DollywasjustabouttogotobedwhenAnnacameintoseeher，attiredforthenight。
InthecourseofthedayAnnahadseveraltimesbeguntospeakofmattersnearherheart，andeverytimeafterafewwordsshehadstopped:`Afterward，byourselves，we’lltalkabouteverything。I’vegotsomuchIwanttotellyou，’shehadsaid。
Nowtheywerebythemselves，andAnnadidnotknowwhattotalkabout。ShesatinthewindowlookingatDolly，andgoingoverinherownmindallthestoresofintimatetalkwhichhadseemedsoinexhaustiblebeforehand，andshefoundnothing。Atthatmomentitseemedtoherthateverythinghadbeensaidalready。
`Well，whatofKitty？’shesaidwithaheavysigh，lookingpenitentlyatDolly。`Tellmethetruth，Dolly:isn’tsheangrywithme？’
`Angry？Oh，no！’saidDaryaAlexandrovna，smiling。
`Butshehatesme，despisesme？’
`Oh，no！Butyouknowthatsortofthingisn’tforgiven。’
`Yes，yes，’saidAnna，turningawayandlookingoutoftheopenwindow。`ButIwasnottoblame。Andwhoistoblame？What’sthemeaningofbeingtoblame？Couldithavebeenotherwise？Whatdoyouthink？CoulditpossiblyhavehappenedotherwisethanthatyoushouldbecomethewifeofStiva？’
`Really，Idon’tknow。ButthisiswhatIwantyoutotellme……’
`Yes，yes，butwe’venotfinishedaboutKitty。Isshehappy？He’saveryfineman，theysay。’
`He’smuchmorethanveryfine。Idon’tknowabetterman。’
`Ah，howgladIam！I’msoglad！Muchmorethanveryfine，’sherepeated。
Dollysmiled。
`Buttellmeaboutyourself。We’veagreatdealtotalkabout。AndI’vehadatalkwith……’Dollydidnotknowwhattocallhim。ShefeltitawkwardtocallhimeithertheCountorAlexeiKirillovich。
`WithAlexei，’saidAnna，`Iknowwhatyoutalkedabout。ButIwantedtoaskyoudirectlywhatyouthinkofme，ofmylife？’
`HowamItosayanythingsosuddenly？Ireallydon’tknow。’
`No，tellmeallthesame……Youseemylife。Butyoumustn’tforgetthatyou’reseeingusinthesummer，whenyouhavecometousandwearenotalone……Butwecamehereearlyinthespring，livedquitealone，andshallbealoneagain，andIdesirenothingbetter。Butimaginemelivingalonewithouthim，alone，andthatwillbe……Iseebyeverythingthatitwilloftenberepeated，thathewillbehalfthetimeawayfromhome，’shesaid，gettingupandsittingdownclosebyDolly。`Ofcourse，’sheinterruptedDolly，whowouldhaveanswered，`ofcourseIwon’ttrytokeephimbyforce。Idon’tkeephimindeed。Theracesarejustcoming，hishorsesarerunning，hewillgo。I’mveryglad。Butthinkofme，fancymyposition……Butwhat’stheuseoftalkingaboutit！’Shesmiled。`Well，whatdidhetalkaboutwithyou？’
`HespokeofwhatIwanttospeakaboutmyself，andit’seasyformetobehisadvocate；ofwhetherthereisnotapossibility……whetheryoucouldnot……’DaryaAlexandrovnahesitated`correct，orimproveyourposition……YouknowhowIlookatit……Butallthesame，ifpossible，youshouldgetmarried……’
`Divorce，youmean？’saidAnna。`Doyouknow，theonlywomanwhocametoseemeinPeterburgwasBetsyTverskaia？Youknowher，ofcourse？Aufond，c’estlafemmelaplusdépraveequiexiste。ShehadanintriguewithTushkevich，deceivingherhusbandinthebasestway。Andshetoldmethatshedidnotcaretoknowmesolongasmypositionwasirregular。Don’timagineIwouldcompare……Iknowyou，darling。ButIcouldnothelpremembering……Well，sowhatdidhesaytoyou？’sherepeated。
`Hesaidthathewasunhappyonyouraccountandhisown。Perhapsyouwillsaythatit’segoism，butwhatalegitimateandnobleegoism。Hewantsfirstofalltolegitimizehisdaughter，andtobeyourhusband，tohavealegalrighttoyou。’
`Whatwife，whatslavecanbesoutterlyaslaveasI，inmyposition？’sheputingloomily。
`Thechiefthinghedesires……hedesiresthatyoushouldnotsuffer。’
`That’simpossible。Well？’
`Well，andthemostlegitimatedesire-hewishesthatyourchildrenshouldhaveaname。’
`Whatchildren？’Annasaid，notlookingatDolly，andhalfclosinghereyes。
`Annieandthosetocome……’
`Heneednottroubleonthatscore；Ishallhavenomorechildren。’
`Howcanyoutellthatyouwon’t？’
`Ishallnot，becauseIdon’twishit。’And，inspiteofallheremotion，Annasmiled，asshecaughtthena？veexpressionofcuriosity，wonder，andhorroronDolly’sface。
`Thedoctortoldmeaftermyillness……’
`Impossible！’saidDolly，openinghereyeswide。Forherethiswasoneofthosediscoveriestheconsequencesanddeductionsfromwhicharesoimmensethatallthatonefeelsforthefirstinstantisthatitisimpossibletotakeitallin，andthatonewillhavetoreflectagreat，greatdealuponit。
Thisdiscovery，suddenlythrowinglightonallthosefamiliesofoneortwochildren，whichhadhithertobeensoincomprehensibletoher，arousedsomanyideas，reflections，andcontradictoryemotions，thatshehadnothingtosay，andsimplygazedwithwide-openeyesofwonderatAnna。Thiswastheverythingshehadbeendreamingof，butnowlearningthatitwaspossible，shewashorrified。Shefeltthatitwastoosimpleasolutionoftoocomplicatedaproblem。
`N’est-cepasimmoral？’wasallshesaid，afterabriefpause。
`Whyso？Think-Ihaveachoicebetweentwoalternatives:eithertobewithchild，thatisaninvalid，ortobethefriendandcompanionofmyhusband-practicallymyhusband，’Annasaidinatoneintentionallysuperficialandfrivolous。
`Yes，yes，’saidDaryaAlexandrovna，hearingtheveryargumentsshehadusedtoherself，andnotfindingthesameforceinthemasbefore。
`Foryou，forotherpeople，’saidAnna，asthoughdiviningherthoughts，`theremaybereasontohesitate；butforme……Youmustconsider-Iamnothiswife；helovesmeaslongashelovesme。AndhowamItokeephislove？Notlikethis！’
Shemovedherwhitehandsinacurvebeforeherwaist。
Withextraordinaryrapidity，ashappensduringmomentsofexcitement，ideasandmemoriesrushedintoDaryaAlexandrovna’shead。`I，’shethought，`didnotkeepmyattractionforStiva；heleftmeforothers，andthefirstwomanforwhomhebetrayedmedidnotkeephimbybeingalwaysprettyandlively。Hedesertedherandtookanother。AndcanAnnaattractandkeepCountVronskyinthatway？Ifthatiswhathelooksfor，hewillfinddressesandmannersstillmoreattractiveandcharming。And，howeverwhiteandbeautifulherbarearmsare，howeverbeautifulherfullfigureandhereagerfaceunderherblackcurls，hewillfindsomethingbetterstill，justasmydisgusting，pitiful，andcharminghusbanddoes。’
Dollymadenoanswer，shemerelysighed。Annanoticedthissigh，indicatingdissent，andshewenton。Inherarmoryshehadotherargumentssostrongthatnoanswercouldbemadetothem。
`Doyousaythatit’snotright？Butyoumustconsider，’shewenton；`youforgetmyposition。HowcanIdesirechildren？I’mnotspeakingofthesuffering-I’mnotafraidofthat。Think，only-whataremychildrentobe？Ill-fatedchildren，whowillhavetobearastranger’sname。Fortheveryfactoftheirbirththeywillbeforcedtobeashamedoftheirmother，theirfather，theirbirth。’
`Butthatisjustwhyadivorceisnecessary。’
ButAnnadidnothearher。Shelongedtogiveutterancetoalltheargumentswithwhichshehadsomanytimesconvincedherself。
`Whatisreasongivenmefor，ifIamnottouseittoavoidbringingunhappybeingsintotheworld！’
ShelookedatDolly，butwithoutwaitingforareplyshewenton:
`IshouldalwaysfeelIhadwrongedtheseunhappychildren，’shesaid。`Iftherearenone，atanyratetheyarenotunhappy；whileiftheyareunhappy，Ialoneshouldbetoblameforit。’
TheseweretheveryargumentsDaryaAlexandrovnahadusedinherownreflections；butsheheardthemnowwithoutunderstandingthem。`Howcanonewrongcreaturesthatdon’texist？’shethought。Andallatoncetheideastruckher。Coulditpossibly，underanycircumstances，havebeenbetterforherfavoriteGrishaifhehadneverexisted？Andthisseemedtohersowild，sostrange，thatsheshookherheadtodriveawaythistangleofwhirling，madideas。
`No，Idon’tknow；it’snotright，’wasallshesaid，withanexpressionofdisgustonherface。
