Page 454 - the-idiot

seem inclined to boast about it! You astonish me, but I think
he is more sincere than you, for you make a regular trade of
it. Oh, don’t put on that pathetic expression, and don’t put
your hand on your heart! Have you anything to say to me?
You have not come for nothing...’
Lebedeff grinned and wriggled.
‘I have been waiting all day for you, because I want to ask
you a question; and, for once in your life, please tell me the
truth at once. Had you anything to do with that affair of the
carriage yesterday?’
Lebedeff began to grin again, rubbed his hands, sneezed,
but spoke not a word in reply.
‘I see you had something to do with it.’
‘Indirectly, quite indirectly! I am speaking the truth—I
am indeed! I merely told a certain person that I had people
in my house, and that such and such personages might be
found among them.’
‘I am aware that you sent your son to that house—he told
me so himself just now, but what is this intrigue?’ said the
prince, impatiently.
‘It is not my intrigue!’ cried Lebedeff, waving his hand.
‘It was engineered by other people, and is, properly speak-
ing, rather a fantasy than an intrigue!’
‘But what is it all about? Tell me, for Heaven’s sake! Can-
not you understand how nearly it touches me? Why are they
blackening Evgenie Pavlovitch’s reputation?’
Lebedeff grimaced and wriggled again.
‘Prince!’ said he. ‘Excellency! You won’t let me tell you
the whole truth; I have tried to explain; more than once I