Amaterialrefuge。Hehadnothing。Hehadnotevenamoralrefuge——therefugeofconfidence。Towhomcouldhegowiththistale——inallthisgreat，greatland？
　　Razumovstampedhisfoot——andunderthesoftcarpetofsnowfeltthehardgroundofRussia，inanimate，cold，inert，likeasullenandtragicmotherhidingherfaceunderawinding—sheet——hisnativesoil!——hisveryown——withoutafireside，withoutaheart!
　　Hecasthiseyesupwardsandstoodamazed。Thesnowhadceasedtofall，andnow，asifbyamiracle，hesawabovehisheadtheclearblackskyofthenorthernwinter，decoratedwiththesumptuousfiresofthestars。Itwasacanopyfitfortheresplendentpurityofthesnows。
　　Razumovreceivedanalmostphysicalimpressionofendlessspaceandofcountlessmillions。
　　HerespondedtoitwiththereadinessofaRussianwhoisborntoaninheritanceofspaceandnumbers。Underthesumptuousimmensityofthesky，thesnowcoveredtheendlessforests，thefrozenrivers，theplainsofanimmensecountry，obliteratingthelandmarks，theaccidentsoftheground，levellingeverythingunderitsuniformwhiteness，likeamonstrousblankpageawaitingtherecordofaninconceivablehistory。ItcoveredthepassivelandwithitslivesofcountlesspeoplelikeZiemianitchanditshandfulofagitatorslikethisHaldin——murderingfoolishly。
　　Itwasasortofsacredinertia。Razumovfeltarespectforit。
　　Avoiceseemedtocrywithinhim，"Don’ttouchit。"Itwasaguaranteeofduration，ofsafety，whilethetravailofmaturingdestinywenton——aworknotofrevolutionswiththeirpassionatelevityofactionandtheirshiftingimpulses——butofpeace。Whatitneededwasnottheconflictingaspirationsofapeople，butawillstrongandone：itwantednotthebabbleofmanyvoices，butaman——strongandone!
　　Razumovstoodonthepointofconversion。Hewasfascinatedbyitsapproach，byitsoverpoweringlogic。Foratrainofthoughtisneverfalse。Thefalsehoodliesdeepinthenecessitiesofexistence，insecretfearsandhalf—formedambitions，inthesecretconfidencecombinedwithasecretmistrustofourselves，intheloveofhopeandthedreadofuncertaindays。
　　InRussia，thelandofspectralideasanddisembodiedaspirations，manybravemindshaveturnedawayatlastfromthevainandendlessconflicttotheonegreathistoricalfactoftheland。Theyturnedtoautocracyforthepeaceoftheirpatrioticconscienceasawearyunbeliever，touchedbygrace，turnstothefaithofhisfathersfortheblessingofspiritualrest。LikeotherRussiansbeforehim，Razumov，inconflictwithhimself，feltthetouchofgraceuponhisforehead。
　　"Haldinmeansdisruption，"hethoughttohimself，beginningtowalkagain。"Whatishewithhisindignation，withhistalkofbondage——withhistalkofGod’sjustice？Allthatmeansdisruption。Betterthatthousandsshouldsufferthanthatapeopleshouldbecomeadisintegratedmass，helplesslikedustinthewind。Obscurantismisbetterthanthelightofincendiarytorches。Theseedgerminatesinthenight。Outofthedarksoilspringstheperfectplant。Butavolcaniceruptionissterile，theruinofthefertileground。AndamI，wholovemycountry——whohavenothingbutthattoloveandputmyfaithin——amItohavemyfuture，perhapsmyusefulness，ruinedbythissanguinaryfanatic？"
　　ThegraceenteredintoRazumov。Hebelievednowinthemanwhowouldcomeattheappointedtime。
　　Whatisathrone？Afewpiecesofwoodupholsteredinvelvet。
　　Butathroneisaseatofpowertoo。Theformofgovernmentistheshapeofatool——aninstrument。Buttwentythousandbladdersinflatedbythenoblestsentimentsandjostlingagainsteachotherintheairareamiserableincumbranceofspace，holdingnopower，possessingnowill，havingnothingtogive。
　　Hewentonthus，heedlessoftheway，holdingadiscoursewithhimselfwithextraordinaryabundanceandfacility。Generallyhisphrasescametohimslowly，afteraconsciousandpainstakingwooing。Somesuperiorpowerhadinspiredhimwithaflowofmasterlyargumentascertainconvertedsinnersbecomeoverwhelminglyloquacious。
　　Hefeltanaustereexultation。
　　"Whataretheluridlysmokylucubrationsofthatfellowtothecleargraspofmyintellect？"hethought。"Isnotthismycountry？HaveInotgotfortymillionbrothers？"heaskedhimself，unanswerablyvictoriousinthesilenceofhisbreast。
　　AndthefearfulthrashinghehadgiventheinanimateZiemianitchseemedtohimasignofintimateunion，apatheticallyseverenecessityofbrotherlylove。"No!IfImustsufferletmeatleastsufferformyconvictions，notforacrimemyreason——mycoolsuperiorreason——rejects。"
　　Heceasedtothinkforamoment。Thesilenceinhisbreastwascomplete。Buthefeltasuspiciousuneasiness，suchaswemayexperiencewhenweenteranunlightedstrangeplace——theirrationalfeelingthatsomethingmayjumpuponusinthedark——theabsurddreadoftheunseen。
　　Ofcoursehewasfarfrombeingamoss—grownreactionary。
　　Everythingwasnotforthebest。Despoticbureaucracy……
　　abuses……corruption……andsoon。Capablemenwerewanted。
　　Enlightenedintelligences。Devotedhearts。Butabsolutepowershouldbepreserved——thetoolreadyfortheman——forthegreatautocratofthefuture。Razumovbelievedinhim。Thelogicofhistorymadehimunavoidable。Thestateofthepeopledemandedhim，"Whatelse？"heaskedhimselfardently，"couldmoveallthatmassinonedirection？Nothingcould。Nothingbutasinglewill。"
　　Hewaspersuadedthathewassacrificinghispersonallongingsofliberalism——rejectingtheattractiveerrorforthesternRussiantruth。"That’spatriotism，"heobservedmentally，andadded，"There’snostoppingmidwayonthatroad，"andthenremarkedtohimself，"Iamnotacoward。"
　　AndagaintherewasadeadsilenceinRazumov’sbreast。Hewalkedwithloweredhead，makingroomfornoone。Hewalkedslowlyandhisthoughtsreturningspokewithinhimwithsolemnslowness。
　　"WhatisthisHaldin？AndwhatamI？Onlytwograinsofsand。
　　Butagreatmountainismadeupofjustsuchinsignificantgrains。Andthedeathofamanorofmanymenisaninsignificantthing。Yetwecombatacontagiouspestilence。
　　DoIwanthisdeath？No!IwouldsavehimifIcould——butnoonecandothat——heisthewitheredmemberwhichmustbecutoff。
　　IfImustperishthroughhim，letmeatleastnotperishwithhim，andassociatedagainstmywillwithhissombrefollythatunderstandsnothingeitherofmenorthings。WhyshouldIleaveafalsememory？"
　　Itpassedthroughhismindthattherewasnooneintheworldwhocaredwhatsortofmemoryheleftbehindhim。Heexclaimedtohimselfinstantly，"Perishvainlyforafalsehood!……Whatamiserablefate!"
