Thequestionastowhatshemighthavetosayofspecialinteresttohimselfoccurredtohimonceortwice。Hedidnotdoubt，foramoment，thatshereallyhadsomesuchsubjectofconversationinstore，butsoverylittleinterestedinthematterwashethatitdidnotstrikehimtowonderwhatitcouldbe。Thecrunchofgravelonthepathsuddenlycausedhimtoraisehishead。
Aman，whosefaceitwasdifficulttoseeinthegloom，approachedthebench，andsatdownbesidehim。Theprincepeeredintohisface，andrecognizedthelividfeaturesofRogojin。
\"Iknewyou’dbewanderingaboutsomewherehere。Ididn’thavetolookforyouverylong，\"mutteredthelatterbetweenhisteeth。
Itwasthefirsttimetheyhadmetsincetheencounteronthestaircaseatthehotel。
PainfullysurprisedashewasatthissuddenapparitionofRogojin，theprince，forsomelittlewhile，wasunabletocollecthisthoughts。Rogojin，evidently，sawandunderstoodtheimpressionhehadmade；andthoughheseemedmoreorlessconfusedatfirst，yethebegantalkingwithwhatlookedlikeassumedeaseandfreedom。However，theprincesoonchangedhismindonthisscore，andthoughtthattherewasnotonlynoaffectationofindifference，butthatRogojinwasnotevenparticularlyagitated。Iftherewerealittleapparentawkwardness，itwasonlyinhiswordsandgestures。Themancouldnotchangehisheart。
\"Howdidyou——findmehere？\"askedtheprinceforthesakeofsayingsomething。
\"KellertoldmeIfoundhimatyourplacethatyouwereinthepark。’Ofcourseheis！’Ithought。\"
\"Whyso？\"askedtheprinceuneasily。
Rogojinsmiled，butdidnotexplain。
\"Ireceivedyourletter，LefNicolaievitch——what’sthegoodofallthat？——It’snouse，youknow。I’vecometoyoufromHER，——shebademetellyouthatshemustseeyou，shehassomethingtosaytoyou。Shetoldmetofindyoutoday。\"
\"I’llcometomorrow。NowI’mgoinghome——areyoucomingtomyhouse？\"
\"WhyshouldI？I’vegivenyouthemessage——Goodbye！\"
\"Won’tyoucome？\"askedtheprinceinagentlevoice。
\"Whatanextraordinarymanyouare！Iwonderatyou！\"Rogojinlaughedsarcastically。
\"Whydoyouhatemeso？\"askedtheprince，sadly。\"Youknowyourselfthatallyoususpectedisquiteunfounded。Ifeltyouwerestillangrywithme，though。Doyouknowwhy？Becauseyoutriedtokillme——that’swhyyoucan’tshakeoffyourwrathagainstme。ItellyouthatIonlyremembertheParfenRogojinwithwhomIexchangedcrosses，andvowedbrotherhood。Iwroteyouthisinyesterday’sletter，inorderthatyoumightforgetallthatmadnessonyourpart，andthatyoumightnotfeelcalledtotalkaboutitwhenwemet。Whydoyouavoidme？Whydoyouholdyourhandbackfromme？Itellyouagain，Iconsiderallthathaspassedadelirium，aninsanedream。Icanunderstandallyoudid，andallyoufeltthatday，asifitweremyself。Whatyouwerethenimaginingwasnotthecase，andcouldneverbethecase。
Why，then，shouldtherebeangerbetweenus？\"
\"Youdon’tknowwhatangeris！\"laughedRogojin，inreplytotheprince’sheatedwords。
Hehadmovedapaceortwoaway，andwashidinghishandsbehindhim。
\"No，itisimpossibleformetocometoyourhouseagain，\"headdedslowly。
\"Why？Doyouhatemesomuchasallthat？\"
\"Idon’tloveyou，LefNicolaievitch，and，therefore，whatwouldbetheuseofmycomingtoseeyou？Youarejustlikeachild——
youwantaplaything，anditmustbetakenoutandgivenyou——andthenyoudon’tknowhowtoworkit。Youaresimplyrepeatingallyousaidinyourletter，andwhat’stheuse？OfcourseIbelieveeverywordyousay，andIknowperfectlywellthatyouneitherdidorevercandeceivemeinanyway，andyet，Idon’tloveyou。
Youwritethatyou’veforgotteneverything，andonlyrememberyourbrotherParfen，withwhomyouexchangedcrosses，andthatyoudon’trememberanythingabouttheRogojinwhoaimedaknifeatyourthroat。Whatdoyouknowaboutmyfeelings，eh？\"Rogojinlaugheddisagreeably。\"HereyouareholdingoutyourbrotherlyforgivenesstomeforathingthatIhaveperhapsneverrepentedofintheslightestdegree。Ididnotthinkofitagainallthatevening；allmythoughtswerecentredonsomethingelse——\"
\"Notthinkofitagain？Ofcourseyoudidn’t！\"criedtheprince。
\"AndIdareswearthatyoucamestraightawaydownheretoPavlofsktolistentothemusicanddogheraboutinthecrowd，andstareather，justasyoudidtoday。There’snothingsurprisinginthat！Ifyouhadn’tbeeninthatconditionofmindthatyoucouldthinkofnothingbutonesubject，youwould，probably，neverhaveraisedyourknifeagainstme。Ihadapresentimentofwhatyouwoulddo，thatday，eversinceIsawyoufirstinthemorning。Doyouknowyourselfwhatyoulookedlike？
Iknewyouwouldtrytomurdermeevenattheverymomentwhenweexchangedcrosses。Whatdidyoutakemetoyourmotherfor？Didyouthinktostayyourhandbydoingso？Perhapsyoudidnotputyourthoughtsintowords，butyouandIwerethinkingthesamething，orfeelingthesamethingloomingoverus，atthesamemoment。Whatshouldyouthinkofmenowifyouhadnotraisedyourknifetome——theknifewhichGodavertedfrommythroat？I
wouldhavebeenguiltyofsuspectingyouallthesame——andyouwouldhaveintendedthemurderallthesame；thereforeweshouldhavebeenmutuallyguiltyinanycase。Come，don’tfrown；youneedn’tlaughatme，either。Yousayyouhaven’t’repented。’
Repented！Youprobablycouldn’t，ifyouweretotry；youdislikemetoomuchforthat。Why，ifIwereanangeloflight，andasinnocentbeforeyouasababe，youwouldstillloathemeifyoubelievedthatSHElovedme，insteadoflovingyourself。That’sjealousy——thatistherealjealousy。
\"ButdoyouknowwhatIhavebeenthinkingoutduringthislastweek，Parfen？I’lltellyou。Whatifshelovesyounowbetterthananyone？AndwhatifshetormentsyouBECAUSEshelovesyou，andinproportiontoherloveforyou，soshetormentsyouthemore？Shewon’ttellyouthis，ofcourse；youmusthaveeyestosee。Whydoyousupposesheconsentstomarryyou？Shemusthaveareason，andthatreasonshewilltellyousomeday。Somewomendesirethekindofloveyougiveher，andsheisprobablyoneofthese。Yourloveandyourwildnatureimpressher。Doyouknowthatawomaniscapableofdrivingamancrazyalmost，withhercrueltiesandmockeries，andfeelsnotonesinglepangofregret，becauseshelooksathimandsaystoherself，’There！I’lltormentthismannearlyintohisgrave，andthen，oh！howI’llcompensatehimforitallwithmylove！’\"
Rogojinlistenedtotheend，andthenburstoutlaughing:
\"Why，prince，Ideclareyoumusthavehadatasteofthissortofthingyourself——haven’tyou？Ihaveheardtellofsomethingofthekind，youknow；isittrue？\"
\"What？Whatcanyouhaveheard？\"saidtheprince，stammering。
Rogojincontinuedtolaughloudly。Hehadlistenedtotheprince’sspeechwithcuriosityandsomesatisfaction。Thespeaker’simpulsivewarmthhadsurprisedandevencomfortedhim。
\"Why，I’venotonlyheardofit；Iseeitformyself，\"hesaid。
\"Whenhaveyoueverspokenlikethatbefore？Itwasn’tlikeyourself，prince。Why，ifIhadn’theardthisreportaboutyou，I
shouldneverhavecomeallthiswayintothepark——atmidnight，too！\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyouintheleast，Parfen。\"
