Theunexpectedyoungvisitor，whomSapphohadbroughtwithher，andwhomshehadforgotten，was，however，apersonageofsuchconsequencethat，inspiteofhisyouth，boththeladiesroseonhisentrance。
HewasanewadmirerofSappho’s。LikeVaska，henowdoggedherfootsteps。
SoonafterPrinceKaluzhskyarrived，andLizaMerkalovawithStremov。
LizaMerkalovawasathinbrunette，withanOriental，languidtypeofface，andcharming-aseveryoneusedtosay-ineffableeyes。ThetoneofherdarkdressAnnaimmediatelyobservedandappreciatedthefactwasinperfectharmonywithherstyleofbeauty。LizawasassoftandlooseasSapphowastightandshackled。
ButtoAnna’stasteLizawasfarmoreattractive。BetsyhadsaidtoAnnathatshehadadoptedtheposeofanunsophisticatedchild，butwhenAnnasawhershefeltthiswasnotthetruth。Shereallywasunsophisticated，spoiled，yetasweetandirresponsiblewoman。ItistruethathertonewasthesameasSappho’s；that，likeSappho，shehadtwomen，oneyoungandoneold，tackedontoher，anddevouringherwiththeireyes。Buttherewassomethinginherhigherthanhersurroundings。Therewasinhertheglowoftherealdiamondamongpaste。Thisglowshoneoutinhercharming，trulyineffableeyes。Theweary，andatthesametimepassionate，glanceofthoseeyes，encircledbydarkrings，impressedonebyitsperfectsincerity。
Everyonelookingintothoseeyesfanciedheknewherwholly，and，knowingher，couldnotbutloveher。AtthesightofAnna，herwholefacelightedupatoncewithasmileofdelight。
`Ah，howgladIamtoseeyou！’shesaid，goinguptoher。`Yesterday，attheraces，Iwantedjusttogettoyou，butyou’dgoneaway。Ididsowanttoseeyou，especiallyyesterday。Wasn’titawful？’shesaid，lookingatAnnawitheyesthatseemedtolaybareallhersoul。
`Yes；Ihadnoideaitwouldbesothrilling，’saidAnna，blushing。
Thecompanygotupatthismomenttogointothegarden。
`I’mnotgoing，’saidLiza，smilingandsettlingherselfclosetoAnna。`Youwon’tgoeither，willyou？Whowantstoplaycroquet？’
`Oh，Ilikeit，’saidAnna。
`There，howdoyoumanagenevertobeboredbythings？Onehasbuttolookatyou，tobejoyful。You’realive，butI’mbored。’
`Howcanyoubebored？Why，youliveamongthemerriestpeopleinPeterburg，’saidAnna。
`Possiblythepeoplewhoarenotofoursetareevenmorebored；
butwearenotamusedourselves-Icertainlyamnot，butawfully，awfullybored。’
Sappho，smokingacigarette，wentoffintothegardenwiththetwoyoungmen。BetsyandStremovremainedattheteatable。
`Youbored？’saidBetsy。`Sapphosaystheyenjoyedthemselvestremendouslyatyourhouselastnight。’
`Ah，howdrearyitallwas！’saidLizaMerkalova。`Wealldrovebacktomyplaceaftertheraces。Andalwaysthesamepeople，alwaysthesame。Alwaysthesamething。Weloungedaboutonsofasalltheevening。
What’senjoyableaboutthat？No；dotellmehowyoumanagenevertobebored？’shesaid，addressingAnnaagain。`Onehasbuttolookatyouandoneseesawomanwhomaybehappyorunhappy，butwhoisn’tbored。Tellme-howdoyoudoit？’
`Idonothing，’answeredAnna，blushingatthesesearchingquestions。
`That’sthebestway，’Stremovputin。
Stremovwasamanoffifty，partlygray，butstillvigorousinappearance，veryugly，butwithacharacteristicandintelligentface。
LizaMerkalovawashiswife’sniece，andhespentallhisleisurehourswithher。OnmeetingAnnaKarenina，sincehewasAlexeiAlexandrovich’senemyinthegovernment，hetried，likeashrewdmanandamanoftheworld，tobeparticularlycordialwithher，thewifeofhisenemy。
`Nothing，’heputinwithasubtlesmile，`that’stheverybestway。Itoldyoulongago，’hesaid，turningtoLizaMerkalova，`that，inordernottobebored，youmustn’tthinkyou’regoingtobebored。Justasyoumustn’tbeafraidofnotbeingabletofallasleep，ifyou’reafraidofsleeplessness。That’spreciselywhatAnnaArkadyevnahasjustsaid。’
`IshouldbeverygladifIhadsaidit，forit’snotonlycleverbuttrue，’saidAnna，smiling。
`No，dotellmewhyitisonecan’tgotosleep，andonecan’thelpbeingbored？’
`Tosleepwelloneshouldwork，andtoenjoyoneselfoneshouldalsowork。’
`WhatamItoworkforwhenmyworkisofnousetoanybody？AndIcan’t，andwon’t，knowinglymakeapretenseatit。’
`You’reincorrigible，’saidStremov，withoutlookingather，andhespokeagaintoAnna。
AsherarelymetAnna，hecouldsaynothingbutbanalitiestoher，buthesaidthosebanalities，whenwasshereturningtoPeterburg，andhowfondCountessLidiaIvanovnawasofher-withanexpressionwhichsuggestedthathelongedwithhiswholesoultopleaseher，andshowhisregardforher-andevenmorethanthat。
Tushkevichcamein，announcingthatthepartywereawaitingtheotherplayerstobegincroquet。
`No，don’tgoaway，pleasedon’t，’pleadedLizaMerkalova，hearingthatAnnawasgoing。Stremovjoinedinherentreaties。
`It’stooviolentatransition，’hesaid，`togofromsuchcompanytooldMadameVrede。And，besides，youwillonlygiveherachancefortalkingscandal，whilehereyouwillarouseotherfeelings，ofthefinestanddirectlyopposedtoscandal，’hesaidtoher。
Annaponderedforaninstantinuncertainty。Thisshrewdman’sflatteringwords，thenaive，childlikeaffectionshownherbyLizaMerkalova，andalltheworldlyatmosphereshewasusedto-itwasallsoeasy，whilethatwhichwasinstoreforherwassodifficult，thatshewasforaminuteinuncertainty:shouldsheremain，shouldsheputoffalittlelongerthepainfulmomentofexplanation？But，rememberingwhatwasinstoreforherwhenshewouldbealoneathome，ifshedidnotcometosomedecision；
rememberingthatgesture-terribleeveninmemory-whenshehadclutchedherhairinbothhands，shesaidgood-byandwentaway。
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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter19[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter19InspiteofVronsky’sapparentlyfrivolouslifeinsociety，hewasamanwhohateddisorder。Inearlyyouth，intheCorpsofPages，hehadexperiencedthehumiliationofarefusal，whenhehadtried，beingindifficulties，toborrowmoney，andsincethenhehadneveronceputhimselfinthesamepositionagain。
Inordertokeephisaffairsinsomesortoforder，hewaswont，aboutfivetimesayearmoreorlessfrequently，accordingtocircumstances，toshuthimselfupaloneandputallhisaffairsintodefiniteshape。Thishewouldcallhisdayofwashinguporfairelalessive。
Onwakinguplateinthemorningaftertheraces，Vronskyputonawhitelinencoat，and，withoutshavingortakinghisbath，hedistributedaboutthetablemoney，bills，andletters，andsettowork。Petritsky，whoknewhewasill-temperedonsuchoccasions，onwakingupandseeinghiscomradeatthewritingtable，quietlydressedandwentoutwithoutgettinginhisway。
Everymanwhoknowstotheminutestdetailsallthecomplexityoftheconditionssurroundinghim，cannothelpimaginingthatthecomplexityoftheseconditions，andthedifficultyofmakingthemclear，issomethingexceptionalandpersonal，peculiartohimself，andneversupposesthatothersaresurroundedbyjustascomplicatedanarrayofpersonalaffairsasheis。SoindeeditseemedtoVronsky。Andnotwithoutinwardpride，andnotwithoutreason，hethoughtthatanyothermanwouldlongagohavebeenindifficulties，andwouldhavebeenforcedtosomedishonorablecourse，ifhehadfoundhimselfinsuchadifficultposition。ButVronskyfeltthatnowespeciallyitwasessentialforhimtoclearupanddefinehispositionifheweretoavoidgettingintodifficulties。
