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One might even say it's their only amusement."

At one time Raskolnikov thought of getting up and walking out and

so finishing the interview. But some curiosity and even a sort of

prudence made him linger for a moment.

"You are fond of fighting?" he asked carelessly.

"No, not very," Svidrigailov answered, calmly. "And Marfa

Petrovna and I scarcely ever fought. We lived very harmoniously,

and she was always pleased with me. I only used the whip twice in

all our seven years (not counting a third occasion of a very

ambiguous character). The first time, two months after our

marriage, immediately after we arrived in the country, and the

last time was that of which we are speaking. Did you suppose I

was such a monster, such a reactionary, such a slave driver? Ha,

ha! By the way, do you remember, Rodion Romanovitch, how a few

years ago, in those days of beneficent publicity, a nobleman,

I've forgotten his name, was put to shame everywhere, in all the

papers, for having thrashed a German woman in the railway train.

You remember? It was in those days, that very year I believe, the

'disgraceful action of the Age' took place (you know, 'The

Egyptian Nights,' that public reading, you remember? The dark

eyes, you know!