第16章

ConsequentlyStepanArkadyevichdeemedithisdutytocalluponhiminhisnonofficialdress。Thethoughtthatthenewchiefmightnotgivehimawarmreceptionwastheotherunpleasantthing。ButStepanArkadyevichinstinctivelyfeltthateverythingwouldcomeroundallright。`They’reallhuman，allmen，likeuspoorsinners；whybenastyandquarrelsome？’

hethoughtashewentintothehotel。

`Goodday，Vassilii，’hesaid，walkingintothecorridorwithhishatcockedononeside，andaddressingafootmanheknew；`why，you’veletyourwhiskersgrow！Levin-numberseven，eh？Takemeup，please。AndfindoutwhetherCountAnychkin’(thiswasthenewhead)`isreceiving。’

`Yes，sir，’Vassiliiresponded，smiling。`You’venotbeentoseeusforalongwhile。’

`Iwashereyesterday，butattheotherentrance。Isthisnumberseven？’

LevinwasstandingwithapeasantfromTverinthemiddleoftheroom，measuringafreshbearskin，whenStepanArkadyevichcamein。

`What！Youkilledhim？’criedStepanArkadyevich。`Welldone！

Ashe-bear？Howareyou，Arkhip！’

Heshookhandswiththepeasantandsatdownonachair，withouttakingoffhiscoatandhat。

`Come，takeoffyourcoatandstayalittle，’saidLevin，takinghishat。

`No，Ihaven’ttime；I’veonlylookedinforjustasecond，’answeredStepanArkadyevich。Hethrewopenhisfurcoat，butafterwarddidtakeitoff，andsatonforawholehour，talkingtoLevinabouthuntingandthemostintimatesubjects。`Come，tellme，please，whatyoudidabroad。

Wherehaveyoubeen？’saidStepanArkadyevich，whenthepeasanthadgone。

`Oh，IstayedinGermany，inPrussia，inFrance，andinEngland-notinthecapitals，butinthemanufacturingtowns-andsawagreatdealthatwasnewtome。AndI’mgladIwent。’

`Yes，Iknewyourideaofthesolutionofthelaborquestion。’

`Notabit:inRussiatherecanbenolaborquestion。InRussiathequestionisthatoftherelationoftheworkingpeopletotheland；

thoughthequestionexiststheretoo-butthereit’samatterofrepairingwhat’sbeenruined，whilewithus……’

StepanArkadyevichlistenedattentivelytoLevin。

`Yes，yes！’hesaid。`It’sverypossibleyou’reright。ButI’mgladyou’reingoodspirits，andarehuntingbears，andworking，andinterested。

Shcherbatskytoldmeanotherstory-hemetyou:thatyouwereinsuchadepressedstate，talkingofnothingbutdeath……’

`Well，whatofit？I’venotgivenupthinkingofdeath，’saidLevin。`It’struethatit’shightimeIwasdead；andthatallthisisnonsense。It’sthetruthI’mtellingyou。Idovaluemyideaandmyworkawfully；butreally，doconsiderthis:allthisworldofoursisnothingbutaspeckofmildew，whichhasgrownuponatinyplanet。Andyetwethinkthatsomethinggreatispossibletous-ideas，work！Grainsofsand-that’salltheyare。’

`Butallthat’sasoldasthehills，myboy！’

`Itisold；but，doyouknow，whenyougraspthisfully，thensomehoweverythingbecomesofnoconsequence。Whenyouunderstandthatyouwilldietomorrow，ifnottoday，andnothingwillbeleft，theneverythingissounimportant！AndIconsidermyideaveryimportant，butitturnsoutreallytobejustasunimportant，evenifitwerecarriedout，asoutwittingthatshe-bear。Soonegoesonliving，amusingoneselfwithhunting，withwork-anything，soasnottothinkofdeath！’

StepanArkadyevichsmiledasubtleandaffectionatesmileashelistenedtoLevin。

`Well，ofcourse！Hereyou’vecomeroundtomypoint。Doyourememberyouattackedmeforseekingenjoymentinlife？

``Don’tbe，Omoralist，severe……’’

`No；allthesame，what’sfineinlifeis……’Levinhesitated。

`Oh！Idon’tknow。AllIknowisthatweshallsoonbedead。’

`Whysosoon？’

`AndIknowthere’slesscharminlife，whenonethinksofdeath-butthere’smorepeace。’

`Onthecontrary，thefinishisalwaysthebest。ButImustbegoing，’saidStepanArkadyevich，gettingupforthetenthtime。

`Oh，no，stayabit！’saidLevin，detaininghim。`Now，whenshallweseeeachotheragain？I’mgoingtomorrow。’

`I’mafinefellow！Why，that’sjustwhatIcamefor！Yousimplymustcometodinnerwithustoday。Yourbrother’scoming，andKarenin，mybrother-in-law。’

`Youdon’tmeantosayhe’shere？’saidLevin，andhewantedtoinquireaboutKitty。HehadheardatthebeginningofthewinterthatshewasatPeterburgwithhersister，thewifeofthediplomat，andhedidnotknowwhethershehadcomebackornot；buthechangedhismindanddidnotask。`Whethershe’scomingornot，Idon’tcare，’hesaidtohimself。

`Soyou’llcome？’

`Ofcourse。’

`Atfiveo’clock，then，andwearafrockcoat。’

AndStepanArkadyevichgotupandwentdownbelowtothenewheadofhisdepartment。InstincthadnotmisledStepanArkadyevich。Theterriblenewheadturnedouttobeanextremelyamenableperson，andStepanArkadyevichlunchedwithhimandstayedon，sothatitwaspastthreeo’clockbeforehegottoAlexeiAlexandrovich。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart4，Chapter08[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter8AlexeiAlexandrovich，oncomingbackfromchurchservice，hadspentthewholemorningindoors。Hehadtwopiecesofbusinessbeforehimthatmorning；

first，toreceiveandsendonadeputationfromthenativetribeswhichwasonitswaytoPeterburg，andwhichwasnowatMoscow；secondly，towritethepromisedlettertothelawyer。Thedeputation，thoughithadbeensummonedatAlexeiAlexandrovich’sinstigation，wasnotwithoutitsdiscomfortingandevendangerousaspect，andhewasgladhehadfounditinMoscow。Themembersofthisdeputationhadnottheslightestconceptionoftheirdutyandtheparttheyweretoplay。TheynaivelybelievedthatitwastheirbusinesstolaybeforetheCommissiontheirneedsandtheactualconditionofthings，andtoaskassistanceofthegovernment，andutterlyfailedtograspthatsomeoftheirstatementsandrequestssupportedthecontentionoftheenemy’sside，andsospoiledthewholebusiness。

AlexeiAlexandrovichwasbusilyengagedwiththemforalongwhile，drewupaprogramforthemfromwhichtheywerenottodepart，andondismissingthemwrotealettertoPeterburgfortheguidanceofthedeputation。HehadhischiefsupportinthisaffairintheCountessLidiaIvanovna。Shewasaspecialistinthematterofdeputations，andnooneknewbetterthanshehowtopuff，andputtheminthewaytheyshouldgo。Havingcompletedthistask，AlexeiAlexandrovichwrotethelettertothelawyer。Withouttheslightesthesitationhegavehimpermissiontoactashemightjudgebest。IntheletterheenclosedthreeofVronsky’snotestoAnna，whichwereintheportfoliohehadtakenaway。

SinceAlexeiAlexandrovichhadlefthomewiththeintentionofnotreturningtohisfamilyagain，andsincehehadbeenatthelawyer’sandhadspoken，thoughonlytooneman，ofhisintention，since，moreover，hehadtranslatedthematterfromtheworldofreallifetotheworldofinkandpaper，hehadgrownmoreandmoreusedtohisownintention，andbynowdistinctlyperceivedthefeasibilityofitsexecution。

Hewassealingtheenvelopetothelawyer，whenheheardtheloudtonesofStepanArkadyevich’svoice。StepanArkadyevichwasdisputingwithAlexeiAlexandrovich’sservant，andinsistingonbeingannounced。

`Nomatter，’thoughtAlexeiAlexandrovich，`somuchthebetter。

Iwillinformhimatonceofmypositioninregardtohissister，andexplainwhyitisIcan’tdinewithhim。’

`Comein！’hesaidaloud，collectinghispapers，andputtingthemundertheblottingpad。

`There，yousee，you’retalkingnonsense，andheisathome！’

respondedStepanArkadyevich’svoice，addressingtheservant，whohadrefusedtolethimin，and，takingoffhiscoatashewent，Oblonskywalkedintotheroom。`Well，I’mawfullygladI’vefoundyou！SoIhope……’StepanArkadyevichbegancheerfully。

`Icannotcome，’AlexeiAlexandrovichsaidcoldly，standingandnotaskinghisvisitortositdown。

AlexeiAlexandrovichhadthoughttopassatonceintothosefrigidrelationsinwhichheoughttostandwiththebrotherofawifeagainstwhomhewasbeginningasuitfordivorce。ButhehadnottakenintoaccounttheoceanofkindlinessbrimmingoverintheheartofStepanArkadyevich。

StepanArkadyevichopenedwidehisclear，shiningeyes。

`Whycan’tyou？Whatdoyoumean？’heaskedinperplexity，speakinginFrench。`Oh，butit’sapromise。Andwe’reallcountingonyou。’

`IwanttotellyouthatIcan’tdineatyourhouse，becausethetermsofrelationshipwhichhaveexistedbetweenusmustcease。’

`How？Howdoyoumean？Forwhatreason？’saidStepanArkadyevichwithasmile。

`BecauseIambeginninganactionfordivorceagainstyoursister，mywife。Ioughttohave……’

But，beforeAlexeiAlexandrovichhadtimetofinishhissentence，StepanArkadyevichwasbehavingnotatallashehadexpected。StepanArkadyevichgroanedandsankintoanarmchair。

`No，AlexeiAlexandrovich！Whatareyousaying？’criedOblonsky，andhissufferingwasapparentinhisface。

`Itisso。’

`Excuseme，Ican’t，Ican’tbelieveit！’

