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