V。
ITwaslatenow，nearlyhalf-pasttwo，andtheprincedidnotfindGeneralEpanchinathome。Heleftacard，anddeterminedtolookupColia，whohadaroomatasmallhotelnear。Coliawasnotin，buthewasinformedthathemightbebackshortly，andhadleftwordthatifhewerenotinbyhalf-pastthreeitwastobeunderstoodthathehadgonetoPavlofsktoGeneralEpanchin’s，andwoulddinethere。Theprincedecidedtowaittillhalf-pastthree，andorderedsomedinner。Athalf-pastthreetherewasnosignofColia。Theprincewaiteduntilfouro’clock，andthenstrolledoffmechanicallywhereverhisfeetshouldcarryhim。
InearlysummerthereareoftenmagnificentdaysinSt。
Petersburg——bright，hotandstill。Thishappenedtobesuchaday。
Forsometimetheprincewanderedaboutwithoutaimorobject。Hedidnotknowthetownwell。Hestoppedtolookabouthimonbridges，atstreetcorners。Heenteredaconfectioner’sshoptorest，once。Hewasinastateofnervousexcitementandperturbation；henoticednothingandnoone；andhefeltacravingforsolitude，tobealonewithhisthoughtsandhisemotions，andtogivehimselfuptothempassively。Heloathedtheideaoftryingtoanswerthequestionsthatwouldriseupinhisheartandmind。\"Iamnottoblameforallthis，\"hethoughttohimself，halfunconsciously。
Towardssixo’clockhefoundhimselfatthestationoftheTsarsko-Selskirailway。
Hewastiredofsolitudenow；anewrushoffeelingtookholdofhim，andafloodoflightchasedawaythegloom，foramoment，fromhissoul。HetookatickettoPavlofsk，anddeterminedtogetthereasfastashecould，butsomethingstoppedhim；areality，andnotafantasy，ashewasinclinedtothinkit。Hewasabouttotakehisplaceinacarriage，whenhesuddenlythrewawayhisticketandcameoutagain，disturbedandthoughtful。A
fewmomentslater，inthestreet，herecalledsomethingthathadbotheredhimalltheafternoon。Hecaughthimselfengagedinastrangeoccupationwhichhenowrecollectedhehadtakenupatoddmomentsforthelastfewhours——itwaslookingaboutallaroundhimforsomething，hedidnotknowwhat。Hehadforgottenitforawhile，halfanhourorso，andnow，suddenly，theuneasysearchhadrecommenced。
Buthehadhardlybecomeconsciousofthiscuriousphenomenon，whenanotherrecollectionsuddenlyswamthroughhisbrain，interestinghimforthemoment，exceedingly。Herememberedthatthelasttimehehadbeenengagedinlookingaroundhimfortheunknownsomething，hewasstandingbeforeacutler’sshop，inthewindowofwhichwereexposedcertaingoodsforsale。Hewasextremelyanxiousnowtodiscoverwhetherthisshopandthesegoodsreallyexisted，orwhetherthewholethinghadbeenahallucination。
Hefeltinaverycuriousconditiontoday，aconditionsimilartothatwhichhadprecededhisfitsinbygoneyears。
Herememberedthatatsuchtimeshehadbeenparticularlyabsentminded，andcouldnotdiscriminatebetweenobjectsandpersonsunlessheconcentratedspecialattentionuponthem。
Herememberedseeingsomethinginthewindowmarkedatsixtycopecks。Therefore，iftheshopexistedandifthisobjectwerereallyinthewindow，itwouldprovethathehadbeenabletoconcentratehisattentiononthisarticleatamomentwhen，asageneralrule，hisabsenceofmindwouldhavebeentoogreattoadmitofanysuchconcentration；infact，veryshortlyafterhehadlefttherailwaystationinsuchastateofagitation。
Sohewalkedbacklookingabouthimfortheshop，andhisheartbeatwithintolerableimpatience。Ah！herewastheveryshop，andtherewasthearticlemarked60cop。\"\"Ofcourse，it’ssixtycopecks，\"hethought，andcertainlyworthnomore。\"Thisideaamusedhimandhelaughed。
Butitwasahystericallaugh；hewasfeelingterriblyoppressed。
Herememberedclearlythatjusthere，standingbeforethiswindow，hehadsuddenlyturnedround，justasearlierinthedayhehadturnedandfoundthedreadfuleyesofRogojinfixeduponhim。Convinced，therefore，thatinthisrespectatalleventshehadbeenundernodelusion，helefttheshopandwenton。
Thismustbethoughtout；itwasclearthattherehadbeennohallucinationatthestationthen，either；somethinghadactuallyhappenedtohim，onbothoccasions；therewasnodoubtofit。Butagainaloathingforallmentalexertionovermasteredhim；hewouldnotthinkitoutnow，hewouldputitoffandthinkofsomethingelse。Herememberedthatduringhisepilepticfits，orratherimmediatelyprecedingthem，hehadalwaysexperiencedamomentortwowhenhiswholeheart，andmind，andbodyseemedtowakeuptovigourandlight；whenhebecamefilledwithjoyandhope，andallhisanxietiesseemedtobesweptawayforever；
thesemomentswerebutpresentiments，asitwere，oftheonefinalsecond(itwasnevermorethanasecond)inwhichthefitcameuponhim。Thatsecond，ofcourse，wasinexpressible。Whenhisattackwasover，andtheprincereflectedonhissymptoms，heusedtosaytohimself:\"Thesemoments，shortastheyare，whenI
feelsuchextremeconsciousnessofmyself，andconsequentlymoreoflifethanatothertimes，aredueonlytothedisease——tothesuddenruptureofnormalconditions。Thereforetheyarenotreallyahigherkindoflife，butalower。\"Thisreasoning，however，seemedtoendinaparadox，andleadtothefurtherconsideration:——\"Whatmatterthoughitbeonlydisease，anabnormaltensionofthebrain，ifwhenIrecallandanalyzethemoment，itseemstohavebeenoneofharmonyandbeautyinthehighestdegree——aninstantofdeepestsensation，overflowingwithunboundedjoyandrapture，ecstaticdevotion，andcompletestlife？\"Vaguethoughthissounds，itwasperfectlycomprehensibletoMuishkin，thoughheknewthatitwasbutafeebleexpressionofhissensations。
Thattherewas，indeed，beautyandharmonyinthoseabnormalmoments，thattheyreallycontainedthehighestsynthesisoflife，hecouldnotdoubt，norevenadmitthepossibilityofdoubt。Hefeltthattheywerenotanalogoustothefantasticandunrealdreamsduetointoxicationbyhashish，opiumorwine。Ofthathecouldjudge，whentheattackwasover。Theseinstantswerecharacterized——todefineitinaword——byanintensequickeningofthesenseofpersonality。Since，inthelastconsciousmomentprecedingtheattack，hecouldsaytohimself，withfullunderstandingofhiswords:\"Iwouldgivemywholelifeforthisoneinstant，\"thendoubtlesstohimitreallywasworthalifetime。Fortherest，hethoughtthedialecticalpartofhisargumentoflittleworth；hesawonlytooclearlythattheresultoftheseecstaticmomentswasstupefaction，mentaldarkness，idiocy。Noargumentwaspossibleonthatpoint。Hisconclusion，hisestimateofthe\"moment，\"doubtlesscontainedsomeerror，yettherealityofthesensationtroubledhim。What’smoreunanswerablethanafact？Andthisfacthadoccurred。Theprincehadconfessedunreservedlytohimselfthatthefeelingofintensebeatitudeinthatcrowdedmomentmadethemomentworthalifetime。\"Ifeelthen，\"hesaidonedaytoRogojininMoscow，\"IfeelthenasifI
