Page 639 - the-idiot

‘You are very unfair to me, and to that unfortunate wom-
an of whom you spoke just now in such dreadful terms,
Aglaya.’
‘Because I know all, all—and that is why I speak so. I
know very well how you—half a year since—offered her
your hand before everybody. Don’t interrupt me. You see, I
am merely stating facts without any comment upon them.
After that she ran away with Rogojin. Then you lived with
her at some village or town, and she ran away from you.’
(Aglaya blushed dreadfully.) ‘Then she returned to Rogojin
again, who loves her like a madman. Then you —like a wise
man as you are—came back here after her as soon as ever
you heard that she had returned to Petersburg. Yesterday
evening you sprang forward to protect her, and just now
you dreamed about her. You see, I know all. You did come
back here for her, for her—now didn’t you?’
‘Yes—for her!’ said the prince softly and sadly, and bend-
ing his head down, quite unconscious of the fact that Aglaya
was gazing at him with eyes which burned like live coals. ‘I
came to find out something—I don’t believe in her future
happiness as Rogojin’s wife, although—in a word, I did not
know how to help her or what to do for her—but I came, on
the chance.’
He glanced at Aglaya, who was listening with a look of
hatred on her face.
‘If you came without knowing why, I suppose you love
her very much indeed!’ she said at last.
‘No,’ said the prince, ‘no, I do not love her. Oh! if you only
knew with what horror I recall the time I spent with her!’

The Idiot