ConsequentlyImusthavebeenyourmother’sfirstcousin——no，secondcousin。Yes，thatisit。Tellme，haveyoubeentocallonPrinceIvanyet？\"
Isaidno，butthatIwasjustgoingto。
\"Ah，isitpossible？\"shecried。\"Why，yououghttohavepaidhimthefirstcallofall！Surelyyouknowthathestandstoyouinthepositionofafather？Hehasnochildrenofhisown，andhisonlyheirsareyourselfandmychildren。Yououghttopayhimallpossibledeference，bothbecauseofhisage，andbecauseofhispositionintheworld，andbecauseofeverythingelse。Iknowthatyouyoungfellowsofthepresentdaythinknothingofrelationshipsandarenotfondofoldmen，yetdoyoulistentome，youroldaunt，forIamfondofyou，andwasfondofyourmother，andhadagreat——averygreat-likingandrespectforyourgrandmother。Youmustnotfailtocalluponhimonanyaccount。\"
IsaidthatIwouldcertainlygo，andsincemypresentcallseemedtometohavelastedlongenough，Irose，andwasabouttodepart，butsherestrainedme。
\"No，waitaminute，\"shecried。\"Whereisyourfather，Lise？Goandtellhimtocomehere。Hewillbesogladtoseeyou，\"sheadded，turningtome。
TwominuteslaterPrinceMichaelentered。Hewasashort，thick-
setgentleman，veryslovenlydressedandill-shaven，yetwearingsuchanairofindifferencethathelookedalmostafool。Hewasnotintheleastgladtoseeme——atalleventshedidnotintimatethathewas；butthePrincess（whoappearedtostandinconsiderableaweofhim）hastenedtosay：
\"IsnotWoldemarhere\"（sheseemedtohaveforgottenmyname）
\"exactlylikehismother？\"andshegaveherhusbandaglancewhichforcedhimtoguesswhatshewanted。Accordinglyheapproachedmewithhisusualpassionless，half-discontentedexpression，andheldouttomeanunshavencheektokiss。
\"Why，youarenotdressedyet，thoughyouhavetogooutsoon！\"
wasthePrincess’snextremarktohimintheangrytonewhichshehabituallyemployedinconversationwithherdomestics。\"Itwillonlymeanyouroffendingsomeoneagain，andtryingtosetpeopleagainstyou。\"
\"Inamoment，inamoment，mother，\"saidPrinceMichael，anddeparted。Ialsomademybowsanddeparted。
ThiswasthefirsttimeIhadheardofourbeingrelatedtoPrinceIvanIvanovitch，andthenewsstruckmeunpleasantly。
XX
THEIWINS
AsfortheprospectofmycalluponthePrince，itseemedevenmoreunpleasant。However，theorderofmyroutetookmefirsttotheIwins，wholivedinalargeandsplendidmansioninTverskaiaStreet。ItwasnotwithoutsomenervousnessthatIenteredthegreatporticowhereaSwissmajor-domostoodarmedwithhisstaffofoffice。
Tomyinquiryastowhetheranyonewasathomehereplied：\"Whomdoyouwishtosee，sir？TheGeneral’ssoniswithin。\"
\"AndtheGeneralhimself？\"Iaskedwithforcedassurance。
\"Imustreporttohimyourbusinessfirst。Whatmayitbe，sir？\"
saidthemajor-domoasherangabell。Immediatelythegaiteredlegsofafootmanshowedthemselvesonthestaircaseabove；
whereuponIwasseizedwithsuchafitofnervousnessthatI
hastilybidthelacqueysaynothingaboutmypresencetotheGeneral，sinceIwouldfirstseehisson。BythetimeIhadreachedthetopofthelongstaircase，Iseemedtohavegrownextremelysmall（metaphorically，Imean，notactually），andhadverymuchthesamefeelingwithinmeashadpossessedmysoulwhenmydrozhkidrewuptothegreatportico，namely，afeelingasthoughdrozhki，horse，andcoachmanhadallofthemgrownextremelysmalltoo。IfoundtheGeneral’ssonlyingasleeponasofa，withanopenbookbeforehim。Histutor，MonsieurFrost，underwhosecarehestillpursuedhisstudiesathome，hadenteredbehindmewithasortofboyishtread，andnowawokehispupil。Iwinevincednoparticularpleasureatseeingme，whileI
alsoseemedtonoticethat，whiletalkingtome，hekeptlookingatmyeyebrows。Althoughhewasperfectlypolite，Iconceivedthathewas\"entertaining\"memuchasthePrincessValakhinhaddone，andthathenotonlyfeltnoparticularlikingforme，buteventhatheconsideredmyacquaintanceinnowaynecessarytoonewhopossessedhisowncircleoffriends。Allthisaroseoutoftheideathathewasregardingmyeyebrows。Inshort，hisbearingtowardsmeappearedtobe（asIrecognisedwithanawkwardsensation）verymuchthesameasmyowntowardsIlinkaGrap。Ibegantofeelirritated，andtointerpreteveryfleetingglancewhichhecastatMonsieurFrostasamuteinquiry：\"Whyhasthisfellowcometoseeme？\"
Aftersomeconversationheremarkedthathisfatherandmotherwereathome。WouldInotliketovisitthemtoo？
\"FirstIwillgoanddressmyself，\"headdedashedepartedtoanotherroom，notwithstandingthathehadseemedtobeperfectlywelldressed（inanewfrockcoatandwhitewaistcoat）inthepresentone。AfewminuteslaterhereappearedinhisUniversityuniform，buttoneduptothechin，andwewentdownstairstogether。Thereceptionroomsthroughwhichwepassedwereloftyandofgreatsize，andseemedtoberichlyfurnishedwithmarbleandgiltornaments，chintz-coveredsettees，andanumberofmirrors。PresentlyMadameIwinmetus，andwewentintoalittleroombehindthedrawing-room，where，welcomingmeinveryfriendlyfashion，sheseatedherselfbymyside，andbegantoinquireaftermyrelations。
