HehurriedtoSvidrigailov’s。Whathehadtohopefromthatmanhedidnotknow。Butthatmanhadsomehiddenpoweroverhim。Havingoncerecognisedthis，hecouldnotrest，andnowthetimehadcome。
Ontheway，onequestionparticularlyworriedhim:hadSvidrigailovbeentoPorfiry’s？
Asfarashecouldjudge，hewouldsweartoit，thathehadnot。Heponderedagainandagain，wentoverPorfiry’svisit；no，hehadn’tbeen，ofcoursehehadn’t。
Butifhehadnotbeenyet，wouldhego？Meanwhile，forthepresenthefanciedhecouldn’t。Why？Hecouldnothaveexplained，butifhecould，hewouldnothavewastedmuchthoughtoveritatthemoment。Itallworriedhimandatthesametimehecouldnotattendtoit。Strangetosay，nonewouldhavebelieveditperhaps，butheonlyfeltafaintvagueanxietyabouthisimmediatefuture。Another，muchmoreimportantanxietytormentedhim—itconcernedhimself，butinadifferent，morevitalway。Moreover，hewasconsciousofimmensemoralfatigue，thoughhismindwasworkingbetterthatmorningthanithaddoneoflate。
Andwasitworthwhile，afterallthathadhappened，tocontendwiththesenewtrivialdifficulties？Wasitworthwhile，forinstance，tomanoeuvrethatSvidrigailovshouldnotgotoPorfiry’s？Wasitworthwhiletoinvestigate，toascertainthefacts，towastetimeoveranyonelikeSvidrigailov？
Oh，howsickhewasofitall！
AndyethewashasteningtoSvidrigailov；couldhebeexpectingsomethingnewfromhim，information，ormeansofescape？Menwillcatchatstraws！Wasitdestinyorsomeinstinctbringingthemtogether？Perhapsitwasonlyfatigue，despair；perhapsitwasnotSvidrigailovbutsomeotherwhomheneeded，andSvidrigailovhadsimplypresentedhimselfbychance。Sonia？ButwhatshouldhegotoSoniafornow？Tobeghertearsagain？HewasafraidofSonia，too。Soniastoodbeforehimasanirrevocablesentence。Hemustgohisownwayorhers。Atthatmomentespeciallyhedidnotfeelequaltoseeingher。No，woulditnotbebettertotrySvidrigailov？Andhecouldnothelpinwardlyowningthathehadlongfeltthathemustseehimforsomereason。
Butwhatcouldtheyhaveincommon？Theirveryevil-doingcouldnotbeofthesamekind。Theman，moreover，wasveryunpleasant，evidentlydepraved，undoubtedlycunninganddeceitful，possiblymalignant。Suchstoriesweretoldabouthim。ItistruehewasbefriendingKaterinaIvanovna’schildren，butwhocouldtellwithwhatmotiveandwhatitmeant？Themanalwayshadsomedesign，someproject。
TherewasanotherthoughtwhichhadbeencontinuallyhoveringoflateaboutRaskolnikov’smind，andcausinghimgreatuneasiness。Itwassopainfulthathemadedistincteffortstogetridofit。HesometimesthoughtthatSvidrigailovwasdogginghisfootsteps。SvidrigailovhadfoundouthissecretandhadhaddesignsonDounia。Whatifhehadthemstill？Wasn’titpracticallycertainthathehad？Andwhatif，havinglearnthissecretandsohavinggainedpoweroverhim，heweretouseitasaweaponagainstDounia？
Thisideasometimeseventormentedhisdreams，butithadneverpresenteditselfsovividlytohimasonhiswaytoSvidrigailov。Theverythoughtmovedhimtogloomyrage。Tobeginwith，thiswouldtransformeverything，evenhisownposition；hewouldhaveatoncetoconfesshissecrettoDounia。WouldhehavetogivehimselfupperhapstopreventDouniafromtakingsomerashstep？Theletter？ThismorningDouniahadreceivedaletter。FromwhomcouldshegetlettersinPetersburg？Luzhin，perhaps？It’strueRazumihinwastheretoprotecther，butRazumihinknewnothingoftheposition。PerhapsitwashisdutytotellRazumihin？Hethoughtofitwithrepugnance。
InanycasehemustseeSvidrigailovassoonaspossible，hedecidedfinally。ThankGod，thedetailsoftheinterviewwereoflittleconsequence，ifonlyhecouldgetattherootofthematter；butifSvidrigailovwerecapable…ifhewereintriguingagainstDounia—then…
Raskolnikovwassoexhaustedbywhathehadpassedthroughthatmonththathecouldonlydecidesuchquestionsinoneway；“thenIshallkillhim，”hethoughtincolddespair。
Asuddenanguishoppressedhisheart，hestoodstillinthemiddleofthestreetandbeganlookingabouttoseewherehewasandwhichwayhewasgoing。HefoundhimselfinX。Prospect，thirtyorfortypacesfromtheHayMarket，throughwhichhehadcome。Thewholesecondstoreyofthehouseontheleftwasusedasatavern。Allthewindowswerewideopen；judgingfromthefiguresmovingatthewindows，theroomswerefulltooverflowing。Thereweresoundsofsinging，ofclarionetandviolin，andtheboomofaTurkishdrum。Hecouldhearwomenshrieking。HewasabouttoturnbackwonderingwhyhehadcometotheX。Prospect，whensuddenlyatoneoftheendwindowshesawSvidrigailov，sittingatatea-tablerightintheopenwindowwithapipeinhismouth。Raskolnikovwasdreadfullytakenaback，almostterrified。Svidrigailovwassilentlywatchingandscrutinisinghimand，whatstruckRaskolnikovatonce，seemedtobemeaningtogetupandslipawayunobserved。Raskolnikovatoncepretendednottohaveseenhim，buttobelookingabsent-mindedlyaway，whilehewatchedhimoutofthecornerofhiseye。Hisheartwasbeatingviolently。Yet，itwasevidentthatSvidrigailovdidnotwanttobeseen。Hetookthepipeoutofhismouthandwasonthepointofconcealinghimself，butashegotupandmovedbackhischair，heseemedtohavebecomesuddenlyawarethatRaskolnikovhadseenhim，andwaswatchinghim。WhathadpassedbetweenthemwasmuchthesameaswhathappenedattheirfirstmeetinginRaskolnikov’sroom。AslysmilecameintoSvidrigailov’sfaceandgrewbroaderandbroader。Eachknewthathewasseenandwatchedbytheother。AtlastSvidrigailovbrokeintoaloudlaugh。
“Well，well，comeinifyouwantme；Iamhere！”heshoutedfromthewindow。
Raskolnikovwentupintothetavern。HefoundSvidrigailovinatinybackroom，adjoiningthesalooninwhichmerchants，clerksandnumbersofpeopleofallsortsweredrinkingteaattwentylittletablestothedesperatebawlingofachorusofsingers。Theclickofbilliardballscouldbeheardinthedistance。OnthetablebeforeSvidrigailovstoodanopenbottleandaglasshalffullofchampagne。Intheroomhefoundalsoaboywithalittlehandorgan，ahealthy-lookingred-cheekedgirlofeighteen，wearingatucked-upstripedskirt，andaTyrolesehatwithribbons。Inspiteofthechorusintheotherroom，shewassingingsomeservants’hallsonginaratherhuskycontralto，totheaccompanimentoftheorgan。
“Come，that’senough，”SvidrigailovstoppedheratRaskolnikov’sentrance。Thegirlatoncebrokeoffandstoodwaitingrespectfully。Shehadsunghergutturalrhymes，too，withaseriousandrespectfulexpressioninherface。
“Hey，Philip，aglass！”shoutedSvidrigailov。
“Iwon’tdrinkanything，”saidRaskolnikov。
“Asyoulike，Ididn’tmeanitforyou。Drink，Katia！Idon’twantanythingmoreto-day，youcango。”Hepouredheroutafullglass，andlaiddownayellownote。
Katiadrankoffherglassofwine，aswomendo，withoutputtingitdown，intwentygulps，tookthenoteandkissedSvidrigailov’shand，whichheallowedquiteseriously。Shewentoutoftheroomandtheboytrailedafterherwiththeorgan。Bothhadbeenbroughtinfromthestreet。SvidrigailovhadnotbeenaweekinPetersburg，buteverythingabouthimwasalready，sotospeak，onapatriarchalfooting；thewaiter，Philip，wasbynowanoldfriendandveryobsequious。
Thedoorleadingtothesaloonhadalockonit。Svidrigailovwasathomeinthisroomandperhapsspentwholedaysinit。Thetavernwasdirtyandwretched，notevensecond-rate。
“Iwasgoingtoseeyouandlookingforyou，”Raskolnikovbegan，“butIdon’tknowwhatmademeturnfromtheHayMarketintotheX。Prospectjustnow。Inevertakethisturning。IturntotherightfromtheHayMarket。Andthisisn’tthewaytoyou。Isimplyturnedandhereyouare。Itisstrange！”
“Whydon’tyousayatonce‘it’samiracle’？”
“Becauseitmaybeonlychance。”
“Oh，that’sthewaywithallyoufolk，”laughedSvidrigailov。“Youwon’tadmitit，evenifyoudoinwardlybelieveitamiracle！Hereyousaythatitmaybeonlychance。Andwhatcowardstheyallarehere，abouthavinganopinionoftheirown，youcan’tfancy，RodionRomanovitch。Idon’tmeanyou，youhaveanopinionofyourownandarenotafraidtohaveit。That’showitwasyouattractedmycuriosity。”
“Nothingelse？”
“Well，that’senough，youknow，”Svidrigailovwasobviouslyexhilarated，butonlyslightlyso，hehadnothadmorethanhalfaglassofwine。
“IfancyyoucametoseemebeforeyouknewthatIwascapableofhavingwhatyoucallanopinionofmyown，”observedRaskolnikov。
“Oh，well，itwasadifferentmatter。everyonehashisownplans。AndaproposofthemiracleletmetellyouthatIthinkyouhavebeenasleepforthelasttwoorthreedays。Itoldyouofthistavernmyself，thereisnomiracleinyourcomingstraighthere。Iexplainedthewaymyself，toldyouwhereitwas，andthehoursyoucouldfindmehere。Doyouremember？”
“Idon’tremember，”answeredRaskolnikovwithsurprise。
