ButwhileIamaliveandhavedesiresIwouldrathermyhandwerewitheredoffthanbringonebricktosuchabuilding！Don’tremindmethatIhavejustrejectedthepalaceofcrystalforthesolereasonthatonecannotputoutone’stongueatit。IdidnotsaybecauseIamsofondofputtingmytongueout。PerhapsthethingIresentedwas，thatofallyouredificestherehasnotbeenoneatwhichonecouldnotputoutone’stongue。Onthecontrary，IwouldletmytonguebecutoffoutofgratitudeifthingscouldbesoarrangedthatIshouldlosealldesiretoputitout。Itisnotmyfaultthatthingscannotbesoarranged，andthatonemustbesatisfiedwithmodelflats。ThenwhyamI

madewithsuchdesires？CanIhavebeenconstructedsimplyinordertocometotheconclusionthatallmyconstructionisacheat？Canthisbemywholepurpose？Idonotbelieveit。

Butdoyouknowwhat：Iamconvincedthatweundergroundfolkoughttobekeptonacurb。Thoughwemaysitfortyyearsundergroundwithoutspeaking，whenwedocomeoutintothelightofdayandbreakoutwetalkandtalkandtalk……

XI

Thelongandtheshortofitis，gentlemen，thatitisbettertodonothing！Betterconsciousinertia！Andsohurrahforunderground！ThoughIhavesaidthatIenvythenormalmantothelastdropofmybile，yetIshouldnotcaretobeinhisplacesuchasheisnow（thoughIshallnotceaseenvyinghim）。

No，no;anywaytheundergroundlifeismoreadvantageous。There，atanyrate，onecan……Oh，butevennowIamlying！IamlyingbecauseIknowmyselfthatitisnotundergroundthatisbetter，butsomethingdifferent，quitedifferent，forwhichIamthirsting，butwhichIcannotfind！Damnunderground！

Iwilltellyouanotherthingthatwouldbebetter，andthatis，ifImyselfbelievedinanythingofwhatIhavejustwritten。I

sweartoyou，gentle-men，thereisnotonething，notonewordofwhatIhavewrittenthatIreallybelieve。Thatis，Ibelieveit，perhaps，butatthesametimeIfeelandsuspectthatIamlyinglikeacobbler。

"Thenwhyhaveyouwrittenallthis？"youwillsaytome。"I

oughttoputyouundergroundforfortyyearswithoutanythingtodoandthencometoyouinyourcellar，tofindoutwhatstageyouhavereached！Howcanamanbeleftwithnothingtodoforfortyyears？"

"Isn’tthatshameful，isn’tthathumiliating？"youwillsay，perhaps，waggingyourheadscontemptuously。"Youthirstforlifeandtrytosettletheproblemsoflifebyalogicaltangle。Andhowpersistent，howinsolentareyoursallies，andatthesametimewhatascareyouarein！Youtalknonsenseandarepleasedwithit;yousayimpudentthingsandareincontinualalarmandapologisingforthem。Youdeclarethatyouareafraidofnothingandatthesametimetrytoingratiateyourselfinourgoodopinion。Youdeclarethatyouaregnashingyourteethandatthesametimeyoutrytobewittysoastoamuseus。Youknowthatyourwitticismsarenotwitty，butyouareevidentlywellsatisfiedwiththeirliteraryvalue。Youmay，perhaps，havereallysuffered，butyouhavenorespectforyourownsuffering。

Youmayhavesincerity，butyouhavenomodesty;outofthepettiestvanityyouexposeyoursinceritytopublicityandignominy。Youdoubtlesslymeantosaysomething，buthideyourlastwordthroughfear，becauseyouhavenottheresolutiontoutterit，andonlyhaveacowardlyimpudence。Youboastofconsciousness，butyouarenotsureofyourground，forthoughyourmindworks，yetyourheartisdarkenedandcorrupt，andyoucannothaveafull，genuineconsciousnesswithoutapureheart。

Andhowintrusiveyouare，howyouinsistandgrimace！Lies，lies，lies！"

OfcourseIhavemyselfmadeupallthethingsyousay。That，too，isfromunderground。Ihavebeenforfortyyearslisteningtoyouthroughacrackunderthefloor。Ihaveinventedthemmyself，therewasnothingelseIcouldinvent。ItisnowonderthatIhavelearneditbyheartandithastakenaliteraryform……

ButcanyoureallybesocredulousastothinkthatIwillprintallthisandgiveittoyoutoreadtoo？Andanotherproblem：

whydoIcallyou"gentlemen，"whydoIaddressyouasthoughyoureallyweremyreaders？SuchconfessionsasIintendtomakeareneverprintednorgiventootherpeopletoread。Anyway，Iamnotstrong-mindedenoughforthat，andIdon’tseewhyIshouldbe。ButyouseeafancyhasoccurredtomeandIwanttorealiseitatallcosts。Letmeexplain。

Everymanhasreminiscenceswhichhewouldnottelltoeveryone，butonlytohisfriends。Hehasothermattersinhismindwhichhewouldnotrevealeventohisfriends，butonlytohimself，andthatinsecret。Butthereareotherthingswhichamanisafraidtotelleventohimself，andeverydecentmanhasanumberofsuchthingsstoredawayinhismind。Themoredecentheis，thegreaterthenumberofsuchthingsinhismind。Anyway，Ihaveonlylatelydeterminedtoremembersomeofmyearlyadventures。

TillnowIhavealwaysavoidedthem，evenwithacertainuneasiness。Now，whenIamnotonlyrecallingthem，buthaveactuallydecidedtowriteanaccountofthem，Iwanttotrytheexperimentwhetheronecan，evenwithoneself，beperfectlyopenandnottakefrightatthewholetruth。Iwillobserve，inparenthesis，thatHeinesaysthatatrueautobiographyisalmostanimpossibility，andthatmanisboundtolieabouthimself。HeconsidersthatRousseaucertainlytoldliesabouthimselfinhisconfessions，andevenintentionallylied，outofvanity。IamconvincedthatHeineisright;Iquiteunderstandhowsometimesonemay，outofsheervanity，attributeregularcrimestooneself，andindeedIcanverywellconceivethatkindofvanity。

ButHeinejudgedofpeoplewhomadetheirconfessionstothepublic。Iwriteonlyformyself，andIwishtodeclareonceandforallthatifIwriteasthoughIwereaddressingreaders，thatissimplybecauseitiseasierformetowriteinthatform。Itisaform，anemptyform——Ishallneverhavereaders。Ihavemadethisplainalready……

Idon’twishtobehamperedbyanyrestrictionsinthecompilationofmynotes。Ishallnotattemptanysystemormethod。IwilljotthingsdownasIrememberthem。

Buthere，perhaps，someonewillcatchatthewordandaskme：ifyoureallydon’treckononreaders，whydoyoumakesuchcompactswithyourself——andonpapertoo——thatis，thatyouwon’tattemptanysystemormethod，thatyoujotthingsdownasyourememberthem，andsoon，andsoon？Whyareyouexplaining？Whydoyouapologise？

"Well，thereitis，"Ianswer。

Thereisawholepsychologyinallthis，though。PerhapsitissimplythatIamacoward。AndperhapsthatIpurposelyimagineanaudiencebeforemeinorderthatImaybemoredignifiedwhileIwrite。Thereareperhapsthousandsofreasons。Again，whatismyobjectpreciselyinwriting？IfitisnotforthebenefitofthepublicwhyshouldInotsimplyrecalltheseincidentsinmyownmindwithoutputtingthemonpaper？

Quiteso;butyetitismoreimposingonpaper。Thereissomethingmoreimpressiveinit;Ishallbebetterabletocriticisemyselfandimprovemystyle。Besides，Ishallperhapsobtainactualrelieffromwriting。Today，forinstance，Iamparticularlyoppressedbyonememoryofadistantpast。Itcamebackvividlytomymindafewdaysago，andhasremainedhauntingmelikeanannoyingtunethatonecannotgetridof。AndyetI

mustgetridofitsomehow。Ihavehundredsofsuchreminiscences;butattimessomeonestandsoutfromthehundredandoppressesme。ForsomereasonIbelievethatifIwriteitdownIshouldgetridofit。Whynottry？

