Page 228 - the-idiot

whom was the lively actress, who was not easily frightened,
and the other the silent German beauty who, it turned out,
did not understand a word of Russian, and seemed to be as
stupid as she was lovely.
Her acquaintances invited her to their ‘At Homes’ be-
cause she was so decorative. She was exhibited to their guests
like a valuable picture, or vase, or statue, or firescreen. As
for the men, Ptitsin was one of Rogojin’s friends; Ferdishen-
ko was as much at home as a fish in the sea, Gania, not yet
recovered from his amazement, appeared to be chained to
a pillory. The old professor did not in the least understand
what was happening; but when he noticed how extremely
agitated the mistress of the house, and her friends, seemed,
he nearly wept, and trembled with fright: but he would
rather have died than leave Nastasia Philipovna at such a
crisis, for he loved her as if she were his own granddaugh-
ter. Afanasy Ivanovitch greatly disliked having anything to
do with the affair, but he was too much interested to leave,
in spite of the mad turn things had taken; and a few words
that had dropped from the lips of Nastasia puzzled him so
much, that he felt he could not go without an explanation.
He resolved therefore, to see it out, and to adopt the atti-
tude of silent spectator, as most suited to his dignity. Genera
Epanchin alone determined to depart. He was annoyed at
the manner in which his gift had been returned, an though
he had condescended, under the influence of passion, to
place himself on a level with Ptitsin and Ferdishenko, his
self-respect and sense of duty now returned together with
a consciousness of what was due to his social rank and offi-