Yousee，excellency，alltheworldiswittyandcleverexceptmyself。Iamneither。AsakindofcompensationIamallowedtotellthetruth，foritisawell-knownfactthatonlystupidpeopletell’thetruth。Addedtothis，Iamaspitefulman，justbecauseIamnotclever。IfIamoffendedorinjuredIbearitquitepatientlyuntilthemaninjuringmemeetswithsomemisfortune。ThenIremember，andtakemyrevenge。Ireturntheinjurysevenfold，asIvanPetrovitchPtitsinsays。Ofcourseheneverdoessohimself。Excellency，nodoubtyourecollectKryloff’sfable，’TheLionandtheAss’？Wellnow，that’syouandI。Thatfablewaswrittenpreciselyforus。\"
\"Youseemtobetalkingnonsenseagain，Ferdishenko，\"growledthegeneral。
\"Whatisthematter，excellency？Iknowhowtokeepmyplace。
WhenIsaidjustnowthatwe，youandI，werethelionandtheassofKryloff’sfable，ofcourseitisunderstoodthatItaketheroleoftheass。Yourexcellencyisthelionofwhichthefableremarks:
’Amightylion，terrorofthewoods，Wasshornofhisgreatprowessbyoldage。’
AndI，yourexcellency，amtheass。\"
\"Iamofyouropiniononthatlastpoint，\"saidIvanFedorovitch，withill-concealedirritation。
Allthiswasnodoubtextremelycoarse，andmoreoveritwaspremeditated，butafterallFerdishenkohadpersuadedeveryonetoaccepthimasabuffoon。
\"IfIamadmittedandtoleratedhere，\"hehadsaidoneday，\"itissimplybecauseItalkinthisway。HowcananyonepossiblyreceivesuchamanasIam？Iquiteunderstand。Now，couldI，aFerdishenko，beallowedtositshouldertoshoulderwithaclevermanlikeAfanasyIvanovitch？Thereisoneexplanation，onlyone。
Iamgiventhepositionbecauseitissoentirelyinconceivable！\"
ButthesevulgaritiesseemedtopleaseNastasiaPhilipovna，althoughtoooftentheywerebothrudeandoffensive。ThosewhowishedtogotoherhousewereforcedtoputupwithFerdishenko。
PossiblythelatterwasnotmistakeninimaginingthathewasreceivedsimplyinordertoannoyTotski，whodislikedhimextremely。Ganiaalsowasoftenmadethebuttofthejester’ssarcasms，whousedthismethodofkeepinginNastasiaPhilipovna’sgoodgraces。
\"Theprincewillbeginbysingingusafashionableditty，\"
remarkedFerdishenko，andlookedatthemistressofthehouse，toseewhatshewouldsay。
\"Idon’tthinkso，Ferdishenko；pleasebequiet，\"answeredNastasiaPhilipovnadryly。
\"A-ah！ifheistobeunderspecialpatronage，Iwithdrawmyclaws。\"
ButNastasiaPhilipovnahadnowrisenandadvancedtomeettheprince。
\"Iwassosorrytohaveforgottentoaskyoutocome，whenIsawyou，\"shesaid，\"andIamdelightedtobeabletothankyoupersonallynow，andtoexpressmypleasureatyourresolution。\"
Sosayingshegazedintohiseyes，longingtoseewhethershecouldmakeanyguessastotheexplanationofhismotiveincomingtoherhouse。Theprincewouldverylikelyhavemadesomereplytoherkindwords，buthewassodazzledbyherappearancethathecouldnotspeak。
Nastasianoticedthiswithsatisfaction。Shewasinfulldressthisevening；andherappearancewascertainlycalculatedtoimpressallbeholders。Shetookhishandandledhimtowardsherotherguests。Butjustbeforetheyreachedthedrawing-roomdoor，theprincestoppedher，andhurriedlyandingreatagitationwhisperedtoher:
\"Youarealtogetherperfection；evenyourpallorandthinnessareperfect；onecouldnotwishyouotherwise。Ididsowishtocomeandseeyou。I——forgiveme，please——\"
\"Don’tapologize，\"saidNastasia，laughing；\"youspoilthewholeoriginalityofthething。Ithinkwhattheysayaboutyoumustbetrue，thatyouaresooriginal——Soyouthinkmeperfection，doyou？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"H’m！Well，youmaybeagoodreaderofriddlesbutyouarewrongTHERE，atallevents。I’llremindyouofthis，tonight。\"
Nastasiaintroducedtheprincetoherguests，tomostofwhomhewasalreadyknown。
Totskiimmediatelymadesomeamiableremark。Alseemedtobrightenupatonce，andtheconversationbecamegeneral。
Nastasiamadetheprincesitdownnexttoherself。
\"Dearme，there’snothingsoverycuriousabouttheprincedroppingin，afterall，\"remarkedFerdishenko。
\"It’squiteaclearcase，\"saidthehithertosilentGania。Ihavewatchedtheprincealmostallday，eversincethemomentwhenhefirstsawNastasiaPhilipovna’sportrait，atGeneralEpanchin’s。
IrememberthinkingatthetimewhatIamnowprettysureof；andwhat，Imaysayinpassing，theprinceconfessedtomyself。\"
Ganiasaidallthisperfectlyseriously，andwithouttheslightestappearanceofjoking；indeed，heseemedstrangelygloomy。
\"Ididnotconfessanythingtoyou，\"saidtheprince，blushing。
\"Ionlyansweredyourquestion。\"
\"Bravo！That’sfrank，atanyrate！\"shoutedFerdishenko，andtherewasgenerallaughter。
\"Ohprince，prince！Inevershouldhavethoughtitofyou；\"saidGeneralEpanchin。\"AndIimaginedyouaphilosopher！Oh，yousilentfellows！\"
\"Judgingfromthefactthattheprinceblushedatthisinnocentjoke，likeayounggirl，Ishouldthinkthathemust，asanhonourableman，harbourthenoblestintentions，\"saidtheoldtoothlessschoolmaster，mostunexpectedly；hehadnotsomuchasopenedhismouthbefore。Thisremarkprovokedgeneralmirth，andtheoldfellowhimselflaughedloudestofthelot，butendedwithastupendousfitofcoughing。
NastasiaPhilipovna，wholovedoriginalityanddrolleryofallkinds，wasapparentlyveryfondofthisoldman，andrangthebellformoreteatostophiscoughing。Itwasnowhalf-pastteno’clock。
\"Gentlemen，wouldn’tyoulikealittlechampagnenow？\"sheasked。
\"Ihaveitallready；itwillcheerusup——donow——noceremony！\"
Thisinvitationtodrink，couched，asitwas，insuchinformalterms，cameverystrangelyfromNastasiaPhilipovna。Herusualentertainmentswerenotquitelikethis；therewasmorestyleaboutthem。However，thewinewasnotrefused；eachguesttookaglassexceptingGania，whodranknothing。
ItwasextremelydifficulttoaccountforNastasia’sstrangeconditionofmind，whichbecamemoreevidenteachmoment，andwhichnonecouldavoidnoticing。
Shetookherglass，andvowedshewouldemptyitthreetimesthatevening。Shewashysterical，andlaughedaloudeveryotherminutewithnoapparentreason——thenextmomentrelapsingintogloomandthoughtfulness。
Someofherguestssuspectedthatshemustbeill；butconcludedatlastthatshewasexpectingsomething，forshecontinuedtolookatherwatchimpatientlyandunceasingly；shewasmostabsentandstrange。
\"Youseemtobealittlefeverishtonight，\"saidtheactress。
\"Yes；Ifeelquiteill。Ihavebeenobligedtoputonthisshawl——Ifeelsocold，\"repliedNastasia。Shecertainlyhadgrownverypale，andeverynowandthenshetriedtosuppressatremblinginherlimbs。
\"Hadwenotbetterallowourhostesstoretire？\"askedTotskiofthegeneral。
\"Notatall，gentlemen，notatall！Yourpresenceisabsolutelynecessarytometonight，\"saidNastasia，significantly。
Asmostofthosepresentwereawarethatthiseveningacertainveryimportantdecisionwastobetaken，thesewordsofNastasiaPhilipovna’sappearedtobefraughtwithmuchhiddeninterest。
