The Idiot — Part IV — Chapter XI

Arriving in St. Petersburg, Prince Myshkin goes to Rogojin’s house but is denied entry by the old servant and misled by the porter. Disturbed by a glimpse of Rogojin behind a blind, he hurries to Nastasia Philipovna’s former lodgings near the Ismailofsky barracks and learns she hasn’t appeared. He shares the failed wedding story, notes her card-playing with Rogojin, pockets a copy of Madame Bovary, and pursues a dead-end lead to a German lady who has quarrelled with Nastasia.

Returning to the hotel, Myshkin is seized by dread that Rogojin will come. Rogojin meets him in the street, has him walk on the opposite side, and stealthily brings him into his shuttered rooms. Speaking in whispers, Rogojin admits he hid from Myshkin that morning and leads him behind a curtain, where Nastasia lies motionless on the bed amid a torn white dress and scattered diamonds.

Back in the dark salon, Myshkin trembles and presses for the truth. Rogojin confesses he stabbed Nastasia at dawn with the same knife, marveling that there was little blood; Myshkin explains it could be a wound to the heart. Rogojin insists they keep silent and spend the night there to prevent discovery, arranging cushions beside the curtain so they can stay near the body.

The men listen for footsteps, lock the door, and speak in broken whispers. Rogojin recounts how Nastasia begged to be hidden and planned flight to Moscow and Orel. He shows Myshkin the pack of cards they played with nightly. Through the oppressive night, Rogojin alternates between brooding silence and feverish laughter; Myshkin, shaking and exhausted, strokes his hair, trying to soothe him.

With morning light, people finally force entry. They find Rogojin delirious with a raging fever and Myshkin sitting dazed, uncomprehending, tending to Rogojin’s outbursts. The scene confirms Rogojin’s crime and shows Myshkin’s collapse into the very “idiocy” of his illness.