第13章

Theunexpectedyoungvisitor，whomSapphohadbroughtwithher，andwhomshehadforgotten，was，however，apersonageofsuchconsequencethat，inspiteofhisyouth，boththeladiesroseonhisentrance。

HewasanewadmirerofSappho’s。LikeVaska，henowdoggedherfootsteps。

SoonafterPrinceKaluzhskyarrived，andLizaMerkalovawithStremov。

LizaMerkalovawasathinbrunette，withanOriental，languidtypeofface，andcharming-aseveryoneusedtosay-ineffableeyes。Thetoneofherdarkdress(Annaimmediatelyobservedandappreciatedthefact)wasinperfectharmonywithherstyleofbeauty。LizawasassoftandlooseasSapphowastightandshackled。

ButtoAnna’stasteLizawasfarmoreattractive。BetsyhadsaidtoAnnathatshehadadoptedtheposeofanunsophisticatedchild，butwhenAnnasawhershefeltthiswasnotthetruth。Shereallywasunsophisticated，spoiled，yetasweetandirresponsiblewoman。ItistruethathertonewasthesameasSappho’s；that，likeSappho，shehadtwomen，oneyoungandoneold，tackedontoher，anddevouringherwiththeireyes。Buttherewassomethinginherhigherthanhersurroundings。Therewasinhertheglowoftherealdiamondamongpaste。Thisglowshoneoutinhercharming，trulyineffableeyes。Theweary，andatthesametimepassionate，glanceofthoseeyes，encircledbydarkrings，impressedonebyitsperfectsincerity。

Everyonelookingintothoseeyesfanciedheknewherwholly，and，knowingher，couldnotbutloveher。AtthesightofAnna，herwholefacelightedupatoncewithasmileofdelight。

`Ah，howgladIamtoseeyou！’shesaid，goinguptoher。`Yesterday，attheraces，Iwantedjusttogettoyou，butyou’dgoneaway。Ididsowanttoseeyou，especiallyyesterday。Wasn’titawful？’shesaid，lookingatAnnawitheyesthatseemedtolaybareallhersoul。

`Yes；Ihadnoideaitwouldbesothrilling，’saidAnna，blushing。

Thecompanygotupatthismomenttogointothegarden。

`I’mnotgoing，’saidLiza，smilingandsettlingherselfclosetoAnna。`Youwon’tgoeither，willyou？Whowantstoplaycroquet？’

`Oh，Ilikeit，’saidAnna。

`There，howdoyoumanagenevertobeboredbythings？Onehasbuttolookatyou，tobejoyful。You’realive，butI’mbored。’

`Howcanyoubebored？Why，youliveamongthemerriestpeopleinPeterburg，’saidAnna。

`Possiblythepeoplewhoarenotofoursetareevenmorebored；

butwearenotamusedourselves-Icertainlyamnot，butawfully，awfullybored。’

Sappho，smokingacigarette，wentoffintothegardenwiththetwoyoungmen。BetsyandStremovremainedattheteatable。

`Youbored？’saidBetsy。`Sapphosaystheyenjoyedthemselvestremendouslyatyourhouselastnight。’

`Ah，howdrearyitallwas！’saidLizaMerkalova。`Wealldrovebacktomyplaceaftertheraces。Andalwaysthesamepeople，alwaysthesame。Alwaysthesamething。Weloungedaboutonsofasalltheevening。

What’senjoyableaboutthat？No；dotellmehowyoumanagenevertobebored？’shesaid，addressingAnnaagain。`Onehasbuttolookatyouandoneseesawomanwhomaybehappyorunhappy，butwhoisn’tbored。Tellme-howdoyoudoit？’

`Idonothing，’answeredAnna，blushingatthesesearchingquestions。

`That’sthebestway，’Stremovputin。

Stremovwasamanoffifty，partlygray，butstillvigorousinappearance，veryugly，butwithacharacteristicandintelligentface。

LizaMerkalovawashiswife’sniece，andhespentallhisleisurehourswithher。OnmeetingAnnaKarenina，sincehewasAlexeiAlexandrovich’senemyinthegovernment，hetried，likeashrewdmanandamanoftheworld，tobeparticularlycordialwithher，thewifeofhisenemy。

`Nothing，’heputinwithasubtlesmile，`that’stheverybestway。Itoldyoulongago，’hesaid，turningtoLizaMerkalova，`that，inordernottobebored，youmustn’tthinkyou’regoingtobebored。Justasyoumustn’tbeafraidofnotbeingabletofallasleep，ifyou’reafraidofsleeplessness。That’spreciselywhatAnnaArkadyevnahasjustsaid。’

`IshouldbeverygladifIhadsaidit，forit’snotonlycleverbuttrue，’saidAnna，smiling。

`No，dotellmewhyitisonecan’tgotosleep，andonecan’thelpbeingbored？’

`Tosleepwelloneshouldwork，andtoenjoyoneselfoneshouldalsowork。’

`WhatamItoworkforwhenmyworkisofnousetoanybody？AndIcan’t，andwon’t，knowinglymakeapretenseatit。’

`You’reincorrigible，’saidStremov，withoutlookingather，andhespokeagaintoAnna。

AsherarelymetAnna，hecouldsaynothingbutbanalitiestoher，buthesaidthosebanalities，whenwasshereturningtoPeterburg，andhowfondCountessLidiaIvanovnawasofher-withanexpressionwhichsuggestedthathelongedwithhiswholesoultopleaseher，andshowhisregardforher-andevenmorethanthat。

Tushkevichcamein，announcingthatthepartywereawaitingtheotherplayerstobegincroquet。

`No，don’tgoaway，pleasedon’t，’pleadedLizaMerkalova，hearingthatAnnawasgoing。Stremovjoinedinherentreaties。

`It’stooviolentatransition，’hesaid，`togofromsuchcompanytooldMadameVrede。And，besides，youwillonlygiveherachancefortalkingscandal，whilehereyouwillarouseotherfeelings，ofthefinestanddirectlyopposedtoscandal，’hesaidtoher。

Annaponderedforaninstantinuncertainty。Thisshrewdman’sflatteringwords，thenaive，childlikeaffectionshownherbyLizaMerkalova，andalltheworldlyatmosphereshewasusedto-itwasallsoeasy，whilethatwhichwasinstoreforherwassodifficult，thatshewasforaminuteinuncertainty:shouldsheremain，shouldsheputoffalittlelongerthepainfulmomentofexplanation？But，rememberingwhatwasinstoreforherwhenshewouldbealoneathome，ifshedidnotcometosomedecision；

rememberingthatgesture-terribleeveninmemory-whenshehadclutchedherhairinbothhands，shesaidgood-byandwentaway。

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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter19[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter19InspiteofVronsky’sapparentlyfrivolouslifeinsociety，hewasamanwhohateddisorder。Inearlyyouth，intheCorpsofPages，hehadexperiencedthehumiliationofarefusal，whenhehadtried，beingindifficulties，toborrowmoney，andsincethenhehadneveronceputhimselfinthesamepositionagain。

Inordertokeephisaffairsinsomesortoforder，hewaswont，aboutfivetimesayear(moreorlessfrequently，accordingtocircumstances)，toshuthimselfupaloneandputallhisaffairsintodefiniteshape。Thishewouldcallhisdayofwashinguporfairelalessive。

Onwakinguplateinthemorningaftertheraces，Vronskyputonawhitelinencoat，and，withoutshavingortakinghisbath，hedistributedaboutthetablemoney，bills，andletters，andsettowork。Petritsky，whoknewhewasill-temperedonsuchoccasions，onwakingupandseeinghiscomradeatthewritingtable，quietlydressedandwentoutwithoutgettinginhisway。

Everymanwhoknowstotheminutestdetailsallthecomplexityoftheconditionssurroundinghim，cannothelpimaginingthatthecomplexityoftheseconditions，andthedifficultyofmakingthemclear，issomethingexceptionalandpersonal，peculiartohimself，andneversupposesthatothersaresurroundedbyjustascomplicatedanarrayofpersonalaffairsasheis。SoindeeditseemedtoVronsky。Andnotwithoutinwardpride，andnotwithoutreason，hethoughtthatanyothermanwouldlongagohavebeenindifficulties，andwouldhavebeenforcedtosomedishonorablecourse，ifhehadfoundhimselfinsuchadifficultposition。ButVronskyfeltthatnowespeciallyitwasessentialforhimtoclearupanddefinehispositionifheweretoavoidgettingintodifficulties。

