OfcourseKostiaandKittyhavesomuchtactthatwedon’tfeelit；butitcan’tgoon。They’llhavechildren，theywon’tbeabletokeepus；it’sadragonthemasitis。Howispapa，whohashardlyanythingleftforhimself，tohelpus？SothatIcan’tevenbringthechildrenupbymyself，andmayfindithardwiththehelpofotherpeople，atthecostofhumiliation。
Why，evenifwesupposethegreatestgoodluck，thatthechildrendon’tdie，andIbringthemupsomehow。Attheverybestthey’llsimplybedecentpeople。That’sallIcanhopefor。Andtogainsimplythat-whatagonies，whattoil！……One’swholeliferuined！’Againsherecalledwhattheyoungpeasantwomanhadsaid，andagainshewasrevoltedatthethought；butshecouldnothelpadmittingthattherewasagrainofbrutaltruthinthewords。
`Isitfarnow，Mikhaila？’DaryaAlexandrovnaaskedthecountinghouseclerk，toturnhermindfromthoughtsthatwerefrighteningher。
`Fromthisvillage，theysay，it’ssevenverstas。’
Thecarriagedrovealongthevillagestreetandontoabridge。
Onthebridgewasacrowdofpeasantwomenwithcoilsoftiesforthesheavesontheirshoulders，cheerfullychattering。Theystoodstillonthebridge，staringinquisitivelyatthecarriage。AllthefacesturnedtoDaryaAlexandrovnalookedtoherhealthyandhappy，makingherenviousoftheirenjoymentoflife。`They’reallliving，they’reallenjoyinglife，’DaryaAlexandrovnastillmusedwhenshehadpassedthepeasantwomenandwasdrivinguphillagainatatrot，seatedcomfortablyonthesoftspringsoftheoldcarriage，`whileI，letout，asitwerefromprison，fromtheworldofworriesthatfretmetodeath，amonlylookingaboutmenowforaninstant。Theyalllive；thosepeasantwomen，andmysisterNatalie，andVarenka，andAnna，whomIamgoingtosee-all，butnotI。’
`AndtheyattackAnna。Whatfor？AmIanybetter？Ihave，atanyrate，ahusbandIlove-notasIshouldliketolovehim-still，Idolovehim；whileAnnaneverlovedhers。Howisshetoblame？Shewantstolive。Godhasputthatinourhearts。VerylikelyIshouldhavedonethesame。EventothisdayIdon’tfeelsureIdidrightinlisteningtoheratthatterribletimewhenshecametomeinMoscow。Ioughtthentohavecastoffmyhusbandandhavebegunmylifeanew。Imighthavelovedandhavebeenlovedinreality。Andisitanybetterasitis？Idon’trespecthim。He’snecessarytome，’shethoughtaboutherhusband，`andIputupwithhim。Isthatanybetter？AtthattimeIcouldstillhavebeenadmired，Ihadbeautyleftmestill，’DaryaAlexandrovnapursuedherthoughts，andshewouldhavelikedtolookatherselfinthelookingglass。Shehadatravelinglookingglassinherhandbag，andshewantedtotakeitout；
butlookingatthebacksofthecoachmanandtheswayingcountinghouseclerk，shefeltthatshewouldbeashamedifeitherofthemweretolookround，andshedidnottakeouttheglass。
But，withoutlookingintheglass，shethoughtthatevennowitwasnottoolate；andshethoughtofSergeiIvanovich，whowasalwaysparticularlyattentivetoher，ofStiva’sgoodheartedfriend，Turovtsin，whohadhelpedhernurseherchildrenthroughthescarlatina，andwasinlovewithher。
Andtherewassomeoneelse，quiteayoungman，who-herhusbandhadtoldheritasajoke-thoughthermorebeautifulthaneitherofhersisters。
AndthemostpassionateandimpossibleromancesrosebeforeDaryaAlexandrovna’simagination。`Annadidquiteright，andcertainlyIshallneverreproachherforit。Sheishappy，shemakesanotherpersonhappy，andshe’snotbrokendownasIam，butmostlikelyjustasshealwayswas，bright，clever，opentoeveryimpression，’thoughtDaryaAlexandrovna-andaslysmilecurvedherlips，for，assheponderedonAnna’sloveaffair，DaryaAlexandrovnaconstructedonparallellinesanalmostidenticalloveaffairforherself，withanimaginarycompositefigure，theidealmanwhowasinlovewithher。She，likeAnna，confessedthewholeaffairtoherhusband。AndtheamazementandperplexityofStepanArkadyevichatthisavowalmadehersmile。
InsuchdaydreamsshereachedtheturningofthehighroadthatledtoVozdivzhenskoe。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart6，Chapter17[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter17Thecoachmanpulleduphisfourhorsesandlookedroundtotheright，toafieldofrye，wheresomepeasantsweresittingnearatelega。Thecountinghouseclerkwasjustgoingtojumpdown，butonsecondthoughtheshoutedperemptorilytothepeasantsinstead，andbeckonedtothemtocomeup。Thewind，thatseemedtoblowastheydrove，droppedwhenthecarriagestoodstill；gadfliessettledonthesteaminghorsesthatangrilyshookthemoff。Themetallicclankofawhetstoneagainstascythe，thatcametothemfromthetelega，ceased。Oneofthepeasantsgotupandcametowardthecarriage。
`Well，youareslow！’thecountinghouseclerkshoutedangrilytothepeasantwhowassteppingslowlywithhisbarefeetovertherutsoftheunbeaten，sun-bakedroad。`Comealong，do！’
Acurly-headedoldmanwithabitofbasttiedroundhishair，andhisbentbackdarkwithperspiration，cametowardthecarriage，quickeninghissteps，andtookholdofthemudguardwithhissunburnedhand。
`Vozdvizhenskoe-themanorhouse？TheCount’s？’herepeated。
`Goontotheendofthisslope。Thenturntotheleft。Straightalongtheavenue，andyou’llcomerightuponit。Butwhomdoyouwant？TheCounthimself？’
`Well，aretheyathome，mygoodman？’DaryaAlexandrovnasaidvaguely，notknowinghowtoaskaboutAnna，evenofthispeasant。
`Athomeforsure，’saidthepeasant，shiftingfromonebarefoottotheother，andleavingadistinctprintoffivetoesandaheelinthedust。`Suretobeathome，’herepeated，evidentlyeagertotalk。`Onlyyesterdayvisitorsarrived。There’sasightofvisitorscome。Whatdoyouwant？’Heturnedroundandcalledtoalad，whowasshoutingsomethingtohimfromthetelega。`Oh！Theyallrodebyherenotlongsince，tolookatareapingmachine。They’llbehomebynow。Andwhomayyoubelongto？……’
`We’vecomealongway，’saidthecoachman，climbingontothebox。`Soit’snotfar？’
`Itellyou，it’sjusthere。Assoonasyougetout……’hesaid，keepingholdallthewhileofthemudguardofthecarriage。
Ahealthy-looking，broad-shoulderedyoungfellowcameuptoo。
`What，isitlaborerstheywantfortheharvest？’heasked。
`Idon’tknow，myboy。’
`Soyoukeeptotheleft，andyou’llcomerightonit，’saidthepeasant，unmistakablyloathtoletthetravelersgo，andeagertoconverse。
Thecoachmanstartedthehorses，buttheywereonlyjustturningoffwhenthepeasantshouted:`Stop！Hi，friend！Stop！’Thecoachmanstopped。
`They’recoming！They’reyonder！’shoutedthepeasant。`Seewhataturnout！’hesaid，pointingtofourpersonsonhorseback，andtwoinacharabanc，comingalongtheroad。
TheywereVronskywithajockey，Veslovsky，andAnnaonhorseback，andPrincessVarvaraandSviiazhskyinthecharabanc。Theyhadgoneouttolookattheworkingofanewreapingmachine。
Whenthecarriagestopped，thepartyonhorsebackwerecomingatawalkingpace。AnnawasinfrontbesideVeslovsky。Annawasquietlywalkingherhorse，asturdyEnglishcobwithcroppedmaneandshorttail；
Anna，withherbeautifulhead，herblackhairstrayinglooseunderherhighhat，herfullshoulders，herslenderwaistinherblackridinghabit，andalltheeaseandgraceofherdeportment，impressedDolly。
