Page 634 - the-idiot

go to Rome; I must see all the museums; I must study in
Paris. All this last year I have been preparing and reading
forbidden books. Alexandra and Adelaida are allowed to
read anything they like, but I mayn’t. I don’t want to quarrel
with my sisters, but I told my parents long ago that I wish to
change my social position. I have decided to take up teach-
ing, and I count on you because you said you loved children.
Can we go in for education together—if not at once, then af-
terwards? We could do good together. I won’t be a general’s
daughter any more! Tell me, are you a very learned man?’
‘Oh no; not at all.’
‘Oh-h-h! I’m sorry for that. I thought you were. I wonder
why I always thought so—but at all events you’ll help me,
won’t you? Because I’ve chosen you, you know.’
‘Aglaya Ivanovna, it’s absurd.’
But I will, I WILL run away!’ she cried—and her eyes
flashed again with anger—‘and if you don’t agree I shall go
and marry Gavrila Ardalionovitch! I won’t be considered a
horrible girl, and accused of goodness knows what.’
‘Are you out of your mind?’ cried the prince, almost
starting from his seat. ‘What do they accuse you of? Who
accuses you?’
‘At home, everybody, mother, my sisters, Prince S., even
that detestable Colia! If they don’t say it, they think it. I told
them all so to their faces. I told mother and father and ev-
erybody. Mamma was ill all the day after it, and next day
father and Alexandra told me that I didn’t understand what
nonsense I was talking. I informed them that they little
knew me— I was not a small child—I understood every