Page 1178 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

and in her words and movements there was that nervous
rapidity and grace which, during the early period of their
intimacy, had so fascinated him, but which now so
disturbed and alarmed him.

The dinner was laid for four. All were gathered
together and about to go into the little dining room when
Tushkevitch made his appearance with a message from
Princess Betsy. Princess Betsy begged her to excuse her
not having come to say good-bye; she had been
indisposed, but begged Anna to come to her between half-
past six and nine o’clock. Vronsky glanced at Anna at the
precise limit of time, so suggestive of steps having been
taken that she should meet no one; but Anna appeared not
to notice it.
‘Very sorry that I can’t come just between half-past six
and nine,’ she said with a faint smile.
‘The princess will be very sorry.’
‘And so am I.’
‘You’re going, no doubt, to hear Patti?’ said
Tushkevitch.
‘Patti? You suggest the idea to me. I would go if it
were possible to get a box.’
‘I can get one,’ Tushkevitch offered his services.

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