Page 34 - the-idiot

He explained about himself in a few words, very much
the same as he had told the footman and Rogojin before-
hand.
Gavrila Ardalionovitch meanwhile seemed to be trying
to recall something.
‘Was it not you, then, who sent a letter a year or less ago—
from Switzerland, I think it was—to Elizabetha Prokofievna
(Mrs. Epanchin)?’
‘It was.’
‘Oh, then, of course they will remember who you are.
You wish to see the general? I’ll tell him at once—he will be
free in a minute; but you—you had better wait in the ante-
chamber,—hadn’t you? Why is he here?’ he added, severely,
to the man.
‘I tell you, sir, he wished it himself!’
At this moment the study door opened, and a military
man, with a portfolio under his arm, came out talking loud-
ly, and after bidding good-bye to someone inside, took his
departure.
‘You there, Gania? cried a voice from the study, ‘come in
here, will you?’
Gavrila Ardalionovitch nodded to the prince and en-
tered the room hastily.
A couple of minutes later the door opened again and the
affable voice of Gania cried:
‘Come in please, prince!’