`Yes，butyoumustn’tforgetwhatyouareandwhatIam……Andbesidesthat，’addedAnna，inspiteofthewealthofherargumentsandthepovertyofDolly’sobjections，seemingstilltoadmitthatitwasnotright，`don’tforgetthechiefpoint，thatIamnotnowinthesamepositionasyou。Foryouthequestionis:Doyoudesirenottohaveanymorechildren？Whileformeitis:DoIdesiretohavethem？Andthat’sagreatdifference。YoumustseethatIcan’tdesiretheminmyposition。’
DaryaAlexandrovnamadenoreply。ShesuddenlyfeltthatshehadgotawayfromAnnasofar，thattherelaybetweenthemabarrierofquestionsonwhichtheycouldneveragree，andaboutwhichitwasbetternottospeak。
`Thenthereisallthemorereasonforyoutolegalizeyourposition，ifpossible，’saidDolly。
`Yes，ifpossible，’saidAnna，speakingallatonceinanutterlydifferenttone，subduedandmournful。
`Surelyyoudon’tmeanadivorceisimpossible？Iwastoldyourhusbandhadconsentedtoit。’
`Dolly，Idon’twanttotalkaboutthat。’
`Oh，wewon’tthen，’DaryaAlexandrovnahastenedtosay，noticingtheexpressionofsufferingonAnna’sface。`AllIseeisthatyoutaketoogloomyaviewofthings。’
`I？Notatall！I’mverysatisfiedandhappy。Yousee，jefaispassions。Veslovsky……’
`Yes，totellthetruth，Idon’tlikeVeslovsky’stone，’saidDaryaAlexandrovna，anxioustochangethesubject。
`Oh，that’snonsense！ItamusesAlexei，andthat’sall；buthe’saboy，andquiteundercontrol。Youknow，IturnhimasIplease。It’sjustasitmightbewithyourGrisha……Dolly！’shesuddenlychangedthesubject。`YousayItaketoogloomyaviewofthings。Youcan’tunderstand。It’stooawful！Itrynottotakeanyviewofitatall。’
`ButIthinkyououghtto。Yououghttodoallyoucan。’
`ButwhatcanIdo？Nothing。YoutellmetomarryAlexei，andsayIdon’tthinkaboutit。Idon’tthinkaboutit！’sherepeated，andaflushroseintoherface。Shegotup，straighteningherchest，andsighedheavily。Withherlightstepshebeganpacingupanddowntheroom，stoppingnowandthen。`Idon’tthinkofit？Notaday，notanhourpassesthatIdon’tthinkofit，andblamemyselfforwhatIthink……becausethinkingofthatmaydrivememad。Drivememad！’sherepeated。`WhenIthinkofit，Ican’tsleepwithoutmorphine。Butnevermind。Letustalkquietly。Theytellme-divorce。Inthefirstplace，hewon’tgivemeadivorce。He’sundertheinfluenceofCountessLidiaIvanovnanow。’
DaryaAlexandrovna，sittingerectonachair，turnedherheadfollowingAnnawithafaceofsympatheticsuffering。
`Yououghttomaketheattempt，’shesaidsoftly。
`SupposeImaketheattempt。Whatdoesitmean？’shesaid，evidentlygivingutterancetoathought，athousandtimesthoughtoverandlearnedbyheart。`ItmeansthatI，hatinghim，butstillrecognizingthatIhavewrongedhim-andIconsiderhimmagnanimous-thatIhumiliatemyselftowritetohim……Well，supposeImaketheeffort；Idoit。EitherIreceiveahumiliatingrefusal，orconsent。Well，Ihavereceivedhisconsent，say……’Annawasatthatmomentatthefarthestendoftheroom，andshestoppedthere，doingsomethingtothecurtainatthewindow。`Ireceivehisconsent，butmy……myson？Theywon’tgivehimuptome。Hewillgrowupdespisingme，withhisfather，whomI’veabandoned。Doyousee，Iloveequally，Ithink，butbothmorethanmyself，twobeings-SeriozhaandAlexei。’
ShecameoutintothemiddleoftheroomandstoodfacingDolly，withherarmspressedtightlyacrossherchest。Inherwhitedressinggownherfigureseemedmorethanusuallygrandandbroad。Shebentherhead，andwithshining，weteyeslookedfromunderherbrowsatDolly，athinlittlepitifulfigureinherpatcheddressingjacketandnightcap，shakingalloverwithemotion。
`ItisonlythosetwobeingswhomIlove，andoneexcludestheother。Ican’thavethemtogether，andthat’stheonlythingIwant。AndsinceIcan’thavethat，Idon’tcareabouttherest。Idon’tcareaboutanything-anything。Anditwillendonewayoranother，andsoIcan’t，Idon’tliketotalkofit。Sodon’tblameme，don’tjudgemeforanything。Youcan’twithyourpureheartunderstandallthatI’msuffering。’
Shewentup，satdownbesideDolly，and，withaguiltylook，peepedintoherfaceandtookherhand。
`Whatareyouthinking？Whatareyouthinkingaboutme？Don’tdespiseme。Idon’tdeservecontempt。I’msimplyunhappy。Ifanyoneisunhappy，Iam，’sheuttered，andturningaway，sheburstintotears。
Leftalone，Dollysaidherprayersandwenttobed。ShehadfeltforAnnawithallherheartwhileshewasspeakingtoher，butnowshecouldnotforceherselftothinkofher。Thememoriesofhomeandofherchildrenroseupinherimaginationwithapeculiarcharmquitenewtoher，withasortofnewbrilliance。Thatworldofherownseemedtohernowsosweetandpreciousthatshewouldnotonanyaccountspendanextradayoutsideit，andshemadeuphermindthatshewouldcertainlygobackthenextday。
Annameantimewentbacktoherboudoir，tookawineglass，anddroppedintoitseveraldropsofamedicine，ofwhichtheprincipalingredientwasmorphine。Afterdrinkingitoffandsittingstillalittlewhile，shewentintoherbedroominasoothedandmorecheerfulframeofmind。
Whenshewentintothebedroom，Vronskylookedintentlyather。Hewaslookingfortracesoftheconversationwhichheknew，stayingsolonginDolly’sroom，shemusthavehadwithher。Butinherexpressionofrestrainedexcitement，andofasortofreserve，hecouldfindnothingbutthebeautythatalwaysbewitchedhimafreshthoughhewasusedtoit，theconsciousnessofit，andthedesirethatitshouldaffecthim。Hedidnotwanttoaskherwhattheyhadbeentalkingof，buthehopedthatshewouldtellhimsomethingofherownaccord。Butsheonlysaid:
`IamsogladyoulikeDolly。Youdo，don’tyou？’
`Oh，I’veknownheralongwhile。She’sverygoodhearted，Isuppose，maisexcessivementterre-à-terre。Still，I’mverygladtoseeher。’
HetookAnna’shandandlookedinquiringlyintohereyes。
Misinterpretingthelook，shesmiledtohim。
Nextmorning，inspiteoftheprotestsofherhosts，DaryaAlexandrovnapreparedforherhomewardjourney。Levin’scoachman，inhisbynomeansnewcoatandshabbyhat，withhisill-matchedhorsesandhiscarriagewiththepatchedmudguards，drovewithgloomydeterminationintothecoveredgravelapproach。
DaryaAlexandrovnadislikedtakingleaveofPrincessVarvaraandthegentlemenoftheparty。Afteradayspenttogether，bothsheandherhostsweredistinctlyawarethattheydidnotgetontogether，andthatitwasbetterforthemnottomeet。OnlyAnnawassad。Sheknewthatnow，afterDolly’sdeparture，nooneagainwouldstirupwithinhersoulthefeelingsthathadbeenrousedbytheirconversation。Ithurthertostirupthesefeelings，butyetsheknewthatthatwasthebestpartofhersoul，andthatthatpartofhersoulwouldquicklygrowweedyinthelifeshewasleading。
Asshedroveoutintotheopencountry，DaryaAlexandrovnahadadelightfulsenseofrelief，andshefelttemptedtoaskthetwomenhowtheyhadlikedbeingatVronsky’s，whensuddenlythecoachman，Philip，expressedhimselfunasked:
`Rollinginwealththeymaybe，butthreepotsofoatswasalltheygaveus。Everythingcleareduptilltherewasn’tagrainleftbycock-crow。Whatarethreepots？Ameremouthful！Andoatsnowyoucouldgetfrominnkeepersforforty-fivekopecks。Atourplace，nofear，allcomersmayhaveasmuchastheycaneat。’
`Themaster’sascrew，’putinthecountinghouseclerk。
`Well，didyouliketheirhorses？’askedDolly。
`Thehorses！There’snotwoopinionsaboutthem。Andthefoodwasgood。Butitseemedtomesortofdrearythere，DaryaAlexandrovna。Idon’tknowwhatyouthought，’hesaid，turninghishandsome，good-naturedfacetoher。
`Ithoughtsotoo。Well，shallwegethomebyevening？’
`Eh，wemust！’
Onreachinghomeandfindingeveryoneentirelysafeandparticularlycharming，DaryaAlexandrovnabeganwithgreatlivelinesstellingthemaboutherarrival，herwarmreception，abouttheluxuryandgoodtasteinwhichtheVronskyslived，andabouttheirrecreations，andshewouldnotallowawordtobesaidagainstthem。
