Page 297 - the-idiot

parently fixed to the ground, so that he was more like a
marble statue than a human being. The prince had expected
some surprise, but Rogojin evidently considered his visit an
impossible and miraculous event. He stared with an expres-
sion almost of terror, and his lips twisted into a bewildered
smile.
‘Parfen! perhaps my visit is ill-timed. I-I can go away
again if you like,’ said Muishkin at last, rather embar-
rassed.
‘No, no; it’s all right, come in,’ said Parfen, recollecting
himself.
They were evidently on quite familiar terms. In Mos-
cow they had had many occasions of meeting; indeed, some
few of those meetings were but too vividly impressed upon
their memories. They had not met now, however, for three
months.
The deathlike pallor, and a sort of slight convulsion about
the lips, had not left Rogojin’s face. Though he welcomed his
guest, he was still obviously much disturbed. As he invited
the prince to sit down near the table, the latter happened to
turn towards him, and was startled by the strange expres-
sion on his face. A painful recollection flashed into his mind.
He stood for a time, looking straight at Rogojin, whose eyes
seemed to blaze like fire. At last Rogojin smiled, though he
still looked agitated and shaken.
‘What are you staring at me like that for?’ he muttered.
‘Sit down.’
The prince took a chair.
‘Parfen,’ he said, ‘tell me honestly, did you know that I

The Idiot