TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart6，Chapter31[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter31ThenewlyelectedmarshalandmanyofthesuccessfulpartydinedthatdaywithVronsky。
VronskyhadcometotheelectionspartlybecausehewasboredinthecountryandwantedtoshowAnnahisrighttoindependence，andalsotorepaySviiazhskybyhissupportattheelectionforallthetroublehehadtakenforVronskyattheZemstvoelection，butchieflyforthestrictperformanceofallthosedutiesofanoblemanandlandownerwhichhehadtakenuponhimself。Buthehadnotintheleastexpectedthattheelectionwouldinteresthimso，sokeenlyexcitehim，andthathewouldbesogoodatthiskindofthing。Hewasquiteanewmaninthecircleofthenobilityoftheprovince，buthissuccesswasunmistakable，andhewasnotwronginsupposingthathehadalreadyobtainedacertaininfluence。Thisinfluencewasduetohiswealthandaristocracy；thecapitalhouseinthetownlenthimbyhisoldfriendShirkov，whohadapostinthedepartmentoffinancesandwasdirectorofaflourishingbankinKashin；theexcellentcookVronskyhadbroughtfromthecountry；andhisfriendshipwiththegovernor，whowasaschoolfellowofVronsky-aschoolfellowhehadpatronizedandprotectedindeed。Butwhatcontributedmorethanalltohissuccesswashisdirect，equablemannerwitheveryone，whichveryquicklymadethemajorityofthenoblemenreversethecurrentopinionofhissupposedhaughtiness。Hewashimselfconsciousthat，exceptforthatmadgentlemanmarriedtoKittyShcherbatskaia，whohadà；proposdebottespouredoutastreamofirrelevantabsurditieswithsuchspitefulfury，everynoblemanwithwhomhehadmadeacquaintancehadbecomehisadherent。Hesawclearly，andotherpeoplerecognizedit，too，thathehaddoneagreatdealtosecurethesuccessofNeviedovsky。Andnowathisowntable，celebratingNeviedovsky’selection，hewasexperiencinganagreeablesenseoftriumphoverthesuccessofhiscandidate。Theelectionitselfhadsofascinatedhimthat，ifhecouldsucceedingettingmarriedduringthenextthreeyears，hebegantothinkofrunningforofficehimself-muchas，afterwinningaraceriddenbyajockey，hehadlongedtoridearacehimself。
Todayhewascelebratingthesuccessofhisjockey。Vronskysatattheheadofthetable，onhisrighthandsattheyounggovernor，ageneralofhighrank。Toalltheresthewasthemasteroftheprovince，whohadsolemnlyopenedtheelectionswithhisspeech，andarousedafeelingofrespectandevenofaweinmanypeople，asVronskysaw；toVronskyhewasKatkaMaslov-thathadbeenhisnicknameinthePages’Corps-whomhefelttobeshyandtriedtoputatease。OnthelefthandsatNeviedovskywithhisyouthful，stubborn，andvenomouscountenance。WithhimVronskywassimpleanddeferential。
Sviiazhskytookhisfailureverylightheartedly。Itwasindeednofailureinhiseyes，ashesaidhimself，turning，glassinhand，toNeviedovsky:theycouldnothavefoundabetterrepresentativeofthenewmovement，whichthenobilityoughttofollow。Andsoeveryhonestperson，ashesaid，wasonthesideoftoday’ssuccessandwascelebratingoverit。
StepanArkadyevichwasglad，too，becausehewashavingagoodtime，andbecauseeveryonewaspleased。Theepisodesoftheelectionsservedasagoodoccasionforacapitaldinner。Sviiazhskycomicallyimitatedthetearfuldiscourseofmarshal，andobserved，addressingNeviedovsky，thatHisExcellencywouldhavetoselectanother，morecomplicatedmethodofauditingaccountsthantears。Anothernoblemanjocoselydescribedhowfootmeninstockingshadbeenimportedforthemarshal’sball，andhownowtheywouldhavetobesentbackunlessthenewmarshalwouldgiveaballwithfootmeninstockings。
ContinuallyduringdinnertheysaidofNeviedovsky:`OurMarshal’
and`YourExcellency。’
Thiswassaidwiththesamepleasurewithwhichayoungwifeiscalled`Madame’andbyherhusband’sname。Neviedovskyaffectedtobenotmerelyindifferentbutscornfulofthisappellation，butitwasobviousthathewashighlydelighted，andhadtokeepacurbonhimselfnottobetraythetriumphwhichwasunsuitabletotheirnew，liberalparty。
Inthecourseofdinnerseveraltelegramsweresenttopeopleinterestedintheresultoftheelection。AndStepanArkadyevich，whowasinhighspirits，sentDaryaAlexandrovnaatelegram:`Neviedovskyelectedbytwentyvotes。Congratulations。Tellpeople。’Hedictateditaloud，saying:
`Wemustletthemshareourrejoicing。’DaryaAlexandrovna，gettingthemessage，simplysighedovertheroublewastedonit，andunderstoodthatitwasanafterdinneraffair。SheknewStivahadaweaknessafterdiningforfairejouerleté；lé；graphe。
Everything，togetherwiththeexcellentdinnerandthewine，notfromRussianmerchants，butimporteddirectfromabroad，wasextremelydignified，simple，andenjoyable。Theparty-sometwenty-hadbeenselectedbySviiazhskyfromamongthemoreactivenewliberals，allofthesamewayofthinking，whowereatthesametimecleverandwell-bred。Theydrank，alsohalfinjest，tothehealthofthenewmarshaloftheprovince，ofthegovernor，ofthebankdirector，andof`ouramiablehost。’
Vronskywassatisfied。Hehadneverexpectedtofindsopleasantatoneintheprovinces。
Towardtheendofdinneritwasstillmorelively。ThegovernoraskedVronskytocometoaconcertforthebenefitofthebrethrenwhichhiswife，whowasanxioustomakehisacquaintance，hadbeengettingup:
`There’llbeaball，andyou’llseethebelleoftheprovince。
Worthseeing，really。’
`Notinmyline，’Vronskyanswered。HelikedthatEnglishphrase。
Buthesmiled，andpromisedtocome。
Beforetheyrosefromthetable，whenallofthemweresmoking，Vronsky’svaletwentuptohimwithaletteronatray。
`FromVozdvizhenskoebyspecialmessenger，’hesaidwithasignificantexpression。
`Astonishing！HowlikeheistothedeputyprosecutorSventitsky，’
saidoneoftheguestsinFrenchofthevalet，whileVronsky，frowning，readtheletter。
TheletterwasfromAnna。Beforehereadtheletter，heknewitscontents。Expectingtheelectionstobeoverinfivedays，hehadpromisedtobebackonFriday。TodaywasSaturday，andheknewthatthelettercontainedreproachesfornotbeingbackatthetimefixed。Theletterhehadsentthepreviouseveninghadprobablynotreachedheryet。
