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Subtitles

Download

00:00:04

part one chapter one of the idiot this

00:00:07

is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox

00:00:10

recordings are in the public domain for

00:00:13

more information or to volunteer please

00:00:16

visit librivox.org

00:00:19

recording by Martin

00:00:22

Geeson The Idiot by Fodor

00:00:26

DVI translated by Eva m

00:00:30

Martin part one chapter

00:00:35

1 towards the end of November during a

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thw at 9:00 one morning a train on the

00:00:42

Warsaw and Petersburg Railway was

00:00:45

approaching the latter City at full

00:00:48

speed the morning was so damp and Misty

00:00:52

that it was only with great difficulty

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that the day succeeded in breaking and

00:00:57

it was impossible to distinguish

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anything more than a few yards away from

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the carriage

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Windows some of the passengers by this

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particular train were returning from

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abroad but the third class carriages

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were the best filled chiefly with

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insignificant persons of various

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occupations and degrees picked up at the

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different stations near a town all of

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them seemed weary and most of them had

00:01:25

sleepy eyes and a shivering expression

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while their complexions generally

00:01:30

appeared to have taken on the color of

00:01:32

the fog

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outside when day dawned two passengers

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in one of the third class carriages

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found themselves opposite each other

00:01:42

both were young fellows both were rather

00:01:45

poorly dressed both had remarkable faces

00:01:49

and both were evidently anxious to start

00:01:52

a

00:01:53

conversation if they had but known why

00:01:56

at this particular moment they were both

00:01:59

remark remarkable persons they would

00:02:01

undoubtedly have wondered at the strange

00:02:04

chance which had set them down opposite

00:02:06

to one another in a third class Carriage

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of the Warsaw Railway company one of

00:02:13

them was a young fellow of about 27 not

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tall with black curling hair and small

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gray fiery eyes his nose was Broad and

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flat and he had high

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cheekbones his thin lips were constant

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ly compressed into an impudent ironical

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it might almost be called a malicious

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smile but his forehead was high and well

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formed and atoned for a good deal of the

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ugliness of the lower part of his face a

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special feature of this physiy was its

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deathlike palor which gave to the whole

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man an indescribably imated appearance

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in spite of his hard look and at the

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same time a sort of passionate and

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suffering expression which did not

00:03:03

harmonize with his impudent sarcastic

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smile and Keen self-satisfied

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bearing he wore a large fur or rather

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asan Overcoat which had kept him warm

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all night while his neighbor had been

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obliged to Bear the full severity of a

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Russian November night entirely

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unprepared his wide sleeveless mantle

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with a large Cape to it the sort of

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cloak one sees upon Travelers during the

00:03:32

winter months in Switzerland or North

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Italy was by no means adapted to the

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Long Cold journey through Russia from

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idun to St

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Petersburg the wearer of this cloak was

00:03:46

a young fellow also of about 26 or 27

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years of age slightly above the middle

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height very fair with a thin pointed and

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very light colored beard his eyes were

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were large and blue and had an intense

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look about them yet that heavy

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expression which some people affirmed to

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be a peculiarity as well as evidence of

00:04:10

an epileptic

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subject his face was decidedly a

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pleasant one for all that refined but

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quite colorless except for the

00:04:21

circumstance that at this moment it was

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blue with cold he held a bundle made up

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of an old faded silk hang handerchief

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that apparently contained all his

00:04:32

traveling wardrobe and wore thick shoes

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and Gators his whole appearance being

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very un

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Russian his blackhaired neighbor

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inspected these peculiarities having

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nothing better to do and at length

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remarked with that rude enjoyment of the

00:04:50

discomforts of others which the common

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classes so often show

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cold very said his neighbor readily and

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this is a Thor too fancy if it had been

00:05:02

a hard Frost I never thought it would be

00:05:05

so cold in the Old Country I've grown

00:05:08

quite out of the way of it what been

00:05:11

abroad I suppose yes straight from

00:05:15

Switzerland phew my goodness the

00:05:18

blackhaired young fellow whistled and

00:05:20

then

00:05:21

laughed the conversation proceeded the

00:05:24

Readiness of the fair-haired young man

00:05:26

in the cloak to answer all his opposite

00:05:29

neighbors questions was surprising he

00:05:32

seemed to have no suspicion of any

00:05:34

impertinence or inappropriateness in the

00:05:37

fact of such questions being put to him

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replying to them he made known to The

00:05:43

Inquirer that he certainly had been long

00:05:46

absent from Russia more than four years

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that he had been sent abroad for his

00:05:51

health that he had suffered from some

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strange nervous malady a kind of

00:05:57

epilepsy with convulsive spasms his

00:06:01

interlocutor burst out laughing several

00:06:04

times at his answers and more than ever

00:06:07

when to the question whether he had been

00:06:09

cured the patient replied no they did

00:06:13

not cure

00:06:15

me H that's it you stumped up your money

00:06:19

for nothing and we believe in those

00:06:21

fellows here remarked the blackhaired

00:06:24

individual

00:06:26

sarcastically gospel truth sir gospel

00:06:29

truth truth exclaimed another passenger

00:06:32

a shabbily Dressed Man of about 40 who

00:06:34

looked like a Clark and possessed a red

00:06:37

nose and a very blotchy face gospel

00:06:41

truth all they do is get hold of our

00:06:43

good Russian money free Gratis and for

00:06:46

nothing oh but you're quite wrong in my

00:06:49

particular instance said the Swiss

00:06:52

patient quietly of course I can't argue

00:06:55

the matter because I know only my own

00:06:57

case but my doctor gave me money and he

00:07:01

had very little to pay my journey back

00:07:04

besides having kept me at his own

00:07:06

expense while there for nearly 2 years

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why was there no one else to pay for you

00:07:12

asked the blackhaired one no Mr pavf who

00:07:17

had been supporting me there died a

00:07:19

couple of years ago I wrote to Mrs

00:07:22

General yanin at the time she is a

00:07:25

distant relative of mine but she did not

00:07:27

answer my letter and So eventually I

00:07:30

came back and where have you come to

00:07:34

that is where am I going to stay I I

00:07:38

really don't quite know yet I both the

00:07:41

listeners laughed again I suppose your

00:07:44

whole setup is in that bundle then asked

00:07:48

the first I bet anything it is exclaimed

00:07:51

the red-nosed passenger with extreme

00:07:54

satisfaction and that he has precious

00:07:56

little in the luggage van though of

00:07:58

course poverty is no crime we must

00:08:01

remember that it appeared that it was

00:08:04

indeed as they had surmised the young

00:08:06

fellow hastened to admit the fact with

00:08:09

wonderful

00:08:10

Readiness your bundle has some

00:08:13

importance however continued the Clark

00:08:15

when they had laughed their Phill it was

00:08:18

observable that the subject of their

00:08:20

mirth joined in the laughter when he saw

00:08:22

them laughing for though I dare say it

00:08:25

is not stuffed full of Friedrich door

00:08:27

and Louie door judge from your costume

00:08:30

and Gators still if you can add to your

00:08:33

possession such a valuable property as a

00:08:36

relation like Mrs General

00:08:39

yanin then your bundle becomes a

00:08:41

significant object at once that is of

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course if you really are a relative of

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Mrs yep panin's and have not made a

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little error through well absence of

00:08:52

mind which is very common to human

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beings or say through a too luxuriant

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fancy

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oh you are right again said the fairhair

00:09:03

traveler for I really am almost wrong

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when I say she and I are related she is

00:09:09

hardly a relation at all so little in

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fact that I was not in the least

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surprised to have no answer to my letter

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I expected as much H you spent your

00:09:20

postage for nothing then H you are

00:09:24

candid however and that is commendable

00:09:27

Mrs yanin oh yes the most eminent person

00:09:31

I know her as for Mr pavv who supported

00:09:34

you in Switzerland I know him too at

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least if it was to Nikolai andreevich of

00:09:39

that name a fine fellow he was and had a

00:09:43

property of 4,000 souls in his day yes

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Nikolai andreevich that was his name and

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the young fellow looked earnestly and

00:09:52

with curiosity at the all knowing

00:09:54

gentleman with the red

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nose this sort of character is met with

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pretty frequently in a certain class

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they are people who know everyone that

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is they know where a man is employed

00:10:07

what his salary is whom he knows whom he

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married what money his wife had who are

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his cousins and second cousins etc etc

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these men generally have about £100 a

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year to live on and they spend their

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whole time and talents in the amassing

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of this style of knowledge which they

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reduce or or raise to the standard of a

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science during the latter part of the

00:10:34

conversation the blackhaired young man

00:10:37

had become very impatient he stared out

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of the window and fidgeted and evidently

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longed for the end of the journey he was

00:10:46

very absent he would appear to listen

00:10:49

and heard nothing and he would laugh of

00:10:52

a sudden evidently with no idea of what

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he was laughing about excuse me said the

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red-nosed man to the young fellow with

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the bundle rather suddenly whom have I

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the honor to be talking to Prince LOF

00:11:06

nicolich mishkin replied the latter with

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perfect

00:11:11

Readiness Prince mishkin leof nikolich

00:11:15

hm I don't know I'm sure I may say I

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have never heard of such a person said

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the Clark thoughtfully at least the name

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I admit is historical karamin must

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mention the family name of course in his

00:11:29

history but as an individual one never

00:11:32

hears of any Prince mushkin

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nowadays of course not replied the

00:11:37

prince there are none except myself I

00:11:41

believe I am the last and only one as to

00:11:44

my forefathers they have always been a

00:11:46

poor lot my own father was a subl tenant

00:11:50

in the Army I don't know how Miss yanin

00:11:54

comes into the mishkin family but she is

00:11:56

descended from the princess mishkin

00:11:59

and she too is the last of her line and

00:12:02

did you learn science and all that with

00:12:04

your professor over there asked the

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blackhaired passenger oh yes I did learn

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a little but I've never learned anything

00:12:13

whatever said the other oh but I learned

00:12:17

very little you know added the prince as

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though excusing himself they could not

