“Ready--keep your distance, all of you!”
“Tell us about the execution,” put in Adelaida.“In the first place, it is not for you to address me as ‘sir,’ and, in the second place, I refuse to give you any explanation,” said Ivan Fedorovitch vehemently; and he rose without another word, and went and stood on the first step of the flight that led from the verandah to the street, turning his back on the company. He was indignant with Lizabetha Prokofievna, who did not think of moving even now.
“N-no.” “Especially as you know all, eh?”But the situation was becoming rapidly critical.
In inexpressible agitation, amounting almost to fear, the prince slipped quickly away from the window, away from the light, like a frightened thief, but as he did so he collided violently with some gentleman who seemed to spring from the earth at his feet.
“Kapiton Eropegoff--not Captain Eropegoff!--Kapiton--major retired--Eropegoff--Kapiton.” |
“Oh come! just as if you didn’t understand, Lukian Timofeyovitch! What are you up to? I can’t make you out! The money, the money, sir! The four hundred roubles that you lost that day. You came and told me about it one morning, and then went off to Petersburg. There, _now_ do you understand?”
VIII.
“Come, come, I’ve always heard that you ran away with the beautiful Countess Levitsky that time--throwing up everything in order to do it--and not from the Jesuits at all,” said Princess Bielokonski, suddenly.
“Won’t you leave the room, mamma?” asked Varia, aloud. |
“He is not at home.” |
“Yes, he would!” said Rogojin, quietly, but with an air of absolute conviction.
Hippolyte went out. |
“Yes, I do think so!” |
The prince glanced at it, but took no further notice. He moved on hastily, as though anxious to get out of the house. But Rogojin suddenly stopped underneath the picture.
“Agreed that all this may be true; but we need not discuss a subject which belongs to the domain of theology.”The prince gave no answer, and sat deep in thought. Evidently he was struggling to decide. |
“Nicolai Ardalionovitch...” |