OncomparingwiththeoriginalRussiansomeEnglishtranslationsofCountTolstoi’sworks，publishedbothinthiscountryandinEngland，Iconcludedthattheywerefarfrombeingaccurate。ThemajorityofthemwereretranslationsfromtheFrench，andIfoundthattherespectivetransitionsthroughwhichtheyhadpassedtendedtoobliteratemanyofthebeautiesoftheRussianlanguageandofthepeculiarcharacteristicsofRussianlife。A
satisfactorytranslationcanbemadeonlybyonewhounderstandsthelanguageandSPIRIToftheRussianpeople。AsTolstoi’swritingscontainsomanyidiomsitisnotaneasytasktorenderthemintointelligibleEnglish，andtheonewhosuccessfullyaccomplishesthismustbeanativeofRussia，commandingtheEnglishandRussianlanguageswithequalfluency。
Thestoryof\"IvantheFool\"portraysTolstoi’scommunisticideas，involvingtheabolitionofmilitaryforces，middlemen，despotism，andmoney。Insteadofthesehewouldestablishonearthakingdominwhicheachandeverypersonwouldbecomeaworkerandproducer。Theauthordescribesthevariousstrugglesthroughwhichthreebrotherspassed，besetastheywerebydevilslargeandsmall，untiltheyreachedtheidealstateofexistencewhichhebelievestobetheonlyhappyoneattainableinthisworld。
OnreadingthislittlestoryoneissurprisedthattheRussiancensorpassedit，asitisdevotedtoanarrationofideasquiteatvariancewiththepresentpolicyofthegovernmentofthatcountry。
\"ALostOpportunity\"isasingularlytruepictureofpeasantlife，whichevincesadeepstudyofthesubjectonthepartofthewriter。TolstoihasdrawnmanyofthepeculiarcustomsoftheRussianpeasantinamasterlymanner，andIdoubtifhehasgivenamorecomprehensivedescriptionofthisfeatureofRussianlifeinanyofhisotherworks。Inthisstoryalsohehaspresentedmanytraitswhicharecommontohumannaturethroughouttheworld，andthisgivesanaddedinteresttothebook。Thelanguageissimpleandpicturesque，andthecharactersaredrawnwithremarkablefidelitytonature。ThemoralofthistalepointsouthowtheheroIvanmighthaveavoidedtheterribleconsequencesofaquarrelwithhisneighbor（whichgrewoutofnothing）ifhehadlivedinaccordancewiththescripturalinjunctiontoforgivehisbrother’ssinsandseeknotforrevenge。
Thestoryof\"Polikushka\"isaverygraphicdescriptionofthelifeledbyaservantofthecourthouseholdofacertainnobleman，inwhichtheauthorportraysthedifferentconditionsandsurroundingsenjoyedbytheseservantsfromthoseoftheordinaryorcommonpeasants。ItisatrueandpowerfulreproductionofanelementinRussianlifebutlittlewrittenaboutheretofore。Liketheotherstoriesofthisgreatwriter，\"Polikushka\"hasamoraltowhichweallmightprofitablygiveheed。Heillustratestheawfulconsequencesofintemperance，andconcludesthatonlykindtreatmentcanreformthevictimsofalcohol。
Formuchvaluableassistanceintheworkofthesetranslations，IamdeeplyindebtedtothebrightEnglishscholarshipofmydevotedwife。
THEKREUTZERSONATA。
CHAPTERI。
Travellersleftandenteredourcarateverystoppingofthetrain。Threepersons，however，remained，bound，likemyself，forthefartheststation：aladyneitheryoungnorpretty，smokingcigarettes，withathinface，acaponherhead，andwearingasemi-masculineoutergarment；thenhercompanion，averyloquaciousgentlemanofaboutfortyyears，withbaggageentirelynewandarrangedinanorderlymanner；thenagentlemanwhoheldhimselfentirelyaloof，shortinstature，verynervous，ofuncertainage，withbrighteyes，notpronouncedincolor，butextremelyattractive，——eyesthatdartedwithrapidityfromoneobjecttoanother。
Thisgentleman，duringalmostallthejourneythusfar，hadenteredintoconversationwithnofellow-traveller，asifhecarefullyavoidedallacquaintance。Whenspokento，heansweredcurtlyanddecisively，andbegantolookoutofthecarwindowobstinately。
Yetitseemedtomethatthesolitudeweigheduponhim。HeseemedtoperceivethatIunderstoodthis，andwhenoureyesmet，ashappenedfrequently，sinceweweresittingalmostoppositeeachother，heturnedawayhishead，andavoidedconversationwithmeasmuchaswiththeothers。Atnightfall，duringastopatalargestation，thegentlemanwiththefinebaggage——alawyer，asIhavesincelearned——gotoutwithhiscompaniontodrinksometeaattherestaurant。Duringtheirabsenceseveralnewtravellersenteredthecar，amongwhomwasatalloldman，shavenandwrinkled，evidentlyamerchant，wearingalargeheavily-linedcloakandabigcap。Thismerchantsatdownoppositetheemptyseatsofthelawyerandhiscompanion，andstraightwayenteredintoconversationwithayoungmanwhoseemedlikeanemployeeinsomecommercialhouse，andwhohadlikewisejustboardedthetrain。Atfirsttheclerkhadremarkedthattheseatoppositewasoccupied，andtheoldmanhadansweredthatheshouldgetoutatthefirststation。Thustheirconversationstarted。
Iwassittingnotfarfromthesetwotravellers，and，asthetrainwasnotinmotion，Icouldcatchbitsoftheirconversationwhenotherswerenottalking。
