VII。
THEyoungfellowaccompanyingthegeneralwasabouttwenty-eight，tall，andwellbuilt，withahandsomeandcleverface，andbrightblackeyes，fulloffunandintelligence。
Aglayadidnotsomuchasglanceatthenewarrivals，butwentonwithherrecitation，gazingattheprincethewhileinanaffectedmanner，andathimalone。Itwascleartohimthatshewasdoingallthiswithsomespecialobject。
Butthenewguestsatleastsomewhateasedhisstrainedanduncomfortableposition。Seeingthemapproaching，herosefromhischair，andnoddingamicablytothegeneral，signedtohimnottointerrupttherecitation。Hethengotbehindhischair，andstoodtherewithhislefthandrestingonthebackofit。Thankstothischangeofposition，hewasabletolistentotheballadwithfarlessembarrassmentthanbefore。Mrs。Epanchinhadalsotwicemotionedtothenewarrivalstobequiet，andstaywheretheywere。
Theprincewasmuchinterestedintheyoungmanwhohadjustentered。HeeasilyconcludedthatthiswasEvgeniePavlovitchRadomski，ofwhomhehadalreadyheardmentionseveraltimes。Hewaspuzzled，however，bytheyoungman’splainclothes，forhehadalwaysheardofEvgeniePavlovitchasamilitaryman。AnironicalsmileplayedonEvgenie’slipsallthewhiletherecitationwasproceeding，whichshowedthathe，too，wasprobablyinthesecretofthe’poorknight’joke。ButithadbecomequiteadifferentmatterwithAglaya。Alltheaffectationofmannerwhichshehaddisplayedatthebeginningdisappearedastheballadproceeded。Shespokethelinesinsoseriousandexaltedamanner，andwithsomuchtaste，thatsheevenseemedtojustifytheexaggeratedsolemnitywithwhichshehadsteppedforward。Itwasimpossibletodiscerninhernowanythingbutadeepfeelingforthespiritofthepoemwhichshehadundertakentointerpret。
Hereyeswereaglowwithinspiration，andaslighttremorofrapturepassedoverherlovelyfeaturesonceortwice。Shecontinuedtorecite:
\"Oncetherecameavisionglorious，Mystic，dreadful，wondrousfair；
Burneditselfintohisspirit，Andabodeforeverthere！
\"Nevermore——fromthatsweetmoment——
Gazedheonwomankind；
HewasdumbtoloveandwooingAndtoalltheirgracesblind。
\"Fullofloveforthatsweetvision，Braveandpurehetookthefield；
WithhisbloodhestainedthelettersN。P。B。uponhisshield。
\"’Lumencaeli，sanctaRosa！’
Shoutingonthefoehefell，Andlikethunderranghiswar-cryO’erthecoweringinfidel。
\"Thenwithinhisdistantcastle，Homereturned，hedreamedhisdays-
Silent，sad，——andwhendeathtookhimHewasmad，thelegendsays。\"
Whenrecallingallthisafterwardstheprincecouldnotforthelifeofhimunderstandhowtoreconcilethebeautiful，sincere，purenatureofthegirlwiththeironyofthisjest。Thatitwasajesttherewasnodoubtwhatever；heknewthatwellenough，andhadgoodreason，too，forhisconviction；forduringherrecitationoftheballadAglayahaddeliberatelychangedthelettersA。N。B。intoN。P。B。Hewasquitesureshehadnotdonethisbyaccident，andthathisearshadnotdeceivedhim。Atalleventsherperformance——whichwasajoke，ofcourse，ifratheracrudeone，——waspremeditated。Theyhadevidentlytalked(andlaughed)overthe’poorknight’formorethanamonth。
YetAglayahadbroughtouttheselettersN。P。B。notonlywithouttheslightestappearanceofirony，orevenanyparticularaccentuation，butwithsoevenandunbrokenanappearanceofseriousnessthatassuredlyanyonemighthavesupposedthattheseinitialsweretheoriginaloneswrittenintheballad。Thethingmadeanuncomfortableimpressionupontheprince。OfcourseMrs。
Epanchinsawnothingeitherinthechangeofinitialsorintheinsinuationembodiedtherein。GeneralEpanchinonlyknewthattherewasarecitationofversesgoingon，andtooknofurtherinterestinthematter。Oftherestoftheaudience，manyhadunderstoodtheallusionandwonderedbothatthedaringoftheladyandatthemotiveunderlyingit，buttriedtoshownosignoftheirfeelings。ButEvgeniePavlovitch(astheprincewasreadytowager)bothcomprehendedandtriedhisbesttoshowthathecomprehended；hissmilewastoomockingtoleaveanydoubtonthatpoint。
\"Howbeautifulthatis！\"criedMrs。Epanchin，withsincereadmiration。\"Whoseisit？’
\"Pushkin’s，mama，ofcourse！Don’tdisgraceusallbyshowingyourignorance，\"saidAdelaida。
\"Assoonaswereachhomegiveittometoread。\"
\"Idon’tthinkwehaveacopyofPushkininthehouse。\"
\"Thereareacoupleoftornvolumessomewhere；theyhavebeenlyingaboutfromtimeimmemorial，\"addedAlexandra。
\"SendFeodororAlexeyupbytheveryfirsttraintobuyacopy，then——Aglaya，comehere——kissme，dear，yourecitedbeautifully！
but，\"sheaddedinawhisper，\"ifyouweresincereIamsorryforyou。Ifitwasajoke，Idonotapproveofthefeelingswhichpromptedyoutodoit，andinanycaseyouwouldhavedonefarbetternottoreciteitatall。Doyouunderstand？——Nowcomealong，youngwoman；we’vesatheretoolong。I’llspeaktoyouaboutthisanothertime。\"
MeanwhiletheprincetooktheopportunityofgreetingGeneralEpanchin，andthegeneralintroducedEvgeniePavlovitchtohim。
\"Icaughthimuponthewaytoyourhouse，\"explainedthegeneral。\"Hehadheardthatwewereallhere。\"
\"Yes，andIheardthatyouwerehere，too，\"addedEvgeniePavlovitch；\"andsinceIhadlongpromisedmyselfthepleasureofseekingnotonlyyouracquaintancebutyourfriendship，Ididnotwishtowastetime，butcamestraighton。Iamsorrytohearthatyouareunwell。\"
\"Oh，butI’mquitewellnow，thankyou，andverygladtomakeyouracquaintance。PrinceS。hasoftenspokentomeaboutyou，\"
saidMuishkin，andforaninstantthetwomenlookedintentlyintooneanother’seyes。
TheprinceremarkedthatEvgeniePavlovitch’splainclotheshadevidentlymadeagreatimpressionuponthecompanypresent，somuchsothatallotherinterestsseemedtobeeffacedbeforethissurprisingfact。
Hischangeofdresswasevidentlyamatterofsomeimportance。
AdelaidaandAlexandrapouredoutastreamofquestions；PrinceS。，arelativeoftheyoungman，appearedannoyed；andIvanFedorovitchquiteexcited。Aglayaalonewasnotinterested。ShemerelylookedcloselyatEvgenieforaminute，curiousperhapsastowhethercivilormilitaryclothesbecamehimbest，thenturnedawayandpaidnomoreattentiontohimorhiscostume。LizabethaProkofievnaaskednoquestions，butitwasclearthatshewasuneasy，andtheprincefanciedthatEvgeniewasnotinhergoodgraces。
\"Hehasastonishedme，\"saidIvanFedorovitch。\"Inearlyfelldownwithsurprise。IcouldhardlybelievemyeyeswhenImethiminPetersburgjustnow。Whythishaste？That’swhatIwanttoknow。Hehasalwayssaidhimselfthatthereisnoneedtobreakwindows。\"
EvgeniePavlovitchremarkedherethathehadspokenofhisintentionofleavingtheservicelongago。Hehad，however，alwaysmademoreorlessofajokeaboutit，sonoonehadtakenhimseriously。Forthatmatterhejokedabouteverything，andhisfriendsneverknewwhattobelieve，especiallyifhedidnotwishthemtounderstandhim。
\"Ihaveonlyretiredforatime，\"saidhe，laughing。\"Forafewmonths；atmostforayear。\"
\"Butthereisnonecessityforyoutoretireatall，\"complainedthegeneral，\"asfarasIknow。\"
\"Iwanttogoandlookaftermycountryestates。Youadvisedmetodothatyourself，\"wasthereply。\"AndthenIwishtogoabroad。\"
Afterafewmoreexpostulations，theconversationdriftedintootherchannels，buttheprince，whohadbeenanattentivelistener，thoughtallthisexcitementaboutsosmallamatterverycurious。\"Theremustbemoreinitthanappears，\"hesaidtohimself。
