Page 1562 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

‘As much of what I promised as is possible. Vous
professez d’etre libre penseur. But I as a believer cannot, in
a matter of such gravity, act in opposition to the Christian
law.’

‘But in Christian societies and among us, as far as I’m
aware, divorce is allowed,’ said Stepan Arkadyevitch.
‘Divorce is sanctioned even by our church. And we see..’
‘It is allowed, but not in the sense..’
‘Alexey Alexandrovitch, you are not like yourself,’ said
Oblonsky, after a brief pause. ‘Wasn’t it you (and didn’t
we all appreciate it in you?) who forgave everything, and
moved simply by Christian feeling was ready to make any
sacrifice? You said yourself: if a man take thy coat, give
him thy cloak also, and now..’
‘I beg,’ said Alexey Alexandrovitch shrilly, getting
suddenly onto his feet, his face white and his jaws
twitching, ‘I beg you to drop this...to drop...this subject!’
‘Oh, no! Oh, forgive me, forgive me if I have
wounded you,’ said Stepan Arkadyevitch, holding out his
hand with a smile of embarrassment; ‘but like a messenger
I have simply performed the commission given me.’
Alexey Alexandrovitch gave him his hand, pondered a
little, and said:

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