silently and searchingly at me with Thy mild eyes? Be angry. I don’t want
he walked into the passage in the same way, with the money outstretched in
to Count Mattei in Milan. He sent me a book and some drops, bless him,
fretting your heart, and not answered. But the martyr likes sometimes to
Petrovna, compose your countenance. This is Alexey Fyodorovitch Karamazov.
three to arrive. It is of that brother Alexey I find it most difficult to
believe, an insane wife. He has been living here a long time; he used to
educated class of to‐day are reflected in this family picture—only, of
had only lately come to the town. And this man—the inspector of police,
nothing had happened. “A week—yes, I think it was a week ago—Dmitri
that he really was ill. But I knew for a fact, and had known for a long
held my tongue, and very shortly after, I left the town, and five months
Is there beauty in Sodom? Believe me, that for the immense mass of mankind
“Here there was no room for dispute: it was her right and his; this was
“Perfectly true,” Father Païssy, the silent and learned monk, assented
in that insulting fashion. And I am told that his son, a boy, quite a
set aside for women of rank.
go into a nunnery. No, I really shall one day, Alyosha said something to
official, living in the town, called Perhotin, had called on particular
gestures. The old lies and formal prostrations. We know all about them. A
secret of this world. Choosing “bread,” Thou wouldst have satisfied the
had made him feel most ashamed was that he had given in too soon and
1.E.
the only good deed I’ve done.’ So don’t praise me, Alyosha, don’t think me
you’d understand without wasting words, and that being such a sensible man
burying him, suddenly, at the deacon’s exhortation, “Depart all ye
was put to it. A magnificent explosion followed. Mamma was startled, but
“I ... I’ve not exactly thought it,” muttered Alyosha, “but directly you
attracted them.
Fyodorovitch had sent two five per cent. coupons of five thousand
laughing musically.
“Grushenka at Katerina Ivanovna’s.”
horror, perhaps from disgust. And well it is that they stand aside, but
Oh, of course, there’s a horrible suspicion ... hanging over me ... if
tomb. He practically acknowledged at the time that that was the only
waited for guidance from the elder. He sat still, pale, not from
mistaken. I thank my counsel, too. I cried listening to him; but it’s not
not interest him at all; what he was interested in was Maximov. He had
story at people’s houses!”
such an incident were repeated. Every sound was hushed and Fetyukovitch
d’œuvre_, the _chef‐d’œuvre_ of his whole life, as his swan‐song. He died,
me?”
sharply, frowning.
he is not killed and recovers, it will be first‐rate, for then he’ll bear
“With this eight hundred you must have had about fifteen hundred at
Strange to say, during those days it never occurred to him to think of the
daughter.”
not believe in God, that’s his secret!”
found Smerdyakov still hanging. On the table lay a note: “I destroy my
you want them so much. If other men would have to answer for your escape,
noiseless, movements, softened to a peculiar over‐sweetness, like her
the evening before. He had fancied, too, that she was incapable of loving
Smerdyakov wrathfully in the face.
the notes? The only person who saw them, and stated that they had been put
torture me, marry me and then torture me, deceive me and go away. I don’t
the universal happiness of man. But Thou mightest have taken even then the
He felt that whatever might come later, whatever turn things might take,
Chapter I. At Grushenka’s
for fourteen years. His widow, still a nice‐looking woman of thirty‐two,
Upon his stumbling ass.
Grigory’s doing. He had put it up on the poor “crazy woman’s” grave at his
account. They say he stabbed a boy called Krassotkin with a pen‐knife not
criticism, if it is examined separately. As I followed the case more
thought on the way.
hysterical, curiosity. He instantly lost all trace of his reserve and
about, summer and winter alike, barefooted, wearing nothing but a hempen
“Where is yonder? Tell me, will you be here long? Can’t you go away?” Ivan
himself had denied having more than fifteen hundred, Mitya confidently
in these last words of his, perhaps obscure to himself, but yet torturing
Why not some other weapon? But since he had been contemplating his plan
specialist who cures noses. If you go to Paris, he’ll look at your nose; I
“She’s asked you, written to you a letter or something, that’s why you’re
I’m not drinking, I’m only ‘indulging,’ as that pig, your Rakitin, says.
but quietly. I kept expecting Dmitri Fyodorovitch to come.”
been possible, as showed itself in unseemly disorder immediately after
“Smerdyakov always pokes himself in now, after dinner. It’s you he’s so
of his guilt. What’s more, I believe they would have been mortified if his
my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return into the earth; the Lord gave
always outside the precincts. There is a Harkov lady, Madame Hohlakov,
from one group to another, listening and asking questions among the monks
sent for. They gave their evidence with dignity, though not without some
monastery and straight to the Father Superior’s. He had no clear idea what
“Forgive us too!” he heard two or three voices.
his swollen legs, the old man could hardly walk at all, and was only
“He’ll end in madness,” the young doctor Varvinsky observed about him, and
speak of Dante, in France, clerks, as well as the monks in the
Could a Karamazov fail to understand it? That anxiety was just what he was
are, that it’s better to hang oneself at once. Knowing that you are
“Ilusha has mentioned you often, very often, even in his sleep, in
persistent and shameless importunity. But, fortunately, Adelaïda
“Yes, he will get well. But she is convinced that he will die. She has a
stupid excitement and brandished his fist at Kolya.
look on and allow it.... They allow it ... and next day the Uhlan comes
“That’s enough! Leave off,” Ivan said peremptorily, sitting down again.
the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state
be able to think at that moment of love and of dodges to escape
now. That’s the arrangement he made himself ever since this to‐do with
drank a bottle and a half of it, and I was ready to dance, it took it away
arguments the defense had to rely upon. Every one realized it from the
Of the other two I will speak only cursorily.
duty to stay here I never shall understand,” Marfa answered firmly.
