‘Oh, a thing may be very pleasant to hear, even if it’s not true. Sincerity in love is an added charm, but not, my dear fellow, a necessity.’
A pause followed this reflection of the Pasha’s. Then he remarked:
‘After all, we mustn’t judge these people as we should judge ourselves. If Constantine hadn’t already a wife—’
‘What?’ I cried, leaping up.
‘And perhaps that difficulty is not insuperable.’
‘He deserves nothing but hanging.’
‘A reluctant wife is hardly better.’
‘Of course you don’t mean it?’
‘It seems to disturb you so much.’
‘It’s a monstrous idea.’