Page 1117 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

Lidia Ivanovna had already begun to calm down, when
the next morning a note was brought her, the handwriting
of which she recognized with horror. It was the
handwriting of Anna Karenina. The envelope was of paper

as thick as bark; on the oblong yellow paper there was a
huge monogram, and the letter smelt of agreeable scent.
‘Who brought it?’
‘A commissionaire from the hotel.’
It was some time before Countess Lidia Ivanovna could
sit down to read the letter. Her excitement brought on an
attack of asthma, to which she was subject. When she had
recovered her composure, she read the following letter in
French:
‘Madame la Comtesse,
‘The Christian feelings with which your heart is filled
give me the, I feel, unpardonable boldness to write to you.
I am miserable at being separated from my son. I entreat
permission to see him once before my departure. Forgive
me for recalling myself to your memory. I apply to you
and not to Alexey Alexandrovitch, simply because I do
not wish to cause that generous man to suffer in
remembering me. Knowing your friendship for him, I
know you will understand me. Could you send Seryozha
to me, or should I come to the house at some fixed hour,

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