OncomparingwiththeoriginalRussiansomeEnglishtranslationsofCountTolstoi’sworks，publishedbothinthiscountryandinEngland，Iconcludedthattheywerefarfrombeingaccurate。ThemajorityofthemwereretranslationsfromtheFrench，andIfoundthattherespectivetransitionsthroughwhichtheyhadpassedtendedtoobliteratemanyofthebeautiesoftheRussianlanguageandofthepeculiarcharacteristicsofRussianlife。A
satisfactorytranslationcanbemadeonlybyonewhounderstandsthelanguageandSPIRIToftheRussianpeople。AsTolstoi’swritingscontainsomanyidiomsitisnotaneasytasktorenderthemintointelligibleEnglish，andtheonewhosuccessfullyaccomplishesthismustbeanativeofRussia，commandingtheEnglishandRussianlanguageswithequalfluency。
Thestoryof"IvantheFool"portraysTolstoi’scommunisticideas，involvingtheabolitionofmilitaryforces，middlemen，despotism，andmoney。Insteadofthesehewouldestablishonearthakingdominwhicheachandeverypersonwouldbecomeaworkerandproducer。Theauthordescribesthevariousstrugglesthroughwhichthreebrotherspassed，besetastheywerebydevilslargeandsmall，untiltheyreachedtheidealstateofexistencewhichhebelievestobetheonlyhappyoneattainableinthisworld。
OnreadingthislittlestoryoneissurprisedthattheRussiancensorpassedit，asitisdevotedtoanarrationofideasquiteatvariancewiththepresentpolicyofthegovernmentofthatcountry。
"ALostOpportunity"isasingularlytruepictureofpeasantlife，whichevincesadeepstudyofthesubjectonthepartofthewriter。TolstoihasdrawnmanyofthepeculiarcustomsoftheRussianpeasantinamasterlymanner，andIdoubtifhehasgivenamorecomprehensivedescriptionofthisfeatureofRussianlifeinanyofhisotherworks。Inthisstoryalsohehaspresentedmanytraitswhicharecommontohumannaturethroughouttheworld，andthisgivesanaddedinteresttothebook。Thelanguageissimpleandpicturesque，andthecharactersaredrawnwithremarkablefidelitytonature。ThemoralofthistalepointsouthowtheheroIvanmighthaveavoidedtheterribleconsequencesofaquarrelwithhisneighbor（whichgrewoutofnothing）ifhehadlivedinaccordancewiththescripturalinjunctiontoforgivehisbrother’ssinsandseeknotforrevenge。
Thestoryof"Polikushka"isaverygraphicdescriptionofthelifeledbyaservantofthecourthouseholdofacertainnobleman，inwhichtheauthorportraysthedifferentconditionsandsurroundingsenjoyedbytheseservantsfromthoseoftheordinaryorcommonpeasants。ItisatrueandpowerfulreproductionofanelementinRussianlifebutlittlewrittenaboutheretofore。Liketheotherstoriesofthisgreatwriter，"Polikushka"hasamoraltowhichweallmightprofitablygiveheed。Heillustratestheawfulconsequencesofintemperance，andconcludesthatonlykindtreatmentcanreformthevictimsofalcohol。
Formuchvaluableassistanceintheworkofthesetranslations，IamdeeplyindebtedtothebrightEnglishscholarshipofmydevotedwife。
THEKREUTZERSONATA。
CHAPTERI。
Travellersleftandenteredourcarateverystoppingofthetrain。Threepersons，however，remained，bound，likemyself，forthefartheststation：aladyneitheryoungnorpretty，smokingcigarettes，withathinface，acaponherhead，andwearingasemi-masculineoutergarment；thenhercompanion，averyloquaciousgentlemanofaboutfortyyears，withbaggageentirelynewandarrangedinanorderlymanner；thenagentlemanwhoheldhimselfentirelyaloof，shortinstature，verynervous，ofuncertainage，withbrighteyes，notpronouncedincolor，butextremelyattractive，——eyesthatdartedwithrapidityfromoneobjecttoanother。
Thisgentleman，duringalmostallthejourneythusfar，hadenteredintoconversationwithnofellow-traveller，asifhecarefullyavoidedallacquaintance。Whenspokento，heansweredcurtlyanddecisively，andbegantolookoutofthecarwindowobstinately。
Yetitseemedtomethatthesolitudeweigheduponhim。HeseemedtoperceivethatIunderstoodthis，andwhenoureyesmet，ashappenedfrequently，sinceweweresittingalmostoppositeeachother，heturnedawayhishead，andavoidedconversationwithmeasmuchaswiththeothers。Atnightfall，duringastopatalargestation，thegentlemanwiththefinebaggage——alawyer，asIhavesincelearned——gotoutwithhiscompaniontodrinksometeaattherestaurant。Duringtheirabsenceseveralnewtravellersenteredthecar，amongwhomwasatalloldman，shavenandwrinkled，evidentlyamerchant，wearingalargeheavily-linedcloakandabigcap。Thismerchantsatdownoppositetheemptyseatsofthelawyerandhiscompanion，andstraightwayenteredintoconversationwithayoungmanwhoseemedlikeanemployeeinsomecommercialhouse，andwhohadlikewisejustboardedthetrain。Atfirsttheclerkhadremarkedthattheseatoppositewasoccupied，andtheoldmanhadansweredthatheshouldgetoutatthefirststation。Thustheirconversationstarted。
