Everyoneintheroombegantolaugh。
\"Heistellinglies！\"criedthenephew。\"Evennowhecannotspeakthetruth。HeisnotcalledTimofeyLukianovitch，prince，butLukianTimofeyovitch。Nowdotelluswhyyoumustneedslieaboutit？LukianorTimofey，itisallthesametoyou，andwhatdifferencecanitmaketotheprince？Hetellslieswithouttheleastnecessity，simplybyforceofhabit，Iassureyou。\"
\"Isthattrue？\"saidtheprinceimpatiently。
\"MynamereallyisLukianTimofeyovitch，\"acknowledgedLebedeff，loweringhiseyes，andputtinghishandonhisheart。
\"Well，forGod’ssake，whatmadeyousaytheother？\"
\"Tohumblemyself，\"murmuredLebedeff。
\"Whatonearthdoyoumean？OhIifonlyIknewwhereColiawasatthismoment！\"criedtheprince，standingup，asiftogo。
\"IcantellyouallaboutColia，\"saidtheyoungman\"Oh！no，no！\"saidLebedeff，hurriedly。
\"Coliaspentthenighthere，andthismorningwentafterhisfather，whomyouletoutofprisonbypayinghisdebts——Heavenonlyknowswhy！Yesterdaythegeneralpromisedtocomeandlodgehere，buthedidnotappear。Mostprobablyhesleptatthehotelcloseby。NodoubtColiaisthere，unlesshehasgonetoPavlofsktoseetheEpanchins。Hehadalittlemoney，andwasintendingtogothereyesterday。HemustbeeitheratthehoteloratPavlofsk。\"
\"AtPavlofsk！HeisatPavlofsk，undoubtedly！\"interruptedLebedeff……\"Butcome——letusgointothegarden——wewillhavecoffeethere……\"AndLebedeffseizedtheprince’sarm，andledhimfromtheroom。Theywentacrosstheyard，andfoundthemselvesinadelightfullittlegardenwiththetreesalreadyintheirsummerdressofgreen，thankstotheunusuallyfineweather。Lebedeffinvitedhisguesttositdownonagreenseatbeforeatableofthesamecolourfixedintheearth，andtookaseatfacinghim。Inafewminutesthecoffeeappeared，andtheprincedidnotrefuseit。ThehostkepthiseyesfixedonMuishkin，withanexpressionofpassionateservility。
\"Iknewnothingaboutyourhomebefore，\"saidtheprinceabsently，asifhewerethinkingofsomethingelse。
\"Poororphans，\"beganLebedeff，hisfaceassumingamournfulair，buthestoppedshort，fortheotherlookedathiminattentively，asifhehadalreadyforgottenhisownremark。Theywaitedafewminutesinsilence，whileLebedeffsatwithhiseyesfixedmournfullyontheyoungman’sface。
\"Well！\"saidthelatter，atlastrousinghimself。\"Ah！yes！YouknowwhyIcame，Lebedeff。Yourletterbroughtme。Speak！Tellmeallaboutit。\"
Theclerk，ratherconfused，triedtosaysomething，hesitated，begantospeak，andagainstopped。Theprincelookedathimgravely。
\"IthinkIunderstand，LukianTimofeyovitch:youwerenotsurethatIshouldcome。YoudidnotthinkIshouldstartatthefirstwordfromyou，andyoumerelywrotetorelieveyourconscience。
However，youseenowthatIhavecome，andIhavehadenoughoftrickery。Giveupserving，ortryingtoserve，twomasters。
Rogojinhasbeenherethesethreeweeks。Haveyoumanagedtosellhertohimasyoudidbefore？Tellmethetruth。\"
\"Hediscoveredeverything，themonster……himself……\"
\"Don’tabusehim；thoughIdaresayyouhavesomethingtocomplainof……\"
\"Hebeatme，hethrashedmeunmercifully！\"repliedLebedeffvehemently。\"HesetadogonmeinMoscow，abloodhound，aterriblebeastthatchasedmealldownthestreet。\"
\"Youseemtotakemeforachild，Lebedeff。Tellme，isitafactthatshelefthimwhiletheywereinMoscow？\"
\"Yes，itisafact，andthistime，letmetellyou，ontheveryeveoftheirmarriage！ItwasaquestionofminuteswhensheslippedofftoPetersburg。Shecametomedirectlyshearrived——
’Saveme，Lukian！findmesomerefuge，andsaynothingtotheprince！’Sheisafraidofyou，evenmorethansheisofhim，andinthatsheshowsherwisdom！\"AndLebedeffslilyputhisfingertohisbrowashesaidthelastwords。
\"Andnowitisyouwhohavebroughtthemtogetheragain？\"
\"Excellency，howcouldI，howcouldIpreventit？\"
\"Thatwilldo。Icanfindoutformyself。Onlytellme，whereisshenow？Athishouse？Withhim？\"
\"Ohno！Certainlynot！’Iamfree，’shesays；youknowhowsheinsistsonthatpoint。’Iamentirelyfree。’Sherepeatsitoverandoveragain。SheislivinginPetersburgskaia，withmysister-
in-law，asItoldyouinmyletter。\"
\"Sheisthereatthismoment？\"
\"Yes，unlessshehasgonetoPavlofsk:thefineweathermayhavetemptedher，perhaps，intothecountry，withDariaAlexeyevna。’I
amquitefree，’shesays。OnlyyesterdaysheboastedofherfreedomtoNicolaiArdalionovitch——abadsign，\"addedLebedeff，smiling。
\"Coliagoestoseeheroften，doeshenot？\"
\"Heisastrangeboy，thoughtless，andinclinedtobeindiscreet。\"
\"Isitlongsinceyousawher？\"
\"Igotoseehereveryday，everyday。\"
\"Thenyouwerethereyesterday？\"
\"N-no:Ihavenotbeenthesethreelastdays。\"
\"Itisapityyouhavetakentoomuchwine，LebedeffIwanttoaskyousomething……but……\"
\"Allright！allright！Iamnotdrunk，\"repliedtheclerk，preparingtolisten。
\"Tellme，howwasshewhenyoulefther？\"
\"Sheisawomanwhoisseeking……\"
\"Seeking？\"
\"Sheseemsalwaystobesearchingabout，asifshehadlostsomething。Themereideaofhercomingmarriagedisgustsher；shelooksonitasaninsult。ShecaresasmuchforHIMasforapieceoforange-peel——notmore。YetIammuchmistakenifshedoesnotlookonhimwithfearandtrembling。Sheforbidshisnametobementionedbeforeher，andtheyonlymeetwhenunavoidable。Heunderstands，wellenough！ButitmustbegonethroughSheisrestless，mocking，deceitful，violent……\"
\"Deceitfulandviolent？\"
\"Yes，violent。Icangiveyouaproofofit。AfewdaysagoshetriedtopullmyhairbecauseIsaidsomethingthatannoyedher。
ItriedtosootheherbyreadingtheApocalypsealoud。\"
\"What？\"exclaimedtheprince，thinkinghehadnotheardaright。
\"ByreadingtheApocalypse。Theladyhasarestlessimagination，he-he！Shehasalikingforconversationonserioussubjects，ofanykind；infacttheypleasehersomuch，thatitflattershertodiscussthem。NowforfifteenyearsatleastIhavestudiedtheApocalypse，andsheagreeswithmeinthinkingthatthepresentistheepochrepresentedbythethirdhorse，theblackonewhoseriderholdsameasureinhishand。Itseemstomethateverythingisruledbymeasureinourcentury；allmenareclamouringfortheirrights；’ameasureofwheatforapenny，andthreemeasuresofbarleyforapenny。’But，addedtothis，mendesirefreedomofmindandbody，apureheart，ahealthylife，andallGod’sgoodgifts。Nowbypleadingtheirrightsalone，theywillneverattainallthis，sothewhitehorse，withhisriderDeath，comesnext，andisfollowedbyHell。Wetalkedaboutthismatterwhenwemet，anditimpressedherverymuch。\"
