Chapter 3

“Youmethim?”sheasked,whentheyhadsatdownatthetableinthelamplight.“You’repunished,yousee,forbeinglate.”

“Yes;buthowwasit?Wasn’thetobeatthecouncil?”

“Hehadbeenandcomeback,andwasgoingoutsomewhereagain.Butthat’snomatter.Don’ttalkaboutit.Wherehaveyoubeen?Withtheprincestill?”

Shekneweverydetailofhisexistence.Hewasgoingtosaythathehadbeenupallnightandhaddroppedasleep,butlookingatherthrilledandrapturousface,hewasashamed.Andhesaidhehadhadtogotoreportontheprince’sdeparture.

“Butit’sovernow?Heisgone?”

“ThankGodit’sover!Youwouldn’tbelievehowinsufferableit’sbeenforme.”

“Whyso?Isn’titthelifeallofyou,allyoungmen,alwayslead?”shesaid,knittingherbrows;andtakingupthecrochetworkthatwaslyingonthetable,shebegandrawingthehookoutofit,withoutlookingatVronsky.

“Igavethatlifeuplongago,”saidhe,wonderingatthechangeinherface,andtryingtodivineitsmeaning.“AndIconfess,”hesaid,withasmile,showinghisthick,whiteteeth,“thisweekI’vebeen,asitwere,lookingatmyselfinaglass,seeingthatlife,andIdidn’tlikeit.”

Sheheldtheworkinherhands,butdidnotcrochet,andlookedathimwithstrange,shining,andhostileeyes.

“ThismorningLizacametoseeme—they’renotafraidtocallonme,inspiteoftheCountessLidiaIvanovna,”sheputin—“andshetoldmeaboutyourAthenianevening.Howloathsome!”