第15章

Doyouknow，Miaghkovhaspromisedmeaplacethere，andI’mgoingintotheservice。NowI’mgoingtoarrangemylifequitedifferently，’hewenton。`YouknowIgotridofthatwoman。’

`MaryaNikolaevna？Why，whatfor？’

`Oh，shewasahorridwoman！Shecausedmeallsortsofannoyances。’

Buthedidnotsaywhattheannoyanceswere。HecouldnotsaythathehaddrivenoffMaryaNikolaevnabecausetheteawasweak，and，aboveall，becauseshewouldlookafterhimasthoughhewereaninvalid。`Besides，Iwanttoturnoveranewleafcompletelynow。I’vedonesillythings，ofcourse，likeeveryoneelse，butmoney’sthelastconsideration；Idon’tregretit。Solongasthere’shealth-andmyhealth，thankGod，isquiterestored。’

Levinlistenedandrackedhisbrains，butcouldthinkofnothingtosay。Nikolaiprobablyfeltthesame；hebeganquestioninghisbrotherabouthisaffairs；andLevinwasgladtotalkabouthimself，becausethenhecouldspeakwithouthypocrisy。Hetoldhisbrotherofhisplansandhisdoings。

Hisbrotherlistened，butevidentlyhewasnotinterested。

Thesetwomenweresoakin，soneareachother，thattheslightestgesture，thetoneofvoice，toldbothmorethancouldbesaidinwords。

Bothofthemnowhadonlyonethought-theillnessofNikolaiandthenearnessofhisdeath-whichstifledallelse。Butneitherofthemdaredspeakofit，andso，whatevertheysaid-withoututteringtheonethoughtthatfilledtheirminds-wasallfalsehood。NeverhadLevinbeensogladwhentheeveningwasoveranditwastimetogotobed。Neverwithanyoutsideperson，neveronanyofficialvisit，hadhebeensounnaturalandfalseashewasthatevening。Andtheconsciousnessofthisunnaturalness，andtheremorsehefeltatit，madehimevenmoreunnatural。Hewantedtoweepoverhisdying，dearlylovedbrother，andhehadtolistenandkeepontalkingofhowhemeanttolive。

Asthehousewasdamp，andonlytheonebedroomhadbeenkeptheated，Levinputhisbrothertosleepinhisownbedroom，behindapartition。

Hisbrothergotintobed，andwhetherhesleptordidnotsleep，tossedaboutlikeasickman，coughed，andwhenhecouldnotgethisthroatclear，mumbledsomething。Sometimeswhenhisbreathingwaspainful，hesaid，`Oh，myGod！’Sometimeswhenhewaschokinghemutteredangrily，`Ah，thedevil！’Levincouldnotsleepforalongwhile，hearinghim。Histhoughtswereofthemostvariouskinds，buttheendofallhisthoughtswasthesame-death。

Death，theinevitableendofall，forthefirsttimepresenteditselftohimwithirresistibleforce。Anddeath，whichwashereinthislovedbrother，groaninghalf-asleepandfromhabitcallingwithoutdistinctiononGodandthedevil，wasnotsoremoteasithadhithertoseemedtohim。

Itwasinhimself，too，thathefeltthis。Ifnottoday，tomorrow；ifnottomorrow，inthirtyyears-wasn’titallthesame？Andwhatwasthisinevitabledeath-hedidnotknow，hadneverthoughtaboutit，and，whatwasmore，hadnotthepower，hadnotthecouragetothinkaboutit。

`Iwork，Iwanttodosomething，butIhadforgottenitmustallend；Ihadforgotten-death。’

Hesatonhisbedinthedarkness，crouchedup，hugginghisknees，and，holdinghisbreathfromthestrainofthought，hepondered。Butthemoreintenselyhethought，thecleareritbecametohimthatitwasindubitablyso，that，inreality，lookinguponlife，hehadforgottenonelittlefact-thatdeathwillcome，andallends；thatnothingwasevenworthbeginning，andthattherewasnohelpingitanyway。Yes，itwasawful，butitwasso。

`ButIamalivestill。What’stobedonenow-what’stobedone？’

heaskedindespair。Helightedacandle，gotupcautiously，wenttothelookingglass，andbeganlookingathisfaceandhair。Yes，thereweregrayhairsabouthistemples。Heopenedhismouth。Hisbackteethwerebeginningtodecay。Hebaredhismusculararms。Yes，therewasstrengthinthem。ButNikolenka，wholaytherebreathingwithwhatwasleftofhislungs，hadhadastrong，healthybodytoo。Andsuddenlyherecalledhowtheyusedtogotobedtogetheraschildren，andhowtheyonlywaitedtillFiodorBogdanichwasoutoftheroomtoflingpillowsateachotherandlaugh，laughirrepressibly，sothateventheiraweofFiodorBogdanichcouldnotchecktheeffervescing，overbrimmingsenseoflifeandhappiness。

`Andnowthatwarped，hollowchest……AndI，notknowingwhatwillbecomeofme，orwherefore……’

`K-ha！K-ha！Damnation！Whydoyoukeepfidgeting-whydon’tyougotosleep？’hisbrother’svoicecalledtohim。

`Oh，Idon’tknow；I’mnotsleepy。’

`Ihavehadagoodsleep，I’mnotinasweatnow。Justsee，feelmyshirt-there’snosweat，isthere？’

Levinfeltit，withdrewbehindthepartition，andputoutthecandle，butforalongwhilehecouldnotsleep。Thequestionhowtolivehadhardlybeguntogrowalittleclearertohim，whenanew，insolvablequestionpresenteditself-death。

`Why，he’sdying-yes，he’lldieinthespring；andhowisonetohelphim？WhatcanIsaytohim？WhatdoIknowaboutit？I’devenforgottentheveryfactofit。’

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter32[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter32Levinhadlongbeforemadetheobservationthatwhenoneisuncomfortablewithpeoplefromtheirbeingexcessivelyamenableandmeek，oneisaptverysoonaftertofindthingsintolerablefromtheirpretensionsandirritability。

Hefeltthatthiswashowitwouldbewithhisbrother。AndhisbrotherNikolai’sgentlenessdidnot，infact，lastoutforlong。Theverynextmorninghebegantobeirritable，andseemeddoinghisbesttofindfaultwithhisbrother，attackinghimonhistenderestpoints。

Levinfelthimselftoblame，andcouldnotsetthingsright。Hefeltthatiftheyhadbothnotkeptupappearances，buthadspoken，asitiscalled，fromtheheart-thatistosay，hadsaidonlyjustwhattheywerethinkingandfeeling-theywouldsimplyhavelookedintoeachother’sfaces，andKonstantincouldonlyhavesaid:`You’redying，you’redying，’andNikolaicouldonlyhaveanswered:`IknowI’mdying，butI’mafraid，I’mafraid，I’mafraid！’Andtheycouldhavesaidnothingmore，iftheyhadsaidonlywhatwasintheirhearts。Butlifelikethatwasimpossible，andsoKonstantintriedtodowhathehadbeentryingtodoallhislife，andnevercouldlearntodo，though，asfarashecouldobserve，manypeopleknewsowellhowtodoit，andwithoutittherewasnolivingatall。Hetriedtosaywhathewasnotthinking，buthefeltcontinuallythatithadaringoffalsehood，thathisbrotherdetectedhiminit，andwasexasperatedatit。

ThethirddayNikolaiinducedhisbrothertoexplainhisplantohimagain，andbegannotmerelyattackingit，butintentionallyconfoundingitwithcommunism。

`You’vesimplyborrowedanideathat’snotyourown，butyou’vedistortedit，andaretryingtoapplyitwhereit’snotapplicable。’

`ButItellyouthere’snothingincommon。Theydenythejusticeofproperty，ofcapital，ofinheritance，whileIdonotdenythischiefstimulus。’(Levinfeltdisgustedhimselfatusingsuchexpressions，buteversincehehadbeenengrossedbyhiswork，hehadunconsciouslycomemoreandmorefrequentlytousenon-Russianwords。)`AllIwantistoregulatelabor。’

`Whichmeans，you’veborrowedanidea，strippeditofallthatgaveititsforce，andwanttomakebelievethatit’ssomethingnew，’saidNikolai，angrilytuggingathisnecktie。

`Butmyideahasnothingincommon……’

`Theother，atanyrate，’saidNikolaiLevin，withanironicalsmile，hiseyesflashingmalignantly，`hasthecharmof-what’sonetocallit？-geometricalsymmetry，ofclearness，ofdefiniteness。ItmaybeaUtopia。Ifoneonceallowsthepossibilityofmakingallthepastatabularasa-noproperty，nofamily-thenlaborwouldorganizeitself。

