CHAPTERONE

AnUnhappyHousehold

Happy families are all alike, but unhappy families are unhappy in theirownuniqueways.

TheOblonskyhouseholdwas one such unhappy family.Dolly, thewife,had found out three days ago that her husbandwas having an affair with theFrenchtutor.Sheannouncedthatshecouldnotgoonlivinginthesamehousewithherhusband.Shehadstayedinherroom,andherhusband,PrinceStepanOblonsky,had stayedaway fromhomeduring theday.Their fivechildren ranwildaround thehouse.Thecookquit, and theother servantswere thinkingofdoingthesame.

On the thirdmorningafter thequarrel,PrinceOblonsky,whowascalledStivabyhisfriends,wokeupontheleathercouchinhisstudy.Hehadjusthadawonderfuldream,andhewassmilingashereachedupforhisrobe.Suddenly,herealized that hewas inhis study andhis robewas inhiswife's bedroom.Thesmileonhisfacevanished.

"It'sallmyfault,"Stivathought."Dollywillneverforgiveme!WhathaveIdone?ButtherealtragedyisthatIcannotreallybeblamed!"

Stiva remembered howhe had come home from the theater three nightsago. He had found his wife in their upstairs bedroom with a letter from theFrenchtutorinherhand.Thememoryofthelookofpainonhiswife'sfaceandthetearsinhereyesstillstabbedhisheart.

TheaffairwiththeFrenchtutorwasnotthefirstforStiva.Hewasthirty-fouryearsoldandwasquitehandsomeandcharming.Womenyoungerthanhiswifewereconstantlyattractedtohim.Thebiggestproblemwasthathewasnolonger in lovewithhiswife.Shewasagoodwifeandmother,butshewasnolongerabeautifulyoungwoman.

Stiva rang the bell for his servant, who came in with a telegram. Stivaopenedit,andhisfacequicklybrightenedwhenhereadthecontents.Hissister,Anna,wascomingforavisit.

Anna lived in St. Petersburg with her husband and eight-year-old son.DollyreallylikedAnna.Stivahadinvitedhissistertovisitandtrytosolvethecurrentsituation.ThetelegramsaidthatAnnawouldarriveinMoscowbytrain

latertoday.Stiva dressed and then opened the door from his study to his wife's

bedroom.Dollywas standing in frontof anopenwardrobe.Shewas trying todecideifsheshouldpackherthingsandleavewiththechildren.Inspiteofheranger,Stivawasherhusband,andinherheart,Dollystilllovedhim.

"Annaiscomingtoday,"saidStivainasoftvoice."Well,whatisthattome?Ican'tseeher!"exclaimedDolly."Iamgoingto

takethechildrenandleavethishouse.Youcanliveherewithyourmistress!""Dolly,pleaseunderstand..."saidStiva."Understand?Youarearepulsive,hatefulman!""Dolly,pleasethinkofthechildren.Itwouldruinthemtogrowupwithout

theirfather.Don'tpunishthem.Punishme!I'mtheguiltyone,"Stivapleaded.Withoutaword,Dollymovedtowardthedoor."Dolly,onemoreword,"Stivasaid,asDollyopenedthedoor."Goaway!"screamedDolly,andsheslammedthedoordosedbehindher.Sadly, Stivawent downstairs and told his servant to prepare a room for

Anna.ThenheleftforhisofficeatoneofMoscow'scourthouses.Asastudent,Stivawasintelligent,buthehadbeenlazyandmischievous.

However,most of the rich and powerful in Russia knew his father, and theseconnectionshelpedhimgetahigh-payingjobinthegovernment.Stivawasnotaman who had great ambitions, and he did not work hard. He relied on hischarmingmannersandquickwitstomakepeoplehappy.

At noon, Stiva was leaving ameeting when he saw a broad-shoulderedmanrunninglightlyupthestairstowardhim.Stivasmiledinpleasure.

"Levin,what a pleasant surprise!What are youdoing inMoscow?" saidStiva.

"Imust askyou something," saidLevin.Suddenly,he seemed tobe shy."WouldyouhappentoknowwhattheShcherbatskysaredoing?"

StivaimmediatelyknewwhyLevinhadcomebacktoMoscow.Itwasnosecret tohim thatLevinwas in lovewithPrincessKittyShcherbatsky,Dolly'syoungersister.

"The Shcherbatskys are having a dinner party tonight at eight o'clock,"

repliedStivawithasmile."IwillsendoveraservanttoannounceyourarrivalinMoscow.Of course, youwill be invited.Kittywill be there. In themeantime,let'sgogetlunch."

Overlunch,Stivaasked,"SowhydidyoustayawayfromMoscowforsolong?Andwhyhaveyousuddenlyreturned?"

"As you have guessed, I am in love with Kitty," replied Levin. "I leftMoscow because I thought she would not agree to marry me. Her motherespeciallydoesn'tseemtolikeme.ButIcouldn'tstopthinkingabouther."Levinsighed.Thenheburst out, "I've comeback to askKitty tomarryme.Doyouthinkthere'sanypossibilityshewillsay'yes'?"

"Ofcourse,"saidStiva."DollytoldmethatshethinksKittylovesyou.""That'swonderful!"criedLevin,wholookedbothrelievedandsurprised."There'sjustonethingyoumustknow,"saidStiva."Youhavearival.His

name is Count Vronsky. He's a young cavalry officer with many powerfulconnections.Kitty'smotherreallylikeshim,butIamsurethatKittylovesyoumore.GotothedinnerpartyearlybeforeVronskyarrives,andaskhertomarryyou.Goodluck!"

StivawentofftomeetAnnaatthetrainstation,whileLevinwentbacktohisapartment.

CHAPTERTWO

AChanceMeeting

At the train station,OblonskymetCountVronskywhilewaiting for thetrainfromSt.Petersburg.

"Whoareyoumeeting?"askedVronsky."I'vecometomeetaprettywoman,"repliedStiva."Mysister,Anna.""Oh,Karenin'swife?"saidVronsky."Yes.Soyouknowher?""No,notreally...Idon'tremember,"saidVronsky.ThenameKareningavehimtheimpressionofsomeoneveryofficialand

boring."Butyoumustknowmyrespectedbrother-in-law.He'sahighgovernment

official,"saidStiva."Yes," repliedVronsky. "I knowhimby reputation andby sight. I know

thathe'squitecleverandreligious.Anyway,Iamheretowelcomemymother."Theirconversationwasinterruptedbythesoundofthetrainapproaching.

