Rogojin，youarealittletoolate。Awaywithyourpaperparcel！
I’mgoingtomarrytheprince；I’mricherthanyouarenow。\"
ButRogojinunderstoodhowthingsweretending，atlast。Aninexpressiblypainfulexpressioncameoverhisface。Hewrunghishands；agroanmadeitswayupfromthedepthsofhissoul。
\"Surrenderher，forGod’ssake！\"hesaidtotheprince。
Allaroundburstoutlaughing。
\"What？SurrenderhertoYOU？\"criedDariaAlexeyevna。\"Toafellowwhocomesandbargainsforawifelikeamoujik！Theprincewishestomarryher，andyou——\"
\"SodoI，sodoI！Thismoment，ifIcould！I’dgiveeveryfarthingIhavetodoit。\"
\"Youdrunkenmoujik，\"saidDariaAlexeyevna，oncemore。\"Yououghttobekickedoutoftheplace。\"
Thelaughterbecamelouderthanever。
\"Doyouhear，prince？\"saidNastasiaPhilipovna。\"Doyouhearhowthismoujikofafellowgoesonbargainingforyourbride？\"
\"Heisdrunk，\"saidtheprince，quietly，\"andhelovesyouverymuch。\"
\"Won’tyoubeashamed，afterwards，toreflectthatyourwifeverynearlyranawaywithRogojin？\"
\"Oh，youwereraving，youwereinafever；youarestillhalfdelirious。\"
\"Andwon’tyoubeashamedwhentheytellyou，afterwards，thatyourwifelivedatTotski’sexpensesomanyyears？\"
\"No；Ishallnotbeashamedofthat。Youdidnotsolivebyyourownwill。\"
\"Andyou’llneverreproachmewithit？\"
\"Never。\"
\"Takecare，don’tcommityourselfforawholelifetime。\"
\"NastasiaPhilipovna。\"saidtheprince，quietly，andwithdeepemotion，\"IsaidbeforethatIshallesteemyourconsenttobemywifeasagreathonourtomyself，andshallconsiderthatitisyouwhowillhonourme，notIyou，byourmarriage。Youlaughedatthesewords，andothersarounduslaughedaswell；Iheardthem。VerylikelyIexpressedmyselffunnily，andImayhavelookedfunny，but，forallthat，IbelieveIunderstandwherehonourlies，andwhatIsaidwasbuttheliteraltruth。Youwereabouttoruinyourselfjustnow，irrevocably；youwouldneverhaveforgivenyourselfforsodoingafterwards；andyet，youareabsolutelyblameless。Itisimpossiblethatyourlifeshouldbealtogetherruinedatyourage。WhatmatterthatRogojincamebargaininghere，andthatGavrilaArdalionovitchwouldhavedeceivedyouifhecould？Whydoyoucontinuallyremindusofthesefacts？Iassureyouoncemorethatveryfewcouldfinditinthemtoactasyouhaveactedthisday。AsforyourwishtogowithRogojin，thatwassimplytheideaofadeliriousandsufferingbrain。Youarestillquitefeverish；yououghttobeinbed，nothere。YouknowquitewellthatifyouhadgonewithRogojin，youwouldhavebecomeawasher-womannextday，ratherthanstaywithhim。Youareproud，NastasiaPhilipovna，andperhapsyouhavereallysufferedsomuchthatyouimagineyourselftobeadesperatelyguiltywoman。Yourequireagreatdealofpettingandlookingafter，NastasiaPhilipovna，andI
willdothis。Isawyourportraitthismorning，anditseemedquiteafamiliarfacetome；itseemedtomethattheportrait-
facewascallingtomeforhelp。I-Ishallrespectyouallmylife，NastasiaPhilipovna，\"concludedtheprince，asthoughsuddenlyrecollectinghimself，andblushingtothinkofthesortofcompanybeforewhomhehadsaidallthis。
Ptitsinbowedhisheadandlookedattheground，overcomebyamixtureoffeelings。Totskimutteredtohimself:\"Hemaybeanidiot，butheknowsthatflatteryisthebestroadtosuccesshere。\"
TheprinceobservedGania’seyesflashingathim，asthoughtheywouldgladlyannihilatehimthenandthere。
\"That’sakind-heartedman，ifyoulike，\"saidDariaAlexeyevna，whosewrathwasquicklyevaporating。
\"Arefinedman，but——lost，\"murmuredthegeneral。
Totskitookhishatandrosetogo。Heandthegeneralexchangedglances，makingaprivatearrangement，thereby，toleavethehousetogether。
\"Thankyou，prince；noonehaseverspokentomelikethatbefore，\"beganNastasiaPhilipovna。\"Menhavealwaysbargainedforme，beforethis；andnotasinglerespectablemanhaseverproposedtomarryme。Doyouhear，AfanasyIvanovitch？WhatdoYOUthinkofwhattheprincehasjustbeensaying？Itwasalmostimmodest，wasn’tit？You，Rogojin，waitamoment，don’tgoyet！I
seeyoudon’tintendtomovehowever。PerhapsImaygowithyouyet。Wheredidyoumeantotakemeto？\"
\"ToEkaterinhof，\"repliedLebedeff。Rogojinsimplystoodstaring，withtremblinglips，notdaringtobelievehisears。Hewasstunned，asthoughfromablowonthehead。
\"Whatareyouthinkingof，mydearNastasia？\"saidDariaAlexeyevnainalarm。\"Whatareyousaying？\"\"Youarenotgoingmad，areyou？\"
NastasiaPhilipovnaburstoutlaughingandjumpedupfromthesofa。
\"YouthoughtIshouldacceptthisgoodchild’sinvitationtoruinhim，didyou？\"shecried。\"That’sTotski’sway，notmine。He’sfondofchildren。Comealong，Rogojin，getyourmoneyready！Wewon’ttalkaboutmarryingjustatthismoment，butlet’sseethemoneyatallevents。Come！Imaynotmarryyou，either。Idon’tknow。Isupposeyouthoughtyou’dkeepthemoney，ifIdid！Ha，ha，ha！nonsense！Ihavenosenseofshameleft。ItellyouI
havebeenTotski’sconcubine。Prince，youmustmarryAglayaIvanovna，notNastasiaPhilipovna，orthisfellowFerdishenkowillalwaysbepointingthefingerofscornatyou。Youaren’tafraid，Iknow；butIshouldalwaysbeafraidthatIhadruinedyou，andthatyouwouldreproachmeforit。Asforwhatyousayaboutmydoingyouhonourbymarryingyou-well，Totskicantellyouallaboutthat。YouhadyoureyeonAglaya，Gania，youknowyouhad；andyoumighthavemarriedherifyouhadnotcomebargaining。Youarealllikethis。Youshouldchoose，onceforall，betweendisreputablewomen，andrespectableones，oryouaresuretogetmixed。Lookatthegeneral，howhe’sstaringatme！\"
\"Thisistoohorrible，\"saidthegeneral，startingtohisfeet。
Allwerestandingupnow。Nastasiawasabsolutelybesideherself。
\"Iamveryproud，inspiteofwhatIam，\"shecontinued。\"Youcalledme’perfection’justnow，prince。Anicesortofperfectiontothrowupaprinceandamillionandahalfofroublesinordertobeabletoboastofthefactafterwards！WhatsortofawifeshouldImakeforyou，afterallIhavesaid？
AfanasyIvanovitch，doyouobserveIhavereallyandtrulythrownawayamillionofroubles？AndyouthoughtthatIshouldconsideryourwretchedseventy-fivethousand，withGaniathrowninforahusband，aparadiseofbliss！Takeyourseventy-fivethousandback，sir；youdidnotreachthehundredthousand。Rogojincutabetterdashthanyoudid。I’llconsoleGaniamyself；Ihaveanideaaboutthat。ButnowImustbeoff！I’vebeeninprisonfortenyears。I’mfreeatlast！Well，Rogojin，whatareyouwaitingfor？Let’sgetreadyandgo。\"
\"Comealong！\"shoutedRogojin，besidehimselfwithjoy。\"Hey！allofyoufellows！Wine！Roundwithit！Filltheglasses！\"
\"Getaway！\"heshoutedfrantically，observingthatDariaAlexeyevnawasapproachingtoprotestagainstNastasia’sconduct。
\"Getaway，she’smine，everything’smine！She’saqueen，getaway！\"
Hewaspantingwithecstasy。HewalkedroundandroundNastasiaPhilipovnaandtoldeverybodyto\"keeptheirdistance。\"
AlltheRogojincompanywerenowcollectedinthedrawing-room；
someweredrinking，somelaughedandtalked:allwereinthehighestandwildestspirits。Ferdishenkowasdoinghisbesttounitehimselftothem；thegeneralandTotskiagainmadeanattempttogo。Gania，toostoodhatinhandreadytogo；butseemedtobeunabletotearhiseyesawayfromthescenebeforehim\"Getout，keepyourdistance！\"shoutedRogojin。
