Page:Dostoevsky - The Idiot, Collected Edition, 1916.djvu/31

same as he had to the footman and before that to Rogozhin. Meanwhile Gavril Ardalionovitch seemed recalling something.

"Was it you," he asked, "who sent a letter to Lizaveta Prokofyevna a year ago, or even less, from Switzerland, I think?"

"Yes."

"Then they know about you here and will certainly remember you. You want to see his excellency? I'll announce you at once.... He will be at liberty directly. Only you ought... you had better step into the waiting-room.... Why is the gentleman here?" he asked the servant sternly.

"I tell you, he wouldn't himself...."

At that moment the door from the study was thrown open and a military man with a portfolio in his hand bowed himself out, talking loudly.

"You are there, Ganya," cried a voice from the study, "come here."

Gavril Ardalionovitch nodded to Myshkin and went hastily into the study.

Two minutes later the door was opened again and the musical and affable voice of Gavril Ardalionovitch was heard:

"Prince, please come in."

Chapter III.

General Ivan Fyodorovitch Epanchin stood in the middle of the room and looked with extreme curiosity at the young man as her entered. He even took two steps towards him. Myshkin went up to him and introduced himself.

"Quite so," said the general, "what can I do for you?"

"I have no urgent business, my object is simply to make your acquaintance. I should be sorry to disturb you, as I don't know your arrangements, or when you see visitors.... But I have only just come from the station.... I've come from Switzerland."

The general was on the point of smiling, but on second thoughts he checked himself. Then he thought again, screwed up his eyes, scrutinised his visitor again from head to foot, then rapidly motioned him to a chair, sat down himself a little on one side of him, and turned to him in impatient expectation. Ganya was standing in the corner at the bureau, sorting papers.