\"Oncemoreletusbegyoutobecalm，mydearboy。We’lltalkofallthisanothertime——Ishalldosowiththegreatestpleasure，forone，\"saidtheolddignitary，withasmile。
IvanPetrovitchgruntedandtwistedroundinhischair。GeneralEpanchinmovednervously。Thelatter’schiefhadstartedaconversationwiththewifeofthedignitary，andtooknonoticewhateveroftheprince，buttheoldladyveryoftenglancedathim，andlistenedtowhathewassaying。
\"No，Ihadbetterspeak，\"continuedtheprince，withanewoutburstoffeverishemotion，andturningtowardstheoldmanwithanairofconfidentialtrustfulness。\"Yesterday，AglayaIvanovnaforbademetotalk，andevenspecifiedtheparticularsubjectsImustnottouchupon——sheknowswellenoughthatIamoddwhenIgetuponthesematters。Iamnearlytwenty-sevenyearsold，andyetIknowIamlittlebetterthanachild。Ihavenorighttoexpressmyideas，andsaidsolongago。OnlyinMoscow，withRogojin，didIeverspeakabsolutelyfreely！HeandIreadPushkintogether——allhisworks。RogojinknewnothingofPushkin，hadnotevenheardhisname。IamalwaysafraidofspoilingagreatThoughtorIdeabymyabsurdmanner。Ihavenoeloquence，Iknow。Ialwaysmakethewronggestures——
inappropriategestures——andthereforeIdegradetheThought，andraisealaughinsteadofdoingmysubjectjustice。Ihavenosenseofproportioneither，andthatisthechiefthing。IknowitwouldbemuchbetterifIwerealwaystositstillandsaynothing。WhenIdoso，Iappeartobequiteasensiblesortofaperson，andwhat’smore，Ithinkaboutthings。ButnowImustspeak；itisbetterthatIshould。Ibegantospeakbecauseyoulookedsokindlyatme；youhavesuchabeautifulface。I
promisedAglayaIvanovnayesterdaythatIwouldnotspeakalltheevening。\"
\"Really？\"saidtheoldman，smiling。
\"But，attimes，Ican’thelpthinkingthatIam。wronginfeelingsoaboutit，youknow。Sincerityismoreimportantthanelocution，isn’tit？\"
\"Sometimes。\"
\"Iwanttoexplainalltoyou——everything——everything！IknowyouthinkmeUtopian，don’tyou——anidealist？Oh，no！I’mnot，indeed——myideasareallsosimple。Youdon’tbelieveme？Youaresmiling。Doyouknow，Iamsometimesverywicked——forIlosemyfaith？ThiseveningasIcamehere，Ithoughttomyself，’WhatshallItalkabout？HowamItobegin，sothattheymaybeabletounderstandpartially，atallevents？’HowafraidIwas——
dreadfullyafraid！Andyet，howCOULDIbeafraid——wasitnotshamefulofme？WasIafraidoffindingabottomlessabyssofemptyselfishness？Ah！that’swhyIamsohappyatthismoment，becauseIfindthereisnobottomlessabyssatall——butgood，healthymaterial，fulloflife。
\"Itisnotsuchaverydreadfulcircumstancethatweareoddpeople，isit？Forwereallyareodd，youknow——careless，reckless，easilyweariedofanything。Wedon’tlookthoroughlyintomatters——don’tcaretounderstandthings。Wearealllikethis——youandI，andallofthem！Why，hereareyou，now——youarenotabitangrywithmeforcallingyouodd，’areyou？And，ifso，surelythereisgoodmaterialinyou？Doyouknow，I
sometimesthinkitisagoodthingtobeodd。Wecanforgiveoneanothermoreeasily，andbemorehumble。Noonecanbeginbybeingperfect——thereismuchonecannotunderstandinlifeatfirst。Inordertoattaintoperfection，onemustbeginbyfailingtounderstandmuch。Andifwetakeinknowledgetooquickly，weverylikelyarenottakingitinatall。Isayallthistoyou——youwhobythistimeunderstandsomuch——anddoubtlesshavefailedtounderstandsomuch，also。Iamnotafraidofyouanylonger。Youarenotangrythatamereboyshouldsaysuchwordstoyou，areyou？Ofcoursenot！Youknowhowtoforgetandtoforgive。Youarelaughing，IvanPetrovitch？
YouthinkIamachampionofotherclassesofpeople——thatIamTHEIRadvocate，ademocrat，andanoratorofEquality？\"Theprincelaughedhysterically；hehadseveraltimesburstintotheselittle，shortnervouslaughs。\"Oh，no——itisforyou，formyself，andforallofustogether，thatIamalarmed。Iamaprinceofanoldfamilymyself，andIamsittingamongmypeers；
andIamtalkinglikethisinthehopeofsavingusall；inthehopethatourclasswillnotdisappearaltogether——intothedarkness——unguessingitsdanger——blamingeverythingaroundit，andlosinggroundeveryday。Whyshouldwedisappearandgiveplacetoothers，whenwemaystill，ifwechoose，remaininthefrontrankandleadthebattle？Letusbeservants，thatwemaybecomelordsindueseason！\"
Hetriedtogetuponhisfeetagain，buttheoldmanstillrestrainedhim，gazingathimwithincreasingperturbationashewenton。
\"Listen——Iknowitisbestnottospeak！Itisbestsimplytogiveagoodexample——simplytobeginthework。Ihavedonethis——
Ihavebegun，and——and——oh！CANanyonebeunhappy，really？Oh！
whatdoesgriefmatter——whatdoesmisfortunematter，ifoneknowshowtobehappy？Doyouknow，Icannotunderstandhowanyonecanpassbyagreentree，andnotfeelhappyonlytolookatit！Howanyonecantalktoamanandnotfeelhappyinlovinghim！Oh，itismyownfaultthatIcannotexpressmyselfwellenough！ButtherearelovelythingsateverystepItake——thingswhicheventhemostmiserablemanmustrecognizeasbeautiful。Lookatalittlechild——lookatGod’sday-dawn——lookatthegrassgrowing——
lookattheeyesthatloveyou，astheygazebackintoyoureyes！\"
Hehadrisen，andwasspeakingstandingup。Theoldgentlemanwaslookingathimnowinunconcealedalarm。LizabethaProkofievnawrungherhands。\"Oh，myGod！\"shecried。Shehadguessedthestateofthecasebeforeanyoneelse。
Aglayarushedquicklyuptohim，andwasjustintimetoreceivehiminherarms，andtohearwithdreadandhorrorthatawful，wildcryashefellwrithingtotheground。
Therehelayonthecarpet，andsomeonequicklyplacedacushionunderhishead。
Noonehadexpectedthis。
InaquarterofanhourorsoPrinceN。andEvgeniePavlovitchandtheolddignitarywerehardatworkendeavouringtorestoretheharmonyoftheevening，butitwasofnoavail，andverysoonaftertheguestsseparatedandwenttheirways。
Agreatdealofsympathywasexpressed；aconsiderableamountofadvicewasvolunteered；IvanPetrovitchexpressedhisopinionthattheyoungmanwas\"aSlavophile，orsomethingofthatsort\"；
butthatitwasnotadangerousdevelopment。Theolddignitarysaidnothing。
Trueenough，mostoftheguests，nextdayandthedayafter，werenotinverygoodhumour。IvanPetrovitchwasalittleoffended，butnotseriouslyso。GeneralEpanchin’schiefwasrathercooltowardshimforsomewhileaftertheoccurrence。Theolddignitary，aspatronofthefamily，tooktheopportunityofmurmuringsomekindofadmonitiontothegeneral，andadded，inflatteringterms，thathewasmostinterestedinAglaya’sfuture。
Hewasamanwhoreallydidpossessakindheart，althoughhisinterestintheprince，intheearlierpartoftheevening，wasdue，amongotherreasons，tothelatter’sconnectionwithNastasiaPhilipovna，accordingtopopularreport。Hehadheardagooddealofthisstoryhereandthere，andwasgreatlyinterestedinit，somuchsothathelongedtoaskfurtherquestionsaboutit。
