on Dounia and mean to carry them out promptly.”

“What, have I dropped words like that?” Svidriga�lov asked in na�ve dismay, taking not the slightest notice of the epithet bestowed on his designs.

“Why, you are dropping them even now. Why are you so frightened? What are you so afraid of now?”

“Me — afraid? Afraid of you? You have rather to be afraid of me, cher ami. But what nonsense... I’ve drunk too much though, I see that. I was almost saying too much again. Damn the wine! Hi! there, water!”

He snatched up the champagne bottle and flung it without ceremony out of the window. Philip brought the water.

“That’s all nonsense!”