ThefirstofthesethingswasatthehouseofMadameHohlakov, : herfoothadforsomereasonswollenup, andthoughshewasnotinbed, shelayalldayhalf-recliningonthecouchinherboudoir, inafascinatingbutdecorousdéshabillé.Alyoshahadoncenotedwithinnocentamusementthat, inspiteofherillness, MadameHohlakovhadbeguntoberatherdressy—top-knots, ribbons, loosewrappers, hadmadetheirappearance, andhehadaninklingofthereason, , Perhotin, hadbecomearegularvisitoratthehouse.

AlyoshahadnotcalledforfourdaysandhewasinhastetogostraighttoLise, asitwaswithherhehadtospeak, forLisehadsentamaidtohimthepreviousday, speciallyaskinghimtocometoher "aboutsomethingveryimportant," arequestwhich, forcertainreasons, , MadameHohlakovheardofhisarrivalfromsomeone, andimmediatelysenttobeghimtocometoher "justforoneminute." Alyoshareflectedthatitwasbettertoaccedetothemamma'srequest, orelseshewouldbesendingdowntoLise'.