Sure enough, the train was just steaming in as he spoke.
Though Rogojin had declared that he left Pskoff secretly, a large collection of friends had assembled to greet him, and did so with profuse waving of hats and shouting.
Why, theres Zaleshoff here, too! he muttered, gazing at the scene with a sort of triumphant but unpleasant smile. Then he suddenly turned to the prince: Prince, I dont know why I have taken a fancy to you; perhaps because I met you just when I did. But no, it cant be that, for I met this fellow (nodding at Lebedeff) too, and I have not taken a fancy to him by any means. Come to see me, prince; well take off those gaiters of yours and dress you up in a smart fur coat, the best we can buy. You shall have a dress coat, best quality, white waistcoat, anything you like, and your pocket shall be full of money. Come, and you shall go with me to Nastasia Philipovnas. Now then will you come or no?
Accept, accept, Prince Lef Nicolaievitch said Lebedef solemnly; dont let it slip! Accept, quick!
Prince Muishkin rose and stretched out his hand courteously, while he replied with some cordiality:
I will come with the greatest pleasure, and thank you very much for taking a fancy to me. I dare say I may even come today if I have time, for I tell you frankly that I like you very much too. I liked you especially when you told us about the diamond earrings; but I liked you before that as well, though you have such a dark-clouded sort of face. Thanks very much for the offer of clothes and a fur coat; I certainly shall require both clothes and coat very soon. As for money, I have hardly a copeck about me at this moment.
You shall have lots of money; by the evening I shall have plenty; so come along!
Thats true enough, hell have lots before evening! put in Lebedeff.
But, look here, are you a great hand with the ladies? Lets know that first? asked Rogojin.
Thats true enough, hell have lots before evening! put in Lebedeff.
But, look here, are you a great hand with the ladies? Lets know that first? asked Rogojin.
Oh no, oh no! said the prince; I couldnt, you know my illness I hardly ever saw a soul.
Hm! well here, you fellow-you can come along with me now if you like! cried Rogojin to Lebedeff, and so they all left the carriage.
Lebedeff had his desire. He went off with the noisy group of Rogojins friends towards the Voznesensky, while the princes route lay towards the Litaynaya. It was damp and wet. The prince asked his way of passers-by, and finding that he was a couple of miles or so from his destination, he determined to take a droshky.
II
General Epanchin lived in his own house near the Litaynaya. Besides this large residence five-sixths of which was let in flats and lodgings-the general was owner of another enormous house in the Sadovaya bringing in even more rent than the first. Besides these houses he had a delightful little estate just out of town, and some sort of factory in another part of the city. General Epanchin, as everyone knew, had a good deal to do with certain government monopolies; he was also a voice, and an important one, in many rich public companies of various descriptions; in fact, he enjoyed the reputation of being a well-to-do man of busy habits, many ties, and affluent means. He had made himself indispensable in several quarters, amongst others in his department of the government; and yet it was a known fact that Fedor Ivanovitch Epanchin was a man of no education whatever, and had absolutely risen from the ranks.
This last fact could, of course, reflect nothing but credit upon the general; and yet, though unquestionably a sagacious man, he had his own little weaknesses-very excusable ones, one of which was a dislike to any allusion to the above circumstance. He was undoubtedly clever. For instance, he made a point of never asserting himself when he would gain more by keeping in the background; and in consequence many exalted personages valued him principally for his humility and simplicity, and because he knew his place. And yet if these good people could only have had a peep into the mind of this excellent fellow who knew his place so well! The fact is that, in spite of his knowledge of the world and his really remarkable abilities, he always liked to appear to be carrying out other peoples ideas rather than his own. And also, his luck seldom failed him, even at cards, for which he had a passion that he did not attempt to conceal. He played for high stakes, and moved, altogether, in very varied society.
As to age, General Epanchin was in the very prime of life; that is, about fifty-five years of age, the flowering time of existence, when real enjoyment of life begins. His healthy appearance, good colour, sound, though discoloured teeth, sturdy figure, preoccupied air during business hours, and jolly good humour during his game at cards in the evening, all bore witness to his success in life, and combined to make existence a bed of roses to his excellency. The general was lord of a flourishing family, consisting of his wife and three grown-up daughters. He had married young, while still a lieutenant, his wife being a girl of about his own age, who possessed neither beauty nor education, and who brought him no more than fifty souls of landed property, which little estate served, however, as a nest-egg for far more important accumulations. The general never regretted his early marriage, or regarded it as a foolish youthful escapade; and he so respected and feared his wife that he was very near loving her. Mrs. Epanchin came of the princely stock of Muishkin, which if not a brilliant, was, at all events, a decidedly ancient family; and she was extremely proud of her descent.
