Observehowingenuouslyheunderlinescertainwords，andhowcrudelyheglossesoverhishiddenthoughts。Hemustknowthatifhe’brokeoffeverything，’FIRST，byhimself，andwithouttellingmeawordaboutitorhavingtheslightesthopeonmyaccount，thatinthatcaseIshouldperhapsbeabletochangemyopinionofhim，andevenaccepthis——friendship。Hemustknowthat，buthissoulissuchawretchedthing。Heknowsitandcannotmakeuphismind；heknowsitandyetasksforguarantees。HecannotbringhimselftoTRUST，hewantsmetogivehimhopesofmyselfbeforeheletsgoofhishundredthousandroubles。Astothe’formerword’whichhedeclares’lightedupthenightofhislife，’heissimplyanimpudentliar；Imerelypitiedhimonce。
Butheisaudaciousandshameless。Heimmediatelybegantohope，atthatverymoment。Isawit。Hehastriedtocatchmeeversince；heisstillfishingforme。Well，enoughofthis。Taketheletterandgiveitbacktohim，assoonasyouhaveleftourhouse；notbefore，ofcourse。\"
\"AndwhatshallItellhimbywayofanswer？\"
\"Nothing——ofcourse！That’sthebestanswer。Isitthecasethatyouaregoingtoliveinhishouse？\"
\"Yes，yourfatherkindlyrecommendedmetohim。\"
\"Thenlookoutforhim，Iwarnyou！Hewon’tforgiveyoueasily，fortakingbacktheletter。\"
Aglayapressedtheprince’shandandlefttheroom。Herfacewasseriousandfrowning；shedidnotevensmileasshenoddedgood-
byetohimatthedoor。
\"I’lljustgetmyparcelandwe’llgo，\"saidtheprincetoGania，ashere-enteredthedrawing-room。Ganiastampedhisfootwithimpatience。Hisfacelookeddarkandgloomywithrage。
Atlasttheyleftthehousebehindthem，theprincecarryinghisbundle。
\"Theanswer——quick——theanswer！\"saidGania，theinstanttheywereoutside。\"Whatdidshesay？Didyougivetheletter？\"Theprincesilentlyheldoutthenote。Ganiawasstruckmotionlesswithamazement。
\"How，what？myletter？\"hecried。\"Heneverdeliveredit！Imighthaveguessedit，oh！cursehim！OfcourseshedidnotunderstandwhatImeant，naturally！Why-why-WHYdidn’tyougiveherthenote，you——\"
\"Excuseme；Iwasabletodeliveritalmostimmediatelyafterreceivingyourcommission，andIgaveit，too，justasyouaskedmeto。IthascomeintomyhandsnowbecauseAglayaIvanovnahasjustreturnedittome。\"
\"How？When？\"
\"AssoonasIfinishedwritinginheralbumforher，andwhensheaskedmetocomeoutoftheroomwithheryouheard？，wewentintothedining-room，andshegavemeyourlettertoread，andthentoldmetoreturnit。\"
\"ToREAD？\"criedGania，almostatthetopofhisvoice；\"toREAD，andyoureadit？\"
Andagainhestoodlikealoginthemiddleofthepavement；soamazedthathismouthremainedopenafterthelastwordhadleftit。
\"Yes，Ihavejustreadit。\"
\"Andshegaveityoutoreadherself——HERSELF？\"
\"Yes，herself；andyoumaybelievemewhenItellyouthatI
wouldnothavereaditforanythingwithoutherpermission。\"
Ganiawassilentforaminuteortwo，asthoughthinkingoutsomeproblem。Suddenlyhecried:
\"It’simpossible，shecannothavegivenittoyoutoread！Youarelying。Youreadityourself！\"
\"Iamtellingyouthetruth，\"saidtheprinceinhisformercomposedtoneofvoice；\"andbelieveme，Iamextremelysorrythatthecircumstanceshouldhavemadesuchanunpleasantimpressionuponyou！\"
\"But，youwretchedman，atleastshemusthavesaidsomething？
TheremustbeSOMEanswerfromher！\"
\"Yes，ofcourse，shedidsaysomething！\"
\"Outwithitthen，damnit！Outwithitatonce！\"andGaniastampedhisfoottwiceonthepavement。
\"AssoonasIhadfinishedreadingit，shetoldmethatyouwerefishingforher；thatyouwishedtocompromisehersofarastoreceivesomehopesfromher，trustingtowhichhopesyoumightbreakwiththeprospectofreceivingahundredthousandroubles。
Shesaidthatifyouhaddonethiswithoutbargainingwithher，ifyouhadbrokenwiththemoneyprospectswithouttryingtoforceaguaranteeoutofherfirst，shemighthavebeenyourfriend。That’sall，Ithink。Ohno，whenIaskedherwhatIwastosay，asItooktheletter，sherepliedthat’noansweristhebestanswer。’Ithinkthatwasit。ForgivemeifIdonotuseherexactexpressions。ItellyouthesenseasIunderstooditmyself。\"
UngovernablerageandmadnesstookentirepossessionofGania，andhisfuryburstoutwithouttheleastattemptatrestraint。
\"Oh！that’sit，isit！\"heyelled。\"Shethrowsmylettersoutofthewindow，doesshe！Oh！andshedoesnotcondescendtobargain，whileIDO，eh？Weshallsee，weshallsee！Ishallpayheroutforthis。\"
Hetwistedhimselfaboutwithrage，andgrewpalerandpaler；heshookhisfist。Sothepairwalkedalongafewsteps。Ganiadidnotstandonceremonywiththeprince；hebehavedjustasthoughhewerealoneinhisroom。Heclearlycountedthelatterasanonentity。Butsuddenlyheseemedtohaveanidea，andrecollectedhimself。
\"Buthowwasit？\"heasked，\"howwasitthatyouidiotthatyouare，\"headdedtohimself，\"weresoveryconfidentialacoupleofhoursafteryourfirstmeetingwiththesepeople？Howwasthat，eh？\"
Uptothismomentjealousyhadnotbeenoneofhistorments；nowitsuddenlygnawedathisheart。
\"ThatisathingIcannotundertaketoexplain，\"repliedtheprince。Ganialookedathimwithangrycontempt。
\"Oh！Isupposethepresentshewishedtomaketoyou，whenshetookyouintothedining-room，washerconfidence，eh？\"
\"Isupposethatwasit；Icannotexplainitotherwise？\"
\"Butwhy，WHY？Deviltakeit，whatdidyoudointhere？Whydidtheyfancyyou？Lookhere，can’tyourememberexactlywhatyousaidtothem，fromtheverybeginning？Can’tyouremember？\"
\"Oh，wetalkedofagreatmanythings。WhenfirstIwentinwebegantospeakofSwitzerland。\"
\"Oh，thedeviltakeSwitzerland！\"
\"Thenaboutexecutions。\"
\"Executions？\"
\"Yes——atleastaboutone。ThenItoldthewholethreeyears’
storyofmylife，andthehistoryofapoorpeasantgirl——\"
\"Oh，damnthepeasantgirl！goon，goon！\"saidGania，impatiently。
\"ThenhowSchneidertoldmeaboutmychildishnature，and——\"
\"Oh，CURSESchneiderandhisdirtyopinions！Goon。\"
\"ThenIbegantotalkaboutfaces，atleastabouttheEXPRESSIONS
offaces，andsaidthatAglayaIvanovnawasnearlyaslovelyasNastasiaPhilipovna。ItwasthenIblurtedoutabouttheportrait——\"
\"Butyoudidn’trepeatwhatyouheardinthestudy？Youdidn’trepeatthat——eh？\"
\"No，ItellyouIdidNOT。\"
\"Thenhowdidthey——lookhere！DidAglayashowmylettertotheoldlady？\"
\"Oh，thereIcangiveyoumyfullestassurancethatshedidNOT。
Iwasthereallthewhile——shehadnotimetodoit！\"
