Chapter 7

           

           Hélèneunderstoodthatthequestionwasverysimpleandeasyfromtheecclesiasticalpointofview,andthatherdirectorsweremakingdifficultiesonlybecausetheywereapprehensiveastohowthematterwouldberegardedbythesecularauthorities.

           Soshedecidedthatitwasnecessarytopreparetheopinionofsociety.Sheprovokedthejealousyoftheelderlymagnateandtoldhimwhatshehadtoldherothersuitor;thatis,sheputthemattersothattheonlywayforhimtoobtainarightoverherwastomarryher.Theelderlymagnatewasatfirstasmuchtakenabackbythissuggestionofmarriagewithawomanwhosehusbandwasalive,astheyoungermanhadbeen,butHélène’simperturbableconvictionthatitwasassimpleandnaturalasmarryingamaidenhaditseffectonhimtoo.HadHélèneherselfshowntheleastsignofhesitation,shame,orsecrecy,hercausewouldcertainlyhavebeenlost;butnotonlydidsheshownosignsofsecrecyorshame,onthecontrary,withgood-naturednaïvetéshetoldherintimatefriends(andthesewereallPetersburg)thatboththeprinceandthemagnatehadproposedtoherandthatshelovedbothandwasafraidofgrievingeither.

           ArumorimmediatelyspreadinPetersburg,notthatHélènewantedtobedivorcedfromherhusband(hadsuchareportspreadmanywouldhaveopposedsoillegalanintention)butsimplythattheunfortunateandinterestingHélènewasindoubtwhichofthetwomensheshouldmarry.Thequestionwasnolongerwhetherthiswaspossible,butonlywhichwasthebettermatchandhowthematterwouldberegardedatcourt.

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