“Ibelieveyou。Itoldyoutwice。Theaddresshasbeenstampedmechanicallyonyourmemory。Youturnedthiswaymechanicallyandyetpreciselyaccordingtothedirection，thoughyouarenotawareofit。WhenItoldyouthen，Ihardlyhopedyouunderstoodme。Yougiveyourselfawaytoomuch，RodionRomanovitch。Andanotherthing，I’mconvincedtherearelotsofpeopleinPetersburgwhotalktothemselvesastheywalk。Thisisatownofcrazypeople。Ifonlywehadscientificmen，doctors，lawyersandphilosophersmightmakemostvaluableinvestigationsinPetersburgeachinhisownline。Therearefewplaceswheretherearesomanygloomy，strongandqueerinfluencesonthesoulofmanasinPetersburg。Themereinfluencesofclimatemeansomuch。Andit’stheadministrativecentreofallRussiaanditscharactermustbereflectedonthewholecountry。Butthatisneitherherenortherenow。ThepointisthatIhaveseveraltimeswatchedyou。Youwalkoutofyourhouse—holdingyourheadhigh—twentypacesfromhomeyouletitsink，andfoldyourhandsbehindyourback。Youlookandevidentlyseenothingbeforenorbesideyou。Atlastyoubeginmovingyourlipsandtalkingtoyourself，andsometimesyouwaveonehandanddeclaim，andatlaststandstillinthemiddleoftheroad。That’snotatallthething。Someonemaybewatchingyoubesidesme，anditwon’tdoyouanygood。It’snothingreallytodowithmeandIcan’tcureyou，but，ofcourse，youunderstandme。”
“DoyouknowthatIambeingfollowed？”askedRaskolnikov，lookinginquisitivelyathim。
“No，Iknownothingaboutit，”saidSvidrigailov，seemingsurprised。
“Well，then，letusleavemealone，”Raskolnikovmuttered，frowning。
“Verygood，letusleaveyoualone。”
“Youhadbettertellme，ifyoucomeheretodrink，anddirectedmetwicetocomeheretoyou，whydidyouhide，andtrytogetawayjustnowwhenIlookedatthewindowfromthestreet？Isawit。”
“He-he！Andwhywasityoulayonyoursofawithclosedeyesandpretendedtobeasleep，thoughyouwerewideawakewhileIstoodinyourdoorway？Isawit。”
“Imayhavehad…reasons。Youknowthatyourself。”
“AndImayhavehadmyreasons，thoughyoudon’tknowthem。”
Raskolnikovdroppedhisrightelbowonthetable，leanedhischininthefingersofhisrighthand，andstaredintentlyatSvidrigailov。Forafullminutehescrutinisedhisface，whichhadimpressedhimbefore。Itwasastrangeface，likeamask；whiteandred，withbrightredlips，withaflaxenbeard，andstillthickflaxenhair。Hiseyesweresomehowtooblueandtheirexpressionsomehowtooheavyandfixed。Therewassomethingawfullyunpleasantinthathandsomeface，whichlookedsowonderfullyyoungforhisage。Svidrigailovwassmartlydressedinlightsummerclothesandwasparticularlydaintyinhislinen。Heworeahugeringwithapreciousstoneinit。
“HaveIgottobothermyselfaboutyou，too，now？”saidRaskolnikovsuddenly，comingwithnervousimpatiencestraighttothepoint。“Eventhoughperhapsyouarethemostdangerousmanifyoucaretoinjureme，Idon’twanttoputmyselfoutanymore。IwillshowyouatoncethatIdon’tprizemyselfasyouprobablythinkIdo。I’vecometotellyouatoncethatifyoukeeptoyourformerintentionswithregardtomysisterandifyouthinktoderiveanybenefitinthatdirectionfromwhathasbeendiscoveredoflate，Iwillkillyoubeforeyougetmelockedup。Youcanreckononmyword。YouknowthatIcankeepit。Andinthesecondplaceifyouwanttotellmeanything—forIkeepfancyingallthistimethatyouhavesomethingtotellme—makehasteandtellit，fortimeispreciousandverylikelyitwillsoonbetoolate。”
“Whyinsuchhaste？”askedSvidrigailov，lookingathimcuriously。
“Everyonehashisplans，”Raskolnikovansweredgloomilyandimpatiently。
“Youurgedmeyourselftofranknessjustnow，andatthefirstquestionyourefusetoanswer，”Svidrigailovobservedwithasmile。“YoukeepfancyingthatIhaveaimsofmyownandsoyoulookatmewithsuspicion。Ofcourseit’sperfectlynaturalinyourposition。ButthoughIshouldliketobefriendswithyou，Ishan’ttroublemyselftoconvinceyouofthecontrary。Thegameisn’tworththecandleandIwasn’tintendingtotalktoyouaboutanythingspecial。”
“Whatdidyouwantme，for，then？Itwasyouwhocamehangingaboutme。”
“Why，simplyasaninterestingsubjectforobservation。Ilikedthefantasticnatureofyourposition—that’swhatitwas！Besidesyouarethebrotherofapersonwhogreatlyinterestedme，andfromthatpersonIhadinthepastheardaverygreatdealaboutyou，fromwhichIgatheredthatyouhadagreatinfluenceoverher；isn’tthatenough？Ha-ha-ha！StillImustadmitthatyourquestionisrathercomplex，andisdifficultformetoanswer。Here，you，forinstance，havecometomenotonlyforadefiniteobject，butforthesakeofhearingsomethingnew。Isn’tthatso？Isn’tthatso？”persistedSvidrigailovwithaslysmile。“Well，can’tyoufancythenthatI，too，onmywayhereinthetrainwasreckoningonyou，onyourtellingmesomethingnew，andonmymakingsomeprofitoutofyou！Youseewhatrichmenweare！”
“Whatprofitcouldyoumake？”
“HowcanItellyou？HowdoIknow？YouseeinwhatatavernIspendallmytimeandit’smyenjoyment，that’stosayit’snogreatenjoyment，butonemustsitsomewhere；thatpoorKatianow—yousawher？…IfonlyIhadbeenagluttonnow，aclubgourmand，butyouseeIcaneatthis。”
Hepointedtoalittletableinthecornerwheretheremnantsofaterrible-lookingbeef-steakandpotatoeslayonatindish。
“Haveyoudined，bytheway？I’vehadsomethingandwantnothingmore。Idon’tdrink，forinstance，atall。ExceptforchampagneInevertouchanything，andnotmorethanaglassofthatalltheevening，andeventhatisenoughtomakemyheadache。Iordereditjustnowtowindmyselfup，forIamjustgoingoffsomewhereandyouseemeinapeculiarstateofmind。ThatwaswhyIhidmyselfjustnowlikeaschoolboy，forIwasafraidyouwouldhinderme。ButIbelieve，”hepulledouthiswatch，“Icanspendanhourwithyou。It’shalf-pastfournow。IfonlyI’dbeensomething，alandowner，afather，acavalryofficer，aphotographer，ajournalist…Iamnothing，nospecialty，andsometimesIampositivelybored。Ireallythoughtyouwouldtellmesomethingnew。”
“Butwhatareyou，andwhyhaveyoucomehere？”
“WhatamI？Youknow，agentleman，Iservedfortwoyearsinthecavalry，thenIknockedabouthereinPetersburg，thenImarriedMarfaPetrovnaandlivedinthecountry。Thereyouhavemybiography！”
“Youareagambler，Ibelieve？”
“No，apoorsortofgambler。Acard-sharper—notagambler。”
“Youhavebeenacard-sharperthen？”
“Yes，I’vebeenacard-sharpertoo。”
“Didn’tyougetthrashedsometimes？”
“Itdidhappen。Why？”
“Why，youmighthavechallengedthem…altogetheritmusthavebeenlively。”
“Iwon’tcontradictyou，andbesidesIamnohandatphilosophy。IconfessthatIhastenedhereforthesakeofthewomen。”
“AssoonasyouburiedMarfaPetrovna？”
“Quiteso，”Svidrigailovsmiledwithengagingcandour。“Whatofit？Youseemtofindsomethingwronginmyspeakinglikethataboutwomen？”
“YouaskwhetherIfindanythingwronginvice？”
“Vice！Oh，that’swhatyouareafter！ButI’llansweryouinorder，firstaboutwomeningeneral；youknowIamfondoftalking。Tellme，whatshouldIrestrainmyselffor？WhyshouldIgiveupwomen，sinceIhaveapassionforthem？It’sanoccupation，anyway。”
“Soyouhopefornothingherebutvice？”
“Oh，verywell，forvicethen。Youinsistonitsbeingvice。ButanywayIlikeadirectquestion。Inthisviceatleastthereissomethingpermanent，foundedindeeduponnatureandnotdependentonfantasy，somethingpresentinthebloodlikeanever-burningember，foreversettingoneonfireand，maybe，nottobequicklyextinguished，evenwithyears。You’llagreeit’sanoccupationofasort。”
“That’snothingtorejoiceat，it’sadiseaseandadangerousone。”
“Oh，that’swhatyouthink，isit！Iagree，thatitisadiseaselikeeverythingthatexceedsmoderation。And，ofcourse，inthisonemustexceedmoderation。Butinthefirstplace，everybodydoessoinonewayoranother，andinthesecondplace，ofcourse，oneoughttobemoderateandprudent，howevermeanitmaybe，butwhatamItodo？IfIhadn’tthis，Imighthavetoshootmyself。Iamreadytoadmitthatadecentmanoughttoputupwithbeingbored，butyet…”
“Andcouldyoushootyourself？”
“Oh，come！”Svidrigailovparriedwithdisgust。“Pleasedon’tspeakofit，”headdedhurriedlyandwithnoneofthebraggingtonehehadshowninallthepreviousconversation。Hisfacequitechanged。“Iadmitit’sanunpardonableweakness，butIcan’thelpit。IamafraidofdeathandIdislikeitsbeingtalkedof。DoyouknowthatIamtoacertainextentamystic？”
“Ah，theapparitionsofMarfaPetrovna！Dotheystillgoonvisitingyou？”
“Oh，don’ttalkofthem；therehavebeennomoreinPetersburg，confoundthem！”hecriedwithanairofirritation。“Let’srathertalkofthat…though…H’m！Ihavenotmuchtime，andcan’tstaylongwithyou，it’sapity！Ishouldhavefoundplentytotellyou。”
