ell," said the prince a little timidly, "why do you
choose all this worry for the sake of the seventy-five thousand, which,
you confess, does not cover it?"

"I didn't mean that," said Gania; "but while we are upon the subject,
let me hear your opinion. Is all this worry worth seventy-five thousand
or not?

"Certainly not."

"Of course! And it would be a disgrace to marry so, eh?"

"A great disgrace."

"Oh, well, then you may know that I shall certainly do it, now. I shall
certainly marry her. I was not quite sure of myself before, but now I
am. Don't say a word: I know what you want to tell me--"

"No. I was only going to say that what surprises me most of all is your
extraordinary confidence."

"How so? What in?"

"That Nastasia Philipovna will accept you, and that the question is as
good as settled; and secondly, that even if she did, you would be able
to pocket the money. Of course, I know very little about it, but that's
my view. When a man marries for money it often happens that the wife
keeps the money in her own hands."

"Of course, you don't know all; but, I assure you, you needn't be
afraid, it won't be like that in our case. There are circumstances,"
said Gania, rather excitedly. "And as to her answer to me, there's no
doubt about that. Why should you suppose she will refuse me?"

"Oh, I only judge by what I see. Varvara Ardalionovna said just now--"

"Oh she--they don't know anything about it! Nastasia was only chaffing
Rogojin. I was alarmed at first, but I have thought better of it now;
she was simply laughing at him. She looks on me as a fool because I show
that I meant her money, and doesn't realize that there are other men
who would deceive her in far worse fashion. I'm not going to pretend
anything, and you'll see she'll marry me, all right. If she likes to
live quietly, so she shall; but if she gives me any of her nonsense, I
shall leave her at once, but I shall keep the money. I'm not going to
look a fool; that's the first thing, not to look a fool."

"But Nastasia Philipovna seems to me to be such a SENSIBLE woman, and,
as such, why should she run blindly into this business? That's what
puzzles me so," said the prince.

"You don't know all, you see; I tell you there are things--and besides,
I'm sure that she is persuaded that I love her to distraction, and I
give you my word I have a strong suspicion that she loves me, too--in
her own way, of course. She thinks she will be able to ma