第5章

WhenhegotoutofthetrainatPeterburg，hefeltafterhissleeplessnightaslivelyandfreshasafteracoldbath。Hepausednearhiscar，waitingforhertoemerge。`Oncemore，’hesaidtohimself，smilingunconsciously，`oncemoreIshallseeherwalk，herface；shemaysaysomething，turnherhead，glance，smile，perhaps。’Butbeforehecaughtsightofher，hesawherhusband，whomthestationmasterwasdeferentiallyescortingthroughthecrowd。`Ah，yes。Thehusband。’Onlynow，forthefirsttime，didVronskyrealizeclearlythefactthattherewassomeoneattachedtoher-ahusband。

Hehadknownthatshehadahusband，buthadhardlybelievedinhisexistence，andonlynow，whenhesawhim，didhefullybelieveinhim，withhishead，andshoulders，andhisblack-trouseredlegs；especiallywhenhesawthishusbandplacidlytakeherarm，withaconsciousnessofproprietorship。

SeeingAlexeiAlexandrovichwithhisspick-and-spanPeterburgfaceandausterelyself-confidentfigure，inhisroundhat，withhisratherprominentspine，hebelievedinhim，andwasawareofadisagreeablesensation，suchasmightbefeltbyamanwho，torturedbythirst，finds，onreachingaspring，adog，asheeporapigthereinthathasnotonlydrunkofit，butalsomuddiedthewater。AlexeiAlexandrovich’smannerofwalking，gyratinghiswholepelvisandhisflatfeet，wasespeciallyoffensivetoVronsky。

Hecouldrecognizeinnoonebuthimselfanindubitablerighttoloveher。

Butshewasstillthesame，andthesightofheraffectedhimthesameway，physicallyrevivinghim，stirringhim，andfillinghissoulwithhappiness。

HetoldhisGermanvalet，whoranuptohimfromthesecondclass，totakehisthingsandgoon，hehimselfwentuptoher。Hesawthefirstmeetingbetweenthehusbandandwife，andnoted，withalover’sinsight，thesignoftheslightembarrassmentwithwhichshespoketoherhusband。`No，shedoesnotlovehim，andcannotlovehim，’hedecidedtohimself。

AttheverymomentthathewasapproachingAnnaArkadyevnafromtheback，henoticedwithjoythatshewasconsciousofhisdrawingnear，andthatshelookedround；afterwhich，seeinghim，sheturnedagaintoherhusband。

`Haveyouhadagoodnight？’hesaid，bowingbothtoherandtoherhusband，andleavingittoAlexeiAlexandrovichtoacceptthebowonhisownaccount，andtoreturnitornot，ashemightseefit。

`Thankyou-averygoodone，’sheanswered。

Herfaceseemedtired，andlackinginthatplayofanimationwhichusuallyhoveredbetweenhersmileandhereyes；butforasingleinstant，assheglancedathim，somethingflashedinhereyes，andalthoughthisflashdiedawayatonce，hewasmadehappybythatmoment。Sheglancedatherhusband，tofindoutwhetherheknewVronsky。AlexeiAlexandrovichwasregardingVronskywithdispleasure，absent-mindedlytryingtorecallwhohewas。Vronsky’scalmnessandself-confidencehadhererunup，likeascytheagainstastone，onthefrigidself-confidenceofAlexeiAlexandrovich。

`CountVronsky，’saidAnna。

`Ah！Weareacquainted，Ibelieve，’saidAlexeiAlexandrovichapathetically，profferinghishand。`Yousetoutwiththemotherandreturnwiththeson，’hesaidtoAnna，articulatingdistinctly，asthougheachwordwereacoinofhighvaluebestowedbyhimonhishearers-`You’rebackfromleave，Isuppose？’hesaid，andwithoutwaitingforareply，headdressedhiswifeinhisbanteringtone:`Well，wereagreatmanytearsshedinMoscowatparting？’

ByaddressinghiswifethushemeantVronskytoperceivethathewishedtobeleftalone，and，turningslightlytowardhim，hetouchedhishat；butVronskyturnedtoAnnaArkadyevna:

`Ihopetohavethehonorofcallingonyou，’hesaid。

AlexeiAlexandrovichglancedwithhiswearyeyesatVronsky。

`Delighted，’hesaidcoldly。`We’reathomeMondays。’Then，dismissingVronskyentirely，hesaidtohiswife:`Iamratherluckytohavejusthalfanhourtomeetyou，sothatIcanprovetoyoumyfondness，’hewenton，inthesamebanteringtone。

`Youlaytoogreatastressonyourfondnessformetovalueitverymuch，’sherespondedinthesamebanteringtone，involuntarilylisteningtothesoundofVronsky’sstepsbehindthem。`ButwhathaveItodowiththat？’shesaidtoherself，andbeganquestioningherhusbandastohowSeriozhahadgotonwithouther。

`Oh，capitally！Mariettesayshehasbeenaverydarlingboy，and……Imustdisappointyou……Buthehasnotlanguishedforyouasyourhusbandhas。Butoncemoremerci，mydear，forbestowingawholedayuponme。OurdearSamovarwillbeenraptured。’(HecalledtheCountessLidiaIvanovna，wellknowninsociety，asamovar，becauseshewasbubblingoverwithexcitementonanyandeveryoccasion。)`Shehasbeenaskingforyou。And，d’youknow，ifImayventuretoadviseyou，yououghttogotoseehertoday。Youknowhowshetakeseverythingtoheart。Justnow，withallherowncares，she’sanxiousaboutthereconciliationoftheOblonskys。’

TheCountessLidiaIvanovnawasafriendofherhusband’s，andthecenterofthatoneofthecoteriesofthePeterburgbeaumondewithwhichAnnawas，throughherhusband，intheclosestrapport。

`ButIwrotetoher。’

`Yes，butshemusthavefulldetails。Gotoseeher，ifyou’renottootired，mydear。Well，Kondratiiwilltakeyouinthecarriage，whileIgotomycommittee。OncemoreIshallnotbealoneatdinner，’

AlexeiAlexandrovichcontinued，butnolongerinajestingtone。`Youwouldn’tbelievehowI’vegrownusedtoyou……’

And，withaprolongedpressureofherhand，andaparticularsmile，hehelpedherintohercarriage。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart1，Chapter32[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter32ThefirstpersontomeetAnnaathomewasherson。Hedasheddownthestairstoher，inspiteofthegovernes’sscall，andwithfrenziedraptureshrieked:

`Mother！mother！’Runninguptoher，hehungonherneck。

`Itoldyouitwasmother！’heshoutedtothegoverness。`Iknewit！’

Andherson，likeherhusband，arousedinAnnaafeelingakintodisappointment。Inherimaginationhehadbeenbetterthanhewasinreality。Shehadtodescendtorealitytoenjoyhimashewas。But，evenso，hewascharming，withhisfaircurls，hisblueeyesandhischubby，gracefullittlelegsintightlypulled-upstockings。Annaexperiencedanalmostphysicaldelightinthesensationofhisnearness，andhiscaresses；

andamoralreassurance，whenshemethisingenuous，trustingandlovingglance，andheardhisnaivequestions。AnnatookoutthepresentsDolly’schildrenhadsenthim，andtoldhersonaboutTania，alittlegirlinMoscow，andhowTaniacouldread，andeventaughttheotherchildren。

`Why，amInotasgoodasshe？’askedSeriozha。

`Tomeyou’rebetterthananyoneelseinthewholeworld。’

`Iknowthat，’saidSeriozha，smiling。

AnnahadscarcelydrunkhercoffeewhentheCountessLidiaIvanovnawasannounced。TheCountessLidiaIvanovnawasatall，fleshywoman，withanunwholesomelyyellowcomplexionandbeautiful，pensiveblackeyes。Annalikedher，buttodaysheseemed，forthefirsttime，toseeherwithallhershortcomings。

`Well，myfriend，wereyouthebeareroftheolivebranch？’askedCountessLidiaIvanovna，theminutesheenteredtheroom。

`Yes，it’sallover，butitwasnotatallasseriousaswethought，’

answeredAnna。`Mybelle-soeuris，ingeneral，muchtoocategorical。’

ButCountessLidiaIvanovna，whowasinterestedineverythingthatdidnotconcernher，hadahabitofneverlisteningtowhatinterestedher；sheinterruptedAnna:

`Yes，there’splentyofsorrowandevilintheworld-andIamsofatiguedtoday！’

