OnreachingtheFrenchtheater，Vronskyretiredtothefoyerwiththecolonel，andreportedtohimhissuccess-orlackofit。Thecolonel，thinkingitallover，decidednottogoonwiththematter；butthen，forhisowndelectation，proceededtoquestionVronskyaboutthedetailsofhisinterviewandforalongwhilecouldnotrestrainhislaughterashelistenedtoVronsky’sstoryofhowthegovernmentclerk，aftersubsidingforawhile，wouldsuddenlyflareupagain，asherecalledthedetails，andhowVronsky，atthelasthalf-wordofconciliation，hadskillfullymaneuveredaretreat，shovingPetritskyoutbeforehim。
`It’sadisgracefulscrape，butakillingone。Kedrovreallycan’tfightthisgentleman！Sohewasawfullywroughtup？’heaskedagain，laughing。
`ButwhatdoyouthinkofClairetoday？She’sawonder！’hewenton，speakingofanewFrenchactress。`Nomatterhowoftenyouseeher，she’sdifferenteachtime。It’sonlytheFrenchwhocandothat。’
[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter06[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter6PrincessBetsydrovehomefromthetheaterwithoutwaitingfortheendofthelastact。Shehadjusttimeenoughtogointoherdressingroom，sprinkleherlong，palefacewithpowder，rubitoff，setherdresstorights，andorderteainthebigdrawingroom，whenoneafteranothercarriagesdroveuptoherhugehouseontheBolshaiaMorskaia。Herguestsdismountedatthewideentrance，andthestoutporter，whousedtoreadnewspapersmorningsbehindtheglassdoor，totheedificationofthepassers-by，noiselesslyopenedtheimmensedoor，lettingthevisitorspassbyhimintothehouse。
Almostatthesameinstantthatthehostess，withfreshlyarrangedcoiffureandfreshenedface，enteredatonedoor，herguestsenteredattheother，intothedrawingroom，alargeroomwithdarkwalls，downyrugsandabrightlylightedtable，gleamingwiththelightofcandles，thewhitenessofnapery，thesilverofthesamovarandtheteaserviceoftransparentporcelain。
Thehostesssatdownatthesamovarandtookoffhergloves。Chairsweresetwiththeaidoffootmen，movingalmostimperceptiblyabouttheroom；thepartysettleditself，dividedintotwogroups:oneroundthesamovarnearthehostess，theotherattheoppositeendofthedrawingroom，roundthehandsomewifeofanambassador，inblackvelvet，withsharplydefinedblackeyebrows。Inbothgroupsconversationwavered，asitalwaysdoes，forthefirstfewminutes，brokenupbymeetings，salutations，offersoftea，and，asitwere，seekingforsomepointincommon。
`She’sexceptionallyfineasanactress；onecanseeshe’sstudiedKaulbach，’saidadiplomatistinthecircleoftheambassador’swife。`Didyounoticehowshefelldown？……’
`Oh，please，don’tletustalkaboutNilsson！Noonecanpossiblysayanythingnewabouther，’saidafat，red-faced，flaxen-headedlady，withouteyebrowsandwithoutchignon，wearinganoldsilkdress。ThiswasPrincessMiaghkaia，notedforhersimplicityandtheroughnessofhermanners，andnicknamedenfantterrible。PrincessMiaghkaiawasseatedhalfwaybetweenthetwogroups，and，listeningtoboth，tookpartintheconversationfirstofoneandthenoftheother。`ThreepeoplehaveusedthatveryphraseaboutKaulbachtometoday，justasthoughtheyhadconspired。AndIdon’tknowwhythatphraseshouldbesomuchtotheirliking。’
Theconversationwascutshortbythisobservation，andagainanewsubjecthadtobethoughtof。
`Dotellussomethingamusing，yetnotspiteful，’saidtheambassador’swife，agreatproficientintheartofthatelegantconversationcalledbytheEnglishsmalltalk。Sheaddressedthediplomatist，whowasnowatalossjustwhattobeginupon。
`Thatissaidtobeadifficulttask-onlythatwhichisspitefulissupposedtobeamusing，’hebeganwithasmile。`However，I’llmaketheattempt。Givemeatheme。it’sallamatterofthetheme。Ifthethemebebutgiven，it’seasyenoughtoembroiderit。Ioftenthinkthatthecelebratedconversationalistsofthelastcenturywouldfinditdifficulttotalkcleverlynow。Everythingcleverhasbecomesuchabore……’
`Thathasbeensaidlongago，’theambassador’swifeinterruptedhim，laughing。
Theconversationhadbegunamiably，butjustbecauseitwastooamiable，itcametoastopagain。Theyhadtohaverecoursetothesure，never-failingremedy-maliciousgossip。
`Don’tyouthinkthere’ssomethingLouisQuinzeaboutTushkevich？’
hesaid，glancingtowardahandsome，fair-hairedyoungman，standingatthetable。
`Oh，yes！He’sinthesamestyleasthedrawingroom，andthat’swhyitishe’ssooftenhere。’
Thisconversationwaskeptup，sinceitdependedonallusionstowhatcouldnotbetalkedofinthatroom-thatistosay，oftherelationsofTushkevichwiththeirhostess。
Roundthesamovarandthehostesstheconversationhaving，inthemeanwhile，vacillatedinpreciselythesamewaybetweenthethreeinevitabletopics-thelatestpieceofpublicnews，thetheater，andcensuringthefellowcreature-hadfinallycometorestonthelasttopic-thatis，maliciousgossip。
`HaveyouheardthateventheMaltishcheva-themother，notthedaughter-hasorderedacostumeindiablerosecolor？’
`Impossible！No，that’sjustcharming！’
`Iwonderthatwithhersense-forafterallshe’snofool-
shedoesn’tseehowfunnysheis。’
EveryonehadsomethingtosayincensureorridiculeofthehaplessMaltishcheva，andtheconversationcrackledmerrily，likeablazingbonfire。
ThehusbandofPrincessBetsy，agood-naturedcorpulentman，anardentcollectorofengravings，hearingthathiswifehadvisitors，hadcomeintothedrawingroombeforeleavingforhisclub。Steppingnoiselesslyoverthethickrugs，heapproachedPrincessMiaghkaia。
`HowdidyoulikeNilsson？’heasked。
`Oh，howcanyoustealuponanyonelikethat！Howyoustartledme！’sheresponded。`Pleasedon’ttalktomeabouttheopera；youknownothingaboutmusic。I’drathercomedowntoyourownlevel，anddiscusswithyouyourmajolicaandengravings。Come，now，whattreasurehaveyoubeenbuyinglatelyattheragfair？’
`Wouldyoulikemetoshowyou？Butyoudon’tunderstandsuchthings。’
`Yes，showme。I’vebeenlearningaboutthematthose-what’stheirnames？……thosebankers……Theyhavesomesplendidengravings。Theyshowedthemtous。’
`Why，haveyoubeenattheSchutzburgs？’askedthehostessfrombehindthesamovar。
`Yes，machè；re。Theyaskedmyhusbandandmyselftodinner，andIwastoldthatthesauceatthatdinnercostathousandroubles，’PrincessMiaghkaiasaid，speakingloudly，consciousthatallwerelistening；`andverynastysauceitwas-somegreenmess。Wehadtoaskthem，andImadeasauceforeighty-fivekopecks，andeverybodywasverymuchpleasedwithit。Ican’taffordthousand-roublesauces。’
`She’sunique！’saidtheladyofthehouse。
`Amazing！’somebodyelseadded。
TheeffectproducedbyPrincessMiaghkaia’sspeecheswasalwaysthesame，andthesecretoftheeffectsheproducedlayinthefactthatthoughshespokenotalwaysappropriately，asnow，shesaidhomelytruths，notdevoidofsense。Inthesocietyinwhichshelivedsuchutteranceshadthesameresultasthemostpungentwit。PrincessMiaghkaiacouldneverseewhyithadthatresult，butsheknewithad，andtookadvantageofit。
SinceeveryonehadbeenlisteningwhilePrincessMiaghkaiaspoke，andtheconversationaroundtheambassador’swifehaddropped，PrincessBetsytriedtobringthewholepartytogether，andsheaddressedtheambassador’swife。
`Reallywon’tyouhavetea？Docomeandjoinus。’
`No，we’reverycomfortablehere，’theambassador’swiferespondedwithasmile，andwentonwiththeinterruptedconversation。
Itwasamostagreeableconversation。TheywerecensuringtheKarenins，husbandandwife。
`AnnaisquitechangedsinceherstayinMoscow。There’ssomethingstrangeabouther，’saidoneofherfemininefriends。
`ThegreatchangeisthatshehasbroughtbackwithhertheshadowofAlexeiVronsky，’saidtheambassador’swife。
`Well，whatofit？There’safableofGrimm’saboutamanwithoutashadow-amandeprivedofhisshadow。Asapunishmentforsomethingorother。Inevercouldunderstandjusthowthiswasapunishment。Yetawomanmustprobablyfeeluncomfortablewithoutashadow。’
