"Quiteso——parties——youareveryright，"saidtheprince。"IwasreadingabookaboutNapoleonandtheWaterloocampaignonlytheotherday，byCharasse，inwhichtheauthordoesnotattempttoconcealhisjoyatNapoleon’sdiscomfitureateverypage。Wellnow，Idon’tlikethat；itsmellsof’party，’youknow。Youarequiteright。AndwereyoumuchoccupiedwithyourserviceunderNapoleon？"
Thegeneralwasinecstasies，fortheprince’sremarks，made，astheyevidentlywere，inallseriousnessandsimplicity，quitedissipatedthelastrelicsofhissuspicion。
"IknowCharasse’sbook！Oh！Iwassoangrywithhiswork！I
wrotetohimandsaid——Iforgetwhat，atthismoment。YouaskwhetherIwasverybusyundertheEmperor？Ohno！Iwascalled’page，’buthardlytookmydutyseriously。Besides，NapoleonverysoonlosthopeofconciliatingtheRussians，andhewouldhaveforgottenallaboutmehadhenotlovedme——forpersonalreasons——
Idon’tmindsayingsonow。Myheartwasgreatlydrawntohim，too。Mydutieswerelight。ImerelyhadtobeatthepalaceoccasionallytoescorttheEmperoroutriding，andthatwasaboutall。Irodeveryfairlywell。Heusedtohavearidebeforedinner，andhissuiteonthoseoccasionsweregenerallyDavoust，myself，andRoustan。"
"Constant？"saidtheprince，suddenly，andquiteinvoluntarily。
"No；Constantwasawaythen，takingalettertotheEmpressJosephine。Insteadofhimtherewerealwaysacoupleoforderlies——andthatwasall，excepting，ofcourse，thegeneralsandmarshalswhomNapoleonalwaystookwithhimfortheinspectionofvariouslocalities，andforthesakeofconsultationgenerally。Iremembertherewasone——Davoust——nearlyalwayswithhim——abigmanwithspectacles。Theyusedtoargueandquarrelsometimes。OncetheywereintheEmperor’sstudytogether——justthosetwoandmyself——Iwasunobserved——andtheyargued，andtheEmperorseemedtobeagreeingtosomethingunderprotest。Suddenlyhiseyefellonmeandanideaseemedtoflashacrosshim。
"’Child，’hesaid，abruptly。’IfIweretorecognizetheRussianorthodoxreligionandemancipatetheserfs，doyouthinkRussiawouldcomeovertome？’"
"’Never！’Icried，indignantly。"
"TheEmperorwasmuchstruck。"
"’IntheflashingeyesofthispatrioticchildIreadandacceptthefiatoftheRussianpeople。Enough，Davoust，itismerephantasyonourpart。Come，let’shearyourotherproject。’"
"’Yes，butthatwasagreatidea，"saidtheprince，clearlyinterested。"YouascribeittoDavoust，doyou？"
"Well，atallevents，theywereconsultingtogetheratthetime。
Ofcourseitwastheideaofaneagle，andmusthaveoriginatedwithNapoleon；buttheotherprojectwasgoodtoo——itwasthe’Conseildulion！’asNapoleoncalledit。ThisprojectconsistedinaproposaltooccupytheKremlinwiththewholearmy；toarmandfortifyitscientifically，tokillasmanyhorsesascouldbegot，andsalttheirflesh，andspendthewinterthere；andinspringtofighttheirwayout。Napoleonlikedtheidea——itattractedhim。WeroderoundtheKremlinwallseveryday，andNapoleonusedtogiveorderswheretheyweretobepatched，wherebuiltup，wherepulleddownandsoon。Allwasdecidedatlast。
Theywerealonetogether——thosetwoandmyself。
"Napoleonwaswalkingupanddownwithfoldedarms。Icouldnottakemyeyesoffhisface——myheartbeatloudlyandpainfully。
"’I’moff，’saidDavoust。’Whereto？’askedNapoleon。
"’Tosalthorse-flesh，’saidDavoust。Napoleonshuddered——hisfatewasbeingdecided。
"’Child，’headdressedmesuddenly，’whatdoyouthinkofourplan？’Ofcourseheonlyappliedtomeasasortoftoss-up，youknow。IturnedtoDavoustandaddressedmyreplytohim。Isaid，asthoughinspired:
"’Escape，general！Gohome！——’
"Theprojectwasabandoned；Davoustshruggedhisshouldersandwentout，whisperingtohimself——’Bah，ildevientsuperstitieux！’
Nextmorningtheordertoretreatwasgiven。"
"Allthisismostinteresting，"saidtheprince，verysoftly，"ifitreallywasso——thatis，Imean——"hehastenedtocorrecthimself。
"Oh，mydearprince，"criedthegeneral，whowasnowsointoxicatedwithhisownnarrativethatheprobablycouldnothavepulledupatthemostpatentindiscretion。
"Yousay，ifitreallywasso！’Therewasmore——muchmore，I
assureyou！Thesearemerelyafewlittlepoliticalacts。ItellyouIwastheeye-witnessofthenightlysorrowandgroaningsofthegreatman，andofthatnoonecanspeakbutmyself。Towardstheendheweptnomore，thoughhecontinuedtoemitanoccasionalgroan；buthisfacegrewmoreovercastdaybyday，asthoughEternitywerewrappingitsgloomymantleabouthim。
Occasionallywepassedwholehoursofsilencetogetheratnight，Roustansnoringinthenextroom——thatfellowsleptlikeapig。
’Buthe’sloyaltomeandmydynasty，’saidNapoleonofhim。
"Sometimesitwasverypainfultome，andoncehecaughtmewithtearsinmyeyes。Helookedatmekindly。’Youaresorryforme，’
hesaid，’you，mychild，andperhapsoneotherchild——myson，theKingofRome——maygrieveforme。Alltheresthateme；andmybrothersarethefirsttobetraymeinmisfortune。’Isobbedandthrewmyselfintohisarms。Hecouldnotresistme——heburstintotears，andourtearsmingledaswefoldedeachotherinacloseembrace。
"’Write，oh，writealettertotheEmpressJosephine！’Icried，sobbing。Napoleonstarted，reflected，andsaid，’Youremindmeofathirdheartwhichlovesme。Thankyou，myfriend；’andthenandtherehesatdownandwrotethatlettertoJosephine，withwhichConstantwassentoffnextday。"
"Youdidagoodaction，"saidtheprince，"forinthemidstofhisangryfeelingsyouinsinuatedakindthoughtintohisheart。"
"Justso，prince，justso。Howwellyoubringoutthatfact！
Becauseyourownheartisgood！"criedtheecstaticoldgentleman，and，strangelyenough，realtearsglistenedinhiseyes。"Yes，prince，itwasawonderfulspectacle。And，doyouknow，IallbutwentofftoParis，andshouldassuredlyhavesharedhissolitaryexilewithhim；but，alas，ourdestinieswereotherwiseordered！Weparted，hetohisisland，whereIamsurehethoughtoftheweepingchildwhohadembracedhimsoaffectionatelyatpartinginMoscow；andIwassentofftothecadetcorps，whereIfoundnothingbutroughnessandharshdiscipline。Alas，myhappydaysweredone！
"’Idonotwishtodepriveyourmotherofyou，and，therefore，I
willnotaskyoutogowithme，’hesaid，themorningofhisdeparture，’butIshouldliketodosomethingforyou。’Hewasmountinghishorseashespoke。’Writesomethinginmysister’salbumforme，’Isaidrathertimidly，forhewasinastateofgreatdejectionatthemoment。Heturned，calledforapen，tookthealbum。’Howoldisyoursister？’heasked，holdingthepeninhishand。’Threeyearsold，’Isaid。’Ah，petitefillealors！’
andhewroteinthealbum:
’Nementesjamais！
NAPOLEONvotreamisincere。’
"Suchadvice，andatsuchamoment，youmustallow，prince，was——"
"Yes，quiteso；veryremarkable。"
"Thispageofthealbum，framedingold，hungonthewallofmysister’sdrawing-roomallherlife，inthemostconspicuousplace，tillthedayofherdeath；whereitisnow，Ireallydon’tknow。