`Oh，why？’askedAnna，tryingtorepressasmile。

`I’mbeginningtowearyofvainlybreakinglancesforthetruth，andattimesI’maltogetherunstrung。TheaffairwithourDearSisters[thiswasareligiouslypatriotic，philanthropicinstitution]startedoffsplendidly，butit’simpossibletodoanythingwithsuchpeople，’addedCountessLidiaIvanovna，withamockingsubmissivenesstofate。`Theypouncedontheidea，andmangledit，andafterwardtheythrashitoutsopettilyandtrivially。Twoorthreepeople，yourhusbandamongthem，graspallthesignificanceofthisaffairbuttheothersmerelydegradeit。YesterdayPravdinwrotetome……’

Pravdinwasawell-knownPan-Slavistabroad，andCountessLidiaIvanovnatoldthegistofhisletter。

NexttheCountessspokeofotherunpleasantnessesandintriguesagainsttheworkoftheunificationofthechurches，anddepartedinhaste，sincethatdayshehadtoattendthemeetingofanothersociety，andalsoaSlavoniccommittee。

`Allthisisasithasalwaysbeen；buthowisitIdidn’tnoticeitbefore？’Annaaskedherself。`Orhasshebeenverymuchirritatedtoday？

It’sreallyludicrous:herobjectistodogood；she’saChristian；yetshe’sforeverangry，andforeverhavingenemies-andalwaysenemiesinthenameofChristianityanddoinggood。’

AfterCountessLidiaIvanovnaanotherfriendcame，thewifeofadirectoroftheDepartment，whotoldherallthenewsofthetown。Atthreeo’clockshetoowentaway，promisingtocometodinner。AlexeiAlexandrovichwasattheMinistry。Anna，leftalone，spentthetimetilldinnerinlendingherpresencetoherson’sdinner(hedinedapartfromhisparents)，inputtingherthingsinorder，andinreadingandansweringthenotesandletterswhichhadaccumulatedonherescritoire。

Thefeelingofunreasoningshame，whichshehadfeltduringthejourney，andheragitation，hadcompletelyvanished。Intheaccustomedconditionsofherlifesheagainfeltherselffirmandirreproachable。

Sherecalledwithwonderherstateofmindonlyyesterday。`Whatwasit？Nothing。Vronskysaidsomethingsilly，whichitwaseasytoputanendto，andIansweredjustasIshouldhave。Tospeakofittomyhusbandwouldbeunnecessaryandimpermissible。Tospeakofitwouldbetoattachimportancetothatwhichhasnone。’SherememberedhowshehadtoldherhusbandofwhatwasalmostdeclarationmadeherinPeterburgbyayoungman，asubordinateofherhusband’s，andhowAlexeiAlexandrovichhadansweredthateverywomanoftheworldwasexposedtothissortofthing，butthathehadthefullestconfidenceinhertact，andwouldneverpermithimselftodegradeherandhimselfbyjealousy。`Sothen，there’snoreasontosayanything？And，thankGod，thereisn’tanythingtosay，’shetoldherself。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart1，Chapter33[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter33AlexeiAlexandrovichcamebackfromtheMinistryatfouro’clock，butasoftenhappened，hadnochancetodropinatherroom。Hewentintohisstudytoseethepeoplewaitingforhimwithpetitions，andtosigncertainpapersbroughthimbyhisheadclerk。Atdinnertime(therewerealwaysatleastthreepeoplediningwiththeKarenins)therearrivedanoldlady，acousinofAlexeiAlexandrovich；thedirectoroftheDepartmentandhiswife；andayoungmanwhohadbeenrecommendedtoAlexeiAlexandrovichforapost。Annawentintothedrawingroomtoentertaintheseguests。

Preciselyatfiveo’clock，beforethebronzePetertheFirstclockhadfinishedthefifthstroke，AlexeiAlexandrovichmadehisentry，inwhitetieandeveningcoatwithtwostars，ashehadtogooutdirectlyafterdinner。EveryminuteofAlexeiAlexandrovich’slifewastakenupandapportioned。

Andinordertoaccomplishallthateachdayheldforhim，headheredtothestrictestorderliness。`Norhastenorrest，’washisdevice。Heenteredthedininghall，bowedtoall，andhurriedlysatdown，smilingtohiswife:

`Yes，mysolitudeisover。Youwouldn’tbelievehowuncomfortable[helaidstressontheworduncomfortable]itistodinealone。’

AtdinnerhechattedwithhiswifeaboutthingsatMoscow，andasked，withhismockingsmile，aboutStepanArkadyevich；buttheconversationwasforthemostpartgeneral，dealingwiththeofficialandpublicnewsofPeterburg。Afterdinnerhespenthalfanhourwithhisguests，and，againwithasmile，pressedhiswife’shand，withdrew，anddroveofftotheCouncil。AnnawentthateveningneithertothePrincessBetsyTverskaia，who，hearingofherreturn，hadinvitedher，nortothetheater，whereshehadaboxforthatevening。Herprincipalreasonfornotgoingoutwasbecausethedressshehadexpectedtowearwasnotready。Allinall，Annawasexceedinglyannoyedwhenshestartedtodressfortheeveningafterthedepartureofherguests。BeforeherdepartureforMoscowshe，whowasgenerallyamistressoftheartofdressingwellyetinexpensively，hadgivenherdressmakerthreedressestomakeover。Thedressesweretobemadeoversothattheiroldselveswouldbeunrecognizable，andtheyshouldhavebeenreadythreedaysago。Itturnedoutthattwodresseswerenowherenearready，whiletheotheronehadnotbeenmadeovertoAnna’sliking。Thedressmakercametoexplain，assertingthatherwaywasbest，andAnnahadbecomesoheatedthatsheblushedattherecollection。Toregainhercomposurefullyshewentintothenurseryandspentthewholeeveningwithherson，puttinghimtobedherself，makingthesignofthecrossoverhim，andtuckinghimin。Shewasgladshehadnotgoneoutanywhere，andhadspenttheeveningsowell。Shefeltsolightheartedandcalm，shesawsoclearlythatallthathadseemedtohersosignificantonherrailwayjourneywasmerelyoneoftheordinarytrivialincidentsoffashionablelife，andthatshehadnocausetofeelashamedbeforeanyoneelseorbeforeherself。AnnasatdownnearthefireplacewithanEnglishnovelandwaitedforherhusband。Exactlyathalf-pastninesheheardhisring，andheenteredtheroom。

`Hereyouareatlast！’sheobserved，extendingherhandtohim。

Hekissedherhandandsatdownbesideher。

`Allinall，Icanseeyourtripwasasuccess，’hesaidtoher。

`Yes，verymuchso，’saidshe，andshebegantellinghimeverythingfromthebeginning:herjourneywithCountessVronskaia，herarrival，theaccidentatthestation。Thenshedescribedthepityshehadfelt，firstforherbrother，and，afterward，forDolly。

`Idonotsupposethereisanyexcuseforsuchaman，eventhoughheisyourbrother，’saidAlexeiAlexandrovichsternly。

Annasmiled。Sheknewthathesaidthispreciselytoshowthatfamilyconsiderationscouldnotpreventhimfromexpressinghissincereopinion。Sheknewthistraitinherhusbandandlikedit。

`Iamgladeverythinghasendedsowell，andthatyouhavereturned，’

hewenton。`Well，andwhatdotheysaythereaboutthenewbillIhavegotpassedintheCouncil？’

Annahadheardnothingofthisbill，andshefeltconscience-strickenthatshecouldsoreadilyforgetwhatwastohimofsuchimportance。

`Here，ontheotherhand，thishascreatedagreatdealoftalk，’

saidhe，withaself-satisfiedsmile。

ShesawthatAlexeiAlexandrovichwantedtotellhersomethingthatpleasedhimaboutit，andshebroughthimbyquestionstotellingit。Withthesameself-satisfiedsmilehetoldheroftheovationshehadreceivedasaconsequenceofthebillhehadpassed。

`Iwasvery，veryhappy。Itshowsthatatlastanintelligentandfirmviewofthematterisformingamongus。’

Afterhissecondcupoftea，withcreamandbread，AlexeiAlexandrovichgotup，andwenttowardhisstudy。

`Andyouwentnowherethisevening？Weren’tYoureallybored？’

hesaid。

`Oh，no！’sheanswered，gettingupafterhimandaccompanyinghimacrosstheroomtohisstudy。`Whatareyoureadingnow？’sheasked。

`JustnowI’mreadingDucdeLille-Poé；siedesenfers，’

heanswered。`Amostremarkablebook。’

Annasmiled，aspeoplesmileattheweaknessesofthosetheylove，and，puttingherhandinhis，shekepthimcompanytothedoorofhisstudy。

