The Possessed (The Devils) by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Page 1 of 423
Produced by David Moynihan, and David Widger
THE POSSESSED (The Devils)
A Novel In Three Parts
By Fyodor Dostoevsky
Translated From The Russian By Constance Garnett
CONTENTS:
* PART I * CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY * CHAPTER II. PRINCE HARRY. MATCHMAKING. * CHAPTER III. THE SINS OF OTHERS * CHAPTER IV. THE CRIPPLE * CHAPTER V. THE SUBTLE SERPENT
* PART II * CHAPTER I. NIGHT * CHAPTER II. NIGHT (continued) * CHAPTER III. THE DUEL * CHAPTER IV. ALL IN EXPECTATION * CHAPTER V. ON THE EVE OF THE FETE * CHAPTER VI. PYOTR STEPANOVITCH IS BUSY * CHAPTER VII. A MEETING * CHAPTER VIII. IVAN THE TSAREVITCH * CHAPTER IX. A RAID AT STEFAN TROFIMOVITCH'S * CHAPTER X. FILIBUSTERS. A FATAL MORNING
* PART III * CHAPTER I. THE FETE--FIRST PART * CHAPTER II. THE END OF THE FETE * CHAPTER III. A ROMANCE ENDED * CHAPTER IV. THE LAST RESOLUTION * CHAPTER V. A WANDERER * CHAPTER VI. A BUSY NIGHT * CHAPTER VII. STEPAN TROFIMOVITCH'S LAST WANDERING * CHAPTER VIII. CONCLUSION
1916
"Strike me dead, the track has vanished, Well, what now? We've lost the way, Demons have bewitched our horses, Led us in the wilds astray.
"What a number! Whither drift they? What's the mournful dirge they sing? Do they hail a witch's marriage Or a goblin's burying?"
A. Pushkin.
"And there was one herd of many swine feeding on this mountain; and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.
"Then went the devils out of the man and entered into the swine; and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake and were choked.
"When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.
"Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid."
Luke, ch. viii. 32-37.
PART I
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY
SOME DETAILS OF THE BIOGRAPHY OF THAT HIGHLY RESPECTED GENTLEMAN STEFAN TEOFIMOVITCH VERHOVENSKY.
IN UNDERTAKING to describe the recent and strange incidents in our town, till lately wrapped in uneventful obscurity, I find' myself forced in absence of literary skill to begin my story rather far back, that is to say, with certain biographical details concerning that talented and highly-esteemed gentleman, Stepan Trofimovitch Verhovensky. I trust that these details may at least serve as an introduction, while my projected story itself will come later.
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: The Possessed (The Devils) by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
- 2: To a vortex of combined circumstances
- 3: Last year I proposed to Stepan Trofimovitch to publish it
- 4: Classic friendship of Varvara Petrovna
- 5: Who has shattered my energies and turned them to whist
- 6: That Varvara Petrovna never would have sent such a letter
- 7: Varvara Petrovna prized such visits highly
- 8: Stepan Trofimovitch hesitated more and more
- 9: Or even more like the portrait of the poet Kukolnik
- 10: Stepan Trofimovitch became more condescending than ever
- 11: At first Stepan Trofimovitch was a success
- 12: Though they visited Varvara Petrovna
- 13: As for Stepan Trofimovitch's son
- 14: Even in le pays de Makar et de ses veaux
- 15: Who had also been brought up by Varvara Petrovna
- 16: Who had something in common with Shatov
- 17: Stepan Trofimovitch treated him very kindly
- 18: Stepan Trofimovitch sometimes talked of art
- 19: Stepan Trofimovitch laughed a great deal
- 20: But at this point Shatov interposed
- 21: Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch Stavrogin
- 22: To do Stepan Trofimovitch justice
- 23: This time Varvara Petrovna did not cry out
- 24: But Varvara Petrovna who governed the province
- 25: Suddenly went up to Pyotr Pavlovitch
- 26: Varvara Petrovna was dreadfully overwhelmed
- 27: Agafya caught him up still more briskly
- 28: Alyosha and the colonel had not yet grasped the situation
