ued to laugh and did not go away. Nina Alexandrovna and Varia had
both risen from their places and were waiting, in silent horror, to
see what would happen. Varia's eyes were all ablaze with anger; but
the scene had a different effect on Nina Alexandrovna. She paled and
trembled, and looked more and more like fainting every moment.

"Very well then, a HUNDRED thousand! a hundred thousand! paid this
very day. Ptitsin! find it for me. A good share shall stick to your
fingers--come!"

"You are mad!" said Ptitsin, coming up quickly and seizing him by the
hand. "You're drunk--the police will be sent for if you don't look out.
Think where you are."

"Yes, he's boasting like a drunkard," added Nastasia, as though with the
sole intention of goading him.

"I do NOT boast! You shall have a hundred thousand, this very day.
Ptitsin, get the money, you gay usurer! Take what you like for it, but
get it by the evening! I'll show that I'm in earnest!" cried Rogojin,
working himself up into a frenzy of excitement.

"Come, come; what's all this?" cried General Ivolgin, suddenly and
angrily, coming close up to Rogojin. The unexpectedness of this sally on
the part of the hitherto silent old man caused some laughter among the
intruders.

"Halloa! what's this now?" laughed Rogojin. "You come along with me, old
fellow! You shall have as much to drink as you like."

"Oh, it's too horrible!" cried poor Colia, sobbing with shame and
annoyance.

"Surely there must be someone among all of you here who will turn this
shameless creature out of the room?" cried Varia, suddenly. She was
shaking and trembling with rage.

"That's me, I suppose. I'm the shameless creature!" cried Nastasia
Philipovna, with amused indifference. "Dear me, and I came--like a fool,
as I am--to invite them over to my house for the evening! Look how your
sister treats me, Gavrila Ardalionovitch."

For some moments Gania stood as if stunned or struck by lightning, after
his sister's speech. But seeing that Nastasia Philipovna was really
about to leave the room this time, he sprang at Varia and seized her by
the arm like a madman.

"What have you done?" he hissed, glaring at her as though he would like
to annihilate her on the spot. He was quite beside himself, and could
hardly articulate his words for rage.

"What have I done? Where are you dragging me to?"

"Do you wish me to beg pardon of this creature because she has come here
to insult our mother and disgrac