`OnehastoknowAnnaandVronsky-Ihavegottoknowhimbetternow-toseehowfinetheyare，andhowtouching，’shesaid，speakingnowwithperfectsincerity，andforgettingthevaguefeelingofdissatisfactionandawkwardnessshehadexperiencedthere。
VronskyandAnnaspentthewholesummerandpartoftheautumninthecountry，livinginjustthesamecondition，andstilltakingnostepstoobtainadivorce。Itwasadecidedthingbetweenthemthattheyshouldnotgoawayanywhere；butbothfelt，thelongertheylivedalone，especiallyintheautumn，andwithoutguestsinthehouse，thattheycouldnotstandthisexistence，andthattheywouldhavetochangeit。
Theirlifewasapparentlysuchthatnothingbettercouldbedesired。Theyhadthefullestabundanceofeverything；theyhadachild，andbothhadoccupation。Annadevotedjustasmuchcaretoherappearancewhentheyhadnovisitors，andshedidagreatdealofreading，bothofnovelsandofwhatseriousliteraturewasinfashion。Sheorderedallthebooksthatwerepraisedintheforeignpapersandjournalsshereceived，andreadthemwiththatconcentratedattentionwhichisonlygiventowhatisreadinseclusion。Moreover，everysubjectthatwasofinteresttoVronsky，shestudiedinbooksandspecialjournals，sothatheoftenwentstraighttoherwithquestionsrelatingtoagricultureorarchitecture，sometimesevenwithquestionsrelatingtohorsebreedingorsport。Hewasamazedatherknowledge，hermemory，andatfirstwasdisposedtodoubtit，toaskforconfirmationofherfacts；andshewouldfindwhatheaskedforinsomebook，andshowittohim。
Thebuildingofthehospital，too，interestedher。Shedidnotmerelyassist，butplannedandsuggestedagreatdealherself。Butherchiefthoughtwasstillofherself-howfarshewasdeartoVronsky，howfarshecouldmakeuptohimforallhehadgivenup。Vronskyappreciatedthisdesirenotonlytoplease，buttoservehim，whichhadbecomethesoleaimofherexistence，butatthesametimeheweariedofthelovingsnaresinwhichshetriedtoholdhimfast。Astimewenton，andhesawhimselfmoreandmoreoftenheldfastinthesesnares，hehadanever-growingdesire，notsomuchtoescapefromthem，astotrywhethertheyhinderedhisfreedom。Haditnotbeenforthisgrowingdesiretobefree，nottohavesceneseverytimehewantedtogotothetowntoasessionorarace，Vronskywouldhavebeenperfectlysatisfiedwithhislife。Therolehehadtakenup，theroleofawealthylandowner，oneofthatclasswhichoughttobetheveryheartoftheRussianaristocracy，wasentirelytohistaste；andnow，afterspendingsixmonthsinthatrole，hederivedevengreatersatisfactionfromit。Andhismanagementofhisestate，whichoccupiedandabsorbedhimmoreandmore，wasmostsuccessful。Inspiteoftheimmensesumswhichthehospital，themachinery，thecowsorderedfromSwitzerland，andmanyotherthings，costhim，hewasconvincedthathewasnotwastingbutincreasinghissubstance。Inallmattersaffectingincome，thesalesoftimber，wheat，andwool，thelettingoflands，Vronskywashardasarock，andknewwellhowtokeepupprices。Inalloperationsonalargescaleonthisandhisotherestates，hekepttothesimplestmethodsinvolvingnorisk，andintriflingdetailshewascarefulandexactingtoanextremedegree。InspiteofallthecunningandingenuityoftheGermansteward，whowouldtrytotempthimintopurchasesbymakinghisoriginalestimatealwaysfarlargerthanreallyrequired，andthenrepresentingtoVronskythathemightgetthethingcheaper，andsomakeaprofit，Vronskydidnotgivein。Helistenedtohissteward，cross-examinedhim，andonlyagreedtohissuggestionswhentheimplementtobeorderedorconstructedwastheverynewest，notyetknowninRussia，andlikelytoexcitewonder。Apartfromsuchexceptions，heresolveduponanincreasedoutlayonlywheretherewasasurplus，andinmakingsuchanoutlayhewentintotheminutestdetails，andinsistedongettingtheverybestforhismoney；sothatbythemethodonwhichhemanagedhisaffairs，itwasclearthathewasnotwasting，butincreasinghissubstance。
InOctoberthereweretheprovincialnobilityelectionsintheKashinskyprovince，whereweretheestatesofVronsky，Sviiazhsky，Koznishev，Oblonsky，andasmallpartofLevin’sland。
Theseelectionswereattractingpublicattentionfromseveralcircumstancesconnectedwiththem，andalsofromthepeopletakingpartinthem。Therehadbeenagreatdealoftalkabouttheseelections，andgreatpreparationswerebeingmadeforthem。PersonswhoneverattendedtheelectionswerecomingfromMoscow，fromPeterburg，andfromabroadtoattendthese。
VronskyhadlongbeforepromisedSviiazhskytogotothem。
BeforetheelectionsSviiazhsky，whooftenvisitedVozdvizhenskoe，droveovertofetchVronsky。
OnthedaybeforetherehadbeenalmostaquarrelbetweenVronskyandAnnaoverthisproposedexpedition。Itwastheverydullestautumnweather，whichissodrearyinthecountry，andso，preparinghimselfforastruggle，Vronsky，withahardandcoldexpression，informedAnnaofhisdepartureashehadneverspokentoherbefore。But，tohissurprise，Annaacceptedtheinformationwithgreatcomposure，andmerelyaskedwhenhewouldbeback。Helookedintentlyather，atalosstoexplainthiscomposure。Shesmiledathislook。Heknewthatwayshehadofwithdrawingintoherself，andknewthatitonlyhappenedwhenshehaddetermineduponsomethingwithoutlettinghimknowherplans。Hewasafraidofthis；buthewassoanxioustoavoidascenethathekeptupappearances，andhalfsincerelybelievedinwhathelongedtobelievein-herreasonableness。
`Ihopeyouwon’tbedull？’
`Ihopenot，’saidAnna。`IgotaboxofbooksyesterdayfromGautier’s。No，Ishan’tbedull。’
`She’stryingtotakethattone，andsomuchthebetter，’hethought，`orelseitwouldbethesamethingoverandoveragain。’
Andhesetofffortheelectionswithoutappealingtoherforacandidexplanation。Itwasthefirsttimesincethebeginningoftheirintimacythathehadpartedfromherwithoutafullexplanation。Fromonepointofviewthistroubledhim，butontheothersidehefeltthatitwasbetterso。`Atfirsttherewillbe，asthistime，somethingundefined，keptback，andthenshewillgetusedtoit。InanycaseIcangiveupanythingforher，butnotmymasculineindependence，’hethought。
InSeptemberLevinmovedtoMoscowforKitty’sconfinement。HehadspentawholemonthinMoscowwithnothingtodo，whenSergeiIvanovich，whohadpropertyintheKashinskyprovince，andtookgreatinterestinthequestionoftheapproachingelections，madereadytosetofftotheelections。Heinvitedhisbrother，whohadavoteintheSelezniovskydistrict，tocomewithhim。Levinhad，moreover，totransactinKashinsomeextremelyimportantbusinessrelatingtothewardship，andtothereceivingofcertainredemptionmoneyforhissister，whowasabroad。
Levinstillhesitated，butKitty，whosawthathewasboredinMoscow，andurgedhimtogo，onherownauthorityorderedhimthepropernobleman’suniform，costingeightyroubles。AndthiseightyroublespaidfortheuniformwasthechiefreasonthatfinallydecidedLevintogo。HewenttoKashin。
