Shewasascapriciousaseverinthechoiceofheracquaintances，andadmittedfewintohernarrowcircle。Yetshealreadyhadanumerousfollowingandmanychampionsonwhomshecoulddependintimeofneed。Onegentlemanonhisholidayhadbrokenoffhisengagementonheraccount，andanoldgeneralhadquarrelledwithhisonlysonforthesamereason。
Shewasaccompaniedsometimesinhercarriagebyagirlofsixteen，adistantrelativeofherhostess。Thisyoungladysangverywell；infact，hermusichadgivenakindofnotorietytotheirlittlehouse。Nastasia，however，wasbehavingwithgreatdiscretiononthewhole。Shedressedquietly，thoughwithsuchtasteastodrivealltheladiesinPavlofskmadwithenvy，ofthat，aswellasofherbeautyandhercarriageandhorses。
\"Asforyesterday’sepisode，\"continuedGania，\"ofcourseitwaspre-arranged。\"Herehepaused，asthoughexpectingtobeaskedhowheknewthat。Buttheprincedidnotinquire。ConcerningEvgeniePavlovitch，Ganiastated，withoutbeingasked，thathebelievedtheformerhadnotknownNastasiaPhilipovnainpastyears，butthathehadprobablybeenintroducedtoherbysomebodyintheparkduringthesefourdays。AstothequestionoftheIOU’sshehadspokenof，theremighteasilybesomethinginthat；forthoughEvgeniewasundoubtedlyamanofwealth，yetcertainofhisaffairswereequallyundoubtedlyindisorder。
Arrivedatthisinterestingpoint，Ganiasuddenlybrokeoff，andsaidnomoreaboutNastasia’sprankofthepreviousevening。
AtlastVarvaraArdalionovnacameinsearchofherbrother，andremainedforafewminutes。WithoutMuishkin’saskingher，sheinformedhimthatEvgeniePavlovitchwasspendingthedayinPetersburg，andperhapswouldremainthereovertomorrow；andthatherhusbandhadalsogonetotown，probablyinconnectionwithEvgeniePavlovitch’saffairs。
\"LizabethaProkofievnaisinareallyfiendishtempertoday，\"
sheadded，asshewentout，\"butthemostcuriousthingisthatAglayahasquarrelledwithherwholefamily；notonlywithherfatherandmother，butwithhersistersalso。Itisnotagoodsign。\"Shesaidallthisquitecasually，thoughitwasextremelyimportantintheeyesoftheprince，andwentoffwithherbrother。Regardingtheepisodeof\"Pavlicheff’sson，\"Ganiahadbeenabsolutelysilent，partlyfromakindoffalsemodesty，partly，perhaps，to\"sparetheprince’sfeelings。\"Thelatter，however，thankedhimagainforthetroublehehadtakenintheaffair。
Muishkinwasgladenoughtobeleftalone。Hewentoutofthegarden，crossedtheroad，andenteredthepark。Hewishedtoreflect，andtomakeuphismindastoacertain\"step。\"Thisstepwasoneofthosethings，however，whicharenotthoughtout，asarule，butdecidedfororagainsthastily，andwithoutmuchreflection。Thefactis，hefeltalongingtoleaveallthisandgoaway——goanywhere，ifonlyitwerefarenough，andatonce，withoutbiddingfarewelltoanyone。Hefeltapresentimentthatifheremainedbutafewdaysmoreinthisplace，andamongthesepeople，hewouldbefixedthereirrevocablyandpermanently。
However，inaveryfewminuteshedecidedthattorunawaywasimpossible；thatitwouldbecowardly；thatgreatproblemslaybeforehim，andthathehadnorighttoleavethemunsolved，oratleasttorefusetogiveallhisenergyandstrengthtotheattempttosolvethem。Havingcometothisdetermination，heturnedandwenthome，hiswalkhavinglastedlessthanaquarterofanhour。Atthatmomenthewasthoroughlyunhappy。
Lebedeffhadnotreturned，sotowardseveningKellermanagedtopenetrateintotheprince’sapartments。Hewasnotdrunk，butinaconfidentialandtalkativemood。HeannouncedthathehadcometotellthestoryofhislifetoMuishkin，andhadonlyremainedatPavlofskforthatpurpose。Therewasnomeansofturninghimout；nothingshortofanearthquakewouldhaveremovedhim。
Inthemannerofonewithlonghoursbeforehim，hebeganhishistory；butafterafewincoherentwordshejumpedtotheconclusion，whichwasthat\"havingceasedtobelieveinGodAlmighty，hehadlosteveryvestigeofmorality，andhadgonesofarastocommitatheft。\"\"Couldyouimaginesuchathing？\"saidhe。
\"Listentome，Keller，\"returnedtheprince。\"IfIwereinyourplace，Ishouldnotacknowledgethatunlessitwereabsolutelynecessaryforsomereason。Butperhapsyouaremakingyourselfouttobeworsethanyouare，purposely？\"
\"Ishouldtellittonoonebutyourself，prince，andIonlynameitnowasahelptomysoul’sevolution。WhenIdie，thatsecretwilldiewithme！But，excellency，ifyouknew，ifyouonlyhadtheleastidea，howdifficultitistogetmoneynowadays！Wheretofinditisthequestion。Askforaloan，theanswerisalwaysthesame:’Giveusgold，jewels，ordiamonds，anditwillbequiteeasy。’Exactlywhatonehasnotgot！Canyoupicturethattoyourself？Igotangryatlast，andsaid，’Isupposeyouwouldacceptemeralds？’’Certainly，weacceptemeraldswithpleasure。
Yes！’’Well，that’sallright，’saidI。’Gotothedevil，youdenofthieves！’AndwiththatIseizedmyhat，andwalkedout。\"
\"Hadyouanyemeralds？\"askedtheprince。
\"What？Ihaveemeralds？Oh，prince！withwhatsimplicity，withwhatalmostpastoralsimplicity，youlookuponlife！\"
Couldnotsomethingbemadeofthismanundergoodinfluences？
askedtheprinceofhimself，forhebegantofeelakindofpityforhisvisitor。Hethoughtlittleofthevalueofhisownpersonalinfluence，notfromasenseofhumility，butfromhispeculiarwayoflookingatthingsingeneral。Imperceptiblytheconversationgrewmoreanimatedandmoreinteresting，sothatneitherofthetwofeltanxioustobringittoaclose。Kellerconfessed，withapparentsincerity，tohavingbeenguiltyofmanyactsofsuchanaturethatitastonishedtheprincethathecouldmentionthem，eventohim。Ateveryfreshavowalheprofessedthedeepestrepentance，anddescribedhimselfasbeing\"bathedintears\"；butthisdidnotpreventhimfromputtingonaboastfulairattimes，andsomeofhisstoriesweresoabsurdlycomicalthatbothheandtheprincelaughedlikemadmen。
\"Onepointinyourfavouristhatyouseemtohaveachild-likemind，andextremetruthfulness，\"saidtheprinceatlast。\"Doyouknowthatthatatonesformuch？\"
\"Iamassuredlynoble-minded，andchivalroustoadegree！\"saidKeller，muchsoftened。\"But，doyouknow，thisnobilityofmindexistsinadream，ifonemayputitso？Itneverappearsinpracticeordeed。Now，whyisthat？Icanneverunderstand。\"
\"Donotdespair。Ithinkwemaysaywithoutfearofdeceivingourselves，thatyouhavenowgivenafairlyexactaccountofyourlife。I，atleast，thinkitwouldbeimpossibletoaddmuchtowhatyouhavejusttoldme。\"
\"Impossible？\"criedKeller，almostpityingly。\"Ohprince，howlittleyoureallyseemtounderstandhumannature！\"
\"Istherereallymuchmoretobeadded？\"askedtheprince，withmildsurprise。\"Well，whatisityoureallywantofme？Speakout；tellmewhyyoucametomakeyourconfessiontome？\"
\"WhatdidIwant？Well，tobeginwith，itisgoodtomeetamanlikeyou。Itisapleasuretotalkovermyfaultswithyou。I
knowyouforoneofthebestofmen……andthen……then……\"
Hehesitated，andappearedsomuchembarrassedthattheprincehelpedhimout。
