Andoneofthesearguments，inwhichKatavassovhadobviouslyconsideredthathecameoffvictorious，wasthefirstthingLevinthoughtofasherecognizedhim。
`No，whateverIdo，Iwon’targueandgiveutterancetomyideaslightly，’hethought。
GettingoutofthewagonetteandgreetinghisbrotherandKatavassov，Levinaskedabouthiswife。
`ShehastakenMitiatoKolok’acopsenearthehouse。`Shemeanttohavehimouttherebecauseit’ssohotindoors，’saidDolly。Levinhadalwaysadvisedhiswifenottotakethebabytothewood，thinkingitunsafe，andhewasnotpleasedtohearthis。
`Sherushesaboutfromplacetoplacewithhim，’saidthePrince，smiling。`Iadvisedhertotryputtinghimintheicehouse。’
`Shemeanttocometotheapiary。Shethoughtyouwouldbethere。
Wearegoingthere，’saidDolly。
`Well，andwhatareyoudoing？’saidSergeiIvanovich，fallingbackfromtherestandwalkingbesidehim。
`Oh，nothingspecial。Busyasusualwiththeland，’answeredLevin。
`Well，andwhataboutyou？Comeforlong？Wehavebeenexpectingyouforsuchalongtime。’
`Onlyforafortnight。I’veagreatdealtodoinMoscow。’
Atthesewordsthebrothers’eyesmet，andLevin，inspiteofthedesirehealwayshad，strongerthaneverjustnow，tobeonaffectionateandstillmoreopentermswithhisbrother，feltanawkwardnessinlookingathim。Hedroppedhiseyesanddidnotknowwhattosay。
CastingoverthesubjectsofconversationthatwouldbepleasanttoSergeiIvanovich，andwouldkeephimoffthesubjectoftheServianwarandtheSlavonicquestion，atwhichhehadhintedbyalludingtowhathehadtodoinMoscow，LevinbegantotalkofSergeiIvanovich’sbook。
`Well，havetherebeenanyreviewsofyourbook？’heasked。
SergeiIvanovichsmiledattheintentionalcharacterofthequestion。
`Nooneisinterestedinthatnow，andIleastofall，’hesaid。
`Justlook，DaryaAlexandrovna，weshallhaveashower，’headded，pointingwithasunshadeatthewhiteraincloudsthatshowedabovetheaspentreetops。
Andthesewordswereenoughtoreestablishagainbetweenthebrothersthattone-hardlyhostile，butchilly-whichLevinhadbeensolongingtoavoid。
LevinwentuptoKatavassov。
`Itwasjollyofyoutomakeupyourmindtocome，’hesaidtohim。
`I’vebeenintendingtoalongwhile。Nowweshallhavesomediscussion-we’llseetothat。HaveyoubeenreadingSpencer？’
`No，I’venotfinishedreadinghim，’saidLevin。`ButIdon’tneedhimnow。’
`How’sthat？That’sinteresting。Whyso？’
`ImeanthatI’mfullyconvincedthatthesolutionoftheproblemsthatinterestmeIshallneverfindinhimandhislike。Now……’
ButKatavassov’ssereneandgood-humoredexpressionsuddenlystruckhim，andhefeltsuchtendernessforhisownhappymood，whichhewasunmistakablydisturbingbythisconversation，thatherememberedhisresolutionandstoppedshort。
`Butwe’lltalklateron，’headded。`Ifwe’regoingtotheapiary，it’sthisway，alongthislittlepath，’hesaid，addressingthemall。
Goingalongthenarrowpathtoalittleuncutmeadowcoveredononesidewiththickclumpsofbrilliantheartsease，amongwhichstooduphereandtheretall，darkgreentuftsofhellebore，Levinsettledhisguestsinthedense，coolshadeoftheyoungaspensonabenchandsomestumpspurposelyputthereforvisitorstotheapiarywhomightbeafraidofthebees，andhewentoffhimselftothehuttogetbread，cucumbers，andfreshhoney，toregalethemwith。
Tryingtomakehismovementsasdeliberateaspossible，andlisteningtothebeesthatbuzzedmoreandmorefrequentlypasthim，hewalkedalongthelittlepathtothehut。Intheveryentryonebeehummedangrily，caughtinhisbeard，buthecarefullyextricatedit。Goingintotheshadyouterroom，hetookdownfromthewallhisveil，thathungonapeg，andputtingiton，andthrustinghishandsintohispockets，hewentintothefenced-inbeegarden，wheretherestoodinthemidstofacloselymownspaceinregularrows，fastenedwithbastonposts，allthehivesheknewsowell，theoldstocks，eachwithitsownhistory，andalongthefencestheyoungerswarmshivedthatyear。Infrontoftheopeningsofthehives，itmadehiseyesgiddytowatchthebeesanddroneswhirlingroundandroundaboutthesamespot，whileamongthemtheworkerbeesflewinandoutwithspoils，orinsearchofthem，alwaysinthesamedirection，intothewood，tothefloweringlindentrees，andbacktothehives。
Hisearswerefilledwiththeincessanthuminvariousnotes-
nowthebusyhumoftheworkerbeeflyingquicklyoff，thentheblaringofthelazydrone，andtheexcitedbuzzofthebeesonguard，protectingtheirpropertyfromtheenemyandpreparingtosting。Onthefarthersideofthefencetheoldbeekeeperwasshavingahoopforatub，andhedidnotseeLevin。Levinstoodstillinthemidstoftheapiaryanddidnotcallhim。