I may myself chance to go some day to those happy parts of Europe?”
business, was acquisitive, saving and careful, and by fair means or foul
earlier, waiting for him to wake, having received a most confident
“You must tell me all that afterwards, afterwards!” Madame Hohlakov with a
are the prosecutor’s own words. So on one side you see a complete absence
feature was working in her utterly distorted face.
fury.
love any one like me, and how was it I did not know, I did not appreciate
message for you. That same brother of mine, Dmitri, has insulted his
“That life is heaven,” he said to me suddenly, “that I have long been
accursed, and am cut off from the Holy Church, exactly as though I were a
“On the third day when he came back from school, I saw he looked pale and
boast I tell you about it. It’s only a story, but it’s a nice story. I
“To be sure!”
“And what has he told you, gentlemen—Smerdyakov, I mean?” he added
too far for you, I suppose ... or would you like some?”
most of her time in another province where she had an estate, or in
point to the little bag, in the darkness, too. We shall rejoice at the new
rapidity, his wrathful, savage face changed, his tightly compressed lips
like it, too), or that you’re so sorry for your brother that you are
come down at all, and so perhaps you don’t know how carefully he has begun
agonizing and revolting that was in that room now, at that moment, and had
or more. He was waked up by his head aching so unbearably that he could
“I came in from the back‐alley, over the fence, and went straight to the
been able to define, and which yet perhaps unconsciously affected him. It
“Oh, I’ve nothing against God. Of course, God is only a hypothesis, but
is woman? The queen of creation! My heart is sad, my heart is sad, Pyotr
anything to see one!”
part—as in a theater!”
would recover, that his blow had not been fatal, and that he would not
murder. But it is very easy to point out that moment. He might have waked
“What are you doing, loading the pistol?”
it.
talk to no one but myself and you. Only you in the whole world. And to you
saving of you, especially of your boy—and you ought to go quickly, before
only she cares to, and of course she may care to. All I’ve said is that
to the nature of the motives which are strong enough to induce you to
Therefore you too, mother, know that your little one is surely before the
leave no trace behind.”
highly cultured landowner, upon whom all in the monastery were in a sense
added, addressing Maximov.
what I did to Grigory, for one can’t break old men’s heads with impunity.
“Brother, you don’t seem to have noticed how you’ve insulted Katerina
“Grushenka? I shall see her. I shall rush out and prevent it.”
have said what was the cause of it. He had often been depressed before,
that malicious thing on purpose to wound him again. He had never, never
towards the boy.
with him, of such gravity that he dare not defer it for a moment, and
Dmitri? He too will be harder than yesterday, he too must be spiteful and
pretext, jeering at his opinion upon an important public event—it was in
and suppress it, once for all, all over Russia, so as to bring all the
belong to the Church, and is inconsistent with its nature, both as a
the room, the washing hanging on a line in the corner, puzzled him. The
It’s as though there was an understanding between them. Perhaps at this
to the steps, and hearing a noise in the garden, he made up his mind to go
go to him in any case before going to the captain, though he had a
face, though, I believe, he was well satisfied with it. He used
would venture to try something else. The invalid was taken to the lodge,
You know it’s the valet, the valet killed him! Good heavens! Can they
Astounding news has reached the class,
what, had he said to her? His heart burned with violent anger. He could
A sturdy‐looking peasant, with a round, simple face and grizzled beard,
Mitya was jumping up with the obvious intention of delivering another
perfect frankness to him about all my feelings; “for,” thought I, “what
seemed lost in thought. She was more silent, quieter, and, if she cried,
would restore the stolen money. I’d give it back; I’d get it somehow....
peculiar fervor.
saw, at the first half‐second, that it had missed fire. He stood there so
pines beside the path. He had not far to go—about five hundred paces. He
Mitya said all this with the good‐natured but impatient familiarity of a
pronounce: ‘Yes, he is guilty.’
felt penitence, but only despair. Despair and penitence are two very
away.”
perhaps, or fickle man. There was one man—one, an officer too, we loved
by any reasons (and they were often very illogical ones) to believe that
“Not long ago in Petersburg a young man of eighteen, hardly more than a
“No doubt. Let us leave that,” she snapped. “Listen: I can’t go with you
Mitya’s early childhood. “It wasn’t fair either of the father to wrong his
because they’ve been burnt out.”
Katerina Ivanovna as half of what he owed her, but which he had yet
and will open the door to you quietly.’ Another signal he gave me in case
enough of that. I simply wanted to show you my point of view. I meant to
She was, of course, at once asked what ground she had for such a definite
to be let in.’ And he started like a baby. ‘Where is she?’ he fairly
question of miracles. There was no frivolous and impatient expectation of
thousand, and on my part I can give security for that sum with infinite
straight to the police captain, but if she admitted having given him the
or torment a man, or any kind of creature, for every creature is created
get my daughters up for nothing, let alone a sum like that. They’ve only
wife’s account before their marriage; he fancied now that if he submitted
Father Païssy went on fearlessly. “And who can say of himself ‘I am holy’?
till her body was one bruise. Then, they went to greater refinements of
electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for
from your eyes. You believe what people say, that I’m nothing but a
hundred, like a locket round my neck, but yesterday I undid it, and spent
“We’ll leave off soon. We’ll leave off.”
said to have told it fluently and consecutively, but he seemed to make it
quite young children of our intellectual and higher classes. There is no
“The three thousand you promised me ... that you so generously—”
“Did you come to that of yourself?” asked Ivan, with a wry smile.
suppose there are two who can move mountains? Ivan, make a note of it,
“Why are you looking at me? Why do you look like that? Your eyes look at
must therefore have been a man of great strength, coolness, decision and
fools are made for wise men’s profit.”
questions. Why have you been looking at me in expectation for the last
master a second time and carry off the money that had already been stolen?
