Page 566 - the-idiot

ble, and laid his head on his hands. ‘It is shameful—though
what does it matter to me if it is shameful?
‘Gentlemen, gentlemen! I am about to break the seal,’ he
continued, with determination. ‘I-I—of course I don’t insist
upon anyone listening if they do not wish to.’
With trembling fingers he broke the seal and drew out
several sheets of paper, smoothed them out before him, and
began sorting them.
‘What on earth does all this mean? What’s he going to
read?’ muttered several voices. Others said nothing; but one
and all sat down and watched with curiosity. They began to
think something strange might really be about to happen.
Vera stood and trembled behind her father’s chair, almost in
tears with fright; Colia was nearly as much alarmed as she
was. Lebedeff jumped up and put a couple of candles nearer
to Hippolyte, so that he might see better.
‘Gentlemen, this—you’ll soon see what this is,’ began
Hippolyte, and suddenly commenced his reading.
‘It’s headed, ‘A Necessary Explanation,’ with the motto,
‘Apres moi le deluge!’ Oh, deuce take it all! Surely I can never
have seriously written such a silly motto as that? Look here,
gentlemen, I beg to give notice that all this is very likely ter-
rible nonsense. It is only a few ideas of mine. If you think
that there is anything mysterious coming—or in a word—‘
‘Better read on without any more beating about the bush,’
said Gania.
‘Affectation!’ remarked someone else.
‘Too much talk,’ said Rogojin, breaking the silence for
the first time.