Page 35 - the-idiot
P. 35

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
   30   31   32   33   34   35   36   37   38   39   40