第20章

AllofMikhailov’smobilefacebeamedatonce；hiseyessparkled。

Hetriedtosaysomething，buthecouldnotspeakforexcitement，andpretendedtobecoughing。LowaswashisopinionofGolenishchev’scapacityforunderstandingart，triflingaswasthetrueremarkuponthefidelityoftheexpressionofPilateasanofficial，andoffensiveasmighthaveseemedtheutteranceofsounimportantanobservationwhilenothingwassaidofmoreseriouspoints，Mikhailovwasinanecstasyofdelightatthisobservation。HehadhimselfthoughtaboutPilate’sfigurejustwhatGolenishchevhadsaid。

Thefactthatthisreflectionwasbutoneofmillionsofreflections，which，asMikhailovknewforcertain，wouldbetrue，didnotdiminishforhimthesignificanceofGolenishchev’sremark。HisheartwarmedtoGolenishchevforthisremark，andfromastateofdepressionhesuddenlypassedtoecstasy。

Atoncethewholeofhispicturelivedbeforehiminalltheindescribablecomplexityofeverythingliving。MikhailovagaintriedtosaythatthatwashowheunderstoodPilate，buthislipsquiveredintractably，andhecouldnotpronouncethewords。VronskyandAnnatoosaidsomethinginthatsubduedvoicewhich(partlytoavoidhurtingtheartist’sfeelingsandpartlytoavoidgivingloudutterancetosomethingsilly-soeasilydonewhentalkingofart)peopleuseatexhibitionsofpictures。Mikhailovfanciedthatthepicturehadmadeanimpressiononthemtoo。Hewentuptothem。

`HowmarvelousChrist’sexpressionis！’saidAnna。Ofallshesawshelikedthatexpressionmostofall，andshefeltthatitwasthecenterofthepicture，andsopraiseofitwouldbepleasanttotheartist。

`OnecanseethatHeispityingPilate。’

ThisagainwasoneofthemilliontruereflectionsthatcouldbefoundinhispictureandinthefigureofChrist。ShesaidthatHewaspityingPilate。InChrist’sexpressionthereoughttobeindeedanexpressionofpity，sincethereisanexpressionoflove，ofunearthlypeace，ofpreparednessfordeath，andasenseofthevanityofwords。Ofcourse，thereistheexpressionofanofficialinPilate，andofpityinChrist，consideringthatoneistheincarnationofthefleshly，andtheotherofthespiritual，life。AllthisandmuchmoreflashedintoMikhailov’sthoughts。Andhisfacebeamedwithdelightagain。

`Yes，andhowthatfigureisdone-whatatmosphere！Onecanwalkroundit，’saidGolenishchev，unmistakablybetrayingbythisremarkthathedidnotapproveofthemeaningandideaofthefigure。

`Yes，there’sawonderfulmastery！’saidVronsky。`Howthosefiguresinthebackgroundstandout！Thereyouhavetechnique，’hesaid，addressingGolenishchev，alludingtoaconversationbetweenthemaboutVronsky’sdespairofattainingthistechnique。

`Yes，yes，marvelous！’GolenishchevandAnnaassented。

Inspiteoftheexcitedconditioninwhichhewas，thesentenceabouttechniquehadsentapangtoMikhailov’sheart，andlookingangrilyatVronskyhesuddenlyscowled。Hehadoftenheardthisword`technique，’

andwasutterlyunabletounderstandwhatwasmeantbyit。Heknewthatbythistermwasmeantamechanicaldexterityforpaintingordrawing，entirelyapartfromitssubject。Hehadnoticedoftenthateveninactualpraisetechniquewasopposedtoessentialquality，asthoughonecouldpaintwellsomethingthatwasbad。Heknewthatagreatdealofattentionandcarewasnecessaryintakingofftheveils，toavoidinjuringthecreationitself，andtotakeoffalltheveils；buttherewasnoartofpainting-notechniqueofanysort-aboutit。Iftoalittlechildortohiscookwererevealedwhathesaw，eitherwouldhavebeenabletopeeltheveilsoffwhatwasseen。Andthemostexperiencedandadroitpaintercouldnotbymeremechanicalfacultypaintanythingifthelinesofthesubjectwerenotrevealedtohimfirst。Besides，hesawthatifitcametotalkingabouttechnique，itwasimpossibletopraisehimforit。Inallhehadpaintedhesawfaultsthathurthiseyes，comingfromwantofcareintakingofftheveils-faultshecouldnotcorrectnowwithoutspoilingthewhole。

Andinalmostallthefiguresandfaceshesaw，too，remnantsoftheveilsnotperfectlyremovedthatspoiledthepicture。

`Onethingmightbesaid，ifyouwillallowmetomaketheremark……’

observedGolenishchev。

`Oh，Ishallbedelighted，Ibegofyoutodoso，’saidMikhailovwithaforcedsmile。

`Thatis，youmakeHimtheman-god，andnottheGod-man。ButI

knowthatwaswhatyoumeanttodo。’

`IcannotpaintaChristthatisnotinmyheart，’saidMikhailovmorosely。

`Yes；butinthatcase，ifyouwillallowmetosaywhatIthink……

Yourpictureissofinethatmyobservationcannotdetractfromit，and，besides，itisonlymypersonalopinion。Withyouitisdifferent。Yourverymotiveisdifferent。ButletustakeIvanov。IimaginethatifChristisbroughtdowntothelevelofanhistoricalcharacter，itwouldhavebeenbetterforIvanovtoselectsomeotherhistoricalsubject，fresh，untouched。’

`Butifthisisthegreatestsubjectpresentedtoart？’

`Ifonelookedonewouldfindothers。Butthepointisthatartcannotsufferdoubtanddiscussion。AndbeforethepictureofIvanovthequestionarisesforthebelieverandtheunbelieveralike，``IsitGod，orisitnotGod？’andtheunityoftheimpressionisdestroyed。’

`Whyso？Ithinkthat，foreducatedpeople，’saidMikhailov，`thequestioncannotexist。’

Golenishchevdidnotagreewiththis，andconfoundedMikhailovbyhissupportofhisfirstideaoftheunityoftheimpressionbeingessentialtoart。

Mikhailovwasgreatlyperturbed，buthecouldsaynothingindefenseofhisownidea。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart5，Chapter12[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter12AnnaandVronskyhadlongbeenexchangingglances，regrettingtheirfriend’sflowofcleverness。AtlastVronsky，withoutwaitingfortheartist，walkedawaytoanothersmallpicture。

`Oh，howexquisite！Whatalovelything！Agem！Howexquisite！’

theycriedwithonevoice。

`Whatisitthey’resopleasedwith？’thoughtMikhailov。Hehadpositivelyforgottenthatpicturehehadpaintedthreeyearsago。Hehadforgottenalltheagoniesandtheecstasieshehadlivedthroughwiththatpicturewhen，forseveralmonths，ithadbeentheonethoughthauntinghimdayandnight。Hehadforgotten，ashealwaysforgot，thepictureshehadfinished。Hedidnotevenliketolookatit，andhadonlybroughtitoutbecausehewasexpectinganEnglishmanwhowantedtobuyit。

`Oh，that’sonlyanoldstudy，’hesaid。

`Howfine！’saidGolenishchev，hetoo，withunmistakablesincerity，fallingunderthespellofthepicture。

Twoboyswereanglingintheshadeofawillowtree。Theelderhadjustdroppedinthehook，andwascarefullypullingthefloatfrombehindabush，entirelyabsorbedinwhathewasdoing。Theother，alittleyounger，waslyinginthegrassleaningonhiselbows，withhistangled，flaxenheadinhishands，staringatthewaterwithhisdreamyblueeyes。

Whatwashethinkingof？

TheenthusiasmoverthispicturestirredsomeoftheoldfeelingforitinMikhailov，buthefearedanddislikedthiswasteoffeelingforthingspast，andso，eventhoughthispraisewasgratefultohim，hetriedtodrawhisvisitorsawaytoathirdpicture。

ButVronskyaskedwhetherthepicturewasforsale？ToMikhailovatthatmoment，excitedbyvisitors，itwasextremelydistastefultospeakofmoneymatters。

`Itisputuptheretobesold，’heanswered，scowlinggloomily。

Whenthevisitorshadgone，MikhailovsatdownoppositethepictureofPilateandChrist，andinhismindwentoverwhathadbeensaid，andwhat，thoughnotsaid，hadbeenimpliedbythosevisitors。And，strangetosay，whathadhadsuchweightwithhim，whiletheywerethereandwhilehementallyputhimselfattheirpointofview，suddenlylostallimportanceforhim。Hebegantolookathispicturewithallhisownfull，artist’svision，andwassooninthatmoodofconvictionoftheperfectibility，andsoofthesignificance，ofhispicture-aconvictionessentialtotheintensestfervor，excludingallotherinterests-inwhichalonehecouldwork。

