"Iwouldtakelibertyfromanyhandasahungrymanwouldsnatchapieceofbread。"

MissHALDIN

PARTFIRST

TobeginwithIwishtodisclaimthepossessionofthosehighgiftsofimaginationandexpressionwhichwouldhaveenabledmypentocreateforthereaderthepersonalityofthemanwhocalledhimself，aftertheRussiancustom，CyrilsonofIsidor——KiryloSidorovitch—Razumov，IfIhaveeverhadthesegiftsinanysortoflivingformtheyhavebeensmotheredoutofexistencealongtimeagounderawildernessofwords。Words，asiswellknown，arethegreatfoesofreality。Ihavebeenformanyyearsateacheroflanguages。

Itisanoccupationwhichatlengthbecomesfataltowhatevershareofimagination，observation，andinsightanordinarypersonmaybeheirto。Toateacheroflanguagestherecomesatimewhentheworldisbutaplaceofmanywordsandmanappearsameretalkinganimalnotmuchmorewonderfulthanaparrot。

Thisbeingso，IcouldnothaveobservedMr。Razumovorguessedathisrealitybytheforceofinsight，muchlesshaveimaginedhimashewas。Eventoinventthemerebaldfactsofhislifewouldhavebeenutterlybeyondmypowers。ButIthinkthatwithoutthisdeclarationthereadersofthesepageswillbeabletodetectinthestorythemarksofdocumentaryevidence。Andthatisperfectlycorrect。Itisbasedonadocument；allIhavebroughttoitismyknowledgeoftheRussianlanguage，whichissufficientforwhatisattemptedhere。Thedocument，ofcourse，issomethinginthenatureofajournal，adiary，yetnotexactlythatinitsactualform。Forinstance，mostofitwasnotwrittenupfromdaytoday，thoughalltheentriesaredated。Someoftheseentriescovermonthsoftimeandextendoverdozensofpages。Alltheearlierpartisaretrospect，inanarrativeform，relatingtoaneventwhichtookplaceaboutayearbefore。

ImustmentionthatIhavelivedforalongtimeinGeneva。A

wholequarterofthattown，onaccountofmanyRussiansresidingthere，iscalledLaPetiteRussie——LittleRussia。IhadaratherextensiveconnexioninLittleRussiaatthattime。YetI

confessthatIhavenocomprehensionoftheRussiancharacter。

Theillogicalityoftheirattitude，thearbitrarinessoftheirconclusions，thefrequencyoftheexceptional，shouldpresentnodifficultytoastudentofmanygrammars；buttheremustbesomethingelseintheway，somespecialhumantrait——oneofthosesubtledifferencesthatarebeyondthekenofmereprofessors。

WhatmustremainstrikingtoateacheroflanguagesistheRussians’extraordinaryloveofwords。Theygatherthemup；theycherishthem，buttheydon’thoardthemintheirbreasts；onthecontrary，theyarealwaysreadytopourthemoutbythehourorbythenightwithanenthusiasm，asweepingabundance，withsuchanaptnessofapplicationsometimesthat，asinthecaseofveryaccomplishedparrots，onecan’tdefendoneselffromthesuspicionthattheyreallyunderstandwhattheysay。Thereisagenerosityintheirardourofspeechwhichremovesitasfaraspossiblefromcommonloquacity；anditisevertoodisconnectedtobeclassedaseloquence……ButImustapologizeforthisdigression。

ItwouldbeidletoinquirewhyMr。Razumovhasleftthisrecordbehindhim。Itisinconceivablethatheshouldhavewishedanyhumaneyetoseeit。Amysteriousimpulseofhumannaturecomesintoplayhere。PuttingasideSamuelPepys，whohasforcedinthiswaythedoorofimmortality，innumerablepeople，criminals，saints，philosophers，younggirls，statesmen，andsimpleimbeciles，havekeptself—revealingrecordsfromvanitynodoubt，butalsofromothermoreinscrutablemotives。Theremustbeawonderfulsoothingpowerinmerewordssincesomanymenhaveusedthemforself—communion。BeingmyselfaquietindividualItakeitthatwhatallmenarereallyafterissomeformorperhapsonlysomeformulaofpeace。Certainlytheyarecryingloudenoughforitatthepresentday。WhatsortofpeaceKiryloSidorovitchRazumovexpectedtofindinthewritingupofhisrecorditpassethmyunderstandingtoguess。

Thefactremainsthathehaswrittenit。

Mr。Razumovwasatall，well—proportionedyoungman，quiteunusuallydarkforaRussianfromtheCentralProvinces。Hisgoodlookswouldhavebeenunquestionableifithadnotbeenforapeculiarlackoffinenessinthefeatures。Itwasasifafacemodelledvigorouslyinwax（withsomeapproacheventoaclassicalcorrectnessoftype）hadbeenheldclosetoafiretillallsharpnessoflinehadbeenlostinthesofteningofthematerial。Buteventhushewassufficientlygood—looking。Hismanner，too，wasgood。Indiscussionhewaseasilyswayedbyargumentandauthority。Withhisyoungercompatriotshetooktheattitudeofaninscrutablelistener，alistenerofthekindthathearsyououtintelligentlyandthen——justchangesthesubject。

Thissortoftrick，whichmayariseeitherfromintellectualinsufficiencyorfromanimperfecttrustinone’sownconvictions，procuredforMr。Razumovareputationofprofundity。

Amongstalotofexuberanttalkers，inthehabitofexhaustingthemselvesdailybyardentdiscussion，acomparativelytaciturnpersonalityisnaturallycreditedwithreservepower。ByhiscomradesattheSt。PetersburgUniversity，KiryloSidorovitchRazumov，thirdyear’sstudentinphilosophy，waslookeduponasastrongnature——analtogethertrustworthyman。This，inacountrywhereanopinionmaybealegalcrimevisitedbydeathorsometimesbyafateworsethanmeredeath，meantthathewasworthyofbeingtrustedwithforbiddenopinions。Hewaslikedalsoforhisamiabilityandforhisquietreadinesstoobligehiscomradesevenatthecostofpersonalinconvenience。

Mr。RazumovwassupposedtobethesonofanArchpriestandtobeprotectedbyadistinguishednobleman——perhapsofhisowndistantprovince。Buthisoutwardappearanceaccordedbadlywithsuchhumbleorigin。Suchadescentwasnotcredible。Itwas，indeed，suggestedthatMr。RazumovwasthesonofanArchpriest’sprettydaughter——which，ofcourse，wouldputadifferentcomplexiononthematter。Thistheoryalsorenderedintelligibletheprotectionofthedistinguishednobleman。Allthis，however，hadneverbeeninvestigatedmaliciouslyorotherwise。Noonekneworcaredwhothenoblemaninquestionwas。Razumovreceivedamodestbutverysufficientallowancefromthehandsofanobscureattorney，whoseemedtoactashisguardianinsomemeasure。

