“Youarefondoffighting？”heaskedcarelessly。
“No，notvery，”Svidrigailovanswered，calmly。“AndMarfaPetrovnaandIscarcelyeverfought。Welivedveryharmoniously，andshewasalwayspleasedwithme。Ionlyusedthewhiptwiceinalloursevenyears(notcountingathirdoccasionofaveryambiguouscharacter)。Thefirsttime，twomonthsafterourmarriage，immediatelyafterwearrivedinthecountry，andthelasttimewasthatofwhichwearespeaking。DidyousupposeIwassuchamonster，suchareactionary，suchaslavedriver？Ha，ha！Bytheway，doyouremember，RodionRomanovitch，howafewyearsago，inthosedaysofbeneficentpublicity，anobleman，I’veforgottenhisname，wasputtoshameeverywhere，inallthepapers，forhavingthrashedaGermanwomanintherailwaytrain。Youremember？Itwasinthosedays，thatveryyearIbelieve，the‘disgracefulactionoftheAge’tookplace(youknow，‘TheEgyptianNights，’thatpublicreading，youremember？Thedarkeyes，youknow！Ah，thegoldendaysofouryouth，wherearethey？)。Well，asforthegentlemanwhothrashedtheGerman，Ifeelnosympathywithhim，becauseafterallwhatneedisthereforsympathy？ButImustsaythattherearesometimessuchprovoking‘Germans’thatIdon’tbelievethereisaprogressivewhocouldquiteanswerforhimself。Noonelookedatthesubjectfromthatpointofviewthen，butthat’sthetrulyhumanepointofview，Iassureyou。”
Aftersayingthis，Svidrigailovbrokeintoasuddenlaughagain。Raskolnikovsawclearlythatthiswasamanwithafirmpurposeinhismindandabletokeepittohimself。
“Iexpectyou’venottalkedtoanyoneforsomedays？”heasked。
“Scarcelyanyone。Isupposeyouarewonderingatmybeingsuchanadaptableman？”
“No，Iamonlywonderingatyourbeingtooadaptableaman。”
“BecauseIamnotoffendedattherudenessofyourquestions？Isthatit？Butwhytakeoffence？Asyouasked，soIanswered，”hereplied，withasurprisingexpressionofsimplicity。“Youknow，there’shardlyanythingItakeinterestin，”hewenton，asitweredreamily，“especiallynow，I’venothingtodo。…YouarequiteatlibertytoimaginethoughthatIammakinguptoyouwithamotive，particularlyasItoldyouIwanttoseeyoursisteraboutsomething。ButI’llconfessfrankly，Iamverymuchbored。Thelastthreedaysespecially，soIamdelightedtoseeyou。…Don’tbeangry，RodionRomanovitch，butyouseemtobesomehowawfullystrangeyourself。Saywhatyoulike，there’ssomethingwrongwithyou，andnow，too…notthisveryminute，Imean，butnow，generally。…Well，well，Iwon’t，Iwon’t，don’tscowl！Iamnotsuchabear，youknow，asyouthink。”
Raskolnikovlookedgloomilyathim。
“Youarenotabear，perhaps，atall，”hesaid。“Ifancyindeedthatyouareamanofverygoodbreeding，oratleastknowhowonoccasiontobehavelikeone。”
“Iamnotparticularlyinterestedinanyone’sopinion，”Svidrigailovanswered，drylyandevenwithashadeofhaughtiness，“andthereforewhynotbevulgarattimeswhenvulgarityissuchaconvenientcloakforourclimate…andespeciallyifonehasanaturalpropensitythatway，”headded，laughingagain。
“ButI’veheardyouhavemanyfriendshere。Youare，astheysay，‘notwithoutconnections。’Whatcanyouwantwithme，then，unlessyou’vesomespecialobject？”
“That’struethatIhavefriendshere，”Svidrigailovadmitted，notreplyingtothechiefpoint。“I’vemetsomealready。I’vebeenloungingaboutforthelastthreedays，andI’veseenthem，orthey’veseenme。That’samatterofcourse。Iamwelldressedandreckonednotapoorman；theemancipationoftheserfshasn’taffectedme；mypropertyconsistschieflyofforestsandwatermeadows。Therevenuehasnotfallenoff；but…Iamnotgoingtoseethem，Iwassickofthemlongago。I’vebeenherethreedaysandhavecalledonnoone。…Whatatownitis！Howhasitcomeintoexistenceamongus，tellmethat？Atownofofficialsandstudentsofallsorts。Yes，there’sagreatdealIdidn’tnoticewhenIwashereeightyearsago，kickingupmyheels。…Myonlyhopenowisinanatomy，byJove，itis！”
“Anatomy？”
“Butasfortheseclubs，Dussauts，parades，orprogress，indeed，maybe—well，allthatcangoonwithoutme，”hewenton，againwithoutnoticingthequestion。“Besides，whowantstobeacard-sharper？”
“Why，haveyoubeenacard-sharperthen？”
“HowcouldIhelpbeing？Therewasaregularsetofus，menofthebestsociety，eightyearsago；wehadafinetime。Andallmenofbreeding，youknow，poets，menofproperty。AndindeedasaruleinourRussiansocietythebestmannersarefoundamongthosewho’vebeenthrashed，haveyounoticedthat？I’vedeterioratedinthecountry。ButIdidgetintoprisonfordebt，throughalowGreekwhocamefromNezhin。ThenMarfaPetrovnaturnedup；shebargainedwithhimandboughtmeoffforthirtythousandsilverpieces(Iowedseventythousand)。Wewereunitedinlawfulwedlockandsheboremeoffintothecountrylikeatreasure。YouknowshewasfiveyearsolderthanI。Shewasveryfondofme。ForsevenyearsIneverleftthecountry。And，takenote，thatallmylifesheheldadocumentoverme，theIOUforthirtythousandroubles，soifIweretoelecttoberestiveaboutanythingIshouldbetrappedatonce！Andshewouldhavedoneit！Womenfindnothingincompatibleinthat。”
“Ifithadn’tbeenforthat，wouldyouhavegivenhertheslip？”
“Idon’tknowwhattosay。Itwasscarcelythedocumentrestrainedme。Ididn’twanttogoanywhereelse。MarfaPetrovnaherselfinvitedmetogoabroad，seeingIwasbored，butI’vebeenabroadbefore，andalwaysfeltsickthere。Fornoreason，butthesunrise，thebayofNaples，thesea—youlookatthemanditmakesyousad。What’smostrevoltingisthatoneisreallysad！No，it’sbetterathome。Hereatleastoneblamesothersforeverythingandexcusesoneself。IshouldhavegoneperhapsonanexpeditiontotheNorthPole，becausej’ailevinmauvaisandhatedrinking，andthere’snothingleftbutwine。Ihavetriedit。But，Isay，I’vebeentoldBergisgoingupinagreatballoonnextSundayfromtheYusupovGardenandwilltakeuppassengersatafee。Isittrue？”
“Why，wouldyougoup？”
“I…No，oh，no，”mutteredSvidrigailovreallyseemingtobedeepinthought。
“Whatdoeshemean？Isheinearnest？”Raskolnikovwondered。
“No，thedocumentdidn’trestrainme，”Svidrigailovwenton，meditatively。“Itwasmyowndoing，notleavingthecountry，andnearlyayearagoMarfaPetrovnagavemebackthedocumentonmyname-dayandmademeapresentofaconsiderablesumofmoney，too。Shehadafortune，youknow。‘YouseehowItrustyou，ArkadyIvanovitch’—thatwasactuallyherexpression。Youdon’tbelievesheusedit？ButdoyouknowImanagedtheestatequitedecently，theyknowmeintheneighbourhood。Iorderedbooks，too。MarfaPetrovnaatfirstapproved，butafterwardsshewasafraidofmyover-studying。”
“YouseemtobemissingMarfaPetrovnaverymuch？”
“Missingher？Perhaps。Really，perhapsIam。And，bytheway，doyoubelieveinghosts？”
“Whatghosts？”
“Why，ordinaryghosts。”
“Doyoubelieveinthem？”
“Perhapsnot，pourvousplaire。…Iwouldn’tsaynoexactly。”
“Doyouseethem，then？”
Svidrigailovlookedathimratheroddly。
“MarfaPetrovnaispleasedtovisitme，”hesaid，twistinghismouthintoastrangesmile。
“Howdoyoumean‘sheispleasedtovisityou’？”
“Shehasbeenthreetimes。Isawherfirstontheverydayofthefuneral，anhouraftershewasburied。ItwasthedaybeforeIlefttocomehere。Thesecondtimewasthedaybeforeyesterday，atdaybreak，onthejourneyatthestationofMalayaVishera，andthethirdtimewastwohoursagointheroomwhereIamstaying。Iwasalone。”
“Wereyouawake？”
“Quiteawake。Iwaswideawakeeverytime。Shecomes，speakstomeforaminuteandgoesoutatthedoor—alwaysatthedoor。Icanalmosthearher。”
“Whatmademethinkthatsomethingofthesortmustbehappeningtoyou？”Raskolnikovsaidsuddenly。