\"Doyoubelieveallthis？\"askedMuishkin，lookingcuriouslyathiscompanion。
\"Ibothbelieveitandexplainit。Iambutapoorcreature，abeggar，anatominthescaleofhumanity。WhohastheleastrespectforLebedeff？Heisatargetforalltheworld，thebuttofanyfoolwhochoosestokickhim。ButininterpretingrevelationIamtheequalofanyone，greatashemaybe！Suchisthepowerofthemindandthespirit。Ihavemadealordlypersonagetremble，ashesatinhisarmchair……onlybytalkingtohimofthingsconcerningthespirit。Twoyearsago，onEasterEve，HisExcellencyNilAlexeyovitch，whosesubordinateI
wasthen，wishedtohearwhatIhadtosay，andsentamessagebyPeterZakkaritchtoaskmetogotohisprivateroom。’TheytellmeyouexpoundthepropheciesrelatingtoAntichrist，’saidhe，whenwewerealone。’Isthatso？’’Yes，’Iansweredunhesitatingly，andIbegantogivesomecommentsontheApostle’sallegoricalvision。Atfirsthesmiled，butwhenwereachedthenumericalcomputationsandcorrespondences，hetrembled，andturnedpale。Thenhebeggedmetoclosethebook，andsentmeaway，promisingtoputmynameontherewardlist。
ThattookplaceasIsaidontheeveofEaster，andeightdayslaterhissoulreturnedtoGod。\"
\"What？\"
\"Itisthetruth。Oneeveningafterdinnerhestumbledashesteppedoutofhiscarriage。Hefell，andstruckhisheadonthecurb，anddiedimmediately。Hewasseventy-threeyearsofage，andhadaredface，andwhitehair；hedelugedhimselfwithscent，andwasalwayssmilinglikeachild。PeterZakkaritchrecalledmyinterviewwithhim，andsaid，’YOUFORETOLDHIS
DEATH。’\"
Theprincerosefromhisseat，andLebedeff，surprisedtoseehisguestpreparingtogososoon，remarked:\"Youarenotinterested？\"inarespectfultone。
\"Iamnotverywell，andmyheadaches。Doubtlesstheeffectofthejourney，\"repliedtheprince，frowning。
\"Youshouldgointothecountry，\"saidLebedefftimidly。
Theprinceseemedtobeconsideringthesuggestion。
\"Yousee，Iamgoingintothecountrymyselfinthreedays，withmychildrenandbelongings。Thelittleoneisdelicate；sheneedschangeofair；andduringourabsencethishousewillbedoneup。
IamgoingtoPavlofsk。\"
\"YouaregoingtoPavlofsktoo？\"askedtheprincesharply。
\"Everybodyseemstobegoingthere。Haveyouahouseinthatneighbourhood？\"
\"Idon’tknowofmanypeoplegoingtoPavlofsk，andasforthehouse，IvanPtitsinhasletmeoneofhisvillasrathercheaply。
Itisapleasantplace，lyingonahillsurroundedbytrees，andonecanlivethereforameresong。Thereisgoodmusictobeheard，sonowonderitispopular。Ishallstayinthelodge。Astothevillaitself……\"
\"Haveyouletit？\"
\"N-no——notexactly。\"
\"Letittome，\"saidtheprince。
NowthiswaspreciselywhatLebedeffhadmadeuphismindtodointhelastthreeminutes。Notthathebadanydifficultyinfindingatenant；infactthehousewasoccupiedatpresentbyachancevisitor，whohadtoldLebedeffthathewouldperhapstakeitforthesummermonths。Theclerkknewverywellthatthis\"PERHAPS\"meant\"CERTAINLY，\"butashethoughthecouldmakemoreoutofatenantliketheprince，hefeltjustifiedinspeakingvaguelyaboutthepresentinhabitant’sintentions。\"Thisisquiteacoincidence，\"thoughthe，andwhenthesubjectofpricewasmentioned，hemadeagesturewithhishand，asiftowaiveawayaquestionofsolittleimportance。
\"Ohwell，asyoulike！\"saidMuishkin。\"Iwillthinkitover。Youshalllosenothing！\"
Theywerewalkingslowlyacrossthegarden。
\"Butifyou……Icould……\"stammeredLebedeff，\"if……ifyouplease，prince，tellyousomethingonthesubjectwhichwouldinterestyou，Iamsure。\"Hespokeinwheedlingtones，andwriggledashewalkedalong。
Muishkinstoppedshort。
\"DariaAlexeyevnaalsohasavillaatPavlofsk。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Acertainpersonisveryfriendlywithher，andintendstovisitherprettyoften。\"
Well？\"
\"AglayaIvanovna……\"
\"Ohstop，Lebedeff！\"interposedMuishkin，feelingasifhehadbeentouchedonanopenwound。\"That……thathasnothingtodowithme。Ishouldliketoknowwhenyouaregoingtostart。ThesoonerthebetterasfarasIamconcerned，forIamatanhotel。\"
Theyhadleftthegardennow，andwerecrossingtheyardontheirwaytothegate。
\"Well，leaveyourhotelatonceandcomehere；thenwecanallgotogethertoPavlofskthedayaftertomorrow。\"
\"Iwillthinkaboutit，\"saidtheprincedreamily，andwentoff。
Theclerkstoodlookingafterhisguest，struckbyhissuddenabsent-mindedness。Hehadnotevenrememberedtosaygoodbye，andLebedeffwasthemoresurprisedattheomission，asheknewbyexperiencehowcourteoustheprinceusuallywas。
III
Itwasnowcloseontwelveo’clock。
TheprinceknewthatifhecalledattheEpanchins’nowhewouldonlyfindthegeneral，andthatthelattermightprobablycarryhimstraightofftoPavlofskwithhim；whereastherewasonevisithewasmostanxioustomakewithoutdelay。
SoattheriskofmissingGeneralEpanchinaltogether，andthuspostponinghisvisittoPavlofskforaday，atleast，theprincedecidedtogoandlookforthehousehedesiredtofind。
Thevisithewasabouttopaywas，insomerespects，ariskyone。
Hewasintwomindsaboutit，butknowingthatthehousewasintheGorohovaya，notfarfromtheSadovaya，hedeterminedtogointhatdirection，andtotrytomakeuphismindontheway。
ArrivedatthepointwheretheGorohovayacrossestheSadovaya，hewassurprisedtofindhowexcessivelyagitatedhewas。Hehadnoideathathisheartcouldbeatsopainfully。
OnehouseintheGorohovayabegantoattracthisattentionlongbeforehereachedit，andtheprincerememberedafterwardsthathehadsaidtohimself:\"Thatisthehouse，I’msureofit。\"Hecameuptoitquitecurioustodiscoverwhetherhehadguessedright，andfeltthathewouldbedisagreeablyimpressedtofindthathehadactuallydoneso。Thehousewasalargegloomy-
lookingstructure，withouttheslightestclaimtoarchitecturalbeauty，incolouradirtygreen。Thereareafewoftheseoldhouses，builttowardstheendofthelastcentury，stillstandinginthatpartofSt。Petersburg，andshowinglittlechangefromtheiroriginalformandcolour。Theyaresolidlybuilt，andareremarkableforthethicknessoftheirwalls，andforthefewnessoftheirwindows，manyofwhicharecoveredbygratings。Ontheground-floorthereisusuallyamoney-changer’sshop，andtheownerlivesoverit。Withoutaswellaswithin，thehousesseeminhospitableandmysterious——animpressionwhichisdifficulttoexplain，unlessithassomethingtodowiththeactualarchitecturalstyle。Thesehousesarealmostexclusivelyinhabitedbythemerchantclass。