Heavens！it’stwoo’clock！HOWIhavekeptyou，prince！Itisreallymostunpardonableofme。
Thegeneralrose。
"Oh，notintheleast，"saidtheprince。"Onthecontrary，I
havebeensomuchinterested，I’mreallyverymuchobligedtoyou。"
"Prince，"，saidthegeneral，pressinghishand，andlookingathimwithflashingeyes，andanexpressionasthoughhewereundertheinfluenceofasuddenthoughtwhichhadcomeuponhimwithstunningforce。"Prince，youaresokind，sosimple-minded，thatsometimesIreallyfeelsorryforyou！Igazeatyouwithafeelingofrealaffection。Oh，Heavenblessyou！Mayyourlifeblossomandfructifyinlove。Mineisover。Forgiveme，forgiveme！"
Helefttheroomquickly，coveringhisfacewithhishands。
Theprincecouldnotdoubtthesincerityofhisagitation。Heunderstood，too，thattheoldmanhadlefttheroomintoxicatedwithhisownsuccess。Thegeneralbelongedtothatclassofliars，who，inspiteoftheirtransportsoflying，invariablysuspectthattheyarenotbelieved。Onthisoccasion，whenherecoveredfromhisexaltation，hewouldprobablysuspectMuishkinofpityinghim，andfeelinsulted。
"HaveIbeenactingrightlyinallowinghimtodevelopsuchvastresourcesofimagination？"theprinceaskedhimself。Buthisanswerwasafitofviolentlaughterwhichlastedtenwholeminutes。Hetriedtoreproachhimselfforthelaughingfit，buteventuallyconcludedthatheneedn’tdoso，sinceinspiteofithewastrulysorryfortheoldman。Thesameeveninghereceivedastrangeletter，shortbutdecided。Thegeneralinformedhimthattheymustpartforever；thathewasgrateful，butthatevenfromhimhecouldnotaccept"signsofsympathywhichwerehumiliatingtothedignityofamanalreadymiserableenough。"
WhentheprinceheardthattheoldmanhadgonetoNinaAlexandrovna，though，hefeltalmosteasyonhisaccount。
Wehaveseen，however，thatthegeneralpaidavisittoLizabethaProkofievnaandcausedtroublethere，thefinalupshotbeingthathefrightenedMrs。Epanchin，andangeredherbybitterhintsastohissonGania。
Hehadbeenturnedoutindisgrace，eventually，andthiswasthecauseofhisbadnightandquarrelsomeday，whichendedinhissuddendepartureintothestreetinaconditionapproachinginsanity，asrecordedbefore。
Coliadidnotunderstandtheposition。Hetriedseveritywithhisfather，astheystoodinthestreetafterthelatterhadcursedthehousehold，hopingtobringhimroundthatway。
"Well，wherearewetogotonow，father？"heasked。"Youdon’twanttogototheprince’s；youhavequarrelledwithLebedeff；
youhavenomoney；Ineverhaveany；andhereweareinthemiddleoftheroad，inanicesortofmess。"
"Bettertobeofamessthaninamess！Iremembermakingajokesomethinglikethatatthemessineighteenhundredandforty——
forty——Iforget。’Whereismyyouth，whereismygoldenyouth？’
Whowasitsaidthat，Colia？"
"ItwasGogol，inDeadSouls，father，"criedColia，glancingathiminsomealarm。
"’DeadSouls，’yes，ofcourse，dead。WhenIdie，Colia，youmustengraveonmytomb:
"’HereliesaDeadSoul，Shamepursuesme。’
"Whosaidthat，Colia？"
"Idon’tknow，father。"
"TherewasnoEropegoff？EroshkaEropegoff？"hecried，suddenly，stoppingintheroadinafrenzy。"NoEropegoff！Andmyownsontosayit！Eropegoffwasintheplaceofabrothertomeforelevenmonths。Ifoughtaduelforhim。Hewasmarriedafterwards，andthenkilledonthefieldofbattle。Thebulletstruckthecrossonmybreastandglancedoffstraightintohistemple。’I’llneverforgetyou，’hecried，andexpired。Iservedmycountrywellandhonestly，Colia，butshame，shamehaspursuedme！YouandNinawillcometomygrave，Colia；poorNina，I
alwaysusedtocallherNinaintheolddays，andhowsheloved……Nina，Nina，oh，Nina。WhathaveIeverdonetodeserveyourforgivenessandlong-suffering？Oh，Colia，yourmotherhasanangelicspirit，anangelicspirit，Colia！"
"Iknowthat，father。Lookhere，dearoldfather，comebackhome！
Let’sgobacktomother。Look，sheranafteruswhenwecameout。
Whathaveyoustoppedherfor，justasthoughyoudidn’ttakeinwhatIsaid？Whyareyoucrying，father？"
PoorColiacriedhimself，andkissedtheoldman’shands"Youkissmyhands，MINE？"
"Yes，yes，yours，yours！Whatistheretosurpriseanyoneinthat？
Come，come，youmustn’tgoonlikethis，cryinginthemiddleoftheroad；andyouageneraltoo，amilitaryman！Come，let’sgoback。"
"Godblessyou，dearboy，forbeingrespectfultoadisgracedman。Yes，toapoordisgracedoldfellow，yourfather。Youshallhavesuchasonyourself；leroideRome。Oh，cursesonthishouse！"
"Come，come，whatdoesallthismean？"criedColiabesidehimselfatlast。"Whatisit？Whathashappenedtoyou？Whydon’tyouwishtocomebackhome？Whyhaveyougoneoutofyourmind，likethis？"
"I’llexplainit，I’llexplainalltoyou。Don’tshout！Youshallhear。LeroideRome。Oh，Iamsad，Iammelancholy！
"’Nurse，whereisyourtomb？’"
"Whosaidthat，Colia？"
"Idon’tknow，Idon’tknowwhosaidit。Comehomeatonce；comeon！I’llpunchGania’sheadmyself，ifyoulike——onlycome。Oh，whereareyouofftoagain？"Thegeneralwasdragginghimawaytowardsthedoorahousenear。Hesatdownonthestep，stillholdingColiabythehand。
"Benddown——benddownyourear。I’lltellyouall——disgrace——benddown，I’lltellyouinyourear。"
"Whatareyoudreamingof？"saidpoor，frightenedColia，stoopingdowntowardstheoldman，allthesame。
"LeroideRome，"whisperedthegeneral，tremblingallover。
"What？WhatDOyoumean？WhatroideRome？"
"I-I，"thegeneralcontinuedtowhisper，clingingmoreandmoretightlytotheboy’sshoulder。"I——wish——totellyou——all——Maria——
MariaPetrovna——Su——Su——Su……"
Coliabrokeloose，seizedhisfatherbytheshoulders，andstaredintohiseyeswithfrenziedgaze。Theoldmanhadgrownlivid——
hislipswereshaking，convulsionswerepassingoverhisfeatures。SuddenlyheleantoverandbegantosinkslowlyintoColia’sarms。
"He’sgotastroke！"criedColia，loudly，realizingwhatwasthematteratlast。
V。
INpointoffact，Variahadratherexaggeratedthecertaintyofhernewsastotheprince’sbetrothaltoAglaya。Verylikely，withtheperspicacityofhersex，shegaveoutasanaccomplishedfactwhatshefeltwasprettysuretobecomeafactinafewdays。PerhapsshecouldnotresistthesatisfactionofpouringonelastdropofbitternessintoherbrotherGania’scup，inspiteofherloveforhim。Atallevents，shehadbeenunabletoobtainanydefinitenewsfromtheEpanchingirls——themostshecouldgetoutofthembeinghintsandsurmises，andsoon。
PerhapsAglaya’ssistershadmerelybeenpumpingVariafornewswhilepretendingtoimpartinformation；orperhaps，again，theyhadbeenunabletoresistthefemininegratificationofteasingafriend——for，afterallthistime，theycouldscarcelyhavehelpeddiviningtheaimofherfrequentvisits。
