Part 4

Chapter 2

19 min

It was nearly eight o’clock. The two young men hurried to Bakaleyev’s, to arrive before Luzhin.

It was nearly eight o’clock. The two young men hurried to Bakaleyev’s to get there before Luzhin.

“Why, who was that?” asked Razumihin, as soon as they were in the street.

“Who was that?” Razumihin asked as soon as they were in the street.

“It was Svidrigaïlov, that landowner in whose house my sister was insulted when she was their governess. Through his persecuting her with his attentions, she was turned out by his wife, Marfa Petrovna. This Marfa Petrovna begged Dounia’s forgiveness afterwards, and she’s just died suddenly. It was of her we were talking this morning. I don’t know why I’m afraid of that man. He came here at once after his wife’s funeral. He is very strange, and is determined on doing something.... We must guard Dounia from him... that’s what I wanted to tell you, do you hear?”

“It was Svidrigaïlov, the landowner whose household insulted my sister when she was their governess. He kept pursuing her with unwanted attention, and his wife, Marfa Petrovna, dismissed her because of it. Marfa Petrovna later begged Dounia’s forgiveness, and she has just died suddenly. She was the woman we were talking about this morning. I don’t know why I’m afraid of that man. He came here immediately after his wife’s funeral. He is very strange, and he’s determined to do something.... We must protect Dounia from him... that’s what I wanted to tell you. Do you hear me?”

“Guard her! What can he do to harm Avdotya Romanovna? Thank you, Rodya, for speaking to me like that.... We will, we will guard her. Where does he live?”

“Protect her! What can he do to hurt Avdotya Romanovna? Thank you, Rodya, for speaking to me like that.... We will, we will protect her. Where does he live?”

“I don’t know.”

“Why didn’t you ask? What a pity! I’ll find out, though.”

“Why didn’t you ask? That’s too bad! I’ll find out, though.”

“Did you see him?” asked Raskolnikov after a pause.

“Did you see him?” Raskolnikov asked after a pause.

“Yes, I noticed him, I noticed him well.”

“Yes, I noticed him. I noticed him clearly.”

“You did really see him? You saw him clearly?” Raskolnikov insisted.

“You really saw him? You saw him clearly?” Raskolnikov insisted.

“Yes, I remember him perfectly, I should know him in a thousand; I have a good memory for faces.”

“Yes, I remember him perfectly. I would recognize him among a thousand people. I have a good memory for faces.”

They were silent again.

“Hm!... that’s all right,” muttered Raskolnikov. “Do you know, I fancied... I keep thinking that it may have been an hallucination.”

“Hmm... that’s all right,” muttered Raskolnikov. “You know, I thought... I keep thinking it may have been a hallucination.”

“What do you mean? I don’t understand you.”

“Well, you all say,” Raskolnikov went on, twisting his mouth into a smile, “that I am mad. I thought just now that perhaps I really am mad, and have only seen a phantom.”

“Well, you all say I'm mad,” Raskolnikov went on, twisting his mouth into a smile. “Just now, I thought that perhaps I really am mad and have only seen a ghost.”

“What do you mean?”

“Why, who can tell? Perhaps I am really mad, and perhaps everything that happened all these days may be only imagination.”

“Who knows? Perhaps I really am mad, and perhaps everything that happened these past few days was only my imagination.”

“Ach, Rodya, you have been upset again!... But what did he say, what did he come for?”

“Oh, Rodya, you've been upset again! But what did he say? What did he come for?”

Raskolnikov did not answer. Razumihin thought a minute.

Raskolnikov did not answer. Razumihin thought for a moment.

“Now let me tell you my story,” he began, “I came to you, you were asleep. Then we had dinner and then I went to Porfiry’s, Zametov was still with him. I tried to begin, but it was no use. I couldn’t speak in the right way. They don’t seem to understand and can’t understand, but are not a bit ashamed. I drew Porfiry to the window, and began talking to him, but it was still no use. He looked away and I looked away. At last I shook my fist in his ugly face, and told him as a cousin I’d brain him. He merely looked at me, I cursed and came away. That was all. It was very stupid. To Zametov I didn’t say a word. But, you see, I thought I’d made a mess of it, but as I went downstairs a brilliant idea struck me: why should we trouble? Of course if you were in any danger or anything, but why need you care? You needn’t care a hang for them. We shall have a laugh at them afterwards, and if I were in your place I’d mystify them more than ever. How ashamed they’ll be afterwards! Hang them! We can thrash them afterwards, but let’s laugh at them now!”

“Now let me tell you my story,” he began. “I came to see you, but you were asleep. Then we had dinner, and I went to Porfiry’s. Zametov was still with him. I tried to bring it up, but it was no use. I couldn’t find the right words. They don’t seem to understand and can’t understand, but they aren’t the least bit ashamed. I drew Porfiry over to the window and started talking to him, but that was no use either. He looked away, and so did I. Finally, I shook my fist in his ugly face. I told him that, as his cousin, I’d smash his head in. He just looked at me. I swore and left. That was all. It was very stupid. I didn’t say a word to Zametov. “But, you see, I thought I’d made a mess of things. Then, as I went downstairs, a brilliant idea struck me: why should we worry? Of course, it would be different if you were in danger or anything, but why should you care? You don’t have to give a damn about them. We’ll laugh at them afterward. If I were in your place, I’d confuse them more than ever. How ashamed they’ll be afterward! To hell with them! We can beat them up afterward, but let’s laugh at them now!”