WhatVronskyattackedfirst，asbeingtheeasiest，washispecuniaryposition。Writingoutonnotepaperinhisminutehandwritingallthatheowed，headdeduptheamountandfoundthathisdebtsamountedtoseventeenthousandandsomeoddhundreds，whichheleftoutforthesakeofclearness。

Reckoninguphiscashandthebalanceinhisbankbook，hefoundthathehadleftonethousandeighthundredroubles，andnothingcominginbeforetheNewYear。Reckoningoveragainhislistofdebts，Vronskycopiedit，dividingitintothreeclasses。Inthefirstclassheputthedebtswhichhewouldhavetopayatonce，orforwhichhemustinanycasehavethemoneyreadysothatondemandforpaymenttherewouldnotbeamoment’sdelayinpaying。Suchdebtsamountedtoaboutfourthousand:onethousandfivehundredforahorse，andtwothousandfivehundredassuretyforayoungcomrade，Venevsky，whohadlostthatsumtoacardsharperinVronsky’spresence。Vronskyhadwantedtopaythemoneyatthetime(hehadthatamountthen)，butVenevskyandIashvinhadinsistedthattheywouldpayandnotVronsky，whohadnotplayed。Sofar，sogood；butVronskyknewthatinthisdirtybusiness，thoughhisonlyshareinitwasundertakingbywordofmouthtobesuretyforVenevsky，itwasabsolutelynecessaryforhimtohavethetwothousandfivehundredroubles，soastobeabletoflingitatthecheat，andhavenomorewordswithhim。Andso，forthisfirstandmostimportantdivision，hemusthavefourthousandroubles。

Thesecondclass-eightthousandroubles-consistedoflessimportantdebts。Thesewereprincipallyaccountsowinginconnectionwithhisracehorses，tothepurveyorofoatsandhay，theEnglishman，thesaddler，andsoon。Hewouldhavetopaysometwothousandroublesonthesedebtstoo，inordertobequitefreefromanxiety。Thelastclassofdebts-toshops，tohotels，tohistailor-weresuchasneednotbeconsidered。Sothatheneededatleastsixthousandroubles，andheonlyhadonethousandeighthundredforcurrentexpenses。Foramanwithonehundredthousandroublesofrevenue，whichwaswhateveryonefixedasVronsky’sincome，suchdebts，onewouldsuppose，couldhardlybeembarrassing；butthefactwasthathewasfarfromhavingonehundredthousand。Hisfather’simmenseproperty，whichaloneyieldedayearlyincomeoftwohundredthousand，wasleftundividedbetweenthebrothers。Atthetimewhentheelderbrother，withamassofdebts，hadmarriedPrincessVariaChirkova，thedaughterofaDekabristwithoutanyfortunewhatever，Alexeihadgivenuptohiselderbrotheralmostthewholeincomefromhisfather’sestate，reservingforhimselfonlytwenty-fivethousandayearfromit。Alexeihadsaidatthetimetohisbrotherthatthesumwouldbesufficientforhimuntilhemarried，whichhewouldprobablyneverdo。Andhisbrother，whowasincommandofoneofthemostexpensiveregiments，andwasonlyjustmarried，couldnotdeclinethegift。Hismother，whohadherownseparateproperty，hadallowedAlexeieveryyeartwentythousandinadditiontothetwenty-fivethousandhehadreserved，andAlexeihadspentitall。Oflatehismother，incensedwithhimonaccountofhisloveaffairandhisleavingMoscow，hadgivenupsendinghimthemoney。And，inconsequenceofthis，Vronsky，whohadbeeninthehabitoflivingonthescaleofforty-fivethousandayear，havingonlyreceivedtwentythousandthatyear，nowfoundhimselfindifficulties。

Togetoutofthesedifficulties，hecouldnotapplytohismotherformoney。Herlastletter，whichhehadreceivedthedaybefore，hadparticularlyexasperatedhimbythehintsitcontainedthatshewasquitereadytohelphimtosucceedintheworldandinthearmy，butnottoleadalifewhichscandalizedallgoodsociety。Hismother’sattempttobuyhimstunghimtothequickandmadehimfeelcolderthanevertowardher。Buthecouldnotdrawbackfromthegenerouswordwhenitwasonceuttered，eventhoughhefeltnow，vaguelyforeseeingcertaineventualitiesinhisliaisonwithMadameKarenina，thathisgenerouswordhadbeenspokenthoughtlessly，andthat，eventhoughhewerenotmarried，hemightneedallthehundredthousandofincome。Butitwasimpossibletodrawback。Hehadonlytorecallhisbrother’swife，torememberhowthatsweet，delightfulVariasought，ateveryconvenientopportunity，toremindhimthatsherememberedhisgenerosityandappreciatedit，tograsptheimpossibilityoftakingbackhisgift。Itwasasimpossibleasbeatingawoman，orstealing，orlying。Onethingonlycouldandoughttobedone，andVronskydetermineduponitwithoutaninstant’shesitation:toborrowmoneyfromamoneylender，tenthousandroubles，aproceedingwhichpresentednodifficulty；tocutdownhisexpensesgenerally，andtosellhisracehorses。Resolvingonthis，hepromptlywroteanotetoRolandaky，whohadmorethanoncesenttohimwithofferstobuyhorsesfromhim。ThenhesentfortheEnglishmanandthemoneylender，anddividedwhatmoneyhehadaccordingtotheaccountsheintendedtopay。Havingfinishedthisbusiness，hewroteacoldandcuttinganswertohismother。ThenhetookoutofhisnotebookthreenotesofAnna’s，readthemagain，burnedthem，and，rememberingtheirconversationonthepreviousday，hesankintodeepthought。

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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter20[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter20Vronsky’slifewasparticularlyhappyinthathehadacodeofprinciples，whichdefinedwithunfailingcertitudewhatheoughtandwhatheoughtnottodo。Thiscodeofprinciplescoveredonlyaverysmallcircleofcontingencies，butthentheprincipleswereneverdoubtful，andVronsky，asheneverwentoutsidethatcircle，hadneverhadamoment’shesitationaboutdoingwhatheoughttodo。Theseprincipleslaiddownasinvariablerules:thatonemustpayacardsharper，butneednotpayatailor；thatonemustnevertellalietoaman，butonemaytoawoman；thatonemustnevercheatanyone，butonemayahusband；thatonemustneverpardonaninsult，butonemaygiveoneandsoon。Theseprincipleswerepossiblynotreasonableandnotgood，buttheywereofunfailingcertainty，and，solongasheadheredtothem，Vronskyfeltthathisheartwasatpeaceandhecouldholdhisheadup。Butoflate，inregardtohisrelationswithAnna，Vronskyhadbeguntofeelthathiscodeofprinciplesdidnotfullycoverallpossiblecontingencies，andtoforeseeinthefuturedifficultiesandperplexitiesforwhichhecouldfindnoguidingclue。

HispresentrelationtoAnnaandtoherhusbandwastohismindclearandsimple。Itwasclearlyandpreciselydefinedinthecodeofprinciplesbywhichhewasguided。

Shewasanhonorablewomanwhohadbestowedherloveuponhim，andhelovedher，andthereforeshewasinhiseyesawomanwhohadarighttothesamerespect，orevenmore，thanalawfulwife。Hewouldhavehadhishandchoppedoffbeforehewouldhaveallowedhimselfbyaword，byahint，tohumiliateher，oreventofallshortofthefullestrespectawomancouldlookfor。

Hisattitudetowardsociety，too，wasclear。Everyonemightknow，mightsuspectit，butnoonemightdaretospeakofit。Ifanydidspeak，hewasreadytoforceallwhomightdosotobesilentandtorespectthenonexistenthonorofthewomanheloved。

Hisattitudetothehusbandwastheclearestofall。FromthemomentthatAnnalovedVronsky，hehadregardedhisownrightoverherastheonethingunassailable。Herhusbandwassimplyasuperfluousandtiresomeperson。Nodoubthewasinapitiableposition，buthowcouldthatbehelped？Theonethingthehusbandhadarighttowastodemandsatisfactionwithaweaponinhishand，andVronskywaspreparedforthisatanyminute。

