Free eBooks at Planet eBook.com 1

Chapter 5

The Confession of

a Passionate Heart

— ‘Heels Up”

‘N

OW,’ said Alyosha, ‘I understand the first half.’

‘You understand the first half. That half is a drama,

and it was played out there. The second half is a tragedy, and

it is being acted here.’

‘And I understand nothing of that second half so far,’ said

Alyosha.

‘And I? Do you suppose I understand it?’

‘Stop, Dmitri. There’s one important question. Tell me,

you were betrothed, betrothed still?’

‘We weren’t betrothed at once, not for three months after

that adventure. The next day I told myself that the incident

was closed, concluded, that there would be no sequel. It

seemed to me caddish to make her an offer. On her side she

gave no sign of life for the six weeks that she remained in

the town; except, indeed, for one action. The day after her

visit the maid-servant slipped round with an envelope ad-