"Oh，nonsense，nonsense，"saidthegeneral，withdecision。"Whatextraordinaryideasyouhave，Gania！Asifshewouldhint；that’snotherwayatall。Besides，whatcouldyougiveher，withouthavingthousandsatyourdisposal？Youmighthavegivenheryourportrait，however。Hassheeveraskedyouforit？"
　　"No，notyet。Verylikelysheneverwill。Isupposeyouhaven’tforgottenabouttonight，haveyou，IvanFedorovitch？Youwereoneofthosespeciallyinvited，youknow。"
　　"Ohno，Irememberallright，andIshallgo，ofcourse。Ishouldthinkso！She’stwenty-fiveyearsoldtoday！And，youknow，Gania，youmustbereadyforgreatthings；shehaspromisedbothmyselfandAfanasyIvanovitchthatshewillgiveadecidedanswertonight，yesorno。Sobeprepared！"
　　Ganiasuddenlybecamesoillateasethathisfacegrewpalerthanever。
　　"Areyousureshesaidthat？"heasked，andhisvoiceseemedtoquiverashespoke。
　　"Yes，shepromised。Webothworriedhersothatshegavein；butshewishedustotellyounothingaboutituntiltheday。"
　　ThegeneralwatchedGania’sconfusionintently，andclearlydidnotlikeit。
　　"Remember，IvanFedorovitch，"saidGania，ingreatagitation，"thatIwastobefreetoo，untilherdecision；andthateventhenIwastohavemy’yesorno’free。"
　　"Why，don’tyou，aren’tyou——"beganthegeneral，inalarm。
　　"Oh，don’tmisunderstand——"
　　"But，mydearfellow，whatareyoudoing，whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Oh，I’mnotrejectingher。Imayhaveexpressedmyselfbadly，butIdidn’tmeanthat。"
　　"Rejecther！Ishouldthinknot！"saidthegeneralwithannoyance，andapparentlynotintheleastanxioustoconcealit。
　　"Why，mydearfellow，it’snotaquestionofyourrejectingher，itiswhetheryouarepreparedtoreceiveherconsentjoyfully，andwithpropersatisfaction。Howarethingsgoingonathome？"
　　"Athome？Oh，IcandoasIlikethere，ofcourse；onlymyfatherwillmakeafoolofhimself，asusual。Heisrapidlybecomingageneralnuisance。Idon’tevertalktohimnow，butIholdhimincheek，safeenough。Iswearifithadnotbeenformymother，I
　　shouldhaveshownhimthewayout，longago。Mymotherisalwayscrying，ofcourse，andmysistersulks。IhadtotellthematlastthatIintendedtobemasterofmyowndestiny，andthatI
　　expecttobeobeyedathome。Atleast，Igavemysistertounderstandasmuch，andmymotherwaspresent。"
　　"Well，Imustsay，Icannotunderstandit！"saidthegeneral，shrugginghisshouldersanddroppinghishands。"Yourememberyourmother，NinaAlexandrovna，thatdayshecameandsathereandgroaned-andwhenIaskedherwhatwasthematter，shesays，’Oh，it’ssuchaDISHONOURtous！’dishonour！Stuffandnonsense！
　　IshouldliketoknowwhocanreproachNastasiaPhilipovna，orwhocansayawordofanykindagainsther。DidshemeanbecauseNastasiahadbeenlivingwithTotski？Whatnonsenseitis！Youwouldnotlethercomenearyourdaughters，saysNinaAlexandrovna。Whatnext，Iwonder？Idon’tseehowshecanfailto——tounderstand——"
　　"Herownposition？"promptedGania。"Shedoesunderstand。Don’tbeannoyedwithher。Ihavewarnedhernottomeddleinotherpeople’saffairs。However，althoughthere’scomparativepeaceathomeatpresent，thestormwillbreakifanythingisfinallysettledtonight。"
　　Theprinceheardthewholeoftheforegoingconversation，ashesatatthetable，writing。Hefinishedatlast，andbroughttheresultofhislabourtothegeneral’sdesk。
　　"SothisisNastasiaPhilipovna，"hesaid，lookingattentivelyandcuriouslyattheportrait。"Howwonderfullybeautiful！"heimmediatelyadded，withwarmth。Thepicturewascertainlythatofanunusuallylovelywoman。Shewasphotographedinablacksilkdressofsimpledesign，herhairwasevidentlydarkandplainlyarranged，hereyesweredeepandthoughtful，theexpressionofherfacepassionate，butproud。Shewasratherthin，perhaps，andalittlepale。BothGaniaandthegeneralgazedattheprinceinamazement。
　　"Howdoyouknowit’sNastasiaPhilipovna？"askedthegeneral；
　　"yousurelydon’tknowheralready，doyou？"
　　"Yes，Ido！IhaveonlybeenonedayinRussia，butIhaveheardofthegreatbeauty！"AndtheprinceproceededtonarratehismeetingwithRogojininthetrainandthewholeofthelatter’sstory。
　　"There’snews！"saidthegeneralinsomeexcitement，afterlisteningtothestorywithengrossedattention。
　　"Oh，ofcourseit’snothingbuthumbug！"criedGania，alittledisturbed，however。"It’sallhumbug；theyoungmerchantwaspleasedtoindulgeinalittleinnocentrecreation！IhaveheardsomethingofRogojin！"
　　"Yes，sohaveI！"repliedthegeneral。"NastasiaPhilipovnatoldusallabouttheearringsthatveryday。Butnowitisquiteadifferentmatter。Youseethefellowreallyhasamillionofroubles，andheispassionatelyinlove。Thewholestorysmellsofpassion，andweallknowwhatthisclassofgentryiscapableofwheninfatuated。Iammuchafraidofsomedisagreeablescandal，Iamindeed！"
　　"Youareafraidofthemillion，Isuppose，"saidGania，grinningandshowinghisteeth。
　　"AndyouareNOT，Ipresume，eh？"
　　"Howdidhestrikeyou，prince？"askedGania，suddenly。"Didheseemtobeaserioussortofaman，orjustacommonrowdyfellow？Whatwasyourownopinionaboutthematter？"
　　WhileGaniaputthisquestion，anewideasuddenlyflashedintohisbrain，andblazedout，impatiently，inhiseyes。Thegeneral，whowasreallyagitatedanddisturbed，lookedattheprincetoo，butdidnotseemtoexpectmuchfromhisreply。
　　"Ireallydon’tquiteknowhowtotellyou，"repliedtheprince，"butitcertainlydidseemtomethatthemanwasfullofpassion，andnot，perhaps，quitehealthypassion。Heseemedtobestillfarfromwell。Verylikelyhewillbeinbedagaininadayortwo，especiallyifhelivesfast。"
　　"No！doyouthinkso？"saidthegeneral，catchingattheidea。
　　"Yes，Idothinkso！"
　　"Yes，butthesortofscandalIreferredtomayhappenatanymoment。Itmaybethisveryevening，"remarkedGaniatothegeneral，withasmile。
　　"Ofcourse；quiteso。Inthatcaseitalldependsuponwhatisgoingoninherbrainatthismoment。"
　　"Youknowthekindofpersonsheisattimes。"
　　"How？Whatkindofpersonisshe？"criedthegeneral，arrivedatthelimitsofhispatience。Lookhere，Gania，don’tyougoannoyinghertonightWhatyouaretodoistobeasagreeabletowardsheraseveryoucan。Well，whatareyousmilingat？Youmustunderstand，Gania，thatIhavenointerestwhateverinspeakinglikethis。Whicheverwaythequestionissettled，itwillbetomyadvantage。NothingwillmoveTotskifromhisresolution，soIrunnorisk。IfthereisanythingIdesire，youmustknowthatitisyourbenefitonly。Can’tyoutrustme？Youareasensiblefellow，andIhavebeencountingonyou；for，inthismatter，that，that——"
　　"Yes，that’sthechiefthing，"saidGania，helpingthegeneraloutofhisdifficultiesagain，andcurlinghislipsinanenvenomedsmile，whichhedidnotattempttoconceal。Hegazedwithhisfeveredeyesstraightintothoseofthegeneral，asthoughhewereanxiousthatthelattermightreadhisthoughts。
　　Thegeneralgrewpurplewithanger。
　　"Yes，ofcourseitisthechiefthing！"hecried，lookingsharplyatGania。"Whataverycuriousmanyouare，Gania！YouactuallyseemtobeGLADtohearofthismillionairefellow’sarrival-
　　justasthoughyouwishedforanexcusetogetoutofthewholething。Thisisanaffairinwhichyououghttoacthonestlywithbothsides，andgiveduewarning，toavoidcompromisingothers。But，evennow，thereisstilltime。Doyouunderstandme？
　　Iwishtoknowwhetheryoudesirethisarrangementorwhetheryoudonot？Ifnot，sayso，——and-andwelcome！Nooneistryingtoforceyouintothesnare，GavrilaArdalionovitch，ifyouseeasnareinthematter，atleast。"
　　"Idodesireit，"murmuredGania，softlybutfirmly，loweringhiseyes；andherelapsedintogloomysilence。
