第6章

OnreachingtheFrenchtheater，Vronskyretiredtothefoyerwiththecolonel，andreportedtohimhissuccess-orlackofit。Thecolonel，thinkingitallover，decidednottogoonwiththematter；butthen，forhisowndelectation，proceededtoquestionVronskyaboutthedetailsofhisinterviewandforalongwhilecouldnotrestrainhislaughterashelistenedtoVronsky’sstoryofhowthegovernmentclerk，aftersubsidingforawhile，wouldsuddenlyflareupagain，asherecalledthedetails，andhowVronsky，atthelasthalf-wordofconciliation，hadskillfullymaneuveredaretreat，shovingPetritskyoutbeforehim。

`It’sadisgracefulscrape，butakillingone。Kedrovreallycan’tfightthisgentleman！Sohewasawfullywroughtup？’heaskedagain，laughing。

`ButwhatdoyouthinkofClairetoday？She’sawonder！’hewenton，speakingofanewFrenchactress。`Nomatterhowoftenyouseeher，she’sdifferenteachtime。It’sonlytheFrenchwhocandothat。’

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter06[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter6PrincessBetsydrovehomefromthetheaterwithoutwaitingfortheendofthelastact。Shehadjusttimeenoughtogointoherdressingroom，sprinkleherlong，palefacewithpowder，rubitoff，setherdresstorights，andorderteainthebigdrawingroom，whenoneafteranothercarriagesdroveuptoherhugehouseontheBolshaiaMorskaia。Herguestsdismountedatthewideentrance，andthestoutporter，whousedtoreadnewspapersmorningsbehindtheglassdoor，totheedificationofthepassers-by，noiselesslyopenedtheimmensedoor，lettingthevisitorspassbyhimintothehouse。

Almostatthesameinstantthatthehostess，withfreshlyarrangedcoiffureandfreshenedface，enteredatonedoor，herguestsenteredattheother，intothedrawingroom，alargeroomwithdarkwalls，downyrugsandabrightlylightedtable，gleamingwiththelightofcandles，thewhitenessofnapery，thesilverofthesamovarandtheteaserviceoftransparentporcelain。

Thehostesssatdownatthesamovarandtookoffhergloves。Chairsweresetwiththeaidoffootmen，movingalmostimperceptiblyabouttheroom；thepartysettleditself，dividedintotwogroups:oneroundthesamovarnearthehostess，theotherattheoppositeendofthedrawingroom，roundthehandsomewifeofanambassador，inblackvelvet，withsharplydefinedblackeyebrows。Inbothgroupsconversationwavered，asitalwaysdoes，forthefirstfewminutes，brokenupbymeetings，salutations，offersoftea，and，asitwere，seekingforsomepointincommon。

`She’sexceptionallyfineasanactress；onecanseeshe’sstudiedKaulbach，’saidadiplomatistinthecircleoftheambassador’swife。`Didyounoticehowshefelldown？……’

`Oh，please，don’tletustalkaboutNilsson！Noonecanpossiblysayanythingnewabouther，’saidafat，red-faced，flaxen-headedlady，withouteyebrowsandwithoutchignon，wearinganoldsilkdress。ThiswasPrincessMiaghkaia，notedforhersimplicityandtheroughnessofhermanners，andnicknamedenfantterrible。PrincessMiaghkaiawasseatedhalfwaybetweenthetwogroups，and，listeningtoboth，tookpartintheconversationfirstofoneandthenoftheother。`ThreepeoplehaveusedthatveryphraseaboutKaulbachtometoday，justasthoughtheyhadconspired。AndIdon’tknowwhythatphraseshouldbesomuchtotheirliking。’

Theconversationwascutshortbythisobservation，andagainanewsubjecthadtobethoughtof。

`Dotellussomethingamusing，yetnotspiteful，’saidtheambassador’swife，agreatproficientintheartofthatelegantconversationcalledbytheEnglishsmalltalk。Sheaddressedthediplomatist，whowasnowatalossjustwhattobeginupon。

`Thatissaidtobeadifficulttask-onlythatwhichisspitefulissupposedtobeamusing，’hebeganwithasmile。`However，I’llmaketheattempt。Givemeatheme。it’sallamatterofthetheme。Ifthethemebebutgiven，it’seasyenoughtoembroiderit。Ioftenthinkthatthecelebratedconversationalistsofthelastcenturywouldfinditdifficulttotalkcleverlynow。Everythingcleverhasbecomesuchabore……’

`Thathasbeensaidlongago，’theambassador’swifeinterruptedhim，laughing。

Theconversationhadbegunamiably，butjustbecauseitwastooamiable，itcametoastopagain。Theyhadtohaverecoursetothesure，never-failingremedy-maliciousgossip。

`Don’tyouthinkthere’ssomethingLouisQuinzeaboutTushkevich？’

hesaid，glancingtowardahandsome，fair-hairedyoungman，standingatthetable。

`Oh，yes！He’sinthesamestyleasthedrawingroom，andthat’swhyitishe’ssooftenhere。’

Thisconversationwaskeptup，sinceitdependedonallusionstowhatcouldnotbetalkedofinthatroom-thatistosay，oftherelationsofTushkevichwiththeirhostess。

Roundthesamovarandthehostesstheconversationhaving，inthemeanwhile，vacillatedinpreciselythesamewaybetweenthethreeinevitabletopics-thelatestpieceofpublicnews，thetheater，andcensuringthefellowcreature-hadfinallycometorestonthelasttopic-thatis，maliciousgossip。

`HaveyouheardthateventheMaltishcheva-themother，notthedaughter-hasorderedacostumeindiablerosecolor？’

`Impossible！No，that’sjustcharming！’

`Iwonderthatwithhersense-forafterallshe’snofool-

shedoesn’tseehowfunnysheis。’

EveryonehadsomethingtosayincensureorridiculeofthehaplessMaltishcheva，andtheconversationcrackledmerrily，likeablazingbonfire。

ThehusbandofPrincessBetsy，agood-naturedcorpulentman，anardentcollectorofengravings，hearingthathiswifehadvisitors，hadcomeintothedrawingroombeforeleavingforhisclub。Steppingnoiselesslyoverthethickrugs，heapproachedPrincessMiaghkaia。

`HowdidyoulikeNilsson？’heasked。

`Oh，howcanyoustealuponanyonelikethat！Howyoustartledme！’sheresponded。`Pleasedon’ttalktomeabouttheopera；youknownothingaboutmusic。I’drathercomedowntoyourownlevel，anddiscusswithyouyourmajolicaandengravings。Come，now，whattreasurehaveyoubeenbuyinglatelyattheragfair？’

`Wouldyoulikemetoshowyou？Butyoudon’tunderstandsuchthings。’

`Yes，showme。I’vebeenlearningaboutthematthose-what’stheirnames？……thosebankers……Theyhavesomesplendidengravings。Theyshowedthemtous。’

`Why，haveyoubeenattheSchutzburgs？’askedthehostessfrombehindthesamovar。

`Yes，machè；re。Theyaskedmyhusbandandmyselftodinner，andIwastoldthatthesauceatthatdinnercostathousandroubles，’PrincessMiaghkaiasaid，speakingloudly，consciousthatallwerelistening；`andverynastysauceitwas-somegreenmess。Wehadtoaskthem，andImadeasauceforeighty-fivekopecks，andeverybodywasverymuchpleasedwithit。Ican’taffordthousand-roublesauces。’

`She’sunique！’saidtheladyofthehouse。

`Amazing！’somebodyelseadded。

TheeffectproducedbyPrincessMiaghkaia’sspeecheswasalwaysthesame，andthesecretoftheeffectsheproducedlayinthefactthatthoughshespokenotalwaysappropriately，asnow，shesaidhomelytruths，notdevoidofsense。Inthesocietyinwhichshelivedsuchutteranceshadthesameresultasthemostpungentwit。PrincessMiaghkaiacouldneverseewhyithadthatresult，butsheknewithad，andtookadvantageofit。

SinceeveryonehadbeenlisteningwhilePrincessMiaghkaiaspoke，andtheconversationaroundtheambassador’swifehaddropped，PrincessBetsytriedtobringthewholepartytogether，andsheaddressedtheambassador’swife。

`Reallywon’tyouhavetea？Docomeandjoinus。’

`No，we’reverycomfortablehere，’theambassador’swiferespondedwithasmile，andwentonwiththeinterruptedconversation。

Itwasamostagreeableconversation。TheywerecensuringtheKarenins，husbandandwife。

`AnnaisquitechangedsinceherstayinMoscow。There’ssomethingstrangeabouther，’saidoneofherfemininefriends。

`ThegreatchangeisthatshehasbroughtbackwithhertheshadowofAlexeiVronsky，’saidtheambassador’swife。

`Well，whatofit？There’safableofGrimm’saboutamanwithoutashadow-amandeprivedofhisshadow。Asapunishmentforsomethingorother。Inevercouldunderstandjusthowthiswasapunishment。Yetawomanmustprobablyfeeluncomfortablewithoutashadow。’

