Anna Karenina, Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy. Foreign literature abbreviated

"Anna Karenina" is a legendary novel by Leo Tolstoy, touching upon such important aspects of human relationships as respect, devotion, as well as the problems of family, choice, and morality. Despite all this, the book is saturated with love, the power of which is so great that it can destroy any obstacles in its path, but in the face of death it turns out to be powerless. The wise Litrecon will help you plunge into this incredible story again, remember the main events from the work. A brief retelling of parts and chapters as accurately as possible conveys the plot in abbreviation.

The story begins with an acquaintance with the Oblonsky family - Stepan, whom his relatives affectionately call Steve, his wife - Daria (Dolly) and their children. Their family was shocked by a sad event - Stepan cheated on his wife with one of the servants in their house. Both spouses are in limbo and very hard going through what happened.

Daria is at a loss: to forgive her husband or to leave with the children? The poor thing realizes that due to several births (7, five alive, two died) and constant trouble with children, she has become ugly and lost her feminine attractiveness for Stiva.

Chapter II

Steve can not be called a cruel person, but also a decent one. There is no trace of love for his wife, but he has incredible respect for her, because she is the mother of his children. On his account, this is not the first betrayal. He repents only from the fact that Dolly found out about the betrayal, and not because of the act itself. The man mentally justifies himself, because he is a “handsome 34-year-old amorous man,” and his wife has already withered. He even thought that she should have understood him, that his actions were quite just.

All the servants in the house are on the master's side. They encourage him to obey. Stiva receives a telegram that her sister is coming. He thinks that she will reconcile them.

Chapter III

Stepan Oblonsky spends an ordinary breakfast over a cup of coffee and reading the morning newspaper. The author writes that his hero adheres to the opinion of the majority in everything, even has political views like everyone else. Therefore, in matters of morality, he also relies on fashion. The liberal newspaper that he read reflected all his principles and circumstances: he did not believe in God, had a lot of debt and believed that the family was an "obsolete institution."

Hearing from the children that the mother again did not sleep at night, he is sad. The hero does not hope to return the location of the offended wife, but honor and upbringing lead him to Dolly's bedroom for the sake of reconciliation.

Chapter IV

Daria pretends to collect things, but in reality she cannot leave her husband, as she is afraid of this. At the same time, she understands that it is impossible to leave everything in this form, and she must avenge herself, inflict equal pain on her husband.

Stiva apologizes to his wife, but Dolly's disposition cannot be achieved. She is very offended by her husband, he is disgusting to her, because she really loves him, and he caused her such unbearable pain. Stiva is forced to leave the house, having gone to work.

Chapter V

Stiva was a man of mediocre abilities and poor parents. The husband of his sister, Anna Karenina, helped him to break into a good place. Alexei was a very influential official.

Stiva himself had a cheerful and cheerful character, charm and beauty, so he was friends with everyone.

Stepan Arkadyevich - head of the department. At the service he is visited by Konstantin Levin, one of his old friends. Shy but harsh Konstantin lives in the countryside, considers city life vicious and empty, and in his categorical judgments he brought neighbors and left the Zemstvo, where he served. Levin asks Stiva about Kitty, Dolly's sister, whom he has long had his eye on. Stiva, after listening to his friend, advises him to go to a place where he can meet Kitty, namely, at the ice rink.

Chapter VI

Background of Levin's acquaintance with the Kitty family. He found friendly ties with the Shcherbatskys as a student, when he studied with his brother Kitty. Last winter, during his stay in Moscow, Levin fell in love with a girl he had known for a long time, but did not dare to think that she, a beauty, could fall in love with him, a simple 32-year-old landowner who breeds cows. He was rather rich than poor, as the author put it, but this, in the opinion of the hero, was not enough.

Now Levin is determined: the purpose of his visit is to propose to Kitty a marriage proposal. He couldn't live without her.

Chapter VII

First of all, upon arrival in Moscow, Levin settled down with his half-brother, Sergei Koznyshev, with whom he would live while he was in Moscow. Koznyshev is a famous writer, and Konstantin cannot stand him when he is addressed with praises to his relative.

He found a learned conversation between his brother and the professor. During the conversation, the guest realized that both people beat around the bush, but did not want to really talk about what worries them.

Chapter VIII

Stepbrothers are talking about their estate and discuss the latest news. One of such news is the arrival of their common older brother, Nikolai Levin.

Constantine is going to pay him a visit. But they are cold and aloof towards each other, because the brother rotates in a bad society and littered with family money.

Chapter IX

Levin finally goes to the skating rink for the long-awaited meeting with his beloved - Kitty (a beautiful blonde girl with a thin figure). They spend the evening together. Konstantin hints to her about his feelings, but does not receive reciprocity, because Kitty is already in love with another. Her mother also has plans for another suitor and coldly communicates with Levin. Kitty comes to mind that she is cheerful and calm with Konstantin, but she did not give him hope, which means that she is not to blame for anything before him.

Later, Stiva joins their company, who soon takes Konstantin to a meal.

Chapter X

Steve's friends and Konstantin spend the evening at a restaurant enjoying gourmet meals. However, for Konstantin this evening is overshadowed by worries about relations with Kitty. He feels her "non-reciprocity".

Stiva supports Konstantin and believes that he does not need to back down. Even his wife thinks that Kitty will marry Levin.

Chapter XI

Soon the conversation turns to Count Vronsky. According to Stiva, he is a longtime fan of Kitty and has serious intentions for her, so Konstantin needs to hurry up with the offer. The brilliant dandy was already a success in the house.

The culmination of the conversation is Steve's confession of treason. Levin took this news negatively, for him marriage is sacred. He almost fell in love with Dolly himself during his student days. Soon the meeting was over and the two men parted ways.

Chapter XII

This chapter is about Kitty, she is 18 years old. She is a prominent and stately girl, who has fallen in love with most of the male Moscow society. Count Vronsky and Konstantin Levin are considered its main cavaliers. The girl's mother wants to profitably marry her, and for this, the candidacy of Count Vronsky is the best fit. The father was always on the side of the reliable and thorough Konstantin.

The author also speaks of Vronsky: he is intelligent, has a brilliant future in the service, and his beauty could not leave Kitty indifferent. In one of the conversations with the girl, he even hinted that he was waiting for the arrival of his mother in order to take an "important step." Kitty's mother was looking forward to this step.

Chapter XIII

Kitty thinks about her suitors and understands that this evening she needs to make a decision. It was simple and easy to think about Konstantin, but some kind of falsehood was mixed into the thoughts about Vronsky. But with him she imagined an ideal future, but with Levin it was vague and unsteady.

The Shcherbatsky family arranges a reception at their home. One of the first guests is Levin, who has a good reason for his arrival. While he and Kitty were alone, he plucked up the courage to propose to her. However, Kitty could not answer him with consent.

Chapter XIV

The Countess - Kitty's mother, having appeared in the room, notices a change in her daughter's mood. Based on the circumstances, she guesses about the refusal of Levin. The Countess takes it with joy. Kitty's friend appears, she also supports Vronsky's candidacy and makes fun of Levin, whom she despises because, from the height of his mind, he speaks arrogantly with the ladies.

Later, Vronsky appears, whom Kitty is undisguisedly happy to see. This makes Levin jealous. The company sits down at the table to make a seance - to call the spirit. Levin makes fun of this occupation. As a result, having met Kitty's father, he quietly leaves. The old man reacts coldly to Vronsky, but willingly greets Konstantin.

Chapter XV

Falling asleep, Kitty realizes that she is tormented by a feeling of pity: either because of the rejection of Levin, or because of his suffering. Despite her love for Vronsky, she is still tormented by doubts.

After the celebration is over, the Shcherbatskys argue about the possible future of their daughter. The Count takes Levin's side, appreciating his serious intentions. In his opinion, for Vronsky, Kitty is just entertainment. Such conversations sow doubts in the soul of the Countess, because her husband reminded her of the unsuccessful idea of ​​\u200b\u200bmarrying Daria. Then the countess was also sure of the reliability of the groom, but then Stiva began to neglect his wife, and the old father had a presentiment of this.

Chapter XVI

After the reception, Vronsky goes to his hotel. The author describes his life: he never knew family affection, his mother was a socialite with many hobbies. He did not remember his father.

Kitty has long been the object of his thoughts, he really likes her. He knows it's mutual. However, he does not at all claim to be her fiancé, he simply enjoys her company.

Chapter XVII

The next day, Vronsky was scheduled to meet his mother at the station. There he meets Stiva, who is waiting for his sister, Anna Karenina.

Young people discuss Levin's failure. Vronsky only remarks that Katerina deserves better. Both come to the conclusion that it is much calmer to know corrupt women.

Chapter XVIII

The train has arrived. Vronsky enters his mother's compartment. She introduces him to her neighbor, Anna Karenina. The Count immediately appreciated her. The acquaintance was shocked by the sudden news of the death of a drunken watchman who fell under the wheels of a train. Anna complains to her brother that this is a bad sign.

On the way home, Stiva confesses to Anna his betrayal of Dolly. Upon arrival home, Stiva is forced to leave for work again.

Chapters XIX

Dolly meets Anna. They are talking, discussing a difficult topic for Dolly. The guest demonstrates tact, sincere sympathy and the ability to listen. Daria admits that now she hates her husband and does not even know why children are needed, what a family is for, when there is only deceit and betrayal around. The woman is lost, humiliated and cornered.

Anna tries her best to support and reassure her. After assessing the situation, she advises to forgive her husband, because Daria still has love for him. The heroine is well versed in people, her assessment of Stiva seems fair: he is too proud to show the depth of remorse and grief.

Chapter XX

At dinner, Kitty pays a visit to the Oblonskys. A positive atmosphere reigns at the table: Kitty admires Anna, and the couple finally started talking to each other.

After the meal, Stiva decides to go to his wife for reconciliation. Anna and Kitty are playing with the Oblonsky children. Anna knows about Kitty's sympathy for Count Vronsky and supports her choice.

Chapter XXI

Dolly and Stiva, after a difficult conversation, come to reconciliation. Anna shows the owners an album with a picture of her son.

In the evening, Count Vronsky pays a visit to Stiva, but refuses to enter the house. Anna notices him at the threshold, she considers it strange, as does Kitty, who is visiting them.

Chapter XXII

The Moscow nobility is coming to the ball. The Shcherbatskys arrive with Kitty and her mother. The girl carefully chose the outfit for this celebration. She is inspired, she expects to receive an offer from Vronsky this evening.

This couple is dancing, but Kitty notices Count Vronsky's cooling towards her. But his burning eyes are riveted to the beautiful Anna in a black velvet dress. Her beautiful rounded shoulders are bare, and her graceful figure captivates the eye. Here is Karenina's description:

Anna was not in lilac, as Kitty certainly wanted, but in a black, low-cut velvet dress that showed off her chiseled, like old ivory, full shoulders and breasts, and rounded arms with a thin, tiny hand. The whole dress was trimmed with Venetian guipure. On her head, in black hair, her own without admixture, there was a small garland of pansies and the same on a black ribbon of a belt between white lace. Her hair was invisible. Only noticeable, decorating her, were those masterful short, ringlets of curly hair, always knocked out at the back of her head and temples. There was a string of pearls on a chiseled strong neck.

Chapter XXIII

The ceremonial ball is in full swing. The sympathy between Anna Karenina and Count Vronsky became visible to the naked eye. He looked guiltily at Kitty, as if apologizing for the neglect. Kitty did not receive an invitation from Vronsky to dance the mazurka; this depressed the girl greatly. Thoughts slip through her mind that refusing Levin was a mistake.

Vronsky had changed: there was now a bewildered expression on his calm face. But in the beauty of his partner, Kitty saw some subtle cruelty, some kind of demonic charm. Without waiting for dinner, she left.

Chapter XXIV

After rejecting Kitty, Levin leaves the Shcherbatsky estate and makes his way to his brother Nikolai. The latter suffers from a disease of consumption. The appearance of Konstantin was perceived with hostility, but then the brother relented.

He introduced his civil wife Masha to Konstantin, thinking that he would be offended by her presence. But Levin showed cordiality and readiness to dine with her at the same table.

Chapter XXV

Soon the brothers were talking. Nikolai is rooting for the fate of the people, he wants to organize a locksmith's artel, although his brother understands that the business for him is "a means to get rid of contempt for himself." He squandered his money and drank himself while studying communism. He did not like his brothers, because he had a big quarrel with Sergei (a supporter of the current government), and Konstantin maintained neutrality.

Nikolai overdid it with alcohol, he was put to bed, and Konstantin left his brother's house.

Chapter XXVI

After traveling around Moscow, Levin returns to the village, where he does housework. Now he felt himself and stopped humiliating himself by comparison with Vronsky. Now he decided that he would no longer propose and hope for happiness in marriage.

Recalling his conversation about communism with Nikolai, he realized the need for hard work and self-restraint. He understood that the poverty of the people was unfair, as was the wealth of the landlords. But he decided to remake society, starting with himself.

Chapter XXVII

Being aware of the state of affairs in the household, Levin holds a tea party with his former nanny. The theme of Kitty's refusal does not leave her lover. His plans and dreams of family happiness failed.

The hero did not even dream of a woman, it was important for him to start a full-fledged family that he had in childhood. He considered his parents to be the perfect couple. He represented his wife as a woman who shares his interests, worries about the economy. But the spectacle seen in Moscow destroyed his ideals.

Chapter XXVIII

After the ball, Anna is preparing to leave for St. Petersburg. In a conversation with Dolly, she admits that Vronsky was infatuated with her at the ball, so he did not propose to Kitty.

Anna feels guilty towards Kitty. Dolly reassures her, besides, in her opinion, he is not a couple for Kitty, because he had no serious intentions for her.

