`Oblonsky’scarriage！’theportershoutedinanangrybass。Thecarriagedroveupandbothgotin。Itwasonlyforthefirstfewmoments，whilethecarriagewasdrivingoutoftheclubhousegates，thatLevinwasstillundertheinfluenceoftheclubatmosphereofrepose，comfort，andunimpeachablegoodform。Butassoonasthecarriagedroveoutintothestreet，andhefeltitjoltingovertheunevenroad，heardtheangryshoutofadrivercomingtowardthem，sawintheuncertainlighttheredblindofatavernandtheshops，thisimpressionwasdissipated，andhebegantothinkoverhisactions，andtowonderwhetherhewasdoingrightingoingtoseeAnna。WhatwouldKittysay？ButStepanArkadyevichgavehimnotimeforreflection，and，asthoughdivininghisdoubts，hedispersedthem。
`HowgladIam，’hesaid，`thatyoushouldknowher！YouknowDollyhaslongwishedforit。AndLvov’sbeentoseeher，andoftengoes。Thoughsheismysister，’StepanArkadyevichpursued，`Idon’thesitatetosaythatshe’saremarkablewoman……Butyouwillsee。Herpositionisverypainful，especiallynow。’
`Whyespeciallynow？’
`Wearecarryingonnegotiationswithherhusbandaboutadivorce。Andhe’sagreed；buttherearedifficultiesinregardtotheson，andthebusiness，whichoughttohavebeenarrangedlongago，hasbeendraggingonforthreemonthspast。Assoonasthedivorceisover，shewillmarryVronsky。Howstupidtheseoldritualformsare-``Isaiah，rejoice！’-whichnoonebelievesin，andwhichonlypreventpeoplebeingcomfortable！’StepanArkadyevichputin。`Well，thentheirpositionwillbeasregularasmine，asyours。’
`Whatisthedifficulty？’saidLevin。
`Oh，it’salongandtediousstoryThewholebusinessisinsuchanindefinitestatewithus。Butthepointis，shehasbeenforthreemonthsinMoscow，whereeveryoneknowsher，waitingforthedivorce；shegoesoutnowhere，seesnowomanexceptDolly，because，doyouunderstand，shedoesn’tcaretohavepeoplecomeasafavor。ThatfoolPrincessVarvara，evenshehaslefther，consideringthisabreachofpropriety。Well，yousee，insuchapositionanyotherwomanwouldnothavefoundresourcesinherself。Butyou’llseehowshehasarrangedherlife-howcalm，howdignifiedsheis。Totheleft，inthealleyoppositethechurch！’shoutedStepanArkadyevich，leaningoutofthewindowofthecarriage。`Phew！Howhotitis！’hesaid，inspiteoftwelvedegreesoffrost，flingingopenhisunbuttonedovercoatstillmore。
`Butshehasadaughter:nodoubtshe’sbusylookingafterher？’saidLevin。
`Ibelieveyoupictureeverywomansimplyasafemale，unecouveuse，’saidStepanArkadyevich。`Ifshe’soccupied，itmustbewithherchildren。No，shebringsherupcapitally，Ibelieve，butonedoesn’thearabouther。She’sbusy，inthefirstplace，withwhatshewrites。Iseeyou’resmilingironically，butyou’rewrong。She’swritingachildren’sbook，anddoesn’ttalkaboutittoanyone，butshereadittomeandIgavethemanuscripttoVorkuev……youknow，thepublisher……Andhe’sanauthorhimselftoo，Ifancy。Heunderstandsthosethings，andhesaysit’saremarkablepieceofwork。Butareyoufancyingshe’sawritingwoman？Notabitofit。She’sawomanwithaheart，beforeeverything，butyou’llsee。NowshehasalittleEnglishgirlwithher，andawholefamilyshe’slookingafter。’
`Oh，somethinginaphilanthropicway？’
`Why，youwilllookateverythingintheworstlight。It’snotfromphilanthropy，it’sfromtheheart。They-thatis，Vronsky-hadatrainer，anEnglishman，first-rateinhisownline，butadrunkard。He’scompletelygivenuptodrink-deliriumtremens-andthefamilywerecastontheworld。Shesawthem，helpedthem，gotmoreandmoreinterestedinthem，andnowthewholefamilyisonherhands。Butnotbywayofpatronage，youknow，helpingwithmoney；she’sherselfpreparingtheboysinRussianforthehighschool，andshe’stakenthelittlegirltolivewithher。Butyou’llseeherforyourself。’
Thecarriagedroveintothecourtyard，andStepanArkadyevichrangloudlyattheentrancewhereasleighwasstanding。
And，withoutaskingtheservantwhoopenedthedoorwhethertheladywereathome，StepanArkadyevichwalkedintothehall。Levinfollowedhim，moreandmoredoubtfulwhetherheweredoingrightorwrong。
Lookingathimselfintheglass，Levinnoticedthathewasredintheface，buthefeltcertainhewasnotdrunk，andhefollowedStepanArkadyevichupthecarpetedstairs。AtthetopStepanArkadyevichinquiredofthefootman，whobowedtohimastoanintimatefriend，whowaswithAnnaArkadyevna，andreceivedtheanswerthatitwasM。Vorkuev。
`Wherearethey？’
`Inthestudy。’
Passingthroughthediningroom，aroomnotverylarge，withdarkpaneledwalls，StepanArkadyevichandLevinwalkedoverthesoftcarpettothehalf-darkstudy，lightedupbyasinglelampwithabigdarkshade。Anotherlampwithareflectorwashangingonthewall，lightingupabigfull-lengthportraitofawoman，whichLevincouldnothelplookingat。ItwastheportraitofAnna，paintedinItalybyMikhailov。WhileStepanArkadyevichwentbehindthetreillage，andtheman’svoicewhichhadbeenspeakingpaused，Levingazedattheportrait，whichstoodoutfromtheframeinthebrilliantlightthrownonit，andhecouldnottearhimselfawayfromit。Hepositivelyforgotwherehewas，andnotevenhearingwhatwassaid，hecouldnottakehiseyesoffthemarvelousportrait。Itwasnotapicture，butaliving，charmingwoman，withblackcurlinghair，withbarearmsandshoulders，withapensivesmileonthelips，coveredwithsoftdown；triumphantlyandsoftlyshelookedathimwitheyesthatbaffledhim。Shewasnotliving，onlybecauseshewasmorebeautifulthananylivingwomancanbe。
`Iamdelighted。’Heheardsuddenlynearhimavoice，unmistakablyaddressinghim，thevoiceoftheverywomanhehadbeenadmiringintheportrait。Annahadcomefrombehindthetreillagetomeethim，andLevinsawinthedimlightofthestudytheverywomanoftheportrait，inadark-bluegownofchangeableblue，notinthesamepositionnorwiththesameexpression，butwiththesameperfectionofbeautywhichtheartisthadcaughtintheportrait。Shewaslessdazzlinginreality，but，ontheotherhand，therewassomethingfreshandseductiveinthelivingwomanwhichwasnotintheportrait。
Shehadrisentomeethim，withoutconcealingherpleasureatseeinghim；andinthequieteasewithwhichsheheldoutherlittleandvigoroushand，introducedhimtoVorkuev，andindicatedared-haired，prettylittlegirlwhowassittingatwork，callingherherpupil，Levinrecognizedandlikedthemannersofawomanofthegreatworld，alwaysself-possessedandnatural。
`Iamdelighted，delighted，’sherepeated，andonherlipsthesesimplewordstookforLevin’searsaspecialsignificance。`Ihaveknownyouandlikedyouforalongwhile，bothfromyourfriendshipwithStivaandforyourwife’ssake……Iknewherforaveryshorttime，butsheleftonmetheimpressionofanexquisiteflower-justaflower。Andtothinkshewillsoonbeamother！’
Shespokeeasilyandwithouthaste，lookingnowandthenfromLevintoherbrother，andLevinfeltthattheimpressionhewasmakingwasgood，andhefeltimmediatelyathome，ateaseandhappywithher，asthoughhehadknownherfromchildhood。
`IvanPetrovichandIsettledinAlexei’sstudy，’shesaidinanswertoStepanArkadyevich’squestionwhetherhemightsmoke，`justsoastobeabletosmoke’-andglancingatLevin，insteadofaskingwhetherhewouldsmoke，shepulledcloseratortoise-shellcigarettecaseandtookacorn-leafcigarette。
`Howareyoufeelingtoday？’herbrotheraskedher。
`Oh，nothing。Nerves，asusual。’
`Yes，isn’titextraordinarilyfine？’saidStepanArkadyevich，noticingthatLevinwasglancingatthepicture。
`Ihaveneverseenabetterportrait。’
`Andextraordinarilylike，isn’tit？’saidVorkuev。
Levinlookedfromtheportraittotheoriginal。ApeculiarbrilliancelightedupAnna’sfacewhenshefelthiseyesonher。Levinflushed，andtocoverhisconfusionwouldhaveaskedwhethershehadseenDaryaAlexandrovnalately；butatthatmomentAnnaspoke:
`Wewerejusttalking，IvanPetrovichandI，ofVashchenkov’slastpictures。Haveyouseenthem？’
`Yes，Ihaveseenthem，’answeredLevin。