“What’syourengagement，awoman？”
“Yes，awoman，acasualincident。…No，that’snotwhatIwanttotalkof。”
“Andthehideousness，thefilthinessofallyoursurroundings，doesn’tthataffectyou？Haveyoulostthestrengthtostopyourself？”
“Anddoyoupretendtostrength，too？He-he-he！Yousurprisedmejustnow，RodionRomanovitch，thoughIknewbeforehanditwouldbeso。Youpreachtomeaboutviceandaesthetics！You—aSchiller，you—anidealist！Ofcoursethat’sallasitshouldbeanditwouldbesurprisingifitwerenotso，yetitisstrangeinreality。…Ah，whatapityIhavenotime，foryou’reamostinterestingtype！And，by-the-way，areyoufondofSchiller？Iamawfullyfondofhim。”
“Butwhatabraggartyouare，”Raskolnikovsaidwithsomedisgust。
“Uponmyword，Iamnot，”answeredSvidrigailovlaughing。“However，Iwon’tdisputeit，letmebeabraggart，whynotbrag，ifithurtsnoone？IspentsevenyearsinthecountrywithMarfaPetrovna，sonowwhenIcomeacrossanintelligentpersonlikeyou—intelligentandhighlyinteresting—Iamsimplygladtotalkand，besides，I’vedrunkthathalf-glassofchampagneandit’sgonetomyheadalittle。Andbesides，there’sacertainfactthathaswoundmeuptremendously，butaboutthatI…willkeepquiet。Whereareyouoffto？”heaskedinalarm。
Raskolnikovhadbegungettingup。Hefeltoppressedandstifledand，asitwere，illateaseathavingcomehere。HefeltconvincedthatSvidrigailovwasthemostworthlessscoundrelonthefaceoftheearth。
“A-ach！Sitdown，stayalittle！”Svidrigailovbegged。“Letthembringyousometea，anyway。Stayalittle，Iwon’ttalknonsense，aboutmyself，Imean。I’lltellyousomething。IfyoulikeI’lltellyouhowawomantried‘tosave’me，asyouwouldcallit？Itwillbeananswertoyourfirstquestionindeed，forthewomanwasyoursister。MayItellyou？Itwillhelptospendthetime。”
“Tellme，butItrustthatyou…”
“Oh，don’tbeuneasy。Besides，eveninaworthlesslowfellowlikeme，AvdotyaRomanovnacanonlyexcitethedeepestrespect。”
“Youknowperhaps—yes，Itoldyoumyself，”beganSvidrigailov，“thatIwasinthedebtors’prisonhere，foranimmensesum，andhadnotanyexpectationofbeingabletopayit。There’snoneedtogointoparticularshowMarfaPetrovnaboughtmeout；doyouknowtowhatapointofinsanityawomancansometimeslove？Shewasanhonestwoman，andverysensible，althoughcompletelyuneducated。Wouldyoubelievethatthishonestandjealouswoman，aftermanyscenesofhystericsandreproaches，condescendedtoenterintoakindofcontractwithmewhichshekeptthroughoutourmarriedlife？ShewasconsiderablyolderthanI，andbesides，shealwayskeptacloveorsomethinginhermouth。Therewassomuchswinishnessinmysoulandhonestytoo，ofasort，astotellherstraightoutthatIcouldn’tbeabsolutelyfaithfultoher。Thisconfessiondrovehertofrenzy，butyetsheseemsinawaytohavelikedmybrutalfrankness。ShethoughtitshowedIwasunwillingtodeceiveherifIwarnedherlikethisbeforehandandforajealouswoman，youknow，that’sthefirstconsideration。Aftermanytearsanunwrittencontractwasdrawnupbetweenus:first，thatIwouldneverleaveMarfaPetrovnaandwouldalwaysbeherhusband；secondly，thatIwouldneverabsentmyselfwithoutherpermission；thirdly，thatIwouldneversetupapermanentmistress；fourthly，inreturnforthis，MarfaPetrovnagavemeafreehandwiththemaidservants，butonlywithhersecretknowledge；fifthly，Godforbidmyfallinginlovewithawomanofourclass；sixthly，incaseI—whichGodforbid—shouldbevisitedbyagreatseriouspassionIwasboundtorevealittoMarfaPetrovna。Onthislastscore，however，MarfaPetrovnawasfairlyatease。Shewasasensiblewomanandsoshecouldnothelplookinguponmeasadissoluteprofligateincapableofreallove。Butasensiblewomanandajealouswomanaretwoverydifferentthings，andthat’swherethetroublecamein。Buttojudgesomepeopleimpartiallywemustrenouncecertainpreconceivedopinionsandourhabitualattitudetotheordinarypeopleaboutus。Ihavereasontohavefaithinyourjudgmentratherthaninanyone’s。PerhapsyouhavealreadyheardagreatdealthatwasridiculousandabsurdaboutMarfaPetrovna。Shecertainlyhadsomeveryridiculousways，butItellyoufranklythatIfeelreallysorryfortheinnumerablewoesofwhichIwasthecause。Well，andthat’senough，Ithink，bywayofadecorousoraisonfunebreforthemosttenderwifeofamosttenderhusband。Whenwequarrelled，Iusuallyheldmytongueanddidnotirritateherandthatgentlemanlyconductrarelyfailedtoattainitsobject，itinfluencedher，itpleasedher，indeed。Theseweretimeswhenshewaspositivelyproudofme。Butyoursistershecouldn’tputupwith，anyway。Andhowevershecametorisktakingsuchabeautifulcreatureintoherhouseasagoverness。MyexplanationisthatMarfaPetrovnawasanardentandimpressionablewomanandsimplyfellinloveherself—literallyfellinlove—withyoursister。Well，littlewonder—lookatAvdotyaRomanovna！Isawthedangeratthefirstglanceandwhatdoyouthink，Iresolvednottolookathereven。ButAvdotyaRomanovnaherselfmadethefirststep，wouldyoubelieveit？WouldyoubelieveittoothatMarfaPetrovnawaspositivelyangrywithmeatfirstformypersistentsilenceaboutyoursister，formycarelessreceptionofhercontinualadoringpraisesofAvdotyaRomanovna。Idon’tknowwhatitwasshewanted！Well，ofcourse，MarfaPetrovnatoldAvdotyaRomanovnaeverydetailaboutme。Shehadtheunfortunatehabitoftellingliterallyeveryoneallourfamilysecretsandcontinuallycomplainingofme；howcouldshefailtoconfideinsuchadelightfulnewfriend？IexpecttheytalkedofnothingelsebutmeandnodoubtAvdotyaRomanovnaheardallthosedarkmysteriousrumoursthatwerecurrentaboutme。…Idon’tmindbettingthatyoutoohaveheardsomethingofthesortalready？”
“Ihave。Luzhinchargedyouwithhavingcausedthedeathofachild。Isthattrue？”
“Don’trefertothosevulgartales，Ibeg，”saidSvidrigailovwithdisgustandannoyance。“Ifyouinsistonwantingtoknowaboutallthatidiocy，Iwilltellyouoneday，butnow…”
“Iwastoldtooaboutsomefootmanofyoursinthecountrywhomyoutreatedbadly。”
“Ibegyoutodropthesubject，”Svidrigailovinterruptedagainwithobviousimpatience。
“Wasthatthefootmanwhocametoyouafterdeathtofillyourpipe？…youtoldmeaboutityourself。”Raskolnikovfeltmoreandmoreirritated。
SvidrigailovlookedathimattentivelyandRaskolnikovfanciedhecaughtaflashofspitefulmockeryinthatlook。ButSvidrigailovrestrainedhimselfandansweredverycivilly:
“Yes，itwas。Iseethatyou，too，areextremelyinterestedandshallfeelitmydutytosatisfyyourcuriosityatthefirstopportunity。Uponmysoul！IseethatIreallymightpassforaromanticfigurewithsomepeople。JudgehowgratefulImustbetoMarfaPetrovnaforhavingrepeatedtoAvdotyaRomanovnasuchmysteriousandinterestinggossipaboutme。Idarenotguesswhatimpressionitmadeonher，butinanycaseitworkedinmyinterests。WithallAvdotyaRomanovna’snaturalaversionandinspiteofmyinvariablygloomyandrepellentaspect—shedidatleastfeelpityforme，pityforalostsoul。Andifonceagirl’sheartismovedtopity，it’smoredangerousthananything。Sheisboundtowantto‘savehim，’tobringhimtohissenses，andlifthimupanddrawhimtonobleraims，andrestorehimtonewlifeandusefulness—well，weallknowhowfarsuchdreamscango。Isawatoncethatthebirdwasflyingintothecageofherself。AndItoomadeready。Ithinkyouarefrowning，RodionRomanovitch？There’snoneed。Asyouknow，itallendedinsmoke。(Hangitall，whatalotIamdrinking！)Doyouknow，Ialways，fromtheverybeginning，regrettedthatitwasn’tyoursister’sfatetobeborninthesecondorthirdcenturyA。D。，asthedaughterofareigningprinceorsomegovernororpro-consulinAsiaMinor。Shewouldundoubtedlyhavebeenoneofthosewhowouldenduremartyrdomandwouldhavesmiledwhentheybrandedherbosomwithhotpincers。Andshewouldhavegonetoitofherself。AndinthefourthorfifthcenturyshewouldhavewalkedawayintotheEgyptiandesertandwouldhavestayedtherethirtyyearslivingonrootsandecstasiesandvisions。Sheissimplythirstingtofacesometortureforsomeone，andifshecan’tgethertorture，she’llthrowherselfoutofawindow。I’veheardsomethingofaMr。Razumihin—he’ssaidtobeasensiblefellow；hissurnamesuggestsit，indeed。He’sprobablyadivinitystudent。Well，he’dbetterlookafteryoursister！IbelieveIunderstandher，andIamproudofit。Butatthebeginningofanacquaintance，asyouknow，oneisapttobemoreheedlessandstupid。Onedoesn’tseeclearly。Hangitall，whyisshesohandsome？It’snotmyfault。Infact，itbeganonmysidewithamostirresistiblephysicaldesire。AvdotyaRomanovnaisawfullychaste，incrediblyandphenomenallyso。Takenote，Itellyouthisaboutyoursisterasafact。Sheisalmostmorbidlychaste，inspiteofherbroadintelligence，anditwillstandinherway。