FEDYA (suppressing emotion). I've led this sort of life for ten years and you're the first real person to show me sympathy. Of course, I've been pitied by the degraded ones but never before by a sensible, kind man like you. Thanks more than it's possible to say. (He seems to forget his train of thought and suddenly to recall it.) Ah, yes, my ruin. Well, first, drink, not because it tasted well, but because everything I did disappointed me so, made me so ashamed of myself. I feel ashamed now, while I talk to you. Whenever I drank, shame was drowned in the first glass, and sadness. Then music, not opera or Beethoven, but gypsy music; the passion of it poured energy into my body, while those dark bewitching eyes looked into the bottom of my soul. (He sighs.) And the more alluring it all was, the more shame I felt afterwards. [Pause. PRINCE SERGIUS. But what about your career? FEDYA. My career? This seems to be it. Once I was a director of a bank. There was something terribly lacking between what I felt and what I could do. (Abruptly.) But enough, enough of myself. It makes me rather nervous to think about myself. [Rises. PRINCE SERGIUS. What answer am I to take back? FEDYA (very nervous). Oh, tell them I'm quite at their disposal. (Walking up and down) They want to marry, and there mustn't be anything in their way (pause); is that it? (Stops walking very suddenly. Repeats.) There mustn't be anything in their way--is that it? PRINCE SERGIUS (pause. FEDYA sits on table L.). Yes. When do you--when do you think--you'll--you'll have it ready? The evidence? FEDYA (turns and looks at the PRINCE, suppressing a slight, strained smile). Will a fortnight do? PRINCE SERGIUS (rising). Yes, I am sure it will. (Rises and crosses to FEDYA.) May I say that you give them your word? FEDYA (with some impatience). Yes. Yes. (PRINCE offers his hand.) Good-bye, Prince Sergius. And again thanks. [Exit PRINCE SERGIUS, R. I. FEDYA sits down in an attitude of deep thought. Why not? Why not? And it's good not to be ashamed---- [Lights dim and out. CURTAIN SCENE V Private room in a cheap restaurant. FEDYA is shown in by a shabby waiter. WAITER. This way, sir. No one will disturb you here. Here's the writing paper. [Starts to exit. FEDYA (as waiter starts to exit). Bring me a bottle of champagne. WAITER. Yes, sir. [Exits R. C. [FEDYA sits at table L. C., and begins to write. IVAN PETROVICH appearing in the doorway R. C. IVAN PETROVICH. I'll come in, shall I? FEDYA (sitting L. of table L. C. Very serious). If you want to, but I'm awfully busy, and--(seeing he has already entered) Oh, all right, do come in.