Allthiswassuspiciousandunsatisfactory。Verylikelytheporterhadreceivednewinstructionsduringtheintervaloftheprince’sabsence；hismannerwassodifferentnow。Hehadbeenobliging——nowhewasasobstinateandsilentasamule。However，theprincedecidedtocallagaininacoupleofhours，andafterthattowatchthehouse，incaseofneed。HishopewasthathemightyetfindNastasiaattheaddresswhichhehadjustreceived。Tothataddresshenowsetoffatfullspeed。
Butalas！attheGermanlady’shousetheydidnotevenappeartounderstandwhathewanted。Afterawhile，bymeansofcertainhints，hewasabletogatherthatNastasiamusthavehadaquarrelwithherfriendtwoorthreeweeksago，sincewhichdatethelatterhadneitherheardnorseenanythingofher。HewasgiventounderstandthatthesubjectofNastasia’spresentwhereaboutswasnotoftheslightestinteresttoher；andthatNastasiamightmarryalltheprincesintheworldforallshecared！SoMuishkintookhisleavehurriedly。ItstruckhimnowthatshemighthavegoneawaytoMoscowjustasshehaddonethelasttime，andthatRogojinhadperhapsgoneafterher，orevenWITHher。Ifonlyhecouldfindsometrace！
However，hemusttakehisroomatthehotel；andhestartedoffinthatdirection。Havingengagedhisroom，hewasaskedbythewaiterwhetherhewouldtakedinner；replyingmechanicallyintheaffirmative，hesatdownandwaited；butitwasnotlongbeforeitstruckhimthatdiningwoulddelayhim。Enragedatthisidea，hestartedup，crossedthedarkpassage(whichfilledhimwithhorribleimpressionsandgloomyforebodings)，andsetoutoncemoreforRogojin’s。Rogojinhadnotreturned，andnoonecametothedoor。Herangattheoldlady’sdooropposite，andwasinformedthatParfenSemionovitchwouldnotreturnforthreedays。Thecuriositywithwhichtheoldservantstaredathimagainimpressedtheprincedisagreeably。Hecouldnotfindtheporterthistimeatall。
Asbefore，hecrossedthestreetandwatchedthewindowsfromtheotherside，walkingupanddowninanguishofsoulforhalfanhourorsointhestiflingheat。Nothingstirred；theblindsweremotionless；indeed，theprincebegantothinkthattheapparitionofRogojin’sfacecouldhavebeennothingbutfancy。Soothedbythisthought，hedroveoffoncemoretohisfriendsattheIsmailofskybarracks。Hewasexpectedthere。ThemotherhadalreadybeentothreeorfourplacestolookforNastasia，buthadnotfoundatraceofanykind。
Theprincesaidnothing，butenteredtheroom，satdownsilently，andstaredatthem，oneaftertheother，withtheairofamanwhocannotunderstandwhatisbeingsaidtohim。Itwasstrange——
onemomentheseemedtobesoobservant，thenextsoabsent；hisbehaviourstruckallthefamilyasmostremarkable。Atlengthherosefromhisseat，andbeggedtobeshownNastasia’srooms。Theladiesreportedafterwardshowhehadexaminedeverythingintheapartments。Heobservedanopenbookonthetable，MadamBovary，andrequestedtheleaveoftheladyofthehousetotakeitwithhim。Hehadturneddowntheleafattheopenpage，andpocketeditbeforetheycouldexplainthatitwasalibrarybook。Hehadthenseatedhimselfbytheopenwindow，andseeingacard-table，heaskedwhoplayedcards。
HewasinformedthatNastasiausedtoplaywithRogojineveryevening，eitherat\"preference\"or\"littlefool，\"or\"whist\"；
thatthishadbeentheirpracticesinceherlastreturnfromPavlofsk；thatshehadtakentothisamusementbecauseshedidnotliketoseeRogojinsittingsilentanddullforwholeeveningsatatime；thatthedayafterNastasiahadmadearemarktothiseffect，Rogojinhadwhippedapackofcardsoutofhispocket。Nastasiahadlaughed，butsoontheybeganplaying。Theprinceaskedwherewerethecards，butwastoldthatRogojinusedtobringanewpackeveryday，andalwayscarrieditawayinhispocket。
ThegoodladiesrecommendedtheprincetotryknockingatRogojin’soncemore——notatonce，butintheeveningMeanwhile，themotherwouldgotoPavlofsktoinquireatDanaAlexeyevna’swhetheranythinghadbeenheardofNastasiathere。Theprincewastocomebackatteno’clockandmeether，tohearhernewsandarrangeplansforthemorrow。