`Yes，butwomenfollowedbyashadowusuallycometoabadend，’
saidAnna’sfriend。
`Biteyourtongue！’saidPrincessMiaghkaiasuddenly。`Kareninaisasplendidwoman。Idon’tlikeherhusband-butherIlikeverymuch。’
`Whydon’tyoulikeherhusband？He’ssucharemarkableman，’
saidtheambassador’swife。`MyhusbandsaystherearefewstatesmenlikehiminEurope。’
`Andmyhusbandtellsmejustthesame，butIdon’tbelieveit，’
saidPrincessMiaghkaia。`Ifourhusbandsdidn’ttalktous，weshouldseethefactsastheyare。AlexeiAlexandrovich，tomythinking，issimplyafool。Isayitinawhisper……Butdoesn’titreallymakeeverythingclear？Before，whenIwastoldtoconsiderhimclever，Ikeptlookingforhisability，andthoughtmyselfafoolfornotseeingit；butdirectlyIsaid，he’safool，thoughonlyinawhisper，everythingbecameclear-isn’tthatso？’
`Howspitefulyouaretoday！’
`Notabit。I’dnootherwayoutofit。Oneofustwohadtobethefool。And，asyouknow，onecouldneversaythatofoneself。’
`Nooneissatisfiedwithhisfortune，andeveryoneissatisfiedwithhiswit，’thediplomatistrepeatedtheFrenchsaying。
`That’sit-that’sjustit，’PrincessMiaghkaiaturnedtohimpromptly。`ButthepointisthatIwon’tabandonAnnatoyourmercies。
She’ssuchadear，socharming。Howcanshehelpitifthey’reallinlovewithher，andfollowheraboutlikeshadows？’
`Oh，Ihadnoideaofcensuringher，’Anna’sfriendsaidinself-defense。
`Ifwehavenoshadowsfollowingus，itdoesnotprovethatwe’veanyrighttoblameher。’
And，havingdulydisposedofAnna’sfriend，thePrincessMiaghkaiagotup，and，togetherwiththeambassador’swife，joinedthegroupatthetable，wherethegeneralconversationhadtodowiththekingofPrussia。
`Whatwereyougossipingsomaliciouslyabout？’askedBetsy。
`AbouttheKarenins。ThePrincessgaveusacharactersketchofAlexeiAlexandrovich，’saidtheambassador’swifewithasmile，asshesatdownatthetable。
`Pitywedidn’thearit！’saidPrincessBetsy，glancingtowardthedoor。`Ah，hereyouareatlast！’shesaid，turningwithasmiletoVronskywhowasentering。
Vronskywasnotmerelyacquaintedwithallthepersonswhomhewasmeetinghere；hesawthemalleveryday；andsohecameinwiththequietmannerwithwhichoneentersaroomfullofpeoplewhomonehadleftonlyashortwhileago。
`WheredoIcomefrom？’herepeatedthequestionoftheambassador’swife。`Well，there’snohelpforit-Imustconfess。Fromtheoperabouffe。
IdobelieveI’veseenitahundredtimes，andalwayswithfreshenjoyment。
It’sexquisite！Iknowit’sdisgraceful，butIgotosleepattheopera，yetIsitouttheoperabouffetothelastminute，andenjoyit。Thisevening……’
HementionedaFrenchactress，andwasabouttotellsomethingabouther；buttheambassador’swife，withplayfultrepidation，cuthimshort。
`Please，don’ttellusaboutthathorror。’
`Verywell，Iwon’t-especiallyaseveryoneknowsthosehorrors。’
`Andweshouldallgotoseethemifitwereacceptedasthecorrectthing，liketheopera，’chimedinPrincessMiaghkaia。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter07[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter7Stepswereheardatthedoor，andPrincessBetsy，knowingitwasMadameKarenina，glancedatVronsky。Hewaslookingtowardthedoor，andhisfaceworeastrangenewexpression。Joyfully，intently，andatthesametimetimidly，hegazedattheapproachingfigure，andslowlyherosetohisfeet。Annawalkedintothedrawingroom。Holdingherselfextremelyerect，asalways，lookingstraightbeforeher，andmovingwithherswift，resoluteandlightstep，thatdistinguishedherwalkfromthatofothersocietywomen，shecrossedthefewpacesthatseparatedherfromherhostess，shookhandswithher，smiled，andwiththesamesmilelookedaroundatVronsky。
Vronskybowedlowandpushedachairupforher。
Sheacknowledgedthisonlybyaslightnod，flushed，andfrowned。
Butimmediately，whilerapidlygreetingheracquaintances，andshakingthehandsprofferedtoher，sheaddressedPrincessBetsy:
`IhavebeenatCountessLidia’s，andmeanttohavecomehereearlier，butIstayedon。SirJohnwasthere。Amostinterestingman。’
`Oh，that’sthismissionary？’
`Yes；hetoldusaboutlifeinIndia，mostinterestingly。’
Theconversation，interruptedbyhercomingin，flickeredupagainlikethelightofalampbeingblownout。
`SirJohn！Yes，SirJohn。I’veseenhim。Hespeakswell。Vlassievaisaltogetherinlovewithhim。’
`AndisittruethattheyoungerVlassievaistomarryTopov？’
`Yes-theysayit’squitesettled。’
`Iwonderattheparents！Theysayit’samarriageofpassion。’
`Ofpassion？Whatantediluviannotionsyouhave！Whoevertalksofpassionnowadays？’saidtheambassador’swife。
`Whatwouldyoudo？Thissillyoldfashionisstillfarfromdead，’
saidVronsky。
`Somuchtheworseforthosewhokeepupthefashion。TheonlyhappymarriagesIknowaremarriagesofprudence。’
`Yes，-butthen，howoftenthehappinessoftheseprudentmarriagesisscatteredlikedust，preciselybecausethatpassiontowhichrecognitionhasbeendeniedappearsonthescene，’saidVronsky。
`Butbymarriagesofprudencewemeanthoseinwhichbothpartieshavesowntheirwildoatsalready。That’slikescarlatina-onehastogothroughwithitandgetitoverwith。’
`Inthatcasewemustlearnhowtovaccinateforlove，likesmall-pox。’
`Iwasinloveinmyyoungdays-withachurchclerk，’saidthePrincessMiaghkaia。`Idon’tknowthatitdidmeanygood。’
`No；Ithink-alljokesaside-thattoknowlove，onemustfirstmakeafault，andthenmendit，’saidPrincessBetsy。
`Evenaftermarriage？’saidtheambassador’swifeplayfully。
`It’snevertoolatetomend，’thediplomatistrepeatedtheEnglishproverb。
`Justso，’Betsyagreed；`onemustmakeamistakeandrectifyit。Whatdoyouthinkaboutit？’SheturnedtoAnna，who，withabarelyperceptibleresolutesmileonherlips，waslisteningtotheconversation。
`Ithink’saidAnna，playingwiththegloveshehadtakenoff，`Ithink……ifthereareasmanymindsasthereareheads，thensurelytheremustbeasmanykindsofloveastherearehearts。’
VronskywasgazingatAnna，andwithaheartsinkingwaswaitingforwhatshewouldsay。Hesighedasafteradangerescapedwhenshehadutteredthesewords。
Annasuddenlyturnedtohim。
`Oh，IhavehadaletterfromMoscow。TheywritemethatKittyShcherbatskaia’sveryill。’
`Really？’saidVronsky，knittinghisbrows。
Annalookedsternlyathim。
`Thatdoesn’tinterestyou？’
`Onthecontrary，itdoes-verymuch。Whatisit，exactly，thattheywriteyou，ifmayknow？’heasked。
AnnagotupandwenttoBetsy。
`Givemeacupoftea，’shesaid，pausingbehindherchair。
WhileBetsywaspouringoutthetea，VronskywalkeduptoAnna。
`Whatisittheywriteyou？’herepeated。
`Ioftenthinkmenhavenounderstandingofwhatisdishonorable，thoughthey’reforevertalkingofit，’saidAnna，withoutansweringhim。
`I’vewantedtotellyousomethingforalongwhile，’sheadded，and，movingafewstepsaway，shesatdownatacornertablewhichheldalbums。
`Idon’tquiteunderstandthesignificanceofyourwords，’hesaid，handingherthecup。
Sheglancedtowardsthesofabesideher，andheinstantlysatdown。
`Yes，I’vewantedtotellyou，’shesaid，withoutlookingathim。
`Youractionwaswrong-wrong，verywrong。’
`DoyousupposeIdon’tknowthatI’veactedwrongly？Butwhowasthecauseofmydoingso？’
`Whydoyousaythattome？’shesaidlookingathimsternly。
`Youknowwhy，’heanswered，boldlyandjoyously，meetingherglanceandwithoutdroppinghiseyes。
Itwasnothe，butshe，whobecameconfused。
`Thatmerelyprovesyouhavenoheart，’shesaid。Buthereyessaidthatsheknewhehadaheart，andthatwaswhyshewasafraidofhim。
`Whatyouspokeofjustnowwasamistake，andnotlove。’
`RememberthatIhaveforbiddenyoutoutterthatword，thatdetestableword，’saidAnna，withashudder。Butatonceshefeltthatbythatveryword`forbidden’shehadshownthatsheacknowledgedcertainrightsoverhim，andbythatveryfactwasencouraginghimtospeakoflove。`Ihavelongmeanttotellyouthis，’shewenton，lookingresolutelyintohiseyes，andallaflamefromtheburningflushonhercheeks。`I’vecomeherepurposelythisevening，knowingIshouldmeetyou。Ihavecometotellyouthatthismustend。Ihaveneverblushedbeforeanyone，andyouforcemetofeelguiltyofsomething。’