Butyouhavenothing……’

`Whydoyoumixthingsup？I’veneverbeenacommunist。’

`ButIhave，andIconsiderit’spremature，butrational，andithasafuture，justlikeChristianityinitsfirstages。’

`AllthatImaintainisthatthelaborforceoughttobeinvestigatedfromthepointofviewofnaturalscience；thatistosay，itoughttobestudied，itsqualitiesascertained……’

`Butthat’sanutterwasteoftime。Thatforcefindsacertainformofactivityofitself，accordingtothestageofitsdevelopment。

Therehavebeenslavesfirst，everywhere；thenmetayers；andwehavethemetayagesystem，rent，anddaylaborers。Whatareyoutryingtofind？’

Levinsuddenlylosthistemperatthesewords，becauseatthebottomofhishearthewasafraidthatitwastrue-truethathewastryingtoholdthebalanceevenbetweencommunismandthefamiliarforms，andthatthiswashardlypossible。

`Iamtryingtofindmeansofworkingproductivelyformyselfandforthelaborers。Iwanttoorganize……’heansweredhotly。

`Youdon’twanttoorganizeanything；it’ssimplythesameasyou’vebeenallyourlife-youwanttobeoriginal，toposeasnotsimplyexploitingthepeasants，butwithsomeideainview。’

`Oh，allright，that’swhatyouthink-andletmealone！’answeredLevin，feelingthemusclesofhisleftcheektwitchinguncontrollably。

`You’veneverhad，andneverhave，convictions；allyouwantistopleaseyourvanity。’

`Oh，verywell；letmealonethen！’

`AndIwillletyoualone！Andit’shightimeIdid，andgotothedevilwithyou！AndI’mverysorryIevercame！’

InspiteofallLevin’seffortstosoothehisbrotherafterward，Nikolaiwouldlistentonothinghesaid，declaringthatitwasbettertopart，andKonstantinsawthatitwassimplyacaseoflifebeingunbearabletohim。

Nikolaiwasjustgettingreadytogo，whenKonstantinwentintohimagainandbeggedhim，ratherunnaturally，toforgivehimifhehadhurthisfeelingsinanyway。

`Ah，generosity！’saidNikolai，andhesmiled。`Ifyouwanttoberight，Icangiveyouthatsatisfaction。You’reintheright；butI’mgoingallthesame。’

ItwasonlyjustatpartingthatNikolaikissedhim，andsaid，lookingwithsuddenstrangenessandseriousnessathisbrother:

`Anyway，don’trememberevilagainstme，Kostia！’andhisvoicequavered。

Theseweretheonlywordsthathadbeenspokensincerelybetweenthem。Levinknewthatthosewordsmeant，`Yousee，andyouknow，thatI’minabadway，andmaybeweshallneverseeeachotheragain。’Levinknewthis，andthetearsgushedfromhiseyes。Hekissedhisbrotheroncemore，buthecouldnotspeak，andknewnotwhattosay。

Twodaysafterhisbrother’sdeparture，Levintoosetoffforhisforeigntour。HappeningtomeetShcherbatsky，Kitty’scousin，intherailwaytrain，Levingreatlyastonishedhimbyhisdepression。

`What’sthematterwithyou？’Shcherbatskyaskedhim。

`Oh，nothing；there’snotmuchhappinessinlife。’

`Notmuch？YoucomewithmetoParisinsteadoftoMulhouse。Youshallseehowtobehappy。’

`No，I’vedonewithitall。It’stimeIwasdead。’

`Well，that’sagoodone！’saidShcherbatsky，laughing，`why，I’monlyjustgettingreadytobegin。’

`Yes，Ithoughtthesamenotlongago，butnowIknowIshallsoonbedead。’

Levinsaidwhathehadgenuinelybeenthinkingoflate。Hesawnothingbutdeath，oranapproachtodeathineverything。Buthischerishedschemeonlyengrossedhimthemore。Lifehadtobegotthroughsomehow，tilldeathdidcome。Darknesshadfallenuponeverythingforhim；butjustbecauseofthisdarknesshefeltthattheoneguidingclueinthedarknesswashiswork，andheclutchedit，andclungtoitwithallhisstrength。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart4，Chapter01[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]PARTFOURChapter1TheKarenins，husbandandwife，continuedlivinginthesamehouse，meteveryday，butwerecompletestrangerstooneanother。AlexeiAlexandrovichmadeitaruletoseehiswifeeveryday，sothattheservantsmighthavenogroundsforsuppositions，butavoideddiningathome。VronskywasneveratAlexeiAlexandrovich’shouse，butAnnasawhimawayfromhome，andherhusbandwasawareofit。

Thepositionwasoneoftortureforallthree；andnotoneofthemwouldhavebeenequaltoenduringthispositionforasingleday，haditnotbeenfortheexpectationthatitwouldchange，thatitwasmerelyatemporarypainfuldifficultywhichwouldpassover。AlexeiAlexandrovichhopedthatthispassionwouldpass，aseverythingdoespass，thateveryonewouldforgetaboutit，andhisnamewouldremainunsullied。Anna，onwhomthepositiondepended，andforwhomitwasmorepoignantthanforanyother，endureditbecauseshenotmerelyhoped，butfirmlybelieved，thatitwouldallverysoonbesettledandcomeright。Shehadnottheleastideawhatwouldsettlethesituation，butshefirmlybelievedthatsomethingwouldnowverysoonturnup。Vronskyunaccountablyfollowedherlead，hopingtoothatsomething，independentofhim，wouldbesuretoclearupalldifficulties。

InthemiddleofthewinterVronskyspentaverytiresomeweek。

AforeignPrince，whohadcomeonavisittoPeterburg，wasputunderhischarge，andhehadtoshowhimthesightsworthseeing。Vronskywasofdistinguishedappearance；hepossessed，moreover，theartofbehavingwithrespectfuldignity，andwasusedtohavingtodowithsuchgrandpersonages-thatwashowhecametobeputinchargeofthePrince。Buthefelthisdutiestobeveryirksome。ThePrincewasanxioustomissnothingaboutwhichhewouldbeaskedathome:HadheseenthisandthatinRussia？AndonhisownaccounthewasanxioustoenjoytotheutmostallRussianformsofamusement。Vronskywasobligedtobehisguideinsatisfyingboththeseinclinations。Themorningstheyspentdrivingtolookatplacesofinterest:

theeveningstheypassedenjoyingthenationalamusements。TheprinceenjoyedahealthexceptionalevenamongPrinces。Bygymnasticsandcarefulattentiontohispersonhehadbroughthimselftosuchapointthatinspiteofhisexcessesinpleasurehelookedasfreshasabig，glossy，greenDutchcucumber。

ThePrincehadtraveledagreatdeal，andconsideredoneofthechiefadvantagesofmodernfacilitiesofcommunicationtheaccessibilityofthepleasuresofallnations。HehadbeeninSpain，andtherehadindulgedinserenades，andhadmadefriendswithaSpanishgirlwhoplayedthemandolin。InSwitzerlandhehadkilledchamois。InEnglandhehadgallopedinaredcoatoverhedgesandkilledtwohundredpheasantsonabet。InTurkeyhehadgotintoaharem；inIndiahehadtraveledonanelephant；andnow，inRussia，hewishedtotasteallthepeculiarlyRussianformsofpleasure。

Vronsky，whowas，asitwere，chiefmasteroftheceremoniestohim，wasatgreatpainstodistributealltheRussianamusementssuggestedbyvariouspersonstothePrince。Theyhadracehorses，andRussianpancakesandbearhunts，andtroikas，andgypsychoruses，anddrinkingorgies，withtheRussianaccompanimentofbrokencrockery。AndthePrince，withsurprisingease，fellinwiththeRussianspirit；hesmashedtraysfullofcrockery，satwithagypsygirlonhisknee，andseemedtobeasking:Whatmore？

OrdoesthewholeRussianspiritconsistinjustthis？

Inreality，ofalltheRussianentertainmentsthePrincelikedbestFrenchactresses，aballetdancer，andwhite-sealchampagne。VronskywasusedtoPrinces，but，eitherbecausehehadhimselfchangedoflate，orthathewasintoocloseproximitytothePrince，thatweekseemedfearfullywearisometohim。Thewholeofthatweekheexperiencedunceasinglyasensationsuchasamanmighthavewhohasbeenputinchargeofadangerousmadman，whoisafraidofthemadman，and，atthesametime，frombeingwithhim，fearsforhisownreason。Vronskywascontinuallyconsciousofthenecessityofneverforasecondrelaxingthetoneofsternofficialrespectfulness，sothathemightnothimselfbeinsulted。ThePrince’smanneroftreatingtheverypeoplewho，toVronsky’ssurprise，werereadytodescendtoanydepthstoprovidehimwithRussianamusements，wascontemptuous。HiscriticismsofRussianwomen，whomhewishedtostudy，morethanoncemadeVronskycrimsonwithindignation。ThechiefreasonwhythePrincewassoparticularlydisagreeabletoVronskywasthathecouldnothelpseeinghimselfinhim。