Besides，Iambored，andIneverhaveanythingtodo。Writingwillbeasortofwork。Theysayworkmakesmankind-heartedandhonest。Well，hereisachanceforme，anyway。

Snowisfallingtoday，yellowanddingy。Itfellyesterday，too，andafewdaysago。IfancyitisthewetsnowthathasremindedmeofthatincidentwhichIcannotshakeoffnow。Andsoletitbeastoryaproposofthefallingsnow。

PARTII

APROPOSOFTHEWETSNOW

Whenfromdarkerror’ssubjugationMywordsofpassionateexhortationHadwrenchedthyfaintingspiritfree;

AndwrithingproneinthineafflictionThoudidstrecallwithmaledictionThevicethathadencompassedthee：

Andwhenthyslumberingconscience，frettingByrecollection’storturingflame，ThoudidstrevealthehideoussettingOfthylife’scurrentereIcame：

WhensuddenlyIsawtheesicken，Andweeping，hidethineanguishedface，Revolted，maddened，horror-stricken，Atmemoriesoffouldisgrace。

N。A。NEKRASSOV（translatedbyJulietSoskice）。

I

AtthattimeIwasonlytwenty-four。Mylifewaseventhengloomy，ill-regulated，andassolitaryasthatofasavage。I

madefriendswithnooneandpositivelyavoidedtalking，andburiedmyselfmoreandmoreinmyhole。AtworkintheofficeI

neverlookedatanyone，andwasperfectlywellawarethatmycompanionslookeduponme，notonlyasaqueerfellow，butevenlookeduponme——Ialwaysfanciedthis——withasortofloathing。

Isometimeswonderedwhyitwasthatnobodyexceptmefanciedthathewaslookeduponwithaversion？Oneoftheclerkshadamostrepulsive，pock-markedface，whichlookedpositivelyvillainous。IbelieveIshouldnothavedaredtolookatanyonewithsuchanunsightlycountenance。Anotherhadsuchaverydirtyolduniformthattherewasanunpleasantodourinhisproximity。Yetnotoneofthesegentlemenshowedtheslightestself-consciousness——eitherabouttheirclothesortheircountenanceortheircharacterinanyway。Neitherofthemeverimaginedthattheywerelookedatwithrepulsion;iftheyhadimaginedittheywouldnothaveminded——solongastheirsuperiorsdidnotlookattheminthatway。Itiscleartomenowthat，owingtomyunboundedvanityandtothehighstandardI

setformyself，Ioftenlookedatmyselfwithfuriousdiscontent，whichvergedonloathing，andsoIinwardlyattributedthesamefeelingtoeveryone。Ihatedmyface，forinstance：Ithoughtitdisgusting，andevensuspectedthattherewassomethingbaseinmyexpression，andsoeverydaywhenIturnedupattheofficeI

triedtobehaveasindependentlyaspossible，andtoassumealoftyexpression，sothatImightnotbesuspectedofbeingabject。"Myfacemaybeugly，"Ithought，"butletitbelofty，expressive，and，aboveall，_extremely_intelligent。"ButIwaspositivelyandpainfullycertainthatitwasimpossibleformycountenanceevertoexpressthosequalities。Andwhatwasworstofall，Ithoughtitactuallystupidlooking，andIwouldhavebeenquitesatisfiedifIcouldhavelookedintelligent。Infact，Iwouldevenhaveputupwithlookingbaseif，atthesametime，myfacecouldhavebeenthoughtstrikinglyintelligent。

Ofcourse，Ihatedmyfellowclerksoneandall，andIdespisedthemall，yetatthesametimeIwas，asitwere，afraidofthem。

Infact，ithappenedattimesthatIthoughtmorehighlyofthemthanofmyself。ItsomehowhappenedquitesuddenlythatI

alternatedbetweendespisingthemandthinkingthemsuperiortomyself。Acultivatedanddecentmancannotbevainwithoutsettingafearfullyhighstandardforhimself，andwithoutdespisingandalmosthatinghimselfatcertainmoments。ButwhetherIdespisedthemorthoughtthemsuperiorIdroppedmyeyesalmosteverytimeImetanyone。IevenmadeexperimentswhetherIcouldfacesoandso’slookingatme，andIwasalwaysthefirsttodropmyeyes。Thisworriedmetodistraction。I

hadasicklydread，too，ofbeingridiculous，andsohadaslavishpassionfortheconventionalineverythingexternal。I

lovedtofallintothecommonrut，andhadawhole-heartedterrorofanykindofeccentricityinmyself。ButhowcouldIliveuptoit？Iwasmorbidlysensitiveasamanofourageshouldbe。

Theywereallstupid，andaslikeoneanotherassomanysheep。

PerhapsIwastheonlyoneintheofficewhofanciedthatIwasacowardandaslave，andIfancieditjustbecauseIwasmorehighlydeveloped。ButitwasnotonlythatIfanciedit，itreallywasso。Iwasacowardandaslave。Isaythiswithouttheslightestembarrassment。Everydecentmanofouragemustbeacowardandaslave。Thatishisnormalcondition。OfthatI

amfirmlypersuaded。Heismadeandconstructedtothatveryend。Andnotonlyatthepresenttimeowingtosomecasualcircumstances，butalways，atalltimes，adecentmanisboundtobeacowardandaslave。Itisthelawofnatureforalldecentpeopleallovertheearth。Ifanyoneofthemhappenstobevaliantaboutsomething，heneednotbecomfortednorcarriedawaybythat;hewouldshowthewhitefeatherjustthesamebeforesomethingelse。Thatishowitinvariablyandinevitablyends。Onlydonkeysandmulesarevaliant，andtheyonlytilltheyarepusheduptothewall。Itisnotworthwhiletopayattentiontothemfortheyreallyareofnoconsequence。

Anothercircumstance，too，worriedmeinthosedays：thattherewasnoonelikemeandIwasunlikeanyoneelse。"Iamaloneandtheyare_everyone_，"Ithought——andpondered。

FromthatitisevidentthatIwasstillayoungster。

Theveryoppositesometimeshappened。Itwasloathsomesometimestogototheoffice;thingsreachedsuchapointthatIoftencamehomeill。Butallatonce，aproposofnothing，therewouldcomeaphaseofscepticismandindifference（everythinghappenedinphasestome），andIwouldlaughmyselfatmyintoleranceandfastidiousness，Iwouldreproachmyselfwithbeing_romantic_。

AtonetimeIwasunwillingtospeaktoanyone，whileatothertimesIwouldnotonlytalk，butgotothelengthofcontemplatingmakingfriendswiththem。Allmyfastidiousnesswouldsuddenly，fornorhymeorreason，vanish。Whoknows，perhapsIneverhadreallyhadit，andithadsimplybeenaffected，andgotoutofbooks。Ihavenotdecidedthatquestionevennow。OnceIquitemadefriendswiththem，visitedtheirhomes，playedpreference，drankvodka，talkedofpromotions……