“Just so, sir, I was only running out to Prohoritch’s.... But I don’t know
bitter. “You learned men! You are so clever you look down upon my
to remove her. Suddenly she cried to the President:
the horrors of slavery and confusion to which Thy freedom brought them.
was, without an overcoat. He had evidently come in haste. He held out his
“Ach, as though we could take it amiss in you!” drawled Marya
know nothing about it though. They say she has become a saint, though it’s
“Gentlemen of the jury, beware of a miscarriage of justice! What is there
punish me, decide my fate!” cried Mitya, staring with terribly fixed wide‐
curiosity.
to her, and the lady would be pleased to take it. She herself never tasted
When Alyosha happened for a moment to leave the cell, he was struck by the
why the news of the fresh “miracle” performed by Father Zossima reduced
wonder why he is doing it. He told me the year before last that his wife
don’t know. It would have been frightfully stupid, of course. I suppose it
“Like a martyr? How?”
“What do you mean, Mitya?”
morrow, so I’ll make merry till I die!’ ”
shape, for Smerdyakov could only have committed the murder after he had
rebelling against our power, and proud of his rebellion? It is the pride
Him, they flock about Him, follow Him. He moves silently in their midst
bear, fierce and menacing, and yet innocent in it.” And I told him how
“Ah, from that little demon!” he laughed maliciously, and, without opening
curtain and flung herself at the police captain’s feet.
“Getting out of bed, he goes almost unconsciously and with no definite
prospect. As for mutual love it did not exist apparently, either in the
Lise, as it was with her he had to speak, for Lise had sent a maid to him
at the time, his breeches were too small for him, and there were holes in
interrogation.
I go out? You won’t be frightened and cry when I’m gone?”
recalled that day, that the scandal could have reached such proportions.
And bending down to Alyosha, he went on in a confidential half‐whisper.
sudden and irresistible prompting.
has been all the time loving and mysteriously guiding you. Forgive me for
young, _qui faisait la cinquantaine_, as the French say, with rather long,
“Yes, what would become of an ax there?” Ivan cried suddenly, with a sort
How quickly you have made her sleepy, and how fortunate it is!”
“Not at all, I didn’t mean anything.”
moment.
At seven o’clock Ivan got into the train and set off to Moscow “Away with
How quickly you have made her sleepy, and how fortunate it is!”
children of freedom, of free love, of free and splendid sacrifice for Thy
nonsense because I’m drunk. I’m not a bit drunk. Brandy’s all very well,
was even stronger in Alyosha than in any one there, and, of late, a kind
the room without saying a word, so I couldn’t find out what was the
him, I’ve killed him.... You’ve come to grief, old man, so there you must
you more. Since that incident all the boys have been teasing him about the
written, he is coming here, and, do you know, we’ve loved him, none but
corpse—retribution. And yet the prosecutor allowed him love, which he
study the psychology of Russian crime, for the subject is worth it. But
touch theirs.
to pay back? That’s just it. I shan’t shoot myself. I haven’t the strength
Mitya.... ‘Everything that is true and good is always full of
taverns in the course of that month, it was perhaps because he was
facts very suggestive, though, I admit, inconclusive. In the first place
“You can never tell what he’s after,” said one of them.
all this business, and in your company, too? So we will come to dinner.
the defense deigns to call only ‘the crucified lover of humanity,’ in
All his life he had thought both his big toes hideous. He particularly
“Yes.”
these sacred words, I mention them for all fathers. Who has authorized me
knew that he ought to get up and show anger, and Smerdyakov stood before
up the embers of Thy fire. Knowest Thou that? Yes, maybe Thou knowest it,’
with a cry, and plumped down at his feet.
your brother I still feel strong—for I know—you two will never desert me.”
Lise laughed nervously again; she spoke rapidly.
night spent in the stifling hut, and so on, he came to his return to the
visited her, and that was all.”
recollected every farthing and included it in the reckoning. Nikolay
filles_, even in them you may discover something that makes you simply
was passionate appeal in her eyes. Even Kalganov felt a stir at the heart
which are even a greater menace to Russia than the premature decay, due to
the army, he still had mustaches and no beard. His dark brown hair was
I don’t care about that—our names may perish. I respect your brother!”
all—the publicity. The story has been told a million times over in all the
Kiss me! Beat me, ill‐treat me, do what you will with me.... And I do
I am in good spirits now, though I’ve a pain in my forehead ... and in the
be Brothers in the Spirit_
and generous like Kolya (though he will be ever so much cleverer when he
Borissovitch and received a rouble each from him for doing so. “Well,”
“Have you noticed, Smurov, that in the middle of winter we don’t feel so
light it throws on the prisoner’s position at the moment. This woman, this
while the old man had hold of his left leg, and how he had then jumped
“One doesn’t often stumble upon champagne,” he said, licking his lips.
till our old age. Of course, on condition that you will leave the
was too much for him. Then he was attracted by a fine and intelligent girl
anything happened to him. Oh, he foresaw his illness! He told me that the
Yet everything was clear as day: that officer, he knew about him, he knew
Ivan concluded his long tirade with marked and unexpected feeling.
of him. That would have been more like love, for his burden would have
whole life will slip away like a phantom. In that case you will naturally
of keeping ... in fact, quite unseemly ... as”—he glanced at the
The elder suddenly rose from his seat. “Excuse me, gentlemen, for leaving
“He’s a brick, he’s a brick!” cried the other boys, and they began
universal and everlasting craving of humanity—to find some one to worship.
still silent and still serious as before. If Alyosha had said a word it
largest of her three estates, yet she had been very little in our province
“Excuse me,” Dmitri cried suddenly; “if I’ve heard aright, crime must not
commission.... If you don’t make a mistake, there’s ten roubles for you,
counsel for the defense. But before Katerina Ivanovna was called, Alyosha
for a doctor to see him at once, providing with a liberal hand for the
heart.” This promise and indeed every word of the dying elder Father
“Not real?” Kolya flushed. “It burns. I don’t know, of course.”
the relics of the Holy Martyr, Varvara. Let me put it on your neck myself,
Archive Foundation.”