\"Butperhapsyoumaynothaveobservedit，oh，youdamnedidiot，you！\"heshouted，quitebesidehimselfwithfury。\"Youcan’tevendescribewhatwenton。\"
Ganiahavingoncedescendedtoabuse，andreceivingnocheck，verysoonknewnoboundsorlimittohislicence，asisoftenthewayinsuchcases。Hisragesoblindedhimthathehadnotevenbeenabletodetectthatthis\"idiot，\"whomhewasabusingtosuchanextent，wasveryfarfrombeingslowofcomprehension，andhadawayoftakinginanimpression，andafterwardsgivingitoutagain，whichwasveryun-idioticindeed。Butsomethingalittleunforeseennowoccurred。
\"IthinkIoughttotellyou，GavrilaArdalionovitch，\"saidtheprince，suddenly，\"thatthoughIoncewassoillthatIreallywaslittlebetterthananidiot，yetnowIamalmostrecovered，andthat，therefore，itisnotaltogetherpleasanttobecalledanidiottomyface。Ofcourseyourangerisexcusable，consideringthetreatmentyouhavejustexperienced；butImustremindyouthatyouhavetwiceabusedmeratherrudely。Idonotlikethissortofthing，andespeciallysoatthefirsttimeofmeetingaman，and，therefore，aswehappentobeatthismomentstandingatacrossroad，don’tyouthinkwehadbetterpart，youtotheleft，homewards，andItotheright，here？Ihavetwenty-
fiveroubles，andIshalleasilyfindalodging。\"
Ganiawasmuchconfused，andblushedforshame\"Doforgiveme，prince！\"hecried，suddenlychanginghisabusivetoneforoneofgreatcourtesy。\"ForHeaven’ssake，forgiveme！YouseewhatamiserableplightIamin，butyouhardlyknowanythingofthefactsofthecaseasyet。Ifyoudid，Iamsureyouwouldforgiveme，atleastpartially。Ofcourseitwasinexcusableofme，I
know，but——\"
\"Oh，dearme，Ireallydonotrequiresuchprofuseapologies，\"
repliedtheprince，hastily。\"Iquiteunderstandhowunpleasantyourpositionis，andthatiswhatmadeyouabuseme。Socomealongtoyourhouse，afterall。Ishallbedelighted——\"
\"Iamnotgoingtolethimgolikethis，\"thoughtGania，glancingangrilyattheprinceastheywalkedalong。\"Thefellowhassuckedeverythingoutofme，andnowhetakesoffhismask——
there’ssomethingmorethanappears，hereweshallsee。Itshallallbeasclearaswaterbytonight，everything！\"
ButbythistimetheyhadreachedGania’shouse。
VIII。
TheflatoccupiedbyGaniaandhisfamilywasonthethirdfloorofthehouse。Itwasreachedbyacleanlightstaircase，andconsistedofsevenrooms，aniceenoughlodging，andonewouldhavethoughtalittletoogoodforaclerkontwothousandroublesayear。Butitwasdesignedtoaccommodateafewlodgersonboardterms，andhadbeertakenafewmonthssince，muchtothedisgustofGania，attheurgentrequestofhismotherandhissister，VarvaraArdalionovna，wholongedtodosomethingtoincreasethefamilyincomealittle，andfixedtheirhopesuponlettinglodgings。Ganiafrownedupontheidea。Hethoughtitinfradig，anddidnotquitelikeappearinginsocietyafterwards——thatsocietyinwhichhehadbeenaccustomedtoposeuptonowasayoungmanofratherbrilliantprospects。Alltheseconcessionsandrebuffsoffortune，oflate，hadwoundedhisspiritseverely，andhistemperhadbecomeextremelyirritable，hiswrathbeinggenerallyquiteoutofproportiontothecause。
Butifhehadmadeuphismindtoputupwiththissortoflifeforawhile，itwasonlyontheplainunderstandingwithhisinnerselfthathewouldverysoonchangeitall，andhavethingsashechoseagain。Yettheverymeansbywhichhehopedtomakethischangethreatenedtoinvolvehiminevengreaterdifficultiesthanhehadhadbefore。
Theflatwasdividedbyapassagewhichledstraightoutoftheentrance-hall。Alongonesideofthiscorridorlaythethreeroomswhichweredesignedfortheaccommodationofthe\"highlyrecommended\"lodgers。Besidesthesethreeroomstherewasanothersmalloneattheendofthepassage，closetothekitchen，whichwasallottedtoGeneralIvolgin，thenominalmasterofthehouse，whosleptonawidesofa，andwasobligedtopassintoandoutofhisroomthroughthekitchen，andupordownthebackstairs。Colia，Gania’syoungbrother，aschool-boyofthirteen，sharedthisroomwithhisfather。
He，too，hadtosleeponanoldsofa，anarrow，uncomfortablethingwithatornrugoverit；hischiefdutybeingtolookafterhisfather，whoneededtobewatchedmoreandmoreeveryday。
Theprincewasgiventhemiddleroomofthethree，thefirstbeingoccupiedbyoneFerdishenko，whilethethirdwasempty。
ButGaniafirstconductedtheprincetothefamilyapartments。
Theseconsistedofa\"salon，\"whichbecamethedining-roomwhenrequired；adrawing-room，whichwasonlyadrawing-roominthemorning，andbecameGania’sstudyintheevening，andhisbedroomatnight；andlastlyNinaAlexandrovna’sandVarvara’sbedroom，asmall，closechamberwhichtheysharedtogether。
Inaword，thewholeplacewasconfined，anda\"tightfit\"fortheparty。Ganiausedtogrindhisteethwithrageoverthestateofaffairs；thoughhewasanxioustobedutifulandpolitetohismother。However，itwasverysoonapparenttoanyonecomingintothehouse，thatGaniawasthetyrantofthefamily。
NinaAlexandrovnaandherdaughterwerebothseatedinthedrawing-room，engagedinknitting，andtalkingtoavisitor，IvanPetrovitchPtitsin。
Theladyofthehouseappearedtobeawomanofaboutfiftyyearsofage，thin-faced，andwithblacklinesundertheeves。Shelookedillandrathersad；butherfacewasapleasantoneforallthat；andfromthefirstwordthatfellfromherlips，anystrangerwouldatonceconcludethatshewasofaseriousandparticularlysincerenature。Inspiteofhersorrowfulexpression，shegavetheideaofpossessingconsiderablefirmnessanddecision。
Herdresswasmodestandsimpletoadegree，darkandelderlyinstyle；butbothherfaceandappearancegaveevidencethatshehadseenbetterdays。
Varvarawasagirlofsometwenty-threesummers，ofmiddleheight，thin，butpossessingafacewhich，withoutbeingactuallybeautiful，hadtherarequalityofcharm，andmightfascinateeventotheextentofpassionateregard。
Shewasverylikehermother:sheevendressedlikeher，whichprovedthatshehadnotasteforsmartclothes。Theexpressionofhergreyeyeswasmerryandgentle，whenitwasnot，aslately，toofullofthoughtandanxiety。Thesamedecisionandfirmnesswastobeobservedinherfaceasinhermother’s，butherstrengthseemedtobemorevigorousthanthatofNinaAlexandrovna。Shewassubjecttooutburstsoftemper，ofwhichevenherbrotherwasalittleafraid。
