Page 214 - the-idiot

dinner the men stayed at the table over their wine. It struck
me to ask the daughter of the house to play something on
the piano; so I passed through the corner room to join the
ladies. In that room, on Maria Ivanovna’s writing-table, I
observed a three-rouble note. She must have taken it out
for some purpose, and left it lying there. There was no one
about. I took up the note and put it in my pocket; why, I
can’t say. I don’t know what possessed me to do it, but it was
done, and I went quickly back to the dining-room and re-
seated myself at the dinner-table. I sat and waited there in a
great state of excitement. I talked hard, and told lots of sto-
ries, and laughed like mad; then I joined the ladies.
‘In half an hour or so the loss was discovered, and the
servants were being put under examination. Daria, the
housemaid was suspected. I exhibited the greatest inter-
est and sympathy, and I remember that poor Daria quite
lost her head, and that I began assuring her, before every-
one, that I would guarantee her forgiveness on the part of
her mistress, if she would confess her guilt. They all stared
at the girl, and I remember a wonderful attraction in the
reflection that here was I sermonizing away, with the mon-
ey in my own pocket all the while. I went and spent the
three roubles that very evening at a restaurant. I went in
and asked for a bottle of Lafite, and drank it up; I wanted to
be rid of the money.
‘I did not feel much remorse either then or afterwards;
but I would not repeat the performance—believe it or not
as you please. There—that’s all.’
‘Only, of course that’s not nearly your worst action,’ said

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