DollywasjustabouttogotobedwhenAnnacameintoseeher，attiredforthenight。
　　InthecourseofthedayAnnahadseveraltimesbeguntospeakofmattersnearherheart，andeverytimeafterafewwordsshehadstopped:`Afterward，byourselves，we’lltalkabouteverything。I’vegotsomuchIwanttotellyou，’shehadsaid。
　　Nowtheywerebythemselves，andAnnadidnotknowwhattotalkabout。ShesatinthewindowlookingatDolly，andgoingoverinherownmindallthestoresofintimatetalkwhichhadseemedsoinexhaustiblebeforehand，andshefoundnothing。Atthatmomentitseemedtoherthateverythinghadbeensaidalready。
　　`Well，whatofKitty？’shesaidwithaheavysigh，lookingpenitentlyatDolly。`Tellmethetruth，Dolly:isn’tsheangrywithme？’
　　`Angry？Oh，no！’saidDaryaAlexandrovna，smiling。
　　`Butshehatesme，despisesme？’
　　`Oh，no！Butyouknowthatsortofthingisn’tforgiven。’
　　`Yes，yes，’saidAnna，turningawayandlookingoutoftheopenwindow。`ButIwasnottoblame。Andwhoistoblame？What’sthemeaningofbeingtoblame？Couldithavebeenotherwise？Whatdoyouthink？CoulditpossiblyhavehappenedotherwisethanthatyoushouldbecomethewifeofStiva？’
　　`Really，Idon’tknow。ButthisiswhatIwantyoutotellme……’
　　`Yes，yes，butwe’venotfinishedaboutKitty。Isshehappy？He’saveryfineman，theysay。’
　　`He’smuchmorethanveryfine。Idon’tknowabetterman。’
　　`Ah，howgladIam！I’msoglad！Muchmorethanveryfine，’sherepeated。
　　Dollysmiled。
　　`Buttellmeaboutyourself。We’veagreatdealtotalkabout。AndI’vehadatalkwith……’Dollydidnotknowwhattocallhim。ShefeltitawkwardtocallhimeithertheCountorAlexeiKirillovich。
　　`WithAlexei，’saidAnna，`Iknowwhatyoutalkedabout。ButIwantedtoaskyoudirectlywhatyouthinkofme，ofmylife？’
　　`HowamItosayanythingsosuddenly？Ireallydon’tknow。’
　　`No，tellmeallthesame……Youseemylife。Butyoumustn’tforgetthatyou’reseeingusinthesummer，whenyouhavecometousandwearenotalone……Butwecamehereearlyinthespring，livedquitealone，andshallbealoneagain，andIdesirenothingbetter。Butimaginemelivingalonewithouthim，alone，andthatwillbe……Iseebyeverythingthatitwilloftenberepeated，thathewillbehalfthetimeawayfromhome，’shesaid，gettingupandsittingdownclosebyDolly。`Ofcourse，’sheinterruptedDolly，whowouldhaveanswered，`ofcourseIwon’ttrytokeephimbyforce。Idon’tkeephimindeed。Theracesarejustcoming，hishorsesarerunning，hewillgo。I’mveryglad。Butthinkofme，fancymyposition……Butwhat’stheuseoftalkingaboutit！’Shesmiled。`Well，whatdidhetalkaboutwithyou？’
　　`HespokeofwhatIwanttospeakaboutmyself，andit’seasyformetobehisadvocate；ofwhetherthereisnotapossibility……whetheryoucouldnot……’DaryaAlexandrovnahesitated`correct，orimproveyourposition……YouknowhowIlookatit……Butallthesame，ifpossible，youshouldgetmarried……’
　　`Divorce，youmean？’saidAnna。`Doyouknow，theonlywomanwhocametoseemeinPeterburgwasBetsyTverskaia？Youknowher，ofcourse？Aufond，c’estlafemmelaplusdépraveequiexiste。ShehadanintriguewithTushkevich，deceivingherhusbandinthebasestway。Andshetoldmethatshedidnotcaretoknowmesolongasmypositionwasirregular。Don’timagineIwouldcompare……Iknowyou，darling。ButIcouldnothelpremembering……Well，sowhatdidhesaytoyou？’sherepeated。
　　`Hesaidthathewasunhappyonyouraccountandhisown。Perhapsyouwillsaythatit’segoism，butwhatalegitimateandnobleegoism。Hewantsfirstofalltolegitimizehisdaughter，andtobeyourhusband，tohavealegalrighttoyou。’
　　`Whatwife，whatslavecanbesoutterlyaslaveasI，inmyposition？’sheputingloomily。
　　`Thechiefthinghedesires……hedesiresthatyoushouldnotsuffer。’
　　`That’simpossible。Well？’
　　`Well，andthemostlegitimatedesire-hewishesthatyourchildrenshouldhaveaname。’
　　`Whatchildren？’Annasaid，notlookingatDolly，andhalfclosinghereyes。
　　`Annieandthosetocome……’
　　`Heneednottroubleonthatscore；Ishallhavenomorechildren。’
　　`Howcanyoutellthatyouwon’t？’
　　`Ishallnot，becauseIdon’twishit。’And，inspiteofallheremotion，Annasmiled，asshecaughtthena？veexpressionofcuriosity，wonder，andhorroronDolly’sface。
　　`Thedoctortoldmeaftermyillness……’
　　`Impossible！’saidDolly，openinghereyeswide。Forherethiswasoneofthosediscoveriestheconsequencesanddeductionsfromwhicharesoimmensethatallthatonefeelsforthefirstinstantisthatitisimpossibletotakeitallin，andthatonewillhavetoreflectagreat，greatdealuponit。
　　Thisdiscovery，suddenlythrowinglightonallthosefamiliesofoneortwochildren，whichhadhithertobeensoincomprehensibletoher，arousedsomanyideas，reflections，andcontradictoryemotions，thatshehadnothingtosay，andsimplygazedwithwide-openeyesofwonderatAnna。Thiswastheverythingshehadbeendreamingof，butnowlearningthatitwaspossible，shewashorrified。Shefeltthatitwastoosimpleasolutionoftoocomplicatedaproblem。
　　`N’est-cepasimmoral？’wasallshesaid，afterabriefpause。
　　`Whyso？Think-Ihaveachoicebetweentwoalternatives:eithertobewithchild，thatisaninvalid，ortobethefriendandcompanionofmyhusband-practicallymyhusband，’Annasaidinatoneintentionallysuperficialandfrivolous。
　　`Yes，yes，’saidDaryaAlexandrovna，hearingtheveryargumentsshehadusedtoherself，andnotfindingthesameforceinthemasbefore。
　　`Foryou，forotherpeople，’saidAnna，asthoughdiviningherthoughts，`theremaybereasontohesitate；butforme……Youmustconsider-Iamnothiswife；helovesmeaslongashelovesme。AndhowamItokeephislove？Notlikethis！’
　　Shemovedherwhitehandsinacurvebeforeherwaist。
　　Withextraordinaryrapidity，ashappensduringmomentsofexcitement，ideasandmemoriesrushedintoDaryaAlexandrovna’shead。`I，’shethought，`didnotkeepmyattractionforStiva；heleftmeforothers，andthefirstwomanforwhomhebetrayedmedidnotkeephimbybeingalwaysprettyandlively。Hedesertedherandtookanother。AndcanAnnaattractandkeepCountVronskyinthatway？Ifthatiswhathelooksfor，hewillfinddressesandmannersstillmoreattractiveandcharming。And，howeverwhiteandbeautifulherbarearmsare，howeverbeautifulherfullfigureandhereagerfaceunderherblackcurls，hewillfindsomethingbetterstill，justasmydisgusting，pitiful，andcharminghusbanddoes。’
　　Dollymadenoanswer，shemerelysighed。Annanoticedthissigh，indicatingdissent，andshewenton。Inherarmoryshehadotherargumentssostrongthatnoanswercouldbemadetothem。
　　`Doyousaythatit’snotright？Butyoumustconsider，’shewenton；`youforgetmyposition。HowcanIdesirechildren？I’mnotspeakingofthesuffering-I’mnotafraidofthat。Think，only-whataremychildrentobe？Ill-fatedchildren，whowillhavetobearastranger’sname。Fortheveryfactoftheirbirththeywillbeforcedtobeashamedoftheirmother，theirfather，theirbirth。’
　　`Butthatisjustwhyadivorceisnecessary。’
　　ButAnnadidnothearher。Shelongedtogiveutterancetoalltheargumentswithwhichshehadsomanytimesconvincedherself。
　　`Whatisreasongivenmefor，ifIamnottouseittoavoidbringingunhappybeingsintotheworld！’
　　ShelookedatDolly，butwithoutwaitingforareplyshewenton:
　　`IshouldalwaysfeelIhadwrongedtheseunhappychildren，’shesaid。`Iftherearenone，atanyratetheyarenotunhappy；whileiftheyareunhappy，Ialoneshouldbetoblameforit。’
　　TheseweretheveryargumentsDaryaAlexandrovnahadusedinherownreflections；butsheheardthemnowwithoutunderstandingthem。`Howcanonewrongcreaturesthatdon’texist？’shethought。Andallatoncetheideastruckher。Coulditpossibly，underanycircumstances，havebeenbetterforherfavoriteGrishaifhehadneverexisted？Andthisseemedtohersowild，sostrange，thatsheshookherheadtodriveawaythistangleofwhirling，madideas。