Sheknewhishabit，nowbecomeanecessity，ofreadingintheevening。

Sheknew，too，thatinspiteofhisofficialduties，whichengrossedalmostallhistime，hedeemedithisdutytokeepupwitheverythingofnotethatappearedintheintellectualsphere。Sheknew，too，thathisactualinterestlayinbooksdealingwithpolitics，philosophyandtheology，thatartwasutterlyforeigntohisnature；but，inspiteofthis-orrather，inconsequenceofit-AlexeiAlexandrovichnevermissedanythingwhichcreatedasensationintheworldofart，butmadeithisdutytoreadeverything。

Sheknewthatinpolitics，inphilosophy，intheology，AlexeiAlexandrovichwasadoubterandaseeker；yetinmattersofartandpoetry-and，aboveall，ofmusic，ofwhichhewastotallydevoidofunderstanding-hehadthemostdefiniteanddecidedopinions。HewasfondofdiscoursingonShakespeare，Raphael，Beethoven，onthesignificanceofnewschoolsofpoetryandmusic，allofwhichwereclassifiedbyhimwithmostobviousconsistency。

`Well，Godbewithyou，’shesaidatthedoorofthestudy，whereashadedcandleandadecanterofwaterwerealreadyplacednearhisarmchair。

`Asforme，I’mgoingtowritetoMoscow。’

Hesqueezedherhand，andagainkissedit。

`Still，he’sagoodman；truthful，kindhearted，andremarkableinhisownsphere，’Annasaidtoherself，backinherroom，asthoughdefendinghimbeforesomeonewhoaccusedhim，sayingthatonecouldnotlovehim。

`Butwhyisithisearsstickoutsoqueerly？Orhashehadhishaircut？……’

Exactlyattwelve，asAnnawasstillsittingatherdeskfinishingalettertoDolly，sheheardthesoundofmeasured，slipperedsteps，andAlexeiAlexandrovich，washedandcombed，abookunderhisarm，approachedher。

`Come，come，’saidhe，withaparticularsmile，andpassedonintotheirbedroom。

`Andwhatrighthadhetolookathimlikethat？’reflectedAnna，recallinghowVronskyhadlookedatAlexeiAlexandrovich。

Havingdisrobed，shewentintothebedroom；butherfacehadnoneoftheanimationwhich，duringherstayatMoscow，hadfairlyspurtedfromhereyesandhersmile；onthecontrary，nowthefireseemedextinctinher，orhiddensomewherefaraway。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart1，Chapter34[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter34UponhisdeparturefromPeterburgVronskyhadlefthislargeapartmentsonMorskaiatohisfriendandfavoritecomradePetritsky。

Petritskywasayounglieutenant，notparticularlywell-connected，andnotmerelynotwealthy，butindebtallaround。Towardeveninghewasalwaysdrunk，andhehadoftenfoundhimselfintheguardhousebecauseofsortsofludicrousanddisgracefulscrapes，buthewasafavoritebothofhiscomradesandhissuperiorofficers。Attwelveo’clock，asVronskywasdrivingupfromthestationtohisquarters，hesaw，neartheentranceofthehouse，ahiredcarriagefamiliartohim。Evenasherangheheard，beyondthedoor，masculinelaughter，thetwitterofafemininevoice，andPetritsky’sshout:`Ifthat’soneofthevillains，don’tlethimin！’Vronskytoldtheservantnottoannouncehim，andslippednoiselesslyintothefirstroom。BaronessShilton，afriendofPetritsky’s，witharosylittlefaceandflaxen-fair，resplendentinalilacsatingown，andfillingthewholeroom，likeacanary，withherParisianaccents，satataroundtable，brewingcoffee。Petritsky，inhisovercoat，andthecavalrycaptainKamerovsky，infulluniform，probablyjustcomefromduty，weresittingnearher。

`Bravo！Vronsky！’shoutedPetritsky，jumpingup，scrapinghischair。`Ourhosthimself！Baroness，somecoffeeforhimoutofthenewcoffeepot。There，wedidn’texpectyou！IHopeyou’resatisfiedwiththeadornmentofyourstudy，’hesaid，indicatingtheBaroness。`Youknoweachother，ofcourse？’

`Ishouldsayso！’saidVronsky，withabrightsmile，squeezingtheBarones’sslittlehand。`Why，we’reoldfriends。’

`You’vejustreturnedaftertraveling，’saidtheBaroness，`soI’llrunalong。Oh，I’llbeoffthisminute，ifI’mintheway！’

`You’rehome，whereveryouare，Baroness，’saidVronsky。`Howdoyoudo，Kamerovsky？’headded，coldlyshakinghandswithKamerovsky。

`There，youcanneversaysuchcharmingthings，’saidtheBaroness，turningtoPetritsky。

`No-whynot？AfterdinnerevenIcansaythingsquiteasgood。’

`Afterdinnerthere’snomeritinthem！Well，then，I’llgiveyousomecoffee；gowashandtidyup，’saidtheBaroness，sittingdownagain，andanxiouslyturningagadgetinthenewcoffeeurn。`Pierre，givemethecoffee，’shesaid，addressingPetritsky，whomshecalledPierre，playingonhissurname，makingnosecretofherrelationswithhim。`I

wanttoputsomemorein。’

`You’llspoilit！’

`No，Iwon’tspoilit！Well，andhowisyourwife？’saidtheBaronesssuddenly，interruptingVronsky’sconversationwithhiscomrade。`We’vebeenmarryingyouoffhere。Haveyoubroughtyourwifealong？’

`No，Baroness。Iwasbornagypsy，andagypsyI’lldie。’

`Somuchthebetter-somuchthebetter。Shakehandsonit。’

AndtheBaroness，detainingVronsky，begantellinghim，interspersingherstorywithmanyjokes，aboutherlatestplansoflife，andseekinghiscounsel。

`Hepersistsinrefusingtogivemeadivorce！Well，whatamI

todo？’(Hewasherhusband。)`NowIwanttobeginasuitagainsthim。

Whatwouldyouadvise？Kamerovsky，lookafterthecoffee-it’sboiledout；youcanseeI’mtakenupwithbusiness！Iwantalawsuit，becauseImusthavemyproperty。YoucanunderstandthestupidityofhissayingthatIamunfaithfultohim，’shesaidcontemptuously，`yetthroughithewantstogetthebenefitofmyfortune。’

Vronskyheardwithpleasurethislightheartedprattleofaprettywoman，saidyestoeverything，gaveherhalf-jokingcounsel，andaltogetherdroppedatonceintothetonehabitualtohimintalkingtosuchwomen。

InhisPeterburgworldallpeopleweredividedintotwoutterlyopposedkinds。One，thelower，consistedofvulgar，stupidand，aboveall，ridiculouspeople，whobelievethatonehusbandoughttolivewiththeonewifewhomhehaslawfullywedded；thatagirlshouldbeinnocent，awomanmodest，andamanmanly，self-controlled，andstrong；thatoneoughttobringupone’schildren，earnone’sbreadandpayone’sdebts；andvarioussimilarabsurdities。Thosepeoplewereofanold-fashionedandridiculouskind。

Buttherewasanotherkindofpeople-realpeople，towhichtheyallbelonged，andherethechiefthingwastobeelegant，magnanimous，daring，gay，andtoabandononeselfwithoutablushtoeverypassion，andtolaughateverythingelse。

Forthefirstmomentonly，Vronskywasstartled，aftertheimpressionsofaquitedifferentworldthathehadbroughtwithhimfromMoscow；butimmediately，asthoughhehadthrusthisfeetintooldslippers，hesteppedintohisformerlighthearted，pleasantworld。

Thecoffeewasreallynevermade，butsplutteredovereveryoneandboiledaway，doingjustwhatwasrequiredofit-thatis，providingcauseformuchnoiseandlaughter，andspoilingacostlyrugandtheBarones’ssgown。

`Well，good-bynow-orelseyou’llnevergetwashed，andIshallhaveonmyconsciencetheworstoffenseanydecentpersoncancommit-

uncleanliness。Soyouwouldadviseaknifeathisthroat？’

`Absolutely-andinsuchawaythatyourlittlehandmaynotbefarfromhislips。He’llkissit，andallwillendwell，’answeredVronsky。

`So，theFranç；aistonight！’and，witharustleofherskirts，shevanished。

Kamerovskygotuptoo，andVronsky，withoutwaitingforhimtogo，shookhandsandwentofftohisdressingroom。Whilehewaswashing，Petritskybrieflyoutlinedtohimhisposition，asfarasithadchangedsinceVronsky’sdeparturefromPeterburg。Nomoneywhatsoever。Hisfathersaidhewouldn’tgivehimany，norpayhisdebts。Histailorwastryingtogethimlockedup，andanotherfellow，too，wasthreateningtodosowithoutfail。Thecolonelofhisregimenthadannouncedthatifthesescandalsdidnotceasearesignationwouldbeinevitable。AsfortheBaroness，hewasfedupwithher，particularlybecauseshewasforeverwantingtogivehimmoney。Buttherewasanothergirl-heintendedshowinghertoVronsky-amarvel，exquisite，inthestrictOrientalstyle，`genreoftheslaveRebecca，yousee。’Hehadhadarow，too，withBerkoshev，andthelatterintendedsendingseconds，but，ofcourse，itwouldallcometonothing。

