Chapter 31

           AsintenselyasAnnahadlongedtoseeherson,andlongasshehadbeenthinkingofitandpreparingherselfforit,shehadnotintheleastexpectedthatseeinghimwouldaffecthersodeeply.Ongettingbacktoherlonelyroomsinthehotelshecouldnotforalongwhileunderstandwhyshewasthere.“Yes,it’sallover,andIamagainalone,”shesaidtoherself,andwithouttakingoffherhatshesatdowninalowchairbythehearth.Fixinghereyesonabronzeclockstandingonatablebetweenthewindows,shetriedtothink.

           TheFrenchmaidbroughtfromabroadcameintosuggestsheshoulddress.Shegazedatherwonderinglyandsaid,“Presently.”Afootmanofferedhercoffee.“Lateron,”shesaid.

           TheItaliannurse,afterhavingtakenthebabyoutinherbest,cameinwithher,andbroughthertoAnna.Theplump,well-fedlittlebaby,onseeinghermother,asshealwaysdid,heldoutherfatlittlehands,andwithasmileonhertoothlessmouth,began,likeafishwithafloat,bobbingherfingersupanddownthestarchedfoldsofherembroideredskirt,makingthemrustle.Itwasimpossiblenottosmile,nottokissthebaby,impossiblenottoholdoutafingerforhertoclutch,crowingandprancingallover;impossiblenottoofferheralipwhichshesuckedintoherlittlemouthbywayofakiss.AndallthisAnnadid,andtookherinherarmsandmadeherdance,andkissedherfreshlittlecheekandbarelittleelbows;butatthesightofthischilditwasplainerthanevertoherthatthefeelingshehadforhercouldnotbecalledloveincomparisonwithwhatshefeltforSeryozha.