Whatdidhethinkofallthistime，then？Whatdidhewishfor？
Thereisnodoubtthathewasaperfectlyfreeagentallthrough，andthatasfarasNastasiawasconcerned，therewasnoforceofanykindbroughttobearonhim。Nastasiawishedforaspeedymarriage，true！——buttheprinceagreedatoncetoherproposals；
heagreed，infact，socasuallythatanyonemightsupposehewasbutaccedingtothemostsimpleandordinarysuggestion。
Therearemanystrangecircumstancessuchasthisbeforeus；butinouropiniontheydobutdeepenthemystery，anddonotinthesmallestdegreehelpustounderstandthecase。
However，letustakeonemoreexample。Thus，weknowforafactthatduringthewholeofthisfortnighttheprincespentallhisdaysandeveningswithNastasia；hewalkedwithher，drovewithher；hebegantoberestlesswheneverhepassedanhourwithoutseeingher——infact，toallappearances，hesincerelylovedher。
Hewouldlistentoherforhoursatatimewithaquietsmileonhisface，scarcelysayingawordhimself。Andyetweknow，equallycertainly，thatduringthisperiodheseveraltimessetoff，suddenly，totheEpanchins’，notconcealingthefactfromNastasiaPhilipovna，anddrivingthelattertoabsolutedespair。
WeknowalsothathewasnotreceivedattheEpanchins’solongastheyremainedatPavlofsk，andthathewasnotallowedaninterviewwithAglaya；——butnextdayhewouldsetoffoncemoreonthesameerrand，apparentlyquiteobliviousofthefactofyesterday’svisithavingbeenafailure，——and，ofcourse，meetingwithanotherrefusal。Weknow，too，thatexactlyanhourafterAglayahadfledfromNastasiaPhilipovna’shouseonthatfatefulevening，theprincewasattheEpanchins’，——andthathisappearancetherehadbeenthecauseofthegreatestconsternationanddismay；forAglayahadnotbeenhome，andthefamilyonlydiscoveredthen，forthefirsttime，thatthetwoofthemhadbeentoNastasia’shousetogether。
ItwassaidthatElizabethaProkofievnaandherdaughtershadthereandthendenouncedtheprinceinthestrongestterms，andhadrefusedanyfurtheracquaintanceandfriendshipwithhim；
theirrageanddenunciationsbeingredoubledwhenVariaArdalionovnasuddenlyarrivedandstatedthatAglayahadbeenatherhouseinaterriblestateofmindforthelasthour，andthatsherefusedtocomehome。
Thislastitemofnews，whichdisturbedLizabethaProkofievnamorethananythingelse，wasperfectlytrue。OnleavingNastasia’s，Aglayahadfeltthatshewouldratherdiethanfaceherpeople，andhadthereforegonestraighttoNinaAlexandrovna’s。Onreceivingthenews，LizabethaandherdaughtersandthegeneralallrushedofftoAglaya，followedbyPrinceLefNicolaievitch——undeterredbyhisrecentdismissal；butthroughVariahewasrefusedasightofAglayaherealso。TheendoftheepisodewasthatwhenAglayasawhermotherandsisterscryingoverherandnotutteringawordofreproach，shehadflungherselfintotheirarmsandgonestraighthomewiththem。
ItwassaidthatGaniamanagedtomakeafoolofhimselfevenonthisoccasion；for，findinghimselfalonewithAglayaforaminuteortwowhenVariahadgonetotheEpanchins’，hehadthoughtitafittingopportunitytomakeadeclarationofhislove，andonhearingthisAglaya，inspiteofherstateofmindatthetime，hadsuddenlyburstoutlaughing，andhadputastrangequestiontohim。Sheaskedhimwhetherhewouldconsenttoholdhisfingertoalightedcandleinproofofhisdevotion！
Gania——itwassaid——lookedsocomicallybewilderedthatAglayahadalmostlaughedherselfintohysterics，andhadrushedoutoftheroomandupstairs，——whereherparentshadfoundher。
Hippolytetoldtheprincethislaststory，sendingforhimonpurpose。WhenMuishkinheardaboutthecandleandGania’sfingerhehadlaughedsothathehadquiteastonishedHippolyte，——andthenshudderedandburstintotears。Theprince’sconditionduringthosedayswasstrangeandperturbed。Hippolyteplainlydeclaredthathethoughthewasoutofhismind；——this，however，washardlytobereliedupon。
Offeringallthesefactstoourreadersandrefusingtoexplainthem，wedonotforamomentdesiretojustifyourhero’sconduct。Onthecontrary，wearequitepreparedtofeelourshareoftheindignationwhichhisbehaviourarousedintheheartsofhisfriends。EvenVeraLebedeffwasangrywithhimforawhile；
sowasColia；sowasKeller，untilhewasselectedforbestman；
sowasLebedeffhimself，——whobegantointrigueagainsthimoutofpureirritation；——butofthisanon。InfactweareinfullaccordwithcertainforciblewordsspokentotheprincebyEvgeniePavlovitch，quiteunceremoniously，duringthecourseofafriendlyconversation，sixorsevendaysaftertheeventsatNastasiaPhilipovna’shouse。
WemayremarkherethatnotonlytheEpanchinsthemselves，butallwhohadanythingtodowiththem，thoughtitrighttobreakwiththeprinceinconsequenceofhisconduct。PrinceS。evenwentsofarastoturnawayandcuthimdeadinthestreet。ButEvgeniePavlovitchwasnotafraidtocompromisehimselfbypayingtheprinceavisit，anddidso，inspiteofthefactthathehadrecommencedtovisitattheEpanchins’，wherehewasreceivedwithredoubledhospitalityandkindnessafterthetemporaryestrangement。
EvgeniecalledupontheprincethedayafterthatonwhichtheEpanchinsleftPavlofsk。Heknewofallthecurrentrumours，——infact，hehadprobablycontributedtothemhimself。Theprincewasdelightedtoseehim，andimmediatelybegantospeakoftheEpanchins；——whichsimpleandstraightforwardopeningquitetookEvgenie’sfancy，sothathemeltedatonce，andplungedinmediasreswithoutceremony。
Theprincedidnotknow，uptothis，thattheEpanchinshadlefttheplace。Hegrewverypaleonhearingthenews；butamomentlaterhenoddedhishead，andsaidthoughtfully:
\"Iknewitwasboundtobeso。\"Thenheaddedquickly:
\"Wherehavetheygoneto？\"
Evgeniemeanwhileobservedhimattentively，andtherapidityofthequestions，their，simplicity，theprince’scandour，andatthesametime，hisevidentperplexityandmentalagitation，surprisedhimconsiderably。However，hetoldMuishkinallhecould，kindlyandindetail。Theprincehardlyknewanything，forthiswasthefirstinformantfromthehouseholdwhomhehadmetsincetheestrangement。
EvgeniereportedthatAglayahadbeenreallyill，andthatfortwonightsshehadnotsleptatall，owingtohighfever；thatnowshewasbetterandoutofseriousdanger，butstillinanervous，hystericalstate。
\"It’sagoodthingthatthereispeaceinthehouse，atallevents，\"hecontinued。\"Theyneverutterahintaboutthepast，notonlyinAglaya’spresence，butevenamongthemselves。Theoldpeoplearetalkingofatripabroadintheautumn，immediatelyafterAdelaida’swedding；Aglayareceivedthenewsinsilence。\"
