among the
first ranks, which is always inspired by the first approach of the
battle? Again, No. Did he really believe in this cause? Did he believe
in his love? "Oh, cursed aesthetic! Sceptic!" his lips murmured
inaudibly. Why this weariness, this disinclination to speak, unless it
be shouting or raving? What is this inner voice that he wishes to drown
by his shrieking? But Mariana, this delightful, faithful comrade,
this pure, passionate soul, this wonderful girl, does she not love him
indeed? And these two beings in front of him, this Markelov and Solomin,
whom he as yet knew but little, but to whom he was attracted so
much, were they not excellent types of the Russian people--of Russian
life--and was it not a happiness in itself to be closely connected with
them? Then why this vague, uneasy, gnawing sensation? Why this sadness?
If you're such a melancholy dreamer, his lips murmured again, what sort
of a revolutionist will you make? You ought to write verses, languish,
nurse your own insignificant thoughts and sensations, amuse yourself
with psychological fancies and subtleties of all sorts, but don't at
any rate mistake your sickly, nervous irritability and caprices for
the manly wrath, the honest anger, of a man of convictions! Oh Hamlet!
Hamlet! Thou Prince of Denmark! How escape from the shadow of thy
spirit? How cease to imitate thee in everything, even to revelling
shamelessly in one's own self-depreciation? Just then, as the echo of
his own thoughts, he heard a familiar squeaky voice exclaim, "Alexai!
Alexai! Hamlet of Russia! Is it you I behold?" and raising his eyes,
to his great astonishment, saw Paklin standing before him! Paklin, in
Arcadian attire, consisting of a summer suit of flesh-colour, without
a tie, a large straw hat, trimmed with pale blue ribbon, pushed to the
back of his head, and patent shoes!

He limped up to Nejdanov quickly and seized his hand.

"In the first place," he began, "although we are in the public garden,
we must for the sake of old times embrace and kiss... One! two! three!
Secondly, I must tell you, that had I not run across you to-day you
would most certainly have seen me tomorrow. I know where you live and
have come to this town expressly to see you... how and why I will tell
you later. Thirdly, introduce me to your friends. Tell me briefly who
they are, and tell them who I am, and then let us proceed to enjoy
ourselves!"

Nejdanov responded to his friend's request, introdu