Ontheotherhand，theprince，althoughhehadtoldLebedeff，——asweknow，thatnothinghadhappened，andthathehadnothingtoimpart，——theprincemayhavebeeninerror。Somethingstrangeseemedtohavehappened，withoutanythingdefinitehavingactuallyhappened。Variahadguessedthatwithhertruefeminineinstinct。
HoworwhyitcameaboutthateveryoneattheEpanchins’becameimbuedwithoneconviction——thatsomethingveryimportanthadhappenedtoAglaya，andthatherfatewasinprocessofsettlement——itwouldbeverydifficulttoexplain。Butnosoonerhadthisideatakenroot，thanallatoncedeclaredthattheyhadseenandobserveditlongago；thattheyhadremarkeditatthetimeofthe"poorknight"joke，andevenbefore，thoughtheyhadbeenunwillingtobelieveinsuchnonsense。
Sosaidthesisters。Ofcourse，LizabethaProkofievnahadforeseenitlongbeforetherest；her"hearthadbeensore"foralongwhile，shedeclared，anditwasnowsosorethatsheappearedtobequiteoverwhelmed，andtheverythoughtoftheprincebecamedistastefultoher。
Therewasaquestiontobedecided——mostimportant，butmostdifficult；somuchso，thatMrs。Epanchindidnotevenseehowtoputitintowords。Wouldtheprincedoornot？Wasallthisgoodorbad？Ifgoodwhichmightbethecase，ofcourse，WHYgood？
Ifbadwhichwashardlydoubtful，WHEREIN，especially，bad？
Eventhegeneral，thepaterfamilias，thoughastonishedatfirst，suddenlydeclaredthat，"uponhishonour，hereallybelievedhehadfanciedsomethingofthekind，afterall。Atfirst，itseemedanewidea，andthen，somehow，itlookedasfamiliaraspossible。"Hiswifefrownedhimdownthere。Thiswasinthemorning；butintheevening，alonewithhiswife，hehadgiventongueagain。
"Well，really，youknow"——silence——"ofcourse，youknowallthisisverystrange，iftrue，whichIcannotdeny；but"——
silence——"But，ontheotherhand，ifonelooksthingsintheface，youknow——uponmyhonour，theprinceisararegoodfellow——
and——and——and——well，hisname，youknow——yourfamilyname——allthislookswell，andperpetuatesthenameandtitleandallthat——
whichatthismomentisnotstandingsohighasitmight——fromonepointofview——don’tyouknow？Theworld，theworldistheworld，ofcourse——andpeoplewilltalk——and——and——theprincehasproperty，youknow——ifitisnotverylarge——andthenhe——he——"
Continuedsilence，andcollapseofthegeneral。
Hearingthesewordsfromherhusband，LizabethaProkofievnawasdrivenbesideherself。
Accordingtoheropinion，thewholethinghadbeenonehuge，fantastical，absurd，unpardonablemistake。"Firstofall，thisprinceisanidiot，and，secondly，heisafool——knowsnothingoftheworld，andhasnoplaceinit。Whomcanhebeshownto？Wherecanyoutakehimto？WhatwilloldBielokonskisay？WeneverthoughtofsuchahusbandasTHATforourAglaya！"
Ofcourse，thelastargumentwasthechiefone。Thematernalhearttrembledwithindignationtothinkofsuchanabsurdity，althoughinthatheartthereroseanothervoice，whichsaid:"AndWHYisnottheprincesuchahusbandasyouwouldhavedesiredforAglaya？"ItwasthisvoicewhichannoyedLizabethaProkofievnamorethananythingelse。
Forsomereasonorother，thesisterslikedtheideaoftheprince。Theydidnotevenconsideritverystrange；inaword，theymightbeexpectedatanymomenttorangethemselvesstronglyonhisside。Butbothofthemdecidedtosaynothingeitherway。
IthadalwaysbeennoticedinthefamilythatthestrongerMrs。
Epanchin’soppositionwastoanyproject，thenearershewas，inreality，togivingin。
Alexandra，however，founditdifficulttokeepabsolutesilenceonthesubject。Longsinceholding，asshedid，thepostof"confidentialadvisertomamma，"shewasnowperpetuallycalledincouncil，andaskedheropinion，andespeciallyherassistance，inordertorecollect"howonearthallthishappened？"Whydidnooneseeit？Whydidnoonesayanythingaboutit？Whatdidallthatwretched"poorknight"jokemean？Whywasshe，LizabethaProkofievna，driventothink，andforesee，andworryforeverybody，whiletheyallsuckedtheirthumbs，andcountedthecrowsinthegarden，anddidnothing？Atfirst，Alexandrahadbeenverycareful，andhadmerelyrepliedthatperhapsherfather’sremarkwasnotsofarout:that，intheeyesoftheworld，probablythechoiceoftheprinceasahusbandforoneoftheEpanchingirlswouldbeconsideredaverywiseone。Warmingup，however，sheaddedthattheprincewasbynomeansafool，andneverhadbeen；andthatasto"placeintheworld，"nooneknewwhatthepositionofarespectablepersoninRussiawouldimplyinafewyears——whetheritwoulddependonsuccessesinthegovernmentservice，ontheoldsystem，orwhat。
ToallthishermotherrepliedthatAlexandrawasafreethinker，andthatallthiswasduetothat"cursedwoman’srightsquestion。"
Halfanhourafterthisconversation，shewentofftotown，andthencetotheKammennyOstrof，["StoneIsland，"asuburbandparkofSt。Petersburg]toseePrincessBielokonski，whohadjustarrivedfromMoscowonashortvisit。TheprincesswasAglaya’sgodmother。
"OldBielokonski"listenedtoallthefeveredanddespairinglamentationsofLizabethaProkofievnawithouttheleastemotion；
thetearsofthissorrowfulmotherdidnotevokeansweringsighs——
infact，shelaughedather。Shewasadreadfulolddespot，thisprincess；shecouldnotallowequalityinanything，noteveninfriendshipoftheoldeststanding，andsheinsistedontreatingMrs。Epanchinasherprotegee，asshehadbeenthirty-fiveyearsago。ShecouldneverputupwiththeindependenceandenergyofLizabetha’scharacter。Sheobservedthat，asusual，thewholefamilyhadgonemuchtoofarahead，andhadconvertedaflyintoanelephant；that，sofarasshehadheardtheirstory，shewaspersuadedthatnothingofanyseriousnesshadoccurred；thatitwouldsurelybebettertowaituntilsomethingDIDhappen；thattheprince，inheropinion，wasaverydecentyoungfellow，thoughperhapsalittleeccentric，throughillness，andnotquiteasweightyintheworldasonecouldwish。Theworstfeaturewas，shesaid，NastasiaPhilipovna。
LizabethaProkofievnawellunderstoodthattheoldladywasangryatthefailureofEvgeniePavlovitch——herownrecommendation。ShereturnedhometoPavlofskinaworsehumourthanwhensheleft，andofcourseeverybodyinthehousesuffered。Shepitchedintoeveryone，because，shedeclared，theyhad’gonemad。’Whywerethingsalwaysmismanagedinherhouse？Whyhadeverybodybeeninsuchafrantichurryinthismatter？Sofarasshecouldsee，nothingwhateverhadhappened。Surelytheyhadbetterwaitandseewhatwastohappen，insteadofmakingmountainsoutofmolehills。
Andsotheconclusionofthematterwasthatitwouldbefarbettertotakeitquietly，andwaitcoollytoseewhatwouldturnup。But，alas！peacedidnotreignformorethantenminutes。ThefirstblowdealttoitspowerwasincertainnewscommunicatedtoLizabethaProkofievnaastoeventswhichbadhappenedduringhertriptoseetheprincess。ThistriphadtakenplacethedayafterthatonwhichtheprincehadturnedupattheEpanchinsatnearlyoneo’clockatnight，thinkingitwasnine。