Evgeniehimselfwasverylikelygoingabroadalso；sowerePrinceS。andhiswife，ifaffairsallowedofit；thegeneralwastostayathome。TheywereallattheirestateofColminanow，abouttwentymilesorsofromSt。Petersburg。PrincessBielokonskihadnotreturnedtoMoscowyet，andwasapparentlystayingonforreasonsofherown。LizabethaProkofievnahadinsistedthatitwasquiteimpossibletoremaininPavlofskafterwhathadhappened。Evgeniehadtoldherofalltherumourscurrentintownabouttheaffair；sothattherecouldbenotalkoftheirgoingtotheirhouseontheYelaginasyet。
\"Andinpointoffact，prince，\"addedEvgeniePavlovitch，\"youmustallowthattheycouldhardlyhavestayedhere，consideringthattheyknewofallthatwentonatyourplace，andinthefaceofyourdailyvisitstotheirhouse，visitswhichyouinsisteduponmakinginspiteoftheirrefusaltoseeyou。\"
\"Yes——yes，quiteso；youarequiteright。IwishedtoseeAglayaIvanovna，youknow！\"saidtheprince，noddinghishead。
\"Oh，mydearfellow，\"criedEvgenie，warmly，withrealsorrowinhisvoice，\"howcouldyoupermitallthattocomeaboutasithas？Ofcourse，ofcourse，Iknowitwasallsounexpected。I
admitthatyou，onlynaturally，lostyourhead，and——andcouldnotstopthefoolishgirl；thatwasnotinyourpower。Iquiteseesomuch；butyoureallyshouldhaveunderstoodhowseriouslyshecaredforyou。Shecouldnotbeartoshareyouwithanother；
andyoucouldbringyourselftothrowawayandshattersuchatreasure！Oh，prince，prince！\"
\"Yes，yes，youarequiterightagain，\"saidthepoorprince，inanguishofmind。\"Iwaswrong，Iknow。ButitwasonlyAglayawholookedonNastasiaPhilipovnaso；nooneelsedid，youknow。\"
\"Butthat’sjusttheworstofitall，don’tyousee，thattherewasabsolutelynothingseriousaboutthematterinreality！\"
criedEvgenie，besidehimself:\"Excuseme，prince，butIhavethoughtoverallthis；Ihavethoughtagreatdealoverit；I
knowallthathadhappenedbefore；Iknowallthattookplacesixmonthssince；andIknowtherewasNOTHINGseriousaboutthematter，itwasbutfancy，smoke，fantasy，distortedbyagitation，andonlythealarmedjealousyofanabsolutelyinexperiencedgirlcouldpossiblyhavemistakenitforseriousreality。\"
HereEvgeniePavlovitchquitelethimselfgo，andgavethereinstohisindignation。
Clearlyandreasonably，andwithgreatpsychologicalinsight，hedrewapictureoftheprince’spastrelationswithNastasiaPhilipovna。EvgeniePavlovitchalwayshadareadytongue，butonthisoccasionhiseloquence，surprisedhimself。\"Fromtheverybeginning，\"hesaid，\"youbeganwithalie；whatbeganwithaliewasboundtoendwithalie；suchisthelawofnature。Idonotagree，infactIamangry，whenIhearyoucalledanidiot；youarefartoointelligenttodeservesuchanepithet；butyouaresofarSTRANGEastobeunlikeothers；thatyoumustallow，yourself。Now，Ihavecometotheconclusionthatthebasisofallthathashappened，hasbeenfirstofallyourinnateinexperienceremarktheexpression’innate，’prince。Thenfollowsyourunheard-ofsimplicityofheart；thencomesyourabsolutewantofsenseofproportiontothiswantyouhaveseveraltimesconfessed；andlastly，amass，anaccumulation，ofintellectualconvictionswhichyou，inyourunexampledhonestyofsoul，acceptunquestionablyasalsoinnateandnaturalandtrue。
Admit，prince，thatinyourrelationswithNastasiaPhilipovnatherehasexisted，fromtheveryfirst，somethingdemocratic，andthefascination，sotospeak，ofthe’womanquestion’？IknowallaboutthatscandaloussceneatNastasiaPhilipovna’shousewhenRogojinbroughtthemoney，sixmonthsago。I’llshowyouyourselfasinalooking-glass，ifyoulike。Iknowexactlyallthatwenton，ineverydetail，andwhythingshaveturnedoutastheyhave。
Youthirsted，whileinSwitzerland，foryourhome-country，forRussia；youread，doubtless，manybooksaboutRussia，excellentbooks，Idaresay，buthurtfultoYOU；andyouarrivedhere；asitwere，onfirewiththelongingtobeofservice。Then，ontheverydayofyourarrival，theytellyouasadstoryofanill-
usedwoman；theytellYOU，aknight，pureandwithoutreproach，thistaleofapoorwoman！ThesamedayyouactuallySEEher；youareattractedbyherbeauty，herfantastic，almostdemoniacal，beauty——Iadmitherbeauty，ofcourse。
\"Addtoallthisyournervousnature，yourepilepsy，andyoursuddenarrivalinastrangetown——thedayofmeetingsandofexcitingscenes，thedayofunexpectedacquaintanceships，thedayofsuddenactions，thedayofmeetingwiththethreelovelyEpanchingirls，andamongthemAglaya——addyourfatigue，yourexcitement；addNastasia’seveningparty，andthetoneofthatparty，and——whatwereyoutoexpectofyourselfatsuchamomentasthat？\"
\"Yes，yes，yes！\"saidtheprince，oncemore，noddinghishead，andblushingslightly。\"Yes，itwasso，ornearlyso——Iknowit。
Andbesides，yousee，Ihadnotsleptthenightbefore，inthetrain，orthenightbeforethat，either，andIwasverytired。\"
\"Ofcourse，ofcourse，quiteso；that’swhatIamdrivingat！\"
continuedEvgenie，excitedly。\"Itisasclearaspossible，andmostcomprehensible，thatyou，inyourenthusiasm，shouldplungeheadlongintothefirstchancethatcameofpubliclyairingyourgreatideathatyou，aprince，andapure-livingman，didnotconsiderawomandisgracedifthesinwerenotherown，butthatofadisgustingsociallibertine！Oh，heavens！it’scomprehensibleenough，mydearprince，butthatisnotthequestion，unfortunately！Thequestionis，wasthereanyrealityandtruthinyourfeelings？Wasitnature，ornothingbutintellectualenthusiasm？Whatdoyouthinkyourself？Wearetold，ofcourse，thatafarworsewomanwasFORGIVEN，butwedon’tfindthatshewastoldthatshehaddonewell，orthatshewasworthyofhonourandrespect！Didnotyourcommon-senseshowyouwhatwastherealstateofthecase，afewmonthslater？Thequestionisnow，notwhethersheisaninnocentwomanIdonotinsistonewayortheother——Idonotwishto；butcanherwholecareerjustifysuchintolerablepride，suchinsolent，rapaciousegotismasshehasshown？Forgiveme，Iamtooviolent，perhaps，but——\"
\"Yes——Idaresayitisallasyousay；Idaresayyouarequiteright，\"mutteredtheprinceoncemore。\"Sheisverysensitiveandeasilyputout，ofcourse；butstill，she……\"
\"Sheisworthyofsympathy？Isthatwhatyouwishedtosay，mygoodfellow？Butthen，forthemeresakeofvindicatingherworthinessofsympathy，youshouldnothaveinsultedandoffendedanobleandgenerousgirlinherpresence！Thisisaterribleexaggerationofsympathy！Howcanyouloveagirl，andyetsohumiliateherastothrowheroverforthesakeofanotherwoman，beforetheveryeyesofthatotherwoman，whenyouhavealreadymadeheraformalproposalofmarriage？AndyouDIDproposetoher，youknow；youdidsobeforeherparentsandsisters。Canyoubeanhonestman，prince，ifyouactso？Iaskyou！Anddidyounotdeceivethatbeautifulgirlwhenyouassuredherofyourlove？\"
\"Yes，youarequiteright。Oh！IfeelthatIamveryguilty！\"
