下载辰思小说免费APP
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart7，Chapter15[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter15Hedidnotknowwhetheritwaslateorearly。Thecandleshadallburnedout。Dollyhadjustbeeninthestudyandhadsuggestedtothedoctorthatheshouldliedown。Levinsatlisteningtothedoctor’sstoriesofaquackmesmerizerandlookingattheashesofhiscigarette。Therehadbeenaperiodofrepose，andhehadsunkintooblivion。Hehadcompletelyforgottenwhatwasgoingonnow。Heheardthedoctor’schatandunderstoodit。Suddenlytherecameanunearthlyshriek。TheshriekwassoawfulthatLevindidnotevenjumpup，but，holdinghisbreath，gazedinterrifiedinquiryatthedoctor。Thedoctorputhisheadononeside，listened，andsmiledapprovingly。
EverythingwassoextraordinarythatnothingcouldstrikeLevinasstrange。
`Isupposeitmustbeso，’hethought，andstillsatwherehewas。Whosescreamwasthis？Hejumpedup，ranontiptoetothebedroom，edgedroundLizavetaPetrovnaandthePrincess，andtookuphispositionatKitty’spillow。Thescreamhadsubsided，buttherewassomechangenow。Whatitwashedidnotseeanddidnotcomprehend，andhehadnowishtoseeorcomprehend。ButhesawitbythefaceofLizavetaPetrovna。LizavetaPetrovna’sfacewassternandpale，andstillasresolute，thoughherjawsweretwitching，andhereyeswerefixedintentlyonKitty。Kitty’sswollenandagonizedface，atressofhairclingingtohermoistbrow，wasturnedtohimandsoughthiseyes。Herliftedhandsaskedforhishands。Clutchinghischillhandsinhermoistones，shebegansqueezingthemtoherface。
`Don’tgo，don’tgo！I’mnotafraid，I’mnotafraid！’shesaidrapidly。`Mamma，takemyearrings。Theybotherme。You’renotafraid？Soon，soon，LizavetaPetrovna……’
Shespokequickly，veryquickly，andtriedtosmile。Butsuddenlyherfacewasdrawn-shepushedhimaway。
`Oh，thisisawful！I’mdying，I’mdying！Goaway！’sheshrieked，andagainheheardthatunearthlyscream。
Levinclutchedathisheadandranoutoftheroom。
`It’snothing，it’snothing，it’sallright，’Dollycalledafterhim。
Buttheymightsaywhattheyliked，heknewnowthatallwasover。
Hestoodinthenextroom，hisheadleaningagainstthedoorpost，andheardshrieks，howls，suchashehadneverheardbefore，andheknewthatwhathadbeenKittywasutteringtheseshrieks。Hehadlongagoceasedtowishforthechild。Bynowheloathedthischild。Hedidnotevenprayforherlifenow-allhelongedforwasthecessationofthisawfulanguish。
`Doctor！Whatisit？Whatisit？MyGod！’hesaid，snatchingatthedoctor’shandashecameup。
`It’stheend，’saidthedoctor。Andthedoctor’sfacewassograveashesaiditthatLevintooktheendasmeaningherdeath。
Besidehimself，heranintothebedroom。ThefirstthinghesawwasthefaceofLizavetaPetrovna。Itwasevenmorefrowningandstern。
Kitty’sfacehedidnotknow。Intheplacewhereithadbeenwassomethingthatwasfearfulinitsstraineddistortionandinthesoundsthatcamefromit。Hefelldownwithhisheadonthewoodenframeworkofthebed，feelingthathisheartwasbursting。Theawfulscreamneverpaused，itbecamestillmoreawful，andasthoughithadreachedtheutmostlimitofterror，suddenlyitceased。Levincouldnotbelievehisears，buttherecouldbenodoubt；thescreamhadceasedandheheardasubduedstirandbustle，andhurriedbreathing，andhervoice，gasping，alive，tender，andblissful，utteredsoftly:`It’sover！’
Heliftedhishead。Withherhandshangingexhaustedonthequilt，lookingextraordinarilylovelyandserene，shelookedathiminsilenceandtriedtosmile，andcouldnot。