　　`No，Idon’tknow；it’snotright，’wasallshesaid，withanexpressionofdisgustonherface。
　　`Yes，butyoumustn’tforgetwhatyouareandwhatIam……Andbesidesthat，’addedAnna，inspiteofthewealthofherargumentsandthepovertyofDolly’sobjections，seemingstilltoadmitthatitwasnotright，`don’tforgetthechiefpoint，thatIamnotnowinthesamepositionasyou。Foryouthequestionis:Doyoudesirenottohaveanymorechildren？Whileformeitis:DoIdesiretohavethem？Andthat’sagreatdifference。YoumustseethatIcan’tdesiretheminmyposition。’
　　DaryaAlexandrovnamadenoreply。ShesuddenlyfeltthatshehadgotawayfromAnnasofar，thattherelaybetweenthemabarrierofquestionsonwhichtheycouldneveragree，andaboutwhichitwasbetternottospeak。
　　`Thenthereisallthemorereasonforyoutolegalizeyourposition，ifpossible，’saidDolly。
　　`Yes，ifpossible，’saidAnna，speakingallatonceinanutterlydifferenttone，subduedandmournful。
　　`Surelyyoudon’tmeanadivorceisimpossible？Iwastoldyourhusbandhadconsentedtoit。’
　　`Dolly，Idon’twanttotalkaboutthat。’
　　`Oh，wewon’tthen，’DaryaAlexandrovnahastenedtosay，noticingtheexpressionofsufferingonAnna’sface。`AllIseeisthatyoutaketoogloomyaviewofthings。’
　　`I？Notatall！I’mverysatisfiedandhappy。Yousee，jefaispassions。Veslovsky……’
　　`Yes，totellthetruth，Idon’tlikeVeslovsky’stone，’saidDaryaAlexandrovna，anxioustochangethesubject。
　　`Oh，that’snonsense！ItamusesAlexei，andthat’sall；buthe’saboy，andquiteundercontrol。Youknow，IturnhimasIplease。It’sjustasitmightbewithyourGrisha……Dolly！’shesuddenlychangedthesubject。`YousayItaketoogloomyaviewofthings。Youcan’tunderstand。It’stooawful！Itrynottotakeanyviewofitatall。’
　　`ButIthinkyououghtto。Yououghttodoallyoucan。’
　　`ButwhatcanIdo？Nothing。YoutellmetomarryAlexei，andsayIdon’tthinkaboutit。Idon’tthinkaboutit！’sherepeated，andaflushroseintoherface。Shegotup，straighteningherchest，andsighedheavily。Withherlightstepshebeganpacingupanddowntheroom，stoppingnowandthen。`Idon’tthinkofit？Notaday，notanhourpassesthatIdon’tthinkofit，andblamemyselfforwhatIthink……becausethinkingofthatmaydrivememad。Drivememad！’sherepeated。`WhenIthinkofit，Ican’tsleepwithoutmorphine。Butnevermind。Letustalkquietly。Theytellme-divorce。Inthefirstplace，hewon’tgivemeadivorce。He’sundertheinfluenceofCountessLidiaIvanovnanow。’
　　DaryaAlexandrovna，sittingerectonachair，turnedherheadfollowingAnnawithafaceofsympatheticsuffering。
　　`Yououghttomaketheattempt，’shesaidsoftly。
　　`SupposeImaketheattempt。Whatdoesitmean？’shesaid，evidentlygivingutterancetoathought，athousandtimesthoughtoverandlearnedbyheart。`ItmeansthatI，hatinghim，butstillrecognizingthatIhavewrongedhim-andIconsiderhimmagnanimous-thatIhumiliatemyselftowritetohim……Well，supposeImaketheeffort；Idoit。EitherIreceiveahumiliatingrefusal，orconsent。Well，Ihavereceivedhisconsent，say……’Annawasatthatmomentatthefarthestendoftheroom，andshestoppedthere，doingsomethingtothecurtainatthewindow。`Ireceivehisconsent，butmy……myson？Theywon’tgivehimuptome。Hewillgrowupdespisingme，withhisfather，whomI’veabandoned。Doyousee，Iloveequally，Ithink，butbothmorethanmyself，twobeings-SeriozhaandAlexei。’
　　ShecameoutintothemiddleoftheroomandstoodfacingDolly，withherarmspressedtightlyacrossherchest。Inherwhitedressinggownherfigureseemedmorethanusuallygrandandbroad。Shebentherhead，andwithshining，weteyeslookedfromunderherbrowsatDolly，athinlittlepitifulfigureinherpatcheddressingjacketandnightcap，shakingalloverwithemotion。
　　`ItisonlythosetwobeingswhomIlove，andoneexcludestheother。Ican’thavethemtogether，andthat’stheonlythingIwant。AndsinceIcan’thavethat，Idon’tcareabouttherest。Idon’tcareaboutanything-anything。Anditwillendonewayoranother，andsoIcan’t，Idon’tliketotalkofit。Sodon’tblameme，don’tjudgemeforanything。Youcan’twithyourpureheartunderstandallthatI’msuffering。’
　　Shewentup，satdownbesideDolly，and，withaguiltylook，peepedintoherfaceandtookherhand。
　　`Whatareyouthinking？Whatareyouthinkingaboutme？Don’tdespiseme。Idon’tdeservecontempt。I’msimplyunhappy。Ifanyoneisunhappy，Iam，’sheuttered，andturningaway，sheburstintotears。
　　Leftalone，Dollysaidherprayersandwenttobed。ShehadfeltforAnnawithallherheartwhileshewasspeakingtoher，butnowshecouldnotforceherselftothinkofher。Thememoriesofhomeandofherchildrenroseupinherimaginationwithapeculiarcharmquitenewtoher，withasortofnewbrilliance。Thatworldofherownseemedtohernowsosweetandpreciousthatshewouldnotonanyaccountspendanextradayoutsideit，andshemadeuphermindthatshewouldcertainlygobackthenextday。
　　Annameantimewentbacktoherboudoir，tookawineglass，anddroppedintoitseveraldropsofamedicine，ofwhichtheprincipalingredientwasmorphine。Afterdrinkingitoffandsittingstillalittlewhile，shewentintoherbedroominasoothedandmorecheerfulframeofmind。
　　Whenshewentintothebedroom，Vronskylookedintentlyather。Hewaslookingfortracesoftheconversationwhichheknew，stayingsolonginDolly’sroom，shemusthavehadwithher。Butinherexpressionofrestrainedexcitement，andofasortofreserve，hecouldfindnothingbutthebeautythatalwaysbewitchedhimafreshthoughhewasusedtoit，theconsciousnessofit，andthedesirethatitshouldaffecthim。Hedidnotwanttoaskherwhattheyhadbeentalkingof，buthehopedthatshewouldtellhimsomethingofherownaccord。Butsheonlysaid:
　　`IamsogladyoulikeDolly。Youdo，don’tyou？’
　　`Oh，I’veknownheralongwhile。She’sverygoodhearted，Isuppose，maisexcessivementterre-à-terre。Still，I’mverygladtoseeher。’
　　HetookAnna’shandandlookedinquiringlyintohereyes。
　　Misinterpretingthelook，shesmiledtohim。
　　Nextmorning，inspiteoftheprotestsofherhosts，DaryaAlexandrovnapreparedforherhomewardjourney。Levin’scoachman，inhisbynomeansnewcoatandshabbyhat，withhisill-matchedhorsesandhiscarriagewiththepatchedmudguards，drovewithgloomydeterminationintothecoveredgravelapproach。
　　DaryaAlexandrovnadislikedtakingleaveofPrincessVarvaraandthegentlemenoftheparty。Afteradayspenttogether，bothsheandherhostsweredistinctlyawarethattheydidnotgetontogether，andthatitwasbetterforthemnottomeet。OnlyAnnawassad。Sheknewthatnow，afterDolly’sdeparture，nooneagainwouldstirupwithinhersoulthefeelingsthathadbeenrousedbytheirconversation。Ithurthertostirupthesefeelings，butyetsheknewthatthatwasthebestpartofhersoul，andthatthatpartofhersoulwouldquicklygrowweedyinthelifeshewasleading。
　　Asshedroveoutintotheopencountry，DaryaAlexandrovnahadadelightfulsenseofrelief，andshefelttemptedtoaskthetwomenhowtheyhadlikedbeingatVronsky’s，whensuddenlythecoachman，Philip，expressedhimselfunasked:
　　`Rollinginwealththeymaybe，butthreepotsofoatswasalltheygaveus。Everythingcleareduptilltherewasn’tagrainleftbycock-crow。Whatarethreepots？Ameremouthful！Andoatsnowyoucouldgetfrominnkeepersforforty-fivekopecks。Atourplace，nofear，allcomersmayhaveasmuchastheycaneat。’
　　`Themaster’sascrew，’putinthecountinghouseclerk。
　　`Well，didyouliketheirhorses？’askedDolly。
　　`Thehorses！There’snotwoopinionsaboutthem。Andthefoodwasgood。Butitseemedtomesortofdrearythere，DaryaAlexandrovna。Idon’tknowwhatyouthought，’hesaid，turninghishandsome，good-naturedfacetoher。
　　`Ithoughtsotoo。Well，shallwegethomebyevening？’
　　`Eh，wemust！’