understoodthoseamazingwords——’Thereshallbenomoretime。’\"
Andheaddedwithasmile:\"NodoubttheepilepticMahometreferstothatsamemomentwhenhesaysthathevisitedallthedwellingsofAllah，inlesstimethanwasneededtoemptyhispitcherofwater。\"Yes，hehadoftenmetRogojininMoscow，andmanywerethesubjectstheydiscussed。\"HetoldmeIhadbeenabrothertohim，\"thoughttheprince。\"Hesaidsotoday，forthefirsttime。\"
HewassittingintheSummerGardenonaseatunderatree，andhisminddweltonthematter。Itwasaboutseveno’clock，andtheplacewasempty。Thestiflingatmosphereforetoldastorm，andtheprincefeltacertaincharminthecontemplativemoodwhichpossessedhim。Hefoundpleasure，too，ingazingattheexteriorobjectsaroundhim。Allthetimehewastryingtoforgetsomething，toescapefromsomeideathathauntedhim；butmelancholythoughtscameback，thoughhewouldsowillinglyhaveescapedfromthem。Herememberedsuddenlyhowhehadbeentalkingtothewaiter，whilehedined，aboutarecentlycommittedmurderwhichthewholetownwasdiscussing，andashethoughtofitsomethingstrangecameoverhim。Hewasseizedallatoncebyaviolentdesire，almostatemptation，againstwhichhestroveinvain。
Hejumpedupandwalkedoffasfastashecouldtowardsthe\"PetersburgSide。\"[OneofthequartersofSt。Petersburg。]Hehadaskedsomeone，alittlewhilebefore，toshowhimwhichwasthePetersburgSide，onthebanksoftheNeva。Hehadnotgonethere，however；andheknewverywellthatitwasofnousetogonow，forhewouldcertainlynotfindLebedeff’srelationathome。
Hehadtheaddress，butshemustcertainlyhavegonetoPavlofsk，orColiawouldhavelethimknow。Ifheweretogonow，itwouldmerelybeoutofcuriosity，butasudden，newideahadcomeintohishead。
However，itwassomethingtomoveonandknowwherehewasgoing。
Aminutelaterhewasstillmovingon，butwithoutknowinganything。Hecouldnolongerthinkouthisnewidea。Hetriedtotakeaninterestinallhesaw；inthesky，intheNeva。Hespoketosomechildrenhemet。Hefelthisepilepticconditionbecomingmoreandmoredeveloped。Theeveningwasveryclose；thunderwasheardsomewayoff。
TheprincewashauntedallthatdaybythefaceofLebedeff’snephewwhomhehadseenforthefirsttimethatmorning，justasoneishauntedattimesbysomepersistentmusicalrefrain。Byacuriousassociationofideas，theyoungmanalwaysappearedasthemurdererofwhomLebedeffhadspokenwhenintroducinghimtoMuishkin。Yes，hehadreadsomethingaboutthemurder，andthatquiterecently。SincehecametoRussia，hehadheardmanystoriesofthiskind，andwasinterestedinthem。Hisconversationwiththewaiter，anhourago，chancedtobeonthesubjectofthismurderoftheZemarins，andthelatterhadagreedwithhimaboutit。Hethoughtofthewaiteragain，anddecidedthathewasnofool，butasteady，intelligentman:though，saidhetohimself，\"Godknowswhathemayreallybe；inacountrywithwhichoneisunfamiliaritisdifficulttounderstandthepeopleonemeets。\"HewasbeginningtohaveapassionatefaithintheRussiansoul，however，andwhatdiscoverieshehadmadeinthelastsixmonths，whatunexpecteddiscoveries！Buteverysoulisamystery，anddepthsofmysterylieinthesoulofaRussian。
HehadbeenintimatewithRogojin，forexample，andabrotherlyfriendshiphadsprungupbetweenthem——yetdidhereallyknowhim？Whatchaosanduglinessfillstheworldattimes！Whataself-satisfiedrascalisthatnephewofLebedeff’s！\"ButwhatamIthinking，\"continuedtheprincetohimself。\"Canhereallyhavecommittedthatcrime？Didhekillthosesixpersons？Iseemtobeconfusingthings……howstrangeitallis……Myheadgoesround……AndLebedeff’sdaughter——howsympatheticandcharmingherfacewasassheheldthechildinherarms！Whataninnocentlookandchild-likelaughshehad！ItiscuriousthatI
hadforgottenheruntilnow。IexpectLebedeffadoresher——andI
reallybelieve，whenIthinkofit，thatassureastwoandtwomakefour，heisfondofthatnephew，too！\"
Well，whyshouldhejudgethemsohastily！Couldhereallysaywhattheywere，afteroneshortvisit？EvenLebedeffseemedanenigmatoday。Didheexpecttofindhimso？Hehadneverseenhimlikethatbefore。LebedeffandtheComtesseduBarry！GoodHeavens！IfRogojinshouldreallykillsomeone，itwouldnot，atanyrate，besuchasenseless，chaoticaffair。Aknifemadetoaspecialpattern，andsixpeoplekilledinakindofdelirium。ButRogojinalsohadaknifemadetoaspecialpattern。CanitbethatRogojinwishestomurderanyone？Theprincebegantotrembleviolently。\"Itisacrimeonmyparttoimagineanythingsobase，withsuchcynicalfrankness。\"Hisfacereddenedwithshameatthethought；andthentherecameacrosshimasinaflashthememoryoftheincidentsatthePavlofskstation，andattheotherstationinthemorning；andthequestionaskedhimbyRogojinaboutTHEEYESandRogojin’scross，thathewasevennowwearing；
andthebenedictionofRogojin’smother；andhisembraceonthedarkenedstaircase——thatlastsupremerenunciation——andnow，tofindhimselffullofthisnew\"idea，\"staringintoshop-windows，andlookingroundforthings——howbasehewas！
Despairovermasteredhissoul；hewouldnotgoon，hewouldgobacktohishotel；heeventurnedandwenttheotherway；butamomentafterhechangedhismindagainandwentonintheolddirection。
Why，herehewasonthePetersburgSidealready，quiteclosetothehouse！Wherewashis\"idea\"？Hewasmarchingalongwithoutitnow。Yes，hismaladywascomingback，itwasclearenough；allthisgloomandheaviness，allthese\"ideas，\"werenothingmorenorlessthanafitcomingon；perhapshewouldhaveafitthisveryday。
Butjustnowallthegloomanddarknesshadfled，hisheartfeltfullofjoyandhope，therewasnosuchthingasdoubt。Andyes，hehadn’tseenherforsolong；hereallymustseeher。HewishedhecouldmeetRogojin；hewouldtakehishand，andtheywouldgotohertogether。Hisheartwaspure，hewasnorivalofParfen’s。
Tomorrow，hewouldgoandtellhimthathehadseenher。Why，hehadonlycomeforthesolepurposeofseeingher，allthewayfromMoscow！Perhapsshemightbeherestill，whoknows？ShemightnothavegoneawaytoPavlofskyet。
Yes，allthismustbeputstraightandabove-board，theremustbenomorepassionaterenouncements，suchasRogojin’s。Itmustallbeclearasday。CannotRogojin’ssoulbearthelight？Hesaidhedidnotloveherwithsympathyandpity；true，headdedthat\"yourpityisgreaterthanmylove，\"buthewasnotquitefaironhimselfthere。Kin！Rogojinreadingabook——wasn’tthatsympathybeginning？Diditnotshowthathecomprehendedhisrelationswithher？Andhisstoryofwaitingdayandnightforherforgiveness？Thatdidn’tlookquitelikepassionalone。
