TheprincegazedaffectionatelyatColia，who，ofcourse，hadcomeinsolelyforthepurposeoftalkingaboutthis\"giganticthought。\"
\"Butitisnotanyoneparticularthought，only；itisthegeneralcircumstancesofthecase。IfVoltairehadwrittenthisnow，orRousseau，Ishouldhavejustreaditandthoughtitremarkable，butshouldnothavebeensoIMPRESSEDbyit。Butamanwhoknowsforcertainthathehasbuttenminutestoliveandcantalklikethat——why——it’s——it’sPRIDE，thatis！Itisreallyamostextraordinary，exaltedassertionofpersonaldignity，it’s——it’sDEFIANT！WhataGIGANTICstrengthofwill，eh？Andtoaccuseafellowlikethatofnotputtinginthecaponpurpose；
it’sbaseandmean！Youknowhedeceiveduslastnight，thecunningrascal。Ineverpackedhisbagforhim，andIneversawhispistol。Hepackedithimself。Butheputmeoffmyguardlikethat，yousee。Verasaysyouaregoingtolethimstayon；I
swearthere’snodanger，especiallyaswearealwayswithhim。\"
\"Whowasbyhimatnight？\"
\"I，andBurdovsky，andKostiaLebedeff。Kellerstayedalittlewhile，andthenwentovertoLebedeff’stosleep。FerdishenkosleptatLebedeff’s，too；buthewentawayatseveno’clock。MyfatherisalwaysatLebedeff’s；buthehasgoneoutjustnow。I
daresayLebedeffwillbecominginheredirectly；hehasbeenlookingforyou；Idon’tknowwhathewants。Shallwelethiminornot，ifyouareasleep？I’mgoingtohaveanap，too。By-the-
by，suchacuriousthinghappened。Burdovskywokemeatseven，andImetmyfatherjustoutsidetheroom，sodrunk，hedidn’tevenknowme。Hestoodbeforemelikealog，andwhenherecoveredhimself，askedhurriedlyhowHippolytewas。’Yes，’hesaid，whenItoldhim，’that’sallverywell，butIREALLYcametowarnyouthatyoumustbeverycarefulwhatyousaybeforeFerdishenko。’Doyoufollowme，prince？\"
\"Yes。Isitreallyso？However，it’sallthesametous，ofcourse。\"
\"Ofcourseitis；wearenotasecretsociety；andthatbeingthecase，itisallthemorecuriousthatthegeneralshouldhavebeenonhiswaytowakemeupinordertotellmethis。\"
\"Ferdishenkohasgone，yousay？\"
\"Yes，hewentatseveno’clock。Hecameintotheroomonhiswayout；Iwaswatchingjustthen。Hesaidhewasgoingtospend’therestofthenight’atWilkin’s；there’satipsyfellow，afriendofhis，ofthatname。Well，I’moff。Oh，here’sLebedeffhimself！
Theprincewantstogotosleep，LukianTimofeyovitch，soyoumayjustgoawayagain。\"
\"Onemoment，mydearprince，justone。Imustabsolutelyspeaktoyouaboutsomethingwhichismostgrave，\"saidLebedeff，mysteriouslyandsolemnly，enteringtheroomwithabowandlookingextremelyimportant。Hehadbutjustreturned，andcarriedhishatinhishand。Helookedpreoccupiedandmostunusuallydignified。
Theprincebeggedhimtotakeachair。
\"Ihearyouhavecalledtwice；Isupposeyouarestillworriedaboutyesterday’saffair。\"
\"What，aboutthatboy，youmean？Ohdearno，yesterdaymyideaswerealittle——well——mixed。Today，Iassureyou，Ishallnotopposeintheslightestdegreeanysuggestionsitmaypleaseyoutomake。\"
\"What’supwithyouthismorning，Lebedeff？Youlooksoimportantanddignified，andyouchooseyourwordssocarefully，\"saidtheprince，smiling。
\"NicolaiArdalionovitch！\"saidLebedeff，inamostamiabletoneofvoice，addressingtheboy。\"AsIhaveacommunicationtomaketotheprincewhichconcernsonlymyself——\"
\"Ofcourse，ofcourse，notmyaffair。Allright，\"saidColia，andawayhewent。
\"Ilovethatboyforhisperception，\"saidLebedeff，lookingafterhim。\"Mydearprince，\"hecontinued，\"Ihavehadaterriblemisfortune，eitherlastnightorearlythismorning。Icannottelltheexacttime。\"
\"Whatisit？\"
\"Ihavelostfourhundredroublesoutofmysidepocket！They’regone！\"saidLebedeff，withasoursmile。
\"You’velostfourhundredroubles？Oh！I’msorryforthat。\"
\"Yes，itisseriousforapoormanwholivesbyhistoil。\"
\"Ofcourse，ofcourse！Howwasit？\"
\"Oh，thewineistoblame，ofcourse。Iconfesstoyou，prince，asIwouldtoProvidenceitself。YesterdayIreceivedfourhundredroublesfromadebtorataboutfiveintheafternoon，andcamedownherebytrain。Ihadmypurseinmypocket。WhenI
changed，Iputthemoneyintothepocketofmyplainclothes，intendingtokeepitbyme，asIexpectedtohaveanapplicantforitintheevening。\"
\"It’struethen，Lebedeff，thatyouadvertisetolendmoneyongoldorsilverarticles？\"
\"Yes，throughanagent。Myownnamedoesn’tappear。Ihavealargefamily，yousee，andatasmallpercentage——\"
\"Quiteso，quiteso。Ionlyaskedforinformation——excusethequestion。Goon。\"
\"Well，meanwhilethatsickboywasbroughthere，andthoseguestscamein，andwehadtea，and——well，wemademerry——tomyruin！
Hearingofyourbirthdayafterwards，andexcitedwiththecircumstancesoftheevening，Iranupstairsandchangedmyplainclothesoncemoreformyuniform[CivilServiceclerksinRussiawearuniform。]——youmusthavenoticedIhadmyuniformonalltheevening？Well，Iforgotthemoneyinthepocketofmyoldcoat——
youknowwhenGodwillruinamanhefirstofallbereaveshimofhissenses——anditwasonlythismorningathalf-pastseventhatIwokeupandgrabbedatmycoatpocket，firstthing。Thepocketwasempty——thepursegone，andnotatracetobefound！\"
\"Dearme！Thisisveryunpleasant！\"
\"Unpleasant！Indeeditis。Youhavefoundaveryappropriateexpression，\"saidLebedeff，politely，butwithsarcasm。
\"Butwhat’stobedone？It’saseriousmatter，\"saidtheprince，thoughtfully。\"Don’tyouthinkyoumayhavedroppeditoutofyourpocketwhilstintoxicated？\"
\"Certainly。Anythingispossiblewhenoneisintoxicated，asyouneatlyexpressit，prince。Butconsider——ifI，intoxicatedornot，droppedanobjectoutofmypocketontotheground，thatobjectoughttoremainontheground。Whereistheobject，then？\"
\"Didn’tyouputitawayinsomedrawer，perhaps？\"
\"I’velookedeverywhere，andturnedouteverything。\"
\"Iconfessthisdisturbsmeagooddeal。Someonemusthavepickeditup，then。\"
\"Ortakenitoutofmypocket——twoalternatives。\"
\"Itisverydistressing，becauseWHO——？That’sthequestion！\"
\"Mostundoubtedly，excellentprince，youhavehitit——thatistheveryquestion。Howwonderfullyyouexpresstheexactsituationinafewwords！\"
\"Come，come，Lebedeff，nosarcasm！It’saserious——\"
\"Sarcasm！\"criedLebedeff，wringinghishands。
\"Allright，allright，I’mnotangry。I’monlyputoutaboutthis。Whomdoyoususpect？\"
\"Thatisaverydifficultandcomplicatedquestion。Icannotsuspecttheservant，forshewasinthekitchenthewholeevening，nordoIsuspectanyofmychildren。\"
\"Ishouldthinknot。Goon。\"
\"Thenitmustbeoneoftheguests。\"
\"Issuchathingpossible？\"
\"Absolutelyandutterlyimpossible——andyet，soitmustbe。ButonethingIamsureof，ifitbeatheft，itwascommitted，notintheeveningwhenwewerealltogether，buteitheratnightorearlyinthemorning；therefore，byoneofthosewhoslepthere。
BurdovskyandColiaIexcept，ofcourse。Theydidnotevencomeintomyroom。\"
