehadheardnonebutgoodreport；thatshehadlearnedtothinkofthemwithdeepandsincererespect。Theideaalonethatshecouldinanywayservethem，wouldbetoherbothaprideandasourceofrealhappiness。
Itwastruethatshewaslonelyinherpresentlife；Totskihadjudgedherthoughtsaright。Shelongedtorise，ifnottolove，atleasttofamilylifeandnewhopesandobjects，butastoGavrilaArdalionovitch，shecouldnotasyetsaymuch。Shethoughtitmustbethecasethathelovedher；shefeltthatshetoomightlearntolovehim，ifshecouldbesureofthefirmnessofhisattachmenttoherself；buthewasveryyoung，anditwasadifficultquestiontodecide。Whatshespeciallylikedabouthimwasthatheworked，andsupportedhisfamilybyhistoil。
Shehadheardthathewasproudandambitious；shehadheardmuchthatwasinterestingofhismotherandsister，shehadheardofthemfromMr。Ptitsin，andwouldmuchliketomaketheiracquaintance，but——anotherquestion！——wouldtheyliketoreceiveherintotheirhouse？Atallevents，thoughshedidnotrejecttheideaofthismarriage，shedesirednottobehurried。Asfortheseventy-fivethousandroubles，Mr。Totskineednothavefoundanydifficultyorawkwardnessaboutthematter；shequiteunderstoodthevalueofmoney，andwould，ofcourse，acceptthegift。Shethankedhimforhisdelicacy，however，butsawnoreasonwhyGavrilaArdalionovitchshouldnotknowaboutit。
Shewouldnotmarrythelatter，shesaid，untilshefeltpersuadedthatneitheronhispartnoronthepartofhisfamilydidthereexistanysortofconcealedsuspicionsastoherself。
Shedidnotintendtoaskforgivenessforanythinginthepast，whichfactshedesiredtobeknown。Shedidnotconsiderherselftoblameforanythingthathadhappenedinformeryears，andshethoughtthatGavrilaArdalionovitchshouldbeinformedastotherelationswhichhadexistedbetweenherselfandTotskiduringthelastfiveyears。Ifsheacceptedthismoneyitwasnottobeconsideredasindemnificationforhermisfortuneasayounggirl，whichhadnotbeeninanydegreeherownfault，butmerelyascompensationforherruinedlife。
ShebecamesoexcitedandagitatedduringalltheseexplanationsandconfessionsthatGeneralEpanchinwashighlygratified，andconsideredthemattersatisfactorilyarrangedonceforall。ButtheoncebittenTotskiwastwiceshy，andlookedforhiddensnakesamongtheflowers。However，thespecialpointtowhichthetwofriendsparticularlytrustedtobringabouttheirobjectnamely，Gania’sattractivenessforNastasiaPhilipovna，stoodoutmoreandmoreprominently；thepourparlershadcommenced，andgraduallyevenTotskibegantobelieveinthepossibilityofsuccess。
BeforelongNastasiaandGaniahadtalkedthematterover。Verylittlewassaid——hermodestyseemedtosufferundertheinflictionofdiscussingsuchaquestion。Butsherecognizedhislove，ontheunderstandingthatsheboundherselftonothingwhatever，andthatshereservedtherighttosay\"no\"uptotheveryhourofthemarriageceremony。Ganiawastohavethesamerightofrefusalatthelastmoment。
ItsoonbecamecleartoGania，afterscenesofwrathandquarrellingsatthedomestichearth，thathisfamilywereseriouslyopposedtothematch，andthatNastasiawasawareofthisfactwasequallyevident。Shesaidnothingaboutit，thoughhedailyexpectedhertodoso。