Atthesamemomenthewassurprisedathavingsaidit。Hewasmuchexcited。
“What！Didyouthinkso？”Svidrigailovaskedinastonishment。“Didyoureally？Didn’tIsaythattherewassomethingincommonbetweenus，eh？”
“Youneversaidso！”Raskolnikovcriedsharplyandwithheat。
“Didn’tI？”
“No！”
“IthoughtIdid。WhenIcameinandsawyoulyingwithyoureyesshut，pretending，Isaidtomyselfatonce，‘Here’stheman。’”
“Whatdoyoumeanby‘theman？’Whatareyoutalkingabout？”criedRaskolnikov。
“WhatdoImean？Ireallydon’tknow。…”Svidrigailovmutteredingenuously，asthoughhe，too，werepuzzled。
Foraminutetheyweresilent。Theystaredineachother’sfaces。
“That’sallnonsense！”Raskolnikovshoutedwithvexation。“Whatdoesshesaywhenshecomestoyou？”
“She！Wouldyoubelieveit，shetalksofthesilliesttriflesand—manisastrangecreature—itmakesmeangry。Thefirsttimeshecamein(Iwastiredyouknow:thefuneralservice，thefuneralceremony，thelunchafterwards。AtlastIwasleftaloneinmystudy。Ilightedacigarandbegantothink)，shecameinatthedoor。‘You’vebeensobusyto-day，ArkadyIvanovitch，youhaveforgottentowindthedining-roomclock，’shesaid。AllthosesevenyearsI’vewoundthatclockeveryweek，andifIforgotitshewouldalwaysremindme。ThenextdayIsetoffonmywayhere。Igotoutatthestationatdaybreak；I’dbeenasleep，tiredout，withmyeyeshalfopen，Iwasdrinkingsomecoffee。IlookedupandtherewassuddenlyMarfaPetrovnasittingbesidemewithapackofcardsinherhands。‘ShallItellyourfortuneforthejourney，ArkadyIvanovitch？’Shewasagreathandattellingfortunes。Ishallneverforgivemyselffornotaskingherto。Iranawayinafright，and，besides，thebellrang。Iwassittingto-day，feelingveryheavyafteramiserabledinnerfromacookshop；Iwassittingsmoking，allofasuddenMarfaPetrovnaagain。Shecameinverysmartinanewgreensilkdresswithalongtrain。‘Goodday，ArkadyIvanovitch！Howdoyoulikemydress？Aniskacan’tmakelikethis。’(Aniskawasadressmakerinthecountry，oneofourformerserfgirlswhohadbeentrainedinMoscow，aprettywench。)Shestoodturningroundbeforeme。Ilookedatthedress，andthenIlookedcarefully，verycarefully，atherface。‘Iwonderyoutroubletocometomeaboutsuchtrifles，MarfaPetrovna。’‘Goodgracious，youwon’tletonedisturbyouaboutanything！’ToteaseherIsaid，‘Iwanttogetmarried，MarfaPetrovna。’‘That’sjustlikeyou，ArkadyIvanovitch；itdoesyouverylittlecredittocomelookingforabridewhenyou’vehardlyburiedyourwife。Andifyoucouldmakeagoodchoice，atleast，butIknowitwon’tbeforyourhappinessorhers，youwillonlybealaughing-stocktoallgoodpeople。’Thenshewentoutandhertrainseemedtorustle。Isn’titnonsense，eh？”
“Butperhapsyouaretellinglies？”Raskolnikovputin。
“Irarelylie，”answeredSvidrigailovthoughtfully，apparentlynotnoticingtherudenessofthequestion。
“Andinthepast，haveyoueverseenghostsbefore？”
“Y-yes，Ihaveseenthem，butonlyonceinmylife，sixyearsago。Ihadaserf，Filka；justafterhisburialIcalledoutforgetting‘Filka，mypipe！’Hecameinandwenttothecupboardwheremypipeswere。Isatstillandthought‘heisdoingitoutofrevenge，’becausewehadaviolentquarreljustbeforehisdeath。‘Howdareyoucomeinwithaholeinyourelbow？’Isaid。‘Goaway，youscamp！’Heturnedandwentout，andnevercameagain。Ididn’ttellMarfaPetrovnaatthetime。Iwantedtohaveaservicesungforhim，butIwasashamed。”
“Youshouldgotoadoctor。”
“IknowIamnotwell，withoutyourtellingme，thoughIdon’tknowwhat’swrong；IbelieveIamfivetimesasstrongasyouare。Ididn’taskyouwhetheryoubelievethatghostsareseen，butwhetheryoubelievethattheyexist。”
“No，Iwon’tbelieveit！”Raskolnikovcried，withpositiveanger。
“Whatdopeoplegenerallysay？”mutteredSvidrigailov，asthoughspeakingtohimself，lookingasideandbowinghishead。“Theysay，‘Youareill，sowhatappearstoyouisonlyunrealfantasy。’Butthat’snotstrictlylogical。Iagreethatghostsonlyappeartothesick，butthatonlyprovesthattheyareunabletoappearexcepttothesick，notthattheydon’texist。”
“Nothingofthesort，”Raskolnikovinsistedirritably。
“No？Youdon’tthinkso？”Svidrigailovwenton，lookingathimdeliberately。“Butwhatdoyousaytothisargument(helpmewithit):ghostsare，asitwere，shredsandfragmentsofotherworlds，thebeginningofthem。Amaninhealthhas，ofcourse，noreasontoseethem，becauseheisaboveallamanofthisearthandisboundforthesakeofcompletenessandordertoliveonlyinthislife。Butassoonasoneisill，assoonasthenormalearthlyorderoftheorganismisbroken，onebeginstorealisethepossibilityofanotherworld；andthemoreseriouslyilloneis，thecloserbecomesone’scontactwiththatotherworld，sothatassoonasthemandieshestepsstraightintothatworld。Ithoughtofthatlongago。Ifyoubelieveinafuturelife，youcouldbelieveinthat，too。”
“Idon’tbelieveinafuturelife，”saidRaskolnikov。
Svidrigailovsatlostinthought。
“Andwhatifthereareonlyspidersthere，orsomethingofthatsort，”hesaidsuddenly。
“Heisamadman，”thoughtRaskolnikov。
“Wealwaysimagineeternityassomethingbeyondourconception，somethingvast，vast！Butwhymustitbevast？Insteadofallthat，whatifit’sonelittleroom，likeabathhouseinthecountry，blackandgrimyandspidersineverycorner，andthat’salleternityis？Isometimesfancyitlikethat。”
“Canitbeyoucanimaginenothingjusterandmorecomfortingthanthat？”Raskolnikovcried，withafeelingofanguish。
“Juster？Andhowcanwetell，perhapsthatisjust，anddoyouknowit’swhatIwouldcertainlyhavemadeit，”answeredSvidrigailov，withavaguesmile。
ThishorribleanswersentacoldchillthroughRaskolnikov。Svidrigailovraisedhishead，lookedathim，andsuddenlybeganlaughing。
“Onlythink，”hecried，“halfanhouragowehadneverseeneachother，weregardedeachotherasenemies；thereisamatterunsettledbetweenus；we’vethrownitaside，andawaywe’vegoneintotheabstract！Wasn’tIrightinsayingthatwewerebirdsofafeather？”
“Kindlyallowme，”Raskolnikovwentonirritably，“toaskyoutoexplainwhyyouhavehonouredmewithyourvisit…and…andIaminahurry，Ihavenotimetowaste。Iwanttogoout。”
“Byallmeans，byallmeans。Yoursister，AvdotyaRomanovna，isgoingtobemarriedtoMr。Luzhin，PyotrPetrovitch？”
“Canyourefrainfromanyquestionaboutmysisterandfrommentioninghername？Ican’tunderstandhowyoudareutterhernameinmypresence，ifyoureallyareSvidrigailov。”
“Why，butI’vecomeheretospeakabouther；howcanIavoidmentioningher？”
“Verygood，speak，butmakehaste。”
“IamsurethatyoumusthaveformedyourownopinionofthisMr。Luzhin，whoisaconnectionofminethroughmywife，ifyouhaveonlyseenhimforhalfanhour，orheardanyfactsabouthim。HeisnomatchforAvdotyaRomanovna。IbelieveAvdotyaRomanovnaissacrificingherselfgenerouslyandimprudentlyforthesakeof…forthesakeofherfamily。IfanciedfromallIhadheardofyouthatyouwouldbeverygladifthematchcouldbebrokenoffwithoutthesacrificeofworldlyadvantages。NowIknowyoupersonally，Iamconvincedofit。”
“Allthisisverynaive…excuseme，Ishouldhavesaidimpudentonyourpart，”saidRaskolnikov。
“YoumeantosaythatIamseekingmyownends。Don’tbeuneasy，RodionRomanovitch，ifIwereworkingformyownadvantage，Iwouldnothavespokenoutsodirectly。Iamnotquiteafool。Iwillconfesssomethingpsychologicallycuriousaboutthat:justnow，defendingmyloveforAvdotyaRomanovna，IsaidIwasmyselfthevictim。Well，letmetellyouthatI’venofeelingoflovenow，nottheslightest，sothatIwondermyselfindeed，forIreallydidfeelsomething…”
“Throughidlenessanddepravity，”Raskolnikovputin。
