Do you paint?


Yes, I used to study long ago, and now I have begun to do a little,


He has great talent. I’m no judge, of course. But good judges have said the same.


I have inevitably made that man wretched, but I don’t want to profit by his misery. I too am suffering, and shall suffer; I am losing what I prized above everything—I am losing my good name and my son. I have done wrong, and so I don’t want happiness, I don’t want a divorce, and shall suffer from my shame and the separation from my child.


Here we live, and know nothing of what’s going on. Have you seen Mihailov’s picture?


I’ve seen it. Of course, he’s not without talent, but it’s all in a wrong direction. It’s all the Ivanov-Strauss-Renan attitude to Christ and to religious painting.


What is the subject of the picture?


Christ before Pilate. Christ is represented as a Jew with all the realism of the new school. I can’t understand how they can fall into such a gross mistake. Christ always has His definite embodiment in the art of the great masters. And therefore, if they want to depict, not God, but a revolutionist or a sage, let them take from history a Socrates, a Franklin, a Charlotte Corday, but not Christ. They take the very figure which cannot be taken for their art, and then....


And is it true that this Mihailov is in such poverty?


I should say not. He’s a remarkable portrait-painter. Have you ever seen his portrait of Madame Vassiltchikova? But I believe he doesn’t care about painting any more portraits, and so very likely he is in want. I maintain that....


Couldn’t we ask him to paint a portrait of Anna Arkadyevna?


Why mine? After yours I don’t want another portrait. Better have one of Annie Here she is,


Do you know this Mihailov?


I have met him. But he’s a queer fish, and quite without breeding. You know, one of those uncouth new people one’s so often coming across nowadays, one of those free-thinkers you know, who are reared d’emblée in theories of atheism, scepticism, and materialism. In former days, in former days the free-thinker was a man who had been brought up in ideas of religion, law, and morality, and only through conflict and struggle came to free-thought; but now there has sprung up a new type of born free-thinkers who grow up without even having heard of principles of morality or of religion, of the existence of authorities, who grow up directly in ideas of negation in everything, that is to say, savages. Well, he’s of that class. He’s the son, it appears, of some Moscow butler, and has never had any sort of bringing-up. When he got into the academy and made his reputation he tried, as he’s no fool, to educate himself. And he turned to what seemed to him the very source of culture—the magazines. In old times, you see, a man who wanted to educate himself—a Frenchman, for instance—would have set to work to study all the classics and theologians and tragedians and historians and philosophers, and, you know, all the intellectual work that came in his way. But in our day he goes straight for the literature of negation, very quickly assimilates all the extracts of the science of negation, and he’s ready. And that’s not all—twenty years ago he would have found in that literature traces of conflict with authorities, with the creeds of the ages; he would have perceived from this conflict that there was something else; but now he comes at once upon a literature in which the old creeds do not even furnish matter for discussion, but it is stated baldly that there is nothing else—evolution, natural selection, struggle for existence—and that’s all. In my article I’ve....


I tell you what. I tell you what, let’s go and see him!


I’ve said it to you twenty times, don’t enter into details. You’re fool enough at all times, and when you start explaining things in Italian you’re a fool three times as foolish,


Don’t let it run so long; it’s not my fault. If I had the money....


Leave me in peace, for God’s sake! Idiotic woman! Oh! damn them all! No, that one was better ... where is it? That’s it! that’s it!


Coming, coming! Come, Sasha, don’t be cross! You were to blame. I was to blame. I’ll make it all right.


Please step in,


Most likely they’ve already looked at all the antiques, and now they’re making the round of the studios of the new people, the German humbug, and the cracked Pre-Raphaelite English fellow, and have only come to me to make the point of view complete,


Here, if you please, it’s the exhortation to Pilate. Matthew, chapter xxvii,


I think I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you,


To be sure! We met at Rossi’s, do you remember, at that soirée when that Italian lady recited—the new Rachel? Your picture has got on a great deal since I saw it last time; and what strikes me particularly now, as it did then, is the figure of Pilate. One so knows the man: a good-natured, capital fellow, but an official through and through, who does not know what it is he’s doing. But I fancy....


How marvelous Christ’s expression is! One can see that He is pitying Pilate.


Yes, and how that figure is done—what atmosphere! One can walk round it,


Yes, there’s a wonderful mastery! How those figures in the background stand out! There you have technique,


Yes, yes, marvelous!


One thing might be said, if you will allow me to make the remark....


Oh, I shall be delighted, I beg you,


That is, that you make Him the man-god, and not the God-man. But I know that was what you meant to do.


I cannot paint a Christ that is not in my heart,


Yes; but in that case, if you will allow me to say what I think.... Your picture is so fine that my observation cannot detract from it, and, besides, it is only my personal opinion. With you it is different. Your very motive is different. But let us take Ivanov. I imagine that if Christ is brought down to the level of an historical character, it would have been better for Ivanov to select some other historical subject, fresh, untouched.


But if this is the greatest subject presented to art?


If one looked one would find others. But the point is that art cannot suffer doubt and discussion. And before the picture of Ivanov the question arises for the believer and the unbeliever alike, ‘Is it God, or is it not God?’ and the unity of the impression is destroyed.


Why so? I think that for educated people, the question cannot exist. Oh, how exquisite! What a lovely thing! A gem! How exquisite! What is it they’re so pleased with? Oh, that’s only an old study,


How fine!


It is put up there to be sold,


What an exquisite thing! How he has succeeded in it, and how simply! He doesn’t even comprehend how good it is. Yes, I mustn’t let it slip; I must buy it. One needs to know and love her as I have loved her to discover the very sweetest expression of her soul. I have been struggling on for ever so long without doing anything, and he just looked and painted it. That’s where technique comes in.


That will come,


Not envious, let us say, since he has talent; but it annoys him that a wealthy man of the highest society, and a count, too (you know they all detest a title), can, without any particular trouble, do as well, if not better, than he who has devoted all his life to it. And more than all, it’s a question of culture, which he is without.


What is it?


You’ve been enjoying yourself,


Yes, they draw away all the sap and give a false appearance of prosperity. Well?


It’s nothing; I wanted you to look round,


How happy we are alone together!—I am, that is,


I’m just as happy. I’ll never go anywhere, especially not to Moscow.


And what were you thinking about?


I? I was thinking.... No, no, go along, go on writing; don’t break off, and I must cut out these little holes now, do you see?


No; tell me, what was it?


Oh! what was I thinking about? I was thinking about Moscow, about the back of your head.


Why should I, of all people, have such happiness! It’s unnatural, too good,


I feel quite the opposite; the better things are, the more natural it seems to me.


And you’ve got a little curl loose,


A little curl, oh yes. No, no, we are busy at our work!


Have they come from the town?


They’ve just come; they’re unpacking the things.


Come quickly, or else I shall read your letters without you.


You see, your good lady’s settled me here, told me to sit a bit with her,


Here, I opened your letter too. It’s from that woman, I think, your brother’s.... I did not read it through. This is from my people and from Dolly. Fancy! Dolly took Tanya and Grisha to a children’s ball at the Sarmatskys’: Tanya was a French marquise.


Read this; Dolly writes about you. What is it? What’s the matter?


She writes to me that Nikolay, my brother, is at death’s door. I shall go to him.


When are you going?


Tomorrow.


And I will go with you, can I?


Kitty! What are you thinking of?


How do you mean? Why shouldn’t I go? I shan’t be in your way. I....


I’m going because my brother is dying. Why should you....


Why? For the same reason as you.


It’s out of the question,


I tell you, that if you go, I shall come with you; I shall certainly come. Why out of the question? Why do you say it’s out of the question?


Because it’ll be going God knows where, by all sorts of roads and to all sorts of hotels. You would be a hindrance to me,


Not at all. I don’t want anything. Where you can go, I can....


Well, for one thing then, because this woman’s there whom you can’t meet.


I don’t know and don’t care to know who’s there and what. I know that my husband’s brother is dying and my husband is going to him, and I go with my husband too....


Kitty! Don’t get angry. But just think a little: this is a matter of such importance that I can’t bear to think that you should bring in a feeling of weakness, of dislike to being left alone. Come, you’ll be dull alone, so go and stay at Moscow a little.


There, you always ascribe base, vile motives to me. I didn’t mean, it wasn’t weakness, it wasn’t ... I feel that it’s my duty to be with my husband when he’s in trouble, but you try on purpose to hurt me, you try on purpose not to understand....


No; this is awful! To be such a slave!


Then why did you marry? You could have been free. Why did you, if you regret it?


Kitty!


Go, do go!


Well, how is he? how is he? Very bad. He can’t get up. He has kept expecting you. He.... Are you ... with your wife? I’ll go away. I’ll go down to the kitchen. Nikolay Dmitrievitch will be delighted. He heard about it, and knows your lady, and remembers her abroad.


Come along, come along to him!


Well! how is he?


But one can’t go on talking in the passage like this!


Well then, come in, or go on; go, and then come for me,


You did not expect to find me like this,


Yes ... no. How was it you didn’t let me know before, that is, at the time of my wedding? I made inquiries in all directions.


Very well, and I’ll tell her to tidy up here. It’s dirty and stinking here, I expect. Marya! clear up the room. Oh, and when you’ve cleared up, go away yourself,


Well, how is he?


Oh, it’s awful, it’s awful! What did you come for?


Kostya! take me to him; it will be easier for us to bear it together. You only take me, take me to him, please, and go away. You must understand that for me to see you, and not to see him, is far more painful. There I might be a help to you and to him. Please, let me!


We have met, though we were not acquainted, at Soden. You never thought I was to be your sister?


You would not have recognized me?


Yes, I should. What a good thing you let us know! Not a day has passed that Kostya has not mentioned you, and been anxious. I am afraid you are not quite comfortable here. We must ask about another room, so that we might be nearer.


Make haste,


Oh, don’t you come. I’ll do it my myself....


What say?


I’m not looking, I’m not looking! Marya Nikolaevna, you come this side, you do it. Please go for me, there’s a little bottle in my small bag, you know, in the side pocket; bring it, please, and meanwhile they’ll finish clearing up here.


Your Katya. I’m much better already. Why, with you I should have got well long ago. How nice it is! Now turn me over on the left side and go to bed,


On the other side, he always sleeps on that side. Turn him over, it’s so disagreeable calling the servants. I’m not strong enough. Can you?


I’m afraid not,


Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.


Well, thank God, he took the sacrament and received absolution; God grant each one of us such a death.


I am very glad I persuaded him to receive extreme unction tomorrow. I have never seen it, but I know, mamma has told me, there are prayers said for recovery.


Do you suppose he can possibly recover?