Andwhathesawinthismirrordidnotgratifyhisself-esteem。Hewasaverystupidandaveryself-satisfiedandaveryhealthyandaverywell-washedman，andnothingelse。Hewasagentleman，itwastrue，andVronskycouldnotdenyit。Hewasequableandnotcringingwithhissuperiors，wasfreeandingratiatinginhisbehaviorwithhisequals，andwascontemptuouslyindulgentwithhisinferiors。Vronskywashimselfthesame，andregardeditasagreatmerittobeso。ButtothisPrincehewasaninferior，andhiscontemptuousandindulgentattitudetohimrevoltedhim。

`Brainlessbeef！CanIbelikethat？’hereflected。

Bethatasitmight，when，ontheseventhday，hepartedfromthePrince，whowasstartingforMoscow，andreceivedhisthanks，hewashappytoberidofhisuncomfortablepositionandtheunpleasantreflectionofhimself。Hesaidgood-bytohimatthestation，ontheirreturnfromabearhunt，atwhichtheyhadhadadisplayofRussianderring-dokeptupallnight。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart4，Chapter02[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter2Whenhegothome，VronskyfoundthereanotefromAnna。Shewrote:`Iamillandunhappy。Icannotcomeout，yetcannotgoonlongerwithoutseeingyou。Comeinthisevening。AlexeiAlexandrovichgoestotheCouncilatsevenandwillbetheretillten。’Afteraminute’sreflectiononthestrangenessofherbiddinghimcomestraighttoher，inspiteofherhusband’sinsistingonhernotreceivinghim，hedecidedtogo。

Vronskyhadthatwintergothispromotion，wasnowacolonel，hadlefttheregiment，andwaslivingalone。Afterhavingsomelunch，helaydownonthesofaimmediately，andinfiveminutesmemoriesofthehideoussceneshehadwitnessedduringthelastfewdayswerejumbledandjoinedtoamentalimageofAnnaandofthepeasant，oneoftheencompassingpeople，whohadplayedanimportantpartinthebearhunt，andVronskyfellasleep。

Hewakedupinthedark，tremblingwithhorror，andmadehastetolightacandle。`Whatwasit？What？WhatwasthedreadfulthingIdreamed？Yes，yes；thepeasantbearhunter，Ithink；alittledirtymanwithadisheveledbeardwasstoopingdowndoingsomething，andallofasuddenhebegansayingsomestrangewordsinFrench。Yes，therewasnothingelseinthedream，’

hesaidtohimself。`Butwhywasitsoawful？’HevividlyrecalledthepeasantagainandthoseincomprehensibleFrenchwordsthepeasanthaduttered，andachillofhorrorrandownhisspine。

`Whatnonsense！’thoughtVronsky，andglancedathiswatch。

Itwashalf-pasteightalready。Heranguphisservant，dressedinhaste，andwentoutonthesteps，completelyforgettingthedreamandonlyworriedatbeinglate。AshedroveuptotheKarenins’entrancehelookedathiswatchandsawitwastenminutestonine。Ahigh，narrowcarriagewithapairofgrayswasstandingattheentrance。HerecognizedAnna’scarriage。`Sheiscomingtome，’thoughtVronsky，`andbettersheshould。Idon’tlikegoingintothathouse。Butnomatter；Ican’thidemyself，’hethought，andwiththatmannerpeculiartohimfromchildhood，asofamanwhohasnothingtobeashamedof，Vronskygotoutofhissleighandwenttothedoor。Thedooropened，andthehallporterwitharugonhisarmcalledthecarriage。Vronsky，thoughhedidnotusuallynoticedetails，noticedatthismomenttheamazedexpressionwithwhichtheporterglancedathim。IntheverydoorwayVronskyalmostranupagainstAlexeiAlexandrovich。Thegasjetthrewitsfulllightonthebloodless，sunkenfaceundertheblackhat，andonthewhitecravat，brilliantagainstthebeaverofthecoat。Karenin’sfixed，dulleyeswerefasteneduponVronsky’sface。Vronskybowed，andAlexeiAlexandrovich，chewinghislips，liftedhishandtohishatandwenton。Vronskysawhimgetintothecarriagewithoutlookingback，receivetherugandtheoperaglassesthroughthewindow，anddisappear。Vronskywentintothehall。Hisbrowswerescowling，andhiseyesgleamedwithaproudandangrylightinthem。

`Whatasituation！’hethought。`Ifhewouldfight，wouldstandupforhishonor，Icouldact，couldexpressmyfeelings；butthisweaknessorbaseness……Heputsmeinthepositionofplayingfalse，whichInevermeantandnevermeantodo。’

Vronsky’sideashadchangedsincethedayofhisconversationwithAnnaintheVredegarden。UnconsciouslyyieldingtotheweaknessofAnna-whohadsurrenderedherselfuptohimutterly，andsimplylookedtohimtodecideherfate，readytosubmittoanything-hehadlongceasedtothinkthattheirliaisonmightendashehadthoughtthen。Hisambitiousplanshadretreatedintothebackgroundagain，andfeelingthathehadgotoutofthatcircleofactivityinwhicheverythingwasdefinite，hehadgivenhimselfupentirelytohispassion，andthatpassionwasbindinghimmoreandmorecloselytoher。

Hewasstillinthehallwhenhecaughtthesoundofherretreatingfootsteps。Herealizedshehadbeenexpectinghim，hadlistenedforhim，andwasnowgoingbacktothedrawingroom。

`No，’shecried，onseeinghim，andatthefirstsoundofhervoicethetearscameintohereyes。`No；ifthingsaretogoonlikethis，theendwillcomemuch，muchtoosoon。’

`Whatisit，dearone？’

`What？I’vebeenwaitinginagonyforanhour，twohours……No，Iwon’t……Ican’tquarrelwithyou。Ofcourseyoucouldn’tcome。No，I

won’t。’

Shelaidhertwohandsonhisshoulders，andlookedalongwhileathimwithaprofound，passionate，and，atthesametime，searchinglook。

Shewasstudyinghisfacetomakeupforthetimeshehadnotseenhim。

Shewas，everytimeshesawhim，makingthepictureofhiminherimagination(incomparablysuperior，impossibleinreality)fitwithhimashereallywas。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart4，Chapter03[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter3`Youmethim？’sheasked，whentheyhadsatdownatthetableinthelamplight。

`You’repunished，yousee，forbeinglate。’

`Yes；buthowwasit？Wasn’thetobeattheCouncil？’

`Hehadbeenandcomeback，andwasgoingoutsomewhereagain。

Butthatdoesn’tmatter。Don’ttalkaboutit。Wherehaveyoubeen？WiththePrincestill？’

Shekneweverydetailofhisexistence。Hewasgoingtosaythathehadbeenupallnightandhaddroppedasleep，butlookingatherthrilledandrapturousface，hewasashamed。AndhesaidhehadhadtoreportonthePrince’sdeparture。

`Butit’sovernow？Heisgone？’

`ThankGodit’sover！Youwouldn’tbelievehowinsufferableit’sbeenforme。’

`Whyso？Isn’titthelifeallofyou-allyoungmen-alwayslead？’shesaid，knittingherbrows；and，takingupthecrochetworkthatwaslyingonthetable，shebegandrawingthehookoutofit，withoutlookingatVronsky。

`Igavethatlifeuplongago，’saidhe，wonderingatthechangeinherface，andtryingtodivineitsmeaning。`AndIconfess，’hesaid，withasmile，showinghisthick，whiteteeth，`thisweekI’vebeen，asitwere，lookingatmyselfinaglass，seeingthatlife，andIdidn’tlikeit。’

Sheheldtheworkinherhands，butdidnotcrochet，andlookedathimwithstrange，shining，andhostileeyes。

`ThismorningLizacametoseeme-they’renotafraidtocallonme，inspiteoftheCountessLidiaIvanovna，’sheputin-`andshetoldmeaboutyourAthenianevening。Howloathsome！’

`Iwasjustgoingtosay……’

Sheinterruptedhim。

`ItwasthatThé；rè；seyouusedtoknow？’