Helookedatherandwasstruckbyanewspiritualbeautyinherface。
`Whatdoyouwishofme？’hesaid，simplyandgravely。
`IwantyoutogotoMoscowandaskforKitty’sforgiveness，’
shesaid。
`Thatisnotyourwish，’hesaid。
Hesawshewassayingwhatshewasforcingherselftosay，notwhatshewantedtosay。
`Ifyouloveme，asyousay，’shewhispered，`youwilldothis，sothatImaybeatpeace。’
Hisfacegrewradiant。
`Don’tyouknowthatyou’reallmylifetome？ButIknownopeace，andIcan’tgiveittoyou；allofmyself，andlove-yes。Ican’tthinkofyouandmyselfapart。YouandIareonetome。AndIseenopossibilitybeforeusofpeace-eitherformeorforyou。Iseeapossibilityofdespair，ofwretchedness……OrelseIseeapossibilityofhappiness-andwhatahappiness！……Canitbeimpossible？’headded，hislipsbarelymoving-yetsheheard。
Shestrainedeveryeffortofhermindtosaywhatoughttobesaid。Butinsteadofthatshelethereyesrestonhim，fulloflove，andmadenoanswer。
`It’scome！’hethoughtinecstasy。`WhenIwasbeginningtodespair，anditseemedtherewouldbenoend-it’scome！Shelovesme！Sheownsit！’
`Thendothisforme:neversaysuchthingstome，andletusbefriends，’shesaidinwords；buthereyesspokequitedifferently。
`Friendsweshallneverbe-thatyouknowyourself。Whetherweshallbethehappiestorthemostwretchedofpeople-thatlieswithinyourpower。’
Shewouldhavesaidsomething，butheinterruptedher。
`ForIaskbutonething:Iaskfortherighttohope，tosuffer-evenasIamdoingnow。Butifeventhatcannotbe，commandmetodisappear，andIdisappear。Youshallnotseemeifmypresenceispainfultoyou。’
`Idon’twanttodriveyouaway。’
`Onlydon’tchangeanything-leaveeverythingasitis，’saidhe，inashakyvoice。`Here’syourhusband。’
AtthatinstantAlexeiAlexandrovichdidinfactwalkintotheroomwithhiscalm，ungainlygait。
GlancingathiswifeandVronsky，hewentuptotheladyofthehouse，and，sittingdownforacupoftea，begantalkinginhisunhasty，alwaysaudiblevoice，inhishabitualtoneofbanter，asifhewereteasingsomeone。
`YourRambouilletisinfullconclave，’hesaidlookingroundatalltheparty；`thegracesandthemuses。’
ButPrincessBetsycouldnotendurethattoneofhis-sneering，asshecalledit，usingtheEnglishword，andlikeacleverhostesssheatoncebroughthimaroundtoaseriousconversationonthesubjectofuniversalconscription。AlexeiAlexandrovichwasimmediatelycarriedawaybythesubject，andbeganseriouslydefendingthenewimperialdecreebeforePrincessBetsy，whohadattackedit。
VronskyandAnnastillsatatthelittletable。
`Thisisgettingindecorous，’whisperedonelady，withanexpressiveglanceatMadameKarenina，herhusbandandVronsky。
`WhatdidItellyou？’saidAnna’sfriend。
Butitwasnotonlytheseladieswhowatchedthem-almosteveryoneintheroom，eventhePrincessMiaghkaiaandBetsyherself，lookedseveraltimesinthedirectionofthetwowhohadwithdrawnfromthegeneralcircle，asthoughtheyfounditahindrance。AlexeiAlexandrovichwastheonlypersonwhodidnotoncelookintheirdirection，andwasnotdivertedfromtheinterestingdiscussionhehadenteredupon。
Noticingthedisagreeableimpressionthatwasbeingmadeoneveryone，PrincessBetsyslippedsomeoneelseintoherplacetolistentoAlexeiAlexandrovich，andwalkedovertoAnna。
`I’malwaysamazedattheclearnessandprecisionofyourhusband’slanguage，’shesaid。`Themosttranscendentideasseemtobewithinmygraspwhenhe’sspeaking。’
`Oh，yes！’saidAnna，radiantwithasmileofhappiness，andnotunderstandingawordofwhatBetsyhadsaid。Shecrossedovertothebigtableandtookpartinthegeneralconversation。
AlexeiAlexandrovich，afterstayinghalfanhour，walkeduptohiswifeandsuggestedthattheygohometogether。Butsheanswered，withoutlookingathim，thatshewasstayingtosupper。AlexeiAlexandrovichbowedhimselfout。
ThefatoldTatar，MadameKarenina’scoachman，inaglisteningleathercoat，waswithdifficultybridlingtheleftofherpairofgrays，chilledwiththecoldandrearingattheentrance。Afootmanstoodbythecarriagedoorhehadopened。Thehallporterstoodholdingopenthegreatdoorofthehouse。AnnaArkadyevna，withherquicklittlehand，wasunfasteningthelaceofhersleeve，caughtinthehookofherfurcloak，andwithbentheadwaslisteningrapturouslytothewordsVronskymurmuredashesawherdowntohercarriage。
`You’vesaidnothing，ofcourse，andIasknothing，’hewassaying；
`butyouknowthatfriendshipisnotwhatIwant:thatthere’sonlyonehappinessinlifeforme-thatwordyoudislikeso……yes，love！……’
`Love……’sherepeatedslowly，inaninnervoice，andsuddenly，attheveryinstantsheunhookedthelace，sheadded，`Idon’tlikethewordpreciselybecauseitmeanstoomuchtome，farmorethanyoucanunderstand，’
andsheglancedintohisface。`Good-by。’
Shegavehimherhand，andwithherrapid，springystepshepassedbytheporterandvanishedintothecarriage。
Herglance，thetouchofherhand，hadsearedhim。Hekissedthepalmofhishandwhereshehadtouchedit，andwenthome，happyintherealizationthathehadgotnearertotheattainmentofhisaimsthateveningthanduringthetwolastmonths。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter08[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter8AlexeiAlexandrovichhadseennothingstrikingorimproperinthefactthathiswifewassittingwithVronskyatatableapart，ineagerconversationwithhimaboutsomething。Buthenoticedthattotherestofthepartythisappearedassomethingstrikingandimproper，andforthatreasonitseemedtohim，too，tobeimproper。Hemadeuphismindthathemustspeakofittohiswife。
OnreachinghomeAlexeiAlexandrovichwenttohisstudy，asheusuallydid，seatedhimselfinhislowchair，openedabookonthePapacyattheplacehehadmarkedbyinsertingthepaperknife，readtilloneo’clock，justasheusuallydid。Butfromtimetotimehewouldrubhishighforeheadandshakehishead，asthoughtodriveawaysomething。Athisusualtimehegotupandmadehistoiletforthenight。AnnaArkadyevnahadnotyetcomein。Withabookunderhisarmhewentupstairs。Butthisevening，insteadofhisusualthoughtsandmeditationsuponofficialdetails，histhoughtswereabsorbedbyhiswifeandsomethingdisagreeableconnectedwithher。Contrarytohisusualhabit，hedidnotgetintobed，butfelltowalkingupanddowntheroomswithhishandsclaspedbehindhisback。
Hecouldnotgotobed，feelingthatitwasabsolutelyneedfulforhimfirsttothinkthoroughlyoverthesituationthathadjustarisen。
WhenAlexeiAlexandrovichhadmadeuphismindthathemusthaveatalkwithhiswife，ithadseemedaveryeasyandsimplematter。Butnow，whenhebegantothinkoverthequestionthathadjustpresenteditself，itseemedtohimverycomplicatedanddifficult。
AlexeiAlexandrovichwasnotjealous。Jealousy，accordingtohisnotions，wasaninsulttoone’swife，andoneoughttohaveconfidenceinone’swife。Whyoneoughttohavethatconfidence-thatistosay，acompleteconvictionthathisyoungwifewouldalwayslovehim-hedidnotaskhimself。Buthehadneverexperiencedsuchalackofconfidence，becausehehadconfidenceinher，andtoldhimselfthatheoughttohaveit。Now，thoughhisconvictionthatjealousywasashamefulfeeling，andthatoneoughttofeelconfidence，hadnotbrokendown，hestillfeltthathewasstandingfacetofacewithsomethingillogicalandfatuous，anddidnotknowwhatoughttobedone。AlexeiAlexandrovichwasstandingfacetofacewithlife，withthepossibilityofhiswife’slovingsomeoneotherthanhimself，andthisseemedtohimveryfatuousandincomprehensible，becauseitwasoftheverystuffoflife。AllhislifeAlexeiAlexandrovichhadlivedandworkedinofficialspheres，havingtodomerelywiththereflectionsoflife。Andeverytimehehadstumbledagainstlifeitselfhehadshrunkawayfromit。Nowheexperiencedafeelingakintothatofamanwho，whilecalmlycrossingaprecipicebyabridge，shouldsuddenlydiscoverthatthebridgeisbroken，andthatthereisachasmbelow。Thatchasmwaslifeitself-thebridge，thatartificiallifeinwhichAlexeiAlexandrovichhadlived。Forthefirsttimethequestionpresenteditselftohimofthepossibilityofhiswife’slovingsomeoneelse，andhewashorrifiedatit。
