Page 868 - the-idiot

apartments.
Colia was occupied with his father at this time. The old
man died during a second stroke, which took place just
eight days after the first. The prince showed great sympathy
in the grief of the family, and during the first days of their
mourning he was at the house a great deal with Nina Al-
exandrovna. He went to the funeral, and it was observable
that the public assembled in church greeted his arrival and
departure with whisperings, and watched him closely.
The same thing happened in the park and in the street,
wherever he went. He was pointed out when he drove by,
and he often overheard the name of Nastasia Philipovna
coupled with his own as he passed. People looked out for
her at the funeral, too, but she was not there; and another
conspicuous absentee was the captain’s widow, whom Leb-
edeff had prevented from coming.
The funeral service produced a great effect on the prince.
He whispered to Lebedeff that this was the first time he had
ever heard a Russian funeral service since he was a little boy.
Observing that he was looking about him uneasily, Lebe-
deff asked him whom he was seeking.
‘Nothing. I only thought I—‘
‘Is it Rogojin?’
‘Why—is he here?’
‘Yes, he’s in church.’
‘I thought I caught sight of his eyes!’ muttered the prince,
in confusion. ‘But what of it!—Why is he here? Was he
asked?’
‘Oh, dear, no! Why, they don’t even know him! Anyone