\"Whatareyoushoutingaboutthere！\"criedNastasia\"I’mnotyoursyet。ImaykickyououtforallyouknowIhaven’ttakenyourmoneyyet；thereitallisonthetableHere，givemeoverthatpacket！Isthereahundredthousandroublesinthatonepacket？Pfu！whatabominablestuffitlooks！Oh！nonsense，DariaAlexeyevna；yousurelydidnotexpectmetoruinHIM？\"
indicatingtheprince。\"Fancyhimnursingme！Why，heneedsanursehimself！Thegeneral，there，willbehisnursenow，you’llsee。Here，prince，lookhere！Yourbrideisacceptingmoney。Whatadisreputablewomanshemustbe！Andyouwishedtomarryher！
Whatareyoucryingabout？Isitabitterdose？Nevermind，youshalllaughyet。Trusttotime。\"InspiteofthesewordsthereweretwolargetearsrollingdownNastasia’sowncheeks。\"It’sfarbettertothinktwiceofitnowthanafterwards。Oh！youmustn’tcrylikethat！There’sKatiacrying，too。Whatisit，Katia，dear？IshallleaveyouandPashaalotofthings，I’velaidthemoutforyoualready；butgood-bye，now。Imadeanhonestgirllikeyouservealowwomanlikemyself。It’sbetterso，prince，itisindeed。You’dbegintodespisemeafterwards——
weshouldneverbehappy。Oh！youneedn’tswear，prince，Ishan’tbelieveyou，youknow。Howfoolishitwouldbe，too！No，no；we’dbettersaygood-byeandpartfriends。Iamabitofadreamermyself，andIusedtodreamofyouonce。VeryoftenduringthosefiveyearsdownathisestateIusedtodreamandthink，andI
alwaysimaginedjustsuchagood，honest，foolishfellowasyou，onewhoshouldcomeandsaytome:’Youareaninnocentwoman，NastasiaPhilipovna，andIadoreyou。’Idreamtofyouoften。I
usedtothinksomuchdowntherethatInearlywentmad；andthenthisfellowherewouldcomedown。Hewouldstayacoupleofmonthsoutofthetwelve，anddisgraceandinsultanddepraveme，andthengo；sothatIlongedtodrownmyselfinthepondathousandtimesover；butIdidnotdaredoit。Ihadn’ttheheart，andnow——well，areyouready，Rogojin？\"
\"Ready——keepyourdistance，allofyou！\"
\"We’reallready，\"saidseveralofhisfriends。\"Thetroikas[Sledgesdrawnbythreehorsesabreast。]areatthedoor，bellsandall。\"
NastasiaPhilipovnaseizedthepacketofbank-notes。
\"Gania，Ihaveanidea。Iwishtorecompenseyou——whyshouldyouloseall？Rogojin，wouldhecrawlforthreeroublesasfarastheVassiliostrof？
\"Oh，wouldn’thejust！\"
\"Well，lookhere，Gania。Iwishtolookintoyourheartoncemore，forthelasttime。You’veworriedmeforthelastthreemonths——nowit’smyturn。Doyouseethispacket？Itcontainsahundredthousandroubles。Now，I’mgoingtothrowitintothefire，here——beforeallthesewitnesses。Assoonasthefirecatchesholdofit，youputyourhandsintothefireandpickitout——withoutgloves，youknow。Youmusthavebarehands，andyoumustturnyoursleevesup。Pullitout，Isay，andit’sallyours。Youmayburnyourfingersalittle，ofcourse；butthenit’sahundredthousandroubles，remember——itwon’ttakeyoulongtolayholdofitandsnatchitout。Ishallsomuchadmireyouifyouputyourhandsintothefireformymoney。Allherepresentmaybewitnessesthatthewholepacketofmoneyisyoursifyougetitout。Ifyoudon’tgetitout，itshallburn。Iwillletnooneelsecome；away——getaway，allofyou——it’smymoney！
Rogojinhasboughtmewithit。Isitmymoney，Rogojin？\"
\"Yes，myqueen；it’syourownmoney，myjoy。\"
\"Getawaythen，allofyou。IshalldoasIlikewithmyown——
don’tmeddle！Ferdishenko，makeupthefire，quick！\"
\"NastasiaPhilipovna，Ican’t；myhandswon’tobeyme，\"saidFerdishenko，astoundedandhelplesswithbewilderment。
\"Nonsense，\"criedNastasiaPhilipovna，seizingthepokerandrakingacoupleoflogstogether。Nosoonerdidatongueofflameburstoutthanshethrewthepacketofnotesuponit。
Everyonegasped；someevencrossedthemselves。
\"She’smad——she’smad！\"wasthecry。
\"Oughtn’t-oughtn’twetosecureher？\"askedthegeneralofPtitsin，inawhisper；\"orshallwesendfortheauthorities？
Why，she’smad，isn’tshe——isn’tshe，eh？\"
\"N-no，Ihardlythinksheisactuallymad，\"whisperedPtitsin，whowasaswhiteashishandkerchief，andtremblinglikealeaf。
Hecouldnottakehiseyesoffthesmoulderingpacket。
\"She’smadsurely，isn’tshe？\"thegeneralappealedtoTotski。
\"Itoldyoushewasn’tanordinarywoman，\"repliedthelatter，whowasaspaleasanyone。
\"Oh，but，positively，youknow——ahundredthousandroubles！\"
\"Goodnessgracious！goodheavens！\"camefromallquartersoftheroom。
Allnowcrowdedroundthefireandthrongedtoseewhatwasgoingon；everyonelamentedandgaveventtoexclamationsofhorrorandwoe。Somejumpeduponchairsinordertogetabetterview。
DariaAlexeyevnaranintothenextroomandwhisperedexcitedlytoKatiaandPasha。ThebeautifulGermandisappearedaltogether。
\"Mylady！mysovereign！\"lamentedLebedeff，fallingonhiskneesbeforeNastasiaPhilipovna，andstretchingouthishandstowardsthefire；\"it’sahundredthousandroubles，itisindeed，I
packeditupmyself，Isawthemoney！Myqueen，letmegetintothefireafterit——saytheword-I’llputmywholegreyheadintothefireforit！Ihaveapoorlamewifeandthirteenchildren。
Myfatherdiedofstarvationlastweek。NastasiaPhilipovna，NastasiaPhilipovna！\"Thewretchedlittlemanwept，andgroaned，andcrawledtowardsthefire。
\"Away，outoftheway！\"criedNastasia。\"Makeroom，allofyou！
Gania，whatareyoustandingtherefor？Don’tstandonceremony。
Putinyourhand！There’syourwholehappinesssmoulderingaway，look！Quick！\"
ButGaniahadbornetoomuchthatday，andespeciallythisevening，andhewasnotpreparedforthislast，quiteunexpectedtrial。
ThecrowdpartedoneachsideofhimandhewasleftfacetofacewithNastasiaPhilipovna，threepacesfromher。Shestoodbythefireandwaited，withherintentgazefixeduponhim。
Ganiastoodbeforeher，inhiseveningclothes，holdinghiswhiteglovesandhatinhishand，speechlessandmotionless，witharmsfoldedandeyesfixedonthefire。
Asilly，meaninglesssmileplayedonhiswhite，death-likelips。
Hecouldnottakehiseyesoffthesmoulderingpacket；butitappearedthatsomethingnewhadcometobirthinhissoul——asthoughhewerevowingtohimselfthathewouldbearthistrial。
Hedidnotmovefromhisplace。Inafewsecondsitbecameevidenttoallthathedidnotintendtorescuethemoney。
\"Hey！lookatit，it’llburninanotherminuteortwo！\"criedNastasiaPhilipovna。\"You’llhangyourselfafterwards，youknow，ifitdoes！I’mnotjoking。\"
Thefire，chokedbetweenacoupleofsmoulderingpiecesofwood，haddieddownforthefirstfewmomentsafterthepacketwasthrownuponit。Butalittletongueoffirenowbegantolickthepaperfrombelow，andsoon，gatheringcourage，mountedthesidesoftheparcel，andcreptaroundit。Inanothermoment，thewholeofitburstintoflames，andtheexclamationsofwoeandhorrorwereredoubled。
\"NastasiaPhilipovna！\"lamentedLebedeffagain，strainingtowardsthefireplace；butRogojindraggedhimaway，andpushedhimtotherearoncemore。
ThewholeofRegojin’sbeingwasconcentratedinonerapturousgazeofecstasy。HecouldnottakehiseyesoffNastasia。Hestooddrinkingherin，asitwere。Hewasintheseventhheavenofdelight。
\"Oh，whataqueensheis！\"heejaculated，everyotherminute，throwingouttheremarkforanyonewholikedtocatchit。\"That’sthesortofwomanforme！Whichofyouwouldthinkofdoingathinglikethat，youblackguards，eh？\"heyelled。Hewashopelesslyandwildlybesidehimselfwithecstasy。
