第4章

ConsequentlyImusthavebeenyourmother’sfirstcousin——no，secondcousin。Yes，thatisit。Tellme，haveyoubeentocallonPrinceIvanyet？"

Isaidno，butthatIwasjustgoingto。

"Ah，isitpossible？"shecried。"Why，yououghttohavepaidhimthefirstcallofall！Surelyyouknowthathestandstoyouinthepositionofafather？Hehasnochildrenofhisown，andhisonlyheirsareyourselfandmychildren。Yououghttopayhimallpossibledeference，bothbecauseofhisage，andbecauseofhispositionintheworld，andbecauseofeverythingelse。Iknowthatyouyoungfellowsofthepresentdaythinknothingofrelationshipsandarenotfondofoldmen，yetdoyoulistentome，youroldaunt，forIamfondofyou，andwasfondofyourmother，andhadagreat——averygreat-likingandrespectforyourgrandmother。Youmustnotfailtocalluponhimonanyaccount。"

IsaidthatIwouldcertainlygo，andsincemypresentcallseemedtometohavelastedlongenough，Irose，andwasabouttodepart，butsherestrainedme。

"No，waitaminute，"shecried。"Whereisyourfather，Lise？Goandtellhimtocomehere。Hewillbesogladtoseeyou，"sheadded，turningtome。

TwominuteslaterPrinceMichaelentered。Hewasashort，thick-

setgentleman，veryslovenlydressedandill-shaven，yetwearingsuchanairofindifferencethathelookedalmostafool。Hewasnotintheleastgladtoseeme——atalleventshedidnotintimatethathewas；butthePrincess（whoappearedtostandinconsiderableaweofhim）hastenedtosay：

"IsnotWoldemarhere"（sheseemedtohaveforgottenmyname）

"exactlylikehismother？"andshegaveherhusbandaglancewhichforcedhimtoguesswhatshewanted。Accordinglyheapproachedmewithhisusualpassionless，half-discontentedexpression，andheldouttomeanunshavencheektokiss。

"Why，youarenotdressedyet，thoughyouhavetogooutsoon！"

wasthePrincess’snextremarktohimintheangrytonewhichshehabituallyemployedinconversationwithherdomestics。"Itwillonlymeanyouroffendingsomeoneagain，andtryingtosetpeopleagainstyou。"

"Inamoment，inamoment，mother，"saidPrinceMichael，anddeparted。Ialsomademybowsanddeparted。

ThiswasthefirsttimeIhadheardofourbeingrelatedtoPrinceIvanIvanovitch，andthenewsstruckmeunpleasantly。

XX

THEIWINS

AsfortheprospectofmycalluponthePrince，itseemedevenmoreunpleasant。However，theorderofmyroutetookmefirsttotheIwins，wholivedinalargeandsplendidmansioninTverskaiaStreet。ItwasnotwithoutsomenervousnessthatIenteredthegreatporticowhereaSwissmajor-domostoodarmedwithhisstaffofoffice。

Tomyinquiryastowhetheranyonewasathomehereplied："Whomdoyouwishtosee，sir？TheGeneral’ssoniswithin。"

"AndtheGeneralhimself？"Iaskedwithforcedassurance。

"Imustreporttohimyourbusinessfirst。Whatmayitbe，sir？"

saidthemajor-domoasherangabell。Immediatelythegaiteredlegsofafootmanshowedthemselvesonthestaircaseabove；

whereuponIwasseizedwithsuchafitofnervousnessthatI

hastilybidthelacqueysaynothingaboutmypresencetotheGeneral，sinceIwouldfirstseehisson。BythetimeIhadreachedthetopofthelongstaircase，Iseemedtohavegrownextremelysmall（metaphorically，Imean，notactually），andhadverymuchthesamefeelingwithinmeashadpossessedmysoulwhenmydrozhkidrewuptothegreatportico，namely，afeelingasthoughdrozhki，horse，andcoachmanhadallofthemgrownextremelysmalltoo。IfoundtheGeneral’ssonlyingasleeponasofa，withanopenbookbeforehim。Histutor，MonsieurFrost，underwhosecarehestillpursuedhisstudiesathome，hadenteredbehindmewithasortofboyishtread，andnowawokehispupil。Iwinevincednoparticularpleasureatseeingme，whileI

alsoseemedtonoticethat，whiletalkingtome，hekeptlookingatmyeyebrows。Althoughhewasperfectlypolite，Iconceivedthathewas"entertaining"memuchasthePrincessValakhinhaddone，andthathenotonlyfeltnoparticularlikingforme，buteventhatheconsideredmyacquaintanceinnowaynecessarytoonewhopossessedhisowncircleoffriends。Allthisaroseoutoftheideathathewasregardingmyeyebrows。Inshort，hisbearingtowardsmeappearedtobe（asIrecognisedwithanawkwardsensation）verymuchthesameasmyowntowardsIlinkaGrap。Ibegantofeelirritated，andtointerpreteveryfleetingglancewhichhecastatMonsieurFrostasamuteinquiry："Whyhasthisfellowcometoseeme？"

Aftersomeconversationheremarkedthathisfatherandmotherwereathome。WouldInotliketovisitthemtoo？

"FirstIwillgoanddressmyself，"headdedashedepartedtoanotherroom，notwithstandingthathehadseemedtobeperfectlywelldressed（inanewfrockcoatandwhitewaistcoat）inthepresentone。AfewminuteslaterhereappearedinhisUniversityuniform，buttoneduptothechin，andwewentdownstairstogether。Thereceptionroomsthroughwhichwepassedwereloftyandofgreatsize，andseemedtoberichlyfurnishedwithmarbleandgiltornaments，chintz-coveredsettees，andanumberofmirrors。PresentlyMadameIwinmetus，andwewentintoalittleroombehindthedrawing-room，where，welcomingmeinveryfriendlyfashion，sheseatedherselfbymyside，andbegantoinquireaftermyrelations。

