,FA!R ,S]GIUS 

#ahih 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TAGS 3 FELL 9 LOVE1 /ATE ( M9D1 SON ( GOD1 M5 & WOM51 LADY & G5TLEMAN1 S]VANT ( GOD1 OP9ION ( M51 FA!R S]GIUS1 PRASKOVYA MIKHAYLOVNA1 EMP]OR NI*OLAS4 

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,SECTIONS 7,CONT5T7 3 

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,9 ,PET]SBURG 9 ! EI<TE5-=TIES A SURPRIS+ EV5T OCCURR$4 ,AN (FIC] ( ! ,CUIRASSI] ,LIFE ,GU>DS1 A H&SOME PR9CE :O EV]YONE PR$ICT$ W\LD BECOME AIDE-DE-CAMP TO ! ,EMP]OR ,NI*OLAS ,I4 & HAVE A BRILLIANT C>E]1 LEFT ! S]VICE1 BROKE (F HIS 5GAGEM5T TO A BEAUTIFUL MAID ( HONOR1 A FAVORITE ( ! ,EMPRESS'S1 GAVE HIS SMALL E/ATE TO HIS SI/]1 & RETIR$ TO A MONA/]Y TO BECOME A MONK4 

,?IS EV5T APPE>$ EXTRAORD9>Y & 9EXPLICABLE TO ?OSE :O DID NOT KN[ HIS 9N] MOTIVES1 BUT = ,PR9CE ,/EPAN ,KASATSKY HIMSELF IT ALL OCCURR$ SO NATURALLY ?AT HE C\LD NOT IMAG9E H[ HE C\LD HAVE ACT$ O!RWISE4 

,HIS FA!R1 A RETIR$ COLONEL ( ! ,GU>DS1 HAD DI$ :5 ,/EPAN WAS TWELVE1 & SORRY AS HIS MO!R WAS TO P>T FROM H] SON1 %E 5T]$ HIM AT ! ,MILIT>Y ,COLLEGE AS H] DECEAS$ HUSB& HAD 9T5D$4 

,! WID[ H]SELF1 ) H] DAU<T]1 ,V>V>A1 MOV$ TO ,PET]SBURG TO BE NE> H] SON & HAVE HIM ) H] = ! HOLIDAYS4 

,! BOY WAS DI/+UI%$ BO? BY HIS BRILLIANT ABILITY & BY HIS IMM5SE SELF-E/EEM4 ,HE WAS FIR/ BO? 9 HIS /UDIES--ESPECIALLY 9 MA!MATICS1 ( :I* HE WAS P>TICUL>LY FOND--& ALSO 9 DRILL & 9 RID+4 ,?\< ( MORE ?AN AV]AGE HEI<T1 HE WAS H&SOME & AGILE1 & HE W\LD HAVE BE5 AN ALTOGE!R EXEMPL>Y CADET HAD IT NOT BE5 = HIS QUICK TEMP]4 ,HE WAS REM>KABLY TRU?FUL1 & WAS NEI!R DISSIPAT$ NOR ADDICT$ TO DR9K4 ,! ONLY FAULTS ?AT M>R$ HIS CONDUCT W]E FITS ( FURY TO :I* HE WAS SUBJECT & DUR+ :I* HE LO/ CONTROL ( HIMSELF & BECAME LIKE A WILD ANIMAL4 ,HE ONCE NE>LY ?REW \T ( ! W9D[ ANO!R CADET :O HAD BEGUN TO TEASE HIM AB\T HIS COLLECTION ( M9]ALS4 ,ON ANO!R OCCASION HE CAME ALMO/ COMPLETELY TO GRIEF BY FL++ A :OLE DI% ( CUTLETS AT AN (FIC] :O WAS ACT+ AS /EW>D1 ATTACK+ HIM &1 IT WAS SAID1 /RIK+ HIM = HAV+ BROK5 HIS WORD & TOLD A B>EFAC$ LIE4 ,HE W\LD C]TA9LY HAVE BE5 R$UC$ TO ! RANKS HAD NOT ! ,DIRECTOR ( ! ,COLLEGE HU%$ UP ! :OLE MATT] & DISMISS$ ! /EW>D4 

,BY ! TIME HE WAS EI<TE5 HE HAD F9I%$ HIS ,COLLEGE C\RSE & RECEIV$ A COMMISSION AS LIEUT5ANT 9 AN >I/OCRATIC REGIM5T ( ! ,GU>DS4 

,! ,EMP]OR ,NI*OLAS ,PAVLOVI* 7,NI*OLAS ,I7 HAD NOTIC$ HIM :ILE HE WAS /ILL AT ! ,COLLEGE1 & CONT9U$ TO TAKE NOTICE ( HIM 9 ! REGIM5T1 & IT WAS ON ?IS ACC\NT ?AT PEOPLE PR$ICT$ = HIM AN APPO9TM5T AS AIDE-DE-CAMP TO ! ,EMP]OR4 ,KASATSKY HIMSELF /RONGLY DESIR$ IT1 NOT FROM AMBITION ONLY BUT *IEFLY BECAUSE S9CE HIS CADET DAYS HE HAD BE5 PASSIONATELY DEVOT$ TO ,NI*OLAS ,PAVLOVI*4 ,! ,EMP]OR HAD (T5 VISIT$ ! ,MILIT>Y ,COLLEGE & EV]Y TIME ,KASATSKY SAW ?AT TALL ]ECT FIGURE1 ) BREA/ EXP&$ 9 ITS MILIT>Y OV]COAT1 5T]+ ) BRISK /EP1 SAW ! CROPP$ SIDE-:ISK]S1 ! MU/A*E1 ! AQUIL9E NOSE1 & HE>D ! SONOR\S VOICE EX*ANG+ GREET+S ) ! CADETS1 HE WAS SEIZ$ BY ! SAME RAPTURE ?AT HE EXP]I5C$ LAT] ON :5 HE MET ! WOMAN HE LOV$4 ,9DE$1 HIS PASSIONATE ADORATION ( ! ,EMP]OR WAS EV5 /RONG]3 HE WI%$ TO SACRIFICE SOME?+--EV]Y?+1 EV5 HIMSELF--TO PROVE HIS COMPLETE DEVOTION4 ,& ! ,EMP]OR ,NI*OLAS WAS CONSCI\S ( EVOK+ ?IS RAPTURE & DELIB]ATELY >\S$ IT4 ,HE PLAY$ ) ! CADETS1 SURR\ND$ HIMSELF ) !M1 TREAT+ !M SOMETIMES ) *ILDI% SIMPLICITY1 SOMETIMES AS A FRI5D1 & !N AGA9 ) MAJE/IC SOLEMNITY4 ,AFT] ?AT AFFAIR ) ! (FIC]1 ,NI*OLAS ,PAVLOVI* SAID NO?+ TO ,KASATSKY1 BUT :5 ! LATT] APPROA*$ HE WAV$ HIM AWAY !ATRICALLY1 FR[N$1 %OOK HIS F+] AT HIM1 & AFT]W>DS :5 LEAV+1 SAID3 ',REMEMB] ?AT ,I KN[ EV]Y?+4 ,!RE >E SOME ?+S ,I W\LD RA!R NOT KN[1 BUT !Y REMA9 H]E1' & HE PO9T$ TO HIS HE>T4 

,:5 ON LEAV+ ,COLLEGE ! CADETS W]E RECEIV$ BY ! ,EMP]OR1 HE DID NOT AGA9 REF] TO ,KASATSKY'S (F5SE1 BUT TOLD !M ALL1 AS WAS HIS CU/OM1 ?AT !Y %\LD S]VE HIM & ! FA!RL& LOYALLY1 ?AT HE W\LD ALWAYS BE !IR BE/ FRI5D1 & ?AT :5 NECESS>Y !Y MI<T APPROA* HIM DIRECT4 ,ALL ! CADETS W]E AS USUAL GREATLY MOV$1 & ,KASATSKY EV5 %$ TE>S1 REMEMB]+ ! PA/1 & V[$ ?AT HE W\LD S]VE HIS BELOV$ ,CZ> ) ALL HIS S\L4 

,:5 ,KASATSKY TOOK UP HIS COMMISSION HIS MO!R MOV$ ) H] DAU<T] FIR/ TO ,MOSC[ & !N TO !IR C\NTRY E/ATE4 ,KASATSKY GAVE HALF HIS PROP]TY TO HIS SI/] & KEPT ONLY 5\< TO MA9TA9 HIMSELF 9 ! EXP5SIVE REGIM5T HE HAD JO9$4 

,TO ALL APPE>ANCE HE WAS JU/ AN ORD9>Y1 BRILLIANT Y\NG (FIC] ( ! ,GU>DS MAK+ A C>E] = HIMSELF2 BUT 9T5SE & COMPLEX /RIV+S W5T ON )9 HIM4 ,FROM E>LY *ILDHOOD HIS EF=TS HAD SEEM$ TO BE V]Y V>I$1 BUT ESS5TIALLY !Y W]E ALL ONE & ! SAME4 ,HE TRI$ 9 EV]Y?+ HE TOOK UP TO ATTA9 SU* SUCCESS & P]FECTION AS W\LD EVOKE PRAISE & SURPRISE4 ,:E!R IT WAS HIS /UDIES OR HIS MILIT>Y EX]CISES1 HE TOOK !M UP & WORK$ AT !M TILL HE WAS PRAIS$ & HELD UP AS AN EXAMPLE TO O!RS4 ,MA/]+ ONE SUBJECT HE TOOK UP ANO!R1 & OBTA9$ FIR/ PLACE 9 HIS /UDIES4 ,= EXAMPLE1 :ILE /ILL AT ,COLLEGE HE NOTIC$ 9 HIMSELF AN AWKW>DNESS 9 ,FR5* CONV]SATION1 & CONTRIV$ TO MA/] ,FR5* TILL HE SPOKE IT AS WELL AS ,RUSSIAN1 & !N HE TOOK UP *ESS & BECAME AN EXCELL5T PLAY]4 

,AP>T FROM HIS MA9 VOCATION1 :I* WAS ! S]VICE ( HIS ,CZ> & ! FA!RL&1 HE ALWAYS SET HIMSELF SOME P>TICUL> AIM1 & H[EV] UNIMPORTANT IT WAS1 DEVOT$ HIMSELF COMPLETELY TO IT & LIV$ = IT UNTIL IT WAS ACCOMPLI%$4 ,& AS SOON AS IT WAS ATTA9$ ANO!R AIM W\LD IMM$IATELY PRES5T ITSELF1 REPLAC+ ITS PR$ECESSOR4 ,?IS PASSION = DI/+UI%+ HIMSELF1 OR = ACCOMPLI%+ SOME?+ 9 ORD] TO DI/+UI% HIMSELF1 FILL$ HIS LIFE4 ,ON TAK+ UP HIS COMMISSION HE SET HIMSELF TO ACQUIRE ! UTMO/ P]FECTION 9 KN[L$GE ( ! S]VICE1 & V]Y SOON BECAME A MODEL (FIC]1 ?\< /ILL ) ! SAME FAULT ( UNGOV]NABLE IRASCIBILITY1 :I* H]E 9 ! S]VICE AGA9 L$ HIM TO COMMIT ACTIONS 9IMICAL TO HIS SUCCESS4 ,!N HE TOOK TO READ+1 HAV+ ONCE 9 CONV]SATION 9 SOCIETY FELT HIMSELF DEFICI5T 9 G5]AL $UCATION--& AGA9 A*IEV$ HIS PURPOSE4 ,!N1 WI%+ TO SECURE A BRILLIANT POSITION 9 HI< SOCIETY1 HE LE>N$ TO DANCE EXCELL5TLY & V]Y SOON WAS 9VIT$ TO ALL ! BALLS 9 ! BE/ CIRCLES1 & TO SOME ( !IR EV5+ GA!R+S4 ,BUT ?IS DID NOT SATISFY HIM3 HE WAS ACCU/OM$ TO BE+ FIR/1 & 9 ?IS SOCIETY WAS F> FROM BE+ SO4 

,! HI<E/ SOCIETY !N CONSI/$1 & ,I ?9K ALWAYS CONSI/1 ( F\R SORTS ( PEOPLE3 RI* PEOPLE :O >E RECEIV$ AT ,C\RT1 PEOPLE NOT WEAL?Y BUT BORN & BR\<T UP 9 ,C\RT CIRCLES1 RI* PEOPLE :O +RATIATE !MSELVES 9TO ! ,C\RT SET1 & PEOPLE NEI!R RI* NOR BELONG+ TO ! ,C\RT BUT :O +RATIATE !MSELVES 9TO ! FIR/ & SECOND SETS4 

,KASATSKY DID NOT BELONG TO ! FIR/ TWO SETS1 BUT WAS READILY WELCOM$ 9 ! O!RS4 ,ON 5T]+ SOCIETY HE DET]M9$ TO HAVE RELATIONS ) SOME SOCIETY LADY1 & TO HIS [N SURPRISE QUICKLY ACCOMPLI%$ ?IS PURPOSE4 ,HE SOON REALIZ$1 H[EV]1 ?AT ! CIRCLES 9 :I* HE MOV$ W]E NOT ! HI<E/1 & ?AT ?\< HE WAS RECEIV$ 9 ! HI<E/ SPH]ES HE DID NOT BELONG TO !M4 ,!Y W]E POLITE TO HIM1 BUT %[$ BY !IR :OLE MANN] ?AT !Y HAD !IR [N SET & ?AT HE WAS NOT ( IT4 ,& ,KASATSKY WI%$ TO BELONG TO ?AT 9N] CIRCLE4 ,TO ATTA9 ?AT 5D IT W\LD BE NECESS>Y TO BE AN AIDE-DE-CAMP TO ! ,EMP]OR--:I* HE EXPECT$ TO BECOME--OR TO M>RY 9TO ?AT EXCLUSIVE SET1 :I* HE RESOLV$ TO DO4 ,& HIS *OICE FELL ON A BEAUTY BELONG+ TO ! ,C\RT1 :O NOT M]ELY BELONG$ TO ! CIRCLE 9TO :I* HE WI%$ TO BE ACCEPT$1 BUT :OSE FRI5D%IP WAS COVET$ BY ! V]Y HI<E/ PEOPLE & ?OSE MO/ FIRMLY E/ABLI%$ 9 ?AT HI<E/ CIRCLE4 ,?IS WAS ,C\NTESS ,KOROTKOVA4 ,KASATSKY BEGAN TO PAY C\RT TO H]1 & NOT M]ELY = ! SAKE ( HIS C>E]4 ,%E WAS EXTREMELY ATTRACTIVE & HE SOON FELL 9 LOVE ) H]4 ,AT FIR/ %E WAS NOTICEABLY COOL T[>DS HIM1 BUT !N SUDD5LY *ANG$ & BECAME GRACI\S1 & H] MO!R GAVE HIM PRESS+ 9VITATIONS TO VISIT !M4 ,KASATSKY PROPOS$ & WAS ACCEPT$4 ,HE WAS SURPRIS$ AT ! FACILITY ) :I* HE ATTA9$ SU* HAPP9ESS4 ,BUT ?\< HE NOTIC$ SOME?+ /RANGE & UNUSUAL 9 ! BEHAVIOR T[>DS HIM ( BO? MO!R & DAU<T]1 HE WAS BL9D$ BY BE+ SO DEEPLY 9 LOVE1 & DID NOT REALIZE :AT ALMO/ ! :OLE T[N KNEW--NAMELY1 ?AT HIS FIANCEE HAD BE5 ! ,EMP]OR ,NI*OLAS'S MI/RESS ! PREVI\S YE>4 

,TWO WEEKS BE=E ! DAY >RANG$ = ! W$D+1 ,KASATSKY WAS AT ,TS>SKOE ,SELO AT HIS FIANCEE'S C\NTRY PLACE4 ,IT WAS A HOT DAY 9 ,MAY4 ,HE & HIS BETRO!D HAD WALK$ AB\T ! G>D5 & W]E SITT+ ON A B5* 9 A %ADY L9D5 ALLEY4 ,M>Y'S :ITE MUSL9 DRESS SUIT$ H] P>TICUL>LY WELL1 & %E SEEM$ ! P]SONIFICATION ( 9NOC5CE & LOVE AS %E SAT1 N[ B5D+ H] HEAD1 N[ GAZ+ UP AT ! V]Y TALL & H&SOME MAN :O WAS SPEAK+ TO H] ) P>TICUL> T5D]NESS & SELF-RE/RA9T1 AS IF HE FE>$ BY WORD OR GE/URE TO (F5D OR SULLY H] ANGELIC PURITY4 

,KASATSKY BELONG$ TO ?OSE M5 ( ! EI<TE5-=TIES 7!Y >E N[ NO LONG] TO BE F\ND7 :O :ILE DELIB]ATELY & )\T ANY CONSCI5TI\S SCRUPLES CONDON+ IMPURITY 9 !MSELVES1 REQUIR$ IDEAL & ANGELIC PURITY 9 !IR WOM51 REG>D$ ALL UNM>RI$ WOM5 ( !IR CIRCLE AS POSSESS$ ( SU* PURITY1 & TREAT$ !M ACCORD+LY4 ,!RE WAS MU* ?AT WAS FALSE & H>MFUL 9 ?IS \TLOOK1 AS CONC]N+ ! LAXITY ! M5 P]MITT$ !MSELVES1 BUT 9 REG>D TO ! WOM5 ?AT OLD-FA%ION$ VIEW 7%>PLY DIFF]+ FROM ?AT HELD BY Y\NG PEOPLE TO-DAY :O SEE 9 EV]Y GIRL M]ELY A FEMALE SEEK+ A MATE7 WAS1 ,I ?9K1 ( VALUE4 ,! GIRLS1 P]CEIV+ SU* ADORATION1 5DEAVOR$ ) MORE OR LESS SUCCESS TO BE GODDESSES4 

,SU* WAS ! VIEW ,KASATSKY HELD ( WOM51 & ?AT WAS H[ HE REG>D$ HIS FIANCEE4 ,HE WAS P>TICUL>LY 9 LOVE ?AT DAY1 BUT DID NOT EXP]I5CE ANY S5SUAL DESIRE = H]4 ,ON ! CONTR>Y HE REG>D$ H] ) T5D] ADORATION AS SOME?+ UNATTA9ABLE4 

,HE ROSE TO HIS FULL HEI<T1 /&+ BE=E H] ) BO? H&S ON HIS SAB]4 

',I HAVE ONLY N[ REALIZ$ :AT HAPP9ESS A MAN CAN EXP]I5CE6 ,& IT IS Y\1 MY D>L+1 :O HAVE GIV5 ME ?IS HAPP9ESS1' HE SAID ) A TIMID SMILE4 

,5DE>M5TS HAD NOT YET BECOME USUAL BETWE5 !M1 & FEEL+ HIMSELF MORALLY 9F]IOR HE FELT T]RIFI$ AT ?IS /AGE TO USE !M TO SU* AN ANGEL4 

',IT IS ?ANKS TO Y\ ?AT ,I HAVE COME TO KN[ MYSELF4 ,I HAVE LE>N$ ?AT ,I AM BETT] ?AN ,I ?\<T4' 

',I HAVE KN[N ?AT = A LONG TIME4 ,?AT WAS :Y ,I BEGAN TO LOVE Y\4' 

,NI<T+ALES TRILL$ NE> BY & ! FRE% LEAFAGE RU/L$1 MOV$ BY A PASS+ BREEZE4 

,HE TOOK H] H& & KISS$ IT1 & TE>S CAME 9TO HIS EYES4 

,%E UND]/OOD ?AT HE WAS ?ANK+ H] = HAV+ SAID %E LOV$ HIM4 ,HE SIL5TLY TOOK A FEW /EPS UP & D[N1 & !N APPROA*$ H] AGA9 & SAT D[N4 

',Y\ KN[444 ,I HAVE TO TELL Y\444 ,I WAS NOT DIS9T]E/$ :5 ,I BEGAN TO MAKE LOVE TO Y\4 ,I WANT$ TO GET 9TO SOCIETY2 BUT LAT]444 H[ UNIMPORTANT ?AT BECAME 9 COMP>ISON ) Y\--:5 ,I GOT TO KN[ Y\4 ,Y\ >E NOT ANGRY ) ME = ?AT8' 

,%E DID NOT REPLY BUT M]ELY T\*$ HIS H&4 ,HE UND]/OOD ?AT ?IS MEANT3 ',NO1 ,I AM NOT ANGRY4' 

',Y\ SAID444' ,HE HESITAT$4 ,IT SEEM$ TOO BOLD TO SAY4 ',Y\ SAID ?AT Y\ BEGAN TO LOVE ME4 ,I BELIEVE IT--BUT !RE IS SOME?+ ?AT TR\BLES Y\ & *ECKS Y\R FEEL+4 ,:AT IS IT8' 

',YES--N[ OR NEV]6' ?\<T %E4 ',HE IS B\ND TO KN[ ( IT ANYWAY4 ,BUT N[ HE WILL NOT =SAKE ME4 ,AH1 IF HE %\LD1 IT W\LD BE T]RIBLE6' ,& %E ?REW A LOV+ GLANCE AT HIS TALL1 NOBLE1 P[]FUL FIGURE4 ,%E LOV$ HIM N[ MORE ?AN %E HAD LOV$ ! ,CZ>1 & AP>T FROM ! ,IMP]IAL DIGNITY W\LD NOT HAVE PREF]R$ ! ,EMP]OR TO HIM4 

',LI/56 ,I CANNOT DECEIVE Y\4 ,I HAVE TO TELL Y\4 ,Y\ ASK :AT IT IS8 ,IT IS ?AT ,I HAVE LOV$ BE=E4' 