Therehappenedtobeagirlinthehousethen，Parasha，ablack-eyedwench，whomIhadneverseenbefore—shehadjustcomefromanothervillage—verypretty，butincrediblystupid:sheburstintotears，wailedsothatshecouldbeheardallovertheplaceandcausedscandal。OnedayafterdinnerAvdotyaRomanovnafollowedmeintoanavenueinthegardenandwithflashingeyesinsistedonmyleavingpoorParashaalone。Itwasalmostourfirstconversationbyourselves。I，ofcourse，wasonlytoopleasedtoobeyherwishes，triedtoappeardisconcerted，embarrassed，infactplayedmypartnotbadly。Thencameinterviews，mysteriousconversations，exhortations，entreaties，supplications，eventears—wouldyoubelieveit，eventears？Thinkwhatthepassionforpropagandawillbringsomegirlsto！I，ofcourse，threwitallonmydestiny，posedashungeringandthirstingforlight，andfinallyresortedtothemostpowerfulweaponinthesubjectionofthefemaleheart，aweaponwhichneverfailsone。It’sthewell-knownresource—flattery。Nothingintheworldisharderthanspeakingthetruthandnothingeasierthanflattery。Ifthere’sthehundredthpartofafalsenoteinspeakingthetruth，itleadstoadiscord，andthatleadstotrouble。Butifall，tothelastnote，isfalseinflattery，itisjustasagreeable，andisheardnotwithoutsatisfaction。Itmaybeacoarsesatisfaction，butstillasatisfaction。Andhowevercoarsetheflattery，atleasthalfwillbesuretoseemtrue。That’ssoforallstagesofdevelopmentandclassesofsociety。Avestalvirginmightbeseducedbyflattery。IcanneverrememberwithoutlaughterhowIonceseducedaladywhowasdevotedtoherhusband，herchildren，andherprinciples。Whatfunitwasandhowlittletrouble！Andtheladyreallyhadprinciples—ofherown，anyway。Allmytacticslayinsimplybeingutterlyannihilatedandprostratebeforeherpurity。Iflatteredhershamelessly，andassoonasIsucceededingettingapressureofthehand，evenaglancefromher，Iwouldreproachmyselfforhavingsnatcheditbyforce，andwoulddeclarethatshehadresisted，sothatIcouldneverhavegainedanythingbutformybeingsounprincipled。Imaintainedthatshewassoinnocentthatshecouldnotforeseemytreachery，andyieldedtomeunconsciously，unawares，andsoon。Infact，Itriumphed，whilemyladyremainedfirmlyconvincedthatshewasinnocent，chaste，andfaithfultoallherdutiesandobligationsandhadsuccumbedquitebyaccident。AndhowangryshewaswithmewhenIexplainedtoheratlastthatitwasmysincereconvictionthatshewasjustaseagerasI。PoorMarfaPetrovnawasawfullyweakonthesideofflattery，andifIhadonlycaredto，Imighthavehadallherpropertysettledonmeduringherlifetime。(Iamdrinkinganawfullotofwinenowandtalkingtoomuch。)Ihopeyouwon’tbeangryifImentionnowthatIwasbeginningtoproducethesameeffectonAvdotyaRomanovna。ButIwasstupidandimpatientandspoileditall。AvdotyaRomanovnahadseveraltimes—andonetimeinparticular—beengreatlydispleasedbytheexpressionofmyeyes，wouldyoubelieveit？Therewassometimesalightinthemwhichfrightenedherandgrewstrongerandstrongerandmoreunguardedtillitwashatefultoher。Noneedtogointodetail，butweparted。ThereIactedstupidlyagain。Ifelltojeeringinthecoarsestwayatallsuchpropagandaandeffortstoconvertme；Parashacameontothesceneagain，andnotshealone；infacttherewasatremendousto-do。Ah，RodionRomanovitch，ifyoucouldonlyseehowyoursister’seyescanflashsometimes！Nevermindmybeingdrunkatthismomentandhavinghadawholeglassofwine。Iamspeakingthetruth。Iassureyouthatthisglancehashauntedmydreams；theveryrustleofherdresswasmorethanIcouldstandatlast。IreallybegantothinkthatImightbecomeepileptic。IcouldneverhavebelievedthatIcouldbemovedtosuchafrenzy。Itwasessential，indeed，tobereconciled，butbythenitwasimpossible。AndimaginewhatIdidthen！Towhatapitchofstupidityamancanbebroughtbyfrenzy！Neverundertakeanythinginafrenzy，RodionRomanovitch。IreflectedthatAvdotyaRomanovnawasafterallabeggar(ach，excuseme，that’snottheword…butdoesitmatterifitexpressesthemeaning？)，thatshelivedbyherwork，thatshehadhermotherandyoutokeep(ach，hangit，youarefrowningagain)，andIresolvedtoofferherallmymoney—thirtythousandroublesIcouldhaverealisedthen—ifshewouldrunawaywithmehere，toPetersburg。OfcourseIshouldhavevowedeternallove，rapture，andsoon。Doyouknow，IwassowildaboutheratthattimethatifshehadtoldmetopoisonMarfaPetrovnaortocutherthroatandtomarryherself，itwouldhavebeendoneatonce！Butitendedinthecatastropheofwhichyouknowalready。YoucanfancyhowfranticIwaswhenIheardthatMarfaPetrovnahadgotholdofthatscoundrellyattorney，Luzhin，andhadalmostmadeamatchbetweenthem—whichwouldreallyhavebeenjustthesamethingasIwasproposing。Wouldn’tit？Wouldn’tit？Inoticethatyou’vebeguntobeveryattentive…youinterestingyoungman。…”
Svidrigailovstruckthetablewithhisfistimpatiently。Hewasflushed。Raskolnikovsawclearlythattheglassorglassandahalfofchampagnethathehadsippedalmostunconsciouslywasaffectinghim—andheresolvedtotakeadvantageoftheopportunity。HefeltverysuspiciousofSvidrigailov。
“Well，afterwhatyouhavesaid，IamfullyconvincedthatyouhavecometoPetersburgwithdesignsonmysister，”hesaiddirectlytoSvidrigailov，inordertoirritatehimfurther。
“Oh，nonsense，”saidSvidrigailov，seemingtorousehimself。“Why，Itoldyou…besidesyoursistercan’tendureme。”
“Yes，Iamcertainthatshecan’t，butthat’snotthepoint。”
“Areyousosurethatshecan’t？”Svidrigailovscreweduphiseyesandsmiledmockingly。“Youareright，shedoesn’tloveme，butyoucanneverbesureofwhathaspassedbetweenhusbandandwifeorloverandmistress。There’salwaysalittlecornerwhichremainsasecrettotheworldandisonlyknowntothosetwo。WillyouanswerforitthatAvdotyaRomanovnaregardedmewithaversion？”
“Fromsomewordsyou’vedropped，Inoticethatyoustillhavedesigns—andofcourseevilones—onDouniaandmeantocarrythemoutpromptly。”
“What，haveIdroppedwordslikethat？”Svidrigailovaskedinnaivedismay，takingnottheslightestnoticeoftheepithetbestowedonhisdesigns。
“Why，youaredroppingthemevennow。Whyareyousofrightened？Whatareyousoafraidofnow？”
“Me—afraid？Afraidofyou？Youhaverathertobeafraidofme，cherami。Butwhatnonsense。…I’vedrunktoomuchthough，Iseethat。Iwasalmostsayingtoomuchagain。Damnthewine！Hi！there，water！”
Hesnatchedupthechampagnebottleandflungitwithoutceremonyoutofthewindow。Philipbroughtthewater。
“That’sallnonsense！”saidSvidrigailov，wettingatowelandputtingittohishead。“ButIcanansweryouinonewordandannihilateallyoursuspicions。DoyouknowthatIamgoingtogetmarried？”
“Youtoldmesobefore。”
“DidI？I’veforgotten。ButIcouldn’thavetoldyousoforcertainforIhadnotevenseenmybetrothed；Ionlymeantto。ButnowIreallyhaveabetrothedandit’sasettledthing，andifitweren’tthatIhavebusinessthatcan’tbeputoff，Iwouldhavetakenyoutoseethematonce，forIshouldliketoaskyouradvice。Ach，hangit，onlytenminutesleft！See，lookatthewatch。ButImusttellyou，forit’saninterestingstory，mymarriage，initsownway。Whereareyouoffto？Goingagain？”
“No，I’mnotgoingawaynow。”
“Notatall？Weshallsee。I’lltakeyouthere，I’llshowyoumybetrothed，onlynotnow。Foryou’llsoonhavetobeoff。YouhavetogototherightandItotheleft。DoyouknowthatMadameResslich，thewomanIamlodgingwithnow，eh？Iknowwhatyou’rethinking，thatshe’sthewomanwhosegirltheysaydrownedherselfinthewinter。Come，areyoulistening？Shearrangeditallforme。You’rebored，shesaid，youwantsomethingtofillupyourtime。For，youknow，Iamagloomy，depressedperson。DoyouthinkI’mlight-hearted？No，I’mgloomy。Idonoharm，butsitinacornerwithoutspeakingawordforthreedaysatatime。AndthatResslichisaslyhussy，Itellyou。Iknowwhatshehasgotinhermind；shethinksIshallgetsickofit，abandonmywifeanddepart，andshe’llgetholdofherandmakeaprofitoutofher—inourclass，ofcourse，orhigher。Shetoldmethefatherwasabroken-downretiredofficial，whohasbeensittinginachairforthelastthreeyearswithhislegsparalysed。Themamma，shesaid，wasasensiblewoman。Thereisasonservingintheprovinces，buthedoesn’thelp；thereisadaughter，whoismarried，butshedoesn’tvisitthem。Andthey’vetwolittlenephewsontheirhands，asthoughtheirownchildrenwerenotenough，andthey’vetakenfromschooltheiryoungestdaughter，agirlwho’llbesixteeninanothermonth，sothatthenshecanbemarried。Shewasforme。Wewentthere。Howfunnyitwas！Ipresentmyself—alandowner，awidower，ofawell-knownname，withconnections，withafortune。