Itfellfromagreatheight，butitlookedquitelow，anditwashalfamileaway，thoughitdidnotseemfiftypaces。Ilovedtolistentoitatnight，butitwasthenthatIbecamesorestless。
SometimesIwentandclimbedthemountainandstoodthereinthemidstofthetallpines，allaloneintheterriblesilence，withourlittlevillageinthedistance，andtheskysoblue，andthesunsobright，andanoldruinedcastleonthemountain-side，faraway。Iusedtowatchthelinewhereearthandskymet，andlongedtogoandseektherethekeyofallmysteries，thinkingthatImightfindthereanewlife，perhapssomegreatcitywherelifeshouldbegranderandricher——andthenitstruckmethatlifemaybegrandenougheveninaprison。\"
\"Ireadthatlastmostpraiseworthythoughtinmymanual，whenI
wastwelveyearsold，\"saidAglaya。
\"Allthisispurephilosophy，\"saidAdelaida。\"Youareaphilosopher，prince，andhavecomeheretoinstructusinyourviews。\"
\"Perhapsyouareright，\"saidtheprince，smiling。\"IthinkIamaphilosopher，perhaps，andwhoknows，perhapsIdowishtoteachmyviewsofthingstothoseImeetwith？\"
\"Yourphilosophyisratherlikethatofanoldwomanweknow，whoisrichandyetdoesnothingbuttryhowlittleshecanspend。
Shetalksofnothingbutmoneyallday。YourgreatphilosophicalideaofagrandlifeinaprisonandyourfourhappyyearsinthatSwissvillagearelikethis，rather，\"saidAglaya。
\"Astolifeinaprison，ofcoursetheremaybetwoopinions，\"
saidtheprince。\"Ionceheardthestoryofamanwholivedtwelveyearsinaprison——Ihearditfromthemanhimself。Hewasoneofthepersonsundertreatmentwithmyprofessor；hehadfits，andattacksofmelancholy，thenhewouldweep，andoncehetriedtocommitsuicide。HISlifeinprisonwassadenough；hisonlyacquaintanceswerespidersandatreethatgrewoutsidehisgrating-butIthinkIhadbettertellyouofanothermanImetlastyear。Therewasaverystrangefeatureinthiscase，strangebecauseofitsextremelyrareoccurrence。Thismanhadoncebeenbroughttothescaffoldincompanywithseveralothers，andhadhadthesentenceofdeathbyshootingpasseduponhimforsomepoliticalcrime。Twentyminuteslaterhehadbeenreprievedandsomeotherpunishmentsubstituted；buttheintervalbetweenthetwosentences，twentyminutes，oratleastaquarterofanhour，hadbeenpassedinthecertaintythatwithinafewminuteshemustdie。Iwasveryanxioustohearhimspeakofhisimpressionsduringthatdreadfultime，andIseveraltimesinquiredofhimastowhathethoughtandfelt。Herememberedeverythingwiththemostaccurateandextraordinarydistinctness，anddeclaredthathewouldneverforgetasingleiotaoftheexperience。
\"Abouttwentypacesfromthescaffold，wherehehadstoodtohearthesentence，werethreeposts，fixedintheground，towhichtofastenthecriminalsofwhomtherewereseveral。Thefirstthreecriminalsweretakentotheposts，dressedinlongwhitetunics，withwhitecapsdrawnovertheirfaces，sothattheycouldnotseetheriflespointedatthem。Thenagroupofsoldierstooktheirstandoppositetoeachpost。Myfriendwastheeighthonthelist，andthereforehewouldhavebeenamongthethirdlottogoup。Apriestwentaboutamongthemwithacross:andtherewasaboutfiveminutesoftimeleftforhimtolive。
\"Hesaidthatthosefiveminutesseemedtohimtobeamostinterminableperiod，anenormouswealthoftime；heseemedtobeliving，intheseminutes，somanylivesthattherewasnoneedasyettothinkofthatlastmoment，sothathemadeseveralarrangements，dividingupthetimeintoportions——oneforsayingfarewelltohiscompanions，twominutesforthat；thenacouplemoreforthinkingoverhisownlifeandcareerandallabouthimself；andanotherminuteforalastlookaround。Herememberedhavingdividedhistimelikethisquitewell。Whilesayinggood-
byetohisfriendsherecollectedaskingoneofthemsomeveryusualeverydayquestion，andbeingmuchinterestedintheanswer。
Thenhavingbadefarewell，heembarkeduponthosetwominuteswhichhehadallottedtolookingintohimself；heknewbeforehandwhathewasgoingtothinkabout。Hewishedtoputittohimselfasquicklyandclearlyaspossible，thatherewashe，aliving，thinkingman，andthatinthreeminuteshewouldbenobody；orifsomebodyorsomething，thenwhatandwhere？Hethoughthewoulddecidethisquestiononceforallintheselastthreeminutes。Alittlewayofftherestoodachurch，anditsgildedspireglitteredinthesun。Herememberedstaringstubbornlyatthisspire，andattheraysoflightsparklingfromit。Hecouldnottearhiseyesfromtheseraysoflight；hegottheideathattheserayswerehisnewnature，andthatinthreeminuteshewouldbecomeoneofthem，amalgamatedsomehowwiththem。
\"Therepugnancetowhatmustensuealmostimmediately，andtheuncertainty，weredreadful，hesaid；butworstofallwastheidea，’WhatshouldIdoifIwerenottodienow？WhatifIweretoreturntolifeagain？Whataneternityofdays，andallmine！
HowIshouldgrudgeandcountupeveryminuteofit，soastowastenotasingleinstant！’Hesaidthatthisthoughtweighedsouponhimandbecamesuchaterribleburdenuponhisbrainthathecouldnotbearit，andwishedtheywouldshoothimquicklyandhavedonewithit。\"
Theprincepausedandallwaited，expectinghimtogoonagainandfinishthestory。
\"Isthatall？\"askedAglaya。
\"All？Yes，\"saidtheprince，emergingfromamomentaryreverie。
\"Andwhydidyoutellusthis？\"
\"Oh，Ihappenedtorecallit，that’sall！Itfittedintotheconversation——\"
\"Youprobablywishtodeduce，prince，\"saidAlexandra，\"thatmomentsoftimecannotbereckonedbymoneyvalue，andthatsometimesfiveminutesareworthpricelesstreasures。Allthisisverypraiseworthy；butmayIaskaboutthisfriendofyours，whotoldyoutheterribleexperienceofhislife？Hewasreprieved，yousay；inotherwords，theydidrestoretohimthat’eternityofdays。’Whatdidhedowiththeserichesoftime？Didhekeepcarefulaccountofhisminutes？\"
\"Ohno，hedidn’t！Iaskedhimmyself。Hesaidthathehadnotlivedabitashehadintended，andhadwastedmany，andmanyaminute。\"
\"Verywell，thenthere’sanexperiment，andthethingisproved；
onecannotliveandcounteachmoment；saywhatyoulike，butoneCANNOT。\"
\"Thatistrue，\"saidtheprince，\"Ihavethoughtsomyself。Andyet，whyshouldn’tonedoit？\"
\"Youthink，then，thatyoucouldlivemorewiselythanotherpeople？\"saidAglaya。
\"Ihavehadthatidea。\"
\"Andyouhaveitstill？\"
\"Yes——Ihaveitstill，\"theprincereplied。
HehadcontemplatedAglayauntilnow，withapleasantthoughrathertimidsmile，butasthelastwordsfellfromhislipshebegantolaugh，andlookedathermerrily。
\"Youarenotverymodest！\"saidshe。
\"Buthowbraveyouare！\"saidhe。\"Youarelaughing，andI——
thatman’staleimpressedmesomuch，thatIdreamtofitafterwards；yes，Idreamtofthosefiveminutes……\"
Helookedathislistenersagainwiththatsameserious，searchingexpression。
\"Youarenotangrywithme？\"heaskedsuddenly，andwithakindofnervoushurry，althoughhelookedthemstraightintheface。
\"Whyshouldwebeangry？\"theycried。
