Page 251 - the-idiot

‘Well, look here, Gania. I wish to look into your heart
once more, for the last time. You’ve worried me for the last
three months—now it’s my turn. Do you see this packet? It
contains a hundred thousand roubles. Now, I’m going to
throw it into the fire, here—before all these witnesses. As
soon as the fire catches hold of it, you put your hands into
the fire and pick it out—without gloves, you know. You
must have bare hands, and you must turn your sleeves up.
Pull it out, I say, and it’s all yours. You may burn your fin-
gers a little, of course; but then it’s a hundred thousand
roubles, remember—it won’t take you long to lay hold of
it and snatch it out. I shall so much admire you if you put
your hands into the fire for my money. All here present may
be witnesses that the whole packet of money is yours if you
get it out. If you don’t get it out, it shall burn. I will let no
one else come; away—get away, all of you—it’s my money!
Rogojin has bought me with it. Is it my money, Rogojin?’
‘Yes, my queen; it’s your own money, my joy.’
‘Get away then, all of you. I shall do as I like with my
own— don’t meddle! Ferdishenko, make up the fire, quick!’
‘Nastasia Philipovna, I can’t; my hands won’t obey me,’
said Ferdishenko, astounded and helpless with bewilder-
ment.
‘Nonsense,’ cried Nastasia Philipovna, seizing the poker
and raking a couple of logs together. No sooner did a tongue
of flame burst out than she threw the packet of notes upon
it.
Everyone gasped; some even crossed themselves.
‘She’s mad—she’s mad!’ was the cry.

0 The Idiot