1 The Brothers Karamazov
lowed the case more closely in the papers my idea was more
and more confirmed, and I suddenly received from the
prisoner’s relatives a request to undertake his defence. I at
once hurried here, and here I became completely convinced.
It was to break down this terrible chain of facts, and to show
that each piece of evidence taken separately was unproved
and fantastic, that I undertook the case.’
So Fetyukovitch began.
‘Gentlemen of the jury,’ he suddenly protested, ‘I am new
to this district. I have no preconceived ideas. The prisoner,
a man of turbulent and unbridled temper, has not insult-
ed me. But he has insulted perhaps hundreds of persons in
this town, and so prejudiced many people against him be-
forehand. Of course I recognise that the moral sentiment of
local society is justly excited against him. The prisoner is of
turbulent and violent temper. Yet he was received in soci-
ety here; he was even welcome in the family of my talented
friend, the prosecutor.’
(N.B. At these words there were two or three laughs in
the audience, quickly suppressed, but noticed by all. All
of us knew that the prosecutor received Mitya against his
will, solely because he had somehow interested his wife — a
lady of the highest virtue and moral worth, but fanciful, ca-
pricious, and fond of opposing her husband, especially in
trifles. Mitya’s visits, however, had not been frequent.)
‘Nevertheless I venture to suggest,’ Fetyukovitch con-
tinued, ‘that in spite of his independent mind and just
character, my opponent may have formed a mistaken preju-
dice against my unfortunate client. Oh, that is so natural;