Rogojin asked his question like a lost soul appealing to some divinity, with the reckless daring of one appointed to die, who has nothing to lose.
He awaited the reply in deadly anxiety.
Nastasia Philipovna gazed at him with a haughty, ironical. expression of face; but when she glanced at Nina Alexandrovna and Varia, and from them to Gania, she changed her tone, all of a sudden.
Certainly not; what are you thinking of? What could have induced you to ask such a question? she replied, quietly and seriously, and even, apparently, with some astonishment.
No? No? shouted Rogojin, almost out of his mind with joy. You are not going to, after all? And they told me oh, Nastasia Philipovna they said you had promised to marry him, HIM! As if you COULD do it! him pooh! I dont mind saying it to everyone Id buy him off for a hundred roubles, any day pfu! Give him a thousand, or three if he likes, poor devil and hed cut and run the day before his wedding, and leave his bride to me! Wouldnt you, Gania, you blackguard? Youd take three thousand, wouldnt you? Heres the money! Look, Ive come on purpose to pay you off and get your receipt, formally. I said Id buy you up, and so I will.
Get out of this, you drunken beast! cried Gania, who was red and white by turns.
Rogojins troop, who were only waiting for an excuse, set up a howl at this. Lebedeff stepped forward and whispered something in Parfens ear.
Youre right, clerk, said the latter, youre right, tipsy spirit youre right! Nastasia Philipovna, he added, looking at her like some lunatic, harmless generally, but suddenly wound up to a pitch of audacity, here are eighteen thousand roubles, and and you shall have more . Here he threw a packet of bank- notes tied up in white paper, on the table before her, not daring to say all he wished to say.
No-no-no! muttered Lebedeff, clutching at his arm. He was clearly aghast at the largeness of the sum, and thought a far smaller amount should have been tried first.
No, you fool you dont know whom you are dealing with and it appears I am a fool, too! said Parfen, trembling beneath the flashing glance of Nastasia. Oh, curse it all! What a fool I was to listen to you! he added, with profound melancholy.
Nastasia Philipovna, observing his woe-begone expression, suddenly burst out laughing.
Eighteen thousand roubles, for me? Why, you declare yourself a fool at once, she said, with impudent familiarity, as she rose from the sofa and prepared to go. Gania watched the whole scene with a sinking of the heart.
Forty thousand, then forty thousand roubles instead of eighteen! Ptitsin and another have promised to find me forty thousand roubles by seven oclock tonight. Forty thousand roubles paid down on the nail!
The scene was growing more and more disgraceful; but Nastasia Philipovna continued 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. Varias 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. Youre drunk the police will be sent for if you dont look out. Think where you are.
Yes, hes 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! Ill show that Im in earnest! cried Rogojin, working himself up into a frenzy of excitement.
Come, come; whats 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! whats this now? laughed Rogojin. You come along with me, old fellow! You shall have as much to drink as you like.
Oh, its 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.
Thats me, I suppose. Im 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 sisters 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.