,%E AGA9 LAID H] H& ON HIS ) AN IMPLOR+ GE/URE4 ,HE WAS SIL5T4 

',Y\ WANT TO KN[ :O IT WAS8 ,IT WAS--! ,EMP]OR4' 

',WE ALL LOVE HIM4 ,I CAN IMAG9E Y\1 A S*OOLGIRL AT ! ,9/ITUTE444' 

',NO1 IT WAS LAT]4 ,I WAS 9FATUAT$1 BUT IT PASS$444 ,I MU/ TELL Y\444' 

',WELL1 :AT ( IT8' 

',NO1 IT WAS NOT SIMPLY--' ,%E COV]$ H] FACE ) H] H&S4 

',:AT8 ,Y\ GAVE Y\RSELF TO HIM8' 

,%E WAS SIL5T4 

',HIS MI/RESS8' 

,%E DID NOT ANSW]4 

,HE SPRANG UP & /OOD BE=E H] ) TREMBL+ JAWS1 PALE AS DEA?4 ,HE N[ REMEMB]$ H[ ! ,EMP]OR1 MEET+ HIM ON ! ,NEVSKY1 HAD AMIABLY CONGRATULAT$ HIM4 

',O ,GOD1 :AT HAVE ,I DONE6 ,/IVA6' 

',DON'T T\* ME6 ,DON'T T\* ME6 ,OH1 H[ IT PA9S6' 

,HE TURN$ AWAY & W5T TO ! H\SE4 ,!RE HE MET H] MO!R4 

',:AT IS ! MATT]1 ,PR9CE8 ,I444' ,%E BECAME SIL5T ON SEE+ HIS FACE4 ,! BLOOD HAD SUDD5LY RU%$ TO HIS HEAD4 

',Y\ KNEW IT1 & US$ ME TO %IELD !M6 ,IF Y\ W]5'T A WOMAN4446' HE CRI$1 LIFT+ HIS 5ORM\S FI/1 & TURN+ ASIDE HE RAN AWAY4 

,HAD HIS FIANCEE'S LOV] BE5 A PRIVATE P]SON HE W\LD HAVE KILL$ HIM1 BUT IT WAS HIS BELOV$ ,CZ>4 

,NEXT DAY HE APPLI$ BO? = FURL\< & HIS DIS*>GE1 & PR(ESS+ TO BE ILL1 SO AS TO SEE NO ONE1 HE W5T AWAY TO ! C\NTRY4 

,HE SP5T ! SUMM] AT HIS VILLAGE >RANG+ HIS AFFAIRS4 ,:5 SUMM] WAS OV] HE DID NOT RETURN TO ,PET]SBURG1 BUT 5T]$ A MONA/]Y & !RE BECAME A MONK4 

,HIS MO!R WROTE TO TRY TO DISSUADE HIM FROM ?IS DECISIVE /EP1 BUT HE REPLI$ ?AT HE FELT ,GOD'S CALL :I* TRANSC5D$ ALL O!R CONSID]ATIONS4 ,ONLY HIS SI/]1 :O WAS AS PR\D & AMBITI\S AS HE1 UND]/OOD HIM4 

,%E UND]/OOD ?AT HE HAD BECOME A MONK 9 ORD] TO BE ABOVE ?OSE :O CONSID]$ !MSELVES HIS SUP]IORS4 ,& %E UND]/OOD HIM CORRECTLY4 ,BY BECOM+ A MONK HE %[$ CONTEMPT = ALL ?AT SEEM$ MO/ IMPORTANT TO O!RS & HAD SEEM$ SO TO HIM :ILE HE WAS 9 ! S]VICE1 & HE N[ ASC5D$ A HEI<T FROM :I* HE C\LD LOOK D[N ON ?OSE HE HAD =M]LY 5VI$4444 ,BUT IT WAS NOT ?IS ALONE1 AS HIS SI/] ,V>V>A SUPPOS$1 ?AT 9FLU5C$ HIM4 ,!RE WAS ALSO 9 HIM SOME?+ ELSE--A S9C]E RELIGI\S FEEL+ :I* ,V>V>A DID NOT KN[1 :I* 9T]TW9$ ITSELF ) ! FEEL+ ( PRIDE & ! DESIRE = PREEM95CE1 & GUID$ HIM4 ,HIS DISILLUSIONM5T ) ,M>Y1 :OM HE HAD ?\<T ( ANGELIC PURITY1 & HIS S5SE ( 9JURY1 W]E SO /RONG ?AT !Y BR\<T HIM TO DESPAIR1 & ! DESPAIR L$ HIM--TO :AT8 ,TO ,GOD1 TO HIS *ILDHOOD'S FAI? :I* HAD NEV] BE5 DE/ROY$ 9 HIM4 

70,FA!R ,S]GIUS10 BY ,LEO ,TOL/OY1 TRANSLAT$ BY ,L\ISE & ,AYLM] ,MAUDE1 WRITT5 BETWE5 #ahi & #ahih & FIR/ PUBLI%$ 9 #a#i#a#a47 

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,KASATSKY 5T]$ ! MONA/]Y ON ! FEA/ ( ! ,9T]CESSION ( ! ,BLESS$ ,VIRG94 ,! ,ABBOT ( ?AT MONA/]Y WAS A G5TLEMAN BY BIR?1 A LE>N$ WRIT] & A />ETS1 ?AT IS1 HE BELONG$ TO ?AT SUCCESSION ( MONKS ORIG9AT+ 9 ,WALA*IA :O EA* *OOSE A DIRECTOR & TEA*] :OM !Y IMPLICITLY OBEY4 ,?IS ,SUP]IOR HAD BE5 A DISCIPLE ( ! />ETS ,AMBROSE1 :O WAS A DISCIPLE ( ,MAK>IUS1 :O WAS A DISCIPLE ( ! />ETS ,LEONID1 :O WAS A DISCIPLE ( ,PAUSSY ,VELI*KOVSKY4 

,TO ?IS ,ABBOT ,KASATSKY SUBMITT$ HIMSELF AS TO HIS *OS5 DIRECTOR4 ,H]E 9 ! MONA/]Y1 BESIDES ! FEEL+ ( ASC5DANCY OV] O!RS ?AT SU* A LIFE GAVE HIM1 HE FELT MU* AS HE HAD DONE 9 ! WORLD3 HE F\ND SATISFACTION 9 ATTA9+ ! GREATE/ POSSIBLE P]FECTION \TW>DLY AS WELL AS 9W>DLY4 ,AS 9 ! REGIM5T HE HAD BE5 NOT M]ELY AN IRREPROA*ABLE (FIC] BUT HAD EV5 EXCE$$ HIS DUTIES & WID5$ ! BORD]S ( P]FECTION1 SO ALSO AS A MONK HE TRI$ TO BE P]FECT1 & WAS ALWAYS 9DU/RI\S1 AB/EMI\S1 SUBMISSIVE1 & MEEK1 AS WELL AS PURE BO? 9 DE$ & 9 ?\<T1 & OB$I5T4 ,?IS LA/ QUALITY 9 P>TICUL> MADE LIFE F> EASI] = HIM4 ,IF MANY ( ! DEM&S ( LIFE 9 ! MONA/]Y1 :I* WAS NE> ! CAPITAL & MU* FREQU5T$1 DID NOT PLEASE HIM & W]E TEMPTATIONS TO HIM1 !Y W]E ALL NULLIFI$ BY OB$I5CE3 ',IT IS NOT = ME TO REASON2 MY BUS9ESS IS TO DO ! TASK SET ME1 :E!R IT BE /&+ BESIDE ! RELICS1 S++ 9 ! *OIR1 OR MAK+ UP ACC\NTS 9 ! MONA/]Y GUE/-H\SE4' ,ALL POSSIBILITY ( D\BT AB\T ANY?+ WAS SIL5C$ BY OB$I5CE TO ! />ETS4 ,HAD IT NOT BE5 = ?IS1 HE W\LD HAVE BE5 OPPRESS$ BY ! L5G? & MONOTONY ( ! *UR* S]VICES1 ! BU/LE ( ! MANY VISITORS1 & ! BAD QUALITIES ( ! O!R MONKS4 ,AS IT WAS1 HE NOT ONLY BORE IT ALL JOYFULLY BUT F\ND 9 IT SOLACE & SUPPORT4 ',I DON'T KN[ :Y IT IS NECESS>Y TO HE> ! SAME PRAY]S SEV]AL TIMES A DAY1 BUT ,I KN[ ?AT IT IS NECESS>Y2 & KN[+ ?IS ,I F9D JOY 9 !M4' ,HIS DIRECTOR TOLD HIM ?AT AS MAT]IAL FOOD IS NECESS>Y = ! MA9T5ANCE ( ! LIFE ( ! BODY1 SO SPIRITUAL FOOD--! *UR* PRAY]S--IS NECESS>Y = ! MA9T5ANCE ( ! SPIRITUAL LIFE4 ,HE BELIEV$ ?IS1 & ?\< ! *UR* S]VICES1 = :I* HE HAD TO GET UP E>LY 9 ! MORN+1 W]E A DIFFICULTY1 !Y C]TA9LY CALM$ HIM & GAVE HIM JOY4 ,?IS WAS ! RESULT ( HIS CONSCI\SNESS ( HUMILITY1 & ! C]TA9TY ?AT :ATEV] HE HAD TO DO1 BE+ FIX$ BY ! />ETS1 WAS RI<T4 

,! 9T]E/ ( HIS LIFE CONSI/$ NOT ONLY 9 AN EV] GREAT] & GREAT] SUBJUGATION ( HIS WILL1 BUT 9 ! ATTA9M5T ( ALL ! ,*RI/IAN VIRTUES1 :I* AT FIR/ SEEM$ TO HIM EASILY ATTA9ABLE4 ,HE HAD GIV5 HIS :OLE E/ATE TO HIS SI/] & DID NOT REGRET IT1 HE HAD NO P]SONAL CLAIMS1 HUMILITY T[>DS HIS 9F]IORS WAS NOT M]ELY EASY = HIM BUT AF=D$ HIM PLEASURE4 ,EV5 VICTORY OV] ! S9S ( ! FLE%1 GRE$ & LU/1 WAS EASILY ATTA9$4 ,HIS DIRECTOR HAD SPECIALLY W>N$ HIM AGA9/ ! LATT] S91 BUT ,KASATSKY FELT FREE FROM IT & WAS GLAD4 

,ONE ?+ ONLY TORM5T$ HIM--! REMEMBRANCE ( HIS FIANCEE2 & NOT M]ELY ! REMEMBRANCE BUT ! VIVID IMAGE ( :AT MI<T HAVE BE54 ,9VOLUNT>ILY HE RECALL$ A LADY HE KNEW :O HAD BE5 A FAVORITE ( ! ,EMP]OR'S1 BUT HAD AFT]W>DS M>RI$ & BECOME AN ADMIRABLE WIFE & MO!R4 ,! HUSB& HAD A HI< POSITION1 9FLU5CE & HONOR1 & A GOOD & P5IT5T WIFE4 

,9 HIS BETT] H\RS ,KASATSKY WAS NOT DI/URB$ BY SU* ?\<TS1 & :5 HE RECALL$ !M AT SU* TIMES HE WAS M]ELY GLAD TO FEEL ?AT ! TEMPTATION WAS PA/4 ,BUT !RE W]E MOM5TS :5 ALL ?AT MADE UP HIS PRES5T LIFE SUDD5LY GREW DIM BE=E HIM1 MOM5TS :51 IF HE DID NOT CEASE TO BELIEVE 9 ! AIMS HE HAD SET HIMSELF1 HE CEAS$ TO SEE !M & C\LD EVOKE NO CONFID5CE 9 !M BUT WAS SEIZ$ BY A REMEMBRANCE (1 &--T]RIBLE TO SAY--A REGRET =1 ! *ANGE ( LIFE HE HAD MADE4 

,! ONLY ?+ ?AT SAV$ HIM 9 ?AT /ATE ( M9D WAS OB$I5CE & WORK1 & ! FACT ?AT ! :OLE DAY WAS OCCUPI$ BY PRAY]4 ,HE W5T ?R\< ! USUAL =MS ( PRAY]1 HE B[$ 9 PRAY]1 HE EV5 PRAY$ MORE ?AN USUAL1 BUT IT WAS LIP-S]VICE ONLY & HIS S\L WAS NOT 9 IT4 ,?IS CONDITION W\LD CONT9UE = A DAY1 OR SOMETIMES = TWO DAYS1 & W\LD !N PASS ( ITSELF4 ,BUT ?OSE DAYS W]E DREADFUL4 ,KASATSKY FELT ?AT HE WAS NEI!R 9 HIS [N H&S NOR 9 ,GOD'S1 BUT WAS SUBJECT TO SOME?+ ELSE4 ,ALL HE C\LD DO !N WAS TO OBEY ! />ETS1 TO RE/RA9 HIMSELF1 TO UND]TAKE NO?+1 & SIMPLY TO WAIT4 ,9 G5]AL ALL ?IS TIME HE LIV$ NOT BY HIS [N WILL BUT BY ?AT ( ! />ETS1 & 9 ?IS OB$I5CE HE F\ND A SPECIAL TRANQUILITY4 

,SO HE LIV$ 9 HIS FIR/ MONA/]Y = SEV5 YE>S4 ,AT ! 5D ( ! ?IRD YE> HE RECEIV$ ! TONSURE & WAS ORDA9$ TO ! PRIE/HOOD BY ! NAME ( ,S]GIUS4 ,! PR(ESSION WAS AN IMPORTANT EV5T 9 HIS 9N] LIFE4 ,HE HAD PREVI\SLY EXP]I5C$ A GREAT CONSOLATION & SPIRITUAL EXALTATION :5 RECEIV+ COMMUNION1 & N[ :5 HE HIMSELF (FICIAT$1 ! P]=MANCE ( ! PREP>ATION FILL$ HIM ) EC/ATIC & DEEP EMOTION4 ,BUT SUBSEQU5TLY ?AT FEEL+ BECAME MORE & MORE DEAD5$1 & ONCE :5 HE WAS (FICIAT+ 9 A DEPRESS$ /ATE ( M9D HE FELT ?AT ! 9FLU5CE PRODUC$ ON HIM BY ! S]VICE W\LD NOT 5DURE4 ,& IT DID 9 FACT WEAK5 TILL ONLY ! HABIT REMA9$4 

,9 G5]AL 9 ! SEV5? YE> ( HIS LIFE 9 ! MONA/]Y ,S]GIUS GREW WE>Y4 ,HE HAD LE>N$ ALL !RE WAS TO LE>N & HAD ATTA9$ ALL !RE WAS TO ATTA91 !RE WAS NO?+ MORE TO DO & HIS SPIRITUAL DR[S9ESS 9CREAS$4 ,DUR+ ?IS TIME HE HE>D ( HIS MO!R'S DEA? & HIS SI/] ,V>V>A'S M>RIAGE1 BUT BO? EV5TS W]E MATT]S ( 9DIFF]5CE TO HIM4 ,HIS :OLE ATT5TION & HIS :OLE 9T]E/ W]E CONC5TRAT$ ON HIS 9N] LIFE4 

,9 ! F\R? YE> ( HIS PRIE/HOOD1 DUR+ :I* ! ,BI%OP HAD BE5 P>TICUL>LY K9D TO HIM1 ! />ETS TOLD HIM ?AT HE \<T NOT TO DECL9E IT IF HE W]E (F]$ AN APPO9TM5T TO HI<] DUTIES4 ,!N MONA/IC AMBITION1 ! V]Y ?+ HE HAD F\ND SO REPULSIVE 9 O!R MONKS1 >OSE )9 HIM4 ,HE WAS ASSIGN$ TO A MONA/]Y NE> ! METROPOLIS4 ,HE WI%$ TO REFUSE BUT ! />ETS ORD]$ HIM TO ACCEPT ! APPO9TM5T4 ,HE DID SO1 & TOOK LEAVE ( ! />ETS & MOV$ TO ! O!R MONA/]Y4 

,! EX*ANGE 9TO ! METROPOLITAN MONA/]Y WAS AN IMPORTANT EV5T 9 ,S]GIUS'S LIFE4 ,!RE HE 5C\NT]$ MANY TEMPTATIONS1 & HIS :OLE WILL-P[] WAS CONC5TRAT$ ON MEET+ !M4 

,9 ! FIR/ MONA/]Y1 WOM5 HAD NOT BE5 A TEMPTATION TO HIM1 BUT H]E ?AT TEMPTATION >OSE ) T]RIBLE /R5G? & EV5 TOOK DEF9ITE %APE4 ,!RE WAS A LADY KN[N = H] FRIVOL\S BEHAVIOR :O BEGAN TO SEEK HIS FAVOR4 ,%E TALK$ TO HIM & ASK$ HIM TO VISIT H]4 ,S]GIUS /]NLY DECL9$1 BUT WAS HORRIFI$ BY ! DEF9IT5ESS ( HIS DESIRE4 ,HE WAS SO AL>M$ ?AT HE WROTE AB\T IT TO ! />ETS4 ,& 9 ADDITION1 TO KEEP HIMSELF 9 H&1 HE SPOKE TO A Y\NG NOVICE &1 CONQU]+ HIS S5SE ( %AME1 CONFESS$ HIS WEAKNESS TO HIM1 ASK+ HIM TO KEEP WAT* ON HIM & NOT LET HIM GO ANY:]E EXCEPT TO S]VICE & TO FULFILL HIS DUTIES4 

,BESIDES ?IS1 A GREAT PITFALL = ,S]GIUS LAY 9 ! FACT ( HIS EXTREME ANTIPA?Y TO HIS NEW ,ABBOT1 A CUNN+ WORLDLY MAN :O WAS MAK+ A C>E] = HIMSELF 9 ! ,*UR*4 ,/RUGGLE ) HIMSELF AS HE MI<T1 HE C\LD NOT MA/] ?AT FEEL+4 ,HE WAS SUBMISSIVE TO ! ,ABBOT1 BUT 9 ! DEP?S ( HIS S\L HE NEV] CEAS$ TO CONDEMN HIM4 ,& 9 ! SECOND YE> ( HIS RESID5CE AT ! NEW MONA/]Y ?AT ILL-FEEL+ BROKE \T4 

,! ,VIGIL S]VICE WAS BE+ P]=M$ 9 ! L>GE *UR* ON ! EVE ( ! FEA/ ( ! ,9T]CESSION ( ! ,BLESS$ ,VIRG91 & !RE W]E MANY VISITORS4 ,! ,ABBOT HIMSELF WAS CONDUCT+ ! S]VICE4 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS WAS /&+ 9 HIS USUAL PLACE & PRAY+3 ?AT IS1 HE WAS 9 ?AT CONDITION ( /RUGGLE :I* ALWAYS OCCUPI$ HIM DUR+ ! S]VICE1 ESPECIALLY 9 ! L>GE *UR* :5 HE WAS NOT HIMSELF CONDUCT+ ! S]VICE4 ,?IS CONFLICT WAS OCCASION$ BY HIS IRRITATION AT ! PRES5CE ( F9E FOLK1 ESPECIALLY LADIES4 ,HE TRI$ NOT TO SEE !M OR TO NOTICE ALL ?AT W5T ON3 H[ A SOLDI] CONDUCT$ !M1 PU%+ ! COMMON PEOPLE ASIDE1 H[ ! LADIES PO9T$ \T ! MONKS TO ONE ANO!R--ESPECIALLY HIMSELF & A MONK NOT$ = HIS GOOD LOOKS4 ,HE TRI$ AS IT W]E TO KEEP HIS M9D 9 BL9K]S1 TO SEE NO?+ BUT ! LI<T ( ! C&LES ON ! ALT>-SCRE51 ! ICONS1 & ?OSE CONDUCT+ ! S]VICE4 ,HE TRI$ TO HE> NO?+ BUT ! PRAY]S ?AT W]E BE+ *ANT$ OR READ1 TO FEEL NO?+ BUT SELF-OBLIVION 9 CONSCI\SNESS ( ! FULFILLM5T ( DUTY--A FEEL+ HE ALWAYS EXP]I5C$ :5 HE>+ OR RECIT+ 9 ADVANCE ! PRAY]S HE HAD SO (T5 HE>D4 

,SO HE /OOD1 CROSS+ & PRO/RAT+ HIMSELF :5 NECESS>Y1 & /RUGGL$ ) HIMSELF1 N[ GIV+ WAY TO COLD CONDEMNATION & N[ TO A CONSCI\SLY EVOK$ OBLIT]ATION ( ?\<T & FEEL+4 ,!N ! SACRI/AN1 ,FA!R ,NICODEMUS--ALSO A GREAT /UMBL+-BLOCK TO ,S]GIUS :O 9VOLUNT>ILY REPROA*$ HIM = FLATT]+ & FAWN+ ON ! ,ABBOT--APPROA*$ HIM &1 B[+ L[1 REQUE/$ HIS PRES5CE BEH9D ! HOLY GATES4 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS /RAI<T5$ HIS MANTLE1 PUT ON HIS BIRETTA1 & W5T CIRCUMSPECTLY ?R\< ! CR[D4 

',LISE1 REG>DE A DROITE1 C'E/ LUI6' HE HE>D A WOMAN'S VOICE SAY4 

',\1 \8 ,IL N'E/ PAS TELLEM5T BEAU4' 