Thesistersrepliedcandidlyandfullyenoughtotheirmother’simpatientquestionsonherreturn。Theysaid，inthefirstplace，thatnothingparticularhadhappenedsinceherdeparture；thattheprincehadbeen，andthatAglayahadkepthimwaitingalongwhilebeforesheappeared——halfanhour，atleast；thatshehadthencomein，andimmediatelyaskedtheprincetohaveagameofchess；thattheprincedidnotknowthegame，andAglayahadbeatenhimeasily；thatshehadbeeninawonderfullymerrymood，andhadlaughedattheprince，andchaffedhimsounmercifullythatonewasquitesorrytoseehiswretchedexpression。
Shehadthenaskedhimtoplaycards——thegamecalled"littlefools。"Atthisgamethetableswereturnedcompletely，fortheprincehadshownhimselfamasteratit。Aglayahadcheatedandchangedcards，andstolenothers，inthemostbare-facedway，but，inspiteofeverythingtheprincehadbeatenherhopelesslyfivetimesrunning，andshehadbeenleft"littlefool"eachtime。
Aglayathenlosthertemper，andbegantosaysuchawfulthingstotheprincethathelaughednomore，butgrewdreadfullypale，especiallywhenshesaidthatsheshouldnotremaininthehousewithhim，andthatheoughttobeashamedofcomingtotheirhouseatall，especiallyatnight，"AFTERALLTHATHADHAPPENED。"
Sosaying，shehadlefttheroom，bangingthedoorafterher，andtheprincewentoff，lookingasthoughhewereonhiswaytoafuneral，inspiteofalltheirattemptsatconsolation。
Suddenly，aquarterofanhouraftertheprince’sdeparture，Aglayahadrushedoutofherroominsuchahurrythatshehadnotevenwipedhereyes，whichwerefulloftears。ShecamebackbecauseColiahadbroughtahedgehog。Everybodycameintoseethehedgehog。InanswertotheirquestionsColiaexplainedthatthehedgehogwasnothis，andthathehadleftanotherboy，KostiaLebedeff，waitingforhimoutside。Kostiawastooshytocomein，becausehewascarryingahatchet；theyhadboughtthehedgehogandthehatchetfromapeasantwhomtheyhadmetontheroad。Hehadofferedtosellthemthehedgehog，andtheyhadpaidfiftycopecksforit；andthehatchethadsotakentheirfancythattheyhadmadeuptheirmindstobuyitoftheirownaccord。
Onhearingthis，AglayaurgedColiatosellherthehedgehog；sheevencalledhim"dearColia，"intryingtocoaxhim。Herefusedforalongtime，butatlasthecouldholdoutnomore，andwenttofetchKostiaLebedeff。Thelatterappeared，carryinghishatchet，andcoveredwithconfusion。Thenitcameoutthatthehedgehogwasnottheirs，butthepropertyofaschoolmate，onePetroff，whohadgiventhemsomemoneytobuySchlosser’sHistoryforhim，fromanotherschoolfellowwhoatthatmomentwasdriventoraisingmoneybythesaleofhisbooks。ColiaandKostiawereabouttomakethispurchasefortheirfriendwhenchancebroughtthehedgehogtotheirnotice，andtheyhadsuccumbedtothetemptationofbuyingit。TheywerenowtakingPetroffthehedgehogandhatchetwhichtheyhadboughtwithhismoney，insteadofSchiosser’sHistory。ButAglayasoentreatedthemthatatlasttheyconsentedtosellherthehedgehog。Assoonasshehadgotpossessionofit，sheputitinawickerbasketwithColia’shelp，andcovereditwithanapkin。ThenshesaidtoColia:"Goandtakethishedgehogtotheprincefromme，andaskhimtoacceptitasatokenofmyprofoundrespect。"Coliajoyfullypromisedtodotheerrand，buthedemandedexplanations。
"Whatdoesthehedgehogmean？Whatisthemeaningofsuchapresent？"Aglayarepliedthatitwasnoneofhisbusiness。"Iamsurethatthereissomeallegoryaboutit，"Coliapersisted。
Aglayagrewangry，andcalledhim"asillyboy。""IfIdidnotrespectallwomeninyourperson，"repliedColia，"andifmyownprincipleswouldpermitit，Iwouldsoonprovetoyou，thatI
knowhowtoanswersuchaninsult！"But，intheend，Coliawentoffwiththehedgehogingreatdelight，followedbyKostiaLebedeff。Aglaya’sannoyancewassoonover，andseeingthatColiawasswingingthehedgehog’sbasketviolentlytoandfro，shecalledouttohimfromtheverandah，asiftheyhadneverquarrelled:"Colia，dear，pleasetakecarenottodrophim！"
Coliaappearedtohavenogrudgeagainsther，either，forhestopped，andansweredmostcordially:"No，Iwillnotdrophim！
Don’tbeafraid，AglayaIvanovna！"Afterwhichhewentonhisway。Aglayaburstoutlaughingandranuptoherroom，highlydelighted。Hergoodspiritslastedthewholeday。
AllthisfilledpoorLizabetha’smindwithchaoticconfusion。
Whatonearthdiditallmean？Themostdisturbingfeaturewasthehedgehog。Whatwasthesymbolicsignificationofahedgehog？
Whatdidtheyunderstandbyit？Whatunderlayit？Wasitacrypticmessage？
PoorGeneralEpanchin"puthisfootinit"byansweringtheabovequestionsinhisownway。Hesaidtherewasnocrypticmessageatall。Asforthehedgehog，itwasjustahedgehog，whichmeantnothing——unless，indeed，itwasapledgeoffriendship，——thesignofforgettingofoffencesandsoon。Atallevents，itwasajoke，and，ofcourse，amostpardonableandinnocentone。
Wemayaswellremarkthatthegeneralhadguessedperfectlyaccurately。
Theprince，returninghomefromtheinterviewwithAglaya，hadsatgloomyanddepressedforhalfanhour。HewasalmostindespairwhenColiaarrivedwiththehedgehog。
Thentheskyclearedinamoment。Theprinceseemedtoarisefromthedead；heaskedColiaallaboutit，madehimrepeatthestoryoverandoveragain，andlaughedandshookhandswiththeboysinhisdelight。
ItseemedcleartotheprincethatAglayaforgavehim，andthathemightgothereagainthisveryevening；andinhiseyesthatwasnotonlythemainthing，buteverythingintheworld。
"Whatchildrenwearestill，Colia！"hecriedatlast，enthusiastically，——"andhowdelightfulitisthatwecanbechildrenstill！"
"Simply——mydearprince，——simplysheisinlovewithyou，——that’sthewholeofthesecret！"repliedColia，withauthority。
Theprinceblushed，butthistimehesaidnothing。Coliaburstoutlaughingandclappedhishands。Aminutelatertheprincelaughedtoo，andfromthismomentuntiltheeveninghelookedathiswatcheveryotherminutetoseehowmuchtimehehadtowaitbeforeeveningcame。
Butthesituationwasbecomingrapidlycritical。
Mrs。Epanchincouldbearhersuspensenolonger，andinspiteoftheoppositionofhusbandanddaughters，shesentforAglaya，determinedtogetastraightforwardansweroutofher，onceforall。
"Otherwise，"sheobservedhysterically，"Ishalldiebeforeevening。"
Itwasonlynowthateveryonerealizedtowhataridiculousdead-
lockthewholematterhadbeenbrought。Exceptingfeignedsurprise，indignation，laughter，andjeering——bothattheprinceandateveryonewhoaskedherquestions，——nothingcouldbegotoutofAglaya。
LizabethaProkofievnawenttobedandonlyroseagainintimefortea，whentheprincemightbeexpected。
Sheawaitedhimintremblingagitation；andwhenheatlastarrivedshenearlywentoffintohysterics。
Muishkinhimselfcameinverytimidly。Heseemedtofeelhisway，andlookedineachperson’seyesinaquestioningway，——forAglayawasabsent，whichfactalarmedhimatonce。