Chapter XXIX

Being in the car, Anna reflects on the events in Moscow, in which Vronsky took part. She is ashamed to think about him, because she is a married woman.

Anna hopes that in St. Petersburg everything will return to its place. At night, she goes out to the platform to get some fresh air.

Chapter XXX

Leaving the car, Anna meets Vronsky on the platform, who was following her. He confesses that he wants to see her. Anna is flattered by this, because she herself wanted to see him. However, she talks about her married position and ends the conversation.

After this meeting, Anna cannot sleep. Arriving in St. Petersburg, the heroine meets her husband, Alexei Karenin.

Chapter XXXI

After meeting Anna on the platform, Vronsky, like Anna, was unable to sleep at night. At the arrival station, he notices her husband - Alexei Karenin, a big man in society, an influential official.

Vronsky decides to approach the married couple and greet them. At the same time, he looked at Anna's husband appraisingly. Later, everyone leaves.

Chapter XXXII

Upon arrival home, Anna spends time with Seryozha, her eight-year-old son, in whom she does not have a soul. Her friend Lidia Ivanovna, whom she loved, comes to her, but now she sees that this lady, who considers herself a Christian, is constantly angry with the whole world.

Thinking over the whole situation in Moscow once more, she decides not to think about Vronsky any more and to forget him. She even remembered a similar incident with her husband's colleague, when she confessed to her husband that he was making strange hints to her. Then the husband said that he relies on her tact and will not humiliate her with jealousy.

Chapter XXXIII

Their friends gather at the Karenin family's for dinner. Karenin is leaving on business. Every minute of this man was scheduled and busy, he was neat and punctual. Anna did not have time to prepare outfits for going out, so she is forced to stay at home and spend the evening with her son.

Later, Karenin returns from the service. He goes to read in his office. Despite being busy, he devotes a lot of time to self-education, he is remarkably versed in literature and music. After an everyday conversation, the spouses go to bed. Anna even justifies him, as if someone inside her criticizes her husband: such a significant person, of course, can and should be loved.

Chapter XXXIV

Vronsky, on his arrival in Petersburg, is on his way to his apartment. During his absence, his friend Petritsky and a company of his acquaintances stayed in this apartment. A pretty baroness complains that her husband wants to take away her estate in a divorce. Alexey makes fun of her, not in the least condemning the woman's debauchery. His friend Petritsky complains that she is tired of him, and his father does not want to pay his debts.

Vronsky puts on his uniform and decides to go around his acquaintances in the hope of finding Anna at someone's place. He plunges into the gay life of a wealthy bachelor.

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Everything was mixed up in the Oblonskys' house. Stepan Arkadyevitch is unfaithful to his wife Dolly with a French governess. He and Dolly have six children, Dolly has become very ugly from this, and it seemed to him that his free behavior should be taken calmly by his wife. Dolly also declares that she intends to leave with the children to her mother. Even a telegram with the news of the arrival of Stepan Arkadyevich's sister Anna (by her husband Karenina) does not contribute to the reconciliation of the spouses. Stepan Arkadyevich or Stiva works as the head of one of the offices in Moscow, earns a little. At the service, he unexpectedly meets an old acquaintance, Konstantin Levin. They are both about thirty-five years old, they have known each other since childhood.

Levin came to propose to Kitty Shcherbatskaya, Dolly's younger sister. Since childhood, Levin has been in love with the Shcherbatsky house itself, which for him is filled with poetry and mystery. In Moscow, Levin stays with his older brother by mother, Sergei Ivanovich Koznyshev, a businessman. They remember their third brother Nikolai, who moved away from the family, went down, squandered his fortune and began to drink. Levin consults with Oblonsky whether he has a chance of getting consent to marry Kitty, and Stiva encourages him. It is difficult for Levin to make up his mind, his feeling seems special to him, and Kitty is an extraordinary girl. Kitty is eighteen years old. Her parents would be glad to see Kitty Levin as her husband, but a young officer, Count Vronsky, begins courting Kitty, and her mother's sympathies immediately pass to a new contender for Kitty's hand. Stiva informs Levin about this. He goes to explain to Kitty, and she refuses him. Vronsky himself is not going to marry. He never knew family life, he did not remember his father, his mother, a brilliant secular woman, did little with children. He has tender feelings for Kitty, but nothing more.

The day after Kitty and Levin's explanation, Oblonsky and Vronsky meet at the station. Stiva is waiting for the arrival of her sister Anna, Vronsky is waiting for his mother. Both women traveled together. Anna strikes Vronsky at first sight. “Brilliant, which seemed dark from thick eyelashes, gray eyes amiably, attentively stopped on his face, as if she recognized him, and immediately transferred to the approaching crowd, as if looking for someone. In this short glance Vronsky managed to notice the restrained liveliness that played in her face and fluttered between her shining eyes and a barely perceptible smile that curved her ruddy lips. It was as if an excess of something so overwhelmed her being that, against her will, it was expressed either in a gleam of a look, or in a smile.

While the Karenins and the Vronskys are on the platform, a drunken railway guard falls under a train. Anna offers to help the widow, and Vronsky gives two hundred rubles. Stiva asks Anna to reconcile him with his wife. Anna manages to convince Dolly not to leave Steve, which is facilitated by the fact that Dolly has nowhere to go (her mother does not need her, she has no other patrons or income). Anna reminds Dolly how much Stiva loved her, assures her that her brother will not stumble again. Kitty comes to visit the Oblonskys. She is captivated by Anna, her ability to present herself, ease of movement, poetic attitude to life. In the evening Vronsky calls in, but when he sees Anna, he refuses to come in. Everyone finds this strange. At the ball, Kitty sees Anna. The one in a black dress that emphasizes the dignity of her figure. Vronsky is dancing a waltz with Kitty. Soon Kitty notices that Vronsky is paying increased attention to Anna, who revels in her success. Kitty refuses the other gentlemen, but Vronsky dances only with Anna.

At the end of the ball, Anna, as if by chance, announces that tomorrow she is leaving for home in St. Petersburg. On the train she sees Vronsky. He confesses that he went after her. On the platform in St. Petersburg, Anna notices her husband. He subconsciously dislikes her. Alexey Alexandrovich is much older than his wife, he holds a high position in the ministry, prefers not to talk about his feelings. His whole life is as streamlined as possible, which runs counter to Anna's temperamental nature. They have an eight-year-old son Serezha. He joyfully meets his mother, while his father is a little afraid and shy.

The day of Alexei Aleksandrovich Karenin is scheduled by the minute. The service takes up almost all of his time, but, nevertheless, he considers it his duty to follow the latest in literature, political events, and studies philosophical and theological writings. Art is alien to his nature, although he is well educated and considers it possible for himself to judge poetry, music, etc. Vronsky, once in Moscow, intends to lead a secular life and visit those houses where he will almost certainly be able to meet the Karenins.

Part two

At the end of winter, a medical consultation meets in the Shcherbatskys' house. Kitty is suspected of starting a tuberculosis process, the cause of which is a nervous breakdown. Everyone at home knows that the problem is that Vronsky "terribly deceived" Kitty's hopes, so a decision is made to go abroad for treatment, since the girl urgently needs a change of scenery. Anna and Vronsky often see each other at the house of Vronsky's cousin, Princess Betsy of Tverskoy. Many in the world already know about their mutual sympathy, and Betsy specially arranges dates for them. The only one who does not find anything reprehensible in Anna meeting Vronsky and spending a lot of time with him in full view of society is Karenin himself.

Anna unexpectedly demands that Vronsky go to Moscow and beg Kitty's forgiveness. Friends at home begin to hint to Alexei Alexandrovich that his wife is not behaving in accordance with decency, this offends Karenin, and he starts a conversation with Anna, which leads to nothing, Anna denies everything and pretends not to understand, which angered her husband . Finally, the relationship between Anna and Vronsky moves from platonic attraction to physical love. Anna is ashamed, it seems to her that everything is over, and she reminds Vronsky again and again that she has nothing but him. She has dreams that she has two husbands, and both caress her.

Levin, having retired to his estate, pays much attention to housekeeping, delves into the details of fertilizing the soil, the state of affairs in the barnyard, and sowing. He concludes profitable deals with merchants and generally shows himself to be a very zealous owner. Stiva Oblonsky comes to him, who does not tell him anything about Kitty's fate. The friends hunt together, and Levin nonetheless finds out from Stiva the details of Kitty's illness and the Shcherbatskys' plans. Stiva accuses Levin of the lack of proper perseverance and cowardice in front of an opponent, regrets that Levin did not fight for Kitty's hand, but immediately retreated.

In St. Petersburg, a scandal is brewing, since there are many people who want to gossip about the connection between Anna and Vronsky. Countess Vronskaya also disapproves of her son's behavior, since his stay in Petersburg (where he can constantly see Karenina) interferes with his career. Vronsky, on the other hand, is greatly hindered by Seryozha, Anna's son, who often becomes an obstacle to their relationship. Vronsky insists that Anna leave her husband and son and begin to live with him as his wife. Anna excuses herself by saying that her husband will never give her a divorce, and she does not agree to the position of a mistress. At the same time, Anna constantly insists that she cannot live a lie, but continues to deceive her husband. However, she herself does not want to keep her secret, and she wants to tell everything to her husband so that everything becomes clear between them. The feelings of Alexei Alexandrovich, for whom a public scandal is tantamount to the end of a career and who prefers to live by conventions (that is, a lie from Anna's point of view), do not interest her at all.

At the races, due to the wrong movement of Vronsky, the horse under him falls and breaks his back. Anna does not take her eyes off him during the races. Seeing Vronsky on the ground, Anna betrays herself with her head: she rushes about, gasps loudly, does not notice that her husband is offering her to leave, points binoculars at Vronsky, and sobs loudly. Only after learning that the rider is unharmed, she somehow calms down. On the way home, she tells her husband that she is in love with Vronsky, and that she is afraid and hates Alexei Alexandrovich. Karenin demands compliance with external conventions, and immediately leaves.

The Shcherbatskys travel. On the waters, they meet Madame Stahl, a Russian lady in a wheelchair, and Varenka, the girl who takes care of her. Varenka is always busy, always helping someone, resolving conflicts. Varenka is Madame Stahl's adopted daughter. Kitty likes her very much, and she closely converges with this active and compassionate person. Kitty tells Varenka about the story of Vronsky, she consoles and reassures her, urging her to take a more balanced attitude to the ups and downs of fate, assures that Kitty's case is far from the only one, Kitty tries to follow Varenka's example and look after the sick artist Petrov, but incurs the suspicions of Petrov's wife . In addition, it turns out that Madame Stahl has not been getting up for ten years, not because she is dangerously ill, but because she is badly built (short legs). Kitty recovers, and the Shcherbatskys go to Moscow.

Part Three

Sergei Ivanovich Koznyshev comes to the village to rest with Levin. He discovers that his brother easily communicates with the peasants, understands the economy. The brothers have long conversations about the people, about the need for education, and it turns out that the armchair reformer Koznyshev is facing stubborn opposition from Levin's practice. During mowing, Levin works on a par with the peasants; he seems to be resting in hard physical labor, he really likes to work on the ground.

Next to Levin's estate (Pokrovskoye) is the village of Oblonsky Ergushovo, where Dolly and her children go to cut costs. The house is completely unfurnished, and Dolly herself is in despair from the huge number of economic problems that have fallen on her. Levin visits her, makes the necessary arrangements, which helps Dolly a lot and allows her to quickly improve her life and find a common language with the servants.

A grateful Dolly informs him that she has invited Kitty to stay with her for the summer. She wants to reconcile her sister with Levin, but he admits to Dolly that he made an offer to Kitty, which she rejected. Dolly, as delicately as possible, tries to impress upon him that all is not yet lost, and that he should not consider himself offended. Karenin is trying to convince himself that Anna's crime should not throw him off balance, that he must continue to live as if nothing had happened, that what happened is his wife's problem, that he is not the first and he is not the last deceived husband. He decides not to duel, obeying the voice of reason, not to start a lawsuit that will only harm his impeccable reputation. He is not jealous of Anna, he considers the possibility of separation, but comes to the conclusion that this will only contribute to the "licentiousness" of his wife, and decides that the best option is to live as before, only not respecting Anna.

Karenin is sure that over time the romance will end, and his relationship with his wife will be restored. He sends Anna a polite letter, in which he sets out the conclusions he has come to, promises the same material support, and explains the need to save the family - first of all, for the sake of Seryozha. Anna, having received a letter, behaves quite impulsively. She decides, taking Seryozha, to leave her husband, orders to pack things, but then unpacks them. She understands that she will not be able to neglect the world and the way of life that she is used to leading, but she is not ready for the role of a lover, she cries bitterly, asks herself questions where only “I” is heard, etc.

Vronsky intends to sort out his position. First of all, he settles money matters and finds out that his income should not be increased (by Anna, for example), but cut. It turns out that Anna is pregnant. Vronsky is faced with the necessity of resigning. Anna is waiting for a decision from him, but is already ready at his first word to leave both her husband and son and leave with Vronsky. She admits (without any reason) to her husband that she cannot change anything, and he declares that he is ignoring her and again demands to behave decently. Levin is married to the daughter of the head of the Sviyazhsky district. During a visit to Sviyazhsky, Levin expresses his thoughts about

regarding the need to manage the economy in Russia in a Russian, and not in a foreign manner, to take into account the peculiarities of the character of the Russian peasants and workers.

He is not sure about the usefulness of schools, because schools will not boost the economy: “Schools will not help, but such an economic arrangement will help, in which the people will be richer, there will be more leisure, and then there will be schools.” He believes that the peasants should be interested in the success of the economy, they should be paid more. Levin begins to rationally organize his household. Levin's reforms met with misunderstanding on the part of the peasants. Housekeeping takes so much effort and time that Levin does not even pay attention to Kitty's arrival in Ergushovo.

