Page 378 - the-idiot

‘Gentlemen, I did not know you were there; I have only
just been informed, I assure you,’ repeated Muishkin.
‘We are not afraid of your friends, prince,’ remarked Leb-
edeff’s nephew, ‘for we are within our rights.’
The shrill tones of Hippolyte interrupted him. ‘What
right have you ... by what right do you demand us to sub-
mit this matter, about Burdovsky ... to the judgment of your
friends? We know only too well what the judgment of your
friends will be! ...’
This beginning gave promise of a stormy discussion. The
prince was much discouraged, but at last he managed to
make himself heard amid the vociferations of his excited
visitors.
‘If you,’ he said, addressing Burdovsky—‘if you prefer not
to speak here, I offer again to go into another room with
you ... and as to your waiting to see me, I repeat that I only
this instant heard ...’
‘Well, you have no right, you have no right, no right at
all!... Your friends indeed!’... gabbled Burdovsky, defiant-
ly examining the faces round him, and becoming more
and more excited. ‘You have no right!...’ As he ended thus
abruptly, he leant forward, staring at the prince with his
short-sighted, bloodshot eyes. The latter was so astonished,
that he did not reply, but looked steadily at him in return.
‘Lef Nicolaievitch!’ interposed Madame Epanchin, sud-
denly, ‘read this at once, this very moment! It is about this
business.’
She held out a weekly comic paper, pointing to an article
on one of its pages. Just as the visitors were coming in, Leb-