　　Onreachinghomeandfindingeveryoneentirelysafeandparticularlycharming，DaryaAlexandrovnabeganwithgreatlivelinesstellingthemaboutherarrival，herwarmreception，abouttheluxuryandgoodtasteinwhichtheVronskyslived，andabouttheirrecreations，andshewouldnotallowawordtobesaidagainstthem。
　　`OnehastoknowAnnaandVronsky-Ihavegottoknowhimbetternow-toseehowfinetheyare，andhowtouching，’shesaid，speakingnowwithperfectsincerity，andforgettingthevaguefeelingofdissatisfactionandawkwardnessshehadexperiencedthere。
　　VronskyandAnnaspentthewholesummerandpartoftheautumninthecountry，livinginjustthesamecondition，andstilltakingnostepstoobtainadivorce。Itwasadecidedthingbetweenthemthattheyshouldnotgoawayanywhere；butbothfelt，thelongertheylivedalone，especiallyintheautumn，andwithoutguestsinthehouse，thattheycouldnotstandthisexistence，andthattheywouldhavetochangeit。
　　Theirlifewasapparentlysuchthatnothingbettercouldbedesired。Theyhadthefullestabundanceofeverything；theyhadachild，andbothhadoccupation。Annadevotedjustasmuchcaretoherappearancewhentheyhadnovisitors，andshedidagreatdealofreading，bothofnovelsandofwhatseriousliteraturewasinfashion。Sheorderedallthebooksthatwerepraisedintheforeignpapersandjournalsshereceived，andreadthemwiththatconcentratedattentionwhichisonlygiventowhatisreadinseclusion。Moreover，everysubjectthatwasofinteresttoVronsky，shestudiedinbooksandspecialjournals，sothatheoftenwentstraighttoherwithquestionsrelatingtoagricultureorarchitecture，sometimesevenwithquestionsrelatingtohorsebreedingorsport。Hewasamazedatherknowledge，hermemory，andatfirstwasdisposedtodoubtit，toaskforconfirmationofherfacts；andshewouldfindwhatheaskedforinsomebook，andshowittohim。
　　Thebuildingofthehospital，too，interestedher。Shedidnotmerelyassist，butplannedandsuggestedagreatdealherself。Butherchiefthoughtwasstillofherself-howfarshewasdeartoVronsky，howfarshecouldmakeuptohimforallhehadgivenup。Vronskyappreciatedthisdesirenotonlytoplease，buttoservehim，whichhadbecomethesoleaimofherexistence，butatthesametimeheweariedofthelovingsnaresinwhichshetriedtoholdhimfast。Astimewenton，andhesawhimselfmoreandmoreoftenheldfastinthesesnares，hehadanever-growingdesire，notsomuchtoescapefromthem，astotrywhethertheyhinderedhisfreedom。Haditnotbeenforthisgrowingdesiretobefree，nottohavesceneseverytimehewantedtogotothetowntoasessionorarace，Vronskywouldhavebeenperfectlysatisfiedwithhislife。Therolehehadtakenup，theroleofawealthylandowner，oneofthatclasswhichoughttobetheveryheartoftheRussianaristocracy，wasentirelytohistaste；andnow，afterspendingsixmonthsinthatrole，hederivedevengreatersatisfactionfromit。Andhismanagementofhisestate，whichoccupiedandabsorbedhimmoreandmore，wasmostsuccessful。Inspiteoftheimmensesumswhichthehospital，themachinery，thecowsorderedfromSwitzerland，andmanyotherthings，costhim，hewasconvincedthathewasnotwastingbutincreasinghissubstance。Inallmattersaffectingincome，thesalesoftimber，wheat，andwool，thelettingoflands，Vronskywashardasarock，andknewwellhowtokeepupprices。Inalloperationsonalargescaleonthisandhisotherestates，hekepttothesimplestmethodsinvolvingnorisk，andintriflingdetailshewascarefulandexactingtoanextremedegree。InspiteofallthecunningandingenuityoftheGermansteward，whowouldtrytotempthimintopurchasesbymakinghisoriginalestimatealwaysfarlargerthanreallyrequired，andthenrepresentingtoVronskythathemightgetthethingcheaper，andsomakeaprofit，Vronskydidnotgivein。Helistenedtohissteward，cross-examinedhim，andonlyagreedtohissuggestionswhentheimplementtobeorderedorconstructedwastheverynewest，notyetknowninRussia，andlikelytoexcitewonder。Apartfromsuchexceptions，heresolveduponanincreasedoutlayonlywheretherewasasurplus，andinmakingsuchanoutlayhewentintotheminutestdetails，andinsistedongettingtheverybestforhismoney；sothatbythemethodonwhichhemanagedhisaffairs，itwasclearthathewasnotwasting，butincreasinghissubstance。
　　InOctoberthereweretheprovincialnobilityelectionsintheKashinskyprovince，whereweretheestatesofVronsky，Sviiazhsky，Koznishev，Oblonsky，andasmallpartofLevin’sland。
　　Theseelectionswereattractingpublicattentionfromseveralcircumstancesconnectedwiththem，andalsofromthepeopletakingpartinthem。Therehadbeenagreatdealoftalkabouttheseelections，andgreatpreparationswerebeingmadeforthem。PersonswhoneverattendedtheelectionswerecomingfromMoscow，fromPeterburg，andfromabroadtoattendthese。
　　VronskyhadlongbeforepromisedSviiazhskytogotothem。
　　BeforetheelectionsSviiazhsky，whooftenvisitedVozdvizhenskoe，droveovertofetchVronsky。
　　OnthedaybeforetherehadbeenalmostaquarrelbetweenVronskyandAnnaoverthisproposedexpedition。Itwastheverydullestautumnweather，whichissodrearyinthecountry，andso，preparinghimselfforastruggle，Vronsky，withahardandcoldexpression，informedAnnaofhisdepartureashehadneverspokentoherbefore。But，tohissurprise，Annaacceptedtheinformationwithgreatcomposure，andmerelyaskedwhenhewouldbeback。Helookedintentlyather，atalosstoexplainthiscomposure。Shesmiledathislook。Heknewthatwayshehadofwithdrawingintoherself，andknewthatitonlyhappenedwhenshehaddetermineduponsomethingwithoutlettinghimknowherplans。Hewasafraidofthis；buthewassoanxioustoavoidascenethathekeptupappearances，andhalfsincerelybelievedinwhathelongedtobelievein-herreasonableness。
　　`Ihopeyouwon’tbedull？’
　　`Ihopenot，’saidAnna。`IgotaboxofbooksyesterdayfromGautier’s。No，Ishan’tbedull。’
　　`She’stryingtotakethattone，andsomuchthebetter，’hethought，`orelseitwouldbethesamethingoverandoveragain。’
　　Andhesetofffortheelectionswithoutappealingtoherforacandidexplanation。Itwasthefirsttimesincethebeginningoftheirintimacythathehadpartedfromherwithoutafullexplanation。Fromonepointofviewthistroubledhim，butontheothersidehefeltthatitwasbetterso。`Atfirsttherewillbe，asthistime，somethingundefined，keptback，andthenshewillgetusedtoit。InanycaseIcangiveupanythingforher，butnotmymasculineindependence，’hethought。
　　InSeptemberLevinmovedtoMoscowforKitty’sconfinement。HehadspentawholemonthinMoscowwithnothingtodo，whenSergeiIvanovich，whohadpropertyintheKashinskyprovince，andtookgreatinterestinthequestionoftheapproachingelections，madereadytosetofftotheelections。Heinvitedhisbrother，whohadavoteintheSelezniovskydistrict，tocomewithhim。Levinhad，moreover，totransactinKashinsomeextremelyimportantbusinessrelatingtothewardship，andtothereceivingofcertainredemptionmoneyforhissister，whowasabroad。
　　Levinstillhesitated，butKitty，whosawthathewasboredinMoscow，andurgedhimtogo，onherownauthorityorderedhimthepropernobleman’suniform，costingeightyroubles。AndthiseightyroublespaidfortheuniformwasthechiefreasonthatfinallydecidedLevintogo。HewenttoKashin。