CloseracquaintancewithMadame（whomIhadseenonlytwicebefore，andthatbutforamomentoneachoccasion）impressedmefavourably。Shewastall，thin，andverypale，andlookedasthoughshesufferedfromchronicdepressionandfatigue。Yet，thoughhersmilewasasadone，itwasverykind，andherlarge，mournfuleyes，withaslightcastintheirvision，addedtothepathosandattractivenessofherexpression。Herattitude，whilenotpreciselythatofahunchback，madeherwholeformdroop，whilehereverymovementexpressedlanguor。Likewise，thoughherspeechwasdeliberate，thetimbreofhervoice，andthemannerinwhichshelispedherr’sandl’s，wereverypleasingtotheear。

Finally，shedidnot"ENTERTAIN"me。Unfortunately，theanswerswhichIreturnedtoherquestionsconcerningmyrelationsseemedtoaffordherapainfulinterest，andtoremindherofhappierdays：withtheresultthatwhen，presently，hersonlefttheroom，shegazedatmeinsilenceforamoment，andthenburstintotears。AsIsatthereinmutebewilderment，IcouldnotconceivewhatIhadsaidtobringthisabout。AtfirstIfeltsorryforherasshesatthereweepingwithdowncasteyes。NextIbegantothinktomyself："OughtInottotryandcomforther，andhowoughtthattobedone？"Finally，Ibegantofeelvexedwithherforplacingmeinsuchanawkwardposition。"Surelymyappearanceisnotsomovingasallthat？"Ireflected。"OrisshemerelyactinglikethistoseewhatIshalldounderthecircumstances？"

"Yetitwouldnotdoformetogo，"Icontinuedtomyself，forthatwouldlooktoomuchasthoughIwerefleeingtoescapehertears。"AccordinglyIbeganfidgetingaboutonmyseat，inordertoremindherofmypresence。

"Oh，howfoolishofme！"atlengthshesaid，asshegazedatmeforamomentandtriedtosmile。"Therearedayswhenoneweepsfornoreasonwhatever。"Shefeltaboutforherhandkerchief，andthenburstoutweepingmoreviolentlythanbefore。

"Ohdear！Howsillyofmetobeforevercryinglikethis！YetI

wassofondofyourmother！Weweresuchfriends！We-we——"

Atthispointshefoundherhandkerchief，and，buryingherfaceinit，wentoncrying。OncemoreIfoundmyselfinthesameprotracteddilemma。Thoughvexed，Ifeltsorryforher，sincehertearsappearedtobegenuine——eventhoughIalsohadanideathatitwasnotsomuchformymotherthatshewasweepingasforthefactthatshewasunhappy，andhadknownhappierdays。HowitwouldallhaveendedIdonotknow，hadnothersonreappearedandsaidthathisfatherdesiredtoseeher。Thereuponsherose，andwasjustabouttoleavetheroom，whentheGeneralhimselfentered。Hewasasmall，grizzled，thick-setman，withbushyblackeyebrows，agrey，close-croppedhead，andaverystern，haughtyexpressionofcountenance。

Iroseandbowedtohim，buttheGeneral（whowaswearingthreestarsonhisgreenfrockcoat）notonlymadenoresponsetomysalutation，butscarcelyevenlookedatme；sothatallatonceI

feltasthoughIwerenotahumanbeingatall，butonlysomenegligibleobjectsuchasasetteeorwindow；or，ifIwereahumanbeing，asthoughIwerequiteindistinguishablefromsuchanegligibleobject。

"ThenyouhavenotyetwrittentotheCountess，mydear？"hesaidtohiswifeinFrench，andwithanimperturbable，yetdetermined，expressiononhiscountenance。

"Good-bye，MonsieurIrtenieff，"Madamesaidtome，inherturn，asshemadeaproudgesturewithherheadandlookedatmyeyebrowsjustashersonhaddone。Ibowedtoher，andagaintoherhusband，butmysecondsalutationmadenomoreimpressionuponhimthanifawindowhadjustbeenopenedorclosed。

NeverthelesstheyoungerIwinaccompaniedmetothedoor，andonthewaytoldmethathewastogotoSt。PetersburgUniversity，sincehisfatherhadbeenappointedtoapostinthatcity（andyoungIwinnamedaveryhighofficeintheservice）。

"Well，hisPapamaydowhatsoeverhelikes，"ImutteredtomyselfasIclimbedintothedrozhki，"butatalleventsIwillneversetfootinthathouseagain。HiswifeweepsandlooksatmeasthoughIweretheembodimentofwoe，whilethatoldpigofaGeneraldoesnotevengivemeabow。However，Iwillgetevenwithhimsomeday。"HowImeanttodothatIdonotknow，butmywordsneverthelesscametrue。

Afterwards，IfrequentlyfounditnecessarytoremembertheadviceofmyfatherwhenhesaidthatImustcultivatetheacquaintanceshipoftheIwins，andnotexpectamaninthepositionofGeneralIwintopayanyattentiontoaboylikemyself。ButIhadfiguredinthatpositionlongenough。

XXI

PRINCEIVANIVANOVITCH

"Nowforthelastcall——thevisittoNikitskaiaStreet，"IsaidtoKuzma，andwestartedforPrinceIvanIvanovitch’smansion。

Towardstheend，aroundofcallsusuallybringsoneacertainamountofself-assurance：consequentlyIwasapproachingthePrince’sabodeinquiteatranquilframeofmind，whensuddenlyI

rememberedthePrincessKornakoff’swordsthatIwashisheir，andatthesamemomentcaughtsightoftwocarriageswaitingattheportico。Instantly，myformernervousnessreturned。

