Halfway down the staircase he was overtaken by the priest on his way home; Raskolnikov let him pass, exchanging a silent greeting with him.

He was just descending the last steps when he heard rapid footsteps behind him.

Someone overtook him; it was Polenka.

She was running after him, calling "Wait! wait!" He turned round.

She was at the bottom of the staircase and stopped short a step above him.