Page 1379 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

be the friend and companion of my husband—practically
my husband,’ Anna said in a tone intentionally superficial
and frivolous.
‘Yes, yes,’ said Darya Alexandrovna, hearing the very

arguments she had used to herself, and not finding the
same force in them as before.
‘For you, for other people,’ said Anna, as though
divining her thoughts, ‘there may be reason to hesitate;
but for me.... You must consider, I am not his wife; he
loves me as long as he loves me. And how am I to keep
his love? Not like this!’
She moved her white hands in a curve before her waist
with extraordinary rapidity, as happens during moments of
excitement; ideas and memories rushed into Darya
Alexandrovna’s head. ‘I,’ she thought, ‘did not keep my
attraction for Stiva; he left me for others, and the first
woman for whom he betrayed me did not keep him by
being always pretty and lively. He deserted her and took
another. And can Anna attract and keep Count Vronsky in
that way? If that is what he looks for, he will find dresses
and manners still more attractive and charming. And
however white and beautiful her bare arms are, however
beautiful her full figure and her eager face under her black

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