Arrivedatthegate，theprincelookedupatthelegendoverit，whichran:
\"HouseofRogojin，hereditaryandhonourablecitizen。\"
Hehesitatednolonger；butopenedtheglazeddooratthebottomoftheouterstairsandmadehiswayuptothesecondstorey。Theplacewasdarkandgloomy-looking；thewallsofthestonestaircasewerepaintedadullred。Rogojinandhismotherandbrotheroccupiedthewholeofthesecondfloor。TheservantwhoopenedthedoortoMuishkinledhim，withouttakinghisname，throughseveralroomsandupanddownmanystepsuntiltheyarrivedatadoor，whereheknocked。
ParfenRogojinopenedthedoorhimself。
Onseeingtheprincehebecamedeadlywhite，andapparentlyfixedtotheground，sothathewasmorelikeamarblestatuethanahumanbeing。Theprincehadexpectedsomesurprise，butRogojinevidentlyconsideredhisvisitanimpossibleandmiraculousevent。Hestaredwithanexpressionalmostofterror，andhislipstwistedintoabewilderedsmile。
\"Parfen！perhapsmyvisitisill-timed。I-Icangoawayagainifyoulike，\"saidMuishkinatlast，ratherembarrassed。
\"No，no；it’sallright，comein，\"saidParfen，recollectinghimself。
Theywereevidentlyonquitefamiliarterms。InMoscowtheyhadhadmanyoccasionsofmeeting；indeed，somefewofthosemeetingswerebuttoovividlyimpressedupontheirmemories。Theyhadnotmetnow，however，forthreemonths。
Thedeathlikepallor，andasortofslightconvulsionaboutthelips，hadnotleftRogojin’sface。Thoughhewelcomedhisguest，hewasstillobviouslymuchdisturbed。Asheinvitedtheprincetositdownnearthetable，thelatterhappenedtoturntowardshim，andwasstartledbythestrangeexpressiononhisface。A
painfulrecollectionflashedintohismind。Hestoodforatime，lookingstraightatRogojin，whoseeyesseemedtoblazelikefire。AtlastRogojinsmiled，thoughhestilllookedagitatedandshaken。
\"Whatareyoustaringatmelikethatfor？\"hemuttered。\"Sitdown。\"
Theprincetookachair。
\"Parfen，\"hesaid，\"tellmehonestly，didyouknowthatIwascomingtoPetersburgorno？\"
\"Oh，Isupposedyouwerecoming，\"theotherreplied，smilingsarcastically，andIwasrightinmysupposition，yousee；buthowwasItoknowthatyouwouldcomeTODAY？\"
Acertainstrangenessandimpatienceinhismannerimpressedtheprinceveryforcibly。
\"AndifyouhadknownthatIwascomingtoday，whybesoirritatedaboutit？\"heasked，inquietsurprise。
\"Whydidyouaskme？\"
\"BecausewhenIjumpedoutofthetrainthismorning，twoeyesglaredatmejustasyoursdidamomentsince。\"
\"Ha！andwhoseeyesmaytheyhavebeen？\"saidRogojin，suspiciously。Itseemedtotheprincethathewastrembling。
\"Idon’tknow；Ithoughtitwasahallucination。Ioftenhavehallucinationsnowadays。IfeeljustasIdidfiveyearsagowhenmyfitswereabouttocomeon。\"
\"Well，perhapsitwasahallucination，Idon’tknow，\"saidParfen。
Hetriedtogivetheprinceanaffectionatesmile，anditseemedtothelatterasthoughinthissmileofhissomethinghadbroken，andthathecouldnotmendit，tryashewould。
\"Shallyougoabroadagainthen？\"heasked，andsuddenlyadded，\"DoyourememberhowwecameupinthetrainfromPskofftogether？Youandyourcloakandleggings，eh？\"
AndRogojinburstoutlaughing，thistimewithunconcealedmalice，asthoughheweregladthathehadbeenabletofindanopportunityforgivingventtoit。
\"Haveyouquitetakenupyourquartershere？\"askedtheprince\"Yes，I’mathome。WhereelseshouldIgoto？\"
\"Wehaven’tmetforsometime。MeanwhileIhaveheardthingsaboutyouwhichIshouldnothavebelievedtobepossible。\"
\"Whatofthat？Peoplewillsayanything，\"saidRogojindrily。
\"Atallevents，you’vedisbandedyourtroop——andyouarelivinginyourownhouseinsteadofbeingfastandlooseabouttheplace；
that’sallverygood。Isthishouseallyours，orjointproperty？\"
\"Itismymother’s。Yougettoherapartmentsbythatpassage。\"
\"Where’syourbrother？\"
\"Intheotherwing。\"
\"Ishemarried？\"
\"Widower。Whydoyouwanttoknowallthis？\"
Theprincelookedathim，butsaidnothing。Hehadsuddenlyrelapsedintomusing，andhadprobablynotheardthequestionatall。Rogojindidnotinsistuponananswer，andtherewassilenceforafewmoments。
\"Iguessedwhichwasyourhousefromahundredyardsoff，\"saidtheprinceatlast。
\"Whyso？\"
\"Idon’tquiteknow。Yourhousehastheaspectofyourselfandallyourfamily；itbearsthestampoftheRogojinlife；butaskmewhyIthinkso，andIcantellyounothing。Itisnonsense，ofcourse。Iamnervousaboutthiskindofthingtroublingmesomuch。Ihadneverbeforeimaginedwhatsortofahouseyouwouldlivein，andyetnosoonerdidIseteyesonthisonethanIsaidtomyselfthatitmustbeyours。\"
\"Really！\"saidRogojinvaguely，nottakinginwhattheprincemeantbyhisratherobscureremarks。
Theroomtheywerenowsittinginwasalargeone，loftybutdark，wellfurnished，principallywithwriting-tablesanddeskscoveredwithpapersandbooks。AwidesofacoveredwithredmoroccoevidentlyservedRogojinforabed。Onthetablebesidewhichtheprincehadbeeninvitedtoseathimselflaysomebooks；
onecontainingamarkerwherethereaderhadleftoff，wasavolumeofSolovieff’sHistory。Someoil-paintingsinworngildedframeshungonthewalls，butitwasimpossibletomakeoutwhatsubjectstheyrepresented，soblackenedweretheybysmokeandage。One，alife-sizedportrait，attractedtheprince’sattention。Itshowedamanofaboutfifty，wearingalongriding-
coatofGermancut。Hehadtwomedalsonhisbreast；hisbeardwaswhite，shortandthin；hisfaceyellowandwrinkled，withasly，suspiciousexpressionintheeyes。
\"Thatisyourfather，isitnot？\"askedtheprince。
\"Yes，itis，\"repliedRogojinwithanunpleasantsmile，asifhehadexpectedhisguesttoaskthequestion，andthentomakesomedisagreeableremark。
\"WasheoneoftheOldBelievers？\"
\"No，hewenttochurch，buttotellthetruthhereallypreferredtheoldreligion。Thiswashisstudyandisnowmine。WhydidyouaskifhewereanOldBeliever？\"
\"Areyougoingtobemarriedhere？\"
\"Ye-yes！\"repliedRogojin，startingattheunexpectedquestion。
\"Soon？\"
\"Youknowyourselfitdoesnotdependonme。\"
\"Parfen，Iamnotyourenemy，andIdonotintendtoopposeyourintentionsinanyway。IrepeatthistoyounowjustasIsaidittoyouoncebeforeonaverysimilaroccasion。WhenyouwerearrangingforyourprojectedmarriageinMoscow，Ididnotinterferewithyou——youknowIdidnot。Thatfirsttimeshefledtomefromyou，fromtheveryaltaralmost，andbeggedmeto’saveherfromyou。’Afterwardssheranawayfrommeagain，andyoufoundherandarrangedyourmarriagewithheroncemore；andnow，Ihear，shehasrunawayfromyouandcometoPetersburg。
