Page 171 - the-idiot

Varia, Rogojin and all, even the general.
‘It’s nothing, it’s nothing!’ said the prince, and again he
wore the smile which was so inconsistent with the circum-
stances.
‘Yes, he will be ashamed!’ cried Rogojin. ‘You will be
properly ashamed of yourself for having injured such a—
such a sheep’ (he could not find a better word). ‘Prince, my
dear fellow, leave this and come away with me. I’ll show you
how Rogojin shows his affection for his friends.’
Nastasia Philipovna was also much impressed, both with
Gania’s action and with the prince’s reply.
Her usually thoughtful, pale face, which all this while
had been so little in harmony with the jests and laughter
which she had seemed to put on for the occasion, was now
evidently agitated by new feelings, though she tried to con-
ceal the fact and to look as though she were as ready as ever
for jesting and irony.
‘I really think I must have seen him somewhere!’ she
murmured seriously enough.
‘Oh, aren’t you ashamed of yourself—aren’t you ashamed?
Are you really the sort of woman you are trying to represent
yourself to be? Is it possible?’ The prince was now address-
ing Nastasia, in a tone of reproach, which evidently came
from his very heart.
Nastasia Philipovna looked surprised, and smiled, but
evidently concealed something beneath her smile and with
some confusion and a glance at Gania she left the room.
However, she had not reached the outer hall when she
turned round, walked quickly up to Nina Alexandrovna,

1 0 The Idiot