Page 1128 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

Chapter 25

When Alexey Alexandrovitch came into the Countess
Lidia Ivanovna’s snug little boudoir, decorated with old
china and hung with portraits, the lady herself had not yet
made her appearance.
She was changing her dress.
A cloth was laid on a round table, and on it stood a
china tea service and a silver spirit-lamp and tea kettle.
Alexey Alexandrovitch looked idly about at the endless
familiar portraits which adorned the room, and sitting
down to the table, he opened a New Testament lying
upon it. The rustle of the countess’s silk skirt drew his
attention off.
‘Well now, we can sit quietly,’ said Countess Lidia
Ivanovna, slipping hurriedly with an agitated smile
between the table and the sofa, ‘and talk over our tea.’
After some words of preparation, Countess Lidia
Ivanovna, breathing hard and flushing crimson, gave into
Alexey Alexandrovitch’s hands the letter she had received.
After reading the letter, he sat a long while in silence.
‘I don’t think I have the right to refuse her,’ he said,
timidly lifting his eyes.

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