Part Four

The Karenins continue to live in the same house, Anna still sees Vronsky. Attacks of jealousy happen to her more and more often, and Vronsky begins to grow cold towards her. Anna is furious that her husband remains completely calm outwardly, she wants him to kill her, but would stop her "torment". Anna constantly repeats to both Karenin and Vronsky that she will soon die (from childbirth). One day, Karenin runs into Vronsky on the porch of his house, forces his wife to talk to him, announces that he is moving to Moscow and taking Seryozha, Karenin goes to a lawyer to find out if a divorce is possible, but realizing that for the process it is necessary to make public his wife's love letters decides not to start litigation. He leaves for Moscow.

Visiting the Oblonskys, Kitty meets Levin again. Karenin is also present there. To Dolly's attempts to talk to him about reconciliation with Anna, he coldly replies that he does not see such an opportunity. “I can’t forgive, and I don’t want to, and I consider it unfair. I did everything for this woman, and she trampled everything into the dirt that is characteristic of her. Kitty spends the whole evening with Levin. They understand each other perfectly, declare their love (they write in small letters the first letters of the words of explanation). In fact, Kitty agrees to marry Levin and invites him to propose to her parents. They approve of their daughter's choice. Preparations for the wedding begin.

Karenin receives a telegram from Anna, in which she writes about her imminent death and begs him to come. Knowing Anna's character, Aleksey Alexandrovich decides that this is a trick, but nevertheless sets off. In the house, he finds Vronsky crying and a confused servant, Anna gave birth to a girl, but she herself is dying (puerperal fever). She is delirious, but when she regains consciousness, she calls her husband, calls him a saint, and asks for forgiveness. Karenin explains himself to Vronsky and says that he has forgiven Anna everything. Vronsky retires, goes home and decides to shoot himself, but only wounds himself. Then he decides to leave for Tashkent, but asks permission to see Anna first. Anna stays alive.

While everything in the house revolves around her, Aleksey Aleksandrovich manages to arrange medical care for her and equip the newborn (find a wet nurse, etc.). Anna recovers, but falls into apathy, and her husband does nothing to change the conditions of her life (and does not take away, and does not give a divorce). Oblonsky initiates a conversation with Karenin, again talking about a divorce. Karenin is beside himself with being trampled into the mud once again - after all his generous deeds. He agrees to divorce. Vronsky does not go to Tashkent, but together with Anna and little Anya leaves for Italy. Alexey Alexandrovich remains alone with Seryozha.

Part five

In the house of the Shcherbatskys, preparations for the wedding are in full swing. Levin really likes "happy chores", he even fasts and confesses, which he has not done for many years. He confesses to the priest that he doubts the existence of God; but he calls him for the sake of future children to still believe. The priest treats Levin kindly, does not demand oaths from him, and Levin with a pure soul is waiting for the day of the wedding, rejoicing that he will not have to lie. The wedding ceremony is described very solemnly. Everything appears to Levin as extraordinarily majestic, he is grateful to the priest who found the right words, happy that Kitty standing next to him feels the same way as he does.

On the same evening, the young people leave for the village. At first, inexperienced spouses cannot adapt to each other in any way - petty quarrels and petty jealousy poison their happiness. Three months later they return to Moscow, and their life is getting better. They receive news that Levin's brother, Nikolai, is dying, a woman (from the streets) lives with him, who takes care of him as best she can. Kitty decides to go with her husband. She manages to quickly find a common language with Nikolai, who immediately has her sincerity and compassion for her, while Nikolai feels uncomfortable in the company of Konstantin himself. Nikolai is capricious, he dies long and painfully. Kitty's health also deteriorates. The doctor determines pregnancy.

Vronsky and Anna travel around Europe. Anna persuades herself to be guilty in relation to her husband, but, despite all her efforts, she does not feel a trace of guilt. She wants to see Seryozha, and she and Vronsky return to Petersburg. There they are awaited by the wary attitude of the light, which does not want to take them back. Anna decides at all costs to see her son on his birthday. Alexey Alexandrovich “could not in any way reconcile his recent forgiveness, his tenderness, his love for his sick wife and someone else’s child with what now happened, that is, with the fact that, as if as a reward for all this, he now found himself alone, disgraced , ridiculed, wanted by no one and despised by all.

He strives with all his might to forget himself, to plunge headlong into work, to seem unperturbed, but he comes to despair from the consciousness of his utter loneliness. All women are disgusting to him, he has no friends, all relatives have died. Countess Lidia Ivanovna begins to visit him often, who tries to support and encourage him, takes on the responsibility of arranging Karenin's life. She inspires Karenin with the idea of ​​the need for complete isolation of Serezha from Anna and announces to the boy that his mother has died. However, soon Lidia Ivanovna receives a letter from Anna, where she asks for assistance in arranging a meeting with her son. The Countess writes an answer in a tone offensive to Anna, refuses her. On top of that, Alexei Alexandrovich is no longer being promoted, although he is still active and businesslike.

Karenin tries to establish contact with Seryozha, personally educates him, but cannot find an approach to the boy. Seryozha becomes more and more isolated in himself, misses his mother, realizing that he must love his father, he cannot force himself to be grateful to him. On Seryozha's birthday, Anna fraudulently enters her husband's house. Serezha is very happy with her, he admits that he never believed in her death. Karenin enters, and Anna runs away, without giving Seryozha the toys she bought for him. Anna is bored locked up, and she, contrary to the advice of Vronsky (who suspects that this will not lead to good), goes to the theater. One of the ladies, Kartasova, insults Anna, declaring that it is shameful to sit next to Karenina. Although most of those present agree that this is an evil and unworthy trick, the scandal is guaranteed. Returning home, Anna blames Vronsky for everything.

Part six

Dolly is visiting Kitty at Pokrovsky. Varenka also arrives, she takes care of Kitty. Levin's brother Sergei Ivanovich shows signs of attention to Varenka. Everyone is waiting for Koznyshev's proposal, he himself has been preparing for a long time, but he still does not dare to make it. Steve arrives with his friend Veslovsky, who takes care of Kitty. Both of them cause active irritation in Levin, and he puts Veslovsky out of his house. Dolly goes to visit Anna at the Vozdvizhenskoye estate, where she lives with Vronsky and her daughter Anya.

Anna is still pretty, she pays a lot of attention to her wardrobe, rides a horse. Anna is rather indifferent to her daughter, she does not know many of those small, tedious and charming details of raising a small child, which Dolly lived all her life. Vronsky arranges a modern hospital, passionately takes a great interest in housekeeping. Anna delves into his affairs, helps him to the best of her ability, begins to write a book for children. Few people visit them, so both of them are very grateful to Dolly for her act. Among other things, Anna happily informs Dolly that she will not be able to have any more children. She does not want to look bad and be pregnant, that is, sick. She dreams only of Vronsky's passionate love, realizing that he is not interested in her ailments and can leave her. Anna no longer thinks about a divorce, she pays little attention to her daughter, but she wants to return Seryozha, whom, along with Vronsky, she loves.

She studies the issues of architecture, agronomy, horse breeding from books and magazines, achieving significant success, so that Vronsky himself sometimes turns to her for advice. The same one increasingly feels that Anna is entangling him with “invisible networks”, a thirst for independence is awakening in him more and more. He goes to the provincial elections. Anna decides to make an effort on herself and not to bother Vronsky with stormy scenes of jealousy and copious tears. However, it doesn't last long. She writes Vronsky a contradictory letter about Anya's illness, where she demands to come immediately, then she attributes that she herself will come to him. In Vronsky's absence, she begins to take morphine. Vronsky returns and immediately reveals the deception. The scenes are unpleasant for him, he is burdened by endless showdowns, he himself no longer wants Anna to divorce Karenin.

Part seven

The Levins move to Moscow. Konstantin pays visits, goes to the theater and everywhere he feels equally at ease. Among others, he visits Anna and Vronsky. Anna tries to impress Levin, who admires her. Kitty accuses him of being in love with Anna (as Vronsky used to be). Levin promises to avoid Karenina's company in the future.

Kitty goes into labor. Levin is frightened to death, he is insanely sorry for his tormented wife, he no longer wants a child and prays only that Kitty stay alive. Everything ends happily. The Levins had a son, Dmitry. The affairs of Stiva Oblonsky are in a deplorable state. He tries through Karenin to petition for a salary increase, but he considers him an empty worker, although he agrees to "put in a word." Alexei Alexandrovich Karenin, together with Countess Lidia Ivanovna, attends meetings of a certain "mystical" society.

Anna suffers more and more from unreasonable jealousy, from isolation, from Vronsky's cooling. She behaves more and more impulsively and selfishly, the more she pushes her beloved away from her. She now asks for forgiveness, now portrays offended pride, now threatens to die again, now showers Vronsky with passionate caresses. Vronsky jars from talking about love, which is almost gone, he is unpleasant about the news of Karenin's consent to a divorce. Anna dreams of punishing Vronsky for his coldness (even to the detriment of herself), she simply needs violent expressions of feelings, which has not been observed in her chosen one for a long time. She has completely lost her peace of mind, she contradicts herself, does not know what she wants, cannot stay at home alone, rushes about, cries, writes senseless notes to Vronsky. Anna goes to Dolly's, hoping to get sympathy and consolation from her, but she finds Kitty at Oblonsky's. As if by chance, Anna notices that Levin was with her and liked her very much. Not finding an answer from Vronsky at home, Anna is completely immersed in painful and incoherent thoughts about lost love. Remembering how, on the day they met Vronsky, a train crushed a man in front of their eyes, Anna goes to the station and throws herself onto the rails.

Part eight

Karenin takes little Anya. Happy Kitty raises Mitya, whom Levin also loves very much. The Levins give Dolly part of their estate to improve the financial situation of the Oblonsky family. Vronsky leaves for Serbia. Levin, who thought a lot about God, comes to the conclusion that “the undoubted manifestation of a deity is the laws of goodness ... in the recognition of which I ... am united with other people in one society of believers, which is called the church ... my life now ... is not only not meaningless, as it was before, but it has an undoubted sense of goodness, which I have the power to put into it!

Year of writing:

1877

Reading time:

Description of the work:

One of Leo Tolstoy's most famous works is Anna Karenina, which Tolstoy wrote in 1877. Very briefly, the novel Anna Karenina tells about the sad love of Anna Karenina and officer Vronsky against the backdrop of a happy relationship between Konstantin Levin and Kitty Shcherbatskaya.

The work is filled with philosophical reflections and conclusions, and is also replete with descriptions of the life of ordinary peasants.

We bring to your attention a summary of the novel Anna Karenina.

In the Moscow house of the Oblonskys, where "everything was mixed up" at the end of the winter of 1873, they were waiting for the owner's sister, Anna Arkadyevna Karenina. The reason for the family discord was that Prince Stepan Arkadyevich Oblonsky was caught by his wife in treason with a governess. Thirty-four-year-old Stiva Oblonsky sincerely regrets his wife Dolly, but, being a truthful person, does not assure himself that he repents of his deed. Cheerful, kind and carefree Stiva has long been no longer in love with his wife, the mother of five living and two dead children, and has long been unfaithful to her.

Stiva is completely indifferent to the work he does, serving as a boss in one of the Moscow presences, and this allows him to never get carried away, not make mistakes and perfectly fulfill his duties. Friendly, condescending to human shortcomings, charming Stiva enjoys the favor of the people of his circle, subordinates, bosses and, in general, everyone with whom his life brings. Debts and family troubles upset him, but they cannot spoil his mood enough to make him refuse to dine in a good restaurant. He is having lunch with Konstantin Dmitrievich Levin, who has arrived from the village, his peer and a friend of his youth.

Levin came to propose to the eighteen-year-old Princess Kitty Shcherbatskaya, Oblonsky's sister-in-law, with whom he had long been in love. Levin is sure that such a girl, who is above all earthly things, like Kitty, cannot love him, an ordinary landowner, without special, as he believes, talents. In addition, Oblonsky informs him that, apparently, he has a rival - a brilliant representative of the St. Petersburg "golden youth", Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky.

Kitty knows about Levin's love and feels at ease and free with him; with Vronsky, however, she experiences an incomprehensible awkwardness. But it is difficult for her to understand her own feelings, she does not know who to give preference to. Kitty does not suspect that Vronsky does not at all intend to marry her, and her dreams of a happy future with him make her refuse Levin. Meeting his mother, who has arrived from St. Petersburg, Vronsky sees Anna Arkadyevna Karenina at the station. He immediately notices the special expressiveness of Anna’s whole appearance: “It was as if an excess of something so overwhelmed her being that, against her will, it was expressed either in the brilliance of her eyes, or in a smile.” The meeting is overshadowed by a sad circumstance: the death of a station watchman under the wheels of a train, which Anna considers a bad omen.

Anna manages to persuade Dolly to forgive her husband; a fragile peace is established in the Oblonskys' house, and Anna goes to the ball together with the Oblonskys and the Shcherbatskys. At the ball, Kitty admires Anna's naturalness and grace, admires that special, poetic inner world that appears in her every movement. Kitty expects a lot from this ball: she is sure that during the mazurka Vronsky will explain himself to her. Unexpectedly, she notices how Vronsky is talking with Anna: in each of their glances, an irresistible attraction to each other is felt, each word decides their fate. Kitty leaves in despair. Anna Karenina returns home to Petersburg; Vronsky follows her.

