ThereisreallyonlyonecircleofPeterburguppersociety:everyoneknowseveryoneelse，evenvisitseachother。Butthisgreatcirclehassubdivisionsofitsown。AnnaArkadyevnaKareninahadfriendsandclosetiesinthreedifferentcircles。Onecirclewasherhusband’ssetofcivilservantsandofficials，consistingofhiscolleaguesandsubordinates，broughttogetherinamostdiversifiedandcapriciousmanner，yetseparatedbysocialconditions。Annacouldnowrecallonlywithdifficultythefeelingofalmostpiousreverencewhichshehadatfirstborneforthesepersons。Nowsheknewallofthem，aspeopleknowoneanotherinaprovincialtown；sheknewtheirhabitsandweaknesses，andwheretheshoepinchedeachoneofthem。Sheknewtheirattitudestowardoneanotherandtothechiefcenter；knewwhobackedwhom，andhowandwherewithaleachonemaintainedhisposition，andwhoagreedordisagreedwithwhom；butthiscircleofpolitical，masculineinterestscouldnotinteresther，and，inspiteofCountessLidiaIvanovna’ssuggestions，sheavoidedit。
Anothersmallcircle，withwhichAnnawasintimate，wastheonebymeansofwhichAlexeiAlexandrovichhadmadehiscareer。ThecenterofthiscirclewastheCountessLidiaIvanovna。Thiswasacircleofelderly，homely，virtuousandpiouswomen，andclever，learnedandambitiousmen。Oneofthecleverpeoplebelongingtothissmallcirclehadcalledit`theconscienceofPeterburgsociety。’AlexeiAlexandrovichappreciatedthiscircleverymuch，andAnna，whoknewsowellhowtogetonwithall，hadintheearlydaysofherlifeinPeterburgfoundfriendseveninthiscircle。Butnow，uponherreturnfromMoscow，thissethadbecomeunbearabletoher。Itseemedtoherthatbothsheandallofthemweredissimulating，andsheexperiencedsuchboredomandlackofeaseintheirsocietythatshetriedtovisittheCountessLidiaIvanovnaasinfrequentlyaspossible。
And，finally，thethirdcirclewithwhichAnnahadtieswasthereallyfashionableworld-theworldofballs，ofdinners，ofsumptuousdresses；theworldthathungontothecourtwithonehand，inordernottosinktothelevelofthedemimonde，whichthemembersofthefashionableworldbelievedtheydespised-yetthetastesofbothwerenotonlysimilar，butpreciselythesame。HerconnectionwiththiscirclewasmaintainedthroughPrincessBetsyTverskaia，hercousin’swife，whohadanincomeofahundredandtwentythousandroubles，andwhohadtakenagreatlikingtoAnnaeversinceshefirstcameout，lookingafterheranddrawingherintoherowncircle，pokingfunatthatofCountessLidiaIvanovna。
`WhenI’moldandshallhavelostmylooks，I’llbethesame，’Betsyusedtosay；`butforayoungandprettywomanlikeyouit’smuchtooearlytojointhatOldLadies’Home。’
Annahadatfirstavoided，asmuchasshecould，PrincessTverskaia’sworld，becauseitnecessitatedexpendituresabovehermeans-and，besides，atsoulshepreferredthefirstcircle；butafterhertriptoMoscow，thingsfelloutquitetheotherway。Sheavoidedhermoralfriends，andwentoutintothefashionableworld。ThereshewouldmeetVronsky，andexperiencedanagitatingjoyatsuchmeetings。EspeciallyoftendidshemeetVronskyatBetsy’s，forBetsywasaVronskybybirth，andhiscousin。VronskywenteverywherewherehemightmeetAnna，and，ateverychancehehad，spoketoherofhislove。Sheofferedhimnoencouragement，yeteverytimeshemethimtherewaskindledinhersoulthatsamefeelingofanimationwhichhadcomeuponherthatdayintherailwaycarriagewhenshehadseenhimforthefirsttime。Shefeltherselfthatherdelightshoneinhereyesandpuckeredherlipsintoasmile-andshecouldnotquenchtheexpressionofthisdelight。