Andastoherface，coulditinspirenothingbutpassion？Couldherfaceinspirepassionatallnow？Oh，itinspiredsuffering，grief，overwhelminggriefofthesoul！Apoignant，agonizingmemorysweptovertheprince’sheart。
Yes，agonizing。Herememberedhowhehadsufferedthatfirstdaywhenhethoughtheobservedinherthesymptomsofmadness。Hehadalmostfallenintodespair。HowcouldhehavelosthisholduponherwhensheranawayfromhimtoRogojin？Heoughttohaverunafterherhimself，ratherthanwaitfornewsashehaddone。
CanRogojinhavefailedtoobserve，uptonow，thatsheismad？
Rogojinattributesherstrangenesstoothercauses，topassion！
Whatinsanejealousy！Whatwasithehadhintedatinthatsuggestionofhis？Theprincesuddenlyblushed，andshudderedtohisveryheart。
Butwhyrecallallthis？Therewasinsanityonbothsides。Forhim，theprince，tolovethiswomanwithpassion，wasunthinkable。Itwouldbecruelandinhuman。Yes。Rogojinisnotfairtohimself；hehasalargeheart；hehasaptitudeforsympathy。Whenhelearnsthetruth，andfindswhatapitiablebeingisthisinjured，broken，half-insanecreature，hewillforgiveherallthetormentshehascausedhim。Hewillbecomeherslave，herbrother，herfriend。CompassionwillteachevenRogojin，itwillshowhimhowtoreason。Compassionisthechieflawofhumanexistence。Oh，howguiltyhefelttowardsRogojin！
And，forafewwarm，hastywordsspokeninMoscow，Parfenhadcalledhim\"brother，\"whilehe——butno，thiswasdelirium！Itwouldallcomeright！ThatgloomyParfenhadimpliedthathisfaithwaswaning；hemustsufferdreadfully。Hesaidhelikedtolookatthatpicture；itwasnotthathelikedit，buthefelttheneedoflookingatit。Rogojinwasnotmerelyapassionatesoul；hewasafighter。Hewasfightingfortherestorationofhisdyingfaith。Hemusthavesomethingtoholdontoandbelieve，andsomeonetobelievein。WhatastrangepicturethatofHolbein’sis！Why，thisisthestreet，andhere’sthehouse，No。16。
Theprincerangthebell，andaskedforNastasiaPhilipovna。Theladyofthehousecameout，andstatedthatNastasiahadgonetostaywithDariaAlexeyevnaatPavlofsk，andmightbetheresomedays。
MadameFilisoffwasalittlewomanofforty，withacunningface，andcrafty，piercingeyes。When，withanairofmystery，sheaskedhervisitor’sname，herefusedatfirsttoanswer，butinamomenthechangedhismind，andleftstrictinstructionsthatitshouldbegiventoNastasiaPhilipovna。TheurgencyofhisrequestseemedtoimpressMadameFilisoff，andsheputonaknowingexpression，asiftosay，\"Youneednotbeafraid，I
quiteunderstand。\"Theprince’snameevidentlywasagreatsurprisetoher。Hestoodandlookedabsentlyatherforamoment，thenturned，andtooktheroadbacktohishotel。Buthewentawaynotashecame。Agreatchangehadsuddenlycomeoverhim。Hewentblindlyforward；hiskneesshookunderhim；hewastormentedby\"ideas\"；hislipswereblue，andtrembledwithafeeble，meaninglesssmile。Hisdemonwasuponhimoncemore。
Whathadhappenedtohim？Whywashisbrowclammywithdropsofmoisture，hiskneesshakingbeneathhim，andhissouloppressedwithacoldgloom？Wasitbecausehehadjustseenthesedreadfuleyesagain？Why，hehadlefttheSummerGardenonpurposetoseethem；thathadbeenhis\"idea。\"Hehadwishedtoassurehimselfthathewouldseethemoncemoreatthathouse。Thenwhywashesooverwhelmednow，havingseenthemasheexpected？justasthoughhehadnotexpectedtoseethem！Yes，theyweretheverysameeyes；andnodoubtaboutit。Thesamethathehadseeninthecrowdthatmorningatthestation，thesamethathehadsurprisedinRogojin’sroomssomehourslater，whenthelatterhadrepliedtohisinquirywithasneeringlaugh，\"Well，whoseeyeswerethey？\"ThenforthethirdtimetheyhadappearedjustashewasgettingintothetrainonhiswaytoseeAglaya。HehadhadastrongimpulsetorushuptoRogojin，andrepeathiswordsofthemorning\"Whoseeyesarethey？\"Insteadhehadfledfromthestation，andknewnothingmore，untilhefoundhimselfgazingintothewindowofacutler’sshop，andwonderingifaknifewithastaghornhandlewouldcostmorethansixtycopecks。AndastheprincesatdreamingintheSummerGardenunderalime-tree，awickeddemonhadcomeandwhisperedinhiscar:\"Rogojinhasbeenspyinguponyouandwatchingyouallthemorninginafrenzyofdesperation。WhenhefindsyouhavenotgonetoPavlofsk——aterriblediscoveryforhim——hewillsurelygoatoncetothathouseinPetersburgSide，andwatchforyouthere，althoughonlythismorningyougaveyourwordofhonournottoseeHER，andsworethatyouhadnotcometoPetersburgforthatpurpose。\"Andthereupontheprincehadhastenedofftothathouse，andwhatwasthereinthefactthathehadmetRogojinthere？Hehadonlyseenawretched，sufferingcreature，whosestateofmindwasgloomyandmiserable，butmostcomprehensible。InthemorningRogojinhadseemedtobetryingtokeepoutoftheway；butatthestationthisafternoonhehadstoodout，hehadconcealedhimself，indeed，lessthantheprincehimself；atthehouse，now，hehadstoodfiftyyardsoffontheothersideoftheroad，withfoldedhands，watching，plainlyinviewandapparentlydesirousofbeingseen。Hehadstoodtherelikeanaccuser，likeajudge，notlikea——awhat？
Andwhyhadnottheprinceapproachedhimandspokentohim，insteadofturningawayandpretendinghehadseennothing，althoughtheireyesmet？(Yes，theireyeshadmet，andtheyhadlookedateachother。)Why，hehadhimselfwishedtotakeRogojinbythehandandgointogether，hehadhimselfdeterminedtogotohimonthemorrowandtellhimthathehadseenher，hehadrepudiatedthedemonashewalkedtothehouse，andhishearthadbeenfullofjoy。
Wastheresomethinginthewholeaspectoftheman，today，sufficienttojustifytheprince’sterror，andtheawfulsuspicionsofhisdemon？Somethingseen，butindescribable，whichfilledhimwithdreadfulpresentiments？Yes，hewasconvincedofit——convincedofwhat？(Oh，howmeanandhideousofhimtofeelthisconviction，thispresentiment！Howheblamedhimselfforit！)\"Speakifyoudare，andtellme，whatisthepresentiment？\"
herepeatedtohimself，overandoveragain。\"Putitintowords，speakoutclearlyanddistinctly。Oh，miserablecowardthatI
am！\"Theprinceflushedwithshameforhisownbaseness。\"HowshallIeverlookthismaninthefaceagain？MyGod，whataday！
Andwhatanightmare，whatanightmare！\"
Therewasamoment，duringthislong，wretchedwalkbackfromthePetersburgSide，whentheprincefeltanirresistibledesiretogostraighttoRogojin’s，waitforhim，embracehimwithtearsofshameandcontrition，andtellhimofhisdistrust，andfinishwithit——onceforall。
Butherehewasbackathishotel。
Howoftenduringthedayhehadthoughtofthishotelwithloathing——itscorridor，itsrooms，itsstairs。Howhehaddreadedcomingbacktoit，forsomereason。
\"WhataregularoldwomanIamtoday，\"hehadsaidtohimselfeachtime，withannoyance。\"Ibelieveineveryfoolishpresentimentthatcomesintomyhead。\"