`Yes，butwomenfollowedbyashadowusuallycometoabadend，’

saidAnna’sfriend。

`Biteyourtongue！’saidPrincessMiaghkaiasuddenly。`Kareninaisasplendidwoman。Idon’tlikeherhusband-butherIlikeverymuch。’

`Whydon’tyoulikeherhusband？He’ssucharemarkableman，’

saidtheambassador’swife。`MyhusbandsaystherearefewstatesmenlikehiminEurope。’

`Andmyhusbandtellsmejustthesame，butIdon’tbelieveit，’

saidPrincessMiaghkaia。`Ifourhusbandsdidn’ttalktous，weshouldseethefactsastheyare。AlexeiAlexandrovich，tomythinking，issimplyafool。Isayitinawhisper……Butdoesn’titreallymakeeverythingclear？Before，whenIwastoldtoconsiderhimclever，Ikeptlookingforhisability，andthoughtmyselfafoolfornotseeingit；butdirectlyIsaid，he’safool，thoughonlyinawhisper，everythingbecameclear-isn’tthatso？’

`Howspitefulyouaretoday！’

`Notabit。I’dnootherwayoutofit。Oneofustwohadtobethefool。And，asyouknow，onecouldneversaythatofoneself。’

`Nooneissatisfiedwithhisfortune，andeveryoneissatisfiedwithhiswit，’thediplomatistrepeatedtheFrenchsaying。

`That’sit-that’sjustit，’PrincessMiaghkaiaturnedtohimpromptly。`ButthepointisthatIwon’tabandonAnnatoyourmercies。

She’ssuchadear，socharming。Howcanshehelpitifthey’reallinlovewithher，andfollowheraboutlikeshadows？’

`Oh，Ihadnoideaofcensuringher，’Anna’sfriendsaidinself-defense。

`Ifwehavenoshadowsfollowingus，itdoesnotprovethatwe’veanyrighttoblameher。’

And，havingdulydisposedofAnna’sfriend，thePrincessMiaghkaiagotup，and，togetherwiththeambassador’swife，joinedthegroupatthetable，wherethegeneralconversationhadtodowiththekingofPrussia。

`Whatwereyougossipingsomaliciouslyabout？’askedBetsy。

`AbouttheKarenins。ThePrincessgaveusacharactersketchofAlexeiAlexandrovich，’saidtheambassador’swifewithasmile，asshesatdownatthetable。

`Pitywedidn’thearit！’saidPrincessBetsy，glancingtowardthedoor。`Ah，hereyouareatlast！’shesaid，turningwithasmiletoVronskywhowasentering。

Vronskywasnotmerelyacquaintedwithallthepersonswhomhewasmeetinghere；hesawthemalleveryday；andsohecameinwiththequietmannerwithwhichoneentersaroomfullofpeoplewhomonehadleftonlyashortwhileago。

`WheredoIcomefrom？’herepeatedthequestionoftheambassador’swife。`Well，there’snohelpforit-Imustconfess。Fromtheoperabouffe。

IdobelieveI’veseenitahundredtimes，andalwayswithfreshenjoyment。

It’sexquisite！Iknowit’sdisgraceful，butIgotosleepattheopera，yetIsitouttheoperabouffetothelastminute，andenjoyit。Thisevening……’

HementionedaFrenchactress，andwasabouttotellsomethingabouther；buttheambassador’swife，withplayfultrepidation，cuthimshort。

`Please，don’ttellusaboutthathorror。’

`Verywell，Iwon’t-especiallyaseveryoneknowsthosehorrors。’

`Andweshouldallgotoseethemifitwereacceptedasthecorrectthing，liketheopera，’chimedinPrincessMiaghkaia。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter07[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter7Stepswereheardatthedoor，andPrincessBetsy，knowingitwasMadameKarenina，glancedatVronsky。Hewaslookingtowardthedoor，andhisfaceworeastrangenewexpression。Joyfully，intently，andatthesametimetimidly，hegazedattheapproachingfigure，andslowlyherosetohisfeet。Annawalkedintothedrawingroom。Holdingherselfextremelyerect，asalways，lookingstraightbeforeher，andmovingwithherswift，resoluteandlightstep，thatdistinguishedherwalkfromthatofothersocietywomen，shecrossedthefewpacesthatseparatedherfromherhostess，shookhandswithher，smiled，andwiththesamesmilelookedaroundatVronsky。

Vronskybowedlowandpushedachairupforher。

Sheacknowledgedthisonlybyaslightnod，flushed，andfrowned。

Butimmediately，whilerapidlygreetingheracquaintances，andshakingthehandsprofferedtoher，sheaddressedPrincessBetsy:

`IhavebeenatCountessLidia’s，andmeanttohavecomehereearlier，butIstayedon。SirJohnwasthere。Amostinterestingman。’

`Oh，that’sthismissionary？’

`Yes；hetoldusaboutlifeinIndia，mostinterestingly。’

Theconversation，interruptedbyhercomingin，flickeredupagainlikethelightofalampbeingblownout。

`SirJohn！Yes，SirJohn。I’veseenhim。Hespeakswell。Vlassievaisaltogetherinlovewithhim。’

`AndisittruethattheyoungerVlassievaistomarryTopov？’

`Yes-theysayit’squitesettled。’

`Iwonderattheparents！Theysayit’samarriageofpassion。’

`Ofpassion？Whatantediluviannotionsyouhave！Whoevertalksofpassionnowadays？’saidtheambassador’swife。

`Whatwouldyoudo？Thissillyoldfashionisstillfarfromdead，’

saidVronsky。

`Somuchtheworseforthosewhokeepupthefashion。TheonlyhappymarriagesIknowaremarriagesofprudence。’

`Yes，-butthen，howoftenthehappinessoftheseprudentmarriagesisscatteredlikedust，preciselybecausethatpassiontowhichrecognitionhasbeendeniedappearsonthescene，’saidVronsky。

`Butbymarriagesofprudencewemeanthoseinwhichbothpartieshavesowntheirwildoatsalready。That’slikescarlatina-onehastogothroughwithitandgetitoverwith。’

`Inthatcasewemustlearnhowtovaccinateforlove，likesmall-pox。’

`Iwasinloveinmyyoungdays-withachurchclerk，’saidthePrincessMiaghkaia。`Idon’tknowthatitdidmeanygood。’

`No；Ithink-alljokesaside-thattoknowlove，onemustfirstmakeafault，andthenmendit，’saidPrincessBetsy。

`Evenaftermarriage？’saidtheambassador’swifeplayfully。

`It’snevertoolatetomend，’thediplomatistrepeatedtheEnglishproverb。

`Justso，’Betsyagreed；`onemustmakeamistakeandrectifyit。Whatdoyouthinkaboutit？’SheturnedtoAnna，who，withabarelyperceptibleresolutesmileonherlips，waslisteningtotheconversation。

`Ithink’saidAnna，playingwiththegloveshehadtakenoff，`Ithink……ifthereareasmanymindsasthereareheads，thensurelytheremustbeasmanykindsofloveastherearehearts。’

VronskywasgazingatAnna，andwithaheartsinkingwaswaitingforwhatshewouldsay。Hesighedasafteradangerescapedwhenshehadutteredthesewords。

Annasuddenlyturnedtohim。

`Oh，IhavehadaletterfromMoscow。TheywritemethatKittyShcherbatskaia’sveryill。’

`Really？’saidVronsky，knittinghisbrows。

Annalookedsternlyathim。

`Thatdoesn’tinterestyou？’

`Onthecontrary，itdoes-verymuch。Whatisit，exactly，thattheywriteyou，ifmayknow？’heasked。

AnnagotupandwenttoBetsy。

`Givemeacupoftea，’shesaid，pausingbehindherchair。

WhileBetsywaspouringoutthetea，VronskywalkeduptoAnna。

`Whatisittheywriteyou？’herepeated。

`Ioftenthinkmenhavenounderstandingofwhatisdishonorable，thoughthey’reforevertalkingofit，’saidAnna，withoutansweringhim。

`I’vewantedtotellyousomethingforalongwhile，’sheadded，and，movingafewstepsaway，shesatdownatacornertablewhichheldalbums。

`Idon’tquiteunderstandthesignificanceofyourwords，’hesaid，handingherthecup。

Sheglancedtowardsthesofabesideher，andheinstantlysatdown。

`Yes，I’vewantedtotellyou，’shesaid，withoutlookingathim。

`Youractionwaswrong-wrong，verywrong。’

`DoyousupposeIdon’tknowthatI’veactedwrongly？Butwhowasthecauseofmydoingso？’

`Whydoyousaythattome？’shesaidlookingathimsternly。

`Youknowwhy，’heanswered，boldlyandjoyously，meetingherglanceandwithoutdroppinghiseyes。

Itwasnothe，butshe，whobecameconfused。

`Thatmerelyprovesyouhavenoheart，’shesaid。Buthereyessaidthatsheknewhehadaheart，andthatwaswhyshewasafraidofhim。

`Whatyouspokeofjustnowwasamistake，andnotlove。’

