Suppose I make the attempt. What does it mean? It means that I, hating him, but still recognizing that I have wronged him—and I consider him magnanimous—that I humiliate myself to write to him.... Well, suppose I make the effort; I do it. Either I receive a humiliating refusal or consent.... Well, I have received his consent, say.... I receive his consent, but my ... my son? They won’t give him up to me. He will grow up despising me, with his father, whom I’ve abandoned. Do you see, I love ... equally, I think, but both more than myself—two creatures, Seryozha and Alexey. It is only those two creatures that I love, and one excludes the other. I can’t have them together, and that’s the only thing I want. And since I can’t have that, I don’t care about the rest. I don’t care about anything, anything. And it will end one way or another, and so I can’t, I don’t like to talk of it. So don’t blame me, don’t judge me for anything. You can’t with your pure heart understand all that I’m suffering. What are you thinking? What are you thinking about me? Don’t despise me. I don’t deserve contempt. I’m simply unhappy. If anyone is unhappy, I am,


I am so glad you like Dolly. You do, don’t you?


Oh, I’ve known her a long while, you know. She’s very good-hearted, I suppose, mais excessivement terre-à-terre. Still, I’m very glad to see her.


Rolling in wealth they may be, but three pots of oats was all they gave us. Everything cleared up till there wasn’t a grain left by cockcrow. What are three pots? A mere mouthful! And oats now down to forty-five kopecks. At our place, no fear, all comers may have as much as they can eat.


The master’s a screw,


Well, did you like their horses?


The horses!—there’s no two opinions about them. And the food was good. But it seemed to me sort of dreary there, Darya Alexandrovna. I don’t know what you thought,


I thought so too. Well, shall we get home by evening?


Eh, we must!


One has to know Anna and Vronsky—I have got to know him better now—to see how nice they are, and how touching,


I hope you won’t be dull?


I hope not. I got a box of books yesterday from Gautier’s. No, I shan’t be dull.


I tell you what you might try, go to so-and-so and so-and-so. It’ll mean some delay, anyway, but you might try it.


Please tell Marya Ivanovna my wife is very sorry she couldn’t come to the Home.


I kiss the cross,


Oh, no! He’s an honest man. But those old-fashioned methods of paternal family arrangements in the management of provincial affairs must be broken down.


We are placing our forces. Sergey Ivanovitch! One district’s enough, and Sviazhsky’s obviously of the opposition. Why, Kostya, you here too! I suppose you’re converted, eh? O sancta simplicitas!


What is it? eh? whom? No guarantee? whose? what? They won’t pass him? No guarantee? They won’t let Flerov in? Eh, because of the charge against him? Why, at this rate, they won’t admit anyone. It’s a swindle! The law!


A ballot! Put it to the vote! No need for more talking!


A ballot!


Every nobleman sees it!


We shed our blood for our country!...


The confidence of the monarch....


No checking the accounts of the marshal; he’s not a cashier....


But that’s not the point....


Votes, please!


Beastly!...


And one vote may decide the whole question, and one must be serious and consecutive, if one wants to be of use in public life,


Please come, Konstantin Dmitrievitch, your brother’s looking for you. They are voting on the legal point.


Where am I to put it?


That is a matter for each man’s own decision,


A hundred and twenty-six for admission! Ninety-eight against!


I have served to the best of my powers with truth and good faith, I value your goodness and thank you. Beg pardon, excuse me, please,


So you’re sure to be our marshal again,


It’s not likely. I’m worn out, I’m old. If there are men younger and more deserving than I, let them serve.


I’ve brought one, drenched him with water. He’s all right? he’ll do.


Not too drunk, he won’t fall down?


No, he’s first-rate. If only they don’t give him any more here.... I’ve told the waiter not to give him anything on any account.


He’s such a blackguard! I have told him so, but it makes no difference. Only think of it! He couldn’t collect it in three years!


Yes, it’s a dirty business, there’s no denying,


How dare he say I had his breeches stolen! Pawned them for drink, I expect. Damn the fellow, prince indeed! He’d better not say it, the beast!


But excuse me! They take their stand on the act,


the wife must be registered as noble.


Oh, damn your acts! I speak from my heart. We’re all gentlemen, aren’t we? Above suspicion.


Shall we go on, your excellency, fine champagne?


I always advised Marya Semyonovna to let for a fair rent, for she can never save a profit,


Very glad to see you! To be sure! I remember you very well. Last year at our district marshal, Nikolay Ivanovitch’s.


Well, and how is your land doing?


Oh, still just the same, always at a loss. And how do you come to be in our province? Come to take part in our coup d’état? All Russia’s here—gentlemen of the bedchamber, and everything short of the ministry.


I ought to own that I don’t very well understand the drift of the provincial elections,


Why, what is there to understand? There’s no meaning in it at all. It’s a decaying institution that goes on running only by the force of inertia. Just look, the very uniforms tell you that it’s an assembly of justices of the peace, permanent members of the court, and so on, but not of noblemen.


Then why do you come?


From habit, nothing else. Then, too, one must keep up connections. It’s a moral obligation of a sort. And then, to tell the truth, there’s one’s own interests. My son-in-law wants to stand as a permanent member; they’re not rich people, and he must be brought forward. These gentlemen, now, what do they come for? That’s the new generation of nobility. New it may be, but nobility it isn’t. They’re proprietors of a sort, but we’re the landowners. As noblemen, they’re cutting their own throats. That it may be, but still it ought to be treated a little more respectfully. Snetkov, now.... We may be of use, or we may not, but we’re the growth of a thousand years. If we’re laying out a garden, planning one before the house, you know, and there you’ve a tree that’s stood for centuries in the very spot.... Old and gnarled it may be, and yet you don’t cut down the old fellow to make room for the flowerbeds, but lay out your beds so as to take advantage of the tree. You won’t grow him again in a year. Well, and how is your land doing?


Oh, not very well. I make five per cent.


Yes, but you don’t reckon your own work. Aren’t you worth something too? I’ll tell you my own case. Before I took to seeing after the land, I had a salary of three hundred pounds from the service. Now I do more work than I did in the service, and like you I get five per cent. on the land, and thank God for that. But one’s work is thrown in for nothing.


Then why do you do it, if it’s a clear loss?


Oh, well, one does it! What would you have? It’s habit, and one knows it’s how it should be. And what’s more, my son, I must tell you, has no taste for it. There’s no doubt he’ll be a scientific man. So there’ll be no one to keep it up. And yet one does it. Here this year I’ve planted an orchard.


Yes, yes, that’s perfectly true. I always feel there’s no real balance of gain in my work on the land, and yet one does it.... It’s a sort of duty one feels to the land.


But I tell you what, a neighbor of mine, a merchant, was at my place. We walked about the fields and the garden. ‘No,’ said he, ‘Stepan Vassilievitch, everything’s well looked after, but your garden’s neglected.’ But, as a fact, it’s well kept up. ‘To my thinking, I’d cut down that lime-tree. Here you’ve thousands of limes, and each would make two good bundles of bark. And nowadays that bark’s worth something. I’d cut down the lot.’


And with what he made he’d increase his stock, or buy some land for a trifle, and let it out in lots to the peasants. And he’d make his fortune. But you and I must thank God if we keep what we’ve got and leave it to our children.


You’re married, I’ve heard?


Yes. Yes, it’s rather strange. So we live without making anything, as though we were ancient vestals set to keep in a fire.


There are some among us, too, like our friend Nikolay Ivanovitch, or Count Vronsky, that’s settled here lately, who try to carry on their husbandry as though it were a factory; but so far it leads to nothing but making away with capital on it.


But why is it we don’t do like the merchants? Why don’t we cut down our parks for timber?


Why, as you said, to keep the fire in. Besides that’s not work for a nobleman. And our work as noblemen isn’t done here at the elections, but yonder, each in our corner. There’s a class instinct, too, of what one ought and oughtn’t to do. There’s the peasants, too, I wonder at them sometimes; any good peasant tries to take all the land he can. However bad the land is, he’ll work it. Without a return too. At a simple loss.


Just as we do. Very, very glad to have met you,


and we’ve had a good talk too.


Well, have you been attacking the new order of things?


That we’re bound to do.


You’ve relieved your feelings?


Delighted! I believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you ... at Princess Shtcherbatskaya’s,


Yes, I quite remember our meeting. What are we waiting for now?


For Snetkov. He has to refuse or to consent to stand,


Well, and what has he done, consented or not?


That’s the point, that he’s done neither,


Whoever chooses to. Certainly not I. Who then? Nevyedovsky?


I certainly shall not, under any circumstances,


Well, you find it exciting too? It’s something like a race. One might bet on it.


Yes, it is keenly exciting. And once taking the thing up, one’s eager to see it through. It’s a fight!


What a capable fellow Sviazhsky is! Sees it all so clearly.


Oh, yes! How is it that you, living constantly in the country, are not a justice of the peace? You are not in the uniform of one.


It’s because I consider that the justice of the peace is a silly institution,


I don’t think so, quite the contrary,


It’s a plaything. We don’t want justices of the peace. I’ve never had a single thing to do with them during eight years. And what I have had was decided wrongly by them. The justice of the peace is over thirty miles from me. For some matter of two roubles I should have to send a lawyer, who costs me fifteen.


Oh, this is such an original fellow! But come along; I think they’re voting....


I can’t understand. I can’t understand how anyone can be so absolutely devoid of political tact. That’s where we Russians are so deficient. The marshal of the province is our opponent, and with him you’re ami cochon, and you beg him to stand. Count Vronsky, now ... I’m not making a friend of him; he’s asked me to dinner, and I’m not going; but he’s one of our side—why make an enemy of him? Then you ask Nevyedovsky if he’s going to stand. That’s not a thing to do.


Oh, I don’t understand it at all! And it’s all such nonsense,


You say it’s all such nonsense, but as soon as you have anything to do with it, you make a muddle.


Put it in the right side,


Well, now is it over? It’s only just beginning. Some other candidate may receive more votes than the marshal.


How glad I am I heard Koznishev! It’s worth losing one’s dinner. He’s exquisite! So clear and distinct all of it! There’s not one of you in the law courts that speaks like that. The only one is Meidel, and he’s not so eloquent by a long way.


As a candidate for the marshalship of the nobility of the province we call upon staff-captain Yevgeney Ivanovitch Apuhtin!


Declined!


We call upon the privy councilor Pyotr Petrovitch Bol,


Declined.


I told you you weren’t late,


This way, please, Konstantin Dmitrievitch; they are voting.


I can’t stand any more of it,


I told you not to let anyone out!


I let someone in, your excellency!


