Prince Sergius (smiling). I am afraid I hardly see her in the present ... tableau. (Earnestly.) Why not submit to Victor's wish and help him?
Sophia Karénina. To marry a divorcée? And afterwards have him running into his wife's husband? How can you calmly suggest that a mother accept such a situation for her son?
Prince Sergius. But, chère amie, why not approve of the inevitable? And you might console yourself by regarding the dangers he'll avoid by marrying this gentle, lovely woman. After all, suppose he conceived a passion for some one——
[Convey the word "disreputable".
Sophia Karénina. How can a good woman leave her husband?
Prince Sergius. Ah, that's not like you. You're unkind and you're harsh. Her husband is the sort of man—well, he's his own worst enemy. A weakling, a ne'er-do-well—he's spent all his money and hers too. She has a child. Do you think you can condemn her for leaving him? As a matter of fact she didn't leave him, he left her.
Sophia Karénina (faintly). Oh what a mud-pen I'm slipping into!
Prince Sergius (amused). Could your religion aid you?
Sophia Karénina (smelling her salts). In this instance, religion would require of me the impossible. C'est plus fort que moi.
Prince Sergius. Fédya himself—you know what a charming clever creature he is when he's in his senses—he advised her to leave him.