RaskolnikovwentstraighttothehouseonthecanalbankwhereSonialived。Itwasanoldgreenhouseofthreestoreys。HefoundtheporterandobtainedfromhimvaguedirectionsastothewhereaboutsofKapernaumov，thetailor。Havingfoundinthecornerofthecourtyardtheentrancetothedarkandnarrowstaircase，hemountedtothesecondfloorandcameoutintoagallerythatranroundthewholesecondstoreyovertheyard。Whilehewaswanderinginthedarkness，uncertainwheretoturnforKapernaumov’sdoor，adooropenedthreepacesfromhim；hemechanicallytookholdofit。
“Whoisthere？”awoman’svoiceaskeduneasily。
“It’sI…cometoseeyou，”answeredRaskolnikovandhewalkedintothetinyentry。
Onabrokenchairstoodacandleinabatteredcoppercandlestick。
“It’syou！Goodheavens！”criedSoniaweakly，andshestoodrootedtothespot。
“Whichisyourroom？Thisway？”andRaskolnikov，tryingnottolookather，hastenedin。
AminutelaterSonia，too，cameinwiththecandle，setdownthecandlestickand，completelydisconcerted，stoodbeforehiminexpressiblyagitatedandapparentlyfrightenedbyhisunexpectedvisit。Thecolourrushedsuddenlytoherpalefaceandtearscameintohereyes…Shefeltsickandashamedandhappy，too。…Raskolnikovturnedawayquicklyandsatonachairbythetable。Hescannedtheroominarapidglance。
Itwasalargebutexceedinglylow-pitchedroom，theonlyoneletbytheKapernaumovs，towhoseroomsacloseddoorledinthewallontheleft。Intheoppositesideontherighthandwallwasanotherdoor，alwayskeptlocked。Thatledtothenextflat，whichformedaseparatelodging。Sonia’sroomlookedlikeabarn；itwasaveryirregularquadrangleandthisgaveitagrotesqueappearance。Awallwiththreewindowslookingoutontothecanalranaslantsothatonecornerformedaveryacuteangle，anditwasdifficulttoseeinitwithoutverystronglight。Theothercornerwasdisproportionatelyobtuse。Therewasscarcelyanyfurnitureinthebigroom:inthecornerontherightwasabedstead，besideit，nearestthedoor，achair。Aplain，dealtablecoveredbyablueclothstoodagainstthesamewall，closetothedoorintotheotherflat。Tworush-bottomchairsstoodbythetable。Ontheoppositewallneartheacuteanglestoodasmallplainwoodenchestofdrawerslooking，asitwere，lostinadesert。Thatwasalltherewasintheroom。Theyellow，scratchedandshabbywall-paperwasblackinthecorners。Itmusthavebeendampandfulloffumesinthewinter。Therewaseverysignofpoverty；eventhebedsteadhadnocurtain。
Sonialookedinsilenceathervisitor，whowassoattentivelyandunceremoniouslyscrutinisingherroom，andevenbeganatlasttotremblewithterror，asthoughshewasstandingbeforeherjudgeandthearbiterofherdestinies。
“Iamlate。…It’seleven，isn’tit？”heasked，stillnotliftinghiseyes。
“Yes，”mutteredSonia，“ohyes，itis，”sheadded，hastily，asthoughinthatlayhermeansofescape。“Mylandlady’sclockhasjuststruck…Ihearditmyself。…”
“I’vecometoyouforthelasttime，”Raskolnikovwentongloomily，althoughthiswasthefirsttime。“Imayperhapsnotseeyouagain…”
“Areyou…goingaway？”
“Idon’tknow…to-morrow。…”
“ThenyouarenotcomingtoKaterinaIvanovnato-morrow？”Sonia’svoiceshook。
“Idon’tknow。Ishallknowto-morrowmorning。…Nevermindthat:I’vecometosayoneword。…”
Heraisedhisbroodingeyestoherandsuddenlynoticedthathewassittingdownwhileshewasallthewhilestandingbeforehim。
“Whyareyoustanding？Sitdown，”hesaidinachangedvoice，gentleandfriendly。
Shesatdown。Helookedkindlyandalmostcompassionatelyather。
“Howthinyouare！Whatahand！Quitetransparent，likeadeadhand。”
Hetookherhand。Soniasmiledfaintly。
“Ihavealwaysbeenlikethat，”shesaid。
“Evenwhenyoulivedathome？”
“Yes。”
“Ofcourse，youwere，”headdedabruptlyandtheexpressionofhisfaceandthesoundofhisvoicechangedagainsuddenly。
Helookedroundhimoncemore。
“YourentthisroomfromtheKapernaumovs？”
“Yes。…”
“Theylivethere，throughthatdoor？”
“Yes。…Theyhaveanotherroomlikethis。”
“Allinoneroom？”
“Yes。”
“Ishouldbeafraidinyourroomatnight，”heobservedgloomily。
“Theyareverygoodpeople，verykind，”answeredSonia，whostillseemedbewildered，“andallthefurniture，everything…everythingistheirs。Andtheyareverykindandthechildren，too，oftencometoseeme。”
“Theyallstammer，don’tthey？”
“Yes。…Hestammersandhe’slame。Andhiswife，too。…It’snotexactlythatshestammers，butshecan’tspeakplainly。Sheisaverykindwoman。Andheusedtobeahouseserf。Andtherearesevenchildren…andit’sonlytheeldestonethatstammersandtheothersaresimplyill…buttheydon’tstammer。…Butwheredidyouhearaboutthem？”sheaddedwithsomesurprise。
“Yourfathertoldme，then。Hetoldmeallaboutyou。…Andhowyouwentoutatsixo’clockandcamebackatnineandhowKaterinaIvanovnakneltdownbyyourbed。”
Soniawasconfused。
“IfanciedIsawhimto-day，”shewhisperedhesitatingly。
“Whom？”
“Father。Iwaswalkinginthestreet，outthereatthecorner，aboutteno’clockandheseemedtobewalkinginfront。Itlookedjustlikehim。IwantedtogotoKaterinaIvanovna。…”
“Youwerewalkinginthestreets？”
“Yes，”Soniawhisperedabruptly，againovercomewithconfusionandlookingdown。
“KaterinaIvanovnausedtobeatyou，Idaresay？”
“Ohno，whatareyousaying？No！”Sonialookedathimalmostwithdismay。
“Youloveher，then？”
“Loveher？Ofcourse！”saidSoniawithplaintiveemphasis，andsheclaspedherhandsindistress。“Ah，youdon’t。…Ifyouonlyknew！Yousee，sheisquitelikeachild。…Hermindisquiteunhinged，yousee…fromsorrow。Andhowcleversheusedtobe…howgenerous…howkind！Ah，youdon’tunderstand，youdon’tunderstand！”
Soniasaidthisasthoughindespair，wringingherhandsinexcitementanddistress。Herpalecheeksflushed，therewasalookofanguishinhereyes。Itwasclearthatshewasstirredtotheverydepths，thatshewaslongingtospeak，tochampion，toexpresssomething。Asortofinsatiablecompassion，ifonemaysoexpressit，wasreflectedineveryfeatureofherface。
“Beatme！howcanyou？Goodheavens，beatme！Andifshedidbeatme，whatthen？Whatofit？Youknownothing，nothingaboutit。…Sheissounhappy…ah，howunhappy！Andill。…Sheisseekingrighteousness，sheispure。Shehassuchfaiththattheremustberighteousnesseverywhereandsheexpectsit。…Andifyouweretotortureher，shewouldn’tdowrong。Shedoesn’tseethatit’simpossibleforpeopletoberighteousandsheisangryatit。Likeachild，likeachild。Sheisgood！”
“Andwhatwillhappentoyou？”
Sonialookedathiminquiringly。
“Theyareleftonyourhands，yousee。Theywereallonyourhandsbefore，though。…Andyourfathercametoyoutobegfordrink。Well，howwillitbenow？”
“Idon’tknow，”Soniaarticulatedmournfully。
“Willtheystaythere？”
“Idon’tknow。…Theyareindebtforthelodging，butthelandlady，Ihear，saidto-daythatshewantedtogetridofthem，andKaterinaIvanovnasaysthatshewon’tstayanotherminute。”
“Howisitsheissobold？Shereliesuponyou？”
“Oh，no，don’ttalklikethat。…Weareone，welivelikeone。”Soniawasagitatedagainandevenangry，asthoughacanaryorsomeotherlittlebirdweretobeangry。“Andwhatcouldshedo？What，whatcouldshedo？”shepersisted，gettinghotandexcited。“Andhowshecriedto-day！Hermindisunhinged，haven’tyounoticedit？Atoneminutesheisworryinglikeachildthateverythingshouldberightto-morrow，thelunchandallthat。…Thensheiswringingherhands，spittingblood，weeping，andallatonceshewillbeginknockingherheadagainstthewall，indespair。Thenshewillbecomfortedagain。Shebuildsallherhopesonyou；shesaysthatyouwillhelphernowandthatshewillborrowalittlemoneysomewhereandgotohernativetownwithmeandsetupaboardingschoolforthedaughtersofgentlemenandtakemetosuperintendit，andwewillbeginanewsplendidlife。Andshekissesandhugsme，comfortsme，andyouknowshehassuchfaith，suchfaithinherfancies！Onecan’tcontradicther。Andallthedaylongshehasbeenwashing，cleaning，mending。Shedraggedthewashtubintotheroomwithherfeeblehandsandsankonthebed，gaspingforbreath。WewentthismorningtotheshopstobuyshoesforPolenkaandLidafortheirsarequitewornout。Onlythemoneywe’dreckonedwasn’tenough，notnearlyenough。Andshepickedoutsuchdearlittleboots，forshehastaste，youdon’tknow。Andthereintheshopsheburstoutcryingbeforetheshopmenbecauseshehadn’tenough。…Ah，itwassadtoseeher。…”
“Well，afterthatIcanunderstandyourlivinglikethis，”Raskolnikovsaidwithabittersmile。