Thiseveningtherewerenostrangerspresent——noonebuttheimmediatemembersofthefamily。PrinceS。wasstillintown，occupiedwiththeaffairsofEvgeniePavlovitch’suncle。
"IwishatleastHEwouldcomeandsaysomething！"complainedpoorLizabethaProkofievna。
Thegeneralsatstillwithamostpreoccupiedair。Thesisterswerelookingveryseriousanddidnotspeakaword，andLizabethaProkofievnadidnotknowhowtocommencetheconversation。
Atlengthsheplungedintoanenergeticandhostilecriticismofrailways，andglaredattheprincedefiantly。
AlasAglayastilldidnotcome——andtheprincewasquitelost。Hehadthegreatestdifficultyinexpressinghisopinionthatrailwaysweremostusefulinstitutions，——andinthemiddleofhisspeechAdelaidalaughed，whichthrewhimintoastillworsestateofconfusion。
AtthismomentinmarchedAglaya，ascalmandcollectedascouldbe。Shegavetheprinceaceremoniousbowandsolemnlytookupaprominentpositionnearthebigroundtable。Shelookedattheprincequestioningly。
Allpresentrealizedthatthemomentforthesettlementofperplexitieshadarrived。
"Didyougetmyhedgehog？"sheinquired，firmlyandalmostangrily。
Yes，Igotit，"saidtheprince，blushing。
"Tellusnow，atonce，whatyoumadeofthepresent？Imusthaveyouanswerthisquestionformother’ssake；sheneedspacifying，andsodoalltherestofthefamily！"
"Lookhere，Aglaya——"beganthegeneral。
"This——thisisgoingbeyondalllimits！"saidLizabethaProkofievna，suddenlyalarmed。
"Itisnotintheleastbeyondalllimits，mamma！"saidherdaughter，firmly。"Isenttheprinceahedgehogthismorning，andIwishtohearhisopinionofit。Goon，prince。"
"What——whatsortofopinion，AglayaIvanovna？"
"Aboutthehedgehog。"
"Thatis——IsupposeyouwishtoknowhowIreceivedthehedgehog，AglayaIvanovna，——or，Ishouldsay，howIregardedyoursendinghimtome？Inthatcase，Imaytellyou——inaword——thatI——infact——"
Hepaused，breathless。
"Come——youhaven’ttoldusmuch！"saidAglaya，afterwaitingsomefiveseconds。"Verywell，Iamreadytodropthehedgehog，ifyoulike；butIamanxioustobeabletoclearupthisaccumulationofmisunderstandings。Allowmetoaskyou，prince，——Iwishtohearfromyou，personally——areyoumakingmeanoffer，ornot？"
"Graciousheavens！"exclaimedLizabethaProkofievna。Theprincestarted。Thegeneralstiffenedinhischair；thesistersfrowned。
"Don’tdeceivemenow，prince——tellthetruth。Allthesepeoplepersecutemewithastoundingquestions——aboutyou。Isthereanygroundforallthesequestions，ornot？Come！"
"Ihavenotaskedyoutomarrymeyet，AglayaIvanovna，"saidtheprince，becomingsuddenlyanimated；"butyouknowyourselfhowmuchIloveyouandtrustyou。"
"No——Iaskedyouthis——answerthis！Doyouintendtoaskformyband，ornot？"
"Yes——Idoaskforit！"saidtheprince，moredeadthanalivenow。
Therewasageneralstirintheroom。
"No——no——mydeargirl，"beganthegeneral。"Youcannotproceedlikethis，Aglaya，ifthat’showthematterstands。It’simpossible。Prince，forgiveit，mydearfellow，but——LizabethaProkofievna！"——heappealedtohisspouseforhelp——"youmustreally——"
"NotI——notI！Iretirefromallresponsibility，"saidLizabethaProkofievna，withawaveofthehand。
"Allowmetospeak，please，mamma，"saidAglaya。"IthinkIoughttohavesomethingtosayinthematter。Animportantmomentofmydestinyisabouttobedecided"——thisishowAglayaexpressedherself——"andIwishtofindouthowthematterstands，formyownsake，thoughIamgladyouareallhere。Allowmetoaskyou，prince，sinceyoucherishthoseintentions，howyouconsiderthatyouwillprovideformyhappiness？"
"I——Idon’tquiteknowhowtoansweryourquestion，AglayaIvanovna。Whatistheretosaytosuchaquestion？And——andmustIanswer？"
"Ithinkyouareratheroverwhelmedandoutofbreath。Havealittlerest，andtrytorecoveryourself。Takeaglassofwater，or——butthey’llgiveyousometeadirectly。"
"Iloveyou，AglayaIvanovna，——Iloveyouverymuch。Iloveonlyyou——and——pleasedon’tjestaboutit，forIdoloveyouverymuch。"
"Well，thismatterisimportant。Wearenotchildren——wemustlookintoitthoroughly。Nowthen，kindlytellme——whatdoesyourfortuneconsistof？"
"No——Aglaya——come，enoughofthis，youmustn’tbehavelikethis，"
saidherfather，indismay。
"It’sdisgraceful，"saidLizabethaProkofievnainaloudwhisper。
"She’smad——quite！"saidAlexandra。
"Fortune——money——doyoumean？"askedtheprinceinsomesurprise。
"Justso。"
"Ihavenow——let’ssee——Ihaveahundredandthirty-fivethousandroubles，"saidtheprince，blushingviolently。
"Isthatall，really？"saidAglaya，candidly，withouttheslightestshowofconfusion。"However，it’snotsobad，especiallyifmanagedwitheconomy。Doyouintendtoserve？"
"I——Iintendedtotryforacertificateasprivatetutor。"
"Verygood。Thatwouldincreaseourincomenicely。HaveyouanyintentionofbeingaKammer-junker？"
"AKammer-junker？Ihadnotthoughtofit，but——"
Butherethetwosisterscouldrestrainthemselvesnolonger，andbothofthemburstintoirrepressiblelaughter。
AdelaidahadlongsincedetectedinAglaya’sfeaturesthegatheringsignsofanapproachingstormoflaughter，whichsherestrainedwithamazingself-control。
Aglayalookedmenacinglyatherlaughingsisters，butcouldnotcontainherselfanylonger，andthenextminuteshetoohadburstintoanirrepressible，andalmosthysterical，fitofmirth。Atlengthshejumpedup，andranoutoftheroom。
"Iknewitwasallajoke！"criedAdelaida。"Ifeltiteversince——sincethehedgehog。"
"No，no！Icannotallowthis，——thisisalittletoomuch，"criedLizabethaProkofievna，explodingwithrage，andsherosefromherseatandfollowedAglayaoutoftheroomasquicklyasshecould。
Thetwosistershurriedlywentafterher。
Theprinceandthegeneralweretheonlytwopersonsleftintheroom。
"It’s——it’sreally——nowcouldyouhaveimaginedanythinglikeit，LefNicolaievitch？"criedthegeneral。Hewasevidentlysomuchagitatedthathehardlyknewwhathewishedtosay。"Seriouslynow，seriouslyImean——"
"IonlyseethatAglayaIvanovnaislaughingatme，"saidthepoorprince，sadly。
"Waitabit，myboy，I’lljustgo——youstayhere，youknow。Butdojustexplain，ifyoucan，LefNicolaievitch，howintheworldhasallthiscomeabout？Andwhatdoesitallmean？Youmustunderstand，mydearfellow；Iamafather，yousee，andIoughttobeallowedtounderstandthematter——doexplain，Ibegyou！"
"IloveAglayaIvanovna——sheknowsit，——andIthinkshemusthavelongknownit。"
Thegeneralshruggedhisshoulders。
"Strange——it’sstrange，"hesaid，"andyouloveherverymuch？"
"Yes，verymuch。"
"Well——it’sallmoststrangetome。Thatis——mydearfellow，itissuchasurprise——suchablow——that……Yousee，itisnotyourfinancialpositionthoughIshouldnotobjectifyouwereabitricher——Iamthinkingofmydaughter’shappiness，ofcourse，andthethingis——areyouabletogiveherthehappinessshedeserves？Andthen——isallthisajokeonherpart，orissheinearnest？Idon’tmeanonyourside，butonhers。"