Hedidnotundress，butwalkedupanddownwithhisregulartreadovertheresoundingparquetofthediningroom，whereonelampwasburning；
overthecarpetofthedarkdrawingroom，inwhichthelightwasreflectedmerelyonthebignewportraitofhimselfhangingoverthesofa；andacrossherboudoir，wheretwocandlesburned，lightinguptheportraitsofherparentsandfemininefriends，andtheprettyknickknacksofherwritingtable，everyoneofwhichheknewsowell。Hewalkedacrossherboudoirtothebedroomdoorandturnedbackagain。
Ateachturninhiswalk，especiallyontheparquetofthewell-litdiningroom，hehaltedandsaidtohimself，`Yes，thisImustdecideandputastopto；Imustexpressmyviewofitandmydecision。’Andheturnedbackagain。`ButjustwhatshallIexpress？Andwhatdecision？’hewouldsaytohimselfinthedrawingroom-andfoundnoanswer。`But，afterall，’
heaskedhimselfbeforeturningintotheboudoir，’whathasoccurred？Nothing。
Shewastalkingalongwhilewithhim。Butwhatofthat？Surelywomeninsocietycantalktowhomtheyplease。Andthen，jealousymeansdebasingbothherandmyself，’hesoliloquizedasheenteredherboudoir；butthisdictum，whichhadalwayshadsuchweightwithhimbefore，hadnownoweightandnomeaningwhatsoever。Andfromthebedroomdoorheturnedbackagain；
butasheenteredthedarkdrawingroomsomeinnervoicetoldhimthatitwasnotso，andthatifothershadnoticed，itmeantthattherewassomething。Andhesaidtohimselfagaininthediningroom:`Yes，Imustdecideandputastoptoit，andexpressmyviews……’Andagainattheturninthedrawingroomheaskedhimself:`Decidehow？’Andagainheaskedinwardly:`Whathasoccurred？’Andanswered:`Nothing，’andrecollectedthatjealousywasafeelinginsultingtohiswife；butagaininthedrawingroomhewasconvincedthatsomethinghadhappened。Histhoughts，likehisbody，weredescribingacompletecircle，withoutalightinguponanythingnew。Henoticedthis，rubbedhisforehead，andsatdowninherboudoir。
There，lookingathertable，withthemalachiteblottingcaselyingatthetop，andanunfinishedletter，histhoughtssuddenlychanged。
Hebegantothinkofher，ofwhatherthoughtsandemotionsmustbe。Forthefirsttimehepicturedvividlytohimselfherpersonallife，herideas，herdesires，andthethoughtthatshecouldandmusthaveaseparatelifeofherownseemedtohimsoappallingthathemadehastetodriveitaway。
Itwasthechasmwhichhewasafraidtopeepinto。Toputhimselfinthoughtandfeelinginanotherperson’splacewasaspiritualactionforeigntoAlexeiAlexandrovich。Helookedonthisspiritualactionasaharmfulanddangerousabuseofthefancy。
`Andtheworstofitall，’thoughthe，`isthatjustnow，attheverymomentwhenmygreatworkisapproachingcompletion’hewasthinkingoftheprojecthewasbringingforwardatthetime，`whenIstandinneedofallmymentalpeaceandallmyenergies-justnowthisstupidworryhastocomefallingaboutmyears。Butwhat’stobedone？I’mnotoneofthosemenwhosubmittouneasinessandworrywithouthavingtheforceofcharactertofacethem。’
`Imustthinkthisover，cometoadecision，andputitoutofmymind，’hesaidaloud。
`Thequestionofherfeelings，ofwhathaspassedandmaybepassinginhersoul-that’snotmyaffair；that’stheaffairofherconscience，andfallsundertheheadofreligion，’hesaidtohimself，feelingconsolationinthesensethathehadfoundtowhichdivisionofregulatingprinciplesthisnewcircumstancecouldbeproperlyreferred。
`Andso，’AlexeiAlexandrovichsaidtohimself，`questionsastoherfeelings，andsoon，arequestionsforherconscience，withwhichIcanhavenothingtodo。Mydutyisclearlydefined。Astheheadofthefamily，Iamapersonboundindutytoguideher，and，consequently，inpartthepersonresponsible；IamboundtopointoutthedangerIperceive，towarnher，eventousemyauthority。Ioughttospeakplainlytoher。’
AndeverythingthathewouldsaytonighttohiswifetookclearshapeinAlexeiAlexandrovich’shead。Thinkingoverwhathewouldsay，hesomewhatregrettedthatheshouldhavetousehistimeandmentalpowersfordomesticconsumption，withsolittletoshowforit，but，inspiteofthat，theformandconsistencyofthespeechbeforehimshapeditselfasclearlyanddistinctlyinhisheadasaministerialreport。`Imustspeakon，andexpressfully，thefollowingpoints:first，anexplanationofthevaluetobeattachedtopublicopinionandtodecorum；secondly，anexplanationofthereligioussignificanceofmarriage；thirdly，ifneedbe，areferencetothecalamitypossiblyensuingtoourson；fourthly，areferencetotheunhappinesslikelytoresulttoherself。’And，interlacinghisfingers，thepalmsdownward，AlexeiAlexandrovichstretchedhishands，andthejointsofthefingerscracked。
Thisgesture，thisbadhabit-thejoiningofhishandscrackinghisfingers，alwayssoothedhim，andgaveprecisiontohisthoughts，soneedfultohimnow。Therewasthesoundofacarriagedrivinguptothefrontdoor。AlexeiAlexandrovichhaltedinthemiddleoftheroom。
Awoman’sstepwasheardmountingthestairs。AlexeiAlexandrovich，readyforhisspeech，stoodsqueezinghiscrossedfingers，waitingfortheircracktocomeagain。Onejointcracked。
Already，fromthesoundoflightstepsonthestairs，hewasawarethatshewasclose，andthoughhewassatisfiedwithhisspeech，hefeltfrightenedbecauseoftheexplanationconfrontinghim。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter09[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter9Annacameinwithherheadbent，playingwiththetasselsofherhood。
Herfacewasglowingwithavividglow；butthisglowwasnotoneofjoyousness-itrecalledthefearfulglowofaconflagrationinthemidstofadarknight。Onseeingherhusband，Annaraisedherheadandsmiled，asthoughshehadjustwakedup。
`You’renotinbed？Whatamiracle！’shesaidthrowingoffherhoodand，withoutstopping，shewentonintothedressingroom。`It’slate，AlexeiAlexandrovich，’shesaid，frombehindthedoor。
`Anna，Imusthaveatalkwithyou。’
`Withme？’shesaid，wonderingly。Shecameoutfromthedoor，andlookedathim。`Why，whatisit？Whatabout？’sheasked，sittingdown。
`Well，let’stalk，ifit’ssonecessary。Butitwouldbebettertogotosleep。’
Annawassayingwhatevercametohertongue，andmarveled，hearingherself，atherowncapacityforlying。Howsimpleandnaturalwereherwords，andhowlikelythatshewassimplysleepyShefeltherselfcladinanimpenetrablearmoroffalsehood。Shefeltthatsomeunseenforcehadcometoheraidandwassupportingher。
`Anna，Imustwarnyou，’hebegan。
`Warnme？shesaid。`Ofwhat？
Shelookedathimsosimply，sobrightly，thatanyonewhodidnotknowherasherhusbandknewhercouldnothavenoticedanythingunnatural，eitherinthesoundorthesenseofherwords。Buttohim，knowingher，knowingthatwheneverhewenttobedfiveminuteslaterthanusual，shenoticedit，andaskedhimthereason-tohim，knowingthateveryjoy，everypleasureandpainthatshefeltshecommunicatedtohimatonce-
tohimitmeantagreatdealtoseenowthatshedidnotcaretonoticehisstateofmind，thatshedidnotcaretosayawordaboutherself。Hesawthattheinmostrecessesofhersoul，thathadalwayshithertolainopenbeforehim，werenowclosedagainsthim。Morethanthat，hesawfromhertonethatshewasnotevenperturbedatthat，butseemedtobesayingstraightforwardlytohim:`Yes，itisclosednow，whichisasitshouldbe，andwillbesoinfuture。’Nowheexperiencedafeelingsuchasamanmighthavewho，returninghome，findshisownhouselockedup。`Butperhapsthekeymayyetbefound，’thoughtAlexeiAlexandrovich。
`Iwanttowarnyou，’hesaidinalowvoice，`thatthroughthoughtlessnessandlackofcautionyoumaycauseyourselftobetalkedaboutinsociety。
YourtooanimatedconversationthiseveningwithCountVronsky’heenunciatedthenamefirmlyandwithquietintervals`attractedattention。’
Hetalkedandlookedatherlaughingeyes，whichfrightenedhimnowwiththeirimpenetrablelook，and，ashetalked，hefeltalltheuselessnessandfutilityofhiswords。
