Page 933 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

and not knowing what love was. It was a mistake, let’s
admit.’
‘A fearful mistake!’ said Anna.
‘But I repeat, it’s an accomplished fact. Then you had,

let us say, the misfortune to love a man not your husband.
That was a misfortune; but that, too, is an accomplished
fact. And your husband knew it and forgave it.’ He
stopped at each sentence, waiting for her to object, but she
made no answer. ‘That’s so. Now the question is: can you
go on living with your husband? Do you wish it? Does he
wish it?’
‘I know nothing, nothing.’
‘But you said yourself that you can’t endure him.’
‘No, I didn’t say so. I deny it. I can’t tell, I don’t know
anything about it.’
‘Yes, but let..’
‘You can’t understand. I feel I’m lying head downwards
in a sort of pit, but I ought not to save myself. And I can’t
. . .’
‘Never mind, we’ll slip something under and pull you
out. I understand you: I understand that you can’t take it
on yourself to express your wishes, your feelings.’
‘There’s nothing, nothing I wish...except for it to be all
over.’

932 of 1759