ForthefirstminuteitseemedtoherunsuitableforAnnatobeonhorseback。Theconceptionofridingonhorsebackforaladywas，inDarvaAlexandrovna’smind，associatedwithideasofyouthfulflirtationandfrivolity，which，inheropinion，wasunbecominginAnna’sposition。
Butwhenshehadscrutinizedher，seeinghercloser，shewasatoncereconciledtoherriding。Inspiteofherelegance，everythingwassosimple，quietanddignifiedintheattitude，thedressandthemovementsofAnna，thatnothingcouldhavebeenmorenatural。
BythesideofAnna，onahot-lookinggraycavalryhorse，wasVassenkaVeslovskyinhisScotchcapwithfloatingribbons，hisstoutlegsstretchedoutinfront，obviouslypleasedwithhisownappearance。DaryaAlexandrovnacouldnotsuppressagood-humoredsmileassherecognizedhim。BehindrodeVronskyonadarkbaymare，obviouslyheatedfromgalloping。
Hewasholdingherin，pullingatthereins。
Afterhimrodealittlemaninthedressofajockey。SviiazhskyandPrincessVarvarainanewcharabancwithabig，raven-blacktrottinghorse，overtookthepartyonhorseback。
Anna’sfacesuddenlybeamedwithajoyfulsmileattheinstantwhen，inthelittlefigurehuddledinacorneroftheoldcarriage，sherecognizedDolly。Sheutteredacry，startedinthesaddle，andsetherhorseintoagallop。Onreachingthecarriageshejumpedoffwithoutassistance，and，holdingupherridinghabit，sheranuptogreetDolly。
`Ithoughtitwasyouanddarednotthinkit。Howdelightful！
Youcan’tfancyhowgladIam！’shesaid，atonemomentpressingherfaceagainstDollyandkissingher，andatthenextholdingheroffandexaminingherwithasmile。`Here’sadelightfulsurprise，Alexei！’shesaid，lookingroundatVronsky，whohaddismounted，andwaswalkingtowardthem。
Vronsky，takingoffhistallgrayhat，wentuptoDolly。
`Youwouldn’tbelievehowgladwearetoseeyou，’hesaid，givingpeculiarsignificancetothewords，andshowinghisstrongwhiteteethinasmile。
VassenkaVeslovsky，withoutgettingoffhishorse，tookoffhiscapandgreetedthevisitorbygleefullywavingtheribbonsoverhishead。
`That’sPrincessVarvara，’AnnasaidinreplytoaglanceofinquiryfromDollyasthecharabancdroveup。
`Ah！’saidDaryaAlexandrovna，andunconsciouslyherfacebetrayedherdissatisfaction。
PrincessVarvarawasherhusband’saunt，andshehadlongknownher，anddidnotrespecther。SheknewthatPrincessVarvarahadpassedherwholelifetoadyingtoherrichrelations，butthatsheshouldnowbespongingonVronsky，amanwhowasnothingtoher，mortifiedDollyonaccountofherkinshipwithherhusband。AnnanoticedDolly’sexpression，andwasdisconcertedbyit。Sheblushed，droppedherridinghabit，andstumbledoverit。
DaryaAlexandrovnawentuptothecharabancandcoldlygreetedPrincessVarvara。Sviiazhsky，too，sheknew。Heinquiredhowhisqueerfriendwiththeyoungwifewas，andrunninghiseyesovertheill-matchedhorsesandthecarriagewithitspatchedmudguards，proposedtotheladiesthattheyshouldgetintothecharabanc。
`AndI’llgetinthisvehicle，’hesaid。`Thehorseisquiet，andthePrincessdrivescapitally。’
`No，stayasyouwere，’saidAnna，comingup，`andwe’llgointhecarriage，’and，takingDolly’sarm，shedrewheraway。
DaryaAlexandrovna’seyeswerefairlydazzledbytheelegantcarriageofapatternshehadneverseenbefore，thesplendidhorses，andtheelegantandgorgeouspeoplesurroundingher。ButwhatstruckhermostofallwasthechangethathadtakenplaceinAnna，whomsheknewsowellandloved。
Anyotherwoman，alesscloseobserver，notknowingAnnabefore，andparticularlynothavingthoughtasDaryaAlexandrovnahadbeenthinkingontheroad，wouldnothavenoticedanythingspecialinAnna。ButnowDollywasstruckbythattemporarybeauty，whichisonlyfoundinwomenduringthemomentsoflove，andwhichshesawnowinAnna’sface。Everythinginherface，theclearlymarkeddimplesinhercheeksandchin，thelineofherlips，thesmilewhich，asitwere，flutteredaboutherface，thebrillianceofhereyes，thegraceandrapidityofhermovements，thefullnessofthenotesofhervoice，eventhemannerinwhich，withasortofangryfriendliness，sheansweredVeslovskywhenheaskedpermissiontogetonhercob，soastoteachittogallopwiththerightlegforemost-itwasallpeculiarlyfascinating，anditseemedasifAnnaherselfwereawareofit，andrejoicinginit。
Whenboththewomenwereseatedinthecarriage，asuddenembarrassmentcameoverbothofthem。AnnawasdisconcertedbytheintentlookofinquiryDollyfixeduponher。DollywasembarrassedbecauseafterSviiazhsky’sphraseabout`thisvehicle，’shecouldnothelpfeelingashamedofthedirtyoldcarriageinwhichAnnawassittingwithher。ThecoachmanPhilipandthecountinghouseclerkwereexperiencingthesamesensation。Thecountinghouseclerk，toconcealhisconfusion，busiedhimselfsettlingtheladies，butPhilipthecoachmanbecamesullen，andwasbracinghimselfnottobeoverawedinfuturebythisexternalsuperiority。Hesmiledironically，lookingattheravenhorse，andwasalreadydecidinginhisownmindthatthissmarttrotterinthecharabancwasonlygoodforpromenade，andwouldn’tdofortyverstasstraightoffintheheat。
Thepeasantshadallgotupfromthetelegaandwereinquisitivelyandmirthfullystaringatthemeetingofthefriends，makingtheircommentsonit。
`They’repleased，too；haven’tseeneachotherforalongwhile，’
saidthecurly-headedoldmanwiththebastroundhishair。
`Isay，UncleGherasim，ifwecouldtakethatravenhorsenow，tocartthecorn，that’udbequickwork！’
`Look-ee！Isthatawomaninbreeches？’saidoneofthem，pointingtoVassenkaVeslovskysittinginasidesaddle。
`Nay，aman！Seehowsmartlyhe’sgoingit！’
`Eh，lads！Seemswe’renotgoingtosleep，then？’
`Whatchanceofsleeptoday！’saidtheoldman，withasidelonglookatthesun。`Midday’spast，look-ee！Getyourhooks，andcomealong！’
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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart6，Chapter18[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter18AnnalookedatDolly’sthin，carewornface，withitswrinklesfilledwithdustfromtheroad，andshewasonthepointofsayingwhatshewasthinking-thatis，thatDollyhadgrownthinner。But，consciousthatsheherselfhadgrownhandsomer，andthatDolly’seyesweretellingherso，shesighedandbegantospeakaboutherself。
`Youarelookingatme，’shesaid，`andwonderinghowIcanbehappyinmyposition？Well！It’sshamefultoconfess，butI……I’minexcusablyhappy。Somethingmagicalhashappenedtome，likeadream，whenyou’refrightened，panic-stricken，andallofasuddenyouwakeupandallthehorrorsarenomore。Ihavewakedup。Ihavelivedthroughthemisery，thedread，andnowforalongwhilepast，especiallysincewe’vebeenhere，I’vebeensohappy！……’shesaid，withatimidsmileofinquirylookingatDolly。
`HowgladIam！’saidDollysmiling，involuntarilyspeakingmorecoldlythanshewantedto。`I’mverygladforyou。Whyhaven’tyouwrittentome？’
`Why？……BecauseIhadn’tthecourage……Youforgetmyposition……’
