English
Whennextmorningateleveno’clockpunctuallyRaskolnikovwentintothedepartmentoftheinvestigationofcriminalcausesandsenthisnameintoPorfiryPetrovitch,hewassurprisedatbeingkeptwaitingsolong:itwasatleasttenminutesbeforehewassummoned.
Hehadexpectedthattheywouldpounceuponhim.
Buthestoodinthewaiting-room,andpeople,whoapparentlyhadnothingtodowithhim,werecontinuallypassingtoandfrobeforehim.
Inthenextroomwhichlookedlikeanoffice,severalclerksweresittingwritingandobviouslytheyhadnonotionwhoorwhatRaskolnikovmightbe.
Helookeduneasilyandsuspiciouslyabouthimtoseewhethertherewasnotsomeguard,somemysteriouswatchbeingkeptonhimtopreventhisescape.
Buttherewasnothingofthesort:hesawonlythefacesofclerksabsorbedinpettydetails,thenotherpeople,nooneseemedtohaveanyconcernwithhim.Hemightgowherehelikedforthem.
Theconvictiongrewstrongerinhimthatifthatenigmaticmanofyesterday,thatphantomsprungoutoftheearth,hadseeneverything,theywouldnothavelethimstandandwaitlikethat.
Andwouldtheyhavewaitedtillheelectedtoappearateleven?
Eitherthemanhadnotyetgiveninformation,or…orsimplyheknewnothing,hadseennothing(andhowcouldhehaveseenanything?)
andsoallthathadhappenedtohimthedaybeforewasagainaphantomexaggeratedbyhissickandoverstrainedimagination.
Thisconjecturehadbeguntogrowstrongthedaybefore,inthemidstofallhisalarmanddespair.
Thinkingitallovernowandpreparingforafreshconflict,hewassuddenlyawarethathewastrembling—andhefeltarushofindignationatthethoughtthathewastremblingwithfearatfacingthathatefulPorfiryPetrovitch.
Whathedreadedaboveallwasmeetingthatmanagain;hehatedhimwithanintense,unmitigatedhatredandwasafraidhishatredmightbetrayhim.
Hisindignationwassuchthatheceasedtremblingatonce;hemadereadytogoinwithacoldandarrogantbearingandvowedtohimselftokeepassilentaspossible,towatchandlistenandforonceatleasttocontrolhisoverstrainednerves.
AtthatmomenthewassummonedtoPorfiryPetrovitch.
HefoundPorfiryPetrovitchaloneinhisstudy.
Hisstudywasaroomneitherlargenorsmall,furnishedwithalargewriting-table,thatstoodbeforeasofa,upholsteredincheckedmaterial,abureau,abookcaseinthecornerandseveralchairs—allgovernmentfurniture,ofpolishedyellowwood.
Inthefurtherwalltherewasacloseddoor,beyondittherewerenodoubtotherrooms.
OnRaskolnikov’sentrancePorfiryPetrovitchhadatonceclosedthedoorbywhichhehadcomeinandtheyremainedalone.
Hemethisvisitorwithanapparentlygenialandgood-temperedair,anditwasonlyafterafewminutesthatRaskolnikovsawsignsofacertainawkwardnessinhim,asthoughhehadbeenthrownoutofhisreckoningorcaughtinsomethingverysecret.
“Ah,mydearfellow!Hereyouare…inourdomain”...beganPorfiry,holdingoutbothhandstohim.
“Come,sitdown,oldman…orperhapsyoudon’tliketobecalled‘mydearfellow’and‘oldman!’—toutcourt?Pleasedon’tthinkittoofamiliar….Here,onthesofa.”
Raskolnikovsatdown,keepinghiseyesfixedonhim.“Inourdomain,”theapologiesforfamiliarity,theFrenchphrasetoutcourt,wereallcharacteristicsigns.
“Heheldoutbothhandstome,buthedidnotgivemeone—hedrewitbackintime,”struckhimsuspiciously.
Bothwerewatchingeachother,butwhentheireyesmet,quickaslightningtheylookedaway.
“Ibroughtyouthispaper…aboutthewatch.Hereitis.IsitallrightorshallIcopyitagain?”
“What?Apaper?
Yes,yes,don’tbeuneasy,it’sallright,”PorfiryPetrovitchsaidasthoughinhaste,andafterhehadsaidithetookthepaperandlookedatit.“Yes,it’sallright.
Nothingmoreisneeded,”hedeclaredwiththesamerapidityandhelaidthepaperonthetable.
Aminutelaterwhenhewastalkingofsomethingelsehetookitfromthetableandputitonhisbureau.
“Ibelieveyousaidyesterdayyouwouldliketoquestionme…formally…aboutmyacquaintancewiththemurderedwoman?”Raskolnikovwasbeginningagain.
“WhydidIputin‘Ibelieve’”passedthroughhismindinaflash.
“WhyamIsouneasyathavingputinthat‘Ibelieve’?”cameinasecondflash.
AndhesuddenlyfeltthathisuneasinessatthemerecontactwithPorfiry,atthefirstwords,atthefirstlooks,hadgrowninaninstanttomonstrousproportions,andthatthiswasfearfullydangerous.
Hisnerveswerequivering,hisemotionwasincreasing.“It’sbad,it’sbad!Ishallsaytoomuchagain.”
