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deduce that I had some reason for wishing to come.’
‘It grieves me to see you so, Hippolyte. Why didn’t you
send me a message? I would have come up and saved you
this trouble.’
‘Well, well! Enough! You’ve pitied me, and that’s all that
good manners exact. I forgot, how are you?’
‘I’m all right; yesterday I was a little—‘
‘I know, I heard; the china vase caught it! I’m sorry I
wasn’t there. I’ve come about something important. In the
first place I had, the pleasure of seeing Gavrila Ardaliono-
vitch and Aglaya Ivanovna enjoying a rendezvous on the
green bench in the park. I was astonished to see what a fool
a man can look. I remarked upon the fact to Aglaya Ivanov-
na when he had gone. I don’t think anything ever surprises
you, prince!’ added Hippolyte, gazing incredulously at the
prince’s calm demeanour. ‘To be astonished by nothing is
a sign, they say, of a great intellect. In my opinion it would
serve equally well as a sign of great foolishness. I am not
hinting about you; pardon me! I am very unfortunate today
in my expressions.
‘I knew yesterday that Gavrila Ardalionovitch—‘ began
the prince, and paused in evident confusion, though Hip-
polyte had shown annoyance at his betraying no surprise.
‘You knew it? Come, that’s news! But no—perhaps better
not tell me. And were you a witness of the meeting?’
‘If you were there yourself you must have known that I
was NOT there!’
‘Oh! but you may have been sitting behind the bushes
somewhere. However, I am very glad, on your account, of

The Idiot