`Tome？Hadn’tthecourage？IfyouknewhowI……Ilookat……’
DaryaAlexandrovnawantedtoexpressherthoughtsofthemorning，butforsomereasonitseemedtohernowoutofplacetodoso。
`Butofthatwe’lltalklater。What’sthis-whatareallthesebuildings？’sheasked，wantingtochangetheconversationandpointingtotheredandgreenroofsthatcameintoviewbehindthegreenhedgesofacaciaandlilac。`Quitealittletown。’
ButAnnadidnotanswer。
`No，no！Howdoyoulookatmyposition，whatdoyouthinkofit？’sheasked。
`Iconsider……’DaryaAlexandrovnawasbeginning，butatthatinstantVassenkaVeslovsky，havingbroughtthecobtogallopwiththerightlegforemost，gallopedpastthem，bumpingheavilyupanddowninhisshortjacketonthechamoisleatherofthesidesaddle。`He’sdoingit，AnnaArkadyevna！’
heshouted。Annadidnotevenglanceathim；butagainitseemedtoDaryaAlexandrovnaoutofplacetoenteruponsuchalongconversationinthecarriage，andsoshecutshortherthought。
`Idon’tthinkanything，’shesaid，`butIalwayslovedyou，andifonelovesanyone，onelovesthewholeperson，justasthatpersonis，andnotasonewouldlikeherorhimtobe……’
Anna，takinghereyesoffherfriend’sfaceanddroppinghereyelidsthiswasanewhabitDollyhadnotseeninherbefore，pondered，tryingtopenetratethefullsignificanceofthewords。Andobviouslyinterpretingthemasshewouldhavewished，sheglancedatDolly。
`Ifyouhadanysins，’shesaid，`theywouldallbeforgivenyouforyourcomingtoseeme，andthesewords。’
AndDollysawthatthetearsstoodinhereyes。ShepressedAnna’shandinsilence。
`Well，whatarethesebuildings？Howmanythereareofthem！’
Afteramoment’ssilencesherepeatedherquestion。
`Thesearetheservant’shouses，studfarm，andstables，’answeredAnna。`Andtheretheparkbegins。Ithadallgonetoruin，butAlexeihadeverythingrenewed。Heisveryfondofthisplace，and，whatIneverexpected，hehasbecomeintenselyinterestedinlookingafterit。Buthisissucharichnature！Whateverhetakesup，hedoessplendidly。Sofarfrombeingboredbyit，heworkswithpassionateinterest。He-withhistemperamentasIknowit-hehasbecomecarefulandbusinesslike，afirst-ratemanager，hepositivelyreckonseverypennyinhismanagementoftheland。Butonlyinthat。Whenit’saquestionoftensofthousands，hedoesn’tthinkofmoney。’Shespokewiththatgleefullyslysmilewithwhichwomenoftentalkofthesecretcharacteristics-onlyknowntothem-ofthosetheylove。`Doyouseethatbigbuilding？That’sthenewhospital。Ibelieveitwillcostoverahundredthousand；that’shisdadajustnow。Anddoyouknowhowitallcameabout？Thepeasantsaskedhimforsomemeadowland，Ithinkitwas，atacheaperrate，andherefused，andIaccusedhimofbeingmiserly。Ofcourseitwasnotreallybecauseofthat，butbecauseofeverythingtogether-hebeganthishospitaltoprove，doyousee，thathewasnotmiserlyaboutmoney。C’estunepetitesse，ifyoulike，butIlovehimallthemoreforit。Andnowyou’llseethehouseinamoment。
Itwashisgrandfather’shouse，andhehashadnothingchangedoutside。’
`Howbeautiful！’saidDolly，lookingwithinvoluntaryadmirationatthehandsomehousewithcolumns，standingoutamongthedifferent-coloredgreensoftheoldtreesinthegarden。
`Isn’titfine？Andfromthehouse，fromthetop，theviewiswonderful。’
Theydroveintoacourtyardstrewnwithgravelandbrightwithflowers，inwhichtwolaborerswereatworkputtinganedgingofstonesroundthelightmoldofaflowerbed，anddrewupinacoveredentry。
`Ah，they’reherealready！’saidAnna，lookingatthesaddlehorses，whichwerejustbeingledawayfromthesteps。`Itisagoodhorse，isn’tit？It’smycob；myfavorite。Leadhimhereandbringmesomesugar。WhereistheCount？’sheinquiredoftwosmartfootmenwhodartedout。`Ah，thereheis！’shesaid，seeingVronskycomingtomeetherwithVeslovsky。
`WhereareyougoingtoputthePrincess？’saidVronskyinFrench，addressingAnna，andwithoutwaitingforareply，heoncemoregreetedDaryaAlexandrovna，andthistimehekissedherhand。`Ithinkthebigbalconyroom。’
`Oh，no，that’stoofaroff！Betterinthecornerroom，weshallseeeachothermore。Come，let’sgoup，’saidAnna，asshegaveherfavoritehorsethesugarthefootmanhadbroughther。
`Etvousoubliezvotredevoir，’shesaidtoVeslovsky，whocameouttooonthesteps。
`Pardon，j’enaitoutpleinlespoches，’heanswered，smiling，puttinghisfingersinhiswaistcoatpocket。
`Maisvousveneztroptard，’shesaid，rubbingherhandkerchiefonherhand，whichthehorsehadmadewetintakingthesugar。
AnnaturnedtoDolly，`Youcanstaysometime？Foronedayonly？
That’simpossible！’
`Ipromisedtobeback，andthechildren……’saidDolly，feelingembarrassedbothbecauseshehadtogetherbagoutofthecarriage，andbecausesheknewherfacemustbecoveredwithdust。
`No，Dolly，darling！……Well，we’llsee。Comealong，comealong！’
andAnnaledDollytoherroom。
ThatroomwasnotthesmartguestchamberVronskyhadsuggested，buttheonewhichAnnahadsaidDollywouldsurelyexcuse。Andthisroom，forwhichexcusewasneeded，wasmorefullofluxurythananyinwhichDollyhadeverstayed，aluxurythatremindedherofthebesthotelsabroad。
`Well，darling，howhappyIam！’Annasaid，sittingdowninherridinghabitforamomentbesideDolly。`Tellmeaboutallofyou。StivaIhadonlyaglimpseof，andhecannottelloneaboutthechildren。Howismyfavorite，Tania？Quiteabiggirl，Iexpect？’
`Yes，she’sverytall，’DaryaAlexandrovnaansweredshortly，surprisedherselfthatsheshouldrespondsocoollyaboutherchildren。`WearehavingadelightfulstayattheLevins’，’sheadded。
`Oh，ifIhadknown，’saidAnna，`thatyoudonotdespiseme！……
Youmighthaveallcometous。Stiva’sanoldfriendandagreatfriendofAlexei’s，youknow，’sheadded，andsuddenlysheblushed。
`Yes，butweareall……’Dollyansweredinconfusion。
`ButinmydelightI’mtalkingnonsense。Theonething，darling，isthatIamsogladtohaveyou！’saidAnna，kissingheragain。`Youhaven’ttoldmeyethowandwhatyouthinkaboutme，andIkeepwantingtoknow。
ButI’mgladyouwillseemeasIam。ThechiefthingIshouldn’tlikewouldbeforpeopletoimagineIwanttoproveanything。Idon’twanttoproveanything；Imerelywanttolive，todonooneharmbutmyself。I
havetherighttodothat，haven’tI？Butitisabigsubject，andwe’lltalkovereverythingproperlylater。NowI’llgoanddressandsendamaidtoyou。’
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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart6，Chapter19[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter19Leftalone，DaryaAlexandrovna，withagoodhousewife’seye，scannedherroom。Allshehadseeninenteringthehouseandwalkingthroughit，andallshesawnowinherroom，gaveheranimpressionofwealthandsumptuousnessandofthatmodernEuropeanluxuryofwhichshehadonlyreadinEnglishnovels，buthadneverseeninRussiaandinthecountry。Everythingwasnew，fromthenewFrenchhangingsonthewallstothecarpetwhichcoveredthewholefloor。Thebedhadaspringmattress，andaspecialsortofbolsterandtaffetapillowcasesonthesmallpillows。Themarblewashstand，thedressingtable，thelittlesofa，thetables，thebronzeclockonthechimneypiece，thewindowcurtainsandtheportiereswereallnewandexpensive。