\"Oh，SHEtoldmeallaboutitlongago，andtonightIsawformyself。Isawyouatthemusic，youknow，andwhomyouweresittingwith。Shesworetomeyesterday，andagaintoday，thatyouaremadlyinlovewithAglayaIvanovna。Butthat’sallthesametome，prince，andit’snotmyaffairatall；forifyouhaveceasedtoloveHER，SHEhasnotceasedtoloveYOU。Youknow，ofcourse，thatshewantstomarryyoutothatgirl？She’ssworntoit！Ha，ha！Shesaystome，’UntilthenIwon’tmarryyou。Whentheygotochurch，we’llgotoo-andnotbefore。’Whatonearthdoesshemeanbyit？Idon’tknow，andIneverdid。
Eithershelovesyouwithoutlimitsor——yet，ifshelovesyou，whydoesshewishtomarryyoutoanothergirl？Shesays，’Iwanttoseehimhappy，’whichistosay——shelovesyou。\"
\"Iwrote，andIsaytoyouoncemore，thatsheisnotinherrightmind，\"saidtheprince，whohadlistenedwithanguishtowhatRogojinsaid。
\"Goodnessknows——youmaybewrongthere！Atallevents，shenamedthedaythisevening，asweleftthegardens。’Inthreeweeks，’
saysshe，’andperhapssooner，weshallbemarried。’Shesworetoit，tookoffhercrossandkissedit。Soitalldependsuponyounow，prince，Yousee！Ha，ha！\"
\"That’sallmadness。Whatyousayaboutme，Parfen，nevercanandneverwillbe。Tomorrow，Ishallcomeandseeyou——\"
\"Howcanshebemad，\"Rogojininterrupted，\"whensheissaneenoughforotherpeopleandonlymadforyou？HowcanshewriteletterstoHER，ifshe’smad？Ifshewereinsanetheywouldobserveitinherletters。\"
\"Whatletters？\"saidtheprince，alarmed。
\"ShewritestoHER——andthegirlreadstheletters。Haven’tyouheard？——Youaresuretohear；she’ssuretoshowyouthelettersherself。\"
\"Iwon’tbelievethis！\"criedtheprince。
\"Why，prince，you’veonlygoneafewstepsalongthisroad，I
perceive。Youareevidentlyamerebeginner。Waitabit！Beforelong，you’llhaveyourowndetectives，you’llwatchdayandnight，andyou’llknoweverylittlethingthatgoesonthere——
thatis，if——\"
\"Dropthatsubject，Rogojin，andnevermentionitagain。Andlisten:asIhavesathere，andtalked，andlistened，ithassuddenlystruckmethattomorrowismybirthday。Itmustbeabouttwelveo’clock，now；comehomewithme——do，andwe’llseethedayin！We’llhavesomewine，andyoushallwishme——Idon’tknowwhat——butyou，especiallyyou，mustwishmeagoodwish，andIshallwishyoufullhappinessinreturn。Otherwise，handmemycrossbackagain。Youdidn’treturnittomenextday。Haven’tyougotitonnow？\"
\"Yes，Ihave，\"saidRogojin。
\"Comealong，then。Idon’twishtomeetmynewyearwithoutyou——
mynewlife，Ishouldsay，foranewlifeisbeginningforme。
Didyouknow，Parfen，thatanewlifehadbegunforme？\"
\"Iseeformyselfthatitisso——andIshalltellHER。Butyouarenotquiteyourself，LefNicolaievitch。\"
IV。
THEprinceobservedwithgreatsurprise，asheapproachedhisvilla，accompaniedbyRogojin，thatalargenumberofpeoplewereassembledonhisverandah，whichwasbrilliantlylightedup。Thecompanyseemedmerryandwerenoisilylaughingandtalking——evenquarrelling，tojudgefromthesounds。Atalleventstheywereclearlyenjoyingthemselves，andtheprinceobservedfurtheroncloserinvestigation——thatallhadbeendrinkingchampagne。Tojudgefromthelivelyconditionofsomeoftheparty，itwastobesupposedthataconsiderablequantityofchampagnehadbeenconsumedalready。
Alltheguestswereknowntotheprince；butthecuriouspartofthematterwasthattheyhadallarrivedonthesameevening，asthoughwithoneaccord，althoughhehadonlyhimselfrecollectedthefactthatitwashisbirthdayafewmomentssince。
\"Youmusthavetoldsomebodyyouweregoingtotrotoutthechampagne，andthat’swhytheyareallcome！\"mutteredRogojin，asthetwoenteredtheverandah。\"Weknowallaboutthat！You’veonlytowhistleandtheycomeupinshoals！\"hecontinued，almostangrily。Hewasdoubtlessthinkingofhisownlateexperienceswithhisbooncompanions。
Allsurroundedtheprincewithexclamationsofwelcome，and，onhearingthatitwashisbirthday，withcriesofcongratulationanddelight；manyofthemwereverynoisy。
Thepresenceofcertainofthoseintheroomsurprisedtheprincevastly，buttheguestwhoseadventfilledhimwiththegreatestwonder——almostamountingtoalarm——wasEvgeniePavlovitch。Theprincecouldnotbelievehiseyeswhenhebeheldthelatter，andcouldnothelpthinkingthatsomethingwaswrong。
Lebedeffranuppromptlytoexplainthearrivalofallthesegentlemen。Hewashimselfsomewhatintoxicated，buttheprincegatheredfromhislong-windedperiodsthatthepartyhadassembledquitenaturally，andaccidentally。
FirstofallHippolytehadarrived，earlyintheevening，andfeelingdecidedlybetter，haddeterminedtoawaittheprinceontheverandah。ThereLebedeffhadjoinedhim，andhishouseholdhadfollowed——thatis，hisdaughtersandGeneralIvolgin。
BurdovskyhadbroughtHippolyte，andstayedonwithhim。GaniaandPtitsinhaddroppedinaccidentallylateron；thencameKeller，andheandColiainsistedonhavingchampagne。EvgeniePavlovitchhadonlydroppedinhalfanhourorsoago。Lebedeffhadservedthechampagnereadily。
\"Myownthough，prince，myown，mind，\"hesaid，\"andthere’llbesomesupperlateron；mydaughterisgettingitreadynow。Comeandsitdown，prince，weareallwaitingforyou，wewantyouwithus。Fancywhatwehavebeendiscussing！Youknowthequestion，’tobeornottobe，’——outofHamlet！Acontemporarytheme！Quiteup-to-date！Mr。Hippolytehasbeeneloquenttoadegree。Hewon’tgotobed，buthehasonlydrunkalittlechampagne，andthatcan’tdohimanyharm。Comealong，prince，andsettlethequestion。Everyoneiswaitingforyou，sighingforthelightofyourluminousintelligence……\"
Theprincenoticedthesweet，welcominglookonVeraLebedeff’sface，asshemadeherwaytowardshimthroughthecrowd。Heheldouthishandtoher。Shetookit，blushingwithdelight，andwishedhim\"ahappylifefromthatdayforward。\"Thensheranofftothekitchen，where。herpresencewasnecessarytohelpinthepreparationsforsupper。Beforetheprince’sarrivalshehadspentsometimeontheterrace，listeningeagerlytotheconversation，thoughthevisitors，mostlyundertheinfluenceofwine，werediscussingabstractsubjectsfarbeyondhercomprehension。Inthenextroomheryoungersisterlayonawoodenchest，soundasleep，withhermouthwideopen；buttheboy，Lebedeff’sson，hadtakenuphispositionclosebesideColiaandHippolyte，hisfacelitupwithinterestintheconversationofhisfatherandtherest，towhichhewouldwillinglyhavelistenedfortenhoursatastretch。
\"Ihavewaitedforyouonpurpose，andamverygladtoseeyouarrivesohappy，\"saidHippolyte，whentheprincecameforwardtopresshishand，immediatelyaftergreetingVera。
\"AndhowdoyouknowthatIam’sohappy’？
\"Icanseeitbyyourface！Say’howdoyoudo’totheothers，andcomeandsitdownhere，quick——I’vebeenwaitingforyou！\"headded，accentuatingthefactthathehadwaited。Ontheprince’sasking，\"Willitnotbeinjurioustoyoutositoutsolate？\"herepliedthathecouldnotbelievethathehadthoughthimselfdyingthreedaysorsoago，forheneverhadfeltbetterthanthisevening。
Burdovskynextjumpedupandexplainedthathehadcomeinbyaccident，havingescortedHippolytefromtown。Hemurmuredthathewasgladhehad\"writtennonsense\"inhisletter，andthenpressedtheprince’shandwarmlyandsatdownagain。
TheprinceapproachedEvgeniePavlovitchlastofall。Thelatterimmediatelytookhisarm。
\"Ihaveacoupleofwordstosaytoyou，\"hebegan，\"andthoseonaveryimportantmatter；let’sgoasideforaminuteortwo。\"
