Anna Karenina (Louise Maude's Translation). Leo Tolstoy

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ his own position in so far as it had changed since Vronsky went away. He had no money at all. His father had said he would not give him any and would not pay his debts. His tailor and another creditor were threatening him with arrest. His C.O. had announced to him that if these scandals continued he (Petritsky) would have to resign. He was sick to death of the Baroness, especially because she was always wanting to give him money; but there was another — he would let Vronsky see her — who was charming, wonderful, of severely Oriental type, in the style of ‘ “The Slave Rebecca,” you know!’ He had also had a quarrel with Berkashev, who wished to send his seconds, but of course nothing would come of it. But, in general, everything was first-rate and extremely jolly; and without letting his friend go into details of his position, Petritsky began telling him all the interesting news. Listening to Petritsky’s familiar tales, in the familiar surroundings of the house he had lived in for three years, Vronsky experienced the satisfaction of returning to his customary careless Petersburg life.

      ‘Impossible!’ he cried, releasing the pedal of his washstand, which controlled a jet of water under which he was bathing his healthy, ruddy neck. ‘Impossible!’ he cried, at the news that Laura was under the protection of Mileyev and had thrown up Fertinhof. ‘And he is still as stupid and self-satisfied? And what of Buzulukov?’

      ‘Oh, about Buzulukov there is such a tale — splendid!’ shouted Petritsky. ‘You know his passion for balls? He never misses a single Court ball. He went to a grand ball wearing one of the new helmets — have you seen the new helmets? They’re very good, much lighter. — Well, he stood … But you are not listening.’

      ‘Yes, I am,’ replied Vronsky, rubbing himself with a bath-towel.

      ‘The Grand Duchess passed by with one of the Ambassadors, and as his ill-luck would have it they were discussing the new helmets. The Grand Duchess wishes to show him one of them… . She sees our dear Buzulukov standing there’ — Petritsky imitated the pose — ‘the Grand Duchess asks him for his helmet, but he won’t let her have it! What can this mean? They wink at him, nod, frown, to make him give it up… . No! He stands there more dead than alive… . Just imagine it! … That — what’s his name? — wishes to take it from him, but he won’t let go, … The other snatches it away and hands it to the Grand Duchess. “Here, this is one of the new ones,” says the Grand Duchess, turning it over, and — just fancy! — out tumbles a pear and sweets — two pounds of them… . The dear fellow had collected them in his helmet!’

      Vronsky shook with laughter, and long after, when he was already talking of other things, he again went off into roars of hearty laughter, showing his compact row of strong teeth, at the remembrance of the helmet.

      Having heard all the news, Vronsky, with the help of his valet, put on his uniform and went to report himself. After that he intended to go to see his brother and to see Betsy, and to pay a few calls in order to begin visiting the set in which he could meet Anna Karenina. As usual in Petersburg, he left the house not to return till late at night.

      PART TWO

       TOC

       Chapter 1

       Chapter 2

       Chapter 3

       Chapter 4

       Chapter 5

       Chapter 6

       Chapter 7

       Chapter 8

       Chapter 9

       Chapter 10

       Chapter 11

       Chapter 12

       Chapter 13

       Chapter 14

       Chapter 15

       Chapter 16

       Chapter 17

       Chapter 18

       Chapter 19

       Chapter 20

       Chapter 21

       Chapter 22

       Chapter 23

       Chapter 24

       Chapter 25

       Chapter 26

       Chapter 27

       Chapter 28

       Chapter 29

       Chapter 30

       Chapter 31

       Chapter 32

СКАЧАТЬ