Page 1425 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

‘That’s the point, that he’s done neither,’ said Vronsky.
‘And if he refuses, who will stand then?’ asked Levin,
looking at Vronsky.
‘Whoever chooses to,’ said Sviazhsky.

‘Shall you?’ asked Levin.
‘Certainly not I,’ said Sviazhsky, looking confused, and
turning an alarmed glance at the malignant gentleman,
who was standing beside Sergey Ivanovitch.
‘Who then? Nevyedovsky?’ said Levin, feeling he was
putting his foot into it.
But this was worse still. Nevyedovsky and Sviazhsky
were the two candidates.
‘I certainly shall not, under any circumstances,’
answered the malignant gentleman.
This was Nevyedovsky himself. Sviazhsky introduced
him to Levin.
‘Well, you find it exciting too?’ said Stepan
Arkadyevitch, winking at Vronsky. ‘It’s something like a
race. One might bet on it.’
‘Yes, it is keenly exciting,’ said Vronsky. ‘And once
taking the thing up, one’s eager to see it through. It’s a
fight!’ he said, scowling and setting his powerful jaws.
‘What a capable fellow Sviazhsky is! Sees it all so
clearly.’

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