Pagina 366 de 2288

"Yes, it's all very well," said the colonel to Vronsky, whom he

had invited to come and see him. "Petritsky's becoming

impossible. Not a week goes by without some scandal. This

government clerk won't let it drop, he'll go on with the thing."

Vronsky saw all the thanklessness of the business, and that there

could be no question of a duel in it, that everything must be

done to soften the government clerk, and hush the matter up. The

colonel had called in Vronsky just because he knew him to be an

honorable and intelligent man, and, more than all, a man who

cared for the honor of the regiment. They talked it over, and

decided that Petritsky and Kedrov must go with Vronsky to

Venden's to apologize. The colonel and Vronsky were both fully

aware that Vronsky's name and rank would be sure to contribute

greatly to the softening of the injured husband's feelings.

And these two influences were not in fact without effect; though

the result remained, as Vronsky had described, uncertain.