“Andaren’tyousorryforthem？Aren’tyousorry？”Soniaflewathimagain。“Why，Iknow，yougaveyourlastpennyyourself，thoughyou’dseennothingofit，andifyou’dseeneverything，ohdear！Andhowoften，howoftenI’vebroughthertotears！Onlylastweek！Yes，I！Onlyaweekbeforehisdeath。Iwascruel！AndhowoftenI’vedoneit！Ah，I’vebeenwretchedatthethoughtofitallday！”
Soniawrungherhandsasshespokeatthepainofrememberingit。
“Youwerecruel？”
“Yes，I—I。Iwenttoseethem，”shewenton，weeping，“andfathersaid，‘readmesomething，Sonia，myheadaches，readtome，here’sabook。’HehadabookhehadgotfromAndreySemyonovitchLebeziatnikov，helivesthere，healwaysusedtogetholdofsuchfunnybooks。AndIsaid，‘Ican’tstay，’asIdidn’twanttoread，andI’dgoneinchieflytoshowKaterinaIvanovnasomecollars。Lizaveta，thepedlar，soldmesomecollarsandcuffscheap，pretty，new，embroideredones。KaterinaIvanovnalikedthemverymuch；sheputthemonandlookedatherselfintheglassandwasdelightedwiththem。‘Makemeapresentofthem，Sonia，’shesaid，‘pleasedo。’‘Pleasedo，’shesaid，shewantedthemsomuch。Andwhencouldshewearthem？Theyjustremindedherofheroldhappydays。Shelookedatherselfintheglass，admiredherself，andshehasnoclothesatall，nothingsofherown，hasn’thadalltheseyears！Andsheneverasksanyoneforanything；sheisproud，she’dsoonergiveawayeverything。Andthesesheaskedfor，shelikedthemsomuch。AndIwassorrytogivethem。‘Whatusearetheytoyou，KaterinaIvanovna？’Isaid。Ispokelikethattoher，Ioughtnottohavesaidthat！Shegavemesuchalook。Andshewassogrieved，sogrievedatmyrefusingher。Anditwassosadtosee。…Andshewasnotgrievedforthecollars，butformyrefusing，Isawthat。Ah，ifonlyIcouldbringitallback，changeit，takebackthosewords！Ah，ifI…butit’snothingtoyou！”
“DidyouknowLizaveta，thepedlar？”
“Yes。…Didyouknowher？”Soniaaskedwithsomesurprise。
“KaterinaIvanovnaisinconsumption，rapidconsumption；shewillsoondie，”saidRaskolnikovafterapause，withoutansweringherquestion。
“Oh，no，no，no！”
AndSoniaunconsciouslyclutchedbothhishands，asthoughimploringthatsheshouldnot。
“Butitwillbebetterifshedoesdie。”
“No，notbetter，notatallbetter！”Soniaunconsciouslyrepeatedindismay。
“Andthechildren？Whatcanyoudoexcepttakethemtolivewithyou？”
“Oh，Idon’tknow，”criedSonia，almostindespair，andsheputherhandstoherhead。
Itwasevidentthatthatideahadveryoftenoccurredtoherbeforeandhehadonlyrouseditagain。
“And，what，ifevennow，whileKaterinaIvanovnaisalive，yougetillandaretakentothehospital，whatwillhappenthen？”hepersistedpitilessly。
“Howcanyou？Thatcannotbe！”
AndSonia’sfaceworkedwithawfulterror。
“Cannotbe？”Raskolnikovwentonwithaharshsmile。“Youarenotinsuredagainstit，areyou？Whatwillhappentothemthen？Theywillbeinthestreet，allofthem，shewillcoughandbegandknockherheadagainstsomewall，asshedidto-day，andthechildrenwillcry。…Thenshewillfalldown，betakentothepolicestationandtothehospital，shewilldie，andthechildren…”
“Oh，no。…Godwillnotletitbe！”brokeatlastfromSonia’soverburdenedbosom。
Shelistened，lookingimploringlyathim，claspingherhandsindumbentreaty，asthoughitalldependeduponhim。
Raskolnikovgotupandbegantowalkabouttheroom。Aminutepassed。Soniawasstandingwithherhandsandherheadhanginginterribledejection。
“Andcan’tyousave？Putbyforarainyday？”heasked，stoppingsuddenlybeforeher。
“No，”whisperedSonia。
“Ofcoursenot。Haveyoutried？”headdedalmostironically。
“Yes。”
“Anditdidn’tcomeoff！Ofcoursenot！Noneedtoask。”
Andagainhepacedtheroom。Anotherminutepassed。
“Youdon’tgetmoneyeveryday？”
Soniawasmoreconfusedthaneverandcolourrushedintoherfaceagain。
“No，”shewhisperedwithapainfuleffort。
“ItwillbethesamewithPolenka，nodoubt，”hesaidsuddenly。
“No，no！Itcan’tbe，no！”Soniacriedaloudindesperation，asthoughshehadbeenstabbed。“Godwouldnotallowanythingsoawful！”
“Heletsotherscometoit。”
“No，no！Godwillprotecther，God！”sherepeatedbesideherself。
“But，perhaps，thereisnoGodatall，”Raskolnikovansweredwithasortofmalignance，laughedandlookedather。
Sonia’sfacesuddenlychanged；atremorpassedoverit。Shelookedathimwithunutterablereproach，triedtosaysomething，butcouldnotspeakandbrokeintobitter，bittersobs，hidingherfaceinherhands。
“YousayKaterinaIvanovna’smindisunhinged；yourownmindisunhinged，”hesaidafterabriefsilence。
Fiveminutespassed。Hestillpacedupanddowntheroominsilence，notlookingather。Atlasthewentuptoher；hiseyesglittered。Heputhistwohandsonhershouldersandlookedstraightintohertearfulface。Hiseyeswerehard，feverishandpiercing，hislipsweretwitching。Allatoncehebentdownquicklyanddroppingtotheground，kissedherfoot。Soniadrewbackfromhimasfromamadman。Andcertainlyhelookedlikeamadman。
“Whatareyoudoingtome？”shemuttered，turningpale，andasuddenanguishclutchedatherheart。
Hestoodupatonce。
“Ididnotbowdowntoyou，Iboweddowntoallthesufferingofhumanity，”hesaidwildlyandwalkedawaytothewindow。“Listen，”headded，turningtoheraminutelater。“Isaidjustnowtoaninsolentmanthathewasnotworthyourlittlefinger…andthatIdidmysisterhonourmakinghersitbesideyou。”
“Ach，yousaidthattothem！Andinherpresence？”criedSonia，frightened。“Sitdownwithme！Anhonour！Why，I’m…dishonourable。…Ah，whydidyousaythat？”
“ItwasnotbecauseofyourdishonourandyoursinIsaidthatofyou，butbecauseofyourgreatsuffering。Butyouareagreatsinner，that’strue，”headdedalmostsolemnly，“andyourworstsinisthatyouhavedestroyedandbetrayedyourselffornothing。Isn’tthatfearful？Isn’titfearfulthatyouarelivinginthisfilthwhichyouloatheso，andatthesametimeyouknowyourself(you’veonlytoopenyoureyes)thatyouarenothelpinganyonebyit，notsavinganyonefromanything？Tellme，”hewentonalmostinafrenzy，“howthisshameanddegradationcanexistinyousidebysidewithother，opposite，holyfeelings？Itwouldbebetter，athousandtimesbetterandwisertoleapintothewaterandenditall！”
“Butwhatwouldbecomeofthem？”Soniaaskedfaintly，gazingathimwitheyesofanguish，butnotseemingsurprisedathissuggestion。
Raskolnikovlookedstrangelyather。Hereaditallinherface；soshemusthavehadthatthoughtalready，perhapsmanytimes，andearnestlyshehadthoughtoutinherdespairhowtoenditandsoearnestly，thatnowshescarcelywonderedathissuggestion。Shehadnotevennoticedthecrueltyofhiswords。(Thesignificanceofhisreproachesandhispeculiarattitudetohershameshehad，ofcourse，notnoticedeither，andthat，too，wascleartohim。)Buthesawhowmonstrouslythethoughtofherdisgraceful，shamefulpositionwastorturingherandhadlongtorturedher。“What，what，”hethought，“couldhithertohavehinderedherfromputtinganendtoit？”Onlythenherealisedwhatthosepoorlittleorphanchildrenandthatpitifulhalf-crazyKaterinaIvanovna，knockingherheadagainstthewallinherconsumption，meantforSonia。
But，nevertheless，itwascleartohimagainthatwithhercharacterandtheamountofeducationshehadafterallreceived，shecouldnotinanycaseremainso。Hewasstillconfrontedbythequestion，howcouldshehaveremainedsolonginthatpositionwithoutgoingoutofhermind，sinceshecouldnotbringherselftojumpintothewater？OfcourseheknewthatSonia’spositionwasanexceptionalcase，thoughunhappilynotuniqueandnotinfrequent，indeed；butthatveryexceptionalness，hertingeofeducation，herpreviouslifemight，onewouldhavethought，havekilledheratthefirststeponthatrevoltingpath。Whatheldherup—surelynotdepravity？Allthatinfamyhadobviouslyonlytouchedhermechanically，notonedropofrealdepravityhadpenetratedtoherheart；hesawthat。Hesawthroughherasshestoodbeforehim。…
“Therearethreewaysbeforeher，”hethought，“thecanal，themadhouse，or…atlasttosinkintodepravitywhichobscuresthemindandturnsthehearttostone。”
Thelastideawasthemostrevolting，buthewasasceptic，hewasyoung，abstract，andthereforecruel，andsohecouldnothelpbelievingthatthelastendwasthemostlikely。
