Crime and Punishment & Other Great Novels of Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Contents
The Idiot — Part III — Chapter IX
Overview
Lizabetha Prokofievna hauls Prince Myshkin home after finding him with Aglaya, but Aglaya openly confirms their arranged meeting, easing immediate suspicion. Back at Lebedeff’s, a missing 400 roubles sparks accusations: Lebedeff fixates on Ferdishenko, the general flails theatrically, and Keller is cleared. Myshkin insists on discretion, agreeing to help investigate quietly to avoid scandal.
Summary
Exhausted after a sleepless night, Lizabetha Prokofievna drags Prince Myshkin to her house, shaken by finding him with Aglaya in the park. When confronted, Prince Myshkin calmly states they met by prior agreement to discuss Aglaya’s affairs. Aglaya arrives and confirms his account, refusing subterfuge. Lizabetha Prokofievna dismisses the prince courteously but icily, and he departs.
Returning home, Prince Myshkin greets Vera Lebedeff, who pleads for kindness toward Hippolyte. Colia bursts in, praising Hippolyte’s will and “gigantic” thought on Providence, then updates Myshkin on who watched Hippolyte overnight and mentions General Ivolgin’s warning to distrust Ferdishenko.
Lebedeff arrives, unusually solemn, and reports losing 400 roubles, likely during the night. He outlines suspects among those who slept there: himself, General Ivolgin, Keller, and Ferdishenko. He and the general searched Keller and found nothing, clearing him. Ferdishenko’s early departure and false trail to “Wilkin’s” deepen Lebedeff’s suspicion.
As Lebedeff rambles—praising the general’s sentiments, recounting the general’s self-justifying tale, and proposing a pursuit to Petersburg—Prince Myshkin worries about a damaging scandal. Pressed on the source of rumors about Ferdishenko, Myshkin reveals Colia heard the general’s warning at dawn. This coincidence amuses Lebedeff and strengthens his theory.
Myshkin extracts a promise of absolute discretion and agrees to help, provided no public scandal ensues. Lebedeff, effusive and deferential, vows to keep the matter secret and departs, intent on a quiet investigation while restraining the general’s excesses.
Who Appears
- Prince Lev MyshkinCalmly confirms his planned meeting with Aglaya; later counsels discretion in Lebedeff’s theft, agreeing to help quietly.
- Lizabetha Prokofievna EpanchinAlarmed mother who confronts Myshkin; withdraws after Aglaya confirms the arranged meeting.
- Aglaya Ivanovna EpanchinArrives and openly admits scheduling a private talk with Myshkin, defying suspicion.
- Lebedeff (Lukian Timofeyevitch)Reports losing 400 roubles; suspects Ferdishenko; clears Keller; vows secrecy at Myshkin’s urging.
- Colia (Nicolai Ardalionovitch Ivolgin)Discusses Hippolyte’s speech, reports night details, and relays his father’s warning about Ferdishenko.
- General IvolginOverwrought and theatrical; submits to searches, warns against Ferdishenko, and joins Lebedeff’s pursuit.
- KellerSearched while asleep; found innocent, highlighting the focus on other suspects.
- FerdishenkoLeaves early and gives a false address; becomes Lebedeff’s chief suspect in the theft.
- Vera LebedeffAsks Myshkin to be gentle with Hippolyte; notices his happiness.
- Hippolyte TerentyevAsleep and recovering after his failed suicide; subject of Colia’s admiration and Vera’s concern.