Thepresentvisitor，Ptitsin，wasalsoafraidofher。Thiswasayoungfellowofsomethingunderthirty，dressedplainly，butneatly。Hismannersweregood，butratherponderouslyso。Hisdarkbeardboreevidencetothefactthathewasnotinanygovernmentemploy。Hecouldspeakwell，butpreferredsilence。Onthewholehemadeadecidedlyagreeableimpression。HewasclearlyattractedbyVarvara，andmadenosecretofhisfeelings。
Shetrustedhiminafriendlyway，buthadnotshownhimanydecidedencouragementasyet，whichfactdidnotquellhisardourintheleast。
NinaAlexandrovnawasveryfondofhim，andhadgrownquiteconfidentialwithhimoflate。Ptitsin，aswaswellknown，wasengagedinthebusinessoflendingoutmoneyongoodsecurity，andatagoodrateofinterest。HewasagreatfriendofGania’s。
AfteraformalintroductionbyGaniawhogreetedhismotherveryshortly，tooknonoticeofhissister，andimmediatelymarchedPtitsinoutoftheroom，NinaAlexandrovnaaddressedafewkindwordstotheprinceandforthwithrequestedColia，whohadjustappearedatthedoor，toshowhimtothe\"middleroom。\"
Coliawasanice-lookingboy。Hisexpressionwassimpleandconfiding，andhismannerswereverypoliteandengaging。
\"Where’syourluggage？\"heasked，asheledtheprinceawaytohisroom。
\"Ihadabundle；it’sintheentrancehall。\"
\"I’llbringityoudirectly。Weonlyhaveacookandonemaid，soIhavetohelpasmuchasIcan。Varialooksafterthings，generally，andloseshertemperoverit。GaniasaysyouhaveonlyjustarrivedfromSwitzerland？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Isitjollythere？\"
\"Very。\"
\"Mountains？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"I’llgoandgetyourbundle。\"
HereVarvarajoinedthem。
\"Themaidshallbringyourbed-linendirectly。Haveyouaportmanteau？\"
\"No；abundle——yourbrotherhasjustgonetothehallforit。\"
\"There’snothingthereexceptthis，\"saidColia，returningatthismoment。\"Wheredidyouputit？\"
\"Oh！butthat’sallIhave，\"saidtheprince，takingit。
\"Ah！IthoughtperhapsFerdishenkohadtakenit。\"
\"Don’ttalknonsense，\"saidVaria，severely。Sheseemedputout，andwasonlyjustpolitewiththeprince。
\"Oho！\"laughedtheboy，\"youcanbenicerthanthattoME，youknow——I’mnotPtitsin！\"
\"Yououghttobewhipped，Colia，yousillyboy。Ifyouwantanything\"totheprince\"pleaseapplytotheservant。Wedineathalf-pastfour。Youcantakeyourdinnerwithus，orhaveitinyourroom，justasyouplease。Comealong，Colia，don’tdisturbtheprince。\"
AtthedoortheymetGaniacomingin。
\"Isfatherin？\"heasked。Coliawhisperedsomethinginhisearandwentout。
\"Justacoupleofwords，prince，ifyou’llexcuseme。Don’tblaboverTHEREaboutwhatyoumayseehere，orinthishouseastoallthataboutAglayaandme，youknow。Thingsarenotaltogetherpleasantinthisestablishment——deviltakeitall！You’llsee。AtalleventskeepyourtonguetoyourselfforTODAY。\"
\"IassureyouI’blabbed’agreatdeallessthanyouseemtosuppose，\"saidtheprince，withsomeannoyance。ClearlytherelationsbetweenGaniaandhimselfwerebynomeansimproving。
\"OhIwell；Icaughtitquitehotenoughtoday，thankstoyou。
However，Iforgiveyou。\"
\"IthinkyoumightfairlyrememberthatIwasnotinanywaybound，Ihadnoreasontobesilentaboutthatportrait。Youneveraskedmenottomentionit。\"
\"Pfu！whatawretchedroomthisis——dark，andthewindowlookingintotheyard。Yourcomingtoourhouseis，innorespect，opportune。However，it’snotMYaffair。Idon’tkeepthelodgings。\"
PtitsinherelookedinandbeckonedtoGania，whohastilylefttheroom，inspiteofthefactthathehadevidentlywishedtosaysomethingmoreandhadonlymadetheremarkabouttheroomtogaintime。Theprincehadhardlyhadtimetowashandtidyhimselfalittlewhenthedooropenedoncemore，andanotherfigureappeared。
Thiswasagentlemanofaboutthirty，tall，broadshouldered，andred-haired；hisfacewasred，too，andhepossessedapairofthicklips，awidenose，smalleyes，ratherbloodshot，andwithanironicalexpressioninthem；asthoughhewereperpetuallywinkingatsomeone。Hiswholeappearancegaveonetheideaofimpudence；hisdresswasshabby。
Heopenedthedoorjustenoughtolethisheadin。Hisheadremainedsoplacedforafewsecondswhilehequietlyscrutinizedtheroom；thedoorthenopenedenoughtoadmithisbody；butstillhedidnotenter。Hestoodonthethresholdandexaminedtheprincecarefully。Atlasthegavethedoorafinalshove，entered，approachedtheprince，tookhishandandseatedhimselfandtheowneroftheroomontwochairssidebyside。
\"Ferdishenko，\"hesaid，gazingintentlyandinquiringlyintotheprince’seyes。
\"Verywell，whatnext？\"saidthelatter，almostlaughinginhisface。
\"Alodgerhere，\"continuedtheother，staringasbefore。
\"Doyouwishtomakeacquaintance？\"askedtheprince。
\"Ah！\"saidthevisitor，passinghisfingersthroughhishairandsighing。Hethenlookedovertotheothersideoftheroomandaroundit。\"Gotanymoney？\"heasked，suddenly。
\"Notmuch。\"
\"Howmuch？\"
\"Twenty-fiveroubles。\"
\"Let’sseeit。\"
TheprincetookhisbanknoteoutandshowedittoFerdishenko。
Thelatterunfoldeditandlookedatit；thenheturneditroundandexaminedtheotherside；thenheheldituptothelight。
\"Howstrangethatitshouldhavebrownedso，\"hesaid，reflectively。\"Thesetwenty-fiveroublenotesbrowninamostextraordinaryway，whileothernotesoftengrowpaler。Takeit。\"
Theprincetookhisnote。Ferdishenkorose。
\"Icameheretowarnyou，\"hesaid。\"Inthefirstplace，don’tlendmeanymoney，forIshallcertainlyaskyouto。\"
\"Verywell。\"
\"Shallyoupayhere？\"
\"Yes，Iintendto。\"
\"Oh！IDON’Tintendto。Thanks。Ilivehere，nextdoortoyou；
younoticedaroom，didyou？Don’tcometomeveryoften；Ishallseeyouherequiteoftenenough。Haveyouseenthegeneral？\"
\"No。\"
\"Norheardhim？\"
\"No；ofcoursenot。\"
\"Well，you’llbothhearandseehimsoon；heeventriestoborrowmoneyfromme。Avisaulecteur。Good-bye；doyouthinkamancanpossiblylivewithanamelikeFerdishenko？\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"Good-bye。\"
Andsohedeparted。Theprincefoundoutafterwardsthatthisgentlemanmadeithisbusinesstoamazepeoplewithhisoriginalityandwit，butthatitdidnotasarule\"comeoff。\"Heevenproducedabadimpressiononsomepeople，whichgrievedhimsorely；buthedidnotchangehiswaysforallthat。
