`Whoisit？’sheaskedherself。`All-orone？’Andwithoutkeepingupherendoftheconversation，thethreadofwhichtheharassedyoungmanshewasdancingwithlostandcouldnotpickupagain，sheobeyedwithexternallivelinesstheperemptoryshoutsofKorsunskystartingthemallintothegrandrond，andthenintothechaine，andatthesametimeshekeptwatchwithagrowingpangatherheart。`No，it’snotadmirationofthecrowdthathasintoxicatedher，buttheadorationofone。Andthatone？Canitbehe？’EverytimehespoketoAnnathejoyouslightflashedintohereyes，andthesmileofhappinesscurvedherredlips。Sheseemedtomakeanefforttocontrolherself，inordernottoshowthesesignsofdelight，buttheyappearedonherfaceofthemselves。
`Butwhatofhim？’Kittylookedathimandwashorrified。WhatwaspicturedsoclearlytoKittyinthemirrorofAnna’sfaceshesawinhim。Whathadbecomeofhisalwayscalm，firmmanner，andthecarelesslycalmexpressionofhisface？Noweverytimeheturnedtoherhebenthishead，asthoughhewouldhavefallenatherfeet，andinhiseyestherewasnothingbuthumblesubmissionanddread。`Iwouldnotoffendyou，’hiseyesseemedtobesayingeachtime，`butIwanttosavemyself，andIdon’tknowhow。’
OnhisfacewasalooksuchasKittyhadneverseenbefore。
Theywerespeakingofcommonacquaintances，keepingupthesmallestofsmalltalk，buttoKittyitseemedthateverywordtheysaidwasdeterminingtheirfateandhers。Andstrangelyenough，althoughtheywereactuallytalkingofhowabsurdIvanIvanovichwaswithhisFrench，andhowtheEletskygirlmighthavemadeabettermatch，thesewordswereyetfraughtwithsignificanceforthem，andtheysensedthisasmuchasKittydid。Thewholeball，thewholeworld，everythingseemedscreenedbyafogwithinKitty’ssoul。Nothingbutthesterndisciplineofherbringing-upsupportedherandforcedhertodowhatwasexpectedofher-thatis，todance，toanswerquestions，totalk，eventosmile。Butbeforethemazurka，whentheywerebeginningtorearrangethechairsandafewcouplesmovedoutofthesmallerroomsintothebigroom，amomentofdespairandhorrorcameforKitty。
Shehadrefusedfivepartners，andnowshewasnotdancingthemazurka。
Shehadnotevenahopeofbeingaskedforit，becauseshewassosuccessfulinsocietythattheideawouldneveroccurtoanyonethatshehadremaineddisengagedtillnow。Shewouldhavetotellhermothershefeltillandgohome，yetshehadnotthestrengthtodothis。Shefeltcrushed。
Shewenttothefarthestendoftheseconddrawingroomandsankintoalowchair。Herlight，transparentskirtsroselikeacloudaboutherslenderwaist；onebare，thin，soft，girlisharm，hanginglistlessly，waslostinthefoldsofherpinktunic；intheothersheheldherfanandwithrapid，shortstrokesfannedherburningface。Yet，whileshelookedlikeabutterflyclingingtoabladeofgrass，andjustabouttoopenitsrainbowwingsforfreshflight，herheartachedwithahorribledespair。
`ButperhapsIamwrong-perhapsitwasnotso？’Andagainsherecalledallshehadseen。
`Kitty，whatisit？’saidCountessNordstone，steppingnoiselesslyoverthecarpettowardher。`Idon’tunderstandit。’
Kitty’slowerlipbegantoquiver；shegotupquickly。
`Kitty，you’renotdancingthemazurka？’
`No，no，’saidKittyinavoiceshakingwithtears。
`Heaskedherforthemazurkainmypresence，’saidCountessNordstone，knowingKittywouldunderstandwhoheandherwere。`Shesaid:``Why，aren’tyougoingtodanceitwithPrincessShcherbatskaia？’’’
`Oh，itdoesn’tmattertome！’answeredKitty。
Noonebutsheherselfunderstoodherposition；nooneknewthatshehadrefusedyesterdaythemanwhomperhapssheloved，andrefusedhimbecauseshehadputherfaithinanother。
CountessNordstonefoundKorsunsky，withwhomshewastodancethemazurka，andtoldhimtoaskKitty。
Kittydancedinthefirstcouple，andluckilyforhershehadnottotalkbecauseKorsunskywasallthetimerunningabout，overseeinghisdemesne。VronskyandAnnaweresittingalmostoppositeher。Shesawthemwithherfarsightedeyes，andsawthem，too，closebywhentheymetinthefigures，andthemoreshesawofthemthemoreconvincedwasshethatherunhappinesswasconsummated。Shesawthattheyfeltthemselvesaloneinthiscrowdedroom。AndonVronsky’sface，alwayssofirmandindependent，shesawthelookthathadstruckher，ofbewildermentandhumblesubmissiveness，liketheexpressionofanintelligentdogwhenithasdonewrong。
Annasmiled-andhersmilewasreflectedbyhim。Shegrewthoughtful-andhebecameserious。SomesupernaturalforcedrewKitty’seyestoAnna’sface。Shewascharminginhersimpleblackdress；charmingwereherroundarmswiththeirbracelets；charmingwasherfirmneckwithitsthreadofpearls；charmingthestrayingcurlsofherloosehair；charmingthegraceful，lightmovementsofherlittlefeetandhands，charmingwasthatlovelyfaceinitsanimation-yettherewassomethingterribleandcruelinhercharm。
Kittyadmiredhermorethanever，andmoreandmoreacutedidhersufferinggrow。Kittyfeltcrushed，andherfaceshowedit。WhenVronskycaughtsightofher，cominguponherinthemazurka，hedidnotatoncerecognizeher，sochangedwasshe。
`Delightfulball！’hesaidtoher，merelyforthesakeofsayingsomething。
`Yes，’sheanswered。
Inthemiddleofthemazurka，repeatingacomplicatedfigure，newlyinventedbyKorsunsky，Annacameforwardintothecenterofthecircle，chosetwogentlemen，andsummonedKittyandanotherlady。Kittygazedatherindismayasshewentup。Annalookedatherwithdroopingeyelids，andsmiled，pressingherhand。But，noticingthatKittyonlyrespondedtohersmilebyalookofdespairandamazement，sheturnedawayfromher，andbegangailytalkingtotheotherlady。
`Yes，thereissomethinguncanny，devilishandcharmingabouther，’saidKittytoherself。
Annadidnotwanttostayforsupper，butthemasterofthehousebeganurgingher。
`Nonsense，AnnaArkadyevna，’saidKorsunskyplacingherbarehanduponhiscoatsleeve。`I’vesuchanideaforacotillon！Unbijou！’
Andhemovedgraduallyon，tryingtodrawheralongwithhim。
Theirhostsmiledapprovingly。
`No，I’mnotgoingtostay，’answeredAnna，smiling，but，inspiteofhersmile，bothKorsunskyandthemasterofthehousesawfromherresolutetonethatshewouldnotstay。
`No；why，asitis，IhavedancedmoreatyourballinMoscowthanIhaveallthewinterinPeterburg，’saidAnna，lookingroundatVronsky，whostoodnearher。`Imustrestalittlebeforemyjourney。’
`Areyoudefinitelygoingtomorrowthen？’askedVronsky。
`Yes，Isupposeso，’answeredAnna，asthoughwonderingattheboldnessofhisquestion；buttheirrepressible，quiveringbrillianceofhereyesandhersmilesethimonfireasshesaidit。
AnnaArkadyevnadidnotstaytosupper，butwenthome。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart1，Chapter24[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter24`Yes，theremustbesomethingdisgusting，repulsiveaboutme，’reflectedLevin，ashelefttheShcherbatsky’s，andsetoutonfootforhisbrother’slodgings。`AndIdon’tgetonwithotherpeople。Pride，theysay。No，I