　　LevinhadbeenfivedaysinKashin，visitingtheassemblyeachday，andbusilyengagedabouthissister’sbusiness，whichstilldraggedon。Thedistrictmarshalsofnobilitywerealloccupiedwiththeelections，anditwasimpossibletogetthesimplestthingdonethatdependeduponthecourtofwardship。Theothermatter，thereceiptofthesumsdue，wasalsometbydifficulties。Afterlongnegotiationsovertheliftingoftheprohibition，themoneywasatlastreadytobepaid；butthenotary，amostobligingperson，couldnothandovertheorder，becauseitmusthavethesignatureofthepresident，andthepresident，thoughhehadnotgivenoverhisdutiestoadeputy，wasattheelections。Alltheseworryingnegotiations，thisendlessgoingfromplacetoplace，andtalkingwithpleasantandexcellentpeople，whoquitesawtheunpleasantnessofthepetitioner’sposition，butwerepowerlesstoassisthim-alltheseeffortsthatyieldednoresult，ledtoafeelingofmiseryinLevinakintothemortifyinghelplessnessoneexperiencesindreams，whenonetriestousephysicalforce。Hefeltthisfrequentlyashetalkedtohisexceedinglygood-naturedsolicitor。Thissolicitordid，itseemed，everythingpossible，andstrainedeverynervetogethimoutofhisdifficulties。`Itellyouwhatyoumighttry，’hesaidmorethanonce；`gotoso-and-soandso-and-so，’andthesolicitordrewuparegularplanforgettingroundthefatalpointthathinderedeverything。Buthewouldaddimmediately，`It’llmeansomedelay，anyway，butyoumighttryit。’AndLevindidtry，anddidgo。Everyonewaskindandcivil，butthepointevadedseemedtocropupagainintheend，andagaintobartheway。Whatwasparticularlytrying，wasthatLevincouldnotmakeoutwithwhomhewasstruggling，towhoseinterestitwasthathisbusinessshouldnotbedone。Thatnooneseemedtoknow；thesolicitorcertainlydidnotknow。IfLevincouldhaveunderstoodwhy，justashesawwhyonecanonlyapproachthebookingofficeofarailwaystationinsinglefile，itwouldnothavebeensovexatiousandtiresometohim。Butinthecaseofthehindrancesthatconfrontedhiminhisbusiness，noonecouldexplainwhytheyexisted。
　　ButLevinhadchangedagooddealsincehismarriage；hewaspatient，andifhecouldnotseewhyitwasallarrangedlikethis，hetoldhimselfthathecouldnotjudgewithoutknowingallaboutit，andthatmostlikelyitmustbeso，andhetriednottoresentit。
　　Inattendingtheelections，too，andtakingpartinthem，hetriednownottojudge，nottofallfoulofthem，buttocomprehendasfullyashecouldthequestionwhichwassoearnestlyandardentlyabsorbinghonestandexcellentmenwhomherespected。SincehismarriagetherehadbeenrevealedtoLevinsomanynewandseriousaspectsoflifewhichhadpreviously，throughhisfrivolousattitudetothem，seemedofnoimportance，thatinthequestionoftheelections，too，heassumedandtriedtofindsomeserioussignificance。
　　SergeiIvanovichexplainedtohimthemeaningandobjectoftheproposedradicalchangeattheelections。Themarshaloftheprovinceinwhosehandsthelawhadplacedthecontrolofsomanyimportantpublicfunctions-theguardianshipofwardstheverydepartmentwhichwasgivingLevinsomuchtroublejustnow，thedisposaloflargesumssubscribedbythenobilityoftheprovince，thehighschools，forgirls，forboys，andmilitary，andprimaryinstructiononthenewstatuteandfinally，theZemstvo-themarshaloftheprovince，Snetkov，wasanoblemanoftheoldschool，dissipatinganimmensefortune，agoodheartedman，honestafterhisownfashion，bututterlywithoutanycomprehensionoftheneedsofmoderndays。Healwaystook，ineveryquestion，thesideofthenobility；hewaspositivelyantagonistictothespreadofprimaryeducation，andhesucceededingivingapurelypartycharactertotheZemstvowhichoughtbyrightstobeofsuchanimmenseimportance。Whatwasneededwastoputinhisplaceafresh，capable，perfectlymodernman，ofcontemporaryideas，andtoframetheirpolicysoastoderive，fromtherightsconferreduponthenoblesnotasthenobility，butasanelementoftheZemstvo，allthebenefitsofself-governmentthatcouldpossiblybederivedfromthem。InthewealthyKashinskyprovince，whichalwaystooktheleadofotherprovincesineverything，therewasnowsuchapreponderanceofforcesthatthispolicy，oncecarriedthroughproperlythere，mightserveasamodelforotherprovinces-forallRussia。Andhencethewholequestionwasofthegreatestimportance。ItwasproposedtoelectasmarshalinplaceofSnetkoveitherSviiazhsky，or，betterstill，Neviedovsky，aformeruniversityprofessor，amanofremarkableintelligence，andagreatfriendofSergeiIvanovich。
　　Themeetingwasopenedbythegovernor，whomadeaspeechtothenobles，urgingthemtoelectthepublicfunctionaries，notfromregardforpersons，butfortheserviceandwelfareofthenativecountry，andhopingthatthehonorablenobilityoftheKashinskyprovincewould，asatallformerelections，holdtheirdutyassacred，andvindicatetheexaltedconfidenceoftheMonarch。
　　Whenhehadfinishedhisspeech，thegovernorwalkedoutofthehall，andthenoblemennoisilyandeagerly-someevenenthusiastically-followedhimandthrongedroundhimwhileheputonhisfurcoatandconversedamicablywiththemarshaloftheprovince。Levin，anxioustoseeintoeverythingandnotmissanything，alsostoodthereinthecrowd，andheardthegovernorsay:`Please，tellMaryaIvanovnamywifeisverysorryshecouldnotvisitthecharityschool。’Andthereuponthenoblesinhighgoodhumorsortedouttheirfurcoatsandalldroveofftothecathedral。
　　InthecathedralLevin，liftinghishandliketherest，andrepeatingthewordsofthedean，vowedwiththemostawesomeoathstodoallthegovernorhadhopedtheywoulddo。ChurchservicesalwaysaffectedLevin，andasheutteredthewords:`Ikissthecross，’andglancedroundatthecrowdofyoungandoldmenrepeatingthesame，hefelttouched。
　　Onthesecondandthirddaystherewasbusinessrelatingtothefinancesofthenobility，andthehighschoolforgirls，ofnoimportancewhatever，asSergeiIvanovichexplained，andLevin，busyseeingafterhisownaffairs，didnotattendthemeetings。Onthefourthdaytheauditingofthemarshal’saccountstookplaceatthehightableofthemarshaloftheprovince。Andthenthereoccurredthefirstskirmishbetweenthenewpartyandtheold。Thecommitteewhichhadbeendeputedtoverifytheaccountsreportedtothemeetingthatallwasinorder。Themarshaloftheprovincegotup，thankedthenobilityfortheirconfidence，andshedtears。Thenoblesgavehimaloudwelcomeandshookhandswithhim。ButatthatinstantanoblemanofSergeiIvanovich’spartysaidthathehadheardthatthecommitteehadnotverifiedtheaccounts，consideringsuchaverificationaninsulttothemarshaloftheprovince。Oneofthemembersofthecommitteeincautiouslyadmittedthis。Thenasmallgentleman，veryyoung-lookingbutveryvenomous，begantosaythatitwouldprobablybeagreeabletothemarshaloftheprovincetogiveanaccountofhisexpendituresofthepublicmoneys，andthatthemisplaceddelicacyofthemembersofthecommitteewasdeprivinghimofthismoralsatisfaction。Thenthemembersofthecommitteetriedtowithdrawtheiradmission，andSergeiIvanovichbegantoprovethattheymustlogicallyadmiteitherthattheyhadverifiedtheaccountsorthattheyhadnot，andhedevelopedthisdilemmaindetail。SergeiIvanovichwasansweredbythetalkeroftheoppositeparty。ThenSviiazhskyspoke，andthenthevenomousgentlemanagain。Thediscussionlastedalongtimeandendedinnothing。Levinwassurprisedthattheyshoulddisputeuponthissubjectsolong，especiallyas，whenheaskedSergeiIvanovichwhetherhesupposedthatmoneyhadbeenmisappropriated，SergeiIvanovichanswered:
　　`Oh，no！He’sanhonestman。Butthoseold-fashionedmethodsofpaternalfamilyarrangementsinthemanagementofnobilityaffairsmustbebrokendown。’
　　Onthefifthdaycametheelectionsofthedistrictmarshals。Itwasratherastormydayinseveraldistricts。IntheSelezniovskydistrictSviiazhskywaselectedunanimouslywithoutaballot，andhegaveadinnerthatevening。
　　Thesixthdaywasfixedfortheelectionofthemarshaloftheprovince。Therooms，largeandsmall，werefullofnoblemaninallsortsofuniforms。Manyhadcomeonlyforthatday。Menwhohadnotseeneachotherforyears，somefromtheCrimea，somefromPeterburg，somefromabroad，metintheroomsoftheHallofNobility。TherewasmuchdiscussionaroundtheprovincetableundertheportraitoftheCzar。