Hestoppedforamomentatthedoor；agreatflushofshamecameoverhim。\"Iamacoward，awretchedcoward，\"hesaid，andmovedforwardagain；butoncemorehepaused。
Amongalltheincidentsoftheday，onerecurredtohismindtotheexclusionoftherest；althoughnowthathisself-controlwasregained，andhewasnolongerundertheinfluenceofanightmare，hewasabletothinkofitcalmly。ItconcernedtheknifeonRogojin’stable。\"WhyshouldnotRogojinhaveasmanyknivesonhistableashechooses？\"thoughttheprince，wonderingathissuspicions，ashehaddonewhenhefoundhimselflookingintothecutler’swindow。\"Whatcouldithavetodowithme？\"hesaidtohimselfagain，andstoppedasifrootedtothegroundbyakindofparalysisoflimbsuchasattackspeopleunderthestressofsomehumiliatingrecollection。
Thedoorwaywasdarkandgloomyatanytime；butjustatthismomentitwasrendereddoublysobythefactthatthethunder-
stormhadjustbroken，andtherainwascomingdownintorrents。
Andinthesemi-darknesstheprincedistinguishedamanstandingclosetothestairs，apparentlywaiting。
Therewasnothingparticularlysignificantinthefactthatamanwasstandingbackinthedoorway，waitingtocomeoutorgoupstairs；buttheprincefeltanirresistibleconvictionthatheknewthisman，andthatitwasRogojin。Themanmovedonupthestairs；amomentlatertheprincepassedupthem，too。Hisheartfrozewithinhim。\"InaminuteortwoIshallknowall，\"hethought。
Thestaircaseledtothefirstandsecondcorridorsofthehotel，alongwhichlaytheguests’bedrooms。AsisoftenthecaseinPetersburghouses，itwasnarrowandverydark，andturnedaroundamassivestonecolumn。
Onthefirstlanding，whichwasassmallasthenecessaryturnofthestairsallowed，therewasanicheinthecolumn，abouthalfayardwide，andinthisnichetheprincefeltconvincedthatamanstoodconcealed。Hethoughthecoulddistinguishafigurestandingthere。Hewouldpassbyquicklyandnotlook。Hetookastepforward，butcouldbeartheuncertaintynolongerandturnedhishead。
Theeyes——thesametwoeyes——methis！Themanconcealedinthenichehadalsotakenastepforward。Foronesecondtheystoodfacetoface。
Suddenlytheprincecaughtthemanbytheshoulderandtwistedhimroundtowardsthelight，sothathemightseehisfacemoreclearly。
Rogojin’seyesflashed，andasmileofinsanitydistortedhiscountenance。Hisrighthandwasraised，andsomethingglitteredinit。Theprincedidnotthinkoftryingtostopit。Allhecouldrememberafterwardswasthatheseemedtohavecalledout:
\"Parfen！Iwon’tbelieveit。\"
Nextmomentsomethingappearedtoburstopenbeforehim:awonderfulinnerlightilluminatedhissoul。Thislastedperhapshalfasecond，yethedistinctlyrememberedhearingthebeginningofthewail，thestrange，dreadfulwail，whichburstfromhislipsofitsownaccord，andwhichnoeffortofwillonhispartcouldsuppress。
Nextmomenthewasabsolutelyunconscious；blackdarknessblottedouteverything。
Hehadfalleninanepilepticfit……
Asiswellknown，thesefitsoccurinstantaneously。Theface，especiallytheeyes，becometerriblydisfigured，convulsionsseizethelimbs，aterriblecrybreaksfromthesufferer，awailfromwhicheverythinghumanseemstobeblottedout，sothatitisimpossibletobelievethatthemanwhohasjustfallenisthesamewhoemittedthedreadfulcry。Itseemsmoreasthoughsomeotherbeing，insidethestrickenone，hadcried。Manypeoplehavebornewitnesstothisimpression；andmanycannotbeholdanepilepticfitwithoutafeelingofmysteriousterroranddread。
Suchafeeling，wemustsuppose，overtookRogojinatthismoment，andsavedtheprince’slife。Notknowingthatitwasafit，andseeinghisvictimdisappearheadforemostintothedarkness，hearinghisheadstrikethestonestepsbelowwithacrash，Rogojinrusheddownstairs，skirtingthebody，andflunghimselfheadlongoutofthehotel，likearavingmadman。
Theprince’sbodyslippedconvulsivelydownthestepstillitrestedatthebottom。Verysoon，infiveminutesorso，hewasdiscovered，andacrowdcollectedaroundhim。
Apoolofbloodonthestepsnearhisheadgaverisetogravefears。Wasitacaseofaccident，orhadtherebeenacrime？Itwas，however，soonrecognizedasacaseofepilepsy，andidentificationandpropermeasuresforrestorationfollowedoneanother，owingtoafortunatecircumstance。ColiaIvolginhadcomebacktohishotelaboutseveno’clock，owingtoasuddenimpulsewhichmadehimrefusetodineattheEpanchins’，and，findinganotefromtheprinceawaitinghim，hadspedawaytothelatter’saddress。Arrivedthere，heorderedacupofteaandsatsippingitinthecoffee-room。Whilethereheheardexcitedwhispersofsomeonejustfoundatthebottomofthestairsinafit；uponwhichhehadhurriedtothespot，withapresentimentofevil，andatoncerecognizedtheprince。
Thesuffererwasimmediatelytakentohisroom，andthoughhepartiallyregainedconsciousness，helaylonginasemi-dazedcondition。
Thedoctorstatedthattherewasnodangertobeapprehendedfromthewoundonthehead，andassoonastheprincecouldunderstandwhatwasgoingonaroundhim，ColiahiredacarriageandtookhimawaytoLebedeff’s。Therehewasreceivedwithmuchcordiality，andthedeparturetothecountrywashastenedonhisaccount。
ThreedayslatertheywereallatPavlofsk。
VI。
LEBEDEFF’Scountry-housewasnotlarge，butitwasprettyandconvenient，especiallythepartwhichwaslettotheprince。
Arowoforangeandlemontreesandjasmines，plantedingreentubs，stoodonthefairlywideterrace。AccordingtoLebedeff，thesetreesgavethehouseamostdelightfulaspect。Someweretherewhenheboughtit，andhewassocharmedwiththeeffectthathepromptlyaddedtotheirnumber。Whenthetubscontainingtheseplantsarrivedatthevillaandweresetintheirplaces，Lebedeffkeptrunningintothestreettoenjoytheviewofthehouse，andeverytimehedidsotherenttobedemandedfromthefuturetenantwentupwithabound。
Thiscountryvillapleasedtheprinceverymuchinhisstateofphysicalandmentalexhaustion。OnthedaythattheyleftforPavlofsk，thatisthedayafterhisattack，heappearedalmostwell，thoughinrealityhefeltveryfarfromit。Thefacesofthosearoundhimforthelastthreedayshadmadeapleasantimpression。Hewaspleasedtosee，notonlyColia，whohadbecomehisinseparablecompanion，butLebedeffhimselfandallthefamily，exceptthenephew，whohadleftthehouse。HewasalsogladtoreceiveavisitfromGeneralIvolgin，beforeleavingSt。
Petersburg。