Blaming himself alone for the failure of the matchmaking, Levin returns to the village. Before leaving, he meets with his older brother Nikolai, who lives in cheap rooms with a woman he took from a brothel. Levin loves his brother, despite his irrepressible nature, which brings a lot of trouble to himself and those around him. Seriously ill, lonely, drinking, Nikolai Levin is fascinated by the communist idea and the organization of some kind of locksmith artel; this saves him from self-contempt. A meeting with his brother exacerbates the shame and dissatisfaction with himself, which Konstantin Dmitrievich experiences after the matchmaking. He calms down only in his family estate Pokrovsky, deciding to work even harder and not allow himself luxury - which, however, had not been in his life before.

The usual life in St. Petersburg, to which Anna returns, causes her disappointment. She had never been in love with her husband, who was much older than her, and had only respect for him. Now his company becomes painful for her, she notices the slightest of his shortcomings: too big ears, the habit of cracking his fingers. Nor does her love for her eight-year-old son Seryozha save her. Anna is trying to regain her peace of mind, but she fails - mainly because Alexei Vronsky is trying to get her location in every possible way. Vronsky is in love with Anna, and his love is intensified because an affair with a lady of high society makes his position even more brilliant. Despite the fact that his whole inner life is filled with passion for Anna, outwardly Vronsky leads the usual, cheerful and pleasant life of a guards officer: with the Opera, the French theater, balls, horse races and other pleasures. But their relationship with Anna is too different in the eyes of others from easy secular flirting; strong passion causes general condemnation. Alexey Aleksandrovich Karenin notices the attitude of the world to his wife's romance with Count Vronsky and expresses his displeasure to Anna. Being a high-ranking official, “Aleksey Alexandrovich lived and worked all his life in the spheres of service, dealing with reflections of life. And every time he encountered life itself, he pulled away from it.” Now he feels himself in the position of a man standing above the abyss.

Karenin's attempts to stop his wife's irresistible desire for Vronsky, Anna's attempts to restrain herself, are unsuccessful. A year after the first meeting, she becomes Vronsky's mistress - realizing that now they are connected forever, like criminals. Vronsky is burdened by the uncertainty of relations, persuades Anna to leave her husband and join her life with him. But Anna cannot decide on a break with Karenin, and even the fact that she is expecting a child from Vronsky does not give her determination.

During the races, which are attended by all the high society, Vronsky falls from his horse Frou-Frou. Not knowing how serious the fall is, Anna expresses her despair so openly that Karenin is forced to immediately take her away. She announces to her husband about her infidelity, about disgust for him. This news produces on Alexei Alexandrovich the impression of a diseased tooth pulled out: he finally gets rid of the suffering of jealousy and leaves for Petersburg, leaving his wife at the dacha awaiting his decision. But, having gone through all the possible options for the future - a duel with Vronsky, a divorce - Karenin decides to leave everything unchanged, punishing and humiliating Anna with the requirement to observe the false appearance of family life under the threat of separation from her son. Having made this decision, Alexey Alexandrovich finds enough calmness to give himself over to reflections on the affairs of the service with his characteristic stubborn ambition. The decision of her husband causes Anna to burst into hatred for him. She considers him a soulless machine, not thinking that she has a soul and the need for love. Anna realizes that she is driven into a corner, because she is unable to exchange her current position for the position of a mistress who left her husband and son and deserves universal contempt.

The remaining uncertainty of relations is also painful for Vronsky, who in the depths of his soul loves order and has an unshakable set of rules of behavior. For the first time in his life, he does not know how to behave further, how to bring his love for Anna into line with the rules of life. In the event of a connection with her, he will be forced to retire, and this is also not easy for him: Vronsky loves regimental life, enjoys the respect of his comrades; besides, he is ambitious.

The life of three people is entangled in a web of lies. Anna's pity for her husband alternates with disgust; she cannot but meet with Vronsky, as Alexey Alexandrovitch demands. Finally, childbirth occurs, during which Anna almost dies. Lying in childbed fever, she asks for forgiveness from Alexei Alexandrovich, and at her bedside he feels pity for his wife, tender compassion and spiritual joy. Vronsky, whom Anna unconsciously rejects, experiences burning shame and humiliation. He tries to shoot himself, but is rescued.

Anna does not die, and when the softening of her soul caused by the proximity of death passes, she again begins to be burdened by her husband. Neither his decency and generosity, nor touching concern for a newborn girl does not relieve her of irritation; she hates Karenin even for his virtues. A month after her recovery, Anna goes abroad with retired Vronsky and her daughter.

Living in the countryside, Levin takes care of the estate, reads, writes a book on agriculture and undertakes various economic reorganizations that do not find approval among the peasants. The village for Levin is "a place of life, that is, joys, suffering, work." The peasants respect him, forty miles away they go to him for advice - and they strive to deceive him for their own benefit. There is no deliberateness in Levin's attitude towards the people: he considers himself a part of the people, all his interests are connected with the peasants. He admires the strength, meekness, justice of the peasants and is irritated by their carelessness, slovenliness, drunkenness, and lies. In disputes with his half-brother Sergei Ivanovich Koznyshev, who came to visit, Levin proves that zemstvo activities do not benefit the peasants, because they are not based either on knowledge of their true needs, or on the personal interest of the landowners.

Levin feels his merging with nature; he even hears the growth of spring grass. In the summer, he mows with the peasants, feeling the joy of simple labor. Despite all this, he considers his life idle and dreams of changing it to a working, clean and common life. Subtle changes are constantly taking place in his soul, and Levin listens to them. At one time it seems to him that he has found peace and forgotten his dreams of family happiness. But this illusion crumbles to dust when he learns about Kitty's serious illness, and then sees her herself, going to her sister in the village. The feeling that seemed dead again takes possession of his heart, and only in love does he see an opportunity to unravel the great mystery of life.

In Moscow, at a dinner at the Oblonskys, Levin meets Kitty and realizes that she loves him. In a state of high spirits, he proposes to Kitty and receives consent. Immediately after the wedding, the young people leave for the village.

Vronsky and Anna are traveling through Italy. At first, Anna feels happy and full of the joy of life. Even the knowledge that she is separated from her son, that she has lost her honorable name and that she has become the cause of her husband's misfortune, does not overshadow her happiness. Vronsky is lovingly respectful towards her, he does everything to ensure that she is not burdened by her position. But he himself, despite his love for Anna, feels longing and grabs at everything that can give his life significance. He begins painting, but having enough taste, he knows his mediocrity and soon becomes disillusioned with this occupation.

Upon returning to St. Petersburg, Anna clearly feels her rejection: they do not want to accept her, acquaintances avoid meeting her. Insults from the world poison Vronsky's life, but, busy with her experiences, Anna does not want to notice this. On Seryozha's birthday, she secretly goes to him and, finally seeing her son, feeling his love for herself, she realizes that she cannot be happy apart from him. In despair, in irritation, she reproaches Vronsky for falling out of love with her; it costs him great efforts to calm her down, after which they leave for the village.

The first time of married life turns out to be difficult for Kitty and Levin: they hardly get used to each other, charms are replaced by disappointments, quarrels - reconciliations. Family life seems to Levin like a boat: it is pleasant to look at sliding on water, but it is very difficult to rule. Unexpectedly, Levin receives news that brother Nikolai is dying in the provincial town. He immediately goes to him; despite his protests, Kitty decides to go with him. Seeing his brother, experiencing tormenting pity for him, Levin still cannot rid himself of the fear and disgust that the nearness of death arouses in him. He is shocked that Kitty is not at all afraid of the dying man and knows how to behave with him. Levin feels that only the love of his wife saves him in these days from horror and himself.

During Kitty's pregnancy, about which Levin learns on the day of his brother's death, the family continues to live in Pokrovsky, where relatives and friends come for the summer. Levin cherishes the spiritual closeness that he has established with his wife, and is tormented by jealousy, fearing to lose this closeness.

Dolly Oblonskaya, visiting her sister, decides to visit Anna Karenina, who lives with Vronsky on his estate, not far from Pokrovsky. Dolly is struck by the changes that have taken place in Karenina, she feels the falsity of her current way of life, especially noticeable in comparison with her former liveliness and naturalness. Anna entertains guests, tries to take care of her daughter, reading, setting up a village hospital. But her main concern is to replace Vronsky with herself for everything that he left for her sake. Their relationship is becoming more and more tense, Anna is jealous of everything that he is fond of, even of the Zemstvo activities, which Vronsky is engaged in mainly in order not to lose his independence. In the fall, they move to Moscow, waiting for Karenin's decision on a divorce. But, offended in his best feelings, rejected by his wife, finding himself alone, Alexei Alexandrovich falls under the influence of the well-known spiritualist, Princess Myagkaya, who persuades him, for religious reasons, not to give the criminal wife a divorce.

In the relationship between Vronsky and Anna there is neither complete discord nor agreement. Anna accuses Vronsky of all the hardships of her position; attacks of desperate jealousy are instantly replaced by tenderness; quarrels break out every now and then. In Anna's dreams, the same nightmare is repeated: some peasant leans over her, mutters meaningless French words and does something terrible to her. After a particularly difficult quarrel, Vronsky, contrary to Anna's wishes, goes to visit his mother. In complete dismay, Anna sees her relationship with him as if by a bright light. She understands that her love is becoming more and more passionate and selfish, and Vronsky, without losing his love for her, is still weary of her and tries not to be dishonorable towards her. Trying to achieve his repentance, she follows him to the station, where she suddenly remembers the man crushed by the train on the day of their first meeting - and immediately understands what she needs to do. Anna throws herself under the train; her last vision is of a mumbling peasant. After that, “the candle, under which she read a book full of anxieties, deceptions, grief and evil, flared up with a brighter light than ever, illuminated for her everything that had previously been in darkness, crackled, began to fade and went out forever.”

Life becomes hateful for Vronsky; he is tormented by an unnecessary, but indelible remorse. He leaves as a volunteer for the war with the Turks in Serbia; Karenin takes his daughter to her.

After Kitty's birth, which became a deep spiritual shock for Levin, the family returns to the village. Levin is in painful disagreement with himself - because after the death of his brother and the birth of his son he cannot resolve for himself the most important questions: the meaning of life, the meaning of death. He feels that he is close to suicide, and is afraid to walk around with a gun so as not to shoot himself. But at the same time, Levin notices: when he does not ask himself why he lives, he feels in his soul the presence of an infallible judge, and his life becomes firm and definite. Finally, he understands that the knowledge of the laws of good, given personally to him, Levin, in the Gospel Revelation, cannot be grasped by reason and expressed in words. Now he feels himself able to put an undeniable sense of goodness into every minute of his life.

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Part one

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Everything was mixed up in the Oblonskys' house. The wife found out that her husband was in connection with a French governess who was in their house, and announced to her husband that she could not live with him in the same house.

Her husband is Prince Stepan Arkadyevich Oblonsky, in the world his name is Stiva. His wife's name is Daria Alexandrovna, or Dolly. Stepan Arkadyevich and Dolly have five children. The wife of the prince has already lost its former attractiveness. Her husband considered her narrow-minded, uninteresting. It seemed to him that he had the moral right to behave the way he wanted.

However, the wife took the betrayal of Stepan Arkadyevich very painfully. She was going to pick up the children and go to her mother. This decision was very difficult for her. Dolly loves her husband, but wants revenge on him.

Soon the sister of Prince Oblonsky, Anna Karenina (by her husband), should arrive. A telegram announced her arrival. But even this event cannot stop Dolly, who wants to leave her husband.

Stepan Arkadyevich works as the head of one of the offices in Moscow. This person has many acquaintances, he is loved and respected. In the service, Prince Oblonsky accidentally met Konstantin Levin, whom he had known since his youth. Levin intends to propose to Dolly's younger sister, Kitty Shcherbatskaya.

“... Levin often visited the Shcherbatskys' house and fell in love with the Shcherbatskys' house. Strange as it may seem, but Konstantin Levin was in love with the house, with the family, especially with the female half of the Shcherbatsky family. Levin himself did not remember his mother, and his only sister was older than him, so that in the Shcherbatsky house he saw for the first time that very environment of the old noble, educated and honest family, which he had been deprived of by the death of his father and mother.

In a conversation with Oblonsky, Levin raises the question of whether he can get permission to marry Kitty. The prince supports him. Konstantin Levin considers Kitty a real perfection, and himself unworthy of being called her husband. Kitty is very young, she is only eighteen. And Konstantin Levin is already thirty-four years old, he is the same age as Prince Oblonsky.

Kitty is courted by the young Count Vronsky, "one of the best examples of the gilded youth of St. Petersburg." He is in love with Kitty, and the young girl's mother considers him the best match for her daughter. Oblonsky advises Levin to "solve the matter as soon as possible." Levin goes to talk to the girl. Kitty refuses him. The girl's mother finds out about it. She is glad, because she would not want to marry off her daughter to Levin. But Kitty's father thinks differently. In a conversation with his wife, he sharply expresses dissatisfaction with her behavior: “... you lure the groom, and all of Moscow will speak, and reasonably. If you are doing evenings, call everyone, not the chosen suitors. Call all these tyutkov (as the prince called the Moscow young people), call the pianist, and let them dance, and not as they do now, they are suitors, and bring them together. It’s disgusting for me to see, it’s disgusting, and you have achieved, turned the girl’s head. Levin is a thousand times better man. And this is a dandy from St. Petersburg, they are made by car, they are all the same, and everything is rubbish. Yes, even if he was a prince of the blood, my daughter does not need anyone!

Kitty's father, or Katenka, as he calls her, thinks that Vronsky has no serious intentions. He points out to his wife the fate of Daria, which cannot be called happy. And so the father says that Levin would be more reliable.

The words of her husband make the princess think. She begins to languish with gloomy forebodings. There is some truth in the prince's words. “Vronsky never knew family life. His mother was a brilliant secular woman in her youth, who during her marriage, and especially after, had many novels known to the whole world. He almost did not remember his father and was brought up in the Corps of Pages.

