rivative from Nihilism--though
they are only known indirectly, and by hearsay, for they never advertise
their doings in the papers. They go straight to the point. For them, it
is not a question of showing that Pushkin is stupid, or that Russia must
be torn in pieces. No; but if they have a great desire for anything,
they believe they have a right to get it even at the cost of the lives,
say, of eight persons. They are checked by no obstacles. In fact,
prince, I should not advise you..."

But Muishkin had risen, and was on his way to open the door for his
visitors.

"You are slandering them, Lebedeff," said he, smiling.

"You are always thinking about your nephew's conduct. Don't believe
him, Lizabetha Prokofievna. I can assure you Gorsky and Daniloff are
exceptions--and that these are only... mistaken. However, I do not care
about receiving them here, in public. Excuse me, Lizabetha Prokofievna.
They are coming, and you can see them, and then I will take them away.
Please come in, gentlemen!"

Another thought tormented him: He wondered was this an arranged
business--arranged to happen when he had guests in his house, and in
anticipation of his humiliation rather than of his triumph? But he
reproached himself bitterly for such a thought, and felt as if he should
die of shame if it were discovered. When his new visitors appeared, he
was quite ready to believe himself infinitely less to be respected than
any of them.

Four persons entered, led by General Ivolgin, in a state of great
excitement, and talking eloquently.

"He is for me, undoubtedly!" thought the prince, with a smile. Colia
also had joined the party, and was talking with animation to Hippolyte,
who listened with a jeering smile on his lips.

The prince begged the visitors to sit down. They were all so young that
it made the proceedings seem even more extraordinary. Ivan Fedorovitch,
who really understood nothing of what was going on, felt indignant at
the sight of these youths, and would have interfered in some way had it
not been for the extreme interest shown by his wife in the affair.
He therefore remained, partly through curiosity, partly through
good-nature, hoping that his presence might be of some use. But the bow
with which General Ivolgin greeted him irritated him anew; he frowned,
and decided to be absolutely silent.

As to the rest, one was a man of thirty, the retired officer, now a
boxer, who had been with Rogojin, and in his happier day