Thesmartmaid，whocameintoofferherservices，withherhairdoneuphigh，andagownmorefashionablethatDolly’s，wasasnewandexpensiveasthewholeroom。DaryaAlexandrovnalikedherneatness，herdeferentialandobligingmanners，butshefeltillateasewithher。Shefeltashamedofherseeingthepatcheddressingjacketthathadunluckilybeenpackedbymistakeforher。Shewasashamedoftheverypatchesanddarnedplacesofwhichshehadbeensoproudathome。Athomeithadbeensoclearthatforsixdressingjacketstherewouldbeneededtwenty-fourarsheenesofnainsookatsixty-fivekopeckstheyard，whichwasamatteroffifteenroubles，besidesthecuttingoutandmaking，andthesefifteenroubleshadbeensaved。Butbeforethemaidshefelt，ifnotexactlyashamed，atleastuncomfortable。
DaryaAlexandrovnahadagreatsenseofreliefwhenAnnushka，whomshehadknownforyears，walkedin。Thesmartmaidwassentfortogotohermistress，andAnnushkaremainedwithDaryaAlexandrovna。
Annushkawasobviouslymuchpleasedatthatlady’sarrival，andbegantochatterawaywithoutapause。Dollyobservedthatshewaslongingtoexpressheropinioninregardtohermistress’sposition，especiallyastotheloveanddevotionoftheCounttoAnnaArkadyevna，butDollycarefullyinterruptedherwhenevershebegantospeakaboutthis。
`IgrewupwithAnnaArkadyevna；mylady’sdearertomethananything。
Well，it’snotforustojudge。And，tobesure，thereseemssomuchlove……’
`Kindlyorderthesethingswashedforme，please，’DaryaAlexandrovnacuthershort。
`Certainly。We’vetwowomenkeptspeciallyforwashingsmallthings，butmostofthelinen’sdonebymachinery。TheCountgoesintoeverythinghimself。Ah，whatahusbandhewouldmake！……’
DollywasgladwhenAnnacamein，andbyherentranceputastoptoAnnushka’sgossip。
Annahadputonaverysimplebatistegown。Dollyscrutinizedthatsimplegownattentively。Sheknewwhatitmeant，andthepriceatwhichsuchsimplicitywasobtained。
`Anoldfriend，’saidAnnaofAnnushka。
Annawasnotembarrassednow。Shewasperfectlycomposedandatease。Dollysawthatshehadnowcompletelyrecoveredfromtheimpressionherarrivalhadmadeonher，andhadassumedthatsuperficial，carelesstonewhich，asitwere，closedthedooronthatcompartmentinwhichherdeeperfeelingsandintimatemeditationswerekept。
`Well，Anna，andhowisyourlittlegirl？’askedDolly。
`Annie？’ThiswaswhatshecalledherlittledaughterAnna。
`Verywell。Shehasgotonwonderfully。Wouldyouliketoseeher？Come，I’llshowhertoyou。Wehadaterriblebother，’shebegantellingher，`overnurses。WehadanItalianwetnurse。Agoodcreature，butsostupid！
Wewantedtogetridofher，butthebabyissousedtoherthatwe’vegoneonkeepingherstill。’
`Buthowhaveyoumanaged？……’Dollywasbeginningaquestionastowhatnamethelittlegirlwouldhave；butnoticingasuddenfrownonAnna’sface，shechangedthedriftofherquestion。`Howdidyoumanage？
Haveyouweanedheryet？’
ButAnnahadunderstood。
`Youdidn’tmeantoaskthat？Youmeanttoaskabouthersurname。
Yes？ThatworriesAlexei。Shehasnoname-thatis，she’saKarenina，’
saidAnna，droppinghereyelidstillnothingcouldbeseenbuttheeyelashesmeeting。`Butwe’lltalkaboutallthatlater，’herfacesuddenlybrightening。
`Come，I’llshowhertoyou。Elleesttrè；sgentille。Shecrawlsnow。’
InthenurserytheluxurywhichhadimpressedDollyinthewholehousestruckherstillmore。TherewerelittlegocartsorderedfromEngland，andappliancesforlearningtowalk，andasofaafterthefashionofabilliardtable，purposelyconstructedforcrawling，andswings，andbaths，allofspecialpattern，andmodern。TheywereallEnglish，solid，andofgoodmake，andobviouslyveryexpensive。Theroomwaslarge，andverylightandlofty。
Whentheywentin，thebaby，withnothingonbutherlittlesmock，wassittinginalittleelbowchairatthetable，havingherdinnerofbroth，whichshewasspillingalloverherlittlechest。Thebabywasbeingfed，andtheRussiannurserymaidwasevidentlysharinghermeal。Neitherthewetnursenortheheadnursewerethere；theywereinthenextroom，fromwhichcamethesoundoftheirconversationinthequeerFrenchwhichwastheironlymeansofcommunication。
HearingAnna’svoice，asmart，tallEnglishnursewithadisagreeablefaceandadissoluteexpressionwalkedinatthedoor，hurriedlyshakingherfaircurls，andimmediatelybegantodefendherselfthoughAnnahadnotfoundfaultwithher。AteverywordAnnasaidtheEnglishnursesaidhurriedlyseveraltimes，`Yes，mylady。’
Therosybabywithherblackeyebrowsandhair，hersturdyredlittlebodywithtightgoose-fleshskin，delightedDaryaAlexandrovnainspiteofthecrossexpressionwithwhichshestaredatthestranger。Shepositivelyenviedthebaby’shealthyappearance。Shewasdelighted，too，atthebaby’scrawling。Notoneofherownchildrenhadcrawledlikethat。
Whenthebabywasputonthecarpetanditslittledresstuckedupbehind，itwaswonderfullycharming。Lookingroundlikesomelittlewildanimalatthegrown-upbigpeoplewithherbrightblackeyes，shesmiled，unmistakablypleasedattheiradmiringher，and，holdingherlegssideways，shepressedvigorouslyonherarms，andrapidlydrewherwholebackupafter，andthenmadeanotherstepforwardwithherlittlearms。
Butthewholeatmosphereofthenursery，andespeciallytheEnglishnurse，DaryaAlexandrovnadidnotlikeatall。ItwasonlyonthesuppositionthatnogoodnursewouldhaveenteredsoirregularahouseholdasAnna’sthatDaryaAlexandrovnacouldexplaintoherselfhowAnnawithherinsightintopeoplecouldtakesuchanunprepossessing，indecorouswomanasnursetoherchild。Besides，fromafewwordsthatweredropped，DaryaAlexandrovnasawatoncethatAnna，thetwonurses，andthechild，hadnoexistenceincommon，andthatthemother’svisitwassomethingexceptional。Annawantedtogetthebabyherplaything，andcouldnotfindit。
Mostamazingofallwasthefactthatonbeingaskedhowmanyteeththebabyhad，Annaansweredwrong，andknewnothingaboutthetwolastteeth。
`IsometimesfeelsorryI’m，asitwere，superfluoushere，’saidAnna，goingoutofthenursery，andholdingupherskirtsoastoescapetheplaythingstandingnearthedoorway。`Itwasverydifferentwithmyfirstchild。’
`Iexpectedittobetheotherway，’saidDaryaAlexandrovnashyly。
`Oh，no！Bytheway，doyouknowIsawSeriozha？’saidAnna，screwinguphereyes，asthoughlookingatsomethingfaraway。`Butwe’lltalkaboutthatlater。Youwouldn’tbelieveit，I’mlikeahungrybeggarwomanwhenafulldinnerissetbeforeher，andshedoesnotknowwhattobeginonfirst。Thefulldinnerisyou，andthetalksIhavebeforemewithyou，whichIcouldneverhavewithanyoneelse；andIdon’tknowwhichsubjecttobeginuponfirst。Maisjenevousferaigrâ；cederien。
Imusthaveeverythingoutwithyou。Oh，Ioughttogiveyouasketchofthecompanyyouwillmeetwithus，’shebegan。`I’llbeginwiththeladies。
