Анна Каренина

Chapter 21

           Andthere’snothingleftformebut....”

           Shewouldhavesaiddeath,butStepanArkadyevitchwouldnotletherfinish.

           “Youareillandoverwrought,”hesaid;“believeme,you’reexaggeratingdreadfully.There’snothingsoterribleinit.”

           AndStepanArkadyevitchsmiled.NooneelseinStepanArkadyevitch’splace,havingtodowithsuchdespair,wouldhaveventuredtosmile(thesmilewouldhaveseemedbrutal);butinhissmiletherewassomuchofsweetnessandalmostfemininetendernessthathissmiledidnotwound,butsoftenedandsoothed.Hisgentle,soothingwordsandsmileswereassoothingandsofteningasalmondoil.AndAnnasoonfeltthis.

           “No,Stiva,”shesaid,“I’mlost,lost!worsethanlost!Ican’tsayyetthatallisover;onthecontrary,Ifeelthatit’snotover.I’manoverstrainedstringthatmustsnap.Butit’snotendedyet...anditwillhaveafearfulend.”

           “Nomatter,wemustletthestringbeloosened,littlebylittle.There’snopositionfromwhichthereisnowayofescape.”

           “Ihavethought,andthought.Onlyone....”

           Againheknewfromherterrifiedeyesthatthisonewayofescapeinherthoughtwasdeath,andhewouldnotlethersayit.

           “Notatall,”hesaid.“Listentome.Youcan’tseeyourownpositionasIcan.Letmetellyoucandidlymyopinion.”Againhesmileddiscreetlyhisalmond-oilsmile.“I’llbeginfromthebeginning.Youmarriedamantwentyyearsolderthanyourself.Youmarriedhimwithoutloveandnotknowingwhatlovewas.Itwasamistake,let’sadmit.”

           “Afearfulmistake!”saidAnna.

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