Observehowingenuouslyheunderlinescertainwords，andhowcrudelyheglossesoverhishiddenthoughts。Hemustknowthatifhe’brokeoffeverything，’FIRST，byhimself，andwithouttellingmeawordaboutitorhavingtheslightesthopeonmyaccount，thatinthatcaseIshouldperhapsbeabletochangemyopinionofhim，andevenaccepthis——friendship。Hemustknowthat，buthissoulissuchawretchedthing。Heknowsitandcannotmakeuphismind；heknowsitandyetasksforguarantees。HecannotbringhimselftoTRUST，hewantsmetogivehimhopesofmyselfbeforeheletsgoofhishundredthousandroubles。Astothe’formerword’whichhedeclares’lightedupthenightofhislife，’heissimplyanimpudentliar；Imerelypitiedhimonce。
　　Butheisaudaciousandshameless。Heimmediatelybegantohope，atthatverymoment。Isawit。Hehastriedtocatchmeeversince；heisstillfishingforme。Well，enoughofthis。Taketheletterandgiveitbacktohim，assoonasyouhaveleftourhouse；notbefore，ofcourse。"
　　"AndwhatshallItellhimbywayofanswer？"
　　"Nothing——ofcourse！That’sthebestanswer。Isitthecasethatyouaregoingtoliveinhishouse？"
　　"Yes，yourfatherkindlyrecommendedmetohim。"
　　"Thenlookoutforhim，Iwarnyou！Hewon’tforgiveyoueasily，fortakingbacktheletter。"
　　Aglayapressedtheprince’shandandlefttheroom。Herfacewasseriousandfrowning；shedidnotevensmileasshenoddedgood-
　　byetohimatthedoor。
　　"I’lljustgetmyparcelandwe’llgo，"saidtheprincetoGania，ashere-enteredthedrawing-room。Ganiastampedhisfootwithimpatience。Hisfacelookeddarkandgloomywithrage。
　　Atlasttheyleftthehousebehindthem，theprincecarryinghisbundle。
　　"Theanswer——quick——theanswer！"saidGania，theinstanttheywereoutside。"Whatdidshesay？Didyougivetheletter？"Theprincesilentlyheldoutthenote。Ganiawasstruckmotionlesswithamazement。
　　"How，what？myletter？"hecried。"Heneverdeliveredit！Imighthaveguessedit，oh！cursehim！OfcourseshedidnotunderstandwhatImeant，naturally！Why-why-WHYdidn’tyougiveherthenote，you——"
　　"Excuseme；Iwasabletodeliveritalmostimmediatelyafterreceivingyourcommission，andIgaveit，too，justasyouaskedmeto。IthascomeintomyhandsnowbecauseAglayaIvanovnahasjustreturnedittome。"
　　"How？When？"
　　"AssoonasIfinishedwritinginheralbumforher，andwhensheaskedmetocomeoutoftheroomwithheryouheard？，wewentintothedining-room，andshegavemeyourlettertoread，andthentoldmetoreturnit。"
　　"ToREAD？"criedGania，almostatthetopofhisvoice；"toREAD，andyoureadit？"
　　Andagainhestoodlikealoginthemiddleofthepavement；soamazedthathismouthremainedopenafterthelastwordhadleftit。
　　"Yes，Ihavejustreadit。"
　　"Andshegaveityoutoreadherself——HERSELF？"
　　"Yes，herself；andyoumaybelievemewhenItellyouthatI
　　wouldnothavereaditforanythingwithoutherpermission。"
　　Ganiawassilentforaminuteortwo，asthoughthinkingoutsomeproblem。Suddenlyhecried:
　　"It’simpossible，shecannothavegivenittoyoutoread！Youarelying。Youreadityourself！"
　　"Iamtellingyouthetruth，"saidtheprinceinhisformercomposedtoneofvoice；"andbelieveme，Iamextremelysorrythatthecircumstanceshouldhavemadesuchanunpleasantimpressionuponyou！"
　　"But，youwretchedman，atleastshemusthavesaidsomething？
　　TheremustbeSOMEanswerfromher！"
　　"Yes，ofcourse，shedidsaysomething！"
　　"Outwithitthen，damnit！Outwithitatonce！"andGaniastampedhisfoottwiceonthepavement。
　　"AssoonasIhadfinishedreadingit，shetoldmethatyouwerefishingforher；thatyouwishedtocompromisehersofarastoreceivesomehopesfromher，trustingtowhichhopesyoumightbreakwiththeprospectofreceivingahundredthousandroubles。
　　Shesaidthatifyouhaddonethiswithoutbargainingwithher，ifyouhadbrokenwiththemoneyprospectswithouttryingtoforceaguaranteeoutofherfirst，shemighthavebeenyourfriend。That’sall，Ithink。Ohno，whenIaskedherwhatIwastosay，asItooktheletter，sherepliedthat’noansweristhebestanswer。’Ithinkthatwasit。ForgivemeifIdonotuseherexactexpressions。ItellyouthesenseasIunderstooditmyself。"
　　UngovernablerageandmadnesstookentirepossessionofGania，andhisfuryburstoutwithouttheleastattemptatrestraint。
　　"Oh！that’sit，isit！"heyelled。"Shethrowsmylettersoutofthewindow，doesshe！Oh！andshedoesnotcondescendtobargain，whileIDO，eh？Weshallsee，weshallsee！Ishallpayheroutforthis。"
　　Hetwistedhimselfaboutwithrage，andgrewpalerandpaler；heshookhisfist。Sothepairwalkedalongafewsteps。Ganiadidnotstandonceremonywiththeprince；hebehavedjustasthoughhewerealoneinhisroom。Heclearlycountedthelatterasanonentity。Butsuddenlyheseemedtohaveanidea，andrecollectedhimself。
　　"Buthowwasit？"heasked，"howwasitthatyouidiotthatyouare，"headdedtohimself，"weresoveryconfidentialacoupleofhoursafteryourfirstmeetingwiththesepeople？Howwasthat，eh？"
　　Uptothismomentjealousyhadnotbeenoneofhistorments；nowitsuddenlygnawedathisheart。
　　"ThatisathingIcannotundertaketoexplain，"repliedtheprince。Ganialookedathimwithangrycontempt。
　　"Oh！Isupposethepresentshewishedtomaketoyou，whenshetookyouintothedining-room，washerconfidence，eh？"
　　"Isupposethatwasit；Icannotexplainitotherwise？"
　　"Butwhy，WHY？Deviltakeit，whatdidyoudointhere？Whydidtheyfancyyou？Lookhere，can’tyourememberexactlywhatyousaidtothem，fromtheverybeginning？Can’tyouremember？"
　　"Oh，wetalkedofagreatmanythings。WhenfirstIwentinwebegantospeakofSwitzerland。"
　　"Oh，thedeviltakeSwitzerland！"
　　"Thenaboutexecutions。"
　　"Executions？"
　　"Yes——atleastaboutone。ThenItoldthewholethreeyears’
　　storyofmylife，andthehistoryofapoorpeasantgirl——"
　　"Oh，damnthepeasantgirl！goon，goon！"saidGania，impatiently。
　　"ThenhowSchneidertoldmeaboutmychildishnature，and——"
　　"Oh，CURSESchneiderandhisdirtyopinions！Goon。"
　　"ThenIbegantotalkaboutfaces，atleastabouttheEXPRESSIONS
　　offaces，andsaidthatAglayaIvanovnawasnearlyaslovelyasNastasiaPhilipovna。ItwasthenIblurtedoutabouttheportrait——"
　　"Butyoudidn’trepeatwhatyouheardinthestudy？Youdidn’trepeatthat——eh？"
　　"No，ItellyouIdidNOT。"
　　"Thenhowdidthey——lookhere！DidAglayashowmylettertotheoldlady？"
　　"Oh，thereIcangiveyoumyfullestassurancethatshedidNOT。
　　Iwasthereallthewhile——shehadnotimetodoit！"