- 29: And sent a testimonial to my wit through Agafya
- 30: Leaving Dasha with the Drozdovs
- 31: While Varvara Petrovna was still away
- 32: Von Lembke is making a tour of the province now
- 33: But now she's hooked her Von Lembke
- 34: A relation of Madame von Lembke
- 35: Stepan Trofimovitch Protested timidly
- 36: Praskovya Ivanovna said in conclusion
- 37: Praskovya was in too much haste to apologise
- 38: Dasha looked at her still more inquiringly
- 39: Dasha nodded her head affirmatively
- 40: VIIIt was true that she would never have let Dasha suffer
- 41: In reality he first discovered Dasha
- 42: Nastasya whined in a voice of plaintive exasperation
- 43: Varvara Petrovna hissed malignantly
- 44: Stepan Trofimovitch was overwhelmed
- 45: Of course Stepan Trofimovitch consented
- 46: Stepan Trofimovitch was surprised
- 47: He would sometimes say to me about Varvara Petrovna
- 48: Especially when he was very angry at something
- 49: But Stepan Trofimovitch was not to be shaken
- 50: I knew that this might be done through Stepan Trofimovitch
- 51: Rather like an old fashioned lady's reticule
- 52: And I'm sending you my Teniers
- 53: Stepan Trofimovitch checked himself
- 54: A long while since I've seen Petrusha
- 55: Stepan Trofimovitch observed impressively
- 56: And with a good natured air went up to Stepan Trofimovitch
- 57: Alexey Nilitch turned again instantly
- 58: Looking warily at Stepan Trofimovitch from his chair
- 59: Alexey Nilitch suddenly grew thoughtful
- 60: And after I had spoken to Alexey Nilitch
- 61: Varvara Petrovna went straight to the point yesterday
- 62: I wanted to give Varvara Petrovna my version
- 63: Why do you look at Mavriky Nikolaevitch like that
- 64: Escorted by her Mavriky Nikolaevitch
- 65: Mavriky Nikolaevitch knows everything
- 66: VIIII did not find Shatov at home
- 67: A little tea pot full of strong tea
- 68: What is it restrains people from suicide
- 69: And that's where the deception comes in
- 70: He'll tell Lizaveta Nikolaevna to morrow
- 71: Why is it that Praskovya is so anxious Nicolas should be mad
- 72: Praskovya didn't advise me though
- 73: As for the scandal about Darya Pavlovna
- 74: Shatov stopped awkwardly in the doorway
- 75: She disdainfully indicated Shatov
- 76: Shatov listened with attention
- 77: A selection of facts with a special tendency
- 78: I too followed Mavriky Nikolaevitch to the table
- 79: Shatov muttered with apparent reluctance
- 80: Mavriky Nikolaevitch observed aloud
- 81: For Mavriky Nikolaevitch has refused
- 82: I had tea yesterday with that Alexey Nilitch
- 83: But now I've become a flunkey myself
- 84: That is when Shatov was in America
- 85: They had not even a samovar as Shatov told me
- 86: To my surprise Shatov spoke aloud
- 87: I said the same thing to Mother Praskovya
- 88: And what I wept for most was my baby
- 89: Shatov muttered in an undertone
- 90: Shatov at once drew near the door inquisitively
- 91: Shatov waved aside the question
- 92: Varvara Petrovna was pleased to drive to the cathedral alone
- 93: Such droshkys are still to be seen in our town
- 94: That though Varvara Petrovna had become
- 95: Varvara Petrovna observed suddenly
- 96: Yulia Mihailovna gave a charming smile
- 97: Shatov did not lift up his head
- 98: And suddenly Praskovya Ivanovna
- 99: Varvara Petrovna was wounded of course
- 100: Praskovya Ivanovna waved her hands
- 101: But the most alarmed of all was Praskovya Ivanovna herself
- 102: Though she only looked at Dasha
- 103: Announced Praskovya Ivanovna disdainfully
- 104: Mavriky Nikolaevitch bowed and went out
- 105: Varvara Petrovna checked him again
- 106: But poor is the dwelling of Marya Anonyma
- 107: Varvara Petrovna looked searchingly at him
- 108: Lived a cockroach in the world Such was his condition
- 109: ' As for Nikifor he typifies nature
- 110: He was standing before Varvara Petrovna in a trice