Nowandthenheappearedatsomeprofessor’sinformalreception。

ApartfromthatRazumovwasnotknowntohaveanysocialrelationsinthetown。Heattendedtheobligatorylecturesregularlyandwasconsideredbytheauthoritiesasaverypromisingstudent。Heworkedathomeinthemannerofamanwhomeanstogeton，butdidnotshuthimselfupseverelyforthatpurpose。Hewasalwaysaccessible，andtherewasnothingsecretorreservedinhislife。

I

THEoriginofMr。Razumov’srecordisconnectedwithaneventcharacteristicofmodernRussiaintheactualfact：theassassinationofaprominentstatesman——andstillmorecharacteristicofthemoralcorruptionofanoppressedsocietywherethenoblestaspirationsofhumanity，thedesireoffreedom，anardentpatriotism，theloveofjustice，thesenseofpity，andeventhefidelityofsimplemindsareprostitutedtothelustsofhateandfear，theinseparablecompanionsofanuneasydespotism。

ThefactalludedtoaboveisthesuccessfulattemptonthelifeofMr。deP———，thePresidentofthenotoriousRepressiveCommissionofsomeyearsago，theMinisterofStateinvestedwithextraordinarypowers。Thenewspapersmadenoiseenoughaboutthatfanatical，narrow—chestedfigureingold—laceduniform，withafaceofcrumpledparchment，insipid，bespectacledeyes，andthecrossoftheOrderofSt。Procopiushungundertheskinnythroat。

Foratime，itmayberemembered，notamonthpassedwithouthisportraitappearinginsomeoneoftheillustratedpapersofEurope。Heservedthemonarchybyimprisoning，exiling，orsendingtothegallowsmenandwomen，youngandold，withanequable，unweariedindustry。Inhismysticacceptanceoftheprincipleofautocracyhewasbentonextirpatingfromthelandeveryvestigeofanythingthatresembledfreedominpublicinstitutions；andinhisruthlesspersecutionoftherisinggenerationheseemedtoaimatthedestructionoftheveryhopeoflibertyitself。

Itissaidthatthisexecratedpersonalityhadnotenoughimaginationtobeawareofthehateheinspired。Itishardlycredible；butitisafactthathetookveryfewprecautionsforhissafety。InthepreambleofacertainfamousStatepaperhehaddeclaredoncethat"thethoughtoflibertyhasneverexistedintheActoftheCreator。Fromthemultitudeofmen’scounselnothingcouldcomebutrevoltanddisorder；andrevoltanddisorderinaworldcreatedforobedienceandstabilityissin。ItwasnotReasonbutAuthoritywhichexpressedtheDivineIntention。GodwastheAutocratoftheUniverse……"ItmaybethatthemanwhomadethisdeclarationbelievedthatheavenitselfwasboundtoprotecthiminhisremorselessdefenceofAutocracyonthisearth。

Nodoubtthevigilanceofthepolicesavedhimmanytimes；but，asamatteroffact，whenhisappointedfateovertookhim，thecompetentauthoritiescouldnothavegivenhimanywarning。TheyhadnoknowledgeofanyconspiracyagainsttheMinister’slife，hadnohintofanyplotthroughtheirusualchannelsofinformation，hadseennosigns，wereawareofnosuspiciousmovementsordangerouspersons。

Mr。deP———wasbeingdriventowardstherailwaystationinatwo—horseuncoveredsleighwithfootmanandcoachmanonthebox。

Snowhadbeenfallingallnight，makingtheroadway，unclearedasyetatthisearlyhour，veryheavyforthehorses。Itwasstillfallingthickly。Butthesleighmusthavebeenobservedandmarkeddown。Asitdrewovertotheleftbeforetakingaturn，thefootmannoticedapeasantwalkingslowlyontheedgeofthepavementwithhishandsinthepocketsofhissheepskincoatandhisshouldershuncheduptohisearsunderthefallingsnow。Onbeingovertakenthispeasantsuddenlyfacedaboutandswunghisarm。Inaninstanttherewasaterribleshock，adetonationmufffledinthemultitudeofsnowflakes；bothhorseslaydeadandmangledonthegroundandthecoachman，withashrillcry，hadfallenofftheboxmortallywounded。Thefootman（whosurvived）

hadnotimetoseethefaceofthemaninthesheepskincoat。

Afterthrowingthebombthislastgotaway，butitissupposedthat，seeingalotofpeoplesurginguponallsidesofhiminthefallingsnow，andallrunningtowardsthesceneoftheexplosion，hethoughtitsafertoturnbackwiththem。

Inanincrediblyshorttimeanexcitedcrowdassembledroundthesledge。TheMinister—President，gettingoutunhurtintothedeepsnow，stoodnearthegroaningcoachmanandaddressedthepeoplerepeatedlyinhisweak，colourlessvoice："Ibegofyoutokeepoff：FortheloveofGod，Ibegofyougoodpeopletokeepoff。"

Itwasthenthatatallyoungmanwhohadremainedstandingperfectlystillwithinacarriagegateway，twohouseslowerdown，steppedoutintothestreetandwalkinguprapidlyflunganotherbombovertheheadsofthecrowd。ItactuallystrucktheMinister—Presidentontheshoulderashestoopedoverhisdyingservant，thenfallingbetweenhisfeetexplodedwithaterrificconcentratedviolence，strikinghimdeadtotheground，finishingthewoundedmanandpracticallyannihilatingtheemptysledgeinthetwinklingofaneye。Withayellofhorrorthecrowdbrokeupandfledinalldirections，exceptforthosewhofelldeadordyingwheretheystoodnearesttotheMinister—President，andoneortwootherswhodidnotfalltilltheyhadrunalittleway。

Thefirstexplosionhadbroughttogetheracrowdasifbyenchantment，thesecondmadeasswiftlyasolitudeinthestreetforhundredsofyardsineachdirection。Throughthefallingsnowpeoplelookedfromafaratthesmallheapofdeadbodieslyinguponeachothernearthecarcasesofthetwohorses。

NobodydaredtoapproachtillsomeCossacksofastreet—patrolgallopedupand，dismounting，begantoturnoverthedead。

Amongsttheinnocentvictimsofthesecondexplosionlaidoutonthepavementtherewasabodydressedinapeasant’ssheepskincoat；butthefacewasunrecognisable，therewasabsolutelynothingfoundinthepocketsofitspoorclothing，anditwastheonlyonewhoseidentitywasneverestablished。

