Thecoachmanpulleduphisfourhorsesandlookedroundtotheright，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！’
　　AnnalookedatDolly’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。Ihavetherighttodothat，haven’tI？Butitisabigsubject，andwe’lltalkovereverythingproperlylater。NowI’llgoanddressandsendamaidtoyou。’
　　Leftalone，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。Elleesttrèsgentille。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。Maisjenevousferaigracederien。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。Ilesttresgentiletna？f，’shesaidagainwiththesamesmile。`Menneedoccupation，andAlexeineedsacircle，soIvalueallthesepeople。Wehavetohavethehouselivelyandgay，sothatAlexeimaynotlongforanynovelty。Thenyou’llseethesteward-aGerman，averygoodfellow，andheunderstandshiswork。Alexeihasaveryhighopinionofhim。Thenthedoctor，ayoungman，notquiteaNihilistperhaps，but，youknow，heeatswithhisknife……Butaverygooddoctor。Thenthearchitect……Unepetitecour。’
　　`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’estunintérieursijoli，sicommeilfaut。Tout-à-faitàl’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。`MaisilnefautpaslaisserlepauvreVeslovskyetTushkevichsemorfondrelàdanslebateau。Wemustsendandtellthem。’
　　`Yes，thisisamonumentheissettinguphere，’saidAnna，turningtoDollywiththatslysmileofcomprehensionwithwhichshehadpreviouslytalkedaboutthehospital。
　　`Oh，it’saworkofrealimportance！’saidSviiazhsky。ButtoshowhewasnottryingtoingratiatehimselfwithVronsky，hepromptlyaddedsomeslightlycriticalremarks。`Iwonder，though，Count，’hesaid，`thatwhileyoudosomuchforthehealthofthepeasants，youtakesolittleinterestintheschools。’
　　`C’estdevenutellementcommunlesècoles，’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。
　　`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。
　　WhenAnnafoundDollyathomebeforeher，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。`Dasl？sstsichausrechnen，Erlaucht。’TheGermanwasjustfeelinginthepocketwherewerehispencilandthenotebookhealwayswrotein，butrecollectingthathewasatadinner，andobservingVronsky’schillyglance，hecheckedhimself。`Zucompliziert，machtzuvielpains，’heconcluded。
　　`Wünschtmangains，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？’
　　DaryaAlexandrovnasawthatAnnadislikedthetoneofplayfulnessthatexistedbetweenherandVeslovsky，butfellinwithitagainstherwill。
　　VronskyactedinthismatterquitedifferentlyfromLevin。HeobviouslyattachednosignificancetoVeslovsky’schattering；onthecontrary，heencouragedhisjests。
　　`Comenow，tellus，Veslovsky，howarethestonesheldtogether？’
　　`Bycement，ofcourse。’
　　`Bravo！Andwhatiscement？’
　　`Oh，somesortofpaste……No，putty，’saidVeslovsky，raisingagenerallaugh。
　　Thecompanyatdinner，withtheexceptionofthedoctor，thearchitect，andthesteward，whoremainedplungedingloomysilence，keptupaconversationthatneverpaused，glancingoffonesubject，fasteningonanother，andattimesstingingoneortheotherofthecompanytothequick。OnceDaryaAlexandrovnafeltwoundedtothequick，andgotsohotthatshepositivelyflushedandwonderedafterwardwhethershehadsaidanythingextremeorunpleasant。SviiazhskybegantalkingofLevin，describinghisstrangeviewthatmachineryissimplyperniciousinitseffectsonRussianagriculture。
　　`IhavenotthepleasureofknowingthisM。Levin，’Vronskysaid，smiling，`butmostlikelyhehasneverseenthemachineshecondemns；orifhehasseenandtriedany，itmusthavebeenafteraqueerfashion，someRussianimitation，notamachinefromabroad。Whatsortofviewscananyonehaveonsuchasubject？’
　　`Turkishviews，ingeneral，’Veslovskysaid，turningtoAnnawithasmile。
　　`Ican’tdefendhisopinions，’DaryaAlexandrovnasaid，flaringup；`butIcansaythathe’sahighlycultivatedman，andifhewereherehewouldknowverywellhowtoansweryou，thoughIamnotcapableofdoingso。’
　　`Ilikehimextremely，andwearegreatfriends，’Sviiazhskysaid，smilinggood-naturedly。`Maispardon，ilestunpetitpeutoque；hemaintains，forinstance，thatzemstvoesandjusticesofthepeaceareallofnouse，andheisunwillingtotakepartinanything。’
　　`It’sourRussianapathy，’saidVronsky，pouringwaterfromaniceddecanterintoadelicateglassonahighstem；`we’venosenseofthedutiesourprivilegesimposeuponus，andsowerefusetorecognizetheseduties。’
　　`Iknownomanmorestrictintheperformanceofhisduties，’saidDaryaAlexandrovna，irritatedbyVronsky’stoneofsuperiority。