　　Thenobles，bothinthelargerandinthesmallerrooms，groupedthemselvesincamps，andfromtheirhostileandsuspiciousglances，fromthesilencethatfelluponthemwhenoutsidersapproachedagroup，andfromthewaythatsome，whisperingtogether，retreatedtothefarthercorridor，itwasevidentthateachsidehadsecretsfromtheother。Inappearancethenoblemenweresharplydividedintotwoclasses:theoldandthenew。Theoldwereforthemostparteitherintheolduniformofthenobility，buttonedupclosely，withspursandhats，orintheirownspecialnaval，cavalry，infantryuniforms，earnedbytheirformerservice。Theuniformsoftheoldermenwereembroideredintheold-fashionedwaywithsmallpuffsontheirshoulders；theywereunmistakablytightandshortinthewaists，asthoughtheirwearershadgrownoutofthem。Theyoungermenworetheuniformofthenobilitywithlongwaistsandbroadshoulders，unbuttonedoverwhitewaistcoats，oruniformswithblackcollarsandwiththeembroideredlaurelleavesofjusticesofthepeace。TotheyoungermenbelongedtheCourtuniformsthathereandtherebrightenedupthecrowd。
　　Butthedivisionintoyoungandolddidnotcorrespondwiththedivisionofparties。Someoftheyoungmen，asLevinobserved，belongedtotheoldparty；andsomeoftheveryoldestnoblemen，onthecontrary，werewhisperingwithSviiazhsky，andwereevidentlyardentpartisansofthenewparty。
　　Levinstoodinthesmallerroom，wheretheyweresmokingandtakinglightrefreshments，closetohisownfriends，and，listeningtowhattheyweresaying，hevainlyexertedallhisintelligencetryingtounderstandwhatwassaid。SergeiIvanovichwasthecenterroundwhichtheothersgroupedthemselves。HewaslisteningatthatmomenttoSviiazhskyandKhliustov，themarshalofanotherdistrict，whobelongedtotheirparty。KhliustovwouldnotagreetogowithhisdistricttoaskSnetkovtobeacandidate，whileSviiazhskywaspersuadinghimtodoso，andSergeiIvanovichwasapprovingoftheplan。Levincouldnotmakeoutwhytheoppositionhadtoaskthemarshaltobeacandidatewhentheywantedtosupersedehim。
　　StepanArkadyevich，whohadjustbeendrinkingandtakingsomesnacklunch，cameuptotheminhisuniformofagentlemanofthebedchamber，wipinghislipswithaperfumedhandkerchiefofborderedbatiste。
　　`Weareplacingourforces，’hesaid，pullingouthissidewhiskers，`SergeiIvanovich！’
　　Andlisteningtotheconversation，hesupportedSviiazhsky’scontention。
　　`Onedistrict’senough，andSviiazhsky’sobviouslyoftheopposition，’hesaid，wordsevidentlyintelligibletoallexceptLevin。
　　`Why，Kostia，you，itseems，getthetastefortheseaffairstoo！’headded，turningtoLevinanddrawinghisarmthroughhis。Levinwouldhavebeengladindeedtogetthetastefortheseaffairs，butcouldnotmakeoutwhatthepointwas，andretreatingafewstepsfromthespeakers，heexplainedtoStepanArkadyevichhisinabilitytounderstandwhythemarshaloftheprovinceshouldbeaskedtobeacandidate。
　　`Osanctasimplicitas！’saidStepanArkadyevich，andbrieflyandclearlyheexplainedittoLevin。
　　If，asatpreviouselections，allthedistrictsaskedthemarshaloftheprovincetobeacandidate，thenhewouldbeelectedwithoutaballot。Thatmustnotbe。Noweightdistrictshadagreedtocalluponhim:iftworefusedtodoso，Snetkovmightdeclinethecandidacyentirely；andthentheoldpartymightchooseanotheroftheirparty，whichwouldthrowthemcompletelyoutintheirreckoning。Butifonlyonedistrict，Sviiazhsky’s，didnotcalluponhimtobeacandidate，Snetkovwouldlethimselfbeballotedfor。Theywereeven，someofthem，goingtovoteforhim，andpurposelytolethimgetagoodmanyvotes，sothattheenemymightbethrownoffthescent，andwhenacandidateoftheothersidewasputup，theytoomightgivehimsomevotes。Levinunderstoodtosomeextent，butnotfully，andwouldhaveputafewmorequestions，whensuddenlyeveryonebegantalkingandmakinganoise，andtheymovedtowardthebigroom。
　　`Whatisit？Eh？Whom？……Proxy？Whose？What？……Theywon’tpasshim？……Noproxy？……Theywon’tletFliorovin？……Eh，becauseofthechargeagainsthim？……Why，atthisrate，theywon’tadmitanyone。It’saswindle！……Thelaw！’Levinheardexclamationsonallsides，andhemovedintothebigroomtogetherwiththeothers，allhurryingsomewhereandafraidofmissingsomething。Squeezedbythecrowdingnoblemen，hedrewnearthehightablewherethemarshaloftheprovince，Sviiazhsky，andtheotherleaders，werehotlydisputingaboutsomething。
　　Levinwasstandingratherfaroff。Anoblemanbreathingheavilyandhoarselyathisside，andanotherwhosethickbootswerecreaking，preventedhimfromhearingdistinctly。Hecouldonlyhearthesoftvoiceofthemarshalfaintly，thentheshrillvoiceofthevenomousgentleman，andthenthevoiceofSviiazhsky。Theyweredisputing，asfarashecouldmakeout，astotheinterpretationtobeputontheactandtheexactmeaningofthewords:`liabletobecalledupfortrial。’
　　ThecrowdpartedtomakewayforSergeiIvanovichapproachingthetable。SergeiIvanovich，waitingtillthevenomousgentlemanhadfinishedspeaking，saidthathethoughtthebestsolutionwouldbetorefertotheactitself，andaskedthesecretarytofindtheact。Theactsaidthatincaseofdifferenceofopinion，theremustbeaballot。
　　SergeiIvanovichreadtheactandbegantoexplainitsmeaning，butatthatpointatall，stout，stoop-shoulderedlandowner，withdyedmustache，inatightuniformthatmadethebackofhisneckbulgeup，interruptedhim。Hewentuptothetable，andstrikingitwithhisfingerring，heshoutedloudly:
　　`Aballot！Putittothevote！Noneedformoretalking！’
　　Thenseveralvoicesbegantotalkallatonce，andthetallnoblemanwiththering，gettingmoreandmoreexasperated，shoutedmoreandmoreloudly。Butitwasimpossibletomakeoutwhathesaid。
　　HewasshoutingfortheverycourseSergeiIvanovichhadproposed；butitwasevidentthathehatedhimandallhisparty，andthisfeelingofhatredspreadthroughthewholepartyandrousedinoppositiontoitthesamevindictiveness，thoughinamoreseemlyform，ontheotherside。Shoutswereraised，andforamomentallwasconfusion，sothatthemarshaloftheprovincehadtocallfororder。
　　`Aballot！Aballot！Whoeverisanoblemanunderstands！Weshedourbloodforourcountry！……TheconfidenceoftheMonarch……Nocheckingoftheaccountsofthemarshal-he’snotacashier！……Butthat’snotthepoint……Votes，please！Whatvileness！……’shoutedfuriousandviolentvoicesonallsides。Looksandfaceswereevenmoreviolentandfuriousthantheirwords。Theyexpressedthemostimplacablehatred。Levindidnotintheleastunderstandwhatitwasallabout，andhemarveledatthepassionwithwhichitwasdisputedwhetherornotthedecisionaboutFliorovshouldbeputtothevote。Heforgot，asSergeiIvanovichexplainedtohimafterward，thissyllogism:thatitwasnecessaryforthepublicgoodtogetridofthemarshaloftheprovince；thattogetridofthemarshalitwasnecessarytohaveamajorityofvotes；thattogetamajorityofvotesitwasnecessarytosecureFliorov’srighttovote；thattosecuretherecognitionofFliorov’srighttovotetheymustdecideontheinterpretationtobeputontheact。
　　`Andonevotemaydecidethewholequestion，andonemustbeseriousandconsecutive，ifonewantstobeofuseinpubliclife，’concludedSergeiIvanovich。ButLevinforgotallthat，anditwaspainfultohimtoseealltheseexcellentpersons，forwhomhehadrespect，insuchanunpleasantandviciousstateofexcitement。Toescapefromthispainfulfeelinghewentawayintotheotherroomwheretherewasnobodyexceptthewaitersattherefreshmentbar。Seeingthewaitersbusywashingupthecrockeryandsettinginordertheirplatesandwineglasses，seeingtheiralertandvivaciousfaces，Levinfeltanunexpectedsenseofrelief，asthoughhehadcomeoutofastuffyroomintothefreshair。Hebeganwalkingupanddown，lookingwithpleasureatthewaiters。Heparticularlylikedthewayonegray-whiskeredwaiter，whoshowedhisscornfortheotheryoungerones，andwasjeeredatbythem，wasteachingthemhowtofoldnapkinsproperly。Levinwasjustabouttoenterintoconversationwiththeoldwaiter，whenthesecretaryofthecourtofwardship，alittleoldmanwhosespecialityitwastoknowallthenoblemenoftheprovincebynameandpatronymic，drewhimaway。