AtfirstAnnahadsincerelybelievedthatshewasdispleasedwithhimfordaringtopursueher；butnotlongafterherreturnfromMoscow，onarrivingatasoireewhereshehadanticipatedmeetinghim，yetnotfindinghimthere，sherealizedclearly，fromthefeelingofsadnesswhichovercameher，thatshehadbeendeceivingherself，andthatthispursuitwasnotmerelynotdistastefultoher，butthatitconstitutedalltheinterestofherlife。
Itwasthesecondperformanceofacelebratedcantatrice，andallthefashionableworldwasinthetheater。Vronsky，seeinghiscousinfromhisseatinthefrontrow，didnotwaittilltheentr’acte，butwenttoherbox。
`Whydidn’tyoucometodinner？’shesaidtohim。`Imarvelatthisclairvoyanceoflovers，’sheaddedwithasmile，sothatnoonebuthecouldhear，`shewasn’tthere。Butdocomeaftertheopera。’
Vronskylookedinquiringlyather。Shenodded。Hethankedherbyasmile，andsatdownbesideher。
`ButhowIrememberyourjeers！’continuedPrincessBetsy，whotookspecialdelightinfollowinguptheprogressofthispassion。`What’sbecomeofallthat？You’recaught，mydearfellow。’
`That’smyonedesire-tobecaught，’answeredVronsky，withhiscalm，good-naturedsmile。`IfIcomplainatall，it’sonlythatI’mnotcaughtenough，ifthetruthweretold。Ibegintolosehope。’
`Why，whateverhopecanyouexpect？’saidBetsy，offendedonbehalfofherfriend。`Entendonsnous……’Butinhereyesflittedgleamsoflight，whichproclaimedthatsheunderstoodverywell，evenasmuchashedid，whathopehemightentertain。
`Nonewhatever，’saidVronsky，laughingandshowinghiscloselysetteeth。`Excuseme，’headded，takingthebinocularsoutofherhand，andproceedingtoscrutinize，overherbareshoulder，therowofboxesoppositethem。`I’mafraidI’mbecomingridiculous。’
HewasverywellawarethatherannoriskofbeingridiculousintheeyesofBetsyandallotherfashionablepeople。Hewasverywellawarethatintheeyesofthesepeopletheroleofthehaplessloverofagirl，oringeneral，ofanywomanfreetomarry，mightberidiculous；buttheroleofamanpursuingamarriedwoman，and，regardlessofeverything，stakinghislifeondrawingherintoadultery-thatrolehassomethingbeautifulandmajesticaboutit，andcanneverberidiculous，andsoitwaswithaproudandgaysmileunderhismustachesthatheloweredthebinocularsandlookedathiscousin。
`Butwhydidn’tyoucometodinner？’shesaid，admiringhim。
`Imusttellyouaboutthat。Iwasbusy-andwithwhat，doyousuppose？I’llgiveyouahundredguesses，athousand……you’dneverguess。I’vebeenreconcilingahusbandwithamanwho’dinsultedhiswife。Yes，really！’
`Well，didyoureconcilethem？’
`Almost。’
`Youreallymusttellmeaboutit，’shesaid，gettingup。`Cometomeinthenextentr’acte。’
`Ican’t；I’mgoingtotheFrenchtheater。’
`LeavingNilsson？’Betsyqueriedinhorror，thoughshecouldnotherselfhavedistinguishedNilssonfromanychorusgirl。
`WhatcanIdo？I’veanappointmentthere，allbecauseofmymissionofpeace。’
`’Blessedarethepeacemakers；’’``theyshallbesaved’，’saidBetsy，recallingsomethingofthatsortshehadheardfromsomebodyorother。`Verywell，then，sitdown，andtellmewhatit’sallabout。’
Andsheresumedherseat。
`Thisisratherindiscreet，butit’ssocharmingthatoneisawfullytemptedtotellthestory，’saidVronsky，lookingatherwithlaughingeyes。`Idon’tintendtomentionanynames。’
`ButIshallguessthem-somuchthebetter。’
`Listen，then:twofestiveyoungmenweredrivingalong……’