Vronsky has tender feelings towards Kitty. But, since he does not know what love, tenderness, care are, he cannot fully understand himself. The next day after the conversation between Kitty and Levin, Prince Oblonsky and Count Vronsky meet by chance. The meeting takes place at the station.

Oblonsky is waiting for the arrival of his sister, Vronsky is waiting for the arrival of his mother. When Vronsky saw Anna, she made a strong impression on him. “With the usual tact of a secular person, by one glance at the appearance of this lady, Vronsky determined her belonging to the highest society. He apologized and went to the carriage, but felt the need to look at her again - not because she was very beautiful, not because of the grace and modest grace that were visible in her whole figure, but because in the expression of her pretty face when she passed him, there was something especially tender and tender. When he looked back, she turned her head too. Shining gray eyes, which seemed dark from thick eyelashes, amiably, attentively rested on his face, as if she recognized him, and immediately transferred to the approaching crowd, as if looking for someone. In this short glance Vronsky managed to notice the restrained liveliness that played in her face and fluttered between her sparkling eyes and a barely perceptible smile that curved her ruddy lips. It was as if an excess of something so overwhelmed her being that, against her will, it was expressed either in a gleam of a look, or in a smile.

While Anna was talking to Vronsky's mother, a tragedy occurred on the platform. The watchman was hit by a train and died. Anna took this incident as a "bad omen". Her brother tried to dissuade her. Vronsky gave the watchman's widow two hundred rubles.

During the meeting between Anna and Dolly, Karenina tried at all costs to convince her brother's wife not to leave him. Dolly remained in the house, despite the fact that resentment against her husband still lay on her heart like a heavy stone.

Dolly stayed in the house, certainly not only and not so much because of Anna's persuasion. She simply had nowhere to go, she did not particularly want to return to her mother's house.

Kitty admires Anna, her appearance, her ability to keep herself. At the ball, Anna is dressed in a black dress. And her outfit surprisingly harmonizes with her appearance. The woman looks great. Surrounding people are amazed that the mother of an eight-year-old child (Anna has a son Serezha) can be so beautiful. Anna looks more like a young girl than a mature woman.

Kitty cannot fail to notice that Vronsky, for whom she has tender feelings, is seriously carried away by Anna. At the ball, Kitty is invited to dance by many, but the gentlemen are refused. Kitty only wants to dance with Vronsky. However, he pays attention only to Karenina, dances only with her.

When Anna went home, she met Vronsky on the train. He honestly said that he decided on the trip solely because of her.

After returning, Anna feels that her usual life has ceased to suit her. Until she realizes it. However, the first manifestations of discontent are already evident. Even during a meeting with her beloved child, she suddenly realizes that deep down she is dissatisfied with him. Relations with her husband began to burden Anna, although before that everything suited her. Anna's husband holds a high position, he is a rational and rational person. Anna, on the other hand, is impulsive, irrational, so it cannot be said that their relationship was harmonious. Alexey Alexandrovich Karenin is very busy, he has practically no free time. However, he is brilliantly educated and erudite. Karenin is well versed in literature, politics and philosophy.

PART ONE

"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

Everything has gone awry in the Oblonsky family since Dolly, the wife of Stepan Arkadyevich Oblonsky, found out about her husband's relationship with a French governess and said that she could not live with an unfaithful husband in the same house. Everyone, from family members to servants, was tensely waiting to see what would happen next. On that day, Stepan Arkadyevich, whose social name was Stiva, woke up on the sofa in his office and immediately remembered what happened three days ago, and groaned. Not that he was worried about his act, but he sincerely regretted that he had not been able to properly hide his affair from his wife and now everyone is suffering: he, she, children. He understood that it was necessary to somehow help the trouble, to go to his wife, to warn her, but he felt that now he could not do it. He remembered how stupid he had behaved when his wife, showing him a note to a French woman, asked what it meant. But he did not deny anything and only smiled stupidly with his usual kind smile, as if it did not concern him. He saw Dolly wince in pain and no longer want to see him.

Stepan Arkadyevich rang for someone to bring him to get dressed, and together with the clothes, the valet Matvey brought a telegram from Anna's sister, who announced her arrival. Stiva was delighted, because Anna could help reconcile the spouses. So he, having shaved and dressed, went to have breakfast. After breakfast and reading a newspaper, drinking a second cup of coffee with kalach, he smiled not because he was happy with the good news, but simply from good digestion. And, remembering his wife, he immediately became sad: he should have gone to her, but he felt that whatever he said would look fake, and he himself did not tolerate falsehood. However, he opened the door to his wife's bedroom. Daria Alexandrovna (her relatives called her Dolly tried to look strict, but she felt that she was afraid of her husband, afraid of lies and afraid of this conversation. She made up children's things, about to leave him and at the same time understood that she could not do this, because she was so used to consider him your husband, love him.When Stiva saw her face, tormented by suffering, his calmness and good nature immediately disappeared somewhere, a tear welled up in his eyes, because he sincerely pitied her and asked to forgive him.But she did not want to hear.

Stepan Arkadievich went to work. For the third year now, he led the institution, he was loved and respected by both subordinates and superiors. He was liberal, condescending towards people, realizing his ability to make mistakes. However, before the service, he was indifferent, and therefore it was there that he did not make mistakes, for which he was appreciated by the leadership. For several hours he was engaged in the affairs of the service, when a friend of his youth, whom he loved very much, Konstantin Dmitrievich Levin, came to him. They were the complete opposite of each other, although they were the same age and were friends from their youth. Each of them believed that the other lived a ghostly life. Levin lived in the countryside and was doing something, but Stiva did not understand what exactly, and was not interested. When Oblonsky asked about the purpose of Levin's visit to Moscow, Levin blushed without answering the question, instead asking how the princes Shcherbatsky were doing. At one time, while still a student, Levin often visited this family and was friends with the young prince Shcherbatsky. He fell in love with the whole family, and therefore for a long time could not understand which of the daughters of the princes Shcherbatsky was dear to him. Now he knew for sure that this was Kitty, the youngest princess, whom he considered the crowning achievement, and now he came with the firm intention of wooing her. When they saw each other almost daily, and suddenly Levin went to the village. And yet, feelings for Kitty did not give him rest, so he finally decided everything for himself. True, he was considered a good match for Kitty, but his unexpected departure was so inappropriate. Staying with his older brother on his mother's side, Koznishev, he wanted to tell his brother about his feelings, but he was just talking to a well-known professor of philosophy, and Levin had to wait and listen. Soon the conversation interested him, so that he even asked: “If my senses are destroyed, if my body dies, then there can be no existence?” He replied that science does not have facts to say something for sure, so Levin no longer listened to him. When at last the guest left, Koznishev began to inquire about affairs in the zemstvo, in whose work Levin had been involved for some time, and then, disappointed, abandoned the matter. Then he told Levin that the brother of Konstantin Dmitrievich, Nikolai, who had squandered most of his estate and quarreled with his brothers, now fell into bad society. Koznishev paid Nikolai's bill, but instead of gratitude, he demanded to leave him, to leave him alone. Levin realized that something was wrong with his brother and wanted to go to him, but first he had to meet with Oblonsky, and then with Kitty. After all, he had come for her.

Levin saw that Kitty was skating. She was delighted with him and invited to ride together. Her mother greeted him rather coldly, but invited him to visit them. Rejoiced, Levin promised to be back in the evening and went off to dine with Oblonsky.

Stiva Oblonsky was already much to blame at the Anglia restaurant, but he preferred to dine here, because he considered it a shame to avoid a restaurant under such conditions. They ate delicious meals, although Levin would have been better served with white bread and cheese. Oblonsky said that Kitty was interested in Levin, and Dolly thought he would be a good husband for her sister Kitty. Levin was delighted and could not bear to have someone talk about his feelings - it was so sacred to him. However, Oblonsky warned that after Levin's departure, the young Count Alexei Vronsky visited the Shcherbatskys, so he should hurry to be the first to confess. Levin regretted that he had told Oblonsky everything, because the latter did not understand his "special" feelings and humiliated and simplified his love.

Princess Kitty was eighteen years old, and she went out only the first winter, but she already had a great success: all the young people were simply in love with her. Parents understood that a serious proposal should be expected from Levin and Vronsky. Princess Shcherbatska did not understand Levin, she did not like him, and she was delighted when he unexpectedly left. But Vronsky satisfied all the requirements of Kitty's mother: rich, intelligent, noble, with brilliant career prospects. Prince Shcherbatsky did not trust Vronsky and believed that there was nothing to be desired for a better husband for Kitty than Levin. Kitty herself was on friendly terms with Levin and did not really imagine her future with him, while the future with Vronsky seemed to her wonderful, although she could not determine what she felt for him.

On the evening of that day, Levin arrived at the Shcherbatskys in advance to propose to Kitty. She was shocked by his confession and, listening to his words, felt happy, however, remembering Vronsky, she refused Levin. He bowed and was about to leave when the princess came out. She read everything from the faces of young people and was delighted with the choice of her daughter. Kitty's friend Countess Nordston soon arrived and always made fun of him because she didn't understand. Levin usually succeeded in adequately responding to her offensive words, and that evening he wanted only one thing: to get out of here as soon as possible. But he was delayed by the arrival of a new guest - Count Alexei Vronsky. Levin was one of those people who are able to see not bad, but better in a happy opponent. Therefore, he noted the beauty and nobility of Vronsky, recognizing the advantages of his opponent.

When the evening was over, Kitty told her mother about her conversation with Levin. The mother was pleased and told her husband that everything was heading towards Kitty's marriage to Vronsky. He became angry and began to shout that the young count was not worth their daughter. The princess did not then dare to tell her husband about Levin's refusal. Kitty herself, although she felt touched by Vronsky's attention, could not be happy, because she felt guilty before Levin. Vronsky had no idea what plans Princess Shcherbatska had for him, because he did not like family life and did not intend to marry, although Kitty liked him. However, he had not yet taken a single step towards her, although he felt some kind of spiritual connection with Kitty.

The next day Vronsky went to the station to meet his mother, who had returned from Petersburg. On the platform, he met Oblonsky, who was waiting for his sister Anna, who was supposed to come from St. Petersburg by this train. In their conversation they touched upon the Karenins, whom Vronsky did not know, although he had heard of them, and also Levin. Stiva said that Levin should have proposed to Kitty, and Vronsky immediately understood why she had turned down his rival. And although he himself does not intend to marry Kitty, his pride is lowered, and he does not feel remorse about Kitty. The train arrived, and Vronsky, going up to the right section, politely stepped aside, letting a young woman through, who was just getting out of there. Her good, beautiful face, grace, grace, a special kind smile and the attentive look of her gray eyes forced Vronsky to look at her more attentively. The woman also turned her head towards him, and he managed to notice in her short glance the natural liveliness, as if she was holding back something that was in abundance in her gaze, smile. While talking to his mother, Vronsky listens to the voice of a young woman who asks to see if her brother has arrived, and realizes that this is Stevie Oblonsky's sister. She returns to the compartment, and Vronsky's mother introduces him to her companion. And, laughing, she says that she recognized him, because all the way they told each other about their sons - the countess about Alexei, and Anna about seven-year-old Seryozha. Vronsky was struck by the determination of the woman when, meeting with her brother, she hugged him and kissed him. When they left, there was an unfortunate incident - the train crushed the watchman. Stiva and Vronsky found out that he had a large family left, and Anna says that something must be done for them. Vronsky walked away, but the stationmaster overtook them and asked to whom the two hundred rubles that Vronsky had given were destined. Anna leaves the station depressed. She asked her brother how long he had known Vronsky, and he said that for a long time everyone had been hoping for his marriage to Kitty.

Dolly did not expect help from anyone, however, remembering the friendly attitude of her sister-in-law towards her, she was forced to accept Anna.

Anna sincerely rejoiced at the opportunity to see her nephews, whom she knew well - and if anyone was born, and what was sick. Dolly is pleasantly surprised. When they are alone, Anna tells her what Yura herself has already thought more than once: if you love a person, you must forgive for the sake of the children and yourself. After this conversation, Dolly felt relieved, and when they had dinner at home, for the first time in her frustration, she said “you” to her husband. And although a certain alienation remained, there was no longer any talk of divorce. After dinner, Kitty arrived, who at first felt uncomfortable in the presence of the "respectful Petersburg lady," but then Anna's cordiality and sincerity conquered her, and they talked in unison about Vronsky, about the upcoming ball. The children did not leave Anna's HIV. Everyone was talking about something good, and Anna Kitty said that she was going to Moscow with Vronsky's mother. She did not tell only about the two hundred rubles that he gave to the widow, because she felt that there was something here that concerned only her, but which should not be. Another event happened that day. When in the evening everyone gathered after tea in the living room, where an atmosphere of peace and love now reigned, because the Oblonskys had reconciled, Anna suddenly felt sad, she missed her son. She went to her room from the photo of her son and, when she was on the stairs, she saw the guest enter. It was Vronsky. His face seemed to Anna half-hearted and frightened when he saw her. Oblonsky invited him to come in, but he refused and left. This visit seemed strange to everyone. Kitty thought that Vronsky wanted to see her, but did not dare to go in. Anna felt something wrong in her heart.

When the Shcherbatskys arrived at the ball about which Kitty had spoken to Anna, it had already begun. Kitty was in a great mood, she was aware of her beauty and really looked beautiful and at ease, as if she had been born in this hall. She was immediately invited to the dance by the best dancer, and, already dancing, she saw the Oblonskys and Anna, who was in an exquisite black velvet dress with white lace.

