Pagina 434 di 1294

Everyone knows that Semyon Zaharovitch had many friends and

protectors, whom he abandoned himself from an honourable pride,

knowing his unhappy weakness, but now (she pointed to

Raskolnikov) a generous young man has come to our assistance, who

has wealth and connections and whom Semyon Zaharovitch has known

from a child. You may rest assured, Amalia Ludwigovna..."

All this was uttered with extreme rapidity, getting quicker and

quicker, but a cough suddenly cut short Katerina Ivanovna's

eloquence. At that instant the dying man recovered consciousness

and uttered a groan; she ran to him. The injured man opened his

eyes and without recognition or understanding gazed at

Raskolnikov who was bending over him. He drew deep, slow, painful

breaths; blood oozed at the corners of his mouth and drops of

perspiration came out on his forehead. Not recognising

Raskolnikov, he began looking round uneasily. Katerina Ivanovna

looked at him with a sad but stern face, and tears trickled from

her eyes.