`Iwasjustsaying……’

`Howdisgustingyouare，youmen！Howisityoucan’tunderstandthatawomancanneverforgetthat，’shesaid，gettingmoreandmoreangry，andsolettinghimseethecauseofherirritation，`especiallyawomanwhocannotknowyourlife？WhatdoIknow？WhathaveIeverknown？’shesaid。`Onlywhatyoutellme。AndhowdoIknowwhetheryoutellmethetruth？……’

`Anna，youhurtme。Don’tyoutrustme？Haven’tItoldyouthatIhaven’tathoughtIwouldn’tlaybaretoyou？’

`Yes，yes，’shesaid，evidentlytryingtosuppressherjealousthoughts。`ButifonlyyouknewhowwretchedIam！Ibelieveyou，Ibelieveyou……Whatwereyousaying？’

Buthecouldnotatoncerecallwhathehadbeengoingtosay。

Thesefitsofjealousy，whichoflatehadbeenmoreandmorefrequentwithher，horrifiedhim，andhowevermuchhetriedtodisguisethefact，madehimfeelcoldtoher，althoughheknewthecauseofherjealousywasherloveforhim。Howoftenhehadtoldhimselfthatherlovewashappiness；

andnowshelovedhimasawomancanlovewhenlovehasoutweighedforherallthegoodthingsoflife-andhewasmuchfurtherfromhappinessthanwhenhehadfollowedherfromMoscow。Thenhehadthoughthimselfunhappy，buthappinesswasbeforehim；nowhefeltthatthebesthappinesswasalreadyleftbehind。Shewasutterlyunlikewhatshehadbeenwhenhefirstsawher。Bothmorallyandphysicallyshehadchangedfortheworse。

Shehadbroadenedoutallover，andinherfaceatthetimewhenshewasspeakingoftheactresstherewasanevilexpressionofhatredthatdistortedit。Helookedatherasamanlooksatafadedflowerhehasgathered，withdifficultyrecognizinginitthebeautyforwhichhepickedandruinedit。Andinspiteofthishefeltthatthen，whenhislovewasstronger，hecould，ifhehadgreatlywishedit，havetornthatloveoutofhisheart；

butnowwhen，asatthismomentitseemedtohimhefeltnoloveforher，heknewthathisbondwithhercouldnotbebroken。

`Well，well，whatwasityouweregoingtosayaboutthePrince？

Ihavedrivenawaythefiend，Ihave，’sheadded。Thefiendwasthenametheyhadgivenherjealousy。`WhatdidyoubegintotellmeaboutthePrince？

Whydidyoufinditsotiresome？’

`Oh，itwasintolerable！’hesaid，tryingtopickupthethreadofhisinterruptedthought。`Hedoesnotimproveoncloseracquaintance。

Ifyouwanthimdefined，hereheis:aprime，well-fedanimal，suchastakesmedalsatthecattleshows，andnothingmore，’hesaid，withatoneofvexationthatinterestedher。

`No；howso？’shereplied。`He’sseenagreatdeal，anyway；he’scultured？’

`It’sanutterlydifferentculture-theirculture。He’scultivated，onesees，simplytobeabletodespiseculture，astheydespiseeverythingbutanimalpleasures。’

`Butdon’tyouallcarefortheseanimalpleasures？’shesaid，andagainhenoticedadarklookinhereyesthatavoidedhim。

`Howisityou’redefendinghim？’hesaid，smiling。

`I’mnotdefendinghim，it’snothingtome；butIimagine，ifyouhadnotcaredforthosepleasuresyourself，youmighthavegotoutofthem。ButitaffordsyousatisfactiontogazeatThé；rè；seintheattireofEve……’

`Again-againthedevil，’Vronskysaid，takingthehandshehadlaidonthetableandkissingit。

`Yes；butIcan’thelpit。Youdon’tknowwhatIhavesufferedwaitingforyou。IbelieveI’mnotjealous。I’mnotjealous:Ibelieveyouwhenyou’rehere，nearme；butwhenyou’reawaysomewhereleadingyourlifealone，soincomprehensibletome……’

Sheturnedawayfromhim，pulledthehookatlastoutofthecrochetwork，andrapidlywiththehelpofherforefinger，beganworkingloopafterloopofthewoolthatwasdazzlinglywhiteinthelamplight，whiletheslenderwristmovedswiftly，nervouslyinitsembroideredcuff。

`Howwasit，then？WheredidyoumeetAlexeiAlexandrovich？’Hervoicesoundedinanunnaturalandjarringtone。

`Weranagainsteachotherinthedoorway。’

`Andhebowedtoyoulikethis？’

Shedrewalongface，andhalf-closinghereyes，quicklytransformedherexpression，foldedherhands，andVronskysuddenlysawinherbeautifulfacetheveryexpressionwithwhichAlexeiAlexandrovichhadbowedtohim。

Hesmiled，whileshelaughedgaily，withthatsweet，deeplaugh，whichwasoneofhergreatestcharms。

`Idon’tunderstandhimintheleast，’saidVronsky。`Ifafteryouravowaltohimatyoursummervillahehadbrokenwithyou，ifhehadchallengedme……ButthisIcan’tunderstand。Howcanheputupwithsuchaposition？Hefeelsit，that’sevident。’

`He？’shesaidsneeringly。`He’sperfectlysatisfied。’

`Whatareweallmiserablefor，wheneverythingmightbesowell？’

`Exceptforhim。Don’tIknowhim-thefalsityinwhichhe’sutterlysteeped？……Couldone，withanyfeeling，liveasheislivingwithme？Heunderstandsnothing，andfeelsnothing。Couldamanofanyfeelingliveinthesamehousewithhisunfaithfulwife？Couldhetalktoher，callher``mydear’？’

Andagainshecouldnothelpmimickinghim:`Anna，machè；re；

Anna，dear！’

`He’snotaman，notahumanbeing-he’samannikin！Nooneknowshim；butIknowhim。Oh，ifI’dbeeninhisplace，I’dlongagohavekilled，havetorntopiecesawifelikeme。Iwouldn’thavesaid，``Anna，machè；re’！He’snotaman，he’saministerialmachine。Hedoesn’tunderstandthatI’myourwife，thathe’soutside，thathe’ssuperfluous……

Don’tlet’stalkofhim！……’

`You’reunfair，veryunfair，dearest，’saidVronsky，tryingtosootheher。`Butnevermind，don’tlet’stalkofhim。Tellmewhatyou’vebeendoing。Whatisthematter？Whyareyouunwell，andwhatdidthedoctorsay？’

Shelookedathimwithmockingamusement。Evidentlyshehadhitonotherabsurdandgrotesqueaspectsinherhusbandandwasawaitingthemomenttogiveexpressiontothem。

Buthewenton:

`Iimaginethatit’snotillness，butyourcondition。Whenwillitbe？’

Theironicallightdiedawayinhereyes，butadifferentsmile，aconsciousnessofsomething，hedidnotknowwhat，andofquietmelancholy，cameoverherface。

`Soon，soon。Yousaythatourpositionismiserable，thatwemustputanendtoit。Ifyouknewhowterribleitistome-whatIwouldgivetobeabletoloveyoufreelyandunafraid！Ishouldnottorturemyselfandtortureyouwithmyjealousy……Anditwillcomesoon，butnotasweexpect。’

Andatthethoughtofhowitwouldcome，sheseemedsopitiabletoherselfthattearscameintohereyes，andshecouldnotgoon。Shelaidonhissleeveherhand，shiningwithitswhitenessanditsringsinthelamplight。

`Itwon’tcomeaswesuppose。Ididn’tmeantosaythistoyou，butyou’vemademe。Soon，soon，allwillbeover，andweshallall，allbeatpeace，andsuffernomore。’

`Idon’tunderstand，’hesaid，understandingher。

`Youaskedwhen？Soon。AndIshan’tlivethroughit。Don’tinterruptme！’andshemadehastetospeak。`Iknowit；Iknowforcertain。Ishalldie；andI’mverygladIshalldie，andreleasemyselfandyou。’

Tearsdroppedfromhereyes；hebentdownoverherhandandbegankissingit，tryingtohidehisemotion，which，heknew，hadnosortofgrounds，thoughhecouldnotcontrolit。

`Yes，it’sbetterso，’shesaid，tightlygrippinghishand。`That’stheonlyway-theonlywayleftus。’

Hehadrecoveredhimself，andliftedhishead。

`Howabsurd！Whatabsurdnonsenseyouaretalking！’

`No，it’sthetruth。’

`What-what’sthetruth？’

`ThatIshalldie。Ihavehadadream。’