ItwasgettinglatewhenthepartyarrivedatPavlofsk，butseveralpeoplecalledtoseetheprince，andassembledintheverandah。Ganiawasthefirsttoarrive。Hehadgrownsopaleandthinthattheprincecouldhardlyrecognizehim。ThencameVariaandPtitsin，whowererusticatingintheneighbourhood。AstoGeneralIvolgin，hescarcelybudgedfromLebedeff’shouse，andseemedtohavemovedtoPavlofskwithhim。LebedeffdidhisbesttokeepArdalionAlexandrovitchbyhim，andtopreventhimfrominvadingtheprince’squarters。Hechattedwithhimconfidentially，sothattheymighthavebeentakenforoldfriends。Duringthosethreedaystheprincehadnoticedthattheyfrequentlyheldlongconversations；heoftenheardtheirvoicesraisedinargumentondeepandlearnedsubjects，whichevidentlypleasedLebedeff。Heseemedasifhecouldnotdowithoutthegeneral。ButitwasnotonlyArdalionAlexandrovitchwhomLebedeffkeptoutoftheprince’sway。Sincetheyhadcometothevilla，hetreatedhisownfamilythesame。Uponthepretextthathistenantneededquiet，hekepthimalmostinisolation，andMuishkinprotestedinvainagainstthisexcessofzeal。Lebedeffstampedhisfeetathisdaughtersanddrovethemawayiftheyattemptedtojointheprinceontheterrace；notevenVerawasexcepted。
\"Theywillloseallrespectiftheyareallowedtobesofreeandeasy；besidesitisnotproperforthem，\"hedeclaredatlast，inanswertoadirectquestionfromtheprince。
\"Whyonearthnot？\"askedthelatter。\"Really，youknow，youaremakingyourselfanuisance，bykeepingguardovermelikethis。I
getboredallbymyself；Ihavetoldyousooverandoveragain，andyougetonmynervesmorethaneverbywavingyourhandsandcreepinginandoutinthemysteriouswayyoudo。\"
ItwasafactthatLebedeff，thoughhewassoanxioustokeepeveryoneelsefromdisturbingthepatient，wascontinuallyinandoutoftheprince’sroomhimself。Heinvariablybeganbyopeningthedooracrackandpeeringintoseeiftheprincewasthere，orifhehadescaped；thenhewouldcreepsoftlyuptothearm-
chair，sometimesmakingMuishkinjumpbyhissuddenappearance。
Healwaysaskedifthepatientwantedanything，andwhenthelatterrepliedthatheonlywantedtobeleftinpeace，hewouldturnawayobedientlyandmakeforthedoorontip-toe，withdeprecatorygesturestoimplythathehadonlyjustlookedin，thathewouldnotspeakaword，andwouldgoawayandnotintrudeagain；whichdidnotpreventhimfromreappearingintenminutesoraquarterofanhour。Coliahadfreeaccesstotheprince，atwhichLebedeffwasquitedisgustedandindignant。Hewouldlistenatthedoorforhalfanhouratatimewhilethetwoweretalking。Coliafoundthisout，andnaturallytoldtheprinceofhisdiscovery。
\"Doyouthinkyourselfmymaster，thatyoutrytokeepmeunderlockandkeylikethis？\"saidtheprincetoLebedeff。\"Inthecountry，atleast，Iintendtobefree，andyoumaymakeupyourmindthatImeantoseewhomIlike，andgowhereIplease。\"
\"Why，ofcourse，\"repliedtheclerk，gesticulatingwithhishands。
Theprincelookedhimsternlyupanddown。
\"Well，LukianTimofeyovitch，haveyoubroughtthelittlecupboardthatyouhadattheheadofyourbedwithyouhere？\"
\"No，Ileftitwhereitwas。\"
\"Impossible！\"
\"Itcannotbemoved；youwouldhavetopullthewalldown，itissofirmlyfixed。\"
\"Perhapsyouhaveonelikeithere？\"
\"Ihaveonethatisevenbetter，muchbetter；thatisreallywhyIboughtthishouse。\"
\"Ah！Whatvisitordidyouturnawayfrommydoor，aboutanhourago？\"
\"The-thegeneral。Iwouldnotlethimin；thereisnoneedforhimtovisityou，prince……Ihavethedeepestesteemforhim，heisa——agreatman。Youdon’tbelieveit？Well，youwillsee，andyet，mostexcellentprince，youhadmuchbetternotreceivehim。\"
\"MayIaskwhy？andalsowhyyouwalkaboutontiptoeandalwaysseemasifyouweregoingtowhisperasecretinmyearwheneveryoucomenearme？\"
\"Iamvile，vile；Iknowit！\"criedLebedeff，beatinghisbreastwithacontriteair。\"Butwillnotthegeneralbetoohospitableforyou？\"
\"Toohospitable？\"
\"Yes。First，heproposestocomeandliveinmyhouse。Wellandgood；buthesticksatnothing；heimmediatelymakeshimselfoneofthefamily。Wehavetalkedoverourrespectiverelationsseveraltimes，anddiscoveredthatweareconnectedbymarriage。
Itseemsalsothatyouareasortofnephewonhismother’sside；
hewasexplainingittomeagainonlyyesterday。Ifyouarehisnephew，itfollowsthatImustalsobearelationofyours，mostexcellentprince。Nevermindaboutthat，itisonlyafoible；butjustnowheassuredmethatallhislife，fromthedayhewasmadeanensigntothe11thoflastJune，hehasentertainedatleasttwohundredguestsathistableeveryday。Finally，hewentsofarastosaythattheyneverrosefromthetable；theydined，supped，andhadtea，forfifteenhoursatastretch。Thiswentonforthirtyyearswithoutabreak；therewasbarelytimetochangethetable-cloth；directlyonepersonleft，anothertookhisplace。Onfeast-daysheentertainedasmanyasthreehundredguests，andtheynumberedsevenhundredonthethousandthanniversaryofthefoundationoftheRussianEmpire。Itamountstoapassionwithhim；itmakesoneuneasytohearofit。Itisterribletohavetoentertainpeoplewhodothingsonsuchascale。ThatiswhyIwonderwhethersuchamanisnottoohospitableforyouandme。\"
\"Butyouseemtobeonthebestoftermswithhim？\"
\"Quitefraternal——Ilookuponitasajoke。Letusbebrothers-
in-law，itisallthesametome，——ratheranhonourthannot。ButinspiteofthetwohundredguestsandthethousandthanniversaryoftheRussianEmpire，Icanseethatheisaveryremarkableman。Iamquitesincere。YousaidjustnowthatIalwayslookedasifIwasgoingtotellyouasecret；youareright。Ihaveasecrettotellyou:acertainpersonhasjustletmeknowthatsheisveryanxiousforasecretinterviewwithyou。\"
\"Whyshoulditbesecret？Notatall；Iwillcallonhermyselftomorrow。\"
\"No，ohno！\"criedLebedeff，wavinghisarms；\"ifsheisafraid，itisnotforthereasonyouthink。Bytheway，doyouknowthatthemonstercomeseverydaytoinquireafteryourhealth？\"
\"Youcallhimamonstersooftenthatitmakesmesuspicious。\"
\"Youmusthavenosuspicions，nonewhatever，\"saidLebedeffquickly。\"Ionlywantyoutoknowthatthepersoninquestionisnotafraidofhim，butofsomethingquite，quitedifferent。\"
\"Whatonearthissheafraidof，then？Tellmeplainly，withoutanymorebeatingaboutthebush，\"saidtheprince，exasperatedbytheother’smysteriousgrimaces。
\"Ahthatisthesecret，\"saidLebedeff，withasmile。
\"Whosesecret？\"
\"Yours。Youforbademeyourselftomentionitbeforeyou，mostexcellentprince，\"murmuredLebedeff。Then，satisfiedthathehadworkedupMuishkin’scuriositytothehighestpitch，headdedabruptly:\"SheisafraidofAglayaIvanovna。\"
Theprincefrownedforamomentinsilence，andthensaidsuddenly:
\"Really，Lebedeff，Imustleaveyourhouse。WhereareGavrilaArdalionovitchandthePtitsins？Aretheyhere？Haveyouchasedthemaway，too？\"
\"Theyarecoming，theyarecoming；andthegeneralaswell。I