,HE KNEW ?AT !Y W]E SPEAK+ ( HIM4 ,HE HE>D !M &1 AS ALWAYS AT MOM5TS ( TEMPTATION1 HE REPEAT$ ! WORDS1 ',LEAD US NOT 9TO TEMPTATION1' & B[+ HIS HEAD & L[]+ HIS EYES W5T PA/ ! AMBO & 9 BY ! NOR? DOOR1 AVOID+ ! CANONS 9 !IR CASSOCKS :O W]E JU/ !N PASS+ ! ALT>-SCRE54 ,ON 5T]+ ! SANCTU>Y HE B[$1 CROSS+ HIMSELF AS USUAL & B5D+ D\BLE BE=E ! ICONS4 ,!N1 RAIS+ HIS HEAD BUT )\T TURN+1 HE GLANC$ \T ( ! CORN] ( HIS EYE AT ! ,ABBOT1 :OM HE SAW /&+ BESIDE ANO!R GLITT]+ FIGURE4 

,! ,ABBOT WAS /&+ BY ! WALL 9 HIS VE/M5TS4 ,HAV+ FRE$ HIS %ORT PLUMP H&S FROM B5EA? HIS *ASUBLE HE HAD FOLD$ !M OV] HIS FAT BODY & PROTRUD+ /OMA*1 & F+]+ ! CORDS ( HIS VE/M5TS WAS SMIL+LY SAY+ SOME?+ TO A MILIT>Y MAN 9 ! UNI=M ( A G5]AL ( ! ,IMP]IAL SUITE1 ) ITS 9SIGNIA & %\LD]-KNOTS :I* ,FA!R ,S]GIUS'S EXP]I5C$ EYE AT ONCE RECOGNIZ$4 ,?IS G5]AL HAD BE5 ! COMM&] ( ! REGIM5T 9 :I* ,S]GIUS HAD S]V$4 ,HE N[ EVID5TLY OCCUPI$ AN IMPORTANT POSITION1 & ,FA!R ,S]GIUS AT ONCE NOTIC$ ?AT ! ,ABBOT WAS AW>E ( ?IS & ?AT HIS R$ FACE & BALD HEAD BEAM$ ) SATISFACTION & PLEASURE4 ,?IS VEX$ & DISGU/$ ,FA!R ,S]GIUS1 ! MORE SO :5 HE HE>D ?AT ! ,ABBOT HAD ONLY S5T = HIM TO SATISFY ! G5]AL'S CURIOSITY TO SEE A MAN :O HAD =M]LY S]V$ ) HIM1 AS HE EXPRESS$ IT4 

',V]Y PLEAS$ TO SEE Y\ 9 Y\R ANGELIC GUISE1' SAID ! G5]AL1 HOLD+ \T HIS H&4 ',I HOPE Y\ HAVE NOT =GOTT5 AN OLD COMRADE4' 

,! :OLE ?+--! ,ABBOT'S R$1 SMIL+ FACE AMID ITS FR+E ( GRAY1 ! G5]AL'S WORDS1 HIS WELL-C>$-= FACE ) ITS SELF-SATISFI$ SMILE & ! SMELL ( W9E FROM HIS BREA? & ( CIG>S FROM HIS :ISK]S--REVOLT$ ,FA!R ,S]GIUS4 ,HE B[$ AGA9 TO ! ,ABBOT & SAID3 

',Y\R REV]5CE DEIGN$ TO S5D = ME8'--& /OPP$1 ! :OLE EXPRESSION ( HIS FACE & EYES ASK+ :Y4 

',YES1 TO MEET ! ,G5]AL1' REPLI$ ! ,ABBOT4 

',Y\R REV]5CE1 ,I LEFT ! WORLD TO SAVE MYSELF FROM TEMPTATION1' SAID ,FA!R ,S]GIUS1 TURN+ PALE & ) QUIV]+ LIPS4 ',:Y DO Y\ EXPOSE ME TO IT DUR+ PRAY]S & 9 ,GOD'S H\SE8' 

',Y\ MAY GO6 ,GO6' SAID ! ,ABBOT1 FL>+ UP & FR[N+4 

,NEXT DAY ,FA!R ,S]GIUS ASK$ P>DON ( ! ,ABBOT & ( ! BRE?R5 = HIS PRIDE1 BUT AT ! SAME TIME1 AFT] A NI<T SP5T 9 PRAY]1 HE DECID$ ?AT HE MU/ LEAVE ?IS MONA/]Y1 & HE WROTE TO ! />ETS BEGG+ P]MISSION TO RETURN TO HIM4 ,HE WROTE ?AT HE FELT HIS WEAKNESS & 9CAPACITY TO /RUGGLE AGA9/ TEMPTATION )\T HIS HELP & P5IT5TLY CONFESS$ HIS S9 ( PRIDE4 ,BY RETURN ( PO/ CAME A LETT] FROM ! />ETS1 :O WROTE ?AT ,S]GIUS'S PRIDE WAS ! CAUSE ( ALL ?AT HAD HAPP5$4 ,! OLD MAN PO9T$ \T ?AT HIS FITS ( ANG] W]E DUE TO ! FACT ?AT 9 REFUS+ ALL CL]ICAL HONORS HE HUMILIAT$ HIMSELF NOT = ! SAKE ( ,GOD BUT = ! SAKE ( HIS PRIDE4 ',!RE N[1 AM ,I NOT A SPL5DID MAN NOT TO WANT ANY?+8' ,?AT WAS :Y HE C\LD NOT TOL]ATE ! ,ABBOT'S ACTION4 ',I HAVE R5\NC$ EV]Y?+ = ! GLORY ( ,GOD1 & H]E ,I AM EXHIBIT$ LIKE A WILD BEA/6' ',HAD Y\ R5\NC$ VANITY = ,GOD'S SAKE Y\ W\LD HAVE BORNE IT4 ,WORLDLY PRIDE IS NOT YET DEAD 9 Y\4 ,I HAVE ?\<T AB\T Y\1 ,S]GIUS MY SON1 & PRAY$ ALSO1 & ?IS IS :AT ,GOD HAS SUGGE/$ TO ME4 ,AT ! ,TAMBOV H]MITAGE ! AN*ORITE ,HIL>Y1 A MAN ( SA9TLY LIFE1 HAS DI$4 ,HE HAD LIV$ !RE EI<TE5 YE>S4 ,! ,TAMBOV ,ABBOT IS ASK+ :E!R !RE IS NOT A BRO!R :O W\LD TAKE HIS PLACE4 ,& H]E COMES Y\R LETT]4 ,GO TO ,FA!R ,PAISSY ( ! ,TAMBOV ,MONA/]Y4 ,I WILL WRITE TO HIM AB\T Y\1 & Y\ MU/ ASK = ,HIL>Y'S CELL4 ,NOT ?AT Y\ CAN REPLACE ,HIL>Y1 BUT Y\ NE$ SOLITUDE TO QUELL Y\R PRIDE4 ,MAY ,GOD BLESS Y\6' 

,S]GIUS OBEY$ ! />ETS1 %[$ HIS LETT] TO ! ,ABBOT1 & HAV+ OBTA9$ HIS P]MISSION1 GAVE UP HIS CELL1 H&$ ALL HIS POSSESSIONS OV] TO ! MONA/]Y1 & SET \T = ! ,TAMBOV H]MITAGE4 

,!RE ! ,ABBOT1 AN EXCELL5T MANAG] ( M]*ANT ORIG91 RECEIV$ ,S]GIUS SIMPLY & QUIETLY & PLAC$ HIM 9 ,HIL>Y'S CELL1 AT FIR/ ASSIGN+ TO HIM A LAY BRO!R BUT AFT]W>DS LEAV+ HIM ALONE1 AT ,S]GIUS'S [N REQUE/4 ,! CELL WAS A DUAL CAVE1 DUG 9TO ! HILLSIDE1 & 9 IT ,HIL>Y HAD BE5 BURI$4 ,9 ! BACK P>T WAS ,HIL>Y'S GRAVE1 :ILE 9 ! FRONT WAS A NI*E = SLEEP+1 ) A /RAW MATTRESS1 A SMALL TABLE1 & A %ELF ) ICONS & BOOKS4 ,\TSIDE ! \T] DOOR1 :I* FA/5$ ) A HOOK1 WAS ANO!R %ELF ON :I*1 ONCE A DAY1 A MONK PLAC$ FOOD FROM ! MONA/]Y4 

,& SO ,S]GIUS BECAME A H]MIT4 

70,FA!R ,S]GIUS10 BY ,LEO ,TOL/OY1 TRANSLAT$ BY ,L\ISE & ,AYLM] ,MAUDE1 WRITT5 BETWE5 #ahi & #ahih & FIR/ PUBLI%$ 9 #a#i#a#a47 

O ,*APT] #c 

,AT ,C>NIVAL TIME1 9 ! SIX? YE> ( ,S]GIUS'S LIFE AT ! H]MITAGE1 A M]RY COMPANY ( RI* PEOPLE1 M5 & WOM5 FROM A NEI<BOR+ T[N1 MADE UP A TROYKA-P>TY1 AFT] A MEAL ( C>NIVAL-PANCAKES & W9E4 ,! COMPANY CONSI/$ ( TWO LAWY]S1 A WEAL?Y L&[N]1 AN (FIC]1 & F\R LADIES4 ,ONE LADY WAS ! (FIC]'S WIFE1 ANO!R ! WIFE ( ! L&[N]1 ! ?IRD HIS SI/]--A Y\NG GIRL--& ! F\R? A DIVORCEE1 BEAUTIFUL1 RI*1 & ECC5TRIC1 :O AMAZ$ & %OCK$ ! T[N BY H] ESCAPADES4 

,! WEA!R WAS EXCELL5T & ! SN[-COV]$ ROAD SMOO? AS A FLOOR4 ,!Y DROVE SOME SEV5 MILES \T ( T[N1 & !N /OPP$ & CONSULT$ AS TO :E!R !Y %\LD TURN BACK OR DRIVE F>!R4 

',BUT :]E DOES ?IS ROAD LEAD TO8' ASK$ ,MAKOVK9A1 ! BEAUTIFUL DIVORCEE4 

',TO ,TAMBOV1 EI<T MILES FROM H]E1' REPLI$ ONE ( ! LAWY]S1 :O WAS HAV+ A FLIRTATION ) H]4 

',& !N :]E8' 

',!N ON TO ,L----1 PA/ ! ,MONA/]Y4' 

',:]E ?AT ,FA!R ,S]GIUS LIVES8' 

',YES4' 

',KASATSKY1 ! H&SOME H]MIT8' 

',YES4' 

',MESDAMES ET MESSIEURS1 LET US DRIVE ON & SEE ,KASATSKY6 ,WE CAN /OP AT ,TAMBOV & HAVE SOME?+ TO EAT4' 

',BUT WE %\LDN'T GET HOME TO-NI<T6' 

',NEV] M9D1 WE WILL /AY AT ,KASATSKY'S4' 

',WELL1 !RE IS A V]Y GOOD HO/ELRY AT ! ,MONA/]Y4 ,I /AY$ !RE :5 ,I WAS DEF5D+ ,MAKH94' 

',NO1 ,I %ALL SP5D ! NI<T AT ,KASATSKY'S6' 

',IMPOSSIBLE6 ,EV5 Y\R OMNIPOT5CE C\LD NOT ACCOMPLI% ?AT6' 

',IMPOSSIBLE8 ,WILL Y\ BET8' 

',ALL RI<T6 ,IF Y\ SP5D ! NI<T ) HIM1 ! /AKE %ALL BE :ATEV] Y\ LIKE4' 

',A ,D,I,S,C,R,E,T,I,O,N6' 

',BUT ON Y\R SIDE TOO6' 

',YES1 ( C\RSE4 ,LET US DRIVE ON4' 

,VODKA WAS H&$ TO ! DRIV]S1 & ! P>TY GOT \T A BOX ( PIES1 W9E1 & SWEETS = !MSELVES4 ,! LADIES WRAPP$ UP 9 !IR :ITE DOGSK9S4 ,! DRIV]S DISPUT$ AS TO :OSE TROYKA %\LD GO AHEAD1 & ! Y\NGE/1 SEAT+ HIMSELF SIDEWAYS ) A DA%+ AIR1 SWUNG HIS LONG KN\T & %\T$ TO ! HORSES4 ,! TROYKA-BELLS T9KL$ & ! SL$GE-RUNN]S SQUEAK$ OV] ! SN[4 

,! SL$GE SWAY$ H>DLY AT ALL4 ,! %AFT-HORSE1 ) HIS TI<TLY B\ND TAIL UND] HIS DECORAT$ BREE*B&1 GALLOP$ SMOO?LY & BRISKLY2 ! SMOO? ROAD SEEM$ TO RUN RAPIDLY BACKW>DS1 :ILE ! DRIV] DA%+LY %OOK ! RE9S4 ,ONE ( ! LAWY]S & ! (FIC] SITT+ OPPOSITE TALK$ NONS5SE TO ,MAKOVK9A'S NEI<BOR1 BUT ,MAKOVK9A H]SELF SAT MOTIONLESS & 9 ?\<T1 TI<TLY WRAPP$ 9 H] FUR4 ',ALWAYS ! SAME & ALWAYS NA/Y6 ,! SAME R$ %9Y FACES SMELL+ ( W9E & CIG>S6 ,! SAME TALK1 ! SAME ?\<TS1 & ALWAYS AB\T ! SAME ?+S6 ,& !Y >E ALL SATISFI$ & CONFID5T ?AT IT %\LD BE SO1 & WILL GO ON LIV+ LIKE ?AT TILL !Y DIE4 ,BUT ,I CAN'T4 ,IT BORES ME4 ,I WANT SOME?+ ?AT W\LD UPSET IT ALL & TURN IT UPSIDE D[N4 ,SUPPOSE IT HAPP5$ TO US AS TO ?OSE PEOPLE--AT ,S>ATOV WAS IT8--:O KEPT ON DRIV+ & FROZE TO DEA?4444 ,:AT W\LD \R PEOPLE DO8 ,H[ W\LD !Y BEHAVE8 ,BASELY1 = C]TA94 ,EA* = HIMSELF4 ,& ,I TOO %\LD ACT BADLY4 ,BUT ,I AT ANY RATE HAVE BEAUTY4 ,!Y ALL KN[ IT4 ,& H[ AB\T ?AT MONK8 ,IS IT POSSIBLE ?AT HE HAS BECOME 9DIFF]5T TO IT8 ,NO6 ,?AT IS ! ONE ?+ !Y ALL C>E =--LIKE ?AT CADET LA/ AUTUMN4 ,:AT A FOOL HE WAS6' 

',IVAN ,NIKOLAEVI*6' %E SAID AL\D4 

',:AT >E Y\R COMM&S8' 

',H[ OLD IS HE8' 

',:O8' 

',KASATSKY4' 

',OV] =TY1 ,I %\LD ?9K4' 

',& DOES HE RECEIVE ALL VISITORS8' 

',YES1 EV]YBODY1 BUT NOT ALWAYS4' 

',COV] UP MY FEET4 ,NOT LIKE ?AT--H[ CLUMSY Y\ >E6 ,NO6 ,MORE1 MORE--LIKE ?AT6 ,BUT Y\ NE$ NOT SQUEEZE !M6' 

,SO !Y CAME TO ! =E/ :]E ! CELL WAS4 

,MAKOVK9A GOT \T ( ! SL$GE1 & TOLD !M TO DRIVE ON4 ,!Y TRI$ TO DISSUADE H]1 BUT %E GREW IRRITABLE & ORD]$ !M TO GO ON4 

,:5 ! SL$GES HAD GONE %E W5T UP ! PA? 9 H] :ITE DOGSK9 COAT4 ,! LAWY] GOT \T & /OPP$ TO WAT* H]4 

,IT WAS ,FA!R ,S]GIUS'S SIX? YE> AS A RECLUSE1 & HE WAS N[ =TY-N9E4 ,HIS LIFE 9 SOLITUDE WAS H>D--NOT ON ACC\NT ( ! FA/S & ! PRAY]S 7!Y W]E NO H>D%IP TO HIM7 BUT ON ACC\NT ( AN 9N] CONFLICT HE HAD NOT AT ALL ANTICIPAT$4 ,! S\RCES ( ?AT CONFLICT W]E TWO3 D\BTS1 & ! LU/ ( ! FLE%4 ,& !SE TWO 5EMIES ALWAYS APPE>$ TOGE!R4 ,IT SEEM$ TO HIM ?AT !Y W]E TWO FOES1 BUT 9 REALITY !Y W]E ONE & ! SAME4 ,AS SOON AS D\BT WAS GONE SO WAS ! LU/FUL DESIRE4 ,BUT ?9K+ !M TO BE TWO DIFF]5T FI5DS HE F\<T !M SEP>ATELY4 

',O MY ,GOD1 MY ,GOD6' ?\<T HE4 ',:Y DO/ ?\ NOT GRANT ME FAI?8 ,!RE IS LU/1 ( C\RSE3 EV5 ! SA9TS HAD TO FI<T ?AT--,SA9T ,AN?ONY & O!RS4 ,BUT !Y HAD FAI?1 :ILE ,I HAVE MOM5TS1 H\RS1 & DAYS1 :5 IT IS ABS5T4 ,:Y DOES ! :OLE WORLD1 ) ALL ITS DELI<TS1 EXI/ IF IT IS S9FUL & MU/ BE R5\NC$8 ,:Y HA/ ,?\ CREAT$ ?IS TEMPTATION8 ,TEMPTATION8 ,IS IT NOT RA!R A TEMPTATION ?AT ,I WI% TO AB&ON ALL ! JOYS ( E>? & PREP>E SOME?+ = MYSELF !RE :]E P]HAPS !RE IS NO?+8' ,& HE BECAME HORRIFI$ & FILL$ ) DISGU/ AT HIMSELF4 ',VILE CREATURE6 ,& IT IS Y\ :O WI% TO BECOME A SA9T6' HE UPBRAID$ HIMSELF1 & HE BEGAN TO PRAY4 ,BUT AS SOON AS HE />T$ TO PRAY HE SAW HIMSELF VIVIDLY AS HE HAD BE5 AT ! ,MONA/]Y1 9 A MAJE/IC PO/ 9 BIRETTA & MANTLE1 & HE %OOK HIS HEAD4 ',NO1 ?AT IS NOT RI<T4 ,IT IS DECEPTION4 ,I MAY DECEIVE O!RS1 BUT NOT MYSELF OR ,GOD4 ,I AM NOT A MAJE/IC MAN1 BUT A PITIABLE & RIDICUL\S ONE6' ,& HE ?REW BACK ! FOLDS ( HIS CASSOCK & SMIL$ AS HE LOOK$ AT HIS ?9 LEGS 9 !IR UND]CLO?+4 

,!N HE DROPP$ ! FOLDS ( ! CASSOCK AGA9 & BEGAN READ+ ! PRAY]S1 MAK+ ! SIGN ( ! CROSS & PRO/RAT+ HIMSELF4 ',CAN IT BE ?AT ?IS C\* WILL BE MY BI]8' HE READ4 ,& IT SEEM$ AS IF A DEVIL :ISP]$ TO HIM3 ',A SOLIT>Y C\* IS ITSELF A BI]4 ,FALSEHOOD6' ,& 9 IMAG9ATION HE SAW ! %\LD]S ( A WID[ ) :OM HE HAD LIV$4 ,HE %OOK HIMSELF1 & W5T ON READ+4 ,HAV+ READ ! PRECEPTS HE TOOK UP ! ,GOSPELS1 OP5$ ! BOOK1 & HAPP5$ ON A PASSAGE HE (T5 REPEAT$ & KNEW BY HE>T3 ',LORD1 ,I BELIEVE4 ,HELP ?\ MY UNBELIEF6'--& HE PUT AWAY ALL ! D\BTS ?AT HAD >IS54 ,AS ONE REPLACES AN OBJECT ( 9SECURE EQUILIBRIUM1 SO HE C>EFULLY REPLAC$ HIS BELIEF ON ITS %AKY P$E/AL & C>EFULLY /EPP$ BACK FROM IT SO AS NOT TO %AKE OR UPSET IT4 ,! BL9K]S W]E ADJU/$ AGA9 & HE FELT TRANQUILIZ$1 & REPEAT+ HIS *ILDHOOD'S PRAY]3 ',LORD1 RECEIVE ME1 RECEIVE ME6' HE FELT NOT M]ELY AT EASE1 BUT ?RILL$ & JOYFUL4 ,HE CROSS$ HIMSELF & LAY D[N ON ! B$D+ ON HIS N>R[ B5*1 TUCK+ HIS SUMM] CASSOCK UND] HIS HEAD4 ,HE FELL ASLEEP AT ONCE1 & 9 HIS LI<T SLUMB] HE SEEM$ TO HE> ! T9KL+ ( SL$GE BELLS4 ,HE DID NOT KN[ :E!R HE WAS DREAM+ OR AWAKE1 BUT A KNOCK AT ! DOOR >\S$ HIM4 ,HE SAT UP1 DI/RU/+ HIS S5SES1 BUT ! KNOCK WAS REPEAT$4 ,YES1 IT WAS A KNOCK CLOSE AT H&1 AT HIS DOOR1 & ) IT ! S\ND ( A WOMAN'S VOICE4 