“Icertainlyamidleanddepraved，butyoursisterhassuchqualitiesthatevenIcouldnothelpbeingimpressedbythem。Butthat’sallnonsense，asIseemyselfnow。”
“Haveyouseenthatlong？”
“Ibegantobeawareofitbefore，butwasonlyperfectlysureofitthedaybeforeyesterday，almostatthemomentIarrivedinPetersburg。IstillfanciedinMoscow，though，thatIwascomingtotrytogetAvdotyaRomanovna’shandandtocutoutMr。Luzhin。”
“Excusemeforinterruptingyou；kindlybebrief，andcometotheobjectofyourvisit。Iaminahurry，Iwanttogoout…”
“Withthegreatestpleasure。Onarrivinghereanddeterminingonacertain…journey，Ishouldliketomakesomenecessarypreliminaryarrangements。Ileftmychildrenwithanaunt；theyarewellprovidedfor；andtheyhavenoneedofmepersonally。AndanicefatherIshouldmake，too！IhavetakennothingbutwhatMarfaPetrovnagavemeayearago。That’senoughforme。Excuseme，Iamjustcomingtothepoint。Beforethejourneywhichmaycomeoff，IwanttosettleMr。Luzhin，too。It’snotthatIdetesthimsomuch，butitwasthroughhimIquarrelledwithMarfaPetrovnawhenIlearnedthatshehaddishedupthismarriage。IwantnowtoseeAvdotyaRomanovnathroughyourmediation，andifyoulikeinyourpresence，toexplaintoherthatinthefirstplaceshewillnevergainanythingbutharmfromMr。Luzhin。Then，beggingherpardonforallpastunpleasantness，tomakeherapresentoftenthousandroublesandsoassisttherupturewithMr。Luzhin，arupturetowhichIbelievesheisherselfnotdisinclined，ifshecouldseethewaytoit。”
“Youarecertainlymad，”criedRaskolnikovnotsomuchangeredasastonished。“Howdareyoutalklikethat！”
“Iknewyouwouldscreamatme；butinthefirstplace，thoughIamnotrich，thistenthousandroublesisperfectlyfree；Ihaveabsolutelynoneedforit。IfAvdotyaRomanovnadoesnotacceptit，Ishallwasteitinsomemorefoolishway。That’sthefirstthing。Secondly，myconscienceisperfectlyeasy；Imaketheofferwithnoulteriormotive。Youmaynotbelieveit，butintheendAvdotyaRomanovnaandyouwillknow。Thepointis，thatIdidactuallycauseyoursister，whomIgreatlyrespect，sometroubleandunpleasantness，andso，sincerelyregrettingit，Iwant—nottocompensate，nottorepayherfortheunpleasantness，butsimplytodosomethingtoheradvantage，toshowthatIamnot，afterall，privilegedtodonothingbutharm。Iftherewereamillionthfractionofself-interestinmyoffer，Ishouldnothavemadeitsoopenly；andIshouldnothaveofferedhertenthousandonly，whenfiveweeksagoIofferedhermore，Besides，Imay，perhaps，verysoonmarryayounglady，andthataloneoughttopreventsuspicionofanydesignonAvdotyaRomanovna。Inconclusion，letmesaythatinmarryingMr。Luzhin，sheistakingmoneyjustthesame，onlyfromanotherman。Don’tbeangry，RodionRomanovitch，thinkitovercoollyandquietly。”
Svidrigailovhimselfwasexceedinglycoolandquietashewassayingthis。
“Ibegyoutosaynomore，”saidRaskolnikov。“Inanycasethisisunpardonableimpertinence。”
“Notintheleast。Thenamanmaydonothingbutharmtohisneighbourinthisworld，andispreventedfromdoingthetiniestbitofgoodbytrivialconventionalformalities。That’sabsurd。IfIdied，forinstance，andleftthatsumtoyoursisterinmywill，surelyshewouldn’trefuseit？”
“Verylikelyshewould。”
“Oh，no，indeed。However，ifyourefuseit，sobeit，thoughtenthousandroublesisacapitalthingtohaveonoccasion。InanycaseIbegyoutorepeatwhatIhavesaidtoAvdotyaRomanovna。”
“No，Iwon’t。”
“Inthatcase，RodionRomanovitch，Ishallbeobligedtotryandseehermyselfandworryherbydoingso。”
“AndifIdotellher，willyounottrytoseeher？”
“Idon’tknowreallywhattosay。Ishouldlikeverymuchtoseeheroncemore。”
“Don’thopeforit。”
“I’msorry。Butyoudon’tknowme。Perhapswemaybecomebetterfriends。”
“Youthinkwemaybecomefriends？”
“Andwhynot？”Svidrigailovsaid，smiling。Hestoodupandtookhishat。“Ididn’tquiteintendtodisturbyouandIcameherewithoutreckoningonit…thoughIwasverymuchstruckbyyourfacethismorning。”
“Wheredidyouseemethismorning？”Raskolnikovaskeduneasily。
“Isawyoubychance。…Ikeptfancyingthereissomethingaboutyoulikeme。…Butdon’tbeuneasy。Iamnotintrusive；Iusedtogetonallrightwithcard-sharpers，andIneverboredPrinceSvirbey，agreatpersonagewhoisadistantrelationofmine，andIcouldwriteaboutRaphael’sMadonnainMadamPrilukov’salbum，andIneverleftMarfaPetrovna’ssideforsevenyears，andIusedtostaythenightatViazemsky’shouseintheHayMarketintheolddays，andImaygoupinaballoonwithBerg，perhaps。”
“Oh，allright。Areyoustartingsoononyourtravels，mayIask？”
“Whattravels？”
“Why，onthat‘journey’；youspokeofityourself。”
“Ajourney？Oh，yes。Ididspeakofajourney。Well，that’sawidesubject。…ifonlyyouknewwhatyouareasking，”headded，andgaveasudden，loud，shortlaugh。“PerhapsI’llgetmarriedinsteadofthejourney。They’remakingamatchforme。”
“Here？”
“Yes。”
“Howhaveyouhadtimeforthat？”
“ButIamveryanxioustoseeAvdotyaRomanovnaonce。Iearnestlybegit。Well，good-byeforthepresent。Oh，yes。Ihaveforgottensomething。Tellyoursister，RodionRomanovitch，thatMarfaPetrovnarememberedherinherwillandleftherthreethousandroubles。That’sabsolutelycertain。MarfaPetrovnaarrangeditaweekbeforeherdeath，anditwasdoneinmypresence。AvdotyaRomanovnawillbeabletoreceivethemoneyintwoorthreeweeks。”
“Areyoutellingthetruth？”
“Yes，tellher。Well，yourservant。Iamstayingverynearyou。”
Ashewentout，SvidrigailovranupagainstRazumihininthedoorway。
Itwasnearlyeighto’clock。ThetwoyoungmenhurriedtoBakaleyev’s，toarrivebeforeLuzhin。
“Why，whowasthat？”askedRazumihin，assoonastheywereinthestreet。
“ItwasSvidrigailov，thatlandownerinwhosehousemysisterwasinsultedwhenshewastheirgoverness。Throughhispersecutingherwithhisattentions，shewasturnedoutbyhiswife，MarfaPetrovna。ThisMarfaPetrovnabeggedDounia’sforgivenessafterwards，andshe’sjustdiedsuddenly。Itwasofherweweretalkingthismorning。Idon’tknowwhyI’mafraidofthatman。Hecamehereatonceafterhiswife’sfuneral。Heisverystrange，andisdeterminedondoingsomething。…WemustguardDouniafromhim…that’swhatIwantedtotellyou，doyouhear？”
“Guardher！WhatcanhedotoharmAvdotyaRomanovna？Thankyou，Rodya，forspeakingtomelikethat。…Wewill，wewillguardher。Wheredoeshelive？”
“Idon’tknow。”
“Whydidn’tyouask？Whatapity！I’llfindout，though。”
“Didyouseehim？”askedRaskolnikovafterapause。
“Yes，Inoticedhim，Inoticedhimwell。”
“Youdidreallyseehim？Yousawhimclearly？”Raskolnikovinsisted。
“Yes，Irememberhimperfectly，Ishouldknowhiminathousand；Ihaveagoodmemoryforfaces。”
Theyweresilentagain。
“Hm！…that’sallright，”mutteredRaskolnikov。“Doyouknow，Ifancied…Ikeepthinkingthatitmayhavebeenanhallucination。”
“Whatdoyoumean？Idon’tunderstandyou。”
“Well，youallsay，”Raskolnikovwenton，twistinghismouthintoasmile，“thatIammad。IthoughtjustnowthatperhapsIreallyammad，andhaveonlyseenaphantom。”
“Whatdoyoumean？”
“Why，whocantell？PerhapsIamreallymad，andperhapseverythingthathappenedallthesedaysmaybeonlyimagination。”
“Ach，Rodya，youhavebeenupsetagain！…Butwhatdidhesay，whatdidhecomefor？”
Raskolnikovdidnotanswer。Razumihinthoughtaminute。