Ashewentoutoftheprince’sroom，hecollidedwithyetanothervisitorcomingin。Ferdishenkotooktheopportunityofmakingseveralwarninggesturestotheprincefrombehindthenewarrival’sback，andlefttheroominconsciouspride。
Thisnextarrivalwasatallred-facedmanofaboutfifty-five，withgreyishhairandwhiskers，andlargeeyeswhichstoodoutoftheirsockets。Hisappearancewouldhavebeendistinguishedhaditnotbeenthathegavetheideaofbeingratherdirty。Hewasdressedinanoldcoat，andhesmelledofvodkawhenhecamenear。Hiswalkwaseffective，andheclearlydidhisbesttoappeardignified，andtoimpresspeoplebyhismanner。
Thisgentlemannowapproachedtheprinceslowly，andwithamostcourteoussmile；silentlytookhishandandhelditinhisown，asheexaminedtheprince’sfeaturesasthoughsearchingforfamiliartraitstherein。
\"’Tishe，’tishe！\"hesaidatlast，quietly，butwithmuchsolemnity。\"Asthoughhewerealiveoncemore。Iheardthefamiliarname-thedearfamiliarname——and，oh。Ihowitremindedmeoftheirrevocablepast——PrinceMuishkin，Ibelieve？\"
\"Exactlyso。\"
\"GeneralIvolgin——retiredandunfortunate。MayIaskyourChristianandgenericnames？\"
\"LefNicolaievitch。\"
\"So，so——thesonofmyold，Imaysaymychildhood’sfriend，NicolaiPetrovitch。\"
\"Myfather’snamewasNicolaiLvovitch。\"
\"Lvovitch，\"repeatedthegeneralwithouttheslightesthaste，andwithperfectconfidence，justasthoughhehadnotcommittedhimselftheleastintheworld，butmerelymadealittleslipofthetongue。Hesatdown，andtakingtheprince’shand，drewhimtoaseatnexttohimself。
\"Icarriedyouinmyarmsasababy，\"heobserved。
\"Really？\"askedtheprince。\"Why，it’stwentyyearssincemyfatherdied。\"
\"Yes，yes——twentyyearsandthreemonths。Wewereeducatedtogether；Iwentstraightintothearmy，andhe——\"
\"Myfatherwentintothearmy，too。Hewasasub-lieutenantintheVasiliefskyregiment。\"
\"No，sir——intheBielomirsky；hechangedintothelattershortlybeforehisdeath。Iwasathisbedsidewhenhedied，andgavehimmyblessingforeternity。Yourmother——\"Thegeneralpaused，asthoughovercomewithemotion。
\"Shediedafewmonthslater，fromacold，\"saidtheprince。
\"Oh，notcold——believeanoldman——notfromacold，butfromgriefforherprince。Oh——yourmother，yourmother！heigh-ho！
Youth——youth！YourfatherandI——oldfriendsaswewere——nearlymurderedeachotherforhersake。\"
Theprincebegantobealittleincredulous。
\"Iwaspassionatelyinlovewithherwhenshewasengaged——
engagedtomyfriend。Theprincenoticedthefactandwasfurious。Hecameandwokemeatseveno’clockonemorning。Iriseanddressinamazement；silenceonbothsides。Iunderstanditall。Hetakesacoupleofpistolsoutofhispocket——acrossahandkerchief——withoutwitnesses。Whyinvitewitnesseswhenbothofuswouldbewalkingineternityinacoupleofminutes？Thepistolsareloaded；westretchthehandkerchiefandstandoppositeoneanother。Weaimthepistolsateachother’shearts。
Suddenlytearsstarttooureyes，ourhandsshake；weweep，weembrace——thebattleisoneofself-sacrificenow！Theprinceshouts，’Sheisyours；’Icry，’Sheisyours——’inaword，inaword——You’vecometolivewithus，hey？\"
\"Yes——yes——forawhile，Ithink，\"stammeredtheprince。
\"Prince，motherbegsyoutocometoher，\"saidColia，appearingatthedoor。
Theprincerosetogo，butthegeneraloncemorelaidhishandinafriendlymanneronhisshoulder，anddraggedhimdownontothesofa。
\"Asthetruefriendofyourfather，Iwishtosayafewwordstoyou，\"hebegan。\"Ihavesuffered——therewasacatastrophe。I
sufferedwithoutatrial；Ihadnotrial。NinaAlexandrovnamywife，isanexcellentwoman，soismydaughterVarvara。Wehavetoletlodgingsbecausewearepoor——adreadful，unheard-ofcome-
downforus——forme，whoshouldhavebeenagovernor-general；butweareverygladtohaveYOU，atallevents。Meanwhilethereisatragedyinthehouse。\"
Theprincelookedinquiringlyattheother。
\"Yes，amarriageisbeingarranged——amarriagebetweenaquestionablewomanandayoungfellowwhomightbeaflunkey。
Theywishtobringthiswomanintothehousewheremywifeanddaughterreside，butwhileIliveandbreathesheshallneverentermydoors。Ishalllieatthethreshold，andsheshalltramplemeunderfootifshedoes。IhardlytalktoGanianow，andavoidhimasmuchasIcan。Iwarnyouofthisbeforehand，butyoucannotfailtoobserveit。Butyouarethesonofmyoldfriend，andIhope——\"
\"Prince，besokindastocometomeforamomentinthedrawing-
room，\"saidNinaAlexandrovnaherself，appearingatthedoor。
\"Imagine，mydear，\"criedthegeneral，\"itturnsoutthatIhavenursedtheprinceonmykneeintheolddays。\"Hiswifelookedsearchinglyathim，andglancedattheprince，butsaidnothing。
Theprinceroseandfollowedher；buthardlyhadtheyreachedthedrawing-room，andNinaAlexandrovnahadbeguntotalkhurriedly，whenincamethegeneral。Sheimmediatelyrelapsedintosilence。
Themasterofthehousemayhaveobservedthis，butatalleventshedidnottakeanynoticeofit；hewasinhighgoodhumour。
\"Asonofmyoldfriend，dear，\"hecried；\"surelyyoumustrememberPrinceNicolaiLvovitch？Yousawhimat——atTver。\"
\"Idon’trememberanyNicolaiLvovitch，Wasthatyourfather？\"
sheinquiredoftheprince。
\"Yes，buthediedatElizabethgrad，notatTver，\"saidtheprince，rathertimidly。\"SoPavlichefftoldme。\"
\"No，Tver，\"insistedthegeneral；\"heremovedjustbeforehisdeath。Youwereverysmallandcannotremember；andPavlicheff，thoughanexcellentfellow，mayhavemadeamistake。\"
\"YouknewPavlicheffthen？\"
\"Oh，yes——awonderfulfellow；butIwaspresentmyself。Igavehimmyblessing。\"
\"Myfatherwasjustabouttobetriedwhenhedied，\"saidtheprince，\"althoughIneverknewofwhathewasaccused。Hediedinhospital。\"
\"Oh！itwastheKolpakoffbusiness，andofcoursehewouldhavebeenacquitted。\"
\"Yes？Doyouknowthatforafact？\"askedtheprince，whosecuriositywasarousedbythegeneral’swords。
\"Ishouldthinksoindeed！\"criedthelatter。\"Thecourt-martialcametonodecision。Itwasamysterious，animpossiblebusiness，onemightsay！CaptainLarionoff，commanderofthecompany，haddied；hiscommandwashandedovertotheprinceforthemoment。
