he said softly. “What wrong have I done them? Why should I go to them? What should I say to them? That’s only a phantom... They destroy men by millions themselves and look on it as a virtue. They are knaves and scoundrels, Sonia! I am not going to them. And what should I say to them — that I murdered her, but did not dare to take the money and hid it under a stone?” he added with a bitter smile. “Why, they would laugh at me, and would call me a fool for not getting it. A coward and a fool! They wouldn’t understand and they don’t deserve to understand. Why should I go to them? I won’t. Don’t be a child, Sonia...”

“It will be too much for you to bear, too much!” she repeated, holding out her hands in despairing supplication.