democrat in spite of your being a revolutionist!"

"Why not say straight out that I'm an aristocrat?"

"So you are up to a certain point."

Nejdanov gave a forced laugh.

"I see you are hinting at the fact of my being illegitimate. You
can save yourself the trouble, my dear boy. I am not likely to
forget it."

Paklin threw up his arms in despair.

"Aliosha! What is the matter with you? How can you twist my words
so? I hardly know you today."

Nejdanov shrugged his shoulders.

"Basanov's arrest has upset you, but he was so careless--"

He did not hide his convictions," Mashurina put in gloomily. "It
is not for us to sit in judgment upon him!"

"Quite so; only he might have had a little more consideration for
others, who are likely to be compromised through him now."

"What makes you think so?" Ostrodumov bawled out in his turn.
"Basanov has plenty of character, he will not betray anyone.
Besides, not every one can be cautious you know, Mr. Paklin."