Page 884 - the-idiot

es were found to declare afterwards. He seemed anxious
to reach home and be left alone as quickly as possible; but
this was not to be. He was accompanied by nearly all the
invited guests, and besides this, the house was almost be-
sieged by excited bands of people, who insisted upon being
allowed to enter the verandah. The prince heard Keller
and Lebedeff remonstrating and quarrelling with these
unknown individuals, and soon went out himself. He ap-
proached the disturbers of his peace, requested courteously
to be told what was desired; then politely putting Lebedeff
and Keller aside, he addressed an old gentleman who was
standing on the verandah steps at the head of the band of
would-be guests, and courteously requested him to honour
him with a visit. The old fellow was quite taken aback by
this, but entered, followed by a few more, who tried to ap-
pear at their ease. The rest remained outside, and presently
the whole crowd was censuring those who had accepted
the invitation. The prince offered seats to his strange visi-
tors, tea was served, and a general conversation sprang
up. Everything was done most decorously, to the consid-
erable surprise of the intruders. A few tentative attempts
were made to turn the conversation to the events of the day,
and a few indiscreet questions were asked; but Muishkin re-
plied to everybody with such simplicity and good-humour,
and at the same time with so much dignity, and showed
such confidence in the good breeding of his guests, that the
indiscreet talkers were quickly silenced. By degrees the con-
versation became almost serious. One gentleman suddenly
exclaimed, with great vehemence: ‘Whatever happens, I