Hewasgladofachancetobealonetorecoverfromtheinfluenceofordinaryactuallife，whichhadalreadydepressedhishappymood。
HethoughtthathehadalreadyhadtimetolosehistemperwithIvan，toshowcoolnesstohisbrother，andtotalkflippantlywithKatavassov。
`Canithavebeenonlyamomentarymood，andwillitpassandleavenotrace？’hethought。
Butthesameinstant，goingbacktohismood，hefeltwithdelightthatsomethingnewandimportanthadhappenedtohim。Reallifehadonlyforatimeovercastthespiritualpeacehehadfound，butitwasstilluntouchedwithinhim。
Justasthebees，whirlingroundhim，nowmenacinghimanddistractinghisattention，preventedhimfromenjoyingcompletephysicalpeace，forcedhimtorestrainhismovementstoavoidthem，sohadthepettycaresthathadswarmedabouthimfromthemomenthegotintothetrap，restrictedhisspiritualfreedom；butthatlastedonlysolongashewasamongthem。
Justashisbodilystrengthwasstillunaffected，inspiteofthebees，sotoowasthespiritualstrengththathehadjustbecomeawareof。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart8，Chapter15[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter15`Doyouknow，Kostia，withwhomSergeiIvanovichtraveledonhiswayhere？’
saidDolly，dolingoutcucumbersandhoneytothechildren。`WithVronsky！
He’sgoingtoServia。’
`Andnotalone；he’stakingasquadronoutwithhimathisownexpense，’saidKatavassov。
`That’stherightthingforhim，’saidLevin。`Arevolunteersstillgoingoutthen？’headded，glancingatSergeiIvanovich。
SergeiIvanovichdidnotanswer。Hewascarefully，withabluntknife，gettingalivebeecoveredwithstickyhoneyoutofacupfullofwhitehoneycomb。
`Ishouldthinkso！Youshouldhaveseenwhatwasgoingonatthestationyesterday！’saidKatavassov，bitingwithasucculentsoundintoacucumber。
`Well，whatisonetomakeofit？InChrist’sname，doexplaintome，SergeiIvanovich，whereareallthosevolunteersgoing，whomaretheyfightingwith，’askedtheoldPrince，unmistakablytakingupaconversationthathadsprungupinLevin’sabsence。
`WiththeTurks，’SergeiIvanovichanswered，smilingserenely，asheextricatedthebee，darkwithhoneyandhelplesslykicking，andtransferreditwiththeknifetoastoutaspenleaf。
`ButwhohasdeclaredwarontheTurks？-IvanIvanovichRagozovandCountessLidiaIvanovna，assistedbyMadameStahl？’
`Noonehasdeclaredwar，butpeoplesympathizewiththeirneighbors’
suffering，andareeagertohelpthem，’saidSergeiIvanovich。
`ButthePrinceisnotspeakingofhelp，’saidLevin，comingtotheassistanceofhisfather-in-law，`butofwar。ThePrincesaysthatprivatepersonscannottakepartinwarwithoutthepermissionofthegovernment。’
`Kostia，mind，that’sabee！Really，they’llstingus！’saidDolly，wavingawayawasp。
`Butthat’snotabee-it’sawasp，’saidLevin。
`Wellnow，well-what’syourowntheory？’KatavassovsaidtoLevinwithasmile，distinctlychallenginghimtoadiscussion。`Whyhaven’tprivatepersonstherighttodoso？’
`Oh，mytheory’sthis:warisononesidesuchabeastly，cruelandawfulthing，thatnooneman，nottospeakofaChristian，canindividuallytakeuponhimselftheresponsibilityofbeginningwars；thatcanonlybedonebyagovernment，whichiscalledupontodothis，andisdriveninevitablyintowar。Ontheotherhand，bothpoliticalscienceandcommonsenseteachusthatinmattersofstate，andespeciallyinthematterofwar，privatecitizensmustforegotheirpersonalindividualwill。’
SergeiIvanovichandKatavassovhadtheirrepliesready，andbothbeganspeakingatthesametime。
`Butthepointis，mydearfellow，thattheremaybecaseswhenthegovernmentdoesnotcarryoutthewillofthecitizens，andthenthepublicassertsitswill，’saidKatavassov。
ButevidentlySergeiIvanovichdidnotapproveofthisanswer。
HisbrowscontractedatKatavassov’swords，andhesaidsomethingelse。
`Youdon’tputthematterinitstruelight。Thereisnoquestionhereofadeclarationofwar，butsimplytheexpressionofahumanChristianfeeling。Ourbrothers，onewithusinreligionandinrace，arebeingmassacred。
Evensupposingtheywerenotourbrothers，norfellowChristians，butsimplychildren，women，oldpeople，feelingisarousedandRussiansgoeagerlytohelpinstoppingtheseatrocities。Fancy，ifyouweregoingalongthestreetandsawdrunkenmenbeatingawomanorachild-Iimagineyouwouldnotstoptoinquirewhetherwarhadbeendeclaredonthemen，butwouldthrowyourselfonthem，andprotectthevictim。’
