ubt, to my yellow waggonette, which has,
or had, red wheels. But I have exchanged it, so you are rather behind
the times, Colia."

The prince had been listening attentively to Radomski's words, and
thought his manner very pleasant. When Colia chaffed him about his
waggonette he had replied with perfect equality and in a friendly
fashion. This pleased Muishkin.

At this moment Vera came up to Lizabetha Prokofievna, carrying several
large and beautifully bound books, apparently quite new.

"What is it?" demanded the lady.

"This is Pushkin," replied the girl. "Papa told me to offer it to you."

"What? Impossible!" exclaimed Mrs. Epanchin.

"Not as a present, not as a present! I should not have taken the
liberty," said Lebedeff, appearing suddenly from behind his daughter.
"It is our own Pushkin, our family copy, Annenkoff's edition; it could
not be bought now. I beg to suggest, with great respect, that your
excellency should buy it, and thus quench the noble literary thirst
which is consuming you at this moment," he concluded grandiloquently.

"Oh! if you will sell it, very good--and thank you. You shall not be a
loser! But for goodness' sake, don't twist about like that, sir! I have
heard of you; they tell me you are a very learned person. We must have a
talk one of these days. You will bring me the books yourself?"

"With the greatest respect... and... and veneration," replied Lebedeff,
making extraordinary grimaces.

"Well, bring them, with or without respect, provided always you do not
drop them on the way; but on the condition," went on the lady, looking
full at him, "that you do not cross my threshold. I do not intend to
receive you today. You may send your daughter Vera at once, if you like.
I am much pleased with her."

"Why don't you tell him about them?" said Vera impatiently to her
father. "They will come in, whether you announce them or not, and they
are beginning to make a row. Lef Nicolaievitch,"--she addressed herself
to the prince--"four men are here asking for you. They have waited some
time, and are beginning to make a fuss, and papa will not bring them
in."

"Who are these people?" said the prince.

"They say that they have come on business, and they are the kind of men,
who, if you do not see them here, will follow you about the street.
It would be better to receive them, and then you will get rid of them.
Gavrila Ardalionovitch and Ptitsin are both there, trying to make them
hear reason