Page 478 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

prove that there could be no harm though little good in
the acquaintance, she herself approached Varenka and
made acquaintance with her.
Choosing a time when her daughter had gone to the

spring, while Varenka had stopped outside the baker’s, the
princess went up to her.
‘Allow me to make your acquaintance,’ she said, with
her dignified smile. ‘My daughter has lost her heart to
you,’ she said. ‘Possibly you do not know me. I am..’
‘That feeling is more than reciprocal, princess,’ Varenka
answered hurriedly.
‘What a good deed you did yesterday to our poor
compatriot!’ said the princess.
Varenka flushed a little. ‘I don’t remember. I don’t
think I did anything,’ she said.
‘Why, you saved that Levin from disagreeable
consequences.’
‘Yes, sa compagne called me, and I tried to pacify him,
he’s very ill and was dissatisfied with the doctor. I’m used
to looking after such invalids.’
‘Yes, I’ve heard you live at Mentone with your aunt—I
think— Madame Stahl: I used to know her belle-soeur.’

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