AlexeiAlexandrovichsatdown，feelingthathiswordshadnothadtheeffectheanticipated，andthatitwouldbeunavoidableforhimtoexplainhisposition，andthat，whateverexplanationshemightmake，hisrelationswithhisbrother-in-lawwouldremainunchanged。

`Yes，Iambroughttothepainfulnecessityofseekingadivorce，’

hesaid。

`Iwillsayonething，AlexeiAlexandrovich。Iknowyouforanexcellent，uprightman；IknowAnna-excuseme，Ican’tchangemyopinionofher-foragood，anexcellentwoman；andsoyoumustexcusemeifI

cannotbelieveit。Thereissomemisunderstanding，’saidhe。

`Oh，ifitweremerelyamisunderstanding！……’

`Pardon，Iunderstand，’interposedStepanArkadyevich。`Butofcourse……Onething:youmustnotactinhaste。Youmustnot，youmustnotactinhaste！’

`Iamnotactinginhaste，’AlexeiAlexandrovichsaidcoldly，`butonecannotaskadviceofanyoneinsuchamatter。Ihavequitemadeupmymind。’

`Thisisawful！’saidStepanArkadyevich。`Iwoulddoonething，AlexeiAlexandrovich。Ibeseechyou-doit！’hesaid。`Noactionhasyetbeentaken，ifIunderstandrightly。Beforeyoutakeadvice，seemywife，talktoher。ShelovesAnnalikeasister，shelovesyou，andshe’sawonderfulwoman。ForGod’ssake，talktoher！Domethatfavor，Ibeseechyou！’

AlexeiAlexandrovichpondered，andStepanArkadyevichlookedathimsympathetically，withoutinterruptinghissilence。

`Youwillgotoseeher？’

`Idon’tknow。ThatwasjustwhyIhavenotbeentoseeyou。I

imagineourrelationsmustchange。’

`Whyso？Idon’tseethat。Allowmetobelievethat，apartfromourconnection，youhaveforme，atleastinpart，thesamefriendlyfeelingIhavealwayshadforyou……andsincereesteem，’saidStepanArkadyevich，pressinghishand。`Evenifyourworstsuppositionswerecorrect，Idon’t-andneverwould-takeonmyselftojudgeeitherside，andIseenoreasonwhyourrelationsshouldbeaffected。Butnow，dothis，comeandseemywife。’

`Well，welookatthematterdifferently，’saidAlexeiAlexandrovichcoldly。`However，wewon’tdiscussit。’

`No；whyshouldn’tyoucometodaytodine，anyway？Mywife’sexpectingyou。Please，docome。And，aboveall，talkitoverwithher。She’sawonderfulwoman。ForGod’ssake，onmyknees，Iimploreyou！’

`Ifyousomuchwishit，Iwillcome，’saidAlexeiAlexandrovich，sighing。

And，anxioustochangetheconversation，heinquiredaboutwhatinterestedthemboth-thenewheadofStepanArkadyevich’sboard，amannotyetold，whohadsuddenlybeenpromotedtosohighaposition。

AlexeiAlexandrovichhadpreviouslyfeltnolikingforCountAnychkin，andhadalwaysdifferedfromhiminhisopinions。Butnow，fromafeelingreadilycomprehensibletoofficials-thathatredfeltbyonewhohassufferedadefeatintheserviceforonewhohasreceivedapromotion-hecouldnotendurehim。

`Well，haveyouseenhim？’saidAlexeiAlexandrovichwithamalignantsmile。

`Ofcourse；hewasatoursittingyesterday。Heseemstoknowhisworkcapitally，andtobeveryenergetic。’

`Yes，butwhatishisenergydirectedto？’saidAlexeiAlexandrovich。

`Isheaimingatdoinganything，orsimplydoingagainwhat’sbeendone？

It’sthegreatmisfortuneofourgovernment-thispaperadministration，ofwhichhe’saworthyrepresentative。’

`Really，Idon’tknowwhatfaultonecouldfindwithhim。HispolicyIdon’tknow，butonethingiscertain-he’saveryfinefellow，’

answeredStepanArkadyevich。`I’vejustbeenseeinghim，andhe’sreallyafinefellow。Welunchedtogether，andItaughthimhowtomake-youknowthatdrink-wineandoranges。It’ssocooling。Andit’sawonderhedidn’tknowit。Helikeditawfully。No，really，he’safinefellow。’

StepanArkadyevichglancedathiswatch。

`Why，goodheavens，it’sfouralready，andI’vestilltogotoDolgovushin’s！Sopleasecomeroundtodinner。Youcan’timaginehowyouwillgrievemywifeandmeifyoudon’t。’

ThewayinwhichAlexeiAlexandrovichsawhisbrother-in-lawoutwasverydifferentfromthemannerinwhichhehadmethim。

`I’vepromised，andI’llcome，’heansweredwearily。

`Believeme，Iappreciateit，andIhopeyouwon’tregretit，’

answeredStepanArkadyevich，smiling。

And，puttingonhiscoatashewent，hepattedthefootmanontheheadwithhiscoatsleeve，chuckled，andwentout。

`Atfiveo’clock，andwearyourfrockcoat，please，’heshoutedoncemore，returningatthedoor。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart4，Chapter09[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter9Itwaspastfive，andseveralguestshadalreadyarrived，beforethehosthimselfgothome。HewentintogetherwithSergeiIvanovichKoznishevandwithPestsov，bothofwhomhadreachedthestreetdooratthesamemoment。

ThesewerethetwoleadingrepresentativesoftheMoscowintellectuals，asOblonskyhadcalledthem。Bothweremenrespectedfortheircharacterandtheirintelligence。Theyrespectedeachother，butwereincompleteandhopelessdisagreementuponalmosteverysubject，notbecausetheybelongedtooppositeparties，butpreciselybecausetheywereofthesameparty(theirenemiesrefusedtoseeanydistinctionbetweentheirviews)；but，inthatparty，eachhadhisownspecialshadeofopinion。Andsincenodifferenceislesseasilyovercomethanthedifferenceofopinionaboutsemiabstractquestions，theyneveragreedonanyopinion，and，indeed，hadlongbeenaccustomedtojeerwithoutangerateachother’sincorrigibleaberrations。

Theywerejustgoinginatthedoor，talkingoftheweather，whenStepanArkadyevichovertookthem。InthedrawingroomtherewerealreadysittingPrinceAlexanderDmitrievichShcherbatsky，youngShcherbatsky，Turovtsin，Kitty，andKarenin。

StepanArkadyevichsawimmediatelythatthingswerenotgoingwellinthedrawingroomwithouthim。DaryaAlexandrovna，inherbestgraysilkgown，obviouslyworriedaboutthechildrenwhoweretohavetheirdinnerbythemselvesinthenursery，andbyherhusband’sabsence，wasnotequaltothetaskofmakingthepartymixwithouthim。Allweresittinglikesomanypriests’daughtersonavisit(sotheoldPrinceexpressedit)，obviouslywonderingwhytheywerethere，andpumpingupremarkssimplytoavoidbeingsilent。Turovtsin-goodheartedman-feltunmistakablylikeafishoutofwater，andthesmilewithwhichhisthicklipsgreetedStepanArkadyevichsaid，asplainlyaswords:`Well，oldboy，youhavepoppedmedowninalearnedset！Adrinkingparty，andtheChateaudesFleurs，wouldbemoreinmyline！’TheoldPrincesatinsilence，hisbrightlittleeyeswatchingKareninwithasidelonglook；andStepanArkadyevichsawthathehadalreadyformedasharpremarktosumupthatpoliticianofwhomguestshadbeeninvitedtopartake，asthoughhewereasturgeon。

Kittywaslookingatthedoor，callingupallherenergiestokeepherfromblushingattheentranceofKonstantinLevin。YoungShcherbatsky，whohadnotbeenintroducedtoKarenin，wastryingtolookasthoughhewerenotintheleastembarrassedbyit。KareninhimselfhadfollowedthePeterburg。etiquetteforadinnerwithladiespresentandwaswearingeveningdressandawhitetie。StepanArkadyevichsawbyhisfacethathehadcomesimplytokeephispromise，andwasperformingadisagreeabledutyinbeingpresentatthisgathering。HewasindeedthepersonchieflyresponsibleforthechillbenumbingalltheguestsbeforeStepanArkadyevichcamein。

OnenteringthedrawingroomStepanArkadyevichapologized，explainingthathehadbeendetainedbythatPrincewhowasalwaysthescapegoatforallhisabsencesandunpunctualities，andinonemomenthehadmadealltheguestsacquaintedwitheachother，and，bringingtogetherAlexeiAlexandrovichandSergeiKoznishev，hadstartedthemonadiscussionoftheRussificationofPoland，intowhichtheyimmediatelyplungedwithPestsov。SlappingTurovtsinontheshoulder，hewhisperedsomethingcomicinhisear，andsethimdownbyhiswifeandtheoldPrince。ThenhetoldKittyshewaslookingveryprettythatevening，andpresentedShcherbatskytoKarenin。Inamomenthehadsokneadedtogetherthesocialdoughthatthedrawingroombecameverylively，andtherewasamerrybuzzofvoices。KonstantinLevinwastheonlypersonwhohadnotarrived。Butthiswassomuchthebetter，as，goingintothediningroom，StepanArkadyevichfoundtohishorrorthattheportandsherryhadbeenprocuredfromDepre，andnotfromLeve，and，directingthatthecoachmanshouldbesentoffasspeedilyaspossibletoLeve’shestartedbacktothedrawingroom。

InthediningroomhewasmetbyKonstantinLevin。

`I’mnotlate？’

`Youcanneverhelpbeinglate！’saidStepanArkadyevich，takinghisarm。

`Haveyoualotofpeople？Who’shere？’askedLevin，unabletohelpblushing，asheknockedthesnowoffhiscapwithhisglove。

`Allourownset。Kitty’shere。Comealong，I’llintroduceyoutoKarenin。’

