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wasnt walking away from me with a resolute step, but leaping headlong. The emphasis on that phrase may have been simply bravado. Yes, yes! cried Alyosha warmly. I believe that is it. And, if so, hes not altogether lost. I can still save him. Stay! Did he not tell you anything about moneyabout three thousand roubles? He did speak about it, and its that more than anything thats crushing him. He said he had lost his honour and that nothing matters now, Alyosha answered warmly, feeling a rush of hope in his heart and believing that there really might be a way of escape and salvation for his brother. But do you know about the money? he added, and suddenly broke off. Ive known of it a long time; I telegraphed to Moscow to inquire, and heard long ago that the money had not arrived. He hadnt sent the money, but I said nothing. Last week I learnt that he was still in need of money. My only object in all this was that he should know to whom to turn, and who was his true friend. No, he wont recognize that I am his truest friend; he wont know me, and looks on me merely as a woman. Ive been tormented all the week, trying to think how to prevent him from being ashamed to face me because he spent that three thousand. Let him feel ashamed of himself, let him be ashamed of other peoples knowing, but not of my knowing. He can tell God everything without shame. Why is it he still does not understand how much I am ready to bear for his sake? Why, why doesnt he know me? How dare he not know me after all that has happened? I want to save him for ever. Let him forget me as his betrothed. And here he fears that he is dishonoured in my eyes. Why, he wasnt afraid to be open with you, Alexey Fyodorovitch. How is it that I dont deserve the same? The last words she uttered in tears. Tears gushed from her eyes. I must tell you, Alyosha began, his voice trembling too, what happened just now between him and my father. And he described the whole scene, how Dmitri had sent him to get the money, how he had broken in, knocked his father down, and after that had again specially and emphatically begged him to take his compliments and farewell. He went to that woman, Alyosha added softly. And do you suppose that I cant put up with that woman? Does he think I cant? But he wont marry her, she suddenly laughed nervously. Could such a passion last for ever in a Karamazov? Its passion, not love. He wont marry her because she wont marry him. Again Katerina Ivanovna laughed strangely. He may marry her, said Alyosha mournfully, looking down. He wont marry her, I tell you. That girl is an angel. Do you know that? Do you know that? Katerina Ivanovna exclaimed suddenly with extraordinary warmth. She is one of the most fantastic of fantastic creatures. I know how bewitching she is, but I know too that she is kind, firm and noble. Why do you look at me like that, Alexey Fyodorovitch? Perhaps you are wondering at my words, perhaps you dont believe me? Agrafena Alexandrovna, my angel! she cried suddenly to some one, peeping into the next room, come in to us. This is a friend. This Alyosha. He knows all about our affairs. Show yourself to him. Ive only been waiting behind the curtain for you to call me, said a soft, one might even say sugary, feminine voice. The portière was raised and Grushenka herself, smiling and beaming, came up to the table. A violent revulsion passed over Alyosha. He fixed his eyes on her and could not take them off. Here she was, that awful woman, the beast, as Ivan had called her half an hour before. And yet one would have thought the creature standing before him most simple and ordinary, a good-natured, kind woman, handsome |
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