LevinhadbeenfivedaysinKashin，visitingtheassemblyeachday，andbusilyengagedabouthissister’sbusiness，whichstilldraggedon。Thedistrictmarshalsofnobilitywerealloccupiedwiththeelections，anditwasimpossibletogetthesimplestthingdonethatdependeduponthecourtofwardship。Theothermatter，thereceiptofthesumsdue，wasalsometbydifficulties。Afterlongnegotiationsovertheliftingoftheprohibition，themoneywasatlastreadytobepaid；butthenotary，amostobligingperson，couldnothandovertheorder，becauseitmusthavethesignatureofthepresident，andthepresident，thoughhehadnotgivenoverhisdutiestoadeputy，wasattheelections。Alltheseworryingnegotiations，thisendlessgoingfromplacetoplace，andtalkingwithpleasantandexcellentpeople，whoquitesawtheunpleasantnessofthepetitioner’sposition，butwerepowerlesstoassisthim-alltheseeffortsthatyieldednoresult，ledtoafeelingofmiseryinLevinakintothemortifyinghelplessnessoneexperiencesindreams，whenonetriestousephysicalforce。Hefeltthisfrequentlyashetalkedtohisexceedinglygood-naturedsolicitor。Thissolicitordid，itseemed，everythingpossible，andstrainedeverynervetogethimoutofhisdifficulties。`Itellyouwhatyoumighttry，’hesaidmorethanonce；`gotoso-and-soandso-and-so，’andthesolicitordrewuparegularplanforgettingroundthefatalpointthathinderedeverything。Buthewouldaddimmediately，`It’llmeansomedelay，anyway，butyoumighttryit。’AndLevindidtry，anddidgo。Everyonewaskindandcivil，butthepointevadedseemedtocropupagainintheend，andagaintobartheway。Whatwasparticularlytrying，wasthatLevincouldnotmakeoutwithwhomhewasstruggling，towhoseinterestitwasthathisbusinessshouldnotbedone。Thatnooneseemedtoknow；thesolicitorcertainlydidnotknow。IfLevincouldhaveunderstoodwhy，justashesawwhyonecanonlyapproachthebookingofficeofarailwaystationinsinglefile，itwouldnothavebeensovexatiousandtiresometohim。Butinthecaseofthehindrancesthatconfrontedhiminhisbusiness，noonecouldexplainwhytheyexisted。
ButLevinhadchangedagooddealsincehismarriage；hewaspatient，andifhecouldnotseewhyitwasallarrangedlikethis，hetoldhimselfthathecouldnotjudgewithoutknowingallaboutit，andthatmostlikelyitmustbeso，andhetriednottoresentit。
Inattendingtheelections，too，andtakingpartinthem，hetriednownottojudge，nottofallfoulofthem，buttocomprehendasfullyashecouldthequestionwhichwassoearnestlyandardentlyabsorbinghonestandexcellentmenwhomherespected。SincehismarriagetherehadbeenrevealedtoLevinsomanynewandseriousaspectsoflifewhichhadpreviously，throughhisfrivolousattitudetothem，seemedofnoimportance，thatinthequestionoftheelections，too，heassumedandtriedtofindsomeserioussignificance。
SergeiIvanovichexplainedtohimthemeaningandobjectoftheproposedradicalchangeattheelections。Themarshaloftheprovinceinwhosehandsthelawhadplacedthecontrolofsomanyimportantpublicfunctions-theguardianshipofwardstheverydepartmentwhichwasgivingLevinsomuchtroublejustnow，thedisposaloflargesumssubscribedbythenobilityoftheprovince，thehighschools，forgirls，forboys，andmilitary，andprimaryinstructiononthenewstatuteandfinally，theZemstvo-themarshaloftheprovince，Snetkov，wasanoblemanoftheoldschool，dissipatinganimmensefortune，agoodheartedman，honestafterhisownfashion，bututterlywithoutanycomprehensionoftheneedsofmoderndays。Healwaystook，ineveryquestion，thesideofthenobility；hewaspositivelyantagonistictothespreadofprimaryeducation，andhesucceededingivingapurelypartycharactertotheZemstvowhichoughtbyrightstobeofsuchanimmenseimportance。Whatwasneededwastoputinhisplaceafresh，capable，perfectlymodernman，ofcontemporaryideas，andtoframetheirpolicysoastoderive，fromtherightsconferreduponthenoblesnotasthenobility，butasanelementoftheZemstvo，allthebenefitsofself-governmentthatcouldpossiblybederivedfromthem。InthewealthyKashinskyprovince，whichalwaystooktheleadofotherprovincesineverything，therewasnowsuchapreponderanceofforcesthatthispolicy，oncecarriedthroughproperlythere，mightserveasamodelforotherprovinces-forallRussia。Andhencethewholequestionwasofthegreatestimportance。ItwasproposedtoelectasmarshalinplaceofSnetkoveitherSviiazhsky，or，betterstill，Neviedovsky，aformeruniversityprofessor，amanofremarkableintelligence，andagreatfriendofSergeiIvanovich。
Themeetingwasopenedbythegovernor，whomadeaspeechtothenobles，urgingthemtoelectthepublicfunctionaries，notfromregardforpersons，butfortheserviceandwelfareofthenativecountry，andhopingthatthehonorablenobilityoftheKashinskyprovincewould，asatallformerelections，holdtheirdutyassacred，andvindicatetheexaltedconfidenceoftheMonarch。
Whenhehadfinishedhisspeech，thegovernorwalkedoutofthehall，andthenoblemennoisilyandeagerly-someevenenthusiastically-followedhimandthrongedroundhimwhileheputonhisfurcoatandconversedamicablywiththemarshaloftheprovince。Levin，anxioustoseeintoeverythingandnotmissanything，alsostoodthereinthecrowd，andheardthegovernorsay:`Please，tellMaryaIvanovnamywifeisverysorryshecouldnotvisitthecharityschool。’Andthereuponthenoblesinhighgoodhumorsortedouttheirfurcoatsandalldroveofftothecathedral。
InthecathedralLevin，liftinghishandliketherest，andrepeatingthewordsofthedean，vowedwiththemostawesomeoathstodoallthegovernorhadhopedtheywoulddo。ChurchservicesalwaysaffectedLevin，andasheutteredthewords:`Ikissthecross，’andglancedroundatthecrowdofyoungandoldmenrepeatingthesame，hefelttouched。
Onthesecondandthirddaystherewasbusinessrelatingtothefinancesofthenobility，andthehighschoolforgirls，ofnoimportancewhatever，asSergeiIvanovichexplained，andLevin，busyseeingafterhisownaffairs，didnotattendthemeetings。Onthefourthdaytheauditingofthemarshal’saccountstookplaceatthehightableofthemarshaloftheprovince。Andthenthereoccurredthefirstskirmishbetweenthenewpartyandtheold。Thecommitteewhichhadbeendeputedtoverifytheaccountsreportedtothemeetingthatallwasinorder。Themarshaloftheprovincegotup，thankedthenobilityfortheirconfidence，andshedtears。Thenoblesgavehimaloudwelcomeandshookhandswithhim。ButatthatinstantanoblemanofSergeiIvanovich’spartysaidthathehadheardthatthecommitteehadnotverifiedtheaccounts，consideringsuchaverificationaninsulttothemarshaloftheprovince。Oneofthemembersofthecommitteeincautiouslyadmittedthis。Thenasmallgentleman，veryyoung-lookingbutveryvenomous，begantosaythatitwouldprobablybeagreeabletothemarshaloftheprovincetogiveanaccountofhisexpendituresofthepublicmoneys，andthatthemisplaceddelicacyofthemembersofthecommitteewasdeprivinghimofthismoralsatisfaction。Thenthemembersofthecommitteetriedtowithdrawtheiradmission，andSergeiIvanovichbegantoprovethattheymustlogicallyadmiteitherthattheyhadverifiedtheaccountsorthattheyhadnot，andhedevelopedthisdilemmaindetail。SergeiIvanovichwasansweredbythetalkeroftheoppositeparty。ThenSviiazhskyspoke，andthenthevenomousgentlemanagain。Thediscussionlastedalongtimeandendedinnothing。Levinwassurprisedthattheyshoulddisputeuponthissubjectsolong，especiallyas，whenheaskedSergeiIvanovichwhetherhesupposedthatmoneyhadbeenmisappropriated，SergeiIvanovichanswered:
`Oh，no！He’sanhonestman。Butthoseold-fashionedmethodsofpaternalfamilyarrangementsinthemanagementofnobilityaffairsmustbebrokendown。’
Onthefifthdaycametheelectionsofthedistrictmarshals。Itwasratherastormydayinseveraldistricts。IntheSelezniovskydistrictSviiazhskywaselectedunanimouslywithoutaballot，andhegaveadinnerthatevening。
Thesixthdaywasfixedfortheelectionofthemarshaloftheprovince。Therooms，largeandsmall，werefullofnoblemaninallsortsofuniforms。Manyhadcomeonlyforthatday。Menwhohadnotseeneachotherforyears，somefromtheCrimea，somefromPeterburg，somefromabroad，metintheroomsoftheHallofNobility。TherewasmuchdiscussionaroundtheprovincetableundertheportraitoftheCzar。