\"Yes，oreveniftheyhad！Butwhodidsleepwithyou？\"\"Fourofus，includingmyself，intworooms。Thegeneral，myself，Keller，andFerdishenko。Oneofusfouritmusthavebeen。Idon’tsuspectmyself，thoughsuchcaseshavebeenknown。\"
\"Oh！DOgoon，Lebedeff！Don’tdragitoutso。\"
\"Well，therearethreeleft，then——Kellerfirstly。Heisadrunkardtobeginwith，andaliberalinthesenseofotherpeople’spockets，otherwisewithmoreoftheancientknightabouthimthanofthemodernliberal。Hewaswiththesickmanatfirst，butcameoverafterwardsbecausetherewasnoplacetoliedownintheroomandthefloorwassohard。\"
\"Yoususpecthim？\"
\"IDIDsuspecthim。WhenIwokeupathalf-pastsevenandtoremyhairindespairformylossandcarelessness，Iawokethegeneral，whowassleepingthesleepofinnocencenearme。TakingintoconsiderationthesuddendisappearanceofFerdishenko，whichwassuspiciousinitself，wedecidedtosearchKeller，whowaslyingtheresleepinglikeatop。Well，wesearchedhisclothesthoroughly，andnotafarthingdidwefind；infact，hispocketsallhadholesinthem。Wefoundadirtyhandkerchief，andalove-
letterfromsomescullery-maid。Thegeneraldecidedthathewasinnocent。Weawokehimforfurtherinquiries，andhadthegreatestdifficultyinmakinghimunderstandwhatwasup。Heopenedhismouthandstared——helookedsostupidandsoabsurdlyinnocent。Itwasn’tKeller。\"
\"Oh，I’msoglad！\"saidtheprince，joyfully。\"Iwassoafraid。\"
\"Afraid！Thenyouhadsomegroundsforsupposinghemightbetheculprit？\"saidLebedeff，frowning。
\"Ohno——notabit！ItwasfoolishofmetosayIwasafraid！
Don’trepeatitplease，Lebedeff，don’ttellanyoneIsaidthat！\"
\"Mydearprince！yourwordslieinthelowestdepthofmyheart——
itistheirtomb！\"saidLebedeff，solemnly，pressinghishattotheregionofhisheart。
\"Thanks；verywell。ThenIsupposeit’sFerdishenko；thatis，I
mean，yoususpectFerdishenko？\"
\"Whomelse？\"saidLebedeff，softly，gazingintentlyintotheprincesface。
\"Ofcourse——quiteso，whomelse？Butwhataretheproofs？\"
\"Wehaveevidence。Inthefirstplace，hismysteriousdisappearanceatseveno’clock，orevenearlier。\"
\"Iknow，Coliatoldmethathehadsaidhewasoffto——Iforgetthename，somefriendofhis，tofinishthenight。\"
\"H’m！thenColiahasspokentoyoualready？\"
\"Notaboutthetheft。\"
\"Hedoesnotknowofit；Ihavekeptitasecret。Verywell，FerdishenkowentofftoWilkin’s。Thatisnotsocuriousinitself，butheretheevidenceopensoutfurther。Helefthisaddress，yousee，whenhewent。Nowprince，consider，whydidheleavehisaddress？WhydoyousupposehewentoutofhiswaytotellColiathathehadgonetoWilkin’s？WhocaredtoknowthathewasgoingtoWilkin’s？No，no！prince，thisisfinesse，thieves’finesse！Thisisasgoodassaying，’There，howcanIbeathiefwhenIleavemyaddress？I’mnotconcealingmymovementsasathiefwould。’Doyouunderstand，prince？\"
\"Ohyes，butthatisnotenough。\"
\"Secondproof。Thescentturnsouttobefalse，andtheaddressgivenisasham。Anhourafter——thatisatabouteight，IwenttoWilkin’smyself，andtherewasnotraceofFerdishenko。Themaiddidtellme，certainly，thatanhourorsosincesomeonehadbeenhammeringatthedoor，andhadsmashedthebell；shesaidshewouldnotopenthedoorbecauseshedidn’twanttowakehermaster；probablyshewastoolazytogetupherself。Suchphenomenaaremetwithoccasionally！\"
\"Butisthatallyourevidence？Itisnotenough！\"
\"Well，prince，whomarewetosuspect，then？Consider！\"saidLebedeffwithalmostservileamiability，smilingattheprince。
Therewasalookofcunninginhiseyes，however。
\"Youshouldsearchyourroomandallthecupboardsagain，\"saidtheprince，afteramomentortwoofsilentreflection。
\"ButIhavedoneso，mydearprince！\"saidLebedeff，moresweetlythanever。
\"H’m！whymustyouneedsgoupandchangeyourcoatlikethat？\"
askedtheprince，bangingthetablewithhisfist，inannoyance。
\"Oh，don’tbesoworriedonmyaccount，prince！IassureyouIamnotworthit！Atleast，notIalone。ButIseeyouaresufferingonbehalfofthecriminaltoo，forwretchedFerdishenko，infact！\"
\"Ofcourseyouhavegivenmeadisagreeableenoughthingtothinkabout，\"saidtheprince，irritably，\"butwhatareyougoingtodo，sinceyouaresosureitwasFerdishenko？\"
\"ButwhoelseCOULDitbe，myverydearprince？\"repeatedLebedeff，assweetassugaragain。\"Ifyoudon’twishmetosuspectMr。Burdovsky？\"
\"Ofcoursenot。\"
\"Northegeneral？Ha，ha，ha！\"
\"Nonsense！\"saidtheprince，angrily，turningrounduponhim。
\"Quiteso，nonsense！Ha，ha，ha！dearme！Hedidamuseme，didthegeneral！WewentoffonthehotscenttoWilkin’stogether，youknow；butImustfirstobservethatthegeneralwasevenmorethunderstruckthanImyselfthismorning，whenIawokehimafterdiscoveringthetheft；somuchsothathisveryfacechanged——hegrewredandthenpale，andatlengthflewintoaparoxysmofsuchnoblewraththatIassureyouIwasquitesurprised！Heisamostgenerous-heartedman！Hetellsliesbythethousands，I
know，butitismerelyaweakness；heisamanofthehighestfeelings；asimple-mindedmantoo，andamanwhocarriestheconvictionofinnocenceinhisveryappearance。Ilovethatman，sir；Imayhavetoldyousobefore；itisaweaknessofmine。
Well——hesuddenlystoppedinthemiddleoftheroad，openedouthiscoatandbaredhisbreast。\"Searchme，\"hesays，\"yousearchedKeller；whydon’tyousearchmetoo？Itisonlyfair！\"
sayshe。Andallthewhilehislegsandhandsweretremblingwithanger，andheaswhiteasasheetallover！SoIsaidtohim，\"Nonsense，general；ifanybodybutyourselfhadsaidthattome，I’dhavetakenmyhead，myownhead，andputitonalargedishandcarrieditroundtoanyonewhosuspectedyou；andIshouldhavesaid:’There，youseethathead？It’smyhead，andI’llgobailwiththatheadforhim！Yes，andwalkthroughthefireforhim，too。There，’saysI，’that’showI’danswerforyou，general！’Thenheembracedme，inthemiddleofthestreet，andhuggedmesotightcryingovermeallthewhilethatIcoughedfittochoke！’Youaretheonefriendlefttomeamidallmymisfortunes，’sayshe。Oh，he’samanofsentiment，that！Hewentontotellmeastoryofhowhehadbeenaccused，orsuspected，ofstealingfivehundredthousandroublesonce，asayoungman；
andhow，theverynextday，hehadrushedintoaburning，blazinghouseandsavedtheverycountwhosuspectedhim，andNinaAlexandrovnawhowasthenayounggirl，fromafierydeath。Thecountembracedhim，andthatwashowhecametomarryNinaAlexandrovna，hesaid。Asforthemoney，itwasfoundamongtheruinsnextdayinanEnglishironboxwithasecretlock；ithadgotunderthefloorsomehow，andifithadnotbeenforthefireitwouldneverhavebeenfound！Thewholethingis，ofcourse，anabsolutefabrication，thoughwhenhespokeofNinaAlexandrovnahewept！She’sagrandwoman，isNinaAlexandrovna，thoughsheisveryangrywithme！\"
\"Areyouacquaintedwithher？\"
