Page 208 - the-idiot

ment, and which none could avoid noticing.
She took her glass, and vowed she would empty it three
times that evening. She was hysterical, and laughed aloud
every other minute with no apparent reason—the next mo-
ment relapsing into gloom and thoughtfulness.
Some of her guests suspected that she must be ill; but
concluded at last that she was expecting something, for she
continued to look at her watch impatiently and unceasingly;
she was most absent and strange.
‘You seem to be a little feverish tonight,’ said the actress.
‘Yes; I feel quite ill. I have been obliged to put on this
shawl —I feel so cold,’ replied Nastasia. She certainly had
grown very pale, and every now and then she tried to sup-
press a trembling in her limbs.
‘Had we not better allow our hostess to retire?’ asked
Totski of the general.
‘Not at all, gentlemen, not at all! Your presence is abso-
lutely necessary to me tonight,’ said Nastasia, significantly.
As most of those present were aware that this evening
a certain very important decision was to be taken, these
words of Nastasia Philipovna’s appeared to be fraught with
much hidden interest. The general and Totski exchanged
looks; Gania fidgeted convulsively in his chair.
‘Let’s play at some game!’ suggested the actress.
‘I know a new and most delightful game, added Ferdish-
enko.
‘What is it?’ asked the actress.
‘Well, when we tried it we were a party of people, like
this, for instance; and somebody proposed that each of us,

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