“Butcanthatbetrue？”hecriedtohimself。“Canthatcreaturewhohasstillpreservedthepurityofherspiritbeconsciouslydrawnatlastintothatsinkoffilthandiniquity？Cantheprocessalreadyhavebegun？Canitbethatshehasonlybeenabletobearittillnow，becausevicehasbeguntobelessloathsometoher？No，no，thatcannotbe！”hecried，asSoniahadjustbefore。“No，whathaskeptherfromthecanaltillnowistheideaofsinandthey，thechildren。…Andifshehasnotgoneoutofhermind…butwhosaysshehasnotgoneoutofhermind？Issheinhersenses？Canonetalk，canonereasonasshedoes？Howcanshesitontheedgeoftheabyssofloathsomenessintowhichsheisslippingandrefusetolistenwhensheistoldofdanger？Doessheexpectamiracle？Nodoubtshedoes。Doesn’tthatallmeanmadness？”
Hestayedobstinatelyatthatthought。Helikedthatexplanationindeedbetterthananyother。Hebeganlookingmoreintentlyather。
“SoyoupraytoGodagreatdeal，Sonia？”heaskedher。
Soniadidnotspeak；hestoodbesideherwaitingforananswer。
“WhatshouldIbewithoutGod？”shewhisperedrapidly，forcibly，glancingathimwithsuddenlyflashingeyes，andsqueezinghishand。
“Ah，sothatisit！”hethought。
“AndwhatdoesGoddoforyou？”heasked，probingherfurther。
Soniawassilentalongwhile，asthoughshecouldnotanswer。Herweakchestkeptheavingwithemotion。
“Besilent！Don’task！Youdon’tdeserve！”shecriedsuddenly，lookingsternlyandwrathfullyathim。
“That’sit，that’sit，”herepeatedtohimself。
“Hedoeseverything，”shewhisperedquickly，lookingdownagain。
“That’sthewayout！That’stheexplanation，”hedecided，scrutinisingherwitheagercuriosity，withanew，strange，almostmorbidfeeling。Hegazedatthatpale，thin，irregular，angularlittleface，thosesoftblueeyes，whichcouldflashwithsuchfire，suchsternenergy，thatlittlebodystillshakingwithindignationandanger—anditallseemedtohimmoreandmorestrange，almostimpossible。“Sheisareligiousmaniac！”herepeatedtohimself。
Therewasabooklyingonthechestofdrawers。Hehadnoticediteverytimehepacedupanddowntheroom。Nowhetookitupandlookedatit。ItwastheNewTestamentintheRussiantranslation。Itwasboundinleather，oldandworn。
“Wheredidyougetthat？”hecalledtoheracrosstheroom。
Shewasstillstandinginthesameplace，threestepsfromthetable。
“Itwasbroughtme，”sheanswered，asitwereunwillingly，notlookingathim。
“Whobroughtit？”
“Lizaveta，Iaskedherforit。”
“Lizaveta！strange！”hethought。
EverythingaboutSoniaseemedtohimstrangerandmorewonderfuleverymoment。Hecarriedthebooktothecandleandbegantoturnoverthepages。
“WhereisthestoryofLazarus？”heaskedsuddenly。
Sonialookedobstinatelyatthegroundandwouldnotanswer。Shewasstandingsidewaystothetable。
“WhereistheraisingofLazarus？Finditforme，Sonia。”
Shestoleaglanceathim。
“Youarenotlookingintherightplace。…It’sinthefourthgospel，”shewhisperedsternly，withoutlookingathim。
“Finditandreadittome，”hesaid。Hesatdownwithhiselbowonthetable，leanedhisheadonhishandandlookedawaysullenly，preparedtolisten。
“Inthreeweeks’timethey’llwelcomemeinthemadhouse！IshallbethereifIamnotinaworseplace，”hemutteredtohimself。
SoniaheardRaskolnikov’srequestdistrustfullyandmovedhesitatinglytothetable。Shetookthebookhowever。
“Haven’tyoureadit？”sheasked，lookingupathimacrossthetable。
Hervoicebecamesternerandsterner。
“Longago。…WhenIwasatschool。Read！”
“Andhaven’tyouhearditinchurch？”
“I…haven’tbeen。Doyouoftengo？”
“N-no，”whisperedSonia。
Raskolnikovsmiled。
“Iunderstand。…Andyouwon’tgotoyourfather’sfuneralto-morrow？”
“Yes，Ishall。Iwasatchurchlastweek，too…Ihadarequiemservice。”
“Forwhom？”
“ForLizaveta。Shewaskilledwithanaxe。”
Hisnervesweremoreandmorestrained。Hisheadbegantogoround。
“WereyoufriendswithLizaveta？”
“Yes。…Shewasgood…sheusedtocome…notoften…shecouldn’t。…Weusedtoreadtogetherand…talk。ShewillseeGod。”
Thelastphrasesoundedstrangeinhisears。Andherewassomethingnewagain:themysteriousmeetingswithLizavetaandbothofthem—religiousmaniacs。
“Ishallbeareligiousmaniacmyselfsoon！It’sinfectious！”
“Read！”hecriedirritablyandinsistently。
Soniastillhesitated。Herheartwasthrobbing。Shehardlydaredtoreadtohim。Helookedalmostwithexasperationatthe“unhappylunatic。”
“Whatfor？Youdon’tbelieve？…”shewhisperedsoftlyandasitwerebreathlessly。
“Read！Iwantyouto，”hepersisted。“YouusedtoreadtoLizaveta。”
Soniaopenedthebookandfoundtheplace。Herhandswereshaking，hervoicefailedher。Twiceshetriedtobeginandcouldnotbringoutthefirstsyllable。
“NowacertainmanwassicknamedLazarusofBethany…”sheforcedherselfatlasttoread，butatthethirdwordhervoicebrokelikeanoverstrainedstring。Therewasacatchinherbreath。
RaskolnikovsawinpartwhySoniacouldnotbringherselftoreadtohimandthemorehesawthis，themoreroughlyandirritablyheinsistedonherdoingso。Heunderstoodonlytoowellhowpainfulitwasforhertobetrayandunveilallthatwasherown。Heunderstoodthatthesefeelingsreallywerehersecrettreasure，whichshehadkeptperhapsforyears，perhapsfromchildhood，whileshelivedwithanunhappyfatherandadistractedstepmothercrazedbygrief，inthemidstofstarvingchildrenandunseemlyabuseandreproaches。Butatthesametimeheknewnowandknewforcertainthat，althoughitfilledherwithdreadandsuffering，yetshehadatormentingdesiretoreadandtoreadtohimthathemighthearit，andtoreadnowwhatevermightcomeofit！…Hereadthisinhereyes，hecouldseeitinherintenseemotion。Shemasteredherself，controlledthespasminherthroatandwentonreadingtheeleventhchapterofSt。John。Shewentontothenineteenthverse:
“AndmanyoftheJewscametoMarthaandMarytocomfortthemconcerningtheirbrother。
“ThenMarthaassoonassheheardthatJesuswascomingwentandmetHim:butMarysatstillinthehouse。
“ThensaidMarthauntoJesus，Lord，ifThouhadstbeenhere，mybrotherhadnotdied。
“ButIknowthatevennowwhatsoeverThouwiltaskofGod，GodwillgiveitThee。…”
Thenshestoppedagainwithashamefacedfeelingthathervoicewouldquiverandbreakagain。
“Jesussaiduntoher，thybrothershallriseagain。
“MarthasaithuntoHim，Iknowthatheshallriseagainintheresurrection，atthelastday。
“Jesussaiduntoher，Iamtheresurrectionandthelife:hethatbelievethinMethoughheweredead，yetshallhelive。
“AndwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinMeshallneverdie。Believestthouthis？
“ShesaithuntoHim，”
(Anddrawingapainfulbreath，Soniareaddistinctlyandforciblyasthoughsheweremakingapublicconfessionoffaith。)
“Yea，Lord:IbelievethatThouarttheChrist，theSonofGodWhichshouldcomeintotheworld。”
Shestoppedandlookedupquicklyathim，butcontrollingherselfwentonreading。Raskolnikovsatwithoutmoving，hiselbowsonthetableandhiseyesturnedaway。Shereadtothethirty-secondverse。
“ThenwhenMarywascomewhereJesuswasandsawHim，shefelldownatHisfeet，sayinguntoHim，LordifThouhadstbeenhere，mybrotherhadnotdied。
“WhenJesusthereforesawherweeping，andtheJewsalsoweepingwhichcamewithher，Hegroanedinthespiritandwastroubled，
“Andsaid，Wherehaveyelaidhim？TheysaiduntoHim，Lord，comeandsee。
“Jesuswept。
“ThensaidtheJews，beholdhowHelovedhim！
“Andsomeofthemsaid，couldnotthisManwhichopenedtheeyesoftheblind，havecausedthateventhismanshouldnothavedied？”
Raskolnikovturnedandlookedatherwithemotion。Yes，hehadknownit！Shewastremblinginarealphysicalfever。Hehadexpectedit。Shewasgettingnearthestoryofthegreatestmiracleandafeelingofimmensetriumphcameoverher。Hervoicerangoutlikeabell；triumphandjoygaveitpower。Thelinesdancedbeforehereyes，butsheknewwhatshewasreadingbyheart。Atthelastverse“CouldnotthisManwhichopenedtheeyesoftheblind…”droppinghervoiceshepassionatelyreproducedthedoubt，thereproachandcensureoftheblinddisbelievingJews，whoinanothermomentwouldfallatHisfeetasthoughstruckbythunder，sobbingandbelieving。…“Andhe，he—too，isblindedandunbelieving，he，too，willhear，he，too，willbelieve，yes，yes！Atonce，now，”waswhatshewasdreaming，andshewasquiveringwithhappyanticipation。
“JesusthereforeagaingroaninginHimselfcomethtothegrave。Itwasacave，andastonelayuponit。
“Jesussaid，Takeyeawaythestone。Martha，thesisterofhimthatwasdead，saithuntoHim，Lordbythistimehestinketh:forhehathbeendeadfourdays。”
Shelaidemphasisonthewordfour。
“Jesussaithuntoher，SaidInotuntotheethatifthouwouldestbelieve，thoushouldestseethegloryofGod？
“Thentheytookawaythestonefromtheplacewherethedeadwaslaid。AndJesusliftedupHiseyesandsaid，Father，IthankTheethatThouhastheardMe。
“AndIknewthatThouhearestMealways；butbecauseofthepeoplewhichstandbyIsaidit，thattheymaybelievethatThouhastsentMe。