`ButIshouldnotkillthem，’saidLevin。
`Yes，youwouldkillthem。’
`Idon’tknow。IfIsawthat，Imightgivewaytomyimpulseofthemoment，butIcan’tsaybeforehand。Andsuchamomentaryimpulsethereisnot，andtherecannotbe，inthecaseoftheoppressionoftheSlavonicpeoples。’
`Possiblyforyouthereisnot；butforothersthereis，’saidSergeiIvanovich，frowningwithdispleasure。`Therearetraditionsstillextantamongourpeopleaboutorthodoxmen，sufferingundertheyokeofthe``impiousHagarites。’Thepeoplehaveheardofthesufferingsoftheirbrethren，andhavespoken。’
`Perhapsso，’saidLevinevasively；`butIdon’tseeit。I’moneofthepeoplemyself，andIdon’tfeelit。’
`HereamI，too，’saidtheoldPrince。`I’vebeenstayingabroadandreadingthepapers，andImustown，uptothetimeoftheBulgarianatrocities，Icouldn’tmakeoutwhyitwasalltheRussianswereallofasuddensofondoftheirSlavonicbrethren，whileIdidn’tfeeltheslightestaffectionforthem。Iwasverymuchupset，thoughtIwasamonster，orthatitwastheinfluenceofCarlsbadonme。ButsinceIhavebeenhere，mymind’sbeensetatrest。Iseethattherearepeoplebesidesmewho’reonlyinterestedinRussia，andnotintheirSlavonicbrethren。Here’sKonstantin，too。’
`Personalopinionsmeannothinginsuchacase，’saidSergeiIvanovich；
`it’snotamatterofpersonalopinionswhenallRussia-thewholepeople-hasexpresseditswill。’
`Butexcuseme，Idon’tseethat。Thepeopledon’tknowanythingaboutit，ifyoucometothat，’saidtheoldPrince。
`Oh，papa！……Howcanyousaythat？AndlastSundayinchurch？……’
saidDolly，listeningtotheconversation。`Pleasegivemeatowel，’shesaidtotheoldman，whowaslookingatthechildrenwithasmile。`Why，it’snotpossiblethatall……’
`ButwhatwasitinchurchonSunday？Thepriesthadbeentoldtoreadthat。Hereadit。Theydidn’tunderstandawordofit，sighedastheydoateverysermon，’pursuedtheoldPrince。`Thentheyweretoldthattherewastobeacollectionforapiousobjectinchurch；well，theypulledouttheircoppersandgavethem，butwhatfortheycouldn’tsay。’
`Thepeoplecannothelpknowing；thesenseoftheirowndestiniesisalwaysinthepeople，andatsuchmomentsasthepresentthatsensefindsutterance，’saidSergeiIvanovichwithconviction，glancingattheoldbeekeeper。
Thehandsomeoldman，withblackgrizzledbeardandthicksilveryhair，stoodmotionless，holdingacupofhoney，lookingdownfromtheheightofhistallfigurewithfriendlyserenityatthegentlefolk，obviouslyunderstandingnothingoftheirconversationandnotcaringtounderstandit。
`That’sso，nodoubt，’hesaid，withasignificantshakeofhisheadatSergeiIvanovich’swords。
`Here，then，askhim。Heknowsnothingaboutitandthinksnothing，’
saidLevin。`Haveyouheardaboutthewar，Mikhailich？’hesaid，turningtohim。`Whattheyreadinthechurch？Whatdoyouthinkaboutit？OughtwetofightfortheChristians？’
`Whatshouldwethink？AlexanderNikolaevichourEmperorhasthoughtforus；hethinksforusindeedinallthings。It’sclearerforhimtosee。ShallIbringabitmorebread？Givethelittleladsomemore？’hesaid，addressingDaryaAlexandrovnaandpointingtoGrisha，whowasfinishinghiscrust。
`Idon’tneedtoask，’saidSergeiIvanovich，`wehaveseenandareseeinghundredsandhundredsofpeoplewhogiveupeverythingtoserveajustcause，comefromeverypartofRussia，anddirectlyandclearlyexpresstheirthoughtandaim。Theybringtheircoppers，orgothemselvesandsaydirectlywhat’swhat。Whatdoesitmean？’
`Itmeans，tomythinking，’saidLevin，whowasbeginningtogetwarm，`thatamongeightymillionsofpeopletherecanalwaysbefoundnothundreds，asnow，buttensofthousandsofpeoplewhohavelostcaste，ne’er-do-wells，whoarealwaysreadytogoanywhere-toPugachiov’sbands，toKhiva，toServia……’
`Itellyouthatit’snotacaseofhundredsorofne’er-do-wells，butthebestrepresentativesofthepeople！’saidSergeiIvanovich，withasmuchirritationasifheweredefendingthelastpennyofhisfortune。
`Andwhatofthesubscriptions？Inthiscaseitisawholepeopledirectlyexpressingtheirwill。’
`Thatword``people’issovague，’saidLevin。`Parishclerks，schoolmasters，andoneinathousandofthepeasants，maybe，knowwhatit’sallabout。Therestoftheeightymillions，likeMikhailich，farfromexpressingtheirwill，haven’tthefaintestideawhatthereisforthemtoexpresstheirwillabout。Whatrighthavewetosaythatthisisthepeople’swill？’
