Prestuplenie i nakazanie. English

by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

  CHAPTER V

  Raskolnikov walked after him.

  "What's this?" cried Svidrigailov turning round, "I thought I said..."

  "It means that I am not going to lose sight of you now."

  "What?"

  Both stood still and gazed at one another, as though measuring theirstrength.

  "From all your half tipsy stories," Raskolnikov observed harshly, "I am_positive_ that you have not given up your designs on my sister, butare pursuing them more actively than ever. I have learnt that my sisterreceived a letter this morning. You have hardly been able to sit stillall this time.... You may have unearthed a wife on the way, but thatmeans nothing. I should like to make certain myself."

  Raskolnikov could hardly have said himself what he wanted and of what hewished to make certain.

  "Upon my word! I'll call the police!"

  "Call away!"

  Again they stood for a minute facing each other. At last Svidrigailov'sface changed. Having satisfied himself that Raskolnikov was notfrightened at his threat, he assumed a mirthful and friendly air.

  "What a fellow! I purposely refrained from referring to your affair,though I am devoured by curiosity. It's a fantastic affair. I've put itoff till another time, but you're enough to rouse the dead.... Well, letus go, only I warn you beforehand I am only going home for a moment,to get some money; then I shall lock up the flat, take a cab and go tospend the evening at the Islands. Now, now are you going to follow me?"

  "I'm coming to your lodgings, not to see you but Sofya Semyonovna, tosay I'm sorry not to have been at the funeral."

  "That's as you like, but Sofya Semyonovna is not at home. She has takenthe three children to an old lady of high rank, the patroness of someorphan asylums, whom I used to know years ago. I charmed the old lady bydepositing a sum of money with her to provide for the three children ofKaterina Ivanovna and subscribing to the institution as well. I told hertoo the story of Sofya Semyonovna in full detail, suppressing nothing.It produced an indescribable effect on her. That's why Sofya Semyonovnahas been invited to call to-day at the X. Hotel where the lady isstaying for the time."

  "No matter, I'll come all the same."

  "As you like, it's nothing to me, but I won't come with you; here we areat home. By the way, I am convinced that you regard me with suspicionjust because I have shown such delicacy and have not so far troubledyou with questions... you understand? It struck you as extraordinary; Idon't mind betting it's that. Well, it teaches one to show delicacy!"

  "And to listen at doors!"

  "Ah, that's it, is it?" laughed Svidrigailov. "Yes, I should have beensurprised if you had let that pass after all that has happened. Ha-ha!Though I did understand something of the pranks you had been up to andwere telling Sofya Semyonovna about, what was the meaning of it? PerhapsI am quite behind the times and can't understand. For goodness' sake,explain it, my dear boy. Expound the latest theories!"

  "You couldn't have heard anything. You're making it all up!"

  "But I'm not talking about that (though I did hear something). No, I'mtalking of the way you keep sighing and groaning now. The Schiller inyou is in revolt every moment, and now you tell me not to listen atdoors. If that's how you feel, go and inform the police that you hadthis mischance: you made a little mistake in your theory. But if you areconvinced that one mustn't listen at doors, but one may murder old womenat one's pleasure, you'd better be off to America and make haste. Run,young man! There may still be time. I'm speaking sincerely. Haven't youthe money? I'll give you the fare."

  "I'm not thinking of that at all," Raskolnikov interrupted with disgust.

  "I understand (but don't put yourself out, don't discuss it if you don'twant to). I understand the questions you are worrying over--moral ones,aren't they? Duties of citizen and man? Lay them all aside. They arenothing to you now, ha-ha! You'll say you are still a man and a citizen.If so you ought not to have got into this coil. It's no use taking up ajob you are not fit for. Well, you'd better shoot yourself, or don't youwant to?"

  "You seem trying to enrage me, to make me leave you."

  "What a queer fellow! But here we are. Welcome to the staircase. Yousee, that's the way to Sofya Semyonovna. Look, there is no one at home.Don't you believe me? Ask Kapernaumov. She leaves the key with him. Hereis Madame de Kapernaumov herself. Hey, what? She is rather deaf. Has shegone out? Where? Did you hear? She is not in and won't be till late inthe evening probably. Well, come to my room; you wanted to come and seeme, didn't you? Here we are. Madame Resslich's not at home. She is awoman who is always busy, an excellent woman I assure you.... She mighthave been of use to you if you had been a little more sensible. Now,see! I take this five-per-cent bond out of the bureau--see what a lotI've got of them still--this one will be turned into cash to-day. Imustn't waste any more time. The bureau is locked, the flat is locked,and here we are again on the stairs. Shall we take a cab? I'm going tothe Islands. Would you like a lift? I'll take this carriage. Ah, yourefuse? You are tired of it! Come for a drive! I believe it will come onto rain. Never mind, we'll put down the hood...."