00:12:22

teach me very much on account of my

00:12:25

illness do you know the regoin asked his

00:12:28

question

00:12:29

abruptly no I don't not at all I hardly

00:12:33

know anyone in Russia why is that your

00:12:36

name yes I am Rin paron

00:12:40

Rin parf Rin dear me then don't you

00:12:45

belong to those very regoin perhaps

00:12:48

began the Clark with a very perceptible

00:12:50

increase of Civility in his tone yes

00:12:54

those very ones interrupted rogin

00:12:57

impatiently and with scant courtesy I

00:13:00

may remark that he had not once taken

00:13:02

any notice of the blotchy faed passenger

00:13:05

and had hither to addressed all his

00:13:07

remarks direct to the

00:13:09

prince dear me is it possible observed

00:13:13

the clerk while his face assumed an

00:13:15

expression of great Defence and

00:13:17

cility if not of absolute alarm what a

00:13:21

son of that very seon Rin hereditary

00:13:25

honorable citizen who died a month or so

00:13:28

ago and left 2 million and a half of

00:13:31

rubles and how do you know that he left

00:13:34

2 million and a half of rubles asked

00:13:37

regoin disdainfully and not ding so much

00:13:40

as to look at the other however it's

00:13:43

true enough that my father died a month

00:13:45

ago and that here am I returning from

00:13:48

pcof a month after with hardly a boot to

00:13:52

my foot they've treated me like a dog

00:13:55

I've been ill of fever at P scoff the

00:13:58

whole time and not a line nor faring of

00:14:01

money have I received from my mother or

00:14:03

my confounded brother and now you'll

00:14:07

have a million Rubles at least goodness

00:14:10

gracious me exclaimed the Clark rubbing

00:14:13

his

00:14:14

hands five weeks since I was just like

00:14:17

yourself continued rogin addressing the

00:14:20

prince with nothing but a bundle in the

00:14:23

clothes I wore I ran away from my father

00:14:26

and came to scoff to my aunts house

00:14:29

where I caved in at once with fever and

00:14:32

he went and died while I was away all

00:14:35

honor to my respected father's memory

00:14:38

but he uncommonly nearly killed me all

00:14:41

the same give you my word Prince if I

00:14:43

hadn't cut and run then when I did he'd

00:14:46

have murdered me like a dog I suppose

00:14:49

you angered him somehow asked the prince

00:14:52

looking at the millionaire with

00:14:53

considerable

00:14:55

curiosity but though there may have been

00:14:57

something remarkable in in the fact that

00:14:59

this man was heir to millions of rubles

00:15:02

there was something about him which

00:15:04

surprised and interested the prince more

00:15:06

than that Rin too seem to have taken up

00:15:10

the conversation with unusual alacrity

00:15:14

it appeared that he was still in a

00:15:15

considerable state of excitement if not

00:15:18

absolutely feverish and was in real need

00:15:21

of someone to talk to for the mere sake

00:15:24

of talking a safety valve to his

00:15:27

agitation as for his red-nosed neighbor

00:15:31

the latter since the information as to

00:15:33

the identity of rogin hung over him

00:15:37

seemed to be living on the honey of his

00:15:39

words and in the breath of his nostrils

00:15:43

catching at every syllable as though it

00:15:45

were a pearl of great price oh yes I

00:15:49

angered him I certainly did anger him

00:15:52

replied droin but what puts me out so is

00:15:56

my brother of course my mother mother

00:15:58

couldn't do anything she's too old and

00:16:01

whatever brother shonka says is law for

00:16:04

her but why couldn't he let me know he

00:16:07

sent a telegram they say what's the good

00:16:10

of a telegram it frightened my aunt so

00:16:13

that she sent it back to the office

00:16:15

unopened and there it's been ever since

00:16:18

it's only thanks to conif that I heard a

00:16:20

all he wrote to me all about it he says

00:16:23

my brother cut off the gold tassels from

00:16:26

my father's coffin at night because

00:16:29

they're worth a lot of money says he why

00:16:33

I can get him sent off to Siberia for

00:16:35

that alone if I like it's sacrilege here

00:16:39

you scarecrow he added addressing the

00:16:42

Clark at his side is it sacrilege or Not

00:16:45

by law sacrilege certainly certainly

00:16:49

sacrilege said the latter and it's

00:16:52

Siberia for sacrilege isn't it

00:16:54

undoubtedly so Siberia of course they

00:16:58

will will think that I'm still ill

00:17:00

continued rogin to the prince but I

00:17:03

sloped off quietly seedy as I was took

00:17:06

the train and came away aha brother

00:17:09

shanka you'll have to open your Gates

00:17:11

and let me in my boy I know he told

00:17:15

tales about me to my father I know that

00:17:17

well enough but I certainly did rile my

00:17:21

father about Nastasia philipovna that's

00:17:24

very sure that was my own doing nastas

00:17:28

AA philipovna said the Clark as though

00:17:31

trying to think out something come you

00:17:34

know nothing about her said rogin

00:17:38

impatiently and supposing I do know

00:17:41

something observed the other

00:17:43

triumphantly BOS there are plenty of

00:17:46

Nastasia Philip ofas and what an

00:17:49

impertinent Beast you are he added

00:17:51

angrily I thought some creature like you

00:17:54

would hang on to me as soon as I got

00:17:57

hold of my money

00:17:59

oh but I do know as it happens said the

00:18:01

clerk in an aggravating manner LEF knows

00:18:05

all about her you are pleased to

00:18:07

reproach me your Excellency but what if

00:18:10

I prove that I'm right after all

00:18:13

Nastasia FIP of's family name is

00:18:16

barashkov I know you see and she is a

00:18:19

very well-known lady indeed and comes of

00:18:22

a good family too she is connected with

00:18:25

one totsky alanazi Ivanovic a man of

00:18:29

considerable property a director of

00:18:31

companies and so on and a great friend

00:18:34

of general yanin who is interested in

00:18:37

the same matters as he is my eyes said

00:18:41

rogin really surprised at last the devil

00:18:45

take the fellow how does he know that

00:18:48

why he knows everything LEF knows

00:18:51

everything I was a month or two with

00:18:53

leof after his father died your

00:18:55

Excellency and while he was knocking

00:18:58

about out he's in the data's prison now

00:19:01

I was with him and he couldn't do a

00:19:03

thing without leeda and I got to know

00:19:06

Nastasia philipovna and several people

00:19:08

at that time Nastasia philipovna why you

00:19:12

don't mean to say that she and liof

00:19:15

cried rogin turning quite pale no no no

00:19:20

no no nothing of the sort I assure you

00:19:23

said LEF hastily oh dear no not for the

00:19:27

world totsky is the only man with any

00:19:30

chance there oh no he takes her to his

00:19:33

box at the Opera at the French theater

00:19:36

of an evening and the officers and

00:19:38

people all look at her and say by Jo

00:19:41

there's the famous Nastasia philipova

00:19:45

but no one ever gets any further than

00:19:47

that for there is nothing more to

00:19:50

say yes it's quite true said rogojin

00:19:54

frowning gloomily so zof told me I was

00:19:58

walking about the nski One Fine Day

00:20:01

prince in my father's old coat when she

00:20:04

suddenly came out of a shop and stepped

00:20:06

into her carriage I swear I was all of a

00:20:10

blaze at once then I met zof looking

00:20:14

like a hairdress as assistant got up as

00:20:16

fine as I don't know who while I looked

00:20:19

like a tinker don't flatter yourself my

00:20:23

boy said he she's not for such as you

00:20:26

she's a princess she is and her name is

00:20:29

Nastasia filipo Na barashkov and she

00:20:32

lives with totsky who wishes to get rid

00:20:35

of her because he's growing rather old

00:20:37

55 or so and wants to marry a certain

00:20:41

Beauty the loveliest woman in all

00:20:44

Petersburg and then he told me that I

00:20:46

could see Nastasia philipovna at the

00:20:49

opera house that evening if I liked and

00:20:52

described which was her

00:20:54

box well I'd like to see my father

00:20:56

allowing any of us to go go to the

00:20:58

theater he'd sooner have killed us any

00:21:01

day however I went for an hour or so and

00:21:04

saw Nastasia philipovna and I never

00:21:07

slept a wink all night

00:21:10

after next morning my father happened to

00:21:12

give me two government loan bonds to

00:21:15

sell worth nearly 5,000 rubles each sell

00:21:19

them said he and then take

00:21:22

7,500 rubles to the office give them to

00:21:25

the cashier and bring me back the rest

00:21:27

of the 10,000 without looking in

00:21:30

anywhere on the way look sharp I shall

00:21:32

be waiting for

00:21:34

you well I sold the bonds but I didn't

00:21:37

take the 7,000 rubles to the office I

00:21:41

went straight to the English shop and

00:21:43

chose a pair of earrings with a diamond

00:21:46

the size of a nut in each they cost 400

00:21:50

rubles more than I had so I gave my name

00:21:53

and they trusted me with the earrings I

00:21:57

went at once to Zs come on I said come

00:22:01

on to Nastasia philipovna and off we

00:22:04

went without more Ado I tell you I

00:22:07

hadn't a notion of what was about me or

00:22:10

before me or below my feet all the way I

00:22:14

saw nothing whatever we went straight

00:22:17

into her drawing room and then she came

00:22:19

out to us I didn't dare say right out

00:22:23

who I was but salof said from per Roo

00:22:28

in memory of his first meeting with you

00:22:31

yesterday be so kind as to accept these

00:22:35

she opened the parcel looked at the

00:22:37

earrings and

00:22:39

laughed thank your friend Mr rogin for

00:22:43

his kind attention says she and bowed

00:22:47

and went off why didn't I die there on

00:22:51

the spot the worst of it all though was

00:22:54

that the Beast alof got all the credit

00:22:56

of it I I was short and abominably

00:22:59

dressed and stood and stared in her face

00:23:02

and never said a word because I was shy

00:23:06

like an ass and there was he all in the

00:23:09

fashion pomaded and dressed out with a

00:23:12

smart tie on bowing and scraping and I

00:23:16

bet anything she took him for me all the

00:23:19

while look here now I said when we came

00:23:22

out none of your interference here after

00:23:25

this do you understand he laughed and

00:23:28

how are you going to settle up with your

00:23:30

father says he I thought I might as well

00:23:33

jump into the Nea at once without going

00:23:36

home first but it struck me that I

00:23:39

wouldn't after all and I went home

00:23:41

feeling like one of the

00:23:43

Damned my goodness shivered the Clark

00:23:47

and his father he added for the prince's

00:23:49

instruction and his father would have

00:23:51

given a man a ticket to the other world

00:23:54

for 10 rubles any day not to speak of 10

00:23:58

10,000 the prince observed rogin with

00:24:02

great curiosity he seemed paler than

00:24:05

ever at this moment what do you know

00:24:08

about it cried the latter well my father

00:24:11

learned the whole story at once and zof

00:24:14

blabbed it all over the town besides so

00:24:17

he took me upstairs and locked me up and

00:24:21

swore at me for an hour this is only a

00:24:24

foraste says he wait a bit till night

00:24:27

comes and I'll come back and talk to you

00:24:30

again well what do you think the old

00:24:33

fellow went straight off to Nastasia

00:24:36

philipovna touched the floor with his

00:24:38

forehead and began blubbering and

00:24:41

beseeching her on his knees to give him

00:24:44

back the

00:24:45

diamonds so after a while she brought

00:24:48

the box and flew out at him there she

00:24:51

says take your earrings you wretched old

00:24:54

Miser although they are 10 times dearer

00:24:58

than their value to me now that I know

00:25:00

what it must have cost paron to get them

00:25:04

give Peron my compliments she said and

00:25:07

thank him very much well I meanwhile had

00:25:11

borrowed 25 rubles from a friend and off

00:25:15

I went to scoff to my aunts the old

00:25:18

woman there lectured me so that I left

00:25:21

the house and went on a drinking tour

00:25:23

around the public houses of the place I

00:25:26

was in a high fever when I got to scoff

00:25:29

and by Nightfall I was lying Delirious

00:25:32

in the streets somewhere or other oh ho

00:25:35

we'll make Nastasia philipovna sing

00:25:38

another song now giggled lebed rubbing

00:25:42

his hands with Glee hey my boy we'll get

00:25:45

us some proper earrings now we'll get us

00:25:48

such earrings that look here cried rogin

00:25:52

seizing him fiercely by the arm look

00:25:54

here if you so much as name Nastasia

00:25:57

filipo again I'll Tan Your Hide as sure

00:26:00

as you sit there ah do by all means if

00:26:03

you tan my hide you won't turn me away

00:26:06

from your Society you'll bind me to you

00:26:09

with your lash

00:26:12

forever here we are at the station

00:26:14

though sure enough the train was just

00:26:17

steaming in as he spoke though rogin had

00:26:21

declared that he left scoff secretly a

00:26:24

large collection of friends had

00:26:26

assembled to greet him and did so with

00:26:28

profuse waving of hats and shouting why

00:26:32

there's thees off here too he muttered

00:26:35

gazing at the scene with a sort of

00:26:37

triumphant but unpleasant

00:26:40

smile then he suddenly turned to the

00:26:42

prince prince I don't know why I've

00:26:45

taken a fancy to you perhaps because I

00:26:48

met you just when I did but no it can't

00:26:51

be that for I met this fellow nodding at

00:26:54

LEF too and I have not taken a fancy to

00:26:58

him by any

00:26:59

means come to see me Prince we'll take

00:27:02

off those gators of yours and dress you

00:27:05

up in a smart fur coat the best we can

00:27:08

buy you shall have a dress coat best

00:27:11

quality white waste coat anything you

00:27:13

like and your pocket shall be full of

00:27:16

money come and you shall go with me to

00:27:18

Nastasia philipov now then will you come

00:27:21

or no accept accept Prince leof nikolich

00:27:27

said Leber Jeff solemnly don't let it

00:27:29

slip accept

00:27:31

quick Prince muskin Rose and stretched

00:27:35

out his hand courteously while he

00:27:37

replied with some

00:27:39

cordiality I will come with the greatest

00:27:42

pleasure and thank you very much for

00:27:44

taking a fancy to me I dare say I may

00:27:47

even come today if I have time for I

00:27:50

tell you frankly that I like you very

00:27:53

much too I liked you especially when you

00:27:56

told us about the D diamond earrings but

00:27:58

I liked you before that as well though

00:28:01

you have such a dark clouded sort of

00:28:04

face thanks very much for the offer of

00:28:07

clothes and a fur coat I shall certainly

00:28:10

require both clothes and coat very soon

00:28:14

as for money I have hardly a copc about

00:28:17

me at this moment you shall have lots of

00:28:20

money by the evening I shall have plenty

00:28:23

so come along that's true enough he'll

00:28:26

have lots before evening put in LEF but

00:28:31

look here are you a great hand with the

00:28:33

ladies let's know that first asked

00:28:37

rogin oh no oh no said the prince I

00:28:41

couldn't you know my illness I hardly

00:28:44

ever saw a

00:28:45

soul H well here you fellow you can come

00:28:51

along with me now if you like cried Rin

00:28:54

to LEF and so they all left the car

00:28:58

marriage LEF had his desire he went off

00:29:02

with the noisy group of rin's friends

00:29:05

towards the

00:29:07

venski while the prince's route laid

00:29:09

towards the

00:29:11

ltina it was damp and wet the prince

00:29:15

asked his way of passers by and finding

00:29:18

that he was a couple of miles or so from

00:29:20

his destination he determined to take a

00:29:26

droski and end of part one chapter

00:29:30

1 recording by Martin Geeson in

00:29:33

hazelmere

00:29:40

Sur one chapter 2 of the

00:29:44

idiot this LibriVox recording is in the

00:29:47

public

00:29:48

domain recording by Martin

00:29:52

G The Idiot by Fodor

00:29:55

DVI translated ated by Eva M Martin part

00:30:00

one chapter

00:30:03

2 General yanin lived in his own house

00:30:07

near the

00:30:09

ltina besides this large residence 56 of

00:30:13

which was let in flats and lodgings the

00:30:16

general was owner of another enormous

00:30:18

house in the sadova bringing in even

00:30:21

more rent than the first besides these

00:30:25

houses he had a delightful little estate

00:30:27

just out of town and some sort of

00:30:30

Factory in another part of the city

00:30:33

General yanin as everyone knew had a

00:30:36

good deal to do with certain government

00:30:39

monopolies he was also a voice and an

00:30:41

important one in many Rich public

00:30:44

companies of various descriptions in

00:30:47

fact he enjoyed the reputation of being

00:30:49

a well-to-do man of busy habits many

00:30:53

ties and affluent means he had made

00:30:56

himself indispensable in several

00:30:59

quarters amongst others in his

00:31:01

Department of the government and yet it

00:31:03

was a known fact that Fodor Ivanovic

00:31:07

yanin was a man of no education whatever

00:31:11

and had absolutely risen from the

00:31:14

ranks this last fact could of course

00:31:17

reflect nothing but credit upon the

00:31:19

general and yet though unquestionably a

00:31:22

sagacious man he had his own little

00:31:25

weaknesses very EX excusable ones one of

00:31:29

which was a dislike to any illusion to

00:31:31

the above

00:31:33

circumstance he was undoubtedly clever

00:31:36

for instance he made a point of never

00:31:38

asserting himself when he would gain

00:31:41

more by keeping in the background and in

00:31:44

consequence many exalted personages

00:31:47

valued him principally for his humility

00:31:49

and

00:31:50

simplicity and because he knew his

00:31:54

place and yet if these good people could

00:31:56

only have had a peep into the mind of

00:31:59

this excellent fellow who knew his place

00:32:02

so well the fact is that in spite of his

00:32:05

knowledge of the world and his really

00:32:07

remarkable abilities he always liked to

00:32:10

appear to be carrying out other people's

00:32:13

ideas rather than his own and also his

00:32:16

luck seldom failed him even at cards for

00:32:20

which he had a passion that he did not

00:32:22

attempt to conceal he played for high

00:32:25

stakes and moved all together in very

00:32:28

varied

00:32:30

society as to age General yanin was in

00:32:34

the very Prime of life that is about 55

00:32:37

years of age the flowering time of

00:32:40

existence when real enjoyment of life

00:32:44

begins his healthy appearance good color

00:32:47

sound though discolored teeth sturdy

00:32:50

figure preoccupied air during business

00:32:53

hours and jolly good humor during his

00:32:56

gay at cards in the evening all bore

00:32:59

witness to his success in life and

00:33:02

combined to make existence a Bed of

00:33:04

Roses to his

00:33:06

Excellency the general was Lord of a

00:33:09

flourishing family consisting of his

00:33:11

wife and three grown-up

00:33:14

daughters he had married young while

00:33:17

still a left tenant his wife being a

00:33:19

girl of about his own age who possessed

00:33:22

neither Beauty nor education and who

00:33:25

brought him no more than 50 Souls of

00:33:27

landed property which little estate

00:33:30

served however as a nest egg for far

00:33:33

more important

00:33:35

accumulations the general never

00:33:37

regretted his early marriage or regarded

00:33:40

it as a foolish youthful Escapade and he

00:33:44

so respected and feared his wife that he

00:33:46

was very near loving her Mrs yanin came

00:33:51

of the princely stock of mishkin which

00:33:54

if not a brilliant was at all events a

00:33:57

decidedly ancient family and she was

00:34:00

extremely proud of her

00:34:02

descent with a few exceptions the worthy

00:34:05

couple had lived through their long

00:34:07

Union very happily while still young the

00:34:11

wife had been able to make important

00:34:13

friends among the

00:34:15

aristocracy partly by virtue of her

00:34:17

family descent and partly by her own

00:34:20

exertions while in afterlife thanks to

00:34:23

their wealth and to the position of her

00:34:25

husband in the service she took her

00:34:28

place among the higher circles as by

00:34:31

right during these last few years all

00:34:34

three of the General's daughters

00:34:37

Alexandra Adela and Agia had grown up

00:34:41

and

00:34:42

matured of course they were only yapan

00:34:45

chines but their mother's family was

00:34:47

Noble they might expect considerable

00:34:50

fortunes their father had hopes of

00:34:53

attaining to very high rank indeed in

00:34:55

his country's service

00:34:57

all of which was

00:34:59

satisfactory all three of the girls were

00:35:02

decidedly pretty even the eldest

00:35:04

Alexandra who was just 25 years old the

00:35:09

middle daughter was Now 23 while the

00:35:12

youngest Agia was

00:35:14

20 this youngest girl was absolutely a

00:35:18

beauty and had begun of late to attract

00:35:21

considerable attention in

00:35:23

society but this was not all for every

00:35:26

every one of the three was clever well

00:35:28

educated and

00:35:30

accomplished it was a matter of general

00:35:33

knowledge that the three girls were very

00:35:35

fond of one another and supported each

00:35:38

other in every way it was even said that

00:35:41

the two Elder ones had made certain

00:35:44

sacrifices for the sake of the idol of

00:35:46

the household

00:35:48

Agia in society they not only disliked

00:35:51

asserting themselves but were actually

00:35:55

retiring certainly no one could blame

00:35:57

them for being too arrogant or hay and

00:36:01

yet everybody was well aware that they

00:36:03

were proud and quite understood their

00:36:06

own value the eldest was musical while

00:36:10

the second was a clever artist which

00:36:12

fact she had concealed until lately in a

00:36:16

word the world spoke well of the girls

00:36:19

but they were not without their enemies

00:36:22

and occasionally people talked with

00:36:24

horror of the number of books they had

00:36:27

read they were in no hurry to marry they

00:36:31

liked good Society but were not too Keen

00:36:34

about it all this was the more

00:36:37

remarkable because everyone was well

00:36:39

aware of the hopes and aims of their

00:36:43

parents it was about 11:00 in the for

00:36:46

noon when the prince rang the bell at

00:36:48

General yep panin's door the general

00:36:52

lived on the first floor or flat of the

00:36:54

house as modest a lodging as as his

00:36:57

position permitted a livered servant

00:37:00

opened the door and the prince was

00:37:02

obliged to enter into long explanations

00:37:05

with this gentleman who from the first

00:37:07

glance looked at him and his bundle with

00:37:10

grave

00:37:12

suspicion at last however on the

00:37:14

repeated positive assurance that he

00:37:17

really was Prince mishkin and must

00:37:19

absolutely see the General on business

00:37:22

the bewildered domestic showed him into

00:37:25

a little antichamber leading to a

00:37:27

waiting room that adjoined the General's

00:37:29

study there handing him over to another

00:37:32

servant whose Duty it was to be in this

00:37:35

antichamber all the morning and announce

00:37:37

visitors to the

00:37:39

general this second individual wore a

00:37:42

dress coat and was some 40 years of age

00:37:46

he was the General's special study

00:37:48

servant and well aware of his own

00:37:51

importance wait in the Next Room please

00:37:54

and leave your bundle here said the

00:37:56

doorkeeper as he sat down comfortably in

00:37:59

his own Easy chair in the antichamber he

00:38:02

looked at the prince in severe surprise

00:38:05

as the latter settled himself in another

00:38:08

chair alongside with his bundle on his

00:38:10

knees if you don't mind I would rather

00:38:14

sit here with you said the prince I

00:38:17

should prefer it to sitting in

