XLIV + 

Natasha rereads the telegram. A sudden terror, strangely akin to shame, for a moment strikes at her heart. She can hear the heavy beat of blood in her temples. She is, as it were, being strangled from all sides; she can hardly breathe; the walls seem to have come together, oppressing her on all sides; and the rapid, pale, pencilled strokes seem also to have run together into one jumble on the grey paper. + 

Certain thoughts, one after the other, slowly make way into Natasha’s dimmed consciousness⁠—oppressive, evil, pitiless thoughts. + 

Stupefied, she wonders how she shall tell her mother. She observes that her hands tremble. She recalls the telephone number of the Lareyevs, where her mother undoubtedly is. + 

Then terror seizes her anew; she shivers violently from head to foot as with ague. Her mind is a whirl of confusion. + 

“No, it is a mistake! It cannot be. It is a cruel, senseless mistake! It is someone’s stupid, cruel joke.” + 

Boris, our beloved boy, with his fine honest eyes⁠—think of him hanging! There will be a rattle in his throat, as strangling, he will swing in the noose. With sharp, clutching pain, the gentle, childish neck will tighten; the sunburnt face will grow purple; the swollen tongue will creep out all in froth, and the widely dilated eyes will reflect the terror of cruel death. + 

No, no, it cannot be! It is a mistake! But who can be malicious enough to make such a mistake? + 

And then where is Boris? + 

Her cold reasoning says that it is so, that no mistake has been made. The words are clear, the address is correct⁠—yes, yes! It was really to be expected. Here it is, this lavishness of life which he dreamt of, which they both dreamt of. “I love all immoderation. To be lavish⁠—only then we may reach our goal!” + 

Her legs tremble. She feels herself terribly weak. She sits down on the sofa. + 

Oh God, what’s to be done? How is she to tell her mother this terrible thing? + 

Or should she conceal it? And do everything that could be done by herself? But no, she could do ridiculously little herself! + 

It is necessary to tell. It must be done quickly. She must not lose an instant. Perhaps it is still possible to save Boris, by going, by petitioning. + 

Why is she sitting still then? It is necessary to act at once. + 

Natasha seizes the telephone. What a long time the operator takes to answer. + 

At last she is connected. She can hear sounds of music and the hum of voices. + 

A cheerful, familiar voice asks: + 

“Who’s there?” + 

“It is Natasha Ozoreva.” + 

“Good evening, Natasha,” says Marusya Lareyeva loudly. “What a pity you did not come. We are having a fine time.” + 

“Good evening, dear Marusya. Is mamma with you?” + 

“Yes, she is here. Shall I call her?” + 

“No, no, for God’s sake. Let someone break it to her.⁠ ⁠…” + 

“Has anything happened?” + 

“Marusya, a terrible misfortune. Our Boris has been arrested.” + 

“My God! For what?” + 

“I don’t know. He’ll have a military trial. I feel desperate. It’s so terrible. For God’s sake, don’t frighten mother too much. Tell her to come home at once, please.” + 

“Oh, my God, how awful!” + 

“Oh, Marusya, dearest, for God’s sake, be quick.” + 

“I’ll tell my mother at once. Wait at the telephone, Natasha.” + 

Natasha holds the receiver to her ear and waits. She hears the noise of footsteps. Someone has begun to sing. + 

Then again the same voice, extremely agitated: + 

“Natasha, do you hear? Your mother wants to speak to you herself.” + 

Natasha trembles with fright. Good God, what shall she tell her mother! She inquires: + 

“What? Is she coming herself to the telephone?” she asks. + 

“Yes, yes. Your mother is here now.” + 