After some words of preparation, Countess Lidia Ivanovna, breathing hard and flushing crimson, gave into Alexey Alexandrovitch’s hands the letter she had received.
After reading the letter, he sat a long while in silence.
“I don’t think I have the right to refuse her,” he said, timidly lifting his eyes.
“Dear friend, you never see evil in anyone!”
“On the contrary, I see that all is evil. But whether it is just...”
His face showed irresolution, and a seeking for counsel, support, and guidance in a matter he did not understand.
“No,” Countess Lidia Ivanovna interrupted him; “there are limits to everything. I can understand immorality,”