But I am not speaking of myself; the most important persons in this matter are our son and yourself.

It may very well be, I repeat, that my words seem to you utterly unnecessary and out of place; it may be that they are called forth by my mistaken impression.

In that case, I beg you to forgive me.

But if you are conscious yourself of even the smallest foundation for them, then I beg you to think a little, and if your heart prompts you, to speak out to me..." Alexey Alexandrovitch was unconsciously saying something utterly unlike what he had prepared.