`You’realwayslikethat，’sheansweredasthoughcompletelymisapprehendinghim，andofallhehadsaidonlytakinginthelastphrase。`Onetimeyoudon’tlikemybeingdull，andanothertimeyoudon’tlikemybeinglively。
Iwasn’tdull。Doesthatoffendyou？’
AlexeiAlexandrovichshivered，andbenthishandstomakethejointscrack。
`Oh，please，don’tdothat-Idislikeitso，’shesaid。
`Anna，isthisyou？’saidAlexeiAlexandrovichquietly，makinganeffortoverhimself，andrestrainingthemotionofhishands。
`Butwhatisitallabout？’shesaid，withsuchgenuineanddrollwonder。`Whatdoyouwantofme？’
AlexeiAlexandrovichpaused，andrubbedhisforeheadandhiseyes。
Hesawthatinsteadofdoingashehadintended-thatistosay，warninghiswifeagainstamistakeintheeyesoftheworld-hehadunconsciouslybecomeagitatedoverwhatwastheaffairofherconscience，andwasstrugglingagainstsomeimaginarybarrier。
`ThisiswhatImeanttosaytoyou，’hewentoncoldlyandcomposedly，`andIbegyoutohearmetotheend。Iconsiderjealousy，asyouknow，ahumiliatinganddegradingfeeling，andIshallneverallowmyselftobeguidedbyit；buttherearecertainrulesofdecencywhichcannotbedisregardedwithimpunity。ThiseveningitwasnotIwhoobservedit-
but，judgingbytheimpressionmadeonthecompany，everyoneobservedthatyourconductanddeportmentwerenotaltogetherwhatonewoulddesire。’
`Ipositivelydon’tunderstand，’saidAnna，shrugginghershoulders。
`Hedoesn’tcare，’shethought。`Butotherpeoplenoticeditandthat’swhatupsetshim。’-`You’renotwell，AlexeiAlexandrovich，’sheadded，and，gettingup，wasabouttopassthroughthedoor；buthemovedforwardasthoughhewouldstopher。
Hisfacewasgloomyandforbidding，asAnnahadneverseenitbefore。Shestopped，andbendingherheadbackandtooneside，begantakingoutherhairpinswithherquick-dartinghand。
`Well，I’mlistening-whatdoesfollow？’shesaid，calmlyandironically；`and，indeed，Iamlisteningevenwithinterest，forIshouldliketounderstandwhatitisallabout。’
Shespoke，andmarveledattheconfident，calmandnaturaltoneinwhichshespoke，andatthechoiceofthewordssheused。
`ToenterintoallthedetailsofyourfeelingsIhavenoright，and，besides，Iregardthatasuselessandevenharmful，’beganAlexeiAlexandrovich。`Rummaginginoursouls，weoftenbringupsomethingthatmighthaveotherwiselainthereunnoticed。Yourfeelingsareanaffairofyourownconscience；butIamindutyboundtoyou，tomyselfandtoGod，topointouttoyouyourduties。Ourlifehasbeenjoined，notbyman，butbyGod。Thatunioncanonlybeseveredbyacrime，andacrimeofthatnaturebringsitsownchastisement。’
`Idon’tunderstandaword。And，ohdear！howsleepyIam，unluckily，’
shesaid，rapidlypassingherhandthroughherhair，feelingfortheremaininghairpins。
`Anna，forGod’ssakedon’tspeaklikethat！’hesaidgently。
`PerhapsIammistaken，butbelieveme，thatwhichIamsayingIsayasmuchformyselfasforyou。Iamyourhusband，andIloveyou。’
Foraninstantherfacefell，andthemockinggleaminhereyesdiedaway；butthephrase`Ilove’threwherintorevoltagain。Shethought:
`Love？Canhelove？Ifhehadn’theardtherewassuchathingaslove，hewouldneverhaveusedtheword。Hedoesn’tevenknowwhatloveis。’
`AlexeiAlexandrovich，Ireallydonotunderstand，’shesaid。
`Definewhatitisyouconsider……’
`Pardon，letmesayallIhavetosay。Iloveyou。ButIamnotspeakingofmyself；themostimportantpersonsinthismatterareoursonandyourself。Itmayverywellbe，Irepeat，thatmywordsseemtoyouutterlyunnecessaryandoutofplace；itmaybethattheyarecalledforthbymymistakenimpression。Inthatcase，Ibegyoutoforgiveme。Butifyouareconsciousyourselfofeventhesmallestfoundationforthem，thenIbegyoutothinkalittle，andifyourheartpromptsyou，tospeakouttome……’
AlexeiAlexandrovichwasunconsciouslysayingsomethingutterlyunlikewhathehadprepared。
`Ihavenothingtosay。Andbesidesshesaidsuddenly，withdifficultyrepressingasmile，`it’sreallytimetobeinbed。’
AlexeiAlexandrovichsighed，and，withoutsayingmore，wentintothebedroom。
Whenshecameintothebedroom，hewasalreadyinbed。Hislipsweresternlycompressed，andhiseyeslookedawayfromher。Annagotintoherbed，andlayexpectingeveryminutethathewouldbegintospeaktoheragain。Shebothfearedhisspeakingandwishedforit。Buthewassilent。
Shewaitedforalongwhilewithoutmoving，andforgotabouthim。Shethoughtofthatother；shepicturedhim，andfelthowherheartwasfloodedwithemotionandguiltydelightatthethoughtofhim。Suddenlysheheardaneven，tranquilsnore。ForthefirstinstantAlexeiAlexandrovichseemed，asitwere，appalledathisownsnoring，andceased；butafterapauseofoneortwobreaths，thesnoresoundedagain，withanewtranquilrhythm。
`It’slate，it’slate，’shewhisperedwithasmile。Alongwhileshelay，withoutmoving，andwithopeneyes，whosebrillianceshealmostfanciedshecouldherselfseeinthedarkness。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter10[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter10FromthattimeanewlifebeganforAlexeiAlexandrovichandforhiswife。
Nothingspecialhappened。Annawentoutintosociety，asshehadalwaysdone，wasparticularlyoftenatPrincessBetsy’s，andmetVronskyeverywhere。
AlexeiAlexandrovichsawthis，butwaspowerlesstodoanything。Allhiseffortstodrawherintoopendiscussionsheconfrontedwithabarrierwhichhecouldnotpenetrate，madeupofasortofamusedperplexity。Outwardlyeverythingwasthesame，buttheirinnerrelationswerecompletelychanged。
AlexeiAlexandrovich，amanofgreatpowerintheworldofpolitics，felthimselfhelplessinthismatter。Likeanoxwithheadbentsubmissively，hewaitedthefallofthepoleaxwhichhefeltwasliftedoverhim。Everytimehebegantothinkaboutit，hefeltthathemusttryoncemore；thatbykindness，tendernessandpersuasiontherewasstillhopeofsavingher，ofbringingherbacktoherself，andeverydayhewasonthevergeoftalkingtoher。Buteverytimehebeganhefeltthatthespiritofevilanddeceit，whichhadtakenpossessionofher，hadpossessionofhimtoo，andhetalkedtoherinatonequiteunlikethatwhichhehadmeanttouse。Involuntarilyhetalkedtoherinhishabitualtoneofbanteringatanyonewhoshouldsaywhathewassaying。Andinthattoneitwasimpossibletosaytoherwhattheoccasiondemanded。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter11[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter11ThatwhichtoVronskyhadbeenforalmostawholeyeartheoneabsorbingdesireofhislife，replacingallhisolddesires；thatwhichtoAnnahadbeenanimpossible，terrible，and，forthatveryreason，amoreentrancingdreamofhappiness-thatdesirehadbeenfulfilled。Hestoodbeforeher，pale，hislowerjawquivering，andbesoughthertobecalm，withouthimselfknowinghoworwhy。
`Anna！Anna！’hesaidwithaquiveringvoice，`Anna，forGod’ssake！……’
Butthelouderhespoke，thelowershecastdownheronceproudandgay，butnowshame-strickenhead，andsheboweddownandsankfromthesofawhereshewassitting-downonthefloor，athisfeet；shewouldhavefallenonthecarpetifhehadnotheldher。
`MyGod！’Forgiveme！’shesaid，sobbing，pressinghishandstoherbosom。
Shefeltsosinful，soguilty，thatnothingwasleftherbuttohumiliateherselfandbegforgiveness，andasnowtherewasnooneinherlifebuthim，tohim，too，sheaddressedherprayerforforgiveness。Lookingathim，shehadaphysicalsenseofherhumiliation，andshecouldsaynothingmore。Andhefeltasamurderermustfeelwhenhebeholdsthebodyhehasrobbedoflife。Thatbody，robbedbyhimoflife，wastheirlove，thefirststageoftheirlove。Therewassomethingawfulandrevoltinginthememoryofwhathadbeenboughtatthisfearfulpriceofshame。Shameatherspiritualnakednesscrushedherandinfectedhim。Butinspiteofallthemurderer’shorrorbeforethebodyofhisvictim，hemusthackittopieces，hidethebody，mustusewhatthemurdererhadgainedbyhismurder。
