I should like to have a general knowledge of the formalities which are employed in the practical settlement of affairs of this kind."
"You wish," replied the lawyer, not raising his eyes and entering with no little satisfaction into the spirit of his client's words, "you wish me to expound for you the way whereby your wishes may be fulfilled."
And, as Alekseï Aleksandrovitch assented with an inclination of his head, he continued, casting a furtive glance now and then at his face, which was flushed with red spots.
"Divorce, according to our laws," said he, with a slight shade of disdain for our laws, "is possible, as you know, in the following cases.... Let them wait!" he cried, seeing his clerk open the door. However, he rose, went to say a few words to him, came back, and sat down again: ".... in the following cases: physical defect of one of the parties; next, the unexplained absence of one of them for five years,"—in making this enumeration he bent down his short, hairy fingers, one after another,—"and finally, adultery." This word he pronounced with evident satisfaction. "The categories are as follows:"—he kept on doubling over his fat fingers, although the case before him and the categories, it was plain enough, could not be classified together,—"physical incapacity of husband or wife, then adultery of husband or wife." Then as all his fingers were closed he raised them all again and proceeded: "This is the theoretical view, but I think that, in doing me the honor to consult me, you desire to know the practical side, do you not? And therefore, guiding myself by antecedents, it is my duty to inform you that as this case is neither one of physical defect, nor absence of one of the parties, as I understand?" ....
Alekseï Aleksandrovitch bowed his head in confirmation of this.
"The reason last named remains,—adultery,—and the conviction of the guilty party by mutual consent, and without mutual consent, compulsory conviction. I must say that the last case is rarely met with in practice,"
