Page 290 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

Vronsky saw all the thanklessness of the business, and
that there could be no question of a duel in it, that
everything must be done to soften the government clerk,
and hush the matter up. The colonel had called in

Vronsky just because he knew him to be an honorable and
intelligent man, and, more than all, a man who cared for
the honor of the regiment. They talked it over, and
decided that Petritsky and Kedrov must go with Vronsky
to Venden’s to apologize. The colonel and Vronsky were
both fully aware that Vronsky’s name and rank would be
sure to contribute greatly to softening of the injured
husband’s feelings.
And these two influences were not in fact without
effect; though the result remained, as Vronsky had
described, uncertain.
On reaching the French theater, Vronsky retired to the
foyer with the colonel, and reported to him his success, or
non-success. The colonel, thinking it all over, made up his
mind not to pursue the matter further, but then for his
own satisfaction proceeded to cross-examine Vronsky
about his interview; and it was a long while before he
could restrain his laughter, as Vronsky described how the
government clerk, after subsiding for a while, would
suddenly flare up again, as he recalled the details, and how

289 of 1759