Page 398 - the-idiot

however kindly disposed I might be towards him; delicacy
forbids it; I should seem to be offering him charity instead
of rightful payment. I don’t know how you cannot see that,
gentlemen! Besides, I had no intention of leaving the mat-
ter there. I meant to intervene amicably later on and help to
improve poor Mr. Burdovsky’s position. It is clear that he
has been deceived, or he would never have agreed to any-
thing so vile as the scandalous revelations about his mother
in Mr. Keller’s article. But, gentlemen, why are you getting
angry again? Are we never to come to an understanding?
Well, the event has proved me right! I have just seen with
my own eyes the proof that my conjecture was correct!’ he
added, with increasing eagerness.
He meant to calm his hearers, and did not perceive that
his words had only increased their irritation.
‘What do you mean? What are you convinced of?’ they
demanded angrily.
‘In the first place, I have had the opportunity of getting
a correct idea of Mr. Burdovsky. I see what he is for myself.
He is an innocent man, deceived by everyone! A defence-
less victim, who deserves indulgence! Secondly, Gavrila
Ardalionovitch, in whose hands I had placed the matter,
had his first interview with me barely an hour ago. I had
not heard from him for some time, as I was away, and have
been ill for three days since my return to St. Petersburg. He
tells me that he has exposed the designs of Tchebaroff and
has proof that justifies my opinion of him. I know, gentle-
men, that many people think me an idiot. Counting upon
my reputation as a man whose purse-strings are easily