Page 905 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

and again it ended in unconsciousness. On the third day it
was the same thing, and the doctors said there was hope.
That day Alexey Alexandrovitch went into the boudoir
where Vronsky was sitting, and closing the door sat down

opposite him.
‘Alexey Alexandrovitch,’ said Vronsky, feeling that a
statement of the position was coming, ‘I can’t speak, I
can’t understand. Spare me! However hard it is for you,
believe me, it is more terrible for me.’
He would have risen; but Alexey Alexandrovitch took
him by the hand and said:
‘I beg you to hear me out; it is necessary. I must
explain my feelings, the feelings that have guided me and
will guide me, so that you may not be in error regarding
me. You know I had resolved on a divorce, and had even
begun to take proceedings. I won’t conceal from you that
in beginning this I was in uncertainty, I was in misery; I
will confess that I was pursued by a desire to revenge
myself on you and on her. When I got the telegram, I
came here with the same feelings; I will say more, I longed
for her death. But....’ He paused, pondering whether to
disclose or not to disclose his feeling to him. ‘But I saw
her and forgave her. And the happiness of forgiveness has
revealed to me my duty. I forgive completely. I would

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