\"OnlybecauseIseemtobegivingyoualecture，allthetime！\"
Atthistheylaughedheartily。
\"Pleasedon’tbeangrywithme，\"continuedtheprince。\"IknowverywellthatIhaveseenlessoflifethanotherpeople，andhavelessknowledgeofit。Imustappeartospeakstrangelysometimes……\"
Hesaidthelastwordsnervously。
\"Yousayyouhavebeenhappy，andthatprovesyouhavelived，notless，butmorethanotherpeople。Whymakealltheseexcuses？\"
interruptedAglayainamockingtoneofvoice。\"Besides，youneednotmindaboutlecturingus；youhavenothingtoboastof。Withyourquietism，onecouldlivehappilyforahundredyearsatleast。Onemightshowyoutheexecutionofafelon，orshowyouone’slittlefinger。Youcoulddrawamoralfromeither，andbequitesatisfied。Thatsortofexistenceiseasyenough。\"
\"Ican’tunderstandwhyyoualwaysflyintoatemper，\"saidMrs。
Epanchin，whohadbeenlisteningtotheconversationandexaminingthefacesofthespeakersinturn。\"Idonotunderstandwhatyoumean。Whathasyourlittlefingertodowithit？Theprincetalkswell，thoughheisnotamusing。Hebeganallright，butnowheseemssad。\"
\"Nevermind，mamma！Prince，Iwishyouhadseenanexecution，\"
saidAglaya。\"Ishouldliketoaskyouaquestionaboutthat，ifyouhad。\"
\"Ihaveseenanexecution，\"saidtheprince。
\"Youhave！\"criedAglaya。\"Imighthaveguessedit。That’safittingcrowntotherestofthestory。Ifyouhaveseenanexecution，howcanyousayyoulivedhappilyallthewhile？\"
\"Butistherecapitalpunishmentwhereyouwere？\"askedAdelaida。
\"IsawitatLyons。Schneidertookusthere，andassoonaswearrivedwecameinforthat。\"
\"Well，anddidyoulikeitverymuch？Wasitveryedifyingandinstructive？\"askedAglaya。
\"No，Ididn’tlikeitatall，andwasillafterseeingit；butI
confessIstaredasthoughmyeyeswerefixedtothesight。I
couldnottearthemaway。\"
\"I，too，shouldhavebeenunabletotearmyeyesaway，\"saidAglaya。
\"Theydonotatallapproveofwomengoingtoseeanexecutionthere。Thewomenwhodogoarecondemnedforitafterwardsinthenewspapers。\"
\"Thatis，bycontendingthatitisnotasightforwomentheyadmitthatitisasightformen。Icongratulatethemonthededuction。Isupposeyouquiteagreewiththem，prince？\"
\"Tellusabouttheexecution，\"putinAdelaida。
\"Iwouldmuchrathernot，justnow，\"saidtheprince，alittledisturbedandfrowningslightly；
\"Youdon’tseemtowanttotellus，\"saidAglaya，withamockingair。
\"No，——thethingis，Iwastellingallabouttheexecutionalittlewhileago，and——\"
\"Whomdidyoutellaboutit？\"
\"Theman-servant，whileIwaswaitingtoseethegeneral。\"
\"Ourman-servant？\"exclaimedseveralvoicesatonce。
\"Yes，theonewhowaitsintheentrancehall，agreyish，red-
facedman——\"
\"Theprinceisclearlyademocrat，\"remarkedAglaya。
\"Well，ifyoucouldtellAlekseyaboutit，surelyyoucantellustoo。\"
\"Idosowanttohearaboutit，\"repeatedAdelaida。
\"Justnow，Iconfess，\"begantheprince，withmoreanimation，\"whenyouaskedmeforasubjectforapicture，IconfessIhadseriousthoughtsofgivingyouone。Ithoughtofaskingyoutodrawthefaceofacriminal，oneminutebeforethefalloftheguillotine，whilethewretchedmanisstillstandingonthescaffold，preparatorytoplacinghisneckontheblock。\"
\"What，hisface？onlyhisface？\"askedAdelaida。\"Thatwouldbeastrangesubjectindeed。Andwhatsortofapicturewouldthatmake？\"
\"Oh，whynot？\"theprinceinsisted，withsomewarmth。\"WhenIwasinBasleIsawapictureverymuchinthatstyle——Ishouldliketotellyouaboutit；Iwillsometimeorother；itstruckmeveryforcibly。\"
\"Oh，youshalltellusabouttheBaslepictureanothertime；nowwemusthaveallabouttheexecution，\"saidAdelaida。\"Tellusaboutthatfaceas；itappearedtoyourimagination-howshoulditbedrawn？——justthefacealone，doyoumean？\"
\"Itwasjustaminutebeforetheexecution，\"begantheprince，readily，carriedawaybytherecollectionandevidentlyforgettingeverythingelseinamoment；\"justattheinstantwhenhesteppedofftheladderontothescaffold。Hehappenedtolookinmydirection:Isawhiseyesandunderstoodall，atonce——buthowamItodescribeit？Idosowishyouorsomebodyelsecoulddrawit，you，ifpossible。Ithoughtatthetimewhatapictureitwouldmake。Youmustimagineallthatwentbefore，ofcourse，all——all。Hehadlivedintheprisonforsometimeandhadnotexpectedthattheexecutionwouldtakeplaceforatleastaweekyet——hehadcountedonalltheformalitiesandsoontakingtime；butitsohappenedthathispapershadbeengotreadyquickly。Atfiveo’clockinthemorninghewasasleep——itwasOctober，andatfiveinthemorningitwascoldanddark。Thegovernoroftheprisoncomesinontip-toeandtouchesthesleepingman’sshouldergently。Hestartsup。’Whatisit？’hesays。’Theexecutionisfixedforteno’clock。’Hewasonlyjustawake，andwouldnotbelieveatfirst，butbegantoarguethathispaperswouldnotbeoutforaweek，andsoon。Whenhewaswideawakeandrealizedthetruth，hebecameverysilentandarguednomore——sotheysay；butafterabithesaid:’Itcomesveryhardononesosuddenly’andthenhewassilentagainandsaidnothing。
\"Thethreeorfourhourswentby，ofcourse，innecessarypreparations——thepriest，breakfast，coffee，meat，andsomewinetheygavehim；doesn’titseemridiculous？AndyetI
believethesepeoplegivethemagoodbreakfastoutofpurekindnessofheart，andbelievethattheyaredoingagoodaction。
Thenheisdressed，andthenbeginstheprocessionthroughthetowntothescaffold。Ithinkhe，too，mustfeelthathehasanagetolivestillwhiletheycarthimalong。Probablyhethought，ontheway，’Oh，Ihavealong，longtimeyet。Threestreetsoflifeyet！Whenwe’vepassedthisstreetthere’llbethatotherone；andthenthatonewherethebaker’sshopisontheright；
andwhenshallwegetthere？It’sages，ages！’Aroundhimarecrowdsshouting，yelling——tenthousandfaces，twentythousandeyes。Allthishastobeendured，andespeciallythethought:
’Herearetenthousandmen，andnotoneofthemisgoingtobeexecuted，andyetIamtodie。’Well，allthatispreparatory。
\"Atthescaffoldthereisaladder，andjustthereheburstintotears——andthiswasastrongman，andaterriblywickedone，theysay！Therewasapriestwithhimthewholetime，talking；eveninthecartastheydrovealong，hetalkedandtalked。Probablytheotherheardnothing；hewouldbegintolistennowandthen，andatthethirdwordorsohehadforgottenallaboutit。
\"Atlasthebegantomountthesteps；hislegsweretied，sothathehadtotakeverysmallsteps。Thepriest，whoseemedtobeawiseman，hadstoppedtalkingnow，andonlyheldthecrossforthewretchedfellowtokiss。Atthefootoftheladderhehadbeenpaleenough；butwhenhesetfootonthescaffoldatthetop，hisfacesuddenlybecamethecolourofpaper，positivelylikewhitenotepaper。Hislegsmusthavebecomesuddenlyfeebleandhelpless，andhefeltachokinginhisthroat——youknowthesuddenfeelingonehasinmomentsofterriblefear，whenonedoesnotloseone’swits，butisabsolutelypowerlesstomove？Ifsomedreadfulthingweresuddenlytohappen；ifahousewerejustabouttofallonone；——don’tyouknowhowonewouldlongtositdownandshutone’seyesandwait，andwait？Well，whenthisterriblefeelingcameoverhim，thepriestquicklypressedthecrosstohislips，withoutaword——alittlesilvercrossitwas-
