Lebedeffandtheprince——aprettypair！Bothwereprobablydrunk。\"
\"Fatherisadrunkardandathief；Iamabeggar，andthehusbandofmysisterisausurer，\"continuedGania，bitterly。\"TherewasaprettylistofadvantageswithwhichtoenchanttheheartofAglaya。\"
\"Thatsamehusbandofyoursister，theusurer——\"
\"Feedsme？Goon。Don’tstandonceremony，pray。\"
\"Don’tloseyourtemper。Youarejustlikeaschoolboy。YouthinkthatallthissortofthingwouldharmyouinAglaya’seyes，doyou？Youlittleknowhercharacter。Sheiscapableofrefusingthemostbrilliantparty，andrunningawayandstarvinginagarretwithsomewretchedstudent；that’sthesortofgirlsheis。Younevercouldordidunderstandhowinterestingyouwouldhaveseeninhereyesifyouhadcomefirmlyandproudlythroughourmisfortunes。Theprincehassimplycaughtherwithhookandline；firstly，becauseheneverthoughtoffishingforher，andsecondly，becauseheisanidiotintheeyesofmostpeople。It’squiteenoughforherthatbyacceptinghimsheputsherfamilyoutandannoysthemallround——that’swhatshelikes。Youdon’tunderstandthesethings。\"
\"WeshallseewhetherIunderstandorno！\"saidGania，enigmatically。\"ButIshouldn’tlikehertoknowallaboutfather，allthesame。Ithoughttheprincewouldmanagetoholdhistongueaboutthis，atleast。HepreventedLebedeffspreadingthenews——hewouldn’teventellmeallwhenIaskedhim——\"
\"Thenyoumustseethatheisnotresponsible。Whatdoesitmattertoyounow，inanycase？Whatareyouhopingforstill？IfyouHAVEahopeleft，itisthatyoursufferingairmaysoftenherhearttowardsyou。\"
\"Oh，shewouldfunkascandallikeanyoneelse。Youarealltarredwithonebrush！\"
\"What！AGLAYAwouldhavefunked？Youareachicken-heartedfellow，Gania！\"saidVaria，lookingatherbrotherwithcontempt。
\"Notoneofusisworthmuch。Aglayamaybeawildsortofagirl，butsheisfarnoblerthananyofus，athousandtimesnobler！\"
\"Well——come！there’snothingtogetcrossabout，\"saidGania。
\"AllI’mafraidofis——mother。I’mafraidthisscandalaboutfathermaycometoherears；perhapsithasalready。Iamdreadfullyafraid。\"
\"Itundoubtedlyhasalready！\"observedGania。
Variahadrisenfromherplaceandhadstartedtogoupstairstohermother；butatthisobservationofGania’ssheturnedandgazedathimattentively。
\"Whocouldhavetoldher？\"
\"Hippolyte，probably。Hewouldthinkitthemostdelightfulamusementintheworldtotellherofittheinstanthemovedoverhere；Ihaven’tadoubtofit。\"
\"Buthowcouldheknowanythingofit？Tellmethat。Lebedeffandtheprincedeterminedtotellnoone——evenColiaknowsnothing。\"
\"What，Hippolyte？Hefounditouthimself，ofcourse。Why，youhavenoideawhatacunninglittleanimalheis；dirtylittlegossip！Hehasthemostextraordinarynoseforsmellingoutotherpeople’ssecrets，oranythingapproachingtoscandal。Believeitornot，butI’mprettysurehehasgotroundAglaya。Ifhehasn’t，hesoonwill。Rogojinisintimatewithhim，too。Howtheprincedoesn’tnoticeit，Ican’tunderstand。Thelittlewretchconsidersmehisenemynowanddoeshisbesttocatchmetripping。Whatonearthdoesitmattertohim，whenhe’sdying？
However，you’llsee；IshallcatchHIMtrippingyet，andnotheme。\"
\"Whydidyougethimoverhere，ifyouhatehimso？Andisitreallyworthyourwhiletotrytoscoreoffhim？\"
\"Why，itwasyourselfwhoadvisedmetobringhimover！\"
\"Ithoughthemightbeuseful。YouknowheisinlovewithAglayahimself，now，andhaswrittentoher；hehasevenwrittentoLizabethaProkofievna！\"
\"Oh！he’snotdangerousthere！\"criedGania，laughingangrily。
\"However，Ibelievethereissomethingofthatsortintheair；
heisverylikelytobeinlove，forheisamereboy。Buthewon’twriteanonymousletterstotheoldlady；thatwouldbetooaudaciousathingforhimtoattempt；butIdaresweartheveryfirstthinghedidwastoshowmeuptoAglayaasabasedeceiverandintriguer。IconfessIwasfoolenoughtoattemptsomethingthroughhimatfirst。Ithoughthewouldthrowhimselfintomyserviceoutofrevengefulfeelingstowardstheprince，theslylittlebeast！ButIknowhimbetternow。Asforthetheft，hemayhaveheardofitfromthewidowinPetersburg，foriftheoldmancommittedhimselftosuchanact，hecanhavedoneitfornootherobjectbuttogivethemoneytoher。Hippolytesaidtome，withoutanyprelude，thatthegeneralhadpromisedthewidowfourhundredroubles。OfcourseIunderstood，andthelittlewretchlookedatmewithanastysortofsatisfaction。Iknowhim；youmaydependuponithewentandtoldmothertoo，forthepleasureofwoundingher。Andwhydoesn’thedie，Ishouldliketoknow？
Heundertooktodiewithinthreeweeks，andhereheisgettingfatter。Hiscoughisbetter，too。Itwasonlyyesterdaythathesaidthatwastheseconddayhehadn’tcoughedblood。\"
\"Well，turnhimout！\"
\"Idon’tHATE，Idespisehim，\"saidGania，grandly。\"Well，Idohatehim，ifyoulike！\"headded，withasuddenaccessofrage，\"andI’lltellhimsotohisface，evenwhenhe’sdying！Ifyouhadbutreadhisconfession——goodLord！whatrefinementofimpudence！Oh，butI’dhavelikedtowhiphimthenandthere，likeaschoolboy，justtoseehowsurprisedhewouldhavebeen！
Nowhehateseverybodybecausehe——Oh，Isay，whatoneartharetheydoingthere！Listentothatnoise！Ireallycan’tstandthisanylonger。Ptitsin！\"hecried，asthelatterenteredtheroom，\"whatinthenameofgoodnessarewecomingto？Listentothat——\"
Butthenoisecamerapidlynearer，thedoorburstopen，andoldGeneralIvolgin，raging，furious，purple-faced，andtremblingwithanger，rushedin。HewasfollowedbyNinaAlexandrovna，Colia，andbehindtherest，Hippolyte。
II。
HIPPOLYTEhadnowbeenfivedaysatthePtitsins’。Hisflittingfromtheprince’stothesenewquartershadbeenbroughtaboutquitenaturallyandwithoutmanywords。Hedidnotquarrelwiththeprince——infact，theyseemedtopartasfriends。Gania，whohadbeenhostileenoughonthateventfulevening，hadhimselfcometoseehimacoupleofdayslater，probablyinobediencetosomesuddenimpulse。Forsomereasonorother，Rogojintoohadbeguntovisitthesickboy。Theprincethoughtitmightbebetterforhimtomoveawayfromhistheprince’shouse。
Hippolyteinformedhim，ashetookhisleave，thatPtitsin\"hadbeenkindenoughtoofferhimacorner，\"anddidnotsayawordaboutGania，thoughGaniahadprocuredhisinvitation，andhimselfcametofetchhimaway。Ganianoticedthisatthetime，andputittoHippolyte’sdebitonaccount。
GaniawasrightwhenhetoldhissisterthatHippolytewasgettingbetter；thathewasbetterwasclearatthefirstglance。
Heenteredtheroomnowlastofall，deliberately，andwithadisagreeablesmileonhislips。
NinaAlexandrovnacamein，lookingfrightened。Shehadchangedmuchsincewelastsawher，halfayearago，andhadgrownthinandpale。Colialookedworriedandperplexed。Hecouldnotunderstandthevagariesofthegeneral，andknewnothingofthelastachievementofthatworthy，whichhadcausedsomuchcommotioninthehouse。Buthecouldseethathisfatherhadoflatechangedverymuch，andthathehadbeguntobehaveinsoextraordinaryafashionbothathomeandabroadthathewasnotlikethesameman。Whatperplexedanddisturbedhimasmuchasanythingwasthathisfatherhadentirelygivenupdrinkingduringthelastfewdays。ColiaknewthathehadquarrelledwithbothLebedeffandtheprince，andhadjustboughtasmallbottleofvodkaandbroughtithomeforhisfather。
\"Really，mother，\"hehadassuredNinaAlexandrovnaupstairs，\"reallyyouhadbetterlethimdrink。Hehasnothadadropforthreedays；hemustbesufferingagonies——Thegeneralnowenteredtheroom，threwthedoorwideopen，andstoodonthethresholdtremblingwithindignation。