　　Thegeneralwassatisfied。Hehadexcitedhimself，andwasevidentlynowregrettingthathehadgonesofar。Heturnedtotheprince，andsuddenlythedisagreeablethoughtofthelatter’spresencestruckhim，andthecertaintythathemusthaveheardeverywordoftheconversation。Buthefeltateaseinanothermoment；itonlyneededoneglanceattheprincetoseethatinthatquartertherewasnothingtofear。
　　"Oh！"criedthegeneral，catchingsightoftheprince’sspecimenofcaligraphy，whichthelatterhadnowhandedhimforinspection。"Why，thisissimplybeautiful；lookatthat，Gania，there’srealtalentthere！"
　　Onasheetofthickwriting-papertheprincehadwritteninmedievalcharactersthelegend:
　　"ThegentleAbbotPafnutesignedthis。"
　　"There，"explainedtheprince，withgreatdelightandanimation，"there，that’stheabbot’srealsignature——fromamanuscriptofthefourteenthcentury。Alltheseoldabbotsandbishopsusedtowritemostbeautifully，withsuchtasteandsomuchcareanddiligence。HaveyounocopyofPogodin，general？IfyouhadoneI
　　couldshowyouanothertype。Stopabit——hereyouhavethelargeroundwritingcommoninFranceduringtheeighteenthcentury。
　　Someofthelettersareshapedquitedifferentlyfromthosenowinuse。Itwasthewritingcurrentthen，andemployedbypublicwritersgenerally。Icopiedthisfromoneofthem，andyoucanseehowgooditis。Lookatthewell-roundedaandd。IhavetriedtotranslatetheFrenchcharacterintotheRussianletters——
　　adifficultthingtodo，butIthinkIhavesucceededfairly。
　　Hereisafinesentence，writteninagood，originalhand——’Zealtriumphsoverall。’ThatisthescriptoftheRussianWarOffice。
　　Thatishowofficialdocumentsaddressedtoimportantpersonagesshouldbewritten。Thelettersareround，thetypeblack，andthestylesomewhatremarkable。Astylistwouldnotallowtheseornaments，orattemptsatflourishes——justlookattheseunfinishedtails！——butithasdistinctionandreallydepictsthesoulofthewriter。Hewouldliketogiveplaytohisimagination，andfollowtheinspirationofhisgenius，butasoldierisonlyateaseintheguard-room，andthepenstopshalf-way，aslavetodiscipline。Howdelightful！ThefirsttimeImetanexampleofthishandwriting，Iwaspositivelyastonished，andwheredoyouthinkIchancedtofindit？InSwitzerland，ofallplaces！NowthatisanordinaryEnglishhand。
　　Itcanhardlybeimproved，itissorefinedandexquisite——almostperfection。Thisisanexampleofanotherkind，amixtureofstyles。ThecopywasgivenmebyaFrenchcommercialtraveller。
　　ItisfoundedontheEnglish，butthedownstrokesarealittleblacker，andmoremarked。Noticethattheovalhassomeslightmodification——itismorerounded。Thiswritingallowsforflourishes；nowaflourishisadangerousthing！Itsuserequiressuchtaste，but，ifsuccessful，whatadistinctionitgivestothewhole！Itresultsinanincomparabletype——onetofallinlovewith！"
　　"Dearme！Howyouhavegoneintoalltherefinementsanddetailsofthequestion！Why，mydearfellow，youarenotacaligraphist，youareanartist！Eh，Gania？"
　　"Wonderful！"saidGania。"Andheknowsittoo，"headded，withasarcasticsmile。
　　"Youmaysmile，——butthere’sacareerinthis，"saidthegeneral。
　　"Youdon’tknowwhatagreatpersonageIshallshowthisto，prince。Why，youcancommandasituationatthirty-fiveroublespermonthtostartwith。However，it’shalf-pasttwelve，"heconcluded，lookingathiswatch；"sotobusiness，prince，forI
　　mustbesettingtoworkandshallnotseeyouagaintoday。Sitdownaminute。IhavetoldyouthatIcannotreceiveyoumyselfveryoften，butIshouldliketobeofsomeassistancetoyou，somesmallassistance，ofakindthatwouldgiveyousatisfaction。IshallfindyouaplaceinoneoftheStatedepartments，aneasyplace——butyouwillrequiretobeaccurate。
　　Now，astoyourplans——inthehouse，orratherinthefamilyofGaniahere——myyoungfriend，whomIhopeyouwillknowbetter——hismotherandsisterhavepreparedtwoorthreeroomsforlodgers，andletthemtohighlyrecommendedyoungfellows，withboardandattendance。IamsureNinaAlexandrovnawilltakeyouinonmyrecommendation。Thereyouwillbecomfortableandwelltakencareof；forIdonotthink，prince，thatyouarethesortofmantobelefttothemercyofFateinatownlikePetersburg。NinaAlexandrovna，Gania’smother，andVarvaraAlexandrovna，areladiesforwhomIhavethehighestpossibleesteemandrespect。
　　NinaAlexandrovnaisthewifeofGeneralArdalionAlexandrovitch，myoldbrotherinarms，withwhom，Iregrettosay，onaccountofcertaincircumstances，Iamnolongeracquainted。Igiveyouallthisinformation，prince，inordertomakeitcleartoyouthatI
　　ampersonallyrecommendingyoutothisfamily，andthatinsodoing，Iammoreorlesstakinguponmyselftoanswerforyou。
　　Thetermsaremostreasonable，andItrustthatyoursalarywillveryshortlyproveamplysufficientforyourexpenditure。Ofcoursepocket-moneyisanecessity，ifonlyalittle；donotbeangry，prince，ifIstronglyrecommendyoutoavoidcarryingmoneyinyourpocket。Butasyourpurseisquiteemptyatthepresentmoment，youmustallowmetopressthesetwenty-fiveroublesuponyouracceptance，assomethingtobeginwith。Ofcoursewewillsettlethislittlematteranothertime，andifyouaretheupright，honestmanyoulook，Ianticipateverylittletroublebetweenusonthatscore。TakingsomuchinterestinyouasyoumayperceiveIdo，Iamnotwithoutmyobject，andyoushallknowitingoodtime。Yousee，Iamperfectlycandidwithyou。Ihope，Gania，youhavenothingtosayagainsttheprince’stakinguphisabodeinyourhouse？"
　　"Oh，onthecontrary！mymotherwillbeveryglad，"saidGania，courteouslyandkindly。
　　"Ithinkonlyoneofyourroomsisengagedasyet，isitnot？
　　ThatfellowFerd-Ferd——"
　　"Ferdishenko。"
　　"Yes——Idon’tlikethatFerdishenko。Ican’tunderstandwhyNastasiaPhilipovnaencourageshimso。Ishereallyhercousin，ashesays？"
　　"Ohdearno，it’sallajoke。NomorecousinthanIam。"
　　"Well，whatdoyouthinkofthearrangement，prince？"
　　"Thankyou，general；youhavebehavedverykindlytome；allthemoresosinceIdidnotaskyoutohelpme。Idon’tsaythatoutofpride。Icertainlydidnotknowwheretolaymyheadtonight。
　　Rogojinaskedmetocometohishouse，ofcourse，but——"
　　"Rogojin？No，no，mygoodfellow。Ishouldstronglyrecommendyou，paternally，——or，ifyoupreferit，asafriend，——toforgetallaboutRogojin，and，infact，tosticktothefamilyintowhichyouareabouttoenter。"
　　"Thankyou，"begantheprince；"andsinceyouaresoverykindthereisjustonematterwhichI——"
　　"Youmustreallyexcuseme，"interruptedthegeneral，"butI
　　positivelyhaven’tanothermomentnow。IshalljusttellElizabethaProkofievnaaboutyou，andifshewishestoreceiveyouatonce——asIshalladviseher——Istronglyrecommendyoutoingratiateyourselfwithheratthefirstopportunity，formywifemaybeofthegreatestservicetoyouinmanyways。Ifshecannotreceiveyounow，youmustbecontenttowaittillanothertime。Meanwhileyou，Gania，justlookovertheseaccounts，willyou？Wemustn’tforgettofinishoffthatmatter——"
　　Thegenerallefttheroom，andtheprinceneversucceededinbroachingthebusinesswhichhehadonhand，thoughhehadendeavouredtodosofourtimes。
　　Ganialitacigaretteandofferedonetotheprince。Thelatteracceptedtheoffer，butdidnottalk，beingunwillingtodisturbGania’swork。Hecommencedtoexaminethestudyanditscontents。ButGaniahardlysomuchasglancedatthepaperslyingbeforehim；hewasabsentandthoughtful，andhissmileandgeneralappearancestrucktheprincestillmoredisagreeablynowthatthetwowereleftalonetogether。