I asked the doctor; he said he couldn’t live more than three days. But can they be sure? I’m very glad, anyway, that I persuaded him. Anything is possible,


Yes, you see this woman, Marya Nikolaevna, did not know how to manage all this. And ... I must own I’m very, very glad you came. You are such purity that....


It would have been miserable for you to be alone. No, she did not know how.... Luckily, I learned a lot at Soden.


Surely there are not people there so ill?


Worse.


What’s so awful to me is that I can’t see him as he was when he was young. You would not believe how charming he was as a youth, but I did not understand him then.


I can quite, quite believe it. How I feel that we might have been friends!


Yes, might have been. He’s just one of those people of whom they say they’re not for this world.


But we have many days before us; we must go to bed,


If Thou dost exist, make this man to recover


Is he better?


Yes, much.


It’s wonderful.


There’s nothing wonderful in it.


Anyway, he’s better,


Is Katya not here? No; so I can say it.... It was for her sake I went through that farce. She’s so sweet; but you and I can’t deceive ourselves. This is what I believe in,


He is dying! I’m afraid will die this minute.


How do you feel?


I feel I’m setting off. Katya, go away! I’m setting off,


Why do you think so?


Because I’m setting off. It’s the end.


You had better lie down; you’d be easier,


I shall lie down soon enough, when I’m dead. Well, you can lay me down if you like.


Yes, yes, so. Wait a little. Right! O Lord!


They’re getting cold,


Don’t go away,


Don’t go.


I’m suffering horribly, intolerably!


What am I to write to him? I hope you are not angry with him?


No, not the least! Tell him to send me a doctor.


Oh, if it were only the end! When will it be over?


Turn me over on the other side. Give me some broth. Take away the broth. Talk of something: why are you silent?


Worse. In pain!


In pain, where?


Everywhere.


It will be over today, you will see,


Why do you think so?


He has begun picking at himself,


How do you mean?


Like this,


He is gone,


Not quite ... soon.


Excuse me, your excellency, for venturing to trouble you. But if you direct us to apply to her excellency, would you graciously oblige us with her address?


So you’ll get this ready for me?


J’ai forcé la consigne. I have heard all! Alexey Alexandrovitch! Dear friend!


Won’t you sit down, countess? I’m seeing no one because I’m unwell, countess,


Dear friend! Dear friend! You ought not to give way to grief. Your sorrow is a great one, but you ought to find consolation.


I am crushed, I am annihilated, I am no longer a man! My position is so awful because I can find nowhere, I cannot find within me strength to support me.


You will find support; seek it—not in me, though I beseech you to believe in my friendship. Our support is love, that love that He has vouchsafed us. His burden is light. He will be your support and your succor.


I am weak. I am crushed. I foresaw nothing, and now I understand nothing.


Dear friend,


It’s not the loss of what I have not now, it’s not that! I do not grieve for that. But I cannot help feeling humiliated before other people for the position I am placed in. It is wrong, but I can’t help it, I can’t help it.


Not you it was performed that noble act of forgiveness, at which I was moved to ecstasy, and everyone else too, but He, working within your heart, and so you cannot be ashamed of your act.


One must know all the facts. A man’s strength has its limits, countess, and I have reached my limits. The whole day I have had to be making arrangements, arrangements about household matters arising from my new, solitary position. The servants, the governess, the accounts.... These pinpricks have stabbed me to the heart, and I have not the strength to bear it. At dinner ... yesterday, I was almost getting up from the dinner-table. I could not bear the way my son looked at me. He did not ask me the meaning of it all, but he wanted to ask, and I could not bear the look in his eyes. He was afraid to look at me, but that is not all....


I understand, dear friend. I understand it all. Succor and comfort you will find not in me, though I have come only to aid you if I can. If I could take from off you all these petty, humiliating cares ... I understand that a woman’s word, a woman’s superintendence is needed. You will intrust it to me? Together we will take care of Seryozha. Practical affairs are not my strong point. But I will set to work. I will be your housekeeper. Don’t thank me. I do it not from myself....


I cannot help thanking you.


But, dear friend, do not give way to the feeling of which you spoke—being ashamed of what is the Christian’s highest glory: he who humbles himself shall be exalted. And you cannot thank me. You must thank Him, and pray to Him for succor. In Him alone we find peace, consolation, salvation, and love,


I am very, very grateful to you, both for your deeds and for your words,


Now I will enter upon my duties. I am going to Seryozha. Only in the last extremity shall I apply to you.


If only Countess Marya Borissovna were Minister of War, and Princess Vatkovskaya were Commander-in-Chief,


And me among the adjutants,


You have an appointment already. You’re over the ecclesiastical department. And your assistant’s Karenin. Good-day, prince!


What were you saying of Karenin?


He and Putyatov have received the Alexander Nevsky. I thought he had it already. No. Just look at him. Pleased and happy as a brass farthing,


Looking older, did you say? Il fait des passions. I believe Countess Lidia Ivanovna’s jealous now of his wife. Oh, come now, please don’t say any harm of Countess Lidia Ivanovna. Why, is there any harm in her being in love with Karenin? But is it true Madame Karenina’s here? Well, not here in the palace, but in Petersburg. I met her yesterday with Alexey Vronsky, bras dessous, bras dessous, in the Morsky. C’est un homme qui n’a pas,...


Thank you. What an exquisite day today,


I congratulate you. How is our angel?


I can’t say I was quite pleased with him. And Sitnikov is not satisfied with him. As I have mentioned to you, there’s a sort of coldness in him towards the most important questions which ought to touch the heart of every man and every child....


Yes, but the heart. I see in him his father’s heart, and with such a heart a child cannot go far wrong,


Yes, perhaps.... As for me, I do my duty. It’s all I can do.


You’re coming to me, we have to speak of a subject painful for you. I would give anything to have spared you certain memories, but others are not of the same mind. I have received a letter from her. She is here in Petersburg.


I was expecting it,


Well now, we can sit quietly, and talk over our tea.


I don’t think I have the right to refuse her,


Dear friend, you never see evil in anyone!


On the contrary, I see that all is evil. But whether it is just....


No, there are limits to everything. I can understand immorality, but I don’t understand cruelty: to whom? to you! How can she stay in the town where you are? No, the longer one lives the more one learns. And I’m learning to understand your loftiness and her baseness.


Who is to throw a stone? I have forgiven all, and so I cannot deprive her of what is exacted by love in her—by her love for her son....


But is that love, my friend? Is it sincere? Admitting that you have forgiven—that you forgive—have we the right to work on the feelings of that angel? He looks on her as dead. He prays for her, and beseeches God to have mercy on her sins. And it is better so. But now what will he think?


I had not thought of that,


If you ask my advice. I do not advise you to do this. Do you suppose I don’t see how you are suffering, how this has torn open your wounds? But supposing that, as always, you don’t think of yourself, what can it lead to?—to fresh suffering for you, to torture for the child. If there were a trace of humanity left in her, she ought not to wish for it herself. No, I have no hesitation in saying I advise not, and if you will intrust it to me, I will write to her.


Dear Madame. To be reminded of you might have results for your son in leading to questions on his part which could not be answered without implanting in the child’s soul a spirit of censure towards what should be for him sacred, and therefore I beg you to interpret your husband’s refusal in the spirit of Christian love. I pray to Almighty God to have mercy on you. Countess Lidia.


But how have I been to blame?


Well, Kapitonitch? Well, has the bandaged clerk been here today? Did papa see him?


He saw him. The minute the chief secretary came out, I announced him. Here, I’ll take it off.


Seryozha! Take it off yourself.


Well, and did papa do what he wanted for him? Well, was he very glad?


Glad? I should think so! Almost dancing as he walked away.


And has anything been left?


Come, sir. Something from the countess.


What do you say? Where?


Korney took it to your papa. A fine plaything it must be too!


How big? Like this?


Rather small, but a fine thing.


A book.


No, a thing. Run along, run along, Vassily Lukitch is calling you,


Vassily Lukitch, in a tiny minute!


You know papa’s received the Alexander Nevsky today?


To be sure I do! People have been already to congratulate him.


And is he glad?


Glad at the Tsar’s gracious favor! I should think so! It’s a proof he’s deserved it,


Well, and has your daughter been to see you lately?


When is she to come on week-days? They’ve their lessons to learn too. And you’ve your lesson, sir; run along.


What do you think? No, do just tell me, Vassily Lukitch, what is greater than the Alexander Nevsky? You know papa’s received the Alexander Nevsky? And higher still?


Well, highest of all is the Andrey Pervozvanny.


And higher than the Andrey?


I don’t know.


What, you don’t know?


Mihail Ivanitch, when is your birthday?


You’d much better be thinking about your work. Birthdays are of no importance to a rational being. It’s a day like any other on which one has to do one’s work.


But why have they all agreed to speak just in the same manner always the dreariest and most useless stuff? Why does he keep me off; why doesn’t he love me?


Here is your papa!


Did you have a nice walk?


Yes, it was very nice indeed, papa. I saw Nadinka She told me you’d been given a new star. Are you glad, papa?


First of all, don’t rock your chair, please. And secondly, it’s not the reward that’s precious, but the work itself. And I could have wished you understood that. If you now are going to work, to study in order to win a reward, then the work will seem hard to you; but when you work loving your work, you will find your reward in it. You understand that, I hope?


Yes, papa,


Well, what are the names of the patriarchs?


Enoch, Enos—


But you have said that already. This is bad, Seryozha, very bad. If you don’t try to learn what is more necessary than anything for a Christian,


whatever can interest you? I am displeased with you, and Piotr Ignatitch


is displeased with you.... I shall have to punish you.


Vassily Lukitch, do you know what I prayed for tonight extra besides the regular things?


That you might learn your lessons better?


No.


Toys?


No. You’ll never guess. A splendid thing; but it’s a secret! When it comes to pass I’ll tell you. Can’t you guess!


No, I can’t guess. You tell me,


Come, lie down, I’m putting out the candle.


Without the candle I can see better what I see and what I prayed for. There! I was almost telling the secret!


At last!


And Anna? How glad I am! Where are you stopping? I can fancy after your delightful travels you must find our poor Petersburg horrid. I can fancy your honeymoon in Rome. How about the divorce? Is that all over?


People will throw stones at me, I know, but I shall come and see Anna; yes, I shall certainly come. You won’t be here long, I suppose?


You’ve never told me when the divorce is to be? Supposing I’m ready to fling my cap over the mill, other starchy people will give you the cold shoulder until you’re married. And that’s so simple nowadays. Ça se fait. So you’re going on Friday? Sorry we shan’t see each other again.