andhekeptonpressingittotheman’slipseverysecond。Andwheneverthecrosstouchedhislips，theeyeswouldopenforamoment，andthelegsmovedonce，andhekissedthecrossgreedily，hurriedly——justasthoughhewereanxioustocatchholdofsomethingincaseofitsbeingusefultohimafterwards，thoughhecouldhardlyhavehadanyconnectedreligiousthoughtsatthetime。Andsouptotheveryblock。
\"Howstrangethatcriminalsseldomswoonatsuchamoment！Onthecontrary，thebrainisespeciallyactive，andworksincessantly——
probablyhard，hard，hard——likeanengineatfullpressure。I
imaginethatvariousthoughtsmustbeatloudandfastthroughhishead——allunfinishedones，andstrange，funnythoughts，verylikely！——likethis，forinstance:’Thatmanislookingatme，andhehasawartonhisforehead！andtheexecutionerhasburstoneofhisbuttons，andthelowestoneisallrusty！’Andmeanwhilehenoticesandrememberseverything。Thereisonepointthatcannotbeforgotten，roundwhicheverythingelsedancesandturnsabout；andbecauseofthispointhecannotfaint，andthislastsuntiltheveryfinalquarterofasecond，whenthewretchedneckisontheblockandthevictimlistensandwaitsandKNOWS——
that’sthepoint，heKNOWSthatheisjustNOWabouttodie，andlistensfortheraspoftheironoverhishead。IfIlaythere，I
shouldcertainlylistenforthatgratingsound，andhearit，too！
Therewouldprobablybebutthetenthpartofaninstantlefttohearitin，butonewouldcertainlyhearit。Andimagine，somepeopledeclarethatwhentheheadfliesoffitisCONSCIOUSofhavingflownoff！Justimaginewhatathingtorealize！Fancyifconsciousnessweretolastforevenfiveseconds！
\"Drawthescaffoldsothatonlythetopstepoftheladdercomesinclearly。Thecriminalmustbejuststeppingontoit，hisfaceaswhiteasnote-paper。Thepriestisholdingthecrosstohisbluelips，andthecriminalkissesit，andknowsandseesandunderstandseverything。Thecrossandthehead——there’syourpicture；thepriestandtheexecutioner，withhistwoassistants，andafewheadsandeyesbelow。Thosemightcomeinassubordinateaccessories——asortofmist。There’sapictureforyou。\"Theprincepaused，andlookedaround。
\"Certainlythatisn’tmuchlikequietism，\"murmuredAlexandra，halftoherself。
\"Nowtellusaboutyourloveaffairs，\"saidAdelaida，afteramoment’spause。
Theprincegazedatherinamazement。
\"Youknow，\"Adelaidacontinued，\"youoweusadescriptionoftheBaslepicture；butfirstIwishtohearhowyoufellinlove。
Don’tdenythefact，foryoudid，ofcourse。Besides，youstopphilosophizingwhenyouaretellingaboutanything。\"
\"Whyareyouashamedofyourstoriesthemomentafteryouhavetoldthem？\"askedAglaya，suddenly。
\"Howsillyyouare！\"saidMrs。Epanchin，lookingindignantlytowardsthelastspeaker。
\"Yes，thatwasn’tacleverremark，\"saidAlexandra。
\"Don’tlistentoher，prince，\"saidMrs。Epanchin；\"shesaysthatsortofthingoutofmischief。Don’tthinkanythingoftheirnonsense，itmeansnothing。Theylovetochaff，buttheylikeyou。Icanseeitintheirfaces——Iknowtheirfaces。\"
\"Iknowtheirfaces，too，\"saidtheprince，withapeculiarstressonthewords。
\"Howso？\"askedAdelaida，withcuriosity。
\"WhatdoYOUknowaboutourfaces？\"exclaimedtheothertwo，inchorus。
Buttheprincewassilentandserious。Allawaitedhisreply。
\"I’lltellyouafterwards，\"hesaidquietly。
\"Ah，youwanttoarouseourcuriosity！\"saidAglaya。\"Andhowterriblysolemnyouareaboutit！\"
\"Verywell，\"interruptedAdelaida，\"thenifyoucanreadfacessowell，youmusthavebeeninlove。Comenow；I’veguessed——let’shavethesecret！\"
\"Ihavenotbeeninlove，\"saidtheprince，asquietlyandseriouslyasbefore。\"Ihavebeenhappyinanotherway。\"
\"How，how？\"
\"Well，I’lltellyou，\"saidtheprince，apparentlyinadeepreverie。
VI。
\"Hereyouallare，\"begantheprince，\"settlingyourselvesdowntolistentomewithsomuchcuriosity，thatifIdonotsatisfyyouyouwillprobablybeangrywithme。No，no！I’monlyjoking！\"headded，hastily，withasmile。
\"Well，then——theywereallchildrenthere，andIwasalwaysamongchildrenandonlywithchildren。TheywerethechildrenofthevillageinwhichIlived，andtheywenttotheschoolthere——allofthem。Ididnotteachthem，ohno；therewasamasterforthat，oneJulesThibaut。Imayhavetaughtthemsomethings，butIwasamongthemjustasanoutsider，andIpassedallfouryearsofmylifethereamongthem。Iwishedfornothingbetter；Iusedtotellthemeverythingandhidnothingfromthem。Theirfathersandrelationswereveryangrywithme，becausethechildrencoulddonothingwithoutmeatlast，andusedtothrongaftermeatalltimes。Theschoolmasterwasmygreatestenemyintheend！Ihadmanyenemies，andallbecauseofthechildren。EvenSchneiderreproachedme。Whatweretheyafraidof？Onecantellachildeverything，anything。Ihaveoftenbeenstruckbythefactthatparentsknowtheirchildrensolittle。Theyshouldnotconcealsomuchfromthem。Howwellevenlittlechildrenunderstandthattheirparentsconcealthingsfromthem，becausetheyconsiderthemtooyoungtounderstand！Childrenarecapableofgivingadviceinthemostimportantmatters。Howcanonedeceivethesedearlittlebirds，whentheylookatonesosweetlyandconfidingly？Icallthembirdsbecausethereisnothingintheworldbetterthanbirds！
\"However，mostofthepeoplewereangrywithmeaboutoneandthesamething；butThibautsimplywasjealousofme。AtfirsthehadwaggedhisheadandwonderedhowitwasthatthechildrenunderstoodwhatItoldthemsowell，andcouldnotlearnfromhim；andhelaughedlikeanythingwhenIrepliedthatneitherhenorIcouldteachthemverymuch，butthatTHEYmightteachusagooddeal。
\"Howhecouldhatemeandtellscandalousstoriesaboutme，livingamongchildrenashedid，iswhatIcannotunderstand。
Childrensootheandhealthewoundedheart。Iremembertherewasonepoorfellowatourprofessor’swhowasbeingtreatedformadness，andyouhavenoideawhatthosechildrendidforhim，eventually。Idon’tthinkhewasmad，butonlyterriblyunhappy。ButI’lltellyouallabouthimanotherday。NowImustgetonwiththisstory。
\"Thechildrendidnotlovemeatfirst；Iwassuchasickly，awkwardkindofafellowthen——andIknowIamugly。Besides，I
wasaforeigner。Thechildrenusedtolaughatme，atfirst；andtheyevenwentsofarastothrowstonesatme，whentheysawmekissMarie。Ionlykissedheronceinmylife——no，no，don’tlaugh！\"Theprincehastenedtosuppressthesmilesofhisaudienceatthispoint。\"ItwasnotamatterofLOVEatall！Ifonlyyouknewwhatamiserablecreatureshewas，youwouldhavepitiedher，justasIdid。Shebelongedtoourvillage。Hermotherwasanold，oldwoman，andtheyusedtosellstringandthread，andsoapandtobacco，outofthewindowoftheirlittlehouse，andlivedonthepittancetheygainedbythistrade。Theoldwomanwasillandveryold，andcouldhardlymove。Mariewasherdaughter，agirloftwenty，weakandthinandconsumptive；