Iwassittingnotfarfromthesetwotravellers，and，asthetrainwasnotinmotion，Icouldcatchbitsoftheirconversationwhenotherswerenottalking。
Theytalkedfirstofthepricesofgoodsandtheconditionofbusiness；theyreferredtoapersonwhomtheybothknew；thentheyplungedintothefairatNijniNovgorod。Theclerkboastedofknowingpeoplewhowereleadingagaylifethere，buttheoldmandidnotallowhimtocontinue，and，interruptinghim，begantodescribethefestivitiesofthepreviousyearatKounavino，inwhichhehadtakenpart。Hewasevidentlyproudoftheserecollections，and，probablythinkingthatthiswoulddetractnothingfromthegravitywhichhisfaceandmannersexpressed，herelatedwithpridehow，whendrunk，hehadfired，atKounavino，suchabroadsidethathecoulddescribeitonlyintheother’sear。
Theclerkbegantolaughnoisily。Theoldmanlaughedtoo，showingtwolongyellowteeth。Theirconversationnotinterestingme，Ileftthecartostretchmylegs。AtthedoorI
metthelawyerandhislady。
"Youhavenomoretime，"thelawyersaidtome。"Thesecondbellisabouttoring。"
IndeedIhadscarcelyreachedtherearofthetrainwhenthebellsounded。AsIenteredthecaragain，thelawyerwastalkingwithhiscompanioninananimatedfashion。Themerchant，sittingoppositethem，wastaciturn。
"Andthenshesquarelydeclaredtoherhusband，"saidthelawyerwithasmile，asIpassedbythem，"thatsheneithercouldnorwouldlivewithhim，because"……
Andhecontinued，butIdidnotheartherestofthesentence，myattentionbeingdistractedbythepassingoftheconductorandanewtraveller。Whensilencewasrestored，Iagainheardthelawyer’svoice。Theconversationhadpassedfromaspecialcasetogeneralconsiderations。
"Andafterwardcomesdiscord，financialdifficulties，disputesbetweenthetwoparties，andthecoupleseparate。Inthegoodolddaysthatseldomhappened。Isitnotso？"askedthelawyerofthetwomerchants，evidentlytryingtodragthemintotheconversation。
Justthenthetrainstarted，andtheoldman，withoutanswering，tookoffhiscap，andcrossedhimselfthreetimeswhilemutteringaprayer。Whenhehadfinished，heclappedhiscapfardownonhishead，andsaid：
"Yes，sir，thathappenedinformertimesalso，butnotasoften。
Inthepresentdayitisboundtohappenmorefrequently。Peoplehavebecometoolearned。"
Thelawyermadesomereplytotheoldman，butthetrain，everincreasingitsspeed，madesuchaclatterupontherailsthatI
couldnolongerheardistinctly。AsIwasinterestedinwhattheoldmanwassaying，Idrewnearer。Myneighbor，thenervousgentleman，wasevidentlyinterestedalso，and，withoutchanginghisseat，helentanear。
"Butwhatharmisthereineducation？"askedthelady，withasmilethatwasscarcelyperceptible。"Woulditbebettertomarryasintheolddays，whenthebrideandbridegroomdidnotevenseeeachotherbeforemarriage？"shecontinued，answering，asisthehabitofourladies，notthewordsthatherinterlocutorhadspoken，butthewordsshebelievedhewasgoingtospeak。"Womendidnotknowwhethertheywouldloveorwouldbeloved，andtheyweremarriedtothefirstcomer，andsufferedalltheirlives。Thenyouthinkitwasbetterso？"shecontinued，evidentlyaddressingthelawyerandmyself，andnotatalltheoldman。
"Peoplehavebecometoolearned，"repeatedthelast，lookingattheladywithcontempt，andleavingherquestionunanswered。
"Ishouldbecurioustoknowhowyouexplainthecorrelationbetweeneducationandconjugaldifferences，"saidthelawyer，withaslightsmile。
Themerchantwantedtomakesomereply，buttheladyinterruptedhim。
"No，thosedaysarepast。"
Thelawyercutshortherwords：——
"Lethimexpresshisthought。"
"Becausethereisnomorefear，"repliedtheoldman。
"Buthowwillyoumarrypeoplewhodonotloveeachother？Onlyanimalscanbecoupledatthewillofaproprietor。Butpeoplehaveinclinations，attachments，"theladyhastenedtosay，castingaglanceatthelawyer，atme，andevenattheclerk，who，standingupandleaninghiselbowonthebackofaseat，waslisteningtotheconversationwithasmile。
"Youarewrongtosaythat，madam，"saidtheoldman。"Theanimalsarebeasts，butmanhasreceivedthelaw。"
"But，nevertheless，howisonetolivewithamanwhenthereisnolove？"saidthelady，evidentlyexcitedbythegeneralsympathyandattention。
"Formerlynosuchdistinctionsweremade，"saidtheoldman，gravely。"Onlynowhavetheybecomeapartofourhabits。Assoonastheleastthinghappens，thewifesays：’Ireleaseyou。
Iamgoingtoleaveyourhouse。’Evenamongthemoujiksthisfashionhasbecomeacclimated。’There，’shesays，’hereareyourshirtsanddrawers。IamgoingoffwithVanka。Hishairiscurlierthanyours。’Justgotalkwiththem。Andyetthefirstruleforthewifeshouldbefear。"
Theclerklookedatthelawyer，thelady，andmyself，evidentlyrepressingasmile，andallreadytoderideorapprovethemerchant’swords，accordingtotheattitudeoftheothers。
"Whatfear？"saidthelady。
"Thisfear，——thewifemustfearherhusband；thatiswhatfear。"
"Oh，that，mylittlefather，thatisended。"