　　SuddenlyGaniaapproachedourherowhowasatthemomentstandingoverNastasiaPhilipovna’sportrait，gazingatit。
　　"Doyouadmirethatsortofwoman，prince？"heasked，lookingintentlyathim。Heseemedtohavesomespecialobjectinthequestion。
　　"It’sawonderfulface，"saidtheprince，"andIfeelsurethatherdestinyisnotbyanymeansanordinary，uneventfulone。Herfaceissmilingenough，butshemusthavesufferedterribly——
　　hasn’tshe？Hereyesshowit——thosetwobonesthere，thelittlepointsunderhereyes，justwherethecheekbegins。It’saproudfacetoo，terriblyproud！AndI——Ican’tsaywhethersheisgoodandkind，ornot。Oh，ifshebebutgood！Thatwouldmakeallwell！"
　　"Andwouldyoumarryawomanlikethat，now？"continuedGania，nevertakinghisexcitedeyesofftheprince’sface。
　　"Icannotmarryatall，"saidthelatter。"Iamaninvalid。"
　　"WouldRogojinmarryher，doyouthink？"
　　"Whynot？Certainlyhewould，Ishouldthink。Hewouldmarryhertomorrow！——marryhertomorrowandmurderherinaweek！"
　　HardlyhadtheprinceutteredthelastwordwhenGaniagavesuchafearfulshudderthattheprincealmostcriedout。
　　"What’sthematter？"saidhe，seizingGania’shand。
　　"Yourhighness！Hisexcellencybegsyourpresenceinherexcellency’sapartments！"announcedthefootman，appearingatthedoor。
　　Theprinceimmediatelyfollowedthemanoutoftheroom。
　　IV。
　　ALLthreeoftheMissEpanchinswerefine，healthygirls，well-
　　grown，withgoodshouldersandbusts，andstrong——almostmasculine——hands；and，ofcourse，withalltheaboveattributes，theyenjoyedcapitalappetites，ofwhichtheywerenotintheleastashamed。
　　ElizabethaProkofievnasometimesinformedthegirlsthattheywerealittletoocandidinthismatter，butinspiteoftheiroutwarddeferencetotheirmotherthesethreeyoungwomen，insolemnconclave，hadlongagreedtomodifytheunquestioningobediencewhichtheyhadbeeninthehabitofaccordingtoher；
　　andMrs。GeneralEpanchinhadjudgeditbettertosaynothingaboutit，though，ofcourse，shewaswellawareofthefact。
　　Itistruethathernaturesometimesrebelledagainstthesedictatesofreason，andthatshegrewyearlymorecapriciousandimpatient；buthavingarespectfulandwell-disciplinedhusbandunderherthumbatalltimes，shefounditpossible，asarule，toemptyanylittleaccumulationsofspleenuponhishead，andthereforetheharmonyofthefamilywaskeptdulybalanced，andthingswentassmoothlyasfamilymatterscan。
　　Mrs。Epanchinhadafairappetiteherself，andgenerallytookhershareofthecapitalmid-daylunchwhichwasalwaysservedforthegirls，andwhichwasnearlyasgoodasadinner。Theyoungladiesusedtohaveacupofcoffeeeachbeforethismeal，atteno’clock，whilestillinbed。Thiswasafavouriteandunalterablearrangementwiththem。Athalf-pasttwelve，thetablewaslaidinthesmalldining-room，andoccasionallythegeneralhimselfappearedatthefamilygathering，ifhehadtime。
　　Besidesteaandcoffee，cheese，honey，butter，pan-cakesofvariouskindstheladyofthehouselovedthesebest，cutlets，andsoon，therewasgenerallystrongbeefsoup，andothersubstantialdelicacies。
　　Ontheparticularmorningonwhichourstoryhasopened，thefamilyhadassembledinthedining-room，andwerewaitingthegeneral’sappearance，thelatterhavingpromisedtocomethisday。Ifhehadbeenonemomentlate，hewouldhavebeensentforatonce；butheturneduppunctually。
　　Ashecameforwardtowishhiswifegood-morningandkissherhands，ashiscustomwas，heobservedsomethinginherlookwhichbodedill。Hethoughtheknewthereason，andhadexpectedit，butstill，hewasnotaltogethercomfortable。Hisdaughtersadvancedtokisshim，too，andthoughtheydidnotlookexactlyangry，therewassomethingstrangeintheirexpressionaswell。
　　Thegeneralwas，owingtocertaincircumstances，alittleinclinedtobetoosuspiciousathome，andneedlesslynervous；
　　but，asanexperiencedfatherandhusband，hejudgeditbettertotakemeasuresatoncetoprotecthimselffromanydangerstheremightbeintheair。
　　However，IhopeIshallnotinterferewiththepropersequenceofmynarrativetoomuch，ifIdivergeforamomentatthispoint，inordertoexplainthemutualrelationsbetweenGeneralEpanchin’sfamilyandothersactingapartinthishistory，atthetimewhenwetakeupthethreadoftheirdestiny。Ihavealreadystatedthatthegeneral，thoughhewasamanoflowlyorigin，andofpooreducation，was，forallthat，anexperiencedandtalentedhusbandandfather。Amongotherthings，heconsidereditundesirabletohurryhisdaughterstothematrimonialaltarandtoworrythemtoomuchwithassurancesofhispaternalwishesfortheirhappiness，asisthecustomamongparentsofmanygrown-updaughters。Heevensucceededinranginghiswifeonhissideonthisquestion，thoughhefoundthefeatverydifficulttoaccomplish，becauseunnatural；butthegeneral’sargumentswereconclusive，andfoundeduponobviousfacts。Thegeneralconsideredthatthegirls’tasteandgoodsenseshouldbeallowedtodevelopandmaturedeliberately，andthattheparents’dutyshouldmerelybetokeepwatch，inorderthatnostrangeorundesirablechoicebemade；butthattheselectiononceeffected，bothfatherandmotherwereboundfromthatmomenttoenterheartandsoulintothecause，andtoseethatthematterprogressedwithouthindranceuntilthealtarshouldbehappilyreached。
　　Besidesthis，itwasclearthattheEpanchins’positiongainedeachyear，withgeometricalaccuracy，bothastofinancialsolidityandsocialweight；and，therefore，thelongerthegirlswaited，thebetterwastheirchanceofmakingabrilliantmatch。
　　Butagain，amidsttheincontrovertiblefactsjustrecorded，onemore，equallysignificant，roseuptoconfrontthefamily；andthiswas，thattheeldestdaughter，Alexandra，hadimperceptiblyarrivedathertwenty-fifthbirthday。Almostatthesamemoment，AfanasyIvanovitchTotski，amanofimmensewealth，highconnections，andgoodstanding，announcedhisintentionofmarrying。AfanasyIvanovitchwasagentlemanoffifty-fiveyearsofage，artisticallygifted，andofmostrefinedtastes。Hewishedtomarrywell，and，moreover，hewasakeenadmirerandjudgeofbeauty。
　　Now，sinceTotskihad，oflate，beenupontermsofgreatcordialitywithEpanchin，whichexcellentrelationswereintensifiedbythefactthattheywere，sotospeak，partnersinseveralfinancialenterprises，itsohappenedthattheformernowputinafriendlyrequesttothegeneralforcounselwithregardtotheimportantstephemeditated。Mighthesuggest，forinstance，suchathingasamarriagebetweenhimselfandoneofthegeneral’sdaughters？
　　Evidentlythequiet，pleasantcurrentofthefamilylifeoftheEpanchinswasabouttoundergoachange。
　　Theundoubtedbeautyofthefamily，parexcellence，wastheyoungest，Aglaya，asaforesaid。ButTotskihimself，thoughanegotistoftheextremesttype，realizedthathehadnochancethere；Aglayawasclearlynotforsuchashe。
　　PerhapsthesisterlyloveandfriendshipofthethreegirlshadmoreorlessexaggeratedAglaya’schancesofhappiness。Intheiropinion，thelatter’sdestinywasnotmerelytobeveryhappy；
　　shewastoliveinaheavenonearth。Aglaya’shusbandwastobeacompendiumofallthevirtues，andofallsuccess，nottospeakoffabulouswealth。Thetwoeldersistershadagreedthatallwastobesacrificedbythem，ifneedbe，forAglaya’ssake；herdowrywastobecolossalandunprecedented。
　　Thegeneralandhiswifewereawareofthisagreement，and，therefore，whenTotskisuggestedhimselfforoneofthesisters，theparentsmadenodoubtthatoneofthetwoeldergirlswouldprobablyaccepttheoffer，sinceTotskiwouldcertainlymakenodifficultyastodowry。Thegeneralvaluedtheproposalveryhighly。Heknewlife，andrealizedwhatsuchanofferwasworth。
　　Theanswerofthesisterstothecommunicationwas，ifnotconclusive，atleastconsolingandhopeful。Itmadeknownthattheeldest，Alexandra，wouldverylikelybedisposedtolistentoaproposal。
　　Alexandrawasagood-naturedgirl，thoughshehadawillofherown。Shewasintelligentandkind-hearted，and，ifsheweretomarryTotski，shewouldmakehimagoodwife。Shedidnotcareforabrilliantmarriage；shewaseminentlyawomancalculatedtosootheandsweetenthelifeofanyman；decidedlypretty，ifnotabsolutelyhandsome。WhatbettercouldTotskiwish？
　　Sothemattercreptslowlyforward。ThegeneralandTotskihadagreedtoavoidanyhastyandirrevocablestep。Alexandra’sparentshadnotevenbeguntotalktotheirdaughtersfreelyuponthesubject，whensuddenly，asitwere，adissonantchordwasstruckamidtheharmonyoftheproceedings。Mrs。Epanchinbegantoshowsignsofdiscontent，andthatwasaseriousmatter。A
　　certaincircumstancehadcreptin，adisagreeableandtroublesomefactor，whichthreatenedtooverturnthewholebusiness。
　　Thiscircumstancehadcomeintoexistenceeighteenyearsbefore。
　　ClosetoanestateofTotski’s，inoneofthecentralprovincesofRussia，therelived，atthattime，apoorgentlemanwhoseestatewasofthewretchedestdescription。Thisgentlemanwasnotedinthedistrictforhispersistentill-fortune；hisnamewasBarashkoff，and，asregardsfamilyanddescent，hewasvastlysuperiortoTotski，buthisestatewasmortgagedtothelastacre。Oneday，whenhehadriddenovertothetowntoseeacreditor，thechiefpeasantofhisvillagefollowedhimshortlyafter，withthenewsthathishousehadbeenburntdown，andthathiswifehadperishedwithit，buthischildrenweresafe。
　　EvenBarashkoff，inuredtothestormsofevilfortuneashewas，couldnotstandthislaststroke。Hewentmadanddiedshortlyafterinthetownhospital。Hisestatewassoldforthecreditors；andthelittlegirls——twoofthem，ofsevenandeightyearsofagerespectively，——wereadoptedbyTotski，whoundertooktheirmaintenanceandeducationinthekindnessofhisheart。
　　TheywerebroughtuptogetherwiththechildrenofhisGermanbailiff。Verysoon，however，therewasonlyoneofthemleft-
　　NastasiaPhilipovna——fortheotherlittleonediedofwhooping-
　　cough。Totski，whowaslivingabroadatthistime，verysoonforgotallaboutthechild；butfiveyearsafter，returningtoRussia，itstruckhimthathewouldliketolookoverhisestateandseehowmattersweregoingthere，and，arrivedathisbailiff’shouse，hewasnotlongindiscoveringthatamongthechildrenofthelattertherenowdweltamostlovelylittlegirloftwelve，sweetandintelligent，andbright，andpromisingtodevelopbeautyofmostunusualquality-astowhichlastTotskiwasanundoubtedauthority。
　　Heonlystayedathiscountryscatafewdaysonthisoccasion，buthehadtimetomakehisarrangements。Greatchangestookplaceinthechild’seducation；agoodgovernesswasengaged，aSwissladyofexperienceandculture。ForfouryearsthisladyresidedinthehousewithlittleNastia，andthentheeducationwasconsideredcomplete。Thegovernesstookherdeparture，andanotherladycamedowntofetchNastia，byTotski’sinstructions。
　　ThechildwasnowtransportedtoanotherofTotski’sestatesinadistantpartofthecountry。Hereshefoundadelightfullittlehouse，justbuilt，andpreparedforherreceptionwithgreatcareandtaste；andhereshetookupherabodetogetherwiththeladywhohadaccompaniedherfromheroldhome。Inthehousethereweretwoexperiencedmaids，musicalinstrumentsofallsorts，acharming"younglady’slibrary，"pictures，paint-boxes，alap-
　　dog，andeverythingtomakelifeagreeable。WithinafortnightTotskihimselfarrived，andfromthattimeheappearedtohavetakenagreatfancytothispartoftheworldandcamedowneachsummer，stayingtwoandthreemonthsatatime。Sopassedfouryearspeacefullyandhappily，incharmingsurroundings。
　　Attheendofthattime，andaboutfourmonthsafterTotski’slastvisithehadstayedbutafortnightonthisoccasion，areportreachedNastasiaPhilipovnathathewasabouttobemarriedinSt。Petersburg，toarich，eminent，andlovelywoman。
　　Thereportwasonlypartiallytrue，themarriageprojectbeingonlyinanembryocondition；butagreatchangenowcameoverNastasiaPhilipovna。Shesuddenlydisplayedunusualdecisionofcharacter；andwithoutwastingtimeinthought，shelefthercountryhomeandcameuptoSt。Petersburg，straighttoTotski’shouse，allalone。
　　Thelatter，amazedatherconduct，begantoexpresshisdispleasure；butheverysoonbecameawarethathemustchangehisvoice，style，andeverythingelse，withthisyounglady；thegoodoldtimesweregone。Anentirelynewanddifferentwomansatbeforehim，betweenwhomandthegirlhehadleftinthecountrylastJulythereseemednothingincommon。
　　Inthefirstplace，thisnewwomanunderstoodagooddealmorethanwasusualforyoungpeopleofherage；somuchindeed，thatTotskicouldnothelpwonderingwhereshehadpickedupherknowledge。Surelynotfromher"younglady’slibrary"？Itevenembracedlegalmatters，andthe"world"ingeneral，toaconsiderableextent。
　　Hercharacterwasabsolutelychanged。Nomoreofthegirlishalternationsoftimidityandpetulance，theadorablenaivete，thereveries，thetears，theplayfulness……Itwasanentirelynewandhithertounknownbeingwhonowsatandlaughedathim，andinformedhimtohisfacethatshehadneverhadthefaintestfeelingforhimofanykind，exceptloathingandcontempt——
　　contemptwhichhadfollowedcloselyuponhersensationsofsurpriseandbewildermentafterherfirstacquaintancewithhim。
　　Thisnewwomangavehimfurthertounderstandthatthoughitwasabsolutelythesametoherwhomhemarried，yetshehaddecidedtopreventthismarriage——fornoparticularreason，butthatshechosetodoso，andbecauseshewishedtoamuseherselfathisexpenseforthatitwas"quiteherturntolaughalittlenow！"
　　Suchwereherwords——verylikelyshedidnotgiveherrealreasonforthiseccentricconduct；but，atallevents，thatwasalltheexplanationshedeignedtooffer。
　　Meanwhile，Totskithoughtthematteroveraswellashisscatteredideaswouldpermit。Hismeditationslastedafortnight，however，andattheendofthattimehisresolutionwastaken。
　　Thefactwas，Totskiwasatthattimeamanoffiftyyearsofage；hispositionwassolidandrespectable；hisplaceinsocietyhadlongbeenfirmlyfixeduponsafefoundations；helovedhimself，hispersonalcomforts，andhispositionbetterthanalltheworld，aseveryrespectablegentlemanshould！
　　AtthesametimehisgraspofthingsingeneralsoonshowedTotskithathenowhadtodealwithabeingwhowasoutsidethepaleoftheordinaryrulesoftraditionalbehaviour，andwhowouldnotonlythreatenmischiefbutwouldundoubtedlycarryitout，andstopfornoone。
　　Therewasevidently，heconcluded，somethingatworkhere；somestormofthemind，someparoxysmofromanticanger，goodnessknowsagainstwhomorwhat，someinsatiablecontempt——inaword，somethingaltogetherabsurdandimpossible，butatthesametimemostdangeroustobemetwithbyanyrespectablepersonwithapositioninsocietytokeepup。
　　ForamanofTotski’swealthandstanding，itwould，ofcourse，havebeenthesimplestpossiblemattertotakestepswhichwouldridhimatoncefromallannoyance；whileitwasobviouslyimpossibleforNastasiaPhilipovnatoharmhiminanyway，eitherlegallyorbystirringupascandal，for，incaseofthelatterdanger，hecouldsoeasilyremovehertoasphereofsafety。
　　However，theseargumentswouldonlyholdgoodincaseofNastasiaactingasothersmightinsuchanemergency。Shewasmuchmorelikelytooversteptheboundsofreasonableconductbysomeextraordinaryeccentricity。
