Page 767 - the-idiot

not having died yet, and for being, on the contrary, a good
deal better! Isn’t it a comedy? I don’t mind betting that you
don’t believe me!’
The prince said nothing.
‘I sometimes think of coming over to you again,’ said
Hippolyte, carelessly. ‘So you DON’T think them capable
of inviting a man on the condition that he is to look sharp
and die?’
‘I certainly thought they invited you with quite other
views.’
‘Ho, ho! you are not nearly so simple as they try to make
you out! This is not the time for it, or I would tell you a
thing or two about that beauty, Gania, and his hopes. You
are being undermined, pitilessly undermined, and—and it
is really melancholy to see you so calm about it. But alas! it’s
your nature—you can’t help it!’
‘My word! what a thing to be melancholy about! Why, do
you think I should be any happier if I were to feel disturbed
about the excavations you tell me of?’
‘It is better to be unhappy and know the worst, than to be
happy in a fool’s paradise! I suppose you don’t believe that
you have a rival in that quarter?’
‘Your insinuations as to rivalry are rather cynical, Hip-
polyte. I’m sorry to say I have no right to answer you! As for
Gania, I put it to you, CAN any man have a happy mind af-
ter passing through what he has had to suffer? I think that
is the best way to look at it. He will change yet, he has lots
of time before him, and life is rich; besides—besides...’ the
prince hesitated. ‘As to being undermined, I don’t know

The Idiot