“Nowletmetellyoumystory，”hebegan，“Icametoyou，youwereasleep。ThenwehaddinnerandthenIwenttoPorfiry’s，Zametovwasstillwithhim。Itriedtobegin，butitwasnouse。Icouldn’tspeakintherightway。Theydon’tseemtounderstandandcan’tunderstand，butarenotabitashamed。IdrewPorfirytothewindow，andbegantalkingtohim，butitwasstillnouse。HelookedawayandIlookedaway。AtlastIshookmyfistinhisuglyface，andtoldhimasacousinI’dbrainhim。Hemerelylookedatme，Icursedandcameaway。Thatwasall。Itwasverystupid。ToZametovIdidn’tsayaword。But，yousee，IthoughtI’dmadeamessofit，butasIwentdownstairsabrilliantideastruckme:whyshouldwetrouble？Ofcourseifyouwereinanydangeroranything，butwhyneedyoucare？Youneedn’tcareahangforthem。Weshallhavealaughatthemafterwards，andifIwereinyourplaceI’dmystifythemmorethanever。Howashamedthey’llbeafterwards！Hangthem！Wecanthrashthemafterwards，butlet’slaughatthemnow！”
“Tobesure，”answeredRaskolnikov。“Butwhatwillyousayto-morrow？”hethoughttohimself。Strangetosay，tillthatmomentithadneveroccurredtohimtowonderwhatRazumihinwouldthinkwhenheknew。Ashethoughtit，Raskolnikovlookedathim。Razumihin’saccountofhisvisittoPorfiryhadverylittleinterestforhim，somuchhadcomeandgonesincethen。
InthecorridortheycameuponLuzhin；hehadarrivedpunctuallyateight，andwaslookingforthenumber，sothatallthreewentintogetherwithoutgreetingorlookingatoneanother。Theyoungmenwalkedinfirst，whilePyotrPetrovitch，forgoodmanners，lingeredalittleinthepassage，takingoffhiscoat。PulcheriaAlexandrovnacameforwardatoncetogreethiminthedoorway，Douniawaswelcomingherbrother。PyotrPetrovitchwalkedinandquiteamiably，thoughwithredoubleddignity，bowedtotheladies。Helooked，however，asthoughhewerealittleputoutandcouldnotyetrecoverhimself。PulcheriaAlexandrovna，whoseemedalsoalittleembarrassed，hastenedtomakethemallsitdownattheroundtablewhereasamovarwasboiling。DouniaandLuzhinwerefacingoneanotheronoppositesidesofthetable。RazumihinandRaskolnikovwerefacingPulcheriaAlexandrovna，RazumihinwasnexttoLuzhinandRaskolnikovwasbesidehissister。
Amoment’ssilencefollowed。PyotrPetrovitchdeliberatelydrewoutacambrichandkerchiefreekingofscentandblewhisnosewithanairofabenevolentmanwhofelthimselfslighted，andwasfirmlyresolvedtoinsistonanexplanation。Inthepassagetheideahadoccurredtohimtokeeponhisovercoatandwalkaway，andsogivethetwoladiesasharpandemphaticlessonandmakethemfeelthegravityoftheposition。Buthecouldnotbringhimselftodothis。Besides，hecouldnotendureuncertainty，andhewantedanexplanation:ifhisrequesthadbeensoopenlydisobeyed，therewassomethingbehindit，andinthatcaseitwasbettertofinditoutbeforehand；itrestedwithhimtopunishthemandtherewouldalwaysbetimeforthat。
“Itrustyouhadafavourablejourney，”heinquiredofficiallyofPulcheriaAlexandrovna。
“Oh，very，PyotrPetrovitch。”
“Iamgratifiedtohearit。AndAvdotyaRomanovnaisnotover-fatiguedeither？”
“Iamyoungandstrong，Idon’tgettired，butitwasagreatstrainformother，”answeredDounia。
“That’sunavoidable！ournationalrailwaysareofterriblelength。‘MotherRussia，’astheysay，isavastcountry。…Inspiteofallmydesiretodoso，Iwasunabletomeetyouyesterday。ButItrustallpassedoffwithoutinconvenience？”
“Oh，no，PyotrPetrovitch，itwasallterriblydisheartening，”PulcheriaAlexandrovnahastenedtodeclarewithpeculiarintonation，“andifDmitriProkofitchhadnotbeensentus，IreallybelievebyGodHimself，weshouldhavebeenutterlylost。Here，heis！DmitriProkofitchRazumihin，”sheadded，introducinghimtoLuzhin。
“Ihadthepleasure…yesterday，”mutteredPyotrPetrovitchwithahostileglancesidelongatRazumihin；thenhescowledandwassilent。
PyotrPetrovitchbelongedtothatclassofpersons，onthesurfaceverypoliteinsociety，whomakeagreatpointofpunctiliousness，butwho，directlytheyarecrossedinanything，arecompletelydisconcerted，andbecomemorelikesacksofflourthanelegantandlivelymenofsociety。Againallwassilent；Raskolnikovwasobstinatelymute，AvdotyaRomanovnawasunwillingtoopentheconversationtoosoon。Razumihinhadnothingtosay，soPulcheriaAlexandrovnawasanxiousagain。
“MarfaPetrovnaisdead，haveyouheard？”shebeganhavingrecoursetoherleadingitemofconversation。
“Tobesure，Iheardso。Iwasimmediatelyinformed，andIhavecometomakeyouacquaintedwiththefactthatArkadyIvanovitchSvidrigailovsetoffinhasteforPetersburgimmediatelyafterhiswife’sfuneral。SoatleastIhaveexcellentauthorityforbelieving。”
“ToPetersburg？here？”Douniaaskedinalarmandlookedathermother。
“Yes，indeed，anddoubtlessnotwithoutsomedesign，havinginviewtherapidityofhisdeparture，andallthecircumstancesprecedingit。”
“Goodheavens！won’theleaveDouniainpeaceevenhere？”criedPulcheriaAlexandrovna。
“IimaginethatneitheryounorAvdotyaRomanovnahaveanygroundsforuneasiness，unless，ofcourse，youareyourselvesdesirousofgettingintocommunicationwithhim。FormypartIamonmyguard，andamnowdiscoveringwhereheislodging。”
“Oh，PyotrPetrovitch，youwouldnotbelievewhatafrightyouhavegivenme，”PulcheriaAlexandrovnawenton:“I’veonlyseenhimtwice，butIthoughthimterrible，terrible！IamconvincedthathewasthecauseofMarfaPetrovna’sdeath。”
“It’simpossibletobecertainaboutthat。Ihavepreciseinformation。Idonotdisputethathemayhavecontributedtoacceleratethecourseofeventsbythemoralinfluence，sotosay，oftheaffront；butastothegeneralconductandmoralcharacteristicsofthatpersonage，Iaminagreementwithyou。Idonotknowwhetherheiswelloffnow，andpreciselywhatMarfaPetrovnalefthim；thiswillbeknowntomewithinaveryshortperiod；butnodoubthereinPetersburg，ifhehasanypecuniaryresources，hewillrelapseatonceintohisoldways。Heisthemostdepraved，andabjectlyviciousspecimenofthatclassofmen。IhaveconsiderablereasontobelievethatMarfaPetrovna，whowassounfortunateastofallinlovewithhimandtopayhisdebtseightyearsago，wasofservicetohimalsoinanotherway。Solelybyherexertionsandsacrifices，acriminalcharge，involvinganelementoffantasticandhomicidalbrutalityforwhichhemightwellhavebeensentencedtoSiberia，washushedup。That’sthesortofmanheis，ifyoucaretoknow。”
“Goodheavens！”criedPulcheriaAlexandrovna。Raskolnikovlistenedattentively。
“Areyouspeakingthetruthwhenyousaythatyouhavegoodevidenceofthis？”Douniaaskedsternlyandemphatically。
“IonlyrepeatwhatIwastoldinsecretbyMarfaPetrovna。Imustobservethatfromthelegalpointofviewthecasewasfarfromclear。Therewas，andIbelievestillis，livinghereawomancalledResslich，aforeigner，wholentsmallsumsofmoneyatinterest，anddidothercommissions，andwiththiswomanSvidrigailovhadforalongwhilecloseandmysteriousrelations。Shehadarelation，anieceIbelieve，livingwithher，adeafanddumbgirloffifteen，orperhapsnotmorethanfourteen。Resslichhatedthisgirl，andgrudgedhereverycrust；sheusedtobeathermercilessly。Onedaythegirlwasfoundhanginginthegarret。Attheinquesttheverdictwassuicide。Aftertheusualproceedingsthematterended，but，lateron，informationwasgiventhatthechildhadbeen…cruellyoutragedbySvidrigailov。Itistrue，thiswasnotclearlyestablished，theinformationwasgivenbyanotherGermanwomanofloosecharacterwhosewordcouldnotbetrusted；nostatementwasactuallymadetothepolice，thankstoMarfaPetrovna’smoneyandexertions；itdidnotgetbeyondgossip。Andyetthestoryisaverysignificantone。Youheard，nodoubt，AvdotyaRomanovna，whenyouwerewiththemthestoryoftheservantPhilipwhodiedofilltreatmenthereceivedsixyearsago，beforetheabolitionofserfdom。”
“Iheard，onthecontrary，thatthisPhiliphangedhimself。”