Boththeoldmajor-domowhoopenedthedoortome，andthefootmanwhotookmycoat，andthetwomaleandthreefemalevisitorswhomIfoundinthedrawing-room，and，mostofall，PrinceIvanIvanovitchhimself（whomIfoundcladina"company"

frockcoatandseatedonasofa）seemedtolookatmeasatanHEIR，andsotoeyemewithill-will。YetthePrincewasverygraciousand，afterkissingme（thatistosay，afterpressinghiscold，dry，flabbylipstomycheekforasecond），askedmeaboutmyplansandpursuits，jestedwithme，inquiredwhetherI

stillwroteversesofthekindwhichIusedtoinditeinhonourofmygrandmother’sbirthdays，andinvitedmetodinewithhimthatday。Nevertheless，inproportionashegrewthekinder，themoredidIfeelpersuadedthathiscivilitywasonlyintendedtoconcealfrommethefactthathedislikedtheideaofmybeinghisheir。Hehadacustom（duetohisfalseteeth，ofwhichhismouthpossessedacompleteset）ofraisinghisupperlipalittleashespoke，andproducingaslightwhistlingsoundfromit；andwhenever，onthepresentoccasion，hedidsoitseemedtomethathewassayingtohimself："Aboy，aboy——Iknowit！Andmyheir，too——myheir！"

Whenwewerechildren，wehadbeenusedtocallingthePrince"dearUncle；"butnow，inmycapacityofheir，Icouldnotbringmytonguetothephrase，whiletosay"YourHighness，"asdidoneoftheothervisitors，seemedderogatorytomyself-esteem。

Consequently，neveronceduringthatvisitdidIcallhimanythingatall。Thepersonage，however，whomostdisturbedmewastheoldPrincesswhosharedwithmethepositionofprospectiveinheritor，andwholivedinthePrince’shouse。Whileseatedbesideheratdinner，Ifeltfirmlypersuadedthatthereasonwhyshewouldnotspeaktomewasthatshedislikedmeforbeingherco-heir，andthatthePrince，forhispart，paidnoattentiontooursideofthetableforthereasonthatthePrincessandmyselfhopedtosucceedhim，andsowerealikedistastefulinhissight。

"YoucannotthinkhowIhateditall！"IsaidtoDimitrieffthesameevening，inadesiretomakeaparadeofdislikingthenotionofbeinganheir（somehowIthoughtitthethingtodo）。

"YoucannotthinkhowIloathedthewholetwohoursthatIspentthere！——Yetheisafine-lookingoldfellow，andwasverykindtome，"Iadded——wishing，amongotherthings，todisabusemyfriendofanypossibleideathatmyloathinghadarisenoutofthefactthatIhadfeltsosmall。"ItisonlytheideathatpeoplemaybeclassingmewiththePrincesswholiveswithhim，andwholicksthedustoffhisboots。Heisawonderfuloldman，andgoodandconsideratetoeverybody，butitisawfultoseehowhetreatsthePrincess。Moneyisadetestablething，andruinsallhumanrelations。

"Doyouknow，IthinkitwouldbefarthebestthingformetohaveanopenexplanationwiththePrince，"Iwenton；"totellhimthatIrespecthimasaman，butthinknothingofbeinghisheir，andthatIdesirehimtoleavemenothing，sincethatistheonlyconditiononwhichIcan，infuture，visithishouse。"

InsteadofburstingoutlaughingwhenIsaidthis，Dimitriponderedawhileinsilence，andthenanswered：

"Youarewrong。EitheryououghttorefrainfromsupposingthatpeoplemaybeclassingyouwiththisPrincessofwhomyouspeak，or，ifyouDOsupposesuchathing，yououghttosupposefurtherthatpeoplearethinkingwhatyouyourselfknowquitewell——

namely，thatsuchthoughtsaresoutterlyforeigntoyournaturethatyoudespisethemandwouldnevermakethemabasisforaction。Suppose，however，thatpeopleDOsupposeyoutosupposesuchathing——Well，tosumup，"headded，feelingthathewasgettingalittlemixedinhispronouncements，"youhadmuchbetternotsupposeanythingofthekind。"

Myfriendwasperfectlyright，thoughitwasnotuntillong，longafterwardsthatexperienceoflifetaughtmetheevilthatcomesofthinking——stillworse，ofsaying——muchthatseemsveryfine；

taughtmethattherearecertainthoughtswhichshouldalwaysbekepttooneself，sincebravewordsseldomgowithbravedeeds。I

learntthenthatthemerefactofgivingutterancetoagoodintentionoftenmakesitdifficult，nay，impossible，tocarrythatgoodintentionintoeffect。Yethowisonetorefrainfromgivingutterancetothebrave，self-sufficientimpulsesofyouth？

Onlylongafterwardsdoesonerememberandregretthem，evenasoneincontinentlyplucksaflowerbeforeitsblooming，andsubsequentlyfindsitlyingcrushedandwitheredontheground。

TheverynextmorningI，whohadjustbeentellingmyfriendDimitrithatmoneycorruptsallhumanrelations，andhad（aswehaveseen）squanderedthewholeofmycashonpicturesandTurkishpipes，acceptedaloanoftwentyroubleswhichhesuggestedshouldpayformytravellingexpensesintothecountry，andremainedalongwhilethereafterinhisdebt！

XXII

INTIMATECONVERSATIONWITHMYFRIEND

THISconversationofourstookplaceinaphaetononthewaytoKuntsevo。Dimitrihadinvitedmeinthemorningtogowithhimtohismother’s，andhadcalledformeafterluncheon；theideabeingthatIshouldspendtheevening，andperhapsalsopassthenight，atthecountry-housewherehisfamilylived。Onlywhenwehadleftthecityandexchangeditsgrimystreetsandtheunbearablydeafeningclatterofitspavementsfortheopenvistaoffieldsandthesubduedgrindingofcarriage-wheelsonadustyhighroad（whilethesweetspringairandprospectenvelopedusoneveryside）didIawakefromthenewimpressionsandsensationsoffreedomintowhichthepasttwodayshadplungedme。Dimitriwasinhiskindandsociablemood。Thatistosay，hewasneitherfrowningnorblinkingnervouslynorstraighteninghisneckinhiscollar。Formyownpart，IwascongratulatingmyselfonthosenoblesentimentswhichIhaveexpressedabove，inthebeliefthattheyhadledhimtooverlookmyshamefulencounterwithKolpikoff，andtorefrainfromdespisingmeforit。Thuswetalkedtogetheronmanyanintimatesubjectwhichevenafriendseldommentionstoafriend。HetoldmeabouthisfamilywhoseacquaintanceIhadnotyetmade——abouthismother，hisaunt，andhissister，asalsoaboutherwhomWolodaandDubkoffbelievedtobehis"flame，"andalwaysspokeofas"theladywiththechestnutlocks。"Ofhismotherhespokewithacertaincoldandformalcommendation，asthoughtoforestallanyfurthermentionofher；hisauntheextolledenthusiastically，thoughwithatouchofcondescensioninhistone；hissisterhescarcelymentionedatall，asthoughaversetodoingsoinmypresence；

butonthesubjectof"theladywiththechestnutlocks"（whoserealnamewasLubovSergievna，andwhowasagrown-upyoungladylivingonafamilyfootingwiththeNechludoffs）hediscoursedwithanimation。