Butoflatenewinnerrelationshadarisenbetweenherandhim，whichfrightenedVronskybytheirindefiniteness。Onlythedaybeforeshehadtoldhimthatshewaswithchild。Andhefeltthatthisfact，andwhatsheexpectedofhim，calledforsomethingnotfullydefinedinthatcodeofprinciplesbywhichhehadhithertosteeredhiscourseinlife。Andhehadbeenindeedcaughtunawares，and，atthefirstmomentwhenshespoketohimofherposition，hishearthadpromptedhimtobeghertoleaveherhusband。Hehadsaidthat，butnow，thinkingthingsoverhesawclearlythatitwouldbebettertomanageavoidingthat；andatthesametime，ashetoldhimselfthis，hewasafraidwhethersuchanavoidancewerenotwrong。

`IfItoldhertoleaveherhusband，itwouldmeanunitingherlifewithmine；amIpreparedforthat？HowcanItakeherawaynow，whenIhavenomoney？SupposingIcouldarrange……ButhowcanItakeherawaywhileI’mintheservice？IfIsayit，Ioughttobepreparedtodoit；

thatis，Ioughttohavethemoneyandtoretirefromthearmy。’

Andhegrewthoughtful。Thequestionwhethertoretirefromtheserviceornotbroughthimtotheother，andperhapsthechiefthoughhidden，interestofhislife，ofwhichnoneknewbuthe。

Ambitionwastheolddreamofhisyouthandchildhood，adreamwhichhedidnotconfesseventohimself，thoughitwassostrongthatnowthispassionwasevendoingbattlewithhislove。Hisfirststepsintheworldandintheservicehadbeensuccessful，buttwoyearsbeforehehadmadeagreatmistake。Anxioustoshowhisindependence，andforthesakeofadvancement，hehadrefusedapostthathadbeenofferedhim，hopingthatthisrefusalwouldheightenhisvalue；butitturnedoutthathehadbeentoobold，andhewaspassedover。Andhaving，whetherhelikedornot，takenupforhimselfthepositionofanindependentman，hecarrieditoffwithgreattactandgoodsense，behavingasthoughheborenogrudgeagainstanyone，norregardinghimselfasinjuredinanyway，andcaringfornothingbuttobeleftalonesincehewasenjoyinghimself。Inrealityhehadceasedtoenjoyhimselfaslongagoastheyearbefore，whenhehadgonetoMoscow。Hefeltthatthisindependentattitudeofamanwhomighthavedoneanything，butcaredtodonothing，wasalreadybeginningtopall，thatmanypeoplewerebeginningtofancythathewasnotreallycapableofanythingbutbeingastraightforward，good-naturedfellow。HisconnectionwithMadameKarenina，bycreatingsomuchsensationandattractinggeneralattention，hadgivenhimafreshdistinction，whichhadsoothedhisgnawingwormofambitionforawhile；butaweekagothatwormhadbeenrousedupagainwithfreshforce。Thefriendofhischildhood，amanofthesameset，ofthesamecoterie，hiscomradeintheCorpsofPages，Serpukhovskoy，whohadleftschoolwithhim，andhadbeenhisrivalinclass，ingymnastics，intheirscrapesandtheirdreamsofglory，hadcomebackafewdaysbeforefromCentralAsia，wherehehadgainedtwostepsupinrank，andanorderrarelybestowedupongeneralssoyoung。

AssoonashearrivedinPeterburg，peoplebegantotalkabouthimasanewlyrisenstarofthefirstmagnitude。AschoolfellowofVronsky’sandofthesameage，hewasageneralandwasexpectingacommandwhichmighthaveinfluenceonthecourseofpoliticalevents；whileVronsky，thoughhewasindependentandbrilliant，andbelovedbyacharmingwoman，wassimplyacavalrycaptainwhowasreadilyallowedtobeasindependentaseverheliked。`Ofcourse，Idon’tenvySerpukhovskoyandnevercouldenvyhim；buthisadvancementshowsmethatonehasonlytowatchone’sopportunity，andthecareerofamanlikememaybeveryrapidlymade。

ThreeyearsagohewasinjustthesamepositionasIam。IfIretire，Iburnmyships。IfIremaininthearmy，Ilosenothing。Shesaidherselfshedidnotwishtochangeherposition。AndwithherloveIcannotfeelenviousofSerpukhovskoy。’And，slowlytwirlinghismustaches，hegotupfromthetableandwalkedabouttheroom。Hiseyesshoneparticularlybrightly，andhefeltinthatfirm，calm，andhappyframeofmindwhichalwayscameafterhehadthoroughlyfacedhisposition。Everythingwasstraightandclear，justasafterformerdaysofstrikingbalances。Heshaved，tookacoldbath，dressed，andwentout。

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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter21[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter21`I’vecometofetchyou。Yourlessivelastedagoodtimetoday，’saidPetritsky。

`Well，isitover？’

`It’sover，’answeredVronsky，smilingwithhiseyesonly，andtwirlingthetipsofhismustachesascircumspectlyasthoughaftertheperfectorderintowhichhisaffairshadbeenbroughtanyoverboldorrapidmovementmightdisturbit。

`You’realwaysjustasifyou’dcomeoutofabathafterit，’

saidPetritsky。`I’vecomefromGritzka’(thatwaswhattheycalledthecolonel)；-`you’reexpectedthere。’

Vronsky，withoutanswering，lookedathiscomrade，thinkingofsomethingelse。

`Yes；isthatmusicathisplace？’hesaid，listeningtothefamiliarbasssoundsoftrumpets，ofpolkasandwaltzes，floatingacrosstohim。

`What’sthefete？’

`Serpukhovskoy’scome。’

`Aha！’saidVronsky。`Why，Ididn’tknow。’

Thesmileinhiseyesgleamedmorebrightlythanever。

Havingoncemadeuphismindthathewashappyinhislove，thathesacrificedhisambitiontoit-atanyrate，havingtakenupthisrole-VronskywasincapableoffeelingeitherenviousofSerpukhovskoy，orvexedathimfornothavingcometohimfirstuponcomingtotheregiment。

Serpukhovskoywasagoodfriend，andhewasdelightedhehadcome。

`Ah，I’mveryglad！’

Thecolonel，Demin，hadtakenalargecountryhouse。Thewholepartywasonthewidelowerbalcony。InthecourtyardthefirstobjectsthatmetVronsky’seyeswereabandofsingersinshortwhitelinenjackets，standingnearabarrelofvodka，andtherobust，good-humoredfigureofthecolonelsurroundedbyofficers。HehadgoneoutasfarasthefirststepofthebalconyandwasloudlyshoutingtodrownoutthebandplayinganOffenbachquadrille，wavinghisarmsandgivingsomeorderstoafewsoldiersstandingononeside。Agroupofsoldiers，aquartermaster，andseveralsubalternscameuptothebalconywithVronsky。Thecolonelreturnedtothetable，wentoutagainonthestepswithatumblerinhishand，andproposedthetoast，`Tothehealthofourformercomrade，thegallantgeneral，PrinceSerpukhovskoy。Hurrah！’

ThecolonelwasfollowedbySerpukhovskoy，whocameoutonthestepssmiling，withaglassinhishand。

`Youalwaysgetyounger，Bondarenko，’hesaidtotherosy-cheeked，smart-lookingsergeantstandingjustbeforehim，stillyoungish-lookingthoughdoinghissecondtermofservice。

ItwasthreeyearssinceVronskyhadseenSerpukhovskoy。Helookedmorerobust，hadlethiswhiskersgrow，butwasstillthesamegracefulcreature，whosefaceandfigurewereevenmorestrikingfromtheirfinenessandnobilitythantheirbeauty。TheonlychangeVronskydetectedinhimwasthatsubdued，continualbeamingwhichsettlesonthefacesofmenwhoaresuccessfulandaresureoftherecognitionoftheirsuccessbyeveryone。

