II.
No sooner had the old man left than there arose a conversation in which several persons took part.
"He is a papa of the old style," said the clerk. "What a savage conception about woman and about marriage!"
"A living Domostróy!"[1] said the lady.
"Yes, we are very far from the European conception of marriage," said the lawyer.
"The main thing is, these people do not understand," said the lady, "that marriage without love is not a marriage, that love alone sanctifies love, and that real marriage is only such as is sanctified by love."
The clerk listened attentively, trying to memorize as much as possible of the clever remarks, to use them on occasion.
In the middle of the lady's speech, there was heard behind me the sound of what might have been an interrupted laugh or sob; and, upon looking around, we saw my neighbour, the gray-haired lonely gentleman with the sparkling eyes, who, unnoticed by any one, had come up to us, evidently interested in the conversation. He was standing, with his hands on the back of the seat, and was apparently very much agitated: his face was red and the muscle of his cheek was jerking.
"What kind of a love is it that sanctifies marriage?" he asked, hesitatingly.
Seeing the agitated condition of the questioner, the lady tried to answer him as gently and clearly as possible.
- ↑ A sixteenth century work in which rules of conduct are laid down.
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