00:38:19

there oh but you can't stay here you're

00:38:22

a visitor a guest so to speak is it the

00:38:26

general himself you wish to see the man

00:38:29

evidently could not take in the idea of

00:38:32

such a Shabby looking visitor and had

00:38:34

decided to ask once more yes I have

00:38:39

business began the prince I do not ask

00:38:42

you what your business may be all I have

00:38:44

to do is to announce you and unless the

00:38:47

secretary comes in here I cannot do that

00:38:51

the man's suspicions seemed to increase

00:38:53

more and more the prince was too unlike

00:38:57

the usual run of daily visitors and

00:39:00

although the general certainly did

00:39:01

receive on business all sorts and

00:39:04

conditions of men yet in spite of this

00:39:07

fact the servant felt great doubts on

00:39:09

the subject of this particular visitor

00:39:13

the presence of the secretary as an

00:39:14

intermediary was he judged essential in

00:39:17

this case surely you are from abroad he

00:39:21

inquired at last in a confused sort of

00:39:25

way he had begun his sentence intending

00:39:28

to say surely you're not Prince mushkin

00:39:31

are you yes straight from the train did

00:39:35

not you intend to say surely you are not

00:39:37

Prince mishkin just now but refrained

00:39:40

out of

00:39:42

politeness grunted the astonished

00:39:45

servant I assure you I am not deceiving

00:39:48

you you shall not have to answer for me

00:39:51

as to my being dressed like this and

00:39:53

carrying a bundle there's nothing

00:39:55

surprising in that the fact is my

00:39:58

circumstances are not particularly Rosy

00:40:01

at this

00:40:02

moment no no I'm not afraid of that you

00:40:05

see I have to announce you that's all

00:40:09

the secretary will be out directly that

00:40:11

is unless you yes that's the rub unless

00:40:15

you come you must allow me to ask you

00:40:17

you've not come to beg have

00:40:20

you oh dear no you can be perfectly easy

00:40:24

on that score I have quite another

00:40:26

matter on hand you must excuse my asking

00:40:29

you know your appearance led me to think

00:40:32

but just wait for the secretary the

00:40:35

general is busy now but the secretary is

00:40:37

sure to come out oh well look here if I

00:40:41

have some time to wait would you mind

00:40:44

telling me is there any place about

00:40:46

where I could have a smoke I have my

00:40:48

pipe and tobacco with me smoke said the

00:40:52

man in shocked but disdainful surprise

00:40:56

blink linking his eyes at the prince as

00:40:58

though he could not believe his senses

00:41:00

no sir you cannot smoke here and I

00:41:04

wonder you are not ashamed of the very

00:41:07

suggestion a cool idea that I

00:41:11

declare oh I didn't mean in this room I

00:41:14

know I can't smoke here of course I'd

00:41:17

adjourn to some other room wherever

00:41:19

you'd like to show me to you see I'm

00:41:21

used to smoking a good deal and now I

00:41:24

haven't had a puff for 3 hours hours

00:41:27

however just as you like now how on

00:41:30

Earth am I to announce a man like that

00:41:33

muttered the servant in the first place

00:41:36

you've no right in here at all you ought

00:41:38

to be in the waiting room because you're

00:41:40

a sort of visitor a guest in fact and I

00:41:44

shall catch it for this look here do you

00:41:47

intend to take up your Abode with us he

00:41:50

added glancing once more at the prince's

00:41:53

bundle which evidently gave him no peace

00:41:57

no I don't think so I don't think I

00:42:00

should stay even if they were to invite

00:42:03

me I've simply come to make their

00:42:05

acquaintance and nothing

00:42:08

more make their acquaintance asked the

00:42:11

man in amazement and with redoubled

00:42:14

suspicion then why did you say you had

00:42:17

business with the general oh well very

00:42:20

little business there is one little

00:42:22

matter some advice I'm going to ask him

00:42:25

for but my principal object is simply to

00:42:28

introduce myself because I am Prince

00:42:31

muskin and Madame yanin is the last of

00:42:34

her branch of the house and besides

00:42:37

herself and me there are no other

00:42:39

mishkin left what you're a relation then

00:42:43

are you asked the servant so bewildered

00:42:46

that he began to feel quite

00:42:48

alarmed well hardly so if you stretch a

00:42:52

point we are relations of course but so

00:42:55

distant that that one cannot really take

00:42:57

cognizance of it I once wrote to your

00:43:00

mistress from abroad but she did not

00:43:03

reply however I have thought it right to

00:43:06

make acquaintance with her on my arrival

00:43:08

I'm telling you all this in order to

00:43:10

ease your mind for I see you are still

00:43:12

far from comfortable on my account all

00:43:16

you have to do is to announce me as

00:43:17

Prince mishkin and the object of my

00:43:20

visit will be plain enough if I am

00:43:23

received very good if not well very good

00:43:27

again but they are sure to receive me I

00:43:30

should think Madame yanin will naturally

00:43:33

be curious to see the only remaining

00:43:36

representative of her family she values

00:43:39

her muskin descent very highly if I'm

00:43:42

rightly

00:43:44

informed the prince's conversation was

00:43:47

artless and confiding to a degree and

00:43:50

the servant could not help feeling that

00:43:52

as from visitor to Common serving man

00:43:56

this state of things was highly

00:43:58

improper his conclusion was that one of

00:44:01

two things must be the

00:44:03

explanation either that this was a

00:44:05

begging impostor or that the prince If

00:44:08

Prince he were was simply a fool without

00:44:12

the slightest ambition for a sensible

00:44:15

Prince with any ambition would certainly

00:44:18

not wait about in anti rooms with

00:44:20

servants and talk of his own Private

00:44:22

Affairs like this in either case how was

00:44:26

he to announce this singular visitor I

00:44:29

really think I must request you to step

00:44:32

into the next room he said with all the

00:44:34

insistence he could

00:44:36

muster why if I had been sitting there

00:44:39

now I should not have had the

00:44:40

opportunity of making these personal

00:44:43

explanations I see you are still uneasy

00:44:46

about me and keep eyeing my cloak and

00:44:49

bundle don't you think you might go in

00:44:51

yourself now without waiting for the

00:44:53

secretary to come out

00:44:56

no no I can't announce a visitor like

00:44:59

yourself without the secretary besides

00:45:02

the general said he was not to be

00:45:04

disturbed he is with the colonel C Gaba

00:45:08

aronovich goes in without announcing who

00:45:12

may that be a Clark what gabria

00:45:16

aronovich oh no he belongs to one of the

00:45:19

companies look here at all events put

00:45:21

your bundle down

00:45:23

here yes I will if I may and can I take

00:45:27

off my cloak of course you can't go in

00:45:30

there with it on

00:45:32

anyhow the Prince Rose and took off his

00:45:34

mantle revealing a neat enough morning

00:45:38

costume little worn but

00:45:40

wellmade he wore a steel watch chain and

00:45:44

from this chain there hung a silver

00:45:45

Geneva watch fool the prince might be

00:45:50

still the general servant felt that it

00:45:52

was not correct for him to continue to

00:45:54

converse thus with the visitor in spite

00:45:57

of the fact that the prince pleased him

00:46:00

somehow and what time of day does the

00:46:03

lady receive the latter asked reating

00:46:06

himself in his old

00:46:08

place oh that's not in my Province I

00:46:12

believe she receives at any time it

00:46:14

depends on the visitors the dress maker

00:46:17

goes in at 11: gabria aronovich is

00:46:20

allowed much earlier than other people

00:46:22

too he is even admitted to early lunch

00:46:25

now and then it is much warmer in the

00:46:29

rooms here than it is abroad at this

00:46:31

season observed the prince but it is

00:46:34

much warmer there out of doors as for

00:46:37

the houses a Russian can't live in them

00:46:39

in the winter until he gets accustomed

00:46:42

to them don't they heat them at all well

00:46:46

they do heat them a little but the

00:46:48

houses and stoves are so different to

00:46:51

ours H were you long away four years and

00:46:56

I was in the same place nearly all the

00:46:58

time in one Village you must have

00:47:01

forgotten Russia hadn't you yes indeed I

00:47:04

had a good deal and would you believe it

00:47:07

I often wonder at myself for not having

00:47:10

forgotten how to speak Russian even now

00:47:13

as I talk to you I keep saying to myself

00:47:16

how well I am speaking it perhaps that

00:47:19

is partly why I am so talkative this

00:47:22

morning I assure you ever since

00:47:24

yesterday evening I've had the strongest

00:47:27

desire to go on and on talking

00:47:30

Russian H yes did you live in Petersburg

00:47:33

in former years this good flunky in

00:47:37

spite of his conscientious Scruples

00:47:40

really could not resist continuing such

00:47:42

a very genal and agreeable

00:47:45

conversation in Petersburg oh no hardly

00:47:48

at all and now they say so much has

00:47:51

changed in the place that even those who

00:47:53

did know it well are obliged to to

00:47:55

relearn what they knew they talk a good

00:47:59

deal about the new law courts and

00:48:01

changes there don't they yes that's true

00:48:05

enough well now how is the law over

00:48:07

there do they administer it more justly

00:48:10

than here oh I don't know about that

00:48:13

I've heard much that is good about our

00:48:15

legal administration too there is no

00:48:18

capital punishment here for one thing is

00:48:22

there over there yes I saw an EXE ution

00:48:26

in France at Leon Schneider took me over

00:48:30

with him to see it what did they hang

00:48:32

the fellow no they cut off people's

00:48:35

heads in

00:48:36

France what did the fellow do yell oh no

00:48:41

it's the work of an instant they put a

00:48:43

man inside a frame and a sort of broad

00:48:46

knife Falls by Machinery they call the

00:48:49

thing a

00:48:50

guillotine it falls with fearful force

00:48:54

and weight that the head Springs off so

00:48:57

quickly that you can't wink your eye in

00:48:59

between but all the preparations are so

00:49:03

Dreadful when they announce the sentence

00:49:05

you know and prepare the criminal and

00:49:07

tie his hands and CAU him off to the

00:49:10

scaffold that's the fearful part of the

00:49:13

business the people all crowd around

00:49:16

even women though they don't at all

00:49:18

approve of women looking on no it's not

00:49:22

a thing for women of course not of

00:49:25

course course

00:49:26

not the criminal was a fine intelligent

00:49:29

Fearless man L was his name and I may

00:49:33

tell you believe it or not as you like

00:49:36

that when that man stepped upon the

00:49:38

scaffold he cried he did indeed he was

00:49:42

as white as a bit of

00:49:44

paper isn't it a dreadful idea that he

00:49:47

should have cried cried who ever heard

00:49:50

of a grown man crying from fear not a

00:49:54

child but a man who never had cried

00:49:57

before a grown man of 45 years imagine

00:50:01

what must have been going on in that

00:50:03

man's mind at such a moment what

00:50:06

Dreadful convulsions his whole Spirit

00:50:08

must have endured it is an outrage on

00:50:11

the soul that's what it is because it is

00:50:14

said Thou shalt not kill is he to be

00:50:17

killed because he murdered someone else

00:50:20

no it is not right it's an impossible

00:50:23

Theory I assure you I saw the sight a

00:50:26

month ago and it's dancing before my

00:50:29

eyes to this moment I dream of it

00:50:33

often the prince had grown animated as

00:50:36

he spoke and a tinge of color suffused

00:50:39

his pale face though his way of talking

00:50:42

was as quiet as

00:50:44

ever the servant followed his words with

00:50:47

sympathetic interest clearly he was not

00:50:49

at all anxious to bring the conversation

00:50:51

to an end who knows perhaps he too was a

00:50:55

man of imagination and with some

00:50:57

capacity for thought well at all events

00:51:00

it is a good thing that there's no pain

00:51:03

when the poor fellow's head flies off he

00:51:06

remarked do you know though cried the

00:51:09

prince warmly you may dut remark now and

00:51:12

everyone says the same thing and the

00:51:15

Machine is designed with the purpose of

00:51:17

avoiding pain this Guillotine I mean but

00:51:21

a thought came into my head then what if

00:51:24

it be a bad plan after all you may Laugh

00:51:27

at My Idea perhaps but I could not help

00:51:30

it's occurring to me all the same now

00:51:32

with the rack and tortures and so on you

00:51:35

suffer terrible pain of course but then

00:51:38

your torture is bodily pain only

00:51:41

although no doubt you have plenty of

00:51:43

that until you die but here I should

00:51:47

imagine the most terrible part of the

00:51:49

whole punishment is not the bodily pain

00:51:52

at all but the certain knowledge that in

00:51:55

an hour then in 10 minutes then in half

00:51:58

a minute then now this very instant your

00:52:03

soul must quit your body and that you

00:52:05

will no longer be a man and that this is

00:52:09

certain

00:52:10

certain that's the point the certainty

00:52:13

of it just that instant when you place

00:52:16

your head on the Block and hear the iron

00:52:19

great over your head then that quarter

00:52:22

of a second is the most awful of all

00:52:25

this is not my own Fantastical opinion

00:52:29

many people have thought the same but I

00:52:31

feel it so deeply that I'll tell you

00:52:34

what I think I believe that to execute a

00:52:37

man for murder is to punish him

00:52:40

immeasurably more dreadfully than is

00:52:42

equivalent to his crime a Murder By

00:52:45

sentence is far more Dreadful than a

00:52:48

murder committed by a criminal the man

00:52:51

who is attacked by robers at night in a

00:52:54

dark wood or anywhere undoubtedly hopes

00:52:57

and hopes that he may yet Escape until

00:53:00

the very moment of his death there are

00:53:02

plenty of instances of a man running

00:53:04

away or imploring for Mercy at all

00:53:08

events hoping on in some degree even

00:53:11

after his throat was cut but in the case

00:53:14

of an execution that last hope having

00:53:18

which it is so immeasurably less

00:53:20

Dreadful to die is taken away from the

00:53:23

wretch and certain substituted in its

00:53:27

place there is his sentence and with it

00:53:30

that terrible certainty that he cannot

00:53:33

possibly escape death which I consider

00:53:36

must be the most Dreadful anguish in the

00:53:39

world you may place a soldier before a

00:53:43

Cannon's mouth in battle and fire upon

00:53:45

him and he will still hope but read to

00:53:49

that same Soldier his death sentence and

00:53:52

he will either go mad or burst into

00:53:54

tears

00:53:56

who dares to say that any man can suffer

00:53:59

this without going mad no no it is an

00:54:03

abuse a shame it is unnecessary why

00:54:06

should such a thing exist doubtless

00:54:09

there may be men who have been sentenced

00:54:11

who have suffered this mental anguish

00:54:14

for a while and then have been

00:54:17

reprieved perhaps such men may have been

00:54:19

able to relate their feelings afterwards

00:54:22

our Lord Christ spoke of this anguish

00:54:25

and Dread no no no no man should be

00:54:30

treated so no man no

00:54:33

man the servant though of course he

00:54:35

could not have expressed all this as the

00:54:37

prince did still clearly entered into it

00:54:40

and was greatly

00:54:42

conciliated as was evident from The

00:54:44

increased amiability of his

00:54:46

expression if you are really very

00:54:49

anxious for a smoke he remarked I think

00:54:52

it might possibly be managed if you are

00:54:54

very quick about it you see they might

00:54:57

come out and inquire for you and you

00:54:59

wouldn't be on the spot you see that

00:55:01

door there go in there and you'll find a

00:55:03

little room on the right you can smoke

00:55:06

there only open the window because I

00:55:09

ought not to allow it really and but

00:55:12

there was no time after all a young

00:55:15

fellow entered the anti room at this

00:55:17

moment with a bundle of papers in his

00:55:20

hand the footman hastened to help him

00:55:22

take off his Overcoat the new arrival

00:55:25

glanced at the prince out of the corners

00:55:28

of his

00:55:29

eyes this gentleman declares gabria

00:55:32

aronovich began the man confidentially

00:55:35

and almost familiarly that he is Prince

00:55:38

mishkin and a relative of Madame

00:55:41

yanin he has just arrived from abroad

00:55:44

with nothing but a bundle by way of

00:55:48

luggage the prince did not hear the rest

00:55:51

because at this point the servant

00:55:52

continued his communication in a whisper

00:55:56

gabila aronovich listened attentively

00:55:59

and gazed at the prince with great

00:56:02

curiosity at last he motioned the man

00:56:05

aside and stepped hurriedly towards the

00:56:08

prince are you Prince mishkin he asked

00:56:11

with the greatest courtesy and

00:56:14

amiability he was a remarkably handsome

00:56:16

young fellow of some 28 Summers fair and

00:56:19

of middle height he wore a small beard

00:56:23

and his face was most intellig ENT yet

00:56:26

his smile in spite of its sweetness was

00:56:29

a little thin if I may so call it and

00:56:32

showed his teeth too evenly his gaze

00:56:35

though decidedly good humored and

00:56:37

ingenuous was a trifle too inquisitive

00:56:41

and intent to be altogether agreeable

00:56:44

probably when he is alone he looks quite

00:56:47

different and hardly Smiles at all

00:56:50

thought the

00:56:51

prince he explained about himself in a

00:56:54

few words words very much the same as he

00:56:56

had told the footman and Rin

00:56:59

beforehand gabria aronovich meanwhile

00:57:02

seemed to be trying to recall

00:57:05

something was it not you then who sent a

00:57:08

letter a year or less ago from

00:57:11

Switzerland I think it was to elizaveta

00:57:14

prva Mrs

00:57:16

japanin it was oh then of course they

00:57:20

will remember who you are you wish to

00:57:22

see the general I'll tell him at once he

00:57:25

will be free in a minute but you you had

00:57:28

better wait in the antichamber hadn't

00:57:30

you why is he here he added severely to

00:57:33

the man I tell you sir he wished it

00:57:37

himself at this moment the studed door

00:57:40

opened and a military man with a

00:57:42

portfolio under his arm came out talking

00:57:46

loudly and after bidding goodbye to

00:57:48

someone inside took his

00:57:51

departure you there G cried a voice from

00:57:55

the study come in here will you gabila

00:57:58

aronovich nodded to The Prince and

00:58:00

entered the room

00:58:02

hastily a couple of minutes later the

00:58:05

door opened again and the affable voice

00:58:07

of GNA cried come in please

00:58:13

Prince end of part one chapter

00:58:17

2 recording by Martin Geeson in

00:58:20

hazelmere

00:58:23

Sur

00:58:27

one chapter 3 of the

00:58:29

idiot this LibriVox recording is in the

00:58:32

public

00:58:34

domain recording by Martin

00:58:37

Geeson The Idiot by Fodor

00:58:40

DVI translated by Eva M

00:58:44

Martin part one chapter

00:58:48

3 General Ivan fyodorovich yanin was

00:58:53

standing in the middle of the r room and

00:58:55

gazed with great curiosity at the prince

00:58:58

as he entered he even Advanced a couple

00:59:01

of steps to meet him the prince came

00:59:05

forward and introduced

00:59:07

himself quite so replied the general and

00:59:11

what can I do for

00:59:12

you oh I have no special business my

00:59:16

principal object was to make your

00:59:18

acquaintance I should not like to

00:59:20

disturb you I do not know your times and

00:59:23

Arrangements here you see but I have

00:59:26

only just arrived I came straight from

00:59:28

the station I come direct from

00:59:31

Switzerland the general very nearly

00:59:34

smiled but thought better of it and kept

00:59:37

his smile back then he reflected blinked

00:59:41

his eyes stared at his guest once more

00:59:44

from head to foot then abruptly motioned

00:59:47

him to a chair sat down himself and

00:59:50

waited with some impatience for the

00:59:52

prince to

00:59:53

speak Gia stood at his table in the far

00:59:56

corner of the room turning over papers I

01:00:00

have not much time for making

01:00:02

acquaintances as a rule said the general

01:00:05

but as of course you have your object in

01:00:08

coming I I felt sure you would think I

01:00:11

had some object in view when I resolved

01:00:13

to pay you this visit the prince

01:00:16

interrupted but I give you my word

01:00:18

beyond the pleasure of making your

01:00:20

acquaintance I had no personal object

01:00:23

whatever

01:00:25

the pleasure is of course Mutual but

01:00:28

life is not all pleasure as you are

01:00:30

aware there is such a thing as business

01:00:33

and I really do not see what possible

01:00:35

reason there can be or what we have in

01:00:38

common to oh there is no reason of

01:00:41

course and I suppose there is nothing in

01:00:44

common between us or very little for if

01:00:47

I am Prince mishkin and your wife

01:00:50

happens to be a member of my house that

01:00:52

can hardly be called a reason I quite

01:00:55

understand that and yet that was my

01:00:58

whole motive for coming you see I have

01:01:01

not been in Russia for 4 years and knew

01:01:04

very little about anything when I left I

01:01:07

had been very ill for a long time and I

01:01:10

feel now the need of a few good

01:01:13

friends in fact I have a certain

01:01:16

question upon which I much need advice

01:01:19

and do not know whom to go to for it I

01:01:22

thought of your family when I was

01:01:23

passing through Berlin they are almost

01:01:26

relations I said to myself so I'll begin

01:01:29

with them perhaps we may get on with

01:01:31

each other I with them and they with me

01:01:34

if they are kind people and I have heard

01:01:37

that you are very kind

01:01:40

people oh thank you thank you I'm sure

01:01:43

replied the general considerably taken

01:01:46

AB back may I ask where you have taken

01:01:49

up your

01:01:50

quarters nowhere as yet what straight

01:01:54

from the station to my house and how

01:01:57

about your luggage I only had a small

01:02:00

bundle containing linen with me nothing

01:02:03

more I can carry it in my hand easily

01:02:06

there will be plenty of time to take a

01:02:08

room in some hotel by the

01:02:10

evening oh then you do intend to take a

01:02:14

room of course to judge from your words

01:02:18

you came straight to my house with the

01:02:20

intention of staying

01:02:22

there that can only have been on your

01:02:26

invitation I confess however that I

01:02:28

should not have stayed here even if you

01:02:30

had invited me not for any particular

01:02:33

reason but because it is well contrary

01:02:36

to my practice and nature somehow Oh

01:02:40

indeed then it is perhaps as well that I

01:02:43

neither did invite you nor do invite you

01:02:46

now excuse me Prince but we had better

01:02:49

make this matter clear once for all we

01:02:52

have just agreed that with regard to our

01:02:55

relationship there is not much to be

01:02:57

said though of course it would have been

01:03:00

very delightful to us to feel that such

01:03:02

relationship did actually

01:03:04

exist therefore perhaps therefore

01:03:08

perhaps I'd better get up and go away

01:03:11

said the prince laughing merrily as he

01:03:13

rose from his place just as merrily as

01:03:16

though the circumstances were by no

01:03:18

means strained or difficult and I give

01:03:21

you my word General that though I know

01:03:23

nothing whatever of manners and customs

01:03:26

of society and how people live and all

01:03:29

that yet I felt quite sure that this

01:03:32

visit of mine would end exactly as it

01:03:34