\"Justacoupleofwords！\"whisperedanothervoiceintheprince’sotherear，andanotherhandtookhisotherarm。Muishkinturned，andtohisgreatsurpriseobservedared，flushedfaceandadroll-lookingfigurewhichherecognizedatonceasthatofFerdishenko。Goodnessknowswherehehadturnedupfrom！
\"DoyourememberFerdishenko？\"heasked。
\"Wherehaveyoudroppedfrom？\"criedtheprince。
\"Heissorryforhissinsnow，prince，\"criedKeller。\"Hedidnotwanttoletyouknowhewashere；hewashiddenoverthereinthecorner，——butherepentsnow，hefeelshisguilt。\"
\"Why，whathashedone？\"
\"Imethimoutsideandbroughthimin——he’sagentlemanwhodoesn’toftenallowhisfriendstoseehim，oflate——buthe’ssorrynow。\"
\"Delighted，I’msure！——I’llcomebackdirectly，gentlemen，——sitdowntherewiththeothers，please，——excusemeonemoment，\"saidthehost，gettingawaywithdifficultyinordertofollowEvgenie。
\"Youareverygayhere，\"beganthelatter，\"andIhavehadquiteapleasanthalf-hourwhileIwaitedforyou。Nowthen，mydearLefNicolaievitch，thisiswhat’sthematter。I’vearrangeditallwithMoloftsoff，andhavejustcomeintorelieveyourmindonthatscore。Youneedbeundernoapprehensions。Hewasverysensible，asheshouldbe，ofcourse，forIthinkhewasentirelytoblamehimself。\"
\"WhatMoloftsoff？\"
\"Theyoungfellowwhosearmsyouheld，don’tyouknow？Hewassowildwithyouthathewasgoingtosendafriendtoyoutomorrowmorning。\"
\"Whatnonsense！\"
\"Ofcourseitisnonsense，andinnonsenseitwouldhaveended，doubtless；butyouknowthesefellows，they——\"
\"Excuseme，butIthinkyoumusthavesomethingelsethatyouwishedtospeakabout，EvgeniePavlovitch？\"
\"Ofcourse，Ihave！\"saidtheother，laughing。\"Yousee，mydearfellow，tomorrow，veryearlyinthemorning，Imustbeofftotownaboutthisunfortunatebusinessmyuncle，youknow！。Justimagine，mydearsir，itisalltrue——wordforword——and，ofcourse，everybodyknewitexceptingmyself。AllthishasbeensuchablowtomethatIhavenotmanagedtocallinattheEpanchins’。TomorrowIshallnotseethemeither，becauseI
shallbeintown。Imaynotbehereforthreedaysormore；inaword，myaffairsarealittleoutofgear。Butthoughmytownbusinessis，ofcourse，mostpressing，stillIdeterminednottogoawayuntilIhadseenyou，andhadaclearunderstandingwithyouuponcertainpoints；andthatwithoutlossoftime。Iwillwaitnow，ifyouwillallowme，untilthecompanydeparts；Imayjustaswell，forIhavenowhereelsetogoto，andIshallcertainlynotdoanysleepingtonight；I’mfartooexcited。Andfinally，Imustconfessthat，thoughIknowitisbadformtopursueamaninthisway，Ihavecometobegyourfriendship，mydearprince。Youareanunusualsortofaperson；youdon’tlieateverystep，assomemendo；infact，youdon’tlieatall，andthereisamatterinwhichIneedatrueandsincerefriend，forIreallymayclaimtobeamongthenumberofbonafideunfortunatesjustnow。\"
Helaughedagain。
\"Butthetroubleis，\"saidtheprince，afteraslightpauseforreflection，\"thatgoodnessonlyknowswhenthispartywillbreakup。Hadn’twebetterstrollintothepark？I’llexcusemyself，there’snodangeroftheirgoingaway。\"
\"No，no！Ihavemyreasonsforwishingthemnottosuspectusofbeingengagedinanyspeciallyimportantconversation。Therearegentrypresentwhoarealittletoomuchinterestedinus。Youarenotawareofthatperhaps，prince？Itwillbeagreatdealbetteriftheyseethatwearefriendlyjustinanordinaryway。
They’llallgoinacoupleofhours，andthenI’llaskyoutogivemetwentyminutes-halfanhouratmost。\"
\"Byallmeans！IassureyouIamdelighted——youneednothaveenteredintoalltheseexplanations。Asforyourremarksaboutfriendshipwithme——thanks，verymuchindeed。Youmustexcusemybeingalittleabsentthisevening。Doyouknow，Icannotsomehowbeattentivetoanythingjustnow？\"
\"Isee，Isee，\"saidEvgenie，smilinggently。Hismirthseemedverynearthesurfacethisevening。
\"Whatdoyousee？\"saidtheprince，startled。
\"Idon’twantyoutosuspectthatIhavesimplycomeheretodeceiveyouandpumpinformationoutofyou！\"saidEvgenie，stillsmiling，andwithoutmakinganydirectreplytothequestion。
\"Oh，butIhaven’ttheslightestdoubtthatyoudidcometopumpme，\"saidtheprince，laughinghimself，atlast；\"andIdaresayyouarequitepreparedtodeceivemetoo，sofarasthatgoes。
Butwhatofthat？I’mnotafraidofyou；besides，you’llhardlybelieveit，IfeelasthoughIreallydidn’tcareascraponewayortheother，justnow！——And-and-andasyouareacapitalfellow，Iamconvincedofthat，Idaresaywereallyshallendbybeinggoodfriends。IlikeyouverymuchEvgeniePavlovitch；Iconsideryouaverygoodfellowindeed。\"
\"Well，inanycase，youareamostdelightfulmantohavetodealwith，bethebusinesswhatitmay，\"concludedEvgenie。\"Comealongnow，I’lldrinkaglasstoyourhealth。I’mcharmedtohaveenteredintoalliancewithyou。By-the-by，\"headdedsuddenly，hasthisyoungHippolytecomedowntostaywithyou\"Yes。\"
\"He’snotgoingtodieatonce，Ishouldthink，ishe？\"
\"Why？\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknow。I’vebeenhalfanhourherewithhim，andhe——\"
Hippolytehadbeenwaitingfortheprinceallthistime，andhadneverceasedlookingathimandEvgeniePavlovitchastheyconversedinthecorner。Hebecamemuchexcitedwhentheyapproachedthetableoncemore。Hewasdisturbedinhismind，itseemed；perspirationstoodinlargedropsonhisforehead；inhisgleamingeyesitwaseasytoreadimpatienceandagitation；hisgazewanderedfromfacetofaceofthosepresent，andfromobjecttoobjectintheroom，apparentlywithoutaim。Hehadtakenapart，andananimatedone，inthenoisyconversationofthecompany；buthisanimationwasclearlytheoutcomeoffever。Histalkwasalmostincoherent；hewouldbreakoffinthemiddleofasentencewhichhehadbegunwithgreatinterest，andforgetwhathehadbeensaying。TheprincediscoveredtohisdismaythatHippolytehadbeenallowedtodrinktwolargeglassesofchampagne；theonenowstandingbyhimbeingthethird。Allthishefoundoutafterwards；atthemomenthedidnotnoticeanything，veryparticularly。
\"DoyouknowIamspeciallygladthattodayisyourbirthday！\"
criedHippolyte。
\"Why？\"
\"You’llsoonsee。D’youknowIhadafeelingthattherewouldbealotofpeopleheretonight？It’snotthefirsttimethatmypresentimentshavebeenfulfilled。IwishIhadknownitwasyourbirthday，I’dhavebroughtyouapresent——perhapsIhavegotapresentforyou！Whoknows？Ha，ha！Howlongisitnowbeforedaylight？\"
\"Notacoupleofhours，\"saidPtitsin，lookingathiswatch。
What’sthegoodofdaylightnow？Onecanreadallnightintheopenairwithoutit，\"saidsomeone。
\"Thegoodofit！Well，Iwantjusttoseearayofthesun，\"saidHippolyte。Canonedrinktothesun’shealth，doyouthink，prince？\"
\"Oh，Idaresayonecan；butyouhadbetterbecalmandliedown，Hippolyte——that’smuchmoreimportant。
\"Youarealwayspreachingaboutresting；youarearegularnursetome，prince。Assoonasthesunbeginsto’resound’inthesky——whatpoetsaidthat？’Thesunresoundedinthesky。’Itisbeautiful，thoughthere’snosenseinit！——thenwewillgotobed。Lebedeff，tellme，isthesunthesourceoflife？Whatdoesthesource，or’spring，’oflifereallymeanintheApocalypse？