“Yes,yes,yes!There’snohurry,there’snohurry,”mutteredPorfiryPetrovitch,movingtoandfroaboutthetablewithoutanyapparentaim,asitweremakingdashestowardsthewindow,thebureauandthetable,atonemomentavoidingRaskolnikov’ssuspiciousglance,thenagainstandingstillandlookinghimstraightintheface.
Hisfatroundlittlefigurelookedverystrange,likeaballrollingfromonesidetotheotherandreboundingback.
“We’veplentyoftime.Doyousmoke?haveyouyourown?Here,acigarette!”
hewenton,offeringhisvisitoracigarette.
“YouknowIamreceivingyouhere,butmyownquartersarethroughthere,youknow,mygovernmentquarters.
ButIamlivingoutsideforthetime,Ihadtohavesomerepairsdonehere.It’salmostfinishednow….
Governmentquarters,youknow,areacapitalthing.Eh,whatdoyouthink?”
“Yes,acapitalthing,”answeredRaskolnikov,lookingathimalmostironically.
“Acapitalthing,acapitalthing,”repeatedPorfiryPetrovitch,asthoughhehadjustthoughtofsomethingquitedifferent.
“Yes,acapitalthing,”healmostshoutedatlast,suddenlystaringatRaskolnikovandstoppingshorttwostepsfromhim.
Thisstupidrepetitionwastooincongruousinitsineptitudewiththeserious,broodingandenigmaticglanceheturneduponhisvisitor.
ButthisstirredRaskolnikov’sspleenmorethaneverandhecouldnotresistanironicalandratherincautiouschallenge.
“Tellme,please,”heaskedsuddenly,lookingalmostinsolentlyathimandtakingakindofpleasureinhisowninsolence.
“Ibelieveit’sasortoflegalrule,asortoflegaltradition—forallinvestigatinglawyers—tobegintheirattackfromafar,withatrivial,oratleastanirrelevantsubject,soastoencourage,orrather,todivertthemantheyarecross-examining,todisarmhiscautionandthenallatoncetogivehimanunexpectedknock-downblowwithsomefatalquestion.Isn’tthatso?
It’sasacredtradition,mentioned,Ifancy,inallthemanualsoftheart?”
“Yes,yes….Why,doyouimaginethatwaswhyIspokeaboutgovernmentquarters…eh?”
AndashesaidthisPorfiryPetrovitchscreweduphiseyesandwinked;agood-humoured,craftylookpassedoverhisface.
Thewrinklesonhisforeheadweresmoothedout,hiseyescontracted,hisfeaturesbroadenedandhesuddenlywentoffintoanervousprolongedlaugh,shakingalloverandlookingRaskolnikovstraightintheface.
Thelatterforcedhimselftolaugh,too,butwhenPorfiry,seeingthathewaslaughing,brokeintosuchaguffawthatheturnedalmostcrimson,Raskolnikov’srepulsionovercameallprecaution;heleftofflaughing,scowledandstaredwithhatredatPorfiry,keepinghiseyesfixedonhimwhilehisintentionallyprolongedlaughterlasted.
Therewaslackofprecautiononbothsides,however,forPorfiryPetrovitchseemedtobelaughinginhisvisitor’sfaceandtobeverylittledisturbedattheannoyancewithwhichthevisitorreceivedit.
ThelatterfactwasverysignificantinRaskolnikov’seyes:hesawthatPorfiryPetrovitchhadnotbeenembarrassedjustbeforeeither,butthathe,Raskolnikov,hadperhapsfallenintoatrap;thattheremustbesomething,somemotivehereunknowntohim;that,perhaps,everythingwasinreadinessandinanothermomentwouldbreakuponhim…
Hewentstraighttothepointatonce,rosefromhisseatandtookhiscap.
“PorfiryPetrovitch,”hebeganresolutely,thoughwithconsiderableirritation,“yesterdayyouexpressedadesirethatIshouldcometoyouforsomeinquiries”(helaidspecialstressontheword“inquiries”).
“Ihavecomeandifyouhaveanythingtoaskme,askit,andifnot,allowmetowithdraw.Ihavenotimetospare….
Ihavetobeatthefuneralofthatmanwhowasrunover,ofwhomyou…knowalso,”headded,feelingangryatonceathavingmadethisadditionandmoreirritatedathisanger.“Iamsickofitall,doyouhear?andhavelongbeen.It’spartlywhatmademeill.
Inshort,”heshouted,feelingthatthephraseabouthisillnesswasstillmoreoutofplace,“inshort,kindlyexaminemeorletmego,atonce.
Andifyoumustexamineme,dosointheproperform!
Iwillnotallowyoutodosootherwise,andsomeanwhile,good-bye,aswehaveevidentlynothingtokeepusnow.”
“Goodheavens!Whatdoyoumean?WhatshallIquestionyouabout?”
cackledPorfiryPetrovitchwithachangeoftone,instantlyleavingofflaughing.
“Pleasedon’tdisturbyourself,”hebeganfidgetingfromplacetoplaceandfussilymakingRaskolnikovsitdown.
“There’snohurry,there’snohurry,it’sallnonsense.
Oh,no,I’mverygladyou’vecometoseemeatlast…Ilookuponyousimplyasavisitor.
Andasformyconfoundedlaughter,pleaseexcuseit,RodionRomanovitch.RodionRomanovitch?Thatisyourname?
...It’smynerves,youtickledmesowithyourwittyobservation;Iassureyou,sometimesIshakewithlaughterlikeanindia-rubberballforhalfanhouratatime….
I’moftenafraidofanattackofparalysis.Dositdown.