“AndwhenHethushadspoken，Hecriedwithaloudvoice，Lazarus，comeforth。
“Andhethatwasdeadcameforth。”
(Shereadloudly，coldandtremblingwithecstasy，asthoughshewereseeingitbeforehereyes。)
“Boundhandandfootwithgraveclothes；andhisfacewasboundaboutwithanapkin。Jesussaithuntothem，Loosehimandlethimgo。
“ThenmanyoftheJewswhichcametoMaryandhadseenthethingswhichJesusdidbelievedonHim。”
Shecouldreadnomore，closedthebookandgotupfromherchairquickly。
“ThatisallabouttheraisingofLazarus，”shewhisperedseverelyandabruptly，andturningawayshestoodmotionless，notdaringtoraisehereyestohim。Shestilltrembledfeverishly。Thecandle-endwasflickeringoutinthebatteredcandlestick，dimlylightingupinthepoverty-strickenroomthemurdererandtheharlotwhohadsostrangelybeenreadingtogethertheeternalbook。Fiveminutesormorepassed。
“Icametospeakofsomething，”Raskolnikovsaidaloud，frowning。HegotupandwenttoSonia。Sheliftedhereyestohiminsilence。Hisfacewasparticularlysternandtherewasasortofsavagedeterminationinit。
“Ihaveabandonedmyfamilyto-day，”hesaid，“mymotherandsister。Iamnotgoingtoseethem。I’vebrokenwiththemcompletely。”
“Whatfor？”askedSoniaamazed。Herrecentmeetingwithhismotherandsisterhadleftagreatimpressionwhichshecouldnotanalyse。Sheheardhisnewsalmostwithhorror。
“Ihaveonlyyounow，”headded。“Letusgotogether。…I’vecometoyou，wearebothaccursed，letusgoourwaytogether！”
Hiseyesglittered“asthoughheweremad，”Soniathought，inherturn。
“Gowhere？”sheaskedinalarmandsheinvoluntarilysteppedback。
“HowdoIknow？Ionlyknowit’sthesameroad，Iknowthatandnothingmore。It’sthesamegoal！”
Shelookedathimandunderstoodnothing。Sheknewonlythathewasterribly，infinitelyunhappy。
“Nooneofthemwillunderstand，ifyoutellthem，butIhaveunderstood。Ineedyou，thatiswhyIhavecometoyou。”
“Idon’tunderstand，”whisperedSonia。
“You’llunderstandlater。Haven’tyoudonethesame？You，too，havetransgressed…havehadthestrengthtotransgress。Youhavelaidhandsonyourself，youhavedestroyedalife…yourown(it’sallthesame！)。Youmighthavelivedinspiritandunderstanding，butyou’llendintheHayMarket。…Butyouwon’tbeabletostandit，andifyouremainaloneyou’llgooutofyourmindlikeme。Youarelikeamadcreaturealready。Sowemustgotogetheronthesameroad！Letusgo！”
“Whatfor？What’sallthisfor？”saidSonia，strangelyandviolentlyagitatedbyhiswords。
“Whatfor？Becauseyoucan’tremainlikethis，that’swhy！Youmustlookthingsstraightinthefaceatlast，andnotweeplikeachildandcrythatGodwon’tallowit。Whatwillhappen，ifyoushouldreallybetakentothehospitalto-morrow？Sheismadandinconsumption，she’llsoondieandthechildren？DoyoumeantotellmePolenkawon’tcometogrief？Haven’tyouseenchildrenhereatthestreetcornerssentoutbytheirmotherstobeg？I’vefoundoutwherethosemothersliveandinwhatsurroundings。Childrencan’tremainchildrenthere！Atseventhechildisviciousandathief。Yetchildren，youknow，aretheimageofChrist:‘theirsisthekingdomofHeaven。’Hebadeushonourandlovethem，theyarethehumanityofthefuture。…”
“What’stobedone，what’stobedone？”repeatedSonia，weepinghystericallyandwringingherhands。
“What’stobedone？Breakwhatmustbebroken，onceforall，that’sall，andtakethesufferingononeself。What，youdon’tunderstand？You’llunderstandlater。…Freedomandpower，andaboveall，power！Overalltremblingcreationandalltheant-heap！…That’sthegoal，rememberthat！That’smyfarewellmessage。Perhapsit’sthelasttimeIshallspeaktoyou。IfIdon’tcometo-morrow，you’llhearofitall，andthenrememberthesewords。Andsomedaylateron，inyearstocome，you’llunderstandperhapswhattheymeant。IfIcometo-morrow，I’lltellyouwhokilledLizaveta。…Good-bye。”
Soniastartedwithterror。
“Why，doyouknowwhokilledher？”sheasked，chilledwithhorror，lookingwildlyathim。
“Iknowandwilltell…you，onlyyou。Ihavechosenyouout。I’mnotcomingtoyoutoaskforgiveness，butsimplytotellyou。Ichoseyououtlongagotohearthis，whenyourfathertalkedofyouandwhenLizavetawasalive，Ithoughtofit。Good-bye，don’tshakehands。To-morrow！”
Hewentout。Soniagazedathimasatamadman。Butsheherselfwaslikeoneinsaneandfeltit。Herheadwasgoinground。
“Goodheavens，howdoesheknowwhokilledLizaveta？Whatdidthosewordsmean？It’sawful！”Butatthesametimetheideadidnotenterherhead，notforamoment！“Oh，hemustbeterriblyunhappy！…Hehasabandonedhismotherandsister。…Whatfor？Whathashappened？Andwhathadheinhismind？Whatdidhesaytoher？Hehadkissedherfootandsaid…said(yes，hehadsaiditclearly)thathecouldnotlivewithouther。…Oh，mercifulheavens！”
Soniaspentthewholenightfeverishanddelirious。Shejumpedupfromtimetotime，weptandwrungherhands，thensankagainintofeverishsleepanddreamtofPolenka，KaterinaIvanovnaandLizaveta，ofreadingthegospelandhim…himwithpaleface，withburningeyes…kissingherfeet，weeping。
Ontheothersideofthedoorontheright，whichdividedSonia’sroomfromMadameResslich’sflat，wasaroomwhichhadlongstoodempty。Acardwasfixedonthegateandanoticestuckinthewindowsoverthecanaladvertisingittolet。Soniahadlongbeenaccustomedtotheroom’sbeinguninhabited。ButallthattimeMr。Svidrigailovhadbeenstanding，listeningatthedooroftheemptyroom。WhenRaskolnikovwentouthestoodstill，thoughtamoment，wentontiptoetohisownroomwhichadjoinedtheemptyone，broughtachairandnoiselesslycarriedittothedoorthatledtoSonia’sroom。Theconversationhadstruckhimasinterestingandremarkable，andhehadgreatlyenjoyedit—somuchsothathebroughtachairthathemightnotinthefuture，to-morrow，forinstance，havetoenduretheinconvenienceofstandingawholehour，butmightlistenincomfort。
Whennextmorningateleveno’clockpunctuallyRaskolnikovwentintothedepartmentoftheinvestigationofcriminalcausesandsenthisnameintoPorfiryPetrovitch，hewassurprisedatbeingkeptwaitingsolong:itwasatleasttenminutesbeforehewassummoned。Hehadexpectedthattheywouldpounceuponhim。Buthestoodinthewaiting-room，andpeople，whoapparentlyhadnothingtodowithhim，werecontinuallypassingtoandfrobeforehim。Inthenextroomwhichlookedlikeanoffice，severalclerksweresittingwritingandobviouslytheyhadnonotionwhoorwhatRaskolnikovmightbe。Helookeduneasilyandsuspiciouslyabouthimtoseewhethertherewasnotsomeguard，somemysteriouswatchbeingkeptonhimtopreventhisescape。Buttherewasnothingofthesort:hesawonlythefacesofclerksabsorbedinpettydetails，thenotherpeople，nooneseemedtohaveanyconcernwithhim。Hemightgowherehelikedforthem。Theconvictiongrewstrongerinhimthatifthatenigmaticmanofyesterday，thatphantomsprungoutoftheearth，hadseeneverything，theywouldnothavelethimstandandwaitlikethat。Andwouldtheyhavewaitedtillheelectedtoappearateleven？Eitherthemanhadnotyetgiveninformation，or…orsimplyheknewnothing，hadseennothing(andhowcouldhehaveseenanything？)andsoallthathadhappenedtohimthedaybeforewasagainaphantomexaggeratedbyhissickandoverstrainedimagination。Thisconjecturehadbeguntogrowstrongthedaybefore，inthemidstofallhisalarmanddespair。Thinkingitallovernowandpreparingforafreshconflict，hewassuddenlyawarethathewastrembling—andhefeltarushofindignationatthethoughtthathewastremblingwithfearatfacingthathatefulPorfiryPetrovitch。Whathedreadedaboveallwasmeetingthatmanagain；hehatedhimwithanintense，unmitigatedhatredandwasafraidhishatredmightbetrayhim。Hisindignationwassuchthatheceasedtremblingatonce；hemadereadytogoinwithacoldandarrogantbearingandvowedtohimselftokeepassilentaspossible，towatchandlistenandforonceatleasttocontrolhisoverstrainednerves。AtthatmomenthewassummonedtoPorfiryPetrovitch。
HefoundPorfiryPetrovitchaloneinhisstudy。Hisstudywasaroomneitherlargenorsmall，furnishedwithalargewriting-table，thatstoodbeforeasofa，upholsteredincheckedmaterial，abureau，abookcaseinthecornerandseveralchairs—allgovernmentfurniture，ofpolishedyellowwood。Inthefurtherwalltherewasacloseddoor，beyondittherewerenodoubtotherrooms。OnRaskolnikov’sentrancePorfiryPetrovitchhadatonceclosedthedoorbywhichhehadcomeinandtheyremainedalone。Hemethisvisitorwithanapparentlygenialandgood-temperedair，anditwasonlyafterafewminutesthatRaskolnikovsawsignsofacertainawkwardnessinhim，asthoughhehadbeenthrownoutofhisreckoningorcaughtinsomethingverysecret。
