Shewasevidentlyindifficultiesastohowbesttogoon。\"MayI
speakofsomethingserioustoyou，foronceinmylife？\"sheasked，angrily。Shewasirritatedatsheknewnotwhat，andcouldnotrestrainherwrath。
\"Ofcourseyoumay；Iamverygladtolisten，\"repliedMuishkin。
Aglayawassilentamomentandthenbeganagainwithevidentdislikeofhersubject:
\"Idonotwishtoquarrelwiththemaboutthis；insomethingstheywon’tbereasonable。Ialwaysdidfeelaloathingforthelawswhichseemtoguidemamma’sconductattimes。Idon’tspeakoffather，forhecannotbeexpectedtobeanythingbutwhatheis。Motherisanoble-mindedwoman，Iknow；youtrytosuggestanythingmeantoher，andyou’llsee！Butsheissuchaslavetothesemiserablecreatures！Idon’tmeanoldBielokonskialone。
Sheisacontemptibleoldthing，butsheisabletotwistpeopleroundherlittlefinger，andIadmirethatinher，atallevents！
Howmeanitallis，andhowfoolish！Wewerealwaysmiddle-class，thoroughlymiddle-class，people。Whyshouldweattempttoclimbintothegiddyheightsofthefashionableworld？Mysistersareallforit。It’sPrinceS。theyhavetothankforpoisoningtheirminds。WhyareyousogladthatEvgeniePavlovitchiscoming？\"
\"Listentome，Aglaya，\"saidtheprince，\"IdobelieveyouarenervouslestIshallmakeafoolofmyselftomorrowatyourparty？\"
\"Nervousaboutyou？\"Aglayablushed。\"WhyshouldIbenervousaboutyou？Whatwoulditmattertomeifyouweretomakeeversuchafoolofyourself？Howcanyousaysuchathing？Whatdoyoumeanby’makingafoolofyourself’？Whatavulgarexpression！Isupposeyouintendtotalkinthatsortofwaytomorrowevening？Lookupafewmoresuchexpressionsinyourdictionary；do，you’llmakeagrandeffect！I’msorrythatyouseemtobeabletocomeintoaroomasgracefullyasyoudo；
wheredidyoulearntheart？Doyouthinkyoucandrinkacupofteadecently，whenyouknoweverybodyislookingatyou，onpurposetoseehowyoudoit？\"
\"Yes，IthinkIcan。\"
\"Canyou？I’msorryforitthen，forIshouldhavehadagoodlaughatyouotherwise。DobreakSOMETHINGatleast，inthedrawing-room！UpsettheChinesevase，won’tyou？It’savaluableone；DObreakit。Mammavaluesit，andshe’llgooutofhermind——itwasapresent。She’llcrybeforeeveryone，you’llsee！Waveyourhandabout，youknow，asyoualwaysdo，andjustsmashit。
Sitdownnearitonpurpose。\"
\"Onthecontrary，IshallsitasfarfromitasIcan。Thanksforthehint。\"
\"Ha，ha！ThenyouareafraidyouWILLwaveyourarmsabout！I
wouldn’tmindbettingthatyou’lltalkaboutsomeloftysubject，somethingseriousandlearned。Howdelightful，howtactfulthatwillbe！\"
\"Ishouldthinkitwouldbeveryfoolishindeed，unlessithappenedtocomeinappropriately。\"
\"Lookhere，onceforall，\"criedAglaya，boilingover，\"ifIhearyoutalkingaboutcapitalpunishment，ortheeconomicalconditionofRussia，oraboutBeautyredeemingtheworld，oranythingofthatsort，I’ll——well，ofcourseIshalllaughandseemverypleased，butIwarnyoubeforehand，don’tlookmeinthefaceagain！I’mseriousnow，mind，thistimeIAMREALLYserious。\"Shecertainlydidsaythisveryseriously，somuchso，thatshelookedquitedifferentfromwhatsheusuallywas，andtheprincecouldnothelpnoticingthefact。Shedidnotseemtobejokingintheslightestdegree。
\"Well，you’veputmeintosuchafrightthatIshallcertainlymakeafoolofmyself，andverylikelybreaksomethingtoo。I
wasn’tabitalarmedbefore，butnowI’masnervousascanbe。\"
\"Thendon’tspeakatall。Sitstillanddon’ttalk。\"
\"Oh，Ican’tdothat，youknow！Ishallsaysomethingfoolishoutofpure’funk，’andbreaksomethingforthesameexcellentreason；IknowIshall。PerhapsIshallslipandfallontheslipperyfloor；I’vedonethatbeforenow，youknow。Ishalldreamofitallnightnow。Whydidyousayanythingaboutit？\"
Aglayalookedblacklyathim。
\"Doyouknowwhat，Ihadbetternotcomeatalltomorrow！I’llpleadsick-listandstayaway，\"saidtheprince，withdecision。
Aglayastampedherfoot，andgrewquitepalewithanger。
Oh，mygoodness！Justlistentothat！’Betternotcome，’whenthepartyisonpurposeforhim！GoodLord！Whatadelightfulthingitistohavetodowithsucha——suchastupidasyouare！\"
\"Well，I’llcome，I’llcome，\"interruptedtheprince，hastily，\"andI’llgiveyoumywordofhonourthatIwillsitthewholeeveningandnotsayaword。\"
\"Ibelievethat’sthebestthingyoucando。Yousaidyou’d’pleadsick-list’justnow；whereintheworlddoyougetholdofsuchexpressions？Whydoyoutalktomelikethis？Areyoutryingtoirritateme，orwhat？\"
\"Forgiveme，it’saschoolboyexpression。Iwon’tdoitagain。I
knowquitewell，Iseeit，thatyouareanxiousonmyaccount(now，don’tbeangry)，anditmakesmeveryhappytoseeit。Youwouldn’tbelievehowfrightenedIamofmisbehavingsomehow，andhowgladIamofyourinstructions。Butallthispanicissimplynonsense，youknow，Aglaya！Igiveyoumyworditis；Iamsopleasedthatyouaresuchachild，suchadeargoodchild。HowCHARMINGyoucanbeifyoulike，Aglaya。\"
Aglayawantedtobeangry，ofcourse，butsuddenlysomequiteunexpectedfeelingseizeduponherheart，allinamoment。
\"Andyouwon’treproachmeforalltheserudewordsofmine——someday——afterwards？\"sheasked，ofasudden。
\"Whatanidea！Ofcoursenot。Andwhatareyoublushingforagain？Andtherecomesthatfrownoncemore！You’vetakentolookingtoogloomysometimes，Aglaya，muchmorethanyouusedto。
Iknowwhyitis。\"
\"Bequiet，dobequiet！\"
\"No，no，Ihadmuchbetterspeakout。Ihavelongwishedtosayit，andHAVEsaidit，butthat’snotenough，foryoudidn’tbelieveme。Betweenustwotherestandsabeingwho——\"
\"Bequiet，bequiet，bequiet，bequiet！\"Aglayastruckin，suddenly，seizinghishandinhers，andgazingathimalmostinterror。
Atthismomentshewascalledbysomeone。Shebrokeloosefromhimwithanairofreliefandranaway。
Theprincewasinafeverallnight。Itwasstrange，buthehadsufferedfromfeverforseveralnightsinsuccession。Onthisparticularnight，whileinsemi-delirium，hehadanidea:whatifonthemorrowheweretohaveafitbeforeeverybody？Thethoughtseemedtofreezehisbloodwithinhim。Allnighthefanciedhimselfinsomeextraordinarysocietyofstrangepersons。Theworstofitwasthathewastalkingnonsense；heknewthatheoughtnottospeakatall，andyethetalkedthewholetime；heseemedtobetryingtopersuadethemalltosomething。EvgenieandHippolytewereamongtheguests，andappearedtobegreatfriends。
Heawoketowardsnineo’clockwithaheadache，fullofconfusedideasandstrangeimpressions。ForsomereasonorotherhefeltmostanxioustoseeRogojin，toseeandtalktohim，butwhathewishedtosayhecouldnottell。Next，hedeterminedtogoandseeHippolyte。Hismindwasinaconfusedstate，somuchsothattheincidentsofthemorningseemedtobeimperfectlyrealized，thoughacutelyfelt。
OneoftheseincidentswasavisitfromLebedeff。Lebedeffcameratherearly——beforeten——buthewastipsyalready。Thoughtheprincewasnotinanobservantcondition，yethecouldnotavoidseeingthatforatleastthreedays——eversinceGeneralIvolginhadleftthehouseLebedeffhadbeenbehavingverybadly。Helookeduntidyanddirtyatalltimesoftheday，anditwassaidthathehadbeguntorageaboutinhisownhouse，andthathistemperwasverybad。Assoonashearrivedthismorning，hebegantoholdforth，beatinghisbreastandapparentlyblaminghimselfforsomething。
\"I’ve——I’vehadarewardformymeanness——I’vehadaslapintheface，\"heconcluded，tragically。