CloseracquaintancewithMadame（whomIhadseenonlytwicebefore，andthatbutforamomentoneachoccasion）impressedmefavourably。Shewastall，thin，andverypale，andlookedasthoughshesufferedfromchronicdepressionandfatigue。Yet，thoughhersmilewasasadone，itwasverykind，andherlarge，mournfuleyes，withaslightcastintheirvision，addedtothepathosandattractivenessofherexpression。Herattitude，whilenotpreciselythatofahunchback，madeherwholeformdroop，whilehereverymovementexpressedlanguor。Likewise，thoughherspeechwasdeliberate，thetimbreofhervoice，andthemannerinwhichshelispedherr’sandl’s，wereverypleasingtotheear。
Finally，shedidnot\"ENTERTAIN\"me。Unfortunately，theanswerswhichIreturnedtoherquestionsconcerningmyrelationsseemedtoaffordherapainfulinterest，andtoremindherofhappierdays：withtheresultthatwhen，presently，hersonlefttheroom，shegazedatmeinsilenceforamoment，andthenburstintotears。AsIsatthereinmutebewilderment，IcouldnotconceivewhatIhadsaidtobringthisabout。AtfirstIfeltsorryforherasshesatthereweepingwithdowncasteyes。NextIbegantothinktomyself：\"OughtInottotryandcomforther，andhowoughtthattobedone？\"Finally，Ibegantofeelvexedwithherforplacingmeinsuchanawkwardposition。\"Surelymyappearanceisnotsomovingasallthat？\"Ireflected。\"OrisshemerelyactinglikethistoseewhatIshalldounderthecircumstances？\"
\"Yetitwouldnotdoformetogo，\"Icontinuedtomyself，forthatwouldlooktoomuchasthoughIwerefleeingtoescapehertears。\"AccordinglyIbeganfidgetingaboutonmyseat，inordertoremindherofmypresence。
\"Oh，howfoolishofme！\"atlengthshesaid，asshegazedatmeforamomentandtriedtosmile。\"Therearedayswhenoneweepsfornoreasonwhatever。\"Shefeltaboutforherhandkerchief，andthenburstoutweepingmoreviolentlythanbefore。
\"Ohdear！Howsillyofmetobeforevercryinglikethis！YetI
wassofondofyourmother！Weweresuchfriends！We-we——\"
Atthispointshefoundherhandkerchief，and，buryingherfaceinit，wentoncrying。OncemoreIfoundmyselfinthesameprotracteddilemma。Thoughvexed，Ifeltsorryforher，sincehertearsappearedtobegenuine——eventhoughIalsohadanideathatitwasnotsomuchformymotherthatshewasweepingasforthefactthatshewasunhappy，andhadknownhappierdays。HowitwouldallhaveendedIdonotknow，hadnothersonreappearedandsaidthathisfatherdesiredtoseeher。Thereuponsherose，andwasjustabouttoleavetheroom，whentheGeneralhimselfentered。Hewasasmall，grizzled，thick-setman，withbushyblackeyebrows，agrey，close-croppedhead，andaverystern，haughtyexpressionofcountenance。
Iroseandbowedtohim，buttheGeneral（whowaswearingthreestarsonhisgreenfrockcoat）notonlymadenoresponsetomysalutation，butscarcelyevenlookedatme；sothatallatonceI
feltasthoughIwerenotahumanbeingatall，butonlysomenegligibleobjectsuchasasetteeorwindow；or，ifIwereahumanbeing，asthoughIwerequiteindistinguishablefromsuchanegligibleobject。
\"ThenyouhavenotyetwrittentotheCountess，mydear？\"hesaidtohiswifeinFrench，andwithanimperturbable，yetdetermined，expressiononhiscountenance。
\"Good-bye，MonsieurIrtenieff，\"Madamesaidtome，inherturn，asshemadeaproudgesturewithherheadandlookedatmyeyebrowsjustashersonhaddone。Ibowedtoher，andagaintoherhusband，butmysecondsalutationmadenomoreimpressionuponhimthanifawindowhadjustbeenopenedorclosed。
NeverthelesstheyoungerIwinaccompaniedmetothedoor，andonthewaytoldmethathewastogotoSt。PetersburgUniversity，sincehisfatherhadbeenappointedtoapostinthatcity（andyoungIwinnamedaveryhighofficeintheservice）。
\"Well，hisPapamaydowhatsoeverhelikes，\"ImutteredtomyselfasIclimbedintothedrozhki，\"butatalleventsIwillneversetfootinthathouseagain。HiswifeweepsandlooksatmeasthoughIweretheembodimentofwoe，whilethatoldpigofaGeneraldoesnotevengivemeabow。However，Iwillgetevenwithhimsomeday。\"HowImeanttodothatIdonotknow，butmywordsneverthelesscametrue。
Afterwards，IfrequentlyfounditnecessarytoremembertheadviceofmyfatherwhenhesaidthatImustcultivatetheacquaintanceshipoftheIwins，andnotexpectamaninthepositionofGeneralIwintopayanyattentiontoaboylikemyself。ButIhadfiguredinthatpositionlongenough。
XXI
PRINCEIVANIVANOVITCH
\"Nowforthelastcall——thevisittoNikitskaiaStreet，\"IsaidtoKuzma，andwestartedforPrinceIvanIvanovitch’smansion。
Towardstheend，aroundofcallsusuallybringsoneacertainamountofself-assurance：consequentlyIwasapproachingthePrince’sabodeinquiteatranquilframeofmind，whensuddenlyI
rememberedthePrincessKornakoff’swordsthatIwashisheir，andatthesamemomentcaughtsightoftwocarriageswaitingattheportico。Instantly，myformernervousnessreturned。
Boththeoldmajor-domowhoopenedthedoortome，andthefootmanwhotookmycoat，andthetwomaleandthreefemalevisitorswhomIfoundinthedrawing-room，and，mostofall，PrinceIvanIvanovitchhimself（whomIfoundcladina\"company\"
frockcoatandseatedonasofa）seemedtolookatmeasatanHEIR，andsotoeyemewithill-will。YetthePrincewasverygraciousand，afterkissingme（thatistosay，afterpressinghiscold，dry，flabbylipstomycheekforasecond），askedmeaboutmyplansandpursuits，jestedwithme，inquiredwhetherI