Christ’sforeshortenedlegwasnotright，though。Hetookhispaletteandbegantowork。AshecorrectedtheleghelookedcontinuallyatthefigureofJohninthebackground，whichhisvisitorshadnotevennoticed，butwhichheknewwasbeyondperfection。Whenhehadfinishedtheleghewantedtotouchthatfigure，buthefelttoomuchexcitedforthat。Hewasequallyunabletoworkwhenhewascoldandwhenhewastoomuchaffectedandsaweverythingtooclearly。Therewasonlyonestageinthetransitionfromcoldnesstoinspiration，atwhichworkwaspossible。

Todayhewastoomuchagitated。Hewouldhavecoveredthepicture，buthestopped，holdingtheclothinhishand，and，smilingblissfully，gazedalongwhileatthefigureofJohn。Atlast，tearinghimselfawaywithevidentregret，hedroppedthecloth，and，exhaustedbuthappy，wenthome。

Vronsky，Anna，andGolenishchev，ontheirwayhome，wereparticularlylivelyandcheerful。TheytalkedofMikhailovandhispictures。Thewordtalent，bywhichtheymeantaninborn，almostphysical，aptitudeapartfrombrainandheart，andinwhichtheytriedtofindanexpressionforalltheartisthadgainedfromlife，recurredparticularlyoftenintheirtalk，asthoughitwerenecessaryforthemtosumupwhattheyhadnoconceptionof，thoughtheywantedtotalkofit。Theysaidthattherewasnodenyinghistalent，butthathistalentcouldnotdevelopforwantofeducation-thecommondefectofourRussianartists。Butthepictureoftheboyshadimprinteditselfontheirmemories，andtheywerecontinuallycomingbacktoit。`Whatanexquisitething！Howhehassucceededinit，andhowsimply！Hedoesn’tevencomprehendhowgooditis。Yes，Imustn’tletitslip；Imustbuyit，’saidVronsky。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart5，Chapter13[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter13MikhailovsoldVronskyhispicture，andagreedtopaintaportraitofAnna。

Onthedayfixedhecameandbeganthework。

Fromthefifthsittingtheportraitimpressedeveryone，especiallyVronsky，notonlybyitsresemblance，butbyitscharacteristicbeauty。

ItwasstrangehowMikhailovcouldhavediscoveredpreciselythebeautycharacteristicofher。`OneneedstoknowandloveherasIhavelovedhertodiscovertheverysweetestexpressionofhersoul，’Vronskythought，thoughitwasonlyfromthisportraitthathehadhimselflearnedthissweetestexpressionofhersoul。Buttheexpressionwassotruethathe，andotherstoo，fanciedtheyhadlongknownit。

`Ihavebeenstrugglingonforeversolongwithoutdoinganything，’

hesaidofhisownportraitofher，`andhejustlookedandpaintedit。

That’swheretechniquecomesin。’

`Thatwillcome，’wastheconsolingreassurancegivenhimbyGolenishchev，inwhoseviewVronskyhadbothtalent，and，whatwasmostimportant，education，givinghimanexaltedoutlookonart。Golenishchev’sfaithinVronsky’stalentwasproppedupbyhisownneedofVronsky’ssympathyandapprovalforhisownessaysandideas，andhefeltthatthepraiseandsupportmustbemutual。

Inanotherman’shouse，andespeciallyinVronsky’spalazzo，Mikhailovwasquiteadifferentmanfromwhathewasinhisstudio。Hebehavedwithhostiledeference，asthoughhewereafraidofcomingclosertopeoplehedidnotrespect。HecalledVronsky`YourExcellency，’and，notwithstandingAnna’sandVronsky’sinvitations，hewouldneverstaytodinner，norcomeexceptforthesittings。Annawasevenmorefriendlytohimthantootherpeople，andwasverygratefulforherportrait。Vronskywasmorethancourteouswithhim，andwasobviouslyinterestedtoknowtheartist’sopinionofhispicture。GolenishchevneverletslipanopportunityofinstillingsoundideasaboutartintoMikhailov。ButMikhailovremainedequallychillytoallofthesepeople。Annawasawarefromhiseyesthathelikedtolookather，butheavoidedconversationwithher。Vronsky’stalkabouthispaintinghemetwithstubbornsilence，andhewasasstubbornlysilentwhenhewasshownVronsky’spicture。HewasunmistakablyboredbyGolenishchev’sconversation，andhedidnotattempttoopposehim。

AltogetherMikhailov，withhisreservedanddisagreeable，and，apparently，hostileattitude，wasquitedislikedbythemastheygottoknowhimbetter；andtheyweregladwhenthesittingswereover，andtheywereleftwithamagnificentportraitintheirpossession，andhegaveupcoming。

Golenishchevwasthefirsttogiveexpressiontoanideathathadoccurredtoallofthem-whichwasthatMikhailovwassimplyenviousofVronsky。

`Notenvious，letussay，sincehehastalent；butitannoyshimthatawealthymanofthehighestsociety，andaCount，too(youknowthesefellowsdetestallthat)，can，withoutanyparticulartrouble，doaswell，ifnotbetter，thanhewhohasdevotedallhislifetoit。And，morethanall，it’saquestionofeducation，whichhelacks。’

VronskydefendedMikhailov，butatthebottomofhishearthebelievedthis，becauseinhisviewamanofadifferent，lowerworldwouldbesuretobeenvious。

Anna’sportrait-thesamesubjectpaintedfromnaturebothbyhimandbyMikhailov-oughttohaveshownVronskythedifferencebetweenhimandMikhailov；buthedidnotseeit。OnlyafterMikhailov’sportraitwaspainteddidheleaveoffpaintinghisownportraitofAnna，decidingthatitwasnolongerneeded。Hispictureofmedievallifehewentonwith。

Andhehimself，andGolenishchev，and，stillmore，Anna，thoughtitverygood，becauseitwasfarmorelikethecelebratedpicturestheyknewthanMikhailov’spicture。

Mikhailovmeanwhile，althoughAnna’sportraitgreatlyfascinatedhim，wasevenmoregladthantheywerewhenthesittingswereover，andhehadnolongertolistentoGolenishchev’sdisquisitionsuponart，andcouldforgetaboutVronsky’spainting。HeknewthatVronskycouldnotbepreventedfromamusinghimselfwithpainting；heknewthatheandalldilettantihadaperfectrighttopaintwhattheyliked，butitwasdistastefultohim。Amancouldnotbepreventedfrommakinghimselfabigwaxdoll，andkissingit。Butifthemanweretocomewiththedollandsitbeforeamaninlove，andbegincaressinghisdollasthelovercaressedthewomanheloved，itwouldbedistastefultothelover。JustsuchadistastefulsensationwaswhatMikhailovfeltatthesightofVronsky’spainting:hefeltitbothludicrousandirritating，bothpitiableandoffensive。

Vronsky’sinterestinpaintingandtheMiddleAgesdidnotlastlong。Hehadenoughtasteforpaintingtobeunabletofinishhispicture。

Thepicturecametoastandstill。Hewasvaguelyawarethatitsdefects，inconspicuousatfirst，wouldbeglaringifheweretogoonwithit。ThesameexperiencebefellhimasGolenishchev，whofeltthathehadnothingtosay，andcontinuallydeceivedhimselfwiththetheorythathisideawasnotyetmature，thathewasworkingitoutandcollectingmaterial。

ThisexasperatedandtorturedGolenishchev，butVronskywasincapableofdeceivingandtorturinghimself，andevenmoreincapableofexasperation。

Withhischaracteristicdecision，withoutexplanationorapology，hesimplyceasedworkatpainting。

But，withoutthisoccupation，thelifeofVronskyandofAnna，whowonderedathislossofinterestinit，struckthemasintolerablytediousinanItaliantown；thepalazzosuddenlyseemedsoobtrusivelyoldanddirty，thespotsonthecurtains，thecracksinthefloors，thebrokenplasteronthecornices，becamesodisagreeablyobvious，andtheeverlastingsamenessofGolenishchev，andtheItalianprofessor，andtheGermantraveler，becamesowearisome，thattheyhadtomakesomechange。

TheyresolvedtogotoRussia，tothecountry。InPeterburgVronskyintendedtoarrangeapartitionofthelandwithhisbrother，whileAnnameanttoseeherson。ThesummertheyintendedtospendonVronsky’sgreatfamilyestate。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart5，Chapter14[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter14Levinhadbeenmarriedtwomonths。Hewashappy，butnotatallinthewayhehadexpectedtobe。Ateverystephefounddisenchantmentinhisformerdreams，andnew，unexpectedenchantment。Hewashappy；butonenteringuponfamilylifehesawateverystepthatitwasutterlydifferentfromwhathehadimagined。Ateverystepheexperiencedwhatamanwouldexperiencewho，afteradmiringthesmooth，happycourseofalittleboatonalake，shouldgethimselfintothatlittleboat。Hesawthatitwasnotallsittingstill，andfloatingsmoothly；thatonehadtothinktoo，notforaninstantforgettingwhereonewasfloating；andthattherewaswaterunderone，andthatonemustrow；andthathisunaccustomedhandswouldbesore；andthatitwasonlyeasytolookat；butthatdoingit，thoughverydelightfulwasverydifficult。