Therewereseveralrumoursafloat，beforelong，whichupsetTotski’sequanimityagooddeal，butwewillnotnowstoptodescribethem；merelymentioninganinstanceortwo。OnewasthatNastasiahadenteredintocloseandsecretrelationswiththeEpanchingirls——amostunlikelyrumour；anotherwasthatNastasiahadlongsatisfiedherselfofthefactthatGaniawasmerelymarryingherformoney，andthathisnaturewasgloomyandgreedy，impatientandselfish，toanextraordinarydegree；andthatalthoughhehadbeenkeenenoughinhisdesiretoachieveaconquestbefore，yetsincethetwofriendshadagreedtoexploithispassionfortheirownpurposes，itwasclearenoughthathehadbeguntoconsiderthewholethinganuisanceandanightmare。
Inhisheartpassionandhateseemedtoholddividedsway，andalthoughhehadatlastgivenhisconsenttomarrythewomanashesaid，underthestressofcircumstances，yethepromisedhimselfthathewould\"takeitoutofher，\"aftermarriage。
NastasiaseemedtoTotskitohavedivinedallthis，andtobepreparingsomethingonherownaccount，whichfrightenedhimtosuchanextentthathedidnotdarecommunicatehisviewseventothegeneral。Butattimeshewouldpluckuphiscourageandbefullofhopeandgoodspiritsagain，acting，infact，asweakmendoactinsuchcircumstances。
However，boththefriendsfeltthatthethinglookedrosyindeedwhenonedayNastasiainformedthemthatshewouldgiveherfinalanswerontheeveningofherbirthday，whichanniversarywasdueinaveryshorttime。
Astrangerumourbegantocirculate，meanwhile；nolessthanthattherespectableandhighlyrespectedGeneralEpanchinwashimselfsofascinatedbyNastasiaPhilipovnathathisfeelingforheramountedalmosttopassion。WhathethoughttogainbyGania’smarriagetothegirlitwasdifficulttoimagine。PossiblyhecountedonGania’scomplaisance；forTotskihadlongsuspectedthatthereexistedsomesecretunderstandingbetweenthegeneralandhissecretary。AtalleventsthefactwasknownthathehadpreparedamagnificentpresentofpearlsforNastasia’sbirthday，andthathewaslookingforwardtotheoccasionwhenheshouldpresenthisgiftwiththegreatestexcitementandimpatience。Thedaybeforeherbirthdayhewasinafeverofagitation。
Mrs。Epanchin，longaccustomedtoherhusband’sinfidelities，hadheardofthepearls，andtherumourexcitedherliveliestcuriosityandinterest。Thegeneralremarkedhersuspicions，andfeltthatagrandexplanationmustshortlytakeplace——whichfactalarmedhimmuch。
Thisisthereasonwhyhewassounwillingtotakelunchonthemorninguponwhichwetookupthisnarrativewiththerestofhisfamily。Beforetheprince’sarrivalhehadmadeuphismindtopleadbusiness，and\"cut\"themeal；whichsimplymeantrunningaway。
Hewasparticularlyanxiousthatthisonedayshouldbepassed——
especiallytheevening——withoutunpleasantnessbetweenhimselfandhisfamily；andjustattherightmomenttheprinceturnedup——\"asthoughHeavenhadsenthimonpurpose，\"saidthegeneraltohimself，asheleftthestudytoseekoutthewifeofhisbosom。
V。
Mrs。GeneralEpanchinwasaproudwomanbynature。WhatmustherfeelingshavebeenwhensheheardthatPrinceMuishkin，thelastofhisandherline，hadarrivedinbeggar’sguise，awretchedidiot，arecipientofcharity——allofwhichdetailsthegeneralgaveoutforgreatereffect！Hewasanxioustostealherinterestatthefirstswoop，soastodistractherthoughtsfromothermattersnearerhome。
Mrs。Epanchinwasinthehabitofholdingherselfverystraight，andstaringbeforeher，withoutspeaking，inmomentsofexcitement。
Shewasafinewomanofthesameageasherhusband，withaslightlyhookednose，ahigh，narrowforehead，thickhairturningalittlegrey，andasallowcomplexion。Hereyesweregreyandworeaverycuriousexpressionattimes。Shebelievedthemtobemosteffective——abeliefthatnothingcouldalter。