stillwroteversesofthekindwhichIusedtoinditeinhonourofmygrandmother’sbirthdays，andinvitedmetodinewithhimthatday。Nevertheless，inproportionashegrewthekinder，themoredidIfeelpersuadedthathiscivilitywasonlyintendedtoconcealfrommethefactthathedislikedtheideaofmybeinghisheir。Hehadacustom（duetohisfalseteeth，ofwhichhismouthpossessedacompleteset）ofraisinghisupperlipalittleashespoke，andproducingaslightwhistlingsoundfromit；andwhenever，onthepresentoccasion，hedidsoitseemedtomethathewassayingtohimself：\"Aboy，aboy——Iknowit！Andmyheir，too——myheir！\"
Whenwewerechildren，wehadbeenusedtocallingthePrince\"dearUncle；\"butnow，inmycapacityofheir，Icouldnotbringmytonguetothephrase，whiletosay\"YourHighness，\"asdidoneoftheothervisitors，seemedderogatorytomyself-esteem。
Consequently，neveronceduringthatvisitdidIcallhimanythingatall。Thepersonage，however，whomostdisturbedmewastheoldPrincesswhosharedwithmethepositionofprospectiveinheritor，andwholivedinthePrince’shouse。Whileseatedbesideheratdinner，Ifeltfirmlypersuadedthatthereasonwhyshewouldnotspeaktomewasthatshedislikedmeforbeingherco-heir，andthatthePrince，forhispart，paidnoattentiontooursideofthetableforthereasonthatthePrincessandmyselfhopedtosucceedhim，andsowerealikedistastefulinhissight。
\"YoucannotthinkhowIhateditall！\"IsaidtoDimitrieffthesameevening，inadesiretomakeaparadeofdislikingthenotionofbeinganheir（somehowIthoughtitthethingtodo）。
\"YoucannotthinkhowIloathedthewholetwohoursthatIspentthere！——Yetheisafine-lookingoldfellow，andwasverykindtome，\"Iadded——wishing，amongotherthings，todisabusemyfriendofanypossibleideathatmyloathinghadarisenoutofthefactthatIhadfeltsosmall。\"ItisonlytheideathatpeoplemaybeclassingmewiththePrincesswholiveswithhim，andwholicksthedustoffhisboots。Heisawonderfuloldman，andgoodandconsideratetoeverybody，butitisawfultoseehowhetreatsthePrincess。Moneyisadetestablething，andruinsallhumanrelations。
\"Doyouknow，IthinkitwouldbefarthebestthingformetohaveanopenexplanationwiththePrince，\"Iwenton；\"totellhimthatIrespecthimasaman，butthinknothingofbeinghisheir，andthatIdesirehimtoleavemenothing，sincethatistheonlyconditiononwhichIcan，infuture，visithishouse。\"
InsteadofburstingoutlaughingwhenIsaidthis，Dimitriponderedawhileinsilence，andthenanswered：
\"Youarewrong。EitheryououghttorefrainfromsupposingthatpeoplemaybeclassingyouwiththisPrincessofwhomyouspeak，or，ifyouDOsupposesuchathing，yououghttosupposefurtherthatpeoplearethinkingwhatyouyourselfknowquitewell——
namely，thatsuchthoughtsaresoutterlyforeigntoyournaturethatyoudespisethemandwouldnevermakethemabasisforaction。Suppose，however，thatpeopleDOsupposeyoutosupposesuchathing——Well，tosumup，\"headded，feelingthathewasgettingalittlemixedinhispronouncements，\"youhadmuchbetternotsupposeanythingofthekind。\"
Myfriendwasperfectlyright，thoughitwasnotuntillong，longafterwardsthatexperienceoflifetaughtmetheevilthatcomesofthinking——stillworse，ofsaying——muchthatseemsveryfine；
taughtmethattherearecertainthoughtswhichshouldalwaysbekepttooneself，sincebravewordsseldomgowithbravedeeds。I
learntthenthatthemerefactofgivingutterancetoagoodintentionoftenmakesitdifficult，nay，impossible，tocarrythatgoodintentionintoeffect。Yethowisonetorefrainfromgivingutterancetothebrave，self-sufficientimpulsesofyouth？
Onlylongafterwardsdoesonerememberandregretthem，evenasoneincontinentlyplucksaflowerbeforeitsblooming，andsubsequentlyfindsitlyingcrushedandwitheredontheground。
TheverynextmorningI，whohadjustbeentellingmyfriendDimitrithatmoneycorruptsallhumanrelations，andhad（aswehaveseen）squanderedthewholeofmycashonpicturesandTurkishpipes，acceptedaloanoftwentyroubleswhichhesuggestedshouldpayformytravellingexpensesintothecountry，andremainedalongwhilethereafterinhisdebt！
XXII
INTIMATECONVERSATIONWITHMYFRIEND
THISconversationofourstookplaceinaphaetononthewaytoKuntsevo。Dimitrihadinvitedmeinthemorningtogowithhimtohismother’s，andhadcalledformeafterluncheon；theideabeingthatIshouldspendtheevening，andperhapsalsopassthenight，atthecountry-housewherehisfamilylived。Onlywhenwehadleftthecityandexchangeditsgrimystreetsandtheunbearablydeafeningclatterofitspavementsfortheopenvistaoffieldsandthesubduedgrindingofcarriage-wheelsonadustyhighroad（whilethesweetspringairandprospectenvelopedusoneveryside）didIawakefromthenewimpressionsandsensationsoffreedomintowhichthepasttwodayshadplungedme。Dimitriwasinhiskindandsociablemood。Thatistosay，hewasneitherfrowningnorblinkingnervouslynorstraighteninghisneckinhiscollar。Formyownpart，IwascongratulatingmyselfonthosenoblesentimentswhichIhaveexpressedabove，inthebeliefthattheyhadledhimtooverlookmyshamefulencounterwithKolpikoff，andtorefrainfromdespisingmeforit。Thuswetalkedtogetheronmanyanintimatesubjectwhichevenafriendseldommentionstoafriend。HetoldmeabouthisfamilywhoseacquaintanceIhadnotyetmade——abouthismother，hisaunt，andhissister，asalsoaboutherwhomWolodaandDubkoffbelievedtobehis\"flame，\"andalwaysspokeofas\"theladywiththechestnutlocks。\"Ofhismotherhespokewithacertaincoldandformalcommendation，asthoughtoforestallanyfurthermentionofher；hisauntheextolledenthusiastically，thoughwithatouchofcondescensioninhistone；hissisterhescarcelymentionedatall，asthoughaversetodoingsoinmypresence；