saidMuishkin，indeepestdistress。
\"Butasifthatisenough！\"criedEvgenie，indignantly。\"Asifitisenoughsimplytosay:’IknowIamveryguilty！’Youaretoblame，andyetyoupersevereinevil-doing。Wherewasyourheart，Ishouldliketoknow，yourCHRISTIANHEART，allthattime？Didshelookasthoughsheweresufferingless，atthatmoment？Yousawherface——wasshesufferinglessthantheotherwoman？Howcouldyouseehersufferingandallowittocontinue？Howcouldyou？\"
\"ButIdidnotallowit，\"murmuredthewretchedprince。
\"How——whatdoyoumeanyoudidn’tallow？\"
\"Uponmyword，Ididn’t！TothismomentIdon’tknowhowitallhappened。I——IranafterAglayaIvanovna，butNastasiaPhilipovnafelldowninafaint；andsincethatdaytheywon’tletmeseeAglaya——that’sallIknow。\"
\"It’sallthesame；yououghttohaverunafterAglayathoughtheotherwasfainting。\"
\"Yes，yes，Iought——butIcouldn’t！Shewouldhavedied——shewouldhavekilledherself。Youdon’tknowher；andIshouldhavetoldAglayaeverythingafterwards——butIsee，EvgeniePavlovitch，youdon’tknowall。Tellmenow，whyamInotallowedtoseeAglaya？Ishouldhavecleareditallup，youknow。Neitherofthemkepttotherealpoint，yousee。IcouldneverexplainwhatImeantoyou，butIthinkIcouldtoAglaya。Oh！myGod，myGod！YouspokejustnowofAglaya’sfaceatthemomentwhensheranaway。Oh，myGod！Irememberit！Comealong，comealong——
quick！\"HepulledatEvgenie’scoat-sleevenervouslyandexcitedly，androsefromhischair。
\"Whereto？\"
\"CometoAglaya——quick，quick！\"
\"ButItoldyousheisnotatPavlofsk。Andwhatwouldbetheuseifshewere？\"
\"Oh，she’llunderstand，she’llunderstand！\"criedtheprince，claspinghishands。\"Shewouldunderstandthatallthisisnotthepoint——notabittherealpoint——itisquiteforeigntotherealquestion。\"
\"Howcanitbeforeign？YouAREgoingtobemarried，areyounot？
Verywell，thenyouarepersistinginyourcourse。AREyougoingtomarryherornot？\"
\"Yes，Ishallmarryher——yes。\"
\"Thenwhyisit’notthepoint’？\"
\"Oh，no，itisnotthepoint，notabit。Itmakesnodifference，mymarryingher——itmeansnothing。\"
\"How’meansnothing’？Youaretalkingnonsense，myfriend。Youaremarryingthewomanyouloveinordertosecureherhappiness，andAglayaseesandknowsit。Howcanyousaythatit’s’notthepoint’？\"
\"Herhappiness？Oh，no！Iamonlymarryingher——well，becauseshewishedit。Itmeansnothing——it’sallthesame。Shewouldcertainlyhavedied。IseenowthatthatmarriagewithRogojinwasaninsaneidea。IunderstandallnowthatIdidnotunderstandbefore；and，doyouknow，whenthosetwostoodoppositetooneanother，IcouldnotbearNastasiaPhilipovna’sface！Youmustknow，EvgeniePavlovitch，Ihavenevertoldanyonebefore——notevenAglaya——thatIcannotbearNastasiaPhilipovna’sface。\"Heloweredhisvoicemysteriouslyashesaidthis。YoudescribedthateveningatNastasiaPhilipovna’ssixmonthssinceveryaccuratelyjustnow；butthereisonethingwhichyoudidnotmention，andofwhichyoutooknoaccount，becauseyoudonotknow。ImeanherFACE——Ilookedatherface，yousee。EveninthemorningwhenIsawherportrait，IfeltthatIcouldnotBEAR
tolookatit。Now，there’sVeraLebedeff，forinstance，hereyesarequitedifferent，youknow。I’mAFRAIDofherface！\"headded，withrealalarm。
\"YouareAFRAIDofit？\"
\"Yes——she’smad！\"hewhispered，growingpale。
\"Doyouknowthisforcertain？\"askedEvgenie，withthegreatestcuriosity。
\"Yes，forcertain——quiteforcertain，now！IhavediscovereditABSOLUTELYforcertain，theselastfewdays。\"
\"Whatareyoudoing，then？\"criedEvgenie，inhorror。\"YoumustbemarryinghersolelyoutofFEAR，then！Ican’tmakeheadortailofit，prince。Perhapsyoudon’tevenloveher？\"
\"Oh，no；Iloveherwithallmysoul。Why，sheisachild！She’sachildnow——arealchild。Oh！youknownothingaboutitatall，Isee。\"
\"Andareyouassured，atthesametime，thatyouloveAglayatoo？\"
\"Yes——yes——oh；yes！\"
\"Howso？DoyouwanttomakeoutthatyoulovethemBOTH？\"
\"Yes——yes——both！Ido！\"
\"Excuseme，prince，butthinkwhatyouaresaying！Recollectyourself！\"
\"WithoutAglaya——I——IMUSTseeAglaya！——Ishalldieinmysleepverysoon——IthoughtIwasdyinginmysleeplastnight。Oh！ifAglayaonlyknewall——Imeanreally，REALLYall！BecauseshemustknowALL——that’sthefirstconditiontowardsunderstanding。Whycannotweeverknowallaboutanother，especiallywhenthatotherhasbeenguilty？ButIdon’tknowwhatI’mtalkingabout——I’msoconfused。Youpainedmesodreadfully。Surely——surelyAglayahasnotthesameexpressionnowasshehadatthemomentwhensheranaway？Oh，yes！IamguiltyandIknowit——Iknowit！ProbablyI
aminfaultallround——Idon’tquiteknowhow——butIaminfault，nodoubt。Thereissomethingelse，butIcannotexplainittoyou，EvgeniePavlovitch。Ihavenowords；butAglayawillunderstand。IhavealwaysbelievedAglayawillunderstand——Iamassuredshewill。\"
\"No，prince，shewillnot。Aglayalovedlikeawoman，likeahumanbeing，notlikeanabstractspirit。Doyouknowwhat，mypoorprince？Themostprobableexplanationofthematteristhatyouneverlovedeithertheoneortheotherinreality。\"
\"Idon’tknow——perhapsyouarerightinmuchthatyouhavesaid，EvgeniePavlovitch。Youareverywise，EvgeniePavlovitch——oh！
howmyheadisbeginningtoacheagain！Cometoher，quick——forGod’ssake，come！\"
\"ButItellyousheisnotinPavlofsk！She’sinColmina。\"
\"Oh，cometoColmina，then！Come——letusgoatonce！\"
\"No——no，impossible！\"saidEvgenie，rising。
\"Lookhere——I’llwritealetter——takealetterforme！\"
\"No——no，prince；youmustforgiveme，butIcan’tundertakeanysuchcommissions！Ireallycan’t。\"
Andsotheyparted。
EvgeniePavlovitchleftthehousewithstrangeconvictions。He，too，feltthattheprincemustbeoutofhismind。
\"AndwhatdidhemeanbythatFACE——afacewhichhesofears，andyetsoloves？Andmeanwhilehereallymaydie，ashesays，withoutseeingAglaya，andshewillneverknowhowdevotedlyhelovesher！Ha，ha，ha！Howdoesthefellowmanagetolovetwoofthem？Twodifferentkindsoflove，Isuppose！Thisisveryinteresting——pooridiot！Whatonearthwillbecomeofhimnow？\"
X。
THEprincedidnotdiebeforehiswedding——eitherbydayornight，ashehadforetoldthathemight。Veryprobablyhepasseddisturbednights，andwasafflictedwithbaddreams；but，duringthedaytime，amonghisfellow-men，heseemedaskindasever，andevencontented；onlyalittlethoughtfulwhenalone。
Theweddingwashurriedon。ThedaywasfixedforexactlyaweekafterEvgenie’svisittotheprince。Inthefaceofsuchhasteasthis，eventheprince’sbestfriendsifhehadhadanywouldhavefeltthehopelessnessofanyattempttosave\"thepoormadman。\"RumoursaidthatinthevisitofEvgeniePavlovitchwastobediscernedtheinfluenceofLizabethaProkofievnaandherhusband……Butifthosegoodsouls，intheboundlesskindnessoftheirhearts，weredesirousofsavingtheeccentricyoungfellowfromruin，theywereunabletotakeanystrongermeasurestoattainthatend。Neithertheirposition，northeirprivateinclination，perhapsandonlynaturally，wouldallowthemtouseanymorepronouncedmeans。
