Page 755 - the-idiot

‘Tell us now, at once, what you made of the present? I
must have you answer this question for mother’s sake; she
needs pacifying, and so do all the rest of the family!’
‘Look here, Aglaya—‘ began the general.
‘This—this is going beyond all limits!’ said Lizabetha
Prokofievna, suddenly alarmed.
‘It is not in the least beyond all limits, mamma!’ said her
daughter, firmly. ‘I sent the prince a hedgehog this morning,
and I wish to hear his opinion of it. Go on, prince.’
‘What—what sort of opinion, Aglaya Ivanovna?’
‘About the hedgehog.’
‘That is—I suppose you wish to know how I received the
hedgehog, Aglaya Ivanovna,—or, I should say, how I regard-
ed your sending him to me? In that case, I may tell you—in
a word—that I—in fact—‘
He paused, breathless.
‘Come—you haven’t told us much!’ said Aglaya, after
waiting some five seconds. ‘Very well, I am ready to drop
the hedgehog, if you like; but I am anxious to be able to
clear up this accumulation of misunderstandings. Allow
me to ask you, prince,—I wish to hear from you, person-
ally—are you making me an offer, or not?’
‘Gracious heavens!’ exclaimed Lizabetha Prokofievna.
The prince started. The general stiffened in his chair; the
sisters frowned.
‘Don’t deceive me now, prince—tell the truth. All these
people persecute me with astounding questions—about you.
Is there any ground for all these questions, or not? Come!’
‘I have not asked you to marry me yet, Aglaya Ivanov-

The Idiot