Page 36 - the-idiot

ed; ‘but I give you my word, beyond the pleasure of making
your acquaintance I had no personal object whatever.’
‘The pleasure is, of course, mutual; but life is not all plea-
sure, as you are aware. There is such a thing as business, and
I really do not see what possible reason there can be, or what
we have in common to—‘
‘Oh, there is no reason, of course, and I suppose there is
nothing in common between us, or very little; for if I am
Prince Muishkin, and your wife happens to be a member of
my house, that can hardly be called a ‘reason.’ I quite under-
stand that. And yet that was my whole motive for coming.
You see I have not been in Russia for four years, and knew
very little about anything when I left. I had been very ill for
a long time, and I feel now the need of a few good friends.
In fact, I have a certain question upon which I much need
advice, and do not know whom to go to for it. I thought of
your family when I was passing through Berlin. ‘They are
almost relations,’ I said to myself,’ so I’ll begin with them;
perhaps we may get on with each other, I with them and
they with me, if they are kind people;’ and I have heard that
you are very kind people!’
‘Oh, thank you, thank you, I’m sure,’ replied the general,
considerably taken aback. ‘May I ask where you have taken
up your quarters?’
‘Nowhere, as yet.’
‘What, straight from the station to my house? And how
about your luggage?’
‘I only had a small bundle, containing linen, with me,
nothing more. I can carry it in my hand, easily. There will