Asabachelor，whenhehadwatchedotherpeople’smarriedlife，hadseenthepettycares，thesquabbles，thejealousy，hehadonlysmiledcontemptuouslyinhisheart。Inhisfuturemarriedlifetherecouldbe，hewasconvinced，nothingofthatsort；eventheexternalforms，indeed，hefancied，mustbeutterlyunlikethelifeofothersineverything。Andallofasudden，insteadofhislifewithhiswifebeingmadeonanindividualpattern，itwas，onthecontrary，entirelymadeupofthepettiestdetails，whichhehadsodespisedbefore，butwhichnow，bynowillofhisown，hadgainedanextraordinaryandindisputableimportance。AndLevinsawthattheorganizationofallthesedetailswasbynomeanssoeasyashehadfanciedbefore。AlthoughLevinbelievedhimselftohavethemostexactconceptionsofdomesticlife，unconsciously，likeallmen，hepictureddomesticlifeonlyasenjoymentoflove，withnothingtohinderandnopettycarestodistract。Heought，asheconceivedtheposition，todohiswork，andtofindreposefromitinthehappinessoflove。Sheoughttobebeloved，andnothingmore。But，likeallmen，heforgotthatshetoowouldwantwork。Andhewassurprisedthatshe，hispoetic，exquisiteKitty，couldnotmerelyinthefirstweeks，buteveninthefirstdaysoftheirmarriedlife，think，remember，andbusyherselfabouttablecloths，andfurniture，aboutmattressesforvisitors，aboutatray，aboutthecook，andthedinner，andsoon。Whiletheywerestillengaged，hehadbeenstruckbythedefinitenesswithwhichshehaddeclinedthetourabroadanddecidedtogointothecountry，asthoughsheknewofsomethingshewanted，andcouldstillthinkofsomethingoutsideherlove。Thishadjarreduponhimthen，andnowhertrivialcaresandanxietiesjarreduponhimseveraltimes。

Buthesawthatthiswasessentialforher。And，lovingherashedid，thoughhedidnotunderstandthereasonforthem，andjeeredatthesedomesticpursuits，hecouldnothelpadmiringthem。HejeeredatthewayinwhichshearrangedthefurnituretheyhadbroughtfromMoscow；rearrangedtheirrooms；hungupcurtains；preparedroomsforvisitors，andforDolly；sawafteranabodeforhernewmaid；ordereddinneroftheoldcook；cameintocollisionwithAgathyaMikhailovna，takingfromherthechargeofthestores。

Hesawhowtheoldcooksmiled，admiringher，andlisteningtoherinexperienced，impossibleorders；howmournfullyandtenderlyAgathyaMikhailovnashookherheadovertheyoungmistress’snewarrangementsinthepantry。HesawthatKittywasextraordinarilysweetwhen，laughingandcrying，shecametotellhimthathermaid，Masha，wasusedtolookinguponherasheryounglady，andsonooneobeyedher。Itseemedtohimsweet，butstrange，andhethoughtitwouldhavebeenbetterwithoutthis。

Hedidnotknowhowgreatasenseofchangeshewasexperiencing；

she，whoathomehadsometimeswantedsomepickledcabbage，orsweets，withoutthepossibilityofgettingeither，nowcouldorderwhatsheliked，buypoundsofsweets，spendasmuchmoneyassheliked，andorderanycakesshepleased。

ShewasdreamingwithdelightnowofDolly’scomingtothemwithherchildren，especiallybecauseshewouldorderforthechildrentheirfavoritecakes，andDollywouldappreciateallhernewhousekeeping。Shedidnotknowherselfwhyandwherefore，butthearrangingofherhousehadanirresistibleattractionforher。Instinctivelyfeelingtheapproachofspring，andknowingthattherewouldbedaysofroughweathertoo，shebuilthernestasbestshecould，andwasinhasteatthesametimetobuildandtolearnhowtodoit。

ThiscarefordomesticdetailsinKitty，soopposedtoLevin’sidealofexaltedhappiness，wasatfirstoneofthedisenchantments；andthissweetcareofherhousehold，theaimofwhichhedidnotunderstand，butcouldnothelploving，wasoneofthenewenchantments。

Anotherdisenchantmentandenchantmentconsistedoftheirquarrels。

Levincouldneverhaveconceivedthatbetweenhimandhiswifeanyrelationscouldariseotherthantender，respectfulandloving，andallatonce，intheveryearlydays，theyquarreled，sothatshesaidhedidnotcareforher，thathecaredfornoonebuthimself，burstintotears，andwavedherhands。

ThisfirstquarrelarosefromLevin’shavinggoneouttoanewgrangeandhavingbeenawayhalfanhourtoolong，becausehehadtriedtogethomebyashortcutandhadlosthisway。Hedrovehomethinkingofnothingbuther，ofherlove，ofhisownhappiness，and，thenearerhedrewtohome，thewarmerwashistendernessforher。Heranintotheroomwiththesamefeeling，withanevenstrongerfeeling，thanhehadhadwhenhereachedtheShcherbatskys’housetopropose。Andsuddenlyhewasmetbyaloweringexpressionhehadneverseeninher。Hewouldhavekissedher，shepushedhimaway。

`Whatisit？’

`You’vebeenenjoyingyourself……’shebegan，tryingtobecalmandspiteful。

Butassoonassheopenedhermouth，sheburstintoastreamofreproach，ofsenselessjealousy，ofallthathadbeentorturingherduringthathalf-hourwhichshehadspentsittingmotionlessatthewindow。Itwasonlythen，forthefirsttime，thatheclearlyunderstoodwhathehadnotunderstoodwhenheledheroutofthechurchafterthewedding。Hefeltnowthathewasnotsimplyclosetoher，butthathedidnotknowwhereheendedandshebegan。Hefeltthisfromtheagonizingsensationofdivisionthatheexperiencedatthatinstant。Hewasoffendedforthefirstinstant，buttheverysamesecondhefeltthathecouldnotbeoffendedbyher，thatshewashimself。Hefeltforthefirstmomentasamanfeelswhen，havingsuddenlyreceivedaviolentblowfrombehind，heturnsround，angryandeagertoavengehimself，tolookforhisantagonist，andfindsthatitishehimselfwhohasaccidentallystruckhimself，thatthereisnoonetobeangrywith，andthathemustputupwithandtrytosoothethepain。

Neverafterwarddidhefeelitwithsuchintensity，butthisfirsttimehecouldnotforalongwhilegetoverit。Hisnaturalfeelingurgedhimtodefendhimself，toprovetohershewaswrong；buttoproveherwrongwouldmeanirritatingherstillmoreandmakingtherupturegreaterthatwasthecauseofallhissuffering。Onehabitualfeelingimpelledhimtogetridoftheblameandtopassitonher；anotherfeeling，evenstronger，impelledhimasquicklyaspossibletosmoothovertherupturewithoutlettingitgrowgreater。Toremainundersuchundeservedreproachwaswretched，buttomakehersufferbyjustifyinghimselfwasworsestill。

Likeamanhalf-awakeinanagonyofpain，hewantedtotearout，toflingawaytheseatofpain，and，comingtohissenses，hefeltthattheseatofpainwashimself。Hecoulddonothingbuttrytohelptheseatofpainbearit，andthishetriedtodo。

Theymadepeace。She，recognizingthatshewaswrong，thoughshedidnotsayso，becametenderertohim，andtheyexperiencednew，redoubledhappinessintheirlove。Butthatdidnotpreventsuchquarrelsfromhappeningagain，andexceedinglyoftentoo，onthemostunexpectedandtrivialgrounds。

Thesequarrelsfrequentlyarosefromthefactthattheydidnotyetknowwhatwasofimportancetoeach，andthatallthisearlyperiodtheywerebothofteninabadtemper。Whenonewasinagoodtemper，andtheotherinabadtemper，thepeacewasnotbroken；butwhenbothhappenedtobeinanill-humor，quarrelssprangupfromsuchincomprehensiblytriflingcausesthattheycouldneverrememberafterwardwhattheyhadquarreledabout。Itistruethatwhentheywerebothinagoodtempertheirenjoymentoflifewasredoubled。Butstillthisfirstperiodoftheirmarriedlifewasadifficulttimeforthem。

Duringallthisearlyperiodtheyhadapeculiarlyvividsenseoftension，asitwere，atugginginoppositedirectionsofthechainbywhichtheywerebound。Altogethertheirhoneymoon-thatistosay，themonthaftertheirwedding-fromwhich，throughtradition，Levinhadexpectedsomuch，wasnotmerelynotatimeofsweetness，butremainedinthememoriesofbothasthebitterestandmosthumiliatingperiodintheirlives。Theybothaliketriedinlaterlifetoblotoutfromtheirmemoriesallthemonstrous，shamefulincidentsofthatmorbidperiod，whenbothwererarelyinanormalframeofmind，whenbothwererarelyquitethemselves。