\"Lookhere，mydearsir，\"hebegan，addressingPtitsininaveryloudtoneofvoice；\"ifyouhavereallymadeupyourmindtosacrificeanoldman——yourfathertoooratalleventsfatherofyourwife——anoldmanwhohasservedhisemperor——toawretchedlittleatheistlikethis，allIcansayis，sir，myfootshallceasetotreadyourfloors。Makeyourchoice，sir；makeyourchoicequickly，ifyouplease！Meorthis——screw！Yes，screw，sir；Isaiditaccidentally，butletthewordstand——thisscrew，forhescrewsanddrillshimselfintomysoul——\"
\"Hadn’tyoubettersaycorkscrew？\"saidHippolyte。
\"No，sir，NOTcorkscrew。Iamageneral，notabottle，sir。Makeyourchoice，sir——meorhim。\"
HereColiahandedhimachair，andhesubsidedintoit，breathlesswithrage。
\"Hadn’tyoubetter——better——takeanap？\"murmuredthestupefiedPtitsin。
\"Anap？\"shriekedthegeneral。\"Iamnotdrunk，sir；youinsultme！Isee，\"hecontinued，rising，\"Iseethatallareagainstmehere。Enough——Igo；butknow，sirs——knowthat——\"
Hewasnotallowedtofinishhissentence。Somebodypushedhimbackintohischair，andbeggedhimtobecalm。NinaAlexandrovnatrembled，andcriedquietly。Ganiaretiredtothewindowindisgust。
\"ButwhathaveIdone？Whatishisgrievance？\"askedHippolyte，grinning。
\"Whathaveyoudone，indeed？\"putinNinaAlexandrovna。\"Yououghttobeashamedofyourself，teasinganoldmanlikethat——
andinyourposition，too。\"
\"AndpraywhatISmyposition，madame？Ihavethegreatestrespectforyou，personally；but——\"
\"He’salittlescrew，\"criedthegeneral；\"hedrillsholesmyheartandsoul。Hewishesmetobeaperverttoatheism。Know，youyounggreenhorn，thatIwascoveredwithhonoursbeforeeveryouwereborn；andyouarenothingbetterthanawretchedlittleworm，tornintwowithcoughing，anddyingslowlyofyourownmaliceandunbelief。WhatdidGavrilabringyouoverherefor？
They’reallagainstme，eventomyownson——allagainstme。\"
\"Oh，come——nonsense！\"criedGania；\"ifyoudidnotgoshamingusalloverthetown，thingsmightbebetterforallparties。\"
\"What——shameyou？I？——whatdoyoumean，youyoungcalf？Ishameyou？Icanonlydoyouhonour，sir；Icannotshameyou。\"
Hejumpedupfromhischairinafitofuncontrollablerage。
Ganiawasveryangrytoo。
\"Honour，indeed！\"saidthelatter，withcontempt。
\"Whatdoyousay，sir？\"growledthegeneral，takingasteptowardshim。
\"IsaythatIhavebuttoopenmymouth，andyou——\"
Ganiabegan，butdidnotfinish。Thetwo——fatherandson——stoodbeforeoneanother，bothunspeakablyagitated，especiallyGania。
\"Gania，Gania，reflect！\"criedhismother，hurriedly。
\"It’sallnonsenseonbothsides，\"snappedoutVaria。\"Letthemalone，mother。\"
\"It’sonlyformother’ssakethatIsparehim，\"saidGania，tragically。
\"Speak！\"saidthegeneral，besidehimselfwithrageandexcitement；\"speak——underthepenaltyofafather’scurse\"Oh，father’scursebehanged——youdon’tfrightenmethatway！\"
saidGania。\"WhosefaultisitthatyouhavebeenasmadasaMarchhareallthisweek？Itisjustaweek——yousee，Icountthedays。Takecarenow；don’tprovokemetoomuch，orI’lltellall。
WhydidyougototheEpanchins’yesterday——tellmethat？Andyoucallyourselfanoldman，too，withgreyhair，andfatherofafamily！H’m——nicesortofafather。\"
\"Bequiet，Gania，\"criedColia。\"Shutup，youfool！\"
\"Yes，buthowhaveIoffendedhim？\"repeatedHippolyte，stillinthesamejeeringvoice。\"Whydoeshecallmeascrew？Youallheardit。HecametomehimselfandbegantellingmeaboutsomeCaptainEropegoff。Idon’twishforyourcompany，general。I
alwaysavoidedyou——youknowthat。WhathaveItodowithCaptainEropegoff？AllIdidwastoexpressmyopinionthatprobablyCaptainEropegoffneverexistedatall！\"
\"Ofcourseheneverexisted！\"Ganiainterrupted。
Butthegeneralonlystoodstupefiedandgazedaroundinadazedway。Gania’sspeechhadimpressedhim，withitsterriblecandour。
Forthefirstmomentortwohecouldfindnowordstoanswerhim，anditwasonlywhenHippolyteburstoutlaughing，andsaid:
\"There，yousee！EvenyourownsonsupportsmystatementthatthereneverwassuchapersonasCaptainEropegoff！\"thattheoldfellowmutteredconfusedly:
\"KapitonEropegoff——notCaptainEropegoff！——Kapiton——majorretired——Eropegoff——Kapiton。\"
\"Kapitondidn’texisteither！\"persistedGania，maliciously。
\"What？Didn’texist？\"criedthepoorgeneral，andadeepblushsuffusedhisface。
\"That’lldo，Gania！\"criedVariaandPtitsin。
\"Shutup，Gania！\"saidColia。
Butthisintercessionseemedtorekindlethegeneral。
\"Whatdidyoumean，sir，thathedidn’texist？Explainyourself，\"
herepeated，angrily。
\"BecauseheDIDN’Texist——nevercouldandneverdid——there！You’dbetterdropthesubject，Iwarnyou！\"
\"Andthisismyson——myownson——whomI——oh，graciousHeaven！
Eropegoff——EroshkaEropegoffdidn’texist！\"
\"Ha，ha！it’sEroshkanow，\"laughedHippolyte。
\"No，sir，Kapitoshka——notEroshka。Imean，KapitonAlexeyevitch——
retiredmajor——marriedMariaPetrovnaLu——Lu——hewasmyfriendandcompanion——Lutugoff——fromourearliestbeginnings。Iclosedhiseyesforhim——hewaskilled。KapitonEropegoffneverexisted！
tfu！\"
Thegeneralshoutedinhisfury；butitwastobeconcludedthathiswrathwasnotkindledbytheexpresseddoubtastoKapiton’sexistence。Thiswashisscapegoat；buthisexcitementwascausedbysomethingquitedifferent。AsarulehewouldhavemerelyshouteddownthedoubtastoKapiton，toldalongyarnabouthisfriend，andeventuallyretiredupstairstohisroom。Buttoday，inthestrangeuncertaintyofhumannature，itseemedtorequirebutsosmallanoffenceasthistomakehiscuptooverflow。Theoldmangrewpurpleintheface，heraisedhishands。\"Enoughofthis！\"heyelled。\"Mycurse——away，outofthehouseIgo！Colia，bringmybagaway！\"Helefttheroomhastilyandinaparoxysmofrage。
Hiswife，Colia，andPtitsinranoutafterhim。
\"Whathaveyoudonenow？\"saidVariatoGania。\"He’llprobablybemakingoffTHEREagain！Whatadisgraceitallis！\"
\"Well，heshouldn’tsteal，\"criedGania，pantingwithfury。AndjustatthismomenthiseyemetHippolyte’s。
\"Asforyou，sir，\"hecried，\"youshouldatleastrememberthatyouareinastrangehouseand——receivinghospitality；youshouldnottaketheopportunityoftormentinganoldman，sir，whoistooevidentlyoutofhismind。\"
Hippolytelookedfurious，butherestrainedhimself。
\"Idon’tquiteagreewithyouthatyourfatherisoutofhismind，\"heobserved，quietly。\"Onthecontrary，Icannothelpthinkinghehasbeenlessdementedoflate。Don’tyouthinkso？
Hehasgrownsocunningandcareful，andweighshiswordssodeliberately；hespoketomeaboutthatKapitonfellowwithanobject，youknow！Justfancy——hewantedmeto——\"
\"Oh，deviltakewhathewantedyoutodo！Don’ttrytobetoocunningwithme，youngman！\"shoutedGania。\"Ifyouareawareoftherealreasonformyfather’spresentconditionandyouhavekeptsuchanexcellentspyingwatchduringtheselastfewdaysthatyouaresuretobeawareofit——youhadnorightwhatevertotormentthe——unfortunateman，andtoworrymymotherbyyourexaggerationsoftheaffair；becausethewholebusinessisnonsense——simplyadrunkenfreak，andnothingmore，quiteunprovedbyanyevidence，andIdon’tbelievethatmuchofit！\"
hesnappedhisfingers。\"Butyoumustneedsspyandwatchoverusall，becauseyouarea-a——\"
\"Screw！\"laughedHippolyte。