Isittrue？Lebedeffwrotemetothiseffect，andthat’swhyIcamehere。ThatyouhadoncemorearrangedmatterswithNastasiaPhilipovnaIonlylearnedlastnightinthetrainfromafriendofyours，Zaleshoff——ifyouwishtoknow。
\"IconfessIcameherewithanobject。IwishedtopersuadeNastasiatogoabroadforherhealth；sherequiresit。Bothmindandbodyneedachangebadly。Ididnotintendtotakeherabroadmyself。Iwasgoingtoarrangeforhertogowithoutme。NowI
tellyouhonestly，Parfen，ifitistruethatallismadeupbetweenyou，Iwillnotsomuchasseteyesuponher，andIwillneverevencometoseeyouagain。
\"YouknowquitewellthatIamtellingthetruth，becauseIhavealwaysbeenfrankwithyou。Ihaveneverconcealedmyownopinionfromyou。IhavealwaystoldyouthatIconsideramarriagebetweenyouandherwouldberuintoher。Youwouldalsoberuined，andperhapsevenmorehopelessly。Ifthismarriageweretobebrokenoffagain，IadmitIshouldbegreatlypleased；butatthesametimeIhavenottheslightestintentionoftryingtopartyou。Youmaybequiteeasyinyourmind，andyouneednotsuspectme。YouknowyourselfwhetherIwaseverreallyyourrivalornot，evenwhensheranawayandcametome。
\"There，youarelaughingatme——Iknowwhyyoulaugh。Itisperfectlytruethatwelivedapartfromoneanotherallthetime，indifferenttowns。ItoldyoubeforethatIdidnotloveherwithlove，butwithpity！Yousaidthenthatyouunderstoodme；
didyoureallyunderstandmeornot？Whathatredthereisinyoureyesatthismoment！Icametorelieveyourmind，becauseyouaredeartomealso。Iloveyouverymuch，Parfen；andnowIshallgoawayandnevercomebackagain。Goodbye。\"
Theprincerose。
\"Stayalittle，\"saidParfen，notleavinghischairandrestinghisheadonhisrighthand。\"Ihaven’tseenyouforalongtime。\"
Theprincesatdownagain。Bothweresilentforafewmoments。
\"WhenyouarenotwithmeIhateyou，LefNicolaievitch。IhaveloathedyoueverydayofthesethreemonthssinceIlastsawyou。
ByheavenIhave！\"saidRogojin。\"Icouldhavepoisonedyouatanyminute。Now，youhavebeenwithmebutaquarterofanhour，andallmymaliceseemstohavemeltedaway，andyouareasdeartomeasever。Stayherealittlelonger。\"
\"WhenIamwithyouyoutrustme；butassoonasmybackisturnedyoususpectme，\"saidtheprince，smiling，andtryingtohidehisemotion。
\"Itrustyourvoice，whenIhearyouspeak。IquiteunderstandthatyouandIcannotbeputonalevel，ofcourse。\"
\"Whydidyouaddthat？——There！Nowyouarecrossagain，\"saidtheprince，wondering。
\"Wewerenotasked，yousee。Weweremadedifferent，withdifferenttastesandfeelings，withoutbeingconsulted。Yousayyouloveherwithpity。Ihavenopityforher。Shehatesme——
that’stheplaintruthofthematter。Idreamofhereverynight，andalwaysthatsheislaughingatmewithanotherman。Andsoshedoeslaughatme。Shethinksnomoreofmarryingmethanifshewerechanginghershoe。Wouldyoubelieveit，Ihaven’tseenherforfivedays，andIdaren’tgonearher。SheasksmewhatI
comefor，asifshewerenotcontentwithhavingdisgracedme——\"
\"Disgracedyou！How？\"
\"Justasthoughyoudidn’tknow！Why，sheranawayfromme，andwenttoyou。Youadmittedityourself，justnow。\"
\"Butsurelyyoudonotbelievethatshe……\"
\"ThatshedidnotdisgracemeatMoscowwiththatofficer。
Zemtuznikoff？Iknowforcertainshedid，afterhavingfixedourmarriage-dayherself！\"
\"Impossible！\"criedtheprince。
\"Iknowitforafact，\"repliedRogojin，withconviction。
\"Itisnotlikeher，yousay？Myfriend，that’sabsurd。Perhapssuchanactwouldhorrifyher，ifshewerewithyou，butitisquitedifferentwhereIamconcerned。Shelooksonmeasvermin。
HeraffairwithKellerwassimplytomakealaughing-stockofme。
Youdon’tknowwhatafoolshemadeofmeinMoscow；andthemoneyIspentoverher！Themoney！themoney！\"
\"Andyoucanmarryhernow，Parfen！Whatwillcomeofitall？\"
saidtheprince，withdreadinhisvoice。
Rogojingazedbackgloomily，andwithaterribleexpressioninhiseyes，butsaidnothing。
\"Ihaven’tbeentoseeherforfivedays，\"herepeated，afteraslightpause。\"I’mafraidofbeingturnedout。Shesaysshe’sstillherownmistress，andmayturnmeoffaltogether，andgoabroad。Shetoldmethisherself，\"hesaid，withapeculiarglanceatMuishkin。\"Ithinksheoftendoesitmerelytofrightenme。Sheisalwayslaughingatme，forsomereasonorother；butatothertimesshe’sangry，andwon’tsayaword，andthat’swhatI’mafraidof。Itookherashawloneday，thelikeofwhichshemightneverhaveseen，althoughshedidliveinluxuryandshegaveitawaytohermaid，Katia。SometimeswhenIcankeepawaynolonger，Istealpastthehouseonthesly，andonceIwatchedatthegatetilldawn——Ithoughtsomethingwasgoingon——andshesawmefromthewindow。SheaskedmewhatIshoulddoifIfoundshehaddeceivedme。Isaid，’Youknowwellenough。’\"
\"Whatdidsheknow？\"criedtheprince。
\"HowwasItotell？\"repliedRogojin，withanangrylaugh。\"IdidmybesttocatchhertrippinginMoscow，butdidnotsucceed。
However，Icaughtholdofheroneday，andsaid:’Youareengagedtobemarriedintoarespectablefamily，anddoyouknowwhatsortofawomanyouare？THAT’Sthesortofwomanyouare，’I
said。\"
\"Youtoldherthat？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well，goon。\"
\"Shesaid，’Iwouldn’tevenhaveyouforafootmannow，muchlessforahusband。’’Ishan’tleavethehouse，’Isaid，’soitdoesn’tmatter。’’ThenIshallcallsomebodyandhaveyoukickedout，’shecried。SothenIrushedather，andbeathertillshewasbruisedallover。\"
\"Impossible！\"criedtheprince，aghast。
\"Itellyouit’strue，\"saidRogojinquietly，butwitheyesablazewithpassion。
\"ThenforadayandahalfIneitherslept，norate，nordrank，andwouldnotleaveher。Ikneltatherfeet:’Ishalldiehere，’
Isaid，’ifyoudon’tforgiveme；andifyouhavemeturnedout，Ishalldrownmyself；because，whatshouldIbewithoutyounow？’
Shewaslikeamadwomanallthatday；nowshewouldcry；nowshewouldthreatenmewithaknife；nowshewouldabuseme。ShecalledinZaleshoffandKeller，andshowedmetothem，shamedmeintheirpresence。’Let’sallgotothetheatre，’shesays，’andleavehimhereifhewon’tgo——it’snotmybusiness。They’llgiveyousometea，ParfenSemeonovitch，whileIamaway，foryoumustbehungry。’Shecamebackfromthetheatrealone。’Thosecowardswouldn’tcome，’shesaid。’Theyareafraidofyou，andtriedtofrightenme，too。\"Hewon’tgoawayashecame，\"theysaid，\"he’llcutyourthroat——seeifhedoesn’t。\"Now，Ishallgotomybedroom，andIshallnotevenlockmydoor，justtoshowyouhowmuchIamafraidofyou。Youmustbeshownthatonceforall。Didyouhavetea？’’No，’Isaid，’andIdon’tintendto。’’Ha，ha！