\"Thenyouwantedmetolendyoumoney？\"
Thewordswerespokeninagravetone，andevensomewhatshyly。
Kellerstarted，gaveanastonishedlookatthespeaker，andthumpedthetablewithhisfist。
\"Well，prince，that’senoughtoknockmedown！Itastoundsme！
Hereyouare，assimpleandinnocentasaknightofthegoldenage，andyet……yet……youreadaman’ssoullikeapsychologist！Now，doexplainittome，prince，becauseI……I
reallydonotunderstand！……Ofcourse，myaimwastoborrowmoneyallalong，andyou……youaskedthequestionasiftherewasnothingblameableinit——asifyouthoughtitquitenatural。\"
\"Yes……fromyouitisquitenatural。\"
\"Andyouarenotoffended？\"
\"WhyshouldIbeoffended？\"
\"Well，justlisten，prince。Iremainedherelastevening，partlybecauseIhaveagreatadmirationfortheFrencharchbishopBourdaloue。Ienjoyedadiscussionoverhimtillthreeo’clockinthemorning，withLebedeff；andthen……
then——IswearbyallIholdsacredthatIamtellingyouthetruth——thenIwishedtodevelopmysoulinthisfrankandheartfeltconfessiontoyou。ThiswasmythoughtasIwassobbingmyselftosleepatdawn。JustasIwaslosingconsciousness，tearsinmysoul，tearsonmyfaceIrememberhowIlaytheresobbing，anideafromhellstruckme。’Whynot，afterconfessing，borrowmoneyfromhim？’Yousee，thisconfessionwasakindofmasterstroke；Iintendedtouseitasameanstoyourgoodgraceandfavour——andthen——thenImeanttowalkoffwithahundredandfiftyroubles。Now，doyounotcallthatbase？\"
\"Itishardlyanexactstatementofthecase，\"saidtheprinceinreply。\"Youhaveconfusedyourmotivesandideas，asIneedscarcelysaytoooftenhappenstomyself。Icanassureyou，Keller，Ireproachmyselfbitterlyforitsometimes。WhenyouweretalkingjustnowIseemedtobelisteningtosomethingaboutmyself。AttimesIhaveimaginedthatallmenwerethesame，\"hecontinuedearnestly，forheappearedtobemuchinterestedintheconversation，\"andthatconsoledmeinacertaindegree，foraDOUBLEmotiveisathingmostdifficulttofightagainst。Ihavetried，andIknow。Godknowswhencetheyarise，theseideasthatyouspeakofasbase。Ifearthesedoublemotivesmorethaneverjustnow，butIamnotyourjudge，andinmyopinionitisgoingtoofartogivethenameofbasenesstoit——whatdoyouthink？
Youweregoingtoemployyourtearsasaruseinordertoborrowmoney，butyoualsosay——infact，youhavesworntothefact——
thatindependentlyofthisyourconfessionwasmadewithanhonourablemotive。Asforthemoney，youwantitfordrink，doyounot？Afteryourconfession，thatisweakness，ofcourse；but，afterall，howcananyonegiveupabadhabitatamoment’snotice？Itisimpossible。Whatcanwedo？Itisbest，Ithink，toleavethemattertoyourownconscience。Howdoesitseemtoyou？\"AsheconcludedtheprincelookedcuriouslyatKeller；
evidentlythisproblemofdoublemotiveshadoftenbeenconsideredbyhimbefore。
\"Well，howanybodycancallyouanidiotafterthat，ismorethanIcanunderstand！\"criedtheboxer。
Theprincereddenedslightly。
\"Bourdaloue，thearchbishop，wouldnothavesparedamanlikeme，\"Kellercontinued，\"butyou，youhavejudgedmewithhumanity。ToshowhowgratefulIam，andasapunishment，Iwillnotacceptahundredandfiftyroubles。Givemetwenty-five——thatwillbeenough；itisallIreallyneed，forafortnightatleast。Iwillnotaskyouformoreforafortnight。IshouldliketohavegivenAgathaapresent，butshedoesnotreallydeserveit。Oh，mydearprince，Godblessyou！\"
AtthismomentLebedeffappeared，havingjustarrivedfromPetersburg。Hefrownedwhenhesawthetwenty-fiveroublenoteinKeller’shand，butthelatter，havinggotthemoney，wentawayatonce。Lebedeffbegantoabusehim。
\"Youareunjust；Ifoundhimsincerelyrepentant，\"observedtheprince，afterlisteningforatime。
\"Whatisthegoodofrepentancelikethat？Itisthesameexactlyasmineyesterday，whenIsaid，’Iambase，Iambase，’——words，andnothingmore！\"
\"Thentheywereonlywordsonyourpart？Ithought，onthecontrary……\"
\"Well，Idon’tmindtellingyouthetruth——youonly！Becauseyouseethroughamansomehow。Wordsandactions，truthandfalsehood，arealljumbleduptogetherinme，andyetIamperfectlysincere。Ifeelthedeepestrepentance，believeitornot，asyouchoose；butwordsandliescomeoutintheinfernalcravingtogetthebetterofotherpeople。Itisalwaysthere——thenotionofcheatingpeople，andofusingmyrepentanttearstomyownadvantage！Iassureyouthisisthetruth，prince！Iwouldnottellanyothermanfortheworld！Hewouldlaughandjeeratme——butyou，youjudgeamanhumanely。\"
\"Why，Kellersaidthesamethingtomenearlywordforwordafewminutesago！\"criedMuishkin。\"Andyoubothseeminclinedtoboastaboutit！Youastonishme，butIthinkheismoresincerethanyou，foryoumakearegulartradeofit。Oh，don’tputonthatpatheticexpression，anddon’tputyourhandonyourheart！
Haveyouanythingtosaytome？Youhavenotcomefornothing……\"
Lebedeffgrinnedandwriggled。
\"Ihavebeenwaitingalldayforyou，becauseIwanttoaskyouaquestion；and，foronceinyourlife，pleasetellmethetruthatonce。Hadyouanythingtodowiththataffairofthecarriageyesterday？\"
Lebedeffbegantogrinagain，rubbedhishands，sneezed，butspokenotawordinreply。
\"Iseeyouhadsomethingtodowithit。\"
\"Indirectly，quiteindirectly！Iamspeakingthetruth——Iamindeed！ImerelytoldacertainpersonthatIhadpeopleinmyhouse，andthatsuchandsuchpersonagesmightbefoundamongthem。\"
\"Iamawarethatyousentyoursontothathouse——hetoldmesohimselfjustnow，butwhatisthisintrigue？\"saidtheprince，impatiently。
\"Itisnotmyintrigue！\"criedLebedeff，wavinghishand。
\"Itwasengineeredbyotherpeople，andis，properlyspeaking，ratherafantasythananintrigue！\"
\"Butwhatisitallabout？Tellme，forHeaven’ssake！Cannotyouunderstandhownearlyittouchesme？WhyaretheyblackeningEvgeniePavlovitch’sreputation？\"
Lebedeffgrimacedandwriggledagain。
\"Prince！\"saidhe。\"Excellency！Youwon’tletmetellyouthewholetruth；Ihavetriedtoexplain；morethanonceIhavebegun，butyouhavenotallowedmetogoon……\"
Theprincegavenoanswer，andsatdeepinthought。Evidentlyhewasstrugglingtodecide。
\"Verywell！Tellmethetruth，\"hesaid，dejectedly。
\"AglayaIvanovna……\"beganLebedeff，promptly。
\"Besilent！Atonce！\"interruptedtheprince，redwithindignation，andperhapswithshame，too。\"Itisimpossibleandabsurd！Allthathasbeeninventedbyyou，orfoolslikeyou！Letmeneverhearyousayawordagainonthatsubject！\"
LateintheeveningColiacameinwithawholebudgetofPetersburgandPavlofsknews。HedidnotdwellmuchonthePetersburgpartofit，whichconsistedchieflyofintelligenceabouthisfriendHippolyte，butpassedquicklytothePavlofsktidings。HehadgonestraighttotheEpanchins’fromthestation。
\"There’sthedeuceandallgoingonthere！\"hesaid。\"Firstofallabouttherowlastnight，andIthinktheremustbesomethingnewaswell，thoughIdidn’tliketoask。NotawordaboutYOU，prince，thewholetime！\"ThemostinterestingfactwasthatAglayahadbeenquarrellingwithherpeopleaboutGania。Coliadidnotknowanydetails，exceptthatithadbeenaterriblequarrel！AlsoEvgeniePavlovitchhadcalled，andmetwithanexcellentreceptionallround。Andanothercuriousthing:Mrs。