\"Aslapintheface？Fromwhom？Andsoearlyinthemorning？\"
\"Early？\"saidLebedeff，sarcastically。\"Timecountsfornothing，eveninphysicalchastisement；butmyslapinthefacewasnotphysical，itwasmoral。\"
Hesuddenlytookaseat，veryunceremoniously，andbeganhisstory。Itwasverydisconnected；theprincefrowned，andwishedhecouldgetaway；butsuddenlyafewwordsstruckhim。Hesatstiffwithwonder——Lebedeffsaidsomeextraordinarythings。
Inthefirstplacehebeganaboutsomeletter；thenameofAglayaIvanovnacamein。Thensuddenlyhebrokeoffandbegantoaccusetheprinceofsomething；hewasapparentlyoffendedwithhim。Atfirsthedeclaredthattheprincehadtrustedhimwithhisconfidencesasto\"acertainperson\"(NastasiaPhilipovna)，butthatoflatehisfriendshiphadbeenthrustbackintohisbosom，andhisinnocentquestionasto\"approachingfamilychanges\"hadbeencurtlyputaside，whichLebedeffdeclared，withtipsytears，hecouldnotbear；especiallyasheknewsomuchalreadybothfromRogojinandNastasiaPhilipovnaandherfriend，andfromVarvaraArdalionovna，andevenfromAglayaIvanovna，throughhisdaughterVera。\"AndwhotoldLizabethaProkofievnasomethinginsecret，byletter？WhotoldherallaboutthemovementsofacertainpersoncalledNastasiaPhilipovna？Whowastheanonymousperson，eh？Tellme！\"
\"Surelynotyou？\"criedtheprince。
\"Justso，\"saidLebedeff，withdignity；\"andonlythisverymorningIhavesentupalettertothenoblelady，statingthatI
haveamatterofgreatimportancetocommunicate。Shereceivedtheletter；Iknowshegotit；andshereceivedME，too。\"
\"HaveyoujustseenLizabethaProkofievna？\"askedtheprince，scarcelybelievinghisears。
\"Yes，Isawher，andgotthesaidslapinthefaceasmentioned。
Shechuckedtheletterbacktomeunopened，andkickedmeoutofthehouse，morally，notphysically，althoughnotfaroffit。\"
\"Whatletterdoyoumeanshereturnedunopened？\"
\"What！didn’tItellyou？Ha，ha，ha！IthoughtIhad。Why，I
receivedaletter，youknow，tobehandedover——\"Fromwhom？Towhom？\"
Butitwasdifficult，ifnotimpossible，toextractanythingfromLebedeff。Alltheprincecouldgatherwas，thattheletterhadbeenreceivedveryearly，andhadarequestwrittenontheoutsidethatitmightbesentontotheaddressgiven。
\"Justasbefore，sir，justasbefore！Toacertainperson，andfromacertainhand。Theindividual’snamewhowrotetheletteristoberepresentedbytheletterA——\"
\"What？Impossible！ToNastasiaPhilipovna？Nonsense！\"criedtheprince。
\"Itwas，Iassureyou，andifnottoherthentoRogojin，whichisthesamething。Mr。Hippolytehashadletters，too，andallfromtheindividualwhosenamebeginswithanA。，\"smirkedLebedeff，withahideousgrin。
Ashekeptjumpingfromsubjecttosubject，andforgettingwhathehadbeguntotalkabout，theprincesaidnothing，butwaited，togivehimtime。
Itwasallveryvague。Whohadtakentheletters，ifletterstherewere？ProbablyVera——andhowcouldLebedeffhavegotthem？
Inallprobability，hehadmanagedtostealthepresentletterfromVera，andhadhimselfgoneovertoLizabethaProkofievnawithsomeideainhishead。Sotheprinceconcludedatlast。
\"Youaremad！\"hecried，indignantly。
\"Notquite，esteemedprince，\"repliedLebedeff，withsomeacerbity。\"IconfessIthoughtofdoingyoutheserviceofhandingtheletterovertoyourself，butIdecidedthatitwouldpaymebettertodeliverituptothenobleladyaforesaid，asI
hadinformedherofeverythinghithertobyanonymousletters；sowhenIsentherupanotefrommyself，withtheletter，youknow，inordertofixameetingforeighto’clockthismorning，I
signedit’yoursecretcorrespondent。’Theyletmeinatonce——
veryquickly——bythebackdoor，andthenobleladyreceivedme。\"
\"Well？Goon。\"
\"Oh，well，whenIsawhershealmostpunchedmyhead，asIsay；
infactsonearlythatonemightalmostsayshedidpunchmyhead。Shethrewtheletterinmyface；sheseemedtoreflectfirst，asifshewouldhavelikedtokeepit，butthoughtbetterofitandthrewitinmyfaceinstead。’Ifanybodycanhavebeensuchafoolastotrustamanlikeyoutodelivertheletter，’
saysshe，’takeitanddeliverit！’Hey！shewasgrandlyindignant。Afierce，fieryladythat，sir！\"
\"Where’stheletternow？\"
\"Oh，I’vestillgotit，here！\"
AndhehandedtheprincetheveryletterfromAglayatoGania，whichthelattershowedwithsomuchtriumphtohisSisteratalaterhour。
\"Thislettercannotbeallowedtoremaininyourhands。\"
\"It’sforyou——foryou！I’vebroughtityouonpurpose！\"criedLebedeff，excitedly。\"Why，I’myoursagainnow，heartandhand，yourslave；therewasbutamomentarypauseintheflowofmyloveandesteemforyou。Meaculpa，meaculpa！asthePopeofRomesays。
\"Thislettershouldbesentonatonce，\"saidtheprince，disturbed。\"I’llhanditovermyself。\"
\"Wouldn’titbebetter，esteemedprince，wouldn’titbebetter——
to——don’tyouknow——\"
Lebedeffmadeastrangeandveryexpressivegrimace；hetwistedaboutinhischair，anddidsomething，apparentlysymbolical，withhishands。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"saidtheprince。
\"Why，openit，forthetimebeing，don’tyouknow？\"hesaid，mostconfidentiallyandmysteriously。
TheprincejumpedupsofuriouslythatLebedeffrantowardsthedoor；havinggainedwhichstrategicposition，however，hestoppedandlookedbacktoseeifhemighthopeforpardon。
\"Oh，Lebedeff，Lebedeff！Canamanreallysinktosuchdepthsofmeanness？\"saidtheprince，sadly。
Lebedeff’sfacebrightened。
\"Oh，I’mameanwretch——ameanwretch！\"hesaid，approachingtheprinceoncemore，andbeatinghisbreast，withtearsinhiseyes。
\"It’sabominabledishonesty，youknow！\"
\"Dishonesty——itis，itis！That’stheveryword！\"
\"Whatintheworldinducesyoutoactso？Youarenothingbutaspy。Whydidyouwriteanonymouslytoworrysonobleandgenerousalady？WhyshouldnotAglayaIvanovnawriteanotetowhomevershepleases？Whatdidyoumeantocomplainoftoday？Whatdidyouexpecttogetbyit？Whatmadeyougoatall？\"
\"Pureamiablecuriosity，——Iassureyou——desiretodoaservice。
That’sall。NowI’mentirelyyoursagain，yourslave；hangmeifyoulike！\"
\"DidyougobeforeLizabethaProkofievnainyourpresentcondition？\"inquiredtheprince。
\"No——ohno，fresher——morethecorrectcard。IonlybecamethislikeafterthehumiliationIsufferedthere，\"Well——that’lldo；nowleaveme。\"
Thisinjunctionhadtoberepeatedseveraltimesbeforethemancouldbepersuadedtomove。Eventhenheturnedbackatthedoor，cameasfarasthemiddleoftheroom，andtherewentthroughhismysteriousmotionsdesignedtoconveythesuggestionthattheprinceshouldopentheletter。Hedidnotdareputhissuggestionintowordsagain。
Afterthisperformance，hesmiledsweetlyandlefttheroomontiptoe。
Allthishadbeenverypainfultolistento。Onefactstoodoutcertainandclear，andthatwasthatpoorAglayamustbeinastateofgreatdistressandindecisionandmentaltorment(\"fromjealousy，\"theprincewhisperedtohimself)。Undoubtedlyinthisinexperienced，buthotandproudlittlehead，therewereallsortsofplansforming，wildandimpossibleplans，maybe；andtheideaofthissofrightenedtheprincethathecouldnotmakeuphismindwhattodo。Somethingmustbedone，thatwasclear。
Helookedattheaddressontheletteroncemore。Oh，hewasnotintheleastdegreealarmedaboutAglayawritingsuchaletter；