youareplayingoffyourprideagainstyourstomach！Thatsortofheroismdoesn’tsitwellonyou，’shesaid。
\"Withthatshedidasshehadsaidshewould；shewenttobed，anddidnotlockherdoor。Inthemorningshecameout。’Areyouquitemad？’shesaid，sharply。’Why，you’lldieofhungerlikethis。’’Forgiveme，’Isaid。’No，Iwon’t，andIwon’tmarryyou。
I’vesaidit。Surelyyouhaven’tsatinthischairallnightwithoutsleeping？’’Ididn’tsleep，’Isaid。’H’m！howsensibleofyou。Andareyougoingtohavenobreakfastordinnertoday？’
’ItoldyouIwouldn’t。Forgiveme！’’You’venoideahowunbecomingthissortofthingistoyou，’shesaid，’it’slikeputtingasaddleonacow’sback。Doyouthinkyouarefrighteningme？Myword，whatadreadfulthingthatyoushouldsithereandeatnofood！HowterriblyfrightenedIam！’Shewasn’tangrylong，anddidn’tseemtoremembermyoffenceatall。
Iwassurprised，forsheisavindictive，resentfulwoman——butthenIthoughtthatperhapsshedespisedmetoomuchtofeelanyresentmentagainstme。Andthat’sthetruth。
\"Shecameuptomeandsaid，’DoyouknowwhothePopeofRomeis？’’I’veheardofhim，’Isaid。’Isupposeyou’vereadtheUniversalHistory，ParfenSemeonovitch，haven’tyou？’sheasked。
’I’velearnednothingatall，’Isaid。’ThenI’lllendittoyoutoread。YoumustknowtherewasaRomanPopeonce，andhewasveryangrywithacertainEmperor；sotheEmperorcameandneitheratenordrank，butkneltbeforethePope’spalacetillheshouldbeforgiven。AndwhatsortofvowsdoyouthinkthatEmperorwasmakingduringallthosedaysonhisknees？Stop，I’llreadittoyou！’Thenshereadmealotofverses，whereitsaidthattheEmperorspentallthetimevowingvengeanceagainstthePope。’Youdon’tmeantosayyoudon’tapproveofthepoem，ParfenSemeonovitch，’shesays。’Allyouhavereadoutisperfectlytrue，’sayI。’Aha！’saysshe，’youadmitit’strue，doyou？AndyouaremakingvowstoyourselfthatifImarryyou，youwillremindmeofallthis，andtakeitoutofme。’’Idon’tknow，’I
say，’perhapsIwasthinkinglikethat，andperhapsIwasnot。
I’mnotthinkingofanythingjustnow。’’Whatareyourthoughts，then？’’I’mthinkingthatwhenyourisefromyourchairandgopastme，Iwatchyou，andfollowyouwithmyeyes；ifyourdressdoesbutrustle，myheartsinks；ifyouleavetheroom，Iremembereverylittlewordandaction，andwhatyourvoicesoundedlike，andwhatyousaid。Ithoughtofnothingalllastnight，butsatherelisteningtoyoursleepingbreath，andheardyoumovealittle，twice。’’Andasforyourattackuponme，’shesays，’IsupposeyouneveroncethoughtofTHAT？’’PerhapsIdidthinkofit，andperhapsnot，’Isay。AndwhatifIdon’teitherforgiveyouormarry，you’’ItellyouIshallgoanddrownmyself。’’H’m！’shesaid，andthenrelapsedintosilence。Thenshegotangry，andwentout。’Isupposeyou’dmurdermebeforeyoudrownedyourself，though！’shecriedasshelefttheroom。
\"Anhourlater，shecametomeagain，lookingmelancholy。’Iwillmarryyou，ParfenSemeonovitch，’shesays，notbecauseI’mfrightenedofyou，butbecauseit’sallthesametomehowIruinmyself。AndhowcanIdoitbetter？Sitdown；they’llbringyousomedinnerdirectly。AndifIdomarryyou，I’llbeafaithfulwifetoyou——youneednotdoubtthat。’Thenshethoughtabit，andsaid，’Atallevents，youarenotaflunkey；atfirst，I
thoughtyouwerenobetterthanaflunkey。’Andshearrangedtheweddingandfixedthedaystraightawayonthespot。
\"Then，inanotherweek，shehadrunawayagain，andcameheretoLebedeff’s；andwhenIfoundherhere，shesaidtome，’I’mnotgoingtorenounceyoualtogether，butIwishtoputofftheweddingabitlongeryet——justaslongasIlike——forIamstillmyownmistress；soyoumaywait，ifyoulike。’That’showthematterstandsbetweenusnow。Whatdoyouthinkofallthis，LefNicolaievitch？\"
\"’Whatdoyouthinkofityourself？\"repliedtheprince，lookingsadlyatRogojin。
\"AsifIcanthinkanythingaboutit！I——\"Hewasabouttosaymore，butstoppedindespair。
Theprinceroseagain，asifhewouldleave。
\"Atallevents，Ishallnotinterferewithyou！\"hemurmured，asthoughmakinganswertosomesecretthoughtofhisown。
\"I’lltellyouwhat！\"criedRogojin，andhiseyesflashedfire。
\"Ican’tunderstandyouryieldinghertomelikethis；Idon’tunderstandit。Haveyougivenuplovingheraltogether？Atfirstyousufferedbadly——Iknowit——Isawit。Besides，whydidyoucomepost-hasteafterus？Outofpity，eh？He，he，he！\"Hismouthcurvedinamockingsmile。
\"DoyouthinkIamdeceivingyou？\"askedtheprince。
\"No！Itrustyou——butIcan’tunderstand。Itseemstomethatyourpityisgreaterthanmylove。\"Ahungrylongingtospeakhismindoutseemedtoflashintheman’seyes，combinedwithanintenseanger。
\"Yourloveismingledwithhatred，andtherefore，whenyourlovepasses，therewillbethegreatermisery，\"saidtheprince。\"I
tellyouthis，Parfen——\"
\"What！thatI’llcutherthroat，youmean？\"
Theprinceshuddered。
\"You’llhateherafterwardsforallyourpresentlove，andforallthetormentyouaresufferingonheraccountnow。Whatseemstomethemostextraordinarythingis，thatshecanagainconsenttomarryyou，afterallthathaspassedbetweenyou。WhenIheardthenewsyesterday，Icouldhardlybringmyselftobelieveit。
Why，shehasruntwicefromyou，fromtheveryaltarrails，asitwere。Shemusthavesomepresentimentofevil。Whatcanshewantwithyounow？Yourmoney？Nonsense！Besides，Ishouldthinkyoumusthavemadeafairlylargeholeinyourfortunealready。
Surelyitisnotbecausesheissoveryanxioustofindahusband？Shecouldfindmanyaonebesidesyourself。Anyonewouldbebetterthanyou，becauseyouwillmurderher，andIfeelsureshemustknowthatbuttoowellbynow。Isitbecauseyoulovehersopassionately？Indeed，thatmaybeit。Ihaveheardthattherearewomenwhowantjustthatkindoflove……butstill……\"
Theprincepaused，reflectively。
\"Whatareyougrinningatmyfather’sportraitagainfor？\"askedRogojin，suddenly。Hewascarefullyobservingeverychangeintheexpressionoftheprince’sface。
\"Ismiledbecausetheideacameintomyheadthatifitwerenotforthisunhappypassionofyoursyoumighthave，andwouldhave，becomejustsuchamanasyourfather，andthatveryquickly，too。You’dhavesettleddowninthishouseofyourswithsomesilentandobedientwife。Youwouldhavespokenrarely，trustednoone，heedednoone，andthoughtofnothingbutmakingmoney。\"