EpanchinwassoangrythatshecalledVariatoher——Variawastalkingtothegirls——andturnedheroutofthehouse\"onceforall\"shesaid。\"IhearditfromVariaherself——Mrs。Epanchinwasquitepolite，butfirm；andwhenVariasaidgood-byetothegirls，shetoldthemnothingaboutit，andtheydidn’tknowtheyweresayinggoodbyeforthelasttime。I’msorryforVaria，andforGaniatoo；heisn’thalfabadfellow，inspiteofhisfaults，andIshallneverforgivemyselffornotlikinghimbefore！Idon’tknowwhetherIoughttocontinuetogototheEpanchins’now，\"concludedColia——\"Iliketobequiteindependentofothers，andofotherpeople’squarrelsifIcan；
butImustthinkoverit。\"
\"Idon’tthinkyouneedbreakyourheartoverGania，\"saidtheprince；\"forifwhatyousayistrue，hemustbeconsidereddangerousintheEpanchinhousehold，andifso，certainhopesofhismusthavebeenencouraged。\"
\"What？Whathopes？\"criedColia；\"yousurelydon’tmeanAglaya？——
oh，no！——\"
\"You’readreadfulsceptic，prince，\"hecontinued，afteramoment’ssilence。\"Ihaveobservedoflatethatyouhavegrownscepticalabouteverything。Youdon’tseemtobelieveinpeopleasyoudid，andarealwaysattributingmotivesandsoon——amI
usingtheword’sceptic’initspropersense？\"
\"Ibelieveso；butI’mnotsure。\"
\"Well，I’llchangeit，rightorwrong；I’llsaythatyouarenotsceptical，butJEALOUS。There！youaredeadlyjealousofGania，overacertainprouddamsel！Come！\"Coliajumpedup，withthesewords，andburstoutlaughing。Helaughedashehadperhapsneverlaughedbefore，andstillmorewhenhesawtheprinceflushinguptohistemples。HewasdelightedthattheprinceshouldbejealousaboutAglaya。However，hestoppedimmediatelyonseeingthattheotherwasreallyhurt，andtheconversationcontinued，veryearnestly，foranhourormore。
Nextdaytheprincehadtogototown，onbusiness。Returningintheafternoon，hehappeneduponGeneralEpanchinatthestation。
Thelatterseizedhishand，glancingaroundnervously，asifhewereafraidofbeingcaughtinwrong-doing，anddraggedhimintoafirst-classcompartment。Hewasburningtospeakaboutsomethingofimportance。
\"Inthefirstplace，mydearprince，don’tbeangrywithme。I
wouldhavecometoseeyouyesterday，butIdidn’tknowhowLizabethaProkofievnawouldtakeit。Mydearfellow，myhouseissimplyahelljustnow，asortofsphinxhastakenupitsabodethere。Weliveinanatmosphereofriddles；Ican’tmakeheadortailofanything。Asforyou，Ifeelsureyouaretheleasttoblameofanyofus，thoughyoucertainlyhavebeenthecauseofagooddealoftrouble。Yousee，it’sallverypleasanttobeaphilanthropist；butitcanbecarriedtoofar。OfcourseIadmirekind-heartedness，andIesteemmywife，but——\"
Thegeneralwanderedoninthisdisconnectedwayforalongtime；
itwasclearthathewasmuchdisturbedbysomecircumstancewhichhecouldmakenothingof。
\"Itisplaintome，thatYOUarenotinitatall，\"hecontinued，atlast，alittlelessvaguely，\"butperhapsyouhadbetternotcometoourhouseforalittlewhile。Iaskyouinthefriendliestmanner，mind；justtillthewindchangesagain。AsforEvgeniePavlovitch，\"hecontinuedwithsomeexcitement，\"thewholethingisacalumny，adirtycalumny。Itissimplyaplot，anintrigue，toupsetourplansandtostirupaquarrel。Yousee，prince，I’lltellyouprivately，Evgenieandourselveshavenotsaidawordyet，wehavenoformalunderstanding，weareinnowayboundoneitherside，butthewordmaybesaidverysoon，don’tyousee，VERYsoon，andallthisismostinjurious，andismeanttobeso。Why？I’msureIcan’ttellyou。She’sanextraordinarywoman，yousee，aneccentricwoman；ItellyouIamsofrightenedofthatwomanthatIcan’tsleep。Whatacarriagethatwas，andwherediditcomefrom，eh？Ideclare，IwasbaseenoughtosuspectEvgenieatfirst；butitseemscertainthatthatcannotbethecase，andifso，whyissheinterferinghere？
That’stheriddle，whatdoesshewant？IsittokeepEvgenietoherself？But，mydearfellow，Isweartoyou，Iswearhedoesn’tevenKNOWher，andasforthosebills，why，thewholethingisaninvention！Andthefamiliarityofthewoman！It’squiteclearwemusttreattheimpudentcreature’sattemptwithdisdain，andredoubleourcourtesytowardsEvgenie。Itoldmywifeso。
\"NowI’lltellyoumysecretconviction。I’mcertainthatshe’sdoingthistorevengeherselfonme，onaccountofthepast，thoughIassureyouthatallthetimeIwasblameless。Iblushattheveryidea。Andnowsheturnsupagainlikethis，whenI
thoughtshehadfinallydisappeared！Where’sRogojinallthistime？IthoughtshewasMrs。Rogojin，longago。\"
Theoldmanwasinastateofgreatmentalperturbation。Thewholeofthejourney，whichoccupiednearlyanhour，hecontinuedinthisstrain，puttingquestionsandansweringthemhimself，shrugginghisshoulders，pressingtheprince’shand，andassuringthelatterthat，atallevents，hehadnosuspicionwhateverofHIM。Thislastassurancewassatisfactory，atallevents。ThegeneralfinishedbyinforminghimthatEvgenie’sunclewasheadofoneofthecivilservicedepartments，andrich，veryrich，andagourmand。\"And，well，Heavenpreservehim，ofcourse——butEvgeniegetshismoney，don’tyousee？But，forallthis，I’muncomfortable，Idon’tknowwhy。There’ssomethingintheair，I
feelthere’ssomethingnastyintheair，likeabat，andI’mbynomeanscomfortable。\"
AnditwasnotuntilthethirddaythattheformalreconciliationbetweentheprinceandtheEpanchinstookplace，assaidbefore。
XII。
ITwassevenintheevening，andtheprincewasjustpreparingtogooutforawalkinthepark，whensuddenlyMrs。Epanchinappearedontheterrace。
\"Inthefirstplace，don’tdaretosuppose，\"shebegan，\"thatI
amgoingtoapologize。Nonsense！Youwereentirelytoblame。\"
Theprinceremainedsilent。
\"Wereyoutoblame，ornot？\"
\"No，certainlynot，nomorethanyourself，thoughatfirstI
thoughtIwas。\"
\"Oh，verywell，let’ssitdown，atallevents，forIdon’tintendtostandupallday。Andremember，ifyousay，onewordabout’mischievousurchins，’Ishallgoawayandbreakwithyoualtogether。Nowthen，didyou，ordidyounot，sendalettertoAglaya，acoupleofmonthsorsoago，aboutEaster-tide？\"
\"Yes！\"
\"Whatfor？Whatwasyourobject？Showmetheletter。\"Mrs。
Epanchin’seyesflashed；shewasalmosttremblingwithimpatience。
\"Ihavenotgottheletter，\"saidtheprince，timidly，extremelysurprisedattheturntheconversationhadtaken。\"Ifanyonehasit，ifitstillexists，AglayaIvanovnamusthaveit。\"
\"Nofinessing，please。Whatdidyouwriteabout？\"
\"Iamnotfinessing，andIamnotintheleastafraidoftellingyou；butIdon’tseetheslightestreasonwhyIshouldnothavewritten。\"
\"Bequiet，youcantalkafterwards！Whatwastheletterabout？
Whyareyoublushing？\"
Theprincewassilent。Atlasthespoke。
\"Idon’tunderstandyourthoughts，LizabethaProkofievna；butI
canseethatthefactofmyhavingwrittenisforsomereasonrepugnanttoyou。YoumustadmitthatIhaveaperfectrighttorefusetoansweryourquestions；but，inordertoshowyouthatI