ThatdayMr。RazumovgotupathisusualhourandspentthemorningwithintheUniversitybuildingslisteningtothelecturesandworkingforsometime，inthelibrary。Heheardthefirstvaguerumourofsomethinginthewayofbomb—throwingatthetableofthestudents’ordinary，wherehewasaccustomedtoeathistwoo’clockdinner。Butthisrumourwasmadeupofmerewhispers，andthiswasRussia，whereitwasnotalwayssafe，forastudentespecially，toappeartoomuchinterestedincertainkindsofwhispers。Razumovwasoneofthosemenwho，livinginaperiodofmentalandpoliticalunrest，keepaninstinctiveholdonnormal，practical，everydaylife。Hewasawareoftheemotionaltensionofhistime；heevenrespondedtoitinanindefiniteway。Buthismainconcernwaswithhiswork，hisstudies，andwithhisownfuture。

Officiallyandinfactwithoutafamily（forthedaughteroftheArchpriesthadlongbeendead），nohomeinfluenceshadshapedhisopinionsorhisfeelings。Hewasaslonelyintheworldasamanswimminginthedeepsea。ThewordRazumovwasthemerelabelofasolitaryindividuality。TherewerenoRazumovsbelongingtohimanywhere。HisclosestparentagewasdefinedinthestatementthathewasaRussian。Whatevergoodheexpectedfromlifewouldbegiventoorwithheldfromhishopesbythatconnexionalone。Thisimmenseparentagesufferedfromthethroesofinternaldissensions，andheshrankmentallyfromthefrayasagood—naturedmanmayshrinkfromtakingdefinitesidesinaviolentfamilyquarrel。

Razumov，goinghome，reflectedthathavingpreparedallthemattersoftheforthcomingexamination，hecouldnowdevotehistimetothesubjectoftheprizeessay。Hehankeredafterthesilvermedal。TheprizewasofferedbytheMinistryofEducation；thenamesofthecompetitorswouldbesubmittedtotheMinisterhimself。Themerefactoftryingwouldbeconsideredmeritoriousinthehigherquarters；andthepossessoroftheprizewouldhaveaclaimtoanadministrativeappointmentofthebettersortafterhehadtakenhisdegree。ThestudentRazumovinanaccessofelationforgotthedangersmenacingthestabilityoftheinstitutionswhichgiverewardsandappointments。Butrememberingthemedallistoftheyearbefore，Razumov，theyoungmanofnoparentage，wassobered。Heandsomeothershappenedtobeassembledintheircomrade’sroomsattheverytimewhenthatlastreceivedtheofficialadviceofhissuccess。Hewasaquiet，unassumingyoungman："Forgiveme，"hehadsaidwithafaintapologeticsmileandtakinguphiscap，"Iamgoingouttoorderupsomewine。ButImustfirstsendatelegramtomyfolkathome。

Isay!Won’ttheoldpeoplemakeitafestivetimefortheneighboursfortwentymilesaroundourplace。"

Razumovthoughttherewasnothingofthatsortforhimintheworld。Hissuccesswouldmattertonoone。Buthefeltnobitternessagainstthenoblemanhisprotector，whowasnotaprovincialmagnateaswasgenerallysupposed。HewasinfactnobodylessthanPrinceK———，onceagreatandsplendidfigureintheworldandnow，hisdaybeingover，aSenatorandagoutyinvalid，livinginastillsplendidbutmoredomesticmanner。Hehadsomeyoungchildrenandawifeasaristocraticandproudashimself。

InallhislifeRazumovwasallowedonlyoncetocomeintopersonalcontactwiththePrince。

Ithadtheairofachancemeetinginthelittleattorney’soffice。OnedayRazumov，cominginbyappointment，foundastrangerstandingthere——atall，aristocratic—lookingPersonagewithsilky，greysidewhiskers。Thebald—headed，slylittlelawyer—fellowcalledout，"Comein——comein，Mr。Razumov，"withasortofironicheartiness。Thenturningdeferentiallytothestrangerwiththegrandair，"Awardofmine，your，Excellency。

OneofthemostpromisingstudentsofhisfacultyintheSt。

PetersburgUniversity。"

TohisintensesurpriseRazumovsawawhiteshapelyhandextendedtohim。Hetookitingreatconfusion（itwassoftandpassive）

andheardatthesametimeacondescendingmurmurinwhichhecaughtonlythewords"Satisfactory"and"Persevere。"Butthemostamazingthingofallwastofeelsuddenlyadistinctpressureofthewhiteshapelyhandjustbeforeitwaswithdrawn：

alightpressurelikeasecretsign。Theemotionofitwasterrible。Razumov’sheartseemedtoleapintohisthroat。Whenheraisedhiseyesthearistocraticpersonage，motioningthelittlelawyeraside，hadopenedthedoorandwasgoingout。

Theattorneyrummagedamongstthepapersonhisdeskforatime。

"Doyouknowwhothatwas？"heaskedsuddenly。

Razumov，whoseheartwasthumpinghardyet，shookhisheadinsilence。

"ThatwasPrinceK———。Youwonderwhathecouldbedoingintheholeofapoorlegalratlikemyself——eh？Theseawfullygreatpeoplehavetheirsentimentalcuriositieslikecommonsinners。ButifIwereyou，KiryloSidorovitch，"hecontinued，leeringandlayingapeculiaremphasisonthepatronymic，"

Iwouldn’tboastatlargeoftheintroduction。Itwouldnotbeprudent，KiryloSidorovitch。Ohdearno!Itwouldbeinfactdangerousforyourfuture。"

Theyoungman’searsburnedlikefire；hissightwasdim。

"Thatman!"Razumovwassayingtohimself。"He!"

HenceforthitwasbythismonosyllablethatMr。Razumovgotintothehabitofreferringmentallytothestrangerwithgreysilkyside—whiskers。Fromthattimetoo，whenwalkinginthemorefashionablequarters，henotedwithinterestthemagnificenthorsesandcarriageswithPrinceK———’sliveriesonthebox。

OncehesawthePrincessgetout——shewasshopping——followedbytwogirls，ofwhichonewasnearlyaheadtallerthantheother。

TheirfairhairhungloosedowntheirbacksintheEnglishstyle；

theyhadmerryeyes，theircoats，muffs，andlittlefurcapswereexactlyalike，andtheircheeksandnosesweretingedacheerfulpinkbythefrost。Theycrossedthepavementinfrontofhim，andRazumovwentonhiswaysmilingshylytohimself。"His"

daughters。Theyresembled"Him。"Theyoungmanfeltaglowofwarmfriendlinesstowardsthesegirlswhowouldneverknowofhisexistence。PresentlytheywouldmarryGeneralsorKammerherrsandhavegirlsandboysoftheirown，whoperhapswouldbeawareofhimasacelebratedoldprofessor，decorated，possiblyaPrivyCouncillor，oneofthegloriesofRussia——nothingmore!