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TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart8，Chapter16[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter16SergeiIvanovich，beingpracticedindialectics，didnotreply，butatonceturnedtheconversationtoanotheraspectofthesubject。
`Oh，ifyouwanttolearnthespiritofthepeoplebyarithmeticalcomputation，ofcourseit’sverydifficulttoarriveatit。Andvotinghasnotbeenintroducedamongus，andcannotbeintroduced，foritdoesnotexpressthewillofthepeople；butthereareotherwaysofreachingthat。Itisfeltintheair，itisfeltbytheheart。Iwon’tspeakofthosedeepcurrentswhichareastirinthestilloceanofthepeople，andwhichareevidenttoeveryunprejudicedman-letuslookatsocietyinthenarrowsense。Allthemostdiversesectionsoftheintelligentpeople，hostilebefore，aremergedinone。Everydivisionisatanend，allthepublicorganssaythesamethingoverandoveragain，allfeelthemightytorrentthathasovertakenthemandiscarryingtheminonedirection。’
`Yes，allthenewspapersdosaythesamething，’saidthePrince。
`That’strue。Butsoitisthesamethingthatallthefrogscroakbeforestorm。Onecanhearnothingforthem。’
`Frogsornofrogs，I’mnotthepublisherofnewspapersandI
don’twanttodefendthem；butIamspeakingoftheunanimityintheintellectualworld，’saidSergeiIvanovich，addressinghisbrother。Levinwouldhaveanswered，buttheoldPrinceinterruptedhim。
`Well，aboutthatunanimity，that’sanotherthing，onemaysay，’
saidthePrince。`There’smyson-in-law，StepanArkadyevich-youknowhim。He’sgotaplacenowonthecommitteeofacommissionandsomethingorother，Idon’tremember。Onlythere’snothingtodoinit-why，Dolly，it’snosecret-andasalaryofeightthousand！Youtryaskinghimwhetherhispostisofanyuse-he’llprovetoyouthatit’smostnecessary。Andhe’satruthfulman，too，butonecan’thelpbutbelieveintheutilityofeightthousandroubles。’
`Yes-heaskedmetogiveamessagetoDaryaAlexandrovnaaboutthepost，’saidSergeiIvanovichreluctantly，feelingthePrince’sremarktobeill-timed。
`Soitiswiththeunanimityofthepress。That’sbeenexplainedtome:assoonasthere’swartheirincomesaredoubled。HowcantheyhelpbelievinginthedestiniesofthepeopleandtheSlavonicraces-andallthatsortofthing？……’
`Idon’tcareformanyofthepapers，butthat’sunjust，’saidSergeiIvanovich。
`Iwouldonlymakeonecondition，’pursuedtheoldPrince。`AlphonseKarrsaidacapitalthingbeforethewarwithPrussia:``Youconsiderwartobeinevitable？Verygood。Leteveryonewhoadvocateswarbeenrolledinaspecialregimentofadvanceguards，forthevanguardofeveryassault，ofeveryattack，toleadthemall！’’
`Anicelottheeditorswouldmake！’saidKatavassov，withaloudroar，ashepicturedtheeditorsheknewinthispickedlegion。
`Butthey’drun，’saidDolly。`They’donlybeintheway。’
`Oh，iftheyranaway，thenwe’dhavegrapeshotorCossackswithwhipsbehindthem，’saidthePrince。
`Butthat’sajoke，andapooronetoo，ifyou’llexcusemesayingso，Prince，’saidSergeiIvanovich。
`Idon’tseethatitwasajoke，that……Levinwasbeginning，butSergeiIvanovichinterruptedhim。
`Everymemberofsocietyiscalledupontodohisownspecialwork，’saidhe。`Andmenofthoughtaredoingtheirworkwhentheyexpresspublicopinion。Andthesingleheartedandfullexpressionofpublicopinionistheserviceofthepress，andaphenomenontorejoiceusatthesametime。Twentyyearsagoweshouldhavebeensilent，butnowwehaveheardthevoiceoftheRussianpeople，whichisreadytoriseasonemanandreadytosacrificeitselfforitsoppressedbrethren；thatisagreatstepandaproofofstrength。’
`Butit’snotonlymakingasacrifice，butkillingTurks，’saidLevintimidly。`Thepeoplemakesacrificesandarereadytomakesacrificesfortheirsoul，butnotformurder，’headded，instinctivelyconnectingtheconversationwiththeideasthathadbeenabsorbinghismind。
`Fortheirsoul？That，youunderstand，isamostpuzzlingexpressionforastudentofthenaturalsciences。Whatsortofthingisthesoul？’
saidKatavassov，smiling。
`Oh，youknow！’
`No，byGod，Ihaven’tthefaintestidea！’saidKatavassovwithaloudroaroflaughter。
`’Ibringnotpeace，butasword，’saysChrist，’SergeiIvanovichrejoinedforhispart，quotingassimplyasthoughitweretheeasiestthingtounderstandtheverypassagethathadalwayspuzzledLevinmost。
`That’sso，nodoubt，’theoldmanrepeatedagain。Hewasstandingnearthemandrespondedtoachanceglanceturnedinhisdirection。