　　`Formypart，’pursuedVronsky，whowasevidentlyforsomereasonorotherkeenlyaffectedbythisconversation，`suchasIam，Iam，onthecontrary，extremelygratefulforthehonortheyhavedoneme，thankstoNikolaiIvanich’heindicatedSviiazhsky，`inelectingmeanhonoraryjusticeofthepeace。Iconsiderthatformethedutyofbeingpresentatthesession，ofjudgingsomepeasants’quarrelaboutahorse，isasimportantasanythingIcando。AndIshallregarditasanhonoriftheyelectmeforthedistrictcouncil。It’sonlyinthatwayIcanpayfortheadvantagesIenjoyasalandowner。Unluckilytheydon’tunderstandtheimportancethatthebiglandownersoughttohaveinthestate。’
　　ItwasstrangetoDaryaAlexandrovnatohearhowserenelyconfidenthewasofbeingrightathisowntable。ShethoughthowLevin，whobelievedtheopposite，wasjustaspositiveinhisopinionsathisowntable。ButshelovedLevin，andsoshewasonhisside。
　　`Sowecanreckonuponyou，Count，forthecomingelections？’saidSviiazhsky。`Butyoumustcomealittlebeforehand，soastobeonthespotbytheeighth。Ifyouwoulddomethehonortostopwithme！’
　　`Iratheragreewithyourbeau-frère’，saidAnna，`thoughnotquiteonthesamegroundashe，’sheaddedwithasmile。`I’mafraidthatwehavetoomanyofthesepublicdutiesintheselatterdays。Justasintheolddaysthereweresomanygovernmentfunctionariesthatonehadtocallinafunctionaryforeverysinglething，sonoweveryone’sdoingsomesortofpublicduty。Alexeihasbeenherenowsixmonths，andhe’samember，Idobelieve，offiveorsixdifferentpublicbodies，aguardian，ajusticeofthepeace，amemberofthecouncil，ajuryman，anequinesomething。Dutrainquecelava，hiswholetimewillbewastedonit。AndI’mafraidthatwithsuchamultiplicityofthesebodies，they’llendinbeingamereform。Howmanyareyouamemberof，NikolaiIvanich？’sheturnedtoSviiazhsky。`Overtwenty，Ifancy。’
　　Annaspokelightly，butirritationcouldbediscernedinhertone。DaryaAlexandrovna，watchingAnnaandVronskyattentively，detecteditinstantly。Shenoticed，too，thatasshespokeVronsky’sfacehadimmediatelytakenaseriousandobstinateexpression。Noticingthis，andthatPrincessVarvaraatoncemadehastetochangetheconversationbytalkingofPeterburgacquaintances，andrememberingwhatVronskyhadwithoutapparentconnectionsaidinthegardenofhisworkinthecountry，DollysurmisedthatthisquestionofpublicactivitywasconnectedwithsomedeepprivatedisagreementbetweenAnnaandVronsky。
　　Thedinner，thewine，thedinnerset，wereallverygood；butitwasalllikewhatDaryaAlexandrovnahadseenatformaldinnersandballswhichoflateyearshadbecomequiteunfamiliartoher；itallhadthesameimpersonalandconstrainedcharacter，andsoonanordinarydayandinalittlecircleoffriendsitmadeadisagreeableimpressiononher。
　　Afterdinnertheysatontheterrace；thentheyproceededtoplaylawntennis。Theplayers，dividedintotwoparties，stoodonoppositesidesofatightlydrawnnetwithgiltpoles，onthecarefullyleveledandrolledcroquetground。DaryaAlexandrovnamadeanattempttoplay，butitwasalongtimebeforeshecouldunderstandthegame，andbythetimeshedidunderstanditshewassotiredthatshesatdownwithPrincessVarvaraandsimplylookedonattheplayers。Herpartner，Tushkevich，gaveupplayingtoo，buttheotherskeptthegameupforalongtime。SviiazhskyandVronskybothplayedverywellandseriously。Theykeptasharplookoutontheballsservedtothem，andwithoutloitering，theyranadroitlyuptothem，waitedfortherebound，andneatlyandaccuratelyreturnedthemoverthenet。Veslovskyplayedworsethantheothers。Hewastooeager，buthekepttheplayerslivelywithhishighspirits。Hislaughterandoutcriesneverpaused。Liketheothermenoftheparty，withtheladies’permission，hetookoffhiscoat，andhissolid，comelyfigureinhiswhiteshirtsleeves，withhisredperspiringfaceandhisimpulsivemovements，madeapicturethatimprinteditselfvividlyonthememory。
　　WhenDaryaAlexandrovnalayinbedthatnight，assoonassheclosedhereyes，shesawVassenkaVeslovskyflyingaboutthecroquetground。
　　DuringthegameDaryaAlexandrovnawasnotenjoyingherself。ShedidnotlikethelighttoneofplayfulnessthatwaskeptupallthetimebetweenVassenkaVeslovskyandAnna，andtheunnaturalness，altogether，ofgrown-uppeople，allalonewithoutchildren，playingatachild’sgame。Buttoavoidbreakingupthepartyandtogetthroughthetimesomehow，afterarestshejoinedthegameagain，andpretendedtobeenjoyingit。Allthatdayitseemedtoherasthoughshewereactinginatheaterwithactorsclevererthanshe，andthatherbadactingwasspoilingthewholeperformance。
　　Shehadcomewiththeintentionofstayingtwodays，ifallwentwell。Butintheevening，duringthegame，shemadeuphermindthatshewouldgohomenextday。Thematernalcaresandworries，whichshehadsohatedontheway，now，afteradayspentwithoutthemstruckherinquiteanotherlight，andtemptedherbacktothem。
　　When，aftereveningteaandarowbynightintheboat，DaryaAlexandrovnawentalonetoherroom，tookoffherdress，andbeganarrangingherthinhairforthenight，shehadagreatsenseofrelief。
　　ItwaspositivelydisagreeabletohertothinkthatAnnawouldbecomingtoseeherimmediately。Shelongedtobealonewithherownthoughts。