WhatifIamfiftyandsheisnotsixteen？Whothinksofthat？Butit’sfascinating，isn’tit？Itisfascinating，ha-ha！YoushouldhaveseenhowItalkedtothepapaandmamma。Itwasworthpayingtohaveseenmeatthatmoment。Shecomesin，curtseys，youcanfancy，stillinashortfrock—anunopenedbud！Flushinglikeasunset—shehadbeentold，nodoubt。Idon’tknowhowyoufeelaboutfemalefaces，buttomymindthesesixteenyears，thesechildisheyes，shynessandtearsofbashfulnessarebetterthanbeauty；andsheisaperfectlittlepicture，too。Fairhairinlittlecurls，likealamb’s，fulllittlerosylips，tinyfeet，acharmer！…Well，wemadefriends。ItoldthemIwasinahurryowingtodomesticcircumstances，andthenextday，thatisthedaybeforeyesterday，wewerebetrothed。WhenIgonowItakeheronmykneeatonceandkeepherthere。…Well，sheflusheslikeasunsetandIkisshereveryminute。Hermammaofcourseimpressesonherthatthisisherhusbandandthatthismustbeso。It’ssimplydelicious！Thepresentbetrothedconditionisperhapsbetterthanmarriage。Hereyouhavewhatiscalledlanatureetlaverite，ha-ha！I’vetalkedtohertwice，sheisfarfromafool。Sometimesshestealsalookatmethatpositivelyscorchesme。HerfaceislikeRaphael’sMadonna。Youknow，theSistineMadonna’sfacehassomethingfantasticinit，thefaceofmournfulreligiousecstasy。Haven’tyounoticedit？Well，she’ssomethinginthatline。Thedayafterwe’dbeenbetrothed，Iboughtherpresentstothevalueoffifteenhundredroubles—asetofdiamondsandanotherofpearlsandasilverdressing-caseaslargeasthis，withallsortsofthingsinit，sothatevenmyMadonna’sfaceglowed。Isatheronmyknee，yesterday，andIsupposerathertoounceremoniously—sheflushedcrimsonandthetearsstarted，butshedidn’twanttoshowit。Wewereleftalone，shesuddenlyflungherselfonmyneck(forthefirsttimeofherownaccord)，putherlittlearmsroundme，kissedme，andvowedthatshewouldbeanobedient，faithful，andgoodwife，wouldmakemehappy，woulddevoteallherlife，everyminuteofherlife，wouldsacrificeeverything，everything，andthatallsheasksinreturnismyrespect，andthatshewants‘nothing，nothingmorefromme，nopresents。’You’lladmitthattohearsuchaconfession，alone，fromanangelofsixteeninamuslinfrock，withlittlecurls，withaflushofmaidenshynessinhercheeksandtearsofenthusiasminhereyesisratherfascinating！Isn’titfascinating？It’sworthpayingfor，isn’tit？Well…listen，we’llgotoseemybetrothed，onlynotjustnow！”
“Thefactisthismonstrousdifferenceinageanddevelopmentexcitesyoursensuality！Willyoureallymakesuchamarriage？”
“Why，ofcourse。Everyonethinksofhimself，andhelivesmostgailywhoknowsbesthowtodeceivehimself。Ha-ha！Butwhyareyousokeenaboutvirtue？Havemercyonme，mygoodfriend。Iamasinfulman。Ha-ha-ha！”
“ButyouhaveprovidedforthechildrenofKaterinaIvanovna。Though…thoughyouhadyourownreasons。…Iunderstanditallnow。”
“Iamalwaysfondofchildren，veryfondofthem，”laughedSvidrigailov。“Icantellyouonecuriousinstanceofit。ThefirstdayIcamehereIvisitedvarioushaunts，aftersevenyearsIsimplyrushedatthem。YouprobablynoticethatIamnotinahurrytorenewacquaintancewithmyoldfriends。IshalldowithoutthemaslongasIcan。Doyouknow，whenIwaswithMarfaPetrovnainthecountry，Iwashauntedbythethoughtoftheseplaceswhereanyonewhoknowshiswayaboutcanfindagreatdeal。Yes，uponmysoul！Thepeasantshavevodka，theeducatedyoungpeople，shutoutfromactivity，wastethemselvesinimpossibledreamsandvisionsandarecrippledbytheories；Jewshavesprungupandareamassingmoney，andalltherestgivethemselvesuptodebauchery。Fromthefirsthourthetownreekedofitsfamiliarodours。Ichancedtobeinafrightfulden—Ilikemydensdirty—itwasadance，socalled，andtherewasacancansuchasIneversawinmyday。Yes，thereyouhaveprogress。AllofasuddenIsawalittlegirlofthirteen，nicelydressed，dancingwithaspecialistinthatline，withanotheronevis-a-vis。Hermotherwassittingonachairbythewall。Youcan’tfancywhatacancanthatwas！Thegirlwasashamed，blushed，atlastfeltinsulted，andbegantocry。Herpartnerseizedherandbeganwhirlingherroundandperformingbeforeher；everyonelaughedand—Ilikeyourpublic，eventhecancanpublic—theylaughedandshouted，‘Servesherright—servesherright！Shouldn’tbringchildren！’Well，it’snotmybusinesswhetherthatconsolingreflectionwaslogicalornot。Iatoncefixedonmyplan，satdownbythemother，andbeganbysayingthatItoowasastrangerandthatpeopleherewereill-bredandthattheycouldn’tdistinguishdecentfolksandtreatthemwithrespect，gavehertounderstandthatIhadplentyofmoney，offeredtotakethemhomeinmycarriage。Itookthemhomeandgottoknowthem。Theywerelodginginamiserablelittleholeandhadonlyjustarrivedfromthecountry。Shetoldmethatsheandherdaughtercouldonlyregardmyacquaintanceasanhonour。Ifoundoutthattheyhadnothingoftheirownandhadcometotownuponsomelegalbusiness。Iprofferedmyservicesandmoney。Ilearntthattheyhadgonetothedancingsaloonbymistake，believingthatitwasagenuinedancingclass。Iofferedtoassistintheyounggirl’seducationinFrenchanddancing。Myofferwasacceptedwithenthusiasmasanhonour—andwearestillfriendly。…Ifyoulike，we’llgoandseethem，onlynotjustnow。”
“Stop！Enoughofyourvile，nastyanecdotes，depravedvile，sensualman！”
“Schiller，youarearegularSchiller！Olavertuva-t-ellesenicher？ButyouknowIshalltellyouthesethingsonpurpose，forthepleasureofhearingyouroutcries！”
“Idaresay。IcanseeIamridiculousmyself，”mutteredRaskolnikovangrily。
Svidrigailovlaughedheartily；finallyhecalledPhilip，paidhisbill，andbegangettingup。
“Isay，butIamdrunk，assezcause，”hesaid。“It’sbeenapleasure。”
“Ishouldratherthinkitmustbeapleasure！”criedRaskolnikov，gettingup。“Nodoubtitisapleasureforaworn-outprofligatetodescribesuchadventureswithamonstrousprojectofthesamesortinhismind—especiallyundersuchcircumstancesandtosuchamanasme。…It’sstimulating！”
“Well，ifyoucometothat，”Svidrigailovanswered，scrutinisingRaskolnikovwithsomesurprise，“ifyoucometothat，youareathoroughcynicyourself。You’veplentytomakeyouso，anyway。Youcanunderstandagreatdeal…andyoucandoagreatdealtoo。Butenough。Isincerelyregretnothavinghadmoretalkwithyou，butIshan’tlosesightofyou。…Onlywaitabit。”
Svidrigailovwalkedoutoftherestaurant。Raskolnikovwalkedoutafterhim。Svidrigailovwasnothoweververydrunk，thewinehadaffectedhimforamoment，butitwaspassingoffeveryminute。Hewaspreoccupiedwithsomethingofimportanceandwasfrowning。Hewasapparentlyexcitedanduneasyinanticipationofsomething。HismannertoRaskolnikovhadchangedduringthelastfewminutes，andhewasruderandmoresneeringeverymoment。Raskolnikovnoticedallthis，andhetoowasuneasy。HebecameverysuspiciousofSvidrigailovandresolvedtofollowhim。
Theycameoutontothepavement。
“Yougototheright，andItotheleft，orifyoulike，theotherway。Onlyadieu，monplaisir，maywemeetagain。”
AndhewalkedtotherighttowardstheHayMarket。
Raskolnikovwalkedafterhim。
“What’sthis？”criedSvidrigailovturninground，“IthoughtIsaid…”
“ItmeansthatIamnotgoingtolosesightofyounow。”
“What？”
Bothstoodstillandgazedatoneanother，asthoughmeasuringtheirstrength。
“Fromallyourhalftipsystories，”Raskolnikovobservedharshly，“Iampositivethatyouhavenotgivenupyourdesignsonmysister，butarepursuingthemmoreactivelythanever。Ihavelearntthatmysisterreceivedaletterthismorning。Youhavehardlybeenabletositstillallthistime。…Youmayhaveunearthedawifeontheway，butthatmeansnothing。Ishouldliketomakecertainmyself。”
Raskolnikovcouldhardlyhavesaidhimselfwhathewantedandofwhathewishedtomakecertain。
“Uponmyword！I’llcallthepolice！”
“Callaway！”
Againtheystoodforaminutefacingeachother。AtlastSvidrigailov’sfacechanged。HavingsatisfiedhimselfthatRaskolnikovwasnotfrightenedathisthreat，heassumedamirthfulandfriendlyair。
“Whatafellow！Ipurposelyrefrainedfromreferringtoyouraffair，thoughIamdevouredbycuriosity。It’safantasticaffair。I’veputitofftillanothertime，butyou’reenoughtorousethedead。…Well，letusgo，onlyIwarnyoubeforehandIamonlygoinghomeforamoment，togetsomemoney；thenIshalllockuptheflat，takeacabandgotospendtheeveningattheIslands。Now，nowareyougoingtofollowme？”
“I’mcomingtoyourlodgings，nottoseeyoubutSofyaSemyonovna，tosayI’msorrynottohavebeenatthefuneral。”