`But，Ibegyourpardon，Iinterruptedyou……Youweresaying？……’
LevinaskedifshehadseenDollylately。
`Shewashereyesterday。ShewasveryindignantwiththehighschoolpeopleonGrisha’saccount。TheLatinteacher，itseems，hadbeenunfairtohim。’
`Yes，Ihaveseenhispictures。Ididn’tcareforthemverymuch，’Levinwentbacktothesubjectshehadstarted。
Levintalkednownotatallwiththatpurelybusinesslikeattitudetothesubjectwithwhichhehadbeentalkingallthemorning。Everywordinhisconversationwithherhadaspecialsignificance。Andtalkingtoherwaspleasant；stillpleasanterwasittolistentoher。
Annatalkednotmerelynaturallyandcleverly，butcleverlyandcarelessly，attachingnovaluetoherownideasandgivinggreatweighttotheideasofthepersonshewastalkingto。
Theconversationturnedonthenewmovementinart，onthenewillustrationsoftheBiblebyaFrenchartist。Vorkuevattackedtheartistforarealismcarriedtothepointofcoarseness。LevinsaidthattheFrenchhadcarriedconventionalityfurtherthananyone，andthatconsequentlytheyseeagreatmeritinthereturntorealism。Inthefactofnotlyingtheyseepoetry。
NeverhadanythingcleversaidbyLevingivenhimsomuchpleasureasthisremark。Anna’sfacelightedupatonce，assheimmediatelyappreciatedthethought。Shelaughed。
`Ilaugh，’shesaid，`asonelaughswhenoneseesaverytrueportrait。WhatyousaidsoperfectlyhitsoffFrenchartnow，painting-andliteraturetoo，indeed-Zola，Daudet。Butperhapsitisalwaysso，thatmenformtheirconceptionsfromfictitious，conventionaltypes，andthen-allthecombinaisonsmade-theyaretiredofthefictitiousfiguresandbegintoinventmorenatural，truefigures。’
`That’sperfectlytrue，’saidVorkuev。
`Soyou’vebeenattheclub？’shesaidtoherbrother。
`Yes，yes，thisawoman！’Levinthought，forgettinghimselfandstaringpersistentlyatherlovely，mobileface，whichatthatmomentwasallatoncecompletelytransformed。Levindidnothearwhatshewastalkingofassheleanedovertoherbrother，buthewasstruckbythechangeofherexpression。Herface-sohandsomeamomentbeforeinitsrepose-suddenlyworealookofstrangecuriosity，anger，andpride。Butthislastedonlyaninstant。Shehalf-closedhereyes，asthoughrecollectingsomething。
`Oh，well，butthat’sofnointeresttoanyone，’shesaid，andsheturnedtotheEnglishgirl。
`Pleaseordertheteainthedrawingroom，’shesaidinEnglish。
Thegirlgotupandwentout。
`Well，howdidshegetthroughherexamination？’askedStepanArkadyevich。
`Splendidly！She’saverygiftedchildandasweetcharacter。’
`Itwillendinyourlovinghermorethanyourown。’
`Thereamanspeaks。Inlovethere’snosuchthingasmoreorless。Ilovemydaughterwithonelove，andherwithanother。’
`IwasjusttellingAnnaArkadyevna，’saidVorkuev，`thatifsheweretoputahundredthpartoftheenergyshedevotestothisEnglishgirltothepublicquestionoftheeducationofRussianchildren，shewouldbedoingagreatandusefulwork。’
`Yes，butIcan’thelpit；Icouldn’tdoit。CountAlexeiKirillovichurgedmeverymuch’assheutteredthewordsCountAlexeiKirillovichsheglancedwithappealingtimidityatLevin，andheunconsciouslyrespondedwitharespectfulandreassuringlook，`heurgedmetotakeuptheschoolinthevillage。Ivisiteditseveraltimes。Thechildrenwereverydear，butIcouldnotfeeldrawntothework。Youspeakofenergy。Energyrestsuponlove；and，comeasitwill，there’snoforcingit。Itooktothischild-Icouldnotmyselfsaywhy。’
AndsheglancedagainatLevin。Andhersmileandherglance-alltoldhimthatitwastohimonlyshewasaddressingherwords，valuinghisgoodopinion，andatthesametimesurebeforehandthattheyunderstoodoneanother。
`Iquiteunderstandthat，’Levinanswered。`It’simpossibletogiveone’shearttoaschoolorsuchinstitutionsingeneral，andIbelievethatthat’sjustwhyphilanthropicinstitutionsalwaysgivesuchpoorresults。’
Shewassilentforawhile，thenshesmiled。`Yes，yes，’sheagreed；`Inevercould。Jen’aipaslecoeurassezlargetoloveawholeasylumofhorridlittlegirls。Celanem’ajamaisréussi。Therearesomanywomenwhohavemadethemselvesunepositionsocialeinthatway。Andnowmorethanever，’shesaidwithamournful，confidingexpression，ostensiblyaddressingherbrother，butunmistakablyintendingherwordsonlyforLevin，`nowwhenIhavesuchneedofsomeoccupation，Icannot。’AndsuddenlyfrowningLevinsawthatshewasfrowningatherselffortalkingaboutherselfshechangedthesubject。`Iknowaboutyou，’shesaidtoLevin；`thatyou’renotapublic-spiritedcitizen，andIhavedefendedyoutothebestofmyability。’
`Howhaveyoudefendedme？’
`Oh，accordingtotheattacksmadeonyou。Butwon’tyouhavesometea？’Sheroseandtookupabookboundinmorocco。
`Giveittome，AnnaArkadyevna，’saidVorkuev，indicatingthebook。`It’swellworthtakingup。’
`Oh，no，it’sallsosketchy。’
`Itoldhimaboutit，’StepanArkadyevichsaidtohissister，noddingatLevin。
`Youshouldn’thave。MywritingissomethingafterthefashionofthoselittlebasketsandcarvingswhichLizaMertsalovausedtosellmefromtheprisons。Shehadthedirectionoftheprisondepartmentinthatsociety，’sheturnedtoLevin；`andtheyweremiraclesofpatience，theworkofthosepoorwretches。’
AndLevinsawanewtraitinthiswoman，whoattractedhimsoextraordinarily。Besideswit，grace，andbeauty，shehadtruth。Shehadnowishtohidefromhimallthebitternessofherposition。Asshesaidthatshesighed，andherface，suddenlyassumingahardexpression，looked，asitwere，turnedtostone。Withthatexpressiononherfaceshewasmorebeautifulthanever；buttheexpressionwasnew；itwasutterlyunlikethatexpression，radiantwithhappinessandcreatinghappiness，whichhadbeencaughtbythepainterinherportrait。Levinlookedmorethanonceattheportraitandatherfigure，astakingherbrother’sarmshewalkedwithhimtothehighdoors，andhefeltforheratendernessandpityatwhichhewonderedhimself。
SheaskedLevinandVorkuevtogointothedrawingroom，whileshestayedbehindtosayafewwordstoherbrother。`Aboutherdivorce，aboutVronsky，andwhathe’sdoingattheclub，aboutme？’wonderedLevin。AndhewassokeenlyinterestedbythequestionofwhatshewassayingtoStepanArkadyevich，thathescarcelyheardwhatVorkuevwastellinghimofthequalitiesofthestoryforchildrenAnnaArkadyevnahadwritten。
Atteathesamepleasantsortoftalk，fullofinterestingmatter，continued。Therewasnotasingleinstantwhenasubjectforconversationwastoseek；onthecontrary，itwasfeltthatonehadhardlytimetosaywhatonehadtosay，andeagerlyheldbacktohearwhattheothersweresaying。Andallthatwassaid，notonlybyher，butbyVorkuevandStepanArkadyevich-all，soitseemedtoLevin，gainedpeculiarsignificancefromherattentiontohimandhercriticism。
Whilehefollowedthisinterestingconversation，Levinwasallthetimeadmiringher-herbeauty，herintelligence，herculture，andatthesametimeherdirectnessandhercordiality。Helistenedandtalked，andallthewhilehewasthinkingofherinnerlife，tryingtodivineherfeelings。Andthoughhehadjudgedhersoseverelyhitherto，nowbysomestrangechainofreasoninghewasjustifyingherandalsowassorryforher，andafraidthatVronskydidnotfullyunderstandher。Atteno’clock，whenStepanArkadyevichgotuptogoVorkuevhadleftearlier，itseemedtoLevinthathehadonlyjustcome。RegretfullyLevintoorose。
`Good-by，’shesaid，holdinghishandandglancingintohisfacewithawinninglook。`Iamverygladquelaglaceestrompue。’
Shedroppedhishand，andhalf-closedhereyes。
`TellyourwifethatIloveherasbefore，andthatifshecannotpardonmemyposition，thenmywishforheristhatshemayneverpardonme。Topardonit，onemustgothroughwhatIhavegonethrough，andmayGodspareherthat。’
`Certainly，yes，Iwilltellher……’Levinsaid，blushing。
`Whatamarvelous，sweetandunhappywoman！’hewasthinking，ashesteppedoutintothefrostyairwithStepanArkadyevich。
`Well，didn’tItellyou？’saidStepanArkadyevich，seeingthatLevinhadbeencompletelywonover。