butstillshedidheavyworkatthehousesaround，daybyday。
Well，onefinedayacommercialtravellerbetrayedherandcarriedheroff；andaweeklaterhedesertedher。Shecamehomedirty，draggled，andshoeless；shehadwalkedforawholeweekwithoutshoes；shehadsleptinthefields，andcaughtaterriblecold；herfeetwereswollenandsore，andherhandstornandscratchedallover。Sheneverhadbeenprettyevenbefore；buthereyeswerequiet，innocent，kindeyes。
\"Shewasveryquietalways——andIrememberonce，whenshehadsuddenlybegunsingingatherwork，everyonesaid，’Marietriedtosingtoday！’andshegotsochaffedthatshewassilentforeverafter。Shehadbeentreatedkindlyintheplacebefore；butwhenshecamebacknow——illandshunnedandmiserable——notoneofthemallhadtheslightestsympathyforher。Cruelpeople！Oh，whathazyunderstandingstheyhaveonsuchmatters！Hermotherwasthefirsttoshowtheway。Shereceivedherwrathfully，unkindly，andwithcontempt。’Youhavedisgracedme，’shesaid。
Shewasthefirsttocastherintoignominy；butwhentheyallheardthatMariehadreturnedtothevillage，theyranouttoseeherandcrowdedintothelittlecottage——oldmen，children，women，girls——suchahurrying，stamping，greedycrowd。Mariewaslyingonthefloorattheoldwoman’sfeet，hungry，torn，draggled，crying，miserable。
\"Wheneveryonecrowdedintotheroomshehidherfaceinherdishevelledhairandlaycoweringonthefloor。Everyonelookedatherasthoughshewereapieceofdirtofftheroad。Theoldmenscoldedandcondemned，andtheyoungoneslaughedather。Thewomencondemnedhertoo，andlookedathercontemptuously，justasthoughsheweresomeloathsomeinsect。
\"Hermotherallowedallthistogoon，andnoddedherheadandencouragedthem。Theoldwomanwasveryillatthattime，andknewshewasdyingshereallydiddieacoupleofmonthslater，andthoughshefelttheendapproachingsheneverthoughtofforgivingherdaughter，totheverydayofherdeath。Shewouldnotevenspeaktoher。Shemadehersleeponstrawinashed，andhardlygaveherfoodenoughtosupportlife。
\"Mariewasverygentletohermother，andnursedher，anddideverythingforher；buttheoldwomanacceptedallherserviceswithoutawordandnevershowedhertheslightestkindness。Marieboreallthis；andIcouldseewhenIgottoknowherthatshethoughtitquiterightandfitting，consideringherselfthelowestandmeanestofcreatures。
\"Whentheoldwomantooktoherbedfinally，theotheroldwomeninthevillagesatwithherbyturns，asthecustomisthere；andthenMariewasquitedrivenoutofthehouse。Theygavehernofoodatall，andshecouldnotgetanyworkinthevillage；nonewouldemployher。Themenseemedtoconsiderhernolongerawoman，theysaidsuchdreadfulthingstoher。SometimesonSundays，iftheyweredrunkenough，theyusedtothrowherapennyortwo，intothemud，andMariewouldsilentlypickupthemoney。Shehadbegantospitbloodatthattime。
\"Atlastherragsbecamesotatteredandtornthatshewasashamedofappearinginthevillageanylonger。Thechildrenusedtopeltherwithmud；soshebeggedtobetakenonasassistantcowherd，butthecowherdwouldnothaveher。Thenshetooktohelpinghimwithoutleave；andhesawhowvaluableherassistancewastohim，anddidnotdriveherawayagain；onthecontrary，heoccasionallygavehertheremnantsofhisdinner，breadandcheese。Heconsideredthathewasbeingverykind。Whenthemotherdied，thevillageparsonwasnotashamedtoholdMarieuptopublicderisionandshame。Mariewasstandingatthecoffin’shead，inallherrags，crying。
\"Acrowdofpeoplehadcollectedtoseehowshewouldcry。Theparson，ayoungfellowambitiousofbecomingagreatpreacher，beganhissermonandpointedtoMarie。’There，’hesaid，’thereisthecauseofthedeathofthisvenerablewoman’——whichwasalie，becauseshehadbeenillforatleasttwoyears——’thereshestandsbeforeyou，anddaresnotlifthereyesfromtheground，becausesheknowsthatthefingerofGodisuponher。Lookathertattersandrags——thebadgeofthosewholosetheirvirtue。Whoisshe？herdaughter！’andsoontotheend。
\"Andjustfancy，thisinfamypleasedthem，allofthem，nearly。
Onlythechildrenhadaltered——forthentheywereallonmysideandhadlearnedtoloveMarie。
\"Thisishowitwas:IhadwishedtodosomethingforMarie；I
longedtogivehersomemoney，butIneverhadafarthingwhileI
wasthere。ButIhadalittlediamondpin，andthisIsoldtoatravellingpedlar；hegavemeeightfrancsforit——itwasworthatleastforty。
\"IlongsoughttomeetMariealone；andatlastIdidmeether，onthehillsidebeyondthevillage。IgavehertheeightfrancsandaskedhertotakecareofthemoneybecauseIcouldgetnomore；andthenIkissedherandsaidthatshewasnottosupposeIkissedherwithanyevilmotivesorbecauseIwasinlovewithher，forthatIdidsosolelyoutofpityforher，andbecausefromthefirstIhadnotaccountedherasguiltysomuchasunfortunate。Ilongedtoconsoleandencouragehersomehow，andtoassureherthatshewasnotthelow，basethingwhichsheandothersstrovetomakeout；butIdon’tthinksheunderstoodme。
Shestoodbeforeme，dreadfullyashamedofherself，andwithdowncasteyes；andwhenIhadfinishedshekissedmyhand。I
wouldhavekissedhers，butshedrewitaway。Justatthismomentthewholetroopofchildrensawus。Ifoundoutafterwardsthattheyhadlongkeptawatchuponme。Theyallbeganwhistlingandclappingtheirhands，andlaughingatus。Marieranawayatonce；
andwhenItriedtotalktothem，theythrewstonesatme。Allthevillageheardofitthesameday，andMarie’spositionbecameworsethanever。Thechildrenwouldnotletherpassnowinthestreets，butannoyedherandthrewdirtathermorethanbefore。
Theyusedtorunafterher——sheracingawaywithherpoorfeeblelungspantingandgasping，andtheypeltingherandshoutingabuseather。
\"OnceIhadtointerferebyforce；andafterthatItooktospeakingtothemeverydayandwheneverIcould。Occasionallytheystoppedandlistened；buttheyteasedMarieallthesame。
\"ItoldthemhowunhappyMariewas，andafterawhiletheystoppedtheirabuseofher，andlethergobysilently。Littlebylittlewegotintothewayofconversingtogether，thechildrenandI。Iconcealednothingfromthem，Itoldthemall。TheylistenedveryattentivelyandsoonbegantobesorryforMarie。
Atlastsomeofthemtooktosaying’Good-morning’toher，kindly，whentheymether。Itisthecustomtheretosaluteanyoneyoumeetwith’Good-morning’whetheracquaintedornot。I
canimaginehowastonishedMariewasatthesefirstgreetingsfromthechildren。
\"Oncetwolittlegirlsgotholdofsomefoodandtookittoher，andcamebackandtoldme。Theysaidshehadburstintotears，andthattheylovedherverymuchnow。VerysoonafterthattheyallbecamefondofMarie，andatthesametimetheybegantodevelopthegreatestaffectionformyself。Theyoftencametomeandbeggedmetotellthemstories。IthinkImusthavetoldstorieswell，fortheydidsolovetohearthem。AtlastItooktoreadingupinterestingthingsonpurposetopassthemontothelittleones，andthiswentonforalltherestofmytimethere，threeyears。Later，wheneveryone——evenSchneider——wasangrywithmeforhidingnothingfromthechildren，Ipointedouthowfoolishitwas，fortheyalwaysknewthings，onlytheylearnttheminawaythatsoiledtheirmindsbutnotsofromme。Onehasonlytorememberone’sownchildhoodtoadmitthetruthofthis。
