"Youdon’tunderstand？"whisperedFatherGrigory，steppingbackinastonishmentandclaspinghishands。"Whathaveyougotonyourshoulders，aheadorsomeotherobject？Yousendanoteuptothealtar，andwriteawordinitwhichitwouldbeunseemlyeventoutterinthestreet！Whyareyourollingyoureyes？
Surelyyouknowthemeaningoftheword？"
"Areyoureferringtothewordharlot？"mutteredtheshopkeeper，flushingcrimsonandblinking。"Butyouknow，theLordinHismercy……forgavethisverything，……forgaveaharlot……Hehaspreparedaplaceforher，andindeedfromthelifeoftheholysaint，MariyaofEgypt，onemayseeinwhatsensethewordisused——excuseme……"
Theshopkeeperwantedtobringforwardsomeotherargumentinhisjustification，buttookfrightandwipedhislipswithhissleeve"Sothat’swhatyoumakeofit！"criedFatherGrigory，claspinghishands。"ButyouseeGodhasforgivenher——doyouunderstand？Hehasforgiven，butyoujudgeher，youslanderher，callherbyanunseemlyname，andwhom！Yourowndeceaseddaughter！NotonlyinHolyScripture，buteveninworldlyliteratureyouwon’treadofsuchasin！Itellyouagain，Andrey，youmustn’tbeover-subtle！No，no，youmustn’tbeover-subtle，brother！IfGodhasgivenyouaninquiringmind，andifyoucannotdirectit，betternotgointothings……Don’tgointothings，andholdyourpeace！"
"Butyouknow，she，……excusemymentioningit，wasanactress！"articulatedAndreyAndreyitch，overwhelmed。
"Anactress！Butwhatevershewas，yououghttoforgetitallnowsheisdead，insteadofwritingitonthenote。"
"Justso，……"theshopkeeperassented。
"Yououghttodopenance，"boomedthedeaconfromthedepthsofthealtar，lookingcontemptuouslyatAndreyAndreyitch’sembarrassedface，"thatwouldteachyoutoleaveoffbeingsoclever！Yourdaughterwasawell-knownactress。Therewereevennoticesofherdeathinthenewspapers……Philosopher！"
"Tobesure，……certainly，"mutteredtheshopkeeper，"thewordisnotaseemlyone；butIdidnotsayittojudgeher，FatherGrigory，Ionlymeanttospeakspiritually，……thatitmightbeclearertoyouforwhomyouwerepraying。Theywriteinthememorialnotesthevariouscallings，suchastheinfantJohn，thedrownedwomanPelagea，thewarriorYegor，themurderedPavel，andsoon……Imeanttodothesame。"
"Itwasfoolish，Andrey！Godwillforgiveyou，butbewareanothertime。Aboveall，don’tbesubtle，butthinklikeotherpeople。
Maketenbowsandgoyourway。"
"Iobey，"saidtheshopkeeper，relievedthatthelecturewasover，andallowinghisfacetoresumeitsexpressionofimportanceanddignity。"Tenbows？Verygood，Iunderstand。Butnow，Father，allowmetoaskyouafavor……SeeingthatIam，anyway，herfather，……youknowyourself，whatevershewas，shewasstillmydaughter，soIwas，……excuseme，meaningtoaskyoutosingtherequiemtoday。Andallowmetoaskyou，FatherDeacon！"
"Well，that’sgood，"saidFatherGrigory，takingoffhisvestments。"ThatIcommend。Icanapproveofthat！Well，goyourway。Wewillcomeoutimmediately。"
AndreyAndreyitchwalkedwithdignityfromthealtar，andwithasolemn，requiem-likeexpressiononhisredfacetookhisstandinthemiddleofthechurch。ThevergerMatveysetbeforehimalittletablewiththememorialfooduponit，andalittlelatertherequiemservicebegan。
Therewasperfectstillnessinthechurch。Nothingcouldbeheardbutthemetallicclickofthecenserandslowsinging……NearAndreyAndreyitchstoodthevergerMatvey，themidwifeMakaryevna，andherone-armedsonMitka。Therewasnooneelse。
Thesacristansangbadlyinanunpleasant，hollowbass，butthetuneandthewordsweresomournfulthattheshopkeeperlittlebylittlelosttheexpressionofdignityandwasplungedinsadness。
HethoughtofhisMashutka，……herememberedshehadbeenbornwhenhewasstillalackeyintheserviceoftheownerofVerhnyZaprudy。Inhisbusylifeasalackeyhehadnotnoticedhowhisgirlhadgrownup。Thatlongperiodduringwhichshewasbeingshapedintoagracefulcreature，withalittleflaxenheadanddreamyeyesasbigaskopeck-piecespassedunnoticedbyhim。Shehadbeenbroughtuplikeallthechildrenoffavoritelackeys，ineaseandcomfortinthecompanyoftheyoungladies。Thegentry，tofilluptheiridletime，hadtaughthertoread，towrite，todance；hehadhadnohandinherbringingup。Onlyfromtimetotimecasuallymeetingheratthegateoronthelandingofthestairs，hewouldrememberthatshewashisdaughter，andwould，sofarashehadleisureforit，beginteachinghertheprayersandthescripture。Oh，eventhenhehadthereputationofanauthorityonthechurchrulesandtheholyscriptures！Forbiddingandstolidasherfather’sfacewas，yetthegirllistenedreadily。Sherepeatedtheprayersafterhimyawning，butontheotherhand，whenhe，hesitatingandtryingtoexpresshimselfelaborately，begantellingherstories，shewasallattention。Esau’spottage，thepunishmentofSodom，andthetroublesoftheboyJosephmadeherturnpaleandopenherblueeyeswide。
