Page 807 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

uncertainty; but the lawyer promptly came to his
assistance.
‘People cannot go on living together—here you have a
fact. And if both are agreed about it, the details and

formalities become a matter of no importance. And at the
same time this is the simplest and most certain method.’
Alexey Alexandrovitch fully understood now. But he
had religious scruples, which hindered the execution of
such a plan.
‘That is out of the question in the present case,’ he said.
‘Only one alternative is possible: undesigned detection,
supported by letters which I have.’
At the mention of letters the lawyer pursed up his lips,
and gave utterance to a thin little compassionate and
contemptuous sound.
‘Kindly consider,’ he began, ‘cases of that kind are, as
you are aware, under ecclesiastical jurisdiction; the
reverend fathers are fond of going into the minutest details
in cases of that kind,’ he said with a smile, which betrayed
his sympathy with the reverend fathers’ taste. ‘Letters may,
of course, be a partial confirmation; but detection in the
fact there must be of the most direct kind, that is, by
eyewitnesses. In fact, if you do me the honor to intrust
your confidence to me, you will do well to leave me the

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