Pagina 707 di 1294

"Then he said that he wasn't rich and all the estate was left to

his children who are now with an aunt, then that he was staying

somewhere not far from me, but where, I don't know, I didn't

ask...."

"But what, what does he want to propose to Dounia?" cried

Pulcheria Alexandrovna in a fright. "Did he tell you?"

"Yes."

"What was it?"

"I'll tell you afterwards."

Raskolnikov ceased speaking and turned his attention to his tea.

Pyotr Petrovitch looked at his watch.

"I am compelled to keep a business engagement, and so I shall not

be in your way," he added with an air of some pique and he began

getting up.

"Don't go, Pyotr Petrovitch," said Dounia, "you intended to spend

the evening. Besides, you wrote yourself that you wanted to have

an explanation with mother."