Altogethereverythingwasgoingsplendidlyandwasmostjolly。And，withoutlettinghiscomradeenterintofurtherdetailsofhisposition，Petritskyproceededtotellhimalltheinterestingnews。AshelistenedtoPetritsky’sfamiliarstories，inthefamiliarsettingoftheroomshehadspentthelastthreeyearsin，VronskyfeltthedelightfulsensationofcomingbacktotheinsouciantandcustomarylifeofPeterburg。

`Impossible！’hecried，releasingthepedalofthewashbasininwhichhehadbeensousinghisstalwartredneck。`Impossible！’hecried，atthenewsthatLaurahaddroppedFertinghofandhadtiedupwithMileev。

`Andisheasstupidandsatisfiedasever？Well，andwhat’sBuzulukovdoing？’

`Oh，Buzulukovgotintoascrape-simplylovely！’criedPetritsky。

`Youknowhispassionforballs-andhenevermissesasingleoneatcourt。

Hewenttoabigballinanewcasque。Haveyouseenthenewcasques？Verygood，andlighter。Well，he’sstanding……No-dolisten。’

`Iamlistening，’answeredVronsky，rubbinghimselfwitharoughtowel。

`TheGrandDuchesspassesbywithsomeambassadororother，and，asillluckwouldhaveit，theirtalkveerstothenewcasques。AndsotheGrandDuchesswantedtoshowthenewcasquetotheambassador……Justthentheycatchsightofourdearboystandingthere。’(Petritskymimickedhim，standingwithhiscasque。)`TheGrandDuchessrequestedhimtogiveherthecasque-hedoesn’tdoso。What’sup？Well，theyallwinkathim，andnodandfrown-giveittoher，do！Hestilldoesn’t。Juststandsthere，stock-still。Youcanpictureittoyourself！……Well，this……what’shisname……triestotakethecasquefromhim……Hewon’tgiveitup！……Thischaptoreitfromhim，andhandsittotheGrandDuchess。`Thisisthenewcasque，’saystheGrandDuchess。Sheturnedthecasqueover，and-

justpictureit！-bangwentapearandcandyoutofit-twopoundsofcandy！……He’dcollectedallthat-ourdearboy！’

Vronskyrolledwithlaughter。And，longafterward，evenwhenhewastalkingofotherthings，hewouldgooffintopealsofhisheartylaughterbaringhisstrong，closelysetteeth，wheneverhethoughtofthecasque。

Havinglearnedallthenews，Vronsky，withtheassistanceofhisvalet，gotintohisuniform，andwentofftoreporthimself。Heintended，afterward，togotohisbrotherandtoBetsy，andtopayseveralvisits，asanenteringwedgeintothatsocietywherehemightmeetMadameKarenina。

AsalwaysinPeterburg，helefthomewithoutanyintentionofreturningbeforeverylateatnight。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter01[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]PARTTWOChapter1Towardtheendofwinter，inthehouseoftheShcherbatskys，aconsultationwasbeingheld，whichwastodeterminethestateofKitty’shealth，andwhatwastobedonetorestoreherfailingstrength。Shehadbeenill，and，asspringcameon，shegrewworse。Thefamilydoctorgavehercod-liveroil，theniron，thenlunarcaustic；butsinceneitherthefirst，northesecond，northethirdavailed，andsincehisadvicewastogoabroadbeforethebeginningofthespring，acelebrateddoctorwascalledin。Thecelebrateddoctor，notyetoldandaveryhandsomeman，demandedanexaminationofthepatient。Hemaintained，withspecialsatisfaction，itseemed，thatmaidenmodestyismerelyarelicofbarbarism，andthatnothingcouldbemorenaturalthanforamanwhowasnotyetoldtohandleayounggirlinthenude。Hedeemedthisnatural，becausehediditeveryday，andneitherfeltnorthought，asitseemedtohim，anythingevilashediditand，consequently，heconsideredgirlishmodestynotmerelyasarelicofbarbarism，but，aswell，aninsulttohimself。

Itwasnecessarytosubmit，for，althoughallthedoctorsstudiedinthesameschool，allusingthesametextbooks，andalllearnedinthesamescience，andthoughsomepeoplesaidthiscelebrateddoctorwasbutapoordoctor，inthePrincess’shouseholdandcircleitwasforsomereasonheldthatthiscelebrateddoctoralonehadsomepeculiarknowledge，andthathealonecouldsaveKitty。Afterthoroughexaminationandtappingofthepatient，distraughtanddazedwithshame，thecelebrateddoctor，havingpainstakinglywashedhishands，wasstandinginthedrawingroomtalkingtothePrince。ThePrincefrownedandcoughedashelistenedtothedoctor。Asamanwhohadseensomethingoflife，andneitherafoolnoraninvalid，hehadnofaithinmedicine，andatsoulwaswroughtupwithallthiscomedy，especiallyashewasprobablytheonlyonewhofullyunderstoodthecauseofKitty’sillness。`You’rebarkingupthewrongtree，’

hementallyappliedthisphrasefromthehunter’svocabularytothecelebrateddoctor，ashelistenedtothelatter’spatteraboutthesymptomsofhisdaughter’scomplaint。Thedoctor，forhispart，founddifficultyinrestrainingtheexpressionofhiscontemptforthisoldgrandee，aswellasincondescendingtothelowlevelofhiscomprehension。Heperceivedthatitwasuselesstotalktotheoldman，andthattheheadofthishousewasthemother-andsheitwasbeforewhomheintendedtoscatterhispearls。ItwasatthispointthatthePrincessenteredthedrawingroomwiththefamilydoctor。ThePrinceretreated，doinghisbestnottobetrayhowridiculousheregardedthewholecomedy。ThePrincesswasdistraught，anddidnotknowwhattodo。ShefeltherselfatfaultbeforeKitty。

`Well，doctor，decideourfate，’saidthePrincess。`Tellmeeverything。’-

`Isthereanyhope？’waswhatshehadwantedtosay，butherlipsquivered，andshecouldnotutterthisquestion。`Well，doctor？’

`Immediately，Princess-Iwilldiscussthematterwithmycolleague，andthenhavethehonoroflayingmyopinionbeforeyou。’

`Thenwehadbetterleaveyou？’

`Asyouplease。’

ThePrincess，withasigh，steppedoutside。

Whenthedoctorswereleftalone，thefamilydoctorbegantimidlyexplaininghisopinion，thattherewasanincipienttubercularprocess，but……andsoon。Thecelebrateddoctorlistenedtohim，andinthemiddleoftheother’sspeechlookedathisbiggoldwatch。

`Thatisso，’saidhe。`But……’

Thefamilydoctorrespectfullyceasedinthemiddleofhisspeech。

`Asyouknow，wecannotdeterminetheincipienceofthetubercularprocess；untiltheappearanceofvomicaethereisnothingdeterminate。

Butwemaysuspectit。Andthereareindications:malnutrition，nervousexcitability，andsoon。Thequestionstandsthus:ifwesuspectatubercularprocess，whatmustwedotomaintainnutrition？’

`Butthen，youknow，therearealwaysmoral，spiritualcausesatthebackofthesecases，’thefamilydoctorpermittedhimselftointerpolatewithasubtlesmile。

`Yes，that’stobetakenforgranted，’retortedthecelebrateddoctor，againglancingathiswatch。`Begpardon-butistheIauzskybridgefinishedyet，ormustonestillmakeadetour？’heasked。`Ah！Itisfinished。

Well，inthatcaseIcanmakeitintwentyminutes。Asweweresaying，thequestionmaybepositedthus:thenutritionmustbemaintainedandthenervesimproved。Theoneisboundwiththeother；onemustworkuponbothsidesofthiscircle。’

`Butwhataboutthetripabroad？’askedthefamilydoctor。

`Iamafoetotripsabroad。Andtakenotice:ifthereisanyincipienttubercularprocess，whichwecannotknow，atripabroadwillnothelp。Wemusthavearemedythatwouldimprovenutrition，anddonoharm。’

AndthecelebrateddoctorexpoundedhisplanoftreatmentwithSodenwaters，indesignatingwhichhismainendwasevidentlytheirharmlessness。