AtthismomentAlexandra’svoicewasheardoutsidethedoor，callingout"Papa！"
"Waitformehere，myboy——willyou？Justwaitandthinkitallover，andI’llcomebackdirectly，"hesaidhurriedly，andmadeoffwithwhatlookedliketherapidityofalarminresponsetoAlexandra’scall。
Hefoundthemotheranddaughterlockedinoneanother’sarms，minglingtheirtears。
Thesewerethetearsofjoyandpeaceandreconciliation。Aglayawaskissinghermother’slipsandcheeksandhands；theywerehuggingeachotherinthemostardentway。
"There，lookathernow——IvanFedorovitch！Heresheis——allofher！ThisisourREALAglayaatlast！"saidLizabethaProkofievna。
Aglayaraisedherhappy，tearfulfacefromhermother’sbreast，glancedatherfather，andburstoutlaughing。Shesprangathimandhuggedhimtoo，andkissedhimoverandoveragain。Shethenrushedbacktohermotherandhidherfaceinthematernalbosom，andthereindulgedinmoretears。Hermothercoveredherwithacornerofhershawl。
"Oh，youcruellittlegirl！Howwillyoutreatusallnext，I
wonder？"shesaid，butshespokewitharingofjoyinhervoice，andasthoughshebreathedatlastwithouttheoppressionwhichshehadfeltsolong。
"Cruel？"sobbedAglaya。"Yes，IAMcruel，andworthless，andspoiled——tellfatherso，——oh，hereheis——IforgotFather，listen！"Shelaughedthroughhertears。
"Mydarling，mylittleidol，"criedthegeneral，kissingandfondlingherhandsAglayadidnotdrawthemaway；"soyoulovethisyoungman，doyou？"
"No，no，no，can’tBEARhim，Ican’tBEARyouryoungman！"criedAglaya，raisingherhead。"AndifyoudaresaythatONCEmore，papa——I’mserious，youknow，I’m，——doyouhearme——I’mserious！"
Shecertainlydidseemtobeseriousenough。Shehadflushedupalloverandhereyeswereblazing。
Thegeneralfelttroubledandremainedsilent，whileLizabethaProkofievnatelegraphedtohimfrombehindAglayatoasknoquestions。
"Ifthat’sthecase，darling——then，ofcourse，youshalldoexactlyasyoulike。Heiswaitingalonedownstairs。Hadn’tI
betterhinttohimgentlythathecango？"ThegeneraltelegraphedtoLizabethaProkofievnainhisturn。
"No，no，youneedn’tdoanythingofthesort；youmustn’thintgentlyatall。I’llgodownmyselfdirectly。Iwishtoapologizetothisyoungman，becauseIhurthisfeelings。"
"Yes，SERIOUSLY，"saidthegeneral，gravely。
"Well，you’dbetterstayhere，allofyou，foralittle，andI’llgodowntohimalonetobeginwith。I’lljustgoinandthenyoucanfollowmealmostatonce。That’sthebestway。"
Shehadalmostreachedthedoorwhensheturnedroundagain。
"Ishalllaugh——IknowIshall；Ishalldieoflaughing，"shesaid，lugubriously。
However，sheturnedandrandowntotheprinceasfastasherfeetcouldcarryher。
"Well，whatdoesitallmean？Whatdoyoumakeofit？"askedthegeneralofhisspouse，hurriedly。
"Ihardlydaresay，"saidLizabetha，ashurriedly，"butIthinkit’sasplainasanythingcanbe。"
"Ithinksotoo，asclearasday；sheloveshim。"
"Loveshim？Sheisheadoverearsinlove，that’swhatsheis，"
putinAlexandra。
"Well，Godblessher，Godblessher，ifsuchisherdestiny，"
saidLizabetha，crossingherselfdevoutly。
"H’mdestinyitis，"saidthegeneral，"andthere’snogettingoutofdestiny。"
Withthesewordstheyallmovedofftowardsthedrawing-room，whereanothersurpriseawaitedthem。Aglayahadnotonlynotlaughed，asshehadfeared，buthadgonetotheprincerathertimidly，andsaidtohim:
"Forgiveasilly，horrid，spoiltgirl"——shetookhishandhere——
"andbequiteassuredthatweallofusesteemyoubeyondallwords。AndifIdaredtoturnyourbeautiful，admirablesimplicitytoridicule，forgivemeasyouwouldalittlechilditsmischief。Forgivemeallmyabsurdityofjustnow，which，ofcourse，meantnothing，andcouldnothavetheslightestconsequence。"Shespokethesewordswithgreatemphasis。
Herfather，mother，andsisterscameintotheroomandweremuchstruckwiththelastwords，whichtheyjustcaughtastheyentered——"absurditywhichofcoursemeantnothing"——andstillmoresowiththeemphasiswithwhichAglayahadspoken。
Theyexchangedglancesquestioningly，buttheprincedidnotseemtohaveunderstoodthemeaningofAglaya’swords；hewasinthehighestheavenofdelight。
"Whydoyouspeakso？"hemurmured。"Whydoyouaskmyforgiveness？"
Hewishedtoaddthathewasunworthyofbeingaskedforforgivenessbyher，butpaused。PerhapshedidunderstandAglaya’ssentenceabout"absurditywhichmeantnothing，"andlikethestrangefellowthathewas，rejoicedinthewords。
UndoubtedlythefactthathemightnowcomeandseeAglayaasmuchashepleasedagainwasquiteenoughtomakehimperfectlyhappy；thathemightcomeandspeaktoher，andseeher，andsitbyher，andwalkwithher——whoknows，butthatallthiswasquiteenoughtosatisfyhimforthewholeofhislife，andthathewoulddesirenomoretotheendoftime？
LizabethaProkofievnafeltthatthismightbethecase，andshedidn’tlikeit；thoughveryprobablyshecouldnothaveputtheideaintowords。
Itwouldbedifficulttodescribetheanimationandhighspiritswhichdistinguishedtheprincefortherestoftheevening。
Hewassohappythat"itmadeonefeelhappytolookathim，"asAglaya’ssistersexpresseditafterwards。Hetalked，andtoldstoriesjustashehaddoneoncebefore，andneversince，namelyontheveryfirstmorningofhisacquaintancewiththeEpanchins，sixmonthsago。SincehisreturntoPetersburgfromMoscow，hehadbeenremarkablysilent，andhadtoldPrinceS。ononeoccasion，beforeeveryone，thathedidnotthinkhimselfjustifiedindegradinganythoughtbyhisunworthywords。
Butthiseveninghedidnearlyallthetalkinghimself，andtoldstoriesbythedozen，whileheansweredallquestionsputtohimclearly，gladly，andwithanyamountofdetail。
Therewasnothing，however，oflove-makinginhistalk。Hisideaswereallofthemostseriouskind；somewereevenmysticalandprofound。
Heairedhisownviewsonvariousmatters，someofhismostprivateopinionsandobservations，manyofwhichwouldhaveseemedratherfunny，sohishearersagreedafterwards，hadtheynotbeensowellexpressed。
Thegenerallikedserioussubjectsofconversation；butbothheandLizabethaProkofievnafeltthattheywerehavingalittletoomuchofagoodthingtonight，andastheeveningadvanced，theybothgrewmoreorlessmelancholy；buttowardsnight，theprincefelltotellingfunnystories，andwasalwaysthefirsttoburstoutlaughinghimself，whichheinvariablydidsojoyouslyandsimplythattherestlaughedjustasmuchathimasathisstories。
AsforAglaya，shehardlysaidawordalltheevening；butshelistenedwithallherearstoLefNicolaievitch’stalk，andscarcelytookhereyesoffhim。
"Shelookedathim，andstaredandstared，andhungoneverywordhesaid，"saidLizabethaafterwards，toherhusband，"andyet，tellherthatsheloveshim，andsheisfurious！"