amneitherashamedoftheletter，norsorrythatIwroteit，andthatIamnotintheleastinclinedtoblushaboutit\"heretheprince’sblushesredoubled，\"Iwillrepeatthesubstanceofmyletter，forIthinkIknowitalmostbyheart。\"
Sosaying，theprincerepeatedtheletteralmostwordforword，ashehadwrittenit。
\"Mygoodness，whatuttertwaddle，andwhatmayallthisnonsensehavesignified，pray？Ifithadanymeaningatall！\"saidMrs。
Epanchin，cuttingly，afterhavinglistenedwithgreatattention。
\"Ireallydon’tabsolutelyknowmyself；Iknowmyfeelingwasverysincere。Ihadmomentsatthattimefulloflifeandhope。\"
\"Whatsortofhope？\"
\"Itisdifficulttoexplain，butcertainlynotthehopesyouhaveinyourmind。Hopes——well，inaword，hopesforthefuture，andafeelingofjoythatTHERE，atallevents，Iwasnotentirelyastrangerandaforeigner。Ifeltanecstasyinbeinginmynativelandoncemore；andonesunnymorningItookupapenandwroteherthatletter，butwhytoHER，Idon’tquiteknow。Sometimesonelongstohaveafriendnear，andIevidentlyfelttheneedofonethen，\"addedtheprince，andpaused。
\"Areyouinlovewithher？\"
\"N-no！Iwrotetoherastoasister；Isignedmyselfherbrother。\"
\"Ohyes，ofcourse，onpurpose！Iquiteunderstand。\"
\"Itisverypainfultometoanswerthesequestions，LizabethaProkofievna。\"
\"Idaresayitis；butthat’snoaffairofmine。Nowthen，assuremetrulyasbeforeHeaven，areyoulyingtomeornot？\"
\"No，Iamnotlying。\"
\"Areyoutellingthetruthwhenyousayyouarenotinlove？\"
\"Ibelieveitistheabsolutetruth。\"
\"’Ibelieve，’indeed！Didthatmischievousurchingiveittoher？\"
\"IaskedNicolaiArdalionovitch……\"
\"Theurchin！theurchin！\"interruptedLizabethaProkofievnainanangryvoice。\"IdonotwanttoknowifitwereNicolaiArdalionovitch！Theurchin！\"
\"NicolaiArdalionovitch……\"
\"Theurchin，Itellyou！\"
\"No，itwasnottheurchin:itwasNicolaiArdalionovitch，\"saidtheprinceveryfirmly，butwithoutraisinghisvoice。
\"Well，allright！Allright，mydear！Ishallputthatdowntoyouraccount。\"
Shewassilentamomenttogetbreath，andtorecoverhercomposure。
\"Well！——andwhat’sthemeaningofthe’poorknight，’eh？\"
\"Idon’tknowintheleast；Iwasn’tpresentwhenthejokewasmade。ItISajoke。Isuppose，andthat’sall。\"
\"Well，that’sacomfort，atallevents。Youdon’tsupposeshecouldtakeanyinterestinyou，doyou？Why，shecalledyouan’idiot’herself。\"
\"Ithinkyoumighthavesparedmethat，\"murmuredtheprincereproachfully，almostinawhisper。
\"Don’tbeangry；sheisawilful，mad，spoiltgirl。Ifshelikesapersonshewillpitchintohim，andchaffhim。Iusedtobejustsuchanother。Butforallthatyouneedn’tflatteryourself，myboy；sheisnotforyou。Idon’tbelieveit，anditisnottobe。Itellyousoatonce，sothatyoumaytakeproperprecautions。Now，Iwanttohearyouswearthatyouarenotmarriedtothatwoman？\"
\"LizabethaProkofievna，whatareyouthinkingof？\"criedtheprince，almostleapingtohisfeetinamazement。
\"Why？Youverynearlywere，anyhow。\"
\"Yes——Inearlywas，\"whisperedtheprince，hanginghishead。
\"Wellthen，haveyoucomehereforHER？AreyouinlovewithHER？
WithTHATcreature？\"
\"Ididnotcometomarryatall，\"repliedtheprince。
\"Isthereanythingyouholdsacred？\"
\"Thereis。\"
\"ThenswearbyitthatyoudidnotcomeheretomarryHER！\"
\"I’llswearitbywhateveryouplease。\"
\"Ibelieveyou。Youmaykissme；Ibreathefreelyatlast。Butyoumustknow，mydearfriend，Aglayadoesnotloveyou，andsheshallneverbeyourwifewhileIamoutofmygrave。Sobewarnedintime。Doyouhearme？\"
\"Yes，Ihear。\"
Theprinceflushedupsomuchthathecouldnotlookherintheface。
\"Ihavewaitedforyouwiththegreatestimpatiencenotthatyouwereworthit。EverynightIhavedrenchedmypillowwithtears，notforyou，myfriend，notforyou，don’tflatteryourself！I
havemyowngrief，alwaysthesame，alwaysthesame。ButI’lltellyouwhyIhavebeenawaitingyousoimpatiently，becauseI
believethatProvidenceitselfsentyoutobeafriendandabrothertome。Ihaven’tafriendintheworldexceptPrincessBielokonski，andsheisgrowingasstupidasasheepfromoldage。Nowthen，tellme，yesorno？Doyouknowwhyshecalledoutfromhercarriagetheothernight？\"
\"IgiveyoumywordofhonourthatIhadnothingtodowiththematterandknownothingaboutit。\"
\"Verywell，Ibelieveyou。Ihavemyownideasaboutit。UptoyesterdaymorningIthoughtitwasreallyEvgeniePavlovitchwhowastoblame；nowIcannothelpagreeingwiththeothers。ButwhyhewasmadesuchafoolofIcannotunderstand。However，heisnotgoingtomarryAglaya，Icantellyouthat。Hemaybeaveryexcellentfellow，but——soitshallbe。Iwasnotatallsureofacceptinghimbefore，butnowIhavequitemadeupmymindthatI
won’thavehim。’Putmeinmycoffinfirstandthenintomygrave，andthenyoumaymarrymydaughtertowhomsoeveryouplease，’soIsaidtothegeneralthisverymorning。YouseehowItrustyou，myboy。\"
\"Yes，Iseeandunderstand。\"
Mrs。Epanchingazedkeenlyintotheprince’seyes。ShewasanxioustoseewhatimpressionthenewsastoEvgeniePavlovitchhadmadeuponhim。
\"DoyouknowanythingaboutGavrilaArdalionovitch？\"sheaskedatlast。
\"Ohyes，Iknowagooddeal。\"
\"DidyouknowhehadcommunicationswithAglaya？\"
\"No，Ididn’t，\"saidtheprince，tremblingalittle，andingreatagitation。\"YousayGavrilaArdalionovitchhasprivatecommunicationswithAglaya？——Impossible！\"
\"Onlyquitelately。Hissisterhasbeenworkinglikearattoclearthewayforhimallthewinter。\"
\"Idon’tbelieveit！\"saidtheprinceabruptly，afterashortpause。\"HaditbeensoIshouldhaveknownlongago。\"
\"Oh，ofcourse，yes；hewouldhavecomeandweptouthissecretonyourbosom。Oh，yousimpleton——yousimpleton！Anyonecandeceiveyouandtakeyouinlikea——likea，——aren’tyouashamedtotrusthim？Can’tyouseethathehumbugsyoujustasmuchaseverhepleases？\"
\"Iknowverywellthathedoesdeceivemeoccasionally，andheknowsthatIknowit，but——\"Theprincedidnotfinishhissentence。
\"Andthat’swhyyoutrusthim，eh？SoIshouldhavesupposed。
GoodLord，wasthereeversuchamanasyou？Tfu！andareyouaware，sir，thatthisGania，orhissisterVaria，havebroughtherintocorrespondencewithNastasiaPhilipovna？\"
\"Broughtwhom？\"criedMuishkin。
\"Aglaya。\"
\"Idon’tbelieveit！It’simpossible！Whatobjectcouldtheyhave？\"Hejumpedupfromhischairinhisexcitement。
\"NordoIbelieveit，inspiteoftheproofs。Thegirlisself-
willedandfantastic，andinsane！She’swicked，wicked！I’llrepeatitforathousandyearsthatshe’swicked；theyALLare，justnow，allmydaughters，eventhat’wethen’Alexandra。AndyetIdon’tbelieveit。BecauseIdon’tchoosetobelieveit，perhaps；butIdon’t。Whyhaven’tyoubeen？\"sheturnedontheprincesuddenly。\"Whydidn’tyoucomenearusallthesethreedays，eh？\"
Theprincebegantogivehisreasons，butsheinterruptedhimagain。
\"Everybodytakesyouinanddeceivesyou；youwenttotownyesterday。Idareswearyouwentdownonyourkneestothatrogue，andbeggedhimtoacceptyourtenthousandroubles！\"