Youhaveheardofthe’StarthatiscalledWormwood，’prince？\"
\"IhaveheardthatLebedeffexplainsitastherailroadsthatcoverEuropelikeanet。\"
Everybodylaughed，andLebedeffgotupabruptly。
\"No！Allowme，thatisnotwhatwearediscussing！\"hecried，wavinghishandtoimposesilence。\"Allowme！Withthesegentlemen……allthesegentlemen，\"headded，suddenlyaddressingtheprince，\"oncertainpoints……thatis……\"Hethumpedthetablerepeatedly，andthelaughterincreased。Lebedeffwasinhisusualeveningcondition，andhadjustendedalongandscientificargument，whichhadlefthimexcitedandirritable。Onsuchoccasionshewasapttoevinceasupremecontemptforhisopponents。
\"Itisnotright！Halfanhourago，prince，itwasagreedamongusthatnooneshouldinterrupt，nooneshouldlaugh，thateachpersonwastoexpresshisthoughtsfreely；andthenattheend，wheneveryonehadspoken，objectionsmightbemade，evenbytheatheists。Wechosethegeneralaspresident。Nowwithoutsomesuchruleandorder，anyonemightbeshouteddown，evenintheloftiestandmostprofoundthought……\"
\"Goon！Goon！Nobodyisgoingtointerruptyou！\"criedseveralvoices。
\"Speak，butkeeptothepoint！\"
\"Whatisthis’star’？\"askedanother。
Ihavenoidea，\"repliedGeneralIvolgin，whopresidedwithmuchgravity。
\"Ilovethesearguments，prince，\"saidKeller，alsomorethanhalfintoxicated，movingrestlesslyinhischair。\"Scientificandpolitical。\"Then，turningsuddenlytowardsEvgeniePavlovitch，whowasseatednearhim:\"Doyouknow，IsimplyadorereadingtheaccountsofthedebatesintheEnglishparliament。Notthatthediscussionsthemselvesinterestme；Iamnotapolitician，youknow；butitdelightsmetoseehowtheyaddresseachother’thenoblelordwhoagreeswithme，’’myhonourableopponentwhoastonishedEuropewithhisproposal，’’thenobleviscountsittingopposite’——alltheseexpressions，allthisparliamentarismofafreepeople，hasanenormousattractionforme。Itfascinatesme，prince。Ihavealwaysbeenanartistinthedepthsofmysoul，I
assureyou，EvgeniePavlovitch。\"
\"Doyoumeantosay，\"criedGania，fromtheothercorner，\"doyoumeantosaythatrailwaysareaccursedinventions，thattheyareasourceofruintohumanity，apoisonpouredupontheearthtocorruptthespringsoflife？\"
GavrilaArdalionovitchwasinhighspiritsthatevening，anditseemedtotheprincethathisgaietywasmingledwithtriumph。OfcoursehewasonlyjokingwithLebedeff，meaningtoegghimon，buthegrewexcitedhimselfatthesametime。
\"Nottherailways，ohdear，no！\"repliedLebedeff，withamixtureofviolentangerandextremeenjoyment。\"Consideredalone，therailwayswillnotpollutethespringsoflife，butasawholetheyareaccursed。Thewholetendencyofourlatestcenturies，initsscientificandmaterialisticaspect，ismostprobablyaccursed。\"
\"Isitcertainlyaccursed？……ordoyouonlymeanitmightbe？
Thatisanimportantpoint，\"saidEvgeniePavlovitch。
\"Itisaccursed，certainlyaccursed！\"repliedtheclerk，vehemently。
\"Don’tgosofast，Lebedeff；youaremuchmilderinthemorning，\"
saidPtitsin，smiling。
\"But，ontheotherhand，morefrankintheevening！Intheeveningsincereandfrank，\"repeatedLebedeff，earnestly。\"Morecandid，moreexact，morehonest，morehonourable，and……
althoughImayshowyoumyweakside，Ichallengeyouall；youatheists，forinstance！Howareyougoingtosavetheworld？Howfindastraightroadofprogress，youmenofscience，ofindustry，ofcooperation，oftradesunions，andalltherest？
Howareyougoingtosaveit，Isay？Bywhat？Bycredit？Whatiscredit？Towhatwillcreditleadyou？\"
\"Youaretooinquisitive，\"remarkedEvgeniePavlovitch。
\"Well，anyonewhodoesnotinteresthimselfinquestionssuchasthisis，inmyopinion，amerefashionabledummy。\"
\"Butitwillleadatleasttosolidarity，andbalanceofinterests，\"saidPtitsin。
\"Youwillreachthatwithnothingtohelpyoubutcredit？Withoutrecoursetoanymoralprinciple，havingforyourfoundationonlyindividualselfishness，andthesatisfactionofmaterialdesires？
Universalpeace，andthehappinessofmankindasawhole，beingtheresult！IsitreallysothatImayunderstandyou，sir？\"
\"Buttheuniversalnecessityofliving，ofdrinking，ofeating——
inshort，thewholescientificconvictionthatthisnecessitycanonlybesatisfiedbyuniversalco-operationandthesolidarityofinterests——is，itseemstome，astrongenoughideatoserveasabasis，sotospeak，anda’springoflife，’forhumanityinfuturecenturies，\"saidGavrilaArdalionovitch，nowthoroughlyroused。
\"Thenecessityofeatinganddrinking，thatistosay，solelytheinstinctofself-preservation……\"
\"Isnotthatenough？Theinstinctofself-preservationisthenormallawofhumanity……\"
\"Whotoldyouthat？\"brokeinEvgeniePavlovitch。
\"Itisalaw，doubtless，butalawneithermorenorlessnormalthanthatofdestruction，evenself-destruction。Isitpossiblethatthewholenormallawofhumanityiscontainedinthissentimentofself-preservation？\"
\"Ah！\"criedHippolyte，turningtowardsEvgeniePavlovitch，andlookingathimwithaqueersortofcuriosity。
ThenseeingthatRadomskiwaslaughing，hebegantolaughhimself，nudgedColia，whowassittingbesidehim，withhiselbow，andagainaskedwhattimeitwas。HeevenpulledColia’ssilverwatchoutofhishand，andlookedatiteagerly。Then，asifhehadforgotteneverything，hestretchedhimselfoutonthesofa，puthishandsbehindhishead，andlookedupatthesky。
AfteraminuteortwohegotupandcamebacktothetabletolistentoLebedeff’soutpourings，asthelatterpassionatelycommentatedonEvgeniePavlovitch’sparadox。
\"Thatisanartfulandtraitorousidea。Asmartnotion，\"
vociferatedtheclerk，\"thrownoutasanappleofdiscord。Butitisjust。Youareascoffer，amanoftheworld，acavalryofficer，and，thoughnotwithoutbrains，youdonotrealizehowprofoundisyourthought，norhowtrue。Yes，thelawsofself-
preservationandofself-destructionareequallypowerfulinthisworld。Thedevilwillholdhisempireoverhumanityuntilalimitoftimewhichisstillunknown。Youlaugh？Youdonotbelieveinthedevil？ScepticismastothedevilisaFrenchidea，anditisalsoafrivolousidea。Doyouknowwhothedevilis？Doyouknowhisname？Althoughyoudon’tknowhisnameyoumakeamockeryofhisform，followingtheexampleofVoltaire。Yousneerathishoofs，athistail，athishorns——allofthemtheproduceofyourimagination！Inrealitythedevilisagreatandterriblespirit，withneitherhoofs，nortail，norhorns；itisyouwhohaveendowedhimwiththeseattributes！But……heisnotthequestionjustnow！\"
\"Howdoyouknowheisnotthequestionnow？\"criedHippolyte，laughinghysterically。
\"Anotherexcellentidea，andworthconsidering！\"repliedLebedeff。\"But，again，thatisnotthequestion。Thequestionatthismomentiswhetherwehavenotweakened’thespringsoflife’
bytheextension……\"
\"Ofrailways？\"putinColiaeagerly。
\"Notrailways，properlyspeaking，presumptuousyouth，butthegeneraltendencyofwhichrailwaysmaybeconsideredastheoutwardexpressionandsymbol。Wehurryandpushandhustle，forthegoodofhumanity！’Theworldisbecomingtoonoisy，toocommercial！’groanssomesolitarythinker。’Undoubtedlyitis，butthenoiseofwaggonsbearingbreadtostarvinghumanityisofmorevaluethantranquillityofsoul，’repliesanothertriumphantly，andpassesonwithanairofpride。Asforme，I