“To be sure,” answered Raskolnikov. “But what will you say to-morrow?” he thought to himself. Strange to say, till that moment it had never occurred to him to wonder what Razumihin would think when he knew. As he thought it, Raskolnikov looked at him. Razumihin’s account of his visit to Porfiry had very little interest for him, so much had come and gone since then.

“Of course,” Raskolnikov answered. “But what will you say tomorrow?” he thought. Strangely, until that moment, he had never wondered what Razumihin would think when he found out. As he thought about it, Raskolnikov looked at him. He had little interest in Razumihin’s account of his visit to Porfiry, because so much had happened since then.

In the corridor they came upon Luzhin; he had arrived punctually at eight, and was looking for the number, so that all three went in together without greeting or looking at one another. The young men walked in first, while Pyotr Petrovitch, for good manners, lingered a little in the passage, taking off his coat. Pulcheria Alexandrovna came forward at once to greet him in the doorway, Dounia was welcoming her brother. Pyotr Petrovitch walked in and quite amiably, though with redoubled dignity, bowed to the ladies. He looked, however, as though he were a little put out and could not yet recover himself. Pulcheria Alexandrovna, who seemed also a little embarrassed, hastened to make them all sit down at the round table where a samovar was boiling. Dounia and Luzhin were facing one another on opposite sides of the table. Razumihin and Raskolnikov were facing Pulcheria Alexandrovna, Razumihin was next to Luzhin and Raskolnikov was beside his sister.

In the corridor, they came upon Luzhin. He had arrived promptly at eight and was looking for the room number. All three went in together without greeting or looking at one another. The young men went in first. Pyotr Petrovitch lingered in the corridor to take off his coat, as good manners required. Pulcheria Alexandrovna immediately came to the doorway to greet him, while Dounia welcomed her brother. Pyotr Petrovitch entered and bowed to the ladies quite pleasantly, though with even greater dignity than usual. He looked a little upset, however, and seemed unable to recover his composure. Pulcheria Alexandrovna also seemed a little embarrassed. She hurried to seat everyone around the table, where a samovar was boiling. Dounia and Luzhin sat opposite each other. Razumihin and Raskolnikov sat facing Pulcheria Alexandrovna. Razumihin was next to Luzhin, and Raskolnikov was beside his sister.

A moment’s silence followed. Pyotr Petrovitch deliberately drew out a cambric handkerchief reeking of scent and blew his nose with an air of a benevolent man who felt himself slighted, and was firmly resolved to insist on an explanation. In the passage the idea had occurred to him to keep on his overcoat and walk away, and so give the two ladies a sharp and emphatic lesson and make them feel the gravity of the position. But he could not bring himself to do this. Besides, he could not endure uncertainty, and he wanted an explanation: if his request had been so openly disobeyed, there was something behind it, and in that case it was better to find it out beforehand; it rested with him to punish them and there would always be time for that.

A moment of silence followed. Pyotr Petrovitch deliberately pulled out a fine linen handkerchief that reeked of perfume and blew his nose. He looked like a benevolent man who felt slighted and was determined to demand an explanation. In the hallway, he had thought of keeping his overcoat on and walking away. That would teach the two ladies a sharp lesson and make them feel how serious the situation was. But he could not bring himself to do it. Besides, he could not bear uncertainty, and he wanted an explanation. If his request had been so openly disobeyed, there was something behind it. In that case, it was better to find out beforehand. It was up to him to punish them, and there would always be time for that.

“I trust you had a favourable journey,” he inquired officially of Pulcheria Alexandrovna.

“I hope you had a good journey,” he asked Pulcheria Alexandrovna in an official tone.

“Oh, very, Pyotr Petrovitch.”

“I am gratified to hear it. And Avdotya Romanovna is not over-fatigued either?”

“I’m glad to hear it. And Avdotya Romanovna isn’t too tired either?”

“I am young and strong, I don’t get tired, but it was a great strain for mother,” answered Dounia.

“I’m young and strong. I don’t get tired, but it was very hard on mother,” Dounia replied.

“That’s unavoidable; our national railways are of terrible length. ‘Mother Russia,’ as they say, is a vast country.... In spite of all my desire to do so, I was unable to meet you yesterday. But I trust all passed off without inconvenience?”

“That’s unavoidable. Our railways are terribly long. ‘Mother Russia,’ as they say, is a vast country.... Though I wanted very much to meet you yesterday, I couldn’t. But I hope everything went smoothly?”

“Oh, no, Pyotr Petrovitch, it was all terribly disheartening,” Pulcheria Alexandrovna hastened to declare with peculiar intonation, “and if Dmitri Prokofitch had not been sent us, I really believe by God Himself, we should have been utterly lost. Here, he is! Dmitri Prokofitch Razumihin,” she added, introducing him to Luzhin.

“Oh, no, Pyotr Petrovitch, it was all terribly discouraging,” Pulcheria Alexandrovna said quickly, with a peculiar inflection. “If Dmitri Prokofitch hadn't been sent to us, I truly believe by God himself, we would have been completely lost. Here he is! Dmitri Prokofitch Razumihin,” she added, introducing him to Luzhin.

“I had the pleasure... yesterday,” muttered Pyotr Petrovitch with a hostile glance sidelong at Razumihin; then he scowled and was silent.

“I had the pleasure... yesterday,” Pyotr Petrovitch muttered, glancing sideways at Razumihin with hostility. Then he scowled and fell silent.

Pyotr Petrovitch belonged to that class of persons, on the surface very polite in society, who make a great point of punctiliousness, but who, directly they are crossed in anything, are completely disconcerted, and become more like sacks of flour than elegant and lively men of society. Again all was silent; Raskolnikov was obstinately mute, Avdotya Romanovna was unwilling to open the conversation too soon. Razumihin had nothing to say, so Pulcheria Alexandrovna was anxious again.