\"Ineverthoughtofdoinganysuchthing。Ihavenotseenhim，andheisnotarogue，inmyopinion。Ihavehadaletterfromhim。\"
\"Showitme！\"
Theprincetookapaperfromhispocket-book，andhandedittoLizabethaProkofievna。Itranasfollows:
\"SIR，\"IntheeyesoftheworldIamsurethatIhavenocauseforprideorself-esteem。Iammuchtooinsignificantforthat。Butwhatmaybesotoothermen’seyesisnotsotoyours。Iamconvincedthatyouarebetterthanotherpeople。Doktorenkodisagreeswithme，butIamcontenttodifferfromhimonthispoint。Iwillneveracceptonesinglecopeckfromyou，butyouhavehelpedmymother，andIamboundtobegratefultoyouforthat，howeverweakitmayseem。Atanyrate，Ihavechangedmyopinionaboutyou，andIthinkrighttoinformyouofthefact；butIalsosupposethattherecanbenofurtherintercoursebetweenus\"ANTIPBURDOVSKY。
\"P。S——ThetwohundredroublesIoweyoushallcertainlyberepaidintime。\"
\"Howextremelystupid！\"criedMrs。Epanchin，givingbacktheletterabruptly。\"Itwasnotworththetroubleofreading。Whyareyousmiling？\"
\"Confessthatyouarepleasedtohavereadit。\"
\"What！Pleasedwithallthatnonsense！Why，cannotyouseethattheyareallinfatuatedwithprideandvanity？\"
\"Hehasacknowledgedhimselftobeinthewrong。Don’tyouseethatthegreaterhisvanity，themoredifficultthisadmissionmusthavebeenonhispart？Oh，whatalittlechildyouare，LizabethaProkofievna！\"
\"Areyoutemptingmetoboxyourearsforyou，orwhat？\"
\"Notatall。Iamonlyprovingthatyouaregladabouttheletter。Whyconcealyourrealfeelings？Youalwaysliketodoit。\"
\"Nevercomenearmyhouseagain！\"criedMrs。Epanchin，palewithrage。\"Don’tletmeseeasmuchasaSHADOWofyouabouttheplace！Doyouhear？\"
\"Ohyes，andinthreedaysyou’llcomeandinvitemeyourself。
Aren’tyouashamednow？Theseareyourbestfeelings；youareonlytormentingyourself。\"
\"I’lldiebeforeIinviteyou！Ishallforgetyourveryname！
I’veforgottenitalready！\"
Shemarchedtowardsthedoor。
\"ButI’mforbiddenyourhouseasitis，withoutyouraddedthreats！\"criedtheprinceafterher。
\"What？Whoforbadeyou？\"
Sheturnedroundsosuddenlythatonemighthavesupposedaneedlehadbeenstuckintoher。
Theprincehesitated。Heperceivedthathehadsaidtoomuchnow。
\"WHOforbadeyou？\"criedMrs。Epanchinoncemore。
\"AglayaIvanovnatoldme——\"
\"When？Speak——quick！\"
\"Shesenttosay，yesterdaymorning，thatIwasnevertodaretocomenearthehouseagain。\"
LizabethaProkofievnastoodlikeastone。
\"Whatdidshesend？Whom？Wasitthatboy？Wasitamessage？-
quick！\"
\"Ihadanote，\"saidtheprince。
\"Whereisit？Giveithere，atonce。\"
Theprincethoughtamoment。Thenhepulledoutofhiswaistcoatpocketanuntidyslipofpaper，onwhichwasscrawled:
\"PRINCELEFNICOLAIEVITCH，——Ifyouthinkfit，afterallthathaspassed，tohonourourhousewithavisit，Icanassureyouyouwillnotfindmeamongthenumberofthosewhoareinanywaydelightedtoseeyou。
\"AGLAYAEPANCHIN。\"
Mrs。Epanchinreflectedamoment。Thenextminutesheflewattheprince，seizedhishand，anddraggedhimafterhertothedoor。
\"Quick——comealong！\"shecried，breathlesswithagitationandimpatience。\"Comealongwithmethismoment！\"
\"ButyoudeclaredIwasn’t——\"
\"Don’tbeasimpleton。Youbehavejustasthoughyouweren’tamanatall。Comeon！Ishallsee，now，withmyowneyes。Ishallseeall。\"
\"Well，letmegetmyhat，atleast。\"
\"Here’syourmiserablehatHecouldn’tevenchoosearespectableshapeforhishat！Comeon！ShedidthatbecauseItookyourpartandsaidyououghttohavecome——littlevixen！——elseshewouldneverhavesentyouthatsillynote。It’samostimpropernote，I
callit；mostimproperforsuchanintelligent，well-brought-upgirltowrite。H’m！Idaresayshewasannoyedthatyoudidn’tcome；butsheoughttohaveknownthatonecan’twritelikethattoanidiotlikeyou，foryou’dbesuretotakeitliterally。\"
Mrs。Epanchinwasdraggingtheprincealongwithherallthetime，andneverletgoofhishandforaninstant。\"Whatareyoulisteningfor？\"sheadded，seeingthatshehadcommittedherselfalittle。\"Shewantsaclownlikeyou——shehasn’tseenoneforsometime——toplaywith。That’swhysheisanxiousforyoutocometothehouse。AndrightgladIamthatshe’llmakeathoroughgoodfoolofyou。Youdeserveit；andshecandoit——oh！
shecan，indeed！——aswellasmostpeople。\"
PARTIII
I。
THEEpanchinfamily，oratleastthemoreseriousmembersofit，weresometimesgrievedbecausetheyseemedsounliketherestoftheworld。Theywerenotquitecertain，buthadattimesastrongsuspicionthatthingsdidnothappentothemastheydidtootherpeople。Othersledaquiet，uneventfullife，whiletheyweresubjecttocontinualupheavals。Otherskeptontherailswithoutdifficulty；theyranoffattheslightestobstacle。Otherhousesweregovernedbyatimidroutine；theirswassomehowdifferent。
PerhapsLizabethaProkofievnawasaloneinmakingthesefretfulobservations；thegirls，thoughnotwantinginintelligence，werestillyoung；thegeneralwasintelligent，too，butnarrow，andinanydifficultyhewascontenttosay，\"H’m！\"andleavethemattertohiswife。Consequently，onherfelltheresponsibility。Itwasnotthattheydistinguishedthemselvesasafamilybyanyparticularoriginality，orthattheirexcursionsoffthetrackledtoanybreachoftheproprieties。Ohno。
Therewasnothingpremeditated，therewasnotevenanyconsciouspurposeinitall，andyet，inspiteofeverything，thefamily，althoughhighlyrespected，wasnotquitewhateveryhighlyrespectedfamilyoughttobe。ForalongtimenowLizabethaProkofievnahadhaditinhermindthatallthetroublewasowingtoher\"unfortunatecharacter，\"andthisaddedtoherdistress。
Sheblamedherownstupidunconventional\"eccentricity。\"Alwaysrestless，alwaysonthego，sheconstantlyseemedtoloseherway，andtogetintotroubleoverthesimplestandmoreordinaryaffairsoflife。
Wesaidatthebeginningofourstory，thattheEpanchinswerelikedandesteemedbytheirneighbours。Inspiteofhishumbleorigin，IvanFedorovitchhimselfwasreceivedeverywherewithrespect。Hedeservedthis，partlyonaccountofhiswealthandposition，partlybecause，thoughlimited，hewasreallyaverygoodfellow。Butacertainlimitationofmindseemstobeanindispensableasset，ifnottoallpublicpersonages，atleasttoallseriousfinanciers。Addedtothis，hismannerwasmodestandunassuming；heknewwhentobesilent，yetneverallowedhimselftobetrampledupon。Also——andthiswasmoreimportantthanall——
hehadtheadvantageofbeingunderexaltedpatronage。
AstoLizabethaProkofievna，she，asthereaderknows，belongedtoanaristocraticfamily。True，Russiansthinkmoreofinfluentialfriendsthanofbirth，butshehadboth。Shewasesteemedandevenlovedbypeopleofconsequenceinsociety，whoseexampleinreceivingherwasthereforefollowedbyothers。