Inspiteofthekindly-meantconsolationsofhisnewfriends，theprincewalkedtohishotelininexpressibleanguishofspirit，throughthehot，dustystreets，aimlesslystaringatthefacesofthosewhopassedhim。Arrivedathisdestination，hedeterminedtorestawhileinhisroombeforebestartedforRogojin’soncemore。Hesatdown，restedhiselbowsonthetableandhisheadonhishands，andfelltothinking。
Heavenknowshowlonganduponwhatsubjectshethought。Hethoughtofmanythings——ofVeraLebedeff，andofherfather；ofHippolyte；ofRogojinhimself，firstatthefuneral，thenashehadmethiminthepark，then，suddenly，astheyhadmetinthisverypassage，outside，whenRogojinhadwatchedinthedarknessandawaitedhimwithupliftedknife。Theprincerememberedhisenemy’seyesastheyhadglaredathiminthedarkness。Heshuddered，asasuddenideastruckhim。
Thisideawas，thatifRogojinwereinPetersburg，thoughhemighthideforatime，yethewasquitesuretocometohim——theprince——beforelong，witheithergoodorevilintentions，butprobablywiththesameintentionasonthatotheroccasion。Atallevents，ifRogojinweretocomeatallhewouldbesuretoseektheprincehere——hehadnoothertownaddress——perhapsinthissamecorridor；hemightwellseekhimhereifheneededhim。Andperhapshedidneedhim。Thisideaseemedquitenaturaltotheprince，thoughhecouldnothaveexplainedwhyheshouldsosuddenlyhavebecomenecessarytoRogojin。Rogojinwouldnotcomeifallwerewellwithhim，thatwaspartofthethought；hewouldcomeifallwerenotwell；andcertainly，undoubtedly，allwouldnotbewellwithhim。Theprincecouldnotbearthisnewidea；hetookhishatandrushedouttowardsthestreet。Itwasalmostdarkinthepassage。
\"WhatifheweretocomeoutofthatcornerasIgobyand——andstopme？\"thoughttheprince，asheapproachedthefamiliarspot。
Butnoonecameout。
Hepassedunderthegatewayandintothestreet。Thecrowdsofpeoplewalkingabout——asisalwaysthecaseatsunsetinPetersburg，duringthesummer——surprisedhim，buthewalkedoninthedirectionofRogojin’shouse。
Aboutfiftyyardsfromthehotel，atthefirstcross-road，ashepassedthroughthecrowdoffoot-passengerssaunteringalong，someonetouchedhisshoulder，andsaidinawhisperintohisear:
\"LefNicolaievitch，myfriend，comealongwithme。\"ItwasRogojin。
Theprinceimmediatelybegantotellhim，eagerlyandjoyfully，howhehadbutthemomentbeforeexpectedtoseehiminthedarkpassageofthehotel。
\"Iwasthere，\"saidRogojin，unexpectedly。\"Comealong。\"Theprincewassurprisedatthisanswer；buthisastonishmentincreasedacoupleofminutesafterwards，whenhebegantoconsiderit。Havingthoughtitover，heglancedatRogojininalarm。Thelatterwasstridingalongayardorsoahead，lookingstraightinfrontofhim，andmechanicallymakingwayforanyonehemet。
\"Whydidyounotaskformeatmyroomifyouwereinthehotel？\"
askedtheprince，suddenly。
Rogojinstoppedandlookedathim；thenreflected，andrepliedasthoughhehadnotheardthequestion:
\"Lookhere，LefNicolaievitch，yougostraightontothehouse；I
shallwalkontheotherside。Seethatwekeeptogether。\"
Sosaying，Rogojincrossedtheroad。
Arrivedontheoppositepavement，helookedbacktoseewhethertheprinceweremoving，wavedhishandinthedirectionoftheGorohovaya，andstrodeon，lookingacrosseverymomenttoseewhetherMuishkinunderstoodhisinstructions。TheprincesupposedthatRogojindesiredtolookoutforsomeonewhomhewasafraidtomiss；butifso，whyhadhenottoldHIMwhomtolookoutfor？
Sothetwoproceededforhalfamileorso。Suddenlytheprincebegantotremblefromsomeunknowncause。Hecouldnotbearit，andsignalledtoRogojinacrosstheroad。
Thelattercameatonce。
\"IsNastasiaPhilipovnaatyourhouse？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andwasityoulookedoutofthewindowundertheblindthismorning？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Thenwhydid——\"