Thefamilydoctorheardhimoutattentivelyandrespectfully。

`ButinfavorofforeigntravelIwouldurgethechangeofhabits，theremovalfromconditionswhichevokememories。Andthen-themotherwishesit，’headded。

`Ah！Well，inthatcase，onemightgo；well，letthemgo；butthoseGermancharlatansmaydoharm……Ourinstructionsoughttobefollowed……

Well，letthemgothen。’

Heagainglancedathiswatch。

`Oh！it’stimetogo，’andhewenttothedoor。

ThecelebrateddoctorinformedthePrincess(promptedbyafeelingofpropriety)thathemustseethepatientoncemore。

`What！Anotherexamination！’themotherexclaimedinhorror。

`Oh，no-Imerelyneedcertaindetails，Princess。’

`Comethisway。’

Andthemother，followedbythedoctor，wentintothedrawingroomtoKitty。Wastedandblushing，withapeculiarglitterinhereyes-aconsequenceoftheshameshehadgonethrough，Kittywasstandinginthemiddleoftheroom。Whenthedoctorcameinsheturnedcrimson，andhereyesfilledwithtears。Allherillnessanditstreatmentseemedtoherathingsostupid-evenfunny！Treatmentseemedtoherasfunnyasreconstructingthepiecesofabrokenvase。Itwasherheartthatwasbroken。

Why，then，didtheywanttocureherwithpillsandpowders？Butshecouldnothurthermother-allthemoresosincehermotherconsideredherselftoblame。

`MayItroubleyoutositdown，Princess？’thecelebrateddoctorsaidtoher。

Smiling，he，satdownfacingher，feltherpulse，andagainstartedinwithhistiresomequestions。Sheansweredhim，andsuddenly，becomingangry，gotup。

`Youmustpardonme，doctor-butreally，thiswillleadusnowhere。

Youaskmethesamethings，threetimesrunning。’

Thecelebrateddoctordidnottakeumbrage。

`Sicklyirritability，’saidhetothePrincess，whenKittyhadlefttheroom。`However，Ihadfinished……’

AndthedoctorscientificallydefinedtothePrincess，astoanexceptionallycleverwoman，theconditionoftheyoungPrincess，andconcludedbyexplainingthemodeofdrinkingtheunnecessarywaters。Whenthequestionofgoingabroadcameup，thedoctorwasplungedintoprofoundconsiderations，asthoughdecidingaweightyproblem。Finallyhisdecisionwasgiven:theymightgoabroad，butmustputnofaithincharlatans，butturntohimineverything。

Itseemedasthoughsomecheerfulinfluencehadsprungupafterthedoctor’sdeparture。Themothergrewmorecheerfulwhenshereturnedtoherdaughter，whileKittytoopretendedtobemorecheerful。Shehadfrequent，almostconstant，occasionstobepretendingnow。

`Really，I’mquitewell，maman。Butifyouwanttogoabroad，let’s！’shesaid，and，tryingtoshowthatshewasinterestedintheproposedtrip，shebegantalkingofthepreparationsforthedeparture。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter02[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter2RightafterthedoctorDollyarrived。Sheknewthattheconsultationwasscheduledforthatday，and，despitethefactthatshehadonlyrecentlygottenupfromherlying-in(shehadhadanotherlittlegirlattheendofthewinter)，despiteherhavingenoughtroubleandcaresofherown，shehadleftherbreastbabyandanailinggirltocomeandlearnKitty’sfate，whichwasbeingdecidedthatday。

`Well，what’swhat？’saidshe，enteringintothedrawingroom，withouttakingoffherhat。`You’reallingoodspirits。Thatmeansgoodnews，then？’

Anattemptwasmadetotellherwhatthedoctorhadsaid，butitprovedthat，eventhoughthedoctorhadtalkedcoherentlyandlong，itwasutterlyimpossibletoconveywhathehadsaid。Theonlypointofinterestwasthatgoingabroadwasdefinitelydecidedupon。

Dollycouldnothelpsighing。Herdearestfriend，hersister，wasgoingaway。Andherlifewasfarfromgay。HerrelationswithStepanArkadyevichaftertheirreconciliationhadbecomehumiliating。TheweldingAnnahadmadeprovednotatallsolid，andfamilyconcordhadbrokendownagainatthesamepoint。Therewasnothingdefinite，butStepanArkadyevichwashardlyeverathome；also，therewashardlyeveranymoney，andDollywasconstantlybeingtorturedbysuspicionsofinfidelities，andbynowshedrovethemawayfromher，dreadingtheagonyofjealousyshehadalreadyexperienced。Thefirstexplosionofjealousy，oncelivedthrough，couldneverreturn，andeventhediscoveryofinfidelitiescouldneveraffecthernowasithadthefirsttime。Suchadiscoverynowwouldonlymeanbreakingupherfamilyhabits，andshepermittedhimtodeceiveher，despisinghim-andstillmoreherself-forthisweakness。Besidesthis，thecaresofherlargefamilywereaconstanttormenttoher:nowthenursingofherbreastbabydidnotgowell；nowthenursewouldleave，now(asatthepresenttime)oneofthechildrenwouldfallill。

`Well，how’severybodyinyourfamily？’askedhermother。

`Ah，maman，wehaveenoughtroubleofourown。Lilihastakenill，andI’mafraidit’sscarlatina。IhavecomeherenowtofindoutaboutKitty，andthenIshallshutmyselfupentirely，if-Godforbid-itreallybescarlatina。’

TheoldPrincetoohadcomeinfromhisstudyafterthedoctor’sdeparture，and，afterofferinghischeektoDolly，andchattingawhilewithher，heturnedtohiswife:

`Whathaveyoudecided-areyougoing？Well，andwhatdoyouwanttodowithme？’

`Ithinkyouhadbetterstayhere，Alexandre，’saidhiswife。

`Justasyouwish。’

`Maman，whyshouldn’tfathercomewithus？’saidKitty。`He’llfeelbetter，andsowillwe。’

TheoldPrincegotupandstrokedKitty’shair。Sheliftedherheadandlookedathimwithaforcedsmile。Italwaysseemedtoherthatheunderstoodherbetterthananyoneelseinthefamilydid，thoughhespokebutlittlewithher。Beingtheyoungest，shewasherfather’sfavorite，andshefanciedthathisloveforhergavehiminsight。Whennowhergazemethisblue，kindlyeyes，scrutinizingherintently，itseemedtoherthathesawrightthroughher，andunderstoodalltheevilthingsthatwereatworkwithinher。Reddening，shewasdrawntowardhim，expectingakiss；buthemerelypattedherhairandsaid:

`Thesesillychignons！Onecan’tasmuchasgetnearone’srealdaughter，butsimplystrokethehairofdefunctfemales。WellDolinka，’

heturnedtohiselderdaughter，`what’syouraceuptonow？’

`Nothing，papa，’answeredDolly，whoknewthatthisreferredtoherhusband。`He’salwaysout；Ihardlyeverseehim，’shecouldnotresistaddingwithamockingsmile。

`Why，hasn’thegoneintothecountryyet-aboutthesaleoftheforest？’

`No；he’sstillgettingready。’

`Oh，that’sit！’saidthePrince。`AndsoI’mtobegettingready，too？Atyourservice，’hesaidtohiswife，sittingdown。`Andasforyou，Katia，’hewenton，addressinghisyoungerdaughter，`youmustwakeuponefinedayandsaytoyourself:Why，I’mquitewell，andmerry，andI’mgoingoutagainwithpapaforanearlymorningstrollinthefrost。Eh？’

Whatherfathersaidseemedsimpleenough，yetatthesewordsKittygrewconfusedandupset，likeacriminalcaughtred-handed。`Yes，heknowsall，heunderstandsall，andinthesewordshe’stellingmethatthoughI’mashamed，Imustlivethroughmyshame。’Shecouldnotpluckupspiritenoughtomakeanyanswer。Shemadeanattemptbutsuddenlyburstintotears，andranoutoftheroom。

`Seewhatcomesofyourjokes！’thePrincesspouncedonherhusband。

`You’realways……’shelaunchedintoherreproachfulspeech。

ThePrincelistenedtothePrincess’sreproachesratheralongwhileandkeptsilent，buthisfacegrewmoreandmoreglowering。

`She’ssomuchtobepitied，poorthing，somuchtobepitied，yetyoudon’tfeelhowitpainshertoheartheleasthintastothecauseofitall。Ah！tobesomistakeninpeople！’saidthePrincess，andbythechangeinhertonebothDollyandthePrinceknewshemeantVronsky。

`Idon’tknowwhytherearen’tlawsagainstsuchvile，dishonorablepeople。’

