Pagina 662 di 1294

"That in my own house I persecuted a defenceless girl and

'insulted her with my infamous proposals'--is that it? (I am

anticipating you.) But you've only to assume that I, too, am a

man et nihil humanum... in a word, that I am capable of being

attracted and falling in love (which does not depend on our

will), then everything can be explained in the most natural

manner. The question is, am I a monster, or am I myself a victim?

And what if I am a victim? In proposing to the object of my

passion to elope with me to America or Switzerland, I may have

cherished the deepest respect for her and may have thought that I

was promoting our mutual happiness! Reason is the slave of

passion, you know; why, probably, I was doing more harm to myself

than anyone!"

"But that's not the point," Raskolnikov interrupted with disgust.

"It's simply that whether you are right or wrong, we dislike you.

We don't want to have anything to do with you. We show you the

door. Go out!"