`Yes，’saidLevinpensively，`anextraordinarywoman！It’snothercleverness，butshehassuchwonderfuldepthoffeeling。I’mawfullysorryforher！’
`Now，pleaseGodeverythingwillsoonbesettled。Well，well，don’tbehardonpeopleinfuture，’saidStepanArkadyevich，openingthecarriagedoor。`Good-by；wedon’tgothesameway。’
StillthinkingofAnna，ofeverything，eventhesimplestphraseintheirconversationwithher，andrecallingtheminutestchangesinherexpression，enteringmoreandmoreintoherposition，andfeelingsympathyforher，Levinreachedhome。
AthomeKouzmatoldLevinthatKaterinaAlexandrovnawasquitewell，andthathersistershadjustgone，andhehandedhimtwoletters。Levinreadthematonceinthehall，thathemightnotoverlookthemlater。OnewasfromSokolov，hisbailiff。Sokolovwrotethatthewheatcouldnotbesold，thatthepricewasonlyfiveandahalfroubles，andthathedidnotknowwherehehadtogetthemoney。Theotherletterwasfromhissister。Shescoldedhimforherbusinessbeingstillunsettled。
`Well，wemustsellitatfiveandahalfifwecan’tgetmore，’Levindecidedonthespotthefirstquestionwhichhadalwaysbeforeseemedsuchaweightyone，withextraordinaryfacility。`It’sextraordinaryhowallone’stimeistakenuphere，’hethought，consideringthesecondletter。Hefelthimselftoblamefornothavinggotdonewhathissisterhadaskedhimtodoforher。`Today，again，I’venotbeentocourt，buttodayI’vecertainlynothadtime。’Andresolvingthathewouldnotfailtodoitnextday，hewentuptohiswife。Ashewentin，Levinmentallyranrapidlythroughthedayhehadspent。Alltheeventsofthedaywereconversations:conversationshehadheardandtakenpartin。Alltheconversationswereuponsubjectswhich，ifhehadbeenaloneinthecountry，hewouldneverhavetakenup，butheretheywereveryinteresting。Andalltheseconversationswererightenough，onlyintwoplacestherewassomethingnotquiteright。Onewaswhathehadsaidaboutthecarp，theotherwassomethingnotquitethethinginthetendersympathyhewasfeelingforAnna。
Levinfoundhiswifelow-spiritedanddull。Thedinnerofthethreesistershadgoneoffverywell，butthentheyhadwaitedandwaitedforhim，allofthemhadfeltdull，thesistershaddeparted，andshehadbeenleftalone。
`Well，andwhathaveyoubeendoing？’sheaskedhim，lookingstraightintohiseyes，whichshonewithratherasuspiciousbrightness。Butthatshemightnotpreventhistellinghereverything，sheconcealedherclosescrutinyofhim，andwithanapprovingsmilelistenedtohisaccountofhowhehadspenttheevening。
`Well，I’mverygladImetVronsky。Ifeltquiteateaseandnaturalwithhim。Youunderstand，Ishalltrynottoseehim，butI’mgladthatthisawkwardnessisallover，’hesaid，andrememberingthat，bywayoftryingnottoseehim，hehadimmediatelygonetocallonAnna，heblushed。`Wetalkaboutthepeasantsdrinking；Idon’tknowwhodrinksmost，thepeasantryorourownclass；thepeasantsdoitonholidays，but……’
ButKittytooknottheslightestinterestindiscussingthedrinkinghabitsofthepeasants。Shesawthatheblushed，andshewantedtoknowwhy。
`Well，andthenwheredidyougo？’
`StivaurgedmeawfullytogoandseeAnnaArkadyevna。’
Andashesaidthis，Levinblushedevenmore，andhisdoubtsastowhetherhehaddonerightingoingtoseeAnnaweresettledonceforall。Heknewnowthatheoughtnottohavedoneso。
Kitty’seyesopenedinacuriouswayandgleamedatAnna’sname，butcontrollingherselfwithaneffort，sheconcealedheremotionanddeceivedhim。
`Oh！’wasallshesaid。
`I’msureyouwon’tbeangryatmygoing。Stivabeggedmeto，andDollywishedit，’Levinwenton。
`Oh，no！’shesaid，buthesawinhereyesaconstraintthatbodedhimnogood。
`Sheisaverysweet，avery，veryunhappy，goodwoman，’hesaid，tellingheraboutAnna，heroccupations，andwhatshehadtoldhimtosaytoher。
`Yes，ofcourse，sheisverymuchtobepitied，’saidKitty，whenhehadfinished。`Whomwasyourletterfrom？’
Hetoldher，andbelievinginhercalmtone，hewenttochangehiscoat。
Comingback，hefoundKittyinthesameeasychair。Whenhewentuptoher，sheglancedathimandbrokeintosobs。
`What？Whatisit？’heasked，knowingbeforehandwhat。
`You’reinlovewiththathatefulwoman；shehasbewitchedyou！Isawitinyoureyes。Yes，yes！Whatcanitallleadto？Youweredrinkingattheclub，drinkingandgambling，andthenyouwent……Where？No，wemustgoaway……Ishallgoawaytomorrow。’
ItwasalongwhilebeforeLevincouldsoothehiswife。Atlasthesucceededincalmingher，onlybyconfessingthatafeelingofpity，inconjunctionwiththewinehehaddrunk，hadbeentoomuchforhim；thathehadsuccumbedtoAnna’sartfulinfluence，andthathewouldavoidher。OnethinghedidwithmoresincerityconfesstowasthatlivingsolonginMoscow，alifeofnothingbutconversation，eatinganddrinking，hewasgrowingcrazy。Theytalkedtillthreeo’clockinthemorning。Onlyatthreeo’clockweretheysufficientlyreconciledtobeabletogotosleep。
Aftertakingleaveofherguests，Annadidnotsitdown，butbeganwalkingupanddowntheroom。ShehadunconsciouslythewholeeveningdoneherutmosttoarouseinLevinafeelingoflove-asoflateshehadfallenintodoingwithallyoungmen-andsheknewshehadattainedheraim，asfaraswaspossibleinoneevening，withamarriedandconscientiousman。Shelikedhimverymuchindeed，and，inspiteofthestrikingdifference，fromthemasculinepointofview，betweenVronskyandLevin，asawomanshesawsomethingtheyhadincommon，whichhadmadeKittyabletoloveboth。Yetassoonashewasoutoftheroom，sheceasedtothinkofhim。
Onethought，andoneonly，pursuedherindifferentforms，andrefusedtobeshakenoff。`IfIhavesomucheffectonothers，onthisman，wholoveshishomeandhiswife，whyisitheissocoldtome？……Notcoldexactly-helovesme，Iknowthat！Butsomethingnewisdrawingusapartnow。Whywasn’theherealltheevening？HetoldStivatosayhecouldnotleaveIashvin，andmustwatchoverhisplay。IsIashvinachild？Butsupposingit’strue。Henevertellsahe。Butthere’ssomethingelseinitifit’strue。Heisgladofanopportunityofshowingmethathehasotherduties；Iknowthat，Isubmittothat。Butwhyprovethattome？Hewantstoshowmethathisloveformeisnottointerferewithhisfreedom。ButIneednoproofs-Ineedlove。HeoughttounderstandallthebitternessofthislifeformehereinMoscow。Isthislife？Iamnotliving，butwaitingforanevent，whichiscontinuallyputoffandputoff。Noansweragain！AndStivasayshecannotgotoAlexeiAlexandrovich。AndIcan’twriteagain。Icandonothing，canbeginnothing，canalternothing；Iholdmyselfin，Iwait，inventingamusementsformyself-theEnglishfamily，writing，reading-butit’sallnothingbutasham，it’sallthesameasmorphine。Heoughttofeelforme，’shesaid，feelingtearsofself-pitycomingintohereyes。
SheheardVronsky’sabruptringandhurriedlydriedhertears-notonlydriedhertears，butsatdownbyalampandopenedabook，affectingcomposure。Shewantedtoshowhimthatshewasdispleasedthathehadnotcomehomeashehadpromised-displeasedonly，andnotonanyaccounttolethimseeherdistress，and，leastofall，herself-pity。Shemightpityherself，buthemustnotpityher。Shedidnotwantstrife，sheblamedhimforwantingtoquarrel，butunconsciouslyputherselfintoanattitudeofantagonism。
`Well，you’venotbeendull？’hesaid，eagerlyandgood-humoredly，goinguptoher。`Whataterriblepassionitis-gambling！’
`No，I’venotbeendull；I’velearnedlongagonottobedull。Stivahasbeenhere，andLevin。’
`Yes，theymeanttocomeandseeyou。Well，howdidyoulikeLevin？’hesaid，sittingdownbesideher。
`Verymuch。Theyhavenotbeengonelong。WhatwasIashvindoing？’
`Hewaswinning-seventeenthousand。Igothimaway。Hehadreallystartedhome，buthewentbackagain，andnowhe’slosing。’
`Thenwhatdidyoustayfor？’sheasked，suddenlyliftinghereyestohim。Theexpressionofherfacewascoldandungracious。`YoutoldStivayouwerestayingontogetIashvinaway。Andyouhavelefthimthere。’
Thesameexpressionofcoldreadinessfortheconflictappearedonhisfacetoo。
