I。
TowardstheendofNovember，duringathaw，atnineo’clockonemorning，atrainontheWarsawandPetersburgrailwaywasapproachingthelattercityatfullspeed。Themorningwassodampandmistythatitwasonlywithgreatdifficultythatthedaysucceededinbreaking；anditwasimpossibletodistinguishanythingmorethanafewyardsawayfromthecarriagewindows。
Someofthepassengersbythisparticulartrainwerereturningfromabroad；butthethird-classcarriageswerethebestfilled，chieflywithinsignificantpersonsofvariousoccupationsanddegrees，pickedupatthedifferentstationsnearertown。Allofthemseemedweary，andmostofthemhadsleepyeyesandashiveringexpression，whiletheircomplexionsgenerallyappearedtohavetakenonthecolourofthefogoutside。
Whendaydawned，twopassengersinoneofthethird-classcarriagesfoundthemselvesoppositeeachother。Bothwereyoungfellows，bothwereratherpoorlydressed，bothhadremarkablefaces，andbothwereevidentlyanxioustostartaconversation。
Iftheyhadbutknownwhy，atthisparticularmoment，theywerebothremarkablepersons，theywouldundoubtedlyhavewonderedatthestrangechancewhichhadsetthemdownoppositetooneanotherinathird-classcarriageoftheWarsawRailwayCompany。
Oneofthemwasayoungfellowofabouttwenty-seven，nottall，withblackcurlinghair，andsmall，grey，fieryeyes。Hisnosewasbroadandflat，andhehadhighcheekbones；histhinlipswereconstantlycompressedintoanimpudent，ironical——itmightalmostbecalledamalicious——smile；buthisforeheadwashighandwellformed，andatonedforagooddealoftheuglinessofthelowerpartofhisface。Aspecialfeatureofthisphysiognomywasitsdeath-likepallor，whichgavetothewholemananindescribablyemaciatedappearanceinspiteofhishardlook，andatthesametimeasortofpassionateandsufferingexpressionwhichdidnotharmonizewithhisimpudent，sarcasticsmileandkeen，self-satisfiedbearing。Heworealargefur——orratherastrachan——overcoat，whichhadkepthimwarmallnight，whilehisneighbourhadbeenobligedtobearthefullseverityofaRussianNovembernightentirelyunprepared。Hiswidesleevelessmantlewithalargecapetoit——thesortofcloakoneseesupontravellersduringthewintermonthsinSwitzerlandorNorthItaly——wasbynomeansadaptedtothelongcoldjourneythroughRussia，fromEydkuhnentoSt。Petersburg。
Thewearerofthiscloakwasayoungfellow，alsoofabouttwenty-sixortwenty-sevenyearsofage，slightlyabovethemiddleheight，veryfair，withathin，pointedandverylightcolouredbeard；hiseyeswerelargeandblue，andhadanintentlookaboutthem，yetthatheavyexpressionwhichsomepeopleaffirmtobeapeculiarity。aswellasevidence，ofanepilepticsubject。Hisfacewasdecidedlyapleasantoneforallthat；
refined，butquitecolourless，exceptforthecircumstancethatatthismomentitwasbluewithcold。Heheldabundlemadeupofanoldfadedsilkhandkerchiefthatapparentlycontainedallhistravellingwardrobe，andworethickshoesandgaiters，hiswholeappearancebeingveryun-Russian。
Hisblack-hairedneighbourinspectedthesepeculiarities，havingnothingbettertodo，andatlengthremarked，withthatrudeenjoymentofthediscomfortsofotherswhichthecommonclassessooftenshow:
\"Cold？\"
\"Very，\"saidhisneighbour，readily。\"andthisisathaw，too。
Fancyifithadbeenahardfrost！Ineverthoughtitwouldbesocoldintheoldcountry。I’vegrownquiteoutofthewayofit。\"
\"What，beenabroad，Isuppose？\"
\"Yes，straightfromSwitzerland。\"
\"Wheugh！mygoodness！\"Theblack-hairedyoungfellowwhistled，andthenlaughed。
Theconversationproceeded。Thereadinessofthefair-hairedyoungmaninthecloaktoanswerallhisoppositeneighbour’squestionswassurprising。Heseemedtohavenosuspicionofanyimpertinenceorinappropriatenessinthefactofsuchquestionsbeingputtohim。Replyingtothem，hemadeknowntotheinquirerthathecertainlyhadbeenlongabsentfromRussia，morethanfouryears；thathehadbeensentabroadforhishealth；thathehadsufferedfromsomestrangenervousmalady——akindofepilepsy，withconvulsivespasms。Hisinterlocutorburstoutlaughingseveraltimesathisanswers；andmorethanever，whentothequestion，\"whetherhehadbeencured？\"thepatientreplied:
\"No，theydidnotcureme。\"
\"Hey！that’sit！Youstumpedupyourmoneyfornothing，andwebelieveinthosefellows，here！\"remarkedtheblack-hairedindividual，sarcastically。
\"Gospeltruth，sir，Gospeltruth！\"exclaimedanotherpassenger，ashabbilydressedmanofaboutforty，wholookedlikeaclerk，andpossessedarednoseandaveryblotchyface。\"Gospeltruth！AlltheydoistogetholdofourgoodRussianmoneyfree，gratis，andfornothing。\"
\"Oh，butyou’requitewronginmyparticularinstance，\"saidtheSwisspatient，quietly。\"OfcourseIcan’targuethematter，becauseIknowonlymyowncase；butmydoctorgavememoney——andhehadverylittle——topaymyjourneyback，besideshavingkeptmeathisownexpense，whilethere，fornearlytwoyears。\"
\"Why？Wastherenooneelsetopayforyou？\"askedtheblack-
hairedone。
\"No——Mr。Pavlicheff，whohadbeensupportingmethere，diedacoupleofyearsago。IwrotetoMrs。GeneralEpanchinatthetime(sheisadistantrelativeofmine)，butshedidnotanswermyletter。AndsoeventuallyIcameback。\"
\"Andwherehaveyoucometo？\"
\"Thatis——whereamIgoingtostay？I——Ireallydon’tquiteknowyet，I——\"
Boththelistenerslaughedagain。
\"Isupposeyourwholeset-upisinthatbundle，then？\"askedthefirst。
\"Ibetanythingitis！\"exclaimedthered-nosedpassenger，withextremesatisfaction，\"andthathehaspreciouslittleintheluggagevan！——thoughofcoursepovertyisnocrime——wemustrememberthat！\"
Itappearedthatitwasindeedastheyhadsurmised。Theyoungfellowhastenedtoadmitthefactwithwonderfulreadiness。
\"Yourbundlehassomeimportance，however，\"continuedtheclerk，whentheyhadlaughedtheirfill(itwasobservablethatthesubjectoftheirmirthjoinedinthelaughterwhenhesawthemlaughing)；\"forthoughIdaresayitisnotstuffedfulloffriedrichsd’orandlouisd’or——judgefromyourcostumeandgaiters——still——ifyoucanaddtoyourpossessionssuchavaluablepropertyasarelationlikeMrs。GeneralEpanchin，thenyourbundlebecomesasignificantobjectatonce。Thatis，ofcourse，ifyoureallyarearelativeofMrs。Epanchin’s，andhavenotmadealittleerrorthrough——well，absenceofmind，whichisverycommontohumanbeings；or，say——throughatooluxuriantfancy？\"
\"Oh，youarerightagain，\"saidthefair-hairedtraveller，\"forI
reallyamALMOSTwrongwhenIsaysheandIarerelated。Sheishardlyarelationatall；solittle，infact，thatIwasnotintheleastsurprisedtohavenoanswertomyletter。Iexpectedasmuch。\"