Verywell。Thissoldier，Kolpakoff，stolesomeleatherfromoneofhiscomrades，intendingtosellit，andspentthemoneyondrink。Well！Theprince——youunderstandthatwhatfollowstookplaceinthepresenceofthesergeant-major，andacorporal——theprinceratedKolpakoffsoundly，andthreatenedtohavehimflogged。Well，Kolpakoffwentbacktothebarracks，laydownonacampbedstead，andinaquarterofanhourwasdead:youquiteunderstand？Itwas，asIsaid，astrange，almostimpossible，affair。InduecourseKolpakoffwasburied；theprincewrotehisreport，thedeceased’snamewasremovedfromtheroll。Allasitshouldbe，isitnot？Butexactlythreemonthslaterattheinspectionofthebrigade，themanKolpakoffwasfoundinthethirdcompanyofthesecondbattalionofinfantry，Novozemlianskidivision，justasifnothinghadhappened！\"
\"What？\"saidtheprince，muchastonished。
\"Itdidnotoccur——it’samistake！\"saidNinaAlexandrovnaquickly，looking，attheprinceratheranxiously。\"Monmarisetrompe，\"sheadded，speakinginFrench。
\"Mydear，’setrompe’iseasilysaid。Doyourememberanycaseatalllikeit？Everybodywasattheirwits’end。Ishouldbethefirsttosay’qu’onsetrompe，’butunfortunatelyIwasaneye-
witness，andwasalsoonthecommissionofinquiry。Everythingprovedthatitwasreallyhe，theverysamesoldierKolpakoffwhohadbeengiventheusualmilitaryfuneraltothesoundofthedrum。Itisofcourseamostcuriouscase——nearlyanimpossibleone。Irecognizethat……but——\"
\"Father，yourdinnerisready，\"saidVarvaraatthispoint，puttingherheadinatthedoor。
\"Veryglad，I’mparticularlyhungry。Yes，yes，astrangecoincidence——almostapsychological——\"
\"Yoursoup’llbecold；docome。\"
\"Coming，coming\"saidthegeneral。\"Sonofmyoldfriend——\"hewasheardmutteringashewentdownthepassage。
\"Youwillhavetoexcuseverymuchinmyhusband，ifyoustaywithus，\"saidNinaAlexandrovna；\"buthewillnotdisturbyouoften。Hedinesalone。Everyonehashislittlepeculiarities，youknow，andsomepeopleperhapshavemorethanthosewhoaremostpointedatandlaughedat。OnethingImustbegofyou-ifmyhusbandappliestoyouforpaymentforboardandlodging，tellhimthatyouhavealreadypaidme。Ofcourseanythingpaidbyyoutothegeneralwouldbeasfullysettledasifpaidtome，sofarasyouareconcerned；butIwishittobeso，ifyouplease，forconvenience’sake。Whatisit，Varia？\"
Variahadquietlyenteredtheroom，andwasholdingouttheportraitofNastasiaPhilipovnatohermother。
NinaAlexandrovnastarted，andexaminedthephotographintently，gazingatitlongandsadly。AtlastshelookedupinquiringlyatVaria。
\"It’sapresentfromherselftohim，\"saidVaria；\"thequestionistobefinallydecidedthisevening。\"
\"Thisevening！\"repeatedhermotherinatoneofdespair，butsoftly，asthoughtoherself。\"Thenit’sallsettled，ofcourse，andthere’snohopelefttous。Shehasanticipatedheranswerbythepresentofherportrait。Didheshowityouhimself？\"sheadded，insomesurprise。
\"Youknowwehavehardlyspokentoeachotherforawholemonth。
Ptitsintoldmeallaboutit；andthephotowaslyingunderthetable，andIpickeditup。\"
\"Prince，\"askedNinaAlexandrovna，\"Iwantedtoinquirewhetheryouhaveknownmysonlong？Ithinkhesaidthatyouhadonlyarrivedtodayfromsomewhere。\"
Theprincegaveashortnarrativeofwhatwehaveheardbefore，leavingoutthegreaterpart。Thetwoladieslistenedintently。
\"IdidnotaskaboutGaniaoutofcuriosity，\"saidtheelder，atlast。\"Iwishtoknowhowmuchyouknowabouthim，becausehesaidjustnowthatweneednotstandonceremonywithyou。What，exactly，doesthatmean？\"
AtthismomentGaniaandPtitsinenteredtheroomtogether，andNinaAlexandrovnaimmediatelybecamesilentagain。Theprinceremainedseatednexttoher，butVariamovedtotheotherendoftheroom；theportraitofNastasiaPhilipovnaremainedlyingasbeforeonthework-table。Ganiaobserveditthere，andwithafrownofannoyancesnatcheditupandthrewitacrosstohiswriting-table，whichstoodattheotherendoftheroom。
\"Isittoday，Gania？\"askedNinaAlexandrovna，atlast。
\"Iswhattoday？\"criedtheformer。Thensuddenlyrecollectinghimself，heturnedsharplyontheprince。\"Oh，\"hegrowled，\"I
see，youarehere，thatexplainsit！Isitadisease，orwhat，thatyoucan’tholdyourtongue？Lookhere，understandonceforall，prince——\"
\"Iamtoblameinthis，Gania——nooneelse，\"saidPtitsin。
Ganiaglancedinquiringlyatthespeaker。
\"It’sbetterso，youknow，Gania——especiallyas，fromonepointofview，themattermaybeconsideredassettled，\"saidPtitsin；
andsittingdownalittlewayfromthetablehebegantostudyapapercoveredwithpencilwriting。
Ganiastoodandfrowned，heexpectedafamilyscene。Heneverthoughtofapologizingtotheprince，however。
\"Ifit’sallsettled，Gania，thenofcourseMr。Ptitsinisright，\"saidNinaAlexandrovna。\"Don’tfrown。Youneednotworryyourself，Gania；Ishallaskyounoquestions。Youneednottellmeanythingyoudon’tlike。IassureyouIhavequitesubmittedtoyourwill。\"Shesaidallthis，knittingawaythewhileasthoughperfectlycalmandcomposed。
Ganiawassurprised，butcautiouslykeptsilenceandlookedathismother，hopingthatshewouldexpressherselfmoreclearly。
NinaAlexandrovnaobservedhiscautiousnessandadded，withabittersmile:
\"Youarestillsuspicious，Isee，anddonotbelieveme；butyoumaybequiteatyourease。Thereshallbenomoretears，norquestions——notfrommyside，atallevents。AllIwishisthatyoumaybehappy，youknowthat。Ihavesubmittedtomyfate；butmyheartwillalwaysbewithyou，whetherweremainunited，orwhetherwepart。OfcourseIonlyanswerformyself——youcanhardlyexpectyoursister——\"
\"Mysisteragain，\"criedGania，lookingatherwithcontemptandalmosthate。\"Lookhere，mother，IhavealreadygivenyoumywordthatIshallalwaysrespectyoufullyandabsolutely，andsoshalleveryoneelseinthishouse，beitwhoitmay，whoshallcrossthisthreshold。\"
Ganiawassomuchrelievedthathegazedathismotheralmostaffectionately。
\"Iwasnotatallafraidformyself，Gania，asyouknowwell。ItwasnotformyownsakethatIhavebeensoanxiousandworriedallthistime！Theysayitisalltobesettledto-day。Whatistobesettled？\"
\"Shehaspromisedtotellmetonightatherownhousewhethersheconsentsornot，\"repliedGania。
\"Wehavebeensilentonthissubjectforthreeweeks，\"saidhismother，\"anditwasbetterso；andnowIwillonlyaskyouonequestion。Howcanshegiveherconsentandmakeyouapresentofherportraitwhenyoudonotloveher？Howcansucha——sucha——\"
\"Practisedhand——eh？\"
\"Iwasnotgoingtoexpressmyselfso。Buthowcouldyousoblindher？\"