`Inthefirstplace，Ididnotaskhimtogiveyouanymessage；andsecondly，Inevertelllies。Butthechiefpointis，Iwantedtostay，andIstayed，’hesaid，frowning。`Anna，whatisitfor，whywillyoudothis？’hesaidafteramoment’ssilence，bendingovertowardher；andheopenedhishand，hopingshewouldlayhersinit。
Shewasgladofthisappealfortenderness。Butsomestrangeforceofevilwouldnotlethergiveherselfuptoherfeelings，asthoughtherulesofwarfarewouldnotpermithertosurrender。
`Ofcourseyouwantedtostay，andyoustayed。Youdoeverythingyouwantto。Butwhatdoyoutellmethatfor？Withwhatobject？’shesaid，gettingmoreandmoreexcited。`Doesanyonecontestyourrights？Butyouwanttoberight，andyou’rewelcometoberight。’
Hishandclosed，heturnedaway，andhisfaceworeastillmoreobstinateexpression。
`Foryouit’samatterofobstinacy，’shesaid，watchinghimintentlyandsuddenlyfindingtherightwordforthatexpressionthatirritatedher，`simplyobstinacy。Foryouit’saquestionofwhetheryoukeeptheupperhandofme，whileforme……’Againshefeltsorryforherself，andshealmostburstintotears。`Ifyouknewwhatitisforme！WhenIfeelasIdonow，thatyouarehostile-yes，hostiletome-ifyouknewwhatthismeansforme！IfyouknewhowIfeelonthebrinkofcalamityatthisinstant，howafraidIamofmyself！’Andsheturnedaway，hidinghersobs。
`Butwhatareyoutalkingabout？’hesaid，horrifiedatherexpressionofdespairandagainbendingoverher，hetookherhandandkissedit。`Whatisitfor？DoIseekamusementsoutsideourhome？Don’tIavoidthesocietyofwomen？’
`Well，yes！Ifthatwereall！’shesaid。
`Come，tellmewhatIoughttodotogiveyoupeaceofmind？Iamreadytodoanythingtomakeyouhappy，’hesaid，touchedbyherexpressionofdespair；`whatwouldn’tIdotosaveyoufromdistressofanysort，asnow，Anna！’hesaid。
`It’snothing，nothing！’shesaid。`Idon’tknowmyselfwhetherit’sthesolitarylife，mynerves……Come，don’tletustalkofit。Whatabouttherace？Youhaven’ttoldme！’sheinquired，tryingtoconcealhertriumphatthevictory，whichhadbeenonhersideafterall。
Heaskedforsupper，andbegantellingherabouttheraces；butinhistone，inhiseyes，whichbecamemoreandmorecold，shesawthathedidnotforgiveherforhervictory，thatthefeelingofobstinacywithwhichshehadbeenstrugglinghadasserteditselfagaininhim。Hewascoldertoherthanbefore，asthoughhewereregrettinghissurrender。Andshe，rememberingthewordsthathadgivenherthevictory，`howIfeelonthebrinkofcalamity，howafraidIamofmyself，’sawthatthisweaponwasadangerousone，andthatitcouldnotbeusedasecondtime。Andshefeltthatbesidethelovethatboundthemtogethertherehadgrownupbetweenthemsomeevilspiritofstrife，whichshecouldnotexorcisefromhisheart，andstilllessfromherown。
Therearenoconditionstowhichamancannotbecomeused，especiallyifheseesthatallaroundhimarelivinginthesameway。Levincouldnothavebelievedthreemonthsbeforethathecouldhavegonequietlytosleepinthestateinwhichhewasthatday-thatleadinganaimless，irrationallife，alsolivingbeyondhismeans，afterdrinkingtoexcesshecouldnotcallwhathappenedattheclubanythingelse，forminginappropriatelyfriendlyrelationswithamanwithwhomhiswifehadoncebeeninlove，andafterastillmoreinappropriatecalluponawomanwhocouldonlybecalledalostwoman，afterbeingfascinatedbythatwomanandcausinghiswifedistress-hecouldstillgoquietlytosleep。Butundertheinfluenceoffatigue，asleeplessnight，andthewinehehaddrunk，hissleepwassoundanduntroubled。
Atfiveo’clockthecreakofadooropeningwakedhim。Hejumpedupandlookedround。Kittywasnotinbedbesidehim。Buttherewasalightmovingbehindthescreen，andheheardhersteps。
`Whatisit？……Whatisit？’hesaid，half-asleep。`Kitty！Whatisit？’
`Nothing，’shesaid，comingfrombehindthescreenwithacandleinherhand。`Ifeltunwell，’shesaid，smilingaparticularlysweetandmeaningsmile。
`What？Hasitbegun？’hesaidinterror。`Weoughttosend……’andhurriedlyhereachedafterhisclothes。
`No，no，’shesaid，smilingandholdinghishand。`It’ssuretobenothing。Iwasratherunwell，onlyalittle。It’sallovernow。’
And，gettingintobed，sheblewoutthecandle，laydownandwasstill。Thoughhethoughtherstillnesssuspicious，asthoughshewereholdingherbreath，andstillmoresuspicioustheexpressionofpeculiartendernessandexcitementwithwhich，asshecamefrombehindthescreen，shehadsaid`Nothing，’hewassosleepythathefellasleepatonce。Onlylaterherememberedthestillnessofherbreathing，andunderstoodallthatmusthavebeenpassinginhersweet，preciousheartwhileshelaybesidehim，notstirring，inanticipationofthegreatesteventinawoman’slife。Atseveno’clockhewaswakedbythetouchofherhandonhisshoulder，andagentlewhisper。Sheseemedstrugglingbetweenregretatwakinghim，andthedesiretotalktohim。
`Kostia，don’tbefrightened。It’sallright。ButIfancy……WeoughttosendforLizavetaPetrovna。’
Thecandlewaslightedagain。Shewassittingupinbed，holdingsomeknitting，whichshehadbeenbusyuponduringthelastfewdays。
`Please，don’tbefrightened，it’sallright。I’mnotabitafraid，’shesaid，seeinghisscaredface，andshepressedhishandtoherbosomandthentoherlips。
Hehurriedlyjumpedup，hardlyawake，andkepthiseyesfixedonher，asheputonhisdressinggown；thenhestopped，stilllookingather。Hehadtogo，buthecouldnottearhimselfawayfromhereyes。Hethoughthelovedherface，knewherexpression，hereyes，butneverhadheseenitlikethis。Howhatefulandhorribleheseemedtohimself，thinkingofthedistresshehadcausedheryesterday。Herflushedface，fringedwithsoftcurlinghairunderhernightcap，wasradiantwithjoyandcourage。
ThoughtherewassolittlethatwasartificialorpretendedinKitty’scharacteringeneral，Levinwasstruckbywhatwasrevealednow，whensuddenlyalldisguiseswerethrownoffandtheverykernelofhersoulshoneinhereyes。Andinthissimplicityandnakednessofhersoul，she，theverywomanhelovedinher，wasmoremanifestthanever。Shelookedathim，smiling；butallatonceherbrowstwitched，shethrewupherhead，and，goingquicklyuptohim，clutchedhishandandpressedcloseuptohim，breathingherhotbreathuponhim。Shewasinpainandwas，asitwere，complainingtohimofhersuffering。Andforthefirstminute，fromhabit，itseemedtohimthathewastoblame。Butinhereyestherewasatendernessthattoldhimthatshewasfarfromreproachinghim，thatshelovedhimforhersufferings。`IfnotI，whoistoblameforit？’hethoughtunconsciously，seekingsomeoneresponsibleforthissufferingforhimtopunish；buttherewasnooneresponsible。Shewassuffering，complaining，andtriumphinginhersufferings，andrejoicinginthem，andlovingthem。Hesawthatsomethingsublimewasbeingaccomplishedinhersoul，butwhat？Hecouldnotmakeitout。Itwasbeyondhisunderstanding。
`Ihavesenttomamma。YougoquicklytofetchLizavetaPetrovna……Kostia！……Nevermind-it’sover。’
Shemovedawayfromhimandrangthebell。
`Well，gonow；Pasha’scoming。Iamallright。’
AndLevinsawwithastonishmentthatshehadtakenuptheknittingshehadbroughtininthenight，andhadbegunworkingatitagain。
AsLevinwasgoingoutofonedoor，heheardthemaidservantcomeinattheother。HestoodatthedoorandheardKittygivingexactdirectionstothemaid，andbeginningtohelphermovethebedstead。
Hedressed，andwhiletheywereputtinginhishorse，astherewerenohacksaboutasyet，heranagainuptothebedroom，notontiptoe，itseemedtohim，butonwings。Twomaidservantswerecarefullyshiftingsomethingaboutinthebedroom。Kittywaswalkingaboutknittingrapidlyandgivingdirections。
`I’mgoingforthedoctor。TheyhavesentforLizavetaPetrovna，butI’llgoontheretoo。Isn’tthereanythingwanted？Yes-shallIgotoDolly’s？’
Shelookedathim，obviouslynothearingwhathewassaying。
`Yes，yes。Dogo，’shesaidquickly，frowningandwavingherhandtohim。
Hehadjustgoneintothedrawingroom，whensuddenlyaplaintivemoansoundedfromthebedroom，smotheredinstantly。Hestoodstill，andforalongwhilehecouldnotunderstand。