Pyotr Petrovitch belonged to a class of people who seemed very polite in company and made much of proper manners. But the moment anyone went against them, they became completely flustered. They resembled sacks of flour more than elegant, lively people at ease in society. Once again, everyone was silent. Raskolnikov stubbornly refused to speak, and Avdotya Romanovna did not want to start the conversation too soon. Razumihin had nothing to say, so Pulcheria Alexandrovna grew anxious again.

“Marfa Petrovna is dead, have you heard?” she began having recourse to her leading item of conversation.

“Marfa Petrovna is dead. Have you heard?” she began, turning to her main topic of conversation.

“To be sure, I heard so. I was immediately informed, and I have come to make you acquainted with the fact that Arkady Ivanovitch Svidrigaïlov set off in haste for Petersburg immediately after his wife’s funeral. So at least I have excellent authority for believing.”

“Yes, I heard that. I was informed immediately, and I came to tell you that Arkady Ivanovitch Svidrigaïlov left for Petersburg in a hurry right after his wife’s funeral. At least, I have excellent reason to believe so.”

“To Petersburg? here?” Dounia asked in alarm and looked at her mother.

“To Petersburg? Here?” Dounia asked, alarmed. She looked at her mother.

“Yes, indeed, and doubtless not without some design, having in view the rapidity of his departure, and all the circumstances preceding it.”

“Yes, indeed, and no doubt with some purpose in mind, given how quickly he left and everything that happened beforehand.”

“Good heavens! won’t he leave Dounia in peace even here?” cried Pulcheria Alexandrovna.

“Oh my God! Won’t he leave Dounia alone even here?” cried Pulcheria Alexandrovna.

“I imagine that neither you nor Avdotya Romanovna have any grounds for uneasiness, unless, of course, you are yourselves desirous of getting into communication with him. For my part I am on my guard, and am now discovering where he is lodging.”

“I don't think you or Avdotya Romanovna have any reason to worry, unless, of course, you want to contact him yourselves. As for me, I'm on my guard and am now finding out where he's staying.”

“Oh, Pyotr Petrovitch, you would not believe what a fright you have given me,” Pulcheria Alexandrovna went on: “I’ve only seen him twice, but I thought him terrible, terrible! I am convinced that he was the cause of Marfa Petrovna’s death.”

“Oh, Pyotr Petrovitch, you wouldn’t believe how frightened you’ve made me,” Pulcheria Alexandrovna went on: “I’ve only seen him twice, but I thought he was terrible, terrible! I’m convinced he caused Marfa Petrovna’s death.”

“It’s impossible to be certain about that. I have precise information. I do not dispute that he may have contributed to accelerate the course of events by the moral influence, so to say, of the affront; but as to the general conduct and moral characteristics of that personage, I am in agreement with you. I do not know whether he is well off now, and precisely what Marfa Petrovna left him; this will be known to me within a very short period; but no doubt here in Petersburg, if he has any pecuniary resources, he will relapse at once into his old ways. He is the most depraved, and abjectly vicious specimen of that class of men. I have considerable reason to believe that Marfa Petrovna, who was so unfortunate as to fall in love with him and to pay his debts eight years ago, was of service to him also in another way. Solely by her exertions and sacrifices, a criminal charge, involving an element of fantastic and homicidal brutality for which he might well have been sentenced to Siberia, was hushed up. That’s the sort of man he is, if you care to know.”

“It’s impossible to be sure of that. I have precise information. I don’t deny that he may have helped speed up events through the moral effect, so to speak, of the insult. But I agree with you about that man’s general behavior and character. I don’t know whether he is well off now or exactly what Marfa Petrovna left him. I will find out very soon. But if he has any money, he will no doubt return to his old ways at once here in Petersburg. He is the most depraved and utterly vicious example of that kind of man. I have good reason to believe that Marfa Petrovna helped him in another way too. She was unfortunate enough to fall in love with him and pay his debts eight years ago. Through her efforts and sacrifices alone, a criminal charge against him was covered up. It involved an act of shocking, murderous brutality for which he might well have been sentenced to Siberia. That’s the kind of man he is, if you want to know.”

“Good heavens!” cried Pulcheria Alexandrovna. Raskolnikov listened attentively.

“Good heavens!” exclaimed Pulcheria Alexandrovna. Raskolnikov listened carefully.

“Are you speaking the truth when you say that you have good evidence of this?” Dounia asked sternly and emphatically.

“Are you telling the truth when you say you have good evidence of this?” Dounia asked sternly and emphatically.

“I only repeat what I was told in secret by Marfa Petrovna. I must observe that from the legal point of view the case was far from clear. There was, and I believe still is, living here a woman called Resslich, a foreigner, who lent small sums of money at interest, and did other commissions, and with this woman Svidrigaïlov had for a long while close and mysterious relations. She had a relation, a niece I believe, living with her, a deaf and dumb girl of fifteen, or perhaps not more than fourteen. Resslich hated this girl, and grudged her every crust; she used to beat her mercilessly. One day the girl was found hanging in the garret. At the inquest the verdict was suicide. After the usual proceedings the matter ended, but, later on, information was given that the child had been... cruelly outraged by Svidrigaïlov. It is true, this was not clearly established, the information was given by another German woman of loose character whose word could not be trusted; no statement was actually made to the police, thanks to Marfa Petrovna’s money and exertions; it did not get beyond gossip. And yet the story is a very significant one. You heard, no doubt, Avdotya Romanovna, when you were with them the story of the servant Philip who died of ill treatment he received six years ago, before the abolition of serfdom.”