Whenitcametoastop,ayoungguardjumpedoffnearVronsky.VronskyaskedtheguardwhichcarriagetheCountessVronskywasin.Theguardpointed,andVronskywenttothecarriagedoor.Justashereachedit,hesteppedasideforaladygettingout.

At a glance, Vronsky knew that the lady was very wealthy. He lookedclosely at her lovely face because he thought he had seen something specialthere.Ashedid,shealsolookedathimandgavehimafriendly,curiouslook.

Vronskynoddedandthenclimbedthestepsintothecarriage.Hismother,anoldladywithblackeyesandcurls,smiledathimwithherthinlips.

"Soyougotmytelegram,"shesaid."Areyouwell?""Didyouhaveagoodjourney?"askedVronskyashesatdownbesideher.

Just then, the lady Vronsky had seen leaving came back into the carriage,lookingconfused.

"Haveyoufoundyourbrother?"askedCountessVronsky.

Suddenly,VronskyknewthatthiswasAnnaKarenina,Oblonsky'ssister."Yourbrotheris justoutside,"saidVronsky."Pleasewaithere,andIwill

callhim."AnnasmiledandsatnexttotheCountess.Vronskyleft thetrainandsaw

Oblonskythroughthecrowd.Hecalledhimoverandsaid,"Yoursisterissittingnexttomymotherinthiscarriage."

AssoonasAnnasawherbrother from thewindow, shecameoutof thecarriageandrantohim.Shethrewherarmsaroundhimandkissedhischeekswarmly.Vronskyhelpedhismotherdownthecarriagesteps.

"She's quite charming, isn't she?" said theCountess to her son. Then toAnna, she said, "I can speakplainlyatmyage. Imust confess Ihave lostmyhearttoyou."

Annalookeddelighted.ShekissedtheCountessandthenofferedherhandtoVronsky.Hekisseditandfeltagreatjoy.

Just then, therewasagreatcommotion,as thestation-masterandseveralconductorsranpast.Theirfaceswerepaleandfrightened.Vronskysuggestedthewomengobackintothecarriage.ThenheandStivafollowedthetrainofficialstothefrontofthetrain.Itwasclearthatsomethingterriblehadhappened.

Aguardhadbeencrushedtodeathunderthetrainasithadarrived.Atthesightofhisdeadbody,Stivalookedveryupset,asifhewereabouttocry.

"Oh,thisisterrible!''heexclaimed.There was nothing Vronsky or Stiva could do, so they returned to the

carriagewhereAnnaandtheCountesswerewaiting."Itwas terrible," saidStiva, as he toldAnna and theCountesswhat had

happened."Andhispoorwidowwas there.She threwherselfonhisbodyandsaidshehadalargefamily.Whatanawfulthing!"

"Isn't there anything anyone can do?" askedAnna, her eyes fillingwithtears.

Vronskylookedatherandimmediatelyleftthecarriage.Whenhereturnedafewminuteslater,StivawastellingtheladiesaboutthelatestplayinMoscow.Theyleftthecarriagetogetherandwalkedtowardtheexit.Astheyreachedthedoors,thestationmastercamerunningupbehindthem.

AddressingCountVronsky,hesaid,"Yougavemyassistantalargesumof

money,sir.Whatdidyouwantustodowithit?""Well,it'sforthewidowandherchildren,ofcourse,"repliedVronsky."Yougavemoney?"askedStiva."Verykind!Verykind!"Each couple took a separate carriage from the station to their respective

houses. On the carriage ride home, Anna asked, "Have you known Vronskylong?"

"Yes.Youknow,he'shopingtomarryKitty."Atthisnews,Anna'smoodchanged."Really?"shesaidsoftly."Nowlet'stalkaboutyouraffairs."Stiva toldAnna everything.When they arrived at his house, he dropped

heroffanddrovebacktohisofficeatthecourthouse.AlthoughDollyhad toldStivashedidnotcare ifAnnacameornot,she

wasrelievedtoseeher."Afterall,it'snotAnna'sfault,"shetoldherself."Ionlyknowherasadear

friend."WhenAnnacamein,Dollygreetedhereagerlyandkissedher."Dolly,I'msogladtoseeyou!"saidAnna.Anna listened very sympathetically toDolly, andDolly feltmuch better

aftertellingthestoryofhertroubles."Oh,whatshallIdo,Anna?"askedDollywhenshehadfinished."Please

helpme.""Dolly,Stivaisstillinlovewithyou,"saidAnna."Iamhissister,andIcanreadhisheart.Hewasn'tinlovewiththeother

woman-hedidn'tbetrayyouinhisheart.""Butwhatifithappensagain?"askedDolly."Wouldyouforgivehim?""Idon'tthinkitwillhappenagain,"repliedAnna.Thenshethoughtfora

moment."Yes,Iwouldforgivehim."Intheend,AnnapersuadedDollytoforgiveStiva.JustafterDoilyagreed

toforgiveherhusband,Kittyarrived.ShehadcomeovertoseeheroldersisterDolly.

Kitty had never formally met Anna, but she knew who she was. Kitty

hoped this fashionablewoman fromSt. Petersburgwould not think shewas asillyyounggirl.

AnnadidlikeKitty,andtheybothgotalongwell.Allthreeofthemchattedforaboutanhour.

BeforeKittyleft,shetoldAnna,"Oh,youmustcometothegrandballnextweek.Manyimportantandfashionablepeoplewillbethere!"

"AndyourCountVronsky?"askedAnna.Kittyblushed."Ihad thepleasureofmeetinghimat the trainstation today,"saidAnna.

"Heseemstobeaveryhandsomeandgenerousman.IthinkIwillstayforthegrandballnextweek."

Kittyleft,andDollytoldtheservantstopreparedinner.Thatnight,Dolly,Stiva, Anna, and all the children had dinner together. Dolly also called herhusband"Stiva",whichshehadnotdoneforthreedays.ThispleasedStivaverymuch,andhewasgratefultoAnna.

Acrosstown,theShcherbatskys'butlerannouncedLevin'sarrivalatseventhirty.WhenKittyheardthis,shefeltexcitedbutwasalsoafraid.Sheknewwhyhehadcomeearly.

LevinenteredthehallandfoundKittystandingtherealone.Helookedatherwithexcitement,buthewasalsoshy.

"MydearLevin!IheardyouhadreturnedtoMoscow!"exclaimedKitty."Howlongwillyoustaythistime?"

"Well,thatdependsonyou,"hesaid."Imean,whatyoushouldunderstandis,Icameto...bemywife!"

Kitty felt overjoyed, which surprised her. She was very fond of Levin,whomshehadknownsincechildhood.However,shethoughtofLevinmorelikea brother than a possible husband. She did not expect to feel such strongemotionsathismarriageproposal.But thensherememberedVronsky,andshelookedatLevinsteadily.