WhatVronskyattackedfirst，asbeingtheeasiest，washispecuniaryposition。Writingoutonnotepaperinhisminutehandwritingallthatheowed，headdeduptheamountandfoundthathisdebtsamountedtoseventeenthousandandsomeoddhundreds，whichheleftoutforthesakeofclearness。
Reckoninguphiscashandthebalanceinhisbankbook，hefoundthathehadleftonethousandeighthundredroubles，andnothingcominginbeforetheNewYear。Reckoningoveragainhislistofdebts，Vronskycopiedit，dividingitintothreeclasses。Inthefirstclassheputthedebtswhichhewouldhavetopayatonce，orforwhichhemustinanycasehavethemoneyreadysothatondemandforpaymenttherewouldnotbeamoment’sdelayinpaying。Suchdebtsamountedtoaboutfourthousand:onethousandfivehundredforahorse，andtwothousandfivehundredassuretyforayoungcomrade，Venevsky，whohadlostthatsumtoacardsharperinVronsky’spresence。Vronskyhadwantedtopaythemoneyatthetimehehadthatamountthen，butVenevskyandIashvinhadinsistedthattheywouldpayandnotVronsky，whohadnotplayed。Sofar，sogood；butVronskyknewthatinthisdirtybusiness，thoughhisonlyshareinitwasundertakingbywordofmouthtobesuretyforVenevsky，itwasabsolutelynecessaryforhimtohavethetwothousandfivehundredroubles，soastobeabletoflingitatthecheat，andhavenomorewordswithhim。Andso，forthisfirstandmostimportantdivision，hemusthavefourthousandroubles。
Thesecondclass-eightthousandroubles-consistedoflessimportantdebts。Thesewereprincipallyaccountsowinginconnectionwithhisracehorses，tothepurveyorofoatsandhay，theEnglishman，thesaddler，andsoon。Hewouldhavetopaysometwothousandroublesonthesedebtstoo，inordertobequitefreefromanxiety。Thelastclassofdebts-toshops，tohotels，tohistailor-weresuchasneednotbeconsidered。Sothatheneededatleastsixthousandroubles，andheonlyhadonethousandeighthundredforcurrentexpenses。Foramanwithonehundredthousandroublesofrevenue，whichwaswhateveryonefixedasVronsky’sincome，suchdebts，onewouldsuppose，couldhardlybeembarrassing；butthefactwasthathewasfarfromhavingonehundredthousand。Hisfather’simmenseproperty，whichaloneyieldedayearlyincomeoftwohundredthousand，wasleftundividedbetweenthebrothers。Atthetimewhentheelderbrother，withamassofdebts，hadmarriedPrincessVariaChirkova，thedaughterofaDekabristwithoutanyfortunewhatever，Alexeihadgivenuptohiselderbrotheralmostthewholeincomefromhisfather’sestate，reservingforhimselfonlytwenty-fivethousandayearfromit。Alexeihadsaidatthetimetohisbrotherthatthesumwouldbesufficientforhimuntilhemarried，whichhewouldprobablyneverdo。Andhisbrother，whowasincommandofoneofthemostexpensiveregiments，andwasonlyjustmarried，couldnotdeclinethegift。Hismother，whohadherownseparateproperty，hadallowedAlexeieveryyeartwentythousandinadditiontothetwenty-fivethousandhehadreserved，andAlexeihadspentitall。Oflatehismother，incensedwithhimonaccountofhisloveaffairandhisleavingMoscow，hadgivenupsendinghimthemoney。And，inconsequenceofthis，Vronsky，whohadbeeninthehabitoflivingonthescaleofforty-fivethousandayear，havingonlyreceivedtwentythousandthatyear，nowfoundhimselfindifficulties。
Togetoutofthesedifficulties，hecouldnotapplytohismotherformoney。Herlastletter，whichhehadreceivedthedaybefore，hadparticularlyexasperatedhimbythehintsitcontainedthatshewasquitereadytohelphimtosucceedintheworldandinthearmy，butnottoleadalifewhichscandalizedallgoodsociety。Hismother’sattempttobuyhimstunghimtothequickandmadehimfeelcolderthanevertowardher。Buthecouldnotdrawbackfromthegenerouswordwhenitwasonceuttered，eventhoughhefeltnow，vaguelyforeseeingcertaineventualitiesinhisliaisonwithMadameKarenina，thathisgenerouswordhadbeenspokenthoughtlessly，andthat，eventhoughhewerenotmarried，hemightneedallthehundredthousandofincome。Butitwasimpossibletodrawback。Hehadonlytorecallhisbrother’swife，torememberhowthatsweet，delightfulVariasought，ateveryconvenientopportunity，toremindhimthatsherememberedhisgenerosityandappreciatedit，tograsptheimpossibilityoftakingbackhisgift。Itwasasimpossibleasbeatingawoman，orstealing，orlying。Onethingonlycouldandoughttobedone，andVronskydetermineduponitwithoutaninstant’shesitation:toborrowmoneyfromamoneylender，tenthousandroubles，aproceedingwhichpresentednodifficulty；tocutdownhisexpensesgenerally，andtosellhisracehorses。Resolvingonthis，hepromptlywroteanotetoRolandaky，whohadmorethanoncesenttohimwithofferstobuyhorsesfromhim。ThenhesentfortheEnglishmanandthemoneylender，anddividedwhatmoneyhehadaccordingtotheaccountsheintendedtopay。Havingfinishedthisbusiness，hewroteacoldandcuttinganswertohismother。ThenhetookoutofhisnotebookthreenotesofAnna’s，readthemagain，burnedthem，and，rememberingtheirconversationonthepreviousday，hesankintodeepthought。
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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter20[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter20Vronsky’slifewasparticularlyhappyinthathehadacodeofprinciples，whichdefinedwithunfailingcertitudewhatheoughtandwhatheoughtnottodo。Thiscodeofprinciplescoveredonlyaverysmallcircleofcontingencies，butthentheprincipleswereneverdoubtful，andVronsky，asheneverwentoutsidethatcircle，hadneverhadamoment’shesitationaboutdoingwhatheoughttodo。Theseprincipleslaiddownasinvariablerules:thatonemustpayacardsharper，butneednotpayatailor；thatonemustnevertellalietoaman，butonemaytoawoman；thatonemustnevercheatanyone，butonemayahusband；thatonemustneverpardonaninsult，butonemaygiveoneandsoon。Theseprincipleswerepossiblynotreasonableandnotgood，buttheywereofunfailingcertainty，and，solongasheadheredtothem，Vronskyfeltthathisheartwasatpeaceandhecouldholdhisheadup。Butoflate，inregardtohisrelationswithAnna，Vronskyhadbeguntofeelthathiscodeofprinciplesdidnotfullycoverallpossiblecontingencies，andtoforeseeinthefuturedifficultiesandperplexitiesforwhichhecouldfindnoguidingclue。
HispresentrelationtoAnnaandtoherhusbandwastohismindclearandsimple。Itwasclearlyandpreciselydefinedinthecodeofprinciplesbywhichhewasguided。
Shewasanhonorablewomanwhohadbestowedherloveuponhim，andhelovedher，andthereforeshewasinhiseyesawomanwhohadarighttothesamerespect，orevenmore，thanalawfulwife。Hewouldhavehadhishandchoppedoffbeforehewouldhaveallowedhimselfbyaword，byahint，tohumiliateher，oreventofallshortofthefullestrespectawomancouldlookfor。
Hisattitudetowardsociety，too，wasclear。Everyonemightknow，mightsuspectit，butnoonemightdaretospeakofit。Ifanydidspeak，hewasreadytoforceallwhomightdosotobesilentandtorespectthenonexistenthonorofthewomanheloved。