haven’tevenpride。IfIhadanypride，Ishouldnothaveputmyselfinsuchaposition。’AndhepicturedtohimselfVronsky，happy，good-natured，cleverandcalm-certainlyneverplacedintheawfulpositioninwhichhehadbeenthatevening。`Yes，shewasboundtochoosehim。Itmustbeso，andIcannotcomplainofanyoneoranything。Iammyselftoblame。
WhatrighthadItoimagineshewouldcaretojoinherlifetomine？WhoamI，andwhatamI？Anobody，notwantedbyanyone，norofusetoanybody。’
AndherecalledhisbrotherNikolai，anddweltwithpleasureonthethoughtofhim。`Isn’therightinsayingthateverythingintheworldisbadandvile？Andarewefairinourjudgment，presentandpast，ofbrotherNikolai？
Ofcourse，fromthepointofviewofProcophii，seeinghiminatorncloakandtipsy，he’sadespicableperson。ButIknowhimdifferently。Iknowhissoul，andknowthatwearealike。AndI，insteadofgoingtoseekhimout，wentouttodinner，andthencamehere。’Levinwalkeduptoalamppost，readhisbrother’saddress，whichwasinhispocketbook，andcalledacabby。
Allthelongwaytohisbrother’sLevinvividlyrecalledallthefacts，familiartohim，ofhisbrotherNikolai’slife。Herememberedhowhisbrother，whileattheuniversity，andforayearafterward，had，inspiteofthejeersofhiscompanions，livedlikeamonk，strictlyobservingallreligiousrites，servicesandfasts，andavoidingeverysortofpleasure-especiallywomen。Andnow，afterward，hehadallatoncebrokenout:hadassociatedwiththemosthorriblepeople，andrushedintothemostsenselessdebauchery。
Herememberedlaterthescandaloveraboy，whomhehadtakenfromthecountrytobringup，and，inafitofrage，hadsoviolentlybeatenthatproceedingswerebroughtagainsthimforpersonalinjury。Thenherememberedthescandalwithasharper，towhomhehadlostmoney，andgivenapromissorynote，andagainstwhomhehadhimselflodgedacomplaint，assertingthathehadcheatedhim。ThiswasthemoneySergeiIvanovichhadpaid。Thenherememberedhowhehadspentanightinapolicestationfordisorderlyconductinthestreet。HerememberedtheshamefulproceedingshehadinstitutedagainsthisbrotherSergeiIvanovich，accusinghimofnothavingpaidhim，apparently，hisshareofhismother’sestate；andthelastscandal，whenhehadgonetoaWesternprovinceinanofficialcapacity，andtherehadgotintotroubleforassaultingavillageelder……Itwasallhorriblyvile，yettoLevinitappearednotatallasvileasitinevitablywouldtothosewhodidnotknowNikolai，didnotknowallhisstory，didnotknowhisheart。
LevinrememberedthatwhenNikolaihadbeeninthedevoutstage，theperiodoffastsandmonksandchurchservices，whenhewasseekinginreligionasupportandacurbforhispassionatetemperament，everyone，farfromencouraginghim，hadjeeredathim-andLevinhad，too，withtheothers。Theyhadteasedhim，callinghimNoahandMonk；yet，whenhehadbrokenout，noonehadhelpedhim，buthadallturnedawayfromhim，withhorrorandloathing。
LevinfeltthatbrotherNikolai，inspiteofalltheuglinessofhislife，inhissoul，intheverydepthsofhissoul，wasnomoreinthewrongthanthepeoplewhodespisedhim。Hewasnottoblameforhavingbeenbornwithhisunbridledcharacterandsomepressureuponhisintellect。
Forhehadalwayswantedtobegood。`Iwilltellhimeverything，withoutreserve，andIwillmakehimspeakwithoutreserve，too，andI’llshowhimthatIlovehim，andthereforeunderstandhim，’Levinresolvedtohimself，as，towardeleveno’clock，hereachedthehotelofwhichhehadtheaddress。
`Atthetop，twelveandthirteen，’theporteransweredLevin’sinquiry。
`Athome？’
`Probablyheisathome。’
ThedoorofNo。12washalfopen，and，togetherwithastreakoflight，thereissuedthickfumesofcheap，poortobacco，andthesoundofavoice，unknowntoLevin；butheknewatoncethathisbrotherwasthere:herecognizedhiscough。
Ashewentinatthedoor，theunknownvoicewassaying:
`Italldependswithhowmuchjudgmentandknowledgethething’sdone。’
KonstantinLevinlookedinatthedoor，andsawthatthespeakerwasayoungmanwithanimmenseshockofhair，wearingaRussiancoat，andthatapock-markedyoungwomaninawoollengown，withoutcollarorcuffs，wassittingonthesofa。Hisbrotherwasnottobeseen。Konstantinfeltasharppangathisheartatthethoughtofthestrangecompanyinwhichhisbrotherspenthislife。Noonehadheardhim，andKonstantin，takingoffhisgaloshes，listenedtowhatthegentlemanintheRussiancoatwassaying。Hewasspeakingofsomeenterprise。
`Well，thedevilflaythem，theseprivilegedclasses，’hisbrother’svoiceresponded，withacough。`Masha！getussomesupper，andserveupsomewine，ifthere’sanyleft；orelsesendforsome。’
Thewomanrose，cameoutfrombehindthepartition，andsawKonstantin。
`There’ssomegentlemanhere，NikolaiDmitrievich，’shesaid。
`Whomdoyouwant？’saidthevoiceofNikolaiLevin，angrily。
`It’sI，’answeredKonstantinLevin，comingforwardintothelight。
`Who’sI？’Nikolai’svoicesaidagain，stillmoreangrily。Hecouldbeheardgettinguphurriedly，stumblingagainstsomething，andLevinsaw，facinghiminthedoorway，thebigscaredeyes，andthehuge，gaunt，stoopingfigureofhisbrother，sofamiliar，andyetastonishinginitsoddityandsickliness。
Hewaseventhinnerthanthreeyearsbefore，whenKonstantinLevinhadseenhimlast。Hewaswearingashortcoat，andhishandsandbigbonesseemedhugerthanever。Hishairhadgrownthinner，thesamestraightmustachehidhislips，thesameeyesgazedstrangelyandnaivelyathisvisitor。
`Ah，Kostia！’heexclaimedsuddenly，recognizinghisbrother，andhiseyeslightedupwithjoy。Butthesamesecondhelookedroundattheyoungman，andgavethenervousjerkofhisheadandneckthatKonstantinknewsowell，asifhiscravatwerechokinghim；andaquitedifferentexpression-wild，sufferingandcruel-restedonhisemaciatedface。
`IwrotetoyouandSergeiIvanovichboththatIdon’tknowyou，anddon’twanttoknowyou。Whatisityouwant？’
HewasnotatallthesameasKonstantinhadbeenfancyinghim。
Theworstandmostoppressivepartofhischaracter，whichmadeallrelationswithhimsodifficult，hadbeenforgottenbyKonstantinLevinwhenhethoughtofhim；andnow，whenhesawhisface，andespeciallythatnervoustwitchingofhishead，heremembereditall。
`Ididn’twanttoseeyouforanything，’heansweredtimidly。
`I’vesimplycometoseeyou。’
Hisbrother’stimidityobviouslysoftenedNikolai。Hislipstwitched。
`Oh，sothat’sit？’hesaid。`Well，comein；sitdown。Likesomesupper？Masha，bringsupperforthree。No，stopaminute。Doyouknowwhothisis？’hesaid，addressinghisbrother，andindicatingthegentlemanintheRussiancoat:`ThisisMr。Kritsky，afriendofmyKievdays-averyremarkableman。He’spersecutedbythepolice，ofcourse，sincehe’snotascoundrel。’
Andhesurveyed，asitwasahabitofhis，everyoneintheroom。
Seeingthatthewomanstandinginthedoorwaywasstartingtogo，heshoutedtoher。`Waitaminute，Isaid。’Andwiththatinabilitytoexpresshimself，theincoherencethatKonstantinknewsowell，hebegan，withanotherlookroundateveryone，totellKritsky’sstorytohisbrother:howhehadbeenexpelledfromtheuniversityforstartingabenevolentsocietyforthepoorstudents，andclassesonSunday，andhowhehadafterwardbeenateacherinaruralschool，andhadbeendrivenoutofthat，too；andhadafterwardbeenontrialforsomethingorother。
