Page 151 - the-idiot

IX

ilence immediately fell on the room; all looked at the
Sprince as though they neither understood, nor hoped to
understand. Gania was motionless with horror.
Nastasia’s arrival was a most unexpected and over-
whelming event to all parties. In the first place, she had
never been before. Up to now she had been so haughty that
she had never even asked Gania to introduce her to his par-
ents. Of late she had not so much as mentioned them. Gania
was partly glad of this; but still he had put it to her debit in
the account to be settled after marriage.
He would have borne anything from her rather than this
visit. But one thing seemed to him quite clear-her visit now,
and the present of her portrait on this particular day, point-
ed out plainly enough which way she intended to make her
decision!
The incredulous amazement with which all regarded the
prince did not last long, for Nastasia herself appeared at the
door and passed in, pushing by the prince again.
‘At last I’ve stormed the citadel! Why do you tie up your
bell?’ she said, merrily, as she pressed Gania’s hand, the
latter having rushed up to her as soon as she made her ap-
pearance. ‘What are you looking so upset about? Introduce
me, please!’
The bewildered Gania introduced her first to Varia, and

1 0 The Idiot