Hisattitudetothehusbandwastheclearestofall。FromthemomentthatAnnalovedVronsky，hehadregardedhisownrightoverherastheonethingunassailable。Herhusbandwassimplyasuperfluousandtiresomeperson。Nodoubthewasinapitiableposition，buthowcouldthatbehelped？Theonethingthehusbandhadarighttowastodemandsatisfactionwithaweaponinhishand，andVronskywaspreparedforthisatanyminute。
Butoflatenewinnerrelationshadarisenbetweenherandhim，whichfrightenedVronskybytheirindefiniteness。Onlythedaybeforeshehadtoldhimthatshewaswithchild。Andhefeltthatthisfact，andwhatsheexpectedofhim，calledforsomethingnotfullydefinedinthatcodeofprinciplesbywhichhehadhithertosteeredhiscourseinlife。Andhehadbeenindeedcaughtunawares，and，atthefirstmomentwhenshespoketohimofherposition，hishearthadpromptedhimtobeghertoleaveherhusband。Hehadsaidthat，butnow，thinkingthingsoverhesawclearlythatitwouldbebettertomanageavoidingthat；andatthesametime，ashetoldhimselfthis，hewasafraidwhethersuchanavoidancewerenotwrong。
`IfItoldhertoleaveherhusband，itwouldmeanunitingherlifewithmine；amIpreparedforthat？HowcanItakeherawaynow，whenIhavenomoney？SupposingIcouldarrange……ButhowcanItakeherawaywhileI’mintheservice？IfIsayit，Ioughttobepreparedtodoit；
thatis，Ioughttohavethemoneyandtoretirefromthearmy。’
Andhegrewthoughtful。Thequestionwhethertoretirefromtheserviceornotbroughthimtotheother，andperhapsthechiefthoughhidden，interestofhislife，ofwhichnoneknewbuthe。
Ambitionwastheolddreamofhisyouthandchildhood，adreamwhichhedidnotconfesseventohimself，thoughitwassostrongthatnowthispassionwasevendoingbattlewithhislove。Hisfirststepsintheworldandintheservicehadbeensuccessful，buttwoyearsbeforehehadmadeagreatmistake。Anxioustoshowhisindependence，andforthesakeofadvancement，hehadrefusedapostthathadbeenofferedhim，hopingthatthisrefusalwouldheightenhisvalue；butitturnedoutthathehadbeentoobold，andhewaspassedover。Andhaving，whetherhelikedornot，takenupforhimselfthepositionofanindependentman，hecarrieditoffwithgreattactandgoodsense，behavingasthoughheborenogrudgeagainstanyone，norregardinghimselfasinjuredinanyway，andcaringfornothingbuttobeleftalonesincehewasenjoyinghimself。Inrealityhehadceasedtoenjoyhimselfaslongagoastheyearbefore，whenhehadgonetoMoscow。Hefeltthatthisindependentattitudeofamanwhomighthavedoneanything，butcaredtodonothing，wasalreadybeginningtopall，thatmanypeoplewerebeginningtofancythathewasnotreallycapableofanythingbutbeingastraightforward，good-naturedfellow。HisconnectionwithMadameKarenina，bycreatingsomuchsensationandattractinggeneralattention，hadgivenhimafreshdistinction，whichhadsoothedhisgnawingwormofambitionforawhile；butaweekagothatwormhadbeenrousedupagainwithfreshforce。Thefriendofhischildhood，amanofthesameset，ofthesamecoterie，hiscomradeintheCorpsofPages，Serpukhovskoy，whohadleftschoolwithhim，andhadbeenhisrivalinclass，ingymnastics，intheirscrapesandtheirdreamsofglory，hadcomebackafewdaysbeforefromCentralAsia，wherehehadgainedtwostepsupinrank，andanorderrarelybestowedupongeneralssoyoung。
AssoonashearrivedinPeterburg，peoplebegantotalkabouthimasanewlyrisenstarofthefirstmagnitude。AschoolfellowofVronsky’sandofthesameage，hewasageneralandwasexpectingacommandwhichmighthaveinfluenceonthecourseofpoliticalevents；whileVronsky，thoughhewasindependentandbrilliant，andbelovedbyacharmingwoman，wassimplyacavalrycaptainwhowasreadilyallowedtobeasindependentaseverheliked。`Ofcourse，Idon’tenvySerpukhovskoyandnevercouldenvyhim；buthisadvancementshowsmethatonehasonlytowatchone’sopportunity，andthecareerofamanlikememaybeveryrapidlymade。
ThreeyearsagohewasinjustthesamepositionasIam。IfIretire，Iburnmyships。IfIremaininthearmy，Ilosenothing。Shesaidherselfshedidnotwishtochangeherposition。AndwithherloveIcannotfeelenviousofSerpukhovskoy。’And，slowlytwirlinghismustaches，hegotupfromthetableandwalkedabouttheroom。Hiseyesshoneparticularlybrightly，andhefeltinthatfirm，calm，andhappyframeofmindwhichalwayscameafterhehadthoroughlyfacedhisposition。Everythingwasstraightandclear，justasafterformerdaysofstrikingbalances。Heshaved，tookacoldbath，dressed，andwentout。
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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter21[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter21`I’vecometofetchyou。Yourlessivelastedagoodtimetoday，’saidPetritsky。
`Well，isitover？’
`It’sover，’answeredVronsky，smilingwithhiseyesonly，andtwirlingthetipsofhismustachesascircumspectlyasthoughaftertheperfectorderintowhichhisaffairshadbeenbroughtanyoverboldorrapidmovementmightdisturbit。
`You’realwaysjustasifyou’dcomeoutofabathafterit，’
saidPetritsky。`I’vecomefromGritzka’thatwaswhattheycalledthecolonel；-`you’reexpectedthere。’
Vronsky，withoutanswering，lookedathiscomrade，thinkingofsomethingelse。
`Yes；isthatmusicathisplace？’hesaid，listeningtothefamiliarbasssoundsoftrumpets，ofpolkasandwaltzes，floatingacrosstohim。
`What’sthefete？’
`Serpukhovskoy’scome。’
`Aha！’saidVronsky。`Why，Ididn’tknow。’
Thesmileinhiseyesgleamedmorebrightlythanever。
Havingoncemadeuphismindthathewashappyinhislove，thathesacrificedhisambitiontoit-atanyrate，havingtakenupthisrole-VronskywasincapableoffeelingeitherenviousofSerpukhovskoy，orvexedathimfornothavingcometohimfirstuponcomingtotheregiment。
Serpukhovskoywasagoodfriend，andhewasdelightedhehadcome。
`Ah，I’mveryglad！’
Thecolonel，Demin，hadtakenalargecountryhouse。Thewholepartywasonthewidelowerbalcony。InthecourtyardthefirstobjectsthatmetVronsky’seyeswereabandofsingersinshortwhitelinenjackets，standingnearabarrelofvodka，andtherobust，good-humoredfigureofthecolonelsurroundedbyofficers。HehadgoneoutasfarasthefirststepofthebalconyandwasloudlyshoutingtodrownoutthebandplayinganOffenbachquadrille，wavinghisarmsandgivingsomeorderstoafewsoldiersstandingononeside。Agroupofsoldiers，aquartermaster，andseveralsubalternscameuptothebalconywithVronsky。Thecolonelreturnedtothetable，wentoutagainonthestepswithatumblerinhishand，andproposedthetoast，`Tothehealthofourformercomrade，thegallantgeneral，PrinceSerpukhovskoy。Hurrah！’
ThecolonelwasfollowedbySerpukhovskoy，whocameoutonthestepssmiling，withaglassinhishand。
`Youalwaysgetyounger，Bondarenko，’hesaidtotherosy-cheeked，smart-lookingsergeantstandingjustbeforehim，stillyoungish-lookingthoughdoinghissecondtermofservice。
ItwasthreeyearssinceVronskyhadseenSerpukhovskoy。Helookedmorerobust，hadlethiswhiskersgrow，butwasstillthesamegracefulcreature，whosefaceandfigurewereevenmorestrikingfromtheirfinenessandnobilitythantheirbeauty。TheonlychangeVronskydetectedinhimwasthatsubdued，continualbeamingwhichsettlesonthefacesofmenwhoaresuccessfulandaresureoftherecognitionoftheirsuccessbyeveryone。