`You’reoftheKievUniversity？’saidKonstantinLevintoKritsky，tobreaktheawkwardsilencethatfollowed。
`Yes-IwasinKiev，’Kritskyrepliedangrily，hisfacedarkening。
`Andthiswoman，’NikolaiLevininterruptedhim，pointingtoher，`ismylifemate，MaryaNikolaevna。Itookheroutofadive，andhejerkedhisneckashesaidit。`ButIloveherandrespecther，andanyonewhowantstoknowme，’headded，raisinghisvoiceandknittinghisbrows，`isrequestedtoloveherandrespecther。She’spreciselythesameasawifetome-precisely。Sonowyouknowwhomyou’vegottodowith。Andifyouthinkyou’reloweringyourself-well，there’sthedoor，andGodspeedthee！’
Andagainhiseyestraveledinquiringlyoverallofthem。
`ButhowwillIlowermyself？Idon’tunderstand。’
`Then，Masha，tellthemtobringsupper；threeportions，andvodkaandwine……No，waitaminute……No，itdoesn’tmatter……Goahead。’
[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart1，Chapter25[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter25`Soyousee，’pursuedNikolaiLevin，painfullywrinklinghisforeheadandtwitching。
Itwasobviouslydifficultforhimtothinkofwhattosayanddo。
`Here，doyousee？……Hepointedtosomesortofshortironbars，fastenedtogetherwithtwine，lyinginacorneroftheroom。`Doyouseethat？That’sthebeginningofanewenterprisewe’regoinginto。Thisenterprisewillbeanindustrialassociation……’
Konstantinscarcelyheardhim。Helookedintohissickly，consumptiveface，andhewasmoreandmoresorryforhim，andhecouldnotforcehimselftolistentowhathisbrotherwastellinghimabouttheassociation。Hesawthatthisassociationwasamereanchortosavehimfromself-contempt。
NikolaiLevinwentontalking:
`Youknowthatcapitaloppressestheworker。Ourworkers，themouzhiks，bearalltheburdenoflabor，andaresoplacedthat，nomatterhowmuchtheywork，theycan’tescapefromtheirpositionofbeastsofburden。Alltheprofitsoflabor，onwhichtheymightimprovetheirposition，andgainleisureforthemselves，andafterthateducation-allthesurplusvalues，aretakenfromthembythecapitalists。Andsocietyissoconstitutedthatthehardertheywork，thegreatertheprofitofthemerchantsandlandowners，whiletheystaybeastsofburdentotheend。Andthatstateofthingsmustbechanged，’hefinishedup，andlookedquestioninglyathisbrother。
`Yes，ofcourse，’saidKonstantin，lookingatthepatchofredthathadcomeoutonhisbrother’sprojectingcheekbones。
`Andsowe’refoundingalocksmith’sassociation，wherealltheproductionandprofit，andthechiefinstrumentsofproduction-everything-willbeincommon。’
`Whereistheassociationtobe？’askedKonstantinLevin。
`InthevillageofVozdrem，governmentofKazan。’
`Butwhyinavillage？Inthevillages，Ithink，thereisplentyofworkasitis。Whyalocksmith’sassociationinavillage？’
`Why？Becausethepeasantsarejustasmuchslavesastheyeverwere，andthat’swhyyouandSergeiIvanovichdon’tlikepeopletotryandgetthemoutoftheirslavery，’saidNikolaiLevin，exasperatedbytheobjection。
KonstantinLevinsighed，lookingmeanwhileaboutthecheerlessanddirtyroom。ThissighseemedtoexasperateNikolaistillmore。
`IknowSergeiIvanovich’s，andyour，aristocraticviews。Iknowthatheappliesallthepowerofhisintellecttojustifyexistingevils。’
`Isay，whydoyoutalkofSergeiIvanovich？’Levinletdrop，smiling。
`SergeiIvanovich？I’lltellyouwhy！’NikolaiLevinshriekedsuddenlyatthenameofSergeiIvanovich。`I’lltellyouwhy……Butwhat’stheuseoftalking？There’sonlyonething……Whatdidyoucometomefor？
Youlookdownonallthis；verywell，then；butgoaway，inGod’sname-goaway！’heshrieked，gettingupfromhischair。`Goaway-goaway！’
`Idon’tlookdownonitatall，’saidKonstantinLevintimidly。
`Idon’tevendisputeit。’
AtthatinstantMaryaNikolaevnacameback。NikolaiLevinlookedroundangrilyather。Shewentquicklytohim，andwhisperedsomething。
`I’mnotwell；I’vegrownirritable，’saidNikolaiLevin，gettingcalmerandbreathingpainfully；`andthenyoutalktomeofSergeiIvanovichandhisessay。It’ssuchrubbish，suchlying，suchself-deception！Whatcanamanwriteaboutjusticewhoknowsnothingofit？Haveyoureadhisessay？’heturnedtoKritsky，sittingdownagainatthetable，andclearingaspaceforhimselfbypushingbacksomehalf-madecigarettes。
`Ihaven’t，’Kritskyrespondedgloomily，obviouslynotdesiringtoenterintotheconversation。
`Whynot？’saidNikolaiLevin，nowturningwithexasperationuponKritsky。
`BecauseIdidn’tseetheuseofwastingmytimeoverit。’
`Oh，ifyouplease-howdidyouknowitwouldbewastingyourtime？Thatessay’stoodeepformanypeople-thatistosay，it’sovertheirheads。Butit’sdifferentwithme，Iseethroughhisideas，andI
knowwhereintheessay’sweaknesslies。’
Theyallfellsilent。Kritskygotupsluggishlyandreachedforhiscap。
`Won’tyouhavesupper？Allright，good-by！Comeroundtomorrowwiththelocksmith。’
KritskyhadhardlygoneoutwhenNikolaiLevinsmiledandwinked。
`He，too，ispoorstuff，’hesaid。`ForIcansee……’
ButatthatinstantKritsky，atthedoor，calledhim。
`Whatdoyouwantnow？’hesaid，andwentouttohiminthepassage。
LeftalonewithMaryaNikolaevna，Levinturnedtoher。
`Haveyoubeenlongwithmybrother？’hesaidtoher。
`Yes，morethanayear。Hishealthhasbecomeverypoor。Hedrinksagreatdeal，’shesaid。
`Justhow？’
`Hedrinksvodka，andit’sbadforhim。’
`Andagreatdeal？’whisperedLevin。
`Yes，’shesaid，lookingtimidlytowardthedoorway，whereNikolaiLevinhadreappeared。
`Whatwereyoutalkingabout？’hesaid，knittinghisbrows，andturninghisscaredeyesfromonetotheother。`Whatwasit？’
`Oh，nothing，’Konstantinansweredinconfusion。
`Oh，ifyoudon’twanttosay，don’t。Onlyit’snogoodyourtalkingtoher。She’sawench，andyou’reagentleman，’hesaid，withajerkoftheneck。`Youunderstandeverything，Isee，andhavetakenstockofeverything，andlookwithcommiserationonmytransgressions，’hebeganagain，raisinghisvoice。
`NikolaiDmitrich，NikolaiDmitrich，’whisperedMaryaNikolaevna，againgoinguptohim。
`Oh，verywell，verywell！……Butwhere’sthesupper？Ah，hereitis，’hesaid，seeingawaiterwithatray。`Here，setithere，’headdedangrily，andpromptlyseizingthevodka，hepouredoutaponyanddrankitgreedily。`Likeadrink？’heturnedtohisbrother，andatoncebecamebetter-humored。`Well，enoughofSergeiIvanovich。I’mgladtoseeyou，anyway。Afterall’ssaidanddone，we’renotstrangers。Come，haveadrink。
Tellmewhatyou’redoing，’hewenton，greedilymunchingapieceofbread，andpouringoutanotherpony。`Howarethingswithyou？’
`Ilivealoneinthecountry，asIalwayshave。I’mbusylookingaftertheland，’answeredKonstantin，watchingwithhorrorthegreedinesswithwhichhisbrotherateanddrank，andtryingtoconcealthathenoticedit。
`Whydon’tyougetmarried？’
`Noopportunityhaspresenteditself，’Konstantinanswered，reddening。
