Nastenka's Story of the Lodger

Nastenka recounts her history with the lodger—how they met, her secret love, and his promise to return after a year.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Nastenka's Beginnings

Nastenka's Beginnings Orphaned and Pinned Nastenka tells the Dreamer about her parents' death and her blind grandmother, who pins her dress to her own to prevent her from running away. She describes her childhood of reading and dreaming. The New Lodger A year ago, a young man moved into their upstairs rooms. He was polite, handsome, and kind. He lent them books by Walter Scott and Pushkin, which Nastenka devoured. A Glimpse of Freedom He invited her and her grandmother to the opera, and Nastenka felt joy for the first time. She began to fall in love with him.

The Secret Proposal

The Secret Proposal A Desperate Visit On the eve of the lodger's departure to Moscow, Nastenka, unable to bear the thought of losing him, goes to his room with a bundle of clothes. She confesses her love and begs him to take her with him. The Lodger's Promise He is moved but explains he is poor and cannot marry yet. He promises that if he returns in a year and is able to support a family, he will marry her. He asks her to wait. A Tearful Agreement Nastenka agrees to wait, and they swear to tell no one. He leaves the next day, and she begins a year of patient hope.

The Year of Waiting

The Year of Waiting A Long Year Nastenka describes the year of waiting: she read his letters, dreamed of their reunion, and grew thin and restless. Her grandmother noticed nothing. The Return Now, the year is up. The lodger has returned to Petersburg three days ago, but he has not contacted her. She is heartbroken and confused. The Dreamer's Role She tells the Dreamer that she has been coming to the embankment every night hoping to see him. The Dreamer offers to help her deliver a letter to the lodger.

second night, after the Dreamer's confession

a year ago, the night before the lodger's departure

the past year, up to the present