Theprincewatchedthewholescene，silentanddejected。
\"I’llpullitoutwithmyteethforonethousand，\"saidFerdishenko。
\"SowouldI，\"saidanother，frombehind，\"withpleasure。Deviltakethething！\"headded，inatempestofdespair，\"itwillallbeburntupinaminute——It’sburning，it’sburning！\"
\"It’sburning，it’sburning！\"criedall，throngingnearerandnearertothefireintheirexcitement。
\"Gania，don’tbeafool！Itellyouforthelasttime。\"
\"Geton，quick！\"shriekedFerdishenko，rushingwildlyuptoGania，andtryingtodraghimtothefirebythesleeveofhiscoat。\"Getit，youdummy，it’sburningawayfast！Oh——DAMNthething！\"
GaniahurledFerdishenkofromhim；thenheturnedsharproundandmadeforthedoor。Buthehadnotgoneacoupleofstepswhenhetotteredandfelltotheground。
\"He’sfainted！\"thecrywentround。
\"Andthemoney’sburningstill，\"Lebedefflamented。
\"Burningfornothing，\"shoutedothers。
\"Katia-Pasha！Bringhimsomewater！\"criedNastasiaPhilipovna。
Thenshetookthetongsandfishedoutthepacket。
Nearlythewholeoftheoutercoveringwasburnedaway，butitwassoonevidentthatthecontentswerehardlytouched。Thepackethadbeenwrappedinathreefoldcoveringofnewspaper，andthe，notesweresafe。Allbreathedmorefreely。
\"Somedirtylittlethousandorsomaybetouched，\"saidLebedeff，immenselyrelieved，\"butthere’sverylittleharmdone，afterall。\"
\"It’sallhis——thewholepacketisforhim，doyouhear——allofyou？\"criedNastasiaPhilipovna，placingthepacketbythesideofGania。\"Herestrainedhimself，anddidn’tgoafterit；sohisself-respectisgreaterthanhisthirstformoney。Allright——
he’llcometodirectly——hemusthavethepacketorhe’llcuthisthroatafterwards。There！He’scomingtohimself。General，Totski，allofyou，didyouhearme？ThemoneyisallGania’s。I
giveittohim，fullyconsciousofmyaction，asrecompensefor——
well，foranythinghethinksbest。Tellhimso。Letitlieherebesidehim。Offwego，Rogojin！Goodbye，prince。Ihaveseenamanforthefirsttimeinmylife。Goodbye，AfanasyIvanovitch——
andthanks！\"
TheRogojingangfollowedtheirleaderandNastasiaPhilipovnatotheentrance-hall，laughingandshoutingandwhistling。
Inthehalltheservantswerewaiting，andhandedherherfurcloak。Martha，thecook，raninfromthekitchen。Nastasiakissedthemallround。
\"Areyoureallythrowingusallover，littlemother？Where，whereareyougoingto？Andonyourbirthday，too！\"criedthefourgirls，cryingoverherandkissingherhands。
\"Iamgoingoutintotheworld，Katia；perhapsIshallbealaundress。Idon’tknow。NomoreofAfanasyIvanovitch，anyhow。
Givehimmyrespects。Don’tthinkbadlyofme，girls。\"
Theprincehurrieddowntothefrontgatewherethepartyweresettlingintothetroikas，allthebellstinklingamerryaccompanimentthewhile。Thegeneralcaughthimuponthestairs:
\"Prince，prince！\"hecried，seizingholdofhisarm，\"recollectyourself！Dropher，prince！Youseewhatsortofawomansheis。
Iamspeakingtoyoulikeafather。\"
Theprinceglancedathim，butsaidnothing。Heshookhimselffree，andrushedondownstairs。
Thegeneralwasjustintimetoseetheprincetakethefirstsledgehecouldget，and，givingtheordertoEkaterinhof，startoffinpursuitofthetroikas。Thenthegeneral’sfinegreyhorsedraggedthatworthyhome，withsomenewthoughts，andsomenewhopesandcalculationsdevelopinginhisbrain，andwiththepearlsinhispocket，forhehadnotforgottentobringthemalongwithhim，beingamanofbusiness。Amidhisnewthoughtsandideastherecame，onceortwice，theimageofNastasiaPhilipovna。Thegeneralsighed。
\"I’msorry，reallysorry，\"hemuttered。\"She’saruinedwoman。
Mad！mad！However，theprinceisnotforNastasiaPhilipovnanow，——perhapsit’saswell。\"
TwomoreofNastasia’sguests，whowalkedashortdistancetogether，indulgedinhighmoralsentimentsofasimilarnature。
\"Doyouknow，Totski，thisisallverylikewhattheysaygoesonamongtheJapanese？\"saidPtitsin。\"Theoffendedpartythere，theysay，marchesofftohisinsulterandsaystohim，’Youinsultedme，soIhavecometoripmyselfopenbeforeyoureyes；’
andwiththesewordshedoesactuallyriphisstomachopenbeforehisenemy，andconsiders，doubtless，thatheishavingallpossibleandnecessarysatisfactionandrevenge。Therearestrangecharactersintheworld，sir！\"
\"H’m！andyouthinktherewassomethingofthissorthere，doyou？Dearme——averyremarkablecomparison，youknow！Butyoumusthaveobserved，mydearPtitsin，thatIdidallIpossiblycould。IcoulddonomorethanIdid。Andyoumustadmitthattherearesomerarequalitiesinthiswoman。IfeltIcouldnotspeakinthatBedlam，orIshouldhavebeentemptedtocryout，whenshereproachedme，thatsheherselfwasmybestjustification。Suchawomancouldmakeanyoneforgetallreason——
everything！Eventhatmoujik，Rogojin，yousaw，broughtherahundredthousandroubles！Ofcourse，allthathappenedtonightwasephemeral，fantastic，unseemly——yetitlackedneithercolournororiginality。MyGod！Whatmightnothavebeenmadeofsuchacharactercombinedwithsuchbeauty！Yetinspiteofallefforts——inspiteofalleducation，even——allthosegiftsarewasted！Sheisanuncutdiamond……Ihaveoftensaidso。\"
AndAfanasyIvanovitchheavedadeepsigh。
PARTII
I。
TwodaysafterthestrangeconclusiontoNastasiaPhilipovna’sbirthdayparty，withtherecordofwhichweconcludedthefirstpartofthisstory，PrinceMuishkinhurriedlyleftSt。PetersburgforMoscow，inordertoseeaftersomebusinessconnectedwiththereceiptofhisunexpectedfortune。
Itwassaidthattherewereotherreasonsforhishurrieddeparture；butastothis，andastohismovementsinMoscow，andastohisprolongedabsencefromSt。Petersburg，weareabletogiveverylittleinformation。
Theprincewasawayforsixmonths，andeventhosewhoweremostinterestedinhisdestinywereabletopickupverylittlenewsabouthimallthatwhile。True，certainrumoursdidreachhisfriends，butthesewerebothstrangeandrare，andeachonecontradictedthelast。
OfcoursetheEpanchinfamilywasmuchinterestedinhismovements，thoughhehadnothadtimetobidthemfarewellbeforehisdeparture。Thegeneral，however，hadhadanopportunityofseeinghimonceortwicesincetheeventfulevening，andhadspokenveryseriouslywithhim；butthoughhehadseentheprince，asIsay，hetoldhisfamilynothingaboutthecircumstance。Infact，foramonthorsoafterhisdepartureitwasconsiderednotthethingtomentiontheprince’snameintheEpanchinhousehold。OnlyMrs。Epanchin，atthecommencementofthisperiod，hadannouncedthatshehadbeen\"cruellymistakenintheprince！\"andadayortwoafter，shehadadded，evidentlyalludingtohim，butnotmentioninghisname，thatitwasanunalterablecharacteristicofherstobemistakeninpeople。Thenoncemore，tendayslater，aftersomepassageofarmswithoneofherdaughters，shehadremarkedsententiously。\"Wehavehadenoughofmistakes。Ishallbemorecarefulinfuture！\"However，itwasimpossibletoavoidremarkingthattherewassomesenseofoppressioninthehousehold——somethingunspoken，butfelt；
somethingstrained。Allthemembersofthefamilyworefrowninglooks。Thegeneralwasunusuallybusy；hisfamilyhardlyeversawhim。