`Whynot？Formenow，everything’satanend！I’vemadeamessofmylife。ButthisI’vesaid，andIsaystill，thatifmysharehadbeengivenmewhenIneededit，mywholelifewouldhavebeendifferent。’
Konstantinmadehastetochangetheconversation。
`DoyouknowyourlittleVania’swithme-aclerkinthecountinghouseatPokrovskoe？’
Nikolaijerkedhisneck，andsankintothought。
`Yes，tellmewhat’sgoingonatPokrovskoe。Isthehousestillstanding，andthebirchtrees，andourschoolroom？AndPhilipthegardener-isheliving？HowIrememberthesummerhouseandthesofa！Nowmindanddon’talteranythinginthehouse，butmakehasteandgetmarried，andmakeeverythingasitusedtobeagain。ThenI’llcomeandseeyou，ifyourwifeisafinewoman。’
`Why，cometomenow，’saidLevin。`Howsnuglywecouldsettledown！’
`I’dcomeandseeyouifIweresureIshouldn’tfindSergeiIvanovich。’
`Youwouldn’tfindhimthere。Ilivequiteindependentlyofhim。’
`Yes，butsaywhatyoulike，youhavetochoosebetweenmeandhim，’hesaid，lookingtimidlyintohisbrother’sface。
ThistimiditytouchedKonstantin。
`Ifyouwanttohearmyconfessionoffaithonthesubject，I
tellyouthatinyourquarrelwithSergeiIvanovichItakeneitherside。
You’rebothwrong。You’reratherwrongoutwardly，andhe，ratherinwardly。’
`Ah，ah！Youseethat，youseethat！’Nikolaishoutedjoyfully。
`ButIpersonallyvaluefriendlyrelationswithyoumorebecause……’
`Why，why？’
KonstantincouldnotsaythathevalueditmorebecauseNikolaiwasunhappy，andneededaffection。ButNikolaiknewthatthiswasjustwhathemeanttosay，andscowlinghetooktothevodkaagain。
`Enough，NikolaiDmitrich！’saidMaryaNikolaevna，stretchingoutherplump，barearmtowardthedecanter。
`Letitbe！Don’tannoyme！I’llbeatyou！’heshouted。
MaryaNikolaevnasmiledasweetandgood-humoredsmile，whichwasatoncereflectedonNikolai’sface，andwhiskedthedecanteroff。
`Anddoyousupposesheunderstandsnothing？’saidNikolai。`Sheunderstandseverythingbetterthanallofus。Tellthetruth-isn’ttheresomethinggoodandsweetabouther？’
`WereyouneverbeforeinMoscow？’Konstantinsaidtoher，forthesakeofsayingsomething。
`Onlyyoumustn’tbeformalwithher。Itfrightensher。Nooneeverspoketohersobutthejusticeofthepeacewhotriedherfortryingtogetoutofahouseofillfame。MyGod，whatsenselessnessthereisinthisworld！’hecriedsuddenly。`Thesenewinstitutions，thesejusticesofthepeace，theseZemstvo-whathideousnessitallis！’
Andhebegantoenlargeonhisencounterswiththenewinstitutions。
KonstantinLevinlistenedtohim，andthatdisbeliefinthesenseofallpublicinstitutions，whichhesharedwithhim，andoftenexpressed，wasnowdistastefultohim，comingfromhisbrother’slips。
`Intheotherworldweshallunderstanditall，’hesaidlightly。
`Intheotherworld？Ah，Idon’tlikethatotherworld！Idon’tlikeit，’hesaid，lettinghisscaredwildeyesrestonhisbrother’sface。
`Hereonewouldthinkthattogetoutofallthebasenessandthemess，one’sownandotherpeople’s，wouldbeagoodthing，andyetI’mafraidofdeath，awfullyafraidofdeath。’Heshuddered。`Butdodrinksomething。
Wouldyoulikesomechampagne？Orshallwegosomewhere？Let’sgotothegypsies！Doyouknow，I’vegottenveryfondofthegypsies，andofRussiansongs。’
Hisspeechhadbeguntofalter，andheskippedatrandomfromonesubjecttoanother。Konstantin，withthehelpofMasha，persuadedhimnottogooutanywhere，andgothimtobedhopelesslydrunk。
MashapromisedtowritetoKonstantinincaseofneed，andtopersuadeNikolaitogoandstaywithhisbrother。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart1，Chapter26[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter26InthemorningKonstantinLevinleftMoscow，andtowardeveninghereachedhome。Onthejourneyinthetrainhetalkedtohisfellowtravelersaboutpoliticsandthenewrailways，and，justasinMoscow，hewasovercomebyasenseofconfusionofideas，bydissatisfactionwithhimself，andshameofsomethingorother。Butwhenhegotoutathisownstation，whenhesawhisone-eyedcoachmanIgnat，withthecollarofhiscoatturnedup；when，inthedimlightfallingthroughthestationwindows，hesawhisowncarpetedsledge，hisownhorseswiththeirtailsup，intheirharnesstrimmedwithringsandtassels；whenthecoachmanIgnat，asheputinhisluggage，toldhimthevillagenews-thatthecontractorhadarrived，andthatPavahadcalved-hefeltthatlittlebylittletheconfusionwasclearingup，andtheshameandself-dissatisfactionwerepassingaway。
HefeltthisatthemeresightofIgnatandthehorses；buthebegantoseewhathadhappenedtohiminquiteadifferentlight，whenhehadputonthesheepskincoatbroughtforhim，and，allmuffledup，hadtakenhisseatinthesleighandstartedoff，ponderingontheworkthatlaybeforehiminthevillage，andstaringattheoffhorse，thathadbeenformerlyhissaddlehorse，overridden，butaspiritedanimalfromtheDon。Hefelthimself，anddidnotwanttobeanyoneelse。Allhewantednowwastobebetterthanbefore。Inthefirstplace，heresolvedthatfromthatdayonhewouldgiveuphopingfortheextraordinaryhappinesswhichthemarriagewastoaffordhim，andconsequentlyhewouldnotdisdainthepresentso。
Inthesecondplace，hewouldneveragainlethimselfgivewaytolowpassion，thememoryofwhichhadsotorturedhimwhenhehadbeenmakinguphismindtopropose。Then，rememberinghisbrotherNikolai，heresolvedthathewouldneverallowhimselftoforgethim，thathewouldwatchhim，andnotlosesightofhim，soastobereadytohelpshouldthingsgoillwithhim。Andthatwouldbesoon，hefelt。Then，too，hisbrother’stalkofcommunism，whichhehadtreatedsolightlyatthetime，nowmadehimreflect。
Heconsideredanalterationineconomicconditionsnonsense；yethehadalwaysfelttheinjusticeofhisownabundanceincomparisonwiththepovertyofthecommonfolk，andhenowdeterminedthat，inordertofeelquiteintheright，thoughhehadworkedhardandlivedbynomeansluxuriouslybefore，hewouldnowworkstillharder，andwouldallowhimselfevenlessluxury。Andallthisseemedtohimsoeasyaconquestoverhimselfthathespentthewholedriveinmostpleasantreveries。Withalivelyfeelingofhopeinanew，betterlife，hedroveuptohishouseaboutnineo’clockatnight。
Thesnowofthelittlequadranglebeforethehousewaslitupbylightfallingfromthewindowsintheroomofhisoldnurse，AgathyaMikhailovna，whoperformedthedutiesofhousekeeperinhishouse。Shewasnotyetasleep。Kouzma，awakenedbyher，sleepyandbarefooted，ranoutontothesteps。Asetterbitch，Laska，leapedouttoo，almostupsettingKouzma，andwhining，rubbedagainstLevin’sknees，jumpingupandlonging，yetnotdaring，toputherforepawsonhischest。
`You’resoonreturned，mydear，’saidAgathyaMikhailovna。
`Igrewhomesick，AgathyaMikhailovna。EastorWest，homeisbest，’
heanswered，andwentintohisstudy。
