Pagina 488 di 1294

Pulcheria Alexandrovna was emotional, but not sentimental, timid

and yielding, but only to a certain point. She could give way and

accept a great deal even of what was contrary to her convictions,

but there was a certain barrier fixed by honesty, principle and

the deepest convictions which nothing would induce her to cross.

Exactly twenty minutes after Razumihin's departure, there came

two subdued but hurried knocks at the door: he had come back.

"I won't come in, I haven't time," he hastened to say when the

door was opened. "He sleeps like a top, soundly, quietly, and God

grant he may sleep ten hours. Nastasya's with him; I told her not

to leave till I came. Now I am fetching Zossimov, he will report

to you and then you'd better turn in; I can see you are too tired

to do anything...."

And he ran off down the corridor.

"What a very competent and... devoted young man!" cried Pulcheria

Alexandrovna exceedingly delighted.