\"H’m！youspentyourpostagefornothing，then。H’m！youarecandid，however——andthatiscommendable。H’m！Mrs。Epanchin——ohyes！amosteminentperson。Iknowher。AsforMr。Pavlicheff，whosupportedyouinSwitzerland，Iknowhimtoo——atleast，ifitwasNicolaiAndreevitchofthatname？Afinefellowhewas——andhadapropertyoffourthousandsoulsinhisday。\"
\"Yes，NicolaiAndreevitch——thatwashisname，\"andtheyoungfellowlookedearnestlyandwithcuriosityattheall-knowinggentlemanwiththerednose。
Thissortofcharacterismetwithprettyfrequentlyinacertainclass。Theyarepeoplewhoknoweveryone——thatis，theyknowwhereamanisemployed，whathissalaryis，whomheknows，whomhemarried，whatmoneyhiswifehad，whoarehiscousins，andsecondcousins，etc。，etc。Thesemengenerallyhaveaboutahundredpoundsayeartoliveon，andtheyspendtheirwholetimeandtalentsintheamassingofthisstyleofknowledge，whichtheyreduce——orraise——tothestandardofascience。
Duringthelatterpartoftheconversationtheblack-hairedyoungmanhadbecomeveryimpatient。Hestaredoutofthewindow，andfidgeted，andevidentlylongedfortheendofthejourney。Hewasveryabsent；hewouldappeartolisten-andheardnothing；andhewouldlaughofasudden，evidentlywithnoideaofwhathewaslaughingabout。
\"Excuseme，\"saidthered-nosedmantotheyoungfellowwiththebundle，rathersuddenly；\"whomhaveIthehonourtobetalkingto？\"
\"PrinceLefNicolaievitchMuishkin，\"repliedthelatter，withperfectreadiness。
\"PrinceMuishkin？LefNicolaievitch？H’m！Idon’tknow，I’msure！
ImaysayIhaveneverheardofsuchaperson，\"saidtheclerk，thoughtfully。\"Atleast，thename，Iadmit，ishistorical。
Karamsinmustmentionthefamilyname，ofcourse，inhishistory——
butasanindividual——oneneverhearsofanyPrinceMuishkinnowadays。\"
\"Ofcoursenot，\"repliedtheprince；\"therearenone，exceptmyself。IbelieveIamthelastandonlyone。Astomyforefathers，theyhavealwaysbeenapoorlot；myownfatherwasasublieutenantinthearmy。Idon’tknowhowMrs。EpanchincomesintotheMuishkinfamily，butsheisdescendedfromthePrincessMuishkin，andshe，too，isthelastofherline。\"
\"Anddidyoulearnscienceandallthat，withyourprofessoroverthere？\"askedtheblack-hairedpassenger。
\"Ohyes——Ididlearnalittle，but——\"
\"I’veneverlearnedanythingwhatever，\"saidtheother。
\"Oh，butIlearnedverylittle，youknow！\"addedtheprince，asthoughexcusinghimself。\"Theycouldnotteachmeverymuchonaccountofmyillness。\"
\"DoyouknowtheRogojins？\"askedhisquestioner，abruptly。
\"No，Idon’t——notatall！IhardlyknowanyoneinRussia。Why，isthatyourname？\"
\"Yes，IamRogojin，ParfenRogojin。\"
\"ParfenRogojin？dearme——thendon’tyoubelongtothoseveryRogojins，perhaps——\"begantheclerk，withaveryperceptibleincreaseofcivilityinhistone。
\"Yes——thoseveryones，\"interruptedRogojin，impatiently，andwithscantcourtesy。Imayremarkthathehadnotoncetakenanynoticeoftheblotchy-facedpassenger，andhadhithertoaddressedallhisremarksdirecttotheprince。
\"Dearme——isitpossible？\"observedtheclerk，whilehisfaceassumedanexpressionofgreatdeferenceandservility——ifnotofabsolutealarm:\"what，asonofthatverySemenRogojin——
hereditaryhonourablecitizen——whodiedamonthorsoagoandlefttwomillionandahalfofroubles？\"
\"AndhowdoYOUknowthathelefttwomillionandahalfofroubles？\"askedRogojin，disdainfully，andnodeigningsomuchastolookattheother。\"However，it’strueenoughthatmyfatherdiedamonthago，andthathereamIreturningfromPskoff，amonthafter，withhardlyaboottomyfoot。They’vetreatedmelikeadog！I’vebeenilloffeveratPskoffthewholetime，andnotaline，norfarthingofmoney，haveIreceivedfrommymotherormyconfoundedbrother！\"
\"Andnowyou’llhaveamillionroubles，atleast——goodnessgraciousme！\"exclaimedtheclerk，rubbinghishands。
\"Fiveweekssince，Iwasjustlikeyourself，\"continuedRogojin，addressingtheprince，\"withnothingbutabundleandtheclothesIwore。IranawayfrommyfatherandcametoPskofftomyaunt’shouse，whereIcavedinatoncewithfever，andhewentanddiedwhileIwasaway。Allhonourtomyrespectedfather’smemory——butheuncommonlynearlykilledme，allthesame。Giveyoumyword，prince，ifIhadn’tcutandrunthen，whenIdid，he’dhavemurderedmelikeadog。\"
\"Isupposeyouangeredhimsomehow？\"askedtheprince，lookingatthemillionairewithconsiderablecuriosityButthoughtheremayhavebeensomethingremarkableinthefactthatthismanwasheirtomillionsofroublestherewassomethingabouthimwhichsurprisedandinterestedtheprincemorethanthat。Rogojin，too，seemedtohavetakenuptheconversationwithunusualalacrityitappearedthathewasstillinaconsiderablestateofexcitement，ifnotabsolutelyfeverish，andwasinrealneedofsomeonetotalktoforthemeresakeoftalking，assafety-valvetohisagitation。
Asforhisred-nosedneighbour，thelatter——sincetheinformationastotheidentityofRogojin——hungoverhim，seemedtobelivingonthehoneyofhiswordsandinthebreathofhisnostrils，catchingateverysyllableasthoughitwereapearlofgreatprice。
\"Oh，yes；Iangeredhim——Icertainlydidangerhim，\"repliedRogojin。\"Butwhatputsmeoutsoismybrother。Ofcoursemymothercouldn’tdoanything——she’stooold——andwhateverbrotherSenkasaysislawforher！Butwhycouldn’theletmeknow？Hesentatelegram，theysay。What’sthegoodofatelegram？Itfrightenedmyauntsothatshesentitbacktotheofficeunopened，andthereit’sbeeneversince！It’sonlythankstoKoniefthatIheardatall；hewrotemeallaboutit。Hesaysmybrothercutoffthegoldtasselsfrommyfather’scoffin，atnightbecausethey’reworthalotofmoney！’sayshe。Why，IcangethimsentofftoSiberiaforthatalone，ifIlike；it’ssacrilege。Here，you——scarecrow！\"headded，addressingtheclerkathisside，\"isitsacrilegeornot，bylaw？’
\"Sacrilege，certainly——certainlysacrilege，\"saidthelatter。
\"Andit’sSiberiaforsacrilege，isn’tit？\"
\"Undoubtedlyso；Siberia，ofcourse！\"
\"TheywillthinkthatI’mstillill，\"continuedRogojintotheprince，\"butIslopedoffquietly，seedyasIwas，tookthetrainandcameaway。Aha，brotherSenka，you’llhavetoopenyourgatesandletmein，myboy！Iknowhetoldtalesaboutmetomyfather——IknowthatwellenoughbutIcertainlydidrilemyfatheraboutNastasiaPhilipovnathat’sverysure，andthatwasmyowndoing。\"
\"NastasiaPhilipovna？\"saidtheclerk，asthoughtryingtothinkoutsomething。
\"Come，youknownothingaboutHER，\"saidRogojin，impatiently。
\"AndsupposingIdoknowsomething？\"observedtheother，triumphantly。
\"Bosh！thereareplentyofNastasiaPhilipovnas。Andwhatanimpertinentbeastyouare！\"headdedangrily。\"IthoughtsomecreaturelikeyouwouldhangontomeassoonasIgotholdofmymoney。\"
