Chapter 2

           Soonafterthedoctor,Dollyhadarrived.Sheknewthattherewastobeaconsultationthatday,andthoughshewasonlyjustupafterherconfinement(shehadanotherbaby,alittlegirl,bornattheendofthewinter),thoughshehadtroubleandanxietyenoughofherown,shehadlefthertinybabyandasickchild,tocomeandhearKitty’sfate,whichwastobedecidedthatday.

           “Well,well?”shesaid,comingintothedrawing-room,withouttakingoffherhat.“You’reallingoodspirits.Goodnews,then?”

           Theytriedtotellherwhatthedoctorhadsaid,butitappearedthatthoughthedoctorhadtalkeddistinctlyenoughandatgreatlength,itwasutterlyimpossibletoreportwhathehadsaid.Theonlypointofinterestwasthatitwassettledtheyshouldgoabroad.

           Dollycouldnothelpsighing.Herdearestfriend,hersister,wasgoingaway.Andherlifewasnotacheerfulone.HerrelationswithStepanArkadyevitchaftertheirreconciliationhadbecomehumiliating.TheunionAnnahadcementedturnedouttobeofnosolidcharacter,andfamilyharmonywasbreakingdownagainatthesamepoint.Therehadbeennothingdefinite,butStepanArkadyevitchwashardlyeverathome;money,too,washardlyeverforthcoming,andDollywascontinuallytorturedbysuspicionsofinfidelity,whichshetriedtodismiss,dreadingtheagoniesofjealousyshehadbeenthroughalready.Thefirstonslaughtofjealousy,oncelivedthrough,couldnevercomebackagain,andeventhediscoveryofinfidelitiescouldnevernowaffectherasithadthefirsttime.