Theytalkedfirstofthepricesofgoodsandtheconditionofbusiness；theyreferredtoapersonwhomtheybothknew；thentheyplungedintothefairatNijniNovgorod。Theclerkboastedofknowingpeoplewhowereleadingagaylifethere，buttheoldmandidnotallowhimtocontinue，and，interruptinghim，begantodescribethefestivitiesofthepreviousyearatKounavino，inwhichhehadtakenpart。Hewasevidentlyproudoftheserecollections，and，probablythinkingthatthiswoulddetractnothingfromthegravitywhichhisfaceandmannersexpressed，herelatedwithpridehow，whendrunk，hehadfired，atKounavino，suchabroadsidethathecoulddescribeitonlyintheother’sear。
Theclerkbegantolaughnoisily。Theoldmanlaughedtoo，showingtwolongyellowteeth。Theirconversationnotinterestingme，Ileftthecartostretchmylegs。AtthedoorI
metthelawyerandhislady。
\"Youhavenomoretime，\"thelawyersaidtome。\"Thesecondbellisabouttoring。\"
IndeedIhadscarcelyreachedtherearofthetrainwhenthebellsounded。AsIenteredthecaragain，thelawyerwastalkingwithhiscompanioninananimatedfashion。Themerchant，sittingoppositethem，wastaciturn。
\"Andthenshesquarelydeclaredtoherhusband，\"saidthelawyerwithasmile，asIpassedbythem，\"thatsheneithercouldnorwouldlivewithhim，because\"……
Andhecontinued，butIdidnotheartherestofthesentence，myattentionbeingdistractedbythepassingoftheconductorandanewtraveller。Whensilencewasrestored，Iagainheardthelawyer’svoice。Theconversationhadpassedfromaspecialcasetogeneralconsiderations。
\"Andafterwardcomesdiscord，financialdifficulties，disputesbetweenthetwoparties，andthecoupleseparate。Inthegoodolddaysthatseldomhappened。Isitnotso？\"askedthelawyerofthetwomerchants，evidentlytryingtodragthemintotheconversation。
Justthenthetrainstarted，andtheoldman，withoutanswering，tookoffhiscap，andcrossedhimselfthreetimeswhilemutteringaprayer。Whenhehadfinished，heclappedhiscapfardownonhishead，andsaid：
\"Yes，sir，thathappenedinformertimesalso，butnotasoften。
Inthepresentdayitisboundtohappenmorefrequently。Peoplehavebecometoolearned。\"
Thelawyermadesomereplytotheoldman，butthetrain，everincreasingitsspeed，madesuchaclatterupontherailsthatI
couldnolongerheardistinctly。AsIwasinterestedinwhattheoldmanwassaying，Idrewnearer。Myneighbor，thenervousgentleman，wasevidentlyinterestedalso，and，withoutchanginghisseat，helentanear。
\"Butwhatharmisthereineducation？\"askedthelady，withasmilethatwasscarcelyperceptible。\"Woulditbebettertomarryasintheolddays，whenthebrideandbridegroomdidnotevenseeeachotherbeforemarriage？\"shecontinued，answering，asisthehabitofourladies，notthewordsthatherinterlocutorhadspoken，butthewordsshebelievedhewasgoingtospeak。\"Womendidnotknowwhethertheywouldloveorwouldbeloved，andtheyweremarriedtothefirstcomer，andsufferedalltheirlives。Thenyouthinkitwasbetterso？\"shecontinued，evidentlyaddressingthelawyerandmyself，andnotatalltheoldman。
\"Peoplehavebecometoolearned，\"repeatedthelast，lookingattheladywithcontempt，andleavingherquestionunanswered。
\"Ishouldbecurioustoknowhowyouexplainthecorrelationbetweeneducationandconjugaldifferences，\"saidthelawyer，withaslightsmile。
Themerchantwantedtomakesomereply，buttheladyinterruptedhim。
\"No，thosedaysarepast。\"
Thelawyercutshortherwords：——
\"Lethimexpresshisthought。\"
\"Becausethereisnomorefear，\"repliedtheoldman。
\"Buthowwillyoumarrypeoplewhodonotloveeachother？Onlyanimalscanbecoupledatthewillofaproprietor。Butpeoplehaveinclinations，attachments，\"theladyhastenedtosay，castingaglanceatthelawyer，atme，andevenattheclerk，who，standingupandleaninghiselbowonthebackofaseat，waslisteningtotheconversationwithasmile。
\"Youarewrongtosaythat，madam，\"saidtheoldman。\"Theanimalsarebeasts，butmanhasreceivedthelaw。\"
\"But，nevertheless，howisonetolivewithamanwhenthereisnolove？\"saidthelady，evidentlyexcitedbythegeneralsympathyandattention。
\"Formerlynosuchdistinctionsweremade，\"saidtheoldman，gravely。\"Onlynowhavetheybecomeapartofourhabits。Assoonastheleastthinghappens，thewifesays：’Ireleaseyou。
Iamgoingtoleaveyourhouse。’Evenamongthemoujiksthisfashionhasbecomeacclimated。’There，’shesays，’hereareyourshirtsanddrawers。IamgoingoffwithVanka。Hishairiscurlierthanyours。’Justgotalkwiththem。Andyetthefirstruleforthewifeshouldbefear。\"
Theclerklookedatthelawyer，thelady，andmyself，evidentlyrepressingasmile，andallreadytoderideorapprovethemerchant’swords，accordingtotheattitudeoftheothers。
\"Whatfear？\"saidthelady。
\"Thisfear，——thewifemustfearherhusband；thatiswhatfear。\"
\"Oh，that，mylittlefather，thatisended。\"
