Page 790 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

And at the thought of how it would come, she seemed
so pitiable to herself that tears came into her eyes, and she
could not go on. She laid her hand on his sleeve, dazzling
and white with its rings in the lamplight

‘It won’t come as we suppose. I didn’t mean to say this
to you, but you’ve made me. Soon, soon, all will be over,
and we shall all, all be at peace, and suffer no more.’
‘I don’t understand,’ he said, understanding her.
‘You asked when? Soon. And I shan’t live through it.
Don’t interrupt me!’ and she made haste to speak. ‘I know
it; I know for certain. I shall die; and I’m very glad I shall
die, and release myself and you.’
Tears dropped from her eyes; he bent down over her
hand and began kissing it, trying to hide his emotion,
which, he knew, had no sort of grounds, though he could
not control it.
‘Yes, it’s better so,’ she said, tightly gripping his hand.
‘That’s the only way, the only way left us.’
He had recovered himself, and lifted his head.
‘How absurd! What absurd nonsense you are talking!’
‘No, it’s the truth.’
‘What, what’s the truth?’
‘That I shall die. I have had a dream.’

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