　　HerethesoundjudgmentofTotskistoodhimingoodstead。HerealizedthatNastasiaPhilipovnamustbewellawarethatshecoulddonothingbylegalmeanstoinjurehim，andthatherflashingeyesbetrayedsomeentirelydifferentintention。
　　NastasiaPhilipovnawasquitecapableofruiningherself，andevenofperpetratingsomethingwhichwouldsendhertoSiberia，forthemerepleasureofinjuringamanforwhomshehaddevelopedsoinhumanasenseofloathingandcontempt。Hehadsufficientinsighttounderstandthatshevaluednothingintheworld——herselfleastofall——andhemadenoattempttoconcealthefactthathewasacowardinsomerespects。Forinstance，ifhehadbeentoldthathewouldbestabbedatthealtar，orpubliclyinsulted，hewouldundoubtedlyhavebeenfrightened；butnotsomuchattheideaofbeingmurdered，orwounded，orinsulted，asatthethoughtthatifsuchthingsweretohappenhewouldbemadetolookridiculousintheeyesofsociety。
　　HeknewwellthatNastasiathoroughlyunderstoodhimandwheretowoundhimandhow，andtherefore，asthemarriagewasstillonlyinembryo，Totskidecidedtoconciliateherbygivingitup。HisdecisionwasstrengthenedbythefactthatNastasiaPhilipovnahadcuriouslyalteredoflate。Itwouldbedifficulttoconceivehowdifferentshewasphysically，atthepresenttime，tothegirlofafewyearsago。Shewasprettythen……butnow！……
　　Totskilaughedangrilywhenhethoughthowshort-sightedhehadbeen。Indaysgonebyherememberedhowhehadlookedatherbeautifuleyes，howeventhenhehadmarvelledattheirdarkmysteriousdepths，andattheirwonderinggazewhichseemedtoseekananswertosomeunknownriddle。Hercomplexionalsohadaltered。Shewasnowexceedinglypale，but，curiously，thischangeonlymadehermorebeautiful。Likemostmenoftheworld，Totskihadratherdespisedsuchacheaply-boughtconquest，butoflateyearshehadbeguntothinkdifferentlyaboutit。IthadstruckhimaslongagoaslastspringthatheoughttobefindingagoodmatchforNastasia；forinstance，somerespectableandreasonableyoungfellowservinginagovernmentofficeinanotherpartofthecountry。HowmaliciouslyNastasialaughedattheideaofsuchathing，now！
　　However，itappearedtoTotskithathemightmakeuseofherinanotherway；andhedeterminedtoestablishherinSt。
　　Petersburg，surroundingherwithallthecomfortsandluxuriesthathiswealthcouldcommand。Inthiswayhemightgaingloryincertaincircles。
　　FiveyearsofthisPetersburglifewentby，and，ofcourse，duringthattimeagreatdealhappened。Totski’spositionwasveryuncomfortable；having"funked"once，hecouldnottotallyregainhisease。Hewasafraid，hedidnotknowwhy，buthewassimplyafraidofNastasiaPhilipovna。Forthefirsttwoyearsorsohehadsuspectedthatshewishedtomarryhimherself，andthatonlyhervanitypreventedhertellinghimso。Hethoughtthatshewantedhimtoapproachherwithahumbleproposalfromhisownside，Buttohisgreat，andnotentirelypleasurableamazement，hediscoveredthatthiswasbynomeansthecase，andthatwerehetoofferhimselfhewouldberefused。Hecouldnotunderstandsuchastateofthings，andwasobligedtoconcludethatitwaspride，theprideofaninjuredandimaginativewoman，whichhadgonetosuchlengthsthatitpreferredtositandnurseitscontemptandhatredinsolituderatherthanmounttoheightsofhithertounattainablesplendour。Tomakemattersworse，shewasquiteimpervioustomercenaryconsiderations，andcouldnotbebribedinanyway。
　　Finally，Totskitookcunningmeanstotrytobreakhischainsandbefree。Hetriedtotemptherinvariouswaystoloseherheart；
　　heinvitedprinces，hussars，secretariesofembassies，poets，novelists，evenSocialists，toseeher；butnotoneofthemallmadethefaintestimpressionuponNastasia。Itwasasthoughshehadapebbleinplaceofaheart，asthoughherfeelingsandaffectionsweredriedupandwitheredforever。
　　Shelivedalmostentirelyalone；sheread，shestudied，shelovedmusic。Herprincipalacquaintanceswerepoorwomenofvariousgrades，acoupleofactresses，andthefamilyofapoorschoolteacher。Amongthesepeopleshewasmuchbeloved。
　　Shereceivedfourorfivefriendssometimes，ofanevening。
　　Totskioftencame。Lately，too，GeneralEpanchinhadbeenenabledwithgreatdifficultytointroducehimselfintohercircle。Ganiamadeheracquaintancealso，andotherswereFerdishenko，anill-
　　bred，andwould-bewitty，youngclerk，andPtitsin，amoney-
　　lenderofmodestandpolishedmanners，whohadrisenfrompoverty。Infact，NastasiaPhilipovna’sbeautybecameathingknowntoallthetown；butnotasinglemancouldboastofanythingmorethanhisownadmirationforher；andthisreputationofhers，andherwitandcultureandgrace，allconfirmedTotskiintheplanhehadnowprepared。
　　AnditwasatthismomentthatGeneralEpanchinbegantoplaysolargeandimportantapartinthestory。
　　WhenTotskihadapproachedthegeneralwithhisrequestforfriendlycounselastoamarriagewithoneofhisdaughters，hehadmadeafullandcandidconfession。Hehadsaidthatheintendedtostopatnomeanstoobtainhisfreedom；evenifNastasiaweretopromisetoleavehimentirelyaloneinfuture，hewouldnothesaidbelieveandtrusther；wordswerenotenoughforhim；hemusthavesolidguaranteesofsomesort。Soheandthegeneraldeterminedtotrywhatanattempttoappealtoherheartwouldeffect。HavingarrivedatNastasia’shouseoneday，withEpanchin，Totskiimmediatelybegantospeakoftheintolerabletormentofhisposition。Headmittedthathewastoblameforall，butcandidlyconfessedthathecouldnotbringhimselftofeelanyremorseforhisoriginalguilttowardsherself，becausehewasamanofsensualpassionswhichwereinbornandineradicable，andthathehadnopoweroverhimselfinthisrespect；butthathewished，seriously，tomarryatlast，andthatthewholefateofthemostdesirablesocialunionwhichhecontemplated，wasinherhands；inaword，heconfidedhisalltohergenerosityofheart。
　　GeneralEpanchintookuphispartandspokeinthecharacteroffatherofafamily；hespokesensibly，andwithoutwastingwordsoveranyattemptatsentimentality，hemerelyrecordedhisfulladmissionofherrighttobethearbiterofTotski’sdestinyatthismoment。Hethenpointedoutthatthefateofhisdaughter，andverylikelyofbothhisotherdaughters，nowhunguponherreply。
　　ToNastasia’squestionastowhattheywishedhertodo，Totskiconfessedthathehadbeensofrightenedbyher，fiveyearsago，thathecouldnevernowbeentirelycomfortableuntilsheherselfmarried。Heimmediatelyaddedthatsuchasuggestionfromhimwould，ofcourse，beabsurd，unlessaccompaniedbyremarksofamorepointednature。Heverywellknew，hesaid，thatacertainyounggentlemanofgoodfamily，namely，GavrilaArdalionovitchIvolgin，withwhomshewasacquainted，andwhomshereceivedatherhouse，hadlonglovedherpassionately，andwouldgivehislifeforsomeresponsefromher。TheyoungfellowhadconfessedthisloveofhistohimTotskiandhadalsoadmitteditinthehearingofhisbenefactor，GeneralEpanchin。Lastly，hecouldnothelpbeingofopinionthatNastasiamustbeawareofGania’sloveforher，andifheTotskimistooknot，shehadlookedwithsomefavouruponit，beingoftenlonely，andrathertiredofherpresentlife。Havingremarkedhowdifficultitwasforhim，ofallpeople，tospeaktoherofthesematters，TotskiconcludedbysayingthathetrustedNastasiaPhilipovnawouldnotlookwithcontemptuponhimifhenowexpressedhissinceredesiretoguaranteeherfuturebyagiftofseventy-fivethousandroubles。
