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terrible thing is music in general。 What is it ？ Why does it do
what it does？ They say that music stirs the soul。 Stupidity！ A
lie！ It acts； it acts frightfully （I speak for myself）； but not
in an ennobling way。 It acts neither in an ennobling nor a
debasing way； but in an irritating way。 How shall I say it？
Music makes me forget my real situation。 It transports me into a
state which is not my own。 Under the influence of music I really
seem to feel what I do not feel； to understand what I do not
understand； to have powers which I cannot have。 Music seems to me
to act like yawning or laughter； I have no desire to sleep； but I
yawn when I see others yawn； with no reason to laugh； I laugh
when I hear others laugh。 And music transports me immediately
into the condition of soul in which he who wrote the music found
himself at that time。 I become confounded with his soul； and
with him I pass from one condition to another。 But why that？ I
know nothing about it？ But he who wrote Beethoven's 'Kreutzer
Sonata' knew well why he found himself in a certain condition。
That condition led him to certain actions； and for that reason to
him had a meaning； but to me none； none whatever。 And that is
why music provokes an excitement which it does not bring to a
conclusion。 For instance； a military march is played； the
soldier passes to the sound of this march； and the music is
finished。 A dance is played； I have finished dancing； and the
music is finished。 A mass is sung； I receive the sacrament； and
again the music is finished。 But any other music provokes an
excitement； and this excitement is not accompanied by the thing
that needs properly to be done； and that is why music is so
dangerous； and sometimes acts so frightfully。
〃In China music is under the control of the State； and that is
the way it ought to be。 Is it admissible that the first comer
should hypnotize one or more persons； and then do with them as he
likes？ And especially that the hypnotizer should be the first
immoral individual who happens to come along？ It is a frightful
power in the hands of any one； no matter whom。 For instance；
should they be allowed to play this 'Kreutzer Sonata；' the first
presto；and there are many like it；in parlors； among ladies
wearing low necked dresses； or in concerts； then finish the
piece； receive the applause； and then begin another piece？ These
things should be played under certain circumstances； only in
cases where it is necessary to incite certain actions
corresponding to the music。 But to incite an energy of feeling
which corresponds to neither the time nor the place； and is
expended in nothing； cannot fail to act dangerously。 On me in
particular this piece acted in a frightful manner。 One would have
said that new sentiments； new virtualities； of which I was
formerly ignorant； had developed in me。 'Ah； yes； that's it！
Not at all as I lived and thought before！ This is the right way
to live！'
〃Thus I spoke to my soul as I listened to that music。 What was
this new thing that I thus learned？ That I did not realize； but
the consciousness of this indefinite state filled me with joy。
In that state there was no room for jealousy。 The same faces；
and among them HE and my wife； I saw in a different light。 This
music transported me into an unknown world； where there was no
room for jealousy。 Jealousy and the feelings that provoke it
seemed to me trivialities； nor worth thinking of。
〃After the presto followed the andante； not very new； with
commonplace variations； and the feeble finale。 Then they played
more； at the request of the guests；first an elegy by Ernst； and
then various other pieces。 They were all very well； but did not
produce upon me a tenth part of the impression that the opening
piece did。 I felt light and gay throughout the evening。 As for
my wife； never had I seen her as she was that night。 Those
brilliant eyes； that severity and majestic expression while she
was playing； and then that utter languor； that weak； pitiable；
and happy smile after she had finished；I saw them all and
attached no importance to them； believing that she felt as I did；
that to her； as to me； new sentiments had been revealed； as
through a fog。 During almost the whole evening I was not
jealous。
〃Two days later I was to start for the assembly of the Zemstvo；
and for that reason； on taking leave of me and carrying all his
scores with him； Troukhatchevsky asked me when I should return。
I inferred from that that he believed it impossible to come to my
house during my absence； and that was agreeable to me。 Now I was
not to return before his departure from the city。 So we bade
each other a definite farewell。 For the first time I shook his
hand with pleasure； and thanked him for the satisfaction that he
had given me。 He likewise took leave of my wife； and their
parting seemed to me very natural and proper。 All went
marvellously。 My wife and I retired； well satisfied with the
evening。 We talked of our impressions in a general way； and we
were nearer together and more friendly than we had been for a
long time。
CHAPTER XXIV。
〃Two days later I started for the assembly； having bid farewell
to my wife in an excellent and tranquil state of mind。 In the
district there was always much to be done。 It was a world and a
life apart。 During two days I spent ten hours at the sessions。
The evening of the second day； on returning to my district
lodgings； I found a letter from my wife； telling me of the
children； of their uncle； of the servants； and； among other
things； as if it were perfectly natural； that Troukhatchevsky had
been at the house； and had brought her the promised scores。 He
had also proposed that they play again； but she had refused。
〃For my part； I did not remember at all that he had promised any
score。 It had seemed to me on Sunday evening that he took a
definite leave； and for this reason the news gave me a
disagreeable surprise。 I read the letter again。 There was
something tender and timid about it。 It produced an extremely
painful impression upon me。 My heart swelled； and the mad beast
of jealousy began to roar in his lair； and seemed to want to leap
upon his prey。 But I was afraid of this beast； and I imposed
silence upon it。
〃What an abominable sentiment is jealousy！ 'What could be more
natural than what she has written？' said I to myself。 I went to
bed； thinking myself tranquil again。 I thought of the business
that remained to be done； and I went to sleep without thinking of
her。
〃During these assemblies of the Zemstvo I always slept badly in
my strange quarters。 That night I went to sleep directly； but；
as sometimes happens； a sort of sudden shock awoke me。 I thought
immediately of her； of my physical love for her； of
Troukhatchevsky； and that between them everything had happened。
And a feeling of rage compressed my heart； and I tried to