Buttheprincecouldnotfinishhisquestion；hedidnotknowwhattosay。Besidesthis，hisheartwasbeatingsothathefounditdifficulttospeakatall。Rogojinwassilentalsoandlookedathimasbefore，withanexpressionofdeepthoughtfulness。
\"Well，I’mgoing，\"hesaid，atlast，preparingtorecrosstheroad。\"Yougoalonghereasbefore；wewillkeeptodifferentsidesoftheroad；it’sbetterso，you’llsee。\"
WhentheyreachedtheGorohovaya，andcamenearthehouse，theprince’slegsweretremblingsothathecouldhardlywalk。Itwasaboutteno’clock。Theoldlady’swindowswereopen，asbefore；
Rogojin’swereallshut，andinthedarknessthewhiteblindsshowedwhiterthanever。Rogojinandtheprinceeachapproachedthehouseonhisrespectivesideoftheroad；Rogojin，whowasonthenearside，beckonedtheprinceacross。Hewentovertothedoorway。
\"EventheporterdoesnotknowthatIhavecomehomenow。Itoldhim，andtoldthematmymother’stoo，thatIwasofftoPavlofsk，\"saidRogojin，withacunningandalmostsatisfiedsmile。\"We’llgoinquietlyandnobodywillhearus。\"
Hehadthekeyinhishand。Mountingthestaircaseheturnedandsignalledtotheprincetogomoresoftly；heopenedthedoorveryquietly，lettheprincein，followedhim，lockedthedoorbehindhim，andputthekeyinhispocket。
\"Comealong，\"hewhispered。
Hehadspokeninawhisperalltheway。Inspiteofhisapparentoutwardcomposure，hewasevidentlyinastateofgreatmentalagitation。Arrivedinalargesalon，nexttothestudy，hewenttothewindowandcautiouslybeckonedtheprinceuptohim。
\"WhenyourangthebellthismorningIthoughtitmustbeyou。I
wenttothedoorontip-toeandheardyoutalkingtotheservantopposite。Ihadtoldherbeforethatifanyonecameandrang——
especiallyyou，andIgaveheryourname——shewasnottotellaboutme。ThenIthought，whatifhegoesandstandsoppositeandlooksup，orwaitsabouttowatchthehouse？SoIcametothisverywindow，lookedout，andthereyouwerestaringstraightatme。That’showitcameabout。\"
\"WhereisNastasiaPhilipovna？\"askedtheprince，breathlessly。
\"She’shere，\"repliedRogojin，slowly，afteraslightpause。
\"Where？\"
Rogojinraisedhiseyesandgazedintentlyattheprince。
\"Come，\"hesaid。
Hecontinuedtospeakinawhisper，verydeliberatelyasbefore，andlookedstrangelythoughtfulanddreamy。Evenwhilehetoldthestoryofhowhehadpeepedthroughtheblind，hegavetheimpressionofwishingtosaysomethingelse。Theyenteredthestudy。Inthisroomsomechangeshadtakenplacesincetheprincelastsawit。Itwasnowdividedintotwoequalpartsbyaheavygreensilkcurtainstretchedacrossit，separatingthealcovebeyond，wherestoodRogojin’sbed，fromtherestoftheroom。
Theheavycurtainwasdrawnnow，anditwasverydark。ThebrightPetersburgsummernightswerealreadybeginningtoclosein，andbutforthefullmoon，itwouldhavebeendifficulttodistinguishanythinginRogojin’sdismalroom，withthedrawnblinds。Theycouldjustseeoneanothersfaces，however，thoughnotindetail。Rogojin’sfacewaswhite，asusual。Hisglitteringeyeswatchedtheprincewithanintentstare。
\"Hadyounotbetterlightacandle？\"saidMuishkin。
\"No，Ineedn’t，\"repliedRogojin，andtakingtheotherbythehandhedrewhimdowntoachair。Hehimselftookachairoppositeanddrewitupsoclosethathealmostpressedagainsttheprince’sknees。Attheirsidewasalittleroundtable。
Sitdown，\"saidRogojin；\"let’srestabit。\"Therewassilenceforamoment。
\"Iknewyouwouldbeatthathotel，\"hecontinued，justasmensometimescommenceaseriousconversationbydiscussinganyoutsidesubjectbeforeleadinguptothemainpoint。\"AsI
enteredthepassageitstruckmethatperhapsyouweresittingandwaitingforme，justasIwaswaitingforyou。HaveyoubeentotheoldladyatIsmailofskybarracks？\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheprince，squeezingthewordoutwithdifficultyowingtothedreadfulbeatingofhisheart。