NinaAlexandrovna’squestionbetrayedintenseannoyance。Ganiawaitedamomentandthensaid，withouttakingthetroubletoconcealtheironyofhistone:
\"Thereyouare，mother，youarealwayslikethat。Youbeginbypromisingthattherearetobenoreproachesorinsinuationsorquestions，andhereyouarebeginningthematonce。Wehadbetterdropthesubject——wehad，really。Ishallneverleaveyou，mother；anyothermanwouldcutandrunfromsuchasisterasthis。Seehowsheislookingatmeatthismoment！Besides，howdoyouknowthatIamblindingNastasiaPhilipovna？AsforVaria，Idon’tcare——shecandojustasshepleases。There，that’squiteenough！\"
Gania’sirritationincreasedwitheverywordheuttered，ashewalkedupanddowntheroom。Theseconversationsalwaystouchedthefamilysoresbeforelong。
\"IhavesaidalreadythatthemomentshecomesinIgoout，andI
shallkeepmyword，\"remarkedVaria。
\"Outofobstinacy\"shoutedGania。\"Youhaven’tmarried，either，thankstoyourobstinacy。Oh，youneedn’tfrownatme，Varvara！
YoucangoatonceforallIcare；Iamsickenoughofyourcompany。What，youaregoingtoleaveusareyou，too？\"hecried，turningtotheprince，whowasrisingfromhischair。
Gania’svoicewasfullofthemostuncontrolledanduncontrollableirritation。
Theprinceturnedatthedoortosaysomething，butperceivinginGania’sexpressionthattherewasbutthatonedropwantingtomakethecupoverflow，hechangedhismindandlefttheroomwithoutaword。Afewminuteslaterhewasawarefromthenoisyvoicesinthedrawingroom，thattheconversationhadbecomemorequarrelsomethaneverafterhisdeparture。
Hecrossedthesalonandtheentrance-hall，soastopassdownthecorridorintohisownroom。Ashecamenearthefrontdoorheheardsomeoneoutsidevainlyendeavouringtoringthebell，whichwasevidentlybroken，andonlyshookalittle，withoutemittinganysound。
Theprincetookdownthechainandopenedthedoor。Hestartedbackinamazement——fortherestoodNastasiaPhilipovna。Heknewheratoncefromherphotograph。Hereyesblazedwithangerasshelookedathim。Shequicklypushedbyhimintothehall，shoulderinghimoutofherway，andsaid，furiously，asshethrewoffherfurcloak:
\"Ifyouaretoolazytomendyourbell，youshouldatleastwaitinthehalltoletpeopleinwhentheyrattlethebellhandle。
There，now，you’vedroppedmyfurcloak——dummy！\"
Sureenoughthecloakwaslyingontheground。Nastasiahadthrownitoffhertowardstheprince，expectinghimtocatchit，buttheprincehadmissedit。
\"Nowthen——announceme，quick！\"
Theprincewantedtosaysomething，butwassoconfusedandastonishedthathecouldnot。However，hemovedofftowardsthedrawing-roomwiththecloakoverhisarm。
\"Nowthen，whereareyoutakingmycloakto？Ha，ha，ha！Areyoumad？\"
Theprinceturnedandcameback，moreconfusedthanever。Whensheburstoutlaughing，hesmiled，buthistonguecouldnotformawordasyet。Atfirst，whenhehadopenedthedoorandsawherstandingbeforehim，hehadbecomeaspaleasdeath；butnowtheredbloodhadrushedbacktohischeeksinatorrent。
\"Why，whatanidiotitis！\"criedNastasia，stampingherfootwithirritation。\"Goon，do！Whomareyougoingtoannounce？\"
\"NastasiaPhilipovna，\"murmuredtheprince。
\"Andhowdoyouknowthat？\"sheaskedhim，sharply。
\"Ihaveneverseenyoubefore！\"
\"Goon，announceme——what’sthatnoise？\"
\"Theyarequarrelling，\"saidtheprince，andenteredthedrawing-
room，justasmattersintherehadalmostreachedacrisis。NinaAlexandrovnahadforgottenthatshehad\"submittedtoeverything！\"ShewasdefendingVaria。Ptitsinwastakingherpart，too。NotthatVariawasafraidofstandingupforherself。
Shewasbynomeansthatsortofagirl；butherbrotherwasbecomingruderandmoreintolerableeverymoment。Herusualpracticeinsuchcasesasthepresentwastosaynothing，butstareathim，withouttakinghereyesoffhisfaceforaninstant。Thismanoeuvre，asshewellknew，coulddriveGaniadistracted。
Justatthismomentthedooropenedandtheprinceentered，announcing:
\"NastasiaPhilipovna！\"
IX。
Silenceimmediatelyfellontheroom；alllookedattheprinceasthoughtheyneitherunderstood，norhopedtounderstand。Ganiawasmotionlesswithhorror。
Nastasia’sarrivalwasamostunexpectedandoverwhelmingeventtoallparties。Inthefirstplace，shehadneverbeenbefore。UptonowshehadbeensohaughtythatshehadneverevenaskedGaniatointroducehertohisparents。Oflateshehadnotsomuchasmentionedthem。Ganiawaspartlygladofthis；butstillhehadputittoherdebitintheaccounttobesettledaftermarriage。
Hewouldhaveborneanythingfromherratherthanthisvisit。Butonethingseemedtohimquiteclear-hervisitnow，andthepresentofherportraitonthisparticularday，pointedoutplainlyenoughwhichwaysheintendedtomakeherdecision！
Theincredulousamazementwithwhichallregardedtheprincedidnotlastlong，forNastasiaherselfappearedatthedoorandpassedin，pushingbytheprinceagain。
\"AtlastI’vestormedthecitadel！Whydoyoutieupyourbell？\"
shesaid，merrily，asshepressedGania’shand，thelatterhavingrusheduptoherassoonasshemadeherappearance。\"Whatareyoulookingsoupsetabout？Introduceme，please！\"
ThebewilderedGaniaintroducedherfirsttoVaria，andbothwomen，beforeshakinghands，exchangedlooksofstrangeimport。
Nastasia，however，smiledamiably；butVariadidnottrytolookamiable，andkepthergloomyexpression。Shedidnotevenvouchsafetheusualcourteoussmileofetiquette。Ganiadartedaterribleglanceofwrathatherforthis，butNinaAlexandrovna，mendedmattersalittlewhenGaniaintroducedheratlast。
Hardly，however，hadtheoldladybegunabouther\"highlygratifiedfeelings，\"andsoon，whenNastasialefther，andflouncedintoachairbyGania’ssideinthecornerbythewindow，andcried:\"Where’syourstudy？andwherearethe——thelodgers？Youdotakeinlodgers，don’tyou？\"
Ganialookeddreadfullyputout，andtriedtosaysomethinginreply，butNastasiainterruptedhim:
\"Why，whereareyougoingtosqueezelodgersinhere？Don’tyouuseastudy？Doesthissortofthingpay？\"sheadded，turningtoNinaAlexandrovna。
\"Well，itistroublesome，rather，\"saidthelatter；\"butI
supposeitwill’pay’prettywell。Wehaveonlyjustbegun，however——\"
AgainNastasiaPhilipovnadidnothearthesentenceout。SheglancedatGania，andcried，laughing，\"Whataface！Mygoodness，whatafaceyouhaveonatthismoment！\"