"No,itcannotbe,"shesaidsoftly."Forgiveme."Levinstoodstillforamoment.Thenhesaidwithabrokenheart,"No,of

courseyoucan't.Iunderstand."

Levinwas about to leave,when a handsomeman in a uniformcame in.LevinwatchedKittygreetVronsky.Hereyesandfacewerebrightasshelookedathim.HecouldseethatKittytrulylovedVronsky.

Thenextweek,thegrandballwasbeingheldatalargepalaceinMoscow.Astheguestsbegantoarrive,thesoundsoftheirvoicesandlaughterfilledtherooms and halls.Kitty and hermother arrived fashionably late.Kittywas theperfect image of beauty in her black dress. Many people looked at heradmiringlyasshewalkedupthestepswithhermothertothegrandballroom.

Atonce,Kittysawthatthemostimportantpeopleattheballweretalkingtogether in one corner of the room. Stiva was there with Dolly. Anna, in abeautifulblackvelvetdress,wasalsothere.Shedidnotlooklikeawomanwhohadaneight-year-oldson.Hewasalsothere-Kitty'slove,CountVronsky.Kitty'sheartbeatalittlefasteratthesightoftheuniformedCount.

AsKittyjoinedthegroup,Annasmiledatherandcomplimentedherdressand beautiful appearance. Count Vronksy asked Kitty to dance. While theydanced, theydidnot talkaboutanything important,butKittywasnotworried.Shewas sure that hewould askher to dance themost important danceof theevening: the mazurka. Kitty was sure that Count Vronsky would proposemarriagetoheratthattime.

Afterthisfirstdance,Kittyhadtodancewithseveralyoungmenwhowerecompetingtodancewithher.Shecouldnotrefusethem.Asshedancedwithoneoftheseyoungmen,shesuddenlysawAnnadancingwithCountVronskynextto her. Kitty became slightly alarmed, and she watched Anna and Vronskyclosely.AnnawaslookingupattheCountwithbrighteyes.Everytimehespoketoher,sheseemedtobefilledwithjoy,andhereyesbecamebrighter.ToKitty'shorror, the same expression of excitement and happiness was reflected onVronsky'sface.

When the mazurka finally began, Kitty was asked to dance by an oldfamily friend,Korunsky. She accepted, as she could seeVronskywas alreadydancingwithAnna.ThemoreKitty lookedat them, themoresherealized thattheywereveryattractedtoeachother.Kittywasheartbroken.

Laterinthedance,AnnaandKittyfoundthemselvesdancingnexttoeachother.AnnareachedoutherhandtoKitty,butKittyignoreditandmovedaway.Suddenly,AnnasawthelookofdespairandjealousyonKitty'sface.

Afterthedance,AnnatoldVronskyshewouldnotstayfordinner.

"Thankyouforthewonderfultime,"shesaid."NowImustgohomeandprepareformyjourneybackhometomorrow.""Soyoureallyareleavingtomorrow?"askedVronsky."Yes,Imust,"repliedAnna.Hereyesshone,andhersmilewarmedVronsky'sheart.Early thenextmorning,Annasenta telegramtoherhusbandtellinghim

shewouldleavetodayforSt.Petersburgontheovernighttrain."Imustgo,"shetoldDolly."AndImustconfessthereasonformysudden

departure.IhaveruineditforKittyandVronsky.She'sjealousofme,andImadetheballlastnighttortureforher.Butit'sreallynotmyfault-oratleast,justalittlebit."

"You sound likemy Stiva!" exclaimedDolly. "But remember,Anna, I'llalwaysloveyouasmydearestfriend.Iwon'tforgetwhatyoudidforme!"

Thatnight,asAnnarodeonthetrainhome,shefeltrelievedandhappytobegoinghome.

"Soon Iwill seemy sonSeriozha andmyhusband," she said to herself."Thenmysimplelifewillcontinueasbefore."

ChapterthreeRomanceinSt.PetersburgTherewasaterriblesnowstormoutside.Annatriedtoreadanovel,butshe

could not concentrate. She listened to the sound of the train and fell asleep.Suddenly, she realized that the train was coming to a stop on the way to St.Petersburg.Afterawhile,amaninamilitaryovercoatapproachedher.

"MayIassistyou,lady?'hesaid.AnnarecognizedVronskyashespoke."I didn't know you were coming to St. Petersburg!" exclaimed Anna

joyously."Whatbusinessdoyouhavethere?""Canyounotguess?"askedVronsky."Ihavecometobewhereyouare."Annafelttombetweenjoyandfear.Foralongtime,shewassilent.Then

she said, "You should not say that, and I beg you, if you are a gentleman, toforgetit,asIshallforgetit."Withthat,sheclosedhereyesandtriedtosleep.

Early thenextmorning,AlexeyAlexandrovitchKareninwaswaiting forhiswife on the train platform.He sawAnna as soon as she stepped fromhercarriage. Anna also saw her husband immediately. The familiar feeling ofdissatisfaction upon seeing her husband arose inAnna.ToAnna, her husbandwascold,withoutfeelingorpassion.

Vronsky stepped down from the train and sawKarenin take hold of hiswife'sarmas ifshewereapieceofproperty.For thefirst time,VronskycamefacetofacewiththefactthattherewasamanattachedtoAnna.He,too,feltadisagreeable sensation when he sawKarenin. Vronsky approached the coupleslowlyandsaid,"Didyouhaveagoodnight?"

"Yes, thankyou," repliedAnna.Her eyes lit upwhen she spoke to him.Anna looked at her husband to see if he knew Vronsky. Karenin had anunpleasant lookonhis face.Hedisliked the interruption,andhewas trying torememberVronsky'sface.

"This is Count Vronsky," said Anna. "I made his acquaintance inMoscow."

"Ah,wehavemetbefore,"saidKareninwithoutfeeling."IhopeImayvisityou,"saidVronsky,moretoAnnathanKarenin.

"We'dbedelighted,"saidKarenininacoldvoice."YoumayfindushomeonMondays."

Thenheturned,andstillholdingAnna'sarm,theyleftthestation.WhenAnnaandherhusbandarrivedhome,Seriozha,theirson,wasvery

happytoseehismother.AnnatoldhimabouthervisittoMoscowandgavehimsomepresents.

InSt.Petersburg,Annaattendedoperas,balls,anddinnerpartieswiththerich and powerful in Russian society. CountVronsky's familywas one of therichestinRussia,andhealsoshowedupatmanyofthesameeventsasAnna.Hewas the commander of an army regiment, and he moved his men to St.Petersburg.

