Page 169 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

Although her dress, her coiffure, and all the
preparations for the ball had cost Kitty great trouble and
consideration, at this moment she walked into the
ballroom in her elaborate tulle dress over a pink slip as

easily and simply as though all the rosettes and lace, all the
minute details of her attire, had not cost her or her family
a moment’s attention, as though she had been born in that
tulle and lace, with her hair done up high on her head,
and a rose and two leaves on the top of it.
When, just before entering the ballroom, the princess,
her mother, tried to turn right side out of the ribbon of
her sash, Kitty had drawn back a little. She felt that
everything must be right of itself, and graceful, and
nothing could need setting straight.
It was one of Kitty’s best days. Her dress was not
uncomfortable anywhere; her lace berthe did not droop
anywhere; her rosettes were not crushed nor torn off; her
pink slippers with high, hollowed-out heels did not pinch,
but gladdened her feet; and the thick rolls of fair chignon
kept up on her head as if they were her own hair. All the
three buttons buttoned up without tearing on the long
glove that covered her hand without concealing its lines.
The black velvet of her locket nestled with special softness
round her neck. That velvet was delicious; at home,

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