　　Hewasnowinamoreanimatedpartofthetown。Hedidnotremarkthecrashoftwocollidingsledgesclosetothecurb。
　　Thedriverofonebellowedtearfullyathisfellow——
　　"Oh，thouvilewretch!"
　　Thishoarseyell，letoutnearlyinhisear，disturbedRazumov。
　　Heshookhisheadimpatientlyandwentonlookingstraightbeforehim。Suddenlyonthesnow，stretchedonhisbackrightacrosshispath，hesawHaldin，solid，distinct，real，withhisinvertedhandsoverhiseyes，cladinabrownclose—fittingcoatandlongboots。Hewaslyingoutofthewayalittle，asthoughhehadselectedthatplaceonpurpose。Thesnowroundhimwasuntrodden。
　　ThishallucinationhadsuchasolidityofaspectthatthefirstmovementofRazumovwastoreachforhispockettoassurehimselfthatthekeyofhisroomswasthere。Buthecheckedtheimpulsewithadisdainfulcurveofhislips。Heunderstood。Histhought，concentratedintenselyonthefigureleftlyingonhisbed，hadculminatedinthisextraordinaryillusionofthesight。
　　Razumovtackledthephenomenoncalmly。Withasternface，withoutacheckandgazingfarbeyondthevision，hewalkedon，experiencingnothingbutaslighttighteningofthechest。
　　Afterpassingheturnedhisheadforaglance，andsawonlytheunbrokentrackofhisfootstepsovertheplacewherethebreastofthephantomhadbeenlying。
　　Razumovwalkedonandafteralittletimewhisperedhiswondertohimself。
　　"Exactlyasifalive!Seemedtobreathe!Andrightinmywaytoo!
　　Ihavehadanextraordinaryexperience。"
　　Hemadeafewstepsandmutteredthroughhissetteeth——
　　"Ishallgivehimup。"
　　Thenforsometwentyyardsormoreallwasblank。Hewrappedhiscloakcloserroundhim。Hepulledhiscapwellforwardoverhiseyes。
　　"Betray。Agreatword。Whatisbetrayal？Theytalkofamanbetrayinghiscountry，hisfriends，hissweetheart。Theremustbeamoralbondfirst。Allamancanbetrayishisconscience。
　　Andhowismyconscienceengagedhere；bywhatbondofcommonfaith，ofcommonconviction，amIobligedtoletthatfanaticalidiotdragmedownwithhim？Onthecontrary——everyobligationoftruecourageistheotherway。"
　　Razumovlookedroundfromunderhiscap。
　　"Whatcantheprejudiceoftheworldreproachmewith？HaveI
　　provokedhisconfidence？No!HaveIbyasingleword，look，orgesturegivenhimreasontosupposethatIacceptedhistrustinme？No!ItistruethatIconsentedtogoandseehisZiemianitch。Well，Ihavebeentoseehim。AndIbrokeastickonhisbacktoo——thebrute。"
　　Somethingseemedtoturnoverinhisheadbringinguppermostasingularlyhard，clearfacetofhisbrain。
　　"Itwouldbebetter，however，"hereflectedwithaquitedifferentmentalaccent，"tokeepthatcircumstancealtogethertomyself。"
　　Hehadpassedbeyondtheturnleadingtohislodgings，andhadreachedawideandfashionablestreet。Someshopswerestillopen，andalltherestaurants。Lightsfellonthepavementwheremeninexpensivefurcoats，withhereandtheretheelegantfigureofawoman，walkedwithanairofleisure。Razumovlookedatthemwiththecontemptofanausterebelieverforthefrivolouscrowd。Itwastheworld——thoseofficers，dignitaries，menoffashion，officials，membersoftheYachtClub。Theeventofthemorningaffectedthemall。Whatwouldtheysayiftheyknewwhatthisstudentinacloakwasgoingtodo？
　　"NotoneofthemiscapableoffeelingandthinkingasdeeplyasIcan。Howmanyofthemcouldaccomplishanactofconscience？"
　　Razumovlingeredinthewell—lightedstreet。Hewasfirmlydecided。Indeed，itcouldhardlybecalledadecision。Hehadsimplydiscoveredwhathehadmeanttodoallalong。Andyethefelttheneedofsomeothermind’ssanction。
　　Withsomethingresemblinganguishhesaidtohimself——
　　"Iwanttobeunderstood。"TheuniversalaspirationwithallitsprofoundandmelancholymeaningassailedheavilyRazumov，who，amongsteightymillionsofhiskithandkin，hadnohearttowhichhecouldopenhimself。
　　Theattorneywasnottobethoughtof。Hedespisedthelittleagentofchicanetoomuch。Onecouldnotgoandlayone’sconsciencebeforethepolicemanatthecorner。NeitherwasRazumovanxioustogotothechiefofhisdistrict’spolice——acommon—lookingpersonwhomheusedtoseesometimesinthestreetinashabbyuniformandwithasmoulderingcigarettestucktohislowerlip。"Hewouldbeginbylockingmeupmostprobably。Atanyrate，heiscertaintogetexcitedandcreateanawfulcommotion，"thoughtRazumovpracticallyAnactofconsciencemustbedonewithoutwarddignity。
　　Razumovlongeddesperatelyforawordofadvice，formoralsupport。Whoknowswhattruelonelinessis——nottheconventionalword，butthenakedterror？Tothelonelythemselvesitwearsamask。Themostmiserableoutcasthugssomememoryorsomeillusion。Nowandthenafatalconjunctionofeventsmaylifttheveilforaninstant。Foraninstantonly。
　　Nohumanbeingcouldbearasteadyviewofmoralsolitudewithoutgoingmad。
　　Razumovhadreachedthatpointofvision。Toescapefromitheembracedforawholeminutethedeliriouspurposeofrushingtohislodgingsandflinginghimselfonhiskneesbythesideofthebedwiththedarkfigurestretchedonit；topouroutafullconfessioninpassionatewordsthatwouldstirthewholebeingofthatmantoitsinnermostdepths；thatwouldendinembracesandtears；inanincrediblefellowshipofsouls——suchastheworldhadneverseen。Itwassublime!
　　Inwardlyheweptandtrembledalready。Buttothecasualeyesthatwerecastuponhimhewasawarethatheappearedasatranquilstudentinacloak，outforaleisurelystroll。
　　Henoted，too，thesidelong，brilliantglanceofaprettywoman——withadelicatehead，andcoveredinthehairyskinsofwildbeastsdowntoherfeet，likeafrailandbeautifulsavage——whichrestedforamomentwithasortofmockingtendernessonthedeepabstractionofthatgood—lookingyoungman。
　　SuddenlyRazumovstoodstill。Theglimpseofapassinggreywhisker，caughtandlostinthesameinstant，hadevokedthecompleteimageofPrinceK———，themanwhooncehadpressedhishandasnoothermanhadpressedit——afaintbutlingeringpressurelikeasecretsign，likeahalf—unwillingcaress。
　　AndRazumovmarvelledathimself。Whydidhenotthinkofhimbefore!
　　"Asenator，adignitary，agreatpersonage，theveryman——He!"
　　AstrangesofteningemotioncameoverRazumov——madehiskneesshakealittle。Herepresseditwithanew—bornausterity。Allthatsentimentwasperniciousnonsense。Hecouldn’tbequickenough；andwhenhegotintoasledgeheshoutedtothedriver——
　　"TotheK———Palace。Geton——you!Fly!"Thestartledmoujik，beardeduptotheverywhitesofhiseyes，answeredobsequiously——
　　"Ihear，yourhighNobility。"
　　ItwasluckyforRazumovthatPrinceK———wasnotamanoftimidcharacter。OnthedayofMr。deP———’smurderanextremealarmanddespondencyprevailedinthehighofficialspheres。
　　PrinceK———，sittingsadlyaloneinhisstudy，wastoldbyhisalarmedservantsthatamysteriousyoungmanhadforcedhiswayintothehall，refusedtotellhisnameandthenatureofhisbusiness，andwouldnotmovefromtheretillhehadseenhisExcellencyinprivate。Insteadoflockinghimselfupandtelephoningforthepolice，asnineoutoftenhighpersonageswouldhavedonethatevening，thePrincegavewaytocuriosityandcamequietlytothedoorofhisstudy。
　　Inthehall，thefrontdoorstandingwideopen，herecognisedatonceRazumov，paleasdeath，hiseyesblazing，andsurroundedbyperplexedlackeys。
　　ThePrincewasvexedbeyondmeasure，andevenindignant。Buthishumaneinstinctsandasubtlesenseofself—respectcouldnotallowhimtoletthisyoungmanbethrownoutintothestreetbybasemenials。Heretreatedunseenintohisroom，andafteralittleranghisbell。Razumovheardinthehallanominouslyraisedharshvoicesayingsomewherefaraway——
　　"Showthegentlemaninhere。"
　　Razumovwalkedinwithoutatremor。Hefelthimselfinvulnerable——raisedfarabovetheshallownessofcommonjudgment。ThoughhesawthePrincelookingathimwithblackdispleasure，thelucidityofhismind，ofwhichhewasveryconscious，gavehimanextraordinaryassurance。Hewasnotaskedtositdown。
　　Halfanhourlatertheyappearedinthehalltogether。Thelackeysstoodup，andthePrince，movingwithdifficultyonhisgoutyfeet，washelpedintohisfurs。Thecarriagehadbeenorderedbefore。Whenthegreatdoubledoorwasflungopenwithacrash，Razumov，whohadbeenstandingsilentwithalostgazebutwitheveryfacultyintenselyonthealert，heardthePrince’svoice——
　　"Yourarm，youngman。"
　　Themobile，superficialmindoftheex—Guardsofficer，manofshowymissions，experiencedinnothingbuttheartsofgallantintrigueandworldlysuccess，hadbeenequallyimpressedbythemoreobviousdifficultiesofsuchasituationandbyRazumov’squietdignityinstatingthem。
　　Hehadsaid，"No。UponthewholeIcan’tcondemnthestepyouventuredtotakebycomingtomewithyourstory。Itisnotanaffairforpoliceunderstrappers。Thegreatestimportanceisattachedto……Setyourmindatrest。Ishallseeyouthroughthismostextraordinaryanddifficultsituation。"
　　ThenthePrincerosetoringthebell，andRazumov，makingashortbow，hadsaidwithdeference——
　　"Ihavetrustedmyinstinct。AyoungmanhavingnoclaimuponanybodyintheworldhasinanhouroftrialinvolvinghisdeepestpoliticalconvictionsturnedtoanillustriousRussian——that’sall。"
　　ThePrincehadexclaimedhastily——
　　"Youhavedonewell。"
　　Inthecarriage——itwasasmallbroughamonsleighrunners——
　　Razumovbrokethesilenceinavoicethattrembledslightly。
　　"Mygratitudesurpassesthegreatnessofmypresumption。"
　　Hegasped，feelingunexpectedlyinthedarkamomentarypressureonhisarm。
　　"Youhavedonewell，"repeatedthePrince。
　　WhenthecarriagestoppedthePrincemurmuredtoRazumov，whohadneverventuredasinglequestion——
　　"ThehouseofGeneralT———。"
　　Inthemiddleofthesnow—coveredroadwayblazedagreatbonfire。
　　SomeCossacks，thebridlesoftheirhorsesoverthearm，werewarmingthemselvesaround。Twosentriesstoodatthedoor，severalgendarmesloungedunderthegreatcarriagegateway，andonthefirst—floorlandingtwoorderliesroseandstoodatattention。RazumovwalkedatthePrince’selbow。
　　Asurprisingquantityofhot—houseplantsinpotscumberedtheflooroftheante—room。Servantscameforward。Ayoungmanincivilianclothesarrivedhurriedly，waswhisperedto，bowedlow，andexclaimingzealously，"Certainly——thisminute，"fledwithinsomewhere。ThePrincesignedtoRazumov。
　　Theypassedthroughasuiteofreception—roomsallbarelylitandoneofthempreparedfordancing。ThewifeoftheGeneralhadputoffherparty。Anatmosphereofconsternationpervadedtheplace。
　　ButtheGeneral’sownroom，withheavysombrehangings，twomassivedesks，anddeeparmchairs，hadallthelightsturnedon。Thefootmanshutthedoorbehindthemandtheywaited。
　　TherewasacoalfireinanEnglishgrate；Razumovhadneverbeforeseensuchafire；andthesilenceoftheroomwaslikethesilenceofthegrave；perfect，measureless，foreventheclockonthemantelpiecemadenosound。Fillingacorner，onablackpedestal，stoodaquarter—life—sizesmooth—limbedbronzeofanadolescentfigure，running。ThePrinceobservedinanundertone—
　　"Spontini’s。’FlightofYouth。’Exquisite。"
　　"Admirable，"assentedRazumovfaintly。
　　Theysaidnothingmoreafterthis，thePrincesilentwithhisgrandair，Razumovstaringatthestatue。Hewasworriedbyasensationresemblingthegnawingofhunger。
　　Hedidnotturnwhenheheardaninnerdoorflyopen，andaquickfootstep，muffledonthecarpet。
　　ThePrince’svoiceimmediatelyexclaimed，thickwithexcitement——
　　"Wehavegothim——_cemiserable。_Aworthyyoungmancametome——
　　No!It’sincredible……"
　　Razumovheldhisbreathbeforethebronzeasifexpectingacrash。Behindhisbackavoicehehadneverheardbeforeinsistedpolitely——
　　"_Asseyez—vousdonc_。"
　　ThePrincealmostshrieked，"_Maiscomprenez—vous，moncher!
　　L’assassin!_themurderer——wehavegothim……"
　　Razumovspunround。TheGeneral’ssmoothbigcheeksrestedonthestiffcollarofhisuniform。HemusthavebeenalreadylookingatRazumov，becausethatlastsawthepaleblueeyesfastenedonhimcoldly。
　　ThePrincefromachairwavedanimpressivehand。
　　"ThisisamosthonourableyoungmanwhomProvidenceitself……Mr。Razumov。"
　　TheGeneralacknowledgedtheintroductionbyfrowningatRazumov，whodidnotmaketheslightestmovement。
　　SittingdownbeforehisdesktheGenerallistenedwithcompressedlips。
　　Itwasimpossibletodetectanysignofemotiononhisface。
　　Razumovwatchedtheimmobilityofthefleshyprofile。Butitlastedonlyamoment，tillthePrincehadfinished；andwhentheGeneralturnedtotheprovidentialyoungman，hisfloridcomplexion，theblue，unbelievingeyesandthebrightwhiteflashofanautomaticsmilehadanairofjovial，carelesscruelty。Heexpressednowonderattheextraordinarystory——nopleasureorexcitement——noincredulityeither。Hebetrayednosentimentwhatever。Onlywithapolitenessalmostdeferentialsuggestedthat"thebirdmighthaveflownwhileMr。——Mr。Razumovwasrunningaboutthestreets。"
　　Razumovadvancedtothemiddleoftheroomandsaid，"ThedoorislockedandIhavethekeyinmypocket。"
　　Hisloathingforthemanwasintense。Ithadcomeuponhimsounawaresthathefelthehadnotkeptitoutofhisvoice。TheGenerallookedupathimthoughtfully，andRazumovgrinned。
　　AllthiswentovertheheadofPrinceK———seatedinadeeparmchair，verytiredandimpatient。
　　"AstudentcalledHaldin，"saidtheGeneralthoughtfully。
　　Razumovceasedtogrin。
　　"Thatishisname，"hesaidunnecessarilyloud。"VictorVictorovitchHaldin——astudent。"
　　TheGeneralshiftedhispositionalittle。
　　"Howishedressed？Wouldyouhavethegoodnesstotellme？"
　　RazumovangrilydescribedHaldin’sclothinginafewjerkywords。
　　TheGeneralstaredallthetime，thenaddressingthePrince——
　　"Wewerenotwithoutsomeindications，"hesaidinFrench。"A
　　goodwomanwhowasinthestreetdescribedtoussomebodywearingadressofthesortasthethrowerofthesecondbomb。WehavedetainedherattheSecretariat，andeveryoneinaTcherkesscoatwecouldlayourhandsonhasbeenbroughttohertolookat。Shekeptoncrossingherselfandshakingherheadatthem。
　　Itwasexasperating……"HeturnedtoRazumov，andinRussian，withfriendlyreproach——
　　"Takeachair，Mr。Razumov——do。Whyareyoustanding？"
　　RazumovsatdowncarelesslyandlookedattheGeneral。
　　"Thisgoggle—eyedimbecileunderstandsnothing，"hethought。
　　ThePrincebegantospeakloftily。
　　"Mr。Razumovisayoungmanofconspicuousabilities。Ihaveitatheartthathisfutureshouldnot……"
　　"Certainly，"interruptedtheGeneral，withamovementofthehand。"Hasheanyweaponsonhim，doyouthink，Mr。Razumov？"
　　TheGeneralemployedagentlemusicalvoice。Razumovansweredwithsuppressedirritation——
　　"No。Butmyrazorsarelyingabout——youunderstand。"
　　TheGeneralloweredhisheadapprovingly。
　　"Precisely。"
　　ThentothePrince，explainingcourteously——
　　"Wewantthatbirdalive。Itwillbethedevilifwecan’tmakehimsingalittlebeforewearedonewithhim。"
　　Thegrave—likesilenceoftheroomwithitsmuteclockfelluponthepolitemodulationsofthisterriblephrase。ThePrince，hiddeninthechair，madenosound。
　　TheGeneralunexpectedlydevelopedathought。
　　"Fidelitytomenacedinstitutionsonwhichdependthesafetyofathroneandofapeopleisnochild’splay。Weknowthat，_monPrince，_and——_tenez_——"hewentonwithasortofflatteringharshness，"Mr。Razumovherebeginstounderstandthattoo。"
　　HiseyeswhichheturneduponRazumovseemedtobestartingoutofhishead。ThisgrotesquenessofaspectnolongershockedRazumov。Hesaidwithgloomyconviction——
　　"Haldinwillneverspeak。"
　　"Thatremainstobeseen，"mutteredtheGeneral。
　　"Iamcertain，"insistedRazumov。"Amanlikethisneverspeaks……DoyouimaginethatIamherefromfear？"headdedviolently。HefeltreadytostandbyhisopinionofHaldintothelastextremity。
　　"Certainlynot，"protestedtheGeneral，withgreatsimplicityoftone。"AndIdon’tmindtellingyou，Mr。Razumov，thatifhehadnotcomewithhistaletosuchastaunchandloyalRussianasyou，hewouldhavedisappearedlikeastoneinthewater……
　　whichwouldhavehadadetestableeffect，"headded，withabright，cruelsmileunderhisstonystare。"Soyousee，therecanbenosuspicionofanyfearhere。"
　　ThePrinceintervened，lookingatRazumovroundthebackofthearmchair。
　　"Nobodydoubtsthemoralsoundnessofyouraction。Beateaseinthatrespect，pray。"
　　HeturnedtotheGeneraluneasily。
　　"That’swhyIamhere。YoumaybesurprisedwhyIshould……"
　　TheGeneralhastenedtointerrupt。
　　"Notatall。Extremelynatural。Yousawtheimportance……
　　"Yes，"brokeinthePrince。"AndIventuretoaskinsistentlythatmineandMr。Razumov’sinterventionshouldnotbecomepublic。Heisayoungmanofpromise——ofremarkableaptitudes。"
　　"Ihaven’tadoubtofit，"murmuredtheGeneral。"Heinspiresconfidence。"
　　"Allsortsofperniciousviewsaresowidespreadnowadays——theytaintsuchunexpectedquarters——that，monstrousasitseems，hemightsuffer……Hisstudies……His……"
　　TheGeneral，withhiselbowsonthedesk，tookhisheadbetweenhishands。
　　"Yes。Yes。Iamthinkingitout……Howlongisitsinceyoulefthimatyourrooms，Mr。Razumov？"
