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