Andasthemurderer，withfury，and，asitwere，withpassion，fallsonthebody，anddragsit，andhacksatit-sohecoveredherfaceandshoulderswithkisses。Sheheldhishand，anddidnotstir。Yes，thesekisses-thatiswhathasbeenboughtbythisshame。Yes，andthisonehand，whichwillalwaysbemine-thehandofmyaccomplice。Sheliftedupthathandandkissedit。Hesankonhiskneesandtriedtoseeherface；
butshehidit，andsaidnothing。Atlast，asthoughmakinganeffortoverherself，shegotupandpushedhimaway。Herfacewasstillasbeautiful，butitwasonlythemorepitifulforthat。
`Allisover，’shesaid；`Ihavenothingbutyou。Rememberthat。’
`Icanneverforgetwhatismywholelife。Foroneinstantofthishappiness……’
`Happiness！’shesaidwithhorrorandloathingandherhorrorunconsciouslyinfectedhim。`ForGod’ssake，notaword，notawordmore。’
Sherosequicklyandmovedawayfromhim。
`Notawordmore，’sherepeated，andwithalookofchilldespair，incomprehensibletohim，shepartedfromhim。Shefeltthatatthatmomentshecouldnotputintowordsthesenseofshame，ofrapture，andofhorroratthissteppingintoanewlife，andshedidnotwanttospeakofit，tovulgarizethisfeelingbyinappropriatewords。Butlatertoo，andthenextday，andthedayafter，shestillfoundnowordsinwhichshecouldexpressthecomplexityofthosefeelings；indeed，shecouldnotevenfindthoughtsinwhichshecouldclearlythinkoutallthatwasinhersoul。
Shesaidtoherself。`No，justnowIcan’tthinkofit-lateron，whenIamcalmer。’Butthiscalmforthoughtsnevercame；everytimethethoughtroseofwhatshehaddoneandwhatwouldhappentoher，andwhatsheoughttodo，ahorrorcameoverherandshedrovethosethoughtsaway。
`Later，later，’shesaid，`whenIamcalmer。’
Butinherdreams，whenshehadnocontroloverherthoughts，herpositionpresenteditselftoherinallitshideousnakedness。Onedreamhauntedheralmosteverynight。Shedreamedthatbothwerehusbandsatonce，thatbothwerelavishingcaressesonher。AlexeiAlexandrovichwasweeping，kissingherhands，andsaying，`Howhappywearenow！’AndAlexeiVronskywastheretoo，andhe，too，washerhusband。Andshewasmarvelingthatithadonceseemedimpossibletoher，wasexplainingtothem，laughing，thatthiswaseversomuchsimpler，andthatnowbothofthemwerehappyandcontented。Butthisdreamweighedonherlikeanightmare，andshewouldawakefromitinterror。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter12[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter12Intheearlydays，afterhisreturnfromMoscow，wheneverLevinshudderedandgrewred，rememberingthedisgraceofhisrejection，hewouldsaytohimself:`ThiswasjusthowIusedtoshudderandblush，thinkingeverythingutterlylost，whenIwasflunkedinphysicsanddidnotgetpromoted；andthisisalsohowIthoughtmyselfutterlyruinedafterIhadmismanagedthataffairofmysister’swithwhichIhadbeenentrusted。Andyet，nowthattheyearshavepassed，Irecallitandwonderthatitcoulddistressmesomuch。Itwillbethesamethingwiththistroubleaswell。Timewillgoby，andIshallnotmindthiseither。’
Butthreemonthshadpassedandhehadnotleftoffmindingaboutit；anditwasaspainfulforhimtothinkofitnowasithadbeenduringthosefirstdays。Hecouldnotbeatpeacebecause，afterdreamingsolongoffamilylife，andfeelinghimselfsoripeforit，hewasstillnotmarried，andwasfartherthaneverfrommarriage。Hewaspainfullyconscioushimself，aswereallabouthim，thatathisyearsitisnotgoodthatmanshouldbealone。HerememberedhowbeforestartingforMoscowhehadoncesaidtohiscowherdNicolai，asimpleheartedpeasant，towhomhelikedtotalk:
`Well，Nicolai！Imeantogetmarried，’andhowNicolaihadpromptlyanswered，asofamatteronwhichtherecouldbenopossibledoubt:`Andhightimetoo，KonstantinDmitrich。’Butmarriagehadnowbecomefartheroffthanever。Theplacewastaken，andwheneverhetriedtoimagineanyofthegirlsheknewinthatplace，hefeltthatitwasutterlyimpossible。Moreover，therecollectionoftherejectionandtheparthehadplayedintheaffairtorturedhimwithshame。Howeveroftenhetoldhimselfthathewasinnowisetoblameinit，thatrecollection，likeothersimilarlyhumiliatingrecollections，madehimwinceandblush。Therehadbeeninhispast，asineveryman’s，actions，recognizedbyhimasbad，forwhichhisconscienceoughttohavetormentedhim；buttherecollectionoftheseevilactionswasfarfromcausinghimasmuchsufferingasthesetrivialbuthumiliatingrecollections。Thesewoundsneverhealed。Andwiththeserecollectionswasnowrangedhisrejectionandthesorryplightinwhichhemusthaveappearedtoothersthatevening。Yettimeandlaborweredoingtheirwork。
Bitterrecollectionsweremoreandmorebeingcoveredupbytheincidents-inconspicuousones，butimportant-ofhiscountrylife。EveryweekhethoughtlessoftenofKitty。Hewasimpatientlylookingforwardtothenewsthatshewasmarried，orjustgoingtobemarried，hopingthatsuchnewswould，likehavingatoothout，completelycurehim。
Meanwhilespringcameon，beautifulandkindly，withoutthedelaysandtreacheriesincidenttospring-oneofthoserarespringsinwhichplants，beastsandmanrejoicealike。ThislovelyspringrousedLevinstillmore，andstrengthenedhiminhisresolutionofrenouncingallhispastandbuildinguphislonelylifefirmlyandindependently。Thoughmanyoftheplanswithwhichhehadreturnedtothecountryhadnotbeencarriedout，hismostimportantresolution-thatofpurityoflife-hadneverthelessbeenkeptbyhim。Hewasfreefromthatshamewhichhadusuallyharassedhimafterafall；andhecouldlookeveryonestraightintheface。InFebruaryhehadreceivedaletterfromMaryaNikolaevnatellinghimthathisbrotherNikolai’shealthwasgettingworse，butthathewouldnottakeadvice，andinconsequenceofthisletterLevinwenttoMoscowtohisbrother’s，andsucceededinpersuadinghimtoseeadoctorandtogotoawateringplaceabroad。Hesucceededsowellinpersuadinghisbrother，andinlendinghimmoneyforthejourneywithoutirritatinghim，thathewassatisfiedwithhimselfonthatscore。Inadditiontohisfarming，whichcalledforspecialattentioninspring，inadditiontoreadingLevinhadbegunthatwinteraworkonagriculture，theplanofwhichturnedontakingintoaccountthecharacterofthelaboreronthelandasoneoftheunalterabledataofthequestion，liketheclimateandthesoil，andconsequentlydeducingalltheprinciplesofscientificculture，notsimplyfromthedataofsoilandclimate，butfromthedataofsoil，climateandacertainunalterablecharacterofthelaborer。Thus，inspiteofhissolitude，orinconsequenceofhissolitude，lifewasexceedinglyfull，savethat，onrareoccasions，hesufferedfromanunsatisfieddesiretocommunicatehisstrayideastosomeonebesidesAgathyaMikhailovna。Withherindeedhenotinfrequentlyfellintodiscussionsuponphysics，thetheoryofagriculture，and，especially，philosophy:philosophywasAgathyaMikhailovna’sfavoritesubject。
Springwasslowinunfolding。ForthelastfewweeksofLentithadbeensteadilyfineandfrostyweather。Inthedaytimetherewasathawinthesun，butatnighttherewereasmanyassevendegreesoffrost。
Thesnowwassopackedandfrozenthatloadscouldbecarriedalonganywhere，regardlessofroads。Eastercameinsnow。Thenallofasudden，onEasterMonday，awarmwindsprangup，stormcloudsswoopeddown，andforthreedaysandthreenightsthewarm，tempestuousrainfellintorrents。OnThursdaythewinddropped，andathickgrayfogbroodedovertheland，asthoughscreeningthemysteriesofthetransformationsthatwerebeingwroughtinnature。Behindthefogtherewastheflowingofwater，thecrackingandfloatingofice，theswiftrushofturbid，foamingtorrents；andonthefollowingMonday，intheevening，thefogparted，thestormcloudssplitupintolittlecurlingcrestsofcloud，theskycleared，andtherealspringhadcome。Inthemorningthesunarosebrilliantandquicklyworeawaythethinlayeroficethatcoveredthewater，andallthewarmairwasquiveringwiththesteamthatroseupfromthequickenedearth。
Theoldgrasslookedgreener，andtheyounggrassthrustupitstinyblades；
