The Mother's Interrogation — The Idiot

Do not dare to suppose I am going to apologise. You were entirely to blame. She will not stand all day. If he says mischievous urchins she will break with him altogether. Did he write to Aglaya at Easter. Yes. He has not got the letter. He repeats it almost by heart, blushing as he claims he is not inclined to blush. Utter twaddle. He wrote as to a sister and signed himself her brother. Are you in love. N-no. The poor knight is a joke. He was not there. She called you an idiot herself. He asks to be spared that. Swear you did not come to marry that woman. He will swear by whatever she pleases. She lets him kiss her. She breathes freely. Aglaya shall never be his wife while she is out of her grave.

Evgenie will not have her either. Put me in my coffin first. Gania has communications. Varia has worked like a rat all winter. The prince does not believe it. Then the worse news: they have brought Aglaya into correspondence with Nastasia. Impossible. What object could they have. She does not believe it either, for a thousand years the girl is wicked, and still she does not choose to believe. Why has he not come. He shows Burdovsky's letter. The young man will not take a copeck and will repay the two hundred. How extremely stupid. She is pleased to have read it.

Never come near my house again. In three days you will invite me yourself, he says. She will die first. Then he tells her he is already forbidden. Who. Aglaya sent a note yesterday morning. Mrs Epanchin stands like a stone. The next minute she seizes his hand and drags him to the door. Quick. Come along. She never lets go, not even to fetch his miserable hat.