`RememberthatIhaveforbiddenyoutoutterthatword，thatdetestableword，’saidAnna，withashudder。Butatonceshefeltthatbythatveryword`forbidden’shehadshownthatsheacknowledgedcertainrightsoverhim，andbythatveryfactwasencouraginghimtospeakoflove。`Ihavelongmeanttotellyouthis，’shewenton，lookingresolutelyintohiseyes，andallaflamefromtheburningflushonhercheeks。`I’vecomeherepurposelythisevening，knowingIshouldmeetyou。Ihavecometotellyouthatthismustend。Ihaveneverblushedbeforeanyone，andyouforcemetofeelguiltyofsomething。’

Helookedatherandwasstruckbyanewspiritualbeautyinherface。

`Whatdoyouwishofme？’hesaid，simplyandgravely。

`IwantyoutogotoMoscowandaskforKitty’sforgiveness，’

shesaid。

`Thatisnotyourwish，’hesaid。

Hesawshewassayingwhatshewasforcingherselftosay，notwhatshewantedtosay。

`Ifyouloveme，asyousay，’shewhispered，`youwilldothis，sothatImaybeatpeace。’

Hisfacegrewradiant。

`Don’tyouknowthatyou’reallmylifetome？ButIknownopeace，andIcan’tgiveittoyou；allofmyself，andlove-yes。Ican’tthinkofyouandmyselfapart。YouandIareonetome。AndIseenopossibilitybeforeusofpeace-eitherformeorforyou。Iseeapossibilityofdespair，ofwretchedness……OrelseIseeapossibilityofhappiness-andwhatahappiness！……Canitbeimpossible？’headded，hislipsbarelymoving-yetsheheard。

Shestrainedeveryeffortofhermindtosaywhatoughttobesaid。Butinsteadofthatshelethereyesrestonhim，fulloflove，andmadenoanswer。

`It’scome！’hethoughtinecstasy。`WhenIwasbeginningtodespair，anditseemedtherewouldbenoend-it’scome！Shelovesme！Sheownsit！’

`Thendothisforme:neversaysuchthingstome，andletusbefriends，’shesaidinwords；buthereyesspokequitedifferently。

`Friendsweshallneverbe-thatyouknowyourself。Whetherweshallbethehappiestorthemostwretchedofpeople-thatlieswithinyourpower。’

Shewouldhavesaidsomething，butheinterruptedher。

`ForIaskbutonething:Iaskfortherighttohope，tosuffer-evenasIamdoingnow。Butifeventhatcannotbe，commandmetodisappear，andIdisappear。Youshallnotseemeifmypresenceispainfultoyou。’

`Idon’twanttodriveyouaway。’

`Onlydon’tchangeanything-leaveeverythingasitis，’saidhe，inashakyvoice。`Here’syourhusband。’

AtthatinstantAlexeiAlexandrovichdidinfactwalkintotheroomwithhiscalm，ungainlygait。

GlancingathiswifeandVronsky，hewentuptotheladyofthehouse，and，sittingdownforacupoftea，begantalkinginhisunhasty，alwaysaudiblevoice，inhishabitualtoneofbanter，asifhewereteasingsomeone。

`YourRambouilletisinfullconclave，’hesaidlookingroundatalltheparty；`thegracesandthemuses。’

ButPrincessBetsycouldnotendurethattoneofhis-sneering，asshecalledit，usingtheEnglishword，andlikeacleverhostesssheatoncebroughthimaroundtoaseriousconversationonthesubjectofuniversalconscription。AlexeiAlexandrovichwasimmediatelycarriedawaybythesubject，andbeganseriouslydefendingthenewimperialdecreebeforePrincessBetsy，whohadattackedit。

VronskyandAnnastillsatatthelittletable。

`Thisisgettingindecorous，’whisperedonelady，withanexpressiveglanceatMadameKarenina，herhusbandandVronsky。

`WhatdidItellyou？’saidAnna’sfriend。

Butitwasnotonlytheseladieswhowatchedthem-almosteveryoneintheroom，eventhePrincessMiaghkaiaandBetsyherself，lookedseveraltimesinthedirectionofthetwowhohadwithdrawnfromthegeneralcircle，asthoughtheyfounditahindrance。AlexeiAlexandrovichwastheonlypersonwhodidnotoncelookintheirdirection，andwasnotdivertedfromtheinterestingdiscussionhehadenteredupon。

Noticingthedisagreeableimpressionthatwasbeingmadeoneveryone，PrincessBetsyslippedsomeoneelseintoherplacetolistentoAlexeiAlexandrovich，andwalkedovertoAnna。

`I’malwaysamazedattheclearnessandprecisionofyourhusband’slanguage，’shesaid。`Themosttranscendentideasseemtobewithinmygraspwhenhe’sspeaking。’

`Oh，yes！’saidAnna，radiantwithasmileofhappiness，andnotunderstandingawordofwhatBetsyhadsaid。Shecrossedovertothebigtableandtookpartinthegeneralconversation。

AlexeiAlexandrovich，afterstayinghalfanhour，walkeduptohiswifeandsuggestedthattheygohometogether。Butsheanswered，withoutlookingathim，thatshewasstayingtosupper。AlexeiAlexandrovichbowedhimselfout。

ThefatoldTatar，MadameKarenina’scoachman，inaglisteningleathercoat，waswithdifficultybridlingtheleftofherpairofgrays，chilledwiththecoldandrearingattheentrance。Afootmanstoodbythecarriagedoorhehadopened。Thehallporterstoodholdingopenthegreatdoorofthehouse。AnnaArkadyevna，withherquicklittlehand，wasunfasteningthelaceofhersleeve，caughtinthehookofherfurcloak，andwithbentheadwaslisteningrapturouslytothewordsVronskymurmuredashesawherdowntohercarriage。

`You’vesaidnothing，ofcourse，andIasknothing，’hewassaying；

`butyouknowthatfriendshipisnotwhatIwant:thatthere’sonlyonehappinessinlifeforme-thatwordyoudislikeso……yes，love！……’

`Love……’sherepeatedslowly，inaninnervoice，andsuddenly，attheveryinstantsheunhookedthelace，sheadded，`Idon’tlikethewordpreciselybecauseitmeanstoomuchtome，farmorethanyoucanunderstand，’

andsheglancedintohisface。`Good-by。’

Shegavehimherhand，andwithherrapid，springystepshepassedbytheporterandvanishedintothecarriage。

Herglance，thetouchofherhand，hadsearedhim。Hekissedthepalmofhishandwhereshehadtouchedit，andwenthome，happyintherealizationthathehadgotnearertotheattainmentofhisaimsthateveningthanduringthetwolastmonths。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter08[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter8AlexeiAlexandrovichhadseennothingstrikingorimproperinthefactthathiswifewassittingwithVronskyatatableapart，ineagerconversationwithhimaboutsomething。Buthenoticedthattotherestofthepartythisappearedassomethingstrikingandimproper，andforthatreasonitseemedtohim，too，tobeimproper。Hemadeuphismindthathemustspeakofittohiswife。

OnreachinghomeAlexeiAlexandrovichwenttohisstudy，asheusuallydid，seatedhimselfinhislowchair，openedabookonthePapacyattheplacehehadmarkedbyinsertingthepaperknife，readtilloneo’clock，justasheusuallydid。Butfromtimetotimehewouldrubhishighforeheadandshakehishead，asthoughtodriveawaysomething。Athisusualtimehegotupandmadehistoiletforthenight。AnnaArkadyevnahadnotyetcomein。Withabookunderhisarmhewentupstairs。Butthisevening，insteadofhisusualthoughtsandmeditationsuponofficialdetails，histhoughtswereabsorbedbyhiswifeandsomethingdisagreeableconnectedwithher。Contrarytohisusualhabit，hedidnotgetintobed，butfelltowalkingupanddowntheroomswithhishandsclaspedbehindhisback。

Hecouldnotgotobed，feelingthatitwasabsolutelyneedfulforhimfirsttothinkthoroughlyoverthesituationthathadjustarisen。

WhenAlexeiAlexandrovichhadmadeuphismindthathemusthaveatalkwithhiswife，ithadseemedaveryeasyandsimplematter。Butnow，whenhebegantothinkoverthequestionthathadjustpresenteditself，itseemedtohimverycomplicatedanddifficult。

AlexeiAlexandrovichwasnotjealous。Jealousy，accordingtohisnotions，wasaninsulttoone’swife，andoneoughttohaveconfidenceinone’swife。Whyoneoughttohavethatconfidence-thatistosay，acompleteconvictionthathisyoungwifewouldalwayslovehim-hedidnotaskhimself。Buthehadneverexperiencedsuchalackofconfidence，becausehehadconfidenceinher，andtoldhimselfthatheoughttohaveit。Now，thoughhisconvictionthatjealousywasashamefulfeeling，andthatoneoughttofeelconfidence，hadnotbrokendown，hestillfeltthathewasstandingfacetofacewithsomethingillogicalandfatuous，anddidnotknowwhatoughttobedone。AlexeiAlexandrovichwasstandingfacetofacewithlife，withthepossibilityofhiswife’slovingsomeoneotherthanhimself，andthisseemedtohimveryfatuousandincomprehensible，becauseitwasoftheverystuffoflife。AllhislifeAlexeiAlexandrovichhadlivedandworkedinofficialspheres，havingtodomerelywiththereflectionsoflife。Andeverytimehehadstumbledagainstlifeitselfhehadshrunkawayfromit。Nowheexperiencedafeelingakintothatofamanwho，whilecalmlycrossingaprecipicebyabridge，shouldsuddenlydiscoverthatthebridgeisbroken，andthatthereisachasmbelow。Thatchasmwaslifeitself-thebridge，thatartificiallifeinwhichAlexeiAlexandrovichhadlived。Forthefirsttimethequestionpresenteditselftohimofthepossibilityofhiswife’slovingsomeoneelse，andhewashorrifiedatit。