  Svidrigailov was already in the carriage. Raskolnikov decided that hissuspicions were at least for that moment unjust. Without answering aword he turned and walked back towards the Hay Market. If he had onlyturned round on his way he might have seen Svidrigailov get out not ahundred paces off, dismiss the cab and walk along the pavement. But hehad turned the corner and could see nothing. Intense disgust drew himaway from Svidrigailov.

  "To think that I could for one instant have looked for help from thatcoarse brute, that depraved sensualist and blackguard!" he cried.

  Raskolnikov's judgment was uttered too lightly and hastily: there wassomething about Svidrigailov which gave him a certain original, even amysterious character. As concerned his sister, Raskolnikov was convincedthat Svidrigailov would not leave her in peace. But it was too tiresomeand unbearable to go on thinking and thinking about this.

  When he was alone, he had not gone twenty paces before he sank, asusual, into deep thought. On the bridge he stood by the railing andbegan gazing at the water. And his sister was standing close by him.

  He met her at the entrance to the bridge, but passed by without seeingher. Dounia had never met him like this in the street before and wasstruck with dismay. She stood still and did not know whether to callto him or not. Suddenly she saw Svidrigailov coming quickly from thedirection of the Hay Market.

  He seemed to be approaching cautiously. He did not go on to thebridge, but stood aside on the pavement, doing all he could to avoidRaskolnikov's seeing him. He had observed Dounia for some time and hadbeen making signs to her. She fancied he was signalling to beg her notto speak to her brother, but to come to him.

  That was what Dounia did. She stole by her brother and went up toSvidrigailov.

  "Let us make haste away," Svidrigailov whispered to her, "I don't wantRodion Romanovitch to know of our meeting. I must tell you I've beensitting with him in the restaurant close by, where he looked me up andI had great difficulty in getting rid of him. He has somehow heard ofmy letter to you and suspects something. It wasn't you who told him, ofcourse, but if not you, who then?"

  "Well, we've turned the corner now," Dounia interrupted, "and my brotherwon't see us. I have to tell you that I am going no further with you.Speak to me here. You can tell it all in the street."

  "In the first place, I can't say it in the street; secondly, you musthear Sofya Semyonovna too; and, thirdly, I will show you some papers....Oh well, if you won't agree to come with me, I shall refuse to giveany explanation and go away at once. But I beg you not to forget thata very curious secret of your beloved brother's is entirely in mykeeping."

  Dounia stood still, hesitating, and looked at Svidrigailov withsearching eyes.

  "What are you afraid of?" he observed quietly. "The town is not thecountry. And even in the country you did me more harm than I did you."

  "Have you prepared Sofya Semyonovna?"

  "No, I have not sa
id a word to her and am not quite certain whether sheis at home now. But most likely she is. She has buried her stepmotherto-day: she is not likely to go visiting on such a day. For the time Idon't want to speak to anyone about it and I half regret having spokento you. The slightest indiscretion is as bad as betrayal in a thing likethis. I live there in that house, we are coming to it. That's the porterof our house--he knows me very well; you see, he's bowing; he sees I'mcoming with a lady and no doubt he has noticed your face already and youwill be glad of that if you are afraid of me and suspicious. Excusemy putting things so coarsely. I haven't a flat to myself; SofyaSemyonovna's room is next to mine--she lodges in the next flat. Thewhole floor is let out in lodgings. Why are you frightened like a child?Am I really so terrible?"

  Svidrigailov's lips were twisted in a condescending smile; but he was inno smiling mood. His heart was throbbing and he could scarcely breathe.He spoke rather loud to cover his growing excitement. But Dounia did notnotice this peculiar excitement, she was so irritated by his remark thatshe was frightened of him like a child and that he was so terrible toher.

  "Though I know that you are not a man... of honour, I am not in theleast afraid of you. Lead the way," she said with apparent composure,but her face was very pale.

  Svidrigailov stopped at Sonia's room.

