صفحة 879 من 1294

"No, it's not nonsense! A man who has suffered distress and

annoyance as you did yesterday and who yet can sympathise with

the misery of others, such a man... even though he is making a

social mistake--is still deserving of respect! I did not expect

it indeed of you, Pyotr Petrovitch, especially as according to

your ideas... oh, what a drawback your ideas are to you! How

distressed you are for instance by your ill-luck yesterday,"

cried the simple-hearted Lebeziatnikov, who felt a return of

affection for Pyotr Petrovitch. "And, what do you want with

marriage, with legal marriage, my dear, noble Pyotr Petrovitch?

Why do you cling to this legality of marriage? Well, you may beat

me if you like, but I am glad, positively glad it hasn't come

off, that you are free, that you are not quite lost for

humanity.... you see, I've spoken my mind!"