Theletterwaswhathehadexpected，buttheformofitwasunexpected，andparticularlydisagreeabletohim。`Annieisveryill，thedoctorsaysitmaybeinflammationofthelungs。Iamlosingmyheadallalone。PrincessVarvaraisnohelp，butahindrance。Iexpectedyouthedaybeforeyesterday，andyesterday，andnowIamsendingtofindoutwhereyouareandwhatyouaredoing。Iwantedtocomemyself，butthoughtbetterofit，knowingyouwoulddislikeit。Sendsomeanswer，thatImayknowwhattodo。’
Thechildill，yetshehadthoughtofcomingherself。Theirdaughterill-andthishostiletone。
Theinnocentfestivitiesovertheelection，andthisgloomy，burdensomelovetowhichhehadtoreturn，struckVronskybytheircontrast。Buthehadtogo，andbythefirsttrainthatnighthesetoffhome。
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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart6，Chapter32[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter32BeforeVronsky’sdeparturefortheelections，Annahadreflectedthatthescenesconstantlyrepeatedbetweenthemeachtimehelefthomemightonlymakehimcoldtoherinsteadofattachinghimtoher，andresolvedtodoallshecouldtocontrolherselfsoastobearthepartingwithcomposure。
Butthecold，severeglancewithwhichhehadlookedatherwhenhecametotellherhewasgoinghadwoundedher，andbeforehehadstartedherpeaceofmindwasdestroyed。
Insolitude，later，thinkingoverthatglancewhichhadexpressedhisrighttofreedom，shecame，asshealwaysdid，tothesamepoint-
thesenseofherownhumiliation。`Hehastherighttogoawaywhenandwherehechooses。Notsimplytogoaway，buttoleaveme。Hehaseveryright，andIhavenone。Butknowingthat，heoughtnottodoit。Whathashedone，though？……Helookedatmewithacold，severeexpression。Ofcoursethatissomethingindefinable，impalpable，butithasneverbeensobefore，andthatglancemeansagreatdeal，’shethought。`Thatglanceshowsthebeginningofcoolness。’
Andthoughshefeltsurethatacoolnesswasbeginning，therewasnothingshecoulddo；shecouldnotinanywayalterherrelationstohim。Justasbefore，onlybyloveandbycharmcouldshekeephim。Andso，justasbefore，onlybyoccupationintheday，bymorphineatnight，couldshestiflethefearfulthoughtofwhatwouldcomeifheceasedtoloveher。Itistruetherewasstillonemeans；nottokeephim-forthatshewantednothingmorethanhislove-buttobenearertohim，tobeinsuchapositionthathewouldnotleaveher。Thatmeanswasdivorceandmarriage。Andshebegantolongforthat，andmadeuphermindtoagreetoitthefirsttimeheorStivaapproachedheronthesubject。
Absorbedinsuchthoughts，shepassedfivedayswithouthim，thefivedaysthathewastobeabsent。
Walks，conversationwithPrincessVarvara，visitstothehospital，and，mostofall，reading-readingofonebookafteranother-filleduphertime。Butonthesixthday，whenthecoachmancamebackwithouthim，andshefeltthatnowshewasutterlyincapableofstiflingthethoughtofhimandofwhathewasdoingthere-justatthattimeherlittlegirlwastakenill。Annabegantolookafterher，buteventhatdidnotdistracthermind，especiallyastheillnesswasnotserious。Howeverhardshetried，shecouldnotlovethislittlechild，andtofeignlovewasbeyondherpowers。Towardtheeveningofthatday，stillalone，Annawasinsuchapanicabouthimthatshedecidedtostartforthetown，butonsecondthoughtwrotehimthecontradictoryletterthatVronskyreceived，and，withoutreadingitthrough，sentitoffbyaspecialmessenger。Thenextmorningshereceivedhisletterandregrettedherown。Shedreadedarepetitionoftheseverelookhehadflungatheratparting，especiallywhenhewouldlearnthatthebabywasnotdangerouslyill。Butstill，shewasgladshehadwrittentohim。BynowAnnawasadmittingtoherselfthatshewasaburdentohim，thathewouldrelinquishhisfreedomregretfullytoreturntoher，andinspiteofthatshewasgladhewascoming。Lethimwearyofher，buthewouldbeherewithher，sothatshewouldseehim，wouldknowofeveryactionhetook。
Shewassittinginthedrawingroomnearalamp，withanewvolumeofTaine，and，assheread，listeningtothesoundofthewindoutside，andeveryminuteexpectingthecarriagetoarrive。Severaltimesshehadfanciedsheheardthesoundofwheels，butshehadbeenmistaken。Atlastsheheardnotthesoundofwheels，butthecoachman’sshoutandthedullrumbleinthecoveredentry。EvenPrincessVarvara，playingsolitaire，confirmedthis，andAnna，flushinghotly，gotup；but，insteadofgoingdown，asshehaddonetwicebefore，shestoodstill。Shesuddenlyfeltashamedofherduplicity，butevenmoreshedreadedhowhemightmeether。
Allfeelingofwoundedpridehadpassednow；shewasonlyafraidoftheexpressionofhisdispleasure。Sherememberedthatherchildhadbeenperfectlywellagainforthelastday。Shefeltpositivelyvexedwithherforgettingbetterfromtheverymomentherletterwassentoff。Thenshethoughtofhim，thathewashere-allofhim，withhishands，hiseyes。Sheheardhisvoice。Andforgettingeverything，sheranjoyfullytomeethim。
`Well，howisAnnie？’hesaidapprehensivelyfrombelow，lookinguptoAnnaassherandowntohim。
Hewassittingonachair，andafootmanwaspullingoffhiswarmoverboots。
`Oh，sheisbetter。’
`Andyou？’hesaid，shakinghimself。
Shetookhishandinbothofhers，anddrewittoherwaist，nevertakinghereyesoffhim。
`Well，I’mglad，’hesaid，coldlyscanningher，herhair，herdress，whichheknewshehadputonforhim。Allwascharming，buthowmanytimesithadcharmedhim！Andthestern，stonyexpressionthatshesodreadedsettleduponhisface。
`Well，I’mglad。Andareyouwell？’hesaid，wipinghisdampbeardwithhishandkerchiefandkissingherhand。
`Nevermind，’shethought，`onlylethimbehere，andsolongashe’sherehecannot，hedarenot，ceasetoloveme。’
TheeveningwasspenthappilyandgailyinthepresenceofPrincessVarvara，whocomplainedtohimthatAnnahadbeentakingmorphineinhisabsence。
`WhatamItodo？Icouldn’tsleep……Mythoughtspreventedme。
Whenhe’shereInevertakeit-hardlyever。’
Hetoldherabouttheelection，andAnnaknewhowbyadroitquestionstobringhimtowhatgavehimmostpleasure-hisownsuccess。Shetoldhimofeverythingthatinterestedhimathome；andallthatshetoldhimwasofthemostcheerfuldescription。
Butlateintheevening，whentheywerealone，Anna，seeingthatshehadregainedcompletepossessionofhim，wantedtoerasethepainfulimpressionoftheglancehehadgivenherforherletter。Shesaid:
`Tellmefrankly，youwerevexedatgettingmyletter，andyoudidn’tbelieveme？’
Assoonasshehadsaidit，shefeltthathoweverwarmhisfeelingsweretoher，hehadnotforgivenherforthat。