willopenallthedoors；Iwillcallallmydaughters，allofthem，thisveryminute，\"saidLebedeffinalowvoice，thoroughlyfrightened，andwavinghishandsasheranfromdoortodoor。
AtthatmomentColiaappearedontheterrace；heannouncedthatLizabethaProkofievnaandherthreedaughterswereclosebehindhim。
Movedbythisnews，Lebedeffhurrieduptotheprince。
\"ShallIcallthePtitsins，andGavrilaArdalionovitch？ShallI
letthegeneralin？\"heasked。
\"Whynot？Letinanyonewhowantstoseeme。Iassureyou，Lebedeff，youhavemisunderstoodmypositionfromtheveryfirst；
youhavebeenwrongallalong。Ihavenottheslightestreasontohidemyselffromanyone，\"repliedtheprincegaily。
Seeinghimlaugh，Lebedeffthoughtfittolaughalso，andthoughmuchagitatedhissatisfactionwasquitevisible。
Coliawasright；theEpanchinladieswereonlyafewstepsbehindhim。AstheyapproachedtheterraceothervisitorsappearedfromLebedeff’ssideofthehouse-thePtitsins，Gania，andArdalionAlexandrovitch。
TheEpanchinshadonlyjustheardoftheprince’sillnessandofhispresenceinPavlofsk，fromColia；anduptothistimehadbeeninastateofconsiderablebewildermentabouthim。Thegeneralbroughttheprince’scarddownfromtown，andMrs。
Epanchinhadfeltconvincedthathehimselfwouldfollowhiscardatonce；shewasmuchexcited。
Invainthegirlsassuredherthatamanwhohadnotwrittenforsixmonthswouldnotbeinsuchadreadfulhurry，andthatprobablyhehadenoughtodointownwithoutneedingtobustledowntoPavlofsktoseethem。Theirmotherwasquiteangryattheveryideaofsuchathing，andannouncedherabsoluteconvictionthathewouldturnupthenextdayatlatest。
Sonextdaytheprincewasexpectedallthemorning，andatdinner，tea，andsupper；andwhenhedidnotappearintheevening，Mrs。Epanchinquarrelledwitheveryoneinthehouse，findingplentyofpretextswithoutsomuchasmentioningtheprince’sname。
Onthethirddaytherewasnotalkofhimatall，untilAglayaremarkedatdinner:\"Mammaiscrossbecausetheprincehasn’tturnedup，\"towhichthegeneralrepliedthatitwasnothisfault。
Mrs。Epanchinmisunderstoodtheobservation，andrisingfromherplaceshelefttheroominmajesticwrath。Intheevening，however，Coliacamewiththestoryoftheprince’sadventures，sofarasheknewthem。Mrs。Epanchinwastriumphant；althoughColiahadtolistentoalonglecture。\"Heidlesaboutherethewholedaylong，onecan’tgetridofhim；andthenwhenheiswantedhedoesnotcome。Hemighthavesentalineifhedidnotwishtoinconveniencehimself。\"
Atthewords\"onecan’tgetridofhim，\"Coliawasveryangry，andnearlyflewintoarage；butheresolvedtobequietforthetimeandshowhisresentmentlater。Ifthewordshadbeenlessoffensivehemighthaveforgiventhem，sopleasedwashetoseeLizabethaProkofievnaworriedandanxiousabouttheprince’sillness。
ShewouldhaveinsistedonsendingtoPetersburgatonce，foracertaingreatmedicalcelebrity；butherdaughtersdissuadedher，thoughtheywerenotwillingtostaybehindwhensheatoncepreparedtogoandvisittheinvalid。Aglaya，however，suggestedthatitwasalittleunceremonioustogoenmassetoseehim。
\"Verywellthen，stayathome，\"saidMrs。Epanchin，andagoodthingtoo，forEvgeniePavlovitchiscomingdownandtherewillbenooneathometoreceivehim。\"
Ofcourse，afterthis，Aglayawentwiththerest。Infact，shehadneverhadtheslightestintentionofdoingotherwise。
PrinceS。，whowasinthehouse，wasrequestedtoescorttheladies。HehadbeenmuchinterestedwhenhefirstheardoftheprincefromtheEpanchins。Itappearedthattheyhadknownoneanotherbefore，andhadspentsometimetogetherinalittleprovincialtownthreemonthsago。PrinceS。hadgreatlytakentohim，andwasdelightedwiththeopportunityofmeetinghimagain，Thegeneralhadnotcomedownfromtownasyet，norhadEvgeniePavlovitcharrived。
ItwasnotmorethantwoorthreehundredyardsfromtheEpanchins’housetoLebedeff’s。ThefirstdisagreeableimpressionexperiencedbyMrs。Epanchinwastofindtheprincesurroundedbyawholeassemblyofotherguests——nottomentionthefactthatsomeofthosepresentwereparticularlydetestableinhereyes。
Thenextannoyingcircumstancewaswhenanapparentlystrongandhealthyyoungfellow，welldressed，andsmiling，cameforwardtomeetherontheterrace，insteadofthehalf-dyingunfortunatewhomshehadexpectedtosee。
Shewasastonishedandvexed，andherdisappointmentpleasedColiaimmensely。Ofcoursehecouldhaveundeceivedherbeforeshestarted，butthemischievousboyhadbeencarefulnottodothat，foreseeingtheprobablylaughabledisgustthatshewouldexperiencewhenshefoundherdearfriend，theprince，ingoodhealth。ColiawasindelicateenoughtovoicethedelighthefeltathissuccessinmanagingtoannoyLizabethaProkofievna，withwhom，inspiteoftheirreallyamicablerelations，hewasconstantlysparring。
\"Justwaitawhile，myboy！\"saidshe；\"don’tbetoocertainofyourtriumph。\"Andshesatdownheavily，inthearm-chairpushedforwardbytheprince。
Lebedeff，Ptitsin，andGeneralIvolginhastenedtofindchairsfortheyoungladies。Variagreetedthemjoyfully，andtheyexchangedconfidencesinecstaticwhispers。
\"Imustadmit，prince，Iwasalittleputouttoseeyouupandaboutlikethis——Iexpectedtofindyouinbed；butIgiveyoumyword，Iwasonlyannoyedforaninstant，beforeIcollectedmythoughtsproperly。Iamalwayswiseronsecondthoughts，andI
daresayyouarethesame。IassureyouIamasgladtoseeyouwellasthoughyouweremyownson，——yes，andmore；andifyoudon’tbelievemethemoreshametoyou，andit’snotmyfault。
Butthatspitefulboydelightsinplayingallsortsoftricks。
Youarehispatron，itseems。Well，IwarnyouthatonefinemorningIshalldeprivemyselfofthepleasureofhisfurtheracquaintance。\"
\"WhathaveIdonewrongnow？\"criedColia。\"Whatwasthegoodoftellingyouthattheprincewasnearlywellagain？Youwouldnothavebelievedme；itwassomuchmoreinterestingtopicturehimonhisdeath-bed。\"
\"Howlongdoyouremainhere，prince？\"askedMadameEpanchin。
\"Allthesummer，andperhapslonger。\"
\"Youarealone，aren’tyou，——notmarried？\"
\"No，I’mnotmarried！\"repliedtheprince，smilingattheingenuousnessofthislittlefeeler。
\"Oh，youneedn’tlaugh！Thesethingsdohappen，youknow！Nowthen——whydidn’tyoucometous？Wehaveawingquiteempty。Butjustasyoulike，ofcourse。DoyouleaseitfromHIM？——thisfellow，Imean，\"sheadded，noddingtowardsLebedeff。\"Andwhydoeshealwayswriggleso？\"
AtthatmomentVera，carryingthebabyinherarmsasusual，cameoutofthehouse，ontotheterrace。Lebedeffkeptfidgetingamongthechairs，anddidnotseemtoknowwhattodowithhimself，thoughhehadnointentionofgoingaway。Henosoonercaughtsightofhisdaughter，thanherushedinherdirection，wavinghisarmstokeepheraway；heevenforgothimselfsofarastostamphisfoot。