"No，madam，thatcannotend。Asshe，Eve，thewoman，wastakenfromman’sribs，soshewillremainuntotheendoftheworld，"
saidtheoldman，shakinghisheadsotriumphantlyandsoseverelythattheclerk，decidingthatthevictorywasonhisside，burstintoaloudlaugh。
"Yes，youmenthinkso，"repliedthelady，withoutsurrendering，andturningtowardus。"Youhavegivenyourselfliberty。Asforwoman，youwishtokeepherintheseraglio。Toyou，everythingispermissible。Isitnotso？"
"Oh，man，——that’sanotheraffair。"
"Then，accordingtoyou，tomaneverythingispermissible？"
"Noonegiveshimthispermission；only，ifthemanbehavesbadlyoutside，thefamilyisnotincreasedthereby；butthewoman，thewife，isafragilevessel，"continuedthemerchant，severely。
Histoneofauthorityevidentlysubjugatedhishearers。Eventheladyfeltcrushed，butshedidnotsurrender。
"Yes，butyouwilladmit，Ithink，thatwomanisahumanbeing，andhasfeelingslikeherhusband。Whatshouldshedoifshedoesnotloveherhusband？"
"Ifshedoesnotlovehim！"repeatedtheoldman，stormily，andknittinghisbrows；"why，shewillbemadetolovehim。"
Thisunexpectedargumentpleasedtheclerk，andheutteredamurmurofapprobation。
"Oh，no，shewillnotbeforced，"saidthelady。"Wherethereisnolove，onecannotbeobligedtoloveinspiteofherself。"
"Andifthewifedeceivesherhusband，whatistobedone？"saidthelawyer。
"Thatshouldnothappen，"saidtheoldman。"Hemusthavehiseyesabouthim。"
"Andifitdoeshappen，allthesame？Youwilladmitthatitdoeshappen？"
"Ithappensamongtheupperclasses，notamongus，"answeredtheoldman。"Andifanyhusbandisfoundwhoissuchafoolasnottorulehiswife，hewillnothaverobbedher。Butnoscandal，nevertheless。Loveornot，butdonotdisturbthehousehold。
Everyhusbandcangovernhiswife。Hehasthenecessarypower。
Itisonlytheimbecilewhodoesnotsucceedindoingso。"
Everybodywassilent。Theclerkmoved，advanced，and，notwishingtolagbehindtheothersintheconversation，beganwithhiseternalsmile：
"Yes，inthehouseofouremployer，ascandalhasarisen，anditisverydifficulttoviewthematterclearly。Thewifelovedtoamuseherself，andbegantogoastray。Heisacapableandseriousman。First，itwaswiththebook-keeper。Thehusbandtriedtobringherbacktoreasonthroughkindness。Shedidnotchangeherconduct。Sheplungedintoallsortsofbeastliness。
Shebegantostealhismoney。Hebeather，butshegrewworseandworse。Toanunbaptized，toapagan，toaJew（savingyourpermission），shewentinsuccessionforhercaresses。Whatcouldtheemployerdo？Hehasdroppedherentirely，andnowhelivesasabachelor。Asforher，sheisdragginginthedepths。"
"Heisanimbecile，"saidtheoldman。"Iffromthefirsthehadnotallowedhertogoinherownfashion，andhadkeptafirmhanduponher，shewouldbelivinghonestly，nodanger。Libertymustbetakenawayfromthebeginning。Donottrustyourselftoyourhorseuponthehighway。Donottrustyourselftoyourwifeathome。"
Atthatmomenttheconductorpassed，askingfortheticketsforthenextstation。Theoldmangaveuphis。
"Yes，thefemininesexmustbedominatedinseason，elseallwillperish。"
"Andyouyourselves，atKounavino，didyounotleadagaylifewiththeprettygirls？"askedthelawyerwithasmile。
"Oh，that’sanothermatter，"saidthemerchant，severely。
"Good-by，"headded，rising。Hewrappedhimselfinhiscloak，liftedhiscap，and，takinghisbag，leftthecar。
CHAPTERII。
Scarcelyhadtheoldmangonewhenageneralconversationbegan。
"There’salittleOldTestamentfatherforyou，"saidtheclerk。
"HeisaDomostroy，"*saidthelady。"Whatsavageideasaboutawomanandmarriage！"
*TheDomostroyisamatrimonialcodeofthedaysofIvantheTerrible。
"Yes，gentlemen，"saidthelawyer，"wearestillalongwayfromtheEuropeanideasuponmarriage。First，therightsofwoman，thenfreemarriage，thendivorce，asaquestionnotyetsolved。"……
"Themainthing，andthethingwhichsuchpeopleashedonotunderstand，"rejoinedthelady，"isthatonlyloveconsecratesmarriage，andthattherealmarriageisthatwhichisconsecratedbylove。"
Theclerklistenedandsmiled，withtheairofoneaccustomedtostoreinhismemoryallintelligentconversationthathehears，inordertomakeuseofitafterwards。
"Butwhatisthislovethatconsecratesmarriage？"said，suddenly，thevoiceofthenervousandtaciturngentleman，who，unnoticedbyus，hadapproached。
Hewasstandingwithhishandontheseat，andevidentlyagitated。Hisfacewasred，aveininhisforeheadwasswollen，andthemusclesofhischeeksquivered。
"Whatisthislovethatconsecratesmarriage？"herepeated。
"Whatlove？"saidthelady。"Theordinaryloveofhusbandandwife。"
"Andhow，then，canordinaryloveconsecratemarriage？"continuedthenervousgentleman，stillexcited，andwithadispleasedair。
Heseemedtowishtosaysomethingdisagreeabletothelady。Shefeltit，andbegantogrowagitated。
"How？Why，verysimply，"saidshe。
Thenervousgentlemanseizedthewordasitleftherlips。
"No，notsimply。"