You know, Alexey, how fond I am of you, and how ready I am to do anything for you; but I have not spoken, because I knew I could be of no use to you and to Anna Arkadyevna,


Don’t suppose, please, that I judge her. Never; perhaps in her place I should have done the same. I don’t and can’t enter into that,


But one must call things by their names. You want me to go and see her, to ask her here, and to rehabilitate her in society; but do understand that I cannot do so. I have daughters growing up, and I must live in the world for my husband’s sake. Well, I’m ready to come and see Anna Arkadyevna: she will understand that I can’t ask her here, or I should have to do so in such a way that she would not meet people who look at things differently; that would offend her. I can’t raise her....


Oh, I don’t regard her as fallen more than hundreds of women you do receive!


Alexey! don’t be angry with me. Please understand that I’m not to blame,


I’m not angry with you,


but I’m sorry in two ways. I’m sorry, too, that this means breaking up our friendship—if not breaking up, at least weakening it. You will understand that for me, too, it cannot be otherwise.


Run and see what’s wanted. Some lady,


Seryozha—Sergey Alexeitch,


Whom do you want?


From Prince Skorodumov for Sergey Alexeitch,


His honor’s not up yet. Would you kindly wait? Please walk in, your excellency. The tutor’s there; maybe he’s not dressed. I’ll let him know. This way, to the left, if you please. Excuse its not being tidy. His honor’s in the old parlor now. Excuse me, wait a little, your excellency; I’ll just see. He’s only just awake,


Let me in; go away! Seryozha!


Seryozha! Seryozha! my darling boy!


Mother! I know, it’s my birthday today. I knew you’d come. I’ll get up directly. What are you crying for, mother? Mother, what are you crying for?


I won’t cry ... I’m crying for joy. It’s so long since I’ve seen you. I won’t, I won’t. Come, it’s time for you to dress now. How do you dress without me? How....


I don’t have a cold bath, papa didn’t order it. And you’ve not seen Vassily Lukitch? He’ll come in soon. Why, you’re sitting on my clothes! Mother, darling, sweet one! I don’t want that on,


But what did you think about me? You didn’t think I was dead?


I never believed it.


You didn’t believe it, my sweet?


I knew, I knew!


I’ll wait another ten minutes,


Oh yes, to be sure you’d not have let her in! After ten years’ service, and never a word but of kindness, and there you’d up and say, ‘Be off, go along, get away with you!’ Oh yes, you’re a shrewd one at politics, I dare say! You don’t need to be taught how to swindle the master, and to filch fur coats!


Soldier! Here, what do you think, Marya Efimovna: he let her in without a word to anyone. Alexey Alexandrovitch will be down immediately—and go into the nursery!


A pretty business, a pretty business! You, Korney Vassilievitch, you’d best keep him some way or other, the master, while I’ll run and get her away somehow. A pretty business!


Mistress, darling! God has brought joy indeed to our boy on his birthday. You aren’t changed one bit.


Oh, nurse dear, I didn’t know you were in the house,


I’m not living here, I’m living with my daughter. I came for the birthday, Anna Arkadyevna, darling!


Mother! She often comes to see me, and when she comes....


My sweet! good-bye Darling, darling Kootik! you won’t forget me? You....


Don’t go yet. He won’t come just yet.


Seryozha, my darling, love him; he’s better and kinder than I am, and I have done him wrong. When you grow up you will judge.


There’s no one better than you!...


My sweet, my little one!


He’s coming,


Presently. Later on,


Oh, here is he! But where is he? How is it he leaves me alone in my misery?


But he ought to tell me so. I must know that it is so. If I knew it, then I know what I should do,


We have met already. We met last year at the races. Give them to me. Were the races good this year? Instead of them I saw the races in the Corso in Rome. But you don’t care for life abroad. I know you and all your tastes, though I have seen so little of you.


I’m awfully sorry for that, for my tastes are mostly bad,


Not long, I think,


So then we shan’t meet again?


Come and dine with me. The dinner here is not good, but at least you will see him. There is no one of his old friends in the regiment Alexey cares for as he does for you.


Delighted,


Are you going too?


I’m late already. Run along! I’ll catch you up in a moment,


Wait a minute, there’s something I want to say to you. Oh, was it right my asking him to dinner?


You did quite right,


Alexey, you have not changed to me? Alexey, I am miserable here. When are we going away?


Soon, soon. You wouldn’t believe how disagreeable our way of living here is to me too,


Well, go, go!


Very sorry that I can’t come just between half-past six and nine,


The princess will be very sorry.


And so am I.


You’re going, no doubt, to hear Patti?


Patti? You suggest the idea to me. I would go if it were possible to get a box.


I can get one,


I should be very, very grateful to you. But won’t you dine with us?


Are you really going to the theater?


Why do you ask with such alarm? Why shouldn’t I go?


Oh, of course, there’s no reason whatever,


That’s just what I say,


Anna, for God’s sake! what is the matter with you?


I don’t understand what you are asking.


You know that it’s out of the question to go.


Why so? I’m not going alone. Princess Varvara has gone to dress, she is going with me.


But do you mean to say you don’t know?...


But I don’t care to know! I don’t care to. Do I regret what I have done? No, no, no! If it were all to do again from the beginning, it would be the same. For us, for you and for me, there is only one thing that matters, whether we love each other. Other people we need not consider. Why are we living here apart and not seeing each other? Why can’t I go? I love you, and I don’t care for anything. If you have not changed to me, why don’t you look at me?


My feeling cannot change, you know, but I beg you, I entreat you,


And I beg you to explain why I should not go.


Because it might cause you....


I don’t understand. Yashvin n’est pas compromettant, and Princess Varvara is no worse than others. Oh, here she is!


But how can she fail to see it, and what is going on in her?


You were talking of Lankovsky’s Powerful. That’s a fine horse, and I would advise you to buy him. His hind-quarters aren’t quite first-rate, but the legs and head—one couldn’t wish for anything better.


I think I will take him,


Anna Arkadyevna gave orders to announce that she has gone to the theater. Well, let’s go,


I’m not going,


Well, I must, I promised to. Good-bye, then. If you do, come to the stalls; you can take Kruzin’s stall,


No, I’m busy.


A wife is a care, but it’s worse when she’s not a wife,


And what’s today? The fourth night.... Yegor and his wife are there, and my mother, most likely. Of course all Petersburg’s there. Now she’s gone in, taken off her cloak and come into the light. Tushkevitch, Yashvin, Princess Varvara. What about me? Either that I’m frightened or have given up to Tushkevitch the right to protect her? From every point of view—stupid, stupid!... And why is she putting me in such a position? If you care to be in my service,


Ah, Vronsky! When are you coming to the regiment? We can’t let you off without a supper. You’re one of the old set,


I can’t stop, awfully sorry, another time,


I think it’s mean and hateful, and Madame Kartasova had no right to do it. Madame Karenina....


But what is it? I don’t know.


What? you’ve not heard?


You know I should be the last person to hear of it.


There isn’t a more spiteful creature than that Madame Kartasova!


But what did she do?


My husband told me.... She has insulted Madame Karenina. Her husband began talking to her across the box, and Madame Kartasova made a scene. She said something aloud, he says, something insulting, and went away.


Count, your maman is asking for you,


I’ve been expecting you all the while. You were nowhere to be seen.


Good evening, maman. I have come to you,


There are no more tenors. Le moule en est brisé!


You came in late, I think, and have missed the best song,


I am a poor judge of music. Like Prince Yashvin, who considers that Patti sings too loud. Thank you,


You, you are to blame for everything!


I begged, I implored you not to go, I knew it would be unpleasant....


Unpleasant! hideous! As long as I live I shall never forget it. She said it was a disgrace to sit beside me.


Anna! How does the question of my love come in?


Oh, if you loved me, as I love, if you were tortured as I am!...


Take me with you. I am very fond of picking mushrooms. I think it’s a very nice occupation.


Oh, we shall be delighted,


Katya, it’s not good for you to stand,


Varenka’s waiting,


I’m coming, I’m coming, Varvara Andreevna,


And how sweet my Varenka is! eh? And how good-looking she is—such a refined beauty! Varenka! Shall you be in the mill copse? We’ll come out to you.


You certainly forget your condition, Kitty,


Varenka, I should be very happy if a certain something were to happen,


And are you coming with us?


I am coming, but only as far as the threshing-floor, and there I shall stop.


Why, what do you want there?


I must go to have a look at the new wagons, and to check the invoice, and where will you be?


On the terrace.


I always buy my maids’ dresses myself, of some cheap material. Isn’t it time to skim it, my dear? There’s not the slightest need for you to do it, and it’s hot for you,


I’ll do it. How they’ll enjoy this at tea-time! Stiva says it’s much better to give money.


Money’s out of the question! They appreciate a present.... Well, last year, for instance, I bought our Matrona Semyenovna, not a poplin, but something of that sort. I remember she was wearing it on your nameday. A charming pattern—so simple and refined,—I should have liked it myself, if she hadn’t had it. Something like Varenka’s. So pretty and inexpensive.


Well, now I think it’s done,


It’ll be just the same,


Ah! how sweet it is! don’t frighten it!


Yes, but you keep a little further from the stove,


À propos de Varenka, you know, mamma, I somehow expect things to be settled today. You know what I mean. How splendid it would be!


How carefully and cleverly she throws them together!...


No; tell me, mamma, what do you think?


Why, what is one to think? He might at any time have been a match for anyone in Russia; now, of course, he’s not quite a young man, still I know ever so many girls would be glad to marry him even now.... She’s a very nice girl, but he might....


Oh, no, mamma, do understand why, for him and for her too, nothing better could be imagined. In the first place, she’s charming!


He thinks her very attractive, that’s certain,


Then he occupies such a position in society that he has no need to look for either fortune or position in his wife. All he needs is a good, sweet wife—a restful one.


Well, with her he would certainly be restful,


Thirdly, that she should love him. And so it is ... that is, it would be so splendid!... I look forward to seeing them coming out of the forest—and everything settled. I shall see at once by their eyes. I should be so delighted! What do you think, Dolly?


But don’t excite yourself. It’s not at all the thing for you to be excited,


Oh, I’m not excited, mamma. I fancy he will make her an offer today.


Ah, that’s so strange, how and when a man makes an offer!... There is a sort of barrier, and all at once it’s broken down,


Mamma, how did papa make you an offer?


There was nothing out of the way, it was very simple,


Of course I did; he had come to stay with us in the country. But how was it settled between you, mamma?


You imagine, I dare say, that you invented something quite new? It’s always just the same: it was settled by the eyes, by smiles....


How nicely you said that, mamma! It’s just by the eyes, by smiles that it’s done,


What words did he say? What did Kostya say to you?


He wrote it in chalk. It was wonderful.... How long ago it seems!


There’s one thing ... that old love affair of Varenka’s. I should have liked to say something to Sergey Ivanovitch, to prepare him. They’re all—all men, I mean, awfully jealous over our past.