“Ah，mydearfellow！Hereyouare…inourdomain”…beganPorfiry，holdingoutbothhandstohim。“Come，sitdown，oldman…orperhapsyoudon’tliketobecalled‘mydearfellow’and‘oldman！’—toutcourt？Pleasedon’tthinkittoofamiliar。…Here，onthesofa。”
Raskolnikovsatdown，keepinghiseyesfixedonhim。“Inourdomain，”theapologiesforfamiliarity，theFrenchphrasetoutcourt，wereallcharacteristicsigns。
“Heheldoutbothhandstome，buthedidnotgivemeone—hedrewitbackintime，”struckhimsuspiciously。Bothwerewatchingeachother，butwhentheireyesmet，quickaslightningtheylookedaway。
“Ibroughtyouthispaper…aboutthewatch。Hereitis。IsitallrightorshallIcopyitagain？”
“What？Apaper？Yes，yes，don’tbeuneasy，it’sallright，”PorfiryPetrovitchsaidasthoughinhaste，andafterhehadsaidithetookthepaperandlookedatit。“Yes，it’sallright。Nothingmoreisneeded，”hedeclaredwiththesamerapidityandhelaidthepaperonthetable。
Aminutelaterwhenhewastalkingofsomethingelsehetookitfromthetableandputitonhisbureau。
“Ibelieveyousaidyesterdayyouwouldliketoquestionme…formally…aboutmyacquaintancewiththemurderedwoman？”Raskolnikovwasbeginningagain。“WhydidIputin‘Ibelieve’”passedthroughhismindinaflash。“WhyamIsouneasyathavingputinthat‘Ibelieve’？”cameinasecondflash。AndhesuddenlyfeltthathisuneasinessatthemerecontactwithPorfiry，atthefirstwords，atthefirstlooks，hadgrowninaninstanttomonstrousproportions，andthatthiswasfearfullydangerous。Hisnerveswerequivering，hisemotionwasincreasing。“It’sbad，it’sbad！Ishallsaytoomuchagain。”
“Yes，yes，yes！There’snohurry，there’snohurry，”mutteredPorfiryPetrovitch，movingtoandfroaboutthetablewithoutanyapparentaim，asitweremakingdashestowardsthewindow，thebureauandthetable，atonemomentavoidingRaskolnikov’ssuspiciousglance，thenagainstandingstillandlookinghimstraightintheface。
Hisfatroundlittlefigurelookedverystrange，likeaballrollingfromonesidetotheotherandreboundingback。
“We’veplentyoftime。Doyousmoke？haveyouyourown？Here，acigarette！”hewenton，offeringhisvisitoracigarette。“YouknowIamreceivingyouhere，butmyownquartersarethroughthere，youknow，mygovernmentquarters。ButIamlivingoutsideforthetime，Ihadtohavesomerepairsdonehere。It’salmostfinishednow。…Governmentquarters，youknow，areacapitalthing。Eh，whatdoyouthink？”
“Yes，acapitalthing，”answeredRaskolnikov，lookingathimalmostironically。
“Acapitalthing，acapitalthing，”repeatedPorfiryPetrovitch，asthoughhehadjustthoughtofsomethingquitedifferent。“Yes，acapitalthing，”healmostshoutedatlast，suddenlystaringatRaskolnikovandstoppingshorttwostepsfromhim。
Thisstupidrepetitionwastooincongruousinitsineptitudewiththeserious，broodingandenigmaticglanceheturneduponhisvisitor。
ButthisstirredRaskolnikov’sspleenmorethaneverandhecouldnotresistanironicalandratherincautiouschallenge。
“Tellme，please，”heaskedsuddenly，lookingalmostinsolentlyathimandtakingakindofpleasureinhisowninsolence。“Ibelieveit’sasortoflegalrule，asortoflegaltradition—forallinvestigatinglawyers—tobegintheirattackfromafar，withatrivial，oratleastanirrelevantsubject，soastoencourage，orrather，todivertthemantheyarecross-examining，todisarmhiscautionandthenallatoncetogivehimanunexpectedknock-downblowwithsomefatalquestion。Isn’tthatso？It’sasacredtradition，mentioned，Ifancy，inallthemanualsoftheart？”
“Yes，yes。…Why，doyouimaginethatwaswhyIspokeaboutgovernmentquarters…eh？”
AndashesaidthisPorfiryPetrovitchscreweduphiseyesandwinked；agood-humoured，craftylookpassedoverhisface。Thewrinklesonhisforeheadweresmoothedout，hiseyescontracted，hisfeaturesbroadenedandhesuddenlywentoffintoanervousprolongedlaugh，shakingalloverandlookingRaskolnikovstraightintheface。Thelatterforcedhimselftolaugh，too，butwhenPorfiry，seeingthathewaslaughing，brokeintosuchaguffawthatheturnedalmostcrimson，Raskolnikov’srepulsionovercameallprecaution；heleftofflaughing，scowledandstaredwithhatredatPorfiry，keepinghiseyesfixedonhimwhilehisintentionallyprolongedlaughterlasted。Therewaslackofprecautiononbothsides，however，forPorfiryPetrovitchseemedtobelaughinginhisvisitor’sfaceandtobeverylittledisturbedattheannoyancewithwhichthevisitorreceivedit。ThelatterfactwasverysignificantinRaskolnikov’seyes:hesawthatPorfiryPetrovitchhadnotbeenembarrassedjustbeforeeither，butthathe，Raskolnikov，hadperhapsfallenintoatrap；thattheremustbesomething，somemotivehereunknowntohim；that，perhaps，everythingwasinreadinessandinanothermomentwouldbreakuponhim…
Hewentstraighttothepointatonce，rosefromhisseatandtookhiscap。
“PorfiryPetrovitch，”hebeganresolutely，thoughwithconsiderableirritation，“yesterdayyouexpressedadesirethatIshouldcometoyouforsomeinquiries”(helaidspecialstressontheword“inquiries”)。“Ihavecomeandifyouhaveanythingtoaskme，askit，andifnot，allowmetowithdraw。Ihavenotimetospare。…Ihavetobeatthefuneralofthatmanwhowasrunover，ofwhomyou…knowalso，”headded，feelingangryatonceathavingmadethisadditionandmoreirritatedathisanger。“Iamsickofitall，doyouhear？andhavelongbeen。It’spartlywhatmademeill。Inshort，”heshouted，feelingthatthephraseabouthisillnesswasstillmoreoutofplace，“inshort，kindlyexaminemeorletmego，atonce。Andifyoumustexamineme，dosointheproperform！Iwillnotallowyoutodosootherwise，andsomeanwhile，good-bye，aswehaveevidentlynothingtokeepusnow。”
“Goodheavens！Whatdoyoumean？WhatshallIquestionyouabout？”cackledPorfiryPetrovitchwithachangeoftone，instantlyleavingofflaughing。“Pleasedon’tdisturbyourself，”hebeganfidgetingfromplacetoplaceandfussilymakingRaskolnikovsitdown。“There’snohurry，there’snohurry，it’sallnonsense。Oh，no，I’mverygladyou’vecometoseemeatlast…Ilookuponyousimplyasavisitor。Andasformyconfoundedlaughter，pleaseexcuseit，RodionRomanovitch。RodionRomanovitch？Thatisyourname？…It’smynerves，youtickledmesowithyourwittyobservation；Iassureyou，sometimesIshakewithlaughterlikeanindia-rubberballforhalfanhouratatime。…I’moftenafraidofanattackofparalysis。Dositdown。Pleasedo，orIshallthinkyouareangry…”
Raskolnikovdidnotspeak；helistened，watchinghim，stillfrowningangrily。Hedidsitdown，butstillheldhiscap。
“Imusttellyouonethingaboutmyself，mydearRodionRomanovitch，”PorfiryPetrovitchcontinued，movingabouttheroomandagainavoidinghisvisitor’seyes。“Yousee，I’mabachelor，amanofnoconsequenceandnotusedtosociety；besides，Ihavenothingbeforeme，I’mset，I’mrunningtoseedand…andhaveyounoticed，RodionRomanovitch，thatinourPetersburgcircles，iftwoclevermenmeetwhoarenotintimate，butrespecteachother，likeyouandme，ittakesthemhalfanhourbeforetheycanfindasubjectforconversation—theyaredumb，theysitoppositeeachotherandfeelawkward。Everyonehassubjectsofconversation，ladiesforinstance…peopleinhighsocietyalwayshavetheirsubjectsofconversation，c’estderigueur，butpeopleofthemiddlesortlikeus，thinkingpeoplethatis，arealwaystongue-tiedandawkward。Whatisthereasonofit？Whetheritisthelackofpublicinterest，orwhetheritiswearesohonestwedon’twanttodeceiveoneanother，Idon’tknow。Whatdoyouthink？Doputdownyourcap，itlooksasifyouwerejustgoing，itmakesmeuncomfortable…Iamsodelighted…”
RaskolnikovputdownhiscapandcontinuedlisteninginsilencewithaseriousfrowningfacetothevagueandemptychatterofPorfiryPetrovitch。“Doeshereallywanttodistractmyattentionwithhissillybabble？”
