Page 73 - the-idiot

agitation.
Mrs. Epanchin, long accustomed to her husband’s infi-
delities, had heard of the pearls, and the rumour excited her
liveliest curiosity and interest. The general remarked her
suspicions, and felt that a grand explanation must shortly
take place—which fact alarmed him much.
This is the reason why he was so unwilling to take lunch
(on the morning upon which we took up this narrative)
with the rest of his family. Before the prince’s arrival he
had made up his mind to plead business, and ‘cut’ the meal;
which simply meant running away.
He was particularly anxious that this one day should be
passed— especially the evening—without unpleasantness
between himself and his family; and just at the right mo-
ment the prince turned up—‘as though Heaven had sent
him on purpose,’ said the general to himself, as he left the
study to seek out the wife of his bosom.

The Idiot