\"Becauseyouareahumbug，sir；andthoughtfittoworrypeopleforhalfanhour，andtriedtofrightenthemintobelievingthatyouwouldshootyourselfwithyourlittleemptypistol，pirouettingaboutandplayingatsuicide！Igaveyouhospitality，youhavefattenedonit，yourcoughhasleftyou，andyourepayallthis——\"
\"Excuseme——twowords！IamVarvaraArdalionovna’sguest，notyours；YOUhaveextendednohospitalitytome。Onthecontrary，ifIamnotmistaken，IbelieveyouareyourselfindebtedtoMr。
Ptitsin’shospitality。FourdaysagoIbeggedmymothertocomedownhereandfindlodgings，becauseIcertainlydofeelbetterhere，thoughIamnotfat，norhaveIceasedtocough。Iamtodayinformedthatmyroomisreadyforme；therefore，havingthankedyoursisterandmotherfortheirkindnesstome，Iintendtoleavethehousethisevening。Ibegyourpardon——Iinterruptedyou——Ithinkyouwereabouttoaddsomething？\"
\"Oh——ifthatisthestateofaffairs——\"beganGania。
\"Excuseme——Iwilltakeaseat，\"interruptedHippolyteoncemore，sittingdowndeliberately；\"forIamnotstrongyet。Nowthen，I
amreadytohearyou。Especiallyasthisisthelastchanceweshallhaveofatalk，andverylikelythelastmeetingweshalleverhaveatall。\"
Ganiafeltalittleguilty。
\"IassureyouIdidnotmeantoreckonupdebitsandcredits，\"hebegan，\"andifyou——\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyourcondescension，\"saidHippolyte。\"Asforme，Ipromisedmyself，onthefirstdayofmyarrivalinthishouse，thatIwouldhavethesatisfactionofsettlingaccountswithyouinaverythoroughmannerbeforeIsaidgood-byetoyou。
Iintendtoperformthisoperationnow，ifyoulike；afteryou，though，ofcourse。\"
\"MayIaskyoutobesogoodastoleavethisroom？\"
\"You’dbetterspeakout。You’llbesorryafterwardsifyoudon’t。\"
\"Hippolyte，stop，please！It’ssodreadfullyundignified，\"saidVaria。
\"Well，onlyforthesakeofalady，\"saidHippolyte，laughing。\"I
amreadytoputoffthereckoning，butonlyputitoff，VarvaraArdalionovna，becauseanexplanationbetweenyourbrotherandmyselfhasbecomeanabsolutenecessity，andIcouldnotthinkofleavingthehousewithoutclearingupallmisunderstandingsfirst。\"
\"Inaword，youareawretchedlittlescandal-monger，\"criedGania，\"andyoucannotgoawaywithoutascandal！\"
\"Yousee，\"saidHippolyte，coolly，\"youcan’trestrainyourself。
You’llbedreadfullysorryafterwardsifyoudon’tspeakoutnow。
Come，youshallhavethefirstsay。I’llwait。\"
Ganiawassilentandmerelylookedcontemptuouslyathim。
\"Youwon’t？Verywell。Ishallbeasshortaspossible，formypart。Twoorthreetimesto-dayIhavehadtheword’hospitality’
pusheddownmythroat；thisisnotfair。Ininvitingmehereyouyourselfentrappedmeforyourownuse；youthoughtIwishedtorevengemyselfupontheprince。YouheardthatAglayaIvanovnahadbeenkindtomeandreadmyconfession。MakingsurethatI
shouldgivemyselfuptoyourinterests，youhopedthatyoumightgetsomeassistanceoutofme。Iwillnotgointodetails。I
don’taskeitheradmissionorconfirmationofthisfromyourself；
Iamquitecontenttoleaveyoutoyourconscience，andtofeelthatweunderstandoneanothercapitally。\"
\"Whatahistoryyouareweavingoutofthemostordinarycircumstances！\"criedVaria。
\"Itoldyouthefellowwasnothingbutascandalmonger，\"saidGania。
\"Excuseme，VariaArdalionovna，Iwillproceed。Ican，ofcourse，neitherlovenorrespecttheprince，thoughheisagood-heartedfellow，ifalittlequeer。Butthereisnoneedwhateverformetohatehim。Iquiteunderstoodyourbrotherwhenhefirstofferedmeaidagainsttheprince，thoughIdidnotshowit；I
knewwellthatyourbrotherwasmakingaridiculousmistakeinme。Iamreadytosparehim，however，evennow；butsolelyoutofrespectforyourself，VarvaraArdalionovna。
\"HavingnowshownyouthatIamnotquitesuchafoolasIlook，andthatIhavetobefishedforwitharodandlineforagoodlongwhilebeforeIamcaught，IwillproceedtoexplainwhyI
speciallywishedtomakeyourbrotherlookafool。Thatmymotivepowerishate，Idonotattempttoconceal。IhavefeltthatbeforedyingandIamdying，howevermuchfatterImayappeartoyou，Imustabsolutelymakeafoolof，atleast，oneofthatclassofmenwhichhasdoggedmeallmylife，whichIhatesocordially，andwhichissoprominentlyrepresentedbyyourmuchesteemedbrother。Ishouldnotenjoyparadisenearlysomuchwithouthavingdonethisfirst。Ihateyou，GavrilaArdalionovitch，solelythismayseemcurioustoyou，butI
repeat——solelybecauseyouarethetype，andincarnation，andhead，andcrownofthemostimpudent，themostself-satisfied，themostvulgaranddetestableformofcommonplaceness。Youareordinaryoftheordinary；youhavenochanceofeverfatheringthepettiestideaofyourown。Andyetyouareasjealousandconceitedasyoucanpossiblybe；youconsideryourselfagreatgenius；ofthisyouarepersuaded，althoughtherearedarkmomentsofdoubtandrage，wheneventhisfactseemsuncertain。
Therearespotsofdarknessonyourhorizon，thoughtheywilldisappearwhenyoubecomecompletelystupid。Butalongandchequeredpathliesbeforeyou，andofthisIamglad。Inthefirstplaceyouwillnevergainacertainperson。\"
\"Come，come！Thisisintolerable！Youhadbetterstop，youlittlemischief-makingwretch！\"criedVaria。Ganiahadgrownverypale；
hetrembled，butsaidnothing。
Hippolytepaused，andlookedathimintentlyandwithgreatgratification。HethenturnedhisgazeuponVaria，bowed，andwentout，withoutaddinganotherword。
Ganiamightjustlycomplainofthehardnesswithwhichfatetreatedhim。Variadarednotspeaktohimforalongwhile，ashestrodepasther，backwardsandforwards。Atlasthewentandstoodatthewindow，lookingout，withhisbackturnedtowardsher。Therewasafearfulrowgoingonupstairsagain。
\"Areyouoff？\"saidGania，suddenly，remarkingthatshehadrisenandwasabouttoleavetheroom。\"Waitamoment——lookatthis。\"
Heapproachedthetableandlaidasmallsheetofpaperbeforeher。Itlookedlikealittlenote。
\"Goodheavens！\"criedVaria，raisingherhands。
Thiswasthenote:
\"GAVRILAARDOLIONOVITCH，——persuadedofyourkindnessofheart，I
havedeterminedtoaskyouradviceonamatterofgreatimportancetomyself。Ishouldliketomeetyoutomorrowmorningatseveno’clockbythegreenbenchinthepark。Itisnotfarfromourhouse。VarvaraArdalionovna，whomustaccompanyyou，knowstheplacewell。
\"A。E。\"
\"Whatonearthisonetomakeofagirllikethat？\"saidVaria。
Gania，littleashefeltinclinedforswaggeratthismoment，couldnotavoidshowinghistriumph，especiallyjustaftersuchhumiliatingremarksasthoseofHippolyte。Asmileofself-
satisfactionbeamedonhisface，andVariatoowasbrimmingoverwithdelight。
\"Andthisistheverydaythattheyweretoannouncetheengagement！Whatwillshedonext？\"
\"Whatdoyousupposeshewantstotalkabouttomorrow？\"askedGania。
\"Oh，THAT’Sallthesame！Thechiefthingisthatshewantstoseeyouaftersixmonths’absence。Lookhere，Gania，thisisaSERIOUSbusiness。Don’tswaggeragainandlosethegame——playcarefully，butdon’tfunk，doyouunderstand？AsifshecouldpossiblyavoidseeingwhatIhavebeenworkingforallthislastsixmonths！Andjustimagine，Iwastherethismorningandnotawordofthis！Iwasthere，youknow，onthesly。Theoldladydidnotknow，orshewouldhavekickedmeout。Iransomeriskforyou，yousee。Ididsowanttofindout，atallhazards。\"
Heretherewasafranticnoiseupstairsoncemore；severalpeopleseemedtoberushingdownstairsatonce。
