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against whom he was beginning a suit for divorce. But he had not
taken into account the ocean of kindliness brimming over in the heart
of Stepan Arkadyevitch.
Stepan Arkadyevitch opened wide his clear, shining eyes.
“Why can’t you? What do you mean?” he asked in perplexity, speak-
ing in French. “Oh, but it’s a promise. And we’re all counting on you.”
“I want to tell you that I can’t dine at your house, because the terms
of relationship which have existed between us must cease.”
“How? How do you mean? What for?” said Stepan Arkadyevitch
with a smile.
“Because I am beginning an action for divorce against your sister,
my wife. I ought to have...”
But, before Alexey Alexandrovitch had time to finish his sentence,
Stepan Arkadyevitch was behaving not at all as he had expected. He
groaned and sank into an armchair.
“No, Alexey Alexandrovitch! What are you saying?” cried Oblonsky,
and his suffering was apparent in his face.
“It is so.”
“Excuse me, I can’t, I can’t believe it!”
Alexey Alexandrovitch sat down, feeling that his words had not
had the effect he anticipated, and that it would be unavoidable for him
to explain his position, and that, whatever explanations he might make,
his relations with his brother-in-law would remain unchanged.
“Yes, I am brought to the painful necessity of seeking a divorce,” he
said.
“I will say one thing, Alexey Alexandrovitch. I know you for an
excellent, upright man; I know Anna—excuse me, I can’t change my
opinion of her—for a good, an excellent woman; and so, excuse me, I
cannot believe it. There is some misunderstanding,” said he.
“Oh, if it were merely a misunderstanding!...”
“Pardon, I understand,” interposed Stepan Arkadyevitch. “But of
course.... One thing: you must not act in haste. You must not, you
must not act in haste!”
“I am not acting in haste,” Alexey Alexandrovitch said coldly, “but
one cannot ask advice of anyone in such a matter. I have quite made
up my mind.
“This is awful!” said Stepan Arkadyevitch. “I would do one thing,
Alexey Alexandrovitch. I beseech you, do it!” he said. “No action has
yet been taken, if I understand rightly. Before you take advice, see my
wife, talk to her. She loves Anna like a sister, she loves you, and she’s a
wonderful woman. For God’s sake, talk to her! Do me that favor, I
beseech you!”
Alexey Alexandrovitch pondered, and Stepan Arkadyevitch looked
at him sympathetically, without interrupting his silence.
“You will go to see her?”
“I don’t know. That was just why I have not been to see you. I
imagine our relations must change.”
“Why so? I don’t see that. Allow me to believe that apart from our
connection you have for me, at least in part, the same friendly feeling I
have always had for you...and sincere esteem,” said Stepan
Arkadyevitch, pressing his hand. “Even if your worst suppositions
were correct, I don’t—and never would—take on myself to judge either
side, and I see no reason why our relations should be affected. But
now, do this, come and see my wife.”
“Well, we look at the matter differently,” said Alexey Alexandrovitch
coldly. “However, we won’t discuss it.”
“No; why shouldn’t you come today to dine, anyway? My wife’s
expecting you. Please, do come. And, above all, talk it over with her.