\"Oh，butIdoknow，asithappens，\"saidtheclerkinanaggravatingmanner。\"Lebedeffknowsallabouther。Youarepleasedtoreproachme，yourexcellency，butwhatifIprovethatIamrightafterall？NastasiaPhillpovna’sfamilynameisBarashkoff——Iknow，yousee-andsheisaverywellknownlady，indeed，andcomesofagoodfamily，too。SheisconnectedwithoneTotski，AfanasyIvanovitch，amanofconsiderableproperty，adirectorofcompanies，andsoon，andagreatfriendofGeneralEpanchin，whoisinterestedinthesamemattersasheis。\"
\"Myeyes！\"saidRogojin，reallysurprisedatlast。\"Thedeviltakethefellow，howdoesheknowthat？\"
\"Why，heknowseverything——Lebedeffknowseverything！IwasamonthortwowithLihachofafterhisfatherdied，yourexcellency，andwhilehewasknockingabout——he’sinthedebtor’sprisonnow——Iwaswithhim，andhecouldn’tdoathingwithoutLebedeff；andIgottoknowNastasiaPhilipovnaandseveralpeopleatthattime。\"
\"NastasiaPhilipovna？Why，youdon’tmeantosaythatsheandLihachof——\"criedRogojin，turningquitepale。
\"No，no，no，no，no！Nothingofthesort，Iassureyou！\"saidLebedeff，hastily。\"Ohdearno，notfortheworld！Totski’stheonlymanwithanychancethere。Oh，no！HetakeshertohisboxattheoperaattheFrenchtheatreofanevening，andtheofficersandpeoplealllookatherandsay，’ByJove，there’sthefamousNastasiaPhilipovna！’butnooneevergetsanyfurtherthanthat，forthereisnothingmoretosay。\"
\"Yes，it’squitetrue，\"saidRogojin，frowninggloomily；\"soZaleshofftoldme。IwaswalkingabouttheNefskyonefineday，prince，inmyfather’soldcoat，whenshesuddenlycameoutofashopandsteppedintohercarriage。IswearIwasallofablazeatonce。ThenImetZaleshoff——lookinglikeahair-dresser’sassistant，gotupasfineasIdon’tknowwho，whileIlookedlikeatinker。’Don’tflatteryourself，myboy，’saidhe；’she’snotforsuchasyou；she’saprincess，sheis，andhernameisNastasiaPhilipovnaBarashkoff，andsheliveswithTotski，whowishestogetridofherbecausehe’sgrowingratherold——fifty-
fiveorso——andwantstomarryacertainbeauty，theloveliestwomaninallPetersburg。’AndthenhetoldmethatIcouldseeNastasiaPhilipovnaattheopera-housethatevening，ifIliked，anddescribedwhichwasherbox。Well，I’dliketoseemyfatherallowinganyofustogotothetheatre；he’dsoonerhavekilledus，anyday。However，IwentforanhourorsoandsawNastasiaPhilipovna，andIneversleptawinkallnightafter。Nextmorningmyfatherhappenedtogivemetwogovernmentloanbondstosell，worthnearlyfivethousandroubleseach。’Sellthem，’
saidhe，’andthentakeseventhousandfivehundredroublestotheoffice，givethemtothecashier，andbringmebacktherestofthetenthousand，withoutlookinginanywhereontheway；looksharp，Ishallbewaitingforyou。’Well，Isoldthebonds，butI
didn’ttaketheseventhousandroublestotheoffice；IwentstraighttotheEnglishshopandchoseapairofearrings，withadiamondthesizeofanutineach。TheycostfourhundredroublesmorethanIhad，soIgavemyname，andtheytrustedme。WiththeearringsIwentatoncetoZaleshoff’s。’Comeon！’Isaid，’comeontoNastasiaPhilipovna’s，’andoffwewentwithoutmoreado。I
tellyouIhadn’tanotionofwhatwasaboutmeorbeforemeorbelowmyfeetalltheway；Isawnothingwhatever。Wewentstraightintoherdrawing-room，andthenshecameouttous。
\"Ididn’tsayrightoutwhoIwas，butZaleshoffsaid:’FromParfenRogojin，inmemoryofhisfirstmeetingwithyouyesterday；besokindastoacceptthese！’
\"Sheopenedtheparcel，lookedattheearrings，andlaughed。
\"’ThankyourfriendMr。Rogojinforhiskindattention，’saysshe，andbowedandwentoff。Whydidn’tIdiethereonthespot？
Theworstofitallwas，though，thatthebeastZaleshoffgotallthecreditofit！Iwasshortandabominablydressed，andstoodandstaredinherfaceandneversaidaword，becauseIwasshy，likeanass！Andtherewasheallinthefashion，pomadedanddressedout，withasmarttieon，bowingandscraping；andIbetanythingshetookhimformeallthewhile！
\"’Lookherenow，’Isaid，whenwecameout，’noneofyourinterferencehereafterthis-doyouunderstand？’Helaughed:’Andhowareyougoingtosettleupwithyourfather？’sayshe。I
thoughtImightaswelljumpintotheNevaatoncewithoutgoinghomefirst；butitstruckmethatIwouldn’t，afterall，andI
wenthomefeelinglikeoneofthedamned。\"
\"Mygoodness！\"shiveredtheclerk。\"Andhisfather，\"headded，fortheprince’sinstruction，\"andhisfatherwouldhavegivenamanatickettotheotherworldfortenroublesanyday——nottospeakoftenthousand！\"
TheprinceobservedRogojinwithgreatcuriosity；heseemedpalerthaneveratthismoment。
\"Whatdoyouknowaboutit？\"criedthelatter。\"Well，myfatherlearnedthewholestoryatonce，andZaleshoffblabbeditalloverthetownbesides。Sohetookmeupstairsandlockedmeup，andsworeatmeforanhour。’Thisisonlyaforetaste，’sayshe；
’waitabittillnightcomes，andI’llcomebackandtalktoyouagain。’
\"Well，whatdoyouthink？TheoldfellowwentstraightofftoNastasiaPhilipovna，touchedthefloorwithhisforehead，andbeganblubberingandbeseechingheronhiskneestogivehimbackthediamonds。Soafterawhileshebroughttheboxandflewoutathim。’There，’shesays，’takeyourearrings，youwretchedoldmiser；althoughtheyaretentimesdearerthantheirvaluetomenowthatIknowwhatitmusthavecostParfentogetthem！GiveParfenmycompliments，’shesays，’andthankhimverymuch！’
Well，Imeanwhilehadborrowedtwenty-fiveroublesfromafriend，andoffIwenttoPskofftomyaunt’s。TheoldwomantherelecturedmesothatIleftthehouseandwentonadrinkingtourroundthepublic-housesoftheplace。IwasinahighfeverwhenIgottoPskoff，andbynightfallIwaslyingdeliriousinthestreetssomewhereorother！\"
\"Oho！we’llmakeNastasiaPhilipovnasinganothersongnow！\"
giggledLebedeff，rubbinghishandswithglee。\"Hey，myboy，we’llgethersomeproperearringsnow！We’llgethersuchearringsthat——\"
\"Lookhere，\"criedRogojin，seizinghimfiercelybythearm，\"lookhere，ifyousomuchasnameNastasiaPhilipovnaagain，I’lltanyourhideassureasyousitthere！\"
\"Aha！do——byallmeans！ifyoutanmyhideyouwon’tturnmeawayfromyoursociety。You’llbindmetoyou，withyourlash，forever。Ha，ha！hereweareatthestation，though。\"
Sureenough，thetrainwasjuststeaminginashespoke。
ThoughRogojinhaddeclaredthatheleftPskoffsecretly，alargecollectionoffriendshadassembledtogreethim，anddidsowithprofusewavingofhatsandshouting。
\"Why，there’sZaleshoffhere，too！\"hemuttered，gazingatthescenewithasortoftriumphantbutunpleasantsmile。Thenhesuddenlyturnedtotheprince:\"Prince，Idon’tknowwhyIhavetakenafancytoyou；perhapsbecauseImetyoujustwhenIdid。
