Page 696 - the-idiot

II

IPPOLYTE had now been five days at the Ptitsins’. His
Hflitting from the prince’s to these new quarters had
been brought about quite naturally and without many words.
He did not quarrel with the prince—in fact, they seemed to
part as friends. Gania, who had been hostile enough on that
eventful evening, had himself come to see him a couple of
days later, probably in obedience to some sudden impulse.
For some reason or other, Rogojin too had begun to visit
the sick boy. The prince thought it might be better for him
to move away from his (the prince’s) house. Hippolyte in-
formed him, as he took his leave, that Ptitsin ‘had been kind
enough to offer him a corner,’ and did not say a word about
Gania, though Gania had procured his invitation, and him-
self came to fetch him away. Gania noticed this at the time,
and put it to Hippolyte’s debit on account.
Gania was right when he told his sister that Hippolyte
was getting better; that he was better was clear at the first
glance. He entered the room now last of all, deliberately,
and with a disagreeable smile on his lips.
Nina Alexandrovna came in, looking frightened. She
had changed much since we last saw her, half a year ago, and
had grown thin and pale. Colia looked worried and per-
plexed. He could not understand the vagaries of the general,
and knew nothing of the last achievement of that worthy,