　　"Butperhapsyoumaynothaveobservedit，oh，youdamnedidiot，you！"heshouted，quitebesidehimselfwithfury。"Youcan’tevendescribewhatwenton。"
　　Ganiahavingoncedescendedtoabuse，andreceivingnocheck，verysoonknewnoboundsorlimittohislicence，asisoftenthewayinsuchcases。Hisragesoblindedhimthathehadnotevenbeenabletodetectthatthis"idiot，"whomhewasabusingtosuchanextent，wasveryfarfrombeingslowofcomprehension，andhadawayoftakinginanimpression，andafterwardsgivingitoutagain，whichwasveryun-idioticindeed。Butsomethingalittleunforeseennowoccurred。
　　"IthinkIoughttotellyou，GavrilaArdalionovitch，"saidtheprince，suddenly，"thatthoughIoncewassoillthatIreallywaslittlebetterthananidiot，yetnowIamalmostrecovered，andthat，therefore，itisnotaltogetherpleasanttobecalledanidiottomyface。Ofcourseyourangerisexcusable，consideringthetreatmentyouhavejustexperienced；butImustremindyouthatyouhavetwiceabusedmeratherrudely。Idonotlikethissortofthing，andespeciallysoatthefirsttimeofmeetingaman，and，therefore，aswehappentobeatthismomentstandingatacrossroad，don’tyouthinkwehadbetterpart，youtotheleft，homewards，andItotheright，here？Ihavetwenty-
　　fiveroubles，andIshalleasilyfindalodging。"
　　Ganiawasmuchconfused，andblushedforshame"Doforgiveme，prince！"hecried，suddenlychanginghisabusivetoneforoneofgreatcourtesy。"ForHeaven’ssake，forgiveme！YouseewhatamiserableplightIamin，butyouhardlyknowanythingofthefactsofthecaseasyet。Ifyoudid，Iamsureyouwouldforgiveme，atleastpartially。Ofcourseitwasinexcusableofme，I
　　know，but——"
　　"Oh，dearme，Ireallydonotrequiresuchprofuseapologies，"
　　repliedtheprince，hastily。"Iquiteunderstandhowunpleasantyourpositionis，andthatiswhatmadeyouabuseme。Socomealongtoyourhouse，afterall。Ishallbedelighted——"
　　"Iamnotgoingtolethimgolikethis，"thoughtGania，glancingangrilyattheprinceastheywalkedalong。"Thefellowhassuckedeverythingoutofme，andnowhetakesoffhismask——
　　there’ssomethingmorethanappears，hereweshallsee。Itshallallbeasclearaswaterbytonight，everything！"
　　ButbythistimetheyhadreachedGania’shouse。
　　VIII。
　　TheflatoccupiedbyGaniaandhisfamilywasonthethirdfloorofthehouse。Itwasreachedbyacleanlightstaircase，andconsistedofsevenrooms，aniceenoughlodging，andonewouldhavethoughtalittletoogoodforaclerkontwothousandroublesayear。Butitwasdesignedtoaccommodateafewlodgersonboardterms，andhadbeertakenafewmonthssince，muchtothedisgustofGania，attheurgentrequestofhismotherandhissister，VarvaraArdalionovna，wholongedtodosomethingtoincreasethefamilyincomealittle，andfixedtheirhopesuponlettinglodgings。Ganiafrownedupontheidea。Hethoughtitinfradig，anddidnotquitelikeappearinginsocietyafterwards——thatsocietyinwhichhehadbeenaccustomedtoposeuptonowasayoungmanofratherbrilliantprospects。Alltheseconcessionsandrebuffsoffortune，oflate，hadwoundedhisspiritseverely，andhistemperhadbecomeextremelyirritable，hiswrathbeinggenerallyquiteoutofproportiontothecause。
　　Butifhehadmadeuphismindtoputupwiththissortoflifeforawhile，itwasonlyontheplainunderstandingwithhisinnerselfthathewouldverysoonchangeitall，andhavethingsashechoseagain。Yettheverymeansbywhichhehopedtomakethischangethreatenedtoinvolvehiminevengreaterdifficultiesthanhehadhadbefore。
　　Theflatwasdividedbyapassagewhichledstraightoutoftheentrance-hall。Alongonesideofthiscorridorlaythethreeroomswhichweredesignedfortheaccommodationofthe"highlyrecommended"lodgers。Besidesthesethreeroomstherewasanothersmalloneattheendofthepassage，closetothekitchen，whichwasallottedtoGeneralIvolgin，thenominalmasterofthehouse，whosleptonawidesofa，andwasobligedtopassintoandoutofhisroomthroughthekitchen，andupordownthebackstairs。Colia，Gania’syoungbrother，aschool-boyofthirteen，sharedthisroomwithhisfather。
　　He，too，hadtosleeponanoldsofa，anarrow，uncomfortablethingwithatornrugoverit；hischiefdutybeingtolookafterhisfather，whoneededtobewatchedmoreandmoreeveryday。
　　Theprincewasgiventhemiddleroomofthethree，thefirstbeingoccupiedbyoneFerdishenko，whilethethirdwasempty。
　　ButGaniafirstconductedtheprincetothefamilyapartments。
　　Theseconsistedofa"salon，"whichbecamethedining-roomwhenrequired；adrawing-room，whichwasonlyadrawing-roominthemorning，andbecameGania’sstudyintheevening，andhisbedroomatnight；andlastlyNinaAlexandrovna’sandVarvara’sbedroom，asmall，closechamberwhichtheysharedtogether。
　　Inaword，thewholeplacewasconfined，anda"tightfit"fortheparty。Ganiausedtogrindhisteethwithrageoverthestateofaffairs；thoughhewasanxioustobedutifulandpolitetohismother。However，itwasverysoonapparenttoanyonecomingintothehouse，thatGaniawasthetyrantofthefamily。
　　NinaAlexandrovnaandherdaughterwerebothseatedinthedrawing-room，engagedinknitting，andtalkingtoavisitor，IvanPetrovitchPtitsin。
　　Theladyofthehouseappearedtobeawomanofaboutfiftyyearsofage，thin-faced，andwithblacklinesundertheeves。Shelookedillandrathersad；butherfacewasapleasantoneforallthat；andfromthefirstwordthatfellfromherlips，anystrangerwouldatonceconcludethatshewasofaseriousandparticularlysincerenature。Inspiteofhersorrowfulexpression，shegavetheideaofpossessingconsiderablefirmnessanddecision。
　　Herdresswasmodestandsimpletoadegree，darkandelderlyinstyle；butbothherfaceandappearancegaveevidencethatshehadseenbetterdays。
　　Varvarawasagirlofsometwenty-threesummers，ofmiddleheight，thin，butpossessingafacewhich，withoutbeingactuallybeautiful，hadtherarequalityofcharm，andmightfascinateeventotheextentofpassionateregard。
　　Shewasverylikehermother:sheevendressedlikeher，whichprovedthatshehadnotasteforsmartclothes。Theexpressionofhergreyeyeswasmerryandgentle，whenitwasnot，aslately，toofullofthoughtandanxiety。Thesamedecisionandfirmnesswastobeobservedinherfaceasinhermother’s，butherstrengthseemedtobemorevigorousthanthatofNinaAlexandrovna。Shewassubjecttooutburstsoftemper，ofwhichevenherbrotherwasalittleafraid。
