Page 1479 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

Chapter 6

‘Perhaps they’re not at home?’ said Levin, as he went
into the hall of Countess Bola’s house.
‘At home; please walk in,’ said the porter, resolutely
removing his overcoat.
‘How annoying!’ thought Levin with a sigh, taking off
one glove and stroking his hat. ‘What did I come for?
What have I to say to them?’
As he passed through the first drawing room Levin met
in the doorway Countess Bola, giving some order to a
servant with a care-worn and severe face. On seeing Levin
she smiled, and asked him to come into the little drawing
room, where he heard voices. In this room there were
sitting in armchairs the two daughters of the countess, and
a Moscow colonel, whom Levin knew. Levin went up,
greeted them, and sat down beside the sofa with his hat on
his knees.
‘How is your wife? Have you been at the concert? We
couldn’t go. Mamma had to be at the funeral service.’
‘Yes, I heard.... What a sudden death!’ said Levin.
The countess came in, sat down on the sofa, and she
too asked after his wife and inquired about the concert.

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