Book 1 Chapter 35 The Procureur - Nekhludoff Refuses to Serve

"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.

"I beg your pardon, but I do not think that has anything to do
with my request," answered Nekhludoff, flushing angrily.