PrincessBielokonski，asshedroveawayonthiseventfulevening，tookoccasiontosaytoLizabethaProkofievna:
\"Well——he’sagoodmatch——andabadone；andifyouwantmyopinion，morebadthangood。Youcanseeforyourselfthemanisaninvalid。\"
LizabethathereforedecidedthattheprincewasimpossibleasahusbandforAglaya；andduringtheensuingnightshemadeavowthatneverwhileshelivedshouldhemarryAglaya。Withthisresolvefirmlyimpresseduponhermind，sheawokenextday；butduringthemorning，afterherearlylunch，shefellintoaconditionofremarkableinconsistency。
Inreplytoaveryguardedquestionofhersisters’，Aglayahadansweredcoldly，butexceedinglyhaughtily:
\"Ihavenevergivenhimmywordatall，norhaveIevercountedhimasmyfuturehusband——neverinmylife。Heisjustaslittletomeasalltherest。\"
LizabethaProkofievnasuddenlyflaredup。
\"Ididnotexpectthatofyou，Aglaya，\"shesaid。\"Heisanimpossiblehusbandforyou，——Iknowit；andthankGodthatweagreeuponthatpoint；butIdidnotexpecttohearsuchwordsfromyou。IthoughtIshouldhearaverydifferenttonefromyou。
Iwouldhaveturnedouteveryonewhowasintheroomlastnightandkepthim，——that’sthesortofmanheis，inmyopinion！\"
Hereshesuddenlypaused，afraidofwhatshehadjustsaid。Butshelittleknewhowunfairshewastoherdaughteratthatmoment。ItwasallsettledinAglaya’smind。Shewasonlywaitingforthehourthatwouldbringthemattertoafinalclimax；andeveryhint，everycarelessprobingofherwound，didbutfurtherlacerateherheart。
VIII。
THISsamemorningdawnedfortheprincepregnantwithnolesspainfulpresentiments，——whichfacthisphysicalstatewas，ofcourse，quiteenoughtoaccountfor；buthewassoindefinablymelancholy，——hissadnesscouldnotattachitselftoanythinginparticular，andthistormentedhimmorethananythingelse。Ofcoursecertainfactsstoodbeforehim，clearandpainful，buthissadnesswentbeyondallthathecouldrememberorimagine；herealizedthathewaspowerlesstoconsolehimselfunaided。Littlebylittlehebegantodeveloptheexpectationthatthisdaysomethingimportant，somethingdecisive，wastohappentohim。
Hisattackofyesterdayhadbeenaslightone。Exceptingsomelittleheavinessintheheadandpaininthelimbs，hedidnotfeelanyparticulareffects。Hisbrainworkedallright，thoughhissoulwasheavywithinhim。
Heroselate，andimmediatelyuponwakingrememberedallaboutthepreviousevening；healsoremembered，thoughnotquitesoclearly，how，halfanhourafterhisfit，hehadbeencarriedhome。
HesoonheardthatamessengerfromtheEpanchins’hadalreadybeentoinquireafterhim。Athalf-pastelevenanotherarrived；
andthispleasedhim。
VeraLebedeffwasoneofthefirsttocometoseehimandofferherservices。Nosoonerdidshecatchsightofhimthansheburstintotears；butwhenhetriedtosoothehershebegantolaugh。
Hewasquitestruckbythegirl’sdeepsympathyforhim；heseizedherhandandkissedit。Veraflushedcrimson。
\"Oh，don’t，don’t！\"sheexclaimedinalarm，snatchingherhandaway。Shewenthastilyoutoftheroominastateofstrangeconfusion。
Lebedeffalsocametoseetheprince，inagreathurrytogetawaytothe\"deceased，\"ashecalledGeneralIvolgin，whowasalivestill，butveryill。Coliaalsoturnedup，andbeggedtheprinceforpity’ssaketotellhimallheknewabouthisfatherwhichhadbeenconcealedfromhimtillnow。Hesaidhehadfoundoutnearlyeverythingsinceyesterday；thepoorboywasinastateofdeepaffliction。Withallthesympathywhichhecouldbringintoplay，theprincetoldColiathewholestorywithoutreserve，detailingthefactsasclearlyashecould。ThetalestruckColialikeathunderbolt。Hecouldnotspeak。Helistenedsilently，andcriedsoftlytohimselfthewhile。Theprinceperceivedthatthiswasanimpressionwhichwouldlastforthewholeoftheboy’slife。Hemadehastetoexplainhisviewofthematter，andpointedoutthattheoldman’sapproachingdeathwasprobablybroughtonbyhorroratthethoughtofhisaction；andthatitwasnoteveryonewhowascapableofsuchafeeling。
Colia’seyesflashedashelistened。
\"GaniaandVariaandPtitsinareaworthlesslot！Ishallnotquarrelwiththem；butfromthismomentourfeetshallnottravelthesameroad。Oh，prince，Ihavefeltmuchthatisquitenewtomesinceyesterday！Itisalessonforme。Ishallnowconsidermymotherasentirelymyresponsibility；thoughshemaybesafeenoughwithVaria。Still，meatanddrinkisnoteverything。\"
Hejumpedupandhurriedoff，rememberingsuddenlythathewaswantedathisfather’sbedside；butbeforehewentoutoftheroomheinquiredhastilyaftertheprince’shealth，andreceivingthelatter’sreply，added:
\"Isn’ttheresomethingelse，prince？Iheardyesterday，butI
havenorighttotalkaboutthis……Ifyoueverwantatruefriendandservant——neitheryounorIaresoveryhappy，arewe？——
cometome。Iwon’taskyouquestions，though。\"
Heranoffandlefttheprincemoredejectedthanever。
Everyoneseemedtobespeakingprophetically，hintingatsomemisfortuneorsorrowtocome；theyhadalllookedathimasthoughtheyknewsomethingwhichhedidnotknow。Lebedeffhadaskedquestions，Coliahadhinted，andVerahadshedtears。Whatwasit？
Atlast，withasighofannoyance，hesaidtohimselfthatitwasnothingbuthisowncursedsicklysuspicion。Hisfacelightedupwithjoywhen，atabouttwoo’clock，heespiedtheEpanchinscomingalongtopayhimashortvisit，\"justforaminute。\"Theyreallyhadonlycomeforaminute。
LizabethaProkofievnahadannounced，directlyafterlunch，thattheywouldalltakeawalktogether。Theinformationwasgivenintheformofacommand，withoutexplanation，drilyandabruptly。
Allhadissuedforthinobediencetothemandate；thatis，thegirls，mamma，andPrinceS。LizabethaProkofievnawentoffinadirectionexactlycontrarytotheusualone，andallunderstoodverywellwhatshewasdrivingat，butheldtheirpeace，fearingtoirritatethegoodlady。She，asthoughanxioustoavoidanyconversation，walkedahead，silentandalone。AtlastAdelaidaremarkedthatitwasnouseracingalongatsuchapace，andthatshecouldnotkeepupwithhermother。
\"Lookhere，\"saidLizabethaProkofievna，turningroundsuddenly；
\"wearepassinghishouse。WhateverAglayamaythink，andinspiteofanythingthatmayhappen，heisnotastrangertous；
besideswhich，heisillandinmisfortune。I，forone，shallcallinandseehim。Letanyonefollowmewhocaresto。\"
Ofcourseeveryoneofthemfollowedher。
Theprincehastenedtoapologize，veryproperly，foryesterday’smishapwiththevase，andforthescenegenerally。