Butno，itcan’tbethat，forImetthisfellow\"(noddingatLebedeff)\"too，andIhavenottakenafancytohimbyanymeans。
Cometoseeme，prince；we’lltakeoffthosegaitersofyoursanddressyouupinasmartfurcoat，thebestwecanbuy。Youshallhaveadresscoat，bestquality，whitewaistcoat，anythingyoulike，andyourpocketshallbefullofmoney。Come，andyoushallgowithmetoNastasiaPhilipovna’s。Nowthenwillyoucomeorno？\"
\"Accept，accept，PrinceLefNicolaievitch\"saidLebedefsolemnly；
\"don’tletitslip！Accept，quick！\"
PrinceMuishkinroseandstretchedouthishandcourteously，whileherepliedwithsomecordiality:
\"Iwillcomewiththegreatestpleasure，andthankyouverymuchfortakingafancytome。IdaresayImayevencometodayifI
havetime，forItellyoufranklythatIlikeyouverymuchtoo。
Ilikedyouespeciallywhenyoutoldusaboutthediamondearrings；butIlikedyoubeforethataswell，thoughyouhavesuchadark-cloudedsortofface。Thanksverymuchfortheofferofclothesandafurcoat；Icertainlyshallrequirebothclothesandcoatverysoon。Asformoney，Ihavehardlyacopeckaboutmeatthismoment。\"
\"Youshallhavelotsofmoney；bytheeveningIshallhaveplenty；socomealong！\"
\"That’strueenough，he’llhavelotsbeforeevening！\"putinLebedeff。
\"But，lookhere，areyouagreathandwiththeladies？Let’sknowthatfirst？\"askedRogojin。
\"Ohno，ohno！saidtheprince；\"Icouldn’t，youknow——myillness——Ihardlyeversawasoul。\"
\"H’m！well——here，youfellow-youcancomealongwithmenowifyoulike！\"criedRogojintoLebedeff，andsotheyallleftthecarriage。
Lebedeffhadhisdesire。HewentoffwiththenoisygroupofRogojin’sfriendstowardstheVoznesensky，whiletheprince’sroutelaytowardstheLitaynaya。Itwasdampandwet。Theprinceaskedhiswayofpassers-by，andfindingthathewasacoupleofmilesorsofromhisdestination，hedeterminedtotakeadroshky。
II。
GeneralEpanchinlivedinhisownhouseneartheLitaynaya。
Besidesthislargeresidence——five-sixthsofwhichwasletinflatsandlodgings-thegeneralwasownerofanotherenormoushouseintheSadovayabringinginevenmorerentthanthefirst。
Besidesthesehouseshehadadelightfullittleestatejustoutoftown，andsomesortoffactoryinanotherpartofthecity。
GeneralEpanchin，aseveryoneknew，hadagooddealtodowithcertaingovernmentmonopolies；hewasalsoavoice，andanimportantone，inmanyrichpubliccompaniesofvariousdescriptions；infact，heenjoyedthereputationofbeingawell-
to-domanofbusyhabits，manyties，andaffluentmeans。Hehadmadehimselfindispensableinseveralquarters，amongstothersinhisdepartmentofthegovernment；andyetitwasaknownfactthatFedorIvanovitchEpanchinwasamanofnoeducationwhatever，andhadabsolutelyrisenfromtheranks。
Thislastfactcould，ofcourse，reflectnothingbutcredituponthegeneral；andyet，thoughunquestionablyasagaciousman，hehadhisownlittleweaknesses-veryexcusableones，——oneofwhichwasadisliketoanyallusiontotheabovecircumstance。Hewasundoubtedlyclever。Forinstance，hemadeapointofneverassertinghimselfwhenhewouldgainmorebykeepinginthebackground；andinconsequencemanyexaltedpersonagesvaluedhimprincipallyforhishumilityandsimplicity，andbecause\"heknewhisplace。\"Andyetifthesegoodpeoplecouldonlyhavehadapeepintothemindofthisexcellentfellowwho\"knewhisplace\"
sowell！Thefactisthat，inspiteofhisknowledgeoftheworldandhisreallyremarkableabilities，healwayslikedtoappeartobecarryingoutotherpeople’sideasratherthanhisown。Andalso，hisluckseldomfailedhim，evenatcards，forwhichhehadapassionthathedidnotattempttoconceal。Heplayedforhighstakes，andmoved，altogether，inveryvariedsociety。
Astoage，GeneralEpanchinwasintheveryprimeoflife；thatis，aboutfifty-fiveyearsofage，——thefloweringtimeofexistence，whenrealenjoymentoflifebegins。Hishealthyappearance，goodcolour，sound，thoughdiscolouredteeth，sturdyfigure，preoccupiedairduringbusinesshours，andjollygoodhumourduringhisgameatcardsintheevening，allborewitnesstohissuccessinlife，andcombinedtomakeexistenceabedofrosestohisexcellency。Thegeneralwaslordofaflourishingfamily，consistingofhiswifeandthreegrown-updaughters。Hehadmarriedyoung，whilestillalieutenant，hiswifebeingagirlofabouthisownage，whopossessedneitherbeautynoreducation，andwhobroughthimnomorethanfiftysoulsoflandedproperty，whichlittleestateserved，however，asanest-eggforfarmoreimportantaccumulations。Thegeneralneverregrettedhisearlymarriage，orregardeditasafoolishyouthfulescapade；
andhesorespectedandfearedhiswifethathewasverynearlovingher。Mrs。EpanchincameoftheprincelystockofMuishkin，whichifnotabrilliant，was，atallevents，adecidedlyancientfamily；andshewasextremelyproudofherdescent。
Withafewexceptions，theworthycouplehadlivedthroughtheirlongunionveryhappily。Whilestillyoungthewifehadbeenabletomakeimportantfriendsamongthearistocracy，partlybyvirtueofherfamilydescent，andpartlybyherownexertions；while，inafterlife，thankstotheirwealthandtothepositionofherhusbandintheservice，shetookherplaceamongthehighercirclesasbyright。
Duringtheselastfewyearsallthreeofthegeneral’sdaughters-
Alexandra，Adelaida，andAglaya——hadgrownupandmatured。OfcoursetheywereonlyEpanchins，buttheirmother’sfamilywasnoble；theymightexpectconsiderablefortunes；theirfatherhadhopesofattainingtoveryhighrankindeedinhiscountry’sservice-allofwhichwassatisfactory。Allthreeofthegirlsweredecidedlypretty，eventheeldest，Alexandra，whowasjusttwenty-fiveyearsold。Themiddledaughterwasnowtwenty-three，whiletheyoungest，Aglaya，wastwenty。Thisyoungestgirlwasabsolutelyabeauty，andhadbegunoflatetoattractconsiderableattentioninsociety。Butthiswasnotall，foreveryoneofthethreewasclever，welleducated，andaccomplished。
Itwasamatterofgeneralknowledgethatthethreegirlswereveryfondofoneanother，andsupportedeachotherineveryway；
itwasevensaidthatthetwoelderoneshadmadecertainsacrificesforthesakeoftheidolofthehousehold，Aglaya。Insocietytheynotonlydislikedassertingthemselves，butwereactuallyretiring。Certainlynoonecouldblamethemforbeingtooarrogantorhaughty，andyeteverybodywaswellawarethattheywereproudandquiteunderstoodtheirownvalue。Theeldestwasmusical，whilethesecondwasacleverartist，whichfactshehadconcealeduntillately。Inaword，theworldspokewellofthegirls；buttheywerenotwithouttheirenemies，andoccasionallypeopletalkedwithhorrorofthenumberofbookstheyhadread。