Wehaveobservedbeforethatevensomeoftheprince’snearestneighbourshadbeguntoopposehim。VeraLebedeff’spassivedisagreementwaslimitedtothesheddingofafewsolitarytears；
tomorefrequentsittingaloneathome，andtoadiminishedfrequencyinhervisitstotheprince’sapartments。
Coliawasoccupiedwithhisfatheratthistime。Theoldmandiedduringasecondstroke，whichtookplacejusteightdaysafterthefirst。Theprinceshowedgreatsympathyinthegriefofthefamily，andduringthefirstdaysoftheirmourninghewasatthehouseagreatdealwithNinaAlexandrovna。Hewenttothefuneral，anditwasobservablethatthepublicassembledinchurchgreetedhisarrivalanddeparturewithwhisperings，andwatchedhimclosely。
Thesamethinghappenedintheparkandinthestreet，whereverhewent。Hewaspointedoutwhenhedroveby，andheoftenoverheardthenameofNastasiaPhilipovnacoupledwithhisownashepassed。Peoplelookedoutforheratthefuneral，too，butshewasnotthere；andanotherconspicuousabsenteewasthecaptain’swidow，whomLebedeffhadpreventedfromcoming。
Thefuneralserviceproducedagreateffectontheprince。HewhisperedtoLebedeffthatthiswasthefirsttimehehadeverheardaRussianfuneralservicesincehewasalittleboy。
Observingthathewaslookingabouthimuneasily，Lebedeffaskedhimwhomhewasseeking。
\"Nothing。IonlythoughtI——\"
\"IsitRogojin？\"
\"Why——ishehere？\"
\"Yes，he’sinchurch。\"
\"IthoughtIcaughtsightofhiseyes！\"mutteredtheprince，inconfusion。\"Butwhatofit！——Whyishehere？Washeasked？\"
\"Oh，dear，no！Why，theydon’tevenknowhim！Anyonecancomein，youknow。Whydoyoulooksoamazed？Ioftenmeethim；I’veseenhimatleastfourtimes，hereatPavlofsk，withinthelastweek。\"
\"Ihaven’tseenhimonce——sincethatday！\"theprincemurmured。
AsNastasiaPhilipovnahadnotsaidawordabouthavingmetRogojinsince\"thatday，\"theprinceconcludedthatthelatterhadhisownreasonsforwishingtokeepoutofsight。Allthedayofthefuneralourhero，wasinadeeplythoughtfulstate，whileNastasiaPhilipovnawasparticularlymerry，bothinthedaytimeandintheevening。
Coliahadmadeitupwiththeprincebeforehisfather’sdeath，anditwashewhourgedhimtomakeuseofKellerandBurdovsky，promisingtoanswerhimselffortheformer’sbehaviour。NinaAlexandrovnaandLebedefftriedtopersuadehimtohavetheweddinginSt。Petersburg，insteadofinthepublicfashioncontemplated，downhereatPavlofskintheheightoftheseason。
ButtheprinceonlysaidthatNastasiaPhilipovnadesiredtohaveitso，thoughhesawwellenoughwhatpromptedtheirarguments。
ThenextdayKellercametovisittheprince。Hewasinahighstateofdelightwiththepostofhonourassignedtohimatthewedding。
Beforeenteringhestoppedonthethreshold，raisedhishandasifmakingasolemnvow，andcried:
\"Iwon’tdrink！\"
Thenhewentuptotheprince，seizedbothhishands，shookthemwarmly，anddeclaredthathehadatfirstfelthostiletowardstheprojectofthismarriage，andhadopenlysaidsointhebilliard-rooms，butthatthereasonsimplywasthat，withtheimpatienceofafriend，hehadhopedtoseetheprincemarryatleastaPrincessdeRohanordeChabot；butthatnowhesawthattheprince’swayofthinkingwastentimesmorenoblethanthatof\"alltherestputtogether。\"Forhedesiredneitherpompnorwealthnorhonour，butonlythetruth！Thesympathiesofexaltedpersonageswerewellknown，andtheprincewastoohighlyplacedbyhiseducation，andsoon，nottobeinsomesenseanexaltedpersonage！
\"Butallthecommonherdjudge’differently；inthetown，atthemeetings，inthevillas，attheband，intheinnsandthebilliard-rooms，thecomingeventhasonlytobementionedandthereareshoutsandcriesfromeverybody。Ihaveevenheardtalkofgettingupa’charivari’underthewindowsonthewedding-
night。Soif’youhaveneedofthepistol’ofanhonestman，prince，Iamreadytofirehalfadozenshotsevenbeforeyourisefromyournuptialcouch！\"
Kelleralsoadvised，inanticipationofthecrowdmakingarushaftertheceremony，thatafire-hoseshouldbeplacedattheentrancetothehouse；butLebedeffwasopposedtothismeasure，whichhesaidmightresultintheplacebeingpulleddown。
\"Iassureyou，prince，thatLebedeffisintriguingagainstyou。
Hewantstoputyouundercontrol。Imaginethat！Totake’fromyoutheuseofyourfree-willandyourmoney——that’istosay，thetwothingsthatdistinguishusfromtheanimals！Ihavehearditsaidpositively。Itisthesobertruth。\"
Theprincerecollectedthatsomebodyhadtoldhimsomethingofthekindbefore，andhehad，ofcourse，scoffedatit。Heonlylaughednow，andforgotthehintatonce。
Lebedeffreallyhadbeenbusyforsomelittlewhile；but，asusual，hisplanshadbecometoocomplextosucceed，throughsheerexcessofardour。Whenhecametotheprince——theverydaybeforethewedding——toconfessforhealwaysconfessedtothepersonsagainstwhomheintrigued，especiallywhentheplanfailed，heinformedourherothathehimselfwasabornTalleyrand，butforsomeunknownreasonhadbecomesimpleLebedeff。Hethenproceededtoexplainhiswholegametotheprince，interestingthelatterexceedingly。
AccordingtoLebedeff’saccount，hehadfirsttriedwhathecoulddowithGeneralEpanchin。Thelatterinformedhimthathewishedwelltotheunfortunateyoungman，andwouldgladlydowhathecouldto\"savehim，\"butthathedidnotthinkitwouldbeseemlyforhimtointerfereinthismatter。LizabethaProkofievnawouldneitherhearnorseehim。PrinceS。andEvgeniePavlovitchonlyshruggedtheirshoulders，andimpliedthatitwasnobusinessoftheirs。However，Lebedeffhadnotlostheart，andwentofftoacleverlawyer，——aworthyandrespectableman，whomheknewwell。
ThisoldgentlemaninformedhimthatthethingwasperfectlyfeasibleifhecouldgetholdofcompetentwitnessesastoMuishkin’smentalincapacity。Then，withtheassistanceofafewinfluentialpersons，hewouldsoonseethematterarranged。
Lebedeffimmediatelyprocuredtheservicesofanolddoctor，andcarriedthelatterawaytoPavlofsktoseetheprince，bywayofviewingtheground，asitwere，andtogivehimLebedeff
counselastowhetherthethingwastobedoneornot。Thevisitwasnottobeofficial，butmerelyfriendly。
Muishkinrememberedthedoctor’svisitquitewell。HerememberedthatLebedeffhadsaidthathelookedill，andhadbetterseeadoctor；andalthoughtheprincescoutedtheidea，Lebedeffhadturnedupalmostimmediatelywithhisoldfriend，explainingthattheyhadjustmetatthebedsideofHippolyte，whowasveryill，andthatthedoctorhadsomethingtotelltheprinceaboutthesickman。