hecouldtrusther。WhathedidnotlikeaboutitwasthathecouldnottrustGania。
However，hemadeuphismindthathewouldhimselftakethenoteanddeliverit。Indeed，hewentsofarastoleavethehouseandwalkuptheroad，butchangedhismindwhenhehadnearlyreachedPtitsin’sdoor。However，hethereluckilymetColia，andcommissionedhimtodeliverthelettertohisbrotherasifdirectfromAglaya。Coliaaskednoquestionsbutsimplydeliveredit，andGaniaconsequentlyhadnosuspicionthatithadpassedthroughsomanyhands。
Arrivedhomeagain，theprincesentforVeraLebedeffandtoldherasmuchaswasnecessary，inordertorelievehermind，forshehadbeeninadreadfulstateofanxietysinceshehadmissedtheletter。Sheheardwithhorrorthatherfatherhadtakenit。
MuishkinlearnedfromherthatshehadonseveraloccasionsperformedsecretmissionsbothforAglayaandforRogojin，without，however，havinghadtheslightestideathatinsodoingshemightinjuretheprinceinanyway。
Thelatter，withonethingandanother，wasnowsodisturbedandconfused，thatwhen，acoupleofhoursorsolater，amessagecamefromColiathatthegeneralwasill，hecouldhardlytakethenewsin。
However，whenhedidmasterthefact，itacteduponhimasatonicbycompletelydistractinghisattention。HewentatoncetoNinaAlexandrovna’s，whitherthegeneralhadbeencarried，andstayedthereuntiltheevening。Hecoulddonogood，buttherearepeoplewhomtohavenearoneisablessingatsuchtimes。
Coliawasinanalmosthystericalstate；hecriedcontinuously，butwasrunningaboutallday，allthesame；fetchingdoctors，ofwhomhecollectedthree；goingtothechemist’s，andsoon。
Thegeneralwasbroughtroundtosomeextent，butthedoctorsdeclaredthathecouldnotbesaidtobeoutofdanger。VariaandNinaAlexandrovnaneverleftthesickman’sbedside；Ganiawasexcitedanddistressed，butwouldnotgoupstairs，andseemedafraidtolookatthepatient。Hewrunghishandswhentheprincespoketohim，andsaidthat\"suchamisfortuneatsuchamoment\"
wasterrible。
TheprincethoughtheknewwhatGaniameantby\"suchamoment。\"
Hippolytewasnotinthehouse。Lebedeffturneduplateintheafternoon；hehadbeenasleepeversincehisinterviewwiththeprinceinthemorning。Hewasquitesobernow，andcriedwithrealsincerityoverthesickgeneral——mourningforhimasthoughhewerehisownbrother。Heblamedhimselfaloud，butdidnotexplainwhy。HerepeatedoverandoveragaintoNinaAlexandrovnathathealonewastoblame——nooneelse——butthathehadactedoutof\"pureamiablecuriosity，\"andthat\"thedeceased，\"asheinsisteduponcallingthestilllivinggeneral，hadbeenthegreatestofgeniuses。
Helaidmuchstressonthegeniusofthesufferer，asifthisideamustbeoneofimmensesolaceinthepresentcrisis。
NinaAlexandrovna——seeinghissincerityoffeeling——saidatlast，andwithoutthefaintestsuspicionofreproachinhervoice:
\"Come，come——don’tcry！Godwillforgiveyou！\"
Lebedeffwassoimpressedbythesewords，andthetoneinwhichtheywerespoken，thathecouldnotleaveNinaAlexandrovnaalltheevening——infact，forseveraldays。Tillthegeneral’sdeath，indeed，hespentalmostallhistimeathisside。
TwiceduringthedayamessengercametoNinaAlexandrovnafromtheEpanchinstoinquireaftertheinvalid。
When——lateintheevening——theprincemadehisappearanceinLizabethaProkofievna’sdrawing-room，hefounditfullofguests。
Mrs。Epanchinquestionedhimveryfullyaboutthegeneralassoonasheappeared；andwhenoldPrincessBielokonskiwishedtoknow\"whothisgeneralwas，andwhowasNinaAlexandrovna，\"sheproceededtoexplaininamannerwhichpleasedtheprinceverymuch。
Hehimself，whenrelatingthecircumstancesofthegeneral’sillnesstoLizabethaProkofievna，\"spokebeautifully，\"asAglaya’ssistersdeclaredafterwards——\"modestly，quietly，withoutgesturesortoomanywords，andwithgreatdignity。\"Hehadenteredtheroomwithproprietyandgrace，andhewasperfectlydressed；henotonlydidnot\"falldownontheslipperyfloor，\"
ashehadexpressedit，butevidentlymadeaveryfavourableimpressionupontheassembledguests。
Asforhisownimpressiononenteringtheroomandtakinghisseat，heinstantlyremarkedthatthecompanywasnotintheleastsuchasAglaya’swordshadledhimtofear，andashehaddreamedof——innightmareform——allnight。
Thiswasthefirsttimeinhislifethathehadseenalittlecornerofwhatwasgenerallyknownbytheterriblenameof\"society。\"Hehadlongthirsted，forreasonsofhisown，topenetratethemysteriesofthemagiccircle，and，therefore，thisassemblagewasofthegreatestpossibleinteresttohim。
Hisfirstimpressionwasoneoffascination。Somehoworotherhefeltthatallthesepeoplemusthavebeenbornonpurposetobetogether！ItseemedtohimthattheEpanchinswerenothavingapartyatall；thatthesepeoplemusthavebeenherealways，andthathehimselfwasoneofthem——returnedamongthemafteralongabsence，butoneofthem，naturallyandindisputably。
Itneverstruckhimthatallthisrefinedsimplicityandnobilityandwitandpersonaldignitymightpossiblybenomorethananexquisiteartisticpolish。Themajorityoftheguests——whoweresomewhatempty-headed，afterall，inspiteoftheiraristocraticbearing——neverguessed，intheirself-satisfiedcomposure，thatmuchoftheirsuperioritywasmereveneer，whichindeedtheyhadadoptedunconsciouslyandbyinheritance。
Theprincewouldneversomuchassuspectsuchathinginthedelightofhisfirstimpression。
Hesaw，forinstance，thatoneimportantdignitary，oldenoughtobehisgrandfather，brokeoffhisownconversationinordertolistentoHIM——ayoungandinexperiencedman；andnotonlylistened，butseemedtoattachvaluetohisopinion，andwaskindandamiable，andyettheywerestrangersandhadneverseeneachotherbefore。Perhapswhatmostappealedtotheprince’simpressionabilitywastherefinementoftheoldman’scourtesytowardshim。Perhapsthesoilofhissusceptiblenaturewasreallypredisposedtoreceiveapleasantimpression。
Meanwhileallthesepeople-thoughfriendsofthefamilyandofeachothertoacertainextent——wereveryfarfrombeingsuchintimatefriendsofthefamilyandofeachotherastheprinceconcluded。ThereweresomepresentwhoneverwouldthinkofconsideringtheEpanchinstheirequals。Therewereevensomewhohatedoneanothercordially。Forinstance，oldPrincessBielokonskihadallherlifedespisedthewifeofthe\"dignitary，\"whilethelatterwasveryfarfromlovingLizabethaProkofievna。ThedignitaryhimselfhadbeenGeneralEpanchin’sprotectorfromhisyouthup；andthegeneralconsideredhimsomajesticapersonagethathewouldhavefeltaheartycontemptforhimselfifhehadevenforonemomentallowedhimselftoposeasthegreatman’sequal，ortothinkofhim——inhisfearandreverence-asanythinglessthananOlympicGod！Therewereotherspresentwhohadnotmetforyears，andwhohadnofeelingwhateverforeachother，unlessitweredislike；andyettheymettonightasthoughtheyhadseeneachotherbutyesterdayinsomefriendlyandintimateassemblyofkindredspirits。