Vronskyknewthatradiantair，andimmediatelyobserveditinSerpukhovskoy。

AsSerpukhovskoycamedownthestepshesawVronsky。Asmileofpleasurelighteduphisface。Hetossedhisheadupwardandwavedtheglassinhishand，greetingVronsky，andshowinghimbythegesturethathecouldnotcometohimbeforekissingthesergeantwhostoodcraningforwardhislipsreadytobekissed。

`Hereheis！’shoutedthecolonel。`Iashvintoldmeyouwereinoneofyourgloomytempers。’

Serpukhovskoykissedthemoist，freshlipsofthebravesergeant，and，wipinghismouthwithhishandkerchief，walkeduptoVronsky。

`HowgladIam！’hesaid，squeezinghishandanddrawinghimtooneside。

`Youlookafterhim，’thecolonelshoutedtoIashvin，pointingtoVronsky；andhewentdownbelowtothesoldiers。

`Whyweren’tyouattheracesyesterday？Iexpectedtoseeyouthere，’saidVronsky，scrutinizingSerpukhovskoy。

`Ididgo，butlate。Ibegyourpardon，’headded，andturnedtotheadjutant:`Pleasehavethisdistributedfromme，eachmanasmuchasitcomesto。’

Andhehurriedlytookthreenotesforahundredroubleseachfromhispocketbook，andblushed。

`Vronsky！Haveabiteoradrink？’askedIashvin。`Hi，somethingfortheCounttoeat！There-drinkthat。’

Thespreeatthecolonel’slastedalongwhile。

Therewasagreatdealofdrinking。TheyswungSerpukhovskoyandtossedhimintheair。Thentheydidthesametothecolonel。Then，totheaccompanimentoftheband，thecolonelhimselfdancedwithPetritsky。

Thenthecolonel，whobegantoshowsignsofweakening，satdownonabenchinthecourtyardandbegandemonstratingtoIashvinthesuperiorityofRussiaoverPrussia，especiallyincavalryattack，andtherewasalullintherevelryforamoment。SerpukhovskoywentintothehousetothebathroomtowashhishandsandfoundVronskythere-Vronskywassousinghisheadwithwater。Hehadtakenoffhiscoatandputhisredhairyneckunderthetap，andwasrubbingitandhisheadwithhishands。Whenhehadfinished，VronskysatdownbySerpukhovskoy。Theybothsatdowninthebathroomonalounge，andaconversationbeganwhichwasveryinterestingtobothofthem。

`I’vealwaysbeenhearingaboutyouthroughmywife，’saidSerpukhovskoy。

`I’mgladyou’vebeenseeingherprettyoften。’

`She’sfriendlywithVaria，andthey’retheonlywomeninPeterburgIcareaboutseeing，’answeredVronsky，smiling。Hesmiledbecauseheforesawthetopictheconversationwouldturnto，andhewasgladofit。

`Theonlyones？’Serpukhovskoyqueried，smiling。

`Yes；andIheardnewsofyou，butnotonlythroughyourwife，’

saidVronsky，checkingSerpukhovskoy’shintbyassumingasternexpression。

`Iwasgreatlydelightedtohearofyoursuccess，butnotabitsurprised。

Iexpectedevenmore。’

Serpukhovskoysmiled。Suchanopinionofhimwasobviouslyagreeabletohim，andhedidnotthinkitnecessarytoconcealit。

`Well，I，onthecontrary，expectedless-I’llownupfrankly。

ButI’mglad，veryglad。I’mambitious-that’smyweakness，andIconfesstoit。’

`Perhapsyouwouldn’tconfesstoitifyouhadn’tbeensuccessful，’

saidVronsky。

`Idon’tsupposeso，’saidSerpukhovskoy，smilingagain。`Iwon’tsaylifewouldn’tbeworthlivingwithoutit，butitwouldbedull。OfcourseImaybemistaken，butIfancyIhaveacertaincapacityforthelineI’vechosen，andthatifthereistobepowerofanysortinmyhands，itwillbebetterthaninthehandsofagoodmanypeopleIknow，’saidSerpukhovskoy，withbeamingconsciousnessofsuccess；`andsothenearerIgettoit，thebetterpleasedIam。’

`Perhapsthatistrueforyou，butnotforeveryone。Iusedtothinksotoo，butnowIseeandthinklifeworthlivingnotonlyforthat。’

`Thereitcomes！thereitcomes！’saidSerpukhovskoylaughing。

`EversinceIheardaboutyou，aboutyourrefusal，Ibegan……Ofcourse，Iapprovedofwhatyoudid。Buttherearewaysofdoingeverything。AndIthinkyouractionwasgoodinitself，butyoudidn’tdoitinquitethewayyoushouldhavedone。’

`What’sdonecan’tbeundone，andyouknowInevergobackonwhatI’vedone。And，besides，I’mverywelloff。’

`Verywelloff-forthetime。Butyou’renotsatisfiedwiththat。

Iwouldn’tsaythistoyourbrother。He’sacharmingchild，likeourhosthere。Therehegoes！’headded，listeningtotheroarofa`hurrah！’-

`andhe’shappy；thatdoesnotsatisfyyou。’

`Ididn’tsayitdid。’

`Yes，butthat’snottheonlything。Suchmenasyouarewanted。’

`Bywhom？’

`Bywhom？Bysociety，byRussia。Russianeedsmen，sheneedsaparty，orelseeverythinggoesandwillgotothedogs。’

`Howdoyoumean？Bertenev’spartyagainsttheRussiancommunists？’

`No，’saidSerpukhovskoy，frowningwithvexationatbeingsuspectedofsuchanabsurdity。`Toutç；aestuneblague。Thathasalwaysbeen，andalwayswillbe。Therearenocommunists。Butintriguingpeoplehavetoinventanoxious，dangerousparty。It’sanoldtrick。No，what’swantedisapowerfulpartyofindependentmen，likeyouandme。’

`Butwhyso？’Vronskymentionedafewmenwhowereinpower。`Whyaren’ttheyindependentmen？’

`Simplybecausetheyhavenot，orhavenothadfrombirth，anindependentfortune，they’venothadaname，theyweren’tbornclosetothesunaswewere。Theycanbeboughteitherbymoneyorbyfavor。Andtheyhavetofindasupportforthemselvesininventingatrend。Andtheybringforwardsomenotion，sometrendthattheydon’tbelievein，thatdoesharm；andthewholepolicyisreallyonlyameanstoahouseattheexpenseofthecrownandsomuchincome。Celan’estpasplusfinqueç；a，whenyougetapeepattheircards。Imaybeinferiortothem，morestupidperhaps，thoughIdon’tseewhyIshouldbeinferiortothem。ButyouandIhaveoneimportant，certainadvantageoverthem，inbeingmoredifficulttobuy。Andsuchmenaremoreneededthanever。’

Vronskylistenedattentively，buthewasnotsomuchinterestedbythemeaningofthewordsasbytheattitudeofSerpukhovskoy，whowasalreadycontemplatingastrugglewiththeexistingpowers，andalreadyhadhislikesanddislikesinthatworld，whilehisowninterestinhisservicedidnotgobeyondtheinterestsofhissquadron。Vronskyfelt，too，howpowerfulSerpukhovskoymightbecomethroughhisunmistakablefacultyforthinkingthingsoutandfortakingthingsin，throughhisintelligenceandgiftofeloquence，sorarelymetwithintheworldinwhichhemoved。

And，ashamedashewasofthefeeling，hefeltenvious。

`StillIhaven’ttheonethingofparamountimportanceforthat，’

heanswered；`Ihaven’tthedesireforpower。Ihaditonce，butit’sgone。’

`Excuseme，that’snottrue，’saidSerpukhovskoysmiling。

`Yes，it’strue，it’strue-nowtobetruthful！’Vronskyadded。

`Yes，it’struenow，that’sanotherthing；butthatnowwon’tlastforever。’

`Perhaps，’answeredVronsky。

`Yousayperhaps，’Serpukhovskoywenton，asthoughguessinghisthoughts，`butIsayforcertain。Andthat’swhatIwantedtoseeyoufor。

Youractionwasjustwhatitshouldhavebeen。Iseethat，butyououghtnottopersevereinit。Ionlyaskyoutogivemecarteblanche。I’mnotgoingtoofferyoumyprotection……Though，indeed，whyshouldn’tIprotectyou？-you’veprotectedmeoftenenough！Ishouldhopeourfriendshiprisesaboveallthatsortofthing。Yes，’hesaid，smilingtohimastenderlyasawoman，`givemecarteblanche，retirefromtheregiment，andI’llgetyouinimperceptibly。’