StepanArkadyevich，forallhisliberalviews，waswellawarethattomeetKareninwassuretobefeltaflatteringdistinction，andsotreatedhisbestfriendstothishonor。ButatthatinstantKonstantinLevinwasnotinaconditiontofeelallthegratificationofmakingsuchanacquaintance。HehadnotseenKittysincethatmemorableeveningwhenhemetVronsky-notcounting，thatis，themomentwhenhehadhadaglimpseofheronthehighroad。Hehadknownatthebottomofhisheartthathewouldseeherheretoday。But，tokeephisthoughtsfree，hehadtriedtopersuadehimselfthathedidnotknowit。Nowwhenheheardthatshewashere，hewassuddenlyconsciousofsuchdelight，andatthesametimeofsuchdread，thathisbreathfailedhimandhecouldnotutterwhathewantedtosay。

`Whatisshelike，whatisshelike？Assheusedtobe，orasshewasinthecarriage？WhatifDaryaAlexandrovnatoldthetruth？Whyshouldn’titbethetruth？’hethought。

`Oh，please，introducemetoKarenin，’hebroughtoutwithaneffort，andwithadesperatelydeterminedstephewalkedintothedrawingroomandbeheldher。

Shewasnotthesameassheusedtobe，norwassheasshehadbeeninthecarriage；shewasquitedifferent。

Shewasscared，shy，shamefaced，andbecauseofallthis，stillmorecharming。Shesawhimtheveryinstanthewalkedintotheroom。Shehadbeenexpectinghim。Shewasdelighted，andsoconfusedatherowndelightthattherewasamoment，themomentwhenhewentuptohersisterandglancedagainather，whenshe，andhe，andDolly，whosawitall，thoughtshewouldbreakdownandbegintocry。Shecrimsoned，turnedwhite，crimsonedagain，andgrewfaint，waitingwithquiveringlipsforhimtocometoher。

Hewentuptoher，bowed，andheldouthishandwithoutspeaking。Exceptfortheslightquiverofherlipsandthemoistureinhereyes，makingthembrighter，hersmilewasalmostcalmasshesaid:

`Howlongitissincewe’veseeneachother！’and，withdesperatedetermination，withhercoldhandsqueezedhis。

`You’venotseenme，butI’veseenyou，’saidLevin，witharadiantsmileofhappiness。`IsawyouwhenyouweredrivingfromtherailwaystationtoErgushovo。’

`When？’sheasked，wondering。

`YouweredrivingtoErgushovo，’saidLevin，feelingasifhewouldsobwiththerapturethatwasfloodinghisheart-`AndhowdaredIassociateathoughtofanythingnotinnocentwiththistouchingcreature？

And，yes，IdobelievewhatDaryaAlexandrovnatoldmeistrue，’hethought。

StepanArkadyevichtookhimbythearmandledhimawaytoKarenin。

`Letmeintroduceyou。’Hementionedtheirnames。

`Verygladtomeetyouagain，’saidAlexeiAlexandrovichcoldly，shakinghandswithLevin。

`Youareacquainted？’StepanArkadyevichaskedinsurprise。

`Wespentthreehourstogetherinthetrain，’saidLevinsmiling，`butgotout，justasinamasquerade，quitemystified-atleastIwas。’

`Oh，sothat’sit！Comealong，please，’saidStepanArkadyevich，pointinginthedirectionofthediningroom。

Themenwentintothediningroomandwentuptothetableforhorsd’oeuvres，laidwithsixsortsofvodkaandasmanykindsofcheese，somewithlittlesilverspadesandsomewithout，caviar，herrings，preservesofvariouskinds，andplateswithslicesofFrenchbread。

Themenstoodroundthestrong-smellingspiritsandsaltdelicacies，andthediscussionoftheRussificationofPolandbetweenKoznishev，KareninandPestsov，dieddowninanticipationofdinner。

SergeiIvanovichwasunequaledinhisskillinwindingupthemostheatedandseriousargumentbysomeunexpectedpinchofAtticsaltthatchangedthedispositionofhisopponent。Hedidthisnow。

AlexeiAlexandrovichhadbeenmaintainingthattheRussificationofPolandcouldonlybeaccomplishedasaresultofgreaterprinciples，whichoughttobeintroducedbytheRussiangovernment。

Pestsovinsistedthatonecountrycanabsorbanotheronlywhenitisthemoredenselypopulated。

Koznishevadmittedbothpoints，butwithlimitations。Astheyweregoingoutofthedrawingroomtoconcludetheargument，Koznishevsaidsmiling:

`So，then，fortheRussificationofourforeignpopulationsthereisbutonemethod-tobringupasmanychildrenasonecan。MybrotherandIareterriblyatfault，Isee。Youmarriedmen-especiallyyou，StepanArkadyevich-aretherealpatriots:whatnumberhaveyoureached？’hesaid，smilinggeniallyattheirhostandholdingoutatinywineglasstohim。

Everyonelaughed，andStepanArkadyevichwithparticulargoodhumor。

`Oh，yes，that’sthebestmethod！’hesaid，munchingcheeseandfillingthewineglasswithaspecialsortofvodka。Theconversationdroppedatthejest。

`Thischeeseisnotbad。ShallIgiveyousome？’saidthemasterofthehouse。`Why，haveyoubeengoinginforgymnasticsagain？’heaskedLevin，pinchinghismusclewithhislefthand。Levinsmiled，benthisarm，andunderStepanArkadyevich’sfingersthemusclesswelleduplikeasoundcheese，hardasaknobofiron，throughthefineclothofthecoat。

`Whatbiceps！AperfectSamson！’

`Iimaginegreatstrengthisneededforhuntingbears，’observedAlexeiAlexandrovich，whohadthemistiestnotionsaboutthechase。Hecutoffandspreadwithcheeseawaferofbreadfineasaspiderweb。

Levinsmiled。

`Notatall。Quitethecontrary-achildcankillabear，’hesaid，withaslightbowmovingasidefortheladies，whowereapproachingthehorsd’oeuvrestable。

`Youhavekilledabear，I’vebeentold！’saidKitty，tryingassiduouslytocatchwithherforkaperversemushroomthatwouldslipaway，andshakingthelaceoverherwhitearm。`Aretherebearsonyourplace？’sheadded，turninghercharminglittleheadtohimandsmiling。

Therewasapparentlynothingextraordinaryinwhatshesaid，butwhatunutterablemeaningtherewasforhimineverysound，ineveryturnofherlips，hereyes，herhandasshesaidit！Therewasentreatyforforgiveness，andtrustinhim，andtenderness-soft，timidtenderness-andpromise，andhope，andloveforhim，whichhecouldnotbutbelievein，andwhichsuffocatedhimwithhappiness。

`No，we’vebeenhuntingintheTverprovince。ItwascomingbackfromtherethatImetyourbeau-frereinthetrain，oryourbeau-frere’sbrother-in-law，’hesaidwithasmile。`Itwasanamusingmeeting。’

Andhebegantellingwithdrollgoodhumorhow，afternotsleepingallnight，hehad，wearingafur-lined，full-skirtedcoat，gotintoAlexeiAlexandrovich’scompartment。

`Theconductor，forgettingtheproverb，wouldhavechuckedmeoutonaccountofmyattire；butthereuponIbeganexpressingmyfeelingsinelevatedlanguage，and……you，too，’hesaid，addressingKareninandforgettinghisname，`atfirstwouldhaveejectedmeonthegroundofmycoat，butafterwardyoutookmypart，forwhichIamextremelygrateful。’

`Therightsofpassengersgenerallytochoosetheirseatsaretooill-defined，’saidAlexeiAlexandrovich，rubbingthetipsofhisfingersonhishandkerchief。

`Isawyouwereinuncertaintyaboutme，’saidLevin，smilinggood-naturedly，`butImadehastetoplungeintointellectualconversationtosmoothoverthedefectsofmyattire。’

SergeiIvanovich，whilehekeptaconversationwiththeirhostess，hadoneearforhisbrother，andheglancedaskanceathim。`Whatisthematterwithhimtoday？Whysuchaconqueringhero？’hethought。HedidnotknowthatLevinwasfeelingasthoughhehadgrownwings。Levinknewshewaslisteningtohiswordsandthatshewasgladtolistentohim。

Andthiswastheonlythingthatinterestedhim。Notinthatroomonly，butinthewholeworld，thereexistedforhimonlyhimself，withenormouslyincreasedimportanceanddignityinhisowneyes，andshe。Hefelthimselfonapinnaclethatmadehimgiddy，andfarawaydownbelowwereallthosekind，excellentKarenins，Oblonskys，andalltheworld。

Quitewithoutattractingnotice，withoutglancingatthem，asthoughtherewerenootherplacesleft，StepanArkadyevichputLevinandKittysidebyside。

`Oh，youmayaswellsitthere，’hesaidtoLevin。

Thedinnerwasaschoiceasthechina，ofwhichStepanArkadyevichwasaconnoisseur。ThesoupeMarie-Louisewasasplendidsuccess；thetinypattieseatenwithitmeltedinthemouthandwereirreproachable。ThetwofootmenandMatvei，inwhitecravats，didtheirdutywiththedishesandwinesunobtrusively，quietly，anddexterously。Onthematerialsidethedinnerwasasuccess；itwasnolesssoontheimmaterial。Theconversation，attimesgeneralandattimesbetweenindividuals，neverpaused，andtowardtheendthecompanywassolivelythatthemenrosefromthetablewithoutstoppingspeaking，andevenAlexeiAlexandrovichbecamelively。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart4，Chapter10[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter10Pestsovlikedthreshinganargumentouttotheend，andwasnotsatisfiedwithSergeiIvanovich’swords，especiallyashefelttheinjusticeofhisview。

`Ididnotmean，’hesaidoverthesoup，addressingAlexeiAlexandrovich，`meredensityofpopulationalone，butinconjunctionwithfundamentalideas，andnotbymeansofprinciples。’

`Itseemstome，’AlexeiAlexandrovichsaidlanguidly，andwithnohaste，`thatthat’sthesamething。Inmyopinion，influenceoveranotherpeopleisonlypossibletothepeoplewhichhasthehigherdevelopment，which……’

`Butthat’sjustthequestion，’Pestsovbrokeininhisbass。

Hewasalwaysinahurrytospeak，andseemedalwaystoputhiswholesoulintowhateverhewassaying；`ofwhatarewetomakehigherdevelopmentconsist？TheEnglish，theFrench，theGermans-whichisatthehigheststageofdevelopment？Whichofthemwillnationalizetheother？WeseetheRhineprovinceshavebeenturnedFrench，yettheGermansarenotatalowerstage！’heshouted。`Thereisanotherlawatworkthere！’