I copied out three lines of it. Wait a minute. Here it is.”
the edifice, and it is to Him they cry aloud, ‘Thou art just, O Lord, for
“Yes, he told me, ‘Don’t tell him.’ It’s you that Mitya’s most afraid of.
steps after Father Ferapont. The others, on the contrary, pressed farther
of it? ‘I didn’t kill him and you mustn’t think I did! I wanted to kill
That was what my heart whispered to me at once. You came in and all grew
eloquent letter in which he begged her to lend him three roubles. In the
little bed is still there—”
infernal wickedness, but to put you to shame, and you’ll be surprised
tavern into the market‐place; at that moment the boys were coming out of
man well have remembered for twenty‐three years how he ran in his father’s
“Yes, it’s a great pity. You saw for yourself how delighted the poor child
to Petersburg as other parents did. “You have only one son now,” they
a schoolmaster, all so grave and learned; he met me so solemnly that I was
trouble he had given. Coming out of the hut he saw nothing but forest all
almost involuntarily, instinctively, feels at heart.
a shindy. Shortly afterwards he was ordered to retire. I won’t tell you
that door, and, having accomplished the crime, went out again by the same
it to me. It was a very thick bundle, all rainbow‐colored notes. And
there. He began playing these tricks, they say, as soon as he got home.
was not in the blue room either; there was no one but Kalganov asleep on
“My dear, my dear, in degradation, in degradation now, too. There’s a
complacency. “But it’s true that I am stupidly sensitive, crudely
court:
“Listen. Legally he owes me nothing. I’ve had it all from him, I know
supposed to know nothing, as he was a student of natural science. The
modern fathers? Alas! many of them only differ in not openly professing
shall not live through the coming day,” he said to Alyosha. Then he
gentleman, your paradise, even if it exists. I believe that I fall asleep
his face on his father’s shoulder.
Mitya. Oh, that was a sacrifice! No, you cannot understand the greatness
the rest of the house by a passage, to a doctor’s wife with her two small
himself and punished himself. I could not believe in his insanity.
him over to me and Thou wilt see that Thy servant will murmur against Thee
distress, even to a desire for vengeance on the evil‐doers, shun above all
silence who has been mentioned already, as antagonistic to Father Zossima
and habits that lasted for years. Limping and writhing with pain he went
well‐to‐do people of influence and position. They always gave me a cordial
other man in the room. But when Alyosha went in, he leapt up from the
“They are rogues.”
“Who is _he_?” asked Alyosha, involuntarily looking round.
impression left by his conversation with Ivan the day before, suddenly
and now you’re rushing off on the spree—that’s you all over! Three dozen
Kuzma Kuzmitch, a tragedy! And as you’ve dropped out long ago, it’s a tug‐
onion to‐day. Begin your work, dear one, begin it, gentle one!... Do you
through my mind. That’s what brought it back to me just now. How could I
extreme embarrassment, Mitya bent down and helped her, and at last he got
learned a great deal that was profitable from him, for he was a man of
in his voice. There was a reproachful light in his eyes.
Set your mind completely at rest.”
world, the higher part of man’s being is rejected altogether, dismissed
my betrothed, to cherish his old age, and I find nothing but a depraved
is joy. Hail to God and His joy! I love Him!”
of it all.”
Moravian brother, I am not quite sure which. He had been living amongst us
“That’s true,” he said, but he smiled bitterly. “It’s terrible the things
“They don’t let convicts marry, do they?” he repeated for the third time
“They’ll think I am an accomplice, because I let him know the signals as a
one such novice, failing to fulfill some command laid upon him by his
Smerdyakov’s last argument. “I don’t suspect you at all, and I think it’s
them see how beautifully I dance....”
with the young ladies. People talked about it afterwards and wondered that
money?’ You might still have said to her, ‘He’s a degraded sensualist, and
It was difficult even now to decide whether he was joking or really moved.
exceptional one, the fits persisting and recurring several times, so that
you, agonizingly and insufferably. I would give anything to be able to
down on the table.
worship; what is essential is that all may be _together_ in it. This
yourself, and see that your image is a seemly one. You pass by a little
almost cheerful, but there was about him, about his words and gestures,
yourself.... If only you’ve spoilt, if only you’ve ruined any one’s
still thick, dark hair, slightly streaked with gray and a small pointed
noticed it later. At first—a month ago—he only began to come oftener to
not as his own surmise and theory, but as the direct confirmation, by a
immortality, or, as you say, the same questions turned inside out, come
were struck dumb, while the sun was shining, the leaves were rejoicing and
only Karamazovs!’ That was cleverly said!”
“But did you serve in the cavalry? You were talking about the cavalry.
noticing a pretty little lap‐dog with dark eyes, sitting in the corner.
for him.”
one, you, my kind boy, you too have known how to give a famished woman an
that were crowding within and without the elder’s cell. But he did not pay
three days she had only looked at from a distance, she trembled all over
but forgot to mention that if this terrible prisoner was for twenty‐three
read somewhere of John the Merciful, a saint, that when a hungry, frozen
Dmitri,” Ivan insisted gayly. “Her feeling for Dmitri was simply a self‐
“Very well, I will come,” Alyosha decided, after rapidly scanning the
In the following days he became convinced of Mitya’s guilt, as he got to
“Don’t laugh, Kolya. Of course I’m afraid. My father would be awfully
“Yes,” Alyosha assented bitterly. “When was he with you?”
you, I beseech you, to hear me. Three weeks before he murdered his father,
cannot and certainly cannot? Your reverence, am I to come in or not? Will
made equal. That’s the long and short of it.”
only not here but yonder.”
“Ah, young lady, how good and generous you are compared with me! Now
bring the money in.”
healthy, red face had a look of blank idiocy and the fixed stare in her
and with enjoyment. I’ve been talking foolishly. I’ve no words left. I use
enter the court bitterly prejudiced against him. In fact, one may say
Rakitin: ‘The sense of their own degradation is as essential to those
pass. I sent you to him, Alexey, for I thought your brotherly face would
He sat down on the bench and made Alyosha sit down beside him.
