Page 182 - the-idiot

smile.
‘Oho, how careful one has to be with you, prince! Haven’t
you put a drop of poison in that remark now, eh? By the
way—ha, ha, ha!— I forgot to ask, was I right in believing
that you were a good deal struck yourself with Nastasia
Philipovna
‘Ye-yes.’
‘Are you in love with her?’
‘N-no.’
‘And yet you flush up as red as a rosebud! Come—it’s all
right. I’m not going to laugh at you. Do you know she is
a very virtuous woman? Believe it or not, as you like. You
think she and Totski— not a bit of it, not a bit of it! Not for
ever so long! Au revoir!’
Gania left the room in great good humour. The prince
stayed behind, and meditated alone for a few minutes. At
length, Colia popped his head in once more.
‘I don’t want any dinner, thanks, Colia. I had too good a
lunch at General Epanchin’s.’
Colia came into the room and gave the prince a note; it
was from the general and was carefully sealed up. It was
clear from Colia’s face how painful it was to him to deliver
the missive. The prince read it, rose, and took his hat.
‘It’s only a couple of yards,’ said Colia, blushing.
‘He’s sitting there over his bottle—and how they can give
him credit, I cannot understand. Don’t tell mother I brought
you the note, prince; I have sworn not to do it a thousand
times, but I’m always so sorry for him. Don’t stand on cer-
emony, give him some trifle, and let that end it.’

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