Not all. You judge by your own husband. It makes him miserable even now to remember Vronsky. Eh? that’s true, isn’t it?


Yes,


But I really don’t know, what there was in your past that could worry him? That Vronsky paid you attentions—that happens to every girl.


Oh, yes, but we didn’t mean that,


No, let me speak, why, you yourself would not let me have a talk to Vronsky. Don’t you remember?


Oh, mamma! I’m perfectly calm, maman.


How happy it was for Kitty that Anna came then, and how unhappy for her. It turned out quite the opposite. Then Anna was so happy, and Kitty thought herself unhappy. Now it is just the opposite. I often think of her.


A nice person to think about! Horrid, repulsive woman—no heart,


What do you want to talk of it for? I never think about it, and I don’t want to think of it.... And I don’t want to think of it,


What’s that you don’t want to think about? I’m sorry I’ve broken in on your feminine parliament. Well, how are you?


Oh, very well, and how have things gone with you?


The wagons held three times as much as the old carts did. Well, are we going for the children? I’ve ordered the horses to be put in.


What! you want to take Kitty in the wagonette?


Yes, at a walking pace, princess.


Come with us, maman,


I don’t like to see such imprudence.


Well, I’ll walk then, I’m so well.


Well, Agafea Mihalovna, is the jam done?


Is it all right in the new way?


I suppose it’s all right. For our notions it’s boiled too long.


It’ll be all the better, Agafea Mihalovna, it won’t mildew, even though our ice has begun to thaw already, so that we’ve no cool cellar to store it, but your pickle’s so good, that mamma says she never tasted any like it,


You needn’t try to console me, mistress. I need only to look at you with him, and I feel happy,


Come along with us to look for mushrooms, you will show us the best places.


Do it, please, by my receipt, put some paper over the jam, and moisten it with a little rum, and without even ice, it will never go mildewy.


So you’re not tired? Lean more on me,


No, I’m so glad of a chance of being alone with you, and I must own, though I’m happy with them, I do regret our winter evenings alone.


That was good, but this is even better. Both are better,


Do you know what we were talking about when you came in?


About jam?


Oh, yes, about jam too; but afterwards, about how men make offers.


Ah!


And about Sergey Ivanovitch and Varenka. You’ve noticed?... I’m very anxious for it. What do you think about it?


I don’t know what to think. Sergey seems very strange to me in that way. I told you, you know....


Yes, that he was in love with that girl who died....


That was when I was a child; I know about it from hearsay and tradition. I remember him then. He was wonderfully sweet. But I’ve watched him since with women; he is friendly, some of them he likes, but one feels that to him they’re simply people, not women.


Yes, but now with Varenka ... I fancy there’s something....


Perhaps there is.... But one has to know him.... He’s a peculiar, wonderful person. He lives a spiritual life only. He’s too pure, too exalted a nature.


Why? Would this lower him, then?


No, but he’s so used to a spiritual life that he can’t reconcile himself with actual fact, and Varenka is after all fact.


Yes, but there’s not so much of that actual fact about her as about me. I can see that he would never have cared for me. She is altogether spiritual.


Oh, no, he is so fond of you, and I am always so glad when my people like you....


Yes, he’s very nice to me; but....


It’s not as it was with poor Nikolay ... you really cared for each other. Why not speak of him? I sometimes blame myself for not; it ends in one’s forgetting. Ah, how terrible and dear he was!... Yes, what were we talking about?


You think he can’t fall in love,


It’s not so much that he can’t fall in love, but he has not the weakness necessary.... I’ve always envied him, and even now, when I’m so happy, I still envy him.


You envy him for not being able to fall in love?


I envy him for being better than I. He does not live for himself. His whole life is subordinated to his duty. And that’s why he can be calm and contented.


And you? And you? What are you dissatisfied with?


I am happy, but dissatisfied with myself....


Why, how can you be dissatisfied with yourself if you are happy?


Well, how shall I say?... In my heart I really care for nothing whatever but that you should not stumble—see? Oh, but really you mustn’t skip about like that! But when I think about myself, and compare myself with others, especially with my brother, I feel I’m a poor creature.


But in what way? Don’t you too work for others? What about your co-operative settlement, and your work on the estate, and your book?...


Oh, but I feel, and particularly just now—it’s your fault, that all that doesn’t count. I do it in a way halfheartedly. If I could care for all that as I care for you!... Instead of that, I do it in these days like a task that is set me.


Well, what would you say about papa? Is he a poor creature then, as he does nothing for the public good?


He?—no! But then one must have the simplicity, the straightforwardness, the goodness of your father: and I haven’t got that. I do nothing, and I fret about it. It’s all your doing. Before there was you—and this too. I put all my energies into work; now I can’t, and I’m ashamed; I do it just as though it were a task set me, I’m pretending....


Well, but would you like to change this minute with Sergey Ivanovitch? Would you like to do this work for the general good, and to love the task set you, as he does, and nothing else?


Of course not. But I’m so happy that I don’t understand anything. So you think he’ll make her an offer today?


I think so, and I don’t think so. Only, I’m awfully anxious for it. Here, wait a minute. Come, count: he does propose, he doesn’t,


He does, he doesn’t,


No, no!


Oh, but see, this little one shan’t count to make up. Here’s the wagonette overtaking us.


Aren’t you tired, Kitty?


Not in the least.


If you are you can get in, as the horses are quiet and walking.


Come here, little ones! There are so many! Well, did you find some?


Not one. Did you?


That one too, near the twig. This brings back my childhood,


So you found nothing? In the middle of the wood there are always fewer, though.


I have heard that the white edible funguses are found principally at the edge of the wood, though I can’t tell them apart.


What is the difference between the ‘birch’ mushroom and the ‘white’ mushroom?


In the top part there is scarcely any difference, it’s in the stalk.


The birch mushroom’s stalk suggests a dark man’s chin after two days without shaving,


Yes, that’s true,


Gently, children, gently! Well?


It doesn’t bite,


How doesn’t bite?


I’ll show you. Like a kiss on a priest’s hand.


Which didn’t it bite with?


Both. But it should have been like this.... There are some peasants coming.... Oh, they didn’t see.


Mark my words, Alexander will not come. And I know why, he says that young people ought to be left alone for a while at first.


But papa has left us alone. We’ve never seen him. Besides, we’re not young people!—we’re old, married people by now.


Only if he doesn’t come, I shall say good-bye to you children. How do you suppose he is feeling? Why, now....


What is it, Agafea Mihalovna?


Well, that’s right, you go and arrange about it, and I’ll go and hear Grisha repeat his lesson, or else he will have nothing done all day.


That’s my lesson! No, Dolly, I’m going.


No, I’m going, Dolly, you sit still. We’ll do it all properly, like the book. Only when Stiva comes, and we go out shooting, then we shall have to miss it.


I’ll see to the supper, you sit still,


What a nice girl!


Not nice, maman; she’s an exquisite girl; there’s no one else like her.


So you are expecting Stepan Arkadyevitch today? It would be difficult to find two sons-in-law more unlike than yours. One all movement, only living in society, like a fish in water; the other our Kostya, lively, alert, quick in everything, but as soon as he is in society, he either sinks into apathy, or struggles helplessly like a fish on land.


Yes, he’s very heedless. I’ve been meaning, indeed, to ask you to tell him that it’s out of the question for her to stay here; that she positively must come to Moscow. He talks of getting a doctor down....


Maman, he’ll do everything; he has agreed to everything,


It’s Stiva! We’ve finished, Dolly, don’t be afraid!


Is ea id, ejus, ejus, ejus!


And someone else too! Papa, of course! Kitty, don’t come down the steep staircase, go round.


A capital fellow, and a keen sportsman,


Your wife and I are cousins and very old friends,


Well, are there plenty of birds? We’ve come with the most savage intentions. Why, maman, they’ve not been in Moscow since! Look, Tanya, here’s something for you! Get it, please, it’s in the carriage, behind! How pretty you’ve grown, Dolly,


Please, do let’s go,


I’ve never been tired yet. Suppose we stay up all night. Let’s go for a walk! Let’s go for a walk!


Oh, we all know you can do without sleep, and keep other people up too. But to my thinking, it’s time for bed now.... I’m going, I don’t want supper.


No, do stay a little, Dolly. I’ve so much still to tell you. Nothing really, I suppose. Do you know Veslovsky has been at Anna’s, and he’s going to them again? You know they’re hardly fifty miles from you, and I too must certainly go over there. Veslovsky, come here!


Ah, do tell me, please; you have stayed with her? How was she? It’s exceedingly nice at their place. I can’t, of course, take it upon myself to judge, but in their house you feel the real feeling of home. I believe they think of going to Moscow.


How jolly it would be for us all to go over to them together! When are you going there?


I’m spending July there.


Will you go?


I’ve been wanting to a long while; I shall certainly go. I am sorry for her, and I know her. She’s a splendid woman. I will go alone, when you go back, and then I shall be in no one’s way. And it will be better indeed without you.


To be sure,


I? Why should I go?


Do you know Anna Arkadyevna, then? She’s a very fascinating woman.


Yes. Are you going shooting, then, tomorrow?


Yes, I’m going,


No, better spend the day here tomorrow, or Dolly won’t see anything of her husband, and set off the day after,


Oh, if you wish, we’ll stay here tomorrow,


Tomorrow, then? Do, please, let us go,


We don’t like that fashion.


Why, how can one want to go to bed! Look, Kitty, how exquisite! Veslovsky, this is the time for a serenade. You know, he has a splendid voice; we practiced songs together along the road. He has brought some lovely songs with him, two new ones. Varvara Andreevna and he must sing some duets.


Was there perhaps something you disliked about Veslovsky?


You must understand that I’m not jealous, that’s a nasty word. I can’t be jealous, and believe that.... I can’t say what I feel, but this is awful.... I’m not jealous, but I’m wounded, humiliated that anybody dare think, that anybody dare look at you with eyes like that.


Eyes like what? And what can there possibly be attractive about me as I am now?...


Ah! you shouldn’t say that!... If you had been attractive then....


Oh, no, Kostya, oh, wait a minute, oh, do listen! Why, what can you be thinking about! When for me there’s no one in the world, no one, no one!... Would you like me never to see anyone?


You must understand the horror and comedy of my position, that he’s in my house, that he’s done nothing improper positively except his free and easy airs and the way he sits on his legs. He thinks it’s the best possible form, and so I’m obliged to be civil to him.


But, Kostya, you’re exaggerating,


The most awful part of it all is that you’re just as you always are, and especially now when to me you’re something sacred, and we’re so happy, so particularly happy—and all of a sudden a little wretch.... He’s not a little wretch; why should I abuse him? I have nothing to do with him. But why should my, and your, happiness....