\"Oh，that’snothing，\"repliedLizabetha；\"I’mnotsorryforthevase，I’msorryforyou。H’m！soyoucanseethattherewasa’scene，’canyou？Well，itdoesn’tmattermuch，foreveryonemustrealizenowthatitisimpossibletobehardonyou。Well，aurevoir。Iadviseyoutohaveawalk，andthengotosleepagainifyoucan。Comeinasusual，ifyoufeelinclined；andbeassured，onceforall，whateverhappens，andwhatevermayhavehappened，youshallalwaysremainthefriendofthefamily——mine，atallevents。Icananswerformyself。\"
Inresponsetothischallengealltheotherschimedinandre-
echoedmamma’ssentiments。
Andsotheytooktheirdeparture；butinthishastyandkindlydesignedvisittherewashiddenafundofcrueltywhichLizabethaProkofievnaneverdreamedof。Inthewords\"asusual，\"andagaininheradded，\"mine，atallevents，\"thereseemedanominousknellofsomeeviltocome。
TheprincebegantothinkofAglaya。Shehadcertainlygivenhimawonderfulsmile，bothatcomingandagainatleave-taking，buthadnotsaidaword，notevenwhentheothersallprofessedtheirfriendshipforhim。Shehadlookedveryintentlyathim，butthatwasall。Herfacehadbeenpalerthanusual；shelookedasthoughshehadsleptbadly。
Theprincemadeuphismindthathewouldmakeapointofgoingthere\"asusual，\"tonight，andlookedfeverishlyathiswatch。
VeracameinthreeminutesaftertheEpanchinshadleft。\"LefNicolaievitch，\"shesaid，\"AglayaIvanovnahasjustgivenmeamessageforyou。\"
Theprincetrembled。
\"Isitanote？\"
\"No，averbalmessage；shehadhardlytimeevenforthat。Shebegsyouearnestlynottogooutofthehouseforasinglemomentallto-day，untilseveno’clockintheevening。Itmayhavebeennine；Ididn’tquitehear。\"
\"But——but，whyisthis？Whatdoesitmean？\"
\"Idon’tknowatall；butshesaidIwastotellyouparticularly。\"
\"Didshesaythat？\"
\"Notthoseverywords。Sheonlyjusthadtimetowhisperasshewentby；butbythewayshelookedatmeIknewitwasimportant。
Shelookedatmeinawaythatmademyheartstopbeating。\"
Theprinceaskedafewmorequestions，andthoughhelearnednothingelse，hebecamemoreandmoreagitated。
Leftalone，helaydownonthesofa，andbegantothink。
\"Perhaps，\"hethought，\"someoneistobewiththemuntilninetonightandsheisafraidthatImaycomeandmakeafoolofmyselfagain，inpublic。\"Sohespenthistimelongingfortheeveningandlookingathiswatch。Buttheclearing-upofthemysterycamelongbeforetheevening，andcameintheformofanewandagonizingriddle。
HalfanhouraftertheEpanchinshadgone，Hippolytearrived，sotiredthat，almostunconscious，hesankintoachair，andbrokeintosuchafitofcoughingthathecouldnotstop。Hecoughedtillthebloodcame。Hiseyesglittered，andtworedspotsonhischeeksgrewbrighterandbrighter。Theprincemurmuredsomethingtohim，butHippolyteonlysignedthathemustbeleftaloneforawhile，andsatsilent。Atlasthecametohimself。
\"Iamoff，\"hesaid，hoarsely，andwithdifficulty。
\"ShallIseeyouhome？\"askedtheprince，risingfromhisseat，butsuddenlystoppingshortasherememberedAglaya’sprohibitionagainstleavingthehouse。Hippolytelaughed。
\"Idon’tmeanthatIamgoingtoleaveyourhouse，\"hecontinued，stillgaspingandcoughing。\"Onthecontrary，Ithoughtitabsolutelynecessarytocomeandseeyou；otherwiseIshouldnothavetroubledyou。Iamoffthere，youknow，andthistimeI
believe，seriously，thatIamoff！It’sallover。Ididnotcomehereforsympathy，believeme。Ilaydownthismorningatteno’clockwiththeintentionofnotrisingagainbeforethattime；
butIthoughtitoverandrosejustoncemoreinordertocomehere；fromwhichyoumaydeducethatIhadsomereasonforwishingtocome。\"
\"Itgrievesmetoseeyouso，Hippolyte。Whydidn’tyousendmeamessage？Iwouldhavecomeupandsavedyouthistrouble。\"
\"Well，well！Enough！You’vepitiedme，andthat’sallthatgoodmannersexact。Iforgot，howareyou？\"
\"I’mallright；yesterdayIwasalittle——\"
\"Iknow，Iheard；thechinavasecaughtit！I’msorryIwasn’tthere。I’vecomeaboutsomethingimportant。InthefirstplaceI
had，thepleasureofseeingGavrilaArdalionovitchandAglayaIvanovnaenjoyingarendezvousonthegreenbenchinthepark。I
wasastonishedtoseewhatafoolamancanlook。IremarkeduponthefacttoAglayaIvanovnawhenhehadgone。Idon’tthinkanythingeversurprisesyou，prince！\"addedHippolyte，gazingincredulouslyattheprince’scalmdemeanour。\"Tobeastonishedbynothingisasign，theysay，ofagreatintellect。Inmyopinionitwouldserveequallywellasasignofgreatfoolishness。Iamnothintingaboutyou；pardonme！Iamveryunfortunatetodayinmyexpressions。
\"IknewyesterdaythatGavrilaArdalionovitch——\"begantheprince，andpausedinevidentconfusion，thoughHippolytehadshownannoyanceathisbetrayingnosurprise。
\"Youknewit？Come，that’snews！Butno——perhapsbetternottellme。Andwereyouawitnessofthemeeting？\"
\"IfyouwerethereyourselfyoumusthaveknownthatIwasNOT
there！\"
\"Oh！butyoumayhavebeensittingbehindthebushessomewhere。
However，Iamveryglad，onyouraccount，ofcourse。IwasbeginningtobeafraidthatMr。Gania——mighthavethepreference！\"
\"MayIaskyou，Hippolyte，nottotalkofthissubject？Andnottousesuchexpressions？\"
\"Especiallyasyouknowall，eh？\"
\"Youarewrong。Iknowscarcelyanything，andAglayaIvanovnaisawarethatIknownothing。Iknewnothingwhateveraboutthismeeting。Yousaytherewasameeting。Verywell；let’sleaveitso——\"
\"Why，whatdoyoumean？Yousaidyouknew，andnowsuddenlyyouknownothing！Yousay’verywell；let’sleaveitso。’ButIsay，don’tbesoconfiding，especiallyasyouknownothing。YouareconfidingsimplyBECAUSEyouknownothing。Butdoyouknowwhatthesegoodpeoplehaveintheirminds’eye——Ganiaandhissister？
Perhapsyouaresuspicious？Well，well，I’lldropthesubject！\"
headded，hastily，observingtheprince’simpatientgesture。\"ButI’vecometoyouonmyownbusiness；Iwishtomakeyouaclearexplanation。Whatanuisanceitisthatonecannotdiewithoutexplanations！Ihavemadesuchaquantityofthemalready。DoyouwishtohearwhatIhavetosay？\"
\"Speakaway，Iamlistening。\"
\"Verywell，butI’llchangemymind，andbeginaboutGania。Justfancytobeginwith，ifyoucan，thatI，too，wasgivenanappointmentatthegreenbenchtoday！However，Iwon’tdeceiveyou；Iaskedfortheappointment。IsaidIhadasecrettodisclose。Idon’tknowwhetherIcametheretooearly，IthinkI