　　Thepresentvisitor，Ptitsin，wasalsoafraidofher。Thiswasayoungfellowofsomethingunderthirty，dressedplainly，butneatly。Hismannersweregood，butratherponderouslyso。Hisdarkbeardboreevidencetothefactthathewasnotinanygovernmentemploy。Hecouldspeakwell，butpreferredsilence。Onthewholehemadeadecidedlyagreeableimpression。HewasclearlyattractedbyVarvara，andmadenosecretofhisfeelings。
　　Shetrustedhiminafriendlyway，buthadnotshownhimanydecidedencouragementasyet，whichfactdidnotquellhisardourintheleast。
　　NinaAlexandrovnawasveryfondofhim，andhadgrownquiteconfidentialwithhimoflate。Ptitsin，aswaswellknown，wasengagedinthebusinessoflendingoutmoneyongoodsecurity，andatagoodrateofinterest。HewasagreatfriendofGania’s。
　　AfteraformalintroductionbyGaniawhogreetedhismotherveryshortly，tooknonoticeofhissister，andimmediatelymarchedPtitsinoutoftheroom，NinaAlexandrovnaaddressedafewkindwordstotheprinceandforthwithrequestedColia，whohadjustappearedatthedoor，toshowhimtothe"middleroom。"
　　Coliawasanice-lookingboy。Hisexpressionwassimpleandconfiding，andhismannerswereverypoliteandengaging。
　　"Where’syourluggage？"heasked，asheledtheprinceawaytohisroom。
　　"Ihadabundle；it’sintheentrancehall。"
　　"I’llbringityoudirectly。Weonlyhaveacookandonemaid，soIhavetohelpasmuchasIcan。Varialooksafterthings，generally，andloseshertemperoverit。GaniasaysyouhaveonlyjustarrivedfromSwitzerland？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Isitjollythere？"
　　"Very。"
　　"Mountains？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"I’llgoandgetyourbundle。"
　　HereVarvarajoinedthem。
　　"Themaidshallbringyourbed-linendirectly。Haveyouaportmanteau？"
　　"No；abundle——yourbrotherhasjustgonetothehallforit。"
　　"There’snothingthereexceptthis，"saidColia，returningatthismoment。"Wheredidyouputit？"
　　"Oh！butthat’sallIhave，"saidtheprince，takingit。
　　"Ah！IthoughtperhapsFerdishenkohadtakenit。"
　　"Don’ttalknonsense，"saidVaria，severely。Sheseemedputout，andwasonlyjustpolitewiththeprince。
　　"Oho！"laughedtheboy，"youcanbenicerthanthattoME，youknow——I’mnotPtitsin！"
　　"Yououghttobewhipped，Colia，yousillyboy。Ifyouwantanything"totheprince"pleaseapplytotheservant。Wedineathalf-pastfour。Youcantakeyourdinnerwithus，orhaveitinyourroom，justasyouplease。Comealong，Colia，don’tdisturbtheprince。"
　　AtthedoortheymetGaniacomingin。
　　"Isfatherin？"heasked。Coliawhisperedsomethinginhisearandwentout。
　　"Justacoupleofwords，prince，ifyou’llexcuseme。Don’tblaboverTHEREaboutwhatyoumayseehere，orinthishouseastoallthataboutAglayaandme，youknow。Thingsarenotaltogetherpleasantinthisestablishment——deviltakeitall！You’llsee。AtalleventskeepyourtonguetoyourselfforTODAY。"
　　"IassureyouI’blabbed’agreatdeallessthanyouseemtosuppose，"saidtheprince，withsomeannoyance。ClearlytherelationsbetweenGaniaandhimselfwerebynomeansimproving。
　　"OhIwell；Icaughtitquitehotenoughtoday，thankstoyou。
　　However，Iforgiveyou。"
　　"IthinkyoumightfairlyrememberthatIwasnotinanywaybound，Ihadnoreasontobesilentaboutthatportrait。Youneveraskedmenottomentionit。"
　　"Pfu！whatawretchedroomthisis——dark，andthewindowlookingintotheyard。Yourcomingtoourhouseis，innorespect，opportune。However，it’snotMYaffair。Idon’tkeepthelodgings。"
　　PtitsinherelookedinandbeckonedtoGania，whohastilylefttheroom，inspiteofthefactthathehadevidentlywishedtosaysomethingmoreandhadonlymadetheremarkabouttheroomtogaintime。Theprincehadhardlyhadtimetowashandtidyhimselfalittlewhenthedooropenedoncemore，andanotherfigureappeared。
　　Thiswasagentlemanofaboutthirty，tall，broadshouldered，andred-haired；hisfacewasred，too，andhepossessedapairofthicklips，awidenose，smalleyes，ratherbloodshot，andwithanironicalexpressioninthem；asthoughhewereperpetuallywinkingatsomeone。Hiswholeappearancegaveonetheideaofimpudence；hisdresswasshabby。
　　Heopenedthedoorjustenoughtolethisheadin。Hisheadremainedsoplacedforafewsecondswhilehequietlyscrutinizedtheroom；thedoorthenopenedenoughtoadmithisbody；butstillhedidnotenter。Hestoodonthethresholdandexaminedtheprincecarefully。Atlasthegavethedoorafinalshove，entered，approachedtheprince，tookhishandandseatedhimselfandtheowneroftheroomontwochairssidebyside。
　　"Ferdishenko，"hesaid，gazingintentlyandinquiringlyintotheprince’seyes。
　　"Verywell，whatnext？"saidthelatter，almostlaughinginhisface。
　　"Alodgerhere，"continuedtheother，staringasbefore。
　　"Doyouwishtomakeacquaintance？"askedtheprince。
　　"Ah！"saidthevisitor，passinghisfingersthroughhishairandsighing。Hethenlookedovertotheothersideoftheroomandaroundit。"Gotanymoney？"heasked，suddenly。
　　"Notmuch。"
　　"Howmuch？"
　　"Twenty-fiveroubles。"
　　"Let’sseeit。"
　　TheprincetookhisbanknoteoutandshowedittoFerdishenko。
　　Thelatterunfoldeditandlookedatit；thenheturneditroundandexaminedtheotherside；thenheheldituptothelight。
　　"Howstrangethatitshouldhavebrownedso，"hesaid，reflectively。"Thesetwenty-fiveroublenotesbrowninamostextraordinaryway，whileothernotesoftengrowpaler。Takeit。"
　　Theprincetookhisnote。Ferdishenkorose。
　　"Icameheretowarnyou，"hesaid。"Inthefirstplace，don’tlendmeanymoney，forIshallcertainlyaskyouto。"
　　"Verywell。"
　　"Shallyoupayhere？"
　　"Yes，Iintendto。"
　　"Oh！IDON’Tintendto。Thanks。Ilivehere，nextdoortoyou；
　　younoticedaroom，didyou？Don’tcometomeveryoften；Ishallseeyouherequiteoftenenough。Haveyouseenthegeneral？"
　　"No。"
　　"Norheardhim？"
　　"No；ofcoursenot。"
　　"Well，you’llbothhearandseehimsoon；heeventriestoborrowmoneyfromme。Avisaulecteur。Good-bye；doyouthinkamancanpossiblylivewithanamelikeFerdishenko？"
　　"Whynot？"
　　"Good-bye。"
　　Andsohedeparted。Theprincefoundoutafterwardsthatthisgentlemanmadeithisbusinesstoamazepeoplewithhisoriginalityandwit，butthatitdidnotasarule"comeoff。"Heevenproducedabadimpressiononsomepeople，whichgrievedhimsorely；buthedidnotchangehiswaysforallthat。