\"Well，hardlyatall。IwishIwere，ifonlyforthesakeofjustifyingmyselfinhereyes。NinaAlexandrovnahasagrudgeagainstmefor，asshethinks，encouragingherhusbandindrinking；whereasinrealityInotonlydonotencouragehim，butIactuallykeephimoutofharm’sway，andoutofbadcompany。
Besides，he’smyfriend，prince，sothatIshallnotlosesightofhim，again。Wherehegoes，Igo。He’squitegivenupvisitingthecaptain’swidow，thoughsometimeshethinkssadlyofher，especiallyinthemorning，whenhe’sputtingonhisboots。I
don’tknowwhyit’satthattime。Buthehasnomoney，andit’snousehisgoingtoseeherwithout。Hasheborrowedanymoneyfromyou，prince？\"
\"No，hehasnot。\"
\"Ah，he’sashamedto！HeMEANTtoaskyou，Iknow，forhesaidso。Isupposehethinksthatasyougavehimsomeonceyouremember，youwouldprobablyrefuseifheaskedyouagain。\"
\"Doyouevergivehimmoney？\"
\"Prince！Money！WhyIwouldgivethatmannotonlymymoney，butmyverylife，ifhewantedit。Well，perhapsthat’sexaggeration；
notlife，we’llsay，butsomeillness，aboilorabadcough，oranythingofthatsort，Iwouldstandwithpleasure，forhissake；
forIconsiderhimagreatmanfallen——money，indeed！\"
\"H’m，thenyouDOgivehimmoney？\"
\"N-no，Ihavenevergivenhimmoney，andheknowswellthatI
willnevergivehimany；becauseIamanxioustokeephimoutofintemperateways。Heisgoingtotownwithmenow；foryoumustknowIamofftoPetersburgafterFerdishenko，whilethescentishot；I’mcertainheisthere。Ishallletthegeneralgooneway，whileIgotheother；wehavesoarrangedmattersinordertopopoutuponFerdishenko，yousee，fromdifferentsides。ButIamgoingtofollowthatnaughtyoldgeneralandcatchhim，Iknowwhere，atacertainwidow’shouse；forIthinkitwillbeagoodlesson，toputhimtoshamebycatchinghimwiththewidow。\"
\"Oh，Lebedeff，don’t，don’tmakeanyscandalaboutit！\"saidtheprince，muchagitated，andspeakinginalowvoice。
\"Notfortheworld，notfortheworld！Imerelywishtomakehimashamedofhimself。Oh，prince，greatthoughthismisfortunebetomyself，Icannothelpthinkingofhismorals！Ihaveagreatfavourtoaskofyou，esteemedprince；Iconfessthatitisthechiefobjectofmyvisit。YouknowtheIvolgins，youhaveevenlivedintheirhouse；soifyouwouldlendmeyourhelp，honouredprince，inthegeneral’sowninterestandforhisgood。\"
Lebedeffclaspedhishandsinsupplication。
\"Whathelpdoyouwantfromme？YoumaybecertainthatIammostanxioustounderstandyou，Lebedeff。\"
\"Ifeltsureofthat，orIshouldnothavecometoyou。WemightmanageitwiththehelpofNinaAlexandrovna，sothathemightbecloselywatchedinhisownhouse。UnfortunatelyIamnotonterms……otherwise……butNicolaiArdalionovitch，whoadoresyouwithallhisyouthfulsoul，mighthelp，too。\"
\"No，no！HeavenforbidthatweshouldbringNinaAlexandrovnaintothisbusiness！OrColia，either。ButperhapsIhavenotyetquiteunderstoodyou，Lebedeff？\"
Lebedeffmadeanimpatientmovement。
\"Butthereisnothingtounderstand！Sympathyandtenderness，thatisall——thatisallourpoorinvalidrequires！Youwillpermitmetoconsiderhimaninvalid？\"
\"Yes，itshowsdelicacyandintelligenceonyourpart。\"
\"Iwillexplainmyideabyapracticalexample，tomakeitclearer。Youknowthesortofmanheis。Atpresenthisonlyfailingisthatheiscrazyaboutthatcaptain’swidow，andhecannotgotoherwithoutmoney，andImeantocatchhimatherhousetoday——forhisowngood；butsupposingitwasnotonlythewidow，butthathehadcommittedarealcrime，oratleastsomeverydishonourableactionofwhichheis，ofcourse，incapable，Irepeatthateveninthatcase，ifheweretreatedwithwhatI
maycallgeneroustenderness，onecouldgetatthewholetruth，forheisverysoft-hearted！Believeme，hewouldbetrayhimselfbeforefivedayswereout；hewouldburstintotears，andmakeacleanbreastofthematter；especiallyifmanagedwithtact，andifyouandhisfamilywatchedhiseverystep，sotospeak。Oh，mydearprince，\"Lebedeffaddedmostemphatically，\"Idonotpositivelyassertthathehas……Iamready，asthesayingis，toshedmylastdropofbloodforhimthisinstant；butyouwilladmitthatdebauchery，drunkenness，andthecaptain’swidow，allthesetogethermayleadhimveryfar。\"
\"Iam，ofcourse，quitereadytoaddmyeffortstoyoursinsuchacase，\"saidtheprince，rising；\"butIconfess，Lebedeff，thatIamterriblyperplexed。Tellme，doyoustillthink……
plainly，yousayyourselfthatyoususpectMr。Ferdishenko？\"
Lebedeffclaspedhishandsoncemore。
\"Why，whoelsecouldIpossiblysuspect？Whoelse，mostoutspokenprince？\"hereplied，withanunctuoussmile。
Muishkinfrowned，androsefromhisseat。
\"Yousee，Lebedeff，amistakeherewouldbeadreadfulthing。
ThisFerdishenko，Iwouldnotsayawordagainsthim，ofcourse；
but，whoknows？Perhapsitreallywashe？Imeanhereallydoesseemtobeamorelikelymanthan……thananyother。\"
Lebedeffstrainedhiseyesandearstotakeinwhattheprincewassaying。Thelatterwasfrowningmoreandmore，andwalkingexcitedlyupanddown，tryingnottolookatLebedeff。
\"Yousee，\"hesaid，\"IwasgiventounderstandthatFerdishenkowasthatsortofman，——thatonecan’tsayeverythingbeforehim。
Onehastotakecarenottosaytoomuch，youunderstand？Isaythistoprovethathereallyis，sotospeak，morelikelytohavedonethisthananyoneelse，eh？Youunderstand？Theimportantthingis，nottomakeamistake。\"
\"AndwhotoldyouthisaboutFerdishenko？\"
\"Oh，Iwastold。OfcourseIdon’taltogetherbelieveit。IamverysorrythatIshouldhavehadtosaythis，becauseIassureyouIdon’tbelieveitmyself；itisallnonsense，ofcourse。Itwasstupidofmetosayanythingaboutit。\"
\"Yousee，itisveryimportant，itismostimportanttoknowwhereyougotthisreportfrom，\"saidLebedeff，excitedly。Hehadrisenfromhisseat，andwastryingtokeepstepwiththeprince，runningafterhim，upanddown。\"Becauselookhere，prince，I
don’tmindtellingyounowthatasweweregoingalongtoWilkin’sthismorning，aftertellingmewhatyouknowaboutthefire，andsavingthecountandallthat，thegeneralwaspleasedtodropcertainhintstothesameeffectaboutFerdishenko，butsovaguelyandclumsilythatIthoughtbettertoputafewquestionstohimonthematter，withtheresultthatIfoundthewholethingwasaninventionofhisexcellency’sownmind。Ofcourse，heonlylieswiththebestintentions；still，helies。
But，suchbeingthecase，wherecouldyouhaveheardthesamereport？Itwastheinspirationofthemomentwithhim，youunderstand，sowhocouldhavetoldYOU？Itisanimportantquestion，yousee！\"
\"ItwasColiatoldme，andhisfathertoldHIMataboutsixthismorning。Theymetatthethreshold，whenColiawasleavingtheroomforsomethingorother。\"TheprincetoldLebedeffallthatColiahadmadeknowntohimself，indetail。
\"Therenow，that’swhatwemaycallSCENT！\"saidLebedeff，rubbinghishandsandlaughingsilently。\"Ithoughtitmustbeso，yousee。Thegeneralinterruptedhisinnocentslumbers，atsixo’clock，inordertogoandwakehisbelovedson，andwarnhimofthedreadfuldangerofcompanionshipwithFerdishenko。