Vronskyknewthatradiantair，andimmediatelyobserveditinSerpukhovskoy。
AsSerpukhovskoycamedownthestepshesawVronsky。Asmileofpleasurelighteduphisface。Hetossedhisheadupwardandwavedtheglassinhishand，greetingVronsky，andshowinghimbythegesturethathecouldnotcometohimbeforekissingthesergeantwhostoodcraningforwardhislipsreadytobekissed。
`Hereheis！’shoutedthecolonel。`Iashvintoldmeyouwereinoneofyourgloomytempers。’
Serpukhovskoykissedthemoist，freshlipsofthebravesergeant，and，wipinghismouthwithhishandkerchief，walkeduptoVronsky。
`HowgladIam！’hesaid，squeezinghishandanddrawinghimtooneside。
`Youlookafterhim，’thecolonelshoutedtoIashvin，pointingtoVronsky；andhewentdownbelowtothesoldiers。
`Whyweren’tyouattheracesyesterday？Iexpectedtoseeyouthere，’saidVronsky，scrutinizingSerpukhovskoy。
`Ididgo，butlate。Ibegyourpardon，’headded，andturnedtotheadjutant:`Pleasehavethisdistributedfromme，eachmanasmuchasitcomesto。’
Andhehurriedlytookthreenotesforahundredroubleseachfromhispocketbook，andblushed。
`Vronsky！Haveabiteoradrink？’askedIashvin。`Hi，somethingfortheCounttoeat！There-drinkthat。’
Thespreeatthecolonel’slastedalongwhile。
Therewasagreatdealofdrinking。TheyswungSerpukhovskoyandtossedhimintheair。Thentheydidthesametothecolonel。Then，totheaccompanimentoftheband，thecolonelhimselfdancedwithPetritsky。
Thenthecolonel，whobegantoshowsignsofweakening，satdownonabenchinthecourtyardandbegandemonstratingtoIashvinthesuperiorityofRussiaoverPrussia，especiallyincavalryattack，andtherewasalullintherevelryforamoment。SerpukhovskoywentintothehousetothebathroomtowashhishandsandfoundVronskythere-Vronskywassousinghisheadwithwater。Hehadtakenoffhiscoatandputhisredhairyneckunderthetap，andwasrubbingitandhisheadwithhishands。Whenhehadfinished，VronskysatdownbySerpukhovskoy。Theybothsatdowninthebathroomonalounge，andaconversationbeganwhichwasveryinterestingtobothofthem。
`I’vealwaysbeenhearingaboutyouthroughmywife，’saidSerpukhovskoy。
`I’mgladyou’vebeenseeingherprettyoften。’
`She’sfriendlywithVaria，andthey’retheonlywomeninPeterburgIcareaboutseeing，’answeredVronsky，smiling。Hesmiledbecauseheforesawthetopictheconversationwouldturnto，andhewasgladofit。
`Theonlyones？’Serpukhovskoyqueried，smiling。
`Yes；andIheardnewsofyou，butnotonlythroughyourwife，’
saidVronsky，checkingSerpukhovskoy’shintbyassumingasternexpression。
`Iwasgreatlydelightedtohearofyoursuccess，butnotabitsurprised。
Iexpectedevenmore。’
Serpukhovskoysmiled。Suchanopinionofhimwasobviouslyagreeabletohim，andhedidnotthinkitnecessarytoconcealit。
`Well，I，onthecontrary，expectedless-I’llownupfrankly。
ButI’mglad，veryglad。I’mambitious-that’smyweakness，andIconfesstoit。’
`Perhapsyouwouldn’tconfesstoitifyouhadn’tbeensuccessful，’
saidVronsky。
`Idon’tsupposeso，’saidSerpukhovskoy，smilingagain。`Iwon’tsaylifewouldn’tbeworthlivingwithoutit，butitwouldbedull。OfcourseImaybemistaken，butIfancyIhaveacertaincapacityforthelineI’vechosen，andthatifthereistobepowerofanysortinmyhands，itwillbebetterthaninthehandsofagoodmanypeopleIknow，’saidSerpukhovskoy，withbeamingconsciousnessofsuccess；`andsothenearerIgettoit，thebetterpleasedIam。’
`Perhapsthatistrueforyou，butnotforeveryone。Iusedtothinksotoo，butnowIseeandthinklifeworthlivingnotonlyforthat。’
`Thereitcomes！thereitcomes！’saidSerpukhovskoylaughing。
`EversinceIheardaboutyou，aboutyourrefusal，Ibegan……Ofcourse，Iapprovedofwhatyoudid。Buttherearewaysofdoingeverything。AndIthinkyouractionwasgoodinitself，butyoudidn’tdoitinquitethewayyoushouldhavedone。’
`What’sdonecan’tbeundone，andyouknowInevergobackonwhatI’vedone。And，besides，I’mverywelloff。’
`Verywelloff-forthetime。Butyou’renotsatisfiedwiththat。
Iwouldn’tsaythistoyourbrother。He’sacharmingchild，likeourhosthere。Therehegoes！’headded，listeningtotheroarofa`hurrah！’-
`andhe’shappy；thatdoesnotsatisfyyou。’
`Ididn’tsayitdid。’
`Yes，butthat’snottheonlything。Suchmenasyouarewanted。’
`Bywhom？’
`Bywhom？Bysociety，byRussia。Russianeedsmen，sheneedsaparty，orelseeverythinggoesandwillgotothedogs。’
`Howdoyoumean？Bertenev’spartyagainsttheRussiancommunists？’
`No，’saidSerpukhovskoy，frowningwithvexationatbeingsuspectedofsuchanabsurdity。`Toutç；aestuneblague。Thathasalwaysbeen，andalwayswillbe。Therearenocommunists。Butintriguingpeoplehavetoinventanoxious，dangerousparty。It’sanoldtrick。No，what’swantedisapowerfulpartyofindependentmen，likeyouandme。’
`Butwhyso？’Vronskymentionedafewmenwhowereinpower。`Whyaren’ttheyindependentmen？’
`Simplybecausetheyhavenot，orhavenothadfrombirth，anindependentfortune，they’venothadaname，theyweren’tbornclosetothesunaswewere。Theycanbeboughteitherbymoneyorbyfavor。Andtheyhavetofindasupportforthemselvesininventingatrend。Andtheybringforwardsomenotion，sometrendthattheydon’tbelievein，thatdoesharm；andthewholepolicyisreallyonlyameanstoahouseattheexpenseofthecrownandsomuchincome。Celan’estpasplusfinqueç；a，whenyougetapeepattheircards。Imaybeinferiortothem，morestupidperhaps，thoughIdon’tseewhyIshouldbeinferiortothem。ButyouandIhaveoneimportant，certainadvantageoverthem，inbeingmoredifficulttobuy。Andsuchmenaremoreneededthanever。’
Vronskylistenedattentively，buthewasnotsomuchinterestedbythemeaningofthewordsasbytheattitudeofSerpukhovskoy，whowasalreadycontemplatingastrugglewiththeexistingpowers，andalreadyhadhislikesanddislikesinthatworld，whilehisowninterestinhisservicedidnotgobeyondtheinterestsofhissquadron。Vronskyfelt，too，howpowerfulSerpukhovskoymightbecomethroughhisunmistakablefacultyforthinkingthingsoutandfortakingthingsin，throughhisintelligenceandgiftofeloquence，sorarelymetwithintheworldinwhichhemoved。
And，ashamedashewasofthefeeling，hefeltenvious。
`StillIhaven’ttheonethingofparamountimportanceforthat，’
heanswered；`Ihaven’tthedesireforpower。Ihaditonce，butit’sgone。’
`Excuseme，that’snottrue，’saidSerpukhovskoysmiling。
`Yes，it’strue，it’strue-nowtobetruthful！’Vronskyadded。
`Yes，it’struenow，that’sanotherthing；butthatnowwon’tlastforever。’
`Perhaps，’answeredVronsky。
`Yousayperhaps，’Serpukhovskoywenton，asthoughguessinghisthoughts，`butIsayforcertain。Andthat’swhatIwantedtoseeyoufor。
Youractionwasjustwhatitshouldhavebeen。Iseethat，butyououghtnottopersevereinit。Ionlyaskyoutogivemecarteblanche。I’mnotgoingtoofferyoumyprotection……Though，indeed，whyshouldn’tIprotectyou？-you’veprotectedmeoftenenough！Ishouldhopeourfriendshiprisesaboveallthatsortofthing。Yes，’hesaid，smilingtohimastenderlyasawoman，`givemecarteblanche，retirefromtheregiment，andI’llgetyouinimperceptibly。’