"Madamsays，"intercededthelawyerindicatinghiscompanion，"thatmarriageshouldbefirsttheresultofanattachment，ofalove，ifyouwill，andthat，whenloveexists，andinthatcaseonly，marriagerepresentssomethingsacred。Buteverymarriagewhichisnotbasedonanaturalattachment，onlove，hasinitnothingthatismorallyobligatory。Isnotthattheideathatyouintendedtoconvey？"heaskedthelady。
Thelady，withanodofherhead，expressedherapprovalofthistranslationofherthoughts。
"Then，"resumedthelawyer，continuinghisremarks。
Butthenervousgentleman，evidentlyscarcelyabletocontainhimself，withoutallowingthelawyertofinish，asked：
"Yes，sir。Butwhatarewetounderstandbythislovethataloneconsecratesmarriage？"
"Everybodyknowswhatloveis，"saidthelady。
"ButIdon’tknow，andIshouldliketoknowhowyoudefineit。"
"How？Itisverysimple，"saidthelady。
Andsheseemedthoughtful，andthensaid：
"Love……love……isapreferenceforonemanoronewomantotheexclusionofallothers……"
"Apreferenceforhowlong？……Foramonth，twodays，orhalfanhour？"saidthenervousgentleman，withspecialirritation。
"No，permitme，youevidentlyarenottalkingofthesamething。"
"Yes，Iamtalkingabsolutelyofthesamething。Ofthepreferenceforonemanoronewomantotheexclusionofallothers。ButIask：apreferenceforhowlong？"
"Forhowlong？Foralongtime，foralife-timesometimes。"
"Butthathappensonlyinnovels。Inlife，never。Inlifethispreferenceforonetotheexclusionofallotherslastsinrarecasesseveralyears，oftenerseveralmonths，orevenweeks，days，hours……"
"Oh，sir。Oh，no，no，permitme，"saidallthreeofusatthesametime。
Theclerkhimselfutteredamonosyllableofdisapproval。
"Yes，Iknow，"hesaid，shoutinglouderthanallofus；"youaretalkingofwhatisbelievedtoexist，andIamtalkingofwhatis。Everymanfeelswhatyoucalllovetowardeachprettywomanhesees，andverylittletowardhiswife。Thatistheoriginoftheproverb，——anditisatrueone，——’Another’swifeisawhiteswan，andoursisbitterwormwood。"’
"Ah，butwhatyousayisterrible！Therecertainlyexistsamonghumanbeingsthisfeelingwhichiscalledlove，andwhichlasts，notformonthsandyears，butforlife。"
"No，thatdoesnotexist。EvenifitshouldbeadmittedthatMenelaushadpreferredHelenallhislife，HelenwouldhavepreferredParis；andsoithasbeen，is，andwillbeeternally。
Anditcannotbeotherwise，justasitcannothappenthat，inaloadofchick-peas，twopeasmarkedwithaspecialsignshouldfallsidebyside。Further，thisisnotonlyanimprobability，butitiscertainthatafeelingofsatietywillcometoHelenortoMenelaus。Thewholedifferenceisthattooneitcomessooner，totheotherlater。Itisonlyinstupidnovelsthatitiswrittenthat’theylovedeachotheralltheirlives。’Andnonebutchildrencanbelieveit。Totalkoflovingamanorwomanforlifeislikesayingthatacandlecanburnforever。"
"Butyouaretalkingofphysicallove。Doyounotadmitalovebaseduponaconformityofideals，onaspiritualaffinity？"
"Whynot？Butinthatcaseitisnotnecessarytoprocreatetogether（excusemybrutality）。Thepointisthatthisconformityofidealsisnotmetamongoldpeople，butamongyoungandprettypersons，"saidhe，andhebegantolaughdisagreeably。
"Yes，Iaffirmthatlove，reallove，doesnotconsecratemarriage，asweareinthehabitofbelieving，butthat，onthecontrary，itruinsit。"
"Permitme，"saidthelawyer。"Thefactscontradictyourwords。
Weseethatmarriageexists，thatallhumanity——atleastthelargerportion——livesconjugally，andthatmanyhusbandsandwiveshonestlyendalonglifetogether。"
Thenervousgentlemansmiledill-naturedly。
"Andwhatthen？Yousaythatmarriageisbaseduponlove，andwhenIgivevoicetoadoubtastotheexistenceofanyotherlovethansensuallove，youprovetometheexistenceoflovebymarriage。Butinourdaymarriageisonlyaviolenceandfalsehood。"
"No，pardonme，"saidthelawyer。"Isayonlythatmarriageshaveexistedanddoexist。"
"Buthowandwhydotheyexist？Theyhaveexisted，andtheydoexist，forpeoplewhohaveseen，anddosee，inmarriagesomethingsacramental，asacramentthatisbindingbeforeGod。
Forsuchpeoplemarriagesexist，buttoustheyareonlyhypocrisyandviolence。Wefeelit，and，toclearourselves，wepreachfreelove；but，really，topreachfreeloveisonlyacallbackwardtothepromiscuityofthesexes（excuseme，hesaidtothelady），thehaphazardsinofcertainraskolniks。Theoldfoundationisshattered；wemustbuildanewone，butwemustnotpreachdebauchery。"
Hegrewsowarmthatallbecamesilent，lookingathiminastonishment。
"Andyetthetransitionstateisterrible。Peoplefeelthathaphazardsinisinadmissible。Itisnecessaryinsomewayorothertoregulatethesexualrelations；butthereexistsnootherfoundationthantheoldone，inwhichnobodylongerbelieves？
