“Is it so noticeable?”
“Yes.”
There was silence for a moment. Stavrogin had a very preoccupied face. He was almost impressed.
“I didn’t aim because I didn’t want to kill anyone. There was nothing more in it, I assure you,” he said hurriedly, and with agitation, as though justifying himself.
“You ought not to have offended him.”
“What ought I to have done then?”
“You ought to have killed him.”
“Are you sorry I didn’t kill him?”
“I’m not sorry for anything. I thought you really meant to kill him. You don’t know what you’re seeking.”
“I seek a burden,” laughed Stavrogin.