"Yes，sheisawonderfulwoman，"hesaidwithaconsciousreddeningoftheface，yetlookingmeintheeyeswithdoggedtemerity。"True，sheisnolongeryoung，andevenratherelderly，aswellasbynomeansgood-looking；butasforlovingamerefeatherhead，amerebeauty——well，Inevercouldunderstandthat，foritissuchasillythingtodo。"（Dimitrisaidthisasthoughhehadjustdiscoveredamostnovelandextraordinarytruth。）"I

amcertain，too，thatsuchasoul，suchaheartandprinciples，asarehersarenottobefoundelsewhereintheworldofthepresentday。"（Idonotknowwhencehehadderivedthehabitofsayingthatfewgoodthingswerediscoverableintheworldofthepresentday，butatalleventshelovedtorepeattheexpression，anditsomehowsuitedhim。）

"Only，Iamafraid，"hewentonquietly，afterthusannihilatingallsuchmenaswerefoolishenoughtoadmiremerebeauty，"Iamafraidthatyouwillnotunderstandorrealiseherquickly。Sheismodest，evensecretive，andbynomeansfondofexhibitingherbeautifulandsurprisingqualities。Now，mymother——who，asyouwillsee，isanoble，sensiblewoman——hasknownLubovSergievna，formanyyears；yeteventothisdayshedoesnotproperlyunderstandher。ShallItellyouwhyIwasoutoftemperlasteveningwhenyouwerequestioningme？Well，youmustknowthatthedaybeforeyesterdayLubovaskedmetoaccompanyhertoIvanYakovlevitch’s（youhaveheardofhim，Isuppose？thefellowwhoseemstobemad，butwho，inreality，isaveryremarkableman）。

Well，Lubovisextremelyreligious，andunderstandsIvanYakovlevitchtothefull。Sheoftengoestoseehim，andconverseswithhim，andgiveshimmoneyforthepoor——moneywhichshehasearnedherself。Sheisamarvellouswoman，asyouwillsee。Well，IwentwithhertoIvan’s，andfeltverygratefultoherforhavingaffordedmetheopportunityofexchangingawordwithsoremarkableaman；butmymothercouldnotunderstandouractionatall，anddiscernedinitonlysuperstition。

Consequently，lastnightsheandIquarrelledforthefirsttimeinourlives。Averybitteroneitwas，too，"heconcluded，withaconvulsiveshrugofhisshoulders，asthoughthementionofitrecalledthefeelingswhichhehadthenexperienced。

"Andwhatareyourintentionsaboutitall？"Iinquired，todiverthimfromsuchadisagreeablerecollection。"Thatistosay，howdoyouimagineitisgoingtoturnout？Doyoueverspeaktoheraboutthefuture，orabouthowyourloveorfriendshiparegoingtoend？"

"Doyoumean，doIintendtomarryhereventually？"heinquired，inhisturn，witharenewedblush，butturninghimselfroundandlookingmeboldlyintheface。

"Yes，certainly，"IrepliedasIsettledmyselfdown。"Wearebothofusgrown-up，aswellasfriends，sowemayaswelldiscussourfuturelifeaswedrivealong。Noonecouldverywelloverlookoroverhearusnow。"

"WhyshouldINOTmarryher？"hewentoninresponsetomyreassuringreply。"Itismyaim——asitshouldbetheaimofeveryhonourableman——tobeasgoodandashappyaspossible；andwithher，ifsheshouldstillbewillingwhenIhavebecomemoreindependent，Ishouldbehappierandbetterthanwiththegreatestbeautyintheworld。"

Absorbedinsuchconversation，wehardlynoticedthatwewereapproachingKuntsevo，orthattheskywasbecomingovercastandbeginningtothreatenrain。Ontheright，thesunwasslowlysinkingbehindtheancienttreesoftheKuntsevopark——onehalfofitsbrilliantdiscobscuredwithgrey，subluminouscloud，andtheotherhalfsendingforthspokesofflaminglightwhichthrewtheoldtreesintostrikingreliefastheystoodtherewiththeirdensecrownsofgreenshowingagainstabluepatchofsky。Thelightandshimmerofthatpatchcontrastedsharplywiththeheavypinkcloudwhichlaymassedaboveayoungbirch-treevisibleonthehorizonbeforeus，while，alittlefurthertotheright，theparti-colouredroofsoftheKuntsevomansioncouldbeseenprojectingaboveabeltoftreesandundergrowth——onesideofthemreflectingtheglitteringraysofthesun，andtheothersideharmonisingwiththemorelouringportionoftheheavens。Belowus，andtotheleft，showedthestillblueofapondwhereitlaysurroundedwithpale-greenlaburnums——itsdull，concave-lookingdepthsrepeatingthetreesinmoresombreshadesofcolouroverthesurfaceofahillock。Beyondthewaterspreadtheblackexpanseofaploughedfield，withthestraightlineofadark-

greenridgebywhichitwasbisectedrunningfarintothedistance，andtherejoiningtheleaden，threateninghorizon。

Oneithersideofthesoftroadalongwhichthephaetonwaspursuingtheeventenourofitsway，bright-green，tangled，juicybeltsofryeweresproutinghereandthereintostalk。Notamotionwasperceptibleintheair，onlyasweetfreshness，andeverythinglookedextraordinarilyclearandbright。NeartheroadIcouldseealittlebrownpathwindingitswayamongthedark-

green，quarter-grownstemsofrye，andsomehowthatpathremindedmevividlyofourvillage，andsomehow（throughsomeconnectionofthought）theideaofthatvillageremindedmevividlyofSonetchka，andsoofthefactthatIwasinlovewithher。