`Yes，’hesaid，`theletterwassostrange。First，Annieill，andthenyouthoughtofcomingyourself。’
`Itwasallthetruth。’
`Oh，Idon’tdoubtit。’
`Yes，youdodoubtit。Youarevexed，Isee。’
`Notforonemoment。I’monlyvexed，that’strue，thatyouseemsomehowunwillingtoadmitthatthereareduties……’
`Thedutyofgoingtoaconcert……’
`Butwewon’ttalkaboutit，’hesaid。
`Whynottalkaboutit？’shesaid。
`Ionlymeanttosaythatmattersofrealimportancemayturnup。Now，forinstance，IshallhavetogotoMoscowtoarrangeaboutthehouse……Oh，Anna，whyareyousoirritable？Don’tyouknowthatIcan’tlivewithoutyou？’
`Ifso，’saidAnna，hervoicesuddenlychanging，`itmeansthatyouaresickofthislife……Yes，youwillcomeforadayandgoaway，asmendo……’
`Anna，that’scruel。Iamreadytogiveupmywholelife。’
Butshedidnothearhim。
`IfyougotoMoscow，Iwillgotoo。Iwillnotstayhere。Eitherwemustseparateorelselivetogether。’
`Why，youknow，that’smyonedesire。Buttodothat……’
`Wemustgetadivorce。Iwillwritetohim。IseeIcannotgoonlikethis……ButIwillcomewithyoutoMoscow。’
`Youtalkasifyouwerethreateningme。ButIdesirenothingsomuchasnevertobepartedfromyou，’saidVronsky，smiling。
Butashesaidthesewordstheregleamedinhiseyesnotmerelyacoldlook，butthevindictivelookofamanpersecutedandmadecruel。
Shesawthelookandcorrectlydivineditsmeaning。
`And，ifthingshavecometosuchapass，it’sacalamity！’thatglancetoldher。Itwasamoment’simpression，butsheneverforgotit。
Annawrotetoherhusbandaskinghimaboutadivorce，andtowardtheendofNovember，takingleaveofPrincessVarvara，whowantedtogotoPeterburg，shewentwithVronskytoMoscow。ExpectingeverydayananswerfromAlexeiAlexandrovich，andafterthatthedivorce，theynowestablishedthemselvestogether，likemarriedpeople。
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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart7，Chapter01[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]PARTSEVENChapter1TheLevinshadbeentwomonthsinMoscow。Thedatehadlongpassedonwhich，accordingtothemosttrustworthycalculationsofpeoplelearnedinsuchmatters，Kittyshouldhavebeenconfined。Butshewasstillabout，andtherewasnothingtoshowthathertimewasanynearerthantwomonthsago。Thedoctor，themidwife，andDollyandhermother，andmostofallLevin，whocouldnotthinkoftheapproachingeventwithoutterror，begantobeimpatientanduneasy。Kittywastheonlypersonwhofeltperfectlycalmandhappy。
Shewasdistinctlyconsciousnowofthebirthofanewfeelingofloveforthefuturechild，forhertosomeextentactuallyexistingalready，andshebroodedblissfullyoverthisfeeling。Hewasnotbynowaltogetherapartofherself，butsometimeslivedhisownlifeindependentlyofher。Oftenthisseparatebeinggaveherpain，butatthesametimeshewantedtolaughwithastrangenewjoy。
Allthepeopleshelovedwerewithher，andallweresogoodtoher，soattentivelylookingoutforher，soentirelypleasantwaseverythingpresentedtoher，thatifshehadnotknownandfeltthatitmustallsoonbeover，shecouldnothavewishedforabetterandpleasanterlife。Theonlythingthatspoiledthecharmofthismodeoflifewasthathereherhusbandwasnotasshelovedhimtobe，andashewasinthecountry。
Shelikedhisserene，friendly，andhospitablemannerinthecountry。
Inthetownheseemedcontinuallyuneasyandonhisguard，asthoughhewereafraidsomeonewouldberudetohim，and，stillmore，toher。Athomeinthecountry，definitelyknowinghimselftobeinhisrightplace，hewasneverinhastetobeoffelsewhere，wasoccupiedallthetime。Hereintownhewasinacontinualhurry，asthoughafraidofmissingsomething，andyethehadnothingtodo。Andshefeltpityforhim。Toothers，sheknew，hedidnotappearanobjectofpity；onthecontrary，whenKittylookedathiminsociety，asonesometimeslooksatthoseoneloves，tryingtoseehimasifhewereastranger，soastocatchtheimpressionhemustmakeonothers，shesawwithapanicevenofjealousfearthathewasfarindeedfrombeingapitiablefigure，thathewasveryattractivewithhishonesty，hisratherold-fashioned，reservedcourtesytowomen，hispowerfulfigure，andstriking，asshethought，andexpressiveface。Butshesawhimnotfromwithout，butfromwithin；shesawthatherehewasnothimself；
thatwastheonlywayshecoulddefinehisconditiontoherself。Sometimessheinwardlyreproachedhimforhisinabilitytoliveinthetown；sometimessherecognizedthatitwasreallyhardforhimtoorderhislifeheresothathecouldbesatisfiedwithit。
Whathadhetodo，indeed？Hedidnotcareforcards；hedidnotgotoaclub。SpendingthetimewithjovialgentlemenofOblonsky’stype-sheknewnowwhatthatmeant……itmeantdrinking，andgoingsomewhereafterdrinking。Shecouldnotthinkwithouthorrorofwheremenwentonsuchoccasions。Washetogointosociety？Butsheknewhecouldonlyfindsatisfactioninthatifhetookpleasureinthesocietyofyoungwomen，andthatshecouldnotwishfor。Shouldhestayathomewithher，hermother，andhersisters？Butmuchasshelikedandenjoyedtheirconversationsforeveronthesamesubjects-`Alines-Nadines，’astheoldPrincecalledthesisters’talks-sheknewitmustborehim。Whatwasthereleftforhimtodo？Togoonwritinghisbook？Hehadindeedattemptedtodoit；
andatfirstheusedtogotothelibraryandmakeextractsandlookupreferencesforhisbook，but，ashetoldher，themorehedidnothing，thelesstimehehadtodoanything。Andbesides，hecomplainedthathehadtalkedtoomuchabouthisbookhere，andthatconsequentlyallhisideasaboutitweremuddledandhadlosttheirinterestforhim。
Oneadvantageinthistownlifewasthatquarrelshardlyeverhappenedbetweenthemhereintown。Whetheritwasthattheirconditions，intown，weredifferent，orthattheyhadbothbecomemorecarefulandsensibleinthatrespect，theyhadnoquarrelsinMoscowfromjealousy，whichtheyhadsodreadedwhentheymovedfromthecountry。
Oneevent，aneventofgreatimportancetobothfromthatpointofview，didindeedhappen-whichwasKitty’smeetingwithVronsky。
TheoldPrincessMaryaBorissovna，Kitty’sgodmother，whohadalwaysbeenveryfondofher，hadinsistedonseeingher。Kitty，thoughshedidnotgointosocietyatallonaccountofhercondition，wentwithherfathertoseethevenerableoldlady，andtheremetVronsky。