Mercy on us!


his excellency would have to select another more complicated method of auditing the accounts than tears. our marshal, your excellency.


Nevyedovsky elected by twenty votes. Congratulations. Tell people. We must let them share our rejoicing.


There’ll be a ball, and you’ll see the belle of the province. Worth seeing, really.


Not in my line,


From Vozdvizhenskoe by special messenger,


Astonishing! how like he is to the deputy prosecutor Sventitsky,


Annie is very ill, the doctor says it may be inflammation. I am losing my head all alone. Princess Varvara is no help, but a hindrance. I expected you the day before yesterday, and yesterday, and now I am sending to find out where you are and what you are doing. I wanted to come myself, but thought better of it, knowing you would dislike it. Send some answer, that I may know what to do.


He has the right to go away when and where he chooses. Not simply to go away, but to leave me. He has every right, and I have none. But knowing that, he ought not to do it. What has he done, though?... He looked at me with a cold, severe expression. Of course that is something indefinable, impalpable, but it has never been so before, and that glance means a great deal. That glance shows the beginning of indifference.


Well, how is Annie?


Oh, she is better.


And you? Well, I’m glad. Well, I’m glad. And are you well?


Never mind, only let him be here, and so long as he’s here he cannot, he dare not, cease to love me.


What am I to do? I couldn’t sleep.... My thoughts prevented me. When he’s here I never take it—hardly ever.


Tell me frankly, you were vexed at getting my letter, and you didn’t believe me?


Yes, the letter was so strange. First, Annie ill, and then you thought of coming yourself.


It was all the truth.


Oh, I don’t doubt it.


Yes, you do doubt it. You are vexed, I see.


Not for one moment. I’m only vexed, that’s true, that you seem somehow unwilling to admit that there are duties....


The duty of going to a concert....


But we won’t talk about it,


Why not talk about it?


I only meant to say that matters of real importance may turn up. Now, for instance, I shall have to go to Moscow to arrange about the house.... Oh, Anna, why are you so irritable? Don’t you know that I can’t live without you?


If so, it means that you are sick of this life.... Yes, you will come for a day and go away, as men do....


Anna, that’s cruel. I am ready to give up my whole life.


If you go to Moscow, I will go too. I will not stay here. Either we must separate or else live together.


Why, you know, that’s my one desire. But for that....


We must get a divorce. I will write to him. I see I cannot go on like this.... But I will come with you to Moscow.


You talk as if you were threatening me. But I desire nothing so much as never to be parted from you,


If so, it’s a calamity!


I am very sorry you weren’t there. Not that you weren’t in the room ... I couldn’t have been so natural in your presence ... I am blushing now much more, much, much more. But that you couldn’t see through a crack.


It’s so wretched to feel that there’s a man almost an enemy whom it’s painful to meet. I’m very, very glad.


Go, please, go then and call on the Bols. I know you are dining at the club; papa put down your name. But what are you going to do in the morning?


I am only going to Katavasov,


Why so early?


He promised to introduce me to Metrov. I wanted to talk to him about my work. He’s a distinguished scientific man from Petersburg,


Yes; wasn’t it his article you were praising so? Well, and after that?


I shall go to the court, perhaps, about my sister’s business.


And the concert?


I shan’t go there all alone.


No? do go; there are going to be some new things.... That interested you so. I should certainly go.


Well, anyway, I shall come home before dinner,


Put on your frock coat, so that you can go straight to call on Countess Bola.


But is it absolutely necessary?


Oh, absolutely! He has been to see us. Come, what is it? You go in, sit down, talk for five minutes of the weather, get up and go away.


Oh, you wouldn’t believe it! I’ve got so out of the way of all this that it makes me feel positively ashamed. It’s such a horrible thing to do! A complete outsider walks in, sits down, stays on with nothing to do, wastes their time and worries himself, and walks away!


Why, I suppose you used to pay calls before you were married, didn’t you?


Yes, I did, but I always felt ashamed, and now I’m so out of the way of it that, by Jove! I’d sooner go two days running without my dinner than pay this call! One’s so ashamed! I feel all the while that they’re annoyed, that they’re saying, ‘What has he come for?’


No, they won’t. I’ll answer for that. Well, good-bye.... Do go, please. Kostya, do you know I’ve only fifty roubles left?


Oh, all right, I’ll go to the bank and get some. How much?


No, wait a minute. Let’s talk about it, it worries me. I seem to spend nothing unnecessary, but money seems to fly away simply. We don’t manage well, somehow.


Oh, it’s all right,


Yes, but I’m afraid that altogether....


Oh, it’s all right, all right. Well, good-bye, darling.


No, I’m really sorry sometimes that I listened to mamma. How nice it would have been in the country! As it is, I’m worrying you all, and we’re wasting our money.


Not at all, not at all. Not once since I’ve been married have I said that things could have been better than they are....


Truly?


Will it be soon? How do you feel?


I have so often thought so, that now I don’t think about it or know anything about it.


And you’re not frightened?


Not the least little bit,


Well, if anything happens, I shall be at Katavasov’s.


No, nothing will happen, and don’t think about it. I’m going for a walk on the boulevard with papa. We’re going to see Dolly. I shall expect you before dinner. Oh, yes! Do you know that Dolly’s position is becoming utterly impossible? She’s in debt all round; she hasn’t a penny. We were talking yesterday with mamma and Arseny, and we determined to send you with him to talk to Stiva. It’s really unbearable. One can’t speak to papa about it.... But if you and he....


Why, what can we do?


You’ll be at Arseny’s, anyway; talk to him, he will tell what we decided.


Oh, I agree to everything Arseny thinks beforehand. I’ll go and see him. By the way, if I do go to the concert, I’ll go with Natalia. Well, good-bye.


Beauty has been badly shod and is quite lame. What does your honor wish to be done?


Send for the veterinary, there may be a bruise.


And for Katerina Alexandrovna?


Hire a pair for our carriage from the jobmaster,


Yes, sir.


You’re positively a reformed character, I’m glad to see. I heard the bell and thought: Impossible that it can be he at the exact time!... Well, what do you say to the Montenegrins now? They’re a race of warriors.


Why, what’s happened?


Yes, here he’s written almost a book on the natural conditions of the laborer in relation to the land. I’m not a specialist, but I, as a natural science man, was pleased at his not taking mankind as something outside biological laws; but, on the contrary, seeing his dependence on his surroundings, and in that dependence seeking the laws of his development.


That’s very interesting,


What I began precisely was to write a book on agriculture; but studying the chief instrument of agriculture, the laborer. I could not help coming to quite unexpected results.


But in what do you see the special characteristics of the Russian laborer? in his biological characteristics, so to speak, or in the condition in which he is placed? One may easily be led into error in basing any conclusion on the general vocation of a people. The condition of the laborer will always depend on his relation to the land and to capital.


We are late though. Yes, there’s a meeting of the Society of Amateurs today in commemoration of the jubilee of Svintitch. Pyotr Ivanovitch and I were going. I’ve promised to deliver an address on his labors in zoology. Come along with us, it’s very interesting.


Yes, and indeed it’s time to start. Come with us, and from there, if you care to, come to my place. I should very much like to hear your work.


Oh, no! It’s no good yet, it’s unfinished. But I shall be very glad to go to the meeting.


I say, friends, have you heard? He has handed in the separate report,


Biography.


Capital! I was meaning to send to you. How’s Kitty? Sit here, it’s more comfortable. Have you read the last circular in the Journal de St. Pétersbourg? I think it’s excellent. That’s what I envy you, that you are able to mix in these interesting scientific circles. It’s true I haven’t the time for it. My official work and the children leave me no time; and then I’m not ashamed to own that my education has been too defective.


That I don’t believe,


Oh, yes, indeed! I feel now how badly educated I am. To educate my children I positively have to look up a great deal, and in fact simply to study myself. For it’s not enough to have teachers, there must be someone to look after them, just as on your land you want laborers and an overseer. See what I’m reading it’s expected of Misha, and it’s so difficult.... Come, explain to me.... Here he says.... Oh, you’re laughing at it!


On the contrary, you can’t imagine how, when I look at you, I’m always learning the task that lies before me, that is the education of one’s children.


Well, there’s nothing for you to learn,


All I know, is that I have never seen better brought-up children than yours, and I wouldn’t wish for children better than yours.


If only they’re better than I! That’s all I desire. You don’t know yet all the work, with boys who’ve been left like mine to run wild abroad.


You’ll catch all that up. They’re such clever children. The great thing is the education of character. That’s what I learn when I look at your children.


You talk of the education of character. You can’t imagine how difficult that is! You have hardly succeeded in combating one tendency when others crop up, and the struggle begins again. If one had not a support in religion—you remember we talked about that—no father could bring children up relying on his own strength alone without that help.


I didn’t know you were here. Well, how is Kitty? I am dining with you today. I tell you what, Arseny, you take the carriage.


He’s spoiling me, he assures me that our children are splendid, when I know how much that’s bad there is in them.


Arseny goes to extremes, I always say. If you look for perfection, you will never be satisfied. And it’s true, as papa says,—that when we were brought up there was one extreme—we were kept in the basement, while our parents lived in the best rooms; now it’s just the other way—the parents are in the wash house, while the children are in the best rooms. Parents now are not expected to live at all, but to exist altogether for their children.


Well, what if they like it better? Anyone who didn’t know you would think you were a stepmother, not a true mother.


No, extremes are not good in anything,


Well, come here, you perfect children,


Oh, Kitty told me to talk to you about Oblonsky,


Yes, yes, maman wants us, les beaux-frères, to attack him. But why should I?


Well, then, I will attack him. Come, let us go.


Marvelous! How are you, Konstantin Dmitrievitch? Particularly sculpturesque and plastic, so to say, and richly colored is that passage where you feel Cordelia’s approach, where woman, das ewig Weibliche, enters into conflict with fate. Isn’t it?


You mean ... what has Cordelia to do with it?


Cordelia comes in ... see here! You can’t follow it without that,


These phantoms were so far from being phantoms that they were positively clinging on the ladder,


Well, go at once then, perhaps they’ll not be at home, and then you can come to the meeting to fetch me. You’ll find me still there.


Perhaps they’re not at home?


At home; please walk in,


How annoying! What did I come for? What have I to say to them?


How is your wife? Have you been at the concert? We couldn’t go. Mamma had to be at the funeral service.


Yes, I heard.... What a sudden death!


But she was always in weak health.


Were you at the opera yesterday? Yes, I was.


Lucca was very good.


Yes, very good,


You are not going to the public meeting? They say it will be very interesting,


No, I promised my belle-sœur to fetch her from it,


mille choses


Where is your honor staying?