Do you know, I understand now what it’s all come from,


Well, what? what?


I saw how you looked while we were talking at supper.


Well, well! Katya, I’ve been worrying you! Darling, forgive me! It’s madness! Katya, I’m a criminal. And how could you be so distressed at such idiocy?


Oh, I was sorry for you.


For me? for me? How mad I am!... But why make you miserable? It’s awful to think that any outsider can shatter our happiness.


It’s humiliating too, of course.


Oh, then I’ll keep him here all the summer, and will overwhelm him with civility. You shall see. Tomorrow.... Oh, yes, we are going tomorrow.


Good dog, good dog, Krak!


Well, and what about our host?


A young wife,


Yes, and such a charming one!


He came down dressed. No doubt he’s run up to her again.


Pardon, gentlemen! Have you put the lunch in? Why is the chestnut on the right? Well, it doesn’t matter. Laska, down; go and lie down! Put it with the herd of oxen. Excuse me, here comes another villain. You didn’t come to the counting house yesterday, and now you’re detaining me. Well, what is it?


Would your honor let me make another turning? It’s only three steps to add. And we make it just fit at the same time. It will be much more convenient.


You should have listened to me. I said: Put the lines and then fit in the steps. Now there’s no setting it right. Do as I told you, and make a new staircase.


It will be much better.


But where’s your staircase coming out with its three steps?


Why, upon my word, sir. It comes out right at the very spot. It starts, so to speak, it comes down, and comes down, and comes out.


But three steps will add to the length too ... where is it to come out?


Why, to be sure, it’ll start from the bottom and go up and go up, and come out so,


It’ll reach the ceiling and the wall.


Upon my word! Why, it’ll go up, and up, and come out like this.


There, do you see?


As your honor likes. It seems it’ll be best to make a new one.


Well, then, do it as you’re told. Down! Hold the dogs, Philip!


How fine it must be galloping over the steppes on a steppe horse! Eh? isn’t it?


Do you know what, Levin, I’ll gallop home on that left trace-horse. That will be splendid. Eh?


No, why should you?


Well, now what’s our plan of campaign? Tell us all about it. Our plan is this. Now we’re driving to Gvozdyov. In Gvozdyov there’s a grouse marsh on this side, and beyond Gvozdyov come some magnificent snipe marshes where there are grouse too. It’s hot now, and we’ll get there—it’s fifteen miles or so—towards evening and have some evening shooting; we’ll spend the night there and go on tomorrow to the bigger moors. And is there nothing on the way?


Yes; but we’ll reserve ourselves; besides it’s hot. There are two nice little places, but I doubt there being anything to shoot.


Shan’t we try that?


Levin, do, please! how delightful!


Krak! Laska!... No! Come along, Levin, let’s go together! Really, there’s not room. Laska, back, Laska! You won’t want another dog, will you? Come, you see now that it was not that I grudged the marsh, only it’s wasting time.


Oh, no, it was jolly all the same. Did you see us? How splendidly I shot this bird! Didn’t I? Well, shall we soon be getting to the real place?


Now you go and I’ll stay with the horses,


Why don’t you stop her?


She won’t scare them. Come, come, Stiva!


Fetch it!


Damn the fellow! What did you drive in for?


Bon appétit—bonne conscience! Ce poulet va tomber jusqu’au fond de mes bottes. Well, now our troubles are over, now everything’s going to go well. Only, to atone for my sins, I’m bound to sit on the box. That’s so? eh? No, no! I’ll be your Automedon. You shall see how I’ll get you along. No, I must atone for my sins, and I’m very comfortable on the box.


How shall we go? It’s a splendid marsh, I see, and there are hawks. Where there are hawks, there is sure to be game.


Now, gentlemen, do you see those reeds? The marsh begins here, straight in front of us, do you see—where it is greener? From here it runs to the right where the horses are; there are breeding places there, and grouse, and all round those reeds as far as that alder, and right up to the mill. Over there, do you see, where the pools are? That’s the best place. There I once shot seventeen snipe. We’ll separate with the dogs and go in different directions, and then meet over there at the mill.


Well, which shall go to left and which to right? It’s wider to the right; you two go that way and I’ll take the left,


Capital! we’ll make the bigger bag! Yes, come along, come along!


Veslovsky, beside me, walk beside me!


Oh, I won’t get in your way, don’t trouble about me.


Bang! bang!


Well, now let us separate,


Krak, Krak, apporte!


Hi, sportsmen! come and have some lunch with us! Have a drop of wine! Come along, it’s all right!


Qu’est-ce qu’ils disent?


They invite you to have some vodka. Most likely they’ve been dividing the meadow into lots. I should have some,


Why do they offer it?


Oh, they’re merry-making. Really, you should join them. You would be interested.


Allons, c’est curieux.


You go, you go, you’ll find the way to the mill!


You come too! Never fear! You taste our cake!


Fetch it!


No, I must control myself,


Well? You have been popping away!


How have you got on?


Oh, pretty fair. A splendid marsh! I’ve no doubt Veslovsky got in your way. It’s awkward too, shooting with one dog,


I’ve only just come. Ils ont été charmants. Just fancy, they gave me drink, fed me! Such bread, it was exquisite! Délicieux! And the vodka, I never tasted any better. And they would not take a penny for anything. And they kept saying: ‘Excuse our homely ways.’


What should they take anything for? They were entertaining you, to be sure. Do you suppose they keep vodka for sale?


I don’t understand you, how is it such people don’t disgust you? I can understand a lunch with Lafitte is all very pleasant, but don’t you dislike just that very sumptuousness? All these people, just like our spirit monopolists in old days, get their money in a way that gains them the contempt of everyone. They don’t care for their contempt, and then they use their dishonest gains to buy off the contempt they have deserved.


Perfectly true! Perfectly! Oblonsky, of course, goes out of bonhomie, but other people say: ‘Well, Oblonsky stays with them.’...


Not a bit of it. I simply don’t consider him more dishonest than any other wealthy merchant or nobleman. They’ve all made their money alike—by their work and their intelligence.


Oh, by what work? Do you call it work to get hold of concessions and speculate with them?


Of course it’s work. Work in this sense, that if it were not for him and others like him, there would have been no railways.


But that’s not work, like the work of a peasant or a learned profession.


Granted, but it’s work in the sense that his activity produces a result—the railways. But of course you think the railways useless.


No, that’s another question; I am prepared to admit that they’re useful. But all profit that is out of proportion to the labor expended is dishonest.


But who is to define what is proportionate?


Making profit by dishonest means, by trickery. Such as banking, for instance. It’s an evil—the amassing of huge fortunes without labor, just the same thing as with the spirit monopolies, it’s only the form that’s changed. Le roi est mort, vive le roi. No sooner were the spirit monopolies abolished than the railways came up, and banking companies; that, too, is profit without work.


Yes, that may all be very true and clever.... Lie down, Krak! But you have not drawn the line between honest and dishonest work. That I receive a bigger salary than my chief clerk, though he knows more about the work than I do—that’s dishonest, I suppose?


I can’t say.


Well, but I can tell you: your receiving some five thousand, let’s say, for your work on the land, while our host, the peasant here, however hard he works, can never get more than fifty roubles, is just as dishonest as my earning more than my chief clerk, and Malthus getting more than a station-master. No, quite the contrary; I see that society takes up a sort of antagonistic attitude to these people, which is utterly baseless, and I fancy there’s envy at the bottom of it....


No, that’s unfair how could envy come in? There is something not nice about that sort of business.


You say, that it’s unjust for me to receive five thousand, while the peasant has fifty; that’s true. It is unfair, and I feel it, but....


It really is. Why is it we spend our time riding, drinking, shooting, doing nothing, while they are forever at work?


Yes, you feel it, but you don’t give him your property,


I don’t give it away, because no one demands that from me, and if I wanted to, I could not give it away, and have no one to give it to.


Give it to this peasant, he would not refuse it.


Yes, but how am I to give it up? Am I to go to him and make a deed of conveyance?


I don’t know; but if you are convinced that you have no right....


I’m not at all convinced. On the contrary, I feel I have no right to give it up, that I have duties both to the land and to my family.


No, excuse me, but if you consider this inequality is unjust, why is it you don’t act accordingly?...


Well, I do act negatively on that idea, so far as not trying to increase the difference of position existing between him and me.


No, excuse me, that’s a paradox.


Yes, there’s something of a sophistry about that. Ah! our host; so you’re not asleep yet? How is it you’re not asleep?


No, how’s one to sleep! I thought our gentlemen would be asleep, but I heard them chattering. I want to get a hook from here. She won’t bite? And where are you going to sleep? We are going out for the night with the beasts.


Ah, what a night! But listen, there are women’s voices singing, and, on my word, not badly too. Who’s that singing, my friend?


That’s the maids from hard by here.


Let’s go, let’s have a walk! We shan’t go to sleep, you know. Oblonsky, come along!


If one could only do both, lie here and go. It’s capital lying here.


Well, I shall go by myself. Good-bye, gentlemen. If it’s fun, I’ll fetch you. You’ve treated me to some good sport, and I won’t forget you.


He really is a capital fellow, isn’t he?


Yes, capital,


It’s just this, my dear boy. One must do one of two things: either admit that the existing order of society is just, and then stick up for one’s rights in it; or acknowledge that you are enjoying unjust privileges, as I do, and then enjoy them and be satisfied.


No, if it were unjust, you could not enjoy these advantages and be satisfied—at least I could not. The great thing for me is to feel that I’m not to blame.


What do you say, why not go after all? We shan’t go to sleep, you know. Come, let’s go!


How strong the smell of the fresh hay is, though,


There’s not a chance of sleeping. Vassenka has been getting up some fun there. Do you hear the laughing and his voice? Hadn’t we better go? Come along!


No, I’m not coming,


Surely that’s not a matter of principle too,


It’s not a matter of principle, but why should I go?


But do you know you are preparing trouble for yourself. Do you suppose I don’t see the line you’ve taken up with your wife? I heard how it’s a question of the greatest consequence, whether or not you’re to be away for a couple of days’ shooting. That’s all very well as an idyllic episode, but for your whole life that won’t answer. A man must be independent; he has his masculine interests. A man has to be manly,


In what way? To go running after servant girls?


Why not, if it amuses him? Ça ne tire pas à conséquence. It won’t do my wife any harm, and it’ll amuse me. The great thing is to respect the sanctity of the home. There should be nothing in the home. But don’t tie your own hands.


Perhaps so. Tomorrow, early, I want to go shooting, and I won’t wake anyone, and shall set off at daybreak.


Messieurs, venez vite! Charmante! I’ve made such a discovery. Charmante! a perfect Gretchen, and I’ve already made friends with her. Really, exceedingly pretty,


Why are you up so early, my dear?


