Hush--here he is! Look how excited he seems! Lady and Officer pass on. FÉDYA (approaches Iván Petróvich) Have you brought it? IVÁN PETRÓVICH. Here it is. (Hands Fédya something). FÉDYA (Hides it in his pocket, and wishes to pass out, but sees Petushkóv) Stupid! Vile! Dreary, dreary! Senseless. (Wishes to pass). Enter Counsel Petrúshin; stout, red, and animated. He approaches Fédya. PETRÚSHIN. Well, friend! Our affairs are going well--only don't you go and spoil things for me in your last speech! FÉDYA. I won't speak. What is the use? I shan't do it. PETRÚSHIN. Yes, you must speak. But don't be excited. The whole matter is now in a nutshell! Only tell them what you told me--that if you are being tried, it is only for not having committed suicide: that is, for not doing what is considered a crime both by civil and ecclesiastical law. FÉDYA. I shan't say anything! PETRÚSHIN. Why not? FÉDYA. I don't want to, and shan't. Tell me only, at the worst, what will it be? PETRÚSHIN. I have already told you--at worst, exile to Siberia. FÉDYA. Who will be exiled? PETRÚSHIN. You and your wife. FÉDYA. And at best? PETRÚSHIN. Church penance, and of course annulment of the second marriage. FÉDYA. Then they will again tie me to her--or rather, her to me? PETRÚSHIN. Yes, that must be so. But don't excite yourself, and please say what I told you, and above all, don't say anything superfluous. However (noticing that a circle of listeners has formed round them) I am tired, and will go and sit down; and you'd better take a rest. The chief thing is, not to lose courage! FÉDYA. No other sentence is possible? PETRÚSHIN (going) No other. Enter Attendant.

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