　　Razumovmentionedthehourwhichnearlycorrespondedwiththetimeofhisdistractedflightfromthebigslumhouse。HehadmadeuphismindtokeepZiemianitchoutoftheaffaircompletely。Tomentionhimatallwouldmeanimprisonmentforthe"brightsoul，"perhapscruelfloggings，andintheendajourneytoSiberiainchains。Razumov，whohadbeatenZiemianitch，feltforhimnowavague，remorsefultenderness。
　　TheGeneral，givingwayforthefirsttimetohissecretsentiments，exclaimedcontemptuously——
　　"Andyousayhecameintomakeyouthisconfidencelikethis——fornothing——_aproposdesbottes_。"
　　Razumovfeltdangerintheair。Themercilesssuspicionofdespotismhadspokenopenlyatlast。SuddenfearsealedRazumov’slips。Thesilenceoftheroomresemblednowthesilenceofadeepdungeon，wheretimedoesnotcount，andasuspectpersonissometimesforgottenforever。ButthePrincecametotherescue。
　　"ProvidenceitselfhasledthewretchinamomentofmentalaberrationtoseekMr。Razumovonthestrengthofsomeold，utterlymisinterpretedexchangeofideas——somesortofidlespeculativeconversation——monthsago——Iamtold——andcompletelyforgottentillnowbyMr。Razumov。"
　　"Mr。Razumov，"queriedtheGeneralmeditatively，afterashortsilence，"doyouoftenindulgeinspeculativeconversation？"
　　"No，Excellency，"answeredRazumov，coolly，inasuddenaccessofself—confidence。"Iamamanofdeepconvictions。Crudeopinionsareintheair。Theyarenotalwaysworthcombating。
　　Buteventhesilentcontemptofaseriousmindmaybemisinterpretedbyheadlongutopists。"
　　TheGeneralstaredfrombetweenhishands。PrinceK———
　　murmured——
　　"Aseriousyoungman。_Unespritsuperieur_。"
　　"Iseethat，_moncherPrince_，"saidtheGeneral。"Mr。Razumovisquitesafewithme。Iaminterestedinhim。Hehas，itseems，thegreatandusefulqualityofinspiringconfidence。
　　WhatIwaswonderingatiswhytheothershouldmentionanythingatall——Imeaneventhebarefactalone——ifhisobjectwasonlytoobtaintemporaryshelterforafewhours。For，afterall，nothingwaseasierthantosaynothingaboutitunless，indeed，heweretrying，underacrazymisapprehensionofyourtruesentiments，toenlistyourassistance——eh，Mr。Razumov？"
　　ItseemedtoRazumovthatthefloorwasmovingslightly。
　　Thisgrotesquemaninatightuniformwasterrible。Itwasrightthatheshouldbeterrible。
　　"IcanseewhatyourExcellencyhasinyourmind。ButIcanonlyanswerthatIdon’tknowwhy。"
　　"Ihavenothinginmymind，"murmuredtheGeneral，withgentlesurprise。
　　"Iamhisprey——hishelplessprey，"thoughtRazumov。Thefatiguesandthedisgustsofthatafternoon，theneedtoforget，thefearwhichhecouldnotkeepoff，reawakenedhishateforHaldin。
　　"ThenIcan’thelpyourExcellency。Idon’tknowwhathemeant。
　　IonlyknowtherewasamomentwhenIwishedtokillhim。TherewasalsoamomentwhenIwishedmyselfdead。Isaidnothing。I
　　wasovercome。Iprovokednoconfidence——Iaskedfornoexplanations——"
　　Razumovseemedbesidehimself；buthismindwaslucid。Itwasreallyacalculatedoutburst。
　　"Itisratherapity，"theGeneralsaid，"thatyoudidnot。
　　Don’tyouknowatallwhathemeanstodo？"Razumovcalmeddownandsawanopeningthere。
　　"Hetoldmehewasinhopesthatasledgewouldmeethimabouthalfanhouraftermidnightattheseventhlamp—postontheleftfromtheupperendofKarabelnaya。Atanyrate，hemeanttobethereatthattime。Hedidnotevenaskmeforachangeofclothes。"
　　"_Ahvoila_!"saidtheGeneral，turningtoPrinceKwithanairofsatisfaction。"Thereisawaytokeepyour_protege_，Mr。
　　Razumov，quiteclearofanyconnexionwiththeactualarrest。WeshallbereadyforthatgentlemaninKarabelnaya。"
　　ThePrinceexpressedhisgratitude。Therewasrealemotioninhisvoice。Razumov，motionless，silent，satstaringatthecarpet。TheGeneralturnedtohim。
　　"Halfanhouraftermidnight。Tillthenwehavetodependonyou，Mr。Razumov。Youdon’tthinkheislikelytochangehispurpose？"
　　"HowcanItell？"saidRazumov。"Thosemenarenotofthesortthateverchangesitspurpose。"
　　"Whatmendoyoumean？"
　　"Fanaticalloversoflibertyingeneral。LibertywithacapitalL，Excellency。Libertythatmeansnothingprecise。Libertyinwhosenamecrimesarecommitted。"
　　TheGeneralmurmured——
　　"Idetestrebelsofeverykind。Ican’thelpit。It’smynature!"
　　Heclenchedafistandshookit，drawingbackhisarm。"Theyshallbedestroyed，then。"
　　"Theyhavemadeasacrificeoftheirlivesbeforehand，"saidRazumovwithmaliciouspleasureandlookingtheGeneralstraightintheface。"IfHaldindoeschangehispurposeto—night，youmaydependonitthatitwillnotbetosavehislifebyflightinsomeotherway。Hewouldhavethoughtthenofsomethingelsetoattempt。Butthatisnotlikely。"
　　TheGeneralrepeatedasiftohimself，"Theyshallbedestroyed。"
　　Razumovassumedanimpenetrableexpression。
　　ThePrinceexclaimed——
　　"Whataterriblenecessity!"
　　TheGeneral’sarmwasloweredslowly。
　　"Onecomfortthereis。Thatbroodleavesnoposterity。I’vealwayssaidit，oneeffort，pitiless，persistent，steady——andwearedonewiththemforever。"
　　Razumovthoughttohimselfthatthismanentrustedwithsomucharbitrarypowermusthavebelievedwhathesaidorelsehecouldnothavegoneonbearingtheresponsibility。
　　"Idetestrebels。Thesesubversiveminds!Theseintellectual_debauches_!Myexistencehasbeenbuiltonfidelity。It’safeeling。
　　TodefenditIamreadytolaydownmylife——andevenmyhonour——ifthatwereneeded。Butpraytellmewhathonourcantherebeasagainstrebels——againstpeoplethatdenyGodHimself——perfectunbelievers!
