Page 165 - the-idiot

Alexandrovna and Varia he became more or less embar-
rassed, in spite of his excitement. His followers entered
after him, and all paused a moment at sight of the ladies. Of
course their modesty was not fated to be longlived, but for
a moment they were abashed. Once let them begin to shout,
however, and nothing on earth should disconcert them.
‘What, you here too, prince?’ said Rogojin, absently, but
a little surprised all the same ‘ Still in your gaiters, eh?’ He
sighed, and forgot the prince next moment, and his wild
eyes wandered over to Nastasia again, as though attracted
in that direction by some magnetic force.
Nastasia looked at the new arrivals with great curiosity.
Gania recollected himself at last.
‘Excuse me, sirs,’ he said, loudly, ‘but what does all this
mean?’ He glared at the advancing crowd generally, but ad-
dressed his remarks especially to their captain, Rogojin.
‘You are not in a stable, gentlemen, though you may think
it—my mother and sister are present.’
‘Yes, I see your mother and sister,’ muttered Rogojin,
through his teeth; and Lebedeff seemed to feel himself
called upon to second the statement.
‘At all events, I must request you to step into the salon,’
said Gania, his rage rising quite out of proportion to his
words, ‘and then I shall inquire—‘
‘What, he doesn’t know me!’ said Rogojin, showing his
teeth disagreeably. ‘He doesn’t recognize Rogojin!’ He did
not move an inch, however.
‘I have met you somewhere, I believe, but—‘
‘Met me somewhere, pfu! Why, it’s only three months

1 The Idiot