\"Now，Gania，\"criedVaria，frightened，\"wecan’tlethimgoout！
Wecan’taffordtohaveabreathofscandalaboutthetownatthismoment。Runafterhimandbeghispardon——quick。\"
Butthefatherofthefamilywasoutintheroadalready。Coliawascarryinghisbagforhim；NinaAlexandrovnastoodandcriedonthedoorstep；shewantedtorunafterthegeneral，butPtitsinkeptherback。
\"Youwillonlyexcitehimmore，\"hesaid。\"Hehasnowhereelsetogoto——he’llbebackhereinhalfanhour。I’vetalkeditalloverwithColia；lethimplaythefoolabit，itwilldohimgood。\"
\"Whatareyouupto？Whereareyouoffto？You’venowheretogoto，youknow，\"criedGania，outofthewindow。
\"Comeback，father；theneighbourswillhear！\"criedVaria。
Thegeneralstopped，turnedround，raisedhishandsandremarked:
\"Mycursebeuponthishouse！\"
\"Whichobservationshouldalwaysbemadeinastheatricalatoneaspossible，\"mutteredGania，shuttingthewindowwithabang。
Theneighboursundoubtedlydidhear。Variarushedoutoftheroom。
Nosoonerhadhissisterlefthimalone，thanGaniatookthenoteoutofhispocket，kissedit，andpirouettedaround。
III。
Asageneralrule，oldGeneralIvolgin’sparoxysmsendedinsmoke。Hehadbeforethisexperiencedfitsofsuddenfury，butnotveryoften，becausehewasreallyamanofpeacefulandkindlydisposition。Hehadtriedhundredsoftimestoovercomethedissolutehabitswhichhehadcontractedoflateyears。Hewouldsuddenlyrememberthathewas\"afather，\"wouldbereconciledwithhiswife，andshedgenuinetears。HisfeelingforNinaAlexandrovnaamountedalmosttoadoration；shehadpardonedsomuchinsilence，andlovedhimstillinspiteofthestateofdegradationintowhichhehadfallen。Butthegeneral’sstruggleswithhisownweaknessneverlastedverylong。Hewas，inhisway，animpetuousman，andaquietlifeofrepentanceinthebosomofhisfamilysoonbecameinsupportabletohim。Intheendherebelled，andflewintorageswhichheregretted，perhaps，evenashegavewaytothem，butwhichwerebeyondhiscontrol。Hepickedquarrelswitheveryone，begantoholdfortheloquently，exactedunlimitedrespect，andatlastdisappearedfromthehouse，andsometimesdidnotreturnforalongtime。Hehadgivenupinterferingintheaffairsofhisfamilyfortwoyearsnow，andknewnothingaboutthembutwhathegatheredfromhearsay。
Butonthisoccasiontherewassomethingmoreseriousthanusual。
Everyoneseemedtoknowsomething，buttobeafraidtotalkaboutit。
Thegeneralhadturnedupinthebosomofhisfamilytwoorthreedaysbefore，butnot，asusual，withtheolivebranchofpeaceinhishand，notinthegarbofpenitence——inwhichhewasusuallycladonsuchoccasions——but，onthecontrary，inanuncommonlybadtemper。Hehadarrivedinaquarrelsomemood，pitchingintoeveryonehecameacross，andtalkingaboutallsortsandkindsofsubjectsinthemostunexpectedmanner，sothatitwasimpossibletodiscoverwhatitwasthatwasreallyputtinghimout。Atmomentshewouldbeapparentlyquitebrightandhappy；butasarulehewouldsitmoodyandthoughtful。HewouldabruptlycommencetoholdforthabouttheEpanchins，aboutLebedeff，ortheprince，andequallyabruptlywouldstopshortandrefusetospeakanotherword，answeringallfurtherquestionswithastupidsmile，unconsciousthathewassmiling，orthathehadbeenaskedaquestion。Thewholeofthepreviousnighthehadspenttossingaboutandgroaning，andpoorNinaAlexandrovnahadbeenbusymakingcoldcompressesandwarmfomentationsandsoon，withoutbeingveryclearhowtoapplythem。Hehadfallenasleepafterawhile，butnotforlong，andhadawakedinastateofviolenthypochondriawhichhadendedinhisquarrelwithHippolyte，andthesolemncursingofPtitsin’sestablishmentgenerally。Itwasalsoobservedduringthosetwoorthreedaysthathewasinastateofmorbidself-esteem，andwasspeciallytouchyonallpointsofhonour。Coliainsisted，indiscussingthematterwithhismother，thatallthiswasbuttheoutcomeofabstinencefromdrink，orperhapsofpiningafterLebedeff，withwhomuptothistimethegeneralhadbeenupontermsofthegreatestfriendship；
butwithwhom，forsomereasonorother，hehadquarrelledafewdayssince，partingfromhimingreatwrath。Therehadalsobeenascenewiththeprince。Coliahadaskedanexplanationofthelatter，buthadbeenforcedtoconcludethathewasnottoldthewholetruth。
IfHippolyteandNinaAlexandrovnahad，asGaniasuspected，hadsomespecialconversationaboutthegeneral’sactions，itwasstrangethatthemaliciousyouth，whomGaniahadcalledascandal-mongertohisface，hadnotallowedhimselfasimilarsatisfactionwithColia。
ThefactisthatprobablyHippolytewasnotquitesoblackasGaniapaintedhim；anditwashardlylikelythathehadinformedNinaAlexandrovnaofcertainevents，ofwhichweknow，forthemerepleasureofgivingherpain。Wemustneverforgetthathumanmotivesaregenerallyfarmorecomplicatedthanweareapttosuppose，andthatwecanveryrarelyaccuratelydescribethemotivesofanother。Itismuchbetterforthewriter，asarule，tocontenthimselfwiththebarestatementofevents；andweshalltakethislinewithregardtothecatastropherecordedabove，andshallstatetheremainingeventsconnectedwiththegeneral’stroubleshortly，becausewefeelthatwehavealreadygiventothissecondarycharacterinourstorymoreattentionthanweoriginallyintended。
Thecourseofeventshadmarchedinthefollowingorder。WhenLebedeffreturned，incompanywiththegeneral，aftertheirexpeditiontotownafewdayssince，forthepurposeofinvestigation，hebroughttheprincenoinformationwhatever。Ifthelatterhadnothimselfbeenoccupiedwithotherthoughtsandimpressionsatthetime，hemusthaveobservedthatLebedeffnotonlywasveryuncommunicative，butevenappearedanxioustoavoidhim。
Whentheprincedidgivethematteralittleattention，herecalledthefactthatduringthesedayshehadalwaysfoundLebedefftobeinradiantlygoodspirits，whentheyhappenedtomeet；andfurther，thatthegeneralandLebedeffwerealwaystogether。Thetwofriendsdidnotseemevertobepartedforamoment。
Occasionallytheprinceheardloudtalkingandlaughingupstairs，andoncehedetectedthesoundofajollysoldier’ssonggoingonabove，andrecognizedtheunmistakablebassofthegeneral’svoice。Butthesuddenoutbreakofsongdidnotlast；andforanhourafterwardstheanimatedsoundofapparentlydrunkenconversationcontinuedtobeheardfromabove。Atlengththerewastheclearestevidenceofagrandmutualembracing，andsomeoneburstintotears。Shortlyafterthis，however，therewasaviolentbutshort-livedquarrel，withloudtalkingonbothsides。
AllthesedaysColiahadbeeninastateofgreatmentalpreoccupation。Muishkinwasusuallyoutallday，andonlycamehomelateatnight。OnhisreturnhewasinvariablyinformedthatColiahadbeenlookingforhim。However，whentheydidmeet，Colianeverhadanythingparticulartotellhim，exceptingthathewashighlydissatisfiedwiththegeneralandhispresentconditionofmindandbehaviour。
\"Theydrageachotherabouttheplace，\"hesaid，andgetdrunktogetheratthepubclosebyhere，andquarrelinthestreetonthewayhome，andembraceoneanotherafterit，anddon’tseemtopartforamoment。\"
Whentheprincepointedoutthattherewasnothingnewaboutthat，forthattheyhadalwaysbehavedinthismannertogether，Coliadidnotknowwhattosay；infacthecouldnotexplainwhatitwasthatspeciallyworriedhim，justnow，abouthisfather。
Onthemorningfollowingthebacchanaliansongsandquarrelsrecordedabove，astheprincesteppedoutofthehouseatabouteleveno’clock，thegeneralsuddenlyappearedbeforehim，muchagitated。