Pleasedo,orIshallthinkyouareangry…”
Raskolnikovdidnotspeak;helistened,watchinghim,stillfrowningangrily.Hedidsitdown,butstillheldhiscap.
“Imusttellyouonethingaboutmyself,mydearRodionRomanovitch,”PorfiryPetrovitchcontinued,movingabouttheroomandagainavoidinghisvisitor’seyes.
“Yousee,I’mabachelor,amanofnoconsequenceandnotusedtosociety;besides,Ihavenothingbeforeme,I’mset,I’mrunningtoseedand…andhaveyounoticed,RodionRomanovitch,thatinourPetersburgcircles,iftwoclevermenmeetwhoarenotintimate,butrespecteachother,likeyouandme,ittakesthemhalfanhourbeforetheycanfindasubjectforconversation—theyaredumb,theysitoppositeeachotherandfeelawkward.
Everyonehassubjectsofconversation,ladiesforinstance…peopleinhighsocietyalwayshavetheirsubjectsofconversation,c’estderigueur,butpeopleofthemiddlesortlikeus,thinkingpeoplethatis,arealwaystongue-tiedandawkward.Whatisthereasonofit?
Whetheritisthelackofpublicinterest,orwhetheritiswearesohonestwedon’twanttodeceiveoneanother,Idon’tknow.Whatdoyouthink?
Doputdownyourcap,itlooksasifyouwerejustgoing,itmakesmeuncomfortable…Iamsodelighted…”
RaskolnikovputdownhiscapandcontinuedlisteninginsilencewithaseriousfrowningfacetothevagueandemptychatterofPorfiryPetrovitch.
“Doeshereallywanttodistractmyattentionwithhissillybabble?”
“Ican’tofferyoucoffeehere;butwhynotspendfiveminuteswithafriend?”
Porfirypatteredon,“andyouknowalltheseofficialduties…pleasedon’tmindmyrunningupanddown,excuseit,mydearfellow,Iamverymuchafraidofoffendingyou,butexerciseisabsolutelyindispensableforme.
I’malwayssittingandsogladtobemovingaboutforfiveminutes…Isufferfrommysedentarylife…Ialwaysintendtojoinagymnasium;theysaythatofficialsofallranks,evenPrivyCouncillors,maybeseenskippinggailythere;thereyouhaveit,modernscience…yes,yes….
Butasformydutieshere,inquiriesandallsuchformalities…youmentionedinquiriesyourselfjustnow…Iassureyoutheseinterrogationsaresometimesmoreembarrassingfortheinterrogatorthanfortheinterrogated….
Youmadetheobservationyourselfjustnowveryaptlyandwittily.”
(Raskolnikovhadmadenoobservationofthekind.)“Onegetsintoamuddle!Aregularmuddle!
Onekeepsharpingonthesamenote,likeadrum!
Thereistobeareformandweshallbecalledbyadifferentname,atleast,he-he-he!
Andasforourlegaltradition,asyousowittilycalledit,Ithoroughlyagreewithyou.
Everyprisonerontrial,eventherudestpeasant,knowsthattheybeginbydisarminghimwithirrelevantquestions(asyousohappilyputit)andthendealhimaknock-downblow,he-he-he!—yourfelicitouscomparison,he-he!
SoyoureallyimaginedthatImeantby‘governmentquarters’...he-he!Youareanironicalperson.Come.Iwon’tgoon!Ah,bytheway,yes!Onewordleadstoanother.
Youspokeofformalityjustnow,aproposoftheinquiry,youknow.Butwhat’stheuseofformality?Inmanycasesit’snonsense.
Sometimesonehasafriendlychatandgetsagooddealmoreoutofit.
Onecanalwaysfallbackonformality,allowmetoassureyou.Andafterall,whatdoesitamountto?
Anexamininglawyercannotbeboundedbyformalityateverystep.
Theworkofinvestigationis,sotospeak,afreeartinitsownway,he-he-he!”
PorfiryPetrovitchtookbreathamoment.
Hehadsimplybabbledonutteringemptyphrases,lettingslipafewenigmaticwordsandagainrevertingtoincoherence.
Hewasalmostrunningabouttheroom,movinghisfatlittlelegsquickerandquicker,lookingattheground,withhisrighthandbehindhisback,whilewithhisleftmakinggesticulationsthatwereextraordinarilyincongruouswithhiswords.
Raskolnikovsuddenlynoticedthatasheranabouttheroomheseemedtwicetostopforamomentnearthedoor,asthoughhewerelistening.
“Isheexpectinganything?”
“Youarecertainlyquiterightaboutit,”Porfirybegangaily,lookingwithextraordinarysimplicityatRaskolnikov(whichstartledhimandinstantlyputhimonhisguard);“certainlyquiterightinlaughingsowittilyatourlegalforms,he-he!
Someoftheseelaboratepsychologicalmethodsareexceedinglyridiculousandperhapsuseless,ifoneadherestoocloselytotheforms.Yes…Iamtalkingofformsagain.
Well,ifIrecognise,ormorestrictlyspeaking,ifIsuspectsomeoneorothertobeacriminalinanycaseentrustedtome…you’rereadingforthelaw,ofcourse,RodionRomanovitch?”
“Yes,Iwas…”
“Well,thenitisaprecedentforyouforthefuture—thoughdon’tsupposeIshouldventuretoinstructyouafterthearticlesyoupublishaboutcrime!
No,Isimplymakeboldtostateitbywayoffact,ifItookthismanorthatforacriminal,why,Iask,shouldIworryhimprematurely,eventhoughIhadevidenceagainsthim?