Itwasnotalargeparty，however。BesidesPrincessBielokonskiandtheolddignitary(whowasreallyagreatman)andhiswife，therewasanoldmilitarygeneral——acountorbaronwithaGermanname，amanreputedtopossessgreatknowledgeandadministrativeability。HewasoneofthoseOlympianadministratorswhoknoweverythingexceptRussia，pronounceawordofextraordinarywisdom，admiredbyall，aboutonceinfiveyears，and，afterbeinganeternityintheservice，generallydiefullofhonourandriches，thoughtheyhaveneverdoneanythinggreat，andhaveevenbeenhostiletoallgreatness。ThisgeneralwasIvanFedorovitch’simmediatesuperiorintheservice；anditpleasedthelattertolookuponhimalsoasapatron。Ontheotherhand，thegreatmandidnotatallconsiderhimselfEpanchin’spatron。
Hewasalwaysverycooltohim，whiletakingadvantageofhisreadyservices，andwouldinstantlyhaveputanotherinhisplaceiftherehadbeentheslightestreasonforthechange。
Anotherguestwasanelderly，important-lookinggentleman，adistantrelativeofLizabethaProkofievna’s。Thisgentlemanwasrich，heldagoodposition，wasagreattalker，andhadthereputationofbeing\"oneofthedissatisfied，\"thoughnotbelongingtothedangeroussectionsofthatclass。Hehadthemanners，tosomeextent，oftheEnglisharistocracy，andsomeoftheirtastes(especiallyinthematterofunder-doneroastbeef，harness，men-servants，etc。)。Hewasagreatfriendofthedignitary’s，andLizabethaProkofievna，forsomereasonorother，hadgotholdoftheideathatthisworthyintendedatnodistantdatetooffertheadvantagesofhishandandhearttoAlexandra。
Besidestheelevatedandmoresolidindividualsenumerated，therewerepresentafewyoungerthoughnotlesselegantguests。
BesidesPrinceS。andEvgeniePavlovitch，wemustnametheeminentandfascinatingPrinceN——oncethevanquisheroffemaleheartsalloverEurope。Thisgentlemanwasnolongerinthefirstbloomofyouth——hewasforty-five，butstillveryhandsome。Hewaswelloff，andlived，asarule，abroad，andwasnotedasagoodtellerofstories。Thencameafewguestsbelongingtoalowerstratumofsociety——peoplewho，liketheEpanchinsthemselves，movedonlyoccasionallyinthisexaltedsphere。TheEpanchinslikedtodraftamongtheirmoreelevatedguestsafewpickedrepresentativesofthislowerstratum，andLizabethaProkofievnareceivedmuchpraiseforthispractice，whichproved，herfriendssaid，thatshewasawomanoftact。TheEpanchinspridedthemselvesuponthegoodopinionpeopleheldofthem。
Oneoftherepresentativesofthemiddle-classpresenttodaywasacolonelofengineers，averyseriousmanandagreatfriendofPrinceS。，whohadintroducedhimtotheEpanchins。Hewasextremelysilentinsociety，anddisplayedontheforefingerofhisrighthandalargering，probablybestoweduponhimforservicesofsomesort。Therewasalsoapoet，Germanbyname，butaRussianpoet；verypresentable，andevenhandsome-thesortofmanonecouldbringintosocietywithimpunity。ThisgentlemanbelongedtoaGermanfamilyofdecidedlybourgeoisorigin，buthehadaknackofacquiringthepatronageof\"big-wigs，\"andofretainingtheirfavour。HehadtranslatedsomegreatGermanpoemintoRussianverse，andclaimedtohavebeenafriendofafamousRussianpoet，sincedead。(Itisstrangehowgreatamultitudeofliterarypeopletherearewhohavehadtheadvantagesoffriendshipwithsomegreatmanoftheirownprofessionwhois，unfortunately，dead。)Thedignitary’swifehadintroducedthisworthytotheEpanchins。Thisladyposedasthepatronessofliterarypeople，andshecertainlyhadsucceededinobtainingpensionsforafewofthem，thankstoherinfluencewiththoseinauthorityonsuchmatters。Shewasaladyofweightinherownway。Heragewasaboutforty-five，sothatshewasaveryyoungwifeforsuchanelderlyhusbandasthedignitary。Shehadbeenabeautyinherdayandstillloved，asmanyladiesofforty-fivedolove，todressalittletoosmartly。Herintellectwasnothingtoboastof，andherliteraryknowledgeverydoubtful。Literarypatronagewas，however，withherasmuchamaniaaswastheloveofgorgeousclothes。Manybooksandtranslationswerededicatedtoherbyherproteges，andafewofthesetalentedindividualshadpublishedsomeoftheirownletterstoher，uponveryweightysubjects。
This，then，wasthesocietythattheprinceacceptedatonceastruecoin，aspuregoldwithoutalloy。
Itsohappened，however，thatonthisparticulareveningallthesegoodpeoplewereinexcellenthumourandhighlypleasedwiththemselves。EveryoneofthemfeltthattheyweredoingtheEpanchinsthegreatestpossiblehonourbytheirpresence。Butalas！theprinceneversuspectedanysuchsubtleties！Forinstance，hehadnosuspicionofthefactthattheEpanchins，havingintheirmindsoimportantastepasthemarriageoftheirdaughter，wouldneverthinkofpresumingtotakeitwithouthavingpreviously\"shownoff\"theproposedhusbandtothedignitary——therecognizedpatronofthefamily。Thelatter，too，thoughhewouldprobablyhavereceivednewsofagreatdisastertotheEpanchinfamilywithperfectcomposure，wouldneverthelesshaveconsidereditapersonaloffenceiftheyhaddaredtomarrytheirdaughterwithouthisadvice，orwemightalmostsay，hisleave。
TheamiableandundoubtedlywittyPrinceN。couldnotbutfeelthathewasasasun，risenforonenightonlytoshineupontheEpanchindrawing-room。Heaccountedthemimmeasurablyhisinferiors，anditwasthisfeelingwhichcausedhisspecialamiabilityanddelightfuleaseandgracetowardsthem。Heknewverywellthathemusttellsomestorythiseveningfortheedificationofthecompany，andleduptoitwiththeinspirationofanticipatorytriumph。
Theprince，whenheheardthestoryafterwards，feltthathehadneveryetcomeacrosssowonderfulahumorist，orsuchremarkablebrilliancyaswasshownbythisman；andyetifhehadonlyknownit，thisstorywastheoldest，stalest，andmostworn-outyarn，andeverydrawing-roomintownwassicktodeathofit。ItwasonlyintheinnocentEpanchinhouseholdthatitpassedforanewandbrillianttale——asasuddenandstrikingreminiscenceofasplendidandtalentedman。
EventheGermanpoet，thoughasamiableaspossible，feltthathewasdoingthehousethegreatestofhonoursbyhispresenceinit。
Buttheprinceonlylookedatthebrightside；hedidnotturnthecoatandseetheshabbylining。
Aglayahadnotforeseenthatparticularcalamity。Sheherselflookedwonderfullybeautifulthisevening。Allthreesistersweredressedverytastefully，andtheirhairwasdonewithspecialcare。
AglayasatnexttoEvgeniePavlovitch，andlaughedandtalkedtohimwithanunusualdisplayoffriendliness。Evgeniehimselfbehavedrathermoresedatelythanusual，probablyoutofrespecttothedignitary。Evgeniehadbeenknowninsocietyforalongwhile。HehadappearedattheEpanchins’todaywithcrapeonhishat，andPrincessBielokonskihadcommendedthisactiononhispart。Noteverysocietymanwouldhaveworncrapefor\"suchanuncle。\"LizabethaProkofievnahadlikeditalso，butwastoopreoccupiedtotakemuchnotice。TheprinceremarkedthatAglayalookedattentivelyathimtwoorthreetimes，andseemedtobesatisfiedwithhisbehaviour。
Littlebylittlehebecameveryhappyindeed。Allhislateanxietiesandapprehensions(afterhisconversationwithLebedeff)nowappearedlikesomanybaddreams——impossible，andevenlaughable。
Hedidnotspeakmuch，onlyansweringsuchquestionsaswereputtohim，andgraduallysettleddownintounbrokensilence，listeningtowhatwenton，andsteepedinperfectsatisfactionandcontentment。
Littlebylittleasortofinspiration，however，begantostirwithinhim，readytospringintolifeattherightmoment。Whenhedidbegintospeak，itwasaccidentally，inresponsetoaquestion，andapparentlywithoutanyspecialobject。
