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admit its an unpardonable weakness, but I cant help it. I am afraid of death and I dislike its being talked of. Do you know that I am to a certain extent a mystic? Ah, the apparitions of Marfa Petrovna! Do they still go on visiting you? Oh, dont talk of them; there have been no more in Petersburg, confound them! he cried with an air of irritation. Lets rather talk of that though Hm! I have not much time, and cant stay long with you, its a pity! I should have found plenty to tell you. Whats your engagement, a woman? Yes, a woman, a casual incident. No, thats not what I want to talk of. And the hideousness, the filthiness of all your surroundings, doesnt that affect you? Have you lost the strength to stop yourself? And do you pretend to strength, too? He-he-he! You surprised me just now, Rodion Romanovitch, though I knew beforehand it would be so. You preach to me about vice and aesthetics! Youa Schiller, youan idealist! Of course thats all as it should be and it would be surprising if it were not so, yet it is strange in reality. Ah, what a pity I have no time, for youre a most interesting type! And, by-the-way, are you fond of Schiller? I am awfully fond of him. But what a braggart you are, Raskolnikov said with some disgust. Upon my word, I am not, answered Svidrigailov laughing. However, I wont dispute it, let me be a braggart, why not brag, if it hurts no one? I spent seven years in the country with Marfa Petrovna, so now when I come across an intelligent person like youintelligent and highly interestingI am simply glad to talk and, besides, Ive drunk that half-glass of champagne and its gone to my head a little. And besides, theres a certain fact that has wound me up tremendously, but about that I will keep quiet. Where are you off to? he asked in alarm. Raskolnikov had begun getting up. He felt oppressed and stifled and, as it were, ill at ease at having come here. He felt convinced that Svidrigailov was the most worthless scoundrel on the face of the earth. A-ach! Sit down, stay a little! Svidrigailov begged. Let them bring you some tea, anyway. Stay a little, I wont talk nonsense, about myself, I mean. Ill tell you something. If you like Ill tell you how a woman tried to save me, as you would call it? It will be an answer to your first question indeed, for the woman was your sister. May I tell you? It will help to spend the time. Tell me, but I trust that you Oh, dont be uneasy. Besides, even in a worthless low fellow like me, Avdotya Romanovna can only excite the deepest respect. |
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