Chapter 22

           WhenAnnafoundDollyathomebeforeher,shelookedintentlyinhereyes,asthoughquestioningheraboutthetalkshehadhadwithVronsky,butshemadenoinquiryinwords.

           “Ibelieveit’sdinnertime,”shesaid.“We’venotseeneachotheratallyet.Iamreckoningontheevening.NowIwanttogoanddress.Iexpectyoudotoo;weallgotsplashedatthebuildings.”

           Dollywenttoherroomandshefeltamused.Tochangeherdresswasimpossible,forshehadalreadyputonherbestdress.Butinordertosignifyinsomewayherpreparationfordinner,sheaskedthemaidtobrushherdress,changedhercuffsandtie,andputsomelaceonherhead.

           “ThisisallIcando,”shesaidwithasmiletoAnna,whocameintoherinathirddress,againofextremesimplicity.

           “Yes,wearetooformalhere,”shesaid,asitwereapologizingforhermagnificence.“Alexeyisdelightedatyourvisit,asherarelyisatanything.Hehascompletelylosthishearttoyou,”sheadded.“You’renottired?”

           Therewasnotimefortalkingaboutanythingbeforedinner.Goingintothedrawing-roomtheyfoundPrincessVarvaraalreadythere,andthegentlemenofthepartyinblackfrock-coats.Thearchitectworeaswallow-tailcoat.Vronskypresentedthedoctorandthestewardtohisguest.Thearchitecthehadalreadyintroducedtoheratthehospital.

           Astoutbutler,resplendentwithasmoothlyshavenroundchinandastarchedwhitecravat,announcedthatdinnerwasready,andtheladiesgotup.VronskyaskedSviazhskytotakeinAnnaArkadyevna,andhimselfofferedhisarmtoDolly.