Crime and Punishment (Oxford World’s Classics) by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Author:Fyodor Dostoevsky
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 1998-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

PART FOUR

CHAPTER I

‘CAN this be the dream continuing?’ thought Raskolnikov again. He watched his unexpected visitor warily and mistrustfully.

‘Svidrigaylov? Nonsense! That’s impossible!’ he said at last aloud, in perplexity.

The visitor did not seem at all surprised at this exclamation.

‘I have called on you for two reasons; first, because I wanted to become acquainted with you personally, having long known of you through most interesting and favourable reports; and secondly, because I cherish the hope that you will not refuse to help me in a project which directly concerns the interests of your sister, Avdotya Romanovna. It is possible that she is so prejudiced against me that she would not even allow me to come anywhere near her without some recommendation, but with your help, on the other hand, I am confident…’

‘Your confidence is misplaced,’ interrupted Raskolnikov.

‘May I ask if it is true that they arrived only yesterday?’

Raskolnikov did not answer.

‘I know it was yesterday. I myself, indeed, arrived only the day before yesterday. Well, Rodion Romanovich, I will say this to you: I see no need to justify myself, but be good enough to tell me what was so criminal in my conduct in all that affair, judged sensibly and without prejudice?’

Raskolnikov still watched him without speaking.

‘The fact that in my own house I persecuted a defenceless girl and “insulted her with my vile proposals”—is that it? (You see I anticipate you!) But you have only to suppose that I, too, am a man, et nihil humanum* … in one word, that I also am capable of being attracted and falling in love (which after all is not a matter that depends on our will), and everything is explained in the most natural manner. The whole question is: am I a monster or am I myself a victim? And if I am a victim? When I proposed to the object of my affections that she should fly with me to America or to Switzerland, I may have cherished the most honourable sentiments and thought I was furthering our mutual happiness. Reason, you know, is passion’s slave; perhaps, after all, it was to myself I did most harm! …’

‘That is quite beside the point,’ interrupted Raskolnikov with distaste. ‘The simple fact is that whether you are right or wrong they find you repugnant, and therefore have no wish to know you. They will have nothing to do with you. Take yourself off! …’

Svidrigaylov laughed aloud.

‘But you … but there is no getting round you!’ he said, laughing in the most candid manner. ‘I thought I could be artful, but no, you instantly put your finger on the real point!’

‘But you are still trying to be artful at this very moment.’

‘Well, what then? What then?’ repeated Svidrigaylov, still laughing heartily. ‘It was what is called bonne guerre, and the most innocent of deceptions!… All the same, you interrupted me; and, whether or no, I repeat again: there would have been no unpleasantness but for the incident in the garden. Marfa Petrovna …’

‘They say that you drove Marfa Petrovna into her grave; is that so?’ rudely interrupted Raskolnikov.

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