“Yes,” said Nekhludoff, quickly getting his coat, and following him.

They went out into the bright, merry sunlight, and had to raise their voices because of the rattling of the wheels on the pavement.

“The situation is a curious one, you see,” said the president; “what lay before this Maslova was one of two things:  either to be almost acquitted and only imprisoned for a short time, or, taking the preliminary confinement into consideration, perhaps not at all—­or Siberia.  There is nothing between.  Had you but added the words, ‘without intent to cause death,’ she would have been acquitted.”

“Yes, it was inexcusable of me to omit that,” said Nekhludoff.

“That’s where the whole matter lies,” said the president, with a smile, and looked at his watch.  He had only three-quarters of an hour left before the time appointed by his Clara would elapse.

“Now, if you like to speak to the advocates you’ll have to find a reason for an appeal; that can be easily done.”  Then, turning to an isvostchik, he called out, “To the Dvoryanskaya 30 copecks; I never give more.”  “All right, your honour; here you are.”

“Good-afternoon.  If I can be of any use, my address is House Dvornikoff, on the Dvoryanskaya; it’s easy to remember.”  And he bowed in a friendly manner as he got into the trap and drove off.

CHAPTER XXV.

Nekhludoff consults an advocate.

His conversation with the president and the fresh air quieted Nekhludoff a little.  He now thought that the feelings experienced by him had been exaggerated by the unusual surroundings in which he had spent the whole of the morning, and by that wonderful and startling coincidence.  Still, it was absolutely necessary to take some steps to lighten Maslova’s fate, and to take them quickly.  “Yes, at once!  It will be best to find out here in the court where the advocate Fanarin or Mikishin lives.”  These were two well-known advocates whom Nekhludoff called to mind.  He returned to the court, took off his overcoat, and went upstairs.  In the first corridor he met Fanarin himself.  He stopped him, and told him that he was just going to look him up on a matter of business.

Fanarin knew Nekhludoff by sight and name, and said he would be very glad to be of service to him.

“Though I am rather tired, still, if your business will not take very long, perhaps you might tell me what it is now.  Will you step in here?” And he led Nekhludoff into a room, probably some judge’s cabinet.  They sat down by the table.

“Well, and what is your business?”

“First of all, I must ask you to keep the business private.  I do not want it known that I take an interest in the affair.”

“Oh, that of course.  Well?”

“I was on the jury to-day, and we have condemned a woman to
Siberia, an innocent woman.  This bothers me very much.” 
Nekhludoff, to his own surprise, blushed and became confused. 
Fanarin glanced at him rapidly, and looked down again, listening.