Thenobles，bothinthelargerandinthesmallerrooms，groupedthemselvesincamps，andfromtheirhostileandsuspiciousglances，fromthesilencethatfelluponthemwhenoutsidersapproachedagroup，andfromthewaythatsome，whisperingtogether，retreatedtothefarthercorridor，itwasevidentthateachsidehadsecretsfromtheother。Inappearancethenoblemenweresharplydividedintotwoclasses:theoldandthenew。Theoldwereforthemostparteitherintheolduniformofthenobility，buttonedupclosely，withspursandhats，orintheirownspecialnaval，cavalry，infantryuniforms，earnedbytheirformerservice。Theuniformsoftheoldermenwereembroideredintheold-fashionedwaywithsmallpuffsontheirshoulders；theywereunmistakablytightandshortinthewaists，asthoughtheirwearershadgrownoutofthem。Theyoungermenworetheuniformofthenobilitywithlongwaistsandbroadshoulders，unbuttonedoverwhitewaistcoats，oruniformswithblackcollarsandwiththeembroideredlaurelleavesofjusticesofthepeace。TotheyoungermenbelongedtheCourtuniformsthathereandtherebrightenedupthecrowd。
Butthedivisionintoyoungandolddidnotcorrespondwiththedivisionofparties。Someoftheyoungmen，asLevinobserved，belongedtotheoldparty；andsomeoftheveryoldestnoblemen，onthecontrary，werewhisperingwithSviiazhsky，andwereevidentlyardentpartisansofthenewparty。
Levinstoodinthesmallerroom，wheretheyweresmokingandtakinglightrefreshments，closetohisownfriends，and，listeningtowhattheyweresaying，hevainlyexertedallhisintelligencetryingtounderstandwhatwassaid。SergeiIvanovichwasthecenterroundwhichtheothersgroupedthemselves。HewaslisteningatthatmomenttoSviiazhskyandKhliustov，themarshalofanotherdistrict，whobelongedtotheirparty。KhliustovwouldnotagreetogowithhisdistricttoaskSnetkovtobeacandidate，whileSviiazhskywaspersuadinghimtodoso，andSergeiIvanovichwasapprovingoftheplan。Levincouldnotmakeoutwhytheoppositionhadtoaskthemarshaltobeacandidatewhentheywantedtosupersedehim。
StepanArkadyevich，whohadjustbeendrinkingandtakingsomesnacklunch，cameuptotheminhisuniformofagentlemanofthebedchamber，wipinghislipswithaperfumedhandkerchiefofborderedbatiste。
`Weareplacingourforces，’hesaid，pullingouthissidewhiskers，`SergeiIvanovich！’
Andlisteningtotheconversation，hesupportedSviiazhsky’scontention。
`Onedistrict’senough，andSviiazhsky’sobviouslyoftheopposition，’hesaid，wordsevidentlyintelligibletoallexceptLevin。
`Why，Kostia，you，itseems，getthetastefortheseaffairstoo！’headded，turningtoLevinanddrawinghisarmthroughhis。Levinwouldhavebeengladindeedtogetthetastefortheseaffairs，butcouldnotmakeoutwhatthepointwas，andretreatingafewstepsfromthespeakers，heexplainedtoStepanArkadyevichhisinabilitytounderstandwhythemarshaloftheprovinceshouldbeaskedtobeacandidate。
`Osanctasimplicitas！’saidStepanArkadyevich，andbrieflyandclearlyheexplainedittoLevin。
If，asatpreviouselections，allthedistrictsaskedthemarshaloftheprovincetobeacandidate，thenhewouldbeelectedwithoutaballot。Thatmustnotbe。Noweightdistrictshadagreedtocalluponhim:iftworefusedtodoso，Snetkovmightdeclinethecandidacyentirely；andthentheoldpartymightchooseanotheroftheirparty，whichwouldthrowthemcompletelyoutintheirreckoning。Butifonlyonedistrict，Sviiazhsky’s，didnotcalluponhimtobeacandidate，Snetkovwouldlethimselfbeballotedfor。Theywereeven，someofthem，goingtovoteforhim，andpurposelytolethimgetagoodmanyvotes，sothattheenemymightbethrownoffthescent，andwhenacandidateoftheothersidewasputup，theytoomightgivehimsomevotes。Levinunderstoodtosomeextent，butnotfully，andwouldhaveputafewmorequestions，whensuddenlyeveryonebegantalkingandmakinganoise，andtheymovedtowardthebigroom。
`Whatisit？Eh？Whom？……Proxy？Whose？What？……Theywon’tpasshim？……Noproxy？……Theywon’tletFliorovin？……Eh，becauseofthechargeagainsthim？……Why，atthisrate，theywon’tadmitanyone。It’saswindle！……Thelaw！’Levinheardexclamationsonallsides，andhemovedintothebigroomtogetherwiththeothers，allhurryingsomewhereandafraidofmissingsomething。Squeezedbythecrowdingnoblemen，hedrewnearthehightablewherethemarshaloftheprovince，Sviiazhsky，andtheotherleaders，werehotlydisputingaboutsomething。
Levinwasstandingratherfaroff。Anoblemanbreathingheavilyandhoarselyathisside，andanotherwhosethickbootswerecreaking，preventedhimfromhearingdistinctly。Hecouldonlyhearthesoftvoiceofthemarshalfaintly，thentheshrillvoiceofthevenomousgentleman，andthenthevoiceofSviiazhsky。Theyweredisputing，asfarashecouldmakeout，astotheinterpretationtobeputontheactandtheexactmeaningofthewords:`liabletobecalledupfortrial。’
ThecrowdpartedtomakewayforSergeiIvanovichapproachingthetable。SergeiIvanovich，waitingtillthevenomousgentlemanhadfinishedspeaking，saidthathethoughtthebestsolutionwouldbetorefertotheactitself，andaskedthesecretarytofindtheact。Theactsaidthatincaseofdifferenceofopinion，theremustbeaballot。
SergeiIvanovichreadtheactandbegantoexplainitsmeaning，butatthatpointatall，stout，stoop-shoulderedlandowner，withdyedmustache，inatightuniformthatmadethebackofhisneckbulgeup，interruptedhim。Hewentuptothetable，andstrikingitwithhisfingerring，heshoutedloudly:
`Aballot！Putittothevote！Noneedformoretalking！’
Thenseveralvoicesbegantotalkallatonce，andthetallnoblemanwiththering，gettingmoreandmoreexasperated，shoutedmoreandmoreloudly。Butitwasimpossibletomakeoutwhathesaid。
HewasshoutingfortheverycourseSergeiIvanovichhadproposed；butitwasevidentthathehatedhimandallhisparty，andthisfeelingofhatredspreadthroughthewholepartyandrousedinoppositiontoitthesamevindictiveness，thoughinamoreseemlyform，ontheotherside。Shoutswereraised，andforamomentallwasconfusion，sothatthemarshaloftheprovincehadtocallfororder。
`Aballot！Aballot！Whoeverisanoblemanunderstands！Weshedourbloodforourcountry！……TheconfidenceoftheMonarch……Nocheckingoftheaccountsofthemarshal-he’snotacashier！……Butthat’snotthepoint……Votes，please！Whatvileness！……’shoutedfuriousandviolentvoicesonallsides。Looksandfaceswereevenmoreviolentandfuriousthantheirwords。Theyexpressedthemostimplacablehatred。Levindidnotintheleastunderstandwhatitwasallabout，andhemarveledatthepassionwithwhichitwasdisputedwhetherornotthedecisionaboutFliorovshouldbeputtothevote。Heforgot，asSergeiIvanovichexplainedtohimafterward，thissyllogism:thatitwasnecessaryforthepublicgoodtogetridofthemarshaloftheprovince；thattogetridofthemarshalitwasnecessarytohaveamajorityofvotes；thattogetamajorityofvotesitwasnecessarytosecureFliorov’srighttovote；thattosecuretherecognitionofFliorov’srighttovotetheymustdecideontheinterpretationtobeputontheact。
`Andonevotemaydecidethewholequestion，andonemustbeseriousandconsecutive，ifonewantstobeofuseinpubliclife，’concludedSergeiIvanovich。ButLevinforgotallthat，anditwaspainfultohimtoseealltheseexcellentpersons，forwhomhehadrespect，insuchanunpleasantandviciousstateofexcitement。Toescapefromthispainfulfeelinghewentawayintotheotherroomwheretherewasnobodyexceptthewaitersattherefreshmentbar。Seeingthewaitersbusywashingupthecrockeryandsettinginordertheirplatesandwineglasses，seeingtheiralertandvivaciousfaces，Levinfeltanunexpectedsenseofrelief，asthoughhehadcomeoutofastuffyroomintothefreshair。Hebeganwalkingupanddown，lookingwithpleasureatthewaiters。Heparticularlylikedthewayonegray-whiskeredwaiter，whoshowedhisscornfortheotheryoungerones，andwasjeeredatbythem，wasteachingthemhowtofoldnapkinsproperly。Levinwasjustabouttoenterintoconversationwiththeoldwaiter，whenthesecretaryofthecourtofwardship，alittleoldmanwhosespecialityitwastoknowallthenoblemenoftheprovincebynameandpatronymic，drewhimaway。
