صفحة 687 من 1294

If there were a millionth fraction of self-interest in my offer,

I should not have made it so openly; and I should not have

offered her ten thousand only, when five weeks ago I offered her

more, Besides, I may, perhaps, very soon marry a young lady, and

that alone ought to prevent suspicion of any design on Avdotya

Romanovna. In conclusion, let me say that in marrying Mr. Luzhin,

she is taking money just the same, only from another man. Don't

be angry, Rodion Romanovitch, think it over coolly and quietly."

Svidrigailov himself was exceedingly cool and quiet as he was

saying this.

"I beg you to say no more," said Raskolnikov. "In any case this

is unpardonable impertinence."

"Not in the least. Then a man may do nothing but harm to his

neighbour in this world, and is prevented from doing the tiniest

bit of good by trivial conventional formalities. That's absurd.

If I died, for instance, and left that sum to your sister in my

will, surely she wouldn't refuse it?"

"Very likely she would."