Theprincehad，ofcourse，atoncereceivedhim，andhadplungedintoaconversationaboutHippolyte。HehadgiventhedoctoranaccountofHippolyte’sattemptedsuicide；andhadproceededthereaftertotalkofhisownmalady，——ofSwitzerland，ofSchneider，andsoon；andsodeeplywastheoldmaninterestedbytheprince’sconversationandhisdescriptionofSchneider’ssystem，thathesatonfortwohours。
Muishkingavehimexcellentcigarstosmoke，andLebedeff，forhispart，regaledhimwithliqueurs，broughtinbyVera，towhomthedoctor——amarriedmanandthefatherofafamily——addressedsuchcomplimentsthatshewasfilledwithindignation。Theypartedfriends，and，afterleavingtheprince，thedoctorsaidtoLebedeff:\"Ifallsuchpeoplewereputunderrestraint，therewouldbenooneleftforkeepers。\"Lebedeffthen，intragictones，toldoftheapproachingmarriage，whereupontheothernoddedhisheadandrepliedthat，afterall，marriageslikethatwerenotsorare；thathehadheardthattheladywasveryfascinatingandofextraordinarybeauty，whichwasenoughtoexplaintheinfatuationofawealthyman；that，further，thankstotheliberalityofTotskiandofRogojin，shepossessed——sohehadheard——notonlymoney，butpearls，diamonds，shawls，andfurniture，andconsequentlyshecouldnotbeconsideredabadmatch。Inbrief，itseemedtothedoctorthattheprince’schoice，farfrombeingasignoffoolishness，denoted，onthecontrary，ashrewd，calculating，andpracticalmind。Lebedeffhadbeenmuchstruckbythispointofview，andheterminatedhisconfessionbyassuringtheprincethathewasready，ifneedbe，toshedhisverylife’sbloodforhim。
Hippolyte，too，wasasourceofsomedistractiontotheprinceatthistime；hewouldsendforhimatanyandeveryhouroftheday。Theylived，——Hippolyteandhismotherandthechildren，——inasmallhousenotfaroff，andthelittleoneswerehappy，ifonlybecausetheywereabletoescapefromtheinvalidintothegarden。TheprincehadenoughtodoinkeepingthepeacebetweentheirritableHippolyteandhismother，andeventuallytheformerbecamesomaliciousandsarcasticonthesubjectoftheapproachingwedding，thatMuishkintookoffenceatlast，andrefusedtocontinuehisvisits。
Acoupleofdayslater，however，Hippolyte’smothercamewithtearsinhereyes，andbeggedtheprincetocomeback，\"orHE
wouldeatherupbodily。\"SheaddedthatHippolytehadagreatsecrettodisclose。Ofcoursetheprincewent。Therewasnosecret，however，unlesswereckoncertainpantingsandagitatedglancesaroundprobablyallputonastheinvalidbeggedhisvisitorto\"bewareofRogojin。\"
\"Heisthesortofman，\"hecontinued，。\"whowon’tgiveuphisobject，youknow；heisnotlikeyouandme，prince——hebelongstoquiteadifferentorderofbeings。Ifhesetshisheartonathinghewon’tbeafraidofanything——\"andsoon。
Hippolytewasveryill，andlookedasthoughhecouldnotlongsurvive。Hewastearfulatfirst，butgrewmoreandmoresarcasticandmaliciousastheinterviewproceeded。
TheprincequestionedhimindetailastohishintsaboutRogojin。HewasanxioustoseizeuponsomefactswhichmightconfirmHippolyte’svaguewarnings；buttherewerenone；onlyHippolyte’sownprivateimpressionsandfeelings。
However，theinvalid——tohisimmensesatisfaction——endedbyseriouslyalarmingtheprince。
AtfirstMuishkinhadnotcaredtomakeanyreplytohissundryquestions，andonlysmiledinresponsetoHippolyte’sadviceto\"runforhislife——abroad，ifnecessary。ThereareRussianpriestseverywhere，andonecangetmarriedallovertheworld。\"
ButitwasHippolyte’slastideawhichupsethim。
\"WhatIamreallyalarmedabout，though，\"hesaid，\"isAglayaIvanovna。Rogojinknowshowyouloveher。Loveforlove。YoutookNastasiaPhilipovnafromhim。HewillmurderAglayaIvanovna；forthoughsheisnotyours，ofcourse，now，stillsuchanactwouldpainyou，——wouldn’tit？\"
Hehadattainedhisend。Theprinceleftthehousebesidehimselfwithterror。
ThesewarningsaboutRogojinwereexpressedonthedaybeforethewedding。ThateveningtheprincesawNastasiaPhilipovnaforthelasttimebeforetheyweretomeetatthealtar；butNastasiawasnotinapositiontogivehimanycomfortorconsolation。Onthecontrary，sheonlyaddedtohismentalperturbationastheeveningwenton。Uptothistimeshehadinvariablydoneherbesttocheerhim——shewasafraidofhislookingmelancholy；shewouldtrysingingtohim，andtellinghimeverysortoffunnystoryorreminiscencethatshecouldrecall。Theprincenearlyalwayspretendedtobeamused，whetherheweresoactuallyorno；butoftenenoughhelaughedsincerely，delightedbythebrilliancyofherwitwhenshewascarriedawaybyhernarrative，assheveryoftenwas。Nastasiawouldbewildwithjoytoseetheimpressionshehadmade，andtohearhislaughofrealamusement；andshewouldremainthewholeeveninginastateofprideandhappiness。
Butthiseveninghermelancholyandthoughtfulnessgrewwitheveryhour。
TheprincehadtoldEvgeniePavlovitchwithperfectsinceritythathelovedNastasiaPhilipovnawithallhissoul。Inhisloveforhertherewasthesortoftendernessonefeelsforasick，unhappychildwhichcannotbeleftalone。HeneverspokeofhisfeelingsforNastasiatoanyone，noteventoherself。Whentheyweretogethertheyneverdiscussedtheir\"feelings，\"andtherewasnothingintheircheerful，animatedconversationwhichanoutsidercouldnothaveheard。DariaAlexeyevna，withwhomNastasiawasstaying，toldafterwardshowshehadbeenfilledwithjoyanddelightonlytolookatthem，allthistime。
ThankstothemannerinwhichheregardedNastasia’smentalandmoralcondition，theprincewastosomeextentfreedfromotherperplexities。Shewasnowquitedifferentfromthewomanhehadknownthreemonthsbefore。Hewasnotastonished，forinstance，toseehernowsoimpatienttomarryhim——shewhoformerlyhadweptwithrageandhurledcursesandreproachesathimifhementionedmarriage！\"Itshowsthatshenolongerfears，asshedidthen，thatshewouldmakemeunhappybymarryingme，\"hethought。Andhefeltsurethatsosuddenachangecouldnotbeanaturalone。Thisrapidgrowthofself-confidencecouldnotbedueonlytoherhatredforAglaya。Tosupposethatwouldbetosuspectthedepthofherfeelings。NorcoulditarisefromdreadofthefatethatawaitedherifshemarriedRogojin。Thesecauses，indeed，aswellasothers，mighthaveplayedapartinit，butthetruereason，Muishkindecided，wastheonehehadlongsuspected——thatthepoorsicksoulhadcometotheendofitsforces。Yetthiswasanexplanationthatdidnotprocurehimanypeaceofmind。Attimesheseemedtobemakingviolenteffortstothinkofnothing，andonewouldhavesaidthathelookedonhismarriageasanunimportantformality，andonhisfuturehappinessasathingnotworthconsidering。AstoconversationssuchastheoneheldwithEvgeniePavlovitch，heavoidedthemasfaraspossible，feelingthattherewerecertainobjectionstowhichhecouldmakenoanswer。