\"Iseethe’poorknight’hascomeonthesceneagain，\"saidEvgeniePavlovitch，steppingtoAglaya’sside。
Totheamazementoftheprince，whooverheardtheremark，Aglayalookedhaughtilyandinquiringlyatthequestioner，asthoughshewouldgivehimtoknow，onceforall，thattherecouldbenotalkbetweenthemaboutthe’poorknight，’andthatshedidnotunderstandhisquestion。
\"Butnotnow！ItistoolatetosendtotownforaPushkinnow。
Itismuchtoolate，Isay！\"Coliawasexclaiminginaloudvoice。\"Ihavetoldyousoatleastahundredtimes。\"
\"Yes，itisreallymuchtoolatetosendtotownnow，\"saidEvgeniePavlovitch，whohadescapedfromAglayaasrapidlyaspossible。\"IamsuretheshopsareshutinPetersburg；itispasteighto’clock，\"headded，lookingathiswatch。
\"Wehavedonewithouthimsofar，\"interruptedAdelaidainherturn。\"Surelywecanwaituntilto-morrow。\"
\"Besides，\"saidColia，\"itisquiteunusual，almostimproper，forpeopleinourpositiontotakeanyinterestinliterature。AskEvgeniePavlovitchifIamnotright。Itismuchmorefashionabletodriveawaggonettewithredwheels。\"
\"Yougotthatfromsomemagazine，Colia，\"remarkedAdelaida。
\"Hegetsmostofhisconversationinthatway，\"laughedEvgeniePavlovitch。\"Heborrowswholephrasesfromthereviews。IhavelonghadthepleasureofknowingbothNicholaiArdalionovitchandhisconversationalmethods，butthistimehewasnotrepeatingsomethinghehadread；hewasalluding，nodoubt，tomyyellowwaggonette，whichhas，orhad，redwheels。ButIhaveexchangedit，soyouareratherbehindthetimes，Colia。\"
TheprincehadbeenlisteningattentivelytoRadomski’swords，andthoughthismannerverypleasant。WhenColiachaffedhimabouthiswaggonettehehadrepliedwithperfectequalityandinafriendlyfashion。ThispleasedMuishkin。
AtthismomentVeracameuptoLizabethaProkofievna，carryingseverallargeandbeautifullyboundbooks，apparentlyquitenew。
\"Whatisit？\"demandedthelady。
\"ThisisPushkin，\"repliedthegirl。\"Papatoldmetoofferittoyou。\"
\"What？Impossible！\"exclaimedMrs。Epanchin。
\"Notasapresent，notasapresent！Ishouldnothavetakentheliberty，\"saidLebedeff，appearingsuddenlyfrombehindhisdaughter。\"ItisourownPushkin，ourfamilycopy，Annenkoff’sedition；itcouldnotbeboughtnow。Ibegtosuggest，withgreatrespect，thatyourexcellencyshouldbuyit，andthusquenchthenobleliterarythirstwhichisconsumingyouatthismoment，\"heconcludedgrandiloquently。
\"Oh！ifyouwillsellit，verygood——andthankyou。Youshallnotbealoser！Butforgoodness’sake，don’ttwistaboutlikethat，sir！Ihaveheardofyou；theytellmeyouareaverylearnedperson。Wemusthaveatalkoneofthesedays。Youwillbringmethebooksyourself？\"
\"Withthegreatestrespect……and……andveneration，\"repliedLebedeff，makingextraordinarygrimaces。
\"Well，bringthem，withorwithoutrespect，providedalwaysyoudonotdropthemontheway；butonthecondition，\"wentonthelady，lookingfullathim，\"thatyoudonotcrossmythreshold。I
donotintendtoreceiveyoutoday。YoumaysendyourdaughterVeraatonce，ifyoulike。Iammuchpleasedwithher。\"
\"Whydon’tyoutellhimaboutthem？\"saidVeraimpatientlytoherfather。\"Theywillcomein，whetheryouannouncethemornot，andtheyarebeginningtomakearow。LefNicolaievitch，\"——sheaddressedherselftotheprince——\"fourmenarehereaskingforyou。Theyhavewaitedsometime，andarebeginningtomakeafuss，andpapawillnotbringthemin。\"
\"Whoarethesepeople？\"saidtheprince。
\"Theysaythattheyhavecomeonbusiness，andtheyarethekindofmen，who，ifyoudonotseethemhere，willfollowyouaboutthestreet。Itwouldbebettertoreceivethem，andthenyouwillgetridofthem。GavrilaArdalionovitchandPtitsinareboththere，tryingtomakethemhearreason。\"
\"Pavlicheff’sson！Itisnotworthwhile！\"criedLebedeff。\"Thereisnonecessitytoseethem，anditwouldbemostunpleasantforyourexcellency。Theydonotdeserve……\"
\"What？Pavlicheff’sson！\"criedtheprince，muchperturbed。\"I
know……Iknow——butIentrustedthismattertoGavrilaArdalionovitch。Hetoldme……\"
AtthatmomentGania，accompaniedbyPtitsin，cameouttotheterrace。Fromanadjoiningroomcameanoiseofangryvoices，andGeneralIvolgin，inloudtones，seemedtobetryingtoshoutthemdown。Coliarushedoffatoncetoinvestigatethecauseoftheuproar。
\"Thisismostinteresting！\"observedEvgeniePavlovitch。
\"Iexpectheknowsallaboutit！\"thoughttheprince。
\"What，thesonofPavlicheff？AndwhomaythissonofPavlicheffbe？\"askedGeneralEpanchinwithsurprise；andlookingcuriouslyaroundhim，hediscoveredthathealonehadnocluetothemystery。Expectationandsuspensewereoneveryface，withtheexceptionofthatoftheprince，whostoodgravelywonderinghowanaffairsoentirelypersonalcouldhaveawakenedsuchlivelyandwidespreadinterestinsoshortatime。
Aglayawentuptohimwithapeculiarlyseriouslook\"Itwillbewell，\"shesaid，\"ifyouputanendtothisaffairyourselfATONCE:butyoumustallowustobeyourwitnesses。
Theywanttothrowmudatyou，prince，andyoumustbetriumphantlyvindicated。Igiveyoujoybeforehand！\"
\"AndIalsowishforjusticetobedone，onceforall，\"criedMadameEpanchin，\"aboutthisimpudentclaim。Dealwiththempromptly，prince，anddon’tsparethem！Iamsickofhearingabouttheaffair，andmanyaquarrelIhavehadinyourcause。
ButIconfessIamanxioustoseewhathappens，sodomakethemcomeouthere，andwewillremain。Youhaveheardpeopletalkingaboutit，nodoubt？\"sheadded，turningtoPrinceS。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidhe。\"Ihavehearditspokenaboutatyourhouse，andIamanxioustoseetheseyoungmen！\"
\"TheyareNihilists，aretheynot？\"
\"No，theyarenotNihilists，\"explainedLebedeff，whoseemedmuchexcited。\"Thisisanotherlot——aspecialgroup。AccordingtomynephewtheyaremoreadvancedeventhantheNihilists。Youarequitewrong，excellency，ifyouthinkthatyourpresencewillintimidatethem；nothingintimidatesthem。Educatedmen，learnedmeneven，aretobefoundamongNihilists；thesegofurther，inthattheyaremenofaction。Themovementis，properlyspeaking，aderivativefromNihilism——thoughtheyareonlyknownindirectly，andbyhearsay，fortheyneveradvertisetheirdoingsinthepapers。Theygostraighttothepoint。Forthem，itisnotaquestionofshowingthatPushkinisstupid，orthatRussiamustbetorninpieces。No；butiftheyhaveagreatdesireforanything，theybelievetheyhavearighttogetitevenatthecostofthelives，say，ofeightpersons。Theyarecheckedbynoobstacles。Infact，prince，Ishouldnotadviseyou……\"
ButMuishkinhadrisen，andwasonhiswaytoopenthedoorforhisvisitors。
\"Youareslanderingthem，Lebedeff，\"saidhe，smiling。
\"Youarealwaysthinkingaboutyournephew’sconduct。Don’tbelievehim，LizabethaProkofievna。IcanassureyouGorskyandDaniloffareexceptions——andthattheseareonly……mistaken。
However，Idonotcareaboutreceivingthemhere，inpublic。
Excuseme，LizabethaProkofievna。Theyarecoming，andyoucanseethem，andthenIwilltakethemaway。Pleasecomein，gentlemen！\"
Anotherthoughttormentedhim:Hewonderedwasthisanarrangedbusiness——arrangedtohappenwhenhehadguestsinhishouse，andinanticipationofhishumiliationratherthanofhistriumph？
Buthereproachedhimselfbitterlyforsuchathought，andfeltasifheshoulddieofshameifitwerediscovered。Whenhisnewvisitorsappeared，hewasquitereadytobelievehimselfinfinitelylesstoberespectedthananyofthem。