VII。
WHILEhefeastedhiseyesuponAglaya，asshetalkedmerrilywithEvgenieandPrinceN。，suddenlytheoldanglomaniac，whowastalkingtothedignitaryinanothercorneroftheroom，apparentlytellinghimastoryaboutsomethingorother——suddenlythisgentlemanpronouncedthenameof\"NicolaiAndreevitchPavlicheff\"aloud。Theprincequicklyturnedtowardshim，andlistened。
Theconversationhadbeenonthesubjectofland，andthepresentdisorders，andtheremusthavebeensomethingamusingsaid，fortheoldmanhadbeguntolaughathiscompanion’sheatedexpressions。
Thelatterwasdescribingineloquentwordshow，inconsequenceofrecentlegislation，hewasobligedtosellabeautifulestateintheN。province，notbecausehewantedreadymoney——infact，hewasobligedtosellitathalfitsvalue。\"ToavoidanotherlawsuitaboutthePavlicheffestate，Iranaway，\"hesaid。\"WithafewmoreinheritancesofthatkindIshouldsoonberuined！\"
AtthispointGeneralEpanchin，noticinghowinterestedMuishkinhadbecomeintheconversation，saidtohim，inalowtone:
\"Thatgentleman——IvanPetrovitch——isarelationofyourlatefriend，Mr。Pavlicheff。Youwantedtofindsomeofhisrelations，didyounot？\"
Thegeneral，whohadbeentalkingtohischiefuptothismoment，hadobservedtheprince’ssolitudeandsilence，andwasanxioustodrawhimintotheconversation，andsointroducehimagaintothenoticeofsomeoftheimportantpersonages。
\"LefNicolaievitchwasawardofNicolaiAndreevitchPavlicheff，afterthedeathofhisownparents，\"heremarked，meetingIvanPetrovitch’seye。
\"Veryhappytomeethim，I’msure，\"remarkedthelatter。\"I
rememberLefNicolaievitchwell。WhenGeneralEpanchinintroducedusjustnow，Irecognizedyouatonce，prince。Youareverylittlechanged，thoughIsawyoulastasachildofsometenorelevenyearsold。Therewassomethinginyourfeatures，I
suppose，that——\"
\"Yousawmeasachild！\"exclaimedtheprince，withsurprise。
\"Oh！yes，longago，\"continuedIvanPetrovitch，\"whileyouwerelivingwithmycousinatZlatoverhoff。Youdon’trememberme？No，Idaresayyoudon’t；youhadsomemaladyatthetime，I
remember。ItwassoseriousthatIwassurprised——\"
\"No；Iremembernothing！\"saidtheprince。Afewmorewordsofexplanationfollowed，wordswhichwerespokenwithoutthesmallestexcitementbyhiscompanion，butwhichevokedthegreatestagitationintheprince；anditwasdiscoveredthattwooldladiestowhosecaretheprincehadbeenleftbyPavlicheff，andwholivedatZlatoverhoff，werealsorelationsofIvanPetrovitch。
ThelatterhadnoideaandcouldgivenoinformationastowhyPavlicheffhadtakensogreataninterestinthelittleprince，hisward。
\"InpointoffactIdon’tthinkIthoughtmuchaboutit，\"saidtheoldfellow。Heseemedtohaveawonderfullygoodmemory，however，forhetoldtheprinceallaboutthetwooldladies，Pavlicheff’scousins，whohadtakencareofhim，andwhom，hedeclared，hehadtakentotaskforbeingtooseverewiththeprinceasasmallsicklyboy——theeldersister，atleast；theyoungerhadbeenkind，herecollected。Theybothnowlivedinanotherprovince，onasmallestatelefttothembyPavlicheff。
Theprincelistenedtoallthiswitheyessparklingwithemotionanddelight。
Hedeclaredwithunusualwarmththathewouldneverforgivehimselfforhavingtravelledaboutinthecentralprovincesduringtheselastsixmonthswithouthavinghunteduphistwooldfriends。
Hedeclared，further，thathehadintendedtogoeveryday，buthadalwaysbeenpreventedbycircumstances；butthatnowhewouldpromisehimselfthepleasure——howeverfaritwas，hewouldfindthemout。AndsoIvanPetrovitchREALLYknewNataliaNikitishna！——
whatasaintlynaturewashers！——andMarthaNikitishna！IvanPetrovitchmustexcusehim，butreallyhewasnotquitefairondearoldMartha。Shewassevere，perhaps；butthenwhatelsecouldshebewithsuchalittleidiotashewasthen？(Ha，ha。)
Hereallywasanidiotthen，IvanPetrovitchmustknow，thoughhemightnotbelieveit。(Ha，ha。)Sohehadreallyseenhimthere！
Goodheavens！AndwashereallyandtrulyandactuallyacousinofPavlicheff’s？
\"Iassureyouofit，\"laughedIvanPetrovitch，gazingamusedlyattheprince。
\"Oh！Ididn’tsayitbecauseIDOUBTthefact，youknow。(Ha，ha。)HowcouldIdoubtsuchathing？(Ha，ha，ha。)Imadetheremarkbecause——becauseNicolaiAndreevitchPavlicheffwassuchasplendidman，don’tyousee！Suchahigh-souledman，hereallywas，Iassureyou。\"
Theprincedidnotexactlypantforbreath，buthe\"seemedalmosttoCHOKEoutofpuresimplicityandgoodnessofheart，\"asAdelaidaexpressedit，ontalkingthepartyoverwithherfiance，thePrinceS。，nextmorning。
\"But，mygoodnessme，\"laughedIvanPetrovitch，\"whycan’tIbecousintoevenasplendidman？\"
\"Oh，dear！\"criedtheprince，confused，tryingtohurryhiswordsout，andgrowingmoreandmoreeagereverymoment:\"I’vegoneandsaidanotherstupidthing。Idon’tknowwhattosay。I——Ididn’tmeanthat，youknow——I——I——hereallywassuchasplendidman，wasn’the？\"
Theprincetrembledallover。Whywashesoagitated？Whyhadheflownintosuchtransportsofdelightwithoutanyapparentreason？Hehadfaroutshotthemeasureofjoyandemotionconsistentwiththeoccasion。Whythiswasitwouldbedifficulttosay。
Heseemedtofeelwarmlyanddeeplygratefultosomeoneforsomethingorother——perhapstoIvanPetrovitch；butlikelyenoughtoalltheguests，individually，andcollectively。Hewasmuchtoohappy。
IvanPetrovitchbegantostareathimwithsomesurprise；thedignitary，too，lookedathimwithconsiderableattention；
PrincessBielokonskiglaredathimangrily，andcompressedherlips。PrinceN。，Evgenie，PrinceS。，andthegirls，allbrokeofftheirownconversationsandlistened。Aglayaseemedalittlestartled；asforLizabethaProkofievna，herheartsankwithinher。
ThiswasoddofLizabethaProkofievnaandherdaughters。Theyhadthemselvesdecidedthatitwouldbebetteriftheprincedidnottalkalltheevening。Yetseeinghimsittingsilentandalone，butperfectlyhappy，theyhadbeenonthepointofexertingthemselvestodrawhimintooneofthegroupsoftalkersaroundtheroom。Nowthathewasinthemidstofatalktheybecamemorethaneveranxiousandperturbed。
\"Thathewasasplendidmanisperfectlytrue；youarequiteright，\"repeatedIvanPetrovitch，butseriouslythistime。\"Hewasafineandaworthyfellow——worthy，onemaysay，ofthehighestrespect，\"headded，moreandmoreseriouslyateachpause；\"anditisagreeabletosee，onyourpart，such——\"
\"Wasn’titthissamePavlicheffaboutwhomtherewasastrangestoryinconnectionwithsomeabbot？Idon’trememberwhotheabbotwas，butIrememberatonetimeeverybodywastalkingaboutit，\"remarkedtheolddignitary。
\"Yes——AbbotGurot，aJesuit，\"saidIvanPetrovitch。\"Yes，that’sthesortofthingourbestmenareapttodo。Amanofrank，too，andrich——amanwho，ifhehadcontinuedtoserve，mighthavedoneanything；andthentothrowuptheserviceandeverythingelseinordertogoovertoRomanCatholicismandturnJesuit——
openly，too——almosttriumphantly。ByJove！itwaspositivelyamercythathediedwhenhedid——itwasindeed——everyonesaidsoatthetime。\"
Theprincewasbesidehimself。
\"Pavlicheff？——PavlicheffturnedRomanCatholic？Impossible！\"hecried，inhorror。
\"H’m！impossibleisratherastrongword，\"saidIvanPetrovitch。