',MY ,GOD6 ,CAN IT BE TRUE1 AS ,I HAVE READ 9 ! ,LIVES ( ! ,SA9TS1 ?AT ! DEVIL TAKES ON ! =M ( A WOMAN8 ,YES--IT IS A WOMAN'S VOICE4 ,& A T5D]1 TIMID1 PLEASANT VOICE4 ,PHUI6' ,& HE SPAT TO EXORCIZE ! DEVIL4 ',NO1 IT WAS ONLY MY IMAG9ATION1' HE ASSUR$ HIMSELF1 & HE W5T TO ! CORN] :]E HIS LECT]N /OOD1 FALL+ ON HIS KNEES 9 ! REGUL> & HABITUAL MANN] :I* ( ITSELF GAVE HIM CONSOLATION & SATISFACTION4 ,HE SANK D[N1 HIS HAIR HANG+ OV] HIS FACE1 & PRESS$ HIS HEAD1 ALREADY GO+ BALD 9 FRONT1 TO ! COLD DAMP /RIP ( DRUGGET ON ! DRAFTY FLOOR4 ,HE READ ! PSALM OLD ,FA!R ,PIMON HAD TOLD HIM W>D$ (F TEMPTATION4 ,HE EASILY RAIS$ HIS LI<T & EMACIAT$ BODY ON HIS /RONG S9EWY LEGS & TRI$ TO CONT9UE SAY+ HIS PRAY]S1 BUT 9/EAD ( DO+ SO HE 9VOLUNT>ILY /RA9$ HIS HE>+4 ,HE WI%$ TO HE> MORE4 ,ALL WAS QUIET4 ,FROM ! CORN] ( ! RO( REGUL> DROPS CONT9U$ TO FALL 9TO ! TUB BEL[4 ,\TSIDE WAS A MI/ & FOG EAT+ 9TO ! SN[ ?AT LAY ON ! GR\ND4 ,IT WAS /ILL1 V]Y /ILL4 ,& SUDD5LY !RE WAS A RU/L+ AT ! W9D[ & A VOICE--?AT SAME T5D]1 TIMID VOICE1 :I* C\LD ONLY BELONG TO AN ATTRACTIVE WOMAN--SAID3 

',LET ME 91 = ,*RI/'S SAKE6' 

,IT SEEM$ AS ?\< HIS BLOOD HAD ALL RU%$ TO HIS HE>T & SETTL$ !RE4 ,HE C\LD H>DLY BREA!4 ',LET ,GOD >ISE & LET HIS 5EMIES BE SCATT]$444' 

',BUT ,I AM NOT A DEVIL6' ,IT WAS OBVI\S ?AT ! LIPS ?AT UTT]$ ?IS W]E SMIL+4 ',I AM NOT A DEVIL1 BUT ONLY A S9FUL WOMAN :O HAS LO/ H] WAY1 NOT FIGURATIVELY BUT LIT]ALLY6' ,%E LAU<$4 ',I AM FROZ5 & BEG = %ELT]4' 

,HE PRESS$ HIS FACE TO ! W9D[1 BUT ! LITTLE ICON-LAMP WAS REFLECT$ BY IT & %ONE ON ! :OLE PANE4 ,HE PUT HIS H&S TO BO? SIDES ( HIS FACE & PE]$ BETWE5 !M4 ,FOG1 MI/1 A TREE1 &--JU/ OPPOSITE HIM--%E H]SELF4 ,YES1 !RE1 A FEW 9*ES FROM HIM1 WAS ! SWEET1 K9DLY FRI<T5$ FACE ( A WOMAN 9 A CAP & A COAT ( LONG :ITE FUR1 LEAN+ T[>DS HIM4 ,!IR EYES MET ) 9/ANT RECOGNITION3 NOT ?AT !Y HAD EV] KN[N ONE ANO!R1 !Y HAD NEV] MET BE=E1 BUT BY ! LOOK !Y EX*ANG$ !Y--& HE P>TICUL>LY--FELT ?AT !Y KNEW & UND]/OOD ONE ANO!R4 ,AFT] ?AT GLANCE TO IMAG9E H] TO BE A DEVIL & NOT A SIMPLE1 K9DLY1 SWEET1 TIMID WOMAN1 WAS IMPOSSIBLE4 

',:O >E Y\8 ,:Y HAVE Y\ COME8' HE ASK$4 

',DO PLEASE OP5 ! DOOR6' %E REPLI$1 ) CAPRICI\S AU?ORITY4 ',I AM FROZ54 ,I TELL Y\ ,I HAVE LO/ MY WAY4' 

',BUT ,I AM A MONK--A H]MIT4' 

',OH1 DO PLEASE OP5 ! DOOR--OR DO Y\ WI% ME TO FREEZE UND] Y\R W9D[ :ILE Y\ SAY Y\R PRAY]S8' 

',BUT H[ HAVE Y\444' 

',I %AN'T EAT Y\4 ,= ,GOD'S SAKE LET ME 96 ,I AM QUITE FROZ54' 

,%E REALLY DID FEEL AFRAID1 & SAID ?IS 9 AN ALMO/ TE>FUL VOICE4 

,HE /EPP$ BACK FROM ! W9D[ & LOOK$ AT AN ICON ( ! ,SAVIOR 9 ,HIS CR[N ( ?ORNS4 ',LORD1 HELP ME6 ,LORD1 HELP ME6' HE EXCLAIM$1 CROSS+ HIMSELF & B[+ L[4 ,!N HE W5T TO ! DOOR1 & OP5+ IT 9TO ! T9Y POR*1 FELT = ! HOOK ?AT FA/5$ ! \T] DOOR & BEGAN TO LIFT IT4 ,HE HE>D /EPS \TSIDE4 ,%E WAS COM+ FROM ! W9D[ TO ! DOOR4 ',AH6' %E SUDD5LY EXCLAIM$1 & HE UND]/OOD ?AT %E HAD /EPP$ 9TO ! PUDDLE ?AT ! DRIPP+ FROM ! RO( HAD =M$ AT ! ?RE%OLD4 ,HIS H&S TREMBL$1 & HE C\LD NOT RAISE ! HOOK ( ! TI<TLY CLOS$ DOOR4 

',OH1 :AT >E Y\ DO+8 ,LET ME 96 ,I AM ALL WET4 ,I AM FROZ56 ,Y\ >E ?9K+ AB\T SAV+ Y\R S\L & >E LETT+ ME FREEZE TO DEA?444' 

,HE J]K$ ! DOOR T[>DS HIM1 RAIS$ ! HOOK1 & )\T CONSID]+ :AT HE WAS DO+1 PU%$ IT OP5 ) SU* =CE ?AT IT /RUCK H]4 

',OH--,P,>,D,O,N6' HE SUDD5LY EXCLAIM$1 REV]T+ COMPLETELY TO HIS OLD MANN] ) LADIES4 

,%E SMIL$ ON HE>+ ?AT ,P,>,D,O,N4 ',HE IS NOT QUITE SO T]RIBLE1 AFT] ALL1' %E ?\<T4 ',IT'S ALL RI<T4 ,IT IS Y\ :O MU/ P>DON ME1' %E SAID1 /EPP+ PA/ HIM4 ',I %\LD NEV] HAVE V5TUR$1 BUT SU* AN EXTRAORD9>Y CIRCUM/ANCE444' 

',IF Y\ PLEASE6' HE UTT]$1 & /OOD ASIDE TO LET H] PASS HIM4 ,A /RONG SMELL ( F9E SC5T1 :I* HE HAD LONG NOT 5C\NT]$1 /RUCK HIM4 ,%E W5T ?R\< ! LITTLE POR* 9TO ! CELL :]E HE LIV$4 ,HE CLOS$ ! \T] DOOR )\T FA/5+ ! HOOK1 & /EPP$ 9 AFT] H]4 

',LORD ,JESUS ,*RI/1 ,SON ( ,GOD1 HAVE M]CY ON ME A S9N]6 ,LORD1 HAVE M]CY ON ME A S9N]6' HE PRAY$ UNCEAS+LY1 NOT M]ELY TO HIMSELF BUT 9VOLUNT>ILY MOV+ HIS LIPS4 ',IF Y\ PLEASE6' HE SAID TO H] AGA94 ,%E /OOD 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! ROOM1 MOI/URE DRIPP+ FROM H] TO ! FLOOR AS %E LOOK$ HIM OV]4 ,H] EYES W]E LAU<+4 

',=GIVE ME = HAV+ DI/URB$ Y\R SOLITUDE4 ,BUT Y\ SEE :AT A POSITION ,I AM 94 ,IT ALL CAME AB\T FROM \R />T+ FROM T[N = A SL$GE-DRIVE1 & MY MAK+ A BET ?AT ,I W\LD WALK BACK BY MYSELF FROM ! ,VOROBEVKA TO ! T[N4 ,BUT !N ,I LO/ MY WAY1 & IF ,I HAD NOT HAPP5$ TO COME UPON Y\R CELL444' ,%E BEGAN LY+1 BUT HIS FACE CONFUS$ H] SO ?AT %E C\LD NOT CONT9UE1 BUT BECAME SIL5T4 ,%E HAD NOT EXPECT$ HIM TO BE AT ALL SU* AS HE WAS4 ,HE WAS NOT AS H&SOME AS %E HAD IMAG9$1 BUT WAS NEV]!LESS BEAUTIFUL 9 H] EYES3 HIS GRAYI% HAIR & BE>D1 SLI<TLY CURL+1 HIS F9E1 REGUL> NOSE1 & HIS EYES LIKE GL[+ COAL :5 HE LOOK$ AT H]1 MADE A /RONG IMPRESSION ON H]4 

,HE SAW ?AT %E WAS LY+4 

',YES444 SO1' SAID HE1 LOOK+ AT H] & AGA9 L[]+ HIS EYES4 ',I WILL GO 9 !RE1 & ?IS PLACE IS AT Y\R DISPOSAL4' 

,& TAK+ D[N ! LITTLE LAMP1 HE LIT A C&LE1 & B[+ L[ TO H] W5T 9TO ! SMALL CELL BEYOND ! P>TITION1 & %E HE>D HIM BEG9 TO MOVE SOME?+ AB\T !RE4 ',PROBABLY HE IS B>RICAD+ HIMSELF 9 FROM ME6' %E ?\<T ) A SMILE1 & ?R[+ (F H] :ITE DOGSK9 CLOAK %E TRI$ TO TAKE (F H] CAP1 :I* HAD BECOME 5TANGL$ 9 H] HAIR & 9 ! WOV5 K]*IEF %E WAS WE>+ UND] IT4 ,%E HAD NOT GOT AT ALL WET :5 /&+ UND] ! W9D[1 & HAD SAID SO ONLY AS A PRETEXT TO GET HIM TO LET H] 94 ,BUT %E REALLY HAD /EPP$ 9TO ! PUDDLE AT ! DOOR1 & H] LEFT FOOT WAS WET UP TO ! ANKLE & H] OV]%OE FULL ( WAT]4 ,%E SAT D[N ON HIS B$--A B5* ONLY COV]$ BY A BIT ( C>PET--& BEGAN TO TAKE (F H] BOOTS4 ,! LITTLE CELL SEEM$ TO H] *>M+4 ,! N>R[ LITTLE ROOM1 SOME SEV5 FEET BY N9E1 WAS AS CLEAN AS GLASS4 ,!RE WAS NO?+ 9 IT BUT ! B5* ON :I* %E WAS SITT+1 ! BOOK-%ELF ABOVE IT1 & A LECT]N 9 ! CORN]4 ,A %EEPSK9 COAT & A CASSOCK HUNG ON NAILS BY ! DOOR4 ,ABOVE ! LECT]N WAS ! LITTLE LAMP & AN ICON ( ,*RI/ 9 ,HIS CR[N ( ?ORNS4 ,! ROOM SMELT /RANGELY ( P]SPIRATION & ( E>?4 ,IT ALL PLEAS$ H]--EV5 ?AT SMELL4 ,H] WET FEET1 ESPECIALLY ONE ( !M1 W]E UNCOM=TABLE1 & %E QUICKLY BEGAN TO TAKE (F H] BOOTS & /OCK+S )\T CEAS+ TO SMILE1 PLEAS$ NOT SO MU* AT HAV+ A*IEV$ H] OBJECT AS BECAUSE %E P]CEIV$ ?AT %E HAD ABA%$ ?AT *>M+1 /RANGE1 /RIK+1 & ATTRACTIVE MAN4 ',HE DID NOT RESPOND1 BUT :AT ( ?AT8' %E SAID TO H]SELF4 

',FA!R ,S]GIUS6 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS6 ,OR H[ DOES ONE CALL Y\8' 

',:AT DO Y\ WANT8' REPLI$ A QUIET VOICE4 

',PLEASE =GIVE ME = DI/URB+ Y\R SOLITUDE1 BUT REALLY ,I C\LD NOT HELP IT4 ,I %\LD SIMPLY HAVE FALL5 ILL4 ,& ,I DON'T KN[ ?AT ,I %AN'T N[4 ,I AM ALL WET & MY FEET >E LIKE ICE4' 

',P>DON ME1' REPLI$ ! QUIET VOICE4 ',I CANNOT BE ( ANY ASSI/ANCE TO Y\4' 

',I W\LD NOT HAVE DI/URB$ Y\ IF ,I C\LD HAVE HELP$ IT4 ,I AM ONLY H]E TILL DAYBREAK4' 

,HE DID NOT REPLY & %E HE>D HIM MUTT]+ SOME?+1 PROBABLY HIS PRAY]S4 

',Y\ WILL NOT BE COM+ 9 H]E8' %E ASK$1 SMIL+4 ',= ,I MU/ UNDRESS TO DRY MYSELF4' 

,HE DID NOT REPLY1 BUT CONT9U$ TO READ HIS PRAY]S4 

',YES1 ?AT IS A MAN6' ?\<T %E1 GETT+ H] DRIPP+ BOOT (F ) DIFFICULTY4 ,%E TUGG$ AT IT1 BUT C\LD NOT GET IT (F4 ,! ABSURDITY ( IT /RUCK H] & %E BEGAN TO LAU< ALMO/ 9AUDIBLY4 ,BUT KN[+ ?AT HE W\LD HE> H] LAU<T] & W\LD BE MOV$ BY IT JU/ AS %E WI%$ HIM TO BE1 %E LAU<$ L\D]1 & H] LAU<T]--GAY1 NATURAL1 & K9DLY--REALLY ACT$ ON HIM JU/ 9 ! WAY %E WI%$4 

',YES1 ,I C\LD LOVE A MAN LIKE ?AT--SU* EYES & SU* A SIMPLE NOBLE FACE1 & PASSIONATE TOO DESPITE ALL ! PRAY]S HE MUTT]S6' ?\<T %E4 ',Y\ CAN'T DECEIVE A WOMAN 9 !SE ?+S4 ,AS SOON AS HE PUT HIS FACE TO ! W9D[ & SAW ME1 HE UND]/OOD & KNEW4 ,! GLIMM] ( IT WAS 9 HIS EYES & REMA9$ !RE4 ,HE BEGAN TO LOVE ME & DESIR$ ME4 ,YES--DESIR$6' SAID %E1 GETT+ H] OV]%OE & H] BOOT (F AT LA/ & />T+ TO TAKE (F H] /OCK+S4 ,TO REMOVE ?OSE LONG /OCK+S FA/5$ ) ELA/IC IT WAS NECESS>Y TO RAISE H] SKIRTS4 ,%E FELT EMB>RASS$ & SAID3 

',DON'T COME 96' 

,BUT !RE WAS NO REPLY FROM ! O!R SIDE ( ! WALL4 ,! /EADY MUTT]+ CONT9U$ & ALSO A S\ND ( MOV+4 

',HE IS PRO/RAT+ HIMSELF TO ! GR\ND1 NO D\BT1' ?\<T %E4 ',BUT HE WON'T B[ HIMSELF \T ( IT4 ,HE IS ?9K+ ( ME JU/ AS ,I AM ?9K+ ( HIM4 ,HE IS ?9K+ ( !SE FEET ( M9E ) ! SAME FEEL+ ?AT ,I HAVE6' ,& %E PULL$ (F H] WET /OCK+S & PUT H] FEET UP ON ! B5*1 PRESS+ !M UND] H]4 ,%E SAT A :ILE LIKE ?AT ) H] >MS R\ND H] KNEES & LOOK+ P5SIVELY BE=E H]4 ',BUT IT IS A DES]T1 H]E 9 ?IS SIL5CE4 ,NO ONE W\LD EV] KN[4444' 

,%E ROSE1 TOOK H] /OCK+S OV] TO ! /OVE1 & HUNG !M ON ! DAMP]4 ,IT WAS A QUE] DAMP]1 & %E TURN$ IT AB\T1 & !N1 /EPP+ LI<TLY ON H] B>E FEET1 RETURN$ TO ! B5* & SAT D[N !RE AGA9 ) H] FEET UP4 

,!RE WAS COMPLETE SIL5CE ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! P>TITION4 ,%E LOOK$ AT ! T9Y WAT* ?AT HUNG R\ND H] NECK4 ,IT WAS TWO O'CLOCK4 ',\R P>TY %\LD RETURN AB\T ?REE6' ,%E HAD NOT MORE ?AN AN H\R BE=E H]4 ',WELL1 AM ,I TO SIT LIKE ?IS ALL ALONE8 ,:AT NONS5SE6 ,I DON'T WANT TO4 ,I WILL CALL HIM AT ONCE4' 

',FA!R ,S]GIUS1 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS6 ,S]GEY ,DMITRI*6 ,PR9CE ,KASATSKY6' 

,BEYOND ! P>TITION ALL WAS SIL5T4 

',LI/56 ,?IS IS CRUEL4 ,I W\LD NOT CALL Y\ IF IT W]E NOT NECESS>Y4 ,I AM ILL4 ,I DON'T KN[ :AT IS ! MATT] ) ME6' %E EXCLAIM$ 9 A TONE ( SUFF]+4 ',OH6 ,OH6' %E GROAN$1 FALL+ BACK ON ! B5*4 ,& /RANGE TO SAY %E REALLY FELT ?AT H] /R5G? WAS FAIL+1 ?AT %E WAS BECOM+ FA9T1 ?AT EV]Y?+ 9 H] A*$1 & ?AT %E WAS %IV]+ ) FEV]4 

',LI/56 ,HELP ME6 ,I DON'T KN[ :AT IS ! MATT] ) ME4 ,OH6 ,OH6' ,%E UNFA/5$ H] DRESS1 EXPOS+ H] BREA/1 & LIFT$ H] >MS1 B>E TO ! ELB[4 ',OH6 ,OH6' 

,ALL ?IS TIME HE /OOD ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! P>TITION & PRAY$4 ,HAV+ F9I%$ ALL ! EV5+ PRAY]S1 HE N[ /OOD MOTIONLESS1 HIS EYES LOOK+ AT ! 5D ( HIS NOSE1 & M5TALLY REPEAT$ ) ALL HIS S\L3 ',LORD ,JESUS ,*RI/1 ,SON ( ,GOD1 HAVE M]CY UPON ME6' 

,BUT HE HAD HE>D EV]Y?+4 ,HE HAD HE>D H[ ! SILK RU/L$ :5 %E TOOK (F H] DRESS1 H[ %E /EPP$ ) B>E FEET ON ! FLOOR1 & HAD HE>D H[ %E RUBB$ H] FEET ) H] H&4 ,HE FELT HIS [N WEAKNESS1 & ?AT HE MI<T BE LO/ AT ANY MOM5T4 ,?AT WAS :Y HE PRAY$ UNCEAS+LY4 ,HE FELT RA!R AS ! H]O 9 ! FAIRY-TALE MU/ HAVE FELT :5 HE HAD TO GO ON & ON )\T LOOK+ R\ND4 ,SO ,S]GIUS HE>D & FELT ?AT DANG] & DE/RUCTION W]E !RE1 HOV]+ ABOVE & >\ND HIM1 & ?AT HE C\LD ONLY SAVE HIMSELF BY NOT LOOK+ 9 ?AT DIRECTION = AN 9/ANT4 ,BUT SUDD5LY ! DESIRE TO LOOK SEIZ$ HIM4 ,AT ! SAME 9/ANT %E SAID3 

',?IS IS 9HUMAN4 ,I MAY DIE4444' 

',YES1 ,I WILL GO TO H]1 BUT LIKE ! ,SA9T :O LAID ONE H& ON ! ADULT]ESS & ?RU/ HIS O!R 9TO ! BRAZI]4 ,BUT !RE IS NO BRAZI] H]E4' ,HE LOOK$ R\ND4 ,! LAMP6 ,HE PUT HIS F+] OV] ! FLAME & FR[N$1 PREP>+ HIMSELF TO SUFF]4 ,& = A RA!R LONG TIME1 AS IT SEEM$ TO HIM1 !RE WAS NO S5SATION1 BUT SUDD5LY--HE HAD NOT YET DECID$ :E!R IT WAS PA9FUL 5\<--HE WRI!D ALL OV]1 J]K$ HIS H& AWAY1 & WAV$ IT 9 ! AIR4 ',NO1 ,I CAN'T /& ?AT6' 

',= ,GOD'S SAKE COME TO ME6 ,I AM DY+6 ,OH6' 

',WELL--%ALL ,I P]I%8 ,NO1 NOT SO6' 

',I WILL COME TO Y\ DIRECTLY1' HE SAID1 & HAV+ OP5$ HIS DOOR1 HE W5T )\T LOOK+ AT H] ?R\< ! CELL 9TO ! POR* :]E HE US$ TO *OP WOOD4 ,!RE HE FELT = ! BLOCK & = AN AX :I* LEAN$ AGA9/ ! WALL4 

',IMM$IATELY6' HE SAID1 & TAK+ UP ! AX ) HIS RI<T H& HE LAID ! =EF+] ( HIS LEFT H& ON ! BLOCK1 SWUNG ! AX1 & /RUCK ) IT BEL[ ! SECOND JO9T4 ,! F+] FLEW (F MORE LI<TLY ?AN A /ICK ( SIMIL> ?ICKNESS1 & B\ND+ UP1 TURN$ OV] ON ! $GE ( ! BLOCK & !N FELL TO ! FLOOR4 