TheprincehadobservedthatNastasiaknewwellenoughwhatAglayawastohim。Heneverspokeofit，buthehadseenherfacewhenshehadcaughthimstartingofffortheEpanchins’houseonseveraloccasions。WhentheEpanchinsleftPavlofsk，shehadbeamedwithradianceandhappiness。Unsuspiciousandunobservantashewas，hehadfearedatthattimethatNastasiamighthavesomeschemeinhermindforasceneorscandalwhichwoulddriveAglayaoutofPavlofsk。Shehadencouragedtherumoursandexcitementamongtheinhabitantsoftheplaceastohermarriagewiththeprince，inordertoannoyherrival；and，findingitdifficulttomeettheEpanchinsanywhere，shehad，ononeoccasion，takenhimforadrivepasttheirhouse。Hedidnotobservewhatwashappeninguntiltheywerealmostpassingthewindows，whenitwastoolatetodoanything。Hesaidnothing，butfortwodaysafterwardshewasill。
Nastasiadidnottrythatparticularexperimentagain。Afewdaysbeforethatfixedforthewedding，shegrewgraveandthoughtful。
Shealwaysendedbygettingthebetterofhermelancholy，andbecomingmerryandcheerfulagain，butnotquitesounaffectedlyhappyasshehadbeensomedaysearlier。
Theprinceredoubledhisattentivestudyofhersymptoms。Itwasamostcuriouscircumstance，inhisopinion，thatsheneverspokeofRogojin。Butonce，aboutfivedaysbeforethewedding，whentheprincewasathome，amessengerarrivedbegginghimtocomeatonce，asNastasiaPhilipovnawasveryill。
Hehadfoundherinaconditionapproachingtoabsolutemadness。
Shescreamed，andtrembled，andcriedoutthatRogojinwashidingoutthereinthegarden——thatshehadseenhimherself——andthathewouldmurderherinthenight——thathewouldcutherthroat。
Shewasterriblyagitatedallday。ButitsohappenedthattheprincecalledatHippolyte’shouselateron，andheardfromhismotherthatshehadbeenintownallday，andhadtherereceivedavisitfromRogojin，whohadmadeinquiriesaboutPavlofsk。Oninquiry，itturnedoutthatRogojinvisitedtheoldladyintownatalmostthesamemomentwhenNastasiadeclaredthatshehadseenhiminthegarden；sothatthewholethingturnedouttobeanillusiononherpart。NastasiaimmediatelywentacrosstoHippolyte’stoinquiremoreaccurately，andreturnedimmenselyrelievedandcomforted。
Onthedaybeforethewedding，theprinceleftNastasiainastateofgreatanimation。Herwedding-dressandallsortsoffineryhadjustarrivedfromtown。Muishkinhadnotimaginedthatshewouldbesoexcitedoverit，buthepraisedeverything，andhispraiserenderedherdoublyhappy。
ButNastasiacouldnothidethecauseofherintenseinterestinherweddingsplendour。Shehadheardoftheindignationinthetown，andknewthatsomeofthepopulacewasgettingupasortofcharivariwithmusic，thatverseshadbeencomposedfortheoccasion，andthattherestofPavlofsksocietymoreorlessencouragedthesepreparations。So，sinceattemptswerebeingmadetohumiliateher，shewantedtoholdherheadevenhigherthanusual，andtooverwhelmthemallwiththebeautyandtasteofhertoilette。\"Letthemshoutandwhistle，iftheydare！\"Hereyesflashedatthethought。But，underneaththis，shehadanothermotive，ofwhichshedidnotspeak。ShethoughtthatpossiblyAglaya，oratanyratesomeonesentbyher，wouldbepresentincognitoattheceremony，orinthecrowd，andshewishedtobepreparedforthiseventuality。
Theprinceleftherateleven，fullofthesethoughts，andwenthome。Butitwasnottwelveo’clockwhenamessengercametosaythatNastasiawasverybad，andhemustcomeatonce。
Onhurryingbackhefoundhisbridelockedupinherownroomandcouldhearherhystericalcriesandsobs。Itwassometimebeforeshecouldbemadetohearthattheprincehadcome，andthensheopenedthedooronlyjustsufficientlytolethimin，andimmediatelylockeditbehindhim。Shethenfellonherkneesathisfeet。SoatleastDanaAlexeyevnareported。
\"WhatamIdoing？WhatamIdoingtoyou？\"shesobbedconvulsively，embracinghisknees。
Theprincewasawholehoursoothingandcomfortingher，andlefther，atlength，pacifiedandcomposed。Hesentanothermessengerduringthenighttoinquireafterher，andtwomorenextmorning。
ThelastbroughtbackamessagethatNastasiawassurroundedbyawholearmyofdressmakersandmaids，andwasashappyandasbusyassuchabeautyshouldbeonherweddingmorning，andthattherewasnotavestigeofyesterday’sagitationremaining。Themessageconcludedwiththenewsthatatthemomentofthebearer’sdeparturetherewasagreatconfabulationinprogressastowhichdiamondsweretobeworn，andhow。
Thismessageentirelycalmedtheprince’smind。
Thefollowingreportoftheproceedingsontheweddingdaymaybedependedupon，ascomingfromeye-witnesses。
Theweddingwasfixedforeighto’clockintheevening。NastasiaPhilipovnawasreadyatseven。Fromsixo’clockgroupsofpeoplebegantogatheratNastasia’shouse，attheprince’s，andatthechurchdoor，butmoreespeciallyattheformerplace。Thechurchbegantofillatseven。
ColiaandVeraLebedeffwereveryanxiousontheprince’saccount，buttheyweresobusyoverthearrangementsforreceivingtheguestsafterthewedding，thattheyhadnotmuchtimefortheindulgenceofpersonalfeelings。
Thereweretobeveryfewguestsbesidesthebestmenandsoon；
onlyDanaAlexeyevna，thePtitsins，Gania，andthedoctor。WhentheprinceaskedLebedeffwhyhehadinvitedthedoctor，whowasalmostastranger，Lebedeffreplied:
\"Why，hewearsan’order，’anditlookssowell！\"
Thisideaamusedtheprince。
KellerandBurdovskylookedwonderfullycorrectintheirdress-
coatsandwhitekidgloves，althoughKellercausedthebridegroomsomealarmbyhisundisguisedlyhostileglancesatthegatheringcrowdofsight-seersoutside。
Atabouthalf-pastseventheprincestartedforthechurchinhiscarriage。
Wemayremarkherethatheseemedanxiousnottoomitasingleoneoftherecognizedcustomsandtraditionsobservedatweddings。Hewishedalltobedoneasopenlyaspossible，and\"indueorder。\"
Arrivedatthechurch，Muishkin，underKeller’sguidance，passedthroughthecrowdofspectators，amidcontinuouswhisperingandexcitedexclamations。Theprincestayednearthealtar，whileKellermadeoffoncemoretofetchthebride。
OnreachingthegateofDariaAlexeyevna’shouse，Kellerfoundafardensercrowdthanhehadencounteredattheprince’s。TheremarksandexclamationsofthespectatorsherewereofsoirritatinganaturethatKellerwasverynearmakingthemaspeechontheimproprietyoftheirconduct，butwasluckilycaughtbyBurdovsky，intheactofturningtoaddressthem，andhurriedindoors。
