Page 1069 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

When Konstantin took him by the hand, Nikolay
smiled. The smile was faint, scarcely perceptible, and in
spite of the smile the stern expression of the eyes was
unchanged.

‘You did not expect to find me like this,’ he articulated
with effort.
‘Yes...no,’ said Levin, hesitating over his words. ‘How
was it you didn’t let me know before, that is, at the time
of my wedding? I made inquiries in all directions.’
He had to talk so as not to be silent, and he did not
know what to say, especially as his brother made no reply,
and simply stared without dropping his eyes, and evidently
penetrated to the inner meaning of each word. Levin told
his brother that his wife had come with him. Nikolay
expressed pleasure, but said he was afraid of frightening
her by his condition. A silence followed. Suddenly
Nikolay stirred, and began to say something. Levin
expected something of peculiar gravity and importance
from the expression of his face, but Nikolay began
speaking of his health. He found fault with the doctor,
regretting he had not a celebrated Moscow doctor. Levin
saw that he still hoped.

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