  "Allow me to inquire whether she is at home.... She is not. Howunfortunate! But I know she may come quite soon. If she's gone out, itcan only be to see a lady about the orphans. Their mother is dead....I've been meddling and making arrangements for them. If Sofya Semyonovnadoes not come back in ten minutes, I will send her to you, to-day ifyou like. This is my flat. These are my two rooms. Madame Resslich,my landlady, has the next room. Now, look this way. I will show youmy chief piece of evidence: this door from my bedroom leads into twoperfectly empty rooms, which are to let. Here they are... You must lookinto them with some attention."

  Svidrigailov occupied two fairly large furnished rooms. Dounia waslooking about her mistrustfully, but saw nothing special in thefurniture or position of the rooms. Yet there was something to observe,for instance, that Svidrigailov's flat was exactly between two sets ofalmost uninhabited apartments. His rooms were not entered directlyfrom the passage, but through the landlady's two almost empty rooms.Unlocking a door leading out of his bedroom, Svidrigailov showed Douniathe two empty rooms that were to let. Dounia stopped in the doorway, notknowing what she was called to look upon, but Svidrigailov hastened toexplain.

  "Look here, at this second large room. Notice that door, it's locked.By the door stands a chair, the only one in the two rooms. I brought itfrom my rooms so as to listen more conveniently. Just the other side ofthe door is Sofya Semyonovna's table; she sat there talking to RodionRomanovitch. And I sat here listening on two successive evenings, fortwo hours each time--and of course I was able to learn something, whatdo you think?"

  "You listened?"

  "Yes, I did. Now come back to my room; we can't sit down here."

  He brought Avdotya Romanovna back into his sitting-room and offered hera chair. He sat down at the opposite side of the table, at least sevenfeet from her, but probably there was the same glow in his eyes whichhad once frightened Dounia so much. She shuddered and once more lookedabout her distrustfully. It was an involuntary gesture; she evidentlydid not wish to betray her uneasiness. But the secluded position ofSvidrigailov's lodging had suddenly struck her. She wanted to askwhether his landlady at least were at home, but pride kept her fromasking. Moreover, she had another trouble in her heart incomparablygreater than fear for herself. She was in great distress.

  "Here is your letter," she said, laying it on the table. "Can it be truewhat you write? You hint at a crime committed, you say, by my brother.You hint at it too clearly; you daren't deny it now. I must tell youthat I'd heard of this stupid story before you wrote and don't believe aword of it. It's a disgusting and ridiculous suspicion. I know the storyand why and how it was invented. You can have no proofs. You promised toprove it. Speak! But let me warn you that I don't believe you! I don'tbelieve you!"

  Dounia said this, speaking hurriedly, and for an instant the colourrushed to her face.

  "If you didn't believe it, how could you risk coming alone to my rooms?Why have you come? Simply from curiosity?"

  "Don't torment me. Speak, speak!"

  "There's no denying that you are a brave girl. Upon my word, I thoughtyou would have asked Mr. Razumihin to escort you here. But he was notwith you nor anywhere near. I was on the look-out. It's spirited ofyou, it proves you wanted to spare Rodion Romanovitch. But everythingis divine in you.... About your brother, what am I to say to you? You'vejust seen him yourself. What did you think of him?"

  "Surely that's not the only thing you are building on?"

  "No, not on that, but on his own words. He came here on two successiveevenings to see Sofya Semyonovna. I've shown you where they sat. He madea full confession to her. He is a murderer. He killed an old woman, apawnbroker, with whom he had pawned things himself. He killed her sistertoo, a pedlar woman called Lizaveta, who happened to come in while hewas murdering her sister. He killed them with an axe he brought withhim. He murdered them to rob them and he did rob them. He took money andvarious things.... He told all this, word for word, to Sofya Semyonovna,the only person who knows his secret. But she has had no share by wordor deed in the murder; she was as horrified at it as you are now. Don'tbe anxious, she won't betray him."

  "It cannot be," muttered Dounia, with white lips. She gasped for breath."It cannot be. There was not the slightest cause, no sort of ground....It's a lie, a lie!"

  "He robbed her, that was the cause, he took money and things. It's truethat by his own admission he made no use of the money or things, but hidthem under a stone, where they are now. But that was because he darednot make use of them."

  "But how could he steal, rob? How could he dream of it?" cried Dounia,and she jumped up from the chair. "Why, you know him, and you've seenhim, can he be a thief?"

  She seemed to be imploring Svidrigailov; she had entirely forgotten herfear.