has ended now oh well I suppose it's all

01:03:37

right especially as my letter was not

01:03:41

answered the prince's expression was so

01:03:44

goodn at this moment and so entirely

01:03:47

free even from a suspicion of unpleasant

01:03:50

feeling was the smile with which he

01:03:52

looked at the general as he spoke that

01:03:55

the latter suddenly paused and appeared

01:03:58

to gaze at his guest from quite a new

01:04:01

point of view all in an

01:04:03

instant do you know Prince he said in

01:04:06

quite a different tone I do not know you

01:04:09

at all yet and after all elizaveta prva

01:04:14

would very likely be pleased to have a

01:04:16

peep at a man of her own name wait a

01:04:19

little if you don't mind and if you have

01:04:22

time to

01:04:23

spare oh I assure you I have lots of

01:04:26

time my time is entirely my own and the

01:04:29

prince immediately replaced his soft

01:04:31

round hat on the table I confess I

01:04:35

thought elizaveta brva would very likely

01:04:38

remember that I had written her a letter

01:04:41

just now your servant outside there was

01:04:44

dreadfully suspicious that I had come to

01:04:47

beg of you I noticed that probably he

01:04:50

has very strict instructions on that

01:04:52

score but I I assure you I did not come

01:04:55

to beg I came to make some friends but I

01:04:59

am rather bothered at having Disturbed

01:05:02

you that's all I care

01:05:04

about look here Prince said the general

01:05:07

with a cordial smile if you really are

01:05:10

the sort of man you appear to be it may

01:05:13

be a source of great pleasure to us to

01:05:15

make your better

01:05:16

acquaintance but you see I am a very

01:05:19

busy man and have to be perpetually

01:05:22

sitting here and signing papers or off

01:05:25

to see his Excellency or to my

01:05:27

department or somewhere so that though I

01:05:30

should be glad to see more of people

01:05:32

nice people you see I however I'm sure

01:05:35

you're so well brought up that you will

01:05:37

see at once and but how old are you

01:05:41

Prince

01:05:43

26 no I thought you very much

01:05:47

younger yes they say I have a young face

01:05:52

as to disturbing you I shall soon learn

01:05:54

to avoid doing that for I hate

01:05:56

disturbing people besides you and I are

01:05:59

so differently constituted I should

01:06:02

think that there must be very little in

01:06:04

common between us not that I will ever

01:06:06

believe that there is nothing in common

01:06:08

between any two people as some declare

01:06:11

is the case I am sure people make a

01:06:13

great mistake in sorting each other into

01:06:16

groups by

01:06:18

appearances but I'm boring you I see you

01:06:22

just two words have you any means at all

01:06:25

or perhaps you may be intending to

01:06:27

undertake some sort of employment excuse

01:06:30

my questioning you but oh my dear sir I

01:06:34

esteem and understand your kindness in

01:06:36

putting the question no at present I

01:06:40

have no means whatever and no employment

01:06:43

either but I hope to find some I was

01:06:47

living on other people abroad Schneider

01:06:50

the professor who treated me and taught

01:06:52

me too in Switzerland gave me just

01:06:55

enough money for my journey so that now

01:06:57

I have but a few copcs left there

01:07:01

certainly is one question upon which I

01:07:03

am anxious to have advice but tell me

01:07:06

how do you intend to live now and what

01:07:08

are your plans interrupted the general I

01:07:12

wish to work somehow or other oh yes but

01:07:16

then you see you are a philosopher have

01:07:19

you any talents or ability in any

01:07:22

direction that is any that would bring

01:07:24

in money and bread excuse me again oh

01:07:28

don't apologize no I don't think I have

01:07:32

either talents or special abilities of

01:07:34

any kind on the contrary I've always

01:07:38

been an invalid and unable to learn much

01:07:41

as for Brett I should think the general

01:07:44

interrupted once more with questions

01:07:47

while the prince again replied with the

01:07:49

narrative we have heard before it

01:07:52

appeared that the general had known own

01:07:54

pavich but why the latter had taken an

01:07:57

interest in the prince that young

01:07:59

gentleman could not explain probably by

01:08:01

virtue of the old friendship with his

01:08:03

father he

01:08:05

thought the prince had been left an

01:08:07

orphan when quite a little child and

01:08:10

pavf had entrusted him to an old lady a

01:08:13

relative of his own living in the

01:08:15

country the child needing the fresh air

01:08:18

and exercise of country life he was

01:08:22

educated first by a governor and

01:08:24

afterwards by a tutor but could not

01:08:27

remember much about this time of his

01:08:29

life his fits were so frequent then that

01:08:33

they made almost an idiot of him the

01:08:36

prince used the expression idiot

01:08:39

himself pavf had met Professor Schneider

01:08:43

in Berlin and the latter had persuaded

01:08:45

him to send the boy to Switzerland to

01:08:48

Schneider's establishment there for the

01:08:50

Cure of his

01:08:51

epilepsy and 5 years before this time

01:08:54

the prince was sent off but pavy had

01:08:58

died two or three years since and

01:09:01

Schneider had himself supported the

01:09:03

young fellow from that day to this at

01:09:05

his own

01:09:06

expense although he had not quite cured

01:09:09

him he had greatly improved his

01:09:12

condition and now at last the prince's

01:09:15

own desire and because of a certain

01:09:17

matter which came to the ears of the

01:09:20

latter Schneider had dispatched the

01:09:22

young man to Russia

01:09:24

the general was much

01:09:26

astonished then you have no one

01:09:29

absolutely no one in Russia he asked no

01:09:32

one at present but I hope to make

01:09:35

friends and then I have a letter from at

01:09:38

all events put in the general not

01:09:40

listening to the news about the letter

01:09:43

at all events you must have learned

01:09:45

something and your malady would not

01:09:47

prevent your undertaking some easy work

01:09:50

in one of the Departments for instance

01:09:53

oh dear no oh no as for a situation I

01:09:57

should much like to find one for I am

01:10:00

anxious to discover what I really am fit

01:10:03

for I have learned a good deal in the

01:10:05

last four years and besides I read a

01:10:09

great many Russian books Russian books

01:10:12

indeed then of course you can read and

01:10:15

write quite

01:10:17

correctly oh dear yes capital and your

01:10:22

handwriting ah there I am really

01:10:26

talented I may say I am a real

01:10:28

calligraphist let me write you something

01:10:31

just to show you said the prince with

01:10:33

some excitement with pleasure in fact it

01:10:37

is very

01:10:38

necessary I like your Readiness prince

01:10:42

in fact I must say I I like you very

01:10:46

well altogether said the general what

01:10:49

delightful writing materials you have

01:10:51

here such a lot of pencil and things and

01:10:54

what beautiful paper it's a Charming

01:10:58

room altogether I know that picture it's

01:11:01

a Swiss view I'm sure the artist painted

01:11:04

it from nature and that I have seen the

01:11:06

very Place quite likely though I bought

01:11:10

it here GNA give the prince some

01:11:14

paper here are pens and paper now then

01:11:17

take this

01:11:19

table what's this the general continued

01:11:22

to garia who had that moment taken a

01:11:25

large photograph out of his portfolio

01:11:28

and shown it to his

01:11:30

senior

01:11:32

hello Nastasia

01:11:34

philipovna did she send it to herself

01:11:38

herself he inquired with much curiosity

01:11:41

and great

01:11:43

animation she gave it to me just now

01:11:45

when I called in to congratulate her I

01:11:48

asked her for it long ago I don't know

01:11:51

whether she meant it for a hint that I

01:11:53

had had come

01:11:54

empty-handed without a present for her

01:11:57

birthday or what added GNA with an

01:12:00

unpleasant

01:12:01

smile oh nonsense nonsense said the

01:12:05

general with decision what extraordinary

01:12:08

ideas you have G as if she would hint

01:12:12

that's not her way at all besides what

01:12:15

could you give her without having

01:12:16

thousands at your disposal you might

01:12:19

have given her your portrait however has

01:12:22

she ever asked you for it

01:12:24

no not yet very likely she never will I

01:12:28

suppose you haven't forgotten about

01:12:29

tonight have you Ivan fyodorovich you

01:12:32

were one of those specially invited you

01:12:35

know oh no I remember all right and I

01:12:38

shall go of course I should think so

01:12:41

she's 25 years old today and you know G

01:12:45

you must be ready for great things she

01:12:48

has promised both myself and afan naazi

01:12:51

Ivanovich that she will give a decided

01:12:53

answer tonight yes or no so be

01:12:58

prepared Gia suddenly became so ill at

01:13:01

ease that his face grew paler than

01:13:04

ever are you sure she said that he asked

01:13:08

and his voice seemed to quiver as he

01:13:11

spoke yes she promised we both worried

01:13:14

her so that she gave in but she wished

01:13:17

us to tell you nothing about it until

01:13:19

the day the general watched Gia's

01:13:23

confusion intently and clearly did not

01:13:26

like it remember Ivan fyodorovich said g

01:13:31

in great agitation that I was to be free

01:13:34

too until her decision and that even

01:13:36

then I was to have my yes or no free why

01:13:41

don't you aren't you began the General

01:13:44

in alarm oh don't misunderstand but my

01:13:48

dear fellow what are you doing what do

01:13:50

you mean oh I'm not rejecting her I may

01:13:54

have expressed myself badly but I didn't

01:13:57

mean that reject her I should think not

01:14:01

said the general with annoyance and

01:14:04

apparently not in the least anxious to

01:14:06

conceal it why my dear fellow it's not a

01:14:09

question of your rejecting her it is

01:14:12

whether you are prepared to receive her

01:14:14

consent joyfully and with proper

01:14:18

satisfaction how are things going on at

01:14:20

home at home how I can do as I like

01:14:24

there of course only my father will make

01:14:27

a fool of himself as usual he is rapidly

01:14:31

becoming a general nuisance I don't ever

01:14:34

talk to him now but I hold him in check

01:14:36

safe enough I swear if it had not been

01:14:40

for my mother I would have shown him the

01:14:42

way out long ago my mother is always

01:14:45

crying of course and my sister sulks I

01:14:48

had to tell them at last that I intended

01:14:50

to be master of my own destiny and that

01:14:53

I expect to be obeyed at home at least I

01:14:57

gave my sister to understand as much and

01:14:59

my mother was

01:15:01

present well I must say I cannot

01:15:04

understand it said the general shrugging

01:15:07

his shoulders and dropping his hands you

01:15:10

remember your mother Nina alexandrovna

01:15:13

that day she came and sat here and

01:15:15

groaned and when I asked her what was

01:15:17

the matter she says oh it's such a

01:15:19

dishonor to us dishonor stuff and

01:15:23

nonsense I should like to know who can

01:15:26

reproach Nastasia philipovna or who can

01:15:29

say a word of any kind against her did

01:15:32

she mean because Nastasia had been

01:15:34

living with totsky what nonsense it is

01:15:38

you would not let her come near your

01:15:40

daughters says Nina

01:15:42

alexandrovna what next I wonder I don't

01:15:45

see how she can fail to to understand

01:15:48

her own position prompted GNA she does

01:15:52

understand don't be annoyed with her I

01:15:55

have warned her not to meddle in other

01:15:57

people's Affairs however although there

01:16:00

comparative peace at home at present the

01:16:03

storm will break if anything is finally

01:16:06

settled

01:16:08

tonight the prince heard the whole of

01:16:10

the foregoing conversation as he sat at

01:16:13

the table writing he finished at last

01:16:16

and brought the result of his labor to

01:16:19

the General's

01:16:20

desk so this is Nastasia leova he said

01:16:24

looking attentively and curiously at the

01:16:27

portrait how wonderfully beautiful he

01:16:30

immediately added with

01:16:32

warmth the picture was certainly that of

01:16:35

an unusually lovely woman she was

01:16:38

photographed in a black silk dress of

01:16:41

simple design her hair was evidently

01:16:44

dark and plainly arranged her eyes were

01:16:47

deep and thoughtful the expression of

01:16:50

her face passionate but proud she was

01:16:54

rather thin perhaps and a little pale

01:16:57

both garia and the general gazed at the

01:17:00

prince in

01:17:01

amazement how do you know it's Nastasia

01:17:04

philipovna asked the general you surely

01:17:07

don't know her already do you yes I do I

01:17:11

have only been one day in Russia but I

01:17:13

have heard of the great Beauty and the

01:17:16

prince proceeded to narrate his meeting

01:17:19

with rorin in the train and the whole of

01:17:21

the latter's story

01:17:24

there's news said the General in some

01:17:26

excitement after listening to the story

01:17:29

with engrossed

01:17:30

attention oh of course it's nothing but

01:17:33

humbug cried garia a little Disturbed

01:17:36

however it's all humbug the young

01:17:39

Merchant was pleased to indulge in a

01:17:41

little innocent

01:17:43

Recreation I have heard something of

01:17:47

Rin yes so have I replied the general

01:17:51

Nastasia philipovna told us all about

01:17:53

about the earrings that very day but now

01:17:56

it's quite a different matter you see

01:17:59

the fellow really has a million of

01:18:00

rubles and he is passionately in love

01:18:04

the whole story smells of passion and we

01:18:07

all know what this class of gentry is

01:18:10

capable of when

01:18:12

infatuated I am much afraid of some

01:18:14

disagreeable Scandal I am

01:18:17

indeed you are afraid of the million I

01:18:20

suppose said Gia rinning and showing his

01:18:24

teeth and you are not I presume H how

01:18:28

did he strike you Prince asked Gia

01:18:31

suddenly did he seem to be a serious

01:18:33

sort of a man or just a common Rowdy

01:18:36

fellow what was your opinion about the

01:18:39

matter while G put this question a new

01:18:43

idea suddenly flashed into his brain and

01:18:46

blazed out impatiently in his eyes the

01:18:50

general who was really agitated and

01:18:52

Disturbed looked at the prince too but

01:18:55

did not seem to expect much from his

01:18:58

reply I really don't quite know how to

01:19:02

tell you replied the prince but it

01:19:04

certainly did seem to me that the man

01:19:06

was full of passion and not perhaps

01:19:09

quite healthy passion he seemed to be

01:19:12

still far from well very likely he will

01:19:15

be in bed again in a day or two

01:19:17

especially if he lives

01:19:19

fast no do you think so said the G

01:19:23

catching at the idea yes I do think so

01:19:27

yes but the sort of Scandal I referred

01:19:29

to may happen at any moment it may be

01:19:32

this very evening remarked garia to the

01:19:35

general with a

01:19:37

smile of course quite so in that case it

01:19:41

all depends upon what is going on in her

01:19:44

brain at this moment you know the kind

01:19:47

of person she is at

01:19:49

times how what kind of person is she

01:19:52

cried the general arrived at the limits

01:19:54

of his patience look here G don't you go

01:19:58

annoying her tonight what you ought to

01:20:01

do is to be as agreeable towards her as

01:20:03

ever you can well what are you smiling

01:20:06

at you must understand G that I have no

01:20:09

interest whatever in speaking like this

01:20:13

whichever way the question is settled it

01:20:14

will be to my advantage nothing will

01:20:17

move totsky from his resolution so I run

01:20:21

no risk if there is anything I desire

01:20:24

you must know that it is your benefit

01:20:27

only can't you trust me you're a

01:20:30

sensible fellow and I have been counting

01:20:33

on you for in this matter that that yes

01:20:37

that's the chief thing said Gia helping

01:20:40

the general out of his difficulties

01:20:41

again and curling his lips in an

01:20:44

envenomed smile which he did not attempt

01:20:47

to

01:20:48

conceal he gazed with his fevered eyes

01:20:51

straight into those of of the general as

01:20:54

though he were anxious that the latter

01:20:56

might read his

01:20:57

thoughts the general grew purple with

01:21:00

anger yes of course it is the chief

01:21:03

thing he cried looking sharply at GNA

01:21:07

what a very curious man you are Gia you

01:21:10

actually seem to be glad to hear of this

01:21:13

millionaire fellow's arrival just as

01:21:16

though you wished for an excuse to get

01:21:18

out of the whole thing this is an affair

01:21:21

in which you ought to act honest with

01:21:23

both sides and give you warning to avoid

01:21:27

compromising others but even now there

01:21:29

is still time do you understand me I

01:21:32

wish to know whether you desire this

01:21:34

Arrangement or whether you do not if not

01:21:37

say so and and welcome no one is trying

01:21:40

to force you into the snare gabria

01:21:43

aronovich if you see a snare in the

01:21:46

matter at least I do desire it murmured

01:21:51

G softly but firmly lowering his eyes

01:21:55

and he relapsed into gloomy

01:21:58

silence the general was

01:22:01

satisfied he had excited himself and was

01:22:04

evidently now regretting that he had

01:22:06

gone so far he turned to The Prince and

01:22:10

suddenly the disagreeable thought of the

01:22:12

latter's presence struck him and the

01:22:15

certainty that he must have heard every

01:22:17

word of the

01:22:18

conversation but he felt at ease in

01:22:21

another moment it only needed one glance

01:22:24

at the prince to see that in that

01:22:26

quarter there was nothing to

01:22:28

fear oh cried the general catching sight

01:22:32

of the prince's specimen of calligraphy

01:22:34

which the latter had now handed him for

01:22:37

inspection why this is simply beautiful

01:22:41

look at that g There's real talent there

01:22:45

on a sheet of thick writing paper the

01:22:48

prince had written in medieval

01:22:50

characters the legend the gentle Abbot

01:22:54

paf signed this there explained the

01:22:58

prince with great delight and animation

01:23:01

there that's the Abbot's real signature

01:23:04

from a manuscript of the 14th century

01:23:07

all these old abbots and Bishops used to

01:23:09

write most beautifully with such taste

01:23:12

and so much care and diligence have you

01:23:16

no copy of pagodin General if you had

01:23:18

one I could show you another type stop a

01:23:21

bit here you have the large round

01:23:23

writing common in France during the 18th

01:23:26

century some of the letters are shaped

01:23:29

quite differently from those now in use

01:23:32

it was the writing current then and

01:23:34

employed by public writers generally I

01:23:37

copied this from one of them and you can

01:23:39

see how good it is look at the

01:23:42

well-rounded A and D I have tried to

01:23:46

translate the French character into the

01:23:48

Russian letters a difficult thing to do

01:23:51

but I think I have succeeded

01:23:53

fairly here is a fine sentence written

01:23:56

in a good original hand Zeal triumphs

01:24:00

over all that is the script of the

01:24:03

Russian war office that is how official

01:24:06

documents address to important

01:24:08

personages should be written the letters

01:24:10

are round the type black and the style

01:24:14

somewhat

01:24:15

remarkable a stylist would not allow

01:24:18

these ornaments or attempts at

01:24:21

flourishes just look at these unfinished

01:24:24

Tales but it has distinction and really

01:24:28

depicts the soul of the writer he would

01:24:31

like to give play to his imagination and

01:24:34

follow the inspiration of his genius but

01:24:37

a soldier is only at ease in the guard

01:24:40

room and the pen stops halfway a slave

01:24:44

to

01:24:45

discipline how delightful the first time

01:24:48

I met an example of this handwriting I

01:24:51

was positively a astonished and where do

01:24:53

you think I Chan to find it in

01:24:56

Switzerland of all

01:24:58

places now that is an ordinary English

01:25:01

hand it can hardly be improved it is so

01:25:05

refined and exquisite almost

01:25:08

Perfection this is an example of another

01:25:11

kind a mixture of styles the copy was

01:25:14

given me by a French commercial traveler

01:25:17

it is founded on the English but the

01:25:20

downstrokes are a little blacker and

01:25:22

more marked notice that the oval has

01:25:25

some slight modification it is more

01:25:28

rounded this writing allows for

01:25:31

flourishes now a flourish is a dangerous

01:25:34

thing its use requires such taste but if

01:25:39

successful what a distinction it gives

01:25:41

to the whole it results in an

01:25:43

incomparable type one to fall in love

01:25:47

with dear me how you have gone into all

01:25:50

the refinements and details of the

01:25:52

question why my dear fellow you are not

01:25:55

a calligraphist you are an artist hey G

01:25:59

wonderful said g and he knows it too he

01:26:04

added with a sarcastic

01:26:06

smile you may smile but there's a career

01:26:09

in this said the general you don't know

01:26:12

what a great personage I shall show this

01:26:15

to Prince why you can command a

01:26:17

situation at 35 rubles per month to

01:26:21

start with

01:26:23

however it's half 12 he concluded

01:26:25

looking at his watch so to business

01:26:28

Prince for I must be setting to work and

01:26:30

shall not see you again today sit down a

01:26:33

minute I have told you that I cannot

01:26:36

receive you myself very often but I

01:26:39

should like you but I should like to be

01:26:41

of some assistance to you some small

01:26:44

assistance of a kind that would give you

01:26:47

satisfaction I shall find you a place in

01:26:49

one of the state departments an easy

01:26:52

place but you will require to be

01:26:55

accurate now as to your plans in the

01:26:58

house or rather in the family of garia

01:27:01

here my young friend whom I hope you

01:27:03

will know better his mother and sister

01:27:06

have prepared two or three rooms for

01:27:08

Lodgers and let them to highly

01:27:10

recommended young fellows with board and

01:27:13

attendance I am sure Nina alexandrova

01:27:17

will take you in on my

01:27:19

recommendation there you will be

01:27:21

comfortable and well taken care of for I

01:27:23

do not think Prince that you are the

01:27:25

sort of man to be left to the mercy of

01:27:27

fate in a town like

01:27:30

Petersburg Nina alexandrovna Gia's

01:27:34

mother and varvara alexandrovna are

01:27:37

ladies for whom I have the highest

01:27:39

possible esteem and respect Nina

01:27:42

alexandrova is the wife of General

01:27:45

aralon alexandrovic my old brother in

01:27:48

arms with whom I regret to say on

01:27:51

account of certain circumstances I am no

01:27:54

longer

01:27:55

acquainted I give you all this

01:27:56

information prince in order to make it

01:27:59

clear to you that I am personally

01:28:01

recommending you to this family and that

01:28:03

in so doing I am more or less taking

01:28:06

upon myself to answer for you the terms

01:28:09

are most reasonable and I trust that

01:28:12

your salary will very shortly prove

01:28:14

amply sufficient for your

01:28:17

expenditure of course pocket money is a

01:28:19

necessity if only a little

01:28:22

do not be angry Prince if I strongly

01:28:25

recommend you to avoid carrying money in

01:28:28

your pocket but as your purse is quite

01:28:31

empty at the present moment you must

01:28:33

allow me to press these 25 rubles upon

01:28:36

your acceptance as something to begin

01:28:39

with of course we will settle this

01:28:41

little matter another time and if you

01:28:43

are the upright honest man you look I

01:28:46