don’tbelieveinthesewaggonsbringingbreadtohumanity。For，foundedonnomoralprinciple，thesemaywell，evenintheactofcarryingbreadtohumanity，coldlyexcludeaconsiderableportionofhumanityfromenjoyingit；thathasbeenseenmorethanonce。
\"What，thesewaggonsmaycoldlyexclude？\"repeatedsomeone。
\"Thathasbeenseenalready，\"continuedLebedeff，notdeigningtonoticetheinterruption。\"Malthuswasafriendofhumanity，but，withill-foundedmoralprinciples，thefriendofhumanityisthedevourerofhumanity，withoutmentioninghispride；for，touchthevanityofoneofthesenumberlessphilanthropists，andtoavengehisself-esteem，hewillbereadyatoncetosetfiretothewholeglobe；andtotellthetruth，weareallmoreorlesslikethat。I，perhaps，mightbethefirsttosetalighttothefuel，andthenrunaway。But，again，Imustrepeat，thatisnotthequestion。\"
\"Whatisitthen，forgoodness’sake？\"
\"Heisboringus！\"
\"Thequestionisconnectedwiththefollowinganecdoteofpasttimes；forIamobligedtorelateastory。Inourtimes，andinourcountry，whichIhopeyouloveasmuchasIdo，forasfarasIamconcerned，Iamreadytoshedthelastdropofmyblood……
\"Goon！Goon！\"
\"Inourdearcountry，asindeedinthewholeofEurope，afaminevisitshumanityaboutfourtimesacentury，asfarasIcanremember；onceineverytwenty-fiveyears。Iwon’tsweartothisbeingtheexactfigure，butanyhowtheyhavebecomecomparativelyrare。\"
\"Comparativelytowhat？\"
\"Tothetwelfthcentury，andthoseimmediatelyprecedingandfollowingit。Wearetoldbyhistoriansthatwidespreadfaminesoccurredinthosedayseverytwoorthreeyears，andsuchwastheconditionofthingsthatmenactuallyhadrecoursetocannibalism，insecret，ofcourse。Oneofthesecannibals，whohadreachedagoodage，declaredofhisownfreewillthatduringthecourseofhislongandmiserablelifehehadpersonallykilledandeaten，inthemostprofoundsecrecy，sixtymonks，nottomentionseveralchildren；thenumberofthelatterhethoughtwasaboutsix，aninsignificanttotalwhencomparedwiththeenormousmassofecclesiasticsconsumedbyhim。Astoadults，laymenthatistosay，hehadnevertouchedthem。\"
Thepresidentjoinedinthegeneraloutcry。
\"That’simpossible！\"saidheinanaggrievedtone。\"Iamoftendiscussingsubjectsofthisnaturewithhim，gentlemen，butforthemostparthetalksnonsenseenoughtomakeonedeaf:thisstoryhasnopretenceofbeingtrue。\"
\"General，rememberthesiegeofKars！Andyou，gentlemen，I
assureyoumyanecdoteisthenakedtruth。Imayremarkthatreality，althoughitisgovernedbyinvariablelaw，hasattimesaresemblancetofalsehood。Infact，thetruerathingisthelesstrueitsounds。\"
\"Butcouldanyonepossiblyeatsixtymonks？\"objectedthescoffinglisteners。
\"Itisquiteclearthathedidnoteatthemallatonce，butinaspaceoffifteenortwentyyears:fromthatpointofviewthethingiscomprehensibleandnatural……\"
\"Natural？\"
\"Andnatural，\"repeatedLebedeffwithpedanticobstinacy。
\"Besides，aCatholicmonkisbynatureexcessivelycurious；itwouldbequiteeasythereforetoenticehimintoawood，orsomesecretplace，onfalsepretences，andtheretodealwithhimassaid。ButIdonotdisputeintheleastthatthenumberofpersonsconsumedappearstodenoteaspiceofgreediness。\"
\"Itisperhapstrue，gentlemen，\"saidtheprince，quietly。Hehadbeenlisteninginsilenceuptothatmomentwithouttakingpartintheconversation，butlaughingheartilywiththeothersfromtimetotime。Evidentlyhewasdelightedtoseethateverybodywasamused，thateverybodywastalkingatonce，andeventhateverybodywasdrinking。Itseemedasifhewerenotintendingtospeakatall，whensuddenlyheintervenedinsuchaseriousvoicethateveryonelookedathimwithinterest。
\"Itistruethattherewerefrequentfaminesatthattime，gentlemen。Ihaveoftenheardofthem，thoughIdonotknowmuchhistory。Butitseemstomethatitmusthavebeenso。WhenIwasinSwitzerlandIusedtolookwithastonishmentatthemanyruinsoffeudalcastlesperchedonthetopofsteepandrockyheights，halfamileatleastabovesea-level，sothattoreachthemonehadtoclimbmanymilesofstonytracks。Acastle，asyouknow，is，akindofmountainofstones——adreadful，almostanimpossible，labour！Doubtlessthebuilderswereallpoormen，vassals，andhadtopayheavytaxes，andtokeepupthepriesthood。How，then，couldtheyprovideforthemselves，andwhenhadtheytimetoploughandsowtheirfields？Thegreaternumbermust，literally，havediedofstarvation。Ihavesometimesaskedmyselfhowitwasthatthesecommunitieswerenotutterlysweptoffthefaceoftheearth，andhowtheycouldpossiblysurvive。Lebedeffisnotmistaken，inmyopinion，whenhesaysthattherewerecannibalsinthosedays，perhapsinconsiderablenumbers；butIdonotunderstandwhyheshouldhavedraggedinthemonks，norwhathemeansbythat。\"
\"Itisundoubtedlybecause，inthetwelfthcentury，monksweretheonlypeopleonecouldeat；theywerethefat，amongmanylean，\"saidGavrilaArdalionovitch。
\"Abrilliantidea，andmosttrue！\"criedLebedeff，\"forhenevereventouchedthelaity。Sixtymonks，andnotasinglelayman！Itisaterribleidea，butitishistoric，itisstatistic；itisindeedoneofthosefactswhichenablesanintelligenthistoriantoreconstructthephysiognomyofaspecialepoch，foritbringsoutthisfurtherpointwithmathematicalaccuracy，thattheclergywereinthosedayssixtytimesricherandmoreflourishingthantherestofhumanity。andperhapssixtytimesfatteralso……\"
\"Youareexaggerating，youareexaggerating，Lebedeff！\"criedhishearers，amidlaughter。
\"Iadmitthatitisanhistoricthought，butwhatisyourconclusion？\"askedtheprince。
HespokesoseriouslyinaddressingLebedeff，thathistonecontrastedquitecomicallywiththatoftheothers。Theywereverynearlylaughingathim，too，buthedidnotnoticeit。
\"Don’tyouseeheisalunatic，prince？\"whisperedEvgeniePavlovitchinhisear。\"Someonetoldmejustnowthatheisabittouchedonthesubjectoflawyers，thathehasamaniaformakingspeechesandintendstopasstheexaminations。Iamexpectingasplendidburlesquenow。\"