\"Ihavelongsoughtthehonourandopportunityofmeetingyou——
much-esteemedLefNicolaievitch，\"hemurmured，pressingtheprince’shandveryhard，almostpainfullyso；\"long——verylong。\"
Theprincebeggedhimtostepinandsitdown。
\"No——Iwillnotsitdown，——Iamkeepingyou，Isee，——anothertime！——IthinkImaybepermittedtocongratulateyouupontherealizationofyourheart’sbestwishes，isitnotso？\"
\"Whatbestwishes？\"
Theprinceblushed。Hethought，assomanyinhispositiondo，thatnobodyhadseen，heard，noticed，orunderstoodanything。
\"Oh——beeasy，sir，beeasy！Ishallnotwoundyourtenderestfeelings。I’vebeenthroughitallmyself，andIknowwellhowunpleasantitiswhenanoutsiderstickshisnoseinwhereheisnotwanted。Iexperiencethiseverymorning。Icametospeaktoyouaboutanothermatter，though，animportantmatter。Averyimportantmatter，prince。\"
Thelatterrequestedhimtotakeaseatoncemore，andsatdownhimself。
\"Well——justforonesecond，then。Thefactis，Icameforadvice。
OfcourseIlivenowwithoutanyverypracticalobjectsinlife；
but，beingfullofself-respect，inwhichqualitytheordinaryRussianissodeficientasarule，andofactivity，Iamdesirous，inaword，prince，ofplacingmyselfandmywifeandchildreninapositionof——infact，Iwantadvice。\"
Theprincecommendedhisaspirationswithwarmth。
\"Quiteso——quiteso！Butthisisallmerenonsense。Icameheretospeakofsomethingquitedifferent，somethingveryimportant，prince。AndIhavedeterminedtocometoyouastoamaninwhosesincerityandnobilityoffeelingIcantrustlike——like——areyousurprisedatmywords，prince？\"
Theprincewaswatchinghisguest，ifnotwithmuchsurprise，atalleventswithgreatattentionandcuriosity。
Theoldmanwasverypale；everynowandthenhislipstrembled，andhishandsseemedunabletorestquietly，butcontinuallymovedfromplacetoplace。Hehadtwicealreadyjumpedupfromhischairandsatdownagainwithoutbeingintheleastawareofit。Hewouldtakeupahookfromthetableandopenit——talkingallthewhile，——lookattheheadingofachapter，shutitandputitbackagain，seizinganotherimmediately，butholdingitunopenedinhishand，andwavingitintheairashespoke。
\"Butenough！\"hecried，suddenly。\"IseeIhavebeenboringyouwithmy——\"
\"Notintheleast——notintheleast，Iassureyou。Onthecontrary，Iamlisteningmostattentively，andamanxioustoguess-\"
\"Prince，Iwishtoplacemyselfinarespectableposition——Iwishtoesteemmyself——andto——\"
\"Mydearsir，amanofsuchnobleaspirationsisworthyofallesteembyvirtueofthoseaspirationsalone。\"
Theprincebroughtouthis\"copy-booksentence\"inthefirmbeliefthatitwouldproduceagoodeffect。Hefeltinstinctivelythatsomesuchwell-soundinghumbug，broughtoutatthepropermoment，wouldsoothetheoldman’sfeelings，andwouldbespeciallyacceptabletosuchamaninsuchaposition。Atallhazards，hisguestmustbedespatchedwithheartrelievedandspiritcomforted；thatwastheproblembeforetheprinceatthismoment。
Thephraseflatteredthegeneral，touchedhim，andpleasedhimmightily。Heimmediatelychangedhistone，andstartedoffonalongandsolemnexplanation。Butlistenashewould，theprincecouldmakeneitherheadnortailofit。
Thegeneralspokehotlyandquicklyfortenminutes；hespokeasthoughhiswordscouldnotkeeppacewithhiscrowdingthoughts。
Tearsstoodinhiseyes，andyethisspeechwasnothingbutacollectionofdisconnectedsentences，withoutbeginningandwithoutend——astringofunexpectedwordsandunexpectedsentiments——collidingwithoneanother，andjumpingoveroneanother，astheyburstfromhislips。
\"Enough！\"heconcludedatlast，\"youunderstandme，andthatisthegreatthing。Aheartlikeyourscannothelpunderstandingthesufferingsofanother。Prince，youaretheidealofgenerosity；
whatareothermenbesideyourself？Butyouareyoung——acceptmyblessing！Myprincipalobjectistobegyoutofixanhourforamostimportantconversation——thatismygreathope，prince。Myheartneedsbutalittlefriendshipandsympathy，andyetI
cannotalwaysfindmeanstosatisfyit。\"
\"Butwhynotnow？Iamreadytolisten，and——\"
\"No，no——prince，notnow！Nowisadream！Anditistoo，tooimportant！ItistobethehourofFatetome——MYOWNhour。Ourinterviewisnottobebrokeninuponbyeverychancecomer，everyimpertinentguest——andthereareplentyofsuchstupid，impertinentfellows\"——hebentoverandwhisperedmysteriously，withafunny，frightenedlookonhisface——\"whoareunworthytotieyourshoe，prince。Idon’tsayMINE，mind——youwillunderstandme，prince。OnlyYOUunderstandme，prince——nooneelse。HEdoesn’tunderstandme，heisabsolutely——ABSOLUTELY
unabletosympathize。ThefirstqualificationforunderstandinganotherisHeart。\"
Theprincewasratheralarmedatallthis，andwasobligedtoendbyappointingthesamehourofthefollowingdayfortheinterviewdesired。Thegenerallefthimmuchcomfortedandfarlessagitatedthanwhenhehadarrived。
Atsevenintheevening，theprincesenttorequestLebedefftopayhimavisit。Lebedeffcameatonce，and\"esteemeditanhonour，\"asheobserved，theinstantheenteredtheroom。Heactedasthoughtherehadneverbeentheslightestsuspicionofthefactthathehadsystematicallyavoidedtheprinceforthelastthreedays。
Hesatdownontheedgeofhischair，smilingandmakingfaces，andrubbinghishands，andlookingasthoughhewereindelightedexpectationofhearingsomeimportantcommunication，whichhadbeenlongguessedbyall。
Theprincewasinstantlycoveredwithconfusion；foritappearedtobeplainthateveryoneexpectedsomethingofhim——thateveryonelookedathimasthoughanxioustocongratulatehim，andgreetedhimwithhints，andsmiles，andknowinglooks。
Keller，forinstance，hadrunintothehousethreetimesoflate，\"justforamoment，\"andeachtimewiththeairofdesiringtoofferhiscongratulations。Colia，too，inspiteofhismelancholy，hadonceortwicebegunsentencesinmuchthesamestrainofsuggestionorinsinuation。
Theprince，however，immediatelybegan，withsomeshowofannoyance，toquestionLebedeffcategorically，astothegeneral’spresentcondition，andhisopinionthereon。Hedescribedthemorning’sinterviewinafewwords。
\"Everyonehashisworries，prince，especiallyinthesestrangeandtroubloustimesofours，\"Lebedeffreplied，drily，andwiththeairofamandisappointedofhisreasonableexpectations。
\"Dearme，whataphilosopheryouare！\"laughedtheprince。
Philosophyisnecessary，sir——verynecessary——inourday。Itistoomuchneglected。Asforme，muchesteemedprince，Iamsensibleofhavingexperiencedthehonourofyourconfidenceinacertainmatteruptoacertainpoint，butneverbeyondthatpoint。Idonotforamomentcomplain——\"
\"Lebedeff，youseemtobeangryforsomereason！\"saidtheprince。
\"Nottheleastbitintheworld，esteemedandreveredprince！Nottheleastbitintheworld！\"criedLebedeff，solemnly，withhishanduponhisheart。\"Onthecontrary，Iamtoopainfullyawarethatneitherbymypositionintheworld，norbymygiftsofintellectandheart，norbymyriches，norbyanyformerconductofmine，haveIinanywaydeservedyourconfidence，whichisfarabovemyhighestaspirationsandhopes。Ohno，prince；Imayserveyou，butonlyasyourhumbleslave！Iamnotangry，ohno！
Notangry；painedperhaps，butnothingmore。
\"MydearLebedeff，I——\"
\"Oh，nothingmore，nothingmore！Iwassayingtomyselfbutnow……
