I begin to think there
is something about me which people don't seem able to make out. It's
unfortunate. I imagine, however, that Prince K--- understands. He seemed
to."
Councillor Mikulin moved slightly and spoke.
"Prince K--- is aware of everything that is being done, and I don't
mind informing you that he approved my intention of becoming personally
acquainted with you."
Razumov concealed an immense disappointment under the accents of railing
surprise.
"So he is curious too!... Well--after all, Prince K--- knows me very
little. It is really very unfortunate for me, but--it is not exactly my
fault."
Councillor Mikulin raised a hasty deprecatory hand and inclined his head
slightly over his shoulder.
"Now, Mr. Razumov--is it necessary to take it in that way? Everybody I
am sure can...."
He glanced rapidly down his beard, and when he looked up again there
was for a moment an interested expression in his misty gaze. Razumov
discouraged it with a cold, repellent smile.
"No. That's of no importance to be sure--except that in respect of all
this curiosity being aroused by a very simple matter.... What is to
be done with it? It is unappeasable. I mean to say there is nothing to
appease it with. I happen to have been born a Russian with patriotic
instincts--whether inherited or not I am not in a position to say.
Pages:
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132