PrincessVarvara-youknowher，andIknowyouropinionandStiva’sabouther。StivasaysthewholeaimofherexistenceistoprovehersuperiorityoverAuntieKaterinaPavlovna:that’salltrue；butshe’sagood-naturedwoman，andIamsogratefultoher。InPeterburgtherewasamomentwhenunchaperonwasabsolutelyessentialforme。Thensheturnedup。But，really，sheisgood-natured。Shedidagreatdealtoalleviatemyposition。Iseeyoudon’tunderstandallthedifficultyofmyposition……thereinPeterburg，’
sheadded。`HereI’mperfectlyateaseandhappy。Well，ofthatlateron，though。ThenSviiazhsky-he’sthemarshalofthedistrict，andhe’saverygoodsortofaman，buthewantstogetsomethingoutofAlexei。Youunderstand，withhisproperty，nowthatwearesettledinthecountry，Alexeicanexercisegreatinfluence。Thenthere’sTushkevich-youhaveseenhim，youknow-Betsy’sadmirer。Nowhe’sbeenthrownover，andhe’scometoseeus。AsAlexeisays，he’soneofthosepeoplewhoareverypleasantifoneacceptsthemforwhattheytrytoappeartobe，etpuis，ilestcommeilfaut，asPrincessVarvarasays。ThenVeslovsky……youknowhim。Averycharmingboy，’shesaid，andaslysmilecurvedherlips。`What’sthiswildstoryabouthimandtheLevins？VeslovskytoldAlexeiaboutit，andwedon’tbelieveit。Ilesttresgentiletnaï；f，’shesaidagainwiththesamesmile。`Menneedoccupation，andAlexeineedsacircle，soIvalueallthesepeople。Wehavetohavethehouselivelyandgay，sothatAlexeimaynotlongforanynovelty。Thenyou’llseethesteward-aGerman，averygoodfellow，andheunderstandshiswork。Alexeihasaveryhighopinionofhim。Thenthedoctor，ayoungman，notquiteaNihilistperhaps，but，youknow，heeatswithhisknife……Butaverygooddoctor。
Thenthearchitect……Unepetitecour。’
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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart6，Chapter20[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter20`Here’sDollyforyou，Princess，youweresoanxioustoseeher，’saidAnna，comingoutwithDaryaAlexandrovnaonthestoneterracewherePrincessVarvarawassittingintheshadeatanembroideryframe，workingatacoverforCountAlexeiKirillovich’seasychair。`Shesaysshedoesn’twantanythingbeforedinner，butpleaseordersomelunchforher，andI’llgolookforAlexeiandbringthemallin。’
PrincessVarvaragaveDollyacordialandratherpatronizingreception，andbeganatonceexplainingtoherthatshewaslivingwithAnnabecauseshehadalwayscaredmoreforherthanhersister，thatauntthathadbroughtAnnaup；andthatnow，wheneveryonehadabandonedAnna，shethoughtitherdutytohelpherinthismostdifficultperiodoftransition。
`Herhusbandwillgiveheradivorce，andthenIshallgobacktomysolitude；butnowIcanbeofuse，andIamdoingmyduty，howeverdifficultitmaybeforme-notlikesomeotherpeople。Andhowsweetitisofyou，howrightofyoutohavecome！Theylivelikethebestofmarriedcouples；it’sforGodtojudgethem，notforus。Anddidn’tBiriuzovskyandMadameAvenieva……andNikandrovhimself，andVassilievwithMadameMamonova，andLizaNeptunova……Didnoonesayanythingaboutthem？Andithasendedbytheirbeingreceivedbyeveryone。Andthen，c’estuninté；rieursijoli，sicommeilfaut。Tout-à；-faità；
l’anglaise。Onsereunitlematinaubreakfast，etpuisonsesepare。
Everyonedoesashepleasestilldinnertime。Dinneratseveno’clock。Stivadidveryrightlytosendyou。Heneedstheirsupport。Youknowthatthroughhismotherandbrotherhecandoeverything。Andthentheydosomuchgood。
Hedidn’ttellyouabouthishospital？Ceseraadmirable-everythingfromParis。’
TheirconversationwasinterruptedbyAnna，whohadfoundthemenofthepartyinthebilliardroom，andreturnedwiththemtotheterrace。
Therewasstillalongtimebeforethedinnerhour，itwasexquisiteweather，andsoseveraldifferentmethodsofspendingthenexttwohourswereproposed。
TherewereverymanymethodsofpassingthetimeatVozdvizhenskoe，andthesewereallunlikethoseinuseatPokrovskoe。
`Unepartiedelawntennis，’Veslovskyproposed，withhishandsomesmile。`We’llbepartnersagain，AnnaArkadyevna。’
`No，it’stoohot；betterstrollaboutthegardenandhavearowintheboat-showDaryaAlexandrovnatheriverbanks，’Vronskyproposed。
`Iagreetoanything，’saidSviiazhsky。
`IimaginethatwhatDollywouldlikebestwouldbeastroll-
wouldn’tyou？Andthentheboat，perhaps，’saidAnna。
Soitwasdecided。VeslovskyandTushkevichwentofftothebathingplace，promisingtogettheboatreadyandtowaitthereforthem。
Theywalkedalongthepathintwocouples，AnnawithSviiazhsky，andDollywithVronsky。DollywasalittleembarrassedandanxiousinthenewsurroundingsinwhichshefoundherselfAbstractly，theoretically，shedidnotmerelyjustify-shepositivelyapprovedofAnna’sconduct。
Asisindeednotinfrequentwithwomenofunimpeachablevirtue，wearyofthemonotonyofvirtuousexistence，atadistanceshenotonlyexcusedillicitlove-shepositivelyenviedit。Besides，shelovedAnnawithallherheart。ButseeingAnnainactuallifeamongthesestrangers，withthisfashionabletonethatwassonewtoDaryaAlexandrovna，shefeltillatease。WhatshedislikedparticularlywasseeingPrincessVarvarareadytooverlookeverythingforthesakeofthecomfortssheenjoyed。
Asageneralprinciple，abstractly，DollyapprovedofAnna’saction；
buttoseethemanforwhosesakeheractionhadbeentakenwasdisagreeabletoher。Moreover，shehadneverlikedVronsky。Shethoughthimveryproud，andsawnothinginhimofwhichhecouldbeproudexcepthiswealth。Butagainstherownwill，hereinhisownhouse，heimposeduponhermorethanever，andshecouldnotbeateasewithhim。Sheexperiencedwithhimthesamefeelingshehadhadthemaidaboutherdressingjacket。Justaswiththemaidshehadfeltnotexactlyashamed，butembarrassedatherdarns，soshefeltwithhimnotexactlyashamed，butembarrassedatherself。
Dollywasillatease，andtriedtofindasubjectofconversation。
Eventhoughshesupposedthat，throughhispride，praiseofhishouseandgardenwouldbesuretobedisagreeabletohim，shedidallthesametellhimhowmuchshelikedhishouse。
`Yes，it’saveryfinebuilding，andinthegoodold-fashionedstyle，’hesaid。
`Ilikesomuchthecourtinfrontofthesteps。Wasthatalwaysso？’
`Oh，no！’hesaid，andhisfacebeamedwithpleasure。`Ifyoucouldonlyhaveseenthecourtlastspring！’
Andhebegan，atfirstratherdiffidently，butmoreandmorecarriedawaybythesubjectashewenton，todrawherattentiontothevariousdetailsofthedecorationofhishouseandgarden。Itwasevidentthat，havingdevotedagreatdealoftroubletoimproveandbeautifyhishome，Vronskyfeltaneedtoshowofftheimprovementstoanewperson，andwasgenuinelydelightedatDaryaAlexandrovna’spraise。
`Ifyouwouldcaretolookatthehospital，andarenotreallytired，it’snotfar。Shallwego？’hesaid，glancingintoherfacetoconvincehimselfthatshewasnotbored。`Areyoucoming，Anna？’heturnedtoher。
`Wewillcome，won’twe？’shesaid，addressingSviiazhsky。`MaisilnefautpaslaisserlepauvreVeslovskyetTushkevichsemorfondrelà；
danslebateau。Wemustsendandtellthem。’
`Yes，thisisamonumentheissettinguphere，’saidAnna，turningtoDollywiththatslysmileofcomprehensionwithwhichshehadpreviouslytalkedaboutthehospital。