InonecaseImaybebound,forinstance,toarrestamanatonce,butanothermaybeinquiteadifferentposition,youknow,sowhyshouldn’tIlethimwalkaboutthetownabit?he-he-he!
ButIseeyoudon’tquiteunderstand,soI’llgiveyouaclearerexample.
IfIputhiminprisontoosoon,Imayverylikelygivehim,sotospeak,moralsupport,he-he!You’relaughing?”
Raskolnikovhadnoideaoflaughing.Hewassittingwithcompressedlips,hisfeverisheyesfixedonPorfiryPetrovitch’s.
“Yetthatisthecase,withsometypesespecially,formenaresodifferent.Yousay‘evidence’.Well,theremaybeevidence.
Butevidence,youknow,cangenerallybetakentwoways.
Iamanexamininglawyerandaweakman,Iconfessit.
Ishouldliketomakeaproof,sotosay,mathematicallyclear.
Ishouldliketomakeachainofevidencesuchastwicetwoarefour,itoughttobeadirect,irrefutableproof!
AndifIshuthimuptoosoon—eventhoughImightbeconvincedhewastheman,Ishouldverylikelybedeprivingmyselfofthemeansofgettingfurtherevidenceagainsthim.Andhow?
Bygivinghim,sotospeak,adefiniteposition,Ishallputhimoutofsuspenseandsethismindatrest,sothathewillretreatintohisshell.
TheysaythatatSevastopol,soonafterAlma,thecleverpeoplewereinaterriblefrightthattheenemywouldattackopenlyandtakeSevastopolatonce.
Butwhentheysawthattheenemypreferredaregularsiege,theyweredelighted,Iamtoldandreassured,forthethingwoulddragonfortwomonthsatleast.
You’relaughing,youdon’tbelievemeagain?Ofcourse,you’reright,too.You’reright,you’reright.Thesearespecialcases,Iadmit.
Butyoumustobservethis,mydearRodionRomanovitch,thegeneralcase,thecaseforwhichalllegalformsandrulesareintended,forwhichtheyarecalculatedandlaiddowninbooks,doesnotexistatall,forthereasonthateverycase,everycrime,forinstance,sosoonasitactuallyoccurs,atoncebecomesathoroughlyspecialcaseandsometimesacaseunlikeanythat’sgonebefore.
Verycomiccasesofthatsortsometimesoccur.
IfIleaveonemanquitealone,ifIdon’ttouchhimanddon’tworryhim,butlethimknoworatleastsuspecteverymomentthatIknowallaboutitandamwatchinghimdayandnight,andifheisincontinualsuspicionandterror,he’llbeboundtolosehishead.
He’llcomeofhimself,ormaybedosomethingwhichwillmakeitasplainastwicetwoarefour—it’sdelightful.
Itmaybesowithasimplepeasant,butwithoneofoursort,anintelligentmancultivatedonacertainside,it’sadeadcertainty.
For,mydearfellow,it’saveryimportantmattertoknowonwhatsideamaniscultivated.
Andthentherearenerves,therearenerves,youhaveoverlookedthem!
Why,theyareallsick,nervousandirritable!
...Andthenhowtheyallsufferfromspleen!
ThatIassureyouisaregulargold-mineforus.
Andit’snoanxietytome,hisrunningaboutthetownfree!Lethim,lethimwalkaboutforabit!
IknowwellenoughthatI’vecaughthimandthathewon’tescapeme.Wherecouldheescapeto,he-he?Abroad,perhaps?
APolewillescapeabroad,butnothere,especiallyasIamwatchingandhavetakenmeasures.
Willheescapeintothedepthsofthecountryperhaps?
Butyouknow,peasantslivethere,realrudeRussianpeasants.
Amoderncultivatedmanwouldpreferprisontolivingwithsuchstrangersasourpeasants.He-he!
Butthat’sallnonsense,andonthesurface.
It’snotmerelythathehasnowheretorunto,heispsychologicallyunabletoescapeme,he-he!Whatanexpression!
Throughalawofnaturehecan’tescapemeifhehadanywheretogo.
Haveyouseenabutterflyroundacandle?
That’showhewillkeepcirclingandcirclingroundme.Freedomwillloseitsattractions.
He’llbegintobrood,he’llweaveatangleroundhimself,he’llworryhimselftodeath!
What’smorehewillprovidemewithamathematicalproof—ifIonlygivehimlongenoughinterval….
Andhe’llkeepcirclingroundme,gettingnearerandnearerandthen—flop!
He’llflystraightintomymouthandI’llswallowhim,andthatwillbeveryamusing,he-he-he!Youdon’tbelieveme?”
Raskolnikovmadenoreply;hesatpaleandmotionless,stillgazingwiththesameintensityintoPorfiry’sface.
“It’salesson,”hethought,turningcold.
“Thisisbeyondthecatplayingwithamouse,likeyesterday.
Hecan’tbeshowingoffhispowerwithnomotive…promptingme;heisfartoocleverforthat…hemusthaveanotherobject.Whatisit?
It’sallnonsense,myfriend,youarepretending,toscareme!
You’venoproofsandthemanIsawhadnorealexistence.
Yousimplywanttomakemelosemyhead,toworkmeupbeforehandandsotocrushme.Butyouarewrong,youwon’tdoit!Butwhygivemesuchahint?Ishereckoningonmyshatterednerves?