`Ah，mydearfellow，you’redefeated，utterlydefeated！’criedKatavassovgood-humoredly。
Levinreddenedwithvexation，notatbeingdefeated，butathavingfailedtocontrolhimselfandbeingdrawnintoargument。
`No，Ican’targuewiththem，’hethought；`theywearimpenetrablearmor，whileI’mnaked。’
HesawthatitwasimpossibletoconvincehisbrotherandKatavassov，andhesawevenlesspossibilityofhimselfagreeingwiththem。Whattheyadvocatedwastheveryprideofintellectthathadalmostbeenhisruin。
Hecouldnotadmitthatsomedozensofmen，amongthemhisbrother，hadtheright，onthegroundofwhattheyweretoldbysomehundredsofglibvolunteersswarmingtothecapital，tosaythattheyandthenewspaperswereexpressingthewillandfeelingofthepeople，andafeelingwhichwasexpressedinvengeanceandmurder。Hecouldnotadmitthis，becauseheneithersawtheexpressionofsuchfeelingsinthepeopleamongwhomhewasliving，norfoundtheminhimselfandhecouldnotbutconsiderhimselfoneofthepersonsmakinguptheRussianpeople，andmostofallbecausehe，likethepeople，didnotknowandcouldnotknowwhatisforthegeneralgood，thoughheknewbeyondadoubtthatthisgeneralgoodcouldbeattainedonlybythestrictobservanceofthatlawofrightandwrongwhichhasbeenrevealedtoeveryman，andthereforehecouldnotwishforwaroradvocatewarforanygeneralobjectswhatever。HesaidasMikhailichdidandthepeople，whohadexpressedtheirfeelinginthetraditionalinvitationstotheVariaghi:`Beprincesandruleoverus。
Gladlywepromisecompletesubmission。Allthelabor，allhumiliations，allsacrificeswetakeuponourselves；butwewillnotjudgeanddecide。’
Andnow，accordingtoSergeiIvanovich’saccount，thepeoplehadforegonethisprivilegetheyhadboughtatsuchacostlyprice。
Hewantedtosay，too，thatifpublicopinionwereaninfallibleguide，thenwhywerenotrevolutionsandthecommuneaslawfulasthemovementinfavoroftheSlavonicpeoples？Buttheseweremerelythoughtsthatcouldsettlenothing。Onethingcouldbeseenbeyonddoubt-thatattheactualmomentthediscussionwasirritatingSergeiIvanovich，andsoitwaswrongtocontinueit。AndLevinceasedspeakingandthencalledtheattentionofhisgueststothefactthatthestormcloudsweregathering，andthattheyhadbetterbegoinghomebeforeitrained。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart8，Chapter17[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter17TheoldPrinceandSergeiIvanovichgotintothewagonetteanddroveoff；
therestofthepartyhastenedhomewardonfoot。
Butthestormclouds，turningwhiteandthenblack，moveddownsoquicklythattheyhadtoquickentheirpacetogethomebeforetherain。
Theforemostclouds，loweringandblackassoot-ladensmoke，rushedwithextraordinaryswiftnessoverthesky。Theywerestilltwohundredpacesfromhomeandagustofwindhadalreadyblownup，andeverysecondthedownpourmightbelookedfor。
Thechildrenranaheadwithfrightenedandgleefulshrieks。DaryaAlexandrovna，strugglingpainfullywithherskirtsclingingroundherlegs，wasnotwalking，butrunning，hereyesfixedonthechildren。Themenoftheparty，holdingtheirhatson，strodewithlongstepsbesideher。Theywerejustatthestepswhenabigdropfellsplashingontheedgeoftheironguttering。Thechildrenandtheireldersafterthemranintotheshelterofthehouse，talkingmerrily。
`KaterinaAlexandrovna？’LevinaskedofAgathyaMikhailovna，whometthemwithshawlsandplaidsinthehall。
`Wethoughtshewaswithyou，’shesaid。
`AndMitia？’
`InKolok，hemustbe，andthenursewithhim。’
Levinsnatcheduptheplaidsandrantowardthecopse。
Inthatbriefintervaloftimethestormcloudshadmovedon，coveringthesunsocompletelythatitwasdarkasaneclipse。Stubbornly，asthoughinsistingonitsrights，thewindstoppedLevin，andtearingtheleavesandflowersoffthelindentreesandstrippingthewhitebirchbranchesintostrangeunseemlynakedness，ittwistedeverythingtooneside-acacias，flowers，burdocks，longgrass，andtalltreetops。Thepeasantgirlsworkinginthegardenranshriekingintoshelterintheservants’
quarters。Thestreamingrainhadalreadyflungitswhiteveiloverallthedistantforestandhalfthefieldscloseby，andwasrapidlyswoopingdownuponthecopse。Thewetoftherainspurtingupintinydropscouldbesmelledintheair。
