Page 772 - the-idiot

VI

s to the evening party at the Epanchins’ at which Prin-
Acess Bielokonski was to be present, Varia had reported
with accuracy; though she had perhaps expressed herself
too strongly.
The thing was decided in a hurry and with a certain
amount of quite unnecessary excitement, doubtless because
‘nothing could be done in this house like anywhere else.’
The impatience of Lizabetha Prokofievna ‘to get things
settled’ explained a good deal, as well as the anxiety of both
parents for the happiness of their beloved daughter. Besides,
Princess Bielokonski was going away soon, and they hoped
that she would take an interest in the prince. They were anx-
ious that he should enter society under the auspices of this
lady, whose patronage was the best of recommendations for
any young man.
Even if there seems something strange about the match,
the general and his wife said to each other, the ‘world’ will
accept Aglaya’s fiance without any question if he is under
the patronage of the princess. In any case, the prince would
have to be ‘shown’ sooner or later; that is, introduced into
society, of which he had, so far, not the least idea. Moreover,
it was only a question of a small gathering of a few intimate
friends. Besides Princess Bielokonski, only one other lady
was expected, the wife of a high dignitary. Evgenie Pavlov-

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