　　Ashewentoutoftheprince’sroom，hecollidedwithyetanothervisitorcomingin。Ferdishenkotooktheopportunityofmakingseveralwarninggesturestotheprincefrombehindthenewarrival’sback，andlefttheroominconsciouspride。
　　Thisnextarrivalwasatallred-facedmanofaboutfifty-five，withgreyishhairandwhiskers，andlargeeyeswhichstoodoutoftheirsockets。Hisappearancewouldhavebeendistinguishedhaditnotbeenthathegavetheideaofbeingratherdirty。Hewasdressedinanoldcoat，andhesmelledofvodkawhenhecamenear。Hiswalkwaseffective，andheclearlydidhisbesttoappeardignified，andtoimpresspeoplebyhismanner。
　　Thisgentlemannowapproachedtheprinceslowly，andwithamostcourteoussmile；silentlytookhishandandhelditinhisown，asheexaminedtheprince’sfeaturesasthoughsearchingforfamiliartraitstherein。
　　"’Tishe，’tishe！"hesaidatlast，quietly，butwithmuchsolemnity。"Asthoughhewerealiveoncemore。Iheardthefamiliarname-thedearfamiliarname——and，oh。Ihowitremindedmeoftheirrevocablepast——PrinceMuishkin，Ibelieve？"
　　"Exactlyso。"
　　"GeneralIvolgin——retiredandunfortunate。MayIaskyourChristianandgenericnames？"
　　"LefNicolaievitch。"
　　"So，so——thesonofmyold，Imaysaymychildhood’sfriend，NicolaiPetrovitch。"
　　"Myfather’snamewasNicolaiLvovitch。"
　　"Lvovitch，"repeatedthegeneralwithouttheslightesthaste，andwithperfectconfidence，justasthoughhehadnotcommittedhimselftheleastintheworld，butmerelymadealittleslipofthetongue。Hesatdown，andtakingtheprince’shand，drewhimtoaseatnexttohimself。
　　"Icarriedyouinmyarmsasababy，"heobserved。
　　"Really？"askedtheprince。"Why，it’stwentyyearssincemyfatherdied。"
　　"Yes，yes——twentyyearsandthreemonths。Wewereeducatedtogether；Iwentstraightintothearmy，andhe——"
　　"Myfatherwentintothearmy，too。Hewasasub-lieutenantintheVasiliefskyregiment。"
　　"No，sir——intheBielomirsky；hechangedintothelattershortlybeforehisdeath。Iwasathisbedsidewhenhedied，andgavehimmyblessingforeternity。Yourmother——"Thegeneralpaused，asthoughovercomewithemotion。
　　"Shediedafewmonthslater，fromacold，"saidtheprince。
　　"Oh，notcold——believeanoldman——notfromacold，butfromgriefforherprince。Oh——yourmother，yourmother！heigh-ho！
　　Youth——youth！YourfatherandI——oldfriendsaswewere——nearlymurderedeachotherforhersake。"
　　Theprincebegantobealittleincredulous。
　　"Iwaspassionatelyinlovewithherwhenshewasengaged——
　　engagedtomyfriend。Theprincenoticedthefactandwasfurious。Hecameandwokemeatseveno’clockonemorning。Iriseanddressinamazement；silenceonbothsides。Iunderstanditall。Hetakesacoupleofpistolsoutofhispocket——acrossahandkerchief——withoutwitnesses。Whyinvitewitnesseswhenbothofuswouldbewalkingineternityinacoupleofminutes？Thepistolsareloaded；westretchthehandkerchiefandstandoppositeoneanother。Weaimthepistolsateachother’shearts。
　　Suddenlytearsstarttooureyes，ourhandsshake；weweep，weembrace——thebattleisoneofself-sacrificenow！Theprinceshouts，’Sheisyours；’Icry，’Sheisyours——’inaword，inaword——You’vecometolivewithus，hey？"
　　"Yes——yes——forawhile，Ithink，"stammeredtheprince。
　　"Prince，motherbegsyoutocometoher，"saidColia，appearingatthedoor。
　　Theprincerosetogo，butthegeneraloncemorelaidhishandinafriendlymanneronhisshoulder，anddraggedhimdownontothesofa。
　　"Asthetruefriendofyourfather，Iwishtosayafewwordstoyou，"hebegan。"Ihavesuffered——therewasacatastrophe。I
　　sufferedwithoutatrial；Ihadnotrial。NinaAlexandrovnamywife，isanexcellentwoman，soismydaughterVarvara。Wehavetoletlodgingsbecausewearepoor——adreadful，unheard-ofcome-
　　downforus——forme，whoshouldhavebeenagovernor-general；butweareverygladtohaveYOU，atallevents。Meanwhilethereisatragedyinthehouse。"
　　Theprincelookedinquiringlyattheother。
　　"Yes，amarriageisbeingarranged——amarriagebetweenaquestionablewomanandayoungfellowwhomightbeaflunkey。
　　Theywishtobringthiswomanintothehousewheremywifeanddaughterreside，butwhileIliveandbreathesheshallneverentermydoors。Ishalllieatthethreshold，andsheshalltramplemeunderfootifshedoes。IhardlytalktoGanianow，andavoidhimasmuchasIcan。Iwarnyouofthisbeforehand，butyoucannotfailtoobserveit。Butyouarethesonofmyoldfriend，andIhope——"
　　"Prince，besokindastocometomeforamomentinthedrawing-
　　room，"saidNinaAlexandrovnaherself，appearingatthedoor。
　　"Imagine，mydear，"criedthegeneral，"itturnsoutthatIhavenursedtheprinceonmykneeintheolddays。"Hiswifelookedsearchinglyathim，andglancedattheprince，butsaidnothing。
　　Theprinceroseandfollowedher；buthardlyhadtheyreachedthedrawing-room，andNinaAlexandrovnahadbeguntotalkhurriedly，whenincamethegeneral。Sheimmediatelyrelapsedintosilence。
　　Themasterofthehousemayhaveobservedthis，butatalleventshedidnottakeanynoticeofit；hewasinhighgoodhumour。
　　"Asonofmyoldfriend，dear，"hecried；"surelyyoumustrememberPrinceNicolaiLvovitch？Yousawhimat——atTver。"
　　"Idon’trememberanyNicolaiLvovitch，Wasthatyourfather？"
　　sheinquiredoftheprince。
　　"Yes，buthediedatElizabethgrad，notatTver，"saidtheprince，rathertimidly。"SoPavlichefftoldme。"
　　"No，Tver，"insistedthegeneral；"heremovedjustbeforehisdeath。Youwereverysmallandcannotremember；andPavlicheff，thoughanexcellentfellow，mayhavemadeamistake。"
　　"YouknewPavlicheffthen？"
　　"Oh，yes——awonderfulfellow；butIwaspresentmyself。Igavehimmyblessing。"
　　"Myfatherwasjustabouttobetriedwhenhedied，"saidtheprince，"althoughIneverknewofwhathewasaccused。Hediedinhospital。"
　　"Oh！itwastheKolpakoffbusiness，andofcoursehewouldhavebeenacquitted。"
　　"Yes？Doyouknowthatforafact？"askedtheprince，whosecuriositywasarousedbythegeneral’swords。
　　"Ishouldthinksoindeed！"criedthelatter。"Thecourt-martialcametonodecision。Itwasamysterious，animpossiblebusiness，onemightsay！CaptainLarionoff，commanderofthecompany，haddied；hiscommandwashandedovertotheprinceforthemoment。