Butacelebratedprofessorwasasomebody。DistinctionwouldconvertthelabelRazumovintoanhonouredname。TherewasnothingstrangeinthestudentRazumov’swishfordistinction。Aman’sreallifeisthataccordedtohiminthethoughtsofothermenbyreasonofrespectornaturallove。

ReturninghomeonthedayoftheattemptonMr。deP———’slifeRazumovresolvedtohaveagoodtryforthesilvermedal。

Climbingslowlythefourflightsofthedark，dirtystaircaseinthehousewherehehadhislodgings，hefeltconfidentofsuccess。Thewinner’snamewouldbepublishedinthepapersonNewYear’sDay。Andatthethoughtthat"He"wouldmostprobablyreaditthere，Razumovstoppedshortonthestairsforaninstant，thenwentonsmilingfaintlyathisownemotion。"Thisisbutashadow，"hesaidtohimself，"butthemedalisasolidbeginning。"

Withthoseideasofindustryinhisheadthewarmthofhisroomwasagreeableandencouraging。"Ishallputinfourhoursofgoodwork，"hethought。Butnosoonerhadheclosedthedoorthanhewashorriblystartled。Allblackagainsttheusualtallstoveofwhitetilesgleaminginthedusk，stoodastrangefigure，wearingaskirted，close—fitting，brownclothcoatstrappedroundthewaist，inlongboots，andwithalittleAstrakhancaponitshead。Itloomedlitheandmartial。Razumovwasutterlyconfounded。Itwasonlywhenthefigureadvancingtwopacesaskedinanuntroubled，gravevoiceiftheouterdoorwasclosedthatheregainedhispowerofspeech。

"Haldin!……VictorVictorovitch!……Isthatyou？……Yes。Theouterdoorisshutallright。Butthisisindeedunexpected。"

VictorHaldin，astudentolderthanmostofhiscontemporariesattheUniversity，wasnotoneoftheindustriousset。Hewashardlyeverseenatlectures；theauthoritieshadmarkedhimas"restless"and"unsound"——verybadnotes。Buthehadagreatpersonalprestigewithhiscomradesandinfluencedtheirthoughts。Razumovhadneverbeenintimatewithhim。Theyhadmetfromtimetotimeatgatheringsinotherstudents’houses。

Theyhadevenhadadiscussiontogether——oneofthosediscussionsonfirstprinciplesdeartothesanguinemindsofyouth。

Razumovwishedthemanhadchosensomeothertimetocomeforachat。Hefeltingoodtrimtotackletheprizeessay。ButasHaldincouldnotbeslightinglydismissedRazumovadoptedthetoneofhospitality，askinghimtositdownandsmoke。

"KiryloSidorovitch，"saidtheother，flingingoffhiscap，"wearenotperhapsinexactlythesamecamp。Yourjudgmentismorephilosophical。Youareamanoffewwords，butIhaven’tmetanybodywhodaredtodoubtthegenerosityofyoursentiments。

Thereisasolidityaboutyourcharacterwhichcannotexistwithoutcourage。

Razumovfeltflatteredandbegantomurmurshylysomethingaboutbeingverygladofhisgoodopinion，whenHaldinraisedhishand。

"ThatiswhatIwassayingtomyself，"hecontinued，"asIdodgedinthewoodyarddownbytheriver—side。’Hehasastrongcharacterthisyoungman，’Isaidtomyself。’Hedoesnotthrowhissoultothewinds。’Yourreservehasalwaysfascinatedme，KiryloSiderovitch。SoItriedtorememberyouraddress。Butlookhere——itwasapieceofluck。Yourdvornikwasawayfromthegatetalkingtoasleigh—driverontheothersideofthestreet。Imetnooneonthestairs，notasoul。AsIcameuptoyourfloorIcaughtsightofyourlandladycomingoutofyourrooms。Butshedidnotseeme。Shecrossedthelandingtoherownside，andthenIslippedin。Ihavebeenheretwohoursexpectingyoutocomeineverymoment。

Razumovhadlistenedinastonishment；butbeforehecouldopenhismouthHaldinadded，speakingdeliberately，"ItwasI

whoremoveddeP———thismorning。"Razumovkeptdownacryofdismay。Thesentimentofhislifebeingutterlyruinedbythiscontactwithsuchacrimeexpresseditselfquaintlybyasortofhalf—derisivementalexclamation，"Theregoesmysilvermedal!"

Haldincontinuedafterwaitingawhile——

"Yousaynothing，KiryloSidorovitch!Iunderstandyoursilence。

Tobesure，IcannotexpectyouwithyourfrigidEnglishmannertoembraceme。Butnevermindyourmanners。Youhaveenoughhearttohaveheardthesoundofweepingandgnashingofteeththismanraisedintheland。Thatwouldbeenoughtogetoveranyphilosophicalhopes。Hewasuprootingthetenderplant。Hehadtobestopped。Hewasadangerousman——aconvincedman。

Threemoreyearsofhisworkwouldhaveputusbackfiftyyearsintobondage——andlookatalltheliveswasted，atallthesoulslostinthattime。"

Hiscurt，self—confidentvoicesuddenlylostitsringanditwasinadulltonethatheadded，"Yes，brother，Ihavekilledhim。

It’swearywork。"

Razumovhadsunkintoachair。Everymomentheexpectedacrowdofpolicementorushin。Theremusthavebeenthousandsofthemoutlookingforthatmanwalkingupanddowninhisroom。Haldinwastalkingagaininarestrained，steadyvoice。Nowandthenheflourishedanarm，slowly，withoutexcitement。

HetoldRazumovhowhehadbroodedforayear；howhehadnotsleptproperlyforweeks。Heand"Another"hadawarningoftheMinister’smovementsfrom"acertainperson"latetheeveningbefore。HeandthatAnother"preparedtheir"engines"and"resolvedtohavenosleeptill"thedeed"wasdone。Theywalkedthestreetsunderthefallingsnowwiththe"engines"

onthem，exchangingnotawordthelivelongnight。Whentheyhappenedtomeetapolicepatroltheytookeachotherbythearmandpretendedtobeacoupleofpeasantsonthespree。

Theyreeledandtalkedindrunkenhoarsevoices。Exceptforthesestrangeoutbreakstheykeptsilence，movingonceaselessly。

Theirplanshadbeenpreviouslyarranged。Atdaybreaktheymadetheirwaytothespotwhichtheyknewthesledgemustpass。

Whenitappearedinsighttheyexchangedamutteredgood—byeandseparated。The"other"remainedatthecorner，Haldintookupapositionalittlefartherupthestreet……

Afterthrowinghis"engine"heranoffandinamomentwasovertakenbythepanic—struckpeopleflyingawayfromthespotafterthesecondexplosion。Theywerewildwithterror。Hewasjostledonceortwice。Hesloweddownfortherushtopasshimandthenturnedtotheleftintoanarrowstreet。Therehewasalone。

Hemarvelledatthisimmediateescape。Theworkwasdone。Hecouldhardlybelieveit。Hefoughtwithanalmostirresistiblelongingtoliedownonthepavementandsleep。Butthissortoffaintness——adrowsyfaintness——passedoffquickly。Hewalkedfaster，makinghiswaytooneofthepoorerpartsofthetowninordertolookupZiemianitch。

ThisZiemianitch，Razumovunderstood，wasasortoftown—peasantwhohadgoton；ownerofasmallnumberofsledgesandhorsesforhire。Haldinpausedinhisnarrativetoexclaim——

"Abrightspirit!Ahardysoul!ThebestdriverinSt。Petersburg。

Hehasateamofthreehorsesthere……Ah!He’safellow!"

