Page 883 - the-idiot

in time for the train. As he jumped out of the carriage and
was almost on the point of entering the train, Rogojin ac-
costed a young girl standing on the platform and wearing
an old-fashioned, but respectable-looking, black cloak and
a silk handkerchief over her head.
‘Take fifty roubles for your cloak?’ he shouted, hold-
ing the money out to the girl. Before the astonished young
woman could collect her scattered senses, he pushed the
money into her hand, seized the mantle, and threw it and
the handkerchief over Nastasia’s head and shoulders. The
latter’s wedding-array would have attracted too much at-
tention, and it was not until some time later that the girl
understood why her old cloak and kerchief had been bought
at such a price.
The news of what had happened reached the church with
extraordinary rapidity. When Keller arrived, a host of peo-
ple whom he did not know thronged around to ask him
questions. There was much excited talking, and shaking of
heads, even some laughter; but no one left the church, all be-
ing anxious to observe how the now celebrated bridegroom
would take the news. He grew very pale upon hearing it, but
took it quite quietly.
‘I was afraid,’ he muttered, scarcely audibly, ‘but I hardly
thought it would come to this.’ Then after a short silence, he
added: ‘However, in her state, it is quite consistent with the
natural order of things.’
Even Keller admitted afterwards that this was ‘extraor-
dinarily philosophical’ on the prince’s part. He left the
church quite calm, to all appearances, as many witness-

The Idiot