Page 317 - the-idiot

‘Lef Nicolaievitch,’ said Rogojin, after a pause, during
which the two walked along a little further, ‘I have long
wished to ask you, do you believe in God?’
‘How strangely you speak, and how odd you look!’ said
the other, involuntarily.
‘I like looking at that picture,’ muttered Rogojin, not no-
ticing, apparently, that the prince had not answered his
question.
‘That picture! That picture!’ cried Muishkin, struck by a
sudden idea. ‘Why, a man’s faith might be ruined by look-
ing at that picture!’
‘So it is!’ said Rogojin, unexpectedly. They had now
reached the front door.
The prince stopped.
‘How?’ he said. ‘What do you mean? I was half joking,
and you took me up quite seriously! Why do you ask me
whether I believe in God
‘Oh, no particular reason. I meant to ask you before—
many people are unbelievers nowadays, especially Russians,
I have been told. You ought to know—you’ve lived abroad.’
Rogojin laughed bitterly as he said these words, and
opening the door, held it for the prince to pass out. Muish-
kin looked surprised, but went out. The other followed him
as far as the landing of the outer stairs, and shut the door
behind him. They both now stood facing one another, as
though oblivious of where they were, or what they had to
do next.
‘Well, good-bye!’ said the prince, holding out his hand.
‘Good-bye,’ said Rogojin, pressing it hard, but quite me-

1 The Idiot