No,myfriend,youarewrong,youwon’tdoiteventhoughyouhavesometrapforme…letusseewhatyouhaveinstoreforme.”
Andhebracedhimselftofaceaterribleandunknownordeal.
AttimeshelongedtofallonPorfiryandstranglehim.
Thisangerwaswhathedreadedfromthebeginning.
Hefeltthathisparchedlipswerefleckedwithfoam,hisheartwasthrobbing.
Buthewasstilldeterminednottospeaktilltherightmoment.
Herealisedthatthiswasthebestpolicyinhisposition,becauseinsteadofsayingtoomuchhewouldbeirritatinghisenemybyhissilenceandprovokinghimintospeakingtoofreely.Anyhow,thiswaswhathehopedfor.
“No,Iseeyoudon’tbelieveme,youthinkIamplayingaharmlessjokeonyou,”Porfirybeganagain,gettingmoreandmorelively,chucklingateveryinstantandagainpacingroundtheroom.
“Andtobesureyou’reright:Godhasgivenmeafigurethatcanawakennonebutcomicideasinotherpeople;abuffoon;butletmetellyou,andIrepeatit,excuseanoldman,mydearRodionRomanovitch,youareamanstillyoung,sotosay,inyourfirstyouthandsoyouputintellectaboveeverything,likeallyoungpeople.
Playfulwitandabstractargumentsfascinateyouandthat’sforalltheworldliketheoldAustrianHof-kriegsrath,asfarasIcanjudgeofmilitarymatters,thatis:onpaperthey’dbeatenNapoleonandtakenhimprisoner,andthereintheirstudytheyworkeditalloutinthecleverestfashion,butlookyou,GeneralMacksurrenderedwithallhisarmy,he-he-he!
Isee,Isee,RodionRomanovitch,youarelaughingatacivilianlikeme,takingexamplesoutofmilitaryhistory!ButIcan’thelpit,it’smyweakness.Iamfondofmilitaryscience.
AndI’meversofondofreadingallmilitaryhistories.I’vecertainlymissedmypropercareer.
Ioughttohavebeeninthearmy,uponmywordIought.
Ishouldn’thavebeenaNapoleon,butImighthavebeenamajor,he-he!
Well,I’lltellyouthewholetruth,mydearfellow,aboutthisspecialcase,Imean:actualfactandaman’stemperament,mydearsir,areweightymattersandit’sastonishinghowtheysometimesdeceivethesharpestcalculation!
I—listentoanoldman—amspeakingseriously,RodionRomanovitch”(ashesaidthisPorfiryPetrovitch,whowasscarcelyfive-and-thirty,actuallyseemedtohavegrownold;evenhisvoicechangedandheseemedtoshrinktogether)“Moreover,I’macandidman…amIacandidmanornot?Whatdoyousay?
IfancyIreallyam:Itellyouthesethingsfornothinganddon’tevenexpectarewardforit,he-he!
Well,toproceed,witinmyopinionisasplendidthing,itis,sotosay,anadornmentofnatureandaconsolationoflife,andwhattricksitcanplay!
Sothatitsometimesishardforapoorexamininglawyertoknowwhereheis,especiallywhenhe’sliabletobecarriedawaybyhisownfancy,too,foryouknowheisamanafterall!
Butthepoorfellowissavedbythecriminal’stemperament,worseluckforhim!
Butyoungpeoplecarriedawaybytheirownwitdon’tthinkofthat‘whentheyoverstepallobstacles,’asyouwittilyandcleverlyexpressedityesterday.
Hewilllie—thatis,themanwhoisaspecialcase,theincognito,andhewillliewell,inthecleverestfashion;youmightthinkhewouldtriumphandenjoythefruitsofhiswit,butatthemostinteresting,themostflagrantmomenthewillfaint.
Ofcoursetheremaybeillnessandastuffyroomaswell,butanyway!Anywayhe’sgivenustheidea!
Heliedincomparably,buthedidn’treckononhistemperament.That’swhatbetrayshim!
Anothertimehewillbecarriedawaybyhisplayfulwitintomakingfunofthemanwhosuspectshim,hewillturnpaleasitwereonpurposetomislead,buthispalenesswillbetoonatural,toomuchliketherealthing,againhehasgivenusanidea!
Thoughhisquestionermaybedeceivedatfirst,hewillthinkdifferentlynextdayifheisnotafool,and,ofcourse,itislikethatateverystep!
Heputshimselfforwardwhereheisnotwanted,speakscontinuallywhenheoughttokeepsilent,bringsinallsortsofallegoricalallusions,he-he!
Comesandaskswhydidn’tyoutakemelongago?he-he-he!
Andthatcanhappen,youknow,withthecleverestman,thepsychologist,theliteraryman.
Thetemperamentreflectseverythinglikeamirror!Gazeintoitandadmirewhatyousee!
Butwhyareyousopale,RodionRomanovitch?Istheroomstuffy?ShallIopenthewindow?”
“Oh,don’ttrouble,please,”criedRaskolnikovandhesuddenlybrokeintoalaugh.“Pleasedon’ttrouble.”
Porfirystoodfacinghim,pausedamomentandsuddenlyhetoolaughed.Raskolnikovgotupfromthesofa,abruptlycheckinghishystericallaughter.
“PorfiryPetrovitch,”hebegan,speakingloudlyanddistinctly,thoughhislegstrembledandhecouldscarcelystand.
“IseeclearlyatlastthatyouactuallysuspectmeofmurderingthatoldwomanandhersisterLizaveta.