`Ah，Ioughtn’ttolistentoyou！’saidthePrinceglumly，gettingupfromhischair，asiftogo，yetpausinginthedoorway。`Therearelaws，mydear，andsinceyou’vechallengedmetoit，I’lltellyouwho’stoblameforitall:you-you，youalone。Lawsagainstsuchyounggallantshavealwaysexisted，andstillexist！Yes，ifthereweren’tanythingthatoughtnottohavebeen，I，oldasIam，wouldhavecalledhimouttothebarrier，thisswell。Yes，andnowgoaheadandphysicher，andcallinthesecharlatans。’

ThePrince，itseemed，hadplentymoretosay，butnosoonerhadthePrincesscaughthistonethanshesubsidedatonce，andbecamepenitent，aswasalwaysthecaseinseriousmatters。

`Alexandre，Alexandre，’shewhispered，approachinghimandburstingintotears。

AssoonasshebegantoweepthePrince，too，calmeddown。Hewentuptoher。

`There，that’senough，that’senough！Youfeelbadlytoo，Iknow。

Nothingcanbedoneaboutit！It’snotsoverybad。Godismerciful……

thanks……’hesaid，withoutknowinghimselfwhathewassayingnow，respondingtothemoistkissofthePrincessthathefeltonhishand。AndthePrincewentoutoftheroom。

NosoonerhadKittygoneoutoftheroom，intears，thanDolly，withhermotherly，domestichabit，hadpromptlyperceivedthathereawoman’sworklaybeforeher，andgotreadyforit。Shetookoffherhat，and，morallyspeaking，tuckeduphersleevesandgotreadyforaction。Whilehermotherwasattackingherfather，shetriedtorestrainhermother，sofarasdaughterlyreverencewouldallow。DuringthePrince’soutburstshewassilent；shefeltashamedforhermotherandtendertowardherfatherforsoquicklybeingkindagain。Butwhenherfatherleft，shemadereadyforwhatwasmostnecessary-togotoKittyandcomposeher。

`I’veintendedlongsincetotellyousomething，maman:didyouknowthatLevinmeanttoproposetoKittywhenhewasherelast？HetoldStivaso。’

`Well，whatofit？Idon’tunderstand……’

`Why，perhapsKittyrefusedhim？……Didshesaynothingtoyou？’

`No，shesaidnothingtomeeitheroftheoneortheother；she’stooproud。ButIknowit’sallonaccountofthis……’

`Yes，butsupposeshehasrefusedLevin-andshewouldn’thaverefusedhimifithadn’tbeenfortheother，Iknow。Andthen，thisfellowhasdeceivedhersohorribly。’

ItwastoofrightfulforthePrincesstothinkhowmuchatfaultshewasbeforeherdaughter，andshegrewangry。

`Oh，nowIreallyunderstandnothing！Nowadayseverybodythinkstoliveafterhisownway；amotherisn’ttoldathing，andthenyouhave……’

`Maman，I’llgotoher。’

`Do。AmIforbiddingyou？’

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter03[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter3WhenshewentintoKitty’slittlesanctum，apretty，rosylittleroom，fullofknickknacksinvieuxsaxe，asyouthfulandrosyandgayasKittyherselfhadbeenonlytwomonthsago，Dollyrecalledhowtheyhadtogetherdecoratedtheroomtheyearbefore，withwhatgaietyandlove。

HerheartturnedcoldwhenshebeheldKittysittingonthelowchairnearestthedoor，hereyesfixedimmovablyonacorneroftherug。Kittyglancedathersister，andthecold，ratheraustereexpressionofherfacedidnotchange。

`I’mgoingnow，andshallentrenchmyselfathome，andyouwon’tbeabletocometoseeme，’saidDaryaAlexandrovnasittingdownbesideher。`Iwanttotalktoyou。’

`Whatabout？’Kittyaskedswiftly，liftingherheadinfright。

`Whatshoulditbe，savewhat’sgrievingyou？’

`Ihavenogrief。’

`Come，Kitty。DoyoupossiblythinkIcannotknow？Iknowall。

And，believeme，thisissoinsignificant……We’veallbeenthroughit。’

Kittydidnotspeak，andherfacehadasternexpression。

`He’snotworthyoursufferingonhisaccount，’pursuedDaryaAlexandrovna，comingstraighttothepoint。

`Yes-becausehehasdisdainedme，’saidKitty，inajarringvoice。`Don’tsayanything！Please，don’tsayanything！’

`Butwhoevertoldyouthat？Noonehassaidthat。I’mcertainhewasinlovewithyou，andremainedinlovewithyou，but……’

`Oh，themostawfulthingofallformearethesecondolences！’

criedoutKitty，inasuddenfitofanger。Sheturnedroundonherchair，turnedred，andherfingersmovedquickly，asshepinchedthebuckleofthebeltsheheld，nowwithonehand，nowwiththeother。Dollyknewthistrickhersisterhadofgraspingsomethinginturnwitheachofherhands，wheninexcitement；sheknewthat，inamomentofexcitementKittywascapableofforgettingherselfandsayingagreatdealtoomuchandmuchthatwasunpleasant，andDollywouldhavecalmedher；butitwasalreadytoolate。

`What-whatisityouwanttomakemefeel，eh？’saidKittyquickly。

`ThatI’vebeeninlovewithamanwhodidn’tevencaretoknowme，andthatI’mdyingforloveofhim？Andthisissaidtomebymyownsister，whoimaginesthat……that……thatshe’ssympathizingwithme！……Idon’twantthesecondolencesandhypocrisies！’

`Kitty，you’reunjust。’

`Whydoyoutormentme？’

`ButI……Onthecontrary……Icanseeyou’rehurt……’

ButKittyinherheatdidnothearher。

`I’venothingtodespairoverandbecomfortedabout。I’msufficientlyproudnevertoallowmyselftocareforamanwhodoesnotloveme。’

`Why，Idon’tsayanythingofthekind……Only，tellmethetruth，’

saidDaryaAlexandrovna，takingherbythehand，`tellme-didLevinspeaktoyou？……’

ThementionofLevinseemedtodepriveKittyofthelastvestigeofself-control。Sheleapedupfromherchair，and，flingingthebuckletotheground，gesticulatingrapidlywithherhands，shesaid:

`WhybringLevinintoo？Ican’tunderstand-whatyouwanttotorturemefor？I’vetoldyou，andIrepeatit-Ihavesomepride，andnever，neverwouldIdowhatyou’redoing-goingbacktoamanwho’sdeceivedyou，whohascometoloveanotherwoman。Ican’tunderstandthis！Youmay-butIcan’tdoit！’

And，havingsaidthesewords，sheglancedathersister，andseeingthatDollysatsilent，herheadmournfullybowed，Kitty，insteadofleavingtheroom，asshehadintended，satdownnearthedoor，and，hidingherfaceinhershawl，letherheaddrop。

Thesilencelastedfortwominutes。Dolly’sthoughtswereofherself。

Thathumiliationofwhichshewasalwaysconsciouscamebacktoherwithspecialpainwhenhersisterremindedherofit。Shehadnotexpectedsuchcrueltyfromhersister，andwasresentful。Butsuddenlysheheardtherustleofaskirt，and，simultaneously，anoutburstofsmotheredsobbing，andfeltarmsclaspingherneckfrombelow。Kittywasonherkneesbeforeher。

`Dolinka，Iamso，sounhappy！’shewhisperedpenitently。

Andtheendearingface，coveredwithtears，hiditselfinDaryaAlexandrovna’sskirt。

Itwasasiftearsweretheindispensableoilwithoutwhichthemachineryofmutualcommunioncouldnotrunsmoothlybetweenthetwosisters；

thesisters，aftertheirtears，discussedeverythingbutthatwhichengrossedthem；but，evenintalkingofoutsidematters，theyunderstoodoneanother。

Kittyknewthatwhatshehadutteredinangeraboutherhusband’sinfidelityandherhumiliatingpositionhadstruckherpoorsistertotheverydepthsofherheart，butshealsoknewthatthelatterhadforgivenher。Dollyforherparthadcomprehendedallshehadwantedtofindout。Shehadbecomeconvincedthathersurmiseswerecorrect；thatKitty’smisery，herincurablemisery，wasduepreciselytothefactthatLevinhadproposedtoherandshehadrefusedhim，whileVronskyhaddeceivedher，andthatshestoodreadytoloveLevinandtohateVronsky。Kittysaidnowordofthis；shespokeofnothingsaveherownspiritualstate。

