Page 497 - the-idiot

like, this very moment! Why, WHY do they torment me
and say I am going to marry you? You must know it; you are
in the plot with them!’
‘No one ever tormented you on the subject,’ murmured
Adelaida, aghast.
‘No one ever thought of such a thing! There has never
been a word said about it!’ cried Alexandra.
‘Who has been annoying her? Who has been tormenting
the child? Who could have said such a thing to her? Is she
raving?’ cried Lizabetha Prokofievna, trembling with rage,
to the company in general.
‘Every one of them has been saying it—every one of
them—all these three days! And I will never, never marry
him!’
So saying, Aglaya burst into bitter tears, and, hiding her
face in her handkerchief, sank back into a chair.
‘But he has never even—‘
‘I have never asked you to marry me, Aglaya Ivanovna!’
said the prince, of a sudden.
‘WHAT?’ cried Mrs. Epanchin, raising her hands in hor-
ror. ‘WHAT’S that?’
She could not believe her ears.
‘I meant to say—I only meant to say,’ said the prince, fal-
tering, ‘I merely meant to explain to Aglaya Ivanovna—to
have the honour to explain, as it were—that I had no inten-
tion—never had—to ask the honour of her hand. I assure
you I am not guilty, Aglaya Ivanovna, I am not, indeed. I
never did wish to—I never thought of it at all—and never
shall—you’ll see it yourself— you may be quite assured of it.

The Idiot