ThegeneralandTotskiexchangedlooks；Ganiafidgetedconvulsivelyinhischair。
\"Let’splayatsomegame！\"suggestedtheactress。
\"Iknowanewandmostdelightfulgame，addedFerdishenko。
\"Whatisit？\"askedtheactress。
\"Well，whenwetrieditwewereapartyofpeople，likethis，forinstance；andsomebodyproposedthateachofus，withoutleavinghisplaceatthetable，shouldrelatesomethingabouthimself。Ithadtobesomethingthathereallyandhonestlyconsideredtheveryworstactionhehadevercommittedinhislife。Buthewastobehonest——thatwasthechiefpoint！Hewasn’ttobeallowedtolie。\"
\"Whatanextraordinaryidea！\"saidthegeneral。
\"That’sthebeautyofit，general！\"
\"It’safunnynotion，\"saidTotski，\"andyetquitenatural——it’sonlyanewwayofboasting。\"
\"Perhapsthatisjustwhatwassofascinatingaboutit。\"
\"Why，itwouldbeagametocryover——nottolaughat！\"saidtheactress。
\"Diditsucceed？\"askedNastasiaPhilipovna。\"Come，let’stryit，let’stryit；wereallyarenotquitesojollyaswemightbe——
let’stryit！Wemaylikeit；it’soriginal，atallevents！\"
\"Yes，\"saidFerdishenko；\"it’sagoodidea——comealong——themenbegin。Ofcoursenooneneedtellastoryifhepreferstobedisobliging。Wemustdrawlots！Throwyourslipsofpaper，gentlemen，intothishat，andtheprinceshalldrawforturns。
It’saverysimplegame；allyouhavetodoistotellthestoryoftheworstactionofyourlife。It’sassimpleasanything。
I’llpromptanyonewhoforgetstherules！\"
Noonelikedtheideamuch。Somesmiled，somefrownedsomeobjected，butfaintly，notwishingtoopposeNastasia’swishes；
forthisnewideaseemedtoberatherwellreceivedbyher。Shewasstillinanexcited，hystericalstate，laughingconvulsivelyatnothingandeverything。Hereyeswereblazing，andhercheeksshowedtwobrightredspotsagainstthewhite。Themelancholyappearanceofsomeofherguestsseemedtoaddtohersarcastichumour，andperhapstheverycynicismandcrueltyofthegameproposedbyFerdishenkopleasedher。Atalleventsshewasattractedbytheidea，andgraduallyherguestscameroundtoherside；thethingwasoriginal，atleast，andmightturnouttobeamusing。\"Andsupposingit’ssomethingthatone——onecan’tspeakaboutbeforeladies？\"askedthetimidandsilentyoungman。
\"Why，thenofcourse，youwon’tsayanythingaboutit。Asiftherearenotplentyofsinstoyourscorewithouttheneedofthose！\"saidFerdishenko。
\"ButIreallydon’tknowwhichofmyactionsistheworst，\"saidthelivelyactress。
\"Ladiesareexemptediftheylike。\"
\"Andhowareyoutoknowthatoneisn’tlying？Andifoneliesthewholepointofthegameislost，\"saidGania。
\"Oh，butthinkhowdelightfultohearhowone’sfriendslie！
Besidesyouneedn’tbeafraid，Gania；everybodyknowswhatyourworstactioniswithouttheneedofanylyingonyourpart。Onlythink，gentlemen，\"——andFerdishenkoheregrewquiteenthusiastic，\"onlythinkwithwhateyesweshallobserveoneanothertomorrow，afterourtaleshavebeentold！\"
\"Butsurelythisisajoke，NastasiaPhilipovna？\"askedTotski。
\"Youdon’treallymeanustoplaythisgame。\"
\"Whoeverisafraidofwolveshadbetternotgointothewood，\"
saidNastasia，smiling。
\"But，pardonme，Mr。Ferdishenko，isitpossibletomakeagameoutofthiskindofthing？\"persistedTotski，growingmoreandmoreuneasy。\"Iassureyouitcan’tbeasuccess。\"
\"Andwhynot？Why，thelasttimeIsimplytoldstraightoffabouthowIstolethreeroubles。\"
\"Perhapsso；butitishardlypossiblethatyoutolditsothatitseemedliketruth，orsothatyouwerebelieved。And，asGavrilaArdalionovitchhassaid，theleastsuggestionofafalsehoodtakesallpointoutofthegame。Itseemstomethatsincerity，ontheotherhand，isonlypossibleifcombinedwithakindofbadtastethatwouldbeutterlyoutofplacehere。\"
\"Howsubtleyouare，AfanasyIvanovitch！Youastonishme，\"criedFerdishenko。\"Youwillremark，gentleman，thatinsayingthatI
couldnotrecountthestoryofmytheftsoastobebelieved，AfanasyIvanovitchhasveryingeniouslyimpliedthatIamnotcapableofthieving——itwouldhavebeenbadtastetosaysoopenly；andallthetimeheisprobablyfirmlyconvinced，inhisownmind，thatIamverywellcapableofit！Butnow，gentlemen，tobusiness！Putinyourslips，ladiesandgentlemen——isyoursin，Mr。Totski？So——thenweareallready；nowprince，draw，please。\"
Theprincesilentlyputhishandintothehat，anddrewthenames。Ferdishenkowasfirst，thenPtitsin，thenthegeneral，Totskinext，hisownfifth，thenGania，andsoon；theladiesdidnotdraw。
\"Oh，dear！oh，dear！\"criedFerdishenko。\"Ididsohopetheprincewouldcomeoutfirst，andthenthegeneral。Well，gentlemen，IsupposeImustsetagoodexample！WhatvexesmemuchisthatIamsuchaninsignificantcreaturethatitmattersnothingtoanybodywhetherIhavedonebadactionsornot！
Besides，whichamItochoose？It’sanembarrasderichesse。
ShallItellhowIbecameathiefononeoccasiononly，toconvinceAfanasyIvanovitchthatitispossibletostealwithoutbeingathief？\"
\"Dogoon，Ferdishenko，anddon’tmakeunnecessarypreface，oryou’llneverfinish，\"saidNastasiaPhilipovna。Allobservedhowirritableandcrossshehadbecomesinceherlastburstoflaughter；butnonethelessobstinatelydidshesticktoherabsurdwhimaboutthisnewgame。Totskisatlookingmiserableenough。Thegenerallingeredoverhischampagne，andseemedtobethinkingofsomestoryforthetimewhenhisturnshouldcome。
XIV。
\"Ihavenowit，NastasiaPhilipovna，\"beganFerdishenko，\"andthereforeItalktoomuch，perhaps。WereIaswitty，now，asMr。
Totskiorthegeneral，Ishouldprobablyhavesatsilentalltheevening，astheyhave。Now，prince，whatdoyouthink？——aretherenotfarmorethievesthanhonestmeninthisworld？Don’tyouthinkwemaysaytheredoesnotexistasinglepersonsohonestthathehasneverstolenanythingwhateverinhislife？\"
\"Whatasillyidea，\"saidtheactress。\"Ofcourseitisnotthecase。Ihaveneverstolenanything，forone。\"
\"H’m！verywell，DariaAlexeyevna；youhavenotstolenanything——
agreed。Buthowabouttheprince，now——lookhowheisblushing！\"
\"Ithinkyouarepartiallyright，butyouexaggerate，\"saidtheprince，whohadcertainlyblushedup，ofasudden，forsomereasonorother。
\"Ferdishenko——eithertellusyourstory，orbequiet，andmindyourownbusiness。Youexhaustallpatience，\"cuttinglyandirritablyremarkedNastasiaPhilipovna。
\"Immediately，immediately！Asformystory，gentlemen，itistoostupidandabsurdtotellyou。
\"IassureyouIamnotathief，andyetIhavestolen；Icannotexplainwhy。ItwasatSemeonIvanovitchIshenka’scountryhouse，oneSunday。Hehadadinnerparty。Afterdinnerthemenstayedatthetableovertheirwine。Itstruckmetoaskthedaughterofthehousetoplaysomethingonthepiano；soIpassedthroughthecornerroomtojointheladies。Inthatroom，onMariaIvanovna’swriting-table，Iobservedathree-roublenote。Shemusthavetakenitoutforsomepurpose，andleftitlyingthere。Therewasnooneabout。Itookupthenoteandputitinmypocket；why，I