\"Myconclusionisvast，\"repliedLebedeff，inavoicelikethunder。\"Letusexaminefirstthepsychologicalandlegalpositionofthecriminal。Weseethatinspiteofthedifficultyoffindingotherfood，theaccused，or，aswemaysay，myclient，hasoftenduringhispeculiarlifeexhibitedsignsofrepentance，andofwishingtogiveupthisclericaldiet。Incontrovertiblefactsprovethisassertion。Hehaseatenfiveorsixchildren，arelativelyinsignificantnumber，nodoubt，butremarkableenoughfromanotherpointofview。Itismanifestthat，prickedbyremorse——formyclientisreligious，inhisway，andhasaconscience，asIshallprovelater——anddesiringtoextenuatehissinasfaraspossible，hehastriedsixtimesatleasttosubstitutelaynourishmentforclerical。Thatthiswasmerelyanexperimentwecanhardlydoubt:forifithadbeenonlyaquestionofgastronomicvariety，sixwouldhavebeentoofew；whyonlysix？Whynotthirty？Butifweregarditasanexperiment，inspiredbythefearofcommittingnewsacrilege，thenthisnumbersixbecomesintelligible。Sixattemptstocalmhisremorse，andtheprickingofhisconscience，wouldamplysuffice，fortheseattemptscouldscarcelyhavebeenhappyones。Inmyhumbleopinion，achildistoosmall；Ishouldsay，notsufficient；whichwouldresultinfourorfivetimesmorelaychildrenthanmonksbeingrequiredinagiventime。Thesin，lessenedontheonehand，wouldthereforebeincreasedontheother，inquantity，notinquality。Pleaseunderstand，gentlemen，thatinreasoningthus，Iamtakingthepointofviewwhichmighthavebeentakenbyacriminalofthemiddleages。Asformyself，amanofthelatenineteenthcentury，I，ofcourse，shouldreasondifferently；Isaysoplainly，andthereforeyouneednotjeeratmenormockme，gentlemen。Asforyou，general，itisstillmoreunbecomingonyourpart。Inthesecondplace，andgivingmyownpersonalopinion，achild’sfleshisnotasatisfyingdiet；itistooinsipid，toosweet；andthecriminal，inmakingtheseexperiments，couldhavesatisfiedneitherhisconsciencenorhisappetite。Iamabouttoconclude，gentlemen；andmyconclusioncontainsareplytooneofthemostimportantquestionsofthatdayandofourown！Thiscriminalendedatlastbydenouncinghimselftotheclergy，andgivinghimselfuptojustice。Wecannotbutask，rememberingthepenalsystemofthatday，andthetorturesthatawaitedhim——thewheel，thestake，thefire！——wecannotbutask，Irepeat，whatinducedhimtoaccusehimselfofthiscrime？Whydidhenotsimplystopshortatthenumbersixty，andkeephissecretuntilhislastbreath？Whycouldhenotsimplyleavethemonksalone，andgointothedeserttorepent？
Orwhynotbecomeamonkhimself？Thatiswherethepuzzlecomesin！Theremusthavebeensomethingstrongerthanthestakeorthefire，oreventhanthehabitsoftwentyyears！Theremusthavebeenanideamorepowerfulthanallthecalamitiesandsorrowsofthisworld，famineortorture，leprosyorplague——anideawhichenteredintotheheart，directedandenlargedthespringsoflife，andmadeeventhathellsupportabletohumanity！Showmeaforce，apowerlikethat，inthisourcenturyofvicesandrailways！Imightsay，perhaps，inourcenturyofsteamboatsandrailways，butIrepeatinourcenturyofvicesandrailways，becauseIamdrunkbuttruthful！Showmeasingleideawhichunitesmennowadayswithhalfthestrengththatithadinthosecenturies，anddaretomaintainthatthe’springsoflife’havenotbeenpollutedandweakenedbeneaththis’star，’beneaththisnetworkinwhichmenareentangled！Don’ttalktomeaboutyourprosperity，yourriches，therarityoffamine，therapidityofthemeansoftransport！Thereismoreofriches，butlessofforce。Theideaunitingheartandsoultoheartandsoulexistsnomore。Allisloose，soft，limp——weareallofuslimp……
Enough，gentlemen！Ihavedone。Thatisnotthequestion。No，thequestionisnow，excellency，Ibelieve，tositdowntothebanquetyouareabouttoprovideforus！\"
Lebedeffhadrousedgreatindignationinsomeofhisauditorsitshouldberemarkedthatthebottleswereconstantlyuncorkedduringhisspeech；butthisunexpectedconclusioncalmedeventhemostturbulentspirits。\"That’showacleverbarristermakesagoodpoint！\"saidhe，whenspeakingofhisperorationlateron。
Thevisitorsbegantolaughandchatteronceagain；thecommitteelefttheirseats，andstretchedtheirlegsontheterrace。KelleralonewasstilldisgustedwithLebedeffandhisspeech；heturnedfromonetoanother，sayinginaloudvoice:
\"Heattackseducation，heboastsofthefanaticismofthetwelfthcentury，hemakesabsurdgrimaces，andaddedtothatheisbynomeanstheinnocenthemakeshimselfouttobe。Howdidhegetthemoneytobuythishouse，allowmetoask？\"
Inanothercornerwasthegeneral，holdingforthtoagroupofhearers，amongthemPtitsin，whomhehadbuttonholed。\"Ihaveknown，\"saidhe，\"arealinterpreteroftheApocalypse，thelateGregorySemeonovitchBurmistroff，andhe——hepiercedtheheartlikeafieryflash！Hebeganbyputtingonhisspectacles，thenheopenedalargeblackbook；hiswhitebeard，andhistwomedalsonhisbreast，recallingactsofcharity，alladdedtohisimpressiveness。Hebeganinasternvoice，andbeforehimgenerals，hardmenoftheworld，boweddown，andladiesfelltothegroundfainting。Butthisonehere——heendsbyannouncingabanquet！Thatisnottherealthing！\"
Ptitsinlistenedandsmiled，thenturnedasiftogethishat；
butifhehadintendedtoleave，hechangedhismind。Beforetheothershadrisenfromthetable，Ganiahadsuddenlyleftoffdrinking，andpushedawayhisglass，adarkshadowseemedtocomeoverhisface。Whentheyallrose，hewentandsatdownbyRogojin。Itmighthavebeenbelievedthatquitefriendlyrelationsexistedbetweenthem。Rogojin，whohadalsoseemedonthepointofgoingawaynowsatmotionless，hisheadbent，seemingtohaveforgottenhisintention。Hehaddrunknowine，andappearedabsorbedinreflection。Fromtimetotimeheraisedhiseyes，andexaminedeveryonepresent；onemighthaveimaginedthathewasexpectingsomethingveryimportanttohimself，andthathehaddecidedtowaitforit。Theprincehadtakentwoorthreeglassesofchampagne，andseemedcheerful。AsherosehenoticedEvgeniePavlovitch，and，rememberingtheappointmenthehadmadewithhim，smiledpleasantly。EvgeniePavlovitchmadeasignwithhisheadtowardsHippolyte，whomhewasattentivelywatching。Theinvalidwasfastasleep，stretchedoutonthesofa。
\"Tellme，prince，whyonearthdidthisboyintrudehimselfuponyou？\"heasked，withsuchannoyanceandirritationinhisvoicethattheprincewasquitesurprised。\"Iwouldn’tmindlayingoddsthatheisuptosomemischief。\"
\"Ihaveobserved，\"saidtheprince，\"thatheseemstobeanobjectofverysingularinteresttoyou，EvgeniePavlovitch。Whyisit？\"
\"YoumayaddthatIhavesurelyenoughtothinkof，onmyownaccount，withouthim；andthereforeitisallthemoresurprisingthatIcannottearmyeyesandthoughtsawayfromhisdetestablephysiognomy。\"
\"Oh，come！Hehasahandsomeface。\"
\"Why，lookathim——lookathimnow！\"
TheprinceglancedagainatEvgeniePavlovitchwithconsiderablesurprise。
V。
HIPPOLYTE，whohadfallenasleepduringLebedeff’sdiscourse，nowsuddenlywokeup，justasthoughsomeonehadjoggedhimintheside。Heshuddered，raisedhimselfonhisarm，gazedaround，andgrewverypale。Alookalmostofterrorcrossedhisfaceasherecollected。
\"What！aretheyalloff？Isitallover？Isthesunup？\"Hetrembled，andcaughtattheprince’shand。\"Whattimeisit？Tellme，quick，forgoodness’sake！HowlonghaveIslept？\"headded，almostindespair，justasthoughhehadoversleptsomethinguponwhichhiswholefatedepended。
\"Youhavesleptsevenorperhapseightminutes，\"saidEvgeniePavlovitch。
Hippolytegazedeagerlyatthelatter，andmusedforafewmoments。
\"Oh，isthatall？\"hesaidatlast。\"ThenI——\"
Hedrewalong，deepbreathofrelief，asitseemed。Herealizedthatallwasnotoverasyet，thatthesunhadnotrisen，andthattheguestshadmerelygonetosupper。Hesmiled，andtwohecticspotsappearedonhischeeks。
\"SoyoucountedtheminuteswhileIslept，didyou，EvgeniePavlovitch？\"hesaid，ironically。\"Youhavenottakenyoureyesoffmealltheevening——Ihavenoticedthatmuch，yousee！Ah，Rogojin！I’vejustbeendreamingabouthim，prince，\"headded，frowning。\"Yes，bytheby，\"startingup，\"where’stheorator？