Itwasonlyinthethirdmonthoftheirmarriedlife，aftertheirreturnfromMoscow，wheretheyhadbeenstayingforamonth，thattheirlifebegantogomoresmoothly。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart5，Chapter15[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter15TheyhadjustcomebackfromMoscow，andweregladtobealone。Hewassittingatthewritingtableinhisstudy，writing。She，wearingthedarklilacdressshehadwornduringthefirstdaysoftheirmarriedlife，andputonagaintoday-adressparticularlyrememberedandlovedbyhim-

wassittingonthesofa，thesameold-fashionedleathersofawhichhadalwaysstoodinthestudyinLevin’sfather’sandgrandfather’sdays。Shewassewingatbroderieanglaise。Hethoughtandwrote，neverlosingthehappyconsciousnessofherpresence。Hiswork，bothonthelandandonthebook，inwhichtheprinciplesofthenewlandsystemweretobelaiddown，hadnotbeenabandoned；butjustasformerlyhisworkandideashadseemedtohimpettyandtrivialincomparisonwiththedarknessthatoverspreadalllife，nowtheyseemedasunimportantandpettyincomparisonwiththelifethatlaybeforehimsuffusedwiththebrilliantlightofhappiness。

Hewentonwithhiswork，buthefeltnowthatthecenterofgravityofhisattentionhadpassedtosomethingelse，andthatconsequentlyhelookedathisworkquitedifferentlyandmoreclearly。Formerlythisworkhadbeenforhimanescapefromlife。Formerlyhehadfeltthatwithoutthisworkhislifewouldbetoogloomy。Nowthisworkwasnecessaryforhimsothatlifemightnotbetoouniformlybright。Takinguphismanuscript，readingthroughwhathehadwritten，hefoundwithpleasurethattheworkwasworthhisworkingat。Manyofhisoldideasseemedtohimsuperfluousandextreme，butmanyblanksbecamedistincttohimwhenhereviewedthewholethinginhismemory。HewaswritingnowanewchapteronthecausesofthepresentdisadvantageousconditionofagricultureinRussia。HemaintainedthatthepovertyofRussiaarisesnotmerelyfromtheanomalousdistributionoflandedpropertyandfrommisdirectedreforms，butthatwhathadcontributedoflateyearstothisresultwasacivilizationfromwithout，abnormallygrafteduponRussia-especiallyfacilitiesofcommunicationsuchasrailways，leadingtocentralizationintowns，thedevelopmentofluxury，andtheconsequentdevelopmentofmanufactures，credit，anditsaccompanimentofspeculation-alltothedetrimentofagriculture。Itseemedtohimthatinanormaldevelopmentofwealthinastateallthesephenomenawouldariseonlywhenaconsiderableamountoflaborhadbeenputintoagriculture，whenithadcomeunderregular，oratleastdefinite，conditions；thatthewealthofacountryoughttoincreaseproportionally，andespeciallyinsuchawaythatothersourcesofwealthshouldnotoutstripagriculture；

thatinharmonywithacertainstageofagriculturethereshouldbemeansofcommunicationcorrespondingtoit，andthatinourunsettledconditionoftheland，railways，calledintobeingbypoliticalandnotbyeconomicneeds，werepremature，and，insteadofpromotingagriculture，aswasexpectedofthem，theywerecompetingwithagricultureandpromotingthedevelopmentofmanufacturesandcredit，andsoarrestingitsprogress；andthatjustastheone-sidedandprematuredevelopmentofoneorganinananimalwouldhinderitsgeneraldevelopment，sointhegeneraldevelopmentofwealthinRussia，credit，facilitiesofcommunication，manufacturingactivity，indubitablynecessaryinEurope，wheretheyhadarisenintheirpropertime，hadwithusonlydoneharm，bythrowingintothebackgroundthechiefquestion，nextinturn，oftheorganizationofagriculture。

Whilehewasathiswriting，shewasthinkinghowunnaturallycordialherhusbandhadbeentoyoungPrinceCharsky，whohad，withgreatwantoftact，flirtedwithherthedaybeforetheyleftMoscow。`He’sjealous，’

shethought。`MyGod！Howsweetandsillyheis！He’sjealousofme！IfheonlyknewthatallothersarenomoretomethanPiotrthecook！’shethought，lookingathisheadandredneckwithafeelingofpossessionstrangetoherself。`Thoughit’sapitytotakehimfromhiswork(buthehasplentyoftime！)，Imustlookathisface；willhefeelI’mlookingathim？Iwishhe’dturnround……I’llwillhimto！’andsheopenedhereyeswide，asthoughtointensifytheinfluenceofhergaze。

`Yes，theydrawawayallthesapandgiveafalseresplendence，’

hemuttered，stoppedwriting，and，feelingthatshewaslookingathimandsmiling，helookedround。

`Well？’hequeried，smiling，andgettingup。

`Helookedround，’shethought。

`It’snothing；Iwantedyoutolookround，’shesaid，watchinghim，andtryingtoguesswhetherhewasvexedatbeinginterruptedornot。

`Howhappywearealonetogether！Iam，thatis，’hesaid，goinguptoherwitharadiantsmileofhappiness。

`I’mjustashappy。I’llnevergoanywhere，especiallynottoMoscow。’

`Andwhatwereyouthinkingabout？’

`I？Iwasthinking……No，no，goonwriting；don’tbreakoff，’

shesaid，pursingupherlips，`andImustcutouttheselittleholesnow，doyousee？’

Shetookupherscissorsandbegancuttingthemout。

`No；tellme-whatwasit？’hesaid，sittingdownbesideherandwatchingthecircularmotionofthetinyscissors。

`Oh！whatwasIthinkingabout？IwasthinkingaboutMoscow，aboutthenapeofyourneck。’

`WhyshouldI，ofallpeople，havesuchhappiness！It’sunnatural。

Toogood，’hesaidkissingherhand。

`Ifeelquitetheopposite；thebetterthingsare，themorenaturalitseemstome。’

`Andyou’vegotalittlecurlloose，’hesaid，carefullyturningherheadround。`Alittlecurl，ohyes。No，no，wearebusyatourwork！’

Workdidnotprogressfurther，andtheydartedapartfromoneanotherlikeculpritswhenKouzmacameintoannouncethatteawasready。

`Havetheycomefromtown？’LevinaskedKouzma。

`They’vejustcome；they’reunpackingthethings。’

`Comequickly，’shesaidtohimasshewentoutofthestudy，`orelseIshallreadtheletterswithoutyou。’

Leftalone，afterputtinghismanuscriptstogetherinthenewportfolioboughtbyher，hewashedhishandsatthenewwashstandwiththenewelegantfittings，whichhadallmadetheirappearancewithher。

Levinsmiledathisownthoughts，andshookhisheaddisapprovinglyatthosethoughts；afeelingakintoremorsefrettedhim。Therewassomethingshameful，effeminate，Capuan，ashecalledittohimself，inhispresentmodeoflife。`It’snotrighttogoonlikethis，’hethought。`It’llsoonbethreemonths，andI’mdoingnexttonothing。Today，almostforthefirsttime，Isettoworkseriously-andwhathappened？Ididnothingbutbeginandthrowitaside。Ihavealmostgivenupevenmyordinarypursuits。I

scarcelywalkordriveaboutatalltolookafterthingsonmyland。EitherIamloathtoleaveher，orIseeshe’sdullalone。AndIusedtothinkthat，beforemarriage，lifewasnothingmuch，somehowdidn’tcount，butthataftermarriagelifebeganinearnest。Andherealmostthreemonthshavepassed，andIhavespentmytimesoidlyandunprofitably。No，thiswon’tdo；Imustbegin。Ofcourse，it’snotherfault。She’snottoblameinanyway。Ioughttobefirmermyself，tomaintainmymasculineindependenceofaction；orelseIshallgetintosuchways，andshe’llgetusedtothemtoo……Ofcourseshe’snottoblame，’hetoldhimself。

