Page 104 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

future with Vronsky, there arose before her a perspective
of brilliant happiness; with Levin the future seemed misty.
When she went upstairs to dress, and looked into the
looking-glass, she noticed with joy that it was one of her

good days, and that she was in complete possession of all
her forces,—she needed this so for what lay before her:
she was conscious of external composure and free grace in
her movements.
At half-past seven she had only just gone down into the
drawing room, when the footman announced, ‘Konstantin
Dmitrievitch Levin.’ The princess was still in her room,
and the prince had not come in. ‘So it is to be,’ thought
Kitty, and all the blood seemed to rush to her heart. She
was horrified at her paleness, as she glanced into the
looking-glass. At that moment she knew beyond doubt
that he had come early on purpose to find her alone and
to make her an offer. And only then for the first time the
whole thing presented itself in a new, different aspect;
only then she realized that the question did not affect her
only— with whom she would be happy, and whom she
loved—but that she would have that moment to wound a
man whom she liked. And to wound him cruelly. What
for? Because he, dear fellow, loved her, was in love with

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