\"Ithoughtyouwould。’They’lltalkaboutit，’Ithought；soI
determinedtogoandfetchyoutospendthenighthere——’Wewillbetogether，’Ithought，’forthisonenight——’\"
\"Rogojin，WHEREisNastasiaPhilipovna？\"saidtheprince，suddenlyrisingfromhisseat。Hewasquakinginallhislimbs，andhiswordscameinascarcelyaudiblewhisper。Rogojinrosealso。
\"There，\"hewhispered，noddinghisheadtowardsthecurtain。
\"Asleep？\"whisperedtheprince。
Rogojinlookedintentlyathimagain，asbefore。
\"Let’sgoin——butyoumustn’t——well——let’sgoin。\"
Heliftedthecurtain，paused——andturnedtotheprince。\"Goin，\"
hesaid，motioninghimtopassbehindthecurtain。Muishkinwentin。
It’ssodark，\"hesaid。
\"Youcanseequiteenough，\"mutteredRogojin。
\"Icanjustseethere’sabed——\"
\"Gonearer，\"suggestedRogojin，softly。
Theprincetookastepforward——thenanother——andpaused。Hestoodandstaredforaminuteortwo。
Neitherofthemenspokeawordwhileatthebedside。Theprince’sheartbeatsoloudthatitsknockingseemedtobedistinctlyaudibleinthedeathlysilence。
Butnowhiseyeshadbecomesofaraccustomedtothedarknessthathecoulddistinguishthewholeofthebed。Someonewasasleepuponit——inanabsolutelymotionlesssleep。Nottheslightestmovementwasperceptible，notthefaintestbreathingcouldbeheard。Thesleeperwascoveredwithawhitesheet；theoutlineofthelimbswashardlydistinguishable。Hecouldonlyjustmakeoutthatahumanbeinglayoutstretchedthere。
Allaround，onthebed，onachairbesideit，onthefloor，werescatteredthedifferentportionsofamagnificentwhitesilkdress，bitsoflace，ribbonsandflowers。Onasmalltableatthebedsideglitteredamassofdiamonds，tornoffandthrowndownanyhow。Fromunderaheapoflaceattheendofthebedpeepedasmallwhitefoot，whichlookedasthoughithadbeenchiselledoutofmarble；itwasterriblystill。
Theprincegazedandgazed，andfeltthatthemorehegazedthemoredeath-likebecamethesilence。Suddenlyaflyawokesomewhere，buzzedacrosstheroom，andsettledonthepillow。Theprinceshuddered。
\"Let’sgo，\"saidRogojin，touchinghisshoulder。Theyleftthealcoveandsatdowninthetwochairstheyhadoccupiedbefore，oppositetooneanother。Theprincetrembledmoreandmoreviolently，andnevertookhisquestioningeyesoffRogojin’sface。
\"Iseeyouareshuddering，LefNicolaievitch，\"saidthelatter，atlength，\"almostasyoudidonceinMoscow，beforeyourfit；
don’tyouremember？Idon’tknowwhatIshalldowithyou——\"
Theprincebentforwardtolisten，puttingallthestrainhecouldmusteruponhisunderstandinginordertotakeinwhatRogojinsaid，andcontinuingtogazeatthelatter’sface。
\"Wasityou？\"hemuttered，atlast，motioningwithhisheadtowardsthecurtain。
\"Yes，itwasI，\"whisperedRogojin，lookingdown。
Neitherspokeforfiveminutes。
\"Because，youknow，\"Rogojinrecommenced，asthoughcontinuingaformersentence，\"ifyouwereillnow，orhadafit，orscreamed，oranything，theymighthearitintheyard，oreveninthestreet，andguessthatsomeonewaspassingthenightinthehouse。Theywouldallcomeandknockandwanttocomein，becausetheyknowIamnotathome。Ididn’tlightacandleforthesamereason。WhenIamnothere——fortwoorthreedaysatatime，nowandthen——noonecomesintotidythehouseoranything；thosearemyorders。SothatIwantthemtonotknowwearespendingthenighthere——\"
\"Wait，\"interruptedtheprince。\"IaskedboththeporterandthewomanwhetherNastasiaPhilipovnahadspentlastnightinthehouse；sotheyknew——\"
\"Iknowyouasked。Itoldthemthatshehadcalledinfortenminutes，andthengonestraightbacktoPavlofsk。Nooneknowssheslepthere。LastnightwecameinjustascarefullyasyouandIdidtoday。IthoughtasIcamealongwithherthatshewouldnotliketocreepinsosecretly，butIwasquitewrong。