Theywereinnohurrytomarry。Theylikedgoodsociety，butwerenottookeenaboutit。Allthiswasthemoreremarkable，becauseeveryonewaswellawareofthehopesandaimsoftheirparents。
Itwasabouteleveno’clockintheforenoonwhentheprincerangthebellatGeneralEpanchin’sdoor。Thegenerallivedonthefirstfloororflatofthehouse，asmodestalodgingashispositionpermitted。Aliveriedservantopenedthedoor，andtheprincewasobligedtoenterintolongexplanationswiththisgentleman，who，fromthefirstglance，lookedathimandhisbundlewithgravesuspicion。Atlast，however，ontherepeatedpositiveassurancethathereallywasPrinceMuishkin，andmustabsolutelyseethegeneralonbusiness，thebewildereddomesticshowedhimintoalittleante-chamberleadingtoawaiting-roomthatadjoinedthegeneral’sstudy，therehandinghimovertoanotherservant，whosedutyitwastobeinthisante-chamberallthemorning，andannouncevisitorstothegeneral。Thissecondindividualworeadresscoat，andwassomefortyyearsofage；hewasthegeneral’sspecialstudyservant，andwellawareofhisownimportance。
\"Waitinthenextroom，please；andleaveyourbundlehere，\"saidthedoor-keeper，ashesatdowncomfortablyinhisowneasy-chairintheante-chamber。Helookedattheprinceinseveresurpriseasthelattersettledhimselfinanotherchairalongside，withhisbundleonhisknees。
\"Ifyoudon’tmind，Iwouldrathersitherewithyou，\"saidtheprince；\"Ishouldpreferittosittinginthere。\"
\"Oh，butyoucan’tstayhere。Youareavisitor——aguest，sotospeak。Isitthegeneralhimselfyouwishtosee？\"
Themanevidentlycouldnottakeintheideaofsuchashabby-
lookingvisitor，andhaddecidedtoaskoncemore。
\"Yes——Ihavebusiness——\"begantheprince。
\"Idonotaskyouwhatyourbusinessmaybe，allIhavetodoistoannounceyou；andunlessthesecretarycomesinhereIcannotdothat。\"
Theman’ssuspicionsseemedtoincreasemoreandmore。Theprincewastoounliketheusualrunofdailyvisitors；andalthoughthegeneralcertainlydidreceive，onbusiness，allsortsandconditionsofmen，yetinspiteofthisfacttheservantfeltgreatdoubtsonthesubjectofthisparticularvisitor。Thepresenceofthesecretaryasanintermediarywas，hejudged，essentialinthiscase。
\"Surelyyou——arefromabroad？\"heinquiredatlast，inaconfusedsortofway。Hehadbegunhissentenceintendingtosay，\"SurelyyouarenotPrinceMuishkin，areyou？\"
\"Yes，straightfromthetrain！Didnotyouintendtosay，’SurelyyouarenotPrinceMuishkin？’justnow，butrefrainedoutofpoliteness？\"
\"H’m！\"gruntedtheastonishedservant。
\"IassureyouIamnotdeceivingyou；youshallnothavetoanswerforme。Astomybeingdressedlikethis，andcarryingabundle，there’snothingsurprisinginthat——thefactis，mycircumstancesarenotparticularlyrosyatthismoment。\"
\"H’m！——no，I’mnotafraidofthat，yousee；Ihavetoannounceyou，that’sall。Thesecretarywillbeoutdirectly-thatis，unlessyou——yes，that’stherub——unlessyou——come，youmustallowmetoaskyou——you’venotcometobeg，haveyou？\"
\"Ohdearno，youcanbeperfectlyeasyonthatscore。Ihavequiteanothermatteronhand。\"
\"Youmustexcusemyasking，youknow。Yourappearanceledmetothink——butjustwaitforthesecretary；thegeneralisbusynow，butthesecretaryissuretocomeout。\"
\"Oh——well，lookhere，ifIhavesometimetowait，wouldyoumindtellingme，isthereanyplaceaboutwhereIcouldhaveasmoke？
Ihavemypipeandtobaccowithme。\"
\"SMOKE？\"saidtheman，inshockedbutdisdainfulsurprise，blinkinghiseyesattheprinceasthoughhecouldnotbelievehissenses。\"No，sir，youcannotsmokehere，andIwonderyouarenotashamedoftheverysuggestion。Ha，ha！acoolideathat，Ideclare！\"
\"Oh，Ididn’tmeaninthisroom！IknowIcan’tsmokehere，ofcourse。I’dadjourntosomeotherroom，whereveryouliketoshowmeto。Yousee，I’musedtosmokingagooddeal，andnowI
haven’thadapuffforthreehours；however，justasyoulike。\"
\"NowhowonearthamItoannounceamanlikethat？\"mutteredtheservant。\"Inthefirstplace，you’venorightinhereatall；yououghttobeinthewaiting-room，becauseyou’reasortofvisitor——aguest，infact——andIshallcatchitforthis。Lookhere，doyouintendtotakeupyouabodewithus？\"headded，glancingoncemoreattheprince’sbundle，whichevidentlygavehimnopeace。
\"No，Idon’tthinkso。Idon’tthinkIshouldstayeveniftheyweretoinviteme。I’vesimplycometomaketheiracquaintance，andnothingmore。\"
\"Maketheiracquaintance？\"askedtheman，inamazement，andwithredoubledsuspicion。\"Thenwhydidyousayyouhadbusinesswiththegeneral？\"
\"Ohwell，verylittlebusiness。Thereisonelittlematter——someadviceIamgoingtoaskhimfor；butmyprincipalobjectissimplytointroducemyself，becauseIamPrinceMuishkin，andMadameEpanchinisthelastofherbranchofthehouse，andbesidesherselfandmetherearenootherMuishkinsleft。\"
\"What——you’rearelationthen，areyou？\"askedtheservant，sobewilderedthathebegantofeelquitealarmed。
\"Well，hardlyso。Ifyoustretchapoint，wearerelations，ofcourse，butsodistantthatonecannotreallytakecognizanceofit。Ioncewrotetoyourmistressfromabroad，butshedidnotreply。However，Ihavethoughtitrighttomakeacquaintancewithheronmyarrival。Iamtellingyouallthisinordertoeaseyourmind，forIseeyouarestillfarfromcomfortableonmyaccount。AllyouhavetodoistoannouncemeasPrinceMuishkin，andtheobjectofmyvisitwillbeplainenough。IfIamreceived——verygood；ifnot，well，verygoodagain。Buttheyaresuretoreceiveme，Ishouldthink；MadameEpanchinwillnaturallybecurioustoseetheonlyremainingrepresentativeofherfamily。ShevaluesherMuishkindescentveryhighly，ifIamrightlyinformed。\"
Theprince’sconversationwasartlessandconfidingtoadegree，andtheservantcouldnothelpfeelingthatasfromvisitortocommonserving-manthisstateofthingswashighlyimproper。Hisconclusionwasthatoneoftwothingsmustbetheexplanation——
eitherthatthiswasabeggingimpostor，orthattheprince，ifprincehewere，wassimplyafool，withouttheslightestambition；forasensibleprincewithanyambitionwouldcertainlynotwaitaboutinante-roomswithservants，andtalkofhisownprivateaffairslikethis。Ineithercase，howwashetoannouncethissingularvisitor？
\"IreallythinkImustrequestyoutostepintothenextroom！\"
hesaid，withalltheinsistencehecouldmuster。
\"Why？IfIhadbeensittingtherenow，Ishouldnothavehadtheopportunityofmakingthesepersonalexplanations。Iseeyouarestilluneasyaboutmeandkeepeyeingmycloakandbundle。Don’tyouthinkyoumightgoinyourselfnow，withoutwaitingforthesecretarytocomeout？\"
\"No，no！Ican’tannounceavisitorlikeyourselfwithoutthesecretary。Besidesthegeneralsaidhewasnottobedisturbed——
heiswiththeColonelC。GavrilaArdalionovitchgoesinwithoutannouncing。\"
