Page 771 - the-idiot

‘I quite understand. You are trying to comfort me for the
naiveness with which you disagreed with me—eh? Ha! ha!
ha! You are a regular child, prince! However, I cannot help
seeing that you always treat me like—like a fragile china
cup. Never mind, never mind, I’m not a bit angry! At all
events we have had a very funny talk. Do you know, all
things considered, I should like to be something better than
Osterman! I wouldn’t take the trouble to rise from the dead
to be an Osterman. However, I see I must make arrange-
ments to die soon, or I myself—. Well—leave me now! Au
revoir. Look here—before you go, just give me your opinion:
how do you think I ought to die, now? I mean—the best, the
most virtuous way? Tell me!’
‘You should pass us by and forgive us our happiness,’ said
the prince in a low voice.
‘Ha! ha! ha! I thought so. I thought I should hear some-
thing like that. Well, you are—you really are—oh dear me!
Eloquence, eloquence! Good-bye!’

0 The Idiot