`ButyoumustunderstandthatIwantnothing，’saidVronsky，`excepttoleavethingsjustastheywere。’

Serpukhovskoygotupandstoodfacinghim。

`Yousaid，leavethingsjustastheywere。Iunderstandwhatthatmeans。Butlisten:we’rethesameage，you’veknownagreaternumberofwomenperhapsthanIhave。’Serpukhovskoy’ssmileandgesturestoldVronskythathemustn’tbeafraid，thathewouldbetenderandcarefulintouchingthesoreplace。`ButI’mmarried，andbelieveme，ingettingtoknowone’swifethoroughly，ifonelovesher，assomeonehassaid，onegetstoknowallwomenbetterthanifoneknewthousandsofthem。’

`We’recomingdirectly！’Vronskyshoutedtoanofficer，wholookedintotheroomandcalledthemtothecolonel。

VronskywaslongingnowtohearSerpukhovskoytotheend，andknowwhathewouldsaytohim。

`Andhere’smyopinionforyou。Womenarethechiefstumblingblockinaman’scareer。It’shardtoloveawomananddoanything。There’sonlyonewayofhavingloveconvenientlywithoutitsbeingahindrance-that’smarriage。Now，howamItotellyouwhatImean？’saidSerpukhovskoy，wholikedsimiles。`Wait，waitaminute！Yes，justasyoucanonlycarryafardeauyetdosomethingwithyourhandswhenthefardeauistiedonyourback-andthat’smarriage。Andthat’swhatIfeltwhenIwasmarried。

Myhandsweresuddenlysetfree。Butifyoudragthatfardeauaboutwithyouwithoutmarriage，yourhandswillalwaysbesofullthatyoucandonothing。LookatMazankov，atKrupov。They’veruinedtheircareersforthesakeofwomen。’

`Whatwomen！’saidVronsky，recallingtheFrenchwomanandtheactresswithwhomthetwomenhehadmentionedwereconnected。

`Thefirmerthewoman’sfootinginsociety，theworseitis。That’smuchthesameasnotmerelycarryingthefardeauinyourarms，buttearingitawayfromsomeoneelse。’

`Youhaveneverloved，’Vronskysaidsoftly，lookingstraightbeforehimandthinkingofAnna。

`Perhaps。ButyourememberwhatI’vesaidtoyou。Andanotherthing-womenareallmorematerialisticthanmen。Wemakesomethingimmenseoutoflove，buttheyarealwaysterre-è；a-terre。’

`Directly，directly！’hecriedtoafootmanwhocamein。Butthefootmanhadnotcometocallthemagain，ashesupposed。ThefootmanbroughtVronskyanote。

`AmanbroughtitfromPrincessTverskaia。’

Vronskyopenedtheletter，andflushedcrimson。

`Myhead’sbeguntoache；I’mgoinghome，’hesaidtoSerpukhovskoy。

`Oh，good-bythen。Yougivemecarteblanche！’

`We’lltalkaboutitlateron；I’lllookyouupinPeterburg。’

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter22[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter22Itwassixo’clockalready，andso，inordertobetherequickly，andatthesametimenottodrivewithhisownhorses，knowntoeveryone，VronskygotintoIashvin’shackneycoachandtoldthecoachmantodriveasquicklyaspossible。Itwasaroomy，old-fashionedcoach，withseatsforfour。

Hesatinonecorner，stretchedhislegsoutonthefrontseat，andsankintodeepthought。

Avaguesenseoftheclearnesstowhichhisaffairshadbeenbrought，avaguerecollectionofthefriendlinessandflatteryofSerpukhovskoy，whohadconsideredhimamanwhowasneeded，and，mostofall，theanticipationofthemeetingbeforehim-allblendedintoageneral，joyoussenseoflife。Thisfeelingwassostrongthathecouldnothelpsmiling。Hedroppedhislegs，crossedonelegovertheotherknee，and，takingitinhishand，feltthespringymuscleofthecalf，whereithadbeengrazedthedaybeforebyhisfall，and，leaningbackhedrewseveraldeepbreaths。

`I’mhappy，veryhappy！’hesaidtohimself。Hehadoftenbeforehadthissenseofphysicaljoyinhisownbody，buthehadneverfeltsofondofhimself，ofhisownbody，asatthatmoment。Heenjoyedtheslightacheinhisstrongleg，heenjoyedthemuscularsensationofmovementinhischestashebreathed。Thebright，coldAugustday，whichhadmadeAnnafeelsohopeless，seemedtohimkeenlystimulating，andrefreshedhisfaceandneckthatstilltingledfromthecoldwater。Thescentofbrilliantineonhismustachesstruckhimasparticularlypleasantinthefreshair。

Everythinghesawfromthecarriagewindow，everythinginthatcoldpureair，inthepalelightofthesunset，wasasfresh，andgay，andstrongashewashimself:theroofsofthehousesshiningintheraysofthesettingsun，thesharpoutlinesoffencesandanglesofbuildings，thefiguresofpassers-byandcarriagesthatmethimnowandthen，themotionlessgreenofthetreesandgrass，thefieldswithevenlydrawnfurrowsofpotatoes，andtheslantingshadowsthatfellfromthehouses，andtrees，andbushes，andevenfromtherowsofpotatoes-everythingwasbrightlikeaprettylandscapefreshlypaintedandvarnished。

`Geton，geton！’hesaidtothedriver，puttinghisheadoutofthewindow，andpullingathree-roublenoteoutofhispockethehandedittothemanashelookedround。Thedriver’shandfumbledwithsomethingatthelamp，thewhipcracked，andthecoachrolledrapidlyalongthesmoothhighroad。

`Iwantnothing，nothingbutthishappiness，’hethought，staringatthebonebuttonofthebellinthespacebetweenthewindows，andpicturingtohimselfAnnajustashehadseenherlasttime。`AndasIgoon，Ilovehermoreandmore。Here’sthegardenoftheVrede’scrownvilla。Whereaboutswillshebe？Where？How？Whydidshefixonthisplacetomeetme，andwhydoesshewriteinBetsy’sletter？’hethought，nowforthefirsttimewonderingatit。Buttherewasnownotimeforwonder。Hecalledtothedrivertostopbeforereachingtheavenue，andopeningthedoor，jumpedoutofthecarriageasitwasmoving，andwentuptheavenuethatledtothehouse。Therewasnooneintheavenue；but，lookingroundtotheright，hecaughtsightofher。Herfacewashiddenbyaveil，buthedrankinwithgladeyesthespecialmovementinwalking，peculiartoheralone，theslopeofhershoulders，andthesettingofherhead，andatonceasortofelectricshockranalloverhim。Withfreshforcehefeltconsciousofhimself，fromthespringymovementsofhislegstothemovementsofhislungsashebreathed，andsomethingsethislipstwitching。

Joininghim，shepressedhishandtightly。

`You’renotangrybecauseIsentforyou？Iabsolutelyhadtoseeyou，’shesaid；andtheseriousandsetlineofherlips，whichhesawundertheveil，transformedhismoodatonce。

`Iangry？Buthowhaveyoucome-where？’

`Nevermind，’shesaid，layingherhandonhisarm，`comealong，Imusttalktoyou。’

Hesawthatsomethinghadhappened，andthattheinterviewwouldnotbeajoyousone。Inherpresencehehadnowillofhisown:withoutknowingthegroundsofherdistress，healreadyfeltthesamedistressunconsciouslypassingoverhim。

`Whatisit？What？’heaskedher，squeezingherhandwithhiselbow，andtryingtoreadherthoughtsinherface。

Shewalkedonafewstepsinsilence，gatheringuphercourage；

thensuddenlyshestopped。

`Ididnottellyouyesterday，’shebegan，breathingquicklyandpainfully，`thatcominghomewithAlexeiAlexandrovichItoldhimeverything……

toldhimIcouldnotbehiswife，that……andtoldhimeverything。’

