What chaos and ugliness fills the world at times! What a self-satisfied rascal is that nephew of Lebedeff’s! “But what am I thinking,” continued the prince to himself. “Can he really have committed that crime? Did he kill those six persons? I seem to be confusing things⁠ ⁠… how strange it all is.⁠ ⁠… My head goes round⁠ ⁠… And Lebedeff’s daughter⁠—how sympathetic and charming her face was as she held the child in her arms! What an innocent look and childlike laugh she had! It is curious that I had forgotten her until now. I expect Lebedeff adores her⁠—and I really believe, when I think of it, that as sure as two and two make four, he is fond of that nephew, too!”