,HE HE>D IT FALL BE=E HE FELT ANY PA91 BUT BE=E HE HAD TIME TO BE SURPRIS$ HE FELT A BURN+ PA9 & ! W>M? ( FL[+ BLOOD4 ,HE HA/ILY WRAPP$ ! /UMP 9 ! SKIRT ( HIS CASSOCK1 & PRESS+ IT TO HIS HIP W5T BACK 9TO ! ROOM1 & /&+ 9 FRONT ( ! WOMAN1 L[]$ HIS EYES & ASK$ 9 A L[ VOICE3 ',:AT DO Y\ WANT8' 

,%E LOOK$ AT HIS PALE FACE & HIS QUIV]+ LEFT *EEK1 & SUDD5LY FELT A%AM$4 ,%E JUMP$ UP1 SEIZ$ H] FUR CLOAK1 & ?R[+ IT R\ND H] %\LD]S1 WRAPP$ H]SELF UP 9 IT4 

',I WAS 9 PA9444 ,I HAVE CAU<T COLD444 ,I444 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS444 ,I444' 

,HE LET HIS EYES1 %9+ ) A QUIET LI<T ( JOY1 RE/ UPON H]1 & SAID3 

',DE> SI/]1 :Y DID Y\ WI% TO RU9 Y\R IMMORTAL S\L8 ,TEMPTATIONS MU/ COME 9TO ! WORLD1 BUT WOE TO HIM BY :OM TEMPTATION COMES4 ,PRAY ?AT ,GOD MAY =GIVE US6' 

,%E LI/5$ & LOOK$ AT HIM4 ,SUDD5LY %E HE>D ! S\ND ( SOME?+ DRIPP+4 ,%E LOOK$ D[N & SAW ?AT BLOOD WAS FL[+ FROM HIS H& & D[N HIS CASSOCK4 

',:AT HAVE Y\ DONE TO Y\R H&8' ,%E REMEMB]$ ! S\ND %E HAD HE>D1 & SEIZ+ ! LITTLE LAMP RAN \T 9TO ! POR*4 ,!RE ON ! FLOOR %E SAW ! BLOODY F+]4 ,%E RETURN$ ) H] FACE PAL] ?AN HIS & WAS AB\T TO SPEAK TO HIM1 BUT HE SIL5TLY PASS$ 9TO ! BACK CELL & FA/5$ ! DOOR4 

',=GIVE ME6' %E SAID4 ',H[ CAN ,I ATONE = MY S98' 

',GO AWAY4' 

',LET ME TIE UP Y\R H&4' 

',GO AWAY FROM H]E4' 

,%E DRESS$ HURRI$LY & SIL5TLY1 & :5 READY SAT WAIT+ 9 H] FURS4 ,! SL$GE-BELLS W]E HE>D \TSIDE4 

',FA!R ,S]GIUS1 =GIVE ME6' 

',GO AWAY4 ,GOD WILL =GIVE4' 

',FA!R ,S]GIUS6 ,I WILL *ANGE MY LIFE4 ,DO NOT =SAKE ME6' 

',GO AWAY4' 

',=GIVE ME--& GIVE ME Y\R BLESS+6' 

',9 ! NAME ( ! ,FA!R & ( ! ,SON & ( ! ,HOLY ,<O/6'--%E HE>D HIS VOICE FROM BEH9D ! P>TITION4 ',GO6' 

,%E BUR/ 9TO SOBS & LEFT ! CELL4 ,! LAWY] CAME =W>D TO MEET H]4 

',WELL1 ,I SEE ,I HAVE LO/ ! BET4 ,IT CAN'T BE HELP$4 ,:]E WILL Y\ SIT8' 

',IT IS ALL ! SAME TO ME4' 

,%E TOOK A SEAT 9 ! SL$GE1 & DID NOT UTT] A WORD ALL ! WAY HOME4 

,A YE> LAT] %E 5T]$ A CONV5T AS A NOVICE1 & LIV$ A /RICT LIFE UND] ! DIRECTION ( ! H]MIT ,>S5Y1 :O WROTE LETT]S TO H] AT LONG 9T]VALS4 

70,FA!R ,S]GIUS10 BY ,LEO ,TOL/OY1 TRANSLAT$ BY ,L\ISE & ,AYLM] ,MAUDE1 WRITT5 BETWE5 #ahi & #ahih & FIR/ PUBLI%$ 9 #a#i#a#a47 

O ,*APT] #d 
 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS LIV$ AS A RECLUSE = ANO!R SEV5 YE>S4  

  

,AT FIR/ HE ACCEPT$ MU* ( :AT PEOPLE BR\<T HIM--TEA1 SUG>1 :ITE BREAD1 MILK1 CLO?+1 & FIRE-WOOD4 ,BUT AS TIME W5T ON HE L$ A MORE & MORE AU/]E LIFE1 REFUS+ EV]Y?+ SUP]FLU\S1 & F9ALLY HE ACCEPT$ NO?+ BUT RYE-BREAD ONCE A WEEK4 ,EV]Y?+ ELSE ?AT WAS BR\<T TO HIM HE GAVE TO ! POOR :O CAME TO HIM4 ,HE SP5T HIS 5TIRE TIME 9 HIS CELL1 9 PRAY] OR 9 CONV]SATION ) CALL]S1 :O BECAME MORE & MORE NUM]\S AS TIME W5T ON4 ,ONLY ?REE TIMES A YE> DID HE GO \T TO *UR*1 & :5 NECESS>Y HE W5T \T TO FET* WAT] & WOOD4 

,! EPISODE ) ,MAKOVK9A HAD OCCURR$ AFT] FIVE YE>S ( HIS H]MIT LIFE4 ,?AT OCCURR5CE SOON BECAME G5]ALLY KN[N--H] NOCTURNAL VISIT1 ! *ANGE %E UND]W5T1 & H] 5TRY 9TO A CONV5T4 ,FROM ?AT TIME ,FA!R ,S]GIUS'S FAME 9CREAS$4 ,MORE & MORE VISITORS CAME TO SEE HIM1 O!R MONKS SETTL$ D[N NE> HIS CELL1 & A *UR* WAS ]ECT$ !RE & ALSO A HO/ELRY4 ,HIS FAME1 AS USUAL EXAGG]AT+ HIS FEATS1 SPREAD EV] MORE & MORE WIDELY4 ,PEOPLE BEGAN TO COME TO HIM FROM A DI/ANCE1 & BEGAN BR++ 9VALIDS TO HIM :OM !Y DECL>$ HE CUR$4 

,HIS FIR/ CURE OCCURR$ 9 ! EI<? YE> ( HIS LIFE AS A H]MIT4 ,IT WAS ! HEAL+ ( A F\RTE5-YE>-OLD BOY1 :OSE MO!R BR\<T HIM TO ,FA!R ,S]GIUS 9SI/+ ?AT HE %\LD LAY HIS H& ON ! *ILD'S HEAD4 ,IT HAD NEV] OCCURR$ TO ,FA!R ,S]GIUS ?AT HE C\LD CURE ! SICK4 ,HE W\LD HAVE REG>D$ SU* A ?\<T AS A GREAT S9 ( PRIDE2 BUT ! MO!R :O BR\<T ! BOY IMPLOR$ HIM 9SI/5TLY1 FALL+ AT HIS FEET & SAY+3 ',:Y DO Y\1 :O HEAL O!RS1 REFUSE TO HELP MY SON8' ,%E BES\<T HIM 9 ,*RI/'S NAME4 ,:5 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS ASSUR$ H] ?AT ONLY ,GOD C\LD HEAL ! SICK1 %E REPLI$ ?AT %E ONLY WANT$ HIM TO LAY HIS H&S ON ! BOY & PRAY = HIM4 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS REFUS$ & RETURN$ TO HIS CELL4 ,BUT NEXT DAY 7IT WAS 9 AUTUMN & ! NI<TS W]E ALREADY COLD7 ON GO+ \T = WAT] HE SAW ! SAME MO!R ) H] SON1 A PALE BOY ( F\RTE51 & WAS MET BY ! SAME PETITION4 

,HE REMEMB]$ ! P>ABLE ( ! UNJU/ JUDGE1 & ?\< HE HAD PREVI\SLY FELT SURE ?AT HE \<T TO REFUSE1 HE N[ BEGAN TO HESITATE &1 HAV+ HESITAT$1 TOOK TO PRAY] & PRAY$ UNTIL A DECISION =M$ ITSELF 9 HIS S\L4 ,?IS DECISION WAS1 ?AT HE \<T TO ACC$E TO ! WOMAN'S REQUE/ & ?AT H] FAI? MI<T SAVE H] SON4 ,AS = HIMSELF1 HE W\LD 9 ?IS CASE BE BUT AN 9SIGNIFICANT 9/RUM5T *OS5 BY ,GOD4 

,& GO+ \T TO ! MO!R HE DID :AT %E ASK$--LAID HIS H& ON ! BOY'S HEAD & PRAY$4 

,! MO!R LEFT ) H] SON1 & A MON? LAT] ! BOY RECOV]$1 & ! FAME ( ! HOLY HEAL+ P[] ( ! />ETS ,S]GIUS 7AS !Y N[ CALL$ HIM7 SPREAD ?R\<\T ! :OLE DI/RICT4 ,AFT] ?AT1 NOT A WEEK PASS$ )\T SICK PEOPLE COM+1 RID+ OR ON FOOT1 TO ,FA!R ,S]GIUS2 & HAV+ ACC$$ TO ONE PETITION HE C\LD NOT REFUSE O!RS1 & HE LAID HIS H&S ON MANY & PRAY$4 ,MANY RECOV]$1 & HIS FAME SPREAD MORE & MORE4 

,SO SEV5 YE>S PASS$ 9 ! ,MONA/]Y & ?IRTE5 9 HIS H]MIT'S CELL4 ,HE N[ HAD ! APPE>ANCE ( AN OLD MAN3 HIS BE>D WAS LONG & GRAY1 BUT HIS HAIR1 ?\< ?91 WAS /ILL BLACK & CURLY4 

70,FA!R ,S]GIUS10 BY ,LEO ,TOL/OY1 TRANSLAT$ BY ,L\ISE & ,AYLM] ,MAUDE1 WRITT5 BETWE5 #ahi & #ahih & FIR/ PUBLI%$ 9 #a#i#a#a47 

O ,*APT] #e 

,= SOME WEEKS ,FA!R ,S]GIUS HAD BE5 LIV+ ) ONE P]SI/5T ?\<T3 :E!R HE WAS RI<T 9 ACCEPT+ ! POSITION 9 :I* HE HAD NOT SO MU* PLAC$ HIMSELF AS BE5 PLAC$ BY ! ,>*IM&RITE & ! ,ABBOT4 ,?AT POSITION HAD BEGUN AFT] ! RECOV]Y ( ! F\RTE5-YE>-OLD BOY4 ,FROM ?AT TIME1 ) EA* MON?1 WEEK1 & DAY ?AT PASS$1 ,S]GIUS FELT HIS [N 9N] LIFE WA/+ AWAY & BE+ REPLAC$ BY EXT]NAL LIFE4 ,IT WAS AS IF HE HAD BE5 TURN$ 9SIDE \T4 

,S]GIUS SAW ?AT HE WAS A MEANS ( ATTRACT+ VISITORS & CONTRIBUTIONS TO ! MONA/]Y1 & ?AT !RE=E ! AU?ORITIES >RANG$ MATT]S 9 SU* A WAY AS TO MAKE AS MU* USE ( HIM AS POSSIBLE4 ,= 9/ANCE1 !Y R5D]$ IT IMPOSSIBLE = HIM TO DO ANY MANUAL WORK4 ,HE WAS SUPPLI$ ) EV]Y?+ HE C\LD WANT1 & !Y ONLY DEM&$ ( HIM ?AT HE %\LD NOT REFUSE HIS BLESS+ TO ?OSE :O CAME TO SEEK IT4 ,= HIS CONV5I5CE !Y APPO9T$ DAYS :5 HE W\LD RECEIVE4 ,!Y >RANG$ A RECEPTION-ROOM = M51 & A PLACE WAS RAIL$ 9 SO ?AT HE %\LD NOT BE PU%$ OV] BY ! CR[DS ( WOM5 VISITORS1 & SO ?AT HE C\LD CONV5I5TLY BLESS ?OSE :O CAME4 

,!Y TOLD HIM ?AT PEOPLE NE$$ HIM1 & ?AT FULFILL+ ,*RI/'S LAW ( LOVE HE C\LD NOT REFUSE !IR DEM& TO SEE HIM1 & ?AT TO AVOID !M W\LD BE CRUEL4 ,HE C\LD NOT BUT AGREE ) ?IS1 BUT ! MORE HE GAVE HIMSELF UP TO SU* A LIFE ! MORE HE FELT ?AT :AT WAS 9T]NAL BECAME EXT]NAL1 & ?AT ! F\NT ( LIV+ WAT] )9 HIM DRI$ UP1 & ?AT :AT HE DID N[ WAS DONE MORE & MORE = M5 & LESS & LESS = ,GOD4 

,:E!R HE ADMONI%$ PEOPLE1 OR SIMPLY BLESS$ !M1 OR PRAY$ = ! SICK1 OR ADVIS$ PEOPLE AB\T !IR LIVES1 OR LI/5$ TO EXPRESSIONS ( GRATITUDE FROM ?OSE HE HAD HELP$ BY PRECEPTS1 OR ALMS1 OR HEAL+ 7AS !Y ASSUR$ HIM7--HE C\LD NOT HELP BE+ PLEAS$ AT IT1 & C\LD NOT BE 9DIFF]5T TO ! RESULTS ( HIS ACTIVITY & TO ! 9FLU5CE HE EX]T$4 ,HE ?\<T HIMSELF A %9+ LI<T1 & ! MORE HE FELT ?IS ! MORE WAS HE CONSCI\S ( A WEAK5+1 A DY+ D[N ( ! DIV9E LI<T ( TRU? ?AT %ONE )9 HIM4 

',9 H[ F> IS :AT ,I DO = ,GOD & 9 H[ F> IS IT = M58' ,?AT WAS ! QUE/ION ?AT 9SI/5TLY TORM5T$ HIM & TO :I* HE WAS NOT SO MU* UNABLE TO GIVE HIMSELF AN ANSW] AS UNABLE TO FACE ! ANSW]4 

,9 ! DEP? ( HIS S\L HE FELT ?AT ! DEVIL HAD SUB/ITUT$ AN ACTIVITY = M5 9 PLACE ( HIS =M] ACTIVITY = ,GOD4 ,HE FELT ?IS BECAUSE1 JU/ AS IT HAD =M]LY BE5 H>D = HIM TO BE TORN FROM HIS SOLITUDE SO N[ ?AT SOLITUDE ITSELF WAS H>D = HIM4 ,HE WAS OPPRESS$ & WE>I$ BY VISITORS1 BUT AT ! BOTTOM ( HIS HE>T HE WAS GLAD ( !IR PRES5CE & GLAD ( ! PRAISE !Y HEAP$ UPON HIM4 

,!RE WAS A TIME :5 HE DECID$ TO GO AWAY & HIDE4 ,HE EV5 PLANN$ ALL ?AT WAS NECESS>Y = ?AT PURPOSE4 ,HE PREP>$ = HIMSELF A PEASANT'S %IRT1 TR\S]S1 COAT1 & CAP4 ,HE EXPLA9$ ?AT HE WANT$ !SE TO GIVE TO ?OSE :O ASK$4 ,& HE KEPT !SE CLO!S 9 HIS CELL1 PLANN+ H[ HE W\LD PUT !M ON1 CUT HIS HAIR %ORT1 & GO AWAY4 ,FIR/ HE W\LD GO SOME ?REE HUNDR$ V]/S BY TRA91 !N HE W\LD LEAVE ! TRA9 & WALK FROM VILLAGE TO VILLAGE4 ,HE ASK$ AN OLD MAN :O HAD BE5 A SOLDI] H[ HE TRAMP$3 :AT PEOPLE GAVE HIM1 & :AT %ELT] !Y ALL[$ HIM4 ,! SOLDI] TOLD HIM :]E PEOPLE W]E MO/ *>ITABLE1 & :]E !Y W\LD TAKE A W&]] 9 = ! NI<T1 & ,FA!R ,S]GIUS 9T5D$ TO AVAIL HIMSELF ( ?IS 9=MATION4 ,HE EV5 PUT ON ?OSE CLO!S ONE NI<T 9 HIS DESIRE TO GO1 BUT HE C\LD NOT DECIDE :AT WAS BE/--TO REMA9 OR TO ESCAPE4 ,AT FIR/ HE WAS 9 D\BT1 BUT AFT]W>DS ?IS 9DECISION PASS$4 ,HE SUBMITT$ TO CU/OM & YIELD$ TO ! DEVIL1 & ONLY ! PEASANT G>B REM9D$ HIM ( ! ?\<T & FEEL+ HE HAD HAD4 

,EV]Y DAY MORE & MORE PEOPLE FLOCK$ TO HIM & LESS & LESS TIME WAS LEFT HIM = PRAY] & = R5EW+ HIS SPIRITUAL /R5G?4 ,SOMETIMES 9 LUCID MOM5TS HE ?\<T HE WAS LIKE A PLACE :]E !RE HAD ONCE BE5 A SPR+4 ',!RE US$ TO BE A FEEBLE SPR+ ( LIV+ WAT] :I* FL[$ QUIETLY FROM ME & ?R\< ME4 ,?AT WAS TRUE LIFE1 ! TIME :5 %E TEMPT$ ME6' 7,HE ALWAYS ?\<T ) EC/ASY ( ?AT NI<T & ( H] :O WAS N[ ,MO!R ,AGNES47 ,%E HAD TA/$ ( ?AT PURE WAT]1 BUT S9CE !N !RE HAD NOT BE5 TIME = IT TO COLLECT BE=E ?IR/Y PEOPLE CAME CR[D+ 9 & PU%+ ONE ANO!R ASIDE4 ,& !Y HAD TRAMPL$ EV]Y?+ D[N & NO?+ WAS LEFT BUT MUD4 

,SO HE ?\<T 9 R>E MOM5TS ( LUCIDITY1 BUT HIS USUAL /ATE ( M9D WAS ONE ( WE>9ESS & A T5D] PITY = HIMSELF BECAUSE ( ?AT WE>9ESS4 

,IT WAS 9 SPR+1 ON ! EVE ( ! MID-,P5TECO/AL FEA/4 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS WAS (FICIAT+ AT ! ,VIGIL ,S]VICE 9 HIS H]MITAGE *UR*1 :]E ! CONGREGATION WAS AS L>GE AS ! LITTLE *UR* C\LD HOLD--AB\T TW5TY PEOPLE4 ,!Y W]E ALL WELL-TO-DO PROPRIETORS OR M]*ANTS4 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS ADMITT$ ANYONE1 BUT A SELECTION WAS MADE BY ! MONK 9 ATT5DANCE & BY AN ASSI/ANT :O WAS S5T TO ! H]MITAGE EV]Y DAY FROM ! MONA/]Y4 ,A CR[D ( SOME EI<TY PEOPLE--PILGRIMS & PEASANTS1 & ESPECIALLY PEASANT-WOM5--/OOD \TSIDE WAIT+ = ,FA!R ,S]GIUS TO COME \T & BLESS !M4 ,MEAN:ILE HE CONDUCT$ ! S]VICE1 BUT AT ! PO9T AT :I* HE W5T \T TO ! TOMB ( HIS PR$ECESSOR1 HE /AGG]$ & W\LD HAVE FALL5 HAD HE NOT BE5 CAU<T BY A M]*ANT /&+ BEH9D HIM & BY ! MONK ACT+ AS DEACON4 

',:AT IS ! MATT]1 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS8 ,DE> MAN6 ,O ,LORD6' EXCLAIM$ ! WOM54 ',HE IS AS :ITE AS A %EET6' 

,BUT ,FA!R ,S]GIUS RECOV]$ IMM$IATELY1 & ?\< V]Y PALE1 HE WAV$ ! M]*ANT & ! DEACON ASIDE & CONT9U$ TO *ANT ! S]VICE4 

,FA!R ,S]APHIM1 ! DEACON1 ! ACOLYTES1 & ,S(YA ,IVANOVNA1 A LADY :O ALWAYS LIV$ NE> ! H]MITAGE & T5D$ ,FA!R ,S]GIUS1 BEGG$ HIM TO BR+ ! S]VICE TO AN 5D4 

',NO1 !RE'S NO?+ ! MATT]1' SAID ,FA!R ,S]GIUS1 SLI<TLY SMIL+ FROM B5EA? HIS MU/A*E & CONT9U+ ! S]VICE4 ',YES1 ?AT IS ! WAY ! ,SA9TS BEHAVE6' ?\<T HE4 

',A HOLY MAN--AN ANGEL ( ,GOD6' HE HE>D JU/ !N ! VOICE ( ,S(YA ,IVANOVNA BEH9D HIM1 & ALSO ( ! M]*ANT :O HAD SUPPORT$ HIM4 ,HE DID NOT HE$ !IR 5TREATIES1 BUT W5T ON ) ! S]VICE4 ,AGA9 CR[D+ TOGE!R !Y ALL MADE !IR WAY BY ! N>R[ PASSAGES BACK 9TO ! LITTLE *UR*1 & !RE1 ?\< ABBREVIAT+ IT SLI<TLY1 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS COMPLET$ VESP]S4 

