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"But perhaps the key may yet be found," thought Alexey

Alexandrovitch.

"I want to warn you," he said in a low voice, "that through

thoughtlessness and lack of caution you may cause yourself to be

talked about in society. Your too animated conversation this

evening with Count Vronsky" (he enunciated the name firmly and

with deliberate emphasis) "attracted attention."

He talked and looked at her laughing eyes, which frightened him

now with their impenetrable look, and, as he talked, he felt all

the uselessness and idleness of his words.

"You're always like that," she answered, as though completely

misapprehending him, and of all he had said only taking in the

last phrase. "One time you don't like my being dull, and another

time you don't like my being lively. I wasn't dull. Does that

offend you?"

Alexey Alexandrovitch shivered, and bent his hands to make the

joints crack.

"Oh, please, don't do that, I do so dislike it," she said.