Page 849 - the-idiot

IX

FORTNIGHT had passed since the events recorded in
A he last chapter, and the position of the actors in our
t
story had become so changed that it is almost impossible
for us to continue the tale without some few explanations.
Yet we feel that we ought to limit ourselves to the simple
record of facts, without much attempt at explanation, for a
very patent reason: because we ourselves have the greatest
possible difficulty in accounting for the facts to be record-
ed. Such a statement on our part may appear strange to the
reader. How is anyone to tell a story which he cannot un-
derstand himself? In order to keep clear of a false position,
we had perhaps better give an example of what we mean;
and probably the intelligent reader will soon understand
the difficulty. More especially are we inclined to take this
course since the example will constitute a distinct march
forward of our story, and will not hinder the progress of the
events remaining to be recorded.
During the next fortnight—that is, through the early
part of July—the history of our hero was circulated in the
form of strange, diverting, most unlikely-sounding stories,
which passed from mouth to mouth, through the streets
and villas adjoining those inhabited by Lebedeff, Ptitsin,
Nastasia Philipovna and the Epanchins; in fact, pretty well
through the whole town and its environs. All society—both

The Idiot