　　`Pleasecome，KonstantinDmitrievich，’hesaid，`yourbrother’slookingforyou。Theyarevotingonthelegalpoint。’
　　Levinwalkedintotheroom，receivedawhiteball，andfollowedhisbrother，SergeiIvanovich，tothetablewhereSviiazhskywasstandingwithasignificantandironicalface，holdinghisbeardinhisfistandsniffingatit。SergeiIvanovichputhishandintothebox，puttheballsomewhere，and，makingroomforLevin，stopped。Levinadvanced，bututterlyforgettingwhathewastodo，andmuchembarrassed，heturnedtoSergeiIvanovichwiththequestion，`WhereamItoputit？’Heaskedthissoftly，atamomentwhentherewastalkinggoingonnear，sothathehadhopedhisquestionwouldnotbeoverheard。Butthepersonsspeakingpaused，andhisimproperquestionwasoverheard。SergeiIvanovichfrowned。
　　`Thatisamatterforeachman’sowndecision，’hesaidseverely。
　　Severalpeoplesmiled。Levincrimsoned，hurriedlythrusthishandunderthecloth，andputtheballtotherightasitwasinhisrighthand。Havingputitin，herecollectedthatheoughttohavethrusthislefthandintoo，andsohethrustitinthoughtoolate，and，stillmoreovercomewithconfusion，hebeatahastyretreatintothebackground。
　　`Ahund’edandtwenty-sixfo’admission！Ninety-eightagainst！’sangoutthevoiceofthesecretary，whocouldnotpronouncetheletterr。Thentherewasalaugh；abuttonandtwohazelnutswerefoundinthebox。Thenoblemanwasallowedtherighttovote，andthenewpartyhadconquered。
　　Buttheoldpartydidnotconsiderthemselvesconquered。LevinheardthattheywereaskingSnetkovtobecandidate，andhesawthatacrowdofnoblemenwassurroundingthemarshal，whowassayingsomething。Levinwentnearer。InreplySnetkovspokeofthetrustthenoblemenoftheprovincehadplacedinhim，theaffectiontheyhadshownhim，whichhedidnotdeserve，ashisonlymerithadbeenhisattachmenttothenobility，towhomhehaddevotedtwelveyearsofservice。Severaltimesherepeatedthewords:`Ihaveservedtothebestofmypowerswithtruthandgoodfaith；Ivalueyourgoodnessandthankyou，’andsuddenlyhestoppedshortfromthetearsthatchokedhim，andwentoutoftheroom。Whetherthesetearscamefromasenseoftheinjusticebeingdonehim，fromhisloveforthenobility，orfromthestrainofthepositionhewasplacedin，feelinghimselfsurroundedbyenemies，hisemotioninfectedtheassembly，themajorityweretouched，andLevinfeltatendernessforSnetkov。
　　InthedoorwaythemarshaloftheprovincejostledagainstLevin。
　　`Begpardon-excuseme，please，’hesaidastoastranger，but，recognizingLevin，hesmiledtimidly。ItseemedtoLevinthathewouldhavelikedtosaysomething，butcouldnotspeakforemotion。Hisfaceandhiswholefigureinhisuniformwiththecrosses，andwhitetrousersstripedwithgalloons，ashemovedhurriedlyalong，remindedLevinofsomehuntedbeastwhoseesthatheisinevilplight。Thisexpressiononthemarshal’sfacewasparticularlytouchingtoLevin，because，onlythedaybefore，hehadbeenathishouseabouthisguardianshipbusinessandhadseenhiminallhisgrandeur，akindhearted，fatherlyman。Thebighousewiththeoldfamilyfurniture；theratherslovenly，farfromstylish，butrespectfulfootmen-unmistakablyoldhouseserfswhohadstucktotheirmaster；thestout，good-naturedwifeinacapwithlaceandaTurkishshawl，pettingherprettygrandchild，herdaughter’sdaughter；theyoungson，asixth-formhighschoolboy，cominghomefromschool，andgreetinghisfatherbykissinghisbighand；thegenuine，cordialwordsandgesturesoftheoldman-allthishadthedaybeforerousedaninstinctivefeelingofrespectandsympathyinLevin。ThisoldmanwasatouchingandpatheticfiguretoLevinnow，andhelongedtosaysomethingpleasanttohim。
　　`Soyou’reourmarshalagain，’hesaid。
　　`It’snotlikely，’saidthemarshal，lookingroundwithascaredexpression。`I’mworn-out，I’mold。IftherearemenyoungerandmoredeservingthanI，letthemserve。’
　　Andthemarshaldisappearedthroughasidedoor。
　　Themostsolemnmomentwasathand。Theyweretoproceedimmediatelytotheelection。Theleadersofbothpartieswerereckoningwhiteandblackontheirfingers。
　　ThediscussionuponFliorovhadgiventhenewpartynotonlyFliorov’svote，buthadalsogainedtimeforthem，sothattheycouldsendtofetchthreenoblemenwhohadbeenrenderedunabletotakepartintheelectionsbythewilesoftheotherparty。Twonoblegentlemen，whohadaweaknessforstrongdrink，hadbeenmadedrunkbythepartisansofSnetkov，andathirdhadbeenrelievedofhisuniform。
　　Onlearningthis，thenewpartyhadmadehaste，duringthedisputeaboutFliorov，tosendsomeoftheirmeninacabtoclothethestrippedgentleman，andtobringalongoneoftheintoxicatedtothemeeting。
　　`I’vebroughtoneafterbringinghimtobythrowingwater-overhim，’saidthelandownerwhohadgoneonthiserrand，toSviiazhsky。`Nevermind-he’lldo。’
　　`Nottoodrunk-hewon’tfalldown？’saidSviiazhsky，shakinghishead。
　　`No，he’sfirst-rate。Ifonlytheydon’tgivehimanymorehere……I’vetoldthebarmannottogivehimanything，onanyaccount。’
　　Thenarrowroom，inwhichtheyweresmokingandtakingrefreshment，wasfullofnoblemen。Theexcitementgrewmoreintense，andeveryfacebetrayedsomeuneasiness。Theexcitementwasspeciallykeenfortheleadersofeachparty，whokneweverydetail，andhadreckonedupeveryvote。Theywerethegeneralsorganizingtheapproachingbattle。Therest，liketherankandfilebeforeanengagement，thoughtheyweregettingreadyforthefight，soughtforotherdistractionsintheinterval。Somewerelunching，standingatthebar，orsittingatthetable；otherswerewalkingupanddownthelongroom，smokingcigarettes，andtalkingwithfriendswhomtheyhadnotseenforalongwhile。
　　Levindidnotcaretoeat，andhewasnotasmoker；hedidnotwanttojoinhisownfriends-thatisSergeiIvanovich，StepanArkadyevich，Sviiazhsky，andtherest，becauseVronskyinhisequerry’suniformwasstandingwiththemineagerconversation。Levinhadseenhimalreadyatthemeetingonthepreviousday，andhehadstudiouslyavoidedhim，notcaringtogreethim。Hewenttothewindowandsatdown，scanningthegroups，andlisteningtowhatwasbeingsaidaroundhim。Hefeltdepressed，especiallybecauseeveryoneelsewas，ashesaw，eager，anxious，andinterested，andhealone，withanold，toothlesslittlemanwithmumblinglips，wearinganavaluniformwhosatbesidehim，hadnointerestinit，andnothingtodo。
　　`He’ssuchablackguard！Ihavetoldhimso，butitmakesnodifference。Onlythinkofit！Hecouldn’tcollectitinthreeyears！’heheardvigorouslyutteredbyastoop-shouldered，shortcountrygentleman，whohadpomadedhairhangingoverhisembroideredcollar，andnewbootsobviouslyputonfortheoccasion，withheelsthattappedenergeticallyashespoke。CastingadispleasedglanceatLevin，thisgentlemansharplyturnedhisback。
　　`Yes，it’sadirtybusiness，there’snodenying，’anotherpunylandownerassentedinahighvoice。
　　Next，awholecrowdofcountrygentlemen，surroundingastoutgeneral，hurriedlycamenearLevin。Thesepersonswereunmistakablyseekingaplacewheretheycouldtalkwithoutbeingoverheard。
　　`HowdarehesayIhadhisbreechesstolen！Pawnedthemfordrink，Iexpect。Damnthefellow-Princeindeed！He’dbetternotsayit-that’sswinish！’
　　`Butexcuseme！Theytaketheirstandontheact，’wasbeingsaidinanothergroup；`thewifemustberegisteredasanoble。’
　　`Oh，damnyouracts！Ispeakfrommyheart。We’reallgentlemen，aren’twe？Havetrustinus。’
　　`Shallwegoon，YourExcellency-finechampagne？’