Astothegirls，nothingwassaidopenly，atallevents；andprobablyverylittleinprivate。Theywereprouddamsels，andwerenotalwaysperfectlyconfidentialevenamongthemselves。Buttheyunderstoodeachotherthoroughlyatthefirstwordonalloccasions；veryoftenatthefirstglance，sothattherewasnoneedofmuchtalkingasarule。
Onefact，atleast，wouldhavebeenperfectlyplaintoanoutsider，hadanysuchpersonbeenonthespot；andthatwas，thattheprincehadmadeaveryconsiderableimpressionuponthefamily，inspiteofthefactthathehadbutoncebeeninsidethehouse，andthenonlyforashorttime。Ofcourse，ifanalyzed，thisimpressionmighthaveprovedtobenothingmorethanafeelingofcuriosity；butbeitwhatitmight，thereitundoubtedlywas。
Littlebylittle，therumoursspreadabouttownbecamelostinamazeofuncertainty。Itwassaidthatsomefoolishyoungprince，nameunknown，hadsuddenlycomeintopossessionofagiganticfortune，andhadmarriedaFrenchballetdancer。Thiswascontradicted，andtherumourcirculatedthatitwasayoungmerchantwhohadcomeintotheenormousfortuneandmarriedthegreatballetdancer，andthatattheweddingthedrunkenyoungfoolhadburnedseventythousandroublesatacandleoutofpurebravado。
However，alltheserumourssoondieddown，towhichcircumstancecertainfactslargelycontributed。Forinstance，thewholeoftheRogojintroophaddeparted，withhimattheirhead，forMoscow。
ThiswasexactlyaweekafteradreadfulorgyattheEkaterinhofgardens，whereNastasiaPhilipovnahadbeenpresent。ItbecameknownthatafterthisorgyNastasiaPhilipovnahadentirelydisappeared，andthatshehadsincebeentracedtoMoscow；sothattheexodusoftheRogojinbandwasfoundconsistentwiththisreport。
TherewererumourscurrentastoGania，too；butcircumstancessooncontradictedthese。Hehadfallenseriouslyill，andhisillnessprecludedhisappearanceinsociety，andevenatbusiness，foroveramonth。Assoonashehadrecovered，however，hethrewuphissituationinthepubliccompanyunderGeneralEpanchin’sdirection，forsomeunknownreason，andthepostwasgiventoanother。HeneverwentneartheEpanchins’houseatall，andwasexceedinglyirritableanddepressed。
VarvaraArdalionovnamarriedPtitsinthiswinter，anditwassaidthatthefactofGania’sretirementfrombusinesswastheultimatecauseofthemarriage，sinceGaniawasnownotonlyunabletosupporthisfamily，butevenrequiredhelphimself。
WemaymentionthatGaniawasnolongermentionedintheEpanchinhouseholdanymorethantheprincewas；butthatacertaincircumstanceinconnectionwiththefataleveningatNastasia’shousebecameknowntothegeneral，and，infact，toallthefamilytheverynextday。ThisfactwasthatGaniahadcomehomethatnight，buthadrefusedtogotobed。Hehadawaitedtheprince’sreturnfromEkaterinhofwithfeverishimpatience。
Onthelatter’sarrival，atsixinthemorning，Ganiahadgonetohiminhisroom，bringingwithhimthesingedpacketofmoney，whichhehadinsistedthattheprinceshouldreturntoNastasiaPhilipovnawithoutdelay。ItwassaidthatwhenGaniaenteredtheprince’sroom，hecamewithanythingbutfriendlyfeelings，andinaconditionofdespairandmisery；butthatafterashortconversation，hehadstayedonforacoupleofhourswithhim，sobbingcontinuouslyandbitterlythewholetime。Theyhadpartedupontermsofcordialfriendship。
TheEpanchinsheardaboutthis，aswellasabouttheepisodeatNastasiaPhilipovna’s。Itwasstrange，perhaps，thatthefactsshouldbecomesoquickly，andfairlyaccurately，known。AsfarasGaniawasconcerned，itmighthavebeensupposedthatthenewshadcomethroughVarvaraArdalionovna，whohadsuddenlybecomeafrequentvisitoroftheEpanchingirls，greatlytotheirmother’ssurprise。ButthoughVarvarahadseenfit，forsomereason，tomakefriendswiththem，itwasnotlikelythatshewouldhavetalkedtothemaboutherbrother。Shehadplentyofpride，inspiteofthefactthatinthusactingshewasseekingintimacywithpeoplewhohadpracticallyshownherbrotherthedoor。SheandtheEpanchingirlshadbeenacquaintedinchildhood，althoughoflatetheyhadmetbutrarely。EvennowVarvarahardlyeverappearedinthedrawing-room，butwouldslipinbyabackway。
LizabethaProkofievna，whodislikedVarvara，althoughshehadagreatrespectforhermother，wasmuchannoyedbythissuddenintimacy，andputitdowntothegeneral\"contrariness\"ofherdaughters，whowere\"alwaysonthelookoutforsomenewwayofopposingher。\"Nevertheless，Varvaracontinuedhervisits。
AmonthafterMuishkin’sdeparture，Mrs。EpanchinreceivedaletterfromheroldfriendPrincessBielokonskiwhohadlatelyleftforMoscow，whichletterputherintothegreatestgoodhumour。Shedidnotdivulgeitscontentseithertoherdaughtersorthegeneral，butherconducttowardstheformerbecameaffectionateintheextreme。Sheevenmadesomesortofconfessiontothem，buttheywereunabletounderstandwhatitwasabout。Sheactuallyrelaxedtowardsthegeneralalittle——hehadbeenlongdisgraced——andthoughshemanagedtoquarrelwiththemallthenextday，yetshesooncameround，andfromhergeneralbehaviouritwastobeconcludedthatshehadbadgoodnewsofsomesort，whichshewouldlike，butcouldnotmakeuphermind，todisclose。
However，aweeklatershereceivedanotherletterfromthesamesource，andatlastresolvedtospeak。
ShesolemnlyannouncedthatshehadheardfromoldPrincessBielokonski，whohadgivenhermostcomfortingnewsabout\"thatqueeryoungprince。\"Herfriendhadhuntedhimup，andfoundthatallwasgoingwellwithhim。Hehadsincecalledinpersonuponher，makinganextremelyfavourableimpression，fortheprincesshadreceivedhimeachdaysince，andhadintroducedhimintoseveralgoodhouses。
Thegirlscouldseethattheirmotherconcealedagreatdealfromthem，andleftoutlargepiecesoftheletterinreadingittothem。
However，theicewasbroken，anditsuddenlybecamepossibletomentiontheprince’snameagain。Andagainitbecameevidenthowverystrongwastheimpressiontheyoungmanhadmadeinthehouseholdbyhisonevisitthere。Mrs。EpanchinwassurprisedattheeffectwhichthenewsfromMoscowhaduponthegirls，andtheywerenolesssurprisedthataftersolemnlyremarkingthathermoststrikingcharacteristicwas\"beingmistakeninpeople\"
sheshouldhavetroubledtoobtainfortheprincethefavourandprotectionofsopowerfulanoldladyasthePrincessBielokonski。Assoonastheicewasthusbroken，thegenerallostnotimeinshowingthathe，too，tookthegreatestinterestinthesubject。Headmittedthathewasinterested，butsaidthatitwasmerelyinthebusinesssideofthequestion。Itappearedthat，intheinterestsoftheprince，hehadmadearrangementsinMoscowforacarefulwatchtobekeptupontheprince’sbusinessaffairs，andespeciallyuponSalaskin。Allthathadbeensaidastotheprincebeinganundoubtedheirtoafortuneturnedouttobeperfectlytrue；butthefortuneprovedtobemuchsmallerthanwasatfirstreported。Theestatewasconsiderablyencumberedwithdebts；creditorsturneduponallsides，andtheprince，inspiteofalladviceandentreaty，insisteduponmanagingallmattersofclaimhimself——which，ofcourse，meantsatisfyingeverybodyallround，althoughhalftheclaimswereabsolutelyfraudulent。