Where’sLebedeff？Hashefinished？Whatdidhetalkabout？Isittrue，prince，thatyouoncedeclaredthat’beautywouldsavetheworld’？GreatHeaven！Theprincesaysthatbeautysavestheworld！AndIdeclarethatheonlyhassuchplayfulideasbecausehe’sinlove！Gentlemen，theprinceisinlove。Iguesseditthemomenthecamein。Don’tblush，prince；youmakemesorryforyou。Whatbeautysavestheworld？ColiatoldmethatyouareazealousChristian；isitso？ColiasaysyoucallyourselfaChristian。\"
Theprinceregardedhimattentively，butsaidnothing。
\"Youdon’tanswerme；perhapsyouthinkIamveryfondofyou？\"
addedHippolyte，asthoughthewordshadbeendrawnfromhim。
\"No，Idon’tthinkthat。Iknowyoudon’tloveme。\"
\"What，afteryesterday？Wasn’tIhonestwithyou？\"
\"Iknewyesterdaythatyoudidn’tloveme。\"
\"Whyso？whyso？BecauseIenvyyou，eh？Youalwaysthinkthat，I
know。ButdoyouknowwhyIamsayingallthis？Lookhere！Imusthavesomemorechampagne——pourmeoutsome，Keller，willyou？\"
\"No，you’renottodrinkanymore，Hippolyte。Iwon’tletyou。\"
Theprincemovedtheglassaway。
\"Wellperhapsyou’reright，\"saidHippolyte，musing。Theymightsay——yet，deviltakethem！whatdoesitmatter？——prince，whatcanitmatterwhatpeoplewillsayofusTHEN，eh？IbelieveI’mhalfasleep。I’vehadsuchadreadfuldream——I’veonlyjustrememberedit。Prince，Idon’twishyousuchdreamsasthat，thoughsureenough，perhaps，IDON’Tloveyou。Whywishamanevil，thoughyoudonotlovehim，eh？Givemeyourhand——letmepressitsincerely。There——you’vegivenmeyourhand——youmustfeelthatI
DOpressitsincerely，don’tyou？Idon’tthinkIshalldrinkanymore。Whattimeisit？Nevermind，Iknowthetime。Thetimehascome，atallevents。What！theyarelayingsupperoverthere，arethey？Thenthistableisfree？Capital，gentlemen！I——hem！thesegentlemenarenotlistening。Prince，IwilljustreadoveranarticleIhavehere。Supperismoreinteresting，ofcourse，but——\"
HereHippolytesuddenly，andmostunexpectedly，pulledoutofhisbreast-pocketalargesealedpaper。Thisimposing-lookingdocumentheplaceduponthetablebeforehim。
Theeffectofthissuddenactionuponthecompanywasinstantaneous。EvgeniePavlovitchalmostboundedoffhischairinexcitement。Rogojindrewnearertothetablewithalookonhisfaceasifheknewwhatwascoming。Ganiacamenearertoo；sodidLebedeffandtheothers——thepaperseemedtobeanobjectofgreatinteresttothecompanyingeneral。
\"Whathaveyougotthere？\"askedtheprince，withsomeanxiety。
\"Atthefirstglimpseoftherisingsun，prince，Iwillgotobed。ItoldyouIwould，wordofhonour！Youshallsee！\"criedHippolyte。\"YouthinkI’mnotcapableofopeningthispacket，doyou？\"Heglareddefiantlyroundattheaudienceingeneral。
Theprinceobservedthathewastremblingallover。
\"Noneofuseverthoughtsuchathing！\"Muishkinrepliedforall。
\"Whyshouldyousupposeitofus？Andwhatareyougoingtoread，Hippolyte？Whatisit？\"
\"Yes，whatisit？\"askedothers。Thepacketsealedwithredwaxseemedtoattracteveryone，asthoughitwereamagnet。
\"Iwrotethisyesterday，myself，justafterIsawyou，prince，andtoldyouIwouldcomedownhere。Iwrotealldayandallnight，andfinisheditthismorningearly。AfterwardsIhadadream。\"
\"Hadn’twebetterhearittomorrow？\"askedtheprincetimidly。
\"Tomorrow’therewillbenomoretime！’\"laughedHippolyte，hysterically。\"Youneedn’tbeafraid；Ishallgetthroughthewholethinginfortyminutes，atmostanhour！Lookhowinterestedeverybodyis！Everybodyhasdrawnnear。Look！lookatthemallstaringatmysealedpacket！IfIhadn’tsealeditupitwouldn’thavebeenhalfsoeffective！Ha，ha！that’smystery，thatis！Nowthen，gentlemen，shallIbreakthesealornot？Saytheword；it’samystery，Itellyou——asecret！Prince，youknowwhosaidtherewouldbe’nomoretime’？ItwasthegreatandpowerfulangelintheApocalypse。\"
\"Betternotreaditnow，\"saidtheprince，puttinghishandonthepacket。
\"No，don’treadit！\"criedEvgeniesuddenly。Heappearedsostrangelydisturbedthatmanyofthosepresentcouldnothelpwondering。
\"Reading？Noneofyourreadingnow！\"saidsomebody；\"it’ssupper-
time。\"\"Whatsortofanarticleisit？Forapaper？Probablyit’sverydull，\"saidanother。Buttheprince’stimidgesturehadimpressedevenHippolyte。
\"ThenI’mnottoreadit？\"hewhispered，nervously。\"AmInottoreadit？\"herepeated，gazingaroundateachfaceinturn。\"Whatareyouafraidof，prince？\"heturnedandaskedthelattersuddenly。
\"WhatshouldIbeafraidof？\"
\"Hasanyoneacoinaboutthem？Givemeatwenty-copeckpiece，somebody！\"AndHippolyteleaptfromhischair。
\"Hereyouare，\"saidLebedeff，handinghimone；hethoughttheboyhadgonemad。
\"VeraLukianovna，\"saidHippolyte，\"tossit，willyou？Heads，I
read，tails，Idon’t。\"
VeraLebedefftossedthecoinintotheairandletitfallonthetable。
Itwas\"heads。\"
\"ThenIreadit，\"saidHippolyte，inthetoneofonebowingtothefiatofdestiny。Hecouldnothavegrownpalerifaverdictofdeathhadsuddenlybeenpresentedtohim。
\"Butafterall，whatisit？IsitpossiblethatIshouldhavejustriskedmyfatebytossingup？\"hewenton，shuddering；andlookedroundhimagain。Hiseyeshadacuriousexpressionofsincerity。\"Thatisanastonishingpsychologicalfact，\"hecried，suddenlyaddressingtheprince，inatoneofthemostintensesurprise。\"Itis……itissomethingquiteinconceivable，prince，\"herepeatedwithgrowinganimation，likeamanregainingconsciousness。\"Takenoteofit，prince，rememberit；youcollect，Iamtold，factsconcerningcapitalpunishment……Theytoldmeso。Ha，ha！MyGod，howabsurd！\"Hesatdownonthesofa，puthiselbowsonthetable，andlaidhisheadonhishands。\"Itisshameful——thoughwhatdoesitmattertomeifitisshameful？
\"Gentlemen，gentlemen！Iamabouttobreaktheseal，\"hecontinued，withdetermination。\"I-I——ofcourseIdon’tinsistuponanyonelisteningiftheydonotwishto。\"
Withtremblingfingershebrokethesealanddrewoutseveralsheetsofpaper，smoothedthemoutbeforehim，andbegansortingthem。
\"Whatonearthdoesallthismean？What’shegoingtoread？\"
mutteredseveralvoices。Otherssaidnothing；butoneandallsatdownandwatchedwithcuriosity。Theybegantothinksomethingstrangemightreallybeabouttohappen。Verastoodandtrembledbehindherfather’schair，almostintearswithfright；Coliawasnearlyasmuchalarmedasshewas。LebedeffjumpedupandputacoupleofcandlesnearertoHippolyte，sothathemightseebetter。
\"Gentlemen，this——you’llsoonseewhatthisis，\"beganHippolyte，andsuddenlycommencedhisreading。
\"It’sheaded，’ANecessaryExplanation，’withthemotto，’Apresmoiledeluge！’Oh，deucetakeitall！SurelyIcanneverhaveseriouslywrittensuchasillymottoasthat？Lookhere，gentlemen，Ibegtogivenoticethatallthisisverylikelyterriblenonsense。Itisonlyafewideasofmine。Ifyouthinkthatthereisanythingmysteriouscoming——orinaword——\"
\"Betterreadonwithoutanymorebeatingaboutthebush，\"saidGania。
\"Affectation！\"remarkedsomeoneelse。
\"Toomuchtalk，\"saidRogojin，breakingthesilenceforthefirsttime。
