Page 526 - the-idiot

the earth at his feet.
‘I was watching for you, prince,’ said the individual.
‘Is that you, Keller?’ said the prince, in surprise.
‘Yes, I’ve been looking for you. I waited for you at the Ep-
anchins’ house, but of course I could not come in. I dogged
you from behind as you walked along with the general. Well,
prince, here is Keller, absolutely at your service—command
him!—ready to sacrifice himself—even to die in case of
need.’
‘But-why?’
‘Oh, why?—Of course you’ll be challenged! That was
young Lieutenant Moloftsoff. I know him, or rather of him;
he won’t pass an insult. He will take no notice of Rogojin
and myself, and, therefore, you are the only one left to ac-
count for. You’ll have to pay the piper, prince. He has been
asking about you, and undoubtedly his friend will call on
you tomorrow—perhaps he is at your house already. If you
would do me the honour to have me for a second, prince, I
should be happy. That’s why I have been looking for you
now.’
‘Duel! You’ve come to talk about a duel, too!’ The prince
burst out laughing, to the great astonishment of Keller. He
laughed unrestrainedly, and Keller, who had been on pins
and needles, and in a fever of excitement to offer himself as
‘second,’ was very near being offended.
‘You caught him by the arms, you know, prince. No man
of proper pride can stand that sort of treatment in public.’
‘Yes, and he gave me a fearful dig in the chest,’ cried the
prince, still laughing. ‘What are we to fight about? I shall