　　Verywell。Thissoldier，Kolpakoff，stolesomeleatherfromoneofhiscomrades，intendingtosellit，andspentthemoneyondrink。Well！Theprince——youunderstandthatwhatfollowstookplaceinthepresenceofthesergeant-major，andacorporal——theprinceratedKolpakoffsoundly，andthreatenedtohavehimflogged。Well，Kolpakoffwentbacktothebarracks，laydownonacampbedstead，andinaquarterofanhourwasdead:youquiteunderstand？Itwas，asIsaid，astrange，almostimpossible，affair。InduecourseKolpakoffwasburied；theprincewrotehisreport，thedeceased’snamewasremovedfromtheroll。Allasitshouldbe，isitnot？Butexactlythreemonthslaterattheinspectionofthebrigade，themanKolpakoffwasfoundinthethirdcompanyofthesecondbattalionofinfantry，Novozemlianskidivision，justasifnothinghadhappened！"
　　"What？"saidtheprince，muchastonished。
　　"Itdidnotoccur——it’samistake！"saidNinaAlexandrovnaquickly，looking，attheprinceratheranxiously。"Monmarisetrompe，"sheadded，speakinginFrench。
　　"Mydear，’setrompe’iseasilysaid。Doyourememberanycaseatalllikeit？Everybodywasattheirwits’end。Ishouldbethefirsttosay’qu’onsetrompe，’butunfortunatelyIwasaneye-
　　witness，andwasalsoonthecommissionofinquiry。Everythingprovedthatitwasreallyhe，theverysamesoldierKolpakoffwhohadbeengiventheusualmilitaryfuneraltothesoundofthedrum。Itisofcourseamostcuriouscase——nearlyanimpossibleone。Irecognizethat……but——"
　　"Father，yourdinnerisready，"saidVarvaraatthispoint，puttingherheadinatthedoor。
　　"Veryglad，I’mparticularlyhungry。Yes，yes，astrangecoincidence——almostapsychological——"
　　"Yoursoup’llbecold；docome。"
　　"Coming，coming"saidthegeneral。"Sonofmyoldfriend——"hewasheardmutteringashewentdownthepassage。
　　"Youwillhavetoexcuseverymuchinmyhusband，ifyoustaywithus，"saidNinaAlexandrovna；"buthewillnotdisturbyouoften。Hedinesalone。Everyonehashislittlepeculiarities，youknow，andsomepeopleperhapshavemorethanthosewhoaremostpointedatandlaughedat。OnethingImustbegofyou-ifmyhusbandappliestoyouforpaymentforboardandlodging，tellhimthatyouhavealreadypaidme。Ofcourseanythingpaidbyyoutothegeneralwouldbeasfullysettledasifpaidtome，sofarasyouareconcerned；butIwishittobeso，ifyouplease，forconvenience’sake。Whatisit，Varia？"
　　Variahadquietlyenteredtheroom，andwasholdingouttheportraitofNastasiaPhilipovnatohermother。
　　NinaAlexandrovnastarted，andexaminedthephotographintently，gazingatitlongandsadly。AtlastshelookedupinquiringlyatVaria。
　　"It’sapresentfromherselftohim，"saidVaria；"thequestionistobefinallydecidedthisevening。"
　　"Thisevening！"repeatedhermotherinatoneofdespair，butsoftly，asthoughtoherself。"Thenit’sallsettled，ofcourse，andthere’snohopelefttous。Shehasanticipatedheranswerbythepresentofherportrait。Didheshowityouhimself？"sheadded，insomesurprise。
　　"Youknowwehavehardlyspokentoeachotherforawholemonth。
　　Ptitsintoldmeallaboutit；andthephotowaslyingunderthetable，andIpickeditup。"
　　"Prince，"askedNinaAlexandrovna，"Iwantedtoinquirewhetheryouhaveknownmysonlong？Ithinkhesaidthatyouhadonlyarrivedtodayfromsomewhere。"
　　Theprincegaveashortnarrativeofwhatwehaveheardbefore，leavingoutthegreaterpart。Thetwoladieslistenedintently。
　　"IdidnotaskaboutGaniaoutofcuriosity，"saidtheelder，atlast。"Iwishtoknowhowmuchyouknowabouthim，becausehesaidjustnowthatweneednotstandonceremonywithyou。What，exactly，doesthatmean？"
　　AtthismomentGaniaandPtitsinenteredtheroomtogether，andNinaAlexandrovnaimmediatelybecamesilentagain。Theprinceremainedseatednexttoher，butVariamovedtotheotherendoftheroom；theportraitofNastasiaPhilipovnaremainedlyingasbeforeonthework-table。Ganiaobserveditthere，andwithafrownofannoyancesnatcheditupandthrewitacrosstohiswriting-table，whichstoodattheotherendoftheroom。
　　"Isittoday，Gania？"askedNinaAlexandrovna，atlast。
　　"Iswhattoday？"criedtheformer。Thensuddenlyrecollectinghimself，heturnedsharplyontheprince。"Oh，"hegrowled，"I
　　see，youarehere，thatexplainsit！Isitadisease，orwhat，thatyoucan’tholdyourtongue？Lookhere，understandonceforall，prince——"
　　"Iamtoblameinthis，Gania——nooneelse，"saidPtitsin。
　　Ganiaglancedinquiringlyatthespeaker。
　　"It’sbetterso，youknow，Gania——especiallyas，fromonepointofview，themattermaybeconsideredassettled，"saidPtitsin；
　　andsittingdownalittlewayfromthetablehebegantostudyapapercoveredwithpencilwriting。
　　Ganiastoodandfrowned，heexpectedafamilyscene。Heneverthoughtofapologizingtotheprince，however。
　　"Ifit’sallsettled，Gania，thenofcourseMr。Ptitsinisright，"saidNinaAlexandrovna。"Don’tfrown。Youneednotworryyourself，Gania；Ishallaskyounoquestions。Youneednottellmeanythingyoudon’tlike。IassureyouIhavequitesubmittedtoyourwill。"Shesaidallthis，knittingawaythewhileasthoughperfectlycalmandcomposed。
　　Ganiawassurprised，butcautiouslykeptsilenceandlookedathismother，hopingthatshewouldexpressherselfmoreclearly。
　　NinaAlexandrovnaobservedhiscautiousnessandadded，withabittersmile:
　　"Youarestillsuspicious，Isee，anddonotbelieveme；butyoumaybequiteatyourease。Thereshallbenomoretears，norquestions——notfrommyside，atallevents。AllIwishisthatyoumaybehappy，youknowthat。Ihavesubmittedtomyfate；butmyheartwillalwaysbewithyou，whetherweremainunited，orwhetherwepart。OfcourseIonlyanswerformyself——youcanhardlyexpectyoursister——"
　　"Mysisteragain，"criedGania，lookingatherwithcontemptandalmosthate。"Lookhere，mother，IhavealreadygivenyoumywordthatIshallalwaysrespectyoufullyandabsolutely，andsoshalleveryoneelseinthishouse，beitwhoitmay，whoshallcrossthisthreshold。"
　　Ganiawassomuchrelievedthathegazedathismotheralmostaffectionately。
　　"Iwasnotatallafraidformyself，Gania，asyouknowwell。ItwasnotformyownsakethatIhavebeensoanxiousandworriedallthistime！Theysayitisalltobesettledto-day。Whatistobesettled？"
　　"Shehaspromisedtotellmetonightatherownhousewhethersheconsentsornot，"repliedGania。
　　"Wehavebeensilentonthissubjectforthreeweeks，"saidhismother，"anditwasbetterso；andnowIwillonlyaskyouonequestion。Howcanshegiveherconsentandmakeyouapresentofherportraitwhenyoudonotloveher？Howcansucha——sucha——"
　　"Practisedhand——eh？"
　　"Iwasnotgoingtoexpressmyselfso。Buthowcouldyousoblindher？"
　　NinaAlexandrovna’squestionbetrayedintenseannoyance。Ganiawaitedamomentandthensaid，withouttakingthetroubletoconcealtheironyofhistone:
　　"Thereyouare，mother，youarealwayslikethat。Youbeginbypromisingthattherearetobenoreproachesorinsinuationsorquestions，andhereyouarebeginningthematonce。Wehadbetterdropthesubject——wehad，really。Ishallneverleaveyou，mother；anyothermanwouldcutandrunfromsuchasisterasthis。Seehowsheislookingatmeatthismoment！Besides，howdoyouknowthatIamblindingNastasiaPhilipovna？AsforVaria，Idon’tcare——shecandojustasshepleases。There，that’squiteenough！"
　　Gania’sirritationincreasedwitheverywordheuttered，ashewalkedupanddowntheroom。Theseconversationsalwaystouchedthefamilysoresbeforelong。
　　"IhavesaidalreadythatthemomentshecomesinIgoout，andI
　　shallkeepmyword，"remarkedVaria。
　　"Outofobstinacy"shoutedGania。"Youhaven’tmarried，either，thankstoyourobstinacy。Oh，youneedn’tfrownatme，Varvara！
　　YoucangoatonceforallIcare；Iamsickenoughofyourcompany。What，youaregoingtoleaveusareyou，too？"hecried，turningtotheprince，whowasrisingfromhischair。
　　Gania’svoicewasfullofthemostuncontrolledanduncontrollableirritation。
　　Theprinceturnedatthedoortosaysomething，butperceivinginGania’sexpressionthattherewasbutthatonedropwantingtomakethecupoverflow，hechangedhismindandlefttheroomwithoutaword。Afewminuteslaterhewasawarefromthenoisyvoicesinthedrawingroom，thattheconversationhadbecomemorequarrelsomethaneverafterhisdeparture。
　　Hecrossedthesalonandtheentrance-hall，soastopassdownthecorridorintohisownroom。Ashecamenearthefrontdoorheheardsomeoneoutsidevainlyendeavouringtoringthebell，whichwasevidentlybroken，andonlyshookalittle，withoutemittinganysound。
　　Theprincetookdownthechainandopenedthedoor。Hestartedbackinamazement——fortherestoodNastasiaPhilipovna。Heknewheratoncefromherphotograph。Hereyesblazedwithangerasshelookedathim。Shequicklypushedbyhimintothehall，shoulderinghimoutofherway，andsaid，furiously，asshethrewoffherfurcloak:
　　"Ifyouaretoolazytomendyourbell，youshouldatleastwaitinthehalltoletpeopleinwhentheyrattlethebellhandle。
　　There，now，you’vedroppedmyfurcloak——dummy！"
　　Sureenoughthecloakwaslyingontheground。Nastasiahadthrownitoffhertowardstheprince，expectinghimtocatchit，buttheprincehadmissedit。
　　"Nowthen——announceme，quick！"
　　Theprincewantedtosaysomething，butwassoconfusedandastonishedthathecouldnot。However，hemovedofftowardsthedrawing-roomwiththecloakoverhisarm。
　　"Nowthen，whereareyoutakingmycloakto？Ha，ha，ha！Areyoumad？"
　　Theprinceturnedandcameback，moreconfusedthanever。Whensheburstoutlaughing，hesmiled，buthistonguecouldnotformawordasyet。Atfirst，whenhehadopenedthedoorandsawherstandingbeforehim，hehadbecomeaspaleasdeath；butnowtheredbloodhadrushedbacktohischeeksinatorrent。
　　"Why，whatanidiotitis！"criedNastasia，stampingherfootwithirritation。"Goon，do！Whomareyougoingtoannounce？"
　　"NastasiaPhilipovna，"murmuredtheprince。
　　"Andhowdoyouknowthat？"sheaskedhim，sharply。
　　"Ihaveneverseenyoubefore！"
　　"Goon，announceme——what’sthatnoise？"
　　"Theyarequarrelling，"saidtheprince，andenteredthedrawing-
　　room，justasmattersintherehadalmostreachedacrisis。NinaAlexandrovnahadforgottenthatshehad"submittedtoeverything！"ShewasdefendingVaria。Ptitsinwastakingherpart，too。NotthatVariawasafraidofstandingupforherself。
　　Shewasbynomeansthatsortofagirl；butherbrotherwasbecomingruderandmoreintolerableeverymoment。Herusualpracticeinsuchcasesasthepresentwastosaynothing，butstareathim，withouttakinghereyesoffhisfaceforaninstant。Thismanoeuvre，asshewellknew，coulddriveGaniadistracted。
　　Justatthismomentthedooropenedandtheprinceentered，announcing:
　　"NastasiaPhilipovna！"
　　IX。
　　Silenceimmediatelyfellontheroom；alllookedattheprinceasthoughtheyneitherunderstood，norhopedtounderstand。Ganiawasmotionlesswithhorror。
　　Nastasia’sarrivalwasamostunexpectedandoverwhelmingeventtoallparties。Inthefirstplace，shehadneverbeenbefore。UptonowshehadbeensohaughtythatshehadneverevenaskedGaniatointroducehertohisparents。Oflateshehadnotsomuchasmentionedthem。Ganiawaspartlygladofthis；butstillhehadputittoherdebitintheaccounttobesettledaftermarriage。
　　Hewouldhaveborneanythingfromherratherthanthisvisit。Butonethingseemedtohimquiteclear-hervisitnow，andthepresentofherportraitonthisparticularday，pointedoutplainlyenoughwhichwaysheintendedtomakeherdecision！
　　Theincredulousamazementwithwhichallregardedtheprincedidnotlastlong，forNastasiaherselfappearedatthedoorandpassedin，pushingbytheprinceagain。
　　"AtlastI’vestormedthecitadel！Whydoyoutieupyourbell？"
　　shesaid，merrily，asshepressedGania’shand，thelatterhavingrusheduptoherassoonasshemadeherappearance。"Whatareyoulookingsoupsetabout？Introduceme，please！"
　　ThebewilderedGaniaintroducedherfirsttoVaria，andbothwomen，beforeshakinghands，exchangedlooksofstrangeimport。
　　Nastasia，however，smiledamiably；butVariadidnottrytolookamiable，andkepthergloomyexpression。Shedidnotevenvouchsafetheusualcourteoussmileofetiquette。Ganiadartedaterribleglanceofwrathatherforthis，butNinaAlexandrovna，mendedmattersalittlewhenGaniaintroducedheratlast。
　　Hardly，however，hadtheoldladybegunabouther"highlygratifiedfeelings，"andsoon，whenNastasialefther，andflouncedintoachairbyGania’ssideinthecornerbythewindow，andcried:"Where’syourstudy？andwherearethe——thelodgers？Youdotakeinlodgers，don’tyou？"
　　Ganialookeddreadfullyputout，andtriedtosaysomethinginreply，butNastasiainterruptedhim:
　　"Why，whereareyougoingtosqueezelodgersinhere？Don’tyouuseastudy？Doesthissortofthingpay？"sheadded，turningtoNinaAlexandrovna。
　　"Well，itistroublesome，rather，"saidthelatter；"butI
　　supposeitwill’pay’prettywell。Wehaveonlyjustbegun，however——"
　　AgainNastasiaPhilipovnadidnothearthesentenceout。SheglancedatGania，andcried，laughing，"Whataface！Mygoodness，whatafaceyouhaveonatthismoment！"
　　Indeed，Ganiadidnotlookintheleastlikehimself。Hisbewildermentandhisalarmedperplexitypassedoff，however，andhislipsnowtwitchedwithrageashecontinuedtostareevillyathislaughingguest，whilehiscountenancebecameabsolutelylivid。