Fourpersonsentered，ledbyGeneralIvolgin，inastateofgreatexcitement，andtalkingeloquently。
\"Heisforme，undoubtedly！\"thoughttheprince，withasmile。
Coliaalsohadjoinedtheparty，andwastalkingwithanimationtoHippolyte，wholistenedwithajeeringsmileonhislips。
Theprincebeggedthevisitorstositdown。Theywereallsoyoungthatitmadetheproceedingsseemevenmoreextraordinary。
IvanFedorovitch，whoreallyunderstoodnothingofwhatwasgoingon，feltindignantatthesightoftheseyouths，andwouldhaveinterferedinsomewayhaditnotbeenfortheextremeinterestshownbyhiswifeintheaffair。Hethereforeremained，partlythroughcuriosity，partlythroughgood-nature，hopingthathispresencemightbeofsomeuse。ButthebowwithwhichGeneralIvolgingreetedhimirritatedhimanew；hefrowned，anddecidedtobeabsolutelysilent。
Astotherest，onewasamanofthirty，theretiredofficer，nowaboxer，whohadbeenwithRogojin，andinhishappierdayshadgivenfifteenroublesatatimetobeggars。Evidentlyhehadjoinedtheothersasacomradetogivethemmoral，andifnecessarymaterial，support。Themanwhohadbeenspokenofas\"Pavlicheff’sson，\"althoughhegavethenameofAntipBurdovsky，wasabouttwenty-twoyearsofage，fair，thinandrathertall。Hewasremarkableforthepoverty，nottosayuncleanliness，ofhispersonalappearance:thesleevesofhisovercoatweregreasy；hisdirtywaistcoat，buttoneduptohisneck，showednotatraceoflinen；afilthyblacksilkscarf，twistedtillitresembledacord，wasroundhisneck，andhishandswereunwashed。Helookedroundwithanairofinsolenteffrontery。Hisface，coveredwithpimples，wasneitherthoughtfulnorevencontemptuous；itworeanexpressionofcomplacentsatisfactionindemandinghisrightsandinbeinganaggrievedparty。Hisvoicetrembled，andhespokesofast，andwithsuchstammerings，thathemighthavebeentakenforaforeigner，thoughthepurestRussianbloodraninhisveins。Lebedeff’snephew，whomthereaderhasseenalready，accompaniedhim，andalsotheyouthnamedHippolyteTerentieff。
Thelatterwasonlyseventeenoreighteen。Hehadanintelligentface，thoughitwasusuallyirritatedandfretfulinexpression。
Hisskeleton-likefigure，hisghastlycomplexion，thebrightnessofhiseyes，andtheredspotsofcolouronhischeeks，betrayedthevictimofconsumptiontothemostcasualglance。Hecoughedpersistently，andpantedforbreath；itlookedasthoughhehadbutafewweeksmoretolive。Hewasnearlydeadwithfatigue，andfell，ratherthansat，intoachair。Therestbowedastheycamein；andbeingmoreorlessabashed，putonanairofextremeself-assurance。Inshort，theirattitudewasnotthatwhichonewouldhaveexpectedinmenwhoprofessedtodespisealltrivialities，allfoolishmundaneconventions，andindeedeverything，excepttheirownpersonalinterests。
\"AntipBurdovsky，\"stutteredthesonofPavlicheff。
\"VladimirDoktorenko，\"saidLebedeff’snephewbriskly，andwithacertainpride，asifheboastedofhisname。
\"Keller，\"murmuredtheretiredofficer。
\"HippolyteTerentieff，\"criedthelast-named，inashrillvoice。
Theysatnowinarowfacingtheprince，andfrowned，andplayedwiththeircaps。Allappearedreadytospeak，andyetallweresilent；thedefiantexpressionontheirfacesseemedtosay，\"No，sir，youdon’ttakeusin！\"Itcouldbefeltthatthefirstwordspokenbyanyonepresentwouldbringatorrentofspeechfromthewholedeputation。
VIII。
\"IDIDnotexpectyou，gentlemen，\"begantheprince。Ihavebeenilluntilto-day。Amonthago，\"hecontinued，addressinghimselftoAntipBurdovsky，\"IputyourbusinessintoGavrilaArdalionovitchIvolgin’shands，asItoldyouthen。Idonotintheleastobjecttohavingapersonalinterview……butyouwillagreewithmethatthisishardlythetime……Iproposethatwegointoanotherroom，ifyouwillnotkeepmelong……Asyousee，Ihavefriendshere，andbelieveme……\"
\"Friendsasmanyasyouplease，butallowme，\"interruptedtheharshvoiceofLebedeff’snephew——\"allowmetotellyouthatyoumighthavetreatedusrathermorepolitely，andnothavekeptuswaitingatleasttwohours……
\"Nodoubt……andI……isthatactinglikeaprince？Andyou……
youmaybeageneral！ButI……Iamnotyourvalet！AndI……
I……\"stammeredAntipBurdovsky。
Hewasextremelyexcited；hislipstrembled，andtheresentmentofanembitteredsoulwasinhisvoice。Buthespokesoindistinctlythathardlyadozenwordscouldbegathered。
\"Itwasaprincelyaction！\"sneeredHippolyte。
\"Ifanyonehadtreatedmeso，\"grumbledtheboxer。
\"ImeantosaythatifIhadbeeninBurdovsky’splace……I……\"
\"Gentlemen，Ididnotknowyouwerethere；Ihaveonlyjustbeeninformed，Iassureyou，\"repeatedMuishkin。
\"Wearenotafraidofyourfriends，prince，\"remarkedLebedeff’snephew，\"forwearewithinourrights。\"
TheshrilltonesofHippolyteinterruptedhim。\"Whatrighthaveyou……bywhatrightdoyoudemandustosubmitthismatter，aboutBurdovsky……tothejudgmentofyourfriends？Weknowonlytoowellwhatthejudgmentofyourfriendswillbe！……\"
Thisbeginninggavepromiseofastormydiscussion。Theprincewasmuchdiscouraged，butatlasthemanagedtomakehimselfheardamidthevociferationsofhisexcitedvisitors。
\"Ifyou，\"hesaid，addressingBurdovsky——\"ifyouprefernottospeakhere，Iofferagaintogointoanotherroomwithyou……
andastoyourwaitingtoseeme，IrepeatthatIonlythisinstantheard……\"
\"Well，youhavenoright，youhavenoright，norightatall！……
Yourfriendsindeed！\"……gabbledBurdovsky，defiantlyexaminingthefacesroundhim，andbecomingmoreandmoreexcited。\"Youhavenoright！……\"Asheendedthusabruptly，heleantforward，staringattheprincewithhisshort-sighted，bloodshoteyes。Thelatterwassoastonished，thathedidnotreply，butlookedsteadilyathiminreturn。
\"LefNicolaievitch！\"interposedMadameEpanchin，suddenly，\"readthisatonce，thisverymoment！Itisaboutthisbusiness。\"
Sheheldoutaweeklycomicpaper，pointingtoanarticleononeofitspages。Justasthevisitorswerecomingin，Lebedeff，wishingtoingratiatehimselfwiththegreatlady，hadpulledthispaperfromhispocket，andpresentedittoher，indicatingafewcolumnsmarkedinpencil。LizabethaProkofievnahadhadtimetoreadsomeofit，andwasgreatlyupset。
\"Woulditnotbebettertoperuseitalone……\"lateraskedtheprince，nervously。
\"No，no，readit——readitatoncedirectly，andaloud，aloud！\"
criedshe，callingColiatoherandgivinghimthejournal——\"
Readitaloud，sothateveryonemayhearit！\"
Animpetuouswoman，LizabethaProkofievnasometimesweighedheranchorsandputouttoseaquiteregardlessofthepossiblestormsshemightencounter。IvanFedorovitchfeltasuddenpangofalarm，buttheothersweremerelycurious，andsomewhatsurprised。Coliaunfoldedthepaper，andbegantoread，inhisclear，high-pitchedvoice，thefollowingarticle:
\"Proletariansandscionsofnobility！Anepisodeofthebrigandageoftodayandeveryday！Progress！Reform！Justice！\"
\"Strangethingsaregoingoninourso-calledHolyRussiainthisageofreformandgreatenterprises；thisageofpatriotisminwhichhundredsofmillionsareyearlysentabroad；inwhichindustryisencouraged，andthehandsofLabourparalyzed，etc。；
thereisnoendtothis，gentlemen，soletuscometothepoint。