“I am only repeating what Marfa Petrovna told me in secret. I should point out that, legally, the case was far from clear. A foreign woman named Resslich lived here, and I believe she still does. She lent small sums of money at interest and carried out other commissions. Svidrigaïlov had close and mysterious dealings with her for a long time. A relative lived with her, a niece, I believe. The girl was deaf and unable to speak, and was fifteen, or perhaps no more than fourteen. Resslich hated the girl and begrudged her every crust of bread. She used to beat her mercilessly. One day, the girl was found hanging in the attic. The inquest ruled her death a suicide. After the usual proceedings, the matter was closed. But later, someone reported that the child had been... cruelly sexually abused by Svidrigaïlov. It is true that this was never clearly established. The report came from another German woman of loose character, whose word could not be trusted. Thanks to Marfa Petrovna’s money and efforts, no statement was ever made to the police. The story never went beyond gossip. And yet it is very significant. Avdotya Romanovna, while you were with them, you no doubt heard about the servant Philip. He died six years ago from ill treatment, before the abolition of serfdom.”

“I heard, on the contrary, that this Philip hanged himself.”

“On the contrary, I heard that this Philip hanged himself.”

“Quite so, but what drove him, or rather perhaps disposed him, to suicide was the systematic persecution and severity of Mr. Svidrigaïlov.”

“Exactly, but Mr. Svidrigaïlov’s relentless persecution and harsh treatment drove him to suicide, or perhaps made him more inclined to it.”

“I don’t know that,” answered Dounia, dryly. “I only heard a queer story that Philip was a sort of hypochondriac, a sort of domestic philosopher, the servants used to say, ‘he read himself silly,’ and that he hanged himself partly on account of Mr. Svidrigaïlov’s mockery of him and not his blows. When I was there he behaved well to the servants, and they were actually fond of him, though they certainly did blame him for Philip’s death.”

“I don’t know about that,” Dounia replied dryly. “I only heard a strange story that Philip was a kind of hypochondriac and a sort of household philosopher. The servants used to say, ‘he read himself silly.’ They said he hanged himself partly because Mr. Svidrigaïlov mocked him, rather than because he beat him. When I was there, Mr. Svidrigaïlov treated the servants well, and they were actually fond of him. Though they certainly did blame him for Philip’s death.”

“I perceive, Avdotya Romanovna, that you seem disposed to undertake his defence all of a sudden,” Luzhin observed, twisting his lips into an ambiguous smile, “there’s no doubt that he is an astute man, and insinuating where ladies are concerned, of which Marfa Petrovna, who has died so strangely, is a terrible instance. My only desire has been to be of service to you and your mother with my advice, in view of the renewed efforts which may certainly be anticipated from him. For my part it’s my firm conviction, that he will end in a debtor’s prison again. Marfa Petrovna had not the slightest intention of settling anything substantial on him, having regard for his children’s interests, and, if she left him anything, it would only be the merest sufficiency, something insignificant and ephemeral, which would not last a year for a man of his habits.”

“I see, Avdotya Romanovna, that you suddenly seem inclined to defend him,” Luzhin remarked, twisting his lips into an ambiguous smile. “There’s no doubt he’s a clever man who knows how to charm women. Marfa Petrovna, who died so strangely, is a terrible example of that. I only wanted to help you and your mother with my advice, since he will certainly try again. For my part, I firmly believe he’ll end up in debtor’s prison again. Marfa Petrovna had no intention of leaving him anything substantial, because she had her children’s interests to consider. If she left him anything, it would be just enough to get by, an insignificant sum. For a man with his habits, it wouldn’t last a year.”

“Pyotr Petrovitch, I beg you,” said Dounia, “say no more of Mr. Svidrigaïlov. It makes me miserable.”

“Pyotr Petrovitch, please,” said Dounia, “don’t say any more about Mr. Svidrigaïlov. It makes me miserable.”

“He has just been to see me,” said Raskolnikov, breaking his silence for the first time.

“He just came to see me,” Raskolnikov said, speaking for the first time.

There were exclamations from all, and they all turned to him. Even Pyotr Petrovitch was roused.

Everyone cried out and turned to him. Even Pyotr Petrovitch was stirred.

“An hour and half ago, he came in when I was asleep, waked me, and introduced himself,” Raskolnikov continued. “He was fairly cheerful and at ease, and quite hopes that we shall become friends. He is particularly anxious, by the way, Dounia, for an interview with you, at which he asked me to assist. He has a proposition to make to you, and he told me about it. He told me, too, that a week before her death Marfa Petrovna left you three thousand roubles in her will, Dounia, and that you can receive the money very shortly.”

“An hour and a half ago, he came in while I was asleep, woke me, and introduced himself,” Raskolnikov continued. “He was fairly cheerful and relaxed, and he really hopes we’ll become friends. By the way, Dounia, he’s especially eager to meet with you. He asked me to help arrange it. He has a proposal for you, and he told me about it. He also told me that a week before she died, Marfa Petrovna left you three thousand roubles in her will, Dounia. You can receive the money very soon.”

“Thank God!” cried Pulcheria Alexandrovna, crossing herself. “Pray for her soul, Dounia!”

“It’s a fact!” broke from Luzhin.

“It’s a fact!” Luzhin exclaimed.

“Tell us, what more?” Dounia urged Raskolnikov.

“Tell us, what else?” Dounia urged Raskolnikov.