Thestudywasgraduallylitupasthecandlewasbroughtin。Thefamiliardetailscameout:thestag’shorns；thebookshelves；theplainstovewithitswarm-hole，whichhadlongwantedmending；hisfather’ssofa，alargetable，and，onthetable，anopenbook，abrokenashtray，anotebookwithhishandwriting。Ashesawallthis，therecameoverhimforaninstantadoubtofthepossibilityofarrangingthenewlife，ofwhichhehadbeendreamingontheroad。Allthesetracesofhislifeseemedtoclutchhim，andtosaytohim:`No，you’renotgoingtogetawayfromus，andyou’renotgoingtobedifferent-butyou’regoingtobethesameasyou’vealwaysbeen:withdoubts，everlastingdissatisfactionwithyourself，vaineffortstoamend，andlapses，andeverlastingexpectationofahappinesswhichyouwon’tget，andwhichisn’tpossibleforyou。’
Butitwashisthingsthatsaidthistohim，whileanothervoiceinhisheartwastellinghimthathemustnotfallundertheswayofthepast，andthatonecandoanythingwithoneself。Andhearingthatvoice，hewentintothecornerwherestoodhistwodumbbells，ofonepoodeach，andbeganjerkingandpushingthemup，tryingtoinduceastateofwell-being。
Therewasacreakofstepsatthedoor。Hehastilyputdownthedumbbells。
Thebailiffcamein，andsaidthateverything，thankGod，waswell，butalsoinformedhimthatthebuckwheatinthenewdryingmachinehadbeenalittlescorched。ThispieceofnewsirritatedLevin。ThenewdryingmachinehadbeenconstructedandpartlyinventedbyLevin。Thebailiffhadalwaysbeenagainstthisdryingmachine，andnowitwaswithsuppressedtriumphthatheannouncedthatthebuckwheathadbeenscorched。Levinwasfirmlyconvincedthatifthebuckwheathadbeenscorcheditwasonlybecauseprecautionshadnotbeentaken，forwhichhehadhundredsoftimesgivenorders。Hewasannoyed，andreprimandedthebailiff。Buttherehadbeenanimportantandjoyfulevent:Pava，hisbestcow，anexpensivebeast，boughtatashow，hadcalved。
`Kouzma，givememysheepskincoat。Andyou，dotellthemtofetchalantern-I’mgoingtohavealookather，’hesaidtothebailiff。
Thecowhouseforthemorevaluablecowswasjustbehindthehouse。
Walkingacrosstheyard，passingasnowdriftbythelilactree，hewentintothecowhouse。Therecameawarm，steamysmellofdungwhenthefrozendoorwasopened，andthecows，astonishedattheunfamiliarlightofthelantern，stirredontheirfreshstraw。Hecaughtaglimpseofthebroad，smooth，blackandpiebaldbackofaDutchcow。Berkoot，thebull，waslyingdownwithhisringinhislip，andseemedabouttogetup，butthoughtbetterofit，andonlygavetwosnortsastheypassedbyhim。Pava，thereddishbeauty，hugeasahippopotamus，withherbackturnedtothem，screenedhercalffromthearrivalsandsniffeditallover。
Levinwentintothestall，lookedPavaover，andheftedthereddishandred-dappledcalfuponitsunsteady，spindlylegs。Pava，uneasy，beganlowing，butwhenLevinputthecalfclosetohershewassoothed，and，sighingheavily，beganlickingherwithherroughtongue。Thecalffumbling，pokeditsnoseunderitsmother’sgroin，andtwirleditstinytail。
`Bringthelighthere，Fiodor-bringthelanternhere，’saidLevin，examiningtheheifer。`Likethedam！thoughthecolortakesafterthesire。Aperfectbeauty！Long，andbroadinthehaunch。Isn’tsheabeautynow，VassiliiFiodorovich？’headdressedthebailiff，quiteforgivinghimforthebuckwheatundertheinfluenceofhisdelightintheheifer。
`Whatbadbloodcouldshetakeafter？-Semionthecontractorcamethedayafteryouleft。Youmustsettlewithhim，KonstantinDmitrich，’
saidthebailiff。`AndIhavealreadytoldyouaboutthemachine。’
ThismatteralonewasenoughtobringLevinbacktoallthedetailsofhisestate，whichwasonalargescale，andcomplicated。Hewentstraightfromthecowhousetothecountinghouse，and，afterashorttalkwiththebailiffandSemionthecontractor，hewentbacktothehouseandstraightupstairstothedrawingroom。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart1，Chapter27[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter27Thehousewasbigandold-fashioned，andLevin，thoughhelivedalone，heatedandusedthewholehouse。Heknewthatthiswasstupid，heknewthatitwasevenwrong，andcontrarytohispresentnewplans，butthishousewasawholeworldtoLevin。Itwastheworldinwhichhisfatherandmotherhadlivedanddied。TheyhadlivedjustthelifethattoLevinseemedtheidealofperfection，andthathehaddreamedofrenewingwithhiswife，withhisfamily。
Levinscarcelyrememberedhismother。Hisconceptionofherwasforhimasacredmemory，andhisfuturewifewasboundtobe，inhisimagination，arepetitionofthatexquisite，holyidealofawomanthathismotherhadbeen。
Hewassofarfromconceivingofloveforwomanapartfrommarriagethathepositivelypicturedtohimselffirstthefamily，andonlysecondarilythewomanwhowouldgivehimafamily。Hisideasofmarriagewere，consequently，quiteunlikethoseofthegreatmajorityofhisacquaintances，forwhomgettingmarriedwasmerelyoneofthemanyaffairsofeverydaylife。ForLevinitwasthechiefaffairoflife，onwhichitswholehappinessturned。
Andnowhehadtogiveupthat！
Whenhehadgoneintotheseconddrawingroom，wherehealwayshadtea，andhadsettledhimselfinhisarmchairwithabook，andAgathyaMikhailovnahadbroughthimtea，andwithherusual，`Well，I’llstayawhile，mydear，’hadtakenachairatthewindow，hefeltthat，howeverstrangeitmightbe，hehadnotpartedfromhisdaydreams，andthathecouldnotlivewithoutthem。Whetherwithher，orwithanother-itwasstillboundtobe。Hewasreadinghisbook，ponderingonwhathewasreading，andpausingtolistentoAgathyaMikhailovna，whogossipedawaywithoutflagging，andyet，withallthat，allsortsofpicturesofhisworkandafuturefamilyliferosedisconnectedlybeforehisimagination。Hefeltthatinthedepthofhissoulsomethingwassteadying，settlingdown，andabating。
HeheardAgathyaMikhailovnatalkingofhowProkhorhadforgottenhisdutytoGod，and，withthemoneyLevinhadgivenhimtobuyahorse，hadbeendrinkingwithoutaletup，andhadbeatenhiswifetillhe’dhalf-killedher。Helistened，andreadhisbook，andrecalledthewholetrainofideassuggestedbyhisreading。ItwasTyndall’sTreatiseonHeat。HerecalledhisowncriticismsofTyndallforhisself-complacencyintheclevernessofhisexperiments，andforhislackofphilosophicinsight。Andsuddenlytherefloatedintohismindthejoyfulthought:`Intwoyear’stimeIshallhavetwoDutchcowsinmyherd；Pavaherselfwillperhapsstillbealive；
adozenyoungdaughtersofBerkoot，andthesethreeaddedforshow-itwouldbemarvelous！’Hetookuphisbookagain。`Nowwell，electricityandheatarethesamething；butisitpossibletosubstituteonequantityfortheotherinanequationforthesolutionofanyproblem？No。Well，thenwhatofit？Theconnectionbetweenalltheforcesofnatureisfeltinstinctively，anyway……It’llbeparticularlypleasantwhenPava’sdaughterwillbeared-dappledcowlikealltheherd，towhichtheotherthreeshouldbeadded！Splendid！I’llgooutwithmywifeandvisitorstomeettheherd……
Mywifesays，``KostiaandIlookedafterthatheiferlikeachild。’’``Howcanitinterestyousomuch？’’saysavisitor。``Everythingthatinterestshim，interestsme。’’Butwhowillshebe？’AndherememberedwhathadhappenedatMoscow……`Well，there’snothingtobedone……It’snotmyfault。