Astrangethinghashappenedtoascionofourdefunctaristocracy。(DEPROFUNDIS！)Thegrandfathersofthesescionsruinedthemselvesatthegaming-tables；theirfatherswereforcedtoserveasofficersorsubalterns；somehavediedjustastheywereabouttobetriedforinnocentthoughtlessnessinthehandlingofpublicfunds。Theirchildrenaresometimescongenitalidiots，liketheheroofourstory；sometimestheyarefoundinthedockattheAssizes，wheretheyaregenerallyacquittedbythejuryforedifyingmotives；sometimestheydistinguishthemselvesbyoneofthoseburningscandalsthatamazethepublicandaddanotherblottothestainedrecordofourage。Sixmonthsago——thatis，lastwinter——thisparticularscionreturnedtoRussia，wearinggaiterslikeaforeigner，andshiveringwithcoldinanoldscantily-linedcloak。HehadcomefromSwitzerland，wherehehadjustundergoneasuccessfulcourseoftreatmentforidiocy(SIC！)。CertainlyFortunefavouredhim，for，apartfromtheinterestingmaladyofwhichhewascuredinSwitzerland(cantherebeacureforidiocy？)hisstoryprovesthetruthoftheRussianproverbthat’happinessistherightofcertainclasses！’
Judgeforyourselves。Oursubjectwasaninfantinarmswhenhelosthisfather，anofficerwhodiedjustashewasabouttobecourt-martialledforgamblingawaythefundsofhiscompany，andperhapsalsoforfloggingasubordinatetoexcess(rememberthegoodolddays，gentlemen)。TheorphanwasbroughtupbythecharityofaveryrichRussianlandowner。Inthegoodolddays，thisman，whomwewillcallP——，ownedfourthousandsoulsasserfs(soulsasserfs！——canyouunderstandsuchanexpression，gentlemen？Icannot；itmustbelookedupinadictionarybeforeonecanunderstandit；thesethingsofabygonedayarealreadyunintelligibletous)。HeappearstohavebeenoneofthoseRussianparasiteswholeadanidleexistenceabroad，spendingthesummeratsomespa，andthewinterinParis，tothegreaterprofitoftheorganizersofpublicballs。ItmaysafelybesaidthatthemanageroftheChateaudesFleurs(luckyman！)pocketedatleastathirdofthemoneypaidbyRussianpeasantstotheirlordsinthedaysofserfdom。Howeverthismaybe，thegayP——
broughtuptheorphanlikeaprince，providedhimwithtutorsandgovernesses(pretty，ofcourse！)whomhechosehimselfinParis。
Butthelittlearistocrat，thelastofhisnoblerace，wasanidiot。Thegovernesses，recruitedattheChateaudesFleurs，labouredinvain；attwentyyearsofagetheirpupilcouldnotspeakinanylanguage，notevenRussian。Butignoranceofthelatterwasstillexcusable。AtlastP——wasseizedwithastrangenotion；heimaginedthatinSwitzerlandtheycouldchangeanidiotintoamailofsense。Afterall，theideawasquitelogical；aparasiteandlandownernaturallysupposedthatintelligencewasamarketablecommoditylikeeverythingelse，andthatinSwitzerlandespeciallyitcouldbeboughtformoney。
ThecasewasentrustedtoacelebratedSwissprofessor，andcostthousandsofroubles；thetreatmentlastedfiveyears。Needlesstosay，theidiotdidnotbecomeintelligent，butitisallegedthathegrewintosomethingmoreorlessresemblingaman。AtthisstageP——diedsuddenly，and，asusual，hehadmadenowillandlefthisaffairsindisorder。Acrowdofeagerclaimantsarose，whocarednothingaboutanylastscionofanobleraceundergoingtreatmentinSwitzerland，attheexpenseofthedeceased，asacongenitalidiot。Idiotthoughhewas，thenoblesciontriedtocheathisprofessor，andtheysayhesucceededingettinghimtocontinuethetreatmentgratisfortwoyears，byconcealingthedeathofhisbenefactor。Buttheprofessorhimselfwasacharlatan。Gettinganxiousatlastwhennomoneywasforthcoming，andalarmedaboveallbyhispatient’sappetite，hepresentedhimwithapairofoldgaitersandashabbycloakandpackedhimofftoRussia，thirdclass。ItwouldseemthatFortunehadturnedherbackuponourhero。Notatall；Fortune，wholetswholepopulationsdieofhunger，showeredallhergiftsatonceuponthelittlearistocrat，likeKryloff’sCloudwhichpassesoveranaridplainandemptiesitselfintothesea。HehadscarcelyarrivedinSt。Petersburg，whenarelationofhismother’s(whowasofbourgeoisorigin，ofcourse)，diedatMoscow。Hewasamerchant，anOldBeliever，andhehadnochildren。Heleftafortuneofseveralmillionsingoodcurrentcoin，andeverythingcametoournoblescion，ourgaiteredbaron，formerlytreatedforidiocyinaSwisslunaticasylum。Instantlythescenechanged，crowdsoffriendsgatheredroundourbaron，whomeanwhilehadlosthisheadoveracelebrateddemi-mondaine；
heevendiscoveredsomerelations；moreoveranumberofyounggirlsofhighbirthburnedtobeunitedtohiminlawfulmatrimony。Couldanyonepossiblyimagineabettermatch？
Aristocrat，millionaire，andidiot，hehaseveryadvantage！Onemighthuntinvainforhisequal，evenwiththelanternofDiogenes；hislikeisnottobehadevenbygettingitmadetoorder！\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknowwhatthismeans\"criedIvanFedorovitch，transportedwithindignation。
\"Leaveoff，Colia，\"beggedtheprince。Exclamationsaroseonallsides。
\"Lethimgoonreadingatallcosts！\"orderedLizabethaProkofievna，evidentlypreservinghercomposurebyadesperateeffort。\"Prince，ifthereadingisstopped，youandIwillquarrel。\"
Coliahadnochoicebuttoobey。Withcrimsoncheekshereadonunsteadily:
\"ButwhileouryoungmillionairedweltasitwereintheEmpyrean，somethingnewoccurred。Onefinemorningamancalleduponhim，calmandsevereofaspect，distinguished，butplainlydressed。Politely，butindignifiedterms，asbefittedhiserrand，hebrieflyexplainedthemotiveforhisvisit。Hewasalawyerofenlightenedviews；hisclientwasayoungmanwhohadconsultedhiminconfidence。ThisyoungmanwasnootherthanthesonofP——，thoughhebearsanothername。InhisyouthP——，thesensualist，hadseducedayounggirl，poorbutrespectable。Shewasaserf，buthadreceivedaEuropeaneducation。Findingthatachildwasexpected，hehastenedhermarriagewithamanofnoblecharacterwhohadlovedherforalongtime。Hehelpedtheyoungcoupleforatime，buthewassoonobligedtogiveup，forthehigh-mindedhusbandrefusedtoacceptanythingfromhim。Soonthecarelessnoblemanforgotallabouthisformermistressandthechildshehadbornehim；then，asweknow，hediedintestate。P——
’sson，bornafterhismother’smarriage，foundatruefatherinthegenerousmanwhosenamehebore。Butwhenhealsodied，theorphanwaslefttoprovideforhimself，hismothernowbeinganinvalidwhohadlosttheuseofherlimbs。Leavingherinadistantprovince，hecametothecapitalinsearchofpupils。Bydintofdailytoilheearnedenoughtoenablehimtofollowthecollegecourses，andatlasttoentertheuniversity。ButwhatcanoneearnbyteachingthechildrenofRussianmerchantsattencopecksalesson，especiallywithaninvalidmothertokeep？Evenherdeathdidnotmuchdiminishthehardshipsoftheyoungman’sstruggleforexistence。Nowthisisthequestion:how，inthenameofjustice，shouldourscionhavearguedthecase？Ourreaderswillthink，nodoubt，thathewouldsaytohimself:’P——
showeredbenefitsuponmeallmylife；hespenttensofthousandsofroublestoeducateme，toprovidemewithgovernesses，andtokeepmeundertreatmentinSwitzerland。NowIamamillionaire，andP——’sson，anobleyoungmanwhoisnotresponsibleforthefaultsofhiscarelessandforgetfulfather，iswearinghimselfoutgivingill-paidlessons。Accordingtojustice，allthatwasdoneformeoughttohavebeendoneforhim。Theenormoussumsspentuponmewerenotreallymine；theycametomebyanerrorofblindFortune，whentheyoughttohavegonetoP——’sson。Theyshouldhavegonetobenefithim，notme，inwhomP——interestedhimselfbyamerecaprice，insteadofdoinghisdutyasafather。