Of course I don’t care, but still I feel ashamed and awfully stupid,


I think sending him abroad is much the same as punishing a carp by putting it into the water,


Your hat, please. Long time since you’ve been. The prince put your name down yesterday. Prince Stepan Arkadyevitch is not here yet.


Ah! why are you late? How’s Kitty?


All right; they are dining at home, all the three of them.


Ah, ‘Aline-Nadine,’ to be sure! There’s no room with us. Go to that table, and make haste and take a seat,


Levin, this way! For you and Oblonsky. He’ll be here directly. Oblonsky’s always late.


Ah, here he is!


Have you only just come? Good day. Had some vodka? Well, come along then.


That’s in the same style as, ‘that’s a thing I can’t endure!’ You know the story? Ah, that’s exquisite! Another bottle,


Pyotr Illyitch Vinovsky invites you to drink with him,


Who’s that?


You met him once at my place, don’t you remember? A good-natured fellow. Ah! and here they are!


Very glad to meet you. I looked out for you at the election, but I was told you had gone away.


Yes, I left the same day. We’ve just been talking of your horse. I congratulate you. It was very rapidly run.


Yes; you’ve race horses too, haven’t you?


No, my father had; but I remember and know something about it.


Where have you dined?


We were at the second table, behind the columns.


We’ve been celebrating his success. It’s his second Imperial prize. I wish I might have the luck at cards he has with horses. Well, why waste the precious time? I’m going to the ‘infernal regions,’


That’s Yashvin,


Ah, Princess Marya Borissovna, she’s exquisite! Well, have we finished? Let us go.


Well, how do you like our Temple of Indolence? Come along, come along!


Yes, I wanted to walk about and look at everything. It’s interesting.


Yes, it’s interesting for you. But its interest for me is quite different. You look at those little old men now, and imagine that they were shlupiks like that from their birth up.


How shlupiks?


I see you don’t know that name. That’s our club designation. You know the game of rolling eggs: when one’s rolled a long while it becomes a shlupik. So it is with us; one goes on coming and coming to the club, and ends by becoming a shlupik. Ah, you laugh! but we look out, for fear of dropping into it ourselves. You know Prince Tchetchensky?


No, I don’t know him.


You don’t say so! Well, Prince Tchetchensky is a well-known figure. No matter, though. He’s always playing billiards here. Only three years ago he was not a shlupik and kept up his spirits and even used to call other people shlupiks. But one day he turns up, and our porter ... you know Vassily? Why, that fat one; he’s famous for his bon mots. And so Prince Tchetchensky asks him, ‘Come, Vassily, who’s here? Any shlupiks here yet?’ And he says, ‘You’re the third.’ Yes, my dear boy, that he did!


Prince, please come, we’re ready,


It’s not that she’s dull; but this undefined, this unsettled position,


Levin. Levin, don’t go. This is a true friend of mine—almost my greatest friend. You have become even closer and dearer to me. And I want you, and I know you ought, to be friends, and great friends, because you’re both splendid fellows.


Well, there’s nothing for us now but to kiss and be friends,


I’m very, very glad,


Waiter, a bottle of champagne,


And I’m very glad,


Do you know, he has never met Anna? And I want above everything to take him to see her. Let us go, Levin!


Really? She will be very glad to see you. I should be going home at once, but I’m worried about Yashvin, and I want to stay on till he finishes.


Why, is he losing?


He keeps losing, and I’m the only friend that can restrain him.


Well, what do you say to pyramids? Levin, will you play? Capital! Get the table ready,


It has been ready a long while,


Well, let us begin.


Well, let us go to Anna’s, then. At once? Eh? She is at home. I promised her long ago to bring you. Where were you meaning to spend the evening?


Oh, nowhere specially. I promised Sviazhsky to go to the Society of Agriculture. By all means, let us go,


Very good; come along. Find out if my carriage is here,


Oblonsky’s carriage!


How glad I am, that you should know her! You know Dolly has long wished for it. And Lvov’s been to see her, and often goes. Though she is my sister. I don’t hesitate to say that she’s a remarkable woman. But you will see. Her position is very painful, especially now.


Why especially now?


We are carrying on negotiations with her husband about a divorce. And he’s agreed; but there are difficulties in regard to the son, and the business, which ought to have been arranged long ago, has been dragging on for three months past. As soon as the divorce is over, she will marry Vronsky. How stupid these old ceremonies are, that no one believes in, and which only prevent people being comfortable! Well, then their position will be as regular as mine, as yours.


What is the difficulty?


Oh, it’s a long and tedious story! The whole business is in such an anomalous position with us. But the point is she has been for three months in Moscow, where everyone knows her, waiting for the divorce; she goes out nowhere, sees no woman except Dolly, because, do you understand, she doesn’t care to have people come as a favor. That fool Princess Varvara, even she has left her, considering this a breach of propriety. Well, you see, in such a position any other woman would not have found resources in herself. But you’ll see how she has arranged her life—how calm, how dignified she is. To the left, in the crescent opposite the church! Phew! how hot it is!


But she has a daughter: no doubt she’s busy looking after her?


I believe you picture every woman simply as a female, une couveuse. If she’s occupied, it must be with her children. No, she brings her up capitally, I believe, but one doesn’t hear about her. She’s busy, in the first place, with what she writes. I see you’re smiling ironically, but you’re wrong. She’s writing a children’s book, and doesn’t talk about it to anyone, but she read it to me and I gave the manuscript to Vorkuev ... you know the publisher ... and he’s an author himself too, I fancy. He understands those things, and he says it’s a remarkable piece of work. But are you fancying she’s an authoress?—not a bit of it. She’s a woman with a heart, before everything, but you’ll see. Now she has a little English girl with her, and a whole family she’s looking after.


Oh, something in a philanthropic way?


Why, you will look at everything in the worst light. It’s not from philanthropy, it’s from the heart. They—that is, Vronsky—had a trainer, an Englishman, first-rate in his own line, but a drunkard. He’s completely given up to drink—delirium tremens—and the family were cast on the world. She saw them, helped them, got more and more interested in them, and now the whole family is on her hands. But not by way of patronage, you know, helping with money; she’s herself preparing the boys in Russian for the high school, and she’s taken the little girl to live with her. But you’ll see her for yourself.


Where are they?


In the study.


I am delighted!


I am delighted, delighted. I have known you and liked you for a long while, both from your friendship with Stiva and for your wife’s sake.... I knew her for a very short time, but she left on me the impression of an exquisite flower, simply a flower. And to think she will soon be a mother! Ivan Petrovitch and I settled in Alexey’s study, just so as to be able to smoke


How are you feeling today?


Oh, nothing. Nerves, as usual.


Yes, isn’t it extraordinarily fine?


I have never seen a better portrait. And extraordinarily like, isn’t it?


We were just talking, Ivan Petrovitch and I, of Vashtchenkov’s last pictures. Have you seen them?


Yes, I have seen them,


But, I beg your pardon, I interrupted you ... you were saying?...


She was here yesterday. She was very indignant with the high school people on Grisha’s account. The Latin teacher, it seems, had been unfair to him. Yes, I have seen his pictures. I didn’t care for them very much,


Please order the tea in the drawing-room,


Well, how did she get through her examination?


Splendidly! She’s a very gifted child and a sweet character.


It will end in your loving her more than your own.


There a man speaks. In love there’s no more nor less. I love my daughter with one love, and her with another.


I was just telling Anna Arkadyevna, that if she were to put a hundredth part of the energy she devotes to this English girl to the public question of the education of Russian children, she would be doing a great and useful work.


Yes, but I can’t help it; I couldn’t do it. Count Alexey Kirillovitch urged me very much he urged me to take up the school in the village. I visited it several times. The children were very nice, but I could not feel drawn to the work. You speak of energy. Energy rests upon love; and come as it will, there’s no forcing it. I took to this child—I could not myself say why.


I quite understand that. It’s impossible to give one’s heart to a school or such institutions in general, and I believe that’s just why philanthropic institutions always give such poor results.


Yes, yes. Je n’ai pas le cœur assez large to love a whole asylum of horrid little girls. Cela ne m’a jamais réussi. There are so many women who have made themselves une position sociale in that way. And now more than ever, now when I have such need of some occupation, I cannot. I know about you, that you’re not a public-spirited citizen, and I have defended you to the best of my ability.


How have you defended me?


Oh, according to the attacks made on you. But won’t you have some tea?


Give it to me, Anna Arkadyevna. It’s well worth taking up.


Oh, no, it’s all so sketchy.


I told him about it,


You shouldn’t have. My writing is something after the fashion of those little baskets and carving which Liza Mertsalova used to sell me from the prisons. She had the direction of the prison department in that society, and they were miracles of patience, the work of those poor wretches.


About her divorce, about Vronsky, and what he’s doing at the club, about me?


Good-bye. I am very glad que la glace est rompue. Tell your wife that I love her as before, and that if she cannot pardon me my position, then my wish for her is that she may never pardon it. To pardon it, one must go through what I have gone through, and may God spare her that.


Certainly, yes, I will tell her....


Well, didn’t I tell you?


Yes, an extraordinary woman! It’s not her cleverness, but she has such wonderful depth of feeling. I’m awfully sorry for her!


Now, please God, everything will soon be settled. Well, well, don’t be hard on people in future. Good-bye; we don’t go the same way.


Well, we must sell it at five and a half if we can’t get more. It’s extraordinary how all one’s time is taken up here. Today, again, I’ve not been to the court, but today I’ve certainly not had time.


Well, and what have you been doing?


Well, I’m very glad I met Vronsky. I felt quite at ease and natural with him. You understand, I shall try not to see him, but I’m glad that this awkwardness is all over. We talk about the peasants drinking; I don’t know which drinks most, the peasantry or our own class; the peasants do on holidays, but....


Well, and then where did you go?


Stiva urged me awfully to go and see Anna Arkadyevna.


Oh!


I’m sure you won’t be angry at my going. Stiva begged me to, and Dolly wished it,


Oh, no!


She is a very sweet, very, very unhappy, good woman,


Yes, of course, she is very much to be pitied. Whom was your letter from?


What? what is it?


You’re in love with that hateful woman; she has bewitched you! I saw it in your eyes. Yes, yes! What can it all lead to? You were drinking at the club, drinking and gambling, and then you went ... to her of all people! No, we must go away.... I shall go away tomorrow.


