Oh, on the contrary! my mother will be very glad, said Gania, courteously and kindly.
I think only one of your rooms is engaged as yet, is it not? That fellow Ferd-Ferd
Ferdishenko.
Yes I dont like that Ferdishenko. I cant understand why Nastasia Philipovna encourages him so. Is he really her cousin, as he says?
Oh dear no, its all a joke. No more cousin than I am. Well, what do you think of the arrangement, prince?
Thank you, general; you have behaved very kindly to me; all the more so since I did not ask you to help me. I dont say that out of pride. I certainly did not know where to lay my head tonight. Rogojin asked me to come to his house, of course, but
Rogojin? No, no, my good fellow. I should strongly recommend you, paternally, or, if you prefer it, as a friend, to forget all about Rogojin, and, in fact, to stick to the family into which you are about to enter.
Thank you, began the prince; and since you are so very kind there is just one matter which I
You must really excuse me, interrupted the general, but I positively havent another moment now. I shall just tell Elizabetha Prokofievna about you, and if she wishes to receive you at once as I shall advise her I strongly recommend you to ingratiate yourself with her at the first opportunity, for my wife may be of the greatest service to you in many ways. If she cannot receive you now, you must be content to wait till another time. Meanwhile you, Gania, just look over these accounts, will you? We mustnt forget to finish off that matter
The general left the room, and the prince never succeeded in broaching the business which he had on hand, though he had endeavoured to do so four times.
Gania lit a cigarette and offered one to the prince. The latter accepted the offer, but did not talk, being unwilling to disturb Ganias work. He commenced to examine the study and its contents. But Gania hardly so much as glanced at the papers lying before him; he was absent and thoughtful, and his smile and general appearance struck the prince still more disagreeably now that the two were left alone together.
Suddenly Gania approached our hero who was at the moment standing over Nastasia Philipovnas portrait, gazing at it.
Do you admire that sort of woman, prince? he asked, looking intently at him. He seemed to have some special object in the question.
Its a wonderful face, said the prince, and I feel sure that her destiny is not by any means an ordinary, uneventful one. Her face is smiling enough, but she must have suffered terribly hasnt she? Her eyes show it those two bones there, the little points under her eyes, just where the cheek begins. Its a proud face too, terribly proud! And I I cant say whether she is good and kind, or not. Oh, if she be but good! That would make all well!
And would you marry a woman like that, now? continued Gania, never taking his excited eyes off the princes face.
I cannot marry at all, said the latter. I am an invalid.
Would Rogojin marry her, do you think?
Why not? Certainly he would, I should think. He would marry her tomorrow! marry her tomorrow and murder her in a week!
Hardly had the prince uttered the last word when Gania gave such a fearful shudder that the prince almost cried out.
Whats the matter? said he, seizing Ganias hand.
Your highness! His excellency begs your presence in her excellencys apartments! announced the footman, appearing at the door.
The prince immediately followed the man out of the room.
IV
ALL three of the Miss Epanchins were fine, healthy girls, well-grown, with good shoulders and busts, and strong almost masculine hands; and, of course, with all the above attributes, they enjoyed capital appetites, of which they were not in the least ashamed.
Elizabetha Prokofievna sometimes informed the girls that they were a little too candid in this matter, but in spite of their outward deference to their mother these three young women, in solemn conclave, had long agreed to modify the unquestioning obedience which they had been in the habit of according to her; and Mrs. General Epanchin had judged it better to say nothing about it, though, of course, she was well aware of the fact.
It is true that her nature sometimes rebelled against these dictates of reason, and that she grew yearly more capricious and impatient; but having a respectful and well-disciplined husband under her thumb at all times, she found it possible, as a rule, to empty any little accumulations of spleen upon his head, and therefore the harmony of the family was kept duly balanced, and things went as smoothly as family matters can.
Mrs. Epanchin had a fair appetite herself, and generally took her share of the capital mid-day lunch which was always served for the girls, and which was nearly as good as a dinner. The young ladies used to have a cup of coffee each before this meal, at ten oclock, while still in bed. This was a favourite and unalterable arrangement with them. At half-past twelve, the table was laid in the small dining-room, and occasionally the general himself appeared at the family gathering, if he had time.