NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. How d'you do, Princess? How d'you do? [To Father Gerásim] I beg your pardon. I don't know your name.[31]
FATHER GERÁSIM. Do you not wish to receive my blessing?
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. No, I don't.
FATHER GERÁSIM. My name is Gerásim Sédorovitch. Very pleased to meet you.
Men-servants bring lunch and wine.
FATHER GERÁSIM. Pleasant weather, and good for the harvest.
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I suppose you came, at Alexándra Ivánovna's invitation, to divert me from my errors and direct me in the path of truth. If that is so, don't let us beat about the bush, but let us get to business at once. I do not deny that I disagree with the teaching of the Church. I used to agree with it, and then left off doing so. But with my whole heart I wish to be in the truth and will at once accept it if you show it to me.
FATHER GERÁSIM. How is it you say you don't believe the teaching of the Church? What is there to believe in, if not the Church?
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. God and His law, given to us in the Gospels.