Hedidnotundress，butwalkedupanddownwithhisregulartreadovertheresoundingparquetofthediningroom，whereonelampwasburning；

overthecarpetofthedarkdrawingroom，inwhichthelightwasreflectedmerelyonthebignewportraitofhimselfhangingoverthesofa；andacrossherboudoir，wheretwocandlesburned，lightinguptheportraitsofherparentsandfemininefriends，andtheprettyknickknacksofherwritingtable，everyoneofwhichheknewsowell。Hewalkedacrossherboudoirtothebedroomdoorandturnedbackagain。

Ateachturninhiswalk，especiallyontheparquetofthewell-litdiningroom，hehaltedandsaidtohimself，`Yes，thisImustdecideandputastopto；Imustexpressmyviewofitandmydecision。’Andheturnedbackagain。`ButjustwhatshallIexpress？Andwhatdecision？’hewouldsaytohimselfinthedrawingroom-andfoundnoanswer。`But，afterall，’

heaskedhimselfbeforeturningintotheboudoir，’whathasoccurred？Nothing。

Shewastalkingalongwhilewithhim。Butwhatofthat？Surelywomeninsocietycantalktowhomtheyplease。Andthen，jealousymeansdebasingbothherandmyself，’hesoliloquizedasheenteredherboudoir；butthisdictum，whichhadalwayshadsuchweightwithhimbefore，hadnownoweightandnomeaningwhatsoever。Andfromthebedroomdoorheturnedbackagain；

butasheenteredthedarkdrawingroomsomeinnervoicetoldhimthatitwasnotso，andthatifothershadnoticed，itmeantthattherewassomething。Andhesaidtohimselfagaininthediningroom:`Yes，Imustdecideandputastoptoit，andexpressmyviews……’Andagainattheturninthedrawingroomheaskedhimself:`Decidehow？’Andagainheaskedinwardly:`Whathasoccurred？’Andanswered:`Nothing，’andrecollectedthatjealousywasafeelinginsultingtohiswife；butagaininthedrawingroomhewasconvincedthatsomethinghadhappened。Histhoughts，likehisbody，weredescribingacompletecircle，withoutalightinguponanythingnew。Henoticedthis，rubbedhisforehead，andsatdowninherboudoir。

There，lookingathertable，withthemalachiteblottingcaselyingatthetop，andanunfinishedletter，histhoughtssuddenlychanged。

Hebegantothinkofher，ofwhatherthoughtsandemotionsmustbe。Forthefirsttimehepicturedvividlytohimselfherpersonallife，herideas，herdesires，andthethoughtthatshecouldandmusthaveaseparatelifeofherownseemedtohimsoappallingthathemadehastetodriveitaway。

Itwasthechasmwhichhewasafraidtopeepinto。Toputhimselfinthoughtandfeelinginanotherperson’splacewasaspiritualactionforeigntoAlexeiAlexandrovich。Helookedonthisspiritualactionasaharmfulanddangerousabuseofthefancy。

`Andtheworstofitall，’thoughthe，`isthatjustnow，attheverymomentwhenmygreatworkisapproachingcompletion’(hewasthinkingoftheprojecthewasbringingforwardatthetime)，`whenIstandinneedofallmymentalpeaceandallmyenergies-justnowthisstupidworryhastocomefallingaboutmyears。Butwhat’stobedone？I’mnotoneofthosemenwhosubmittouneasinessandworrywithouthavingtheforceofcharactertofacethem。’

`Imustthinkthisover，cometoadecision，andputitoutofmymind，’hesaidaloud。

`Thequestionofherfeelings，ofwhathaspassedandmaybepassinginhersoul-that’snotmyaffair；that’stheaffairofherconscience，andfallsundertheheadofreligion，’hesaidtohimself，feelingconsolationinthesensethathehadfoundtowhichdivisionofregulatingprinciplesthisnewcircumstancecouldbeproperlyreferred。

`Andso，’AlexeiAlexandrovichsaidtohimself，`questionsastoherfeelings，andsoon，arequestionsforherconscience，withwhichIcanhavenothingtodo。Mydutyisclearlydefined。Astheheadofthefamily，Iamapersonboundindutytoguideher，and，consequently，inpartthepersonresponsible；IamboundtopointoutthedangerIperceive，towarnher，eventousemyauthority。Ioughttospeakplainlytoher。’

AndeverythingthathewouldsaytonighttohiswifetookclearshapeinAlexeiAlexandrovich’shead。Thinkingoverwhathewouldsay，hesomewhatregrettedthatheshouldhavetousehistimeandmentalpowersfordomesticconsumption，withsolittletoshowforit，but，inspiteofthat，theformandconsistencyofthespeechbeforehimshapeditselfasclearlyanddistinctlyinhisheadasaministerialreport。`Imustspeakon，andexpressfully，thefollowingpoints:first，anexplanationofthevaluetobeattachedtopublicopinionandtodecorum；secondly，anexplanationofthereligioussignificanceofmarriage；thirdly，ifneedbe，areferencetothecalamitypossiblyensuingtoourson；fourthly，areferencetotheunhappinesslikelytoresulttoherself。’And，interlacinghisfingers，thepalmsdownward，AlexeiAlexandrovichstretchedhishands，andthejointsofthefingerscracked。

Thisgesture，thisbadhabit-thejoiningofhishandscrackinghisfingers，alwayssoothedhim，andgaveprecisiontohisthoughts，soneedfultohimnow。Therewasthesoundofacarriagedrivinguptothefrontdoor。AlexeiAlexandrovichhaltedinthemiddleoftheroom。

Awoman’sstepwasheardmountingthestairs。AlexeiAlexandrovich，readyforhisspeech，stoodsqueezinghiscrossedfingers，waitingfortheircracktocomeagain。Onejointcracked。

Already，fromthesoundoflightstepsonthestairs，hewasawarethatshewasclose，andthoughhewassatisfiedwithhisspeech，hefeltfrightenedbecauseoftheexplanationconfrontinghim。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter09[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter9Annacameinwithherheadbent，playingwiththetasselsofherhood。

Herfacewasglowingwithavividglow；butthisglowwasnotoneofjoyousness-itrecalledthefearfulglowofaconflagrationinthemidstofadarknight。Onseeingherhusband，Annaraisedherheadandsmiled，asthoughshehadjustwakedup。

`You’renotinbed？Whatamiracle！’shesaidthrowingoffherhoodand，withoutstopping，shewentonintothedressingroom。`It’slate，AlexeiAlexandrovich，’shesaid，frombehindthedoor。

`Anna，Imusthaveatalkwithyou。’

`Withme？’shesaid，wonderingly。Shecameoutfromthedoor，andlookedathim。`Why，whatisit？Whatabout？’sheasked，sittingdown。

`Well，let’stalk，ifit’ssonecessary。Butitwouldbebettertogotosleep。’

Annawassayingwhatevercametohertongue，andmarveled，hearingherself，atherowncapacityforlying。Howsimpleandnaturalwereherwords，andhowlikelythatshewassimplysleepyShefeltherselfcladinanimpenetrablearmoroffalsehood。Shefeltthatsomeunseenforcehadcometoheraidandwassupportingher。

`Anna，Imustwarnyou，’hebegan。

`Warnme？shesaid。`Ofwhat？

Shelookedathimsosimply，sobrightly，thatanyonewhodidnotknowherasherhusbandknewhercouldnothavenoticedanythingunnatural，eitherinthesoundorthesenseofherwords。Buttohim，knowingher，knowingthatwheneverhewenttobedfiveminuteslaterthanusual，shenoticedit，andaskedhimthereason-tohim，knowingthateveryjoy，everypleasureandpainthatshefeltshecommunicatedtohimatonce-

tohimitmeantagreatdealtoseenowthatshedidnotcaretonoticehisstateofmind，thatshedidnotcaretosayawordaboutherself。Hesawthattheinmostrecessesofhersoul，thathadalwayshithertolainopenbeforehim，werenowclosedagainsthim。Morethanthat，hesawfromhertonethatshewasnotevenperturbedatthat，butseemedtobesayingstraightforwardlytohim:`Yes，itisclosednow，whichisasitshouldbe，andwillbesoinfuture。’Nowheexperiencedafeelingsuchasamanmighthavewho，returninghome，findshisownhouselockedup。`Butperhapsthekeymayyetbefound，’thoughtAlexeiAlexandrovich。

`Iwanttowarnyou，’hesaidinalowvoice，`thatthroughthoughtlessnessandlackofcautionyoumaycauseyourselftobetalkedaboutinsociety。

YourtooanimatedconversationthiseveningwithCountVronsky’(heenunciatedthenamefirmlyandwithquietintervals)`attractedattention。’

