Page 839 - the-idiot

ever fantastical was the other woman, howsoever afflicted
her spirit and disturbed her understanding, no precon-
ceived idea of hers could possibly stand up against that
deadly feminine contempt of her rival. The prince felt sure
that Nastasia would say nothing about the letters herself;
but he could judge by her flashing eyes and the expression
of her face what the thought of those letters must be cost-
ing her at this moment. He would have given half his life
to prevent Aglaya from speaking of them. But Aglaya sud-
denly braced herself up, and seemed to master herself fully,
all in an instant.
‘You have not quite understood,’ she said. ‘I did not come
to quarrel with you, though I do not like you. I came to
speak to you as... as one human being to another. I came
with my mind made up as to what I had to say to you, and
I shall not change my intention, although you may misun-
derstand me. So much the worse for you, not for myself! I
wished to reply to all you have written to me and to reply
personally, because I think that is the more convenient way.
Listen to my reply to all your letters. I began to be sorry
for Prince Lef Nicolaievitch on the very day I made his ac-
quaintance, and when I heard—afterwards—of all that took
place at your house in the evening, I was sorry for him be-
cause he was such a simple-minded man, and because he,
in the simplicity of his soul, believed that he could be hap-
py with a woman of your character. What I feared actually
took place; you could not love him, you tortured him, and
threw him over. You could not love him because you are too
proud—no, not proud, that is an error; because you are too

The Idiot