`ButyoumustunderstandthatIwantnothing，’saidVronsky，`excepttoleavethingsjustastheywere。’
Serpukhovskoygotupandstoodfacinghim。
`Yousaid，leavethingsjustastheywere。Iunderstandwhatthatmeans。Butlisten:we’rethesameage，you’veknownagreaternumberofwomenperhapsthanIhave。’Serpukhovskoy’ssmileandgesturestoldVronskythathemustn’tbeafraid，thathewouldbetenderandcarefulintouchingthesoreplace。`ButI’mmarried，andbelieveme，ingettingtoknowone’swifethoroughly，ifonelovesher，assomeonehassaid，onegetstoknowallwomenbetterthanifoneknewthousandsofthem。’
`We’recomingdirectly！’Vronskyshoutedtoanofficer，wholookedintotheroomandcalledthemtothecolonel。
VronskywaslongingnowtohearSerpukhovskoytotheend，andknowwhathewouldsaytohim。
`Andhere’smyopinionforyou。Womenarethechiefstumblingblockinaman’scareer。It’shardtoloveawomananddoanything。There’sonlyonewayofhavingloveconvenientlywithoutitsbeingahindrance-that’smarriage。Now，howamItotellyouwhatImean？’saidSerpukhovskoy，wholikedsimiles。`Wait，waitaminute！Yes，justasyoucanonlycarryafardeauyetdosomethingwithyourhandswhenthefardeauistiedonyourback-andthat’smarriage。Andthat’swhatIfeltwhenIwasmarried。
Myhandsweresuddenlysetfree。Butifyoudragthatfardeauaboutwithyouwithoutmarriage，yourhandswillalwaysbesofullthatyoucandonothing。LookatMazankov，atKrupov。They’veruinedtheircareersforthesakeofwomen。’
`Whatwomen！’saidVronsky，recallingtheFrenchwomanandtheactresswithwhomthetwomenhehadmentionedwereconnected。
`Thefirmerthewoman’sfootinginsociety，theworseitis。That’smuchthesameasnotmerelycarryingthefardeauinyourarms，buttearingitawayfromsomeoneelse。’
`Youhaveneverloved，’Vronskysaidsoftly，lookingstraightbeforehimandthinkingofAnna。
`Perhaps。ButyourememberwhatI’vesaidtoyou。Andanotherthing-womenareallmorematerialisticthanmen。Wemakesomethingimmenseoutoflove，buttheyarealwaysterre-è；a-terre。’
`Directly，directly！’hecriedtoafootmanwhocamein。Butthefootmanhadnotcometocallthemagain，ashesupposed。ThefootmanbroughtVronskyanote。
`AmanbroughtitfromPrincessTverskaia。’
Vronskyopenedtheletter，andflushedcrimson。
`Myhead’sbeguntoache；I’mgoinghome，’hesaidtoSerpukhovskoy。
`Oh，good-bythen。Yougivemecarteblanche！’
`We’lltalkaboutitlateron；I’lllookyouupinPeterburg。’
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter22[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter22Itwassixo’clockalready，andso，inordertobetherequickly，andatthesametimenottodrivewithhisownhorses，knowntoeveryone，VronskygotintoIashvin’shackneycoachandtoldthecoachmantodriveasquicklyaspossible。Itwasaroomy，old-fashionedcoach，withseatsforfour。
Hesatinonecorner，stretchedhislegsoutonthefrontseat，andsankintodeepthought。
Avaguesenseoftheclearnesstowhichhisaffairshadbeenbrought，avaguerecollectionofthefriendlinessandflatteryofSerpukhovskoy，whohadconsideredhimamanwhowasneeded，and，mostofall，theanticipationofthemeetingbeforehim-allblendedintoageneral，joyoussenseoflife。Thisfeelingwassostrongthathecouldnothelpsmiling。Hedroppedhislegs，crossedonelegovertheotherknee，and，takingitinhishand，feltthespringymuscleofthecalf，whereithadbeengrazedthedaybeforebyhisfall，and，leaningbackhedrewseveraldeepbreaths。
`I’mhappy，veryhappy！’hesaidtohimself。Hehadoftenbeforehadthissenseofphysicaljoyinhisownbody，buthehadneverfeltsofondofhimself，ofhisownbody，asatthatmoment。Heenjoyedtheslightacheinhisstrongleg，heenjoyedthemuscularsensationofmovementinhischestashebreathed。Thebright，coldAugustday，whichhadmadeAnnafeelsohopeless，seemedtohimkeenlystimulating，andrefreshedhisfaceandneckthatstilltingledfromthecoldwater。Thescentofbrilliantineonhismustachesstruckhimasparticularlypleasantinthefreshair。
Everythinghesawfromthecarriagewindow，everythinginthatcoldpureair，inthepalelightofthesunset，wasasfresh，andgay，andstrongashewashimself:theroofsofthehousesshiningintheraysofthesettingsun，thesharpoutlinesoffencesandanglesofbuildings，thefiguresofpassers-byandcarriagesthatmethimnowandthen，themotionlessgreenofthetreesandgrass，thefieldswithevenlydrawnfurrowsofpotatoes，andtheslantingshadowsthatfellfromthehouses，andtrees，andbushes，andevenfromtherowsofpotatoes-everythingwasbrightlikeaprettylandscapefreshlypaintedandvarnished。
`Geton，geton！’hesaidtothedriver，puttinghisheadoutofthewindow，andpullingathree-roublenoteoutofhispockethehandedittothemanashelookedround。Thedriver’shandfumbledwithsomethingatthelamp，thewhipcracked，andthecoachrolledrapidlyalongthesmoothhighroad。
`Iwantnothing，nothingbutthishappiness，’hethought，staringatthebonebuttonofthebellinthespacebetweenthewindows，andpicturingtohimselfAnnajustashehadseenherlasttime。`AndasIgoon，Ilovehermoreandmore。Here’sthegardenoftheVrede’scrownvilla。Whereaboutswillshebe？Where？How？Whydidshefixonthisplacetomeetme，andwhydoesshewriteinBetsy’sletter？’hethought，nowforthefirsttimewonderingatit。Buttherewasnownotimeforwonder。Hecalledtothedrivertostopbeforereachingtheavenue，andopeningthedoor，jumpedoutofthecarriageasitwasmoving，andwentuptheavenuethatledtothehouse。Therewasnooneintheavenue；but，lookingroundtotheright，hecaughtsightofher。Herfacewashiddenbyaveil，buthedrankinwithgladeyesthespecialmovementinwalking，peculiartoheralone，theslopeofhershoulders，andthesettingofherhead，andatonceasortofelectricshockranalloverhim。Withfreshforcehefeltconsciousofhimself，fromthespringymovementsofhislegstothemovementsofhislungsashebreathed，andsomethingsethislipstwitching。
Joininghim，shepressedhishandtightly。
`You’renotangrybecauseIsentforyou？Iabsolutelyhadtoseeyou，’shesaid；andtheseriousandsetlineofherlips，whichhesawundertheveil，transformedhismoodatonce。
`Iangry？Buthowhaveyoucome-where？’
`Nevermind，’shesaid，layingherhandonhisarm，`comealong，Imusttalktoyou。’
Hesawthatsomethinghadhappened，andthattheinterviewwouldnotbeajoyousone。Inherpresencehehadnowillofhisown:withoutknowingthegroundsofherdistress，healreadyfeltthesamedistressunconsciouslypassingoverhim。
`Whatisit？What？’heaskedher，squeezingherhandwithhiselbow，andtryingtoreadherthoughtsinherface。
Shewalkedonafewstepsinsilence，gatheringuphercourage；
thensuddenlyshestopped。
`Ididnottellyouyesterday，’shebegan，breathingquicklyandpainfully，`thatcominghomewithAlexeiAlexandrovichItoldhimeverything……
toldhimIcouldnotbehiswife，that……andtoldhimeverything。’
Heheardher，unconsciouslybendinghiswholefiguredowntoherasthoughhopinginthiswaytosoftenthehardnessofherpositionforher。Butdirectlyshehadsaidthishesuddenlydrewhimselfup，andaproudandhardexpressioncameoverhisface。
