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 said the lawyer; and he glanced at his client and waited like a gunsmith who explains to a purchaser the use of two pistols of different caliber, leaving him free to choose between them.

But Alekseï Aleksandrovitch remaining silent, he continued:—

"The commonest, simplest, and most reasonable way, in my opinion, is to recognize the guilt by mutual agreement. I should not allow myself to say this if I were talking to a man of less experience than yourself," said the lawyer, "but I suppose that this is comprehensible to you."

Alekseï Aleksandrovitch, however, was so troubled that he did not at the first moment realize the reasonableness of "adultery, by mutual agreement," and this uncertainty was to be read in his eyes; but the lawyer came at once to his aid.

"Suppose that a man and wife can no longer live together; if both consent to a divorce, the details and formalities amount to nothing. This is the simplest and surest way."

Alekseï Aleksandrovitch understood now, but he had religious convictions which stood in the way of his employing this measure.

"In the present case this means is out of the question," said he. "Here only one case is possible: compulsory conviction, supported by letters which are in my possession."

At the mention of letters, the lawyer, pressing his lips together, uttered an exclamation both of pity and disdain.

"Please take notice," he began, "affairs of this sort are, as you well know, decided by the upper clergy," he said. "Our Fathers the protopopes are great connoisseurs in affairs of this kind and attend to the minutest details," said he, with a smile which showed his sympathy for the protopopes. "Letters undoubtedly might serve as partial evidence. But proofs must be furnished in the right way—by witnesses. However, if you do me the honor to grant me your confidence, you must