musthave；butscarcelyhadIsatdownbesideAglayaIvanovnathanIsawGavrilaArdalionovitchandhissisterVariacomingalong，arminarm，justasthoughtheywereenjoyingamorningwalktogether。Bothofthemseemedverymuchastonished，nottosaydisturbed，atseeingme；theyevidentlyhadnotexpectedthepleasure。AglayaIvanovnablushedup，andwasactuallyalittleconfused。Idon’tknowwhetheritwasmerelybecauseIwasthere，orwhetherGania’sbeautywastoomuchforher！Butanyway，sheturnedcrimson，andthenfinishedupthebusinessinaveryfunnymanner。Shejumpedupfromherseat，bowedbacktoGania，smiledtoVaria，andsuddenlyobserved:’Ionlycameheretoexpressmygratitudeforallyourkindwishesonmybehalf，andtosaythatifIfindIneedyourservices，believeme——’Hereshebowedthemaway，asitwere，andtheybothmarchedoffagain，lookingveryfoolish。Ganiaevidentlycouldnotmakeheadnortailofthematter，andturnedasredasalobster；butVariaunderstoodatoncethattheymustgetawayasquicklyastheycould，soshedraggedGaniaaway；sheisagreatdealclevererthanheis。Asformyself，IwenttheretoarrangeameetingtobeheldbetweenAglayaIvanovnaandNastasiaPhilipovna。\"
\"NastasiaPhilipovna！\"criedtheprince。
\"Aha！Ithinkyouaregrowinglesscool，myfriend，andarebeginningtobeatriflesurprised，aren’tyou？I’mgladthatyouarenotaboveordinaryhumanfeelings，foronce。I’llconsoleyoualittlenow，afteryourconsternation。SeewhatIgetforservingayoungandhigh-souledmaiden！ThismorningIreceivedaslapinthefacefromthelady！\"
\"A——amoralone？\"askedtheprince，involuntarily。
\"Yes——notaphysicalone！Idon’tsupposeanyone——evenawoman——
wouldraiseahandagainstmenow。EvenGaniawouldhesitate！I
didthinkatonetimeyesterday，thathewouldflyatme，though。
IbetanythingthatIknowwhatyouarethinkingofnow！Youarethinking:’Ofcourseonecan’tstrikethelittlewretch，butonecouldsuffocatehimwithapillow，orawettowel，whenheisasleep！OneOUGHTtogetridofhimsomehow。’Icanseeinyourfacethatyouarethinkingthatatthisverysecond。\"
\"Ineverthoughtofsuchathingforamoment，\"saidtheprince，withdisgust。
\"Idon’tknow——IdreamedlastnightthatIwasbeingsuffocatedwithawetclothby——somebody。I’lltellyouwhoitwas——Rogojin！
Whatdoyouthink，canamanbesuffocatedwithawetcloth？\"
\"Idon’tknow。\"
\"I’veheardso。Well，we’llleavethatquestionjustnow。WhyamIascandal-monger？Whydidshecallmeascandal-monger？Andmind，AFTERshehadheardeverywordIhadtotellher，andhadaskedallsortsofquestionsbesides——butsuchisthewayofwomen。ForHERsakeIenteredintorelationswithRogojin——aninterestingman！AtHERrequestIarrangedapersonalinterviewbetweenherselfandNastasiaPhilipovna。CouldshehavebeenangrybecauseIhintedthatshewasenjoyingNastasiaPhilipovna’s’leavings’？Why，Ihavebeenimpressingituponherallthiswhileforherowngood。TwolettershaveIwrittenherinthatstrain，andIbeganstraightofftodayaboutitsbeinghumiliatingforher。Besides，theword’leavings’isnotmyinvention。Atallevents，theyalluseditatGania’s，andsheuseditherself。SowhyamIascandal-monger？Isee——Iseeyouaretremendouslyamused，atthismoment！Probablyyouarelaughingatmeandfittingthosesillylinestomycase——
\"’MaybesadLoveuponhissettingsmiles，Andwithvainhopeshisfarewellhourbeguiles。
\"Ha，ha，ha！\"
Hippolytesuddenlyburstintoafitofhystericallaughter，whichturnedintoachokingcough。
\"Observe，\"hegasped，throughhiscoughing，\"whatafellowGaniais！HetalksaboutNastasia’s’leavings，’butwhatdoeshewanttotakehimself？\"
Theprincesatsilentforalongwhile。Hismindwasfilledwithdreadandhorror。
\"YouspokeofameetingwithNastasiaPhilipovna，\"hesaidatlast，inalowvoice。
\"Oh——come！SurelyyoumustknowthatthereistobeameetingtodaybetweenNastasiaandAglayaIvanovna，andthatNastasiahasbeensentforonpurpose，throughRogojin，fromSt。Petersburg？
IthasbeenbroughtaboutbyinvitationofAglayaIvanovnaandmyownefforts，andNastasiaisatthismomentwithRogojin，notfarfromhere——atDanaAlexeyevna’s——thatcuriousfriendofhers；andtothisquestionablehouseAglayaIvanovnaistoproceedforafriendlychatwithNastasiaPhilipovna，andforthesettlementofseveralproblems。Theyaregoingtoplayatarithmetic——didn’tyouknowaboutit？Wordofhonour？\"
\"It’samostimprobablestory。\"
\"Oh，verywell！ifit’simprobable——itis——that’sall！Andyet——
whereshouldyouhaveheardit？ThoughImustsay，ifaflycrossestheroomit’sknownallovertheplacehere。However，I’vewarnedyou，andyoumaybegratefultome。Well——aurevoir——
probablyinthenextworld！Onemorething——don’tthinkthatIamtellingyouallthisforyoursake。Oh，dear，no！DoyouknowthatIdedicatedmyconfessiontoAglayaIvanovna？Ididthough，andhowshetookit，ha，ha！Oh，no！Iamnotactingfromanyhigh，exaltedmotives。ButthoughImayhavebehavedlikeacadtoyou，IhavenotdoneHERanyharm。Idon’tapologizeformywordsabout’leavings’andallthat。Iamatoningforthat，yousee，bytellingyoutheplaceandtimeofthemeeting。Goodbye！
Youhadbettertakeyourmeasures，ifyouareworthythenameofaman！Themeetingisfixedforthisevening——that’scertain。\"
Hippolytewalkedtowardsthedoor，buttheprincecalledhimbackandhestopped。
\"ThenyouthinkAglayaIvanovnaherselfintendstogotoNastasiaPhilipovna’stonight？\"heasked，andbrighthecticspotscameoutonhischeeksandforehead。
\"Idon’tknowabsolutelyforcertain；butinallprobabilityitisso，\"repliedHippolyte，lookinground。\"Nastasiawouldhardlygotoher；andtheycan’tmeetatGania’s，withamannearlydeadinthehouse。\"
\"It’simpossible，forthatveryreason，\"saidtheprince。\"Howwouldshegetoutifshewishedto？Youdon’tknowthehabitsofthathouse——sheCOULDnotgetawayalonetoNastasiaPhilipovna’s！It’sallnonsense！\"
\"Lookhere，mydearprince，noonejumpsoutofthewindowiftheycanhelpit；butwhenthere’safire，thedandiestgentlemanorthefinestladyintheworldwillskipout！Whenthemomentcomes，andthere’snothingelsetobedone——ouryoungladywillgotoNastasiaPhilipovna’s！Don’ttheylettheyoungladiesoutofthehousealone，then？\"
\"Ididn’tmeanthatexactly。\"
\"Ifyoudidn’tmeanthat，thenshehasonlytogodownthestepsandwalkoff，andsheneednevercomebackunlessshechooses:
Shipsareburnedbehindonesometimes，andonedoesn’tcaretoreturnwhenceonecame。Lifeneednotconsistonlyoflunches，anddinners，andPrinceS’s。ItstrikesmeyoutakeAglayaIvanovnaforsomeconventionalboarding-schoolgirl。Isaidsotoher，andshequiteagreedwithme。Waittillsevenoreighto’clock。InyourplaceIwouldsendsomeonetheretokeepwatch，soastoseizetheexactmomentwhenshestepsoutofthehouse。
SendColia。He’llplaythespywithpleasure——foryouatleast。
Ha，ha，ha！\"
Hippolytewentout。
Therewasnoreasonfortheprincetosetanyonetowatch，evenifhehadbeencapableofsuchathing。Aglaya’scommandthatheshouldstayathomealldayseemedalmostexplainednow。Perhapsshemeanttocallforhim，herself，oritmightbe，ofcourse，thatshewasanxioustomakesureofhisnotcomingthere，andthereforebadehimremainathome。Hisheadwhirled；thewholeroomseemedtobeturninground。Helaydownonthesofa，andclosedhiseyes。