Butnobodywasconvinced……ItwastwoweeksbeforehermotherdiedthatIhadkissedMarie；andwhentheclergymanpreachedthatsermonthechildrenwereallonmyside。
\"WhenItoldthemwhatashameitwasoftheparsontotalkashehaddone，andexplainedmyreason，theyweresoangrythatsomeofthemwentandbrokehiswindowswithstones。OfcourseI
stoppedthem，forthatwasnotright，butallthevillageheardofit，andhowIcaughtitforspoilingthechildren！EveryonediscoverednowthatthelittleoneshadtakentobeingfondofMarie，andtheirparentswereterriblyalarmed；butMariewassohappy。Thechildrenwereforbiddentomeether；buttheyusedtorunoutofthevillagetotheherdandtakeherfoodandthings；
andsometimesjustranoffthereandkissedher，andsaid，’Jevousaime，Marie！’andthentrottedbackagain。TheyimaginedthatIwasinlovewithMarie，andthiswastheonlypointonwhichIdidnotundeceivethem，fortheygotsuchenjoymentoutofit。Andwhatdelicacyandtendernesstheyshowed！
\"IntheeveningIusedtowalktothewaterfall。Therewasaspottherewhichwasquiteclosedinandhiddenfromviewbylargetrees；andtothisspotthechildrenusedtocometome。TheycouldnotbearthattheirdearLeonshouldloveapoorgirlwithoutshoestoherfeetanddressedallinragsandtatters。
So，wouldyoubelieveit，theyactuallyclubbedtogether，somehow，andboughthershoesandstockings，andsomelinen，andevenadress！Ican’tunderstandhowtheymanagedit，buttheydidit，alltogether。WhenIaskedthemaboutittheyonlylaughedandshouted，andthelittlegirlsclappedtheirhandsandkissedme。IsometimeswenttoseeMariesecretly，too。Shehadbecomeveryill，andcouldhardlywalk。Shestillwentwiththeherd，butcouldnothelptheherdsmananylonger。Sheusedtositonastonenear，andwaittherealmostmotionlessallday，tilltheherdwenthome。Herconsumptionwassoadvanced，andshewassoweak，thatsheusedtositwithclosedeyes，breathingheavily。Herfacewasasthinasaskeleton’s，andsweatusedtostandonherwhitebrowinlargedrops。Ialwaysfoundhersittingjustlikethat。Iusedtocomeupquietlytolookather；
butMariewouldhearme，openhereyes，andtrembleviolentlyasshekissedmyhands。Ididnottakemyhandawaybecauseitmadeherhappytohaveit，andsoshewouldsitandcryquietly。
Sometimesshetriedtospeak；butitwasverydifficulttounderstandher。Shewasalmostlikeamadwoman，withexcitementandecstasy，wheneverIcame。Occasionallythechildrencamewithme；whentheydidso，theywouldstandsomewayoffandkeepguardoverus，soastotellmeifanybodycamenear。Thiswasagreatpleasuretothem。
\"Whenwelefther，Marieusedtorelapseatonceintoheroldcondition，andsitwithclosedeyesandmotionlesslimbs。Onedayshecouldnotgooutatall，andremainedathomeallaloneintheemptyhut；butthechildrenverysoonbecameawareofthefact，andnearlyallofthemvisitedherthatdayasshelayaloneandhelplessinhermiserablebed。
\"Fortwodaysthechildrenlookedafterher，andthen，whenthevillagepeoplegottoknowthatMariewasreallydying，someoftheoldwomencameandtookitinturnstositbyherandlookafterherabit。Ithinktheybegantobealittlesorryforherinthevillageatlast；atalleventstheydidnotinterferewiththechildrenanymore，onheraccount。
\"Marielayinastateofuncomfortabledeliriumthewholewhile；
shecougheddreadfully。Theoldwomenwouldnotletthechildrenstayintheroom；buttheyallcollectedoutsidethewindoweachmorning，ifonlyforamoment，andshouted’Bonjour，notrebonneMarie！’andMarienosoonercaughtsightof，orheardthem，andshebecamequiteanimatedatonce，and，inspiteoftheoldwomen，wouldtrytositupandnodherheadandsmileatthem，andthankthem。Thelittleonesusedtobringhernicethingsandsweetstoeat，butshecouldhardlytouchanything。Thankstothem，Iassureyou，thegirldiedalmostperfectlyhappy。Shealmostforgothermisery，andseemedtoaccepttheirloveasasortofsymbolofpardonforheroffence，thoughsheneverceasedtoconsiderherselfadreadfulsinner。Theyusedtoflutteratherwindowjustlikelittlebirds，callingout:’Noust’aimons，Marie！’
\"Shediedverysoon；Ihadthoughtshewouldlivemuchlonger。
ThedaybeforeherdeathIwenttoseeherforthelasttime，justbeforesunset。Ithinksherecognizedme，forshepressedmyhand。
\"NextmorningtheycameandtoldmethatMariewasdead。Thechildrencouldnotberestrainednow；theywentandcoveredhercoffinwithflowers，andputawreathoflovelyblossomsonherhead。Thepastordidnotthrowanymoreshamefulwordsatthepoordeadwoman；buttherewereveryfewpeopleatthefuneral。
However，whenitcametocarryingthecoffin，allthechildrenrushedup，tocarryitthemselves。Ofcoursetheycouldnotdoitalone，buttheyinsistedonhelping，andwalkedalongsideandbehind，crying。
\"Theyhaveplantedrosesallroundhergrave，andeveryyeartheylookaltertheflowersandmakeMarie’sresting-placeasbeautifulastheycan。Iwasinillodourafterallthiswiththeparentsofthechildren，andespeciallywiththeparsonandschoolmaster。SchneiderwasobligedtopromisethatIshouldnotmeetthemandtalktothem；butweconversedfromadistancebysigns，andtheyusedtowritemesweetlittlenotes。AfterwardsI
camecloserthanevertothoselittlesouls，buteventhenitwasverydeartome，tohavethemsofondofme。
\"SchneidersaidthatIdidthechildrengreatharmbymypernicious’system’；whatnonsensethatwas！Andwhatdidhemeanbymysystem？HesaidafterwardsthathebelievedIwasachildmyself——justbeforeIcameaway。’Youhavetheformandfaceofanadult’hesaid，’butasregardssoul，andcharacter，andperhapsevenintelligence，youareachildinthecompletestsenseoftheword，andalwayswillbe，ifyoulivetobesixty。’Ilaughedverymuch，forofcoursethatisnonsense。ButitisafactthatIdonotcaretobeamonggrown-uppeopleandmuchpreferthesocietyofchildren。Howeverkindpeoplemaybetome，Ineverfeelquiteathomewiththem，andamalwaysgladtogetbacktomylittlecompanions。Nowmycompanionshavealwaysbeenchildren，notbecauseIwasachildmyselfonce，butbecauseyoungthingsattractme。OnoneofthefirstdaysofmystayinSwitzerland，Iwasstrollingaboutaloneandmiserable，whenI
cameuponthechildrenrushingnoisilyoutofschool，withtheirslatesandbags，andbooks，theirgames，theirlaughterandshouts——andmysoulwentouttothem。IstoppedandlaughedhappilyasIwatchedtheirlittlefeetmovingsoquickly。Girlsandboys，laughingandcrying；forastheywenthomemanyofthemfoundtimetofightandmakepeace，toweepandplay。Iforgotmytroublesinlookingatthem。Andthen，allthosethreeyears，I
triedtounderstandwhymenshouldbeforevertormentingthemselves。Ilivedthelifeofachildthere，andthoughtI
