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 it is a matter of indifference to you that his life has been overthrown, that he su....su.... suffers ...."

Alekseï Aleksandrovitch spoke so rapidly that he stammered, and could not speak the word.

This seemed ridiculous to Anna, but she immediately was ashamed of herself because anything could seem to her ridiculous at such a moment. For the first time, and for a moment, she felt for him, and entered into his feelings and pitied him. But what could she say or do? She bowed her head and was silent. He also was silent for a little, then began again in a less piercing and colder voice, emphasizing words of no special importance:—

"I came to tell you ...."

She glanced at him. "No, that proves it to me," she said to herself, as she remembered the expression of his face as he stammered over the word suffered. "No, how can a man, with his dull eyes, so full of calm self-satisfaction, feel anything."

"I cannot change," she murmured.

"I have come to tell you that to-morrow I am going to Moscow, and that I shall not enter this house again. You will learn of my determination from the lawyer who will have charge of the preliminaries of the divorce. My son will go to my sister," he added, recalling with difficulty what he wanted to say about the child.

"You want to take Serozha away so as to cause me pain," she cried, glaring at him; "you do not love him .... leave Serozha!"

"Yes, I have even lost my love for my son because the repulsion you inspire in me includes him; but I shall keep him, nevertheless. Good morning."

He was about to go, but she detained him.

"Alekseï Aleksandrovitch, leave Serozha with me," she whispered again; "that is all I ask of you; leave him with me till my .... I shall soon be confined. Leave him with me!"

Alekseï Aleksandrovitch flushed with indignation, pushed away the arm that held him back, and left her without replying.