“Then he said that he wasn’t rich and all the estate was left to his children who are now with an aunt, then that he was staying somewhere not far from me, but where, I don’t know, I didn’t ask....”

“Then he said he wasn’t rich and that the entire estate had been left to his children. They’re now with an aunt. He also said he was staying somewhere near me, but I don’t know where. I didn’t ask....”

“But what, what does he want to propose to Dounia?” cried Pulcheria Alexandrovna in a fright. “Did he tell you?”

“But what, what does he want to propose to Dounia?” cried Pulcheria Alexandrovna, alarmed. “Did he tell you?”

“Yes.”

“What was it?”

“I’ll tell you afterwards.”

“I’ll tell you later.”

Raskolnikov ceased speaking and turned his attention to his tea.

Raskolnikov stopped speaking and turned his attention to his tea.

Pyotr Petrovitch looked at his watch.

“I am compelled to keep a business engagement, and so I shall not be in your way,” he added with an air of some pique and he began getting up.

“I have a business appointment, so I won’t be in your way,” he added, sounding slightly annoyed. He began to get up.

“Don’t go, Pyotr Petrovitch,” said Dounia, “you intended to spend the evening. Besides, you wrote yourself that you wanted to have an explanation with mother.”

“Don’t go, Pyotr Petrovitch,” said Dounia. “You meant to spend the evening here. Besides, you wrote that you wanted to talk things over with mother.”

“Precisely so, Avdotya Romanovna,” Pyotr Petrovitch answered impressively, sitting down again, but still holding his hat. “I certainly desired an explanation with you and your honoured mother upon a very important point indeed. But as your brother cannot speak openly in my presence of some proposals of Mr. Svidrigaïlov, I, too, do not desire and am not able to speak openly... in the presence of others... of certain matters of the greatest gravity. Moreover, my most weighty and urgent request has been disregarded....”

“Exactly, Avdotya Romanovna,” Pyotr Petrovitch replied in an important tone. He sat down again, still holding his hat. “I did want to discuss a very important matter with you and your respected mother. But your brother cannot speak openly in my presence about some of Mr. Svidrigaïlov’s proposals. And I, too, do not want to and cannot speak openly... in front of others... about certain very serious matters. Besides, my most important and urgent request has been ignored....”

Assuming an aggrieved air, Luzhin relapsed into dignified silence.

Luzhin put on a hurt expression and fell silent again, maintaining an air of dignity.

“Your request that my brother should not be present at our meeting was disregarded solely at my insistence,” said Dounia. “You wrote that you had been insulted by my brother; I think that this must be explained at once, and you must be reconciled. And if Rodya really has insulted you, then he should and will apologise.”

“Your request that my brother not attend our meeting was ignored only because I insisted,” said Dounia. “You wrote that my brother had insulted you. I think we must clear this up at once, and you must make peace. And if Rodya really did insult you, then he should and will apologize.”

Pyotr Petrovitch took a stronger line.

Pyotr Petrovitch took a firmer stance.

“There are insults, Avdotya Romanovna, which no goodwill can make us forget. There is a line in everything which it is dangerous to overstep; and when it has been overstepped, there is no return.”

“There are insults, Avdotya Romanovna, that no amount of goodwill can make us forget. Everything has a line that is dangerous to cross. And once that line is crossed, there is no going back.”

“That wasn’t what I was speaking of exactly, Pyotr Petrovitch,” Dounia interrupted with some impatience. “Please understand that our whole future depends now on whether all this is explained and set right as soon as possible. I tell you frankly at the start that I cannot look at it in any other light, and if you have the least regard for me, all this business must be ended to-day, however hard that may be. I repeat that if my brother is to blame he will ask your forgiveness.”

“That wasn’t exactly what I meant, Pyotr Petrovitch,” Dounia interrupted, sounding somewhat impatient. “Please understand that our whole future depends on explaining and setting all this right as soon as possible. I’ll tell you frankly from the start that I can’t see it any other way. And if you care for me at all, this whole business must be settled today, however hard that may be. I repeat, if my brother is to blame, he will ask you to forgive him.”

“I am surprised at your putting the question like that,” said Luzhin, getting more and more irritated. “Esteeming, and so to say, adoring you, I may at the same time, very well indeed, be able to dislike some member of your family. Though I lay claim to the happiness of your hand, I cannot accept duties incompatible with...”

“I’m surprised you would put the question that way,” said Luzhin, growing more irritated. “I respect and, you might say, adore you. At the same time, I may very well dislike a member of your family. Though I seek the happiness of marrying you, I cannot accept duties that are incompatible with...”

“Ah, don’t be so ready to take offence, Pyotr Petrovitch,” Dounia interrupted with feeling, “and be the sensible and generous man I have always considered, and wish to consider, you to be. I’ve given you a great promise, I am your betrothed. Trust me in this matter and, believe me, I shall be capable of judging impartially. My assuming the part of judge is as much a surprise for my brother as for you. When I insisted on his coming to our interview to-day after your letter, I told him nothing of what I meant to do. Understand that, if you are not reconciled, I must choose between you—it must be either you or he. That is how the question rests on your side and on his. I don’t want to be mistaken in my choice, and I must not be. For your sake I must break off with my brother, for my brother’s sake I must break off with you. I can find out for certain now whether he is a brother to me, and I want to know it; and of you, whether I am dear to you, whether you esteem me, whether you are the husband for me.”