\"No，madam，thatcannotend。Asshe，Eve，thewoman，wastakenfromman’sribs，soshewillremainuntotheendoftheworld，\"
saidtheoldman，shakinghisheadsotriumphantlyandsoseverelythattheclerk，decidingthatthevictorywasonhisside，burstintoaloudlaugh。
\"Yes，youmenthinkso，\"repliedthelady，withoutsurrendering，andturningtowardus。\"Youhavegivenyourselfliberty。Asforwoman，youwishtokeepherintheseraglio。Toyou，everythingispermissible。Isitnotso？\"
\"Oh，man，——that’sanotheraffair。\"
\"Then，accordingtoyou，tomaneverythingispermissible？\"
\"Noonegiveshimthispermission；only，ifthemanbehavesbadlyoutside，thefamilyisnotincreasedthereby；butthewoman，thewife，isafragilevessel，\"continuedthemerchant，severely。
Histoneofauthorityevidentlysubjugatedhishearers。Eventheladyfeltcrushed，butshedidnotsurrender。
\"Yes，butyouwilladmit，Ithink，thatwomanisahumanbeing，andhasfeelingslikeherhusband。Whatshouldshedoifshedoesnotloveherhusband？\"
\"Ifshedoesnotlovehim！\"repeatedtheoldman，stormily，andknittinghisbrows；\"why，shewillbemadetolovehim。\"
Thisunexpectedargumentpleasedtheclerk，andheutteredamurmurofapprobation。
\"Oh，no，shewillnotbeforced，\"saidthelady。\"Wherethereisnolove，onecannotbeobligedtoloveinspiteofherself。\"
\"Andifthewifedeceivesherhusband，whatistobedone？\"saidthelawyer。
\"Thatshouldnothappen，\"saidtheoldman。\"Hemusthavehiseyesabouthim。\"
\"Andifitdoeshappen，allthesame？Youwilladmitthatitdoeshappen？\"
\"Ithappensamongtheupperclasses，notamongus，\"answeredtheoldman。\"Andifanyhusbandisfoundwhoissuchafoolasnottorulehiswife，hewillnothaverobbedher。Butnoscandal，nevertheless。Loveornot，butdonotdisturbthehousehold。
Everyhusbandcangovernhiswife。Hehasthenecessarypower。
Itisonlytheimbecilewhodoesnotsucceedindoingso。\"
Everybodywassilent。Theclerkmoved，advanced，and，notwishingtolagbehindtheothersintheconversation，beganwithhiseternalsmile：
\"Yes，inthehouseofouremployer，ascandalhasarisen，anditisverydifficulttoviewthematterclearly。Thewifelovedtoamuseherself，andbegantogoastray。Heisacapableandseriousman。First，itwaswiththebook-keeper。Thehusbandtriedtobringherbacktoreasonthroughkindness。Shedidnotchangeherconduct。Sheplungedintoallsortsofbeastliness。
Shebegantostealhismoney。Hebeather，butshegrewworseandworse。Toanunbaptized，toapagan，toaJew（savingyourpermission），shewentinsuccessionforhercaresses。Whatcouldtheemployerdo？Hehasdroppedherentirely，andnowhelivesasabachelor。Asforher，sheisdragginginthedepths。\"
\"Heisanimbecile，\"saidtheoldman。\"Iffromthefirsthehadnotallowedhertogoinherownfashion，andhadkeptafirmhanduponher，shewouldbelivinghonestly，nodanger。Libertymustbetakenawayfromthebeginning。Donottrustyourselftoyourhorseuponthehighway。Donottrustyourselftoyourwifeathome。\"
Atthatmomenttheconductorpassed，askingfortheticketsforthenextstation。Theoldmangaveuphis。
\"Yes，thefemininesexmustbedominatedinseason，elseallwillperish。\"
\"Andyouyourselves，atKounavino，didyounotleadagaylifewiththeprettygirls？\"askedthelawyerwithasmile。
\"Oh，that’sanothermatter，\"saidthemerchant，severely。
\"Good-by，\"headded，rising。Hewrappedhimselfinhiscloak，liftedhiscap，and，takinghisbag，leftthecar。
CHAPTERII。
Scarcelyhadtheoldmangonewhenageneralconversationbegan。
\"There’salittleOldTestamentfatherforyou，\"saidtheclerk。
\"HeisaDomostroy，\"*saidthelady。\"Whatsavageideasaboutawomanandmarriage！\"
*TheDomostroyisamatrimonialcodeofthedaysofIvantheTerrible。
\"Yes，gentlemen，\"saidthelawyer，\"wearestillalongwayfromtheEuropeanideasuponmarriage。First，therightsofwoman，thenfreemarriage，thendivorce，asaquestionnotyetsolved。\"……
\"Themainthing，andthethingwhichsuchpeopleashedonotunderstand，\"rejoinedthelady，\"isthatonlyloveconsecratesmarriage，andthattherealmarriageisthatwhichisconsecratedbylove。\"
Theclerklistenedandsmiled，withtheairofoneaccustomedtostoreinhismemoryallintelligentconversationthathehears，inordertomakeuseofitafterwards。
\"Butwhatisthislovethatconsecratesmarriage？\"said，suddenly，thevoiceofthenervousandtaciturngentleman，who，unnoticedbyus，hadapproached。
Hewasstandingwithhishandontheseat，andevidentlyagitated。Hisfacewasred，aveininhisforeheadwasswollen，andthemusclesofhischeeksquivered。
\"Whatisthislovethatconsecratesmarriage？\"herepeated。
\"Whatlove？\"saidthelady。\"Theordinaryloveofhusbandandwife。\"
\"Andhow，then，canordinaryloveconsecratemarriage？\"continuedthenervousgentleman，stillexcited，andwithadispleasedair。
Heseemedtowishtosaysomethingdisagreeabletothelady。Shefeltit，andbegantogrowagitated。
\"How？Why，verysimply，\"saidshe。
Thenervousgentlemanseizedthewordasitleftherlips。