IfIwishedtobehavenobly，justly，andwithdelicacy，Ioughttobestowhalfmyfortuneuponthesonofmybenefactor；butaseconomyismyfavouritevirtue，andIknowthisisnotacaseinwhichthelawcanintervene，Iwillnotgiveuphalfmymillions。
Butitwouldbetooopenlyvile，tooflagrantlyinfamous，ifI
didnotatleastrestoretoP——’ssonthetensofthousandsofroublesspentincuringmyidiocy。Thisissimplyacaseofconscienceandofstrictjustice。WhateverwouldhavebecomeofmeifP——hadnotlookedaftermyeducation，andhadtakencareofhisownsoninsteadofme？’
\"No，gentlemen，ourscionsofthenobilitydonotreasonthus。
Thelawyer，whohadtakenupthematterpurelyoutoffriendshiptotheyoungman，andalmostagainsthiswill，invokedeveryconsiderationofjustice，delicacy，honour，andevenplainfigures；invain，theex-patientoftheSwisslunaticasylumwasinflexible。Allthismightpass，butthesequelisabsolutelyunpardonable，andnottobeexcusedbyanyinterestingmalady。
Thismillionaire，havingbutjustdiscardedtheoldgaitersofhisprofessor，couldnotevenunderstandthatthenobleyoungmanslavingawayathislessonswasnotaskingforcharitablehelp，butforhisrightfuldue，thoughthedebtwasnotalegalone；
that，correctlyspeaking，hewasnotaskingforanything，butitwasmerelyhisfriendswhohadthoughtfittobestirthemselvesonhisbehalf。Withthecoolinsolenceofabloatedcapitalist，secureinhismillions，hemajesticallydrewabanknoteforfiftyroublesfromhispocket-bookandsentittothenobleyoungmanasahumiliatingpieceofcharity。Youcanhardlybelieveit，gentlemen！Youarescandalizedanddisgusted；youcryoutinindignation！Butthatiswhathedid！Needlesstosay，themoneywasreturned，orratherflungbackinhisface。Thecaseisnotwithintheprovinceofthelaw，itmustbereferredtothetribunalofpublicopinion；thisiswhatwenowdo，guaranteeingthetruthofallthedetailswhichwehaverelated。\"
WhenColiahadfinishedreading，hehandedthepapertotheprince，andretiredsilentlytoacorneroftheroom，hidinghisfaceinhishands。Hewasovercomebyafeelingofinexpressibleshame；hisboyishsensitivenesswaswoundedbeyondendurance。Itseemedtohimthatsomethingextraordinary，somesuddencatastrophehadoccurred，andthathewasalmostthecauseofit，becausehehadreadthearticlealoud。
Yetalltheothersweresimilarlyaffected。Thegirlswereuncomfortableandashamed。LizabethaProkofievnarestrainedherviolentangerbyagreateffort；perhapsshebitterlyregrettedherinterferenceinthematter；forthepresentshekeptsilence。
Theprincefeltasveryshypeopleoftendoinsuchacase；hewassoashamedoftheconductofotherpeople，sohumiliatedforhisguests，thathedarednotlookthemintheface。Ptitsin，Varia，Gania，andLebedeffhimself，alllookedratherconfused。
Strangerstill，Hippolyteandthe\"sonofPavlicheff\"alsoseemedslightlysurprised，andLebedeff’snephewwasobviouslyfarfrompleased。Theboxeralonewasperfectlycalm；hetwistedhismoustacheswithaffecteddignity，andifhiseyeswerecastdownitwascertainlynotinconfusion，butratherinnoblemodesty，asifhedidnotwishtobeinsolentinhistriumph。Itwasevidentthathewasdelightedwiththearticle。
\"Thedevilknowswhatitmeans，\"growledIvanFedorovitch，underhisbreath；\"itmusthavetakentheunitedwitsoffiftyfootmentowriteit。\"
\"MayIaskyourreasonforsuchaninsultingsupposition，sir？\"
saidHippolyte，tremblingwithrage。
Youwilladmityourself，general，thatforanhonourableman，iftheauthorisanhonourableman，thatisan——aninsult，\"growledtheboxersuddenly，withconvulsivejerkingsofhisshoulders。
\"Inthefirstplace，itisnotforyoutoaddressmeas’sir，’
and，inthesecondplace，Irefusetogiveyouanyexplanation，\"
saidIvanFedorovitchvehemently；andherosewithoutanotherword，andwentandstoodonthefirststepoftheflightthatledfromtheverandahtothestreet，turninghisbackonthecompany。
HewasindignantwithLizabethaProkofievna，whodidnotthinkofmovingevennow。
\"Gentlemen，gentlemen，letmespeakatlast，\"criedtheprince，anxiousandagitated。\"Pleaseletusunderstandoneanother。I
saynothingaboutthearticle，gentlemen，exceptthateverywordisfalse；IsaythisbecauseyouknowitaswellasIdo。Itisshameful。Ishouldbesurprisedifanyoneofyoucouldhavewrittenit。\"
\"Ididnotknowofitsexistencetillthismoment，\"declaredHippolyte。\"Idonotapproveofit。\"
\"Iknewithadbeenwritten，butIwouldnothaveadviseditspublication，\"saidLebedeff’snephew，\"becauseitispremature。\"
\"Iknewit，butIhavearight。I……I……\"stammeredthe\"sonofPavlicheff。\"
\"What！Didyouwriteallthatyourself？Isitpossible？\"askedtheprince，regardingBurdovskywithcuriosity。
\"Onemightdisputeyourrighttoasksuchquestions，\"observedLebedeff’snephew。
\"IwasonlysurprisedthatMr。Burdovskyshouldhave——however，thisiswhatIhavetosay。Sinceyouhadalreadygiventhematterpublicity，whydidyouobjectjustnow，whenIbegantospeakofittomyfriends？\"
\"Atlast！\"murmuredLizabethaProkofievnaindignantly。
Lebedeffcouldrestrainhimselfnolonger；hemadehiswaythroughtherowofchairs。
\"Prince，\"hecried，\"youareforgettingthatifyouconsentedtoreceiveandhearthem，itwasonlybecauseofyourkindheartwhichhasnoequal，fortheyhadnottheleastrighttodemandit，especiallyasyouhadplacedthematterinthehandsofGavrilaArdalionovitch，whichwasalsoextremelykindofyou。Youarealsoforgetting，mostexcellentprince，thatyouarewithfriends，aselectcompany；youcannotsacrificethemtothesegentlemen，anditisonlyforyoutohavethemturnedoutthisinstant。AsthemasterofthehouseIshallhavegreatpleasure……\"
\"Quiteright！\"agreedGeneralIvolgininaloudvoice。
\"Thatwilldo，Lebedeff，thatwilldo——\"begantheprince，whenanindignantoutcrydrownedhiswords。
\"Excuseme，prince，excuseme，butnowthatwillnotdo，\"shoutedLebedeff’snephew，hisvoicedominatingalltheothers。\"Themattermustbeclearlystated，foritisobviouslynotproperlyunderstood。Theyarecallinginsomelegalchicanery，anduponthatgroundtheyarethreateningtoturnusoutofthehouse！
Really，prince，doyouthinkwearesuchfoolsasnottobeawarethatthismatterdoesnotcomewithinthelaw，andthatlegallywecannotclaimaroublefromyou？Butwearealsoawarethatifactuallawisnotonourside，humanlawisforus，naturallaw，thelawofcommon-senseandconscience，whichisnolessbindinguponeverynobleandhonestman——thatis，everymanofsanejudgment——becauseitisnottobefoundinmiserablelegalcodes。
Ifwecomeherewithoutfearofbeingturnedout(aswasthreatenedjustnow)becauseoftheimperativetoneofourdemand，andtheunseemlinessofsuchavisitatthislatehour(thoughitwasnotlatewhenwearrived，wewerekeptwaitinginyouranteroom)，if，Isay，wecameinwithoutfear，itisjustbecauseweexpectedtofindyouamanofsense；Imean，amanofhonourandconscience。Itisquitetruethatwedidnotpresentourselveshumbly，likeyourflatterersandparasites，butholdingupourheadsasbefitsindependentmen。Wepresentnopetition，butaproudandfreedemand(noteitwell，wedonotbeseech，wedemand！)。Weaskyoufairlyandsquarelyinadignifiedmanner。