Mrs。Epanchinconfirmedallthis。Shesaidtheprincesshadwrittentomuchthesameeffect，andaddedthattherewasnocuringafool。Butitwasplain，fromherexpressionofface，howstronglysheapprovedofthisparticularyoungfool’sdoings。Inconclusion，thegeneralobservedthathiswifetookasgreataninterestintheprinceasthoughhewereherownson；andthatshehadcommencedtobeespeciallyaffectionatetowardsAglayawasaself-evidentfact。
Allthiscausedthegeneraltolookgraveandimportant。But，alas！thisagreeablestateofaffairsverysoonchangedoncemore。
Acoupleofweekswentby，andsuddenlythegeneralandhiswifewereoncemoregloomyandsilent，andtheicewasasfirmasever。Thefactwas，thegeneral，whohadheardfirst，howNastasiaPhilipovnahadfledtoMoscowandhadbeendiscoveredtherebyRogojin；thatshehadthendisappearedoncemore，andbeenfoundagainbyRogojin，andhowafterthatshehadalmostpromisedtomarryhim，nowreceivednewsthatshehadoncemoredisappeared，almostontheverydayfixedforherwedding，flyingsomewhereintotheinteriorofRussiathistime，andthatPrinceMuishkinhadleftallhisaffairsinthehandsofSalaskinanddisappearedalso——butwhetherhewaswithNastasia，orhadonlysetoffinsearchofher，wasunknown。
LizabethaProkofievnareceivedconfirmatorynewsfromtheprincess——andalas，twomonthsaftertheprince’sfirstdeparturefromSt。Petersburg，darknessandmysteryoncemoreenvelopedhiswhereaboutsandactions，andintheEpanchinfamilytheiceofsilenceoncemoreformedoverthesubject。Varia，however，informedthegirlsofwhathadhappened，shehavingreceivedthenewsfromPtitsin，whogenerallyknewmorethanmostpeople。
Tomakeanend，wemaysaythatthereweremanychangesintheEpanchinhouseholdinthespring，sothatitwasnotdifficulttoforgettheprince，whosentnonewsofhimself。
TheEpanchinfamilyhadatlastmadeuptheirmindstospendthesummerabroad，allexceptthegeneral，whocouldnotwastetimein\"travellingforenjoyment，\"ofcourse。Thisarrangementwasbroughtaboutbythepersistenceofthegirls，whoinsistedthattheywereneverallowedtogoabroadbecausetheirparentsweretooanxioustomarrythemoff。Perhapstheirparentshadatlastcometotheconclusionthathusbandsmightbefoundabroad，andthatasummer’stravelmightbearfruit。ThemarriagebetweenAlexandraandTotskihadbeenbrokenoff。Sincetheprince’sdeparturefromSt。Petersburgnomorehadbeensaidaboutit；thesubjecthadbeendroppedwithoutceremony，muchtothejoyofMrs。General，who，announcedthatshewas\"readytocrossherselfwithbothhands\"ingratitudefortheescape。Thegeneral，however，regrettedTotskiforalongwhile。\"Suchafortune！\"hesighed，\"andsuchagood，easy-goingfellow！\"
AfteratimeitbecameknownthatTotskihadmarriedaFrenchmarquise，andwastobecarriedoffbyhertoParis，andthentoBrittany。
\"Oh，well，\"thoughtthegeneral，\"he’slosttousforgood，now。\"
SotheEpanchinspreparedtodepartforthesummer。
Butnowanothercircumstanceoccurred，whichchangedalltheplansoncemore，andagaintheintendedjourneywasputoff，muchtothedelightofthegeneralandhisspouse。
AcertainPrinceS——arrivedinSt。PetersburgfromMoscow，aneminentandhonourableyoungman。Hewasoneofthoseactivepersonswhoalwaysfindsomegoodworkwithwhichtoemploythemselves。Withoutforcinghimselfuponthepublicnotice，modestandunobtrusive，thisyoungprincewasconcernedwithmuchthathappenedintheworldingeneral。
Hehadserved，atfirst，inoneofthecivildepartments，hadthenattendedtomattersconnectedwiththelocalgovernmentofprovincialtowns，andhadoflatebeenacorrespondingmemberofseveralimportantscientificsocieties。Hewasamanofexcellentfamilyandsolidmeans，aboutthirty-fiveyearsofage。
PrinceS——madetheacquaintanceofthegeneral’sfamily，andAdelaida，thesecondgirl，madeagreatimpressionuponhim。
Towardsthespringheproposedtoher，andsheacceptedhim。Thegeneralandhiswifeweredelighted。Thejourneyabroadwasputoff，andtheweddingwasfixedforadaynotverydistant。
ThetripabroadmighthavebeenenjoyedlateronbyMrs。Epanchinandhertworemainingdaughters，butforanothercircumstance。
ItsohappenedthatPrinceS——introducedadistantrelationofhisownintotheEpanchinfamily——oneEvgeniePavlovitch，ayoungofficerofabouttwenty-eightyearsofage，whoseconquestsamongtheladiesinMoscowhadbeenproverbial。ThisyounggentlemannosoonerseteyesonAglayathanhebecameafrequentvisitoratthehouse。Hewaswitty，well-educated，andextremelywealthy，asthegeneralverysoondiscovered。Hispastreputationwastheonlythingagainsthim。
Nothingwassaid；therewerenotevenanyhintsdropped；butstill，itseemedbettertotheparentstosaynothingmoreaboutgoingabroadthisseason，atallevents。Aglayaherselfperhapswasofadifferentopinion。
Allthishappenedjustbeforethesecondappearanceofourherouponthescene。
Bythistime，tojudgefromappearances，poorPrinceMuishkinhadbeenquiteforgotteninSt。Petersburg。Ifhehadappearedsuddenlyamonghisacquaintances，hewouldhavebeenreceivedasonefromtheskies；butwemustjustglanceatonemorefactbeforeweconcludethispreface。
ColiaIvolgin，forsometimeaftertheprince’sdeparture，continuedhisoldlife。Thatis，hewenttoschool，lookedafterhisfather，helpedVariainthehouse，andranhererrands，andwentfrequentlytoseehisfriend，Hippolyte。
Thelodgershaddisappearedveryquickly——FerdishenkosoonaftertheeventsatNastasiaPhilipovna’s，whiletheprincewenttoMoscow，asweknow。GaniaandhismotherwenttolivewithVariaandPtitsinimmediatelyafterthelatter’swedding，whilethegeneralwashousedinadebtor’sprisonbyreasonofcertainIOU’sgiventothecaptain’swidowundertheimpressionthattheywouldneverbeformallyusedagainsthim。ThisunkindactionmuchsurprisedpoorArdalionAlexandrovitch，thevictim，ashecalledhimself，ofan\"unboundedtrustinthenobilityofthehumanheart。\"
Whenhesignedthosenotesofhand，heneverdreamtthattheywouldbeasourceoffuturetrouble。Theeventshowedthathewasmistaken。
\"Trustinanyoneafterthis！Havetheleastconfidenceinmanorwoman！\"
hecriedinbittertones，ashesatwithhisnewfriendsinprison，andrecountedtothemhisfavouritestoriesofthesiegeofKars，andtheresuscitatedsoldier。Onthewhole，heaccommodatedhimselfverywelltohisnewposition。PtitsinandVariadeclaredthathewasintherightplace，andGaniawasofthesameopinion。TheonlypersonwhodeploredhisfatewaspoorNinaAlexandrovna，whoweptbittertearsoverhim，tothegreatsurpriseofherhousehold，and，thoughalwaysinfeeblehealth，madeapointofgoingtoseehimasoftenaspossible。