\"No，notsimply。\"
\"Madamsays，\"intercededthelawyerindicatinghiscompanion，\"thatmarriageshouldbefirsttheresultofanattachment，ofalove，ifyouwill，andthat，whenloveexists，andinthatcaseonly，marriagerepresentssomethingsacred。Buteverymarriagewhichisnotbasedonanaturalattachment，onlove，hasinitnothingthatismorallyobligatory。Isnotthattheideathatyouintendedtoconvey？\"heaskedthelady。
Thelady，withanodofherhead，expressedherapprovalofthistranslationofherthoughts。
\"Then，\"resumedthelawyer，continuinghisremarks。
Butthenervousgentleman，evidentlyscarcelyabletocontainhimself，withoutallowingthelawyertofinish，asked：
\"Yes，sir。Butwhatarewetounderstandbythislovethataloneconsecratesmarriage？\"
\"Everybodyknowswhatloveis，\"saidthelady。
\"ButIdon’tknow，andIshouldliketoknowhowyoudefineit。\"
\"How？Itisverysimple，\"saidthelady。
Andsheseemedthoughtful，andthensaid：
\"Love……love……isapreferenceforonemanoronewomantotheexclusionofallothers……\"
\"Apreferenceforhowlong？……Foramonth，twodays，orhalfanhour？\"saidthenervousgentleman，withspecialirritation。
\"No，permitme，youevidentlyarenottalkingofthesamething。\"
\"Yes，Iamtalkingabsolutelyofthesamething。Ofthepreferenceforonemanoronewomantotheexclusionofallothers。ButIask：apreferenceforhowlong？\"
\"Forhowlong？Foralongtime，foralife-timesometimes。\"
\"Butthathappensonlyinnovels。Inlife，never。Inlifethispreferenceforonetotheexclusionofallotherslastsinrarecasesseveralyears，oftenerseveralmonths，orevenweeks，days，hours……\"
\"Oh，sir。Oh，no，no，permitme，\"saidallthreeofusatthesametime。
Theclerkhimselfutteredamonosyllableofdisapproval。
\"Yes，Iknow，\"hesaid，shoutinglouderthanallofus；\"youaretalkingofwhatisbelievedtoexist，andIamtalkingofwhatis。Everymanfeelswhatyoucalllovetowardeachprettywomanhesees，andverylittletowardhiswife。Thatistheoriginoftheproverb，——anditisatrueone，——’Another’swifeisawhiteswan，andoursisbitterwormwood。\"’
\"Ah，butwhatyousayisterrible！Therecertainlyexistsamonghumanbeingsthisfeelingwhichiscalledlove，andwhichlasts，notformonthsandyears，butforlife。\"
\"No，thatdoesnotexist。EvenifitshouldbeadmittedthatMenelaushadpreferredHelenallhislife，HelenwouldhavepreferredParis；andsoithasbeen，is，andwillbeeternally。
Anditcannotbeotherwise，justasitcannothappenthat，inaloadofchick-peas，twopeasmarkedwithaspecialsignshouldfallsidebyside。Further，thisisnotonlyanimprobability，butitiscertainthatafeelingofsatietywillcometoHelenortoMenelaus。Thewholedifferenceisthattooneitcomessooner，totheotherlater。Itisonlyinstupidnovelsthatitiswrittenthat’theylovedeachotheralltheirlives。’Andnonebutchildrencanbelieveit。Totalkoflovingamanorwomanforlifeislikesayingthatacandlecanburnforever。\"
\"Butyouaretalkingofphysicallove。Doyounotadmitalovebaseduponaconformityofideals，onaspiritualaffinity？\"
\"Whynot？Butinthatcaseitisnotnecessarytoprocreatetogether（excusemybrutality）。Thepointisthatthisconformityofidealsisnotmetamongoldpeople，butamongyoungandprettypersons，\"saidhe，andhebegantolaughdisagreeably。
\"Yes，Iaffirmthatlove，reallove，doesnotconsecratemarriage，asweareinthehabitofbelieving，butthat，onthecontrary，itruinsit。\"
\"Permitme，\"saidthelawyer。\"Thefactscontradictyourwords。
Weseethatmarriageexists，thatallhumanity——atleastthelargerportion——livesconjugally，andthatmanyhusbandsandwiveshonestlyendalonglifetogether。\"
Thenervousgentlemansmiledill-naturedly。
\"Andwhatthen？Yousaythatmarriageisbaseduponlove，andwhenIgivevoicetoadoubtastotheexistenceofanyotherlovethansensuallove，youprovetometheexistenceoflovebymarriage。Butinourdaymarriageisonlyaviolenceandfalsehood。\"
\"No，pardonme，\"saidthelawyer。\"Isayonlythatmarriageshaveexistedanddoexist。\"
\"Buthowandwhydotheyexist？Theyhaveexisted，andtheydoexist，forpeoplewhohaveseen，anddosee，inmarriagesomethingsacramental，asacramentthatisbindingbeforeGod。
Forsuchpeoplemarriagesexist，buttoustheyareonlyhypocrisyandviolence。Wefeelit，and，toclearourselves，wepreachfreelove；but，really，topreachfreeloveisonlyacallbackwardtothepromiscuityofthesexes（excuseme，hesaidtothelady），thehaphazardsinofcertainraskolniks。Theoldfoundationisshattered；wemustbuildanewone，butwemustnotpreachdebauchery。\"
Hegrewsowarmthatallbecamesilent，lookingathiminastonishment。
\"Andyetthetransitionstateisterrible。Peoplefeelthathaphazardsinisinadmissible。Itisnecessaryinsomewayorothertoregulatethesexualrelations；butthereexistsnootherfoundationthantheoldone，inwhichnobodylongerbelieves？