Butitishardforanyonewhoisdissatisfiednottoblamesomeoneelse，andespeciallythepersonnearestofalltoone，forthebasisofone’sdissatisfaction。AnditvaguelycameintoLevin’smindthatsheherselfwasnottoblame(shecouldnotbetoblameforanything)，butwhatwastoblamewashereducation，toosuperficialandfrivolous。(`ThatfoolCharsky:Iknowshewantedtostophim，butdidn’tknowhowto。’)`Yes，apartfromherinterestinthehouse(thatshehas)，apartfromdressandbroderieanglaise，shehasnoseriousinterests。Nointerestinmywork，intheestate，inthepeasants，norinmusic，thoughshe’srathergoodatit，norinreading。Shedoesnothing，andisperfectlysatisfied。’Levin，inhisheart，censuredthis，anddidnotasyetunderstandthatshewaspreparingforthatperiodofactivitywhichwastocomeforherwhenshewouldatoncebethewifeofherhusbandandmistressofthehouse，andwouldbear，andnurse，andbringupchildren。Heknewnotthatshewasinstinctivelyawareofthis，andpreparingherselfforthistimeofterribletoil，didnotreproachherselfforthemomentsofcarelessnessandhappinessinherlove，whichshewasenjoyingnow，whilegailybuildinghernestforthefuture。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart5，Chapter16[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter16WhenLevinwentupstairs，hiswifewassittingnearthenewsilversamovarandthenewteaservice，and，havingsettledoldAgathyaMikhailovnaatalittletablewithafullcupoftea，wasreadingaletterfromDolly，withwhomtheywereincontinualandfrequentcorrespondence。

`Yousee，yourlady’ssettledmehere，toldmetositabitwithher，’saidAgathyaMikhailovna，smilingamicablyatKitty。

InthesewordsofAgathyaMikhailovnaLevinreadthefinalactofthedramawhichhadbeenenactedoflatebetweenherandKitty。Hesawthat，inspiteofAgathyaMikhailovna’sfeelingsbeinghurtbyanewmistresstakingthereinsofgovernmentoutofherhands，Kittyhadyetconqueredherandmadeherloveher。

`Here，Iopenedyourlettertoo，’saidKitty，handinghimanilliterateletter。`It’sfromthatwoman，Ithink-yourbrother’s……’shesaid。`I

didnotreaditthrough。ThisisfrommypeopleandfromDolly。Fancy！

DollytookTaniaandGrishatoachildren’sballattheSarmatskys’:TaniawasaFrenchmarquise。’

ButLevindidnothearher。Flushing，hetooktheletterfromMaryaNikolaevna，hisbrother’sformermistress，andbegantoreadit。

ThiswasthesecondletterhehadreceivedfromMaryaNikolaevna。Inthefirstletter，MaryaNikolaevnawrotethathisbrotherhadsentherpackingfornofaultofhers，and，withtouchingsimplicity，addedthatthoughshewasinwantagain，sheaskedfornothing，andwishedfornothing，butwasonlytormentedbythethoughtthatNikolaiDmitrievichwouldcometogriefwithouther，owingtotheweakstateofhishealth，andbeggedhisbrothertolookafterhim。Nowshewrotequitedifferently。ShehadfoundNikolaiDmitrievich，hadagainmadeitupwithhiminMoscow，andhadmovedwithhimtoaprovincialtown，wherehehadreceivedapostinthegovernmentservice。But，shewrote，hehadquarreledwiththeheadofficial，andwasonhiswaybacktoMoscow，onlyhehadbeentakensoillontheroadthatitwasdoubtfulifhewouldeverleavehisbedagain。`It’salwaysofyouhehastalked，and，besideshehasnomoremoneyleft。’

`Readthis；Dollywritesaboutyou，’Kittywasbeginning，withasmile；butshestoppedsuddenly，noticingthechangedexpressiononherhusband’sface。`Whatisit？What’sthematter？’

`ShewritestomethatNikolai，mybrother，isatdeath’sdoor。

Ishallgotohim。’

Kitty’sfacechangedatonce。ThoughtsofTaniaasamarquise，ofDolly，allhadvanished。

`Whenareyougoing？’shesaid。

`Tomorrow。’

`AndIwillgowithyou-mayI？’shesaid。

`Kitty！Whatareyouthinkingof？’hesaidreproachfully。

`WhatamIthinkingof？’offendedthatheshouldseemtotakehersuggestionunwillinglyandwithvexation。

`Whyshouldn’tIgo？Ishan’tbeinyourway。I……’

`I’mgoingbecausemybrotherisdying，’saidLevin。`Whyshouldyou……’

`Why？Forthesamereasonasyou。’

`And，atamomentofsuchgravityforme，sheonlythinksofherbeingdullbyherself，’thoughtLevin。Andthissubterfugeinamatterofsuchgravityinfuriatedhim。

`It’soutofthequestion，’hesaidsternly。

AgathyaMikhailovna，seeingthatitwascomingtoaquarrel，gentlyputdownhercupandwithdrew。Kittydidnotevennoticeher。Thetoneinwhichherhusbandhadsaidthelastwordsoffendedher，especiallybecauseheevidentlydidnotbelievewhatshehadsaid。

`Itellyou，thatifyougo，Ishallcomewithyou；Ishallcertainlycome，’shesaidhastilyandwrathfully。`Whyoutofthequestion？Whydoyousayit’soutofthequestion？’

`Becauseit’llbegoingGodknowswhere，byallsortsofroadsandtoallsortsofhotels……Youwouldbeahindrancetome，’saidLevin，tryingtobecool。

`Notatall。Idon’twantanything。Whereyoucango，Ican……’

`Well，foronethingthen，becausethiswoman’stherewhomyoucan’tmeet。’

`Idon’tknowanddon’tcaretoknowwho’sthereandwhat。Iknowthatmyhusband’sbrotherisdying，andmyhusbandisgoingtohim，andIgowithmyhusbandsothat……’

`Kitty！Don’tgetangry。Butjustthinkalittle:thisisamatterofsuchimportancethatIcan’tbeartothinkthatyoushouldbringinafeelingofweakness，ofdisliketobeingleftalone。Come，you’llbedullalone，sogoandstayatMoscowalittle。’

`There，youalwaysascribebase，vilemotivestome，’shesaidwithtearsofwrathandwoundedpride。`Ididn’tmeananything-itwasn’tweakness，itwasn’tanything……Ifeelthatit’smydutytobewithmyhusbandwhenhe’sintrouble，butyoutryonpurposetohurtme，youtryonpurposenottounderstand……’

`No；thisisawful！Tobesuchaslave！’criedLevin，gettingup，andunabletorestrainhisvexationanylonger。Butatthesamesecondhefeltthathewasbeatinghimself。

`Thenwhydidyoumarry？Youcouldhavebeenfree。Whydidyou，ifyouregretit？’shesaid，gettingupandrunningawayintothedrawingroom。

Whenhewenttoher，shewassobbing。

Hebegantospeak，tryingtofindwordsnottodissuadebutsimplytosootheher。Butshedidnotheedhim，andwouldnotagreetoanything。

Hebentdowntoherandtookherhand，whichresistedhim。Hekissedherhand，kissedherhair，kissedherhandagain-stillshewassilent。Butwhenhetookherfaceinbothhishands，andsaid`Kitty！’shesuddenlycollectedherself，stillshedsometears，andtheywerereconciled。

Itwasdecidedthattheyshouldgotogetherthenextday。Levintoldhiswifethathebelievedshewantedtogosimplyinordertobeofuse，agreedthatMaryaNikolaevna’sbeingwithhisbrotherdidnotmakehergoingimproper，buthesetoffdissatisfied，atthebottomofhisheart，bothwithherandwithhimself。Hewasdissatisfiedwithherforbeingunabletomakeuphermindtolethimgowhenitwasnecessary(andhowstrangeitwasforhimtothinkthathe，solatelyhardlydaringtobelieveinsuchhappinessasthepossibilityofherlovinghim-nowwasunhappybecauseshelovedhimtoomuch！)，andhewasdissatisfiedwithhimselffornotshowingmorestrengthofwill。Evengreaterwasthefeelingofdisagreementatthebottomofhisheartastohernotneedingtoconsiderthewomanwhowaswithhisbrother，andhethoughtwithhorrorofallthecontingenciestheymightmeetwith。Themereideaofhiswife，hisKitty，beinginthesameroomwithacommonwench，sethimshudderingwithhorrorandloathing。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart5，Chapter17[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter17ThehoteloftheprovincialtownwhereNikolaiLevinwaslyingillwasoneofthoseprovincialhotelswhichareconstructedonthenewestmodelofmodernimprovements，withthebestintentionsofcleanliness，comfort，andevenelegance，but，owingtothepublicthatpatronizesthem，arewithastoundingrapiditytransformedintofilthytavernswithapretensionofmodernimprovementandmadebytheverypretensionworsethantheold-fashioned，honestlyfilthyhotels。Thishotelhadalreadyreachedthatstage，andthesoldierinafilthyuniformsmokingintheentry，supposedtostandforahallporter，andthecast-iron，perforated，somberanddisagreeablestaircase，andthefreeandeasywaiterinafilthydresscoat，andthecommondiningroomwithadustybouquetofwaxflowersadorningthetable，andfilth，dustanddisordereverywhere，and，atthesametime，thesortofmodern，up-to-date，self-complacent，railwayuneasinessofthishotel，arousedamostpainfulfeelinginLevinaftertheirfreshyounglife，especiallybecausetheimpressionoffalsitymadebythehotelwassooutofkeepingwithwhatawaitedthem。

