Page 169 - the-idiot

frenzy of excitement.
‘Come, come; what’s all this?’ cried General Ivolgin,
suddenly and angrily, coming close up to Rogojin. The un-
expectedness of this sally on the part of the hitherto silent
old man caused some laughter among the intruders.
‘Halloa! what’s this now?’ laughed Rogojin. ‘You come
along with me, old fellow! You shall have as much to drink
as you like.’
‘Oh, it’s too horrible!’ cried poor Colia, sobbing with
shame and annoyance.
‘Surely there must be someone among all of you here who
will turn this shameless creature out of the room?’ cried
Varia, suddenly. She was shaking and trembling with rage.
‘That’s me, I suppose. I’m the shameless creature!’ cried
Nastasia Philipovna, with amused indifference. ‘Dear me,
and I came—like a fool, as I am—to invite them over to
my house for the evening! Look how your sister treats me,
Gavrila Ardalionovitch.’
For some moments Gania stood as if stunned or struck
by lightning, after his sister’s speech. But seeing that Nasta-
sia Philipovna was really about to leave the room this time,
he sprang at Varia and seized her by the arm like a mad-
man.
‘What have you done?’ he hissed, glaring at her as though
he would like to annihilate her on the spot. He was quite be-
side himself, and could hardly articulate his words for rage.
‘What have I done? Where are you dragging me to?’
‘Do you wish me to beg pardon of this creature because
she has come here to insult our mother and disgrace the

1 The Idiot