Kitty asked her to wear purple, but she had to admit that Anna was right not to try to embellish herself with a dress. She was like a frame for him, but the main thing was Anna herself - simple, laid-back and at the same time lively, interesting and beautiful. She looked Kitty approvingly and remarked cheerfully that she did not remain without partners, even dancing into the hall. It was then that Vronsky came up and bowed. It seemed to Kitty that Anna was unhappy with him, but did not understand why. Vronsky reminded Kitty that she had promised him the first quadrille. She watched Anna dance and admired her, waiting for Vronsky to invite her to the waltz. Noticing the girl's surprised look, Vronsky, blushing, invited her to the waltz. They took a step as the music stopped. Kitty looked at Vronsky with such love that it was impossible not to notice, but that look remained unanswered, and this depressed her for a very long time. When she danced the quadrille with Vronsky, she hoped that everything would be resolved already during the mazurka, although he had not yet invited her to this dance. Kitty was sure it couldn't be otherwise. But then she saw Anna. How changed this restrained woman! Her eyes shone, she felt the same as Kitty - she was a success. Suddenly Kitty, looking at Vronsky, realized with horror that it was he who was the reason for this. The count's always calm and imperturbable face changed to a submissive one when he looked at Anna, whom he seemed to be afraid of. Kitty refused everyone who invited her to the mazurka, determined that Vronsky would dance with her. But he invited Anna to the mazurka, and Kitty was forced to sit among those who were not invited. Countess Nordston, seeing this, ordered her gentleman to invite Kitty. Kitty was in despair, she could not hide it, and Vronsky, looking at her during the mazurka, did not recognize her, the girl's face was so changed by the suffering of her soul.

When Levin left the Shcherbatskys after an unsuccessful explanation, his heart was bitter, he reproached himself for having gone to dinner and then to get married, and in the meantime his brother Nikolai needed his help. He went to his brother, remembering his story along the way. In his student years, Nikolai lived like a monk, avoided all kinds of entertainment, fasted, prayed, suddenly everything changed with a heavy, desperate spree. He made friends with such disgusting people that everyone turned away from him. Levin felt sorry for his brother, whom he considered guilty except perhaps for the fact that he had a passionate, quick-tempered character and a depressed mind. Konstantin Dmitrievich thought about how strange people react: when he tried to restrain his character with the help of religion, everyone laughed at him, and when he gave free rein to this character, everyone recoiled from him. He decided to prove to his brother that he loves him and understands him.

Levin found his brother in some room where strangers were sitting. Nikolai immediately sent a speckled woman for vodka. Levin noted with pain how his brother had changed for the worse. Nikolai was delighted at first, and then, remembering his grievances against his older brother Sergei Ivanovich, somehow changed, puffed up. However, Levin paid no attention to this. My brother was talking to some youngster about arranging a bell tower in the village, and Konstantin Dmitrievich asked why in the village, where there is already a lot of work. The brother noticed that he treated the peasants and their fate in a lordly way. Levin did not argue, pitying his brother. The woman returned with vodka. Her name was Masha. Nikolay took her from prostitutes and lived with her as with his wife. She looked after him and backed him when he drank too much. This time, Nikolai grabbed the bottle and drank it greedily, quickly getting drunk, and then they put him to bed. Levin asked Masha to inform him about her brother in letters and gradually persuade him to move to live in his house.

The next day after the ball, Anna Karetnaya decides to return to St. Petersburg, and to persuasion Dolly notices that she must go, because she unwittingly caused Kitty's suffering. Dolly says that she does not want this marriage for her sister, because if Vronsky is capable of falling in love in one day, then it would be better for Kitty not to have any relationship with him. Dolly herself hurries to assure that she will always be on Anna's side.

Sitting in the car, Anna sincerely believed that this whole story was over forever, that this was just an unfortunate episode that she would quickly forget about. Anna unfolded the novel and tried to read, but impressions and memories prevented her from concentrating, she was tormented by a sense of shame, the reasons for which she began to search for. She understood that there could be nothing between her and Vronsky but the relations of ordinary acquaintances, but for some reason a strange joy seized her whole being when she was immersed in memories. At the bus stop, Anna went out to get some air, and when she was about to enter the car, suddenly some shadow blocked the light of the lantern. It was Vronsky, who began to say fervently that he was going to be where she was. Some kind of joyful pride seized Anna, because he said what her soul secretly hoped for. But the mind still resisted. She did not sleep all night, feeling that this conversation brought them both surprisingly close.

When she went to the platform in St. Petersburg, she saw her husband in a new way: Anna was struck by the unpleasant features of his appearance, which she had not noticed before, in particular, his ear. She was seized with a feeling of dissatisfaction with herself, as if she had been insincere towards her husband, but had not noticed it before. She only asked him, a healthy son.

Vronsky did not sleep that night either. He felt proud, not so much because he had struck Anna (he did not believe in this), but so much because he was finally able to experience such strong emotions himself. When he first saw Anna and her husband on the platform, he realized that their marriage really exists. Vronsky went up to greet the couple and saw that Anna's natural liveliness had disappeared somewhere. Only a momentary look from under his eyelashes reminded him of the former Anna, that deep look concealed something, and Vronsky was happy.

Her son met her at home. But now even Seryozha seemed to Anna not as good as she thought. She realized that she would have to get used to the new reality. She returned to her duties as a mother and wife, to her usual life among society acquaintances, to daily troubles, and what had flared up in her then in the carriage faded somewhat.

Vronsky returns to his usual bachelor life, makes visits to be wherever Anna is.

PART TWO

After the events, Kitty fell ill. Spring was coming, and she was getting worse, and none of the doctors could help. The only thing that was advised was a trip abroad to the waters. Her mother, feeling guilty, was ready to do everything possible so that her daughter was healthy and cheerful again. We decided to go abroad. Dolly was preoccupied with family problems: just getting up after another birth, taking care of one of her eldest daughters, who, she feared, had contracted scarlet fever. Dolly's relationship with her husband never improved. He, as always, was not at home, as well as money. And then her beloved sister leaves. Left alone, Dolly and Kitty talk about love and betrayal. The older sister tries to comfort Kitty, however, and reproaches her for the fact that Dolly continues to live with her husband, who betrayed her. This causes Dolly even more pain, because she did not hope for such cruelty from her sister. But soon she saw that Kitty herself was weeping after these words, and realizing her sister's condition, she forgave her everything. Kitty says that now she sees only the bad in everything and does not trust anyone, she is only good with children, so she asks her sister for permission to take care of her children with her. Dolly happily agrees. Together, the sisters nurse all six of Dolly's children, but Kitty's own health has not improved. The Shcherbatskys went abroad for Great Lent.

Meanwhile, Anna, while in St. Petersburg, communicates with different people. Although the refined society of the capital was a rather tight circle, there were peculiar groups in it. Anna had her own relations with each: the first, official, consisted of her husband's comrades and employees, smart and prudent people; the second - it was the circle of Countess Lidia Ivanovna, a circle of old, ugly chaste women and smart ambitious men, it was this circle that was called "the conscience of St. Petersburg society." The third was the circle of Princess Betsy Tverskaya, Anna was a relative - the wife of a cousin - it was a world of points, luxurious toilets, cheerful dinners. It was this circle that Anna had previously avoided, because it required additional expenses that exceeded her capabilities, and besides, the first of the circles was more to her liking. But after arriving from Moscow, Anna Karenina began to avoid her highly moral friends, trying to spend time with Betsy. Vronsky went everywhere where Anna had been. She did not give him any hope, however, meeting him, she became lively, cheerful, and something new shone in her eyes. Meetings with Vronsky more and more captured her.

One day, late for the start of the performance, Vronsky went into his cousin Betsy's box and explained why he had been late. It turns out that he was instructed to settle the case of two officers who, on the way, met a beautiful woman in the carriage in front and, following where she entered, already tipsy decided to write a passionate letter to her and hand it over personally. But her husband came out and threw them out. Now the husband demands from the regiment commander to severely punish the officers. And he entrusted this matter to Vronsky, so that they would apologize to the husband of that woman, and he forgave them.

After the opera, Princess Bets gave a reception. The conversation was at first not very lively, until they began to gossip. The Karenins were especially condemned, considering Karenin a fool. They said about Anna that after the trip to Moscow she changed a lot and brought with her the shadow of Vronsky. Meanwhile, Vronsky arrived, and then Anna. The conversation turned to marriage, love and passion. Betsy asks Anna for her opinion on this matter. Anna says that how many hearts, so many types of love. After that, she turns to Vronsky, informing him that she has received a letter from Moscow about Kitty's illness.

Secluded in the corner of the living room with Vronsky, she reproaches him for Kitty, and he once again confesses to her. It was his love for Anna that caused misbehavior with Kitty, he believes. At this time, Karenin arrives. Everyone looks with condemnation at Anna and Vronsky, who did not even interrupt their conversations. When Karenin left, Anna still stayed with Betsy. Vronsky realized that in fact she did not want him to return to Kitty. Saying goodbye to Anna, he realized that that evening he had approached Anna as never before.

When Anna returned home, she saw that the man was still awake, waiting for her. While at Betsy, he saw Anna with Vronsky, but did not attach any importance to this. But he saw that for others it was strange. Therefore, he decided to talk to his wife, although for a long time he could not decide what to say to her. Hearing his words, Anna seemed to put on the armor of deceit, pretending to be surprised. However, Alexey Alexandrovich knew his wife too well to believe that she was pretending. He saw that she understood well what he was hinting at, and her soul closed before him forever. Karenin felt like a person who returned home and saw that her house was closed and the keys were lost. Anna, in turn, realized that her feelings are indifferent to a man, he is only worried about the publicity about her behavior in a sophisticated society. When they went to bed, Anna was afraid that the conversation would continue, but soon she heard her husband's even breathing.

From that day on, a new life began for the Karenins: outwardly, nothing seemed to have changed, but there was no longer a spiritual connection between the spouses. Although Alexey Alexandrovich was powerful and influential in state affairs, he was powerless in family affairs. He could not find the right tone in communicating with Anna, although he felt that she could still be persuaded by kindness and tenderness. He spoke to her somewhat ironically, as always, and in such a tone it was impossible to say what was needed.

A year passed, and that which Vronsky was so eager for, which seemed to him an impossible happiness, happened: Anna now belonged to him. But she herself was not sweet: at night she was tormented by terrible dreams in which her position stood in distorted images - as if Vronsky, Karenin - both were her husbands.

Some time later, when Levin returned home after an unsuccessful explanation, he hoped that the pain would quickly pass, but after three months nothing had happened. And yet the work, the events of rural life and time did their job: the painful memories were gradually forgotten, and he waited only for the news of Kitty's marriage. So spring came, and Levin decided to forget everything and build his lonely life. Not everything turned out the way he wanted, but he worked a lot on the farm and hoped to overcome the age-old peasant unpretentiousness: he improved field crops, started new breeds of livestock, and was even going to write a book on agriculture, in which he took into account the peculiarities of the work of hired peasants.

One spring, Stepan Arkadyevich Oblonsky came to him. He was just in those places on business - he was going to sell the forest from his wife's estate, but he could not deny himself the pleasure of meeting with an old friend, going on a spring hunt. Levin was very glad to see him, but all the time he was waiting for news about Kitty, and Stiva kept silent about it. Finally, on the hunt, Levin asked about her himself. Oblonsky spoke about Kitty's illness and about the plans of the Shcherbatskys. Levin was ashamed to admit to himself that he was delighted with the news, because those who had hurt him were hurt themselves. However, remembering the cause of all events - Vronsky, he became gloomy and irritable. He almost quarreled with Oblonsky, reproaching him for selling the forest cheaply, leaving his children without an estate. Levin's mood deteriorates even more when he talks about the general decline of noble estates and the nobility's irresponsibility for the future. Oblonsky is alien to all these considerations, he considers himself an aristocrat, and therefore these penny calculations are beyond his level.

Vronsky was filled with passion for Anna, but outwardly nothing had changed in his life: he lived in the interests of the regiment, performed secular duties. Although he did not tell anything about his relationship with Anna, everyone had long guessed everything. Rumors about this also reached Vronsky's mother. At first, she condescendingly reacted to this hobby of her son: she liked Anna, besides, this novel in the eyes of the world only saw her son. And when she found out that he had turned down a job that was profitable for his career in order to stay in the regiment so that she could see Anna, she was indignant and demanded his immediate arrival in Moscow.

Vronsky, in addition to the affairs of the service and the higher world, had one more hobby: he loved horses. So, when the officer races were scheduled, he, having acquired a thoroughbred English mare, decided to take part in them. In the morning, after breakfast, he went to visit his mare Frou-Frou, who seemed to feel something and was nervous, and then he went to Anna's dacha. He hoped to talk to her alone, because he knew that at that time her husband would not be. Dear Vronsky remembered her son, who always interfered with him. The boy felt that he could in no way understand his mother's attitude towards this man, so time looked at him with an attentive, inquisitive look, and this look was unpleasant for Vronsky. When he got to Anna, he saw that she was very worried about something, and insisted that she tell him about the reason. Anna revealed to Vronsky that she was pregnant. He had previously insisted that she leave her husband, and now he began to insist on it altogether. Anna each time refused to do this, and Vronsky could not understand why she, who found it so difficult to lie, still tried to maintain these false relations and did not want to join her fate with him. Vronsky saw only the two of them - himself and Anna, and did not take into account her son. After all, she understood that she could not jeopardize the fate of her son, because, having left her husband, she would have lost the opportunity and right not only to raise her son, but also to see him. She wanted to inform Vronsky about the pregnancy, and she was afraid, because she understood that he would again demand fundamental changes in her life. Suddenly she heard the voice of her son returning from a walk, and said that she was quite happy. Then she kissed Vronsky and promised to come to the race.