`Adream？’repeatedVronsky，andinstantlyherecalledthepeasantofhisdream。

`Yes，adream，’shesaid。`It’salongwhilesinceIdreamedit。

IdreamedthatIranintomybedroom，thatIhadtogetsomethingthere，tofindoutsomething；youknowhowitisindreams，’shesaid，hereyeswidewithhorror；`andinthebedroom，inthecorner，stoodsomething。’

`Oh，whatnonsense！Howcanyoubelieve……’

Butshewouldnotlethiminterrupther。Whatshewassayingwastooimportanttoher。

`Andthesomethingturnedround，andIsawitwasapeasantwithadisheveledbeard-alittleman，anddreadful。Iwantedtorunaway，buthebentdownoverasack，andwasfumblingtherewithhishands……’

Sheshowedhowhehadmovedhishands。Therewasterrorinherface。AndVronsky，rememberinghisdream，feltthesameterrorfillinghissoul。

`Hewasfumblingandkepttalkingquickly，quicklyinFrench，and，youknow，heburred:Ilfautlebattre，lefer，lebroyer，lepé；trir……

AndinmyhorrorItriedtowakeup，andwokeup……butwokeupinthedream。AndIbeganaskingmyselfwhatitmeant。AndKorneisaidtome:

``Inchildbirthyou’lldie，ma’am，you’lldie……’AndIwokeup。’

`Whatnonsense，whatnonsense！’saidVronsky；buthefelthimselfthattherewasnoconvictioninhisvoice。

`Butdon’tlet’stalkofit。Ringthebell，I’llhavetea。Andstayalittle，now；it’snotlongIshall……’

Butallatonceshestopped。Theexpressionofherfaceinstantaneouslychanged。Horrorandexcitementweresuddenlyreplacedbyalookofsoft，solemn，blissfulattention。Hecouldnotcomprehendthemeaningofthechange。Shewaslisteningtothestirringofthenewlifewithinher。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart4，Chapter04[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter4AlexeiAlexandrovich，aftermeetingVronskyonhisownsteps，drove，ashehadintended，totheItalianopera。Hesatthroughtwoactsthere，andsaweveryonehewantedtosee。Onreturninghome，hecarefullyscrutinizedthehatstand，andnoticingthattherewasnotamilitaryovercoatthere，hewent，asusual，tohisownroom。But，contrarytohisusualhabit，hedidnotgotobed；hewalkedupanddownhisstudytillthreeo’clockinthemorning。Thefeelingoffuriousangerwithhiswife，whowouldnotobservetheproprietiesandkeeptotheonestipulationhehadlaidonher-nottoreceiveherloverinherownhouse-gavehimnopeace。Shehadnotcompliedwithhisrequest，andhewasboundtopunishherandcarryouthisthreat-obtainadivorceandtakeawayhisson。Heknewallthedifficultiesconnectedwiththiscourse，buthehadsaidhewoulddoit，andnowhemustcarryouthisthreat。CountessLidiaIvanovnahadhintedthatthiswasthebestwayoutofhisposition，andoflatetheobtainingofdivorceshadbeenbroughttosuchapitchofperfectionthatAlexeiAlexandrovichsawapossibilityofovercomingtheformaldifficulties。

Misfortunesnevercomesingly，andtheaffairsofthereorganizationofthenativetribes，andoftheirrigationofthelandsoftheZaraiskyprovince，hadbroughtsuchofficialworriesuponAlexeiAlexandrovichthathehadbeenoflateinacontinualstateofextremeirritability。

Hedidnotsleepthewholenight，andhisfurygrowinginasortofvast，arithmeticalprogression，reacheditshighestlimitsinthemorning。

Hedressedinhaste，and，asthoughcarryinghiscupfullofwrath，andfearingtospillanyover，fearingtolosewithhiswraththeenergynecessaryfortheinterviewwithhiswife，hewentintoherroomdirectlyheheardshewasup。

Anna，whohadthoughtsheknewherhusbandsowell，wasamazedathisappearancewhenhewentintoher。Hisbrowwasloweringandhiseyesstareddarklybeforehim，avoidinghereyes；hismouthwastightlyandcontemptuouslyshut。Inhiswalk，inhisgestures，inthesoundofhisvoicetherewasadeterminationandfirmnesssuchashiswifehadneverseeninhim。Hewentintoherroom，and，withoutgreetingher，walkedstraightuptoherwritingtable，and，takingherkeys，openedadrawer。

`Whatdoyouwant？’shecried。

`Yourlover’sletters，’hesaid。

`They’renothere，’shesaid，shuttingthedrawer；butfromthatactionhesawhehadguessedright，androughlypushingawayherhand，hequicklysnatchedaportfolioinwhichheknewsheusedtoputhermostimportantpapers。Shetriedtopulltheportfolioaway，buthepushedherback。

`Sitdown！Ihavetospeaktoyou，’hesaid，puttingtheportfoliounderhisarm，andsqueezingitsotightlywithhiselbowthathisshoulderstoodup。

Amazedandintimidated，shegazedathiminsilence。

`ItoldyouthatIwouldnotallowyoutoreceiveyourloverinthishouse。’

`Ihadtoseehimto……’

Shestopped，notfindingareason。

`Idonotenterintothedetailsofwhyawomanwantstoseeherlover。’

`Imeant，Ionly……’shesaid，flushinghotly。Thiscoarsenessofhisangeredher，andgavehercourage。`Surelyyoumustfeelhoweasyitisforyoutoinsultme？’shesaid。

`Anhonestmanandanhonestwomanmaybeinsulted，buttotellathiefhe’sathiefissimplylaconstatationd’unfait。’

`Thiscrueltyissomethingnew-Ididnotknowinyou。’

`Youcallitcrueltyforahusbandtogivehiswifeliberty，givingherthehonorableprotectionofhisname，simplyontheconditionofobservingtheproprieties:isthatcruelty？’

`It’sworsethatcruel-it’sbase，ifyouwanttoknow！’Annacried，inarushofhatred，and，gettingup，shewasabouttoleavetheroom。

`No！’heshriekedinhisshrillvoice，whichpitchedanoteevenhigherthanusual，andhisbighandsclutchingherbythearmsoviolentlythatredmarkswereleftfromthebracelethewassqueezing，heforciblymadehersitdowninherplace。`Base！Ifyoucaretousethatword，whatisbaseistoforsakehusbandandchildforalover，whileyoueatyourhusband’sbread！’

Shebowedherhead。Shedidnotsaywhatshehadsaidtheeveningbeforetoherlover，thathewasherhusband，andherhusbandwassuperfluous；

shedidnoteventhinkofthat。Shefeltallthejusticeofhiswords，andonlysaidsoftly:

`YoucannotdescribemypositionasworsethanIfeelittobemyself；butwhatareyousayingallthisfor？’

`WhatamIsayingitfor？Whatfor？’hewenton，asangrily。`Sothatyoumayknowthat，sinceyouhavenotcarriedoutmywishesinregardtoobservingoutwarddecorum，Iwilltakemeasurestoputanendtothisstateofthings。’

`Soon，verysoon，itwillend，anyway，’shesaid；andagain，atthethoughtofdeathnearathandandnowdesired，tearscameintohereyes。

`Itwillendsoonerthanyouandyourloverhaveplanned！Ifyoumusthavethesatisfactionofanimalpassion……’

`AlexeiAlexandrovich！Iwon’tsayit’snotgenerous，butit’snotlikeagentlemantostrikeanyonewho’sdown。’

`Yes，youonlythinkofyourself！Butthesufferingsofamanwhowasyourhusbandhavenointerestforyou。Youdon’tcarethathiswholelifeisruined，thatheisseff……seff……’

AlexeiAlexandrovichwasspeakingsoquicklythathebegantostammer，andwasutterlyunabletoarticulatetheword`suffering’。Intheendhepronouncedit`saffering’。Shewantedtolaugh，andwasimmediatelyashamedthatanythingcouldamuseheratsuchamoment。Andforthefirsttime，foraninstant，shefeltforhim，putherselfinhisplace，andwassorryforhim。Butwhatcouldshesayordo？Herheadsank，andshesatsilent。Hetoowassilentforsometime，andthenbeganspeakinginafrigid，lessshrillvoice，emphasizingrandomwordsthathadnospecialsignificance。

Icametotellyou……’hesaid。

Sheglancedathim。`No；itwasmyfancy，’shethought，recallingtheexpressionofhisfacewhenhestumbledovertheword`suffering。’

`No；canamanwiththosedulleyes，withthatself-satisfiedcomplacency，feelanything？’

