Page 1056 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

Left alone, after putting his manuscripts together in the
new portfolio bought by her, he washed his hands at the
new washstand with the elegant fittings, that had all made
their appearance with her. Levin smiled at his own

thoughts, and shook his head disapprovingly at those
thoughts; a feeling akin to remorse fretted him. There was
something shameful, effeminate, Capuan, as he called it to
himself, in his present mode of life. ‘It’s not right to go on
like this,’ he thought. ‘It’ll soon be three months, and I’m
doing next to nothing. Today, almost for the first time, I
set to work seriously, and what happened? I did nothing
but begin and throw it aside. Even my ordinary pursuits I
have almost given up. On the land I scarcely walk or drive
about at all to look after things. Either I am loath to leave
her, or I see she’s dull alone. And I used to think that,
before marriage, life was nothing much, somehow didn’t
count, but that after marriage, life began in earnest. And
here almost three months have passed, and I have spent
my time so idly and unprofitably. No, this won’t do; I
must begin. Of course, it’s not her fault. She’s not to
blame in any way. I ought myself to be firmer, to maintain
my masculine independence of action; or else I shall get
into such ways, and she’ll get used to them too.... Of
course she’s not to blame,’ he told himself.

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