"What’stobedone？It’sfate，"saidthegeneral，shrugginghisshoulders，and，foralongwhileafter，hecontinuedtorepeat:
"It’sfate，it’sfate！"
WemayaddthattoabusinessmanlikeGeneralEpanchinthepresentpositionofaffairswasmostunsatisfactory。Hehatedtheuncertaintyinwhichtheyhadbeen，perforce，left。However，hedecidedtosaynomoreaboutit，andmerelytolookon，andtakehistimeandtunefromLizabethaProkofievna。
Thehappystateinwhichthefamilyhadspenttheevening，asjustrecorded，wasnotofverylongduration。NextdayAglayaquarrelledwiththeprinceagain，andsoshecontinuedtobehaveforthenextfewdays。Forwholehoursatatimesheridiculedandchaffedthewretchedman，andmadehimalmostalaughing-
stock。
Itistruethattheyusedtositinthelittlesummer-housetogetherforanhourortwoatatime，veryoften，butitwasobservedthatontheseoccasionstheprincewouldreadthepaper，orsomebook，aloudtoAglaya。
"Doyouknow，"Aglayasaidtohimonce，interruptingthereading，"I’veremarkedthatyouaredreadfullybadlyeducated。Youneverknowanythingthoroughly，ifoneasksyou；neitheranyone’sname，nordates，norabouttreatiesandsoon。It’sagreatpity，youknow！"
"ItoldyouIhadnothadmuchofaneducation，"repliedtheprince。
"HowamItorespectyou，ifthat’sthecase？Readonnow。No——
don’t！Stopreading！"
Andoncemore，thatsameevening，Aglayamystifiedthemall。
PrinceS。hadreturned，andAglayawasparticularlyamiabletohim，andaskedagreatdealafterEvgeniePavlovitch。Muishkinhadnotcomeinasyet。
SuddenlyPrinceS。hintedsomethingabout"anewandapproachingchangeinthefamily。"HewasledtothisremarkbyacommunicationinadvertentlymadetohimbyLizabethaProkofievna，thatAdelaida’smarriagemustbepostponedalittlelonger，inorderthatthetwoweddingsmightcomeofftogether。
ItisimpossibletodescribeAglaya’sirritation。Sheflaredup，andsaidsomeindignantwordsabout"allthesesillyinsinuations。"Sheaddedthat"shehadnointentionsasyetofreplacinganybody’smistress。"
Thesewordspainfullyimpressedthewholeparty；butespeciallyherparents。LizabethaProkofievnasummonedasecretcounciloftwo，andinsisteduponthegeneral’sdemandingfromtheprinceafullexplanationofhisrelationswithNastasiaPhilipovna。ThegeneralarguedthatitwasonlyawhimofAglaya’s；andthat，hadnotPrinceS。unfortunatelymadethatremark，whichhadconfusedthechildandmadeherblush，sheneverwouldhavesaidwhatshedid；andthathewassureAglayaknewwellthatanythingshemighthaveheardoftheprinceandNastasiaPhilipovnawasmerelythefabricationofmalicioustongues，andthatthewomanwasgoingtomarryRogojin。HeinsistedthattheprincehadnothingwhatevertodowithNastasiaPhilipovna，sofarasanyliaisonwasconcerned；and，ifthetruthweretobetoldaboutit，headded，neverhadhad。
Meanwhilenothingputtheprinceout，andhecontinuedtobeintheseventhheavenofbliss。Ofcoursehecouldnotfailtoobservesomeimpatienceandill-temperinAglayanowandthen；
buthebelievedinsomethingelse，andnothingcouldnowshakehisconviction。Besides，Aglaya’sfrownsneverlastedlong；theydisappearedofthemselves。
Perhapshewastooeasyinhismind。SothoughtHippolyte，atallevents，whomethimintheparkoneday。
"Didn’tItellyouthetruthnow，whenIsaidyouwereinlove？"
hesaid，cominguptoMuishkinofhisownaccord，andstoppinghim。
Theprincegavehimhishandandcongratulatedhimupon"lookingsowell。"
Hippolytehimselfseemedtobehopefulabouthisstateofhealth，asisoftenthecasewithconsumptives。
Hehadapproachedtheprincewiththeintentionoftalkingsarcasticallyabouthishappyexpressionofface，butverysoonforgothisintentionandbegantotalkabouthimself。Hebegancomplainingabouteverything，disconnectedlyandendlessly，aswashiswont。
"Youwouldn’tbelieve，"heconcluded，"howirritatingtheyallarethere。Theyaresuchwretchedlysmall，vain，egotistical，COMMONPLACEpeople！Wouldyoubelieveit，theyinvitedmethereundertheexpressconditionthatIshoulddiequickly，andtheyareallaswildaspossiblewithmefornothavingdiedyet，andforbeing，onthecontrary，agooddealbetter！Isn’titacomedy？Idon’tmindbettingthatyoudon’tbelieveme！"
Theprincesaidnothing。
"Isometimesthinkofcomingovertoyouagain，"saidHippolyte，carelessly。"SoyouDON’Tthinkthemcapableofinvitingamanontheconditionthatheistolooksharpanddie？"
"Icertainlythoughttheyinvitedyouwithquiteotherviews。"
"Ho，ho！youarenotnearlysosimpleastheytrytomakeyouout！Thisisnotthetimeforit，orIwouldtellyouathingortwoaboutthatbeauty，Gania，andhishopes。Youarebeingundermined，pitilesslyundermined，and——anditisreallymelancholytoseeyousocalmaboutit。Butalas！it’syournature——youcan’thelpit！"
"Myword！whatathingtobemelancholyabout！Why，doyouthinkIshouldbeanyhappierifIweretofeeldisturbedabouttheexcavationsyoutellmeof？"
"Itisbettertobeunhappyandknowtheworst，thantobehappyinafool’sparadise！Isupposeyoudon’tbelievethatyouhavearivalinthatquarter？"
"Yourinsinuationsastorivalryarerathercynical，Hippolyte。
I’msorrytosayIhavenorighttoansweryou！AsforGania，I
putittoyou，CANanymanhaveahappymindafterpassingthroughwhathehashadtosuffer？Ithinkthatisthebestwaytolookatit。Hewillchangeyet，hehaslotsoftimebeforehim，andlifeisrich；besides——besides……"theprincehesitated。"Astobeingundermined，Idon’tknowwhatintheworldyouaredrivingat，Hippolyte。Ithinkwehadbetterdropthesubject！"
"Verywell，we’lldropitforawhile。Youcan’tlookatanythingbutinyourexalted，generousway。Youmustputoutyourfingerandtouchathingbeforeyou’llbelieveit，eh？Ha！ha！ha！I
supposeyoudespisemedreadfully，prince，eh？Whatdoyouthink？"
"Why？Becauseyouhavesufferedmorethanwehave？"
"No；becauseIamunworthyofmysufferings，ifyoulike！"
"WhoeverCANsufferisworthytosuffer，Ishouldthink。AglayaIvanovnawishedtoseeyou，aftershehadreadyourconfession，but——"
"Shepostponedthepleasure——Isee——Iquiteunderstand！"saidHippolyte，hurriedly，asthoughhewishedtobanishthesubject。
"Ihear——theytellme——thatyoureadherallthatnonsensealoud？
Stupid@boshitwas——writtenindelirium。AndIcan’tunderstandhowanyonecanbesoIwon’tsayCRUEL，becausethewordwouldbehumiliatingtomyself，butwe’llsaychildishlyvainandrevengeful，astoREPROACHmewiththisconfession，anduseitasaweaponagainstme。Don’tbeafraid，I’mnotreferringtoyourself。"
"Oh，butI’msorryyourepudiatetheconfession，Hippolyte——itissincere；and，doyouknow，eventheabsurdpartsofit——andthesearemany"hereHippolytefrownedsavagely"are，asitwere，redeemedbysuffering——foritmusthavecostyousomethingtoadmitwhatyoutheresay——greattorture，perhaps，forallIknow。
