pression, and not in the least--"

"I quite understand. You are trying to comfort me for the naiveness with
which you disagreed with me--eh? Ha! ha! ha! You are a regular
child, prince! However, I cannot help seeing that you always treat me
like--like a fragile china cup. Never mind, never mind, I'm not a bit
angry! At all events we have had a very funny talk. Do you know, all
things considered, I should like to be something better than Osterman!
I wouldn't take the trouble to rise from the dead to be an Osterman.
However, I see I must make arrangements to die soon, or I myself--.
Well--leave me now! Au revoir. Look here--before you go, just give me
your opinion: how do you think I ought to die, now? I mean--the best,
the most virtuous way? Tell me!"

"You should pass us by and forgive us our happiness," said the prince in
a low voice.

"Ha! ha! ha! I thought so. I thought I should hear something like
that. Well, you are--you really are--oh dear me! Eloquence, eloquence!
Good-bye!"

VI.

As to the evening party at the Epanchins' at which Princess Bielokonski
was to be present, Varia had reported with accuracy; though she had
perhaps expressed herself too strongly.

The thing was decided in a hurry and with a certain amount of quite
unnecessary excitement, doubtless because "nothing could be done in this
house like anywhere else."

The impatience of Lizabetha Prokofievna "to get things settled"
explained a good deal, as well as the anxiety of both parents for the
happiness of their beloved daughter. Besides, Princess Bielokonski was
going away soon, and they hoped that she would take an interest in
the prince. They were anxious that he should enter society under the
auspices of this lady, whose patronage was the best of recommendations
for any young man.

Even if there seems something strange about the match, the general and
his wife said to each other, the "world" will accept Aglaya's fiance
without any question if he is under the patronage of the princess. In
any case, the prince would have to be "shown" sooner or later; that is,
introduced into society, of which he had, so far, not the least idea.
Moreover, it was only a question of a small gathering of a few intimate
friends. Besides Princess Bielokonski, only one other lady was expected,
the wife of a high dignitary. Evgenie Pavlovitch, who was to escort the
princess, was the only young man.

Muishkin was told of the princess's visit three days beforehan