Peoplemarryintheoldfashion，withoutbelievinginwhattheydo，andtheresultisfalsehood，violence。Whenitisfalsehoodalone，itiseasilyendured。Thehusbandandwifesimplydeceivetheworldbyprofessingtolivemonogamically。Iftheyreallyarepolygamousandpolyandrous，itisbad，butacceptable。Butwhen，asoftenhappens，thehusbandandthewifehavetakenuponthemselvestheobligationtolivetogetheralltheirlives（theythemselvesdonotknowwhy），andfromthesecondmonthhavealreadyadesiretoseparate，butcontinuetolivetogetherjustthesame，thencomesthatinfernalexistenceinwhichtheyresorttodrink，inwhichtheyfirerevolvers，inwhichtheyassassinateeachother，inwhichtheypoisoneachother。\"
Allweresilent，butwefeltillatease。
\"Yes，thesecriticalepisodeshappeninmaritallife。Forinstance，thereisthePosdnicheffaffair，\"saidthelawyer，wishingtostoptheconversationonthisembarrassingandtooexcitingground。\"Haveyoureadhowhekilledhiswifethroughjealousy？\"
Theladysaidthatshehadnotreadit。Thenervousgentlemansaidnothing，andchangedcolor。
\"IseethatyouhavedivinedwhoIam，\"saidhe，suddenly，afterapause。
\"No，Ihavenothadthatpleasure。\"
\"Itisnogreatpleasure。IamPosdnicheff。\"
Newsilence。Heblushed，thenturnedpaleagain。
\"Whatmattersit，however？\"saidhe。\"Excuseme，Idonotwishtoembarrassyou。\"
Andheresumedhisoldseat。
CHAPTERIII。
Iresumedmine，also。Thelawyerandtheladywhisperedtogether。IwassittingbesidePosdnicheff，andImaintainedsilence。Idesiredtotalktohim，butIdidnotknowhowtobegin，andthusanhourpasseduntilwereachedthenextstation。
Therethelawyerandtheladywentout，aswellastheclerk。Wewereleftalone，PosdnicheffandI。
\"Theysayit，andtheylie，ortheydonotunderstand，\"saidPosdnicheff。
\"Ofwhatareyoutalking？\"
\"Why，stillthesamething。\"
Heleanedhiselbowsuponhisknees，andpressedhishandsagainsthistemples。
\"Love，marriage，family，——alllies，lies，lies。\"
Herose，loweredthelamp-shade，laydownwithhiselbowsonthecushion，andclosedhiseyes。Heremainedthusforaminute。
\"Isitdisagreeabletoyoutoremainwithme，nowthatyouknowwhoIam？\"
\"Oh，no。\"
\"Youhavenodesiretosleep？\"
\"Notatall。\"
\"Thendoyouwantmetotellyouthestoryofmylife？\"
Justthentheconductorpassed。Hefollowedhimwithanill-naturedlook，anddidnotbeginuntilhehadgoneagain。
Thenduringalltherestofthestoryhedidnotstoponce。Eventhenewtravellersastheyentereddidnotstophim。
Hisface，whilehewastalking，changedseveraltimessocompletelythatitborepositivelynoresemblancetoitselfasithadappearedjustbefore。Hiseyes，hismouth，hismoustache，andevenhisbeard，allwerenew。Eachtimeitwasabeautifulandtouchingphysiognomy，andthesetransformationswereproducedsuddenlyinthepenumbra；andforfiveminutesitwasthesameface，thatcouldnotbecomparedtothatoffiveminutesbefore。
Andthen，Iknownothow，itchangedagain，andbecameunrecognizable。
CHAPTERIV。
\"Well，Iamgoingthentotellyoumylife，andmywholefrightfulhistory，——yes，frightful。Andthestoryitselfismorefrightfulthantheoutcome。\"
Hebecamesilentforamoment，passedhishandsoverhiseyes，andbegan：——
\"Tobeunderstoodclearly，thewholemustbetoldfromthebeginning。ItmustbetoldhowandwhyImarried，andwhatIwasbeforemymarriage。First，IwilltellyouwhoIam。Thesonofarichgentlemanofthesteppes，anoldmarshalofthenobility，IwasaUniversitypupil，agraduateofthelawschool。I
marriedinmythirtiethyear。Butbeforetalkingtoyouofmymarriage，ImusttellyouhowIlivedformerly，andwhatideasI
hadofconjugallife。Iledthelifeofsomanyotherso-calledrespectablepeople，——thatis，indebauchery。Andlikethemajority，whileleadingthelifeofadebauche，IwasconvincedthatIwasamanofirreproachablemorality。
\"TheideathatIhadofmymoralityarosefromthefactthatinmyfamilytherewasnoknowledgeofthosespecialdebaucheries，socommoninthesurroundingsofland-owners，andalsofromthefactthatmyfatherandmymotherdidnotdeceiveeachother。Inconsequenceofthis，Ihadbuiltfromchildhoodadreamofhighandpoeticalconjugallife。Mywifewastobeperfectionitself，ourmutuallovewastobeincomparable，thepurityofourconjugallifestainless。Ithoughtthus，andallthetimeI
marvelledatthenobilityofmyprojects。
\"Atthesametime，Ipassedtenyearsofmyadultlifewithouthurryingtowardmarriage，andIledwhatIcalledthewell-regulatedandreasonablelifeofabachelor。Iwasproudofitbeforemyfriends，andbeforeallmenofmyagewhoabandonedthemselvestoallsortsofspecialrefinements。Iwasnotaseducer，Ihadnounnaturaltastes，Ididnotmakedebaucherytheprincipalobjectofmylife；butIfoundpleasurewithinthelimitsofsociety’srules，andinnocentlybelievedmyselfaprofoundlymoralbeing。ThewomenwithwhomIhadrelationsdidnotbelongtomealone，andIaskedofthemnothingbutthepleasureofthemoment。