Afterwardswhenhegaveupbeingalackey，andwiththemoneyhehadsavedopenedashopinthevillage，MashutkahadgoneawaytoMoscowwithhismaster’sfamily……
Threeyearsbeforeherdeathshehadcometoseeherfather。Hehadscarcelyrecognizedher。Shewasagracefulyoungwomanwiththemannersofayounglady，anddressedlikeone。Shetalkedcleverly，asthoughfromabook，smoked，andslepttillmidday。
WhenAndreyAndreyitchaskedherwhatshewasdoing，shehadannounced，lookinghimboldlystraightintheface："Iamanactress。"Suchfranknessstrucktheformerflunkeyastheacmeofcynicism。Mashutkahadbegunboastingofhersuccessesandherstagelife；butseeingthatherfatheronlyturnedcrimsonandthrewuphishands，sheceased。Andtheyspentafortnighttogetherwithoutspeakingorlookingatoneanothertillthedayshewentaway。Beforeshewentawaysheaskedherfathertocomeforawalkonthebankoftheriver。Painfulasitwasforhimtowalkinthelightofday，inthesightofallhonestpeople，withadaughterwhowasanactress，heyieldedtoherrequest。
"Whatalovelyplaceyoulivein！"shesaidenthusiastically。
"Whatravinesandmarshes！Goodheavens，howlovelymynativeplaceis！"
Andshehadburstintotears。
"Theplaceissimplytakinguproom，……"AndreyAndreyvitchhadthought，lookingblanklyattheravines，notunderstandinghisdaughter’senthusiasm。"Thereisnomoreprofitfromthemthanmilkfromabilly-goat。"
Andshehadcriedandcried，drawingherbreathgreedilywithherwholechest，asthoughshefeltshehadnotalongtimelefttobreathe。
AndreyAndreyitchshookhisheadlikeahorsethathasbeenbitten，andtostiflepainfulmemoriesbeganrapidlycrossinghimself……
"Bemindful，OLord，"hemuttered，"ofThydepartedservant，theharlotMariya，andforgivehersins，voluntaryorinvoluntary……"
Theunseemlyworddroppedfromhislipsagain，buthedidnotnoticeit：whatisfirmlyimbeddedintheconsciousnesscannotbedrivenoutbyFatherGrigory’sexhortationsorevenknockedoutbyanail。Makaryevnasighedandwhisperedsomething，drawinginadeepbreath，whileone-armedMitkawasbroodingoversomething……
"Wherethereisnosickness，norgrief，norsighing，"dronedthesacristan，coveringhisrightcheekwithhishand。
Bluishsmokecoiledupfromthecenserandbathedinthebroad，slantingpatchofsunshinewhichcutacrossthegloomy，lifelessemptinessofthechurch。Anditseemedasthoughthesoulofthedeadwomanweresoaringintothesunlighttogetherwiththesmoke。Thecoilsofsmokelikeachild’scurlseddiedroundandround，floatingupwardstothewindowand，asitwere，holdingalooffromthewoesandtribulationsofwhichthatpoorsoulwasfull。
INTHECOACH-HOUSE
ITwasbetweennineandteno’clockintheevening。Stepanthecoachman，Mihailothehouse-porter，Alyoshkathecoachman’sgrandson，whohadcomeupfromthevillagetostaywithhisgrandfather，andNikandr，anoldmanofseventy，whousedtocomeintotheyardeveryeveningtosellsaltherrings，weresittingroundalanterninthebigcoach-house，playing"kings。"Throughthewide-opendoorcouldbeseenthewholeyard，thebighouse，wherethemaster’sfamilylived，thegates，thecellars，andtheporter’slodge。Itwasallshroudedinthedarknessofnight，andonlythefourwindowsofoneofthelodgeswhichwasletwerebrightlylitup。Theshadowsofthecoachesandsledgeswiththeirshaftstippedupwardsstretchedfromthewallstothedoors，quiveringandcuttingacrosstheshadowscastbythelanternandtheplayers……Ontheothersideofthethinpartitionthatdividedthecoach-housefromthestablewerethehorses。Therewasascentofhay，andadisagreeablesmellofsaltherringscomingfromoldNikandr。
Theporterwonandwasking；heassumedanattitudesuchaswasinhisopinionbefittingaking，andblewhisnoseloudlyonared-checkedhandkerchief。
"NowifIlikeIcanchopoffanybody’shead，"hesaid。Alyoshka，aboyofeightwithaheadofflaxenhair，leftlonguncut，whohadonlymissedbeingkingbytwotricks，lookedangrilyandwithenvyattheporter。Hepoutedandfrowned。