TheonlythingKittycouldreproachherselfforatthismeetingwasthatattheinstantwhensherecognizedinhisciviliandressthefeaturesoncesofamiliartoher，herbreathfailedher，thebloodrushedtoherheart，andavividblush-shefeltit-overspreadherface。Butthislastedonlyafewseconds。Beforeherfather，whopurposelybegantalkinginaloudvoicetoVronsky，hadfinished，shewasperfectlyreadytolookatVronsky，tospeaktohim，ifnecessary，exactlyasshespoketoPrincessMaryaBorissovna，and，morethanthat，todosoinsuchawaythateverything，tothefaintestintonationandsmilewouldhavebeenapprovedbyherhusband，whoseunseenpresencesheseemedtofeelaboutheratthatinstant。
Shesaidafewwordstohim，evensmiledserenelyathisjokeabouttheelections，whichhecalled`ourparliament。’Shehadtosmiletoshowshesawthejoke。ButsheturnedawayimmediatelytoPrincessMaryaBorissovna，anddidnotonceglanceathimtillhegotuptogo；
thenshelookedathim，butevidentlyonlybecauseitwouldbeuncivilnottolookatamanwhenheissayinggood-by。
ShewasgratefultoherfatherforsayingnothingtoherabouttheirmeetingVronsky，butshesawbyhisspecialwarmthtoherafterthevisit，duringtheirusualwalk，thathewaspleasedwithher。Shewaspleasedwithherself。Shehadnotexpectedshewouldhavehadthepower，whilekeepingsomewhereinthebottomofherheartallthememoriesofheroldfeelingforVronsky，notonlytoseem，buttobe，perfectlyindifferentandcomposedwithhim。
LevinflushedagreatdealmorethanshewhenshetoldhimshehadmetVronskyatPrincessMaryaBorissovna’s。Itwasveryhardforhertotellhimthis，butstillhardertogoonspeakingofthedetailsofthemeeting，ashedidnotquestionher，butsimplygazedatherwithafrown。
`Iamverysorryyouweren’tthere，’shesaid。`Itwasn’tsomuchthefactthatyouweren’tintheroom……Icouldn’thavebeensonaturalinyourpresence……Iamblushingnowmuchmore-much，muchmore，’shesaid，blushingtillthetearscameintohereyes。`Butit’sapityyoucouldn’thavelookedthroughapeephole。’
ThetruthfuleyestoldLevinthatshewassatisfiedwithherself，and，inspiteofherblushinghewasquicklyreassuredandbeganquestioningher，whichwasallshewanted。Whenhehadheardeverything，eventothedetailthatforthefirstsecondshecouldnothelpflushing，butthatafterwardshewasjustasdirectandasmuchathereaseaswithanychanceacquaintance，Levinwasquitehappyagainandsaidhewasgladofit，andwouldnotnowbehaveasstupidlyashehaddoneattheelection，butwouldtrythefirsttimehemetVronskytobeasfriendlyaspossible。
`It’ssowretchedtofeelthatthere’sanymanwhoisalmostyourenemy，andwhomit’spainfultomeet，’saidLevin。`I’mvery，veryglad。’
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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart7，Chapter02[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter2`Dogothen，please，andcallontheBols，’Kittysaidtoherhusband，whenhecameintoseeherateleveno’clockbeforegoingout。`Iknowyouarediningattheclub；papaputdownyourname。Butwhatareyougoingtodointhemorning？’
`IamonlygoingtoKatavassov，’answeredLevin。
`Whysoearly？’
`HepromisedtointroducemetoMetrov。Iwantedtotalktohimaboutmywork。He’sadistinguishedsavantfromPeterburg，’saidLevin。
`Yes；wasn’tithisarticleyouwerepraisingso？Well，andafterthat？’saidKitty。
`Ishallgotothecourt，perhaps，aboutmysister’sbusiness。’
`Andtheconcert？’shequeried。
`Ishan’tgothereallalone。’
`No？Dogo；therearegoingtobesomenewthings……Thatusedtointerestyouso。Ishouldcertainlygo。’
`Well，anyway，Ishallcomehomebeforedinner，’hesaid，lookingathiswatch。
`Putonyourfrockcoat，sothatyoucangostraighttocallonCountessBol。’
`Butisitabsolutelynecessary？’
`Oh，absolutely！Hehasbeentoseeus。Come，whatisit？Yougoin，sitdown，talkforfiveminutesoftheweather，getup，andgoaway。’
`Oh，youwouldn’tbelieveit！I’vegotsooutofthewayofallthisthatitmakesmefeelpositivelyashamed。It’ssuchahorriblethingtodo！Acompleteoutsiderwalksin，sitsdown，staysonwithnothingtodo，wastestheirtimeandupsetshimself，andthengoesaway！’
Kittylaughed。
`Why，Isupposeyouusedtopaycallsbeforeyouweremarried，didn’tyou？’
`Yes，Idid，butIalwaysfeltashamed，andnowI’msounaccustomedtoitthat，byGod，I’dsoonergotwodaysrunningwithoutmydinnerthanpaythiscall！One’ssoashamed！Ifeelallthewhilethatthey’reannoyed，thatthey’resaying:Whathashecomefor？’
`No，theywon’t。I’llanswerforthat，’saidKitty，lookingintohisfacewithalaugh。Shetookhishand。`Well，good-by……Dogo，please。’
Hewasjustgoingoutafterkissinghiswife’shand，whenshestoppedhim。
`Kostia，doyouknowI’veonlyfiftyroublesleft？’
`Oh，allright，I’llgotothebankandgetsome。Howmuch？’hesaid，withtheexpressionofdissatisfactionsheknewsowell。
`No，waitaminute。’Sheheldhishand。`Let’stalkaboutit，itworriesme。Iseemtospendnothingunnecessarily，butmoneyseemssimplytoflyaway。Wedon’tmanagewell，somehow。’
`Notatall，’hesaidwithalittlecough，lookingatherfromunderhisbrows。
Thatcoughsheknewwell。Itwasasignofintensedissatisfaction，notwithher，butwithhimself。Hecertainlywasdispleased，notatsomuchmoneybeingspent，butatbeingremindedofwhathe，knowingsomethingwasunsatisfactory，wantedtoforget。
`IhavetoldSokolovtosellthewheat，andtoborrowanadvanceonthemill。Weshallhavemoneyenoughinanycase。’
`Yes，butI’mafraidthataltogetherit’stoomuch……’
`Notatall，notatall，’herepeated。`Well，good-by，darling。’
`No，I’mreallysorrysometimesthatIlistenedtomamma。Howniceitwouldhavebeeninthecountry！Asitis，I’mworryingyouall，andwe’rewastingourmoney。’
`Notatall，notatall。NotoncesinceI’vebeenmarriedhaveIsaidthatthingscouldhavebeenbetterthantheyare……’
`Truly？’shesaid，lookingintohiseyes。
Hehadsaiditwithoutthinking，simplytoconsoleher。Butwhenheglancedatherandsawthosesweettruthfuleyesfastenedquestioninglyonhim，herepeateditwithhiswholeheart。`Iwaspositivelyforgettingher，’hethought。Andherememberedwhatwasbeforethem，sosoontocome。
`Willitbesoon？Howdoyoufeel？’hewhispered，takinghertwohands。
`Ihavesooftenthoughtso，thatnowIdon’tthinkaboutit，orknowanythingaboutit。’
`Andyou’renotfrightened？’
Shesmiledcontemptuously。
`Nottheleastlittlebit，’shesaid。
`Well，ifanythinghappens，IshallbeatKatavassov’s。’