  "There are thousands and millions of combinations and possibilities,Avdotya Romanovna. A thief steals and knows he is a scoundrel, but I'veheard of a gentleman who broke open the mail. Who knows, very likely hethought he was doing a gentlemanly thing! Of course I should not havebelieved it myself if I'd been told of it as you have, but I believe myown ears. He explained all the causes of it to Sofya Semyonovna too, butshe did not believe her ears at first, yet she believed her own eyes atlast."

  "What... were the causes?"

  "It's a long story, Avdotya Romanovna. Here's... how shall I tellyou?--A theory of a sort, the same one by which I for instance considerthat a single misdeed is permissible if the principal aim is right, asolitary wrongdoing and hundreds of good deeds! It's galling too, ofcourse, for a young man of gifts and overweening pride to know that ifhe had, for instance, a paltry three thousand, his whole career, hiswhole future would be differently shaped and yet not to have that threethousand. Add to that, nervous irritability from hunger, from lodgingin a hole, from rags, from a vivid sense of the charm of his socialposition and his sister's and mother's position too. Above all, vanity,pride and vanity, though goodness knows he may have good qualitiestoo.... I am not blaming him, please don't think it; besides, it's notmy business. A special little theory came in too--a theory of asort--dividing mankind, you see, into material and superior persons,that is persons to whom the law does not apply owing to theirsuperiority, who make laws for the rest of mankind, the material, thatis. It's all right as a theory, _une theorie comme une autre_. Napoleonattracted him tremendously, that is, what affected him was that agreat many men of genius have not hesitated at wrongdoing, but haveoverstepped the law without thinking about it. He seems to have fanciedthat he was a genius too--that is, he was convinced of it for a time. Hehas suffered a great deal and is still suffering from the idea that hecould make a theory, but was incapable of boldly overstepping the law,and so he is not
a man of genius. And that's humiliating for a young manof any pride, in our day especially...."

  "But remorse? You deny him any moral feeling then? Is he like that?"

  "Ah, Avdotya Romanovna, everything is in a muddle now; not that it wasever in very good order. Russians in general are broad in their ideas,Avdotya Romanovna, broad like their land and exceedingly disposed tothe fantastic, the chaotic. But it's a misfortune to be broad withouta special genius. Do you remember what a lot of talk we had together onthis subject, sitting in the evenings on the terrace after supper? Why,you used to reproach me with breadth! Who knows, perhaps we were talkingat the very time when he was lying here thinking over his plan. Thereare no sacred traditions amongst us, especially in the educated class,Avdotya Romanovna. At the best someone will make them up somehow forhimself out of books or from some old chronicle. But those are for themost part the learned and all old fogeys, so that it would be almostill-bred in a man of society. You know my opinions in general, though. Inever blame anyone. I do nothing at all, I persevere in that. Butwe've talked of this more than once before. I was so happy indeed as tointerest you in my opinions.... You are very pale, Avdotya Romanovna."

  "I know his theory. I read that article of his about men to whom all ispermitted. Razumihin brought it to me."

  "Mr. Razumihin? Your brother's article? In a magazine? Is there such anarticle? I didn't know. It must be interesting. But where are you going,Avdotya Romanovna?"

  "I want to see Sofya Semyonovna," Dounia articulated faintly. "How do Igo to her? She has come in, perhaps. I must see her at once. Perhapsshe..."

  Avdotya Romanovna could not finish. Her breath literally failed her.

  "Sofya Semyonovna will not be back till night, at least I believe not.She was to have been back at once, but if not, then she will not be intill quite late."

  "Ah, then you are lying! I see... you were lying... lying all thetime.... I don't believe you! I don't believe you!" cried Dounia,completely losing her head.

  Almost fainting, she sank on to a chair which Svidrigailov made haste togive her.

  "Avdotya Romanovna, what is it? Control yourself! Here is some water.Drink a little...."

  He sprinkled some water over her. Dounia shuddered and came to herself.

  "It has acted violently," Svidrigailov muttered to himself, frowning."Avdotya Romanovna, calm yourself! Believe me, he has friends. We willsave him. Would you like me to take him abroad? I have money, I can geta ticket in three days. And as for the murder, he will do all sorts ofgood deeds yet, to atone for it. Calm yourself. He may become a greatman yet. Well, how are you? How do you feel?"

  "Cruel man! To be able to jeer at it! Let me go..."

  "Where are you going?"

  "To him. Where is he? Do you know? Why is this door locked? We came inat that door and now it is locked. When did you manage to lock it?"