Going shooting, granny. Do I go this way to the marsh?


Straight out at the back; by our threshing floor, my dear, and hemp patches; there’s a little footpath. Straight on and you’ll come to the marsh. Our lads drove the cattle there yesterday evening.


Laska! here?


Fetch it, fetch it!


But I can’t go. Where am I to go? From here I feel them, but if I move forward I shall know nothing of where they are or who they are.


Fetch it, Laska.


Well, if that’s what he wishes, I’ll do it, but I can’t answer for myself now,


Come, this is going to be some good! Eh, Laska, will it be good?


Uncle, there were ducks here yesterday!


Wait a bit, wait a bit, I know there are nineteen,


I am perfectly well and happy. If you were uneasy about me, you can feel easier than ever. I’ve a new bodyguard, Marya Vlasyevna. She has come to have a look at me. She found me perfectly well, and we have kept her till you are back. All are happy and well, and please, don’t be in a hurry to come back, but, if the sport is good, stay another day.


Overdriven yesterday, Konstantin Dmitrievitch. Yes, indeed! driven ten miles with no sense!


Well, this fellow’s appetite! I never suffer from loss of appetite, but he’s really marvelous!...


Well, it can’t be helped. Well, Philip, give me some beef, then.


The beef’s been eaten, and the bones given to the dogs,


You might have left me something! Then put away the game, and cover them with some nettles. And you might at least ask for some milk for me.


Excuse our homely ways,


Well, mind you don’t run after other men’s wives—you’d better get one of your own.


Altogether, I’ve enjoyed our outing awfully. And you, Levin?


I have, very much,


Entrez! Excuse me, I’ve only just finished my ablutions,


Don’t mind me, please. Have you slept well?


Like the dead. What sort of day is it for shooting?


What will you take, tea or coffee?


Neither. I’ll wait till lunch. I’m really ashamed. I suppose the ladies are down? A walk now would be capital. You show me your horses. We had splendid shooting, and so many delightful experiences! What a pity ladies are cut off from these delights!


I know nothing about it, princess. Do as you think fit,


You must decide when you will move.


I really don’t know. I know millions of children are born away from Moscow, and doctors ... why....


But if so....


Oh, no, as Kitty wishes.


We can’t talk to Kitty about it! Do you want me to frighten her? Why, this spring Natalia Golitzina died from having an ignorant doctor.


I will do just what you say,


You do just as you think best, princess,


Heavy is the cap of Monomach. How late you are today, Dolly!


I’ve been worried about Masha. She did not sleep well, and is dreadfully tiresome today,


What do you say, shall we go and look for mushrooms today?


By all means, please, and I shall come too. Where are you going, Kostya?


The mechanician came when I was away; I haven’t seen him yet. What do you want? We are busy.


I beg your pardon. I want a few words with my husband.


Don’t disturb yourself.


The train is at three? I mustn’t be late.


Well, what have you to say to me?


I ... I want to say that we can’t go on like this; that this is misery....


The servants are here at the sideboard, don’t make a scene.


Well, let’s go in here! Well, come into the garden. We can’t go on like this! It’s misery! I am wretched; you are wretched. What for?


But tell me one thing: was there in his tone anything unseemly, not nice, humiliatingly horrible?


Yes, but, Kostya, surely you see I’m not to blame? All the morning I’ve been trying to take a tone ... but such people.... Why did he come? How happy we were!


And you shall stand all day in the corner, and have your dinner all alone, and not see one of your dolls, and I won’t make you a new frock. Oh, she is a disgusting child! Where does she get such wicked propensities?


Why, what has she done?


Grisha and she went into the raspberries, and there ... I can’t tell you really what she did. It’s a thousand pities Miss Elliot’s not with us. This one sees to nothing—she’s a machine.... Figurez-vous que la petite?...


That proves nothing; it’s not a question of evil propensities at all, it’s simply mischief,


But you are upset about something? What have you come for? What’s going on there?


I’ve not been in there, I’ve been alone in the garden with Kitty. We’ve had a quarrel for the second time since ... Stiva came.


Come, tell me, honor bright, has there been ... not in Kitty, but in that gentleman’s behavior, a tone which might be unpleasant—not unpleasant, but horrible, offensive to a husband? You mean, how shall I say.... Stay, stay in the corner! The opinion of the world would be that he is behaving as young men do behave. Il fait la cour à une jeune et jolie femme, and a husband who’s a man of the world should only be flattered by it.


Yes, yes, but you noticed it?


Not only I, but Stiva noticed it. Just after breakfast he said to me in so many words, Je crois que Veslovsky fait un petit brin de cour à Kitty.


Well, that’s all right then; now I’m satisfied. I’ll send him away,


What do you mean! Are you crazy? nonsense, Kostya, only think! You can go now to Fanny. No, if you wish it, I’ll speak to Stiva. He’ll take him away. He can say you’re expecting visitors. Altogether he doesn’t fit into the house.


No, no, I’ll do it myself.


But you’ll quarrel with him?


Not a bit. I shall so enjoy it. Come, forgive her, Dolly, she won’t do it again,


The spring was broken yesterday,


Well, the covered trap, then, and make haste. Where’s the visitor?


The gentleman’s gone to his room.


You ride in gaiters?


Yes, it’s much cleaner,


I wanted.... I have ordered the horses to be put-to for you.


How so? To drive where?


For you to drive to the station,


Are you going away, or has something happened?


It happens that I expect visitors. And I’m not expecting visitors, and nothing has happened, but I beg you to go away. You can explain my rudeness as you like.


I beg you to explain....


I can’t explain, and you’d better not ask.


Can I not see Oblonsky?


I’ll send him to you at once.


What madness is this? Mais c’est ridicule! What fly has stung you? Mais c’est du dernier ridicule! What did you think, if a young man....


Please don’t go into it! I can’t help it. I feel ashamed of how I’m treating you and him. But it won’t be, I imagine, a great grief to him to go, and his presence was distasteful to me and to my wife.


But it’s insulting to him! Et puis c’est ridicule.


And to me it’s both insulting and distressing! And I’m not at fault in any way, and there’s no need for me to suffer.


Well, this I didn’t expect of you! On peut être jaloux, mais à ce point, c’est du dernier ridicule!


If only you’d ordered out the carriage! But no! and then I hear: ‘Stop!’ Oh, I thought they’ve relented. I look out, and behold a fat German being sat down by him and driving away.... And my new shoes all for nothing!...


What makes you suppose that I dislike your going? But, even if I did dislike it, I should still more dislike your not taking my horses. You never told me that you were going for certain. Hiring horses in the village is disagreeable to me, and, what’s of more importance, they’ll undertake the job and never get you there. I have horses. And if you don’t want to wound me, you’ll take mine.


If only Masha does not begin her naughty tricks, if Grisha isn’t kicked by a horse, and Lily’s stomach isn’t upset again! The girls are all right, but the boys? It’s very well that I’m teaching Grisha, but of course that’s only because I am free myself now, I’m not with child. Stiva, of course, there’s no counting on. And with the help of good-natured friends I can bring them up; but if there’s another baby coming?... The birth itself, that’s nothing; but the months of carrying the child—that’s what’s so intolerable,


I had a girl baby, but God set me free; I buried her last Lent.


Well, did you grieve very much for her?


Why grieve? The old man has grandchildren enough as it is. It was only a trouble. No working, nor nothing. Only a tie.


Yes, altogether, pregnancy, sickness, mental incapacity, indifference to everything, and most of all—hideousness. Kitty, young and pretty as she is, even Kitty has lost her looks; and I when I’m with child become hideous, I know it. The birth, the agony, the hideous agonies, that last moment ... then the nursing, the sleepless nights, the fearful pains.... Then the children’s illnesses, that everlasting apprehension; then bringing them up; evil propensities education, Latin—it’s all so incomprehensible and difficult. And on the top of it all, the death of these children. And all this, what’s it for? What is to come of it all? That I’m wasting my life, never having a moment’s peace, either with child, or nursing a child, forever irritable, peevish, wretched myself and worrying others, repulsive to my husband, while the children are growing up unhappy, badly educated, and penniless. Even now, if it weren’t for spending the summer at the Levins’, I don’t know how we should be managing to live. Of course Kostya and Kitty have so much tact that we don’t feel it; but it can’t go on. They’ll have children, they won’t be able to keep us; it’s a drag on them as it is. How is papa, who has hardly anything left for himself, to help us? So that I can’t even bring the children up by myself, and may find it hard with the help of other people, at the cost of humiliation. Why, even if we suppose the greatest good luck, that the children don’t die, and I bring them up somehow. At the very best they’ll simply be decent people. That’s all I can hope for. And to gain simply that—what agonies, what toil!... One’s whole life ruined! Is it far now, Mihail?


From this village, they say, it’s five miles.


They’re all living, they’re all enjoying life, while I, let out, as it were from prison, from the world of worries that fret me to death, am only looking about me now for an instant. They all live; those peasant women and my sister Natalia and Varenka and Anna, whom I am going to see—all, but not I. And they attack Anna. What for? am I any better? I have, anyway, a husband I love—not as I should like to love him, still I do love him, while Anna never loved hers. How is she to blame? She wants to live. God has put that in our hearts. Very likely I should have done the same. Even to this day I don’t feel sure I did right in listening to her at that terrible time when she came to me in Moscow. I ought then to have cast off my husband and have begun my life fresh. I might have loved and have been loved in reality. And is it any better as it is? I don’t respect him. He’s necessary to me, and I put up with him. Is that any better? At that time I could still have been admired, I had beauty left me still,


Anna did quite right, and certainly I shall never reproach her for it. She is happy, she makes another person happy, and she’s not broken down as I am, but most likely just as she always was, bright, clever, open to every impression,


Well, you are slow! Come along, do!


Vozdvizhenskoe, the manor house? the count’s? go on to the end of this track. Then turn to the left. Straight along the avenue and you’ll come right upon it. But whom do you want? The count himself?


Well, are they at home, my good man?


At home for sure. Sure to be at home. Only yesterday visitors arrived. There’s a sight of visitors come. What do you want? Oh! They all rode by here not long since, to look at a reaping machine. They’ll be home by now. And who will you be belonging to?...


We’ve come a long way. So it’s not far?


I tell you, it’s just here. As soon as you get out....


What, is it laborers they want for the harvest?


I don’t know, my boy.


So you keep to the left, and you’ll come right on it,


Stop! Hi, friend! Stop!


They’re coming! They’re yonder!


See what a turn-out!


I thought it was you and dared not think it. How delightful! You can’t fancy how glad I am! Here’s a delightful surprise, Alexey!


You wouldn’t believe how glad we are to see you,


That’s Princess Varvara,


Ah!