Itseemshardlynecessarytoremarkthatherfamilyworriesandanxietieshadlittleornofoundation，orthatherimaginationincreasedthemtoanabsurddegree；butifyouhaveawartonyourforeheadornose，youimaginethatalltheworldislookingatit，andthatpeoplewouldmakefunofyoubecauseofit，evenifyouhaddiscoveredAmerica！DoubtlessLizabethaProkofievnawasconsidered\"eccentric\"insociety，butshewasnonethelessesteemed:thepitywasthatshewasceasingtobelieveinthatesteem。Whenshethoughtofherdaughters，shesaidtoherselfsorrowfullythatshewasahindranceratherthanahelptotheirfuture，thathercharacterandtemperwereabsurd，ridiculous，insupportable。Naturally，sheputtheblameonhersurroundings，andfrommorningtonightwasquarrellingwithherhusbandandchildren，whomshereallylovedtothepointofself-sacrifice，even，onemightsay，ofpassion。
Shewas，abovealldistressedbytheideathatherdaughtersmightgrowup\"eccentric，\"likeherself；shebelievedthatnoothersocietygirlswerelikethem。\"TheyaregrowingintoNihilists！\"sherepeatedoverandoveragain。Foryearsshehadtormentedherselfwiththisidea，andwiththequestion:\"Whydon’ttheygetmarried？\"
\"Itistoannoytheirmother；thatistheironeaiminlife；itcanbenothingelse。Thefactisitisallofapiecewiththesemodernideas，thatwretchedwoman’squestion！SixmonthsagoAglayatookafancytocutoffhermagnificenthair。Why，evenI，whenIwasyoung，hadnothinglikeit！Thescissorswereinherhand，andIhadtogodownonmykneesandimploreher……Shedidit，Iknow，fromsheermischief，tospitehermother，forsheisanaughty，capriciousgirl，arealspoiledchildspitefulandmischievoustoadegree！AndthenAlexandrawantedtoshaveherhead，notfromcapriceormischief，but，likealittlefool，simplybecauseAglayapersuadedhershewouldsleepbetterwithoutherhair，andnotsufferfromheadache！Andhowmanysuitorshavetheynothadduringthelastfiveyears！Excellentoffers，too！Whatmoredotheywant？Whydon’ttheygetmarried？
Fornootherreasonthantovextheirmother——none——none！\"
ButLizabethaProkofievnafeltsomewhatconsoledwhenshecouldsaythatoneofhergirls，Adelaida，wassettledatlast。\"Itwillbeoneoffourhands！\"shedeclaredaloud，thoughinprivatesheexpressedherselfwithgreatertenderness。Theengagementwasbothhappyandsuitable，andwasthereforeapprovedinsociety。
PrinceS。wasadistinguishedman，hehadmoney，andhisfuturewifewasdevotedtohim；whatmorecouldbedesired？LizabethaProkofievnahadfeltlessanxiousaboutthisdaughter，however，althoughsheconsideredherartistictastessuspicious。Buttomakeupforthemshewas，ashermotherexpressedit，\"merry，\"
andhadplentyof\"common-sense。\"ItwasAglaya’sfuturewhichdisturbedhermost。Withregardtohereldestdaughter，Alexandra，themotherneverquiteknewwhethertherewascauseforanxietyornot。Sometimesshefeltasiftherewasnothingtobeexpectedfromher。Shewastwenty-fivenow，andmustbefatedtobeanoldmaid，and\"withsuchbeauty，too！\"Themotherspentwholenightsinweepingandlamenting，whileallthetimethecauseofhergriefslumberedpeacefully。\"Whatisthematterwithher？IssheaNihilist，orsimplyafool？\"
ButLizabethaProkofievnaknewperfectlywellhowunnecessarywasthelastquestion。ShesetahighvalueonAlexandraIvanovna’sjudgment，andoftenconsultedherindifficulties；butthatshewasa’wethen’sheneverforamomentdoubted。\"Sheissocalm；
nothingrousesher——thoughwethensarenotalwayscalm！Oh！I
can’tunderstandit！\"HereldestdaughterinspiredLizabethawithakindofpuzzledcompassion。ShedidnotfeelthisinAglaya’scase，thoughthelatterwasheridol。Itmaybesaidthattheseoutburstsandepithets，suchas\"wethen\"inwhichthematernalsolicitudeusuallyshoweditself，onlymadeAlexandralaugh。
SometimesthemosttrivialthingannoyedMrs。Epanchin，anddroveherintoafrenzy。Forinstance，AlexandraIvanovnalikedtosleeplate，andwasalwaysdreaming，thoughherdreamshadthepeculiarityofbeingasinnocentandnaiveasthoseofachildofseven；andtheveryinnocenceofherdreamsannoyedhermother。
Onceshedreamtofninehens，andthiswasthecauseofquiteaseriousquarrel——nooneknewwhy。Anothertimeshehad——itwasmostunusual——adreamwithasparkoforiginalityinit。Shedreamtofamonkinadarkroom，intowhichshewastoofrightenedtogo。AdelaidaandAglayarushedoffwithshrieksoflaughtertorelatethistotheirmother，butshewasquiteangry，andsaidherdaughterswereallfools。
\"H’m！sheisasstupidasafool！Averitable’wethen’！Nothingexcitesher；andyetsheisnothappy；somedaysitmakesonemiserableonlytolookather！Whyissheunhappy，Iwonder？\"AttimesLizabethaProkofievnaputthisquestiontoherhusband，andasusualshespokeinthethreateningtoneofonewhodemandsanimmediateanswer。IvanFedorovitchwouldfrown，shrughisshoulders，andatlastgivehisopinion:\"Sheneedsahusband！\"
\"Godforbidthatheshouldshareyourideas，IvanFedorovitch！\"
hiswifeflashedback。\"Orthatheshouldbeasgrossandchurlishasyou！\"
Thegeneralpromptlymadehisescape，andLizabethaProkofievnaafterawhilegrewcalmagain。Thatevening，ofcourse，shewouldbeunusuallyattentive，gentle，andrespectfultoher\"grossandchurlish\"husband，her\"dear，kindIvanFedorovitch，\"forshehadneverleftofflovinghim。Shewasevenstill\"inlove\"withhim。
Heknewitwell，andforhispartheldherinthegreatestesteem。
Butthemother’sgreatandcontinualanxietywasAglaya。\"Sheisexactlylikeme——myimageineverything，\"saidMrs。Epanchintoherself。\"Atyrant！Areallittledemon！ANihilist！Eccentric，senselessandmischievous！GoodLord，howunhappyshewillbe！\"
Butaswesaidbefore，thefactofAdelaida’sapproachingmarriagewasbalmtothemother。Forawholemonthsheforgotherfearsandworries。
Adelaida’sfatewassettled；andwithhernamethatofAglaya’swaslinked，insocietygossip。PeoplewhisperedthatAglaya，too，was\"asgoodasengaged；\"andAglayaalwayslookedsosweetandbehavedsowellduringthisperiod，thatthemother’sheartwasfullofjoy。Ofcourse，EvgeniePavlovitchmustbethoroughlystudiedfirst，beforethefinalstepshouldbetaken；but，really，howlovelydearAglayahadbecome——sheactuallygrewmorebeautifuleveryday！Andthen——Yes，andthen——thisabominableprinceshowedhisfaceagain，andeverythingwenttopsy-turvyatonce，andeveryoneseemedasmadasMarchhares。
Whathadreallyhappened？
IfithadbeenanyotherfamilythantheEpanchins’，nothingparticularwouldhavehappened。But，thankstoMrs。Epanchin’sinvariablefussinessandanxiety，therecouldnotbetheslightesthitchinthesimplestmattersofeverydaylife，butsheimmediatelyforesawthemostdreadfulandalarmingconsequences，andsufferedaccordingly。
Whatthenmusthavebeenhercondition，when，amongalltheimaginaryanxietiesandcalamitieswhichsoconstantlybesether，shenowsawloomingaheadaseriouscauseforannoyance——
somethingreallylikelytoarousedoubtsandsuspicions！
