"Of course. I'm collecting subscriptions. Oh, did you make the

acquaintance of my friend Levin?" asked Stepan Arkadyevitch.

"Yes; but he left rather early."

"He's a capital fellow," pursued Oblonsky. "Isn't he?"

"I don't know why it is," responded Vronsky, "in all Moscow

people--present company of course excepted," he put in

jestingly, "there's something uncompromising. They are all on

the defensive, lose their tempers, as though they all want to

make one feel something..."

"Yes, that's true, it is so," said Stepan Arkadyevitch, laughing

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good-humoredly.

"Will the train soon be in?" Vronsky asked a railway official.

"The train's signaled," answered the man.

The approach of the train was more and more evident by the

preparatory bustle in the station, the rush of porters, the

movement of policemen and attendants, and people meeting the

train. Through the frosty vapor could be seen workmen in short

sheepskins and soft felt boots crossing the rails of the curving

line. The hiss of the boiler could be heard on the distant

rails, and the rumble of something heavy.

"No," said Stepan Arkadyevitch, who felt a great inclination to

tell Vronsky of Levin's intentions in regard to Kitty. "No,

you've not got a true impression of Levin. He's a very nervous

man, and is sometimes out of humor, it's true, but then he is

often very nice. He's such a true, honest nature, and a heart of

gold. But yesterday there were special reasons," pursued Stepan

Arkadyevitch, with a meaning smile, totally oblivious of the

genuine sympathy he had felt the day before for his friend, and

feeling the same sympathy now, only for Vronsky. "Yes, there

were reasons why he could not help being either particularly

happy or particularly unhappy."

Vronsky stood still and asked directly: "How so? Do you mean he

made your _belle-soeur_ an offer yesterday?"

"Maybe," said Stepan Arkadyevitch. "I fancied something of the

sort yesterday. Yes, if he went away early, and was out of humor

too, it must mean it.... He's been so long in love, and I'm very

sorry for him."

"So that's it! I should imagine, though, she might reckon on a

better match," said Vronsky, drawing himself up and walking about

again, "though I don't know him, of course," he added. "Yes,

that is a hateful position! That's why most fellows prefer to

have to do with Klaras. If you don't succeed with them it only

proves that you've not enough cash, but in this case one's

dignity's at stake. But here's the train."




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