I can’t say, I don’t remember....”
had the thought of Smerdyakov in my mind. I’ve been sitting here, shouting
run off to now like a madman? He’ll go to Mokroe, I thought, and kill my
mountain move into the sea, it will move without the least delay at your
sympathy. You needn’t answer. Now rheumatism has come in again—”
repeated, rather impatiently.
understand that, of course.”
forests, it would be the ruin of Russia. I stand up for the clever people.
firmly convinced, perhaps ever since that bow, that the simple‐hearted
“You’d better look out,” the boys called after him; “he won’t be afraid of
felt a shiver of fear run down his spine. At that moment he saw fully, as
everybody. The Tsar will reward me, I will come back here and then no one
“Afanasy,” I said, “I gave you two blows on the face yesterday, forgive
loved. She was ready to drown herself then, but the old merchant saved
“I do not draw back one iota from what I have said just now, but suppose
would be offended if he were not jealous. I am like that. I am not
your feet. I want to love you for ever. I want to save you from yourself.’
“What have I done to you?” answered Alyosha, bending over her with a
pin the Lion and the Sun on my coat, instead of, at least, the Polar Star
bitter laugh. “Why, is he afraid for me or for himself? He asks me to
adorning Nikolay Parfenovitch’s right hand.
indeed; but yet that was not it, that was not it either. “I feel sick with
A woman of genteel appearance, wearing a cotton gown, was sitting on a
Him. That might be one of the best passages in the poem. I mean, why they
years, abandon everything and go off to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage for his
to preach to fathers? No one. But as a man and a citizen I make my
so gay and happy.”
him, we sacrificed everything to him. That was long ago, five years ago,
course, to check it completely. He knew that he was unwell, but he loathed
misfortune—still let us remember how good it was once here, when we were
suspicion, the deception was open, obvious. She must be there, in that
She slowly raised the hands to her lips, with the strange object indeed of
straight to hell and be roasted there like mutton,” put in Fyodor
fact of Smerdyakov’s illness. He heard the story of his fall in the
He was choking. He was not expecting Grushenka at the time, and the sudden
heart that if he confessed his crime, he would heal his soul and would be
to an old song, which he sang himself. He danced with special vigor to the
“Why, look,” squealed the captain suddenly, and showing him the two notes
girls were getting ready, and that the Jews with the cymbals would most
He was evidently unwell, and, judging by his glittering eyes, he was in a
like to have a chat with you, my dear boy, but I haven’t the time. And
for many years and behaved with wonderful dignity. He was a kind‐hearted
The lieutenant‐colonel flew to him. ‘I’ve never received any money from
moment. I shall forgive you later, but now I don’t want your hand. ‘Den
one, in a black silk dress, with a dainty lace fichu on her head, which
fact his listeners very clearly perceived.
“Well, all the classical authors have been translated into all languages,
received many such letters, accompanied by such receipts, from her former
took a chair, moved it quickly to the table and sat down. Smerdyakov
Dmitri is not a thief! but a murderer! He has murdered his father
At first he was worried at the arrest of the servant, but his illness and
was his one anxiety. But these rumors were not quite just. Our prosecutor
dreadful ghosts away and hide our heads in the pillow so as to return to
the forest and the forest birds. He was a bird‐catcher, knew the note of
have all the mighty of the earth, the rulers, the chief judges, and the
great duties and obligations, in that sphere, if we want to be
regard you as, so to speak, more unfortunate than guilty. All of us here,
boldness of thought and conviction, and not the spirit of these sausage
strange happened to Alyosha. Precisely what he was describing in the crazy
evidence taken separately was unproved and fantastic, that I undertook the
went out, since you’re afraid of the dark?”
ready! I am not able to resign myself. I wanted to sing a ‘hymn’; but if a
marvelous. Yet the whole still stands steadfast before their eyes, and the
“Yes, I did.”
from his family and the tax‐gatherer! You bleed the people, you know, holy
You know how the snow glistens at night when the moon shines. It was as
to share it. Why have you come?”
resolution.”
and morally be united to any other judgment even as a temporary
Fyodorovitch, and your taking them to that poor officer ... and she told
down, set the samovar, sent for his wife, as though my appearance were a
now....”
at Mokroe, by Mitya on the first occasion, a month before, three thousand
before the ikon and wept for him before the Holy Mother of God, our swift
“One has to be careful there’s no fire about, or it would blow up and kill
“Give me some vodka too.”
once reconsidered and reversed. At that instant Mitya suddenly stood up
Miüsov would come from curiosity, perhaps of the coarsest kind, while his
as the man standing before him, and that he perhaps is more than all men
friend. I have the honor to be his only friend!” she cried suddenly with a
perhaps caught some sound, and, glancing to the left he saw his master’s
stand round and point their fingers at me and I would look at them all.
bear it. Now, I thought, he is all that binds me, and he is my judge. I
hinder us, and Thou knowest that. But dost Thou know what will be to‐
As for Madame Hohlakov, she was simply enchanted by the young man. “Such
what I like, to become superstitious. I adopt all your habits here: I’ve
cruelty; am I not a bug, am I not a noxious insect? In fact a Karamazov!
and this was no doubt Grigory’s scream, “Parricide!” uttered when he
see all this? Why does it interest you? That’s the first question.”
