near the Five Corners.
l'm glad we met.
l want to introduce you
to Hippolyte,
son of the captain's widow
to whom my father took you.
He's consumptive.
He might be upset, since it
concerns my father and
his mother, a kept woman,
that makes a difference.
So Nastasia Philipovna
invited you to see her?
- l'm afraid not.
- Then how do you intend to go?
And in that costume!
She's giving a soiree.
l'm not sure l'll be allowed.
lf she receives me - good,
if not -the matter's closed.
As for my costume...
Are you going for a reason,
or just as a way of getting
into her society?
No, actually, l...
l've got a reason for going,
but it's hard to explain.
Then it's your business.
The important thing is that
you're not going there just
to be in the company of
cocottes, generals and usurers.
lf that were the case,
l should despise you.
At sunset, on a lovely
summer evening,
my little old lady
passed away.
And at that very moment,
instead of tears and prayers,
she heard a young ensign,
standing arms akimbo,
swear bloody Hell
at her
about a soup bowl.
True, l was to blame!
And l couldn't get rid of
that feeling till 15 years ago
l put a couple of old ladies
in an almshouse and kept
them there at my expense.
That's all.
Maybe, l've committed many
a sin in my day,
but this, l believe, is the
worst action
in my entire life.
lnstead of a bad action
you have told us
about one of your
noblest deeds.
Ferdishenko is 'done'!
Dear me, general,
l never imagined you had
such a kind heart.
l even feel sorry for you.
Sorry?
Prince Muishkin.
Of course, he did this out of
pure innocence.
lt's a little dangerous
to encourage such behavior,
but he may enliven us
a little.
Prince Muishkin must pay
a toll for his entrance!
Sing a popular song.
But, after all, prince Muishkin
is no Ferdishenko.
l'm admitted here because
that's the way l speak.
Could one imagine
Ferdishenko sitting next to you?
lt's inconceivable,
that's why l'm here.
l was sorry l've forgotten
to invite you to come.
And l am delighted
you give me the pleasure
to praise your resolution.
You are altogether perfection.
Even your pallor.
One could not wish you
looked any other way.
Forgive me, l so very much
wished to come see you.
Don't apologize, you'll spoil
the originality of it.
So you think me perfection,
do you?
Yes.
You are wrong there.
l'll remind you of this
tonight.
l didn't expect anything like
that from you.
What's so surprising?
lt's a clear case,
and speaks for itself!
Do sit down, prince.
lt's quite a clear
case.
l've been watching
the prince all day,
from the moment
he first saw
Nastasia Philipovna's
portrait.
l remember thinking
at the time,
what l am now pretty
sure of.
The prince confessed to me
himself.
l did not confess anything,
l just answered your question.
Bravo!
lt's frank, at any rate,
and cunning.
Anyway, let's continue our
game, gentlemen.
lt's Afanasy lvanovich's
turn.
Prince, we are telling stories
of our vilest actions.
Do you have anything to say?
There are far more thieves
in the world than honest people.
And there isn't a person,
who has never stolen anything
at least once.
What do you think?
l think what you say
is true.
But don't exaggerate.
And you, prince, have not
stolen anything?
- Be quiet, Ferdishenko!
- l'm quiet.
And now l give the stage
to Afanasy lvanovich,
who has long prepared
his story.
What simplifies my duty
is the fact
that l have to recall
and relate
the very worst action
of my life.
ln such circumstances,
there can be no doubt:
one's conscience and memory
inform one
what is the proper story.
This happened
about 20 years ago.
At that time, Dumas-son's
beautiful work,
La Dame aux Camellias,
had just come into fashion
in high society.
This alluring world,
examined to the most minute,
most lovely
details,
especially about alternating
white and red camellias.
All the ladies were
in