Page 190 - the-idiot

me that question, when it is a matter on which the fate of
my family so largely depends? You don’t know Ivolgin, my
friend. To trust Ivolgin is to trust a rock; that’s how the first
squadron I commanded spoke of me. ‘Depend upon Ivol-
gin,’ said they all, ‘he is as steady as a rock.’ But, excuse me,
I must just call at a house on our way, a house where I have
found consolation and help in all my trials for years.’
‘You are going home?’
‘No ... I wish ... to visit Madame Terentieff, the widow
of Captain Terentieff, my old subordinate and friend. She
helps me to keep up my courage, and to bear the trials of
my domestic life, and as I have an extra burden on my mind
today ...’
‘It seems to me,’ interrupted the prince, ‘that I was foolish
to trouble you just now. However, at present you ... Good-
bye!’
‘Indeed, you must not go away like that, young man, you
must not!’ cried the general. ‘My friend here is a widow, the
mother of a family; her words come straight from her heart,
and find an echo in mine. A visit to her is merely an af-
fair of a few minutes; I am quite at home in her house. I
will have a wash, and dress, and then we can drive to the
Grand Theatre. Make up your mind to spend the evening
with me.... We are just there—that’s the house... Why, Co-
lia! you here! Well, is Marfa Borisovna at home or have you
only just come?’
‘Oh no! I have been here a long while,’ replied Colia, who
was at the front door when the general met him. ‘I am keep-
ing Hippolyte company. He is worse, and has been in bed all

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