Pagina 489 di 1294

"He seems a splendid person!" Avdotya Romanovna replied with some

warmth, resuming her walk up and down the room.

It was nearly an hour later when they heard footsteps in the

corridor and another knock at the door. Both women waited this

time completely relying on Razumihin's promise; he actually had

succeeded in bringing Zossimov. Zossimov had agreed at once to

desert the drinking party to go to Raskolnikov's, but he came

reluctantly and with the greatest suspicion to see the ladies,

mistrusting Razumihin in his exhilarated condition. But his

vanity was at once reassured and flattered; he saw that they were

really expecting him as an oracle. He stayed just ten minutes and

succeeded in completely convincing and comforting Pulcheria

Alexandrovna. He spoke with marked sympathy, but with the reserve

and extreme seriousness of a young doctor at an important

consultation. He did not utter a word on any other subject and

did not display the slightest desire to enter into more personal

relations with the two ladies.