Page 631 - the-idiot

ly. At such moments, the more Aglaya blushed, the angrier
she grew with herself; and this was clearly expressed in her
eyes, which flashed like fire. As a rule, she vented her wrath
on her unfortunate companion, be it who it might. She was
very conscious of her own shyness, and was not nearly so
talkative as her sisters for this reason—in fact, at times she
was much too quiet. When, therefore, she was bound to talk,
especially at such delicate moments as this, she invariably
did so with an air of haughty defiance. She always knew
beforehand when she was going to blush, long before the
blush came.
‘Perhaps you do not wish to accept my proposition?’ she
asked, gazing haughtily at the prince.
‘Oh yes, I do; but it is so unnecessary. I mean, I did not
think you need make such a proposition,’ said the prince,
looking confused.
‘What did you suppose, then? Why did you think I in-
vited you out here? I suppose you think me a ‘little fool,’ as
they all call me at home?’
‘I didn’t know they called you a fool. I certainly don’t
think you one.’
‘You don’t think me one! Oh, dear me!—that’s very clever
of you; you put it so neatly, too.’
‘In my opinion, you are far from a fool sometimes—in
fact, you are very intelligent. You said a very clever thing
just now about my being unjust because I had ONLY justice.
I shall remember that, and think about it.’
Aglaya blushed with pleasure. All these changes in her
expression came about so naturally and so rapidly—they

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