thebudsoftheguelder-roseandofthecurrant，andthestickybirchbudswereswollenwithsap，andanexploringbeewashummingaboutthegoldenblossomsthatstuddedthewillow。Larkstrilledunseenabovethevelvetygreenfieldsandtheice-coveredstubbleland；pewitswailedoverthelowlandsandmarshes，floodedbythepools；cranesandwildgeeseflewhighacrosstheskyutteringtheirspringcalls。Thecattle，baldinpatcheswherethenewhairhadnotgrownyet，lowedinthepastures；bowleggedlambsfriskedroundtheirbleatingdams，whoweresheddingtheirfleece；nimble-footedchildrenranalongthedryingpaths，coveredwiththeprintsofbarefeet；
therewasamerrychatterofpeasantwomenovertheirlinenatthepond，andtheringofaxesintheyard，wherethepeasantswererepairingplowsandharrows。Therealspringhadcome。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter13[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter13Levinputonhisbigboots，and，forthefirsttime，aclothovercoatinsteadofhisfurcloak，andwentouttolookafterhisfarm，steppingoverstreamsofwaterthatflashedinthesunshineanddazzledhiseyes，andsteppingoneminuteoniceandthenextintostickymud。
Springisthetimeofplansandprojects。And，ashecameoutintothefarmyard，Levin，likeatreeinspringthatknowsnotwhatformwillbetakenbytheyoungshootsandtwigsimprisonedinitsswellingbuds，hardlyknewwhatundertakingshewasgoingtolaunchuponnowinthefarmworkthatwassodeartohim。Buthefeltthathewasfullofthemostsplendidplansandprojects。Firstofallhewenttothecattle。Thecowshadbeenletoutintotheirpaddock，andtheirsmoothsideswerealreadyglossywiththeirnew，sleek，springcoats；theybaskedinthesunshineandlowedtogotothemeadow。Levingazedadmiringlyatthecowsheknewsointimatelytotheminutestdetailoftheircondition，andgaveordersforthemtobedrivenoutintothemeadow，andthecalvestobeletintothepaddock。Theherdsmanrangailytogetreadyforthemeadow。Thecowherdgirls，pickinguptheirpetticoats，ransplashingthroughthemudwithbarelegs，stillwhite，notyetbrownfromthesun，wavingbrushwoodintheirhands，chasingthecalvesthatfrolickedinthemirthofspring。
Afteradmiringtheincreaseofthatyear，whichwereparticularlyfine-theearlycalveswerethesizeofapeasant’scow，andPava’sdaughter，atthreemonthsold，wasasbigasayearling-Levingaveordersforatroughtobebroughtoutandhaytobeputintheracks。Butitappearedthat，sincethepaddockhadnotbeenusedduringthewinter，theracksmadeintheautumnwerebroken。Hesentforthecarpenter，who，accordingtohisorders，oughttohavebeenatworkatthethreshingmachine。Butitappearedthatthecarpenterwasrepairingtheharrows，whichoughttohavebeenrepairedbeforeLent。ThiswasveryannoyingtoLevin。Itwasannoyingtocomeuponthateverlastingslovenlinessinthefarmworkagainstwhichhehadbeenstrivingwithallhismightforsomanyyears。Theracks，asheascertained，beingnotwantedinwinter，hadbeencarriedtothecarthorses’stable，andtherebroken，astheywereoflightconstruction，onlymeantforfodderingcalves。Moreover，itwasapparentalsothattheharrowsandalltheagriculturalimplements，whichhehaddirectedtobelookedoverandrepairedinthewinter，forwhichverypurposehehadhiredthreecarpenters，hadnotbeenputintorepair，andtheharrowswerebeingrepairedwhentheyoughttohavebeenharrowingthefield。Levinsentforhisbailiff，butimmediatelywentoffhimselftolookforhim。Thebailiff，beamingallover，likeeverythingthatday，inasheepskinborderedwithastrakhan，cameoutofthebarn，twistingabitofstrawinhishands。
`Whyisn’tthecarpenteratthethreshingmachine？’
`Oh，Imeanttotellyouyesterday，theharrowswantrepairing。
Hereit’stimetheygottoworkinthefields。’
`Butwhatweretheydoinginthewinter，then？’
`Butwhatdidyouwantthecarpenterfor？’
`Wherearetheracksforthecalves’paddock？’
`Iorderedthemtobegotready。Whatwouldyouhavewiththosepeople！’saidthebailiff，withawaveofhishand。
`It’snotthosepeoplebutthisbailiff！’saidLevin，gettingangry。`Why，whatdoIkeepyoufor？’hecried。But，bethinkinghimselfthatthiswouldnothelpmatters，hestoppedshortinthemiddleofasentence，andmerelysighed。`Well，whatdoyousay？Cansowingbegin？’heasked，afterapause。
`BehindTurkino，tomorrowornextday，theymightbegin。’
`Andtheclover？’
`I’vesentVassiliiandMishka；they’resowingit。OnlyIdon’tknowifthey’llmanagetogetthrough；it’ssoslushy。’
`Howmanydessiatinas？
`Six。’
`Whynotsowall？’criedLevin。
Thattheywereonlysowingthecloveronsixdessiatinas，notinallthetwenty，wasstillmoreannoyingtohim。Clover，asheknew，bothfrombooksandfromhisownexperience，neverdidwellexceptwhenitwassownasearlyaspossible，almostinthesnow。AndyetLevincouldnevergetthisdone。
`There’snoonetosend。Whatwouldyoudowithsuchpeople？Threehaven’tturnedup。Andthere’sSemion……’
`Well，youshouldhavetakensomemenfromthechaffcutter。’
`AndsoIhave，asitis。’
`Wherearethepeasants，then？’
`Fivearemakingcompote’whichmeantcompost，`andfourareshiftingtheoatsforfearofbeingtouched，KonstantinDmitrich。’
Levinknewverywellthat`touching’meantthathisEnglishseedoatswerealreadyspoiled。Againtheyhadnotdoneashehadordered。
`Why，butItoldyouduringLenttoputinpipes，’hecried。
`Don’tbeputout；weshallgetitalldoneintime。’
Levinmadeanangrygesture，andwentintothegranarytoglanceattheoats，andthentothestable。Theoatswerenotyetspoiled。Butthelaborerswerecarryingtheoatsinspadeswhentheymightsimplyletthemslidedownintothelowergranary；andarrangingforthistobedone，andtakingtwolaborersfromthereforsowingclover，Levingotoverthevexationhisbailiffhadcausedhim。Indeed，itwassuchalovelydaythatonecouldnotbeangry。
`Ignat！’hecalledtothecoachman，who，withhissleevestuckedup，waswashingthecarriagewheels，`saddle……’
`Which，sir？’
`Well，letitbeKolpik。’
`Yes，sir。’
Whiletheyweresaddlinghishorse，Levinagaincalledthebailiff，whowashangingaboutinsight，tomakeitupwithhim，andbegantalkingtohimaboutthespringoperationsbeforethem，andhisplansforthefarming。
Thewagonsweretobegincartingmanureearlier，soastogetalldonebeforetheearlymowing。Andtheplowingoftheoutlyinglandwastogoonwithoutabreak，soastoletitlieblackfallowandfurrowed。
Andthemovingtobealldonebyhiredlabor，notonhalf-profits。
Thebailifflistenedattentively，andobviouslymadeanefforttoapproveofhisemployer’sprojects。ButstillhehadthatlookLevinknewsowellthatalwaysirritatedhim，alookofhopelessnessanddespondency。
Thatlooksaid:`That’sallverywell，butasGodwills。’
NothingmortifiedLevinsomuchasthattone。Butitwasthetonecommontoallthebailiffshehadeverhad。Theyhadalltakenthatattitudetohisplans，andsonowhewasnotangeredbyit，butmortified，andfeltallthemorerousedtostruggleagainstthisapparentlyelementalforcecontinuallyrangedagainsthim，forwhichhecouldfindnoothernamethan`asGodwills。’
`Ifwecanmanageit，KonstantinDmitrich，’saidthebailiff。
`Whyshouldn’tyoumanageit？’
`Wepositivelymusthavefifteenlaborersmore。Andtheydon’tturnup。Thereweresomeheretodayaskingseventyroublesforthesummer。’
Levinwassilent。Againhewasbroughtfacetofacewiththatopposingforce。Heknewthathowevermuchtheytried，theycouldnothiremorethanforty-thirty-sevenperhapsorthirty-eight-laborersforareasonablesum；somefortyhadbeentakenon，andtherewerenomore。Butstillhecouldnothelpstrugglingagainstit。
`SendtoSury，toChefirovka，iftheydon’tcome。Wemustlookforthem。’
`I’llsend，tobesure，’saidVassiliiFiodorovichdespondently。
`Butthentherearethehorses-they’renotgoodformuch。’
`We’llgetsomemore。Iknow，ofcourse，’Levinaddedlaughing，`youalwayswanttodowithaslittleandaspooraqualityaspossible；
butthisyearI’mnotgoingtoletyouhavethingsyourownway。I’llseetoeverythingmyself。’