Hippolyteglancedathimsuddenly，andwhentheireye，metRogojinshowedhisteethinadisagreeablesmile，andsaidthefollowingstrangewords:\"That’snotthewaytosettlethisbusiness，myfriend；that’snotthewayatall。\"
OfcoursenobodyknewwhatRogojinmeantbythis；buthiswordsmadeadeepimpressionuponall。Everyoneseemedtoseeinaflashthesameidea。
AsforHippolyte，theireffectuponhimwasastounding。Hetrembledsothattheprincewasobligedtosupporthim，andwouldcertainlyhavecriedout，butthathisvoiceseemedtohaveentirelylefthimforthemoment。Foraminuteortwohecouldnotspeakatall，butpantedandstaredatRogojin。Atlasthemanagedtoejaculate:
\"ThenitwasYOUwhocame——YOU——YOU？\"
\"Camewhere？Whatdoyoumean？\"askedRogojin，amazed。ButHippolyte，pantingandchokingwithexcitement，interruptedhimviolently。
\"YOUcametomelastweek，inthenight，attwoo’clock，thedayIwaswithyouinthemorning！Confessitwasyou！\"
\"Lastweek？Inthenight？Haveyougonecracked，mygoodfriend？\"
Hippolytepausedandconsideredamoment。Thenasmileofcunning——almosttriumph——crossedhislips。
\"Itwasyou，\"hemurmured，almostinawhisper，butwithabsoluteconviction。\"Yes，itwasyouwhocametomyroomandsatsilentlyonachairatmywindowforawholehour——more！Itwasbetweenoneandtwoatnight；youroseandwentoutataboutthree。Itwasyou，you！Whyyoushouldhavefrightenedmeso，whyyoushouldhavewishedtotormentmelikethat，Icannottell——butyouitwas。\"
Therewasabsolutehatredinhiseyesashesaidthis，buthislookoffearandhistremblinghadnotlefthim。
\"Youshallhearallthisdirectly，gentlemen。I-I——listen！\"
Heseizedhispaperinadesperatehurry；hefidgetedwithit，andtriedtosortit，butforalongwhilehistremblinghandscouldnotcollectthesheetstogether。\"He’seithermadordelirious，\"murmuredRogojin。Atlasthebegan。
Forthefirstfiveminutesthereader’svoicecontinuedtotremble，andhereaddisconnectedlyandunevenly；butgraduallyhisvoicestrengthened。Occasionallyaviolentfitofcoughingstoppedhim，buthisanimationgrewwiththeprogressofthereading——asdidalsothedisagreeableimpressionwhichitmadeuponhisaudience，——untilitreachedthehighestpitchofexcitement。
Hereisthearticle。
MYNECESSARYEXPLANATION。
\"Apresmoiledeluge。
\"Yesterdaymorningtheprincecametoseeme。Amongotherthingsheaskedmetocomedowntohisvilla。Iknewhewouldcomeandpersuademetothisstep，andthathewouldadducetheargumentthatitwouldbeeasierformetodie’amongpeopleandgreentrees，’——asheexpressedit。Buttodayhedidnotsay’die，’hesaid’live。’Itisprettymuchthesametome，inmyposition，whichhesays。WhenIaskedhimwhyhemadesuchapointofhis’greentrees，’hetoldme，tomyastonishment，thathehadheardthatlasttimeIwasinPavlofskIhadsaidthatIhadcome’tohavealastlookatthetrees。’
\"WhenIobservedthatitwasallthesamewhetheronediedamongtreesorinfrontofablankbrickwall，ashere，andthatitwasnotworthmakinganyfussoverafortnight，heagreedatonce。
ButheinsistedthatthegoodairatPavlofskandthegreennesswouldcertainlycauseaphysicalchangeforthebetter，andthatmyexcitement，andmyDREAMS，wouldbeperhapsrelieved。I
remarkedtohim，withasmile，thathespokelikeamaterialist，andheansweredthathehadalwaysbeenone。Ashenevertellsalie，theremustbesomethinginhiswords。Hissmileisapleasantone。Ihavehadagoodlookathim。Idon’tknowwhetherIlikehimornot；andIhavenotimetowasteoverthequestion。
ThehatredwhichIfeltforhimforfivemonthshasbecomeconsiderablymodified，Imaysay，duringthelastmonth。Whoknows，perhapsIamgoingtoPavlofskonpurposetoseehim！ButwhydoIleavemychamber？Thosewhoaresentencedtodeathshouldnotleavetheircells。IfIhadnotformedafinalresolve，buthaddecidedtowaituntilthelastminute，Ishouldnotleavemyroom，oraccepthisinvitationtocomeanddieatPavlofsk。Imustbequickandfinishthisexplanationbeforetomorrow。Ishallhavenotimetoreaditoverandcorrectit，forImustreadittomorrowtotheprinceandtwoorthreewitnesseswhomIshallprobablyfindthere。
\"Asitwillbeabsolutelytrue，withoutatouchoffalsehood，I
amcurioustoseewhatimpressionitwillmakeuponmemyselfatthemomentwhenIreaditout。Thisismy’lastandsolemn’——butwhyneedIcallitthat？Thereisnoquestionaboutthetruthofit，foritisnotworthwhilelyingforafortnight；afortnightoflifeisnotitselfworthhaving，whichisaproofthatIwritenothingherebutpuretruth。
\"N。B——Letmeremembertoconsider；amImadatthismoment，ornot？orratheratthesemoments？Ihavebeentoldthatconsumptivessometimesdogooutoftheirmindsforawhileinthelaststagesofthemalady。IcanprovethistomorrowwhenI
readitout，bytheimpressionitmakesupontheaudience。Imustsettlethisquestiononceandforall，otherwiseIcan’tgoonwithanything。
\"IbelieveIhavejustwrittendreadfulnonsense；butthere’snotimeforcorrecting，asIsaidbefore。Besidesthat，IhavemademyselfapromisenottoalterasinglewordofwhatIwriteinthispaper，eventhoughIfindthatIamcontradictingmyselfeveryfivelines。Iwishtoverifytheworkingofthenaturallogicofmyideastomorrowduringthereading——whetherIamcapableofdetectinglogicalerrors，andwhetherallthatIhavemeditatedoverduringthelastsixmonthsbetrue，ornothingbutdelirium。
\"IftwomonthssinceIhadbeencalledupontoleavemyroomandtheviewofMeyer’swallopposite，IverilybelieveIshouldhavebeensorry。ButnowIhavenosuchfeeling，andyetIamleavingthisroomandMeyer’sbrickwallFOREVER。Sothatmyconclusion，thatitisnotworthwhileindulgingingrief，oranyotheremotion，forafortnight，hasprovedstrongerthanmyverynature，andhastakenoverthedirectionofmyfeelings。Butisitso？Isitthecasethatmynatureisconqueredentirely？IfI
weretobeputontheracknow，Ishouldcertainlycryout。I
shouldnotsaythatitisnotworthwhiletoyellandfeelpainbecauseIhavebutafortnighttolive。
\"ButisittruethatIhavebutafortnightoflifelefttome？I
knowItoldsomeofmyfriendsthatDoctorB。hadinformedmethatthiswasthecase；butInowconfessthatIlied；B。hasnotevenseenme。However，aweekago，Icalledinamedicalstudent，Kislorodoff，whoisaNationalist，anAtheist，andaNihilist，byconviction，andthatiswhyIhadhim。Ineededamanwhowouldtellmethebaretruthwithoutanyhumbugorceremony——andsohedid——indeed，almostwithpleasurewhichIthoughtwasgoingalittletoofar。
\"Well，heplumpedoutthatIhadaboutamonthleftme；itmightbealittlemore，hesaid，underfavourablecircumstances，butitmightalsobeconsiderablyless。AccordingtohisopinionI
mightdiequitesuddenly——tomorrow，forinstance——therehadbeensuchcases。OnlyadayortwosinceayoungladyatColomnawhosufferedfromconsumption，andwasaboutonaparwithmyselfinthemarchofthedisease，wasgoingouttomarkettobuyprovisions，whenshesuddenlyfeltfaint，laydownonthesofa，gaspedonce，anddied。
\"Kislorodofftoldmeallthiswithasortofexaggerateddevil-
may-carenegligence，andasthoughhedidmegreathonourbytalkingtomeso，becauseitshowedthatheconsideredmethesamesortofexaltedNihilisticbeingashimself，towhomdeathwasamatterofnoconsequencewhatever，eitherway。
\"Atallevents，thefactremained——amonthoflifeandnomore！