’Iamquiteunworthyoffriendlyrelationswithhim，’sayI；
’butperhapsaslandlordofthishouseImay，atsomefuturedate，inhisgoodtime，receiveinformationastocertainimminentandmuchtobedesiredchanges——’\"
SosayingLebedefffixedtheprincewithhissharplittleeyes，stillinhopethathewouldgethiscuriositysatisfied。
Theprincelookedbackathiminamazement。
\"Idon’tunderstandwhatyouaredrivingat！\"hecried，almostangrily，\"and，and——whatanintrigueryouare，Lebedeff！\"headded，burstingintoafitofgenuinelaughter。
Lebedefffollowedsuitatonce，anditwasclearfromhisradiantfacethatheconsideredhisprospectsofsatisfactionimmenselyimproved。
\"Anddoyouknow，\"theprincecontinued，\"Iamamazedatyournaiveways，Lebedeff！Don’theangrywithme——notonlyyours，everybodyelse’salso！YouarewaitingtohearsomethingfrommeatthisverymomentwithsuchsimplicitythatIdeclareIfeelquiteashamedofmyselfforhavingnothingwhatevertotellyou。
Isweartoyousolemnly，thatthereisnothingtotell。There！
Canyoutakethatin？\"Theprincelaughedagain。
Lebedeffassumedanairofdignity。Itwastrueenoughthathewassometimesnaivetoadegreeinhiscuriosity；buthewasalsoanexcessivelycunninggentleman，andtheprincewasalmostconvertinghimintoanenemybyhisrepeatedrebuffs。TheprincedidnotsnubLebedeff’scuriosity，however，becausehefeltanycontemptforhim；butsimplybecausethesubjectwastoodelicatetotalkabout。Onlyafewdaysbeforehehadlookeduponhisowndreamsalmostascrimes。ButLebedeffconsideredtherefusalascausedbypersonaldisliketohimself，andwashurtaccordingly。
Indeed，therewasatthismomentapieceofnews，mostinterestingtotheprince，whichLebedeffknewandevenhadwishedtotellhim，butwhichhenowkeptobstinatelytohimself。
\"AndwhatcanIdoforyou，esteemedprince？SinceIamtoldyousentformejustnow，\"hesaid，afterafewmoments’silence。
\"Oh，itwasaboutthegeneral，\"begantheprince，wakingabruptlyfromthefitofmusingwhichhetoohadindulgedin\"and-andaboutthetheftyoutoldmeof。\"
\"Thatis——er——about——whattheft？\"
\"Ohcome！justasifyoudidn’tunderstand，LukianTimofeyovitch！
Whatareyouupto？Ican’tmakeyouout！Themoney，themoney，sir！Thefourhundredroublesthatyoulostthatday。Youcameandtoldmeaboutitonemorning，andthenwentofftoPetersburg。There，NOWdoyouunderstand？\"
\"Oh——h——h！Youmeanthefourhundredroubles！\"saidLebedeff，draggingthewordsout，justasthoughithadonlyjustdawneduponhimwhattheprincewastalkingabout。\"Thanksverymuch，prince，foryourkindinterest——youdometoomuchhonour。I
foundthemoney，longago！\"
\"Youfoundit？ThankGodforthat！\"
\"Yourexclamationprovesthegeneroussympathyofyournature，prince；forfourhundredroubles——toastrugglingfamilymanlikemyself——isnosmallmatter！\"
\"Ididn’tmeanthat；atleast，ofcourse，I’mgladforyoursake，too，\"addedtheprince，correctinghimself，\"but——howdidyoufindit？\"
\"Verysimplyindeed！Ifounditunderthechairuponwhichmycoathadhung；sothatitisclearthepursesimplyfelloutofthepocketandontothefloor！\"
\"Underthechair？Impossible！Why，youtoldmeyourselfthatyouhadsearchedeverycorneroftheroom？Howcouldyounothavelookedinthemostlikelyplaceofall？\"
\"OfcourseIlookedthere，——ofcourseIdid！Verymuchso！I
lookedandscrambledabout，andfeltforit，andwouldn’tbelieveitwasnotthere，andlookedagainandagain。Itisalwayssoinsuchcases。Onelongsandexpectstofindalostarticle；oneseesitisnotthere，andtheplaceisashareasone’spalm；andyetonereturnsandlooksagainandagain，fifteenortwentytimes，likelyenough！\"
\"Oh，quiteso，ofcourse。Buthowwasitinyourcase？——Idon’tquiteunderstand，\"saidthebewilderedprince。\"Yousayitwasn’tthereatfirst，andthatyousearchedtheplacethoroughly，andyetitturneduponthatveryspot！\"
\"Yes，sir——onthatveryspot。\"TheprincegazedstrangelyatLebedeff。\"Andthegeneral？\"heasked，abruptly。
\"The——thegeneral？Howdoyoumean，thegeneral？\"saidLebedeff，dubiously，asthoughhehadnottakeninthedriftoftheprince’sremark。
\"Oh，goodheavens！Imean，whatdidthegeneralsaywhenthepurseturnedupunderthechair？Youandhehadsearchedforittogetherthere，hadn’tyou？\"
\"Quiteso——together！ButthesecondtimeIthoughtbettertosaynothingaboutfindingit。Ifounditalone。\"
\"But——whyintheworld——andthemoney？Wasitallthere？\"
\"Iopenedthepurseandcounteditmyself；righttoasinglerouble。\"
\"Ithinkyoumighthavecomeandtoldme，\"saidtheprince，thoughtfully。
\"Oh——Ididn’tliketodisturbyou，prince，inthemidstofyourprivateanddoubtlessmostinterestingpersonalreflections。
Besides，Iwantedtoappear，myself，tohavefoundnothing。I
tookthepurse，andopenedit，andcountedthemoney，andshutitandputitdownagainunderthechair。\"
\"Whatintheworldfor？\"
\"Oh，justoutofcuriosity，\"saidLebedeff，rubbinghishandsandsniggering。
\"What，it’sstilltherethen，isit？Eversincethedaybeforeyesterday？\"
\"Ohno！Yousee，Iwashalfinhopesthegeneralmightfindit。
BecauseifIfoundit，whyshouldnothetooobserveanobjectlyingbeforehisveryeyes？Imovedthechairseveraltimessoastoexposethepursetoview，butthegeneralneversawit。Heisveryabsentjustnow，evidently。Hetalksandlaughsandtellsstories，andsuddenlyfliesintoaragewithme，goodnessknowswhy。\"
\"Well，but——haveyoutakenthepurseawaynow？\"
\"No，itdisappearedfromunderthechairinthenight。\"
\"Whereisitnow，then？\"
\"Here，\"laughedLebedeff，atlast，risingtohisfullheightandlookingpleasantlyattheprince，\"here，intheliningofmycoat。Look，youcanfeelitforyourself，ifyoulike！\"
Sureenoughtherewassomethingstickingoutofthefrontofthecoat——somethinglarge。Itcertainlyfeltasthoughitmightwellbethepursefallenthroughaholeinthepocketintothelining。
\"Itookitoutandhadalookatit；it’sallright。I’veletitslipbackintotheliningnow，asyousee，andsoIhavebeenwalkingabouteversinceyesterdaymorning；itknocksagainstmylegswhenIwalkalong。\"
\"H’m！andyoutakenonoticeofit？\"
\"Quiteso，Itakenonoticeofit。Ha，ha！andthinkofthis，prince，mypocketsarealwaysstrongandwhole，andyet，hereinonenight，isahugehole。Iknowthephenomenonisunworthyofyournotice；butsuchisthecase。Iexaminedthehole，andI
declareitactuallylooksasthoughithadbeenmadewithapen-
knife，amostimprobablecontingency。\"
\"And——and——thegeneral？\"
\"Ah，veryangryallday，sir；allyesterdayandalltoday。Heshowsdecidedbacchanalianpredilectionsatonetime，andatanotheristearfulandsensitive，butatanymomentheisliabletoparoxysmsofsuchragethatIassureyou，prince，Iamquitealarmed。Iamnotamilitaryman，youknow。Yesterdayweweresittingtogetherinthetavern，andtheliningofmycoatwas——
quiteaccidentally，ofcourse——stickingoutrightinfront。Thegeneralsquintedatit，andflewintoarage。Heneverlooksmequiteinthefacenow，unlessheisverydrunkormaudlin；butyesterdayhelookedatmeinsuchawaythatashiverwentalldownmyback。Iintendtofindthepursetomorrow；buttillthenIamgoingtohaveanothernightofitwithhim。\"
\"What’sthegoodoftormentinghimlikethis？\"criedtheprince。
\"Idon’ttormenthim，prince，Idon’tindeed！\"criedLebedeff，hotly。\"Ilovehim，mydearsir，Iesteemhim；andbelieveitornot，Ilovehimallthebetterforthisbusiness，yes——andvaluehimmore。\"
Lebedeffsaidthissoseriouslythattheprincequitelosthistemperwithhim。