If I have so much effect on others, on this man, who loves his home and his wife, why is it he is so cold to me?... not cold exactly, he loves me, I know that! But something new is drawing us apart now. Why wasn’t he here all the evening? He told Stiva to say he could not leave Yashvin, and must watch over his play. Is Yashvin a child? But supposing it’s true. He never tells a lie. But there’s something else in it if it’s true. He is glad of an opportunity of showing me that he has other duties; I know that, I submit to that. But why prove that to me? He wants to show me that his love for me is not to interfere with his freedom. But I need no proofs, I need love. He ought to understand all the bitterness of this life for me here in Moscow. Is this life? I am not living, but waiting for an event, which is continually put off and put off. No answer again! And Stiva says he cannot go to Alexey Alexandrovitch. And I can’t write again. I can do nothing, can begin nothing, can alter nothing; I hold myself in, I wait, inventing amusements for myself—the English family, writing, reading—but it’s all nothing but a sham, it’s all the same as morphine. He ought to feel for me,


Well, you’ve not been dull? What a terrible passion it is—gambling!


No, I’ve not been dull; I’ve learned long ago not to be dull. Stiva has been here and Levin.


Yes, they meant to come and see you. Well, how did you like Levin?


Very much. They have not long been gone. What was Yashvin doing?


He was winning—seventeen thousand. I got him away. He had really started home, but he went back again, and now he’s losing.


Then what did you stay for? You told Stiva you were staying on to get Yashvin away. And you have left him there.


In the first place, I did not ask him to give you any message; and secondly, I never tell lies. But what’s the chief point, I wanted to stay, and I stayed. Anna, what is it for, why will you?


Of course you wanted to stay, and you stayed. You do everything you want to. But what do you tell me that for? With what object? Does anyone contest your rights? But you want to be right, and you’re welcome to be right. For you it’s a matter of obstinacy, simply obstinacy. For you it’s a question of whether you keep the upper hand of me, while for me.... If you knew what it is for me! When I feel as I do now that you are hostile, yes, hostile to me, if you knew what this means for me! If you knew how I feel on the brink of calamity at this instant, how afraid I am of myself!


But what are you talking about? What is it for? Do I seek amusements outside our home? Don’t I avoid the society of women?


Well, yes! If that were all!


Come, tell me what I ought to do to give you peace of mind? I am ready to do anything to make you happy, what wouldn’t I do to save you from distress of any sort, as now, Anna!


It’s nothing, nothing! I don’t know myself whether it’s the solitary life, my nerves.... Come, don’t let us talk of it. What about the race? You haven’t told me!


What is it?... what is it? Kitty! What is it?


Nothing. I felt unwell,


What? has it begun? We ought to send....


No, no. It’s sure to be nothing. I was rather unwell, only a little. It’s all over now.


Kostya, don’t be frightened. It’s all right. But I fancy.... We ought to send for Lizaveta Petrovna. Please, don’t be frightened, it’s all right. I’m not a bit afraid,


If not I, who is to blame for it? I have sent to mamma. You go quickly to fetch Lizaveta Petrovna ... Kostya!... Nothing, it’s over. Well, go now; Pasha’s coming. I am all right.


I’m going for the doctor. They have sent for Lizaveta Petrovna, but I’ll go on there too. Isn’t there anything wanted? Yes, shall I go to Dolly’s? Yes, yes. Do go,


Yes, that is she. Lord have mercy on us! pardon us! aid us!


Thank God! thank God!


For two hours, then? Not more? You should let Pyotr Dmitrievitch know, but don’t hurry him. And get some opium at the chemist’s.


So you think that it may go on well? Lord have mercy on us and help us!


he had been up late, and had given orders not to be waked, but would get up soon.


Don’t be in a hurry or let anything slip,


Pyotr Dmitrievitch, Pyotr Dmitrievitch! For God’s sake, forgive me! See me as you are. It’s been going on more than two hours already.


In a minute; in a minute!


For one instant.


In a minute.


Pyotr Dmitrievitch! These people have no conscience. Combing his hair, while we’re dying!


Good morning! There’s no hurry. Well now? Oh, you needn’t be in any hurry. You don’t understand, you know. I’m certain I’m not wanted, still I’ve promised, and if you like, I’ll come. But there’s no hurry. Please sit down; won’t you have some coffee? I know, I know. I’m a married man myself; and at these moments we husbands are very much to be pitied. I’ve a patient whose husband always takes refuge in the stables on such occasions.


But what do you think, Pyotr Dmitrievitch? Do you suppose it may go all right?


Everything points to a favorable issue.


So you’ll come immediately?


In an hour’s time.


Oh, for mercy’s sake!


Well, let me drink my coffee, anyway. The Turks are really getting beaten, though. Did you read yesterday’s telegrams?


No, I can’t stand it! So you’ll be with us in a quarter of an hour.


In half an hour.


On your honor?


Well, my dear Lizaveta Petrovna?


She’s going on well, persuade her to lie down. She will be easier so.


Lord, have mercy on us, and succor us!


Lord, have mercy on us, and help us!


I am worrying you,


I suppose it must be so,


Don’t go, don’t go! I’m not afraid, I’m not afraid! Mamma, take my earrings. They bother me. You’re not afraid? Quick, quick, Lizaveta Petrovna.... Oh, this is awful! I’m dying, I’m dying! Go away!


It’s nothing, it’s nothing, it’s all right,


Doctor! What is it? What is it? By God!


It’s the end,


It’s over!


Alive! alive! And a boy too! Set your mind at rest!


Mamma, is it true?


Send me word if I can see her,


Very well, in a minute,


I have had a nap, Kostya! and I am so comfortable now. Give him to me. Give him to me, Lizaveta Petrovna, and he shall look at him.


To be sure, his papa shall look at him. Wait a minute, we’ll make him tidy first,


Don’t be frightened, don’t be frightened!


Give him to me! give him to me!


What are you thinking of, Katerina Alexandrovna, you mustn’t move like that! Wait a minute. I’ll give him to you. Here we’re showing papa what a fine fellow we are! A splendid baby! Come, that’s enough, that’s enough!


Look, now,


Clearly I’ve been napping, and they’ve overlooked me,


Yes, that’s very true, that’s very true in particular cases, but still the principle of our day is freedom.


Yes, but I lay down another principle, embracing the principle of freedom. I don’t advocate protection for the sake of private interests, but for the public weal, and for the lower and upper classes equally. But they cannot grasp that, they are taken up now with personal interests, and carried away by phrases.


Oh, by the way. I wanted to ask you, some time when you see Pomorsky, to drop him a hint that I should be very glad to get that new appointment of secretary of the committee of the amalgamated agency of the southern railways and banking companies.


Of course, I can mention it to him; but what is your reason precisely for wishing to obtain the appointment?


It’s a good salary, rising to nine thousand, and my means....


Nine thousand! I consider, and I have embodied my views in a note on the subject, that in our day these immense salaries are evidence of the unsound economic assiette of our finances.


But what’s to be done? Suppose a bank director gets ten thousand—well, he’s worth it; or an engineer gets twenty thousand—after all, it’s a growing thing, you know!


I assume that a salary is the price paid for a commodity, and it ought to conform with the law of supply and demand. If the salary is fixed without any regard for that law, as, for instance, when I see two engineers leaving college together, both equally well trained and efficient, and one getting forty thousand while the other is satisfied with two; or when I see lawyers and hussars, having no special qualifications, appointed directors of banking companies with immense salaries, I conclude that the salary is not fixed in accordance with the law of supply and demand, but simply through personal interest. And this is an abuse of great gravity in itself, and one that reacts injuriously on the government service. I consider....


Yes; but you must agree that it’s a new institution of undoubted utility that’s being started. After all, you know, it’s a growing thing! What they lay particular stress on is the thing being carried on honestly,


Honesty is only a negative qualification,


Well, you’ll do me a great service, anyway, by putting in a word to Pomorsky—just in the way of conversation....


But I fancy it’s more in Volgarinov’s hands,


Volgarinov has fully assented, as far as he’s concerned,


Now there is something I want to talk about, and you know what it is. About Anna,


What is it exactly that you want from me?


A definite settlement, Alexey Alexandrovitch, some settlement of the position. I’m appealing to you not as an injured husband, not as a statesman but simply as a man, and a good-hearted man and a Christian. You must have pity on her,


That is, in what way precisely?


Yes, pity on her. If you had seen her as I have!—I have been spending all the winter with her—you would have pity on her. Her position is awful, simply awful!


I had imagined, that Anna Arkadyevna had everything she had desired for herself.


Oh, Alexey Alexandrovitch, for heaven’s sake, don’t let us indulge in recriminations! What is past is past, and you know what she wants and is waiting for—divorce.


But I believe Anna Arkadyevna refuses a divorce, if I make it a condition to leave me my son. I replied in that sense, and supposed that the matter was ended. I consider it at an end,


But, for heaven’s sake, don’t get hot! The matter is not ended. If you will allow me to recapitulate, it was like this: when you parted, you were as magnanimous as could possibly be; you were ready to give her everything—freedom, divorce even. She appreciated that. No, don’t think that. She did appreciate it—to such a degree that at the first moment, feeling how she had wronged you, she did not consider and could not consider everything. She gave up everything. But experience, time, have shown that her position is unbearable, impossible.


The life of Anna Arkadyevna can have no interest for me,


Allow me to disbelieve that. Her position is intolerable for her, and of no benefit to anyone whatever. She has deserved it, you will say. She knows that and asks you for nothing; she says plainly that she dare not ask you. But I, all of us, her relatives, all who love her, beg you, entreat you. Why should she suffer? Who is any the better for it?


Excuse me, you seem to put me in the position of the guilty party,


Oh, no, oh, no, not at all! please understand me. All I say is this: her position is intolerable, and it might be alleviated by you, and you will lose nothing by it. I will arrange it all for you, so that you’ll not notice it. You did promise it, you know.


The promise was given before. And I had supposed that the question of my son had settled the matter. Besides, I had hoped that Anna Arkadyevna had enough generosity....


She leaves it all to your generosity. She begs, she implores one thing of you—to extricate her from the impossible position in which she is placed. She does not ask for her son now. Alexey Alexandrovitch, you are a good man. Put yourself in her position for a minute. The question of divorce for her in her position is a question of life and death. If you had not promised it once, she would have reconciled herself to her position, she would have gone on living in the country. But you promised it, and she wrote to you, and moved to Moscow. And here she’s been for six months in Moscow, where every chance meeting cuts her to the heart, every day expecting an answer. Why, it’s like keeping a condemned criminal for six months with the rope round his neck, promising him perhaps death, perhaps mercy. Have pity on her, and I will undertake to arrange everything. Vos scrupules....


I am not talking about that, about that.... But, perhaps, I promised what I had no right to promise.


So you go back from your promise?