`Ifancythatthegreaterinfluenceisalwaysonthesideoftruecivilization，’saidAlexeiAlexandrovich，slightlyliftinghiseyebrows。

`Butwhatarewetolaydownastheoutwardsignsoftruecivilization？’

saidPestsov。

`Iimaginesuchsignsaregenerallyverywellknown，’saidAlexeiAlexandrovich。

`Butaretheyfullyknown？’SergeiIvanovichputinwithasubtlesmile。`Itistheacceptedviewnowthatrealculturemustbepurelyclassical；

butweseemostintensedisputesoneachsideofthequestion，andthereisnodenyingthattheoppositecamphasstrongpointsinitsfavor。’

`Youarefortheclassics，SergeiIvanovich。Willyoutakeredwine？’saidStepanArkadyevich。

`Iamnotexpressingmyownopinionofeitherformofculture，’

SergeiIvanovichsaid，holdingouthisglasswithasmileofcondescension，astoachild。`Ionlysaythatbothsideshavestrongargumentstosupportthem，’hewenton，addressingAlexeiAlexandrovich。`Mysympathiesareclassicalfromeducation，butinthisdiscussionIampersonallyunabletoarriveataconclusion。Iseenodistinctgroundsforclassicalstudiesbeinggivenapre-eminenceoverscientificstudies。’

`Thenaturalscienceshavejustasgreataneducationalvalue，’

putinPestsov。`Takeastronomy，takebotany，orzoology，withitssystemofgeneralprinciples。’

`Icannotquiteagreewiththat，’respondedAlexeiAlexandrovich。

`Itseemstomethatonemustadmitthattheveryprocessofstudyingtheformsoflanguagehasapeculiarlyfavorableinfluenceonintellectualdevelopment。Moreover，itcannotbedeniedthattheinfluenceoftheclassicalauthorsisinthehighestdegreemoral，while，unfortunately，withthestudyofthenaturalsciencesareassociatedthefalseandnoxiousdoctrineswhicharethecurseofourday。’

SergeiIvanovichwouldhavesaidsomething，butPestsovinterruptedhiminhisrichbass。Hebeganwarmlycontestingthejusticeofthisview。

SergeiIvanovichwaitedserenelytospeak，obviouslywithaconvincingreplyready。

`But，’saidSergeiIvanovich，smilingsubtly，andaddressingKarenin，`onemustallowthattoweighalltheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofclassicalandscientificstudiesisadifficulttask，andthequestionwhichformofeducationwastobepreferredwouldnothavebeensoquicklyandconclusivelydecidediftherehadnotbeeninfavorofclassicaleducation，asyouexpresseditjustnow，itsmoral-disonslemot-antinihilistinfluence。’

`Undoubtedly。’

`Ifithadnotbeenforthedistinctivepropertyofantinihilisticinfluenceonthesideofclassicalstudies，weshouldhaveconsideredthesubjectmore，haveweighedtheargumentsonbothsides，’saidSergeiIvanovichwithasubtlesmile，`weshouldhavegivenelbowroomtobothtendencies。

Butnowweknowthattheselittlepillsofclassicallearningpossessthemedicinalpropertyofantinihilism，andweboldlyprescribethemtoourpatients……Butwhatiftheyhadnosuchmedicinalproperty？’headdedhispinchofAtticsalt。

AtSergeiIvanovich’slittlepillseveryonelaughed；Turovtsininespecialroaredloudlyandjovially，gladatlasttohavefoundsomethingtolaughat-allheeverlookedforinlisteningtoconversation。

StepanArkadyevichhadnotmadeamistakeininvitingPestsov。

WithPestsovintellectualconversationneverflaggedforaninstant。DirectlySergeiIvanovichhadconcludedtheconversationwithhisjest，Pestsovpromptlystartedanewone。

`Ican’tagreeeven，’saidhe，`thatthegovernmenthadthataim。

Thegovernmentobviouslyisguidedbyabstractconsiderations，andremainsindifferenttotheinfluenceitsmeasuresmayexercise。Theeducationofwomen，forinstance，wouldnaturallyberegardedaslikelytobeharmful，butthegovernmentopensschoolsanduniversitiesforwomen。’

Andtheconversationatoncepassedtothenewsubjectoftheeducationofwomen。

AlexeiAlexandrovichexpressedtheideathattheeducationofwomenisapttobeconfoundedwiththeemancipationofwomen，andthatitisonlysothatitcanbeconsidereddangerous。

`Iconsider，onthecontrary，thatthetwoquestionsareinseparablyconnectedtogether，’saidPestsov；`itisaviciouscircle。Womanisdeprivedofrightsfromlackofeducation，andthelackofeducationresultsfromtheabsenceofrights。Wemustnotforgetthatthesubjectionofwomenissocomplete，anddatesfromsuchdistantages，thatweareoftenunwillingtorecognizethegulfthatseparatesthemfromus，’saidhe。

`Youmentionedrights，’saidSergeiIvanovich，waitingtillPestsovhadfinished，`meaningtherightofsittingonjuries，ofvoting，ofpresidingatcouncils，therightofenteringthecivilservice，ofsittinginparliament……’

`Undoubtedly。’

`Butifwomen，asarareexception，canoccupysuchpositions，itseemstomeyouarewronginusingtheexpression``rights’。Itwouldbemorecorrecttosayduties。Everymanwillagreethatindoingthedutyofajuryman，awitness，atelegraphclerk，wefeelweareperformingduties。

And，therefore，itwouldbecorrecttosaythatwomenareseekingduties，andquitelegitimately。Andonecanbutsympathizewiththisdesiretoassistinthegenerallaborofman。’

`Quiteso，’AlexeiAlexandrovichassented。`Thequestion，Iimagine，issimplywhethertheyarefittedforsuchduties。’

`Theywillmostlikelybeperfectlyfitted，’saidStepanArkadyevich，`wheneducationhasbecomegeneralamongthem。Weseethis……’

`Howabouttheproverb？’saidthePrince，whohadalongwhilebeenintentontheconversation，hismockinglittleeyestwinkling。`I

cansayitbeforemydaughters:herhairislong，butherwitisshort……’

`JustwhattheythoughtoftheNegroesbeforetheiremancipation！’

saidPestsovangrily。

`Whatseemsstrangetomeisthatwomenshouldseekfreshduties，’

saidSergeiIvanovich，`whilewesee，unhappily，thatmenusuallytrytoavoidthem。’

`Dutiesareboundupwithrights-power，money，honor；thosearewhatwomenareseeking，’saidPestsov。

`JustasthoughIshouldseektherighttobeawetnurse，andfeelinjuredbecausewomenarepaidforthework，whilenoonewilltakeme，’saidtheoldPrince。

Turovtsinexplodedinaloudroaroflaughter，andSergeiIvanovichregrettedthathehadnotmadethiscomparison。EvenAlexeiAlexandrovichsmiled。

`Yes，butamancan’tnurseababy，’saidPestsov，`whileawoman……’

`No，therewasanEnglishmanwhodidsucklehisbabyonboardship，’saidtheoldPrince，feelingthisfreedominconversationpermissiblebeforehisowndaughters。

`ThereareasmanysuchEnglishmenastherewouldbewomenofficials，’

saidSergeiIvanovich。

`Yes，butwhatisagirltodowhohasnofamily？’putinStepanArkadyevich，thinkingofMashaChibisova，whomhehadhadinhismindallalong，insympathizingwithPestsovandsupportinghim。

`Ifthestoryofsuchagirlwerethoroughlysifted，youwouldfindshehadabandonedafamily-herownorasister’s，whereshemighthavefoundawoman’sduties，’DaryaAlexandrovnabrokeinunexpectedly，inatoneofexasperation，probablysuspectingwhatsortofgirlStepanArkadyevichhadinmind。

`Butwetakeourstandonprinciple，ontheideal，’repliedPestsovinhissonorousbass。`Womandesirestohavetherighttobeindependent，educated。Sheisoppressed，humiliatedbytheconsciousnessofherdisabilities。’

`AndI’moppressedandhumiliatedthattheywon’tengagemeattheFoundlingAsylum，’theoldPrincesaidagain，tothehugedelightofTurovtsin，whoinhismirthdroppedhisasparaguswiththethickendinthesauce。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart4，Chapter11[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter11EveryonetookpartintheconversationexceptKittyandLevin。Atfirst，whentheyweretalkingoftheinfluencethatonepeoplehasonanother，thererosetoLevin’smindwhathehadtosayonthesubject。Buttheseideas，onceofsuchimportanceinhiseyes，seemedtocomeintohisbrainasinadream，andhadnownottheslightestinterestforhim。Itevenstruckhimasstrangethattheyshouldbesoeagertotalkofwhatwasofnousetoanyone。Kitty，too，onewouldhavesupposed，shouldhavebeeninterestedinwhattheyweresayingoftherightsandeducationofwomen。

Howoftenshehadmusedonthesubject，thinkingofherfriendabroad，Varenka，ofherpainfulstateofdependence；howoftenshehadwonderedaboutherselfastowhatwouldbecomeofherifshedidnotmarry，andhowoftenshehadarguedwithhersisteraboutit！Butnowitdidnotinterestheratall。SheandLevinhadaconversationoftheirown，yetnotaconversation，butasortofmysteriouscommunication，whichbroughtthemeverymomentnearer，andstirredinbothasenseofgladterrorbeforetheunknownintowhichtheywereentering。

AtfirstLevin，inanswertoKitty’squestionhowhecouldhaveseenherlastyearinthecarriage，toldherthathehadbeencominghomefromthemowingalongthehighroadandhadmether。

`Itwasvery，veryearlyinthemorning。Youwereprobablyonlyjustawake。Yourmamanwasasleepinhercorner。Itwasanexquisitemorning。