Butnoweverythingshallgooninanewway。It’snonsensetopretendthatlifewon’tletone，thatthepastwon’tletone。Onemuststruggletolivebetter-farbetter……’Heraisedhishead，andsankintothought。OldLaska，whohadnotyetfullydigestedherdelightathisreturn，andhadrunoutintotheyardtobark，camebackwagginghertail，andcreptuptohim，bringinginthescentofthefreshair，putherheadunderhishand，andyelpedplaintively，askingtobestroked。
`Ifshecouldbutspeak，’saidAgathyaMikhailovna。`Eventhoughit’sadog……Yetsheunderstandsthathermaster’scomehome，andthathe’slow-spirited。’
`Whylow-spirited？’
`DoyousupposeIdon’tseeit，mydear？It’shightimeIshouldknowthegentlefolk。Why，I’vegrownupfromalittlethingwiththem。
Nevermind，sir，solongasonehashealthandaclearconscience。’
Levinlookedintentlyather，surprisedathowwellshehadfathomedhisthoughts。
`ShallIfetchyouanothercup？’sheaskedand，takinghiscup，wentout。
Laskakeptpokingherheadunderhishand。Hestrokedher，andshepromptlycurledupathisfeet，layingherheadonaprotrudinghand-paw。
Andintokenofallnowbeingwellandsatisfactory，sheopenedhermouthalittle，smackedherlips，andsettlingherstickylipsmorecomfortablyaboutheroldteeth，shesankintoblissfulrespose。Levinwatchedherlastmovementsattentively。
`That’swhatI’lldo，’hesaidtohimself；`that’swhatI’lldo！
Nevermind……All’swell。’
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart1，Chapter28[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter28Aftertheball，earlynextmorning，AnnaArkadyevnasentherhusbandatelegramthatshewasleavingMoscowthesameday。
`No，Imustgo，Imustgo’；sheexplainedthechangeinherplanstohersister-in-law，inatonethatsuggestedthatshehadtoremembersomanythingsthattherewasnoenumeratingthem:`no，really，ithadbetterbetoday！’
StepanArkadyevichwasnotdiningathome，buthepromisedtocomeandseehissisteroffatseveno’clock。
Kitty，too，didnotcome，sendinganotethatshehadaheadache。
DollyandAnnadinedalonewiththechildrenandtheEnglishgoverness。
Whetheritwasbecausechildrenarefickle，orbecausetheyhaveacutesenses，andtheyfeltthatAnnawasquitedifferentthatdayfromwhatshehadbeenwhentheyhadtakensuchafancytoher，thatshewasnotnowinterestedinthem-theyhadabruptlydroppedtheirplaywiththeiraunt，andtheirloveforher，andwerequiteindifferenttoherleaving。
Annawasabsorbedthewholemorninginpreparationsforherdeparture。
ShewrotenotestoherMoscowacquaintances，jotteddownheraccounts，andpacked。AltogetherDollyfanciedshewasnotinaplacidstateofmind，butinthatworriedmoodwhichDollyknewsowellinherowncase，andwhichdoesnotcomewithoutcause，andforthemostpartcoversdissatisfactionwithoneself。Afterdinner，Annawentuptoherroomtodress，andDollyfollowedher。
`Howqueeryouaretoday！’Dollysaidtoher。
`I？Doyouthinkso？I’mnotqueer，butI’mnasty。Iamlikethatsometimes。IkeepfeelingasifIcouldcry。It’sverystupid，butit’llpassoff，’saidAnnaquickly，andshebentherflushedfaceoveratinybaginwhichshewaspackinganightcapandsomecambrichandkerchiefs。
Hereyeswereparticularlybright，andwerecontinuallydimmedwithtears。
`InthesamewayIdidn’twanttoleavePeterburg-andnowIdon’twanttogoawayfromhere。’
`Youcamehereanddidagooddeed，’saidDolly，lookingintentlyather。
Anna’seyeswerewetwithtearsasshelookedather。
`Don’tsaythat，Dolly。I’vedonenothing，andcoulddonothing。
Ioftenwonderwhypeopleareallinleaguetospoilme。WhathaveIdone，andwhatcouldIdo？Inyourhearttherewasfoundloveenoughtoforgive……’
Ifithadnotbeenforyou，Godknowswhatwouldhavehappened！
Howhappyyouare，Anna！’saidDolly。`Everythingisclearandgoodinyourheart。’
`Everyhearthasitsownskeleton，astheEnglishsay。’
`Youhavenosortofskeleton，haveyou？Everythingissoclearinyou。’
`Ihave！’saidAnnasuddenly，and，unexpectedlyafterhertears，asly，mockingsmilepuckeredherlips。
`Come，he’samusing，anyway，yourskeleton，andnotdepressing，’
saidDolly，smiling。
`No，heisdepressing。DoyouknowwhyI’mgoingtodayinsteadoftomorrow？Thisisaconfessionthatweighsonme；Iwanttomakeyouitsrecipient，’saidAnnaresolutelylettingherselfdropintoanarmchair，andlookingstraightintoDolly’sface。
AndtohersurpriseDollysawthatAnnawasblushinguptoherears，uptothecurlyblackringletsonherneck。
`Yes，’Annawenton。`DoyouknowwhyKittydidn’tcometodinner？
She’sjealousofme。Ihavespoiled……I’vebeenthecauseofthatballbeingatorturetoherinsteadofapleasure。Buttruly，truly，it’snotmyfault，oronlymyfaultalittlebit，’shesaid，daintilydrawlingthewords`alittlebit。’
`Oh，howlikeStivayousaidthat！’saidDolly，laughing。
Annawashurt。
`Ohno，ohno！I’mnotStiva，’shesaid，knittingherbrows。`That’swhyI’mtellingyou，justbecauseIdonotevenforaninstantpermitmyselftodoubtaboutmyself，’saidAnna。
Butattheverymomentshewasutteringthewords，shefeltthattheywerenottrue。Shewasnotmerelydoubtingaboutherself-shefeltemotionatthethoughtofVronsky，andwasgoingawaysoonerthanshehadmeant，solelytoavoidmeetinghim。
`Yes，Stivatoldmeyoudancedthemazurkawithhim，andthathe……’
`Youcan’timaginehowabsurdlyitallcameabout。Ionlymeanttobematchmaking，andallatonceitturnedoutquitedifferently。Possiblyagainstmyownwill……’
Sheflushedandstopped。
`Oh，theyfeelitimmediately！’saidDolly。
`ButIshouldbeindespairiftherewereanythingseriousinitonhisside，’Annainterruptedher。`AndI’mcertainitwillallbeforgotten，andKittywillleaveoffhatingme。’
`Allthesame，Anna，totellyouthetruth，I’mnotveryanxiousforthismarriageforKitty。Andit’sbetteritshouldcometonothing，ifhe，Vronsky，iscapableoffallinginlovewithyouinasingleday。’
`Oh，heavens，thatwouldbetoosilly！’saidAnna，andagainadeepflushofpleasureappearedonherface，assheheardtheideathatabsorbedherputintowords。`AndsohereIam，goingaway，havingmadeanenemyofKitty，whomIlikedsomuch！Ah，howsweetsheis！Butyou’llmakeitright，Dolly？Eh？’
Dollycouldscarcelysuppressasmile。ShelovedAnna，butshewaspleasedtoseethatshe，too，hadherweaknesses。
`Anenemy？Thatcan’tbe。’
`Ididsowantyoualltocareforme，asIdoforyou，andnowIcareforyoumorethanever，’saidAnna，withtearsinhereyes。`Ah，howsillyIamtoday！’
Shepassedherhandkerchiefoverherfaceandbegandressing。
AttheverymomentofstartingStepanArkadyevicharrived，late，rosyandgood-humored，smellingofwineandcigars。
Anna’semotionalisminfectedDolly，andwhensheembracedhersister-in-lawforthelasttime，shewhispered:
`Remember，Anna，whatyou’vedoneforme-Ishallneverforget。
AndrememberthatIloveyou，andshallalwaysloveyouasmydearestfriend！’
`Idon’tknowwhy，’saidAnna，kissingherandhidinghertears。
`Youunderstandme，andstillunderstand。Good-by，mydarling！’
