Where do you live?
I shall do myself the pleasure . . .”
“I do not receive visitors, prince. At least not at present.”
“But, though I have not deserved to be an exception ... I ...”
“Certainly, since you insist I shall be delighted.
I live at – Street, in Klugen’s Buildings.”
“Klugen’s Buildings!” he cried, as though surprised something.
“What!
Have you . . . lived there long?”
“No, not long,” I answered, instinctively watching him.
“I live at No. 44.”
“Fortyfour ?
You are living . . . alone?”
“Quite alone.”
“0oh!
I ask you because I think I know the house.
So much the better. . . . I will certainly come and see you, certainly!
I shall have much to talk over with you and I look for great things from you.
You can oblige me in many ways.
You see I am beginning straight off by asking you a favour.
But goodbye!
Shake hands again!”
He shook my hand and Alyosha’s, kissed Natasha’s hand again and went out without suggesting that Alyosha should follow him.
We three remained overwhelmed.
It had all happened so unexpectedly, so casually.
We all felt that in one instant everything had changed, and that something new and unknown was beginning.
Alyosha without a word sat down beside Natasha and softly kissed her hand.
From time to time he peeped into her face as though to see what she would say.
“Alyosha, darling, go and see Katerina Fyodorovna tomorrow,” she brought out at last.
“I was thinking of that myself,” he said, “I shall certainly go.”
“But perhaps it will be painful for her to see you. What’s to be done?”
“I don’t know, dear.
I thought of that too.
I’ll look round. I shall see . . . then I’ll decide.
Well, Natasha, everything is changed for us now,” Alyosha said, unable to contain himself.
She smiled and gave him a long, tender look.
“And what delicacy he has.
He saw how poor your lodging is and not a word ...”
“Of what?”
“Why . . . of your moving . . . or anything,” he added reddening.
“Nonsense, Alyosha, why ever should he?”
“That’s just what I say. He has such delicacy.
And how he praised you!
I told you so . . . I told you.
Yes, he’s capable of understanding and feeling anything!
But he talked of me as though I were a baby; they all treat me like that.
But I suppose I really am.”
“You’re a child, but you see further than any of us.
You’re good, Alyosha!”
“He said that my good heart would do me harm.