UponherarrivalinSt.Petersburg,AnnahadtriedtoforgetherattractiontoVronsky.However, every time shemet him at a dinner party or ball, shewasexcited and happy to see him. Soon, she realized that Vronsky was themaininterestinherlife.

Anna and Vronsky became very good friends and did many thingstogether.EvenwhenKareninwastoobusytogotothetheaterorotheroutings,Vronsky would escort Anna. In this way, Anna and Vronsky became lovers.They also became the subject of much gossip among the highest circles ofRussiansociety.Kareninnoticedhiswife'sbehavior.Hewasveryworriedaboutwhatotherpeoplemight thinkofhim.However,hewasnotaboldman,sohedecidedthebestwayforhimtodealwiththesituationwastoignoreit.

Oneday,VronskycalledonAnnawhenKareninwasaway.Hefoundheronthebackporchofherhouse.Herlovelyfacelookedredandhot.

"What'sthematter?"askedVronsky."Areyouill?""No,"saidAnna."I'mpregnant.It'syourchild."Vronskyturnedpale."Wemustputanendtooursecrecy.Askyourhusbandforadivorce,and

wewillgetmarried."hesaid."Hewouldnever agree to that," repliedAnna. "Hewill not allowme to

disgracehisfamilyname.""Wehavetotellhim,"saidVronsky."Wecannotcontinuelikethis.""Andthenwhatwouldwedo?"askedAnna."Runaway?"Vronskythoughtforamoment."Yes, that is theonlysolutionthen.Ifhe

doesn'tgiveyouadivorce,wewillleaveRussia."VronskydidnotknowthatthiswouldbeverydifficultforAnna.Sheloved

Vronsky,butshedidnotwanttobeawayfromherson.However,therewasnochoiceforher.

WhenAnna toldher husband she lovedVronsky,Kareninwashorrified.Until now, he had tried to ignore hiswife's relationshipwithVronsky.Anna'sdirectannouncementofherloveforVronskyandthefactthatshewasgoingtohavehischildforcedhimtoconfrontthesituation.

KareninsenthiswifetotheirsummerhouseoutsideMoscow.Hetoldherheneededtimetothink.

Aftermuchthoughtinhiscalculatingway,KarenindecidedthatheshouldforceAnnatoremainwithhim.

"Imustnotbeunhappy,butalsoAnnashouldnotbehappy."hethought."Thisisthebestsolution.Iamnotgettingridofaguiltywifebutamgivingherachancetomendherways."

HequicklywrotealettertoAnna.

Whateveryourbehaviorhasbeen,IdonotthinkthatIhavetherighttocutthebondsthatGodhasmadebetweenus.Thefamilycannotbebrokenbecauseofthesinofoneofthepartners.Ourlifemustcontinueasbefore.Iamsureyouregretyourbehaviorandwillnotcontinuewithit.Ifyoudo,Iamsureyoucanimaginewhatthefuturewillholdforyouandyourson.IaskyoutoreturntoourhomeinSt.Petersburgassoonaspossible.

Karenin

Annareturnedhomeasherhusbandhadinstructed.Shefelthelplessinhercurrentsituation.

"Mylifewasmiserablebefore,"thoughtAnna."Whatwill itbelikenowthatKareninknowsIwasunfaithful?Andwhataboutthebaby?"

Annaandherhusbandlivedinthesamehouse,andtheymeteverydayfordinner so that the servantswouldnotgossip.However,Annacontinued to seeVronsky away from the house. Karenin knew this. He only told Anna thatVronskywasnotwelcomeatthehouse.

Oneday,VronskyreceivedanotefromAnna.

I feel sick andunhappy. I cannot leave thehouse, but Iwant to seeyouverymuch.Come by before ten.My husbandwill be busy in ameeting untilthen.

Vronskywastired,sohelaydowntotakeanap.HehadastrangedreamaboutadirtyoldpeasantwhowasbendingoverandtalkingtohimselfinFrench.This dream frightenedVronksy, butwhen hewoke up he thought that hewasbeingverysilly.Thenhelookedathiswatchandsawthatitwaseighto'clock.HewouldhavetohurrytomeetAnnabeforeherhusbandcamebackhome.

WhenVronsky knocked onAnna's front door, the servant opened it andgavehimasurprisedlook.ThenitwasVronsky'sturntobesurprisedasKareninappeared. Karenin stopped and looked at Vronsky with a stern look ofdisapproval.Thenhe steppedoutside andmadehisway to awaiting carriage,actingasifVronskywerenotthere.

"Ifhefoughtme,Icoulddosomething,"thoughtVronsky."Buthemakesmefeellikeasnakeinthegrass."

VronskywentinsidethehouseandfoundAnnainthehall."Whatwasyourhusbanddoinghere?"askedVronsky."Hewasaway,buthecamebackforsomethingunexpectedly,"saidAnna.

"I'msorryyoumeteachother.""Tellmeaboutthisillness,"saidVronsky,"Isitbecauseyouareexpecting

ourchildsoon?"Annasmiledinagentleway."Soon,ourproblemswillbeover.Weshall

allbeatpeace.""Whatdoyoumean?"askedVronsky."Iwilldieinchildbirth,"saidAnna."Iknowit.Lastnight,Idreamedthat

there was a dirty old peasant who was bending over. He was muttering inFrench. I was so frightened. That's when I knew I would die in childbirth."Vronsky remembered his own dream, and for a second, hewas also terrified.Thenheshookhimselfandsaid,"Whatnonsense!Youshouldnotbelieveyourdreams."

Thenextmorning,KareninwalkedintoAnna'sbedroomwithoutknocking."TheonlythingIaskedyoutodo,"KareninsaidtoAnna,"isnottoreceive

your lover inourhouse.Now thatyouhavedisobeyedme, Iwill divorceyouandtakeyoursonaway.Hewillgoandliveatmysister's."

Annagrabbedherhusband'sarmandcried."Please,leavemeSeriozha!"Kareninonlypulledhishandfreeandlefttheroom.HewenttoMoscow

onbusinessforthreedays.InMoscow,Kareninwaswalkingoutof theofficeofahighgovernment

officialwhen he heard someone calling his name.He looked around and sawOblonsky.Kareninwasnothappytoseehiswife'sbrother.Oblonskyranovertospeakwithhim.

"Whydidn'tyoutellusyouwouldbeinMoscow?"hesaid."We'rehavingadinnerpartytomorrownight.Comeoverbetween5and6o'clock."

Kareninhesitated.Thenhesaid,"Ican'tcometoyourhouse.Idon'tmeantoberude…it'sjust...Iamgoingtodivorceyoursister."