butonthesubjectof\"theladywiththechestnutlocks\"（whoserealnamewasLubovSergievna，andwhowasagrown-upyoungladylivingonafamilyfootingwiththeNechludoffs）hediscoursedwithanimation。
\"Yes，sheisawonderfulwoman，\"hesaidwithaconsciousreddeningoftheface，yetlookingmeintheeyeswithdoggedtemerity。\"True，sheisnolongeryoung，andevenratherelderly，aswellasbynomeansgood-looking；butasforlovingamerefeatherhead，amerebeauty——well，Inevercouldunderstandthat，foritissuchasillythingtodo。\"（Dimitrisaidthisasthoughhehadjustdiscoveredamostnovelandextraordinarytruth。）\"I
amcertain，too，thatsuchasoul，suchaheartandprinciples，asarehersarenottobefoundelsewhereintheworldofthepresentday。\"（Idonotknowwhencehehadderivedthehabitofsayingthatfewgoodthingswerediscoverableintheworldofthepresentday，butatalleventshelovedtorepeattheexpression，anditsomehowsuitedhim。）
\"Only，Iamafraid，\"hewentonquietly，afterthusannihilatingallsuchmenaswerefoolishenoughtoadmiremerebeauty，\"Iamafraidthatyouwillnotunderstandorrealiseherquickly。Sheismodest，evensecretive，andbynomeansfondofexhibitingherbeautifulandsurprisingqualities。Now，mymother——who，asyouwillsee，isanoble，sensiblewoman——hasknownLubovSergievna，formanyyears；yeteventothisdayshedoesnotproperlyunderstandher。ShallItellyouwhyIwasoutoftemperlasteveningwhenyouwerequestioningme？Well，youmustknowthatthedaybeforeyesterdayLubovaskedmetoaccompanyhertoIvanYakovlevitch’s（youhaveheardofhim，Isuppose？thefellowwhoseemstobemad，butwho，inreality，isaveryremarkableman）。
Well，Lubovisextremelyreligious，andunderstandsIvanYakovlevitchtothefull。Sheoftengoestoseehim，andconverseswithhim，andgiveshimmoneyforthepoor——moneywhichshehasearnedherself。Sheisamarvellouswoman，asyouwillsee。Well，IwentwithhertoIvan’s，andfeltverygratefultoherforhavingaffordedmetheopportunityofexchangingawordwithsoremarkableaman；butmymothercouldnotunderstandouractionatall，anddiscernedinitonlysuperstition。
Consequently，lastnightsheandIquarrelledforthefirsttimeinourlives。Averybitteroneitwas，too，\"heconcluded，withaconvulsiveshrugofhisshoulders，asthoughthementionofitrecalledthefeelingswhichhehadthenexperienced。
\"Andwhatareyourintentionsaboutitall？\"Iinquired，todiverthimfromsuchadisagreeablerecollection。\"Thatistosay，howdoyouimagineitisgoingtoturnout？Doyoueverspeaktoheraboutthefuture，orabouthowyourloveorfriendshiparegoingtoend？\"
\"Doyoumean，doIintendtomarryhereventually？\"heinquired，inhisturn，witharenewedblush，butturninghimselfroundandlookingmeboldlyintheface。
\"Yes，certainly，\"IrepliedasIsettledmyselfdown。\"Wearebothofusgrown-up，aswellasfriends，sowemayaswelldiscussourfuturelifeaswedrivealong。Noonecouldverywelloverlookoroverhearusnow。\"
\"WhyshouldINOTmarryher？\"hewentoninresponsetomyreassuringreply。\"Itismyaim——asitshouldbetheaimofeveryhonourableman——tobeasgoodandashappyaspossible；andwithher，ifsheshouldstillbewillingwhenIhavebecomemoreindependent，Ishouldbehappierandbetterthanwiththegreatestbeautyintheworld。\"
Absorbedinsuchconversation，wehardlynoticedthatwewereapproachingKuntsevo，orthattheskywasbecomingovercastandbeginningtothreatenrain。Ontheright，thesunwasslowlysinkingbehindtheancienttreesoftheKuntsevopark——onehalfofitsbrilliantdiscobscuredwithgrey，subluminouscloud，andtheotherhalfsendingforthspokesofflaminglightwhichthrewtheoldtreesintostrikingreliefastheystoodtherewiththeirdensecrownsofgreenshowingagainstabluepatchofsky。Thelightandshimmerofthatpatchcontrastedsharplywiththeheavypinkcloudwhichlaymassedaboveayoungbirch-treevisibleonthehorizonbeforeus，while，alittlefurthertotheright，theparti-colouredroofsoftheKuntsevomansioncouldbeseenprojectingaboveabeltoftreesandundergrowth——onesideofthemreflectingtheglitteringraysofthesun，andtheothersideharmonisingwiththemorelouringportionoftheheavens。Belowus，andtotheleft，showedthestillblueofapondwhereitlaysurroundedwithpale-greenlaburnums——itsdull，concave-lookingdepthsrepeatingthetreesinmoresombreshadesofcolouroverthesurfaceofahillock。Beyondthewaterspreadtheblackexpanseofaploughedfield，withthestraightlineofadark-
greenridgebywhichitwasbisectedrunningfarintothedistance，andtherejoiningtheleaden，threateninghorizon。
Oneithersideofthesoftroadalongwhichthephaetonwaspursuingtheeventenourofitsway，bright-green，tangled，juicybeltsofryeweresproutinghereandthereintostalk。Notamotionwasperceptibleintheair，onlyasweetfreshness，andeverythinglookedextraordinarilyclearandbright。NeartheroadIcouldseealittlebrownpathwindingitswayamongthedark-