`Ihavenothingtogrieveover，’shesaid，calmingdown，`butyoucouldunderstandthateverythinghasbecomeloathsome，hateful，coarsetome-andImyselfmostofall。Youcan’timaginewhatloathsomethoughtsIhaveabouteverything。’

`Why，whateverloathsomethoughtscanyouhave？’askedDolly，smiling。

`Most，mostloathsomeandcoarse:Icouldn’ttellyou。Thisisnotmelancholy，norboredom，butfarworse。AsifeverythingofgoodthatIhadweregoneoutofsight，whileonlythatwhichwasmostloathsomewereleft。Well，howshallIputittoyou？’shewenton，seeingincomprehensioninhersister’seyes。`Papabegansayingsomethingtomejustnow……ItseemstomehethinksallIneedistomarry。Ifmammatakesmetoaball-itseemstomeshetakesmeonlytomarrymeoffasfastaspossible，andgetmeoffherhands。Iknowthisisn’tso，butIcan’tdriveawaysuchthoughts。Thesesuitorssocalled-Ican’tbearthesightofthem。

Itseemstomeasifthey’realwaystakingstockofme。Formerly，togoanywhereinaballdresswasadownrightjoytome；Iusedtoadmiremyself；

nowIfeelashamed，inatease。Well，takeanyexampleyoulike……Thisdoctor……Now……’

Kittyhesitated；shewantedtosayfurtherthateversincethischangehadtakenplaceinher，StepanArkadyevichhadbecomeunbearablyrepulsivetoher，andthatshecouldnotseehimwithoutimaginingthegrossestandmosthideousthings。

`Wellnow，everythingappearstome，inthecoarsest，mostloathsomeaspect，’shewenton。`Thatismyailment。Perhapsallthiswillpass……’

`Trynottothinkofsuchthings……’

`Ican’thelpit。IfeelwellonlywhenIamwiththechildren，atyourhouse。’

`Whatapityyoucan’tvisitme！’

`Oh，yes，I’llcome-I’vehadscarlatina，andI’llpersuademamantoletmecome。’

Kittyinsistedonhavingherway，andwenttostayathersister’sandnursedthechildrenallthroughthescarlatina-foritreallyprovedtobescarlatina。Thetwosistersbroughtallthesixchildrensuccessfullythroughit；Kitty’shealth，however，didnotimprove，andinLenttheShcherbatskyswentabroad。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter04[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter4ThereisreallyonlyonecircleofPeterburguppersociety:everyoneknowseveryoneelse，evenvisitseachother。Butthisgreatcirclehassubdivisionsofitsown。AnnaArkadyevnaKareninahadfriendsandclosetiesinthreedifferentcircles。Onecirclewasherhusband’ssetofcivilservantsandofficials，consistingofhiscolleaguesandsubordinates，broughttogetherinamostdiversifiedandcapriciousmanner，yetseparatedbysocialconditions。

Annacouldnowrecallonlywithdifficultythefeelingofalmostpiousreverencewhichshehadatfirstborneforthesepersons。Nowsheknewallofthem，aspeopleknowoneanotherinaprovincialtown；sheknewtheirhabitsandweaknesses，andwheretheshoepinchedeachoneofthem。

Sheknewtheirattitudestowardoneanotherandtothechiefcenter；knewwhobackedwhom，andhowandwherewithaleachonemaintainedhisposition，andwhoagreedordisagreedwithwhom；butthiscircleofpolitical，masculineinterestscouldnotinteresther，and，inspiteofCountessLidiaIvanovna’ssuggestions，sheavoidedit。

Anothersmallcircle，withwhichAnnawasintimate，wastheonebymeansofwhichAlexeiAlexandrovichhadmadehiscareer。ThecenterofthiscirclewastheCountessLidiaIvanovna。Thiswasacircleofelderly，homely，virtuousandpiouswomen，andclever，learnedandambitiousmen。

Oneofthecleverpeoplebelongingtothissmallcirclehadcalledit`theconscienceofPeterburgsociety。’AlexeiAlexandrovichappreciatedthiscircleverymuch，andAnna，whoknewsowellhowtogetonwithall，hadintheearlydaysofherlifeinPeterburgfoundfriendseveninthiscircle。

Butnow，uponherreturnfromMoscow，thissethadbecomeunbearabletoher。Itseemedtoherthatbothsheandallofthemweredissimulating，andsheexperiencedsuchboredomandlackofeaseintheirsocietythatshetriedtovisittheCountessLidiaIvanovnaasinfrequentlyaspossible。

And，finally，thethirdcirclewithwhichAnnahadtieswasthereallyfashionableworld-theworldofballs，ofdinners，ofsumptuousdresses；theworldthathungontothecourtwithonehand，inordernottosinktothelevelofthedemimonde，whichthemembersofthefashionableworldbelievedtheydespised-yetthetastesofbothwerenotonlysimilar，butpreciselythesame。HerconnectionwiththiscirclewasmaintainedthroughPrincessBetsyTverskaia，hercousin’swife，whohadanincomeofahundredandtwentythousandroubles，andwhohadtakenagreatlikingtoAnnaeversinceshefirstcameout，lookingafterheranddrawingherintoherowncircle，pokingfunatthatofCountessLidiaIvanovna。

`WhenI’moldandshallhavelostmylooks，I’llbethesame，’

Betsyusedtosay；`butforayoungandprettywomanlikeyouit’smuchtooearlytojointhatOldLadies’Home。’

Annahadatfirstavoided，asmuchasshecould，PrincessTverskaia’sworld，becauseitnecessitatedexpendituresabovehermeans-and，besides，atsoulshepreferredthefirstcircle；butafterhertriptoMoscow，thingsfelloutquitetheotherway。Sheavoidedhermoralfriends，andwentoutintothefashionableworld。ThereshewouldmeetVronsky，andexperiencedanagitatingjoyatsuchmeetings。EspeciallyoftendidshemeetVronskyatBetsy’s，forBetsywasaVronskybybirth，andhiscousin。VronskywenteverywherewherehemightmeetAnna，and，ateverychancehehad，spoketoherofhislove。Sheofferedhimnoencouragement，yeteverytimeshemethimtherewaskindledinhersoulthatsamefeelingofanimationwhichhadcomeuponherthatdayintherailwaycarriagewhenshehadseenhimforthefirsttime。Shefeltherselfthatherdelightshoneinhereyesandpuckeredherlipsintoasmile-andshecouldnotquenchtheexpressionofthisdelight。

AtfirstAnnahadsincerelybelievedthatshewasdispleasedwithhimfordaringtopursueher；butnotlongafterherreturnfromMoscow，onarrivingatasoireewhereshehadanticipatedmeetinghim，yetnotfindinghimthere，sherealizedclearly，fromthefeelingofsadnesswhichovercameher，thatshehadbeendeceivingherself，andthatthispursuitwasnotmerelynotdistastefultoher，butthatitconstitutedalltheinterestofherlife。

Itwasthesecondperformanceofacelebratedcantatrice，andallthefashionableworldwasinthetheater。Vronsky，seeinghiscousinfromhisseatinthefrontrow，didnotwaittilltheentr’acte，butwenttoherbox。

`Whydidn’tyoucometodinner？’shesaidtohim。`Imarvelatthisclairvoyanceoflovers，’sheaddedwithasmile，sothatnoonebuthecouldhear，`shewasn’tthere。Butdocomeaftertheopera。’

Vronskylookedinquiringlyather。Shenodded。Hethankedherbyasmile，andsatdownbesideher。

`ButhowIrememberyourjeers！’continuedPrincessBetsy，whotookspecialdelightinfollowinguptheprogressofthispassion。`What’sbecomeofallthat？You’recaught，mydearfellow。’

`That’smyonedesire-tobecaught，’answeredVronsky，withhiscalm，good-naturedsmile。`IfIcomplainatall，it’sonlythatI’mnotcaughtenough，ifthetruthweretold。Ibegintolosehope。’

`Why，whateverhopecanyouexpect？’saidBetsy，offendedonbehalfofherfriend。`Entendonsnous……’Butinhereyesflittedgleamsoflight，whichproclaimedthatsheunderstoodverywell，evenasmuchashedid，whathopehemightentertain。

`Nonewhatever，’saidVronsky，laughingandshowinghiscloselysetteeth。`Excuseme，’headded，takingthebinocularsoutofherhand，andproceedingtoscrutinize，overherbareshoulder，therowofboxesoppositethem。`I’mafraidI’mbecomingridiculous。’