NotwithstandingmyfondnessforDimitriandthepleasurewhichhisfranknesshadaffordedme，InowfeltasthoughIdesiredtohearnomoreabouthisfeelingsandintentionswithregardtoLubovSergievna，buttotalkunstintedlyaboutmyownloveforSonetchka，whoseemedtomeanobjectofaffectionofafarhigherorder。YetforsomereasonoranotherIcouldnotmakeupmymindtotellhimstraightouthowsplendiditwouldseemwhenIhadmarriedSonetchkaandwewerelivinginthecountry——ofhowweshouldhavelittlechildrenwhowouldcrawlaboutthefloorandcallmePapa，andofhowdelightedIshouldbewhenhe，Dimitri，broughthiswife，LubovSergievna，toseeus，wearinganexpensivegown。Accordingly，insteadofsayingallthat，I

pointedtothesettingsun，andmerelyremarked："Look，Dimitri！

Howsplendid！"

Tothis，however，Dimitrimadenoreply，sincehewasevidentlydissatisfiedatmyansweringhisconfession（whichithadcosthimmuchtomake）bydirectinghisattentiontonaturalobjects（towhichhewas，ingeneral，indifferent）。UponhimNaturehadaneffectaltogetherdifferenttowhatshehaduponmyself，forsheaffectedhimratherbyherindustrythanbyherbeauty——helovedherratherwithhisintellectthanwithhissenses。

"Iamabsolutelyhappy，"Iwenton，withoutnoticingthathewasaltogethertakenupwithhisownthoughtsandobliviousofanythingthatImightbesaying。"YouwillrememberhowtoldyouaboutagirlwithwhomIusedtobeinlovewhenwasalittleboy？Well，Isawheragainonlythismorning，andamnowinfatuatedwithher。"ThenItoldhim——despitehiscontinuedexpressionofindifference——aboutmylove，andaboutallmyplansformyfutureconnubialhappiness。Strangelyenough，nosoonerhadIrelatedindetailthewholestrengthofmyfeelingsthanI

instantlybecameconsciousofitsdiminution。

Therainovertookusjustaswewereturningintotheavenueofbirch-treeswhichledtothehouse，butitdidnotreallywetus。

IonlyknewthatitwasrainingbythefactthatIfeltadropfall，firstonmynose，andthenonmyhand，andheardsomethingbegintopatterupontheyoung，viscousleavesofthebirch-treesas，droopingtheircurlybranchesoverhead，theyseemedtoimbibethepure，shiningdropswithanaviditywhichfilledthewholeavenuewithscent。Wedescendedfromthecarriage，soastoreachthehousethequickerthroughthegarden，butfoundourselvesconfrontedattheentrance-doorbyfourladies，twoofwhomwereknitting，onereadingabook，andthefourthwalkingtoandfrowithalittledog。Thereupon，Dimitribegantopresentmetohismother，sister，andaunt，aswellastoLubovSergievna。Foramomenttheyremainedwheretheywere，butalmostinstantlytherainbecameheavier。

"Letusgointotheverandah；youcanpresenthimtousthere，"

saidtheladywhomItooktobeDimitri’smother，andweallofusascendedtheentrance-steps。

XXIII

THENECHLUDOFFS

Fromthefirst，thememberofthiscompanywhostruckmethemostwasLubovSergievna，who，holdingalapdoginherarmsandwearingstoutlacedboots，wasthelastofthefourladiestoascendthestaircase，andtwicestoppedtogazeatmeintentlyandthenkissherlittledog。Shewasanythingbutgood-looking，sinceshewasred-haired，thin，short，andslightlycrooked。Whatmadeherplainfacealltheplainerwasthequeerwayinwhichherhairwaspartedtooneside（itlookedlikethewigswhichbaldwomencontriveforthemselves）。HowevermuchIshouldhavelikedtoapplaudmyfriend，Icouldnotfindasinglecomelyfeatureinher。Evenherbrowneyes，thoughexpressiveofgood-

humour，weresmallanddull——were，infact，anythingbutpretty；

whileherhands（thosemostcharacteristicoffeatures），werethoughneitherlargenorill-shaped，coarseandred。

Assoonaswereachedtheverandah，eachoftheladies，exceptDimitri’ssisterVarenika——whoalsohadbeenregardingmeattentivelyoutofherlarge，dark-greyeyes——saidafewwordstomebeforeresumingheroccupation，whileVarenikaherselfbegantoreadaloudfromabookwhichsheheldonherlapandsteadiedwithherfinger。

ThePrincessMariaIvanovnawasatall，well-builtwomanofforty。Tojudgebythecurlsofhalf-greyhairwhichdescendedbelowhercaponemighthavetakenherformore，butassoonaseveroneobservedthefresh，extraordinarilytender，andalmostwrinklelessface，aswellas，mostofall，thelively，cheerfulsparkleofthelargeeyes，oneinvoluntarilytookherforless。

Hereyeswereblackandveryfrank，herlipsthinandslightlysevere，hernoseregularandslightlyinclinedtotheleft，andherhandsringless，large，andalmostlikethoseofaman，butwithfinelytaperingfingers。Sheworeadark-bluedressfastenedtothethroatandsittingcloselytoherfirm，stillyouthfulwaist——awaistwhichsheevidentlypinched。Lastly，sheheldherselfveryupright，andwasknittingagarmentofsomekind。AssoonasIsteppedontotheverandahshetookmebythehand，drewmetoherasthoughwishingtoscrutinisememoreclosely，andsaid，asshegazedatmewiththesamecold，candidglanceasherson’s，thatshehadlongknownmebyreportfromDimitri，andthattherefore，inordertomakemyacquaintancethoroughly，shehadinvitedmetostaythesetwenty-fourhoursinherhouse。