`Yes，thatisshe，’hesaidtohimself，and，clutchingathishead，herandownstairs。
`Lordhavemercyonus！Forgiveus！Helpus！’herepeatedthewordsthatforsomereasoncamesuddenlytohislips。Andhe，anunbeliever，repeatedthesewordsnotwithhislipsonly。Atthatinstantheknewthatallhisdoubts，eventheimpossibilityofbelievingwithhisreason，ofwhichhewasawareinhimself，didnotintheleasthinderhisturningtoGod。Allofthatnowfloatedoutofhissoullikedust。TowhomwashetoturnifnottoHiminwhosehandshefelthimself，hissoul，andhislove？
Thehorsewasnotyetready，butfeelingapeculiarconcentrationofhisphysicalforcesandhisintellectonwhathehadtodo，he，losingnominute，startedoffonfootwithoutwaitingforthehorse，andtoldKouzmatoovertakehim。
Atthecornerhemetanighthackdrivinghurriedly。Inthelittlesleigh，wrappedinavelvetcloak，satLizavetaPetrovnawithakerchiefroundherhead。`ThankGod！thankGod！’hesaid，overjoyedtorecognizeherlittlefairfacewhichworeapeculiarlyserious，evensternexpression。Tellingthedrivernottostop，heranalongbesideher。
`Fortwohours，then？Notmore？’sheinquired。`YoushouldletPiotrDmitrievichknow，butdon’thurryhim。Andgetsomeopiumatthechemist’s。’
`Soyouthinkthatitwillgowell？Lordhavemercyonusandhelpus！’Levinsaid，seeinghisownhorsedrivingoutofthegate。JumpingintothesleighbesideKouzma，hetoldhimtodrivetothedoctor’s。
Thedoctorwasnotyetup，andthefootmansaidthat`hehadbeenuplate，andhadgivenordersnottobewaked，butwouldgetupsoon。’Thefootmanwascleaningthelampchimneys，andseemedverybusyaboutthem。Thisconcentrationofthefootmanuponhislamps，andhisindifferencetowhatwaspassinginLevin，atfirstastoundedhim，butimmediatelyonconsideringthequestionherealizedthatnoonekneworwasboundtoknowhisfeelings，andthatitwasallthemorenecessarytoactcalmly，sensibly，andresolutelytogetthroughthiswallofindifferenceandattainhisaim。`Don’tbeinahurryorletanythingslip，’Levinsaidtohimself，feelingagreaterandgreaterflowofphysicalenergyandattentiontoallhehadyettodo。
Havingascertainedthatthedoctorwasnotgettingup，Levinconsideredvariousplans，anddecidedonthefollowingone；thatKouzmashouldgoforanotherdoctor，whilehehimselfshouldgotothechemist’sforopium，andif，whenhecameback，thedoctorhadnotyetbeguntogetup，hewould，eitherbytippingthefootman，orbyforce，wakethedoctoratallhazards。
Atthechemist’sthelankpharmacistwaferedapacketofpowdersforacoachmanwhostoodwaiting，andrefusedhimopiumwiththesamecallousnesswithwhichthedoctor’sfootmanhadcleanedhislampchimneys。Tryingnottogetflusteredoroutoftemper，Levinmentionedthenamesofthedoctorandmidwife，andexplainingwhattheopiumwasneededfor，triedtopersuadehim。TheassistantinquiredinGermanwhetherheshouldgiveit，andreceivinganaffirmativereplyfrombehindthepartition，hetookoutabottleandafunnel，deliberatelypouredtheopiumfromabiggerbottleintoalittleone，stuckonalabel，sealeditup，inspiteofLevin’srequestthathewouldnotdoso，andwasabouttowrapituptoo。ThiswasmorethanLevincouldstand；hetookthebottlefirmlyoutofhishands，andrantothebigglassdoors。Thedoctorwasnotevennowgettingup，andthefootman，busynowinputtingdowntherugs，refusedtowakehim。Levindeliberatelytookoutaten-roublenote，andcarefultospeakslowly，thoughlosingnotimeoverthebusiness，hehandedhimthenote，andexplainedthatPiotrDmitrievichwhatagreatandimportantpersonageheseemedtoLevinnow，thisPiotrDmitrievich，whohadbeenofsolittleconsequenceinhiseyesbeforehadpromisedtocomeatanytime；thathewouldcertainlynotbeangry！Andthathemustthereforewakehimatonce。
Thefootmanagreed，andwentupstairs，takingLevinintothewaitingroom。
Levincouldhearthroughthedoorthedoctorcoughing，movingabout，washing，andsayingsomething。Threeminutespassed；itseemedtoLevinthatmorethananhourhadgoneby。Hecouldnotwaitanylonger。
`PiotrDmitrievich，PiotrDmitrievich？’hesaidinanimploringvoiceattheopendoor。`ForGod’ssake，forgiveme！Seemeasyouare。It’sbeengoingonmorethantwohoursalready。’
`Inaminute；inaminute！’answeredavoice，andtohisamazementheardthatthedoctorwassmilingashespoke。
`Foroneinstant！’……
`Inaminute。’
Twominutesmorepassedwhilethedoctorwasputtingonhisboots，andtwominutesmorewhilethedoctorputonhiscoatandcombedhishair。
`PiotrDmitrievich！’Levinwasbeginningagaininaplaintivevoice，justasthedoctorcamein，dressedandready。`Thesepeoplehavenoconscience，’thoughtLevin。`Combinghishair，whilewe’redying！’
`Goodmorning！’thedoctorsaidtohim，shakinghands，and，asitwere，teasinghimwithhiscomposure。`There’snohurry。Well，now？’
Tryingtobeasaccurateaspossible，Levinbegantotellhimeveryunnecessarydetailofhiswife’scondition，interruptinghisaccountrepeatedlywithentreatiesthatthedoctorwouldcomewithhimatonce。
`Oh，youneedn’tbeinanyhurry。Youdon’tunderstand，youknow。I’mcertainI’mnotwanted；stillI’vepromised，and，ifyoulike，I’llcome。Butthere’snohurry。Pleasesitdown；won’tyouhavesomecoffee？’
Levinstaredathimwitheyesthataskedwhetherhewaslaughingathim；butthedoctorhadnonotionofmakingfunofhim。
`Iknow，Iknow，’thedoctorsaid，smiling；`I’mamarriedmanmyself；andatthesemomentswehusbandsareverymuchtobepitied。I’veapatientwhosehusbandalwaystakesrefugeinthestablesonsuchoccasions。’
`Butwhatdoyouthink，PiotrDmitrievich？Doyousupposeitwillgoallright？’
`Everythingpointstoafavorableissue。’
`Soyou’llcomeimmediately？’saidLevin，lookingwrathfullyattheservantwhowasbringinginthecoffee。
`Injustanhour。’
`Oh，forGod’ssake！’
`Well，letmedrinkmycoffee，anyway。’
Thedoctorstarteduponhiscoffee。Bothweresilent。
`TheTurksarereallygettingbeaten，though。Didyoureadyesterday’stelegrams？’saidthedoctor，thoroughlymasticatingaroll。
`No，Ican’tstandit！’saidLevin，jumpingup。`Soyou’llbewithusinaquarterofanhour？’
`Inhalfanhour。’
`Onyourhonor？’
WhenLevingothome，hedroveupatthesametimeasthePrincess，andtheywentuptothebedroomtogether。ThePrincesshadtearsinhereyes，andherhandswereshaking。SeeingLevin，sheembracedhim，andburstintotears。
`Well，mydearLizavetaPetrovna？’shequeried，claspingthehandofthemidwife，whocameouttomeetthemwithabeamingandanxiousface。
`Everythingisgoingonwell，’shesaid；`persuadehertoliedown。Shewillfeeleasierthatway。’
Fromthemomentwhenhehadwakedupandunderstoodwhatwasgoingon，Levinhadpreparedhismindtobearresolutelywhatwasbeforehim，andwithoutconsideringoranticipatinganything，toavoidupsettinghiswife，and，onthecontrary，tosootheherandkeepuphercourage。Withoutallowinghimselfeventothinkofwhatwastocome，ofhowitwouldend，judgingfromhisinquiriesastotheusualdurationoftheseordeals，Levinhadinhisimaginationbracedhimselftobearupandtokeepatightreinonhisfeelingsforfivehours，andithadseemedtohimhecoulddothis。Butwhenhecamebackfromthedoctor’sandsawhersufferingsagain，hefelltorepeatingmoreandmorefrequently:`Lord，havemercyonus，andsuccorus！’Hesighed，andflunghisheadup，andbegantofeelafraidhecouldnotbearit，thathewouldburstintotearsorrunaway-suchagonyitwastohim。Yetonlyonehourhadpassed。
Butafterthathourtherepassedanotherhour，twohours，three，thefullfivehourshehadfixedasthefurthestlimitofhissufferings，andthesituationwasstillunchanged；andhewasstillbearingitbecausetherewasnothingtobedonebutbearit-everyinstantfeelingthathehadreachedtheutmostlimitsofhisendurance，andthathisheartwouldbreakwithsympathyandpain。
Butstilltheminutespassedby，andthehours，andstillmorehours，andhismiseryandhorrorgrewandweremoreandmoreintense。