can’tsay。Idon’tknowwhatpossessedmetodoit，butitwasdone，andIwentquicklybacktothedining-roomandreseatedmyselfatthedinner-table。Isatandwaitedthereinagreatstateofexcitement。Italkedhard，andtoldlotsofstories，andlaughedlikemad；thenIjoinedtheladies。
\"Inhalfanhourorsothelosswasdiscovered，andtheservantswerebeingputunderexamination。Daria，thehousemaidwassuspected。Iexhibitedthegreatestinterestandsympathy，andI
rememberthatpoorDariaquitelostherhead，andthatIbeganassuringher，beforeeveryone，thatIwouldguaranteeherforgivenessonthepartofhermistress，ifshewouldconfessherguilt。Theyallstaredatthegirl，andIrememberawonderfulattractioninthereflectionthatherewasIsermonizingaway，withthemoneyinmyownpocketallthewhile。Iwentandspentthethreeroublesthatveryeveningatarestaurant。IwentinandaskedforabottleofLafite，anddrankitup；Iwantedtoberidofthemoney。
\"Ididnotfeelmuchremorseeitherthenorafterwards；butI
wouldnotrepeattheperformance——believeitornotasyouplease。There——that’sall。\"
\"Only，ofcoursethat’snotnearlyyourworstaction，\"saidtheactress，withevidentdislikeinherface。
\"Thatwasapsychologicalphenomenon，notanaction，\"remarkedTotski。
\"Andwhataboutthemaid？\"askedNastasiaPhilipovna，withundisguisedcontempt。
\"Oh，shewasturnedoutnextday，ofcourse。It’saverystricthousehold，there！\"
\"Andyouallowedit？\"
\"Ishouldthinkso，rather！Iwasnotgoingtoreturnandconfessnextday，\"laughedFerdishenko，whoseemedalittlesurprisedatthedisagreeableimpressionwhichhisstoryhadmadeonallparties。
\"Howmeanyouwere！\"saidNastasia。
\"Bah！youwishtohearamantellofhisworstactions，andyouexpectthestorytocomeoutgoody-goody！One’sworstactionsalwaysaremean。Weshallseewhatthegeneralhastosayforhimselfnow。Allisnotgoldthatglitters，youknow；andbecauseamankeepshiscarriageheneednotbespeciallyvirtuous，I
assureyou，allsortsofpeoplekeepcarriages。Andbywhatmeans？\"
Inaword，Ferdishenkowasveryangryandrapidlyforgettinghimself；hiswholefacewasdrawnwithpassion。Strangeasitmayappear，hehadexpectedmuchbettersuccessforhisstory。TheselittleerrorsoftasteonFerdishenko’spartoccurredveryfrequently。Nastasiatrembledwithrage，andlookedfixedlyathim，whereuponherelapsedintoalarmedsilence。Herealizedthathehadgonealittletoofar。
\"Hadwenotbetterendthisgame？\"askedTotski。
\"It’smyturn，butIpleadexemption，\"saidPtitsin。
\"Youdon’tcaretoobligeus？\"askedNastasia。
\"Icannot，Iassureyou。IconfessIdonotunderstandhowanyonecanplaythisgame。\"
\"Then，general，it’syourturn，\"continuedNastasiaPhilipovna，\"andifyourefuse，thewholegamewillfallthrough，whichwilldisappointmeverymuch，forIwaslookingforwardtorelatingacertain’pageofmyownlife。’IamonlywaitingforyouandAfanasyIvanovitchtohaveyourturns，forIrequirethesupportofyourexample，\"sheadded，smiling。
\"Oh，ifyouputitinthatway\"criedthegeneral，excitedly，\"I’mreadytotellthewholestoryofmylife，butImustconfessthatIpreparedalittlestoryinanticipationofmyturn。\"
Nastasiasmiledamiablyathim；butevidentlyherdepressionandirritabilitywereincreasingwitheverymoment。Totskiwasdreadfullyalarmedtohearherpromisearevelationoutofherownlife。
\"I，likeeveryoneelse，\"beganthegeneral，\"havecommittedcertainnotaltogethergracefulactions，sotospeak，duringthecourseofmylife。Butthestrangestthingofallinmycaseis，thatIshouldconsiderthelittleanecdotewhichIamnowabouttogiveyouasaconfessionoftheworstofmy’badactions。’Itisthirty-fiveyearssinceitallhappened，andyetIcannottothisverydayrecallthecircumstanceswithout，asitwere，asuddenpangattheheart。
\"Itwasasillyaffair——Iwasanensignatthetime。Youknowensigns——theirbloodisboilingwater，theircircumstancesgenerallypenurious。Well，IhadaservantNikiforwhousedtodoeverythingformeinmyquarters，economizedandmanagedforme，andevenlaidhandsonanythinghecouldfindbelongingtootherpeople，inordertoaugmentourhouseholdgoods；butafaithful，honestfellowallthesame。
\"Iwasstrict，butjustbynature。Atthattimewewerestationedinasmalltown。Iwasquarteredatanoldwidow’shouse，alieutenant’swidowofeightyyearsofage。Shelivedinawretchedlittlewoodenhouse，andhadnotevenaservant，sopoorwasshe。
\"Herrelationshadalldiedoff——herhusbandwasdeadandburiedfortyyearssince；andaniece，whohadlivedwithherandbulliedheruptothreeyearsago，wasdeadtoo；sothatshewasquitealone。
\"Well，Iwaspreciousdullwithher，especiallyasshewassochildishthattherewasnothingtobegotoutofher。Eventually，shestoleafowlofmine；thebusinessisamysterytothisday；
butitcouldhavebeennoonebutherself。Irequestedtobequarteredsomewhereelse，andwasshiftedtotheotherendofthetown，tothehouseofamerchantwithalargefamily，andalongbeard，asIrememberhim。NikiforandIweredelightedtogo；buttheoldladywasnotpleasedatourdeparture。
\"Well，adayortwoafterwards，whenIreturnedfromdrill，Nikiforsaystome:’Weoughtn’ttohaveleftourtureenwiththeoldlady，I’venothingtoservethesoupin。’
\"Iaskedhowitcameaboutthatthetureenhadbeenleft。Nikiforexplainedthattheoldladyrefusedtogiveitup，because，shesaid，wehadbrokenherbowl，andshemusthaveourtureeninplaceofit；shehaddeclaredthatIhadsoarrangedthematterwithherself。
\"Thisbasenessonherpartofcoursearousedmyyoungbloodtofeverheat；Ijumpedup，andawayIflew。
\"Iarrivedattheoldwoman’shousebesidemyself。Shewassittinginacornerallalone，leaningherfaceonherhand。I
fellonherlikeaclapofthunder。’Youoldwretch！’Iyelledandallthatsortofthing，inrealRussianstyle。Well，whenI
begancursingather，astrangethinghappened。Ilookedather，andshestaredbackwithhereyesstartingoutofherhead，butshedidnotsayaword。Sheseemedtoswayaboutasshesat，andlookedandlookedatmeinthestrangestway。Well，Isoonstoppedswearingandlookedcloserather，askedherquestions，butnotawordcouldIgetoutofher。Theflieswerebuzzingabouttheroomandonlythissoundbrokethesilence；thesunwassettingoutside；Ididn’tknowwhattomakeofit，soIwentaway。
\"BeforeIreachedhomeIwasmetandsummonedtothemajor’s，sothatitwassomewhilebeforeIactuallygotthere。WhenIcamein，Nikiformetme。’Haveyouheard，sir，thatouroldladyisdead？’’DEAD，when？’’Oh，anhourandahalfago。’ThatmeantnothingmorenorlessthanthatshewasdyingatthemomentwhenIpouncedonherandbeganabusingher。