Iwaswalkingalongwonderingwhoitcouldbeinthefour-in-hand。Itwasasplendidsetoffourhorseswithbells，andinasecondyouflashedby，andIsawyouatthewindow-youweresitting，likethis；holdingthestringsofyourcapinbothhands，andinawfullydeepthoughtaboutsomething，’

hesaid，smiling。`HowIshouldliketoknowwhatyouwerethinkingaboutthen！Somethingimportant？’

`Wasn’tIdreadfullyuntidy？’shewondered，butseeingthesmileofecstasythesereminiscencescalledup，shefeltthattheimpressionshehadmadehadbeenverygood。Sheblushedandlaughedwithdelight:

`ReallyIdon’tremember。’

`HownicelyTurovtsinlaughs！’saidLevin，admiringhishumideyesandheavingchest。

`Haveyouknownhimlong？’askedKitty。

`Oh，everyoneknowshim！’

`AndIseeyouthinkhe’sahorridman？’

`Nothorrid，butthere’snothinginhim。’

`Oh，you’rewrong！Andyoumustgiveupthinkingsodirectly！’

saidKitty。`Iusedtohaveaverypooropinionofhimtoo，buthe’sanawfullyfineandwonderfullygoodheartedman。Hehasaheartofgold。’

`Howcouldyoufindoutwhatsortofhearthehas？’

`Wearegreatfriends。Iknowhimverywell。Lastwinter，soonafter……youcametoseeus，’shesaid，withaguiltyandatthesametimeaconfidingsmile，`allDolly’schildrenhadscarlatina，andhehappenedtocometoseeher。Andonlyfancy，’shesaidinawhisper，`hefeltsosorryforherthathestayedandbegantohelpherlookafterthechildren。

Yes，andforthreeweekshestoppedwiththem，andlookedafterthechildrenlikeanurse。’

`IamtellingKonstantinDmitrievichaboutTurovtsinandthescarlatina，’

shesaid，bendingovertohersister。

`Yes，itwaswonderful，noble！’saidDolly，glancingtowardTurovtsin，whohadbecomeawaretheyweretalkingofhim，andsmilinggentlytohim。

LevinglancedoncemoreatTurovtsin，andwonderedhowitwashehadnotrealizedallthisman’sgoodnessbefore。

`I’msorry，I’msorry，andI’llneverthinkillofpeopleagain！’

hesaidgaily，genuinelyexpressingwhathefeltatthemoment。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart4，Chapter12[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter12Connectedwiththeconversationthathadsprungupontherightsofwomentherewerecertainquestionsastotheinequalityofrightsinmarriage，impropertodiscussbeforetheladies。Pestsovhadseveraltimesduringdinnertoucheduponthesequestions，butSergeiIvanovichandStepanArkadyevichcarefullydrewhimoffthem。

Whentheyrosefromthetableandtheladieshadgoneout，Pestsovdidnotfollowthem，but，addressingAlexeiAlexandrovich，begantoexpoundthechiefgroundofinequality。Theinequalityinmarriage，inhisopinion，layinthefactthattheinfidelityofthewifeandinfidelityofthehusbandarepunishedunequally，bothbythelawandbypublicopinion。

StepanArkadyevichwenthurriedlyuptoAlexeiAlexandrovichandofferedhimacigar。

`No，Idon’tsmoke，’AlexeiAlexandrovichansweredcalmly，and，asthoughpurposelywishingtoshowthathewasnotafraidofthesubject，heturnedtoPestsovwithachillysmile。

`Iimaginethatsuchaviewhasafoundationintheverynatureofthings，’hesaid，andwouldhavegoneontothedrawingroom。ButatthispointTurovtsinbrokesuddenlyandunexpectedlyintotheconversation，addressingAlexeiAlexandrovich。

`Youheard，perhaps，aboutPriachnikov？’saidTurovtsin，warmedupbythechampagnehehaddrunk，andlongwaitingforanopportunitytobreakthesilencethathadweighedonhim。`VassiaPriachnikov，’hesaid，withagood-naturedsmileonhismoist，redlips，addressinghimselfprincipallytothemostimportantguest，AlexeiAlexandrovich，`theytoldmetodayhefoughtaduelwithKvitskyatTver，andhaskilledhim。’

Justasitalwaysseemsthatonebruisesoneselfonasoreplace，soStepanArkadyevichfeltnowthattheconversationwouldbyillluckfallatanymomentonAlexeiAlexandrovich’ssorespot。Hewouldagainhavegothisbrother-in-lawaway，butAlexeiAlexandrovichhimselfinquired，withcuriosity:

`WhatdidPriachnikovfightabout？’

`Hiswife。Actedlikeaman，hedid！Calledhimoutandshothim！’

`Ah！’saidAlexeiAlexandrovichindifferently，and，liftinghiseyebrows，hewentintothedrawingroom。

`HowgladIamyouhavecome，’Dollysaidwithafrightenedsmile，meetinghimintheouterdrawingroom。`Imusttalktoyou。Let’ssithere。’

AlexeiAlexandrovich，withthesameexpressionofindifference，duetohisliftedeyebrows，satdownbesideDaryaAlexandrovna，andsmiledaffectedly。

`It’sfortunate，’saidhe，`especiallyasImeanttoaskyoutoexcuseme，andtobetakingleave。Ihavetostarttomorrow。’

DaryaAlexandrovnawasfirmlyconvincedofAnna’sinnocence，andshefeltherselfgrowingpaleandherlipsquiveringwithangeratthisfrigid，unfeelingman，whowassocalmlyintendingtoruinherinnocentfriend。

`AlexeiAlexandrovich，’shesaid，withdesperateresolutionlookinghimintheface，`IaskedyouaboutAnna；youmademenoanswer。Howisshe？’

`Sheis，Ibelieve，quitewell，DaryaAlexandrovna，’repliedAlexeiAlexandrovich，withoutlookingather。

`AlexeiAlexandrovich，forgiveme，Ihavenoright……ButIloveAnnaasasister，andesteemher；Ibeg，Ibeseechyoutotellmewhatiswrongbetweenyou？Whatfaultdoyoufindwithher？’

AlexeiAlexandrovichfrowned，and，almostclosinghiseyes，droppedhishead。

`IpresumethatyourhusbandhastoldyouthegroundsonwhichIconsideritnecessarytochangemyattitudetoAnnaArkadyevna？’hesaid，withoutlookingherintheface，buteyingwithdispleasureShcherbatsky，whowaswalkingacrossthedrawingroom。

`Idon’tbelieveit，Idon’tbelieveit-Ican’tbelieveit！’

Dollysaid，claspingherbonyhandsbeforeherwithavigorousgesture。

SherosequicklyandlaidherhandonAlexeiAlexandrovich’ssleeve。`Weshallbedisturbedhere。Comethisway，please。’

Dolly’sagitationhadaneffectonAlexeiAlexandrovich。Hegotupandsubmissivelyfollowedhertotheschoolroom。Theysatdownatatablecoveredwithanoilclothcutinslitsbypenknives。

`Idon’t-Idon’tbelieveit！’Dollysaid，tryingtocatchhisglance，stillavoidingher。

`Onecannotdisbelievefacts，DaryaAlexandrovna，’saidhe，withanemphasisonthewordfacts。

`Butwhathasshedone？’saidDaryaAlexandrovna。`What，precisely，hasshedone？’

`Shehasforsakenherduty，anddeceivedherhusband。That’swhatshehasdone，’saidhe。

`No，no，itcan’tbe！No，forGod’ssake，youaremistaken，’saidDolly，puttingherhandstohertemplesandclosinghereyes。

AlexeiAlexandrovichsmiledcoldly，withhislipsalone，meaningtosignifytoherandhimselfthefirmnessofhisconviction；butthiswarmdefense，thoughitcouldnotshakehim，reopenedhiswound。Hebegantospeakwithgreaterheat。

`Itisextremelydifficulttobemistakenwhenawifeherselfinformsherhusbandofthefact-informshimthateightyearsofherlife，andason，areallamistake，andthatshewantstobeginlifeanew，’hesaidangrily，withasnort。

`Annaandsin-Icannotconnectthem，Icannotbelieveit！’

`DaryaAlexandrovna，’hesaid，nowlookingstraightintoDolly’skindly，troubledface，andfeelingthathistonguewasbeingloosenedinspiteofhimself，`Iwouldgiveagreatdealfordoubttobestillpossible。

WhenIdoubted，Iwasmiserable，butitwasbetterthannow。WhenIdoubted，Ihadhope；butnowthereisnohope，andstillIdoubteverything。IaminsuchdoubtofeverythingthatIevenhatemyson，andsometimesdonotbelieveheismyson。Iamveryunhappy。’

Hehadnoneedtosaythat。DaryaAlexandrovnahadseenthatassoonasheglancedintoherface；andshefeltsorryforhim，andherfaithintheinnocenceofherfriendbegantowaver。

`Oh，thisisawful，awful！Butcanitbetruethatyouareresolvedonadivorce？’

`Iamresolvedonextrememeasures。Thereisnothingelseformetodo。’

`Nothingelsetodo，nothingelsetodo……’shereplied，withtearsinhereyes。`Ohno，don’tsaythere’snothingelsetodo！’shesaid。

`Whatishorribleinamisfortuneofthiskindisthatonecannot，asinanyother-inloss，indeath-bearone’stroubleinpeace，butthatonemustact，’saidhe，asthoughguessingherthought。`Onemustgetoutofthehumiliatingpositioninwhichoneisplaced；onecan’tliveatrois。’

`Iunderstand，Iquiteunderstandthat，’saidDolly，andherheadsank。Shewassilentforalittle，thinkingofherself，ofherowngriefinherfamily，andallatonce，withanimpulsivemovement，sheraisedherheadandclaspedherhandswithanimploringgesture。`Butwaitalittle！

YouareaChristian。Thinkofher！Whatwillbecomeofher，ifyoucastheroff？’

`Ihavethought，DaryaAlexandrovna-Ihavethoughtagreatdeal，’

saidAlexeiAlexandrovich。Hisfaceturnedredinpatches，andhisdimeyeslookedstraightbeforehim。DaryaAlexandrovnaatthatmomentpitiedhimwithallherheart。`ThatindeedwaswhatIdidwhensheherselfmadeknowntomemyhumiliation；Ilefteverythingasofold。Igaveherachancetoreform，Itriedtosaveher。Andwithwhatresult？Shewouldnotregardtheleastrequest-thatsheshouldobservedecorum，’hesaid，gettingheated。`Onemaysaveanyonewhodoesnotwanttoberuined；butifthewholenatureissocorrupt，sodepraved，thatruinitselfseemstohersalvation，what’stobedone？’