I have never refused to do all that is possible, but I want time to consider how much of what I promised is possible.


No, Alexey Alexandrovitch! She’s unhappy as only an unhappy woman can be, and you cannot refuse in such....


As much of what I promised as is possible. Vous professez d’être libre penseur. But I as a believer cannot, in a matter of such gravity, act in opposition to the Christian law.


But in Christian societies and among us, as far as I’m aware, divorce is allowed. Divorce is sanctioned even by our church. And we see....


It is allowed, but not in the sense....


Alexey Alexandrovitch, you are not like yourself. Wasn’t it you (and didn’t we all appreciate it in you?) who forgave everything, and moved simply by Christian feeling was ready to make any sacrifice? You said yourself: if a man take thy coat, give him thy cloak also, and now....


I beg. I beg you to drop this ... to drop ... this subject!


Oh, no! Oh, forgive me, forgive me if I have wounded you, but like a messenger I have simply performed the commission given me.


I must think it over and seek for guidance. The day after tomorrow I will give you a final answer,


Sergey Alexyevitch!


Who’s Sergey Alexyevitch? Ah, Seryozha! Sergey Alexyevitch! I thought it was the director of a department. Anna asked me to see him too,


He was very ill after that interview with his mother, which we had not foreseen. Indeed, we feared for his life. But with rational treatment, and sea-bathing in the summer, he regained his strength, and now, by the doctor’s advice, I have let him go to school. And certainly the companionship of school has had a good effect on him, and he is perfectly well, and making good progress.


What a fine fellow he’s grown! He’s not Seryozha now, but quite full-fledged Sergey Alexyevitch!


Do you remember me?


Yes, mon oncle,


Well, and how are you getting on?


We have a railway now. It’s like this, do you see: two sit on a bench—they’re the passengers; and one stands up straight on the bench. And all are harnessed to it by their arms or by their belts, and they run through all the rooms—the doors are left open beforehand. Well, and it’s pretty hard work being the conductor!


That’s the one that stands?


Yes, you want pluck for it, and cleverness too, especially when they stop all of a sudden, or someone falls down.


Yes, that must be a serious matter. Do you remember your mother?


No, I don’t. If I had hurt myself, nobody should have found it out, that’s certain. Well, what is it, then? Leave me alone! If I remember, or if I don’t remember?... what business is it of his? Why should I remember? Leave me in peace!


You’re friendly, I fancy, with Mordvinsky; you might do me a favor: say a word to him, please, for me. There’s an appointment I should like to get—secretary of the agency....


Oh, I shan’t remember all that, if you tell it to me.... But what possesses you to have to do with railways and Jews?... Take it as you will, it’s a low business.


I want the money, I’ve nothing to live on.


You’re living, aren’t you?


Yes, but in debt.


Are you, though? Heavily?


Very heavily: twenty thousand.


Oh, lucky fellow! My debts mount up to a million and a half, and I’ve nothing, and still I can live, as you see!


We don’t know the way to live here. I spent the summer in Baden, and you wouldn’t believe it, I felt quite a young man. At a glimpse of a pretty woman, my thoughts.... One dines and drinks a glass of wine, and feels strong and ready for anything. I came home to Russia—had to see my wife, and, what’s more, go to my country place; and there, you’d hardly believe it, in a fortnight I’d got into a dressing gown and given up dressing for dinner. Needn’t say I had no thoughts left for pretty women. I became quite an old gentleman. There was nothing left for me but to think of my eternal salvation. I went off to Paris—I was as right as could be at once.


Ah, so you’re here! Well, and what news of your poor sister? You needn’t look at me like that. Ever since they’ve all turned against her, all those who’re a thousand times worse than she, I’ve thought she did a very fine thing. I can’t forgive Vronsky for not letting me know when she was in Petersburg. I’d have gone to see her and gone about with her everywhere. Please give her my love. Come, tell me about her.


Yes, her position is very difficult; she....


She’s done what they all do, except me—only they hide it. But she wouldn’t be deceitful, and she did a fine thing. And she did better still in throwing up that crazy brother-in-law of yours. You must excuse me. Everybody used to say he was so clever, so very clever; I was the only one that said he was a fool. Now that he’s so thick with Lidia Ivanovna and Landau, they all say he’s crazy, and I should prefer not to agree with everybody, but this time I can’t help it.


Oh, do please explain, what does it mean? Yesterday I was seeing him on my sister’s behalf, and I asked him to give me a final answer. He gave me no answer, and said he would think it over. But this morning, instead of an answer, I received an invitation from Countess Lidia Ivanovna for this evening.


Ah, so that’s it, that’s it! they’re going to ask Landau what he’s to say.


Ask Landau? What for? Who or what’s Landau?


What! you don’t know Jules Landau, le fameux Jules Landau, le clairvoyant? He’s crazy too, but on him your sister’s fate depends. See what comes of living in the provinces—you know nothing about anything. Landau, do you see, was a commis in a shop in Paris, and he went to a doctor’s; and in the doctor’s waiting room he fell asleep, and in his sleep he began giving advice to all the patients. And wonderful advice it was! Then the wife of Yury Meledinsky—you know, the invalid?—heard of this Landau, and had him to see her husband. And he cured her husband, though I can’t say that I see he did him much good, for he’s just as feeble a creature as ever he was, but they believed in him, and took him along with them and brought him to Russia. Here there’s been a general rush to him, and he’s begun doctoring everyone. He cured Countess Bezzubova, and she took such a fancy to him that she adopted him. Adopted him? Yes, as her son. He’s not Landau any more now, but Count Bezzubov. That’s neither here nor there, though; but Lidia—I’m very fond of her, but she has a screw loose somewhere—has lost her heart to this Landau now, and nothing is settled now in her house or Alexey Alexandrovitch’s without him, and so your sister’s fate is now in the hands of Landau, alias Count Bezzubov.


Who else is with the countess?—a Frenchman? Princess Myakaya guessed right. Curious! It would be quite as well, though, to get on friendly terms with her. She has immense influence. If she would say a word to Pomorsky, the thing would be a certainty.


I am very glad to see you, particularly today. I introduced you to him as Landau, but he is really Count Bezzubov, as you’re probably aware. Only he does not like the title.


Yes, I heard so, they say he completely cured Countess Bezzubova.


She was here today, poor thing! This separation is awful for her. It’s such a blow to her!


And he positively is going?


Yes, he’s going to Paris. He heard a voice yesterday,


Ah, a voice!


I’ve known you for a long while, and am very glad to make a closer acquaintance with you. Les amis de nos amis sont nos amis. But to be a true friend, one must enter into the spiritual state of one’s friend, and I fear that you are not doing so in the case of Alexey Alexandrovitch. You understand what I mean?


In part, countess, I understand the position of Alexey Alexandrovitch....


The change is not in his external position, his heart is changed, a new heart has been vouchsafed him, and I fear you don’t fully apprehend the change that has taken place in him.


Oh, well, in general outlines I can conceive the change. We have always been friendly, and now....


The change that has taken place in him cannot lessen his love for his neighbors; on the contrary, that change can only intensify love in his heart. But I am afraid you do not understand me. Won’t you have some tea?


Not quite, countess. Of course, his misfortune....


Yes, a misfortune which has proved the highest happiness, when his heart was made new, was filled full of it,


I do believe I might ask her to speak to both of them. Oh, of course, countess, but I imagine such changes are a matter so private that no one, even the most intimate friend, would care to speak of them.


On the contrary! We ought to speak freely and help one another.


Yes, undoubtedly so, but there is such a difference of convictions, and besides....


There can be no difference where it is a question of holy truth.


Oh, no, of course; but....


I fancy he will fall asleep immediately,


Don’t take any notice. I have observed.... that Moscow people, especially the men, are more indifferent to religion than anyone.


Oh, no, countess, I thought Moscow people had the reputation of being the firmest in the faith,


But as far as I can make out, you are unfortunately one of the indifferent ones,


How anyone can be indifferent!


I am not so much indifferent on that subject as I am waiting in suspense. I hardly think that the time for such questions has come yet for me.


We can never tell whether the time has come for us or not. We ought not to think whether we are ready or not ready. God’s grace is not guided by human considerations: sometimes it comes not to those that strive for it, and comes to those that are unprepared, like Saul.


No, I believe it won’t be just yet,


Do you allow me to listen?


Oh, yes; I did not want to disturb you, sit here with us.


One has only not to close one’s eyes to shut out the light,


Ah, if you knew the happiness we know, feeling His presence ever in our hearts!


But a man may feel himself unworthy sometimes to rise to that height,


That is, you mean that sin keeps him back? But that is a false idea. There is no sin for believers, their sin has been atoned for. Pardon. Tomorrow at the Grand Duchess’s, say. For the believer sin is not,


Yes, but faith without works is dead,


There you have it—from the epistle of St. James. What harm has been done by the false interpretation of that passage! Nothing holds men back from belief like that misinterpretation. ‘I have not works, so I cannot believe,’ though all the while that is not said. But the very opposite is said.


Striving for God, saving the soul by fasting, those are the crude ideas of our monks.... Yet that is nowhere said. It is far simpler and easier,


We are saved by Christ who suffered for us. We are saved by faith,


Vous comprenez l’anglais? I want to read him ‘Safe and Happy,’ or ‘Under the Wing,’ It’s very short. In it is described the way by which faith can be reached, and the happiness, above all earthly bliss, with which it fills the soul. The believer cannot be unhappy because he is not alone. But you will see. Madame Borozdina? Tell her, tomorrow at two o’clock. Yes, that is how true faith acts. You know Marie Sanina? You know about her trouble? She lost her only child. She was in despair. And what happened? She found this comforter, and she thanks God now for the death of her child. Such is the happiness faith brings!


Oh, yes, that is most.... No, I see I’d better not ask her about anything today. If only I can get out of this without putting my foot in it!


It will be dull for you, you don’t know English, but it’s short.


Oh, I shall understand,


Mon ami, donnez-lui la main. Vous voyez? Sh! Not at home.


Que la personne qui est arrivée la dernière, celle qui demande, qu’elle sorte! Qu’elle sorte!


Vous m’excuserez, mais vous voyez.... Revenez vers dix heures, encore mieux demain.


Qu’elle sorte! C’est moi, n’est-ce pas?


I don’t expect you to understand me, my feelings, as anyone who loved me might, but simple delicacy I did expect,


I feel no interest in your infatuation over this girl, that’s true, because I see it’s unnatural.