Father Païssy’s heart. He was in haste to arm the boy’s mind for conflict
I hasten to emphasize the fact that I am far from esteeming myself capable
know him! But he’s gone, Father, he’s gone, and I shall never hear him
Expound the Gospel to the people unceasingly ... be not extortionate....
pressed his hand.
paradise, but we won’t see it, if we would, we should have heaven on earth
Freedom, free thought and science, will lead them into such straits and
Or do you, too, consider that to escape would be dishonorable, cowardly,
been sent to Siberia in my place, the man died of fever. And I’ve been
and kindly to his honorable shame. Believe me that it will end in that;
told you to remember it. You know what I came back for? I came to kill
his waist. His throat and chest were bare. Beneath his coat, his shirt of
“He brought in too much psychology,” said another voice.
him more than Thyself! Respecting him less, Thou wouldst have asked less
coat. His stockingless feet were thrust in old slippers almost dropping to
There’s no knowing what you might build on it. Ha ha! Take comfort,
degree discreditable, still, discreditable is not ‘disgraceful.’... Many
Karamazov. I don’t quite remember how he described him. The court usher
succeed in finishing; Ivan suddenly snatched a glass from the table and
refuge and no appeal, that sets his vile blood on fire. In every man, of
kick, every one of them, and they’d take it as an honor—that’s all they’re
his parents to associate with Krassotkin, who was well known to be a
composure.
Chapter VII. The First And Rightful Lover
“My money, gentlemen? Certainly. I understand that that is necessary. I’m
feel sorry for him? What then?”
“Gentlemen, you are good, you are humane, may I see _her_ to say ‘good‐by’
doing so.
very silent about it. Yet he was perfectly aware of a letter she had
accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us
earnest. She thinks a great deal of your opinion, Alexey Fyodorovitch, and
without boots on his feet, and my heart was touched and I said, ‘You are a
the savage beast walked away meekly and obediently, doing no harm. And the
a climax, and those same two questions torture his fevered brain more and
but I am still desirous to know precisely what has led you—”
him while he was drunk, and drank expensive wine without stint. People
angry, therefore you are wrong,” which provoked a burst of approving
as though he were a little boy instead of a young man of twenty. Oh, he
would have been a fact, a material fact in support of his statement! But
combing his hair just now; his hair’s like flax, and so thick....”
It seemed strange to Alyosha, too, that in spite of the calamity that had
You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or
deceived her (he had deceived her, believing that she was bound to endure
formidable rival. But he had looked upon him as a remote danger, and
telling me, ‘Speak,’ and the other ‘No, don’t speak.’ And no sooner had
you from time to time, my life gains a kind of reality and that’s what I
is not sordid; on the contrary, full of fine feeling.... No, Lise, I have
goings on. But there are a few peculiar men among them who believe in God
you must listen, for you can’t understand what these two hundred roubles
time has not yet come, but it will come in due course. And if it come not,
and Alyosha, for which the general’s widow had rewarded him with a slap in
Petersburg man to teach him: he could teach all Petersburg himself. He’s
all. And how he will laugh!”
that question! Do you hear that phrase uttered with such premature
timidity, too, of course, and inward shame at her own timidity, so it was
shouting and gesticulating.
State is eliminated and the Church is raised to the position of the State.
turn back. Alyosha knew he would not. He would not follow him and call him
that’s the worst of it! Everything, in fact, everything.... Even that
and offers her his hand.... That’s how it is ... offers her his hand, he
his own property from the thief who had stolen it. For that was the idea
back‐yard, ‘without boots on his feet and with his little trousers hanging
was never separated from it; in very truth I was keeping that book “for
told already; but I want to tell an angel on earth. You are an angel on
annoyed at being interrupted, “in any one else this moment would be only
I want my money myself,” cried the old man, waving his hand. “I’ll crush
to me—”
strangely, as it were disconnectedly, and inconsecutively. He began a
say, had been reached only during the last hours, that is, after his last
of low desires, and love what’s low, I’m not dishonorable. You’re
nothing for the last month but that she may give up your favorite Dmitri,
submit to her, and such submission would not give him happiness. Alyosha
bishop, I have just read with such pleasure?”
evident in many of the prisoner’s actions in the past, but was apparent
such disgrace, this very man suddenly develops the most stoical firmness,
in.
stones flew at the boy. One struck the boy on the head and he fell down,
“To Mokroe.”
nineteen, radiant with health. He was very handsome, too, graceful,
letters—what for? Why had he kept them for fourteen years afterwards
out there. The second half is a tragedy, and it is being acted here.”
“And always so, all our lives hand in hand! Hurrah for Karamazov!” Kolya
this only to you. I am not at all anxious to fall into the clutches of the
entrance, so to speak, with the last drop of his blood. Seeing this,
again, sometimes even with a jest. And after he had gone, Fyodor
the peasantry. Well, Smerdyakov was probably one of them, and he probably
out, and yet the bed was absolutely unrumpled; that is carefully recorded
is at the house of her father’s former employers, and in the winter went
that I should find here a talented opponent whose psychological insight
great and deadly sin; but we have made our life so grotesque, that to act
ever, in spite of the fact that it is impossible for them to mingle, and
that had cut short his days. But all the town was up in arms against me
my private, intimate affair, yet ... since I haven’t concealed my feelings
waiting all the time. At last Alyosha raised his gentle eyes and looked at
chair you must have thought over many things already.”
remember him sitting, sweet and gentle, smiling, his face bright and
“You are always harping upon it! What have I to do with it? Am I my
joke, and their souls are dry, dry and flat; they remind me of prison
evildoer. That’s an answer to my prayer. I’ve been praying all night.” And
can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant
the old reprobate, who was lying at death’s door, would perhaps not at all
intentionally pretending that Grigory had asked the questions.
afterwards, could never forgive him those words. Grigory taught him to
I would have said more but I could not; my voice broke with the sweetness
can’t.... I’m sorry.”
may note, parenthetically, that Pyotr Ilyitch was a rather good‐looking
his elbows on the table and covering his face with his hands. “Let me have
Katerina Ivanovna herself, he knew nothing about the episode of the four
after the destruction of Constantinople—this institution fell into
and terribly fatigued, yet at the same time in a state of hysterical
his action, I know that, and if only it is possible for him to come to
Gentlemen, my head aches ...” His brows contracted with pain. “You see,
prosecutor more than ever.
people. But this affair and all the talk about it did not estrange popular
official, living in the town, called Perhotin, had called on particular
irritability, using strange words, ‘Bernard!’ ‘Ethics!’ and others equally
feel it, you know. I can’t help feeling it.”
absence of anything like real evidence it will be too awful for you to
grief. Mitya looked at his hands again.
and of listening to such avowals. I remember hearing them say to her, “We
“I have made you an awful confession,” Mitya said gloomily in conclusion.
really do nothing to him, and that he was laughing at me then, or perhaps
Alyosha thought it strange that his arrival should cause such excitement.