Peoplemarryintheoldfashion，withoutbelievinginwhattheydo，andtheresultisfalsehood，violence。Whenitisfalsehoodalone，itiseasilyendured。Thehusbandandwifesimplydeceivetheworldbyprofessingtolivemonogamically。Iftheyreallyarepolygamousandpolyandrous，itisbad，butacceptable。Butwhen，asoftenhappens，thehusbandandthewifehavetakenuponthemselvestheobligationtolivetogetheralltheirlives（theythemselvesdonotknowwhy），andfromthesecondmonthhavealreadyadesiretoseparate，butcontinuetolivetogetherjustthesame，thencomesthatinfernalexistenceinwhichtheyresorttodrink，inwhichtheyfirerevolvers，inwhichtheyassassinateeachother，inwhichtheypoisoneachother。"
Allweresilent，butwefeltillatease。
"Yes，thesecriticalepisodeshappeninmaritallife。Forinstance，thereisthePosdnicheffaffair，"saidthelawyer，wishingtostoptheconversationonthisembarrassingandtooexcitingground。"Haveyoureadhowhekilledhiswifethroughjealousy？"
Theladysaidthatshehadnotreadit。Thenervousgentlemansaidnothing，andchangedcolor。
"IseethatyouhavedivinedwhoIam，"saidhe，suddenly，afterapause。
"No，Ihavenothadthatpleasure。"
"Itisnogreatpleasure。IamPosdnicheff。"
Newsilence。Heblushed，thenturnedpaleagain。
"Whatmattersit，however？"saidhe。"Excuseme，Idonotwishtoembarrassyou。"
Andheresumedhisoldseat。
CHAPTERIII。
Iresumedmine，also。Thelawyerandtheladywhisperedtogether。IwassittingbesidePosdnicheff，andImaintainedsilence。Idesiredtotalktohim，butIdidnotknowhowtobegin，andthusanhourpasseduntilwereachedthenextstation。
Therethelawyerandtheladywentout，aswellastheclerk。Wewereleftalone，PosdnicheffandI。
"Theysayit，andtheylie，ortheydonotunderstand，"saidPosdnicheff。
"Ofwhatareyoutalking？"
"Why，stillthesamething。"
Heleanedhiselbowsuponhisknees，andpressedhishandsagainsthistemples。
"Love，marriage，family，——alllies，lies，lies。"
Herose，loweredthelamp-shade，laydownwithhiselbowsonthecushion，andclosedhiseyes。Heremainedthusforaminute。
"Isitdisagreeabletoyoutoremainwithme，nowthatyouknowwhoIam？"
"Oh，no。"
"Youhavenodesiretosleep？"
"Notatall。"
"Thendoyouwantmetotellyouthestoryofmylife？"
Justthentheconductorpassed。Hefollowedhimwithanill-naturedlook，anddidnotbeginuntilhehadgoneagain。
Thenduringalltherestofthestoryhedidnotstoponce。Eventhenewtravellersastheyentereddidnotstophim。
Hisface，whilehewastalking，changedseveraltimessocompletelythatitborepositivelynoresemblancetoitselfasithadappearedjustbefore。Hiseyes，hismouth，hismoustache，andevenhisbeard，allwerenew。Eachtimeitwasabeautifulandtouchingphysiognomy，andthesetransformationswereproducedsuddenlyinthepenumbra；andforfiveminutesitwasthesameface，thatcouldnotbecomparedtothatoffiveminutesbefore。
Andthen，Iknownothow，itchangedagain，andbecameunrecognizable。
CHAPTERIV。
"Well，Iamgoingthentotellyoumylife，andmywholefrightfulhistory，——yes，frightful。Andthestoryitselfismorefrightfulthantheoutcome。"
Hebecamesilentforamoment，passedhishandsoverhiseyes，andbegan：——
"Tobeunderstoodclearly，thewholemustbetoldfromthebeginning。ItmustbetoldhowandwhyImarried，andwhatIwasbeforemymarriage。First，IwilltellyouwhoIam。Thesonofarichgentlemanofthesteppes，anoldmarshalofthenobility，IwasaUniversitypupil，agraduateofthelawschool。I
marriedinmythirtiethyear。Butbeforetalkingtoyouofmymarriage，ImusttellyouhowIlivedformerly，andwhatideasI
hadofconjugallife。Iledthelifeofsomanyotherso-calledrespectablepeople，——thatis，indebauchery。Andlikethemajority，whileleadingthelifeofadebauche，IwasconvincedthatIwasamanofirreproachablemorality。
"TheideathatIhadofmymoralityarosefromthefactthatinmyfamilytherewasnoknowledgeofthosespecialdebaucheries，socommoninthesurroundingsofland-owners，andalsofromthefactthatmyfatherandmymotherdidnotdeceiveeachother。Inconsequenceofthis，Ihadbuiltfromchildhoodadreamofhighandpoeticalconjugallife。Mywifewastobeperfectionitself，ourmutuallovewastobeincomparable，thepurityofourconjugallifestainless。Ithoughtthus，andallthetimeI
marvelledatthenobilityofmyprojects。
"Atthesametime，Ipassedtenyearsofmyadultlifewithouthurryingtowardmarriage，andIledwhatIcalledthewell-regulatedandreasonablelifeofabachelor。Iwasproudofitbeforemyfriends，andbeforeallmenofmyagewhoabandonedthemselvestoallsortsofspecialrefinements。Iwasnotaseducer，Ihadnounnaturaltastes，Ididnotmakedebaucherytheprincipalobjectofmylife；butIfoundpleasurewithinthelimitsofsociety’srules，andinnocentlybelievedmyselfaprofoundlymoralbeing。ThewomenwithwhomIhadrelationsdidnotbelongtomealone，andIaskedofthemnothingbutthepleasureofthemoment。