DoyoubelievethatinthisaffairofBurdovskyyouhaverightonyourside？DoyouadmitthatPavlicheffoverwhelmedyouwithbenefits，andperhapssavedyourlife？Ifyouadmitit(whichwetakeforgranted)，doyouintend，nowthatyouareamillionaire，anddoyounotthinkitinconformitywithjustice，toindemnifyBurdovsky？Yesorno？Ifitisyes，or，inotherwords，ifyoupossesswhatyoucallhonourandconscience，andwemorejustlycallcommon-sense，thenaccedetoourdemand，andthematterisatanend。Giveussatisfaction，withoutentreatiesorthanksfromus；donotexpectthanksfromus，forwhatyoudowillbedonenotforoursake，butforthesakeofjustice。Ifyourefusetosatisfyus，thatis，ifyouranswerisno，wewillgoawayatonce，andtherewillbeanendofthematter。Butwewilltellyoutoyourfacebeforethepresentcompanythatyouareamanofvulgarandundevelopedmind；wewillopenlydenyyoutherighttospeakinfutureofyourhonourandconscience，foryouhavenotpaidthefairpriceofsucharight。Ihavenomoretosay——I
haveputthequestionbeforeyou。Nowturnusoutifyoudare。
Youcandoit；forceisonyourside。Butrememberthatwedonotbeseech，wedemand！Wedonotbeseech，wedemand！\"
Withtheselastexcitedwords，Lebedeff’snephewwassilent。
\"Wedemand，wedemand，wedemand，wedonotbeseech，\"splutteredBurdovsky，redasalobster。
ThespeechofLebedeff’snephewcausedacertainstiramongthecompany；murmursarose，thoughwiththeexceptionofLebedeff，whowasstillverymuchexcited，everyonewascarefulnottointerfereinthematter。Strangelyenough，Lebedeff，althoughontheprince’sside，seemedquiteproudofhisnephew’seloquence。
Gratifiedvanitywasvisibleintheglanceshecastupontheassembledcompany。
\"Inmyopinion，Mr。Doktorenko，\"saidtheprince，inratheralowvoice，\"youarequiterightinatleasthalfofwhatyousay。I
wouldgofurtherandsaythatyouarealtogetherright，andthatIquiteagreewithyou，iftherewerenotsomethinglackinginyourspeech。Icannotundertaketosaypreciselywhatitis，butyouhavecertainlyomittedsomething，andyoucannotbequitejustwhilethereissomethinglacking。Butletusputthatasideandreturntothepoint。Tellmewhatinducedyoutopublishthisarticle。Everywordofitisacalumny，andIthink，gentlemen，thatyouhavebeenguiltyofameanaction。\"
\"Allowme——\"
\"Sir——\"
\"What？What？What？\"criedallthevisitorsatonce，inviolentagitation。
\"Astothearticle，\"saidHippolyteinhiscroakingvoice，\"I
havetoldyoualreadythatwenoneofusapproveofit！Thereisthewriter，\"headded，pointingtotheboxer，whosatbesidehim。
\"Iquiteadmitthathehaswrittenitinhisoldregimentalmanner，withanequaldisregardforstyleanddecency。Iknowheisacrossbetweenafoolandanadventurer；Imakenobonesabouttellinghimsotohisfaceeveryday。Butafterallheishalfjustified；publicityisthelawfulrightofeveryman；
consequently，Burdovskyisnotexcepted。Lethimanswerforhisownblunders。AstotheobjectionwhichImadejustnowinthenameofall，tothepresenceofyourfriends，IthinkIoughttoexplain，gentlemen，thatIonlydidsotoassertourrights，thoughwereallywishedtohavewitnesses；wehadagreedunanimouslyuponthepointbeforewecamein。Wedonotcarewhoyourwitnessesmaybe，orwhethertheyareyourfriendsornot。
AstheycannotfailtorecognizeBurdovsky’sright(seeingthatitismathematicallydemonstrable)，itisjustaswellthatthewitnessesshouldbeyourfriends。Thetruthwillonlybemoreplainlyevident。\"
\"Itisquitetrue；wehadagreeduponthatpoint，\"saidLebedeff’snephew，inconfirmation。
\"Ifthatisthecase，whydidyoubeginbymakingsuchafussaboutit？\"askedtheastonishedprince。
Theboxerwasdyingtogetinafewwords；owing，nodoubt，tothepresenceoftheladies，hewasbecomingquitejovial。
\"Astothearticle，prince，\"hesaid，\"IadmitthatIwroteit，inspiteoftheseverecriticismofmypoorfriend，inwhomI
alwaysoverlookmanythingsbecauseofhisunfortunatestateofhealth。ButIwroteandpublisheditintheformofaletter，inthepaperofafriend。IshowedittonoonebutBurdovsky，andI
didnotreaditallthrough，eventohim。Heimmediatelygavemepermissiontopublishit，butyouwilladmitthatImighthavedonesowithouthisconsent。Publicityisanoble，beneficent，anduniversalright。Ihope，prince，thatyouaretooprogressivetodenythis？\"
\"Idenynothing，butyoumustconfessthatyourarticle——\"
\"Isabitthick，youmean？Well，inawaythatisinthepublicinterest；youwilladmitthatyourself，andafterallonecannotoverlookablatantfact。Somuchtheworsefortheguiltyparties，butthepublicwelfaremustcomebeforeeverything。Astocertaininaccuraciesandfiguresofspeech，sotospeak，youwillalsoadmitthatthemotive，aim，andintention，arethechiefthing。Itisaquestion，aboveall，ofmakingawholesomeexample；theindividualcasecanbeexaminedafterwards；andastothestyle——well，thethingwasmeanttobehumorous，sotospeak，and，afterall，everybodywriteslikethat；youmustadmitityourself！Ha，ha！\"
\"But，gentlemen，Iassureyouthatyouarequiteastray，\"
exclaimedtheprince。\"YouhavepublishedthisarticleuponthesuppositionthatIwouldneverconsenttosatisfyMr。Burdovsky。
Actingonthatconviction，youhavetriedtointimidatemebythispublicationandtoberevengedformysupposedrefusal。Butwhatdidyouknowofmyintentions？ItmaybethatIhaveresolvedtosatisfyMr。Burdovsky’sclaim。Inowdeclareopenly，inthepresenceofthesewitnesses，thatIwilldoso。\"
\"Thenobleandintelligentwordofanintelligentandmostnobleman，atlast！\"exclaimedtheboxer。
\"GoodGod！\"exclaimedLizabethaProkofievnainvoluntarily。
\"Thisisintolerable，\"growledthegeneral。
\"Allowme，gentlemen，allowme，\"urgedtheprince。
\"Iwillexplainmatterstoyou。FiveweeksagoIreceivedavisitfromTchebaroff，youragent，Mr。Burdovsky。Youhavegivenaveryflatteringdescriptionofhiminyourarticle，Mr。Keller，\"hecontinued，turningtotheboxerwithasmile，\"buthedidnotpleasemeatall。IsawatoncethatTchebaroffwasthemovingspiritinthematter，and，tospeakfrankly，Ithoughthemighthaveinducedyou，Mr。Burdovsky，tomakethisclaim，bytakingadvantageofyoursimplicity。\"
\"Youhavenoright……Iamnotsimple，\"stammeredBurdovsky，muchagitated。
\"Youhavenosortofrighttosupposesuchthings，\"saidLebedeff’snephewinatoneofauthority。
\"Itismostoffensive！\"shriekedHippolyte；\"itisaninsultingsuggestion，false，andmostill-timed。\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，gentlemen；pleaseexcuseme，\"saidtheprince。\"Ithoughtabsolutefranknessonbothsideswouldbebest，buthaveityourownway。ItoldTchebaroffthat，asIwasnotinPetersburg，Iwouldcommissionafriendtolookintothematterwithoutdelay，andthatIwouldletyouknow，Mr。
Burdovsky。Gentlemen，IhavenohesitationintellingyouthatitwasthefactofTchebaroff’sinterventionthatmademesuspectafraud。Oh！donottakeoffenceatmywords，gentlemen，forHeaven’ssakedonotbesotouchy！\"criedtheprince，seeingthatBurdovskywasgettingexcitedagain，andthattherestwerepreparingtoprotest。\"IfIsayIsuspectedafraud，thereisnothingpersonalinthat。Ihadneverseenanyofyouthen；Ididnotevenknowyournames；IonlyjudgedbyTchebaroff；Iamspeakingquitegenerally——ifyouonlyknewhowIhavebeen’done’
sinceIcameintomyfortune！\"
\"Youareshockinglynaive，prince，\"saidLebedeff’snephewinmockingtones。
\"Besides，thoughyouareaprinceandamillionaire，andeventhoughyoumayreallybesimpleandgood-hearted，youcanhardlybeoutsidethegenerallaw，\"Hippolytedeclaredloudly。