,IMM$IATELY AFT] ! S]VICE ,FA!R ,S]GIUS1 HAV+ PRON\NC$ ! B5$ICTION ON ?OSE PRES5T1 W5T OV] TO ! B5* UND] ! ELM TREE AT ! 5TRANCE TO ! CAVE4 ,HE WI%$ TO RE/ & BREA! ! FRE% AIR--HE FELT 9 NE$ ( IT4 ,BUT AS SOON AS HE LEFT ! *UR* ! CR[D ( PEOPLE RU%$ TO HIM SOLICIT+ HIS BLESS+1 HIS ADVICE1 & HIS HELP4 ,!RE W]E PILGRIMS :O CON/ANTLY TRAMP$ FROM ONE HOLY PLACE TO ANO!R & FROM ONE />ETS TO ANO!R1 & W]E ALWAYS 5TRANC$ BY EV]Y %R9E & EV]Y />ETS4 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS KNEW ?IS COMMON1 COLD1 CONV5TIONAL1 & MO/ IRRELIGI\S TYPE4 ,!RE W]E PILGRIMS1 = ! MO/ P>T DIS*>G$ SOLDI]S1 UNACCU/OM$ TO A SETTL$ LIFE1 POV]TY-/RICK51 & MANY ( !M DRUNK5 OLD M51 :O TRAMP$ FROM MONA/]Y TO MONA/]Y M]ELY TO BE F$4 ,& !RE W]E R\< PEASANTS & PEASANT-WOM5 :O HAD COME ) !IR SELFI% REQUIREM5TS1 SEEK+ CURES OR TO HAVE D\BTS AB\T QUITE PRACTICAL AFFAIRS SOLV$ = !M3 AB\T M>RY+ (F A DAU<T]1 OR HIR+ A %OP1 OR BUY+ A BIT ( L&1 OR H[ TO ATONE = HAV+ OV]LAID A *ILD OR HAV+ AN ILLEGITIMATE ONE4 

,ALL ?IS WAS AN OLD /ORY & NOT 9 ! LEA/ 9T]E/+ TO HIM4 ,HE KNEW HE W\LD HE> NO?+ NEW FROM !SE FOLK1 ?AT !Y W\LD >\SE NO RELIGI\S EMOTION 9 HIM2 BUT HE LIK$ TO SEE ! CR[D TO :I* HIS BLESS+ & ADVICE WAS NECESS>Y & PRECI\S1 SO :ILE ?AT CR[D OPPRESS$ HIM IT ALSO PLEAS$ HIM4 ,FA!R ,S]APHIM BEGAN TO DRIVE !M AWAY1 SAY+ ?AT ,FA!R ,S]GIUS WAS TIR$4 

,BUT ,FA!R ,S]GIUS1 REMEMB]+ ! WORDS ( ! ,GOSPEL3 ',=BID !M' 7*ILDR57 'NOT TO COME UNTO ME1' & FEEL+ T5D]LY T[>DS HIMSELF AT ?IS RECOLLECTION1 SAID !Y %\LD BE ALL[$ TO APPROA*4 

,HE ROSE1 W5T TO ! RAIL+ BEYOND :I* ! CR[D HAD GA!R$1 & BEGAN BLESS+ !M & ANSW]+ !IR QUE/IONS1 BUT 9 A VOICE SO WEAK ?AT HE WAS T\*$ ) PITY = HIMSELF4 ,YET DESPITE HIS WI% TO RECEIVE !M ALL HE C\LD NOT DO IT4 ,?+S AGA9 GREW D>K BE=E HIS EYES1 & HE /AGG]$ & GRASP$ ! RAIL+S4 ,HE FELT A RU% ( BLOOD TO HIS HEAD & FIR/ W5T PALE & !N SUDD5LY FLU%$4 

',I MU/ LEAVE ! RE/ TILL TO-MORR[4 ,I CANNOT DO MORE TO-DAY1' &1 PRON\NC+ A G5]AL B5$ICTION1 HE RETURN$ TO ! B5*4 ,! M]*ANT AGA9 SUPPORT$ HIM1 & LEAD+ HIM BY ! >M HELP$ HIM TO BE SEAT$4 

',FA!R6' CAME VOICES FROM ! CR[D4 ',DE> ,FA!R6 ,DO NOT =SAKE US4 ,)\T Y\ WE >E LO/6' 

,! M]*ANT1 HAV+ SEAT$ ,FA!R ,S]GIUS ON ! B5* UND] ! ELM1 TOOK ON HIMSELF POLICE DUTIES & DROVE ! PEOPLE (F V]Y RESOLUTELY4 ,IT IS TRUE ?AT HE SPOKE 9 A L[ VOICE SO ?AT ,FA!R ,S]GIUS MI<T NOT HE> HIM1 BUT HIS WORDS W]E 9CISIVE & ANGRY4 

',BE (F1 BE (F6 ,HE HAS BLESS$ Y\1 & :AT MORE DO Y\ WANT8 ,GET ALONG ) Y\1 OR ,I'LL WR+ Y\R NECKS6 ,MOVE ON !RE6 ,GET ALONG1 Y\ OLD WOMAN ) Y\R DIRTY LEG-B&S6 ,GO1 GO6 ,:]E >E Y\ %OV+ TO8 ,Y\'VE BE5 TOLD ?AT IT IS F9I%$4 ,TO-MORR[ WILL BE AS ,GOD WILLS1 BUT = TO-DAY HE HAS F9I%$6' 

',FA!R6 ,ONLY LET MY EYES HAVE A GLIMPSE ( HIS DE> FACE6' SAID AN OLD WOMAN4 

',I'LL GLIMPSE Y\6 ,:]E >E Y\ %OV+ TO8' 

,FA!R ,S]GIUS NOTIC$ ?AT ! M]*ANT SEEM$ TO BE ACT+ R\<LY1 & 9 A FEEBLE VOICE TOLD ! ATT5DANT ?AT ! PEOPLE %\LD NOT BE DRIV5 AWAY4 ,HE KNEW ?AT !Y W\LD BE DRIV5 AWAY ALL ! SAME1 & HE MU* DESIR$ TO BE LEFT ALONE & TO RE/1 BUT HE S5T ! ATT5DANT ) ?AT MESSAGE TO PRODUCE AN IMPRESSION4 

',ALL RI<T1 ALL RI<T6 ,I AM NOT DRIV+ !M AWAY4 ,I AM ONLY REMON/RAT+ ) !M1' REPLI$ ! M]*ANT4 ',Y\ KN[ !Y W\LDN'T HESITATE TO DRIVE A MAN TO DEA?4 ,!Y HAVE NO PITY1 !Y ONLY CONSID] !MSELVES4444 ,Y\'VE BE5 TOLD Y\ CANNOT SEE HIM4 ,GO AWAY6 ,TO-MORR[6' ,& HE GOT RID ( !M ALL4 

,HE TOOK ALL !SE PA9S BECAUSE HE LIK$ ORD] & LIK$ TO DOM9E] & DRIVE ! PEOPLE AWAY1 BUT *IEFLY BECAUSE HE WANT$ TO HAVE ,FA!R ,S]GIUS TO HIMSELF4 ,HE WAS A WID[] ) AN ONLY DAU<T] :O WAS AN 9VALID & UNM>RI$1 & :OM HE HAD BR\<T F\RTE5 HUNDR$ V]/S TO ,FA!R ,S]GIUS TO BE HEAL$4 ,= TWO YE>S PA/ HE HAD BE5 TAK+ H] TO DIFF]5T PLACES TO BE CUR$3 FIR/ TO ! UNIV]SITY CL9IC 9 ! *IEF T[N ( ! PROV9CE1 BUT ?AT DID NO GOOD2 !N TO A PEASANT 9 ! PROV9CE ( ,SAM>A1 :]E %E GOT A LITTLE BETT]2 !N TO A DOCTOR 9 ,MOSC[ TO :OM HE PAID MU* MONEY1 BUT ?IS DID NO GOOD AT ALL4 ,N[ HE HAD BE5 TOLD ?AT ,FA!R ,S]GIUS WR\<T CURES1 & HAD BR\<T H] TO HIM4 ,SO :5 ALL ! PEOPLE HAD BE5 DRIV5 AWAY HE APPROA*$ ,FA!R ,S]GIUS1 & SUDD5LY FALL+ ON HIS KNEES L\DLY EXCLAIM$3 

',HOLY ,FA!R6 ,BLESS MY AFFLICT$ (FSPR+ ?AT %E MAY BE HEAL$ ( H] MALADY4 ,I V5TURE TO PRO/RATE MYSELF AT Y\R HOLY FEET4' 

,& HE PLAC$ ONE H& ON ! O!R1 CUP-WISE4 ,HE SAID & DID ALL ?IS AS IF HE W]E DO+ SOME?+ CLE>LY & FIRMLY APPO9T$ BY LAW & USAGE--AS IF ONE MU/ & %\LD ASK = A DAU<T] TO BE CUR$ 9 JU/ ?IS WAY & NO O!R4 ,HE DID IT ) SU* CONVICTION ?AT IT SEEM$ EV5 TO ,FA!R ,S]GIUS ?AT IT %\LD BE SAID & DONE 9 JU/ ?AT WAY1 BUT NEV]!LESS HE BADE HIM RISE & TELL HIM :AT ! TR\BLE WAS4 ,! M]*ANT SAID ?AT HIS DAU<T]1 A GIRL ( TW5TY-TWO1 HAD FALL5 ILL TWO YE>S AGO1 AFT] H] MO!R'S SUDD5 DEA?4 ,%E HAD MOAN$ 7AS HE EXPRESS$ IT7 & S9CE !N HAD NOT BE5 H]SELF4 ,& N[ HE HAD BR\<T H] F\RTE5 HUNDR$ V]/S & %E WAS WAIT+ 9 ! HO/ELRY TILL ,FA!R ,S]GIUS %\LD GIVE ORD]S TO BR+ H]4 ,%E DID NOT GO \T DUR+ ! DAY1 BE+ AFRAID ( ! LI<T1 & C\LD ONLY COME AFT] SUNSET4 

',IS %E V]Y WEAK8' ASK$ ,FA!R ,S]GIUS4 

',NO1 %E HAS NO P>TICUL> WEAKNESS4 ,%E IS QUITE PLUMP1 & IS ONLY 0N]A/5IC0 ! DOCTORS SAY4 ,IF Y\ WILL ONLY LET ME BR+ H] ?IS EV5+1 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS1 ,I'LL FLY LIKE A SPIRIT TO FET* H]4 ,HOLY ,FA!R6 ,REVIVE A P>5T'S HE>T1 RE/ORE HIS L9E1 SAVE HIS AFFLICT$ DAU<T] BY Y\R PRAY]S6' ,& ! M]*ANT AGA9 ?REW HIMSELF ON HIS KNEES & B5D+ SIDEWAYS1 ) HIS HEAD RE/+ ON HIS CL5*$ FI/S1 REMA9$ /OCK /ILL4 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS AGA9 TOLD HIM TO GET UP1 & ?9K+ H[ HEAVY HIS ACTIVITIES W]E & H[ HE W5T ?R\< ) !M PATI5TLY NOT)/&+1 HE SI<$ HEAVILY & AFT] A FEW SECONDS ( SIL5CE1 SAID3 

',WELL1 BR+ H] ?IS EV5+4 ,I WILL PRAY = H]1 BUT N[ ,I AM TIR$4444' & HE CLOS$ HIS EYES4 ',I WILL S5D = Y\4' 

,! M]*ANT W5T AWAY1 /EPP+ ON TIPTOE1 :I* ONLY MADE HIS BOOTS CREAK ! L\D]1 & ,FA!R ,S]GIUS REMA9$ ALONE4 

,HIS :OLE LIFE WAS FILL$ BY ,*UR* S]VICES & BY PEOPLE :O CAME TO SEE HIM1 BUT TO-DAY HAD BE5 A P>TICUL>LY DIFFICULT ONE4 ,9 ! MORN+ AN IMPORTANT (FICIAL HAD >RIV$ & HAD HAD A LONG CONV]SATION ) HIM2 AFT] ?AT A LADY HAD COME ) H] SON4 ,?IS SON WAS A SKEPTICAL Y\NG PR(ESSOR :OM ! MO!R1 AN >D5T BELIEV] & DEVOT$ TO ,FA!R ,S]GIUS1 HAD BR\<T ?AT HE MI<T TALK TO HIM4 ,! CONV]SATION HAD BE5 V]Y TRY+4 ,! Y\NG MAN1 EVID5TLY NOT WI%+ TO HAVE A CONTROV]SY ) A MONK1 HAD AGRE$ ) HIM 9 EV]Y?+ AS ) SOMEONE :O WAS M5TALLY 9F]IOR4 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS SAW ?AT ! Y\NG MAN DID NOT BELIEVE BUT YET WAS SATISFI$1 TRANQUIL1 & AT EASE1 & ! MEMORY ( ?AT CONV]SATION N[ DISQUIET$ HIM4 

',HAVE SOME?+ TO EAT1 ,FA!R1' SAID ! ATT5DANT4 

',ALL RI<T1 BR+ ME SOME?+4' 

,! ATT5DANT W5T TO A HUT ?AT HAD BE5 >RANG$ SOME T5 PACES FROM ! CAVE1 & ,FA!R ,S]GIUS REMA9$ ALONE4 

,! TIME WAS LONG PA/ :5 HE HAD LIV$ ALONE DO+ EV]Y?+ = HIMSELF & EAT+ ONLY RYE-BREAD1 OR ROLLS PREP>$ = ! ,*UR*4 ,HE HAD BE5 ADVIS$ LONG S9CE ?AT HE HAD NO RI<T TO NEGLECT HIS HEAL?1 & HE WAS GIV5 :OLESOME1 ?\< ,L5T51 FOOD4 ,HE ATE SP>+LY1 ?\< MU* MORE ?AN HE HAD DONE1 & (T5 HE ATE ) MU* PLEASURE1 & NOT AS =M]LY ) AV]SION & A S5SE ( GUILT4 ,SO IT WAS N[4 ,HE HAD SOME GRUEL1 DRANK A CUP ( TEA1 & ATE HALF A :ITE ROLL4 

,! ATT5DANT W5T AWAY1 & ,FA!R ,S]GIUS REMA9$ ALONE UND] ! ELM TREE4 

,IT WAS A WOND]FUL ,MAY EV5+1 :5 ! BIR*ES1 ASP5S1 ELMS1 WILD *]RIES1 & OAKS1 HAD JU/ BUR/ 9TO FOLIAGE4 

,! BU% ( WILD *]RIES BEH9D ! ELM TREE WAS 9 FULL BLOOM & HAD NOT YET BEGUN TO %$ ITS BLOSSOMS1 & ! NI<T+ALES--ONE QUITE NE> AT H& & TWO OR ?REE O!RS 9 ! BU%ES D[N BY ! RIV]--BUR/ 9TO FULL SONG AFT] SOME PRELIM9>Y TWITT]S4 ,FROM ! RIV] CAME ! F>-(F SONGS ( PEASANTS RETURN+1 NO D\BT1 FROM !IR WORK4 ,! SUN WAS SETT+ BEH9D ! =E/1 ITS LA/ RAYS GL[+ ?R\< ! LEAVES4 ,ALL ?AT SIDE WAS BRILLIANT GRE51 ! O!R SIDE ) ! ELM TREE WAS D>K4 ,! COCK*AF]S FLEW CLUMSILY AB\T1 FALL+ TO ! GR\ND :5 !Y COLLID$ ) ANY?+4 

,AFT] SUPP] ,FA!R ,S]GIUS BEGAN TO REPEAT A SIL5T PRAY]3 ',O ,LORD ,JESUS ,*RI/1 ,SON ( ,GOD1 HAVE M]CY UPON US6' & !N HE READ A PSALM1 & SUDD5LY 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! PSALM A SP>R[ FLEW \T FROM ! BU%1 ALI<T$ ON ! GR\ND1 & HOPP$ T[>DS HIM *IRP+ AS IT CAME1 BUT !N IT TOOK FRI<T AT SOME?+ & FLEW AWAY4 ,HE SAID A PRAY] :I* REF]R$ TO HIS AB&ONM5T ( ! WORLD1 & HA/5$ TO F9I% IT 9 ORD] TO S5D = ! M]*ANT ) ! SICK DAU<T]4 ,%E 9T]E/$ HIM 9 ?AT %E PRES5T$ A DI/RACTION1 & BECAUSE BO? %E & H] FA!R CONSID]$ HIM A SA9T :OSE PRAY]S W]E EFFICACI\S4 ,\TW>DLY HE DISAV[$ ?AT IDEA1 BUT 9 ! DEP?S ( HIS S\L HE CONSID]$ IT TO BE TRUE4 

,HE WAS (T5 AMAZ$ ?AT ?IS HAD HAPP5$1 ?AT HE1 ,/EPAN ,KASATSKY1 HAD COME TO BE SU* AN EXTRAORD9>Y SA9T & EV5 A WORK] ( MIRACLES1 BUT ( ! FACT ?AT HE WAS SU* !RE C\LD NOT BE ! LEA/ D\BT4 ,HE C\LD NOT FAIL TO BELIEVE 9 ! MIRACLES HE HIMSELF WITNESS$1 BEG9N+ ) ! SICK BOY & 5D+ ) ! OLD WOMAN :O HAD RECOV]$ H] SI<T :5 HE HAD PRAY$ = H]4 

,/RANGE AS IT MI<T BE1 IT WAS SO4 ,ACCORD+LY ! M]*ANT'S DAU<T] 9T]E/$ HIM AS A NEW 9DIVIDUAL :O HAD FAI? 9 HIM1 & ALSO AS A FRE% OPPORTUNITY TO CONFIRM HIS HEAL+ P[]S & 5HANCE HIS FAME4 ',!Y BR+ PEOPLE A ?\S& V]/S & WRITE AB\T IT 9 ! PAP]S4 ,! ,EMP]OR KN[S ( IT1 & !Y KN[ ( IT 9 ,EUROPE1 9 UNBELIEV+ ,EUROPE'--?\<T HE4 ,& SUDD5LY HE FELT A%AM$ ( HIS VANITY & AGA9 BEGAN TO PRAY4 ',LORD1 ,K+ ( ,HEAV51 ,COM=T]1 ,S\L ( ,TRU?6 ,COME & 5T] 9TO ME & CLEANSE ME FROM ALL S9 & SAVE & BLESS MY S\L4 ,CLEANSE ME FROM ! S9 ( WORLDLY VANITY ?AT TR\BLES ME6' HE REPEAT$1 & HE REMEMB]$ H[ (T5 HE HAD PRAY$ AB\T ?IS & H[ VA9 TILL N[ HIS PRAY]S HAD BE5 9 ?AT RESPECT4 ,HIS PRAY]S WORK$ MIRACLES = O!RS1 BUT 9 HIS [N CASE ,GOD HAD NOT GRANT$ HIM LIB]ATION FROM ?IS PETTY PASSION4 

,HE REMEMB]$ HIS PRAY]S AT ! COMM5CEM5T ( HIS LIFE AT ! H]MITAGE1 :5 HE PRAY$ = PURITY1 HUMILITY1 & LOVE1 & H[ IT SEEM$ TO HIM !N ?AT ,GOD HE>D HIS PRAY]S4 ,HE HAD RETA9$ HIS PURITY & HAD *OPP$ (F HIS F+]4 ,& HE LIFT$ ! %RIVEL$ /UMP ( ?AT F+] TO HIS LIPS & KISS$ IT4 ,IT SEEM$ TO HIM N[ ?AT HE HAD BE5 HUMBLE !N :5 HE HAD ALWAYS SEEM$ LOA?SOME TO HIMSELF ON ACC\NT ( HIS S9FULNESS2 & :5 HE REMEMB]$ ! T5D] FEEL+S ) :I* HE HAD !N MET AN OLD MAN :O WAS BR++ A DRUNK5 SOLDI] TO HIM TO ASK ALMS2 & H[ HE HAD RECEIV$ ,H,]1 IT SEEM$ TO HIM ?AT HE HAD !N POSSESS$ LOVE ALSO4 ,BUT N[8 ,& HE ASK$ HIMSELF :E!R HE LOV$ ANYONE1 :E!R HE LOV$ ,S(YA ,IVANOVNA1 OR ,FA!R ,S]APHIM1 :E!R HE HAD ANY FEEL+ ( LOVE = ALL :O HAD COME TO HIM ?AT DAY--= ?AT LE>N$ Y\NG MAN ) :OM HE HAD HAD ?AT 9/RUCTIVE DISCUSSION 9 :I* HE WAS CONC]N$ ONLY TO %[ (F HIS [N 9TELLIG5CE & ?AT HE HAD NOT LAGG$ BEH9D ! TIMES 9 KN[L$GE4 ,HE WANT$ & NE$$ !IR LOVE1 BUT FELT NONE T[>DS !M4 ,HE N[ HAD NEI!R LOVE NOR HUMILITY NOR PURITY4 

,HE WAS PLEAS$ TO KN[ ?AT ! M]*ANT'S DAU<T] WAS TW5TY-TWO1 & HE WOND]$ :E!R %E WAS GOOD-LOOK+4 ,:5 HE 9QUIR$ :E!R %E WAS WEAK1 HE REALLY WANT$ TO KN[ IF %E HAD FEM99E *>M4 

',CAN ,I HAVE FALL5 SO L[8' HE ?\<T4 ',LORD1 HELP ME6 ,RE/ORE ME1 MY ,LORD & ,GOD6' ,& HE CLASP$ HIS H&S & BEGAN TO PRAY4 

