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"Precisely so, Avdotya Romanovna," Pyotr Petrovitch answered

impressively, sitting down again, but still holding his hat. "I

certainly desired an explanation with you and your honoured

mother upon a very important point indeed. But as your brother

cannot speak openly in my presence of some proposals of Mr.

Svidrigailov, I, too, do not desire and am not able to speak

openly... in the presence of others... of certain matters of the

greatest gravity. Moreover, my most weighty and urgent request

has been disregarded...."

Assuming an aggrieved air, Luzhin relapsed into dignified

silence.

"Your request that my brother should not be present at our

meeting was disregarded solely at my insistence," said Dounia.

"You wrote that you had been insulted by my brother; I think that

this must be explained at once, and you must be reconciled. And

if Rodya really has insulted you, then he should and will

apologise."

Pyotr Petrovitch took a stronger line.