`Oh，it’saworkofrealimportance！’saidSviiazhsky。ButtoshowhewasnottryingtoingratiatehimselfwithVronsky，hepromptlyaddedsomeslightlycriticalremarks。`Iwonder，though，Count，’hesaid，`thatwhileyoudosomuchforthehealthofthepeasants，youtakesolittleinterestintheschools。’
`C’estdevenutellementcommunlesè；coles，’saidVronsky。`Youunderstandit’snotonthataccount，butitjusthappensso，myinteresthasbeendivertedelsewhere。Thisway，then，tothehospital，’
hesaidtoDaryaAlexandrovna，pointingtoasidepathleadingoutoftheavenue。
Theladiesputuptheirparasolsandturnedintothesidepath。
Aftergoingdownseveralturnings，andgoingthroughalittlegate，DaryaAlexandrovnasawstandingonrisinggroundbeforeheralargepretentious-lookingredbuilding，almostfinished。Theironroof，whichwasnotyetpainted，shonewithdazzlingbrightnessinthesunshine。Besidethefinishedbuildinganotherhadbeenbegun，surroundedbyscaffolding。Workmeninaprons，standingonscaffolds，werelayingbricks，pouringmortaroutofvats，andsmoothingitwithtrowels。
`Howquicklyworkgetsdonewithyou！’saidSviiazhsky。`WhenIwasherelasttimetheroofwasnoton。’
`Bytheautumnitwillallbeready。Insidealmosteverythingisdone，’saidAnna。
`Andwhat’sthisnewbuilding？’
`That’sthehouseforthedoctorandthedispensary，’answeredVronsky；seeingthearchitectinashortjacketcomingtowardhim，andexcusinghimselftotheladies，hewenttomeethim。
Goingroundaholewheretheworkmenwereslakinglime，hestoodstillwiththearchitectandbegantalkingratherwarmly。
`Thepedimentlooksstilltoolow，’hesaidtoAnna，whohadaskedwhatwasthematter。
`Isaidthefoundationoughttoberaised，’saidAnna。
`Yes，ofcourse，itwouldhavebeenmuchbetter，AnnaArkadyevna，’
saidthearchitect，`butnowit’stoolate。’
`Yes，Itakeagreatinterestinit，’AnnaansweredSviiazhsky，whowasexpressinghissurpriseatherknowledgeofarchitecture。`Thisnewbuildingoughttohavebeeninharmonywiththehospital。Itwasanafterthought，andwasbegunwithoutaplan。’
Vronsky，havingfinishedhistalkwiththearchitect，joinedtheladies，andledtheminsidethehospital。
Althoughtheywerestillatworkonthecornicesoutsideandwerepaintingonthegroundfloor，upstairsalmostalltheroomswerefinished。
Goingupthebroadcast-ironstaircasetothelanding，theywalkedintothefirstlargeroom。Thewallswerestuccoedtolooklikemarble，thehugeplate-glasswindowswerealreadyin，onlytheparquetfloorwasnotyetfinished，andthecarpenters，whowereplaningablockofit，lefttheirwork，takingoffthebandsthatfastenedtheirhair，togreetthegentry。
`Thisisthereceptionroom，’saidVronsky。`Heretherewillbeadesk，acupboard，andbenches，andnothingmore。’
`Thisway；letusgoinhere。Don’tgonearthewindow，’saidAnna，tryingthepainttoseeifitweredry。`Alexei，thepaint’sdryalready，’sheadded。
Fromthereceptionroomtheywentintothecorridor。HereVronskyshowedthemthemechanismforventilationonanovelsystem。Thenheshowedthemmarblebaths，andbedswithextraordinarysprings。Thenheshowedthemthewardsoneafteranother，thestoreroom，thelinenroom，thentheheatingstoveofanewpattern，thenthetrolleys，whichwouldmakenonoiseastheycarriedeverythingneededalongthecorridors，andmanyotherthings。Sviiazhsky，asaconnoisseurinthelatestmechanicalimprovements，appreciatedeverythingfully。Dollysimplywonderedatallassomethingshehadnotseenbefore，and，anxioustounderstanditall，mademinuteinquiriesabouteverything，whichgaveVronskyapparentsatisfaction。
`Yes，IimaginethatthiswillbethesolitaryexampleofaproperlyfittedhospitalinRussia，’saidSviiazhsky。
`Andwon’tyouhavealying-inward？’askedDolly。`That’ssomuchneededinthecountry。Ihaveoften……’
Inspiteofhisusualcourtesy，Vronskyinterruptedher。
`Thisisnotalying-inhome，butahospitalforthesick，andisintendedforalldiseases，exceptinfectiouscomplaints，’hesaid。`Ah！
Lookatthis，’andherolleduptoDaryaAlexandrovnaaninvalidchairthathadjustbeenorderedforconvalescents。`Look！’Hesatdowninthechairandbeganmovingit。`Thepatientcan’twalk-stilltooweak，perhaps，orsomethingwrongwithhislegs，buthemusthaveair，andhemoves，rollshimselfalong……’
DaryaAlexandrovnawasinterestedbyeverything。Shelikedeverythingverymuch，butmostofallshelikedVronskyhimself，withhisnatural，simpleheartedenthusiasm。`Yes，he’saverydear，goodman，’shethoughtseveraltimes，nothearingwhathesaid，butlookingathimandpenetratingintohisexpression，whileshementallyputherselfinAnna’splace。ShelikedhimsomuchjustnowwithhiseagerinterestthatshesawhowAnnacouldbeinlovewithhim。
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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart6，Chapter21[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter21`No，IthinkthePrincessistired，andhorsesdon’tinteresther，’VronskysaidtoAnna，whowantedtogoontothestudfarm，whereSviiazhskywishedtoseethenewstallion。`Yougoon，whileIescortthePrincesshome，andwe’llhavealittletalk，’hesaid。`Ifyouwouldlikethat？’headded，turningtoher。
`Iknownothingabouthorses，andIshallbedelightedtogobackwithyou，’answeredDaryaAlexandrovna，ratherastonished。
ShesawbyVronsky’sfacethathewantedsomethingfromher。Shewasnotmistaken。Assoonastheyhadpassedthroughthelittlegatebackintothegarden，helookedinthedirectionAnnahadtaken，and，havingmadesurethatshecouldneitherhearnorseethem，hebegan:
`YouguessthatIhavesomethingIwanttosaytoyou，’hesaid，lookingatherwithlaughingeyes。`IamnotwronginbelievingyoutobeafriendofAnna’s。’Hetookoffhishat，andtakingouthishandkerchief，wipedhishead，whichwasgrowingbald。
DaryaAlexandrovnamadenoanswer，andmerelystaredathimwithdismay。Whenshewasleftalonewithhim，shesuddenlyfeltafraid；hislaughingeyesandsternexpressionscaredher。
Themostdiversesuppositionsastowhathewasabouttosaytoherflashedintoherbrain。`Heisgoingtobegmetocometostaywiththemwiththechildren，andIshallhavetorefuse；ortocreateasetthatwillreceiveAnnainMoscow……Orisn’titVassenkaVeslovskyandhisrelationswithAnna？OrperhapsaboutKitty-thathefeelshewastoblame？’Allherconjectureswereunpleasant，butshedidnotguesswhathereallywantedtotalkabouttoher。
`YouhavesomuchinfluencewithAnna，sheissofondofyou，’
hesaid；`dohelpme。’
DaryaAlexandrovnalookedwithtimidinquiryintohisenergeticface，whichunderthelindentreeswascontinuallybeinglightedupinpatchesbythesunshine，andthenpassingintocompleteshadowagain。Shewaitedforhimtosaymore，buthewalkedinsilencebesideher，scratchingwithhiscaneinthegravel。
`Youhavecometoseeus，you，theonlywomanofAnna’sformerfriends-Idon’tcountPrincessVarvara-butIknowthatyouhavedonethisnotbecauseyouregardourpositionasnormal，butbecause，understandingallthedifficultyoftheposition，youstillloveherandwanttobeahelptoher。HaveIunderstoodyourightly？’heasked，lookingroundather。