And I’ll get into this vehicle,


The horse is quiet, and the princess drives capitally.


No, stay as you were,


You are looking at me, and wondering how I can be happy in my position? Well! it’s shameful to confess, but I ... I’m inexcusably happy. Something magical has happened to me, like a dream, when you’re frightened, panic-stricken, and all of a sudden you wake up and all the horrors are no more. I have waked up. I have lived through the misery, the dread, and now for a long while past, especially since we’ve been here, I’ve been so happy!...


How glad I am! I’m very glad for you. Why haven’t you written to me?


Why?... Because I hadn’t the courage.... You forget my position....


To me? Hadn’t the courage? If you knew how I ... I look at.... I consider.... I don’t think anything, but I always loved you, and if one loves anyone, one loves the whole person, just as they are and not as one would like them to be....


If you had any sins, they would all be forgiven you for your coming to see me and these words.


Well, what are these buildings? How many there are of them!


These are the servants’ houses, barns, and stables. And there the park begins. It had all gone to ruin, but Alexey had everything renewed. He is very fond of this place, and, what I never expected, he has become intensely interested in looking after it. But his is such a rich nature! Whatever he takes up, he does splendidly. So far from being bored by it, he works with passionate interest. He—with his temperament as I know it—he has become careful and businesslike, a first-rate manager, he positively reckons every penny in his management of the land. But only in that. When it’s a question of tens of thousands, he doesn’t think of money. Do you see that big building? that’s the new hospital. I believe it will cost over a hundred thousand; that’s his hobby just now. And do you know how it all came about? The peasants asked him for some meadowland, I think it was, at a cheaper rate, and he refused, and I accused him of being miserly. Of course it was not really because of that, but everything together, he began this hospital to prove, do you see, that he was not miserly about money. C’est une petitesse, if you like, but I love him all the more for it. And now you’ll see the house in a moment. It was his grandfather’s house, and he has had nothing changed outside.


How beautiful!


Isn’t it fine? And from the house, from the top, the view is wonderful. Ah, they’re here already! It is a nice horse, isn’t it? It’s my cob; my favorite. Lead him here and bring me some sugar. Where is the count?


Where are you going to put the princess?


Et vous oubliez votre devoir,


Pardon, j’en ai tout plein les poches,


Mais vous venez trop tard. You can stay some time? For one day only? That’s impossible!


I promised to be back, and the children....


No, Dolly, darling!... Well, we’ll see. Come along, come along! Well, darling, how happy I am! Tell me about all of you. Stiva I had only a glimpse of, and he cannot tell one about the children. How is my favorite, Tanya? Quite a big girl, I expect?


Yes, she’s very tall. We are having a delightful stay at the Levins’,


Oh, if I had known, that you do not despise me!... You might have all come to us. Stiva’s an old friend and a great friend of Alexey’s, you know,


Yes, but we are all....


But in my delight I’m talking nonsense. The one thing, darling, is that I am so glad to have you! You haven’t told me yet how and what you think about me, and I keep wanting to know. But I’m glad you will see me as I am. The chief thing I shouldn’t like would be for people to imagine I want to prove anything. I don’t want to prove anything; I merely want to live, to do no one harm but myself. I have the right to do that, haven’t I? But it is a big subject, and we’ll talk over everything properly later. Now I’ll go and dress and send a maid to you.


I grew up with Anna Arkadyevna; my lady’s dearer to me than anything. Well, it’s not for us to judge. And, to be sure, there seems so much love....


Kindly pour out the water for me to wash now, please,


Certainly. We’ve two women kept specially for washing small things, but most of the linen’s done by machinery. The count goes into everything himself. Ah, what a husband!...


An old friend,


Well, Anna, and how is your little girl?


Annie? Very well. She has got on wonderfully. Would you like to see her? Come, I’ll show her to you. We had a terrible bother, over nurses. We had an Italian wet-nurse. A good creature, but so stupid! We wanted to get rid of her, but the baby is so used to her that we’ve gone on keeping her still.


But how have you managed?... How did you manage? have you weaned her yet?


You didn’t mean to ask that? You meant to ask about her surname. Yes? That worries Alexey. She has no name—that is, she’s a Karenina. But we’ll talk about all that later. Come, I’ll show you her. Elle est très gentille. She crawls now.


I sometimes feel sorry I’m so superfluous here. It was very different with my first child.


I expected it to be the other way,


Oh, no! By the way, do you know I saw Seryozha? But we’ll talk about that later. You wouldn’t believe it, I’m like a hungry beggar woman when a full dinner is set before her, and she does not know what to begin on first. The dinner is you, and the talks I have before me with you, which I could never have with anyone else; and I don’t know which subject to begin upon first. Mais je ne vous ferai grâce de rien. I must have everything out with you. Oh, I ought to give you a sketch of the company you will meet with us. I’ll begin with the ladies. Princess Varvara—you know her, and I know your opinion and Stiva’s about her. Stiva says the whole aim of her existence is to prove her superiority over Auntie Katerina Pavlovna: that’s all true; but she’s a good-natured woman, and I am so grateful to her. In Petersburg there was a moment when a chaperon was absolutely essential for me. Then she turned up. But really she is good-natured. She did a great deal to alleviate my position. I see you don’t understand all the difficulty of my position ... there in Petersburg. Here I’m perfectly at ease and happy. Well, of that later on, though. Then Sviazhsky—he’s the marshal of the district, and he’s a very good sort of a man, but he wants to get something out of Alexey. You understand, with his property, now that we are settled in the country, Alexey can exercise great influence. Then there’s Tushkevitch—you have seen him, you know—Betsy’s admirer. Now he’s been thrown over and he’s come to see us. As Alexey says, he’s one of those people who are very pleasant if one accepts them for what they try to appear to be, et puis il est comme il faut, as Princess Varvara says. Then Veslovsky ... you know him. A very nice boy. What’s this wild story about him and the Levins? Veslovsky told Alexey about it, and we don’t believe it. Il est très gentil et naïf. Men need occupation, and Alexey needs a circle, so I value all these people. We have to have the house lively and gay, so that Alexey may not long for any novelty. Then you’ll see the steward—a German, a very good fellow, and he understands his work. Alexey has a very high opinion of him. Then the doctor, a young man, not quite a Nihilist perhaps, but you know, eats with his knife ... but a very good doctor. Then the architect.... Une petite cour! Here’s Dolly for you, princess, you were so anxious to see her. She says she doesn’t want anything before dinner, but please order some lunch for her, and I’ll go and look for Alexey and bring them all in.


Her husband will give her a divorce, and then I shall go back to my solitude; but now I can be of use, and I am doing my duty, however difficult it may be for me—not like some other people. And how sweet it is of you, how right of you to have come! They live like the best of married couples; it’s for God to judge them, not for us. And didn’t Biryuzovsky and Madame Avenieva ... and Sam Nikandrov, and Vassiliev and Madame Mamonova, and Liza Neptunova.... Did no one say anything about them? And it has ended by their being received by everyone. And then, c’est un intérieur si joli, si comme il faut. Tout-à-fait à l’anglaise. On se réunit le matin au breakfast, et puis on se sépare. Everyone does as he pleases till dinner time. Dinner at seven o’clock. Stiva did very rightly to send you. He needs their support. You know that through his mother and brother he can do anything. And then they do so much good. He didn’t tell you about his hospital? Ce sera admirable—everything from Paris.


Une partie de lawn-tennis. We’ll be partners again, Anna Arkadyevna.


No, it’s too hot; better stroll about the garden and have a row in the boat, show Darya Alexandrovna the river banks.


I agree to anything,


I imagine that what Dolly would like best would be a stroll—wouldn’t you? And then the boat, perhaps,


Yes, it’s a very fine building, and in the good old-fashioned style,


I like so much the court in front of the steps. Was that always so?


Oh, no! If you could only have seen that court last spring! If you would care to look at the hospital, and are not tired, indeed, it’s not far. Shall we go? Are you coming, Anna?


We will come, won’t we? Mais il ne faut pas laisser le pauvre Veslovsky et Tushkevitch se morfondre là dans le bateau. We must send and tell them. This is a monument he is setting up here,


Oh, it’s a work of real importance! I wonder, though, count, that while you do so much for the health of the peasants, you take so little interest in the schools.


C’est devenu tellement commun les écoles. You understand it’s not on that account, but it just happens so, my interest has been diverted elsewhere. This way then to the hospital,


By the autumn it will all be ready. Inside almost everything is done,


Yes, I take a great interest in it. This new building ought to have been in harmony with the hospital. It was an afterthought, and was begun without a plan.


This is the reception room. Here there will be a desk, tables, and benches, and nothing more.


This way; let us go in here. Don’t go near the window. Alexey, the paint’s dry already,


Yes, I imagine that this will be the solitary example of a properly fitted hospital in Russia,


That’s so much needed in the country. I have often....


This is not a lying-in home, but a hospital for the sick, and is intended for all diseases, except infectious complaints. Ah! look at this. Look. The patient can’t walk—still too weak, perhaps, or something wrong with his legs, but he must have air, and he moves, rolls himself along.... No, I think the princess is tired, and horses don’t interest her. You go on, while I escort the princess home, and we’ll have a little talk, if you would like that?


I know nothing about horses, and I shall be delighted,


You guess that I have something I want to say to you. I am not wrong in believing you to be a friend of Anna’s.


You have so much influence with Anna, she is so fond of you, do help me. You have come to see us, you, the only woman of Anna’s former friends—I don’t count Princess Varvara—but I know that you have done this not because you regard our position as normal, but because, understanding all the difficulty of the position, you still love her and want to be a help to her. Have I understood you rightly? No. No one feels more deeply and intensely than I do all the difficulty of Anna’s position; and that you may well understand, if you do me the honor of supposing I have any heart. I am to blame for that position, and that is why I feel it.


I understand. But just because you feel yourself responsible, you exaggerate it, I am afraid. Her position in the world is difficult, I can well understand.


In the world it is hell! You can’t imagine moral sufferings greater than what she went through in Petersburg in that fortnight ... and I beg you to believe it. Society! how could I miss society?


So far—and it may be so always—you are happy and at peace. I see in Anna that she is happy, perfectly happy, she has had time to tell me so much already,


Yes, yes. I know that she has revived after all her sufferings; she is happy. She is happy in the present. But I?... I am afraid of what is before us ... I beg your pardon, you would like to walk on?


No, I don’t mind.