Holdinghisheadbentdownbeforehim，andstrugglingwiththewindthatstrovetotearthewrapsawayfromhim，Levinwasmovinguptothecopseandhadjustcaughtsightofsomethingwhitebehindtheoaktree，whentherewasasuddenflash，thewholeearthseemedonfire，andthevaultofheavenseemedcrashingoverhead。Openinghisblindedeyes，Levingazedthroughthethickveilofrainthatseparatedhimnowfromthecopse，andtohishorrorthefirstthinghesawwasthegreencrestofthefamiliaroaktreeinthemiddleofthecopseuncannilychangingitsposition。`Canithavebeenstruck？’Levinhardlyhadtimetothinkwhen，movingmoreandmorerapidly，theoaktreevanishedbehindtheothertrees，andheheardthecrashofthegreattreefallingupontheothers。
Theflashoflightning，thecrashofthunder，andtheinstantaneouschillthatranthroughhimwereallmergedforLevininonesenseofterror。
`MyGod！MyGod！Notonthem！’hesaid。
Andthoughhethoughtatoncehowsenselesswashisprayerthattheyshouldnothavebeenkilledbytheoakwhichhadfallennow，herepeatedit，knowingthathecoulddonothingbetterthanutterthissenselessprayer。
Runninguptotheplacewheretheyusuallywent，hedidnotfindthemthere。
Theywereattheotherendofthecopseunderanoldlindentree；
theywerecallinghim。Twofiguresindarkdressestheyhadbeenlightsummerdresseswhentheystartedoutwerestandingbendingoversomething。
ItwasKittywiththenurse。Therainwasalreadyceasing，anditwasbeginningtogetlightwhenLevinreachedthem。Thenursewasnotwetonthelowerpartofherdress，butKittywasdrenchedthrough，andhersoakedclothesclungtoher。Thoughtherainwasover，theystillstoodinthesamepositioninwhichtheyhadbeenstandingwhenthestormbroke。Bothstoodbendingoveraperambulatorwithagreenumbrella。
`Alive？Unhurt？ThankGod！’hesaid，splashingwithhissoakedbootsthroughthestandingwaterandrunninguptothem。
Kitty’srosywetfacewasturnedtowardhim，andshesmiledtimidlyunderhershapelesssoppinghat。
`Aren’tyouashamedofyourself？Ican’tthinkhowyoucanbesoreckless！’hesaidangrilytohiswife。
`Itwasn’tmyfault，really。Wewerejustintendingtogo，whenhemadesuchato-dothatwehadtochangehim。Wewerejust……’Kittybegandefendingherself。
Mitiawasunharmed，dry，andstillfastasleep。
`Well，thankGod！Idon’tknowwhatI’msaying！’
Theygatheredupthebaby’swetbelongings；thenursepickedupthebabyandcarriedit。Levinwalkedbesidehiswife，and，penitentforhavingbeenangry，hesqueezedherhandwhenthenursewasnotlooking。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart8，Chapter18[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter18Duringthewholeofthatday，intheextremelyvariedconversationsinwhichhetookpart，onlyasitwerewiththetoplayerofhismind，inspiteofthedisappointmentofnotfindingthechangeheexpectedinhimself，Levinhadbeenallthewhilejoyfullyconsciousofthefullnessofhisheart。
Aftertherainitwastoowettogoforawalk；besides，thestormcloudsstillhungaboutthehorizon，andgatheredhereandthere，blackandthundery，ontherimofthesky。Thewholepartyspenttherestofthedayinthehouse。
Nomorediscussionssprangup；onthecontrary，afterdinnereveryonewasinthemostamiableframeofmind。
AtfirstKatavassovamusedtheladiesbyhisoriginaljokes，whichalwayspleasedpeopleontheirfirstacquaintancewithhim。ThenSergeiIvanovichinducedhimtotellthemabouttheveryinterestingobservationshehadmadeonthedifferencebetweenthefemaleandmalecommonhousefliesintheircharactersandevenphysiognomies，andtheirframeoflife。SergeiIvanovich，too，wasingoodspirits，andatteahisbrotherdrewhimontoexplainhisviewsofthefutureoftheEasternquestion，andhespokesosimplyandsowell，thateveryonelistenedeagerly。
Kittywastheonlyonewhodidnothearitall-shewassummonedtogiveMitiahisbath。
AfewminutesafterKittyhadlefttheroomshesentforLevintocometothenursery。
Leavinghistea，andregretfullyinterruptingtheinterestingconversation，andatthesametimeuneasilywonderingwhyhehadbeensentfor，asthisonlyhappenedonimportantoccasions，Levinwenttothenursery。
AlthoughhehadbeenmuchinterestedbySergeiIvanovich’sviewsofthenewepochinhistorythatwouldbecreatedbytheemancipationoffortymillionsofmenofSlavonicraceactingwithRussia-aconceptionquitenewtohim-andalthoughhewasdisturbedbyuneasywonderatbeingsentforbyKitty，assoonashecameoutofthedrawingroomandwasalone，hismindrevertedatoncetothethoughtsofthemorning。AndallthetheoriesofthesignificanceoftheSlavelementinthehistoryoftheworldseemedtohimsotrivialcomparedwithwhatwaspassinginhisownsoul，thatheinstantlyforgotitallanddroppedbackintothesameframeofmindthathehadbeeninthatmorning。