anticipate very little trouble between

01:28:48

us on that score taking so much interest

01:28:52

in you as you may perceive I do I am not

01:28:55

without my object and you shall know it

01:28:58

in good time you see I am perfectly

01:29:01

candid with you I hope G you have

01:29:04

nothing to say against the prince is

01:29:06

taking up his Abode in your house oh on

01:29:09

the contrary my mother will be very glad

01:29:13

said Gia courteously and

01:29:16

kindly I think only one of your rooms is

01:29:19

engaged as yet is it not that hello fer

01:29:23

fa ferish

01:29:25

shenko yes I don't like that ferish

01:29:29

shenko I can't understand why Nastasia

01:29:32

philipovna encourages him so is he

01:29:35

really her cousin as he says oh dear no

01:29:38

it's all a joke know more cousin than I

01:29:41

am well what do you think of the

01:29:43

arrangement Prince thank you General you

01:29:47

have behaved very kindly to me all the

01:29:50

more so since I did not ask you you to

01:29:52

help me I don't say that out of Pride I

01:29:56

certainly did not know where to lay my

01:29:58

head tonight Rin asked me to come to his

01:30:01

house of course but Rin no no my good

01:30:05

fellow I should strongly recommend you

01:30:08

paternally or if you prefer it as a

01:30:11

friend to forget all about

01:30:14

rorin and in fact to stick to the family

01:30:16

in which you're about to

01:30:18

enter thank you began the prince and and

01:30:22

since you are so very kind there is just

01:30:24

one matter which I you really must

01:30:27

excuse me interrupted the general but I

01:30:30

positively haven't another moment now I

01:30:33

shall just tell elizaveta prva about you

01:30:37

and if she wishes to receive you at once

01:30:39

as I shall advise her I strongly

01:30:42

recommend you to ingratiate yourself

01:30:44

with her at the first opportunity for my

01:30:47

wife may be of the greatest service to

01:30:49

you in many ways if she can cannot

01:30:52

receive you now you must be content to

01:30:54

wait till another time meanwhile you g

01:30:58

just look over these accounts will you

01:31:00

we mustn't forget to finish off that

01:31:02

matter the general left the room and the

01:31:05

prince never succeeded in broaching the

01:31:08

business which he had on hand though he

01:31:10

had endeavored to do so four

01:31:13

times Gia lit a cigarette and offered

01:31:16

one to the prince the latter accepted

01:31:19

the offer but did not talk being

01:31:21

unwilling to disturb Gia's work he

01:31:25

commenced to examine the study and its

01:31:28

contents but Gia hardly so much as

01:31:31

glanced at the papers lying before him

01:31:34

he was absent and thoughtful and his

01:31:37

smile and general appearance struck the

01:31:40

prince still more disagreeably now that

01:31:43

the two were left alone

01:31:45

together suddenly Gia approached our

01:31:48

hero who was at the moment standing over

01:31:50

Nastasia filipo 's portrait gazing at it

01:31:54

do you admire that sort of woman Prince

01:31:57

he asked looking intently at him he

01:32:00

seemed to have some special object in

01:32:02

the

01:32:03

question it's a wonderful face said The

01:32:07

Prince and I feel sure that her Destiny

01:32:10

is not by any means an ordinary

01:32:12

uneventful one her face is smiling

01:32:16

enough but she must have suffered

01:32:18

terribly hasn't she her eyes sh those

01:32:22

two bones there the little points under

01:32:24

her eyes just where her cheek begins

01:32:28

it's a proud face too terribly

01:32:31

proud and I I can't say whether she is

01:32:35

good and kind or

01:32:38

not oh if she'd be but good that would

01:32:41

make all

01:32:42

well and would you marry a woman like

01:32:45

that now continued garia never taking

01:32:49

his excited eyes off the prince's face

01:32:51

face I cannot marry at all said the

01:32:55

latter I am an

01:32:57

invalid would rogin marry her do you

01:33:00

think why not certainly he would I

01:33:03

should think he would marry her tomorrow

01:33:06

marry her tomorrow and murder her in a

01:33:10

week hardly had the prince uttered the

01:33:12

last word when garia gave such a fearful

01:33:16

shudder that the prince almost cried out

01:33:20

what's the matter said he seizing Gia's

01:33:23

hand your highness his Excellency begs

01:33:27

your presence in her excellen his

01:33:30

Apartments announced the footman

01:33:33

appearing at the

01:33:34

door the prince immediately followed the

01:33:37

man out of the

01:33:40

room end of part 1 chapter

01:33:43

3 recording by Martin Geeson in Hazel

01:33:50

Sur

01:34:00

on chapter four of the

01:34:03

idiot this LibriVox recording is in the

01:34:06

public

01:34:07

domain recording by Martin

01:34:10

Geeson The Idiot by Fodor

01:34:14

DVI translated by Eva M

01:34:18

Martin part one chapter 4

01:34:23

all three of the Miss Yap panin were

01:34:26

fine healthy girls well grown with good

01:34:30

shoulders and busts and strong almost

01:34:33

masculine hands and of course with all

01:34:36

the above attributes they enjoyed

01:34:39

Capital appetites of which they were not

01:34:41

in the least

01:34:43

ashamed elizaveta proof evna sometimes

01:34:47

informed the girls that they were a

01:34:49

little too candid in this matter but in

01:34:52

spite of their outward deference to

01:34:54

their mother these three young women in

01:34:57

solemn conclave had long agreed to

01:35:00

modify The unquestioning Obedience which

01:35:03

they had been in the habit of according

01:35:04

to her and Mrs General yanin had judged

01:35:09

it better to say nothing about it though

01:35:11

of course she was well aware of the

01:35:14

fact it is true that her nature

01:35:17

sometimes rebelled against these

01:35:19

dictates of reason and that she grew

01:35:22

yearly more capricious and impatient but

01:35:26

having a respectful and welld

01:35:28

disciplined husband under her thumb at

01:35:30

all times she found it possible as a

01:35:33

rule to empty any little accumulations

01:35:36

of spleen upon his head and therefore

01:35:39

the harmony of the family was kept duly

01:35:42

balanced and things went as smoothly as

01:35:44

family matters

01:35:46

can Mrs yanin had a fair appetite

01:35:50

herself and generally took her share of

01:35:53

the capital midday lunch which was

01:35:55

always served for the girls and which

01:35:57

was nearly as good as a

01:35:59

dinner the young ladies used to have a

01:36:01

cup of coffee each before this meal at

01:36:04

10:00 while still in

01:36:06

bed this was a favorite and unalterable

01:36:09

arrangement with them at half 12 the

01:36:13

table was laid in the small dining room

01:36:16

and occasionally the general himself

01:36:18

appeared at the family gathering if he

01:36:20

had time

01:36:22

besides tea and coffee cheese honey

01:36:25

butter pancakes of various kinds the

01:36:28

lady of the house Loved These best

01:36:31

cutlets and so on there was generally

01:36:34

strong beef soup and other substantial

01:36:37

Delicacies on the particular morning on

01:36:40

which our story has opened the family

01:36:43

had assembled in the dining room and

01:36:45

were waiting the General's appearance

01:36:47

the latter having promised to come this

01:36:50

day if he had been one moment late he

01:36:53

would have been sent for at once but he

01:36:55

turned up

01:36:57

punctually as he came forward to wish

01:36:59

his wife good morning and kiss her hands

01:37:02

as his custom was he observed something

01:37:05

in her look which boded

01:37:07

ill he thought he knew the reason and

01:37:11

had expected it but still he was not

01:37:14

altogether

01:37:15

comfortable his daughters Advanced to

01:37:18

kiss him too and though they did not

01:37:20

look exactly angry there was something

01:37:23

strange in their expression as well the

01:37:26

general was owing to certain

01:37:29

circumstances a little inclined to be

01:37:31

too suspicious at home and needlessly

01:37:35

nervous but as an experienced father and

01:37:38

husband he judged it better to take

01:37:40

measures at once to protect himself from

01:37:43

any dangers they might be in the

01:37:47

air however I hope I shall not interfere

01:37:50

with the proper Secret quence of my

01:37:51

narrative too much if I diverge for a

01:37:54

moment at this point in order to explain

01:37:57

the mutual relations between General yep

01:38:00

panin's family and others acting a part

01:38:03

in this history at the time when we take

01:38:06

up the thread of their

01:38:07

Destiny I have already stated that the

01:38:10

general though he was a man of lowly

01:38:13

origin and of poor education was for all

01:38:16

that an experienced and talented husband

01:38:19

and father among other things he

01:38:22

considered it undesirable to hurry his

01:38:25

daughters to the matrimonial Altar and

01:38:27

to worry them too much with assurances

01:38:30

of his paternal wishes for their

01:38:32

happiness as is the custom among parents

01:38:35

of many grown-up

01:38:37

daughters he even succeeded in ranging

01:38:40

his wife on his side on this question

01:38:43

though he found the feat very difficult

01:38:45

to accomplish because

01:38:48

unnatural but the General's arguments

01:38:50

were conclud exclusive and founded upon

01:38:53

obvious facts the general considered

01:38:56

that the girl's taste and good sense

01:38:59

should be allowed to develop and mature

01:39:02

deliberately and that the parents Duty

01:39:04

should merely be to keep watch in order

01:39:07

that no strange or undesirable Choice be

01:39:11

made but that the selection once

01:39:14

effected both father and mother were

01:39:16

bound from that moment to enter heart

01:39:19

and soul into the cause and to see that

01:39:22

the matter progressed without hindrance

01:39:24

until the altar should be happily

01:39:27

reached besides this it was clear that

01:39:30

the yanin position gained each year with

01:39:34

geometrical accuracy both as to

01:39:37

financial solidity and social weight and

01:39:41

therefore the longer the girls waited

01:39:44

the better was their chance of making a

01:39:46

brilliant

01:39:48

match but again amidst the incon

01:39:51

controvertible facts just recorded one

01:39:54

more equally significant rose up to

01:39:57

confront the family and this was that

01:40:00

the eldest daughter

01:40:02

Alexandra had imperceptibly arrived at

01:40:05

her 25th

01:40:07

birthday almost at the same moment

01:40:10

alanazi Ivanovic totsky a man of immense

01:40:13

wealth High connections and good

01:40:16

standing announced his intention of

01:40:19

marrying afan naazi Ivanovic was a

01:40:22

gentleman of 55 years of age

01:40:25

artistically gifted and of most refined

01:40:28

tastes he wished to marry well and

01:40:32

moreover he was a keen admirer and judge

01:40:35

of

01:40:37

beauty now since totsky had of late been

01:40:40

upon terms of great cordiality with Yap

01:40:43

panin which excellent relations were

01:40:45

intensified by the fact that they were

01:40:47

so to speak Partners in several

01:40:50

Financial

01:40:51

Enterprises it so happened that the

01:40:54

former now put in a friendly request to

01:40:56

the general for counsel with regard to

01:40:59

the important step he

01:41:01

meditated might he suggest for instance

01:41:04

such a thing as a marriage between

01:41:06

himself and one of the General's

01:41:09

daughters evidently the quiet Pleasant

01:41:12

current of the family life of the yanin

01:41:15

was about to undergo a

01:41:18

change the undoubted beauty of the

01:41:21

family par excelance was the youngest

01:41:24

Agia as afor said but totsky himself

01:41:29

though an egotist of the extremest type

01:41:32

realized that he had no chance there

01:41:35

Agia was clearly not for such as

01:41:38

he perhaps the sisterly love and

01:41:41

friendship of the three girls had more

01:41:44

or less exaggerated at Gia's chances of

01:41:47

happiness in their opinion the latter's

01:41:50

Destiny was was not merely to be very

01:41:52

happy she was to live in a heaven on

01:41:55

Earth agah's husband was to be a

01:41:57

compendium of all the virtues and of all

01:42:01

success not to speak of fabulous wealth

01:42:05

the two Elder sisters had agreed that

01:42:07

all was to be sacrificed by them if need

01:42:10

be for aia's sake her dowy was to be

01:42:14

colossal and

01:42:17

unprecedented the general and his wife

01:42:19

were aware of this agreement and

01:42:22

therefore when totsky suggested himself

01:42:24

for one of the sisters the parents made

01:42:27

no doubt that one of the two Elder girls

01:42:30

would probably accept the offer since

01:42:32

totsky would certainly make no

01:42:35

difficulty as to

01:42:36

dowy the general valued The Proposal

01:42:39

very highly he knew life and realized

01:42:43

what such an offer was

01:42:45

worth the answer of the sisters to the

01:42:48

communication was if not conclusive at

01:42:51

least consoling and hopeful it made

01:42:54

known that the eldest Alexandra would

01:42:57

very likely be disposed to listen to a

01:43:01

proposal Alexandra was a good-natured

01:43:04

girl though she had a will of her own

01:43:07

she was intelligent and

01:43:09

kindhearted and if she were to marry

01:43:12

totsky she would make him a good wife

01:43:15

she did not care for a brilliant

01:43:17

marriage she was eminently a woman

01:43:20

calculated to soothe and sweeten the

01:43:22

life of any man decidedly pretty if not

01:43:26

absolutely handsome what better could

01:43:29

totsky

01:43:31

wish so the matter crept slowly forward

01:43:35

the general and totsky had agreed to

01:43:38

avoid any Hasty and irrevocable step

01:43:42

Alexandra's parents had not even beg to

01:43:45

talk to their daughters freely upon the

01:43:47

subject when suddenly as it were a dis

01:43:50

an cord was struck amid the harmony of

01:43:53

the

01:43:54

proceedings Mrs yanin began to show

01:43:58

signs of discontent and this was a

01:44:00

serious matter a certain circumstance

01:44:04

had crept in a disagreeable and

01:44:06

Troublesome factor which threatened to

01:44:09

overturn the whole

01:44:11

business this circumstance had come into

01:44:15

existence 18 years before close to an

01:44:19

estate of totsky in one of the central

01:44:22

provinces of Russia there lived at that

01:44:24

time a poor gentleman whose estate was

01:44:27

of The Wretched

01:44:29

description this gentleman was noted in

01:44:31

the district for his persistent ill

01:44:34

Fortune his name was barashkov and as

01:44:38

regards family and descent he was vastly

01:44:41

Superior to totsky but his estate was

01:44:44

mortgaged to the last acre one day when

01:44:48

he had ridden over to the town to see a

01:44:51

creditor the chief peasant of his

01:44:53

village followed him shortly after with

01:44:56

the news that his house had been burnt

01:44:59

down and that his wife had perished with

01:45:02

it but his children were

01:45:05

safe even barashkov inured to the storms

01:45:09

of evil Fortune as he was could not

01:45:12

stand this last stroke he went mad and

01:45:16

died shortly after in the town Hospital

01:45:20

his estate was sold for the creditors

01:45:23

and the little girls two of them of

01:45:25

seven and eight years of age

01:45:27

respectively were adopted by totsky who

01:45:31

undertook their maintenance and

01:45:33

education in the kindness of his heart

01:45:36

they were brought up together with the

01:45:38

children of his German

01:45:40

baliff very soon however there was only

01:45:43

one of them left Nastasia philipovna for

01:45:47

the other little one died of hooping

01:45:49

cough totsky who was living abroad at

01:45:52

this time very soon forgot all about the

01:45:56

child but 5 years after returning to

01:45:59

Russia it struck him that he would like

01:46:01

to look over his estate and see how

01:46:03

matters were going there and arrived at

01:46:06

his bai's house he was not long in

01:46:09

discovering that among the children of

01:46:11

the latter there now dwelt a most lovely

01:46:14

little girl of 12 sweet and intelligent

01:46:18

and bright and promising in to develop

01:46:21

beauty of most unusual quality as to

01:46:25

which last totsky was an undoubted

01:46:29

authority he only stayed at his country

01:46:31

seat a few days on this occasion but he

01:46:34

had time to make his

01:46:36

Arrangements great changes took place in

01:46:39

the child's

01:46:40

education a good governor was engaged a

01:46:44

Swiss Lady of experience and

01:46:46

culture for four years this lady resided

01:46:49

in the house house with little Nastia

01:46:52

and then the education was considered

01:46:55

complete the governor took her departure

01:46:58

and another lady came down to fetch NASA

01:47:01

by tok's

01:47:03

instructions the child was now

01:47:05

transported to another of totsky Estates

01:47:08

in a distant part of the country here

01:47:11

she found a delightful little house just

01:47:13

built and prepared for her reception

01:47:16

with great care and taste and here she

01:47:19

took up her Abode together with the lady

01:47:22

who had accompanied her from her old

01:47:25

home in the house there were two

01:47:27

experienced Maids musical instruments of

01:47:30

All Sorts a Charming Young ladyes

01:47:33

Library pictures paint boxes a lap dog

01:47:38

and everything to make life

01:47:41

agreeable within a fortnight totsky

01:47:44

himself arrived and from that time he

01:47:47

appeared to have taken a great fancy to

01:47:49

this part of the world and came down

01:47:52

each Summer staying two and three months

01:47:55

at a

01:47:56

time so passed four years peacefully and

01:48:00

happily in Charming

01:48:04

surroundings at the end of that time and

01:48:06

about four months after tok's last visit

01:48:10

he had stayed but a fortnight on this

01:48:12

occasion a report reached Nastasia

01:48:15

philipovna that he was about to be

01:48:17

married in St Petersburg to Rich eminent

01:48:21

and lovely woman the report was only

01:48:25

partially true the marriage project

01:48:27

being only in an embryo condition but a

01:48:31

great change now came over Nastasia

01:48:34

philipovna she suddenly displayed

01:48:37

unusual decision of character and

01:48:40

without wasting time in thought she left

01:48:43

her country home and came up to St

01:48:46

Petersburg straight to tot's house all

01:48:49

alone

01:48:51

the latter amazed at her conduct began

01:48:54

to express his

01:48:56

displeasure but he very soon became

01:48:58

aware that he must change his voice

01:49:01

style and everything else with this

01:49:03

young lady the good old times were gone

01:49:08

an entirely new and different woman sat

01:49:11

before him between whom and the girl he

01:49:14

had left in the country last July there

01:49:17

seemed nothing in common

01:49:20

in the first place this new woman

01:49:23

understood a good deal more than was

01:49:25

usual for young people of her age so

01:49:28

much indeed that totky could not help

01:49:31

wondering where she had picked up her

01:49:33

knowledge surely not from her young

01:49:36

lady's

01:49:37

Library it even embraced legal matters

01:49:40

and the world in general to a

01:49:42

considerable

01:49:44

extent her character was absolutely

01:49:48

changed no more of the girlish

01:49:50

alternations of timidity and petulance

01:49:54

the adorable naivity the reveries the

01:49:57

tears the

01:49:59

playfulness it was an entirely new and

01:50:02

hitherto unknown being who now sat and

01:50:05

laughed at him and informed him to his

01:50:08

face that she had never had the faintest

01:50:11

feeling for him of any kind except

01:50:15

loathing and contempt contempt which had

01:50:18

followed closely upon her sensations of

01:50:21

surprise and bewilderment after her

01:50:23

first acquaintance with him this new

01:50:27

woman gave him further to understand

01:50:29

that though it was absolutely the same

01:50:32

to her whom he married yet she had

01:50:35

decided to prevent this marriage for no

01:50:38

particular reason but that she chose to

01:50:41

do so and because she wished to amuse

01:50:44

herself at his expense for that it was

01:50:47

quite her turn to laugh a little now

01:50:51

such were her words very likely she did

01:50:54

not give her real reason for this

01:50:56

eccentric conduct but at all events that

01:50:59

was all the explanation she dained to

01:51:03

offer meanwhile totsky thought the

01:51:06

matter over as well as his scattered

01:51:08

ideas would

01:51:09

permit his meditations lasted a

01:51:12

fortnight however and at the end of that

01:51:15

time his resolution was taken the fact

01:51:19

was totsky was at that time a man of 50

01:51:21

years of age his position was solid and

01:51:25

respectable his place in society had

01:51:27

long been firmly fixed upon safe

01:51:31

foundations he loved himself his

01:51:34

personal Comforts and his position

01:51:37

better than all the world as every

01:51:40

respectable gentleman

01:51:42

should at the same time his grasp of

01:51:46

things in general soon showed totsky

01:51:49

that he now had had to deal with a being

01:51:51

who was outside the pale of the ordinary

01:51:53

rules of traditional

01:51:56

behavior and who would not only threaten

01:51:58

Mischief but would undoubtedly carry it

01:52:01

out and stop for no one there was

01:52:05

evidently he concluded something at work

01:52:08

here some storm of the mind some

01:52:12

paroxysm of romantic anger goodness

01:52:15

knows against whom or what some

01:52:18

insatiable contempt

01:52:20

in a word something altogether absurd

01:52:23

and impossible but at the same time most

01:52:26

dangerous to be met with by any

01:52:28

respectable person with a position in

01:52:31

society to keep up for a man of tot's

01:52:35

wealth and standing it would of course

01:52:37

have been the simplest possible matter

01:52:40

to take steps which would rid him at

01:52:42

once from all annoyance while it was

01:52:45

obviously impossible for Nastasia

01:52:48

philipovna to harm him him in any way

01:52:51

either legally or by stirring up a

01:52:53

scandal for in the case of the latter

01:52:55

danger he could so easily remove her to

01:52:59

a sphere of

01:53:01

safety however these arguments would

01:53:03

only hold good in case of nstasia acting

01:53:06

as others might in such an emergency she

01:53:10

was much more likely to overstep the

01:53:13

bounds of reasonable conduct by some

01:53:16

extraordinary

01:53:18

eccentricity here the sound Judgment of

01:53:21

totsky stood him in good stead he

01:53:24

realized that Nastasia philipovna must

01:53:27

be well aware that she could do nothing

01:53:29

by legal means to injure him and that

01:53:32

her flashing eyes betrayed some entirely

01:53:35

different

01:53:37

intention Nastasia philipovna was quite

01:53:40

capable of ruining herself and even of

01:53:43

perpetrating something which would send

01:53:45

her to Siberia for the mere pleasure of

01:53:49

injuring a man for whom she had

01:53:50

developed so inhuman a sense of loathing

01:53:54

and

01:53:55

contempt he had sufficient insight to

01:53:58

understand that she valued nothing in

01:54:00

the world herself least of all and he

01:54:04

made no attempt to conceal the fact that

01:54:07

he was a coward in some respects for

01:54:10

instance if he had been told that he

01:54:12

would be stabbed at the altar or

01:54:15

publicly insulted he would undoubtedly

01:54:17

have been frightened but not so much at

01:54:20

the idea of being murdered or wounded or

01:54:23

insulted as at the thought that if such

01:54:26

things were to happen he would be made

01:54:28

to look ridiculous in the eyes of

01:54:32

society he knew well that nstasia

01:54:35

thoroughly understood him and where to

01:54:38

wound him and how and therefore as the

01:54:41

marriage was still only in embryo totsky

01:54:44

decided to conciliate her by giving it

01:54:47