Andsuddenly，fromthemysteriousandawfulfarawayworldinwhichhehadbeenlivingforthelasttwenty-twohours，Levinfelthimselfallinaninstantbornebacktotheoldeverydayworld，thoughglorifiednowbysucharadianceofhappinessthathecouldnotbearit。Thestrainedchordssnapped；sobsandtearsofjoywhichhehadneverforeseenroseupwithsuchviolencethathiswholebodyshook，andforlongtheypreventedhimfromspeaking。
Fallingonhiskneesbeforethebed，heheldhiswife’shandbeforehislipsandkissedit，andthehand，withaweakmovementofthefingers，respondedtohiskiss。Andmeanwhile，thereatthefootofthebed，inthedefthandsofLizavetaPetrovna，likeaflickeringlightinalamp，laythelifeofahumancreature，whichhadneverexistedbefore，andwhichwouldnowwiththesameright，withthesameimportancetoitself，liveandcreateinitsownimage。
`Alive！alive！Andaboytoo！Setyourmindatrest！’LevinheardLizavetaPetrovnasaying，assheslappedthebaby’sbackwithashakinghand。
`Mamma，isittrue？’saidKitty’svoice。
ThePrincess’ssobswerealltheanswershecouldmake。
Andinthemidstofthesilencetherecameinunmistakablereplytothemother’squestion，avoicequiteunlikethesubduedvoicesspeakingintheroom。Itwasthebold，clamorous，self-assertivesquallofthenewhumanbeing，whichhadsoincomprehensiblyappeared。
IfLevinhadbeentoldbeforethatKittywasdead，andthathehaddiedwithher，andthattheirchildrenwereangels，andthatGodwasstandingbeforehim，hewouldhavebeensurprisedatnothing。Butnow，comingbacktotheworldofreality，hehadtomakegreatmentaleffortstotakeinthatshewasaliveandwell，andthatthecreaturesquallingsodesperatelywashisson。Kittywasalive，heragonywasover。Andhewasunutterablyhappy。Thatheunderstood；andhewascompletelyhappyinit。Butthebaby？Whence，why，whowashe？……Hecouldnotgetusedtotheidea。Itseemedtohimsomethingextraneous，superfluous，towhichhecouldnotaccustomhimself。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart7，Chapter16[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter16Atteno’clocktheoldPrince，SergeiIvanovich，andStepanArkadyevich，weresittingatLevin’s。HavinginquiredafterKitty，theyhaddroppedintoconversationuponothersubjects。Levinheardthem，andunconsciously，astheytalked，goingoverthepast，overwhattheyhadbeenuptothatmorning，hethoughtofhimselfashehadbeenyesterdaytillthatpoint。
Itwasasthoughahundredyearshadpassedsincethen。Hefelthimselfexaltedtounattainableheights，fromwhichhestudiouslyloweredhimselfsoasnottowoundthepeoplehewastalkingto。Hetalked，andwasallthetimethinkingofhiswife，ofherpresentcondition，ofhisson，inwhoseexistencehetriedtoschoolhimselfintobelieving。Thewholeworldofwoman，whichhadtakenforhimsincehismarriageanewvaluehehadneversuspectedbefore，wasnowsoexaltedthathisimaginationcouldnotembraceit。Heheardthemtalkofyesterday’sdinnerattheclub，andthought:
`Whatishappeningwithhernow？Issheasleep？Howisshe？Whatisshethinkingof？Ishecrying-mysonDmitrii？’Andinthemiddleoftheconversation，inthemiddleofasentence，hejumpedupandwentoutoftheroom。
`SendmewordifIcanseeher，’saidthePrince。
`Verywell，inaminute，’answeredLevin，andwithoutstopping，hewenttoherroom。
Shewasnotasleep，shewastalkinggentlywithhermother，makingplansaboutthechristening。
Carefullysettorights，withhairwellbrushed，inasmartlittlecapwithsomeblueinit，herarmsoutonthequilt，shewaslyingonherback。Meetinghiseyes，hereyesdrewhimtoher。Herface，brightbefore，brightenedstillmoreashedrewnearher。Therewasthesamechangeinitfromearthlytounearthlythatisseeninthefaceofthedead。Butthereitmeansfarewell-hereitmeantwelcome。Againarushofemotion，suchashehadfeltatthemomentofthechild’sbirth，floodedhisheart。