\"What，receivehim！Now，atonce？\"askedMrs。Epanchin，gazingvaguelyatherhusbandashestoodfidgetingbeforeher。
\"Oh，dearme，Iassureyouthereisnoneedtostandonceremonywithhim，\"thegeneralexplainedhastily。\"Heisquiteachild，nottosayapathetic-lookingcreature。Hehasfitsofsomesort，andhasjustarrivedfromSwitzerland，straightfromthestation，dressedlikeaGermanandwithoutafarthinginhispocket。I
gavehimtwenty-fiveroublestogoonwith，andamgoingtofindhimsomeeasyplaceinoneofthegovernmentoffices。Ishouldlikeyoutoplyhimwellwiththevictuals，mydears，forI
shouldthinkhemustbeveryhungry。\"
\"Youastonishme，\"saidthelady，gazingasbefore。\"Fits，andhungrytoo！Whatsortoffits？\"
\"Oh，theydon’tcomeonfrequently，besides，he’saregularchild，thoughheseemstobefairlyeducated。Ishouldlikeyou，ifpossible，mydears，\"thegeneraladded，makingslowlyforthedoor，\"toputhimthroughhispacesabit，andseewhatheisgoodfor。Ithinkyoushouldbekindtohim；itisagooddeed，youknow——however，justasyoulike，ofcourse——butheisasortofrelation，remember，andIthoughtitmightinterestyoutoseetheyoungfellow，seeingthatthisisso。\"
\"Oh，ofcourse，mamma，ifweneedn’tstandonceremonywithhim，wemustgivethepoorfellowsomethingtoeatafterhisjourney；
especiallyashehasnottheleastideawheretogoto，\"saidAlexandra，theeldestofthegirls。
\"Besides，he’squiteachild；wecanentertainhimwithalittlehide-and-seek，incaseofneed，\"saidAdelaida。
\"Hide-and-seek？Whatdoyoumean？\"inquiredMrs。Epanchin。
\"Oh，dostoppretending，mamma，\"criedAglaya，invexation。\"Sendhimup，father；motherallows。\"
Thegeneralrangthebellandgaveordersthattheprinceshouldbeshownin。
\"Onlyonconditionthathehasanapkinunderhischinatlunch，then，\"saidMrs。Epanchin，\"andletFedor，orMavra，standbehindhimwhileheeats。Ishequietwhenhehasthesefits？Hedoesn’tshowviolence，doeshe？\"
\"Onthecontrary，heseemstobeverywellbroughtup。Hismannersareexcellent——buthereheishimself。Hereyouare，prince——letmeintroduceyou，thelastoftheMuishkins，arelativeofyourown，mydear，oratleastofthesamename。
Receivehimkindly，please。They’llbringinlunchdirectly，prince；youmuststopandhavesome，butyoumustexcuseme。I’minahurry，Imustbeoff——\"
\"WeallknowwhereYOUmustbeoffto！\"saidMrs。Epanchin，inameaningvoice。
\"Yes，yes——Imusthurryaway，I’mlate！Lookhere，dears，lethimwriteyousomethinginyouralbums；you’venoideawhatawonderfulcaligraphistheis，wonderfultalent！Hehasjustwrittenout’AbbotPafnutesignedthis’forme。Well，aurevoir！\"
\"Stopaminute；whereareyouoffto？Whoisthisabbot？\"criedMrs。Epanchintoherretreatinghusbandinatoneofexcitedannoyance。
\"Yes，mydear，itwasanoldabbotofthatname-Imustbeofftoseethecount，he’swaitingforme，I’mlate——Good-bye！Aurevoir，prince！\"——andthegeneralboltedatfullspeed。
\"Oh，yes——Iknowwhatcountyou’regoingtosee！\"remarkedhiswifeinacuttingmanner，assheturnedherangryeyesontheprince。\"Nowthen，what’sallthisabout？——Whatabbot——Who’sPafnute？\"sheadded，brusquely。
\"Mamma！\"saidAlexandra，shockedatherrudeness。
Aglayastampedherfoot。
\"Nonsense！Letmealone！\"saidtheangrymother。\"Nowthen，prince，sitdownhere，no，nearer，comenearerthelight！Iwanttohaveagoodlookatyou。So，nowthen，whoisthisabbot？\"
\"AbbotPafnute，\"saidourfriend，seriouslyandwithdeference。
\"Pafnute，yes。Andwhowashe？\"