\"Howdaredthey，howDAREDtheywritethathatefulanonymousletterinformingmethatAglayaisincommunicationwithNastasiaPhilipovna？\"shethought，asshedraggedtheprincealongtowardsherownhouse，andagainwhenshesathimdownattheroundtablewherethefamilywasalreadyassembled。\"HowdaredtheysomuchasTHINKofsuchathing？IshouldDIEwithshameifIthoughttherewasaparticleoftruthinit，orifIweretoshowthelettertoAglayaherself！WhodaresplaythesejokesuponUS，theEpanchins？WHYdidn’twegototheYelagininsteadofcomingdownhere？ITOLDyouwehadbettergototheYelaginthissummer，IvanFedorovitch。It’sallyourfault。IdaresayitwasthatVariawhosenttheletter。It’sallIvanFedorovitch。THATwomanisdoingitallforhim，Iknowsheis，toshowshecanmakeafoolofhimnowjustasshedidwhenheusedtogiveherpearls。
\"Butafterallissaid，wearemixedupinit。Yourdaughtersaremixedupinit，IvanFedorovitch；youngladiesinsociety，youngladiesatanagetobemarried；theywerepresent，theyheardeverythingtherewastohear。Theyweremixedupwiththatotherscene，too，withthosedreadfulyouths。Youmustbepleasedtoremembertheyhearditall。Icannotforgivethatwretchedprince。Inevershallforgivehim！Andwhy，ifyouplease，hasAglayahadanattackofnervesfortheselastthreedays？Whyhassheallbutquarrelledwithhersisters，evenwithAlexandra——
whomsherespectssomuchthatshealwayskissesherhandsasthoughshewerehermother？Whatarealltheseriddlesofhersthatwehavetoguess？WhathasGavrilaArdalionovitchtodowithit？Whydidshetakeuponherselftochampionhimthismorning，andburstintotearsoverit？Whyisthereanallusiontothatcursed’poorknight’intheanonymousletter？AndwhydidIrushofftohimjustnowlikealunatic，anddraghimbackhere？IdobelieveI’vegonemadatlast。WhatonearthhaveIdonenow？Totalktoayoungmanaboutmydaughter’ssecrets——andsecretshavingtodowithhimself，too！Thankgoodness，he’sanidiot，andafriendofthehouse！SurelyAglayahasn’tfalleninlovewithsuchagaby！Whatanidea！Pfu！weoughtalltobeputunderglasscases——myselffirstofall——andbeshownoffascuriosities，attencopecksapeep！\"
\"Ishallneverforgiveyouforallthis，IvanFedorovitch——never！
Lookathernow。Whydoesn’tshemakefunofhim？Shesaidshewould，andshedoesn’t。Lookthere！Shestaresathimwithallhereyes，anddoesn’tmove；andyetshetoldhimnottocome。Helookspaleenough；andthatabominablechatterbox，EvgeniePavlovitch，monopolizesthewholeoftheconversation。Nobodyelsecangetawordin。IcouldsoonfindoutallabouteverythingifIcouldonlychangethesubject。\"
Theprincecertainlywasverypale。Hesatatthetableandseemedtobefeeling，byturns，sensationsofalarmandrapture。
Oh，howfrightenedhewasoflookingtooneside——oneparticularcorner——whenceheknewverywellthatapairofdarkeyeswerewatchinghimintently，andhowhappyhewastothinkthathewasoncemoreamongthem，andoccasionallyhearingthatwell-knownvoice，althoughshehadwrittenandforbiddenhimtocomeagain！
\"Whatonearthwillshesaytome，Iwonder？\"hethoughttohimself。
Hehadnotsaidawordyet；hesatsilentandlistenedtoEvgeniePavlovitch’seloquence。Thelatterhadneverappearedsohappyandexcitedasonthisevening。Theprincelistenedtohim，butforalongtimedidnottakeinawordhesaid。
ExceptingIvanFedorovitch，whohadnotasyetreturnedfromtown，thewholefamilywaspresent。PrinceS。wasthere；andtheyallintendedtogoouttohearthebandverysoon。
Coliaarrivedpresentlyandjoinedthecircle。\"Soheisreceivedasusual，afterall，\"thoughttheprince。
TheEpanchins’country-housewasacharmingbuilding，builtafterthemodelofaSwisschalet，andcoveredwithcreepers。Itwassurroundedonallsidesbyaflowergarden，andthefamilysat，asarule，ontheopenverandahasattheprince’shouse。
Thesubjectunderdiscussiondidnotappeartobeverypopularwiththeassembly，andsomewouldhavebeendelightedtochangeit；butEvgeniewouldnotstopholdingforth，andtheprince’sarrivalseemedtospurhimontostillfurtheroratoricalefforts。
LizabethaProkofievnafrowned，buthadnotasyetgraspedthesubject，whichseemedtohavearisenoutofaheatedargument。
Aglayasatapart，almostinthecorner，listeninginstubbornsilence。
\"Excuseme，\"continuedEvgeniePavlovitchhotly，\"Idon’tsayawordagainstliberalism。Liberalismisnotasin，itisanecessarypartofagreatwhole，whichwholewouldcollapseandfalltopieceswithoutit。Liberalismhasjustasmuchrighttoexistashasthemostmoralconservatism；butIamattackingRUSSIANliberalism；andIattackitforthesimplereasonthataRussianliberalisnotaRussianliberal，heisanon-Russianliberal。ShowmearealRussianliberal，andI’llkisshimbeforeyouall，withpleasure。\"
\"Ifhecaredtokissyou，thatis，\"saidAlexandra，whosecheekswereredwithirritationandexcitement。
\"Lookatthat，now，\"thoughtthemothertoherself，\"shedoesnothingbutsleepandeatforayearatatime，andthensuddenlyfliesoutinthemostincomprehensibleway！\"
TheprinceobservedthatAlexandraappearedtobeangrywithEvgenie，becausehespokeonaserioussubjectinafrivolousmanner，pretendingtobeinearnest，butwithanunder-currentofirony。
\"Iwassayingjustnow，beforeyoucamein，prince，thattherehasbeennothingnationaluptonow，aboutourliberalism，andnothingtheliberalsdo，orhavedone，isintheleastdegreenational。Theyaredrawnfromtwoclassesonly，theoldlandowningclass，andclericalfamilies——\"
\"How，nothingthattheyhavedoneisRussian？\"askedPrinceS。
\"ItmaybeRussian，butitisnotnational。OurliberalsarenotRussian，norareourconservatives，andyoumaybesurethatthenationdoesnotrecognizeanythingthathasbeendonebythelandedgentry，orbytheseminarists，orwhatistobedoneeither。\"
\"Come，that’sgood！Howcanyoumaintainsuchaparadox？Ifyouareserious，thatis。Icannotallowsuchastatementaboutthelandedproprietorstopassunchallenged。Why，youarealandedproprietoryourself！\"criedPrinceS。hotly。
\"Isupposeyou’llsaythereisnothingnationalaboutourliteratureeither？\"saidAlexandra。
\"Well，Iamnotagreatauthorityonliteraryquestions，butI
certainlydoholdthatRussianliteratureisnotRussian，exceptperhapsLomonosoff，PouschkinandGogol。\"
\"Inthefirstplace，thatisaconsiderableadmission，andinthesecondplace，oneoftheabovewasapeasant，andtheothertwowerebothlandedproprietors！\"
\"Quiteso，butdon’tbeinsuchahurry！Forsinceithasbeenthepartofthesethreemen，andonlythesethree，tosaysomethingabsolutelytheirown，notborrowed，sobythisveryfactthesethreemenbecomereallynational。IfanyRussianshallhavedoneorsaidanythingreallyandabsolutelyoriginal，heistobecallednationalfromthatmoment，thoughhemaynotbeabletotalktheRussianlanguage；stillheisanationalRussian。I
considerthatanaxiom。Butwewerenotspeakingofliterature；
webeganbydiscussingthesocialists。Verywellthen，IinsistthattheredoesnotexistonesingleRussiansocialist。Theredoesnot，andtherehasneverexistedsuchaone，becauseallsocialistsarederivedfromthetwoclasses——thelandedproprietors，andtheseminarists。Alloureminentsocialistsaremerelyoldliberalsoftheclassoflandedproprietors，menwhowereliberalsinthedaysofserfdom。Whydoyoulaugh？Givemetheirbooks，givemetheirstudies，theirmemoirs，andthoughI