"Ishallgiveyouthetrick，grandfather，"hesaid，ponderingoverhiscards；"Iknowyouhavegotthequeenofdiamonds。"
"Well，well，littlesilly，youhavethoughtenough！"
Alyoshkatimidlyplayedtheknaveofdiamonds。Atthatmomentaringwasheardfromtheyard。
"Oh，hangyou！"mutteredtheporter，gettingup。"Goandopenthegate，Oking！"
Whenhecamebackalittlelater，Alyoshkawasalreadyaprince，thefish-hawkerasoldier，andthecoachmanapeasant。
"It’sanastybusiness，"saidtheporter，sittingdowntothecardsagain。"Ihavejustletthedoctorsout。Theyhavenotextractedit。"
"Howcouldthey？Justthink，theywouldhavetopickopenthebrains。Ifthereisabulletinthehead，ofwhatusearedoctors？"
"Heislyingunconscious，"theporterwenton。"Heisboundtodie。Alyoshka，don’tlookatthecards，youlittlepuppy，orI
willpullyourears！Yes，Iletthedoctorsout，andthefatherandmotherin……Theyhaveonlyjustarrived。Suchcryingandwailing，Lordpreserveus！Theysayheistheonlyson……
It’sagrief！"
AllexceptAlyoshka，whowasabsorbedinthegame，lookedroundatthebrightlylightedwindowsofthelodge。
"Ihaveorderstogotothepolicestationtomorrow，"saidtheporter。"Therewillbeaninquiry……ButwhatdoIknowaboutit？Isawnothingofit。Hecalledmethismorning，gavemealetter，andsaid：’Putitintheletter-boxforme。’Andhiseyeswereredwithcrying。Hiswifeandchildrenwerenotathome。Theyhadgoneoutforawalk。SowhenIhadgonewiththeletter，heputabulletintohisforeheadfromarevolver。WhenI
camebackhiscookwaswailingforthewholeyardtohear。"
"It’sagreatsin，"saidthefish-hawkerinahuskyvoice，andheshookhishead，"agreatsin！"
"Fromtoomuchlearning，"saidtheporter，takingatrick；"hiswitsoutstrippedhiswisdom。Sometimeshewouldsitwritingpapersallnight……Play，peasant！……Buthewasanicegentleman。Andsowhiteskinned，black-hairedandtall！……
Hewasagoodlodger。"
"Itseemsthefairsexisatthebottomofit，"saidthecoachman，slappingthenineoftrumpsonthekingofdiamonds。
"Itseemshewasfondofanotherman’swifeanddislikedhisown；
itdoeshappen。"
"Thekingrebels，"saidtheporter。
Atthatmomenttherewasagainaringfromtheyard。Therebelliouskingspatwithvexationandwentout。Shadowslikedancingcouplesflittedacrossthewindowsofthelodge。Therewasthesoundofvoicesandhurriedfootstepsintheyard。
"Isupposethedoctorshavecomeagain，"saidthecoachman。"OurMihailoisrunoffhislegs……"
Astrangewailingvoicerangoutforamomentintheair。
Alyoshkalookedinalarmathisgrandfather，thecoachman；thenatthewindows，andsaid：
"Hestrokedmeontheheadatthegateyesterday，andsaid，’Whatdistrictdoyoucomefrom，boy？’Grandfather，whowasthathowledjustnow？"
Hisgrandfathertrimmedthelightinthelanternandmadenoanswer。
"Themanislost，"hesaidalittlelater，withayawn。"Heislost，andhischildrenareruined，too。It’sadisgraceforhischildrenfortherestoftheirlivesnow。"
Theportercamebackandsatdownbythelantern。
"Heisdead，"hesaid。"Theyhavesenttothealmshousefortheoldwomentolayhimout。"
"Thekingdomofheavenandeternalpeacetohim！"whisperedthecoachman，andhecrossedhimself。
Lookingathim，Alyoshkacrossedhimselftoo。
"Youcan’tprayforsuchashim，"saidthefish-hawker。
"Whynot？"
"It’sasin。"
"That’strue，"theporterassented。"Nowhissoulhasgonestraighttohell，tothedevil……"
"It’sasin，"repeatedthefish-hawker；"suchashehavenofuneral，norequiem，butareburiedlikecarrionwithnorespect。"
Theoldmanputonhiscapandgotup。
"Itwasthesamethingatourlady’s，"hesaid，pullinghiscaponfurther。"Wewereserfsinthosedays；theyoungersonofourmistress，theGeneral’slady，shothimselfthroughthemouthwithapistol，fromtoomuchlearning，too。Itseemsthatbylawsuchhavetobeburiedoutsidethecemetery，withoutpriests，withoutarequiemservice；buttosavedisgraceourlady，youknow，bribedthepoliceandthedoctors，andtheygaveherapapertosayhersonhaddoneitwhendelirious，notknowingwhathewasdoing。Youcandoanythingwithmoney。Sohehadafuneralwithpriestsandeveryhonor，themusicplayed，andhewasburiedinthechurch；forthedeceasedGeneralhadbuiltthatchurchwithhisownmoney，andallhisfamilywereburiedthere。Onlythisiswhathappened，friends。Onemonthpassed，andthenanother，anditwasallright。InthethirdmonththeyinformedtheGeneral’sladythatthewatchmenhadcomefromthatsamechurch。