“Quiteso，butwhatdrovehim，orratherperhapsdisposedhim，tosuicidewasthesystematicpersecutionandseverityofMr。Svidrigailov。”
“Idon’tknowthat，”answeredDounia，dryly。“IonlyheardaqueerstorythatPhilipwasasortofhypochondriac，asortofdomesticphilosopher，theservantsusedtosay，‘hereadhimselfsilly，’andthathehangedhimselfpartlyonaccountofMr。Svidrigailov’smockeryofhimandnothisblows。WhenIwastherehebehavedwelltotheservants，andtheywereactuallyfondofhim，thoughtheycertainlydidblamehimforPhilip’sdeath。”
“Iperceive，AvdotyaRomanovna，thatyouseemdisposedtoundertakehisdefenceallofasudden，”Luzhinobserved，twistinghislipsintoanambiguoussmile，“there’snodoubtthatheisanastuteman，andinsinuatingwhereladiesareconcerned，ofwhichMarfaPetrovna，whohasdiedsostrangely，isaterribleinstance。Myonlydesirehasbeentobeofservicetoyouandyourmotherwithmyadvice，inviewoftherenewedeffortswhichmaycertainlybeanticipatedfromhim。Formypartit’smyfirmconviction，thathewillendinadebtor’sprisonagain。MarfaPetrovnahadnottheslightestintentionofsettlinganythingsubstantialonhim，havingregardforhischildren’sinterests，and，ifshelefthimanything，itwouldonlybethemerestsufficiency，somethinginsignificantandephemeral，whichwouldnotlastayearforamanofhishabits。”
“PyotrPetrovitch，Ibegyou，”saidDounia，“saynomoreofMr。Svidrigailov。Itmakesmemiserable。”
“Hehasjustbeentoseeme，”saidRaskolnikov，breakinghissilenceforthefirsttime。
Therewereexclamationsfromall，andtheyallturnedtohim。EvenPyotrPetrovitchwasroused。
“Anhourandahalfago，hecameinwhenIwasasleep，wakedme，andintroducedhimself，”Raskolnikovcontinued。“Hewasfairlycheerfulandatease，andquitehopesthatweshallbecomefriends。Heisparticularlyanxious，bytheway，Dounia，foraninterviewwithyou，atwhichheaskedmetoassist。Hehasapropositiontomaketoyou，andhetoldmeaboutit。Hetoldme，too，thataweekbeforeherdeathMarfaPetrovnaleftyouthreethousandroublesinherwill，Dounia，andthatyoucanreceivethemoneyveryshortly。”
“ThankGod！”criedPulcheriaAlexandrovna，crossingherself。“Prayforhersoul，Dounia！”
“It’safact！”brokefromLuzhin。
“Tellus，whatmore？”DouniaurgedRaskolnikov。
“Thenhesaidthathewasn’trichandalltheestatewaslefttohischildrenwhoarenowwithanaunt，thenthathewasstayingsomewherenotfarfromme，butwhere，Idon’tknow，Ididn’task。…”
“Butwhat，whatdoeshewanttoproposetoDounia？”criedPulcheriaAlexandrovnainafright。“Didhetellyou？”
“Yes。”
“Whatwasit？”
“I’lltellyouafterwards。”
Raskolnikovceasedspeakingandturnedhisattentiontohistea。
PyotrPetrovitchlookedathiswatch。
“Iamcompelledtokeepabusinessengagement，andsoIshallnotbeinyourway，”headdedwithanairofsomepiqueandhebegangettingup。
“Don’tgo，PyotrPetrovitch，”saidDounia，“youintendedtospendtheevening。Besides，youwroteyourselfthatyouwantedtohaveanexplanationwithmother。”
“Preciselyso，AvdotyaRomanovna，”PyotrPetrovitchansweredimpressively，sittingdownagain，butstillholdinghishat。“Icertainlydesiredanexplanationwithyouandyourhonouredmotheruponaveryimportantpointindeed。ButasyourbrothercannotspeakopenlyinmypresenceofsomeproposalsofMr。Svidrigailov，I，too，donotdesireandamnotabletospeakopenly…inthepresenceofothers…ofcertainmattersofthegreatestgravity。Moreover，mymostweightyandurgentrequesthasbeendisregarded。…”
Assuminganaggrievedair，Luzhinrelapsedintodignifiedsilence。
“Yourrequestthatmybrothershouldnotbepresentatourmeetingwasdisregardedsolelyatmyinstance，”saidDounia。“Youwrotethatyouhadbeeninsultedbymybrother；Ithinkthatthismustbeexplainedatonce，andyoumustbereconciled。AndifRodyareallyhasinsultedyou，thenheshouldandwillapologise。”
PyotrPetrovitchtookastrongerline。
“Thereareinsults，AvdotyaRomanovna，whichnogoodwillcanmakeusforget。Thereisalineineverythingwhichitisdangeroustooverstep；andwhenithasbeenoverstepped，thereisnoreturn。”
“Thatwasn’twhatIwasspeakingofexactly，PyotrPetrovitch，”Douniainterruptedwithsomeimpatience。“Pleaseunderstandthatourwholefuturedependsnowonwhetherallthisisexplainedandsetrightassoonaspossible。ItellyoufranklyatthestartthatIcannotlookatitinanyotherlight，andifyouhavetheleastregardforme，allthisbusinessmustbeendedto-day，howeverhardthatmaybe。Irepeatthatifmybrotheristoblamehewillaskyourforgiveness。”
“Iamsurprisedatyourputtingthequestionlikethat，”saidLuzhin，gettingmoreandmoreirritated。“Esteeming，andsotosay，adoringyou，Imayatthesametime，verywellindeed，beabletodislikesomememberofyourfamily。ThoughIlayclaimtothehappinessofyourhand，Icannotacceptdutiesincompatiblewith…”
“Ah，don’tbesoreadytotakeoffence，PyotrPetrovitch，”Douniainterruptedwithfeeling，“andbethesensibleandgenerousmanIhavealwaysconsidered，andwishtoconsider，youtobe。I’vegivenyouagreatpromise，Iamyourbetrothed。Trustmeinthismatterand，believeme，Ishallbecapableofjudgingimpartially。Myassumingthepartofjudgeisasmuchasurpriseformybrotherasforyou。WhenIinsistedonhiscomingtoourinterviewto-dayafteryourletter，ItoldhimnothingofwhatImeanttodo。Understandthat，ifyouarenotreconciled，Imustchoosebetweenyou—itmustbeeitheryouorhe。Thatishowthequestionrestsonyoursideandonhis。Idon’twanttobemistakeninmychoice，andImustnotbe。ForyoursakeImustbreakoffwithmybrother，formybrother’ssakeImustbreakoffwithyou。Icanfindoutforcertainnowwhetherheisabrothertome，andIwanttoknowit；andofyou，whetherIamdeartoyou，whetheryouesteemme，whetheryouarethehusbandforme。”
“AvdotyaRomanovna，”Luzhindeclaredhuffily，“yourwordsareoftoomuchconsequencetome；Iwillsaymore，theyareoffensiveinviewofthepositionIhavethehonourtooccupyinrelationtoyou。Tosaynothingofyourstrangeandoffensivesettingmeonalevelwithanimpertinentboy，youadmitthepossibilityofbreakingyourpromisetome。Yousay‘youorhe，’showingtherebyofhowlittleconsequenceIaminyoureyes…Icannotletthispassconsideringtherelationshipand…theobligationsexistingbetweenus。”
“What！”criedDounia，flushing。“Isetyourinterestbesideallthathashithertobeenmostpreciousinmylife，whathasmadeupthewholeofmylife，andhereyouareoffendedatmymakingtoolittleaccountofyou。”
Raskolnikovsmiledsarcastically，Razumihinfidgeted，butPyotrPetrovitchdidnotacceptthereproof；onthecontrary，ateverywordhebecamemorepersistentandirritable，asthoughherelishedit。
“Loveforthefuturepartnerofyourlife，foryourhusband，oughttooutweighyourloveforyourbrother，”hepronouncedsententiously，“andinanycaseIcannotbeputonthesamelevel。…AlthoughIsaidsoemphaticallythatIwouldnotspeakopenlyinyourbrother’spresence，nevertheless，Iintendnowtoaskyourhonouredmotherforanecessaryexplanationonapointofgreatimportancecloselyaffectingmydignity。Yourson，”heturnedtoPulcheriaAlexandrovna，“yesterdayinthepresenceofMr。Razsudkin(or…Ithinkthat’sit？excusemeIhaveforgottenyoursurname，”hebowedpolitelytoRazumihin)“insultedmebymisrepresentingtheideaIexpressedtoyouinaprivateconversation，drinkingcoffee，thatis，thatmarriagewithapoorgirlwhohashadexperienceoftroubleismoreadvantageousfromtheconjugalpointofviewthanwithonewhohaslivedinluxury，sinceitismoreprofitableforthemoralcharacter。Yoursonintentionallyexaggeratedthesignificanceofmywordsandmadethemridiculous，accusingmeofmaliciousintentions，and，asfarasIcouldsee，relieduponyourcorrespondencewithhim。Ishallconsidermyselfhappy，PulcheriaAlexandrovna，ifitispossibleforyoutoconvincemeofanoppositeconclusion，andtherebyconsideratelyreassureme。KindlyletmeknowinwhattermspreciselyyourepeatedmywordsinyourlettertoRodionRomanovitch。”
