Chapter 20

           ThewholeofthatdayAnnaspentathome,that’stosayattheOblonskys’,andreceivednoone,thoughsomeofheracquaintanceshadalreadyheardofherarrival,andcametocallthesameday.AnnaspentthewholemorningwithDollyandthechildren.Shemerelysentabriefnotetoherbrothertotellhimthathemustnotfailtodineathome.“Come,Godismerciful,”shewrote.

           Oblonskydiddineathome:theconversationwasgeneral,andhiswife,speakingtohim,addressedhimas“Stiva,”asshehadnotdonebefore.Intherelationsofthehusbandandwifethesameestrangementstillremained,buttherewasnotalknowofseparation,andStepanArkadyevitchsawthepossibilityofexplanationandreconciliation.

           ImmediatelyafterdinnerKittycamein.SheknewAnnaArkadyevna,butonlyveryslightly,andshecamenowtohersister’swithsometrepidation,attheprospectofmeetingthisfashionablePetersburglady,whomeveryonespokesohighlyof.ButshemadeafavorableimpressiononAnnaArkadyevna—shesawthatatonce.Annawasunmistakablyadmiringherlovelinessandheryouth:beforeKittyknewwhereshewasshefoundherselfnotmerelyunderAnna’ssway,butinlovewithher,asyounggirlsdofallinlovewitholderandmarriedwomen.Annawasnotlikeafashionablelady,northemotherofaboyofeightyearsold.