`Yes，yes，that’sbetter，athousandtimesbetter！Iknowhowpainfulitwas，’hesaid。Butshewasnotlisteningtohiswords-shewasreadinghisthoughtsfromtheexpressionofhisface。ShecouldnotguessthatthatarosefromthefirstideathatpresenteditselftoVronsky-thataduelwasnowinevitable。Theideaofaduelhadnevercrossedhermind，andsosheputadifferentinterpretationonthispassingexpressionofhardness。
Whenshegotherhusband’sletter，sheknewthenatthebottomofherheartthateverythingwouldgoonintheoldway，thatshewouldnothavethestrengthofwilltoforegoherposition，toabandonherson，andtojoinherlover。ThemorningspentatPrincessTverskaia’shadconfirmedherstillmoreinthis。Butthisinterviewwasstilloftheutmostgravityforher。Shehopedthatthisinterviewwouldtransformherposition，andsaveher。Ifonhearingthisnewsheweretosaytoherresolutely，passionately，withoutaninstant’swavering:`Throwupeverythingandcomewithme！shewouldgiveuphersonandgoawaywithhim。Butthisnewshadnotproducedonhimtheeffectshehadexpected；hesimplyseemedresentfulofsomeaffront。
`Itwasnotintheleastpainfulforme。Ithappenedofitself，’
shesaidirritably，`andsee……’Shepulledherhusband’sletteroutofherglove。
`Iunderstand，Iunderstand，’heinterruptedher，takingtheletter，butnotreadingit，andtryingtosootheher。`TheonethingIlongedfor，theonethingIprayedfor，wastocutshortthisposition，soastodevotemylifetoyourhappiness。’
`Whydoyoutellmethat？’shesaid。`DoyousupposeIcandoubtit？IfIdoubted……’
`Who’sthatcoming？’saidVronskysuddenly，pointingtotwoladieswalkingtowardthem。`Perhapstheyknowus！’andhehurriedlyturnedoff，drawingherafterhimintoasidepath。
`Oh，Idon’tcare！’shesaid。Herlipswerequivering。Andhefanciedthathereyeslookedwithstrangefuryathimfromunderherveil。
`Itellyouthat’snotthepoint-Ican’tdoubtthat；butseewhathewritesme。Readit。’Shestoodstillagain。
Again，justasatthefirstmomentofhearingofherrupturewithherhusband，Vronsky，onreadingtheletter，wasunconsciouslycarriedawaybythenaturalsensationarousedinhimbyhisownrelationtotheinjuredhusband。Now，whileheheldhisletterinhishands，hecouldnothelppicturingthechallenge，whichhewouldmostlikelyfindathometodayortomorrow，andtheduelitself，inwhich，withthesamecoldandhaughtyexpressionthathisfacewasassumingatthismoment，hewouldawaittheinjuredhusband’sshot，afterhavinghimselffiredintotheair。AndatthatinstantthereflashedacrosshismindthethoughtofwhatSerpukhovskoyhadjustsaidtohim，andwhathehadhimselfbeenthinkinginthemorning-thatitwasbetternottobindhimself；andheknewthathecouldnottellherthisthought。
Havingreadtheletter，heraisedhiseyestoher，andtherewasnofirmnessinthem。Shesawatoncethathehadbeenthinkingaboutitbeforebyhimself。Sheknewthatwhateverhemightsaytoher，hewouldnotsayallhethought。Andsheknewthatherlasthopehadfailedher。
Thiswasnotwhatshehadbeenlookingfor。
`Youseethesortofmanheis，’shesaid，withashakingvoice；
`he……’
`Forgiveme，butIrejoiceatit，’Vronskyinterrupted。`ForGod’ssake，letmefinish！’headded，hiseyesimploringhertogivehimtimetoexplainhiswords。`Irejoice，becausethingscannot，cannotpossiblyremainashesupposes。’
`Whycan’tthey？’Annasaid，restraininghertears，andobviouslyattachingnosortofconsequencetowhathesaid。Shefeltthatherfatewassealed。
Vronskymeantthataftertheduel-inevitable，hethought-thingscouldnotgoonasbefore，buthesaidsomethingdifferent。
`Itcan’tgoon。Ihopethatnowyouwillleavehim。Ihope’-
hewasconfused，andreddened-`thatyouwillletmearrangeandplanourlife。Tomorrow……’hewasbeginning。
Shedidnotlethimgoon。
`Butmychild！’sheshrieked。`Youseewhathewrites！Ishouldhavetoleavehim，andIcan’tandwon’tdothat。’
`But，forGod’ssake，whichisbetter？Toleaveyourchild，orkeepupthisdegradingsituation？’
`Towhomisitdegrading？’
`Toall，andmostofalltoyou。’
`Yousaydegrading……Don’tsaythat。Thesewordshavenomeaningforme，’shesaidinashakingvoice。Shedidnotwanthimnowtosaywhatwasuntrue。Shehadnothingleftherbuthislove，andshewantedtolovehim。`Don’tyouunderstandthatfromthedayIlovedyoueverythinghaschangedforme？Formethereisonething，andonethingonly-yourlove。
Ifthat’smine，Ifeelsoexalted，sostrong，thatnothingcanbedegradingtome。Iamproudofmyposition，because……proudofbeing……proud……’
Shecouldnotsaywhatshewasproudof。Tearsofshameanddespairchokedherutterance。Shestoodstillandsobbed。
Hefelt，too，somethingswellinginhisthroatandtwitchinginhisnose，andforthefirsttimeinhislifehefeltonthepointofweeping。
Hecouldnothavesaidexactlywhatitwastouchedhimso；hefeltsorryforher，andhefelthecouldnothelpher，andwiththatheknewthathewastoblameforherwretchedness，andthathehaddonesomethingwrong。
`Isn’tadivorcepossible？’hesaidfeebly。Sheshookherhead，withoutanswering。`Couldn’tyoutakeyourson，andstillleavehim？
`Yes；butitalldependsonhim。NowImustgotohim，’shesaidshortly。Herpresentimentthatallwouldagaingoonintheoldwayhadnotdeceivedher。
`OnTuesdayIshallbeinPeterburg，andeverythingcanbesettled。’
`Yes，’shesaid。`Butdon’tletustalkanymoreofit。’
Anna’scarriage，whichshehadsentaway，andorderedtocomebacktothelittlegateoftheVredegarden，droveup。Annasaidgood-bytoVronsky，anddrovehome。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter23[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter23OnMondaytherewastheusualsessionoftheCommissionofthe2ndofJune。
AlexeiAlexandrovichwalkedintothehallwherethesessionwasheld，greetedthemembersandthepresident，asusual，andsatdowninhisplace，puttinghishandonthepaperslaidreadybeforehim。Amongthosepaperslaythenecessaryevidenceandaroughoutlineofthespeechheintendedtomake。
Buthedidnotreallyneedthesedocuments。Herememberedeverypoint，anddidnotthinkitnecessarytogooverinhismemorywhathewouldsay。
Heknewthatwhenthetimecame，andwhenhesawhisenemyfacinghim，andstudiouslyendeavoringtoassumeanexpressionofindifference，hisspeechwouldflowofitselfbetterthanhecouldprepareitnow。Hefeltthattheimportofhisspeechwasofsuchmagnitudethateverywordofitwouldhaveweight。Meantime，ashelistenedtotheusualreport，hehadthemostinnocentandinoffensiveair。Noone，lookingathiswhitehands，withtheirswollenveinsandlongfingers，sosoftlystrokingtheedgesofthewhitepaperthatlaybeforehim，andattheairofwearinesswithwhichhisheaddroopedononeside，wouldhavesuspectedthatinafewminutesatorrentofwordswouldflowfromhislipsthatwouldarouseafearfulstorm，setthemembersshoutingandattackingoneanother，andforcethepresidenttocallfororder。Whenthereportwasover，AlexeiAlexandrovichannouncedinhissubdued，delicatevoicethathehadseveralpointstobringbeforethemeetinginregardtotheorganizationofthenativetribes。Allattentionwasturneduponhim。AlexeiAlexandrovichclearedhisthroat，and，withoutlookingathisopponent，butselecting，ashealwaysdidwhilehewasdeliveringhisspeeches，thefirstpersonsittingoppositehim，aninoffensivelittleoldman，whoneverhadanopinionofanysortintheCommission，begantoexpoundhisviews。Whenhereachedthepointaboutthebasicandorganiclaw，hisopponentjumpedupandbegantoprotest。Stremov，whowasalsoamemberoftheCommission，andwasalsostungtothequick，begandefendinghimself，andanaltogetherstormysessionfollowed；butAlexeiAlexandrovichtriumphed，andhismotionwascarried，threenewcommissionswereappointed，andthenextday，inacertainPeterburgcircle，nothingelsewastalkedofbutthissession。AlexeiAlexandrovich’ssuccesshadbeenevengreaterthanhehadanticipated。