Sincethegeneral’s\"mishap，\"asColiacalledit，andthemarriageofhissister，theboyhadquietlypossessedhimselfoffarmorefreedom。Hisrelationssawlittleofhim，forherarelysleptathome。Hemademanynewfriends；andwasmoreover，afrequentvisitoratthedebtor’sprison，towhichheinvariablyaccompaniedhismother。Varia，whousedtobealwayscorrectinghim，neverspoketohimnowonthesubjectofhisfrequentabsences，andthewholehouseholdwassurprisedtoseeGania，inspiteofhisdepression，onquitefriendlytermswithhisbrother。Thiswassomethingnew，forGaniahadbeenwonttolookuponColiaasakindoferrand-boy，treatinghimwithcontempt，threateningto\"pullhisears，\"andingeneraldrivinghimalmostwildwithirritation。ItseemednowthatGaniareallyneededhisbrother，andthelatter，forhispart，feltasifhecouldforgiveGaniamuchsincehehadreturnedthehundredthousandroublesofferedtohimbyNastasiaPhilipovna。Threemonthsafterthedepartureoftheprince，theIvolginfamilydiscoveredthatColiahadmadeacquaintancewiththeEpanchins，andwasonveryfriendlytermswiththedaughters。Variaheardofitfirst，thoughColiahadnotaskedhertointroducehim。Littlebylittlethefamilygrewquitefondofhim。MadameEpanchinatfirstlookedonhimwithdisdain，andreceivedhimcoldly，butinashorttimehegrewtopleaseher，because，asshesaid，he\"wascandidandnoflatterer\"——averytruedescription。Fromthefirstheputhimselfonanequalitywithhisnewfriends，andthoughhesometimesreadnewspapersandbookstothemistressofthehouse，itwassimplybecausehelikedtobeuseful。
Oneday，however，heandLizabethaProkofievnaquarrelledseriouslyaboutthe\"womanquestion，\"inthecourseofalivelydiscussiononthatburningsubject。Hetoldherthatshewasatyrant，andthathewouldneversetfootinherhouseagain。Itmayseemincredible，butadayortwoafter，MadameEpanchinsentaservantwithanotebegginghimtoreturn，andColia，withoutstandingonhisdignity，didsoatonce。
Aglayawastheonlyoneofthefamilywhosegoodgraceshecouldnotgain，andwhoalwaysspoketohimhaughtily，butitsohappenedthattheboyonedaysucceededingivingtheproudmaidenasurprise。
ItwasaboutEaster，when，takingadvantageofamomentarytete-
a-teteColiahandedAglayaaletter，remarkingthathe\"hadorderstodeliverittoherprivately。\"Shestaredathiminamazement，buthedidnotwaittohearwhatshehadtosay，andwentout。Aglayabroketheseal，andreadasfollows:
\"Onceyoudidmethehonourofgivingmeyourconfidence。Perhapsyouhavequiteforgottenmenow！HowisitthatIamwritingtoyou？Idonotknow；butIamconsciousofanirresistibledesiretoremindyouofmyexistence，especiallyyou。HowmanytimesI
haveneededallthreeofyou；butonlyyouhavedweltalwaysinmymind’seye。Ineedyou——Ineedyouverymuch。Iwillnotwriteaboutmyself。Ihavenothingtotellyou。ButIlongforyoutobehappy。AREyouhappy？ThatisallIwishedtosaytoyou——Yourbrother，\"PR。L。MUISHKIN。\"
Onreadingthisshortanddisconnectednote，Aglayasuddenlyblushedallover，andbecameverythoughtful。
Itwouldbedifficulttodescribeherthoughtsatthatmoment。
Oneofthemwas，\"ShallIshowittoanyone？\"Butshewasashamedtoshowit。Sosheendedbyhidingitinhertabledrawer，withaverystrange，ironicalsmileuponherlips。
Nextday，shetookitout，andputitintoalargebook，assheusuallydidwithpaperswhichshewantedtobeabletofindeasily。Shelaughedwhen，aboutaweeklater，shehappenedtonoticethenameofthebook，andsawthatitwasDonQuixote，butitwouldbedifficulttosayexactlywhy。
Icannotsay，either，whethersheshowedthelettertohersisters。
Butwhenshehadreaditherselfoncemore，itsuddenlystruckherthatsurelythatconceitedboy，Colia，hadnotbeentheonechosencorrespondentoftheprinceallthiswhile。Shedeterminedtoaskhim，anddidsowithanexaggeratedshowofcarelessness。
Heinformedherhaughtilythatthoughhehadgiventheprincehispermanentaddresswhenthelatterlefttown，andhadofferedhisservices，theprincehadneverbeforegivenhimanycommissiontoperform，norhadhewrittenuntilthefollowinglinesarrived，withAglaya’sletter。Aglayatookthenote，andreadit。
\"DEARCOLIA，——PleasebesokindastogivetheenclosedsealedlettertoAglayaIvanovna。Keepwell——Everyourloving，\"PR。L。MUISHKIN。\"
\"Itseemsabsurdtotrustalittlepepper-boxlikeyou，\"saidAglaya，asshereturnedthenote，andwalkedpastthe\"pepper-
box\"withanexpressionofgreatcontempt。
ThiswasmorethanColiacouldbear。HehadactuallyborrowedGania’snewgreentiefortheoccasion，withoutsayingwhyhewantedit，inordertoimpressher。Hewasverydeeplymortified。
ITwasthebeginningofJune，andforawholeweektheweatherinSt。Petersburghadbeenmagnificent。TheEpanchinshadaluxuriouscountry-houseatPavlofsk，[OneofthefashionablesummerresortsnearSt。Petersburg。]andtothisspotMrs。
Epanchindeterminedtoproceedwithoutfurtherdelay。Inacoupleofdaysallwasready，andthefamilyhadlefttown。AdayortwoafterthisremovaltoPavlofsk，PrinceMuishkinarrivedinSt。
PetersburgbythemorningtrainfromMoscow。Noonemethim；but，ashesteppedoutofthecarriage，hesuddenlybecameawareoftwostrangelyglowingeyesfixeduponhimfromamongthecrowdthatmetthetrain。Onendeavouringtore-discovertheeyes，andseetowhomtheybelonged，hecouldfindnothingtoguidehim。Itmusthavebeenahallucination。Butthedisagreeableimpressionremained，andwithoutthis，theprincewassadandthoughtfulalready，andseemedtobemuchpreoccupied。
HiscabtookhimtoasmallandbadhotelneartheLitaynaya。
Hereheengagedacoupleofrooms，darkandbadlyfurnished。Hewashedandchanged，andhurriedlyleftthehotelagain，asthoughanxioustowastenotime。AnyonewhonowsawhimforthefirsttimesinceheleftPetersburgwouldjudgethathehadimprovedvastlysofarashisexteriorwasconcerned。Hisclothescertainlywereverydifferent；theyweremorefashionable，perhapseventoomuchso，andanyoneinclinedtomockerymighthavefoundsomethingtosmileatinhisappearance。Butwhatistherethatpeoplewillnotsmileat？
TheprincetookacabanddrovetoastreetneartheNativity，wherehesoondiscoveredthehousehewasseeking。Itwasasmallwoodenvilla，andhewasstruckbyitsattractiveandcleanappearance；itstoodinapleasantlittlegarden，fullofflowers。Thewindowslookingonthestreetwereopen，andthesoundofavoice，readingaloudormakingaspeech，camethroughthem。Itroseattimestoashout，andwasinterruptedoccasionallybyburstsoflaughter。
PrinceMuishkinenteredthecourt-yard，andascendedthesteps。A
cookwithhersleevesturneduptotheelbowsopenedthedoor。
ThevisitoraskedifMr。Lebedeffwereathome。
\"Heisinthere，\"saidshe，pointingtothesalon。
Theroomhadabluewall-paper，andwaswell，almostpretentiously，furnished，withitsroundtable，itsdivan，anditsbronzeclockunderaglassshade。Therewasanarrowpier-
glassagainstthewall，andachandelieradornedwithlustreshungbyabronzechainfromtheceiling。
Whentheprinceentered，Lebedeffwasstandinginthemiddleoftheroom，hisbacktothedoor。Hewasinhisshirt-sleeves，onaccountoftheextremeheat，andheseemedtohavejustreachedtheperorationofhisspeech，andwasimpressivelybeatinghisbreast。
Hisaudienceconsistedofayouthofaboutfifteenyearsofagewithacleverface，whohadabookinhishand，thoughhewasnotreading；ayoungladyoftwenty，indeepmourning，stoodnearhimwithaninfantinherarms；anothergirlofthirteen，alsoinblack，waslaughingloudly，hermouthwideopen；andonthesofalayahandsomeyoungman，withblackhairandeyes，andasuspicionofbeardandwhiskers。Hefrequentlyinterruptedthespeakerandarguedwithhim，tothegreatdelightoftheothers。
\"LukianTimofeyovitch！LukianTimofeyovitch！Here’ssomeonetoseeyou！Lookhere！……agentlemantospeaktoyou！……
Well，it’snotmyfault！\"andthecookturnedandwentawayredwithanger。
Lebedeffstarted，andatsightoftheprincestoodlikeastatueforamoment。Thenhemoveduptohimwithaningratiatingsmile，butstoppedshortagain。
