Page 756 - the-idiot

na,’ said the prince, becoming suddenly animated; ‘but you
know yourself how much I love you and trust you.’
‘No—I asked you this—answer this! Do you intend to ask
for my band, or not?’
‘Yes—I do ask for it!’ said the prince, more dead than
alive now.
There was a general stir in the room.
‘No—no—my dear girl,’ began the general. ‘You cannot
proceed like this, Aglaya, if that’s how the matter stands.
It’s impossible. Prince, forgive it, my dear fellow, but—
Lizabetha Prokofievna!’—he appealed to his spouse for
help—‘you must really—‘
‘Not I—not I! I retire from all responsibility,’ said Liza-
betha Prokofievna, with a wave of the hand.
‘Allow me to speak, please, mamma,’ said Aglaya. ‘I think
I ought to have something to say in the matter. An impor-
tant moment of my destiny is about to be decided’—(this is
how Aglaya expressed herself)—‘and I wish to find out how
the matter stands, for my own sake, though I am glad you
are all here. Allow me to ask you, prince, since you cherish
those intentions, how you consider that you will provide for
my happiness?’
‘I—I don’t quite know how to answer your question,
Aglaya Ivanovna. What is there to say to such a question?
And—and must I answer?’
‘I think you are rather overwhelmed and out of breath.
Have a little rest, and try to recover yourself. Take a glass of
water, or—but they’ll give you some tea directly.’
‘I love you, Aglaya Ivanovna,—I love you very much. I