\"Thisproducedagreateffectuponme。Iusedtodreamofthepooroldwomanatnights。Ireallyamnotsuperstitious，buttwodaysafter，Iwenttoherfuneral，andastimewentonIthoughtmoreandmoreabouther。Isaidtomyself，’Thiswoman，thishumanbeing，livedtoagreatage。Shehadchildren，ahusbandandfamily，friendsandrelations；herhouseholdwasbusyandcheerful；shewassurroundedbysmilingfaces；andthensuddenlytheyaregone，andsheisleftalonelikeasolitaryfly……likeafly，cursedwiththeburdenofherage。Atlast，GodcallshertoHimself。Atsunset，onalovelysummer’sevening，mylittleoldwomanpassesaway——athought，youwillnotice，whichoffersmuchfoodforreflection——andbehold！insteadoftearsandprayerstostartheronherlastjourney，shehasinsultsandjeersfromayoungensign，whostandsbeforeherwithhishandsinhispockets，makingaterriblerowaboutasouptureen！’OfcourseIwastoblame，andevennowthatIhavetimetolookbackatitcalmly，Ipitythepooroldthingnoless。IrepeatthatI
wonderatmyself，forafterallIwasnotreallyresponsible。Whydidshetakeitintoherheadtodieatthatmoment？ButthemoreIthoughtofit，themoreIfelttheweightofituponmymind；
andInevergotquiteridoftheimpressionuntilIputacoupleofoldwomenintoanalmshouseandkeptthemthereatmyownexpense。There，that’sall。IrepeatIdaresayIhavecommittedmanyagrievoussininmyday；butIcannothelpalwayslookingbackuponthisastheworstactionIhaveeverperpetrated。\"
\"H’m！andinsteadofabadaction，yourexcellencyhasdetailedoneofyournoblestdeeds，\"saidFerdishenko。\"Ferdishenkois’done。’\"
\"Dearme，general，\"saidNastasiaPhilipovna，absently，\"Ireallyneverimaginedyouhadsuchagoodheart。\"
Thegenerallaughedwithgreatsatisfaction，andappliedhimselfoncemoretothechampagne。
ItwasnowTotski’sturn，andhisstorywasawaitedwithgreatcuriosity——whilealleyesturnedonNastasiaPhilipovna，asthoughanticipatingthathisrevelationmustbeconnectedsomehowwithher。Nastasia，duringthewholeofhisstory，pulledatthelacetrimmingofhersleeve，andneveronceglancedatthespeaker。Totskiwasahandsomeman，ratherstout，withaverypoliteanddignifiedmanner。Hewasalwayswelldressed，andhislinenwasexquisite。Hehadplumpwhitehands，andworeamagnificentdiamondringononefinger。
\"Whatsimplifiesthedutybeforemeconsiderably，inmyopinion，\"
hebegan，\"isthatIamboundtorecallandrelatetheveryworstactionofmylife。Insuchcircumstancestherecan，ofcourse，benodoubt。One’sconscienceverysooninformsonewhatisthepropernarrativetotell。Iadmit，thatamongthemanysillyandthoughtlessactionsofmylife，thememoryofonecomesprominentlyforwardandremindsmethatitlaylonglikeastoneonmyheart。Sometwentyyearssince，IpaidavisittoPlatonOrdintzeffathiscountry-house。Hehadjustbeenelectedmarshalofthenobility，andhadcometherewithhisyoungwifeforthewinterholidays。AnfisaAlexeyevna’sbirthdaycameoffjustthen，too，andthereweretwoballsarranged。AtthattimeDumas-fils’
beautifulwork，LaDameauxCamelias——anovelwhichIconsiderimperishable——hadjustcomeintofashion。Intheprovincesalltheladieswereinrapturesoverit，thosewhohadreadit，atleast。
Camelliaswereallthefashion。Everyoneinquiredforthem，everybodywantedthem；andagrandlotofcamelliasaretobegotinacountrytown——asyouallknow——andtwoballstoprovidefor！
\"PoorPeterVolhofskoiwasdesperatelyinlovewithAnfisaAlexeyevna。Idon’tknowwhethertherewasanything——ImeanI
don’tknowwhetherhecouldpossiblyhaveindulgedinanyhope。
Thepoorfellowwasbesidehimselftogetherabouquetofcamellias。CountessSotskiandSophiaBespalova，aseveryoneknew，werecomingwithwhitecamelliabouquets。Anfisawishedforredones，foreffect。Well，herhusbandPlatonwasdrivendesperatetofindsome。Andthedaybeforetheball，Anfisa’srivalsnappeduptheonlyredcamelliastobehadintheplace，fromunderPlaton’snose，andPlaton——wretchedman——wasdonefor。
NowifPeterhadonlybeenabletostepinatthismomentwitharedbouquet，hislittlehopesmighthavemadegiganticstrides。A
woman’sgratitudeundersuchcircumstanceswouldhavebeenboundless——butitwaspracticallyanimpossibility。
\"ThenightbeforetheballImetPeter，lookingradiant。’Whatisit？’Iask。’I’vefoundthem，Eureka！\"’No！where，where？’’AtEkshaiskalittletownfifteenmilesoffthere’saricholdmerchant，whokeepsalotofcanaries，hasnochildren，andheandhiswifearedevotedtoflowers。He’sgotsomecamellias。’
’Andwhatifhewon’tletyouhavethem？’’I’llgoonmykneesandimploretillIgetthem。Iwon’tgoaway。’’Whenshallyoustart？’’Tomorrowmorningatfiveo’clock。’’Goon，’Isaid，’andgoodlucktoyou。’
\"Iwasgladforthepoorfellow，andwenthome。Butanideagotholdofmesomehow。Idon’tknowhow。Itwasnearlytwointhemorning。Irangthebellandorderedthecoachmantobewakedupandsenttome。Hecame。Igavehimatipoffifteenroubles，andtoldhimtogetthecarriagereadyatonce。Inhalfanhouritwasatthedoor。Igotinandoffwewent。
\"ByfiveIdrewupattheEkshaiskyinn。Iwaitedtheretilldawn，andsoonaftersixIwasoff，andattheoldmerchantTrepalaf’s。
\"’Camellias！’Isaid，’father，saveme，saveme，letmehavesomecamellias！’Hewasatall，greyoldman——aterrible-lookingoldgentleman。’Notabitofit，’hesays。’Iwon’t。’DownIwentonmyknees。’Don’tsayso，don’t——thinkwhatyou’redoing！’I
cried；’it’samatteroflifeanddeath！’’Ifthat’sthecase，takethem，’sayshe。SoupIget，andcutsuchabouquetofredcamellias！Hehadawholegreenhousefullofthem——lovelyones。
Theoldfellowsighs。Ipulloutahundredroubles。’No，no！’
sayshe，’don’tinsultmethatway。’’Oh，ifthat’sthecase，giveittothevillagehospital，’Isay。’Ah，’hesays，’that’squiteadifferentmatter；that’sgoodofyouandgenerous。I’llpayitinthereforyouwithpleasure。’Ilikedthatoldfellow，Russiantothecore，delavraiesouche。Iwenthomeinraptures，buttookanotherroadinordertoavoidPeter。ImmediatelyonarrivingIsentupthebouquetforAnfisatoseewhensheawoke。
\"Youmayimagineherecstasy，hergratitude。ThewretchedPlaton，whohadalmostdiedsinceyesterdayofthereproachesshowereduponhim，weptonmyshoulder。OfcoursepoorPeterhadnochanceafterthis。
\"Ithoughthewouldcutmythroatatfirst，andwentaboutarmedreadytomeethim。Buthetookitdifferently；hefainted，andhadbrainfeverandconvulsions。Amonthafter，whenhehadhardlyrecovered，hewentofftotheCrimea，andtherehewasshot。
\"Iassureyouthisbusinessleftmenopeaceformanyalongyear。WhydidIdoit？Iwasnotinlovewithhermyself；I’mafraiditwassimplymischief——pure’cussedness’onmypart。
\"IfIhadn’tseizedthatbouquetfromunderhisnosehemighthavebeenalivenow，andahappyman。Hemighthavebeensuccessfulinlife，andneverhavegonetofighttheTurks。\"
Totskiendedhistalewiththesamedignitythathadcharacterizeditscommencement。
NastasiaPhilipovna’seyeswereflashinginamostunmistakableway，now；andherlipswerealla-quiverbythetimeTotskifinishedhisstory。
Allpresentwatchedbothofthemwithcuriosity。
\"Youwereright，Totski，\"saidNastasia，\"itisadullgameandastupidone。I’lljusttellmystory，asIpromised，andthenwe’llplaycards。\"
\"Yes，butlet’shavethestoryfirst！\"criedthegeneral。
\"Prince，\"saidNastasiaPhilipovna，unexpectedlyturningtoMuishkin，\"herearemyoldfriends，TotskiandGeneralEpanchin，whowishtomarrymeoff。Tellmewhatyouthink。ShallImarryornot？Asyoudecide，soshallitbe。\"
