Page 563 - the-idiot

Give me your hand—let me press it sincerely. There—you’ve
given me your hand—you must feel that I DO press it sin-
cerely, don’t you? I don’t think I shall drink any more. What
time is it? Never mind, I know the time. The time has come,
at all events. What! they are laying supper over there, are
they? Then this table is free? Capital, gentlemen! I—hem!
these gentlemen are not listening. Prince, I will just read
over an article I have here. Supper is more interesting, of
course, but—‘
Here Hippolyte suddenly, and most unexpectedly, pulled
out of his breast-pocket a large sealed paper. This imposing-
looking document he placed upon the table before him.
The effect of this sudden action upon the company was
instantaneous. Evgenie Pavlovitch almost bounded off his
chair in excitement. Rogojin drew nearer to the table with
a look on his face as if he knew what was coming. Gania
came nearer too; so did Lebedeff and the others—the paper
seemed to be an object of great interest to the company in
general.
‘What have you got there?’ asked the prince, with some
anxiety.
‘At the first glimpse of the rising sun, prince, I will go
to bed. I told you I would, word of honour! You shall see!’
cried Hippolyte. ‘You think I’m not capable of opening this
packet, do you?’ He glared defiantly round at the audience
in general.
The prince observed that he was trembling all over.
‘None of us ever thought such a thing!’ Muishkin replied
for all. ‘Why should you suppose it of us? And what are you

The Idiot