green，quarter-grownstemsofrye，andsomehowthatpathremindedmevividlyofourvillage，andsomehow（throughsomeconnectionofthought）theideaofthatvillageremindedmevividlyofSonetchka，andsoofthefactthatIwasinlovewithher。
NotwithstandingmyfondnessforDimitriandthepleasurewhichhisfranknesshadaffordedme，InowfeltasthoughIdesiredtohearnomoreabouthisfeelingsandintentionswithregardtoLubovSergievna，buttotalkunstintedlyaboutmyownloveforSonetchka，whoseemedtomeanobjectofaffectionofafarhigherorder。YetforsomereasonoranotherIcouldnotmakeupmymindtotellhimstraightouthowsplendiditwouldseemwhenIhadmarriedSonetchkaandwewerelivinginthecountry——ofhowweshouldhavelittlechildrenwhowouldcrawlaboutthefloorandcallmePapa，andofhowdelightedIshouldbewhenhe，Dimitri，broughthiswife，LubovSergievna，toseeus，wearinganexpensivegown。Accordingly，insteadofsayingallthat，I
pointedtothesettingsun，andmerelyremarked：\"Look，Dimitri！
Howsplendid！\"
Tothis，however，Dimitrimadenoreply，sincehewasevidentlydissatisfiedatmyansweringhisconfession（whichithadcosthimmuchtomake）bydirectinghisattentiontonaturalobjects（towhichhewas，ingeneral，indifferent）。UponhimNaturehadaneffectaltogetherdifferenttowhatshehaduponmyself，forsheaffectedhimratherbyherindustrythanbyherbeauty——helovedherratherwithhisintellectthanwithhissenses。
\"Iamabsolutelyhappy，\"Iwenton，withoutnoticingthathewasaltogethertakenupwithhisownthoughtsandobliviousofanythingthatImightbesaying。\"YouwillrememberhowtoldyouaboutagirlwithwhomIusedtobeinlovewhenwasalittleboy？Well，Isawheragainonlythismorning，andamnowinfatuatedwithher。\"ThenItoldhim——despitehiscontinuedexpressionofindifference——aboutmylove，andaboutallmyplansformyfutureconnubialhappiness。Strangelyenough，nosoonerhadIrelatedindetailthewholestrengthofmyfeelingsthanI
instantlybecameconsciousofitsdiminution。
Therainovertookusjustaswewereturningintotheavenueofbirch-treeswhichledtothehouse，butitdidnotreallywetus。
IonlyknewthatitwasrainingbythefactthatIfeltadropfall，firstonmynose，andthenonmyhand，andheardsomethingbegintopatterupontheyoung，viscousleavesofthebirch-treesas，droopingtheircurlybranchesoverhead，theyseemedtoimbibethepure，shiningdropswithanaviditywhichfilledthewholeavenuewithscent。Wedescendedfromthecarriage，soastoreachthehousethequickerthroughthegarden，butfoundourselvesconfrontedattheentrance-doorbyfourladies，twoofwhomwereknitting，onereadingabook，andthefourthwalkingtoandfrowithalittledog。Thereupon，Dimitribegantopresentmetohismother，sister，andaunt，aswellastoLubovSergievna。Foramomenttheyremainedwheretheywere，butalmostinstantlytherainbecameheavier。
\"Letusgointotheverandah；youcanpresenthimtousthere，\"
saidtheladywhomItooktobeDimitri’smother，andweallofusascendedtheentrance-steps。
XXIII
THENECHLUDOFFS
Fromthefirst，thememberofthiscompanywhostruckmethemostwasLubovSergievna，who，holdingalapdoginherarmsandwearingstoutlacedboots，wasthelastofthefourladiestoascendthestaircase，andtwicestoppedtogazeatmeintentlyandthenkissherlittledog。Shewasanythingbutgood-looking，sinceshewasred-haired，thin，short，andslightlycrooked。Whatmadeherplainfacealltheplainerwasthequeerwayinwhichherhairwaspartedtooneside（itlookedlikethewigswhichbaldwomencontriveforthemselves）。HowevermuchIshouldhavelikedtoapplaudmyfriend，Icouldnotfindasinglecomelyfeatureinher。Evenherbrowneyes，thoughexpressiveofgood-
humour，weresmallanddull——were，infact，anythingbutpretty；
whileherhands（thosemostcharacteristicoffeatures），werethoughneitherlargenorill-shaped，coarseandred。
Assoonaswereachedtheverandah，eachoftheladies，exceptDimitri’ssisterVarenika——whoalsohadbeenregardingmeattentivelyoutofherlarge，dark-greyeyes——saidafewwordstomebeforeresumingheroccupation，whileVarenikaherselfbegantoreadaloudfromabookwhichsheheldonherlapandsteadiedwithherfinger。
ThePrincessMariaIvanovnawasatall，well-builtwomanofforty。Tojudgebythecurlsofhalf-greyhairwhichdescendedbelowhercaponemighthavetakenherformore，butassoonaseveroneobservedthefresh，extraordinarilytender，andalmostwrinklelessface，aswellas，mostofall，thelively，cheerfulsparkleofthelargeeyes，oneinvoluntarilytookherforless。
Hereyeswereblackandveryfrank，herlipsthinandslightlysevere，hernoseregularandslightlyinclinedtotheleft，andherhandsringless，large，andalmostlikethoseofaman，butwithfinelytaperingfingers。Sheworeadark-bluedressfastenedtothethroatandsittingcloselytoherfirm，stillyouthfulwaist——awaistwhichsheevidentlypinched。Lastly，sheheldherselfveryupright，andwasknittingagarmentofsomekind。AssoonasIsteppedontotheverandahshetookmebythehand，drewmetoherasthoughwishingtoscrutinisememoreclosely，andsaid，asshegazedatmewiththesamecold，candidglanceasherson’s，thatshehadlongknownmebyreportfromDimitri，andthattherefore，inordertomakemyacquaintancethoroughly，shehadinvitedmetostaythesetwenty-fourhoursinherhouse。
\"Dojustasyoupleasehere，\"shesaid，\"andstandonnoceremonywhateverwithus，evenasweshallstandonnonewithyou。Praywalk，read，listen，orsleepasthemoodmaytakeyou。\"
SophiaIvanovnawasanoldmaidandthePrincess’syoungersister，thoughshelookedtheelderofthetwo。Shehadthatexceedinglyoverstuffedappearancewhicholdmaidsalwayspresentwhoareshortofstaturebutwearcorsets。Itseemedasthoughherhealthinesshadshiftedupwardstothepointofchokingher，hershort，fathandswouldnotmeetbelowherprojectingbust，andthelineofherwaistwasscarcelyvisibleatall。
NotwithstandingthatthePrincessMariaIvanovnahadblackhairandeyes，whileSophiaIvanovnahadwhitehairandlarge，vivacious，tranquillyblueeyes（ararecombination），therewasagreatlikenessbetweenthetwosisters，fortheyhadthesameexpression，nose，andlips。TheonlydifferencewasthatSophia’snoseandlipswereatriflecoarserthanMaria’s，andthat，whenshesmiled，thosefeaturesinclinedtowardstheright，whereasMaria’sinclinedtowardstheleft。Sophia，tojudgebyherdressandcoiffure，wasstillyouthfulatheart，andwouldneverhavedisplayedgreycurls，evenifshehadpossessedthem。
Yetatfirstherglanceandbearingtowardsmeseemedveryproud，andmademenervous，whereasIatoncefeltathomewiththePrincess。PerhapsitwasonlySophia’sstoutnessandacertainresemblancetoportraitsofCatherinetheGreatthatgaveher，inmyeyes，ahaughtyaspect，butatalleventsIfeltquiteintimidatedwhenshelookedatmeintentlyandsaid，\"Friendsofourfriendsareourfriendsalso。\"Ibecamereassuredandchangedmyopinionaboutheronlywhen，aftersayingthosewords，sheopenedhermouthandsigheddeeply。Itmaybethatsheowedherhabitofsighingaftereveryfewwords——withagreatdistentionofthemouthandaslightdroopingofherlargeblueeyes——toherstoutness，yetitwasnonethelessonewhichexpressedsomuchgood-humourthatIatoncelostallfearofher，andfoundheractuallyattractive。Hereyeswerecharming，hervoicepleasantandmusical，andeventheflowinglinesofherfullnessseemedtomyyouthfulvisionnotwhollylackinginbeauty。
IhadimaginedthatLubovSergievna，asmyfriend’sfriend，wouldatoncesaysomethingfriendlyandfamiliartome；yet，aftergazingatmefixedlyforawhile，asthoughindoubtwhethertheremarkshewasabouttomaketomewouldnotbetoofriendly，sheatlengthaskedmewhatfacultyIwasin。Afterthatshestaredatmeasbefore，inevidenthesitationastowhetherornottosaysomethingcivilandfamiliar，until，remarkingherperplexity，Ibesoughtherwithalooktospeakfreely。Yetallshethensaidwas，\"TheytellmetheUniversitiespayverylittleattentiontosciencenow，\"andturnedawaytocallherlittledog。
Allthateveningshespokeonlyindisjointedfragmentsofthiskind——fragmentswhichhadnoconnectioneitherwiththepointorwithoneanother；yetIhadsuchfaithinDimitri，andhesooftenkeptlookingfromhertomewithanexpressionwhichmutelyaskedme，\"Now，whatdoyouthinkofthat？\"that，thoughI
entirelyfailedtopersuademyselfthatinLubovSergievnatherewasanythingtospeakof，Icouldnotbeartoexpressthethought，eventomyself。
Asforthelastmemberofthefamily，Varenika，shewasawell-
developedgirlofsixteen。Theonlygoodfeaturesinherwereapairofdark-greyeyes，——which，intheirexpressionofgaietymingledwithquietattention，greatlyresembledthoseofheraunt——alongcoilofflaxenhair，andextremelydelicate，beautifulhands。
\"Iexpect，MonsieurNicolas，youfinditwearisometohearastorybegunfromthemiddle？\"saidSophiaIvanovnawithhergood-
naturedsighassheturnedoversomepiecesofclothingwhichshewassewing。ThereadingaloudhadceasedforthemomentbecauseDimitrihadlefttheroomonsomeerrandoranother。
\"OrperhapsyouhavereadRobRoybefore？\"sheadded。
AtthatperiodIthoughtitincumbentuponme，invirtueofmystudent’suniform，toreplyinavery\"cleverandoriginal\"
mannertoeveryquestionputtomebypeoplewhomIdidnotknowverywell，andregardedsuchshort，clearanswersas\"Yes，\"\"No，\"
\"Ilikeit，\"or\"Idonotcareforit，\"asthingstobeashamedof。Accordingly，lookingdownatmynewandfashionably-cuttrousersandtheglitteringbuttonsofmytunic，IrepliedthatI
hadneverreadRobRoy，butthatitinterestedmegreatlytohearit，sinceIpreferredtoreadbooksfromthemiddleratherthanfromthebeginning。
\"Itistwiceasinteresting，\"Iaddedwithaself-satisfiedsmirk；\"forthenonecanguesswhathasgonebeforeaswellaswhatistocomeafter。\"
ThePrincesssmiledwhatIthoughtwasaforcedsmile，butonewhichIdiscoveredlatertobeheronlyone。
\"Well，perhapsthatistrue，\"shesaid。\"Buttellme，Nicolas（youwillnotbeoffendedifIdroptheMonsieur）——tellme，areyougoingtobeintownlong？Whendoyougoaway？\"
\"Idonotknowquite。Perhapsto-morrow，orperhapsnotforsomewhileyet，\"Irepliedforsomereasonoranother，thoughIknewperfectlywellthatinrealityweweretogoto-morrow。
\"Iwishyoucouldstoplonger，bothforyourownsakeandforDimitri’s，\"shesaidinameditativemanner。\"Atyouragefriendshipisaweakthing。\"
Ifeltthateveryonewaslookingatme，andwaitingtoseewhatIshouldsay——thoughcertainlyVarenikamadeapretenceoflookingatheraunt’swork。Ifelt，infact，asthoughIwerebeingputthroughanexamination，andthatitbehovedmetofigureinitaswellaspossible。