Hedidnot，ashehaddoneatothertimesrecallthewholetrainofthought-thatwasnotnecessaryforhim。Hefellbackatonceintothefeelingwhichhadguidedhim，whichwasconnectedwiththosethoughts，andhefoundthatfeelinginhissoulevenstrongerandmoredefinitethanbefore。Hedidnot，ashehadhadtodowithpreviousattemptstofindcomfortingarguments，needtoreviveawholechainofthoughttofindthefeeling。Now，onthecontrary，thefeelingofjoyandpeacewaskeenerthanever，andthoughtcouldnotkeeppacewithfeeling。
Hewalkedacrosstheterraceandlookedattwostarsthathadcomeoutinthedarkeningsky，andsuddenlyheremembered。`Yes，lookingatthesky，IthoughtthatthedomethatIseeisnotadeception，andthenIdidnotthinkoversomethingtothelast-Ishirkedfacingsomething，’
hemused。`Butwhateveritwas，therecanbenodisprovingit！Ihavebuttothink，andallwillcomeclear！’
Justashewasgoingintothenurseryherememberedwhatitwashehadshirkedfacing。ItwasthatifthechiefproofoftheDivinitywasHisrevelationofwhatisright，howisitthisrevelationisconfinedtotheChristianChurchalone？WhatrelationtothisrevelationhavethebeliefsoftheBuddhists，Mohammedans，whopreachedanddidgoodtoo？
Itseemedtohimthathehadananswertothisquestion；buthehadnottimetoformulateittohimselfbeforehewentintothenursery。
Kittywasstanding，withhersleevestuckedup，overthebabyinthebath。Hearingherhusband’sfootstep，sheturnedtowardhim，summoninghimtoherwithhersmile。Withonehandshewassupportingthefatbabythatlayfloatingandsprawlingonitsback，whilewiththeothershesqueezedthespongeoverhim。
`Come，look，look！’shesaid，whenherhusbandcameuptoher。
`AgathyaMikhailovna’sright。Heknowsus！’
Mitiahadonthatdaygivenunmistakable，incontestablesignsofrecognizingallhisfriends。
AssoonasLevinapproachedthebath，theexperimentwastried，anditwascompletelysuccessful。Thecook，sentforwiththisobject，bentoverthebaby。Hefrownedandshookhisheaddisapprovingly。Kittybentdowntohim，hegaveherabeamingsmile，proppedhislittlehandsonthespongeandchirruped，makingsuchaqueerlittlecontentedsoundwithhislipsthatKittyandthenursewerenotaloneintheiradmiration-Levin，too，wassurprisedanddelighted。
Thebabywastakenoutofthebath，drenchedwithwater，wrappedintowels，dried，and，afterapiercingscream，handedtohismother。
`Well，Iamgladyouarebeginningtolovehim，’saidKittytoherhusband，whenshehadsettledherselfcomfortablyinherusualplace，withthebabyatherbreast。`Iamsoglad！Ithadbeguntodistressme。
Yousaidyouhadnofeelingforhim。’
`No；didIsaythat？IonlysaidIwasdisappointed。’
`What！Disappointedinhim？’
`Notdisappointedinhim，butinmyownfeeling；Ihadexpectedmore。Ihadexpectedarushofnewdelightfulemotiontocomeasasurprise。
Andtheninsteadofthat-disgust，pity……’
Shelistenedattentively，lookingathimoverthebaby，whilesheputbackonherslenderfingerstheringsshehadtakenoffwhilegivingMitiahisbath。
`Andmostofall，attherebeingfarmoreapprehensionandpitythanpleasure。Today，afterthatfrightduringthestorm，IunderstandhowIlovehim。’
Kitty’ssmilewasradiant。
`Wereyouverymuchfrightened？’shesaid。`SowasI，too，butIfeelitmorenowthatit’sover。I’mgoingtolookattheoak。HowcharmingKatavassovis！Andwhatahappydaywe’vehadaltogether。Andyou’resoamiablewithSergeiIvanovich，whenyoucaretobe……Well，gobacktothem。It’salwayssohotandsteamyhereafterthebath……’
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart8，Chapter19[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter19Goingoutofthenurseryandbeingagainalone，Levinwentbackatoncetothethought，inwhichtherewassomethingnotclear。
Insteadofgoingintothedrawingroom，whereheheardvoices，hestoppedontheterrace，and，leaninghiselbowsontheparapet，hegazedupatthesky。
Itwasquitedarknow，andinthesouth，wherehewaslooking，therewerenoclouds。Thestormhaddriftedontotheoppositesideofthesky，andtherewereflashesoflightninganddistantthunderfromthatquarter。Levinlistenedtothemonotonousdripfromthelindentreesinthegarden，andlookedatthetriangleofstarsheknewsowell，andtheMilkyWaywithitsbranches，thatranthroughitsmidst。AteachflashoflightningtheMilkyWay，andeventhebrightstars，vanished，butassoonasthelightningdiedaway，theyreappearedintheirplacesasthoughsomehandhadflungthembackwithcarefulaim。