Alltheordinaryconditionsoflife，withoutwhichonecanformnoconceptionofanything，hadceasedtoexistforLevin。Helostallsenseoftime。Minutes-thoseminuteswhenshesentforhimandheheldhermoisthand，thatwouldsqueezehishandwithextraordinaryviolenceandthenpushitaway-seemedtohimhours，andhoursseemedtohimminutes。HewassurprisedwhenLizavetaPetrovnaaskedhimtolightacandlebehindascreen，andhefoundthatitwasfiveo’clockintheafternoon。Ifhehadbeentolditwasonlyteno’clockinthemorninghewouldnothavebeensurprised。Wherehewasallthistime，heknewaslittleasthetimeofanything。Hesawherswollenface，sometimesbewilderedandinagony，sometimessmilingandtryingtoreassurehim。HesawtheoldPrincesstoo，flushedandoverwrought，withhergraycurlsindisorder，forcingherselftogulpdownhertears，bitingherlips；hesawDollytoo，andthedoctor，smokingthickcigarettes，andLizavetaPetrovnawithafirm，resolute，reassuringface，andtheoldPrincewalkingupanddownthehallwithafrowningface。Butwhytheycameinandwentout，wheretheywere，hedidnotknow。ThePrincesswaswiththedoctorinthebedroom，theninthestudy，whereatablesetfordinnersuddenlyappeared；thenshewasnotthere，butDollywas。ThenLevinrememberedhehadbeensentsomewhere。Oncehehadbeensenttomoveatableandsofa。Hehaddonethiseagerly，thinkingithadtobedoneforhersake，andonlylateronhefounditwashisownbedhehadbeengettingready。Thenhehadbeensenttothestudytoaskthedoctorsomething。Thedoctorhadansweredandthenhadsaidsomethingabouttheirregularitiesinthemunicipalcouncil。ThenhehadbeensenttothebedroomtohelptheoldPrincessmovetheholyimageinitssilver-giltsetting，andwiththePrincess’soldwaitingmaidhehadclamberedonashelftoreachitandhadbrokenthelampad，andtheoldservanthadtriedtoreassurehimaboutthelampadandabouthiswife，andhecarriedtheholyimageinandsetitattheheadofKitty’sbed，carefullytuckingtheimageinbehindthepillow。Butwhere，when，andwhyallthishadhappened，hecouldnottell。HedidnotunderstandwhytheoldPrincesstookhishand，andlookingcompassionatelyathim，beggedhimnottoworryhimself，andDollypersuadedhimtoeatsomethingandledhimoutoftheroom，andeventhedoctorlookedseriouslyandwithcommiserationathim，andofferedhimadropofsomething。
AllheknewandfeltwasthatwhatwashappeningwaswhathadhappenednearlyayearbeforeinthehotelofthecountrytownatthedeathbedofhisbrotherNikolai。Butthathadbeengrief-thiswasjoy。Yetthatgriefandthisjoywerealikeoutsidealltheordinaryconditionsoflife；theywereloopholes，asitwere，inthatordinarylife，throughwhichtherecameglimpsesofsomethingsublime。Andinthecontemplationofthissublimesomethingthesoulwasexaltedtoinconceivableheightsofwhichithadbeforehadnoconception，whilereasonlaggedbehind，unabletokeepupwithit。
`Lord，havemercyonus，andsuccorus！’herepeatedtohimselfincessantly，feeling，inspiteofhislongand，asitseemed，completealienationfromreligion，thatheturnedtoGodjustastrustfullyandsimplyashehadinhischildhoodandfirstyouth。
Allthistimehehadtwodistinctmoods。Onewasawayfromher，withthedoctor，whokeptsmokingonethickcigaretteafteranotherandextinguishingthemontheedgeofafullashtray；withDolly，andwiththeoldPrince，wheretherewastalkaboutdinner，aboutpolitics，aboutMariaPetrovna’sillness，andwhereLevinsuddenlyforgotforaminutewhatwashappening，andfeltasthoughhehadwakedupfromsleep；theothermoodwasinherpresence，atherpillow，wherehisheartseemedbreaking，andstilldidnotbreak，fromsympatheticsuffering，andheprayedtoGodwithoutceasing。Andeverytimehewasbroughtbackfromamomentofoblivionbyascreamreachinghimfromthebedroom，hefellintothesamestrangeterrorthathadcomeuponhimthefirstminute。Everytimeheheardashriek，hejumpedup，rantojustifyhimself，rememberedonthewaythathewasnottoblame，andhelongedtodefendher，tohelpher。Butashelookedather，hesawagainthathelpwasimpossible，andhewasfilledwithterrorandprayed:`Lord，havemercyonus，andhelpus！’Andastimewenton，boththesemoodsbecamemoreintense；thecalmerhebecameawayfromher，completelyforgettingher，themoreagonizingbecamebothhersufferingsandhisfeelingofhelplessnessbeforethem。Hejumpedup，wouldhavelikedtorunaway，butrantoher。
Sometimes，whenagainandagainshecalleduponhim，heblamedher；butseeinghersubmissive，smilingface，andhearingthewords`Iamworryingyou，’hethrewtheblameonGod；butthinkingofGod，atoncehefellbeseechingGodtoforgivehimandhavemercy。
Hedidnotknowwhetheritwaslateorearly。Thecandleshadallburnedout。Dollyhadjustbeeninthestudyandhadsuggestedtothedoctorthatheshouldliedown。Levinsatlisteningtothedoctor’sstoriesofaquackmesmerizerandlookingattheashesofhiscigarette。Therehadbeenaperiodofrepose，andhehadsunkintooblivion。Hehadcompletelyforgottenwhatwasgoingonnow。Heheardthedoctor’schatandunderstoodit。Suddenlytherecameanunearthlyshriek。TheshriekwassoawfulthatLevindidnotevenjumpup，but，holdinghisbreath，gazedinterrifiedinquiryatthedoctor。Thedoctorputhisheadononeside，listened，andsmiledapprovingly。EverythingwassoextraordinarythatnothingcouldstrikeLevinasstrange。`Isupposeitmustbeso，’hethought，andstillsatwherehewas。Whosescreamwasthis？Hejumpedup，ranontiptoetothebedroom，edgedroundLizavetaPetrovnaandthePrincess，andtookuphispositionatKitty’spillow。Thescreamhadsubsided，buttherewassomechangenow。Whatitwashedidnotseeanddidnotcomprehend，andhehadnowishtoseeorcomprehend。ButhesawitbythefaceofLizavetaPetrovna。LizavetaPetrovna’sfacewassternandpale，andstillasresolute，thoughherjawsweretwitching，andhereyeswerefixedintentlyonKitty。Kitty’sswollenandagonizedface，atressofhairclingingtohermoistbrow，wasturnedtohimandsoughthiseyes。Herliftedhandsaskedforhishands。Clutchinghischillhandsinhermoistones，shebegansqueezingthemtoherface。
`Don’tgo，don’tgo！I’mnotafraid，I’mnotafraid！’shesaidrapidly。`Mamma，takemyearrings。Theybotherme。You’renotafraid？Soon，soon，LizavetaPetrovna……’
Shespokequickly，veryquickly，andtriedtosmile。Butsuddenlyherfacewasdrawn-shepushedhimaway。
`Oh，thisisawful！I’mdying，I’mdying！Goaway！’sheshrieked，andagainheheardthatunearthlyscream。
Levinclutchedathisheadandranoutoftheroom。
`It’snothing，it’snothing，it’sallright，’Dollycalledafterhim。
Buttheymightsaywhattheyliked，heknewnowthatallwasover。Hestoodinthenextroom，hisheadleaningagainstthedoorpost，andheardshrieks，howls，suchashehadneverheardbefore，andheknewthatwhathadbeenKittywasutteringtheseshrieks。Hehadlongagoceasedtowishforthechild。Bynowheloathedthischild。Hedidnotevenprayforherlifenow-allhelongedforwasthecessationofthisawfulanguish。
`Doctor！Whatisit？Whatisit？MyGod！’hesaid，snatchingatthedoctor’shandashecameup。
`It’stheend，’saidthedoctor。Andthedoctor’sfacewassograveashesaiditthatLevintooktheendasmeaningherdeath。
Besidehimself，heranintothebedroom。ThefirstthinghesawwasthefaceofLizavetaPetrovna。Itwasevenmorefrowningandstern。Kitty’sfacehedidnotknow。Intheplacewhereithadbeenwassomethingthatwasfearfulinitsstraineddistortionandinthesoundsthatcamefromit。Hefelldownwithhisheadonthewoodenframeworkofthebed，feelingthathisheartwasbursting。Theawfulscreamneverpaused，itbecamestillmoreawful，andasthoughithadreachedtheutmostlimitofterror，suddenlyitceased。Levincouldnotbelievehisears，buttherecouldbenodoubt；thescreamhadceasedandheheardasubduedstirandbustle，andhurriedbreathing，andhervoice，gasping，alive，tender，andblissful，utteredsoftly:`It’sover！’
Heliftedhishead。Withherhandshangingexhaustedonthequilt，lookingextraordinarilylovelyandserene，shelookedathiminsilenceandtriedtosmile，andcouldnot。