`Anything，onlynotdivorce！’answeredDaryaAlexandrovna。

`Butwhatisanything？’

`No，itisawful！Shewillbenoone’swife；shewillbelost！’

`WhatcanIdo？’saidAlexeiAlexandrovich，raisinghisshouldersandhiseyebrows。Therecollectionofhiswife’slastacthadsoincensedhimthathehadbecomefrigid，asatthebeginningoftheconversation。

`Iamverygratefulforyoursympathy，butImustbegoing，’hesaid，gettingup。

`No，waitaminute。Youmustnotruinher。Waitalittle；Iwilltellyouaboutmyself。Iwasmarried，andmyhusbanddeceivedme；inangerandjealousyIwouldhavethrownupeverything，Iwouldmyself……ButI

cametomyselfagain；andwhodidit？Annasavedme。AndhereIamlivingon。Thechildrenaregrowingup，myhusbandhascomebacktohisfamily，andfeelshisfault，isgrowingpurer，better，andIliveon……Ihaveforgivenit，andyououghttoforgive！’

AlexeiAlexandrovichheardher，butherwordshadnoeffectonhimnow。Allthehatredofthatdaywhenhehadresolvedonadivorcehadsprungupagaininhissoul。Heshookhimself，andsaidinashrillloudvoice:

`ForgiveIcannot，anddonotwishto，andIregarditaswrong。

Ihavedoneeverythingforthiswoman，andshehastroddenitallinthemudtowhichsheiskin。Iamnotaspitefulman，Ihaveneverhatedanyone，butIhateherwithmywholesoul，andIcannotevenforgiveher，becauseIhatehertoomuchforallthewrongshehasdoneme！’hesaid，withtearsofhatredinhisvoice。

`Lovethosethathateyou……’DaryaAlexandrovnawhispered，timorously。

AlexeiAlexandrovichsmiledcontemptuously。Thatheknewlongago，butitcouldnotbeappliedtohiscase。

`Lovethosethathateyou，buttolovethoseonehatesisimpossible。

Forgivemeforhavingtroubledyou。Everyonehasenoughtobearinhisowngrief！’And，regaininghisself-possession，AlexeiAlexandrovichquietlytookleaveandwentaway。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart4，Chapter13[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter13Whentheyrosefromthetable，LevinwouldhavelikedtofollowKittyintothedrawingroom；buthewasafraidshemightdislikethis，astooobviouslypayingherattention。Heremainedinthelittleringofmen，takingpartinthegeneralconversation，and，withoutlookingatKitty，hewasawareofhermovements，herlooks，andtheplacewhereshewasinthedrawingroom。

Hedidatonce，andwithoutthesmallesteffort，keepthepromisehehadmadeher-alwaystothinkwellofallmen，andtolikeeveryonealways。Theconversationfellonthevillagecommune，inwhichPestsovsawasortofspecialprinciple，calledbyhimthechoralprinciple。LevindidnotagreewithPestsov，norwithhisbrother，whohadaspecialattitudeofhisown，bothadmittingyetnotadmittingthesignificanceoftheRussiancommune。Buthetalkedtothem，simplytryingtoreconcileandsoftentheirdifferences。Hewasnotintheleastinterestedinwhathesaidhimself，andevenlesssoinwhattheysaid；allhewantedwasthattheyandeveryoneshouldbehappyandcontented。Heknewnowtheonethingofimportance；

andthatonethingwasatfirstthere，inthedrawingroom，andthenbeganmovingacross，andcametoastandstillatthedoor。Withoutturningroundhefelthereyesfixedonhim，andhersmile，andhecouldnothelpturninground。ShewasstandinginthedoorwaywithShcherbatsky，lookingatLevin。

`Ithoughtyouweregoingtowardthepiano，’saidhe，goinguptoher。`That’ssomethingImissinthecountry-music。’

`No；weonlycametofetchyou，andIthankyou，’shesaid，rewardinghimwithasmilethatwaslikeagift，`forcoming。Whatdotheywanttoarguefor？Nooneeverconvincesanyone，youknow。’

`Yes；that’strue，’saidLevin；`itgenerallyhappensthatoneargueswarmlysimplybecauseonecan’tmakeoutwhatone’sopponentwantstoprove。’

Levinhadoftennoticedindiscussionsbetweenthemostintelligentpeoplethatafterenormousefforts，andanenormousexpenditureoflogicalsubtletiesandwords，thedisputantsfinallyarrivedattherealizationthatwhattheyhadsolongbeenstrugglingtoprovetooneanotherhadlongago，fromthebeginningoftheargument，beenknowntoboth，butthattheylikeddifferentthings，andwouldnotdefinewhattheylikedforfearofitsbeingattacked。Hehadoftenhadtheexperienceofsuddenlygraspinginadiscussionwhatitwashisopponentlikedandatoncelikingittoo，andimmediatelyhefoundhimselfagreeing，andthenallargumentsfellawayasuseless。Sometimes，too，hehadexperiencedtheopposite，expressingatlastwhathelikedhimself，whichhewasdevisingargumentstodefend，and，chancingtoexpressitwellandgenuinely，hehadfoundhisopponentatonceagreeingandceasingtodisputehisposition。Hetriedtosaythis。

Sheknitherbrow，tryingtounderstand。Butdirectlyhebegantoillustratehismeaning，sheunderstoodatonce。

`Iknow:onemustfindoutwhatheisarguingfor，whatisprecioustohim，thenonecan……’

Shehadcompletelyguessedandexpressedhisbadlyexpressedidea。

Levinsmiledjoyfully；hewasstruckbythistransitionfromtheconfused，verbosediscussionwithPestsovandhisbrothertothislaconic，clear，almostwordlesscommunicationofthemostcomplexideas。

Shcherbatskymovedawayfromthem，andKitty，goinguptoacardtable，satdown，and，takingupthechalk，begandrawingdivergingcirclesoverthenewgreencloth。

Theybeganagainonthesubjectthathadbeenstartedatdinner-thelibertyandoccupationsofwomen。LevinwasoftheopinionofDaryaAlexandrovnathatagirlwhodidnotmarryshouldfindawoman’sdutiesinafamily。Hesupportedthisviewbythefactthatnofamilycangetonwithoutwomentohelp；thatineveryfamily，poororrich，thereareandmustbenurses，eitherrelationsorhired。

`No，’saidKitty，blushing，butlookingathimallthemorebravelywithhertruthfuleyes；`agirlmaybesocircumstancedthatshecannotliveinthefamilywithouthumiliation，whilesheherself……’

Atthehintheunderstoodher。

`Oh，yes，’hesaid。`Yes，yes，yes-you’reright；you’reright！’

AndhesawallthatPestsovhadbeenmaintainingatdinneraboutthelibertyofwoman，simplyfromgettingaglimpseoftheterrorofanoldmaid’sexistenceanditshumiliationinKitty’sheart；andlovingher，hefeltthatterrorandhumiliation，andatoncegaveuphisarguments。

Asilencefollowed。Shewasstilldrawingwiththechalkonthetable。Hereyeswereshiningwithasoftlight。Undertheinfluenceofhermoodhefeltinallhisbeingacontinuallygrowingtensionofhappiness。

`Ah！I’vescribbledalloverthetable！’shesaid，and，layingdownthechalk，shemadeamovementasthoughtogetup。

`What！ShallIbeleftalone-withouther？’hethoughtwithhorror，andhetookthechalk。`Waitaminute，’hesaid，sittingdowntothetable。

`I’velongwantedtoaskyouonething。’

Helookedstraightintohercaressing，thoughfrightenedeyes。

`Please，askit。’

`Here，’hesaid；andhewrotetheinitialletters，w，y，t，m:

i，c，n，b，d，t，m，n，o，t。Theselettersmeant，`Whenyoutoldme:itcouldneverbe，didthatmeannever，orthen？’Thereseemednolikelihoodthatshecouldmakeoutthiscomplicatedsentence；buthelookedatherasthoughhislifedependedonherunderstandingthewords。

Sheglancedathimseriously，thenleanedherpuckeredbrowonherhandsandbegantoread。Onceortwiceshestolealookathim，asthoughaskinghim，`IsitwhatIthinkitis？’

`Iunderstand，’shesaid，flushing。

`Whatisthisword？’hesaid，pointingtothenthatstoodfornever。

`Itmeansnever，’shesaid；`butthat’snottrue！’

Hequicklyrubbedoutwhathehadwritten，gaveherthechalk，andstoodup。Shewrote，t，i，c，n，a，d。

DollywascompletelycomfortedinthedepressioncausedbyherconversationwithAlexeiAlexandrovichwhenshecaughtsightofthetwofigures:Kittywiththechalkinherhand，withashyandhappysmilelookingupwardatLevin，andhishandsomefigurebendingoverthetablewithglowingeyesfastenedoneminuteonthetableandthenextonher。Hewassuddenlyradiant:hehadunderstood。Itmeant，`ThenIcouldnotanswerdifferently。’

Heglancedatherquestioningly，timidly。

`Onlythen？’

`Yes，’hersmileanswered。

`Andn……Andnow？’heasked。

`Well，readthis。I’lltellyouwhatIshouldlike-shouldlikesomuch！’Shewrotetheinitialletters，i，y，c，f，a，f，w，h。Thismeant，`Ifyoucouldforgetandforgivewhathappened。’

Hesnatchedthechalkwithnervous，tremblingfingers，andbreakingit，wrotetheinitiallettersofthefollowingphrase，`Ihavenothingtoforgetandtoforgive；Ihaveneverceasedtoloveyou。’

Sheglancedathimwithasmilethatdidnotwaver。

`Iunderstand，’shesaidinawhisper。

Hesatdownandwrotealongphrase。Sheunderstooditall，andwithoutaskinghim，`Isitthis？’tookthechalkandatonceanswered。