\"Youmustallow，mydearprince……However，ofcourseyouvaluethememoryofthedeceasedsoveryhighly；andhecertainlywasthekindestofmen；towhichfact，bytheway，Iascribe，morethantoanythingelse，thesuccessoftheabbotininfluencinghisreligiousconvictions。Butyoumayaskme，ifyouplease，howmuchtroubleandworryI，personally，hadoverthatbusiness，andespeciallywiththissameGurot！Wouldyoubelieveit，\"hecontinued，addressingthedignitary，\"theyactuallytriedtoputinaclaimunderthedeceased’swill，andIhadtoresorttotheverystrongestmeasuresinordertobringthemtotheirsenses？Iassureyoutheyknewtheircue，didthesegentlemen——
wonderful！ThankgoodnessallthiswasinMoscow，andIgottheCourt，youknow，tohelpme，andwesoonbroughtthemtotheirsenses。
\"Youwouldn’tbelievehowyouhavepainedandastonishedme，\"
criedtheprince。
\"Verysorry；butinpointoffact，youknow，itwasallnonsenseandwouldhaveendedinsmoke，asusual——I’msureofthat。Lastyear，\"——heturnedtotheoldmanagain，——\"CountessK。joinedsomeRomanConventabroad。Ourpeopleneverseemtobeabletoofferanyresistancesosoonastheygetintothehandsofthese——
intriguers——especiallyabroad。\"
\"Thatisallthankstoourlassitude，Ithink，\"repliedtheoldman，withauthority。\"Andthentheirwayofpreaching；theyhaveaskilfulmannerofdoingit！Andtheyknowhowtostartleone，too。Igotquiteafrightmyselfin’32，inVienna，Iassureyou；
butIdidn’tcaveintothem，Iranawayinstead，ha，ha！\"
\"Come，come，I’vealwaysheardthatyouranawaywiththebeautifulCountessLevitskythattime——throwingupeverythinginordertodoit——andnotfromtheJesuitsatall，\"saidPrincessBielokonski，suddenly。
\"Well，yes——butwecallitfromtheJesuits，youknow；itcomestothesamething，\"laughedtheoldfellow，delightedwiththepleasantrecollection。
\"Youseemtobeveryreligious，\"hecontinued，kindly，addressingtheprince，\"whichisathingonemeetssoseldomnowadaysamongyoungpeople。\"
Theprincewaslisteningopen-mouthed，andstillinaconditionofexcitedagitation。Theoldmanwasevidentlyinterestedinhim，andanxioustostudyhimmoreclosely。
\"PavlicheffwasamanofbrightintellectandagoodChristian，asincereChristian，\"saidtheprince，suddenly。\"Howcouldhepossiblyembraceafaithwhichisunchristian？RomanCatholicismis，sotospeak，simplythesamethingasunchristianity，\"headdedwithflashingeyes，whichseemedtotakeineverybodyintheroom。
\"Come，that’salittleTOOstrong，isn’tit？\"murmuredtheoldman，glancingatGeneralEpanchininsurprise。
\"HowdoyoumakeoutthattheRomanCatholicreligionisUNCHRISTIAN？Whatisit，then？\"askedIvanPetrovitch，turningtotheprince。
\"ItisnotaChristianreligion，inthefirstplace，\"saidthelatter，inextremeagitation，quiteoutofproportiontothenecessityofthemoment。\"Andinthesecondplace，RomanCatholicismis，inmyopinion，worsethanAtheismitself。Yes——
thatismyopinion。Atheismonlypreachesanegation，butRomanismgoesfurther；itpreachesadisfigured，distortedChrist——itpreachesAnti-Christ——Iassureyou，Iswearit！Thisismyownpersonalconviction，andithaslongdistressedme。TheRomanCatholicbelievesthattheChurchonearthcannotstandwithoutuniversaltemporalPower。Hecries’nonpossumus！’InmyopiniontheRomanCatholicreligionisnotafaithatall，butsimplyacontinuationoftheRomanEmpire，andeverythingissubordinatedtothisidea——beginningwithfaith。ThePopehasseizedterritoriesandanearthlythrone，andhasheldthemwiththesword。Andsothethinghasgoneon，onlythattotheswordtheyhaveaddedlying，intrigue，deceit，fanaticism，superstition，swindling；——theyhaveplayedfastandloosewiththemostsacredandsincerefeelingsofmen；——theyhaveexchangedeverything——everythingformoney，forbaseearthlyPOWER！AndisthisnottheteachingofAnti-Christ？HowcouldtheupshotofallthisbeotherthanAtheism？AtheismisthechildofRomanCatholicism——itproceededfromtheseRomansthemselves，thoughperhapstheywouldnotbelieveit。Itgrewandfattenedonhatredofitsparents；itistheprogenyoftheirliesandspiritualfeebleness。Atheism！Inourcountryitisonlyamongtheupperclassesthatyoufindunbelievers；menwhohavelosttherootorspiritoftheirfaith；butabroadwholemassesofthepeoplearebeginningtoprofessunbelief——atfirstbecauseofthedarknessandliesbywhichtheyweresurrounded；butnowoutoffanaticism，outofloathingfortheChurchandChristianity！\"
Theprincepausedtogetbreath。Hehadspokenwithextraordinaryrapidity，andwasverypale。
Allpresentinterchangedglances，butatlasttheolddignitaryburstoutlaughingfrankly。PrinceN。tookouthiseye-glasstohaveagoodlookatthespeaker。TheGermanpoetcameoutofhiscornerandcreptnearertothetable，withaspitefulsmile。
\"Youexaggeratethematterverymuch，\"saidIvanPetrovitch，withratheraboredair。\"Thereare，intheforeignChurches，manyrepresentativesoftheirfaithwhoareworthyofrespectandesteem。\"
\"Oh，butIdidnotspeakofindividualrepresentatives。IwasmerelytalkingaboutRomanCatholicism，anditsessence——ofRomeitself。AChurchcanneverentirelydisappear；Ineverhintedatthat！\"
\"Agreedthatallthismaybetrue；butweneednotdiscussasubjectwhichbelongstothedomainoftheology。\"
\"Oh，no；oh，no！Nottotheologyalone，Iassureyou！Why，SocialismistheprogenyofRomanismandoftheRomanisticspirit。ItanditsbrotherAtheismproceedfromDespairinoppositiontoCatholicism。Itseekstoreplaceinitselfthemoralpowerofreligion，inordertoappeasethespiritualthirstofparchedhumanityandsaveit；notbyChrist，butbyforce。
’Don’tdaretobelieveinGod，don’tdaretopossessanyindividuality，anyproperty！FraterniteoulaMort；twomillionheads。’Bytheirworksyeshallknowthem’——wearetold。Andwemustnotsupposethatallthisisharmlessandwithoutdangertoourselves。Oh，no；wemustresist，andquickly，quickly！WemustletoutChristshineforthupontheWesternnations，ourChristwhomwehavepreservedintact，andwhomtheyhaveneverknown。
Notasslaves，allowingourselvestobecaughtbythehooksoftheJesuits，butcarryingourRussiancivilizationtoTHEM，wemuststandbeforethem，notlettingitbesaidamongusthattheirpreachingis’skilful，’assomeoneexpresseditjustnow。\"
\"Butexcuseme，excuseme；\"criedIvanPetrovitchconsiderablydisturbed，andlookingarounduneasily。\"Yourideasare，ofcourse，mostpraiseworthy，andinthehighestdegreepatriotic；
butyouexaggeratethematterterribly。Itwouldbebetterifwedroppedthesubject。\"
\"No，sir，Idonotexaggerate，Iunderstatethematter，ifanything，undoubtedlyunderstateit；simplybecauseIcannotexpressmyselfasIshouldlike，but——\"
\"Allowme！\"
Theprincewassilent。HesatstraightupinhischairandgazedferventlyatIvanPetrovitch。
\"Itseemstomethatyouhavebeentoopainfullyimpressedbythenewsofwhathappenedtoyourgoodbenefactor，\"saidtheolddignitary，kindly，andwiththeutmostcalmnessofdemeanour。
\"Youareexcitable，perhapsastheresultofyoursolitarylife。
Ifyouwouldmakeupyourmindtolivemoreamongyourfellowsinsociety，Itrust，Iamsure，thattheworldwouldbegladtowelcomeyou，asaremarkableyoungman；andyouwouldsoonfindyourselfabletolookatthingsmorecalmly。Youwouldseethatallthesethingsaremuchsimplerthanyouthink；and，besides，theserarecasescomeabout，inmyopinion，fromennuiandfromsatiety。\"