Buthereletmemakeadigression。

WeRussians，speakinggenerally，haveneverhadthosefoolishtranscendental"romantics"——German，andstillmoreFrench——onwhomnothingproducesanyeffect;iftherewereanearthquake，ifallFranceperishedatthebarricades，theywouldstillbethesame，theywouldnotevenhavethedecencytoaffectachange，butwouldstillgoonsingingtheirtranscendentalsongstothehouroftheirdeath，becausetheyarefools。We，inRussia，havenofools;thatiswellknown。Thatiswhatdistinguishesusfromforeignlands。Consequentlythesetranscendentalnaturesarenotfoundamongstusintheirpureform。Theideathattheyareisduetoour"realistic"journalistsandcriticsofthatday，alwaysonthelookoutforKostanzhoglosandUnclePyotrIvanitchsandfoolishlyacceptingthemasourideal;theyhaveslanderedourromantics，takingthemforthesametranscendentalsortasinGermanyorFrance。Onthecontrary，thecharacteristicsofour"romantics"areabsolutelyanddirectlyopposedtothetranscendentalEuropeantype，andnoEuropeanstandardcanbeappliedtothem。（Allowmetomakeuseofthisword"romantic"-anold-fashionedandmuchrespectedwordwhichhasdonegoodserviceandisfamiliartoall。）Thecharacteristicsofourromanticaretounderstandeverything，_toseeeverythingandtoseeitoftenincomparablymoreclearlythanourmostrealisticmindsseeit_;torefusetoacceptanyoneoranything，butatthesametimenottodespiseanything;togiveway，toyield，frompolicy;nevertolosesightofausefulpracticalobject（suchasrent-freequartersatthegovernmentexpense，pensions，decorations），tokeeptheireyeonthatobjectthroughalltheenthusiasmsandvolumesoflyricalpoems，andatthesametimetopreserve"thesublimeandthebeautiful"

inviolatewithinthemtothehouroftheirdeath，andtopreservethemselvesalso，incidentally，likesomepreciousjewelwrappedincottonwoolifonlyforthebenefitof"thesublimeandthebeautiful。"Our"romantic"isamanofgreatbreadthandthegreatestrogueofallourrogues，Iassureyou……Icanassureyoufromexperience，indeed。Ofcourse，thatis，ifheisintelligent。ButwhatamIsaying！Theromanticisalwaysintelligent，andIonlymeanttoobservethatalthoughwehavehadfoolishromanticstheydon’tcount，andtheywereonlysobecauseinthefloweroftheiryouththeydegeneratedintoGermans，andtopreservetheirpreciousjewelmorecomfortably，settledsomewhereoutthere——bypreferenceinWeimarortheBlackForest。I，forinstance，genuinelydespisedmyofficialworkanddidnotopenlyabuseitsimplybecauseIwasinitmyselfandgotasalaryforit。Anyway，takenote，Ididnotopenlyabuseit。

Ourromanticwouldrathergooutofhismind——athing，however，whichveryrarelyhappens——thantaketoopenabuse，unlesshehadsomeothercareerinview;andheisneverkickedout。Atmost，theywouldtakehimtothelunaticasylumas"theKingofSpain"

ifheshouldgoverymad。Butitisonlythethin，fairpeoplewhogooutoftheirmindsinRussia。Innumerable"romantics"

attainlaterinlifetoconsiderablerankintheservice。Theirmany-sidednessisremarkable！Andwhatafacultytheyhaveforthemostcontradictorysensations！Iwascomfortedbythisthoughteveninthosedays，andIamofthesameopinionnow。

Thatiswhytherearesomany"broadnatures"amonguswhoneverlosetheiridealeveninthedepthsofdegradation;andthoughtheyneverstirafingerfortheirideal，thoughtheyarearrantthievesandknaves，yettheytearfullycherishtheirfirstidealandareextraordinarilyhonestatheart。Yes，itisonlyamongusthatthemostincorrigibleroguecanbeabsolutelyandloftilyhonestatheartwithoutintheleastceasingtobearogue。I

repeat，ourromantics，frequently，becomesuchaccomplishedrascals（Iusetheterm"rascals"affectionately），suddenlydisplaysuchasenseofrealityandpracticalknowledgethattheirbewilderedsuperiorsandthepublicgenerallycanonlyejaculateinamazement。

Theirmany-sidednessisreallyamazing，andgoodnessknowswhatitmaydevelopintolateron，andwhatthefuturehasinstoreforus。Itisnotapoormaterial！Idonotsaythisfromanyfoolishorboastfulpatriotism。ButIfeelsurethatyouareagainimaginingthatIamjoking。Orperhapsit’sjustthecontraryandyouareconvincedthatIreallythinkso。Anyway，gentlemen，Ishallwelcomebothviewsasanhonourandaspecialfavour。Anddoforgivemydigression。

Ididnot，ofcourse，maintainfriendlyrelationswithmycomradesandsoonwasatloggerheadswiththem，andinmyyouthandinexperienceIevengaveupbowingtothem，asthoughIhadcutoffallrelations。That，however，onlyhappenedtomeonce。

Asarule，Iwasalwaysalone。

InthefirstplaceIspentmostofmytimeathome，reading。I

triedtostifleallthatwascontinuallyseethingwithinmebymeansofexternalimpressions。AndtheonlyexternalmeansIhadwasreading。Reading，ofcourse，wasagreathelp——excitingme，givingmepleasureandpain。Butattimesitboredmefearfully。

Onelongedformovementinspiteofeverything，andIplungedallatonceintodark，underground，loathsomeviceofthepettiestkind。Mywretchedpassionswereacute，smarting，frommycontinual，sicklyirritabilityIhadhystericalimpulses，withtearsandconvulsions。Ihadnoresourceexceptreading，thatis，therewasnothinginmysurroundingswhichIcouldrespectandwhichattractedme。Iwasoverwhelmedwithdepression，too;I

hadanhystericalcravingforincongruityandforcontrast，andsoItooktovice。Ihavenotsaidallthistojustifymyself……But，no！Iamlying。Ididwanttojustifymyself。

Imakethatlittleobservationformyownbenefit，gentlemen。I

don’twanttolie。IvowedtomyselfIwouldnot。

Andso，furtively，timidly，insolitude，atnight，Iindulgedinfilthyvice，withafeelingofshamewhichneverdesertedme，evenatthemostloathsomemoments，andwhichatsuchmomentsnearlymademecurse。AlreadyeventhenIhadmyundergroundworldinmysoul。Iwasfearfullyafraidofbeingseen，ofbeingmet，ofbeingrecognised。Ivisitedvariousobscurehaunts。

OnenightasIwaspassingatavernIsawthroughalightedwindowsomegentlemenfightingwithbilliardcues，andsawoneofthemthrownoutofthewindow。AtothertimesIshouldhavefeltverymuchdisgusted，butIwasinsuchamoodatthetime，thatI

actuallyenviedthegentlemanthrownoutofthewindow——andI

enviedhimsomuchthatIevenwentintothetavernandintothebilliard-room。"Perhaps，"Ithought，"I’llhaveafight，too，andthey’llthrowmeoutofthewindow。"

Iwasnotdrunk——butwhatisonetodo——depressionwilldriveamantosuchapitchofhysteria！Butnothinghappened。ItseemedthatIwasnotevenequaltobeingthrownoutofthewindowandIwentawaywithouthavingmyfight。

Anofficerputmeinmyplacefromthefirstmoment。

Iwasstandingbythebilliard-tableandinmyignoranceblockinguptheway，andhewantedtopass;hetookmebytheshouldersandwithoutaword——withoutawarningorexplanation——movedmefromwhereIwasstandingtoanotherspotandpassedbyasthoughhehadnotnoticedme。Icouldhaveforgivenblows，butIcouldnotforgivehishavingmovedmewithoutnoticingme。

DevilknowswhatIwouldhavegivenforarealregularquarrel——amoredecent，amore_literary_one，sotospeak。Ihadbeentreatedlikeafly。Thisofficerwasoversixfoot，whileIwasaspindlylittlefellow。Butthequarrelwasinmyhands。IhadonlytoprotestandIcertainlywouldhavebeenthrownoutofthewindow。ButIchangedmymindandpreferredtobeataresentfulretreat。

Iwentoutofthetavernstraighthome，confusedandtroubled，andthenextnightIwentoutagainwiththesamelewdintentions，stillmorefurtively，abjectlyandmiserablythanbefore，asitwere，withtearsinmyeyes——butstillIdidgooutagain。Don’timagine，though，itwascowardicemademeslinkawayfromtheofficer;Ineverhavebeenacowardatheart，thoughIhavealwaysbeenacowardinaction。Don’tbeinahurrytolaugh——IassureyouIcanexplainitall。