\"Whomaythatbe？aclerk？\"
\"What？GavrilaArdalionovitch？Ohno；hebelongstooneofthecompanies。Lookhere，atalleventsputyourbundledown，here。\"
\"Yes，IwillifImay；and——canItakeoffmycloak\"
\"Ofcourse；youcan’tgoinTHEREwithiton，anyhow。\"
Theprinceroseandtookoffhismantle，revealinganeatenoughmorningcostume——alittleworn，butwellmade。HeworeasteelwatchchainandfromthischaintherehungasilverGenevawatch。
Fooltheprincemightbe，still，thegeneral’sservantfeltthatitwasnotcorrectforhimtocontinuetoconversethuswithavisitor，inspiteofthefactthattheprincepleasedhimsomehow。
\"Andwhattimeofdaydoestheladyreceive？\"thelatterasked，reseatinghimselfinhisoldplace。
\"Oh，that’snotinmyprovince！Ibelieveshereceivesatanytime；itdependsuponthevisitors。Thedressmakergoesinateleven。GavrilaArdalionovitchisallowedmuchearlierthanotherpeople，too；heisevenadmittedtoearlylunchnowandthen。\"
\"Itismuchwarmerintheroomsherethanitisabroadatthisseason，\"observedtheprince；\"butitismuchwarmerthereoutofdoors。Asforthehouses——aRussiancan’tliveintheminthewinteruntilhegetsaccustomedtothem。\"
\"Don’ttheyheatthematall？\"
\"Well，theydoheatthemalittle；butthehousesandstovesaresodifferenttoours。\"
\"H’m！wereyoulongaway？\"
\"Fouryears！andIwasinthesameplacenearlyallthetime，——inonevillage。\"
\"YoumusthaveforgottenRussia，hadn’tyou？\"
\"Yes，indeedIhad——agooddeal；and，wouldyoubelieveit，I
oftenwonderatmyselffornothavingforgottenhowtospeakRussian？Evennow，asItalktoyou，Ikeepsayingtomyself’howwellIamspeakingit。’PerhapsthatispartlywhyIamsotalkativethismorning。Iassureyou，eversinceyesterdayeveningIhavehadthestrongestdesiretogoonandontalkingRussian。\"
\"H’m！yes；didyouliveinPetersburginformeryears？\"
Thisgoodflunkey，inspiteofhisconscientiousscruples，reallycouldnotresistcontinuingsuchaverygenteelandagreeableconversation。
\"InPetersburg？Ohno！hardlyatall，andnowtheysaysomuchischangedintheplacethateventhosewhodidknowitwellareobligedtorelearnwhattheyknew。Theytalkagooddealaboutthenewlawcourts，andchangesthere，don’tthey？\"
\"H’m！yes，that’strueenough。Wellnow，howisthelawoverthere，dotheyadministeritmorejustlythanhere？\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknowaboutthat！I’veheardmuchthatisgoodaboutourlegaladministration，too。Thereisnocapitalpunishmenthereforonething。\"
\"Isthereoverthere？\"
\"Yes——IsawanexecutioninFrance——atLyons。Schneidertookmeoverwithhimtoseeit。\"
\"What，didtheyhangthefellow？\"
\"No，theycutoffpeople’sheadsinFrance。\"
\"Whatdidthefellowdo？——yell？\"
\"Ohno——it’stheworkofaninstant。Theyputamaninsideaframeandasortofbroadknifefallsbymachinery-theycallthethingaguillotine-itfallswithfearfulforceandweight-theheadspringsoffsoquicklythatyoucan’twinkyoureyeinbetween。Butallthepreparationsaresodreadful。Whentheyannouncethesentence，youknow，andpreparethecriminalandtiehishands，andcarthimofftothescaffold——that’sthefearfulpartofthebusiness。Thepeopleallcrowdround——evenwomen-
thoughtheydon’tatallapproveofwomenlookingon。\"
\"No，it’snotathingforwomen。\"
\"Ofcoursenot——ofcoursenot！——bah！Thecriminalwasafineintelligentfearlessman；LeGroswashisname；andImaytellyou——believeitornot，asyoulike——thatwhenthatmansteppeduponthescaffoldheCRIED，hedidindeed，——hewasaswhiteasabitofpaper。Isn’titadreadfulideathatheshouldhavecried——cried！Whoeverheardofagrownmancryingfromfear——notachild，butamanwhoneverhadcriedbefore——agrownmanofforty-fiveyears。Imaginewhatmusthavebeengoingoninthatman’smindatsuchamoment；whatdreadfulconvulsionshiswholespiritmusthaveendured；itisanoutrageonthesoulthat’swhatitis。Becauseitissaid’thoushaltnotkill，’ishetobekilledbecausehemurderedsomeoneelse？No，itisnotright，it’sanimpossibletheory。Iassureyou，Isawthesightamonthagoandit’sdancingbeforemyeyestothismoment。Idreamofit，often。\"
Theprincehadgrownanimatedashespoke，andatingeofcoloursuffusedhispaleface，thoughhiswayoftalkingwasasquietasever。Theservantfollowedhiswordswithsympatheticinterest。
Clearlyhewasnotatallanxioustobringtheconversationtoanend。Whoknows？Perhapshetoowasamanofimaginationandwithsomecapacityforthought。
\"Well，atalleventsitisagoodthingthatthere’snopainwhenthepoorfellow’sheadfliesoff，\"heremarked。
\"Doyouknow，though，\"criedtheprincewarmly，\"youmadethatremarknow，andeveryonesaysthesamething，andthemachineisdesignedwiththepurposeofavoidingpain，thisguillotineI
mean；butathoughtcameintomyheadthen:whatifitbeabadplanafterall？Youmaylaughatmyidea，perhaps——butIcouldnothelpitsoccurringtomeallthesame。Nowwiththerackandtorturesandsoon——yousufferterriblepainofcourse；butthenyourtortureisbodilypainonly(althoughnodoubtyouhaveplentyofthat)untilyoudie。ButHEREIshouldimaginethemostterriblepartofthewholepunishmentis，notthebodilypainatall——butthecertainknowledgethatinanhour，——thenintenminutes，theninhalfaminute，thennow——thisveryINSTANT——yoursoulmustquityourbodyandthatyouwillnolongerbeaman——
andthatthisiscertain，CERTAIN！That’sthepoint——thecertaintyofit。Justthatinstantwhenyouplaceyourheadontheblockandheartheirongrateoveryourhead——then——thatquarterofasecondisthemostawfulofall。
\"Thisisnotmyownfantasticalopinion——manypeoplehavethoughtthesame；butIfeelitsodeeplythatI’lltellyouwhatI
think。Ibelievethattoexecuteamanformurderistopunishhimimmeasurablymoredreadfullythanisequivalenttohiscrime。
Amurderbysentenceisfarmoredreadfulthanamurdercommittedbyacriminal。Themanwhoisattackedbyrobbersatnight，inadarkwood，oranywhere，undoubtedlyhopesandhopesthathemayyetescapeuntiltheverymomentofhisdeath。Thereareplentyofinstancesofamanrunningaway，orimploringformercy——atalleventshopingoninsomedegree——evenafterhisthroatwascut。Butinthecaseofanexecution，thatlasthope——havingwhichitissoimmeasurablylessdreadfultodie，——istakenawayfromthewretchandCERTAINTYsubstitutedinitsplace！Thereishissentence，andwithitthatterriblecertaintythathecannotpossiblyescapedeath——which，Iconsider，mustbethemostdreadfulanguishintheworld。Youmayplaceasoldierbeforeacannon’smouthinbattle，andfireuponhim——andhewillstillhope。Butreadtothatsamesoldierhisdeath-sentence，andhewilleithergomadorburstintotears。Whodarestosaythatanymancansufferthiswithoutgoingmad？No，no！itisanabuse，ashame，itisunnecessary——whyshouldsuchathingexist？
