Free eBooks at Planet eBook.com
Kuzmitch’s, Mitya escorted me there. I told him I should
stay there till midnight, and I asked him to be sure to come
at midnight to fetch me home. He went away and I sat ten
minutes with Kuzma Kuzmitch and came back here again.
Ugh, I was afraid, I ran for fear of meeting him.’
‘And why are you so dressed up? What a curious cap
you’ve got on!’
‘How curious you are yourself, Rakitin! I tell you, I am
expecting a message. If the message comes, I shall fly, I shall
gallop away and you will see no more of me. That’s why I am
dressed up, so as to be ready.’
‘And where are you flying to?’
‘If you know too much, you’ll get old too soon.’
‘Upon my word! You are highly delighted... I’ve never
seen you like this before. You are dressed up as if you were
going to a ball.’ Rakitin looked her up and down.
‘Much you know about balls.’
‘And do you know much about them?’
‘I have seen a ball. The year before last, Kuzma Kuzmitch’s
son was married and I looked on from the gallery. Do you
suppose I want to be talking to you, Rakitin, while a prince
like this is standing here. Such a visitor! Alyosha, my dear
boy, I gaze at you and can’t believe my eyes. Good heavens,
can you have come here to see me! To tell you the truth, I
never had a thought of seeing you and I didn’t think that
you would ever come and see me. Though this is not the
moment now, I am awfully glad to see you. Sit down on the
sofa, here, that’s right, my bright young moon. I really can’t
take it in even now.... Eh, Rakitin, if only you had brought