Page 422 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

the stables. Dressing without hurry (he never hurried
himself, and never lost his self-possession), Vronsky drove
to the sheds. From the sheds he could see a perfect sea of
carriages, and people on foot, soldiers surrounding the race

course, and pavilions swarming with people. The second
race was apparently going on, for just as he went into the
sheds he heard a bell ringing. Going towards the stable, he
met the white-legged chestnut, Mahotin’s Gladiator, being
led to the race-course in a blue forage horsecloth, with
what looked like huge ears edged with blue.
‘Where’s Cord?’ he asked the stable-boy.
‘In the stable, putting on the saddle.’
In the open horse-box stood Frou-Frou, saddled ready.
They were just going to lead her out.
‘I’m not too late?’
‘All right! All right!’ said the Englishman; ‘don’t upset
yourself!’
Vronsky once more took in in one glance the exquisite
lines of his favorite mare; who was quivering all over, and
with an effort he tore himself from the sight of her, and
went out of the stable. He went towards the pavilions at
the most favorable moment for escaping attention. The
mile-and-a-half race was just finishing, and all eyes were
fixed on the horse-guard in front and the light hussar

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