“That’sasyoulike，butSofyaSemyonovnaisnotathome。Shehastakenthethreechildrentoanoldladyofhighrank，thepatronessofsomeorphanasylums，whomIusedtoknowyearsago。IcharmedtheoldladybydepositingasumofmoneywithhertoprovideforthethreechildrenofKaterinaIvanovnaandsubscribingtotheinstitutionaswell。ItoldhertoothestoryofSofyaSemyonovnainfulldetail，suppressingnothing。Itproducedanindescribableeffectonher。That’swhySofyaSemyonovnahasbeeninvitedtocallto-dayattheX。Hotelwheretheladyisstayingforthetime。”
“Nomatter，I’llcomeallthesame。”
“Asyoulike，it’snothingtome，butIwon’tcomewithyou；hereweareathome。Bytheway，IamconvincedthatyouregardmewithsuspicionjustbecauseIhaveshownsuchdelicacyandhavenotsofartroubledyouwithquestions…youunderstand？Itstruckyouasextraordinary；Idon’tmindbettingit’sthat。Well，itteachesonetoshowdelicacy！”
“Andtolistenatdoors！”
“Ah，that’sit，isit？”laughedSvidrigailov。“Yes，Ishouldhavebeensurprisedifyouhadletthatpassafterallthathashappened。Ha-ha！ThoughIdidunderstandsomethingofthepranksyouhadbeenuptoandweretellingSofyaSemyonovnaabout，whatwasthemeaningofit？PerhapsIamquitebehindthetimesandcan’tunderstand。Forgoodness’sake，explainit，mydearboy。Expoundthelatesttheories！”
“Youcouldn’thaveheardanything。You’remakingitallup！”
“ButI’mnottalkingaboutthat(thoughIdidhearsomething)。No，I’mtalkingofthewayyoukeepsighingandgroaningnow。TheSchillerinyouisinrevolteverymoment，andnowyoutellmenottolistenatdoors。Ifthat’showyoufeel，goandinformthepolicethatyouhadthismischance:youmadealittlemistakeinyourtheory。Butifyouareconvincedthatonemustn’tlistenatdoors，butonemaymurderoldwomenatone’spleasure，you’dbetterbeofftoAmericaandmakehaste。Run，youngman！Theremaystillbetime。I’mspeakingsincerely。Haven’tyouthemoney？I’llgiveyouthefare。”
“I’mnotthinkingofthatatall，”Raskolnikovinterruptedwithdisgust。
“Iunderstand(butdon’tputyourselfout，don’tdiscussitifyoudon’twantto)。Iunderstandthequestionsyouareworryingover—moralones，aren’tthey？Dutiesofcitizenandman？Laythemallaside。Theyarenothingtoyounow，ha-ha！You’llsayyouarestillamanandacitizen。Ifsoyououghtnottohavegotintothiscoil。It’snousetakingupajobyouarenotfitfor。Well，you’dbettershootyourself，ordon’tyouwantto？”
“Youseemtryingtoenrageme，tomakemeleaveyou。”
“Whataqueerfellow！Buthereweare。Welcometothestaircase。Yousee，that’sthewaytoSofyaSemyonovna。Look，thereisnooneathome。Don’tyoubelieveme？AskKapernaumov。Sheleavesthekeywithhim。HereisMadamedeKapernaumovherself。Hey，what？Sheisratherdeaf。Hasshegoneout？Where？Didyouhear？Sheisnotinandwon’tbetilllateintheeveningprobably。Well，cometomyroom；youwantedtocomeandseeme，didn’tyou？Hereweare。MadameResslich’snotathome。Sheisawomanwhoisalwaysbusy，anexcellentwomanIassureyou。…Shemighthavebeenofusetoyouifyouhadbeenalittlemoresensible。Now，see！Itakethisfive-per-centbondoutofthebureau—seewhatalotI’vegotofthemstill—thisonewillbeturnedintocashto-day。Imustn’twasteanymoretime。Thebureauislocked，theflatislocked，andhereweareagainonthestairs。Shallwetakeacab？I’mgoingtotheIslands。Wouldyoulikealift？I’lltakethiscarriage。Ah，yourefuse？Youaretiredofit！Comeforadrive！Ibelieveitwillcomeontorain。Nevermind，we’llputdownthehood。…”
Svidrigailovwasalreadyinthecarriage。Raskolnikovdecidedthathissuspicionswereatleastforthatmomentunjust。WithoutansweringawordheturnedandwalkedbacktowardstheHayMarket。IfhehadonlyturnedroundonhiswayhemighthaveseenSvidrigailovgetoutnotahundredpacesoff，dismissthecabandwalkalongthepavement。Buthehadturnedthecornerandcouldseenothing。IntensedisgustdrewhimawayfromSvidrigailov。
“TothinkthatIcouldforoneinstanthavelookedforhelpfromthatcoarsebrute，thatdepravedsensualistandblackguard！”hecried。
Raskolnikov’sjudgmentwasutteredtoolightlyandhastily:therewassomethingaboutSvidrigailovwhichgavehimacertainoriginal，evenamysteriouscharacter。Asconcernedhissister，RaskolnikovwasconvincedthatSvidrigailovwouldnotleaveherinpeace。Butitwastootiresomeandunbearabletogoonthinkingandthinkingaboutthis。
Whenhewasalone，hehadnotgonetwentypacesbeforehesank，asusual，intodeepthought。Onthebridgehestoodbytherailingandbegangazingatthewater。Andhissisterwasstandingclosebyhim。
Hemetherattheentrancetothebridge，butpassedbywithoutseeingher。Douniahadnevermethimlikethisinthestreetbeforeandwasstruckwithdismay。Shestoodstillanddidnotknowwhethertocalltohimornot。SuddenlyshesawSvidrigailovcomingquicklyfromthedirectionoftheHayMarket。
Heseemedtobeapproachingcautiously。Hedidnotgoontothebridge，butstoodasideonthepavement，doingallhecouldtoavoidRaskolnikov’sseeinghim。HehadobservedDouniaforsometimeandhadbeenmakingsignstoher。Shefanciedhewassignallingtobeghernottospeaktoherbrother，buttocometohim。
ThatwaswhatDouniadid。ShestolebyherbrotherandwentuptoSvidrigailov。
“Letusmakehasteaway，”Svidrigailovwhisperedtoher，“Idon’twantRodionRomanovitchtoknowofourmeeting。ImusttellyouI’vebeensittingwithhimintherestaurantcloseby，wherehelookedmeupandIhadgreatdifficultyingettingridofhim。Hehassomehowheardofmylettertoyouandsuspectssomething。Itwasn’tyouwhotoldhim，ofcourse，butifnotyou，whothen？”
“Well，we’veturnedthecornernow，”Douniainterrupted，“andmybrotherwon’tseeus。IhavetotellyouthatIamgoingnofurtherwithyou。Speaktomehere。Youcantellitallinthestreet。”
“Inthefirstplace，Ican’tsayitinthestreet；secondly，youmusthearSofyaSemyonovnatoo；and，thirdly，Iwillshowyousomepapers。…Ohwell，ifyouwon’tagreetocomewithme，Ishallrefusetogiveanyexplanationandgoawayatonce。ButIbegyounottoforgetthataverycurioussecretofyourbelovedbrother’sisentirelyinmykeeping。”
Douniastoodstill，hesitating，andlookedatSvidrigailovwithsearchingeyes。
“Whatareyouafraidof？”heobservedquietly。“Thetownisnotthecountry。AndeveninthecountryyoudidmemoreharmthanIdidyou。”
“HaveyoupreparedSofyaSemyonovna？”
“No，Ihavenotsaidawordtoherandamnotquitecertainwhethersheisathomenow。Butmostlikelysheis。Shehasburiedherstepmotherto-day:sheisnotlikelytogovisitingonsuchaday。ForthetimeIdon’twanttospeaktoanyoneaboutitandIhalfregrethavingspokentoyou。Theslightestindiscretionisasbadasbetrayalinathinglikethis。Ilivethereinthathouse，wearecomingtoit。That’stheporterofourhouse—heknowsmeverywell；yousee，he’sbowing；heseesI’mcomingwithaladyandnodoubthehasnoticedyourfacealreadyandyouwillbegladofthatifyouareafraidofmeandsuspicious。Excusemyputtingthingssocoarsely。Ihaven’taflattomyself；SofyaSemyonovna’sroomisnexttomine—shelodgesinthenextflat。Thewholefloorisletoutinlodgings。Whyareyoufrightenedlikeachild？AmIreallysoterrible？”
Svidrigailov’slipsweretwistedinacondescendingsmile；buthewasinnosmilingmood。Hisheartwasthrobbingandhecouldscarcelybreathe。Hespokeratherloudtocoverhisgrowingexcitement。ButDouniadidnotnoticethispeculiarexcitement，shewassoirritatedbyhisremarkthatshewasfrightenedofhimlikeachildandthathewassoterribletoher。
“ThoughIknowthatyouarenotaman…ofhonour，Iamnotintheleastafraidofyou。Leadtheway，”shesaidwithapparentcomposure，butherfacewasverypale。
SvidrigailovstoppedatSonia’sroom。
“Allowmetoinquirewhethersheisathome。…Sheisnot。Howunfortunate！ButIknowshemaycomequitesoon。Ifshe’sgoneout，itcanonlybetoseealadyabouttheorphans。Theirmotherisdead。…I’vebeenmeddlingandmakingarrangementsforthem。IfSofyaSemyonovnadoesnotcomebackintenminutes，Iwillsendhertoyou，to-dayifyoulike。Thisismyflat。Thesearemytworooms。MadameResslich，mylandlady，hasthenextroom。Now，lookthisway。Iwillshowyoumychiefpieceofevidence:thisdoorfrommybedroomleadsintotwoperfectlyemptyrooms，whicharetolet。Heretheyare…Youmustlookintothemwithsomeattention。”
Svidrigailovoccupiedtwofairlylargefurnishedrooms。Douniawaslookingabouthermistrustfully，butsawnothingspecialinthefurnitureorpositionoftherooms。Yettherewassomethingtoobserve，forinstance，thatSvidrigailov’sflatwasexactlybetweentwosetsofalmostuninhabitedapartments。Hisroomswerenotentereddirectlyfromthepassage，butthroughthelandlady’stwoalmostemptyrooms。Unlockingadoorleadingoutofhisbedroom，SvidrigailovshowedDouniathetwoemptyroomsthatweretolet。Douniastoppedinthedoorway，notknowingwhatshewascalledtolookupon，butSvidrigailovhastenedtoexplain。