Foralongwhilehecouldnotunderstandwhatshehadwritten，andoftenlookedintohereyes。Hewasstupefiedwithhappiness。Hecouldnotsupplythewordsshehadmeant；butinhercharmingeyes，beamingwithhappiness，hesawallheneededtoknow。Andhewrotethreeletters。Buthehadhardlyfinishedwritingwhenshereadthemoverherarm，andherselffinishedandwrotetheanswer，`Yes。’

`You’replayingsecretaire？’saidtheoldPrince。`Butwemustreallybegettingalongifyouwanttobeintimeatthetheater。’

LevingotupandescortedKittytothedoor。

Intheirconversationeverythinghadbeensaid；ithadbeensaidthatshelovedhim，andthatshewouldtellherfatherandmotherthathewouldcometomorrowmorning。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart4，Chapter14[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter14WhenKittyhadgoneandLevinwasleftalone，hefeltsuchuneasinesswithoutherandsuchanimpatientlongingtogetasquicklyaspossibletotomorrowmorning，whenhewouldseeheragainandbeplightedtoherforever，thathefeltafraid，asthoughofdeath，ofthosefourteenhoursthathehadtogetthroughwithouther。Itwasessentialforhimtobewithsomeonetotalkto，soasnottobeleftalone；todeceivetime。StepanArkadyevichwouldhavebeenthecompanionmostcongenialtohim，buthewasgoingout，hesaid，toasoiree-inrealitytotheballet。Levinonlyhadtimetotellhimhewashappy，andthathelovedhim，andwouldnever，neverforgetwhathehaddoneforhim。TheeyesandthesmileofStepanArkadyevichshowedLevinthathecomprehendedthatfeelingfittingly。

`Oh，soit’snottimetodieyet？’saidStepanArkadyevich，pressingLevin’shandwithemotion。

`N-n-no！’saidLevin。

DaryaAlexandrovnatoo，asshesaidgood-bytohim，gavehimasortofcongratulation，saying，`HowgladIamyouhavemetKittyagain！

Onemustvalueoldfriends。’LevindidnotlikethesewordsofDaryaAlexandrovna’s。

Shecouldnotunderstandhowloftyandbeyondheritallwas，andsheoughtnottohavedaredtoalludetoit。Levinsaidgood-bytothem，but，nottobeleftalone，heattachedhimselftohisbrother。

`Whereareyougoing？’

`I’mgoingtoameeting。’

`Well，I’llcomewithyou。MayI？’

`Whatfor？Yes，comealong，’saidSergeiIvanovich，smiling。`Whatisthematterwithyoutoday？’

`Withme？Happinessisthematterwithme！’saidLevin，lettingdownthewindowofthecarriagetheyweredrivingin。`Youdon’tmind？

It’ssostifling。Happinessisallthat’sthematterwithme！Whyisityouhavenevermarried？’

SergeiIvanovichsmiled。

`Iamveryglad-sheseemsalovelygi……’SergeiIvanovichwasbeginning。

`Don’tsayit！Don’tsayit！’shoutedLevin，clutchingatthecollarofhisfurcoatwithbothhands，andmufflinghimupinit。`She’salovelygirl’weresuchsimple，humblewords，sooutofharmonywithhisfeeling。

SergeiIvanovichlaughedoutrightamerrylaugh，whichwasrarewithhim。

`Well，anyway，ImaysaythatI’mverygladofit。’

`Thatyoumaydotomorrow，tomorrow-andsaynomore！Nothing，nothing-silence，’saidLevin，andmufflinghimoncemoreinhisfurcoat，headded:`Idolikeyouso！Well，isitpossibleformetobepresentatthemeeting？’

`Ofcourseitis。’

`Whatisyourdiscussionabouttoday？’askedLevin，neverceasingsmiling。

Theyarrivedatthemeeting。Levinheardthesecretaryhesitatinglyreadtheminuteswhichheobviouslydidnothimselfunderstand；butLevinsawfromthissecretary’sfacewhatagood，fine，kindheartedpersonhewas。Thiswasevidentfromhisconfusionandembarrassmentinreadingtheminutes。Thenthediscussionbegan。Theyweredisputingaboutthereckoningoffofcertainsumsandthelayingofcertainpipes，andSergeiIvanovichwasverycuttingtotwomembers，andsaidsomethingatgreatlengthwithanairoftriumph；andanothermember，scribblingsomethingonabitofpaper，begantimidlyatfirst，butafterwardansweredhimveryviciouslyanddelightfully。AndthenSviiazhsky(hewastherealso)saidsomethingtoo，veryhandsomelyandnobly。Levinlistenedtothem，andsawclearlythatthisreckoningoffofsumsandthesepipeswerenotanythingreal，andthattheywerenotatallangry，butwereallthefinest，kindestpeople，andeverythingwasashappyandcharmingaspossibleamongthem。Theydidnoharmtoanyone，andwereallenjoyingit。WhatstruckLevinwasthathecouldseethroughthemalltoday，andfromlittle，almostimperceptiblesignsknewthesoulofeach，andsawdistinctlythattheywereallgoodatheart。AndtheywereallextremelyfondofLevininparticularthatday。Thiswasevidentfromthewaytheyspoketohim，fromthefriendly，affectionatewayeventhosewhomhedidnotknowlookedathim。

`Well，areyoucontentedwithit？’SergeiIvanovichaskedhim。

`Verymuch。Ineversupposeditwassointeresting，nice，capital！’

SviiazhskywentuptoLevinandinvitedhimtocomeroundtoteawithhim。LevinwasutterlyatalosstocomprehendorrecallwhatitwashehaddislikedinSviiazhsky，whathehadfailedtofindinhim。Hewasacleverandwonderfullygoodheartedman。

`Mostdelighted，’hesaid，andaskedafterhiswifeandsister-in-law。

Andfromaqueerassociationofideas，becauseinhisimaginationtheideaofSviiazhsky’ssister-in-lawwasconnectedwithmarriage，itoccurredtohimthattherewasnoonetowhomhecouldmoresuitablyspeakofhishappiness，thantoSviiazhsky’swifeandsister-in-law，andhewasverygladtogotoseethem。

Sviiazhskyquestionedhimabouthisimprovementsonhisestate，presupposing，ashealwaysdid，thattherewasnopossibilityofdoinganythingnotdonealreadyinEurope，andnowthisdidnotintheleastannoyLevin。Onthecontrary，hefeltthatSviiazhskywasright，thatthewholebusinesswasoflittlevalue，andhesawthewonderfulsuavityandconsiderationwithwhichSviiazhskyavoidedfullyexpressinghiscorrectview。TheladiesoftheSviiazhskyhouseholdwereparticularlydelightful。

ItseemedtoLevinthattheyknewallaboutitalready，andsympathizedwithhim，sayingnothingmerelyoutofdelicacy。Hestayedwiththemonehour，two，three，talkingofallsortsofsubjects，butimpliedinittheonlythingthatfilledhisheart，anddidnotobservethathewasboringthemdreadfully，andthatitwaslongpasttheirbedtime。Sviiazhskywentwithhimintothehall，yawningandwonderingatthestrangehumorhisfriendwasin。Itwaspastoneo’clock。Levinwentbacktohishotel，andwasdismayedatthethoughtthatallalonenowwithhisimpatiencehehadtenhoursstilllefttogetthrough。Theservant，whoseturnitwastobeupallnight，lightedhiscandles，andwouldhavegoneaway，butLevinstoppedhim。Thisservant，Iegor，whomLevinhadnotnoticedbefore，struckhimasaveryintelligent，excellent，and，aboveall，agoodheartedman。

`Well，Iegor，it’shardworknotsleeping，isn’tit？’

`What’stobedone！It’spartofourwork，yousee。Inagentleman’shouseit’seasier；butthenhereonemakesmore。’

ItappearedthatIegorhadafamily-threeboysandadaughter，aseamstress，whomhewantedtomarrytoacashierinasaddler’sshop。

Levin，onhearingthis，informedIegorthat，inhisopinion，inmarriagethegreatthingwaslove，andthatwithloveonewouldalwaysbehappy，forhappinessrestsonlyononeself。

Iegorlistenedattentively，andobviouslyquitetookinLevin’sidea，butbywayofassenttoitheenunciated，greatlytoLevin’ssurprise，theobservationthatwhenhehadlivedwithgoodmastershehadalwaysbeensatisfiedwithhismasters，andnowwasperfectlysatisfiedwithhisemployer，thoughhewasaFrenchman。

`Wonderfullygoodheartedfellow！’thoughtLevin。

`Well，butyouyourself，Iegor，whenyougotmarried，didyouloveyourwife？’

`Ay！Andwhynot？’respondedIegor。

AndLevinsawthatIegortoowasinanexcitedstateandintendingtoexpressallhismostheartfeltemotions。

`Mylife，too，hasbeenawonderfulone。Fromachildup……’hewasbeginningwithflashingeyes，apparentlycatchingLevin’senthusiasm，justaspeoplecatchyawning。

Butatthatmomentaringwasheard。Iegordeparted，andLevinwasleftalone。Hehadeatenscarcelyanythingatdinner，hadrefusedteaandsupperatSviiazhsky’s，buthewasincapableofthinkingofsupper。

Hehadnotsleptthepreviousnight，butwasincapableofthinkingofsleepeither。Hisroomwascold，buthewasoppressedbyheat。Heopenedboththemovablepanesinhiswindowsandsatdownonthetableoppositetheopenpanes。Overthesnow-coveredroofscouldbeseenadecoratedcross，withchains，andaboveittherisingtriangleofAuriga，withtheyellowishlightofCapella。Hegazedatthecross，thenatthestar，drankinthefreshfreezingairthatflowedevenlyintotheroom，andfollowedasthoughinadreamtheimagesandmemoriesthatroseinhisimagination。Atfouro’clockheheardstepsinthepassageandpeepedoutofthedoor。ItwasthegamblerMiaskin，whomheknew，comingfromtheclub。Hewalkedgloomily，frowningandcoughing。`Poor，unluckyfellow！’thoughtLevin，andtearscameintohiseyesfromloveandpityforthisman。Hewouldhavetalkedwithhim，andtriedtocomforthim，butrememberingthathehadnothingbuthisshirton，hechangedhismindandsatdownagainattheopenpanetobatheinthecoldairandgazeattheexquisitelinesofthecross，silent，butfullofmeaningforhim，andthemountingluridyellowstar。