Mrs。Epanchinputthesequestionshastilyandbrusquely，andwhentheprinceansweredshenoddedherheadsagelyateachwordhesaid。
\"TheAbbotPafnutelivedinthefourteenthcentury，\"begantheprince；\"hewasinchargeofoneofthemonasteriesontheVolga，aboutwhereourpresentKostromagovernmentlies。HewenttoOreolandhelpedinthegreatmattersthengoingoninthereligiousworld；hesignedanedictthere，andIhaveseenaprintofhissignature；itstruckme，soIcopiedit。Whenthegeneralaskedme，inhisstudy，towritesomethingforhim，toshowmyhandwriting，Iwrote’TheAbbotPafnutesignedthis，’intheexacthandwritingoftheabbot。Thegenerallikeditverymuch，andthat’swhyherecalleditjustnow。\"
\"Aglaya，makeanoteof’Pafnute，’orweshallforgethim。H’m！
andwhereisthissignature？\"
\"Ithinkitwasleftonthegeneral’stable。\"
\"Letitbesentforatonce！\"
\"Oh，I’llwriteyouanewoneinhalfaminute，\"saidtheprince，\"ifyoulike！\"
\"Ofcourse，mamma！\"saidAlexandra。\"Butlet’shavelunchnow，weareallhungry！\"
\"Yes；comealong，prince，\"saidthemother，\"areyouveryhungry？\"
\"Yes；ImustsaythatIamprettyhungry，thanksverymuch。\"
\"H’m！Iliketoseethatyouknowyourmanners；andyouarebynomeanssuchapersonasthegeneralthoughtfittodescribeyou。
Comealong；yousithere，oppositetome，\"shecontinued，\"Iwishtobeabletoseeyourface。Alexandra，Adelaida，lookaftertheprince！Hedoesn’tseemsoveryill，doeshe？Idon’tthinkherequiresanapkinunderhischin，afterall；areyouaccustomedtohavingoneon，prince？\"
\"Formerly，whenIwassevenyearsoldorso。IbelieveIworeone；butnowIusuallyholdmynapkinonmykneewhenIeat。\"
\"Ofcourse，ofcourse！Andaboutyourfits？\"
\"Fits？\"askedtheprince，slightlysurprised。\"Iveryseldomhavefitsnowadays。Idon’tknowhowitmaybehere，though；theysaytheclimatemaybebadforme。\"
\"Hetalksverywell，youknow！\"saidMrs。Epanchin，whostillcontinuedtonodateachwordtheprincespoke。\"Ireallydidnotexpectitatall；infact，Isupposeitwasallstuffandnonsenseonthegeneral’spart，asusual。Eataway，prince，andtellmewhereyouwereborn，andwhereyouwerebroughtup。I
wishtoknowallaboutyou，youinterestmeverymuch！\"
Theprinceexpressedhisthanksoncemore，andeatingheartilythewhile，recommencedthenarrativeofhislifeinSwitzerland，allofwhichwehaveheardbefore。Mrs。Epanchinbecamemoreandmorepleasedwithherguest；thegirls，too，listenedwithconsiderableattention。Intalkingoverthequestionofrelationshipitturnedoutthattheprincewasverywellupinthematterandknewhispedigreeoffbyheart。ItwasfoundthatscarcelyanyconnectionexistedbetweenhimselfandMrs。
Epanchin，butthetalk，andtheopportunityofconversingaboutherfamilytree，gratifiedthelatterexceedingly，andsherosefromthetableingreatgoodhumour。
\"Let’sallgotomyboudoir，\"shesaid，\"andtheyshallbringsomecoffeeinthere。That’stheroomwhereweallassembleandbusyourselvesaswelikebest，\"sheexplained。\"Alexandra，myeldest，here，playsthepiano，orreadsorsews；Adelaidapaintslandscapesandportraitsbutneverfinishesany；andAglayasitsanddoesnothing。Idon’tworktoomuch，either。Hereweare，now；sitdown，prince，nearthefireandtalktous。Iwanttohearyourelatesomething。Iwishtomakesureofyoufirstandthentellmyoldfriend，PrincessBielokonski，aboutyou。I
wishyoutoknowallthegoodpeopleandtointerestthem。Nowthen，begin！\"
\"Mamma，it’sratherastrangeorder，that！\"saidAdelaida，whowasfussingamongherpaintsandpaint-brushesattheeasel。