　　Anothergroupwasfollowinganoblemanwhowasshoutingsomethinginaloudvoice；itwasoneofthethreeintoxicatedgentlemen。
　　`IalwaysadvisedMaryaSemionovnatoletforafairrent，forshecanneversaveaprofit，’heheardapleasantvoicesay。Thespeakerwasacountrygentlemanwithwhitemustache，wearingtheregimentaluniformofanoldgeneralstaffofficer。ItwastheverylandownerLevinhadmetatSviiazhsky’s。Heknewhimatonce。ThelandownertoostaredatLevin，andtheyexchangedgreetings。
　　`Verygladtoseeyou！Tobesure！Irememberyouverywell。Lastyearatourdistrictmarshal’s，NikolaiIvanovich’s。’
　　`Well，andhowisyourlanddoing？’askedLevin。
　　`Oh，stilljustthesame，alwaysataloss，’thelandowneransweredwitharesignedsmile，butwithanexpressionofserenityandconvictionthatitmustbethus。`Andhowdoyoucometobeinourprovince？’heasked。`Cometotakepartinourcoupd’état？’hesaid，confidentlypronouncingtheFrenchwordswithabadaccent。
　　`AllRussia’shere-gentlemenofthebedchamber，andeverythingshortoftheministry。’HepointedtotheimposingfigureofStepanArkadyevichinwhitetrousersandhiscourtuniform，walkingbywithageneral。
　　`IoughttoownthatIdon’tverywellunderstandthedriftoftheprovincialelections，’saidLevin。
　　Thelandownerlookedathim。
　　`Why，whatistheretounderstand？There’snomeaninginitatall。It’sadecayinginstitutionthatgoesonrunningonlybytheforceofinertia。Justlook，theveryuniformstellyouthatit’sanassemblyofjusticesofthepeace，permanentmembersoftheboards，andsoon，butnotofnoblemen。’
　　`Thenwhydoyoucome？’askedLevin。
　　`Fromhabit，nothingelse。Then，too，onemustkeepupconnections。It’samoralobligationofasort。Andthen，totellthetruth，thereareone’sowninterests。Myson-in-lawwantstorunasapermanentmember；they’renotrichpeople，andhemustbebroughtforward。Thesegentlemen，now-whatdotheycomefor？’hesaid，pointingtothevenomousgentleman，whowastalkingatthehightable。
　　`That’sthenewgenerationofnobility。’
　　`Newitmaybe，butnobilityitisn’t。They’relandedproprietors-butwe’rethelandowners。Asnoblemen，they’recuttingtheirownthroats。’
　　`Butyousayit’saninstitutionthat’sserveditstime。’
　　`Thatitmaybe，butstill，itoughttobetreatedalittlemorerespectfully。Snetkov，now……Wemaybeofuse，orwemaynot，butwe’rethegrowthofathousandyears。Ifwe’relayingoutagarden，planningonebeforethehouse，youknow，andthereyou’veatreethat’sstoodforcenturiesintheveryspot……Oldandgnarleditmaybe，andyetyoudon’tcutdowntheoldfellowtomakeroomfortheflowerbeds，butlayoutyourbedssoastotakeadvantageofthetree。Youwon’tgrowhimagaininayear，’hesaidcautiously，andheimmediatelychangedtheconversation。`Well，andhowisyourestatedoing？’
　　`Oh，notverywell。Imakeaboutfivepercent。’
　　`Yes，butyoudon’treckonyourownwork。Aren’tyouworthsomethingtoo？I’lltellyoumyowncase。BeforeItooktoseeingaftertheland，Ihadasalaryofthreethousandroublesfromtheservice。NowIdomoreworkthanIdidintheservice，and，likeyou，Igetfivepercentontheland，andthankGodforthat。Butone’sworkisthrowninfornothing。’
　　`Thenwhydoyoudoit，ifit’saclearloss？’
　　`Oh，well，onedoesit！Whatwouldyouhave？It’shabit，andoneknowsit’sasitshouldbe。Andwhat’smore，’thelandownerwenton，leaningonthewindowandchattingon，`myson，Imusttellyou，hasnotasteforit。There’snodoubthe’llbeasavant。Sothere’llbenoonetokeepitup。Andyetonedoesit。HerethisyearI’veplantedanorchard。’
　　`Yes，yes，’saidLevin，`that’sperfectlytrue。Ialwaysfeelthere’snorealbalanceofgaininmyworkontheland，andyetonedoesit……It’sasortofdutyonefeelstotheland。’
　　`ButItellyouwhat，’thelandownerpursued；`aneighborofmine，amerchant，wasatmyplace。Wewalkedaboutthefieldsandthepark。``No，’saidhe，``StepanVassilyevich-everything’swelllookedafterbutyourgarden’sneglected。’But，asafact，it’swellkeptup。``Tomythinking，I’dcutdownthelindentrees。Onlydoitwhenthey’rerunningsap。Here’sathousandlindens，andeachwouldmaketwogoodbundlesofbast。Andnowadaysthatbast’sworthsomething。Andyou’dcutdownthelotofthelindenshells。’’
　　`Andwithwhathemadehe’dbuyuplivestock，orbuysomelandforatrifle，andletitouttothepeasants，’Levinadded，smiling。Hehadevidentlymorethanoncecomeacrossthosecommercialcalculations。`Andhe’dmakehisfortune。ButyouandImustthankGodifwekeepwhatwe’vegotandleaveittoourchildren。’
　　`You’remarried，I’veheard？’saidthelandowner。
　　`Yes，’Levinanswered，withproudsatisfaction。`Yes，allthisisratherstrange，’hewenton。`Soweliveonwithoutanyreckoning，asthoughwewerethevestalsofantiquity，settoguardasacredfireorsomething。’
　　Thelandownerchuckledunderhiswhitemustaches。
　　`Therearesomeamongus，too，likeourfriendNikolaiIvanovich，orCountVronsky，who’ssettledherelately-theytrytosetupanagronomicindustry；butsofaritleadstonothingbutmakingawaywithcapital。’
　　`Butwhyisitwedon’tdolikethemerchants？Whydon’twecutdownourparksforbast？’saidLevin，returningtoathoughtthathadstruckhim。
　　`Why，asyousaid，toguardthefire。Besides，that’snotworkforanobleman。Andourworkasnoblemenisn’tdonehereattheelections，butyonder，eachinhisownnook。There’saclassinstinct，too，ofwhatoneoughtandoughtn’ttodo。Therearethepeasants，too-Iwonderatthemsometimes；anygoodpeasanttriestotakeallthelandhecan。Howeverbadthelandis，he’llworkit。Withoutareckoningtoo。Atasimpleloss。’
　　`Justaswedo，’saidLevin。`Very，verygladtohavemetyou，’headded，seeingSviiazhskyapproachinghim。
　　`Andherewe’vemetforthefirsttimesincewemetatyourplace，’saidthelandownertoSviiazhsky，`andwe’vehadagoodtalk，too。’
　　`Well，haveyoubeenattackingtheneworderofthings？’saidSviiazhskywithasmile。
　　`Thatwe’reboundtodo。’
　　`You’vebeenrelievingyourfeelings。’
　　SviiazhskytookLevin’sarm，andwentwithhimtohisownfriends。ThistimetherewasnoavoidingVronsky。HewasstandingwithStepanArkadyevichandSergeiIvanovich，andlookingstraightatLevinashedrewnear。
　　`Delighted！IbelieveI’vehadthepleasureofmeetingyou……atPrincessShcherbatskaia’s，’hesaid，givingLevinhishand。
　　`Yes，Iquiterememberourmeeting，’saidLevin，and，blushingcrimson，heturnedawayimmediately，andbegantalkingtohisbrother。
　　WithaslightsmileVronskywentontalkingtoSviiazhsky，obviouslywithouttheslightestinclinationtoenterintoconversationwithLevin。ButLevin，ashetalkedtohisbrother，wascontinuallylookingroundatVronsky，tryingtothinkofsomethingtosaytohimtosmoothoverhisrudeness。
　　`Whatarewewaitingfornow？’askedLevin，lookingatSviiazhskyandVronsky。
　　`ForSnetkov。Hehastorefuseoracceptthecandidacy，’answeredSviiazhsky。
　　`Well，andwhathashedone-consentedornot？’
　　`That’sthepoint:he’sdoneneither，’saidVronsky。
　　`Andifherefuses，whowillrunthen？’askedLevin，lookingatVronsky。
　　`Whoeverchoosesto，’saidSviiazhsky。
　　`Shallyou？’askedLevin。
　　`CertainlynotI，’saidSviiazhsky，lookingconfused，andturninganalarmedglanceatthevenomousgentleman，whowasstandingbesideSergeiIvanovich。
　　`Whothen？Neviedovsky？’saidLevin，feelinghewasputtinghisfootintoit。
　　Butthiswasworsestill。NeviedovskyandSviiazhskywerethetwocandidates。
　　`Icertainlyshallnot，underanycircumstances，’answeredthevenomousgentleman。
　　ThiswasNeviedovskyhimself。SviiazhskyintroducedhimtoLevin。
　　`Well，doyoufinditexcitingtoo？’saidStepanArkadyevich，winkingatVronsky。`It’ssomethinglikearace。Onemightbetonit。’
　　`Yes，itiskeenlyexciting，’saidVronsky。`Andoncetakingthethingup，one’seagertoseeitthrough。It’safight！’hesaid，scowlingandsettinghispowerfuljaws。
　　`WhatabusinessmanSviiazhskyis！Seesitallsoclearly。’
