Page 809 - the-idiot

china covering the carpet, the alarm of the company—what
all this meant to the poor prince it would be difficult to con-
vey to the mind of the reader, or for him to imagine.
But one very curious fact was that all the shame and
vexation and mortification which he felt over the accident
were less powerful than the deep impression of the almost
supernatural truth of his premonition. He stood still in
alarm—in almost superstitious alarm, for a moment; then
all mists seemed to clear away from his eyes; he was con-
scious of nothing but light and joy and ecstasy; his breath
came and went; but the moment passed. Thank God it was
not that! He drew a long breath and looked around.
For some minutes he did not seem to comprehend the
excitement around him; that is, he comprehended it and
saw everything, but he stood aside, as it were, like some-
one invisible in a fairy tale, as though he had nothing to do
with what was going on, though it pleased him to take an
interest in it.
He saw them gather up the broken bits of china; he heard
the loud talking of the guests and observed how pale Agla-
ya looked, and how very strangely she was gazing at him.
There was no hatred in her expression, and no anger whatev-
er. It was full of alarm for him, and sympathy and affection,
while she looked around at the others with flashing, angry
eyes. His heart filled with a sweet pain as he gazed at her.
At length he observed, to his amazement, that all had
taken their seats again, and were laughing and talking as
though nothing had happened. Another minute and the
laughter grew louder—they were laughing at him, at his

0 The Idiot