“Sofya Semyonovna will not be back till night, at least I believe not. She was to have been back at once, but if not, then she will not be in till quite late.”

“Ah, then you are lying! I see... you were lying... lying all the time... I don’t believe you! I don’t believe you!” cried Dounia, completely losing her head.

Almost fainting, she sank on to a chair which Svidriga�lov made haste to give her.

“Avdotya Romanovna, what is it? Control yourself! Here is some water. Drink a little...”

He sprinkled some water over her. Dounia shuddered and came to herself.

“It has acted violently,” Svidriga�lov muttered to himself, frowning.