"It is not now that she has died to me."
"What you say is sinful.... Do not be angry with me. You call me your friend: a friend may say anything. To tell the truth, I feel terrified.... Your face was so malign yesterday.... Do you remember, how you were complaining of her, not long ago?—and perhaps, already, at that very time, she was no longer alive. This is terrible. It is exactly as though it had been sent to you as a chastisement."
Lavrétzky laughed bitterly.
"Do you think so?... At all events, I am free now."
Liza gave a slight start.
"Stop, do not talk like that. Of what use to you is your freedom? You must not think about that now, but about forgiveness...."
"I forgave her long ago,"—interrupted Lavrétzky, with a wave of the hand.
"No, not that,"—returned Liza, and blushed. "You did not understand me rightly. You must take means to obtain forgiveness...."
"Who is there to forgive me?"
"Who?—God. Who else but God can forgive us?"