Heheardher，unconsciouslybendinghiswholefiguredowntoherasthoughhopinginthiswaytosoftenthehardnessofherpositionforher。Butdirectlyshehadsaidthishesuddenlydrewhimselfup，andaproudandhardexpressioncameoverhisface。

`Yes，yes，that’sbetter，athousandtimesbetter！Iknowhowpainfulitwas，’hesaid。Butshewasnotlisteningtohiswords-shewasreadinghisthoughtsfromtheexpressionofhisface。ShecouldnotguessthatthatarosefromthefirstideathatpresenteditselftoVronsky-thataduelwasnowinevitable。Theideaofaduelhadnevercrossedhermind，andsosheputadifferentinterpretationonthispassingexpressionofhardness。

Whenshegotherhusband’sletter，sheknewthenatthebottomofherheartthateverythingwouldgoonintheoldway，thatshewouldnothavethestrengthofwilltoforegoherposition，toabandonherson，andtojoinherlover。ThemorningspentatPrincessTverskaia’shadconfirmedherstillmoreinthis。Butthisinterviewwasstilloftheutmostgravityforher。Shehopedthatthisinterviewwouldtransformherposition，andsaveher。Ifonhearingthisnewsheweretosaytoherresolutely，passionately，withoutaninstant’swavering:`Throwupeverythingandcomewithme！shewouldgiveuphersonandgoawaywithhim。Butthisnewshadnotproducedonhimtheeffectshehadexpected；hesimplyseemedresentfulofsomeaffront。

`Itwasnotintheleastpainfulforme。Ithappenedofitself，’

shesaidirritably，`andsee……’Shepulledherhusband’sletteroutofherglove。

`Iunderstand，Iunderstand，’heinterruptedher，takingtheletter，butnotreadingit，andtryingtosootheher。`TheonethingIlongedfor，theonethingIprayedfor，wastocutshortthisposition，soastodevotemylifetoyourhappiness。’

`Whydoyoutellmethat？’shesaid。`DoyousupposeIcandoubtit？IfIdoubted……’

`Who’sthatcoming？’saidVronskysuddenly，pointingtotwoladieswalkingtowardthem。`Perhapstheyknowus！’andhehurriedlyturnedoff，drawingherafterhimintoasidepath。

`Oh，Idon’tcare！’shesaid。Herlipswerequivering。Andhefanciedthathereyeslookedwithstrangefuryathimfromunderherveil。

`Itellyouthat’snotthepoint-Ican’tdoubtthat；butseewhathewritesme。Readit。’Shestoodstillagain。

Again，justasatthefirstmomentofhearingofherrupturewithherhusband，Vronsky，onreadingtheletter，wasunconsciouslycarriedawaybythenaturalsensationarousedinhimbyhisownrelationtotheinjuredhusband。Now，whileheheldhisletterinhishands，hecouldnothelppicturingthechallenge，whichhewouldmostlikelyfindathometodayortomorrow，andtheduelitself，inwhich，withthesamecoldandhaughtyexpressionthathisfacewasassumingatthismoment，hewouldawaittheinjuredhusband’sshot，afterhavinghimselffiredintotheair。AndatthatinstantthereflashedacrosshismindthethoughtofwhatSerpukhovskoyhadjustsaidtohim，andwhathehadhimselfbeenthinkinginthemorning-thatitwasbetternottobindhimself；andheknewthathecouldnottellherthisthought。

Havingreadtheletter，heraisedhiseyestoher，andtherewasnofirmnessinthem。Shesawatoncethathehadbeenthinkingaboutitbeforebyhimself。Sheknewthatwhateverhemightsaytoher，hewouldnotsayallhethought。Andsheknewthatherlasthopehadfailedher。

Thiswasnotwhatshehadbeenlookingfor。

`Youseethesortofmanheis，’shesaid，withashakingvoice；

`he……’

`Forgiveme，butIrejoiceatit，’Vronskyinterrupted。`ForGod’ssake，letmefinish！’headded，hiseyesimploringhertogivehimtimetoexplainhiswords。`Irejoice，becausethingscannot，cannotpossiblyremainashesupposes。’

`Whycan’tthey？’Annasaid，restraininghertears，andobviouslyattachingnosortofconsequencetowhathesaid。Shefeltthatherfatewassealed。

Vronskymeantthataftertheduel-inevitable，hethought-thingscouldnotgoonasbefore，buthesaidsomethingdifferent。

`Itcan’tgoon。Ihopethatnowyouwillleavehim。Ihope’-

hewasconfused，andreddened-`thatyouwillletmearrangeandplanourlife。Tomorrow……’hewasbeginning。

Shedidnotlethimgoon。

`Butmychild！’sheshrieked。`Youseewhathewrites！Ishouldhavetoleavehim，andIcan’tandwon’tdothat。’

`But，forGod’ssake，whichisbetter？Toleaveyourchild，orkeepupthisdegradingsituation？’

`Towhomisitdegrading？’

`Toall，andmostofalltoyou。’

`Yousaydegrading……Don’tsaythat。Thesewordshavenomeaningforme，’shesaidinashakingvoice。Shedidnotwanthimnowtosaywhatwasuntrue。Shehadnothingleftherbuthislove，andshewantedtolovehim。`Don’tyouunderstandthatfromthedayIlovedyoueverythinghaschangedforme？Formethereisonething，andonethingonly-yourlove。

Ifthat’smine，Ifeelsoexalted，sostrong，thatnothingcanbedegradingtome。Iamproudofmyposition，because……proudofbeing……proud……’

Shecouldnotsaywhatshewasproudof。Tearsofshameanddespairchokedherutterance。Shestoodstillandsobbed。

Hefelt，too，somethingswellinginhisthroatandtwitchinginhisnose，andforthefirsttimeinhislifehefeltonthepointofweeping。

Hecouldnothavesaidexactlywhatitwastouchedhimso；hefeltsorryforher，andhefelthecouldnothelpher，andwiththatheknewthathewastoblameforherwretchedness，andthathehaddonesomethingwrong。

`Isn’tadivorcepossible？’hesaidfeebly。Sheshookherhead，withoutanswering。`Couldn’tyoutakeyourson，andstillleavehim？

`Yes；butitalldependsonhim。NowImustgotohim，’shesaidshortly。Herpresentimentthatallwouldagaingoonintheoldwayhadnotdeceivedher。

`OnTuesdayIshallbeinPeterburg，andeverythingcanbesettled。’

`Yes，’shesaid。`Butdon’tletustalkanymoreofit。’

Anna’scarriage，whichshehadsentaway，andorderedtocomebacktothelittlegateoftheVredegarden，droveup。Annasaidgood-bytoVronsky，anddrovehome。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter23[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter23OnMondaytherewastheusualsessionoftheCommissionofthe2ndofJune。

AlexeiAlexandrovichwalkedintothehallwherethesessionwasheld，greetedthemembersandthepresident，asusual，andsatdowninhisplace，puttinghishandonthepaperslaidreadybeforehim。Amongthosepaperslaythenecessaryevidenceandaroughoutlineofthespeechheintendedtomake。

Buthedidnotreallyneedthesedocuments。Herememberedeverypoint，anddidnotthinkitnecessarytogooverinhismemorywhathewouldsay。

Heknewthatwhenthetimecame，andwhenhesawhisenemyfacinghim，andstudiouslyendeavoringtoassumeanexpressionofindifference，hisspeechwouldflowofitselfbetterthanhecouldprepareitnow。Hefeltthattheimportofhisspeechwasofsuchmagnitudethateverywordofitwouldhaveweight。Meantime，ashelistenedtotheusualreport，hehadthemostinnocentandinoffensiveair。Noone，lookingathiswhitehands，withtheirswollenveinsandlongfingers，sosoftlystrokingtheedgesofthewhitepaperthatlaybeforehim，andattheairofwearinesswithwhichhisheaddroopedononeside，wouldhavesuspectedthatinafewminutesatorrentofwordswouldflowfromhislipsthatwouldarouseafearfulstorm，setthemembersshoutingandattackingoneanother，andforcethepresidenttocallfororder。Whenthereportwasover，AlexeiAlexandrovichannouncedinhissubdued，delicatevoicethathehadseveralpointstobringbeforethemeetinginregardtotheorganizationofthenativetribes。Allattentionwasturneduponhim。AlexeiAlexandrovichclearedhisthroat，and，withoutlookingathisopponent，butselecting，ashealwaysdidwhilehewasdeliveringhisspeeches，thefirstpersonsittingoppositehim，aninoffensivelittleoldman，whoneverhadanopinionofanysortintheCommission，begantoexpoundhisviews。Whenhereachedthepointaboutthebasicandorganiclaw，hisopponentjumpedupandbegantoprotest。Stremov，whowasalsoamemberoftheCommission，andwasalsostungtothequick，begandefendinghimself，andanaltogetherstormysessionfollowed；butAlexeiAlexandrovichtriumphed，andhismotionwascarried，threenewcommissionswereappointed，andthenextday，inacertainPeterburgcircle，nothingelsewastalkedofbutthissession。AlexeiAlexandrovich’ssuccesshadbeenevengreaterthanhehadanticipated。