Whatdidtheywant？Theywerebroughttoher，theyfellatherfeet。’Wecan’tgoonserving，yourexcellency，’theysaid。’Lookoutforotherwatchmenandgraciouslydismissus。’’Whatfor？’
’No，’theysaid，’wecan’tpossibly；yoursonhowlsunderthechurchallnight。’"
Alyoshkashuddered，andpressedhisfacetothecoachman’sbacksoasnottoseethewindows。
"AtfirsttheGeneral’sladywouldnotlisten，"continuedtheoldman。"’Allthisisyourfancy，yousimplefolkhavesuchnotions，’shesaid。’Adeadmancannothowl。’Sometimeafterwardsthewatchmencametoheragain，andwiththemthesacristan。Sothesacristan，too，hadheardhimhowling。TheGeneral’sladysawthatitwasabadjob；shelockedherselfinherbedroomwiththewatchmen。’Here，myfriends，herearetwenty-fiveroublesforyou，andforthatgobynightinsecret，sothatnooneshouldhearorseeyou，digupmyunhappyson，andburyhim，’shesaid，’outsidethecemetery。’AndIsupposeshestoodthemaglass……Andthewatchmendidso。Thestonewiththeinscriptiononitistheretothisday，buthehimself，theGeneral’sson，isoutsidethecemetery……OLord，forgiveusourtransgressions！"sighedthefish-hawker。"Thereisonlyonedayintheyearwhenonemayprayforsuchpeople：theSaturdaybeforeTrinity……Youmustn’tgivealmstobeggarsfortheirsake，itisasin，butyoumayfeedthebirdsfortherestoftheirsouls。TheGeneral’sladyusedtogoouttothecrossroadseverythreedaystofeedthebirds。Onceatthecross-roadsablackdogsuddenlyappeared；itranuptothebread，andwassucha……weallknowwhatthatdogwas。TheGeneral’sladywaslikeahalf-crazycreatureforfivedaysafterwards，sheneitheratenordrank……Allatonceshefellonherkneesinthegarden，andprayedandprayed……Well，good-by，friends，theblessingofGodandtheHeavenlyMotherbewithyou。Letusgo，Mihailo，you’llopenthegateforme。"
Thefish-hawkerandtheporterwentout。ThecoachmanandAlyoshkawentouttoo，soasnottobeleftinthecoach-house。
"Themanwaslivingandisdead！"saidthecoachman，lookingtowardsthewindowswhereshadowswerestillflittingtoandfro。
"Onlythismorninghewaswalkingabouttheyard，andnowheislyingdead。"
"Thetimewillcomeandweshalldietoo，"saidtheporter，walkingawaywiththefish-hawker，andatoncetheybothvanishedfromsightinthedarkness。
Thecoachman，andAlyoshkaafterhim，somewhattimidlywentuptothelightedwindows。Averypaleladywithlargetearstainedeyes，andafine-lookinggrayheadedmanweremovingtwocard-tablesintothemiddleoftheroom，probablywiththeintentionoflayingthedeadmanuponthem，andonthegreenclothofthetablenumberscouldstillbeseenwritteninchalk。
Thecookwhohadrunabouttheyardwailinginthemorningwasnowstandingonachair，stretchinguptotryandcoverthelookingglasswithatowel。
"Grandfatherwhataretheydoing？"askedAlyoshkainawhisper。
"Theyarejustgoingtolayhimonthetables，"answeredhisgrandfather。"Letusgo，child，itisbedtime。"
ThecoachmanandAlyoshkawentbacktothecoach-house。Theysaidtheirprayers，andtookofftheirboots。Stepanlaydowninacorneronthefloor，Alyoshkainasledge。Thedoorsofthecoachhousewereshut，therewasahorriblestenchfromtheextinguishedlantern。AlittlelaterAlyoshkasatupandlookedabouthim；throughthecrackofthedoorhecouldstillseealightfromthoselightedwindows。
"Grandfather，Iamfrightened！"hesaid。
"Come，gotosleep，gotosleep！……"
"ItellyouIamfrightened！"
"Whatareyoufrightenedof？Whatababy！"
Theyweresilent。
Alyoshkasuddenlyjumpedoutofthesledgeand，loudlyweeping，rantohisgrandfather。
"Whatisit？What’sthematter？"criedthecoachmaninafright，gettingupalso。
"He’showling！"
"Whoishowling？"
"Iamfrightened，grandfather，doyouhear？"
Thecoachmanlistened。
"It’stheircrying，"hesaid。"Come！there，littlesilly！Theyaresad，sotheyarecrying。"
"Iwanttogohome，……"hisgrandsonwentonsobbingandtremblingallover。"Grandfather，letusgobacktothevillage，tomammy；come，grandfatherdear，Godwillgiveyoutheheavenlykingdomforit……"
"Whatasilly，ah！Come，bequiet，bequiet！Bequiet，Iwilllightthelantern，……silly！"
Thecoachmanfumbledforthematchesandlightedthelantern。ButthelightdidnotcomfortAlyoshka。
"GrandfatherStepan，let’sgotothevillage！"hebesoughthim，weeping。"Iamfrightenedhere；oh，oh，howfrightenedIam！Andwhydidyoubringmefromthevillage，accursedman？"
