She got up and began to speak standing, unconscious of doing so in her excitement. After listening for a time, Prince Valkovsky too, stood up. The whole scene became quite solemn.
"Remember your own words on Tuesday." Natasha began. "You said you wanted money, to follow the beaten track, importance in the world--do you remember?"
"I remember."
"Well, to gain that money, to win all that success which was slipping out of your hands, you came here on Tuesday and made up this match, calculating that this practical joke would help you to capture what was eluding you."
"Natasha!" I cried. "Think what you're saying!"
"Joke! Calculating!" repeated the prince with an air of insulted dignity.
Alyosha sat crushed with grief and gazed scarcely comprehending.
"Yes, yes, don't stop me. I have swo