Asisinvariablythecase，aftertheyhadbeenaskedatwhatpricetheywantedrooms，itappearedthattherewasnotonedecentroomforthem；

onedecentroomhadbeentakenbytheinspectorofrailroads，anotherbyalawyerfromMoscow，athirdbyPrincessAstafievajustarrivedfromthecountry。Thereremainedonlyonefilthyroom，nexttowhichtheypromisedthatanothershouldbeemptybytheevening。Feelingangrywithhiswifebecausewhathehadexpectedhadcometopass-thatatthemomentofarrival，whenhisheartthrobbedwithemotionandanxietytoknowhowhisbrotherwasgettingon，heshouldhavetobeseeingafterher，insteadofrushingstraighttohisbrother-Levinconductedhertotheroomassignedthem。

`Go，dogo！’shesaid，lookingathimwithtimidandguiltyeyes。

Hewentoutofthedoorwithoutaword，andatoncestumbledoverMaryaNikolaevna，whohadheardofhisarrivalandhadnotdaredtogointoseehim。ShewasjustthesameaswhenhehadseenherinMoscow；

thesamewoolengown，andbarearmsandneck，andthesamegood-naturedlystupid，pock-markedface，onlyalittleplumper。

`Well，howishe？Howishe？’

`Verybad。Hecan’tgetup。Hehasbeenexpectingyouallthiswhile。He……Areyou……withyourwife？’

Levindidnotforthefirstmomentunderstandwhatconfusedher，butsheimmediatelyenlightenedhim。

`I’llgoaway。I’llgodowntothekitchen，’shebroughtout。

`NikolaiDmitrievichwillbedelighted。Heheardaboutit，andknowsher，andremembersherabroad。’

Levinrealizedthatshemeanthiswife，anddidnotknowwhatanswertomake。

`Comealong，comealongtohim！’hesaid。

But，assoonashemoved，thedoorofhisroomopenedandKittypeepedout。Levincrimsonedbothfromshameandangerathiswife，whohadputherselfandhiminsuchadifficultposition；butMaryaNikolaevnacrimsonedstillmore。Shepositivelyshranktogetherandflushedtothepointoftears，and，clutchingtheendsofhershawlinbothhands，twistedtheminherredfingerswithoutknowingwhattosayandwhattodo。

ForthefirstinstantLevinsawanexpressionofeagercuriosityintheeyeswithwhichKittylookedatthisincomprehensibletoher，awfulwoman；butitlastedonlyasingleinstant。

`Well！Howishe？’sheturnedtoherhusbandandthentoher。

`Butonecan’tgoontalkinginthepassagelikethis！’Levinsaid，lookingangrilyatagentlemanwhowalkedjauntilyatthatinstantacrossthecorridor，asthoughabouthisaffairs。

`Wellthen，comein，’saidKitty，turningtoMaryaNikolaevna，whohadrecoveredherself-but，noticingherhusband’sfaceofdismay-`orgoon；go，andthencomeforme，’shesaid，andwentbackintotheroom。Levinwenttohisbrother’sroom。

Hehadnotintheleastexpectedwhathesawandfeltinhisbrother’sroom。Hehadexpectedtofindhiminthesamestateofself-deceptionwhichhehadheardwassofrequentwiththeconsumptive，andwhichhadstruckhimsomuchduringhisbrother’svisitintheautumn。Hehadexpectedtofindthephysicalsignsoftheapproachofdeathmoremarked-greaterweakness，greateremaciation，butstillalmostthesameconditionofthings。

Hehadexpectedhimselftofeelthesamedistressatthelossofthebrotherhelovedandthesamehorrorinfaceofdeathashehadfeltthen，onlyinagreaterdegree。Andhehadpreparedhimselfforthis；buthefoundsomethingutterlydifferent。

Inalittledirtyroomwiththepaintedpanelsofitswallsfilthywithspittle；withconversationaudiblefromthenextroomthroughthethinpartition，inastiflingatmospheresaturatedwithimpurities，onabedsteadmovedawayfromthewall，therelay，coveredwithaquilt，abody。Onearmofthisbodywasabovethequilt，andthewrist，hugeasarakehandle，wasattached，inconceivablyitseemed，tothethin，longbobbinsmoothfromthebeginningtothemiddle。Theheadlaysidewaysonthepillow。Levincouldseethescantylockswetwithsweatonthetemplesandthetensed，seeminglytransparentforehead。

`ItcannotbethatthatfearfulbodywasmybrotherNikolai？’

thoughtLevin。Buthewentcloser，sawtheface，anddoubtbecameimpossible。

Inspiteoftheterriblechangeintheface，Levinhadonlytoglanceatthoseeagereyesathisapproach，onlytocatchthefaintmovementofthemouthunderthestickymustache，torealizetheterribletruththatthisdeadbodywashislivingbrother。

Theglitteringeyeslookedsternlyandreproachfullyatthebrotherashedrewnear。Andimmediatelythisglanceestablishedalivingrelationshipbetweenlivingmen。Levinimmediatelyfeltthereproachintheeyesfixedonhim，andfeltremorseathisownhappiness。

WhenKonstantintookhimbythehand，Nikolaismiled。Thesmilewasfaint，scarcelyperceptible，andinspiteofthesmilethesternexpressionoftheeyeswasunchanged。

`Youdidnotexpecttofindmelikethis，’hearticulatedwitheffort。

`Yes……no，’saidLevin，hesitatingoverhiswords。`Howwasityoudidn’tletmeknowbefore-thatis，atthetimeofmywedding？Imadeinquiriesinalldirections。’

Hehadtotalksoasnottobesilent，andhedidnotknowwhattosay，especiallyashisbrothermadenoreply，andsimplystaredwithoutdroppinghiseyes，andapparentlypenetratedtotheinnermeaningofeachword。Levintoldhisbrotherthathiswifehadcomewithhim。Nikolaiexpressedpleasure，butsaidhewasafraidoffrighteningherbyhiscondition。A

silencefollowed。SuddenlyNikolaistirred，andbegantosaysomething。

Levinexpectedsomethingofpeculiargravityandimportancefromtheexpressionofhisface，butNikolaibeganspeakingofhishealth。Hefoundfaultwiththedoctor，regrettinghehadnotacelebratedMoscowdoctor。Levinsawthathestillhadhopes。

Seizingthefirstmomentofsilence，Levingotup，anxioustoescape，ifonlyforaninstant，fromhisagonizingemotion，andsaidthathewouldgoandfetchhiswife。

`Verywell，andI’lltellMashatotidyuphere。It’sdirtyandstinkinghere，Iexpect。Masha！Clearuptheroom，’thesickmansaidwitheffort。`Andwhenyou’veclearedup，yougoaway，’headded，lookinginquiringlyathisbrother。

Levinmadenoanswer。Goingoutintothecorridor，hestoppedshort。Hehadsaidhewouldfetchhiswife，butnow，takingstockoftheemotionhewasfeeling，hedecidedthat，onthecontrary，hewouldtrytopersuadehernottogointothesickman。`WhyshouldshesufferasIamsuffering？’hethought。

`Well，howishe？’Kittyaskedwithafrightenedface。

`Oh，it’sawful，it’sawful！Whatdidyoucomefor？’saidLevin。

Kittywassilentforafewseconds，lookingtimidlyandruefullyatherhusband；thenshewentupandtookhimbytheelbowwithbothhands。

`Kostia！Takemetohim；itwillbeeasierforustobearittogether。

Onlytakeme，takemetohim，please，andgoaway，’shesaid。`Youmustunderstandthatformetoseeyou，andnottoseehim，isfarmorepainful。

ThereImightbeahelptoyouandtohim。Please，letme！’shebesoughtherhusband，asthoughthehappinessofherlifedependedonit。

Levinwasobligedtoagree，and，regaininghiscomposure，andcompletelyforgettingaboutMaryaNikolaevnabynow，hewentagainintohisbrotherwithKitty。

Steppinglightly，andcontinuallyglancingatherhusband，showinghimavalorousandsympatheticface，Kittywentintothesickroom，and，turningwithouthaste，noiselesslyclosedthedoor。Withinaudiblestepsshewentquicklytothesickman’sbedside，andgoingupsothathewouldnothavetoturnhishead，sheimmediatelyclaspedinherfreshyounghandtheskeletonofhishugehand，pressedit，andbeganspeakingwiththatsofteagerness，sympatheticandinoffensive，whichispeculiarmerelytowomen。

`Wehavemet，thoughwewerenotacquainted，atSoden，’shesaid。

`YouneverthoughtIwastobeyoursister。’

`Youwouldnothaverecognizedme？’hesaid，withasmilewhichhadbecomeradiantatherentrance。

`Yes，Ishould。Whatagoodthingyouletusknow！NotadayhaspassedthatKostiahasnotmentionedyou，andbeenanxious。’

Butthesickman’sinterestdidnotlastlong。

Beforeshehadfinishedspeaking，therehadcomebackintohisfacethestern，reproachfulexpressionofthedyingman’senvyoftheliving。

