Part 1: Chapter 7 Summary

The old woman, mistrustful and defensive, opens her door. Raskolnikov pushes his way in and presents the cigarette case. To hide his fear, he pretends to be angry with her. She has to work to untie the well-wrapped package, giving him a moment to reach for the hatchet. As there is not a moment to lose, Raskolnikov unhesitatingly smashes her head with the ax and strikes her a few more times after she falls. Hands shaking, he takes her key ring, and searches the bedroom. Worried she will come around, he returns to make sure she is dead. Then, he finds another key around her neck, along with two crucifixes (one of copper, one of cyprus wood) and a purse full of money. After much effort, he finds the key to fit a trunk in the bedroom, where he finds expensive...