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 illicit relationship, and, above all—though he did not avow it to himself—punishing his wife's fault.

"I must let her know that, in the cruel situation into which she has brought our family, I have come to the conclusion that the status quo is the only way that seems advisable for both sides, and that I will agree to preserve it under the strenuous condition that she on her part fulfil my will, and break off all relations with her paramour."

For the bolstering of this resolution when once he had finally adopted it, Alekseï Aleksandrovitch brought up one convincing argument: "Only by acting in this manner do I conform absolutely with the law of religion," said he to himself; "only by this reasoning do I refuse to send away the adulterous woman; and I give her the chance of amending her ways, and likewise,—painful as it will be to me,—I consecrate a part of my powers to her regeneration and salvation."

Though Alekseï Aleksandrovitch knew that he could have no moral influence over his wife, and that the attempts which he should make to reform his wife would have no other outcome than falsehood; although during the trying moments that he had been living, he had not for an instant thought of finding his guidance in religion,—yet now, when he felt that his determination was in accordance with religion, this religious sanction of his resolution gave him full comfort and a certain share of satisfaction. He was consoled with the thought that in such a trying period of his life no one would have the right to say that he had not acted in conformity to the religion whose banner he bore aloft in the midst of coolness and indifference.

As he went over in his mind the remotest contingencies, Alekseï Aleksandrovitch even saw no reason why his relations with his wife should not remain pretty much as they had always been. Of course, it would be impossible for him to feel great confidence in her; but he saw no reason why he should ruin his whole life, and suffer personally, because she was a bad and faithless wife.