"Who’sanaccursedman？Youmustn’tusesuchdisrespectablewordstoyourlawfulgrandfather。Ishallwhipyou。"
"Dowhipme，grandfather，do；beatmelikeSidor’sgoat，butonlytakemetomammy，forGod’smercy！……"
"Come，come，grandson，come！"thecoachmansaidkindly。"It’sallright，don’tbefrightened……Iamfrightenedmyself……
Sayyourprayers！"
Thedoorcreakedandtheporter’sheadappeared。"Aren’tyouasleep，Stepan？"heasked。"Ishan’tgetanysleepallnight，"hesaid，comingin。"Ishallbeopeningandshuttingthegatesallnight……Whatareyoucryingfor，Alyoshka？"
"Heisfrightened，"thecoachmanansweredforhisgrandson。
Againtherewasthesoundofawailingvoiceintheair。Theportersaid：
"Theyarecrying。Themothercan’tbelievehereyes……It’sdreadfulhowupsetsheis。"
"Andisthefatherthere？"
"Yes……Thefatherisallright。Hesitsinthecornerandsaysnothing。Theyhavetakenthechildrentorelations……
Well，Stepan，shallwehaveagameoftrumps？"
"Yes，"thecoachmanagreed，scratchinghimself，"andyou，Alyoshka，gotosleep。Almostbigenoughtobemarried，andblubbering，yourascal。Come，goalong，grandson，goalong……
ThepresenceoftheporterreassuredAlyoshka。Hewent，notveryresolutely，towardsthesledgeandlaydown。Andwhilehewasfallingasleepheheardahalf-whisper。
"Ibeatandcover，"saidhisgrandfather。
"Ibeatandcover，"repeatedtheporter。
Thebellrangintheyard，thedoorcreakedandseemedalsosaying："Ibeatandcover。"WhenAlyoshkadreamedofthegentlemanand，frightenedbyhiseyes，jumpedupandburstoutcrying，itwasmorning，hisgrandfatherwassnoring，andthecoach-housenolongerseemedterrible。
PANICFEARS
DURINGalltheyearsIhavebeenlivinginthisworldIhaveonlythreetimesbeenterrified。
Thefirstrealterror，whichmademyhairstandonendandmadeshiversrunalloverme，wascausedbyatrivialbutstrangephenomenon。Ithappenedthat，havingnothingtodooneJulyevening，Idrovetothestationforthenewspapers。Itwasastill，warm，almostsultryevening，likeallthosemonotonouseveningsinJulywhich，whenoncetheyhavesetin，goonforaweek，afortnight，orsometimeslonger，inregularunbrokensuccession，andaresuddenlycutshortbyaviolentthunderstormandalavishdownpourofrainthatrefresheseverythingforalongtime。
Thesunhadsetsometimebefore，andanunbrokengraydusklayallovertheland。Themawkishlysweetscentsofthegrassandflowerswereheavyinthemotionless，stagnantair。
Iwasdrivinginaroughtrolley。Behindmybackthegardener’ssonPashka，aboyofeightyearsold，whomIhadtakenwithmetolookafterthehorseincaseofnecessity，wasgentlysnoring，withhisheadonasackofoats。Ourwaylayalonganarrowby-road，straightasaruler，whichlayhidlikeagreatsnakeinthetallthickrye。Therewasapalelightfromtheafterglowofsunset；astreakoflightcutitswaythroughanarrow，uncouth-lookingcloud，whichseemedsometimeslikeaboatandsometimeslikeamanwrappedinaquilt……
Ihaddrivenamileandahalf，ortwomiles，whenagainstthepalebackgroundoftheeveningglowtherecameintosightoneafteranothersomegracefultallpoplars；ariverglimmeredbeyondthem，andagorgeouspicturesuddenly，asthoughbymagic，laystretchedbeforeme。Ihadtostopthehorse，forourstraightroadbrokeoffabruptlyandrandownasteepinclineovergrownwithbushes。Wewerestandingonthehillsideandbeneathusatthebottomlayahugeholefulloftwilight，offantasticshapes，andofspace。Atthebottomofthishole，inawideplainguardedbythepoplarsandcaressedbythegleamingriver，nestledavillage。Itwasnowsleeping……Itshuts，itschurchwiththebelfry，itstrees，stoodoutagainstthegraytwilightandwerereflecteddarklyinthesmoothsurfaceoftheriver。
IwakedPashkaforfearheshouldfalloutandbegancautiouslygoingdown。
"HavewegottoLukovo？"askedPashka，liftinghisheadlazily。
"Yes。Holdthereins！……"
Iledthehorsedownthehillandlookedatthevillage。Atthefirstglanceonestrangecircumstancecaughtmyattention：attheverytopofthebelfry，inthetinywindowbetweenthecupolaandthebells，alightwastwinkling。Thislightwaslikethatofasmolderinglamp，atonemomentdyingdown，atanotherflickeringup。Whatcoulditcomefrom？
Itssourcewasbeyondmycomprehension。Itcouldnotbeburningatthewindow，fortherewereneitherikonsnorlampsinthetopturretofthebelfry；therewasnothingthere，asIknew，butbeams，dust，andspiders’webs。Itwashardtoclimbupintothatturret，forthepassagetoitfromthebelfrywascloselyblockedup。