"Dojustasyoupleasehere，"shesaid，"andstandonnoceremonywhateverwithus，evenasweshallstandonnonewithyou。Praywalk，read，listen，orsleepasthemoodmaytakeyou。"

SophiaIvanovnawasanoldmaidandthePrincess’syoungersister，thoughshelookedtheelderofthetwo。Shehadthatexceedinglyoverstuffedappearancewhicholdmaidsalwayspresentwhoareshortofstaturebutwearcorsets。Itseemedasthoughherhealthinesshadshiftedupwardstothepointofchokingher，hershort，fathandswouldnotmeetbelowherprojectingbust，andthelineofherwaistwasscarcelyvisibleatall。

NotwithstandingthatthePrincessMariaIvanovnahadblackhairandeyes，whileSophiaIvanovnahadwhitehairandlarge，vivacious，tranquillyblueeyes（ararecombination），therewasagreatlikenessbetweenthetwosisters，fortheyhadthesameexpression，nose，andlips。TheonlydifferencewasthatSophia’snoseandlipswereatriflecoarserthanMaria’s，andthat，whenshesmiled，thosefeaturesinclinedtowardstheright，whereasMaria’sinclinedtowardstheleft。Sophia，tojudgebyherdressandcoiffure，wasstillyouthfulatheart，andwouldneverhavedisplayedgreycurls，evenifshehadpossessedthem。

Yetatfirstherglanceandbearingtowardsmeseemedveryproud，andmademenervous，whereasIatoncefeltathomewiththePrincess。PerhapsitwasonlySophia’sstoutnessandacertainresemblancetoportraitsofCatherinetheGreatthatgaveher，inmyeyes，ahaughtyaspect，butatalleventsIfeltquiteintimidatedwhenshelookedatmeintentlyandsaid，"Friendsofourfriendsareourfriendsalso。"Ibecamereassuredandchangedmyopinionaboutheronlywhen，aftersayingthosewords，sheopenedhermouthandsigheddeeply。Itmaybethatsheowedherhabitofsighingaftereveryfewwords——withagreatdistentionofthemouthandaslightdroopingofherlargeblueeyes——toherstoutness，yetitwasnonethelessonewhichexpressedsomuchgood-humourthatIatoncelostallfearofher，andfoundheractuallyattractive。Hereyeswerecharming，hervoicepleasantandmusical，andeventheflowinglinesofherfullnessseemedtomyyouthfulvisionnotwhollylackinginbeauty。

IhadimaginedthatLubovSergievna，asmyfriend’sfriend，wouldatoncesaysomethingfriendlyandfamiliartome；yet，aftergazingatmefixedlyforawhile，asthoughindoubtwhethertheremarkshewasabouttomaketomewouldnotbetoofriendly，sheatlengthaskedmewhatfacultyIwasin。Afterthatshestaredatmeasbefore，inevidenthesitationastowhetherornottosaysomethingcivilandfamiliar，until，remarkingherperplexity，Ibesoughtherwithalooktospeakfreely。Yetallshethensaidwas，"TheytellmetheUniversitiespayverylittleattentiontosciencenow，"andturnedawaytocallherlittledog。

Allthateveningshespokeonlyindisjointedfragmentsofthiskind——fragmentswhichhadnoconnectioneitherwiththepointorwithoneanother；yetIhadsuchfaithinDimitri，andhesooftenkeptlookingfromhertomewithanexpressionwhichmutelyaskedme，"Now，whatdoyouthinkofthat？"that，thoughI

entirelyfailedtopersuademyselfthatinLubovSergievnatherewasanythingtospeakof，Icouldnotbeartoexpressthethought，eventomyself。

Asforthelastmemberofthefamily，Varenika，shewasawell-

developedgirlofsixteen。Theonlygoodfeaturesinherwereapairofdark-greyeyes，——which，intheirexpressionofgaietymingledwithquietattention，greatlyresembledthoseofheraunt——alongcoilofflaxenhair，andextremelydelicate，beautifulhands。

"Iexpect，MonsieurNicolas，youfinditwearisometohearastorybegunfromthemiddle？"saidSophiaIvanovnawithhergood-

naturedsighassheturnedoversomepiecesofclothingwhichshewassewing。ThereadingaloudhadceasedforthemomentbecauseDimitrihadlefttheroomonsomeerrandoranother。

"OrperhapsyouhavereadRobRoybefore？"sheadded。

AtthatperiodIthoughtitincumbentuponme，invirtueofmystudent’suniform，toreplyinavery"cleverandoriginal"

mannertoeveryquestionputtomebypeoplewhomIdidnotknowverywell，andregardedsuchshort，clearanswersas"Yes，""No，"

"Ilikeit，"or"Idonotcareforit，"asthingstobeashamedof。Accordingly，lookingdownatmynewandfashionably-cuttrousersandtheglitteringbuttonsofmytunic，IrepliedthatI

hadneverreadRobRoy，butthatitinterestedmegreatlytohearit，sinceIpreferredtoreadbooksfromthemiddleratherthanfromthebeginning。

"Itistwiceasinteresting，"Iaddedwithaself-satisfiedsmirk；"forthenonecanguesswhathasgonebeforeaswellaswhatistocomeafter。"

ThePrincesssmiledwhatIthoughtwasaforcedsmile，butonewhichIdiscoveredlatertobeheronlyone。

"Well，perhapsthatistrue，"shesaid。"Buttellme，Nicolas（youwillnotbeoffendedifIdroptheMonsieur）——tellme，areyougoingtobeintownlong？Whendoyougoaway？"

"Idonotknowquite。Perhapsto-morrow，orperhapsnotforsomewhileyet，"Irepliedforsomereasonoranother，thoughIknewperfectlywellthatinrealityweweretogoto-morrow。

"Iwishyoucouldstoplonger，bothforyourownsakeandforDimitri’s，"shesaidinameditativemanner。"Atyouragefriendshipisaweakthing。"

Ifeltthateveryonewaslookingatme，andwaitingtoseewhatIshouldsay——thoughcertainlyVarenikamadeapretenceoflookingatheraunt’swork。Ifelt，infact，asthoughIwerebeingputthroughanexamination，andthatitbehovedmetofigureinitaswellaspossible。