Nextmorning，Tuesday，AlexeiAlexandrovich，onawaking，recollectedwithpleasurehistriumphofthepreviousday，andhecouldnothelpsmiling，thoughhetriedtoappearindifferent，whentheheadclerk，anxioustoflatterhim，informedhimoftherumorsthathadreachedhimconcerningwhathadhappenedintheCommission。
Absorbedinbusinesswiththeheadclerk，AlexeiAlexandrovichhadcompletelyforgottenthatitwasTuesday，thedayfixedbyhimforthereturnofAnnaArkadyevna，andhewassurprisedandreceivedashockofannoyancewhenaservantcameintoinformhimofherarrival。
AnnahadarrivedinPeterburgearlyinthemorning；thecarriagehadbeensenttomeetherinaccordancewithhertelegram，andsoAlexeiAlexandrovichmighthaveknownofherarrival。But，whenshearrived，hedidnotmeether。Shewastoldthathehadnotyetgoneout，butwasbusywiththeheadclerk。Shesentwordtoherhusbandthatshehadcome，wenttoherownroom，andoccupiedherselfinsortingoutherthings，expectinghewouldcometoher。Butanhourpassed；hedidnotcome。Shewentintothediningroomonthepretextofgivingsomedirections，andspokeloudlyonpurpose，expectinghimtocomeoutthere；buthedidnotcome，thoughsheheardhimgotothedoorofhisstudyashepartedfromtheheadclerk。
Sheknewthatheshouldbeforelonggoouttohisofficeasusual，andshewantedtoseehimbeforethat，sothattheirattitudetooneanothermightbedefined。
Shewalkedacrossthedrawingroomandwentresolutelytohim。
Whenshewentintohisstudyhewasinofficialuniform，obviouslyreadytogoout，sittingatalittletableonwhichherestedhiselbows，lookingdejectedlybeforehim。Shesawhimbeforehesawher，andsheknewthathewasthinkingofher。
Onseeingher，hewouldhaverisen，butchangedhismind，thenhisfaceflushedhotly-athingAnnahadneverseenbefore，andhegotupquicklyandwenttomeether，lookingnotathereyes，butabovethem，atherforeheadandhair。Hewentuptoher，tookherbythehand，andaskedhertositdown。
`Iamverygladyouhavecome，’hesaid，sittingdownbesideher，and，obviouslywishingtosaysomething，hestuttered。Severaltimesheattemptedtospeak，butstopped。Inspiteofthefact，thatinpreparingherselfformeetinghim，shehadschooledherselftodespiseandaccusehim，shedidnotknowwhattosaytohim，andshefeltpityforhim。Andsothesilencelastedratherlong:`IsSeriozhaquitewell？’hesaid，and，withoutwaitingforananswer，headded:`Ishan’tbediningathometoday，andImustgooutdirectly。’
`IhadthoughtofgoingtoMoscow，’shesaid。
`No，youdidquite，quiterighttocome，’hesaid，andwassilentagain。
Seeingthathewaspowerlesstobegintheconversation，shebeganherself。
`AlexeiAlexandrovich，’shesaid，lookingathimandwithoutdroppinghereyesunderhispersistentgazeatherhair，`I’maguiltywoman，I’mabadwoman，yetIamthesameasIwas，asItoldyouthen，andIhavecometotellyouthatIcanchangenothing。’
`Ihaven’taskedyouaboutthat，’hesaid，allatonce，resolutelyandwithhatredlookingherstraightintheface；`thatwasasIhadsupposed。’
Undertheinfluenceofangerheapparentlyregainedcompletepossessionofallhisfaculties。`ButasItoldyouthen，andhavewrittentoyou，’
hesaidinathin，shrillvoice，`Irepeatnow，thatIamnotboundtoknowthis。Iignoreit。Notallwivesaresokindasyou，tobeinsuchahurrytocommunicatesuchagreeablenewstotheirhusbands。’Helaidspecialemphasisontheword`agreeable。’`Ishallignoreitsolongastheworldknowsnothingofit，solongasmynameisnotdisgraced。AndsoIsimplyinformyouthatourrelationsmustbejustastheyhavealwaysbeen，andthatonlyintheeventofyourcompromisingyourselfIshallbeobligedtotakestepstosecuremyhonor。’
`Butourrelationscannotbethesameasalways，’Annabeganinatimidvoice，lookingathimwithdismay。
Whenshesawoncemorethosecomposedgestures，heardthatshrill，childlikeandsarcasticvoice，heraversionforhimextinguishedherpityforhim，andshefeltonlyafraid；butatallcostsshewantedtomakeclearherposition。
`IcannotbeyourwifewhileI……’shebegan。
Helaughedacoldandmalignantlaugh。
`Themanneroflifeyouhavechosenisreflected，Isuppose，inyourideas。Ihavesomuchofbothrespectandcontempt-Irespectyourpastanddespiseyourpresent-thatIwasfarfromtheinterpretationyouputonmywords。’
Annasighedandbowedherhead。
`ThoughindeedIfailtocomprehendhow，withtheindependenceyoushow，’hewenton，gettinghot，`announcingyourinfidelitytoyourhusbandandseeingnothingreprehensibleinit，apparently，youcanseeanythingreprehensibleinperformingawife’sdutiesinrelationtoyourhusband。’
`AlexeiAlexandrovich！Whatisityouwantofme？’
`Iwantnevertomeetthatmanhere，andIwantyoutoconductyourselfsothatneithersociety，northeservants，couldpossiblyreproachyou……Iwantyounottoseehim。That’snotmuch，Ithink。Andinreturnyouwillenjoyalltheprivilegesofafaithfulwifewithoutfulfillingherduties。That’sallIhavetosaytoyou。Nowit’stimeformetogo。
I’mnotdiningathome。’Hegotupandmovedtowardthedoor。
Annagotuptoo。Bowinginsilence，heletherpassbeforehim。
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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter24[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter24ThenightspentbyLevinonthehaycockdidnotpasswithoutaneffectuponhim。Thewayinwhichhehadbeenmanaginghislandrevoltedhimandlostallattractionforhim。Inspiteofthemagnificentharvest，neverhadtherebeenor，atleast，ithadneverseemedsotohimsomanyhindrancesandsomanyquarrelsbetweenhimandthepeasantsasthatyear，andtheoriginofthesefailuresandthishostilitywasnowperfectlycomprehensibletohim。Thedelighthehadexperiencedintheworkitself，andtheconsequentgreaterintimacywiththepeasants，theenvyhefeltofthem，oftheirlife，thedesiretoadoptthatlife，whichhadbeentohimthatnightnotadreambutanintention，theexecutionofwhichhehadthoughtoutindetail-allthishadsotransformedhisviewofthefarmingofthelandashehadmanagedit，thathecouldnottakehisformerinterestinit，andcouldnothelpseeingthatunpleasantrelationbetweenhimandtheworkpeoplewhichwasthefoundationofitall。TheherdofimprovedcowssuchasPava，thewholelandplowedoverandenriched，theninelevelfieldssurroundedwithwillowfences，theninetydessiatinasheavilymanured，drillplows，andalltherestofit-itwasallsplendid，ifonlytheworkhadbeendonebyhimself，orbyhimselfandhiscomrades，bypeopleinsympathywithhim。Buthesawclearlynowhisworkonabookofagriculture，inwhichthechiefelementinhusbandrywastohavebeenthelaborer，greatlyassistedhiminthisthatthesortoffarminghewascarryingonwasnothingbutacruelandstubbornstrugglebetweenhimandthelaborers，inwhichtherewasononeside-hisside-acontinualintenseefforttochangeeverythingtoapatternheconsideredbetter；ontheotherside，thenaturalorderofthings。