Yourmotivemusthavebeenaverynobleoneallthrough。Whatevermayhaveappearedtothecontrary，Igiveyoumyword，Iseethismoreplainlyeveryday。Idonotjudgeyou；Imerelysaythistohaveitoffmymind，andIamonlysorrythatIdidnotsayitallTHEN——"
Hippolyteflushedhotly。Hehadthoughtatfirstthattheprincewas"humbugging"him；butonlookingathisfacehesawthathewasabsolutelyserious，andhadnothoughtofanydeception。
Hippolytebeamedwithgratification。
"AndyetImustdie，"hesaid，andalmostadded:"amanlikeme@
"AndimaginehowthatGaniaannoysme！Hehasdevelopedtheidea——orpretendstobelieve——thatinallprobabilitythreeorfourotherswhoheardmyconfessionwilldiebeforeIdo。There’sanideaforyou——andallthisbywayofCONSOLINGme！Ha！ha！ha！Inthefirstplacetheyhaven’tdiedyet；andinthesecond，iftheyDIDdie——allofthem——whatwouldbethesatisfactiontomeinthat？Hejudgesmebyhimself。Buthegoesfurther，heactuallypitchesintomebecause，ashedeclares，’anydecentfellow’
woulddiequietly，andthat’allthis’ismereegotismonmypart。Hedoesn’tseewhatrefinementofegotismitisonhisownpart——andatthesametime，whatox-likecoarseness！HaveyoueverreadofthedeathofoneStepanGleboff，intheeighteenthcentury？Ireadofityesterdaybychance。"
"Whowashe？"
HewasimpaledonastakeinthetimeofPeter。"
"Iknow，Iknow！Helaytherefifteenhoursinthehardfrost，anddiedwiththemostextraordinaryfortitude——Iknow——whatofhim？"
"OnlythatGodgivesthatsortofdyingtosome，andnottoothers。Perhapsyouthink，though，thatIcouldnotdielikeGleboff？"
"Notatall！"saidtheprince，blushing。"Iwasonlygoingtosaythatyou——notthatyoucouldnotbelikeGleboff——butthatyouwouldhavebeenmorelike@
"Iguesswhatyoumean——IshouldbeanOsterman，notaGleboff——
eh？Isthatwhatyoumeant？"
"WhatOsterman？"askedtheprinceinsomesurprise。
"Why，Osterman——thediplomatist。Peter’sOsterman，"mutteredHippolyte，confused。Therewasamoment’spauseofmutualconfusion。
Oh，no，no！"saidtheprinceatlast，"thatwasnotwhatIwasgoingtosay——ohno！Idon’tthinkyouwouldeverhavebeenlikeOsterman。"
Hippolytefrownedgloomily。
"I’lltellyouwhyIdrawtheconclusion，"explainedtheprince，evidentlydesirousofclearingupthematteralittle。"Because，thoughIoftenthinkoverthemenofthosetimes，Icannotforthelifeofmeimaginethemtobelikeourselves。Itreallyappearstomethattheywereofanotherracealtogetherthanourselvesoftoday。Atthattimepeopleseemedtosticksotooneidea；now，theyaremorenervous，moresensitive，moreenlightened——peopleoftwoorthreeideasatonce——asitwere。
Themanoftodayisabroaderman，sotospeak——andIdeclareI
believethatiswhatpreventshimfrombeingsoself-containedandindependentabeingashisbrotherofthoseearlierdays。Ofcoursemyremarkwasonlymadeunderthisimpression，andnotintheleast@
"Iquiteunderstand。Youaretryingtocomfortmeforthenaivenesswithwhichyoudisagreedwithme——eh？Ha！ha！ha！Youarearegularchild，prince！However，Icannothelpseeingthatyoualwaystreatmelike——likeafragilechinacup。Nevermind，nevermind，I’mnotabitangry！Atalleventswehavehadaveryfunnytalk。Doyouknow，allthingsconsidered，IshouldliketobesomethingbetterthanOsterman！Iwouldn’ttakethetroubletorisefromthedeadtobeanOsterman。However，IseeImustmakearrangementstodiesoon，orImyself。Well——leavemenow！Aurevoir。Lookhere——beforeyougo，justgivemeyouropinion:howdoyouthinkIoughttodie，now？Imean——thebest，themostvirtuousway？Tellme！"
"Youshouldpassusbyandforgiveusourhappiness，"saidtheprinceinalowvoice。
"Ha！ha！ha！Ithoughtso。IthoughtIshouldhearsomethinglikethat。Well，youare——youreallyare——ohdearme！Eloquence，eloquence！Good-bye！"
VI。
AstotheeveningpartyattheEpanchins’atwhichPrincessBielokonskiwastobepresent，Variahadreportedwithaccuracy；
thoughshehadperhapsexpressedherselftoostrongly。
Thethingwasdecidedinahurryandwithacertainamountofquiteunnecessaryexcitement，doubtlessbecause"nothingcouldbedoneinthishouselikeanywhereelse。"
TheimpatienceofLizabethaProkofievna"togetthingssettled"
explainedagooddeal，aswellastheanxietyofbothparentsforthehappinessoftheirbeloveddaughter。Besides，PrincessBielokonskiwasgoingawaysoon，andtheyhopedthatshewouldtakeaninterestintheprince。Theywereanxiousthatheshouldentersocietyundertheauspicesofthislady，whosepatronagewasthebestofrecommendationsforanyyoungman。
Evenifthereseemssomethingstrangeaboutthematch，thegeneralandhiswifesaidtoeachother，the"world"willacceptAglaya’sfiancewithoutanyquestionifheisunderthepatronageoftheprincess。Inanycase，theprincewouldhavetobe"shown"
soonerorlater；thatis，introducedintosociety，ofwhichhehad，sofar，nottheleastidea。Moreover，itwasonlyaquestionofasmallgatheringofafewintimatefriends。BesidesPrincessBielokonski，onlyoneotherladywasexpected，thewifeofahighdignitary。EvgeniePavlovitch，whowastoescorttheprincess，wastheonlyyoungman。
Muishkinwastoldoftheprincess’svisitthreedaysbeforehand，butnothingwassaidtohimaboutthepartyuntilthenightbeforeitwastotakeplace。
Hecouldnothelpobservingtheexcitedandagitatedconditionofallmembersofthefamily，andfromcertainhintsdroppedinconversationhegatheredthattheywereallanxiousastotheimpressionheshouldmakeupontheprincess。ButtheEpanchins，oneandall，believedthatMuishkin，inhissimplicityofmind，wasquiteincapableofrealizingthattheycouldbefeelinganyanxietyonhisaccount，andforthisreasontheyalllookedathimwithdreadanduneasiness。
Inpointoffact，hedidattachmarvellouslylittleimportancetotheapproachingevent。Hewasoccupiedwithaltogetherdifferentthoughts。Aglayawasgrowinghourlymorecapriciousandgloomy，andthisdistressedhim。WhentheytoldhimthatEvgeniePavlovitchwasexpected，heevincedgreatdelight，andsaidthathehadlongwishedtoseehim——andsomehowthesewordsdidnotpleaseanyone。
Aglayalefttheroominafitofirritation，anditwasnotuntillateintheevening，pasteleven，whentheprincewastakinghisdeparture，thatshesaidawordortwotohim，privately，assheaccompaniedhimasfarasthefrontdoor。
"Ishouldlikeyou，"shesaid，"nottocomeheretomorrowuntilevening，whentheguestsareallassembled。Youknowtherearetobeguests，don’tyou？"
Shespokeimpatientlyandwithseverity；thiswasthefirstallusionshehadmadetothepartyoftomorrow。
Shehatedtheideaofit，everyonesawthat；andshewouldprobablyhavelikedtoquarrelaboutitwithherparents，butprideandmodestypreventedherfrombroachingthesubject。
TheprincejumpedtotheconclusionthatAglaya，too，wasnervousabouthim，andtheimpressionhewouldmake，andthatshedidnotliketoadmitheranxiety；andthisthoughtalarmedhim。
"Yes，Iaminvited，"hereplied。