`Oh，yes，’answeredDaryaAlexandrovna，puttingdownhersunshade，`but……’
`No，’hebrokein，andunconsciously，obliviousoftheawkwardpositioninwhichhewasputtinghiscompanion，hestoppedabruptly，sothatshehadtostopshorttoo。`NoonefeelsmoredeeplyandintenselythanIdoallthedifficultyofAnna’sposition；andthatyoumaywellunderstand，ifyoudomethehonorofsupposingIhaveanyheart。Iamtoblameforthatposition，andthatiswhyIfeelit。’
`Iunderstand，’saidDaryaAlexandrovna，involuntarilyadmiringthesincerityandfirmnesswithwhichhesaidthis。`Butjustbecauseyoufeelyourselfresponsible，youexaggerateit，Iamafraid，’shesaid。`Herpositionintheworldisdifficult，Icanwellunderstand。’
`Intheworlditishell！’hebroughtoutquickly，frowningdarkly。
`Youcan’timaginemoralsufferingsgreaterthanwhatshewentthroughinPeterburgduringthatfortnight……AndIbegyoutobelieveit。’
`Yes，buthere，solongasneitherAnna……noryouwantsociety……’
`Society！’hesaidcontemptuously。`HowcouldIwantsociety？’
`Sofar-anditmaybesoalways-youarehappyandatpeace。
IseeinAnnathatsheishappy，perfectlyhappy-shehashadtimetotellmesomuchalready，’saidDaryaAlexandrovna，smiling；andinvoluntarily，asshesaidthis，atthesamemomentadoubtenteredhermindwhetherAnnareallywerehappy。
ButVronsky，itappeared，hadnodoubtsonthatscore。
`Yes，yes，’hesaid，`Iknowthatshehasrevivedafterallhersufferings；sheishappy。Sheishappyinthepresent。ButI？……Iamafraidofwhatisbeforeus……Ibegyourpardon-youwouldliketowalkon？’
`No，Idon’tmind。’
`Well，then，letussithere。’
DaryaAlexandrovnasatdownonagardenseatinacorneroftheavenue。Hestoodup，facingher。
`Iseethatsheishappy，’herepeated，andthedoubtwhethershewerehappysankmoredeeplyintoDaryaAlexandrovna’smind。`Butcanitlast？Whetherwehaveactedrightlyorwronglyisanotherquestion，butthedieiscast，’hesaid，passingfromRussiantoFrench，`andweareboundtogetherforlife。Weareunitedbyallthetiesoflovethatweholdmostsacred。Wehaveachild，wemayhaveotherchildren。Butthelawandalltheconditionsofourpositionaresuchthatthousandsofcomplicationsarisewhichshedoesnotseeatpresent，anddoesnotwanttosee，settingherheartatrestafterallthesesufferingsandordeals。Andthatonecanwellunderstand。ButIcan’thelpseeingthem。Mydaughterisbylawnotmydaughter，butKarenin’s。Icannotbearthisfalsity！’hesaid，withavigorousgestureofrefusal，andhelookedwithgloomyinquirytowardDaryaAlexandrovna。
Shemadenoanswer，butsimplygazedathim。Hewenton:
`Onedayasonmaybeborn，myson，andhewillbelegallyaKarenin；
hewillnotbetheheirofmynamenorofmyproperty；andhoweverhappywemaybeinourhomelife，andhowevermanychildrenwemayhave，therewillbenorealtiebetweenus。TheywillbeKarenin’s。Youwillunderstandthebitternessandhorrorofthisposition！IhavetriedtospeakofthistoAnna。Itirritatesher。Shedoesnotunderstand，andtoherIcannotspeakplainlyofallthis。Nowlookatanotherside。Iamhappy，happyinherlove，butImusthaveoccupation。Ihavefoundoccupation，andamproudofwhatIamdoing，andconsideritnoblerthanthepursuitsofmyformercompanionsatCourtandinthearmy。AndmostcertainlyIwouldnotchangetheworkIamdoingfortheirs。Iamworkinghere，settledinmyownplace，andIamhappyandcontented，andweneednothingmoretomakeushappy。Ilovemyworkhere。Cen’estpasunpis-aller，onthecontrary……’
DaryaAlexandrovnanoticedthatatthispointinhisexplanationhegrewconfused，andshedidnotquiteunderstandthisdigression，butshefeltthathavingoncebeguntospeakofmattersnearhisheart，ofwhichhecouldnotspeaktoAnna，hewasnowmakingacleanbreastofeverything，andthatthequestionofhispursuitsinthecountryfellintothesamecompartmentofhisintimatemeditationsasthequestionofhisrelationswithAnna。
`Well，Iwillgoon，’hesaid，collectinghimself。`ThegreatthingisthatasIworkIwanttohaveaconvictionthatwhatIamdoingwillnotdiewithme，thatIshallhaveheirstocomeafterme-andthisIhavenot。Conceivethepositionofamanwhoknowsthathischildren，thechildrenofthewomanheloves，willnotbehis，butwillbelongtosomeonewhohatesthemandcaresnothingaboutthem！Itisawful！
Hepaused，evidentlymuchmoved。
`Yes，indeed，Iseethat。ButwhatcanAnnado？’queriedDaryaAlexandrovna。
`Yes，thatbringsmetotheobjectofmyconversation，’hesaid，calminghimselfwithaneffort。`Annacan，itdependsonher……EventopetitiontheCzarforlegitimization，adivorceisessential。AndthatdependsonAnna。Herhusbandagreedtoadivorce-atthattimeyourhusbandhadarrangeditcompletely。Andnow，Iknow，hewouldnotrefuseit。Itisonlyamatterofwritingtohim。Hesaidplainlyatthattimethatifsheexpressedthedesire，hewouldnotrefuse。Ofcourse，’hesaidgloomily，`itisoneofthosePharisaicalcrueltiesofwhichonlysuchheartlessmenarecapable。Heknowswhatagonyanyrecollectionofhimmustgiveher，andknowingher，hemusthavealetterfromher。Icanunderstandthatitisagonytoher。Butthematterisofsuchimportance，thatonemustpasserpardessustoutescesfinessesdesentiment。Ilyvadubonheuretdel’existenced’Anneetdesesenfants。Iwon’tspeakofmyself，thoughit’shardforme，veryhard，’hesaid，withanexpressionasthoughhewerethreateningsomeoneforitsbeinghardforhim。`Andsoitis，Princess，thatIamshamelesslyclutchingatyouasananchorofsalvation。
Helpmetopersuadehertowritetohimandaskforadivorce。’
`Yes，ofcourse，’DaryaAlexandrovnasaiddreamily，asshevividlyrecalledherlastinterviewwithAlexeiAlexandrovich。`Yes，ofcourse，’
sherepeatedwithdecision，thinkingofAnna。
`Useyourinfluencewithher，makeherwrite。Idon’tlike-I’malmostunabletospeakaboutthistoher。’
`Verywell，Iwilltalktoher。Buthowisitshedoesnotthinkofitherself？’saidDaryaAlexandrovna，andforsomereasonshesuddenlyatthatpointrecalledAnna’sstrangenewhabitofhalf-closinghereyes。
AndsherememberedthatAnnadroopedhereyelidsjustwhenthedeeperquestionsoflifeweretouchedupon。`Justasthoughshehalf-shuthereyestoherownlife，soasnottoseeeverything，’thoughtDolly。`Yes，indeed，formyownsakeandforhers，Iwilltalktoher，’Dollysaidinreplytohisexpressionofgratitude。
Theygotupandwalkedtothehouse。
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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart6，Chapter22[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter22WhenAnnafoundDollyathomebeforeher，shelookedintentlyinhereyes，asthoughquestioningheraboutthetalkshehadhadwithVronsky，butshemadenoinquiryinwords。
`Ibelieveit’sdinnertime，’shesaid。`We’venotseeneachotheratallyet。Iamreckoningontheevening。NowIwanttogoanddress。
Iexpectyoudotoo；weallgotsplashedatthebuildings。’