　　`Oh，yes！’Vronskyassentedindifferently。
　　Asilencefollowed，duringwhichVronsky-sincehehadtolookatsomething-lookedatLevin，athisfeet，athisfrockcoat，thenathisface，andnoticinghisgloomyeyesfixeduponhim，hesaid，inordertosaysomething:
　　`Howisitthatyou，livingconstantlyinthecountry，arenotajusticeofthepeace？Youarenotintheuniformofone。’
　　`It’sbecauseIconsiderthejusticeofthepeaceasillyinstitution，’moroselyansweredLevin，whohadbeenallthetimelookingforanopportunitytoenterintoconversationwithVronsky，soastosmoothoverhisrudenessattheirfirstmeeting。
　　`Idon’tthinkso-quitethecontrary，’Vronskysaid，withcalmsurprise。
　　`It’saplaything，’Levincuthimshort。`Wedon’twantjusticesofthepeace。I’veneverhadasinglethingtodowiththemduringeightyears。AndwhatIhavehad，wasdecidedwronglybythem。Thejusticeofthepeaceisoverthirtymilesfromme。Foramatteroftworoublesorso，Ishouldhavetosendalawyer，whocostsmefifteen。’
　　Andherelatedhowapeasanthadstolensomeflourfromthemiller，andwhenthemillertoldhimofit，hadlodgedacomplaintforslander。Allthiswasutterlyuncalled-forandstupid，andLevinfeltithimselfashesaidit。
　　`Oh，thisissuchanoriginalfellow！’saidStepanArkadyevichwithhismostsoothing，almond-oilsmile。`Butcomealong；Ithinkthey’revoting……’
　　Andtheyseparated。
　　`Ican’tunderstand，’saidSergeiIvanovich，whohadobservedhisbrother’sgaucherie，`Ican’tunderstandhowanyonecanbesoabsolutelydevoidofpoliticaltact。That’swhereweRussiansaresodeficient。Themarshaloftheprovinceisouropponent，andwithhimyou’reamicochon，andyoubeghimtobecandidate。CountVronsky，now……I’mnotmakingafriendofhim-he’saskedmetodinner，andI’mnotgoing；buthe’soneofourside-whymakeanenemyofhim？ThenyouaskNeviedovskyifhe’sgoingtorun。That’snotdone。’
　　`Oh，Idon’tunderstanditatall！Andit’sallsuchnonsense，’Levinansweredsomberly。
　　`Yousayit’sallsuchnonsense-yetassoonasyouhaveanythingtodowithit，youmakeamuddle。’
　　Levindidnotanswer，andtheywalkedtogetherintothebigroom。
　　Themarshaloftheprovince，thoughhewasvaguelyconsciousintheairofsometrapbeingpreparedforhim，andthoughhehadnotbeencalleduponbyalltorun，hadneverthelessmadeuphismindtorunforoffice。Allwassilenceintheroom。ThesecretaryannouncedinaloudvoicethatMikhailStepanovichSnetkov，captainoftheguards，wouldnowbeballotedforasmarshaloftheprovince。
　　Thedistrictmarshalswalkedcarryingplates，onwhichwereballs，fromtheirtablestotheprovincetable，andtheelectionbegan。
　　`Putitintherightside，’whisperedStepanArkadyevich，asLevinwithhisbrotherfollowedthemarshalofhisdistricttothetable。ButLevinhadforgottenbynowthemachinationthathadbeenexplainedtohim，andwasafraidStepanArkadyevichmightbemistakeninsaying`therightside。’SurelySnetkovwastheenemy。Ashewentup，heheldtheballinhisrighthand，butthinkinghewaswrong，justattheboxhechangedtothelefthand，andundoubtedlyputtheballtotheleft。Anadeptinthebusiness，standingattheboxandseeingbythemereactionoftheelbowwhereeachputhisball，scowledwithannoyance。Itwasnogoodforhimtousehisinsight。
　　Everythingwasstill，andthecountingoftheballswasheard。Thenasinglevoiceroseandproclaimedthenumbersforandagainst。
　　Themarshalhadbeenvotedforbyaconsiderablemajority。Allwasnoiseandeagermovementtowardthedoors。Snetkovcamein，andthenoblesthrongedroundhim，congratulatinghim。
　　`Well，now，isitover？’LevinaskedSergeiIvanovich。
　　`It’sonlyjustbeginning，’Sviiazhskysaid，replyingforSergeiIvanovichwithasmile。`Someothercandidatemayreceivemorevotesthanthemarshal。’
　　Levinhadquiteforgottenaboutthatagain。Nowhecouldonlyrememberthattherewassomesortoftrickeryinit，buthewastooboredtothinkwhatitwasexactly。Hefeltdepressed，andlongedtogetoutofthecrowd。
　　Asnoonewaspayinganyattentiontohim，andnooneapparentlyneededhim，hequietlyslippedawayintothelittleroomwheretherefreshmentswere，andagainhadagreatsenseofcomfortwhenhesawthewaiters。Thelittleoldwaiterpressedhimtohavesomething，andLevinagreed。Aftereatingacutletwithbeansandtalkingtothewaitersoftheirformermasters，Levin，notwishingtogobacktothehall，whereitwasallsodistastefultohim，proceededtowalkthroughthegalleries。
　　Thegallerieswerefulloffashionablydressedladies，leaningoverthebalustradeandtryingnottoloseasinglewordofwhatwasbeingsaidbelow。Withtheladiesweresittingandstandingsmartlawyers，highschoolteachersinspectacles，andofficers。Everywheretheyweretalkingoftheelection，andofhowworriedthemarshalwas，andhowsplendidthediscussionshadbeen。InonegroupLevinheardhisbrother’spraises。Oneladywastellingalawyer:
　　`HowgladIamIheardKoznishev！It’sworthmissingone’slunch。He’sexquisite！Soclearanddistinct-allofit！There’snotoneofyouinthelawcourtsthatspeakslikethat。TheonlyoneisMeidel，andhe’sveryfarfrombeingsoeloquent。’
　　Findingafreeplace，Levinleanedoverthebalustradeandbeganlookingandlistening。
　　Allthenoblemenweresittingrailedoffbehindbarriers，accordingtotheirdistricts。Inthemiddleoftheroomstoodamaninauniform，whoshoutedinaloudhighvoice:
　　`AsacandidateforthemarshalshipofthenobilityoftheprovincewecalluponstaffcaptainEugeniiIvanovichApukhtin！’Adeadsilencefollowed，andthenaweakoldvoicewasheard:
　　`Declined！’
　　`WecallupontheprivycouncilorPiotrPetrovichBol，’thevoicebeganagain。
　　`Declined！’ahighboyishvoicereplied。
　　Againitbegan，andagaincamethe`Declined。’Andsoitwentonforaboutanhour。Levin，withhiselbowsonthebalustrade，lookedandlistened。Atfirsthewonderedandwantedtoknowwhatitmeant；thenfeelingsurethathecouldnotmakeitouthebegantobebored。Then，recallingalltheexcitementandvindictivenesshehadseenonallthefaces，hefeltsad；hemadeuphismindtogo，andwentdownstairs。Ashepassedthroughtheentrytothegallerieshemetadejectedhighschoolboywalkingupanddownwithtired-lookingeyes。Onthestairshemetacouple-aladyrunningquicklyonherhighheelsandthejauntydeputyprosecutor。
　　`Itoldyouyouweren’tlate，’thedeputyprosecutorwassayingatthemomentwhenLevinmovedasidetolettheladypass。
　　Levinwasonthestairstothewayout，andwasjustfeelinginhiswaistcoatpocketforhisovercoatcheck，whenthesecretaryovertookhim。`Thisway，please，KonstantinDmitrievich；theyarevoting。’
　　ThecandidatewhowasbeingvotedonwasNeviedovsky，whohadsostoutlydeniedallideaofcandidacy。
　　Levinwentuptothedooroftheroom；itwaslocked。Thesecretaryknocked，thedooropened，andLevinwasmetbytwored-facedgentlemen，whodartedout。
　　`Ican’tstandanymoreofit，’saidonered-facedgentleman。
　　Afterthemthefaceofthemarshaloftheprovincewaspokedout。Hisfacewasdreadful-lookingfromexhaustionanddismay。
　　`Itoldyounottoletanyoneout！’hecriedtothedoorkeeper。
　　`Iletsomeonein，YourExcellency！’
　　`Mercyonus！’Andwithaheavysighthemarshaloftheprovincewalkedwithdowncastheadtothehightableinthemiddleoftheroom，hiswhite-trouseredlegswaveringfromfatigue。
　　Neviedovskyhadscoredahighermajority，astheyhadplanned，andhewasthenewmarshaloftheprovince。Manypeoplewereamused，manywerepleasedandhappy，manywereinecstasies，manyweredisgustedandunhappy。Theformermarshaloftheprovincewasinastateofdespairwhichhecouldnotconceal。WhenNeviedovskywentoutoftheroom，thecrowdthrongedroundhimandfollowedhimenthusiastically，justastheyhadfollowedthegovernoronthefirstday，whenhehadopenedthemeetings，andjustastheyhadfollowedSnetkovwhenhehadbeenelected。