AglayaandAlexandrahadsettledthemselveswithfoldedhandsonasofa，evidentlymeaningtobelisteners。Theprincefeltthatthegeneralattentionwasconcentrateduponhimself。
\"IshouldrefusetosayawordifIwereorderedtotellastorylikethat！\"observedAglaya。
\"Why？what’stherestrangeaboutit？Hehasatongue。Whyshouldn’thetellussomething？Iwanttojudgewhetherheisagoodstory-teller；anythingyoulike，prince-howyoulikedSwitzerland，whatwasyourfirstimpression，anything。You’llsee，he’llbegindirectlyandtellusallaboutitbeautifully。\"
\"Theimpressionwasforcible——\"theprincebegan。
\"There，yousee，girls，\"saidtheimpatientlady，\"hehasbegun，yousee。\"
\"Well，then，LEThimtalk，mamma，\"saidAlexandra。\"Thisprinceisagreathumbugandbynomeansanidiot，\"shewhisperedtoAglaya。
\"Oh，Isawthatatonce，\"repliedthelatter。\"Idon’tthinkitatallniceofhimtoplayapart。Whatdoeshewishtogainbyit，Iwonder？\"
\"Myfirstimpressionwasaverystrongone，\"repeatedtheprince。
\"WhentheytookmeawayfromRussia，IrememberIpassedthroughmanyGermantownsandlookedoutofthewindows，butdidnottroublesomuchastoaskquestionsaboutthem。Thiswasafteralongseriesoffits。Ialwaysusedtofallintoasortoftorpidconditionaftersuchaseries，andlostmymemoryalmostentirely；andthoughIwasnotaltogetherwithoutreasonatsuchtimes，yetIhadnologicalpowerofthought。Thiswouldcontinueforthreeorfourdays，andthenIwouldrecovermyselfagain。I
remembermymelancholywasintolerable；Ifeltinclinedtocry；I
satandwonderedandwondereduncomfortably；theconsciousnessthateverythingwasstrangeweighedterriblyuponme；Icouldunderstandthatitwasallforeignandstrange。IrecollectI
awokefromthisstateforthefirsttimeatBasle，oneevening；
thebrayofadonkeyarousedme，adonkeyinthetownmarket。I
sawthedonkeyandwasextremelypleasedwithit，andfromthatmomentmyheadseemedtoclear。\"
\"Adonkey？Howstrange！Yetitisnotstrange。Anyoneofusmightfallinlovewithadonkey！Ithappenedinmythologicaltimes，\"
saidMadameEpanchin，lookingwrathfullyatherdaughters，whohadbeguntolaugh。\"Goon，prince。\"
\"SincethateveningIhavebeenspeciallyfondofdonkeys。I
begantoaskquestionsaboutthem，forIhadneverseenonebefore；andIatoncecametotheconclusionthatthismustbeoneofthemostusefulofanimals——strong，willing，patient，cheap；and，thankstothisdonkey，IbegantolikethewholecountryIwastravellingthrough；andmymelancholypassedaway。\"
\"Allthisisverystrangeandinteresting，\"saidMrs。Epanchin。
\"Nowlet’sleavethedonkeyandgoontoothermatters。Whatareyoulaughingat，Aglaya？andyoutoo，Adelaida？Theprincetoldushisexperiencesverycleverly；hesawthedonkeyhimself，andwhathaveyoueverseen？YOUhaveneverbeenabroad。\"
\"Ihaveseenadonkeythough，mamma！\"saidAglaya。
\"AndI’veheardone！\"saidAdelaida。Allthreeofthegirlslaughedoutloud，andtheprincelaughedwiththem。
\"Well，it’stoobadofyou，\"saidmamma。\"Youmustforgivethem，prince；theyaregoodgirls。Iamveryfondofthem，thoughI
oftenhavetobescoldingthem；theyareallassillyandmadasmarchhares。\"
\"Oh，whyshouldn’ttheylaugh？\"saidtheprince。\"Ishouldn’thaveletthechancegobyintheirplace，Iknow。ButIstickupforthedonkey，allthesame；he’sapatient，good-naturedfellow。\"
\"Areyouapatientman，prince？Iaskoutofcuriosity，\"saidMrs。Epanchin。
Alllaughedagain。
\"Oh，thatwretcheddonkeyagain，Isee！\"criedthelady。\"I