- 111: Here's Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch
- 112: Without haste went towards Marya Timofyevna
- 113: He appealed to Praskovya Ivanovna
- 114: ' a life to which Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch had taken
- 115: And said to Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch
- 116: Pyotr Stepanovitch said hastily
- 117: Pyotr Stepanovitch muttered jerkily
- 118: Lebyadkin's hesitation seemed to annoy Pyotr Stepanovitch
- 119: You know yourself Pyotr Stepanovitch
- 120: That Pyotr Stepanovitch is the universal peacemaker
- 121: You've seen Mavriky Nikolaevitch of course
- 122: Pyotr Stepanovitch whispered to me
- 123: He turned quickly to Stepan Trofimovitch
- 124: Varvara Petrovna answered spitefully
- 125: Stepan Trofimovitch observed quite quietly
- 126: And suddenly Shatov swung his long
- 127: I have been studying Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch of late
- 128: Shatov was the first to drop his eyes
- 129: And a son of the late Pavel Pavlovitch Gaganov
- 130: Pyotr Stepanovitch met with a warm welcome
- 131: IIPyotr Stepanovitch ran round to see his father twice
- 132: That Bazarov of his is a fictitious figure
- 133: Ils sont tout simplement des paresseux
- 134: Pyotr Stepanovitch said hurriedly
- 135: Pyotr Stepanovitch flared up at once
- 136: Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch was obstinately silent
- 137: Pyotr Stepanovitch caught him up
- 138: Pyotr Stepanovitch looked quickly at him
- 139: I meant to amuse you with stories of the Lembkes
- 140: Queried Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch
- 141: Pyotr Stepanovitch blurted out suddenly
- 142: Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch was still calm
- 143: Alexey Yegoryvitch walked along as he was
- 144: Shatov was peering out for some time
- 145: Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch began to explain
- 146: Stavrogin asked after a moment's silence
- 147: I bought it in Hamburg to throw it and catch it
- 148: Stavrogin frowned and watched him disdainfully
- 149: Shatov did not come out himself
- 150: Shatov seemed to be quivering all over
- 151: Has given them information about you
- 152: Who understands nothing in Russia
- 153: Shatov interposed disconnectedly
- 154: Shatov waved his hand disdainfully
- 155: ' that 'an atheist at once ceases to be a Russian'
- 156: Still gazing menacingly at Stavrogin
- 157: And in your ardour have transformed them unconsciously
- 158: Rome deified the people in the State
- 159: Stavrogin interrupted suddenly
- 160: Stavrogin brought out almost with anguish
- 161: But Stavrogin was not laughing
- 162: Pyotr Stepanovitch is one thing
- 163: Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch walked on to his destination
- 164: Responded Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch
- 165: Marya Timofyevna doesn't trouble herself
- 166: Imagine Pyotr Stepanovitch saying anything like that
- 167: Said Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch sternly
- 168: Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch informed him that in a few days
- 169: Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch heard it all with curiosity
- 170: But how about Marya Timofyevna
- 171: In which Marya Timofyevna never sat
- 172: Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch sat down and waited
- 173: Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch did not speak
- 174: Turning upon Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch
- 175: Snarled Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch
- 176: Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch asked suddenly
- 177: Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch laughed aloud
- 178: As he told Mavriky Nikolaevitch
- 179: His meeting in Petersburg with Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch
- 180: Addressing Mavriky Nikolaevitch
- 181: But Stavrogin forgot his former politeness
- 182: Stavrogin had a very preoccupied face
- 183: And Darya Pavlovna appeared in the doorway
- 184: But you're fully convinced that it was an hallucination
- 185: Accompanied by Lizaveta Nikolaevna
- 186: Was the wealthiest landowner in the province
- 187: As for a lame woman who had been talked of
- 188: Yulia Mihailovna was flattered
- 189: She said to Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch and Pyotr Stepanovitch
- 190: Pyotr Stepanovitch looked at him with a strange
- 191: Stepan Trofimovitch was absolutely staggered
- 192: Stepan Trofimovitch wailed in anguish
- 193: Andrey Antonovitch von Lembke belonged to that race
- 194: Lembke was cordial to his old schoolfellow
- 195: Von Lembke was a very modest man
- 196: Von Lembke unmistakably began to brood
- 197: Lembke was greatly put out at being so crudely caught
- 198: I'll supply activite devorante
- 199: Yulia Mihailovna flew into a rage
- 200: People blamed Yulia Mihailovna
- 201: And again had a lively scene with Yulia Mihailovna
- 202: But Mein lieber Augustin holds his ground firmly
- 203: And squeezed their way up to the ikon
- 204: No one of the party had seen Semyon Yakovlevitch before
- 205: Entrusted him with the four hundred roubles
- 206: We learnt at once that Semyon Yakovlevitch was dining
- 207: Said Semyon Yakovlevitch suddenly
- 208: Semyon Yakovlevitch pronounced
- 209: Semyon Yakovlevitch corrected him
- 210: Semyon Yakovlevitch repeated again
- 211: Making three thousand roubles in all
- 212: There certainly is a special almshouse
- 213: So it's come to the new regime already
- 214: And tell them two or three anecdotes in your witty way
- 215: Not only did Lembke sign everything
- 216: She had saved Pyotr Stepanovitch
- 217: But it set Andrey Antonovitch pondering deeply
- 218: Andrey Antonovitch flushed crimson
- 219: Lembke dropped his eyes sternly
- 220: Von Lembke looked at him subtly
- 221: Von Lembke was in some agitation
- 222: But I've come to intercede for Shatov
- 223: Lembke looked intently at Pyotr Stepanovitch
- 224: We know of three already Shatov
- 225: Von Lembke too got up and he too looked pleasant
- 226: Lembke articulated mistrustfully
- 227: Pyotr Stepanovitch rapped out dryly
- 228: Andrey Antonovitch looked with anguish at Blum
- 229: Blum advanced firmly towards him
- 230: When Pyotr Stepanovitch came in
- 231: Pyotr Stepanovitch at once expressed a desire for lunch
- 232: Pyotr Stepanovitch answered calmly
- 233: And what's your opinion of Stavrogin
- 234: Pyotr Stepanovitch said suddenly
- 235: Pyotr Stepanovitch added almost amiably
- 236: And in Petersburg I paid you a hundred and twenty thalers
- 237: And does Shatov know about Pedka
- 238: Pyotr Stepanovitch retorted calmly
- 239: Shatov grinned disdainfully and irritably
- 240: Stavrogin still remained silent
- 241: Chirped gaily Pyotr Stepanovitch
- 242: Pyotr Stepanovitch was startled
- 243: Pyotr Stepanovitch asked quickly
- 244: A free thinking sally from Arina Prohorovna
- 245: Had settled herself beside Arina Prohorovna
- 246: Evidently distressed by his eighteen years
- 247: When Stavrogin and Verhovensky came in
- 248: Madame Virginsky observed to Stavrogin
- 249: Banging the table with his fist and addressing Stavrogin
- 250: I sympathise with your question
- 251: Cried the schoolboy to Madame Virginsky
- 252: Many people looked at the notebook in consternation
- 253: Arina Prohorovna grasped that these were realistic manners
- 254: No one but a buffoon can talk like that
- 255: Details of the social organisation of the future
- 256: He had even spoken openly of the quintet
- 257: He turned to the lame man again
- 258: Shatov shouted to him from the door
- 259: Stavrogin did actually stand up
- 260: Stavrogin got up from his chair