\"Laughaway！Shesaidexactlythesame，almostwordforword，whenshesawmyfather’sportrait。It’sremarkablehowentirelyyouandsheareatonenow-a-days。\"
\"What，hasshebeenhere？\"askedtheprincewithcuriosity。
\"Yes！Shelookedlongattheportraitandaskedallaboutmyfather。’You’dbejustsuchanother，’shesaidatlast，andlaughed。’Youhavesuchstrongpassions，Parfen，’shesaid，’thatthey’dhavetakenyoutoSiberiainnotimeifyouhadnot，luckily，intelligenceaswell。Foryouhaveagooddealofintelligence。’(Shesaidthis——believeitornot。ThefirsttimeIeverheardanythingofthatsortfromher。)’You’dsoonhavethrownupallthisrowdyismthatyouindulgeinnow，andyou’dhavesettleddowntoquiet，steadymoney-making，becauseyouhavelittleeducation；andhereyou’dhavestayedjustlikeyourfatherbeforeyou。Andyou’dhavelovedyourmoneysothatyou’damassnottwomillion，likehim，buttenmillion；andyou’dhavediedofhungeronyourmoneybagstofinishupwith，foryoucarryeverythingtoextremes。’There，that’sexactlywordforwordasshesaidittome。Shenevertalkedtomelikethatbefore。Shealwaystalksnonsenseandlaughswhenshe’swithme。
Wewentalloverthisoldhousetogether。’Ishallchangeallthis，’Isaid，’orelseI’llbuyanewhouseforthewedding。’
’No，no！’shesaid，’don’ttouchanything；leaveitallasitis；
IshalllivewithyourmotherwhenImarryyou。’
\"Itookhertoseemymother，andshewasasrespectfulandkindasthoughshewereherowndaughter。Motherhasbeenalmostdementedeversincefatherdied——she’sanoldwoman。Shesitsandbowsfromherchairtoeveryoneshesees。Ifyouleftheraloneanddidn’tfeedherforthreedays，Idon’tbelieveshewouldnoticeit。Well，Itookherhand，andIsaid，’Giveyourblessingtothislady，mother，she’sgoingtobemywife。’SoNastasiakissedmother’shandwithgreatfeeling。’Shemusthavesufferedterribly，hasn’tshe？’shesaid。Shesawthisbookherelyingbeforeme。’What！haveyoubeguntoreadRussianhistory？’sheasked。ShetoldmeonceinMoscow，youknow，thatIhadbettergetSolovieff’sRussianHistoryandreadit，becauseIknewnothing。’That’sgood，’shesaid，’yougoonlikethat，readingbooks。I’llmakeyoualistmyselfofthebooksyououghttoreadfirst——shallI？’Shehadneveroncespokentomelikethisbefore；itwasthefirsttimeIfeltIcouldbreathebeforeherlikealivingcreature。\"
\"I’mvery，verygladtohearofthis，Parfen，\"saidtheprince，withrealfeeling。\"Whoknows？MaybeGodwillyetbringyouneartooneanother。\"
\"Never，never！\"criedRogojin，excitedly。
\"Lookhere，Parfen；ifyoulovehersomuch，surelyyoumustbeanxioustoearnherrespect？Andifyoudosowish，surelyyoumayhopeto？IsaidjustnowthatIconsidereditextraordinarythatshecouldstillbereadytomarryyou。Well，thoughIcannotyetunderstandit，Ifeelsureshemusthavesomegoodreason，orshewouldn’tdoit。Sheissureofyourlove；butbesidesthat，shemustattributeSOMETHINGelsetoyou——somegoodqualities，otherwisethethingwouldnotbe。Whatyouhavejustsaidconfirmsmywords。Yousayyourselfthatshefounditpossibletospeaktoyouquitedifferentlyfromherusualmanner。Youaresuspicious，youknow，andjealous，thereforewhenanythingannoyinghappenstoyou，youexaggerateitssignificance。Ofcourse，ofcourse，shedoesnotthinksoillofyouasyousay。
Why，ifshedid，shewouldsimplybewalkingtodeathbydrowningorbytheknife，withhereyeswideopen，whenshemarriedyou。
Itisimpossible！Asifanybodywouldgototheirdeathdeliberately！\"
Rogojinlistenedtotheprince’sexcitedwordswithabittersmile。Hisconvictionwas，apparently，unalterable。
\"Howdreadfullyyoulookatme，Parfen！\"saidtheprince，withafeelingofdread。
\"Waterortheknife？\"saidthelatter，atlast。\"Ha，ha——that’sexactlywhysheisgoingtomarryme，becausesheknowsforcertainthattheknifeawaitsher。Prince，canitbethatyoudon’tevenyetseewhat’sattherootofitall？\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyou。\"
\"Perhapshereallydoesn’tunderstandme！Theydosaythatyouarea——youknowwhat！Shelovesanother——there，youcanunderstandthatmuch！JustasIloveher，exactlysoshelovesanotherman。Andthatothermanis——doyouknowwho？It’syou。
There——youdidn’tknowthat，eh？\"
\"I？\"
\"You，you！Shehaslovedyoueversincethatday，herbirthday！
Onlyshethinksshecannotmarryyou，becauseitwouldbetheruinofyou。’EverybodyknowswhatsortofawomanIam，’shesays。Shetoldmeallthisherself，tomyveryface！She’safraidofdisgracingandruiningyou，shesays，butitdoesn’tmatteraboutme。Shecanmarrymeallright！Noticehowmuchconsiderationsheshowsforme！\"
\"Butwhydidsherunawaytome，andthenagainfrommeto——\"
\"Fromyoutome？Ha，ha！that’snothing！Why，shealwaysactsasthoughshewereinadeliriumnow-a-days！Eithershesays，’Comeon，I’llmarryyou！Let’shavetheweddingquickly！’andfixestheday，andseemsinahurryforit，andwhenitbeginstocomenearshefeelsfrightened；orelsesomeotherideagetsintoherhead——goodnessknows！you’veseenher——youknowhowshegoeson——
laughingandcryingandraving！There’snothingextraordinaryaboutherhavingrunawayfromyou！Sheranawaybecauseshefoundouthowdearlyshelovedyou。Shecouldnotbeartobenearyou。YousaidjustnowthatIhadfoundheratMoscow，whensheranawayfromyou。Ididn’tdoanythingofthesort；shecametomeherself，straightfromyou。’Nametheday——I’mready！’shesaid。’Let’shavesomechampagne，andgoandhearthegipsiessing！’Itellyoushe’dhavethrownherselfintothewaterlongagoifitwerenotforme！Shedoesn’tdoitbecauseIam，perhaps，evenmoredreadfultoherthanthewater！She’smarryingmeoutofspite；ifshemarriesme，Itellyou，itwillbeforspite！\"
\"Buthowdoyou，howcanyou——\"begantheprince，gazingwithdreadandhorroratRogojin。
\"Whydon’tyoufinishyoursentence？ShallItellyouwhatyouwerethinkingtoyourselfjustthen？Youwerethinking，’Howcanshemarryhimafterthis？Howcanitpossiblybepermitted？’Oh，Iknowwhatyouwerethinkingabout！\"
\"Ididn’tcomehereforthatpurpose，Parfen。Thatwasnotinmymind——\"
\"Thatmaybe！Perhapsyoudidn’tCOMEwiththeidea，buttheideaiscertainlythereNOW！Ha，ha！well，that’senough！Whatareyouupsetabout？Didn’tyoureallyknowitallbefore？Youastonishme！\"
\"Allthisismerejealousy——itissomemaladyofyours，Parfen！
Youexaggerateeverything，\"saidtheprince，excessivelyagitated。\"Whatareyoudoing？\"