\"Prince！ex-ex-excellency！\"hestammered。Thensuddenlyherantowardsthegirlwiththeinfant，amovementsounexpectedbyherthatshestaggeredandfellback，butnextmomenthewasthreateningtheotherchild，whowasstanding，stilllaughing，inthedoorway。Shescreamed，andrantowardsthekitchen。Lebedeffstampedhisfootangrily；then，seeingtheprinceregardinghimwithamazement，hemurmuredapologetically——\"Pardontoshowrespect！……he-he！\"
\"Youarequitewrong……\"begantheprince。
\"Atonce……atonce……inonemoment！\"
Herushedlikeawhirlwindfromtheroom，andMuishkinlookedinquiringlyattheothers。
Theywerealllaughing，andtheguestjoinedinthechorus。
\"Hehasgonetogethiscoat，\"saidtheboy。
\"Howannoying！\"exclaimedtheprince。\"Ithought……Tellme，ishe……\"
\"Youthinkheisdrunk？\"criedtheyoungmanonthesofa。\"Notintheleast。He’sonlyhadthreeorfoursmallglasses，perhapsfive；butwhatisthat？Theusualthing！\"
Astheprinceopenedhismouthtoanswer，hewasinterruptedbythegirl，whosesweetfaceworeanexpressionofabsolutefrankness。
\"Heneverdrinksmuchinthemorning；ifyouhavecometotalkbusinesswithhim，doitnow。Itisthebesttime。Hesometimescomesbackdrunkintheevening；butjustnowhepassesthegreaterpartoftheeveningintears，andreadspassagesofHolyScripturealoud，becauseourmotherdiedfiveweeksago。\"
\"Nodoubtheranoffbecausehedidnotknowwhattosaytoyou，\"
saidtheyouthonthedivan。\"Ibetheistryingtocheatyou，andisthinkinghowbesttodoit。\"
JustthenLebedeffreturned，havingputonhiscoat。
\"Fiveweeks！\"saidhe，wipinghiseyes。\"Onlyfiveweeks！Poororphans！\"
\"Butwhywearacoatinholes，\"askedthegirl，\"whenyournewoneishangingbehindthedoor？Didyounotseeit？\"
\"Holdyourtongue，dragon-fly！\"hescolded。\"Whataplagueyouare！\"Hestampedhisfootirritably，butsheonlylaughed，andanswered:
\"Areyoutryingtofrightenme？IamnotTania，youknow，andI
don’tintendtorunaway。Look，youarewakingLubotchka，andshewillhaveconvulsionsagain。Whydoyoushoutlikethat？\"
\"Well，well！Iwon’tagain，\"saidthemasterofthehousehisanxietygettingthebetterofhistemper。Hewentuptohisdaughter，andlookedatthechildinherarms，anxiouslymakingthesignofthecrossoverherthreetimes。\"Godblessher！Godblessher！\"hecriedwithemotion。\"ThislittlecreatureismydaughterLuboff，\"addressingtheprince。\"Mywife，Helena，died——
atherbirth；andthisismybigdaughterVera，inmourning，asyousee；andthis，this，oh，thispointingtotheyoungmanonthedivan……
\"Well，goon！nevermindme！\"mockedtheother。\"Don’tbeafraid！\"
\"Excellency！HaveyoureadthataccountofthemurderoftheZemarinfamily，inthenewspaper？\"criedLebedeff，allofasudden。
\"Yes，\"saidMuishkin，withsomesurprise。
\"Well，thatisthemurderer！Itishe——infact——\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"askedthevisitor。
\"Iamspeakingallegorically，ofcourse；buthewillbethemurdererofaZemarinfamilyinthefuture。Heisgettingready……\"
Theyalllaughed，andthethoughtcrossedtheprince’smindthatperhapsLebedeffwasreallytriflinginthiswaybecauseheforesawinconvenientquestions，andwantedtogaintime。
\"Heisatraitor！aconspirator！\"shoutedLebedeff，whoseemedtohavelostallcontroloverhimself。\"Amonster！aslanderer！
OughtItotreathimasanephew，thesonofmysisterAnisia？\"
\"Oh！dobequiet！Youmustbedrunk！Hehastakenitintohisheadtoplaythelawyer，prince，andhepracticesspeechifying，andisalwaysrepeatinghiseloquentpleadingstohischildren。
Andwhodoyouthinkwashislastclient？Anoldwomanwhohadbeenrobbedoffivehundredroubles，herall，bysomerogueofausurer，besoughthimtotakeuphercase，insteadofwhichhedefendedtheusurerhimself，aJewnamedZeidler，becausethisJewpromisedtogivehimfiftyroubles……\"
\"ItwastobefiftyifIwonthecase，onlyfiveifIlost，\"
interruptedLebedeff，speakinginalowtone，agreatcontrasttohisearliermanner。
\"Well！naturallyhecametogrief:thelawisnotadministeredasitusedtobe，andheonlygotlaughedatforhispains。Buthewasmuchpleasedwithhimselfinspiteofthat。’Mostlearnedjudge！’saidhe，’picturethisunhappyman，crippledbyageandinfirmities，whogainshislivingbyhonourabletoil——picturehim，Irepeat，robbedofhisall，ofhislastmouthful；remember，I
entreatyou，thewordsofthatlearnedlegislator，\"Letmercyandjusticealikerulethecourtsoflaw。\"’Now，wouldyoubelieveit，excellency，everymorningherecitesthisspeechtousfrombeginningtoend，exactlyashespokeitbeforethemagistrate。
To-daywehavehearditforthefifthtime。Hewasjuststartingagainwhenyouarrived，somuchdoesheadmireit。Heisnowpreparingtoundertakeanothercase。Ithink，bytheway，thatyouarePrinceMuishkin？Coliatellsmeyouarethecleverestmanhehaseverknown……\"
\"Thecleverestintheworld，\"interruptedhisunclehastily。
\"Idonotpaymuchattentiontothatopinion，\"continuedtheyoungmancalmly。\"Coliaisveryfondofyou，buthe，\"pointingtoLebedeff，\"isflatteringyou。IcanassureyouIhavenointentionofflatteringyou，oranyoneelse，butatleastyouhavesomecommon-sense。Well，willyoujudgebetweenus？Shallweasktheprincetoactasarbitrator？\"hewenton，addressinghisuncle。
\"Iamsogladyouchancedtocomehere，prince。\"
\"Iagree，\"saidLebedeff，firmly，lookingroundinvoluntarilyathisdaughter，whohadcomenearer，andwaslisteningattentivelytotheconversation。
\"Whatisitallabout？\"askedtheprince，frowning。Hisheadached，andhefeltsurethatLebedeffwastryingtocheathiminsomeway，andonlytalkingtoputofftheexplanationthathehadcomefor。
\"Iwilltellyouallthestory。Iamhisnephew；hedidspeakthetruththere，althoughheisgenerallytellinglies。I
amattheUniversity，andhavenotyetfinishedmycourse。Imeantodoso，andIshall，forIhaveadeterminedcharacter。Imust，however，findsomethingtodoforthepresent，andthereforeI
havegotemploymentontherailwayattwenty-fourroublesamonth。Iadmitthatmyunclehashelpedmeonceortwicebefore。
Well，Ihadtwentyroublesinmypocket，andIgambledthemaway。
CanyoubelievethatIshouldbesolow，sobase，astolosemoneyinthatway？\"
\"Andthemanwhowonitisarogue，aroguewhomyououghtnottohavepaid！\"criedLebedeff。
\"Yes，heisarogue，butIwasobligedtopayhim，\"saidtheyoungman。\"Astohisbeingarogue，heisassuredlythat，andI
amnotsayingitbecausehebeatyou。Heisanex-lieutenant，prince，dismissedfromtheservice，ateacherofboxing，andoneofRogojin’sfollowers。TheyareallloungingaboutthepavementsnowthatRogojinhasturnedthemoff。Ofcourse，theworstofitisthat，knowinghewasarascal，andacard-sharper，Inonethelessplayedpalkiwithhim，andriskedmylastrouble。Totellthetruth，Ithoughttomyself，’IfIlose，Iwillgotomyuncle，andIamsurehewillnotrefusetohelpme。’Nowthatwasbase-cowardlyandbase！\"
\"Thatisso，\"observedLebedeffquietly；\"cowardlyandbase。\"
\"Well，waitabit，beforeyoubegintotriumph，\"saidthenephewviciously；forthewordsseemedtoirritatehim。\"Heisdelighted！Icametohimhereandtoldhimeverything:Iactedhonourably，forIdidnotexcusemyself。Ispokemostseverelyofmyconduct，aseveryoneherecanwitness。ButImustsmartenmyselfupbeforeItakeupmynewpost，forIamreallylikeatramp。Justlookatmyboots！Icannotpossiblyappearlikethis，andifIamnotatthebureauatthetimeappointed，thejobwillbegiventosomeoneelse；andIshallhavetotryforanother。