Hetalkedandlookedatherlaughingeyes，whichfrightenedhimnowwiththeirimpenetrablelook，and，ashetalked，hefeltalltheuselessnessandfutilityofhiswords。

`You’realwayslikethat，’sheansweredasthoughcompletelymisapprehendinghim，andofallhehadsaidonlytakinginthelastphrase。`Onetimeyoudon’tlikemybeingdull，andanothertimeyoudon’tlikemybeinglively。

Iwasn’tdull。Doesthatoffendyou？’

AlexeiAlexandrovichshivered，andbenthishandstomakethejointscrack。

`Oh，please，don’tdothat-Idislikeitso，’shesaid。

`Anna，isthisyou？’saidAlexeiAlexandrovichquietly，makinganeffortoverhimself，andrestrainingthemotionofhishands。

`Butwhatisitallabout？’shesaid，withsuchgenuineanddrollwonder。`Whatdoyouwantofme？’

AlexeiAlexandrovichpaused，andrubbedhisforeheadandhiseyes。

Hesawthatinsteadofdoingashehadintended-thatistosay，warninghiswifeagainstamistakeintheeyesoftheworld-hehadunconsciouslybecomeagitatedoverwhatwastheaffairofherconscience，andwasstrugglingagainstsomeimaginarybarrier。

`ThisiswhatImeanttosaytoyou，’hewentoncoldlyandcomposedly，`andIbegyoutohearmetotheend。Iconsiderjealousy，asyouknow，ahumiliatinganddegradingfeeling，andIshallneverallowmyselftobeguidedbyit；buttherearecertainrulesofdecencywhichcannotbedisregardedwithimpunity。ThiseveningitwasnotIwhoobservedit-

but，judgingbytheimpressionmadeonthecompany，everyoneobservedthatyourconductanddeportmentwerenotaltogetherwhatonewoulddesire。’

`Ipositivelydon’tunderstand，’saidAnna，shrugginghershoulders。

`Hedoesn’tcare，’shethought。`Butotherpeoplenoticeditandthat’swhatupsetshim。’-`You’renotwell，AlexeiAlexandrovich，’sheadded，and，gettingup，wasabouttopassthroughthedoor；buthemovedforwardasthoughhewouldstopher。

Hisfacewasgloomyandforbidding，asAnnahadneverseenitbefore。Shestopped，andbendingherheadbackandtooneside，begantakingoutherhairpinswithherquick-dartinghand。

`Well，I’mlistening-whatdoesfollow？’shesaid，calmlyandironically；`and，indeed，Iamlisteningevenwithinterest，forIshouldliketounderstandwhatitisallabout。’

Shespoke，andmarveledattheconfident，calmandnaturaltoneinwhichshespoke，andatthechoiceofthewordssheused。

`ToenterintoallthedetailsofyourfeelingsIhavenoright，and，besides，Iregardthatasuselessandevenharmful，’beganAlexeiAlexandrovich。`Rummaginginoursouls，weoftenbringupsomethingthatmighthaveotherwiselainthereunnoticed。Yourfeelingsareanaffairofyourownconscience；butIamindutyboundtoyou，tomyselfandtoGod，topointouttoyouyourduties。Ourlifehasbeenjoined，notbyman，butbyGod。Thatunioncanonlybeseveredbyacrime，andacrimeofthatnaturebringsitsownchastisement。’

`Idon’tunderstandaword。And，ohdear！howsleepyIam，unluckily，’

shesaid，rapidlypassingherhandthroughherhair，feelingfortheremaininghairpins。

`Anna，forGod’ssakedon’tspeaklikethat！’hesaidgently。

`PerhapsIammistaken，butbelieveme，thatwhichIamsayingIsayasmuchformyselfasforyou。Iamyourhusband，andIloveyou。’

Foraninstantherfacefell，andthemockinggleaminhereyesdiedaway；butthephrase`Ilove’threwherintorevoltagain。Shethought:

`Love？Canhelove？Ifhehadn’theardtherewassuchathingaslove，hewouldneverhaveusedtheword。Hedoesn’tevenknowwhatloveis。’

`AlexeiAlexandrovich，Ireallydonotunderstand，’shesaid。

`Definewhatitisyouconsider……’

`Pardon，letmesayallIhavetosay。Iloveyou。ButIamnotspeakingofmyself；themostimportantpersonsinthismatterareoursonandyourself。Itmayverywellbe，Irepeat，thatmywordsseemtoyouutterlyunnecessaryandoutofplace；itmaybethattheyarecalledforthbymymistakenimpression。Inthatcase，Ibegyoutoforgiveme。Butifyouareconsciousyourselfofeventhesmallestfoundationforthem，thenIbegyoutothinkalittle，andifyourheartpromptsyou，tospeakouttome……’

AlexeiAlexandrovichwasunconsciouslysayingsomethingutterlyunlikewhathehadprepared。

`Ihavenothingtosay。Andbesidesshesaidsuddenly，withdifficultyrepressingasmile，`it’sreallytimetobeinbed。’

AlexeiAlexandrovichsighed，and，withoutsayingmore，wentintothebedroom。

Whenshecameintothebedroom，hewasalreadyinbed。Hislipsweresternlycompressed，andhiseyeslookedawayfromher。Annagotintoherbed，andlayexpectingeveryminutethathewouldbegintospeaktoheragain。Shebothfearedhisspeakingandwishedforit。Buthewassilent。

Shewaitedforalongwhilewithoutmoving，andforgotabouthim。Shethoughtofthatother；shepicturedhim，andfelthowherheartwasfloodedwithemotionandguiltydelightatthethoughtofhim。Suddenlysheheardaneven，tranquilsnore。ForthefirstinstantAlexeiAlexandrovichseemed，asitwere，appalledathisownsnoring，andceased；butafterapauseofoneortwobreaths，thesnoresoundedagain，withanewtranquilrhythm。

`It’slate，it’slate，’shewhisperedwithasmile。Alongwhileshelay，withoutmoving，andwithopeneyes，whosebrillianceshealmostfanciedshecouldherselfseeinthedarkness。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter10[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter10FromthattimeanewlifebeganforAlexeiAlexandrovichandforhiswife。

Nothingspecialhappened。Annawentoutintosociety，asshehadalwaysdone，wasparticularlyoftenatPrincessBetsy’s，andmetVronskyeverywhere。

AlexeiAlexandrovichsawthis，butwaspowerlesstodoanything。Allhiseffortstodrawherintoopendiscussionsheconfrontedwithabarrierwhichhecouldnotpenetrate，madeupofasortofamusedperplexity。Outwardlyeverythingwasthesame，buttheirinnerrelationswerecompletelychanged。

AlexeiAlexandrovich，amanofgreatpowerintheworldofpolitics，felthimselfhelplessinthismatter。Likeanoxwithheadbentsubmissively，hewaitedthefallofthepoleaxwhichhefeltwasliftedoverhim。Everytimehebegantothinkaboutit，hefeltthathemusttryoncemore；thatbykindness，tendernessandpersuasiontherewasstillhopeofsavingher，ofbringingherbacktoherself，andeverydayhewasonthevergeoftalkingtoher。Buteverytimehebeganhefeltthatthespiritofevilanddeceit，whichhadtakenpossessionofher，hadpossessionofhimtoo，andhetalkedtoherinatonequiteunlikethatwhichhehadmeanttouse。Involuntarilyhetalkedtoherinhishabitualtoneofbanteringatanyonewhoshouldsaywhathewassaying。Andinthattoneitwasimpossibletosaytoherwhattheoccasiondemanded。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter11[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter11ThatwhichtoVronskyhadbeenforalmostawholeyeartheoneabsorbingdesireofhislife，replacingallhisolddesires；thatwhichtoAnnahadbeenanimpossible，terrible，and，forthatveryreason，amoreentrancingdreamofhappiness-thatdesirehadbeenfulfilled。Hestoodbeforeher，pale，hislowerjawquivering，andbesoughthertobecalm，withouthimselfknowinghoworwhy。

`Anna！Anna！’hesaidwithaquiveringvoice，`Anna，forGod’ssake！……’

Butthelouderhespoke，thelowershecastdownheronceproudandgay，butnowshame-strickenhead，andsheboweddownandsankfromthesofawhereshewassitting-downonthefloor，athisfeet；shewouldhavefallenonthecarpetifhehadnotheldher。

`MyGod！’Forgiveme！’shesaid，sobbing，pressinghishandstoherbosom。

Shefeltsosinful，soguilty，thatnothingwasleftherbuttohumiliateherselfandbegforgiveness，andasnowtherewasnooneinherlifebuthim，tohim，too，sheaddressedherprayerforforgiveness。Lookingathim，shehadaphysicalsenseofherhumiliation，andshecouldsaynothingmore。Andhefeltasamurderermustfeelwhenhebeholdsthebodyhehasrobbedoflife。Thatbody，robbedbyhimoflife，wastheirlove，thefirststageoftheirlove。Therewassomethingawfulandrevoltinginthememoryofwhathadbeenboughtatthisfearfulpriceofshame。Shameatherspiritualnakednesscrushedherandinfectedhim。Butinspiteofallthemurderer’shorrorbeforethebodyofhisvictim，hemusthackittopieces，hidethebody，mustusewhatthemurdererhadgainedbyhismurder。