`Officersofyourregiment，ofcourse？’
`Ididn’tsaytheywereofficers-justtwoyoungmenwhohadbeenlunching。’
`Inotherwords，drinking。’
`Possibly。Theyweredrivingontheirwaytodinnerwithafriendinthegayestofmoods。Andtheycatchsightofaprettywomaninahiredsleigh，whoovertakesthem，looksbackatthem，and-soitseemedtothem，atanyrate-nodstothemandlaughs。They，ofcourse，followher-gallopingatfullspeed。Totheiramazement，thefaironealightsattheentranceoftheveryhousetowhichtheyweregoing。Thefaironedartsupstairstothetopfloor。Alltheygotwasaglimpseofrosebudlipsunderashortveil，andofexquisitelittlefeet。’
`Youtellthiswithsuchfeelingthatitseemstomeyouyourselfmusthavebeenoneofthetwo。’
`Butwhatdidyoutellmejustnow？……Well，theyoungmenentertheircomrade’sapartment-hewasgivingafarewelldinner。Theretheycertainlydidtakeadroptoomuch，asisalwaysthecaseatfarewelldinners。Andatdinnertheyinquirewholivesatthetopinthathouse。Nooneknows；onlytheirhost’svalet，inanswertotheirinquirywhetherany``youngladies’arelivingonthetopfloor，answeredthattherewereagreatmanyofthem。Afterdinnerthetwoyoungmengointotheirhost’sstudy，andwritealettertothefairunknown。Theycomposedapassionateepistle，reallyadeclaration，andthencarrytheletterupstairsthemselves，soastoexplainwhatevermightprovenotaltogetherclearintheletter。’
`Whydoyoutellmesuchnastythings？Andthen？’
`Theyring。Amaidservantopensthedoor，theyhandhertheletter，andassureherthatthey’rebothsoenamoredthatthey’lldieonthespotatthedoor。Themaid，stupefied，carriesonthenegotiations。Suddenlyagentlemanappears-withsidewhiskerslikecountrysausages，heisasredasalobsterand，informingthemthatthereisnoonelivinginthatflatexcepthiswife，hesendsthembothpacking。’
`Howdoyouknowhehadsidewhiskerslikesausages，asyouputit？’
`Ah，dobutlisten。RecentlyIwenttomakepeacebetweenthem。’
`Well，andwhatwastheupshot？’
`That’sthemostinterestingpart。Thiscoupleturnedouttobeamosthappyone-agovernmentclerkandhislady。Thegovernmentclerklodgesacomplaint，whereuponIbecomeamediator-andwhatamediator！……IassureyouTalleyrandwasanobodycomparedtome。’
`Justwhatwasthedifficulty？’
`Ah，dobutlisten……Wemakefittingapologies:``Weareindespair；weentreatforgivenessfortheunfortunatemisunderstanding。’’Thegovernmentclerkwiththecountrysausagesbeginstomelt，andhe，too，desirestoexpresshissentiments，butnosoonerdoeshebegintoexpressthemthanhegetsheatedandsaysnastythings，andagainI’mobligedtotrotoutallmydiplomatictalents。``Iagreethattheiractionwasbad，butIbegofyoutotakeintoconsiderationthemisunderstanding，andtheiryouth；besides，theyoungmenhadjustcomefromtheirlunch。Youunderstand。Theirrepentanceisheartfeltandtheybegyoutoforgivetheirmisbehavior。’’Thegovernmentclerkwassoftenedoncemore。``Iconsent，Count，andamreadytoforgivebutyoumustunderstandthatmywife-mywife！-arespectablewomanissubjectedtoannoyances，andinsults，andimpertinencesbycertainmilksops，scou……’’Yet，youunderstand，themilksopispresent，anditisuptometomakepeacebetweenthem。AgainItrotoutallmydiplomacy，andagain，justasthematterisabouttobeconcluded，ourfriendthegovernmentclerkgetsheatedandturnsredwhilehiscountrysausagesbristleup，andIoncemoreexertdiplomaticfinesse。’