　　Therewasanotherwitness，who，thoughstandingatthedoormotionlessandbewilderedhimself，stillmanagedtoremarkGania’sdeath-likepallor，andthedreadfulchangethathadcomeoverhisface。Thiswitnesswastheprince，whonowadvancedinalarmandmutteredtoGania:
　　"Drinksomewater，anddon’tlooklikethat！"
　　Itwasclearthathecameoutwiththesewordsquitespontaneously，onthespurofthemoment。Buthisspeechwasproductiveofmuch——foritappearedthatall。Gania’sragenowoverflowedupontheprince。Heseizedhimbytheshoulderandgazedwithanintensityofloathingandrevengeathim，butsaidnothing——asthoughhisfeelingsweretoostrongtopermitofwords。
　　Generalagitationprevailed。NinaAlexandrovnagavealittlecryofanxiety；Ptitsintookastepforwardinalarm；ColiaandFerdishenkostoodstockstillatthedoorinamazement；——onlyVariaremainedcoollywatchingthescenefromunderhereyelashes。Shedidnotsitdown，butstoodbyhermotherwithfoldedhands。However，Ganiarecollectedhimselfalmostimmediately。Heletgooftheprinceandburstoutlaughing。
　　"Why，areyouadoctor，prince，orwhat？"heasked，asnaturallyaspossible。"Ideclareyouquitefrightenedme！NastasiaPhilipovna，letmeintroducethisinterestingcharactertoyou——
　　thoughIhaveonlyknownhimmyselfsincethemorning。"
　　Nastasiagazedattheprinceinbewilderment。"Prince？HeaPrince？Why，Itookhimforthefootman，justnow，andsenthimintoannounceme！Ha，ha，ha，isn’tthatgood！"
　　"Notbadthat，notbadatall！"putinFerdishenko，"senonevero——"
　　"IratherthinkIpitchedintoyou，too，didn’tI？Forgiveme——do！
　　Whoishe，didyousay？Whatprince？Muishkin？"sheadded，addressingGania。
　　"Heisalodgerofours，"explainedthelatter。
　　"Anidiot！"——theprincedistinctlyheardthewordhalfwhisperedfrombehindhim。ThiswasFerdishenko’svoluntaryinformationforNastasia’sbenefit。
　　"Tellme，whydidn’tyouputmerightwhenImadesuchadreadfulmistakejustnow？"continuedthelatter，examiningtheprincefromheadtofootwithouttheslightestceremony。Sheawaitedtheanswerasthoughconvincedthatitwouldbesofoolishthatshemustinevitablyfailtorestrainherlaughteroverit。
　　"Iwasastonished，seeingyousosuddenly——"murmuredtheprince。
　　"HowdidyouknowwhoIwas？Wherehadyouseenmebefore？Andwhywereyousostruckdumbatthesightofme？Whatwastheresooverwhelmingaboutme？"
　　"Oho！ho，ho，ho！"criedFerdishenko。"NOWthen，prince！Myword，whatthingsIwouldsayifIhadsuchachanceasthat！Mygoodness，prince——goon！"
　　"SoshouldI，inyourplace，I’venodoubt！"laughedtheprincetoFerdishenko；thencontinued，addressingNastasia:"Yourportraitstruckmeveryforciblythismorning；thenIwastalkingaboutyoutotheEpanchins；andthen，inthetrain，beforeI
　　reachedPetersburg，ParfenRogojintoldmeagooddealaboutyou；
　　andattheverymomentthatIopenedthedoortoyouIhappenedtobethinkingofyou，when——thereyoustoodbeforeme！"
　　"Andhowdidyourecognizeme？"
　　"Fromtheportrait！"
　　"Whatelse？"
　　"Iseemedtoimagineyouexactlyasyouare——Iseemedtohaveseenyousomewhere。"
　　"Where——where？"
　　"Iseemtohaveseenyoureyessomewhere；butitcannotbe！I
　　havenotseenyou——Ineverwasherebefore。Imayhavedreamedofyou，Idon’tknow。"
　　Theprincesaidallthiswithmanifesteffort——inbrokensentences，andwithmanydrawingsofbreath。Hewasevidentlymuchagitated。NastasiaPhilipovnalookedathiminquisitively，butdidnotlaugh。
　　"Bravo，prince！"criedFerdishenko，delighted。
　　AtthismomentaloudvoicefrombehindthegroupwhichhedgedintheprinceandNastasiaPhilipovna，dividedthecrowd，asitwere，andbeforethemstoodtheheadofthefamily，GeneralIvolgin。Hewasdressedineveningclothes；hismoustachewasdyed。
　　ThisapparitionwastoomuchforGania。Vainandambitiousalmosttomorbidness，hehadhadmuchtoputupwithinthelasttwomonths，andwasseekingfeverishlyforsomemeansofenablinghimselftoleadamorepresentablekindofexistence。Athome，henowadoptedanattitudeofabsolutecynicism，buthecouldnotkeepthisupbeforeNastasiaPhilipovna，althoughhehadsworntomakeherpayaftermarriageforallhesufferednow。Hewasexperiencingalasthumiliation，thebitterestofall，atthismoment——thehumiliationofblushingforhisownkindredinhisownhouse。Aquestionflashedthroughhismindastowhetherthegamewasreallyworththecandle。
　　Forthathadhappenedatthismoment，whichfortwomonthshadbeenhisnightmare；whichhadfilledhissoulwithdreadandshame——themeetingbetweenhisfatherandNastasiaPhilipovna。Hehadoftentriedtoimaginesuchanevent，buthadfoundthepicturetoomortifyingandexasperating，andhadquietlydroppedit。Verylikelyheanticipatedfarworsethingsthanwasatallnecessary；itisoftensowithvainpersons。Hehadlongsincedetermined，therefore，togethisfatheroutoftheway，anywhere，beforehismarriage，inordertoavoidsuchameeting；
　　butwhenNastasiaenteredtheroomjustnow，hehadbeensooverwhelmedwithastonishment，thathehadnotthoughtofhisfather，andhadmadenoarrangementstokeephimoutoftheway。
　　Andnowitwastoolate——therehewas，andgotup，too，inadresscoatandwhitetie，andNastasiaintheveryhumourtoheapridiculeonhimandhisfamilycircle；ofthislastfact，hefeltquitepersuaded。Whatelsehadshecomefor？Therewerehismotherandhissistersittingbeforeher，andsheseemedtohaveforgottentheirveryexistencealready；andifshebehavedlikethat，hethought，shemusthavesomeobjectinview。
　　FerdishenkoledthegeneraluptoNastasiaPhilipovna。
　　"ArdalionAlexandrovitchIvolgin，"saidthesmilinggeneral，withalowbowofgreatdignity，"anoldsoldier，unfortunate，andthefatherofthisfamily；buthappyinthehopeofincludinginthatfamilysoexquisite——"
　　Hedidnotfinishhissentence，foratthismomentFerdishenkopushedachairupfrombehind，andthegeneral，notveryfirmonhislegs，atthispost-prandialhour，floppedintoitbackwards。
　　Itwasalwaysadifficultthingtoputthiswarriortoconfusion，andhissuddendescentlefthimascomposedasbefore。HehadsatdownjustoppositetoNastasia，whosefingershenowtook，andraisedtohislipswithgreatelegance，andmuchcourtesy。Thegeneralhadoncebelongedtoaveryselectcircleofsociety，buthehadbeenturnedoutofittwoorthreeyearssinceonaccountofcertainweaknesses，inwhichhenowindulgedwithallthelessrestraint；buthisgoodmannersremainedwithhimtothisday，inspiteofall。
