Book VIII Mitya

Dmitri Karamazov, unaware of Grushenka’s sudden departure to Mokroe, spends two feverish days racing about, obsessed with winning her and ending his standoff with his father, Fyodor Pavlovich. He craves a virtuous new life with Grushenka but insists on funding their flight himself, tormented by guilt over Katerina Ivanovna’s 3,000 roubles.

Resolving he must first repay Katerina to avoid being a scoundrel, Dmitri fixates on finding money instantly. In reckless hope, he decides to solicit Kuzma Samsonov, Grushenka’s aged former patron, believing the old merchant might support a respectable marriage for her and advance him funds against his disputed inheritance claim.

Dmitri calls on Samsonov and, in a frantic, muddled pitch, offers to assign his legal claims concerning the Tchermashnya property in exchange for 3,000 roubles that very day. Samsonov, impassive, declines “such business,” but then suggests Dmitri approach Lyagavy, a peasant timber dealer currently haggling with Fyodor Pavlovich over the same copse, implying Dmitri could preempt his father.

Seizing on the idea, Dmitri leaves exhilarated, convinced a savvy merchant would not mislead him. After he goes, the narrator discloses Samsonov’s spite: he had only mocked Dmitri, ordered him barred henceforth, and worked himself into such rage that his health worsened. Dmitri, however, rushes toward the new lead, unaware he is being sent on a fool’s errand as his crisis deepens.