\"Yes，toMEDimitri’sfriendshipismostuseful，\"Ireplied，\"buttoHIMminecannotbeofanyuseatall，sinceheisathousandtimesbetterthanI。\"（DimitricouldnothearwhatIsaid，orI
shouldhavefearedhisdetectingtheinsincerityofmywords。）
AgainthePrincesssmiledherunnatural，yetcharacteristicallynatural，smile。
\"Justlistentohim！\"shesaid。\"ButitisYOUwhoarethelittlemonsterofperfection。\"
\"’Monsterofperfection，’\"Ithoughttomyself。\"Thatissplendid。Imustmakeanoteofit。\"
\"Yet，todismissyourself，hehasbeenextraordinarilycleverinthatquarter，\"shewentoninalowertone（whichpleasedmesomehow）assheindicatedLubovSergievnawithhereyes，\"sincehehasdiscoveredinourpoorlittleAuntie\"（suchwasthepetnamewhichtheygaveLubov）\"allsortsofperfectionswhichI，whohaveknownherandherlittledogfortwentyyears，hadneveryetsuspected。\"Varenika，goandtellthemtobringmeaglassofwater，\"sheadded，lettinghereyeswanderagain。Probablyshehadbethoughtherthatitwastoosoon，ornotentirelynecessary，toletmeintoallthefamilysecrets。\"Yetno——letHIMgo，forhehasnothingtodo，whileyouarereading。Praygotothedoor，myfriend，\"shesaidtome，\"andwalkaboutfifteenstepsdownthepassage。Thenhaltandcalloutprettyloudly，\"Peter，bringMariaIvanovnaaglassoficedwater\"——andshesmiledhercurioussmileoncemore。
\"Iexpectshewantstosaysomethingaboutmeinmyabsence，\"I
thoughttomyselfasIlefttheroom。\"IexpectshewantstoremarkthatshecanseeveryclearlythatIamavery，verycleveryoungman。\"
HardlyhadItakenadozenstepswhenIwasovertakenbySophiaIvanovna，who，thoughfatandshortofbreath，trodwithsurprisinglightnessandagility。
\"Merci，moncher，\"shesaid。\"Iwillgoandtellthemmyself。\"
XXIV
LOVE
SOPHIAIVANOVNA，asIafterwardscametoknowher，wasoneofthoserare，young-oldwomenwhoarebornforfamilylife，buttowhomthathappinesshasbeendeniedbyfate。Consequentlyallthatstoreoftheirlovewhichshouldhavebeenpouredoutuponahusbandandchildrenbecomespentupintheirhearts，untiltheysuddenlydecidetoletitoverflowuponafewchosenindividuals。Yetsoinexhaustibleisthatstoreofoldmaids’lovethat，despitethenumberofindividualssoselected，therestillremainsanabundantsurplusofaffectionwhichtheylavishuponallbywhomtheyaresurrounded——uponall，goodorbad，whomtheymaychancetomeetintheirdailylife。
Oflovetherearethreekinds——loveofbeauty，thelovewhichdeniesitself，andpracticallove。
Ofthedesireofayoungmanforayoungwoman，aswellasofthereverseinstance，Iamnotnowspeaking，forofsuchtendressesI
amwary，seeingthatIhavebeentoounhappyinmylifetohavebeenableevertoseeinsuchaffectionasinglesparkoftruth，butratheralyingpretenceinwhichsensuality，connubialrelations，money，andthewishtobindhandsortounloosethemhaverenderedfeelingsuchacomplexaffairastodefyanalysis。
RatheramIspeakingofthatloveforahumanbeingwhich，accordingtothespiritualstrengthofitspossessor，concentratesitselfeitheruponasingleindividual，uponafew，oruponmany——ofloveforamother，afather，abrother，littlechildren，afriend，acompatriot——oflove，inshort，forone’sneighbour。
Loveofbeautyconsistsinaloveofthesenseofbeautyandofitsexpression。Peoplewhothusloveconceivetheobjectoftheiraffectiontobedesirableonlyinsofarasitarousesinthemthatpleasurablesensationofwhichtheconsciousnessandtheexpressionsoothesthesenses。Theychangetheobjectoftheirlovefrequently，sincetheirprincipalaimconsistsinensuringthatthevoluptuousfeelingoftheiradorationshallbeconstantlytitillated。Topreserveinthemselvesthissensuouscondition，theytalkunceasingly，andinthemostelegantterms，onthesubjectofthelovewhichtheyfeel，notonlyforitsimmediateobject，butalsoforobjectsuponwhichitdoesnottouchatall。Thiscountryofourscontainsmanysuchindividuals——individualsofthatwell-knownclasswho，cultivating\"thebeautiful，\"notonlydiscourseoftheirculttoallandsundry，butspeakofitpre-eminentlyinFRENCH。Itmayseemastrangeandridiculousthingtosay，butIamconvincedthatamonguswehavehadinthepast，andstillhave，alargesectionofsociety——notablywomen——whoselovefortheirfriends，husbands，orchildrenwouldexpireto-morrowiftheyweredebarredfromdilatinguponitinthetongueofFrance！
Loveofthesecondkind——renunciatorylove——consistsinayearningtoundergoself-sacrificefortheobjectbeloved，regardlessofanyconsiderationwhethersuchself-sacrificewillbenefitorinjuretheobjectinquestion。\"ThereisnoevilwhichIwouldnotenduretoshowboththeworldandhimorherwhomI
adoremydevotion。\"Therewehavetheformulaofthiskindoflove。Peoplewhothusloveneverlookforreciprocityofaffection，sinceitisafinerthingtosacrificeyourselfforonewhodoesnotcomprehendyou。Also，theyarealwayspainfullyeagertoexaggeratethemeritsoftheirsacrifice；usuallyconstantintheirlove，forthereasonthattheywouldfindithardtoforegothekudosofthedeprivationswhichtheyendurefortheobjectbeloved；alwaysreadytodie，toprovetohimortohertheentiretyoftheirdevotion；butsparingofsuchsmalldailyproofsoftheirloveascallfornospecialeffortofself-
