Page 1408 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

Chapter 28

Levin was standing rather far off. A nobleman breathing
heavily and hoarsely at his side, and another whose thick
boots were creaking, prevented him from hearing
distinctly. He could only hear the soft voice of the marshal
faintly, then the shrill voice of the malignant gentleman,
and then the voice of Sviazhsky. They were disputing, as
far as he could make out, as to the interpretation to be put
on the act and the exact meaning of the words: ‘liable to
be called up for trial.’
The crowd parted to make way for Sergey Ivanovitch
approaching the table. Sergey Ivanovitch, waiting till the
malignant gentleman had finished speaking, said that he
thought the best solution would be to refer to the act
itself, and asked the secretary to find the act. The act said
that in case of difference of opinion, there must be a
ballot.
Sergey Ivanovitch read the act and began to explain its
meaning, but at that point a tall, stout, round-shouldered
landowner, with dyed whiskers, in a tight uniform that cut
the back of his neck, interrupted him. He went up to the
table, and striking it with his finger ring, he shouted

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