I am very sorry that nothing but what’s coarse and material is comprehensible and natural to you. I’m irritable, I’m insanely jealous. I will make it up with him, and we’ll go away to the country; there I shall be more at peace. Unnatural! I know what he meant; he meant—unnatural, not loving my own daughter, to love another person’s child. What does he know of love for children, of my love for Seryozha, whom I’ve sacrificed for him? But that wish to wound me! No, he loves another woman, it must be so. Can it be impossible? Can it be beyond me to control myself? He’s truthful, he’s honest, he loves me. I love him, and in a few days the divorce will come. What more do I want? I want peace of mind and trust, and I will take the blame on myself. Yes, now when he comes in, I will tell him I was wrong, though I was not wrong, and we will go away tomorrow. Well, was it nice?


Just as usual. What do I see? Come, that’s good!


Yes, we must go. I went out for a drive, and it was so fine I longed to be in the country. There’s nothing to keep you, is there?


It’s the one thing I desire. I’ll be back directly, and we’ll talk it over; I only want to change my coat. Order some tea.


You know it came to me almost like an inspiration. Why wait here for the divorce? Won’t it be just the same in the country? I can’t wait any longer! I don’t want to go on hoping, I don’t want to hear anything about the divorce. I have made up my mind it shall not have any more influence on my life. Do you agree?


Oh, yes!


What did you do? Who was there?


The dinner was first rate, and the boat race, and it was all pleasant enough, but in Moscow they can never do anything without something ridicule. A lady of a sort appeared on the scene, teacher of swimming to the Queen of Sweden, and gave us an exhibition of her skill.


How? did she swim?


In an absurd red costume de natation; she was old and hideous too. So when shall we go?


What an absurd fancy! Why, did she swim in some special way, then?


There was absolutely nothing in it. That’s just what I say, it was awfully stupid. Well, then, when do you think of going?


When? Why, the sooner the better! By tomorrow we shan’t be ready. The day after tomorrow.


Yes ... oh, no, wait a minute! The day after tomorrow’s Sunday, I have to be at maman’s,


Can’t you go tomorrow?


Well, no! The deeds and the money for the business I’m going there for I can’t get by tomorrow,


If so, we won’t go at all.


But why so?


I shall not go later. Monday or never!


What for? Why, there’s no meaning in it!


There’s no meaning in it to you, because you care nothing for me. You don’t care to understand my life. The one thing that I cared for here was Hannah. You say it’s affectation. Why, you said yesterday that I don’t love my daughter, that I love this English girl, that it’s unnatural. I should like to know what life there is for me that could be natural!


I never said that; I said I did not sympathize with this sudden passion.


How is it, though you boast of your straightforwardness, you don’t tell the truth?


I never boast, and I never tell lies. It’s a great pity if you can’t respect....


Respect was invented to cover the empty place where love should be. And if you don’t love me any more, it would be better and more honest to say so.


No, this is becoming unbearable! What do you try my patience for? It has limits.


What do you mean by that?


I mean to say.... I must ask what it is you want of me?


What can I want? All I can want is that you should not desert me, as you think of doing. But that I don’t want; that’s secondary. I want love, and there is none. So then all is over.


Stop! sto-op! What is it all about? I said that we must put off going for three days, and on that you told me I was lying, that I was not an honorable man.


Yes, and I repeat that the man who reproaches me with having sacrificed everything for me, that he’s worse than a dishonorable man—he’s a heartless man.


Oh, there are limits to endurance!


He hates me, that’s clear. He loves another woman, that’s even clearer. I want love, and there is none. So, then, all is over. and it must be ended.


No, I shan’t be ready by then myself, so then it was possible to arrange to do as I wished. No, do as you meant to do. Go into the dining-room, I’m coming directly. It’s only to turn out those things that aren’t wanted. You wouldn’t believe how distasteful these rooms have become to me. There’s nothing more awful than these chambres garnies. There’s no individuality in them, no soul. These clocks, and curtains, and, worst of all, the wallpapers—they’re a nightmare. I think of Vozdvizhenskoe as the promised land. You’re not sending the horses off yet?


No, they will come after us. Where are you going to?


I wanted to go to Wilson’s to take some dresses to her. So it’s really to be tomorrow?


By tomorrow, without fail, I will finish it all.


From whom is the telegram?


From Stiva,


Why didn’t you show it to me? What secret can there be between Stiva and me?


I didn’t want to show it to you, because Stiva has such a passion for telegraphing: why telegraph when nothing is settled?


About the divorce?


Yes; but he says he has not been able to come at anything yet. He has promised a decisive answer in a day or two. But here it is; read it.


I said yesterday that it’s absolutely nothing to me when I get, or whether I never get, a divorce. There was not the slightest necessity to hide it from me.


Yashvin meant to come this morning with Voytov. I believe he’s won from Pyevtsov all and more than he can pay, about sixty thousand.


No, why did you suppose that this news would affect me so, that you must even try to hide it? I said I don’t want to consider it, and I should have liked you to care as little about it as I do.


I care about it because I like definiteness,


Definiteness is not in the form but the love. What do you want it for?


My God! love again. Oh, you know what for; for your sake and your children’s in the future.


There won’t be children in the future.


That’s a great pity,


You want it for the children’s sake, but you don’t think of me?


Oh, I said: for your sake. Above all for your sake, because I am certain that the greater part of your irritability comes from the indefiniteness of the position.


Yes, now he has laid aside all pretense, and all his cold hatred for me is apparent. The cause is not that, and, indeed, I don’t see how the cause of my irritability, as you call it, can be that I am completely in your power. What indefiniteness is there in the position? on the contrary....


I am very sorry that you don’t care to understand. The indefiniteness consists in your imagining that I am free.


On that score you can set your mind quite at rest. I don’t care in the least what your mother thinks, and what match she wants to make for you,


But we are not talking about that.


Yes, that’s just what we are talking about. And let me tell you that a heartless woman, whether she’s old or not old, your mother or anyone else, is of no consequence to me, and I would not consent to know her.


Anna, I beg you not to speak disrespectfully of my mother.


A woman whose heart does not tell her where her son’s happiness and honor lie has no heart.


I repeat my request that you will not speak disrespectfully of my mother, whom I respect,


You don’t love your mother. That’s all talk, and talk, and talk!


Even if so, you must....


Must decide, and I have decided. Well, how are you getting on? Has your debt been paid you?


Oh, pretty fair; I fancy I shan’t get it all, but I shall get a good half. And when are you off?


The day after tomorrow, I think,


You’ve been meaning to go so long, though.


But now it’s quite decided. Don’t you feel sorry for that unlucky Pyevtsov?


I’ve never asked myself the question, Anna Arkadyevna, whether I’m sorry for him or not. You see, all my fortune’s here and just now I’m a wealthy man. But today I’m going to the club, and I may come out a beggar. You see, whoever sits down to play with me—he wants to leave me without a shirt to my back, and so do I him. And so we fight it out, and that’s the pleasure of it.


Well, but suppose you were married, how would it be for your wife?


That’s why I’m not married, and never mean to be.


And Helsingfors?


Were you really in love?


Oh heavens! ever so many times! But you see, some men can play but only so that they can always lay down their cards when the hour of a rendezvous comes, while I can take up love, but only so as not to be late for my cards in the evening. That’s how I manage things.


No, I didn’t mean that, but the real thing. What do you want?


To get the guarantee for Gambetta, I’ve sold him. Eh, Anna?


I said nothing,


No, anything—only to live! Why, I love him! Why, he loves me! This has been before and will pass,


There was a quarrel. Just what has happened several times. I said I had a headache, and he did not come in to see me. Tomorrow we’re going away; I must see him and get ready for the journey,


That was Madame Sorokina and her daughter. They came and brought me the money and the deeds from maman. I couldn’t get them yesterday. How is your head, better? Oh, by the way, we’re going tomorrow for certain, aren’t we?


You, but not I,


Anna, we can’t go on like this....


This is getting unbearable!


You ... you will be sorry for this,


He has gone! It is over! No, that cannot be! Inquire where the count has gone,


His honor left word that if you cared to drive out, the carriage would be back immediately.


Very good. Wait a minute. I’ll write a note at once. Send Mihail with the note to the stables. Make haste. I was wrong. Come back home; I must explain. For God’s sake come! I’m afraid. Why, this isn’t it, this isn’t he! Where are his blue eyes, his sweet, shy smile?


Can it be all over? No, it cannot be! He will come back. But how can he explain that smile, that excitement after he had been talking to her? But even if he doesn’t explain, I will believe. If I don’t believe, there’s only one thing left for me, and I can’t. By now he has received the note and is coming back. Not long, ten minutes more.... But what if he doesn’t come? No, that cannot be. He mustn’t see me with tear-stained eyes. I’ll go and wash. Yes, yes; did I do my hair or not? Yes, my hair has been done, but when I did it I can’t in the least remember. Who’s that? Why, it’s I! What is it? Why, I’m going out of my mind! Annushka,


You meant to go and see Darya Alexandrovna,


Darya Alexandrovna? Yes, I’ll go. But how could he go away, leaving me in such a state? How can he live, without making it up with me?


What do you say? What!... Why, then, he has never received it! Go with this note to Countess Vronskaya’s place, you know? and bring an answer back immediately. Yes, I’m going. I absolutely must talk to you; come at once. Annushka, dear, what am I to do?


Why fret yourself so, Anna Arkadyevna? Why, there’s nothing out of the way. You drive out a little, and it’ll cheer you up,


And if there’s a telegram while I’m away, send it on to Darya Alexandrovna’s ... but no, I shall be back myself. Where to? To Znamenka, the Oblonskys’.


I entreat him to forgive me. I have given in to him. I have owned myself in fault. What for? Can’t I live without him? Office and warehouse. Dental surgeon. Yes, I’ll tell Dolly all about it. She doesn’t like Vronsky. I shall be sick and ashamed, but I’ll tell her. She loves me, and I’ll follow her advice. I won’t give in to him; I won’t let him train me as he pleases. Filippov, bun shop. They say they send their dough to Petersburg. The Moscow water is so good for it. Ah, the springs at Mitishtchen, and the pancakes! Riding, too. Was that really me, with red hands? How much that seemed to me then splendid and out of reach has become worthless, while what I had then has gone out of my reach forever! Could I ever have believed then that I could come to such humiliation? How conceited and self-satisfied he will be when he gets my note! But I will show him.... How horrid that paint smells! Why is it they’re always painting and building? Modes et robes. Our? Why our? What’s so awful is that one can’t tear up the past by its roots. One can’t tear it out, but one can hide one’s memory of it. And I’ll hide it. Dolly will think I’m leaving my second husband, and so I certainly must be in the wrong. As if I cared to be right! I can’t help it! Love, most likely. They don’t know how dreary it is, how low.... The boulevard and the children. Three boys running, playing at horses. Seryozha! And I’m losing everything and not getting him back. Yes, I’m losing everything, if he doesn’t return. Perhaps he was late for the train and has come back by now. Longing for humiliation again! No, I’ll go to Dolly, and say straight out to her, I’m unhappy, I deserve this, I’m to blame, but still I’m unhappy, help me. These horses, this carriage—how loathsome I am to myself in this carriage—all his; but I won’t see them again. Is there anyone with her?