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart1，Chapter29[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter29`Now，it’sallover-Godbepraised！’wasthefirstthoughtthatcametoAnnaArkadyevna，whenshehadsaidgood-byforthelasttimetoherbrother，whohadstoodblockinguptheentrancetothecarriagetillthethirdbellrang。ShesatdownonherloungebesideAnnushka，andlookedaboutherinthetwilightofthesleepingcarriage。`ThankGod！tomorrowIshallseeSeriozhaandAlexeiAlexandrovich，andmylife，goodandfamiliar，willgoonintheoldway。’
Stillinthesameanxiousframeofmindinwhichshehadbeenallthatday，Annatookameticulouspleasureinmakingherselfcomfortableforthejourney。Withhertiny，defthandssheopenedandshutherlittleredbag，tookoutacushion，laiditonherknees，and，carefullywrappingupherfeet，settledherselfcomfortably。Aninvalidladyhadalreadylaindowntosleep。TwootherladiesbegantalkingtoAnna，andastoutelderlyladytuckedupherfeet，andmadeobservationsabouttheheatingofthetrain。Annaansweredtheladiesinafewwords，butnotforeseeinganyentertainmentfromtheconversation，sheaskedAnnushkatogetasmalllantern，hookeditonthearmofherseat，andtookfromherbagapaperknifeandanEnglishnovel。Atfirstshecouldnotgetinterestedinherreading。Thefussandstirweredisturbing；then，whenthetrainhadstarted，shecouldnothelplisteningtothenoises；thenthesnowbeatingontheleftwindowandstickingtothepane，andthesightofthemuffledguardpassingby，coveredwithsnowononeside，andtheconversationsabouttheterribleblizzardragingoutside，distractedherattention。Andafterthateverythingwasthesameandthesame:thesamejouncingandrattling，thesamesnowlashingthewindow，thesamerapidtransitionsfromsteamingheattocold，andbackagaintoheat，thesameflittingofthesamefacesinthehalf-murk，andthesamevoices；andthenAnnabegantoread，andtograspwhatsheread。Annushkawasalreadydozing，theredbagonherlap，clutchedbyherbroadhands，ingloves，ofwhichonewastorn。AnnaArkadyevnareadandgraspedthesense，yetitwasannoyingtohertoread-thatis，tofollowthereflectionofotherpeople’slives。Shehadtoogreatadesiretoliveherself。Ifshereadthattheheroineofthenovelwerenursingasickman，shelongedtomovewithnoiselessstepsabouthissickroom；ifshereadofamemberofParliamentdeliveringaspeech，shelongedtodeliverit；ifshereadofhowLadyMaryhadriddenafterthehounds，andhadprovokedhersister-in-law，andhadsurprisedeveryonebyherdaring-she，too，longedtobedoingthesame。Buttherewasnochanceofdoinganything；and，herlittlehandstoyingwiththesmoothpaperknife，sheforcedherselftoread。
TheheroofthenovelwasalreadybeginningtoattainhisEnglishhappiness，abaronetcy，andanestate，andAnnawasfeelingadesiretogowithhimtohisestate，whenshesuddenlyfeltthatheoughttofeelashamed，andthatshewasashamedofthesamething。Butwhatwasithewasashamedof？`WhathaveItobeashamedof？’sheaskedherselfininjuredsurprise。Sheabandonedthebookandsankagainstthebackofherchair，tightlygrippingthepaperknifeinbothhands。Therewasnothingtobeashamedof。ShewentoverallherMoscowrecollections。Allwerefine，pleasant。Sherecalledtheball，recalledVronskyandhisenamored，submissiveface；sherecalledallherconductwithhim-therewasnothingshameful。
Yet，withallthat，atthisverypointinherreminiscences，thefeelingofshamewasintensified，asthoughsomeinnervoice，preciselyhere，whensherecalledVronsky，weresayingtoher:`Warm，verywarm-hot！’`Well，whatisit？’shesaidtoherselfresolutely，shiftingonherseat。`Whatdoesitmean？AmIafraidtolookatthiswithoutblinking？Well，whatisit？Canitbethatbetweenmeandthisboy-officerthereexist，orcanexist，anyotherrelationsthansuchasarecommonwitheveryacquaintance？’
Shelaughedcontemptuouslyandtookupherbookagain；butnowshewasabsolutelyunabletomakesenseofwhatsheread。Shepassedthepaperknifeoverthewindowpane，thenlaiditssmooth，coolsurfacetohercheek，andalmostlaughedaloudattheunreasoningjoythatallatoncepossessedher。Shefeltthathernerves，likestrings，werebeingtautenedmoreandmoreuponsomekindoftighteningpeg。Shefelthereyesopeningwiderandwider，herfingersandtoestwitchingnervously，somethingwithinstoppingherbreathing，whileallimagesandsoundsseemedintheswayinghalf-murktostrikeherwithextraordinaryvividness。Momentsofdoubtwerecontinuallybesettingher:wasthecargoingforward，orback，orwasitstandingabsolutelystill？WasitreallyAnnushkaatherside，orastranger？`What’sthatonthearmofthechair-afurcloakorsomebeast？AndwhatamImyself:
isitI，orsomeotherwoman？’Shewasafraidofyieldingtothistrance-butsomethingwasdrawingherintoit，and，atwill，shecouldyieldtoitorresistit。Shegotuptorouseherself，andslippedoffherplaidandthecapeofwarmdress。Foramomentsheregainedherself-possession，andrealizedthatthethinpeasantwhohadcomeinwearingalongnankeenovercoat，withabuttonmissingfromit，wasthefireman，thathewaslookingatthethermometer，thatthewindandsnowhadburstinafterhimthroughthedoor；buttheneverythinggrewconfusedagain……Thatpeasantwiththelongwaisttooktognawingsomethingwithinthewall；thelittlecronestartedstretchingherlegsthewholelengthofthecarandfilleditwithablackcloud；thentherewasadreadfulscreechingandbanging，asthoughsomeonewerebeingrentintopieces；thenaredblazeblindedhereyes，and，atlast，everythingwasscreenedbyawall。Annafeltthatshehadplungeddownward。Yetallthiswasnotterrible，butjoyful。Thevoiceofamanmuffledupandcoveredwithsnowshoutedsomethinginherveryear。Shearoseandcameto，realizingthattheyhadcometoastation，andthatthiswastheconductor。SherequestedAnnushkatohandherthecapeshehadtakenoff，andhershawl，putthemon，andwenttowardthedoor。
`Doyouwishtogetout？’askedAnnushka。
`Yes，Iwanttogetabreathofair。It’sveryhotinhere。’
Andsheopenedthedoor。Theblizzardandthewindrushedtomeetherandbegantocontendwithherforthedoor。Andeventhisseemedjoyfultoher。Sheopenedthedoorandsteppedout。Thisseemedtobeallthatthewindhadbeenlyinginwaitfor；itsetupagleefulwhistleandwasabouttosnatchherupandwhirlheraway，butsheclutchedthecolddoorpostand，holdingontohershawl，descendedtotheplatformandtheshelterofthecar。Thewindhadbeenmightyonthesteps，butontheplatform，intheleeofthetrain，therewasalull。Withenjoymentshedrewdeepbreathsofthesnowy，frostyairand，standingnearthecar，lookedabouttheplatformandthelightedstation。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart1，Chapter30[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter30Thefrightfulstormragedandwhistledbetweenthewheelsofthecars，alongtheposts，aroundthecornerofthestation。Thecars，posts，people-everythinginsight-werecoveredwithsnowononeside，andweregettingmoreandmoresnowedunder。Foramomenttherewouldcomealullinthestorm，butthenitwouldagainswoopdownwithsuchguststhatitseemedimpossibletowithstandit。Meanwhilesomemenorotherweredashingabout，gailytalkingtooneanother，makingtheboardsoftheplatformcreakandceaselesslyopeningandshuttingthebigdoors。