Dollywenttoherroomandshefeltamused。Tochangeherdresswasimpossible，forshehadalreadyputonherbestdress。Butinordertosignifyinsomewayherpreparationfordinner，sheaskedthemaidtobrushherdress，changedhercuffsandrosette，andputsomelaceonherhead。
`ThisisallIcando，’shesaidwithasmiletoAnna，whocameintoherinathirddress，againofextremesimplicity。
`Yes，wearetooprimhere，’shesaid，asitwereapologizingforherfinery。`Alexeiisdelightedatyourvisit，asherarelyisatanything。Hehascompletelylosthishearttoyou，’sheadded。`You’renottired？’
Therewasnotimefortalkingaboutanythingbeforedinner。GoingintothedrawingroomtheyfoundPrincessVarvaraalreadythere，andthegentlemenofthepartyinblackfrockcoats。Thearchitectworeaswallow-tailedcoat。Vronskypresentedthedoctorandthestewardtohisguest。Thearchitecthehadalreadyintroducedtoheratthehospital。
Astoutbutler，resplendentwithasmoothlyshavenroundchinandastarchedwhitecravat，announcedthatdinnerwasready，andtheladiesgotup。VronskyaskedSviiazhskytotakeinAnnaArkadyevna，andhimselfofferedhisarmtoDolly。VeslovskywasbeforeTushkevichinofferinghisarmtoPrincessVarvara，sothatTushkevichwiththestewardandthedoctorwalkedinalone。
Thedinner，thediningroom，theservice，thewaitingattable，thewineandthefood，werenotsimplyinkeepingwiththegeneraltoneofmodernluxurythroughoutthehouse，butseemedevenmoresumptuousandmodern。DaryaAlexandrovnawatchedthisluxurywhichwasnoveltoher，andasagoodhousekeeperusedtomanagingahousehold-thoughsheneverdreamedofadaptinganythingshesawtoherownhousehold，asitwasallinastyleofluxuryfaraboveherownmannerofliving-shecouldnothelpscrutinizingeverydetail，andwonderinghowandbywhomitwasalldone。VassenkaVeslovsky，herhusband，andevenSviiazhsky，andmanyotherpeoplesheknew，wouldneverhaveconsideredthisquestion，andwouldhavereadilybelievedwhateverywell-bredhosttriestomakehisguestsfeel，thatis，thatallthatiswell-orderedinhishousehascosthim，thehost，notroublewhatever，butcomesofitself。DaryaAlexandrovnawaswellawarethatevenporridgeforthechildren’sbreakfastdoesnotcomeofitself，andthattherefore，wheresocomplicatedandmagnificentastyleofluxurywasmaintained，someonemustgiveearnestattentiontoitsorganization。
AndfromtheglancewithwhichAlexeiKirillovichscannedthetable，fromthewayhenoddedtothebutler，andofferedDaryaAlexandrovnaherchoicebetweencoldsoupandhotsoup，shesawthatitwasallorganizedandmaintainedbythecareofthemasterofthehousehimself。ItwasevidentthatitallrestednomoreuponAnnathanuponVeslovsky。She，Sviiazhsky，thePrincess，andVeslovsky，wereequallyguests，withlightheartsenjoyingwhathadbeenarrangedforthem。
Annawasthehostessonlyinconductingtheconversation。Theconversationwasadifficultonefortheladyofthehouseatasmalltablewithpersonspresent，likethestewardandthearchitect，belongingtoacompletelydifferentworld，strugglingnottobeoverawedbyanelegancetowhichtheywereunaccustomed，andunabletosustainalargeshareinthegeneralconversation。ButthisdifficultconversationAnnadirectedwithherusualtactandnaturalness，andindeedshedidsowithactualenjoyment，asDaryaAlexandrovnaobserved。
TheconversationbeganabouttherowTushkevichandVeslovskyhadtakenalonetogetherintheboat，andTushkevichbegandescribingthelastboatracesinPeterburgattheYachtClub。ButAnna，seizingthefirstpause，atonceturnedtothearchitecttodrawhimoutofhissilence。
`NikolaiIvanichwasstruck，’shesaidmeaningSviiazhsky，`attheprogressthenewbuildinghadmadesincehewasherelast；butIamthereeveryday，andeverydayIwonderattherateatwhichitgrows。’
`It’sfirst-rateworkingwithHisExcellency，’saidthearchitectwithasmilehewasrespectfulandcomposed，thoughwithasenseofhisowndignity。`It’saverydifferentmattertohavetodowiththedistrictauthorities。Whereonewouldhavetowriteoutsheavesofpapers，hereIcallupontheCount，andinthreewordswesettlethebusiness。’
`TheAmericanwayofdoingbusiness，’saidSviiazhsky，withasmile。
`Yes，theretheybuildinarationalfashion……’
TheconversationpassedtothemisuseofpoliticalpowerintheUnitedStates，butAnnaquicklybroughtitroundtoanothertopic，soastodrawthestewardintotalk。
`Haveyoueverseenareapingmachine？’shesaid，addressingDaryaAlexandrovna。`Wehadjustriddenovertolookatonewhenwemet。It’sthefirsttimeIeversawone。’
`Howdotheywork？’askedDolly。
`Exactlylikescissors。Aplankandalotoflittlescissors。
Likethis。’
Annatookaknifeandforkinherbeautifulwhitehands，coveredwithrings，andbeganshowinghowthemachineworked。Itwasclearthatshesawnothingwouldbeunderstoodfromherexplanation；butawarethathertalkwaspleasant，andherhandsbeautiful，shewentonexplaining。
`Morelikelittlepenknives，’Veslovskysaidplayfully，nevertakinghiseyesoffher。
Annagaveajustperceptiblesmile，butmadenoanswer。`Isn’tittrue，KarlFedorich，thatit’sjustlikescissors？’shesaidtothesteward。
`Oh，ja，’answeredtheGerman。`EsisteinganzeinfachesDing，’andhebegantoexplaintheconstructionofthemachine。
`It’sapityitdoesn’tbindtoo。IsawoneattheViennaexhibition，whichbindswithawire，’saidSviiazhsky。`Theywouldbemoreprofitableinuse。’
`Eskommtdraufan……DerPreisvomDrahtmussausgerechnetwerden。’AndtheGerman，rousedfromhistaciturnity，turnedtoVronsky。
`Daslä；sstsichausrechnen，Erlaucht。’TheGermanwasjustfeelinginthepocketwherewerehispencilandthenotebookhealwayswrotein，butrecollectingthathewasatadinner，andobservingVronsky’schillyglance，hecheckedhimself。`Zucompliziert，machtzuvielpains，’
heconcluded。
`Wü；nschtmangains，sohatmanauchpains，’saidVassenkaVeslovsky，banteringtheGerman。`J’adorel’allemand，’headdressedAnnaagainwiththesamesmile。
`Cessez，’shesaidwithplayfulseverity。
`Weexpectedtofindyouinthefields，VassiliiSemionich，’shesaidtothedoctor，asickly-lookingman；`haveyoubeenthere？’
`Iwentthere，butIevaporated，’thedoctoransweredwithgloomyjocoseness。
`Thenyou’vetakenagoodconstitutional？’
`Splendid！’
`Well，andhowwastheoldwoman？Ihopeit’snottyphus？’
`Typhusitisn’t，butshe’snottobefoundtothebestadvantage。’
`Whatapity！’saidAnna，andhavingthuspaidtheduesofcivilitytoherdomesticcircle，sheturnedtoherownfriends。
`Itwouldbeahardtask，though，toconstructamachinefromyourdescription，AnnaArkadyevna，’Sviiazhskysaidjestingly。
`Oh，no，whyso？’saidAnnawithasmilethatbetrayedthatsheknewtherewassomethingcharminginherdisquisitionsuponthemachine，thathadbeennoticedbySviiazhskytoo。ThisnewtraitofgirlishcoquettishnessmadeanunpleasantimpressiononDolly。
`ButAnnaArkadyevna’sknowledgeofarchitectureismarvelous，’
saidTushkevich。
`Tobesure，IheardAnnaArkadyevnasayingyesterday:``bycramp’
and``plinths，’’saidVeslovsky。`HaveIgotitright？’
`There’snothingmarvelousaboutit，whenoneseesandhearssomuchofit，’saidAnna。`But，Idaresay，youdon’tevenknowwhathousesaremadeof？’