　　NastasiaPhilipovnaseemeddelightedattheappearanceofthislatestarrival，ofwhomshehadofcourseheardagooddealbyreport。
　　"Ihaveheardthatmyson——"beganArdalionAlexandrovitch。
　　"Yourson，indeed！Anicepapayouare！YOUmighthavecometoseemeanyhow，withoutcompromisinganyone。Doyouhideyourself，ordoesyoursonhideyou？"
　　"Thechildrenofthenineteenthcentury，andtheirparents——"
　　beganthegeneral，again。
　　"NastasiaPhilipovna，willyouexcusethegeneralforamoment？
　　Someoneisinquiringforhim，"saidNinaAlexandrovnainaloudvoice，interruptingtheconversation。
　　"Excusehim？Ohno，Ihavewishedtoseehimtoolongforthat。
　　Why，whatbusinesscanhehave？Hehasretired，hasn’the？Youwon’tleaveme，general，willyou？"
　　"Igiveyoumywordthatheshallcomeandseeyou——buthe——heneedsrestjustnow。"
　　"General，theysayyourequirerest，"saidNastasiaPhilipovna，withthemelancholyfaceofachildwhosetoyistakenaway。
　　ArdalionAlexandrovitchimmediatelydidhisbesttomakehisfoolishpositionagreatdealworse。
　　"Mydear，mydear！"hesaid，solemnlyandreproachfully，lookingathiswife，withonehandonhisheart。
　　"Won’tyouleavetheroom，mamma？"askedVaria，aloud。
　　"No，Varia，Ishallsititouttotheend。"
　　Nastasiamusthaveoverheardbothquestionandreply，buthervivacitywasnotintheleastdamped。Onthecontrary，itseemedtoincrease。Sheimmediatelyoverwhelmedthegeneraloncemorewithquestions，andwithinfiveminutesthatgentlemanwasashappyasaking，andholdingforthatthetopofhisvoice，amidthelaughterofalmostallwhoheardhim。
　　Coliajoggedtheprince’sarm。
　　"Can’tYOUgethimoutoftheroom，somehow？DO，please，"andtearsofannoyancestoodintheboy’seyes。"CursethatGania！"
　　hemuttered，betweenhisteeth。
　　"Ohyes，IknewGeneralEpanchinwell，"GeneralIvolginwassayingatthismoment；"heandPrinceNicolaiIvanovitchMuishkin——whosesonIhavethisdayembracedafteranabsenceoftwentyyears——andI，werethreeinseparables。Alasoneisinthegrave，torntopiecesbycalumniesandbullets；anotherisnowbeforeyou，stillbattlingwithcalumniesandbullets——"
　　"Bullets？"criedNastasia。
　　"Yes，hereinmychest。IreceivedthematthesiegeofKars，andIfeeltheminbadweathernow。Andastothethirdofourtrio，Epanchin，ofcourseafterthatlittleaffairwiththepoodleintherailwaycarriage，itwasallUPbetweenus。"
　　"Poodle？Whatwasthat？Andinarailwaycarriage？Dearme，"saidNastasia，thoughtfully，asthoughtryingtorecallsomethingtomind。
　　"Oh，justasilly，littleoccurrence，reallynotworthtelling，aboutPrincessBielokonski’sgoverness，MissSmith，and——oh，itisreallynotworthtelling！"
　　"No，no，wemusthaveit！"criedNastasiamerrily。
　　"Yes，ofcourse，"saidFerdishenko。"C’estdunouveau。"
　　"Ardalion，"saidNinaAlexandrovitch，entreatingly。
　　"Papa，youarewanted！"criedColia。
　　"Well，itisasillylittlestory，inafewwords，"beganthedelightedgeneral。"Acoupleofyearsago，soonafterthenewrailwaywasopened，Ihadtogosomewhereorotheronbusiness。
　　Well，Itookafirst-classticket，satdown，andbegantosmoke，orratherCONTINUEDtosmoke，forIhadlightedupbefore。Iwasaloneinthecarriage。Smokingisnotallowed，butisnotprohibitedeither；itishalfallowed——sotospeak，winkedat。I
　　hadthewindowopen。"
　　"Suddenly，justbeforethewhistle，incametwoladieswithalittlepoodle，andsatdownoppositetome；notbad-lookingwomen；onewasinlightblue，theotherinblacksilk。Thepoodle，abeautywithasilvercollar，layonlightblue’sknee。
　　Theylookedhaughtilyabout，andtalkedEnglishtogether。Itooknonotice，justwentonsmoking。Iobservedthattheladiesweregettingangry——overmycigar，doubtless。Onelookedatmethroughhertortoise-shelleyeglass。
　　"Itooknonotice，becausetheyneversaidaword。Iftheydidn’tlikethecigar，whycouldn’ttheysayso？Notaword，notahint！
　　Suddenly，andwithouttheveryslightestsuspicionofwarning，’lightblue’seizesmycigarfrombetweenmyfingers，and，wheugh！outofthewindowwithit！Well，onflewthetrain，andI
　　satbewildered，andtheyoungwoman，tallandfair，andratherredintheface，toored，glaredatmewithflashingeyes。
　　"Ididn’tsayaword，butwithextremecourtesy，Imaysaywithmostrefinedcourtesy，Ireachedmyfingerandthumbovertowardsthepoodle，tookitupdelicatelybythenapeoftheneck，andchuckeditoutofthewindow，afterthecigar。Thetrainwentflyingon，andthepoodle’syellswerelostinthedistance。"
　　"Oh，younaughtyman！"criedNastasia，laughingandclappingherhandslikeachild。
　　"Bravo！"saidFerdishenko。Ptitsinlaughedtoo，thoughhehadbeenverysorrytoseethegeneralappear。EvenColialaughedandsaid，"Bravo！"
　　"AndIwasright，trulyright，"criedthegeneral，withwarmthandsolemnity，"forifcigarsareforbiddeninrailwaycarriages，poodlesaremuchmoreso。"
　　"Well，andwhatdidtheladydo？"askedNastasia，impatiently。
　　"She——ah，that’swhereallthemischiefofitlies！"repliedIvolgin，frowning。"Withoutaword，asitwere，ofwarning，sheslappedmeonthecheek！Anextraordinarywoman！"
　　"Andyou？"
　　Thegeneraldroppedhiseyes，andelevatedhisbrows；shruggedhisshoulders，tightenedhislips，spreadhishands，andremainedsilent。Atlastheblurtedout:
　　"Ilostmyhead！"
　　"Didyouhither？"
　　"No，ohno！——therewasagreatflare-up，butIdidn’thither！I
　　hadtostrugglealittle，purelytodefendmyself；buttheverydevilwasinthebusiness。Itturnedoutthat’lightblue’wasanEnglishwoman，governessorsomething，atPrincessBielokonski’s，andtheotherwomanwasoneoftheold-maidprincessesBielokonski。Well，everybodyknowswhatgreatfriendstheprincessandMrs。Epanchinare，sotherewasaprettykettleoffish。AlltheBielokonskiswentintomourningforthepoodle。Sixprincessesintears，andtheEnglishwomanshrieking！
　　"OfcourseIwroteanapology，andcalled，buttheywouldnotreceiveeithermeormyapology，andtheEpanchinscutme，too！"
　　"Butwait，"saidNastasia。"Howisitthat，fiveorsixdayssince，Ireadexactlythesamestoryinthepaper，ashappeningbetweenaFrenchmanandanEnglishgirl？Thecigarwassnatchedawayexactlyasyoudescribe，andthepoodlewaschuckedoutofthewindowafterit。Theslappingcameoff，too，asinyourcase；
　　andthegirl’sdresswaslightblue！"