Страница 712 из 1294

Raskolnikov smiled sarcastically, Razumihin fidgeted, but Pyotr

Petrovitch did not accept the reproof; on the contrary, at every

word he became more persistent and irritable, as though he

relished it.

"Love for the future partner of your life, for your husband,

ought to outweigh your love for your brother," he pronounced

sententiously, "and in any case I cannot be put on the same

level.... Although I said so emphatically that I would not speak

openly in your brother's presence, nevertheless, I intend now to

ask your honoured mother for a necessary explanation on a point

of great importance closely affecting my dignity. Your son," he

turned to Pulcheria Alexandrovna, "yesterday in the presence of

Mr. Razsudkin (or... I think that's it? excuse me, I have

forgotten your surname") (he bowed politely to Razumihin),

"insulted me by misrepresenting the idea I expressed to you in a

private conversation, drinking coffee, that is, that marriage

with a poor girl who has had experience of trouble is more

advantageous from the conjugal point of view than with one who

has lived in luxury, since it is more profitable for the moral

character.