“Please, don’t be so quick to take offense, Pyotr Petrovitch,” Dounia interrupted passionately. “Be the sensible and generous man I have always believed you to be, and still want to believe you are. I have made you a great promise. I am engaged to you. Trust me in this, and believe that I can judge fairly. My taking the role of judge is as much a surprise to my brother as it is to you. After your letter, I insisted that he come to our meeting today. But I told him nothing about what I intended to do. Please understand that if you two don’t make peace, I must choose between you. It must be either you or him. That is how things stand for both of you. I don’t want to make the wrong choice, and I must not. For your sake, I must break with my brother. For my brother’s sake, I must break with you. Now I can find out for certain whether he is truly a brother to me, and I want to know. And I want to know whether you care for me, whether you respect me, and whether you are the right husband for me.”

“Avdotya Romanovna,” Luzhin declared huffily, “your words are of too much consequence to me; I will say more, they are offensive in view of the position I have the honour to occupy in relation to you. To say nothing of your strange and offensive setting me on a level with an impertinent boy, you admit the possibility of breaking your promise to me. You say ‘you or he,’ showing thereby of how little consequence I am in your eyes... I cannot let this pass considering the relationship and... the obligations existing between us.”

“Avdotya Romanovna,” Luzhin said indignantly, “your words matter a great deal to me. More than that, they are offensive, given the position I have the honor of holding in relation to you. It is strange and offensive enough that you put me on the same level as a disrespectful boy. But you also suggest that you might break your promise to me. You say ‘you or he,’ showing how little I matter to you... I cannot overlook this, given our relationship and... the obligations between us.”

“What!” cried Dounia, flushing. “I set your interest beside all that has hitherto been most precious in my life, what has made up the whole of my life, and here you are offended at my making too little account of you.”

“What!” cried Dounia, blushing. “I put your interests alongside everything that has been most precious to me until now, everything that has made up my whole life. And yet you’re offended because you think I care too little about you.”

Raskolnikov smiled sarcastically, Razumihin fidgeted, but Pyotr Petrovitch did not accept the reproof; on the contrary, at every word he became more persistent and irritable, as though he relished it.

Raskolnikov smiled sarcastically, and Razumihin fidgeted, but Pyotr Petrovitch refused to accept the criticism. Instead, with every word, he grew more persistent and irritable, as if he enjoyed it.

“Love for the future partner of your life, for your husband, ought to outweigh your love for your brother,” he pronounced sententiously, “and in any case I cannot be put on the same level.... Although I said so emphatically that I would not speak openly in your brother’s presence, nevertheless, I intend now to ask your honoured mother for a necessary explanation on a point of great importance closely affecting my dignity. Your son,” he turned to Pulcheria Alexandrovna, “yesterday in the presence of Mr. Razsudkin (or... I think that’s it? excuse me, I have forgotten your surname,”) (he bowed politely to Razumihin) “insulted me by misrepresenting the idea I expressed to you in a private conversation, drinking coffee, that is, that marriage with a poor girl who has had experience of trouble is more advantageous from the conjugal point of view than with one who has lived in luxury, since it is more profitable for the moral character. Your son intentionally exaggerated the significance of my words and made them ridiculous, accusing me of malicious intentions, and, as far as I could see, relied upon your correspondence with him. I shall consider myself happy, Pulcheria Alexandrovna, if it is possible for you to convince me of an opposite conclusion, and thereby considerately reassure me. Kindly let me know in what terms precisely you repeated my words in your letter to Rodion Romanovitch.”

“Your love for your future life partner, your husband, ought to outweigh your love for your brother,” he declared pompously. “In any case, I cannot be placed on the same level.... Although I insisted that I would not speak openly in your brother’s presence, I now intend to ask your respected mother for an explanation. It concerns a matter of great importance that closely affects my dignity. Your son,” he said, turning to Pulcheria Alexandrovna, “insulted me yesterday in front of Mr. Razsudkin. Or... is that right? Excuse me, I have forgotten your surname.” (He bowed politely to Razumihin.) “He misrepresented an idea I expressed to you privately over coffee. I said that marrying a poor girl who has known hardship is better for a marriage than marrying one raised in luxury. It is better for one’s moral character. Your son deliberately exaggerated what I said and made it sound ridiculous. He accused me of malicious intentions and, as far as I could see, relied on your correspondence with him. I would be happy, Pulcheria Alexandrovna, if you could convince me otherwise and put my mind at ease. Please tell me exactly how you repeated my words in your letter to Rodion Romanovitch.”

“I don’t remember,” faltered Pulcheria Alexandrovna. “I repeated them as I understood them. I don’t know how Rodya repeated them to you, perhaps he exaggerated.”

“I don’t remember,” Pulcheria Alexandrovna said hesitantly. “I repeated them as I understood them. I don’t know how Rodya repeated them to you. Perhaps he exaggerated.”

“He could not have exaggerated them, except at your instigation.”

“He could not have exaggerated them unless you had urged him to.”

“Pyotr Petrovitch,” Pulcheria Alexandrovna declared with dignity, “the proof that Dounia and I did not take your words in a very bad sense is the fact that we are here.”

“Pyotr Petrovitch,” Pulcheria Alexandrovna said with dignity, “the fact that we are here proves Dounia and I did not take your words too badly.”

“Good, mother,” said Dounia approvingly.

“Good, mother,” Dounia said approvingly.

“Then this is my fault again,” said Luzhin, aggrieved.

“So this is my fault again,” said Luzhin, sounding hurt.

“Well, Pyotr Petrovitch, you keep blaming Rodion, but you yourself have just written what was false about him,” Pulcheria Alexandrovna added, gaining courage.

“Well, Pyotr Petrovitch, you keep blaming Rodion, but you just wrote something false about him yourself,” Pulcheria Alexandrovna added, growing bolder.

