Page 706 - the-idiot

dark moments of doubt and rage, when even this fact seems
uncertain. There are spots of darkness on your horizon,
though they will disappear when you become completely
stupid. But a long and chequered path lies before you, and
of this I am glad. In the first place you will never gain a cer-
tain person.’
‘Come, come! This is intolerable! You had better stop,
you little mischief-making wretch!’ cried Varia. Gania had
grown very pale; he trembled, but said nothing.
Hippolyte paused, and looked at him intently and with
great gratification. He then turned his gaze upon Varia,
bowed, and went out, without adding another word.
Gania might justly complain of the hardness with which
fate treated him. Varia dared not speak to him for a long
while, as he strode past her, backwards and forwards. At
last he went and stood at the window, looking out, with his
back turned towards her. There was a fearful row going on
upstairs again.
‘Are you off?’ said Gania, suddenly, remarking that she
had risen and was about to leave the room. ‘Wait a mo-
ment—look at this.’
He approached the table and laid a small sheet of paper
before her. It looked like a little note.
‘Good heavens!’ cried Varia, raising her hands.
This was the note:
‘GAVRILA ARDOLIONOVITCH,—persuaded of your
kindness of heart, I have determined to ask your advice
on a matter of great importance to myself. I should like to
meet you tomorrow morning at seven o’clock by the green

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