`Icannotchangeanything，’shewhispered。

`IhavecometotellyouthatIamgoingtomorrowtoMoscow，andshallnotreturnagaintothishouse，andyouwillreceivenoticeofwhatIdecidethroughthelawyerintowhosehandsIshallentrustthetaskofgettingadivorce。Mysonisgoingtomysister’s，’saidAlexeiAlexandrovich，withaneffortrecallingwhathehadmeanttosayabouthisson。

`YoutakeSeriozhatohurtme，’shesaid，lookingathimfromunderherbrows。`Youdonotlovehim……LeavemeSeriozha！’

`Yes，Ihavelostevenmyaffectionformyson，becauseheisassociatedwiththerepulsionIfeelforyou。ButstillIshalltakehim。

Good-by！’

Andhewasgoingaway，butnowshedetainedhim。

`AlexeiAlexandrovich，leavemeSeriozha！’shewhisperedoncemore。`Ihavenothingelsetosay。LeaveSeriozhatillmy……Ishallsoonbeconfined；leavehim！’

AlexeiAlexandrovichflaredup，and，snatchinghishandfromher，hewentoutoftheroomwithoutaword。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart4，Chapter05[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter5ThewaitingroomofthecelebratedPeterburglawyerwasfullwhenAlexeiAlexandrovichenteredit。Threeladies-anoldlady，ayounglady，andamerchant’swife，andthreegentlemen-oneaGermanbankerwitharingonhisfinger，thesecondamerchantwithabeard，andthethirdawrathful-lookinggovernmentclerkinofficialuniform，withacrossonhisneck-hadobviouslybeenwaitingalongwhilealready。Twoclerkswerewritingattableswithscratchingpens。Theappurtenancesofthewritingtables，aboutwhichAlexeiAlexandrovichwashimselfveryfastidious，wereexceptionallygood。Hecouldnothelpobservingthis。Oneoftheclerks，withoutgettingup，turnedfretfullytoAlexeiAlexandrovich，half-closinghiseyes。

`Whatisityouwish？’

`Mybusinesshastodowiththelawyer。’

`Heisengaged，’theclerkrespondedseverely，andhepointedwithhispenatthepersonswaiting，andwentonwriting。

`Can’thesparetimetoseeme？’saidAlexeiAlexandrovich。

`Hehasnotimefree；heisalwaysbusy。Kindlywaityourturn。’

`ThenImusttroubleyoutogivehimmycard，’AlexeiAlexandrovichsaidwithdignity，seeingtheimpossibilityofpreservinghisincognito。

Theclerktookthecardand，obviouslynotapprovingofwhathereadonit，wenttothedoor。

AlexeiAlexandrovichwasinprincipleinfavorofthepublicityoflegalproceedings，thoughforsomehigherofficialconsiderationshedislikedtheapplicationoftheprincipleinRussia，anddisapprovedofit，asfarashecoulddisapproveofanythinginstitutedbyauthorityoftheEmperor。Hiswholelifehadbeenspentinadministrativework，andconsequently，whenhedidnotapproveofanything，hisdisapprovalwassoftenedbytherecognitionoftheinevitabilityofmistakesandthepossibilityofreformineverydepartment。Inthenewpubliclawcourtshedislikedtherestrictionslaidonthelawyersconductingcases。Buttillthenhehadhadnothingtodowiththelawcourts，andsohaddisapprovedoftheirpublicitysimplyintheory；nowhisdisapprobationwasstrengthenedbytheunpleasantimpressionmadeonhiminthelawyer’swaitingroom。

`Hewillbeoutrightaway，’saidtheclerk；andtwominuteslatertheredidactuallyappearinthedoorwaythelargefigureofanoldstudentofjurisprudencewhohadbeenconsultingwiththelawyer，andthelawyerhimself。

Thelawyerwasalittle，squat，baldman，withadark，reddishbeard，light-coloredlongeyebrows，andbeetlingbrow。Hewasattiredasthoughforawedding，fromhiscravattohisdoublewatchchainandpatent-leathershoes。Hisfacewascleverandrustic，buthisdresswasdandifiedandinbadtaste。

`Praywalkin，’saidthelawyer，addressingAlexeiAlexandrovich；

and，gloomilyusheringKarenininbeforehim，heclosedthedoor。`Won’tyousitdown？’Heindicatedanarmchairatawritingtablecoveredwithpapers。Hesatdownhimself，and，rubbinghislittlehandswithshortfingerscoveredwithwhitehairs，hebenthisheadononeside。Butassoonashewassettledinthispositionamothflewoverthetable。Thelawyer，withaswiftnessthatcouldneverhavebeenexpectedofhim，openedhishands，caughtthemoth，andresumedhisformerattitude。

`Beforebeginningtospeakofmybusiness，’saidAlexeiAlexandrovich，followingthelawyer’smovementswithwonderingeyes，`IoughttoobservethatthematteraboutwhichIhavetospeaktoyouistobeasecret。’

Thelawyer’sdroopingreddishmustacheswerestirredbyascarcelyperceptiblesmile。

`IshouldnotbealawyerifIcouldnotkeepthesecretsconfidedtome。Butifyouwouldlikeproof……’

AlexeiAlexandrovichglancedathisface，andsawthattheshrewd，grayeyeswerelaughing，andseemedtoknowallaboutitalready。

`Youknowmyname？’AlexeiAlexandrovichresumed。

`Iknowyouandthegood’-againhecaughtamoth-`workyouaredoing，likeeveryRussian，’saidthelawyer，bowing。

AlexeiAlexandrovichsighed，pluckinguphiscourage。But，havingoncemadeuphismind，hewentoninhisshrillvoice，withouttimidityorhesitation，accentuatingawordhereandthere。

`Ihavethemisfortune，’AlexeiAlexandrovichbegan，`tobeadeceivedhusband，andIdesiretobreakoffallrelationswithmywifebylegalmeans-thatis，tobedivorced；butdothissothatmysonmaynotremainwithhismother。’

Thelawyer’sgrayeyestriednottolaugh，buttheyweredancingwithirrepressibleglee，andAlexeiAlexandrovichsawthatitwasnotsimplythedelightofamanwhohasjustgotaprofitablejob:therewastriumphandjoy，therewasagleamlikethemalignantgleamhehadseeninhiswife’seyes。

`Youdesiremyassistanceinsecuringadivorce？’

`Yes，precisely；butIoughttowarnyouthatImaybewastingyourtimeandattention。Ihavecomesimplytoconsultyouasapreliminarystep。Iwantadivorce，buttheformwhichitmaytakeisofgreatconsequencetome。ItisverypossiblethatifthatformdoesnotcorrespondwithmyrequirementsImaygiveupalegalaction。’

`Oh，that’salwaysthecase，’saidthelawyer，`andthat’salwaysforyoutodecide。’

HelethiseyesrestonAlexeiAlexandrovich’sfeet，feelingthathemightoffendhisclientbythesightofhisirrepressibleamusement。

Helookedatamoththatflewbeforehisnose，andmovedhishand，butdidnotcatchitfromregardforAlexeiAlexandrovich’ssituation。

`Thoughintheirgeneralfeaturesourlawsonthissubjectareknowntome，’pursuedAlexeiAlexandrovich，`Ishouldbegladtohaveanideaoftheformsinwhichsuchthingsaredone，inpractice。’

`Youwouldbeglad，’thelawyer，withoutliftinghiseyes，responded，adopting，withacertainsatisfaction，thetoneofhisclient’sremarks，`formetolaybeforeyouallthemethodsbywhichyoucouldsecurewhatyoudesire？’

AndonreceivinganassentingnodfromAlexeiAlexandrovich，hewenton，stealingaglancenowandthenatAlexeiAlexandrovich’sface，whichwasgrowingredinpatches。

`Divorcebyourlaws，’hesaid，withaslightshadeofdisapprobationofourlaws，`ispossible，asyouareaware，inthefollowingcases……

Towait！’hecalledtoaclerkwhoputhisheadinatthedoor，buthegotupallthesame，saidafewwordstohim，andsatdownagain。`Inthefollowingcases:physicaldefectinthemarriedparties，desertionwithoutcommunicationforfiveyears，’hesaid，crookingashortfingercoveredwithhair，`adultery’(thiswordhepronouncedwithobvioussatisfaction)，`subdividedasfollows’(hecontinuedtocrookhisfatfingers，thoughthecasesandtheirsubdivisionscouldobviouslynotbeclassifiedtogether):

`physicaldefectofthehusbandorofthewife，adulteryofthehusbandorofthewife。’Asbynowallhisfingerswereusedup，hestraightenedthemandwenton:`Thisisthetheoreticalview；butIimagineyouhavedonemethehonortoapplytomeinordertolearnitsapplicationinpractice。