`Pleasecome，KonstantinDmitrievich，’hesaid，`yourbrother’slookingforyou。Theyarevotingonthelegalpoint。’
Levinwalkedintotheroom，receivedawhiteball，andfollowedhisbrother，SergeiIvanovich，tothetablewhereSviiazhskywasstandingwithasignificantandironicalface，holdinghisbeardinhisfistandsniffingatit。SergeiIvanovichputhishandintothebox，puttheballsomewhere，and，makingroomforLevin，stopped。Levinadvanced，bututterlyforgettingwhathewastodo，andmuchembarrassed，heturnedtoSergeiIvanovichwiththequestion，`WhereamItoputit？’Heaskedthissoftly，atamomentwhentherewastalkinggoingonnear，sothathehadhopedhisquestionwouldnotbeoverheard。Butthepersonsspeakingpaused，andhisimproperquestionwasoverheard。SergeiIvanovichfrowned。
`Thatisamatterforeachman’sowndecision，’hesaidseverely。
Severalpeoplesmiled。Levincrimsoned，hurriedlythrusthishandunderthecloth，andputtheballtotherightasitwasinhisrighthand。Havingputitin，herecollectedthatheoughttohavethrusthislefthandintoo，andsohethrustitinthoughtoolate，and，stillmoreovercomewithconfusion，hebeatahastyretreatintothebackground。
`Ahund’edandtwenty-sixfo’admission！Ninety-eightagainst！’sangoutthevoiceofthesecretary，whocouldnotpronouncetheletterr。Thentherewasalaugh；abuttonandtwohazelnutswerefoundinthebox。Thenoblemanwasallowedtherighttovote，andthenewpartyhadconquered。
Buttheoldpartydidnotconsiderthemselvesconquered。LevinheardthattheywereaskingSnetkovtobecandidate，andhesawthatacrowdofnoblemenwassurroundingthemarshal，whowassayingsomething。Levinwentnearer。InreplySnetkovspokeofthetrustthenoblemenoftheprovincehadplacedinhim，theaffectiontheyhadshownhim，whichhedidnotdeserve，ashisonlymerithadbeenhisattachmenttothenobility，towhomhehaddevotedtwelveyearsofservice。Severaltimesherepeatedthewords:`Ihaveservedtothebestofmypowerswithtruthandgoodfaith；Ivalueyourgoodnessandthankyou，’andsuddenlyhestoppedshortfromthetearsthatchokedhim，andwentoutoftheroom。Whetherthesetearscamefromasenseoftheinjusticebeingdonehim，fromhisloveforthenobility，orfromthestrainofthepositionhewasplacedin，feelinghimselfsurroundedbyenemies，hisemotioninfectedtheassembly，themajorityweretouched，andLevinfeltatendernessforSnetkov。
InthedoorwaythemarshaloftheprovincejostledagainstLevin。
`Begpardon-excuseme，please，’hesaidastoastranger，but，recognizingLevin，hesmiledtimidly。ItseemedtoLevinthathewouldhavelikedtosaysomething，butcouldnotspeakforemotion。Hisfaceandhiswholefigureinhisuniformwiththecrosses，andwhitetrousersstripedwithgalloons，ashemovedhurriedlyalong，remindedLevinofsomehuntedbeastwhoseesthatheisinevilplight。Thisexpressiononthemarshal’sfacewasparticularlytouchingtoLevin，because，onlythedaybefore，hehadbeenathishouseabouthisguardianshipbusinessandhadseenhiminallhisgrandeur，akindhearted，fatherlyman。Thebighousewiththeoldfamilyfurniture；theratherslovenly，farfromstylish，butrespectfulfootmen-unmistakablyoldhouseserfswhohadstucktotheirmaster；thestout，good-naturedwifeinacapwithlaceandaTurkishshawl，pettingherprettygrandchild，herdaughter’sdaughter；theyoungson，asixth-formhighschoolboy，cominghomefromschool，andgreetinghisfatherbykissinghisbighand；thegenuine，cordialwordsandgesturesoftheoldman-allthishadthedaybeforerousedaninstinctivefeelingofrespectandsympathyinLevin。ThisoldmanwasatouchingandpatheticfiguretoLevinnow，andhelongedtosaysomethingpleasanttohim。
`Soyou’reourmarshalagain，’hesaid。
`It’snotlikely，’saidthemarshal，lookingroundwithascaredexpression。`I’mworn-out，I’mold。IftherearemenyoungerandmoredeservingthanI，letthemserve。’
Andthemarshaldisappearedthroughasidedoor。
Themostsolemnmomentwasathand。Theyweretoproceedimmediatelytotheelection。Theleadersofbothpartieswerereckoningwhiteandblackontheirfingers。
ThediscussionuponFliorovhadgiventhenewpartynotonlyFliorov’svote，buthadalsogainedtimeforthem，sothattheycouldsendtofetchthreenoblemenwhohadbeenrenderedunabletotakepartintheelectionsbythewilesoftheotherparty。Twonoblegentlemen，whohadaweaknessforstrongdrink，hadbeenmadedrunkbythepartisansofSnetkov，andathirdhadbeenrelievedofhisuniform。
Onlearningthis，thenewpartyhadmadehaste，duringthedisputeaboutFliorov，tosendsomeoftheirmeninacabtoclothethestrippedgentleman，andtobringalongoneoftheintoxicatedtothemeeting。
`I’vebroughtoneafterbringinghimtobythrowingwater-overhim，’saidthelandownerwhohadgoneonthiserrand，toSviiazhsky。`Nevermind-he’lldo。’
`Nottoodrunk-hewon’tfalldown？’saidSviiazhsky，shakinghishead。
`No，he’sfirst-rate。Ifonlytheydon’tgivehimanymorehere……I’vetoldthebarmannottogivehimanything，onanyaccount。’
Thenarrowroom，inwhichtheyweresmokingandtakingrefreshment，wasfullofnoblemen。Theexcitementgrewmoreintense，andeveryfacebetrayedsomeuneasiness。Theexcitementwasspeciallykeenfortheleadersofeachparty，whokneweverydetail，andhadreckonedupeveryvote。Theywerethegeneralsorganizingtheapproachingbattle。Therest，liketherankandfilebeforeanengagement，thoughtheyweregettingreadyforthefight，soughtforotherdistractionsintheinterval。Somewerelunching，standingatthebar，orsittingatthetable；otherswerewalkingupanddownthelongroom，smokingcigarettes，andtalkingwithfriendswhomtheyhadnotseenforalongwhile。
Levindidnotcaretoeat，andhewasnotasmoker；hedidnotwanttojoinhisownfriends-thatisSergeiIvanovich，StepanArkadyevich，Sviiazhsky，andtherest，becauseVronskyinhisequerry’suniformwasstandingwiththemineagerconversation。Levinhadseenhimalreadyatthemeetingonthepreviousday，andhehadstudiouslyavoidedhim，notcaringtogreethim。Hewenttothewindowandsatdown，scanningthegroups，andlisteningtowhatwasbeingsaidaroundhim。Hefeltdepressed，especiallybecauseeveryoneelsewas，ashesaw，eager，anxious，andinterested，andhealone，withanold，toothlesslittlemanwithmumblinglips，wearinganavaluniformwhosatbesidehim，hadnointerestinit，andnothingtodo。
`He’ssuchablackguard！Ihavetoldhimso，butitmakesnodifference。Onlythinkofit！Hecouldn’tcollectitinthreeyears！’heheardvigorouslyutteredbyastoop-shouldered，shortcountrygentleman，whohadpomadedhairhangingoverhisembroideredcollar，andnewbootsobviouslyputonfortheoccasion，withheelsthattappedenergeticallyashespoke。CastingadispleasedglanceatLevin，thisgentlemansharplyturnedhisback。
`Yes，it’sadirtybusiness，there’snodenying，’anotherpunylandownerassentedinahighvoice。
Next，awholecrowdofcountrygentlemen，surroundingastoutgeneral，hurriedlycamenearLevin。Thesepersonswereunmistakablyseekingaplacewheretheycouldtalkwithoutbeingoverheard。
`HowdarehesayIhadhisbreechesstolen！Pawnedthemfordrink，Iexpect。Damnthefellow-Princeindeed！He’dbetternotsayit-that’sswinish！’
`Butexcuseme！Theytaketheirstandontheact，’wasbeingsaidinanothergroup；`thewifemustberegisteredasanoble。’
`Oh，damnyouracts！Ispeakfrommyheart。We’reallgentlemen，aren’twe？Havetrustinus。’
`Shallwegoon，YourExcellency-finechampagne？’