Dearme！whatadreadfullydangerousmanFerdishenkomustbe，andwhattouchingpaternalsolicitude，onthepartofhisexcellency，ha！ha！ha！\"
\"Listen，Lebedeff，\"begantheprince，quiteoverwhelmed；\"DOactquietly——don’tmakeascandal，Lebedeff，Iaskyou——Ientreatyou！Noonemustknow——NOONE，mind！Inthatcaseonly，Iwillhelpyou。\"
\"Beassured，mosthonourable，mostworthyofprinces——beassuredthatthewholemattershallbeburiedwithinmyheart！\"criedLebedeff，inaparoxysmofexaltation。\"I’dgiveeverydropofmyblood……Illustriousprince，Iamapoorwretchinsoulandspirit，butasktheveriestscoundrelwhetherhewouldprefertodealwithonelikehimself，orwithanoble-heartedmanlikeyou，andthereisnodoubtastohischoice！He’llanswerthatheprefersthenoble-heartedman——andthereyouhavethetriumphofvirtue！Aurevoir，honouredprince！YouandItogether——softly！
softly！\"
X。
THEprinceunderstoodatlastwhyheshiveredwithdreadeverytimehethoughtofthethreelettersinhispocket，andwhyhehadputoffreadingthemuntiltheevening。
Whenhefellintoaheavysleeponthesofaontheverandah，withouthavinghadthecouragetoopenasingleoneofthethreeenvelopes，heagaindreamedapainfuldream，andoncemorethatpoor，\"sinful\"womanappearedtohim。Againshegazedathimwithtearssparklingonherlonglashes，andbeckonedhimafterher；
andagainheawoke，asbefore，withthepictureofherfacehauntinghim。
Helongedtogetupandgotoheratonce——butheCOULDNOT。Atlength，almostindespair，heunfoldedtheletters，andbegantoreadthem。
Theseletters，too，werelikeadream。Wesometimeshavestrange，impossibledreams，contrarytoallthelawsofnature。Whenweawakewerememberthemandwonderattheirstrangeness。Youremember，perhaps，thatyouwereinfullpossessionofyourreasonduringthissuccessionoffantasticimages；eventhatyouactedwithextraordinarylogicandcunningwhilesurroundedbymurdererswhohidtheirintentionsandmadegreatdemonstrationsoffriendship，whilewaitingforanopportunitytocutyourthroat。Yourememberhowyouescapedthembysomeingeniousstratagem；thenyoudoubtediftheywerereallydeceived，orwhethertheywereonlypretendingnottoknowyourhiding-place；
thenyouthoughtofanotherplanandhoodwinkedthemonceagain。
Yourememberallthisquiteclearly，buthowisitthatyourreasoncalmlyacceptedallthemanifestabsurditiesandimpossibilitiesthatcrowdedintoyourdream？Oneofthemurdererssuddenlychangedintoawomanbeforeyourveryeyes；
thenthewomanwastransformedintoahideous，cunninglittledwarf；andyoubelievedit，andaccepteditallalmostasamatterofcourse——whileatthesametimeyourintelligenceseemedunusuallykeen，andaccomplishedmiraclesofcunning，sagacity，andlogic！Whyisitthatwhenyouawaketotheworldofrealitiesyounearlyalwaysfeel，sometimesveryvividly，thatthevanisheddreamhascarriedwithitsomeenigmawhichyouhavefailedtosolve？Yousmileattheextravaganceofyourdream，andyetyoufeelthatthistissueofabsurditycontainedsomerealidea，somethingthatbelongstoyourtruelife，——somethingthatexists，andhasalwaysexisted，inyourheart。Yousearchyourdreamforsomeprophecythatyouwereexpecting。Ithasleftadeepimpressionuponyou，joyfulorcruel，butwhatitmeans，orwhathasbeenpredictedtoyouinit，youcanneitherunderstandnorremember。
Thereadingoftheselettersproducedsomesucheffectupontheprince。Hefelt，beforeheevenopenedtheenvelopes，thattheveryfactoftheirexistencewaslikeanightmare。Howcouldsheeverhavemadeuphermindtowritetoher？heaskedhimself。Howcouldshewriteaboutthatatall？Andhowcouldsuchawildideahaveenteredherhead？Andyet，thestrangestpartofthematterwas，thatwhilehereadtheletters，hehimselfalmostbelievedinthepossibility，andeveninthejustification，oftheideahehadthoughtsowild。Ofcourseitwasamaddream，anightmare，andyettherewassomethingcruellyrealaboutit。Forhourshewashauntedbywhathehadread。Severalpassagesreturnedagainandagaintohismind，andashebroodedoverthem，hefeltinclinedtosaytohimselfthathehadforeseenandknownallthatwaswrittenhere；itevenseemedtohimthathehadreadthewholeofthissometimeorother，long，longago；andallthathadtormentedandgrievedhimuptonowwastobefoundintheseold，longsinceread，letters。
\"Whenyouopenthisletter\"sothefirstbegan，\"lookfirstatthesignature。Thesignaturewilltellyouall，sothatIneedexplainnothing，norattempttojustifymyself。WereIinanywayonafootingwithyou，youmightbeoffendedatmyaudacity；butwhoamI，andwhoareyou？Weareatsuchextremes，andIamsofarremovedfromyou，thatIcouldnotoffendyouifIwishedtodoso。\"
Fartheron，inanotherplace，shewrote:\"Donotconsidermywordsasthesicklyecstasiesofadiseasedmind，butyouare，inmyopinion——perfection！Ihaveseenyou——Iseeyoueveryday。I
donotjudgeyou；IhavenotweighedyouinthescalesofReasonandfoundyouPerfection——itissimplyanarticleoffaith。ButI
mustconfessonesinagainstyou——Iloveyou。Oneshouldnotloveperfection。Oneshouldonlylookonitasperfection——yetIaminlovewithyou。Thoughloveequalizes，donotfear。Ihavenotloweredyoutomylevel，eveninmymostsecretthoughts。Ihavewritten’Donotfear，’asifyoucouldfear。IwouldkissyourfootprintsifIcould；but，oh！Iamnotputtingmyselfonalevelwithyou！——Lookatthesignature——quick，lookatthesignature！\"
\"However，observe\"shewroteinanotheroftheletters，\"thatalthoughIcoupleyouwithhim，yetIhavenotonceaskedyouwhetheryoulovehim。Hefellinlovewithyou，thoughhesawyoubutonce。Hespokeofyouasof’thelight。’Thesearehisownwords——Iheardhimusethem。ButIunderstoodwithouthissayingitthatyouwereallthatlightistohim。Ilivednearhimforawholemonth，andIunderstoodthenthatyou，too，mustlovehim。
Ithinkofyouandhimasone。\"
\"Whatwasthematteryesterday？\"shewroteonanothersheet。\"I
passedbyyou，andyouseemedtometoBLUSH。Perhapsitwasonlymyfancy。IfIweretobringyoutothemostloathsomeden，andshowyoutherevelationofundisguisedvice——youshouldnotblush。Youcanneverfeelthesenseofpersonalaffront。Youmayhateallwhoaremean，orbase，orunworthy——butnotforyourself——onlyforthosewhomtheywrong。NoonecanwrongYOU。
Doyouknow，Ithinkyououghttoloveme——foryouarethesameinmyeyesasinhis-youareaslight。Anangelcannothate，perhapscannotlove，either。Ioftenaskmyself——isitpossibletoloveeverybody？Indeeditisnot；itisnotinnature。
Abstractloveofhumanityisnearlyalwaysloveofself。Butyouaredifferent。Youcannothelplovingall，sinceyoucancomparewithnone，andareaboveallpersonaloffenceoranger。Oh！howbitteritwouldbetometoknowthatyoufeltangerorshameonmyaccount，forthatwouldbeyourfall——youwouldbecomecomparableatoncewithsuchasme。
\"Yesterday，afterseeingyou，Iwenthomeandthoughtoutapicture。