Itwasmorelikelythananythingelsetobethereflectionofsomeoutsidelight，butthoughIstrainedmyeyestotheutmost，Icouldnotseeoneotherspeckoflightinthevastexpansethatlaybeforeme。Therewasnomoon。Thepaleand，bynow，quitedimstreakoftheafterglowcouldnothavebeenreflected，forthewindowlookednottothewest，buttotheeast。TheseandothersimilarconsiderationswerestrayingthroughmymindallthewhilethatIwasgoingdowntheslopewiththehorse。AtthebottomIsatdownbytheroadsideandlookedagainatthelight。
Asbeforeitwasglimmeringandflaringup。
"Strange，"Ithought，lostinconjecture。"Verystrange。"
AndlittlebylittleIwasovercomebyanunpleasantfeeling。AtfirstIthoughtthatthiswasvexationatnotbeingabletoexplainasimplephenomenon；butafterwards，whenIsuddenlyturnedawayfromthelightinhorrorandcaughtholdofPashkawithonehand，itbecameclearthatIwasovercomewithterror……
Iwasseizedwithafeelingofloneliness，misery，andhorror，asthoughIhadbeenflungdownagainstmywillintothisgreatholefullofshadows，whereIwasstandingallalonewiththebelfrylookingatmewithitsredeye。
"Pashka！"Icried，closingmyeyesinhorror。
"Well？"
"Pashka，what’sthatgleamingonthebelfry？"
Pashkalookedovermyshoulderatthebelfryandgaveayawn。
"Whocantell？"
Thisbriefconversationwiththeboyreassuredmeforalittle，butnotforlong。Pashka，seeingmyuneasiness，fastenedhisbigeyesuponthelight，lookedatmeagain，thenagainatthelight……
"Iamfrightened，"hewhispered。
Atthispoint，besidemyselfwithterror，Iclutchedtheboywithonehand，huddleduptohim，andgavethehorseaviolentlash。
"It’sstupid！"Isaidtomyself。"ThatphenomenonisonlyterriblebecauseIdon’tunderstandit；everythingwedon’tunderstandismysterious。"
Itriedtopersuademyself，butatthesametimeIdidnotleaveofflashingthehorse。WhenwereachedthepostingstationI
purposelystayedforafullhourchattingwiththeoverseer，andreadthroughtwoorthreenewspapers，butthefeelingofuneasinessdidnotleaveme。Onthewaybackthelightwasnottobeseen，butontheotherhandthesilhouettesofthehuts，ofthepoplars，andofthehillupwhichIhadtodrive，seemedtomeasthoughanimated。AndwhythelightwasthereIdon’tknowtothisday。
ThesecondterrorIexperiencedwasexcitedbyacircumstancenolesstrivial……Iwasreturningfromaromanticinterview。Itwasoneo’clockatnight，thetimewhennatureisburiedinthesoundest，sweetestsleepbeforethedawn。Thattimenaturewasnotsleeping，andonecouldnotcallthenightastillone。
Corncrakes，quails，nightingales，andwoodcockswerecalling，cricketsandgrasshopperswerechirruping。Therewasalightmistoverthegrass，andcloudswerescurryingstraightaheadacrosstheskynearthemoon。Naturewasawake，asthoughafraidofmissingthebestmomentsofherlife。
Iwalkedalonganarrowpathattheveryedgeofarailwayembankment。Themoonlightglidedoverthelineswhichwerealreadycoveredwithdew。Greatshadowsfromthecloudskeptflittingovertheembankment。Farahead，adimgreenlightwasglimmeringpeacefully。
"Soeverythingiswell，"Ithought，lookingatthem。
Ihadaquiet，peaceful，comfortablefeelinginmyheart。Iwasreturningfromatryst，Ihadnoneedtohurry；Iwasnotsleepy，andIwasconsciousofyouthandhealthineverysigh，everystepItook，rousingadullechointhemonotonoushumofthenight。Idon’tknowwhatIwasfeelingthen，butIrememberIwashappy，veryhappy。
Ihadgonenotmorethanthree-quartersofamilewhenIsuddenlyheardbehindmeamonotonoussound，arumbling，ratherliketheroarofagreatstream。Itgrewlouderandloudereverysecond，andsoundednearerandnearer。Ilookedround；ahundredpacesfrommewasthedarkcopsefromwhichIhadonlyjustcome；theretheembankmentturnedtotherightinagracefulcurveandvanishedamongthetrees。Istoodstillinperplexityandwaited。
Ahugeblackbodyappearedatonceattheturn，noisilydartedtowardsme，andwiththeswiftnessofabirdflewpastmealongtherails。Lessthanhalfaminutepassedandtheblurhadvanished，therumblemeltedawayintothenoiseofthenight。
Itwasanordinarygoodstruck。Therewasnothingpeculiaraboutitinitself，butitsappearancewithoutanengineandinthenightpuzzledme。Wherecouldithavecomefromandwhatforcesentitflyingsorapidlyalongtherails？Wherediditcomefromandwherewasitflyingto？