Nextmorning，Tuesday，AlexeiAlexandrovich，onawaking，recollectedwithpleasurehistriumphofthepreviousday，andhecouldnothelpsmiling，thoughhetriedtoappearindifferent，whentheheadclerk，anxioustoflatterhim，informedhimoftherumorsthathadreachedhimconcerningwhathadhappenedintheCommission。

Absorbedinbusinesswiththeheadclerk，AlexeiAlexandrovichhadcompletelyforgottenthatitwasTuesday，thedayfixedbyhimforthereturnofAnnaArkadyevna，andhewassurprisedandreceivedashockofannoyancewhenaservantcameintoinformhimofherarrival。

AnnahadarrivedinPeterburgearlyinthemorning；thecarriagehadbeensenttomeetherinaccordancewithhertelegram，andsoAlexeiAlexandrovichmighthaveknownofherarrival。But，whenshearrived，hedidnotmeether。Shewastoldthathehadnotyetgoneout，butwasbusywiththeheadclerk。Shesentwordtoherhusbandthatshehadcome，wenttoherownroom，andoccupiedherselfinsortingoutherthings，expectinghewouldcometoher。Butanhourpassed；hedidnotcome。Shewentintothediningroomonthepretextofgivingsomedirections，andspokeloudlyonpurpose，expectinghimtocomeoutthere；buthedidnotcome，thoughsheheardhimgotothedoorofhisstudyashepartedfromtheheadclerk。

Sheknewthatheshouldbeforelonggoouttohisofficeasusual，andshewantedtoseehimbeforethat，sothattheirattitudetooneanothermightbedefined。

Shewalkedacrossthedrawingroomandwentresolutelytohim。

Whenshewentintohisstudyhewasinofficialuniform，obviouslyreadytogoout，sittingatalittletableonwhichherestedhiselbows，lookingdejectedlybeforehim。Shesawhimbeforehesawher，andsheknewthathewasthinkingofher。

Onseeingher，hewouldhaverisen，butchangedhismind，thenhisfaceflushedhotly-athingAnnahadneverseenbefore，andhegotupquicklyandwenttomeether，lookingnotathereyes，butabovethem，atherforeheadandhair。Hewentuptoher，tookherbythehand，andaskedhertositdown。

`Iamverygladyouhavecome，’hesaid，sittingdownbesideher，and，obviouslywishingtosaysomething，hestuttered。Severaltimesheattemptedtospeak，butstopped。Inspiteofthefact，thatinpreparingherselfformeetinghim，shehadschooledherselftodespiseandaccusehim，shedidnotknowwhattosaytohim，andshefeltpityforhim。Andsothesilencelastedratherlong:`IsSeriozhaquitewell？’hesaid，and，withoutwaitingforananswer，headded:`Ishan’tbediningathometoday，andImustgooutdirectly。’

`IhadthoughtofgoingtoMoscow，’shesaid。

`No，youdidquite，quiterighttocome，’hesaid，andwassilentagain。

Seeingthathewaspowerlesstobegintheconversation，shebeganherself。

`AlexeiAlexandrovich，’shesaid，lookingathimandwithoutdroppinghereyesunderhispersistentgazeatherhair，`I’maguiltywoman，I’mabadwoman，yetIamthesameasIwas，asItoldyouthen，andIhavecometotellyouthatIcanchangenothing。’

`Ihaven’taskedyouaboutthat，’hesaid，allatonce，resolutelyandwithhatredlookingherstraightintheface；`thatwasasIhadsupposed。’

Undertheinfluenceofangerheapparentlyregainedcompletepossessionofallhisfaculties。`ButasItoldyouthen，andhavewrittentoyou，’

hesaidinathin，shrillvoice，`Irepeatnow，thatIamnotboundtoknowthis。Iignoreit。Notallwivesaresokindasyou，tobeinsuchahurrytocommunicatesuchagreeablenewstotheirhusbands。’Helaidspecialemphasisontheword`agreeable。’`Ishallignoreitsolongastheworldknowsnothingofit，solongasmynameisnotdisgraced。AndsoIsimplyinformyouthatourrelationsmustbejustastheyhavealwaysbeen，andthatonlyintheeventofyourcompromisingyourselfIshallbeobligedtotakestepstosecuremyhonor。’

`Butourrelationscannotbethesameasalways，’Annabeganinatimidvoice，lookingathimwithdismay。

Whenshesawoncemorethosecomposedgestures，heardthatshrill，childlikeandsarcasticvoice，heraversionforhimextinguishedherpityforhim，andshefeltonlyafraid；butatallcostsshewantedtomakeclearherposition。

`IcannotbeyourwifewhileI……’shebegan。

Helaughedacoldandmalignantlaugh。

`Themanneroflifeyouhavechosenisreflected，Isuppose，inyourideas。Ihavesomuchofbothrespectandcontempt-Irespectyourpastanddespiseyourpresent-thatIwasfarfromtheinterpretationyouputonmywords。’

Annasighedandbowedherhead。

`ThoughindeedIfailtocomprehendhow，withtheindependenceyoushow，’hewenton，gettinghot，`announcingyourinfidelitytoyourhusbandandseeingnothingreprehensibleinit，apparently，youcanseeanythingreprehensibleinperformingawife’sdutiesinrelationtoyourhusband。’

`AlexeiAlexandrovich！Whatisityouwantofme？’

`Iwantnevertomeetthatmanhere，andIwantyoutoconductyourselfsothatneithersociety，northeservants，couldpossiblyreproachyou……Iwantyounottoseehim。That’snotmuch，Ithink。Andinreturnyouwillenjoyalltheprivilegesofafaithfulwifewithoutfulfillingherduties。That’sallIhavetosaytoyou。Nowit’stimeformetogo。