`No，nothingwillhappen，anddon’tthinkaboutit。I’mgoingforawalkontheboulevardwithpapa。We’regoingtoseeDolly。Ishallexpectyoubeforedinner。Oh，yes！DoyouknowthatDolly’spositionisbecomingutterlyimpossible？She’sindebtallround；shehasn’tapenny。
WeweretalkingyesterdaywithmammaandArsenii’thiswashersister’shusband，Lvov，`andwedeterminedtosendyouwithhimtotalktoStiva。
It’sreallyunbearable。Onecan’tspeaktopapaaboutit……Butifyouandhe……’
`Why，whatcanwedo？’saidLevin。
`You’llbeatArsenii’s，anyway；talktohim-hewilltellyouwhatwedecided。’
`Oh，IagreetoeverythingArseniithinksbeforehand。I’llgoandseehim。Bytheway，ifIdogototheconcert，I’llgowithNatalie。
Well，good-by。’
OnthestepsLevinwasstoppedbyhisoldservantKouzma，whohadbeenwithhimbeforehismarriage，andnowlookedaftertheirhouseholdintown。
`LittleAdonis’thatwastheleftshafthorsebroughtupfromthecountry`hasbeenshodanew，butsheisstilllame，’hesaid。`WhatdoesYourHonorwishtobedone？’
DuringthefirstpartoftheirstayinMoscow，Levinhadusedhisownhorsesbroughtupfromthecountry。Hehadtriedtoarrangethispartoftheirexpensesinthebestandcheapestwaypossible；butitappearedthattheirownhorsescamedearerthanhiredhorses，andtheystillhiredadditionalhorses。
`Sendfortheveterinary-theremaybeabruise。’
`AndforKaterinaAlexandrovna？’askedKouzma。
LevinwasnotbynowstruckashehadbeenatfirstbythefactthattogetinMoscowfromtheVozdvizhenkatotheSsivtzev-Vrazhekhehadtohavetwopowerfulhorsesputintoaheavycarriage，totakethecarriageaquarterofaverstathroughthesnowymushandtokeepitstandingtherefourhours，payingfiveroubleseverytime。
Nowitseemedquitenatural。
`Hireapairforourcarriagefromtheliverystable，’saidhe。
`Yes，sir。’
Andso，simplyandeasily，thankstothefacilitiesoftownlife，Levinsettledaquestionwhich，inthecountry，wouldhavecalledforsomuchpersonaltroubleandexertion，and，goingoutonthesteps，hecalledasleigh，satdown，anddrovetotheNikitskaia。Onthewayhethoughtnomoreofmoney，butmusedontheintroductionthatawaitedhimtothePeterburgsavant，awriteronsociology，andwhathewouldsaytohimabouthisbook。
OnlyduringthefirstdaysofhisstayinMoscowLevinhadbeenstruckbytheexpenditure，strangetoonelivinginthecountry，unproductivebutinevitable，thatwasexpectedofhimoneveryside。Butbynowhehadgrownusedtoit。Thathadhappenedtohiminthismatterwhichissaidtohappentodrunkards-thefirstglasssticksinthethroat，thesecondfliesdownlikeahawk，butafterthethirdthey’reliketinylittlebirds。
WhenLevinhadchangedhisfirsthundred-roublenotetopayforliveriesforhisfootmanandhallporterhecouldnothelpreflectingthattheseliverieswereofnousetoanyone-buttheywereindubitablynecessary，tojudgebytheamazementofthePrincessandKittywhenhesuggestedthattheymightdowithoutliveries-thattheseliverieswouldcostthewagesoftwolaborersforthesummer-thatis，wouldpayforaboutthreehundredworkingdaysfromEastertothefastofAdvent，andeachadayofhardworkfromearlymorningtolateevening-andthathundred-roublenotedidstickinhisthroat。Butthenextnote，changedtopayforprovidingadinnerfortheirrelations，thatcosttwenty-eightroubles，thoughitdidexciteinLevinthereflectionthattwenty-eightroublesmeantninechetvertsofoats，whichmenwouldwithgroansandsweathavereapedandboundandthreshedandwinnowedandsiftedandsown-thisnextonehepartedwithmoreeasily。Andnowthenoteshechangednolongerarousedsuchreflections，andtheyflewofflikelittlebirds。Whetherthelabordevotedtoobtainingthemoneycorrespondedtothepleasuregivenbywhatwasboughtwithit，wasaconsiderationhehadlongagodismissed。Hisbusinesscalculationthattherewasacertainpricebelowwhichhecouldnotsellcertaingrainwasforgottentoo。Therye，forthepriceofwhichhehadsolongheldout，hadbeensoldforfiftykopecksachetvertcheaperthanithadbeenfetchingamonthago。Eventheconsiderationthatwithsuchanexpenditurehecouldnotgoonlivingforayearwithoutdebt，eventhathadnoforce。Onlyonethingwasessential:tohavemoneyinthebank，withoutinquiringwhereitcamefrom，soastoknowthatonehadthewherewithaltobuymeatfortomorrow。Andthisconditionhadhithertobeenfulfilled；hehadalwayshadthemoneyinthebank。Butnowthemoneyinthebankhadgone，andhecouldnotquitetellwheretogetthenextinstallment。Andthisitwaswhich，atthemomentwhenKittyhadmentionedmoney，haddisturbedhim；buthehadnotimetothinkaboutit。Hedroveoff，thinkingofKatavassovandthemeetingwithMetrovwhichwasbeforehim。
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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart7，Chapter03[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter3Levinhadonthisvisittotownseenagreatdealofhisoldfriendattheuniversity，ProfessorKatavassov，whomhehadnotseensincehismarriage。
HelikedinKatavassovtheclearnessandsimplicityofhisconceptionoflife。LevinthoughtthattheclearnessofKatavassov’sconceptionoflifewasduetothepovertyofhisnature；KatavassovthoughtthatthedisconnectednessofLevin’sideaswasduetohislackofintellectualdiscipline；butLevinenjoyedKatavassov’sclearness，andKatavassovenjoyedtheabundanceofLevin’suntrainedideas，andtheylikedtomeetandtodispute。
LevinhadreadtoKatavassovsomepartsofhisbook，andhehadlikedthem。OnthepreviousdayKatavassovhadmetLevinatapubliclectureandtoldhimthatthecelebratedMetrov，whosearticleLevinhadsomuchliked，wasinMoscow，thathehadbeenmuchinterestedbywhatKatavassovhadtoldhimaboutLevin’swork，andthathewascomingtoseehimtomorrowateleven，andwouldbeverygladtomakeLevin’sacquaintance。
`You’repositivelyareformedcharacter，mydear，I’mgladtosee，’saidKatavassov，meetingLevininthelittledrawingroom。`Iheardthebellandthought:Impossible！Itcan’tbeheattheexacttime！……
Well，whatdoyousaytotheMontenegrinsnow？They’rearaceofwarriors。’
`Why，what’shappened？’askedLevin。
Katavassovinafewwordstoldhimthelastpieceofnewsfromthewar，and，goingintohisstudy，introducedLevintoashort，thicksetmanofpleasantappearance。ThiswasMetrov。TheconversationtouchedforabriefspaceonpoliticsandonhowrecenteventswerelookedatinthehigherspheresinPeterburg。Metrovrepeatedasayingthathadreachedhimthroughamosttrustworthysource，reportedashavingbeenutteredonthissubjectbytheCzarandoneoftheministers。KatavassovhadheardalsoonexcellentauthoritythattheCzarhadsaidsomethingquitedifferent。
