“Just a couple of words!” whispered another voice in the prince’s other ear, and another hand took his other arm. Muishkin turned, and to his great surprise observed a red, flushed face and a droll-looking figure which he recognized at once as that of Ferdishenko. Goodness knows where he had turned up from!

“Do you remember Ferdishenko?” he asked.

“Where have you dropped from?” cried the prince.

“He is sorry for his sins now, prince,” cried Keller. “He did not want to let you know he was here; he was hidden over there in the corner⁠—but he repents now, he feels his guilt.”

“Why, what has he done?”

“I met him outside and brought him in⁠—he’s a gentleman who doesn’t often allow his friends to see him, of late⁠—but he’s sorry now.”