Shewhispered，andwalkedontip-toe；shecarriedherskirtoverherarm，sothatitshouldn’trustle，andsheheldupherfingeratmeonthestairs，sothatIshouldn’tmakeanoise——itwasyoushewasafraidof。Shewasmadwithterrorinthetrain，andshebeggedmetobringhertothishouse。IthoughtoftakinghertoherroomsattheIsmailofskybarracksfirst；butshewouldn’thearofit。Shesaid，’No——notthere；he’llfindmeoutatoncethere。Takemetoyourownhouse，whereyoucanhideme，andtomorrowwe’llsetoffforMoscow。’ThenceshewouldgotoOrel，shesaid。Whenshewenttobed，shewasstilltalkingaboutgoingtoOrel。\"
\"Wait！Whatdoyouintendtodonow，Parfen？\"
\"Well，I’mafraidofyou。Youshudderandtrembleso。We’llpassthenightheretogether。Therearenootherbedsbesidesthatone；butI’vethoughthowwe’llmanage。I’lltakethecushionsoffallthesofas，andlaythemdownonthefloor，upagainstthecurtainhere——foryouandme——sothatweshallbetogether。Foriftheycomeinandlookaboutnow，youknow，they’llfindher，andcarryheraway，andthey’llbeaskingmequestions，andIshallsayIdidit，andthenthey’lltakemeaway，too，don’tyousee？
Soletherlieclosetous——closetoyouandme。
\"Yes，yes，\"agreedtheprince，warmly。
\"Sowewillnotsayanythingaboutit，orletthemtakeheraway？\"
\"Notforanything！\"criedtheother；\"no，no，no！\"
\"SoIhaddecided，myfriend；nottogiveheruptoanyone，\"
continuedRogojin。\"We’llbeveryquiet。Ihaveonlybeenoutofthehouseonehourallday，alltherestofthetimeIhavebeenwithher。Idaresaytheairisverybadhere。Itissohot。Doyoufinditbad？\"
\"Idon’tknow——perhaps——bymorningitwillbe。\"
\"I’vecoveredherwithoil-cloth——bestAmericanoilcloth，andputthesheetoverthat，andfourjarsofdisinfectant，onaccountofthesmell——astheydidatMoscow——youremember？Andshe’slyingsostill；youshallsee，inthemorning，whenit’slight。What！
can’tyougetup？\"askedRogojin，seeingtheotherwastremblingsothathecouldnotrisefromhisseat。
\"Mylegswon’tmove，\"saidtheprince；\"it’sfear，Iknow。Whenmyfearisover，I’llgetup——\"
\"Waitabit——I’llmakethebed，andyoucanliedown。I’llliedown，too，andwe’lllistenandwatch，forIdon’tknowyetwhatIshalldo……Itellyoubeforehand，sothatyoumaybereadyincaseI——\"
Mutteringthesedisconnectedwords，Rogojinbegantomakeupthebeds。Itwasclearthathehaddevisedthesebedslongbefore；
lastnighthesleptonthesofa。Buttherewasnoroomfortwoonthesofa，andheseemedanxiousthatheandtheprinceshouldbeclosetooneanother；therefore，henowdraggedcushionsofallsizesandshapesfromthesofas，andmadeasortofbedofthemclosebythecurtain。Hethenapproachedtheprince，andgentlyhelpedhimtorise，andledhimtowardsthebed。Buttheprincecouldnowwalkbyhimself，sothathisfearmusthavepassed；forallthat，however，hecontinuedtoshudder。
\"It’shotweather，yousee，\"continuedRogojin，ashelaydownonthecushionsbesideMuishkin，\"and，naturally，therewillbeasmell。Idaren’topenthewindow。Mymotherhassomebeautifulflowersinpots；theyhaveadeliciousscent；Ithoughtoffetchingthemin，butthatoldservantwillfindout，she’sveryinquisitive。
\"Yes，sheisinquisitive，\"assentedtheprince。
\"Ithoughtofbuyingflowers，andputtingthemallroundher；butIwasafraiditwouldmakeussadtoseeherwithflowersroundher。\"
\"Lookhere，\"saidtheprince；hewasbewildered，andhisbrainwandered。Heseemedtobecontinuallygropingforthequestionshewishedtoask，andthenlosingthem。\"Listen——tellme——howdidyou——withaknife？——Thatsameone？\"
\"Yes，thatsameone。\"
\"Waitaminute，Iwanttoaskyousomethingelse，Parfen；allsortsofthings；buttellmefirst，didyouintendtokillherbeforemywedding，atthechurchdoor，withyourknife？\"
\"Idon’tknowwhetherIdidornot，\"saidRogojin，drily，seemingtobealittleastonishedatthequestion，andnotquitetakingitin。
