Anna Karenina - Part 3

Though Alexey Alexandrovitch was perfectly aware that he could

not exert any moral influence over his wife, that such an attempt

at reformation could lead to nothing but falsity; though in

passing through these difficult moments he had not once thought

of seeking guidance in religion, yet now, when his conclusion

corresponded, as it seemed to him, with the requirements of

religion, this religious sanction to his decision gave him

complete satisfaction, and to some extent restored his peace of

mind. He was pleased to think that, even in such an important

crisis in life, no one would be able to say that he had not acted

in accordance with the principles of that religion whose banner

he had always held aloft amid the general coolness and

indifference. As he pondered over subsequent developments,

Alexey Alexandrovitch did not see, indeed, why his relations with

his wife should not remain practically the same as before. No

doubt, she could never regain his esteem, but there was not, and

there could not be, any sort of reason that his existence should

be troubled, and that he should suffer because she was a bad and

faithless wife. "Yes, time will pass; time, which arranges all

things, and the old relations will be reestablished," Alexey

Alexandrovitch told himself; "so far reestablished, that is, that

I shall not be sensible of a break in the continuity of my life.

She is bound to be unhappy, but I am not to blame, and so I

cannot be unhappy."