\"Exactly，exactly！Thatisatruethought！\"criedtheprince。
\"Fromennui，fromourennuibutnotfromsatiety！Oh，no，youarewrongthere！SayfromTHIRSTifyoulike；thethirstoffever！
Andpleasedonotsupposethatthisissosmallamatterthatwemayhavealaughatitanddismissit；wemustbeabletoforeseeourdisastersandarmagainstthem。WeRussiansnosoonerarriveatthebrinkofthewater，andrealizethatwearereallyatthebrink，thanwearesodelightedwiththeoutlookthatinweplungeandswimtothefarthestpointwecansee。Whyisthis？
YousayyouaresurprisedatPavlicheff’saction；youascribeittomadness，tokindnessofheart，andwhatnot，butitisnotso。
\"OurRussianintensitynotonlyastonishesourselves；allEuropewondersatourconductinsuchcases！For，ifoneofusgoesovertoRomanCatholicism，heissuretobecomeaJesuitatonce，andarabidoneintothebargain。IfoneofusbecomesanAtheist，hemustneedsbegintoinsistontheprohibitionoffaithinGodbyforce，thatis，bythesword。Whyisthis？Whydoeshethenexceedallboundsatonce？Becausehehasfoundlandatlast，thefatherlandthathesoughtinvainbefore；and，becausehissoulisrejoicedtofindit，hethrowshimselfuponitandkissesit！
Oh，itisnotfromvanityalone，itisnotfromfeelingsofvanitythatRussiansbecomeAtheistsandJesuits！Butfromspiritualthirst，fromanguishoflongingforhigherthings，fordryfirmland，forfootholdonafatherlandwhichtheyneverbelievedinbecausetheyneverknewit。ItiseasierforaRussiantobecomeanAtheist，thanforanyothernationalityintheworld。AndnotonlydoesaRussian’becomeanAtheist，’butheactuallyBELIEVESINAtheism，justasthoughhehadfoundanewfaith，notperceivingthathehaspinnedhisfaithtoanegation。Suchisouranguishofthirst！’WhosohasnocountryhasnoGod。’Thatisnotmyownexpression；itistheexpressionofamerchant，oneoftheOldBelievers，whomIoncemetwhiletravelling。Hedidnotsayexactlythesewords。Ithinkhisexpressionwas:
\"’WhosoforsakeshiscountryforsakeshisGod。’
\"ButletthesethirstyRussiansoulsfind，likeColumbus’
discoverers，anewworld；letthemfindtheRussianworld，letthemsearchanddiscoverallthegoldandtreasurethatlieshidinthebosomoftheirownland！Showthemtherestitutionoflosthumanity，inthefuture，byRussianthoughtalone，andbymeansoftheGodandoftheChristofourRussianfaith，andyouwillseehowmightyandjustandwiseandgoodagiantwillriseupbeforetheeyesoftheastonishedandfrightenedworld；
astonishedbecausetheyexpectnothingbuttheswordfromus，becausetheythinktheywillgetnothingoutofusbutbarbarism。
Thishasbeenthecaseuptonow，andthelongermattersgoonastheyarenowproceeding，themoreclearwillbethetruthofwhatIsay；andI——\"
Butatthismomentsomethinghappenedwhichputamostunexpectedendtotheorator’sspeech。Allthisheatedtirade，thisoutflowofpassionatewordsandecstaticideaswhichseemedtohustleandtumbleovereachotherastheyfellfromhislips，boreevidenceofsomeunusuallydisturbedmentalconditionintheyoungfellowwhohad\"boiledover\"insucharemarkablemanner，withoutanyapparentreason。
Ofthosewhowerepresent，suchasknewtheprincelistenedtohisoutburstinastateofalarm，somewithafeelingofmortification。Itwassounlikehisusualtimidself-constraint；
soinconsistentwithhisusualtasteandtact，andwithhisinstinctivefeelingforthehigherproprieties。Theycouldnotunderstandtheoriginoftheoutburst；itcouldnotbesimplythenewsofPavlicheff’sperversion。Bytheladiestheprincewasregardedaslittlebetterthanalunatic，andPrincessBielokonskiadmittedafterwardsthat\"inanotherminuteshewouldhavebolted。\"
Thetwooldgentlemenlookedquitealarmed。Theoldgeneral(Epanchin’schief)satandglaredattheprinceinseveredispleasure。Thecolonelsatimmovable。EventheGermanpoetgrewalittlepale，thoughheworehisusualartificialsmileashelookedaroundtoseewhattheotherswoulddo。
Inpointoffactitisquitepossiblethatthematterwouldhaveendedinaverycommonplaceandnaturalwayinafewminutes。Theundoubtedlyastonished，butnowmorecollected，GeneralEpanchinhadseveraltimesendeavouredtointerrupttheprince，andnothavingsucceededhewasnowpreparingtotakefirmerandmorevigorousmeasurestoattainhisend。Inanotherminuteortwohewouldprobablyhavemadeuphismindtoleadtheprincequietlyoutoftheroom，onthepleaofhisbeingill(anditwasmorethanlikelythatthegeneralwasrightinhisbeliefthattheprinceWASactuallyill)，butitsohappenedthatdestinyhadsomethingdifferentinstore。
Atthebeginningoftheevening，whentheprincefirstcameintotheroom，hehadsatdownasfaraspossiblefromtheChinesevasewhichAglayahadspokenofthedaybefore。
Willitbebelievedthat，afterAglaya’salarmingwords，anineradicableconvictionhadtakenpossessionofhismindthat，howeverhemighttrytoavoidthisvasenextday，hemustcertainlybreakit？Butsoitwas。
Duringtheeveningotherimpressionsbegantoawakeninhismind，aswehaveseen，andheforgothispresentiment。ButwhenPavlicheffwasmentionedandthegeneralintroducedhimtoIvanPetrovitch，hehadchangedhisplace，andwentovernearertothetable；when，itsohappened，hetookthechairnearesttothebeautifulvase，whichstoodonapedestalbehindhim，justaboutonalevelwithhiselbow。
Ashespokehislastwordshehadrisensuddenlyfromhisseatwithawaveofhisarm，andtherewasageneralcryofhorror。
Thehugevaseswayedbackwardsandforwards；itseemedtobeuncertainwhetherornototoppleoverontotheheadofoneoftheoldmen，buteventuallydeterminedtogotheotherway，andcamecrashingovertowardstheGermanpoet，whodartedoutofthewayinterror。
Thecrash，thecry，thesightofthefragmentsofvaluablechinacoveringthecarpet，thealarmofthecompany——whatallthismeanttothepoorprinceitwouldbedifficulttoconveytothemindofthereader，orforhimtoimagine。
Butoneverycuriousfactwasthatalltheshameandvexationandmortificationwhichhefeltovertheaccidentwerelesspowerfulthanthedeepimpressionofthealmostsupernaturaltruthofhispremonition。Hestoodstillinalarm——inalmostsuperstitiousalarm，foramoment；thenallmistsseemedtoclearawayfromhiseyes；hewasconsciousofnothingbutlightandjoyandecstasy；
hisbreathcameandwent；butthemomentpassed。ThankGoditwasnotthat！Hedrewalongbreathandlookedaround。
Forsomeminuteshedidnotseemtocomprehendtheexcitementaroundhim；thatis，hecomprehendeditandsaweverything，buthestoodaside，asitwere，likesomeoneinvisibleinafairytale，asthoughhehadnothingtodowithwhatwasgoingon，thoughitpleasedhimtotakeaninterestinit。
Hesawthemgatherupthebrokenbitsofchina；heheardtheloudtalkingoftheguestsandobservedhowpaleAglayalooked，andhowverystrangelyshewasgazingathim。Therewasnohatredinherexpression，andnoangerwhatever。Itwasfullofalarmforhim，andsympathyandaffection，whileshelookedaroundattheotherswithflashing，angryeyes。Hisheartfilledwithasweetpainashegazedather。
Atlengthheobserved，tohisamazement，thatallhadtakentheirseatsagain，andwerelaughingandtalkingasthoughnothinghadhappened。Anotherminuteandthelaughtergrewlouder——theywerelaughingathim，athisdumbstupor——laughingkindlyandmerrily。