"InallthisIsawnothingabnormal。Onthecontrary，fromthefactthatIdidnotengagemyheart，butpaidincash，IsupposedthatIwashonest。Iavoidedthosewomenwho，byattachingthemselvestome，orpresentingmewithachild，couldbindmyfuture。Moreover，perhapstheremayhavebeenchildrenorattachments；butIsoarrangedmattersthatIcouldnotbecomeawareofthem。
"Andlivingthus，Iconsideredmyselfaperfectlyhonestman。I
didnotunderstandthatdebaucherydoesnotconsistsimplyinphysicalacts，thatnomatterwhatphysicalignominydoesnotyetconstitutedebauchery，andthatrealdebaucheryconsistsinfreedomfromthemoralbondstowardawomanwithwhomoneentersintocarnalrelations，andIregardedTHISFREEDOMasamerit。I
rememberthatIoncetorturedmyselfexceedinglyforhavingforgottentopayawomanwhoprobablyhadgivenherselftomethroughlove。Ionlybecametranquilagainwhen，havingsentherthemoney，IhadthusshownherthatIdidnotconsidermyselfasinanywayboundtoher。Oh，donotshakeyourheadasifyouwereinagreementwithme（hecriedsuddenlywithvehemence）。I
knowthesetricks。Allofyou，andyouespecially，ifyouarenotarareexception，havethesameideasthatIhadthen。Ifyouareinagreementwithme，itisnowonly。Formerlyyoudidnotthinkso。NomoredidI；and，ifIhadbeentoldwhatIhavejusttoldyou，thatwhichhashappenedwouldnothavehappened。
However，itisallthesame。Excuseme（hecontinued）：thetruthisthatitisfrightful，frightful，frightful，thisabyssoferrorsanddebaucheriesinwhichwelivefacetofacewiththerealquestionoftherightsofwoman。"……
"Whatdoyoumeanbythe’real’questionoftherightsofwoman？"
"Thequestionofthenatureofthisspecialbeing，organizedotherwisethanman，andhowthisbeingandmanoughttoviewthewife……
CHAPTERV。
"Yes：fortenyearsIlivedthemostrevoltingexistence，whiledreamingofthenoblestlove，andeveninthenameofthatlove。
Yes，IwanttotellyouhowIkilledmywife，andforthatImusttellyouhowIdebauchedmyself。IkilledherbeforeIknewher。
IkilledTHEwifewhenIfirsttastedsensualjoyswithoutlove，andthenitwasthatIkilledMYwife。Yes，sir：itisonlyafterhavingsuffered，afterhavingtorturedmyself，thatIhavecometounderstandtherootofthings，thatIhavecometounderstandmycrimes。Thusyouwillseewhereandhowbeganthedramathathasledmetomisfortune。
"Itisnecessarytogobacktomysixteenthyear，whenIwasstillatschool，andmyelderbrotherafirst-yearstudent。I
hadnotyetknownwomenbut，likealltheunfortunatechildrenofoursociety，Iwasalreadynolongerinnocent。Iwastortured，asyouwere，Iamsure，andasaretorturedninety-nineone-hundredthsofourboys。Ilivedinafrightfuldread，I
prayedtoGod，andIprostratedmyself。
"Iwasalreadypervertedinimagination，butthelaststepsremainedtobetaken。Icouldstillescape，whenafriendofmybrother，averygaystudent，oneofthosewhoarecalledgoodfellows，——thatis，thegreatestofscamps，——andwhohadtaughtustodrinkandplaycards，tookadvantageofanightofintoxicationtodragusTHERE。Westarted。Mybrother，asinnocentasI，fellthatnight，andI，amereladofsixteen，pollutedmyselfandhelpedtopolluteasister-woman，withoutunderstandingwhatIdid。NeverhadIheardfrommyeldersthatwhatIthusdidwasbad。ItistruethattherearethetencommandmentsoftheBible；butthecommandmentsaremadeonlytoberecitedbeforethepriestsatexaminations，andeventhenarenotasexactingasthecommandmentsinregardtotheuseofutinconditionalpropositions。
"Thus，frommyelders，whoseopinionIesteemed，Ihadneverheardthatthiswasreprehensible。Onthecontrary，IhadheardpeoplewhomIrespectedsaythatitwasgood。Ihadheardthatmystrugglesandmysufferingswouldbeappeasedafterthisact。
Ihadhearditandreadit。Ihadheardfrommyeldersthatitwasexcellentforthehealth，andmyfriendshavealwaysseemedtobelievethatitcontainedIknownotwhatmeritandvalor。Sonothingisseeninitbutwhatispraiseworthy。Asforthedangerofdisease，itisaforeseendanger。Doesnotthegovernmentguardagainstit？Andevensciencecorruptsus。"
"Howso，science？"Iasked。
"Why，thedoctors，thepontiffsofscience。Whopervertyoungpeoplebylayingdownsuchrulesofhygiene？Whopervertwomenbydevisingandteachingthemwaysbywhichnottohavechildren？
"Yes：ifonlyahundredthoftheeffortsspentincuringdiseaseswerespentincuringdebauchery，diseasewouldlongagohaveceasedtoexist，whereasnowalleffortsareemployed，notinextirpatingdebauchery，butinfavoringit，byassuringtheharmlessnessoftheconsequences。Besides，itisnotaquestionofthat。Itisaquestionofthisfrightfulthingthathashappenedtome，asithappenstonine-tenths，ifnotmore，notonlyofthemenofoursociety，butofallsocieties，evenpeasants，——thisfrightfulthingthatIhadfallen，andnotbecauseIwassubjectedtothenaturalseductionofacertainwoman。No，nowomanseducedme。IfellbecausethesurroundingsinwhichIfoundmyselfsawinthisdegradingthingonlyalegitimatefunction，usefultothehealth；becauseotherssawinitsimplyanaturalamusement，notonlyexcusable，buteveninnocentinayoungman。Ididnotunderstandthatitwasafall，andIbegantogivemyselftothosepleasures（partlyfromdesireandpartlyfromnecessity）whichIwasledtobelievewerecharacteristicofmyage，justasIhadbeguntodrinkandsmoke。