“Idon’tremember，”falteredPulcheriaAlexandrovna。“IrepeatedthemasIunderstoodthem。Idon’tknowhowRodyarepeatedthemtoyou，perhapsheexaggerated。”
“Hecouldnothaveexaggeratedthem，exceptatyourinstigation。”
“PyotrPetrovitch，”PulcheriaAlexandrovnadeclaredwithdignity，“theproofthatDouniaandIdidnottakeyourwordsinaverybadsenseisthefactthatwearehere。”
“Good，mother，”saidDouniaapprovingly。
“Thenthisismyfaultagain，”saidLuzhin，aggrieved。
“Well，PyotrPetrovitch，youkeepblamingRodion，butyouyourselfhavejustwrittenwhatwasfalseabouthim，”PulcheriaAlexandrovnaadded，gainingcourage。
“Idon’trememberwritinganythingfalse。”
“Youwrote，”Raskolnikovsaidsharply，notturningtoLuzhin，“thatIgavemoneyyesterdaynottothewidowofthemanwhowaskilled，aswasthefact，buttohisdaughter(whomIhadneverseentillyesterday)。Youwrotethistomakedissensionbetweenmeandmyfamily，andforthatobjectaddedcoarseexpressionsabouttheconductofagirlwhomyoudon’tknow。Allthatismeanslander。”
“Excuseme，sir，”saidLuzhin，quiveringwithfury。“Ienlargeduponyourqualitiesandconductinmylettersolelyinresponsetoyoursister’sandmother’sinquiries，howIfoundyou，andwhatimpressionyoumadeonme。Asforwhatyou’vealludedtoinmyletter，besogoodastopointoutonewordoffalsehood，show，thatis，thatyoudidn’tthrowawayyourmoney，andthattherearenotworthlesspersonsinthatfamily，howeverunfortunate。”
“Tomythinking，you，withallyourvirtues，arenotworththelittlefingerofthatunfortunategirlatwhomyouthrowstones。”
“Wouldyougosofarthenastoletherassociatewithyourmotherandsister？”
“Ihavedonesoalready，ifyoucaretoknow。Imadehersitdownto-daywithmotherandDounia。”
“Rodya！”criedPulcheriaAlexandrovna。Douniacrimsoned，Razumihinknittedhisbrows。Luzhinsmiledwithloftysarcasm。
“Youmayseeforyourself，AvdotyaRomanovna，”hesaid，“whetheritispossibleforustoagree。Ihopenowthatthisquestionisatanend，onceandforall。Iwillwithdraw，thatImaynothinderthepleasuresoffamilyintimacy，andthediscussionofsecrets。”Hegotupfromhischairandtookhishat。“Butinwithdrawing，IventuretorequestthatforthefutureImaybesparedsimilarmeetings，and，sotosay，compromises。Iappealparticularlytoyou，honouredPulcheriaAlexandrovna，onthissubject，themoreasmyletterwasaddressedtoyouandtonooneelse。”
PulcheriaAlexandrovnawasalittleoffended。
“Youseemtothinkwearecompletelyunderyourauthority，PyotrPetrovitch。Douniahastoldyouthereasonyourdesirewasdisregarded，shehadthebestintentions。Andindeedyouwriteasthoughyouwerelayingcommandsuponme。Arewetoconsidereverydesireofyoursasacommand？Letmetellyouonthecontrarythatyououghttoshowparticulardelicacyandconsiderationforusnow，becausewehavethrownupeverything，andhavecomehererelyingonyou，andsoweareinanycaseinasenseinyourhands。”
“Thatisnotquitetrue，PulcheriaAlexandrovna，especiallyatthepresentmoment，whenthenewshascomeofMarfaPetrovna’slegacy，whichseemsindeedveryapropos，judgingfromthenewtoneyoutaketome，”headdedsarcastically。
“Judgingfromthatremark，wemaycertainlypresumethatyouwerereckoningonourhelplessness，”Douniaobservedirritably。
“ButnowinanycaseIcannotreckononit，andIparticularlydesirenottohinderyourdiscussionofthesecretproposalsofArkadyIvanovitchSvidrigailov，whichhehasentrustedtoyourbrotherandwhichhave，Iperceive，agreatandpossiblyaveryagreeableinterestforyou。”
“Goodheavens！”criedPulcheriaAlexandrovna。
Razumihincouldnotsitstillonhischair。
“Aren’tyouashamednow，sister？”askedRaskolnikov。
“Iamashamed，Rodya，”saidDounia。“PyotrPetrovitch，goaway，”sheturnedtohim，whitewithanger。
PyotrPetrovitchhadapparentlynotatallexpectedsuchaconclusion。Hehadtoomuchconfidenceinhimself，inhispowerandinthehelplessnessofhisvictims。Hecouldnotbelieveitevennow。Heturnedpale，andhislipsquivered。
“AvdotyaRomanovna，ifIgooutofthisdoornow，aftersuchadismissal，then，youmayreckononit，Iwillnevercomeback。Considerwhatyouaredoing。Mywordisnottobeshaken。”
“Whatinsolence！”criedDounia，springingupfromherseat。“Idon’twantyoutocomebackagain。”
“What！Sothat’showitstands！”criedLuzhin，utterlyunabletothelastmomenttobelieveintheruptureandsocompletelythrownoutofhisreckoningnow。“Sothat’showitstands！Butdoyouknow，AvdotyaRomanovna，thatImightprotest？”
“Whatrighthaveyoutospeaktoherlikethat？”PulcheriaAlexandrovnaintervenedhotly。“Andwhatcanyouprotestabout？Whatrightshaveyou？AmItogivemyDouniatoamanlikeyou？Goaway，leaveusaltogether！Wearetoblameforhavingagreedtoawrongaction，andIaboveall。…”
“Butyouhaveboundme，PulcheriaAlexandrovna，”Luzhinstormedinafrenzy，“byyourpromise，andnowyoudenyitand…besides…Ihavebeenledonaccountofthatintoexpenses。…”
ThislastcomplaintwassocharacteristicofPyotrPetrovitch，thatRaskolnikov，palewithangerandwiththeeffortofrestrainingit，couldnothelpbreakingintolaughter。ButPulcheriaAlexandrovnawasfurious。
“Expenses？Whatexpenses？Areyouspeakingofourtrunk？Buttheconductorbroughtitfornothingforyou。Mercyonus，wehaveboundyou！Whatareyouthinkingabout，PyotrPetrovitch，itwasyouboundus，handandfoot，notwe！”
“Enough，mother，nomoreplease，”AvdotyaRomanovnaimplored。“PyotrPetrovitch，dobekindandgo！”
“Iamgoing，butonelastword，”hesaid，quiteunabletocontrolhimself。“YourmammaseemstohaveentirelyforgottenthatImadeupmymindtotakeyou，sotospeak，afterthegossipofthetownhadspreadalloverthedistrictinregardtoyourreputation。Disregardingpublicopinionforyoursakeandreinstatingyourreputation，Icertainlymightverywellreckononafittingreturn，andmightindeedlookforgratitudeonyourpart。Andmyeyeshaveonlynowbeenopened！IseemyselfthatImayhaveactedvery，veryrecklesslyindisregardingtheuniversalverdict。…”
“Doesthefellowwanthisheadsmashed？”criedRazumihin，jumpingup。
“Youareameanandspitefulman！”criedDounia。
“Notaword！Notamovement！”criedRaskolnikov，holdingRazumihinback；thengoingcloseuptoLuzhin，“Kindlyleavetheroom！”hesaidquietlyanddistinctly，“andnotawordmoreor…”
PyotrPetrovitchgazedathimforsomesecondswithapalefacethatworkedwithanger，thenheturned，wentout，andrarelyhasanymancarriedawayinhisheartsuchvindictivehatredashefeltagainstRaskolnikov。Him，andhimalone，heblamedforeverything。Itisnoteworthythatashewentdownstairshestillimaginedthathiscasewasperhapsnotutterlylost，andthat，sofarastheladieswereconcerned，allmight“verywellindeed”besetrightagain。
Thefactwasthatuptothelastmomenthehadneverexpectedsuchanending；hehadbeenoverbearingtothelastdegree，neverdreamingthattwodestituteanddefencelesswomencouldescapefromhiscontrol。Thisconvictionwasstrengthenedbyhisvanityandconceit，aconceittothepointoffatuity。PyotrPetrovitch，whohadmadehiswayupfrominsignificance，wasmorbidlygiventoself-admiration，hadthehighestopinionofhisintelligenceandcapacities，andsometimesevengloatedinsolitudeoverhisimageintheglass。Butwhathelovedandvaluedaboveallwasthemoneyhehadamassedbyhislabour，andbyallsortsofdevices:thatmoneymadehimtheequalofallwhohadbeenhissuperiors。