\"Ishemad？\"askedMadameEpanchinsuddenly。
\"No，he……\"
\"Perhapsheisdrunk？Yourcompanyisratherpeculiar，\"sheadded，withaglanceattheotherguests……
\"Butwhataprettygirl！Whoisshe？\"
\"ThatisLebedeff’sdaughter——VeraLukianovna。\"
\"Indeed？Shelooksverysweet。Ishouldliketomakeheracquaintance。\"
Thewordswerehardlyoutofhermouth，whenLebedeffdraggedVeraforward，inordertopresenther。
\"Orphans，poororphans！\"hebeganinapatheticvoice。
\"Thechildshecarriesisanorphan，too。SheisVera’ssister，mydaughterLuboff。Thedaythisbabewasborn，sixweeksago，mywifedied，bythewillofGodAlmighty……Yes……Veratakeshermother’splace，thoughsheisbuthersister……nothingmore……nothingmore……\"
\"Andyou！Youarenothingmorethanafool，ifyou’llexcuseme！
Well！well！youknowthatyourself，Iexpect，\"saidtheladyindignantly。
Lebedeffbowedlow。\"Itisthetruth，\"hereplied，withextremerespect。
\"Oh，Mr。Lebedeff，IamtoldyoulectureontheApocalypse。Isittrue？\"askedAglaya。
\"Yes，thatisso……forthelastfifteenyears。\"
\"Ihaveheardofyou，andIthinkreadofyouinthenewspapers。\"
\"No，thatwasanothercommentator，whomthepapersnamed。Heisdead，however，andIhavetakenhisplace，\"saidtheother，muchdelighted。
\"Weareneighbours，sowillyoubesokindastocomeoveronedayandexplaintheApocalypsetome？\"saidAglaya。\"Idonotunderstanditintheleast。\"
\"Allowmetowarnyou，\"interposedGeneralIvolgin，thatheisthegreatestcharlatanonearth。\"Hehadtakenthechairnexttothegirl，andwasimpatienttobegintalking。\"Nodoubttherearepleasuresandamusementspeculiartothecountry，\"hecontinued，\"andtolistentoapretendedstudentholdingforthonthebookoftheRevelationsmaybeasgoodasanyother。Itmayevenbeoriginal。But……youseemtobelookingatmewithsomesurprise——mayIintroducemyself——GeneralIvolgin——Icarriedyouinmyarmsasababy——\"
\"Delighted，I’msure，\"saidAglaya；\"IamacquaintedwithVarvaraArdalionovnaandNinaAlexandrovna。\"Shewastryinghardtorestrainherselffromlaughing。
Mrs。Epanchinflushedup；someaccumulationofspleeninhersuddenlyneededanoutlet。ShecouldnotbearthisGeneralIvolginwhomshehadonceknown，longago——insociety。
\"Youaredeviatingfromthetruth，sir，asusual！\"sheremarked，boilingoverwithindignation；\"younevercarriedherinyourlife！\"
\"Youhaveforgotten，mother，\"saidAglaya，suddenly。\"Hereallydidcarrymeabout，——inTver，youknow。Iwassixyearsold，I
remember。Hemademeabowandarrow，andIshotapigeon。Don’tyouremembershootingapigeon，youandI，oneday？\"
\"Yes，andhemademeacardboardhelmet，andalittlewoodensword——Iremember！\"saidAdelaida。
\"Yes，Iremembertoo！\"saidAlexandra。\"Youquarrelledaboutthewoundedpigeon，andAdelaidawasputinthecorner，andstoodtherewithherhelmetandswordandall。\"
ThepoorgeneralhadmerelymadetheremarkabouthavingcarriedAglayainhisarmsbecausehealwaysdidsobeginaconversationwithyoungpeople。Butithappenedthatthistimehehadreallyhituponthetruth，thoughhehadhimselfentirelyforgottenthefact。ButwhenAdelaidaandAglayarecalledtheepisodeofthepigeon，hismindbecamefilledwithmemories，anditisimpossibletodescribehowthispooroldman，usuallyhalfdrunk，wasmovedbytherecollection。
\"Iremember——Irememberitall！\"hecried。\"Iwascaptainthen。
Youweresuchalovelylittlething——NinaAlexandrovna！——Gania，listen！IwasreceivedthenbyGeneralEpanchin。\"
\"Yes，andlookwhatyouhavecometonow！\"interruptedMrs。
Epanchin。\"However，Iseeyouhavenotquitedrunkyourbetterfeelingsaway。Butyou’vebrokenyourwife’sheart，sir——andinsteadoflookingafteryourchildren，youhavespentyourtimeinpublic-housesanddebtors’prisons！Goaway，myfriend，standinsomecornerandweep，andbemoanyourfallendignity，andperhapsGodwillforgiveyouyet！Go，go！I’mserious！There’snothingsofavourableforrepentanceastothinkofthepastwithfeelingsofremorse！\"
Therewasnoneedtorepeatthatshewasserious。Thegeneral，likealldrunkards，wasextremelyemotionalandeasilytouchedbyrecollectionsofhisbetterdays。Heroseandwalkedquietlytothedoor，someeklythatMrs。Epanchinwasinstantlysorryforhim。
\"ArdalionAlexandrovitch，\"shecriedafterhim，\"waitamoment，weareallsinners！Whenyoufeelthatyourconsciencereproachesyoualittleless，comeovertomeandwe’llhaveatalkaboutthepast！IdaresayIamfiftytimesmoreofasinnerthanyouare！Andnowgo，go，good-bye，youhadbetternotstayhere！\"sheadded，inalarm，asheturnedasthoughtocomeback。
\"Don’tgoafterhimjustnow，Colia，orhe’llbevexed，andthebenefitofthismomentwillbelost！\"saidtheprince，astheboywashurryingoutoftheroom。
\"Quitetrue！MuchbettertogoinhalfanhourorsosaidMrs。
Epanchin。
\"That’swhatcomesoftellingthetruthforonceinone’slife！\"
saidLebedeff。\"Itreducedhimtotears。\"
\"Come，come！thelessYOUsayaboutitthebetter——tojudgefromallIhaveheardaboutyou！\"repliedMrs。Epanchin。
TheprincetookthefirstopportunityofinformingtheEpanchinladiesthathehadintendedtopaythemavisitthatday，iftheyhadnotthemselvescomethisafternoon，andLizabethaProkofievnarepliedthatshehopedhewouldstilldoso。
Bythistimesomeofthevisitorshaddisappeared。
PtitsinhadtactfullyretreatedtoLebedeff’swing；andGaniasoonfollowedhim。
Thelatterhadbehavedmodestly，butwithdignity，onthisoccasionofhisfirstmeetingwiththeEpanchinssincetherupture。TwiceMrs。Epanchinhaddeliberatelyexaminedhimfromheadtofoot；buthehadstoodfirewithoutflinching。Hewascertainlymuchchanged，asanyonecouldseewhohadnotmethimforsometime；andthisfactseemedtoaffordAglayaagooddealofsatisfaction。
\"ThatwasGavrilaArdalionovitch，whojustwentout，wasn’tit？\"
sheaskedsuddenly，interruptingsomebodyelse’sconversationtomaketheremark。
\"Yes，itwas，\"saidtheprince。
\"Ihardlyknewhim；heismuchchanged，andforthebetter！\"
\"Iamveryglad，\"saidtheprince。
\"Hehasbeenveryill，\"addedVaria。
\"Howhashechangedforthebetter？\"askedMrs。Epanchin。\"I
don’tseeanychangeforthebetter！What’sbetterinhim？WheredidyougetTHATideafrom？WHAT’Sbetter？\"
\"There’snothingbetterthanthe’poorknight’！\"saidColia，whowasstandingnearthelastspeaker’schair。
\"Iquiteagreewithyouthere！\"saidPrinceS。，laughing。
\"SodoI，\"saidAdelaida，solemnly。
\"WHATpoorknight？\"askedMrs。Epanchin，lookingroundatthefaceofeachofthespeakersinturn。Seeing，however，thatAglayawasblushing，sheadded，angrily:
\"Whatnonsenseyouarealltalking！Whatdoyoumeanbypoorknight？\"