NastasiaPhilipovnawasready。Sherosefromherseat，lookedintotheglassandremarked，asKellertoldthetaleafterwards，thatshewas\"aspaleasacorpse。\"Shethenbentherheadreverently，beforetheikoninthecorner，andlefttheroom。
Atorrentofvoicesgreetedherappearanceatthefrontdoor。Thecrowdwhistled，clappeditshands，andlaughedandshouted；butinamomentortwoisolatedvoicesweredistinguishable。
\"Whatabeauty！\"criedone。
\"Well，sheisn’tthefirstintheworld，northelast，\"saidanother。
\"Marriagecoverseverything，\"observedathird。
\"Idefyyoutofindanotherbeautylikethat，\"saidafourth。
\"She’sarealprincess！I’dsellmysoulforsuchaprincessasthat！\"
Nastasiacameoutofthehouselookingaswhiteasanyhandkerchief；butherlargedarkeyesshoneuponthevulgarcrowdlikeblazingcoals。Thespectators’crieswereredoubled，andbecamemoreexultantandtriumphanteverymoment。Thedoorofthecarriagewasopen，andKellerhadgivenhishandtothebridetohelpherin，whensuddenlywithaloudcrysherushedfromhim，straightintothesurgingcrowd。Herfriendsaboutherwerestupefiedwithamazement；thecrowdpartedassherushedthroughit，andsuddenly，atadistanceoffiveorsixyardsfromthecarriage，appearedRogojin。Itwashislookthathadcaughthereyes。
Nastasiarushedtohimlikeamadwoman，andseizedbothhishands。
\"Saveme！\"shecried。\"Takemeaway，anywhereyoulike，quick！\"
Rogojinseizedherinhisarmsandalmostcarriedhertothecarriage。Then，inaflash，hetoreahundred-roublenoteoutofhispocketandheldittothecoachman。
\"Tothestation，quick！Ifyoucatchthetrainyoushallhaveanother。Quick！\"
HeleapedintothecarriageafterNastasiaandbangedthedoor。
Thecoachmandidnothesitateamoment；hewhippedupthehorses，andtheywereoft。
\"OnemoresecondandIshouldhavestoppedhim，\"saidKeller，afterwards。Infact，heandBurdovskyjumpedintoanothercarriageandsetoffinpursuit；butitstruckthemastheydrovealongthatitwasnotmuchusetryingtobringNastasiabackbyforce。
\"Besides，\"saidBurdovsky，\"theprincewouldnotlikeit，wouldhe？\"Sotheygaveupthepursuit。
RogojinandNastasiaPhilipovnareachedthestationjustintimeforthetrain。Ashejumpedoutofthecarriageandwasalmostonthepointofenteringthetrain，Rogojinaccostedayounggirlstandingontheplatformandwearinganold-fashioned，butrespectable-looking，blackcloakandasilkhandkerchiefoverherhead。
\"Takefiftyroublesforyourcloak？\"heshouted，holdingthemoneyouttothegirl。Beforetheastonishedyoungwomancouldcollectherscatteredsenses，hepushedthemoneyintoherhand，seizedthemantle，andthrewitandthehandkerchiefoverNastasia’sheadandshoulders。Thelatter’swedding-arraywouldhaveattractedtoomuchattention，anditwasnotuntilsometimelaterthatthegirlunderstoodwhyheroldcloakandkerchiefhadbeenboughtatsuchaprice。
Thenewsofwhathadhappenedreachedthechurchwithextraordinaryrapidity。WhenKellerarrived，ahostofpeoplewhomhedidnotknowthrongedaroundtoaskhimquestions。Therewasmuchexcitedtalking，andshakingofheads，evensomelaughter；butnooneleftthechurch，allbeinganxioustoobservehowthenowcelebratedbridegroomwouldtakethenews。Hegrewverypaleuponhearingit，buttookitquitequietly。
\"Iwasafraid，\"hemuttered，scarcelyaudibly，\"butIhardlythoughtitwouldcometothis。\"Thenafterashortsilence，headded:\"However，inherstate，itisquiteconsistentwiththenaturalorderofthings。\"
EvenKelleradmittedafterwardsthatthiswas\"extraordinarilyphilosophical\"ontheprince’spart。Heleftthechurchquitecalm，toallappearances，asmanywitnesseswerefoundtodeclareafterwards。Heseemedanxioustoreachhomeandbeleftaloneasquicklyaspossible；butthiswasnottobe。Hewasaccompaniedbynearlyalltheinvitedguests，andbesidesthis，thehousewasalmostbesiegedbyexcitedbandsofpeople，whoinsisteduponbeingallowedtoentertheverandah。TheprinceheardKellerandLebedeffremonstratingandquarrellingwiththeseunknownindividuals，andsoonwentouthimself。Heapproachedthedisturbersofhispeace，requestedcourteouslytobetoldwhatwasdesired；thenpolitelyputtingLebedeffandKelleraside，headdressedanoldgentlemanwhowasstandingontheverandahstepsattheheadofthebandofwould-beguests，andcourteouslyrequestedhimtohonourhimwithavisit。Theoldfellowwasquitetakenabackbythis，butentered，followedbyafewmore，whotriedtoappearattheirease。Therestremainedoutside，andpresentlythewholecrowdwascensuringthosewhohadacceptedtheinvitation。Theprinceofferedseatstohisstrangevisitors，teawasserved，andageneralconversationsprangup。Everythingwasdonemostdecorously，totheconsiderablesurpriseoftheintruders。Afewtentativeattemptsweremadetoturntheconversationtotheeventsoftheday，andafewindiscreetquestionswereasked；butMuishkinrepliedtoeverybodywithsuchsimplicityandgood-humour，andatthesametimewithsomuchdignity，andshowedsuchconfidenceinthegoodbreedingofhisguests，thattheindiscreettalkerswerequicklysilenced。Bydegreestheconversationbecamealmostserious。Onegentlemansuddenlyexclaimed，withgreatvehemence:\"Whateverhappens，I
shallnotsellmyproperty；Ishallwait。Enterpriseisbetterthanmoney，andthere，sir，youhavemywholesystemofeconomy，ifyouwish！\"Headdressedtheprince，whowarmlycommendedhissentiments，thoughLebedeffwhisperedinhisearthatthisgentleman，whotalkedsomuchofhis\"property，\"hadneverhadeitherhouseorhome。
Nearlyanhourpassedthus，andwhenteawasoverthevisitorsseemedtothinkthatitwastimetogo。Astheywentout，thedoctorandtheoldgentlemanbadeMuishkinawarmfarewell，andalltheresttooktheirleavewithheartyprotestationsofgood-
will，droppingremarkstotheeffectthat\"itwasnouseworrying，\"andthat\"perhapsallwouldturnoutforthebest，\"
andsoon。Someoftheyoungerintruderswouldhaveaskedforchampagne，buttheywerecheckedbytheolderones。Whenallhaddeparted，KellerleanedovertoLebedeff，andsaid:
\"Withyouandmetherewouldhavebeenascene。Weshouldhaveshoutedandfought，andcalledinthepolice。Buthehassimplymadesomenewfriends——andsuchfriends，too！Iknowthem！\"
Lebedeff，whowasslightlyintoxicated，answeredwithasigh:
\"Thingsarehiddenfromthewiseandprudent，andrevealeduntobabes。Ihaveappliedthosewordstohimbefore，butnowIaddthatGodhaspreservedthebabehimselffromtheabyss，HeandallHissaints。\"
Atlast，abouthalf-pastten，theprincewasleftalone。Hisheadached。Coliawasthelasttogo，afterhavinghelpedhimtochangehisweddingclothes。Theypartedonaffectionateterms，and，withoutspeakingofwhathadhappened，Coliapromisedtocomeveryearlythenextday。Hesaidlaterthattheprincehadgivennohintofhisintentionswhentheysaidgood-bye，buthadhiddenthemevenfromhim。Soontherewashardlyanyoneleftinthehouse。BurdovskyhadgonetoseeHippolyte；KellerandLebedeffhadwanderedofftogethersomewhere。