Thismanhaddeclaredhimselfwillingtotakeoutsafely，atanytime，oneortwopersonstothesecondorthirdrailwaystationononeofthesouthernlines。Buttherehadbeennotimetowarnhimthenightbefore。Hisusualhauntseemedtobealow—classeating—houseontheoutskirtsofthetown。WhenHaldingottherethemanwasnottobefound。Hewasnotexpectedtoturnupagaintilltheevening。Haldinwanderedawayrestlessly。

Hesawthegateofawoodyardopenandwentintogetoutofthewindwhichsweptthebleakbroadthoroughfare。Thegreatrectangularpilesofcutwoodloadedwithsnowresembledthehutsofavillage。Atfirstthewatchmanwhodiscoveredhimcrouchingamongstthemtalkedinafriendlymanner。Hewasadried—upoldmanwearingtworaggedarmycoatsoneovertheother；hiswizenedlittleface，tiedupunderthejawandovertheearsinadirtyredhandkerchief，lookedcomical。Presentlyhegrewsulky，andthenallatoncewithoutrhymeorreasonbegantoshoutfuriously。

"Aren’tyouevergoingtoclearoutofthis，youloafer？Weknowallaboutfactoryhandsofyoursort。Abig，strong，youngchap!

Youaren’tevendrunk。Whatdoyouwanthere？Youdon’tfrightenus。

Takeyourselfandyouruglyeyesaway。"

HaldinstoppedbeforethesittingRazumov。Hissupplefigure，withthewhiteforeheadabovewhichthefairhairstoodstraightup，hadanaspectofloftydaring。

"Hedidnotlikemyeyes，"hesaid。"Andso……hereIam。"

Razumovmadeanefforttospeakcalmly。

"Butpardonme，VictorVictorovitch。Weknoweachothersolittle……Idon’tseewhyyou……"

"Confidence，"saidHaldin。

ThiswordsealedRazumov’slipsasifahandhadbeenclappedonhismouth。Hisbrainseethedwitharguments"Andso——hereyouare，"hemutteredthroughhisteeth。

Theotherdidnotdetectthetoneofanger。Neversuspectedit。

"Yes。AndnobodyknowsIamhere。Youarethelastpersonthatcouldbesuspected——shouldIgetcaught。That’sanadvantage，yousee。Andthen——speakingtoasuperiormindlikeyoursIcanwellsayallthetruth。Itoccurredtomethatyou——youhavenoonebelongingtoyou——noties，noonetosufferforitifthiscameoutbysomemeans。TherehavebeenenoughruinedRussianhomesasitis。ButIdon’tseehowmypassagethroughyourroomscanbeeverknown。IfIshouldbegotholdof，I’llknowhowtokeepsilent——nomatterwhattheymaybepleasedtodotome，"

headdedgrimly。

HebegantowalkagainwhileRazumovsatstillappalled。

"Youthoughtthat————"hefalteredoutalmostsickwithindignation。

"Yes，Razumov。Yes，brother。Somedayyoushallhelptobuild。

YousupposethatIamaterrorist，now——adestructorofwhatis，Butconsiderthatthetruedestroyersaretheywhodestroythespiritofprogressandtruth，nottheavengerswhomerelykillthebodiesofthepersecutorsofhumandignity。Menlikemearenecessarytomakeroomforself—contained，thinkingmenlikeyou。

Well，wehavemadethesacrificeofourlives，butallthesameI

wanttoescapeifitcanbedone。ItisnotmylifeIwanttosave，butmypowertodo。Iwon’tliveidle。Ohno!Don’tmakeanymistake，Razumov。Menlikemearerare。And，besides，anexamplelikethisismoreawfultooppressorswhentheperpetratorvanisheswithoutatrace。Theysitintheirofficesandpalacesandquake。AllIwantyoutodoistohelpmetovanish。Nogreatmatterthat。OnlytogobyandbyandseeZiemianitchformeatthatplacewhereIwentthismorning。

Justtellhim，’Hewhomyouknowwantsawell—horsedsledgetopulluphalfanhouraftermidnightattheseventhlamp—postontheleftcountingfromtheupperendofKarabelnaya。Ifnobodygetsin，thesledgeistorunroundablockortwo，soastocomebackpastthesamespotintenminutes’time。’"

Razumovwonderedwhyhehadnotcutshortthattalkandtoldthismantogoawaylongbefore。Wasitweaknessorwhat？

Heconcludedthatitwasasoundinstinct。Haldinmusthavebeenseen。Itwasimpossiblethatsomepeopleshouldnothavenoticedthefaceandappearanceofthemanwhothrewthesecondbomb。

Haldinwasanoticeableperson。Thepoliceintheirthousandsmusthavehadhisdescriptionwithinthehour。Witheverymomentthedangergrew。Sentouttowanderinthestreetshecouldnotescapebeingcaughtintheend。

Thepolicewouldverysoonfindoutallabouthim。Theywouldsetaboutdiscoveringaconspiracy。EverybodyHaldinhadeverknownwouldbeinthegreatestdanger。Unguardedexpressions，littlefactsinthemselvesinnocentwouldbecountedforcrimes。

Razumovrememberedcertainwordshesaid，thespeecheshehadlistenedto，theharmlessgatheringshehadattended——itwasalmostimpossibleforastudenttokeepoutofthatsortofthing，withoutbecomingsuspecttohiscomrades。

Razumovsawhimselfshutupinafortress，worried，badgered，perhapsill—used。Hesawhimselfdeportedbyanadministrativeorder，hislifebroken，ruined，androbbedofallhope。Hesawhimself——atbest——leadingamiserableexistenceunderpolicesupervision，insomesmall，farawayprovincialtown，withoutfriendstoassisthisnecessitiesoreventakeanystepstoalleviatehislot——asothershad。Othershadfathers，mothers，brothers，relations，connexions，tomoveheavenandearthontheirbehalf——hehadnoone。Theveryofficialsthatsentencedhimsomemorningwouldforgethisexistencebeforesunset。

Hesawhisyouthpassawayfromhiminmiseryandhalfstarvation——hisstrengthgiveway，hismindbecomeanabjectthing。Hesawhimselfcreeping，brokendownandshabby，aboutthestreets——dyingunattendedinsomefilthyholeofaroom，oronthesordidbedofaGovernmenthospital。