Well, then, let us sit here. I see that she is happy. But can it last? Whether we have acted rightly or wrongly is another question, but the die is cast, and we are bound together for life. We are united by all the ties of love that we hold most sacred. We have a child, we may have other children. But the law and all the conditions of our position are such that thousands of complications arise which she does not see and does not want to see. And that one can well understand. But I can’t help seeing them. My daughter is by law not my daughter, but Karenin’s. I cannot bear this falsity! One day a son may be born, my son, and he will be legally a Karenin; he will not be the heir of my name nor of my property, and however happy we may be in our home life and however many children we may have, there will be no real tie between us. They will be Karenins. You can understand the bitterness and horror of this position! I have tried to speak of this to Anna. It irritates her. She does not understand, and to her I cannot speak plainly of all this. Now look at another side. I am happy, happy in her love, but I must have occupation. I have found occupation, and am proud of what I am doing and consider it nobler than the pursuits of my former companions at court and in the army. And most certainly I would not change the work I am doing for theirs. I am working here, settled in my own place, and I am happy and contented, and we need nothing more to make us happy. I love my work here. Ce n’est pas un pis-aller. Well, I will go on. The great thing is that as I work I want to have a conviction that what I am doing will not die with me, that I shall have heirs to come after me,—and this I have not. Conceive the position of a man who knows that his children, the children of the woman he loves, will not be his, but will belong to someone who hates them and cares nothing about them! It is awful!


Yes, indeed, I see that. But what can Anna do?


Yes, that brings me to the object of my conversation. Anna can, it depends on her.... Even to petition the Tsar for legitimization, a divorce is essential. And that depends on Anna. Her husband agreed to a divorce—at that time your husband had arranged it completely. And now, I know, he would not refuse it. It is only a matter of writing to him. He said plainly at that time that if she expressed the desire, he would not refuse. Of course, it is one of those Pharisaical cruelties of which only such heartless men are capable. He knows what agony any recollection of him must give her, and knowing her, he must have a letter from her. I can understand that it is agony to her. But the matter is of such importance, that one must passer par-dessus toutes ces finesses de sentiment. Il y va du bonheur et de l’existence d’Anne et de ses enfants. I won’t speak of myself, though it’s hard for me, very hard,


Yes, of course. Yes, of course,


Use your influence with her, make her write. I don’t like—I’m almost unable to speak about this to her.


Very well, I will talk to her. But how is it she does not think of it herself?


I believe it’s dinner time. We’ve not seen each other at all yet. I am reckoning on the evening. Now I want to go and dress. I expect you do too; we all got splashed at the buildings.


This is all I can do,


Yes, we are too formal here. Alexey is delighted at your visit, as he rarely is at anything. He has completely lost his heart to you. You’re not tired?


Nikolay Ivanitch was struck, at the progress the new building had made since he was here last; but I am there every day, and every day I wonder at the rate at which it grows.


It’s first-rate working with his excellency. It’s a very different matter to have to do with the district authorities. Where one would have to write out sheaves of papers, here I call upon the count, and in three words we settle the business.


The American way of doing business,


Yes, there they build in a rational fashion....


Have you ever seen a reaping machine? We had just ridden over to look at one when we met. It’s the first time I ever saw one.


How do they work?


Exactly like little scissors. A plank and a lot of little scissors. Like this.


More like little penknives,


Isn’t it true, Karl Fedoritch, that it’s just like little scissors?


Oh, ja. Es ist ein ganz einfaches Ding,


It’s a pity it doesn’t bind too. I saw one at the Vienna exhibition, which binds with a wire. They would be more profitable in use.


Es kommt drauf an.... Der Preis vom Draht muss ausgerechnet werden. Das lässt sich ausrechnen, Erlaucht. Zu compliziert, macht zu viel Klopot,


Wünscht man Dochots, so hat man auch Klopots. J’adore l’allemand,


Cessez. We expected to find you in the fields, Vassily Semyonitch, have you been there?


I went there, but I had taken flight,


Then you’ve taken a good constitutional?


Splendid!


Well, and how was the old woman? I hope it’s not typhus?


Typhus it is not, but it’s taking a bad turn.


What a pity!


It would be a hard task, though, to construct a machine from your description, Anna Arkadyevna,


Oh, no, why so?


But Anna Arkadyevna’s knowledge of architecture is marvelous,


To be sure, I heard Anna Arkadyevna talking yesterday about plinths and damp-courses. Have I got it right?


There’s nothing marvelous about it, when one sees and hears so much of it. But, I dare say, you don’t even know what houses are made of?


Come now, tell us, Veslovsky, how are the stones held together?


By cement, of course.


Bravo! And what is cement?


Oh, some sort of paste ... no, putty,


I have not the pleasure of knowing this M. Levin, but most likely he has never seen the machines he condemns; or if he has seen and tried any, it must have been after a queer fashion, some Russian imitation, not a machine from abroad. What sort of views can anyone have on such a subject?


Turkish views, in general,


I can’t defend his opinions, but I can say that he’s a highly cultivated man, and if he were here he would know very well how to answer you, though I am not capable of doing so.


I like him extremely, and we are great friends. Mais pardon, il est un petit peu toqué; he maintains, for instance, that district councils and arbitration boards are all of no use, and he is unwilling to take part in anything.


It’s our Russian apathy, we’ve no sense of the duties our privileges impose upon us, and so we refuse to recognize these duties.


I know no man more strict in the performance of his duties,


For my part, such as I am, I am, on the contrary, extremely grateful for the honor they have done me, thanks to Nikolay Ivanitch in electing me a justice of the peace. I consider that for me the duty of being present at the session, of judging some peasants’ quarrel about a horse, is as important as anything I can do. And I shall regard it as an honor if they elect me for the district council. It’s only in that way I can pay for the advantages I enjoy as a landowner. Unluckily they don’t understand the weight that the big landowners ought to have in the state.


So we can reckon upon you, count, for the coming elections? But you must come a little beforehand, so as to be on the spot by the eighth. If you would do me the honor to stop with me.


I rather agree with your beau-frère, though not quite on the same ground as he. I’m afraid that we have too many of these public duties in these latter days. Just as in old days there were so many government functionaries that one had to call in a functionary for every single thing, so now everyone’s doing some sort of public duty. Alexey has been here now six months, and he’s a member, I do believe, of five or six different public bodies. Du train que cela va, the whole time will be wasted on it. And I’m afraid that with such a multiplicity of these bodies, they’ll end in being a mere form. How many are you a member of, Nikolay Ivanitch? over twenty, I fancy.


Afterwards, by ourselves, we’ll talk about everything. I’ve got so much I want to tell you. Well, what of Kitty? Tell me the truth, Dolly: isn’t she angry with me?


Angry? Oh, no!


But she hates me, despises me?


Oh, no! But you know that sort of thing isn’t forgiven.


Yes, yes. But I was not to blame. And who is to blame? What’s the meaning of being to blame? Could it have been otherwise? What do you think? Could it possibly have happened that you didn’t become the wife of Stiva?


Really, I don’t know. But this is what I want you to tell me....


Yes, yes, but we’ve not finished about Kitty. Is she happy? He’s a very nice man, they say.


He’s much more than very nice. I don’t know a better man.


Ah, how glad I am! I’m so glad! Much more than very nice. But tell me about yourself. We’ve a great deal to talk about. And I’ve had a talk with.... With Alexey. I know what you talked about. But I wanted to ask you directly what you think of me, of my life?


How am I to say like that straight off? I really don’t know.


No, tell me all the same.... You see my life. But you mustn’t forget that you’re seeing us in the summer, when you have come to us and we are not alone.... But we came here early in the spring, lived quite alone, and shall be alone again, and I desire nothing better. But imagine me living alone without him, alone, and that will be ... I see by everything that it will often be repeated, that he will be half the time away from home,


Of course. He spoke of what I want to speak about of myself, and it’s easy for me to be his advocate; of whether there is not a possibility ... whether you could not.... correct, improve your position.... You know how I look at it.... But all the same, if possible, you should get married....


Divorce, you mean? Au fond, c’est la femme la plus depravée qui existe. She had an intrigue with Tushkevitch, deceiving her husband in the basest way. And she told me that she did not care to know me so long as my position was irregular. Don’t imagine I would compare ... I know you, darling. But I could not help remembering.... Well, so what did he say to you? What wife, what slave can be so utterly a slave as I, in my position?


The chief thing he desires ... he desires that you should not suffer.


That’s impossible. Well?


Well, and the most legitimate desire—he wishes that your children should have a name.


What children? Annie and those to come.... He need not trouble on that score; I shall have no more children. I shall not, because I don’t wish it.


N’est-ce pas immoral?


Why so? Think, I have a choice between two alternatives: either to be with child, that is an invalid, or to be the friend and companion of my husband—practically my husband. For you, for other people, there may be reason to hesitate; but for me.... You must consider, I am not his wife; he loves me as long as he loves me. And how am I to keep his love? Not like this!


Do you say that it’s not right? But you must consider, you forget my position. How can I desire children? I’m not speaking of the suffering, I’m not afraid of that. Think only, what are my children to be? Ill-fated children, who will have to bear a stranger’s name. For the very fact of their birth they will be forced to be ashamed of their mother, their father, their birth.


But that is just why a divorce is necessary.


What is reason given me for, if I am not to use it to avoid bringing unhappy beings into the world! I should always feel I had wronged these unhappy children. If they are not, at any rate they are not unhappy; while if they are unhappy, I alone should be to blame for it.


No, I don’t know; it’s not right,


Yes, but you mustn’t forget that you and I.... And besides that, don’t forget the chief point, that I am not now in the same position as you. For you the question is: do you desire not to have any more children; while for me it is: do I desire to have them? And that’s a great difference. You must see that I can’t desire it in my position.


Then there is all the more reason for you to legalize your position, if possible,


Yes, if possible,


Surely you don’t mean a divorce is impossible? I was told your husband had consented to it.


Dolly, I don’t want to talk about that.


Oh, we won’t then. All I see is that you take too gloomy a view of things.


I? Not at all! I’m always bright and happy. You see, je fais des passions. Veslovsky....


Yes, to tell the truth, I don’t like Veslovsky’s tone,


Oh, that’s nonsense! It amuses Alexey, and that’s all; but he’s a boy, and quite under my control. You know, I turn him as I please. It’s just as it might be with your Grisha.... Dolly! you say I take too gloomy a view of things. You can’t understand. It’s too awful! I try not to take any view of it at all.


But I think you ought to. You ought to do all you can.


But what can I do? Nothing. You tell me to marry Alexey, and say I don’t think about it. I don’t think about it! I don’t think of it? Not a day, not an hour passes that I don’t think of it, and blame myself for thinking of it ... because thinking of that may drive me mad. Drive me mad! When I think of it, I can’t sleep without morphine. But never mind. Let us talk quietly. They tell me, divorce. In the first place, he won’t give me a divorce. He’s under the influence of Countess Lidia Ivanovna now.


You ought to make the attempt,