Page 191 - the-idiot

day. I came down to buy some cards. Marfa Borisovna ex-
pects you. But what a state you are in, father!’ added the boy,
noticing his father’s unsteady gait. ‘Well, let us go in.’
On meeting Colia the prince determined to accompany
the general, though he made up his mind to stay as short
a time as possible. He wanted Colia, but firmly resolved
to leave the general behind. He could not forgive himself
for being so simple as to imagine that Ivolgin would be of
any use. The three climbed up the long staircase until they
reached the fourth floor where Madame Terentieff lived.
‘You intend to introduce the prince?’ asked Colia, as they
went up.
‘Yes, my boy. I wish to present him: General Ivolgin and
Prince Muishkin! But what’s the matter? ... what? ... How is
Marfa Borisovna?’
‘You know, father, you would have done much better
not to come at all! She is ready to eat you up! You have not
shown yourself since the day before yesterday and she is ex-
pecting the money. Why did you promise her any? You are
always the same! Well, now you will have to get out of it as
best you can.’
They stopped before a somewhat low doorway on the
fourth floor. Ardalion Alexandrovitch, evidently much out
of countenance, pushed Muishkin in front.
‘I will wait here,’ he stammered. ‘I should like to surprise
her. ....’
Colia entered first, and as the door stood open, the mis-
tress of the house peeped out. The surprise of the general’s
imagination fell very flat, for she at once began to address

1 0 The Idiot