Totskigrewwhiteasasheet。Thegeneralwasstruckdumb。Allpresentstartedandlistenedintently。Ganiasatrootedtohischair。
\"Marrywhom？\"askedtheprince，faintly。
\"GavrilaArdalionovitchIvolgin，\"saidNastasia，firmlyandevenly。
Therewereafewsecondsofdeadsilence。
Theprincetriedtospeak，butcouldnotformhiswords；agreatweightseemedtolieuponhisbreastandsuffocatehim。
\"N-no！don’tmarryhim！\"hewhisperedatlast，drawinghisbreathwithaneffort。
\"Sobeit，then。GavrilaArdalionovitch，\"shespokesolemnlyandforcibly，\"youheartheprince’sdecision？Takeitasmydecision；andletthatbetheendofthematterforgoodandall。\"
\"NastasiaPhilipovna！\"criedTotski，inaquakingvoice。
\"NastasiaPhilipovna！\"saidthegeneral，inpersuasivebutagitatedtones。
Everyoneintheroomfidgetedintheirplaces，andwaitedtoseewhatwascomingnext。
\"Well，gentlemen！\"shecontinued，gazingaroundinapparentastonishment；\"whatdoyoualllooksoalarmedabout？Whyareyousoupset？\"
\"But——recollect，NastasiaPhilipovna。\"stammeredTotski，\"yougaveapromise，quiteafreeone，and——andyoumighthavesparedusthis。Iamconfusedandbewildered，Iknow；but，inaword，atsuchamoment，andbeforecompany，andallso-so-irregular，finishingoffagamewithaseriousmatterlikethis，amatterofhonour，andofheart，and——\"
\"Idon’tfollowyou，AfanasyIvanovitch；youarelosingyourhead。Inthefirstplace，whatdoyoumeanby’beforecompany’？
Isn’tthecompanygoodenoughforyou？Andwhat’sallthatabout’agame’？Iwishedtotellmylittlestory，andItoldit！Don’tyoulikeit？YouheardwhatIsaidtotheprince？’Asyoudecide，soitshallbe！’Ifhehadsaid’yes，’Ishouldhavegivenmyconsent！Buthesaid’no，’soIrefused。Herewasmywholelifehangingonhisoneword！SurelyIwasseriousenough？\"
\"Theprince！Whatonearthhastheprincegottodowithit？Whothedeuceistheprince？\"criedthegeneral，whocouldconcealhiswrathnolonger。
\"Theprincehasthistodowithit——thatIseeinhim。forthefirsttimeinallmylife，amanendowedwithrealtruthfulnessofspirit，andItrusthim。Hetrustedmeatfirstsight，andI
trusthim！\"
\"Itonlyremainsforme，then，tothankNastasiaPhilipovnaforthegreatdelicacywithwhichshehastreatedme，\"saidGania，aspaleasdeath，andwithquiveringlips。\"Thatismyplainduty，ofcourse；buttheprince——whathashetodointhematter？\"
\"Iseewhatyouaredrivingat，\"saidNastasiaPhilipovna。\"Youimplythattheprinceisaftertheseventy-fivethousandroubles——Iquiteunderstandyou。Mr。Totski，Iforgottosay，’Takeyourseventy-fivethousandroubles’——Idon’twantthem。Iletyougofreefornothingtakeyourfreedom！Youmustneedit。Nineyearsandthreemonths’captivityisenoughforanybody。TomorrowI
shallstartafresh——todayIamafreeagentforthefirsttimeinmylife。
\"General，youmusttakeyourpearlsback，too——givethemtoyourwife——heretheyare！TomorrowIshallleavethisflataltogether，andthenthere’llbenomoreofthesepleasantlittlesocialgatherings，ladiesandgentlemen。\"
Sosaying，shescornfullyrosefromherseatasthoughtodepart。
\"NastasiaPhilipovna！NastasiaPhilipovna！\"
Thewordsburstinvoluntarilyfromeverymouth。Allpresentstartedupinbewilderedexcitement；allsurroundedher；allhadlisteneduneasilytoherwild，disconnectedsentences。Allfeltthatsomethinghadhappened，somethinghadgoneveryfarwrongindeed，butnoonecouldmakeheadortailofthematter。
Atthismomenttherewasafuriousringatthebell，andagreatknockatthedoor——exactlysimilartotheonewhichhadstartledthecompanyatGania’shouseintheafternoon。
\"Ah，ah！here’stheclimaxatlast，athalf-pasttwelve！\"criedNastasiaPhilipovna。\"Sitdown，gentlemen，Ibegyou。Somethingisabouttohappen。\"
Sosaying，shereseatedherself；astrangesmileplayedonherlips。Shesatquitestill，butwatchedthedoorinafeverofimpatience。
\"Rogojinandhishundredthousandroubles，nodoubtofit，\"
mutteredPtitsintohimself。
XV。
Katia，themaid-servant，madeherappearance，terriblyfrightened。
\"Goodnessknowswhatitmeans，ma’am，\"shesaid。\"Thereisawholecollectionofmencome——alltipsy——andwanttoseeyou。Theysaythat’it’sRogojin，andsheknowsallaboutit。’\"
\"It’sallright，Katia，letthemallinatonce。\"
\"SurelynotALL，ma’am？Theyseemsodisorderly——it’sdreadfultoseethem。\"
\"YesALL，Katia，all——everyoneofthem。Letthemin，orthey’llcomeinwhetheryoulikeorno。Listen！whatanoisetheyaremaking！Perhapsyouareoffended，gentlemen，thatIshouldreceivesuchguestsinyourpresence？Iamverysorry，andaskyourforgiveness，butitcannotbehelped——andIshouldbeverygratefulifyoucouldallstayandwitnessthisclimax。However，justasyouplease，ofcourse。\"
Theguestsexchangedglances；theywereannoyedandbewilderedbytheepisode；butitwasclearenoughthatallthishadbeenpre-
arrangedandexpectedbyNastasiaPhilipovna，andthattherewasnouseintryingtostophernow——forshewaslittleshortofinsane。
Besides，theywerenaturallyinquisitivetoseewhatwastohappen。Therewasnobodywhowouldbelikelytofeelmuchalarm。
Therewerebuttwoladiespresent；oneofwhomwasthelivelyactress，whowasnoteasilyfrightened，andtheotherthesilentGermanbeautywho，itturnedout，didnotunderstandawordofRussian，andseemedtobeasstupidasshewaslovely。
Heracquaintancesinvitedhertotheir\"AtHomes\"becauseshewassodecorative。Shewasexhibitedtotheirguestslikeavaluablepicture，orvase，orstatue，orfirescreen。Asforthemen，PtitsinwasoneofRogojin’sfriends；Ferdishenkowasasmuchathomeasafishinthesea，Gania，notyetrecoveredfromhisamazement，appearedtobechainedtoapillory。Theoldprofessordidnotintheleastunderstandwhatwashappening；butwhenhenoticedhowextremelyagitatedthemistressofthehouse，andherfriends，seemed，henearlywept，andtrembledwithfright:buthewouldratherhavediedthanleaveNastasiaPhilipovnaatsuchacrisis，forhelovedherasifshewerehisowngranddaughter。
AfanasyIvanovitchgreatlydislikedhavinganythingtodowiththeaffair，buthewastoomuchinterestedtoleave，inspiteofthemadturnthingshadtaken；andafewwordsthathaddroppedfromthelipsofNastasiapuzzledhimsomuch，thathefelthecouldnotgowithoutanexplanation。Heresolvedtherefore，toseeitout，andtoadopttheattitudeofsilentspectator，asmostsuitedtohisdignity。GeneraEpanchinalonedeterminedtodepart。Hewasannoyedatthemannerinwhichhisgifthadbeenreturned，anthoughhehadcondescended，undertheinfluenceofpassion，toplacehimselfonalevelwithPtitsinandFerdishenko，hisself-respectandsenseofdutynowreturnedtogetherwithaconsciousnessofwhatwasduetohissocialrankandofficialimportance。Inshort，heplainlyshowedhisconvictionthatamaninhispositioncouldhavenothingtodowithRogojinandhiscompanions。ButNastasiainterruptedhimathisfirstwords。
\"Ah，general！\"shecried，\"Iwasforgetting！IfIhadonlyforeseenthisunpleasantness！Iwon’tinsistonkeepingyouagainstyourwill，althoughIshouldhavelikedyoutobebesidemenow。Inanycase，Iammostgratefultoyouforyourvisit，andflatteringattention……butifyouareafraid……\"
