Under Western Eyes. Joseph Conrad

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      You want to stay here?

      Haldin

      Only for a short time. No great risk in that as no one has seen me come. Go and see Ziemianitch for me.

      Razumov

      What am I to tell him?

      Haldin

      Tell him, “Kolya will meet you half an hour after midnight, at the seventh lamppost counting from the upper end of Kesabelnaya Street.”

      Razumov

      Are you certain you were seen by no one when you came here?

      Haldin

      I’m as sure as I can be. I waited for two hours before coming up.

      Razumov

      Still, you’re a noticeable person— Yes—of course, I will go. You must give me precise instructions, and for the rest—depend on me.

      Haldin (embracing him)

      I knew I could count on you. You’re collected, cool, a regular Englishman. There aren’t many like you. Look here, brother: Men like me leave no posterity—but their souls are not lost. No man’s soul is ever lost. It works for itself, or else where would be the sense of self sacrifice, of martyrdom? Don’t misunderstand, Razumov. What I did today was not murder—it was war. My spirit shall go on warring in some Russian body until all falsehood is swept out of the world. (Razumov remains silent throughout this harangue) Ha, you say nothing—you are a skeptic! I respect your philosophical skepticism—but I don’t touch the soul. The Russian soul has a mission, I tell you—or else why should I have done this like a butcher—I, I—who wouldn’t hurt a fly.

      Razumov

      Not so loud!

      (Haldin bursts into tears.)

      Razumov

      Try to control yourself.

      Haldin

      Yes, men like me have no posterity. I have a sister, though. Not a bad little girl, my sister. She will marry soon, I hope. Look at me: my father was a government official.— A true Russian in his way. But, I am not like him. More like my grandfather—a Decembrist. They shot him in Twenty-Eight. This is war, but God of Justice! It’s weary work.

      Razumov

      You believe in God, Haldin?

      Haldin

      What does it matter? When your day comes, you don’t forget what’s divine in our Russian soul. Respect it! I am speaking to you now like a man with a rope around his neck. Don’t spoil its message to the world!— I am one of the doomed. When the necessity of this heavy work came to me, and I understood it really had to be done—I said “God’s will be done.” That’s all.

      (Haldin stretches out silently on Razumov’s bed.)

      Razumov (after a pause)

      Heldin?

      Haldin

      Yes?

      Razumov

      Hadn’t I better start?

      Haldin

      Yes, brother. The time has come to put your faith to the test.

      Razumov (displaying a key)

      I am going to lock you in.

      Haldin

      Go with God.

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