Heshuddered。Thenthepeaceofbittercalmnesscameoverhim。

Itwasbesttokeepthismanoutofthestreetstillhecouldbegotridofwithsomechanceofescaping。Thatwasthebestthatcouldbedone。Razumov，ofcourse，feltthesafetyofhislonelyexistencetobepermanentlyendangered。Thisevening’sdoingscouldturnupagainsthimatanytimeaslongasthismanlivedandthepresentinstitutionsendured。Theyappearedtohimrationalandindestructibleatthatmoment。Theyhadaforceofharmony——incontrastwiththehorriblediscordofthisman’spresence。Hehatedtheman。Hesaidquietly——

"Yes，ofcourse，Iwillgo。’Youmustgivemeprecisedirections，andfortherest——dependonme。"

"Ah!Youareafellow!Collected——coolasacucumber。AregularEnglishman。Wheredidyougetyoursoulfrom？Therearen’tmanylikeyou。Lookhere，brother!Menlikemeleavenoposterity，buttheirsoulsarenotlost。Noman’ssouliseverlost。Itworksforitself——orelsewherewouldbethesenseofself—sacrifice，ofmartyrdom，ofconviction，offaith——thelaboursofthesoul？WhatwillbecomeofmysoulwhenIdieinthewayImustdie——soon——verysoonperhaps？Itshallnotperish。

Don’tmakeamistake，Razumov。Thisisnotmurder——itiswar，war。MyspiritshallgoonwarringinsomeRussianbodytillallfalsehoodissweptoutoftheworld。Themoderncivilizationisfalse，butanewrevelationshallcomeoutofRussia。Ha!yousaynothing。Youareasceptic。Irespectyourphilosophicalscepticism，Razumov，butdon’ttouchthesoul。TheRussiansoulthatlivesinallofus。Ithasafuture。Ithasamission，Itellyou，orelsewhyshouldIhavebeenmovedtodothis——reckless———likeabutcher——inthemiddleofalltheseinnocentpeople——scatteringdeath——I!I!……Iwouldn’thurtafly!"

"Notsoloud，"warnedRazumovharshly。

Haldinsatdownabruptly，andleaninghisheadonhisfoldedarmsburstintotears。Heweptforalongtime。Theduskhaddeepenedintheroom。Razumov，motionlessinsombrewonder，listenedtothesobs。

Theotherraisedhishead，gotupandwithaneffortmasteredhisvoice。

"Yes。Menlikemeleavenoposterity，"herepeatedinasubduedtone。"Ihaveasisterthough。She’swithmyoldmother——Ipersuadedthemtogoabroadthisyear——thankGod。

Notabadlittlegirlmysister。Shehasthemosttrustfuleyesofanyhumanbeingthateverwalkedthisearth。Shewillmarrywell，Ihope。Shemayhavechildren——sonsperhaps。Lookatme。

MyfatherwasaGovernmentofficialintheprovinces，Hehadalittlelandtoo。AsimpleservantofGod——atrueRussianinhisway。Hiswasthesoulofobedience。ButIamnotlikehim。TheysayIresemblemymother’seldestbrother，anofficer。Theyshothimin’28。UnderNicholas，youknow。Haven’tItoldyouthatthisiswar，war……ButGodofJustice!Thisiswearywork。"

Razumov，inhischair，leaninghisheadonhishand，spokeasiffromthebottomofanabyss。

"YoubelieveinGod，Haldin？"

"Thereyougocatchingatwordsthatarewrungfromone。Whatdoesitmatter？WhatwasittheEnglishmansaid：’Thereisadivinesoulinthings……’Deviltakehim——Idon’tremembernow。Buthespokethetruth。Whenthedayofyouthinkerscomesdon’tyouforgetwhat’sdivineintheRussiansoul——andthat’sresignation。Respectthatinyourintellectualrestlessnessanddon’tletyourarrogantwisdomspoilitsmessagetotheworld。I

amspeakingtoyounowlikeamanwitharoperoundhisneck。

WhatdoyouimagineIam？Abeinginrevolt？No。It’syouthinkerswhoareineverlastingrevolt。Iamoneoftheresigned。WhenthenecessityofthisheavyworkcametomeandI

understoodthatithadtobedone——whatdidIdo？DidIexult？

DidItakeprideinmypurpose？DidItrytoweighitsworthandconsequences？No!Iwasresigned。Ithought’God’swillbedone。’"

HethrewhimselffulllengthonRazumov’sbedandputtingthebacksofhishandsoverhiseyesremainedperfectlymotionlessandsilent。Noteventhesoundofhisbreathingcouldbeheard。

ThedeadstillnessortheroomremainedundisturbedtillinthedarknessRazumovsaidgloomily——

"Haldin。"

"Yes，"answeredtheotherreadily，quiteinvisiblenowonthebedandwithouttheslighteststir。

"Isn’tittimeformetostart？"

"Yes，brother。"Theotherwasheard，lyingstillinthedarknessasthoughheweretalkinginhissleep。"Thetimehascometoputfatetothetest。"

Hepaused，thengaveafewluciddirectionsinthequietimpersonalvoiceofamaninatrance。Razumovmadereadywithoutawordofanswer。Ashewasleavingtheroomthevoiceonthebedsaidafterhim——

"GowithGod，thousilentsoul。"

Onthelanding，movingsoftly，Razumovlockedthedoorandputthekeyinhispocket。

II

ThewordsandeventsofthateveningmusthavebeengravenasifwithasteeltoolonMr。Razumov’sbrainsincehewasabletowritehisrelationwithsuchfullnessandprecisionagoodmanymonthsafterwards。

Therecordofthethoughtswhichassailedhiminthestreetisevenmoreminuteandabundant。TheyseemtohaverusheduponhimwiththegreaterfreedombecausehisthinkingpowerswerenolongercrushedbyHaldin’spresence——theappallingpresenceofagreatcrimeandthestunningforceofagreatfanaticism。OnlookingthroughthepagesofMr。Razumov’sdiaryIownthata"rushofthoughts"isnotanadequateimage。

Themoreadequatedescriptionwouldbeatumultofthoughts——thefaithfulreflectionofthestateofhisfeelings。Thethoughtsinthemselveswerenotnumerous——theywerelikethethoughtsofmosthumanbeings，fewandsimple——buttheycannotbereproducedhereinalltheirexclamatoryrepetitionswhichwentoninanendlessandwearyturmoil——forthewalkwaslong。

IftotheWesternreadertheyappearshocking，inappropriate，orevenimproper，itmustberememberedthatastothefirstthismaybetheeffectofmycrudestatement。FortherestIwillonlyremarkherethatthisisnotastoryoftheWestofEurope。