Andinthisstrugglehesawthat，withimmenseexpenditureofforceonhisside，andwithnoeffortorevenintentionontheotherside，thesoleattainmentwasthattheworkdidnotgotothelikingofeitherside，andthatsplendidtools，splendidcattleandlandwerespoiledwithnogoodtoanyone。Worstofall，theenergyexpendedonthisworkwasnotmerelywasted。Hecouldnothelpfeelingnow，sincethemeaningofhissystemhadbecomecleartohim，thattheaimofhisenergywasamostunworthyone。Inreality，whatwasthestruggleabout？Hewasstrugglingforeverygroatandhecouldnothelpit，forhehadonlytorelaxhisefforts，andhewouldnothavehadthemoneytopayhislaborers’wages，whiletheywereonlystrugglingtobeabletodotheirworkeasilyandagreeably-thatistosay，astheywereusedtodoingit。Itwasforhisintereststhateverylaborershouldworkashardaspossible，andthatwhiledoingsoheshouldkeephiswitsabouthim，soastotrynottobreakthewinnowingmachines，thehorserakes，thethreshingmachines，thatheshouldattendtowhathewasdoing。Whatthelaborerwantedwastoworkaspleasantlyaspossible，withrests，and，aboveall，carelesslyandheedlessly，withoutthinking。ThatsummerLevinsawthisateverystep。Hesentthementomowsomecloverforhay，pickingouttheworstpatcheswherethecloverwasovergrownwithgrassandweedsandofnouseforseed；againandagaintheymowedhisbestdessiatinasofseedclover，justifyingthemselvesbythepretextthatthebailiffhadtoldthemto，andtryingtopacifyhimwiththeassurancethatitwouldmakesplendidhay；butheknewthatitwasbecausethosedessiatinasweresomucheasiertomow。Hesentoutahaymachineforpitchingthehay-itwasbrokenatthefirstrowbecauseitwasdullworkforapeasanttositontheseatinfrontwiththegreatwingswavingabovehim。Andhewastold:`Don’ttrouble-sure，thewomenfolkswillpitchitquickenough。’Theplowswerepracticallyuseless，becauseitneveroccurredtothelaborertoraisethecolterwhenheturnedtheplow，andinforcingitround，hetorturedthehorseandspoiledtheground-andthenbeggedLevinnottomindit。Thehorseswereallowedtostrayintothewheatbecausenotasinglelaborerwantedtobenightwatchman，and，inspiteoforderstothecontrary，thelaborersinsistedontakingturnsfornightdutyaboutthehorses；andwhenVanka，afterworkingalldaylong，fellasleep，hewouldsay，verypenitentforhisfault:`Dowhatyouwilltome。’
Threeofthebestheiferswereallowedtoovereatthemselvestodeath，bylettingthemintothecloveraftermathwithoutcareastodrenchingthem，andnothingwouldmakethemenbelievethattheyhadbeenblownoutbytheclover，buttheytoldLevin，bywayofconsolation，thatoneofhisneighborshadlostahundredandtwelveheadofcattleinthreedays。
Allthishappened，notbecauseanyonefeltillwilltoLevinortohisfarming；onthecontrary，heknewthattheylikedhim，thinkinghimasimplegentlemantheirhighestpraise；butithappenedsimplybecausealltheywantedwastoworkmerrilyandcarelessly，andhisinterestswerenotonlyremoteandincomprehensibletothem，butfatallyopposedtotheirmostjustclaims。Longbefore，Levinhadfeltdissatisfactionwithhisownpositioninregardtotheland。Hesawthathisboatleaked，buthedidnotlookfortheleak，perhapspurposelydeceivinghimself。Butnowhecoulddeceivehimselfnolonger。Thefarmingoftheland，ashewasmanagingit，hadbecomenotmerelyunattractivebutrevoltingtohim，andhecouldtakenofurtherinterestinit。
Tothisnowwasjoinedthepresence，onlythirtyverstasoff，ofKittyShcherbatskaia，whomhelongedtoseeandcouldnot。DaryaAlexandrovnaOblonskaiahadinvitedhim，whenhewasoverthere，tocome；tocomewiththeobjectofrenewinghisproposaltohersister，whowould，soshegavehimtounderstand，acceptitnow。LevinhimselfhadfeltonseeingKittyShcherbatskaiathathehadneverceasedtoloveher；buthecouldnotgoovertotheOblonskys’，knowingshewasthere。Thefactthathehadproposedtoher，andthatshehadrefusedhim，hadplacedaninsuperablebarrierbetweenherandhim。`Ican’taskhertobemywifemerelybecauseshecan’tbethewifeofthemanshewantedtomarry，’hesaidtohimself。
Thethoughtofthismadehimcoldandhostiletoher。`Ishouldnotbeabletospeaktoherwithoutafeelingofreproach；Icouldnotlookatherwithoutresentment；andshewillonlyhatemeallthemore，asshe’sboundto。Andbesides，howcanInow，afterwhatDaryaAlexandrovnatoldme，gotoseethem？CanIhelpshowingthatIknowwhatshetoldme？AndIshallcometoforgivehermagnanimously，andtakepityonher！Andgothroughaperformancebeforeherofforgiving，anddeigningtobestowmyloveonher！……WhydidDaryaAlexandrovnatellmethat？Imighthaveseenherbychance-theneverythingwouldhavehappenedofitself；but，asitis，it’soutofthequestion-outofthequestion！’
DaryaAlexandrovnasenthimaletter，askinghimforasidesaddleforKitty’suse。`I’mtoldyouhaveasidesaddle，’shewrotetohim；`I
hopeyouwillbringitoveryourself。’
Thiswasmorethanhecouldstand。Howcouldawomanofanyintelligence，ofanydelicacy，puthersisterinsuchahumiliatingposition！Hewrotetennotes，andtorethemallup，andthensentthesaddlewithoutanyreply。
Towritethathewouldcomewasimpossible，becausehecouldnotcome；
towritethathecouldnotcomebecausesomethingpreventedhim，orthathewouldbeaway，wouldbestillworse。Hesentthesaddlewithoutanyanswer；andwithasenseofhavingdonesomethingshameful，hehandedoverallthenowrevoltingbusinessoftheestatetohisbailiff，andsetoffnextdaytoaremotedistricttoseehisfriendSviiazhsky，whohadsplendidmarshesfordoublesnipesinhisneighborhood，andhadlatelywritten，askinghimtokeepalong-standingpromisetovisithim。Thesnipemarsh，intheSurovskydistrict，hadlongtemptedLevin，buthehadcontinuallyputoffthisvisitonaccountofhisworkontheestate。NowhewasgladtogetawayfromtheneighborhoodoftheShcherbatskys，andstillmorefromhisfarmwork，especiallyonashootingexpedition，whichalwaysservedasthebestconsolationintrouble。
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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter25[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter25IntheSurovskydistricttherewasneitherrailwaynormailcoach，andLevindrovetherewithhisownhorsesinhistarantass。
Hestoppedhalfwayatawell-to-dopeasant’stofeedhishorses。
Abald，well-preservedoldman，withabroad，redbeard，grizzledonhischeeks，openedthegate，squeezingagainstthegateposttoletthetroikapass。Directingthecoachmantoaplaceundertheshedinthebig，clean，tidynewyard，withcharred，woodenplowsinit，theoldmanaskedLevintocomeintotheroom。Acleanlydressedyounghousewife，withclogsonherbarefeet，wasscrubbingthefloorinthenewouterroom。ShewasfrightenedbythedogthatraninafterLevin，andutteredashriek，butbeganlaughingatherownfrightatoncewhenshewastoldthedogwouldnothurther。
PointingouttoLevinwithherbarearmthedoorintotheroom，shebentdownagain，hidingherhandsomeface，andwentonscrubbing。
`Wouldyoulikeasamovar？’sheasked。
`Yes，please。’