amnotaliterarycritic，yetIwillproveasclearasdaythateverychapterandeverywordoftheirwritingshasbeentheworkofaformerlandedproprietoroftheoldschool。You’llfindthatalltheirraptures，alltheirgeneroustransportsareproprietary，alltheirwoesandtheirtears，proprietary；allproprietaryorseminarist！Youarelaughingagain，andyou，prince，aresmilingtoo。Don’tyouagreewithme？\"
Itwastrueenoughthateverybodywaslaughing，theprinceamongthem。
\"IcannottellyouontheinstantwhetherIagreewithyouornot，\"saidthelatter，suddenlystoppinghislaughter，andstartinglikeaschoolboycaughtatmischief。\"But，Iassureyou，Iamlisteningtoyouwithextremegratification。\"
Sosaying，healmostpantedwithagitation，andacoldsweatstooduponhisforehead。Thesewerehisfirstwordssincehehadenteredthehouse；hetriedtolifthiseyes，andlookaround，butdarednot；EvgeniePavlovitchnoticedhisconfusion，andsmiled。
\"I’lljusttellyouonefact，ladiesandgentlemen，\"continuedthelatter，withapparentseriousnessandevenexaltationofmanner，butwithasuggestionof\"chaff\"behindeveryword，asthoughhewerelaughinginhissleeveathisownnonsense——\"afact，thediscoveryofwhich，Ibelieve，Imayclaimtohavemadebymyselfalone。Atallevents，nootherhaseversaidorwrittenawordaboutit；andinthisfactisexpressedthewholeessenceofRussianliberalismofthesortwhichIamnowconsidering。
\"Inthefirstplace，whatisliberalism，speakinggenerally，butanattackwhethermistakenorreasonable，isquiteanotherquestionupontheexistingorderofthings？Isthisso？Yes。
Verywell。Thenmy’fact’consistsinthis，thatRUSSIAN
liberalismisnotanattackupontheexistingorderofthings，butanattackupontheveryessenceofthingsthemselves——indeed，onthethingsthemselves；notanattackontheRussianorderofthings，butonRussiaitself。MyRussianliberalgoessofarastorejectRussia；thatis，hehatesandstrikeshisownmother。
Everymisfortuneandmishapofthemother-countryfillshimwithmirth，andevenwithecstasy。Hehatesthenationalcustoms，Russianhistory，andeverything。Ifhehasajustification，itisthathedoesnotknowwhatheisdoing，andbelievesthathishatredofRussiaisthegrandestandmostprofitablekindofliberalism。Youwilloftenfindaliberalwhoisapplaudedandesteemedbyhisfellows，butwhoisinrealitythedreariest，blindest，dullestofconservatives，andisnotawareofthefact。ThishatredforRussiahasbeenmistakenbysomeofour’Russianliberals’forsincereloveoftheircountry，andtheyboastthattheyseebetterthantheirneighbourswhatrealloveofone’scountryshouldconsistin。Butoflatetheyhavegrown，morecandidandareashamedoftheexpression’loveofcountry，’
andhaveannihilatedtheveryspiritofthewordsassomethinginjuriousandpettyandundignified。Thisisthetruth，andI
holdbyit；butatthesametimeitisaphenomenonwhichhasnotbeenrepeatedatanyothertimeorplace；andtherefore，thoughI
holdtoitasafact，yetIrecognizethatitisanaccidentalphenomenon，andmaylikelyenoughpassaway。Therecanbenosuchthinganywhereelseasaliberalwhoreallyhateshiscountry；
andhowisthisfacttobeexplainedamongUS？BymyoriginalstatementthataRussianliberalisNOTaRUSSIANliberal——that’stheonlyexplanationthatIcansee。\"
\"Itakeallthatyouhavesaidasajoke，\"saidPrinceS。
seriously。
\"Ihavenotseenallkindsofliberals，andcannot，therefore，setmyselfupasajudge，\"saidAlexandra，\"butIhaveheardallyouhavesaidwithindignation。Youhavetakensomeaccidentalcaseandtwisteditintoauniversallaw，whichisunjust。\"
\"Accidentalcase！\"saidEvgeniePavlovitch。\"Doyouconsideritanaccidentalcase，prince？\"
\"Imustalsoadmit，\"saidtheprince，\"thatIhavenotseenmuch，orbeenveryfarintothequestion；butIcannothelpthinkingthatyouaremoreorlessright，andthatRussianliberalism——
thatphaseofitwhichyouareconsidering，atleast——reallyissometimesinclinedtohateRussiaitself，andnotonlyitsexistingorderofthingsingeneral。OfcoursethisisonlyPARTIALLYthetruth；youcannotlaydownthelawforall……\"
Theprinceblushedandbrokeoff，withoutfinishingwhathemeanttosay。
Inspiteofhisshynessandagitation，hecouldnothelpbeinggreatlyinterestedintheconversation。Aspecialcharacteristicofhiswasthenaivecandourwithwhichhealwayslistenedtoargumentswhichinterestedhim，andwithwhichheansweredanyquestionsputtohimonthesubjectatissue。Intheveryexpressionofhisfacethisnaivetewasunmistakablyevident，thisdisbeliefintheinsincerityofothers，andunsuspectingdisregardofironyorhumourintheirwords。
ButthoughEvgeniePavlovitchhadputhisquestionstotheprincewithnootherpurposebuttoenjoythejokeofhissimple-mindedseriousness，yetnow，athisanswer，hewassurprisedintosomeseriousnesshimself，andlookedgravelyatMuishkinasthoughhehadnotexpectedthatsortofansweratall。
\"Why，howstrange！\"heejaculated。\"Youdidn’tanswermeseriously，surely，didyou？\"
\"Didnotyouaskmethequestionseriously\"inquiredtheprince，inamazement。
Everybodylaughed。
\"Oh，trustHIMforthat！\"saidAdelaida。\"EvgeniePavlovitchturnseverythingandeverybodyhecanlayholdoftoridicule。
Youshouldhearthethingshesayssometimes，apparentlyinperfectseriousness。\"
\"Inmyopiniontheconversationhasbeenapainfulonethroughout，andweoughtnevertohavebegunit，\"saidAlexandra。
\"Wewereallgoingforawalk——\"
\"Comealongthen，\"saidEvgenie；\"it’sagloriousevening。But，toprovethatthistimeIwasspeakingabsolutelyseriously，andespeciallytoprovethistotheprinceforyou，prince，haveinterestedmeexceedingly，andIsweartoyouthatIamnotquitesuchanassasIliketoappearsometimes，althoughIamratheranass，Iadmit，and——well，ladiesandgentlemen，willyouallowmetoputjustonemorequestiontotheprince，outofpurecuriosity？Itshallbethelast。Thisquestioncameintomymindacoupleofhourssinceyousee，prince，Idothinkseriouslyattimes，andImademyowndecisionuponit；nowIwishtohearwhattheprincewillsaytoit。\"
\"Wehavejustusedtheexpression’accidentalcase。’Thisisasignificantphrase；weoftenhearit。Well，notlongsinceeveryonewastalkingandreadingaboutthatterriblemurderofsixpeopleonthepartofa——youngfellow，andoftheextraordinaryspeechofthecounselforthedefence，whoobservedthatinthepoverty-strickenconditionofthecriminalitmusthavecomeNATURALLYintohisheadtokillthesesixpeople。Idonotquotehiswords，butthatisthesenseofthem，orsomethingverylikeit。Now，inmyopinion，thebarristerwhoputforwardthisextraordinarypleawasprobablyabsolutelyconvincedthathewasstatingthemostliberal，themosthumane，themostenlightenedviewofthecasethatcouldpossiblybebroughtforwardinthesedays。Now，wasthisdistortion，thiscapacityforapervertedwayofviewingthings，aspecialoraccidentalcase，orissuchageneralrule？\"