HewasverywellawarethatherannoriskofbeingridiculousintheeyesofBetsyandallotherfashionablepeople。Hewasverywellawarethatintheeyesofthesepeopletheroleofthehaplessloverofagirl，oringeneral，ofanywomanfreetomarry，mightberidiculous；

buttheroleofamanpursuingamarriedwoman，and，regardlessofeverything，stakinghislifeondrawingherintoadultery-thatrolehassomethingbeautifulandmajesticaboutit，andcanneverberidiculous，andsoitwaswithaproudandgaysmileunderhismustachesthatheloweredthebinocularsandlookedathiscousin。

`Butwhydidn’tyoucometodinner？’shesaid，admiringhim。

`Imusttellyouaboutthat。Iwasbusy-andwithwhat，doyousuppose？I’llgiveyouahundredguesses，athousand……you’dneverguess。

I’vebeenreconcilingahusbandwithamanwho’dinsultedhiswife。Yes，really！’

`Well，didyoureconcilethem？’

`Almost。’

`Youreallymusttellmeaboutit，’shesaid，gettingup。`Cometomeinthenextentr’acte。’

`Ican’t；I’mgoingtotheFrenchtheater。’

`LeavingNilsson？’Betsyqueriedinhorror，thoughshecouldnotherselfhavedistinguishedNilssonfromanychorusgirl。

`WhatcanIdo？I’veanappointmentthere，allbecauseofmymissionofpeace。’

`’Blessedarethepeacemakers；’’``theyshallbesaved’，’saidBetsy，recallingsomethingofthatsortshehadheardfromsomebodyorother。`Verywell，then，sitdown，andtellmewhatit’sallabout。’

Andsheresumedherseat。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter05[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter5`Thisisratherindiscreet，butit’ssocharmingthatoneisawfullytemptedtotellthestory，’saidVronsky，lookingatherwithlaughingeyes。`I

don’tintendtomentionanynames。’

`ButIshallguessthem-somuchthebetter。’

`Listen，then:twofestiveyoungmenweredrivingalong……’

`Officersofyourregiment，ofcourse？’

`Ididn’tsaytheywereofficers-justtwoyoungmenwhohadbeenlunching。’

`Inotherwords，drinking。’

`Possibly。Theyweredrivingontheirwaytodinnerwithafriendinthegayestofmoods。Andtheycatchsightofaprettywomaninahiredsleigh，whoovertakesthem，looksbackatthem，and-soitseemedtothem，atanyrate-nodstothemandlaughs。They，ofcourse，followher-gallopingatfullspeed。Totheiramazement，thefaironealightsattheentranceoftheveryhousetowhichtheyweregoing。Thefaironedartsupstairstothetopfloor。Alltheygotwasaglimpseofrosebudlipsunderashortveil，andofexquisitelittlefeet。’

`Youtellthiswithsuchfeelingthatitseemstomeyouyourselfmusthavebeenoneofthetwo。’

`Butwhatdidyoutellmejustnow？……Well，theyoungmenentertheircomrade’sapartment-hewasgivingafarewelldinner。Theretheycertainlydidtakeadroptoomuch，asisalwaysthecaseatfarewelldinners。

Andatdinnertheyinquirewholivesatthetopinthathouse。Nooneknows；

onlytheirhost’svalet，inanswertotheirinquirywhetherany``youngladies’arelivingonthetopfloor，answeredthattherewereagreatmanyofthem。Afterdinnerthetwoyoungmengointotheirhost’sstudy，andwritealettertothefairunknown。Theycomposedapassionateepistle，reallyadeclaration，andthencarrytheletterupstairsthemselves，soastoexplainwhatevermightprovenotaltogetherclearintheletter。’

`Whydoyoutellmesuchnastythings？Andthen？’

`Theyring。Amaidservantopensthedoor，theyhandhertheletter，andassureherthatthey’rebothsoenamoredthatthey’lldieonthespotatthedoor。Themaid，stupefied，carriesonthenegotiations。Suddenlyagentlemanappears-withsidewhiskerslikecountrysausages，heisasredasalobsterand，informingthemthatthereisnoonelivinginthatflatexcepthiswife，hesendsthembothpacking。’

`Howdoyouknowhehadsidewhiskerslikesausages，asyouputit？’

`Ah，dobutlisten。RecentlyIwenttomakepeacebetweenthem。’

`Well，andwhatwastheupshot？’

`That’sthemostinterestingpart。Thiscoupleturnedouttobeamosthappyone-agovernmentclerkandhislady。Thegovernmentclerklodgesacomplaint，whereuponIbecomeamediator-andwhatamediator！……

IassureyouTalleyrandwasanobodycomparedtome。’

`Justwhatwasthedifficulty？’

`Ah，dobutlisten……Wemakefittingapologies:``Weareindespair；weentreatforgivenessfortheunfortunatemisunderstanding。’’

Thegovernmentclerkwiththecountrysausagesbeginstomelt，andhe，too，desirestoexpresshissentiments，butnosoonerdoeshebegintoexpressthemthanhegetsheatedandsaysnastythings，andagainI’mobligedtotrotoutallmydiplomatictalents。``Iagreethattheiractionwasbad，butIbegofyoutotakeintoconsiderationthemisunderstanding，andtheiryouth；besides，theyoungmenhadjustcomefromtheirlunch。

Youunderstand。Theirrepentanceisheartfeltandtheybegyoutoforgivetheirmisbehavior。’’Thegovernmentclerkwassoftenedoncemore。``Iconsent，Count，andamreadytoforgivebutyoumustunderstandthatmywife-mywife！-arespectablewomanissubjectedtoannoyances，andinsults，andimpertinencesbycertainmilksops，scou……’’Yet，youunderstand，themilksopispresent，anditisuptometomakepeacebetweenthem。AgainItrotoutallmydiplomacy，andagain，justasthematterisabouttobeconcluded，ourfriendthegovernmentclerkgetsheatedandturnsredwhilehiscountrysausagesbristleup，andIoncemoreexertdiplomaticfinesse。’

`Ah，youmusthearthisstory！’saidBetsy，laughing，toaladywhowasenteringthebox。`Hehasmademelaughsomuch……Well，bonnechance！’sheadded，givingVronskytheonefingerfreefromholdingherfan，andwithashrugofhershoulderslettingdownthebodiceofhergown，thathadworkedup，soastobefittinglyandfullynudeasshemovedforward，towardthefootlights，intothelightsofthegas，andwithinthekenofall。

VronskydrovetotheFrenchtheater，wherehereallyhadtoseethecolonelofhisregiment，whonevermissedasingleperformancethere；

hewantedtotalkoverhispeacemaking，whichhadbeenoccupyingandamusinghimforthelastthreedays。Petritsky，whomheliked，wasimplicatedintheaffair，aswellasanotherfinefellowandexcellentcomrade，whohadlatelyjoinedtheregiment-theyoungPrinceKedrov。But，mainly，theinterestsoftheregimentwereinvolvedaswell。

BothculpritswereinVronsky’ssquadron。Thecoloneloftheregimenthadreceivedacallfromthegovernmentclerk，Venden，withacomplaintagainsthisofficers，whohadinsultedhiswife。Hisyoungwife，asVendentoldthestory-hehadbeenmarriedhalfayear-hadbeenatchurchwithhermother，and，suddenlyfeelingindisposed，duetoherinterestingcondition，foundthatshecouldnotremainstandinganddrovehomeinthefirstsleighwiththemettlesomecoachmanshecameacross。Itwasthenthattheofficerssetoffinpursuitofher；shewasalarmed，and，feelingstillworse，ranhomeupthestaircase。Vendenhimself，onreturningfromhisoffice，hadheardaringattheirbellandvoices，hadsteppedout，andseeingtheintoxicatedofficerswithaletter，hehadpushedthemout。Hewasaskingthattheculpritsbeseverelypunished。

`Youmaysaywhatyouwill，’saidthecoloneltoVronsky，whomhehadinvitedtocomeandseehim。`Petritskyisbecomingimpossible。

Notaweekgoesbywithoutsomescrape。Thisclerkchapwon’tletmattersdrop-he’llgoonwiththething。’

Vronskysawallthethanklessnessofthebusiness，andthataduelwasoutofthequestionhere；thateverythingmustbedonetosoftenthisgovernmentclerk，andhushthematterup。ThecolonelhadcalledinVronskypreciselybecauseheknewhimtobeanhonorableandintelligentman，but，aboveall，onetowhomthehonoroftheregimentwasdear。Theytalkeditover，anddecidedthatPetritskyandKedrovmustgowithVronskytothisgovernmentclerkandapologize。ThecolonelandVronskywerebothfullyawarethatVronsky’snameandinsigniaofaide-de-campwereboundtogoalongwaytowardsofteningthegovernmentclerk。Andthesetwoinfluencesprovedinfactnotwithouteffect；thoughtheresultofthemediationremained，asVronskyhaddescribed，uncertain。