Andsuddenly，fromthemysteriousandawfulfarawayworldinwhichhehadbeenlivingforthelasttwenty-twohours，Levinfelthimselfallinaninstantbornebacktotheoldeverydayworld，thoughglorifiednowbysucharadianceofhappinessthathecouldnotbearit。Thestrainedchordssnapped；sobsandtearsofjoywhichhehadneverforeseenroseupwithsuchviolencethathiswholebodyshook，andforlongtheypreventedhimfromspeaking。
Fallingonhiskneesbeforethebed，heheldhiswife’shandbeforehislipsandkissedit，andthehand，withaweakmovementofthefingers，respondedtohiskiss。Andmeanwhile，thereatthefootofthebed，inthedefthandsofLizavetaPetrovna，likeaflickeringlightinalamp，laythelifeofahumancreature，whichhadneverexistedbefore，andwhichwouldnowwiththesameright，withthesameimportancetoitself，liveandcreateinitsownimage。
`Alive！alive！Andaboytoo！Setyourmindatrest！’LevinheardLizavetaPetrovnasaying，assheslappedthebaby’sbackwithashakinghand。
`Mamma，isittrue？’saidKitty’svoice。
ThePrincess’ssobswerealltheanswershecouldmake。
Andinthemidstofthesilencetherecameinunmistakablereplytothemother’squestion，avoicequiteunlikethesubduedvoicesspeakingintheroom。Itwasthebold，clamorous，self-assertivesquallofthenewhumanbeing，whichhadsoincomprehensiblyappeared。
IfLevinhadbeentoldbeforethatKittywasdead，andthathehaddiedwithher，andthattheirchildrenwereangels，andthatGodwasstandingbeforehim，hewouldhavebeensurprisedatnothing。Butnow，comingbacktotheworldofreality，hehadtomakegreatmentaleffortstotakeinthatshewasaliveandwell，andthatthecreaturesquallingsodesperatelywashisson。Kittywasalive，heragonywasover。Andhewasunutterablyhappy。Thatheunderstood；andhewascompletelyhappyinit。Butthebaby？Whence，why，whowashe？……Hecouldnotgetusedtotheidea。Itseemedtohimsomethingextraneous，superfluous，towhichhecouldnotaccustomhimself。
Atteno’clocktheoldPrince，SergeiIvanovich，andStepanArkadyevich，weresittingatLevin’s。HavinginquiredafterKitty，theyhaddroppedintoconversationuponothersubjects。Levinheardthem，andunconsciously，astheytalked，goingoverthepast，overwhattheyhadbeenuptothatmorning，hethoughtofhimselfashehadbeenyesterdaytillthatpoint。Itwasasthoughahundredyearshadpassedsincethen。Hefelthimselfexaltedtounattainableheights，fromwhichhestudiouslyloweredhimselfsoasnottowoundthepeoplehewastalkingto。Hetalked，andwasallthetimethinkingofhiswife，ofherpresentcondition，ofhisson，inwhoseexistencehetriedtoschoolhimselfintobelieving。Thewholeworldofwoman，whichhadtakenforhimsincehismarriageanewvaluehehadneversuspectedbefore，wasnowsoexaltedthathisimaginationcouldnotembraceit。Heheardthemtalkofyesterday’sdinnerattheclub，andthought:`Whatishappeningwithhernow？Issheasleep？Howisshe？Whatisshethinkingof？Ishecrying-mysonDmitrii？’Andinthemiddleoftheconversation，inthemiddleofasentence，hejumpedupandwentoutoftheroom。
`SendmewordifIcanseeher，’saidthePrince。
`Verywell，inaminute，’answeredLevin，andwithoutstopping，hewenttoherroom。
Shewasnotasleep，shewastalkinggentlywithhermother，makingplansaboutthechristening。
Carefullysettorights，withhairwellbrushed，inasmartlittlecapwithsomeblueinit，herarmsoutonthequilt，shewaslyingonherback。Meetinghiseyes，hereyesdrewhimtoher。Herface，brightbefore，brightenedstillmoreashedrewnearher。Therewasthesamechangeinitfromearthlytounearthlythatisseeninthefaceofthedead。Butthereitmeansfarewell-hereitmeantwelcome。Againarushofemotion，suchashehadfeltatthemomentofthechild’sbirth，floodedhisheart。Shetookhishandandaskedhimifhehadslept。Hecouldnotanswer，andturnedaway，realizinghisweakness。
`Ihavehadanap，Kostia！’shesaidtohim。`AndIamsocomfortablenow。’
Shelookedathim，butsuddenlyherexpressionchanged。
`Givehimtome，’shesaid，hearingthebaby’scry。`Givehimtome，LizavetaPetrovna，andheshalllookathim。’
`Tobesure，hispapashalllookathim，’saidLizavetaPetrovna，gettingupandbringingsomethingred，andqueerandwriggling。`Waitaminute，we’llarrayourselvesfirst，’andLizavetaPetrovnalaidtheredwobblingthingonthebed，beganuntrussingandtrussingupthebaby，liftingitupandturningitoverwithonefingerandpowderingitwithsomething。
Levin，lookingatthetiny，pitifulcreature，madestrenuouseffortstodiscoverinhisheartsometracesoffatherlyfeelingforit。Hefeltnothingtowarditbutdisgust。Butwhenitwasundressedandhecaughtaglimpseofwee，wee，littlehands，littlefeet，saffron-colored，withlittletoes，too；andevenwithalittlebigtoedifferentfromtherest，andwhenhesawLizavetaPetrovnaclosingthewide-openlittlehands，asthoughtheyweresoftsprings，andputtingthemintolinengarments，suchpityforthelittlecreaturecameuponhim，andsuchterrorthatshewouldhurtit，thatheheldherhandback。
LizavetaPetrovnalaughed。
`Don’tbefrightened，don’tbefrightened！’
Whenthebabyhadbeenarrayedandtransformedintoasoliddoll，LizavetaPetrovnadandleditasthoughproudofherhandiwork，andstoodalittleawaysothatLevinmightseehissoninallhisglory。
Kittylookedsidewaysinthesamedirection，nevertakinghereyesoffthebaby。`Givehimtome！Givehimtome！’shesaid，andevenmadeasthoughshewouldsitup。
`Whatareyouthinkingof，KaterinaAlexandrovna，youmustn’tmovelikethat！Waitaminute。I’llgivehimtoyou。Herewe’reshowingpapawhatafinefellowweare！’
AndLizavetaPetrovna，withonehandsupportingthewobblinghead，liftedupontheotherarmthestrange，limp，redcreature，whoseheadwaslostinitsswaddlingclothes。Butithadanose，too，andslantingeyes，andsmackinglips。
`Asplendidbaby！’saidLizavetaPetrovna。
Levinsighedwithmortification。Thissplendidbabyexcitedinhimnofeelingbutdisgustandcompassion。Itwasnotatallthefeelinghehadlookedforwardto。
HeturnedawaywhileLizavetaPetrovnaputthebabytotheunaccustomedbreast。
Suddenlylaughtermadehimlookround。Thebabyhadtakenthebreast。
`Comethat’senough，that’senough！’saidLizavetaPetrovna，butKittywouldnotletthebabygo。Hefellasleepinherarms。
`Look，now，’saidKitty，turningthebabysothathecouldseeit。Theaged-lookinglittlefacesuddenlypuckeredupstillmore，andthebabysneezed。
Smiling，hardlyabletorestrainhistears，Levinkissedhiswifeandwentoutofthedarkroom。
Whathefelttowardthislittlecreaturewasutterlyunlikewhathehadexpected。Therewasnothingcheerfulandjoyousinthefeeling；onthecontrary，itwasanewtortureofapprehension。Itwastheconsciousnessofanewsphereofliabilitytopain。Andthissensewassopainfulatfirst，theapprehensionlestthishelplesscreatureshouldsufferwassointense，thatitpreventedhimfromnoticingthestrangethrillofsenselessjoyandevenpridethathehadfeltwhenthebabyhadsneezed。
StepanArkadyevich’saffairswereinaverybadway。
Themoneyfortwo-thirdsoftheforesthadallbeenspentalready，andhehadborrowedfromthemerchantinadvanceattenpercentdiscountalmostalltheremainingthird。Themerchantwouldnotgivemore，especiallyasDaryaAlexandrovna，forthefirsttimethatwinterinsistingonherrighttoherownproperty，hadrefusedtosignthereceiptforthepaymentofthelastthirdoftheforest。Allhissalarywentonhouseholdexpensesandinpaymentofpettydebtsthatcouldnotbeputoff。Therewaspositivelynomoney。
