u are so devoted to me and so anxious to serve me that I am
always in a panic when I look at you."

"You always say witty things, and sleep in peace satisfied with what
you've said, but that's how you damage yourself."

"Blum, I have just convinced myself that it's quite a mistake, quite a
mistake."

"Not from the words of that false, vicious young man whom you suspect
yourself? He has won you by his flattering praise of your talent for
literature."

"Blum, you understand nothing about it; your project is absurd, I
tell you. We shall find nothing and there will be a fearful upset and
laughter too, and then Yulia Mihailovna..."

"We shall certainly find everything we are looking for." Blum advanced
firmly towards him, laying his right hand on his heart. "We will make
a search suddenly early in the morning, carefully showing every
consideration for the person himself and strictly observing all the
prescribed forms of the law. The young men, Lyamshin and Telyatnikov,
assert positively that we shall find all we want. They were constant
visitors there. Nobody is favourably disposed to Mr. Verhovensky. Madame
Stavrogin has openly refused him her graces, and every honest man, if
only there is such a one in this coarse town, is persuaded that a hotbed
of infidelity and social doctrines has always been concealed there. He
keeps all the forbidden books, Ryliev's 'Reflections,' all Herzen's
works.... I have an approximate catalogue, in case of need."

"Oh heavens! Every one has these books; how simple you are, my poor
Blum."

"And many manifestoes," Blum went on without heeding the observation.
"We shall end by certainly coming upon traces of the real manifestoes
here. That young Verhovensky I feel very suspicious of."

"But you are mixing up the father and the son. They are not on good
terms. The son openly laughs at his father."

"That's only a mask."

"Blum, you've sworn to torment me! Think! he is a conspicuous figure
here, after all. He's been a professor, he is a well-known man. He'll
make such an uproar and there will be such gibes all over the town, and
we shall make a mess of it all.... And only think how Yulia Mihailovna
will take it." Blum pressed forward and did not listen. "He was only a
lecturer, only a lecturer, and of a low rank when he retired." He smote
himself on the chest. "He has no marks of distinction. He was discharged
from the service on suspicion of plots against the government. He has
been u