IfIhadbeensuperstitiousIshouldhavemadeupmyminditwasapartyofdemonsandwitchesjourneyingtoadevils’sabbath，andshouldhavegoneonmyway；butasitwas，thephenomenonwasabsolutelyinexplicabletome。Ididnotbelievemyeyes，andwasentangledinconjectureslikeaflyinaspider’sweb……
IsuddenlyrealizedthatIwasutterlyaloneonthewholevastplain；thatthenight，whichbynowseemedinhospitable，waspeepingintomyfaceanddoggingmyfootsteps；allthesounds，thecriesofthebirds，thewhisperingsofthetrees，seemedsinister，andexistingsimplytoalarmmyimagination。Idashedonlikeamadman，andwithoutrealizingwhatIwasdoingIran，tryingtorunfasterandfaster。AndatonceIheardsomethingtowhichIhadpaidnoattentionbefore：thatis，theplaintivewhiningofthetelegraphwires。
"Thisisbeyondeverything，"Isaid，tryingtoshamemyself。
"It’scowardice！it’ssilly！"
Butcowardicewasstrongerthancommonsense。IonlyslackenedmypacewhenIreachedthegreenlight，whereIsawadarksignal-box，andnearitontheembankmentthefigureofaman，probablythesignalman。
"Didyouseeit？"Iaskedbreathlessly。
"Seewhom？What？"
"Why，atruckranby。"
"Isawit，……"thepeasantsaidreluctantly。"Itbrokeawayfromthegoodstrain。Thereisaninclineattheninetiethmile……；thetrainisdraggeduphill。Thecouplingonthelasttruckgaveway，soitbrokeoffandranback……Thereisnocatchingitnow！……"
Thestrangephenomenonwasexplainedanditsfantasticcharactervanished。MypanicwasoverandIwasabletogoonmyway。
MythirdfrightcameuponmeasIwasgoinghomefromstandshootinginearlyspring。Itwasintheduskofevening。Theforestroadwascoveredwithpoolsfromarecentshowerofrain，andtheearthsquelchedunderone’sfeet。Thecrimsonglowofsunsetfloodedthewholeforest，coloringthewhitestemsofthebirchesandtheyoungleaves。Iwasexhaustedandcouldhardlymove。
Fourorfivemilesfromhome，walkingalongtheforestroad，I
suddenlymetabigblackdogofthewaterspanielbreed。Asheranby，thedoglookedintentlyatme，straightinmyface，andranon。
"Anicedog！"Ithought。"Whoseisit？"
Ilookedround。Thedogwasstandingtenpacesoffwithhiseyesfixedonme。Foraminutewescannedeachotherinsilence，thenthedog，probablyflatteredbymyattention，cameslowlyuptomeandwaggedhistail。
Iwalkedon，thedogfollowingme。
"Whosedogcanitbe？"Ikeptaskingmyself。"Wheredoeshecomefrom？"
Iknewallthecountrygentryfortwentyorthirtymilesround，andknewalltheirdogs。Notoneofthemhadaspaniellikethat。
Howdidhecometobeinthedepthsoftheforest，onatrackusedfornothingbutcartingtimber？Hecouldhardlyhavedroppedbehindsomeonepassingthrough，fortherewasnowhereforthegentrytodrivetoalongthatroad。
Isatdownonastumptorest，andbeganscrutinizingmycompanion。He，too，satdown，raisedhishead，andfasteneduponmeanintentstare。Hegazedatmewithoutblinking。Idon’tknowwhetheritwastheinfluenceofthestillness，theshadowsandsoundsoftheforest，orperhapsaresultofexhaustion，butI
suddenlyfeltuneasyunderthesteadygazeofhisordinarydoggyeyes。IthoughtofFaustandhisbulldog，andofthefactthatnervouspeoplesometimeswhenexhaustedhavehallucinations。
Thatwasenoughtomakemegetuphurriedlyandhurriedlywalkon。Thedogfollowedme。
"Goaway！"Ishouted。
Thedogprobablylikedmyvoice，forhegaveagleefuljumpandranaboutinfrontofme。
"Goaway！"Ishoutedagain。
Thedoglookedround，staredatmeintently，andwaggedhistailgood-humoredly。Evidentlymythreateningtoneamusedhim。Ioughttohavepattedhim，butIcouldnotgetFaust’sdogoutofmyhead，andthefeelingofpanicgrewmoreandmoreacute……
Darknesswascomingon，whichcompletedmyconfusion，andeverytimethedogranuptomeandhitmewithhistail，likeacowardIshutmyeyes。Thesamethinghappenedaswiththelightinthebelfryandthetruckontherailway：Icouldnotstanditandrushedaway。
AthomeIfoundavisitor，anoldfriend，who，aftergreetingme，begantocomplainthatashewasdrivingtomehehadlosthiswayintheforest，andasplendidvaluabledogofhishaddroppedbehind。
THEBET
ITWASadarkautumnnight。Theoldbankerwaswalkingupanddownhisstudyandrememberinghow，fifteenyearsbefore，hehadgivenapartyoneautumnevening。Therehadbeenmanyclevermenthere，andtherehadbeeninterestingconversations。Amongotherthingstheyhadtalkedofcapitalpunishment。Themajorityoftheguests，amongwhomweremanyjournalistsandintellectualmen，disapprovedofthedeathpenalty。Theyconsideredthatformofpunishmentoutofdate，immoral，andunsuitableforChristianStates。Intheopinionofsomeofthemthedeathpenaltyoughttobereplacedeverywherebyimprisonmentforlife。