WhenhehadbitterlyremindedDouniathathehaddecidedtotakeherinspiteofevilreport，PyotrPetrovitchhadspokenwithperfectsincerityandhad，indeed，feltgenuinelyindignantatsuch“blackingratitude。”Andyet，whenhemadeDouniahisoffer，hewasfullyawareofthegroundlessnessofallthegossip。ThestoryhadbeeneverywherecontradictedbyMarfaPetrovna，andwasbythendisbelievedbyallthetownspeople，whowerewarminDounia’adefence。Andhewouldnothavedeniedthatheknewallthatatthetime。YethestillthoughthighlyofhisownresolutioninliftingDouniatohislevelandregardeditassomethingheroic。InspeakingofittoDounia，hehadletoutthesecretfeelinghecherishedandadmired，andhecouldnotunderstandthatothersshouldfailtoadmireittoo。HehadcalledonRaskolnikovwiththefeelingsofabenefactorwhoisabouttoreapthefruitsofhisgooddeedsandtohearagreeableflattery。Andashewentdownstairsnow，heconsideredhimselfmostundeservedlyinjuredandunrecognised。
Douniawassimplyessentialtohim；todowithoutherwasunthinkable。Formanyyearshehadhadvoluptuousdreamsofmarriage，buthehadgoneonwaitingandamassingmoney。Hebroodedwithrelish，inprofoundsecret，overtheimageofagirl—virtuous，poor(shemustbepoor)，veryyoung，verypretty，ofgoodbirthandeducation，verytimid，onewhohadsufferedmuch，andwascompletelyhumbledbeforehim，onewhowouldallherlifelookonhimashersaviour，worshiphim，admirehimandonlyhim。Howmanyscenes，howmanyamorousepisodeshehadimaginedonthisseductiveandplayfultheme，whenhisworkwasover！And，behold，thedreamofsomanyyearswasallbutrealised；thebeautyandeducationofAvdotyaRomanovnahadimpressedhim；herhelplesspositionhadbeenagreatallurement；inherhehadfoundevenmorethanhedreamedof。Herewasagirlofpride，character，virtue，ofeducationandbreedingsuperiortohisown(hefeltthat)，andthiscreaturewouldbeslavishlygratefulallherlifeforhisheroiccondescension，andwouldhumbleherselfinthedustbeforehim，andhewouldhaveabsolute，unboundedpoweroverher！…Notlongbefore，hehad，too，afterlongreflectionandhesitation，madeanimportantchangeinhiscareerandwasnowenteringonawidercircleofbusiness。Withthischangehischerisheddreamsofrisingintoahigherclassofsocietyseemedlikelytoberealised。…Hewas，infact，determinedtotryhisfortuneinPetersburg。Heknewthatwomencoulddoaverygreatdeal。Thefascinationofacharming，virtuous，highlyeducatedwomanmightmakehiswayeasier，mightdowondersinattractingpeopletohim，throwinganaureoleroundhim，andnoweverythingwasinruins！Thissuddenhorribleruptureaffectedhimlikeaclapofthunder；itwaslikeahideousjoke，anabsurdity。Hehadonlybeenatinybitmasterful，hadnoteventimetospeakout，hadsimplymadeajoke，beencarriedaway—andithadendedsoseriously。And，ofcourse，too，hedidloveDouniainhisownway；healreadypossessedherinhisdreams—andallatonce！No！Thenextday，theverynextday，itmustallbesetright，smoothedover，settled。Aboveallhemustcrushthatconceitedmilksopwhowasthecauseofitall。WithasickfeelinghecouldnothelprecallingRazumihintoo，but，hesoonreassuredhimselfonthatscore；asthoughafellowlikethatcouldbeputonalevelwithhim！ThemanhereallydreadedinearnestwasSvidrigailov。…Hehad，inshort，agreatdealtoattendto。…
“No，I，Iammoretoblamethananyone！”saidDounia，kissingandembracinghermother。“Iwastemptedbyhismoney，butonmyhonour，brother，Ihadnoideahewassuchabaseman。IfIhadseenthroughhimbefore，nothingwouldhavetemptedme！Don’tblameme，brother！”
“Godhasdeliveredus！Godhasdeliveredus！”PulcheriaAlexandrovnamuttered，buthalfconsciously，asthoughscarcelyabletorealisewhathadhappened。
Theywereallrelieved，andinfiveminutestheywerelaughing。OnlynowandthenDouniaturnedwhiteandfrowned，rememberingwhathadpassed。PulcheriaAlexandrovnawassurprisedtofindthatshe，too，wasglad:shehadonlythatmorningthoughtrupturewithLuzhinaterriblemisfortune。Razumihinwasdelighted。Hedidnotyetdaretoexpresshisjoyfully，buthewasinafeverofexcitementasthoughaton-weighthadfallenoffhisheart。Nowhehadtherighttodevotehislifetothem，toservethem。…Anythingmighthappennow！Buthefeltafraidtothinkoffurtherpossibilitiesanddarednotlethisimaginationrange。ButRaskolnikovsatstillinthesameplace，almostsullenandindifferent。ThoughhehadbeenthemostinsistentongettingridofLuzhin，heseemednowtheleastconcernedatwhathadhappened。Douniacouldnothelpthinkingthathewasstillangrywithher，andPulcheriaAlexandrovnawatchedhimtimidly。
“WhatdidSvidrigailovsaytoyou？”saidDounia，approachinghim。
“Yes，yes！”criedPulcheriaAlexandrovna。
Raskolnikovraisedhishead。
“Hewantstomakeyouapresentoftenthousandroublesandhedesirestoseeyouonceinmypresence。”
“Seeher！Onnoaccount！”criedPulcheriaAlexandrovna。“Andhowdareheofferhermoney！”
ThenRaskolnikovrepeated(ratherdryly)hisconversationwithSvidrigailov，omittinghisaccountoftheghostlyvisitationsofMarfaPetrovna，wishingtoavoidallunnecessarytalk。
“Whatanswerdidyougivehim？”askedDounia。
“AtfirstIsaidIwouldnottakeanymessagetoyou。Thenhesaidthathewoulddohisutmosttoobtainaninterviewwithyouwithoutmyhelp。Heassuredmethathispassionforyouwasapassinginfatuation，nowhehasnofeelingforyou。Hedoesn’twantyoutomarryLuzhin。…Histalkwasaltogetherrathermuddled。”
“Howdoyouexplainhimtoyourself，Rodya？Howdidhestrikeyou？”
“ImustconfessIdon’tquiteunderstandhim。Heoffersyoutenthousand，andyetsaysheisnotwelloff。Hesaysheisgoingaway，andintenminutesheforgetshehassaidit。Thenhesaysishegoingtobemarriedandhasalreadyfixedonthegirl。…Nodoubthehasamotive，andprobablyabadone。Butit’soddthatheshouldbesoclumsyaboutitifhehadanydesignsagainstyou。…Ofcourse，Irefusedthismoneyonyouraccount，onceforall。Altogether，Ithoughthimverystrange。…Onemightalmostthinkhewasmad。ButImaybemistaken；thatmayonlybethepartheassumes。ThedeathofMarfaPetrovnaseemstohavemadeagreatimpressiononhim。”
“Godresthersoul，”exclaimedPulcheriaAlexandrovna。“Ishallalways，alwaysprayforher！Whereshouldwebenow，Dounia，withoutthisthreethousand！It’sasthoughithadfallenfromheaven！Why，Rodya，thismorningwehadonlythreeroublesinourpocketandDouniaandIwerejustplanningtopawnherwatch，soastoavoidborrowingfromthatmanuntilheofferedhelp。”
DouniaseemedstrangelyimpressedbySvidrigailov’soffer。Shestillstoodmeditating。
“Hehasgotsometerribleplan，”shesaidinahalfwhispertoherself，almostshuddering。
Raskolnikovnoticedthisdisproportionateterror。
“IfancyIshallhavetoseehimmorethanonceagain，”hesaidtoDounia。
“Wewillwatchhim！Iwilltrackhimout！”criedRazumihin，vigorously。“Iwon’tlosesightofhim。Rodyahasgivenmeleave。Hesaidtomehimselfjustnow。‘Takecareofmysister。’Willyougivemeleave，too，AvdotyaRomanovna？”
Douniasmiledandheldoutherhand，butthelookofanxietydidnotleaveherface。PulcheriaAlexandrovnagazedathertimidly，butthethreethousandroubleshadobviouslyasoothingeffectonher。
Aquarterofanhourlater，theywereallengagedinalivelyconversation。EvenRaskolnikovlistenedattentivelyforsometime，thoughhedidnottalk。Razumihinwasthespeaker。