\"DidyounevertakeyourknifetoPavlofskwithyou？\"\"No。Astotheknife，\"headded，\"thisisallIcantellyouaboutit。\"Hewassilentforamoment，andthensaid，\"Itookitoutofthelockeddrawerthismorningaboutthree，foritwasintheearlymorningallthis——happened。Ithasbeeninsidethebookeversince——and——and——thisiswhatissuchamarveltome，theknifeonlywentinacoupleofinchesatmost，justunderherleftbreast，andtherewasn’tmorethanhalfatablespoonfulofbloodaltogether，notmore。\"
\"Yes——yes——yes——\"Theprincejumpedupinextraordinaryagitation。\"Iknow，Iknow，I’vereadofthatsortofthing——it’sinternalhaemorrhage，youknow。Sometimesthereisn’tadrop——iftheblowgoesstraighttotheheart——\"
\"Wait——listen！\"criedRogojin，suddenly，startingup。\"Somebody’swalkingabout，doyouhear？Inthehall。\"Bothsatuptolisten。
\"Ihear，\"saidtheprinceinawhisper，hiseyesfixedonRogojin。
\"Footsteps？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Shallweshutthedoor，andlockit，ornot？\"
\"Yes，lockit。\"
Theylockedthedoor，andbothlaydownagain。Therewasalongsilence。
\"Yes，by-the-by，\"whisperedtheprince，hurriedlyandexcitedlyasbefore，asthoughhehadjustseizedholdofanideaandwasafraidoflosingitagain。\"I——Iwantedthosecards！Theysayyouplayedcardswithher？\"
\"Yes，Iplayedwithher，\"saidRogojin，afterashortsilence。
\"Wherearethecards？\"
\"Heretheyare，\"saidRogojin，afterastilllongerpause。
Hepulledoutapackofcards，wrappedinabitofpaper，fromhispocket，andhandedthemtotheprince。Thelattertookthem，withasortofperplexity。Anew，sad，helplessfeelingweighedonhisheart；hehadsuddenlyrealizedthatnotonlyatthismoment，butforalongwhile，hehadnotbeensayingwhathewantedtosay，hadnotbeenactingashewantedtoact；andthatthesecardswhichheheldinhishand，andwhichhehadbeensodelightedtohaveatfirst，werenowofnouse——nouse……Herose，andwrunghishands。Rogojinlaymotionless，andseemedneithertohearnorseehismovements；buthiseyesblazedinthedarkness，andwerefixedinawildstare。
Theprincesatdownonachair，andwatchedhiminalarm。Halfanhourwentby。
SuddenlyRogojinburstintoaloudabruptlaugh，asthoughhehadquiteforgottenthattheymustspeakinwhispers。
\"Thatofficer，eh！——thatyoungofficer——don’tyourememberthatfellowattheband？Eh？Ha，ha，ha！Didn’tshewhiphimsmartly，eh？\"
Theprincejumpedupfromhisseatinrenewedterror。WhenRogojinquieteddown(whichhedidatonce)theprincebentoverhim，satdownbesidehim，andwithpainfullybeatingheartandstillmorepainfulbreath，watchedhisfaceintently。Rogojinneverturnedhishead，andseemedtohaveforgottenallabouthim。Theprincewatchedandwaited。Timewenton——itbegantogrowlight。
Rogojinbegantowander——mutteringdisconnectedly；thenhetooktoshoutingandlaughing。Theprincestretchedoutatremblinghandandgentlystrokedhishairandhischeeks——hecoulddonothingmore。Hislegstrembledagainandheseemedtohavelosttheuseofthem。Anewsensationcameoverhim，fillinghisheartandsoulwithinfiniteanguish。
Meanwhilethedaylightgrewfullandstrong；andatlasttheprincelaydown，asthoughovercomebydespair，andlaidhisfaceagainstthewhite，motionlessfaceofRogojin。HistearsflowedontoRogojin’scheek，thoughhewasperhapsnotawareofthemhimself。
Atalleventswhen，aftermanyhours，thedoorwasopenedandpeoplethrongedin，theyfoundthemurdererunconsciousandinaragingfever。Theprincewassittingbyhim，motionless，andeachtimethatthesickmangavealaugh，orashout，hehastenedtopasshisowntremblinghandoverhiscompanion’shairandcheeks，asthoughtryingtosootheandquiethim。ButalasIheunderstoodnothingofwhatwassaidtohim，andrecognizednoneofthosewhosurroundedhim。
IfSchneiderhimselfhadarrivedthenandseenhisformerpupilandpatient，rememberingtheprince’sconditionduringthefirstyearinSwitzerland，hewouldhaveflunguphishands，despairingly，andcried，ashedidthen:
\"Anidiot！\"
XII。
