Page 394 - the-idiot

look into the matter without delay, and that I would let you
know, Mr. Burdovsky. Gentlemen, I have no hesitation in
telling you that it was the fact of Tchebaroff’s intervention
that made me suspect a fraud. Oh! do not take offence at my
words, gentlemen, for Heaven’s sake do not be so touchy!’
cried the prince, seeing that Burdovsky was getting excit-
ed again, and that the rest were preparing to protest. ‘If I
say I suspected a fraud, there is nothing personal in that. I
had never seen any of you then; I did not even know your
names; I only judged by Tchebaroff; I am speaking quite
generally—if you only knew how I have been ‘done’ since I
came into my fortune!’
‘You are shockingly naive, prince,’ said Lebedeff’s neph-
ew in mocking tones.
‘Besides, though you are a prince and a millionaire, and
even though you may really be simple and good-hearted,
you can hardly be outside the general law,’ Hippolyte de-
clared loudly.
‘Perhaps not; it is very possible,’ the prince agreed hastily,
‘though I do not know what general law you allude to. I will
go on—only please do not take offence without good cause.
I assure you I do not mean to offend you in the least. Really,
it is impossible to speak three words sincerely without your
flying into a rage! At first I was amazed when Tchebaroff
told me that Pavlicheff had a son, and that he was in such
a miserable position. Pavlicheff was my benefactor, and
my father’s friend. Oh, Mr. Keller, why does your article
impute things to my father without the slightest founda-
tion? He never squandered the funds of his company nor