He wrote without using any form of address to her, and wrote in French, making use of the plural "_vous_," which has not the same note of coldness as the corresponding Russian form.

"At our last conversation, I notified you of my intention to communicate to you my decision in regard to the subject of that conversation.

Having carefully considered everything, I am writing now with the object of fulfilling that promise.

My decision is as follows.

Whatever your conduct may have been, I do not consider myself justified in breaking the ties in which we are bound by a Higher Power.