Doubtlesstheremaybemenwhohavebeensentenced，whohavesufferedthismentalanguishforawhileandthenhavebeenreprieved；perhapssuchmenmayhavebeenabletorelatetheirfeelingsafterwards。OurLordChristspokeofthisanguishanddread。No！no！no！Nomanshouldbetreatedso，noman，noman！\"
Theservant，thoughofcoursehecouldnothaveexpressedallthisastheprincedid，stillclearlyenteredintoitandwasgreatlyconciliated，aswasevidentfromtheincreasedamiabilityofhisexpression。\"Ifyouarereallyveryanxiousforasmoke，\"
heremarked，\"Ithinkitmightpossiblybemanaged，ifyouareveryquickaboutit。Youseetheymightcomeoutandinquireforyou，andyouwouldn’tbeonthespot。Youseethatdoorthere？Gointhereandyou’llfindalittleroomontheright；youcansmokethere，onlyopenthewindow，becauseIoughtnottoallowitreally，and。\"Buttherewasnotime，afterall。
Ayoungfellowenteredtheante-roomatthismoment，withabundleofpapersinhishand。Thefootmanhastenedtohelphimtakeoffhisovercoat。Thenewarrivalglancedattheprinceoutofthecornersofhiseyes。
\"Thisgentlemandeclares，GavrilaArdalionovitch，\"begantheman，confidentiallyandalmostfamiliarly，\"thatheisPrinceMuishkinandarelativeofMadameEpanchin’s。Hehasjustarrivedfromabroad，withnothingbutabundlebywayofluggage。\"
Theprincedidnotheartherest，becauseatthispointtheservantcontinuedhiscommunicationinawhisper。
GavrilaArdalionovitchlistenedattentively，andgazedattheprincewithgreatcuriosity。Atlasthemotionedthemanasideandsteppedhurriedlytowardstheprince。
\"AreyouPrinceMuishkin？\"heasked，withthegreatestcourtesyandamiability。
Hewasaremarkablyhandsomeyoungfellowofsometwenty-eightsummers，fairandofmiddleheight；heworeasmallbeard，andhisfacewasmostintelligent。Yethissmile，inspiteofitssweetness，wasalittlethin，ifImaysocallit，andshowedhisteethtooevenly；hisgazethoughdecidedlygood-humouredandingenuous，wasatrifletooinquisitiveandintenttobealtogetheragreeable。
\"Probablywhenheisalonehelooksquitedifferent，andhardlysmilesatall！\"thoughttheprince。
Heexplainedabouthimselfinafewwords，verymuchthesameashehadtoldthefootmanandRogojinbeforehand。
GavrilaArdalionovitchmeanwhileseemedtobetryingtorecallsomething。
\"Wasitnotyou，then，whosentaletterayearorlessago——fromSwitzerland，Ithinkitwas——toElizabethaProkofievna(Mrs。
Epanchin)？\"
\"Itwas。\"
\"Oh，then，ofcoursetheywillrememberwhoyouare。Youwishtoseethegeneral？I’lltellhimatonce——hewillbefreeinaminute；butyou——youhadbetterwaitintheante-chamber，——hadn’tyou？Whyishehere？\"headded，severely，totheman。
\"Itellyou，sir，hewishedithimself！\"
Atthismomentthestudydooropened，andamilitaryman，withaportfoliounderhisarm，cameouttalkingloudly，andafterbiddinggood-byetosomeoneinside，tookhisdeparture。
\"Youthere，Gania？criedavoicefromthestudy，\"comeinhere，willyou？\"
GavrilaArdalionovitchnoddedtotheprinceandenteredtheroomhastily。
AcoupleofminuteslaterthedooropenedagainandtheaffablevoiceofGaniacried:
\"Comeinplease，prince！\"
III。
GeneralIvanFedorovitchEpanchinwasstandingInthemiddleoftheroom，andgazedwithgreatcuriosityattheprinceasheentered。Heevenadvancedacoupleofstepstomeethim。
Theprincecameforwardandintroducedhimself。
\"Quiteso，\"repliedthegeneral，\"andwhatcanIdoforyou？\"
\"Oh，Ihavenospecialbusiness；myprincipalobjectwastomakeyouracquaintance。Ishouldnotliketodisturbyou。Idonotknowyourtimesandarrangementshere，yousee，butIhaveonlyjustarrived。Icamestraightfromthestation。IamcomedirectfromSwitzerland。\"
Thegeneralverynearlysmiled，butthoughtbetterofitandkepthissmileback。Thenhereflected，blinkedhiseyes，staredathisguestoncemorefromheadtofoot；thenabruptlymotionedhimtoachair，satdownhimself，andwaitedwithsomeimpatiencefortheprincetospeak。
Ganiastoodathistableinthefarcorneroftheroom，turningoverpapers。
\"Ihavenotmuchtimeformakingacquaintances，asarule，\"saidthegeneral，\"butas，ofcourse，youhaveyourobjectincoming，I——\"
\"IfeltsureyouwouldthinkIhadsomeobjectinviewwhenI
resolvedtopayyouthisvisit，\"theprinceinterrupted；\"butI
giveyoumyword，beyondthepleasureofmakingyouracquaintanceIhadnopersonalobjectwhatever。\"
\"Thepleasureis，ofcourse，mutual；butlifeisnotallpleasure，asyouareaware。Thereissuchathingasbusiness，andIreallydonotseewhatpossiblereasontherecanbe，orwhatwehaveincommonto——\"
\"Oh，thereisnoreason，ofcourse，andIsupposethereisnothingincommonbetweenus，orverylittle；forifIamPrinceMuishkin，andyourwifehappenstobeamemberofmyhouse，thatcanhardlybecalleda’reason。’Iquiteunderstandthat。Andyetthatwasmywholemotiveforcoming。YouseeIhavenotbeeninRussiaforfouryears，andknewverylittleaboutanythingwhenI
left。Ihadbeenveryillforalongtime，andIfeelnowtheneedofafewgoodfriends。Infact，IhaveacertainquestionuponwhichImuchneedadvice，anddonotknowwhomtogotoforit。IthoughtofyourfamilywhenIwaspassingthroughBerlin。
’Theyarealmostrelations，’Isaidtomyself，’soI’llbeginwiththem；perhapswemaygetonwitheachother，Iwiththemandtheywithme，iftheyarekindpeople；’andIhaveheardthatyouareverykindpeople！\"
\"Oh，thankyou，thankyou，I’msure，\"repliedthegeneral，considerablytakenaback。\"MayIaskwhereyouhavetakenupyourquarters？\"
\"Nowhere，asyet。\"
\"What，straightfromthestationtomyhouse？Andhowaboutyourluggage？\"
\"Ionlyhadasmallbundle，containinglinen，withme，nothingmore。Icancarryitinmyhand，easily。Therewillbeplentyoftimetotakearoominsomehotelbytheevening。\"
\"Oh，thenyouDOintendtotakearoom？\"
\"Ofcourse。\"
\"Tojudgefromyourwords，youcamestraighttomyhousewiththeintentionofstayingthere。\"
\"Thatcouldonlyhavebeenonyourinvitation。Iconfess，however，thatIshouldnothavestayedhereevenifyouhadinvitedme，notforanyparticularreason，butbecauseitis——
well，contrarytomypracticeandnature，somehow。\"
\"Oh，indeed！ThenitisperhapsaswellthatIneitherDIDinviteyou，norDOinviteyounow。Excuseme，prince，butwehadbettermakethismatterclear，onceforall。Wehavejustagreedthatwithregardtoourrelationshipthereisnotmuchtobesaid，though，ofcourse，itwouldhavebeenverydelightfultoustofeelthatsuchrelationshipdidactuallyexist；therefore，perhaps——\"