Oh，ifonlythatofficerhadbeenoneofthesortwhowouldconsenttofightaduel！Butno，hewasoneofthosegentlemen（alas，longextinct！）whopreferredfightingwithcuesor，likeGogol’sLieutenantPirogov，appealingtothepolice。Theydidnotfightduelsandwouldhavethoughtaduelwithacivilianlikemeanutterlyunseemlyprocedureinanycase——andtheylookedupontheduelaltogetherassomethingimpossible，somethingfree-thinkingandFrench。Buttheywerequitereadytobully，especiallywhentheywereoversixfoot。

Ididnotslinkawaythroughcowardice，butthroughanunboundedvanity。Iwasafraidnotofhissixfoot，notofgettingasoundthrashingandbeingthrownoutofthewindow;Ishouldhavehadphysicalcourageenough，Iassureyou;butIhadnotthemoralcourage。WhatIwasafraidofwasthateveryonepresent，fromtheinsolentmarkerdowntothelowestlittlestinking，pimplyclerkinagreasycollar，wouldjeeratmeandfailtounderstandwhenIbegantoprotestandtoaddresstheminliterarylanguage。

Forofthepointofhonour——notofhonour，butofthepointofhonour（pointd’honneur）——onecannotspeakamongusexceptinliterarylanguage。Youcan’talludetothe"pointofhonour"inordinarylanguage。Iwasfullyconvinced（thesenseofreality，inspiteofallmyromanticism！）thattheywouldallsimplysplittheirsideswithlaughter，andthattheofficerwouldnotsimplybeatme，thatis，withoutinsultingme，butwouldcertainlyprodmeinthebackwithhisknee，kickmeroundthebilliard-table，andonlythenperhapshavepityanddropmeoutofthewindow。

Ofcourse，thistrivialincidentcouldnotwithmeendinthat。

Ioftenmetthatofficerafterwardsinthestreetandnoticedhimverycarefully。Iamnotquitesurewhetherherecognisedme，I

imaginenot;Ijudgefromcertainsigns。ButI——Istaredathimwithspiteandhatredandsoitwenton……forseveralyears！

Myresentmentgrewevendeeperwithyears。AtfirstIbeganmakingstealthyinquiriesaboutthisofficer。Itwasdifficultformetodoso，forIknewnoone。ButonedayIheardsomeoneshouthissurnameinthestreetasIwasfollowinghimatadistance，asthoughIweretiedtohim——andsoIlearnthissurname。AnothertimeIfollowedhimtohisflat，andfortenkopeckslearnedfromtheporterwherehelived，onwhichstorey，whetherhelivedaloneorwithothers，andsoon——infact，everythingonecouldlearnfromaporter。Onemorning，thoughI

hadnevertriedmyhandwiththepen，itsuddenlyoccurredtometowriteasatireonthisofficerintheformofanovelwhichwouldunmaskhisvillainy。Iwrotethenovelwithrelish。Ididunmaskhisvillainy，Ievenexaggeratedit;atfirstIsoalteredhissurnamethatitcouldeasilyberecognised，butonsecondthoughtsIchangedit，andsentthestorytotheOtetchestvenniyaZapiski。Butatthattimesuchattackswerenotthefashionandmystorywasnotprinted。Thatwasagreatvexationtome。

SometimesIwaspositivelychokedwithresentment。AtlastI

determinedtochallengemyenemytoaduel。Icomposedasplendid，charminglettertohim，imploringhimtoapologisetome，andhintingratherplainlyataduelincaseofrefusal。Theletterwassocomposedthatiftheofficerhadhadtheleastunderstandingofthesublimeandthebeautifulhewouldcertainlyhaveflunghimselfonmyneckandhaveofferedmehisfriendship。

Andhowfinethatwouldhavebeen！Howweshouldhavegotontogether！Hecouldhaveshieldedmewithhishigherrank，whileIcouldhaveimprovedhismindwithmyculture，and，well……myideas，andallsortsofthingsmighthavehappened。Onlyfancy，thiswastwoyearsafterhisinsulttome，andmychallengewouldhavebeenaridiculousanachronism，inspiteofalltheingenuityofmyletterindisguisingandexplainingawaytheanachronism。

But，thankGod（tothisdayIthanktheAlmightywithtearsinmyeyes）Ididnotsendthelettertohim。ColdshiversrundownmybackwhenIthinkofwhatmighthavehappenedifIhadsentit。

AndallatonceIrevengedmyselfinthesimplestway，byastrokeofgenius！Abrilliantthoughtsuddenlydawneduponme。

SometimesonholidaysIusedtostrollalongthesunnysideoftheNevskyaboutfouro’clockintheafternoon。Thoughitwashardlyastrollsomuchasaseriesofinnumerablemiseries，humiliationsandresentments;butnodoubtthatwasjustwhatI

wanted。Iusedtowrigglealonginamostunseemlyfashion，likeaneel，continuallymovingasidetomakewayforgenerals，forofficersoftheguardsandthehussars，orforladies。Atsuchminutesthereusedtobeaconvulsivetwingeatmyheart，andI

usedtofeelhotalldownmybackatthemerethoughtofthewretchednessofmyattire，ofthewretchednessandabjectnessofmylittlescurryingfigure。Thiswasaregularmartyrdom，acontinual，intolerablehumiliationatthethought，whichpassedintoanincessantanddirectsensation，thatIwasamereflyintheeyesofallthisworld，anasty，disgustingfly——moreintelligent，morehighlydeveloped，morerefinedinfeelingthananyofthem，ofcourse——butaflythatwascontinuallymakingwayforeveryone，insultedandinjuredbyeveryone。WhyIinflictedthistortureuponmyself，whyIwenttotheNevsky，Idon’tknow。

Ifeltsimplydrawnthereateverypossibleopportunity。

AlreadythenIbegantoexperiencearushoftheenjoymentofwhichIspokeinthefirstchapter。AftermyaffairwiththeofficerIfeltevenmoredrawntherethanbefore：itwasontheNevskythatImethimmostfrequently，thereIcouldadmirehim。

He，too，wenttherechieflyonholidays，He，too，turnedoutofhispathforgeneralsandpersonsofhighrank，andhetoo，wriggledbetweenthemlikeaneel;butpeople，likeme，orevenbetterdressedthanme，hesimplywalkedover;hemadestraightforthemasthoughtherewasnothingbutemptyspacebeforehim，andnever，underanycircumstances，turnedaside。Igloatedovermyresentmentwatchinghimand……alwaysresentfullymadewayforhim。ItexasperatedmethateveninthestreetIcouldnotbeonanevenfootingwithhim。

"Whymustyouinvariablybethefirsttomoveaside？"Ikeptaskingmyselfinhystericalrage，wakingupsometimesatthreeo’clockinthemorning。"Whyisityouandnothe？There’snoregulationaboutit;there’snowrittenlaw。Letthemakingwaybeequalasitusuallyiswhenrefinedpeoplemeet;hemoveshalf-wayandyoumovehalf-way;youpasswithmutualrespect。"

Butthatneverhappened，andIalwaysmovedaside，whilehedidnotevennoticemymakingwayforhim。Andloandbeholdabrightideadawneduponme！"What，"Ithought，"ifImeethimanddon’tmoveononeside？WhatifIdon’tmoveasideonpurpose，evenifIknockupagainsthim？Howwouldthatbe？"

Thisaudaciousideatooksuchaholdonmethatitgavemenopeace。Iwasdreamingofitcontinually，horribly，andI

purposelywentmorefrequentlytotheNevskyinordertopicturemorevividlyhowIshoulddoitwhenIdiddoit。Iwasdelighted。Thisintentionseemedtomemoreandmorepracticalandpossible。

"OfcourseIshallnotreallypushhim，"Ithought，alreadymoregood-naturedinmyjoy。"Iwillsimplynotturnaside，willrunupagainsthim，notveryviolently，butjustshoulderingeachother——justasmuchasdecencypermits。Iwillpushagainsthimjustasmuchashepushesagainstme。"AtlastImadeupmymindcompletely。Butmypreparationstookagreatdealoftime。Tobeginwith，whenIcarriedoutmyplanIshouldneedtobelookingrathermoredecent，andsoIhadtothinkofmyget-up。

