Chapter 5

           Mrs.GeneralEpanchinwasaproudwomanbynature.WhatmustherfeelingshavebeenwhensheheardthatPrinceMuishkin,thelastofhisandherline,hadarrivedinbeggar’sguise,awretchedidiot,arecipientofcharity—allofwhichdetailsthegeneralgaveoutforgreatereffect!Hewasanxioustostealherinterestatthefirstswoop,soastodistractherthoughtsfromothermattersnearerhome.

           Mrs.Epanchinwasinthehabitofholdingherselfverystraight,andstaringbeforeher,withoutspeaking,inmomentsofexcitement.

           Shewasafinewomanofthesameageasherhusband,withaslightlyhookednose,ahigh,narrowforehead,thickhairturningalittlegrey,andasallowcomplexion.Hereyesweregreyandworeaverycuriousexpressionattimes.Shebelievedthemtobemosteffective—abeliefthatnothingcouldalter.

           “What,receivehim!Now,atonce?”askedMrs.Epanchin,gazingvaguelyatherhusbandashestoodfidgetingbeforeher.

           “Oh,dearme,Iassureyouthereisnoneedtostandonceremonywithhim,”thegeneralexplainedhastily.“Heisquiteachild,nottosayapathetic-lookingcreature.Hehasfitsofsomesort,andhasjustarrivedfromSwitzerland,straightfromthestation,dressedlikeaGermanandwithoutafarthinginhispocket.Igavehimtwenty-fiveroublestogoonwith,andamgoingtofindhimsomeeasyplaceinoneofthegovernmentoffices.Ishouldlikeyoutoplyhimwellwiththevictuals,mydears,forIshouldthinkhemustbeveryhungry.