　　Headdedthatthesumwouldhavebeenleftherallthesameinhiswill，andthatthereforeshemustnotconsiderthegiftasinanywayanindemnificationtoherforanything，butthattherewasnoreason，afterall，whyamanshouldnotbeallowedtoentertainanaturaldesiretolightenhisconscience，etc。，etc。；
　　infact，allthatwouldnaturallybesaidunderthecircumstances。
　　Totskiwasveryeloquentallthrough，and，inconclusion，justtouchedonthefactthatnotasoulintheworld，notevenGeneralEpanchin，hadeverheardawordabouttheaboveseventy-fivethousandroubles，andthatthiswasthefirsttimehehadevergivenexpressiontohisintentionsinrespecttothem。
　　NastasiaPhilipovna’sreplytothislongrigmaroleastonishedboththefriendsconsiderably。
　　Notonlywastherenotraceofherformerirony，ofheroldhatredandenmity，andofthatdreadfullaughter，theveryrecollectionofwhichsentacoldchilldownTotski’sbacktothisveryday；butsheseemedcharmedandreallygladtohavetheopportunityoftalkingseriouslywithhimforonceinaway。Sheconfessedthatshehadlongwishedtohaveafrankandfreeconversationandtoaskforfriendlyadvice，butthatpridehadhithertopreventedher；now，however，thattheicewasbroken，nothingcouldbemorewelcometoherthanthisopportunity。
　　First，withasadsmile，andthenwithatwinkleofmerrimentinhereyes，sheadmittedthatsuchastormasthatoffiveyearsagowasnowquiteoutofthequestion。Shesaidthatshehadlongsincechangedherviewsofthings，andrecognizedthatfactsmustbetakenintoconsiderationinspiteofthefeelingsoftheheart。Whatwasdonewasdoneandended，andshecouldnotunderstandwhyTotskishouldstillfeelalarmed。
　　ShenextturnedtoGeneralEpanchinandobserved，mostcourteously，thatshehadlongsinceknownofhisdaughters，andthatshehadheardnonebutgoodreport；thatshehadlearnedtothinkofthemwithdeepandsincererespect。Theideaalonethatshecouldinanywayservethem，wouldbetoherbothaprideandasourceofrealhappiness。
　　Itwastruethatshewaslonelyinherpresentlife；Totskihadjudgedherthoughtsaright。Shelongedtorise，ifnottolove，atleasttofamilylifeandnewhopesandobjects，butastoGavrilaArdalionovitch，shecouldnotasyetsaymuch。Shethoughtitmustbethecasethathelovedher；shefeltthatshetoomightlearntolovehim，ifshecouldbesureofthefirmnessofhisattachmenttoherself；buthewasveryyoung，anditwasadifficultquestiontodecide。Whatshespeciallylikedabouthimwasthatheworked，andsupportedhisfamilybyhistoil。
　　Shehadheardthathewasproudandambitious；shehadheardmuchthatwasinterestingofhismotherandsister，shehadheardofthemfromMr。Ptitsin，andwouldmuchliketomaketheiracquaintance，but——anotherquestion！——wouldtheyliketoreceiveherintotheirhouse？Atallevents，thoughshedidnotrejecttheideaofthismarriage，shedesirednottobehurried。Asfortheseventy-fivethousandroubles，Mr。Totskineednothavefoundanydifficultyorawkwardnessaboutthematter；shequiteunderstoodthevalueofmoney，andwould，ofcourse，acceptthegift。Shethankedhimforhisdelicacy，however，butsawnoreasonwhyGavrilaArdalionovitchshouldnotknowaboutit。
　　Shewouldnotmarrythelatter，shesaid，untilshefeltpersuadedthatneitheronhispartnoronthepartofhisfamilydidthereexistanysortofconcealedsuspicionsastoherself。
　　Shedidnotintendtoaskforgivenessforanythinginthepast，whichfactshedesiredtobeknown。Shedidnotconsiderherselftoblameforanythingthathadhappenedinformeryears，andshethoughtthatGavrilaArdalionovitchshouldbeinformedastotherelationswhichhadexistedbetweenherselfandTotskiduringthelastfiveyears。Ifsheacceptedthismoneyitwasnottobeconsideredasindemnificationforhermisfortuneasayounggirl，whichhadnotbeeninanydegreeherownfault，butmerelyascompensationforherruinedlife。
　　ShebecamesoexcitedandagitatedduringalltheseexplanationsandconfessionsthatGeneralEpanchinwashighlygratified，andconsideredthemattersatisfactorilyarrangedonceforall。ButtheoncebittenTotskiwastwiceshy，andlookedforhiddensnakesamongtheflowers。However，thespecialpointtowhichthetwofriendsparticularlytrustedtobringabouttheirobjectnamely，Gania’sattractivenessforNastasiaPhilipovna，stoodoutmoreandmoreprominently；thepourparlershadcommenced，andgraduallyevenTotskibegantobelieveinthepossibilityofsuccess。
　　BeforelongNastasiaandGaniahadtalkedthematterover。Verylittlewassaid——hermodestyseemedtosufferundertheinflictionofdiscussingsuchaquestion。Butsherecognizedhislove，ontheunderstandingthatsheboundherselftonothingwhatever，andthatshereservedtherighttosay"no"uptotheveryhourofthemarriageceremony。Ganiawastohavethesamerightofrefusalatthelastmoment。
　　ItsoonbecamecleartoGania，afterscenesofwrathandquarrellingsatthedomestichearth，thathisfamilywereseriouslyopposedtothematch，andthatNastasiawasawareofthisfactwasequallyevident。Shesaidnothingaboutit，thoughhedailyexpectedhertodoso。
　　Therewereseveralrumoursafloat，beforelong，whichupsetTotski’sequanimityagooddeal，butwewillnotnowstoptodescribethem；merelymentioninganinstanceortwo。OnewasthatNastasiahadenteredintocloseandsecretrelationswiththeEpanchingirls——amostunlikelyrumour；anotherwasthatNastasiahadlongsatisfiedherselfofthefactthatGaniawasmerelymarryingherformoney，andthathisnaturewasgloomyandgreedy，impatientandselfish，toanextraordinarydegree；andthatalthoughhehadbeenkeenenoughinhisdesiretoachieveaconquestbefore，yetsincethetwofriendshadagreedtoexploithispassionfortheirownpurposes，itwasclearenoughthathehadbeguntoconsiderthewholethinganuisanceandanightmare。
　　Inhisheartpassionandhateseemedtoholddividedsway，andalthoughhehadatlastgivenhisconsenttomarrythewomanashesaid，underthestressofcircumstances，yethepromisedhimselfthathewould"takeitoutofher，"aftermarriage。
　　NastasiaseemedtoTotskitohavedivinedallthis，andtobepreparingsomethingonherownaccount，whichfrightenedhimtosuchanextentthathedidnotdarecommunicatehisviewseventothegeneral。Butattimeshewouldpluckuphiscourageandbefullofhopeandgoodspiritsagain，acting，infact，asweakmendoactinsuchcircumstances。
　　However，boththefriendsfeltthatthethinglookedrosyindeedwhenonedayNastasiainformedthemthatshewouldgiveherfinalanswerontheeveningofherbirthday，whichanniversarywasdueinaveryshorttime。
　　Astrangerumourbegantocirculate，meanwhile；nolessthanthattherespectableandhighlyrespectedGeneralEpanchinwashimselfsofascinatedbyNastasiaPhilipovnathathisfeelingforheramountedalmosttopassion。WhathethoughttogainbyGania’smarriagetothegirlitwasdifficulttoimagine。PossiblyhecountedonGania’scomplaisance；forTotskihadlongsuspectedthatthereexistedsomesecretunderstandingbetweenthegeneralandhissecretary。AtalleventsthefactwasknownthathehadpreparedamagnificentpresentofpearlsforNastasia’sbirthday，andthathewaslookingforwardtotheoccasionwhenheshouldpresenthisgiftwiththegreatestexcitementandimpatience。Thedaybeforeherbirthdayhewasinafeverofagitation。
　　Mrs。Epanchin，longaccustomedtoherhusband’sinfidelities，hadheardofthepearls，andtherumourexcitedherliveliestcuriosityandinterest。Thegeneralremarkedhersuspicions，andfeltthatagrandexplanationmustshortlytakeplace——whichfactalarmedhimmuch。
　　Thisisthereasonwhyhewassounwillingtotakelunchonthemorninguponwhichwetookupthisnarrativewiththerestofhisfamily。Beforetheprince’sarrivalhehadmadeuphismindtopleadbusiness，and"cut"themeal；whichsimplymeantrunningaway。