Shetookhishandandaskedhimifhehadslept。Hecouldnotanswer，andturnedaway，realizinghisweakness。
`Ihavehadanap，Kostia！’shesaidtohim。`AndIamsocomfortablenow。’
Shelookedathim，butsuddenlyherexpressionchanged。
`Givehimtome，’shesaid，hearingthebaby’scry。`Givehimtome，LizavetaPetrovna，andheshalllookathim。’
`Tobesure，hispapashalllookathim，’saidLizavetaPetrovna，gettingupandbringingsomethingred，andqueerandwriggling。`Waitaminute，we’llarrayourselvesfirst，’andLizavetaPetrovnalaidtheredwobblingthingonthebed，beganuntrussingandtrussingupthebaby，liftingitupandturningitoverwithonefingerandpowderingitwithsomething。
Levin，lookingatthetiny，pitifulcreature，madestrenuouseffortstodiscoverinhisheartsometracesoffatherlyfeelingforit。Hefeltnothingtowarditbutdisgust。Butwhenitwasundressedandhecaughtaglimpseofwee，wee，littlehands，littlefeet，saffron-colored，withlittletoes，too；andevenwithalittlebigtoedifferentfromtherest，andwhenhesawLizavetaPetrovnaclosingthewide-openlittlehands，asthoughtheyweresoftsprings，andputtingthemintolinengarments，suchpityforthelittlecreaturecameuponhim，andsuchterrorthatshewouldhurtit，thatheheldherhandback。
LizavetaPetrovnalaughed。
`Don’tbefrightened，don’tbefrightened！’
Whenthebabyhadbeenarrayedandtransformedintoasoliddoll，LizavetaPetrovnadandleditasthoughproudofherhandiwork，andstoodalittleawaysothatLevinmightseehissoninallhisglory。
Kittylookedsidewaysinthesamedirection，nevertakinghereyesoffthebaby。`Givehimtome！Givehimtome！’shesaid，andevenmadeasthoughshewouldsitup。
`Whatareyouthinkingof，KaterinaAlexandrovna，youmustn’tmovelikethat！Waitaminute。I’llgivehimtoyou。Herewe’reshowingpapawhatafinefellowweare！’
AndLizavetaPetrovna，withonehandsupportingthewobblinghead，liftedupontheotherarmthestrange，limp，redcreature，whoseheadwaslostinitsswaddlingclothes。Butithadanose，too，andslantingeyes，andsmackinglips。
`Asplendidbaby！’saidLizavetaPetrovna。
Levinsighedwithmortification。Thissplendidbabyexcitedinhimnofeelingbutdisgustandcompassion。Itwasnotatallthefeelinghehadlookedforwardto。
HeturnedawaywhileLizavetaPetrovnaputthebabytotheunaccustomedbreast。
Suddenlylaughtermadehimlookround。Thebabyhadtakenthebreast。
`Comethat’senough，that’senough！’saidLizavetaPetrovna，butKittywouldnotletthebabygo。Hefellasleepinherarms。
`Look，now，’saidKitty，turningthebabysothathecouldseeit。Theaged-lookinglittlefacesuddenlypuckeredupstillmore，andthebabysneezed。
Smiling，hardlyabletorestrainhistears，Levinkissedhiswifeandwentoutofthedarkroom。
Whathefelttowardthislittlecreaturewasutterlyunlikewhathehadexpected。Therewasnothingcheerfulandjoyousinthefeeling；
onthecontrary，itwasanewtortureofapprehension。Itwastheconsciousnessofanewsphereofliabilitytopain。Andthissensewassopainfulatfirst，theapprehensionlestthishelplesscreatureshouldsufferwassointense，thatitpreventedhimfromnoticingthestrangethrillofsenselessjoyandevenpridethathehadfeltwhenthebabyhadsneezed。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart7，Chapter17[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter17StepanArkadyevich’saffairswereinaverybadway。