Katerina Alexandrovna Levin,


Kitty! Kitty, whom Vronsky was in love with! the girl he thinks of with love. He’s sorry he didn’t marry her. But me he thinks of with hatred, and is sorry he had anything to do with me. Well, so you’ve not gone away yet? I meant to have come to you. We had a telegram too,


He writes that he can’t make out quite what Alexey Alexandrovitch wants, but he won’t go away without a decisive answer.


I thought you had someone with you. Can I see the letter?


Yes; Kitty,


So I heard. May I see the letter?


I’ll get it directly. But he doesn’t refuse; on the contrary, Stiva has hopes,


I haven’t, and indeed I don’t wish it. What’s this? Does Kitty consider it degrading to meet me? Perhaps she’s right, too. But it’s not for her, the girl who was in love with Vronsky, it’s not for her to show me that, even if it is true. I know that in my position I can’t be received by any decent woman. I knew that from the first moment I sacrificed everything to him. And this is my reward! Oh, how I hate him! And what did I come here for? I’m worse here, more miserable. And what am I going to say to Dolly now? Amuse Kitty by the sight of my wretchedness, submit to her patronizing? No; and besides, Dolly wouldn’t understand. And it would be no good my telling her. It would only be interesting to see Kitty, to show her how I despise everyone and everything, how nothing matters to me now. I knew all that, and it doesn’t interest me in the least.


Oh, why so? On the contrary, I have hopes,


Why does Kitty shrink from me?


Oh, what nonsense! She’s nursing, and things aren’t going right with her, and I’ve been advising her.... She’s delighted. She’ll be here in a minute. Yes, here she is.


I am so glad to see you,


I should not have been surprised if you had not cared to meet me. I’m used to everything. You have been ill? Yes, you are changed. I came to say good-bye to you. Yes, I am very glad to have seen you. I have heard so much of you from everyone, even from your husband. He came to see me, and I liked him exceedingly. Where is he?


He has gone back to the country,


Remember me to him, be sure you do.


I’ll be sure to!


So good-bye, Dolly.


She’s just the same and just as charming! She’s very lovely! But there’s something piteous about her. Awfully piteous!


Yes, there’s something unusual about her today. When I went with her into the hall, I fancied she was almost crying.


Where to? Home?


Yes, home. How they looked at me as something dreadful, incomprehensible, and curious! What can he be telling the other with such warmth? Can one ever tell anyone what one is feeling? I meant to tell Dolly, and it’s a good thing I didn’t tell her. How pleased she would have been at my misery! She would have concealed it, but her chief feeling would have been delight at my being punished for the happiness she envied me for. Kitty, she would have been even more pleased. How I can see through her! She knows I was more than usually sweet to her husband. And she’s jealous and hates me. And she despises me. In her eyes I’m an immoral woman. If I were an immoral woman I could have made her husband fall in love with me ... if I’d cared to. And, indeed, I did care to. There’s someone who’s pleased with himself. He thought he knew me. Well, he knows me as well as anyone in the world knows me. I don’t know myself. I know my appetites, as the French say. They want that dirty ice cream, that they do know for certain. We all want what is sweet and nice. If not sweetmeats, then a dirty ice. And Kitty’s the same—if not Vronsky, then Levin. And she envies me, and hates me. And we all hate each other. I Kitty, Kitty me. Yes, that’s the truth. ‘Tiutkin, coiffeur.’ Je me fais coiffer par Tiutkin.... I’ll tell him that when he comes. And there’s nothing amusing, nothing mirthful, really. It’s all hateful. They’re singing for vespers, and how carefully that merchant crosses himself! as if he were afraid of missing something. Why these churches and this singing and this humbug? Simply to conceal that we all hate each other like these cab drivers who are abusing each other so angrily. Yashvin says, ‘He wants to strip me of my shirt, and I him of his.’ Yes, that’s the truth! Is there an answer?


I’ll see this minute,


I can’t come before ten o’clock.—Vronsky. Then, since it’s so, I know what I must do. I’ll go to him myself. Before going away forever, I’ll tell him all. Never have I hated anyone as I hate that man! Yes, I must go quickly. Yes, I must go to the railway station, and if he’s not there, then go there and catch him. Yes, I shall be in time.


I don’t want you, Pyotr.


But how about the ticket?


Well, as you like, it doesn’t matter. Here it is again! Again I understand it all! Yes; what was the last thing I thought of so clearly? 'Tiutkin, coiffeur?' No, not that. No, it’s a useless journey you’re making. And the dog you’re taking with you will be no help to you. You can’t get away from yourselves. Come, he’s found a quicker way. Count Vronsky and I did not find that happiness either, though we expected so much from it. What was it he sought in me? Not love so much as the satisfaction of vanity. Yes, there was the triumph of success in him. Of course there was love too, but the chief element was the pride of success. He boasted of me. Now that’s over. There’s nothing to be proud of. Not to be proud of, but to be ashamed of. He has taken from me all he could, and now I am no use to him. He is weary of me and is trying not to be dishonorable in his behavior to me. He let that out yesterday—he wants divorce and marriage so as to burn his ships. He loves me, but how? The zest is gone, as the English say. That fellow wants everyone to admire him and is very much pleased with himself. Yes, there’s not the same flavor about me for him now. If I go away from him, at the bottom of his heart he will be glad. My love keeps growing more passionate and egoistic, while his is waning and waning, and that’s why we’re drifting apart. And there’s no help for it. He is everything for me, and I want him more and more to give himself up to me entirely. And he wants more and more to get away from me. We walked to meet each other up to the time of our love, and then we have been irresistibly drifting in different directions. And there’s no altering that. He tells me I’m insanely jealous, and I have told myself that I am insanely jealous; but it’s not true. I’m not jealous, but I’m unsatisfied. But.... If I could be anything but a mistress, passionately caring for nothing but his caresses; but I can’t and I don’t care to be anything else. And by that desire I rouse aversion in him, and he rouses fury in me, and it cannot be different. Don’t I know that he wouldn’t deceive me, that he has no schemes about Princess Sorokina, that he’s not in love with Kitty, that he won’t desert me! I know all that, but it makes it no better for me. If without loving me, from duty he’ll be good and kind to me, without what I want, that’s a thousand times worse than unkindness! That’s—hell! And that’s just how it is. For a long while now he hasn’t loved me. And where love ends, hate begins. I don’t know these streets at all. Hills it seems, and still houses, and houses.... And in the houses always people and people.... How many of them, no end, and all hating each other! Come, let me try and think what I want, to make me happy. Well? Suppose I am divorced, and Alexey Alexandrovitch lets me have Seryozha, and I marry Vronsky. Well, I’m divorced, and become Vronsky’s wife. Well, will Kitty cease looking at me as she looked at me today? No. And will Seryozha leave off asking and wondering about my two husbands? And is there any new feeling I can awaken between Vronsky and me? Is there possible, if not happiness, some sort of ease from misery? No, no! Impossible! We are drawn apart by life, and I make his unhappiness, and he mine, and there’s no altering him or me. Every attempt has been made, the screw has come unscrewed. Oh, a beggar woman with a baby. She thinks I’m sorry for her. Aren’t we all flung into the world only to hate each other, and so to torture ourselves and each other? Schoolboys coming—laughing Seryozha? I thought, too, that I loved him, and used to be touched by my own tenderness. But I have lived without him, I gave him up for another love, and did not regret the exchange till that love was satisfied. It’s so with me and Pyotr, and the coachman, Fyodor, and that merchant, and all the people living along the Volga, where those placards invite one to go, and everywhere and always,


A ticket to Obiralovka?


Yes,


Katerina Andreevna, she’s got them all, ma tante!


Even the child’s hideous and affected. There’s something familiar about that hideous peasant,


Do you wish to get out?


It would be interesting to ask him what meaning he attaches to that,


Yes, what did I stop at? That I couldn’t conceive a position in which life would not be a misery, that we are all created to be miserable, and that we all know it, and all invent means of deceiving each other. And when one sees the truth, what is one to do?


That’s what reason is given man for, to escape from what worries him,


To escape from what worries him. Yes, I’m very much worried, and that’s what reason was given me for, to escape; so then one must escape: why not put out the light when there’s nothing more to look at, when it’s sickening to look at it all? But how? Why did the conductor run along the footboard, why are they shrieking, those young men in that train? why are they talking, why are they laughing? It’s all falsehood, all lying, all humbug, all cruelty!...


Count Vronsky? They sent up here from the Vronskys just this minute, to meet Princess Sorokina and her daughter. And what is the coachman like?


I am very sorry your note did not reach me. I will be home at ten,


Yes, that’s what I expected! Very good, you can go home then. No, I won’t let you make me miserable,


Real,


My God! where am I to go?


There, there, in the very middle, and I will punish him and escape from everyone and from myself.


Where am I? What am I doing? What for? Lord, forgive me all!


You too come to see them off?


No, I’m going away myself, princess. To my brother’s for a holiday. Do you always see them off?


Oh, that would be impossible! Is it true that eight hundred have been sent from us already? Malvinsky wouldn’t believe me.


More than eight hundred. If you reckon those who have been sent not directly from Moscow, over a thousand,


There! That’s just what I said! And it’s true too, I suppose, that more than a million has been subscribed?


Yes, princess.


What do you say to today’s telegram? Beaten the Turks again.


Yes, so I saw,


Ah, by the way, a splendid young fellow has asked leave to go, and they’ve made some difficulty, I don’t know why. I meant to ask you; I know him; please write a note about his case. He’s being sent by Countess Lidia Ivanovna. You know Count Vronsky, the notorious one ... is going by this train?


I had heard he was going, but I did not know when. By this train?


I’ve seen him. He’s here: there’s only his mother seeing him off. It’s the best thing, anyway, that he could do.


Oh, yes, of course.


In the service of religion, humanity, and our brothers, to this great cause mother Moscow dedicates you with her blessing. Jivio!


Ah, princess! that was something like! Capitally, warmly said, wasn’t it? Bravo! And Sergey Ivanovitch! Why, you ought to have said something—just a few words, you know, to encourage them; you do that so well,


No, I’m just off.


Where to?


