Page 377 - the-idiot

VIII

DID not expect you, gentlemen,’ began the prince. I have
‘I een ill until to-day. A month ago,’ he continued, ad-
b
dressing himself to Antip Burdovsky, ‘I put your business
into Gavrila Ardalionovitch Ivolgin’s hands, as I told you
then. I do not in the least object to having a personal in-
terview ... but you will agree with me that this is hardly the
time ... I propose that we go into another room, if you will
not keep me long... As you see, I have friends here, and be-
lieve me ...’
‘Friends as many as you please, but allow me,’ interrupt-
ed the harsh voice of Lebedeff’s nephew—‘ allow me to tell
you that you might have treated us rather more politely, and
not have kept us waiting at least two hours ...
‘No doubt ... and I ... is that acting like a prince? And you
... you may be a general! But I ... I am not your valet! And I ...
I...’ stammered Antip Burdovsky.
He was extremely excited; his lips trembled, and the
resentment of an embittered soul was in his voice. But he
spoke so indistinctly that hardly a dozen words could be
gathered.
‘It was a princely action!’ sneered Hippolyte.
‘If anyone had treated me so,’ grumbled the boxer.
‘I mean to say that if I had been in Burdovsky’s place...
I...’

The Idiot