Andtherefore，guidedbyprecedents，Imustinformyouthatinpracticecasesofdivorcemayallbereducedtothefollowing-there’snophysicaldefect，Imayassume，nordesertion？……’

AlexeiAlexandrovichbowedhisheadinassent。

`Theymaybereducedtothefollowing:adulteryofoneofthemarriedparties，andthedetectioninthefactoftheguiltypartybymutualagreement，and，failingsuchagreement，accidentaldetection。Itmustbeadmittedthatthelattercaseisrarelymetwithinpractice，’saidthelawyer，andstealingaglanceatAlexeiAlexandrovichhepaused，asamansellingpistols，afterenlargingontheadvantagesofeachweapon，mightawaithiscustomer’schoice。ButAlexeiAlexandrovichsaidnothing，andthereforethelawyerwenton:`Themostusualandsimple，thesensiblecourse，Iconsider，isadulterybymutualconsent。Ishouldnotpermitmyselftoexpressitso，speakingwithamanofnoeducation，’hesaid，`butIimaginethattoyouthisiscomprehensible。’

AlexeiAlexandrovichwas，however，soperturbedthathedidnotimmediatelycomprehendallthereasonablenessofadulterybymutualconsent，andhiseyesexpressedthisuncertainty；butthelawyerpromptlycametohisassistance。

`Peoplecannotgoonlivingtogether-hereyouhaveafact。Andifbothareagreedaboutit，thedetailsandformalitiesbecomeamatterofnoimportance。Andatthesametimethisisthesimplestandmostcertainmethod。’

AlexeiAlexandrovichunderstoodfullynow。Buthehadreligiousscruples，whichhinderedtheexecutionofsuchaplan。

`Thatisoutofthequestioninthepresentcase，’hesaid。`Onlyonealternativeispossible:involuntarydetection，supportedbyletterswhichIhave。’

Atthementionoflettersthelawyerpurseduphislips，andgaveutterancetoathinlittlecompassionateandcontemptuoussound。

`Kindlyconsider，’hebegan，`casesofthatkindare，asyouareaware，underecclesiasticaljurisdiction；thereverendfathersarefondofgoingintotheminutestdetailsincasesofthatkind，’hesaid，withasmilewhichbetrayedhissympathywiththetasteofthereverendfathers。

`Lettersmay，ofcourse，beapartialconfirmation；butdetectionintheacttheremustbeofthemostdirectkind-thatis，byeyewitnesses。Infact，ifyoudomethehonortotrustmewithyourconfidence，youwilldowelltoleavemethechoiceofthemeasurestobeemployed。Ifonewantstheresult，onemustallowthemeans。’

`Ifitisso……’AlexeiAlexandrovichbegan，suddenlyturningwhite；butatthatmomentthelawyerroseandagainwenttothedoortospeaktotheintrudingclerk。

`Tellherwedon’thaggleoverfees！’hesaid，andreturnedtoAlexeiAlexandrovich。

Onhiswaybackhecaught，unobserved，anothermoth。`Nicestatemyrepcurtainswillbeinbythesummer！’hethought，frowning。

`Andsoyouweresaying？……’hesaid。

`Iwillcommunicatemydecisiontoyoubyletter，’saidAlexeiAlexandrovich，gettingup，andheclutchedatthetable。Afterstandingamomentinsilence，hesaid:`FromyourwordsImayconsequentlyconcludethatadivorcemaybeobtained？Iwouldaskyoutoletmeknowwhatyourtermsare。’

`Itmaybeobtainedifyougivemecompletelibertyofaction，’

saidthelawyer，withoutansweringhisquestion。`WhencanIcountonreceivingwordfromyou？’heaskedmovingtowardthedoor，hiseyesandhispatent-leathershoesshining。

`Inaweek’stime。Youwillbekindenoughtocommunicatetomeyouranswerastowhetheryouwillundertaketoconductthecase，andonwhatterms。’

`Verygood，sir。’

Thelawyerbowedrespectfully，lethisclientoutofthedoor，and，leftalone，gavehimselfuptohissenseofamusement。Hefeltsomirthfulthat，contrarytohisrule，hemadeareductioninhistermstothehagglinglady，andgaveupcatchingmoths，finallydecidingthatnextwinterhemusthavethefurniturecoveredwithvelvet，likeSigonin’s。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart4，Chapter06[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter6AlexeiAlexandrovichhadgainedabrilliantvictoryatthesittingoftheCommissionofthe17thofAugust，butinthesequelthisvictorycutthegroundfromunderhisfeet。Thenewcommissionfortheinquiryintotheconditionofthenativetribesoneveryaspecthadbeenformedanddespatchedtoitsdestinationwithanunusualspeedandenergy，inspiredbyAlexeiAlexandrovich。Withinthreemonthsareportwaspresented。Theconditionofthenativetribeswasinvestigatedinitspolitical，administrative，economic，ethnographic，material，andreligiousaspects。Toallthesequestionstherewereanswersadmirablystated，andanswersadmittingnoshadeofdoubt，sincetheywerenotaproductofhumanthought，alwaysliabletoerror，butwerealltheproductofofficialactivity。Theanswerswereallbasedonofficialdatafurnishedbygovernorsandbishops，andfoundedonthereportsofdistrictmagistratesandecclesiasticalsuperintendents，foundedintheirturnonthereportsoflocalauthoritiesandparishpriests；

andsoalloftheseanswerswereunhesitatingandcertain。Allsuchquestionsas，forinstance，thecauseofcropfailures，whycertaintribesadheredtotheirancientbeliefs，andsoon-questionswhich，butfortheconvenientinterventionoftheofficialmachine，arenot，andcannotbesolvedforages-receivedfull，unhesitatingsolution。AndthissolutionwasinfavorofAlexeiAlexandrovich’scontention。ButStremov，whohadfeltstungtothequickatthelastsitting，had，onthereceptionofthecommission’sreport，resortedtotacticswhichAlexeiAlexandrovichhadnotanticipated。

Stremov，carryingwithhimseveralothermembers，wentovertoAlexeiAlexandrovich’sside，and，notcontentinghimselfwithwarmlydefendingthemeasureproposedbyKarenin，proposedothermeasures，stillmoreextreme，inthesamedirection。

Thesemeasures，stillstrongerthanAlexeiAlexandrovich’sfundamentalidea，werepassedbythecommission，andthentheaimofStremov’stacticsbecameapparent。Carriedtoanextreme，themeasuresseemedatoncetobesoabsurdthatthehighestauthorities，andpublicopinion，andintellectualladies，andthenewspapers，allatthesametimefellfoulofthem，expressingtheirindignationbothwiththemeasuresandtheirnominalfather，AlexeiAlexandrovich。Stremovdrewback，affectingtohaveblindlyfollowedKarenin，andtobeastoundedanddistressedatwhathadbeendone。ThismeantthedefeatofAlexeiAlexandrovich。Butinspiteoffailinghealth，inspiteofhisdomesticgriefs，hedidnotgivein。TherewasasplitintheCommission。

Somemembers，withStremovattheirhead，justifiedtheirmistakeonthegroundthattheyhadputfaithinthecommissionofrevision，institutedbyAlexeiAlexandrovich，andmaintainedthatthereportofthecommissionwasrubbish，andsimplysomuchwastepaper。AlexeiAlexandrovich，withafollowingofthosewhosawthedangerofsorevolutionaryanattitudetoofficialdocuments，persistedinupholdingthestatementsobtainedbytherevisingcommission。Inconsequenceofthis，inthehigherspheres，andeveninsociety，allwaschaos，andalthougheveryonewasinterested，noonecouldtellwhetherthenativetribesreallywerebecomingimpoverishedandruined，orwhethertheywereinaflourishingcondition。ThepositionofAlexeiAlexandrovich，owingtothis，andpartlyowingtothecontemptlavishedonhimforhiswife’sinfidelity，becameveryprecarious。Andinthispositionhetookanimportantresolution。TotheastonishmentoftheCommission，heannouncedthatheshouldaskpermissiontogohimselftoinvestigatethequestiononthespot。Andhavingobtainedpermission，AlexeiAlexandrovichpreparedtosetofftotheseremoteprovinces。

AlexeiAlexandrovich’sdeparturecreatedagreatstir，themoresoasjustbeforehestartedheofficiallyreturnedthepostingfaresallowedhimfortwelvehorsestodrivetohisdestination。