“Ican’tofferyoucoffeehere；butwhynotspendfiveminuteswithafriend？”Porfirypatteredon，“andyouknowalltheseofficialduties…pleasedon’tmindmyrunningupanddown，excuseit，mydearfellow，Iamverymuchafraidofoffendingyou，butexerciseisabsolutelyindispensableforme。I’malwayssittingandsogladtobemovingaboutforfiveminutes…Isufferfrommysedentarylife…Ialwaysintendtojoinagymnasium；theysaythatofficialsofallranks，evenPrivyCouncillors，maybeseenskippinggailythere；thereyouhaveit，modernscience…yes，yes。…Butasformydutieshere，inquiriesandallsuchformalities…youmentionedinquiriesyourselfjustnow…Iassureyoutheseinterrogationsaresometimesmoreembarrassingfortheinterrogatorthanfortheinterrogated。…Youmadetheobservationyourselfjustnowveryaptlyandwittily。”(Raskolnikovhadmadenoobservationofthekind。)“Onegetsintoamuddle！Aregularmuddle！Onekeepsharpingonthesamenote，likeadrum！Thereistobeareformandweshallbecalledbyadifferentname，atleast，he-he-he！Andasforourlegaltradition，asyousowittilycalledit，Ithoroughlyagreewithyou。Everyprisonerontrial，eventherudestpeasant，knowsthattheybeginbydisarminghimwithirrelevantquestions(asyousohappilyputit)andthendealhimaknock-downblow，he-he-he！—yourfelicitouscomparison，he-he！SoyoureallyimaginedthatImeantby‘governmentquarters’…he-he！Youareanironicalperson。Come。Iwon’tgoon！Ah，bytheway，yes！Onewordleadstoanother。Youspokeofformalityjustnow，aproposoftheinquiry，youknow。Butwhat’stheuseofformality？Inmanycasesit’snonsense。Sometimesonehasafriendlychatandgetsagooddealmoreoutofit。Onecanalwaysfallbackonformality，allowmetoassureyou。Andafterall，whatdoesitamountto？Anexamininglawyercannotbeboundedbyformalityateverystep。Theworkofinvestigationis，sotospeak，afreeartinitsownway，he-he-he！”
PorfiryPetrovitchtookbreathamoment。Hehadsimplybabbledonutteringemptyphrases，lettingslipafewenigmaticwordsandagainrevertingtoincoherence。Hewasalmostrunningabouttheroom，movinghisfatlittlelegsquickerandquicker，lookingattheground，withhisrighthandbehindhisback，whilewithhisleftmakinggesticulationsthatwereextraordinarilyincongruouswithhiswords。Raskolnikovsuddenlynoticedthatasheranabouttheroomheseemedtwicetostopforamomentnearthedoor，asthoughhewerelistening。
“Isheexpectinganything？”
“Youarecertainlyquiterightaboutit，”Porfirybegangaily，lookingwithextraordinarysimplicityatRaskolnikov(whichstartledhimandinstantlyputhimonhisguard)；“certainlyquiterightinlaughingsowittilyatourlegalforms，he-he！Someoftheseelaboratepsychologicalmethodsareexceedinglyridiculousandperhapsuseless，ifoneadherestoocloselytotheforms。Yes…Iamtalkingofformsagain。Well，ifIrecognise，ormorestrictlyspeaking，ifIsuspectsomeoneorothertobeacriminalinanycaseentrustedtome…you’rereadingforthelaw，ofcourse，RodionRomanovitch？”
“Yes，Iwas…”
“Well，thenitisaprecedentforyouforthefuture—thoughdon’tsupposeIshouldventuretoinstructyouafterthearticlesyoupublishaboutcrime！No，Isimplymakeboldtostateitbywayoffact，ifItookthismanorthatforacriminal，why，Iask，shouldIworryhimprematurely，eventhoughIhadevidenceagainsthim？InonecaseImaybebound，forinstance，toarrestamanatonce，butanothermaybeinquiteadifferentposition，youknow，sowhyshouldn’tIlethimwalkaboutthetownabit？he-he-he！ButIseeyoudon’tquiteunderstand，soI’llgiveyouaclearerexample。IfIputhiminprisontoosoon，Imayverylikelygivehim，sotospeak，moralsupport，he-he！You’relaughing？”
Raskolnikovhadnoideaoflaughing。Hewassittingwithcompressedlips，hisfeverisheyesfixedonPorfiryPetrovitch’s。
“Yetthatisthecase，withsometypesespecially，formenaresodifferent。Yousay‘evidence’。Well，theremaybeevidence。Butevidence，youknow，cangenerallybetakentwoways。Iamanexamininglawyerandaweakman，Iconfessit。Ishouldliketomakeaproof，sotosay，mathematicallyclear。Ishouldliketomakeachainofevidencesuchastwicetwoarefour，itoughttobeadirect，irrefutableproof！AndifIshuthimuptoosoon—eventhoughImightbeconvincedhewastheman，Ishouldverylikelybedeprivingmyselfofthemeansofgettingfurtherevidenceagainsthim。Andhow？Bygivinghim，sotospeak，adefiniteposition，Ishallputhimoutofsuspenseandsethismindatrest，sothathewillretreatintohisshell。TheysaythatatSevastopol，soonafterAlma，thecleverpeoplewereinaterriblefrightthattheenemywouldattackopenlyandtakeSevastopolatonce。Butwhentheysawthattheenemypreferredaregularsiege，theyweredelighted，Iamtoldandreassured，forthethingwoulddragonfortwomonthsatleast。You’relaughing，youdon’tbelievemeagain？Ofcourse，you’reright，too。You’reright，you’reright。Thesearespecialcases，Iadmit。Butyoumustobservethis，mydearRodionRomanovitch，thegeneralcase，thecaseforwhichalllegalformsandrulesareintended，forwhichtheyarecalculatedandlaiddowninbooks，doesnotexistatall，forthereasonthateverycase，everycrime，forinstance，sosoonasitactuallyoccurs，atoncebecomesathoroughlyspecialcaseandsometimesacaseunlikeanythat’sgonebefore。Verycomiccasesofthatsortsometimesoccur。IfIleaveonemanquitealone，ifIdon’ttouchhimanddon’tworryhim，butlethimknoworatleastsuspecteverymomentthatIknowallaboutitandamwatchinghimdayandnight，andifheisincontinualsuspicionandterror，he’llbeboundtolosehishead。He’llcomeofhimself，ormaybedosomethingwhichwillmakeitasplainastwicetwoarefour—it’sdelightful。Itmaybesowithasimplepeasant，butwithoneofoursort，anintelligentmancultivatedonacertainside，it’sadeadcertainty。For，mydearfellow，it’saveryimportantmattertoknowonwhatsideamaniscultivated。Andthentherearenerves，therearenerves，youhaveoverlookedthem！Why，theyareallsick，nervousandirritable！…Andthenhowtheyallsufferfromspleen！ThatIassureyouisaregulargold-mineforus。Andit’snoanxietytome，hisrunningaboutthetownfree！Lethim，lethimwalkaboutforabit！IknowwellenoughthatI’vecaughthimandthathewon’tescapeme。Wherecouldheescapeto，he-he？Abroad，perhaps？APolewillescapeabroad，butnothere，especiallyasIamwatchingandhavetakenmeasures。Willheescapeintothedepthsofthecountryperhaps？Butyouknow，peasantslivethere，realrudeRussianpeasants。Amoderncultivatedmanwouldpreferprisontolivingwithsuchstrangersasourpeasants。He-he！Butthat’sallnonsense，andonthesurface。It’snotmerelythathehasnowheretorunto，heispsychologicallyunabletoescapeme，he-he！Whatanexpression！Throughalawofnaturehecan’tescapemeifhehadanywheretogo。Haveyouseenabutterflyroundacandle？That’showhewillkeepcirclingandcirclingroundme。Freedomwillloseitsattractions。He’llbegintobrood，he’llweaveatangleroundhimself，he’llworryhimselftodeath！What’smorehewillprovidemewithamathematicalproof—ifIonlygivehimlongenoughinterval。…Andhe’llkeepcirclingroundme，gettingnearerandnearerandthen—flop！He’llflystraightintomymouthandI’llswallowhim，andthatwillbeveryamusing，he-he-he！Youdon’tbelieveme？”
Raskolnikovmadenoreply；hesatpaleandmotionless，stillgazingwiththesameintensityintoPorfiry’sface。
“It’salesson，”hethought，turningcold。“Thisisbeyondthecatplayingwithamouse，likeyesterday。Hecan’tbeshowingoffhispowerwithnomotive…promptingme；heisfartoocleverforthat…hemusthaveanotherobject。Whatisit？It’sallnonsense，myfriend，youarepretending，toscareme！You’venoproofsandthemanIsawhadnorealexistence。Yousimplywanttomakemelosemyhead，toworkmeupbeforehandandsotocrushme。Butyouarewrong，youwon’tdoit！Butwhygivemesuchahint？Ishereckoningonmyshatterednerves？No，myfriend，youarewrong，youwon’tdoiteventhoughyouhavesometrapforme…letusseewhatyouhaveinstoreforme。”
Andhebracedhimselftofaceaterribleandunknownordeal。AttimeshelongedtofallonPorfiryandstranglehim。Thisangerwaswhathedreadedfromthebeginning。Hefeltthathisparchedlipswerefleckedwithfoam，hisheartwasthrobbing。Buthewasstilldeterminednottospeaktilltherightmoment。Herealisedthatthiswasthebestpolicyinhisposition，becauseinsteadofsayingtoomuchhewouldbeirritatinghisenemybyhissilenceandprovokinghimintospeakingtoofreely。Anyhow，thiswaswhathehopedfor。