\"Excuseme，NastasiaPhilipovna，\"interruptedthegeneral，withchivalricgenerosity。\"Towhomareyouspeaking？Ihaveremaineduntilnowsimplybecauseofmydevotiontoyou，andasfordanger，Iamonlyafraidthatthecarpetsmayberuined，andthefurnituresmashed！……Youshouldshutthedooronthelot，inmyopinion。
ButIconfessthatIamextremelycurioustoseehowitends。\"
\"Rogojin！\"announcedFerdishenko。
\"Whatdoyouthinkaboutit？\"saidthegeneralinalowvoicetoTotski。\"Isshemad？Imeanmadinthemedicalsenseoftheword……eh？\"
\"I’vealwayssaidshewaspredisposedtoit，\"whisperedAfanasyIvanovitchslyly。\"Perhapsitisafever！\"
SincetheirvisittoGania’shome，Rogojin’sfollowershadbeenincreasedbytwonewrecruits——adissoluteoldman，theheroofsomeancientscandal，andaretiredsub-lieutenant。Alaughablestorywastoldoftheformer。Hepossessed，itwassaid，asetoffalseteeth，andonedaywhenhewantedmoneyforadrinkingorgy，hepawnedthem，andwasneverabletoreclaimthem！Theofficerappearedtobearivalofthegentlemanwhowassoproudofhisfists。HewasknowntononeofRogojin’sfollowers，butastheypassedbytheNevsky，wherehestoodbegging，hehadjoinedtheirranks。Hisclaimforthecharityhedesiredseemedbasedonthefactthatinthedaysofhisprosperityhehadgivenawayasmuchasfifteenroublesatatime。Therivalsseemedmorethanalittlejealousofoneanother。Theathleteappearedinjuredattheadmissionofthe\"beggar\"intothecompany。Bynaturetaciturn，henowmerelygrowledoccasionallylikeabear，andglaredcontemptuouslyuponthe\"beggar，\"who，beingsomewhatofamanoftheworld，andadiplomatist，triedtoinsinuatehimselfintothebear’sgoodgraces。Hewasamuchsmallermanthantheathlete，anddoubtlesswasconsciousthathemusttreadwarily。
GentlyandwithoutargumenthealludedtotheadvantagesoftheEnglishstyleinboxing，andshowedhimselfafirmbelieverinWesterninstitutions。Theathlete’slipscurleddisdainfully，andwithouthonouringhisadversarywithaformaldenial，heexhibited，asifbyaccident，thatpeculiarlyRussianobject——anenormousfist，clenched，muscular，andcoveredwithredhairs！
Thesightofthispre-eminentlynationalattributewasenoughtoconvinceanybody，withoutwords，thatitwasaseriousmatterforthosewhoshouldhappentocomeintocontactwithit。
Noneofthebandwereverydrunk，fortheleaderhadkepthisintendedvisittoNastasiainviewallday，andhaddonehisbesttopreventhisfollowersfromdrinkingtoomuch。Hewassoberhimself，buttheexcitementofthischaoticday——thestrangestdayofhislife——hadaffectedhimsothathewasinadazed，wildcondition，whichalmostresembleddrunkenness。
Hehadkeptbutoneideabeforehimallday，andforthathehadworkedinanagonyofanxietyandafeverofsuspense。Hislieutenantshadworkedsohardfromfiveo’clockuntileleven，thattheyactuallyhadcollectedahundredthousandroublesforhim，butatsuchterrificexpense，thattherateofinterestwasonlymentionedamongtheminwhispersandwithbatedbreath。
Asbefore，Rogojinwalkedinadvanceofhistroop，whofollowedhimwithmingledself-assertionandtimidity。TheywerespeciallyfrightenedofNastasiaPhilipovnaherself，forsomereason。
Manyofthemexpectedtobethrowndownstairsatonce，withoutfurtherceremony，theelegantaridirresistibleZaleshoffamongthem。Butthepartyledbytheathlete，withoutopenlyshowingtheirhostileintentions，silentlynursedcontemptandevenhatredforNastasiaPhilipovna，andmarchedintoherhouseastheywouldhavemarchedintoanenemy’sfortress。Arrivedthere，theluxuryoftheroomsseemedtoinspirethemwithakindofrespect，notunmixedwithalarm。Somanythingswereentirelynewtotheirexperience——thechoicefurniture，thepictures，thegreatstatueofVenus。Theyfollowedtheirchiefintothesalon，however，withakindofimpudentcuriosity。There，thesightofGeneralEpanchinamongtheguests，causedmanyofthemtobeatahastyretreatintotheadjoiningroom，the\"boxer\"and\"beggar\"
beingamongthefirsttogo。Afewonly，ofwhomLebedeffmadeone，stoodtheirground；hehadcontrivedtowalksidebysidewithRogojin，forhequiteunderstoodtheimportanceofamanwhohadafortuneofamillionoddroubles，andwhoatthismomentcarriedahundredthousandinhishand。Itmaybeaddedthatthewholecompany，notexceptingLebedeff，hadthevaguestideaoftheextentoftheirpowers，andofhowfartheycouldsafelygo。
AtsomemomentsLebedeffwassurethatrightwasontheirside；
atothershetrieduneasilytoremembervariouscheeringandreassuringarticlesoftheCivilCode。
Rogojin，whenhesteppedintotheroom，andhiseyesfelluponNastasia，stoppedshort，grewwhiteasasheet，andstoodstaring；itwasclearthathisheartwasbeatingpainfully。Sohestood，gazingintently，buttimidly，forafewseconds。Suddenly，asthoughbereftofhissenses，hemovedforward，staggeringhelplessly，towardsthetable。OnhiswayhecollidedagainstPtitsin’schair，andputhisdirtyfootonthelaceskirtofthesilentlady’sdress；butheneitherapologizedforthis，norevennoticedit。
Onreachingthetable，heplaceduponitastrange-lookingobject，whichhehadcarriedwithhimintothedrawing-room。Thiswasapaperpacket，somesixorseveninchesthick，andeightornineinlength，wrappedinanoldnewspaper，andtiedroundthreeorfourtimeswithstring。
Havingplacedthisbeforeher，hestoodwithdroopedarmsandhead，asthoughawaitinghissentence。
Hiscostumewasthesameasithadbeeninthemorning，exceptforanewsilkhandkerchiefroundhisneck，brightgreenandred，fastenedwithahugediamondpin，andanenormousdiamondringonhisdirtyforefinger。
Lebedeffstoodtwoorthreepacesbehindhischief；andtherestofthebandwaitedaboutnearthedoor。
Thetwomaid-servantswerebothpeepingin，frightenedandamazedatthisunusualanddisorderlyscene。
\"Whatisthat？\"askedNastasiaPhilipovna，gazingintentlyatRogojin，andindicatingthepaperpacket。
\"Ahundredthousand，\"repliedthelatter，almostinawhisper。
\"Oh！sohekepthisword——there’samanforyou！Well，sitdown，please——takethatchair。Ishallhavesomethingtosaytoyoupresently。Whoareallthesewithyou？Thesameparty？Letthemcomeinandsitdown。There’sroomonthatsofa，therearesomechairsandthere’sanothersofa！Well，whydon’ttheysitdown？\"
Sureenough，someofthebravefellowsentirelylosttheirheadsatthispoint，andretreatedintothenextroom。Others，however，tookthehintandsatdown，asfarastheycouldfromthetable，however；feelingbraverinproportiontotheirdistancefromNastasia。
Rogojintookthechairofferedhim，buthedidnotsitlong；hesoonstoodupagain，anddidnotreseathimself。Littlebylittlehebegantolookaroundhimanddiscerntheotherguests。SeeingGania，hesmiledvenomouslyandmutteredtohimself，\"Lookatthat！\"