Astoopinghumanshadowglidedbyatherfeet，andsheheardahammertappinguponiron。`Let’shavethetelegram！’cameanangryvoiceoutofthestormymurkontheotherside。`Thisway！No。28！’othervoiceswerealsoshouting，andmuffledfiguresscurriedby，plasteredwithsnow。Twogentlemenpassedbyher，cigarettesglowingintheirmouths。Shedrewinonemoredeepbreath，andhadjusttakenherhandoutofhermufftograspthedoorpostandenterthecar，whenstillanothermaninamilitaryovercoat，quiteclosebesideher，steppedbetweenherandtheflickeringlightofalantern。Shelookedround，andthesameinstantrecognizedVronsky’sface。Puttinghishandtothepeakofhiscap，hebowedtoherandaskedifthereweren’tanythingshewanted，whetherhecouldnotbeofsomeservicetoher？Shegazedratherlongathim，withoutanyanswer，and，inspiteoftheshadowinwhichhewasstanding，shesaworfanciedshesawtheexpressionbothofhisfaceandhiseyes。Itwasagainthatexpressionofreverentrapturewhichhadaffectedhersoyesterday。Morethanonceshehadtoldherselfduringthepastfewdays，andonlyjustnow，thatVronskywasforheronlyoneofthehundredsofyoungmen，foreverexactlythesame，thatonemeetseverywhere；
thatshewouldneverpermitherselfeventothinkofhim；yetnowatthefirstflushofmeetinghim，shewasseizedbyanemotionofjoyouspride。
Shehadnoneedtoaskwhyhewashere。Sheknew，assurelyasifhehadtoldher，thathewashereonlytobewhereshewas。
`Ididn’tknowyouweregoing。Andwhyareyougoing？’shesaid，lettingfallthehandwhichhadgraspedthedoorpost。Andirrepressiblejoyandanimationshoneinherface。
`WhyamIgoing？’herepeated，lookingstraightintohereyes。
`YouknowthatIamgoingtobewhereyouare，’hesaid；`Icannotdootherwise。’
Andatthisverypoint，asthoughithadovercomeallobstacles，thewindscatteredthesnowfromthecarroofs，andbegantofluttersomesheetofironithadtornoff，whilethelow-pitchedwhistleoftheenginesetuparoarinfront，dismalandlamenting。Alltheawesomenessoftheblizzardnowseemedstillmoresplendidtoher。Hehadutteredpreciselywhathersoulyearnedfor，butwhichherreasondreaded。Shemadenoanswer，andinherfacehebeheldastruggle。
`Forgiveme，ifwhatIhavesaiddispleasesyou，’hesaidhumbly。
Hehadspokencourteously，deferentially，yetsofirmly，soobduratelythat，forlong，shecouldfindnoanswer。
`Whatyousayiswrong，andIbegofyou，ifyouareagoodman，toforgetwhatyouhavesaid，evenasIshallforgetit，’shesaidatlast。
`Notasinglewordofyours，norasinglegesture，shallIeverforget-norcouldIforget……’
`Enough，enough！’shecried，vainlyattemptingtogiveasternexpressiontoherface，whichhewasavidlyscrutinizing。Clutchingatthecolddoorpost，sheclamberedupthestepsandquicklyenteredthecorridorofthecar。Butinthislittlecorridorshepaused，reviewinginherimaginationallthathadoccurred。Withoutrecallingherownwordsorhis，sherealizedinstinctivelythatthatconversationhadbroughtthemfearfullycloser；
andshewasbothfrightenedandmadehappythereby。Afterstandingthusafewseconds，shewentintothecarandsatdowninherplace。Thattensedstatewhichhadtormentedheratfirstwasnotonlyrenewed，butgrewgreaterandreachedsuchapitchthatshewasafraidthat，atanymoment，somethingwouldsnapwithinherfromtheexcessivetension。Shedidnotsleepallnight。Butinthatnervoustension，andinthereveriesthatfilledherimagination，therewasnothingunpleasantorgloomy；onthecontrary，therewassomethingjoyous，glowingandexhilarating。TowardmorningAnnadozedoffasshesat，andwhensheawokeitwasalreadylight，andthetrainwasnearingPeterburg。Atoncethoughtsofhome，ofherhusbandandson，andthedetailsofthedayahead，anddaystofollow，camethronginguponher。
AtPeterburg，assoonasthetrainstoppedandshegotout，thefirstfacethatattractedherattentionwasthatofherhusband。`Oh，myGod！Whathashappenedtohisears？’shethoughtlookingathisfrigidandimposingfigure，andespeciallytheears，thatstruckhersonow，astheyproppedupthebrimofhisroundhat。Catchingsightofherhewenttomeether，pursinghislipsintotheirhabitualmockingsmile，andfixingherwithhisbig，tiredeyes。Someunpleasantsensationcontractedherheartasshemethisobdurateandtiredglance，asthoughshehadexpectedtoseehimadifferentman。Shewasparticularlystruckbythatfeelingofdissatisfactionwithherselfwhichsheexperiencedonmeetinghim。Thiswasanintimate，familiarfeeling，likethatstateofdissimulationwhichsheexperiencedinherrelationswithherhusband；buthithertoshehadnottakennoteofthefeeling；nowshewasclearlyandpainfullyawareofit。
`Yes，asyousee，yourtenderspouse，asdevotedashewasduringthesecondyearaftermarriage，wasconsumedbythedesireofseeingyou，’
hesaidinhisdilatory，high-pitchedvoice，andinthattonewhichhealmostalwaysusedtoher-atoneofbanteringatanyonewhoshouldspeakthusinearnest。
`IsSeriozhaquitewell？’sheasked。
`Andisthisallthereward，’saidhe，`formyardor？He’swell-quitewell……’
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart1，Chapter31[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter31Vronskyhadnotevenattemptedtofallasleepallthatnight。Hesatinhisarmchair，hiseyesfixedbeforehimorscanningthepeoplewhogotinandout，andifhehadindeed，onpreviousoccasions，struckandarousedpeoplewhodidnotknowhimbyhisairofunshakablecalmness，henowseemedprouderandmoreself-sufficientthanever。Heregardedpeopleasiftheywerethings。Anervousyoungman，aclerkinalawcourt，whohadtheseatoppositehis，conceivedahatredforhimbecauseofthisair。Theyoungmanaskedhimforalight，andenteredintoconversationwithhim，andevenjostledhim，tomakehimfeelthathewasnotathing，butaman。
ButVronskykeptonregardinghimasifhewerealamppost，andtheyoungmangrimaced，feelingthathewaslosinghisself-possessionundertheoppressivenessofthisrefusaltorecognizehimasahumanbeing。
Vronskysawnothingandnoone。Hefelthimselfaking，notbecausehebelievedthathehadmadeanyimpressiononAnna-hedidnotyetbelievethat-butbecausetheimpressionshehadmadeonhimaffordedhimhappinessandpride。
Whatwouldcomeofitallhedidnotknow，oreventhink。Hefeltthatallhisforces，hithertodissolute，scattered，werecenteredononething，andbentwithfearfulenergytowardoneblissfulgoal。Andthereinlayhishappiness。Hedidbutknowthathehadtoldherthetruth，thathehadcomewhereshewas，thatallthehappinessoflife，thesolemeaninginlifeforhim，nowlayinseeingherandhearinghervoice。AndwhenhegotoutofhiscaratBologovotogetsomeseltzerwater，andhadcaughtsightofAnna，hisveryfirstwordhadinvoluntarilytoldherhisverythoughts。Andhewasgladhehadtoldher，thatsheknewnow，andwasthinkingofit。Hedidnotsleepallnight。Backinhiscompartment，heincessantlykeptruminatinguponeverypostureinwhichhehadseenher，everywordshehaduttered；and，inhisimagination，makinghisheartswoon，floatedpicturesofapossiblefuture。