LetmetellyouformypartthatIamsickofthis.
Ifyoufindthatyouhavearighttoprosecutemelegally,toarrestme,thenprosecuteme,arrestme.
ButIwillnotletmyselfbejeeredattomyfaceandworried…”
Hislipstrembled,hiseyesglowedwithfuryandhecouldnotrestrainhisvoice.
“Iwon’tallowit!”heshouted,bringinghisfistdownonthetable.“Doyouhearthat,PorfiryPetrovitch?Iwon’tallowit.”
“Goodheavens!Whatdoesitmean?”criedPorfiryPetrovitch,apparentlyquitefrightened.“RodionRomanovitch,mydearfellow,whatisthematterwithyou?”
“Iwon’tallowit,”Raskolnikovshoutedagain.
“Hush,mydearman!They’llhearandcomein.Justthink,whatcouldwesaytothem?”PorfiryPetrovitchwhisperedinhorror,bringinghisfaceclosetoRaskolnikov’s.
“Iwon’tallowit,Iwon’tallowit,”Raskolnikovrepeatedmechanically,buthetoospokeinasuddenwhisper.
Porfiryturnedquicklyandrantoopenthewindow.
“Somefreshair!Andyoumusthavesomewater,mydearfellow.You’reill!”
andhewasrunningtothedoortocallforsomewhenhefoundadecanterofwaterinthecorner.
“Come,drinkalittle,”hewhispered,rushinguptohimwiththedecanter.“Itwillbesuretodoyougood.”
PorfiryPetrovitch’salarmandsympathyweresonaturalthatRaskolnikovwassilentandbeganlookingathimwithwildcuriosity.Hedidnottakethewater,however.
“RodionRomanovitch,mydearfellow,you’lldriveyourselfoutofyourmind,Iassureyou,ach,ach!Havesomewater,dodrinkalittle.”
Heforcedhimtotaketheglass.Raskolnikovraiseditmechanicallytohislips,butsetitonthetableagainwithdisgust.
“Yes,you’vehadalittleattack!You’llbringbackyourillnessagain,mydearfellow,”PorfiryPetrovitchcackledwithfriendlysympathy,thoughhestilllookedratherdisconcerted.
“Goodheavens,youmusttakemorecareofyourself!
DmitriProkofitchwashere,cametoseemeyesterday—Iknow,Iknow,I’veanasty,ironicaltemper,butwhattheymadeofit!
...Goodheavens,hecameyesterdayafteryou’dbeen.
Wedinedandhetalkedandtalkedaway,andIcouldonlythrowupmyhandsindespair!Didhecomefromyou?
Butdositdown,formercy’ssake,sitdown!”
“No,notfromme,butIknewhewenttoyouandwhyhewent,”Raskolnikovansweredsharply.
“Youknew?”
“Iknew.Whatofit?”
“Whythis,RodionRomanovitch,thatIknowmorethanthataboutyou;Iknowabouteverything.
Iknowhowyouwenttotakeaflatatnightwhenitwasdarkandhowyourangthebellandaskedabouttheblood,sothattheworkmenandtheporterdidnotknowwhattomakeofit.
Yes,Iunderstandyourstateofmindatthattime…butyou’lldriveyourselfmadlikethat,uponmyword!You’llloseyourhead!
You’refullofgenerousindignationatthewrongsyou’vereceived,firstfromdestiny,andthenfromthepoliceofficers,andsoyourushfromonethingtoanothertoforcethemtospeakoutandmakeanendofitall,becauseyouaresickofallthissuspicionandfoolishness.That’sso,isn’tit?Ihaveguessedhowyoufeel,haven’tI?
Onlyinthatwayyou’llloseyourheadandRazumihin’s,too;he’stoogoodamanforsuchaposition,youmustknowthat.
Youareillandheisgoodandyourillnessisinfectiousforhim…I’lltellyouaboutitwhenyouaremoreyourself….Butdositdown,forgoodness’sake.
Pleaserest,youlookshocking,dositdown.”
Raskolnikovsatdown;henolongershivered,hewashotallover.
InamazementhelistenedwithstrainedattentiontoPorfiryPetrovitchwhostillseemedfrightenedashelookedafterhimwithfriendlysolicitude.
Buthedidnotbelieveawordhesaid,thoughhefeltastrangeinclinationtobelieve.
Porfiry’sunexpectedwordsabouttheflathadutterlyoverwhelmedhim.
“Howcanitbe,heknowsabouttheflatthen,”hethoughtsuddenly,“andhetellsitmehimself!”
“Yes,inourlegalpracticetherewasacasealmostexactlysimilar,acaseofmorbidpsychology,”Porfirywentonquickly.
“Amanconfessedtomurderandhowhekeptitup!
Itwasaregularhallucination;hebroughtforwardfacts,heimposeduponeveryoneandwhy?
Hehadbeenpartly,butonlypartly,unintentionallythecauseofamurderandwhenheknewthathehadgiventhemurdererstheopportunity,hesankintodejection,itgotonhismindandturnedhisbrain,hebeganimaginingthingsandhepersuadedhimselfthathewasthemurderer.
ButatlasttheHighCourtofAppealwentintoitandthepoorfellowwasacquittedandputunderpropercare.ThankstotheCourtofAppeal!Tut-tut-tut!
Why,mydearfellow,youmaydriveyourselfintodeliriumifyouhavetheimpulsetoworkuponyournerves,togoringingbellsatnightandaskingaboutblood!