“No，Iseeyoudon’tbelieveme，youthinkIamplayingaharmlessjokeonyou，”Porfirybeganagain，gettingmoreandmorelively，chucklingateveryinstantandagainpacingroundtheroom。“Andtobesureyou’reright:Godhasgivenmeafigurethatcanawakennonebutcomicideasinotherpeople；abuffoon；butletmetellyou，andIrepeatit，excuseanoldman，mydearRodionRomanovitch，youareamanstillyoung，sotosay，inyourfirstyouthandsoyouputintellectaboveeverything，likeallyoungpeople。Playfulwitandabstractargumentsfascinateyouandthat’sforalltheworldliketheoldAustrianHof-kriegsrath，asfarasIcanjudgeofmilitarymatters，thatis:onpaperthey’dbeatenNapoleonandtakenhimprisoner，andthereintheirstudytheyworkeditalloutinthecleverestfashion，butlookyou，GeneralMacksurrenderedwithallhisarmy，he-he-he！Isee，Isee，RodionRomanovitch，youarelaughingatacivilianlikeme，takingexamplesoutofmilitaryhistory！ButIcan’thelpit，it’smyweakness。Iamfondofmilitaryscience。AndI’meversofondofreadingallmilitaryhistories。I’vecertainlymissedmypropercareer。Ioughttohavebeeninthearmy，uponmywordIought。Ishouldn’thavebeenaNapoleon，butImighthavebeenamajor，he-he！Well，I’lltellyouthewholetruth，mydearfellow，aboutthisspecialcase，Imean:actualfactandaman’stemperament，mydearsir，areweightymattersandit’sastonishinghowtheysometimesdeceivethesharpestcalculation！I—listentoanoldman—amspeakingseriously，RodionRomanovitch”(ashesaidthisPorfiryPetrovitch，whowasscarcelyfive-and-thirty，actuallyseemedtohavegrownold；evenhisvoicechangedandheseemedtoshrinktogether)“Moreover，I’macandidman…amIacandidmanornot？Whatdoyousay？IfancyIreallyam:Itellyouthesethingsfornothinganddon’tevenexpectarewardforit，he-he！Well，toproceed，witinmyopinionisasplendidthing，itis，sotosay，anadornmentofnatureandaconsolationoflife，andwhattricksitcanplay！Sothatitsometimesishardforapoorexamininglawyertoknowwhereheis，especiallywhenhe’sliabletobecarriedawaybyhisownfancy，too，foryouknowheisamanafterall！Butthepoorfellowissavedbythecriminal’stemperament，worseluckforhim！Butyoungpeoplecarriedawaybytheirownwitdon’tthinkofthat‘whentheyoverstepallobstacles，’asyouwittilyandcleverlyexpressedityesterday。Hewilllie—thatis，themanwhoisaspecialcase，theincognito，andhewillliewell，inthecleverestfashion；youmightthinkhewouldtriumphandenjoythefruitsofhiswit，butatthemostinteresting，themostflagrantmomenthewillfaint。Ofcoursetheremaybeillnessandastuffyroomaswell，butanyway！Anywayhe’sgivenustheidea！Heliedincomparably，buthedidn’treckononhistemperament。That’swhatbetrayshim！Anothertimehewillbecarriedawaybyhisplayfulwitintomakingfunofthemanwhosuspectshim，hewillturnpaleasitwereonpurposetomislead，buthispalenesswillbetoonatural，toomuchliketherealthing，againhehasgivenusanidea！Thoughhisquestionermaybedeceivedatfirst，hewillthinkdifferentlynextdayifheisnotafool，and，ofcourse，itislikethatateverystep！Heputshimselfforwardwhereheisnotwanted，speakscontinuallywhenheoughttokeepsilent，bringsinallsortsofallegoricalallusions，he-he！Comesandaskswhydidn’tyoutakemelongago？he-he-he！Andthatcanhappen，youknow，withthecleverestman，thepsychologist，theliteraryman。Thetemperamentreflectseverythinglikeamirror！Gazeintoitandadmirewhatyousee！Butwhyareyousopale，RodionRomanovitch？Istheroomstuffy？ShallIopenthewindow？”
“Oh，don’ttrouble，please，”criedRaskolnikovandhesuddenlybrokeintoalaugh。“Pleasedon’ttrouble。”
Porfirystoodfacinghim，pausedamomentandsuddenlyhetoolaughed。Raskolnikovgotupfromthesofa，abruptlycheckinghishystericallaughter。
“PorfiryPetrovitch，”hebegan，speakingloudlyanddistinctly，thoughhislegstrembledandhecouldscarcelystand。“IseeclearlyatlastthatyouactuallysuspectmeofmurderingthatoldwomanandhersisterLizaveta。LetmetellyouformypartthatIamsickofthis。Ifyoufindthatyouhavearighttoprosecutemelegally，toarrestme，thenprosecuteme，arrestme。ButIwillnotletmyselfbejeeredattomyfaceandworried…”
Hislipstrembled，hiseyesglowedwithfuryandhecouldnotrestrainhisvoice。
“Iwon’tallowit！”heshouted，bringinghisfistdownonthetable。“Doyouhearthat，PorfiryPetrovitch？Iwon’tallowit。”
“Goodheavens！Whatdoesitmean？”criedPorfiryPetrovitch，apparentlyquitefrightened。“RodionRomanovitch，mydearfellow，whatisthematterwithyou？”
“Iwon’tallowit，”Raskolnikovshoutedagain。
“Hush，mydearman！They’llhearandcomein。Justthink，whatcouldwesaytothem？”PorfiryPetrovitchwhisperedinhorror，bringinghisfaceclosetoRaskolnikov’s。
“Iwon’tallowit，Iwon’tallowit，”Raskolnikovrepeatedmechanically，buthetoospokeinasuddenwhisper。
Porfiryturnedquicklyandrantoopenthewindow。
“Somefreshair！Andyoumusthavesomewater，mydearfellow。You’reill！”andhewasrunningtothedoortocallforsomewhenhefoundadecanterofwaterinthecorner。“Come，drinkalittle，”hewhispered，rushinguptohimwiththedecanter。“Itwillbesuretodoyougood。”
PorfiryPetrovitch’salarmandsympathyweresonaturalthatRaskolnikovwassilentandbeganlookingathimwithwildcuriosity。Hedidnottakethewater，however。
“RodionRomanovitch，mydearfellow，you’lldriveyourselfoutofyourmind，Iassureyou，ach，ach！Havesomewater，dodrinkalittle。”
Heforcedhimtotaketheglass。Raskolnikovraiseditmechanicallytohislips，butsetitonthetableagainwithdisgust。
“Yes，you’vehadalittleattack！You’llbringbackyourillnessagain，mydearfellow，”PorfiryPetrovitchcackledwithfriendlysympathy，thoughhestilllookedratherdisconcerted。“Goodheavens，youmusttakemorecareofyourself！DmitriProkofitchwashere，cametoseemeyesterday—Iknow，Iknow，I’veanasty，ironicaltemper，butwhattheymadeofit！…Goodheavens，hecameyesterdayafteryou’dbeen。Wedinedandhetalkedandtalkedaway，andIcouldonlythrowupmyhandsindespair！Didhecomefromyou？Butdositdown，formercy’ssake，sitdown！”
“No，notfromme，butIknewhewenttoyouandwhyhewent，”Raskolnikovansweredsharply。
“Youknew？”
“Iknew。Whatofit？”
“Whythis，RodionRomanovitch，thatIknowmorethanthataboutyou；Iknowabouteverything。Iknowhowyouwenttotakeaflatatnightwhenitwasdarkandhowyourangthebellandaskedabouttheblood，sothattheworkmenandtheporterdidnotknowwhattomakeofit。Yes，Iunderstandyourstateofmindatthattime…butyou’lldriveyourselfmadlikethat，uponmyword！You’llloseyourhead！You’refullofgenerousindignationatthewrongsyou’vereceived，firstfromdestiny，andthenfromthepoliceofficers，andsoyourushfromonethingtoanothertoforcethemtospeakoutandmakeanendofitall，becauseyouaresickofallthissuspicionandfoolishness。That’sso，isn’tit？Ihaveguessedhowyoufeel，haven’tI？Onlyinthatwayyou’llloseyourheadandRazumihin’s，too；he’stoogoodamanforsuchaposition，youmustknowthat。Youareillandheisgoodandyourillnessisinfectiousforhim…I’lltellyouaboutitwhenyouaremoreyourself。…Butdositdown，forgoodness’sake。Pleaserest，youlookshocking，dositdown。”
Raskolnikovsatdown；henolongershivered，hewashotallover。InamazementhelistenedwithstrainedattentiontoPorfiryPetrovitchwhostillseemedfrightenedashelookedafterhimwithfriendlysolicitude。Buthedidnotbelieveawordhesaid，thoughhefeltastrangeinclinationtobelieve。Porfiry’sunexpectedwordsabouttheflathadutterlyoverwhelmedhim。“Howcanitbe，heknowsabouttheflatthen，”hethoughtsuddenly，“andhetellsitmehimself！”
“Yes，inourlegalpracticetherewasacasealmostexactlysimilar，acaseofmorbidpsychology，”Porfirywentonquickly。“Amanconfessedtomurderandhowhekeptitup！Itwasaregularhallucination；hebroughtforwardfacts，heimposeduponeveryoneandwhy？Hehadbeenpartly，butonlypartly，unintentionallythecauseofamurderandwhenheknewthathehadgiventhemurdererstheopportunity，hesankintodejection，itgotonhismindandturnedhisbrain，hebeganimaginingthingsandhepersuadedhimselfthathewasthemurderer。ButatlasttheHighCourtofAppealwentintoitandthepoorfellowwasacquittedandputunderpropercare。ThankstotheCourtofAppeal！Tut-tut-tut！Why，mydearfellow，youmaydriveyourselfintodeliriumifyouhavetheimpulsetoworkuponyournerves，togoringingbellsatnightandaskingaboutblood！I’vestudiedallthismorbidpsychologyinmypractice。Amanissometimestemptedtojumpoutofawindoworfromabelfry。Justthesamewithbell-ringing。…It’sallillness，RodionRomanovitch！Youhavebeguntoneglectyourillness。Youshouldconsultanexperienceddoctor，what’sthegoodofthatfatfellow？Youarelightheaded！Youweredeliriouswhenyoudidallthis！”
ForamomentRaskolnikovfelteverythinggoinground。