Themoneyfortwo-thirdsoftheforesthadallbeenspentalready，andhehadborrowedfromthemerchantinadvanceattenpercentdiscountalmostalltheremainingthird。Themerchantwouldnotgivemore，especiallyasDaryaAlexandrovna，forthefirsttimethatwinterinsistingonherrighttoherownproperty，hadrefusedtosignthereceiptforthepaymentofthelastthirdoftheforest。Allhissalarywentonhouseholdexpensesandinpaymentofpettydebtsthatcouldnotbeputoff。Therewaspositivelynomoney。
Thiswasunpleasantandawkward，andinStepanArkadyevich’sopinionthingscouldnotgoonlikethis。Theexplanationofthepositionwas，inhisview，tobefoundinthefactthathissalarywastoosmall。Theposthefilledhadbeenunmistakablyverygoodfiveyearsago，butitwassonolonger。Petrov，thebankdirector，hadtwelvethousand；Sventitsky，acompanydirector，hadseventeenthousand；Mitin，whohadfoundedabank，receivedfiftythousand。`ClearlyI’vebeennapping，andthey’veoverlookedme，’StepanArkadyevichthoughtabouthimself。Andhebegankeepinghiseyesandearsopen，andtowardtheendofthewinterhehaddiscoveredaverygoodberthandhadformedaplanofattackuponit，atfirstfromMoscowthroughaunts，uncles，andfriends，andthen，whenthematterwaswelladvanced，inthespring，hewenthimselftoPeterburg。Itwasoneofthoseberths(withincomesrangingfromonethousandtofiftythousandroubles)，ofwhichtherearesomanymorenowadaysthanthereweresnug，bribableonesinthepast。ItwasthepostofsecretaryofthecommitteeoftheamalgamatedagencyoftheSouthernRailways，andofcertainbankingcompanies。Thisposition，likeallsuchappointments，calledforsuchimmenseenergyandsuchvariedqualifications，thatitwasdifficultforthemtobefoundunitedinanyoneman。Andsinceamancombiningallthequalificationswasnottobefound，itwasatleastbetterthatthepostbefilledbyanhonestthanbyadishonestman。AndStepanArkadyevichwasnotmerelyanhonestman，unemphatically，inthecommonacceptationoftheword；hewasanhonestman，emphatically，inthatspecialsensewhichthewordhasinMoscow，whentheytalkofan`honest’politician，an`honest’writer，an`honest’newspaper，an`honest’institution，an`honest’tendency，meaningnotsimplythatthemanortheinstitutionisnotdishonest，butthattheyarecapableonoccasionofstingingtheauthorities。StepanArkadyevichmovedinthosecirclesinMoscowinwhichthatexpressionhadcomeintouse，wasregardedthereasanhonestman，andsohadmorerighttothisappointmentthanothers。
Theappointmentyieldedanincomeoffromseventotenthousandayear，andOblonskycouldfillitwithoutgivinguphisgovernmentposition。
Itwasinthehandsoftwoministers，onelady，andtwoJews，andallthesepeople，thoughthewayhadbeenpavedalreadywiththem，StepanArkadyevichhadtoseeinPeterburg。Besidesthisbusiness，StepanArkadyevichhadpromisedhissisterAnnatoobtainfromKareninadefiniteansweronthequestionofdivorce。AndbeggingfiftyroublesfromDolly，hesetoffforPeterburg。
StepanArkadyevichsatinKarenin’sstudylisteningtohisreportonthecausesoftheunsatisfactorypositionofRussianfinance，andonlywaitingforthemomentwhenhewouldfinishtospeakabouthisownbusinessoraboutAnna。
`Yes，that’sverytrue，’hesaid，whenAlexeiAlexandrovichtookoffthepince-nez，withoutwhichhecouldnotreadnow，andlookedinquiringlyathisquondambrother-in-law，`that’sverytrueinparticularcases，butstill，theprincipleofourdayisfreedom。’
`Yes，butIlaydownanotherprinciple，embracingtheprincipleoffreedom，’saidAlexeiAlexandrovich，withemphasisontheword`embracing’，andheputonhispince-nezagain，soastoreadthepassageinwhichthisstatementwasmade。
Andturningoverthebeautifullywritten，wide-marginedmanuscript，AlexeiAlexandrovichreadaloudtheconclusivepassageoncemore。