\"Letgoofit！\"saidParfen，seizingfromtheprince’shandaknifewhichthelatterhadatthatmomenttakenupfromthetable，whereitlaybesidethehistory。Parfenreplaceditwhereithadbeen。
\"Iseemedtoknowit——Ifeltit，whenIwascomingbacktoPetersburg，\"continuedtheprince，\"Ididnotwanttocome，I
wishedtoforgetallthis，touprootitfrommymemoryaltogether！Well，good-bye——whatisthematter？\"
Hehadabsentlytakenuptheknifeasecondtime，andagainRogojinsnatcheditfromhishand，andthrewitdownonthetable。Itwasaplainlookingknife，withabonehandle，abladeabouteightincheslong，andbroadinproportion，itdidnotclasp。
Seeingthattheprincewasconsiderablystruckbythefactthathehadtwiceseizedthisknifeoutofhishand，Rogojincaughtitupwithsomeirritation，putitinsidethebook，andthrewthelatteracrosstoanothertable。
\"Doyoucutyourpageswithit，orwhat？\"askedMuishkin，stillratherabsently，asthoughunabletothrowoffadeeppreoccupationintowhichtheconversationhadthrownhim。
\"Yes。\"
\"It’sagardenknife，isn’tit？\"
\"Yes。Can’tonecutpageswithagardenknife？\"
\"It’squitenew。\"
\"Well，whatofthat？Can’tIbuyanewknifeifIlike？\"shoutedRogojinfuriously，hisirritationgrowingwitheveryword。
Theprinceshuddered，andgazedfixedlyatParfen。Suddenlyheburstoutlaughing。
\"Why，whatanidea！\"hesaid。\"Ididn’tmeantoaskyouanyofthesequestions；Iwasthinkingofsomethingquitedifferent！Butmyheadisheavy，andIseemsoabsent-mindednowadays！Well，good-bye——Ican’trememberwhatIwantedtosay——good-bye！\"
\"Notthatway，\"saidRogojin。
\"There，I’veforgottenthattoo！\"
\"Thisway——comealong——I’llshowyou。\"
IV。
THEYpassedthroughthesameroomswhichtheprincehadtraversedonhisarrival。Inthelargesttherewerepicturesonthewalls，portraitsandlandscapesoflittleinterest。Overthedoor，however，therewasoneofstrangeandratherstrikingshape；itwassixorsevenfeetinlength，andnotmorethanafootinheight。ItrepresentedtheSaviourjusttakenfromthecross。
Theprinceglancedatit，buttooknofurthernotice。Hemovedonhastily，asthoughanxioustogetoutofthehouse。ButRogojinsuddenlystoppedunderneaththepicture。
\"Myfatherpickedupallthesepicturesverycheapatauctions，andsoon，\"hesaid；\"theyareallrubbish，excepttheoneoverthedoor，andthatisvaluable。Amanofferedfivehundredroublesforitlastweek。\"
\"Yes——that’sacopyofaHolbein，\"saidtheprince，lookingatitagain，\"andagoodcopy，too，sofarasIamabletojudge。Isawthepictureabroad，andcouldnotforgetit——what’sthematter？\"
Rogojinhaddroppedthesubjectofthepictureandwalkedon。Ofcoursehisstrangeframeofmindwassufficienttoaccountforhisconduct；but，still，itseemedqueertotheprincethatheshouldsoabruptlydropaconversationcommencedbyhimself。
Rogojindidnottakeanynoticeofhisquestion。
\"LefNicolaievitch，\"saidRogojin，afterapause，duringwhichthetwowalkedalongalittlefurther，\"Ihavelongwishedtoaskyou，doyoubelieveinGod？\"
\"Howstrangelyyouspeak，andhowoddyoulook！\"saidtheother，involuntarily。
\"Ilikelookingatthatpicture，\"mutteredRogojin，notnoticing，apparently，thattheprincehadnotansweredhisquestion。
\"Thatpicture！Thatpicture！\"criedMuishkin，struckbyasuddenidea。\"Why，aman’sfaithmightberuinedbylookingatthatpicture！\"
\"Soitis！\"saidRogojin，unexpectedly。Theyhadnowreachedthefrontdoor。
Theprincestopped。
\"How？\"hesaid。\"Whatdoyoumean？Iwashalfjoking，andyoutookmeupquiteseriously！WhydoyouaskmewhetherIbelieveinGod\"Oh，noparticularreason。Imeanttoaskyoubefore——manypeopleareunbelieversnowadays，especiallyRussians，Ihavebeentold。
Yououghttoknow——you’velivedabroad。\"
Rogojinlaughedbitterlyashesaidthesewords，andopeningthedoor，helditfortheprincetopassout。Muishkinlookedsurprised，butwentout。Theotherfollowedhimasfarasthelandingoftheouterstairs，andshutthedoorbehindhim。Theybothnowstoodfacingoneanother，asthoughobliviousofwheretheywere，orwhattheyhadtodonext。
\"Well，good-bye！\"saidtheprince，holdingouthishand。
\"Good-bye，\"saidRogojin，pressingithard，butquitemechanically。
Theprincemadeonestepforward，andthenturnedround。
\"Astofaith，\"hesaid，smiling，andevidentlyunwillingtoleaveRogojininthisstate——\"astofaith，Ihadfourcuriousconversationsintwodays，aweekorsoago。OnemorningImetamaninthetrain，andmadeacquaintancewithhimatonce。Ihadoftenheardofhimasaverylearnedman，butanatheist；andI
wasverygladoftheopportunityofconversingwithsoeminentandcleveraperson。Hedoesn’tbelieveinGod，andhetalkedagooddealaboutit，butallthewhileitappearedtomethathewasspeakingOUTSIDETHESUBJECT。Andithasalwaysstruckme，bothinspeakingtosuchmenandinreadingtheirbooks，thattheydonotseemreallytobetouchingonthatatall，thoughonthesurfacetheymayappeartodoso。Itoldhimthis，butIdaresayIdidnotclearlyexpresswhatImeant，forhecouldnotunderstandme。
\"ThatsameeveningIstoppedatasmallprovincialhotel，anditsohappenedthatadreadfulmurderhadbeencommittedtherethenightbefore，andeverybodywastalkingaboutit。Twopeasants——
elderlymenandoldfriends——hadhadteatogethertherethenightbefore，andweretooccupythesamebedroom。Theywerenotdrunkbutoneofthemhadnoticedforthefirsttimethathisfriendpossessedasilverwatchwhichhewaswearingonachain。Hewasbynomeansathief，andwas，aspeasantsgo，arichman；butthiswatchsofascinatedhimthathecouldnotrestrainhimself。
Hetookaknife，andwhenhisfriendturnedhisback，hecameupsoftlybehind，raisedhiseyestoheaven，crossedhimself，andsayingearnestly——’Godforgiveme，forChrist’ssake！’hecuthisfriend’sthroatlikeasheep，andtookthewatch。\"
Rogojinroaredwithlaughter。Helaughedasthoughhewereinasortoffit。Itwasstrangetoseehimlaughingsoafterthesombremoodhehadbeeninjustbefore。
\"Oh，Ilikethat！Thatbeatsanything！\"hecriedconvulsively，pantingforbreath。\"Oneisanabsoluteunbeliever；theotherissuchathorough——goingbelieverthathemurdershisfriendtothetuneofaprayer！Oh，prince，prince，that’stoogoodforanything！Youcan’thaveinventedit。It’sthebestthingI’veheard！\"
\"NextmorningIwentoutforastrollthroughthetown，\"
continuedtheprince，sosoonasRogojinwasalittlequieter，thoughhislaughterstillburstoutatintervals，\"andsoonobservedadrunken-lookingsoldierstaggeringaboutthepavement。
