Page 247 - the-idiot

that before,’ began Nastasia Philipovna. ‘Men have always
bargained for me, before this; and not a single respectable
man has ever proposed to marry me. Do you hear, Afanasy
Ivanovitch? What do YOU think of what the prince has just
been saying? It was almost immodest, wasn’t it? You, Rogo-
jin, wait a moment, don’t go yet! I see you don’t intend to
move however. Perhaps I may go with you yet. Where did
you mean to take me to?’
‘To Ekaterinhof,’ replied Lebedeff. Rogojin simply stood
staring, with trembling lips, not daring to believe his ears.
He was stunned, as though from a blow on the head.
‘What are you thinking of, my dear Nastasia?’ said Daria
Alexeyevna in alarm. ‘What are you saying?’ ‘You are not
going mad, are you?’
Nastasia Philipovna burst out laughing and jumped up
from the sofa.
‘You thought I should accept this good child’s invitation
to ruin him, did you?’ she cried. ‘That’s Totski’s way, not
mine. He’s fond of children. Come along, Rogojin, get your
money ready! We won’t talk about marrying just at this
moment, but let’s see the money at all events. Come! I may
not marry you, either. I don’t know. I suppose you thought
you’d keep the money, if I did! Ha, ha, ha! nonsense! I have
no sense of shame left. I tell you I have been Totski’s con-
cubine. Prince, you must marry Aglaya Ivanovna, not
Nastasia Philipovna, or this fellow Ferdishenko will always
be pointing the finger of scorn at you. You aren’t afraid, I
know; but I should always be afraid that I had ruined you,
and that you would reproach me for it. As for what you say

The Idiot