,! NI<T+ALES BUR/ 9TO SONG1 A COCK*AF] KNOCK$ AGA9/ HIM & CREPT UP ! BACK ( HIS NECK4 ,HE BRU%$ IT (F4 ',BUT DOES ,HE EXI/8 ,:AT IF ,I AM KNOCK+ AT A DOOR FA/5$ FROM \TSIDE8 ,! B> IS ON ! DOOR = ALL TO SEE4 ,NATURE--! NI<T+ALES & ! COCK*AF]S--IS ?AT B>4 ,P]HAPS ! Y\NG MAN WAS RI<T4' ,& HE BEGAN TO PRAY AL\D4 ,HE PRAY$ = A LONG TIME TILL !SE ?\<TS VANI%$ & HE AGA9 FELT CALM & CONFID5T4 ,HE RANG ! BELL & TOLD ! ATT5DANT TO SAY ?AT ! M]*ANT MI<T BR+ HIS DAU<T] TO HIM N[4 

,! M]*ANT CAME1 LEAD+ HIS DAU<T] BY ! >M4 ,HE L$ H] 9TO ! CELL & IMM$IATELY LEFT H]4 

,%E WAS A V]Y FAIR GIRL1 PLUMP & V]Y %ORT1 ) A PALE1 FRI<T5$1 *ILDI% FACE & A MU* DEVELOP$ FEM99E FIGURE4 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS REMA9$ SEAT$ ON ! B5* AT ! 5TRANCE & :5 %E WAS PASS+ & /OPP$ BESIDE HIM = HIS BLESS+ HE WAS A<A/ AT HIMSELF = ! WAY HE LOOK$ AT H] FIGURE4 ,AS %E PASS$ BY HIM HE WAS ACUTELY CONSCI\S ( H] FEM99ITY1 ?\< HE SAW BY H] FACE ?AT %E WAS S5SUAL & FEEBLE-M9D$4 ,HE ROSE & W5T 9TO ! CELL4 ,%E WAS SITT+ ON A /OOL WAIT+ = HIM1 & :5 HE 5T]$ %E ROSE4 

',I WANT TO GO BACK TO ,PAPA1' %E SAID4 

',DON'T BE AFRAID1' HE REPLI$4 ',:AT >E Y\ SUFF]+ FROM8' 

',I AM 9 PA9 ALL OV]1' %E SAID1 & SUDD5LY H] FACE LIT UP ) A SMILE4 

',Y\ WILL BE WELL1' SAID HE4 ',PRAY6' 

',:AT IS ! USE ( PRAY+8 ,I HAVE PRAY$ & IT DOES NO GOOD'--& %E CONT9U$ TO SMILE4 ',I WANT Y\ TO PRAY = ME & LAY Y\R H&S ON ME4 ,I SAW Y\ 9 A DREAM4' 

',H[ DID Y\ SEE ME8' 

',I SAW Y\ PUT Y\R H&S ON MY BREA/ LIKE ?AT4' ,%E TOOK HIS H& & PRESS$ IT TO H] BREA/4 ',JU/ H]E4' 

,HE YIELD$ HIS RI<T H& TO H]4 

',:AT IS Y\R NAME8' HE ASK$1 TREMBL+ ALL OV] & FEEL+ ?AT HE WAS OV]COME & ?AT HIS DESIRE HAD ALREADY PASS$ BEYOND CONTROL4 

',M>IE4 ,:Y8' 

,%E TOOK HIS H& & KISS$ IT1 & !N PUT H] >M R\ND HIS WAI/ & PRESS$ HIM TO H]SELF4 

',:AT >E Y\ DO+8' HE SAID4 ',M>IE1 Y\ >E A DEVIL6' 

',OH1 P]HAPS4 ,:AT DOES IT MATT]8' 

,& EMBRAC+ HIM %E SAT D[N ) HIM ON ! B$4 

,AT DAWN HE W5T \T 9TO ! POR*4 

',CAN ?IS ALL HAVE HAPP5$8 ,H] FA!R WILL COME & %E WILL TELL HIM EV]Y?+4 ,%E IS A DEVIL6 ,:AT AM ,I TO DO8 ,H]E IS ! AX ) :I* ,I *OPP$ (F MY F+]4' ,HE SNAT*$ UP ! AX & MOV$ BACK T[>DS ! CELL4 

,! ATT5DANT CAME UP4 

',DO Y\ WANT SOME WOOD *OPP$8 ,LET ME HAVE ! AX4' 

,S]GIUS YIELD$ UP ! AX & 5T]$ ! CELL4 ,%E WAS LY+ !RE ASLEEP4 ,HE LOOK$ AT H] ) HORROR1 & PASS$ ON BEYOND ! P>TITION1 :]E HE TOOK D[N ! PEASANT CLO!S & PUT !M ON4 ,!N HE SEIZ$ A PAIR ( SCISSORS1 CUT (F HIS LONG HAIR1 & W5T \T ALONG ! PA? D[N ! HILL TO ! RIV]1 :]E HE HAD NOT BE5 = MORE ?AN ?REE YE>S4 

,A ROAD RAN BESIDE ! RIV] & HE W5T ALONG IT & WALK$ TILL NOON4 ,!N HE W5T 9TO A FIELD ( RYE & LAY D[N !RE4 ,T[>DS EV5+ HE APPROA*$ A VILLAGE1 BUT )\T 5T]+ IT W5T T[>DS ! CLIFF ?AT OV]HUNG ! RIV]4 ,!RE HE AGA9 LAY D[N TO RE/4 

,IT WAS E>LY MORN+1 HALF AN H\R BE=E SUNRISE4 ,ALL WAS DAMP & GLOOMY & A COLD E>LY W9D WAS BL[+ FROM ! WE/4 ',YES1 ,I MU/ 5D IT ALL4 ,!RE IS NO ,GOD4 ,BUT H[ AM ,I TO 5D IT8 ,?R[ MYSELF 9TO ! RIV]8 ,I CAN SWIM & %\LD NOT DR[N4 ,HANG MYSELF8 ,YES1 JU/ ?R[ ?IS SA% OV] A BRAN*4' ,?IS SEEM$ SO FEASIBLE & SO EASY ?AT HE FELT HORRIFI$4 ,AS USUAL AT MOM5TS ( DESPAIR HE FELT ! NE$ ( PRAY]4 ,BUT !RE WAS NO ONE TO PRAY TO4 ,!RE WAS NO ,GOD4 ,HE LAY D[N RE/+ ON HIS >M1 & SUDD5LY SU* A LONG+ = SLEEP OV]CAME HIM ?AT HE C\LD NO LONG] SUPPORT HIS HEAD ON HIS H&1 BUT /RET*$ \T HIS >M1 LAID HIS HEAD UPON IT1 & FELL ASLEEP4 ,BUT ?AT SLEEP LA/$ ONLY = A MOM5T4 ,HE WOKE UP IMM$IATELY & BEGAN NOT TO DREAM BUT TO REMEMB]4 

,HE SAW HIMSELF AS A *ILD 9 HIS MO!R'S HOME 9 ! C\NTRY4 ,A C>RIAGE DRIVES UP1 & \T ( IT /EPS ,UNCLE ,NI*OLAS ,S]GEEVI*1 ) HIS LONG1 SPADE-%AP$1 BLACK BE>D1 & ) HIM ,PA%5KA1 A ?9 LITTLE GIRL ) L>GE MILD EYES & A TIMID PA!TIC FACE4 ,& 9TO !IR COMPANY ( BOYS ,PA%5KA IS BR\<T & !Y HAVE TO PLAY ) H]1 BUT IT IS DULL4 ,%E IS SILLY1 & IT 5DS BY !IR MAK+ FUN ( H] & =C+ H] TO %[ H[ %E CAN SWIM4 ,%E LIES D[N ON ! FLOOR & %[S !M1 & !Y ALL LAU< & MAKE A FOOL ( H]4 ,%E SEES ?IS & BLU%ES R$ 9 PAT*ES & BECOMES MORE PITIABLE ?AN BE=E1 SO PITIABLE ?AT HE FEELS A%AM$ & CAN NEV] =GET ?AT CROOK$1 K9DLY1 SUBMISSIVE SMILE4 ,& ,S]GIUS REMEMB]$ HAV+ SE5 H] S9CE !N4 ,LONG AFT]1 JU/ BE=E HE BECAME A MONK1 %E HAD M>RI$ A L&[N] :O SQU&]$ ALL H] =TUNE & WAS 9 ! HABIT ( BEAT+ H]4 ,%E HAD HAD TWO *ILDR51 A SON & A DAU<T]1 BUT ! SON HAD DI$ :ILE /ILL Y\NG4 ,& ,S]GIUS REMEMB]$ HAV+ SE5 H] V]Y WRET*$4 ,!N AGA9 HE HAD SE5 H] 9 ! MONA/]Y :5 %E WAS A WID[4 ,%E HAD BE5 /ILL ! SAME1 NOT EXACTLY /UPID1 BUT 9SIPID1 9SIGNIFICANT1 & PITIABLE4 ,%E HAD COME ) H] DAU<T] & H] DAU<T]'S FIANCE4 ,!Y W]E ALREADY POOR AT ?AT TIME & LAT] ON HE HAD HE>D ?AT %E WAS LIV+ 9 A SMALL PROV9CIAL T[N & WAS V]Y POOR4 

',:Y AM ,I ?9K+ AB\T H]8' HE ASK$ HIMSELF1 BUT HE C\LD NOT CEASE DO+ SO4 ',:]E IS %E8 ,H[ IS %E GETT+ ON8 ,IS %E /ILL AS UNHAPPY AS %E WAS !N :5 %E HAD TO %[ US H[ TO SWIM ON ! FLOOR8 ,BUT :Y %\LD ,I ?9K AB\T H]8 ,:AT AM ,I DO+8 ,I MU/ PUT AN 5D TO MYSELF4' 

,& AGA9 HE FELT AFRAID1 & AGA91 TO ESCAPE FROM ?AT ?\<T1 HE W5T ON ?9K+ AB\T ,PA%5KA4 

,SO HE LAY = A LONG TIME1 ?9K+ N[ ( HIS UNAVOIDABLE 5D & N[ ( ,PA%5KA4 ,%E PRES5T$ H]SELF TO HIM AS A MEANS ( SALVATION4 ,AT LA/ HE FELL ASLEEP1 & 9 HIS SLEEP HE SAW AN ANGEL :O CAME TO HIM & SAID3 ',GO TO ,PA%5KA & LE>N FROM H] :AT Y\ HAVE TO DO1 :AT Y\R S9 IS1 & :]E9 LIES Y\R SALVATION4' 

,HE AWOKE1 & HAV+ DECID$ ?AT ?IS WAS A VISION S5T BY ,GOD1 HE FELT GLAD1 & RESOLV$ TO DO :AT HAD BE5 TOLD HIM 9 ! VISION4 ,HE KNEW ! T[N :]E %E LIV$4 ,IT WAS SOME ?REE HUNDR$ V]/S 7TWO HUNDR$ MILES7 AWAY1 & HE SET \T TO WALK !RE4 

70,FA!R ,S]GIUS10 BY ,LEO ,TOL/OY1 TRANSLAT$ BY ,L\ISE & ,AYLM] ,MAUDE1 WRITT5 BETWE5 #ahi & #ahih & FIR/ PUBLI%$ 9 #a#i#a#a47 

O ,*APT] #f 

,PA%5KA HAD ALREADY LONG CEAS$ TO BE ,PA%5KA & HAD BECOME OLD1 WI!R$1 WR9KL$ ,PRASKOVYA ,MIKHAYLOVNA1 MO!R-9-LAW ( ?AT FAILURE1 ! DRUNK5 (FICIAL ,MAVRIKYEV4 ,%E WAS LIV+ 9 ! C\NTRY T[N :]E HE HAD HAD HIS LA/ APPO9TM5T1 & !RE %E WAS SUPPORT+ ! FAMILY3 H] DAU<T]1 H] AIL+ NEURAS!NIC SON-9-LAW1 & H] FIVE GR&*ILDR54 ,%E DID ?IS BY GIV+ MUSIC LESSONS TO TRADESM5'S DAU<T]S1 GIV+ F\R & SOMETIMES FIVE LESSONS A DAY ( AN H\R EA*1 & E>N+ 9 ?IS WAY SOME SIXTY RUBLES 7#f P\NDS7 A MON?4 ,SO !Y LIV$ = ! PRES5T1 9 EXPECTATION ( ANO!R APPO9TM5T4 ,%E HAD S5T LETT]S TO ALL H] RELATIONS & ACQUA9TANCES ASK+ !M TO OBTA9 A PO/ = H] SON-9-LAW1 & AMONG ! RE/ %E HAD WRITT5 TO ,S]GIUS1 BUT ?AT LETT] HAD NOT REA*$ HIM4 

,IT WAS A ,SATURDAY1 & ,PRASKOVYA ,MIKHAYLOVNA WAS H]SELF MIX+ D\< = CURRANT BREAD SU* AS ! S]F-COOK ON H] FA!R'S E/ATE US$ TO MAKE SO WELL4 ,%E WI%$ TO GIVE H] GR&*ILDR5 A TREAT ON ! ,SUNDAY4 

,MA%A1 H] DAU<T]1 WAS NURS+ H] Y\NGE/ *ILD1 ! ELDE/ BOY & GIRL W]E AT S*OOL1 & H] SON-9-LAW WAS ASLEEP1 NOT HAV+ SLEPT DUR+ ! NI<T4 ,PRASKOVYA ,MIKHAYLOVNA HAD REMA9$ AWAKE TOO = A GREAT P>T ( ! NI<T1 TRY+ TO S(T5 H] DAU<T]'S ANG] AGA9/ H] HUSB&4 

,%E SAW ?AT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE = H] SON-9-LAW1 A WEAK CREATURE1 TO BE O!R ?AN HE WAS1 & REALIZ$ ?AT HIS WIFE'S REPROA*ES C\LD DO NO GOOD--SO %E US$ ALL H] EF=TS TO S(T5 ?OSE REPROA*ES & TO AVOID RECRIM9ATION & ANG]4 ,UNK9DLY RELATIONS BETWE5 PEOPLE CAUS$ H] ACTUAL PHYSICAL SUFF]+4 ,IT WAS SO CLE> TO H] ?AT BITT] FEEL+S DO NOT MAKE ANY?+ BETT]1 BUT ONLY MAKE EV]Y?+ WORSE4 ,%E DID NOT 9 FACT ?9K AB\T ?IS3 %E SIMPLY SUFF]$ AT ! SI<T ( ANG] AS %E W\LD FROM A BAD SMELL1 A H>% NOISE1 OR FROM BL[S ON H] BODY4 

,%E HAD--) A FEEL+ ( SELF-SATISFACTION--JU/ TAU<T ,LUK]YA H[ TO MIX ! D\<1 :5 H] SIX-YE>-OLD GR&SON ,MI%A1 WE>+ AN APRON & ) D>N$ /OCK+S ON HIS CROOK$ LITTLE LEGS1 RAN 9TO ! KIT*5 ) A FRI<T5$ FACE4 

',GR&MA1 A DREADFUL OLD MAN WANTS TO SEE Y\4' 

,LUK]YA LOOK$ \T AT ! DOOR4 

',!RE IS A PILGRIM ( SOME K9D1 A MAN444' 

,PRASKOVYA ,MIKHAYLOVNA RUBB$ H] ?9 ELB[S AGA9/ ONE ANO!R1 WIP$ H] H&S ON H] APRON & W5T UP/AIRS TO GET A FIVE-KOPECK PIECE .<AB\T A P5NY.> \T ( H] PURSE = HIM1 BUT REMEMB]+ ?AT %E HAD NO?+ LESS ?AN A T5-KOPECK PIECE %E DECID$ TO GIVE HIM SOME BREAD 9/EAD4 ,%E RETURN$ TO ! CUPBO>D1 BUT SUDD5LY BLU%$ AT ! ?\<T ( HAV+ GRUDG$ ! T5-KOPECK PIECE1 & TELL+ ,LUK]YA TO CUT A SLICE ( BREAD1 W5T UP/AIRS AGA9 TO FET* IT4 ',IT S]VES Y\ RI<T1' %E SAID TO H]SELF4 ',Y\ MU/ N[ GIVE TWICE OV]4' 

,%E GAVE BO? ! BREAD & ! MONEY TO ! PILGRIM1 & :5 DO+ SO--F> FROM BE+ PR\D ( H] G5]OSITY--%E EXCUS$ H]SELF = GIV+ SO LITTLE4 ,! MAN HAD SU* AN IMPOS+ APPE>ANCE4 

,?\< HE HAD TRAMP$ TWO HUNDR$ V]/S AS A BEGG>1 ?\< HE WAS TATT]$ & HAD GR[N ?9 & WEA!RBEAT51 ?\< HE HAD CROPP$ HIS LONG HAIR & WAS WE>+ A PEASANT'S CAP & BOOTS1 & ?\< HE B[$ V]Y HUMBLY1 ,S]GIUS /ILL HAD ! IMPRESSIVE APPE>ANCE ?AT MADE HIM SO ATTRACTIVE4 ,BUT ,PRASKOVYA ,MIKHAYLOVNA DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM4 ,%E C\LD H>DLY DO SO1 NOT HAV+ SE5 HIM = ALMO/ TW5TY YE>S4 

',DON'T ?9K ILL ( ME1 ,FA!R4 ,P]HAPS Y\ WANT SOME?+ TO EAT8' 

,HE TOOK ! BREAD & ! MONEY1 & ,PRASKOVYA ,MIKHAYLOVNA WAS SURPRIS$ ?AT HE DID NOT GO1 BUT /OOD LOOK+ AT H]4 

',PA%5KA1 ,I HAVE COME TO Y\6 ,TAKE ME 9444' 

,HIS BEAUTIFUL BLACK EYES1 %9+ ) ! TE>S ?AT />T$ 9 !M1 W]E FIX$ ON H] ) IMPLOR+ 9SI/5CE4 ,& UND] HIS GRAYI% MU/A*E HIS LIPS QUIV]$ PITE\SLY4 

,PRASKOVYA ,MIKHAYLOVNA PRESS$ H] H&S TO H] WI!R$ BREA/1 OP5$ H] M\?1 & /OOD PETRIFI$1 />+ AT ! PILGRIM ) DILAT$ EYES4 

',IT CAN'T BE6 ,/EPA6 ,S]GEY6 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS6' 

',YES1 IT IS ,I1' SAID ,S]GIUS 9 A L[ VOICE4 ',ONLY NOT ,S]GIUS1 OR ,FA!R ,S]GIUS1 BUT A GREAT S9N]1 ,/EPAN ,KASATSKY--A GREAT & LO/ S9N]4 ,TAKE ME 9 & HELP ME6' 

',IT'S IMPOSSIBLE6 ,H[ HAVE Y\ SO HUMBL$ Y\RSELF8 ,BUT COME 94' 

,%E REA*$ \T H] H&1 BUT HE DID NOT TAKE IT & ONLY FOLL[$ H] 94 

,BUT :]E WAS %E TO TAKE HIM8 ,! LODG+ WAS A SMALL ONE4 ,=M]LY %E HAD HAD A T9Y ROOM1 ALMO/ A CLOSET1 = H]SELF1 BUT LAT] %E HAD GIV5 IT UP TO H] DAU<T]1 & ,MA%A WAS N[ SITT+ !RE ROCK+ ! BABY4 

',SIT H]E = ! PRES5T1' %E SAID TO ,S]GIUS1 PO9T+ TO A B5* 9 ! KIT*54 

,HE SAT D[N AT ONCE1 & ) AN EVID5TLY ACCU/OM$ MOVEM5T SLIPP$ ! /RAPS ( HIS WALLET FIR/ (F ONE %\LD] & !N (F ! O!R4 

',MY ,GOD1 MY ,GOD6 ,H[ Y\ HAVE HUMBL$ Y\RSELF1 ,FA!R6 ,SU* GREAT FAME1 & N[ LIKE ?IS444' 

,S]GIUS DID NOT REPLY1 BUT ONLY SMIL$ MEEKLY1 PLAC+ HIS WALLET UND] ! B5* ON :I* HE SAT4 

',MA%A1 DO Y\ KN[ :O ?IS IS8'--,& 9 A :ISP] ,PRASKOVYA ,MIKHAYLOVNA TOLD H] DAU<T] :O HE WAS1 & TOGE!R !Y !N C>RI$ ! B$ & ! CRADLE \T ( ! T9Y ROOM & CLE>$ IT = ,S]GIUS4 

,PRASKOVYA ,MIKHAYLOVNA L$ HIM 9TO IT4 

',H]E Y\ CAN RE/4 ,DON'T TAKE (F5SE444 BUT ,I MU/ GO \T4' 

',:]E TO8' 

',I HAVE TO GO TO A LESSON4 ,I AM A%AM$ TO TELL Y\1 BUT ,I TEA* MUSIC6' 

',MUSIC8 ,BUT ?AT IS GOOD4 ,ONLY JU/ ONE ?+1 ,PRASKOVYA ,MIKHAYLOVNA1 ,I HAVE COME TO Y\ ) A DEF9ITE OBJECT4 ,:5 CAN ,I HAVE A TALK ) Y\8' 

',I %ALL BE V]Y GLAD4 ,WILL ?IS EV5+ DO8' 

',YES4 ,BUT ONE ?+ MORE4 ,DON'T SPEAK AB\T ME1 OR SAY :O ,I AM4 ,I HAVE REVEAL$ MYSELF ONLY TO Y\4 ,NO ONE KN[S :]E ,I HAVE GONE TO4 ,IT MU/ BE SO4' 