\"Nonsense！lovehimandtormenthimso！Why，bytheveryfactthatheputthepurseprominentlybeforeyou，firstunderthechairandtheninyourlining，heshowsthathedoesnotwishtodeceiveyou，butisanxioustobegyourforgivenessinthisartlessway。Doyouhear？Heisaskingyourpardon。Heconfidesinthedelicacyofyourfeelings，andinyourfriendshipforhim。
Andyoucanallowyourselftohumiliatesothoroughlyhonestaman！\"
\"Thoroughlyhonest，quiteso，prince，thoroughlyhonest！\"saidLebedeff，withflashingeyes。\"Andonlyyou，prince，couldhavefoundsoveryappropriateanexpression。Ihonouryouforit，prince。Verywell，that’ssettled；Ishallfindthepursenowandnottomorrow。Here，Ifinditandtakeitoutbeforeyoureyes！
Andthemoneyisallright。Takeit，prince，andkeepittilltomorrow，willyou？TomorrowornextdayI’lltakeitbackagain。
Ithink，prince，thatthenightafteritsdisappearanceitwasburiedunderabushinthegarden。SoIbelieve——whatdoyouthinkofthat？\"
\"Well，takecareyoudon’ttellhimtohisfacethatyouhavefoundthepurse。Simplylethimseethatitisnolongerintheliningofyourcoat，andformhisownconclusions。\"
\"Doyouthinkso？HadInotjustbettertellhimIhavefoundit，andpretendIneverguessedwhereitwas？\"
\"No，Idon’tthinkso，\"saidtheprince，thoughtfully；\"it’stoolateforthat——thatwouldbedangerousnow。No，no！Bettersaynothingaboutit。Benicewithhim，youknow，butdon’tshowhim——oh，YOUknowwellenough——\"
\"Iknow，prince，ofcourseIknow，butI’mafraidIshallnotcarryitout；fortodosooneneedsaheartlikeyourown。Heissoveryirritablejustnow，andsoproud。Atonemomenthewillembraceme，andthenexthefliesoutatmeandsneersatme，andthenIsticktheliningforwardonpurpose。Well，aurevoir，prince，IseeIamkeepingyou，andboringyou，too，interferingwithyourmostinterestingprivatereflections。\"
\"Now，dobecareful！Secrecy，asbefore！\"
\"Oh，silenceisn’ttheword！Softly，softly！\"
Butinspiteofthisconclusiontotheepisode，theprinceremainedaspuzzledasever，ifnotmoreso。Heawaitednextmorning’sinterviewwiththegeneralmostimpatiently。
IV。
THEtimeappointedwastwelveo’clock，andtheprince，returninghomeunexpectedlylate，foundthegeneralwaitingforhim。Atthefirstglance，hesawthatthelatterwasdispleased，perhapsbecausehehadbeenkeptwaiting。Theprinceapologized，andquicklytookaseat。Heseemedstrangelytimidbeforethegeneralthismorning，forsomereason，andfeltasthoughhisvisitorweresomepieceofchinawhichhewasafraidofbreaking。
Onscrutinizinghim，theprincesoonsawthatthegeneralwasquiteadifferentmanfromwhathehadbeenthedaybefore；helookedlikeonewhohadcometosomemomentousresolve。Hiscalmness，however，wasmoreapparentthanreal。Hewascourteous，buttherewasasuggestionofinjuredinnocenceinhismanner。
\"I’vebroughtyourbookback，\"hebegan，indicatingabooklyingonthetable。\"Muchobligedtoyouforlendingittome。\"
\"Ah，yes。Well，didyoureadit，general？It’scurious，isn’tit？\"saidtheprince，delightedtobeabletoopenupconversationuponanoutsidesubject。
\"Curiousenough，yes，butcrude，andofcoursedreadfulnonsense；
probablythemanliesineveryothersentence。\"
Thegeneralspokewithconsiderableconfidence，anddraggedhiswordsoutwithaconceiteddrawl。
\"Oh，butit’sonlythesimpletaleofanoldsoldierwhosawtheFrenchenterMoscow。Someofhisremarkswerewonderfullyinteresting。Remarksofaneye-witnessarealwaysvaluable，whoeverhebe，don’tyouthinkso\"HadIbeenthepublisherIshouldnothaveprintedit。Astotheevidenceofeye-witnesses，inthesedayspeoplepreferimpudentliestothestoriesofmenofworthandlongservice。Iknowofsomenotesoftheyear1812，which——Ihavedetermined，prince，toleavethishouse，Mr。Lebedeff’shouse。\"
Thegenerallookedsignificantlyathishost。
\"OfcourseyouhaveyourownlodgingatPavlofskat——atyourdaughter’shouse，\"begantheprince，quiteatalosswhattosay。
Hesuddenlyrecollectedthatthegeneralhadcomeforadviceonamostimportantmatter，affectinghisdestiny。
\"Atmywife’s；inotherwords，atmyownplace，mydaughter’shouse。\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，I——\"
\"IleaveLebedeff’shouse，mydearprince，becauseIhavequarrelledwiththisperson。Ibrokewithhimlastnight，andamverysorrythatIdidnotdosobefore。Iexpectrespect，prince，evenfromthosetowhomIgivemyheart，sotospeak。Prince，I
haveoftengivenawaymyheart，andamnearlyalwaysdeceived。
Thispersonwasquiteunworthyofthegift。\"
\"Thereismuchthatmightbeimprovedinhim，\"saidtheprince，moderately，\"buthehassomequalitieswhich——thoughamidthemonecannotbutdiscernacunningnature——revealwhatisoftenadivertingintellect。\"
Theprince’stonewassonaturalandrespectfulthatthegeneralcouldnotpossiblysuspecthimofanyinsincerity。
\"Oh，thathepossessesgoodtraits，Iwasthefirsttoshow，whenIverynearlymadehimapresentofmyfriendship。Iamnotdependentuponhishospitality，anduponhishouse；Ihavemyownfamily。Idonotattempttojustifymyownweakness。Ihavedrunkwiththisman，andperhapsIdeplorethefactnow，butIdidnottakehimupforthesakeofdrinkaloneexcusethecrudenessoftheexpression，prince；Ididnotmakefriendswithhimforthatalone。Iwasattractedbyhisgoodqualities；butwhenthefellowdeclaresthathewasachildin1812，andhadhisleftlegcutoff，andburiedintheVagarkoffcemetery，inMoscow，suchacock-and-bullstoryamountstodisrespect，mydearsir，to——toimpudentexaggeration。\"
\"Oh，hewasverylikelyjoking；hesaiditforfun。\"
\"Iquiteunderstandyou。Youmeanthataninnocentlieforthesakeofagoodjokeisharmless，anddoesnotoffendthehumanheart。Somepeoplelie，ifyouliketoputitso，outofpurefriendship，inordertoamusetheirfellows；butwhenamanmakesuseofextravaganceinordertoshowhisdisrespectandtomakeclearhowtheintimacyboreshim，itistimeforamanofhonourtobreakoffthesaidintimacy。，andtoteachtheoffenderhisplace。\"
Thegeneralflushedwithindignationashespoke。
\"Oh，butLebedeffcannothavebeeninMoscowin1812。Heismuchtooyoung；itisallnonsense。\"
\"Verywell，butevenifweadmitthathewasalivein1812，canonebelievethataFrenchchasseurpointedacannonathimforalark，andshothisleftlegoff？Hesayshepickedhisownlegupandtookitawayandburieditinthecemetery。Hesworehehadastoneputupoveritwiththeinscription:’HereliesthelegofCollegiateSecretaryLebedeff，’andontheotherside，’Rest，belovedashes，tillthemornofjoy，’andthathehasaservicereadoveriteveryyearwhichissimplysacrilege，andgoestoMoscowonceayearonpurpose。HeinvitesmetoMoscowinordertoprovehisassertion，andshowmehisleg’stomb，andtheverycannonthatshothim；hesaysit’stheeleventhfromthegateoftheKremlin，anold-fashionedfalconettakenfromtheFrenchafterwards。\"
\"And，meanwhilebothhislegsarestillonhisbody，\"saidtheprince，laughing。\"Iassureyou，itisonlyaninnocentjoke，andyouneednotbeangryaboutit。\"
\"Excuseme——waitaminute——hesaysthatthelegweseeisawoodenone，madebyTchernosvitoff。\"
\"Theydosayonecandancewiththose！\"
\"Quiteso，quiteso；andheswearsthathiswifeneverfoundoutthatoneofhislegswaswoodenallthewhiletheyweremarried。
WhenIshowedhimtheridiculousnessofallthis，hesaid，’Well，ifyouwereoneofNapoleon’spagesin1812，youmightletmeburymylegintheMoscowcemetery。’
