Well, look here, Gania. I wish to look into your heart once more, for the last time. Youve worried me for the last three months now its my turn. Do you see this packet? It contains a hundred thousand roubles. Now, Im going to throw it into the fire, here before all these witnesses. As soon as the fire catches hold of it, you put your hands into the fire and pick it out without gloves, you know. You must have bare hands, and you must turn your sleeves up. Pull it out, I say, and its all yours. You may burn your fingers a little, of course; but then its a hundred thousand roubles, remember it wont take you long to lay hold of it and snatch it out. I shall so much admire you if you put your hands into the fire for my money. All here present may be witnesses that the whole packet of money is yours if you get it out. If you dont get it out, it shall burn. I will let no one else come; away get away, all of you its my money! Rogojin has bought me with it. Is it my money, Rogojin?
Yes, my queen; its your own money, my joy.
Get away then, all of you. I shall do as I like with my own dont meddle! Ferdishenko, make up the fire, quick!
Nastasia Philipovna, I cant; my hands wont obey me, said Ferdishenko, astounded and helpless with bewilderment.
Nonsense, cried Nastasia Philipovna, seizing the poker and raking a couple of logs together. No sooner did a tongue of flame burst out than she threw the packet of notes upon it.
Everyone gasped; some even crossed themselves.
Shes mad shes mad! was the cry.
Oughtnt-oughtnt we to secure her? asked the general of Ptitsin, in a whisper; or shall we send for the authorities? Why, shes mad, isnt she isnt she, eh?
N-no, I hardly think she is actually mad, whispered Ptitsin, who was as white as his handkerchief, and trembling like a leaf. He could not take his eyes off the smouldering packet.
Shes mad surely, isnt she? the general appealed to Totski.
I told you she wasnt an ordinary woman, replied the latter, who was as pale as anyone.
Oh, but, positively, you know a hundred thousand roubles! Goodness gracious! good heavens! came from all quarters of the room.
All now crowded round the fire and thronged to see what was going on; everyone lamented and gave vent to exclamations of horror and woe. Some jumped up on chairs in order to get a better view. Daria Alexeyevna ran into the next room and whispered excitedly to Katia and Pasha. The beautiful German disappeared altogether.
My lady! my sovereign! lamented Lebedeff, falling on his knees before Nastasia Philipovna, and stretching out his hands towards the fire; its a hundred thousand roubles, it is indeed, I packed it up myself, I saw the money! My queen, let me get into the fire after it say the word-Ill put my whole grey head into the fire for it! I have a poor lame wife and thirteen children. My father died of starvation last week. Nastasia Philipovna, Nastasia Philipovna! The wretched little man wept, and groaned, and crawled towards the fire.
Away, out of the way! cried Nastasia. Make room, all of you! Gania, what are you standing there for? Dont stand on ceremony. Put in your hand! Theres your whole happiness smouldering away, look! Quick!
But Gania had borne too much that day, and especially this evening, and he was not prepared for this last, quite unexpected trial.
The crowd parted on each side of him and he was left face to face with Nastasia Philipovna, three paces from her. She stood by the fire and waited, with her intent gaze fixed upon him.
Gania stood before her, in his evening clothes, holding his white gloves and hat in his hand, speechless and motionless, with arms folded and eyes fixed on the fire.
A silly, meaningless smile played on his white, death-like lips. He could not take his eyes off the smouldering packet; but it appeared that something new had come to birth in his soul as though he were vowing to himself that he would bear this trial. He did not move from his place. In a few seconds it became evident to all that he did not intend to rescue the money.
Hey! look at it, itll burn in another minute or two! cried Nastasia Philipovna. Youll hang yourself afterwards, you know, if it does! Im not joking.
The fire, choked between a couple of smouldering pieces of wood, had died down for the first few moments after the packet was thrown upon it. But a little tongue of fire now began to lick the paper from below, and soon, gathering courage, mounted the sides of the parcel, and crept around it. In another moment, the whole of it burst into flames, and the exclamations of woe and horror were redoubled.
Nastasia Philipovna! lamented Lebedeff again, straining towards the fireplace; but Rogojin dragged him away, and pushed him to the rear once more.
The whole of Regojins being was concentrated in one rapturous gaze of ecstasy. He could not take his eyes off Nastasia. He stood drinking her in, as it were. He was in the seventh heaven of delight.
Oh, what a queen she is! he ejaculated, every other minute, throwing out the remark for anyone who liked to catch it. Thats the sort of woman for me! Which of you would think of doing a thing like that, you blackguards, eh? he yelled. He was hopelessly and wildly beside himself with ecstasy.