Though she is my sister," Stepan Arkadyevitch pursued, "I don't hesitate to say that she's a remarkable woman.

But you will see.

Her position is very painful, especially now.

" "Why especially now?" "We are carrying on negotiations with her husband about a divorce.

And he's agreed; but there are difficulties in regard to the son, and the business, which ought to have been arranged long ago, has been dragging on for three months past.