Hecameuptomeandsaid，’Buymysilvercross，sir！Youshallhaveitforfourpence——it’srealsilver。’Ilooked，andthereheheldacross，justtakenoffhisownneck，evidently，alargetinone，madeaftertheByzantinepattern。Ifishedoutfourpence，andputhiscrossonmyownneck，andIcouldseebyhisfacethathewasaspleasedashecouldbeatthethoughtthathehadsucceededincheatingafoolishgentleman，andawayhewenttodrinkthevalueofhiscross。AtthattimeeverythingthatIsawmadeatremendousimpressionuponme。IhadunderstoodnothingaboutRussiabefore，andhadonlyvagueandfantasticmemoriesofit。SoIthought，’IwillwaitawhilebeforeIcondemnthisJudas。OnlyGodknowswhatmaybehiddenintheheartsofdrunkards。’
\"Well，Iwenthomewards，andnearthehotelIcameacrossapoorwoman，carryingachild——ababyofsomesixweeksold。Themotherwasquiteagirlherself。Thebabywassmilingupather，forthefirsttimeinitslife，justatthatmoment；andwhileIwatchedthewomanshesuddenlycrossedherself，oh，sodevoutly！’Whatisit，mygoodwomanIaskedher。(Iwasneverbutaskingquestionsthen！)Exactlyasisamother’sjoywhenherbabysmilesforthefirsttimeintohereyes，soisGod’sjoywhenoneofHischildrenturnsandpraystoHimforthefirsttime，withallhisheart！’Thisiswhatthatpoorwomansaidtome，almostwordforword；andsuchadeep，refined，trulyreligiousthoughtitwas——athoughtinwhichthewholeessenceofChristianitywasexpressedinoneflash——thatis，therecognitionofGodasourFather，andofGod’sjoyinmenasHisownchildren，whichisthechiefideaofChrist。Shewasasimplecountry-woman——amother，it’strue——
andperhaps，whoknows，shemayhavebeenthewifeofthedrunkensoldier！
\"Listen，Parfen；youputaquestiontomejustnow。Thisismyreply。Theessenceofreligiousfeelinghasnothingtodowithreason，oratheism，orcrime，oractsofanykind——ithasnothingtodowiththesethings——andneverhad。Thereissomethingbesidesallthis，somethingwhichtheargumentsoftheatheistscannevertouch。Buttheprincipalthing，andtheconclusionofmyargument，isthatthisismostclearlyseenintheheartofaRussian。ThisisaconvictionwhichIhavegainedwhileIhavebeeninthisRussiaofours。Yes，Parfen！thereisworktobedone；thereisworktobedoneinthisRussianworld！RememberwhattalksweusedtohaveinMoscow！AndIneverwishedtocomehereatall；andIneverthoughttomeetyoulikethis，Parfen！
Well，well——good-bye——good-bye！Godbewithyou！\"
Heturnedandwentdownstairs。
\"LefNicolaievitch！\"criedParfen，beforehehadreachedthenextlanding。\"Haveyougotthatcrossyouboughtfromthesoldierwithyou？\"
\"Yes，Ihave，\"andtheprincestoppedagain。
\"Showitme，willyou？\"
Anewfancy！Theprincereflected，andthenmountedthestairsoncemore。Hepulledoutthecrosswithouttakingitoffhisneck。
\"Giveittome，\"saidParfen。
\"Why？doyou——\"
Theprincewouldratherhavekeptthisparticularcross。
\"I’llwearit；andyoushallhavemine。I’lltakeitoffatonce。\"
\"Youwishtoexchangecrosses？Verywell，Parfen，ifthat’sthecase，I’mgladenough——thatmakesusbrothers，youknow。\"
Theprincetookoffhistincross，Parfenhisgoldone，andtheexchangewasmade。
Parfenwassilent。Withsadsurprisetheprinceobservedthatthelookofdistrust，thebitter，ironicalsmile，hadstillnotaltogetherlefthisnewly-adoptedbrother’sface。Atmoments，atallevents，itshoweditselfbuttooplainly，AtlastRogojintooktheprince’shand，andstoodsoforsomemoments，asthoughhecouldnotmakeuphismind。Thenhedrewhimalong，murmuringalmostinaudibly，\"Come！\"
Theystoppedonthelanding，andrangthebellatadooroppositetoParfen’sownlodging。
AnoldwomanopenedtothemandbowedlowtoParfen，whoaskedhersomequestionshurriedly，butdidnotwaittohearheranswer。Heledtheprinceonthroughseveraldark，cold-lookingrooms，spotlesslyclean，withwhitecoversoverallthefurniture。
Withouttheceremonyofknocking，Parfenenteredasmallapartment，furnishedlikeadrawing-room，butwithapolishedmahoganypartitiondividingonehalfofitfromwhatwasprobablyabedroom。Inonecornerofthisroomsatanoldwomaninanarm-
chair，closetothestove。Shedidnotlookveryold，andherfacewasapleasant，roundone；butshewaswhite-hairedand，asonecoulddetectatthefirstglance，quiteinhersecondchildhood。Sheworeablackwoollendress，withablackhandkerchiefroundherneckandshoulders，andawhitecapwithblackribbons。Herfeetwereraisedonafootstool。Besidehersatanotheroldwoman，alsodressedinmourning，andsilentlyknittingastocking；thiswasevidentlyacompanion。Theybothlookedasthoughtheyneverbrokethesilence。Thefirstoldwoman，sosoonasshesawRogojinandtheprince，smiledandbowedcourteouslyseveraltimes，intokenofhergratificationattheirvisit。
\"Mother，\"saidRogojin，kissingherhand，\"hereismygreatfriend，PrinceMuishkin；wehaveexchangedcrosses；hewaslikearealbrothertomeatMoscowatonetime，anddidagreatdealforme。Blesshim，mother，asyouwouldblessyourownson。Waitamoment，letmearrangeyourhandsforyou。\"
Buttheoldlady，beforeParfenhadtimetotouchher，raisedherrighthand，and，withthreefingersheldup，devoutlymadethesignofthecrossthreetimesovertheprince。Shethennoddedherheadkindlyathimoncemore。
\"There，comealong，LefNicolaievitch；that’sallIbroughtyouherefor，\"saidRogojin。
Whentheyreachedthestairsagainheadded:
\"SheunderstoodnothingofwhatIsaidtoher，anddidnotknowwhatIwantedhertodo，andyetsheblessedyou；thatshowsshewishedtodosoherself。Well，goodbye；it’stimeyouwent，andI
mustgotoo。\"
Heopenedhisowndoor。
\"Well，letmeatleastembraceyouandsaygoodbye，youstrangefellow！\"criedtheprince，lookingwithgentlereproachatRogojin，andadvancingtowardshim。Butthelatterhadhardlyraisedhisarmswhenhedroppedthemagain。Hecouldnotmakeuphismindtoit；heturnedawayfromtheprinceinordertoavoidlookingathim。Hecouldnotembracehim。
\"Don’tbeafraid，\"hemuttered，indistinctly，\"thoughIhavetakenyourcross，Ishallnotmurderyouforyourwatch。\"Sosaying，helaughedsuddenly，andstrangely。Theninamomenthisfacebecametransfigured；hegrewdeadlywhite，hislipstrembled，hisevesburnedlikefire。Hestretchedouthisarmsandheldtheprincetightlytohim，andsaidinastrangledvoice:
\"Well，takeher！It’sFate！She’syours。Isurrenderher……
RememberRogojin！\"Andpushingtheprincefromhim，withoutlookingbackathim，hehurriedlyenteredhisownflat，andbangedthedoor。