\"Why，didyousay——\"begantheprince，andpausedinconfusion。
Thegeneralgazedathishostdisdainfully。
\"Oh，goon，\"hesaid，\"finishyoursentence，byallmeans。SayhowodditappearstoyouthatamanfallentosuchadepthofhumiliationasI，caneverhavebeentheactualeye-witnessofgreatevents。Goon，Idon’tmind！Hashefoundtimetotellyouscandalaboutme？\"
\"No，I’veheardnothingofthisfromLebedeff，ifyoumeanLebedeff。\"
\"H’m；Ithoughtdifferently。Yousee，weweretalkingoverthisperiodofhistory。Iwascriticizingacurrentreportofsomethingwhichthenhappened，andhavingbeenmyselfaneye-
witnessoftheoccurrence——youaresmiling，prince——youarelookingatmyfaceasif——\"
\"Ohno！notatall——I——\"
\"Iamratheryoung-looking，Iknow；butIamactuallyolderthanIappeartobe。Iwastenorelevenintheyear1812。Idon’tknowmyageexactly，butithasalwaysbeenaweaknessofminetomakeitoutlessthanitreallyis。
\"Iassureyou，general，Idonotintheleastdoubtyourstatement。OneofourlivingautobiographersstatesthatwhenhewasasmallbabyinMoscowin1812theFrenchsoldiersfedhimwithbread。\"
\"Well，thereyousee！\"saidthegeneral，condescendingly。\"Thereisnothingwhateverunusualaboutmytale。Truthveryoftenappearstobeimpossible。Iwasapage——itsoundsstrange，Idaresay。HadIbeenfifteenyearsoldIshouldprobablyhavebeenterriblyfrightenedwhentheFrencharrived，asmymotherwaswhohadbeentooslowaboutclearingoutofMoscow；butasI
wasonlyjusttenIwasnotintheleastalarmed，andrushedthroughthecrowdtotheverydoorofthepalacewhenNapoleonalightedfromhishorse。\"
\"Undoubtedly，attenyearsoldyouwouldnothavefeltthesenseoffear，asyousay，\"blurtedouttheprince，horriblyuncomfortableinthesensationthathewasjustabouttoblush。
\"Ofcourse；anditallhappenedsoeasilyandnaturally。Andyet，wereanovelisttodescribetheepisode，hewouldputinallkindsofimpossibleandincredibledetails。\"
\"Oh，\"criedtheprince，\"Ihaveoftenthoughtthat！Why，Iknowofamurder，forthesakeofawatch。It’sinallthepapersnow。
Butifsomewriterhadinventedit，allthecriticswouldhavejumpeddownhisthroatandsaidthethingwastooimprobableforanything。Andyetyoureaditinthepaper，andyoucan’thelpthinkingthatoutofthesestrangedisclosuresistobegainedthefullknowledgeofRussianlifeandcharacter。Yousaidthatwell，general；itissotrue，\"concludedtheprince，warmly，delightedtohavefoundarefugefromthefieryblusheswhichhadcoveredhisface。
\"Yes，it’squitetrue，isn’tit？\"criedthegeneral，hiseyessparklingwithgratification。\"Asmallboy，achild，wouldnaturallyrealizenodanger；hewouldshovehiswaythroughthecrowdstoseetheshineandglitteroftheuniforms，andespeciallythegreatmanofwhomeveryonewasspeaking，foratthattimealltheworldhadbeentalkingofnoonebutthismanforsomeyearspast。Theworldwasfullofhisname；I——sotospeak——drewitinwithmymother’smilk。Napoleon，passingacoupleofpacesfromme，caughtsightofmeaccidentally。Iwasverywelldressed，andbeingallalone，inthatcrowd，asyouwilleasilyimagine……
\"Oh，ofcourse！Naturallythesightimpressedhim，andprovedtohimthatnotALLthearistocracyhadleftMoscow；thatatleastsomenoblesandtheirchildrenhadremainedbehind。\"
Justsojustso！Hewantedtowinoverthearistocracy！Whenhiseagleeyefellonme，mineprobablyflashedbackinresponse。’
Voilaungarconbieneveille！Quiesttonpere？’Iimmediatelyreplied，almostpantingwithexcitement，’Ageneral，whodiedonthebattle-fieldsofhiscountry！\"Lefilsd’unboyardetd’unbrave，pardessuslemarche。J’aimelesboyards。M’aimes-tu，petit？’TothiskeenquestionIrepliedaskeenly，’TheRussianheartcanrecognizeagreatmaneveninthebitterenemyofhiscountry。’Atleast，Idon’tremembertheexactwords，youknow，buttheideawasasIsay。Napoleonwasstruck；hethoughtaminuteandthensaidtohissuite:’Ilikethatboy’spride；ifallRussiansthinklikethischild’，thenhedidn’tfinish，hutwentonandenteredthepalace。Iinstantlymixedwithhissuite，andfollowedhim。Iwasalreadyinhighfavour。Irememberwhenhecameintothefirsthall，theemperorstoppedbeforeaportraitoftheEmpressKatherine，andafterathoughtfulglanceremarked，’Thatwasagreatwoman，’andpassedon。
\"Well，inacoupleofdaysIwasknownalloverthepalaceandtheKremlinas’lepetitboyard。’Ionlywenthometosleep。Theywerenearlyoutoftheirmindsaboutmeathome。Acoupleofdaysafterthis，Napoleon’spage，DeBazancour，died；hehadnotbeenabletostandthetrialsofthecampaign。Napoleonrememberedme；
Iwastakenawaywithoutexplanation；thedeadpage’suniformwastriedonme，andwhenIwastakenbeforetheemperor，dressedinit，henoddedhisheadtome，andIwastoldthatIwasappointedtothevacantpostofpage。
\"Well，Iwasgladenough，forIhadlongfeltthegreatestsympathyforthisman；andthentheprettyuniformandallthat——
onlyachild，youknow——andsoon。Itwasadarkgreendresscoatwithgoldbuttons——redfacings，whitetrousers，andawhitesilkwaistcoat——silkstockings，shoeswithbuckles，andtop-bootsifI
wereridingoutwithhismajestyorwiththesuite。
\"Thoughthepositionofallofusatthattimewasnotparticularlybrilliant，andthepovertywasdreadfulallround，yettheetiquetteatcourtwasstrictlypreserved，andthemorestrictlyinproportiontothegrowthoftheforebodingsofdisaster。\"
\"Quiteso，quiteso，ofcourse！\"murmuredthepoorprince，whodidn’tknowwheretolook。\"Yourmemoirswouldbemostinteresting。\"
Thegeneralwas，ofcourse，repeatingwhathehadtoldLebedeffthenightbefore，andthusbroughtitoutgliblyenough，butherehelookedsuspiciouslyattheprinceoutofthecornersofhiseyes。
\"Mymemoirs！\"hebegan，withredoubledprideanddignity。\"Writemymemoirs？Theideahasnottemptedme。Andyet，ifyouplease，mymemoirshavelongbeenwritten，buttheyshallnotseethelightuntildustreturnstodust。Then，Idoubtnot，theywillbetranslatedintoalllanguages，notofcourseonaccountoftheiractualliterarymerit，butbecauseofthegreateventsofwhichI
wastheactualwitness，thoughbutachildatthetime。Asachild，Iwasabletopenetrateintothesecrecyofthegreatman’sprivateroom。AtnightsIhaveheardthegroansandwailingsofthis’giantindistress。’HecouldfeelnoshameinweepingbeforesuchamerechildasIwas，thoughIunderstoodeventhenthatthereasonforhissufferingwasthesilenceoftheEmperorAlexander。\"
\"Yes，ofcourse；hehadwrittenletterstothelatterwithproposalsofpeace，hadhenot？\"putintheprince。
\"Wedidnotknowthedetailsofhisproposals，buthewroteletterafterletter，alldayandeveryday。Hewasdreadfullyagitated。SometimesatnightIwouldthrowmyselfuponhisbreastwithtearsOh，howIlovedthatman！。’Askforgiveness，Oh，askforgivenessoftheEmperorAlexander！’Iwouldcry。Ishouldhavesaid，ofcourse，’MakepeacewithAlexander，’butasachildI
expressedmyideainthenaivewayrecorded。’Oh，mychild，’hewouldsayhelovedtotalktomeandseemedtoforgetmytenderyears，’Oh，mychild，IamreadytokissAlexander’sfeet，butI
hateandabominatetheKingofPrussiaandtheAustrianEmperor，and——and——butyouknownothingofpolitics，mychild。’Hewouldpullup，rememberingwhomhewasspeakingto，buthiseyeswouldsparkleforalongwhileafterthis。Wellnow，ifIweretodescribeallthis，andIhaveseengreatereventsthanthese，allthesecriticalgentlemenofthepressandpoliticalparties——Oh，nothanks！I’mtheirveryhumbleservant，butnothanks！\"