Page 328 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

He felt what a murderer must feel, when he sees the body
he has robbed of life. That body, robbed by him of life,
was their love, the first stage of their love. There was
something awful and revolting in the memory of what had

been bought at this fearful price of shame. Shame at their
spiritual nakedness crushed her and infected him. But in
spite of all the murderer’s horror before the body of his
victim, he must hack it to pieces, hide the body, must use
what he has gained by his murder.
And with fury, as it were with passion, the murderer
falls on the body, and drags it and hacks at it; so he
covered her face and shoulders with kisses. She held his
hand, and did not stir. ‘Yes, these kisses—that is what has
been bought by this shame. Yes, and one hand, which will
always be mine—the hand of my accomplice.’ She lifted
up that hand and kissed it. He sank on his knees and tried
to see her face; but she hid it, and said nothing. At last, as
though making an effort over herself, she got up and
pushed him away. Her face was still as beautiful, but it was
only the more pitiful for that.
‘All is over,’ she said; ‘In have nothing but you.
Remember that.’
‘I can never forget what is my whole life. For one
instant of this happiness..’

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