“I don’t remember writing anything false.”

“You wrote,” Raskolnikov said sharply, not turning to Luzhin, “that I gave money yesterday not to the widow of the man who was killed, as was the fact, but to his daughter (whom I had never seen till yesterday). You wrote this to make dissension between me and my family, and for that object added coarse expressions about the conduct of a girl whom you don’t know. All that is mean slander.”

“You wrote,” Raskolnikov said sharply, without turning to Luzhin, “that yesterday I gave money to the dead man’s daughter, not his widow. In fact, I gave it to his widow. I had never seen his daughter until yesterday. You wrote this to cause trouble between me and my family. For the same reason, you added crude remarks about the behavior of a girl you don’t know. All of that is nasty slander.”

“Excuse me, sir,” said Luzhin, quivering with fury. “I enlarged upon your qualities and conduct in my letter solely in response to your sister’s and mother’s inquiries, how I found you, and what impression you made on me. As for what you’ve alluded to in my letter, be so good as to point out one word of falsehood, show, that is, that you didn’t throw away your money, and that there are not worthless persons in that family, however unfortunate.”

“Excuse me, sir,” said Luzhin, trembling with anger. “I described your character and behavior in my letter only because your sister and mother asked about you. They wanted to know how I found you and what impression you made on me. As for the part of my letter you mentioned, please point out a single lie. Show me that you didn’t throw away your money, and that there are no worthless people in that family, unfortunate as they are.”

“To my thinking, you, with all your virtues, are not worth the little finger of that unfortunate girl at whom you throw stones.”

“In my opinion, for all your virtues, you are not worth the little finger of that unfortunate girl you condemn.”

“Would you go so far then as to let her associate with your mother and sister?”

“Would you even let her spend time with your mother and sister?”

“I have done so already, if you care to know. I made her sit down to-day with mother and Dounia.”

“I’ve already done that, if you want to know. I made her sit down with Mother and Dounia today.”

“Rodya!” cried Pulcheria Alexandrovna. Dounia crimsoned, Razumihin knitted his brows. Luzhin smiled with lofty sarcasm.

“Rodya!” cried Pulcheria Alexandrovna. Dounia blushed deeply. Razumihin frowned. Luzhin smiled with lofty sarcasm.

“You may see for yourself, Avdotya Romanovna,” he said, “whether it is possible for us to agree. I hope now that this question is at an end, once and for all. I will withdraw, that I may not hinder the pleasures of family intimacy, and the discussion of secrets.” He got up from his chair and took his hat. “But in withdrawing, I venture to request that for the future I may be spared similar meetings, and, so to say, compromises. I appeal particularly to you, honoured Pulcheria Alexandrovna, on this subject, the more as my letter was addressed to you and to no one else.”

“You can see for yourself, Avdotya Romanovna,” he said, “whether we can come to an agreement. I hope this question is settled now, once and for all. I will leave so I don’t interrupt the pleasures of family intimacy and the discussion of secrets.” He got up from his chair and took his hat. “But as I leave, I ask to be spared similar meetings and, so to speak, compromises in the future. I appeal especially to you on this matter, dear Pulcheria Alexandrovna. After all, my letter was addressed to you and no one else.”

Pulcheria Alexandrovna was a little offended.

“You seem to think we are completely under your authority, Pyotr Petrovitch. Dounia has told you the reason your desire was disregarded, she had the best intentions. And indeed you write as though you were laying commands upon me. Are we to consider every desire of yours as a command? Let me tell you on the contrary that you ought to show particular delicacy and consideration for us now, because we have thrown up everything, and have come here relying on you, and so we are in any case in a sense in your hands.”

“You seem to think we are completely under your authority, Pyotr Petrovitch. Dounia has explained why we disregarded your wishes. She meant well. And you write as though you were giving me orders. Are we supposed to treat every wish of yours as an order? On the contrary, you should be especially sensitive and considerate toward us now. We have given up everything and come here relying on you. So, in any case, we are in a sense in your hands.”

“That is not quite true, Pulcheria Alexandrovna, especially at the present moment, when the news has come of Marfa Petrovna’s legacy, which seems indeed very apropos, judging from the new tone you take to me,” he added sarcastically.

“That’s not quite true, Pulcheria Alexandrovna, especially now that news of Marfa Petrovna’s inheritance has arrived. Judging by your new tone toward me, the news seems to have come at a very convenient time,” he added sarcastically.

“Judging from that remark, we may certainly presume that you were reckoning on our helplessness,” Dounia observed irritably.

“Judging by that remark, we can certainly assume you were counting on our helplessness,” Dounia said irritably.

“But now in any case I cannot reckon on it, and I particularly desire not to hinder your discussion of the secret proposals of Arkady Ivanovitch Svidrigaïlov, which he has entrusted to your brother and which have, I perceive, a great and possibly a very agreeable interest for you.”

“But in any case, I can no longer count on it. And I especially do not want to interrupt your discussion of Arkady Ivanovitch Svidrigaïlov’s secret proposals. He entrusted them to your brother, and I see that they interest you greatly, perhaps very pleasantly so.”

“Good heavens!” cried Pulcheria Alexandrovna.

“Oh my God!” cried Pulcheria Alexandrovna.

Razumihin could not sit still on his chair.

Razumihin couldn't sit still in his chair.

“Aren’t you ashamed now, sister?” asked Raskolnikov.

“I am ashamed, Rodya,” said Dounia. “Pyotr Petrovitch, go away,” she turned to him, white with anger.