"Yes，toMEDimitri’sfriendshipismostuseful，"Ireplied，"buttoHIMminecannotbeofanyuseatall，sinceheisathousandtimesbetterthanI。"（DimitricouldnothearwhatIsaid，orI

shouldhavefearedhisdetectingtheinsincerityofmywords。）

AgainthePrincesssmiledherunnatural，yetcharacteristicallynatural，smile。

"Justlistentohim！"shesaid。"ButitisYOUwhoarethelittlemonsterofperfection。"

"’Monsterofperfection，’"Ithoughttomyself。"Thatissplendid。Imustmakeanoteofit。"

"Yet，todismissyourself，hehasbeenextraordinarilycleverinthatquarter，"shewentoninalowertone（whichpleasedmesomehow）assheindicatedLubovSergievnawithhereyes，"sincehehasdiscoveredinourpoorlittleAuntie"（suchwasthepetnamewhichtheygaveLubov）"allsortsofperfectionswhichI，whohaveknownherandherlittledogfortwentyyears，hadneveryetsuspected。"Varenika，goandtellthemtobringmeaglassofwater，"sheadded，lettinghereyeswanderagain。Probablyshehadbethoughtherthatitwastoosoon，ornotentirelynecessary，toletmeintoallthefamilysecrets。"Yetno——letHIMgo，forhehasnothingtodo，whileyouarereading。Praygotothedoor，myfriend，"shesaidtome，"andwalkaboutfifteenstepsdownthepassage。Thenhaltandcalloutprettyloudly，"Peter，bringMariaIvanovnaaglassoficedwater"——andshesmiledhercurioussmileoncemore。

"Iexpectshewantstosaysomethingaboutmeinmyabsence，"I

thoughttomyselfasIlefttheroom。"IexpectshewantstoremarkthatshecanseeveryclearlythatIamavery，verycleveryoungman。"

HardlyhadItakenadozenstepswhenIwasovertakenbySophiaIvanovna，who，thoughfatandshortofbreath，trodwithsurprisinglightnessandagility。

"Merci，moncher，"shesaid。"Iwillgoandtellthemmyself。"

XXIV

LOVE

SOPHIAIVANOVNA，asIafterwardscametoknowher，wasoneofthoserare，young-oldwomenwhoarebornforfamilylife，buttowhomthathappinesshasbeendeniedbyfate。Consequentlyallthatstoreoftheirlovewhichshouldhavebeenpouredoutuponahusbandandchildrenbecomespentupintheirhearts，untiltheysuddenlydecidetoletitoverflowuponafewchosenindividuals。Yetsoinexhaustibleisthatstoreofoldmaids’lovethat，despitethenumberofindividualssoselected，therestillremainsanabundantsurplusofaffectionwhichtheylavishuponallbywhomtheyaresurrounded——uponall，goodorbad，whomtheymaychancetomeetintheirdailylife。

Oflovetherearethreekinds——loveofbeauty，thelovewhichdeniesitself，andpracticallove。

Ofthedesireofayoungmanforayoungwoman，aswellasofthereverseinstance，Iamnotnowspeaking，forofsuchtendressesI

amwary，seeingthatIhavebeentoounhappyinmylifetohavebeenableevertoseeinsuchaffectionasinglesparkoftruth，butratheralyingpretenceinwhichsensuality，connubialrelations，money，andthewishtobindhandsortounloosethemhaverenderedfeelingsuchacomplexaffairastodefyanalysis。

RatheramIspeakingofthatloveforahumanbeingwhich，accordingtothespiritualstrengthofitspossessor，concentratesitselfeitheruponasingleindividual，uponafew，oruponmany——ofloveforamother，afather，abrother，littlechildren，afriend，acompatriot——oflove，inshort，forone’sneighbour。

Loveofbeautyconsistsinaloveofthesenseofbeautyandofitsexpression。Peoplewhothusloveconceivetheobjectoftheiraffectiontobedesirableonlyinsofarasitarousesinthemthatpleasurablesensationofwhichtheconsciousnessandtheexpressionsoothesthesenses。Theychangetheobjectoftheirlovefrequently，sincetheirprincipalaimconsistsinensuringthatthevoluptuousfeelingoftheiradorationshallbeconstantlytitillated。Topreserveinthemselvesthissensuouscondition，theytalkunceasingly，andinthemostelegantterms，onthesubjectofthelovewhichtheyfeel，notonlyforitsimmediateobject，butalsoforobjectsuponwhichitdoesnottouchatall。Thiscountryofourscontainsmanysuchindividuals——individualsofthatwell-knownclasswho，cultivating"thebeautiful，"notonlydiscourseoftheirculttoallandsundry，butspeakofitpre-eminentlyinFRENCH。Itmayseemastrangeandridiculousthingtosay，butIamconvincedthatamonguswehavehadinthepast，andstillhave，alargesectionofsociety——notablywomen——whoselovefortheirfriends，husbands，orchildrenwouldexpireto-morrowiftheyweredebarredfromdilatinguponitinthetongueofFrance！

Loveofthesecondkind——renunciatorylove——consistsinayearningtoundergoself-sacrificefortheobjectbeloved，regardlessofanyconsiderationwhethersuchself-sacrificewillbenefitorinjuretheobjectinquestion。"ThereisnoevilwhichIwouldnotenduretoshowboththeworldandhimorherwhomI

adoremydevotion。"Therewehavetheformulaofthiskindoflove。Peoplewhothusloveneverlookforreciprocityofaffection，sinceitisafinerthingtosacrificeyourselfforonewhodoesnotcomprehendyou。Also，theyarealwayspainfullyeagertoexaggeratethemeritsoftheirsacrifice；usuallyconstantintheirlove，forthereasonthattheywouldfindithardtoforegothekudosofthedeprivationswhichtheyendurefortheobjectbeloved；alwaysreadytodie，toprovetohimortohertheentiretyoftheirdevotion；butsparingofsuchsmalldailyproofsoftheirloveascallfornospecialeffortofself-

immolation。Theydonotmuchcarewhetheryoueatwell，sleepwell，keepyourspiritsup，orenjoygoodhealth，nordotheyeverdoanythingtoobtainforyouthoseblessingsiftheyhaveitintheirpower；but，shouldyoubeconfrontingabullet，orhavefallenintothewater，orstandindangerofbeingburnt，orhavehadyourheartbrokeninaloveaffair——well，forallthesethingstheyarepreparediftheoccasionshouldarise。Moreover，peopleaddictedtoloveofsuchaself-sacrificingorderareinvariablyproudoftheirlove，exacting，jealous，distrustful，and——strangetotell——anxiousthattheobjectoftheiradorationshouldincurperils（sothattheymaysaveitfromcalamity，andconsoleitthereafter）andevenbevicious（sothattheymaypurgeitofitsvice）。

