Page 635 - the-idiot

word in the language— that I had read a couple of Paul de
Kok’s novels two years since on purpose, so as to know all
about everything. No sooner did mamma hear me say this
than she nearly fainted!’
A strange thought passed through the prince’s brain; he
gazed intently at Aglaya and smiled.
He could not believe that this was the same haughty
young girl who had once so proudly shown him Gania’s let-
ter. He could not understand how that proud and austere
beauty could show herself to be such an utter child—a child
who probably did not even now understand some words.
‘Have you always lived at home, Aglaya Ivanovna?’ he
asked. ‘I mean, have you never been to school, or college,
or anything?’
‘No—never—nowhere! I’ve been at home all my life,
corked up in a bottle; and they expect me to be married
straight out of it. What are you laughing at again? I observe
that you, too, have taken to laughing at me, and range your-
self on their side against me,’ she added, frowning angrily.
‘Don’t irritate me—I’m bad enough without that—I don’t
know what I am doing sometimes. I am persuaded that you
came here today in the full belief that I am in love with you,
and that I arranged this meeting because of that,’ she cried,
with annoyance.
‘I admit I was afraid that that was the case, yesterday,’
blundered the prince (he was rather confused), ‘but today I
am quite convinced that ‘
‘How?’ cried Aglaya—and her lower lip trembled vio-
lently. ‘You were AFRAID that I—you dared to think that

The Idiot