　　Brutes。Itishorribletothinkof。"
　　DuringthistiradeRazumov，facingtheGeneral，hadnoddedslightlytwice。PrinceK———，standingononesidewithhisgrandair，murmured，castinguphiseyes——
　　"_Helas!_"
　　Thenloweringhisglanceandwithgreatdecisiondeclared——
　　"Thisyoungman，General，isperfectlyfittoapprehendthebearingofyourmemorablewords。"
　　TheGeneral’swholeexpressionchangedfromdullresentmenttoperfecturbanity。
　　"Iwouldasknow，Mr。Razumov，"hesaid，"toreturntohishome。
　　NotethatIdon’taskMr。Razumovwhetherhehasjustifiedhisabsencetohisguest。Nodoubthedidthissufficiently。ButI
　　don’task。Mr。Razumovinspiresconfidence。Itisagreatgift。
　　Ionlysuggestthatamoreprolongedabsencemightawakenthecriminal’ssuspicionsandinducehimperhapstochangehisplans。"
　　Heroseandwithascrupulouscourtesyescortedhisvisitorstotheante—roomencumberedwithflower—pots。
　　RazumovpartedwiththePrinceatthecornerofastreet。Inthecarriagehehadlistenedtospeecheswherenaturalsentimentstruggledwithcaution。EvidentlythePrincewasafraidofencouraginganyhopesoffutureintercourse。Buttherewasatouchoftendernessinthevoiceutteringinthedarktheguardedgeneralphrasesofgoodwill。AndthePrincetoosaid——
　　"Ihaveperfectconfidenceinyou，Mr。Razumov。"
　　"Theyall，itseems，haveconfidenceinme，"thoughtRazumovdully。Hehadanindulgentcontemptforthemansittingshouldertoshoulderwithhimintheconfinedspace。Probablyhewasafraidofsceneswithhiswife。Shewassaidtobeproudandviolent。
　　Itseemedtohimbizarrethatsecrecyshouldplaysuchalargepartinthecomfortandsafetyoflives。ButhewantedtoputthePrince’smindatease；andwithaproperamountofemphasishesaidthat，beingconsciousofsomesmallabilitiesandconfidentinhispowerofwork，hetrustedhisfuturetohisownexertions。Heexpressedhisgratitudeforthehelpinghand。
　　Suchdangeroussituationsdidnotoccurtwiceinthecourseofonelife——headded。
　　"Andyouhavemetthisonewithafirmnessofmindandcorrectnessoffeelingwhichgivemeahighideaofyourworth，"
　　thePrincesaidsolemnly。"Youhavenowonlytopersevere——topersevere。"
　　OngettingoutonthepavementRazumovsawanunglovedhandextendedtohimthroughtheloweredwindowofthebrougham。Itdetainedhisowninitsgraspforamoment，whilethelightofastreetlampfelluponthePrince’slongfaceandold—fashionedgreywhiskers。
　　"Ihopeyouareperfectlyreassurednowastotheconsequences……"
　　"AfterwhatyourExcellencyhascondescendedtodoforme，Icanonlyrelyonmyconscience。"
　　"_Adieu_，"saidthewhiskeredheadwithfeeling。
　　Razumovbowed。Thebroughamglidedawaywithaslightswishinthesnow——hewasaloneontheedgeofthepavement。
　　Hesaidtohimselfthattherewasnothingtothinkabout，andbeganwalkingtowardshishome。
　　Hewalkedquietly。Itwasacommonexperiencetowalkthushometobedafteraneveningspentsomewherewithhisfellowsorinthecheaperseatsofatheatre。Afterhehadgonealittlewaythefamiliarityofthingsgotholdofhim。Nothingwaschanged。Therewasthefamiliarcorner；andwhenheturnedithesawthefamiliardimlightoftheprovisionshopkeptbyaGermanwoman。Therewereloavesofstalebread，bunchesofonionsandstringsofsausagesbehindthesmallwindow—panes。Theywereclosingit。Thesicklylamefellowwhomheknewsowellbysightstaggeredoutintothesnowembracingalargeshutter。
　　Nothingwouldchange。Therewasthefamiliargatewayyawningblackwithfeebleglimmersmarkingthearchesofthedifferentstaircases。
　　Thesenseoflife’scontinuitydependedontriflingbodilyimpressions。Thetrivialitiesofdailyexistencewereanarmourforthesoul。AndthisthoughtreinforcedtheinwardquietnessofRazumovashebegantoclimbthestairsfamiliartohisfeetinthedark，withhishandonthefamiliarclammybanister。Theexceptionalcouldnotprevailagainstthematerialcontactswhichmakeonedayresembleanother。To—morrowwouldbelikeyesterday。
　　Itwasonlyonthestagethattheunusualwasoutwardlyacknowledged。
　　"Isuppose，"thoughtRazumov，"thatifIhadmadeupmymindtoblowoutmybrainsonthelandingIwouldbegoingupthesestairsasquietlyasIamdoingitnow。What’samantodo？
　　Whatmustbemustbe。Extraordinarythingsdohappen。Butwhentheyhavehappenedtheyaredonewith。Thus，too，whenthemindismadeup。Thatquestionisdonewith。Andthedailyconcerns，thefamiliaritiesofourthoughtswallowitup——andthelifegoesonasbeforewithitsmysteriousandsecretsidesquiteoutofsight，astheyshouldbe。Lifeisapublicthing。"
　　Razumovunlockedhisdoorandtookthekeyout；enteredveryquietlyandboltedthedoorbehindhimcarefully。
　　Hethought，"Hehearsme，"andafterboltingthedoorhestoodstillholdinghisbreath。Therewasnotasound。Hecrossedthebareouterroom，steppingdeliberatelyinthedarkness。Enteringtheother，hefeltalloverhistableforthematchbox。Thesilence，butforthegropingofhishand，wasprofound。Couldthefellowbesleepingsosoundly？
　　Hestruckalightandlookedatthebed。Haldinwaslyingonhisbackasbefore，onlybothhishandswereunderhishead。
　　Hiseyeswereopen。Hestaredattheceiling。
　　Razumovheldthematchup。Hesawtheclear—cutfeatures，thefirmchin，thewhiteforeheadandthetopknotoffairhairagainstthewhitepillow。Therehewas，lyingflatonhisback。
　　Razumovthoughtsuddenly，"Ihavewalkedoverhischest。"
　　Hecontinuedtostaretillthematchburntitselfout；thenstruckanotherandlitthelampinsilencewithoutlookingtowardsthebedanymore。HehadturnedhisbackonitandwashanginghiscoatonapegwhenheheardHaldinsighprofoundly，thenaskinatiredvoice——
　　"Well!Andwhathaveyouarranged？"
　　TheemotionwassogreatthatRazumovwasgladtoputhishandsagainstthewall。Adiabolicalimpulsetosay，"Ihavegivenyouuptothepolice，"frightenedhimexceedingly。Buthedidnotsaythat。Hesaid，withoutturninground，inamuffledvoice——
　　"It’sdone。"
　　AgainheheardHaldinsigh。Hewalkedtothetable，satdownwiththelampbeforehim，andonlythenlookedtowardsthebed。
　　Inthedistantcornerofthelargeroomfarawayfromthelamp，whichwassmallandprovidedwithaverythickchinashade，Haldinappearedlikeadarkandelongatedshape——rigidwiththeimmobilityofdeath。ThisbodyseemedtohavelesssubstancethanitsownphantomwalkedoverbyRazumovinthestreetwhitewithsnow。Itwasmorealarminginitsshadowy，persistentrealitythanthedistinctbutvanishingillusion。