To the country, to my brother’s,


Then you’ll see my wife. I’ve written to her, but you’ll see her first. Please tell her that they’ve seen me and that it’s ‘all right,’ as the English say. She’ll understand. Oh, and be so good as to tell her I’m appointed secretary of the committee.... But she’ll understand! You know, les petites misères de la vie humaine. And Princess Myakaya—not Liza, but Bibish—is sending a thousand guns and twelve nurses. Did I tell you?


Yes, I heard so,


It’s a pity you’re going away. Tomorrow we’re giving a dinner to two who’re setting off—Dimer-Bartnyansky from Petersburg and our Veslovsky, Grisha. They’re both going. Veslovsky’s only lately married. There’s a fine fellow for you! Eh, princess? I can never see these collecting boxes unmoved while I’ve money in my pocket. And how about today’s telegram? Fine chaps those Montenegrins! You don’t say so!


With all his faults one can’t refuse to do him justice. What a typically Russian, Slav nature! Only, I’m afraid it won’t be pleasant for Vronsky to see him. Say what you will, I’m touched by that man’s fate. Do talk to him a little on the way,


Yes, perhaps, if it happens so.


I never liked him. But this atones for a great deal. He’s not merely going himself, he’s taking a squadron at his own expense.


Yes, so I heard.


Here he is!


Oh, well, everyone’s going. The Servians want help, too. I’m sorry for them.


Yes, you artillerymen especially are scarce there,


Oh, I wasn’t long in the artillery, maybe they’ll put me into the infantry or the cavalry.


Into the infantry when they need artillery more than anything?


I wasn’t long in the artillery; I’m a cadet retired,


What different positions they come from, all those fellows who are going off there,


Well, men are wanted there,


I’m going, you see, taking him as far as Kursk,


Yes, so I heard. What a noble act on his part!


Yes, after his misfortune, what was there for him to do?


What a terrible thing it was!


Ah, what I have been through! But do get in.... Ah, what I have been through! You can’t conceive it! For six weeks he did not speak to anyone, and would not touch food except when I implored him. And not for one minute could we leave him alone. We took away everything he could have used against himself. We lived on the ground floor, but there was no reckoning on anything. You know, of course, that he had shot himself once already on her account. Yes, hers was the fitting end for such a woman. Even the death she chose was low and vulgar.


It’s not for us to judge, countess, but I can understand that it has been very hard for you.


Ah, don’t speak of it! I was staying on my estate, and he was with me. A note was brought him. He wrote an answer and sent it off. We hadn’t an idea that she was close by at the station. In the evening I had only just gone to my room, when my Mary told me a lady had thrown herself under the train. Something seemed to strike me at once. I knew it was she. The first thing I said was, he was not to be told. But they’d told him already. His coachman was there and saw it all. When I ran into his room, he was beside himself—it was fearful to see him. He didn’t say a word, but galloped off there. I don’t know to this day what happened there, but he was brought back at death’s door. I shouldn’t have known him. Prostration complète, the doctor said. And that was followed almost by madness. Oh, why talk of it! It was an awful time! No, say what you will, she was a bad woman. Why, what is the meaning of such desperate passions? It was all to show herself something out of the way. Well, and that she did do. She brought herself to ruin and two good men—her husband and my unhappy son.


And what did her husband do?


He has taken her daughter. Alexey was ready to agree to anything at first. Now it worries him terribly that he should have given his own child away to another man. But he can’t take back his word. Karenin came to the funeral. But we tried to prevent his meeting Alexey. For him, for her husband, it was easier, anyway. She had set him free. But my poor son was utterly given up to her. He had thrown up everything, his career, me, and even then she had no mercy on him, but of set purpose she made his ruin complete. No, say what you will, her very death was the death of a vile woman, of no religious feeling. God forgive me, but I can’t help hating the memory of her, when I look at my son’s misery!


But how is he now?


It was a blessing from Providence for us—this Servian war. I’m old, and I don’t understand the rights and wrongs of it, but it’s come as a providential blessing to him. Of course for me, as his mother, it’s terrible; and what’s worse, they say, ce n’est pas très bien vu à Pétersbourg. But it can’t be helped! It was the one thing that could rouse him. Yashvin—a friend of his—he had lost all he had at cards and he was going to Servia. He came to see him and persuaded him to go. Now it’s an interest for him. Do please talk to him a little. I want to distract his mind. He’s so low-spirited. And as bad luck would have it, he has toothache too. But he’ll be delighted to see you. Please do talk to him; he’s walking up and down on that side.


Possibly you didn’t wish to see me, but couldn’t I be of use to you?


There’s no one I should less dislike seeing than you. Excuse me; and there’s nothing in life for me to like.


I quite understand, and I merely meant to offer you my services. Wouldn’t it be of use to you to have a letter to Ristitch—to Milan?


Oh, no! If you don’t mind, let’s walk on. It’s so stuffy among the carriages. A letter? No, thank you; to meet death one needs no letters of introduction. Nor for the Turks....


Yes; but you might find it easier to get into relations, which are after all essential, with anyone prepared to see you. But that’s as you like. I was very glad to hear of your intention. There have been so many attacks made on the volunteers, and a man like you raises them in public estimation.


My use as a man, is that life’s worth nothing to me. And that I’ve enough bodily energy to cut my way into their ranks, and to trample on them or fall—I know that. I’m glad there’s something to give my life for, for it’s not simply useless but loathsome to me. Anyone’s welcome to it.


You will become another man, I predict. To deliver one’s brother-men from bondage is an aim worth death and life. God grant you success outwardly—and inwardly peace,


Yes, as a weapon I may be of some use. But as a man, I’m a wreck,


You have had no telegrams since yesterday’s? Yes, driven back for a third time, but a decisive engagement expected for tomorrow.


What a shame not to have let us know,


We drove here capitally, and have not put you out. I’m so dirty. I’m afraid to touch you. I’ve been so busy, I didn’t know when I should be able to tear myself away. And so you’re still as ever enjoying your peaceful, quiet happiness, out of the reach of the current in your peaceful backwater. Here’s our friend Fyodor Vassilievitch who has succeeded in getting here at last.


But I’m not a negro, I shall look like a human being when I wash. Busy as ever with his farming. It really is a peaceful backwater, while we in town think of nothing but the Servian war. Well, how does our friend look at it? He’s sure not to think like other people.


Oh, I don’t know, like everybody else. I’ll send to fetch him. Papa’s staying with us. He’s only just come home from abroad. It’s Sergey Ivanovitch and Katavasov, a professor,


Oh, that’s a bore in this heat,


No, papa, he’s very nice, and Kostya’s very fond of him,


Oh, I didn’t say anything.


You go to them, darling, and entertain them. They saw Stiva at the station; he was quite well. And I must run to Mitya. As ill-luck would have it, I haven’t fed him since tea. He’s awake now, and sure to be screaming.


He knows me, he knows me. In God’s faith, Katerina Alexandrovna, ma’am, he knew me!


But poor darling, he’s all in perspiration! What makes you think he knows you? Impossible! If he knew anyone, he would have known me,


When he wakes up, please God, you shall see for yourself. Then when I do like this, he simply beams on me, the darling! Simply beams like a sunny day!


Well, well; then we shall see. But now go away, he’s going to sleep.


How hot it is! if God would send a drop of rain,


Yes, yes, sh—sh—sh——


What does he keep reading philosophy of some sort for all this year? If it’s all written in those books, he can understand them. If it’s all wrong, why does he read them? He says himself that he would like to believe. Then why is it he doesn’t believe? Surely from his thinking so much? And he thinks so much from being solitary. He’s always alone, alone. He can’t talk about it all to us. I fancy he’ll be glad of these visitors, especially Katavasov. He likes discussions with them. I do believe the laundress hasn’t sent the washing yet, and all the best sheets are in use. If I don’t see to it, Agafea Mihalovna will give Sergey Ivanovitch the wrong sheets. Yes, I will arrange it. Yes, Kostya, an unbeliever. Well, an unbeliever then! Better let him always be one than like Madame Stahl, or what I tried to be in those days abroad. No, he won’t ever sham anything.


He an unbeliever indeed! With his heart, his dread of offending anyone, even a child! Everything for others, nothing for himself. Sergey Ivanovitch simply considers it as Kostya’s duty to be his steward. And it’s the same with his sister. Now Dolly and her children are under his guardianship; all these peasants who come to him every day, as though he were bound to be at their service. Yes, only be like your father, only like him,


If I do not accept the answers Christianity gives to the problems of my life, what answers do I accept?


Were these people sincere? or were they playing a part? or was it that they understood the answers science gave to these problems in some different, clearer sense than he did?


Without knowing what I am and why I am here, life’s impossible; and that I can’t know, and so I can’t live. In infinite time, in infinite matter, in infinite space, is formed a bubble-organism, and that bubble lasts a while and bursts, and that bubble is Me.


thank you


Why is it all being done? Why am I standing here, making them work? What are they all so busy for, trying to show their zeal before me? What is that old Matrona, my old friend, toiling for? (I doctored her, when the beam fell on her in the fire) Then she recovered, but today or tomorrow or in ten years she won’t; they’ll bury her, and nothing will be left either of her or of that smart girl in the red jacket, who with that skillful, soft action shakes the ears out of their husks. They’ll bury her and this piebald horse, and very soon too. And they will bury her and Fyodor the thrasher with his curly beard full of chaff and his shirt torn on his white shoulders—they will bury him. He’s untying the sheaves, and giving orders, and shouting to the women, and quickly setting straight the strap on the moving wheel. And what’s more, it’s not them alone—me they’ll bury too, and nothing will be left. What for? It’ll soon be one, and they’re only beginning the third sheaf. You put in too much at a time, Fyodor. Do you see—it gets choked, that’s why it isn’t getting on. Do it evenly.


It’s a high rent; it wouldn’t pay Platon, Konstantin Dmitrievitch,


But how does Kirillov make it pay?


Mituh! you may be sure he’ll make it pay, Konstantin Dmitrievitch! He’ll get his share, however he has to squeeze to get it! He’s no mercy on a Christian. But Uncle Fokanitch do you suppose he’d flay the skin off a man? Where there’s debt, he’ll let anyone off. And he’ll not wring the last penny out. He’s a man too.


But why will he let anyone off?


Oh, well, of course, folks are different. One man lives for his own wants and nothing else, like Mituh, he only thinks of filling his belly, but Fokanitch is a righteous man. He lives for his soul. He does not forget God.


How thinks of God? How does he live for his soul?


Why, to be sure, in truth, in God’s way. Folks are different. Take you now, you wouldn’t wrong a man....


Yes, yes, good-bye!