Oblonsky had heard rumors that therewere problems between his sisterandherhusband.Nowheknewthoserumorsweretrue,buthedidnotwanttobelieve them.Hesaid, "No, it'snotpossible.Anna is sucha fineandsplendidwoman.Theremustbesomemisunderstanding."

"Iwishitwerejustamisunderstanding!"repliedKarenin.

CHAPTERFOUR

Forgiveness

Karenin returned to his lonely hotel room. There he found a telegramwaitingforhimfromAnna.

Thetelegramread:

Iamdying:Ibegyoutocome.Ishalldieeasierwithyourforgiveness.

"Is thissomekindofa trick?"askedKarenin."But if she really isdyingandIrefusetoseeher,itwouldbeverycruel.Imustreturnhome."

KareninknewthatAnnawasgoingtogivebirthtoVronsky'schildsoon.HeguessedthatAnna'shealthwaspoorbecauseofthecomingchildbirth.

Whenhearrivedhome,aservantopenedthedoorforhim."Howismywife?"askedKarenin."Shegavebirth toadaughteryesterday," replied theservant. "But she is

verysicktoday.Thedoctorsareworried."Karenin noticed a strange hat and coat hanging in the hallway. "Who is

herenow?"heasked.Theservanthesitatedforjustasecond."CountVronsky."Karenin went upstairs and found Vronsky sitting outside his wife's

bedroom.Vronskyhadhisfaceburiedinhishands.HelookedupatthesoundofKarenin'sapproach.

"She is dying," he said. "The doctors say there is no hope. Letme stayhere."

Kareninturnedawaywithoutspeaking.HewentintoAnna'sroom.Shelayonherside,facingthedoorwithshiningeyes.

"Comehere,Alexi," she said. "I do not havemuch time.The feverwillcomeback,andIwilldiesoon."

KareninkneltdownbesideAnna'sbed.Hetookherwarmhandinhisownandputhisotherhandonher forehead.Hecould feel the feverburning likea

furnaceunderherpale,whiteskin."Stayalittle,Alexi,"saidAnna."ThereissomethingImusttellyou.There

isanotherwomaninsideofme.Iamafraidofher.Sheistheonewhofellinlovewiththatman.I'mnotthatwoman.Iammytrueselfnow,I'mdying.IknowIam. There is only one thing that I want - forgive me. Please forgive mecompletely."

Awarm feeling of love, compassion, and forgiveness filledKarenin.HelaidhisheadonAnna'schest,whichburned like fire throughher shirt, andhecried.

AnnasawVronskystandingatthedoor."Whydoesn'thecomein?"shesaid."Comein!Comein!Alexi,givehim

yourhand."VronskycameinandstoodbyAnna'sbed."Givehimyourhand,"saidAnnatoherhusband."Forgivehim."Karenin held out his hand, not even trying to stop the tears that flowed

downhischeeks."ThankGod.ThankGod!"criedAnna."Noweverythingisdone.Icandie

now.Oh,God,whenwillthepainend?"Later, the doctor came and told Karenin that almost all patients with

Anna'sconditiondied.Hedidnotexpecthertolivethroughthenight.However,thenextmorning,Anna'sconditionhadnotchanged.Thedoctorsaidtheremightbesomehope.

KareninwentintothesmallroomwhereVronskyhadsatupallnight.Hetookachairoppositehisrival.

"IhaddecidedonadivorcebecauseIwantedtopunishherandyou,"saidKarenin."WhenIgothertelegram,Icamehomewithmanyfeelings.IadmitIevenwantedher todie.But... I sawher,andI forgaveher.Myduty isclear: Ishould staywithher, and1will. If shewants to seeyou, Iwill let youknow.However,Ithinkitisbestthatyouleavenow."

Vronsky could not understand how Karenin could be so calm andforgiving.Nowheseemedlikeanoblegentleman:kind,honorable,andabettermanthanVronsky.AshemadehiswayfromKarenin'shousetohisownhome,Vronskyfeltadeepsenseofshame,humiliation,andguilt.

He tried to sleep, but he could not. He had recently been offered animportantpositioninTashkent,butthiswasnothingtohimnow.Annawasgone,andhehadbeenshamedbyherhusband.

"Am I goingmad?" he thought to himself. "This is how people commitsuicide."

Vronskywent tohisdeskandtookoutapistol.Thenhepointeditathischestandfired.Ashesanktothefloor,hefeltnopain.Hesawthebloodonthecarpetandrealizedhehadshothimself.

"Fool!"hethought."Imissed!"Theneverythingwentblack.His servant,whohadheard the shot, ran in

theroom.Seeingthesituation,heranforthedoctor.Vronskywaslaidonthebedwithaseriouswoundtohischest,buthisheartstillbeatstrongly.

KareninhadcompletelyforgivenAnna.HepitiedVronsky,especiallyafterheheardthatVronskyhadtriedtokillhimself.HealsopitiedhissonSeriozha,inwhomhehadnotshownmuchinterest.Astimewentby,Annabecamebetter.Karenin noticed that she was afraid of him andwould avoid him if possible.Since becoming well, Anna had forgotten what she had said to Karenin. Shewanted to seeVronsky,whowas recovering.However, she felt a deep shamewhenevershethoughtofherhusband.Finally,shesentforherbrotherOblonsky.

WhenOblonskymetAnna,hesaid,"Iknowit'shard,butyoumustcheerup.Nothingissoterribletomakeyouunhappyallthetime."

"No,Stiva,"saidAnna."Iamlost.Butmymiseryisnotoveryet...andtheendwillbeterrible."

"You had the bad luck of falling in lovewith amanwhowas not yourhusband.Yourhusbandforgaveyou,butcanyoucontinuelivingwithhim?Doyouwantto?Doeshewantto?"

"Idon'tknow,"saidAnna."Ihavenoideawhathewants.""Thenletmesortthisoutforyou,"saidOblonsky."He'smiserable;you're

miserable.What good can come out of this situation?A divorcewould solveeverything.Iwillgotohimnowandarrangeforadivorce."

OblonskyfoundKareninsittingathisdeskinhisstudy."IhopeI'mnotdisturbingyou,"saidOblonskyasheenteredtheroom."I

wantedtotalkwithyouaboutmysister"

"I can thinkof nothing else," sighedKarenin. "Look, I have justwrittenherthisnote."

KareninhandedOblonskyashortnotethatread:

I can see thatyouarenot comfortablebeingaroundme. I promisedyouthatIwouldforgiveyouwithallmyheartwhenIsawyouat thetimeofyourillness.Myonlydesirewasthatyouwouldincomeagoodwifeagain.ButnowIseethatit'simpossible.Tellmewhatwillmakeyouhappyandgiveyoupeace;whateveryouask,Iwillgrant.