\"InallthisIsawnothingabnormal。Onthecontrary，fromthefactthatIdidnotengagemyheart，butpaidincash，IsupposedthatIwashonest。Iavoidedthosewomenwho，byattachingthemselvestome，orpresentingmewithachild，couldbindmyfuture。Moreover，perhapstheremayhavebeenchildrenorattachments；butIsoarrangedmattersthatIcouldnotbecomeawareofthem。
\"Andlivingthus，Iconsideredmyselfaperfectlyhonestman。I
didnotunderstandthatdebaucherydoesnotconsistsimplyinphysicalacts，thatnomatterwhatphysicalignominydoesnotyetconstitutedebauchery，andthatrealdebaucheryconsistsinfreedomfromthemoralbondstowardawomanwithwhomoneentersintocarnalrelations，andIregardedTHISFREEDOMasamerit。I
rememberthatIoncetorturedmyselfexceedinglyforhavingforgottentopayawomanwhoprobablyhadgivenherselftomethroughlove。Ionlybecametranquilagainwhen，havingsentherthemoney，IhadthusshownherthatIdidnotconsidermyselfasinanywayboundtoher。Oh，donotshakeyourheadasifyouwereinagreementwithme（hecriedsuddenlywithvehemence）。I
knowthesetricks。Allofyou，andyouespecially，ifyouarenotarareexception，havethesameideasthatIhadthen。Ifyouareinagreementwithme，itisnowonly。Formerlyyoudidnotthinkso。NomoredidI；and，ifIhadbeentoldwhatIhavejusttoldyou，thatwhichhashappenedwouldnothavehappened。
However，itisallthesame。Excuseme（hecontinued）：thetruthisthatitisfrightful，frightful，frightful，thisabyssoferrorsanddebaucheriesinwhichwelivefacetofacewiththerealquestionoftherightsofwoman。\"……
\"Whatdoyoumeanbythe’real’questionoftherightsofwoman？\"
\"Thequestionofthenatureofthisspecialbeing，organizedotherwisethanman，andhowthisbeingandmanoughttoviewthewife……
CHAPTERV。
\"Yes：fortenyearsIlivedthemostrevoltingexistence，whiledreamingofthenoblestlove，andeveninthenameofthatlove。
Yes，IwanttotellyouhowIkilledmywife，andforthatImusttellyouhowIdebauchedmyself。IkilledherbeforeIknewher。
IkilledTHEwifewhenIfirsttastedsensualjoyswithoutlove，andthenitwasthatIkilledMYwife。Yes，sir：itisonlyafterhavingsuffered，afterhavingtorturedmyself，thatIhavecometounderstandtherootofthings，thatIhavecometounderstandmycrimes。Thusyouwillseewhereandhowbeganthedramathathasledmetomisfortune。
\"Itisnecessarytogobacktomysixteenthyear，whenIwasstillatschool，andmyelderbrotherafirst-yearstudent。I
hadnotyetknownwomenbut，likealltheunfortunatechildrenofoursociety，Iwasalreadynolongerinnocent。Iwastortured，asyouwere，Iamsure，andasaretorturedninety-nineone-hundredthsofourboys。Ilivedinafrightfuldread，I
prayedtoGod，andIprostratedmyself。
\"Iwasalreadypervertedinimagination，butthelaststepsremainedtobetaken。Icouldstillescape，whenafriendofmybrother，averygaystudent，oneofthosewhoarecalledgoodfellows，——thatis，thegreatestofscamps，——andwhohadtaughtustodrinkandplaycards，tookadvantageofanightofintoxicationtodragusTHERE。Westarted。Mybrother，asinnocentasI，fellthatnight，andI，amereladofsixteen，pollutedmyselfandhelpedtopolluteasister-woman，withoutunderstandingwhatIdid。NeverhadIheardfrommyeldersthatwhatIthusdidwasbad。ItistruethattherearethetencommandmentsoftheBible；butthecommandmentsaremadeonlytoberecitedbeforethepriestsatexaminations，andeventhenarenotasexactingasthecommandmentsinregardtotheuseofutinconditionalpropositions。
\"Thus，frommyelders，whoseopinionIesteemed，Ihadneverheardthatthiswasreprehensible。Onthecontrary，IhadheardpeoplewhomIrespectedsaythatitwasgood。Ihadheardthatmystrugglesandmysufferingswouldbeappeasedafterthisact。
Ihadhearditandreadit。Ihadheardfrommyeldersthatitwasexcellentforthehealth，andmyfriendshavealwaysseemedtobelievethatitcontainedIknownotwhatmeritandvalor。Sonothingisseeninitbutwhatispraiseworthy。Asforthedangerofdisease，itisaforeseendanger。Doesnotthegovernmentguardagainstit？Andevensciencecorruptsus。\"
\"Howso，science？\"Iasked。
\"Why，thedoctors，thepontiffsofscience。Whopervertyoungpeoplebylayingdownsuchrulesofhygiene？Whopervertwomenbydevisingandteachingthemwaysbywhichnottohavechildren？
\"Yes：ifonlyahundredthoftheeffortsspentincuringdiseaseswerespentincuringdebauchery，diseasewouldlongagohaveceasedtoexist，whereasnowalleffortsareemployed，notinextirpatingdebauchery，butinfavoringit，byassuringtheharmlessnessoftheconsequences。Besides，itisnotaquestionofthat。Itisaquestionofthisfrightfulthingthathashappenedtome，asithappenstonine-tenths，ifnotmore，notonlyofthemenofoursociety，butofallsocieties，evenpeasants，——thisfrightfulthingthatIhadfallen，andnotbecauseIwassubjectedtothenaturalseductionofacertainwoman。No，nowomanseducedme。IfellbecausethesurroundingsinwhichIfoundmyselfsawinthisdegradingthingonlyalegitimatefunction，usefultothehealth；becauseotherssawinitsimplyanaturalamusement，notonlyexcusable，buteveninnocentinayoungman。Ididnotunderstandthatitwasafall，andIbegantogivemyselftothosepleasures（partlyfromdesireandpartlyfromnecessity）whichIwasledtobelievewerecharacteristicofmyage，justasIhadbeguntodrinkandsmoke。
