If you had not promised it once, she would have reconciled herself to her position, she would have gone on living in the country. But you promised it, and she wrote to you, and moved to Moscow. And here she's been for six months in Moscow, where every chance meeting cuts her to the heart, every day expecting an answer. Have pity on her, and I will undertake to arrange everything. But I as a believer cannot, in a matter of such gravity, act in opposition to the Christian law.
Divorce is sanctioned even by our church.
The day after to-morrow I will give you a final answer,' he said, after considering a moment.