up his decision was strengthened by the

01:54:50

fact that Nastasia philipovna had

01:54:53

curiously altered of late it would be

01:54:57

difficult to conceive how different she

01:54:59

was physically at the present time to

01:55:01

the girl of a few years ago she was

01:55:05

pretty then but now topsky laughed

01:55:09

angrily when he thought how shortsighted

01:55:12

he had been in days gone by he

01:55:15

remembered how he had looked at her

01:55:17

beautiful eyes how even even then he had

01:55:20

marveled at their dark mysterious depths

01:55:24

and at their wondering gaze which seemed

01:55:27

to seek an answer to some unknown

01:55:30

riddle her complexion also had altered

01:55:34

she was now exceedingly pale but

01:55:36

curiously this change only made her more

01:55:40

beautiful like most men of the world

01:55:43

totsky had rather despised such a

01:55:46

cheaply bought Conquest but of late

01:55:49

years he had begun to think differently

01:55:51

about it it had struck him as long ago

01:55:54

as last spring that he ought to be

01:55:56

finding a good match for

01:55:59

Nastasia for instance some respectable

01:56:02

and reasonable young fellow serving in a

01:56:04

government office in another part of the

01:56:07

country how maliciously Nastasia laughed

01:56:11

at the idea of such a thing

01:56:13

now however it appeared to totsky that

01:56:16

he might make use of her in another way

01:56:19

and he determined to establish her in St

01:56:22

Petersburg surrounding her with all the

01:56:25

Comforts and luxuries that his wealth

01:56:27

could command in this way he might gain

01:56:30

glory in certain

01:56:33

circles five years of this Petersburg

01:56:36

life went by and of course during that

01:56:39

time a great deal happened tok's

01:56:42

position was very

01:56:44

uncomfortable having funked once he

01:56:47

could not totally regain his disease he

01:56:50

was afraid he did not know why but he

01:56:53

was simply afraid of Nastasia

01:56:56

philipovna for the first two years or so

01:56:59

he had suspected that she wished to

01:57:01

marry him herself and that only her

01:57:04

vanity prevented her telling him so he

01:57:08

thought that she wanted him to approach

01:57:09

her with a humble proposal from his own

01:57:12

side but to his great and not entirely

01:57:16

pleasurable amazement he discovered that

01:57:19

this was by no means the case and that

01:57:22

were he to offer himself he would be

01:57:25

refused he could not understand such a

01:57:28

state of things and was obliged to

01:57:30

conclude that it was Pride the pride of

01:57:33

an injured and imaginative woman which

01:57:36

had gone to such length that it

01:57:38

preferred to sit and nurse its contempt

01:57:41

and hatred in solitude rather than Mount

01:57:45

to Heights of hitherto unattainable

01:57:48

splendor to make matters worse she was

01:57:51

quite impervious to mercenary

01:57:54

considerations and could not be bribed

01:57:57

in any

01:57:58

way finally totsky took cunning means to

01:58:02

try to break his chains and be free he

01:58:06

tried to tempt her in various ways to

01:58:09

lose her heart he invited princes hazar

01:58:13

secretaries of embassies poets novelists

01:58:17

even socialists to see her but not one

01:58:21

of them all made the faintest impression

01:58:24

upon Nastasia it was as though she had a

01:58:27

pebble in place of a heart as though her

01:58:29

feelings and affections were dried up

01:58:32

and withered forever she lived almost

01:58:35

entirely alone she read she studied she

01:58:39

loved music her principal acquaintances

01:58:43

were poor women of various grades a

01:58:46

couple of actresses and the family of a

01:58:48

poor School teach

01:58:49

teacher among these people she was much

01:58:53

beloved she received four or five

01:58:56

friends sometimes of an evening totsky

01:58:59

often came lately too General Yap panin

01:59:03

had been enabled with great difficulty

01:59:05

to introduce himself into her Circle G

01:59:09

made her acquaintance also and others

01:59:11

were ferish shenko an ill bred and

01:59:14

wouldbe witty young Clark and psin a

01:59:18

money lender of modest and Polished

01:59:21

manners who had risen from

01:59:23

poverty in fact Nastasia philipo's

01:59:27

Beauty became a thing known to all the

01:59:29

town but not a single man could boast of

01:59:33

anything more than his own admiration

01:59:35

for her and this reputation of hers and

01:59:39

her wit and culture and Grace all

01:59:42

confirmed totsky in the plan he had now

01:59:46

prepared and it was at this moment that

01:59:49

that General yanin began to play so

01:59:52

large and important a part in the story

01:59:55

when totsky had approached the general

01:59:57

with his request for friendly counsel as

02:00:00

to a marriage with one of his daughters

02:00:03

he had made a full and candid confession

02:00:06

he had said that he intended to stop at

02:00:09

no means to obtain his freedom even if

02:00:12

nasia were to promise to leave him

02:00:15

entirely alone in future he would not he

02:00:18

said believe and trust her words were

02:00:21

not enough for him he must have solid

02:00:24

guarantees of some sort so he and the

02:00:27

general determined to try what an

02:00:29

attempt to appeal to her heart would

02:00:32

effect having arrived at nastasia's

02:00:35

house one day with yanin totsky

02:00:38

immediately began to speak of the

02:00:40

Intolerable torment of his

02:00:43

position he admitted that he was to

02:00:45

blame for all but candidly confessed

02:00:48

that he could not bring himself to feel

02:00:51

any remorse for his original guilt

02:00:53

towards herself because he was a man of

02:00:56

sensual passions which were inborn and

02:01:00

ineradicable and that he had no power

02:01:02

over himself in this respect but that he

02:01:05

wished seriously to marry at last and

02:01:08

that the whole fate of the most

02:01:10

desirable social Union which he

02:01:12

contemplated was in her hands in a word

02:01:17

he confided his all to her generosity of

02:01:20

heart General yanin took up his part and

02:01:24

spoke in the character of father of a

02:01:27

family he spoke sensibly and without

02:01:30

wasting words over any attempt at

02:01:33

sentimentality he merely recorded his

02:01:35

full admission of her right to be the

02:01:38

Arbiter of tok's Destiny at this moment

02:01:42

he then pointed out that the fate of his

02:01:44

daughter and very likely of both his

02:01:47

other daughters now hung upon upon her

02:01:50

reply to nastasia's question as to what

02:01:53

they wished her to do totsky confessed

02:01:56

that he had been so frightened by her 5

02:01:59

years ago that he could never now be

02:02:02

entirely comfortable until she herself

02:02:05

married he immediately added that such a

02:02:08

suggestion from him would of course be

02:02:11

absurd unless accompanied by remarks of

02:02:14

a more pointed

02:02:16

nature he very well knew he said that a

02:02:19

certain young gentleman of good family

02:02:22

namely gabila aronovich vgin with whom

02:02:26

she was acquainted and whom she received

02:02:28

at her house had long loved her

02:02:31

passionately and would give his life for

02:02:34

some response from her the young fellow

02:02:37

had confessed this love of his to him

02:02:40

totsky and had also admitted it in the

02:02:43

hearing of his benefactor General

02:02:45

yanin lastly he could not help being of

02:02:49

opinion that Nastasia must be aware of

02:02:52

Gia's love for her and if he totsky

02:02:55

mistook not she had looked with some

02:02:58

favor upon it being often lonely and

02:03:01

rather tired of her present

02:03:03

life having remarked how difficult it

02:03:06

was for him of all people to speak to

02:03:09

her of these matters totsky concluded by

02:03:12

saying that he trusted Nastasia

02:03:14

philipovna would not look with contempt

02:03:17

upon him if he now expressed his sincere

02:03:20

desire to guarantee her future by a gift

02:03:23

of

02:03:24

75,000

02:03:26

rubles he added that the sum would have

02:03:28

been left her all the same in his will

02:03:31

and that therefore she must not consider

02:03:33

the gift as in any way an

02:03:35

indemnification to her for anything but

02:03:38

that there was no reason after all why a

02:03:40

man should not be allowed to entertain a

02:03:42

natural desire to lighten his conscience

02:03:46

etc etc in in fact all that would

02:03:50

naturally be said under the

02:03:53

circumstances totsky was very eloquent

02:03:56

all through and in conclusion just

02:03:59

touched on the fact that not a soul in

02:04:01

the world not even General yanin had

02:04:05

ever heard a word about the above

02:04:07

75,000 rubles and that this was the

02:04:10

first time he had ever given expression

02:04:13

to his intentions in respect to them

02:04:16

Nastasia filippov's reply to this long

02:04:20

rigar astonished both the friends

02:04:23

considerably Not only was there no trace

02:04:26

of her former irony of her old hatred

02:04:29

and enmity and of that Dreadful laughter

02:04:33

the very recollection of which sent a

02:04:36

cold chill down tot's back to this very

02:04:39

day but she seemed Charmed and really

02:04:43

glad to have the opportunity of talking

02:04:45

seriously with him for once in a way she

02:04:49

confessed that she had long wished to

02:04:51

have a Frank and free conversation and

02:04:54

to ask for friendly advice but that

02:04:57

Pride had hitherto prevented her now

02:05:00

however that the ice was broken nothing

02:05:03

could be more welcome to her than this

02:05:05

opportunity first with a sad smile and

02:05:09

then with a twinkle of mert in her eyes

02:05:12

she admitted that such a storm as that

02:05:14

of five years ago was now quite out of

02:05:17

the question she said that she had long

02:05:20

since changed her views of things and

02:05:23

recognized that facts must be taken into

02:05:26

consideration in spite of the feelings

02:05:28

of the heart what was done was done and

02:05:32

ended and she could not understand why

02:05:34

totsky should still feel

02:05:37

alarmed she next turned to General yanin

02:05:41

and observed most courteously that she

02:05:44

had long since known of his daughters

02:05:46

and that she had heard none but good

02:05:48

good report that she had learned to

02:05:51

think of them with deep and sincere

02:05:54

respect the idea alone that she could in

02:05:57

any way serve them would be to her both

02:05:59

a pride and a source of real

02:06:03

happiness it was true that she was

02:06:05

lonely in her present life totsky had

02:06:09

judged her thoughts a right she longed

02:06:12

to rise if not to love at least to

02:06:15

family life and new hopes and objects

02:06:19

but as to gabria aronovich she could not

02:06:22

as yet say much she thought it must be

02:06:25

the case that he loved her she felt that

02:06:28

she too might learn to love him if she

02:06:31

could be sure of the firmness of his

02:06:33

attachment to herself but he was very

02:06:37

young and it was a difficult question to

02:06:40

decide what she specially liked about

02:06:43

him was that he worked and supported his

02:06:46

family by his toil

02:06:49

she had heard that he was proud and

02:06:51

ambitious she had heard much that was

02:06:54

interesting of his mother and sister she

02:06:57

had heard of them from Mr petiton and

02:06:59

would much like to make their

02:07:01

acquaintance but another question would

02:07:04

they like to receive her into their

02:07:07

house at all events though she did not

02:07:10

reject the idea of this marriage she

02:07:12

desired not to be

02:07:14

hurried as for the 75,000 rubles Mr

02:07:18

totsky need not have found any

02:07:21

difficulty or awkwardness about the

02:07:23

matter she quite understood the value of

02:07:26

money and would of course accept the

02:07:29

gift she thanked him for his delicacy

02:07:32

however but saw no reason why gabila

02:07:35

aronovich should not know about it she

02:07:38

would not marry the latter she said

02:07:41

until she felt persuaded that neither on

02:07:44

his part nor on the part of his family

02:07:47

did there exist any sort of concealed

02:07:49

suspicions as to

02:07:51

herself she did not intend to ask

02:07:54

forgiveness for anything in the past

02:07:56

which fact she desired to be known she

02:07:59

did not consider herself to blame for

02:08:02

anything that had happened in former

02:08:04

years and she thought that gabila

02:08:07

aronovich should be informed as to the

02:08:09

relations which had existed between

02:08:11

herself and totsky during the last 5

02:08:16

years if she accepted this money it was

02:08:19

not to be considered as indemnification

02:08:21

for her Misfortune as a young girl which

02:08:25

had not been in any degree her own fault

02:08:28

but merely as compensation for her

02:08:31

ruined life she became so excited and

02:08:35

agitated during all these explanations

02:08:38

and confessions that General yanin was

02:08:41

highly gratified and considered the

02:08:44

matter satisfactorily arranged once for

02:08:47

all but but the Once Bitten totsky was

02:08:50

twice shy and looked for hidden snakes

02:08:54

among the

02:08:55

flowers however the special point to

02:08:58

which the two friends particularly

02:09:00

trusted to bring about their object

02:09:03

namely Gia's attractiveness for aasia

02:09:06

philipovna stood out more and more

02:09:10

prominently the P par had commenced and

02:09:14

gradually even totsky began to believe

02:09:16

in the possibility of s

02:09:19

success before long Nastasia and garia

02:09:22

had talked the matter over very little

02:09:25

was said her modesty seemed to suffer

02:09:28

under the infliction of discussing such

02:09:30

a question but she recognized his love

02:09:34

on the understanding that she bound

02:09:36

herself to nothing whatever and that she

02:09:39

reserved the right to say no up to the

02:09:41

very hour of the marriage ceremony Gana

02:09:45

was to have the same right of refusal at

02:09:47

the last moment

02:09:48

moment it soon became clear to garia

02:09:52

after scenes of wroth and quarreling at

02:09:54

the domestic Hearth that his family was

02:09:57

seriously opposed to the match and that

02:10:01

nstasia was aware of this fact was

02:10:03

equally evident she said nothing about

02:10:06

it though he daily expected her to do so

02:10:10

there were several rumors afloat before

02:10:13

long which upset tok's equinity a good

02:10:17

deal but we will not now stop to

02:10:19

describe them merely mentioning an

02:10:22

instance or two one was that Nastasia

02:10:25

had entered into close and secret

02:10:28

relations with the yapan chin girls a

02:10:31

most unlikely rumor another was that

02:10:35

Nastasia had long satisfied herself of

02:10:37

the fact that Gia was merely marrying

02:10:40

her for money and that his nature was

02:10:43

gloomy and greedy impatient and selfish

02:10:47

to an extraordin AR degree and that

02:10:49

although he had been Keen enough in his

02:10:51

desire to achieve a conquest before yet

02:10:55

since the two friends had agreed to

02:10:57

exploit his passion for their own

02:10:59

purposes it was clear enough that he had

02:11:02

begun to consider the whole thing a

02:11:04

nuance and a

02:11:05

nightmare in his heart passion and hate

02:11:09

seemed to hold divided Sway and although

02:11:13

he had at last given his consent to

02:11:15

marry the woman as he said under the

02:11:18

stress of

02:11:20

circumstances yet he promised himself

02:11:22

that he would take it out of her after

02:11:26

marriage Nastasia seemed to totsky to

02:11:29

have divined all this and to be

02:11:31

preparing something on her own account

02:11:34

which frightened him to such an extent

02:11:36

that he did not dare communicate his

02:11:39

views even to the

02:11:41

general but at times he would pluck up

02:11:44

his courage and be full of Hope and good

02:11:47

spirits again

02:11:49

acting in fact as weak men do act in

02:11:52

such

02:11:54

circumstances however both the friends

02:11:56

felt that the thing looked Rosy indeed

02:11:59

when one day Nastasia informed them that

02:12:02

she would give her final answer on the

02:12:04

evening of her birthday which

02:12:07

anniversary was due in a very short time

02:12:11

a strange rumor began to circulate

02:12:14

meanwhile no less than that the

02:12:16

respectable and highly resp expected

02:12:18

General yanin was himself so fascinated

02:12:22

by Nastasia philipovna that his feeling

02:12:25

for her amounted almost to

02:12:28

Passion what he thought to gain by Gia's

02:12:31

marriage to the girl it was difficult to

02:12:33

imagine possibly he counted on Gia's

02:12:37

complacence for totsky had long

02:12:39

suspected that there existed some secret

02:12:42

understanding between the general and

02:12:44

his

02:12:45

secretary at all events the fact was

02:12:48

known that he had prepared a magnificent

02:12:50

present of pearls for nastasia's

02:12:53

birthday and that he was looking forward

02:12:56

to the occasion when he should present

02:12:57

his gift with the greatest excitement

02:13:00

and

02:13:01

impatience the day before her birthday

02:13:04

he was in a fever of

02:13:06

agitation Mrs yanin long accustomed to

02:13:10

her husband's infidelities had heard of

02:13:12

the pearls and the Rumor excited her

02:13:15

liveliest curiosity and interest

02:13:18

the general remarked her suspicions and

02:13:21

felt that a grand explanation must

02:13:24

shortly take place which fact alarmed

02:13:27

him

02:13:28

much this is the reason why he was so

02:13:31

unwilling to take lunch on the morning

02:13:34

upon which we took up this narrative

02:13:36

with the rest of his family before the

02:13:39

prince's arrival he had made up his mind

02:13:42

to plead business and cut the meal which

02:13:45

simply meant running away he was

02:13:48

particularly anxious that this one day

02:13:51

should be passed especially the evening

02:13:54

without unpleasantness between himself

02:13:56

and his family and just at the right

02:14:00

moment the prince turned up as though

02:14:03

Heaven had sent him on purpose said the

02:14:06

general to himself as he left the study

02:14:09

to seek out the wife of his

02:14:13

bosom end of part one chapter

02:14:16

4 recording by Martin Geeson in Hazel

02:14:21

Meir

02:14:32

Sur one chapter five of the

02:14:35

idiot this LibriVox recording is in the

02:14:38

public

02:14:40

domain recording by Martin

02:14:43

Geeson The Idiot by Fodor DVI

02:14:48

translated by Eva M

02:14:51

Martin part one chapter

02:14:55

5 Mrs General yanin was a proud Woman by

02:15:00

Nature what must her feelings have been

02:15:03

when she heard that Prince muskin the

02:15:05

last of his and her line had arrived in

02:15:09

Beggar's guise a wretched idiot a

02:15:12

recipient of

02:15:14

Charity all of which details the general

02:15:17

G gave out for greater

02:15:19

effect he was anxious to steal her

02:15:22

interest at the first swoop so as to

02:15:25

distract her thoughts from other matters

02:15:27

nearer

02:15:29

home Mrs yanin was in the habit of

02:15:32

holding herself very straight and

02:15:34

staring before her without speaking in

02:15:37

moments of excitement she was a fine

02:15:40

woman of the same age as her husband

02:15:43

with a slightly hooked nose a high

02:15:45

narrow forehead thick hair turning a

02:15:48

little gray and a sow complexion her

02:15:52

eyes were gray and wore a very curious

02:15:55

expression at times she believed them to

02:15:58

be most effective a belief that nothing

02:16:02

could

02:16:03

alter what receive him now at once asked

02:16:09

Mrs yanin gazing vaguely at her husband

02:16:12

as he stood fidgeting before her oh dear

02:16:16

me I assure you there there's no need to

02:16:18

stand on ceremony with him the general

02:16:21

explained hastily he is quite a child

02:16:25

not to say a pathetic looking creature

02:16:28

he has fits of some sort and has just

02:16:31

arrived from Switzerland straight from

02:16:34

the station dressed like a German and

02:16:36

without a farthing in his pocket I gave

02:16:39

him 25 rubles to go on with and I'm

02:16:42

going to find him some easy place in one

02:16:45

of the government offices I I should

02:16:47

like you to ply him well with the

02:16:49

vittles my dears for I should think he

02:16:51

must be very hungry you astonish me said

02:16:56

the lady gazing as before fits and

02:17:00

hungry too what sort of fits oh they

02:17:04

don't come on frequently besides he's a

02:17:08

regular child though he seems to be

02:17:10

fairly

02:17:11

educated I should like you if possible

02:17:14

my dears the general added making slowly

02:17:17

for the the door to put him through his

02:17:19

Paces a bit and see what he is good for

02:17:22

I think you should be kind to him it is

02:17:25

a good deed you know however just as you

02:17:28

like of course but he is a sort of

02:17:31

relation remember and I thought it might

02:17:34

interest you to see the young fellow

02:17:35

seeing that this is so oh of course mama

02:17:39

if we needn't stand on ceremony with him

02:17:41

we must give the poor fellow something

02:17:43

to eat after his journey especially as

02:17:46

he has not the the least idea where to

02:17:49

go said Alexandra the eldest of the

02:17:52

girls besides he's quite a child we can

02:17:56

entertain him with a little hide and

02:17:58

seek in case of need said

02:18:01

Adela hide and seek what do you mean

02:18:05

inquired Mrs yanen oh do stop pretending

02:18:10

mamama cried AIA in vexation send him up

02:18:14

father mother allows

02:18:18

the general rang the bell and gave

02:18:20

orders that the prince should be shown

02:18:22

in only on condition that he has a

02:18:24

napkin under his chin at lunch then said

02:18:28

Mrs yanin and let Fodor or MAV stand

02:18:32

behind him while he eats is he quiet

02:18:35

when he has these fits he doesn't show

02:18:39

violence does he on the contrary he

02:18:42

seems to be very well brought up his

02:18:44

manners are excellent but here he is

02:18:47

himself here you are Prince let me

02:18:50

introduce you the last of the muskin a

02:18:53

relative of your own my dear or at least

02:18:56

of the same name receive him kindly

02:18:59

please they'll bring in lunch directly

02:19:02

Prince you must stop and have some but

02:19:05

you must excuse me I'm in a hurry I must

02:19:08

be off we all know where you must be off

02:19:13

to said Mrs yanin in a meaning voice

02:19:17

yeah yes yes I must hurry away I'm late

02:19:20

look here dears let him write you

02:19:22

something in your albums you've no idea

02:19:25

what a wonderful calligraphist he is

02:19:28

wonderful Talent he has just written out

02:19:31

abot paf signed this for me well or stop

02:19:37

a minute where are you off to who is

02:19:40

this Abbot cried Mrs yanin to her

02:19:43

retreating husband in a tone of excited

02:19:46

annoyance

02:19:48

yes my dear it was an old Abbot of that

02:19:50

name I must be off to see the count he's

02:19:53

waiting for me I'm late goodbye Ora

02:19:58

Prince and the general bolted at full

02:20:01

speed oh yes I know what count you're

02:20:05

going to see remarked his wife in a

02:20:08

cutting manner as she turned her Angry

02:20:11

Eyes on the prince now then what's all

02:20:14

this about what Abbott who's Puff n she

02:20:18

added

02:20:19

briskly M said Alexandra shocked at her

02:20:24

rudess Agia stamped her foot nonsense

02:20:28

let me alone said the angry mother now

02:20:32

then Prince sit down here no nearer come

02:20:35

nearer the light I want to have a good

02:20:37

look at you so now then who is this

02:20:40

Abbott Abbott PF said our friend

02:20:43

seriously and with Defence pafn yes and

02:20:48

who was he Mrs yanin put these questions

02:20:52

hastily and Brusly and when the prince

02:20:55