\"Andyettherewasinthisfirstfallsomethingpeculiarandtouching。IrememberthatstraightwayIwasfilledwithsuchaprofoundsadnessthatIhadadesiretoweep，toweepoverthelossforeverofmyrelationswithwoman。Yes，myrelationswithwomanwerelostforever。Purerelationswithwomen，fromthattimeforward，Icouldnolongerhave。Ihadbecomewhatiscalledavoluptuary；andtobeavoluptuaryisaphysicalconditionliketheconditionofavictimofthemorphinehabit，ofadrunkard，andofasmoker。
\"Justasthevictimofthemorphinehabit，thedrunkard，thesmoker，isnolongeranormalman，sothemanwhohasknownseveralwomenforhispleasureisnolongernormal？Heisabnormalforever。Heisavoluptuary。Justasthedrunkardandthevictimofthemorphinehabitmayberecognizedbytheirfaceandmanner，sowemayrecognizeavoluptuary。Hemayrepresshimselfandstruggle，butnevermorewillheenjoysimple，pure，andfraternalrelationstowardwoman。Byhiswayofglancingatayoungwomanonemayatoncerecognizeavoluptuary；andI
becameavoluptuary，andIhaveremainedone。
CHAPTERVI。
\"Yes，soitis；andthatwentfartherandfartherwithallsortsofvariations。MyGod！whenIrememberallmycowardlyactsandbaddeeds，Iamfrightened。AndIrememberthat’me’who，duringthatperiod，wasstillthebuttofhiscomrades’ridiculeonaccountofhisinnocence。
\"AndwhenIhearpeopletalkofthegildedyouth，oftheofficers，oftheParisians，andallthesegentlemen，andmyself，livingwildlivesattheageofthirty，andwhohaveonourconscienceshundredsofcrimestowardwomen，terribleandvaried，whenweenteraparlororaball-room，washed，shaven，andperfumed，withverywhitelinen，indresscoatsorinuniform，asemblemsofpurity，oh，thedisgust！Therewillsurelycomeatime，anepoch，whenalltheselivesandallthiscowardicewillbeunveiled！
\"So，nevertheless，Ilived，untiltheageofthirty，withoutabandoningforaminutemyintentionofmarrying，andbuildinganelevatedconjugallife；andwiththisinviewIwatchedallyounggirlswhomightsuitme。Iwasburiedinrottenness，andatthesametimeIlookedforvirgins，whosepuritywasworthyofme！
Manyofthemwererejected：theydidnotseemtomepureenough！
\"FinallyIfoundonethatIconsideredonalevelwithmyself。
ShewasoneoftwodaughtersofalandedproprietorofPenza，formerlyveryrichandsinceruined。Totellthetruth，withoutfalsemodesty，theypursuedmeandfinallycapturedme。Themother（thefatherwasaway）laidallsortsoftraps，andoneofthese，atripinaboat，decidedmyfuture。
\"Imadeupmymindattheendoftheaforesaidtriponenight，bymoonlight，onourwayhome，whileIwassittingbesideher。I
admiredherslenderbody，whosecharmingshapewasmouldedbyajersey，andhercurlinghair，andIsuddenlyconcludedthatTHIS
WASSHE。ItseemedtomeonthatbeautifuleveningthatsheunderstoodallthatIthoughtandfelt，andIthoughtandfeltthemostelevatingthings。
\"Really，itwasonlythejerseythatwassobecomingtoher，andhercurlyhair，andalsothefactthatIhadspentthedaybesideher，andthatIdesiredamoreintimaterelation。
\"Ireturnedhomeenthusiastic，andIpersuadedmyselfthatsherealizedthehighestperfection，andthatforthatreasonshewasworthytobemywife，andthenextdayImadetoheraproposalofmarriage。
\"No，saywhatyouwill，weliveinsuchanabyssoffalsehood，that，unlesssomeeventstrikesusablowonthehead，asinmycase，wecannotawaken。Whatconfusion！Outofthethousandsofmenwhomarry，notonlyamongus，butalsoamongthepeople，scarcelywillyoufindasingleonewhohasnotpreviouslymarriedatleasttentimes。（Itistruethattherenowexist，atleastsoIhaveheard，pureyoungpeoplewhofeelandknowthatthisisnotajoke，butaseriousmatter。MayGodcometotheiraid！Butinmytimetherewasnottobefoundonesuchinathousand。）
\"Andallknowit，andpretendnottoknowit。Inallthenovelsaredescribeddowntothesmallestdetailsthefeelingsofthecharacters，thelakesandbramblesaroundwhichtheywalk；but，whenitcomestodescribingtheirGREATlove，notawordisbreathedofwhatHE，theinterestingcharacter，haspreviouslydone，notawordabouthisfrequentingofdisreputablehouses，orhisassociationwithnursery-maids，cooks，andthewivesofothers。
\"Andifanythingissaidofthesethings，suchIMPROPERnovelsarenotallowedinthehandsofyounggirls。Allmenhavetheairofbelieving，inpresenceofmaidens，thatthesecorruptpleasures，inwhichEVERYBODYtakespart，donotexist，orexistonlytoaverysmallextent。Theypretenditsocarefullythattheysucceedinconvincingthemselvesofit。Asforthepooryounggirls，theybelieveitquiteseriously，justasmypoorwifebelievedit。