WHENthewidowhurriedawaytoPavlofsk，shewentstraighttoDariaAlexeyevna’shouse，andtellingallsheknew，threwherintoastateofgreatalarm。BothladiesdecidedtocommunicateatoncewithLebedeff，who，asthefriendandlandlordoftheprince，wasalsomuchagitated。VeraLebedefftoldallsheknew，andbyLebedeff’sadviceitwasdecidedthatallthreeshouldgotoPetersburgasquicklyaspossible，inordertoavert\"whatmightsoeasilyhappen。\"
Thisishowitcameaboutthatateleveno’clocknextmorningRogojin’sflatwasopenedbythepoliceinthepresenceofLebedeff，thetwoladies，andRogojin’sownbrother，wholivedinthewing。
TheevidenceoftheporterwentfurtherthananythingelsetowardsthesuccessofLebedeffingainingtheassistanceofthepolice。HedeclaredthathehadseenRogojinreturntothehouselastnight，accompaniedbyafriend，andthatbothhadgoneupstairsverysecretlyandcautiously。Afterthistherewasnohesitationaboutbreakingopenthedoor，sinceitcouldnotbegotopeninanyotherway。
Rogojinsufferedfrombrainfeverfortwomonths。Whenherecoveredfromtheattackhewasatoncebroughtupontrialformurder。
Hegavefull，satisfactory，anddirectevidenceoneverypoint；
andtheprince’snamewas，thankstothis，notbroughtintotheproceedings。Rogojinwasveryquietduringtheprogressofthetrial。Hedidnotcontradicthiscleverandeloquentcounsel，whoarguedthatthebrainfever，orinflammationofthebrain，wasthecauseofthecrime；clearlyprovingthatthismaladyhadexistedlongbeforethemurderwasperpetrated，andhadbeenbroughtonbythesufferingsoftheaccused。
ButRogojinaddednowordsofhisowninconfirmationofthisview，andasbefore，herecountedwithmarvellousexactnessthedetailsofhiscrime。Hewasconvicted，butwithextenuatingcircumstances，andcondemnedtohardlabourinSiberiaforfifteenyears。Heheardhissentencegrimly，silently，andthoughtfully。Hiscolossalfortune，withtheexceptionofthecomparativelysmallportionwastedinthefirstwantonperiodofhisinheritance，wenttohisbrother，tothegreatsatisfactionofthelatter。
Theoldlady，Rogojin’smother，isstillalive，andremembersherfavouritesonParfensometimes，butnotclearly。Godsparedhertheknowledgeofthisdreadfulcalamitywhichhadovertakenherhouse。
Lebedeff，Keller，Gania，Ptitsin，andmanyotherfriendsofourscontinuetoliveasbefore。Thereisscarcelyanychangeinthem，sothatthereisnoneedtotelloftheirsubsequentdoings。
Hippolytediedingreatagitation，andrathersoonerthanheexpected，aboutafortnightafterNastasiaPhiipovna’sdeath。
Coliawasmuchaffectedbytheseevents，anddrewnearertohismotherinheartandsympathy。NinaAlexandrovnaisanxious，becauseheis\"thoughtfulbeyondhisyears，\"buthewill，wethink，makeausefulandactiveman。
Theprince’sfurtherfatewasmoreorlessdecidedbyColia，whoselected，outofallthepersonshehadmetduringthelastsixorsevenmonths，EvgeniePavlovitch，asfriendandconfidant。Tohimhemadeoverallthatheknewastotheeventsaboverecorded，andastothepresentconditionoftheprince。Hewasnotfarwronginhischoice。EvgeniePavlovitchtookthedeepestinterestinthefateoftheunfortunate\"idiot，\"and，thankstohisinfluence，theprincefoundhimselfoncemorewithDr。
Schneider，inSwitzerland。
EvgeniePavlovitch，whowentabroadatthistime，intendingtolivealongwhileonthecontinent，being，asheoftensaid，quitesuperfluousinRussia，visitshissickfriendatSchneider’severyfewmonths。
ButDr。Schneiderfrownsevermoreandmoreandshakeshishead；
hehintsthatthebrainisfatallyinjured；hedoesnotasyetdeclarethathispatientisincurable，butheallowshimselftoexpressthegravestfears。
Evgenietakesthismuchtoheart，andhehasaheart，asisprovedbythefactthathereceivesandevenanswerslettersfromColia。Butbesidesthis，anothertraitinhischaracterhasbecomeapparent，andasitisagoodtraitwewillmakehastetorevealit。AftereachvisittoSchneider’sestablishment，EvgeniePavlovitchwritesanotherletter，besidesthattoColia，givingthemostminuteparticularsconcerningtheinvalid’scondition。