answered she nodded her head sagely at

02:20:57

each word he said the Abbott PF lived in

02:21:01

the 14th century began the prince he was

02:21:05

in charge of one of the monasteries on

02:21:07

the vulga about where our present

02:21:09

kostroma government lies he went to odol

02:21:14

and helped in the great matters then

02:21:16

going on in the religious world he

02:21:18

signed an edict there and I have seen a

02:21:21

print of his signature it struck me so I

02:21:25

copied it when the general asked me in

02:21:27

his study to write something for him to

02:21:30

show my handwriting I wrote the Abbot P

02:21:34

signed this in the exact handwriting of

02:21:37

the Abbot the general liked it very much

02:21:40

and that's why he recalled it just now

02:21:43

AER make a note of paf or shall forget

02:21:48

him H and where is this signature I

02:21:52

think it was left on the General's table

02:21:55

let it be sent for at once oh I'll write

02:21:58

you a new one in half a minute said the

02:22:01

prince if you like of course mamama said

02:22:05

Alexandra but let's have lunch now we

02:22:07

are all hungry yes come along Prince

02:22:11

said the mother are you very hungry yes

02:22:14

I must say that I am pretty hungry

02:22:17

thanks very much H I like to see that

02:22:21

you know your manners and you are by no

02:22:23

means such a person as the general

02:22:25

thought fit to describe you come along

02:22:29

you sit here opposite to me she

02:22:31

continued I wish to be able to see your

02:22:34

face Alexandra Adela look after the

02:22:38

prince he doesn't seem so very ill does

02:22:41

he I don't think he requires a napkin

02:22:44

under his chin after all are you you

02:22:47

accustomed to having one on Prince

02:22:50

formerly when I was 7 years old or so I

02:22:53

believe I wore one but now I usually

02:22:56

hold my napkin on my knee when I eat of

02:22:59

course of course and about your fits

02:23:02

fits asked the prince slightly surprised

02:23:06

I very seldom have fits nowadays I don't

02:23:10

know how it may be here though they say

02:23:12

the climate may be bad for me he talks

02:23:16

very well well you know said Mrs yanin

02:23:19

who still continued to nod at each word

02:23:22

the prince spoke I really did not expect

02:23:25

it at all in fact I suppose it was all

02:23:28

stuff and nonsense on the General's part

02:23:31

as usual eat away Prince and tell me

02:23:34

where you were born and where you were

02:23:36

brought up I wish to know all about you

02:23:39

you interest me very much the prince

02:23:43

expressed his thanks once more and

02:23:45

eating heartily the while recomened The

02:23:48

Narrative of his life in Switzerland all

02:23:51

of which we have heard

02:23:53

before Mrs yanin became more and more

02:23:56

pleased with her guest the girls too

02:23:59

listened with considerable

02:24:01

attention in talking over the question

02:24:04

of relationship it turned out that the

02:24:07

prince was very well up in the matter

02:24:09

and knew his pedigree off by heart it

02:24:13

was found that scarcely any connection

02:24:16

existed between himself and Mrs

02:24:18

yanen but the talk and the opportunity

02:24:21

of conversing about her family tree

02:24:24

gratified the latter exceedingly and she

02:24:27

Rose from the table in Great Good

02:24:30

Humor let's all go to my budoir she said

02:24:34

and they shall bring some coffee in

02:24:36

there that's the room where we all

02:24:38

assemble and busy ourselves as we like

02:24:40

best she explained Alexandra my eldest

02:24:44

here plays the piano or re reads or sews

02:24:48

Adela paints Landscapes and portraits

02:24:51

but never finishes any and Agia sits and

02:24:56

does nothing I don't work too much

02:24:59

either here we are now sit down Prince

02:25:02

near the fire and talk to us I want to

02:25:05

hear you relate something I wish to make

02:25:08

sure of you first and then tell my old

02:25:10

friend princess bonsky about you I wish

02:25:14

you to know all the good people in to

02:25:17

interest them now then begin mamama it's

02:25:22

rather a strange order that said Adela

02:25:26

who was fussing among her paints and

02:25:28

paint brushes at the easel Agia and

02:25:31

Alexandra had settled themselves with

02:25:34

folded hands on a sofa evidently meaning

02:25:37

to be

02:25:38

listeners the prince felt that the

02:25:40

general attention was concentrated upon

02:25:43

himself I should refuse to say a word if

02:25:46

I were all ordered to tell a story like

02:25:48

that observed

02:25:50

Agia why what's there strange about it

02:25:53

he has a tongue why shouldn't he tell us

02:25:56

something I want to judge whether he is

02:25:58

a good

02:26:00

Storyteller anything you like Prince how

02:26:02

you liked Switzerland what was your

02:26:05

first impression anything you'll see

02:26:07

he'll begin directly and tell us all

02:26:09

about it

02:26:11

beautifully the impression was forcible

02:26:15

the prince began there you see girls

02:26:18

said the impatient lady he has begun you

02:26:21

see well then let him talk mamama said

02:26:25

Alexandra this Prince is a great humbug

02:26:29

and by no means an idiot she whispered

02:26:32

to agier oh I saw that at once replied

02:26:36

the latter I don't think it at all nice

02:26:38

of him to play a part what does he wish

02:26:42

to gain by it I wonder my first

02:26:44

impression was a very strong one

02:26:47

repeated the prince when they took me

02:26:49

away from Russia I remember I passed

02:26:52

through many German towns and looked out

02:26:55

of the windows but did not trouble so

02:26:57

much as to ask questions about them this

02:27:01

was after a long series of fits I always

02:27:04

used to fall into a sort of torpid

02:27:06

condition after such a series and lost

02:27:09

my memory almost entirely and though I

02:27:12

was not altogether without reason at

02:27:15

such times yet I had no logical power of

02:27:19

thought this would continue for three or

02:27:21

4 days and then I would recover myself

02:27:25

again I remember my Melancholy was

02:27:29

intolerable I felt inclined to cry I sat

02:27:33

and wondered and wondered

02:27:36

uncomfortably the Consciousness that

02:27:38

everything was strange weighed terribly

02:27:41

upon me I could understand that it was

02:27:44

all foreign and strange

02:27:47

I recollect I awoke from this state for

02:27:49

the first time at Bal one evening the

02:27:53

bray of a donkey aroused me a donkey in

02:27:56

the Town Market I saw the donkey and was

02:27:59

extremely pleased with it and from that

02:28:02

moment my head seemed to

02:28:05

clear a donkey how strange yet it is not

02:28:10

strange any one of us might fall in love

02:28:13

with a donkey it happened in logical

02:28:17

times said Madame yanin looking wroth F

02:28:21

at her daughters who had begun to laugh

02:28:24

go on

02:28:25

Prince since that evening I have been

02:28:28

specially fond of donkeys I began to ask

02:28:31

questions about them for I had never

02:28:34

seen one before and I at once came to

02:28:37

the conclusion that this must be one of

02:28:39

the most useful of animals strong

02:28:42

willing patient cheap and thanks to this

02:28:46

donkey I began to like the whole country

02:28:48

I was traveling through and my

02:28:51

Melancholy passed

02:28:53

away all this is very strange and

02:28:56

interesting said Mrs yanin now let's

02:29:00

leave the donkey and go on to other

02:29:03

matters what are you laughing at Agia

02:29:06

and you too Adela the prince told us his

02:29:09

experience is very cleverly he saw the

02:29:12

donkey himself and what have you ever

02:29:15

seen you have never been

02:29:18

abroad I have seen a donkey though mama

02:29:22

said Agia and I've heard one said Adela

02:29:26

and all three of the girls laughed out

02:29:29

loud and the prince laughed with them

02:29:32

what it's too bad of you said mamama you

02:29:35

must forgive them Prince they are good

02:29:38

girls I am very fond of them though I

02:29:41

often have to be scolding them they are

02:29:43

all as silly and mad as March hair

02:29:48

oh why shouldn't they laugh said the

02:29:50

prince I shouldn't have let the chance

02:29:52

go by in their place I know but I stick

02:29:55

up for the donkey all the same he's a

02:29:58

patient good natured fellow are you a

02:30:01

patient man Prince I ask out of

02:30:05

curiosity said Mrs

02:30:07

yanen all laughed again oh that wretched

02:30:11

donkey again I see cried the lady I

02:30:15

assure you Prince I was not guilty of

02:30:17

the least

02:30:19

insinuation oh I assure you I take your

02:30:22

word for it and the prince continued

02:30:25

laughing

02:30:26

merrily I must say it's very nice of you

02:30:29

to laugh I see you really are a

02:30:32

kindhearted fellow said Mrs

02:30:35

yanen I'm not always kind

02:30:39

though I am kind myself and always kind

02:30:44

too if you please she retorted

02:30:47

unexpectedly and that is my chief fault

02:30:50

for one ought not to be always

02:30:53

kind I'm often angry with these girls

02:30:56

and their father but the worst of it is

02:30:59

I'm always kindest when I am cross I was

02:31:03

very angry just before you came and AIA

02:31:06

there read me a lesson thanks Agia dear

02:31:11

come and kiss me there that's enough she

02:31:15

added as AIA came forward and kissed her

02:31:17

lips and then her hand now then go on

02:31:21

Prince perhaps you can think of

02:31:23

something more exciting than about the

02:31:25

donkey H I must say again I can't

02:31:30

understand how you can expect anyone to

02:31:32

tell you stories straight away so said

02:31:36

Adela I know I never

02:31:39

could yes but the prince can because he

02:31:42

is clever clever than you are by 10 or

02:31:45

20 times if you like there that's so

02:31:49

Prince and seriously let's drop the

02:31:52

donkey now what else did you see abroad

02:31:55

besides the donkey yes but the prince

02:31:58

told us about the donkey very cleverly

02:32:01

all the same said

02:32:03

Alexandra I have always been most

02:32:05

interested to hear how people go mad and

02:32:09

get well again and that sort of thing

02:32:12

especially when it happens suddenly

02:32:14

quite so quite so

02:32:16

said Mrs yanin delighted I see you can

02:32:20

be sensible now and then Alexandra you

02:32:23

were speaking of Switzerland

02:32:25

Prince yes we came to lucern and I was

02:32:28

taken out in a boat I felt how lovely it

02:32:32

was but the loveliness weighed upon me

02:32:35

somehow or other and made me feel

02:32:38

Melancholy why asked

02:32:41

Alexandra I don't know I always feel

02:32:45

like that when I look at the the

02:32:46

beauties of nature for the first time

02:32:49

but then I was Ill at that time of

02:32:51

course oh but I should like to see it

02:32:55

said

02:32:56

Adela and I don't know when we shall

02:32:59

ever go abroad I've been two years

02:33:02

looking out for a good subject for a

02:33:04

picture I've done all I know the North

02:33:07

and South I know by heart as our poet

02:33:10

observes do help me to a subject Prince

02:33:15

oh but I know nothing nothing about

02:33:17

painting it seems to me one only has to

02:33:19

look and paint what one sees but I don't

02:33:23

know how to see nonsense what rubbish

02:33:27

you talk the mother struck in not know

02:33:30

how to see open your eyes and look if

02:33:34

you can't see here you won't see abroad

02:33:37

either tell us what you saw yourself

02:33:40

Prince yes that's better said Adela the

02:33:44

prince learned to see

02:33:46

abroad oh I hardly know you see I only

02:33:50

went to restore my health I don't know

02:33:53

whether I learned to see exactly I was

02:33:56

very happy however nearly all the

02:33:59

time happy you can be happy cried Agia

02:34:04

then how can you say you did not learn

02:34:06

to see I should think you could teach us

02:34:08

to see oh do teach us laughed Adela oh I

02:34:14

can't do that said the Prince laughing

02:34:17

too I lived almost all the while in one

02:34:20

little Swiss Village what can I teach

02:34:23

you at first I was only just not

02:34:26

absolutely dull then my health began to

02:34:30

improve then every day became dearer and

02:34:34

more precious to me and the longer I

02:34:36

stayed the dearer became the time to me

02:34:40

so much so that I could not help

02:34:42

observing it but why this was so it

02:34:45

would be difficult to say so that you

02:34:48

didn't care to go anywhere else well at

02:34:51

first I did I was Restless I didn't know

02:34:55

how however I should manage to support

02:34:57

life you know there are such moments

02:35:00

especially in

02:35:02

solitude there was a waterfall near us

02:35:05

such a lovely thin streak of water like

02:35:08

a thread but white and moving it fell

02:35:12

from a great height but it looked quite

02:35:15

low and it was half a mile away though

02:35:18

it did not seem 50 Paces I loved to

02:35:21

listen to it at night but it was then

02:35:24

that I became so

02:35:26

Restless sometimes I went and climbed

02:35:28

the mountain and stood there in the

02:35:30

midst of the Tall Pines all alone in the

02:35:34

terrible Silence with our little village

02:35:37

in the distance and the sky so blue and

02:35:40

the Sun so bright and an old ruined

02:35:43

Castle on the mountain side far away way

02:35:47

I used to watch the line where Earth and

02:35:50

Sky met and longed to go and seek there

02:35:53

the key of all Mysteries thinking that I

02:35:57

might find there a new life perhaps some

02:36:00

great City where life should be grander

02:36:03

and richer and then it struck me that

02:36:06

life may be grand enough even in a

02:36:10

prison I read that last most

02:36:13

praiseworthy thought in my manual when I

02:36:16

was 12 years old said

02:36:19

Agia all this is pure philosophy said

02:36:23

Adela you are a philosopher Prince and

02:36:26

have come here to instruct us in your

02:36:30

views perhaps you are right said the

02:36:33

prince smiling I think I am a

02:36:35

philosopher perhaps and who knows

02:36:38

perhaps I do wish to teach my views of

02:36:40

things to those I meet with your

02:36:43

philosophy is rather like that of an old

02:36:45

old woman we know who is Rich and yet

02:36:48

does nothing but try how little she can

02:36:51

spend she talks of nothing but money all

02:36:55

day your great philosophical idea of a

02:36:58

grand life in a prison and your four

02:37:01

happy years in that Swiss Village are

02:37:03

like this rather said

02:37:06

Agia as to life in a prison of course

02:37:09

there may be two opinions said the

02:37:12

prince I once heard the story of a man

02:37:15

who lived 12 years in a prison I heard

02:37:18

it from the man himself he was one of

02:37:21

the persons under treatment with my

02:37:23

professor he had fits and attacks of

02:37:26

melancholy then he would weep and once

02:37:29

he tried to commit

02:37:31

suicide his life in prison was sad

02:37:34

enough his only acquaintances were

02:37:36

spiders and a tree that grew outside his

02:37:40

grating but I think I had better tell

02:37:42

you of another man I met last year there

02:37:45

was a very strange feature in this case

02:37:49

strange because of its extremely rare

02:37:52

occurrence this man had once been

02:37:54

brought to the scaffold in company with

02:37:57

several others and had had the sentence

02:37:59

of death by shooting passed upon him for

02:38:02

some political

02:38:04

crime 20 minutes later he had been

02:38:07

reprieved and some other punishments

02:38:10

substituted but the interval between the

02:38:13

two sentences 20 minutes or at at least

02:38:16

a quarter of an hour had been passed in

02:38:18

the certainty that within a few minutes

02:38:21

he must die I was very anxious to hear

02:38:24

him speak of his Impressions during that

02:38:26

Dreadful time and I several times

02:38:29

inquired of him as to what he thought

02:38:31

and

02:38:32

felt he remembered everything with the

02:38:35

most accurate and extraordinary

02:38:38

distinctness and declared that he would

02:38:40

never forget a single iota of the

02:38:44

experience about about 20 Paces from the

02:38:47

scaffold where he had stood to hear the

02:38:49

sentence with three posts fixed in the

02:38:52

ground to which to fasten the criminals

02:38:55

of whom there were several the first

02:38:58

three criminals were taken to the posts

02:39:01

dressed in long white tunics with white

02:39:04

caps drawn over their faces so that they

02:39:07

could not see the rifles pointed at them

02:39:10

then a group of soldiers took their

02:39:12

stand opposite to each post my friend

02:39:16

was the eighth on the list and therefore

02:39:18

he would have been among the third lot

02:39:20

to go up a priest went about among them

02:39:24

with a cross and there was about 5

02:39:26

minutes of time left for him to

02:39:29

live he said that those five minutes

02:39:33

seemed to him to be a most interminable

02:39:35

period an enormous wealth of time he

02:39:40

seemed to be living in these minutes so

02:39:42

many lives that there was no need as yet

02:39:44

to think of of that last moment so that

02:39:47

he made several Arrangements dividing up

02:39:50

the time into portions one for saying

02:39:53

farewell to his companions two minutes

02:39:56

for that then a couple more for thinking

02:39:59

over his own life and career and all

02:40:02

about himself and another minute for a

02:40:04

last look

02:40:06

around he remembered having divided his

02:40:09

time like this quite

02:40:11

well while saying goodbye to his friends

02:40:14

he recollected ask asking one of them

02:40:16

some very usual everyday question and

02:40:19

being much interested in the answer then

02:40:22

having B farewell he embarked upon those

02:40:25

two minutes which he had allotted for

02:40:27

looking into

02:40:29

himself he knew beforehand what he was

02:40:31

going to think about he wished to put it

02:40:34

to himself as quickly and clearly as

02:40:37

possible that here was he a living

02:40:40

thinking man and that in three minutes

02:40:43

he would be nobody or if somebody or

02:40:47

something then what and where he thought

02:40:51

he would decide this question once and

02:40:53

for all in these last three

02:40:55

minutes a little way off there stood a

02:40:58

church and its gilded Spire glittered in

02:41:01

the sun he remembered staring stubbornly

02:41:04

at this spire and at the Rays of light

02:41:07

sparkling from it he could not tear his

02:41:11

eyes from these rays of light he got the

02:41:14

idea that these raay were his new nature

02:41:18

and that in 3 minutes he would become

02:41:20

one of them Amalgamated somehow with

02:41:24

them the repugnance to what must ensue

02:41:27

almost immediately and the uncertainty

02:41:30

were Dreadful he said but worst of all

02:41:33

was the idea what should I do if I were

02:41:36

not to die now what if I were to return

02:41:39

to life again what an eternity of days

02:41:43

and all mine

02:41:46

how I should Grudge and count up every

02:41:48

minute of it so as not to waste a single

02:41:52

instant he said that this thought

02:41:54

weighed so upon him and became such a

02:41:57

terrible burden upon his brain that he

02:42:00

could not bear it and wished they would

02:42:02

shoot him quickly and have done with

02:42:06

it the prince paused and all waited

02:42:10

expecting him to go on again and finish

02:42:12

the

02:42:13

story is that all asked

02:42:16

Agia all yes said the prince emerging

02:42:20

from a momentary

02:42:22

revery and why did you tell us this oh I

02:42:26

happen to recall it that's all it fitted

02:42:29

into the

02:42:30

conversation you probably wish to deduce

02:42:33

Prince said Alexandra that moments of

02:42:36

time cannot be reckoned by money value

02:42:40

and that sometimes 5 minutes are worth

02:42:42

Priceless Treasures all this is very

02:42:45

praiseworthy but may I ask about this

02:42:48

friend of yours who told you the

02:42:49

terrible experience of his life he was

02:42:52

reprieved you say in other words they

02:42:55

did restore him to that eternity of days

02:42:59

what did he do with these Riches of time

02:43:02

did he keep careful account of his

02:43:04

minutes oh no he didn't I asked him

02:43:08

myself he said that he had not lived a

02:43:11

bit as he had intended and had wasted

02:43:14

many and any a minute very well then

02:43:18

there's an experiment and the thing is

02:43:20

proved one cannot live and count each

02:43:23

moment say what you like but one

02:43:27

cannot that is true said the prince I

02:43:31

have thought so myself and yet why

02:43:34

shouldn't one do it you think then that

02:43:37

you could live more wisely than other

02:43:39

people said

02:43:41

Agia I have had that idea and you have

02:43:45

it still yes I have it still the prince

02:43:49

replied he had contemplated AIA until

02:43:53

now with a pleasant though rather timid

02:43:56

smile but as the last words fell from

02:43:59

his lips he began to laugh and looked at

02:44:02

her

02:44:03

merrily you are not very modest said she

02:44:08

but How brave you are said he you are

02:44:11

laughing and I that man's tale impressed

02:44:15

me so much that I dreamt of it

02:44:18

afterwards yes I dreamt of those five

02:44:21

minutes he looked at his listeners again

02:44:24

with that same serious searching

02:44:28

expression you are not angry with me he

02:44:31

asked suddenly and with a kind of

02:44:33

nervous hurry although he looked them

02:44:35

straight in the face why should we be

02:44:38

angry they cried only because I seem to

02:44:42

be giving you a lecture all the time at

02:44:45

this they laughed heartily please don't

02:44:48

be angry with me continued the prince I

02:44:52

know very well that I have seen less of

02:44:54

life than other people and have less

02:44:57

knowledge of it I must appear to speak

02:45:00

strangely

02:45:02

sometimes he said the last words

02:45:05

nervously you say you have been happy

02:45:08

and that proves you have lived not less

02:45:10

but more than other people why make all

02:45:13

these excuses interrupted Agia in a

02:45:16

mocking tone of voice besides you need

02:45:20

not mind about lecturing us you have

02:45:23

nothing to boast of with your quietism

02:45:26

one could live happily a hundred years

02:45:28

at least one might show you the

02:45:31

execution of a felon or show you One's

02:45:34

little finger you could draw a moral

02:45:36

from either and be quite satisfied that

02:45:40

sort of existence is easy enough I can't

02:45:44

understand why you always fly into a

02:45:46

temper said Mrs yanin who had been

02:45:49

listening to the conversation and

02:45:51

examining the faces of the speakers in

02:45:54

turn I do not understand what you mean

02:45:57

what is your little finger to do with it

02:46:00

the prince talks well though he is not

02:46:03

amusing he began all right but now he

02:46:06

seems

02:46:08

sad never mind mamama Prince I wish you

02:46:11

had seen an execution said Agia I should

02:46:15

like to ask you a question about that if

02:46:17

you

02:46:18

had I have seen an execution said the

02:46:22

prince you have cried AIA I might have

02:46:26

guessed it that's a fitting Crown to the

02:46:29

rest of the story if you have seen an

02:46:32

execution how can you say you lived

02:46:34

happily all the while but is there

02:46:37

capital punishment where you were asked

02:46:41

Adela I saw it at

02:46:44

Leon Nida took us there and as soon as

02:46:46

we arrived we came in for

02:46:49

that well and did you like it very much

02:46:52

was it very edifying and instructive

02:46:55

asked Agia no I didn't like it at all

02:46:59

and was Ill after seeing it but I

02:47:02

confess I stared as though my eyes were

02:47:04

fixed to the sight I could not tear them

02:47:09

away I too should have been unable to

02:47:11

tear my eyes away said Agia

02:47:15

they do not at all approve of women