`Idon’tadvocateprotectionforthesakeofprivateinterest，butforthepublicweal-andforthelowerandupperclassesequally，’
hesaid，lookingoverhispince-nezatOblonsky。`Buttheycannotgraspthat，theyaretakenupnowwithpersonalinterests，andcarriedawaybyphrases。’
StepanArkadyevichknewthatwhenKareninbegantotalkofwhattheyweredoingandthinking，thepersonswhowouldnotaccepthisreportandwerethecauseofeverythingwronginRussia，thatitwascomingneartheend。Andsonowheeagerlyabandonedtheprincipleoffreetrade，andfullyagreed。AlexeiAlexandrovichpaused，thoughtfullyturningoverthepagesofhismanuscript。
`Oh，bytheway，’saidStepanArkadyevich，`Iwantedtoaskyou，sometimewhenyouseePomorsky，todrophimahintthatIshouldbeverygladtogetthatnewappointmentofmemberofthecommitteeoftheamalgamatedagencyoftheSouthernRailwaysandbankingcompanies。’StepanArkadyevichwasfamiliarbynowwiththetitleoftheposthecoveted，andhebroughtitoutrapidlywithoutmistake。
AlexeiAlexandrovichquestionedhimastothedutiesofthisnewcommittee，andpondered。Hewasconsideringwhetherthenewcommitteewouldnotbeactinginsomewaycontrarytotheviewshehadbeenadvocating。
Butastheinfluenceofthenewcommitteewasofaverycomplexnature，andhisviewswereofverywideapplication，hecouldnotdecidethisstraightoff，andtakingoffhispince-nez，hesaid:
`Ofcourse，Icanmentionittohim；butwhatisyourreasonpreciselyforwishingtoobtaintheappointment？’
`It’sagoodsalary，risingtoninethousand，andmymeans……’
`Ninethousand！’repeatedAlexeiAlexandrovich，andhefrowned。
ThehighfigureofthesalarymadehimreflectthatonthatsideStepanArkadyevich’sproposedpositionrancountertothemaintendencyofhisownprojectsofreform，whichalwaysleanedtowardeconomy。
`Iconsider，andIhaveembodiedmyviewsinanoteonthesubject，thatinourdaytheseimmensesalariesareevidenceoftheunsoundeconomicassietteofourfinances。’
`Butwhat’stobedone？’saidStepanArkadyevich。`Supposeabankdirectorgetstenthousand-well，he’sworthit；oranengineergetstwentythousand-afterall，it’sagrowingthing，youknow！’
`Iassumethatasalaryisthepricepaidforacommodity，anditoughttoconformwiththelawofsupplyanddemand。Ifthesalaryisfixedwithoutanyregardforthatlaw，as，forinstance，whenIseetwoengineersleavingcollegetogether，bothequallywelltrainedandefficient，andonegettingfortythousandwhiletheotherissatisfiedwithtwo；orwhenIseelawyersandhussars，havingnospecialqualifications，appointeddirectorsofbankingcompanieswithimmensesalaries，Iconcludethatthesalaryisnotfixedinaccordancewiththelawofsupplyanddemand，butsimplythroughpersonalinterest。Andthisisanabuseofgreatgravityinitself，andonethatreactsinjuriouslyonthegovernmentservice。I
consider……’
StepanArkadyevichmadehastetointerrupthisbrother-in-law。
`Yes；butyoumustagreethatthenewinstitutionbeingstartedisofundoubtedutility。Afterall，youknow，it’sagrowingthing！Whattheylayparticularstressonisthethingbeingcarriedonhonestly，’
saidStepanArkadyevichwithemphasis。
ButtheMoscowsignificanceofthewordhonestwaslostonAlexeiAlexandrovich。
`Honestyisonlyanegativequalification，’hesaid。
`Well，you’lldomeagreatservice，anyway，’saidStepanArkadyevich，`byputtinginawordtoPomorsky-justinthewayofconversation……’
`ButIfancyitdependsmoreonBolgarinov，’saidAlexeiAlexandrovich。
`Bolgarinovhasfullyassented，asfarashe’sconcerned，’saidStepanArkadyevich，turningred。StepanArkadyevichreddenedatthementionofthatname，becausehehadbeenthatmorningattheJewBolgarinov’s，andthevisithadleftanunpleasantrecollection。