\"ArtistsalwaysdrawtheSaviourasanactorinoneoftheGospelstories。Ishoulddodifferently。IshouldrepresentChristalone——thedisciplesdidleaveHimaloneoccasionally。IshouldpaintonelittlechildleftwithHim。ThischildhasbeenplayingaboutnearHim，andhadprobablyjustbeentellingtheSavioursomethinginitsprettybabyprattle。Christhadlistenedtoit，butwasnowmusing——onehandreposingonthechild’sbrighthead。
Hiseyeshaveafar-awayexpression。Thought，greatastheUniverse，isinthem——Hisfaceissad。ThelittleoneleansitselbowuponChrist’sknee，andwithitscheekrestingonitshand，gazesupatHim，ponderingaschildrensometimesdoponder。Thesunissetting。Thereyouhavemypicture。
\"Youareinnocent——andinyourinnocenceliesallyourperfection——oh，rememberthat！Whatismypassiontoyou？——youareminenow；Ishallbenearyouallmylife——Ishallnotlivelong！\"
Atlength，inthelastletterofall，hefound:
\"ForHeaven’ssake，don’tmisunderstandme！DonotthinkthatI
humiliatemyselfbywritingthustoyou，orthatIbelongtothatclassofpeoplewhotakeasatisfactioninhumiliatingthemselves——frompride。Ihavemyconsolation，thoughitwouldbedifficulttoexplainit——butIdonothumiliatemyself。
\"WhydoIwishtouniteyoutwo？Foryoursakesormyown？Formyownsake，naturally。Alltheproblemsofmylifewouldthusbesolved；Ihavethoughtsoforalongtime。IknowthatoncewhenyoursisterAdelaidasawmyportraitshesaidthatsuchbeautycouldoverthrowtheworld。ButIhaverenouncedtheworld。YouthinkitstrangethatIshouldsayso，foryousawmedeckedwithlaceanddiamonds，inthecompanyofdrunkardsandwastrels。Takenonoticeofthat；IknowthatIhavealmostceasedtoexist。Godknowswhatitisdwellingwithinmenow——itisnotmyself。Icanseeiteverydayintwodreadfuleyeswhicharealwayslookingatme，evenwhennotpresent。Theseeyesaresilentnow，theysaynothing；butIknowtheirsecret。Hishouseisgloomy，andthereisasecretinit。Iamconvincedthatinsomeboxhehasarazorhidden，tiedroundwithsilk，justliketheonethatMoscowmurdererhad。Thismanalsolivedwithhismother，andhadarazorhiddenaway，tiedroundwithwhitesilk，andwiththisrazorheintendedtocutathroat。
\"AllthewhileIwasintheirhouseIfeltsurethatsomewherebeneaththefloortherewashiddenawaysomedreadfulcorpse，wrappedinoil-cloth，perhapsburiedtherebyhisfather，whoknows？JustasintheMoscowcase。Icouldhaveshownyoutheveryspot！
\"Heisalwayssilent，butIknowwellthathelovesmesomuchthathemusthateme。Myweddingandyoursaretobeonthesameday；soIhavearrangedwithhim。Ihavenosecretsfromhim。I
wouldkillhimfromveryfright，buthewillkillmefirst。Hehasjustburstoutlaughing，andsaysthatIamraving。HeknowsIamwritingtoyou。\"
Therewasmuchmoreofthisdeliriouswanderingintheletters——
oneofthemwasverylong。
Atlasttheprincecameoutofthedark，gloomypark，inwhichhehadwanderedaboutforhoursjustasyesterday。Thebrightnightseemedtohimtobelighterthanever。\"Itmustbequiteearly，\"
hethought。Hehadforgottenhiswatch。Therewasasoundofdistantmusicsomewhere。\"Ah，\"hethought，\"theVauxhall！Theywon’tbetheretoday，ofcourse！\"Atthismomenthenoticedthathewasclosetotheirhouse；hehadfeltthathemustgravitatetothisspoteventually，and，withabeatingheart，hemountedtheverandahsteps。
Noonemethim；theverandahwasempty，andnearlypitchdark。Heopenedthedoorintotheroom，butit，too，wasdarkandempty。
Hestoodinthemiddleoftheroominperplexity。Suddenlythedooropened，andincameAlexandra，candleinhand。Seeingtheprinceshestoppedbeforehiminsurprise，lookingathimquestioningly。
Itwasclearthatshehadbeenmerelypassingthroughtheroomfromdoortodoor，andhadnothadtheremotestnotionthatshewouldmeetanyone。
\"Howdidyoucomehere？\"sheasked，atlast。
\"I-I——camein——\"
\"Mammaisnotverywell，norisAglaya。Adelaidahasgonetobed，andIamjustgoing。Wewerealonethewholeevening。FatherandPrinceS。havegonetotown。\"
\"Ihavecometoyou——now——to——\"
\"Doyouknowwhattimeitis？\"
\"N——no！\"
\"Half-pasttwelve。Wearealwaysinbedbyone。\"
\"I-Ithoughtitwashalf-pastnine！\"
\"Nevermind！\"shelaughed，\"butwhydidn’tyoucomeearlier？
Perhapsyouwereexpected！\"
\"Ithought\"hestammered，makingforthedoor。
\"Aurevoir！Ishallamusethemallwiththisstorytomorrow！\"
Hewalkedalongtheroadtowardshisownhouse。Hisheartwasbeating，histhoughtswereconfused，everythingaroundseemedtobepartofadream。
Andsuddenly，justastwicealreadyhehadawakedfromsleepwiththesamevision，thatveryapparitionnowseemedtoriseupbeforehim。Thewomanappearedtostepoutfromthepark，andstandinthepathinfrontofhim，asthoughshehadbeenwaitingforhimthere。
Heshudderedandstopped；sheseizedhishandandpresseditfrenziedly。
No，thiswasnoapparition！
Thereshestoodatlast，facetofacewithhim，forthefirsttimesincetheirparting。
Shesaidsomething，buthelookedsilentlybackather。Hisheartachedwithanguish。Oh！neverwouldhebanishtherecollectionofthismeetingwithher，andheneverremembereditbutwiththesamepainandagonyofmind。
Shewentonherkneesbeforehim——thereintheopenroad——likeamadwoman。Heretreatedastep，butshecaughthishandandkissedit，and，justasinhisdream，thetearsweresparklingonherlong，beautifullashes。
\"Getup！\"hesaid，inafrightenedwhisper，raisingher。\"Getupatonce！\"
\"Areyouhappy——areyouhappy？\"sheasked。\"Saythisoneword。
Areyouhappynow？Today，thismoment？Haveyoujustbeenwithher？Whatdidshesay？\"
Shedidnotrisefromherknees；shewouldnotlistentohim；sheputherquestionshurriedly，asthoughshewerepursued。
\"Iamgoingawaytomorrow，asyoubademe——Iwon’twrite——sothatthisisthelasttimeIshallseeyou，thelasttime！ThisisreallytheLASTTIME！\"
\"Oh，becalm——becalm！Getup！\"heentreated，indespair。
Shegazedthirstilyathimandclutchedhishands。
\"Good-bye！\"shesaidatlast，androseandlefthim，veryquickly。
TheprincenoticedthatRogojinhadsuddenlyappearedatherside，andhadtakenherarmandwasleadingheraway。
\"Waitaminute，prince，\"shoutedthelatter，ashewent。\"Ishallbebackinfiveminutes。\"
Hereappearedinfiveminutesashehadsaid。Theprincewaswaitingforhim。
\"I’veputherinthecarriage，\"hesaid；\"ithasbeenwaitingroundthecornertheresinceteno’clock。SheexpectedthatyouwouldbewithTHEMalltheevening。Itoldherexactlywhatyouwroteme。Shewon’twritetothegirlanymore，shepromises；andtomorrowshewillbeoff，asyouwish。Shedesiredtoseeyouforthelasttime，althoughyourefused，sowe’vebeensittingandwaitingonthatbenchtillyoushouldpassonyourwayhome。\"
\"Didshebringyouwithherofherownaccord？\"
\"Ofcourseshedid！\"saidRogojin，showinghisteeth；\"andIsawformyselfwhatIknewbefore。You’vereadherletters，I
suppose？\"
\"Didyoureadthem？\"askedtheprince，struckbythethought。