`Well，whatisitthatperplexesme？’Levinsaidtohimself，feelingbeforehandthatthesolutionofhisdifficultieswasreadyinhissoul，thoughhedidnotknowityet。
`Yes，theoneunmistakable，incontestablemanifestationoftheDivinityisthelawofrightandwrong，whichhascomeintotheworldbyrevelation，andwhichIfeelwithinmyself，andintherecognitionofwhichInotsomuchmakemyselfbut，willy-nilly，ammade，onewithothermeninonebodyofbelievers，whichiscalledtheChurch。Well，buttheJews，theMohammedans，theConfucians，theBuddhists-whatofthem？’heputtohimselfthequestionhehadfearedtoface。`Canthesehundredsofmillionsofmenbedeprivedofthathighestblessingwithoutwhichlifehasnomeaning？’
Heponderedamoment，butimmediatelycorrectedhimself。`ButwhatamI
questioning？’hesaidtohimself。`IamquestioningtherelationtoDivinityofallthedifferentreligionsofallmankind。IamquestioningtheuniversalmanifestationofGodtoalltheworldwithallthesenebulae。WhatamI
about？Tomeindividually，tomyhearthasbeenrevealedaknowledgebeyondalldoubt，andunattainablebyreason，andhereIamobstinatelytryingtoexpressthatknowledgeinreasonandwords。
`Don’tIknowthatthestarsdon’tmove？’heaskedhimself，gazingatthebrightplanetwhichhadshifteditspositionuptothetopmosttwigofabirchtree。`Butlookingatthemovementsofthestars，Ican’tpicturetomyselftherotationoftheearth，andI’mrightinsayingthatthestarsmove。
`Andcouldtheastronomershaveunderstoodandcalculatedanything，iftheyhadtakenintoaccountallthecomplicatedandvariedmotionsoftheearth？-Allthemarvelousconclusionstheyhavereachedaboutthedistances，weights，revolutions，andperturbationsoftheheavenlybodies，areonlyfoundedontheapparentmotionsoftheheavenlybodiesroundthestationaryearth，onthatverymotionIseebeforemenow，whichhasbeensoformillionsofmenduringlongages-hasbeenandalwayswillbealike，andcanalwaysbeverified。Andjustastheconclusionsoftheastronomerswouldhavebeenvainanduncertainifnotfoundedonobservationsofthevisibleheavens，inrelationtoasinglemeridianandasinglehorizon，sowouldmyconclusionsbevainanduncertainifnotfoundedonthatconceptionofright，whichhasbeenandwillalwaysbealikeforallmen，whichhasbeenrevealedtomebyChristianity，andwhichcanalwaysbeverifiedinmysoul。ThequestionofotherreligionsandtheirrelationstoDivinityIhavenorighttodecide，andnopossibilityofdeciding。’
`Oh，youhaven’tgoneinthen？’heheardKitty’svoicesuddenly，asshecamebythesamewaytothedrawingroom。`Whatisit？You’renotworriedaboutanything？’shesaid，lookingintentlyathisfaceinthestarlight。
Butshecouldnothaveseenhisfaceifaflashoflightninghadnothiddenthestarsandrevealedit。Inthatflashshesawhisfacedistinctly，andseeinghimcalmandhappy，shesmiledathim。
`Sheunderstands，’hethought；`sheknowswhatI’mthinkingabout。
ShallItellherornot？Yes，I’lltellher。’Butatthemomenthewasabouttospeak，shebeganspeaking。
`Kostia！Dosomethingforme，’shesaid；`gointothecornerroomandseeifthey’vemadeitallreadyforSergeiIvanovich。Ican’tverywell。Seeifthey’veputthenewwashstandinit。’
`Verywell，I’llgodirectly，’saidLevin，standingupandkissingher。
`No，I’dbetternotspeakofit，’hethought，whenshehadgoneinbeforehim。`Itisasecretformealone，ofvitalimportanceforme，andnottobeputintowords。
`Thisnewfeelinghasnotchangedme，hasnotmademehappyandenlightenedallofasudden，asIhaddreamed，justlikethefeelingformychild。Therewasnosurpriseinthiseither。Whetheritisfaithornot-Idon’tknowwhatitis-butthisfeelinghascomejustasimperceptiblythroughsuffering，andhastakenfirmrootinmysoul。
`Ishallgooninthesameway，losingmytemperwithIvanthecoachman，fallingintoangrydiscussions，expressingmyopinionstactlessly；
therewillbestillthesamewallbetweentheholyofholiesofmysoulandotherpeople，evenmywife；Ishallstillgoonscoldingherformyownfrightandbeingremorsefulforit；IshallstillbeasunabletounderstandwithmyreasonwhyIpray，andIshallstillgoonpraying；butmylifenow，mywholelifeapartfromanythingthatcanhappentome，everyminuteofitisnomoremeaningless，asitwasbefore，butithasthepositivemeaningofgoodness，whichIhavethepowertoputintoit。’
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