I’mnotdiningathome。’Hegotupandmovedtowardthedoor。

Annagotuptoo。Bowinginsilence，heletherpassbeforehim。

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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter24[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter24ThenightspentbyLevinonthehaycockdidnotpasswithoutaneffectuponhim。Thewayinwhichhehadbeenmanaginghislandrevoltedhimandlostallattractionforhim。Inspiteofthemagnificentharvest，neverhadtherebeen(or，atleast，ithadneverseemedsotohim)somanyhindrancesandsomanyquarrelsbetweenhimandthepeasantsasthatyear，andtheoriginofthesefailuresandthishostilitywasnowperfectlycomprehensibletohim。Thedelighthehadexperiencedintheworkitself，andtheconsequentgreaterintimacywiththepeasants，theenvyhefeltofthem，oftheirlife，thedesiretoadoptthatlife，whichhadbeentohimthatnightnotadreambutanintention，theexecutionofwhichhehadthoughtoutindetail-allthishadsotransformedhisviewofthefarmingofthelandashehadmanagedit，thathecouldnottakehisformerinterestinit，andcouldnothelpseeingthatunpleasantrelationbetweenhimandtheworkpeoplewhichwasthefoundationofitall。TheherdofimprovedcowssuchasPava，thewholelandplowedoverandenriched，theninelevelfieldssurroundedwithwillowfences，theninetydessiatinasheavilymanured，drillplows，andalltherestofit-itwasallsplendid，ifonlytheworkhadbeendonebyhimself，orbyhimselfandhiscomrades，bypeopleinsympathywithhim。Buthesawclearlynow(hisworkonabookofagriculture，inwhichthechiefelementinhusbandrywastohavebeenthelaborer，greatlyassistedhiminthis)thatthesortoffarminghewascarryingonwasnothingbutacruelandstubbornstrugglebetweenhimandthelaborers，inwhichtherewasononeside-hisside-acontinualintenseefforttochangeeverythingtoapatternheconsideredbetter；ontheotherside，thenaturalorderofthings。Andinthisstrugglehesawthat，withimmenseexpenditureofforceonhisside，andwithnoeffortorevenintentionontheotherside，thesoleattainmentwasthattheworkdidnotgotothelikingofeitherside，andthatsplendidtools，splendidcattleandlandwerespoiledwithnogoodtoanyone。Worstofall，theenergyexpendedonthisworkwasnotmerelywasted。Hecouldnothelpfeelingnow，sincethemeaningofhissystemhadbecomecleartohim，thattheaimofhisenergywasamostunworthyone。Inreality，whatwasthestruggleabout？Hewasstrugglingforeverygroat(andhecouldnothelpit，forhehadonlytorelaxhisefforts，andhewouldnothavehadthemoneytopayhislaborers’wages)，whiletheywereonlystrugglingtobeabletodotheirworkeasilyandagreeably-thatistosay，astheywereusedtodoingit。Itwasforhisintereststhateverylaborershouldworkashardaspossible，andthatwhiledoingsoheshouldkeephiswitsabouthim，soastotrynottobreakthewinnowingmachines，thehorserakes，thethreshingmachines，thatheshouldattendtowhathewasdoing。Whatthelaborerwantedwastoworkaspleasantlyaspossible，withrests，and，aboveall，carelesslyandheedlessly，withoutthinking。ThatsummerLevinsawthisateverystep。Hesentthementomowsomecloverforhay，pickingouttheworstpatcheswherethecloverwasovergrownwithgrassandweedsandofnouseforseed；againandagaintheymowedhisbestdessiatinasofseedclover，justifyingthemselvesbythepretextthatthebailiffhadtoldthemto，andtryingtopacifyhimwiththeassurancethatitwouldmakesplendidhay；butheknewthatitwasbecausethosedessiatinasweresomucheasiertomow。Hesentoutahaymachineforpitchingthehay-itwasbrokenatthefirstrowbecauseitwasdullworkforapeasanttositontheseatinfrontwiththegreatwingswavingabovehim。Andhewastold:`Don’ttrouble-sure，thewomenfolkswillpitchitquickenough。’Theplowswerepracticallyuseless，becauseitneveroccurredtothelaborertoraisethecolterwhenheturnedtheplow，andinforcingitround，hetorturedthehorseandspoiledtheground-andthenbeggedLevinnottomindit。Thehorseswereallowedtostrayintothewheatbecausenotasinglelaborerwantedtobenightwatchman，and，inspiteoforderstothecontrary，thelaborersinsistedontakingturnsfornightdutyaboutthehorses；andwhenVanka，afterworkingalldaylong，fellasleep，hewouldsay，verypenitentforhisfault:`Dowhatyouwilltome。’

Threeofthebestheiferswereallowedtoovereatthemselvestodeath，bylettingthemintothecloveraftermathwithoutcareastodrenchingthem，andnothingwouldmakethemenbelievethattheyhadbeenblownoutbytheclover，buttheytoldLevin，bywayofconsolation，thatoneofhisneighborshadlostahundredandtwelveheadofcattleinthreedays。

Allthishappened，notbecauseanyonefeltillwilltoLevinortohisfarming；onthecontrary，heknewthattheylikedhim，thinkinghimasimplegentleman(theirhighestpraise)；butithappenedsimplybecausealltheywantedwastoworkmerrilyandcarelessly，andhisinterestswerenotonlyremoteandincomprehensibletothem，butfatallyopposedtotheirmostjustclaims。Longbefore，Levinhadfeltdissatisfactionwithhisownpositioninregardtotheland。Hesawthathisboatleaked，buthedidnotlookfortheleak，perhapspurposelydeceivinghimself。Butnowhecoulddeceivehimselfnolonger。Thefarmingoftheland，ashewasmanagingit，hadbecomenotmerelyunattractivebutrevoltingtohim，andhecouldtakenofurtherinterestinit。

Tothisnowwasjoinedthepresence，onlythirtyverstasoff，ofKittyShcherbatskaia，whomhelongedtoseeandcouldnot。DaryaAlexandrovnaOblonskaiahadinvitedhim，whenhewasoverthere，tocome；tocomewiththeobjectofrenewinghisproposaltohersister，whowould，soshegavehimtounderstand，acceptitnow。LevinhimselfhadfeltonseeingKittyShcherbatskaiathathehadneverceasedtoloveher；buthecouldnotgoovertotheOblonskys’，knowingshewasthere。Thefactthathehadproposedtoher，andthatshehadrefusedhim，hadplacedaninsuperablebarrierbetweenherandhim。`Ican’taskhertobemywifemerelybecauseshecan’tbethewifeofthemanshewantedtomarry，’hesaidtohimself。

Thethoughtofthismadehimcoldandhostiletoher。`Ishouldnotbeabletospeaktoherwithoutafeelingofreproach；Icouldnotlookatherwithoutresentment；andshewillonlyhatemeallthemore，asshe’sboundto。Andbesides，howcanInow，afterwhatDaryaAlexandrovnatoldme，gotoseethem？CanIhelpshowingthatIknowwhatshetoldme？AndIshallcometoforgivehermagnanimously，andtakepityonher！Andgothroughaperformancebeforeherofforgiving，anddeigningtobestowmyloveonher！……WhydidDaryaAlexandrovnatellmethat？Imighthaveseenherbychance-theneverythingwouldhavehappenedofitself；but，asitis，it’soutofthequestion-outofthequestion！’

DaryaAlexandrovnasenthimaletter，askinghimforasidesaddleforKitty’suse。`I’mtoldyouhaveasidesaddle，’shewrotetohim；`I

hopeyouwillbringitoveryourself。’

Thiswasmorethanhecouldstand。Howcouldawomanofanyintelligence，ofanydelicacy，puthersisterinsuchahumiliatingposition！Hewrotetennotes，andtorethemallup，andthensentthesaddlewithoutanyreply。

Towritethathewouldcomewasimpossible，becausehecouldnotcome；

towritethathecouldnotcomebecausesomethingpreventedhim，orthathewouldbeaway，wouldbestillworse。Hesentthesaddlewithoutanyanswer；andwithasenseofhavingdonesomethingshameful，hehandedoverallthenowrevoltingbusinessoftheestatetohisbailiff，andsetoffnextdaytoaremotedistricttoseehisfriendSviiazhsky，whohadsplendidmarshesfordoublesnipesinhisneighborhood，andhadlatelywritten，askinghimtokeepalong-standingpromisetovisithim。Thesnipemarsh，intheSurovskydistrict，hadlongtemptedLevin，buthehadcontinuallyputoffthisvisitonaccountofhisworkontheestate。NowhewasgladtogetawayfromtheneighborhoodoftheShcherbatskys，andstillmorefromhisfarmwork，especiallyonashootingexpedition，whichalwaysservedasthebestconsolationintrouble。

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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter25[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter25IntheSurovskydistricttherewasneitherrailwaynormailcoach，andLevindrovetherewithhisownhorsesinhistarantass。

Hestoppedhalfwayatawell-to-dopeasant’stofeedhishorses。

Abald，well-preservedoldman，withabroad，redbeard，grizzledonhischeeks，openedthegate，squeezingagainstthegateposttoletthetroikapass。Directingthecoachmantoaplaceundertheshedinthebig，clean，tidynewyard，withcharred，woodenplowsinit，theoldmanaskedLevintocomeintotheroom。Acleanlydressedyounghousewife，withclogsonherbarefeet，wasscrubbingthefloorinthenewouterroom。ShewasfrightenedbythedogthatraninafterLevin，andutteredashriek，butbeganlaughingatherownfrightatoncewhenshewastoldthedogwouldnothurther。

PointingouttoLevinwithherbarearmthedoorintotheroom，shebentdownagain，hidingherhandsomeface，andwentonscrubbing。

`Wouldyoulikeasamovar？’sheasked。

`Yes，please。’