  "We couldn't be shouting all over the flat on such a subject. I am farfrom jeering; it's simply that I'm sick of talking like this. But howcan you go in such a state? Do you want to betray him? You will drivehim to fury, and he will give himself up. Let me tell you, he is alreadybeing watched; they are already on his track. You will simply be givinghim away. Wait a little: I saw him and was talking to him just now. Hecan still be saved. Wait a bit, sit down; let us think it over together.I asked you to come in order to discuss it alone with you and toconsider it thoroughly. But do sit down!"

  "How can you save him? Can he really be saved?"

  Dounia sat down. Svidrigailov sat down beside her.

  "It all depends on you, on you, on you alone," he began with glowingeyes, almost in a whisper and hardly able to utter the words foremotion.

  Dounia drew back from him in alarm. He too was trembling all over.

  "You... one word from you, and he is saved. I... I'll save him. I havemoney and friends. I'll send him away at once. I'll get a passport,two passports, one for him and one for me. I have friends... capablepeople.... If you like, I'll take a passport for you... for yourmother.... What do you want with Razumihin? I love you too.... I loveyou beyond everything.... Let me kiss the hem of your dress, let me, letme.... The very rustle of it is too much for me. Tell me, 'do that,'and I'll do it. I'll do everything. I will do the impossible. What youbelieve, I will believe. I'll do anything--anything! Don't, don't lookat me like that. Do you know that you are killing me?..."

  He was almost beginning to rave.... Something seemed suddenly to go tohis head. Dounia jumped up and rushed to the door.

  "Open it! Open it!" she called, shaking the door. "Open it! Is there noone there?"

  Svidrigailov got up and came to himself. His still trembling lips slowlybroke into an angry mocking smile.

  "There is no one at home," he said quietly and emphatically. "Thelandlady has gone out, and it's waste of time to shout like that. Youare only exciting yourself uselessly."

  "Where is the key? Open the door at once, at once, base man!"

  "I have lost the key and cannot find it."

  "This is an outrage," cried Dounia, turning pale as death. She rushedto the furthest corner, where she made haste to barricade herself with alittle table.

  She did not scream, but she fixed her eyes on her tormentor and watchedevery movement he made.

  Svidrigailov remained standing at the other end of the room facing her.He was positively composed, at least in appearance, but his face waspale as before. The mocking smile did not leave his face.

  "You spoke of outrage just now, Avdotya Romanovna. In that case youmay be sure I've taken measures. Sofya Semyonovna is not at home. TheKapernaumovs are far away--there are five locked rooms between. I am atleast twice as strong as you are and I have nothing to fear, besides.For you could not complain afterwards. You surely would not be willingactually to betray your brother? Besides, no one would believe you. Howshould a girl have come alone to visit a solitary man in his lodgings?So that even if you do sacrifice your brother, you could prove nothing.It is very difficult to prove an assault, Avdotya Romanovna."

  "Scoundrel!" whispered Dounia indignantly.

  "As you like, but observe I was only speaking by way of a generalproposition. It's my personal conviction that you are perfectlyright--violence is hateful. I only spoke to show you that you need haveno remorse even if... you were willing to save your brother of yourown accord, as I suggest to you. You would be simply submitting tocircumstances, to violence, in fact, if we must use that word. Thinkabout it. Your brother's and your mother's fate are in your hands. Iwill be your slave... all my life... I will wait here."

  Svidrigailov sat down on the sofa about eight steps from Dounia. She hadnot the slightest doubt now of his unbending determination. Besides, sheknew him. Suddenly she pulled out of her pocket a revolver, cocked itand laid it in her hand on the table. Svidrigailov jumped up.

  "Aha! So that's it, is it?" he cried, surprised but smiling maliciously."Well, that completely alters the aspect of affairs. You've made thingswonderfully easier for me, Avdotya Romanovna. But where did you get therevolver? Was it Mr. Razumihin? Why, it's my revolver, an old friend!And how I've hunted for it! The shooting lessons I've given you in thecountry have not been thrown away."

  "It's not your revolver, it belonged to Marfa Petrovna, whom you killed,wretch! There was nothing of yours in her house. I took it when I beganto suspect what you were capable of. If you dare to advance one step, Iswear I'll kill you." She was frantic.

  "But your brother? I ask from curiosity," said Svidrigailov, stillstanding where he was.

  "Inform, if you want to! Don't stir! Don't come nearer! I'll shoot! Youpoisoned your wife, I know; you are a murderer yourself!" She held therevolver ready.

  "Are you so positive I poisoned Marfa Petrovna?"