Suppose，now，thatyouarelivinginthecountrywithawifewholovesyouinthisself-sacrificingmanner。Youmaybehealthyandcontented，andhaveoccupationswhichinterestyou，while，ontheotherhand，yourwifemaybetooweaktosuperintendthehouseholdwork（which，inconsequence，willbelefttotheservants），ortolookafterthechildren（who，inconsequence，willbelefttothenurses），ortoputherheartintoanyworkwhatsoever：andallbecauseshelovesnobodyandnothingbutyourself。Shemaybepatentlyill，yetshewillsaynotawordtoyouaboutit，forfearofdistressingyou。Shemaybepatentlyennuyee，yetforyoursakeshewillbepreparedtobesofortherestofherlife。Shemaybepatentlydepressedbecauseyousticksopersistentlytoyouroccupations（whethersport，books，farming，stateservice，oranythingelse）andseeclearlythattheyaredoingyouharm；yet，forallthat，shewillkeepsilence，andsufferittobeso。Yet，shouldyoubutfallsick——

and，despiteherownailmentsandyourprayersthatshewillnotdistressherselfinvain，yourlovingwifewillremainsittinginseparablybyyourbedside。Everymomentyouwillfeelhersympatheticgazerestinguponyouand，asitwere，saying：

"There！Itoldyouso，butitisallonetome，andIshallnotleaveyou。"Inthemorningyoumaybealittlebetter，andmoveintoanotherroom。Theroom，however，willbeinsufficientlywarmedorsetinorder；thesoupwhichaloneyoufeelyoucouldeatwillnothavebeencooked；norwillanymedicinehavebeensentfor。Yet，thoughwornoutwithnightwatching，yourlovingwifewillcontinuetoregardyouwithanexpressionofsympathy，towalkaboutontiptoe，andtowhisperunaccustomedandobscureorderstotheservants。Youmaywishtobereadto——andyourlovingwifewilltellyouwithasighthatshefeelssureyouwillbeunabletohearherreading，andonlygrowangryatherawkwardnessindoingit；whereforeyouhadbetternotbereadtoatall。Youmaywishtowalkabouttheroom——andshewilltellyouthatitwouldbefarbetterforyounottodoso。Youmaywishtotalkwithsomefriendswhohavecalled——andshewilltellyouthattalkingisnotgoodforyou。Atnightfallthefevermaycomeuponyouagain，andyoumaywishtobeleftalonewhereuponyourlovingwife，thoughwasted，pale，andfullofyawns，willgoonsittinginachairoppositeyou，asduskfalls，untilherveryslightestmovement，herveryslightestsound，rousesyoutofeelingsofangerandimpatience。Youmayhaveaservantwhohaslivedwithyoufortwentyyears，andtowhomyouareattached，andwhowouldtendyouwellandtoyoursatisfactionduringthenight，forthereasonthathehasbeenasleepalldayandis，moreover，paidasalaryforhisservices；yetyourwifewillnotsufferhimtowaituponyou。No；everythingshemustdoherselfwithherweak，unaccustomedfingers（ofwhichyoufollowthemovementswithsuppressedirritationasthosepalemembersdotheirbesttouncorkamedicinebottle，tosnuffacandle，topouroutphysic，ortotouchyouinasqueamishsortofway）。Ifyouareanimpatient，hastysortofman，andbegofhertoleavetheroom，youwillhearbythevexed，distressedsoundswhichcomefromherthatsheishumblysobbingandweepingbehindthedoor，andwhisperingfoolishnessofsomekindtotheservant。

Finallyifyoudonotdie，yourlovingwife——whohasnotsleptduringthewholethreeweeksofyourillness（afactofwhichshewillconstantlyremindyou）——willfallillinherturn，wasteaway，suffermuch，andbecomeevenmoreincapableofanyusefulpursuitthanshewasbefore；whilebythetimethatyouhaveregainedyournormalstateofhealthshewillexpresstoyouherself-sacrificingaffectiononlybysheddingaroundyouakindofbenignantdullnesswhichinvoluntarilycommunicatesitselfbothtoyourselfandtoeveryoneelseinyourvicinity。

Thethirdkindoflove——practicallove——consistsofayearningtosatisfyeveryneed，everydesire，everycaprice，nay，everyvice，ofthebeingbeloved。Peoplewholovethusalwayslovetheirlifelong，since，themoretheylove，themoretheygettoknowtheobjectbeloved，andtheeasiertheyfindthetaskoflovingit——

thatistosay，ofsatisfyingitsdesires。Theirloveseldomfindsexpressioninwords，butifitdoesso，itexpressesitselfneitherwithassurancenorbeauty，butratherinashamefaced，awkwardmanner，sincepeopleofthiskindinvariablyhavemisgivingsthattheyarelovingunworthily。Peopleofthiskindloveeventhefaultsoftheiradoredone，forthereasonthatthosefaultsaffordthemthepowerofconstantlysatisfyingnewdesires。Theylookfortheiraffectiontobereturned，andevendeceivethemselvesintobelievingthatitisreturned，andarehappyaccordingly：yetinthereversecasetheywillstillcontinuetodesirehappinessfortheirbelovedone，andtrybyeverymeansintheirpower——whethermoralormaterial，greatorsmall——toprovideit。