"Incaseofemergency，if，forinstance，therewereanysortofpublicscandal（andthepublicthereisofthemostrecherche：

theCountesswalksthere;PrinceD。walksthere;alltheliteraryworldisthere），Imustbewelldressed;thatinspiresrespectandofitselfputsusonanequalfootingintheeyesofthesociety。"

WiththisobjectIaskedforsomeofmysalaryinadvance，andboughtatTchurkin’sapairofblackglovesandadecenthat。

Blackglovesseemedtomebothmoredignifiedandbontonthanthelemon-colouredoneswhichIhadcontemplatedatfirst。"Thecolouristoogaudy，itlooksasthoughoneweretryingtobeconspicuous，"andIdidnottakethelemon-colouredones。Ihadgotreadylongbeforehandagoodshirt，withwhitebonestuds;myovercoatwastheonlythingthatheldmeback。Thecoatinitselfwasaverygoodone，itkeptmewarm;butitwaswaddedandithadaraccooncollarwhichwastheheightofvulgarity。I

hadtochangethecollaratanysacrifice，andtohaveabeaveronelikeanofficer’s。ForthispurposeIbeganvisitingtheGostinyDvorandafterseveralattemptsIpitcheduponapieceofcheapGermanbeaver。ThoughtheseGermanbeaverssoongrowshabbyandlookwretched，yetatfirsttheylookexceedinglywell，andIonlyneededitfortheoccasion。Iaskedtheprice;

evenso，itwastooexpensive。AfterthinkingitoverthoroughlyIdecidedtosellmyraccooncollar。Therestofthemoney——aconsiderablesumforme，IdecidedtoborrowfromAntonAntonitchSyetotchkin，myimmediatesuperior，anunassumingperson，thoughgraveandjudicious。Heneverlentmoneytoanyone，butIhad，onenteringtheservice，beenspeciallyrecommendedtohimbyanimportantpersonagewhohadgotmemyberth。Iwashorriblyworried。ToborrowfromAntonAntonitchseemedtomemonstrousandshameful。Ididnotsleepfortwoorthreenights。Indeed，Ididnotsleepwellatthattime，Iwasinafever;Ihadavaguesinkingatmyheartorelseasuddenthrobbing，throbbing，throbbing！AntonAntonitchwassurprisedatfirst，thenhefrowned，thenhereflected，anddidafteralllendmethemoney，receivingfrommeawrittenauthorisationtotakefrommysalaryafortnightlaterthesumthathehadlentme。Inthiswayeverythingwasatlastready。Thehandsomebeaverreplacedthemean-lookingraccoon，andIbeganbydegreestogettowork。Itwouldneverhavedonetoactoffhand，atrandom;theplanhadtobecarriedoutskilfully，bydegrees。ButImustconfessthataftermanyeffortsIbegantodespair：wesimplycouldnotrunintoeachother。Imadeeverypreparation，Iwasquitedetermined——itseemedasthoughweshouldrunintooneanotherdirectly——andbeforeIknewwhatIwasdoingIhadsteppedasideforhimagainandhehadpassedwithoutnoticingme。IevenprayedasIapproachedhimthatGodwouldgrantmedetermination。

OnetimeIhadmadeupmymindthoroughly，butitendedinmystumblingandfallingathisfeetbecauseattheverylastinstantwhenIwassixinchesfromhimmycouragefailedme。Heverycalmlysteppedoverme，whileIflewononesidelikeaball。ThatnightIwasillagain，feverishanddelirious。Andsuddenlyitendedmosthappily。ThenightbeforeIhadmadeupmymindnottocarryoutmyfatalplanandtoabandonitall，andwiththatobjectIwenttotheNevskyforthelasttime，justtoseehowIwouldabandonitall。Suddenly，threepacesfrommyenemy，Iunexpectedlymadeupmymind——Iclosedmyeyes，andweranfulltilt，shouldertoshoulder，againstoneanother！Ididnotbudgeaninchandpassedhimonaperfectlyequalfooting！

Hedidnotevenlookroundandpretendednottonoticeit;buthewasonlypretending，Iamconvincedofthat。Iamconvincedofthattothisday！Ofcourse，Igottheworstofit——hewasstronger，butthatwasnotthepoint。ThepointwasthatIhadattainedmyobject，Ihadkeptupmydignity，Ihadnotyieldedastep，andhadputmyselfpubliclyonanequalsocialfootingwithhim。IreturnedhomefeelingthatIwasfullyavengedforeverything。Iwasdelighted。IwastriumphantandsangItalianarias。Ofcourse，Iwillnotdescribetoyouwhathappenedtomethreedayslater;ifyouhavereadmyfirstchapteryoucanguessforyourself。Theofficerwasafterwardstransferred;Ihavenotseenhimnowforfourteenyears。Whatisthedearfellowdoingnow？Whomishewalkingover？

II

ButtheperiodofmydissipationwouldendandIalwaysfeltverysickafterwards。Itwasfollowedbyremorse——Itriedtodriveitaway;Ifelttoosick。Bydegrees，however，Igrewusedtothattoo。Igrewusedtoeverything，orratherIvoluntarilyresignedmyselftoenduringit。ButIhadameansofescapethatreconciledeverything——thatwastofindrefugein"thesublimeandthebeautiful，"indreams，ofcourse。Iwasaterribledreamer，Iwoulddreamforthreemonthsonend，tuckedawayinmycorner，andyoumaybelievemethatatthosemomentsIhadnoresemblancetothegentlemanwho，intheperturbationofhischickenheart，putacollarofGermanbeaveronhisgreat-coat。

Isuddenlybecameahero。Iwouldnothaveadmittedmysix-footlieutenantevenifhehadcalledonme。Icouldnotevenpicturehimbeforemethen。WhatweremydreamsandhowIcouldsatisfymyselfwiththem——itishardtosaynow，butatthetimeIwassatisfiedwiththem。Though，indeed，evennow，Iamtosomeextentsatisfiedwiththem。Dreamswereparticularlysweetandvividafteraspellofdissipation;theycamewithremorseandwithtears，withcursesandtransports。Thereweremomentsofsuchpositiveintoxication，ofsuchhappiness，thattherewasnotthefaintesttraceofironywithinme，onmyhonour。Ihadfaith，hope，love。Ibelievedblindlyatsuchtimesthatbysomemiracle，bysomeexternalcircumstance，allthiswouldsuddenlyopenout，expand;thatsuddenlyavistaofsuitableactivity——beneficent，good，and，aboveall，_readymade_（whatsortofactivityIhadnoidea，butthegreatthingwasthatitshouldbeallreadyforme）——wouldriseupbeforeme——andI

shouldcomeoutintothelightofday，almostridingawhitehorseandcrownedwithlaurel。AnythingbuttheforemostplaceI

couldnotconceiveformyself，andforthatveryreasonIquitecontentedlyoccupiedthelowestinreality。Eithertobeaheroortogrovelinthemud——therewasnothingbetween。Thatwasmyruin，forwhenIwasinthemudIcomfortedmyselfwiththethoughtthatatothertimesIwasahero，andtheherowasacloakforthemud：foranordinarymanitwasshamefultodefilehimself，butaherowastooloftytobeutterlydefiled，andsohemightdefilehimself。Itisworthnotingthattheseattacksofthe"sublimeandthebeautiful"visitedmeevenduringtheperiodofdissipationandjustatthetimeswhenIwastouchingthebottom。Theycameinseparatespurts，asthoughremindingmeofthemselves，butdidnotbanishthedissipationbytheirappearance。Onthecontrary，theyseemedtoaddazesttoitbycontrast，andwereonlysufficientlypresenttoserveasanappetisingsauce。Thatsaucewasmadeupofcontradictionsandsufferings，ofagonisinginwardanalysis，andallthesepangsandpin-pricksgaveacertainpiquancy，evenasignificancetomydissipation——infact，completelyansweredthepurposeofanappetisingsauce。Therewasacertaindepthofmeaninginit。