  "You did! You hinted it yourself; you talked to me of poison.... I knowyou went to get it... you had it in readiness.... It was your doing....It must have been your doing.... Scoundrel!"

  "Even if that were true, it would have been for your sake... you wouldhave been t
he cause."

  "You are lying! I hated you always, always...."

  "Oho, Avdotya Romanovna! You seem to have forgotten how you softenedto me in the heat of propaganda. I saw it in your eyes. Do you rememberthat moonlight night, when the nightingale was singing?"

  "That's a lie," there was a flash of fury in Dounia's eyes, "that's alie and a libel!"

  "A lie? Well, if you like, it's a lie. I made it up. Women ought notto be reminded of such things," he smiled. "I know you will shoot, youpretty wild creature. Well, shoot away!"

  Dounia raised the revolver, and deadly pale, gazed at him, measuring thedistance and awaiting the first movement on his part. Her lower lip waswhite and quivering and her big black eyes flashed like fire. He hadnever seen her so handsome. The fire glowing in her eyes at the momentshe raised the revolver seemed to kindle him and there was a pang ofanguish in his heart. He took a step forward and a shot rang out. Thebullet grazed his hair and flew into the wall behind. He stood still andlaughed softly.

  "The wasp has stung me. She aimed straight at my head. What's this?Blood?" he pulled out his handkerchief to wipe the blood, which flowedin a thin stream down his right temple. The bullet seemed to have justgrazed the skin.

  Dounia lowered the revolver and looked at Svidrigailov not so much interror as in a sort of wild amazement. She seemed not to understand whatshe was doing and what was going on.

  "Well, you missed! Fire again, I'll wait," said Svidrigailov softly,still smiling, but gloomily. "If you go on like that, I shall have timeto seize you before you cock again."

  Dounia started, quickly cocked the pistol and again raised it.

  "Let me be," she cried in despair. "I swear I'll shoot again. I... I'llkill you."

  "Well... at three paces you can hardly help it. But if you don't...then." His eyes flashed and he took two steps forward. Dounia shotagain: it missed fire.

  "You haven't loaded it properly. Never mind, you have another chargethere. Get it ready, I'll wait."

  He stood facing her, two paces away, waiting and gazing at her with wilddetermination, with feverishly passionate, stubborn, set eyes. Douniasaw that he would sooner die than let her go. "And... now, of course shewould kill him, at two paces!" Suddenly she flung away the revolver.

  "She's dropped it!" said Svidrigailov with surprise, and he drew a deepbreath. A weight seemed to have rolled from his heart--perhaps not onlythe fear of death; indeed he may scarcely have felt it at that moment.It was the deliverance from another feeling, darker and more bitter,which he could not himself have defined.

  He went to Dounia and gently put his arm round her waist. She did notresist, but, trembling like a leaf, looked at him with suppliant eyes.He tried to say something, but his lips moved without being able toutter a sound.

  "Let me go," Dounia implored. Svidrigailov shuddered. Her voice now wasquite different.

  "Then you don't love me?" he asked softly. Dounia shook her head.

  "And... and you can't? Never?" he whispered in despair.

  "Never!"

  There followed a moment of terrible, dumb struggle in the heart ofSvidrigailov. He looked at her with an indescribable gaze. Suddenlyhe withdrew his arm, turned quickly to the window and stood facing it.Another moment passed.

  "Here's the key."

  He took it out of the left pocket of his coat and laid it on the tablebehind him, without turning or looking at Dounia.

  "Take it! Make haste!"

  He looked stubbornly out of the window. Dounia went up to the table totake the key.

  "Make haste! Make haste!" repeated Svidrigailov, still without turningor moving. But there seemed a terrible significance in the tone of that"make haste."

  Dounia understood it, snatched up the key, flew to the door, unlocked itquickly and rushed out of the room. A minute later, beside herself, sheran out on to the canal bank in the direction of X. Bridge.

  Svidrigailov remained three minutes standing at the window. At last heslowly turned, looked about him and passed his hand over his forehead. Astrange smile contorted his face, a pitiful, sad, weak smile, a smile ofdespair. The blood, which was already getting dry, smeared his hand.He looked angrily at it, then wetted a towel and washed his temple.The revolver which Dounia had flung away lay near the door and suddenlycaught his eye. He picked it up and examined it. It was a little pocketthree-barrel revolver of old-fashioned construction. There were stilltwo charges and one capsule left in it. It could be fired again. Hethought a little, put the revolver in his pocket, took his hat and wentout.