Page 653 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

‘It’s like this, you see: I’m in a fortunate position,’ she
began, quite serious now, as she took up her cup. ‘I
understand you, and I understand Liza. Liza now is one of
those naive natures that, like children, don’t know what’s

good and what’s bad. Anyway, she didn’t comprehend it
when she was very young. And now she’s aware that the
lack of comprehension suits her. Now, perhaps, she
doesn’t know on purpose,’ said Betsy, with a subtle smile.
‘But, anyway, it suits her. The very same thing, don’t you
see, may be looked at tragically, and turned into a misery,
or it may be looked at simply and even humorously.
Possibly you are inclined to look at things too tragically.’
‘How I should like to know other people just as I
know myself!’ said Anna, seriously and dreamily. ‘Am I
worse than other people, or better? I think I’m worse.’
‘Enfant terrible, enfant terrible!’ repeated Betsy. ‘But
here they are.’

652 of 1759