Thiswasunpleasantandawkward，andinStepanArkadyevich’sopinionthingscouldnotgoonlikethis。Theexplanationofthepositionwas，inhisview，tobefoundinthefactthathissalarywastoosmall。Theposthefilledhadbeenunmistakablyverygoodfiveyearsago，butitwassonolonger。Petrov，thebankdirector，hadtwelvethousand；Sventitsky，acompanydirector，hadseventeenthousand；Mitin，whohadfoundedabank，receivedfiftythousand。`ClearlyI’vebeennapping，andthey’veoverlookedme，’StepanArkadyevichthoughtabouthimself。Andhebegankeepinghiseyesandearsopen，andtowardtheendofthewinterhehaddiscoveredaverygoodberthandhadformedaplanofattackuponit，atfirstfromMoscowthroughaunts，uncles，andfriends，andthen，whenthematterwaswelladvanced，inthespring，hewenthimselftoPeterburg。Itwasoneofthoseberthswithincomesrangingfromonethousandtofiftythousandroubles，ofwhichtherearesomanymorenowadaysthanthereweresnug，bribableonesinthepast。ItwasthepostofsecretaryofthecommitteeoftheamalgamatedagencyoftheSouthernRailways，andofcertainbankingcompanies。Thisposition，likeallsuchappointments，calledforsuchimmenseenergyandsuchvariedqualifications，thatitwasdifficultforthemtobefoundunitedinanyoneman。Andsinceamancombiningallthequalificationswasnottobefound，itwasatleastbetterthatthepostbefilledbyanhonestthanbyadishonestman。AndStepanArkadyevichwasnotmerelyanhonestman，unemphatically，inthecommonacceptationoftheword；hewasanhonestman，emphatically，inthatspecialsensewhichthewordhasinMoscow，whentheytalkofan`honest’politician，an`honest’writer，an`honest’newspaper，an`honest’institution，an`honest’tendency，meaningnotsimplythatthemanortheinstitutionisnotdishonest，butthattheyarecapableonoccasionofstingingtheauthorities。StepanArkadyevichmovedinthosecirclesinMoscowinwhichthatexpressionhadcomeintouse，wasregardedthereasanhonestman，andsohadmorerighttothisappointmentthanothers。
Theappointmentyieldedanincomeoffromseventotenthousandayear，andOblonskycouldfillitwithoutgivinguphisgovernmentposition。Itwasinthehandsoftwoministers，onelady，andtwoJews，andallthesepeople，thoughthewayhadbeenpavedalreadywiththem，StepanArkadyevichhadtoseeinPeterburg。Besidesthisbusiness，StepanArkadyevichhadpromisedhissisterAnnatoobtainfromKareninadefiniteansweronthequestionofdivorce。AndbeggingfiftyroublesfromDolly，hesetoffforPeterburg。
StepanArkadyevichsatinKarenin’sstudylisteningtohisreportonthecausesoftheunsatisfactorypositionofRussianfinance，andonlywaitingforthemomentwhenhewouldfinishtospeakabouthisownbusinessoraboutAnna。
`Yes，that’sverytrue，’hesaid，whenAlexeiAlexandrovichtookoffthepince-nez，withoutwhichhecouldnotreadnow，andlookedinquiringlyathisquondambrother-in-law，`that’sverytrueinparticularcases，butstill，theprincipleofourdayisfreedom。’
`Yes，butIlaydownanotherprinciple，embracingtheprincipleoffreedom，’saidAlexeiAlexandrovich，withemphasisontheword`embracing’，andheputonhispince-nezagain，soastoreadthepassageinwhichthisstatementwasmade。
Andturningoverthebeautifullywritten，wide-marginedmanuscript，AlexeiAlexandrovichreadaloudtheconclusivepassageoncemore。
`Idon’tadvocateprotectionforthesakeofprivateinterest，butforthepublicweal-andforthelowerandupperclassesequally，’hesaid，lookingoverhispince-nezatOblonsky。`Buttheycannotgraspthat，theyaretakenupnowwithpersonalinterests，andcarriedawaybyphrases。’
StepanArkadyevichknewthatwhenKareninbegantotalkofwhattheyweredoingandthinking，thepersonswhowouldnotaccepthisreportandwerethecauseofeverythingwronginRussia，thatitwascomingneartheend。Andsonowheeagerlyabandonedtheprincipleoffreetrade，andfullyagreed。AlexeiAlexandrovichpaused，thoughtfullyturningoverthepagesofhismanuscript。
`Oh，bytheway，’saidStepanArkadyevich，`Iwantedtoaskyou，sometimewhenyouseePomorsky，todrophimahintthatIshouldbeverygladtogetthatnewappointmentofmemberofthecommitteeoftheamalgamatedagencyoftheSouthernRailwaysandbankingcompanies。’StepanArkadyevichwasfamiliarbynowwiththetitleoftheposthecoveted，andhebroughtitoutrapidlywithoutmistake。
AlexeiAlexandrovichquestionedhimastothedutiesofthisnewcommittee，andpondered。Hewasconsideringwhetherthenewcommitteewouldnotbeactinginsomewaycontrarytotheviewshehadbeenadvocating。Butastheinfluenceofthenewcommitteewasofaverycomplexnature，andhisviewswereofverywideapplication，hecouldnotdecidethisstraightoff，andtakingoffhispince-nez，hesaid:
`Ofcourse，Icanmentionittohim；butwhatisyourreasonpreciselyforwishingtoobtaintheappointment？’
`It’sagoodsalary，risingtoninethousand，andmymeans……’
`Ninethousand！’repeatedAlexeiAlexandrovich，andhefrowned。
ThehighfigureofthesalarymadehimreflectthatonthatsideStepanArkadyevich’sproposedpositionrancountertothemaintendencyofhisownprojectsofreform，whichalwaysleanedtowardeconomy。
`Iconsider，andIhaveembodiedmyviewsinanoteonthesubject，thatinourdaytheseimmensesalariesareevidenceoftheunsoundeconomicassietteofourfinances。’
`Butwhat’stobedone？’saidStepanArkadyevich。`Supposeabankdirectorgetstenthousand-well，he’sworthit；oranengineergetstwentythousand-afterall，it’sagrowingthing，youknow！’
`Iassumethatasalaryisthepricepaidforacommodity，anditoughttoconformwiththelawofsupplyanddemand。Ifthesalaryisfixedwithoutanyregardforthatlaw，as，forinstance，whenIseetwoengineersleavingcollegetogether，bothequallywelltrainedandefficient，andonegettingfortythousandwhiletheotherissatisfiedwithtwo；orwhenIseelawyersandhussars，havingnospecialqualifications，appointeddirectorsofbankingcompanieswithimmensesalaries，Iconcludethatthesalaryisnotfixedinaccordancewiththelawofsupplyanddemand，butsimplythroughpersonalinterest。Andthisisanabuseofgreatgravityinitself，andonethatreactsinjuriouslyonthegovernmentservice。Iconsider……’
StepanArkadyevichmadehastetointerrupthisbrother-in-law。
`Yes；butyoumustagreethatthenewinstitutionbeingstartedisofundoubtedutility。Afterall，youknow，it’sagrowingthing！Whattheylayparticularstressonisthethingbeingcarriedonhonestly，’saidStepanArkadyevichwithemphasis。
ButtheMoscowsignificanceofthewordhonestwaslostonAlexeiAlexandrovich。
`Honestyisonlyanegativequalification，’hesaid。
`Well，you’lldomeagreatservice，anyway，’saidStepanArkadyevich，`byputtinginawordtoPomorsky-justinthewayofconversation……’
`ButIfancyitdependsmoreonBolgarinov，’saidAlexeiAlexandrovich。
`Bolgarinovhasfullyassented，asfarashe’sconcerned，’saidStepanArkadyevich，turningred。StepanArkadyevichreddenedatthementionofthatname，becausehehadbeenthatmorningattheJewBolgarinov’s，andthevisithadleftanunpleasantrecollection。
StepanArkadyevichbelievedmostpositivelythatthecommitteeinwhichhewastryingtogetanappointmentwasanew，genuine，andhonestpublicbody，butthatmorningwhenBolgarinovhad-intentionally，beyondadoubt-kepthimtwohourswaitingwithotherpetitionersinhiswaitingroom，hehadsuddenlyfeltuneasy。
Whetherhewasuncomfortablebecausehe，adescendantofRurik，PrinceOblonsky，hadbeenkeptfortwohourswaitingtoseeaJew，orthatforthefirsttimeinhisfifehewasnotfollowingtheexampleofhisancestorsinservingthegovernment，butwasturningoffintoanewcareer-atanyratehewasveryuncomfortable。DuringthosetwohoursinBolgarinov’swaitingroomStepanArkadyevich，steppingjauntilyabouttheroom，pullinghissidewhiskers，enteringintoconversationwiththeotherpetitioners，andinventingacalembourdealingwithhiswaitintheJew’santeroom，assiduouslyconcealedfromothers，andevenfromhimself，thefeelinghewasexperiencing。
Butallthetimehewasuncomfortableandperturbed，hecouldnothavesaidwhy-whetherbecausehecouldnotgethiscalembourjustright，orfromsomeotherreason。WhenatlastBolgarinovhadreceivedhimwithexaggeratedpolitenessandunmistakabletriumphathishumiliation，andhadallbutrefusedthefavoraskedofhim，StepanArkadyevichhadmadehastetoforgetitallassoonaspossible。Andnow，atthemererecollection，heblushed。