Onewayortheotherthequestionwastobedecidedatlast——
finally。
Oh，no，hedidnotthinkofAglayaasaboarding-schoolmiss，orayoungladyoftheconventionaltype！Hehadlongsincefearedthatshemighttakesomesuchstepasthis。ButwhydidshewishtoseeNastasia？
Heshiveredalloverashelay；hewasinhighfeveragain。
No！hedidnotaccountherachild。Certainofherlooks，certainofherwords，oflate，hadfilledhimwithapprehension。Attimesithadstruckhimthatshewasputtingtoogreatarestraintuponherself，andherememberedthathehadbeenalarmedtoobservethis。Hehadtried，allthesedays，todriveawaytheheavythoughtsthatoppressedhim；butwhatwasthehiddenmysteryofthatsoul？Thequestionhadlongtormentedhim，althoughheimplicitlytrustedthatsoul。Andnowitwasalltobeclearedup。Itwasadreadfulthought。And\"thatwoman\"again！Whydidhealwaysfeelasthough\"thatwoman\"werefatedtoappearateachcriticalmomentofhislife，andtearthethreadofhisdestinylikeabitofrottenstring？ThathealwaysHADfeltthishewasreadytoswear，althoughhewashalfdeliriousatthemoment。Ifhehadtriedtoforgether，allthistime，itwassimplybecausehewasafraidofher。Didhelovethewomanorhateher？Thisquestionhedidnotonceaskhimselftoday；hisheartwasquitepure。Heknewwhomheloved。Hewasnotsomuchafraidofthismeeting，norofitsstrangeness，norofanyreasonstheremightbeforit，unknowntohimself；hewasafraidofthewomanherself，NastasiaPhilipovna。Heremembered，somedaysafterwards，howduringallthosefeveredhourshehadseenbutHEReyes，HERlook，hadheardHERvoice，strangewordsofhers；
herememberedthatthiswasso，althoughhecouldnotrecollectthedetailsofhisthoughts。
HecouldrememberthatVerabroughthimsomedinner，andthathetookit；butwhetherhesleptafterdinner，orno，hecouldnotrecollect。
HeonlyknewthathebegantodistinguishthingsclearlyfromthemomentwhenAglayasuddenlyappeared，andhejumpedupfromthesofaandwenttomeether。Itwasjustaquarterpastseventhen。
Aglayawasquitealone，anddressed，apparentlyhastily，inalightmantle。Herfacewaspale，asithadbeeninthemorning，andhereyeswereablazewithbrightbutsubduedfire。Hehadneverseenthatexpressioninhereyesbefore。
Shegazedattentivelyathim。
\"Youarequiteready，Iobserve，\"shesaid，withabsolutecomposure，\"dressed，andyourhatinyourhand。Iseesomebodyhasthoughtfittowarnyou，andIknowwho。Hippolyte？\"
\"Yes，hetoldme，\"saidtheprince，feelingonlyhalfalive。
\"Comethen。Youknow，Isuppose，thatyoumustescortmethere？
Youarewellenoughtogoout，aren’tyou？\"
\"Iamwellenough；butisitreallypossible？——\"
Hebrokeoffabruptly，andcouldnotaddanotherword。Thiswashisoneattempttostopthemadchild，and，afterhehadmadeit，hefollowedherasthoughhehadnowillofhisown。Confusedashisthoughtswere，hewas，nevertheless，capableofrealizingthefactthatifhedidnotgowithher，shewouldgoalone，andsohemustgowithheratallhazards。Heguessedthestrengthofherdetermination；itwasbeyondhimtocheckit。
Theywalkedsilently，andsaidscarcelyawordalltheway。Heonlynoticedthatsheseemedtoknowtheroadverywell；andonce，whenhethoughtitbettertogobyacertainlane，andremarkedtoherthatitwouldbequieterandlesspublic，sheonlysaid，\"it’sallthesame，\"andwenton。
WhentheywerealmostarrivedatDariaAlexeyevna’shouseitwasalargewoodenstructureofancientdate，agorgeously-dressedladyandayounggirlcameoutofit。Boththeseladiestooktheirseatsinacarriage，whichwaswaitingatthedoor，talkingandlaughingloudlythewhile，anddroveawaywithoutappearingtonoticetheapproachingcouple。
Nosoonerhadthecarriagedrivenoffthanthedooropenedoncemore；andRogojin，whohadapparentlybeenawaitingthem，lettheminandcloseditafterthem。
\"Thereisnotanothersoulinthehousenowexceptingourfourselves，\"hesaidaloud，lookingattheprinceinastrangeway。
NastasiaPhilipovnawaswaitingfortheminthefirstroomtheywentinto。Shewasdressedverysimply，inblack。
Sheroseattheirentrance，butdidnotsmileorgiveherhand，eventotheprince。HeranxiouseyeswerefixeduponAglaya。Bothsatdown，atalittledistancefromoneanother——Aglayaonthesofa，inthecorneroftheroom，Nastasiabythewindow。TheprinceandRogojinremainedstanding，andwerenotinvitedtosit。
MuishkinglancedatRogojininperplexity，butthelatteronlysmileddisagreeably，andsaidnothing。Thesilencecontinuedforsomefewmoments。
AnominousexpressionpassedoverNastasiaPhilipovna’sface，ofasudden。Itbecameobstinate-looking，hard，andfullofhatred；
butshedidnottakehereyesoffhervisitorsforamoment。
Aglayawasclearlyconfused，butnotfrightened。Onenteringshehadmerelyglancedmomentarilyatherrival，andthenhadsatstill，withhereyesontheground，apparentlyinthought。Onceortwicesheglancedcasuallyroundtheroom。Ashadeofdisgustwasvisibleinherexpression；shelookedasthoughshewereafraidofcontaminationinthisplace。
Shemechanicallyarrangedherdress，andfidgeteduncomfortably，eventuallychangingherseattotheotherendofthesofa。
Probablyshewasunconsciousofherownmovements；butthisveryunconsciousnessaddedtotheoffensivenessoftheirsuggestedmeaning。
AtlengthshelookedstraightintoNastasia’seyes，andinstantlyreadalltherewastoreadinherrival’sexpression。Womanunderstoodwoman！Aglayashuddered。
\"YouknowofcoursewhyIrequestedthismeeting？\"shesaidatlast，quietly，andpausingtwiceinthedeliveryofthisveryshortsentence。
\"No——Iknownothingaboutit，\"saidNastasia，drilyandabruptly。
Aglayablushed。Perhapsitstruckherasverystrangeandimpossiblethatsheshouldreallybesittinghereandwaitingfor\"thatwoman’s\"replytoherquestion。
AtthefirstsoundofNastasia’svoiceashudderranthroughherframe。Ofcourse\"thatwoman\"observedandtookinallthis。
\"Youknowquitewell，butyouarepretendingtobeignorant，\"
saidAglaya，verylow，withhereyesontheground。
\"WhyshouldI？\"askedNastasiaPhilipovna，smilingslightly。
\"Youwanttotakeadvantageofmyposition，nowthatIaminyourhouse，\"continuedAglaya，awkwardly。
\"ForthatpositionYOUaretoblameandnotI，\"saidNastasia，flaringupsuddenly。\"_I_didnotinviteYOU，butyoume；andtothismomentIamquiteignorantastowhyIamthushonoured。\"
Aglayaraisedherheadhaughtily。
\"Restrainyourtongue！\"shesaid。\"Ididnotcomeheretofightyouwithyourownweapons。
\"Oh！thenyoudidcome’tofight，’Imayconclude？Dearme！——andIthoughtyouwerecleverer——\"
Theylookedatoneanotherwithundisguisedmalice。Oneofthesewomenhadwrittentotheother，solately，suchlettersaswehaveseen；anditallwasdispersedattheirfirstmeeting。Yetitappearedthatnotoneofthefourpersonsintheroomconsideredthisinanydegreestrange。
