Page 860 - the-idiot

question’? I know all about that scandalous scene at Nasta-
sia Philipovna’s house when Rogojin brought the money, six
months ago. I’ll show you yourself as in a looking-glass, if
you like. I know exactly all that went on, in every detail, and
why things have turned out as they have. You thirsted, while
in Switzerland, for your home-country, for Russia; you read,
doubtless, many books about Russia, excellent books, I dare
say, but hurtful to YOU; and you arrived here; as it were, on
fire with the longing to be of service. Then, on the very day
of your arrival, they tell you a sad story of an illused wom-
an; they tell YOU, a knight, pure and without reproach, this
tale of a poor woman! The same day you actually SEE her;
you are attracted by her beauty, her fantastic, almost demo-
niacal, beauty—(I admit her beauty, of course).
‘Add to all this your nervous nature, your epilepsy, and
your sudden arrival in a strange town—the day of meetings
and of exciting scenes, the day of unexpected acquaintance-
ships, the day of sudden actions, the day of meeting with
the three lovely Epanchin girls, and among them Aglaya—
add your fatigue, your excitement; add Nastasia’ s evening
party, and the tone of that party, and—what were you to ex-
pect of yourself at such a moment as that?’
‘Yes, yes, yes!’ said the prince, once more, nodding his
head, and blushing slightly. ‘Yes, it was so, or nearly so—I
know it. And besides, you see, I had not slept the night be-
fore, in the train, or the night before that, either, and I was
very tired.’
‘Of course, of course, quite so; that’s what I am driving at!’
continued Evgenie, excitedly. ‘It is as clear as possible, and