an't understand anything now," said Stavrogin wrathfully. "Why does
every one expect of me something not expected from anyone else? Why am
I to put up with what no one else puts up with, and undertake burdens no
one else can bear?"

"I thought you were seeking a burden yourself."

"I seek a burden?"

"Yes."

"You've... seen that?"

"Yes."

"Is it so noticeable?"

"Yes."

There was silence for a moment. Stavrogin had a very preoccupied face.
He was almost impressed.

"I didn't aim because I didn't want to kill anyone. There was nothing
more in it, I assure you," he said hurriedly, and with agitation, as
though justifying himself.

"You ought not to have offended him."

"What ought I to have done then?"

"You ought to have killed him."

"Are you sorry I didn't kill him?"

"I'm not sorry for anything. I thought you really meant to kill him. You
don't know what you're seeking."

"I seek a burden," laughed Stavrogin.

"If you didn't want blood yourself, why did you give him a chance to
kill you?"

"If I hadn't challenged him, he'd have killed me simply, without a
duel."

"That's not your affair. Perhaps he wouldn't have killed you."

"Only have beaten me?"

"That's not your business. Bear your burden. Or else there's no merit."

"Hang your merit. I don't seek anyone's approbation."

"I thought you were seeking it," Kirillov commented with terrible
unconcern.

They rode into the courtyard of the house.

"Do you care to come in?" said Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch.

"No; I'm going home. Good-bye."

He got off the horse and took his box of pistols under his arm.

"Anyway, you're not angry with me?" said Stavrogin, holding out his hand
to him.

"Not in the least," said Kirillov, turning round to shake hands with
him. "If my burden's light it's because it's from nature; perhaps your
burden's heavier because that's your nature. There's no need to be much
ashamed; only a little."

"I know I'm a worthless character, and I don't pretend to be a strong
one."

"You'd better not; you're not a strong person. Come and have tea."

Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch went into the house, greatly perturbed.

IV

He learned at once from Alexey Yegorytch that Varvara Petrovna had
been very glad to hear that Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch had gone out for a
ride--the first time he had left the house after eight days' illness.
She had ordered the carriage, and had driven out alone for a breath of
fresh air "according to