assureyou，prince，Iwasnotguiltyoftheleast——\"
\"Insinuation？Oh！Iassureyou，Itakeyourwordforit。\"Andtheprincecontinuedlaughingmerrily。
\"Imustsayit’sveryniceofyoutolaugh。Iseeyoureallyareakind-heartedfellow，\"saidMrs。Epanchin。
\"I’mnotalwayskind，though。\"
\"Iamkindmyself，andALWAYSkindtoo，ifyouplease！\"sheretorted，unexpectedly；\"andthatismychieffault，foroneoughtnottobealwayskind。Iamoftenangrywiththesegirlsandtheirfather；buttheworstofitis，IamalwayskindestwhenIamcross。Iwasveryangryjustbeforeyoucame，andAglayatherereadmealesson——thanks，Aglaya，dear——comeandkissme——there——that’senough\"sheadded，asAglayacameforwardandkissedherlipsandthenherhand。\"Nowthen，goon，prince。
Perhapsyoucanthinkofsomethingmoreexcitingthanaboutthedonkey，eh？\"
\"Imustsay，again，Ican’tunderstandhowyoucanexpectanyonetotellyoustoriesstraightaway，so，\"saidAdelaida。\"IknowI
nevercould！\"
\"Yes，buttheprincecan，becauseheisclever——clevererthanyouarebytenortwentytimes，ifyoulike。There，that’sso，prince；andseriously，let’sdropthedonkeynow——whatelsedidyouseeabroad，besidesthedonkey？\"
\"Yes，buttheprincetoldusaboutthedonkeyverycleverly，allthesame，\"saidAlexandra。\"Ihavealwaysbeenmostinterestedtohearhowpeoplegomadandgetwellagain，andthatsortofthing。Especiallywhenithappenssuddenly。\"
\"Quiteso，quiteso！\"criedMrs。Epanchin，delighted。\"IseeyouCANbesensiblenowandthen，Alexandra。YouwerespeakingofSwitzerland，prince？\"
\"Yes。WecametoLucerne，andIwastakenoutinaboat。Ifelthowlovelyitwas，butthelovelinessweigheduponmesomehoworother，andmademefeelmelancholy。\"
\"Why？\"askedAlexandra。
\"Idon’tknow；IalwaysfeellikethatwhenIlookatthebeautiesofnatureforthefirsttime；butthen，Iwasillatthattime，ofcourse！\"
\"Oh，butIshouldliketoseeit！\"saidAdelaida；\"andIdon’tknowWHENweshallevergoabroad。I’vebeentwoyearslookingoutforagoodsubjectforapicture。I’vedoneallIknow。’TheNorthandSouthIknowbyheart，’asourpoetobserves。Dohelpmetoasubject，prince。\"
\"Oh，butIknownothingaboutpainting。Itseemstomeoneonlyhastolook，andpaintwhatonesees。\"
\"ButIdon’tknowHOWtosee！\"
\"Nonsense，whatrubbishyoutalk！\"themotherstruckin。\"Notknowhowtosee！Openyoureyesandlook！Ifyoucan’tseehere，youwon’tseeabroadeither。Telluswhatyousawyourself，prince！\"
\"Yes，that’sbetter，\"saidAdelaida；\"theprincelearnedtoseeabroad。\"
\"Oh，Ihardlyknow！Yousee，Ionlywenttorestoremyhealth。I
don’tknowwhetherIlearnedtosee，exactly。Iwasveryhappy，however，nearlyallthetime。\"
\"Happy！youcanbehappy？\"criedAglaya。\"Thenhowcanyousayyoudidnotlearntosee？Ishouldthinkyoucouldteachustosee！\"
\"Oh！DOteachus，\"laughedAdelaida。
\"Oh！Ican’tdothat，\"saidtheprince，laughingtoo。\"IlivedalmostallthewhileinonelittleSwissvillage；whatcanI
teachyou？AtfirstIwasonlyjustnotabsolutelydull；thenmyhealthbegantoimprove——theneverydaybecamedearerandmoreprecioustome，andthelongerIstayed，thedearerbecamethetimetome；somuchsothatIcouldnothelpobservingit；butwhythiswasso，itwouldbedifficulttosay。\"
\"Sothatyoudidn’tcaretogoawayanywhereelse？\"
\"Well，atfirstIdid；Iwasrestless；Ididn’tknowhoweverI
shouldmanagetosupportlife——youknowtherearesuchmoments，especiallyinsolitude。Therewasawaterfallnearus，suchalovelythinstreakofwater，likeathreadbutwhiteandmoving。