Pagina 710 de 1294

"I am surprised at your putting the question like that," said

Luzhin, getting more and more irritated. "Esteeming, and so to

say, adoring you, I may at the same time, very well indeed, be

able to dislike some member of your family. Though I lay claim to

the happiness of your hand, I cannot accept duties incompatible

with..."

"Ah, don't be so ready to take offence, Pyotr Petrovitch," Dounia

interrupted with feeling, "and be the sensible and generous man I

have always considered, and wish to consider, you to be. I've

given you a great promise, I am your betrothed. Trust me in this

matter and, believe me, I shall be capable of judging

impartially. My assuming the part of judge is as much a surprise

for my brother as for you. When I insisted on his coming to our

interview to-day after your letter, I told him nothing of what I

meant to do. Understand that, if you are not reconciled, I must

choose between you--it must be either you or he. That is how the

question rests on your side and on his. I don't want to be

mistaken in my choice, and I must not be. For your sake I must

break off with my brother, for my brother's sake I must break off

with you.