\"Perhapsnot；itisverypossible，\"theprinceagreedhastily，\"thoughIdonotknowwhatgenerallawyoualludeto。Iwillgoon——onlypleasedonottakeoffencewithoutgoodcause。IassureyouIdonotmeantooffendyouintheleast。Really，itisimpossibletospeakthreewordssincerelywithoutyourflyingintoarage！AtfirstIwasamazedwhenTchebarofftoldmethatPavlicheffhadason，andthathewasinsuchamiserableposition。Pavlicheffwasmybenefactor，andmyfather’sfriend。
Oh，Mr。Keller，whydoesyourarticleimputethingstomyfatherwithouttheslightestfoundation？Heneversquanderedthefundsofhiscompanynorill-treatedhissubordinates，Iamabsolutelycertainofit；Icannotimaginehowyoucouldbringyourselftowritesuchacalumny！ButyourassertionsconcerningPavlicheffareabsolutelyintolerable！Youdonotscrupletomakealibertineofthatnobleman；youcallhimasensualistascoollyasifyouwerespeakingthetruth，andyetitwouldnotbepossibletofindachasterman。Hewasevenascholarofnote，andincorrespondencewithseveralcelebratedscientists，andspentlargesumsintheinterestsofscience。Astohiskindheartandhisgoodactions，youwererightindeedwhenyousaidthatIwasalmostanidiotatthattime，andcouldhardlyunderstandanything——(IcouldspeakandunderstandRussian，though)，——butnowIcanappreciatewhatIremember——\"
\"Excuseme，\"interruptedHippolyte，\"isnotthisrathersentimental？Yousaidyouwishedtocometothepoint；pleaserememberthatitisafternineo’clock。\"
\"Verywell，gentlemen——verywell，\"repliedtheprince。\"AtfirstIreceivedthenewswithmistrust，thenIsaidtomyselfthatI
mightbemistaken，andthatPavlicheffmightpossiblyhavehadason。ButIwasabsolutelyamazedatthereadinesswithwhichthesonhadrevealedthesecretofhisbirthattheexpenseofhismother’shonour。ForTchebaroffhadalreadymenacedmewithpublicityinourinterview……\"
\"Whatnonsense！\"Lebedeff’snephewinterruptedviolently。
\"Youhavenoright——youhavenoright！\"criedBurdovsky。
\"Thesonisnotresponsibleforthemisdeedsofhisfather；andthemotherisnottoblame，\"addedHippolyte，withwarmth。
\"Thatseemstomeallthemorereasonforsparingher，\"saidtheprincetimidly。
\"Prince，youarenotonlysimple，butyoursimplicityisalmostpastthelimit，\"saidLebedeff’snephew，withasarcasticsmile。
\"Butwhatrighthadyou？\"saidHippolyteinaverystrangetone。
\"None——nonewhatever，\"agreedtheprincehastily。\"Iadmityouarerightthere，butitwasinvoluntary，andIimmediatelysaidtomyselfthatmypersonalfeelingshadnothingtodowithit，——
thatifIthoughtitrighttosatisfythedemandsofMr。
Burdovsky，outofrespectforthememoryofPavlicheff，Ioughttodosoinanycase，whetherIesteemedMr。Burdovskyornot。I
onlymentionedthis，gentlemen，becauseitseemedsounnaturaltomeforasontobetrayhismother’ssecretinsuchaway。Inshort，thatiswhatconvincedmethatTchebaroffmustbearogue，andthathehadinducedMr。Burdovskytoattemptthisfraud。\"
\"Butthisisintolerable！\"criedthevisitors，someofthemstartingtotheirfeet。
\"Gentlemen，IsupposedfromthisthatpoorMr。Burdovskymustbeasimple-mindedman，quitedefenceless，andaneasytoolinthehandsofrogues。ThatiswhyIthoughtitmydutytotryandhelphimas’Pavlicheff’sson’；inthefirstplacebyrescuinghimfromtheinfluenceofTchebaroff，andsecondlybymakingmyselfhisfriend。Ihaveresolvedtogivehimtenthousandroubles；
thatisaboutthesumwhichIcalculatethatPavlicheffmusthavespentonme。\"
\"What，onlytenthousand！\"criedHippolyte。
\"Well，prince，yourarithmeticisnotuptomuch，orelseyouaremightycleveratit，thoughyouaffecttheairofasimpleton，\"
saidLebedeff’snephew。
\"Iwillnotaccepttenthousandroubles，\"saidBurdovsky。
\"Accept，Antip，\"whisperedtheboxereagerly，leaningpastthebackofHippolyte’schairtogivehisfriendthispieceofadvice。\"Takeitforthepresent；wecanseeaboutmorelateron。\"
\"Lookhere，Mr。Muishkin，\"shoutedHippolyte，\"pleaseunderstandthatwearenotfools，noridiots，asyourguestsseemtoimagine；theseladieswholookuponuswithsuchscorn，andespeciallythisfinegentleman\"(pointingtoEvgeniePavlovitch)
\"whomIhavenotthehonourofknowing，thoughIthinkIhaveheardsometalkabouthim——\"
\"Really，really，gentlemen，\"criedtheprinceingreatagitation，\"youaremisunderstandingmeagain。Inthefirstplace，Mr。
Keller，youhavegreatlyoverestimatedmyfortuneinyourarticle。Iamfarfrombeingamillionaire。Ihavebarelyatenthofwhatyousuppose。Secondly，mytreatmentinSwitzerlandwasveryfarfromcostingtensofthousandsofroubles。Schneiderreceivedsixhundredroublesayear，andhewasonlypaidforthefirstthreeyears。AstotheprettygovernesseswhomPavlicheffissupposedtohavebroughtfromParis，theyonlyexistinMr。
Keller’simagination；itisanothercalumny。Accordingtomycalculations，thesumspentonmewasveryconsiderablyundertenthousandroubles，butIdecidedonthatsum，andyoumustadmitthatinpayingadebtIcouldnotofferMr。Burdovskymore，howeverkindlydisposedImightbetowardshim；delicacyforbidsit；Ishouldseemtobeofferinghimcharityinsteadofrightfulpayment。Idon’tknowhowyoucannotseethat，gentlemen！
Besides，Ihadnointentionofleavingthematterthere。ImeanttointerveneamicablylateronandhelptoimprovepoorMr。
Burdovsky’sposition。Itisclearthathehasbeendeceived，orhewouldneverhaveagreedtoanythingsovileasthescandalousrevelationsabouthismotherinMr。Keller’sarticle。But，gentlemen，whyareyougettingangryagain？Arewenevertocometoanunderstanding？Well，theeventhasprovedmeright！Ihavejustseenwithmyowneyestheproofthatmyconjecturewascorrect！\"headded，withincreasingeagerness。
Hemeanttocalmhishearers，anddidnotperceivethathiswordshadonlyincreasedtheirirritation。
\"Whatdoyoumean？Whatareyouconvincedof？\"theydemandedangrily。
\"Inthefirstplace，IhavehadtheopportunityofgettingacorrectideaofMr。Burdovsky。Iseewhatheisformyself。Heisaninnocentman，deceivedbyeveryone！Adefencelessvictim，whodeservesindulgence！Secondly，GavrilaArdalionovitch，inwhosehandsIhadplacedthematter，hadhisfirstinterviewwithmebarelyanhourago。Ihadnotheardfromhimforsometime，asI
wasaway，andhavebeenillforthreedayssincemyreturntoSt。
Petersburg。HetellsmethathehasexposedthedesignsofTchebaroffandhasproofthatjustifiesmyopinionofhim。I
know，gentlemen，thatmanypeoplethinkmeanidiot。Countinguponmyreputationasamanwhosepurse-stringsareeasilyloosened，Tchebaroffthoughtitwouldbeasimplemattertofleeceme，especiallybytradingonmygratitudetoPavlicheff。
Butthemainpointis——listen，gentlemen，letmefinish！——themainpointisthatMr。BurdovskyisnotPavlicheff’ssonatall。
GavrilaArdalionovitchhasjusttoldmeofhisdiscovery，andassuresmethathehaspositiveproofs。Well，whatdoyouthinkofthat？Itisscarcelycredible，evenafterallthetricksthathavebeenplayeduponme。Pleasenotethatwehavepositiveproofs！Icanhardlybelieveitmyself，Iassureyou；Idonotyetbelieveit；Iamstilldoubtful，becauseGavrilaArdalionovitchhasnothadtimetogointodetails；buttherecanbenofurtherdoubtthatTchebaroffisarogue！HehasdeceivedpoorMr。Burdovsky，andallofyou，gentlemen，whohavecomeforwardsonoblytosupportyourfriend——(heevidentlyneedssupport，Iquiteseethat！)。Hehasabusedyourcredulityandinvolvedyouallinanattemptedfraud，forwhenallissaidanddonethisclaimisnothingelse！\"