“Andwhy，whyshouldyougoaway？”heflowedonecstatically。“Andwhatareyoutodoinalittletown？Thegreatthingis，youareallheretogetherandyouneedoneanother—youdoneedoneanother，believeme。Foratime，anyway。…Takemeintopartnership，andIassureyouwe’llplanacapitalenterprise。Listen！I’llexplainitallindetailtoyou，thewholeproject！Itallflashedintomyheadthismorning，beforeanythinghadhappened…Itellyouwhat；Ihaveanuncle，Imustintroducehimtoyou(amostaccommodatingandrespectableoldman)。Thisunclehasgotacapitalofathousandroubles，andhelivesonhispensionandhasnoneedofthatmoney。Forthelasttwoyearshehasbeenbotheringmetoborrowitfromhimandpayhimsixpercent。interest。Iknowwhatthatmeans；hesimplywantstohelpme。yearIhadnoneedofit，butthisyearIresolvedtoborrowitassoonashearrived。Thenyoulendmeanotherthousandofyourthreeandwehaveenoughforastart，sowe’llgointopartnership，andwhatarewegoingtodo？”
ThenRazumihinbegantounfoldhisproject，andheexplainedatlengththatalmostallourpublishersandbooksellersknownothingatallofwhattheyareselling，andforthatreasontheyareusuallybadpublishers，andthatanydecentpublicationspayasaruleandgiveaprofit，sometimesaconsiderableone。Razumihinhad，indeed，beendreamingofsettingupasapublisher。Forthelasttwoyearshehadbeenworkinginpublishers’offices，andknewthreeEuropeanlanguageswell，thoughhehadtoldRaskolnikovsixdaysbeforethathewas“schwach”inGermanwithanobjectofpersuadinghimtotakehalfhistranslationandhalfthepaymentforit。Hehadtoldaliethen，andRaskolnikovknewhewaslying。
“Why，whyshouldweletourchanceslipwhenwehaveoneofthechiefmeansofsuccess—moneyofourown！”criedRazumihinwarmly。“Ofcoursetherewillbealotofwork，butwewillwork，you，AvdotyaRomanovna，I，Rodion。…Yougetasplendidprofitonsomebooksnowadays！Andthegreatpointofthebusinessisthatweshallknowjustwhatwantstranslating，andweshallbetranslating，publishing，learningallatonce。IcanbeofusebecauseIhaveexperience。FornearlytwoyearsI’vebeenscuttlingaboutamongthepublishers，andnowIknoweverydetailoftheirbusiness。Youneednotbeasainttomakepots，believeme！Andwhy，whyshouldweletourchanceslip！Why，Iknow—andIkeptthesecret—twoorthreebookswhichonemightgetahundredroublessimplyforthinkingoftranslatingandpublishing。Indeed，andIwouldnottakefivehundredfortheveryideaofoneofthem。Andwhatdoyouthink？IfIweretotellapublisher，Idaresayhe’dhesitate—theyaresuchblockheads！Andasforthebusinessside，printing，paper，selling，youtrusttome，Iknowmywayabout。We’llbegininasmallwayandgoontoalarge。Inanycaseitwillgetusourlivingandweshallgetbackourcapital。”
Dounia’seyesshone。
“Ilikewhatyouaresaying，DmitriProkofitch！”shesaid。
“Iknownothingaboutit，ofcourse，”putinPulcheriaAlexandrovna，“itmaybeagoodidea，butagainGodknows。It’snewanduntried。Ofcourse，wemustremainhereatleastforatime。”ShelookedatRodya。
“Whatdoyouthink，brother？”saidDounia。
“Ithinkhe’sgotaverygoodidea，”heanswered。“Ofcourse，it’stoosoontodreamofapublishingfirm，butwecertainlymightbringoutfiveorsixbooksandbesureofsuccess。Iknowofonebookmyselfwhichwouldbesuretogowell。Andasforhisbeingabletomanageit，there’snodoubtaboutthateither。Heknowsthebusiness。…Butwecantalkitoverlater。…”
“Hurrah！”criedRazumihin。“Now，stay，there’saflathereinthishouse，belongingtothesameowner。It’saspecialflatapart，notcommunicatingwiththeselodgings。It’sfurnished，rentmoderate，threerooms。Supposeyoutakethemtobeginwith。I’llpawnyourwatchto-morrowandbringyouthemoney，andeverythingcanbearrangedthen。Youcanallthreelivetogether，andRodyawillbewithyou。Butwhereareyouoffto，Rodya？”
“What，Rodya，youaregoingalready？”PulcheriaAlexandrovnaaskedindismay。
“Atsuchaminute？”criedRazumihin。
Dounialookedatherbrotherwithincredulouswonder。Heheldhiscapinhishand，hewaspreparingtoleavethem。
“Onewouldthinkyouwereburyingmeorsayinggood-byeforever，”hesaidsomewhatoddly。Heattemptedtosmile，butitdidnotturnoutasmile。“Butwhoknows，perhapsitisthelasttimeweshallseeeachother…”heletslipaccidentally。Itwaswhathewasthinking，anditsomehowwasutteredaloud。
“Whatisthematterwithyou？”criedhismother。
“Whereareyougoing，Rodya？”askedDouniaratherstrangely。
“Oh，I’mquiteobligedto…”heansweredvaguely，asthoughhesitatingwhathewouldsay。Buttherewasalookofsharpdeterminationinhiswhiteface。
“Imeanttosay…asIwascominghere…Imeanttotellyou，mother，andyou，Dounia，thatitwouldbebetterforustopartforatime。Ifeelill，Iamnotatpeace。…Iwillcomeafterwards，Iwillcomeofmyself…whenit’spossible。Irememberyouandloveyou。…Leaveme，leavemealone。Idecidedthisevenbefore…I’mabsolutelyresolvedonit。Whatevermaycometome，whetherIcometoruinornot，Iwanttobealone。Forgetmealtogether，it’sbetter。Don’tinquireaboutme。WhenIcan，I’llcomeofmyselfor…I’llsendforyou。Perhapsitwillallcomeback，butnowifyouloveme，givemeup…elseIshallbegintohateyou，Ifeelit。…Good-bye！”
“GoodGod！”criedPulcheriaAlexandrovna。Bothhismotherandhissisterwereterriblyalarmed。Razumihinwasalso。
“Rodya，Rodya，bereconciledwithus！Letusbeasbefore！”criedhispoormother。
Heturnedslowlytothedoorandslowlywentoutoftheroom。Douniaovertookhim。
“Brother，whatareyoudoingtomother？”shewhispered，hereyesflashingwithindignation。
Helookeddullyather。
“Nomatter，Ishallcome。…I’mcoming，”hemutteredinanundertone，asthoughnotfullyconsciousofwhathewassaying，andhewentoutoftheroom。
“Wicked，heartlessegoist！”criedDounia。
“Heisinsane，butnotheartless。Heismad！Don’tyouseeit？You’reheartlessafterthat！”Razumihinwhisperedinherear，squeezingherhandtightly。“Ishallbebackdirectly，”heshoutedtothehorror-strickenmother，andheranoutoftheroom。
Raskolnikovwaswaitingforhimattheendofthepassage。
“Iknewyouwouldrunafterme，”hesaid。“Gobacktothem—bewiththem…bewiththemto-morrowandalways。…I…perhapsIshallcome…ifIcan。Good-bye。”
Andwithoutholdingouthishandhewalkedaway。
“Butwhereareyougoing？Whatareyoudoing？What’sthematterwithyou？Howcanyougoonlikethis？”Razumihinmuttered，athiswits’end。
Raskolnikovstoppedoncemore。
“Onceforall，neveraskmeaboutanything。Ihavenothingtotellyou。Don’tcometoseeme。MaybeI’llcomehere。…Leaveme，butdon’tleavethem。Doyouunderstandme？”
Itwasdarkinthecorridor，theywerestandingnearthelamp。Foraminutetheywerelookingatoneanotherinsilence。Razumihinrememberedthatminuteallhislife。Raskolnikov’sburningandintenteyesgrewmorepenetratingeverymoment，piercingintohissoul，intohisconsciousness。SuddenlyRazumihinstarted。Somethingstrange，asitwere，passedbetweenthem。…Someidea，somehint，asitwere，slipped，somethingawful，hideous，andsuddenlyunderstoodonbothsides。…Razumihinturnedpale。
“Doyouunderstandnow？”saidRaskolnikov，hisfacetwitchingnervously。“Goback，gotothem，”hesaidsuddenly，andturningquickly，hewentoutofthehouse。
IwillnotattempttodescribehowRazumihinwentbacktotheladies，howhesoothedthem，howheprotestedthatRodyaneededrestinhisillness，protestedthatRodyawassuretocome，thathewouldcomeeveryday，thathewasvery，verymuchupset，thathemustnotbeirritated，thathe，Razumihin，wouldwatchoverhim，wouldgethimadoctor，thebestdoctor，aconsultation。…InfactfromthateveningRazumihintookhisplacewiththemasasonandabrother。