Grushenka too got up, but without haste.
instructions given them by Fyodor Pavlovitch some days before. Taking
yours is unclean.’ ‘You ask all the officers whether my breath is
boiling. It’s capital coffee: Smerdyakov’s making. My Smerdyakov’s an
come from Paris, which was his permanent home. I remember that he was more
now why I did ask you to come. Well, Ivan Fyodorovitch has been to see me
religiously.’
have cornered you, revealing your eagerness for your father’s death, and I
Kolya from being teased, laughed at, or beaten by them. She went so far
“Not because I won’t be your wife, but simply weep for me?”
“Whose then? Whose then? Whose then?”
and kindly to his honorable shame. Believe me that it will end in that;
were several serious family quarrels on Mitya’s account in our town. Many
have dared to serve the truth, even when by doing so you risked incurring
pig! I used to kick such people out, but now I listen to them. He talks a
“Why ashamed?”
and stars were only created on the fourth day, and how that was to be
red ribbon with some sort of a medal upon it on his neck. There is no need
inheritance, the priest was positively alarmed, as he was in some way
interested in an answer the peasant made him; but a minute later he
So Alyosha’s cross‐examination ended. What was important and striking
should he stare out into the dark? He’s wild with impatience.” ... Mitya
wilfullness, which I never can get rid of, though I’ve been struggling
unruliness cannot even understand, which they fear and dread—for nothing
overtaken with such intense curiosity that she promptly dispatched Rakitin
flashing eyes. But something very strange had happened, though only for a
God’s truth—of that he had no more doubt than the weeping peasants and the
Agrafena Alexandrovna, she would have had all his capital made over to her
before. But does it matter to us after all whether it was a mistake of
thought—I’ve thought several times since I’ve been here—that you despised
that morning rose again, and a fine dry snow began falling thickly. It did
speak in the past tense. Pine‐trees are not like people, Alexey
was a complete hush. The foreman of the jury, the youngest of the clerks,
Smerdyakov with that murder is perfectly absurd.
“Remember,” he said, “how I came to you a second time. Do you hear,
them. Take them,” Smerdyakov suggested to Ivan, nodding at the notes. Ivan
“Ah, mamma, how sweetly you talk! I must kiss you for it, mamma.”
“There’s no one there, Agrafena Alexandrovna, I’ve just looked out, I keep
“He is going to Moscow, and you cry out that you are glad. You said that
in things. Once you perceive it, you will begin to comprehend it better
all! God preserve us, if it were! Yet, here we have her, our mother
But little attention was paid him and Father Païssy noticed it uneasily.
bed. His father saw it. He said it might explode, and thrashed him on the
beds, with pyramids of cotton pillows on each. There was a lighted candle
I formed an attachment to a beautiful and intelligent young girl of noble
“I see: he heard I had money, and came here to marry me!”
its center, I will say nothing. I have narrowed my subject on purpose. I
hollow voice, hunching up his shoulders till he looked almost deformed.
Father Isaac the Syrian,” which he read persistently for years together,
with me for having kept you. Good‐by, kiss me once more; that’s right, now
girl looked with mild serenity at Alyosha. A man of forty‐five was sitting
of that three thousand ... so the bundle of notes for three thousand that
heard it yesterday, I was so struck by it that I wanted to send for you at
could still scarcely get over his incredulity; he still fancied that Ivan
something delightful and amusing. But Kolya was bothered and did not go
so love humanity that—would you believe it?—I often dream of forsaking all
be the morning. Would you believe it, I dined here to‐day only to avoid
examined later.
about, but it’s nice you’ve brought the champagne. I want some myself, and
whole ceremony. He helped, evidently alarmed and upset. The sick man did
turn you out when I’m gone.”
exhausted voice:
enough to keep him without my help.”
against him which he has, alas! only too well deserved. But it’s not an
formidable was that a number of monks fully shared his feeling, and many
murmured, suddenly, in a firm rapid whisper, his voice no longer
his place, and looking keenly at his brother’s frenzied face. For one
babbled Maximov.
tower. They will seek us again, hidden underground in the catacombs, for
when he has lost them? Remembering them, how could he be fully happy with
bustle going on in the other rooms of the tavern; there were shouts for
was utterly impossible, from the facts known, to determine which was in
got. So now our lieutenant‐colonel is confined to the house, with a towel
mother earth, like frightened children, yearning to fall asleep on the
literary career. That’s what he comes for; he said so himself. He wants to
must have bells.... Do you hear, there’s a bell ringing? Where is that
like her, ‘the crazy woman’ ”—that was what he used to call his dead wife,
visited by the Queen of Heaven herself. But the devil did not slumber, and
been sent to Siberia in my place, the man died of fever. And I’ve been
without a penny, in the center of an unknown town of a million
took from him Rome and the sword of Cæsar, and proclaimed ourselves sole
down seemed burning and rankling in his soul. His pride above all suffered
would restore the stolen money. I’d give it back; I’d get it somehow....
mortal terror? And apart from that, I should know already that I could not
the previous day, specially asking him to come to her “about something
like an equal. But we are not equals, no, we are not, you are better! But
“Krassotkin!” cried one of the boys suddenly. He was the first to see him
announced that she was going to dance, too. She got up from her chair,
Andrey, coughing from the brandy he had just swallowed, jumped up on the
grating. ‘Why, my daughter, have you fallen again already?’ cries the
“They’ll only get there an hour at most before us, not even that maybe. I
his head and Perezvon instantly licked his cheek. Ilusha crept close to
“You are not ill‐natured, but distorted,” said Alyosha with a smile.
about the Nihilists asked the Ministry whether it was not high time to
given birth to a child. She was watched, and a box of which no one knew
over your destiny, Dmitri Fyodorovitch, I am watching over it and studying
the Pontiff of Rome for Emperor ... that’s their ideal, but there’s no
I was fond of reading, yet strange to say, the Bible was the one book I
all.”
believe till he saw, but when he did see he said, “My Lord and my God!”
lie!” he said aloud. And suddenly turning to the fence, he vaulted over it
have kept that, too. She would see at once that since I brought back half,
now he completely lost the thread of it.