immolation。Theydonotmuchcarewhetheryoueatwell，sleepwell，keepyourspiritsup，orenjoygoodhealth，nordotheyeverdoanythingtoobtainforyouthoseblessingsiftheyhaveitintheirpower；but，shouldyoubeconfrontingabullet，orhavefallenintothewater，orstandindangerofbeingburnt，orhavehadyourheartbrokeninaloveaffair——well，forallthesethingstheyarepreparediftheoccasionshouldarise。Moreover，peopleaddictedtoloveofsuchaself-sacrificingorderareinvariablyproudoftheirlove，exacting，jealous，distrustful，and——strangetotell——anxiousthattheobjectoftheiradorationshouldincurperils（sothattheymaysaveitfromcalamity，andconsoleitthereafter）andevenbevicious（sothattheymaypurgeitofitsvice）。
Suppose，now，thatyouarelivinginthecountrywithawifewholovesyouinthisself-sacrificingmanner。Youmaybehealthyandcontented，andhaveoccupationswhichinterestyou，while，ontheotherhand，yourwifemaybetooweaktosuperintendthehouseholdwork（which，inconsequence，willbelefttotheservants），ortolookafterthechildren（who，inconsequence，willbelefttothenurses），ortoputherheartintoanyworkwhatsoever：andallbecauseshelovesnobodyandnothingbutyourself。Shemaybepatentlyill，yetshewillsaynotawordtoyouaboutit，forfearofdistressingyou。Shemaybepatentlyennuyee，yetforyoursakeshewillbepreparedtobesofortherestofherlife。Shemaybepatentlydepressedbecauseyousticksopersistentlytoyouroccupations（whethersport，books，farming，stateservice，oranythingelse）andseeclearlythattheyaredoingyouharm；yet，forallthat，shewillkeepsilence，andsufferittobeso。Yet，shouldyoubutfallsick——
and，despiteherownailmentsandyourprayersthatshewillnotdistressherselfinvain，yourlovingwifewillremainsittinginseparablybyyourbedside。Everymomentyouwillfeelhersympatheticgazerestinguponyouand，asitwere，saying：
\"There！Itoldyouso，butitisallonetome，andIshallnotleaveyou。\"Inthemorningyoumaybealittlebetter，andmoveintoanotherroom。Theroom，however，willbeinsufficientlywarmedorsetinorder；thesoupwhichaloneyoufeelyoucouldeatwillnothavebeencooked；norwillanymedicinehavebeensentfor。Yet，thoughwornoutwithnightwatching，yourlovingwifewillcontinuetoregardyouwithanexpressionofsympathy，towalkaboutontiptoe，andtowhisperunaccustomedandobscureorderstotheservants。Youmaywishtobereadto——andyourlovingwifewilltellyouwithasighthatshefeelssureyouwillbeunabletohearherreading，andonlygrowangryatherawkwardnessindoingit；whereforeyouhadbetternotbereadtoatall。Youmaywishtowalkabouttheroom——andshewilltellyouthatitwouldbefarbetterforyounottodoso。Youmaywishtotalkwithsomefriendswhohavecalled——andshewilltellyouthattalkingisnotgoodforyou。Atnightfallthefevermaycomeuponyouagain，andyoumaywishtobeleftalonewhereuponyourlovingwife，thoughwasted，pale，andfullofyawns，willgoonsittinginachairoppositeyou，asduskfalls，untilherveryslightestmovement，herveryslightestsound，rousesyoutofeelingsofangerandimpatience。Youmayhaveaservantwhohaslivedwithyoufortwentyyears，andtowhomyouareattached，andwhowouldtendyouwellandtoyoursatisfactionduringthenight，forthereasonthathehasbeenasleepalldayandis，moreover，paidasalaryforhisservices；yetyourwifewillnotsufferhimtowaituponyou。No；everythingshemustdoherselfwithherweak，unaccustomedfingers（ofwhichyoufollowthemovementswithsuppressedirritationasthosepalemembersdotheirbesttouncorkamedicinebottle，tosnuffacandle，topouroutphysic，ortotouchyouinasqueamishsortofway）。Ifyouareanimpatient，hastysortofman，andbegofhertoleavetheroom，youwillhearbythevexed，distressedsoundswhichcomefromherthatsheishumblysobbingandweepingbehindthedoor，andwhisperingfoolishnessofsomekindtotheservant。
Finallyifyoudonotdie，yourlovingwife——whohasnotsleptduringthewholethreeweeksofyourillness（afactofwhichshewillconstantlyremindyou）——willfallillinherturn，wasteaway，suffermuch，andbecomeevenmoreincapableofanyusefulpursuitthanshewasbefore；whilebythetimethatyouhaveregainedyournormalstateofhealthshewillexpresstoyouherself-sacrificingaffectiononlybysheddingaroundyouakindofbenignantdullnesswhichinvoluntarilycommunicatesitselfbothtoyourselfandtoeveryoneelseinyourvicinity。
Thethirdkindoflove——practicallove——consistsofayearningtosatisfyeveryneed，everydesire，everycaprice，nay，everyvice，ofthebeingbeloved。Peoplewholovethusalwayslovetheirlifelong，since，themoretheylove，themoretheygettoknowtheobjectbeloved，andtheeasiertheyfindthetaskoflovingit——
thatistosay，ofsatisfyingitsdesires。Theirloveseldomfindsexpressioninwords，butifitdoesso，itexpressesitselfneitherwithassurancenorbeauty，butratherinashamefaced，awkwardmanner，sincepeopleofthiskindinvariablyhavemisgivingsthattheyarelovingunworthily。Peopleofthiskindloveeventhefaultsoftheiradoredone，forthereasonthatthosefaultsaffordthemthepowerofconstantlysatisfyingnewdesires。Theylookfortheiraffectiontobereturned，andevendeceivethemselvesintobelievingthatitisreturned，andarehappyaccordingly：yetinthereversecasetheywillstillcontinuetodesirehappinessfortheirbelovedone，andtrybyeverymeansintheirpower——whethermoralormaterial，greatorsmall——toprovideit。