Chapter 9

           “Oblonsky’scarriage!”theportershoutedinanangrybass.Thecarriagedroveupandbothgotin.Itwasonlyforthefirstfewmoments,whilethecarriagewasdrivingoutoftheclubhousegates,thatLevinwasstillundertheinfluenceoftheclubatmosphereofrepose,comfort,andunimpeachablegoodform.Butassoonasthecarriagedroveoutintothestreet,andhefeltitjoltingovertheunevenroad,heardtheangryshoutofasledgedrivercomingtowardsthem,sawintheuncertainlighttheredblindofatavernandtheshops,thisimpressionwasdissipated,andhebegantothinkoverhisactions,andtowonderwhetherhewasdoingrightingoingtoseeAnna.WhatwouldKittysay?ButStepanArkadyevitchgavehimnotimeforreflection,and,asthoughdivininghisdoubts,hescatteredthem.

           “HowgladIam,”hesaid,“thatyoushouldknowher!YouknowDollyhaslongwishedforit.AndLvov’sbeentoseeher,andoftengoes.Thoughsheismysister,”StepanArkadyevitchpursued,“Idon’thesitatetosaythatshe’saremarkablewoman.Butyouwillsee.Herpositionisverypainful,especiallynow.”

           “Whyespeciallynow?”

           “Wearecarryingonnegotiationswithherhusbandaboutadivorce.Andhe’sagreed;buttherearedifficultiesinregardtotheson,andthebusiness,whichoughttohavebeenarrangedlongago,hasbeendraggingonforthreemonthspast.Assoonasthedivorceisover,shewillmarryVronsky.Howstupidtheseoldceremoniesare,thatnoonebelievesin,andwhichonlypreventpeoplebeingcomfortable!”StepanArkadyevitchputin.