AndIcouldhardlyhaveresignedmyselftothesimple，vulgar，directdebaucheryofaclerkandhaveenduredallthefilthinessofit。Whatcouldhavealluredmeaboutitthenandhavedrawnmeatnightintothestreet？No，Ihadaloftywayofgettingoutofitall。

Andwhatloving-kindness，ohLord，whatloving-kindnessIfeltattimesinthosedreamsofmine！inthose"flightsintothesublimeandthebeautiful";thoughitwasfantasticlove，thoughitwasneverappliedtoanythinghumaninreality，yettherewassomuchofthislovethatonedidnotfeelafterwardseventheimpulsetoapplyitinreality;thatwouldhavebeensuperfluous。

Everything，however，passedsatisfactorilybyalazyandfascinatingtransitionintothesphereofart，thatis，intothebeautifulformsoflife，lyingready，largelystolenfromthepoetsandnovelistsandadaptedtoallsortsofneedsanduses。

I，forinstance，wastriumphantovereveryone;everyone，ofcourse，wasindustandashes，andwasforcedspontaneouslytorecognisemysuperiority，andIforgavethemall。Iwasapoetandagrandgentleman，Ifellinlove;Icameinforcountlessmillionsandimmediatelydevotedthemtohumanity，andatthesametimeIconfessedbeforeallthepeoplemyshamefuldeeds，which，ofcourse，werenotmerelyshameful，buthadinthemmuchthatwas"sublimeandbeautiful"somethingintheManfredstyle。

Everyonewouldkissmeandweep（whatidiotstheywouldbeiftheydidnot），whileIshouldgobarefootandhungrypreachingnewideasandfightingavictoriousAusterlitzagainsttheobscurantists。Thenthebandwouldplayamarch，anamnestywouldbedeclared，thePopewouldagreetoretirefromRometoBrazil;thentherewouldbeaballforthewholeofItalyattheVillaBorgheseontheshoresofLakeComo，LakeComobeingforthatpurposetransferredtotheneighbourhoodofRome;thenwouldcomeasceneinthebushes，andsoon，andsoon——asthoughyoudidnotknowallaboutit？YouwillsaythatitisvulgarandcontemptibletodragallthisintopublicafterallthetearsandtransportswhichIhavemyselfconfessed。Butwhyisitcontemptible？CanyouimaginethatIamashamedofitall，andthatitwasstupiderthananythinginyourlife，gentlemen？AndIcanassureyouthatsomeofthesefancieswerebynomeansbadlycomposed……ItdidnotallhappenontheshoresofLakeComo。Andyetyouareright——itreallyisvulgarandcontemptible。AndmostcontemptibleofallitisthatnowIamattemptingtojustifymyselftoyou。Andevenmorecontemptiblethanthatismymakingthisremarknow。Butthat’senough，ortherewillbenoendtoit;eachstepwillbemorecontemptiblethanthelast……

Icouldneverstandmorethanthreemonthsofdreamingatatimewithoutfeelinganirresistibledesiretoplungeintosociety。

Toplungeintosocietymeanttovisitmysuperiorattheoffice，AntonAntonitchSyetotchkin。HewastheonlypermanentacquaintanceIhavehadinmylife，andIwonderatthefactmyselfnow。ButIonlywenttoseehimwhenthatphasecameoverme，andwhenmydreamshadreachedsuchapointofblissthatitbecameessentialatoncetoembracemyfellowsandallmankind;

andforthatpurposeIneeded，atleast，onehumanbeing，actuallyexisting。IhadtocallonAntonAntonitch，however，onTuesday——hisat-homeday;soIhadalwaystotimemypassionatedesiretoembracehumanitysothatitmightfallonaTuesday。

ThisAntonAntonitchlivedonthefourthstoreyinahouseinFiveCorners，infourlow-pitchedrooms，onesmallerthantheother，ofaparticularlyfrugalandsallowappearance。Hehadtwodaughtersandtheiraunt，whousedtopouroutthetea。Ofthedaughtersonewasthirteenandanotherfourteen，theybothhadsnubnoses，andIwasawfullyshyofthembecausetheywerealwayswhisperingandgigglingtogether。Themasterofthehouseusuallysatinhisstudyonaleathercouchinfrontofthetablewithsomegrey-headedgentleman，usuallyacolleaguefromourofficeorsomeotherdepartment。Ineversawmorethantwoorthreevisitorsthere，alwaysthesame。Theytalkedabouttheexciseduty;aboutbusinessinthesenate，aboutsalaries，aboutpromotions，aboutHisExcellency，andthebestmeansofpleasinghim，andsoon。Ihadthepatiencetositlikeafoolbesidethesepeopleforfourhoursatastretch，listeningtothemwithoutknowingwhattosaytothemorventuringtosayaword。

Ibecamestupefied，severaltimesIfeltmyselfperspiring，Iwasovercomebyasortofparalysis;butthiswaspleasantandgoodforme。OnreturninghomeIdeferredforatimemydesiretoembraceallmankind。

Ihadhoweveroneotheracquaintanceofasort，Simonov，whowasanoldschoolfellow。Ihadanumberofschoolfellows，indeed，inPetersburg，butIdidnotassociatewiththemandhadevengivenupnoddingtotheminthestreet。IbelieveIhadtransferredintothedepartmentIwasinsimplytoavoidtheircompanyandtocutoffallconnectionwithmyhatefulchildhood。Cursesonthatschoolandallthoseterribleyearsofpenalservitude！Inshort，IpartedfrommyschoolfellowsassoonasIgotoutintotheworld。ThereweretwoorthreelefttowhomInoddedinthestreet。OneofthemwasSimonov，whohadinnowaybeendistinguishedatschool，wasofaquietandequabledisposition;

butIdiscoveredinhimacertainindependenceofcharacterandevenhonesty。Idon’tevensupposethathewasparticularlystupid。Ihadatonetimespentsomerathersoulfulmomentswithhim，butthesehadnotlastedlongandhadsomehowbeensuddenlycloudedover。Hewasevidentlyuncomfortableatthesereminiscences，andwas，Ifancy，alwaysafraidthatImighttakeupthesametoneagain。Isuspectedthathehadanaversionforme，butstillIwentongoingtoseehim，notbeingquitecertainofit。

Andsoononeoccasion，unabletoenduremysolitudeandknowingthatasitwasThursdayAntonAntonitch’sdoorwouldbeclosed，I

thoughtofSimonov。ClimbinguptohisfourthstoreyIwasthinkingthatthemandislikedmeandthatitwasamistaketogoandseehim。Butasitalwayshappenedthatsuchreflectionsimpelledme，asthoughpurposely，toputmyselfintoafalseposition，Iwentin。ItwasalmostayearsinceIhadlastseenSimonov。

III

Ifoundtwoofmyoldschoolfellowswithhim。Theyseemedtobediscussinganimportantmatter。Allofthemtookscarcelyanynoticeofmyentrance，whichwasstrange，forIhadnotmetthemforyears。Evidentlytheylookeduponmeassomethingonthelevelofacommonfly。Ihadnotbeentreatedlikethatevenatschool，thoughtheyallhatedme。Iknew，ofcourse，thattheymustdespisemenowformylackofsuccessintheservice，andformyhavingletmyselfsinksolow，goingaboutbadlydressedandsoon——whichseemedtothemasignofmyincapacityandinsignificance。ButIhadnotexpectedsuchcontempt。Simonovwaspositivelysurprisedatmyturningup。Eveninolddayshehadalwaysseemedsurprisedatmycoming。Allthisdisconcertedme：Isatdown，feelingrathermiserable，andbeganlisteningtowhattheyweresaying。

TheywereengagedinwarmandearnestconversationaboutafarewelldinnerwhichtheywantedtoarrangeforthenextdaytoacomradeoftheirscalledZverkov，anofficerinthearmy，whowasgoingawaytoadistantprovince。ThisZverkovhadbeenallthetimeatschoolwithmetoo。Ihadbeguntohatehimparticularlyintheupperforms。Inthelowerformshehadsimplybeenapretty，playfulboywhomeverybodyliked。Ihadhatedhim，however，eveninthelowerforms，justbecausehewasaprettyandplayfulboy。Hewasalwaysbadathislessonsandgotworseandworseashewenton;however，heleftwithagoodcertificate，ashehadpowerfulinterests。Duringhislastyearatschoolhecameinforanestateoftwohundredserfs，andasalmostallofuswerepoorhetookupaswaggeringtoneamongus。