Theprincewho，uptoyesterday，wouldnothavebelievedthathecouldevendreamofsuchanimpossiblesceneasthis，stoodandlistenedandlookedon，andfeltasthoughhehadlongforeseenitall。Themostfantasticdreamseemedsuddenlytohavebeenmetamorphosedintothemostvividreality。
Oneofthesewomensodespisedtheother，andsolongedtoexpresshercontemptforherperhapsshehadonlycomeforthatverypurpose，asRogojinsaidnextday，thathowsoeverfantasticalwastheotherwoman，howsoeverafflictedherspiritanddisturbedherunderstanding，nopreconceivedideaofherscouldpossiblystandupagainstthatdeadlyfemininecontemptofherrival。TheprincefeltsurethatNastasiawouldsaynothingaboutthelettersherself；buthecouldjudgebyherflashingeyesandtheexpressionofherfacewhatthethoughtofthoselettersmustbecostingheratthismoment。HewouldhavegivenhalfhislifetopreventAglayafromspeakingofthem。ButAglayasuddenlybracedherselfup，andseemedtomasterherselffully，allinaninstant。
\"Youhavenotquiteunderstood，\"shesaid。\"Ididnotcometoquarrelwithyou，thoughIdonotlikeyou。Icametospeaktoyouas……asonehumanbeingtoanother。IcamewithmymindmadeupastowhatIhadtosaytoyou，andIshallnotchangemyintention，althoughyoumaymisunderstandme。Somuchtheworseforyou，notformyself！Iwishedtoreplytoallyouhavewrittentomeandtoreplypersonally，becauseIthinkthatisthemoreconvenientway。Listentomyreplytoallyourletters。
IbegantobesorryforPrinceLefNicolaievitchontheverydayImadehisacquaintance，andwhenIheard——afterwards——ofallthattookplaceatyourhouseintheevening，Iwassorryforhimbecausehewassuchasimple-mindedman，andbecausehe，inthesimplicityofhissoul，believedthathecouldbehappywithawomanofyourcharacter。WhatIfearedactuallytookplace；youcouldnotlovehim，youtorturedhim，andthrewhimover。Youcouldnotlovehimbecauseyouaretooproud——no，notproud，thatisanerror；becauseyouaretoovain——no，notquitethateither；
tooself-loving；youareself-lovingtomadness。Yourletterstomeareaproofofit。Youcouldnotlovesosimpleasoulashis，andperhapsinyourheartyoudespisedhimandlaughedathim。
Allyoucouldlovewasyourshameandtheperpetualthoughtthatyouweredisgracedandinsulted。Ifyouwerelessshameful，orhadnocauseatallforshame，youwouldbestillmoreunhappythanyouarenow。
Aglayabroughtoutthesethrongingwordswithgreatsatisfaction。
Theycamefromherlipshurriedlyandimpetuously，andhadbeenpreparedandthoughtoutlongago，evenbeforeshehadeverdreamedofthepresentmeeting。ShewatchedwitheagernesstheeffectofherspeechasshowninNastasia’sface，whichwasdistortedwithagitation。
\"Youremember，\"shecontinued，\"hewrotemealetteratthattime；hesaysyouknowallaboutthatletterandthatyouevenreadit。Iunderstandallbymeansofthisletter，andunderstanditcorrectly。Hehassinceconfirmeditalltome——whatInowsaytoyou，wordforword。AfterreceivinghisletterIwaited；I
guessedthatyouwouldsooncomebackhere，becauseyoucouldneverdowithoutPetersburg；youarestilltooyoungandlovelyfortheprovinces。However，thisisnotmyownidea，\"sheadded，blushingdreadfully；andfromthismomentthecolourneverlefthercheekstotheendofherspeech。WhenInextsawtheprinceI
begantofeelterriblypainedandhurtonhisaccount。Donotlaugh；ifyoulaughyouareunworthyofunderstandingwhatI
say。\"
\"SurelyyouseethatIamnotlaughing，\"saidNastasia，sadlyandsternly。
\"However，it’sallthesametome；laughornot，justasyouplease。WhenIaskedhimaboutyou，hetoldmethathehadlongsinceceasedtoloveyou，thattheveryrecollectionofyouwasatorturetohim，butthathewassorryforyou；andthatwhenhethoughtofyouhisheartwaspierced。IoughttotellyouthatI
neverinmylifemetamananythinglikehimfornoblesimplicityofmindandforboundlesstrustfulness。Iguessedthatanyonewholikedcoulddeceivehim，andthathewouldimmediatelyforgiveanyonewhodiddeceivehim；anditwasforthisthatIgrewtolovehim——\"
Aglayapausedforamoment，asthoughsuddenlybroughtupinastonishmentthatshecouldhavesaidthesewords，butatthesametimeagreatprideshoneinhereyes，likeadefiantassertionthatitwouldnotmattertoherif\"thiswoman\"laughedinherfacefortheadmissionjustmade。
\"Ihavetoldyouallnow，andofcourseyouunderstandwhatI
wishofyou。\"
\"PerhapsIdo；buttellmeyourself，\"saidNastasiaPhilipovna，quietly。
Aglayaflushedupangrily。
\"Iwishedtofindoutfromyou，\"shesaid，firmly，\"bywhatrightyoudaretomeddlewithhisfeelingsforme？Bywhatrightyoudaredsendmethoseletters？Bywhatrightdoyoucontinuallyremindbothmeandhimthatyoulovehim，afteryouyourselfthrewhimoverandranawayfromhiminsoinsultingandshamefulaway？\"
\"InevertoldeitherhimoryouthatIlovedhim！\"repliedNastasiaPhilipovna，withaneffort。\"And——andIdidrunawayfromhim——youarerightthere，\"sheadded，scarcelyaudibly。
\"Nevertoldeitherhimorme？\"criedAglaya。\"Howaboutyourletters？Whoaskedyoutotrytopersuademetomarryhim？Wasnotthatadeclarationfromyou？Whydoyouforceyourselfuponusinthisway？IconfessIthoughtatfirstthatyouwereanxioustoarouseanaversionforhiminmyheartbyyourmeddling，inorderthatImightgivehimup；anditwasonlyafterwardsthatIguessedthetruth。Youimaginedthatyouweredoinganheroicaction！Howcouldyouspareanyloveforhim，whenyouloveyourownvanitytosuchanextent？Whycouldyounotsimplygoawayfromhere，insteadofwritingmethoseabsurdletters？WhydoyounotNOWmarrythatgenerousmanwholovesyou，andhasdoneyouthehonourofofferingyouhishand？Itisplainenoughwhy；ifyoumarryRogojinyouloseyourgrievance；
youwillhavenothingmoretocomplainof。Youwillbereceivingtoomuchhonour。EvgeniePavlovitchwassayingtheotherdaythatyouhadreadtoomanypoemsandaretoowelleducatedfor——yourposition；andthatyouliveinidleness。Addtothisyourvanity，and，thereyouhavereasonenough——\"
\"Anddoyounotliveinidleness？\"
Thingshadcometothisunexpectedpointtooquickly。UnexpectedbecauseNastasiaPhilipovna，onherwaytoPavlofsk，hadthoughtandconsideredagooddeal，andhadexpectedsomethingdifferent，thoughperhapsnotaltogethergood，fromthisinterview；butAglayahadbeencarriedawaybyherownoutburst，justasarollingstonegathersimpetusasitcareersdownhill，andcouldnotrestrainherselfinthesatisfactionofrevenge。
Itwasstrange，NastasiaPhilipovnafelt，toseeAglayalikethis。Shegazedather，andcouldhardlybelievehereyesandearsforamomentortwo。