Indeed，Ganiadidnotlookintheleastlikehimself。Hisbewildermentandhisalarmedperplexitypassedoff，however，andhislipsnowtwitchedwithrageashecontinuedtostareevillyathislaughingguest，whilehiscountenancebecameabsolutelylivid。
Therewasanotherwitness，who，thoughstandingatthedoormotionlessandbewilderedhimself，stillmanagedtoremarkGania’sdeath-likepallor，andthedreadfulchangethathadcomeoverhisface。Thiswitnesswastheprince，whonowadvancedinalarmandmutteredtoGania:
\"Drinksomewater，anddon’tlooklikethat！\"
Itwasclearthathecameoutwiththesewordsquitespontaneously，onthespurofthemoment。Buthisspeechwasproductiveofmuch——foritappearedthatall。Gania’sragenowoverflowedupontheprince。Heseizedhimbytheshoulderandgazedwithanintensityofloathingandrevengeathim，butsaidnothing——asthoughhisfeelingsweretoostrongtopermitofwords。
Generalagitationprevailed。NinaAlexandrovnagavealittlecryofanxiety；Ptitsintookastepforwardinalarm；ColiaandFerdishenkostoodstockstillatthedoorinamazement；——onlyVariaremainedcoollywatchingthescenefromunderhereyelashes。Shedidnotsitdown，butstoodbyhermotherwithfoldedhands。However，Ganiarecollectedhimselfalmostimmediately。Heletgooftheprinceandburstoutlaughing。
\"Why，areyouadoctor，prince，orwhat？\"heasked，asnaturallyaspossible。\"Ideclareyouquitefrightenedme！NastasiaPhilipovna，letmeintroducethisinterestingcharactertoyou——
thoughIhaveonlyknownhimmyselfsincethemorning。\"
Nastasiagazedattheprinceinbewilderment。\"Prince？HeaPrince？Why，Itookhimforthefootman，justnow，andsenthimintoannounceme！Ha，ha，ha，isn’tthatgood！\"
\"Notbadthat，notbadatall！\"putinFerdishenko，\"senonevero——\"
\"IratherthinkIpitchedintoyou，too，didn’tI？Forgiveme——do！
Whoishe，didyousay？Whatprince？Muishkin？\"sheadded，addressingGania。
\"Heisalodgerofours，\"explainedthelatter。
\"Anidiot！\"——theprincedistinctlyheardthewordhalfwhisperedfrombehindhim。ThiswasFerdishenko’svoluntaryinformationforNastasia’sbenefit。
\"Tellme，whydidn’tyouputmerightwhenImadesuchadreadfulmistakejustnow？\"continuedthelatter，examiningtheprincefromheadtofootwithouttheslightestceremony。Sheawaitedtheanswerasthoughconvincedthatitwouldbesofoolishthatshemustinevitablyfailtorestrainherlaughteroverit。
\"Iwasastonished，seeingyousosuddenly——\"murmuredtheprince。
\"HowdidyouknowwhoIwas？Wherehadyouseenmebefore？Andwhywereyousostruckdumbatthesightofme？Whatwastheresooverwhelmingaboutme？\"
\"Oho！ho，ho，ho！\"criedFerdishenko。\"NOWthen，prince！Myword，whatthingsIwouldsayifIhadsuchachanceasthat！Mygoodness，prince——goon！\"
\"SoshouldI，inyourplace，I’venodoubt！\"laughedtheprincetoFerdishenko；thencontinued，addressingNastasia:\"Yourportraitstruckmeveryforciblythismorning；thenIwastalkingaboutyoutotheEpanchins；andthen，inthetrain，beforeI
reachedPetersburg，ParfenRogojintoldmeagooddealaboutyou；
andattheverymomentthatIopenedthedoortoyouIhappenedtobethinkingofyou，when——thereyoustoodbeforeme！\"
\"Andhowdidyourecognizeme？\"
\"Fromtheportrait！\"
\"Whatelse？\"
\"Iseemedtoimagineyouexactlyasyouare——Iseemedtohaveseenyousomewhere。\"
\"Where——where？\"
\"Iseemtohaveseenyoureyessomewhere；butitcannotbe！I
havenotseenyou——Ineverwasherebefore。Imayhavedreamedofyou，Idon’tknow。\"
Theprincesaidallthiswithmanifesteffort——inbrokensentences，andwithmanydrawingsofbreath。Hewasevidentlymuchagitated。NastasiaPhilipovnalookedathiminquisitively，butdidnotlaugh。
\"Bravo，prince！\"criedFerdishenko，delighted。
AtthismomentaloudvoicefrombehindthegroupwhichhedgedintheprinceandNastasiaPhilipovna，dividedthecrowd，asitwere，andbeforethemstoodtheheadofthefamily，GeneralIvolgin。Hewasdressedineveningclothes；hismoustachewasdyed。
ThisapparitionwastoomuchforGania。Vainandambitiousalmosttomorbidness，hehadhadmuchtoputupwithinthelasttwomonths，andwasseekingfeverishlyforsomemeansofenablinghimselftoleadamorepresentablekindofexistence。Athome，henowadoptedanattitudeofabsolutecynicism，buthecouldnotkeepthisupbeforeNastasiaPhilipovna，althoughhehadsworntomakeherpayaftermarriageforallhesufferednow。Hewasexperiencingalasthumiliation，thebitterestofall，atthismoment——thehumiliationofblushingforhisownkindredinhisownhouse。Aquestionflashedthroughhismindastowhetherthegamewasreallyworththecandle。
Forthathadhappenedatthismoment，whichfortwomonthshadbeenhisnightmare；whichhadfilledhissoulwithdreadandshame——themeetingbetweenhisfatherandNastasiaPhilipovna。Hehadoftentriedtoimaginesuchanevent，buthadfoundthepicturetoomortifyingandexasperating，andhadquietlydroppedit。Verylikelyheanticipatedfarworsethingsthanwasatallnecessary；itisoftensowithvainpersons。Hehadlongsincedetermined，therefore，togethisfatheroutoftheway，anywhere，beforehismarriage，inordertoavoidsuchameeting；
butwhenNastasiaenteredtheroomjustnow，hehadbeensooverwhelmedwithastonishment，thathehadnotthoughtofhisfather，andhadmadenoarrangementstokeephimoutoftheway。
Andnowitwastoolate——therehewas，andgotup，too，inadresscoatandwhitetie，andNastasiaintheveryhumourtoheapridiculeonhimandhisfamilycircle；ofthislastfact，hefeltquitepersuaded。Whatelsehadshecomefor？Therewerehismotherandhissistersittingbeforeher，andsheseemedtohaveforgottentheirveryexistencealready；andifshebehavedlikethat，hethought，shemusthavesomeobjectinview。
FerdishenkoledthegeneraluptoNastasiaPhilipovna。
\"ArdalionAlexandrovitchIvolgin，\"saidthesmilinggeneral，withalowbowofgreatdignity，\"anoldsoldier，unfortunate，andthefatherofthisfamily；buthappyinthehopeofincludinginthatfamilysoexquisite——\"
Hedidnotfinishhissentence，foratthismomentFerdishenkopushedachairupfrombehind，andthegeneral，notveryfirmonhislegs，atthispost-prandialhour，floppedintoitbackwards。
Itwasalwaysadifficultthingtoputthiswarriortoconfusion，andhissuddendescentlefthimascomposedasbefore。HehadsatdownjustoppositetoNastasia，whosefingershenowtook，andraisedtohislipswithgreatelegance，andmuchcourtesy。Thegeneralhadoncebelongedtoaveryselectcircleofsociety，buthehadbeenturnedoutofittwoorthreeyearssinceonaccountofcertainweaknesses，inwhichhenowindulgedwithallthelessrestraint；buthisgoodmannersremainedwithhimtothisday，inspiteofall。