shouldneverleavethelittlevillage；indeed，IwasfarfromthinkingthatIshouldeverreturntoRussia。ButatlastI
recognizedthefactthatSchneidercouldnotkeepmeanylonger。
Andthensomethingsoimportanthappened，thatSchneiderhimselfurgedmetodepart。Iamgoingtoseenowifcangetgoodadviceaboutit。Perhapsmylotinlifewillbechanged；butthatisnottheprincipalthing。Theprincipalthingistheentirechangethathasalreadycomeoverme。Ileftmanythingsbehindme——toomany。Theyhavegone。OnthejourneyIsaidtomyself，’Iamgoingintotheworldofmen。Idon’tknowmuch，perhaps，butanewlifehasbegunforme。’Imadeupmymindtobehonest，andsteadfastinaccomplishingmytask。PerhapsIshallmeetwithtroublesandmanydisappointments，butIhavemadeupmymindtobepoliteandsinceretoeveryone；morecannotbeaskedofme。
Peoplemayconsidermeachildiftheylike。Iamoftencalledanidiot，andatonetimeIcertainlywassoillthatIwasnearlyasbadasanidiot；butIamnotanidiotnow。HowcanIpossiblybesowhenIknowmyselfthatIamconsideredone？
\"WhenIreceivedaletterfromthosedearlittlesouls，whilepassingthroughBerlin，IonlythenrealizedhowmuchIlovedthem。Itwasvery，verypainful，gettingthatfirstlittleletter。Howmelancholytheyhadbeenwhentheysawmeoff！Foramonthbefore，theyhadbeentalkingofmydepartureandsorrowingoverit；andatthewaterfall，ofanevening，whenwepartedforthenight，theywouldhugmesotightandkissmesowarmly，farmoresothanbefore。AndeverynowandthentheywouldturnuponebyonewhenIwasalone，justtogivemeakissandahug，toshowtheirloveforme。Thewholeflockwentwithmetothestation，whichwasaboutamilefromthevillage，andeverynowandthenoneofthemwouldstoptothrowhisarmsroundme，andallthelittlegirlshadtearsintheirvoices，thoughtheytriedhardnottocry。Asthetrainsteamedoutofthestation，Isawthemallstandingontheplatformwavingtomeandcrying’Hurrah！’tilltheywerelostinthedistance。
\"Iassureyou，whenIcameinherejustnowandsawyourkindfacesIcanreadfaceswellmyheartfeltlightforthefirsttimesincethatmomentofparting。IthinkImustbeoneofthosewhoareborntobeinluck，foronedoesnotoftenmeetwithpeoplewhomonefeelshecanlovefromthefirstsightoftheirfaces；andyet，nosoonerdoIstepoutoftherailwaycarriagethanIhappenuponyou！
\"Iknowitismoreorlessashamefacedthingtospeakofone’sfeelingsbeforeothers；andyethereamItalkinglikethistoyou，andamnotabitashamedorshy。Iamanunsociablesortoffellowandshallverylikelynotcometoseeyouagainforsometime；butdon’tthinktheworseofmeforthat。ItisnotthatIdonotvalueyoursociety；andyoumustneversupposethatIhavetakenoffenceatanything。
\"Youaskedmeaboutyourfaces，andwhatIcouldreadinthem；I
willtellyouwiththegreatestpleasure。You，AdelaidaIvanovna，haveaveryhappyface；itisthemostsympatheticofthethree。
Nottospeakofyournaturalbeauty，onecanlookatyourfaceandsaytoone’sself，’Shehasthefaceofakindsister。’Youaresimpleandmerry，butyoucanseeintoanother’sheartveryquickly。That’swhatIreadinyourface。
\"Youtoo，AlexandraIvanovna，haveaverylovelyface；butI
thinkyoumayhavesomesecretsorrow。Yourheartisundoubtedlyakind，goodone，butyouarenotmerry。Thereisacertainsuspicionof’shadow’inyourface，likeinthatofHolbein’sMadonnainDresden。Somuchforyourface。HaveIguessedright？
\"Asforyourface，LizabethaProkofievna，Inotonlythink，butamperfectlySURE，thatyouareanabsolutechild——inall，inall，mind，bothgoodandbad-andinspiteofyouryears。Don’tbeangrywithmeforsayingso；youknowwhatmyfeelingsforchildrenare。AnddonotsupposethatIamsocandidoutofpuresimplicityofsoul。Ohdearno，itisbynomeansthecase！
PerhapsIhavemyownveryprofoundobjectinview。\"
VII。
Whentheprinceceasedspeakingallweregazingmerrilyathim——
evenAglaya；butLizabethaProkofievnalookedthejolliestofall。
\"Well！\"shecried，\"weHAVE’puthimthroughhispaces，’withavengeance！Mydears，youimagined，Ibelieve，thatyouwereabouttopatronizethisyounggentleman，likesomepoorprotegepickedupsomewhere，andtakenunderyourmagnificentprotection。Whatfoolswewere，andwhataspeciallybigfoolisyourfather！Welldone，prince！Iassureyouthegeneralactuallyaskedmetoputyouthroughyourpaces，andexamineyou。Astowhatyousaidaboutmyface，youareabsolutelycorrectinyourjudgment。Iamachild，andknowit。Iknewitlongbeforeyousaidso；youhaveexpressedmyownthoughts。Ithinkyournatureandminemustbeextremelyalike，andIamverygladofit。Weareliketwodropsofwater，onlyyouareamanandIawoman，andI’venotbeentoSwitzerland，andthatisallthedifferencebetweenus。\"
\"Don’tbeinahurry，mother；theprincesaysthathehassomemotivebehindhissimplicity，\"criedAglaya。
\"Yes，yes，sohedoes，\"laughedtheothers。
\"Oh，don’tyoubeginbanteringhim，\"saidmamma。\"Heisprobablyagooddealclevererthanallthreeofyougirlsputtogether。Weshallsee。Onlyyouhaven’ttoldusanythingaboutAglayayet，prince；andAglayaandIarebothwaitingtohear。\"
\"Icannotsayanythingatpresent。I’lltellyouafterwards。\"
\"Why？Herfaceisclearenough，isn’tit？\"
\"Ohyes，ofcourse。Youareverybeautiful，AglayaIvanovna，sobeautifulthatoneisafraidtolookatyou。\"
\"Isthatall？Whatabouthercharacter？\"persistedMrs。Epanchin。
\"Itisdifficulttojudgewhensuchbeautyisconcerned。Ihavenotpreparedmyjudgment。Beautyisariddle。\"
\"ThatmeansthatyouhavesetAglayaariddle！\"saidAdelaida。
\"Guessit，Aglaya！Butshe’spretty，prince，isn’tshe？\"
\"Mostwonderfullyso，\"saidthelatter，warmly，gazingatAglayawithadmiration。\"AlmostaslovelyasNastasiaPhilipovna，butquiteadifferenttype。\"
Allpresentexchangedlooksofsurprise。
\"AslovelyasWHO？\"saidMrs。Epanchin。\"AsNASTASIAPHILIPOVNA？
WherehaveyouseenNastasiaPhilipovna？WhatNastasiaPhilipovna？\"
\"GavrilaArdalionovitchshowedthegeneralherportraitjustnow。\"
\"Howso？Didhebringtheportraitformyhusband？\"
\"Onlytoshowit。NastasiaPhilipovnagaveittoGavrilaArdalionovitchtoday，andthelatterbroughtitheretoshowtothegeneral。\"
\"Imustseeit！\"criedMrs。Epanchin。\"Whereistheportrait？Ifshegaveittohim，hemusthaveit；andheisstillinthestudy。Heneverleavesbeforefouro’clockonWednesdays。SendforGavrilaArdalionovitchatonce。No，Idon’tlongtoseeHIM
somuch。Lookhere，dearprince，BEsokind，willyou？Juststeptothestudyandfetchthisportrait！Saywewanttolookatit。
Pleasedothisforme，willyou？\"
\"Heisanicefellow，butalittletoosimple，\"saidAdelaida，astheprincelefttheroom。
\"Heis，indeed，\"saidAlexandra；\"almostlaughablysoattimes。\"
Neitheronenortheotherseemedtogiveexpressiontoherfullthoughts。
\"Hegotoutofitveryneatlyaboutourfaces，though，\"saidAglaya。Heflatteredusallround，evenmamma。\"