- 261: Stavrogin shrugged his shoulders
- 262: Broke reluctantly from Stavrogin
- 263: Stavrogin muttered with vexation
- 264: Stavrogin stood still and looked intently into his wild eyes
- 265: Stavrogin said with a malicious smile
- 266: Stavrogin went up the steps without answering
- 267: And what do I care for Dmitri Dmitritch
- 268: Nastasya brought a cup of vinegar
- 269: Stepan Trofimovitch said suddenly
- 270: He almost shrieked at Nastasya and
- 271: Elle me soupfonnera toute sa vie
- 272: Il faut etre digne et calme avec Lembke
- 273: Fedka was a different matter he had more success
- 274: And a messenger was sent for Lembke
- 275: You may assume that Yulia Mihailovna later on
- 276: And let slip that he was jealous of Pyotr Stepanovitch
- 277: His soul was hungering for Yulia Mihailovna to look at her
- 278: Andrey Antonovitch said thoughtfully
- 279: I drew Stepan Trofimovitch out of the crowd
- 280: It was certainly thanks to Lembke that we were not beaten
- 281: In the house of Madame Stavrogin
- 282: Even interrupting Yulia Mihailovna
- 283: Stepan Trofimovitch intentionally repeated
- 284: Yulia Mihailovna went on enthusiastically
- 285: Yulia Mihailovna went on ignoring him
- 286: Said Von Lembke to Stepan Trofimovitch
- 287: But Nikolay Stavrogin's answer was even more astounding
- 288: And Yulia Mihailovna by Pyotr Stepanovitch
- 289: And ninety roubles for the governesses
- 290: And that there were not tickets enough
- 291: As though they had been put up to it beforehand
- 292: Lembke himself seemed perfectly well
- 293: Lembke stood still at his chair
- 294: With the permission of the audience I will read it
- 295: You're a governess with a dowry
- 296: Had been recommended to Yulia Mihailovna
- 297: And had sworn to write no more
- 298: But the ochra will cease to grow
- 299: His voice grew shriller and shriller
- 300: And accept with real emotion this wreath prepared beforehand
- 301: Whose turn it was to appear after Stepan Trofimovitch
- 302: Yulia Mihailovna entreats you to
- 303: Grinning with relish at Stepan Trofimovitch
- 304: The maniac shouted with all his might
- 305: I went to Stepan Trofimovitch's
- 306: I am writing to Darya Pavlovna
- 307: Before her stood Pyotr Stepanovitch
- 308: A plot against Yulia Mihailovna
- 309: Yulia Mihailovna cried in intense indignation
- 310: But in spite of tant d'esprit papa has made things worse
- 311: You must appear arm in arm with Andrey Antonovitch
- 312: Why Stavrogin and Lizaveta Nikolaevna
- 313: Shatov listened sullenly and in silence
- 314: And Lyamshin's was taken by Pyotr Stepanovitch himself
- 315: And I suddenly began to guess about Andrey Antonovitch
- 316: And since he is the local chemist
- 317: At this point Pyotr Stepanovitch
- 318: Lembke flew into a rage and shook with fury
- 319: Lembke looked round quickly at the shout and turned pale
- 320: And her first utterance was about Andrey Antonovitch again
- 321: Of the riverside district was burnt down
- 322: Lembke rushed to her assistance
- 323: But Marya Timofeyevna's box had not been touched
- 324: Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch sat beside her and softly
- 325: Christopher Ivanovitch at Lausanne
- 326: There is nothing in it to fret your vanity
- 327: What have you done to yourself
- 328: Stavrogin closed the door after him and stood expectant
- 329: That Fedka did not find the money
- 330: He is sitting by the garden fence
- 331: Take her to Mavriky Nikolaevitch now
- 332: He flew at Stavrogin in an absolute fury
- 333: Stavrogin looked at him gravely
- 334: It came from Mavriky Nikolaevitch
- 335: Mavriky Nikolaevitch pronounced firmly
- 336: Drawing Mavriky Nikolaevitch after her again
- 337: Had already heard a good deal of Stavrogin
- 338: It was decided to hear Pyotr Stepanovitch
- 339: Stavrogin committed the murder himself
- 340: Pyotr Stepanovitch persisted stubbornly
