Page 1329 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

‘I don’t think anything,’ she said, ‘but I always loved
you, and if one loves anyone, one loves the whole person,
just as they are and not as one would like them to be...’
Anna, taking her eyes off her friend’s face and dropping

her eyelids (this was a new habit Dolly had not seen in her
before), pondered, trying to penetrate the full significance
of the words. And obviously interpreting them as she
would have wished, she glanced at Dolly.
‘If you had any sins,’ she said, ‘they would all be
forgiven you for your coming to see me and these words.’
And Dolly saw that tears stood in her eyes. She pressed
Anna’s hand in silence.
‘Well, what are these buildings? How many there are of
them!’ After a moment’s silence she repeated her question.
‘These are the servants’ houses, barns, and stables,’
answered Anna. ‘And there the park begins. It had all gone
to ruin, but Alexey had everything renewed. He is very
fond of this place, and, what I never expected, he has
become intensely interested in looking after it. But his is
such a rich nature! Whatever he takes up, he does
splendidly. So far from being bored by it, he works with
passionate interest. He—with his temperament as I know
it—he has become careful and businesslike, a first-rate
manager, he positively reckons every penny in his

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