Severalofthemspoketohim，andspokesokindlyandcordially，especiallyLizabethaProkofievna——shewassayingthekindestpossiblethingstohim。
SuddenlyhebecameawarethatGeneralEpanchinwastappinghimontheshoulder；IvanPetrovitchwaslaughingtoo，butstillmorekindandsympathizingwastheolddignitary。Hetooktheprincebythehandandpresseditwarmly；thenhepattedit，andquietlyurgedhimtorecollecthimself——speakingtohimexactlyashewouldhavespokentoalittlefrightenedchild，whichpleasedtheprincewonderfully；andnextseatedhimbesidehimself。
Theprincegazedintohisfacewithpleasure，butstillseemedtohavenopowertospeak。Hisbreathfailedhim。Theoldman’sfacepleasedhimgreatly。
\"Doyoureallyforgiveme？\"hesaidatlast。\"And——andLizabethaProkofievnatoo？\"Thelaughincreased，tearscameintotheprince’seyes，hecouldnotbelieveinallthiskindness——hewasenchanted。
\"Thevasecertainlywasaverybeautifulone。Irememberithereforfifteenyears——yes，quitethat！\"remarkedIvanPetrovitch。
\"Oh，whatadreadfulcalamity！Awretchedvasesmashed，andamanhalfdeadwithremorseaboutit，\"saidLizabethaProkofievna，loudly。\"Whatmadeyousodreadfullystartled，LefNicolaievitch？\"sheadded，alittletimidly。\"Come，mydearboy！
cheerup。Youreallyalarmme，takingtheaccidentsotoheart。\"
\"Doyouforgivemeall——ALL，besidesthevase，Imean？\"saidtheprince，risingfromhisseatoncemore，buttheoldgentlemancaughthishandanddrewhimdownagain——heseemedunwillingtolethimgo。
\"C’esttres-curieuxetc’esttres-serieux，\"hewhisperedacrossthetabletoIvanPetrovitch，ratherloudly。Probablytheprinceheardhim。
\"SothatIhavenotoffendedanyofyou？YouwillnotbelievehowhappyIamtobeabletothinkso。Itisasitshouldbe。AsifI
COULDoffendanyonehere！Ishouldoffendyouagainbyevensuggestingsuchathing。\"
\"Calmyourself，mydearfellow。Youareexaggeratingagain；youreallyhavenooccasiontobesogratefultous。Itisafeelingwhichdoesyougreatcredit，butanexaggeration，forallthat。\"
\"Iamnotexactlythankingyou，Iamonlyfeelingagrowingadmirationforyou——itmakesmehappytolookatyou。IdaresayIamspeakingveryfoolishly，butImustspeak——Imustexplain，ifitbeoutofnothingbetterthanself-respect。\"
Allhesaidanddidwasabrupt，confused，feverish——verylikelythewordshespoke，asoftenasnot，werenotthosehewishedtosay。HeseemedtoinquirewhetherheMIGHTspeak。HiseyeslightedonPrincessBielokonski。
\"Allright，myfriend，talkaway，talkaway！\"sheremarked。\"Onlydon’tloseyourbreath；youwereinsuchahurrywhenyoubegan，andlookwhatyou’vecometonow！Don’tbeafraidofspeaking——
alltheseladiesandgentlemenhaveseenfarstrangerpeoplethanyourself；youdon’tastonishTHEM。Youarenothingout-of-the-wayremarkable，youknow。You’vedonenothingbutbreakavase，andgiveusallafright。\"
Theprincelistened，smiling。
\"Wasn’tityou，\"hesaid，suddenlyturningtotheoldgentleman，\"whosavedthestudentPorkunoffandaclerkcalledShoabrinfrombeingsenttoSiberia，twoorthreemonthssince？\"
Theolddignitaryblushedalittle，andmurmuredthattheprincehadbetternotexcitehimselffurther。
\"AndIhaveheardofYOU，\"continuedtheprince，addressingIvanPetrovitch，\"thatwhensomeofyourvillagerswereburnedoutyougavethemwoodtobuilduptheirhousesagain，thoughtheywerenolongeryourserfsandhadbehavedbadlytowardsyou。\"
\"Oh，come，come！Youareexaggerating，\"saidIvanPetrovitch，beamingwithsatisfaction，allthesame。Hewasright，however，inthisinstance，forthereporthadreachedtheprince’searsinanincorrectform。
\"Andyou，princess，\"hewenton，addressingPrincessBielokonski，\"wasitnotyouwhoreceivedmeinMoscow，sixmonthssince，askindlyasthoughIhadbeenyourownson，inresponsetoaletterfromLizabethaProkofievna；andgavemeonepieceofadvice，againastoyourownson，whichIshallneverforget？Doyouremember？\"
\"Whatareyoumakingsuchafussabout？\"saidtheoldlady，withannoyance。\"Youareagoodfellow，butverysilly。Onegivesyouahalfpenny，andyouareasgratefulasthoughonehadsavedyourlife。Youthinkthisispraiseworthyonyourpart，butitisnot——itisnot，indeed。\"
Sheseemedtobeveryangry，butsuddenlyburstoutlaughing，quitegood-humouredly。
LizabethaProkofievna’sfacebrightenedup，too；sodidthatofGeneralEpanchin。
\"ItoldyouLefNicolaievitchwasaman——aman——ifonlyhewouldnotbeinsuchahurry，astheprincessremarked，\"saidthelatter，withdelight。
Aglayaaloneseemedsadanddepressed；herfacewasflushed，perhapswithindignation。
\"Hereallyisverycharming，\"whisperedtheolddignitarytoIvanPetrovitch。
\"Icameintothisroomwithanguishinmyheart，\"continuedtheprince，withever-growingagitation，speakingquickerandquicker，andwithincreasingstrangeness。\"I——Iwasafraidofyouall，andafraidofmyself。Iwasmostafraidofmyself。WhenI
returnedtoPetersburg，Ipromisedmyselftomakeapointofseeingourgreatestmen，andmembersofouroldestfamilies——theoldfamilieslikemyown。Iamnowamongprinceslikemyself，amInot？Iwishedtoknowyou，anditwasnecessary，very，verynecessary。Ihadalwaysheardsomuchthatwasevilsaidofyouall——moreevilthangood；astohowsmallandpettywereyourinterests，howabsurdyourhabits，howshallowyoureducation，andsoon。Thereissomuchwrittenandsaidaboutyou！Icameheretodaywithanxiouscuriosity；IwishedtoseeformyselfandformmyownconvictionsastowhetheritweretruethatthewholeofthisupperstratumofRussiansocietyisWORTHLESS，hasoutliveditstime，hasexistedtoolong，andisonlyfittodie——
andyetisdyingwithpetty，spitefulwarringagainstthatwhichisdestinedtosupersedeitandtakeitsplace——hinderingtheComingMen，andknowingnotthatitselfisinadyingcondition。
Ididnotfullybelieveinthisviewevenbefore，forthereneverwassuchaclassamongus——exceptingperhapsatcourt，byaccident——orbyuniform；butnowthereisnoteventhat，isthere？Ithasvanished，hasitnot？\"
\"No，notabitofit，\"saidIvanPetrovitch，withasarcasticlaugh。
\"GoodLord，he’soffagain！\"saidPrincessBielokonski，impatiently。
\"Laissez-ledire！Heistremblingallover，\"saidtheoldman，inawarningwhisper。
Theprincecertainlywasbesidehimself。
\"Well？WhathaveIseen？\"hecontinued。\"Ihaveseenmenofgracefulsimplicityofintellect；IhaveseenanoldmanwhoisnotabovespeakingkindlyandevenLISTENINGtoaboylikemyself；Iseebeforemepersonswhocanunderstand，whocanforgive——kind，goodRussianhearts——heartsalmostaskindandcordialasImetabroad。ImaginehowdelightedImusthavebeen，andhowsurprised！Oh，letmeexpressthisfeeling！Ihavesooftenheard，andIhaveevenbelieved，thatinsocietytherewasnothingbutemptyforms，andthatrealityhadvanished；butInowseeformyselfthatthiscanneverbethecaseHERE，amongus——itmaybetheorderelsewhere，butnotinRussia。SurelyyouarenotallJesuitsanddeceivers！IheardPrinceN。’sstoryjustnow。
Wasitnotsimple-minded，spontaneoushumour？Couldsuchwordscomefromthelipsofamanwhoisdead？——amanwhoseheartandtalentsaredriedup？Coulddeadmenandwomenhavetreatedmesokindlyasyouhaveallbeentreatingmeto-day？Istherenotmaterialforthefutureinallthis——forhope？CansuchpeoplefailtoUNDERSTAND？Cansuchmenfallawayfromreality？\"