- 341: Pyotr Stepanovitch cried furiously
- 342: Pyotr Stepanovitch snapped out
- 343: How could he give up Stavrogin all at once like this
- 344: That he hated Shatov personally
- 345: Said Pyotr Stepanovitch suddenly
- 346: Pyotr Stepanovitch whispered sternly to Liputin
- 347: Observed Pyotr Stepanovitch sourly
- 348: Pyotr Stepanovitch looked at his watch
- 349: But Pyotr Stepanovitch had no time to realise the danger
- 350: Stavrogin is fairly amazed at you
- 351: Which Fedka was supposed to have hidden
- 352: He had for years despised Shatov for his whining idiocy
- 353: But the driver drove off and Shatov
- 354: Above the medium height taller than Shatov
- 355: Have you got tea and a samovar
- 356: Shatov told her about Kirillov briefly
- 357: Said Shatov in sudden excitement
- 358: Shatov glanced compassionately at the simple youth again
- 359: An angel will grow irritable in illness
- 360: Shatov bit his tongue in despair
- 361: Shatov began muttering something again
- 362: And pushing away Shatov as he bent over her
- 363: The responsibility for the Shatov business
- 364: Shatov heard her voice at the window
- 365: Shatov began furiously knocking and shouting
- 366: He shouted frantically after Shatov
- 367: Shatov will spend scarcely anything
- 368: But when Arina Prohorovna rushed up to take the key from him
- 369: Shatov was sent hither and thither
- 370: To which Shatov accompanied her
- 371: Marie made Shatov have a cutlet too
- 372: He listened to all he said about Shatov
- 373: Pyotr Stepanovitch raised the lantern again
- 374: Pyotr Stepanovitch rapped out impatiently
- 375: I've told you already that Shatov is a Slavophil
- 376: He'll meet them and warn Shatov
- 377: Tolkatchenko and Erkel recovered themselves
- 378: He fell upon Pyotr Stepanovitch
- 379: Pyotr Stepanovitch walked off alone
- 380: Pyotr Stepanovitch was startled
- 381: I won't mention Shatov for anything
- 382: Shatov was meaning to betray us
- 383: Stopping before Pyotr Stepanovitch again
- 384: I guessed it myself if Stavrogin has faith
- 385: Pyotr Stepanovitch did not answer at once
- 386: Pyotr Stepanovitch muttered malignantly
- 387: I'll sign that I killed Shatov even
- 388: That it's true about Fedka too
- 389: Pyotr Stepanovitch had by now lost all faith in the suicide
- 390: Pyotr Stepanovitch got up and went out on tiptoe
- 391: Erkel brought out warily but resolutely
- 392: Erkel had pressed his hand awkwardly
- 393: And Erkel saw nothing more of Pyotr Stepanovitch
- 394: Posting tickets mean an end to ideas
- 395: Cela commence d etre rassurant
- 396: Stepan Trofimovitch was still walking
- 397: Stepan Trofimovitch fell into a doze
- 398: Stepan Trofimovitch tasted them with relish
- 399: And offered them to Stepan Trofimovitch
- 400: Anisim submitted and walked away
- 401: He raised his eyes and saw Anisim again
- 402: You'll see Fyodor Matveyevitch
- 403: Stepan Trofimovitch woke up frequently
- 404: But Stepan Trofimovitch waved his hands
- 405: He exclaimed to Sofya Matveyevna
- 406: Poor Sofya Matveyevna did not sleep all night
- 407: Sofya Matveyevna asked timidly
- 408: And kept pestering Sofya Matveyevna
- 409: She was at once told about Anisim
- 410: She shouted to Dasha Go away for a time
- 411: Stepan Trofimovitch was dumbfoundered
- 412: Why do you keep on with your aimais and aimais
- 413: Varvara Petrovna shouted peremptorily
- 414: Said Varvara Petrovna hurriedly
- 415: Varvara Petrovna burst into tears
- 416: Meantime Arina Prohorovna was in some anxiety too
- 417: The police came to question Marya Ignatyevna
- 418: The murder of Stavrogin's wife
- 419: They lost their heads as Erkel had predicted they would
- 420: That Stavrogin was perhaps a very important personage
- 421: Liputin was arrested in Petersburg
- 422: To be given secretly to Darya Pavlovna
- 423: Dasha looked at her inquiringly