Intheselettersistobedetected，andineachonemorethanthelast，agrowingfeelingoffriendshipandsympathy。
TheindividualwhocorrespondsthuswithEvgeniePavlovitch，andwhoengagessomuchofhisattentionandrespect，isVeraLebedeff。Wehaveneverbeenabletodiscoverclearlyhowsuchrelationssprangup。Ofcoursetherootofthemwasintheeventswhichwehavealreadyrecorded，andwhichsofilledVerawithgriefontheprince’saccountthatshefellseriouslyill。Butexactlyhowtheacquaintanceandfriendshipcameabout，wecannotsay。
WehavespokenoftheseletterschieflybecauseinthemisoftentobefoundsomenewsoftheEpanchinfamily，andofAglayainparticular。EvgeniePavlovitchwroteofherfromParis，thatafterashortandsuddenattachmenttoacertainPolishcount，anexile，shehadsuddenlymarriedhim，quiteagainstthewishesofherparents，thoughtheyhadeventuallygiventheirconsentthroughfearofaterriblescandal。Then，afterasixmonths’
silence，EvgeniePavlovitchinformedhiscorrespondent，inalongletter，fullofdetail，thatwhilepayinghislastvisittoDr。
Schneider’sestablishment，hehadtherecomeacrossthewholeEpanchinfamily(exceptingthegeneral，whohadremainedinSt。
Petersburg)andPrinceS。Themeetingwasastrangeone。TheyallreceivedEvgeniePavlovitchwitheffusivedelight；AdelaidaandAlexandraweredeeplygratefultohimforhis\"angelickindnesstotheunhappyprince。\"
LizabethaProkofievna，whenshesawpoorMuishkin，inhisenfeebledandhumiliatedcondition，hadweptbitterly。Apparentlyallwasforgivenhim。
PrinceS。hadmadeafewjustandsensibleremarks。ItseemedtoEvgeniePavlovitchthattherewasnotyetperfectharmonybetweenAdelaidaandherfiance，buthethoughtthatintimetheimpulsiveyounggirlwouldletherselfbeguidedbyhisreasonandexperience。Besides，therecenteventsthathadbefallenherfamilyhadgivenAdelaidamuchtothinkabout，especiallythesadexperiencesofheryoungersister。Withinsixmonths，everythingthatthefamilyhaddreadedfromthemarriagewiththePolishcounthadcometopass。Heturnedouttobeneithercountnorexile——atleast，inthepoliticalsenseoftheword——buthadhadtoleavehisnativelandowingtosomeratherdubiousaffairofthepast。Itwashisnoblepatriotism，ofwhichhemadeagreatdisplay，thathadrenderedhimsointerestinginAglaya’seyes。
Shewassofascinatedthat，evenbeforemarryinghim，shejoinedacommitteethathadbeenorganizedabroadtoworkfortherestorationofPoland；andfurther，shevisitedtheconfessionalofacelebratedJesuitpriest，whomadeanabsolutefanaticofher。Thesupposedfortuneofthecounthaddwindledtoamerenothing，althoughhehadgivenalmostirrefutableevidenceofitsexistencetoLizabethaProkofievnaandPrinceS。
Besidesthis，beforetheyhadbeenmarriedhalfayear，thecountandhisfriendthepriestmanagedtobringaboutaquarrelbetweenAglayaandherfamily，sothatitwasnowseveralmonthssincetheyhadseenher。Inaword，therewasagreatdealtosay；butMrs。Epanchin，andherdaughters，andevenPrinceS。，werestillsomuchdistressedbyAglaya’slatestinfatuationsandadventures，thattheydidhotcaretotalkofthem，thoughtheymusthaveknownthatEvgenieknewmuchofthestoryalready。
PoorLizabethaProkofievnawasmostanxioustogethome，and，accordingtoEvgenie’saccount，shecriticizedeverythingforeignwithmuchhostility。
\"Theycan’tbakebreadanywhere，decently；andtheyallfreezeintheirhouses，duringwinter，likealotofmiceinacellar。Atallevents，I’vehadagoodRussiancryoverthispoorfellow，\"
sheadded，pointingtotheprince，whohadnotrecognizedherintheslightestdegree。\"Soenoughofthisnonsense；it’stimewefacedthetruth。Allthiscontinentallife，allthisEuropeofyours，andallthetrashabout’goingabroad’issimplyfoolery，anditismerefooleryonourparttocome。RememberwhatIsay，myfriend；you’lllivetoagreewithmeyourself。\"
Sospokethegoodlady，almostangrily，asshetookleaveofEvgeniePavlovitch。
End