Andasthemurderer，withfury，and，asitwere，withpassion，fallsonthebody，anddragsit，andhacksatit-sohecoveredherfaceandshoulderswithkisses。Sheheldhishand，anddidnotstir。Yes，thesekisses-thatiswhathasbeenboughtbythisshame。Yes，andthisonehand，whichwillalwaysbemine-thehandofmyaccomplice。Sheliftedupthathandandkissedit。Hesankonhiskneesandtriedtoseeherface；

butshehidit，andsaidnothing。Atlast，asthoughmakinganeffortoverherself，shegotupandpushedhimaway。Herfacewasstillasbeautiful，butitwasonlythemorepitifulforthat。

`Allisover，’shesaid；`Ihavenothingbutyou。Rememberthat。’

`Icanneverforgetwhatismywholelife。Foroneinstantofthishappiness……’

`Happiness！’shesaidwithhorrorandloathingandherhorrorunconsciouslyinfectedhim。`ForGod’ssake，notaword，notawordmore。’

Sherosequicklyandmovedawayfromhim。

`Notawordmore，’sherepeated，andwithalookofchilldespair，incomprehensibletohim，shepartedfromhim。Shefeltthatatthatmomentshecouldnotputintowordsthesenseofshame，ofrapture，andofhorroratthissteppingintoanewlife，andshedidnotwanttospeakofit，tovulgarizethisfeelingbyinappropriatewords。Butlatertoo，andthenextday，andthedayafter，shestillfoundnowordsinwhichshecouldexpressthecomplexityofthosefeelings；indeed，shecouldnotevenfindthoughtsinwhichshecouldclearlythinkoutallthatwasinhersoul。

Shesaidtoherself。`No，justnowIcan’tthinkofit-lateron，whenIamcalmer。’Butthiscalmforthoughtsnevercame；everytimethethoughtroseofwhatshehaddoneandwhatwouldhappentoher，andwhatsheoughttodo，ahorrorcameoverherandshedrovethosethoughtsaway。

`Later，later，’shesaid，`whenIamcalmer。’

Butinherdreams，whenshehadnocontroloverherthoughts，herpositionpresenteditselftoherinallitshideousnakedness。Onedreamhauntedheralmosteverynight。Shedreamedthatbothwerehusbandsatonce，thatbothwerelavishingcaressesonher。AlexeiAlexandrovichwasweeping，kissingherhands，andsaying，`Howhappywearenow！’AndAlexeiVronskywastheretoo，andhe，too，washerhusband。Andshewasmarvelingthatithadonceseemedimpossibletoher，wasexplainingtothem，laughing，thatthiswaseversomuchsimpler，andthatnowbothofthemwerehappyandcontented。Butthisdreamweighedonherlikeanightmare，andshewouldawakefromitinterror。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter12[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter12Intheearlydays，afterhisreturnfromMoscow，wheneverLevinshudderedandgrewred，rememberingthedisgraceofhisrejection，hewouldsaytohimself:`ThiswasjusthowIusedtoshudderandblush，thinkingeverythingutterlylost，whenIwasflunkedinphysicsanddidnotgetpromoted；andthisisalsohowIthoughtmyselfutterlyruinedafterIhadmismanagedthataffairofmysister’swithwhichIhadbeenentrusted。Andyet，nowthattheyearshavepassed，Irecallitandwonderthatitcoulddistressmesomuch。Itwillbethesamethingwiththistroubleaswell。Timewillgoby，andIshallnotmindthiseither。’

Butthreemonthshadpassedandhehadnotleftoffmindingaboutit；anditwasaspainfulforhimtothinkofitnowasithadbeenduringthosefirstdays。Hecouldnotbeatpeacebecause，afterdreamingsolongoffamilylife，andfeelinghimselfsoripeforit，hewasstillnotmarried，andwasfartherthaneverfrommarriage。Hewaspainfullyconscioushimself，aswereallabouthim，thatathisyearsitisnotgoodthatmanshouldbealone。HerememberedhowbeforestartingforMoscowhehadoncesaidtohiscowherdNicolai，asimpleheartedpeasant，towhomhelikedtotalk:

`Well，Nicolai！Imeantogetmarried，’andhowNicolaihadpromptlyanswered，asofamatteronwhichtherecouldbenopossibledoubt:`Andhightimetoo，KonstantinDmitrich。’Butmarriagehadnowbecomefartheroffthanever。Theplacewastaken，andwheneverhetriedtoimagineanyofthegirlsheknewinthatplace，hefeltthatitwasutterlyimpossible。Moreover，therecollectionoftherejectionandtheparthehadplayedintheaffairtorturedhimwithshame。Howeveroftenhetoldhimselfthathewasinnowisetoblameinit，thatrecollection，likeothersimilarlyhumiliatingrecollections，madehimwinceandblush。Therehadbeeninhispast，asineveryman’s，actions，recognizedbyhimasbad，forwhichhisconscienceoughttohavetormentedhim；buttherecollectionoftheseevilactionswasfarfromcausinghimasmuchsufferingasthesetrivialbuthumiliatingrecollections。Thesewoundsneverhealed。Andwiththeserecollectionswasnowrangedhisrejectionandthesorryplightinwhichhemusthaveappearedtoothersthatevening。Yettimeandlaborweredoingtheirwork。

Bitterrecollectionsweremoreandmorebeingcoveredupbytheincidents-inconspicuousones，butimportant-ofhiscountrylife。EveryweekhethoughtlessoftenofKitty。Hewasimpatientlylookingforwardtothenewsthatshewasmarried，orjustgoingtobemarried，hopingthatsuchnewswould，likehavingatoothout，completelycurehim。

Meanwhilespringcameon，beautifulandkindly，withoutthedelaysandtreacheriesincidenttospring-oneofthoserarespringsinwhichplants，beastsandmanrejoicealike。ThislovelyspringrousedLevinstillmore，andstrengthenedhiminhisresolutionofrenouncingallhispastandbuildinguphislonelylifefirmlyandindependently。Thoughmanyoftheplanswithwhichhehadreturnedtothecountryhadnotbeencarriedout，hismostimportantresolution-thatofpurityoflife-hadneverthelessbeenkeptbyhim。Hewasfreefromthatshamewhichhadusuallyharassedhimafterafall；andhecouldlookeveryonestraightintheface。InFebruaryhehadreceivedaletterfromMaryaNikolaevnatellinghimthathisbrotherNikolai’shealthwasgettingworse，butthathewouldnottakeadvice，andinconsequenceofthisletterLevinwenttoMoscowtohisbrother’s，andsucceededinpersuadinghimtoseeadoctorandtogotoawateringplaceabroad。Hesucceededsowellinpersuadinghisbrother，andinlendinghimmoneyforthejourneywithoutirritatinghim，thathewassatisfiedwithhimselfonthatscore。Inadditiontohisfarming，whichcalledforspecialattentioninspring，inadditiontoreadingLevinhadbegunthatwinteraworkonagriculture，theplanofwhichturnedontakingintoaccountthecharacterofthelaboreronthelandasoneoftheunalterabledataofthequestion，liketheclimateandthesoil，andconsequentlydeducingalltheprinciplesofscientificculture，notsimplyfromthedataofsoilandclimate，butfromthedataofsoil，climateandacertainunalterablecharacterofthelaborer。Thus，inspiteofhissolitude，orinconsequenceofhissolitude，lifewasexceedinglyfull，savethat，onrareoccasions，hesufferedfromanunsatisfieddesiretocommunicatehisstrayideastosomeonebesidesAgathyaMikhailovna。Withherindeedhenotinfrequentlyfellintodiscussionsuponphysics，thetheoryofagriculture，and，especially，philosophy:philosophywasAgathyaMikhailovna’sfavoritesubject。

Springwasslowinunfolding。ForthelastfewweeksofLentithadbeensteadilyfineandfrostyweather。Inthedaytimetherewasathawinthesun，butatnighttherewereasmanyassevendegreesoffrost。

Thesnowwassopackedandfrozenthatloadscouldbecarriedalonganywhere，regardlessofroads。Eastercameinsnow。Thenallofasudden，onEasterMonday，awarmwindsprangup，stormcloudsswoopeddown，andforthreedaysandthreenightsthewarm，tempestuousrainfellintorrents。OnThursdaythewinddropped，andathickgrayfogbroodedovertheland，asthoughscreeningthemysteriesofthetransformationsthatwerebeingwroughtinnature。Behindthefogtherewastheflowingofwater，thecrackingandfloatingofice，theswiftrushofturbid，foamingtorrents；andonthefollowingMonday，intheevening，thefogparted，thestormcloudssplitupintolittlecurlingcrestsofcloud，theskycleared，andtherealspringhadcome。Inthemorningthesunarosebrilliantandquicklyworeawaythethinlayeroficethatcoveredthewater，andallthewarmairwasquiveringwiththesteamthatroseupfromthequickenedearth。

