Page 538 - the-idiot

IV

HE prince observed with great surprise, as he ap-
Tproached his villa, accompanied by Rogojin, that a large
number of people were assembled on his verandah, which
was brilliantly lighted up. The company seemed merry and
were noisily laughing and talking—even quarrelling, to
judge from the sounds. At all events they were clearly enjoy-
ing themselves, and the prince observed further on closer
investigation—that all had been drinking champagne. To
judge from the lively condition of some of the party, it was
to be supposed that a considerable quantity of champagne
had been consumed already.
All the guests were known to the prince; but the curious
part of the matter was that they had all arrived on the same
evening, as though with one accord, although he had only
himself recollected the fact that it was his birthday a few
moments since.
‘You must have told somebody you were going to trot
out the champagne, and that’s why they are all come!’ mut-
tered Rogojin, as the two entered the verandah. ‘We know
all about that! You’ve only to whistle and they come up in
shoals!’ he continued, almost angrily. He was doubtless
thinking of his own late experiences with his boon com-
panions.
All surrounded the prince with exclamations of welcome,