NationsitmaybehavefashionedtheirGovernments，buttheGovernmentshavepaidthembackinthesamecoin。ItisunthinkablethatanyyoungEnglishmanshouldfindhimselfinRazumov’ssituation。Thisbeingsoitwouldbeavainenterprisetoimaginewhathewouldthink。TheonlysafesurmisetomakeisthathewouldnotthinkasMr。Razumovthoughtatthiscrisisofhisfate。Hewouldnothaveanhereditaryandpersonalknowledgeorthemeansbywhichhistoricalautocracyrepressesideas，guardsitspower，anddefendsitsexistence。Byanactofmentalextravagancehemightimaginehimselfarbitrarilythrownintoprison，butitwouldneveroccurtohimunlessheweredelirious（andperhapsnoteventhen）thathecouldbebeatenwithwhipsasapracticalmeasureeitherofinvestigationorofpunishment。

ThisisbutacrudeandobviousexampleofthedifferentconditionsofWesternthought。Idon’tknowthatthisdangeroccurred，speciallytoMr。Razumov。Nodoubtitenteredunconsciouslyintothegeneraldreadandthegeneralappallingnessofthiscrisis。Razumov，ashasbeenseen，wasawareofmoresubtlewaysinwhichanindividualmaybeundonebytheproceedingsofadespoticGovernment。AsimpleexpulsionfromtheUniversity（theveryleastthatcouldhappentohim），withanimpossibilitytocontinuehisstudiesanywhere，wasenoughtoruinutterlyayoungmandependingentirelyuponthedevelopmentofhisnaturalabilitiesforhisplaceintheworld。

HewasaRussian：andforhimtobeimplicatedmeantsimplysinkingintothelowestsocialdepthsamongstthehopelessandthedestitute——thenightbirdsofthecity。

ThepeculiarcircumstancesofRazumov’sparentage，orratherofhislackofparentage，shouldbetakenintotheaccountofhisthoughts。Andherememberedthemtoo。HehadbeenlatelyremindedoftheminapeculiarlyatrociouswaybythisfatalHaldin。"BecauseIhaven’tthat，musteverythingelsebetakenawayfromme？"hethought。

Henervedhimselfforanotherefforttogoon。Alongtheroadwaysledgesglidedphantom—likeandjinglingthroughaflutteringwhitenessontheblackfaceofthenight。"Foritisacrime，"

hewassayingtohimself。"Amurderisamurder。Though，ofcourse，somesortofliberalinstitutions……"

Afeelingofhorriblesicknesscameoverhim。"Imustbecourageous，"heexhortedhimselfmentally。Allhisstrengthwassuddenlygoneasiftakenoutbyahand。Thenbyamightyeffortofwillitcamebackbecausehewasafraidoffaintinginthestreetandbeingpickedupbythepolicewiththekeyofhislodgingsinhispocket。TheywouldfindHaldinthere，andthen，indeed，hewouldbeundone。

Strangelyenoughitwasthisfearwhichseemstohavekepthimuptotheend。Thepassers—bywererare。Theycameuponhimsuddenly，loomingupblackinthesnowflakescloseby，thenvanishingallatonce—withoutfootfalls。

Itwasthequarteroftheverypoor。Razumovnoticedanelderlywomantiedupinraggedshawls。Underthestreetlampsheseemedabeggaroffduty。Shewalkedleisurelyintheblizzardasthoughshehadnohometohurryto，shehuggedunderonearmaroundloafofblackbreadwithanairofguardingapricelessbooty：

andRazumovavertinghisglanceenviedherthepeaceofhermindandtheserenityofherfate。

ToonereadingMr。Razumov’snarrativeitisreallyawonderhowhemanagedtokeepgoingashedidalongoneinterminablestreetafteranotheronpavementsthatweregraduallybecomingblockedwithsnow。ItwasthethoughtofHaldinlockedupinhisroomsandthedesperatedesiretogetridofhispresencewhichdrovehimforward。Norationaldeterminationhadanypartinhisexertions。Thus，whenonarrivingattheloweating—househeheardthatthemanofhorses，Ziemianitch，wasnotthere，hecouldonlystarestupidly。

Thewaiter，awild—hairedyouthintarredbootsandapinkshirt，exclaimed，uncoveringhispalegumsinasillygrin，thatZiemianitchhadgothisskinfulearlyintheafternoonandhadgoneawaywithabottleundereacharmtokeepitupamongstthehorses——hesupposed。

Theownerofthevileden，abonyshortmaninadirtyclothcaftancomingdowntohisheels，stoodby，hishandstuckedintohisbelt，andnoddedconfirmation。

Thereekofspirits，thegreasyrancidsteamoffoodgotRazumovbythethroat。Hestruckatablewithhisclenchedhandandshoutedviolently——

"Youlie。"

Blearyunwashedfaceswereturnedtohisdirection。Amild—eyedraggedtrampdrinkingteaatthenexttablemovedfartheraway。

Amurmurofwonderarosewithanundertoneofuneasiness。A

laughwasheardtoo，andanexclamation，"There!there!"

jeeringlysoothing。Thewaiterlookedallroundandannouncedtotheroom——

"Thegentlemanwon’tbelievethatZiemianitchisdrunk。"

>Fromadistantcornerahoarsevoicebelongingtoahorrible，nondescript，shaggybeingwithablackfacelikethemuzzleofabeargruntedangrily——

"Thecurseddriverofthieves。Whatdowewantwithhisgentlemenhere？Weareallhonestfolkinthisplace。"

Razumov，bitinghisliptillbloodcametokeephimselffromburstingintoimprecations，followedtheowneroftheden，who，whispering"Comealong，littlefather，"ledhimintoatinyholeofaplacebehindthewoodencounter，whenceproceededasoundofsplashing。Awetandbedraggledcreature，asortofsexlessandshiveringscarecrow，washedglassesinthere，bendingoverawoodentubbythelightofatallowdip。

"Yes，littlefather，"themaninthelongcaftansaidplaintively。Hehadabrown，cunninglittleface，athingreyishbeard。Tryingtolightatinlanternhehuggedittohisbreastandtalkedgarrulouslythewhile。

HewouldshowZiemianitchtothegentlemantoprovetherewerenoliestold。Andhewouldshowhimdrunk。Hiswoman，itseems，ranawayfromhimlastnight。"Suchahagshewas!Thin!