Theoldgrasslookedgreener，andtheyounggrassthrustupitstinyblades；

thebudsoftheguelder-roseandofthecurrant，andthestickybirchbudswereswollenwithsap，andanexploringbeewashummingaboutthegoldenblossomsthatstuddedthewillow。Larkstrilledunseenabovethevelvetygreenfieldsandtheice-coveredstubbleland；pewitswailedoverthelowlandsandmarshes，floodedbythepools；cranesandwildgeeseflewhighacrosstheskyutteringtheirspringcalls。Thecattle，baldinpatcheswherethenewhairhadnotgrownyet，lowedinthepastures；bowleggedlambsfriskedroundtheirbleatingdams，whoweresheddingtheirfleece；nimble-footedchildrenranalongthedryingpaths，coveredwiththeprintsofbarefeet；

therewasamerrychatterofpeasantwomenovertheirlinenatthepond，andtheringofaxesintheyard，wherethepeasantswererepairingplowsandharrows。Therealspringhadcome。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter13[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter13Levinputonhisbigboots，and，forthefirsttime，aclothovercoatinsteadofhisfurcloak，andwentouttolookafterhisfarm，steppingoverstreamsofwaterthatflashedinthesunshineanddazzledhiseyes，andsteppingoneminuteoniceandthenextintostickymud。

Springisthetimeofplansandprojects。And，ashecameoutintothefarmyard，Levin，likeatreeinspringthatknowsnotwhatformwillbetakenbytheyoungshootsandtwigsimprisonedinitsswellingbuds，hardlyknewwhatundertakingshewasgoingtolaunchuponnowinthefarmworkthatwassodeartohim。Buthefeltthathewasfullofthemostsplendidplansandprojects。Firstofallhewenttothecattle。Thecowshadbeenletoutintotheirpaddock，andtheirsmoothsideswerealreadyglossywiththeirnew，sleek，springcoats；theybaskedinthesunshineandlowedtogotothemeadow。Levingazedadmiringlyatthecowsheknewsointimatelytotheminutestdetailoftheircondition，andgaveordersforthemtobedrivenoutintothemeadow，andthecalvestobeletintothepaddock。Theherdsmanrangailytogetreadyforthemeadow。Thecowherdgirls，pickinguptheirpetticoats，ransplashingthroughthemudwithbarelegs，stillwhite，notyetbrownfromthesun，wavingbrushwoodintheirhands，chasingthecalvesthatfrolickedinthemirthofspring。

Afteradmiringtheincreaseofthatyear，whichwereparticularlyfine-theearlycalveswerethesizeofapeasant’scow，andPava’sdaughter，atthreemonthsold，wasasbigasayearling-Levingaveordersforatroughtobebroughtoutandhaytobeputintheracks。Butitappearedthat，sincethepaddockhadnotbeenusedduringthewinter，theracksmadeintheautumnwerebroken。Hesentforthecarpenter，who，accordingtohisorders，oughttohavebeenatworkatthethreshingmachine。Butitappearedthatthecarpenterwasrepairingtheharrows，whichoughttohavebeenrepairedbeforeLent。ThiswasveryannoyingtoLevin。Itwasannoyingtocomeuponthateverlastingslovenlinessinthefarmworkagainstwhichhehadbeenstrivingwithallhismightforsomanyyears。Theracks，asheascertained，beingnotwantedinwinter，hadbeencarriedtothecarthorses’stable，andtherebroken，astheywereoflightconstruction，onlymeantforfodderingcalves。Moreover，itwasapparentalsothattheharrowsandalltheagriculturalimplements，whichhehaddirectedtobelookedoverandrepairedinthewinter，forwhichverypurposehehadhiredthreecarpenters，hadnotbeenputintorepair，andtheharrowswerebeingrepairedwhentheyoughttohavebeenharrowingthefield。Levinsentforhisbailiff，butimmediatelywentoffhimselftolookforhim。Thebailiff，beamingallover，likeeverythingthatday，inasheepskinborderedwithastrakhan，cameoutofthebarn，twistingabitofstrawinhishands。

`Whyisn’tthecarpenteratthethreshingmachine？’

`Oh，Imeanttotellyouyesterday，theharrowswantrepairing。

Hereit’stimetheygottoworkinthefields。’

`Butwhatweretheydoinginthewinter，then？’

`Butwhatdidyouwantthecarpenterfor？’

`Wherearetheracksforthecalves’paddock？’

`Iorderedthemtobegotready。Whatwouldyouhavewiththosepeople！’saidthebailiff，withawaveofhishand。

`It’snotthosepeoplebutthisbailiff！’saidLevin，gettingangry。`Why，whatdoIkeepyoufor？’hecried。But，bethinkinghimselfthatthiswouldnothelpmatters，hestoppedshortinthemiddleofasentence，andmerelysighed。`Well，whatdoyousay？Cansowingbegin？’heasked，afterapause。

`BehindTurkino，tomorrowornextday，theymightbegin。’

`Andtheclover？’

`I’vesentVassiliiandMishka；they’resowingit。OnlyIdon’tknowifthey’llmanagetogetthrough；it’ssoslushy。’

`Howmanydessiatinas？

`Six。’

`Whynotsowall？’criedLevin。

Thattheywereonlysowingthecloveronsixdessiatinas，notinallthetwenty，wasstillmoreannoyingtohim。Clover，asheknew，bothfrombooksandfromhisownexperience，neverdidwellexceptwhenitwassownasearlyaspossible，almostinthesnow。AndyetLevincouldnevergetthisdone。

`There’snoonetosend。Whatwouldyoudowithsuchpeople？Threehaven’tturnedup。Andthere’sSemion……’

`Well，youshouldhavetakensomemenfromthechaffcutter。’

`AndsoIhave，asitis。’

`Wherearethepeasants，then？’

`Fivearemakingcompote’(whichmeantcompost)，`andfourareshiftingtheoatsforfearofbeingtouched，KonstantinDmitrich。’

Levinknewverywellthat`touching’meantthathisEnglishseedoatswerealreadyspoiled。Againtheyhadnotdoneashehadordered。

`Why，butItoldyouduringLenttoputinpipes，’hecried。

`Don’tbeputout；weshallgetitalldoneintime。’

Levinmadeanangrygesture，andwentintothegranarytoglanceattheoats，andthentothestable。Theoatswerenotyetspoiled。Butthelaborerswerecarryingtheoatsinspadeswhentheymightsimplyletthemslidedownintothelowergranary；andarrangingforthistobedone，andtakingtwolaborersfromthereforsowingclover，Levingotoverthevexationhisbailiffhadcausedhim。Indeed，itwassuchalovelydaythatonecouldnotbeangry。

`Ignat！’hecalledtothecoachman，who，withhissleevestuckedup，waswashingthecarriagewheels，`saddle……’

`Which，sir？’

`Well，letitbeKolpik。’

`Yes，sir。’

Whiletheyweresaddlinghishorse，Levinagaincalledthebailiff，whowashangingaboutinsight，tomakeitupwithhim，andbegantalkingtohimaboutthespringoperationsbeforethem，andhisplansforthefarming。

Thewagonsweretobegincartingmanureearlier，soastogetalldonebeforetheearlymowing。Andtheplowingoftheoutlyinglandwastogoonwithoutabreak，soastoletitlieblackfallowandfurrowed。

Andthemovingtobealldonebyhiredlabor，notonhalf-profits。

Thebailifflistenedattentively，andobviouslymadeanefforttoapproveofhisemployer’sprojects。ButstillhehadthatlookLevinknewsowellthatalwaysirritatedhim，alookofhopelessnessanddespondency。

Thatlooksaid:`That’sallverywell，butasGodwills。’

NothingmortifiedLevinsomuchasthattone。Butitwasthetonecommontoallthebailiffshehadeverhad。Theyhadalltakenthatattitudetohisplans，andsonowhewasnotangeredbyit，butmortified，andfeltallthemorerousedtostruggleagainstthisapparentlyelementalforcecontinuallyrangedagainsthim，forwhichhecouldfindnoothernamethan`asGodwills。’

`Ifwecanmanageit，KonstantinDmitrich，’saidthebailiff。

`Whyshouldn’tyoumanageit？’

`Wepositivelymusthavefifteenlaborersmore。Andtheydon’tturnup。Thereweresomeheretodayaskingseventyroublesforthesummer。’

Levinwassilent。Againhewasbroughtfacetofacewiththatopposingforce。Heknewthathowevermuchtheytried，theycouldnothiremorethanforty-thirty-sevenperhapsorthirty-eight-laborersforareasonablesum；somefortyhadbeentakenon，andtherewerenomore。Butstillhecouldnothelpstrugglingagainstit。

`SendtoSury，toChefirovka，iftheydon’tcome。Wemustlookforthem。’

`I’llsend，tobesure，’saidVassiliiFiodorovichdespondently。

`Butthentherearethehorses-they’renotgoodformuch。’

`We’llgetsomemore。Iknow，ofcourse，’Levinaddedlaughing，`youalwayswanttodowithaslittleandaspooraqualityaspossible；

butthisyearI’mnotgoingtoletyouhavethingsyourownway。I’llseetoeverythingmyself。’

`Why，Idon’tthinkyoutakemuchrestasitis。Itcheersusuptoworkunderthemaster’seye……’