',OH1 BUT ,I HAVE TOLD MY DAU<T]4' 

',WELL1 ASK H] NOT TO M5TION IT4' 

,& ,S]GIUS TOOK (F HIS BOOTS1 LAY D[N1 & AT ONCE FELL ASLEEP AFT] A SLEEPLESS NI<T & A WALK ( NE>LY ?IRTY MILES4 

,:5 ,PRASKOVYA ,MIKHAYLOVNA RETURN$1 ,S]GIUS WAS SITT+ 9 ! LITTLE ROOM WAIT+ = H]4 ,HE DID NOT COME \T = D9N]1 BUT HAD SOME S\P & GRUEL :I* ,LUK]YA BR\<T HIM4 

',H[ IS IT ?AT Y\ HAVE COME BACK E>LI] ?AN Y\ SAID8' ASK$ ,S]GIUS4 ',CAN ,I SPEAK TO Y\ N[8' 

',H[ IS IT ?AT ,I HAVE ! HAPP9ESS TO RECEIVE SU* A GUE/8 ,I HAVE MISS$ ONE ( MY LESSONS4 ,?AT CAN WAIT444 ,I HAD ALWAYS BE5 PLANN+ TO GO TO SEE Y\4 ,I WROTE TO Y\1 & N[ ?IS GOOD =TUNE HAS COME4' 

',PA%5KA1 PLEASE LI/5 TO :AT ,I AM GO+ TO TELL Y\ AS TO A CONFESSION MADE TO ,GOD AT MY LA/ H\R4 ,PA%5KA1 ,I AM NOT A HOLY MAN1 ,I AM NOT EV5 AS GOOD AS A SIMPLE ORD9>Y MAN2 ,I AM A LOA?SOME1 VILE1 & PR\D S9N] :O HAS GONE A/RAY1 & :O1 IF NOT WORSE ?AN EV]YONE ELSE1 IS AT LEA/ WORSE ?AN MO/ V]Y BAD PEOPLE4' 

,PA%5KA LOOK$ AT HIM AT FIR/ ) />+ EYES4 ,BUT %E BELIEV$ :AT HE SAID1 & :5 %E HAD QUITE GRASP$ IT %E T\*$ HIS H&1 SMIL+ PITY+LY1 & SAID3 

',P]HAPS Y\ EXAGG]ATE1 ,/IVA8' 

',NO1 ,PA%5KA4 ,I AM AN ADULT]]1 A MURD]]1 A BLASPHEM]1 & A DECEIV]4' 

',MY ,GOD6 ,H[ IS ?AT8' EXCLAIM$ ,PRASKOVYA ,MIKHAYLOVNA4 

',BUT ,I MU/ GO ON LIV+4 ,& ,I1 :O ?\<T ,I KNEW EV]Y?+1 :O TAU<T O!RS H[ TO LIVE--,I KN[ NO?+ & ASK Y\ TO TEA* ME4' 

',:AT >E Y\ SAY+1 ,/IVA8 ,Y\ >E LAU<+ AT ME4 ,:Y DO Y\ ALWAYS MAKE FUN ( ME8' 

',WELL1 IF Y\ ?9K ,I AM JE/+ Y\ MU/ HAVE IT AS Y\ PLEASE4 ,BUT TELL ME ALL ! SAME H[ Y\ LIVE1 & H[ Y\ HAVE LIV$ Y\R LIFE4' 

',I8 ,I HAVE LIV$ A V]Y NA/Y1 HORRIBLE LIFE1 & N[ ,GOD IS PUNI%+ ME AS ,I DES]VE4 ,I LIVE SO WRET*$LY1 SO WRET*$LY444' 

',H[ WAS IT ) Y\R M>RIAGE8 ,H[ DID Y\ LIVE ) Y\R HUSB&8' 

',IT WAS ALL BAD4 ,I M>RI$ BECAUSE ,I FELL 9 LOVE 9 ! NA/IE/ WAY4 ,PAPA DID NOT APPROVE4 ,BUT ,I W\LD NOT LI/5 TO ANY?+ & JU/ GOT M>RI$4 ,!N 9/EAD ( HELP+ MY HUSB& ,I TORM5T$ HIM BY MY JEAL\SY1 :I* ,I C\LD NOT RE/RA94' 

',I HE>D ?AT HE DRANK444' 

',YES1 BUT ,I DID NOT GIVE HIM ANY PEACE4 ,I ALWAYS REPROA*$ HIM1 ?\< Y\ KN[ IT IS A DISEASE6 ,HE C\LD NOT REFRA9 FROM IT4 ,I N[ REMEMB] H[ ,I TRI$ TO PREV5T HIS HAV+ IT1 & ! FRI<TFUL SC5ES WE HAD6' 

,& %E LOOK$ AT ,KASATSKY ) BEAUTIFUL EYES1 SUFF]+ FROM ! REMEMBRANCE4 

,KASATSKY REMEMB]$ H[ HE HAD BE5 TOLD ?AT ,PA%5KA'S HUSB& US$ TO BEAT H]1 & N[1 LOOK+ AT H] ?9 WI!R$ NECK ) PROM95T VE9S BEH9D H] E>S1 & H] SCANTY COIL ( HAIR1 HALF GRAY HALF AUBURN1 HE SEEM$ TO SEE JU/ H[ IT HAD OCCURR$4 

',!N ,I WAS LEFT ) TWO *ILDR5 & NO MEANS AT ALL4' 

',BUT Y\ HAD AN E/ATE6' 

',OH1 WE SOLD ?AT :ILE ,VASYA WAS /ILL ALIVE1 & ! MONEY WAS ALL SP5T4 ,WE HAD TO LIVE1 & LIKE ALL \R Y\NG LADIES ,I DID NOT KN[ H[ TO E>N ANY?+4 ,I WAS P>TICUL>LY USELESS & HELPLESS4 ,SO WE SP5T ALL WE HAD4 ,I TAU<T ! *ILDR5 & IMPROV$ MY [N $UCATION A LITTLE4 ,& !N ,MITYA FELL ILL :5 HE WAS ALREADY 9 ! F\R? =M1 & ,GOD TOOK HIM4 ,MA%A FELL 9 LOVE ) ,VANYA1 MY SON-9-LAW4 ,&--WELL1 HE IS WELL-MEAN+ BUT UN=TUNATE4 ,HE IS ILL4' 

',MAMA6'--H] DAU<T]'S VOICE 9T]RUPT$ H]--',TAKE ,MITYA6 ,I CAN'T BE 9 TWO PLACES AT ONCE4' 

,PRASKOVYA ,MIKHAYLOVNA %UDD]$1 BUT ROSE & W5T \T ( ! ROOM1 /EPP+ QUICKLY 9 H] PAT*$ %OES4 ,%E SOON CAME BACK ) A BOY ( TWO 9 H] >MS1 :O ?REW HIMSELF BACKW>DS & GRABB$ AT H] %AWL ) HIS LITTLE H&S4 

',:]E WAS ,I8 ,OH YES1 HE HAD A GOOD APPO9TM5T H]E1 & HIS *IEF WAS A K9D MAN TOO4 ,BUT ,VANYA C\LD NOT GO ON1 & HAD TO GIVE UP HIS POSITION4' 

',:AT IS ! MATT] ) HIM8' 

',NEURAS!NIA--IT IS A DREADFUL COMPLA9T4 ,WE CONSULT$ A DOCTOR1 :O TOLD US HE \<T TO GO AWAY1 BUT WE HAD NO MEANS4444 ,I ALWAYS HOPE IT WILL PASS ( ITSELF4 ,HE HAS NO P>TICUL> PA91 BUT444' 

',LUK]YA6' CRI$ AN ANGRY & FEEBLE VOICE4 ',%E IS ALWAYS S5T AWAY :5 ,I WANT H]4 ,MAMA444' 

',I'M COM+6' ,PRASKOVYA ,MIKHAYLOVNA AGA9 9T]RUPT$ H]SELF4 ',HE HAS NOT HAD HIS D9N] YET4 ,HE CAN'T EAT ) US4' 

,%E W5T \T & >RANG$ SOME?+1 & CAME BACK WIP+ H] ?9 D>K H&S4 

',SO ?AT IS H[ ,I LIVE4 ,I ALWAYS COMPLA9 & AM ALWAYS DISSATISFI$1 BUT ?ANK ,GOD ! GR&*ILDR5 >E ALL NICE & HEAL?Y1 & WE CAN /ILL LIVE4 ,BUT :Y TALK AB\T ME8' 

',BUT :AT DO Y\ LIVE ON8' 

',WELL1 ,I E>N A LITTLE4 ,H[ ,I US$ TO DISLIKE MUSIC1 BUT H[ USEFUL IT IS TO ME N[6' ,H] SMALL H& LAY ON ! *E/ ( DRAW]S BESIDE :I* %E WAS SITT+1 & %E DRUMM$ AN EX]CISE ) H] ?9 F+]S4 

',H[ MU* DO Y\ GET = A LESSON8' 

',SOMETIMES A RUBLE1 SOMETIMES FIFTY KOPECKS1 OR SOMETIMES ?IRTY4 ,!Y >E ALL SO K9D TO ME4' 

',& DO Y\R PUPILS GET ON WELL8' ASK$ ,KASATSKY ) A SLI<T SMILE4 

,PRASKOVYA ,MIKHAYLOVNA DID NOT AT FIR/ BELIEVE ?AT HE WAS ASK+ S]I\SLY1 & LOOK$ 9QUIR+LY 9TO HIS EYES4 

',SOME ( !M DO4 ,ONE ( !M IS A SPL5DID GIRL--! BUT*]'S DAU<T]--SU* A GOOD K9D GIRL6 ,IF ,I W]E A CLEV] WOMAN ,I \<T1 ( C\RSE1 ) ! CONNECTIONS ,PAPA HAD1 TO BE ABLE TO GET AN APPO9TM5T = MY SON-9-LAW4 ,BUT AS IT IS ,I HAVE NOT BE5 ABLE TO DO ANY?+1 & HAVE BR\<T !M ALL TO ?IS--AS Y\ SEE4' 

',YES1 YES1' SAID ,KASATSKY1 L[]+ HIS HEAD4 ',& H[ IS IT1 ,PA%5KA--DO Y\ TAKE P>T 9 ,*UR* LIFE8' 

',OH1 DON'T SPEAK ( IT4 ,I AM SO BAD ?AT WAY1 & HAVE NEGLECT$ IT SO6 ,I KEEP ! FA/S ) ! *ILDR5 & SOMETIMES GO TO *UR*1 & !N AGA9 SOMETIMES ,I DON'T GO = MON?S4 ,I ONLY S5D ! *ILDR54' 

',BUT :Y DON'T Y\ GO Y\RSELF8' 

',TO TELL ! TRU?' 7%E BLU%$7 ',I AM A%AM$1 = MY DAU<T]'S SAKE & ! *ILDR5'S1 TO GO !RE 9 TATT]$ CLO!S1 & ,I HAV5'T ANY?+ ELSE4 ,BESIDES1 ,I AM JU/ LAZY4' 

',& DO Y\ PRAY AT HOME8' 

',I DO4 ,BUT :AT SORT ( PRAY] IS IT8 ,ONLY ME*ANICAL4 ,I KN[ IT %\LD NOT BE LIKE ?AT1 BUT ,I LACK REAL RELIGI\S FEEL+4 ,! ONLY ?+ IS ?AT ,I KN[ H[ BAD ,I AM444' 

',YES1 YES1 ?AT'S RI<T6' SAID ,KASATSKY1 AS IF APPROV+LY4 

',I'M COM+6 ,I'M COM+6' %E REPLI$ TO A CALL FROM H] SON-9-LAW1 & TIDY+ H] SCANTY PLAIT %E LEFT ! ROOM4 

,BUT ?IS TIME IT WAS LONG BE=E %E RETURN$4 ,:5 %E CAME BACK1 ,KASATSKY WAS SITT+ 9 ! SAME POSITION1 HIS ELB[S RE/+ ON HIS KNEES & HIS HEAD B[$4 ,BUT HIS WALLET WAS /RAPP$ ON HIS BACK4 

,:5 %E CAME 91 C>RY+ A SMALL T9 LAMP )\T A %ADE1 HE RAIS$ HIS F9E WE>Y EYES & SI<$ V]Y DEEPLY4 

',I DID NOT TELL !M :O Y\ >E1' %E BEGAN TIMIDLY4 ',I ONLY SAID ?AT Y\ >E A PILGRIM1 A NOBLEMAN1 & ?AT ,I US$ TO KN[ Y\4 ,COME 9TO ! D9+-ROOM = TEA4' 

',NO444' 

',WELL !N1 ,I'LL BR+ SOME TO Y\ H]E4' 

',NO1 ,I DON'T WANT ANY?+4 ,GOD BLESS Y\1 ,PA%5KA6 ,I AM GO+ N[4 ,IF Y\ PITY ME1 DON'T TELL ANYONE ?AT Y\ HAVE SE5 ME4 ,= ! LOVE ( ,GOD DON'T TELL ANYONE4 ,?ANK Y\4 ,I W\LD B[ TO Y\R FEET BUT ,I KN[ IT W\LD MAKE Y\ FEEL AWKW>D4 ,?ANK Y\1 & =GIVE ME = ,*RI/'S SAKE6' 

',GIVE ME Y\R BLESS+4' 

',GOD BLESS Y\6 ,=GIVE ME = ,*RI/'S SAKE6' 

,HE ROSE1 BUT %E W\LD NOT LET HIM GO UNTIL %E HAD GIV5 HIM BREAD & BUTT] & RUSKS4 ,HE TOOK IT ALL & W5T AWAY4 

,IT WAS D>K1 & BE=E HE HAD PASS$ ! SECOND H\SE HE WAS LO/ TO SI<T4 ,%E ONLY KNEW HE WAS !RE BECAUSE ! DOG AT ! PRIE/'S H\SE WAS B>K+4 

',SO ?AT IS :AT MY DREAM MEANT6 ,PA%5KA IS :AT ,I \<T TO HAVE BE5 BUT FAIL$ TO BE4 ,I LIV$ = M5 ON ! PRETEXT ( LIV+ = ,GOD1 :ILE %E LIV$ = ,GOD IMAG9+ ?AT %E LIVES = M54 ,YES1 ONE GOOD DE$--A CUP ( WAT] GIV5 )\T ?\<T ( REW>D--IS WOR? MORE ?AN ANY B5EFIT ,I IMAG9$ ,I WAS BE/[+ ON PEOPLE4 ,BUT AFT] ALL WAS !RE NOT SOME %>E ( S9C]E DESIRE TO S]VE ,GOD8' HE ASK$ HIMSELF1 & ! ANSW] WAS3 ',YES1 !RE WAS1 BUT IT WAS ALL SOIL$ & OV]GR[N BY DESIRE = HUMAN PRAISE4 ,YES1 !RE IS NO ,GOD = ! MAN :O LIVES1 AS ,I DID1 = HUMAN PRAISE4 ,I WILL N[ SEEK ,HIM6' 

,& HE WALK$ FROM VILLAGE TO VILLAGE AS HE HAD DONE ON HIS WAY TO ,PA%5KA1 MEET+ & P>T+ FROM O!R PILGRIMS1 M5 & WOM51 & ASK+ = BREAD & A NI<T'S RE/ 9 ,*RI/'S NAME4 ,OCCASIONALLY SOME ANGRY H\SEWIFE SCOLD$ HIM1 OR A DRUNK5 PEASANT REVIL$ HIM1 BUT = ! MO/ P>T HE WAS GIV5 FOOD & DR9K & EV5 SOME?+ TO TAKE ) HIM4 ,HIS NOBLE BE>+ DISPOS$ SOME PEOPLE 9 HIS FAVOR1 :ILE O!RS ON ! CONTR>Y SEEM$ PLEAS$ AT ! SI<T ( A G5TLEMAN :O HAD COME TO BEGG>Y4 

,BUT HIS G5TL5ESS PREVAIL$ ) EV]YONE4 

,(T51 F9D+ A COPY ( ! ,GOSPELS 9 A HUT HE W\LD READ IT AL\D1 & :5 !Y HE>D HIM ! PEOPLE W]E ALWAYS T\*$ & SURPRIS$1 AS AT SOME?+ NEW YET FAMILI>4 

,:5 HE SUCCE$$ 9 HELP+ PEOPLE1 EI!R BY ADVICE1 OR BY HIS KN[L$GE ( READ+ & WRIT+1 OR BY SETTL+ SOME QU>REL1 HE DID NOT WAIT TO SEE !IR GRATITUDE BUT W5T AWAY DIRECTLY AFT]W>DS4 ,& LITTLE BY LITTLE ,GOD BEGAN TO REVEAL ,HIMSELF )9 HIM4 

,ONCE HE WAS WALK+ ALONG ) TWO OLD WOM5 & A SOLDI]4 ,!Y W]E /OPP$ BY A P>TY CONSI/+ ( A LADY & G5TLEMAN 9 A GIG & ANO!R LADY & G5TLEMAN ON HORSEBACK4 ,! HUSB& WAS ON HORSEBACK ) HIS DAU<T]1 :ILE 9 ! GIG HIS WIFE WAS DRIV+ ) A ,FR5*MAN1 EVID5TLY A TRAVEL]4 

,! P>TY /OPP$ TO LET ! ,FR5*MAN SEE ! PILGRIMS :O1 9 ACCORD ) A POPUL> ,RUSSIAN SUP]/ITION1 TRAMP$ AB\T FROM PLACE TO PLACE 9/EAD ( WORK+4 

,!Y SPOKE ,FR5*1 ?9K+ ?AT ! O!RS W\LD NOT UND]/& !M4 

',DEM&EZ-LEUR1' SAID ! ,FR5*MAN1 'S'ILS SONT BI5 SUR DE CE QUE LEUR PEL]9AGE E/ AGREABLE A ,DIEU4' 

,! QUE/ION WAS ASK$1 & ONE OLD WOMAN REPLI$3 

',AS ,GOD TAKES IT4 ,\R FEET HAVE REA*$ ! HOLY PLACES1 BUT \R HE>TS MAY NOT HAVE DONE SO4' 

,!Y ASK$ ! SOLDI]4 ,HE SAID ?AT HE WAS ALONE 9 ! WORLD & HAD NO:]E ELSE TO GO4 

,!Y ASK$ ,KASATSKY :O HE WAS4 

',A S]VANT ( ,GOD4' 

',QU'E/-CE QU'IL DIT8 ,IL NE REPOND PAS4' 

',IL DIT QU'IL E/ UN S]VITEUR DE ,DIEU4 ,CELA DOIT ETRE UN FILS DE PREETRE4 ,IL A DE LA RACE4 ,AVEZ-V\S DE LA PETITE MONNAIE8' 

,! ,FR5*MAN F\ND SOME SMALL *ANGE & GAVE TW5TY KOPECKS TO EA* ( ! PILGRIMS4 

',MAIS DITES-LEUR QUE CE N'E/ PAS P\R LES CI]GES QUE JE LEUR DONNE1 MAIS P\R QU'ILS SE REGAL5T DE !4 ,*AY1 *AY P\R V\S1 MON VIEUX6' HE SAID ) A SMILE4 ,& HE PATT$ ,KASATSKY ON ! %\LD] ) HIS GLOV$ H&4 

',MAY ,*RI/ BLESS Y\1' REPLI$ ,KASATSKY )\T REPLAC+ HIS CAP & B[+ HIS BALD HEAD4 

,HE REJOIC$ P>TICUL>LY AT ?IS MEET+1 BECAUSE HE HAD DISREG>D$ ! OP9ION ( M5 & HAD DONE ! SIMPLE/1 EASIE/ ?+--HUMBLY ACCEPT$ TW5TY KOPECKS & GIV5 !M TO HIS COMRADE1 A BL9D BEGG>4 ,! LESS IMPORTANCE HE ATTA*$ TO ! OP9ION ( M5 ! MORE DID HE FEEL ! PRES5CE ( ,GOD )9 HIM4 

,= EI<T MON?S ,KASATSKY TRAMP$ ON 9 ?IS MANN]1 & 9 ! N9? MON? HE WAS >RE/$ = NOT HAV+ A PASSPORT4 ,?IS HAPP5$ AT A NI<T-REFUGE 9 A PROV9CIAL T[N :]E HE HAD PASS$ ! NI<T ) SOME PILGRIMS4 ,HE WAS TAK5 TO ! POLICE-/ATION1 & :5 ASK$ :O HE WAS & :]E WAS HIS PASSPORT1 HE REPLI$ ?AT HE HAD NO PASSPORT & ?AT HE WAS A S]VANT ( ,GOD4 ,HE WAS CLASS$ AS A TRAMP1 S5T5C$1 & S5T TO LIVE 9 ,SIB]IA4 

,9 ,SIB]IA HE HAS SETTL$ D[N AS ! HIR$ MAN ( A WELL-TO-DO PEASANT1 9 :I* CAPACITY HE WORKS 9 ! KIT*5-G>D51 TEA*ES *ILDR51 & ATT5DS TO ! SICK4 

70,FA!R ,S]GIUS10 BY ,LEO ,TOL/OY1 TRANSLAT$ BY ,L\ISE & ,AYLM] ,MAUDE1 WRITT5 BETWE5 #ahi & #ahih & FIR/ PUBLI%$ 9 #a#i#a#a47 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #ahig 3 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,FEBRU>Y #a#g1 #bag 3 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS -- ,ADD$4 
,DECEMB] #c1 #bba 3 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS -- ,UPDAT$4 

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