Page 561 - the-idiot

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IPPOLYTE, who had fallen asleep during Lebedeff’s
Hdiscourse, now suddenly woke up, just as though
someone had jogged him in the side. He shuddered, raised
himself on his arm, gazed around, and grew very pale. A
look almost of terror crossed his face as he recollected.
‘What! are they all off? Is it all over? Is the sun up?’ He
trembled, and caught at the prince’s hand. ‘What time is it?
Tell me, quick, for goodness’ sake! How long have I slept?’
he added, almost in despair, just as though he had overslept
something upon which his whole fate depended.
‘You have slept seven or perhaps eight minutes,’ said Evg-
enie Pavlovitch.
Hippolyte gazed eagerly at the latter, and mused for a
few moments.
‘Oh, is that all?’ he said at last. ‘Then I—‘
He drew a long, deep breath of relief, as it seemed. He re-
alized that all was not over as yet, that the sun had not risen,
and that the guests had merely gone to supper. He smiled,
and two hectic spots appeared on his cheeks.
‘So you counted the minutes while I slept, did you, Evge-
nie Pavlovitch?’ he said, ironically. ‘You have not taken your
eyes off me all the evening—I have noticed that much, you
see! Ah, Rogojin! I’ve just been dreaming about him, prince,’
he added, frowning. ‘Yes, by the by,’ starting up, ‘where’s the

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