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"No," said Stepan Arkadyevitch, who felt a great inclination to

tell Vronsky of Levin's intentions in regard to Kitty. "No,

you've not got a true impression of Levin. He's a very nervous

man, and is sometimes out of humor, it's true, but then he is

often very nice. He's such a true, honest nature, and a heart of

gold. But yesterday there were special reasons," pursued Stepan

Arkadyevitch, with a meaning smile, totally oblivious of the

genuine sympathy he had felt the day before for his friend, and

feeling the same sympathy now, only for Vronsky. "Yes, there were

reasons why he could not help being either particularly happy or

particularly unhappy."

Vronsky stood still and asked directly: "How so? Do you mean he

made your belle-soeur an offer yesterday?"

"Maybe," said Stepan Arkadyevitch. "I fancied something of the

sort yesterday. Yes, if he went away early, and was out of humor

too, it must mean it.... He's been so long in love, and I'm very

sorry for him."