o remain in the same room with an aristocrat,"
Nejdanov continued, raising his voice, "I think it very praiseworthy on
his part, and what is more, he is capable of sacrificing himself, will
face death, if necessary, which is more than you or I will ever do!"

Paklin made a sad grimace, and pointed to his scraggy, crippled legs.

"Now do I look like a warrior, my dear Alexai Dmitritch? But enough of
this. I am delighted that you met this Sipiagin, and can even foresee
something useful to our cause as a result of it. You will find yourself
in the highest society, will come in contact with those wonderful
beauties one hears about, women with velvety bodies on steel springs, as
it says in 'Letters on Spain'. Get to know them, my dear fellow. If you
were at all inclined to be an Epicurean, I should really be afraid to
let you go. But those are not the objects with which you are going, are
they?"

"I am going away," Nejdanov said, "to earn my living. And to get away
from you all," he added to himself.

"Of course, of course! That is why I advise you to learn. Fugh! What a
smell this gentleman has left behind him!" Paklin sniffed the air. "The
very ambrosia that the governor's wife longed for in Gogol's 'Revisor'!"

"He discussed me with Prince G.," Nejdanov remarked dejectedly. "I
suppose he knows my whole history now."

"You need not suppose; you may be quite sure of it! But what does it
matter? I wouldn't mind betting that that was the very reason for his
wanting to engage you. You will be able to hold your own with the best
of them. You are an aristocrat yourself by blood, and consequently
an equal. However, I have stayed too long. I must go back to the
exploiter's, to my office. Goodbye."

Paklin went to the door, but stopped and turned back.

"I say, Aliosha," he began in a persuasive tone of voice, "you have only
just refused me, and I know you will not be short of money now; but, all
the same, do allow me to sacrifice just a little for the cause. I can't
do anything else, so let me help with my pocket! I have put ten roubles
on the table. Will you take them?"

Nejdanov remained motionless, and did not say anything. "Silence means
consent! Thanks!" Paklin exclaimed gaily and vanished.

Nejdanov was left alone. He continued gazing out into the narrow, gloomy
court, unpenetrated by the sun even in summer, and he felt sad and
gloomy at heart.

We already know that Nejdanov's father was Prince G., a rich
adjuta