HegazedatTotskiandthegeneralwithnoapparentconfusion，andwithverylittlecuriosity。ButwhenheobservedthattheprincewasseatedbesideNastasiaPhilipovna，hecouldnottakehiseyesoffhimforalongwhile，andwasclearlyamazed。Hecouldnotaccountfortheprince’spresencethere。ItwasnotintheleastsurprisingthatRogojinshouldbe，atthistime，inamoreorlessdeliriouscondition；fornottospeakoftheexcitementsoftheday，hehadspentthenightbeforeinthetrain，andhadnotsleptmorethanawinkforforty-eighthours。
\"This，gentlemen，isahundredthousandroubles，\"saidNastasiaPhilipovna，addressingthecompanyingeneral，\"here，inthisdirtyparcel。ThisafternoonRogojinyelled，likeamadman，thathewouldbringmeahundredthousandintheevening，andIhavebeenwaitingforhimallthewhile。Hewasbargainingforme，youknow；firstheofferedmeeighteenthousand；thenherosetoforty，andthentoahundredthousand。Andhehaskepthisword，see！Mygoodness，howwhiteheis！Allthishappenedthisafternoon，atGania’s。Ihadgonetopayhismotheravisit——myfuturefamily，youknow！Andhissistersaidtomyveryface，surelysomebodywillturnthisshamelesscreatureout。AfterwhichshespatinherbrotherGania’sface——agirlofcharacter，that！\"
\"NastasiaPhilipovna！\"beganthegeneral，reproachfully。Hewasbeginningtoputhisowninterpretationontheaffair。
\"Well，what，general？Notquitegoodform，eh？Oh，nonsense！HerehaveIbeensittinginmyboxattheFrenchtheatreforthelastfiveyearslikeastatueofinaccessiblevirtue，andkeptoutofthewayofalladmirers，likeasillylittleidiot！Now，there’sthisman，whocomesandpaysdownhishundredthousandonthetable，beforeyouall，inspiteofmyfiveyearsofinnocenceandproudvirtue，andIdarebeswornhehashissledgeoutsidewaitingtocarrymeoff。Hevaluesmeatahundredthousand！Iseeyouarestillangrywithme，Gania！Why，surelyyouneverreallywishedtotakeMEintoyourfamily？ME，Rogojin’smistress！Whatdidtheprincesayjustnow？\"
\"IneversaidyouwereRogojin’smistress——youareNOT！\"saidtheprince，intremblingaccents。
\"NastasiaPhilipovna，dearsoul！\"criedtheactress，impatiently，\"dobecalm，dear！Ifitannoysyouso——allthis——dogoawayandrest！Ofcourseyouwouldnevergowiththiswretchedfellow，inspiteofhishundredthousandroubles！Takehismoneyandkickhimoutofthehouse；that’sthewaytotreathimandthelikesofhim！Uponmyword，ifitweremybusiness，I’dsoonclearthemallout！\"
Theactresswasakind-heartedwoman，andhighlyimpressionable。
Shewasveryangrynow。
\"Don’tbecross，DariaAlexeyevna！\"laughedNastasia。\"IwasnotangrywhenIspoke；Iwasn’treproachingGania。Idon’tknowhowitwasthatIevercouldhaveindulgedthewhimofenteringanhonestfamilylikehis。Isawhismother——andkissedherhand，too。Icameandstirredupallthatfuss，Gania，thisafternoon，onpurposetoseehowmuchyoucouldswallow——yousurprisedme，myfriend——youdid，indeed。Surelyyoucouldnotmarryawomanwhoacceptspearlslikethoseyouknewthegeneralwasgoingtogiveme，ontheveryeveofhermarriage？AndRogojin！Why，inyourownhouseandbeforeyourownbrotherandsister，hebargainedwithme！Yetyoucouldcomehereandexpecttobebetrothedtomebeforeyouleftthehouse！Youalmostbroughtyoursister，too。SurelywhatRogojinsaidaboutyouisnotreallytrue:thatyouwouldcrawlallthewaytotheotherendofthetown，onhandsandknees，forthreeroubles？\"
\"Yes，hewould！\"saidRogojin，quietly，butwithanairofabsoluteconviction。
\"H’m！andhereceivesagoodsalary，I’mtold。Well，whatshouldyougetbutdisgraceandmiseryifyoutookawifeyouhatedintoyourfamilyforIknowverywellthatyoudohateme？No，no！I
believenowthatamanlikeyouwouldmurderanyoneformoney——
sharpenarazorandcomeupbehindhisbestfriendandcuthisthroatlikeasheep——I’vereadofsuchpeople。Everyoneseemsmoney-madnowadays。No，no！Imaybeshameless，butyouarefarworse。Idon’tsayawordaboutthatother——\"
\"NastasiaPhilipovna，isthisreallyyou？You，oncesorefinedanddelicateofspeech。Oh，whatatongue！Whatdreadfulthingsyouaresaying，\"criedthegeneral，wringinghishandsinrealgrief。
\"Iamintoxicated，general。Iamhavingadayout，youknow——it’smybirthday！Ihavelonglookedforwardtothishappyoccasion。
DariaAlexeyevna，youseethatnosegay-man，thatMonsieurauxCamelias，sittingtherelaughingatus？\"
\"Iamnotlaughing，NastasiaPhilipovna；Iamonlylisteningwithallmyattention，\"saidTotski，withdignity。
\"Well，whyhaveIworriedhim，forfiveyears，andneverlethimgofree？Isheworthit？Heisonlyjustwhatheoughttobe——
nothingparticular。HethinksIamtoblame，too。Hegavememyeducation，keptmelikeacountess。Money——myword！Whatalotofmoneyhespentoverme！Andhetriedtofindmeanhonesthusbandfirst，andthenthisGania，here。Andwhatdoyouthink？AllthesefiveyearsIdidnotlivewithhim，andyetItookhismoney，andconsideredIwasquitejustified。
\"Yousay，takethehundredthousandandkickthatmanout。Itistrue，itisanabominablebusiness，asyousay。Imighthavemarriedlongago，notGania——Oh，no！——butthatwouldhavebeenabominabletoo。
\"Wouldyoubelieveit，IhadsomethoughtsofmarryingTotski，fouryearsago！Imeantmischief，Iconfess——butIcouldhavehadhim，Igiveyoumyword；heaskedmehimself。ButIthought，no！
it’snotworthwhiletotakesuchadvantageofhim。No！Ihadbettergoontothestreets，oracceptRogojin，orbecomeawasherwomanorsomething——forIhavenothingofmyown，youknow。
Ishallgoawayandleaveeverythingbehind，tothelastrag——heshallhaveitallback。Andwhowouldtakemewithoutanything？
AskGania，there，whetherhewould。Why，evenFerdishenkowouldn’thaveme！\"
\"No，Ferdishenkowouldnot；heisacandidfellow，NastasiaPhilipovna，\"saidthatworthy。\"Buttheprincewould。Yousitheremakingcomplaints，butjustlookattheprince。I’vebeenobservinghimforalongwhile。\"
NastasiaPhilipovnalookedkeenlyroundattheprince。
\"Isthattrue？\"sheasked。
\"Quitetrue，\"whisperedtheprince。
\"You’lltakemeasIam，withnothing？\"
\"Iwill，NastasiaPhilipovna。\"
\"Here’saprettybusiness！\"criedthegeneral。\"However，itmighthavebeenexpectedofhim。\"
TheprincecontinuedtoregardNastasiawithasorrowful，butintentandpiercing，gaze。
\"Here’sanotheralternativeforme，\"saidNastasia，turningoncemoretotheactress；\"andhedoesitoutofpurekindnessofheart。Iknowhim。I’vefoundabenefactor。Perhaps，though，whattheysayabouthimmaybetrue——thathe’san——weknowwhat。Andwhatshallyouliveon，ifyouarereallysomadlyinlovewithRogojin’smistress，thatyouarereadytomarryher——eh？\"
\"Itakeyouasagood，honestwoman，NastasiaPhilipovna——notasRogojin’smistress。\"
\"Who？I？——goodandhonest？\"
\"Yes，you。\"
\"Oh，yougetthoseideasoutofnovels，youknow。Timesarechangednow，dearprince；theworldseesthingsastheyreallyare。That’sallnonsense。Besides，howcanyoumarry？Youneedanurse，notawife。\"
Theprinceroseandbegantospeakinatrembling，timidtone，butwiththeairofamanabsolutelysureofthetruthofhiswords。