StepanArkadyevichbelievedmostpositivelythatthecommitteeinwhichhewastryingtogetanappointmentwasanew，genuine，andhonestpublicbody，butthatmorningwhenBolgarinovhad-intentionally，beyondadoubt-kepthimtwohourswaitingwithotherpetitionersinhiswaitingroom，hehadsuddenlyfeltuneasy。
Whetherhewasuncomfortablebecausehe，adescendantofRurik，PrinceOblonsky，hadbeenkeptfortwohourswaitingtoseeaJew，orthatforthefirsttimeinhisfifehewasnotfollowingtheexampleofhisancestorsinservingthegovernment，butwasturningoffintoanewcareer-atanyratehewasveryuncomfortable。DuringthosetwohoursinBolgarinov’swaitingroomStepanArkadyevich，steppingjauntilyabouttheroom，pullinghissidewhiskers，enteringintoconversationwiththeotherpetitioners，andinventingacalembourdealingwithhiswaitintheJew’santeroom，assiduouslyconcealedfromothers，andevenfromhimself，thefeelinghewasexperiencing。
Butallthetimehewasuncomfortableandperturbed，hecouldnothavesaidwhy-whetherbecausehecouldnotgethiscalembourjustright，orfromsomeotherreason。WhenatlastBolgarinovhadreceivedhimwithexaggeratedpolitenessandunmistakabletriumphathishumiliation，andhadallbutrefusedthefavoraskedofhim，StepanArkadyevichhadmadehastetoforgetitallassoonaspossible。Andnow，atthemererecollection，heblushed。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart7，Chapter18[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter18`NowthereissomethingIwanttotalkabout，andyouknowwhatitis……
aboutAnna，’StepanArkadyevichsaid，pausingforabriefspace，andshakingofftheunpleasantimpression。
AssoonasOblonskyutteredAnna’sname，thefaceofAlexeiAlexandrovichbecamecompletelytransformed；allthelifewentoutofit，anditlookedwearyanddead。
`Whatisitexactlythatyouwantfromme？’hesaid，movinginhischairandsnappinghispince-nez。
`Adefinitesettlement，AlexeiAlexandrovich-somesettlementofthesituation。I’mappealingtoyou’(`notastoaninjuredhusband，’
StepanArkadyevichwasgoingtosay，but，afraidofwreckinghisnegotiationbythis，hechangedthewords)`notastoastatesman’(whichdidnotsoundapropos)，`butsimplyastoaman，andagoodheartedman，andaChristian。
Youmusthavepityonher，’hesaid。
`Thatis，inwhatway，precisely？’Kareninsaidsoftly。
`Yes，pityonher。IfyouhadseenherasIhave！-Ihavebeenspendingallthewinterwithher-youwouldhavepityonher。Herpositionisawful，simplyawful！’
`Ihadimagined，’answeredAlexeiAlexandrovichinahigher，almostshrillvoice，`thatAnnaArkadyevnahadeverythingshehaddesiredforherself。’
`Oh，AlexeiAlexandrovich，forGod’ssake，let’snotindulgeinrecriminations！Whatispastispast，andyouknowwhatshewantsandiswaitingfor-adivorce。’
`ButIbelieveAnnaArkadyevnarefusesadivorce，ifImakeitaconditiontoleavememyson。Irepliedinthatsense，andsupposedthatthematterwasended。Iconsideritatanend，’shriekedAlexeiAlexandrovich。
`But，forheaven’ssake，don’tgetexcited！’saidStepanArkadyevich，touchinghisbrother-in-law’sknee。`Thematterisnotended。Ifyouwillallowmetorecapitulate，itwaslikethis:whenyouparted，youwereasmagnanimousascouldpossiblybe；youwerereadytogivehereverything-freedom，evendivorce。Sheappreciatedthat。No，makenodoubt。Shedidappreciateit-tosuchadegreethat，atthefirstmoment，feelinghowshehadwrongedyou，shedidnotconsiderandcouldnotconsidereverything。
Shegaveupeverything。Butexperience，time，haveshownthatherpositionisunbearable，impossible。’
`ThelifeofAnnaArkadyevnacanhaven
