Page 343 - the-idiot

VI

EBEDEFF’S country-house was not large, but it was
Lpretty and convenient, especially the part which was let
to the prince.
A row of orange and lemon trees and jasmines, planted
in green tubs, stood on the fairly wide terrace. According to
Lebedeff, these trees gave the house a most delightful aspect.
Some were there when he bought it, and he was so charmed
with the effect that he promptly added to their number.
When the tubs containing these plants arrived at the villa
and were set in their places, Lebedeff kept running into the
street to enjoy the view of the house, and every time he did
so the rent to be demanded from the future tenant went up
with a bound.
This country villa pleased the prince very much in his
state of physical and mental exhaustion. On the day that
they left for Pavlofsk, that is the day after his attack, he ap-
peared almost well, though in reality he felt very far from
it. The faces of those around him for the last three days had
made a pleasant impression. He was pleased to see, not only
Colia, who had become his inseparable companion, but
Lebedeff himself and all the family, except the nephew, who
had left the house. He was also glad to receive a visit from
General Ivolgin, before leaving St. Petersburg.
It was getting late when the party arrived at Pavlofsk, but

The Idiot