From the time of his marriage Sónya had lived in his house. Before that, Nikoláy had told his wife all that had passed between himself and Sónya, blaming himself and commending her. He had asked Princess Márya to be gentle and kind to his cousin. She thoroughly realized the wrong he had done Sónya, felt herself to blame toward her, and imagined that her wealth had influenced Nikoláy’s choice. She could not find fault with Sónya in any way and tried to be fond of her, but often felt ill-will toward her which she could not overcome.

Once she had a talk with her friend Natásha about Sónya and about her own injustice toward her.

“You know,” said Natásha, “you have read the Gospels a great deal⁠—there is a passage in them that just fits Sónya.”

“What?” asked Countess Márya, surprised.