“Isitpossible，isitpossible，”flashedthroughhismind，“thatheisstilllying？Hecan’tbe，hecan’tbe。”Herejectedthatidea，feelingtowhatadegreeoffuryitmightdrivehim，feelingthatthatfurymightdrivehimmad。
“Iwasnotdelirious。IknewwhatIwasdoing，”hecried，strainingeveryfacultytopenetratePorfiry’sgame，“Iwasquitemyself，doyouhear？”
“Yes，Ihearandunderstand。Yousaidyesterdayyouwerenotdelirious，youwereparticularlyemphaticaboutit！Iunderstandallyoucantellme！A-ach！…Listen，RodionRomanovitch，mydearfellow。Ifyouwereactuallyacriminal，orweresomehowmixedupinthisdamnablebusiness，wouldyouinsistthatyouwerenotdeliriousbutinfullpossessionofyourfaculties？Andsoemphaticallyandpersistently？Woulditbepossible？Quiteimpossible，tomythinking。Ifyouhadanythingonyourconscience，youcertainlyoughttoinsistthatyouweredelirious。That’sso，isn’tit？”
Therewasanoteofslynessinthisinquiry。RaskolnikovdrewbackonthesofaasPorfirybentoverhimandstaredinsilentperplexityathim。
“AnotherthingaboutRazumihin—youcertainlyoughttohavesaidthathecameofhisownaccord，tohaveconcealedyourpartinit！Butyoudon’tconcealit！Youlaystressonhiscomingatyourinstigation。”
Raskolnikovhadnotdoneso。Achillwentdownhisback。
“Youkeeptellinglies，”hesaidslowlyandweakly，twistinghislipsintoasicklysmile，“youaretryingagaintoshowthatyouknowallmygame，thatyouknowallIshallsaybeforehand，”hesaid，conscioushimselfthathewasnotweighinghiswordsasheought。“Youwanttofrightenme…oryouaresimplylaughingatme…”
Hestillstaredathimashesaidthisandagaintherewasalightofintensehatredinhiseyes。
“Youkeeplying，”hesaid。“Youknowperfectlywellthatthebestpolicyforthecriminalistotellthetruthasnearlyaspossible…toconcealaslittleaspossible。Idon’tbelieveyou！”
“Whatawilypersonyouare！”Porfirytittered，“there’snocatchingyou；you’veaperfectmonomania。Soyoudon’tbelieveme？Butstillyoudobelieveme，youbelieveaquarter；I’llsoonmakeyoubelievethewhole，becauseIhaveasincerelikingforyouandgenuinelywishyougood。”
Raskolnikov’slipstrembled。
“Yes，Ido，”wentonPorfiry，touchingRaskolnikov’sarmgenially，“youmusttakecareofyourillness。Besides，yourmotherandsisterareherenow；youmustthinkofthem。Youmustsootheandcomfortthemandyoudonothingbutfrightenthem…”
“Whathasthattodowithyou？Howdoyouknowit？Whatconcernisitofyours？Youarekeepingwatchonmeandwanttoletmeknowit？”
“Goodheavens！Why，Ilearntitallfromyouyourself！Youdon’tnoticethatinyourexcitementyoutellmeandotherseverything。FromRazumihin，too，Ilearntanumberofinterestingdetailsyesterday。No，youinterruptedme，butImusttellyouthat，forallyourwit，yoursuspiciousnessmakesyoulosethecommon-senseviewofthings。Toreturntobell-ringing，forinstance。I，anexamininglawyer，havebetrayedapreciousthinglikethat，arealfact(foritisafactworthhaving)，andyouseenothinginit！Why，ifIhadtheslightestsuspicionofyou，shouldIhaveactedlikethat？No，IshouldfirsthavedisarmedyoursuspicionsandnotletyouseeIknewofthatfact，shouldhavedivertedyourattentionandsuddenlyhavedealtyouaknock-downblow(yourexpression)saying:‘Andwhatwereyoudoing，sir，pray，attenornearlyelevenatthemurderedwoman’sflatandwhydidyouringthebellandwhydidyouaskaboutblood？Andwhydidyouinvitetheporterstogowithyoutothepolicestation，tothelieutenant？’That’showIoughttohaveactedifIhadagrainofsuspicionofyou。Ioughttohavetakenyourevidenceindueform，searchedyourlodgingandperhapshavearrestedyou，too…soIhavenosuspicionofyou，sinceIhavenotdonethat！Butyoucan’tlookatitnormallyandyouseenothing，Isayagain。”
RaskolnikovstartedsothatPorfiryPetrovitchcouldnotfailtoperceiveit。
“Youarelyingallthewhile，”hecried，“Idon’tknowyourobject，butyouarelying。YoudidnotspeaklikethatjustnowandIcannotbemistaken！”
“Iamlying？”Porfiryrepeated，apparentlyincensed，butpreservingagood-humouredandironicalface，asthoughhewerenotintheleastconcernedatRaskolnikov’sopinionofhim。“Iamlying…buthowdidItreatyoujustnow，I，theexamininglawyer？Promptingyouandgivingyoueverymeansforyourdefence；illness，Isaid，delirium，injury，melancholyandthepoliceofficersandalltherestofit？Ah！He-he-he！Though，indeed，allthosepsychologicalmeansofdefencearenotveryreliableandcutbothways:illness，delirium，Idon’tremember—that’sallright，butwhy，mygoodsir，inyourillnessandinyourdeliriumwereyouhauntedbyjustthosedelusionsandnotbyanyothers？Theremayhavebeenothers，eh？He-he-he！”
Raskolnikovlookedhaughtilyandcontemptuouslyathim。
“Briefly，”hesaidloudlyandimperiously，risingtohisfeetandinsodoingpushingPorfirybackalittle，“briefly，Iwanttoknow，doyouacknowledgemeperfectlyfreefromsuspicionornot？Tellme，PorfiryPetrovitch，tellmeonceforallandmakehaste！”
“WhatabusinessI’mhavingwithyou！”criedPorfirywithaperfectlygood-humoured，slyandcomposedface。“Andwhydoyouwanttoknow，whydoyouwanttoknowsomuch，sincetheyhaven’tbeguntoworryyou？Why，youarelikeachildaskingformatches！Andwhyareyousouneasy？Whydoyouforceyourselfuponus，eh？He-he-he！”
“Irepeat，”Raskolnikovcriedfuriously，“thatIcan’tputupwithit！”
“Withwhat？Uncertainty？”interruptedPorfiry。
“Don’tjeeratme！Iwon’thaveit！ItellyouIwon’thaveit。Ican’tandIwon’t，doyouhear，doyouhear？”heshouted，bringinghisfistdownonthetableagain。
“Hush！Hush！They’lloverhear！Iwarnyouseriously，takecareofyourself。Iamnotjoking，”Porfirywhispered，butthistimetherewasnotthelookofoldwomanishgoodnatureandalarminhisface。Nowhewasperemptory，stern，frowningandforoncelayingasideallmystification。
Butthiswasonlyforaninstant。Raskolnikov，bewildered，suddenlyfellintoactualfrenzy，but，strangetosay，heagainobeyedthecommandtospeakquietly，thoughhewasinaperfectparoxysmoffury。
“Iwillnotallowmyselftobetortured，”hewhispered，instantlyrecognisingwithhatredthathecouldnothelpobeyingthecommandanddriventoevengreaterfurybythethought。“Arrestme，searchme，butkindlyactindueformanddon’tplaywithme！Don’tdare！”
“Don’tworryabouttheform，”Porfiryinterruptedwiththesameslysmile，asitwere，gloatingwithenjoymentoverRaskolnikov。“Iinvitedyoutoseemequiteinafriendlyway。”
“Idon’twantyourfriendshipandIspitonit！Doyouhear？And，here，Itakemycapandgo。Whatwillyousaynowifyoumeantoarrestme？”
Hetookuphiscapandwenttothedoor。
“Andwon’tyouseemylittlesurprise？”chuckledPorfiry，againtakinghimbythearmandstoppinghimatthedoor。
Heseemedtobecomemoreplayfulandgood-humouredwhichmaddenedRaskolnikov。
“Whatsurprise？”heasked，standingstillandlookingatPorfiryinalarm。
“Mylittlesurprise，it’ssittingtherebehindthedoor，he-he-he！”(Hepointedtothelockeddoor。)“Ilockedhiminthatheshouldnotescape。”
“Whatisit？Where？What？…”
Raskolnikovwalkedtothedoorandwouldhaveopenedit，butitwaslocked。
“It’slocked，hereisthekey！”
Andhebroughtakeyoutofhispocket。
“Youarelying，”roaredRaskolnikovwithoutrestraint，“youlie，youdamnedpunchinello！”andherushedatPorfirywhoretreatedtotheotherdoor，notatallalarmed。
“Iunderstanditall！YouarelyingandmockingsothatImaybetraymyselftoyou…”
“Why，youcouldnotbetrayyourselfanyfurther，mydearRodionRomanovitch。Youareinapassion。Don’tshout，Ishallcalltheclerks。”
“Youarelying！Calltheclerks！YouknewIwasillandtriedtoworkmeintoafrenzytomakemebetraymyself，thatwasyourobject！Produceyourfacts！Iunderstanditall。You’venoevidence，youhaveonlywretchedrubbishlysuspicionslikeZametov’s！Youknewmycharacter，youwantedtodrivemetofuryandthentoknockmedownwithpriestsanddeputies。…Areyouwaitingforthem？eh！Whatareyouwaitingfor？Wherearethey？Producethem？”
“Whydeputies，mygoodman？Whatthingspeoplewillimagine！Andtodosowouldnotbeactinginformasyousay，youdon’tknowthebusiness，mydearfellow。…Andthere’snoescapingform，asyousee，”Porfirymuttered，listeningatthedoorthroughwhichanoisecouldbeheard。
“Ah，they’recoming，”criedRaskolnikov。“You’vesentforthem！Youexpectedthem！Well，producethemall:yourdeputies，yourwitnesses，whatyoulike！…Iamready！”
Butatthismomentastrangeincidentoccurred，somethingsounexpectedthatneitherRaskolnikovnorPorfiryPetrovitchcouldhavelookedforsuchaconclusiontotheirinterview。