Hewasvulgarintheextreme，butatthesametimehewasagood-naturedfellow，eveninhisswaggering。Inspiteofsuperficial，fantasticandshamnotionsofhonouranddignity，allbutveryfewofuspositivelygrovelledbeforeZverkov，andthemoresothemoreheswaggered。Anditwasnotfromanyinterestedmotivethattheygrovelled，butsimplybecausehehadbeenfavouredbythegiftsofnature。Moreover，itwas，asitwere，anacceptedideaamongusthatZverkovwasaspecialistinregardtotactandthesocialgraces。Thislastfactparticularlyinfuriatedme。Ihatedtheabruptself-confidenttoneofhisvoice，hisadmirationofhisownwitticisms，whichwereoftenfrightfullystupid，thoughhewasboldinhislanguage;Ihatedhishandsome，butstupidface（forwhichI

would，however，havegladlyexchangedmyintelligentone），andthefree-and-easymilitarymannersinfashioninthe"’forties。"

Ihatedthewayinwhichheusedtotalkofhisfutureconquestsofwomen（hedidnotventuretobeginhisattackuponwomenuntilhehadtheepaulettesofanofficer，andwaslookingforwardtothemwithimpatience），andboastedoftheduelshewouldconstantlybefighting。IrememberhowI，invariablysotaciturn，suddenlyfasteneduponZverkov，whenonedaytalkingataleisuremomentwithhisschoolfellowsofhisfuturerelationswiththefairsex，andgrowingassportiveasapuppyinthesun，heallatoncedeclaredthathewouldnotleaveasinglevillagegirlonhisestateunnoticed，thatthatwashisdroitdeseigneur，andthatifthepeasantsdaredtoprotesthewouldhavethemallfloggedanddoublethetaxonthem，thebeardedrascals。

Ourservilerabbleapplauded，butIattackedhim，notfromcompassionforthegirlsandtheirfathers，butsimplybecausetheywereapplaudingsuchaninsect。Igotthebetterofhimonthatoccasion，butthoughZverkovwasstupidhewaslivelyandimpudent，andsolaugheditoff，andinsuchawaythatmyvictorywasnotreallycomplete;thelaughwasonhisside。Hegotthebetterofmeonseveraloccasionsafterwards，butwithoutmalice，jestingly，casually。Iremainedangrilyandcontemptuouslysilentandwouldnotanswerhim。Whenweleftschoolhemadeadvancestome;Ididnotrebuffthem，forIwasflattered，butwesoonpartedandquitenaturally。AfterwardsI

heardofhisbarrack-roomsuccessasalieutenant，andofthefastlifehewasleading。Thentherecameotherrumours——ofhissuccessesintheservice。Bythenhehadtakentocuttingmeinthestreet，andIsuspectedthathewasafraidofcompromisinghimselfbygreetingapersonageasinsignificantasme。Isawhimonceinthetheatre，inthethirdtierofboxes。Bythenhewaswearingshoulder-straps。Hewastwistingandtwirlingabout，ingratiatinghimselfwiththedaughtersofanancientGeneral。

Inthreeyearshehadgoneoffconsiderably，thoughhewasstillratherhandsomeandadroit。Onecouldseethatbythetimehewasthirtyhewouldbecorpulent。SoitwastothisZverkovthatmyschoolfellowsweregoingtogiveadinneronhisdeparture。

Theyhadkeptupwithhimforthosethreeyears，thoughprivatelytheydidnotconsiderthemselvesonanequalfootingwithhim，I

amconvincedofthat。

OfSimonov’stwovisitors，onewasFerfitchkin，aRussianisedGerman——alittlefellowwiththefaceofamonkey，ablockheadwhowasalwaysderidingeveryone，averybitterenemyofminefromourdaysinthelowerforms——avulgar，impudent，swaggeringfellow，whoaffectedamostsensitivefeelingofpersonalhonour，though，ofcourse，hewasawretchedlittlecowardatheart。HewasoneofthoseworshippersofZverkovwhomadeuptothelatterfrominterestedmotives，andoftenborrowedmoneyfromhim。

Simonov’sothervisitor，Trudolyubov，wasapersoninnowayremarkable——atallyoungfellow，inthearmy，withacoldface，fairlyhonest，thoughheworshippedsuccessofeverysort，andwasonlycapableofthinkingofpromotion。HewassomesortofdistantrelationofZverkov’s，andthis，foolishasitseems，gavehimacertainimportanceamongus。Healwaysthoughtmeofnoconsequencewhatever;hisbehaviourtome，thoughnotquitecourteous，wastolerable。

"Well，withsevenroubleseach，"saidTrudolyubov，"twenty-oneroublesbetweenthethreeofus，weoughttobeabletogetagooddinner。Zverkov，ofcourse，won’tpay。"

"Ofcoursenot，sinceweareinvitinghim，"Simonovdecided。

"Canyouimagine，"Ferfitchkininterruptedhotlyandconceitedly，likesomeinsolentflunkeyboastingofhismastertheGeneral’sdecorations，"canyouimaginethatZverkovwillletuspayalone？

Hewillacceptfromdelicacy，buthewillorderhalfadozenbottlesofchampagne。"

"Dowewanthalfadozenforthefourofus？"observedTrudolyubov，takingnoticeonlyofthehalfdozen。

"Sothethreeofus，withZverkovforthefourth，twenty-oneroubles，attheHoteldeParisatfiveo’clocktomorrow，"

Simonov，whohadbeenaskedtomakethearrangements，concludedfinally。

"Howtwenty-oneroubles？"Iaskedinsomeagitation，withashowofbeingoffended;"ifyoucountmeitwillnotbetwenty-one，buttwenty-eightroubles。"

Itseemedtomethattoinvitemyselfsosuddenlyandunexpectedlywouldbepositivelygraceful，andthattheywouldallbeconqueredatonceandwouldlookatmewithrespect。

"Doyouwanttojoin，too？"Simonovobserved，withnoappearanceofpleasure，seemingtoavoidlookingatme。Heknewmethroughandthrough。

Itinfuriatedmethatheknewmesothoroughly。

"Whynot？Iamanoldschoolfellowofhis，too，Ibelieve，andI

mustownIfeelhurtthatyouhaveleftmeout，"Isaid，boilingoveragain。

"Andwherewerewetofindyou？"Ferfitchkinputinroughly。

"YouneverwereongoodtermswithZverkov，"Trudolyubovadded，frowning。

ButIhadalreadyclutchedattheideaandwouldnotgiveitup。

"Itseemstomethatnoonehasarighttoformanopinionuponthat，"Iretortedinashakingvoice，asthoughsomethingtremendoushadhappened。"Perhapsthatisjustmyreasonforwishingitnow，thatIhavenotalwaysbeenongoodtermswithhim。"

"Oh，there’snomakingyouout……withtheserefinements，"

Trudolyubovjeered。

"We’llputyournamedown，"Simonovdecided，addressingme。

"Tomorrowatfive-o’clockattheHoteldeParis。"

"Whataboutthemoney？"Ferfitchkinbeganinanundertone，indicatingmetoSimonov，buthebrokeoff，forevenSimonovwasembarrassed。

"Thatwilldo，"saidTrudolyubov，gettingup。"Ifhewantstocomesomuch，lethim。"

"Butit’saprivatething，betweenusfriends，"Ferfitchkinsaidcrossly，ashe，too，pickeduphishat。"It’snotanofficialgathering。"

"Wedonotwantatall，perhaps……"

Theywentaway。Ferfitchkindidnotgreetmeinanywayashewentout，Trudolyubovbarelynodded。Simonov，withwhomIwaslefttete-a-tete，wasinastateofvexationandperplexity，andlookedatmequeerly。Hedidnotsitdownanddidnotaskmeto。

