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。VronskyandAnnatoosaidsomethinginthatsubduedvoicewhichpartlytoavoidhurtingtheartist’sfeelingsandpartlytoavoidgivingloudutterancetosomethingsilly-soeasilydonewhentalkingofartpeopleuseatexhibitionsofpictures。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。
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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。
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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，tooyouknowthesefellowsdetestallthat，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。
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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。
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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’sapitytotakehimfromhisworkbuthehasplentyoftime！，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’smindthatsheherselfwasnottoblameshecouldnotbetoblameforanything，butwhatwastoblamewashereducation，toosuperficialandfrivolous。`ThatfoolCharsky:Iknowshewantedtostophim，butdidn’tknowhowto。’`Yes，apartfromherinterestinthehousethatshehas，apartfromdressandbroderieanglaise，shehasnoseriousinterests。Nointerestinmywork，intheestate，inthepeasants，norinmusic，thoughshe’srathergoodatit，norinreading。Shedoesnothing，andisperfectlysatisfied。’Levin，inhisheart，censuredthis，anddidnotasyetunderstandthatshewaspreparingforthatperiodofactivitywhichwastocomeforherwhenshewouldatoncebethewifeofherhusbandandmistressofthehouse，andwouldbear，andnurse，andbringupchildren。Heknewnotthatshewasinstinctivelyawareofthis，andpreparingherselfforthistimeofterribletoil，didnotreproachherselfforthemomentsofcarelessnessandhappinessinherlove，whichshewasenjoyingnow，whilegailybuildinghernestforthefuture。
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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。Hewasdissatisfiedwithherforbeingunabletomakeuphermindtolethimgowhenitwasnecessaryandhowstrangeitwasforhimtothinkthathe，solatelyhardlydaringtobelieveinsuchhappinessasthepossibilityofherlovinghim-nowwasunhappybecauseshelovedhimtoomuch！，andhewasdissatisfiedwithhimselffornotshowingmorestrengthofwill。Evengreaterwasthefeelingofdisagreementatthebottomofhisheartastohernotneedingtoconsiderthewomanwhowaswithhisbrother，andhethoughtwithhorrorofallthecontingenciestheymightmeetwith。Themereideaofhiswife，hisKitty，beinginthesameroomwithacommonwench，sethimshudderingwithhorrorandloathing。
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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。’
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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。
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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……’Hetookherhandanddidnotkissittokissherhandinsuchclosenesstodeathseemedtohimimproper；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。
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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。