Page 268 - the-idiot

going fellow!’
After a time it became known that Totski had married a
French marquise, and was to be carried off by her to Paris,
and then to Brittany.
‘Oh, well,’ thought the general, ‘he’s lost to us for good,
now.’
So the Epanchins prepared to depart for the summer.
But now another circumstance occurred, which changed
all the plans once more, and again the intended journey was
put off, much to the delight of the general and his spouse.
A certain Prince S— arrived in St. Petersburg from Mos-
cow, an eminent and honourable young man. He was one
of those active persons who always find some good work
with which to employ themselves. Without forcing him-
self upon the public notice, modest and unobtrusive, this
young prince was concerned with much that happened in
the world in general.
He had served, at first, in one of the civil departments,
had then attended to matters connected with the local
government of provincial towns, and had of late been a
corresponding member of several important scientific so-
cieties. He was a man of excellent family and solid means,
about thirty-five years of age.
Prince S— made the acquaintance of the general’s fam-
ily, and Adelaida, the second girl, made a great impression
upon him. Towards the spring he proposed to her, and she
accepted him. The general and his wife were delighted. The
journey abroad was put off, and the wedding was fixed for a
day not very distant.