Levintriedtoimaginecircumstancesinwhichbothsayingsmighthavebeenuttered，andtheconversationonthattopicdropped。
`Yes，herehe’spracticallywrittenabookonthenaturalconditionsofthelaborerinrelationtotheland，’saidKatavassov；`I’mnotaspecialist，butI，asastudentofnaturalscience，waspleasedathisnottakingmankindassomethingoutsidebiologicallaws；but，onthecontrary，perceivinghisdependenceonhissurroundings，andinthatdependenceseekingthelawsofhisdevelopment。’
`That’sveryinteresting，’saidMetrov。
`Totellthetruth，Ibegantowriteabookonagriculture；but，studyingthechiefinstrumentofagriculture，thelaborer，’saidLevin，reddening，`Icouldnothelpcomingtoquiteunexpectedresults。’
AndLevinbegancarefully，asthoughfeelinghisground，toexpoundhisviews。HeknewMetrovhadwrittenanarticleagainstthegenerallyacceptedtheoryofpoliticaleconomy，buttowhatextenthecouldreckononhissympathywithhisownnewviewshedidnotknowandcouldnotguessfromthecleverandserenefaceofthesavant。
`ButinwhatdoyouseethespecialcharacteristicsoftheRussianlaborer？’saidMetrov；`inhisbiologicalcharacteristics，sotospeak，orintheconditioninwhichheisplaced？’
Levinsawthattherewasanideaunderlyingthisquestionwithwhichhedidnotagree。ButhewentonexplaininghisownideathattheRussianlaborerhasaquitespecialviewoftheland，differentfromthatofotherpeople；andtosupportthispropositionhemadehastetoaddthatinhisopinionthisattitudeoftheRussianpeasantwasduetotheconsciousnessofhisvocationtosettlevastunoccupiedexpansesintheEast。
`Onemayeasilybeledintoerrorinbasinganyconclusiononthegeneralvocationofapeople，’saidMetrov，interruptingLevin。`Theconditionofthelaborerwillalwaysdependonhisrelationtothelandandtocapital。’
AndwithoutlettingLevinfinishexplaininghisidea，Metrovbeganexpoundingtohimthespecialpointofhisowntheory。
Inwhatthepointofhistheorylay，Levindidnotunderstand，becausehedidnottakethetroubletounderstand。HesawthatMetrov，likeotherpeople，inspiteofhisownarticle，inwhichhehadattackedthecurrenttheoryofpoliticaleconomy，lookedatthepositionoftheRussianpeasantsimplyfromthepointofviewofcapital，wages，andrent。
Hewouldindeedhavebeenobligedtoadmitthatintheeastern-muchthelarger-partofRussiarentwasasyetnil，thatfornine-tenthsoftheeightymillionsoftheRussianpeasantswagestooktheformsimplyoffoodprovidedforthemselves，andthatcapitaldoesnotsofarexistexceptintheformofthemostprimitivetools。Yetitwasonlyfromthatpointofviewthatheconsideredeverylaborer，thoughinmanypointshedifferedfromtheeconomistsandhadhisowntheoryofthewagefund，whichheexpoundedtoLevin。
Levinlistenedreluctantly，andatfirstmadeobjections。HewouldhavelikedtointerruptMetrov，toexplainhisownthought，whichinhisopinionwouldhaverenderedfurtherexpositionofMetrov’stheoriessuperfluous。
Butlateron，feelingconvincedthattheylookedatthemattersodifferently，thattheycouldneverunderstandoneanother，hedidnotevenopposehisstatements，butsimplylistened。AlthoughwhatMetrovwassayingwasbynowutterlydevoidofinterestforhim，heyetexperiencedacertainsatisfactioninlisteningtohim。Itflatteredhisvanitythatsuchalearnedmanshouldexplainhisideastohimsoeagerly，withsuchintensityandconfidenceinLevin’sunderstandingofthesubject，sometimeswithamerehintreferringhimtoawholeaspectofthesubject。Heputthisdowntohisowncredit，unawarethatMetrov，whohadalreadydiscussedhistheoryoverandoveragainwithallhisintimatefriends，talkedofitwithspecialeagernesstoeverynewperson，andingeneralwaseagertotalktoanyoneofanysubjectthatinterestedhim，evenifstillobscuretohimself。
`Wearelatethough，’saidKatavassov，lookingathiswatchdirectlyMetrovhadfinishedhisdiscourse。
`Yes，there’sameetingoftheSocietyofAmateurstodayincommemorationofthefifty-yearjubileeofSvintich，’saidKatavassovinanswertoLevin’sinquiry。`PiotrIvanovichandIweregoing。I’vepromisedtodeliveranaddressonhislaborsinzoology。Comealongwithus，it’sveryinteresting。’
`Yes，andit’sreallytimetostart，’saidMetrov。`Comewithus，andfromthere，ifyoucareto，cometomyplace。Ishouldverymuchliketohearyourwork。’
`Oh，no！It’snogoodyet-it’sunfinished。ButIshallbeverygladtogotothemeeting。’
`Isay，mydear，haveyouheard？Hehashandedinaminorityreport，’
Katavassovcalledfromtheotherroom，wherehewasputtingonhisdresscoat。
Andaconversationsprangupontheuniversityquestion。
TheuniversityquestionwasaveryimportanteventthatwinterinMoscow。Threeoldprofessorsinthecouncilhadnotacceptedtheopinionoftheyoungerprofessors。Theyoungoneshadregisteredaseparateresolution。
Thisresolution，inthejudgmentofsomepeople，wasmonstrous，inthejudgmentofothersitwasthesimplestandmostjustthingtodo，andtheprofessorsweresplitintotwoparties。
Oneparty，towhichKatavassovbelonged，sawintheoppositepartyascoundrellybetrayalandtreachery，whiletheoppositepartysawinthemchildishnessandlackofrespectfortheauthorities。Levin，thoughhedidnotbelongtotheuniversity，hadseveraltimesalreadyduringhisstayinMoscowheardandtalkedaboutthismatter，andhadhisownopiniononthesubject。Hetookpartintheconversationthatwascontinuedinthestreet，asallthreewalkedtotheoldbuildingsoftheuniversity。
Themeetinghadalreadybegun。Roundthecloth-coveredtable，atwhichKatavassovandMetrovseatedthemselves，thereweresomehalf-dozenpersons，andoneofthesewasbendingcloseoveramanuscript，readingsomethingaloud。Levinsatdowninoneoftheemptychairsthatwerestandingroundthetable，andinawhisperaskedastudentsittingnearwhatwasbeingread。Thestudent，eyingLevinwithdispleasure，said:
`Thebiography。’
ThoughLevinwasnotinterestedinthebiography，hecouldnothelplistening，andlearnedsomenewandinterestingfactsaboutthelifeofthedistinguishedmanofscience。
