Page 35 - the-idiot

III

eneral Ivan Fedorovitch Epanchin was standing In the
Gmiddle of the room, and gazed with great curiosity at
the prince as he entered. He even advanced a couple of steps
to meet him.
The prince came forward and introduced himself.
‘Quite so,’ replied the general, ‘and what can I do for
you?’
‘Oh, I have no special business; my principal object was
to make your acquaintance. I should not like to disturb you.
I do not know your times and arrangements here, you see,
but I have only just arrived. I came straight from the station.
I am come direct from Switzerland.’
The general very nearly smiled, but thought better of
it and kept his smile back. Then he reflected, blinked his
eyes, stared at his guest once more from head to foot; then
abruptly motioned him to a chair, sat down himself, and
waited with some impatience for the prince to speak.
Gania stood at his table in the far corner of the room,
turning over papers.
‘I have not much time for making acquaintances, as a
rule,’ said the general, ‘but as, of course, you have your ob-
ject in coming, I—‘
‘I felt sure you would think I had some object in view
when I resolved to pay you this visit,’ the prince interrupt-

The Idiot