“But if you⁠ ⁠… I could⁠ ⁠…” stammered Lebedeff, “if⁠ ⁠… if you please, prince, tell you something on the subject which would interest you, I am sure.” He spoke in wheedling tones, and wriggled as he walked along.

Muishkin stopped short.

“Daria Alexeyevna also has a villa at Pavlofsk.”

“Well?”

“A certain person is very friendly with her, and intends to visit her pretty often.”

“Well?”

“Aglaya Ivanovna⁠ ⁠…”

“Oh stop, Lebedeff!” interposed Muishkin, feeling as if he had been touched on an open wound. “That⁠ ⁠… that has nothing to do with me. I should like to know when you are going to start. The sooner the better as far as I am concerned, for I am at an hotel.”