\"Therefore，perhapsIhadbettergetupandgoaway？\"saidtheprince，laughingmerrilyasherosefromhisplace；justasmerrilyasthoughthecircumstanceswerebynomeansstrainedordifficult。\"AndIgiveyoumyword，general，thatthoughIknownothingwhateverofmannersandcustomsofsociety，andhowpeopleliveandallthat，yetIfeltquitesurethatthisvisitofminewouldendexactlyasithasendednow。Oh，well，I
supposeit’sallright；especiallyasmyletterwasnotanswered。
Well，good-bye，andforgivemeforhavingdisturbedyou！\"
Theprince’sexpressionwassogood-naturedatthismoment，andsoentirelyfreefromevenasuspicionofunpleasantfeelingwasthesmilewithwhichhelookedatthegeneralashespoke，thatthelattersuddenlypaused，andappearedtogazeathisguestfromquiteanewpointofview，allinaninstant。
\"Doyouknow，prince，\"hesaid，inquiteadifferenttone，\"Idonotknowyouatall，yet，andafterall，ElizabethaProkofievnawouldverylikelybepleasedtohaveapeepatamanofherownname。Waitalittle，ifyoudon’tmind，andifyouhavetimetospare？\"
\"Oh，IassureyouI’velotsoftime，mytimeisentirelymyown！\"
Andtheprinceimmediatelyreplacedhissoft，roundhatonthetable。\"Iconfess，IthoughtElizabethaProkofievnawouldverylikelyrememberthatIhadwrittenheraletter。Justnowyourservant——outsidethere——wasdreadfullysuspiciousthatIhadcometobegofyou。Inoticedthat！Probablyhehasverystrictinstructionsonthatscore；butIassureyouIdidnotcometobeg。Icametomakesomefriends。ButIamratherbotheredathavingdisturbedyou；that’sallIcareabout——\"
\"Lookhere，prince，\"saidthegeneral，withacordialsmile，\"ifyoureallyarethesortofmanyouappeartobe，itmaybeasourceofgreatpleasuretoustomakeyourbetteracquaintance；
but，yousee，Iamaverybusyman，andhavetobeperpetuallysittinghereandsigningpapers，orofftoseehisexcellency，ortomydepartment，orsomewhere；sothatthoughIshouldbegladtoseemoreofpeople，nicepeople——yousee，I——however，Iamsureyouaresowellbroughtupthatyouwillseeatonce，and——
buthowoldareyou，prince？\"
\"Twenty-six。\"
\"No？Ithoughtyouverymuchyounger。\"
\"Yes，theysayIhavea’young’face。AstodisturbingyouI
shallsoonlearntoavoiddoingthat，forIhatedisturbingpeople。Besides，youandIaresodifferentlyconstituted，I
shouldthink，thattheremustbeverylittleincommonbetweenus。NotthatIwilleverbelievethereisNOTHINGincommonbetweenanytwopeople，assomedeclareisthecase。Iamsurepeoplemakeagreatmistakeinsortingeachotherintogroups，byappearances；butIamboringyou，Isee，you——\"
\"Justtwowords:haveyouanymeansatall？Orperhapsyoumaybeintendingtoundertakesomesortofemployment？Excusemyquestioningyou，but——\"
\"Oh，mydearsir，Iesteemandunderstandyourkindnessinputtingthequestion。No；atpresentIhavenomeanswhatever，andnoemploymenteither，butIhopetofindsome。Iwaslivingonotherpeopleabroad。Schneider，theprofessorwhotreatedmeandtaughtme，too，inSwitzerland，gavemejustenoughmoneyformyjourney，sothatnowIhavebutafewcopecksleft。TherecertainlyisonequestionuponwhichIamanxioustohaveadvice，but——\"
\"Tellme，howdoyouintendtolivenow，andwhatareyourplans？\"interruptedthegeneral。
\"Iwishtowork，somehoworother。\"
\"Ohyes，butthen，yousee，youareaphilosopher。Haveyouanytalents，orabilityinanydirection——thatis，anythatwouldbringinmoneyandbread？Excusemeagain——\"
\"Oh，don’tapologize。No，Idon’tthinkIhaveeithertalentsorspecialabilitiesofanykind；onthecontrary。Ihavealwaysbeenaninvalidandunabletolearnmuch。Asforbread，Ishouldthink——\"
Thegeneralinterruptedoncemorewithquestions；whiletheprinceagainrepliedwiththenarrativewehaveheardbefore。ItappearedthatthegeneralhadknownPavlicheff；butwhythelatterhadtakenaninterestintheprince，thatyounggentlemancouldnotexplain；probablybyvirtueoftheoldfriendshipwithhisfather，hethought。
Theprincehadbeenleftanorphanwhenquitealittlechild，andPavlicheffhadentrustedhimtoanoldlady，arelativeofhisown，livinginthecountry，thechildneedingthefreshairandexerciseofcountrylife。Hewaseducated，firstbyagoverness，andafterwardsbyatutor，butcouldnotremembermuchaboutthistimeofhislife。Hisfitsweresofrequentthen，thattheymadealmostanidiotofhim(theprinceusedtheexpression\"idiot\"
himself)。PavlicheffhadmetProfessorSchneiderinBerlin，andthelatterhadpersuadedhimtosendtheboytoSwitzerland，toSchneider’sestablishmentthere，forthecureofhisepilepsy，and，fiveyearsbeforethistime，theprincewassentoff。ButPavlicheffhaddiedtwoorthreeyearssince，andSchneiderhadhimselfsupportedtheyoungfellow，fromthatdaytothis，athisownexpense。Althoughhehadnotquitecuredhim，hehadgreatlyimprovedhiscondition；andnow，atlast，attheprince’sowndesire，andbecauseofacertainmatterwhichcametotheearsofthelatter，SchneiderhaddespatchedtheyoungmantoRussia。
Thegeneralwasmuchastonished。
\"Thenyouhavenoone，absolutelyNOoneinRussia？\"heasked。
\"Noone，atpresent；butIhopetomakefriends；andthenIhavealetterfrom——\"
\"Atallevents，\"putinthegeneral，notlisteningtothenewsabouttheletter，\"atallevents，youmusthavelearnedSOMETHING，andyourmaladywouldnotpreventyourundertakingsomeeasywork，inoneofthedepartments，forinstance？
\"Ohdearno，ohno！Asforasituation，IshouldmuchliketofindoneforIamanxioustodiscoverwhatIreallyamfitfor。I
havelearnedagooddealinthelastfouryears，and，besides，I
readagreatmanyRussianbooks。\"
\"Russianbooks，indeed？Then，ofcourse，youcanreadandwritequitecorrectly？\"
\"Ohdear，yes！\"
\"Capital！Andyourhandwriting？\"
\"Ah，thereIamREALLYtalented！Imaysaylamarealcaligraphist。Letmewriteyousomething，justtoshowyou，\"saidtheprince，withsomeexcitement。
\"Withpleasure！Infact，itisverynecessary。Ilikeyourreadiness，prince；infact，Imustsay——I-I-likeyouverywell，altogether，\"saidthegeneral。
\"Whatdelightfulwritingmaterialsyouhavehere，suchalotofpencilsandthings，andwhatbeautifulpaper！It’sacharmingroomaltogether。Iknowthatpicture，it’saSwissview。I’msuretheartistpainteditfromnature，andthatIhaveseentheveryplace——\"
\"Quitelikely，thoughIboughtithere。Gania，givetheprincesomepaper。Herearepensandpaper；nowthen，takethistable。
What’sthis？\"thegeneralcontinuedtoGania，whohadthatmomenttakenalargephotographoutofhisportfolio，andshownittohissenior。\"Halloa！NastasiaPhilipovna！Didshesendityouherself？Herself？\"heinquired，withmuchcuriosityandgreatanimation。
\"Shegaveitmejustnow，whenIcalledintocongratulateher。I
askedherforitlongago。Idon’tknowwhethershemeantitforahintthatIhadcomeempty-handed，withoutapresentforherbirthday，orwhat，\"addedGania，withanunpleasantsmile。
