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 "No, Alekseï Aleksandrovitch," said Oblonsky, leaping to his feet, "I do not wish to believe this. She is as unhappy as it is possible for a woman to be; and you cannot refuse such ...."

"How far what I promised is permissible? Vous professez d'être un libre penseur; but I, as a believer, cannot defy the law of Christianity in a matter so important."

"But in Christian communities, and here in Russia, divorce is permitted," said Stepan Arkadyevitch. "Divorce is permitted by our Church, and we see ...."

"Permitted, but not in this sense."

"Alekseï Aleksandrovitch, I don't know you," said Oblonsky, after a moment's silence. "You are not the same man you were. Did you not forgive all? .... and did we not appreciate your magnanimity? .... were you not moved by genuine Christian feeling? Weren't you ready to sacrifice everything? You yourself said, 'If any man will take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.' And now...."

"I beg of you," said Karenin, rising suddenly, and turning pale, and with a trembling jaw, "I beg of you," he said, in a high-pitched voice, "to cut short, to cut short this conversation!"

"Oh, well, pardon me, pardon me, if I have offended you!" said Stepan Arkadyevitch, in confusion, holding out his hand;" but I had to fulfil the mission I was charged with."

Alekseï Aleksandrovitch gave him his hand, and said, after a moment's reflection:—

"I must have time to think about it, and seek for light. You shall have my final answer day after tomorrow."

CHAPTER XIX

was going out, when Korneï came in, and announced, "Sergyeï Alekseyevitch."

"Who is Sergyeï Alekseyevitch?" Oblonsky began to ask, but in an instant he remembered.