`Ah，youmusthearthisstory！’saidBetsy，laughing，toaladywhowasenteringthebox。`Hehasmademelaughsomuch……Well，bonnechance！’sheadded，givingVronskytheonefingerfreefromholdingherfan，andwithashrugofhershoulderslettingdownthebodiceofhergown，thathadworkedup，soastobefittinglyandfullynudeasshemovedforward，towardthefootlights，intothelightsofthegas，andwithinthekenofall。
VronskydrovetotheFrenchtheater，wherehereallyhadtoseethecolonelofhisregiment，whonevermissedasingleperformancethere；hewantedtotalkoverhispeacemaking，whichhadbeenoccupyingandamusinghimforthelastthreedays。Petritsky，whomheliked，wasimplicatedintheaffair，aswellasanotherfinefellowandexcellentcomrade，whohadlatelyjoinedtheregiment-theyoungPrinceKedrov。But，mainly，theinterestsoftheregimentwereinvolvedaswell。
BothculpritswereinVronsky’ssquadron。Thecoloneloftheregimenthadreceivedacallfromthegovernmentclerk，Venden，withacomplaintagainsthisofficers，whohadinsultedhiswife。Hisyoungwife，asVendentoldthestory-hehadbeenmarriedhalfayear-hadbeenatchurchwithhermother，and，suddenlyfeelingindisposed，duetoherinterestingcondition，foundthatshecouldnotremainstandinganddrovehomeinthefirstsleighwiththemettlesomecoachmanshecameacross。Itwasthenthattheofficerssetoffinpursuitofher；shewasalarmed，and，feelingstillworse，ranhomeupthestaircase。Vendenhimself，onreturningfromhisoffice，hadheardaringattheirbellandvoices，hadsteppedout，andseeingtheintoxicatedofficerswithaletter，hehadpushedthemout。Hewasaskingthattheculpritsbeseverelypunished。
`Youmaysaywhatyouwill，’saidthecoloneltoVronsky，whomhehadinvitedtocomeandseehim。`Petritskyisbecomingimpossible。Notaweekgoesbywithoutsomescrape。Thisclerkchapwon’tletmattersdrop-he’llgoonwiththething。’
Vronskysawallthethanklessnessofthebusiness，andthataduelwasoutofthequestionhere；thateverythingmustbedonetosoftenthisgovernmentclerk，andhushthematterup。ThecolonelhadcalledinVronskypreciselybecauseheknewhimtobeanhonorableandintelligentman，but，aboveall，onetowhomthehonoroftheregimentwasdear。Theytalkeditover，anddecidedthatPetritskyandKedrovmustgowithVronskytothisgovernmentclerkandapologize。ThecolonelandVronskywerebothfullyawarethatVronsky’snameandinsigniaofaide-de-campwereboundtogoalongwaytowardsofteningthegovernmentclerk。Andthesetwoinfluencesprovedinfactnotwithouteffect；thoughtheresultofthemediationremained，asVronskyhaddescribed，uncertain。
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。’
PrincessBetsydrovehomefromthetheaterwithoutwaitingfortheendofthelastact。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，machère。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。
Stepswereheardatthedoor，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。
AlexeiAlexandrovichhadseennothingstrikingorimproperinthefactthathiswifewassittingwithVronskyatatableapart，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。
Annacameinwithherheadbent，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。
FromthattimeanewlifebeganforAlexeiAlexandrovichandforhiswife。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。
ThatwhichtoVronskyhadbeenforalmostawholeyeartheoneabsorbingdesireofhislife，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。