Page 643 - the-idiot

know what all this means? Can you guess anything?’
‘It is madness—it is merely another proof of her insanity!’
said the prince, and his lips trembled.
‘You are crying, aren’t you?’
‘No, Aglaya. No, I’m not crying.’ The prince looked at
her.
‘Well, what am I to do? What do you advise me? I cannot
go on receiving these letters, you know.’
‘Oh, let her alone, I entreat you!’ cried the prince. What
can you do in this dark, gloomy mystery? Let her alone, and
I’ll use all my power to prevent her writing you any more
letters.’
‘If so, you are a heartless man!’ cried Aglaya. As if you
can’t see that it is not myself she loves, but you, you, and
only you! Surely you have not remarked everything else in
her, and only not THIS? Do you know what these letters
mean? They mean jealousy, sir—nothing but pure jealousy!
She—do you think she will ever really marry this Rogojin,
as she says here she will? She would take her own life the
day after you and I were married.’
The prince shuddered; his heart seemed to freeze within
him. He gazed at Aglaya in wonderment; it was difficult for
him to realize that this child was also a woman.
‘God knows, Aglaya, that to restore her peace of mind
and make her happy I would willingly give up my life. But I
cannot love her, and she knows that.’
‘Oh, make a sacrifice of yourself! That sort of thing be-
comes you well, you know. Why not do it? And don’t call
me ‘Aglaya’; you have done it several times lately. You are

The Idiot