`Ithinkitverynoble，’BetsysaidaboutthistothePrincessMiaghkaia。`Whytakemoneyforpostinghorseswheneveryoneknowsthattherearerailwayseverywherenow？’

ButPrincessMiaghkaiadidnotagree，andthePrincessTverskaia’sopinionannoyedherindeed。

`It’sallverywellforyoutotalk，’saidshe，`whenyouhaveIdon’tknowhowmanymillions；butIamverygladwhenmyhusbandgoesonarevisingtourinthesummer。It’sverygoodforhimandpleasanttravelingabout，andit’sasettledarrangementformetokeepacarriageandhiredcoachonthemoney。’

OnhiswaytotheremoteprovincesAlexeiAlexandrovichstoppedforthreedaysatMoscow。

Thedayafterhisarrivalhewenttocallonthegovernorgeneral。

AtthecrossroadsbyGazetnyLane，wheretherearealwayscrowdsofcarriagesandhiredsleighs，AlexeiAlexandrovichsuddenlyheardhisnamecalledoutinsuchaloudandcheerfulvoicethathecouldnothelplookinground。

Atthecornerofthepavement，inashort，stylishovercoatandalow-crownedfashionablehat，jauntilyaskew，withasmilethatshowedagleamofwhiteteethandredlips，stoodStepanArkadyevich，radiant，young，andbeaming。

Hecalledhimvigorouslyandurgently，andinsistedonhisstopping。Hehadonearmonthewindowofacarriagethatwasstoppingatthecorner，andoutofthewindowwerethrusttheheadsofaladyinavelvethat，andtwochildren。StepanArkadyevichwassmilingandbeckoningtohisbrother-in-law。

Theladysmiledakindlysmiletoo，andshetoowavedherhandtoAlexeiAlexandrovich。ItwasDollywithherchildren。

AlexeiAlexandrovichdidnotwanttoseeanyoneinMoscow，andleastofallhiswife’sbrother。Heraisedhishatandwouldhavedrivenon，butStepanArkadyevichtoldhiscoachmantostop，andranacrossthesnowtohim。

`Well，whatashamenottohaveletusknow！Beenherelong？I

wasatDussot’syesterdayandsaw``Karenin’onthevisitors’list，butitneverenteredmyheadthatitwasyou，’saidStepanArkadyevich，stickinghisheadinatthewindowofthecarriage，`orIshouldhavelookedyouup。Iamgladtoseeyou！’hesaid，knockingonefootagainsttheothertoshakethesnowoff。`Whatashameyoudidnotletusknow！’herepeated。

`Ihadnotime；Iamverybusy，’AlexeiAlexandrovichrespondeddryly。

`Cometomywife-shedoessowanttoseeyou。’

AlexeiAlexandrovichunfoldedtheruginwhichhisfrozenfeetwerewrapped，andgettingoutofhiscarriagemadehiswayoverthesnowtoDaryaAlexandrovna。

`Why，AlexeiAlexandrovich，whatareyoucuttinguslikethisfor？’saidDollysmiling。

`Iwasverybusy。Delightedtoseeyou！’hesaidinatoneclearlyindicatingthathewasannoyedbyit。`Howareyou？’

`Tellme，howismydarlingAnna？’

AlexeiAlexandrovichmumbledsomethingandwouldhavegoneon。

ButStepanArkadyevichstoppedhim。

`Itellyouwhatwe’lldotomorrow。Dolly，askhimtodinner。

We’llaskKoznishevandPestsov，soastoentertainhimwithourMoscowintellectuals。’

`Yes，please，docome，’saidDolly；`wewillexpectyouatfive-orsixo’clock，ifyoulike。HowismydarlingAnna？Howlong……’

`Sheisquitewell，’AlexeiAlexandrovichmumbled，frowning。`Delighted！’

andhemovedawaytowardhiscarriage。

`Youwillcome？’Dollycalledafterhim。

AlexeiAlexandrovichsaidsomethingwhichDollycouldnotcatchinthenoiseofthemovingcarriages。

`Ishallcomeroundtomorrow！’StepanArkadyevichshoutedtohim。

AlexeiAlexandrovichgotintohiscarriage，andburiedhimselfinitsoasneithertoseenortobeseen。

`Queerfish！’saidStepanArkadyevichtohiswife，and，glancingathiswatch，hemadeamotionofhishandbeforehisface，indicatingacaresstohiswifeandchildren，andwalkedjauntilyalongthepavement。

`Stiva！Stiva！’Dollycalled，reddening。

Heturnedround。

`Imustgetcoats，youknow，forGrishaandTania。Givemethemoney。’

`Nevermind；youtellthemI’llpaythebill！’andhevanished，noddinggeniallytoanacquaintancewhodroveby。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart4，Chapter07[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter7ThenextdaywasSunday。StepanArkadyevichwenttotheGrandTheatertoarehearsaloftheballet，andgaveMashaChibisova，aprettydancinggirlwhohadbeenengagedthroughhisprotection，thecoralnecklacehehadpromisedhertheeveningbefore，and，behindthescenes，inthedimdaylightofthetheater，managedtokissherprettylittleface，radiantoverthepresent。Besidesthegiftofthenecklacehewantedtoarrangeameetingwithheraftertheballet。Afterexplainingthathecouldnotcomeatthebeginningoftheballet，hepromisedhewouldcomeforthelastactandtakehertosupper。FromthetheaterStepanArkadyevichdrovetoOkhotnyRiad，selectedhimselfthefishandasparagusfordinner，andbytwelveo’clockwasatDussot’s，wherehehadtoseethreepeople，luckilyallstayingatthesamehotel:Levin，whohadrecentlycomebackfromabroadandwasstayingthere；thenewheadofhisboardwhohadjustbeenpromotedtothatposition，andhadcomeonatourofrevisiontoMoscow；andhisbrother-in-law，Karenin，whomhemustsee，soastobesureofbringinghimtodinner。

StepanArkadyevichlikeddining，butstillbetterhelikedtogiveadinner，small，butverychoice，bothasregardsthefoodanddrinkandasregardstheselectionofguests。Heparticularlylikedtheprogramofthatday’sdinner。Therewouldbefreshperch，asparagus，andlapiè；cederé；sistance-first-rate，butquiteplain，roastbeef，andwinestosuit:somuchfortheeatinganddrinking。KittyandLevinwouldbeoftheparty，and，sothatthismightnotbeobtrusivelyevident，therewouldbeagirlcousintoo，andyoungShcherbatsky，and-lapiecederesistanceamongtheguests-SergeiKoznishevandAlexeiAlexandrovich。SergeiIvanovichwasaMoscowman，andaphilosopher；AlexeiAlexandrovichaPeterburgman，andapracticalpolitician。Hewasasking，too，thewell-knowneccentricenthusiast，Pestsov，aliberal，agreattalker，amusician，ahistorian，andthemostdelightfullyyouthfulpersonoffifty，whowouldbeasauceorgarnishforKoznishevandKarenin。Hewouldprovokethemandsetthemoffagainstoneanother。

Thesecondinstallmentfortheforesthadbeenreceivedfromthemerchantandwasnotyetexhausted；Dollyhadbeenveryamiableandgood-humoredoflate，andtheideaofthedinnerpleasedStepanArkadyevichfromeverypointofview。Hewasinthemostlightheartedmood。Thereweretwocircumstancesalittleunpleasant，butthesetwocircumstancesweredrownedintheseaofgood-humoredgaietywhichfloodedthesoulofStepanArkadyevich。Thesetwocircumstanceswere:first，thatonmeetingAlexeiAlexandrovichthedaybeforeinthestreetStivahadnoticedthatthelatterwascoldandreservedwithhim，andputtingtogethertheexpressionofAlexeiAlexandrovich’sface，andthefactthathehadnotcometoseethem，orletthemknowofhisarrival，withtherumorshehadheardaboutAnnaandVronsky，StepanArkadyevichguessedthatsomethingwaswrongbetweenthehusbandandwife。

Thatwasonedisagreeablething。Theotherslightlydisagreeablefactwasthatthenewheadofhisboard，likeallnewheads，alreadyhadthereputationofaterribleperson，whogotupatsixo’clockinthemorning，workedlikeahorse，andinsistedonhissubordinatesworkinginthesameway。Moreover，thisnewheadhadthefurtherreputationofbeingabearinhismanners，andwas，accordingtoallreports，amanofaclassinallrespectstheoppositeofthattowhichhispredecessorhadbelonged，andtowhichStepanArkadyevichhadhithertobelongedhimself。OnthepreviousdayStepanArkadyevichhadappearedattheofficeinauniform，andthenewchiefhadbeenveryaffableandhadtalkedtohimastoanacquaintance。