\"Iknownothing，NastasiaPhilipovna。Ihaveseennothing。Youarerightsofar；butIconsiderthatyouwouldbehonouringme，andnotIyou。Iamanobody。Youhavesuffered，youhavepassedthroughhellandemergedpure，andthatisverymuch。WhydoyoushameyourselfbydesiringtogowithRogojin？Youaredelirious。
YouhavereturnedtoMr。Totskihisseventy-fivethousandroubles，anddeclaredthatyouwillleavethishouseandallthatisinit，whichisalineofconductthatnotonepersonherewouldimitate。NastasiaPhilipovna，Iloveyou！Iwoulddieforyou。Ishallneverletanymansayonewordagainstyou，NastasiaPhilipovna！andifwearepoor，Icanworkforboth。\"
AstheprincespoketheselastwordsatitterwasheardfromFerdishenko；Lebedefflaughedtoo。Thegeneralgruntedwithirritation；PtitsinandTotskibarelyrestrainedtheirsmiles。
Therestallsatlistening，open-mouthedwithwonder。
\"Butperhapsweshallnotbepoor；wemaybeveryrich，NastasiaPhilipovna。\"continuedtheprince，inthesametimid，quiveringtones。\"Idon’tknowforcertain，andI’msorrytosayIhaven’thadanopportunityoffindingoutallday；butIreceivedaletterfromMoscow，whileIwasinSwitzerland，fromaMr。
Salaskin，andheacquaintsmewiththefactthatIamentitledtoaverylargeinheritance。Thisletter——\"
Theprincepulledaletteroutofhispocket。
\"Isheraving？\"saidthegeneral。\"Arewereallyinamad-house？\"
Therewassilenceforamoment。ThenPtitsinspoke。
\"Ithinkyousaid，prince，thatyourletterwasfromSalaskin？
Salaskinisaveryeminentman，indeed，inhisownworld；heisawonderfullycleversolicitor，andifhereallytellsyouthis，I
thinkyoumaybeprettysurethatheisright。Itsohappens，luckily，thatIknowhishandwriting，forIhavelatelyhadbusinesswithhim。Ifyouwouldallowmetoseeit，Ishouldperhapsbeabletotellyou。\"
Theprinceheldoutthelettersilently，butwithashakinghand。
\"What，what？\"saidthegeneral，muchagitated。
\"What’sallthis？Ishereallyheirtoanything？\"
AllpresentconcentratedtheirattentionuponPtitsin，readingtheprince’sletter。Thegeneralcuriosityhadreceivedanewfillip。Ferdishenkocouldnotsitstill。Rogojinfixedhiseyesfirstontheprince，andthenonPtitsin，andthenbackagain；hewasextremelyagitated。Lebedeffcouldnotstandit。HecreptupandreadoverPtitsin’sshoulder，withtheairofanaughtyboywhoexpectsaboxontheeareverymomentforhisindiscretion。
XVI。
\"It’sgoodbusiness，\"saidPtitsin，atlast，foldingtheletterandhandingitbacktotheprince。\"Youwillreceive，withouttheslightesttrouble，bythelastwillandtestamentofyouraunt，averylargesumofmoneyindeed。\"
\"Impossible！\"criedthegeneral，startingupasifhehadbeenshot。
Ptitsinexplained，forthebenefitofthecompany，thattheprince’saunthaddiedfivemonthssince。Hehadneverknownher，butshewashismother’sownsister，thedaughterofaMoscowmerchant，onePaparchin，whohaddiedabankrupt。ButtheelderbrotherofthissamePaparchin，hadbeenaneminentandveryrichmerchant。Ayearsinceithadsohappenedthathisonlytwosonshadbothdiedwithinthesamemonth。Thissadeventhadsoaffectedtheoldmanthathe，too，haddiedveryshortlyafter。
Hewasawidower，andhadnorelationsleft，exceptingtheprince’saunt，apoorwomanlivingoncharity，whowasherselfatthepointofdeathfromdropsy；butwhohadtime，beforeshedied，tosetSalaskintoworktofindhernephew，andtomakeherwillbequeathinghernewly-acquiredfortunetohim。
Itappearedthatneithertheprince，northedoctorwithwhomhelivedinSwitzerland，hadthoughtofwaitingforfurthercommunications；buttheprincehadstartedstraightawaywithSalaskin’sletterinhispocket。
\"OnethingImaytellyou，forcertain，\"concludedPtitsin，addressingtheprince，\"thatthereisnoquestionabouttheauthenticityofthismatter。AnythingthatSalaskinwritesyouasregardsyourunquestionablerighttothisinheritance，youmaylookuponassomuchmoneyinyourpocket。Icongratulateyou，prince；youmayreceiveamillionandahalfofroubles，perhapsmore；Idon’tknow。AllIDOknowisthatPaparchinwasaveryrichmerchantindeed。\"
\"Hurrah！\"criedLebedeff，inadrunkenvoice。\"HurrahforthelastoftheMuishkins！\"
\"Mygoodnessme！andIgavehimtwenty-fiveroublesthismorningasthoughhewereabeggar，\"blurtedoutthegeneral，halfsenselesswithamazement。\"Well，Icongratulateyou，I
congratulateyou！\"Andthegeneralrosefromhisseatandsolemnlyembracedtheprince。Allcameforwardwithcongratulations；eventhoseofRogojin’spartywhohadretreatedintothenextroom，nowcreptsoftlybacktolookon。ForthemomentevenNastasiaPhilipovnawasforgotten。
Butgraduallytheconsciousnesscreptbackintothemindsofeachonepresentthattheprincehadjustmadeheranofferofmarriage。Thesituationhad，therefore，becomethreetimesasfantasticasbefore。
Totskisatandshruggedhisshoulders，bewildered。Hewastheonlyguestleftsittingatthistime；theothershadthrongedroundthetableindisorder，andwerealltalkingatonce。
Itwasgenerallyagreed，afterwards，inrecallingthatevening，thatfromthismomentNastasiaPhilipovnaseemedentirelytolosehersenses。Shecontinuedtositstillinherplace，lookingaroundatherguestswithastrange，bewilderedexpression，asthoughsheweretryingtocollectherthoughts，andcouldnot。
Thenshesuddenlyturnedtotheprince，andglaredathimwithfrowningbrows；butthisonlylastedonemoment。Perhapsitsuddenlystruckherthatallthiswasajest，buthisfaceseemedtoreassureher。Shereflected，andsmiledagain，vaguely。
\"SoIamreallyaprincess，\"shewhisperedtoherself，ironically，andglancingaccidentallyatDariaAlexeyevna’sface，sheburstoutlaughing。
\"Ha，ha，ha！\"shecried，\"thisisanunexpectedclimax，afterall。Ididn’texpectthis。Whatareyouallstandingupfor，gentlemen？Sitdown；congratulatemeandtheprince！Ferdishenko，juststepoutandordersomemorechampagne，willyou？Katia，Pasha，\"sheaddedsuddenly，seeingtheservantsatthedoor，\"comehere！I’mgoingtobemarried，didyouhear？Totheprince。
Hehasamillionandahalfofroubles；heisPrinceMuishkin，andhasaskedmetomarryhim。Here，prince，comeandsitbyme；
andherecomesthewine。Nowthen，ladiesandgentlemen，whereareyourcongratulations？\"
\"Hurrah！\"criedanumberofvoices。ArushwasmadeforthewinebyRogojin’sfollowers，though，evenamongthem，thereseemedsomesortofrealizationthatthesituationhadchanged。Rogojinstoodandlookedon，withanincreduloussmile，screwinguponesideofhismouth。
\"Prince，mydearfellow，dorememberwhatyouareabout，\"saidthegeneral，approachingMuishkin，andpullinghimbythecoatsleeve。
NastasiaPhilipovnaoverheardtheremark，andburstoutlaughing。
\"No，no，general！\"shecried。\"Youhadbetterlookout！Iamtheprincessnow，youknow。Theprincewon’tletyouinsultme。
AfanasyIvanovitch，whydon’tyoucongratulateme？Ishallbeabletositattablewithyournewwife，now。Aha！youseewhatI
gainbymarryingaprince！Amillionandahalf，andaprince，andanidiotintothebargain，theysay。WhatbettercouldIwishfor？Lifeisonlyjustabouttocommenceformeinearnest。