\"It’snotthefirsttimethisurchin，yourfavourite，hasshownhisimpudencebytwistingotherpeople’swords，\"saidAglaya，haughtily。
EverytimethatAglayashowedtemper(andthiswasveryoften)，therewassomuchchildishpouting，such\"school-girlishness，\"asitwere，inherapparentwrath，thatitwasimpossibletoavoidsmilingather，toherownunutterableindignation。Ontheseoccasionsshewouldsay，\"Howcanthey，howDAREtheylaughatme？\"
Thistimeeveryonelaughedather，hersisters，PrinceS。，PrinceMuishkin(thoughhehimselfhadflushedforsomereason)，andColia。Aglayawasdreadfullyindignant，andlookedtwiceasprettyinherwrath。
\"He’salwaystwistingroundwhatonesays，\"shecried。
\"Iamonlyrepeatingyourownexclamation！\"saidColia。\"AmonthagoyouwereturningoverthepagesofyourDonQuixote，andsuddenlycalledout’thereisnothingbetterthanthepoorknight。’Idon’tknowwhomyouwerereferringto，ofcourse，whethertoDonQuixote，orEvgeniePavlovitch，orsomeoneelse，butyoucertainlysaidthesewords，andafterwardstherewasalongconversation……\"
\"Youareinclinedtogoalittletoofar，mygoodboy，withyourguesses，\"saidMrs。Epanchin，withsomeshowofannoyance。
\"Butit’snotIalone，\"criedColia。\"Theyalltalkedaboutit，andtheydostill。Why，justnowPrinceS。andAdelaidaIvanovnadeclaredthattheyupheld’thepoorknight’；soevidentlytheredoesexista’poorknight’；andifitwerenotforAdelaidaIvanovna，weshouldhaveknownlongagowhothe’poorknight’
was。\"
\"Why，howamItoblame？\"askedAdelaida，smiling。
\"Youwouldn’tdrawhisportraitforus，that’swhyyouaretoblame！AglayaIvanovnaaskedyoutodrawhisportrait，andgaveyouthewholesubjectofthepicture。Sheinventeditherself；
andyouwouldn’t。\"
\"WhatwasItodraw？Accordingtothelinesshequoted:
\"’FromhisfaceheneverliftedThateternalmaskofsteel。’\"
\"WhatsortofafacewasItodraw？Icouldn’tdrawamask。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatyouaredrivingat；whatmaskdoyoumean？\"
saidMrs。Epanchin，irritably。Shebegantoseeprettyclearlythoughwhatitmeant，andwhomtheyreferredtobythegenerallyacceptedtitleof\"poorknight。\"Butwhatspeciallyannoyedherwasthattheprincewaslookingsouncomfortable，andblushinglikeaten-year-oldchild。
\"Well，haveyoufinishedyoursillyjoke？\"sheadded，andamItobetoldwhatthis’poorknight’means，orisitasolemnsecretwhichcannotbeapproachedlightly？\"
Buttheyalllaughedon。
\"It’ssimplythatthereisaRussianpoem，\"beganPrinceS。，evidentlyanxioustochangetheconversation，\"astrangething，withoutbeginningorend，andallabouta’poorknight。’Amonthorsoago，wewerealltalkingandlaughing，andlookingupasubjectforoneofAdelaida’spictures——youknowitistheprincipalbusinessofthisfamilytofindsubjectsforAdelaida’spictures。Well，wehappeneduponthis’poorknight。’Idon’trememberwhothoughtofitfirst——\"
\"Oh！AglayaIvanovnadid，\"saidColia。
\"Verylikely——Idon’trecollect，\"continuedPrinceS。
\"Someofuslaughedatthesubject；somelikedit；butshedeclaredthat，inordertomakeapictureofthegentleman，shemustfirstseehisface。Wethenbegantothinkoverallourfriends’facestoseeifanyofthemwoulddo，andnonesuitedus，andsothematterstood；that’sall。Idon’tknowwhyNicolaiArdalionovitchhasbroughtupthejokenow。Whatwasappropriateandfunnythen，hasquitelostallinterestbythistime。\"
\"Probablythere’ssomenewsillinessaboutit，\"saidMrs。
Epanchin，sarcastically。
\"Thereisnosillinessaboutitatall——onlytheprofoundestrespect，\"saidAglaya，veryseriously。Shehadquiterecoveredhertemper；infact，fromcertainsigns，itwasfairtoconcludethatshewasdelightedtoseethisjokegoingsofar；andacarefulobservermighthaveremarkedthathersatisfactiondatedfromthemomentwhenthefactoftheprince’sconfusionbecameapparenttoall。
\"’Profoundestrespect！’Whatnonsense！First，insanegiggling，andthen，allofasudden，adisplayof’profoundestrespect。’
Whyrespect？Tellmeatonce，whyhaveyousuddenlydevelopedthis’profoundrespect，’eh？\"
\"Because，\"repliedAglayagravely，\"inthepoemtheknightisdescribedasamancapableoflivinguptoanidealallhislife。
Thatsortofthingisnottobefoundeverydayamongthemenofourtimes。Inthepoemitisnotstatedexactlywhattheidealwas，butitwasevidentlysomevision，somerevelationofpureBeauty，andtheknightworeroundhisneck，insteadofascarf，arosary。Adevice——A。N。B——themeaningofwhichisnotexplained，wasinscribedonhisshield——\"
\"No，A。N。D。，\"correctedColia。
\"IsayA。N。B。，andsoitshallbe！\"criedAglaya，irritably。
\"Anyway，the’poorknight’didnotcarewhathisladywas，orwhatshedid。Hehadchosenhisideal，andhewasboundtoserveher，andbreaklancesforher，andacknowledgeherastheidealofpureBeauty，whatevershemightsayordoafterwards。Ifshehadtakentostealing，hewouldhavechampionedherjustthesame。Ithinkthepoetdesiredtoembodyinthisonepicturethewholespiritofmedievalchivalryandtheplatonicloveofapureandhigh-souledknight。Ofcourseit’sallanideal，andinthe’poorknight’thatspiritreachedtheutmostlimitofasceticism。
HeisaDonQuixote，onlyseriousandnotcomical。Iusednottounderstandhim，andlaughedathim，butnowIlovethe’poorknight，’andrespecthisactions。\"
SoendedAglaya；and，tolookather，itwasdifficult，indeed，tojudgewhethershewasjokingorinearnest。
\"Pooh！hewasafool，andhisactionsweretheactionsofafool，\"saidMrs。Epanchin；\"andasforyou，youngwoman，yououghttoknowbetter。Atallevents，youarenottotalklikethatagain。Whatpoemisit？Reciteit！Iwanttohearthispoem！
Ihavehatedpoetryallmylife。Prince，youmustexcusethisnonsense。Weneitherofuslikethissortofthing！Bepatient！\"
Theycertainlywereputout，bothofthem。
Theprincetriedtosaysomething，buthewastooconfused，andcouldnotgethiswordsout。Aglaya，whohadtakensuchlibertiesinherlittlespeech，wastheonlypersonpresent，perhaps，whowasnotintheleastembarrassed。Sheseemed，infact，quitepleased。
Shenowrosesolemnlyfromherseat，walkedtothecentreoftheterrace，andstoodinfrontoftheprince’schair。Alllookedonwithsomesurprise，andPrinceS。andhersisterswithfeelingsofdecidedalarm，toseewhatnewfrolicshewasupto；ithadgonequitefarenoughalready，theythought。ButAglayaevidentlythoroughlyenjoyedtheaffectationandceremonywithwhichshewasintroducingherrecitationofthepoem。
Mrs。Epanchinwasjustwonderingwhethershewouldnotforbidtheperformanceafterall，when，attheverymomentthatAglayacommencedherdeclamation，twonewguests，bothtalkingloudly，enteredfromthestreet。ThenewarrivalswereGeneralEpanchinandayoungman。
Theirentrancecausedsomeslightcommotion。