Atsixo’clocktherewasanoiseofpeoplepolishingthefloors，andchurchbellsringingtosomedivineservice，andLevinfeltthathewasbeginningtogetfrozen。Heclosedthepane，washed，dressed，andwentoutintothestreet。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart4，Chapter15[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter15Thestreetswerestillempty。LevinwenttothehouseoftheShcherbatskys。

Thevisitors’doorswereclosedandeverythingwasasleep。Hewalkedback，wentintohisroomagain，andaskedforcoffee。Thedayservant，notIegorthistime，broughtittohim。Levinwouldhaveenteredintoconversationwithhim，butabellrangfortheservant，andhewentout。Levintriedtodrinkcoffeeandtakeabiteofaroll，buthismouthwasquiteatalosswhattodowiththeroll。Levin，rejectingtheroll，putonhiscoatandwentoutagainforawalk。Itwasnineo’clockwhenhereachedtheShcherbatskys’stepsthesecondtime。Inthehousetheywereonlyjustup，andthecookcameouttogomarketing。Hehadtogetthroughatleasttwohoursmore。

AllthatnightandmorningLevinlivedperfectlyunconsciously，andfeltperfectlyliftedoutoftheconditionsofmateriallife。Hehadeatennothingforawholeday，hehadnotsleptfortwonights，hadspentseveralhoursundressedinthefrozenair，andfeltnotonlyfresherandstrongerthanever，butfeltutterlyindependentofhisbody；hemovedwithoutmusculareffort，andfeltasifhecoulddoanything。Hewasconvincedhecouldflyupwardorliftthecornerofthehouse，ifneedbe。Hespenttheremainderofthetimeinthestreet，incessantlylookingathiswatchandgazingabouthim。

Andwhathesawthen，heneversawagainafter。Especiallythechildrengoingtoschool，theblue-graydovesflutteringdownfromtheroofstothepavement，andthelittleloavescoveredwithflour，setoutbyanunseenhand，touchedhim。Thoseloaves，thosedoves，andthosetwoboyswerenotofthisearth。Itallhappenedatthesametime:aboyrantowardadoveandglancedsmilingatLevin；thedove，withawhirofherwings，dartedaway，flashinginthesun，amidgrainsofsnowthatquiveredintheair，whilefromalittlewindowtherecameasmelloffresh-bakedbread，andtheloavesweresetout。AllofthistogetherwassoextraordinarilyresplendentthatLevinlaughedandcriedwithdelight。GoingalongwayroundbyGazetnyLaneandKislovka，hewentbackagaintothehotel，and，puttinghiswatchbeforehim，satdowntowaitfortwelveo’clock。Inthenextroomtheyweretalkingaboutsomesortofmachines，andswindling，andcoughingtheirmorningcoughs。Theydidnotrealizethatthehandwasneartwelve。Thehandreachedit。Levinwentoutonthesteps。Thesleighdriversclearlyknewallaboutit。TheycrowdedroundLevinwithhappyfaces，quarrelingamongthemselves，andofferingtheirservices。Tryingnottooffendtheothersleighdrivers，andpromisingtodrivewiththemtoo，LevintookoneandtoldhimtodrivetotheShcherbatskys’。Thesleighdriverwassplendidinawhiteshirtcollar，stickingoutoverhisovercoatandintohisstrong，full-bloodedredneck。Thesleighwashighandcomfortable，andaltogethersuchaoneasLevinneverdroveinafter，andthehorsewasagoodone，andtriedtogallopyetdidn’tseemtomove。ThedriverknewtheShcherbatskys’house，anddrewupattheentrance，squaringhisarmsandsayinga`Whoa！’especiallyindicativeofrespectforhisfare。

TheShcherbatskys’hallportercertainlyknewallaboutit。Thiswasevidentfromthesmileinhiseyesandthewayhesaid:

`Well，it’salongwhilesinceyou’vebeentoseeus，KonstantinDmitrievich！’

Notonlydidheknowallaboutit，buthewasunmistakablydelightedandmakingeffortstoconcealhisjoy。Lookingintohiskindlyoldeyes，Levinrealizedevensomethingnewinhishappiness。

`Aretheyup？’

`Praywalkin！Leaveithere，’saidhe，smiling，asLevinwouldhavecomebacktotakehishat。Thatmeantsomething。

`TowhomshallIannounceyourhonor？’askedthefootman。

Thefootman，thoughayoungman，andoneofthenewschooloffootmen-adandy-wasaverykindhearted，goodfellow，andhetooknewallaboutit。

`ThePrincess……thePrince……theyoungPrincess……’saidLevin。

ThefirstpersonhesawwasMademoiselleLinon。Shewalkedacrosstheroom，andherringletsandherfacewerebeaming。Hehadbarelyspokentoher，whensuddenlyheheardtherustleofaskirtatthedoor，andMademoiselleLinonvanishedfromLevin’seyes，andajoyfulterrorcameoverhimatthenearnessofhishappiness。MademoiselleLinonwasingreathaste，and，leavinghim，wentoutattheotherdoor。Directlyshehadgoneout，swift，swiftlightstepssoundedontheparquet，andhisbliss，hislife，hisownself-whatwasbestinhimself，whathehadsolongsoughtandlongedfor-wasquickly，soquicklyapproachinghim。Shedidnotwalk，butseemed，bysomeunseenforce，tofloattowardhim。

Hesawnothingbutherclear，truthfuleyes，frightenedbythesameblissoflovethatfloodedhisheart。Thoseeyeswereshiningnearerandnearer，blindinghimwiththeirlightoflove。Shestoppedclosetohim，touchinghim。Herhandsroseanddroppedonhisshoulders。

Shehaddoneallshecould-shehadrunuptohimandgivenherselfupentirely，shyandhappy。Heputhisarmsroundher，andpressedhislipstohermouth，whichsoughthiskiss。

Shetoohadnotsleptallnight，andhadbeenexpectinghimallthemorning。

Hermotherandfatherhadconsentedwithoutdemur，andwerehappyinherhappiness。Shehadbeenwaitingforhim。Shewantedtobethefirsttotellhimherhappinessandhis。Shehadgotreadytoseehimalone，andhadbeendelightedattheidea，andhadbeenshyandashamed，anddidnotknowherselfwhatshewastodo。Shehadheardhisstepsandvoice，andhadwaitedatthedoorforMademoiselleLinontogo。MademoiselleLinonhadgoneaway。Withoutthinking，withoutaskingherselfhowandwhat，shehadgoneuptohim，anddidasshewasdoing。

`Letusgotomamma！’shesaid，takinghimbythehand。Foralongwhilehecouldsaynothing，notsomuchbecausehewasafraidofdesecratingtheloftinessofhisemotionbyaword，asthateverytimehetriedtosaysomething，insteadofwordshefeltthattearsofhappinesswerewellingup。Hetookherhandandkissedit。

`Canitbetrue？’hesaidatlastinachokedvoice。`Ican’tbelieveyouloveme，dear！’

Shesmiledatthat`dear，’andatthetimiditywithwhichheglancedather。

`Yes！’shesaidsignificantly，deliberately。`Iamsohappy！’

Withoutlettinggohishand，shewentintothedrawingroom。ThePrincess，seeingthem，breathedquickly，andimmediatelybegantocry，andthenimmediatelybegantolaugh，and，withavigorousstepLevinhadnotexpected，ranuptohim，andhugginghishead，kissedhim，wettinghischeekswithhertears。

`Soitisallsettled！Iamglad。Loveher。Iamglad……Kitty！’

`You’venotbeenlongsettlingthings，’saidtheoldPrince，tryingtoseemunmoved；butLevinnoticedthathiseyeswerewetwhenheturnedtohim。`I’velong-always-wishedforthis！’saidthePrince，takingLevinbythearmanddrawinghimtowardhimself。`Evenwhenthislittlefeatherheadfancied……’

`Papa！’shriekedKitty，andshuthismouthwithherhands。

`Well，Iwon’t！’hesaid。`I’mvery，very……plea……Oh，whatafoolIam……’

HeembracedKitty，kissedherface，herhand，herfaceagain，andmadethesignofthecrossoverher。

AndtherecameoverLevinanewfeelingofloveforthisman，theoldPrince，tillthensolittleknowntohim，whenhesawhowslowlyandtenderlyKittykissedhismuscularhand。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart4，Chapter16[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter16ThePrincesswassittinginherarmchair，silentandsmiling；thePrincesatdownbesideher。Kittystoodbyherfather’schair，stillholdinghishand。Allweresilent。

ThePrincesswasthefirsttoputeverythingintowords，andtotranslateallthoughtsandfeelingsintopracticalquestions。Andallfeltequallystrangeandpainfulforthefirstminute。

`Whenisittobe？Wemusthavethebenedictionandannouncement。

Andwhen’stheweddingtobe？Whatdoyouthink，Alexandre？

`Hereheis，’saidtheoldPrince，pointingtoLevin-`he’stheprincipalpersoninthematter。’

`When？’saidLevinblushing。`Tomorrow。Ifyouaskme，Ishouldsay，thebenedictiontoday，andtheweddingtomorrow。’

`Come，moncher，that’snonsense！’

`Well，inaweek。’

`He’squitemad。’

`No，whyso？’

`Well，uponmyword！’saidthemother，smiling，delightedatthishaste。`Howaboutthetrousseau？’

`Willtherereallybeatrousseauandallthat？’Levinthoughtwithhorror。`Butcanthetrousseauandthebenedictionandallthat-

canitspoilmyhappiness？Nothingcanspoilit！’HeglancedatKittyandnoticedthatshewasnotintheleast，notintheveryleast，disturbedbytheideaofthetrousseau。`Thenitmustbeallright，’hethought。

`Oh，Iknownothingaboutit；IonlysaidwhatIshouldlike，’

hesaidapologetically。

`We’lltalkitover，then。Thebenedictionandannouncementcantakeplacenow。That’sverywell。’