NowIonlybegforfifteenroubles，andIgivemywordthatI
willneveraskhimforanythingagain。Iamalsoreadytopromisetorepaymydebtinthreemonths’time，andIwillkeepmyword，evenifIhavetoliveonbreadandwater。Mysalarywillamounttoseventy-fiveroublesinthreemonths。ThesumInowask，addedtowhatIhaveborrowedalready，willmakeatotalofaboutthirty-fiveroubles，soyouseeIshallhaveenoughtopayhimandconfoundhim！ifhewantsinterest，heshallhavethat，too！
Haven’tIalwayspaidbackthemoneyhelentmebefore？Whyshouldhebesomeannow？Hegrudgesmyhavingpaidthatlieutenant；therecanbenootherreason！That’sthekindheis——
adoginthemanger！\"
\"Andhewon’tgoaway！\"criedLebedeff。\"Hehasinstalledhimselfhere，andhereheremains！\"
\"Ihavetoldyoualready，thatIwillnotgoawayuntilIhavegotwhatIask。Whyareyousmiling，prince？Youlookasifyoudisapprovedofme。\"
\"Iamnotsmiling，butIreallythinkyouareinthewrong，somewhat，\"repliedMuishkin，reluctantly。
\"Don’tshuffle！SayplainlythatyouthinkthatIamquitewrong，withoutany’somewhat’！Why’somewhat’？\"
\"Iwillsayyouarequitewrong，ifyouwish。\"
\"IfIwish！That’sgood，Imustsay！DoyouthinkIamdeceivedastotheflagrantimproprietyofmyconduct？Iamquiteawarethathismoneyishisown，andthatmyaction-Asmuchlikeanattemptatextortion。Butyou-youdon’tknowwhatlifeis！Ifpeopledon’tlearnbyexperience，theyneverunderstand。Theymustbetaught。Myintentionsareperfectlyhonest；onmyconsciencehewilllosenothing，andIwillpaybackthemoneywithinterest。Addedtowhichhehashadthemoralsatisfactionofseeingmedisgraced。Whatdoeshewantmore？andwhatishegoodforifheneverhelpsanyone？Lookwhathedoeshimself！
justaskhimabouthisdealingswithothers，howhedeceivespeople！Howdidhemanagetobuythishouse？Youmaycutoffmyheadifhehasnotletyouinforsomething-andifheisnottryingtocheatyouagain。Youaresmiling。Youdon’tbelieveme？\"
\"Itseemstomethatallthishasnothingtodowithyouraffairs，\"remarkedtheprince。
\"Ihavelainherenowforthreedays，\"criedtheyoungmanwithoutnoticing，\"andIhaveseenalot！Fancy！hesuspectshisdaughter，thatangel，thatorphan，mycousin——hesuspectsher，andeveryeveninghesearchesherroom，toseeifshehasaloverhiddeninit！Hecomesheretooontiptoe，creepingsoftly——oh，sosoftly——andlooksunderthesofa——mybed，youknow。Heismadwithsuspicion，andseesathiefineverycorner。Herunsaboutallnightlong；hewasupatleastseventimeslastnight，tosatisfyhimselfthatthewindowsanddoorswerebarred，andtopeepintotheoven。Thatmanwhoappearsincourtforscoundrels，rushesinhereinthenightandprays，lyingprostrate，banginghisheadonthegroundbythehalf-hour——andforwhomdoyouthinkheprays？Whoarethesinnersfiguringinhisdrunkenpetitions？IhaveheardhimwithmyownearsprayingforthereposeofthesouloftheCountessduBarry！Coliaheardittoo。
HeisasmadasaMarchhare！\"
\"Youhearhowheslandersme，prince，\"saidLebedeff，almostbesidehimselfwithrage。\"Imaybeadrunkard，anevil-doer，athief，butatleastIcansayonethingformyself。Hedoesnotknow——howshouldhe，mockerthatheis？——thatwhenhecameintotheworlditwasIwhowashedhim，anddressedhiminhisswathing-bands，formysisterAnisiahadlostherhusband，andwasingreatpoverty。Iwasverylittlebetteroffthanshe，butIsatupnightafternightwithher，andnursedbothmotherandchild；Iusedtogodownstairsandstealwoodforthemfromthehouse-porter。HowoftendidIsinghimtosleepwhenIwashalfdeadwithhunger！Inshort，Iwasmorethanafathertohim，andnow——nowhejeersatme！EvenifIdidcrossmyself，andprayforthereposeofthesouloftheComtesseduBarry，whatdoesitmatter？Threedaysago，forthefirsttimeinmylife，Ireadherbiographyinanhistoricaldictionary。Doyouknowwhoshewas？
Youthere！\"addressinghisnephew。\"Speak！doyouknow？\"
\"Ofcoursenooneknowsanythingaboutherbutyou，\"mutteredtheyoungmaninawould-bejeeringtone。
\"ShewasaCountesswhorosefromshametoreignlikeaQueen。AnEmpresswrotetoher，withherownhand，as’Macherecousine。’
Atalever-du-roionemorningdoyouknowwhatalever-du-roiwas？——aCardinal，aPapallegate，offeredtoputonherstockings；ahighandholypersonlikethatlookedonitasanhonour！Didyouknowthis？Iseebyyourexpressionthatyoudidnot！Well，howdidshedie？Answer！\"
\"Oh！dostop——youaretooabsurd！\"
\"Thisishowshedied。Afterallthishonourandglory，afterhavingbeenalmostaQueen，shewasguillotinedbythatbutcher，Samson。Shewasquiteinnocent，butithadtobedone，forthesatisfactionofthefishwivesofParis。Shewassoterrified，thatshedidnotunderstandwhatwashappening。ButwhenSamsonseizedherhead，andpushedherundertheknifewithhisfoot，shecriedout:’Waitamoment！waitamoment，monsieur！’Well，becauseofthatmomentofbittersuffering，perhapstheSaviourwillpardonherotherfaults，foronecannotimagineagreateragony。AsIreadthestorymyheartbledforher。Andwhatdoesitmattertoyou，littleworm，ifIimploredtheDivinemercyforher，greatsinnerasshewas，asIsaidmyeveningprayer？I
mighthavedoneitbecauseIdoubtedifanyonehadevercrossedhimselfforhersakebefore。Itmaybethatintheotherworldshewillrejoicetothinkthatasinnerlikeherselfhascriedtoheavenforthesalvationofhersoul。Whyareyoulaughing？Youbelievenothing，atheist！Andyourstorywasnotevencorrect！IfyouhadlistenedtowhatIwassaying，youwouldhaveheardthatIdidnotonlyprayfortheComtesseduBarry。Isaid，’OhLord！
giveresttothesoulofthatgreatsinner，theComtesseduBarry，andtoallunhappyoneslikeher。’Youseethatisquiteadifferentthing，forhowmanysinnersthereare，howmanywomen，whohavepassedthroughthetrialsofthislife，arenowsufferingandgroaninginpurgatory！Iprayedforyou，too，inspiteofyourinsolenceandimpudence，alsoforyourfellows，asitseemsthatyouclaimtoknowhowIpray……\"
\"Oh！that’senoughinallconscience！Prayforwhomyouchoose，andthedeviltakethemandyou！Wehaveascholarhere；youdidnotknowthat，prince？\"hecontinued，withasneer。\"Hereadsallsortsofbooksandmemoirsnow。\"
\"Atanyrate，yourunclehasakindheart，\"remarkedtheprince，whoreallyhadtoforcehimselftospeaktothenephew，somuchdidhedislikehim。
\"Oh，nowyouaregoingtopraisehim！Hewillbesetup！Heputshishandonhisheart，andheisdelighted！Ineversaidhewasamanwithoutheart，butheisarascal——that’sthepityofit。Andthen，heisaddictedtodrink，andhismindisunhinged，likethatofmostpeoplewhohavetakenmorethanisgoodforthemforyears。Heloveshischildren——oh，Iknowthatwellenough！Herespectedmyaunt，hislatewife……andheevenhasasortofaffectionforme。Hehasrememberedmeinhiswill。\"
\"Ishallleaveyounothing！\"exclaimedhisuncleangrily。
\"Listentome，Lebedeff，\"saidtheprinceinadecidedvoice，turninghisbackontheyoungman。\"Iknowbyexperiencethatwhenyouchoose，youcanbebusiness-like……I。Ihaveverylittletimetospare，andifyou……Bytheway——excuseme——whatisyourChristianname？Ihaveforgottenit。\"
\"Ti-Ti-Timofey。\"
\"And？\"
\"Lukianovitch。\"