`Iamafraidyouarenotquitecomfortablehere，’shesaid，turningawayfromhisfixedstare，andlookingabouttheroom。`Wemustaskaboutanotherroom，’shesaidtoherhusband，`sothatwemightbenearer。’

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart5，Chapter18[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter18Levincouldnotlookcalmlyathisbrother；hecouldnothimselfbenaturalandcalminhispresence。Whenhewentintothesickman，hiseyesandhisattentionwereunconsciouslydimmed，andhedidnotseeanddidnotdistinguishthedetailsofhisbrother’sposition。Hesmelttheawfulodor，sawthedirt，disorder，andmiserablecondition，andheardthegroans，andfeltthatnothingcouldbedonetohelp。Itneverenteredhisheadtoanalyzethedetailsofthesickman’ssituation，toconsiderhowthatbodywaslyingunderthequilt，howthoseemaciatedlegsandthighsandspinewerelyinghuddledup，andwhethertheycouldnotbemademorecomfortable，whetheranythingcouldnotbedonetomakethings，ifnotbetter，atleastnotsobad。Itmadehisbloodruncoldwhenhebegantothinkofallthesedetails。Hewasabsolutelyconvincedthatnothingcouldbedonetoprolonghisbrother’slifeortorelievehissuffering。ButaconsciousnessofLevin’sregardingallaidasoutofthequestionwasfeltbythesickman，andexasperatedhim。AndthismadeitstillmorepainfulforLevin。Tobeinthesickroomwasagonytohim，nottobetherewasstillworse。Andhewascontinually，onvariouspretexts，goingoutoftheroom，andcominginagain，becausehewasunabletoremainalone。

ButKittythought，andfelt，andactedquitedifferently。Onseeingthesickmanshepitiedhim。Andpityinherwomanlyheartdidnotarouseatallthatfeelingofhorrorandloathingthatitarousedinherhusband，butadesiretoact，tofindoutallthedetailsofhisstate，andtoremedythem。Andsinceshehadnottheslightestdoubtthatitwasherdutytohelphim，shehadnodoubteitherthatitwaspossible，andimmediatelysettowork。Theverydetails，themerethoughtofwhichreducedherhusbandtoterror，immediatelyengagedherattention。Shesentforthedoctor，senttothechemist’s，setthemaidwhohadcomewithherandMaryaNikolaevnatosweepanddustandscrub；sheherselfwashedupsomething，washedoutsomethingelse，laidsomethingunderthequilt。Somethingwasbyherdirectionbroughtintothesickroom，somethingelsewascarriedout。Sheherselfwentseveraltimestoherroom，regardlessofthemenshemetinthecorridor，gotoutandbroughtinsheets，pillowcases，towels，andshirts。

Thewaiter，whowasbusywithapartyofengineersdininginthedininghall，cameseveraltimeswithaniratecountenanceinanswertohersummons，andcouldnotavoidcarryingoutherorders，asshegavethemwithsuchgraciousinsistencethattherewasnoevadingher。Levindidnotapproveofallthis；hedidnotbelieveitwouldbeofanygoodtothepatient。Aboveall，hewasafraidthepatientwouldbeangryatit。

Butthesickman，thoughheseemedtobeindifferentaboutit，wasnotangry，butonlyabashedandonthewholeseemedinterestedinwhatshewasdoingwithhim。ComingbackfromthedoctortowhomKittyhadsenthim，Levin，onopeningthedoor，cameuponthesickmanattheinstantwhen，byKitty’sdirection，theywerechanginghislinen。Thelongwhiteridgeofhisspine，withthehuge，prominentshoulderbladesandjuttingribsandvertebrae，wasbare，andMaryaNikolaevnaandthewaiterwerestrugglingwiththesleeveofthenightshirt，andcouldnotgetthelong，limparmintoit。Kitty，hurriedlyclosingthedoorafterLevin，didnotlookinthatdirection，butthesickmangroaned，andshemovedrapidlytowardhim。

`Come，alittlequicker，’shesaid。

`Oh，don’tyoucome，’saidthesickmanangrily。`I’lldoitmyself……’

`Whatdidyousay？’queriedMaryaNikolaevna。

ButKittyheardandsawhewasashamedanduncomfortableatbeingnakedbeforeher。

`I’mnotlooking，I’mnotlooking！’shesaid，puttingthearmin。`MaryaNikolaevna，youcomethisside-youdoit，’sheadded。

`Please，runoverforme，there’salittlebottleinmysmallbag，’shesaid，turningtoherhusband，`youknow，inthesidepocket；

bringit，please，andmeanwhilethey’llfinishclearinguphere。’

Returningwiththebottle，Levinfoundthesickmansettledcomfortablyandeverythingabouthimcompletelychanged。Theheavysmellwasreplacedbythesmellofaromaticvinegar，whichKittywithpoutinglipsandpuffed-out，rosycheekswassquirtingthroughasmalltube。Therewasnodustvisibleanywhere；arugwaslaidbythebedside。Onthetablestoodmedicinebottlesanddecanterstidilyarranged，andthelinenneededwasfoldedupthere，andKitty’sbroderieanglaise。Ontheothertablebythepatient’sbedtherewerecandles，anddrink，andpowders。Thesickmanhimself，washedandcombed，layincleansheetsonhighraisedpillows，inacleannightshirtwithawhitecollarabouthisastoundinglythinneck，and，withanewexpressionofhope，waslookingfixedlyatKitty。

ThedoctorbroughtbyLevin，andfoundbyhimattheclub，wasnottheonewhohadbeenattendingNikolaiLevin，andwhomhedisliked。

Thenewdoctortookupastethoscopeandsoundedthepatient，shookhishead，prescribedmedicine，andwithextrememinutenessexplainedfirsthowtotakethemedicineandthenwhatdietwastobeadheredto。Headvisedeggs，raworhardlycooked，andSeltzerwater，withnewmilkatacertaintemperature。Whenthedoctorhadgoneawaythesickmansaidsomethingtohisbrother，ofwhichLevincoulddistinguishonlythelastwords:`YourKatia。’Bytheexpressionwithwhichhegazedather，Levinsawthathewaspraisingher。HebeckonedtohimKatia，ashecalledher。

`I’mmuchbetteralready，’hesaid。`Why，withyouIshouldhavegotwelllongago。Howfineeverythingis！’Hetookherhandanddrewittowardhislips，but，asthoughafraidshewoulddislikeit，hechangedhismind，letitgo，andonlystrokedit。Kittytookhishandinbothofhersandsqueezedit。

`Nowturnmeoverontheleftsideandgotobed，’hesaid。

NoonecouldmakeoutwhathesaidbutKitty；shealoneunderstood。

Sheunderstoodbecauseshewasallthewhilementallykeepingwatchonwhatheneeded。

`Ontheotherside，’shesaidtoherhusband，`healwayssleepsonthatside。Turnhimover-it’ssodisagreeablecallingtheservants。

I’mnotstrongenough。Canyou？’shesaidtoMaryaNikolaevna。

`I’mafraid……’answeredMaryaNikolaevna。

TerribleasitwastoLevintoputhisarmsroundthatterriblebody，totakehold，underthequilt，ofthatofwhichhepreferredtoknownothing，underhiswife’sinfluencehemadehisresolutefacethatsheknewsowell，and，puttinghisarmsintothebedtookholdofthebody，butinspiteofhisownstrength，hewasstruckbythestrangeheavinessofthosepowerlesslimbs。Whilehewasturninghimover，consciousofthehugeemaciatedarmabouthisneck，Kittyswiftlyandnoiselesslyturnedthepillow，beatitup，andsettledinitthesickman’shead，smoothingbackhishair，whichwasstickingagaintohismoistbrow。

Thesickmankepthisbrother’shandinhisown。Levinfeltthathemeanttodosomethingwithhishandandwaspullingitsomewhere。Levinyieldedwithasinkingheart:yes，hedrewittohismouthandkissedit。

Levin，shakingwithsobsandunabletoarticulateaword，wentoutoftheroom。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart5，Chapter19[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter19`Thouhasthidthesethingsfromthewiseandprudent，andhastrevealedthemuntobabes。’SoLevinthoughtabouthiswifeashetalkedtoherthatevening。