Pfui!"Hespat。Theywerealwaysrunningawayfromthatdriverofthedevil——andhesixtyyearsoldtoo；couldnevergetusedtoit。ButeachheartknowssorrowafteritsownkindandZiemianitchwasabornfoolallhisdays。Andthenhewouldflytothebottle。"’Whocouldbearlifeinourlandwithoutthebottle？’hesays。AproperRussianman——thelittlepig……

Bepleasedtofollowme。"

Razumovcrossedaquadrangleofdeepsnowenclosedbetweenhighwallswithinnumerablewindows。Hereandthereadimyellowlighthungwithinthefour—squaremassofdarkness。Thehousewasanenormousslum，ahiveofhumanvermin，amonumentalabodeofmiserytoweringonthevergeofstarvationanddespair。

Inacornerthegroundslopedsharplydown，andRazumovfollowedthelightofthelanternthroughasmalldoorwayintoalongcavernousplacelikeaneglectedsubterraneanbyre。Deepwithin，threeshaggylittlehorsestieduptoringshungtheirheadstogether，motionlessandshadowyinthedimlightofthelantern。

ItmusthavebeenthefamousteamofHaldin’sescape。Razumovpeeredfearfullyintothegloom。Hisguidepawedinthestrawwithhisfoot。

"Hereheis。Ah!thelittlepigeon。AtrueRussianman。

’Noheavyheartsforme，’hesays。’Bringoutthebottleandtakeyouruglymugoutofmysight。’Ha!ha!ha!That’sthefellowheis。"

Heheldthelanternoveraproneformofaman，apparentlyfullydressedforoutdoors。Hisheadwaslostinapointedclothhood。

Ontheothersideofaheapofstrawprotrudedapairoffeetinmonstrousthickboots。

"Alwaysreadytodrive，"commentedthekeeperoftheeating—house。"AproperRussiandriverthat。Saintordevil，nightordayisallonetoZiemianitchwhenhisheartisfreefromsorrow。’Idon’taskwhoyouare，butwhereyouwanttogo，’hesays。HewoulddriveSatanhimselftohisownabodeandcomebackchirrupingtohishorses。ManyaonehehasdrivenwhoisclankinghischainsintheNertchinskminesbythistime。"

Razumovshuddered。

"Callhim，wakehimup，"hefalteredout。

Theothersetdownhislight，steppedbackandlaunchedakickattheprostratesleeper。Themanshookattheimpactbutdidnotmove。Atthethirdkickhegruntedbutremainedinertasbefore。

Theeating—housekeeperdesistedandfetchedadeepsigh。

"Youseeforyourselfhowitis。Wehavedonewhatwecanforyou。"

Hepickedupthelantern。Theintenseblackspokesofshadowswungaboutinthecircleoflight。Aterriblefury——theblindrageofself—preservation——possessedRazumov。

"Ah!Thevilebeast，"hebellowedoutinanunearthlytonewhichmadethelanternjumpandtremble!"Ishallwakeyou!

Giveme……Giveme……"

Helookedroundwildly，seizedthehandleofastableforkandrushingforwardstruckattheprostratebodywithinarticulatecries。Afteratimehiscriesceased，andtherainofblowsfellinthestillnessandshadowsofthecellar—likestable。RazumovbelabouredZiemianitchwithaninsatiablefury，ingreatvolleysofsoundingthwacks。ExceptfortheviolentmovementsofRazumovnothingstirred，neitherthebeatenmannorthespoke—likeshadowsonthewalls。Andonlythesoundofblowswasheard。Itwasaweirdscene。

Suddenlytherewasasharpcrack。Thestickbrokeandhalfofitflewfarawayintothegloombeyondthelight。AtthesametimeZiemianitchsatup。AtthisRazumovbecameasmotionlessasthemanwiththelantern——onlyhisbreastheavedforairasifreadytoburst。

Somedullsensationofpainmusthavepenetratedatlasttheconsolingnightofdrunkennessenwrappingthe"brightRussiansoul"ofHaldin’senthusiasticpraise。ButZiemianitchevidentlysawnothing。Hiseyeballsblinkedallwhiteinthelightonce，twice——thenthegleamwentout。Foramomenthesatinthestrawwithclosedeyeswithastrangeairofwearymeditation，thenfelloverslowlyonhissidewithoutmakingtheslightestsound。

Onlythestrawrustledalittle。Razumovstaredwildly，fightingforhisbreath。Afterasecondortwoheheardalightsnore。

Heflungfromhimthepieceofstickremaininginhisgrasp，andwentoffwithgreathastystrideswithoutlookingbackonce。

Aftergoingheedlesslyforsomefiftyyardsalongthestreethewalkedintoasnowdriftandwasuptohiskneesbeforehestopped。

Thisrecalledhimtohimself；andglancingabouthediscoveredhehadbeengoinginthewrongdirection。Heretracedhissteps，butnowatamoremoderatepace。Whenpassingbeforethehousehehadjustleftheflourishedhisfistatthesombrerefugeofmiseryandcrimerearingitssinisterbulkonthewhiteground。

Ithadanairofbrooding。Helethisarmfallbyhisside——discouraged。

Ziemianitch’spassionatesurrendertosorrowandconsolationhadbaffledhim。Thatwasthepeople。AtrueRussianman!Razumovwasgladhehadbeatenthatbrute——the"brightsoul"oftheother。Heretheywere：thepeopleandtheenthusiast。

Betweenthetwohewasdonefor。Betweenthedrunkennessofthepeasantincapableofactionandthedream—intoxicationoftheidealistincapableofperceivingthereasonofthings，andthetruecharacterofmen。Itwasasortofterriblechildishness。

Butchildrenhadtheirmasters。"Ah!thestick，thestick，thesternhand，"thoughtRazumov，longingforpowertohurtanddestroy。

Hewasgladhehadthrashedthatbrute。Thephysicalexertionhadlefthisbodyinacomfortableglow。Hismentalagitationtoowasclarifiedasifallthefeverishnesshadgoneoutofhiminafitofoutwardviolence。Togetherwiththepersistingsenseofterribledangerhewasconsciousnowofatranquil，unquenchablehate。

Hewalkedslowerandslower。Andindeed，consideringtheguesthehadinhisrooms，itwasnowonderhelingeredontheway。Itwaslikeharbouringapestilentialdiseasethatwouldnotperhapstakeyourlife，butwouldtakefromyouallthatmadelifeworthliving——asubtlepestthatwouldconvertearthintoahell。

Whatwashedoingnow？Lyingonthebedasifdead，withthebackofhishandsoverhiseyes？RazumovhadamorbidlyvividvisionofHaldinonhisbed——thewhitepillowhollowedbythehead，thelegsinlongboots，theupturnedfeet。Andinhisabhorrencehesaidtohimself，"I’llkillhimwhenIgethome。"

Butheknewverywellthatthatwasofnouse。Thecorpsehangingroundhisneckwouldbenearlyasfatalasthelivingman。Nothingshortofcompleteannihilationwoulddo。Andthatwasimpossible。Whatthen？Mustonekilloneselftoescapethisvisitation？

Razumov’sdespairwastooprofoundlytingedwithhatetoacceptthatissue。

Andyetitwasdespair——nothingless——atthethoughtofhavingtolivewithHaldinforanindefinitenumberofdaysinmortalalarmateverysound。Butperhapswhenheheardthatthis"brightsoul"ofZiemianitchsufferedfromadrunkeneclipsethefellowwouldtakehisinfernalresignationsomewhereelse。Andthatwasnotlikelyonthefaceofit。

Razumovthought："Iambeingcrushed——andIcan’tevenrunaway。"

Othermenhadsomewhereacorneroftheearth——somelittlehouseintheprovinceswheretheyhadarighttotaketheirtroubles。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读