Pagina 520 van 1294

I was confirmed in that belief by the testimony of my own eyes in

the lodging of a drunken man who was run over and has since died,

to whose daughter, a young woman of notorious behaviour, he gave

twenty-five roubles on the pretext of the funeral, which gravely

surprised me knowing what pains you were at to raise that sum.

Herewith expressing my special respect to your estimable

daughter, Avdotya Romanovna, I beg you to accept the respectful

homage of

"Your humble servant,

"P. LUZHIN."

"What am I to do now, Dmitri Prokofitch?" began Pulcheria

Alexandrovna, almost weeping. "How can I ask Rodya not to come?

Yesterday he insisted so earnestly on our refusing Pyotr

Petrovitch and now we are ordered not to receive Rodya! He will

come on purpose if he knows, and... what will happen then?"

"Act on Avdotya Romanovna's decision," Razumihin answered calmly

at once.