Marfa Petrovna at first approved, but afterwards she was afraid of my over-studying.”

“You seem to be missing Marfa Petrovna very much?”

“Missing her? Perhaps. Really, perhaps I am. And, by the way, do you believe in ghosts?”

“What ghosts?”

“Why, ordinary ghosts.”

“Do you believe in them?”

“Perhaps not, pour vous plaire... I wouldn’t say no exactly.”

“Do you see them, then?”

Svidriga�lov looked at him rather oddly.

“Marfa Petrovna is pleased to visit me,”