Pagina 356 van 1294

Even his hair, touched here and there with grey, though it had

been combed and curled at a hairdresser's, did not give him a

stupid appearance, as curled hair usually does, by inevitably

suggesting a German on his wedding-day. If there really was

something unpleasing and repulsive in his rather good-looking and

imposing countenance, it was due to quite other causes. After

scanning Mr. Luzhin unceremoniously, Raskolnikov smiled

malignantly, sank back on the pillow and stared at the ceiling as

before.

But Mr. Luzhin hardened his heart and seemed to determine to take

no notice of their oddities.

"I feel the greatest regret at finding you in this situation," he

began, again breaking the silence with an effort. "If I had been

aware of your illness I should have come earlier. But you know

what business is. I have, too, a very important legal affair in

the Senate, not to mention other preoccupations which you may

well conjecture. I am expecting your mamma and sister any

minute."