“Lookhere，atthissecondlargeroom。Noticethatdoor，it’slocked。Bythedoorstandsachair，theonlyoneinthetworooms。Ibroughtitfrommyroomssoastolistenmoreconveniently。JusttheothersideofthedoorisSofyaSemyonovna’stable；shesattheretalkingtoRodionRomanovitch。AndIsatherelisteningontwosuccessiveevenings，fortwohourseachtime—andofcourseIwasabletolearnsomething，whatdoyouthink？”
“Youlistened？”
“Yes，Idid。Nowcomebacktomyroom；wecan’tsitdownhere。”
HebroughtAvdotyaRomanovnabackintohissitting-roomandofferedherachair。Hesatdownattheoppositesideofthetable，atleastsevenfeetfromher，butprobablytherewasthesameglowinhiseyeswhichhadoncefrightenedDouniasomuch。Sheshudderedandoncemorelookedaboutherdistrustfully。Itwasaninvoluntarygesture；sheevidentlydidnotwishtobetrayheruneasiness。ButthesecludedpositionofSvidrigailov’slodginghadsuddenlystruckher。Shewantedtoaskwhetherhislandladyatleastwereathome，butpridekeptherfromasking。Moreover，shehadanothertroubleinherheartincomparablygreaterthanfearforherself。Shewasingreatdistress。
“Hereisyourletter，”shesaid，layingitonthetable。“Canitbetruewhatyouwrite？Youhintatacrimecommitted，yousay，bymybrother。Youhintatittooclearly；youdaren’tdenyitnow。ImusttellyouthatI’dheardofthisstupidstorybeforeyouwroteanddon’tbelieveawordofit。It’sadisgustingandridiculoussuspicion。Iknowthestoryandwhyandhowitwasinvented。Youcanhavenoproofs。Youpromisedtoproveit。Speak！ButletmewarnyouthatIdon’tbelieveyou！Idon’tbelieveyou！”
Douniasaidthis，speakinghurriedly，andforaninstantthecolourrushedtoherface。
“Ifyoudidn’tbelieveit，howcouldyouriskcomingalonetomyrooms？Whyhaveyoucome？Simplyfromcuriosity？”
“Don’ttormentme。Speak，speak！”
“There’snodenyingthatyouareabravegirl。Uponmyword，IthoughtyouwouldhaveaskedMr。Razumihintoescortyouhere。Buthewasnotwithyounoranywherenear。Iwasonthelook-out。It’sspiritedofyou，itprovesyouwantedtospareRodionRomanovitch。Buteverythingisdivineinyou。…Aboutyourbrother，whatamItosaytoyou？You’vejustseenhimyourself。Whatdidyouthinkofhim？”
“Surelythat’snottheonlythingyouarebuildingon？”
“No，notonthat，butonhisownwords。HecamehereontwosuccessiveeveningstoseeSofyaSemyonovna。I’veshownyouwheretheysat。Hemadeafullconfessiontoher。Heisamurderer。Hekilledanoldwoman，apawnbroker，withwhomhehadpawnedthingshimself。Hekilledhersistertoo，apedlarwomancalledLizaveta，whohappenedtocomeinwhilehewasmurderinghersister。Hekilledthemwithanaxehebroughtwithhim。Hemurderedthemtorobthemandhedidrobthem。Hetookmoneyandvariousthings。…Hetoldallthis，wordforword，toSofyaSemyonovna，theonlypersonwhoknowshissecret。Butshehashadnosharebywordordeedinthemurder；shewasashorrifiedatitasyouarenow。Don’tbeanxious，shewon’tbetrayhim。”
“Itcannotbe，”mutteredDounia，withwhitelips。Shegaspedforbreath。“Itcannotbe。Therewasnottheslightestcause，nosortofground。…It’salie，alie！”
“Herobbedher，thatwasthecause，hetookmoneyandthings。It’struethatbyhisownadmissionhemadenouseofthemoneyorthings，buthidthemunderastone，wheretheyarenow。Butthatwasbecausehedarednotmakeuseofthem。”
“Buthowcouldhesteal，rob？Howcouldhedreamofit？”criedDounia，andshejumpedupfromthechair。“Why，youknowhim，andyou’veseenhim，canhebeathief？”
SheseemedtobeimploringSvidrigailov；shehadentirelyforgottenherfear。
“Therearethousandsandmillionsofcombinationsandpossibilities，AvdotyaRomanovna。Athiefstealsandknowsheisascoundrel，butI’veheardofagentlemanwhobrokeopenthemail。Whoknows，verylikelyhethoughthewasdoingagentlemanlything！OfcourseIshouldnothavebelieveditmyselfifI’dbeentoldofitasyouhave，butIbelievemyownears。HeexplainedallthecausesofittoSofyaSemyonovnatoo，butshedidnotbelieveherearsatfirst，yetshebelievedherowneyesatlast。”
“What…werethecauses？”
“It’salongstory，AvdotyaRomanovna。Here’s…howshallItellyou？—Atheoryofasort，thesameonebywhichIforinstanceconsiderthatasinglemisdeedispermissibleiftheprincipalaimisright，asolitarywrongdoingandhundredsofgooddeeds！It’sgallingtoo，ofcourse，forayoungmanofgiftsandoverweeningpridetoknowthatifhehad，forinstance，apaltrythreethousand，hiswholecareer，hiswholefuturewouldbedifferentlyshapedandyetnottohavethatthreethousand。Addtothat，nervousirritabilityfromhunger，fromlodginginahole，fromrags，fromavividsenseofthecharmofhissocialpositionandhissister’sandmother’spositiontoo。Aboveall，vanity，prideandvanity，thoughgoodnessknowshemayhavegoodqualitiestoo。…Iamnotblaminghim，pleasedon’tthinkit；besides，it’snotmybusiness。Aspeciallittletheorycameintoo—atheoryofasort—dividingmankind，yousee，intomaterialandsuperiorpersons，thatispersonstowhomthelawdoesnotapplyowingtotheirsuperiority，whomakelawsfortherestofmankind，thematerial，thatis。It’sallrightasatheory，unetheoriecommeuneautre。Napoleonattractedhimtremendously，thatis，whataffectedhimwasthatagreatmanymenofgeniushavenothesitatedatwrongdoing，buthaveoversteppedthelawwithoutthinkingaboutit。Heseemstohavefanciedthathewasageniustoo—thatis，hewasconvincedofitforatime。Hehassufferedagreatdealandisstillsufferingfromtheideathathecouldmakeatheory，butwasincapableofboldlyoversteppingthelaw，andsoheisnotamanofgenius。Andthat’shumiliatingforayoungmanofanypride，inourdayespecially。…”
“Butremorse？Youdenyhimanymoralfeelingthen？Ishelikethat？”
“Ah，AvdotyaRomanovna，everythingisinamuddlenow；notthatitwaseverinverygoodorder。Russiansingeneralarebroadintheirideas，AvdotyaRomanovna，broadliketheirlandandexceedinglydisposedtothefantastic，thechaotic。Butit’samisfortunetobebroadwithoutaspecialgenius。Doyourememberwhatalotoftalkwehadtogetheronthissubject，sittingintheeveningsontheterraceaftersupper？Why，youusedtoreproachmewithbreadth！Whoknows，perhapsweweretalkingattheverytimewhenhewaslyingherethinkingoverhisplan。Therearenosacredtraditionsamongstus，especiallyintheeducatedclass，AvdotyaRomanovna。Atthebestsomeonewillmakethemupsomehowforhimselfoutofbooksorfromsomeoldchronicle。Butthoseareforthemostpartthelearnedandalloldfogeys，sothatitwouldbealmostill-bredinamanofsociety。Youknowmyopinionsingeneral，though。Ineverblameanyone。Idonothingatall，Ipersevereinthat。Butwe’vetalkedofthismorethanoncebefore。Iwassohappyindeedastointerestyouinmyopinions。…Youareverypale，AvdotyaRomanovna。”
“Iknowhistheory。Ireadthatarticleofhisaboutmentowhomallispermitted。Razumihinbroughtittome。”
“Mr。Razumihin？Yourbrother’sarticle？Inamagazine？Istheresuchanarticle？Ididn’tknow。Itmustbeinteresting。Butwhereareyougoing，AvdotyaRomanovna？”
“IwanttoseeSofyaSemyonovna，”Douniaarticulatedfaintly。“HowdoIgotoher？Shehascomein，perhaps。Imustseeheratonce。Perhapsshe…”
AvdotyaRomanovnacouldnotfinish。Herbreathliterallyfailedher。
“SofyaSemyonovnawillnotbebacktillnight，atleastIbelievenot。Shewastohavebeenbackatonce，butifnot，thenshewillnotbeintillquitelate。”
“Ah，thenyouarelying！Isee…youwerelying…lyingallthetime。…Idon’tbelieveyou！Idon’tbelieveyou！”criedDounia，completelylosingherhead。
Almostfainting，shesankontoachairwhichSvidrigailovmadehastetogiveher。
“AvdotyaRomanovna，whatisit？Controlyourself！Hereissomewater。Drinkalittle。…”
Hesprinkledsomewateroverher。Douniashudderedandcametoherself。
“Ithasactedviolently，”Svidrigailovmutteredtohimself，frowning。“AvdotyaRomanovna，calmyourself！Believeme，hehasfriends。Wewillsavehim。Wouldyoulikemetotakehimabroad？Ihavemoney，Icangetaticketinthreedays。Andasforthemurder，hewilldoallsortsofgooddeedsyet，toatoneforit。Calmyourself。Hemaybecomeagreatmanyet。Well，howareyou？Howdoyoufeel？”
“Cruelman！Tobeabletojeeratit！Letmego…”
“Whereareyougoing？”
“Tohim。Whereishe？Doyouknow？Whyisthisdoorlocked？Wecameinatthatdoorandnowitislocked。Whendidyoumanagetolockit？”
“Wecouldn’tbeshoutingallovertheflatonsuchasubject。Iamfarfromjeering；it’ssimplythatI’msickoftalkinglikethis。Buthowcanyougoinsuchastate？Doyouwanttobetrayhim？Youwilldrivehimtofury，andhewillgivehimselfup。Letmetellyou，heisalreadybeingwatched；theyarealreadyonhistrack。Youwillsimplybegivinghimaway。Waitalittle:Isawhimandwastalkingtohimjustnow。Hecanstillbesaved。Waitabit，sitdown；letusthinkitovertogether。Iaskedyoutocomeinordertodiscussitalonewithyouandtoconsideritthoroughly。Butdositdown！”