"H’m……yes……tomorrow，then。Willyoupayyoursubscriptionnow？Ijustasksoastoknow，"hemutteredinembarrassment。

Iflushedcrimson，asIdidsoIrememberedthatIhadowedSimonovfifteenroublesforages——whichIhad，indeed，neverforgotten，thoughIhadnotpaidit。

"Youwillunderstand，Simonov，thatIcouldhavenoideawhenI

camehere……IamverymuchvexedthatIhaveforgotten……"

"Allright，allright，thatdoesn’tmatter。Youcanpaytomorrowafterthedinner。Isimplywantedtoknow……Pleasedon’t……"

Hebrokeoffandbeganpacingtheroomstillmorevexed。Ashewalkedhebegantostampwithhisheels。

"AmIkeepingyou？"Iasked，aftertwominutesofsilence。

"Oh！"hesaid，starting，"thatis——tobetruthful——yes。Ihavetogoandseesomeone……notfarfromhere，"headdedinanapologeticvoice，somewhatabashed。

"Mygoodness，whydidn’tyousayso？"Icried，seizingmycap，withanastonishinglyfree-and-easyair，whichwasthelastthingIshouldhaveexpectedofmyself"It’scloseby……nottwopacesaway，"Simonovrepeated，accompanyingmetothefrontdoorwithafussyairwhichdidnotsuithimatall。"Sofiveo’clock，punctually，tomorrow，"hecalleddownthestairsafterme。Hewasverygladtogetridofme。Iwasinafury。

"Whatpossessedme，whatpossessedmetoforcemyselfuponthem？"

Iwondered，grindingmyteethasIstrodealongthestreet，"forascoundrel，apiglikethatZverkov！OfcourseIhadbetternotgo;ofcourse，Imustjustsnapmyfingersatthem。Iamnotboundinanyway。I’llsendSimonovanotebytomorrow’spost……"

ButwhatmademefuriouswasthatIknewforcertainthatI

shouldgo，thatIshouldmakeapointofgoing;andthemoretactless，themoreunseemlymygoingwouldbe，themorecertainlyIwouldgo。

Andtherewasapositiveobstacletomygoing：Ihadnomoney。

AllIhadwasnineroubles，Ihadtogivesevenofthattomyservant，Apollon，forhismonthlywages。ThatwasallIpaidhim——hehadtokeephimself。

Nottopayhimwasimpossible，consideringhischaracter。ButI

willtalkaboutthatfellow，aboutthatplagueofmine，anothertime。

However，IknewIshouldgoandshouldnotpayhimhiswages。

ThatnightIhadthemosthideousdreams。Nowonder;alltheeveningIhadbeenoppressedbymemoriesofmymiserabledaysatschool，andIcouldnotshakethemoff。Iwassenttotheschoolbydistantrelations，uponwhomIwasdependentandofwhomI

haveheardnothingsince——theysentmethereaforlorn，silentboy，alreadycrushedbytheirreproaches，alreadytroubledbydoubt，andlookingwithsavagedistrustateveryone。MyschoolfellowsmetmewithspitefulandmercilessjibesbecauseI

wasnotlikeanyofthem。ButIcouldnotenduretheirtaunts;I

couldnotgiveintothemwiththeignoblereadinesswithwhichtheygaveintooneanother。Ihatedthemfromthefirst，andshutmyselfawayfromeveryoneintimid，woundedanddisproportionatepride。Theircoarsenessrevoltedme。Theylaughedcynicallyatmyface，atmyclumsyfigure;andyetwhatstupidfacestheyhadthemselves。Inourschooltheboys’facesseemedinaspecialwaytodegenerateandgrowstupider。Howmanyfine-lookingboyscametous！Inafewyearstheybecamerepulsive。EvenatsixteenIwonderedatthemmorosely;eventhenIwasstruckbythepettinessoftheirthoughts，thestupidityoftheirpursuits，theirgames，theirconversations。

Theyhadnounderstandingofsuchessentialthings，theytooknointerestinsuchstriking，impressivesubjects，thatIcouldnothelpconsideringtheminferiortomyself。Itwasnotwoundedvanitythatdrovemetoit，andforGod’ssakedonotthrustuponmeyourhackneyedremarks，repeatedtonausea，that"Iwasonlyadreamer，"whiletheyeventhenhadanunderstandingoflife。

Theyunderstoodnothing，theyhadnoideaofreallife，andI

swearthatthatwaswhatmadememostindignantwiththem。Onthecontrary，themostobvious，strikingrealitytheyacceptedwithfantasticstupidityandevenatthattimewereaccustomedtorespectsuccess。Everythingthatwasjust，butoppressedandlookeddownupon，theylaughedatheartlesslyandshamefully。

Theytookrankforintelligence;evenatsixteentheywerealreadytalkingaboutasnugberth。Ofcourse，agreatdealofitwasduetotheirstupidity，tothebadexampleswithwhichtheyhadalwaysbeensurroundedintheirchildhoodandboyhood。

Theyweremonstrouslydepraved。Ofcourseagreatdealofthat，too，wassuperficialandanassumptionofcynicism;ofcoursetherewereglimpsesofyouthandfreshnessevenintheirdepravity;buteventhatfreshnesswasnotattractive，andshoweditselfinacertainrakishness。Ihatedthemhorribly，thoughperhapsIwasworsethananyofthem。Theyrepaidmeinthesameway，anddidnotconcealtheiraversionforme。ButbythenI

didnotdesiretheiraffection：onthecontrary，Icontinuallylongedfortheirhumiliation。ToescapefromtheirderisionI

purposelybegantomakealltheprogressIcouldwithmystudiesandforcedmywaytotheverytop。Thisimpressedthem。

Moreover，theyallbeganbydegreestograspthatIhadalreadyreadbooksnoneofthemcouldread，andunderstoodthings（notformingpartofourschoolcurriculum）ofwhichtheyhadnotevenheard。Theytookasavageandsarcasticviewofit，butweremorallyimpressed，especiallyastheteachersbegantonoticemeonthosegrounds。Themockeryceased，butthehostilityremained，andcoldandstrainedrelationsbecamepermanentbetweenus。IntheendIcouldnotputupwithit：withyearsacravingforsociety，forfriends，developedinme。Iattemptedtogetonfriendlytermswithsomeofmyschoolfellows;butsomehoworothermyintimacywiththemwasalwaysstrainedandsoonendedofitself。Once，indeed，Ididhaveafriend。ButIwasalreadyatyrantatheart;Iwantedtoexerciseunboundedswayoverhim;

Itriedtoinstilintohimacontemptforhissurroundings;I

requiredofhimadisdainfulandcompletebreakwiththosesurroundings。Ifrightenedhimwithmypassionateaffection;I

reducedhimtotears，tohysterics。Hewasasimpleanddevotedsoul;butwhenhedevotedhimselftomeentirelyIbegantohatehimimmediatelyandrepulsedhim——asthoughallIneededhimforwastowinavictoryoverhim，tosubjugatehimandnothingelse。

ButIcouldnotsubjugateallofthem;myfriendwasnotatalllikethemeither，hewas，infact，arareexception。ThefirstthingIdidonleavingschoolwastogiveupthespecialjobforwhichIhadbeendestinedsoastobreakallties，tocursemypastandshakethedustfromoffmyfeet……Andgoodnessknowswhy，afterallthat，IshouldgotrudgingofftoSimonov’s！

EarlynextmorningIrousedmyselfandjumpedoutofbedwithexcitement，asthoughitwereallabouttohappenatonce。ButI

believedthatsomeradicalchangeinmylifewascoming，andwouldinevitablycomethatday。Owingtoitsrarity，perhaps，anyexternalevent，howevertrivial，alwaysmademefeelasthoughsomeradicalchangeinmylifewereathand。Iwenttotheoffice，however，asusual，butsneakedawayhometwohoursearliertogetready。Thegreatthing，Ithought，isnottobethefirsttoarrive，ortheywillthinkIamoverjoyedatcoming。

【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