Page 337 - the-idiot

what was there in the fact that he had met Rogojin there? He
had only seen a wretched, suffering creature, whose state
of mind was gloomy and miserable, but most comprehen-
sible. In the morning Rogojin had seemed to be trying to
keep out of the way; but at the station this afternoon he had
stood out, he had concealed himself, indeed, less than the
prince himself; at the house, now, he had stood fifty yards
off on the other side of the road, with folded hands, watch-
ing, plainly in view and apparently desirous of being seen.
He had stood there like an accuser, like a judge, not like
a—a what?
And why had not the prince approached him and spo-
ken to him, instead of turning away and pretending he had
seen nothing, although their eyes met? (Yes, their eyes had
met, and they had looked at each other.) Why, he had him-
self wished to take Rogojin by the hand and go in together,
he had himself determined to go to him on the morrow and
tell him that he had seen her, he had repudiated the demon
as he walked to the house, and his heart had been full of
joy.
Was there something in the whole aspect of the man, to-
day, sufficient to justify the prince’s terror, and the awful
suspicions of his demon? Something seen, but indescribable,
which filled him with dreadful presentiments? Yes, he was
convinced of it—convinced of what? (Oh, how mean and
hideous of him to feel this conviction, this presentiment!
How he blamed himself for it!) ‘Speak if you dare, and tell
me, what is the presentiment?’ he repeated to himself, over
and over again. ‘Put it into words, speak out clearly and dis-

The Idiot