\"Nonsense\"criedthelatter。\"Hedidnotflatterme。ItwasIwhofoundhisappreciationflattering。Ithinkyouareagreatdealmorefoolishthanheis。Heissimple，ofcourse，butalsoveryknowing。Justlikemyself。\"
\"Howstupidofmetospeakoftheportrait，\"thoughttheprinceasheenteredthestudy，withafeelingofguiltathisheart，\"andyet，perhapsIwasrightafterall。\"Hehadanidea，unformedasyet，butastrangeidea。
GavrilaArdalionovitchwasstillsittinginthestudy，buriedinamassofpapers。Helookedasthoughhedidnottakehissalaryfromthepubliccompany，whoseservanthewas，forasinecure。
Hegrewverywrothandconfusedwhentheprinceaskedfortheportrait，andexplainedhowitcameaboutthathehadspokenofit。
\"Oh，curseitall，\"hesaid；\"whatonearthmustyougoblabbingfor？Youknownothingaboutthething，andyet——idiot！\"headded，mutteringthelastwordtohimselfinirrepressiblerage。
\"Iamverysorry；Iwasnotthinkingatthetime。ImerelysaidthatAglayawasalmostasbeautifulasNastasiaPhilipovna。\"
Ganiaaskedforfurtherdetails；andtheprinceoncemorerepeatedtheconversation。Ganialookedathimwithironicalcontemptthewhile。
\"NastasiaPhilipovna，\"hebegan，andtherepaused；hewasclearlymuchagitatedandannoyed。Theprinceremindedhimoftheportrait。
\"Listen，prince，\"saidGania，asthoughanideahadjuststruckhim，\"Iwishtoaskyouagreatfavour，andyetIreallydon’tknow——\"
Hepausedagain，hewastryingtomakeuphismindtosomething，andwasturningthematterover。Theprincewaitedquietly。OncemoreGaniafixedhimwithintentandquestioningeyes。
\"Prince，\"hebeganagain，\"theyareratherangrywithme，inthere，owingtoacircumstancewhichIneednotexplain，sothatIdonotcaretogoinatpresentwithoutaninvitation。I
particularlywishtospeaktoAglaya，butIhavewrittenafewwordsincaseIshallnothavethechanceofseeingher\"heretheprinceobservedasmallnoteinhishand，\"andIdonotknowhowtogetmycommunicationtoher。Don’tyouthinkyoucouldundertaketogiveittoheratonce，butonlytoher，mind，andsothatnooneelseshouldseeyougiveit？Itisn’tmuchofasecret，butstill——Well，willyoudoit？\"
\"Idon’tquitelikeit，\"repliedtheprince。
\"Oh，butitisabsolutelynecessaryforme，\"Ganiaentreated。
\"Believeme，ifitwerenotso，Iwouldnotaskyou；howelseamItogetittoher？Itismostimportant，dreadfullyimportant！\"
Ganiawasevidentlymuchalarmedattheideathattheprincewouldnotconsenttotakehisnote，andhelookedathimnowwithanexpressionofabsoluteentreaty。
\"Well，Iwilltakeitthen。\"
\"Butmind，nobodyistosee！\"criedthedelightedGania\"AndofcourseImayrelyonyourwordofhonour，eh？\"
\"Iwon’tshowittoanyone，\"saidtheprince。
\"Theletterisnotsealed——\"continuedGania，andpausedinconfusion。
\"Oh，Iwon’treadit，\"saidtheprince，quitesimply。
Hetookuptheportrait，andwentoutoftheroom。
Gania，leftalone，clutchedhisheadwithhishands。
\"Onewordfromher，\"hesaid，\"onewordfromher，andImayyetbefree。\"
Hecouldnotsettlehimselftohispapersagain，foragitationandexcitement，butbeganwalkingupanddowntheroomfromcornertocorner。
Theprincewalkedalong，musing。Hedidnotlikehiscommission，anddislikedtheideaofGaniasendinganotetoAglayaatall；butwhenhewastworoomsdistantfromthedrawing-room，wheretheyallwere，hestoppedathoughrecallingsomething；wenttothewindow，nearerthelight，andbegantoexaminetheportraitinhishand。
HelongedtosolvethemysteryofsomethinginthefaceNastasiaPhilipovna，somethingwhichhadstruckhimashelookedattheportraitforthefirsttime；theimpressionhadnotlefthim。Itwaspartlythefactofhermarvellousbeautythatstruckhim，andpartlysomethingelse。Therewasasuggestionofimmenseprideanddisdaininthefacealmostofhatred，andatthesametimesomethingconfidingandveryfullofsimplicity。Thecontrastarousedadeepsympathyinhisheartashelookedatthelovelyface。Theblindinglovelinessofitwasalmostintolerable，thispalethinfacewithitsflamingeyes；itwasastrangebeauty。
Theprincegazedatitforaminuteortwo，thenglancedaroundhim，andhurriedlyraisedtheportraittohislips。When，aminuteafter，hereachedthedrawing-roomdoor，hisfacewasquitecomposed。ButjustashereachedthedoorhemetAglayacomingoutalone。
\"GavrilaArdalionovitchbeggedmetogiveyouthis，\"hesaid，handingherthenote。
Aglayastopped，tooktheletter，andgazedstrangelyintotheprince’seyes。Therewasnoconfusioninherface；alittlesurprise，perhaps，butthatwasall。ByherlooksheseemedmerelytochallengetheprincetoanexplanationastohowheandGaniahappenedtobeconnectedinthismatter。Butherexpressionwasperfectlycoolandquiet，andevencondescending。
Sotheystoodforamomentortwo，confrontingoneanother。Atlengthafaintsmilepassedoverherface，andshepassedbyhimwithoutaword。
Mrs。EpanchinexaminedtheportraitofNastasiaPhilipovnaforsomelittlewhile，holdingitcriticallyatarm’slength。
\"Yes，sheispretty，\"shesaidatlast，\"evenverypretty。Ihaveseenhertwice，butonlyatadistance。Soyouadmirethiskindofbeauty，doyou？\"sheaskedtheprince，suddenly。
\"Yes，Ido——thiskind。\"
\"Doyoumeanespeciallythiskind？\"
\"Yes，especiallythiskind。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Thereismuchsufferinginthisface，\"murmuredtheprince，moreasthoughtalkingtohimselfthanansweringthequestion。
\"Ithinkyouarewanderingalittle，prince，\"Mrs。Epanchindecided，afteralengthenedsurveyofhisface；andshetossedtheportraitontothetable，haughtily。
Alexandratookit，andAdelaidacameup，andboththegirlsexaminedthephotograph。JustthenAglayaenteredtheroom。
\"Whatapower！\"criedAdelaidasuddenly，assheearnestlyexaminedtheportraitoverhersister’sshoulder。
\"Whom？Whatpower？\"askedhermother，crossly。
\"Suchbeautyisrealpower，\"saidAdelaida。\"Withsuchbeautyasthatonemightoverthrowtheworld。\"Shereturnedtohereaselthoughtfully。
Aglayamerelyglancedattheportrait——frowned，andputoutherunderlip；thenwentandsatdownonthesofawithfoldedhands。
Mrs。Epanchinrangthebell。
\"AskGavrilaArdalionovitchtostepthisway，\"saidshetothemanwhoanswered。
\"Mamma！\"criedAlexandra，significantly。
\"Ishalljustsaytwowordstohim，that’sall，\"saidhermother，silencingallobjectionbyhermanner；shewasevidentlyseriouslyputout。\"Yousee，prince，itisallsecretswithus，justnow——allsecrets。Itseemstobetheetiquetteofthehouse，forsomereasonor，other。Stupidnonsense，andinamatterwhichoughttobeapproachedwithallcandourandopen-
heartedness。Thereisamarriagebeingtalkedof，andIdon’tlikethismarriage——\"
\"Mamma，whatareyousaying？\"saidAlexandraagain，hurriedly。
\"Well，what，mydeargirl？Asifyoucanpossiblylikeityourself？Theheartisthegreatthing，andtherestisallrubbish——thoughonemusthavesenseaswell。Perhapssenseisreallythegreatthing。Don’tsmilelikethat，Aglaya。Idon’tcontradictmyself。Afoolwithaheartandnobrainsisjustasunhappyasafoolwithbrainsandnoheart。Iamoneandyouaretheother，andthereforebothofussuffer，bothofusareunhappy。\"
