Page 293 - the-idiot

but as he thought he could make more out of a tenant like
the prince, he felt justified in speaking vaguely about the
present inhabitant’s intentions. ‘This is quite a coincidence,’
thought he, and when the subject of price was mentioned,
he made a gesture with his hand, as if to waive away a ques-
tion of so little importance.
‘Oh well, as you like!’ said Muishkin. ‘I will think it over.
You shall lose nothing!’
They were walking slowly across the garden.
‘But if you ... I could …’ stammered Lebedeff, ‘if...if you
please, prince, tell you something on the subject which
would interest you, I am sure.’ He spoke in wheedling tones,
and wriggled as he walked along.
Muishkin stopped short.
‘Daria Alexeyevna also has a villa at Pavlofsk.’
‘Well?’
‘A certain person is very friendly with her, and intends to
visit her pretty often.’
Well?’
‘Aglaya Ivanovna...’
‘Oh stop, Lebedeff!’ interposed Muishkin, feeling as if he
had been touched on an open wound. ‘That ... that has noth-
ing to do with me. I should like to know when you are going
to start. The sooner the better as far as I am concerned, for
I am at an hotel.’
They had left the garden now, and were crossing the yard
on their way to the gate.
‘Well, leave your hotel at once and come here; then we
can all go together to Pavlofsk the day after tomorrow.’

The Idiot