I’vestudiedallthismorbidpsychologyinmypractice.
Amanissometimestemptedtojumpoutofawindoworfromabelfry.Justthesamewithbell-ringing….It’sallillness,RodionRomanovitch!Youhavebeguntoneglectyourillness.
Youshouldconsultanexperienceddoctor,what’sthegoodofthatfatfellow?Youarelightheaded!
Youweredeliriouswhenyoudidallthis!”
ForamomentRaskolnikovfelteverythinggoinground.
“Isitpossible,isitpossible,”flashedthroughhismind,“thatheisstilllying?Hecan’tbe,hecan’tbe.”
Herejectedthatidea,feelingtowhatadegreeoffuryitmightdrivehim,feelingthatthatfurymightdrivehimmad.
“Iwasnotdelirious.IknewwhatIwasdoing,”hecried,strainingeveryfacultytopenetratePorfiry’sgame,“Iwasquitemyself,doyouhear?”
“Yes,Ihearandunderstand.Yousaidyesterdayyouwerenotdelirious,youwereparticularlyemphaticaboutit!Iunderstandallyoucantellme!A-ach!
...Listen,RodionRomanovitch,mydearfellow.
Ifyouwereactuallyacriminal,orweresomehowmixedupinthisdamnablebusiness,wouldyouinsistthatyouwerenotdeliriousbutinfullpossessionofyourfaculties?Andsoemphaticallyandpersistently?Woulditbepossible?Quiteimpossible,tomythinking.
Ifyouhadanythingonyourconscience,youcertainlyoughttoinsistthatyouweredelirious.That’sso,isn’tit?”
Therewasanoteofslynessinthisinquiry.RaskolnikovdrewbackonthesofaasPorfirybentoverhimandstaredinsilentperplexityathim.
“AnotherthingaboutRazumihin—youcertainlyoughttohavesaidthathecameofhisownaccord,tohaveconcealedyourpartinit!Butyoudon’tconcealit!
Youlaystressonhiscomingatyourinstigation.”
Raskolnikovhadnotdoneso.Achillwentdownhisback.
“Youkeeptellinglies,”hesaidslowlyandweakly,twistinghislipsintoasicklysmile,“youaretryingagaintoshowthatyouknowallmygame,thatyouknowallIshallsaybeforehand,”hesaid,conscioushimselfthathewasnotweighinghiswordsasheought.
“Youwanttofrightenme…oryouaresimplylaughingatme…”
Hestillstaredathimashesaidthisandagaintherewasalightofintensehatredinhiseyes.
“Youkeeplying,”hesaid.“Youknowperfectlywellthatthebestpolicyforthecriminalistotellthetruthasnearlyaspossible…toconcealaslittleaspossible.Idon’tbelieveyou!”
“Whatawilypersonyouare!”Porfirytittered,“there’snocatchingyou;you’veaperfectmonomania.Soyoudon’tbelieveme?
Butstillyoudobelieveme,youbelieveaquarter;I’llsoonmakeyoubelievethewhole,becauseIhaveasincerelikingforyouandgenuinelywishyougood.”
Raskolnikov’slipstrembled.
“Yes,Ido,”wentonPorfiry,touchingRaskolnikov’sarmgenially,“youmusttakecareofyourillness.
Besides,yourmotherandsisterareherenow;youmustthinkofthem.
Youmustsootheandcomfortthemandyoudonothingbutfrightenthem…”
“Whathasthattodowithyou?Howdoyouknowit?Whatconcernisitofyours?Youarekeepingwatchonmeandwanttoletmeknowit?”
“Goodheavens!Why,Ilearntitallfromyouyourself!
Youdon’tnoticethatinyourexcitementyoutellmeandotherseverything.
FromRazumihin,too,Ilearntanumberofinterestingdetailsyesterday.
No,youinterruptedme,butImusttellyouthat,forallyourwit,yoursuspiciousnessmakesyoulosethecommon-senseviewofthings.
Toreturntobell-ringing,forinstance.
I,anexamininglawyer,havebetrayedapreciousthinglikethat,arealfact(foritisafactworthhaving),andyouseenothinginit!
Why,ifIhadtheslightestsuspicionofyou,shouldIhaveactedlikethat?
No,IshouldfirsthavedisarmedyoursuspicionsandnotletyouseeIknewofthatfact,shouldhavedivertedyourattentionandsuddenlyhavedealtyouaknock-downblow(yourexpression)saying:‘Andwhatwereyoudoing,sir,pray,attenornearlyelevenatthemurderedwoman’sflatandwhydidyouringthebellandwhydidyouaskaboutblood?
Andwhydidyouinvitetheporterstogowithyoutothepolicestation,tothelieutenant?’
That’showIoughttohaveactedifIhadagrainofsuspicionofyou.
Ioughttohavetakenyourevidenceindueform,searchedyourlodgingandperhapshavearrestedyou,too…soIhavenosuspicionofyou,sinceIhavenotdonethat!
Butyoucan’tlookatitnormallyandyouseenothing,Isayagain.”
RaskolnikovstartedsothatPorfiryPetrovitchcouldnotfailtoperceiveit.
“Youarelyingallthewhile,”hecried,“Idon’tknowyourobject,butyouarelying.YoudidnotspeaklikethatjustnowandIcannotbemistaken!”
“Iamlying?”Porfiryrepeated,apparentlyincensed,butpreservingagood-humouredandironicalface,asthoughhewerenotintheleastconcernedatRaskolnikov’sopinionofhim.
