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- 42 CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
for two hundred roubles, but I know she would rather be a
nigger on a plantation or a Lett with a German master, than
degrade her soul, and her moral dignity, by binding herself for
ever to a man whom she does not respect and with whom she
has nothing in common — for her own advantage. And if Mr.
Luzhin had been of unalloyed gold, or one huge diamond, she
would never have consented to become his legal concubine. Why
is she consenting then? What's the point of it? What's the an-
swer? It's clear enough: for herself, for her comfort, to save
her life she would not sell herself, but for some one else she is
doing it! For one she loves, for one she adores, she will sell her-
self! That's what it all amounts to; for her brother, for her
mother, she will sell herself! She will sell everything! In such
cases, we 'overcome our moral feeling if necessary,' freedom,
peace, conscience even, all, all are brought into the market. Let
my life go, if only my dear ones may be happy! More than that,
we become casuists, we learn to be Jesuitical and for a time
maybe we can soothe ourselves, we can persuade ourselves that
it is one's duty for a good object. That's just like us, it's as clear
as daylight. It's clear that Rodion Romanovitch Raskolnikov is
the central figure in the business, and no one else. Oh, yes, she
can ensure his happiness, keep him in the university, make him
a partner in the office, make his whole future secure; perhaps he
may even be a rich man later on, prosperous, respected, and may
even end his life a famous man! But my mother? It's all Rodya,
precious Rodya, her firstborn! For such a son who would not
sacrifice such a daughter! Oh, loving, over-partial hearts! Why,
for his sake we would not shrink even from Sonia's fate. Sonia,
Sonia Marmeladov, the eternal victim so long as the world lasts.
Have you taken the measure of your sacrifice, both of you? Is it
right? Can you bear it? Is it any use? Is there sense in it? And
let me tell you, Dounia, Sonia's life is no worse than life with
Mr. Luzhin. 'There can be no question of love' mother writes. '
And what if there can be no respect either, if on the contrary
there is aversion, contempt, repulsion, what then? So you will
have to 'keep up your appearance,' too. Is not that so? Do you
understand what that smartness means? Do you understand that
the Luzhin smartness is just the same thing as Sonia's and may
be worse, viler, baser, because in your case, Dounia, it's a bar-
gain for luxuries, after all, but with Sonia it's simply a question
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