Crime and Punishment (Penguin Classics) by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Author:Fyodor Dostoyevsky [Dostoyevsky, Fyodor]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9780141908359
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2003-01-30T00:00:00+00:00

PART FOUR

Chapter I

‘Can this really still be my dream?’ Raskolnikov wondered again. Cautiously and with suspicion he peered closely at his unexpected guest.

‘Svidrigailov? Rubbish! I don't believe it!’ he finally said out loud, in a puzzled voice.

His guest seemed to find this exclamation not at all astonishing.

‘I've looked in to see you on account of two reasons: for one thing, I felt like making your personal acquaintance, as I've long been hearing things about you that put you in a curious and favourable light; and for another, I cherish the fond hope that you may not refuse to assist me in a certain undertaking that directly affects your sister, Avdotya Romanovna. Alone and without introduction, she would probably not admit me to her chambers just now, because of prejudice, but, well, now, with your assistance, I expect to …’

‘You expect too much,’ Raskolnikov said, interrupting.

‘They only arrived in town yesterday, if I'm not mistaken?’

Raskolnikov made no reply.

‘It was yesterday, I know. Why, I myself arrived only the day before. Well now, Rodion Romanovich, sir, this is what I want to say to you on that account: while I consider it superfluous to embark upon self-justifications, I should be grateful if you would tell me what was so particularly criminal about my part in that matter, viewing it without prejudice, that is, and from a common-sense point of view?’

Raskolnikov continued to study him in silence.

‘The fact that I went chasing after a defenceless young girl in my own home and “outraged her honour with my infamous proposals”? Is that it, sir? (Thus do I anticipate your reply!) But I mean to say, if you will only bear in mind that I am a human being, et nihil humanum … in a word, that I am capable of being attracted and falling in love (something which, needless to say, takes place without deference to our wishes), then everything may be explained in the most natural fashion. The point at issue here is as follows: am I a monster or am I myself a victim? What if the latter be true? I mean, in suggesting to the object of my desires that she elope to America or Switzerland with me, I may have entertained the most respectful feelings towards her, and may even have intended to usher in our future happiness! … Reason is, after all, the servant of passion; I may have been harming myself even more, for heaven's sake!’

‘That's not what's at issue at all,’ Raskolnikov interrupted, with disgust. ‘The simple fact is that, quite apart from the question of whether you're right or wrong, you're an obnoxious character – well, and so people don't want to have anything to do with you, they show you the door, and out you go! …’

Svidrigailov suddenly roared with laughter.

‘I say … I say, there's no putting you off the mark, is there?’ he said, laughing in the frankest possible manner. ‘I thought I could pull the wool over your eyes, but no, you've

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