Anothergroupwasfollowinganoblemanwhowasshoutingsomethinginaloudvoice；itwasoneofthethreeintoxicatedgentlemen。
`IalwaysadvisedMaryaSemionovnatoletforafairrent，forshecanneversaveaprofit，’heheardapleasantvoicesay。Thespeakerwasacountrygentlemanwithwhitemustache，wearingtheregimentaluniformofanoldgeneralstaffofficer。ItwastheverylandownerLevinhadmetatSviiazhsky’s。Heknewhimatonce。ThelandownertoostaredatLevin，andtheyexchangedgreetings。
`Verygladtoseeyou！Tobesure！Irememberyouverywell。Lastyearatourdistrictmarshal’s，NikolaiIvanovich’s。’
`Well，andhowisyourlanddoing？’askedLevin。
`Oh，stilljustthesame，alwaysataloss，’thelandowneransweredwitharesignedsmile，butwithanexpressionofserenityandconvictionthatitmustbethus。`Andhowdoyoucometobeinourprovince？’heasked。`Cometotakepartinourcoupd’état？’hesaid，confidentlypronouncingtheFrenchwordswithabadaccent。
`AllRussia’shere-gentlemenofthebedchamber，andeverythingshortoftheministry。’HepointedtotheimposingfigureofStepanArkadyevichinwhitetrousersandhiscourtuniform，walkingbywithageneral。
`IoughttoownthatIdon’tverywellunderstandthedriftoftheprovincialelections，’saidLevin。
Thelandownerlookedathim。
`Why，whatistheretounderstand？There’snomeaninginitatall。It’sadecayinginstitutionthatgoesonrunningonlybytheforceofinertia。Justlook，theveryuniformstellyouthatit’sanassemblyofjusticesofthepeace，permanentmembersoftheboards，andsoon，butnotofnoblemen。’
`Thenwhydoyoucome？’askedLevin。
`Fromhabit，nothingelse。Then，too，onemustkeepupconnections。It’samoralobligationofasort。Andthen，totellthetruth，thereareone’sowninterests。Myson-in-lawwantstorunasapermanentmember；they’renotrichpeople，andhemustbebroughtforward。Thesegentlemen，now-whatdotheycomefor？’hesaid，pointingtothevenomousgentleman，whowastalkingatthehightable。
`That’sthenewgenerationofnobility。’
`Newitmaybe，butnobilityitisn’t。They’relandedproprietors-butwe’rethelandowners。Asnoblemen，they’recuttingtheirownthroats。’
`Butyousayit’saninstitutionthat’sserveditstime。’
`Thatitmaybe，butstill，itoughttobetreatedalittlemorerespectfully。Snetkov，now……Wemaybeofuse，orwemaynot，butwe’rethegrowthofathousandyears。Ifwe’relayingoutagarden，planningonebeforethehouse，youknow，andthereyou’veatreethat’sstoodforcenturiesintheveryspot……Oldandgnarleditmaybe，andyetyoudon’tcutdowntheoldfellowtomakeroomfortheflowerbeds，butlayoutyourbedssoastotakeadvantageofthetree。Youwon’tgrowhimagaininayear，’hesaidcautiously，andheimmediatelychangedtheconversation。`Well，andhowisyourestatedoing？’
`Oh，notverywell。Imakeaboutfivepercent。’
`Yes，butyoudon’treckonyourownwork。Aren’tyouworthsomethingtoo？I’lltellyoumyowncase。BeforeItooktoseeingaftertheland，Ihadasalaryofthreethousandroublesfromtheservice。NowIdomoreworkthanIdidintheservice，and，likeyou，Igetfivepercentontheland，andthankGodforthat。Butone’sworkisthrowninfornothing。’
`Thenwhydoyoudoit，ifit’saclearloss？’
`Oh，well，onedoesit！Whatwouldyouhave？It’shabit，andoneknowsit’sasitshouldbe。Andwhat’smore，’thelandownerwenton，leaningonthewindowandchattingon，`myson，Imusttellyou，hasnotasteforit。There’snodoubthe’llbeasavant。Sothere’llbenoonetokeepitup。Andyetonedoesit。HerethisyearI’veplantedanorchard。’
`Yes，yes，’saidLevin，`that’sperfectlytrue。Ialwaysfeelthere’snorealbalanceofgaininmyworkontheland，andyetonedoesit……It’sasortofdutyonefeelstotheland。’
`ButItellyouwhat，’thelandownerpursued；`aneighborofmine，amerchant，wasatmyplace。Wewalkedaboutthefieldsandthepark。``No，’saidhe，``StepanVassilyevich-everything’swelllookedafterbutyourgarden’sneglected。’But，asafact，it’swellkeptup。``Tomythinking，I’dcutdownthelindentrees。Onlydoitwhenthey’rerunningsap。Here’sathousandlindens，andeachwouldmaketwogoodbundlesofbast。Andnowadaysthatbast’sworthsomething。Andyou’dcutdownthelotofthelindenshells。’’
`Andwithwhathemadehe’dbuyuplivestock，orbuysomelandforatrifle，andletitouttothepeasants，’Levinadded，smiling。Hehadevidentlymorethanoncecomeacrossthosecommercialcalculations。`Andhe’dmakehisfortune。ButyouandImustthankGodifwekeepwhatwe’vegotandleaveittoourchildren。’
`You’remarried，I’veheard？’saidthelandowner。
`Yes，’Levinanswered，withproudsatisfaction。`Yes，allthisisratherstrange，’hewenton。`Soweliveonwithoutanyreckoning，asthoughwewerethevestalsofantiquity，settoguardasacredfireorsomething。’
Thelandownerchuckledunderhiswhitemustaches。
`Therearesomeamongus，too，likeourfriendNikolaiIvanovich，orCountVronsky，who’ssettledherelately-theytrytosetupanagronomicindustry；butsofaritleadstonothingbutmakingawaywithcapital。’
`Butwhyisitwedon’tdolikethemerchants？Whydon’twecutdownourparksforbast？’saidLevin，returningtoathoughtthathadstruckhim。
`Why，asyousaid，toguardthefire。Besides，that’snotworkforanobleman。Andourworkasnoblemenisn’tdonehereattheelections，butyonder，eachinhisownnook。There’saclassinstinct，too，ofwhatoneoughtandoughtn’ttodo。Therearethepeasants，too-Iwonderatthemsometimes；anygoodpeasanttriestotakeallthelandhecan。Howeverbadthelandis，he’llworkit。Withoutareckoningtoo。Atasimpleloss。’
`Justaswedo，’saidLevin。`Very，verygladtohavemetyou，’headded，seeingSviiazhskyapproachinghim。
`Andherewe’vemetforthefirsttimesincewemetatyourplace，’saidthelandownertoSviiazhsky，`andwe’vehadagoodtalk，too。’
`Well，haveyoubeenattackingtheneworderofthings？’saidSviiazhskywithasmile。
`Thatwe’reboundtodo。’
`You’vebeenrelievingyourfeelings。’
SviiazhskytookLevin’sarm，andwentwithhimtohisownfriends。ThistimetherewasnoavoidingVronsky。HewasstandingwithStepanArkadyevichandSergeiIvanovich，andlookingstraightatLevinashedrewnear。
`Delighted！IbelieveI’vehadthepleasureofmeetingyou……atPrincessShcherbatskaia’s，’hesaid，givingLevinhishand。
`Yes，Iquiterememberourmeeting，’saidLevin，and，blushingcrimson，heturnedawayimmediately，andbegantalkingtohisbrother。
WithaslightsmileVronskywentontalkingtoSviiazhsky，obviouslywithouttheslightestinclinationtoenterintoconversationwithLevin。ButLevin，ashetalkedtohisbrother，wascontinuallylookingroundatVronsky，tryingtothinkofsomethingtosaytohimtosmoothoverhisrudeness。
`Whatarewewaitingfornow？’askedLevin，lookingatSviiazhskyandVronsky。
`ForSnetkov。Hehastorefuseoracceptthecandidacy，’answeredSviiazhsky。
`Well，andwhathashedone-consentedornot？’
`That’sthepoint:he’sdoneneither，’saidVronsky。
`Andifherefuses，whowillrunthen？’askedLevin，lookingatVronsky。
`Whoeverchoosesto，’saidSviiazhsky。
`Shallyou？’askedLevin。
`CertainlynotI，’saidSviiazhsky，lookingconfused，andturninganalarmedglanceatthevenomousgentleman，whowasstandingbesideSergeiIvanovich。
`Whothen？Neviedovsky？’saidLevin，feelinghewasputtinghisfootintoit。
Butthiswasworsestill。NeviedovskyandSviiazhskywerethetwocandidates。
`Icertainlyshallnot，underanycircumstances，’answeredthevenomousgentleman。
ThiswasNeviedovskyhimself。SviiazhskyintroducedhimtoLevin。
`Well，doyoufinditexcitingtoo？’saidStepanArkadyevich，winkingatVronsky。`It’ssomethinglikearace。Onemightbetonit。’
`Yes，itiskeenlyexciting，’saidVronsky。`Andoncetakingthethingup，one’seagertoseeitthrough。It’safight！’hesaid，scowlingandsettinghispowerfuljaws。