"Andyettherewasinthisfirstfallsomethingpeculiarandtouching。IrememberthatstraightwayIwasfilledwithsuchaprofoundsadnessthatIhadadesiretoweep，toweepoverthelossforeverofmyrelationswithwoman。Yes，myrelationswithwomanwerelostforever。Purerelationswithwomen，fromthattimeforward，Icouldnolongerhave。Ihadbecomewhatiscalledavoluptuary；andtobeavoluptuaryisaphysicalconditionliketheconditionofavictimofthemorphinehabit，ofadrunkard，andofasmoker。
"Justasthevictimofthemorphinehabit，thedrunkard，thesmoker，isnolongeranormalman，sothemanwhohasknownseveralwomenforhispleasureisnolongernormal？Heisabnormalforever。Heisavoluptuary。Justasthedrunkardandthevictimofthemorphinehabitmayberecognizedbytheirfaceandmanner，sowemayrecognizeavoluptuary。Hemayrepresshimselfandstruggle，butnevermorewillheenjoysimple，pure，andfraternalrelationstowardwoman。Byhiswayofglancingatayoungwomanonemayatoncerecognizeavoluptuary；andI
becameavoluptuary，andIhaveremainedone。
CHAPTERVI。
"Yes，soitis；andthatwentfartherandfartherwithallsortsofvariations。MyGod！whenIrememberallmycowardlyactsandbaddeeds，Iamfrightened。AndIrememberthat’me’who，duringthatperiod，wasstillthebuttofhiscomrades’ridiculeonaccountofhisinnocence。
"AndwhenIhearpeopletalkofthegildedyouth，oftheofficers，oftheParisians，andallthesegentlemen，andmyself，livingwildlivesattheageofthirty，andwhohaveonourconscienceshundredsofcrimestowardwomen，terribleandvaried，whenweenteraparlororaball-room，washed，shaven，andperfumed，withverywhitelinen，indresscoatsorinuniform，asemblemsofpurity，oh，thedisgust！Therewillsurelycomeatime，anepoch，whenalltheselivesandallthiscowardicewillbeunveiled！
"So，nevertheless，Ilived，untiltheageofthirty，withoutabandoningforaminutemyintentionofmarrying，andbuildinganelevatedconjugallife；andwiththisinviewIwatchedallyounggirlswhomightsuitme。Iwasburiedinrottenness，andatthesametimeIlookedforvirgins，whosepuritywasworthyofme！
Manyofthemwererejected：theydidnotseemtomepureenough！
"FinallyIfoundonethatIconsideredonalevelwithmyself。
ShewasoneoftwodaughtersofalandedproprietorofPenza，formerlyveryrichandsinceruined。Totellthetruth，withoutfalsemodesty，theypursuedmeandfinallycapturedme。Themother（thefatherwasaway）laidallsortsoftraps，andoneofthese，atripinaboat，decidedmyfuture。
"Imadeupmymindattheendoftheaforesaidtriponenight，bymoonlight，onourwayhome，whileIwassittingbesideher。I
admiredherslenderbody，whosecharmingshapewasmouldedbyajersey，andhercurlinghair，andIsuddenlyconcludedthatTHIS
WASSHE。ItseemedtomeonthatbeautifuleveningthatsheunderstoodallthatIthoughtandfelt，andIthoughtandfeltthemostelevatingthings。
"Really，itwasonlythejerseythatwassobecomingtoher，andhercurlyhair，andalsothefactthatIhadspentthedaybesideher，andthatIdesiredamoreintimaterelation。
"Ireturnedhomeenthusiastic，andIpersuadedmyselfthatsherealizedthehighestperfection，andthatforthatreasonshewasworthytobemywife，andthenextdayImadetoheraproposalofmarriage。
"No，saywhatyouwill，weliveinsuchanabyssoffalsehood，that，unlesssomeeventstrikesusablowonthehead，asinmycase，wecannotawaken。Whatconfusion！Outofthethousandsofmenwhomarry，notonlyamongus，butalsoamongthepeople，scarcelywillyoufindasingleonewhohasnotpreviouslymarriedatleasttentimes。（Itistruethattherenowexist，atleastsoIhaveheard，pureyoungpeoplewhofeelandknowthatthisisnotajoke，butaseriousmatter。MayGodcometotheiraid！Butinmytimetherewasnottobefoundonesuchinathousand。）
"Andallknowit，andpretendnottoknowit。Inallthenovelsaredescribeddowntothesmallestdetailsthefeelingsofthecharacters，thelakesandbramblesaroundwhichtheywalk；but，whenitcomestodescribingtheirGREATlove，notawordisbreathedofwhatHE，theinterestingcharacter，haspreviouslydone，notawordabouthisfrequentingofdisreputablehouses，orhisassociationwithnursery-maids，cooks，andthewivesofothers。
"Andifanythingissaidofthesethings，suchIMPROPERnovelsarenotallowedinthehandsofyounggirls。Allmenhavetheairofbelieving，inpresenceofmaidens，thatthesecorruptpleasures，inwhichEVERYBODYtakespart，donotexist，orexistonlytoaverysmallextent。Theypretenditsocarefullythattheysucceedinconvincingthemselvesofit。Asforthepooryounggirls，theybelieveitquiteseriously，justasmypoorwifebelievedit。
