Letters of Anton Chekhov (Tchekhov) - Penn State University

Anton ChekhovTO FATHER SERGEY SHTCHUKIN.MOSCOW, May 27, 1904.DEAR FATHER SERGEY,Yesterday I talked to a very well-known lawyer about the case inwhich you are interested, and I will tell you his opinion. Let Mr. N.immediately put together all the necessary documents, let his fianceedo the same, and go off to another province, such as Kherson,and there get married. When they are married let them come homeand live quietly, saying nothing about it. It is not a crime (there isno consanguinity), but only a breach of a long established tradition.If in another two or three years someone informs against them, orfinds out and interferes, and the case is brought into court, anywaythe children would be legitimate. And when there is a lawsuit (atrivial one anyway), then they can send in a petition to the Sovereign.The Sovereign does not sanction what is forbidden by law (soit is no use to petition for permission for the marriage), but theSovereign enjoys the fullest privilege of pardon and does as a rulepardon what is inevitable.I don’t know whether I am putting it properly. You must forgiveme, I am in bed, ill, and have been since the second of May, I havenot been able to get up once all this time. I cannot execute yourother commissions ….425