\"Ofcourse——sheshowedthemtomeherself。Youarethinkingoftherazor，eh？Ha，ha，ha！\"
\"Oh，sheismad！\"criedtheprince，wringinghishands。\"Whoknows？Perhapssheisnotsomadafterall，\"saidRogojin，softly，asthoughthinkingaloud。
Theprincemadenoreply。
\"Well，good-bye，\"saidRogojin。\"I’mofftomorrowtoo，youknow。
Remembermekindly！By-the-by，\"headded，turningroundsharplyagain，\"didyouanswerherquestionjustnow？Areyouhappy，ornot？\"
\"No，no，no！\"criedtheprince，withunspeakablesadness。
\"Ha，ha！Ineversupposedyouwouldsay’yes，’\"criedRogojin，laughingsardonically。
Andhedisappeared，withoutlookingroundagain。
PARTIV
I。
AWEEKhadelapsedsincetherendezvousofourtwofriendsonthegreenbenchinthepark，when，onefinemorningatabouthalf-
pastteno’clock，VarvaraArdalionovna，otherwiseMrs。Ptitsin，whohadbeenouttovisitafriend，returnedhomeinastateofconsiderablementaldepression。
Therearecertainpeopleofwhomitisdifficulttosayanythingwhichwillatoncethrowthemintorelief——inotherwords，describethemgraphicallyintheirtypicalcharacteristics。Thesearetheywhoaregenerallyknownas\"commonplacepeople，\"andthisclasscomprises，ofcourse，theimmensemajorityofmankind。
Authors，asarule，attempttoselectandportraytypesrarelymetwithintheirentirety，butthesetypesareneverthelessmorerealthanreallifeitself。
\"Podkoleosin\"[AcharacterinGogol’scomedy，TheWedding。]wasperhapsanexaggeration，buthewasbynomeansanon-existentcharacter；onthecontrary，howmanyintelligentpeople，afterhearingofthisPodkoleosinfromGogol，immediatelybegantofindthatscoresoftheirfriendswereexactlylikehim！Theyknew，perhaps，beforeGogoltoldthem，thattheirfriendswerelikePodkoleosin，buttheydidnotknowwhatnametogivethem。Inreallife，youngfellowsseldomjumpoutofthewindowjustbeforetheirweddings，becausesuchafeat，nottospeakofitsotheraspects，mustbeadecidedlyunpleasantmodeofescape；andyetthereareplentyofbridegrooms，intelligentfellowstoo，whowouldbereadytoconfessthemselvesPodkoleosinsinthedepthsoftheirconsciousness，justbeforemarriage。Nordoeseveryhusbandfeelboundtorepeatateverystep，\"Tul’asvoulu，GeorgesDandin！\"likeanothertypicalpersonage；andyethowmanymillionsandbillionsofGeorgesDandinsthereareinreallifewhofeelinclinedtoutterthissoul-drawncryaftertheirhoneymoon，ifnotthedayafterthewedding！Therefore，withoutenteringintoanymoreseriousexaminationofthequestion，I
willcontentmyselfwithremarkingthatinreallifetypicalcharactersare\"watereddown，\"sotospeak；andalltheseDandinsandPodkoleosinsactuallyexistamonguseveryday，butinadilutedform。Iwilljustadd，however，thatGeorgesDandinmighthaveexistedexactlyasMolierepresentedhim，andprobablydoesexistnowandthen，thoughrarely；andsoIwillendthisscientificexamination，whichisbeginningtolooklikeanewspapercriticism。Butforallthis，thequestionremains，——
whatarethenoveliststodowithcommonplacepeople，andhowaretheytobepresentedtothereaderinsuchaformastobeintheleastdegreeinteresting？Theycannotbeleftoutaltogether，forcommonplacepeoplemeetoneateveryturnoflife，andtoleavethemoutwouldbetodestroythewholerealityandprobabilityofthestory。Tofillanovelwithtypicalcharactersonly，orwithmerelystrangeanduncommonpeople，wouldrenderthebookunrealandimprobable，andwouldverylikelydestroytheinterest。Inmyopinion，thedutyofthenovelististoseekoutpointsofinterestandinstructioneveninthecharactersofcommonplacepeople。
Forinstance，whenthewholeessenceofanordinaryperson’snatureliesinhisperpetualandunchangeablecommonplaceness；
andwheninspiteofallhisendeavourstodosomethingoutofthecommon，thispersonends，eventually，byremaininginhisunbrokenlineofroutine。Ithinksuchanindividualreallydoesbecomeatypeofhisown——atypeofcommonplacenesswhichwillnotfortheworld，ifitcanhelpit，becontented，butstrainsandyearnstobesomethingoriginalandindependent，withouttheslightestpossibilityofbeingso。Tothisclassofcommonplacepeoplebelongseveralcharactersinthisnovel；——
characterswhich——Iadmit——Ihavenotdrawnveryvividlyuptonowformyreader’sbenefit。
Suchwere，forinstance，VarvaraArdalionovnaPtitsin，herhusband，andherbrother，Gania。
Thereisnothingsoannoyingastobefairlyrich，ofafairlygoodfamily，pleasingpresence，averageeducation，tobe\"notstupid，\"kind-hearted，andyettohavenotalentatall，nooriginality，notasingleideaofone’sown——tobe，infact，\"justlikeeveryoneelse。\"
Ofsuchpeopletherearecountlessnumbersinthisworld——farmoreeventhanappear。Theycanbedividedintotwoclassesasallmencan——thatis，thoseoflimitedintellect，andthosewhoaremuchcleverer。Theformeroftheseclassesisthehappier。
Toacommonplacemanoflimitedintellect，forinstance，nothingissimplerthantoimaginehimselfanoriginalcharacter，andtorevelinthatbeliefwithouttheslightestmisgiving。
Manyofouryoungwomenhavethoughtfittocuttheirhairshort，putonbluespectacles，andcallthemselvesNihilists。Bydoingthistheyhavebeenabletopersuadethemselves，withoutfurthertrouble，thattheyhaveacquirednewconvictionsoftheirown。
Somemenhavebutfeltsomelittlequalmofkindnesstowardstheirfellow-men，andthefacthasbeenquiteenoughtopersuadethemthattheystandaloneinthevanofenlightenmentandthatnoonehassuchhumanitarianfeelingsasthey。Othershavebuttoreadanideaofsomebodyelse’s，andtheycanimmediatelyassimilateitandbelievethatitwasachildoftheirownbrain。
The\"impudenceofignorance，\"ifImayusetheexpression，isdevelopedtoawonderfulextentinsuchcases；——unlikelyasitappears，itismetwithateveryturn。
ThisconfidenceofastupidmaninhisowntalentshasbeenwonderfullydepictedbyGogolintheamazingcharacterofPirogoff。Pirogoffhasnottheslightestdoubtofhisowngenius，——nay，ofhisSUPERIORITYofgenius，——socertainisheofitthatheneverquestionsit。HowmanyPirogoffshavetherenotbeenamongourwriters——scholars——propagandists？Isay\"havebeen，\"butindeedthereareplentyofthematthisveryday。
Ourfriend，Gania，belongedtotheotherclass——tothe\"muchcleverer\"persons，thoughhewasfromheadtofootpermeatedandsaturatedwiththelongingtobeoriginal。Thisclass，asIhavesaidabove，isfarlesshappy。Forthe\"clevercommonplace\"
person，thoughhemaypossiblyimaginehimselfamanofgeniusandoriginality，nonethelesshaswithinhisheartthedeathlesswormofsuspicionanddoubt；andthisdoubtsometimesbringsaclevermantodespair。Asarule，however，nothingtragichappens；——hisliverbecomesalittledamagedinthecourseoftime，nothingmoreserious。Suchmendonotgiveuptheiraspirationsafteroriginalitywithoutaseverestruggle，——andtherehavebeenmenwho，thoughgoodfellowsinthemselves，andevenbenefactorstohumanity，havesunktothelevelofbasecriminalsforthesakeoforiginality。