Despite the fact that Vronsky, even while at Anna's, looked at his watch, he was too excited to realize that there was not enough time left before the race, and therefore he went to pay for the horses. Already on the way, he realized that he would barely be in time for his race and would inevitably miss the previous ones, that is, he would arrive with a significant delay, when everyone, even the royal court, had already gathered at the hippodrome. It would be a violation of etiquette and would lead to gossip. Therefore, Vronsky returned home when none of his comrades were already there. The footman reported that he had already been sent twice from the stables. Slowly and calmly, as always, Vronsky changed his clothes and arrived at the hippodrome just in time: the next race had just ended. But his lateness still attracted attention. Vronsky was approached by his brother Alexander and made a remark about his being late, since influential people noticed the absence of Vronsky, and also reproached him for the fact that he had recently been seen near the Karenins' dacha. Alexei Vronsky rarely got angry, but now he was really angry. The brother understood this and, wishing success, departed. Vronsky wanted to concentrate before the race, but he never succeeded: first he was stopped by Oblonsky, who arrived in St. Petersburg and wanted to see his friend, then some acquaintance, so that Vronsky did not even have time to inspect the saddle when the participants in the race were called .

As soon as they started, Vronsky rushed forward, but at first he was second. Then, after several hurdles, he took the lead and led the race. His Frou-Frou flew over obstacles like a bird, understood her rider well and obeyed him in everything. There was only one obstacle left - a ditch with water - and Frou-Frou easily overcame it, but the rider himself almost did not catch up with her movements and made a mistake - he got into the saddle earlier than necessary. Frou-Frou fell, Vronsky's awkward movement broke her back. He did not even immediately understand what exactly happened, and still pulled her, forcing her to stand up, but she only trembled like a fish, and looked with her beautiful eyes. Vronsky kicked her in the stomach in a rage and pulled again, but in vain. Clutching his head, he screamed. A doctor and officers of his regiment were already running towards him, who decided to shoot Frou-Frou. Vronsky could not speak to anyone and walked away from the hippodrome. For the first time in his life, he felt guilty and unhappy. One of his comrades caught up with him and led him home. After some time, Vronsky had already regained consciousness, but the memories of these races remained a painful memory of his life.

After a conversation with his wife about marital duties, Aleksey Alexandrovich Karenin outwardly changed little in his attitude towards her. He tried not to think about her feelings and behavior, and he succeeded. He did not want to see and did not see how they looked askance at his wife. But, even without and without requiring any evidence, he felt like a devoted husband, and therefore was unhappy. On the day when the races took place, he decided to go to his wife's dacha, because he made it a rule to visit her once a week for averting eyes, in order to at least outwardly maintain the appearance of well-being in the family. In addition, it was necessary to transfer money to the economy. From there, he had to go racing to where the royal court should be and where he needed to visit. Anna did not wait for Karenin and agreed to go with Betsy. She withstood the conversation with her husband with dignity, trying to speak naturally, but she felt that there were a lot of words, and they were spoken in a hurry. Strange feelings overwhelmed her. As she got into Betsy's carriage, having already said goodbye to Karenin, she suddenly remembered her husband's kiss and, feeling that place on her arm, trembled.

As soon as Alexei Alexandrovich arrived at the races, he looked for Anna and did not immediately see her among the ladies. However, she saw her husband from afar and had the opportunity to observe how he greeted his acquaintances: proudly with those who were waiting for his look, friendly with equals, and he himself was waiting for the powers that be to cast a glance at him. Anna was disgusted to see this. Betsy called out to Karenin, and he went up to his wife. At this time, Anna was waiting for Vronsky to leave and looked where the horsemen were lining up. The man was just talking to a familiar general, and for some reason his voice surprisingly annoyed her. Maybe because he was so calm, reasonable. Anna did not want to understand that behind this feigned calm Karenin was hiding his feelings, because Vronsky's name was all that was heard from all sides. When the race began, Anna stared fixedly at Vronsky, and Karenin read with horror on her face those feelings that he tried so hard not to think about. When Vronsky fell, Anna could not restrain herself: she fluttered like a bird, and did not understand what was being said to her until the news was brought that Vronsky was alive. Then she covered her face and burst into tears. Karenin could not allow this scene to be seen, and covered it with himself, giving her time to recover. For the third time, he invited Anna to go from the hippodrome and refused Princess Betsy when she offered to take Anna home. In the carriage, he noticed that her behavior during the fall of one of the riders looked too scandalous. He kept waiting for his wife to begin to refute his suspicions, but the expression on her face did not promise him even the desired deception. Moreover, Anna said that she loved Vronsky, that she was his mistress, and also that she was afraid and hated her husband. Karenin turned pale and sat motionless all the way to the house; but as they approached, he turned to Anna with a demand to behave with dignity, while he found means to save his honor. He himself behaved outwardly calmly: he got out of the carriage, gave his hand to his wife and shook her goodbye, because there were servants around. Soon Anna received a note from Betsy, who informed her that Vronsky was healthy, but in despair. Anna calmed down a bit. Her mood improved: she remembered her conversation with her husband and thought with relief that the relationship was broken. In addition, the news of Betsy promised that the meeting intended by Vronsky would take place.

Shcherbatsky finally drove off to the waters to a small German town. For several days they lived together with their daughter and wife, and then the father went to Carlsbad. Kitty was bored in the refined company that had gathered at that time in a fashionable resort. Her mother made every effort to entertain her daughter: they introduced her to a German princess, an English lady, but their social circle was still limited mainly to Russian families. Particular attention was drawn to one Russian girl Varenka, who arrived with a Russian lady - Madame Stahl. This girl helped the seriously ill and everyone who needed it. Watching her, Kitty came to the conclusion that Varenka was not a relative of Madame Stahl, but she was not an employee either. Kitty felt a kind of strange sympathy for this girl and saw that she liked it too. Later she realized that she was being deceived in her, although she did not understand where this feeling came from, and Kitty became sad. This mood was further intensified when a strange couple arrived on the waters: a tall, thin, hunched man and a young, pock-marked woman, dressed badly and tastelessly.

Kitty was already drawing in her mind a beautiful, sad romance when the princess found out that they were Nikolai, Konstantin Levin's brother, and his cohabitant Maria Nikolaevna. The mention of Levin made Kitty relive what happened to her, so Nikolai disgusted her. The story of Madame Stahl, who, as it turned out, lost her newborn child during childbirth, and relatives, afraid for her health, replaced the child with the daughter of a cook who was born at the same time. It was Varenka, whom Madame Stahl did not abandon even when she found out the whole truth. Here, on the waters, they both preached a religion of self-sacrifice and service, which at first captured Kitty as well. However, after the story with the artist Petrov, who began to fall in love with Kitty, who nursed him, and his jealous wife, this passion for serving people and the religion of self-sacrifice ceased. When Prince Shcherbatsky returned some time later, he saw his daughter in a much better condition, but he did not approve of her religious hobbies. After all, he knew Madame Stahl even before she was in a wheelchair: evil tongues kept saying that he had too short legs, which distorted her physique, which is why she did not get out of the wheelchair. Kitty argues, feverishly proving that she is indeed a kind woman. Prince Shcherbatsky remarked to this that it would be much better to do good in such a way that no one knew about it. After that, the father invites guests for coffee and subdues everyone with his cheerfulness, cheerful disposition. That was the first time Kitty heard Varenka laughing. Saying goodbye after an unpleasant conversation and reconciliation with her, Kitty took her word that she would come to her in Russia. Varenka jokingly promised to come when Kitty got married, to which she, in turn, promised to marry specially for this.

The hopes of the doctors were justified: Kitty recovered, although she was no longer as cheerful as before. The Moscow events began to seem to her now something far away.

PART THREE

Alexey Aleksandrovich Karenin, having delivered a speech to the commission on the state of foreigners, was a great success. He even forgot that he had appointed Anna to arrive on Tuesday, and was unpleasantly surprised when she entered the office. Out of habit, he wanted to get up, but he did not get up and blushed, which Anna had never seen. She admitted her guilt and added that she could not change anything. Karenin does not want to hear anything and hopes that everything can be changed, because if Anna breaks off relations with Vronsky, he is ready to ignore her act.

Levin's thoughts about working life led to disappointment in his present life, all the more so since Kitty was not far away, and he wanted and could see her, because he was invited. Once Darya Alexandrovna sent a note asking to bring a saddle for Kitty, but he handed over the saddle and did not go himself, because it seemed to him that after her refusal he would not be able to look at her without reproach, and she would simply hate him for it. On the second day, having entrusted the affairs to the manager, he went hunting to his friend Svyazhsky. On the way, stopping to feed the horses of a wealthy peasant, he listened with delight to his story about the economy and felt that he was discovering something new for himself. Sviyazhsky headed the county nobility, was married, and his wife's sister, who liked Levin, lived in his house. Moreover, the relatives wanted to marry her to him, but for Levin this was completely impossible. These circumstances somewhat spoiled the pleasure of staying at a party. But Svyazhsky himself evoked sincere respect for his deep knowledge in various fields, and Levin's sincere surprise, because his judgments were in no way connected with life. For example, with contempt for the nobility, believing that many of them yearn for the days of serfdom, he served honestly, heading the nobility of his county. Levin tried to understand Sviyazhsky, but he hid his soul. Disillusioned with the household, Levin wanted to see a happy Svyazhsky. He also hoped to meet with the landowners at a friend's, to talk and hear about the economy, about hired workers, and about everything else that had so worried him lately.

The hunt turned out to be not very successful, but Levin's hope for interesting conversations came true. At dinner in Sviyazhsky there were several neighbors who were discussing topics of interest to Levin. In these conversations, he heard the echo of his reasoning about the peculiarities of the Russian peasant, about the need for new forms of management. Left alone in the room that had been assigned to him for the night, Levin could not sleep for a long time, he again and again recalled everything that had been said between the landowners, mentally arguing with them. Thus, from the impressions of that day and long disputes with himself, Levin's new idea was born: the hired workers must be interested in the success of the entire economy; Levin did not yet know how to do this, but he felt that it was possible.

Although Levin intended to stay for a few days, on the second day he went home to start putting his idea into practice. But it turned out to be very difficult to fulfill what he planned. Firstly, there was a lot of ongoing work that could not be postponed and which prevented the peasants from considering the advantages of the new management, and secondly, the peasants treated the master with age-old distrust, did not believe that he could want something other than to force them to do more for less. However, Levin's perseverance paid off: one peasant took a share in the gardens, the second picked up an artel to participate in the barnyard. And although, as before, Levin had to overcome the eternal ideas of the peasants about the economy and eradicate the main principle of the Russian peasant "as God wills", it still seemed to him that in practice his work was moving forward.

The summer has passed in these worries. He learned that the Oblonskys had gone to Moscow with Kitty, he was ashamed of his impoliteness, which, in his opinion, broke off all relations with them. Levin read a lot, but found nothing in the books about the business he had in mind. But he knew what he wanted: to prove theoretically and in practice that the Russian people differ from others in that they were historically called upon to populate and cultivate vast virgin expanses, that the methods of the Work are connected with this historical feature, and that these methods are not so bad, how they are used to thinking. In order to substantiate his work theoretically, Levin decided to go abroad and study on the spot everything that had been done in this direction. He was waiting for the wheat to be sold so he could get the money and leave. But the rains began and the work stopped.

On the first day, when the weather became fine, Levin went himself to see the farm and prepare for departure. Conversations with the peasants confirmed him even more in his intention not to deviate from his goal, it seemed to him that they were beginning to understand him. In the evening he sat down to write the introduction to his book, but suddenly remembered Kitty. He became sad. Suddenly he was glad to hear that someone was driving up to the house. Levin hoped to get on well with the unexpected guest, but brother Nikolai arrived. In such a mood as Levin was, it was even more painful for him to communicate with his brother, who was sick in the last stage of consumption. But when he saw him, Levin felt regret, it was obvious that his brother did not have long to live, Nikolai had changed a lot and seemed meek and submissive, he could not believe in a quick end and kept talking about improving his condition. Levin pretended to believe, and was glad when his brother turned the conversation to his, Konstantin's, affairs. There was no need to deceive here, and Levin told about his plans, but it was clear that his brother was not interested in this.

At night, Levin became frightened and offended by the realization that all aspirations and aspirations were interrupted by death. On the second day, Nikolai's mood changed, he again became irritable and picky, criticized everything that Konstantin had planned, called it utopian communism. No matter how insulting Konstantin was to hear this, he felt his old doubts in his brother's words and became even more angry. The brothers quarreled, Nikolai decided to go away. Konstantin asked for forgiveness, but could not persuade his brother to stay. Already leaving, Nikolai sincerely kissed his brother, as if saying goodbye forever. Three days later, Konstantin Levin went abroad, it seemed to him that he would soon die, and therefore he wanted to stay in life at least by his own business.

PART FOUR

The Karenins continued to live together, but they were already completely strangers to each other. Although Vronsky had not been to their house, Alexei Alexandrovich knew that his wife was meeting with her lover. These relationships tormented all three, and each hoped that soon everything would somehow be resolved: Karenin believed that Anna's passion would pass, Anna was sure that everything would end very soon, she did not know what exactly would put an end to this situation, but her conviction conquered Vronsky too.

In winter, he was assigned for a week to a foreign prince to show all the glory of Russian life and St. Petersburg. It was even difficult for Vronsky to systematize all the amusements that various persons offered the prince: trotters, and pancakes, and bear hunting, and gypsies ... Despite the fact that such communication was not new for Vronsky, this week seemed very difficult to him. For the first time, he seemed to see himself from the side, and what he saw he did not like: he was very self-confident, very healthy, very neat, very bad person. After taking the prince out for fun, after a sleepless night and a bear hunt, Vronsky returned home, where a note from Anna was waiting for him, in which she announced that she was ill, that her husband would not be at home in the evening, and asked Vronsky to come. There was still time before the appointment, Vronsky lay down and fell asleep. All the impressions of the last days were strangely intertwined in a dream with memories of Anna. He woke up in horror and remembered that the biggest impression in his dream was made by a dirty, small peasant, who was on the hunt, who for some reason spoke French. Even now, for some reason, the peasant's recollections of this made Vronsky shudder.