　　Haldinwasheardagain。
　　"Youmusthavehadawalk——suchawalk……"hemurmureddeprecatingly。"Thisweather……"
　　Razumovansweredwithenergy——
　　"Horriblewalk……Anightmareofawalk。"
　　Heshudderedaudibly。Haldinsighedoncemore，then——
　　"AndsoyouhaveseenZiemianitch——brother？"
　　"I’veseenhim。"
　　Razumov，rememberingthetimehehadspentwiththePrince，thoughtitprudenttoadd，"Ihadtowaitsometime。"
　　"Acharacter——eh？It’sextraordinarywhatasenseofthenecessityoffreedomthereisinthatman。Andhehassayingstoo——simple，tothepoint，suchasonlythepeoplecaninventintheirroughsagacity。Acharacterthat……"
　　"I，youunderstand，haven’thadmuchopportunity……"Razumovmutteredthroughhisteeth。
　　Haldincontinuedtostareattheceiling。
　　"Yousee，brother，Ihavebeenagooddealinthathouseoflate。Iusedtotaketherebooks——leaflets。Notafewofthepoorpeoplewholivetherecanread。And，yousee，theguestsforthefeastoffreedommustbesoughtforinbywaysandhedges。
　　Thetruthis，Ihavealmostlivedinthathouseoflate。Isleptsometimesinthestable。Thereisastable……"
　　"That’swhereIhadmyinterviewwithZiemianitch，"interruptedRazumovgently。Amockingspiritenteredintohimandheadded，"Itwassatisfactoryinasense。Icameawayfromitmuchrelieved。"
　　"Ah!he’safellow，"wentonHaldin，talkingslowlyattheceiling。"Icametoknowhiminthatway，yousee。Forsomeweeksnow，eversinceIresignedmyselftodowhathadtobedone，Itriedtoisolatemyself。Igaveupmyrooms。Whatwasthegoodofexposingadecentwidowwomantotheriskofbeingworriedoutofhermindbythepolice？Igaveupseeinganyofourcomrades……"
　　Razumovdrewtohimselfahalf—sheetofpaperandbegantotracelinesonitwithapencil。
　　"Uponmyword，"hethoughtangrily，"heseemstohavethoughtofeverybody’ssafetybutmine。"
　　Haldinwastalkingon。
　　"Thismorning——ah!thismorning——thatwasdifferent。HowcanI
　　explaintoyou？BeforethedeedwasdoneIwanderedatnightandlayhidintheday，thinkingitout，andIfeltrestful。
　　Sleeplessbutrestful。Whatwasthereformetotormentmyselfabout？Butthismorning——after!ThenitwasthatIbecamerestless。Icouldnothavestoppedinthatbighousefullofmisery。Themiserableofthisworldcan’tgiveyoupeace。
　　Thenwhenthatsillycaretakerbegantoshout，Isaidtomyself，’Thereisayoungmaninthistownheadandshouldersabovecommonprejudices。’"
　　"Ishelaughingatmei？"。Razumovaskedhimself，goingonwithhisaimlessdrawingoftrianglesandsquares。Andsuddenlyhethought："Mybehaviourmustappeartohimstrange。ShouldhetakefrightatmymannerandrushoffsomewhereIshallbeundonecompletely。ThatinfernalGeneral……"
　　Hedroppedthepencilandturnedabruptlytowardsthebedwiththeshadowyfigureextendedfulllengthonit——somuchmoreindistinctthantheoneoverwhosebreasthehadwalkedwithoutfaltering。Wasthis，too，aphantom？
　　Thesilencehadlastedalongtime。"Heisnolongerhere，"wasthethoughtagainstwhichRazumovstruggleddesperately，quitefrightenedatitsabsurdity。"Heisalreadygoneandthis……
　　only……"
　　Hecouldresistnolonger。Hesprangtohisfeet，sayingaloud，"Iamintolerablyanxious，"andinafewheadlongstridesstoodbythesideofthebed。HishandfelllightlyonHaldin’sshoulder，anddirectlyhefeltitsrealityhewasbesetbyaninsanetemptationtogripthatexposedthroatandsqueezethebreathoutofthatbody，lestitshouldescapehiscustody，leavingonlyaphantombehind。
　　Haldindidnotstiralimb，buthisovershadowedeyesmovingalittlegazedupwardsatRazumovwithwistfulgratitudeforthismanifestationoffeeling。
　　Razumovturnedawayandstrodeupanddowntheroom。"Itwouldhavebeenpossiblyakindness，"hemutteredtohimself，andwasappalledbythenatureofthatapologyforamurderousintentionhismindhadfoundsomewherewithinhim。Andallthesamehecouldnotgiveitup。Hebecamelucidaboutit。"Whatcanheexpecti？"hethought。"Thehalter——intheend。AndI……"
　　ThisargumentwasinterruptedbyHaldin’svoice。
　　"Whybeanxiousforme？Theycankillmybody，buttheycannotexilemysoulfromthisworld。Itellyouwhat——IbelieveinthisworldsomuchthatIcannotconceiveeternityotherwisethanasaverylonglife。ThatisperhapsthereasonIamsoreadytodie。"
　　"H’m，"mutteredRazumov，andbitinghislowerliphecontinuedtowalkupanddownandtocarryonhisstrangeargument。
　　Yes，toamaninsuchasituation——ofcourseitwouldbeanactofkindness。Thequestion，however，wasnothowtobekind，buthowtobefirm。Hewasaslipperycustomer"Itoo，VictorVictorovitch，believeinthisworldofours，"hesaidwithforce。"Itoo，whileIlive……Butyouseemdeterminedtohauntit。Youcan’tseriously……mean"
　　ThevoiceofthemotionlessHaldinbegan——
　　"Hauntit!Truly，theoppressorsofthoughtwhichquickenstheworld，thedestroyersofsoulswhichaspiretoperfectionofhumandignity，theyshallbehaunted。Astothedestroyersofmymerebody，Ihaveforgiventhembeforehand。"
　　Razumovhadstoppedapparentlytolisten，butatthesametimehewasobservinghisownsensations。HewasvexedwithhimselfforattachingsomuchimportancetowhatHaldinsaid。
　　"Thefellow’smad，"hethoughtfirmly，butthisopiniondidnotmollifyhimtowardsHaldin。Itwasaparticularlyimpudentformoflunacy——andwhenitgotlooseinthesphereofpubliclifeofacountry，itwasobviouslythedutyofeverygoodcitizen……
　　ThistrainofthoughtbrokeoffshortthereandwassucceededbyaparoxysmofsilenthatredtowardsHaldin，sointensethatRazumovhastenedtospeakatrandom。
　　"Yes。Eternity，ofcourse。I，too，can’tverywellrepresentittomyself……Iimagineit，however，assomethingquietanddull。
　　Therewouldbenothingunexpected——don’tyousee？Theelementoftimewouldbewanting。"
　　Hepulledouthiswatchandgazedatit。Haldinturnedoveronhissideandlookedonintently。
　　Razumovgotfrightenedatthismovement。Aslipperycustomerthisfellowwithaphantom。Itwasnotmidnightyet。Hehastenedon——
　　"Andunfathomablemysteries!CanyouconceivesecretplacesinEternity？Impossible。Whereaslifeisfullofthem。Therearesecretsofbirth，forinstance。Onecarriesthemontothegrave。Thereissomethingcomical……butnevermind。Andtherearesecretmotivesofconduct。Aman’smostopenactionshaveasecretsidetothem。Thatisinterestingandsounfathomable!
