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"He has just been to see me," said Raskolnikov, breaking his

silence for the first time.

There were exclamations from all, and they all turned to him.

Even Pyotr Petrovitch was roused.

"An hour and a half ago, he came in when I was asleep, waked me,

and introduced himself," Raskolnikov continued. "He was fairly

cheerful and at ease, and quite hopes that we shall become

friends. He is particularly anxious, by the way, Dounia, for an

interview with you, at which he asked me to assist. He has a

proposition to make to you, and he told me about it. He told me,

too, that a week before her death Marfa Petrovna left you three

thousand roubles in her will, Dounia, and that you can receive

the money very shortly."

"Thank God!" cried Pulcheria Alexandrovna, crossing herself.

"Pray for her soul, Dounia!"

"It's a fact!" broke from Luzhin.

"Tell us, what more?" Dounia urged Raskolnikov.