Page 793 - the-idiot

towards them. He knew very well that he must tell some sto-
ry this evening for the edification of the company, and led
up to it with the inspiration of anticipatory triumph.
The prince, when he heard the story afterwards, felt that
he had never yet come across so wonderful a humorist, or
such remarkable brilliancy as was shown by this man; and
yet if he had only known it, this story was the oldest, stalest,
and most worn-out yarn, and every drawing-room in town
was sick to death of it. It was only in the innocent Epanchin
household that it passed for a new and brilliant tale—as a
sudden and striking reminiscence of a splendid and talent-
ed man.
Even the German poet, though as amiable as possible,
felt that he was doing the house the greatest of honours by
his presence in it.
But the prince only looked at the bright side; he did not
turn the coat and see the shabby lining.
Aglaya had not foreseen that particular calamity. She
herself looked wonderfully beautiful this evening. All three
sisters were dressed very tastefully, and their hair was done
with special care.
Aglaya sat next to Evgenie Pavlovitch, and laughed
and talked to him with an unusual display of friendliness.
Evgenie himself behaved rather more sedately than usual,
probably out of respect to the dignitary. Evgenie had been
known in society for a long while. He had appeared at the
Epanchins’ today with crape on his hat, and Princess Bielo-
konski had commended this action on his part. Not every
society man would have worn crape for ‘such an uncle.’

The Idiot