Levinthoughtofthetext，notbecauseheconsideredhimself`wiseandprudent。’Hedidnotconsiderhimselfwiseandprudent，buthecouldnothelpknowingthathehadmoreintellectthanhiswifeandAgathyaMikhailovna，andhecouldnothelpknowingthatwhenhethoughtofdeath，hethoughtwithalltheforceofhisintellect。Heknewtoothatthebrainsofmanygreatmen，whosethoughtshehadread，hadbroodedoverdeathandyetknewnotahundredthpartofwhathiswifeandAgathyaMikhailovnaknewaboutit。Differentasthosetwowomenwere，AgathyaMikhailovnaandKatia，ashisbrotherNikolaihadcalledher，andasLevinparticularlylikedtocallhernow，theywerequitealikeinthis。Bothknew，withoutashadeofdoubt，whatsortofthinglifewas，andwhatwasdeath，andthoughneitherofthemcouldhaveanswered，andwouldnotevenhaveunderstoodthequestionsthatpresentedthemselvestoLevin，bothhadnodoubtofthesignificanceofthisevent，andwerepreciselyalikeintheirwayoflookingatit，whichtheysharedwithmillionsofpeople。Theproofthattheyknewforacertaintythenatureofdeathlayinthefactthattheyknewwithoutasecondofhesitationhowtodealwiththedying，andwerenotfrightenedbythem。Levin，andothermenlikehim，thoughtheycouldhavesaidagreatdealaboutdeath，obviouslydidnotknowthissincetheywereafraidofdeath，andwereabsolutelyatalosswhattodowhenpeopleweredying。

IfLevinhadbeenalonenowwithhisbrotherNikolai，hewouldhavelookedathimwithterror，andwithstillgreaterterrorwaited，andwouldnothaveknownwhatelsetodo。

Morethanthat，hedidnotknowwhattosay，howtolook，howtomove。Totalkofoutsidethingsseemedtohimshocking，impossible；

totalkofdeathanddepressingsubjects-alsoimpossible。Tobesilentwasalsoimpossible。`IfIlookathimhewillthinkIamstudyinghim，Iamafraidofhim；ifIdon’tlookathim，he’llthinkI’mthinkingofotherthings。IfIwalkontiptoe，hewillbevexed；totreadfirmly，I’mashamed。’Kittyevidentlydidnotthinkofherself，andhadnotimetothinkaboutherself:shewasthinkingabouthimbecausesheknewsomething，andallwentwell。Sheeventoldhimaboutherselfandaboutherwedding，andsmiledandsympathizedwithhim，andpettedhim，andtalkedofcasesofrecovery，andallwentwell；therefore，shemustknow。TheproofthatherbehaviorandAgathyaMikhailovna’swasnotinstinctive，animal，irrational，layinthatapartfromthephysicaltreatment，thereliefofsuffering，bothAgathyaMikhailovnaandKittyrequiredforthedyingmansomethingelsemoreimportantthanthephysicaltreatment，andsomethingwhichhadnothingincommonwithphysicalconditions。AgathyaMikhailovna，speakingofamanrecentlydead，hadsaid:`Well，thankGod，hetookthesacramentandreceivedExtremeUnction；Godgranteachoneofussuchadeath。’Katia，injustthesameway，besidesallhercareaboutlinen，bedsores，drink，foundtimetheveryfirstdaytopersuadethesickmanofthenecessityoftakingthesacramentandreceivingExtremeUnction。

Ongettingbackfromthesickroomtotheirowntworoomsforthenight，Levinsatwithhanginghead，notknowingwhattodo。Tosaynothingofsupper，ofpreparingforbed，ofconsideringwhattheyweregoingtodo，hecouldnoteventalktohiswife；hewasashamedto。Kitty，onthecontrary，wasmoreactivethanusual。Shewasevenlivelierthanusual。

Sheorderedsuppertobebrought，herselfunpackedtheirthings，andherselfhelpedtomakethebeds，anddidnotevenforgettosprinklethemwithPersianinsecticide。Sheshowedthatalertness，thatswiftnessofreflectionwhichcomesoutinmenbeforeabattle，inconflict，inthedangerousanddecisivemomentsoflife-thosemomentswhenamanshowsonceandforallhisvalue，andthatallhispasthasnotbeenwastedbuthasbeenapreparationforthesemoments。

Everythingwentrapidlyinherhands，andbeforeitwastwelveo’clockalltheirthingswerearrangedtidilyandorderlyinsuchawaythatthehotelroomsseemedlikehome，likeherrooms:thebedsweremade，brushes，combs，lookingglasseswereputout，tablenapkinswerespread。

Levinfeltthatitwasunpardonabletoeat，tosleep，totalkevennow，anditseemedtohimthateverymovementhemadewasunseemly。

Shearrangedthebrushes，butshediditallsothattherewasnothingshockinginit。

Theycouldneitherofthemeat，however，andforalongwhiletheycouldnotsleep，anddidnotevengotobed。

`IamverygladIpersuadedhimtoreceiveExtremeUnctiontomorrow，’

shesaid，sittinginherdressingjacketbeforeherfoldinglookingglass，combinghersoft，fragranthairwithasmall-toothedcomb。`Ihaveneverseenit，butIknow，mammahastoldme，thereareprayerssaidforrecovery。’

`Doyousupposehecanpossiblyrecover？’saidLevin，watchingaslendertressatthebackofherroundlittleheadthatwascontinuallyhiddenwhenshepassedthecombthroughthefront。

`Iaskedthedoctor；hesaidhecouldn’tlivemorethanthreedays。Butcantheybesure？I’mveryglad，anyway，thatIpersuadedhim，’

shesaid，lookingaskanceatherhusbandthroughherhair。`Anythingispossible，’sheaddedwiththatpeculiar，ratherslyexpressionthatwasalwaysinherfacewhenshespokeofreligion。

Sincetheirconversationaboutreligionduringtheirengagementneitherofthemhadeverstartedadiscussionofthesubject，butsheperformedalltheceremoniesofgoingtochurch，sayingherprayers，andsoon，alwayswiththeunvaryingconvictionthatthisoughttobeso。Inspiteofhisassertiontothecontrary，shewasfirmlypersuadedthathewasasmuchaChristianasshe，andindeedafarbetterone；andallthathesaidaboutitwassimplyoneofhisabsurdmasculinefreaks，justashewouldsayaboutherbroderieanglaise-thatgoodpeoplepatchholesbutthatshecutthemoutonpurpose，andsoon。

`Yes，youseethiswoman，MaryaNikolaevna，didnotknowhowtomanageallthis，’saidLevin。`And……ImustownI’mvery，verygladyoucame。Youaresuchpuritythat……’Hetookherhandanddidnotkissit(tokissherhandinsuchclosenesstodeathseemedtohimimproper)；hemerelysqueezeditwithapenitentair，lookingatherbrighteningeyes。

`Itwouldhavebeenmiserableforyoutobealone，’shesaid，andliftingherhandswhichhidhercheeks，flushingwithpleasure，twistedhercoilofhaironthenapeofherneckandpinneditthere。`No，’shewenton，`shedidnotknowhow……Luckily，IlearnedlotatSoden。’

`Surelytherearenopeopletheresoill？’

`Worse。’

`What’ssoawfultomeisthatIcan’tbutseehimashewaswhenhewasyoung。Youwouldnotbelievehowcharminghewasasayouth，butIdidnotunderstandhimthen。’

`Icanquite，quitebelieveit。HowIfeelthatwemighthavebeenfriends！’shesaid；and，distressedatwhatshehadsaid，shelookedroundatherhusband，andtearscameintohereyes。

`Yes，mighthavebeen，’hesaidmournfully。`He’sjustoneofthosepeopleofwhomtheysaythattheyarenotforthisworld。’

`Butwehavemanydaysbeforeus；wemustgotobed，’saidKitty，glancingathertinywatch。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart5，Chapter20[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter20DEATHThenextdaythesickmanreceivedthesacramentandExtremeUnction。DuringtheceremonyNikolaiLevinprayedfervently。Hisgreateyesfastenedontheholyiconthatwassetoutonacardtablecoveredwithacolorednapkin，expressedsuchpassionateprayerandhopethatitwasawfultoLevintoseeit。Levinknewthatthispassionateprayerandhopewouldonlymakehimfeelmorebitterlythepartingfromthelifehesoloved。Levinknewhisbrotherandtheworkingsofhisintellect:heknewthathisunbeliefcamenotfromlifebeingeasierforhimwithoutfaith，buthadgrownupbecause，stepbystep，thecontemporaryscientificinterpretationofnaturalphenomenacrushedoutthepossibilityoffaith；andsoheknewthathispresentreturnwasnotalegitimateone，broughtaboutbywayofthesameworkingofhisintellect，butsimplyatemporary，interestedreturntofaithinadesperatehopeofrecovery。LevinknewtoothatKittyhadstrengthenedhishopebyaccountsofthemarvelousrecoveriesshehadheardofLevinknewallthis；anditwasagonizinglypainfultohimtobeholdthesupplicating，hopefuleyesandtheemaciatedwrist，liftedwithdifficulty，makingthesignofthecrossonthetensebrow，andtheprominentshouldersandhollow，gaspingchest，whichonecouldnotfeelconsistentwiththelifethesickmanwasprayingfor。DuringthesacramentLevinofferedprayers，anddidwhathe，anunbeliever，haddoneathousandtimes。Hesaid，addressingGod:`IfThoudostexist，makethismanrecover’(ofcoursethissamethinghasbeenrepeatedmanytimes)，`andThouwiltsavehimandme。’

AfterExtremeUnctionthesickmanbecamesuddenlymuchbetter。