To Nikolay Parfenovitch’s direct question, had he noticed how much money
of Smerdyakov’s bringing him information. They laid particular stress on
that he could impress his schoolfellows when he got home with his newly
excitement in his manner.
‘He murdered and robbed him. It was the work of his hands.’ Strange sort
besought me not to tell any one here of it, he is so dreadfully ashamed of
was nothing much—wayside blossoms _à la_ Paul de Kock—though the cruel
your unhappy brother. Your peculiar view of the whole tragic episode is
want to suggest anything, I don’t want to lift the veil, you will see for
“You are mistaken about that woman. Dmitri—despises her,” said Alyosha,
was pleased, he usually became expansive, but to‐day he seemed to restrain
it to me. It was a very thick bundle, all rainbow‐colored notes. And
“She was terribly scared.
at once? Why did he put it all off till morning? I think I have a right to
with extraordinary softness.
transfer the powers of their spirit and the warmth of their heart to the
French words by heart. He has an exercise‐book under his pillow with the
was nothing to laugh at. He showed continual and inexplicable
that her mistress had been particularly distressed since the previous day.
affection of the heart. But it became known that the doctors had been
repent of his past relations with Grushenka, and that she had no more
Father Païssy, of course, was not wrong when he decided that his “dear
way. Rakitin will get on anywhere; he is another Bernard. Ugh, these
him. Just after he had crossed the square and turned the corner coming out
“Quite the contrary; you behaved like an angel, like an angel. I am ready
wrinkles on his face, joyful and laughing softly. There was no coffin now,
matter?’ in my cowardliness, but she, after five years in torment, as soon
“To all appearances a malicious soul, full of petty pride,” thought
haven’t suffered, simply that I, my crimes and my sufferings, may manure
depended upon it.
reserved seats behind the judges, applauded the orator and waved their
clear, that he took in everything to the slightest detail, and missed no
refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem.
she liked with. She was an hysterical woman. I saw something of her in
men will be holy and love one another, and there will be no more rich nor
but in the world outside it. He did no one any harm, but “Why do they
“But he is left‐handed,” another, a fine healthy‐looking boy of eleven,
either, for you are not my only tormentress; she is too. Farewell!
every time he began to speak. He was fond indeed of making fun of his own
every one in the town remained convinced that the crime had been committed
“I have a great favor to ask of you, Alexey Fyodorovitch,” she began,
stained his hands with his father’s blood. This is only hypothesis, I
way, at the price of such shame, such disgrace, such utter degradation,
irritably, his eyes somehow did not follow his mood, but betrayed
once. And if he is acquitted, make him come straight from the law courts
before could not have been less than three thousand, that all the peasants
conversation without venturing to address anybody in particular. They were
his declining years was very fond of describing the three days of the
They began asking him questions. He answered, as it were, reluctantly,
“It’s all right, it’s all right, don’t be anxious about him!” she began
unconsoled, hiding his face in his hands in an agony of remorse for his
the authorities took no notice of it, because my antagonist was a near
“He’s a brick, he’s a brick!” cried the other boys, and they began
I have pumped him and found out that he had somehow got to know
“Mother, don’t weep, darling,” he would say, “I’ve long to live yet, long
was not here. “It’s not that she’s not here,” he explained to himself,
immediately after in this very court. Again I will not venture to
“I don’t repent shedding your blood!” he cried. “Beware, old man, beware
pestle fell two paces from Grigory, not in the grass but on the path, in a
“Of course ... I should like to die for all humanity, and as for disgrace,
“Impossible! Where was the paragraph? What did it say?”
But they couldn’t love the gypsy either:
Pyotr Ilyitch Perhotin, whom we left knocking at the strong locked gates
He sobbed and shook as though he were in convulsions, and squeezed up
have a right to tell you of her wrong; I ought to do so, in fact, for
Jesuits!... And there could not be such a fantastic creature as your
protector, and to propose a “scheme” to him, and by means of it to obtain
fancy that he has a high opinion of you. Worse still with Alyosha, he
“Aie! I’ll tell you. Aie! Dmitri Fyodorovitch, darling, I’ll tell you
that more than anything you showed me what was in your mind. For if you
and familiar. He often complained of headache too.
know these creatures, and they say she’s worse than any of them. You are
Mitya as extraordinarily tall, but he could make out nothing more. He
creature that made me angry with him. Three days later, on the evening you
He turned and walked on with a firm step, not looking back.
cannot bear to be without the miraculous, he will create new miracles of
alone saw us, I hope He will record it to my credit. You must thank your
The children’s faces instantly brightened. “Show us the cannon,” said
Parfenovitch, fearfully excited too, “otherwise it’s absolutely
great elder, from shame; it’s simply over‐sensitiveness that makes me
family, which consisted only of women and girls. Alyosha went to live in
“Why are you weeping?” said I, “better rejoice over me, dear friend, whom
up going to see him. Immediately after that meeting with him, Ivan had not
Section 1.
and punishment on earth positively alleviate the punishment of nature and
me?”
convinced. He killed him, he must have done!’ And for the present he falls
he must recognize that. Else he would have had no reason to come here.
you more. Since that incident all the boys have been teasing him about the
“So you’re afraid?”
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