Oblonsky read the note with wonder. He was amazed at how generousKareninwas.

"Ihavetoknowwhatshewants,"saidKarenin."Well, that is simple," repliedOblonsky. "Shewants a divorce.And this

way,youbothcanhaveyourfreedom.""Allright!"exclaimedKarenin."Ifshedesiresit,Iwillgiveheradivorce,

evenifshetakesawaymyson."Oblonskysmiledgently."Believeme,shewillappreciateyourgenerosity.

Iamonlydoingmybesttohelpyouandher."

CHAPTERFIVE

Escape

Vronskyhadlaininbedontheedgeofdeathforseveraldaysafterheshothimself. Slowly, he recovered.Whenhewaswell enough tomove around, hedecided togiveupAnna.Theonlyproblemwas thathecouldnot remove thesadnessfromhisheartwheneverhethoughtofher.SowhenVronskyheardfromAnna'sbestfriend,PrincessBetsy,thatKareninhadagreedtoadivorce,hewentstraightovertoAnna'shouse.WithoutcaringifheranintoKarenin,hewenttoAnna'sroom,openedthedoor,andtookherintohisarms.Heshoweredherface,neck,andshoulderswithkisses.

"WewillgotoEuropeandleaveallthisbehindus,"hetoldAnna.Annatrembledwithexcitementandfear."Canwereallyliveashusbandandwife?"shesaid."Stivatoldmethatmy

husbandhadagreedtoadivorce.WillhereallygiveupSeriozha?""Donotworryaboutthatnow.Donotthinkofit,"repliedVronsky."Oh,IwishIhaddied,"saidAnna,as tearsstreameddownherbeautiful

face."Itwouldhavebeeneasier.ButIamsohappytoseeyouagain."Vronskyneverdreamedthathewouldresignfromthemilitarysoquickly.

Thatday,hedidsowithouthesitation.Inaweek,hearrangedforAnnaandtheirdaughtertoleaveSt.Petersburg.TheyleftforItaly,thinkingthatKareninwouldarrangeforthedivorceintheirabsence.

For three months, Vronsky and Anna traveled through Europe. Finally,they bought amodest house in a small Italian town and lived there for threemonths. Anna was the happiest she had ever been in her life. Her healthrecovered completely, and themore she learned about Vronsky, themore shelovedhim.Shehadhimall to herself at last, andhis presencewas a constantsourceof joy to her.Annadidnot allow thoughts of her sufferinghusbandorabandonedsontoruinherhappiness.ShehadgrownveryfondofherdaughterAni.Duringthesethreemonths,sherarelythoughtaboutSeriozha.

Vronskyalsofeltajoyoussenseoffreedominhavingleftthearmyandhissocialcircles.Hewashappyatfirst,butastheweekspassed,hebecamerestless.Hehadnojobandnoofficialdutiestofillthedaywith.Sotheydecidedtomove

toVronsky'slargefamilyestateinthecountrysidenearSt.Petersburg.Butfirst,theyplannedtostopinthatcitysothatAnnacouldvisitherson.

When Anna left him, Karenin became very unhappy. He could notunderstandhowhecouldbealoneandsadafterforgivinghiswifeandherlover.Inaddition,hefelthumiliatedwhenhewentout.Hewassurethatpeopleweretalkingabouthimandlaughing.

AfewdaysafterAnna left,he receivedabill fromahatstore thatAnnahadforgottentopay.Whenhesawit,anoverpoweringsenseoflosscameoverhim.Hesatdownandstartedtocry.

Therewasoneperson inSt.Petersburgwhocared forKarenin.ShewasCountessLydiaIvanova.Shewasadeeplyreligiouswomanwhomarriedquiteyoung. However, her husband had left her after only two months.When sheheardthatAnnahadgone,shepitiedKarenindeeply.NowthatAnnawasgone,she decided to visitKarenin on the same day that hewept alone in his study.ThatwaswhereshefoundKarenin,sittingwithhisheadinbothhands.

"Ihaveheardeverything!"saidLydia,asshetookoneofKarenin'shandsintohers."Mydearfriend!Yoursorrowisgreat,butyoumustbestrong!" 

Karenin looked up at Lydiawith tears in his eyes. "It's not the lost thattroubles me most," said Karenin, "I feel humiliated! Also I finding myselfspending all day dealingwith householdmatters-making arrangements for theservantsandmysonandpayingthebills."

"Iunderstand,mydearfriend,"saidLydia."Youneedawoman'shandinyourhousehold.Willyoutrustmetomanageyourdomesticaffairs?"

Silently,andgratefully,KareninpressedLydia'shand."Iwillbeyourhousekeeper,"saidLydia."Wewill takecareofSeriozha together.Don't thankme,but thankHim.

OnlyinHimcanwefindpeace,comfort,andlove.""Iamverygratefultoyou,"Kareninsaid.Lydia smiled and patted his hands. Then shewent to Seriozha and took

himinherarms.Shetoldhimthathisfatherwasasaintandthathismotherwasdead.

WhenLydiaheardthatAnnaandVronskyhadreturnedtoSt.Petersburg,shewashorrified.ShefeltthatKareninmustbeprotectedfromseeingthatawful

woman.Hemustnotevenknowthatshehadcomeback.Thenextday,LydiareceivedanotefromAnna.Itread:

MydearCountess,Iamveryunhappyatbeingapartfrommysonandwouldverymuchlike

to see him before I leave St. Petersburg. I am writing to you instead of myhusbandbecauseIdonotwishtomakehimsufferbyseeingme.Knowingyourfriendshipwithhim, Iamsureyouwillunderstand.WillyousendSeriozha tome,orshouldIcometothehouseata timewhenKareninwillbeaway?Iamverygratefulforyourhelp.

Anna

Lydia was very annoyed by Anna's note. She decided to ignore Anna'sdesirenottoinvolveKarenin.

WhenKareninarrived,LydiashowedhimAnna'snote.Hereaditcarefullyandthensaid,"IdonotthinkIhavetherighttorefuseher."

"Mydearfriend,youdonotseetheevilinanyone!"exclaimedLydia."I have forgiven her," repliedKarenin. "I cannot refuse her love for her

son.""But is it really love?" asked Lydia. "Can she be sincere in love? And

shouldweallowhertoplaywiththefeelingsoftheboy?Hethinkssheisdead,andhepraysforher.Imaginehisshockifheweretoseeher!"