“I’m ashamed, Rodya,” said Dounia. She turned to Pyotr Petrovitch, pale with anger. “Pyotr Petrovitch, go away.”

Pyotr Petrovitch had apparently not at all expected such a conclusion. He had too much confidence in himself, in his power and in the helplessness of his victims. He could not believe it even now. He turned pale, and his lips quivered.

Pyotr Petrovitch apparently had not expected things to end this way at all. He had too much confidence in himself, his power, and his victims’ helplessness. Even now, he could not believe what had happened. He turned pale, and his lips trembled.

“Avdotya Romanovna, if I go out of this door now, after such a dismissal, then, you may reckon on it, I will never come back. Consider what you are doing. My word is not to be shaken.”

“Avdotya Romanovna, if I leave now after being dismissed like this, you can be sure I will never come back. Think about what you are doing. I will not change my mind.”

“What insolence!” cried Dounia, springing up from her seat. “I don’t want you to come back again.”

“How rude!” cried Dounia, jumping up from her seat. “I don’t want you to come back again.”

“What! So that’s how it stands!” cried Luzhin, utterly unable to the last moment to believe in the rupture and so completely thrown out of his reckoning now. “So that’s how it stands! But do you know, Avdotya Romanovna, that I might protest?”

“What! So that’s how things stand!” cried Luzhin. Until that moment, he had been completely unable to believe the relationship was over. Now he was completely thrown off balance. “So that’s how things stand! But do you know, Avdotya Romanovna, that I could object?”

“What right have you to speak to her like that?” Pulcheria Alexandrovna intervened hotly. “And what can you protest about? What rights have you? Am I to give my Dounia to a man like you? Go away, leave us altogether! We are to blame for having agreed to a wrong action, and I above all....”

“What right do you have to speak to her like that?” Pulcheria Alexandrovna interrupted angrily. “And what do you have to complain about? What rights do you have? Should I give my Dounia to a man like you? Go away. Leave us alone for good! We were wrong to agree to do something wrong, and I most of all....”

“But you have bound me, Pulcheria Alexandrovna,” Luzhin stormed in a frenzy, “by your promise, and now you deny it and... besides... I have been led on account of that into expenses....”

“But you made me rely on your promise, Pulcheria Alexandrovna,” Luzhin raged. “And now you deny it and... besides... your promise led me to spend money....”

This last complaint was so characteristic of Pyotr Petrovitch, that Raskolnikov, pale with anger and with the effort of restraining it, could not help breaking into laughter. But Pulcheria Alexandrovna was furious.

This last complaint was so typical of Pyotr Petrovitch that Raskolnikov could not help laughing. He was pale with anger and the effort of holding it back. But Pulcheria Alexandrovna was furious.

“Expenses? What expenses? Are you speaking of our trunk? But the conductor brought it for nothing for you. Mercy on us, we have bound you! What are you thinking about, Pyotr Petrovitch, it was you bound us, hand and foot, not we!”

“Expenses? What expenses? Do you mean our trunk? But the conductor brought it for you for nothing. Good heavens, we have put you in our debt! What are you thinking, Pyotr Petrovitch? You put us in your debt, completely, not the other way around!”

“Enough, mother, no more please,” Avdotya Romanovna implored. “Pyotr Petrovitch, do be kind and go!”

“Enough, Mother. Please, no more,” Avdotya Romanovna pleaded. “Pyotr Petrovitch, please be kind and leave!”

“I am going, but one last word,” he said, quite unable to control himself. “Your mamma seems to have entirely forgotten that I made up my mind to take you, so to speak, after the gossip of the town had spread all over the district in regard to your reputation. Disregarding public opinion for your sake and reinstating your reputation, I certainly might very well reckon on a fitting return, and might indeed look for gratitude on your part. And my eyes have only now been opened! I see myself that I may have acted very, very recklessly in disregarding the universal verdict....”

“I’m leaving, but one last word,” he said, unable to control himself. “Your mother seems to have completely forgotten something. I decided to take you, so to speak, after the town’s gossip about your reputation had spread throughout the district. I ignored public opinion for your sake and restored your reputation. I certainly had every reason to expect something fitting in return, even gratitude from you. And only now have my eyes been opened! I can see that I may have been very, very reckless in ignoring everyone’s judgment....”

“Does the fellow want his head smashed?” cried Razumihin, jumping up.

“Does the guy want his head smashed?” Razumihin cried, jumping up.

“You are a mean and spiteful man!” said Dounia.

“Not a word! Not a movement!” cried Raskolnikov, holding Razumihin back; then going close up to Luzhin, “Kindly leave the room!” he said quietly and distinctly, “and not a word more or...”

“Not a word! Don’t move!” cried Raskolnikov, holding Razumihin back. Then he stepped close to Luzhin. “Please leave the room,” he said quietly and clearly. “And not another word, or...”

Pyotr Petrovitch gazed at him for some seconds with a pale face that worked with anger, then he turned, went out, and rarely has any man carried away in his heart such vindictive hatred as he felt against Raskolnikov. Him, and him alone, he blamed for everything. It is noteworthy that as he went downstairs he still imagined that his case was perhaps not utterly lost, and that, so far as the ladies were concerned, all might “very well indeed” be set right again.

Pyotr Petrovitch stared at him for several seconds, his pale face twisting with anger. Then he turned and left. Rarely has anyone carried away such a vengeful hatred as he felt for Raskolnikov. He blamed Raskolnikov, and Raskolnikov alone, for everything. Remarkably, as he went downstairs, he still thought his cause might not be completely lost. He thought that, as far as the ladies were concerned, everything could “very well indeed” be put right again.