02:47:17

going to see an execution there the

02:47:20

women who do go are condemned for it

02:47:22

afterwards in the

02:47:23

newspapers that is by contending that it

02:47:26

is not a sight for women they admit that

02:47:29

it is a sight for men I congratulate

02:47:32

them on the deduction I suppose you

02:47:34

quite agree with them

02:47:36

Prince tell us about the execution put

02:47:39

in

02:47:41

Adela I would much rather not just now

02:47:44

said said the prince a little Disturbed

02:47:46

and frowning slightly you don't seem to

02:47:49

want to tell us said Agia with a mocking

02:47:53

air no the thing is I was telling all

02:47:56

about the execution a little while ago

02:47:59

and whom did you tell about it the

02:48:02

manservant well I was waiting to see the

02:48:04

general our manservant exclaimed several

02:48:08

voices at once yes the one who waits in

02:48:11

the entrance hall a grayish red face

02:48:15

man the prince is clearly a Democrat

02:48:19

remarked Agia well if you could tell

02:48:22

Alex about it surely you can tell us too

02:48:26

I do so want to hear about it repeated

02:48:30

Adela just now I confess began the

02:48:34

prince with more animation when you

02:48:36

asked me for a subject for a picture I

02:48:39

confess I had serious thoughts of giving

02:48:41

you one I thought of asking you to draw

02:48:44

the face of of a criminal one minute

02:48:46

before the fall of the

02:48:48

guillotine while The Wretched Man Is

02:48:50

Still Standing on the scaffold

02:48:53

Preparatory to placing his neck on the

02:48:55

Block what his face only his face asked

02:49:00

Adela that would be a strange subject

02:49:03

indeed and what sort of picture would

02:49:06

that

02:49:07

make oh why not the prince insisted with

02:49:11

some warmth when I was in Bal I saw a

02:49:15

picture very much in that style I should

02:49:18

like to tell you about it I will

02:49:20

sometime or other it struck me very

02:49:23

forcibly oh you shall tell us about the

02:49:25

baral picture another time now we must

02:49:28

have all about the execution said

02:49:31

Adela tell us about that face as it

02:49:34

appeared to your imagination how should

02:49:37

it be drawn just a face alone do you

02:49:40

mean it was just a minute before the

02:49:43

execution began the Prince readily

02:49:46

Carried Away by the recollection and

02:49:48

evidently forgetting everything else in

02:49:50

a

02:49:51

moment just at the instant when he

02:49:54

stepped off the ladder onto the scaffold

02:49:56

he happened to look in my direction I

02:49:59

saw his eyes and understood all at once

02:50:03

but how am I to describe it I do so wish

02:50:06

you or somebody else could draw it you

02:50:09

if possible I thought at the time what a

02:50:13

picture it would make

02:50:15

you must imagine all that went before of

02:50:18

course all all he had lived in the

02:50:21

prison for some time and had not

02:50:24

expected that the execution would take

02:50:26

place for at least a week yet he had

02:50:29

counted on all the formalities and so on

02:50:31

taking time but it so happened that his

02:50:35

papers had been got ready

02:50:37

quickly at 5:00 in the morning he was

02:50:40

asleep it was October and at 5: in the

02:50:43

morning it was cold and dark the

02:50:46

governor of the prison comes in on

02:50:48

tiptoe and touches the sleeping man's

02:50:51

shoulder gently he starts up what is it

02:50:55

he says the execution is fixed for

02:50:59

10:00 he was only just awake and would

02:51:02

not believe it at first but began to

02:51:05

argue that his papers would not be out

02:51:07

for a week and so on when he was wide

02:51:11

awake and realized the truth he became

02:51:14

very silent and argued no more so they

02:51:18

say but after a bit he said it comes

02:51:21

very hard on one so suddenly and then he

02:51:25

was silent again and said nothing the

02:51:28

three or four hours went by of course in

02:51:31

necessary preparations the priest

02:51:34

breakfast coffee meat and some wine they

02:51:37

gave him doesn't it seem

02:51:39

ridiculous and yet I believe these

02:51:41

people give them a good breakfast out of

02:51:43

pure kind kindness of heart and believe

02:51:47

that they are doing a good

02:51:48

action then he is dressed and and then

02:51:52

Begins the procession through the town

02:51:54

to the scaffold I think he too must feel

02:51:57

that he has an age to live still while

02:52:00

they CAU him along probably he thought

02:52:04

on the way oh I have a long long time

02:52:07

yet three streets of life yet when we've

02:52:11

passed this street there'll be that

02:52:12

other one and then that on where the

02:52:14

baker's shop is on the right and when

02:52:17

shall we get there it's ages

02:52:21

ages around him are crowds shouting

02:52:24

yelling 10,000 faces 20,000 eyes all

02:52:31

this has to be endured and especially

02:52:33

the thought here are 10,000 men and not

02:52:37

one of them is going to be executed and

02:52:40

yet I am to

02:52:41

die well all that is Preparatory

02:52:45

at the scaffold there is a ladder and

02:52:47

just there he bursts into tears and this

02:52:51

was a strong man and a terribly Wicked

02:52:54

one they say there was a priest with him

02:52:57

the whole time talking even in the cart

02:53:00

as they drove along he talked and

02:53:03

talked probably the other heard nothing

02:53:06

he would begin to listen now and then

02:53:09

and at the third word or so he had

02:53:11

forgotten all about

02:53:12

it at last he began to mount the steps

02:53:17

his legs were tied so that he had to

02:53:19

take very small steps the priest who

02:53:22

seemed to be a wise man had stopped

02:53:24

talking now and only held the cross for

02:53:27

The Wretched fellow to

02:53:30

kiss at the foot of the ladder he had

02:53:32

been pale enough but when he set foot on

02:53:35

the scaffold at the top his face

02:53:38

suddenly became the color of paper

02:53:41

positively like white not paper his legs

02:53:45

must have become suddenly feeble and

02:53:47

helpless and he felt a choking in his

02:53:50

throat you know the sudden feeling one

02:53:53

has in moments of terrible fear when one

02:53:55

does not lose one's wits but is

02:53:58

absolutely powerless to move if some

02:54:01

Dreadful thing were suddenly to happen

02:54:04

if a house were just about to fall on

02:54:06

one don't you know how one would long to

02:54:09

sit down and shut one's eyes and wait

02:54:12

and wait well when this terrible feeling

02:54:16

came over him the priest quickly pressed

02:54:19

the cross to his lips without a word a

02:54:22

little silver cross it was and he kept

02:54:25

on pressing it to the man's lips every

02:54:28

second and whenever the cross touched

02:54:30

his lips the eyes would open for a

02:54:33

moment and the legs moved once and he

02:54:36

kissed the cross greedily hurriedly just

02:54:40

as though he were anxious to catch hold

02:54:42

of something in case of its being useful

02:54:44

to him afterwards though he could hardly

02:54:47

have had any connected religious

02:54:49

thoughts at the

02:54:50

time and so up to the very

02:54:54

block how strange that criminals seldom

02:54:57

Swoon at such a moment on the contrary

02:55:01

the brain is especially active and works

02:55:04

incessantly probably hard hard hard like

02:55:09

an engine at full pressure I imagine

02:55:12

that various thoughts must beat loud and

02:55:15

Fast through his head all unfinished

02:55:17

ones and strange funny thoughts very

02:55:20

likely like this for instance that man

02:55:23

is looking at me and he has a wart on

02:55:26

his forehead and the Executioner has

02:55:29

burst one of his buttons and the lowest

02:55:31

one is all

02:55:33

rusty and meanwhile he notices and

02:55:35

remembers everything there is one point

02:55:38

that cannot be forgotten around which

02:55:41

everything else dances and turns about

02:55:44

and because of this point he cannot

02:55:46

faint and this lasts until the very

02:55:49

final quarter of a second when The

02:55:52

Wretched neck is on the Block and the

02:55:55

victim listens and waits and

02:55:58

knows that's the point he knows that he

02:56:02

is just now about to die and listens for

02:56:06

the rasp of the iron above his

02:56:09

head if I lay there I should certainly

02:56:12

listen for that grating sound

02:56:14

and hear it too there would probably be

02:56:17

but the tenth part of an instant left to

02:56:20

hear it in but one would certainly hear

02:56:23

it and imagine some people declare that

02:56:27

when the head flies off it is conscious

02:56:30

of having flown off just imagine what a

02:56:33

thing to realize fancy if Consciousness

02:56:36

were to last for even five

02:56:40

seconds draw the scaffold so that only

02:56:43

the top step of the ladder comes in

02:56:46

clearly the criminal must be just

02:56:48

stepping onto it his face as white as

02:56:51

Note Paper the priest is holding the

02:56:54

cross to his blue lips and the criminal

02:56:57

kisses it and knows and sees and

02:57:01

understands

02:57:03

everything the cross and the head

02:57:06

there's your picture the priest and the

02:57:09

Executioner with his two assistants and

02:57:12

a few heads and eyes

02:57:14

below those might come in as subordinate

02:57:17

accessories a sort of

02:57:20

mist there's a picture for

02:57:23

you the prince paused and looked

02:57:27

around certainly that isn't much like

02:57:30

quietism murmured Alexandra half to

02:57:34

herself now tell us about your love

02:57:37

affairs said Adela after a moment's

02:57:41

pause the prince gazed at her in a

02:57:44

amazement you know Adela continued you

02:57:47

ow a description of the Bal picture but

02:57:51

first I wish to hear how you fell in

02:57:53

love don't deny the fact for you did of

02:57:57

course besides you stop philosophizing

02:58:00

when you are telling about anything why

02:58:02

are you ashamed of your stories the

02:58:05

moment after you have told them asked

02:58:07

AIA

02:58:09

suddenly how silly you are said Mrs

02:58:12

yanin looking indignantly towards the

02:58:15

last

02:58:16

speaker yes that wasn't a clever remark

02:58:20

said

02:58:21

Alexandra don't listen to her prince

02:58:23

said Mrs

02:58:25

yanin she says that sort of thing out of

02:58:27

Mischief don't think anything of their

02:58:30

nonsense it means nothing they love to

02:58:33

Cha but they like you I can see it in

02:58:36

their faces I know their

02:58:38

faces I know their faces too said the

02:58:42

prince with a PE peculiar stress on the

02:58:45

words how so asked Adela with curiosity

02:58:50

what do you know about our faces

02:58:52

exclaimed the other two in

02:58:54

chorus but the prince was silent and

02:58:58

serious all awaited his

02:59:01

reply I'll tell you afterwards he said

02:59:05

quietly ah you want to arouse our

02:59:08

curiosity said agier and how terribly

02:59:11

solemn you are about it very well

02:59:15

interrupted Adela then if you can read

02:59:17

faces so well you must have been in love

02:59:21

come now I've guessed let's have the

02:59:25

secret I have not been in love said the

02:59:28

prince as quietly and seriously as

02:59:31

before I have been happy in another way

02:59:35

how

02:59:37

how well I'll tell you said the prince

02:59:42

apparently in a deep re

02:59:46

Ry end of part one chapter

02:59:50

5 recording by Martin Geeson in

02:59:54

hazelmere

03:00:05

Sur on chapter six of the idiot this

03:00:10

LibriVox recording is in the public

03:00:12

domain

03:00:14

recording by Martin

03:00:16

Geeson The Idiot by Fodor

03:00:20

DVI translated by Eva M

03:00:24

Martin part one chapter

03:00:28

6 here you all are began the prince

03:00:32

settling yourselves down to listen to me

03:00:35

with so much curiosity that if I do not

03:00:38

satisfy you you will probably be angry

03:00:41

with me no no I'm I'm only joking he added

03:00:45

hastily with a

03:00:48

smile well then they were all children

03:00:52

there and I was always among children

03:00:54

and only with

03:00:56

children they were the children of the

03:00:58

village in which I lived and they went

03:01:00

to the school there all of them I did

03:01:04

not teach them oh no there was a master

03:01:07

for that one je tibo I may have taught

03:01:10

them some things but I was among them

03:01:13

just as

03:01:14

Outsider and I passed all four years of

03:01:17

my life there among them I wished for

03:01:20

nothing better I used to tell them

03:01:23

everything and hid nothing from them

03:01:26

their fathers and relations were very

03:01:28

angry with me because the children could

03:01:31

do nothing without me at last and used

03:01:33

to throng after me at all times the

03:01:37

school master was my greatest enemy in

03:01:39

the end I had many enemies and all

03:01:43

because of the children even Schneider

03:01:46

reproached me what were they afraid of

03:01:49

one can tell a child everything anything

03:01:53

I have often been struck by the fact

03:01:55

that parents know their children so

03:01:57

little they should not conceal so much

03:02:00

from them how well even little children

03:02:04

understand that their parents conceal

03:02:06

things from them because they consider

03:02:08

them too young to understand children

03:02:11

are capable of giving advice ice in the

03:02:14

most important matters how can one

03:02:17

deceive these dear little birds when

03:02:21

they look at one so sweetly and

03:02:24

confidingly I call them Birds because

03:02:26

there is nothing in the world better

03:02:28

than

03:02:29

Birds however most of the people were

03:02:32

angry with me about one and the same

03:02:34

thing but tibo simply was jealous of me

03:02:39

at first he had wagged his head and

03:02:41

wondered how it was that the children

03:02:44

understood what I told them so well and

03:02:47

could not learn from him and he laughed

03:02:50

like anything when I replied that

03:02:52

neither he nor I could teach them very

03:02:55

much but that they might teach us a good

03:02:58

deal how he could hate me and tell

03:03:01

scandalous stories about me living among

03:03:04

children as he did is what I cannot

03:03:07

understand children soothe and heal the

03:03:10

Wounded Heart I remember there was one

03:03:13

poor fellow at our professors who was

03:03:15

being treated for madness and you have

03:03:18

no idea what those children did for him

03:03:21

eventually I don't think he was mad but

03:03:24

only terribly

03:03:25

unhappy but I'll tell you all about him

03:03:28

another day now I must get on with this

03:03:31

story the children did not love me at

03:03:34

first I was such a sickly awkward kind

03:03:38

of a fellow then and I know I am ugly

03:03:42

besides I was a foreigner

03:03:44

the children used to laugh at me at

03:03:46

first and they even went so far as to

03:03:49

throw stones at me when they saw me kiss

03:03:52

Marie I only kissed her once in my life

03:03:55

no no don't laugh the prince hastened to

03:03:58

suppress the smiles of his audience at

03:04:01

this point it was not a matter of love

03:04:04

at all if only you knew what a miserable

03:04:07

creature she was you would have pied her

03:04:10

just as I did she belonged to our

03:04:13

village her mother was an old old woman

03:04:17

and they used to sell string and thread

03:04:19

and soap and tobacco out of the window

03:04:22

of their little house and lived by the

03:04:25

pittance they gained by this trade the

03:04:28

old woman was ill and very old and could

03:04:32

hardly move Marie was her daughter a

03:04:35

girl of 20 weak and thin and consumptive

03:04:39

but still she did Heavy work at the

03:04:41

houses around day by day

03:04:44

well One Fine Day a commercial traveler

03:04:48

betrayed her and carried her off and a

03:04:51

week later he deserted her she came home

03:04:54

dirty draggled and

03:04:56

shoeless she had walked for a whole week

03:04:59

without shoes she had slept in the

03:05:01

fields and caught a terrible cold her

03:05:05

feet were swollen and sore and her hands

03:05:08

torn and scratched all over she never

03:05:11

had been pretty even before before but

03:05:14

her eyes were quiet innocent kind eyes

03:05:19

she was very quiet always and I remember

03:05:22

once when she had suddenly begun singing

03:05:24

at her work everyone said Marie tried to

03:05:27

sing today and she got so chaffed that

03:05:31

she was silent forever

03:05:33

after she had been treated unkindly in

03:05:36

the place before but when she came back

03:05:39

now ill and shunned and miserable not

03:05:42

one of them all all had the slightest

03:05:45

sympathy for her cruel people oh what

03:05:49

hazy understandings they have on such

03:05:51

matters her mother was the first to show

03:05:54

the way she received her wroth F

03:05:57

unkindly and with contempt you have

03:06:00

disgraced me she said she was the first

03:06:04

to cast her into ignon but when they all

03:06:07

heard that Marie had returned to the

03:06:09

Village they ran out to see her and

03:06:12

crowded in into the little cottage old

03:06:15

men children women girls such a hurrying

03:06:19

stamping greedy crowd Marie was lying on

03:06:23

the floor at the old woman's feet hungry

03:06:27

torn draggled crying

03:06:30

miserable when everyone crowded into the

03:06:33

room she hid her face in her disheveled

03:06:36

hair and lay cowering on the floor

03:06:39

everyone looked at her as though she

03:06:40

were a piece of dirt off the road

03:06:43

the old men scolded and condemned and

03:06:47

the young ones laughed at her the women

03:06:50

condemned her too and looked at her

03:06:53

contemptuously just as if she was some

03:06:55

loathsome

03:06:57

insect her mother allowed all this to go

03:07:00

on and nodded her head and encouraged

03:07:02

them the old woman was very ill at that

03:07:05

time and knew she was dying she really

03:07:08

did die a couple of months later and

03:07:12

though she felt the end of approaching

03:07:14

she never thought of forgiving her

03:07:16

daughter to the very day of her death

03:07:19

she would not even speak to her she made

03:07:22

her sleep on straw in a shed and hardly

03:07:25

gave her food enough to support

03:07:28

life Marie was very gentle to her mother

03:07:32

and nursed her and did everything for

03:07:34

her but the old woman accepted all her

03:07:37

services without a word and never showed

03:07:40

her the slightest

03:07:42

kindness Mar bore all this and I could

03:07:45

see when I got to know her that she

03:07:47

thought it quite right and fitting

03:07:49

considering herself the lowest and

03:07:51

meanest of

03:07:53

creatures when the old woman took to her

03:07:56

bed finally the other old woman in the

03:07:59

village sat with her by turns as the

03:08:01

custom is there and then Marie was quite

03:08:04

driven out of the house they gave her no

03:08:08

food at all and she could not get any

03:08:10

work in the village none would employ

03:08:12

her

03:08:13

the men seemed to consider her no longer

03:08:16

a Woman They said such Dreadful things

03:08:19

to her sometimes on Sundays if they were

03:08:22

drunk enough they used to throw her a

03:08:24

penny or two into the mud and Marie

03:08:27

would silently pick up the money she had

03:08:30

begun to spit blood at that

03:08:33

time at last her Rags became so tattered

03:08:36

and torn that she was ashamed of

03:08:38

appearing in the village any longer the

03:08:41

children used to Pelt her with mud so

03:08:43

she begged to be taken on as an

03:08:45

assistant cow herd but the cow herd

03:08:48

would not have her then she took to

03:08:51

helping him without leave and he saw how

03:08:54

valuable her assistance was to him and

03:08:57

did not drive her away again on the

03:08:59

contrary he occasionally gave her the

03:09:01

remnants of his dinner bread and cheese

03:09:05

he considered that he was being very

03:09:07

kind when the mother died the village

03:09:10

Parson was not ashamed to hold Marie up

03:09:13

to public derision and shame Marie was

03:09:17

standing at the coffin's head in all her

03:09:20

Rags crying a crowd of people had

03:09:24

collected to see how she would cry The

03:09:27

Parson a young fellow ambitious of

03:09:30

becoming a great preacher began his

03:09:32

sermon and pointed to

03:09:34

Marie there he said there is the cause

03:09:38

of the death of this venerable woman

03:09:41

which was a lie because she had been ill

03:09:43

for at least 2 years there she stands

03:09:47

before you and dares not lift her eyes

03:09:50

from the ground because she knows that

03:09:52

the Finger of God is upon her look at

03:09:55

her tatters and Rags the badge of those

03:09:59

who lose their virtue who is she her

03:10:03

daughter and so on to the

03:10:06

end and just fancy this infamy pleased

03:10:10

them all of them nearly only the

03:10:13

children had altered for then they were

03:10:16

all on my side and had learned to love

03:10:19

Marie this is how it was I had wished to

03:10:23

do something for Marie I longed to give

03:10:26

her some money but I never had a

03:10:28

farthing while I was there but I had a

03:10:31

little Diamond pin and this I sold to a

03:10:34

traveling Peddler he gave me 8 Franks

03:10:37

for it it was worth at least

03:10:40

40 I long sought to meet Marie alone and

03:10:44

At Last I did meet her on the hillside

03:10:47

Beyond The Village I gave her the eight

03:10:50

Franks and asked her to take care of the

03:10:53

money because I could get no more and

03:10:56

then I kissed her and said that she was

03:10:58

not to suppose I kissed her with any

03:11:00

evil motives or because I was in love

03:11:03

with her for that I did so solely out of

03:11:06

pity for her and because from the first

03:11:09

I had not accounted her as guilty so

03:11:12

much as

03:11:14

unfortunate I longed to console and

03:11:17

encourage her somehow and to assure her

03:11:20

that she was not the low base thing

03:11:22

which she and others strove to make out

03:11:26

but I don't think she understood me she

03:11:29

stood before me dreadfully ashamed of

03:11:31

herself and with downcast eyes and when

03:11:35

I had finished she kissed my hand I

03:11:38

would have kissed hers but she drew it

03:11:40

away just at this moment the whole troop

03:11:44

of children saw us I found out

03:11:47

afterwards that they had long kept a

03:11:49

watch upon me they all began whistling

03:11:52

and clapping their hands and laughing at

03:11:54

us Marie ran away at once and when I

03:11:58

tried to talk to them they threw stones

03:12:01

at me all the village heard of it the

03:12:04

same day and Marie's position became

03:12:07

worse than ever the children would not

03:12:09

let her pass now in the streets but

03:12:12

annoyed her and threw dirt at her more

03:12:14

than before they used to run after her

03:12:17

she racing away with her poor feeble

03:12:20

lungs panting and gasping and they

03:12:23

pelting her and shouting abuse at her

03:12:27

once I had to interfere by force and

03:12:30

after that I took to speaking to them

03:12:32

every day and whenever I could

03:12:35

occasionally they stopped and listened

03:12:37

but they teased Marie all the same I

03:12:40

told them how unhappy Mar was and after

03:12:44

a while they stopped their abuse of her

03:12:47

and let her go by

03:12:48

silently little by little we got into

03:12:51

the way of conversing together the

03:12:53

children and I I concealed nothing from

03:12:56

them I told them all they listened very

03:13:00

attentively and soon began to be sorry

03:13:02

for Marie at last some of them talk to

03:13:06

saying good morning to her kindly when

03:13:08

they met her it is the custom there to

03:13:11

salute anyone you meet with good morning

03:13:14

whether acquainted or not I can imagine

03:13:17

how astonished Marie was at these first

03:13:19

greetings from the children once two

03:13:22

little girls got hold of some food and