Page 373 - the-idiot

hearing about the affair, and many a quarrel I have had in
your cause. But I confess I am anxious to see what happens,
so do make them come out here, and we will remain. You
have heard people talking about it, no doubt?’ she added,
turning to Prince S.
‘Of course,’ said he. ‘I have heard it spoken about at your
house, and I am anxious to see these young men!’
‘They are Nihilists, are they not?’
‘No, they are not Nihilists,’ explained Lebedeff, who
seemed much excited. ‘This is another lot—a special group.
According to my nephew they are more advanced even
than the Nihilists. You are quite wrong, excellency, if you
think that your presence will intimidate them; nothing in-
timidates them. Educated men, learned men even, are to
be found among Nihilists; these go further, in that they
are men of action. The movement is, properly speaking, a
derivative from Nihilism—though they are only known
indirectly, and by hearsay, for they never advertise their do-
ings in the papers. They go straight to the point. For them, it
is not a question of showing that Pushkin is stupid, or that
Russia must be torn in pieces. No; but if they have a great
desire for anything, they believe they have a right to get it
even at the cost of the lives, say, of eight persons. They are
checked by no obstacles. In fact, prince, I should not advise
you ...’
But Muishkin had risen, and was on his way to open the
door for his visitors.
‘You are slandering them, Lebedeff,’ said he, smiling.
‘You are always thinking about your nephew’s conduct.

The Idiot