Whethershewereawomanwhohadreadtoomanypoems，asEvgeniePavlovitchsupposed，orwhethersheweremad，astheprincehadassuredAglaya，atallevents，thiswasawomanwho，inspiteofheroccasionallycynicalandaudaciousmanner，wasfarmorerefinedandtrustfulandsensitivethanappeared。Therewasacertainamountofromanticdreaminessandcapriceinher，butwiththefantasticwasmingledmuchthatwasstronganddeep。
Theprincerealizedthis，andgreatsufferingexpresseditselfinhisface。
Aglayaobservedit，andtrembledwithanger。
\"Howdareyouspeaksotome？\"shesaid，withahaughtinesswhichwasquiteindescribable，replyingtoNastasia’slastremark。
\"YoumusthavemisunderstoodwhatIsaid，\"saidNastasia，insomesurprise。
\"Ifyouwishedtopreserveyourgoodname，whydidyounotgiveupyour——your’guardian，’Totski，withoutallthattheatricalposturing？\"saidAglaya，suddenlyaproposofnothing。
\"Whatdoyouknowofmyposition，thatyoudaretojudgeme？\"
criedNastasia，quiveringwithrage，andgrowingterriblywhite。
\"Iknowthismuch，thatyoudidnotgoouttohonestwork，butwentawaywitharichman，Rogojin，inordertoposeasafallenangel。Idon’twonderthatTotskiwasnearlydriventosuicidebysuchafallenangel。\"
\"Silence！\"criedNastasiaPhilipovna。\"Youareaboutasfittounderstandmeasthehousemaidhere，whoborewitnessagainstherloverincourttheotherday。Shewouldunderstandmebetterthanyoudo。\"
\"Probablyanhonestgirllivingbyherowntoil。Whydoyouspeakofahousemaidsocontemptuously？\"
\"Idonotdespisetoil；Idespiseyouwhenyouspeakoftoil。\"
\"Ifyouhadcaredtobeanhonestwoman，youwouldhavegoneoutasalaundress。\"
Bothhadrisen，andweregazingatoneanotherwithpallidfaces。
\"Aglaya，don’t！Thisisunfair，\"criedtheprince，deeplydistressed。
Rogojinwasnotsmilingnow；hesatandlistenedwithfoldedarms，andlipstightcompressed。
\"There，lookather，\"criedNastasia，tremblingwithpassion。
\"Lookatthisyounglady！AndIimaginedheranangel！Didyoucometomewithoutyourgoverness，AglayaIvanovna？Oh，fie，nowshallIjusttellyouwhyyoucameheretoday？ShallItellyouwithoutanyembellishments？Youcamebecauseyouwereafraidofme！\"
\"AfraidofYOU？\"askedAglaya，besideherselfwithnaiveamazementthattheothershoulddaretalktoherlikethis。
\"Yes，me，ofcourse！Ofcourseyouwereafraidofme，oryouwouldnothavedecidedtocome。Youcannotdespiseoneyoufear。
AndtothinkthatIhaveactuallyesteemedyouuptothisverymoment！Doyouknowwhyyouareafraidofme，andwhatisyourobjectnow？Youwishedtosatisfyyourselfwithyourowneyesastowhichhelovesbest，myselforyou，becauseyouarefearfullyjealous。\"
\"Hehastoldmealreadythathehatesyou，\"murmuredAglaya，scarcelyaudibly。
\"Perhaps，perhaps！Iamnotworthyofhim，Iknow。ButIthinkyouarelying，allthesame。Hecannothateme，andhecannothavesaidso。Iamreadytoforgiveyou，inconsiderationofyourposition；butIconfessIthoughtbetterofyou。Ithoughtyouwerewiser，andmorebeautiful，too；Idid，indeed！Well，takeyourtreasure！See，heisgazingatyou，hecan’trecollecthimself。Takehim，butononecondition；goawayatonce，thisinstant！\"
Shefellbackintoachair，andburstintotears。Butsuddenlysomenewexpressionblazedinhereyes。ShestaredfixedlyatAglaya，androsefromherseat。
\"Orwouldyoulikemetobidhim，BIDHIM，doyouhear，COMMAND
HIM，now，atonce，tothrowyouup，andremainmineforever？
ShallI？Hewillstay，andhewillmarrymetoo，andyoushalltrothomeallalone。ShallI？——shallIsaytheword？\"shescreamedlikeamadwoman，scarcelybelievingherselfthatshecouldreallypronouncesuchwildwords。
Aglayahadmadeforthedoorinterror，butshestoppedatthethreshold，andlistened。\"ShallIturnRogojinoff？Ha！ha！youthoughtIwouldmarryhimforyourbenefit，didyou？Why，I’llcalloutNOW，ifyoulike，inyourpresence，’Rogojin，getout！’
andsaytotheprince，’Doyourememberwhatyoupromisedme？’
Heavens！whatafoolIhavebeentohumiliatemyselfbeforethem！
Why，prince，youyourselfgavemeyourwordthatyouwouldmarrymewhateverhappened，andwouldneverabandonme。Yousaidyoulovedmeandwouldforgivemeall，and——andresp——yes，youevensaidthat！Ionlyranawayfromyouinordertosetyoufree，andnowIdon’tcaretoletyougoagain。Whydoesshetreatmeso——
soshamefully？Iamnotaloosewoman——askRogojinthere！He’lltellyou。Willyougoagainnowthatshehasinsultedme，beforeyoureyes，too；turnawayfrommeandleadheraway，arm-in-arm？
Mayyoubeaccursedtoo，foryouweretheonlyoneItrustedamongthemall！Goaway，Rogojin，Idon’twantyou，\"shecontinued，blindwithfury，andforcingthewordsoutwithdrylipsanddistortedfeatures，evidentlynotbelievingasinglewordofherowntirade，but，atthesametime，doingherutmosttoprolongthemomentofself-deception。
Theoutburstwassoterriblyviolentthattheprincethoughtitwouldhavekilledher。
\"Thereheis！\"sheshriekedagain，pointingtotheprinceandaddressingAglaya。\"Thereheis！andifhedoesnotapproachmeatonceandtakeMEandthrowyouover，thenhavehimforyourown——Igivehimuptoyou！Idon’twanthim！\"
BothsheandAglayastoodandwaitedasthoughinexpectation，andbothlookedattheprincelikemadwomen。
Buthe，perhaps，didnotunderstandthefullforceofthischallenge；infact，itiscertainhedidnot。Allhecouldseewasthepoordespairingfacewhich，ashehadsaidtoAglaya，\"hadpiercedhisheartforever。\"
Hecouldbearitnolonger，andwithalookofentreaty，mingledwithreproach，headdressedAglaya，pointingtoNastasiathewhile:
\"Howcanyou？\"hemurmured；\"sheissounhappy。\"
Buthehadnotimetosayanotherwordbefore。Aglaya’sterriblelookberefthimofspeech。Inthatlookwasembodiedsodreadfulasufferingandsodeadlyahatred，thathegaveacryandflewtoher；butitwastoolate。
Shecouldnotholdoutlongenougheventowitnesshismovementinherdirection。Shehadhiddenherfaceinherhands，criedonce\"Oh，myGod！\"andrushedoutoftheroom。Rogojinfollowedhertoundotheboltsofthedoorandletheroutintothestreet。
Theprincemadearushafterher，buthe，wascaughtandheldback。Thedistorted，lividfaceofNastasiagazedathimreproachfully，andherbluelipswhispered:
\"What？Wouldyougotoher——toher？\"
Shefellsenselessintohisarms。
Heraisedher，carriedherintotheroom，placedherinanarm-
chair，andstoodoverher，stupefied。Onthetablestoodatumblerofwater。Rogojin，whonowreturned，tookthisandsprinkledalittleinherface。Sheopenedhereyes，butforamomentsheunderstoodnothing。
Suddenlyshelookedaround，shuddered，gavealoudcry，andthrewherselfintheprince’sarms。
\"Mine，mine！\"shecried。\"Hastheproudyoungladygone？Ha，ha，ha！\"shelaughedhysterically。\"AndIhadgivenhimuptoher！
Why——whydidI？Mad——mad！Getaway，Rogojin！Ha，ha，ha！\"
Rogojinstaredintentlyatthem；thenhetookhishat，andwithoutaword，lefttheroom。
