Page 488 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

‘Oh! if everyone were as sensitive as you are!’ said
Varenka. ‘There isn’t a girl who hasn’t been through the
same. And it’s all so unimportant.’
‘Why, what is important?’ said Kitty, looking into her

face with inquisitive wonder.
‘Oh, there’s so much that’s important,’ said Varenka,
smiling.
‘Why, what?’
‘Oh, so much that’s more important,’ answered
Varenka, not knowing what to say. But at that instant they
heard the princess’s voice from the window. ‘Kitty, it’s
cold! Either get a shawl, or come indoors.’
‘It really is time to go in!’ said Varenka, getting up. ‘I
have to go on to Madame Berthe’s; she asked me to.’
Kitty held her by the hand, and with passionate
curiosity and entreaty her eyes asked her: ‘What is it, what
is this of such importance that gives you such tranquillity?
You know, tell me!’ But Varenka did not even know
what Kitty’s eyes were asking her. She merely thought
that she had to go to see Madame Berthe too that evening,
and to make haste home in time for maman’s tea at twelve
o’clock. She went indoors, collected her music, and saying
good-bye to everyone, was about to go.
‘Allow me to see you home,’ said the colonel.

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