"Ihadnotthoughtofthat,"saidKarenin."Ifyouwillacceptmyadvice,Isuggestyoudenyhertherighttovisitthe

boy,"saidLydia."Withyourpermission,Iwillwriteareplysayingso."Karenin reluctantly agreed, and the Countess wrote a note to Anna that

read:

Madame,Toremindyoursonofyouwillprobablecausehimtoaskquestions that

wouldbedifficulttoanswer.Itisthereforbetterifhedidnotseeyou.MayGod

havemercyonyou.CountessLydia

Anna's response toLydia's letterwas one of anger. She decided that shewouldgovisithersonthenextday,whichhappenedtobehisbirthday.Shewentinthemorning,whensheknewSeriozhawouldstillbeinhisroom.Theservantwhoansweredthedoorwassurprisedbutsaidnothing.Annawentstraighttoherson'sroom.Shefoundhimsleeping.

"Seriozha!" shewhispered as she thought, "Howmuch he has changed!He'smuchtallerandthinnernow!"

ButhewasthesameSeriozha-herdearson.Heraisedhimselfandshookhisheadas ifheweredreaming.Helookedathismotherwithconfusionforafewseconds.Thenhismouthsplitintoahugesmilethatflashedhiswhiteteeth.Withjoyouseyes,hefellforwardintohismother'sarms.

"Seriozha,mydarlingboy!"saidAnna."Mama!"hesaid."Iknewyouwouldcomeonmybirthday.Ijustknewit.

I'mgoingtogetupnow…Annawaswatchinghim,withtearsflowingfromhereyes."Youdidn'tthinkIwasdead,didyou?"askedAnna."I never believed it! I knew you would come!" said Seriozha. Then he

laughed."Mama,you'resittingonmyclothes!""Seriozha,"saidAnna."Youmustloveyourfather.Heiskinderandbetter

than1am.Ihavebeenwickedtohim.Whenyouareolder,youwillunderstand.""Nooneisbetterthanyou!"criedSeriozha.Suddenly,thedooropened,andKarenincamein.Hestoppedatthesight

ofAnna,butheshowednoemotion.Seriozhasatbackonthebedandbegantocry.Annakissedhiswetfaceandturnedtogo.Kareninmovedbackandbowedhisheadasshepassed.

CHAPTERSIX

Jealousy

Once back in her hotel room from Karenin's house, Anna crieduncontrollably.

"Whyisn'tVronskyhereinmytimeofneed?"thoughtAnna.Desperately,sheimaginedthathehadlefther,too."Iamallaloneintheworld,"shecried.

Quickly, she sent a message to Vronsky asking him to come at oncethroughahotelservant.Alittlewhilelater,theservantdeliveredareplywhichsaidhewouldcomebacksoonwithafriend,PrinceYashvin.

AstrangeideagrewinAnna'shead."Whydoesn'thecomebackalone?Ican'ttellhimaboutmysufferingifheisnotalone.Doeshestillloveme?Ishetryingtoavoidbeingalonewithme?Ifhedoesn'tlovemeanymore,heshouldtellme."

However,whenVronskyandYashvinarrived,Annawasverycharming.Duringtheirconversationoverdinner,Yashvintalkedaboutpolitics.Vronskyseemedtobeveryinterested.AnnagottheimpressionthatVronskywantedtomovetoMoscowtorunforgovernmentoffice.

After Yashvin left, Anna said, "It will be nice to live on your family'sestateinthecountryside."

Vronskyhesitatedandseemedalittleguilty."Actually,mymotheriscurrentlystayingthere,"hereplied."Itwouldnot

beproperforustolivetherewhilesheisthere.Besides,weshouldwaitforthedivorce."

Anna felt lost. In the next few days, Vronsky would go out to dinnerpartiesor totheoperawithouther.Shecouldnotgobecauseshewouldbethesubjectofmuchgossip.However,Vronskyneededtogotheretomakeimportantconnections.Hehaddecidedtobecomeapolitician.

During this time, Anna became jealous. She imaginedVronskymeetingmanyyoungandbeautifulwomenatthesesocialevents.Shewasafraidhemightfall in love with another woman. This was actually her worst fear becauseVronsky had once told her, without thinking, that his mother wanted him tomarrytheyoungPrincessSorokina.

Oneevening,Annabecametiredofstayingathomebyherselfandwenttoanopera.Duringtheperformance,amemberoftheroyalfamily,whowassittingnexttoher,saidhello.Annahadknownhimforalongtime.Suddenly,hiswifestoodupandsaidshewouldnotbeseenwithsuchawickedwomanasAnna.Thewife left abruptly, andherhusband followed.Allhe coulddowasnod toAnna inpity.Mostof theaudience in theoperahousesaw this incident.Annawasextremelyhumiliated.She stayedas longas shecould, frozen inher seat.Afterafewminutes,shewentbacktoherhotelroomandcried.

Anna was waiting for Vronsky to return from a dinner party. They hadargued thedaybefore, andVronskyhadbeenaway fromhome theentireday.Anna was feeling miserable and lonely, and she decided to forgive himeverythingsothattheycouldbefriendsagain.

WhenVronskycamein,shesaid,"Well,didyouhaveagoodtime?"VronskycouldseethatAnnawasinagoodmood,sohesaid,"Thesameas

usual.""Darling," saidAnna, "1went for a drive today. Itwas so lovely, and it

remindedmeof the country.Yourmother hasmoved to her country housebyMoscow,soyourestateisempty.Wecanwaitforthedivorceinthecountry."

"Yes,Iagree,"saidVronksy."Whendoyouthinkweshouldgo?""Howaboutthedayaftertomorrow?"suggestedAnna."Yes.Oh,actually,

no," said Vronsky. "The day after tomorrow is Sunday, and I must visit mymother."

HefeltalittleembarrassedbecauseAnnawaslookingathimsuspiciously."Youcouldgotheretomorrow,"Annasaid."No. I'm going tomymother's on business - to take somemoney from

her,"repliedVronsky."Itwon'tbereadybytomorrow.""Wellthen,wewon'tgotothecountryatall!"saidAnna."Whynot?"askedVronskyinsurprise."Wecangothereinafewdays!""No," saidAnna. "If you lovedme, youwouldwant to go immediately.

Andifyoudon't lovemeanymore, itwouldbebetterandmorehonest tosayso!"

"Wait,"hesaid."Idon'tunderstand.Isaidwemustpostponeourdepartureforafewdays,andyouaccusemeofnotlovingyouanymore."

Withoutlookingathim,Annapulledherhandawayfromhimandlefttheroom.

"He hatesme.That is clear," thoughtAnna. "He is in lovewith anotherwoman."

