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?