\"What！afraud？What，heisnotPavlicheff’sson？Impossible！\"
Theseexclamationsbutfeeblyexpressedtheprofoundbewildermentintowhichtheprince’swordshadplungedBurdovsky’scompanions。
\"Certainlyitisafraud！SinceMr。BurdovskyisnotPavlicheff’sson，hisclaimisneithermorenorlessthanattemptedfraud(supposing，ofcourse，thathehadknownthetruth)，butthefactisthathehasbeendeceived。Iinsistonthispointinordertojustifyhim；Irepeatthathissimple-mindednessmakeshimworthyofpity，andthathecannotstandalone；otherwisehewouldhavebehavedlikeascoundrelinthismatter。ButIfeelcertainthathedoesnotunderstandit！IwasjustthesamemyselfbeforeI
wenttoSwitzerland；Istammeredincoherently；onetriestoexpressoneselfandcannot。Iunderstandthat。IamallthebetterabletopityMr。Burdovsky，becauseIknowfromexperiencewhatitistobelikethat，andsoIhavearighttospeak。Well，thoughthereisnosuchpersonas’Pavlicheff’sson，’anditisallnothingbutahumbug，yetIwillkeeptomydecision，andI
ampreparedtogiveuptenthousandroublesinmemoryofPavlicheff。BeforeMr。Burdovskymadethisclaim，Iproposedtofoundaschoolwiththismoney，inmemoryofmybenefactor，butI
shallhonourhismemoryquiteaswellbygivingthetenthousandroublestoMr。Burdovsky，because，thoughhewasnotPavlicheff’sson，hewastreatedalmostasthoughhewere。Thatiswhatgavearoguetheopportunityofdeceivinghim；hereallydidthinkhimselfPavlicheff’sson。Listen，gentlemen；thismattermustbesettled；keepcalm；donotgetangry；andsitdown！GavrilaArdalionovitchwillexplaineverythingtoyouatonce，andI
confessthatIamveryanxioustohearallthedetailsmyself。HesaysthathehasevenbeentoPskofftoseeyourmother，Mr。
Burdovsky；sheisnotdead，asthearticlewhichwasjustreadtousmakesout。Sitdown，gentlemen，sitdown！\"
Theprincesatdown，andatlengthprevaileduponBurdovsky’scompanytodolikewise。Duringthelasttenortwentyminutes，exasperatedbycontinualinterruptions，hehadraisedhisvoice，andspokenwithgreatvehemence。Now，nodoubt，hebitterlyregrettedseveralwordsandexpressionswhichhadescapedhiminhisexcitement。Ifhehadnotbeendrivenbeyondthelimitsofendurance，hewouldnothaveventuredtoexpresscertainconjecturessoopenly。Hehadnosoonersatdownthanhisheartwastornbysharpremorse。BesidesinsultingBurdovskywiththesupposition，madeinthepresenceofwitnesses，thathewassufferingfromthecomplaintforwhichhehadhimselfbeentreatedinSwitzerland，hereproachedhimselfwiththegrossestindelicacyinhavingofferedhimthetenthousandroublesbeforeeveryone。\"Ioughttohavewaitedtillto-morrowandofferedhimthemoneywhenwewerealone，\"thoughtMuishkin。\"Nowitistoolate，themischiefisdone！Yes，Iamanidiot，anabsoluteidiot！\"hesaidtohimself，overcomewithshameandregret。
TillthenGavrilaArdalionovitchhadsatapartinsilence。Whentheprincecalleduponhim，hecameandstoodbyhisside，andinacalm，clearvoicebegantorenderanaccountofthemissionconfidedtohim。Allconversationceasedinstantly。Everyone，especiallytheBurdovskyparty，listenedwiththeutmostcuriosity。
IX。
\"Youwillnotdeny，Iamsure，\"saidGavrilaArdalionovitch，turningtoBurdovsky，whosatlookingathimwithwide-openeyes，perplexedandastonished。Youwillnotdeny，seriously，thatyouwerebornjusttwoyearsafteryourmother’slegalmarriagetoMr。Burdovsky，yourfather。Nothingwouldbeeasierthantoprovethedateofyourbirthfromwell-knownfacts；wecanonlylookonMr。Keller’sversionasaworkofimagination，andone，moreover，extremelyoffensivebothtoyouandyourmother。Ofcoursehedistortedthetruthinordertostrengthenyourclaim，andtoserveyourinterests。Mr。Kellersaidthathepreviouslyconsultedyouabouthisarticleinthepaper，butdidnotreadittoyouasawhole。Certainlyhecouldnothavereadthatpassage……
\"Asamatteroffact，Ididnotreadit，\"interruptedtheboxer，\"butitscontentshadbeengivenmeonunimpeachableauthority，andI……\"
\"Excuseme，Mr。Keller，\"interposedGavrilaArdalionovitch。
\"Allowmetospeak。Iassureyouyourarticleshallbementionedinitsproperplace，andyoucanthenexplaineverything，butforthemomentIwouldrathernotanticipate。Quiteaccidentally，withthehelpofmysister，VarvaraArdalionovnaPtitsin，I
obtainedfromoneofherintimatefriends，MadameZoubkoff，aletterwrittentohertwenty-fiveyearsago，byNicolaiAndreevitchPavlicheff，thenabroad。Aftergettingintocommunicationwiththislady，IwentbyheradvicetoTimofeiFedorovitchViazovkin，aretiredcolonel，andoneofPavlicheff’soldestfriends。Hegavemetwomoreletterswrittenbythelatterwhenhewasstillinforeignparts。Thesethreedocuments，theirdates，andthefactsmentionedinthem，proveinthemostundeniablemanner，thateighteenmonthsbeforeyourbirth，NicolaiAndreevitchwentabroad，whereheremainedforthreeconsecutiveyears。Yourmother，asyouarewellaware，hasneverbeenoutofRussia……Itistoolatetoreadthelettersnow；
Iamcontenttostatethefact。Butifyoudesireit，cometometomorrowmorning，bringwitnessesandwritingexpertswithyou，andIwillprovetheabsolutetruthofmystory。Fromthatmomentthequestionwillbedecided。\"
Thesewordscausedasensationamongthelisteners，andtherewasageneralmovementofrelief。Burdovskygotupabruptly。
\"Ifthatistrue，\"saidhe，\"Ihavebeendeceived，grosslydeceived，butnotbyTchebaroff:andforalongtimepast，alongtime。Idonotwishforexperts，notI，nortogotoseeyou。I
believeyou。Igiveitup……ButIrefusethetenthousandroubles。Good-bye。\"
\"Waitfiveminutesmore，Mr。Burdovsky，\"saidGavrilaArdalionovitchpleasantly。\"Ihavemoretosay。Somerathercuriousandimportantfactshavecometolight，anditisabsolutelynecessary，inmyopinion，thatyoushouldhearthem。
Youwillnotregret，Ifancy，tohavethewholematterthoroughlyclearedup。\"
Burdovskysilentlyresumedhisseat，andbenthisheadasthoughinprofoundthought。Hisfriend，Lebedeff’snephew，whohadrisentoaccompanyhim，alsosatdownagain。Heseemedmuchdisappointed，thoughasself-confidentasever。Hippolytelookeddejectedandsulky，aswellassurprised。Hehadjustbeenattackedbyaviolentfitofcoughing，sothathishandkerchiefwasstainedwithblood。
Theboxerlookedthoroughlyfrightened。
\"Oh，Antip！\"criedheinamiserablevoice，\"Ididsaytoyoutheotherday——thedaybeforeyesterday——thatperhapsyouwerenotreallyPavlicheff’sson！\"
Thereweresoundsofhalf-smotheredlaughteratthis。
\"Now，thatisavaluablepieceofinformation，Mr。Keller，\"
repliedGania。\"Howeverthatmaybe，IhaveprivateinformationwhichconvincesmethatMr。Burdovsky，thoughdoubtlessawareofthedateofhisbirth，knewnothingatallaboutPavlicheff’ssojournabroad。Indeed，hepassedthegreaterpartofhislifeoutofRussia，returningatintervalsforshortvisits。Thejourneyinquestionisinitselftoounimportantforhisfriendstorecollectitaftermorethantwentyyears；andofcourseMr。
Burdovskycouldhaveknownnothingaboutit，forhewasnotborn。
Astheeventhasproved，itwasnotimpossibletofindevidenceofhisabsence，thoughImustconfessthatchancehashelpedmeinaquestwhichmightverywellhavecometonothing。ItwasreallyalmostimpossibleforBurdovskyorTchebarofftodiscoverthesefacts，evenifithadenteredtheirheadstotry。Naturallytheyneverdreamt……
HerethevoiceofHippolytesuddenlyintervened。