OnlyVeraLebedeffremainedhurriedlyrearrangingthefurnitureintherooms。Asshelefttheverandah，sheglancedattheprince。Hewasseatedatthetable，withbothelbowsuponit，andhisheadrestingonhishands。Sheapproachedhim，andtouchedhisshouldergently。Theprincestartedandlookedatherinperplexity；heseemedtobecollectinghissensesforaminuteorso，beforehecouldrememberwherehewas。Asrecollectiondawneduponhim，hebecameviolentlyagitated。Allhedid，however，wastoaskVeraveryearnestlytoknockathisdoorandawakehimintimeforthefirsttraintoPetersburgnextmorning。Verapromised，andtheprinceentreatedhernottotellanyoneofhisintention。Shepromisedthis，too；andatlast，whenshehadhalf-closedthedoor，becalledherbackathirdtime，tookherhandsinhis，kissedthem，thenkissedherforehead，andinaratherpeculiarmannersaidtoher，\"Untiltomorrow！\"
SuchwasVera’sstoryafterwards。
Shewentawayingreatanxietyabouthim，butwhenshesawhiminthemorning，heseemedtobequitehimselfagain，greetedherwithasmile，andtoldherthathewouldverylikelybebackbytheevening。ItappearsthathedidnotconsideritnecessarytoinformanyoneexceptingVeraofhisdeparturefortown。
XI。
ANhourlaterhewasinSt。Petersburg，andbyteno’clockhehadrungthebellatRogojin’s。
Hehadgonetothefrontdoor，andwaskeptwaitingalongwhilebeforeanyonecame。AtlastthedoorofoldMrs。Rogojin’sflatwasopened，andanagedservantappeared。
\"ParfenSemionovitchisnotathome，\"sheannouncedfromthedoorway。\"Whomdoyouwant？\"
\"ParfenSemionovitch。\"
\"Heisnotin。\"
Theoldwomanexaminedtheprincefromheadtofootwithgreatcuriosity。
\"Atalleventstellmewhetherhesleptathomelastnight，andwhetherhecamealone？\"
Theoldwomancontinuedtostareathim，butsaidnothing。
\"WasnotNastasiaPhilipovnaherewithhim，yesterdayevening？\"
\"And，pray，whoareyouyourself？\"
\"PrinceLefNicolaievitchMuishkin；heknowsmewell。\"
\"Heisnotathome。\"
Thewomanloweredhereyes。
\"AndNastasiaPhilipovna？\"
\"Iknownothingaboutit。\"
\"Stopaminute！Whenwillhecomeback？\"
\"Idon’tknowthateither。\"
Thedoorwasshutwiththesewords，andtheoldwomandisappeared。Theprincedecidedtocomebackwithinanhour。Passingoutofthehouse，hemettheporter。
\"IsParfenSemionovitchathome？\"heasked。
\"Yes。\"
\"Whydidtheytellmehewasnotathome，then？\"\"Wheredidtheytellyouso，——athisdoor？\"\"No，athismother’sflat；IrangatParfenSemionovitch’sdoorandnobodycame。\"
\"Well，hemayhavegoneout。Ican’ttell。Sometimeshetakesthekeyswithhim，andleavestheroomsemptyfortwoorthreedays。\"
\"Doyouknowforcertainthathewasathomelastnight？\"
\"Yes，hewas。\"
\"WasNastasiaPhilipovnawithhim？\"
\"Idon’tknow；shedoesn’tcomeoften。IthinkIshouldhaveknownifshehadcome。\"
Theprincewentoutdeepinthought，andwalkedupanddownthepavementforsometime。ThewindowsofalltheroomsoccupiedbyRogojinwereclosed，thoseofhismother’sapartmentswereopen。
Itwasahot，brightday。Theprincecrossedtheroadinordertohaveagoodlookatthewindowsagain；notonlywereRogojin’sclosed，butthewhiteblindswerealldownaswell。
Hestoodthereforaminuteandthen，suddenlyandstrangelyenough，itseemedtohimthatalittlecornerofoneoftheblindswaslifted，andRogojin’sfaceappearedforaninstantandthenvanished。Hewaitedanotherminute，anddecidedtogoandringthebelloncemore；however，hethoughtbetterofitagainandputitoffforanhour。
ThechiefobjectinhismindatthismomentwastogetasquicklyashecouldtoNastasiaPhilipovna’slodging。Herememberedthat，notlongsince，whenshehadleftPavlofskathisrequest，hehadbeggedhertoputupintownatthehouseofarespectablewidow，whohadwell-furnishedroomstolet，neartheIsmailofskybarracks。ProbablyNastasiahadkepttheroomswhenshecamedowntoPavlofskthislasttime；andmostlikelyshewouldhavespentthenightinthem，Rogojinhavingtakenherstraighttherefromthestation。
Theprincetookadroshky。Itstruckhimashedroveonthatheoughttohavebegunbycominghere，sinceitwasmostimprobablethatRogojinshouldhavetakenNastasiatohisownhouselastnight。Herememberedthattheportersaidsheveryrarelycameatall，sothatitwasstilllesslikelythatshewouldhavegonetheresolateatnight。
Vainlytryingtocomforthimselfwiththesereflections，theprincereachedtheIsmailofskybarracksmoredeadthanalive。
TohisconsternationthegoodpeopleatthelodgingshadnotonlyheardnothingofNastasia，butallcameouttolookathimasifhewereamarvelofsomesort。Thewholefamily，ofallages，surroundedhim，andhewasbeggedtoenter。Heguessedatoncethattheyknewperfectlywellwhohewas，andthatyesterdayoughttohavebeenhiswedding-day；andfurtherthattheyweredyingtoaskaboutthewedding，andespeciallyaboutwhyheshouldbeherenow，inquiringforthewomanwhoinallreasonablehumanprobabilitymighthavebeenexpectedtobewithhiminPavlofsk。
Hesatisfiedtheircuriosity，inasfewwordsaspossible，withregardtothewedding，buttheirexclamationsandsighsweresonumerousandsincerethathewasobligedtotellthewholestory——
inashortform，ofcourse。TheadviceofalltheseagitatedladieswasthattheprinceshouldgoatonceandknockatRogojin’suntilhewasletin:andwhenletininsistuponasubstantialexplanationofeverything。IfRogojinwasreallynotathome，theprincewasadvisedtogotoacertainhouse，theaddressofwhichwasgiven，wherelivedaGermanlady，afriendofNastasiaPhilipovna’s。Itwaspossiblethatshemighthavespentthenightthereinheranxietytoconcealherself。
Theprincerosefromhisseatinaconditionofmentalcollapse。
Thegoodladiesreportedafterwardsthat\"hispallorwasterribletosee，andhislegsseemedtogivewayunderneathhim。\"Withdifficultyhewasmadetounderstandthathisnewfriendswouldbegladofhisaddress，inordertoactwithhimifpossible。
Afteramoment’sthoughthegavetheaddressofthesmallhotel，onthestairsofwhichhehadhadafitsomefiveweekssince。HethensetoffoncemoreforRogojin’s。
ThistimetheyneitheropenedthedooratRogojin’sflatnorattheoneopposite。Theprincefoundtheporterwithdifficulty，butwhenfound，themanwouldhardlylookathimoranswerhisquestions，pretendingtobebusy。Eventually，however，hewaspersuadedtoreplysofarastostatethatRogojinhadleftthehouseearlyinthemorningandgonetoPavlofsk，andthathewouldnotreturntodayatall。
\"Ishallwait；hemaycomebackthisevening。\"
\"Hemaynotbehomeforaweek。\"
\"Then，atallevents，heDIDsleephere，didhe？\"
\"Well——hedidsleephere，yes。\"