Page 181 - the-idiot

there is nothing so offensive to a man of our time and race
than to be told that he is wanting in originality, that he is
weak in character, has no particular talent, and is, in short,
an ordinary person. You have not even done me the hon-
our of looking upon me as a rogue. Do you know, I could
have knocked you down for that just now! You wounded
me more cruelly than Epanchin, who thinks me capable of
selling him my wife! Observe, it was a perfectly gratuitous
idea on his part, seeing there has never been any discus-
sion of it between us! This has exasperated me, and I am
determined to make a fortune! I will do it! Once I am rich, I
shall be a genius, an extremely original man. One of the vil-
est and most hateful things connected with money is that it
can buy even talent; and will do so as long as the world lasts.
You will say that this is childish—or romantic. Well, that
will be all the better for me, but the thing shall be done. I
will carry it through. He laughs most, who laughs last. Why
does Epanchin insult me? Simply because, socially, I am a
nobody. However, enough for the present. Colia has put his
nose in to tell us dinner is ready, twice. I’m dining out. I
shall come and talk to you now and then; you shall be com-
fortable enough with us. They are sure to make you one of
the family. I think you and I will either be great friends or
enemies. Look here now, supposing I had kissed your hand
just now, as I offered to do in all sincerity, should I have
hated you for it afterwards?’
‘Certainly, but not always. You would not have been able
to keep it up, and would have ended by forgiving me,’ said
the prince, after a pause for reflection, and with a pleasant

1 0 The Idiot