Ganiawasabeginner，asitwere，uponthisroad。Adeepandunchangeableconsciousnessofhisownlackoftalent，combinedwithavastlongingtobeabletopersuadehimselfthathewasoriginal，hadrankledinhisheart，evenfromchildhood。
Heseemedtohavebeenbornwithoverwroughtnerves，andinhispassionatedesiretoexcel，hewasoftenledtothebrinkofsomerashstep；andyet，havingresolveduponsuchastep，whenthemomentarrived，heinvariablyprovedtoosensibletotakeit。Hewasready，inthesameway，todoabaseactioninordertoobtainhiswished-forobject；andyet，whenthemomentcametodoit，hefoundthathewastoohonestforanygreatbaseness。Notthatheobjectedtoactsofpettymeanness——hewasalwaysreadyforTHEM。Helookedwithhateandloathingonthepovertyanddownfallofhisfamily，andtreatedhismotherwithhaughtycontempt，althoughheknewthathiswholefuturedependedonhercharacterandreputation。
Aglayahadsimplyfrightenedhim；yethedidnotgiveupallthoughtsofher——thoughheneverseriouslyhopedthatshewouldcondescendtohim。Atthetimeofhis\"adventure\"withNastasiaPhilipovnahehadcometotheconclusionthatmoneywashisonlyhope——moneyshoulddoallforhim。
AtthemomentwhenhelostAglaya，andafterthescenewithNastasia，hehadfeltsolowinhisowneyesthatheactuallybroughtthemoneybacktotheprince。Ofthisreturningofthemoneygiventohimbyamadwomanwhohadreceiveditfromamadman，hehadoftenrepentedsince——thoughheneverceasedtobeproudofhisaction。DuringtheshorttimethatMuishkinremainedinPetersburgGaniahadhadtimetocometohatehimforhissympathy，thoughtheprincetoldhimthatitwas\"noteveryonewhowouldhaveactedsonobly\"astoreturnthemoney。Hehadlongpondered，too，overhisrelationswithAglaya，andhadpersuadedhimselfthatwithsuchastrange，childish，innocentcharacterashers，thingsmighthaveendedverydifferently。
Remorsethenseizedhim；hethrewuphispost，andburiedhimselfinself-tormentandreproach。
HelivedatPtitsin’s，andopenlyshowedcontemptforthelatter，thoughhealwayslistenedtohisadvice，andwassensibleenoughtoaskforitwhenhewantedit。GavrilaArdalionovitchwasangrywithPtitsinbecausethelatterdidnotcaretobecomeaRothschild。\"IfyouaretobeaJew，\"hesaid，\"doitproperly——
squeezepeoplerightandleft，showsomecharacter；betheKingoftheJewswhileyouareaboutit。\"
Ptitsinwasquietandnoteasilyoffended——heonlylaughed。ButononeoccasionheexplainedseriouslytoGaniathathewasnoJew，thathedidnothingdishonest，thathecouldnothelpthemarketpriceofmoney，that，thankstohisaccuratehabits，hehadalreadyagoodfootingandwasrespected，andthathisbusinesswasflourishing。
\"Ishan’teverbeaRothschild，andthereisnoreasonwhyI
should，\"headded，smiling；\"butIshallhaveahouseintheLiteynaya，perhapstwo，andthatwillbeenoughforme。\"\"WhoknowsbutwhatImayhavethree！\"heconcludedtohimself；butthisdream，cherishedinwardly，heneverconfidedtoasoul。
Naturelovesandfavourssuchpeople。Ptitsinwillcertainlyhavehisreward，notthreehouses，butfour，preciselybecausefromchildhooduphehadrealizedthathewouldneverbeaRothschild。
ThatwillbethelimitofPtitsin’sfortune，and，comewhatmay，hewillneverhavemorethanfourhouses。
VarvaraArdalionovnawasnotlikeherbrother。Shetoo，hadpassionatedesires，buttheywerepersistentratherthanimpetuous。Herplanswereaswiseashermethodsofcarryingthemout。Nodoubtshealsobelongedtothecategoryofordinarypeoplewhodreamofbeingoriginal，butshesoondiscoveredthatshehadnotagrainoftrueoriginality，andshedidnotletittroublehertoomuch。Perhapsacertainkindofpridecametoherhelp。ShemadeherfirstconcessiontothedemandsofpracticallifewithgreatresolutionwhensheconsentedtomarryPtitsin。
However，whenshemarriedshedidnotsaytoherself，\"Nevermindameanactionifitleadstotheendinview，\"asherbrotherwouldcertainlyhavesaidinsuchacase；itisquiteprobablethathemayhavesaiditwhenheexpressedhiselder-brotherlysatisfactionatherdecision。Farfromthis；VarvaraArdalionovnadidnotmarryuntilshefeltconvincedthatherfuturehusbandwasunassuming，agreeable，almostcultured，andthatnothingonearthwouldtempthimtoareallydishonourabledeed。Astosmallmeannesses，suchtriflesdidnottroubleher。Indeed，whoisfreefromthem？Itisabsurdtoexpecttheideal！Besides，sheknewthathermarriagewouldprovidearefugeforallherfamily。
SeeingGaniaunhappy，shewasanxioustohelphim，inspiteoftheirformerdisputesandmisunderstandings。Ptitsin，inafriendlyway，wouldpresshisbrother-in-lawtoenterthearmy。
\"Youknow，\"hesaidsometimes，jokingly，\"youdespisegeneralsandgeneraldom，butyouwillseethat’they’willallendbybeinggeneralsintheirturn。Youwillseeitifyoulivelongenough！\"
\"ButwhyshouldtheysupposethatIdespisegenerals？\"Ganiathoughtsarcasticallytohimself。
Toserveherbrother’sinterests，VarvaraArdalionovnawasconstantlyattheEpanchins’house，helpedbythefactthatinchildhoodsheandGaniahadplayedwithGeneralIvanFedorovitch’sdaughters。Itwouldhavebeeninconsistentwithhercharacterifinthesevisitsshehadbeenpursuingachimera；herprojectwasnotchimericalatall；shewasbuildingonafirmbasis——onherknowledgeofthecharacteroftheEpanchinfamily，especiallyAglaya，whomshestudiedclosely。AllVarvara’seffortsweredirectedtowardsbringingAglayaandGaniatogether。
Perhapssheachievedsomeresult；perhaps，also，shemadethemistakeofdependingtoomuchuponherbrother，andexpectingmorefromhimthanhewouldeverbecapableofgiving。Howeverthismaybe，hermanoeuvreswereskilfulenough。ForweeksatatimeshewouldnevermentionGania。Herattitudewasmodestbutdignified，andshewasalwaysextremelytruthfulandsincere。
Examiningthedepthsofherconscience，shefoundnothingtoreproachherselfwith，andthisstillfurtherstrengthenedherinherdesigns。ButVarvaraArdalionovnasometimesremarkedthatshefeltspiteful；thattherewasagooddealofvanityinher，perhapsevenofwoundedvanity。Shenoticedthisatcertaintimesmorethanatothers，andespeciallyafterhervisitstotheEpanchins。
Today，asIhavesaid，shereturnedfromtheirhousewithaheavyfeelingofdejection。Therewasasensationofbitterness，asortofmockingcontempt，mingledwithit。
Arrivedatherownhouse，Variaheardaconsiderablecommotiongoingonintheupperstorey，anddistinguishedthevoicesofherfatherandbrother。OnenteringthesalonshefoundGaniapacingupanddownatfranticspeed，palewithrageandalmosttearinghishair。Shefrowned，andsubsidedontothesofawithatiredair，andwithouttakingthetroubletoremoveherhat。Sheverywellknewthatifshekeptquietandaskedherbrothernothingabouthisreasonfortearingupanddowntheroom，hiswrathwouldfalluponherhead。Soshehastenedtoputthequestion:
\"Theoldstory，eh？\"
\"Oldstory？No！Heavenknowswhat’supnow——Idon’t！Fatherhassimplygonemad；mother’sinfloodsoftears。Uponmyword，Varia，Imustkickhimoutofthehouse；orelsegomyself，\"headded，probablyrememberingthathecouldnotwellturnpeopleoutofahousewhichwasnothisown。
\"Youmustmakeallowances，\"murmuredVaria。
\"Makeallowances？Forwhom？Him——theoldblackguard？No，no，Varia——thatwon’tdo！Itwon’tdo，Itellyou！Andlookattheswaggeroftheman！He’salltoblamehimself，andyetheputsonsomuch’side’thatyou’dthink——myword！——’It’stoomuchtroubletogothroughthegate，youmustbreakthefenceforme！’
That’sthesortofairheputson；butwhat’sthematterwithyou，Varia？Whatacuriousexpressionyouhave！\"
\"I’mallright，\"saidVaria，inatonethatsoundedasthoughshewereallwrong。
Ganialookedmoreintentlyather。
\"You’vebeenTHERE？\"heasked，suddenly。
\"Yes。\"
\"Didyoufindoutanything？\"
\"Nothingunexpected。Idiscoveredthatit’salltrue。Myhusbandwaswiserthaneitherofus。Justashesuspectedfromthebeginning，soithasfallenout。Whereishe？\"
\"Out。Well——whathashappened？——goon。\"
\"Theprinceisformallyengagedtoher——that’ssettled。Theeldersisterstoldmeaboutit。Aglayahasagreed。Theydon’tattempttoconcealitanylonger；youknowhowmysteriousandsecrettheyhaveallbeenuptonow。Adelaida’sweddingisputoffagain，sothatbothcanbemarriedononeday。Isn’tthatdelightfullyromantic？Somebodyoughttowriteapoemonit。Sitdownandwriteanodeinsteadoftearingupanddownlikethat。ThiseveningPrincessBielokonskiistoarrive；shecomesjustintime——theyhaveapartytonight。HeistobepresentedtooldBielokonski，thoughIbelieveheknowsheralready；probablytheengagementwillbeopenlyannounced。Theyareonlyafraidthathemayknocksomethingdown，ortripoversomethingwhenhecomesintotheroom。Itwouldbejustlikehim。\"
Ganialistenedattentively，buttohissister’sastonishmenthewasbynomeanssoimpressedbythisnewswhichshould，shethought，havebeensoimportanttohimasshehadexpected。
\"Well，itwasclearenoughallalong，\"hesaid，afteramoment’sreflection。\"Sothat’stheend，\"headded，withadisagreeablesmile，continuingtowalkupanddowntheroom，butmuchslowerthanbefore，andglancingslylyintohissister’sface。
\"It’sagoodthingthatyoutakeitphilosophically，atallevents，\"saidVaria。\"I’mreallyverygladofit。\"
\"Yes，it’soffourhands——offYOURS，Ishouldsay。\"
\"IthinkIhaveservedyoufaithfully。IneverevenaskedyouwhathappinessyouexpectedtofindwithAglaya。\"
\"DidIeverexpecttofindhappinesswithAglaya？\"
\"Come，come，don’toverdoyourphilosophy。Ofcourseyoudid。Nowit’sallover，andagoodthing，too；pairoffoolsthatwehavebeen！IconfessIhaveneverbeenabletolookatitseriously。I
busiedmyselfinitforyoursake，thinkingthattherewasnoknowingwhatmighthappenwithafunnygirllikethattodealwith。Therewereninetytoonechancesagainstit。TothismomentIcan’tmakeoutwhyyouwishedforit。\"
\"H’m！now，Isuppose，youandyourhusbandwillneverwearyofeggingmeontoworkagain。You’llbeginyourlecturesaboutperseveranceandstrengthofwill，andallthat。Iknowitallbyheart，\"saidGania，laughing。
\"He’sgotsomenewideainhishead，\"thoughtVaria。\"Aretheypleasedoverthere——theparents？\"askedGania，suddenly。
\"N——no，Idon’tthinktheyare。Youcanjudgeforyourself。I
thinkthegeneralispleasedenough；hermotherisalittleuneasy。ShealwaysloathedtheideaoftheprinceasaHUSBAND；
everybodyknowsthat。\"
\"Ofcourse，naturally。Thebridegroomisanimpossibleandridiculousone。Imean，hasSHEgivenherformalconsent？\"
\"Shehasnotsaid’no，’uptonow，andthat’sall。Itwassuretobesowithher。Youknowwhatsheislike。Youknowhowabsurdlyshysheis。Yourememberhowsheusedtohideinacupboardasachild，soastoavoidseeingvisitors，forhoursatatime。Sheisjustthesamenow；but，doyouknow，Ithinkthereissomethingseriousinthematter，evenfromherside；Ifeelit，somehow。Shelaughsattheprince，theysay，frommorntonightinordertohideherrealfeelings；butyoumaybesureshefindsoccasiontosaysomethingorothertohimonthesly，forhehimselfisinastateofradianthappiness。Hewalksintheclouds；theysayheisextremelyfunnyjustnow；Ihearditfromthemselves。Theyseemedtobelaughingatmeintheirsleeves——
thoseeldergirls——Idon’tknowwhy。\"
Ganiahadbeguntofrown，andprobablyVariaaddedthislastsentenceinordertoprobehisthought。However，atthismoment，thenoisebeganagainupstairs。
\"I’llturnhimout！\"shoutedGania，gladoftheopportunityofventinghisvexation。\"Ishalljustturnhimout——wecan’thavethis。\"
\"Yes，andthenhe’llgoabouttheplaceanddisgraceusashedidyesterday。\"
\"How’ashedidyesterday’？Whatdoyoumean？Whatdidhedoyesterday？\"askedGania，inalarm。
\"Why，goodnessme，don’tyouknow？\"Variastoppedshort。
\"What？Youdon’tmeantosaythathewentthereyesterday！\"criedGania，flushingredwithshameandanger。\"Goodheavens，Varia！
Speak！Youhavejustbeenthere。WAShethereornot，QUICK？\"AndGaniarushedforthedoor。Variafollowedandcaughthimbybothhands。
\"Whatareyoudoing？Whereareyougoingto？Youcan’tlethimgonow；ifyoudohe’llgoanddosomethingworse。\"
\"Whatdidhedothere？Whatdidhesay？\"\"Theycouldn’ttellmethemselves；theycouldn’tmakeheadortailofit；buthefrightenedthemall。Hecametoseethegeneral，whowasnotathome；soheaskedforLizabethaProkofievna。Firstofall，hebeggedherforsomeplace，orsituation，forworkofsomekind，andthenhebegantocomplainaboutUS，aboutmeandmyhusband，andyou，especiallyYOU；hesaidalotofthings。\"
\"Oh！couldn’tyoufindout？\"mutteredGania，tremblinghysterically。
\"No——nothingmorethanthat。Why，theycouldn’tunderstandhimthemselves；andverylikelydidn’ttellmeall。\"
Ganiaseizedhisheadwithbothhandsandtotteredtothewindow；
Variasatdownattheotherwindow。
\"Funnygirl，Aglaya，\"sheobserved，afterapause。\"Whensheleftmeshesaid，’Givemyspecialandpersonalrespectstoyourparents；Ishallcertainlyfindanopportunitytoseeyourfatheroneday，’andsoseriousoverit。She’sastrangecreature。\"
\"Wasn’tshejoking？Shewasspeakingsarcastically！\"\"Notabitofit；that’sjustthestrangepartofit。\"
\"Doessheknowaboutfather，doyouthink——ornot？\"
\"ThattheydoNOTknowaboutitinthehouseisquitecertain，therestofthem，Imean；butyouhavegivenmeanidea。Aglayaperhapsknows。Shealone，though，ifanyone；forthesisterswereasastonishedasIwastohearherspeaksoseriously。Ifsheknows，theprincemusthavetoldher。\"
\"Oh！it’snotagreatmattertoguesswhotoldher。Athief！A
thiefinourfamily，andtheheadofthefamily，too！\"
\"Oh！nonsense！\"criedVaria，angrily。\"Thatwasnothingbutadrunkard’stale。Nonsense！Why，whoinventedthewholething