If he felt like that, what chance was there of peace? Were there not, on the contrary, new grounds for hatred and hostility in their family? And with which of them was Alyosha to sympathise? And what was he to wish for each of them? He loved them both, but what could he desire for each in the midst of these conflicting interests? He might go quite astray in this maze, and Alyosha's heart could not endure uncertainty, because his love was always of an active character.He was incapable of passive love.If he loved anyone, he set to work at once to help him.And to do so he must know what he was aiming at; he must know for certain what was best for each, and having ascertained this it was natural for him to help them both.But instead of a definite aim, he found nothing but uncertainty and perplexity on all sides."It was lacerating," as was said just now.But what could he understand even in this "laceration"? He did not understand the first word in this perplexing maze.
Seeing Alyosha, Katerina Ivanovna said quickly and joyfully to Ivan, who had already got up to go, "A minute! Stay another minute!
I want to hear the opinion of this person here whom I trust absolutely.Don't go away," she added, addressing Madame Hohlakov.She made Alyosha sit down beside her, and Madame Hohlakov sat opposite, by Ivan.
"You are all my friends here, all I have in the world, dear friends," she warmly, in a voice which quivered with genuine tears of suffering, and Alyosha's heart warmed to her at once."You, Alexey Fyodorovitch, were witness yesterday of that abominable scene, and saw what I did.You did not see it, Ivan Fyodorovitch, he did.What he thought of me yesterday I don't know.I only know one thing, that if it were repeated to-day, this minute, I should express the same feelings again as yesterday- the same feelings, the same words, the same actions.You remember my actions, Alexey Fyodorovitch; you checked me in one of them"...(as she said that, she flushed and her eyes shone)."I must tell you that I can't get over it.Listen, Alexey Fyodorovitch.I don't even know whether I still love him.I feel pity for him, and that is a poor sign of love.If Iloved him, if I still loved him, perhaps I shouldn't be sorry for him now, but should hate him".Her voice quivered and tears glittered on her eyelashes.
Alyosha shuddered inwardly."That girl is truthful and sincere," he thought, "and she does not love Dmitri any more.""That's true, that's true," cried Madame Hohlakov.
"Wait, dear.I haven't told you the chief, the final decision Icame to during the night.I feel that perhaps my decision is a terrible one- for me, but I foresee that nothing will induce me to change it- nothing.It will be so all my life.My dear, kind, ever-faithful and generous adviser, the one friend I have in the world, Ivan Fyodorovitch, with his deep insight into the heart, approves and commends my decision.He knows it.""Yes, I approve of it," Ivan assented, in a subdued but firm voice.
"But I should like Alyosha, too (Ah! Alexey Fyodorovitch, forgive my calling you simply Alyosha), I should like Alexey Fyodorovitch, too, to tell me before my two friends whether I am right.I feel instinctively that you, Alyosha, my dear brother (for are a dear brother to me)," she said again ecstatically, taking his cold hand in her hot one, "I foresee that your decision, your approval, will bring me peace, in spite of all my sufferings, for, after your words, I shall be calm and submit- I feel that.""I don't know what you are asking me," said Alyosha, flushing.
"I only know that I love you and at this moment wish for your happiness more than my own!...But I know nothing about such affairs,"something impelled him to add hurriedly.
"In such affairs, Alexey Fyodorovitch, in such affairs, the chief thing is honour and duty and something higher- I don't know what but higher perhaps even than duty.I am conscious of this irresistible feeling in my heart, and it compels me irresistibly.But it may all be put in two words.I've already decided, even if he marries that-creature," she began solemnly, "whom I never, never can forgive, even then I will not abandon him.Henceforward I will never, never abandon him!" she cried, breaking into a sort of pale, hysterical ecstasy."Not that I would run after him continually, get in his way and worry him.Oh, no! I will go away to another town- where you like-but I will watch over him all my life- I will watch over him all my life unceasingly.When he becomes unhappy with that woman, and that is bound to happen quite soon, let him come to me and he will find a friend, a sister...Only a sister, of course, and so for ever; but he will learn at least that that sister is really his sister, who loves him and has sacrificed all her life to him.I will gain my point.I will insist on his knowing me confiding entirely in me, without reserve," she cried, in a sort of frenzy."I will be a god to whom he can pray- and that, at least, he owes me for his treachery and for what I suffered yesterday through him.And let him see that all my life I will be true to him and the promise I gave him, in spite of his being untrue and betraying me.I will- I will become nothing but a means for his happiness, or- how shall I say?- an instrument, a machine for his happiness, and that for my whole life, my whole life, and that he may see that all his life! That's my decision.Ivan Fyodorovitch fully approves me."She was breathless.She had perhaps intended to express her idea with more dignity, art and naturalness, but her speech was too hurried and crude.It was full of youthful impulsiveness, it betrayed that she was still smarting from yesterday's insult, and that her pride craved satisfaction.She felt this herself.Her face suddenly darkened, an unpleasant look came into her eyes.Alyosha at once saw it and felt a pang of sympathy.His brother Ivan made it worse by adding:
