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You frightened me, Rakitin, thats what it is. Grushenka turned with a smile to Alyosha. Dont be afraid of me, my dear Alyosha, you cant think how glad I am to see you, my unexpected visitor. But you frightened me, Rakitin, I thought it was Mitya breaking in. You see, I deceived him just now, I made him promise to believe me and I told him a lie. I told him that I was going to spend the evening with my old man, Kuzma Kuzmitch, and should be there till late counting up his money. I always spend one whole evening a week with him making up his accounts. We lock ourselves in and he counts on the reckoning beads while I sit and put things down in the book. I am the only person he trusts. Mitya believes that I am there, but I came back and have been sitting locked in here, expecting some news. How was it Fenya let you in? Fenya, Fenya run out to the gate, open it and look about whether the captain is to be seen! Perhaps he is hiding and spying, I am dreadfully frightened. Theres no one there, Agrafena Alexandrovna, Ive just looked out, I keep running to peep through the crack, I am in fear and trembling myself. Are the shutters fastened, Fenya? And we must draw the curtainsthats better! She drew the heavy curtains herself. Hed rush in at once if he saw a light. I am afraid of your brother Mitya to-day, Alyosha. Grushenka spoke aloud, and, though she was alarmed, she seemed very happy about something. Why are you so afraid of Mitya to-day? inquired Rakitin. I should have thought you were not timid with him, youd twist him round your little finger. I tell you, I am expecting news, priceless news, so I dont want Mitya at all. And he didnt believe, I feel he didnt, that I should stay at Kuzma Kuzmitchs. He must be in his ambush now, behind Fyodor Pavlovitchs, in the garden, watching for me. And if hes there, he wont come here, so much the better! But I really have been to Kuzma Kuzmitchs, Mitya escorted me there. I told him I should stay there till midnight, and I asked him to be sure to come at midnight to fetch me home. He went away and I sat ten minutes with Kuzma Kuzmitch and came back here again. Ugh, I was afraid, I ran for fear of meeting him. And why are you so dressed up? What a curious cap youve got on! How curious you are yourself, Rakitin! I tell you, I am expecting a message. If the message comes, I shall fly, I shall gallop away and you will see no more of me. Thats why I am dressed up, so as to be ready. And where are you flying to? If you know too much, youll get old too soon. Upon my word! You are highly delighted Ive never seen you like this before. You are dressed up as if you were going to a ball. Rakitin looked her up and down. Much you know about balls. And do you know much about them? I have seen a ball. The year before last, Kuzma Kuzmitchs son was married and I looked on from the gallery. Do you suppose I want to be talking to you, Rakitin, while a prince like this is standing here. Such a visitor! Alyosha, my dear boy, I gaze at you and cant believe my eyes. Good heavens, can you have come here to see me! To tell you the truth I never had a thought of seeing you and I didnt think that you would ever come and see me. Though this is not the moment now, I am awfully glad to see you. Sit down on the sofa, here, thats right, my bright young moon. I really cant take it in even now. Eh, Rakitin, if only you had brought him yesterday or the day before! But I am glad as it is! Perhaps its better he has come now, at such a moment, and not the day before yesterday. |
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