NastasiaPhilipovnaseemeddelightedattheappearanceofthislatestarrival，ofwhomshehadofcourseheardagooddealbyreport。
\"Ihaveheardthatmyson——\"beganArdalionAlexandrovitch。
\"Yourson，indeed！Anicepapayouare！YOUmighthavecometoseemeanyhow，withoutcompromisinganyone。Doyouhideyourself，ordoesyoursonhideyou？\"
\"Thechildrenofthenineteenthcentury，andtheirparents——\"
beganthegeneral，again。
\"NastasiaPhilipovna，willyouexcusethegeneralforamoment？
Someoneisinquiringforhim，\"saidNinaAlexandrovnainaloudvoice，interruptingtheconversation。
\"Excusehim？Ohno，Ihavewishedtoseehimtoolongforthat。
Why，whatbusinesscanhehave？Hehasretired，hasn’the？Youwon’tleaveme，general，willyou？\"
\"Igiveyoumywordthatheshallcomeandseeyou——buthe——heneedsrestjustnow。\"
\"General，theysayyourequirerest，\"saidNastasiaPhilipovna，withthemelancholyfaceofachildwhosetoyistakenaway。
ArdalionAlexandrovitchimmediatelydidhisbesttomakehisfoolishpositionagreatdealworse。
\"Mydear，mydear！\"hesaid，solemnlyandreproachfully，lookingathiswife，withonehandonhisheart。
\"Won’tyouleavetheroom，mamma？\"askedVaria，aloud。
\"No，Varia，Ishallsititouttotheend。\"
Nastasiamusthaveoverheardbothquestionandreply，buthervivacitywasnotintheleastdamped。Onthecontrary，itseemedtoincrease。Sheimmediatelyoverwhelmedthegeneraloncemorewithquestions，andwithinfiveminutesthatgentlemanwasashappyasaking，andholdingforthatthetopofhisvoice，amidthelaughterofalmostallwhoheardhim。
Coliajoggedtheprince’sarm。
\"Can’tYOUgethimoutoftheroom，somehow？DO，please，\"andtearsofannoyancestoodintheboy’seyes。\"CursethatGania！\"
hemuttered，betweenhisteeth。
\"Ohyes，IknewGeneralEpanchinwell，\"GeneralIvolginwassayingatthismoment；\"heandPrinceNicolaiIvanovitchMuishkin——whosesonIhavethisdayembracedafteranabsenceoftwentyyears——andI，werethreeinseparables。Alasoneisinthegrave，torntopiecesbycalumniesandbullets；anotherisnowbeforeyou，stillbattlingwithcalumniesandbullets——\"
\"Bullets？\"criedNastasia。
\"Yes，hereinmychest。IreceivedthematthesiegeofKars，andIfeeltheminbadweathernow。Andastothethirdofourtrio，Epanchin，ofcourseafterthatlittleaffairwiththepoodleintherailwaycarriage，itwasallUPbetweenus。\"
\"Poodle？Whatwasthat？Andinarailwaycarriage？Dearme，\"saidNastasia，thoughtfully，asthoughtryingtorecallsomethingtomind。
\"Oh，justasilly，littleoccurrence，reallynotworthtelling，aboutPrincessBielokonski’sgoverness，MissSmith，and——oh，itisreallynotworthtelling！\"
\"No，no，wemusthaveit！\"criedNastasiamerrily。
\"Yes，ofcourse，\"saidFerdishenko。\"C’estdunouveau。\"
\"Ardalion，\"saidNinaAlexandrovitch，entreatingly。
\"Papa，youarewanted！\"criedColia。
\"Well，itisasillylittlestory，inafewwords，\"beganthedelightedgeneral。\"Acoupleofyearsago，soonafterthenewrailwaywasopened，Ihadtogosomewhereorotheronbusiness。
Well，Itookafirst-classticket，satdown，andbegantosmoke，orratherCONTINUEDtosmoke，forIhadlightedupbefore。Iwasaloneinthecarriage。Smokingisnotallowed，butisnotprohibitedeither；itishalfallowed——sotospeak，winkedat。I
hadthewindowopen。\"
\"Suddenly，justbeforethewhistle，incametwoladieswithalittlepoodle，andsatdownoppositetome；notbad-lookingwomen；onewasinlightblue，theotherinblacksilk。Thepoodle，abeautywithasilvercollar，layonlightblue’sknee。
Theylookedhaughtilyabout，andtalkedEnglishtogether。Itooknonotice，justwentonsmoking。Iobservedthattheladiesweregettingangry——overmycigar，doubtless。Onelookedatmethroughhertortoise-shelleyeglass。
\"Itooknonotice，becausetheyneversaidaword。Iftheydidn’tlikethecigar，whycouldn’ttheysayso？Notaword，notahint！
Suddenly，andwithouttheveryslightestsuspicionofwarning，’lightblue’seizesmycigarfrombetweenmyfingers，and，wheugh！outofthewindowwithit！Well，onflewthetrain，andI
satbewildered，andtheyoungwoman，tallandfair，andratherredintheface，toored，glaredatmewithflashingeyes。
\"Ididn’tsayaword，butwithextremecourtesy，Imaysaywithmostrefinedcourtesy，Ireachedmyfingerandthumbovertowardsthepoodle，tookitupdelicatelybythenapeoftheneck，andchuckeditoutofthewindow，afterthecigar。Thetrainwentflyingon，andthepoodle’syellswerelostinthedistance。\"
\"Oh，younaughtyman！\"criedNastasia，laughingandclappingherhandslikeachild。
\"Bravo！\"saidFerdishenko。Ptitsinlaughedtoo，thoughhehadbeenverysorrytoseethegeneralappear。EvenColialaughedandsaid，\"Bravo！\"
\"AndIwasright，trulyright，\"criedthegeneral，withwarmthandsolemnity，\"forifcigarsareforbiddeninrailwaycarriages，poodlesaremuchmoreso。\"
\"Well，andwhatdidtheladydo？\"askedNastasia，impatiently。
\"She——ah，that’swhereallthemischiefofitlies！\"repliedIvolgin，frowning。\"Withoutaword，asitwere，ofwarning，sheslappedmeonthecheek！Anextraordinarywoman！\"
\"Andyou？\"
Thegeneraldroppedhiseyes，andelevatedhisbrows；shruggedhisshoulders，tightenedhislips，spreadhishands，andremainedsilent。Atlastheblurtedout:
\"Ilostmyhead！\"
\"Didyouhither？\"
\"No，ohno！——therewasagreatflare-up，butIdidn’thither！I
hadtostrugglealittle，purelytodefendmyself；buttheverydevilwasinthebusiness。Itturnedoutthat’lightblue’wasanEnglishwoman，governessorsomething，atPrincessBielokonski’s，andtheotherwomanwasoneoftheold-maidprincessesBielokonski。Well，everybodyknowswhatgreatfriendstheprincessandMrs。Epanchinare，sotherewasaprettykettleoffish。AlltheBielokonskiswentintomourningforthepoodle。Sixprincessesintears，andtheEnglishwomanshrieking！
\"OfcourseIwroteanapology，andcalled，buttheywouldnotreceiveeithermeormyapology，andtheEpanchinscutme，too！\"
\"Butwait，\"saidNastasia。\"Howisitthat，fiveorsixdayssince，Ireadexactlythesamestoryinthepaper，ashappeningbetweenaFrenchmanandanEnglishgirl？Thecigarwassnatchedawayexactlyasyoudescribe，andthepoodlewaschuckedoutofthewindowafterit。Theslappingcameoff，too，asinyourcase；
andthegirl’sdresswaslightblue！\"