Page 1497 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

‘Why especially now?’
‘We are carrying on negotiations with her husband
about a divorce. And he’s agreed; but there are difficulties
in regard to the son, and the business, which ought to

have been arranged long ago, has been dragging on for
three months past. As soon as the divorce is over, she will
marry Vronsky. How stupid these old ceremonies are, that
no one believes in, and which only prevent people being
comfortable!’ Stepan Arkadyevitch put in. ‘Well, then
their position will be as regular as mine, as yours.’
‘What is the difficulty?’ said Levin.
‘Oh, it’s a long and tedious story! The whole business is
in such an anomalous position with us. But the point is
she has been for three months in Moscow, where
everyone knows her, waiting for the divorce; she goes out
nowhere, sees no woman except Dolly, because, do you
understand, she doesn’t care to have people come as a
favor. That fool Princess Varvara, even she has left her,
considering this a breach of propriety. Well, you see, in
such a position any other woman would not have found
resources in herself. But you’ll see how she has arranged
her life—how calm, how dignified she is. To the left, in
the crescent opposite the church!’ shouted Stepan
Arkadyevitch, leaning out of the window. ‘Phew! how

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