\"Whyareyousounhappy，mother？\"askedAdelaida，whoaloneofallthecompanyseemedtohavepreservedhergoodtemperandspiritsuptonow。
\"Inthefirstplace，becauseofmycarefullybrought-updaughters，\"saidMrs。Epanchin，cuttingly；\"andasthatisthebestreasonIcangiveyouweneednotbotheraboutanyotheratpresent。Enoughofwords，now！WeshallseehowbothofyouI
don’tcountAglayawillmanageyourbusiness，andwhetheryou，mostreveredAlexandraIvanovna，willbehappywithyourfinemate。\"
\"Ah！\"sheadded，asGaniasuddenlyenteredtheroom，\"here’sanothermarryingsubject。Howdoyoudo？\"shecontinued，inresponsetoGania’sbow；butshedidnotinvitehimtositdown。
\"Youaregoingtobemarried？\"
\"Married？how——whatmarriage？\"murmuredGania，overwhelmedwithconfusion。
\"Areyouabouttotakeawife？Iask，——ifyoupreferthatexpression。\"
\"No，noI-I——no！\"saidGania，bringingouthisliewithatell-
taleblushofshame。HeglancedkeenlyatAglaya，whowassittingsomewayoff，anddroppedhiseyesimmediately。
Aglayagazedcoldly，intently，andcomposedlyathim，withouttakinghereyesoffhisface，andwatchedhisconfusion。
\"No？Yousayno，doyou？\"continuedthepitilessMrs。General。
\"Verywell，IshallrememberthatyoutoldmethisWednesdaymorning，inanswertomyquestion，thatyouarenotgoingtobemarried。Whatdayisit，Wednesday，isn’tit？\"
\"Yes，Ithinkso！\"saidAdelaida。
\"Youneverknowthedayoftheweek；what’sthedayofthemonth？\"
\"Twenty-seventh！\"saidGania。
\"Twenty-seventh；verywell。Good-byenow；youhaveagooddealtodo，I’msure，andImustdressandgoout。Takeyourportrait。
Givemyrespectstoyourunfortunatemother，NinaAlexandrovna。
Aurevoir，dearprince，comeinandseeusoften，do；andIshalltelloldPrincessBielokonskiaboutyou。Ishallgoandseeheronpurpose。Andlisten，mydearboy，IfeelsurethatGodhassentyoutoPetersburgfromSwitzerlandonpurposeforme。Maybeyouwillhaveotherthingstodo，besides，butyouaresentchieflyformysake，Ifeelsureofit。Godsentyoutome！Aurevoir！Alexandra，comewithme，mydear。\"
Mrs。Epanchinlefttheroom。
Gania——confused，annoyed，furious——tookuphisportrait，andturnedtotheprincewithanastysmileonhisface。
\"Prince，\"hesaid，\"Iamjustgoinghome。Ifyouhavenotchangedyourmindastolivingwithus，perhapsyouwouldliketocomewithme。Youdon’tknowtheaddress，Ibelieve？\"
\"Waitaminute，prince，\"saidAglaya，suddenlyrisingfromherseat，\"dowritesomethinginmyalbumfirst，willyou？Fathersaysyouareamosttalentedcaligraphist；I’llbringyoumybookinaminute。\"Shelefttheroom。
\"Well，aurevoir，prince，\"saidAdelaida，\"Imustbegoingtoo。\"
Shepressedtheprince’shandwarmly，andgavehimafriendlysmileasshelefttheroom。ShedidnotsomuchaslookatGania。
\"Thisisyourdoing，prince，\"saidGania，turningonthelattersosoonastheotherswerealloutoftheroom。\"Thisisyourdoing，sir！YOUhavebeentellingthemthatIamgoingtobemarried！\"Hesaidthisinahurriedwhisper，hiseyesflashingwithrageandhisfaceablaze。\"Youshamelesstattler！\"
\"Iassureyou，youareunderadelusion，\"saidtheprince，calmlyandpolitely。\"Ididnotevenknowthatyouweretobemarried。\"
\"Youheardmetalkingaboutit，thegeneralandme。YouheardmesaythateverythingwastobesettledtodayatNastasiaPhilipovna’s，andyouwentandblurteditouthere。Youlieifyoudenyit。WhoelsecouldhavetoldthemDeviltakeit，sir，whocouldhavetoldthemexceptyourself？Didn’ttheoldwomanasgoodashintasmuchtome？\"
\"Ifshehintedtoyouwhotoldheryoumustknowbest，ofcourse；
butIneversaidawordaboutit。\"
\"Didyougivemynote？Isthereananswer？\"interruptedGania，impatiently。
ButatthismomentAglayacameback，andtheprincehadnotimetoreply。
\"There，prince，\"saidshe，\"there’smyalbum。Nowchooseapageandwritemesomething，willyou？There’sapen，anewone；doyoumindasteelone？Ihaveheardthatyoucaligraphistsdon’tlikesteelpens。\"
Conversingwiththeprince，AglayadidnotevenseemtonoticethatGaniawasintheroom。Butwhiletheprincewasgettinghispenready，findingapage，andmakinghispreparationstowrite，GaniacameuptothefireplacewhereAglayawasstanding，totherightoftheprince，andintrembling，brokenaccentssaid，almostinherear:
\"Oneword，justonewordfromyou，andI’msaved。\"
Theprinceturnedsharplyroundandlookedatbothofthem。
Gania’sfacewasfullofrealdespair；heseemedtohavesaidthewordsalmostunconsciouslyandontheimpulseofthemoment。
Aglayagazedathimforsomesecondswithpreciselythesamecomposureandcalmastonishmentasshehadshownalittlewhilebefore，whentheprincehandedherthenote，anditappearedthatthiscalmsurpriseandseeminglyabsoluteincomprehensionofwhatwassaidtoher，weremoreterriblyoverwhelmingtoGaniathaneventhemostplainlyexpresseddisdainwouldhavebeen。
\"WhatshallIwrite？\"askedtheprince。
\"I’lldictatetoyou，\"saidAglaya，cominguptothetable。\"Nowthen，areyouready？Write，’Inevercondescendtobargain！’Nowputyournameandthedate。Letmeseeit。\"
Theprincehandedherthealbum。
\"Capital！Howbeautifullyyouhavewrittenit！Thankssomuch。Aurevoir，prince。Waitaminute，\"；sheadded，\"Iwanttogiveyousomethingforakeepsake。Comewithmethisway，willyou？\"
Theprincefollowedher。Arrivedatthedining-room，shestopped。
\"Readthis，\"shesaid，handinghimGania’snote。
Theprincetookitfromherhand，butgazedatherinbewilderment。
\"Oh！IKNOWyouhaven’treadit，andthatyoucouldneverbethatman’saccomplice。Readit，Iwishyoutoreadit。\"
Theletterhadevidentlybeenwritteninahurry:
\"Myfateistobedecidedtoday\"itran，\"youknowhow。ThisdayImustgivemywordirrevocably。Ihavenorighttoaskyourhelp，andIdarenotallowmyselftoindulgeinanyhopes；butonceyousaidjustoneword，andthatwordlightedupthenightofmylife，andbecamethebeaconofmydays。Sayonemoresuchword，andsavemefromutterruin。Onlytellme，’breakoffthewholething！’andIwilldosothisveryday。Oh！whatcanitcostyoutosayjustthisoneword？Indoingsoyouwillbutbegivingmeasignofyoursympathyforme，andofyourpity；onlythis，onlythis；nothingmore，NOTHING。Idarenotindulgeinanyhope，becauseIamunworthyofit。Butifyousaybutthisword，Iwilltakeupmycrossagainwithjoy，andreturnoncemoretomybattlewithpoverty。Ishallmeetthestormandbegladofit；
Ishallriseupwithrenewedstrength。
\"Sendmebackthenthisonewordofsympathy，onlysympathy，I
sweartoyou；andoh！donotbeangrywiththeaudacityofdespair，withthedrowningmanwhohasdaredtomakethislastefforttosavehimselffromperishingbeneaththewaters。
\"G。L。\"
\"Thismanassuresme，\"saidAglaya，scornfully，whentheprincehadfinishedreadingtheletter，\"thatthewords’breakoffeverything’donotcommitmetoanythingwhatever；andhimselfgivesmeawrittenguaranteetothateffect，inthisletter。