Whenthereaderhadfinished，thechairmanthankedhimandreadsomeversesofthepoetMent，senthimonthejubilee，andsaidafewwordsbywayofthankstothepoet。ThenKatavassovinhisloud，ringingvoicereadhisaddressonthescientificlaborsofthemanwhosejubileewasbeingkept。
WhenKatavassovhadfinished，Levinlookedathiswatch，sawitwaspastone，andthoughtthattherewouldnotbetimebeforetheconcerttoreadhispapertoMetrov，andindeed，hedidnotnowcaretodoso。
Duringthereadinghehadthoughtovertheirconversation。HesawdistinctlynowthatthoughMetrov’sideasmightperhapshavevalue，hisownideashadavaluetoo，andtheirideascouldonlybemadeclearandleadtosomethingifeachworkedseparatelyinhischosenpath，andthatnothingwouldbegainedbycommunicatingtheseideas。AndhavingmadeuphismindtorefuseMetrov’sinvitation，Levinwentuptohimattheendofthemeeting。MetrovintroducedLevintothechairman，withwhomhewastalkingofthepoliticalnews。MetrovtoldthechairmanwhathehadalreadytoldLevin，andLevinmadethesameremarksonhisnewsthathehadalreadymadethatmorning，butforthesakeofvarietyheexpressedalsoanewopinionwhichhadonlyjuststruckhim。Afterthattheconversationturnedagainontheuniversityquestion。AsLevinhadalreadyhearditall，hemadehastetotellMetrovthathewassorryhecouldnottakeadvantageofhisinvitation，tookleave，anddrovetoLvov’s。
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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart7，Chapter04[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter4Lvov，thehusbandofNatalie，Kitty’ssister，hadspentallhislifeinthecapitalsandabroad，wherehehadbeeneducated，andhadbeeninthediplomaticservice。
Duringthepreviousyearhehadleftthediplomaticservice，notowingtoany`unpleasantness’heneverhadany`unpleasantness’withanyone，andwastransferredtothePalaceDepartmentinMoscow，inordertogivehistwoboysthebesteducationpossible。
InspiteofthestrikingcontrastintheirhabitsandviewsandthefactthatLvovwasolderthanLevin，theyhadseenagreatdealofoneanotherthatwinter，andhadtakenagreatlikingtoeachother。
Lvovwasathome，andLevinwentintohimunannounced。
Lvov，inahousecoatwithabeltandinchamoisleathershoes，wassittinginanarmchair，andwithapince-nezwithbluelenseshewasreadingabookthatstoodonareadingdesk，whileinhisbeautifulhandheheldahalf-burnedcigarcarefullyawayfromhim。
Hishandsome，delicate，andstillyouthful-lookingface，towhichhiscurly，glisteningsilveryhairgaveastillmorearistocraticair，lightedupwithasmilewhenhesawLevin。
`Capital！Iintendedtosendtoyou。How’sKitty？Sithere，it’smorecomfortable。’Hegotupandpusheduparockingchair。`HaveyoureadthelastcircularintheJournaldeStPé；tersbourg？Ithinkit’sexcellent，’hesaidwithaslightFrenchaccent。
LevintoldhimwhathehadheardfromKatavassovwasbeingsaidinPeterburg，and，aftertalkingalittleaboutpolitics，hetoldhimofhisinterviewwithMetrov，andthelearnedsociety’smeeting。ToLvovitwasveryinteresting。
`That’swhatIenvyyou，thatyouareabletomixintheseinterestingscientificcircles，’hesaid。Andashetalked，hepassedasusualintoFrench，whichwaseasierforhim。`It’strueIhaven’tthetimeforit。
Myofficialworkandthechildrenleavemenotime；andthenI’mnotashamedtoownthatmyeducationhasbeentoodefective。’
`ThatIdon’tbelieve，’saidLevinwithasmile，feeling，ashealwaysdid，touchedatLvov’slowopinionofhimself，whichwasnotintheleastputonfromadesiretoseemortobemodest，butwasabsolutelysincere。
`Oh，yes，indeed！IfeelnowhowbadlyeducatedIam。ToeducatemychildrenIpositivelyhavetolookupagreatdeal，and，infact，actuallytostudymyself。Forit’snotenoughtohaveteachers-theremustbesomeonetolookafterthem；justasonyourlandyouwantlaborersandanoverseer。
SeewhatI’mreading’-hepointedtoBuslaev’sGrammaronthedesk-`it’sexpectedofMisha，andit’ssodifficult……Come，explaintome……Herehesays……’
Levintriedtoexplaintohimthatitcouldn’tbeunderstood，butthatithadtobetaught；butLvovwouldnotagreewithhim。
`Oh，you’relaughingatit！’
`Onthecontrary，youcan’timaginehow，whenIlookatyou，I’malwayslearningthetaskthatliesbeforeme-thatis，theeducationofone’schildren。’
`Well，there’snothingforyoutolearn，’saidLvov。
`AllIknow，’saidLevin，`isthatIhaveneverseenbetterbrought-upchildrenthanyours，andIwouldn’twishforchildrenbetterthanyours。’
Lvovvisiblytriedtorestraintheexpressionofhisdelight，buthewaspositivelyradiantwithsmiles。
`Ifonlythey’rebetterthanI！That’sallIdesire。Youdon’tknowyetallthework，’hesaid，`withboyswho’vebeenleftlikeminetorunwildabroad。’
`You’llcatchupwithallthat。They’resuchcleverchildren。
Thegreatthingistheeducationofcharacter。That’swhatIlearnwhenIlookatyourchildren。’
`Youtalkoftheeducationofcharacter。Youcan’timaginehowdifficultthatis！Youhavehardlysucceededincombatingonetendencywhenotherscropup，andthestrugglebeginsagain。Ifonehadnotasupportinreligion-yourememberwetalkedaboutthat-nofathercouldbringchildrenuprelyingonhisownstrengthalone，withoutthathelp。’
Thissubject，whichalwaysinterestedLevin，wascutshortbytheentranceofthebeautyNatalyaAlexandrovna，dressedtogoout。
`Ididn’tknowyouwerehere，’shesaid，unmistakablyfeelingnoregret，butapositivepleasure，ininterruptingthisconversationonatopicshehadheardsomuchofthatshewasbynowwearyofit。`Well，howisKitty？Iamdiningwithyoutoday。Itellyouwhat，Arsenii，’sheturnedtoherhusband，`youtakethecarriage。’
Andthehusbandandwifebegantodiscusstheirarrangementsfortheday。Asthehusbandhadtodrivetomeetsomeoneonofficialbusiness，whilethewifehadtogototheconcertandsomepublicmeetingofacommitteeontheSouth-EasternQuestion，therewasagreatdealtoconsiderandsettle。
Levinhadtotakepartintheirplansasoneofthemselves。ItwassettledthatLevinshouldgowithNatalietotheconcertandthemeeting，andthatfromtheretheyshouldsendthecarriagetotheofficeforArseniiandheshouldcallforherandtakehertoKitty’s；orthat，ifhehadnotfinishedhiswork，heshouldsendthecarriagebackandLevinwouldgowithher。
`He’sspoilingme，’Lvovsaidtohiswife:`heassuresmethatourchildrenaresplendid，whenIknowhowmuchbadthereisinthem。’