　　Forinstance，amangoesoutofaroomforawalk。Nothingmoretrivialinappearance。Andyetitmaybemomentous。Hecomesback——hehasseenperhapsadrunkenbrute，takenparticularnoticeofthesnowontheground——andbeholdheisnolongerthesameman。Themostunlikelythingshaveasecretpoweroverone’sthoughts——thegreywhiskersofaparticularperson——thegoggleeyesofanother。"
　　Razumov’sforeheadwasmoist。Hetookaturnortwointheroom，hisheadlowandsmilingtohimselfviciously。
　　"Haveyoueverreflectedonthepowerofgoggleeyesandgreywhiskers？Excuseme。YouseemtothinkImustbecrazytotalkinthisveinatsuchatime。ButIamnottalkinglightly。I
　　haveseeninstances。Ithashappenedtomeoncetobetalkingtoamanwhosefatewasaffectedbyphysicalfactsofthatkind。
　　Andthemandidnotknowit。Ofcourse，itwasacaseofconscience，butthematerialfactssuchasthesebroughtaboutthesolution……Andyoutellme，VictorVictorovitch，nottobeanxious!Why!Iamresponsibleforyou，"
　　Razumovalmostshrieked。
　　HeavoidedwithdifficultyaburstofMephistophelianlaughter。
　　Haldin，verypale，raisedhimselfonhiselbow。
　　"Andthesurprisesoflife，"wentonRazumov，afterglancingattheotheruneasily。"Justconsidertheirastonishingnature。A
　　mysteriousimpulseinducesyoutocomehere。Idon’tsayyouhavedonewrong。Indeed，fromacertainpointofviewyoucouldnothavedonebetter。Youmighthavegonetoamanwithaffectionsandfamilyties。Youhavesuchtiesyourself。Astome，youknowIhavebeenbroughtupinaneducationalinstitutewheretheydidnotgiveusenoughtoeat。Totalkofaffectioninsuchaconnexion——youperceiveyourself……Astoties，theonlytiesIhaveintheworldaresocial。ImustgetacknowledgedinsomewaybeforeIcanactatall。Isithereworking……Anddon’tyouthinkIamworkingforprogresstoo？
　　I’vegottofindmyownideasofthetrueway……Pardonme，"
　　continuedRazumov，afterdrawingbreathandwithashort，throatylaugh，"butIhaven’tinheritedarevolutionaryinspirationtogetherwitharesemblancefromanuncle。"
　　Helookedagainathiswatchandnoticedwithsickeningdisgustthattherewereyetagoodmanyminutestomidnight。Hetorewatchandchainoffhiswaistcoatandlaidthemonthetablewellinthecircleofbrightlamplight。Haldin，recliningonhiselbow，didnotstir。Razumovwasmadeuneasybythisattitude。
　　"Whatmoveishemeditatingoversoquietly？"hethought。"Hemustbeprevented。Imustkeepontalkingtohim。"
　　Heraisedhisvoice。
　　"Youareason，abrother，anephew，acousin——Idon’tknowwhat——tonoendofpeople。Iamjustaman。HereIstandbeforeyou。Amanwithamind。Diditeveroccurtoyouhowamanwhohadneverheardawordofwarmaffectionorpraiseinhislifewouldthinkonmattersonwhichyouwouldthinkfirstwithoragainstyourclass，yourdomestictradition——yourfiresideprejudices？……Didyoueverconsiderhowamanlikethatwouldfeel？Ihavenodomestictradition。Ihavenothingtothinkagainst。Mytraditionishistorical。WhathaveItolookbacktobutthatnationalpastfromwhichyougentlemenwanttowrenchawayyourfuture？AmItoletmyintelligence，myaspirationstowardsabetterlot，berobbedoftheonlythingithastogouponatthewillofviolententhusiasts？Youcomefromyourprovince，butallthislandismine——orIhavenothing。Nodoubtyoushallbelookeduponasamartyrsomeday——asortofhero——apoliticalsaint。ButIbegtobeexcused。I
　　amcontentinfittingmyselftobeaworker。Andwhatcanyoupeopledobyscatteringafewdropsofbloodonthesnow？OnthisImmensity。OnthisunhappyImmensity!Itellyou，"hecried，inavibrating，subduedvoice，andadvancingonestepnearerthebed，"thatwhatitneedsisnotalotofhauntingphantomsthatIcouldwalkthrough——butaman!"
　　Haldinthrewhisarmsforwardasiftokeephimoffinhorror。
　　"Iunderstanditallnow，"heexclaimed，withawestruckdismay。
　　"Iunderstand——atlast。"
　　Razumovstaggeredbackagainstthetable。Hisforeheadbrokeoutinperspirationwhileacoldshudderrandownhisspine。
　　"WhathaveIbeensaying？"heaskedhimself。"HaveIlethimslipthroughmyfingersafterall？
　　"Hefelthislipsgostifflikebuckram，andinsteadofareassuringsmileonlyachievedanuncertaingrimace。
　　"Whatwillyouhave？"hebeganinaconciliatingvoicewhichgotsteadyafterthefirsttremblingwordortwo。"Whatwillyouhave？
　　Consider——amanofstudious，retiredhabits——andsuddenlylikethis……
　　Iamnotpractisedintalkingdelicately。But……
　　"Hefeltanger，awickedanger，getholdofhimagain。
　　"Whatwerewetodotogethertillmidnight？Sithereoppositeeachotherandthinkofyour——your—shambles？"
　　Haldinhadasubdued，heartbrokenattitude。Hebowedhishead；
　　hishandshungbetweenhisknees。Hisvoicewaslowandpainedbutcalm。
　　"Iseenowhowitis，Razumov——brother。Youareamagnanimoussoul，butmyactionisabhorrenttoyou——alas……"
　　Razumovstared。Fromfrighthehadsethisteethsohardthathiswholefaceached。Itwasimpossibleforhimtomakeasound。
　　"Andevenmyperson，too，isloathsometoyouperhaps，"Haldinaddedmournfully，afterashortpause，lookingupforamoment，thenfixinghisgazeonthefloor。"Forindeed，unlessone……"
　　Hebrokeoffevidentlywaitingforaword。Razumovremainedsilent。Haldinnoddedhisheaddejectedlytwice。
　　"Ofcourse。Ofcourse，"hemurmured……"Ah!wearywork!"
　　Heremainedperfectlystillforamoment，thenmadeRazumov’sleadenheartstrikeaponderousblowbyspringingupbriskly。
　　"Sobeit，"hecriedsadlyinalow，distincttone。"Farewellthen。"
　　Razumovstartedforward，butthesightofHaldin’sraisedhandcheckedhimbeforehecouldgetawayfromthetable。Heleanedonitheavily，listeningtothefaintsoundsofsometownclocktollingthehour。Haldin，alreadyatthedoor，tallandstraightasanarrow，withhispalefaceandahandraisedattentively，mighthaveposedforthestatueofadaringyouthlisteningtoaninnervoice。Razumovmechanicallyglanceddownathiswatch。WhenhelookedtowardsthedooragainHaldinhadvanished。Therewasafaintrustlingintheouterroom，thefeebleclickofaboltdrawnbacklightly。Hewasgone——almostasnoiselessasavision。