With a few exceptions, the worthy couple had lived through their long union very happily. While still young the wife had been able to make important friends among the aristocracy, partly by virtue of her family descent, and partly by her own exertions; while, in after life, thanks to their wealth and to the position of her husband in the service, she took her place among the higher circles as by right.
During these last few years all three of the generals daughters-Alexandra, Adelaida, and Aglaya had grown up and matured. Of course they were only Epanchins, but their mothers family was noble; they might expect considerable fortunes; their father had hopes of attaining to very high rank indeed in his countrys service-all of which was satisfactory. All three of the girls were decidedly pretty, even the eldest, Alexandra, who was just twenty-five years old. The middle daughter was now twenty-three, while the youngest, Aglaya, was twenty. This youngest girl was absolutely a beauty, and had begun of late to attract considerable attention in society. But this was not all, for every one of the three was clever, well educated, and accomplished.
It was a matter of general knowledge that the three girls were very fond of one another, and supported each other in every way; it was even said that the two elder ones had made certain sacrifices for the sake of the idol of the household, Aglaya. In society they not only disliked asserting themselves, but were actually retiring. Certainly no one could blame them for being too arrogant or haughty, and yet everybody was well aware that they were proud and quite understood their own value. The eldest was musical, while the second was a clever artist, which fact she had concealed until lately. In a word, the world spoke well of the girls; but they were not without their enemies, and occasionally people talked with horror of the number of books they had read.
They were in no hurry to marry. They liked good society, but were not too keen about it. All this was the more remarkable, because everyone was well aware of the hopes and aims of their parents.
It was about eleven oclock in the forenoon when the prince rang the bell at General Epanchins door. The general lived on the first floor or flat of the house, as modest a lodging as his position permitted. A liveried servant opened the door, and the prince was obliged to enter into long explanations with this gentleman, who, from the first glance, looked at him and his bundle with grave suspicion. At last, however, on the repeated positive assurance that he really was Prince Muishkin, and must absolutely see the general on business, the bewildered domestic showed him into a little ante-chamber leading to a waiting-room that adjoined the generals study, there handing him over to another servant, whose duty it was to be in this ante-chamber all the morning, and announce visitors to the general. This second individual wore a dress coat, and was some forty years of age; he was the generals special study servant, and well aware of his own importance.
Wait in the next room, please; and leave your bundle here, said the door-keeper, as he sat down comfortably in his own easy-chair in the ante-chamber. He looked at the prince in severe surprise as the latter settled himself in another chair alongside, with his bundle on his knees.
If you dont mind, I would rather sit here with you, said the prince; I should prefer it to sitting in there.
Oh, but you cant stay here. You are a visitor a guest, so to speak. Is it the general himself you wish to see?
The man evidently could not take in the idea of such a shabby-looking visitor, and had decided to ask once more.
Yes I have business began the prince.
I do not ask you what your business may be, all I have to do is to announce you; and unless the secretary comes in here I cannot do that.
The mans suspicions seemed to increase more and more. The prince was too unlike the usual run of daily visitors; and although the general certainly did receive, on business, all sorts and conditions of men, yet in spite of this fact the servant felt great doubts on the subject of this particular visitor. The presence of the secretary as an intermediary was, he judged, essential in this case.
Surely you are from abroad? he inquired at last, in a confused sort of way. He had begun his sentence intending to say, Surely you are not Prince Muishkin, are you?
Yes, straight from the train! Did not you intend to say, surely you are not Prince Muishkin? just now, but refrained out of politeness ?
Hm! grunted the astonished servant.
I assure you I am not deceiving you; you shall not have to answer for me. As to my being dressed like this, and carrying a bundle, theres nothing surprising in that the fact is, my circumstances are not particularly rosy at this moment.
Hm! no, Im not afraid of that, you see; I have to announce you, thats all. The secretary will be out directly-that is, unless you yes, thats the rub unless you come, you must allow me to ask you youve not come to beg, have you?