If she were to read this letter, she would be incapable of saying anything, she would only hang her head lower than ever.

" "Yes, but what's to be done in that case? how explain, how find out her wishes?" "If you will allow me to give my opinion, I think that it lies with you to point out directly the steps you consider necessary to end the position.

" "So you consider it must be ended?" Alexey Alexandrovitch interrupted him.

" But how?" he added, with a gesture of his hands before his eyes not usual with him.

" I see no possible way out of it.