\"Irememberthat，beingalreadyengaged，Ishowedhermy’memoirs，’fromwhichshecouldlearnmoreorlessofmypast，andespeciallymylastliaisonwhichshemightperhapshavediscoveredthroughthegossipofsomethirdparty。Itwasforthislastreason，forthatmatter，thatIfeltthenecessityofcommunicatingthesememoirstoher。Icanstillseeherfright，herdespair，herbewilderment，whenshehadlearnedandunderstoodit。Shewasonthepointofbreakingtheengagement。
Whataluckythingitwouldhavebeenforbothofus！\"
Posdnicheffwassilentforamoment，andthenresumed：——
\"Afterall，no！Itisbetterthatthingshappenedastheydid，better！\"hecried。\"Itwasagoodthingforme。Besides，itmakesnodifference。Iwassayingthatinthesecasesitisthepooryounggirlswhoaredeceived。Asforthemothers，themothersespecially，informedbytheirhusbands，theyknowall，and，whilepretendingtobelieveinthepurityoftheyoungman，theyactasiftheydidnotbelieveinit。
\"Theyknowwhatbaitmustbeheldouttopeopleforthemselvesandtheirdaughters。Wemensinthroughignorance，andadeterminationnottolearn。Asforthewomen，theyknowverywellthatthenoblestandmostpoeticlove，aswecallit，depends，notonmoralqualities，butonthephysicalintimacy，andalsoonthemannerofdoingthehair，andthecolorandshape。
\"Askanexperiencedcoquette，whohasundertakentoseduceaman，whichshewouldprefer，——tobeconvicted，inpresenceofthemanwhomsheisengagedinconquering，offalsehood，perversity，cruelty，ortoappearbeforehiminanill-fittingdress，oradressofanunbecomingcolor。Shewillpreferthefirstalternative。Sheknowsverywellthatwesimplyliewhenwetalkofourelevatedsentiments，thatweseekonlythepossessionofherbody，andthatbecauseofthatwewillforgivehereverysortofbaseness，butwillnotforgiveheracostumeofanuglyshade，withouttasteorfit。
\"Andthesethingssheknowsbyreason，whereasthemaidenknowsthemonlybyinstinct，liketheanimal。Hencetheseabominablejerseys，theseartificialhumpsontheback，thesebareshoulders，arms，andthroats。
\"Women，especiallythosewhohavepassedthroughtheschoolofmarriage，knowverywellthatconversationsuponelevatedsubjectsareonlyconversations，andthatmanseeksanddesiresthebodyandallthatornamentsthebody。Consequently，theyactaccordingly？Ifwerejectconventionalexplanations，andviewthelifeofourupperandlowerclassesasitis，withallitsshamelessness，itisonlyavastperversity。Youdonotsharethisopinion？Permitme，Iamgoingtoproveittoyou（saidhe，interruptingme）。
\"Yousaythatthewomenofoursocietyliveforadifferentinterestfromthatwhichactuatesfallenwomen。AndIsayno，andIamgoingtoproveittoyou。Ifbeingsdifferfromoneanotheraccordingtothepurposeoftheirlife，accordingtotheirINNERLIFE，thiswillnecessarilybereflectedalsointheirOUTERLIFE，andtheirexteriorwillbeverydifferent。
Well，then，comparethewretched，thedespised，withthewomenofthehighestsociety：thesamedresses，thesamefashions，thesameperfumeries，thesamepassionforjewelry，forbrilliantandveryexpensivearticles，thesameamusements，dances，music，andsongs。Theformerattractbyallpossiblemeans；sodothelatter。Nodifference，nonewhatever！
\"Yes，andI，too，wascaptivatedbyjerseys，bustles，andcurlyhair。
CHAPTERVII。
\"Anditwasveryeasytocaptureme，sinceIwasbroughtupunderartificialconditions，likecucumbersinahothouse。Ourtooabundantnourishment，togetherwithcompletephysicalidleness，isnothingbutsystematicexcitementoftheimagination。Themenofoursocietyarefedandkeptlikereproductivestallions。Itissufficienttoclosethevalve，——thatis，forayoungmantoliveaquietlifeforsometime，——toproduceasanimmediateresultarestlessness，which，becomingexaggeratedbyreflectionthroughtheprismofourunnaturallife，provokestheillusionoflove。
\"Allouridylsandmarriage，all，aretheresultforthemostpartofoureating。Doesthatastonishyou？Formypart，Iamastonishedthatwedonotseeit。Notfarfrommyestatethisspringsomemoujikswereworkingonarailwayembankment。Youknowwhatapeasant’sfoodis，——bread，kvass，*onions。Withthisfrugalnourishmenthelives，heisalert，hemakeslightworkinthefields。Butontherailwaythisbilloffarebecomescachaandapoundofmeat。Onlyherestoresthismeatbysixteenhoursoflaborpushingloadsweighingtwelvehundredpounds。
*Kvass，asortofcider。
\"Andwe，whoeattwopoundsofmeatandgame，wewhoabsorballsortsofheatingdrinksandfood，howdoweexpendit？Insensualexcesses。Ifthevalveisopen，allgoeswell；butcloseit，asIhadclosedittemporarilybeforemymarriage，andimmediatelytherewillresultanexcitementwhich，deformedbynovels，verses，music，byouridleandluxuriouslife，willgivealoveofthefinestwater。I，too，fellinlove，aseverybodydoes，andthereweretransports，emotions，poesy；butreallyallthispassionwaspreparedbymammaandthedressmakers。Iftherehadbeennotripsinboats，nowell-fittedgarments，etc。，ifmywifehadwornsomeshapelessblouse，andIhadseenherthusatherhome，Ishouldnothavebeenseduced。