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"I must say and express fully the following points: first,

exposition of the value to be attached to public opinion and to

decorum; secondly, exposition of religious significance of

marriage; thirdly, if need be, reference to the calamity possibly

ensuing to our son; fourthly, reference to the unhappiness likely

to result to herself." And, interlacing his fingers, Alexey

Alexandrovitch stretched them, and the joints of the fingers

cracked. This trick, a bad habit, the cracking of his fingers,

always soothed him, and gave precision to his thoughts, so

needful to him at this juncture.

There was the sound of a carriage driving up to the front door.

Alexey Alexandrovitch halted in the middle of the room.

A woman's step was heard mounting the stairs. Alexey

Alexandrovitch, ready for his speech, stood compressing his

crossed fingers, waiting to see if the crack would not come

again. One joint cracked.