crime and punishment(罪与罚)-第68章
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apparent in every gesture； though it did not in the least detract from
the grace and softness of her movements。 In face she resembled her
brother； but she might be described as really beautiful。 Her hair
was dark brown； a little lighter than her brother's； there was a proud
light in her almost black eyes and yet at times a look of
extraordinary kindness。 She was pale； but it was a healthy pallor； her
face was radiant with freshness and vigour。 Her mouth was rather
small； the full red lower lip projected a little as did her chin； it
was the only irregularity in her beautiful face； but it gave it a
peculiarly individual and almost haughty expression。 Her face was
always more serious and thoughtful than gay； but how well smiles；
how well youthful； lighthearted； irresponsible； laughter suited her
face！ It was natural enough that a warm； open； simple…hearted；
honest giant like Razumihin； who had never seen any one like her and
was not quite sober at the time； should lose his head immediately。
Besides； as chance would have it； he saw Dounia for the first time
transfigured by her love for her brother and her joy at meeting him。
Afterwards he saw her lower lip quiver with indignation at her
brother's insolent； cruel and ungrateful words… and his fate was
sealed。
He had spoken the truth； moreover； when he blurted out in his
drunken talk on the stairs that Praskovya Pavlovna； Raskolnikov's
eccentric landlady； would be jealous of Pulcheria Alexandrovna as well
as of Avdotya Romanovna on his account。 Although Pulcheria
Alexandrovna was forty…three； her face still retained traces of her
former beauty； she looked much younger than her age； indeed； which
is almost always the case with women who retain serenity of spirit；
sensitiveness and pure sincere warmth of heart to old age。 We may
add in parenthesis that to preserve all this is the only means of
retaining beauty to old age。 Her hair had begun to grow grey and thin；
there had long been little crow's foot wrinkles round her eyes； her
cheeks were hollow and sunken from anxiety and grief； and yet it was a
handsome face。 She was Dounia over again； twenty years older； but
without the projecting underlip。 Pulcheria Alexandrovna was emotional；
but not sentimental； timid and yielding； but only to a certain
point。 She could give way and accept a great deal even of what was
contrary to her convictions； but there was a certain barrier fixed
by honesty； principle and the deepest convictions which nothing
would induce her to cross。
Exactly twenty minutes after Razumihin's departure； there came two
subdued but hurried knocks at the door： he had come back。
〃I won't come in； I haven't time；〃 he hastened to say when the
door was opened。 〃He sleeps like a top； soundly； quietly； and God
grant he may sleep ten hours。 Nastasya's with him； I told her not to
leave till I came。 Now I am fetching Zossimov； he will report to you
and then you'd better turn in； I can see you are too tired to do
anything。。。。〃
And he ran off down the corridor。
〃What a very competent and。。。 devoted young man！〃 cried Pulcheria
Alexandrovna exceedingly delighted。
〃He seems a splendid person！〃 Avdotya Romanovna replied with some
warmth； resuming her walk up and down the room。
It was nearly an hour later when they heard footsteps in the
corridor and another knock at the door。 Both women waited this time
completely relying on Razumihin's promise； he actually had succeeded
in bringing Zossimov。 Zossimov had agreed at once to desert the
drinking party to go to Raskolnikov's； but he came reluctantly and
with the greatest suspicion to see the ladies； mistrusting Razumihin
in his exhilarated condition。 But his vanity was at once reassured and
flattered； he saw that they were really expecting him as an oracle。 He
stayed just ten minutes and succeeded in completely convincing and
comforting Pulcheria Alexandrovna。 He spoke with marked sympathy；
but with the reserve and extreme seriousness of a young doctor at an
important consultation。 He did not utter a word on any other subject
and did not display the slightest desire to enter into more personal
relations with the two ladies。 Remarking at his first entrance the
dazzling beauty of Avdotya Romanovna； he endeavoured not to notice her
at all during his visit and addressed himself solely to Pulcheria
Alexandrovna。 All this gave him extraordinary inward satisfaction。
He declared that he thought the invalid at this moment going on very
satisfactorily。 According to his observations the patient's illness
was due partly to his unfortunate material surroundings during the
last few months； but it had partly also a moral origin； 〃was so to
speak the product of several material and moral influences； anxieties；
apprehensions； troubles； certain ideas。。。 and so on。〃 Noticing
stealthily that Avdotya Romanovna was following his words with close
attention； Zossimov allowed himself to enlarge on this theme。 On
Pulcheria Alexandrovna's anxiously and timidly inquiring as to 〃some
suspicion of insanity；〃 he replied with a composed and candid smile
that his words had been exaggerated； that certainly the patient had
some fixed idea； something approaching a monomania… he； Zossimov；
was now particularly studying this interesting branch of medicine… but
that it must be recollected that until to…day the patient had been
in delirium and。。。 and that no doubt the presence of his family
would have a favourable effect on his recovery and distract his
mind； 〃if only all fresh shocks can be avoided；〃 he added
significantly。 Then he got up； took leave with an impressive and
affable bow； while blessings； warm gratitude； and entreaties were
showered upon him； and Avdotya Romanovna spontaneously offered her
hand to him。 He went out exceedingly pleased with his visit and
still more so with himself。
〃We'll talk to…morrow； go to bed at once！〃 Razumihin said in
conclusion； following Zossimov out。 〃I'll be with you to…morrow
morning as early as possible with my report。〃
〃That's a fetching little girl； Avdotya Romanovna；〃 remarked
Zossimov； almost licking his lips as they both came out into the
street。
〃Fetching？ You said fetching？〃 roared Razumihin and he flew at
Zossimov and seized him by the throat。 〃If you ever dare。。。 Do you
understand？ Do you understand？〃 he shouted； shaking him by the
collar and squeezing him against the wall。 〃Do you hear？〃
〃Let me go； you drunken devil；〃 said Zossimov； struggling and when
he had let him go； he stared at him and went off into a sudden guffaw。
Razumihin stood facing him in gloomy and earnest reflection。
〃Of course； I am an ass；〃 he observed； sombre as a storm cloud； 〃but
still。。。 you are another。〃
〃No； brother； not at a