`Why，Idon’tthinkyoutakemuchrestasitis。Itcheersusuptoworkunderthemaster’seye……’
`Sothey’resowingcloverbehindtheBirchDale？I’llgoandhavealookatthem，’hesaid，mountingthelittlebaycob，Kolpik，whowasledupbythecoachman。
`Youcan’tgetacrossthestream，KonstantinDmitrich，’thecoachmanshouted。
`Allright，I’llgobytheforest。’
AndLevinrodethroughtheslushofthefarmyardtothegateandoutintotheopencountry，hisgoodlittlehorse，afterhislonginactivity，amblingeasily，snortingoverthepools，andasking，asitwere，forguidance。
IfLevinhadfelthappybeforeinthecattlepensandfarmyard，hefelthappieryetintheopencountry。Swayingrhythmicallywiththeamblingpacesofhisgoodlittlecob，drinkinginthewarmyetfreshscentofthesnowandtheair，asherodethroughhisforestoverthecrumbling，wastedsnow，stillleftinparts，andcoveredwithdissolvingtracks，herejoicedovereverytree，withthemossrevivingonitsbarkandthebudsswellingonitsshoots。Whenhecameoutoftheforest，intheimmenseplainbeforehim，hiswinterfieldsstretchedinanunbrokencarpetofgreen，withoutonebareplaceorswamp，onlyspottedhereandthereinthehollowswithpatchesofmeltingsnow。Hewasnotputoutoftemperevenbythesightofthepeasants’horseandcolttramplingdownhisyounggrasshetoldapeasanthemettodrivethemout，norbythesarcasticandstupidreplyofthepeasantIpat，whomhemetontheway，andasked，`Well，Ipat，shallwesoonbesowing？’`Wemustgettheplowingdonefirst，KonstantinDmitrich，’answeredIpat。Thefartherherode，thehappierhebecame，andplansforthelandrosetohismindeachbetterthanthelast:
toplantallhisfieldswithhedgesalongthesouthernborders，sothatthesnowshouldnotlieunderthem；todividethemupintosixfieldsoftillageandthreeforpastureandhay；tobuildacattleyardatthefurtherendoftheestate，andtodigapondandtoconstructmovablepensforthecattleasameansofmanuringtheland。Andthenthreehundreddessiatinasofwheat，onehundredofpotatoes，andonehundredandfiftyofclover，andnotadessiatinaexhausted。
Absorbedinsuchdreams，carefullykeepinghishorsebythehedgessoasnottotramplehisyoungwinterfields，herodeuptothelaborerswhohadbeensenttosowclover。Atelegawiththeseedinitwasstanding，notattheedge，butinthemiddleofthetillage，andthewintercornhadbeentornupbythewheelsandtrampledbythehorse。Boththelaborersweresittinginthehedge，probablysmokingapipe，turnandturnabout。
Theearthinthetelega，withwhichtheseedwasmixed，wasnotcrushedtopowder，butcrustedtogetheroradheringinclods。Seeingthemaster，thelaborer，Vassilii，wenttowardthetelega，whileMishkasettoworksowing。Thiswasnotasitshouldbe，butwiththelaborersLevinseldomlosthistemper。WhenVassiliicameup，Levintoldhimtoleadthehorsetothehedge。
`Nevermind，sir，it’llspringupagain，’respondedVassilii。
`Pleasedon’targue，’saidLevin，`butdoasyou’retold。’
`Yes，sir，’answeredVassilii，andhetookthehorse’shead。`Whatasowing，KonstantinDmitrich！’hesaidingratiatingly。`First-rate。Onlyit’saworktogetabout！Afellowdragsthirtypoundsofearthateverystep。’
`Whyisityouhaveearththat’snotsifted？’saidLevin。
`Well，wecrumbleitup，’answeredVassilii，takingupsomeseedandrollingtheearthinhispalms。
Vassiliiwasnottoblamefortheirhavingfireduphistelegawithunsiftedearth，butstillitwasannoying。
Levinhadalready，morethanonce，triedawayheknewforstiflinghisanger，andturningallthatseemeddarkrightagain，andhetriedthatwaynow。HewatchedhowMishkastrodealong，swingingthehugeclodsofearththatclungtoeachfoot；and，gettingoffhishorse，hetookthesievefromVassiliiandstartedsowinghimself。
`Wheredidyoustop？’
Vassiliipointedtothemarkwithhisfoot，andLevinwentforwardasbesthecould，scatteringtheseedontheland。Walkingwasasdifficultasonabog，andbythetimeLevinhadendedtherowhewasinagreatheat，and，stopping，gavethesieveovertoVassilii。
`Wellmaster，whensummer’shere，mindyoudon’tscoldmeforthisrow，’saidVassilii。
`Eh？’saidLevincheerily，alreadyfeelingtheeffectofhismethod。
`Why，you’llseeinthesummertime。It’lllookdifferent。LookyouwhereIsowedlastspring。HowIdidworkatitIdomybest，KonstantinDmitrich，d’yesee，asIwouldformyownfather。Idon’tlikebotchworkmyself，norwouldIletanothermandoit。What’sgoodforthemasterisgoodforustoo。Itdoesone’sheartgood，’saidVassilii，pointing，`tolookoveryonder。’
`It’salovelyspring，Vassilii。’
`Why，it’saspringsuchaseventheoldmendon’trememberthelikeof。Iwasuphome；myfathertherehassownwheattoo，threeosminasofit。Hewassayingyoucouldn’ttellitfromrye。’
`Haveyoubeensowingwheatlong？’
`Why，sir，itwasyoutaughtus，theyearbeforelast。Yougavemetwomeasures。Wesoldaboutonechetvertandsowedthreeosminas。’
`Well，mindyoucrumbleuptheclods，’saidLevin，goingtowardhishorse，`andkeepaneyeonMishka。Andifthere’sagoodcropyoushallhavehalfaroubleforeverydessiatina。’
`Thankyou，kindly。Weareverywellcontent，sir，withyourtreatment，asitis。’
Levingotonhishorseandrodetowardthefieldwherelastyear’scloverwas，andtheonewhichwasplowedreadyforthespringcorn。
Thecropofclovercomingupinthestubblewasmagnificent。Ithadrevivedalready，andstoodupvividlygreenthroughthebrokenstalksoflastyear’swheat。Thehorsesankinuptothepasterns，andhedreweachhoofwithasuckingsoundoutofthehalf-thawedground。Overtheplowlandtheridingwasutterlyimpossible；thehorsecouldonlykeepafootholdwheretherewasice，andinthethawingfurrowshesankindeepateachstep。Theplowlandwasinsplendidcondition；inacoupleofdaysitwouldbefitforharrowingandsowing。Everythingwascapital，everythingwascheering。Levinrodebackacrossthestreams，hopingthewaterwouldhavegonedown。Andhedidinfactgetacross，andstartledtwoducks。
`Theremustbewoodcockheretoo，’hethought，andjustashereachedtheturninghomewardshemettheforestkeeper，whoconfirmedhistheoryaboutthewoodcock。
Levinwenthomeatatrot，soastohavetimetoeathisdinnerandgethisgunreadyfortheevening。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart2，Chapter14[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter14Asherodeuptothehouseinthehappiestframeofmind，Levinheardthebellringatthesideoftheprincipalentranceofthehouse。
`Yes，that’ssomeonefromtherailwaystation，’hethought，`justthetimetobeherefromtheMoscowtrain……Whocoulditbe？Whatifit’sbrotherNikolai？Hedidsay:``Imaygotothewaters，orImaycomedowntoyou。’’HefeltdismayedandvexedforthefirstminutethathisbrotherNikolai’spresenceshouldcometohishappymoodofspring。Buthefeltashamedofthefeeling，andatonceheopened，asitwere，thearmsofhissoul，andwithasoftenedfeelingofjoyandexpectation，henowhopedwithallhisheartthatitwashisbrother。Hespurredonhishorse，andasherodeoutfrombehindtheacacias，hesawahiredtroikafromtherailwaystation，andagentlemaninafurcoat。Itwasnothisbrother。`Oh，ifitwereonlysomepleasantpersononecouldtalktoalittle！’hethought。
`Ah，’criedLevinjoyfully，flingingupbothhishands。`Here’sadelightfulvisitor！Ah，howgladIamtoseeyou！’heshouted，recognizingStepanArkadyevich。
`Ishallfindoutforcertainwhethershe’smarried，orwhenshe’sgoingtobemarried，’hethought。
Andonthatdeliciousspringdayhefeltthatthethoughtofherdidnothurthimatall。
`Didn’texpectme，didyou？’saidStepanArkadyevich，gettingoutofthesleigh，splashedwithmudonthebridgeofhisnose，onhischeek，andonhiseyebrows，butradiantwithhealthandgoodspirits。`I’vecomeprimarilytoseeyou，’hesaid，embracingandkissinghim，`secondly，tohavesomestandshooting，andthirdly，toselltheforestatErgushovo。’
`Delightful！Whataspringwe’rehaving！Howeverdidyougetalonginasleigh？’
`Inawagonitwouldhavebeenworsestill，KonstantinDmitrievich，’
answeredthedriver，whoknewhim。
`Well，I’mvery，verygladtoseeyou，’saidLevin，withagenuinesmileofchildlikedelight。