　　Hewasparticularlyanxiousthatthisonedayshouldbepassed——
　　especiallytheevening——withoutunpleasantnessbetweenhimselfandhisfamily；andjustattherightmomenttheprinceturnedup——"asthoughHeavenhadsenthimonpurpose，"saidthegeneraltohimself，asheleftthestudytoseekoutthewifeofhisbosom。
　　V。
　　Mrs。GeneralEpanchinwasaproudwomanbynature。WhatmustherfeelingshavebeenwhensheheardthatPrinceMuishkin，thelastofhisandherline，hadarrivedinbeggar’sguise，awretchedidiot，arecipientofcharity——allofwhichdetailsthegeneralgaveoutforgreatereffect！Hewasanxioustostealherinterestatthefirstswoop，soastodistractherthoughtsfromothermattersnearerhome。
　　Mrs。Epanchinwasinthehabitofholdingherselfverystraight，andstaringbeforeher，withoutspeaking，inmomentsofexcitement。
　　Shewasafinewomanofthesameageasherhusband，withaslightlyhookednose，ahigh，narrowforehead，thickhairturningalittlegrey，andasallowcomplexion。Hereyesweregreyandworeaverycuriousexpressionattimes。Shebelievedthemtobemosteffective——abeliefthatnothingcouldalter。
　　"What，receivehim！Now，atonce？"askedMrs。Epanchin，gazingvaguelyatherhusbandashestoodfidgetingbeforeher。
　　"Oh，dearme，Iassureyouthereisnoneedtostandonceremonywithhim，"thegeneralexplainedhastily。"Heisquiteachild，nottosayapathetic-lookingcreature。Hehasfitsofsomesort，andhasjustarrivedfromSwitzerland，straightfromthestation，dressedlikeaGermanandwithoutafarthinginhispocket。I
　　gavehimtwenty-fiveroublestogoonwith，andamgoingtofindhimsomeeasyplaceinoneofthegovernmentoffices。Ishouldlikeyoutoplyhimwellwiththevictuals，mydears，forI
　　shouldthinkhemustbeveryhungry。"
　　"Youastonishme，"saidthelady，gazingasbefore。"Fits，andhungrytoo！Whatsortoffits？"
　　"Oh，theydon’tcomeonfrequently，besides，he’saregularchild，thoughheseemstobefairlyeducated。Ishouldlikeyou，ifpossible，mydears，"thegeneraladded，makingslowlyforthedoor，"toputhimthroughhispacesabit，andseewhatheisgoodfor。Ithinkyoushouldbekindtohim；itisagooddeed，youknow——however，justasyoulike，ofcourse——butheisasortofrelation，remember，andIthoughtitmightinterestyoutoseetheyoungfellow，seeingthatthisisso。"
　　"Oh，ofcourse，mamma，ifweneedn’tstandonceremonywithhim，wemustgivethepoorfellowsomethingtoeatafterhisjourney；
　　especiallyashehasnottheleastideawheretogoto，"saidAlexandra，theeldestofthegirls。
　　"Besides，he’squiteachild；wecanentertainhimwithalittlehide-and-seek，incaseofneed，"saidAdelaida。
　　"Hide-and-seek？Whatdoyoumean？"inquiredMrs。Epanchin。
　　"Oh，dostoppretending，mamma，"criedAglaya，invexation。"Sendhimup，father；motherallows。"
　　Thegeneralrangthebellandgaveordersthattheprinceshouldbeshownin。
　　"Onlyonconditionthathehasanapkinunderhischinatlunch，then，"saidMrs。Epanchin，"andletFedor，orMavra，standbehindhimwhileheeats。Ishequietwhenhehasthesefits？Hedoesn’tshowviolence，doeshe？"
　　"Onthecontrary，heseemstobeverywellbroughtup。Hismannersareexcellent——buthereheishimself。Hereyouare，prince——letmeintroduceyou，thelastoftheMuishkins，arelativeofyourown，mydear，oratleastofthesamename。
　　Receivehimkindly，please。They’llbringinlunchdirectly，prince；youmuststopandhavesome，butyoumustexcuseme。I’minahurry，Imustbeoff——"
　　"WeallknowwhereYOUmustbeoffto！"saidMrs。Epanchin，inameaningvoice。
　　"Yes，yes——Imusthurryaway，I’mlate！Lookhere，dears，lethimwriteyousomethinginyouralbums；you’venoideawhatawonderfulcaligraphistheis，wonderfultalent！Hehasjustwrittenout’AbbotPafnutesignedthis’forme。Well，aurevoir！"
　　"Stopaminute；whereareyouoffto？Whoisthisabbot？"criedMrs。Epanchintoherretreatinghusbandinatoneofexcitedannoyance。
　　"Yes，mydear，itwasanoldabbotofthatname-Imustbeofftoseethecount，he’swaitingforme，I’mlate——Good-bye！Aurevoir，prince！"——andthegeneralboltedatfullspeed。
　　"Oh，yes——Iknowwhatcountyou’regoingtosee！"remarkedhiswifeinacuttingmanner，assheturnedherangryeyesontheprince。"Nowthen，what’sallthisabout？——Whatabbot——Who’sPafnute？"sheadded，brusquely。
　　"Mamma！"saidAlexandra，shockedatherrudeness。
　　Aglayastampedherfoot。
　　"Nonsense！Letmealone！"saidtheangrymother。"Nowthen，prince，sitdownhere，no，nearer，comenearerthelight！Iwanttohaveagoodlookatyou。So，nowthen，whoisthisabbot？"
　　"AbbotPafnute，"saidourfriend，seriouslyandwithdeference。
　　"Pafnute，yes。Andwhowashe？"
　　Mrs。Epanchinputthesequestionshastilyandbrusquely，andwhentheprinceansweredshenoddedherheadsagelyateachwordhesaid。
　　"TheAbbotPafnutelivedinthefourteenthcentury，"begantheprince；"hewasinchargeofoneofthemonasteriesontheVolga，aboutwhereourpresentKostromagovernmentlies。HewenttoOreolandhelpedinthegreatmattersthengoingoninthereligiousworld；hesignedanedictthere，andIhaveseenaprintofhissignature；itstruckme，soIcopiedit。Whenthegeneralaskedme，inhisstudy，towritesomethingforhim，toshowmyhandwriting，Iwrote’TheAbbotPafnutesignedthis，’intheexacthandwritingoftheabbot。Thegenerallikeditverymuch，andthat’swhyherecalleditjustnow。"
　　"Aglaya，makeanoteof’Pafnute，’orweshallforgethim。H’m！
　　andwhereisthissignature？"
　　"Ithinkitwasleftonthegeneral’stable。"
　　"Letitbesentforatonce！"
　　"Oh，I’llwriteyouanewoneinhalfaminute，"saidtheprince，"ifyoulike！"
　　"Ofcourse，mamma！"saidAlexandra。"Butlet’shavelunchnow，weareallhungry！"
　　"Yes；comealong，prince，"saidthemother，"areyouveryhungry？"
　　"Yes；ImustsaythatIamprettyhungry，thanksverymuch。"
　　"H’m！Iliketoseethatyouknowyourmanners；andyouarebynomeanssuchapersonasthegeneralthoughtfittodescribeyou。
　　Comealong；yousithere，oppositetome，"shecontinued，"Iwishtobeabletoseeyourface。Alexandra，Adelaida，lookaftertheprince！Hedoesn’tseemsoveryill，doeshe？Idon’tthinkherequiresanapkinunderhischin，afterall；areyouaccustomedtohavingoneon，prince？"
　　"Formerly，whenIwassevenyearsoldorso。IbelieveIworeone；butnowIusuallyholdmynapkinonmykneewhenIeat。"
　　"Ofcourse，ofcourse！Andaboutyourfits？"
　　"Fits？"askedtheprince，slightlysurprised。"Iveryseldomhavefitsnowadays。Idon’tknowhowitmaybehere，though；theysaytheclimatemaybebadforme。"
　　"Hetalksverywell，youknow！"saidMrs。Epanchin，whostillcontinuedtonodateachwordtheprincespoke。"Ireallydidnotexpectitatall；infact，Isupposeitwasallstuffandnonsenseonthegeneral’spart，asusual。Eataway，prince，andtellmewhereyouwereborn，andwhereyouwerebroughtup。I
　　wishtoknowallaboutyou，youinterestmeverymuch！"
　　Theprinceexpressedhisthanksoncemore，andeatingheartilythewhile，recommencedthenarrativeofhislifeinSwitzerland，allofwhichwehaveheardbefore。Mrs。Epanchinbecamemoreandmorepleasedwithherguest；thegirls，too，listenedwithconsiderableattention。Intalkingoverthequestionofrelationshipitturnedoutthattheprincewasverywellupinthematterandknewhispedigreeoffbyheart。ItwasfoundthatscarcelyanyconnectionexistedbetweenhimselfandMrs。
　　Epanchin，butthetalk，andtheopportunityofconversingaboutherfamilytree，gratifiedthelatterexceedingly，andsherosefromthetableingreatgoodhumour。