Afewmomentslater，theprincewasseatedbyNastasiaonthesofa，gazingintohereyesandstrokingherfaceandhair，ashewouldalittlechild’s。Helaughedwhenshelaughed，andwasreadytocrywhenshecried。Hedidnotspeak，butlistenedtoherexcited，disconnectedchatter，hardlyunderstandingawordofitthewhile。Nosoonerdidhedetecttheslightestappearanceofcomplaining，orweeping，orreproaching，thanhewouldsmileatherkindly，andbeginstrokingherhairandhercheeks，soothingandconsolingheroncemore，asifshewereachild。
IX。
AFORTNIGHThadpassedsincetheeventsrecordedinthelastchapter，andthepositionoftheactorsinourstoryhadbecomesochangedthatitisalmostimpossibleforustocontinuethetalewithoutsomefewexplanations。Yetwefeelthatweoughttolimitourselvestothesimplerecordoffacts，withoutmuchattemptatexplanation，foraverypatentreason:becauseweourselveshavethegreatestpossibledifficultyinaccountingforthefactstoberecorded。Suchastatementonourpartmayappearstrangetothereader。Howisanyonetotellastorywhichhecannotunderstandhimself？Inordertokeepclearofafalseposition，wehadperhapsbettergiveanexampleofwhatwemean；
andprobablytheintelligentreaderwillsoonunderstandthedifficulty。Moreespeciallyareweinclinedtotakethiscoursesincetheexamplewillconstituteadistinctmarchforwardofourstory，andwillnothindertheprogressoftheeventsremainingtoberecorded。
Duringthenextfortnight——thatis，throughtheearlypartofJuly——thehistoryofourherowascirculatedintheformofstrange，diverting，mostunlikely-soundingstories，whichpassedfrommouthtomouth，throughthestreetsandvillasadjoiningthoseinhabitedbyLebedeff，Ptitsin，NastasiaPhilipovnaandtheEpanchins；infact，prettywellthroughthewholetownanditsenvirons。Allsociety——boththeinhabitantsoftheplaceandthosewhocamedownofaneveningforthemusic——hadgotholdofoneandthesamestory，inathousandvarietiesofdetail——astohowacertainyoungprincehadraisedaterriblescandalinamostrespectablehousehold，hadthrownoveradaughterofthefamily，towhomhewasengaged，andhadbeencapturedbyawomanofshadyreputationwhomhewasdeterminedtomarryatonce——
breakingoffalloldtiesforthesatisfactionofhisinsaneidea；and，inspiteofthepublicindignationrousedbyhisaction，themarriagewastotakeplaceinPavlofskopenlyandpublicly，andtheprincehadannouncedhisintentionofgoingthroughwithitwithheaderectandlookingthewholeworldintheface。Thestorywassoartfullyadornedwithscandalousdetails，andpersonsofsogreateminenceandimportancewereapparentlymixedupinit，while，atthesametime，theevidencewassocircumstantial，thatitwasnowonderthemattergavefoodforplentyofcuriosityandgossip。
Accordingtothereportsofthemosttalentedgossip-mongers——
thosewho，ineveryclassofsociety，arealwaysinhastetoexplaineveryeventtotheirneighbours——theyounggentlemanconcernedwasofgoodfamily——aprince——fairlyrich——weakofintellect，butademocratandadabblerintheNihilismoftheperiod，asexposedbyMr。Turgenieff。HecouldhardlytalkRussian，buthadfalleninlovewithoneoftheMissEpanchins，andhissuitmetwithsomuchencouragementthathehadbeenreceivedinthehouseastherecognizedbridegroom-to-beoftheyounglady。ButliketheFrenchmanofwhomthestoryistoldthathestudiedforholyorders，tookalltheoaths，wasordainedpriest，andnextmorningwrotetohisbishopinforminghimthat，ashedidnotbelieveinGodandconsidereditwrongtodeceivethepeopleandliveupontheirpockets，hebeggedtosurrendertheordersconferreduponhimthedaybefore，andtoinformhislordshipthathewassendingthislettertothepublicpress，——
likethisFrenchman，theprinceplayedafalsegame。Itwasrumouredthathehadpurposelywaitedforthesolemnoccasionofalargeeveningpartyatthehouseofhisfuturebride，atwhichhewasintroducedtoseveraleminentpersons，inorderpubliclytomakeknownhisideasandopinions，andtherebyinsultthe\"big-wigs，\"andtothrowoverhisbrideasoffensivelyaspossible；andthat，resistingtheservantswhoweretoldofftoturnhimoutofthehouse，hehadseizedandthrowndownamagnificentchinavase。Asacharacteristicadditiontotheabove，itwascurrentlyreportedthattheyoungprincereallylovedtheladytowhomhewasengaged，andhadthrownheroveroutofpurelyNihilisticmotives，withtheintentionofgivinghimselfthesatisfactionofmarryingafallenwomaninthefaceofalltheworld，therebypublishinghisopinionthatthereisnodistinctionbetweenvirtuousanddisreputablewomen，butthatallwomenarealike，free；anda\"fallen\"woman，indeed，somewhatsuperiortoavirtuousone。
Itwasdeclaredthathebelievedinnoclassesoranythingelse，excepting\"thewomanquestion。\"
Allthislookedlikelyenough，andwasacceptedasfactbymostoftheinhabitantsoftheplace，especiallyasitwasborneout，moreorless，bydailyoccurrences。
Ofcoursemuchwassaidthatcouldnotbedeterminedabsolutely。
Forinstance，itwasreportedthatthepoorgirlhadsolovedherfuturehusbandthatshehadfollowedhimtothehouseoftheotherwoman，thedayaftershehadbeenthrownover；otherssaidthathehadinsistedonhercoming，himself，inordertoshameandinsultherbyhistauntsandNihilisticconfessionswhenshereachedthehouse。Howeverallthesethingsmightbe，thepublicinterestinthemattergrewdaily，especiallyasitbecameclearthatthescandalousweddingwasundoubtedlytotakeplace。
Sothatifourreadersweretoaskanexplanation，notofthewildreportsabouttheprince’sNihilisticopinions，butsimplyastohowsuchamarriagecouldpossiblysatisfyhisrealaspirations，orastothespiritualconditionofourheroatthistime，weconfessthatweshouldhavegreatdifficultyingivingtherequiredinformation。
Allweknowis，thatthemarriagereallywasarranged，andthattheprincehadcommissionedLebedeffandKellertolookafterallthenecessarybusinessconnectedwithit；thathehadrequestedthemtosparenoexpense；thatNastasiaherselfwashurryingonthewedding；thatKellerwastobetheprince’sbestman，athisownearnestrequest；andthatBurdovskywastogiveNastasiaaway，tohisgreatdelight。TheweddingwastotakeplacebeforethemiddleofJuly。
But，besidestheabove，wearecognizantofcertainotherundoubtedfacts，whichpuzzleusagooddealbecausetheyseemflatlytocontradicttheforegoing。
Wesuspect，forinstance，thathavingcommissionedLebedeffandtheothers，asabove，theprinceimmediatelyforgotallaboutmastersofceremoniesandeventheceremonyitself；andwefeelquitecertainthatinmakingthesearrangementshedidsoinorderthathemightabsolutelyescapeallthoughtofthewedding，andevenforgetitsapproachifhecould，bydetailingallbusinessconcerningittoothers。