“Howcanyousavehim？Canhereallybesaved？”
Douniasatdown。Svidrigailovsatdownbesideher。
“Italldependsonyou，onyou，onyoualone，”hebeginwithglowingeyes，almostinawhisperandhardlyabletoutterthewordsforemotion。
Douniadrewbackfromhiminalarm。Hetoowastremblingallover。
“You…onewordfromyou，andheissaved。I…I’llsavehim。Ihavemoneyandfriends。I’llsendhimawayatonce。I’llgetapassport，twopassports，oneforhimandoneforme。Ihavefriends…capablepeople。…Ifyoulike，I’lltakeapassportforyou…foryourmother。…WhatdoyouwantwithRazumihin？Iloveyoutoo。…Iloveyoubeyondeverything。…Letmekissthehemofyourdress，letme，letme。…Theveryrustleofitistoomuchforme。Tellme，‘dothat，’andI’lldoit。I’lldoeverything。Iwilldotheimpossible。Whatyoubelieve，Iwillbelieve。I’lldoanything—anything！Don’t，don’tlookatmelikethat。Doyouknowthatyouarekillingme？…”
Hewasalmostbeginningtorave。…Somethingseemedsuddenlytogotohishead。Douniajumpedupandrushedtothedoor。
“Openit！Openit！”shecalled，shakingthedoor。“Openit！Istherenoonethere？”
Svidrigailovgotupandcametohimself。Hisstilltremblinglipsslowlybrokeintoanangrymockingsmile。
“Thereisnooneathome，”hesaidquietlyandemphatically。“Thelandladyhasgoneout，andit’swasteoftimetoshoutlikethat。Youareonlyexcitingyourselfuselessly。”
“Whereisthekey？Openthedooratonce，atonce，baseman！”
“Ihavelostthekeyandcannotfindit。”
“Thisisanoutrage，”criedDounia，turningpaleasdeath。Sherushedtothefurthestcorner，whereshemadehastetobarricadeherselfwithalittletable。
Shedidnotscream，butshefixedhereyesonhertormentorandwatchedeverymovementhemade。
Svidrigailovremainedstandingattheotherendoftheroomfacingher。Hewaspositivelycomposed，atleastinappearance，buthisfacewaspaleasbefore。Themockingsmiledidnotleavehisface。
“Youspokeofoutragejustnow，AvdotyaRomanovna。InthatcaseyoumaybesureI’vetakenmeasures。SofyaSemyonovnaisnotathome。TheKapernaumovsarefaraway—therearefivelockedroomsbetween。IamatleasttwiceasstrongasyouareandIhavenothingtofear，besides。Foryoucouldnotcomplainafterwards。Yousurelywouldnotbewillingactuallytobetrayyourbrother？Besides，noonewouldbelieveyou。Howshouldagirlhavecomealonetovisitasolitarymaninhislodgings？Sothatevenifyoudosacrificeyourbrother，youcouldprovenothing。Itisverydifficulttoproveanassault，AvdotyaRomanovna。”
“Scoundrel！”whisperedDouniaindignantly。
“Asyoulike，butobserveIwasonlyspeakingbywayofageneralproposition。It’smypersonalconvictionthatyouareperfectlyright—violenceishateful。Ionlyspoketoshowyouthatyouneedhavenoremorseevenif…youwerewillingtosaveyourbrotherofyourownaccord，asIsuggesttoyou。Youwouldbesimplysubmittingtocircumstances，toviolence，infact，ifwemustusethatword。Thinkaboutit。Yourbrother’sandyourmother’sfateareinyourhands。Iwillbeyourslave…allmylife…Iwillwaithere。”
SvidrigailovsatdownonthesofaabouteightstepsfromDounia。Shehadnottheslightestdoubtnowofhisunbendingdetermination。Besides，sheknewhim。Suddenlyshepulledoutofherpocketarevolver，cockeditandlaiditinherhandonthetable。Svidrigailovjumpedup。
“Aha！Sothat’sit，isit？”hecried，surprisedbutsmilingmaliciously。“Well，thatcompletelyalterstheaspectofaffairs。You’vemadethingswonderfullyeasierforme，AvdotyaRomanovna。Butwheredidyougettherevolver？WasitMr。Razumihin？Why，it’smyrevolver，anoldfriend！AndhowI’vehuntedforit！TheshootinglessonsI’vegivenyouinthecountryhavenotbeenthrownaway。”
“It’snotyourrevolver，itbelongedtoMarfaPetrovna，whomyoukilled，wretch！Therewasnothingofyoursinherhouse。ItookitwhenIbegantosuspectwhatyouwerecapableof。Ifyoudaretoadvanceonestep，IswearI’llkillyou。”Shewasfrantic。
“Butyourbrother？Iaskfromcuriosity，”saidSvidrigailov，stillstandingwherehewas。
“Inform，ifyouwantto！Don’tstir！Don’tcomenearer！I’llshoot！Youpoisonedyourwife，Iknow；youareamurdereryourself！”Sheheldtherevolverready。
“AreyousopositiveIpoisonedMarfaPetrovna？”
“Youdid！Youhintedityourself；youtalkedtomeofpoison。…Iknowyouwenttogetit…youhaditinreadiness。…Itwasyourdoing。…Itmusthavebeenyourdoing。…Scoundrel！”
“Evenifthatweretrue，itwouldhavebeenforyoursake…youwouldhavebeenthecause。”
“Youarelying！Ihatedyoualways，always。…”
“Oho，AvdotyaRomanovna！Youseemtohaveforgottenhowyousoftenedtomeintheheatofpropaganda。Isawitinyoureyes。Doyourememberthatmoonlightnight，whenthenightingalewassinging？”
“That’salie，”therewasaflashoffuryinDounia’seyes，“that’salieandalibel！”
“Alie？Well，ifyoulike，it’salie。Imadeitup。Womenoughtnottoberemindedofsuchthings，”hesmiled。“Iknowyouwillshoot，youprettywildcreature。Well，shootaway！”
Douniaraisedtherevolver，anddeadlypale，gazedathim，measuringthedistanceandawaitingthefirstmovementonhispart。Herlowerlipwaswhiteandquiveringandherbigblackeyesflashedlikefire。Hehadneverseenhersohandsome。Thefireglowinginhereyesatthemomentsheraisedtherevolverseemedtokindlehimandtherewasapangofanguishinhisheart。Hetookastepforwardandashotrangout。Thebulletgrazedhishairandflewintothewallbehind。Hestoodstillandlaughedsoftly。
“Thewasphasstungme。Sheaimedstraightatmyhead。What’sthis？Blood？”hepulledouthishandkerchieftowipetheblood，whichflowedinathinstreamdownhisrighttemple。Thebulletseemedtohavejustgrazedtheskin。
DounialoweredtherevolverandlookedatSvidrigailovnotsomuchinterrorasinasortofwildamazement。Sheseemednottounderstandwhatshewasdoingandwhatwasgoingon。
“Well，youmissed！Fireagain，I’llwait，”saidSvidrigailovsoftly，stillsmiling，butgloomily。“Ifyougoonlikethat，Ishallhavetimetoseizeyoubeforeyoucockagain。”
Douniastarted，quicklycockedthepistolandagainraisedit。
“Letmebe，”shecriedindespair。“IswearI’llshootagain。I…I’llkillyou。”
“Well…atthreepacesyoucanhardlyhelpit。Butifyoudon’t…then。”Hiseyesflashedandhetooktwostepsforward。Douniashotagain:itmissedfire。
“Youhaven’tloadeditproperly。Nevermind，youhaveanotherchargethere。Getitready，I’llwait。”
Hestoodfacingher，twopacesaway，waitingandgazingatherwithwilddetermination，withfeverishlypassionate，stubborn，seteyes。Douniasawthathewouldsoonerdiethanlethergo。“And…now，ofcourseshewouldkillhim，attwopaces！”Suddenlysheflungawaytherevolver。
“She’sdroppedit！”saidSvidrigailovwithsurprise，andhedrewadeepbreath。Aweightseemedtohaverolledfromhisheart—perhapsnotonlythefearofdeath；indeedhemayscarcelyhavefeltitatthatmoment。Itwasthedeliverancefromanotherfeeling，darkerandmorebitter，whichhecouldnothimselfhavedefined。
HewenttoDouniaandgentlyputhisarmroundherwaist。Shedidnotresist，but，tremblinglikealeaf，lookedathimwithsupplianteyes。Hetriedtosaysomething，buthislipsmovedwithoutbeingabletoutterasound。
“Letmego，”Douniaimplored。Svidrigailovshuddered。Hervoicenowwasquitedifferent。
“Thenyoudon’tloveme？”heaskedsoftly。Douniashookherhead。
“And…andyoucan’t？Never？”hewhisperedindespair。
“Never！”
Therefollowedamomentofterrible，dumbstruggleintheheartofSvidrigailov。Helookedatherwithanindescribablegaze。Suddenlyhewithdrewhisarm，turnedquicklytothewindowandstoodfacingit。Anothermomentpassed。
“Here’sthekey。”
Hetookitoutoftheleftpocketofhiscoatandlaiditonthetablebehindhim，withoutturningorlookingatDounia。
“Takeit！Makehaste！”
Helookedstubbornlyoutofthewindow。Douniawentuptothetabletotakethekey。
“Makehaste！Makehaste！”repeatedSvidrigailov，stillwithoutturningormoving。Butthereseemedaterriblesignificanceinthetoneofthat“makehaste。”
Douniaunderstoodit，snatchedupthekey，flewtothedoor，unlockeditquicklyandrushedoutoftheroom。Aminutelater，besideherself，sheranoutontothecanalbankinthedirectionofX。Bridge。
Svidrigailovremainedthreeminutesstandingatthewindow。Atlastheslowlyturned，lookedabouthimandpassedhishandoverhisforehead。Astrangesmilecontortedhisface，apitiful，sad，weaksmile，asmileofdespair。Theblood，whichwasalreadygettingdry，smearedhishand。Helookedangrilyatit，thenwettedatowelandwashedhistemple。TherevolverwhichDouniahadflungawaylaynearthedoorandsuddenlycaughthiseye。Hepickeditupandexaminedit。Itwasalittlepocketthree-barrelrevolverofold-fashionedconstruction。Therewerestilltwochargesandonecapsuleleftinit。Itcouldbefiredagain。Hethoughtalittle，puttherevolverinhispocket，tookhishatandwentout。