"Irememberthat，beingalreadyengaged，Ishowedhermy’memoirs，’fromwhichshecouldlearnmoreorlessofmypast，andespeciallymylastliaisonwhichshemightperhapshavediscoveredthroughthegossipofsomethirdparty。Itwasforthislastreason，forthatmatter，thatIfeltthenecessityofcommunicatingthesememoirstoher。Icanstillseeherfright，herdespair，herbewilderment，whenshehadlearnedandunderstoodit。Shewasonthepointofbreakingtheengagement。
Whataluckythingitwouldhavebeenforbothofus！"
Posdnicheffwassilentforamoment，andthenresumed：——
"Afterall，no！Itisbetterthatthingshappenedastheydid，better！"hecried。"Itwasagoodthingforme。Besides，itmakesnodifference。Iwassayingthatinthesecasesitisthepooryounggirlswhoaredeceived。Asforthemothers，themothersespecially，informedbytheirhusbands，theyknowall，and，whilepretendingtobelieveinthepurityoftheyoungman，theyactasiftheydidnotbelieveinit。
"Theyknowwhatbaitmustbeheldouttopeopleforthemselvesandtheirdaughters。Wemensinthroughignorance，andadeterminationnottolearn。Asforthewomen，theyknowverywellthatthenoblestandmostpoeticlove，aswecallit，depends，notonmoralqualities，butonthephysicalintimacy，andalsoonthemannerofdoingthehair，andthecolorandshape。
"Askanexperiencedcoquette，whohasundertakentoseduceaman，whichshewouldprefer，——tobeconvicted，inpresenceofthemanwhomsheisengagedinconquering，offalsehood，perversity，cruelty，ortoappearbeforehiminanill-fittingdress，oradressofanunbecomingcolor。Shewillpreferthefirstalternative。Sheknowsverywellthatwesimplyliewhenwetalkofourelevatedsentiments，thatweseekonlythepossessionofherbody，andthatbecauseofthatwewillforgivehereverysortofbaseness，butwillnotforgiveheracostumeofanuglyshade，withouttasteorfit。
"Andthesethingssheknowsbyreason，whereasthemaidenknowsthemonlybyinstinct，liketheanimal。Hencetheseabominablejerseys，theseartificialhumpsontheback，thesebareshoulders，arms，andthroats。
"Women，especiallythosewhohavepassedthroughtheschoolofmarriage，knowverywellthatconversationsuponelevatedsubjectsareonlyconversations，andthatmanseeksanddesiresthebodyandallthatornamentsthebody。Consequently，theyactaccordingly？Ifwerejectconventionalexplanations，andviewthelifeofourupperandlowerclassesasitis，withallitsshamelessness，itisonlyavastperversity。Youdonotsharethisopinion？Permitme，Iamgoingtoproveittoyou（saidhe，interruptingme）。
"Yousaythatthewomenofoursocietyliveforadifferentinterestfromthatwhichactuatesfallenwomen。AndIsayno，andIamgoingtoproveittoyou。Ifbeingsdifferfromoneanotheraccordingtothepurposeoftheirlife，accordingtotheirINNERLIFE，thiswillnecessarilybereflectedalsointheirOUTERLIFE，andtheirexteriorwillbeverydifferent。
Well，then，comparethewretched，thedespised，withthewomenofthehighestsociety：thesamedresses，thesamefashions，thesameperfumeries，thesamepassionforjewelry，forbrilliantandveryexpensivearticles，thesameamusements，dances，music，andsongs。Theformerattractbyallpossiblemeans；sodothelatter。Nodifference，nonewhatever！
"Yes，andI，too，wascaptivatedbyjerseys，bustles，andcurlyhair。
CHAPTERVII。
"Anditwasveryeasytocaptureme，sinceIwasbroughtupunderartificialconditions，likecucumbersinahothouse。Ourtooabundantnourishment，togetherwithcompletephysicalidleness，isnothingbutsystematicexcitementoftheimagination。Themenofoursocietyarefedandkeptlikereproductivestallions。Itissufficienttoclosethevalve，——thatis，forayoungmantoliveaquietlifeforsometime，——toproduceasanimmediateresultarestlessness，which，becomingexaggeratedbyreflectionthroughtheprismofourunnaturallife，provokestheillusionoflove。
"Allouridylsandmarriage，all，aretheresultforthemostpartofoureating。Doesthatastonishyou？Formypart，Iamastonishedthatwedonotseeit。Notfarfrommyestatethisspringsomemoujikswereworkingonarailwayembankment。Youknowwhatapeasant’sfoodis，——bread，kvass，*onions。Withthisfrugalnourishmenthelives，heisalert，hemakeslightworkinthefields。Butontherailwaythisbilloffarebecomescachaandapoundofmeat。Onlyherestoresthismeatbysixteenhoursoflaborpushingloadsweighingtwelvehundredpounds。
*Kvass，asortofcider。
"Andwe，whoeattwopoundsofmeatandgame，wewhoabsorballsortsofheatingdrinksandfood，howdoweexpendit？Insensualexcesses。Ifthevalveisopen，allgoeswell；butcloseit，asIhadclosedittemporarilybeforemymarriage，andimmediatelytherewillresultanexcitementwhich，deformedbynovels，verses，music，byouridleandluxuriouslife，willgivealoveofthefinestwater。I，too，fellinlove，aseverybodydoes，andthereweretransports，emotions，poesy；butreallyallthispassionwaspreparedbymammaandthedressmakers。Iftherehadbeennotripsinboats，nowell-fittedgarments，etc。，ifmywifehadwornsomeshapelessblouse，andIhadseenherthusatherhome，Ishouldnothavebeenseduced。
返回顶部