Resurrection

During an interval Nekhludoff got up and went out into the

corridor, with the intention of not returning to the court. Let

them do what they liked with him, he could take no more part in

this awful and horrid tomfoolery.

Having inquired where the Procureur's cabinet was he went

straight to him. The attendant did not wish to let him in, saying

that the Procureur was busy, but Nekhludoff paid no heed and went

to the door, where he was met by an official. He asked to be

announced to the Procureur, saying he was on the jury and had a

very important communication to make.

His title and good clothes were of assistance to him. The

official announced him to the Procureur, and Nekhludoff was let

in. The Procureur met him standing, evidently annoyed at the

persistence with which Nekhludoff demanded admittance.

"What is it you want?" the Procureur asked, severely.

"I am on the jury; my name is Nekhludoff, and it is absolutely

necessary for me to see the prisoner Maslova," Nekhludoff said,

quickly and resolutely, blushing, and feeling that he was taking

a step which would have a decisive influence on his life.

The Procureur was a short, dark man, with short, grizzly hair,

quick, sparkling eyes, and a thick beard cut close on his

projecting lower jaw.

"Maslova? Yes, of course, I know. She was accused of poisoning,"

the Procureur said, quietly. "But why do you want to see her?"

And then, as if wishing to tone down his question, he added, "I

cannot give you the permission without knowing why you require

it."

"I require it for a particularly important reason."

"Yes?" said the Procureur, and, lifting his eyes, looked

attentively at Nekhludoff. "Has her case been heard or not?"

"She was tried yesterday, and unjustly sentenced; she is

innocent."

"Yes? If she was sentenced only yesterday," went on the

Procureur, paying no attention to Nekhludoff's statement

concerning Maslova's innocence, "she must still be in the

preliminary detention prison until the sentence is delivered in

its final form. Visiting is allowed there only on certain days; I

should advise you to inquire there."

"But I must see her as soon as possible," Nekhludoff said, his

jaw trembling as he felt the decisive moment approaching.

"Why must you?" said the Procureur, lifting his brows with some

agitation.

"Because I betrayed her and brought her to the condition which

exposed her to this accusation."

"All the same, I cannot see what it has to do with visiting her."

"This: that whether I succeed or not in getting the sentence

changed I want to follow her, and--marry her," said Nekhludoff,

touched to tears by his own conduct, and at the same time pleased

to see the effect he produced on the Procureur.

"Really! Dear me!" said the Procureur. "This is certainly a very

exceptional case. I believe you are a member of the Krasnoporsk

rural administration?" he asked, as if he remembered having heard

before of this Nekhludoff, who was now making so strange a

declaration.