`Sothey’resowingcloverbehindtheBirchDale？I’llgoandhavealookatthem，’hesaid，mountingthelittlebaycob，Kolpik，whowasledupbythecoachman。

`Youcan’tgetacrossthestream，KonstantinDmitrich，’thecoachmanshouted。

`Allright，I’llgobytheforest。’

AndLevinrodethroughtheslushofthefarmyardtothegateandoutintotheopencountry，hisgoodlittlehorse，afterhislonginactivity，amblingeasily，snortingoverthepools，andasking，asitwere，forguidance。

IfLevinhadfelthappybeforeinthecattlepensandfarmyard，hefelthappieryetintheopencountry。Swayingrhythmicallywiththeamblingpacesofhisgoodlittlecob，drinkinginthewarmyetfreshscentofthesnowandtheair，asherodethroughhisforestoverthecrumbling，wastedsnow，stillleftinparts，andcoveredwithdissolvingtracks，herejoicedovereverytree，withthemossrevivingonitsbarkandthebudsswellingonitsshoots。Whenhecameoutoftheforest，intheimmenseplainbeforehim，hiswinterfieldsstretchedinanunbrokencarpetofgreen，withoutonebareplaceorswamp，onlyspottedhereandthereinthehollowswithpatchesofmeltingsnow。Hewasnotputoutoftemperevenbythesightofthepeasants’horseandcolttramplingdownhisyounggrass(hetoldapeasanthemettodrivethemout)，norbythesarcasticandstupidreplyofthepeasantIpat，whomhemetontheway，andasked，`Well，Ipat，shallwesoonbesowing？’`Wemustgettheplowingdonefirst，KonstantinDmitrich，’answeredIpat。Thefartherherode，thehappierhebecame，andplansforthelandrosetohismindeachbetterthanthelast:

toplantallhisfieldswithhedgesalongthesouthernborders，sothatthesnowshouldnotlieunderthem；todividethemupintosixfieldsoftillageandthreeforpastureandhay；tobuildacattleyardatthefurtherendoftheestate，andtodigapondandtoconstructmovablepensforthecattleasameansofmanuringtheland。Andthenthreehundreddessiatinasofwheat，onehundredofpotatoes，andonehundredandfiftyofclover，andnotadessiatinaexhausted。

Absorbedinsuchdreams，carefullykeepinghishorsebythehedgessoasnottotramplehisyoungwinterfields，herodeuptothelaborerswhohadbeensenttosowclover。Atelegawiththeseedinitwasstanding，notattheedge，butinthemiddleofthetillage，andthewintercornhadbeentornupbythewheelsandtrampledbythehorse。Boththelaborersweresittinginthehedge，probablysmokingapipe，turnandturnabout。

Theearthinthetelega，withwhichtheseedwasmixed，wasnotcrushedtopowder，butcrustedtogetheroradheringinclods。Seeingthemaster，thelaborer，Vassilii，wenttowardthetelega，whileMishkasettoworksowing。Thiswasnotasitshouldbe，butwiththelaborersLevinseldomlosthistemper。WhenVassiliicameup，Levintoldhimtoleadthehorsetothehedge。

`Nevermind，sir，it’llspringupagain，’respondedVassilii。

`Pleasedon’targue，’saidLevin，`butdoasyou’retold。’

`Yes，sir，’answeredVassilii，andhetookthehorse’shead。`Whatasowing，KonstantinDmitrich！’hesaidingratiatingly。`First-rate。Onlyit’saworktogetabout！Afellowdragsthirtypoundsofearthateverystep。’

`Whyisityouhaveearththat’snotsifted？’saidLevin。

`Well，wecrumbleitup，’answeredVassilii，takingupsomeseedandrollingtheearthinhispalms。

Vassiliiwasnottoblamefortheirhavingfireduphistelegawithunsiftedearth，butstillitwasannoying。

Levinhadalready，morethanonce，triedawayheknewforstiflinghisanger，andturningallthatseemeddarkrightagain，andhetriedthatwaynow。HewatchedhowMishkastrodealong，swingingthehugeclodsofearththatclungtoeachfoot；and，gettingoffhishorse，hetookthesievefromVassiliiandstartedsowinghimself。

`Wheredidyoustop？’

Vassiliipointedtothemarkwithhisfoot，andLevinwentforwardasbesthecould，scatteringtheseedontheland。Walkingwasasdifficultasonabog，andbythetimeLevinhadendedtherowhewasinagreatheat，and，stopping，gavethesieveovertoVassilii。

`Wellmaster，whensummer’shere，mindyoudon’tscoldmeforthisrow，’saidVassilii。

`Eh？’saidLevincheerily，alreadyfeelingtheeffectofhismethod。

`Why，you’llseeinthesummertime。It’lllookdifferent。LookyouwhereIsowedlastspring。HowIdidworkatitIdomybest，KonstantinDmitrich，d’yesee，asIwouldformyownfather。Idon’tlikebotchworkmyself，norwouldIletanothermandoit。What’sgoodforthemasterisgoodforustoo。Itdoesone’sheartgood，’saidVassilii，pointing，`tolookoveryonder。’

`It’salovelyspring，Vassilii。’

`Why，it’saspringsuchaseventheoldmendon’trememberthelikeof。Iwasuphome；myfathertherehassownwheattoo，threeosminasofit。Hewassayingyoucouldn’ttellitfromrye。’

`Haveyoubeensowingwheatlong？’

`Why，sir，itwasyoutaughtus，theyearbeforelast。Yougavemetwomeasures。Wesoldaboutonechetvertandsowedthreeosminas。’

`Well，mindyoucrumbleuptheclods，’saidLevin，goingtowardhishorse，`andkeepaneyeonMishka。Andifthere’sagoodcropyoushallhavehalfaroubleforeverydessiatina。’

`Thankyou，kindly。Weareverywellcontent，sir，withyourtreatment，asitis。’

Levingotonhishorseandrodetowardthefieldwherelastyear’scloverwas，andtheonewhichwasplowedreadyforthespringcorn。

Thecropofclovercomingupinthestubblewasmagnificent。Ithadrevivedalready，andstoodupvividlygreenthroughthebrokenstalksoflastyear’swheat。Thehorsesankinuptothepasterns，andhedreweachhoofwithasuckingsoundoutofthehalf-thawedground。Overtheplowlandtheridingwasutterlyimpossible；thehorsecouldonlykeepafootholdwheretherewasice，andinthethawingfurrowshesankindeepateachstep。Theplowlandwasinsplendidcondition；inacoupleofdaysitwouldbefitforharrowingandsowing。Everythingwascapital，everythingwascheering。Levinrodebackacrossthestreams，hopingthewaterwouldhavegonedown。Andhedidinfactgetacross，andstartledtwoducks。

`Theremustbewoodcockheretoo，’hethought，andjustashereachedtheturninghomewardshemettheforestkeeper，whoconfirmedhistheoryaboutthewoodcock。

Levinwenthomeatatrot，soastohavetimetoeathisdinnerandgethisgunreadyfortheevening。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter14[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter14Asherodeuptothehouseinthehappiestframeofmind，Levinheardthebellringatthesideoftheprincipalentranceofthehouse。

`Yes，that’ssomeonefromtherailwaystation，’hethought，`justthetimetobeherefromtheMoscowtrain……Whocoulditbe？Whatifit’sbrotherNikolai？Hedidsay:``Imaygotothewaters，orImaycomedowntoyou。’’HefeltdismayedandvexedforthefirstminutethathisbrotherNikolai’spresenceshouldcometohishappymoodofspring。Buthefeltashamedofthefeeling，andatonceheopened，asitwere，thearmsofhissoul，andwithasoftenedfeelingofjoyandexpectation，henowhopedwithallhisheartthatitwashisbrother。Hespurredonhishorse，andasherodeoutfrombehindtheacacias，hesawahiredtroikafromtherailwaystation，andagentlemaninafurcoat。Itwasnothisbrother。`Oh，ifitwereonlysomepleasantpersononecouldtalktoalittle！’hethought。

`Ah，’criedLevinjoyfully，flingingupbothhishands。`Here’sadelightfulvisitor！Ah，howgladIamtoseeyou！’heshouted，recognizingStepanArkadyevich。

`Ishallfindoutforcertainwhethershe’smarried，orwhenshe’sgoingtobemarried，’hethought。

Andonthatdeliciousspringdayhefeltthatthethoughtofherdidnothurthimatall。

`Didn’texpectme，didyou？’saidStepanArkadyevich，gettingoutofthesleigh，splashedwithmudonthebridgeofhisnose，onhischeek，andonhiseyebrows，butradiantwithhealthandgoodspirits。`I’vecomeprimarilytoseeyou，’hesaid，embracingandkissinghim，`secondly，tohavesomestandshooting，andthirdly，toselltheforestatErgushovo。’

`Delightful！Whataspringwe’rehaving！Howeverdidyougetalonginasleigh？’

`Inawagonitwouldhavebeenworsestill，KonstantinDmitrievich，’

answeredthedriver，whoknewhim。

`Well，I’mvery，verygladtoseeyou，’saidLevin，withagenuinesmileofchildlikedelight。