“Iamlying…buthowdidItreatyoujustnow,I,theexamininglawyer?
Promptingyouandgivingyoueverymeansforyourdefence;illness,Isaid,delirium,injury,melancholyandthepoliceofficersandalltherestofit?Ah!He-he-he!
Though,indeed,allthosepsychologicalmeansofdefencearenotveryreliableandcutbothways:illness,delirium,Idon’tremember—that’sallright,butwhy,mygoodsir,inyourillnessandinyourdeliriumwereyouhauntedbyjustthosedelusionsandnotbyanyothers?Theremayhavebeenothers,eh?He-he-he!”
Raskolnikovlookedhaughtilyandcontemptuouslyathim.
“Briefly,”hesaidloudlyandimperiously,risingtohisfeetandinsodoingpushingPorfirybackalittle,“briefly,Iwanttoknow,doyouacknowledgemeperfectlyfreefromsuspicionornot?
Tellme,PorfiryPetrovitch,tellmeonceforallandmakehaste!”
“WhatabusinessI’mhavingwithyou!”criedPorfirywithaperfectlygood-humoured,slyandcomposedface.
“Andwhydoyouwanttoknow,whydoyouwanttoknowsomuch,sincetheyhaven’tbeguntoworryyou?
Why,youarelikeachildaskingformatches!Andwhyareyousouneasy?Whydoyouforceyourselfuponus,eh?He-he-he!”
“Irepeat,”Raskolnikovcriedfuriously,“thatIcan’tputupwithit!”
“Withwhat?Uncertainty?”interruptedPorfiry.
“Don’tjeeratme!Iwon’thaveit!ItellyouIwon’thaveit.Ican’tandIwon’t,doyouhear,doyouhear?”heshouted,bringinghisfistdownonthetableagain.
“Hush!Hush!They’lloverhear!
Iwarnyouseriously,takecareofyourself.
Iamnotjoking,”Porfirywhispered,butthistimetherewasnotthelookofoldwomanishgoodnatureandalarminhisface.
Nowhewasperemptory,stern,frowningandforoncelayingasideallmystification.
Butthiswasonlyforaninstant.Raskolnikov,bewildered,suddenlyfellintoactualfrenzy,but,strangetosay,heagainobeyedthecommandtospeakquietly,thoughhewasinaperfectparoxysmoffury.
“Iwillnotallowmyselftobetortured,”hewhispered,instantlyrecognisingwithhatredthathecouldnothelpobeyingthecommandanddriventoevengreaterfurybythethought.
“Arrestme,searchme,butkindlyactindueformanddon’tplaywithme!Don’tdare!”
“Don’tworryabouttheform,”Porfiryinterruptedwiththesameslysmile,asitwere,gloatingwithenjoymentoverRaskolnikov.“Iinvitedyoutoseemequiteinafriendlyway.”
“Idon’twantyourfriendshipandIspitonit!Doyouhear?And,here,Itakemycapandgo.Whatwillyousaynowifyoumeantoarrestme?”
Hetookuphiscapandwenttothedoor.
“Andwon’tyouseemylittlesurprise?”chuckledPorfiry,againtakinghimbythearmandstoppinghimatthedoor.
Heseemedtobecomemoreplayfulandgood-humouredwhichmaddenedRaskolnikov.
“Whatsurprise?”heasked,standingstillandlookingatPorfiryinalarm.
“Mylittlesurprise,it’ssittingtherebehindthedoor,he-he-he!”(Hepointedtothelockeddoor.)“Ilockedhiminthatheshouldnotescape.”
“Whatisit?Where?What?...”
Raskolnikovwalkedtothedoorandwouldhaveopenedit,butitwaslocked.
“It’slocked,hereisthekey!”
Andhebroughtakeyoutofhispocket.
“Youarelying,”roaredRaskolnikovwithoutrestraint,“youlie,youdamnedpunchinello!”andherushedatPorfirywhoretreatedtotheotherdoor,notatallalarmed.
“Iunderstanditall!YouarelyingandmockingsothatImaybetraymyselftoyou…”
“Why,youcouldnotbetrayyourselfanyfurther,mydearRodionRomanovitch.Youareinapassion.Don’tshout,Ishallcalltheclerks.”
“Youarelying!Calltheclerks!
YouknewIwasillandtriedtoworkmeintoafrenzytomakemebetraymyself,thatwasyourobject!Produceyourfacts!Iunderstanditall.
You’venoevidence,youhaveonlywretchedrubbishlysuspicionslikeZametov’s!
Youknewmycharacter,youwantedtodrivemetofuryandthentoknockmedownwithpriestsanddeputies….Areyouwaitingforthem?eh!Whatareyouwaitingfor?Wherearethey?Producethem?”
“Whydeputies,mygoodman?Whatthingspeoplewillimagine!
Andtodosowouldnotbeactinginformasyousay,youdon’tknowthebusiness,mydearfellow….
Andthere’snoescapingform,asyousee,”Porfirymuttered,listeningatthedoorthroughwhichanoisecouldbeheard.
“Ah,they’recoming,”criedRaskolnikov.“You’vesentforthem!Youexpectedthem!Well,producethemall:yourdeputies,yourwitnesses,whatyoulike!...Iamready!”
Butatthismomentastrangeincidentoccurred,somethingsounexpectedthatneitherRaskolnikovnorPorfiryPetrovitchcouldhavelookedforsuchaconclusiontotheirinterview.
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