　　"Let’sallgotomyboudoir，"shesaid，"andtheyshallbringsomecoffeeinthere。That’stheroomwhereweallassembleandbusyourselvesaswelikebest，"sheexplained。"Alexandra，myeldest，here，playsthepiano，orreadsorsews；Adelaidapaintslandscapesandportraitsbutneverfinishesany；andAglayasitsanddoesnothing。Idon’tworktoomuch，either。Hereweare，now；sitdown，prince，nearthefireandtalktous。Iwanttohearyourelatesomething。Iwishtomakesureofyoufirstandthentellmyoldfriend，PrincessBielokonski，aboutyou。I
　　wishyoutoknowallthegoodpeopleandtointerestthem。Nowthen，begin！"
　　"Mamma，it’sratherastrangeorder，that！"saidAdelaida，whowasfussingamongherpaintsandpaint-brushesattheeasel。
　　AglayaandAlexandrahadsettledthemselveswithfoldedhandsonasofa，evidentlymeaningtobelisteners。Theprincefeltthatthegeneralattentionwasconcentrateduponhimself。
　　"IshouldrefusetosayawordifIwereorderedtotellastorylikethat！"observedAglaya。
　　"Why？what’stherestrangeaboutit？Hehasatongue。Whyshouldn’thetellussomething？Iwanttojudgewhetherheisagoodstory-teller；anythingyoulike，prince-howyoulikedSwitzerland，whatwasyourfirstimpression，anything。You’llsee，he’llbegindirectlyandtellusallaboutitbeautifully。"
　　"Theimpressionwasforcible——"theprincebegan。
　　"There，yousee，girls，"saidtheimpatientlady，"hehasbegun，yousee。"
　　"Well，then，LEThimtalk，mamma，"saidAlexandra。"Thisprinceisagreathumbugandbynomeansanidiot，"shewhisperedtoAglaya。
　　"Oh，Isawthatatonce，"repliedthelatter。"Idon’tthinkitatallniceofhimtoplayapart。Whatdoeshewishtogainbyit，Iwonder？"
　　"Myfirstimpressionwasaverystrongone，"repeatedtheprince。
　　"WhentheytookmeawayfromRussia，IrememberIpassedthroughmanyGermantownsandlookedoutofthewindows，butdidnottroublesomuchastoaskquestionsaboutthem。Thiswasafteralongseriesoffits。Ialwaysusedtofallintoasortoftorpidconditionaftersuchaseries，andlostmymemoryalmostentirely；andthoughIwasnotaltogetherwithoutreasonatsuchtimes，yetIhadnologicalpowerofthought。Thiswouldcontinueforthreeorfourdays，andthenIwouldrecovermyselfagain。I
　　remembermymelancholywasintolerable；Ifeltinclinedtocry；I
　　satandwonderedandwondereduncomfortably；theconsciousnessthateverythingwasstrangeweighedterriblyuponme；Icouldunderstandthatitwasallforeignandstrange。IrecollectI
　　awokefromthisstateforthefirsttimeatBasle，oneevening；
　　thebrayofadonkeyarousedme，adonkeyinthetownmarket。I
　　sawthedonkeyandwasextremelypleasedwithit，andfromthatmomentmyheadseemedtoclear。"
　　"Adonkey？Howstrange！Yetitisnotstrange。Anyoneofusmightfallinlovewithadonkey！Ithappenedinmythologicaltimes，"
　　saidMadameEpanchin，lookingwrathfullyatherdaughters，whohadbeguntolaugh。"Goon，prince。"
　　"SincethateveningIhavebeenspeciallyfondofdonkeys。I
　　begantoaskquestionsaboutthem，forIhadneverseenonebefore；andIatoncecametotheconclusionthatthismustbeoneofthemostusefulofanimals——strong，willing，patient，cheap；and，thankstothisdonkey，IbegantolikethewholecountryIwastravellingthrough；andmymelancholypassedaway。"
　　"Allthisisverystrangeandinteresting，"saidMrs。Epanchin。
　　"Nowlet’sleavethedonkeyandgoontoothermatters。Whatareyoulaughingat，Aglaya？andyoutoo，Adelaida？Theprincetoldushisexperiencesverycleverly；hesawthedonkeyhimself，andwhathaveyoueverseen？YOUhaveneverbeenabroad。"
　　"Ihaveseenadonkeythough，mamma！"saidAglaya。
　　"AndI’veheardone！"saidAdelaida。Allthreeofthegirlslaughedoutloud，andtheprincelaughedwiththem。
　　"Well，it’stoobadofyou，"saidmamma。"Youmustforgivethem，prince；theyaregoodgirls。Iamveryfondofthem，thoughI
　　oftenhavetobescoldingthem；theyareallassillyandmadasmarchhares。"
　　"Oh，whyshouldn’ttheylaugh？"saidtheprince。"Ishouldn’thaveletthechancegobyintheirplace，Iknow。ButIstickupforthedonkey，allthesame；he’sapatient，good-naturedfellow。"
　　"Areyouapatientman，prince？Iaskoutofcuriosity，"saidMrs。Epanchin。
　　Alllaughedagain。
　　"Oh，thatwretcheddonkeyagain，Isee！"criedthelady。"I
　　assureyou，prince，Iwasnotguiltyoftheleast——"
　　"Insinuation？Oh！Iassureyou，Itakeyourwordforit。"Andtheprincecontinuedlaughingmerrily。
　　"Imustsayit’sveryniceofyoutolaugh。Iseeyoureallyareakind-heartedfellow，"saidMrs。Epanchin。
　　"I’mnotalwayskind，though。"
　　"Iamkindmyself，andALWAYSkindtoo，ifyouplease！"sheretorted，unexpectedly；"andthatismychieffault，foroneoughtnottobealwayskind。Iamoftenangrywiththesegirlsandtheirfather；buttheworstofitis，IamalwayskindestwhenIamcross。Iwasveryangryjustbeforeyoucame，andAglayatherereadmealesson——thanks，Aglaya，dear——comeandkissme——there——that’senough"sheadded，asAglayacameforwardandkissedherlipsandthenherhand。"Nowthen，goon，prince。
　　Perhapsyoucanthinkofsomethingmoreexcitingthanaboutthedonkey，eh？"
　　"Imustsay，again，Ican’tunderstandhowyoucanexpectanyonetotellyoustoriesstraightaway，so，"saidAdelaida。"IknowI
　　nevercould！"
　　"Yes，buttheprincecan，becauseheisclever——clevererthanyouarebytenortwentytimes，ifyoulike。There，that’sso，prince；andseriously，let’sdropthedonkeynow——whatelsedidyouseeabroad，besidesthedonkey？"
　　"Yes，buttheprincetoldusaboutthedonkeyverycleverly，allthesame，"saidAlexandra。"Ihavealwaysbeenmostinterestedtohearhowpeoplegomadandgetwellagain，andthatsortofthing。Especiallywhenithappenssuddenly。"
　　"Quiteso，quiteso！"criedMrs。Epanchin，delighted。"IseeyouCANbesensiblenowandthen，Alexandra。YouwerespeakingofSwitzerland，prince？"
　　"Yes。WecametoLucerne，andIwastakenoutinaboat。Ifelthowlovelyitwas，butthelovelinessweigheduponmesomehoworother，andmademefeelmelancholy。"
　　"Why？"askedAlexandra。
　　"Idon’tknow；IalwaysfeellikethatwhenIlookatthebeautiesofnatureforthefirsttime；butthen，Iwasillatthattime，ofcourse！"
　　"Oh，butIshouldliketoseeit！"saidAdelaida；"andIdon’tknowWHENweshallevergoabroad。I’vebeentwoyearslookingoutforagoodsubjectforapicture。I’vedoneallIknow。’TheNorthandSouthIknowbyheart，’asourpoetobserves。Dohelpmetoasubject，prince。"
　　"Oh，butIknownothingaboutpainting。Itseemstomeoneonlyhastolook，andpaintwhatonesees。"
　　"ButIdon’tknowHOWtosee！"
　　"Nonsense，whatrubbishyoutalk！"themotherstruckin。"Notknowhowtosee！Openyoureyesandlook！Ifyoucan’tseehere，youwon’tseeabroadeither。Telluswhatyousawyourself，prince！"
　　"Yes，that’sbetter，"saidAdelaida；"theprincelearnedtoseeabroad。"
　　"Oh，Ihardlyknow！Yousee，Ionlywenttorestoremyhealth。I
　　don’tknowwhetherIlearnedtosee，exactly。Iwasveryhappy，however，nearlyallthetime。"
　　"Happy！youcanbehappy？"criedAglaya。"Thenhowcanyousayyoudidnotlearntosee？Ishouldthinkyoucouldteachustosee！"
　　"Oh！DOteachus，"laughedAdelaida。
　　"Oh！Ican’tdothat，"saidtheprince，laughingtoo。"IlivedalmostallthewhileinonelittleSwissvillage；whatcanI
　　teachyou？AtfirstIwasonlyjustnotabsolutelydull；thenmyhealthbegantoimprove——theneverydaybecamedearerandmoreprecioustome，andthelongerIstayed，thedearerbecamethetimetome；somuchsothatIcouldnothelpobservingit；butwhythiswasso，itwouldbedifficulttosay。"
　　"Sothatyoudidn’tcaretogoawayanywhereelse？"
　　"Well，atfirstIdid；Iwasrestless；Ididn’tknowhoweverI
　　shouldmanagetosupportlife——youknowtherearesuchmoments，especiallyinsolitude。Therewasawaterfallnearus，suchalovelythinstreakofwater，likeathreadbutwhiteandmoving。