"Idon’tagreewithyou，"saidtheirhostthebanker。"Ihavenottriedeitherthedeathpenaltyorimprisonmentforlife，butifonemayjudge_apriori_，thedeathpenaltyismoremoralandmorehumanethanimprisonmentforlife。Capitalpunishmentkillsamanatonce，butlifelongimprisonmentkillshimslowly。Whichexecutioneristhemorehumane，hewhokillsyouinafewminutesorhewhodragsthelifeoutofyouinthecourseofmanyyears？"
"Bothareequallyimmoral，"observedoneoftheguests，"fortheybothhavethesameobject——totakeawaylife。TheStateisnotGod。Ithasnottherighttotakeawaywhatitcannotrestorewhenitwantsto。"
Amongtheguestswasayounglawyer，ayoungmanoffive-and-twenty。Whenhewasaskedhisopinion，hesaid：
"Thedeathsentenceandthelifesentenceareequallyimmoral，butifIhadtochoosebetweenthedeathpenaltyandimprisonmentforlife，Iwouldcertainlychoosethesecond。Toliveanyhowisbetterthannotatall。"
Alivelydiscussionarose。Thebanker，whowasyoungerandmorenervousinthosedays，wassuddenlycarriedawaybyexcitement；
hestruckthetablewithhisfistandshoutedattheyoungman：
"It’snottrue！I’llbetyoutwomillionsyouwouldn’tstayinsolitaryconfinementforfiveyears。"
"Ifyoumeanthatinearnest，"saidtheyoungman，"I’lltakethebet，butIwouldstaynotfivebutfifteenyears。"
"Fifteen？Done！"criedthebanker。"Gentlemen，Istaketwomillions！"
"Agreed！YoustakeyourmillionsandIstakemyfreedom！"saidtheyoungman。
Andthiswild，senselessbetwascarriedout！Thebanker，spoiltandfrivolous，withmillionsbeyondhisreckoning，wasdelightedatthebet。Atsupperhemadefunoftheyoungman，andsaid：
"Thinkbetterofit，youngman，whilethereisstilltime。Tometwomillionsareatrifle，butyouarelosingthreeorfourofthebestyearsofyourlife。Isaythreeorfour，becauseyouwon’tstaylonger。Don’tforgeteither，youunhappyman，thatvoluntaryconfinementisagreatdealhardertobearthancompulsory。Thethoughtthatyouhavetherighttostepoutinlibertyatanymomentwillpoisonyourwholeexistenceinprison。
Iamsorryforyou。"
Andnowthebanker，walkingtoandfro，rememberedallthis，andaskedhimself："Whatwastheobjectofthatbet？Whatisthegoodofthatman’slosingfifteenyearsofhislifeandmythrowingawaytwomillions？Canitprovethatthedeathpenaltyisbetterorworsethanimprisonmentforlife？No，no。Itwasallnonsensicalandmeaningless。Onmypartitwasthecapriceofapamperedman，andonhispartsimplegreedformoney……"
Thenherememberedwhatfollowedthatevening。Itwasdecidedthattheyoungmanshouldspendtheyearsofhiscaptivityunderthestrictestsupervisioninoneofthelodgesinthebanker’sgarden。Itwasagreedthatforfifteenyearsheshouldnotbefreetocrossthethresholdofthelodge，toseehumanbeings，tohearthehumanvoice，ortoreceivelettersandnewspapers。Hewasallowedtohaveamusicalinstrumentandbooks，andwasallowedtowriteletters，todrinkwine，andtosmoke。Bythetermsoftheagreement，theonlyrelationshecouldhavewiththeouterworldwerebyalittlewindowmadepurposelyforthatobject。Hemighthaveanythinghewanted——
books，music，wine，andsoon——inanyquantityhedesiredbywritinganorder，butcouldonlyreceivethemthroughthewindow。Theagreementprovidedforeverydetailandeverytriflethatwouldmakehisimprisonmentstrictlysolitary，andboundtheyoungmantostaythere_exactly_fifteenyears，beginningfromtwelveo’clockofNovember14，1870，andendingattwelveo’clockofNovember14，1885。Theslightestattemptonhisparttobreaktheconditions，ifonlytwominutesbeforetheend，releasedthebankerfromtheobligationtopayhimtwomillions。
Forthefirstyearofhisconfinement，asfarasonecouldjudgefromhisbriefnotes，theprisonersufferedseverelyfromlonelinessanddepression。Thesoundsofthepianocouldbeheardcontinuallydayandnightfromhislodge。Herefusedwineandtobacco。Wine，hewrote，excitesthedesires，anddesiresaretheworstfoesoftheprisoner；andbesides，nothingcouldbemoredrearythandrinkinggoodwineandseeingnoone。Andtobaccospoilttheairofhisroom。Inthefirstyearthebookshesentforwereprincipallyofalightcharacter；novelswithacomplicatedloveplot，sensationalandfantasticstories，andsoon。