第379页 / 共2288页

He mentioned a French actress, and was going to tell something

about her; but the ambassador's wife, with playful horror, cut

him short.

"Please don't tell us about that horror."

"All right, I won't especially as everyone knows those horrors."

"And we should all go to see them if it were accepted as the

correct thing, like the opera," chimed in Princess Myakaya.

Chapter 7

Steps were heard at the door, and Princess Betsy, knowing it was

Madame Karenina, glanced at Vronsky. He was looking towards the

door, and his face wore a strange new expression. Joyfully,

intently, and at the same time timidly, he gazed at the

approaching figure, and slowly he rose to his feet. Anna walked

into the drawing-room. Holding herself extremely erect, as

always, looking straight before her, and moving with her swift,

resolute, and light step, that distinguished her from all other

society women, she crossed the short space to her hostess, shook

hands with her, smiled, and with the same smile looked around at

Vronsky. Vronsky bowed low and pushed a chair up for her.