Page 1229 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

‘And I know why,’ the princess went on; ‘he says that
young people ought to be left alone for a while at first.’
‘But papa has left us alone. We’ve never seen him,’ said
Kitty. ‘Besides, we’re not young people!—we’re old,

married people by now.’
‘Only if he doesn’t come, I shall say good-bye to you
children,’ said the princess, sighing mournfully.
‘What nonsense, mamma!’ both the daughters fell upon
her at once.
‘How do you suppose he is feeling? Why, now..’
And suddenly there was an unexpected quiver in the
princess’s voice. Her daughters were silent, and looked at
one another. ‘Maman always finds something to be
miserable about,’ they said in that glance. They did not
know that happy as the princess was in her daughter’s
house, and useful as she felt herself to be there, she had
been extremely miserable, both on her own account and
her husband’s, ever since they had married their last and
favorite daughter, and the old home had been left empty.
‘What is it, Agafea Mihalovna?’ Kitty asked suddenly of
Agafea Mihalovna, who was standing with a mysterious
air, and a face full of meaning.
‘About supper.’

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