Thinkingbacktoherillnessduringchildbirth,Annathoughtitwouldhavebeenmuchbetterifshehaddiedthen.

"If Idie, thenall the shameanddisgrace Ihavebroughtonmyhusbandand Seriozhawill bewiped out," thoughtAnna. "And if I die, he toowill besorry."

Thenextmorning,asAnnaandVronskywerehavingbreakfast,atelegramarrivedinforhim.HereaditandseemedtobehidingitfromAnna.Sheaskedwhoitwasfrom.

"It'sfromStiva,"hesaid."Whydon'tyoushowittome?"askedAnna."All right." said Vronsky reluctantly. "Read it yourself." The telegram

read:

HaveseenKarenin,butlittlehopeofdivorce.

Anna said, "Therewas no need to hide this fromme.A divorce doesn'tinterestme.Whydoesitinterestyou?"

Vronsky felt frustrated. "Because I like things to be definite," he said."And I think the reason you get upset so easily is because your position isuncertain."

"Mypositioniscertain,"repliedAnna."Iamcompletelyinyourpower.It'syourpositionthatisnotsure."

"Anna,ifyouthinkIwanttobefree…"Vronskystartedtosay.Anna interruptedhim,"I reallydonotcarewhatyourmother thinksand

whomshewantsyoutomarry.""Wearenottalkingaboutthat!"shoutedVronsky."Yes,weare,"repliedAnna."AndletmetellyouIdonotcareaboutthe

heartlesswoman,whethersheisoldornot,andIdonotwanttohaveanythingto

dowithher!"Vronsky becamevery cold and angry. "Anna, please do not speak about

mymotherlikethat.Showsomerespect."Annaspentthewholedayinherroom.Again,thethoughtofdeathcame

intohermindastheonlysolutiontoherproblems.Nothingmatteredtohernow-whether they went to the country or not. All that mattered was to punishVronsky.Anna laiddownforanapandhad thesamestrangedreamabout thedirtypeasantmutteringinFrench.

She woke with a start and heard a carriage outside. Looking out thewindow,shesawayoung,prettygirlleanout.Vronskyranoutofthehouseandtook a package from the girl. He said something, and she smiled. Then hercarriagedroveoffandVronskycamebackinside.

Tremblingwithfearandanger,AnnawenttoVronsky'sstudy.Shedecidedtotellhimshewouldleavehim.

"That was Princess Sorokina," said Vronsky. "She brought me somedocumentsfrommymother.Wearegoingtovisithertomorrow,aren'twe?"

"Youare,butIamnot,"saidAnna.Shestartedtoleave."Anna,wecannotcontinuelikethis...""Youwillbesorryforthis,"saidAnna,andsheleft.VronskysawthedespairinAnna'seyes.Hegotuptofollowher,butthen

hesatdownagain.''No,"he thought. "I'vedoneeverything Ican.Sheneeds tobe leftalone

now."Hesentforacarriageandpreparedtovisithismotheralone.Thecarriage

arrivedafewminuteslater,andheleftthehouse.Anna saw him leave through her window. A sudden horror gripped her

heart."Hehasleftme!It'sallovernow!"shethought.Quickly,sherandownstairs."Wherehashegone?"sheaskedaservant."To the railway station," came the reply. "He isgoing tocatcha train to

Obiralovka."ObiralovkawasthedistrictwhereVronsky'smotherlived.Annasatdown

andquicklywroteanote:

It's allmy fault. Come back home.Wemust talk, forGod's sake, comeback!Iamveryfrightened.

The servant took thenote.Half anhour later, he cameback and saidhewastoolateingettingtothetrainstation.Vronskyhadalreadyleft.Quickly,shewroteoutatelegramandtoldtheservanttosendit.

Itread:

Iabsolutelymusttalktoyou;comehomeatonce.

"Imustgothererightnowtotalktohim,"Annathought.She looked at the railway time schedule and saw that a train left for

Obiralovkainanhour.Shesentforacarriageandwenttothetrainstation.Ontheway,shelookedatthepeopleonthestreets.Theirlivesseemedmeaninglesstoher.Atthestation,thecoachmanasked,"ShouldIbuyatickettoObiralovkaforyou?"

"Yes,"saidAnna.Shelookedattheotherpeoplewaitingforthetrainanddidnotlikeanyofthem.

When she got her ticket, Anna boarded the train. She thought the otherpeopleinthecarriagewerelookingatherinastrangeandunpleasantway.Annalookedoutthewindowandsawadirtyoldpeasantbendingdownandlookingatthecarriagewheels.

"There's something familiar about that peasant." thoughtAnna.Then thetrain started. When she arrived in Obiralovka, Anna got out and asked thetelegramclerkiftherewasanotefromCountVronskyforher.

"Yes,ma'am." replied theclerk. "I justgot it.Here it is.Actually,CountVronsky'scoachmanwasjustheretopickupPrincessSorokina."

AnnareadthenotethatVronskyhadwrittencarelessly.Itread:

Justreceivedyourtelegram.

Icannotreturnuntilten.

"Yes,thisiswhatIexpected!"thoughtAnna.ShethoughthowawkwarditwouldbetowalkintoVronsky'smother'shousewithPrincessSorokinathere.

"Oh,whereshall Igo?"she thoughtasshewandereddowntheplatform.Shewantedtobealone,andtherewasnooneattheendoftheplatform.Anothertrainwasapproaching,andtheplatformbegantoshake.

Suddenly,Annarememberedthemanwhohadbeenrunoverbyatrainonthe day she met Vronsky. Now she knew what she had to do. Quickly, shewalkeddownthestepstothetracks.Shelookedatthewheelsoftheapproachingtrain.

"There," she thought. "There in the middle between the wheels. I willkneeldownthere.Iwillpunishhimandescapefrommypitifulexistence."

Anna missed the first carriage, but on the second, she dropped to herknees.Assoonasthewheelsofthiscarriagepassed,shekneltforward,overtherail.Atthesamemoment,shewasfilledwithhonoratthethoughtofwhatshewasdoing.

"WhereamI?WhatamIdoing?Why?"shesuddenlythought.Shetriedtogetupandthrowherselfback,butsomethinghugestruckher

onthebackofherhead.Itdraggedheralongtherailandpushedherdown."God,forgivemeforeverything!"shethought.A dirty peasant working on the rails on the other side of the train was

talking to himself quietly. He did not see Anna as she was pushed along theoppositerail.Thelightinsidehermindbywhichshehadviewedallhertroubles,allherlies,sorrow,andevil,suddenlybecameeverythingthathadbeenhiddenfrom her in darkness. But just as quickly, that light grew dim and was lostforever.

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