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"It was Svidrigailov, that landowner in whose house my sister was

insulted when she was their governess. Through his persecuting

her with his attentions, she was turned out by his wife, Marfa

Petrovna. This Marfa Petrovna begged Dounia's forgiveness

afterwards, and she's just died suddenly. It was of her we were

talking this morning. I don't know why I'm afraid of that man. He

came here at once after his wife's funeral. He is very strange,

and is determined on doing something.... We must guard Dounia

from him... that's what I wanted to tell you, do you hear?"

"Guard her! What can he do to harm Avdotya Romanovna? Thank you,

Rodya, for speaking to me like that.... We will, we will guard

her. Where does he live?"

"I don't know."

"Why didn't you ask? What a pity! I'll find out, though."

"Did you see him?" asked Raskolnikov after a pause.

"Yes, I noticed him, I noticed him well."

"You did really see him? You saw him clearly?" Raskolnikov

insisted.