Page 507 - the-idiot

man whom nobody knew, and who evidently knew nobody.
The other follower was younger and far less respectable-
looking.
No one else followed the eccentric lady; but as she de-
scended the steps she did not even look behind her, as
though it were absolutely the same to her whether anyone
were following or not. She laughed and talked loudly, how-
ever, just as before. She was dressed with great taste, but
with rather more magnificence than was needed for the oc-
casion, perhaps.
She walked past the orchestra, to where an open carriage
was waiting, near the road.
The prince had not seen HER for more than three
months. All these days since his arrival from Petersburg he
had intended to pay her a visit, but some mysterious presen-
timent had restrained him. He could not picture to himself
what impression this meeting with her would make upon
him, though he had often tried to imagine it, with fear and
trembling. One fact was quite certain, and that was that the
meeting would be painful.
Several times during the last six months he had recalled
the effect which the first sight of this face had had upon him,
when he only saw its portrait. He recollected well that even
the portrait face had left but too painful an impression.
That month in the provinces, when he had seen this
woman nearly every day, had affected him so deeply that
he could not now look back upon it calmly. In the very look
of this woman there was something which tortured him.
In conversation with Rogojin he had attributed this sensa-

0 The Idiot