Part II, Chapter 5, Before the Fête and Chapter 6, Peter Verkhovensky is Busy Summary

Julia Lembke is planning a Fête for the town. All of the townspeople will be allowed to attend if they first buy a ticket that acts as a subscription to a new literary magazine that Julia Lembke wants to start. The great writer, Karmazinov will be attending and Stepan Verkhovensky will also be giving a lecture. Julia and Mrs. Stavrogin are social rivals and Mrs. Stavrogin would very much like to host the fête. Meanwhile, Peter is busy spreading rumors at the Lembke house that Stavrogin is a government spy. Julia is hosting many of the local youth in her salon and we discover that as the behavior of the youth is degenerating, her favors continue to...