`Arseniigoestoextremes，Ialwayssay，’saidhiswife。`Ifyoulookforperfection，youwillneverbesatisfied。Andit’strue，aspapasays-thatwhenwewerebroughtuptherewasoneextreme-wewerekeptintheattic，whileourparentslivedinthebestrooms；nowit’sjusttheotherway-theparentsareinthewashhouse，whilethechildrenareinthebestrooms。Parentsnowarenotexpectedtoliveatall，buttoexistaltogetherfortheirchildren。’
`Well，whatiftheylikeitbetter？Lvovsaid，withhisbeautifulsmile，touchingherhand。`Anyonewhodidn’tknowyouwouldthinkyouwereastepmother，notatruemother。’
`No，extremesarenotgoodinanything，’Nataliesaidserenely，puttinghispaperknifestraightinitsproperplaceonthetable。
`Well，comehere，youperfectchildren，’Lvovsaidtothetwohandsomeboyswhocamein，and，afterbowingtoLevin，wentuptotheirfather，obviouslywishingtoaskhimaboutsomething。
Levinwouldhavelikedtotalktothem，tohearwhattheywouldsaytotheirfather，butNataliebegantalkingtohim，andthenLvov’scolleagueintheservice，Makhotin，walkedin，wearinghisCourtdress，togowithhimtomeetsomeone，andaconversationwaskeptupwithoutabreakuponHerzegovina，PrincessKorzinskaya，thetowncouncil，andthesuddendeathofMadameApraksina。
Levinevenforgotthecommissionintrustedtohim。Herecollecteditashewasgoingintothehall。
`O，KittytoldmetotalktoyouaboutOblonsky，’hesaid，asLvovwasstandingonthestairs，seeinghiswifeandLevinoff。
`Yes，yes，mamanwantsus，lesbeaux-frè；res，toattackhim，’hesaid，blushing。`ButwhyshouldI？’
`Well，then，Iwillattackhim，’saidMadameLvova，withasmile，standinginherroundwhitedogskinoperacloakwaitingtilltheyhadfinishedspeaking。`Come，letusgo。’
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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart7，Chapter05[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter5Attheconcertintheafternoontwoveryinterestingthingswereperformed。
Onewasafantasia，KingLearintheHeath；theotherwasaquartettededicatedtothememoryofBach。Bothwerenewandinthenewstyle，andLevinwaseagertoformanopinionofthem。Afterescortinghissister-in-lawtoherstall，hestoodagainstacolumnandtriedtolistenasattentivelyandconscientiouslyaspossible。Hetriednottolethisattentionbedistracted，andnottospoilhisimpressionbylookingattheconductorinawhitetie，wavinghisarms，whichalwaysdisturbedhisenjoymentofmusicsomuch，ortheladiesinbonnets，theribbonsofwhich，sinceitwasaconcert，theyhadcarefullytiedovertheirears，andallthesepeopleeitherthinkingofnothingatall，orthinkingofallsortsofthingsexceptthemusic。Hetriedtoavoidmeetingmusicalconnoisseursortalkativeacquaintances，andstoodlookingatthefloorstraightbeforehim，listening。
ButthemorehelistenedtothefantasiaofKingLearthefurtherhefeltfromforminganydefiniteopinionofit。Therewas，asitwere，acontinualbeginning，apreparationofthemusicalexpressionofsomefeeling，butitfelltopiecesagaindirectly，breakingintonewmusicalmotifs，orsimplynothingbutthewhimsofthecomposer-exceedinglycomplexbutdisconnectedsounds。Andthesefragmentarymusicalexpressions，thoughsometimesbeautiful，weredisagreeable，becausetheywereutterlyunexpectedandnotleduptobyanything。Gaietyandgriefanddespairandtendernessandtriumphfollowedoneanotherwithoutanyground，liketheemotionsofamadman。Andthoseemotions，likeamadman’s，sprangupquiteunexpectedly。
DuringthewholeperformanceLevinfeltlikeadeafmanwatchingpeopledancing，andwasinastateofcompletebewildermentwhenthefantasiawasover，andfeltagreatwearinessfromthefruitlessstrainonhisattention。
Loudapplauseresoundedonallsides。Everyonegotup，movedabout，andbegantalking。Anxioustothrowsomelightonhisownperplexityfromtheimpressionsofothers，Levinbegantowalkabout，lookingforconnoisseurs，andwasgladtoseeawell-knownmusicalamateurinconversationwithPestsov，whomheknew。
`Marvelous！’Pestsovwassayinginhisdeepbass。`Howareyou，KonstantinDmitrievich？Particularlysculpturesqueandplastic，sotosay，andrichlycoloredisthatpassagewhereyoufeelCordelia’sapproach，wherewoman，dasewigWeibliche，entersintoconflictwithfate。
Isn’tit？’
`Youmean……WhathasCordeliatodowithit？’Levinaskedtimidly，forgettingthatthefantasiawassupposedtorepresentKingLear。
`Cordeliacomesin……Seehere！’saidPestsov，tappinghisfingeronthesatinysurfaceoftheprogramheheldinhishandandpassingittoLevin。
OnlythenLevinrecollectedthetitleofthefantasia，andmadehastetoreadintheRussiantranslationthelinesfromShakespearethatwereprintedonthebackoftheprogram。
`Youcan’tfollowitwithoutthat，’saidPestsov，addressingLevin，asthepersonhehadbeenspeakingtohadgoneaway，andhehadnoonetotalkto。
Intheentr’acteLevinandPestsovfellintoanargumentuponthemeritsanddefectsofthemusicoftheWagnerschool。LevinmaintainedthatthemistakeofWagnerandallhisfollowerslayintheirtryingtotakemusicintothesphereofanotherart，justaspoetrygoeswrongwhenittriestopaintafaceastheartofpaintingoughttodo，andasaninstanceofthismistakehecitedthesculptorwhocarvedinmarblecertainpoeticphantasmsflittingroundthefigureofthepoetonthepedestal。
`Thesephantomsweresofarfrombeingphantomsthattheywerepositivelyclingingtothestairs，’saidLevin。Thecomparisonpleasedhim，buthecouldnotrememberwhetherhehadnotusedthesamephrasebefore，andtoPestsov，too，andashesaidithefeltconfused。
Pestsovmaintainedthatartisone，andthatitcanattainitshighestmanifestationsonlybytheconjunctionofallkindsofart。
ThesecondpiecethatwasperformedLevincouldnothear。Pestsov，whowasstandingbesidehim，wastalkingtohimalmostallthetime，condemningthemusicforitsexcessiveaffectedassumptionofsimplicity，andcomparingitwiththesimplicityofthePre-Raphaelitesinpainting。AshewentoutLevinmetmanymoreacquaintances，withwhomhetalkedofpolitics，ofmusic，andofcommonacquaintances。AmongothershemetCountBol，whomhehadutterlyforgottentocallupon。
`Well，goatoncethen，’MadameLvovasaid，whenhetoldher；
`perhapsthey’llnotbeathome，andthenyoucancometothemeetingtofetchme。You’llfindmestillthere。’
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