Pagina 551 van 1294

"In fact," continued Dounia, "I am marrying Pyotr Petrovitch

because of two evils I choose the less. I intend to do honestly

all he expects of me, so I am not deceiving him.... Why did you

smile just now?" She, too, flushed, and there was a gleam of

anger in her eyes.

"All?" he asked, with a malignant grin.

"Within certain limits. Both the manner and form of Pyotr

Petrovitch's courtship showed me at once what he wanted. He may,

of course, think too well of himself, but I hope he esteems me,

too.... Why are you laughing again?"

"And why are you blushing again? You are lying, sister. You are

intentionally lying, simply from feminine obstinacy, simply to

hold your own against me.... You cannot respect Luzhin. I have

seen him and talked with him. So you are selling yourself for

money, and so in any case you are acting basely, and I am glad at

least that you can blush for it."