`WhatabusinessmanSviiazhskyis！Seesitallsoclearly。’
`Oh，yes！’Vronskyassentedindifferently。
Asilencefollowed，duringwhichVronsky-sincehehadtolookatsomething-lookedatLevin，athisfeet，athisfrockcoat，thenathisface，andnoticinghisgloomyeyesfixeduponhim，hesaid，inordertosaysomething:
`Howisitthatyou，livingconstantlyinthecountry，arenotajusticeofthepeace？Youarenotintheuniformofone。’
`It’sbecauseIconsiderthejusticeofthepeaceasillyinstitution，’moroselyansweredLevin，whohadbeenallthetimelookingforanopportunitytoenterintoconversationwithVronsky，soastosmoothoverhisrudenessattheirfirstmeeting。
`Idon’tthinkso-quitethecontrary，’Vronskysaid，withcalmsurprise。
`It’saplaything，’Levincuthimshort。`Wedon’twantjusticesofthepeace。I’veneverhadasinglethingtodowiththemduringeightyears。AndwhatIhavehad，wasdecidedwronglybythem。Thejusticeofthepeaceisoverthirtymilesfromme。Foramatteroftworoublesorso，Ishouldhavetosendalawyer，whocostsmefifteen。’
Andherelatedhowapeasanthadstolensomeflourfromthemiller，andwhenthemillertoldhimofit，hadlodgedacomplaintforslander。Allthiswasutterlyuncalled-forandstupid，andLevinfeltithimselfashesaidit。
`Oh，thisissuchanoriginalfellow！’saidStepanArkadyevichwithhismostsoothing，almond-oilsmile。`Butcomealong；Ithinkthey’revoting……’
Andtheyseparated。
`Ican’tunderstand，’saidSergeiIvanovich，whohadobservedhisbrother’sgaucherie，`Ican’tunderstandhowanyonecanbesoabsolutelydevoidofpoliticaltact。That’swhereweRussiansaresodeficient。Themarshaloftheprovinceisouropponent，andwithhimyou’reamicochon，andyoubeghimtobecandidate。CountVronsky，now……I’mnotmakingafriendofhim-he’saskedmetodinner，andI’mnotgoing；buthe’soneofourside-whymakeanenemyofhim？ThenyouaskNeviedovskyifhe’sgoingtorun。That’snotdone。’
`Oh，Idon’tunderstanditatall！Andit’sallsuchnonsense，’Levinansweredsomberly。
`Yousayit’sallsuchnonsense-yetassoonasyouhaveanythingtodowithit，youmakeamuddle。’
Levindidnotanswer，andtheywalkedtogetherintothebigroom。
Themarshaloftheprovince，thoughhewasvaguelyconsciousintheairofsometrapbeingpreparedforhim，andthoughhehadnotbeencalleduponbyalltorun，hadneverthelessmadeuphismindtorunforoffice。Allwassilenceintheroom。ThesecretaryannouncedinaloudvoicethatMikhailStepanovichSnetkov，captainoftheguards，wouldnowbeballotedforasmarshaloftheprovince。
Thedistrictmarshalswalkedcarryingplates，onwhichwereballs，fromtheirtablestotheprovincetable，andtheelectionbegan。
`Putitintherightside，’whisperedStepanArkadyevich，asLevinwithhisbrotherfollowedthemarshalofhisdistricttothetable。ButLevinhadforgottenbynowthemachinationthathadbeenexplainedtohim，andwasafraidStepanArkadyevichmightbemistakeninsaying`therightside。’SurelySnetkovwastheenemy。Ashewentup，heheldtheballinhisrighthand，butthinkinghewaswrong，justattheboxhechangedtothelefthand，andundoubtedlyputtheballtotheleft。Anadeptinthebusiness，standingattheboxandseeingbythemereactionoftheelbowwhereeachputhisball，scowledwithannoyance。Itwasnogoodforhimtousehisinsight。
Everythingwasstill，andthecountingoftheballswasheard。Thenasinglevoiceroseandproclaimedthenumbersforandagainst。
Themarshalhadbeenvotedforbyaconsiderablemajority。Allwasnoiseandeagermovementtowardthedoors。Snetkovcamein，andthenoblesthrongedroundhim，congratulatinghim。
`Well，now，isitover？’LevinaskedSergeiIvanovich。
`It’sonlyjustbeginning，’Sviiazhskysaid，replyingforSergeiIvanovichwithasmile。`Someothercandidatemayreceivemorevotesthanthemarshal。’
Levinhadquiteforgottenaboutthatagain。Nowhecouldonlyrememberthattherewassomesortoftrickeryinit，buthewastooboredtothinkwhatitwasexactly。Hefeltdepressed，andlongedtogetoutofthecrowd。
Asnoonewaspayinganyattentiontohim，andnooneapparentlyneededhim，hequietlyslippedawayintothelittleroomwheretherefreshmentswere，andagainhadagreatsenseofcomfortwhenhesawthewaiters。Thelittleoldwaiterpressedhimtohavesomething，andLevinagreed。Aftereatingacutletwithbeansandtalkingtothewaitersoftheirformermasters，Levin，notwishingtogobacktothehall，whereitwasallsodistastefultohim，proceededtowalkthroughthegalleries。
Thegallerieswerefulloffashionablydressedladies，leaningoverthebalustradeandtryingnottoloseasinglewordofwhatwasbeingsaidbelow。Withtheladiesweresittingandstandingsmartlawyers，highschoolteachersinspectacles，andofficers。Everywheretheyweretalkingoftheelection，andofhowworriedthemarshalwas，andhowsplendidthediscussionshadbeen。InonegroupLevinheardhisbrother’spraises。Oneladywastellingalawyer:
`HowgladIamIheardKoznishev！It’sworthmissingone’slunch。He’sexquisite！Soclearanddistinct-allofit！There’snotoneofyouinthelawcourtsthatspeakslikethat。TheonlyoneisMeidel，andhe’sveryfarfrombeingsoeloquent。’
Findingafreeplace，Levinleanedoverthebalustradeandbeganlookingandlistening。
Allthenoblemenweresittingrailedoffbehindbarriers，accordingtotheirdistricts。Inthemiddleoftheroomstoodamaninauniform，whoshoutedinaloudhighvoice:
`AsacandidateforthemarshalshipofthenobilityoftheprovincewecalluponstaffcaptainEugeniiIvanovichApukhtin！’Adeadsilencefollowed，andthenaweakoldvoicewasheard:
`Declined！’
`WecallupontheprivycouncilorPiotrPetrovichBol，’thevoicebeganagain。
`Declined！’ahighboyishvoicereplied。
Againitbegan，andagaincamethe`Declined。’Andsoitwentonforaboutanhour。Levin，withhiselbowsonthebalustrade，lookedandlistened。Atfirsthewonderedandwantedtoknowwhatitmeant；thenfeelingsurethathecouldnotmakeitouthebegantobebored。Then，recallingalltheexcitementandvindictivenesshehadseenonallthefaces，hefeltsad；hemadeuphismindtogo，andwentdownstairs。Ashepassedthroughtheentrytothegallerieshemetadejectedhighschoolboywalkingupanddownwithtired-lookingeyes。Onthestairshemetacouple-aladyrunningquicklyonherhighheelsandthejauntydeputyprosecutor。
`Itoldyouyouweren’tlate，’thedeputyprosecutorwassayingatthemomentwhenLevinmovedasidetolettheladypass。
Levinwasonthestairstothewayout，andwasjustfeelinginhiswaistcoatpocketforhisovercoatcheck，whenthesecretaryovertookhim。`Thisway，please，KonstantinDmitrievich；theyarevoting。’
ThecandidatewhowasbeingvotedonwasNeviedovsky，whohadsostoutlydeniedallideaofcandidacy。
Levinwentuptothedooroftheroom；itwaslocked。Thesecretaryknocked，thedooropened，andLevinwasmetbytwored-facedgentlemen，whodartedout。
`Ican’tstandanymoreofit，’saidonered-facedgentleman。
Afterthemthefaceofthemarshaloftheprovincewaspokedout。Hisfacewasdreadful-lookingfromexhaustionanddismay。
`Itoldyounottoletanyoneout！’hecriedtothedoorkeeper。
`Iletsomeonein，YourExcellency！’
`Mercyonus！’Andwithaheavysighthemarshaloftheprovincewalkedwithdowncastheadtothehightableinthemiddleoftheroom，hiswhite-trouseredlegswaveringfromfatigue。
Neviedovskyhadscoredahighermajority，astheyhadplanned，andhewasthenewmarshaloftheprovince。Manypeoplewereamused，manywerepleasedandhappy，manywereinecstasies，manyweredisgustedandunhappy。Theformermarshaloftheprovincewasinastateofdespairwhichhecouldnotconceal。WhenNeviedovskywentoutoftheroom，thecrowdthrongedroundhimandfollowedhimenthusiastically，justastheyhadfollowedthegovernoronthefirstday，whenhehadopenedthemeetings，andjustastheyhadfollowedSnetkovwhenhehadbeenelected。