He looked at his watch and saw that he was late for Anna's appointment. As he drove up to Anna's house, he ran into Karenin at the very door. This meeting painfully wounded Vronsky's vanity, he felt like a swindler. His feelings for Anna have recently undergone significant changes, the ambitious plans born under the influence of a meeting with Serpukhovsky again retreated before love, but Vronsky felt that the best pages of their novel had already been read, at the same time he knew that he could not leave her. . Through her pregnancy, Anna could no longer be in the world, she suffered from her husband's attitude towards her, from jealousy, when she could not see Vronsky, she was afraid of childbirth. And this time, Anna began to reproach him for continuing to lead his usual secular life, complaining about her husband that he did not understand her condition and did not feel what suffering she was experiencing. Then Anna told her strange dream: as if she had entered the room, and there in the corner a little dirty peasant was bending over a bag and saying something in French, she asked what this dream was for, and received the answer that she was destined to die during childbirth. Vronsky tried to calm her down, but he himself felt agitated.

After meeting with Vronsky on the threshold of his house, Alexei Alexandrovich Karenin went to the opera, spent the appointed time there and returned home. He could not sleep and spent the whole night in his office. Finally, he decided that he was forced to fulfill his threat - to get a divorce and take his son. In the morning Karenin silently entered his wife's room with a terrible face, silently went up to her table and opened it. Anna, amazed by this behavior, asked him what he wanted. Karenin replied that he needed Vronsky's letters. Anna tried to close the table, but the man roughly pushed her away. Then, looking angrily at his wife, he said that she did not keep the conditions that he put forward, and now he has the right to file for divorce and take his son. Anna asked to leave her son at least until her birth, but Karenin silently left her room.

The visit to the lawyer once again proved to Karenin that in the event of a divorce, shame awaits him, that the form of divorce on which he insists will involve many witnesses in this matter. The service affairs of Alexei Alexandrovich were also not in the best condition. The commission accepted his proposals regarding foreigners and irrigation of the Zaraysk province, but his opponent chose a cunning tactic. He supported everything that Karenin proposed, and even added his own measures in this direction, which brought everything to the point of absurdity. When the absurdity of the measures taken became clear to everyone, the opponent stepped aside, recalling that the main idea of ​​these measures belonged to Karenin. So his positions became unsteady, and the neglect of the world towards a devoted husband was also attached. And Alexey Alexandrovich made an important decision - to go to distant provinces and sort things out on the spot himself. Before a long journey, he stopped in Moscow for three days. Karenin did not want to see anyone, but Steve Oblonsky accidentally saw him and invited him to dinner. Karenin referred to urgent matters, but Stepan Arkadyevich insisted.

The next day after this meeting, Oblonsky in the morning drove to the theater to see a young dancer, then went to pick fish and asparagus for a dinner party, and then to a hotel where he needed to see three people: Levin, who had just returned from abroad, his new boss and Karenin. Stiva liked to give dinners, where everything was exquisite: food, wine, and guests. He really liked the dinner program he was supposed to give. The dishes are simple and excellent, and the guests: Kitty and Levin, Sergei Ivanovich Koznishev and Aleksey Alexandrovich Karenin, who represented the Moscow and St. Petersburg intelligentsia, there must also be an enthusiast Pєstsov who will not let anyone get bored, etc. Stiva noticed that Karenin had treated him very coldly the day before, and guessed that the rumors about Anna and Vronsky were probably not without foundation, that the Karenins were not doing well. But this trouble could not overshadow the excellent mood of Stevie, and he hoped that everything would somehow work out.

Stepan Arkadyevich went to Levin's for a minute, and sat there for an hour, then had breakfast with the new boss, and only at the fourth did he meet Karenin. Alexei Alexandrovich had just sealed the envelope with the letter to the lawyer in the divorce case when Oblonsky arrived. Karenin decided to announce his intentions regarding his wife and put an end to this burdensome family relationship. But Karenin did not know Stiva. The news of the divorce shocked him, but he so sincerely sympathized with Karenin, so sincerely defended his sister and so persistently persuaded her to come to dinner and talk to Dolly, that even Karenin could not resist and gave his word to be. When Oblonsky returned home, some of the guests had already gathered and there was a rather cool atmosphere in the living room, because Dolly could not unite such different people. Stepan Arkadyevich introduced everyone in a few minutes, threw a topic for conversation between Karenin and Koznishev, and the living room became like anywhere else where an elegant society gathered. Levin arrived later than everyone else; he was both afraid and wanted to see Kitty. When he found out that she was here, everything else ceased to interest him. Kitty, too, was looking forward to meeting Levin; she almost burst into tears when she saw him, but she regained control of herself. The girl turned to Levin with a question that did not have any double meaning and concerned a bear hunt, but in her words Levin heard both a request for forgiveness, and trust in him, and hope, and love, in which he could not help but believe. The dinner turned out wonderful, interesting conversations were not interrupted. They talked about the fate of peoples, and about emancipation, about the inequality of the rights of women and men in marriage. One of the guests began a conversation about adultery. Oblonsky, feeling the inappropriateness of this topic in the presence of Karenin, tried to divert attention from this issue, but Alexei Alexandrovich seemed to feel nothing. Dolly decided to talk to Karenin, she did not believe that Anna had neglected marital duties, but the suffering on the face of Alexei Alexandrovich told her more than words, Dolly begs him not to demand a divorce, because this will destroy Anna, she will not be able to accept a new marriage while she is alive her husband; Dolly understands that then the whole world, the whole refined society will turn away from Anna. She reminds Karenin of the possibility of Christian forgiveness, of love for those who hate. Karenin says that one can love those who hate, but it is impossible to love one whom one hates.

Previously, Levin would have gladly expressed his opinions on the questions that were being discussed, but now he saw and heard only Kitty and perceived everything the way she did. There was such a mutual understanding between them that there was almost no need to utter words. Kitty was sitting at the card table, chairing the chalk on it. Looking at her, Levin suddenly realized that he couldn’t live a day without Kitty, he took the chalk from her and wrote the first letters of the words question, what worried him: when you answered me that this couldn’t be, did that mean that it wasn’t maybe never, or then? There seemed to be no hope that she would read this complicated phrase, but Levin looked at Kitty as if his life depended on her understanding what was written. And Kitty understood. Also, only with the first letters she answered him and asked him to forgive and forget everything that was said then. They agreed that tomorrow he would come to ask for her hand. Levine calculated that “the appointed time, when he would see Kitty again and unite with her forever, was fourteen hours away. He could not be alone, he had to talk to someone to forget about the time. First, Levin went with his brother to a meeting of some commission, then went on a visit to Sviyazhsky, who came to Moscow with his wife for the winter. All the people of that evening seemed surprisingly kind to him, he did not even notice how strangely Svyazhsky's wife and her sister, who were exhausted by his visit, were looking at him.

Levin did not sleep all night, twice came to the Shcherbatskys' house, at seven in the morning and at ten, although he knew that he could not come before twelve. Kitty did not sleep that night either, she waited for him and wanted to be the first to inform him and her happiness, and her parents were happy from her happiness. She shyly thought what to say to him, but when she heard that he had come, she ran out to meet him, without hesitation, trustingly put her hands on his shoulders and kissed him. The princess transferred her feelings to practical matters: to bless and announce the marriage, to prepare the dowry for the wedding. At first Levin was painfully struck by this practicality, but he looked at Kitty, who did not find anything surprising in her mother's words, and realized that nothing could overshadow his happiness, therefore, probably, it was necessary to do so, and submitted to the necessary and happy wedding chores. The only difficult event of that time for Levin was the revelation of his unadorned soul to Kitty. Levin adored Kitty, had her as the model of all virtues, and therefore he considered it necessary to tell what tormented him so much: his unbelief and his lack of innocence. With the prince's permission, he gave Kitty his diary to read. Levin's disbelief excited her a little, because she knew his soul, and if this state is called disbelief, then she is indifferent. But his second confession made Kitty weep for a long time. And she forgave him, which made Levin appreciate his happiness even more.

Returning to his lonely hotel room, Karenin sadly remembered Darya Alexandrovna's words about Christian forgiveness. He knew that this was not at all suitable in his case, and decided not to think about his wife anymore, but to concentrate on official business. They brought him two telegrams. The first caused outrage, because it was announced that his rival had received the place that Karenin himself had intended. This indignation was not caused by the fact that he was bypassed - he was offended because no one wanted to see the insignificance of his rival. With a feeling of annoyance, he opened the second telegram, so he did not immediately understand its content. This telegram was from Anna. She asked to come and forgive her before her death. At first, Karenin thought it was a hoax she resorted to to avoid a divorce. But then, remembering her pregnancy, I thought that, perhaps, in a moment of suffering, anticipating a possible death, she really repents of her deed. Alexey Alexandrovich decided to go to St. Petersburg and see with his own eyes what was happening: if the wife is healthy, then leave her with calm contempt, if she really dies, observe the rules of decency. He was ashamed to admit that he wanted her dead. The house was in disarray, Karenin sensed it at once. He was told that Anna had given birth, but her condition was very serious. In Anna's study he saw Vronsky sitting with his face in his hands and crying. Seeing Anna's husband, he jumped up, then, shocked, sat down and got up again, began to say that Anna was dying, that the doctors did not give any hope. Without listening to the end, Karenin went into his wife's bedroom. Anna not only did not look sick now, but was in a great mood. She spoke loudly and distinctly, but her conversation was more like delirium. She talked about her husband, how wonderful, worthy he was, how he would forgive her. Anna did not hear how they told her that a man had arrived, that he was here, next to her. She herself saw him from her delirium and recoiled as if from a blow, but said that she was not afraid of him, but of death. Anna asks to forgive her everything and to lend a hand to Vronsky. Karenin experienced a spiritual shock when he saw Anna's suffering. The Christian law, which he wanted to follow all his life, required him to forgive, but now he did not think about the law. True love for his enemies and sincere forgiveness were born in his heart. He offered his hand to Vronsky and did not hold back the tears that flooded his face. Anna again lost consciousness and forgot herself in a fever.

For three days Anna struggled with death, the end was expected at every moment. At midnight, she lost consciousness, her pulse almost did not fight. Vronsky went home for the night, and in the morning he returned to find out what condition Anna was in. Alexey Alexandrovitch met him in the hallway and led him into his office, in case she wanted to see him. When the fourth era began, the doctors said that there was hope. On that day Alexei Alexandrovich went into his wife's study, where Vronsky was sitting, and asked to hear him out. He spoke about the feelings that owned his soul before returning to St. Petersburg, about the divorce, which he almost began, about the fact that he wished for Annie's death. But now he prays to God that he does not take away his sincere forgiveness, now he sees his duty in being close to Anna. Karenin told Vronsky that he would not rebuke him, and even if the whole world laughed at his devoted husband, he would not leave Anna. Vronsky did not understand Alexey Alexandrovitch's feelings, but felt that this was something unattainable in his present outlook.

When he left the Karenins, Vronsky could not figure out where to go. He felt that he had never loved Anna as he did now, and that he had lost her forever. He did not sleep for three nights and, returning home, tried to sleep. But sleep did not come, again and again Alexei Vronsky remembered everything that Karenin had said, and shame choked him. Vronsky opened the window, because there was nothing to breathe, and suddenly he realized that there were only two ways out in his state: to go crazy or shoot himself with shame. He closed the door, took the revolver, stood for several minutes, again remembering his humiliation, and fired. He fell and realized that he missed the heart, reached for the revolver, but did not get it and lost consciousness. His servant was so frightened that he left Vronsky to bleed and ran for help, and only an hour later the doctors and brother Varya's wife came, who remained to look after him.

Already two months after the return of Alexei Alexandrovich from Moscow, he felt that new shocks awaited him, which would not allow him to be in a state of spiritual joy, love and compassion. His present position seemed perfectly natural to him, but he felt the brute force that guided his life and did not want to put up with his peace of mind. He felt that the relationship with Anna would cause him new pain in the first place. She was still sick, but she was not in danger of death, now she was afraid of her husband: the greatness of his soul emphasized the depth of her fall. Alexey Alexandrovich unexpectedly treated his wife's little daughter, who was also named Anna, with special tenderness. At first, when Anna was too sick, he followed the girl, because there was no one else, and if not for him, the girl would probably have died. But then he truly fell in love with her. At the end of February, the girl fell ill. Alexey Alexandrovich ordered a doctor to be called and returned home from his ministry. First of all, he went to the children's rooms, because he heard that the girl could not calm down, although the doctors said that there was nothing to worry about. With the governess and mother, Karenin discusses the causes of the girl’s illness, makes sure that the nursing mother has enough milk for the girl. When the girl finally fell asleep, he remained near her bed and, admiring her, smiled.

At this time, Anna is with Princess Betsy, who came to arrange a meeting between Anna and Vronsky before his departure after his recovery in Tashkent. Karenin heard a conversation about this when he approached his wife's room, and her answer was that this meeting was impossible. This is exactly what Anna says in the presence of her husband. Karenin is grateful for her trust, but feels that Anna is doing it through force. Karenin went out to see off Betsy, who again asked him to let Vronsky come to Anna. He, according to his years of practiced habit of speaking politely, with dignity, corresponds to Betsy, that Anna herself will decide whom she will accept, but feels that the force that Betsy was now embodied does not recognize his right to dignity, does not understand him. He returned to Anna and saw that she was crying, although she was trying to control herself. She is in an irritating mood, because her feelings for Vronsky have not died, she was struck by the fact that he shot himself because of her. But Anna is again forced to give up personal happiness. Alexey Alexandrovich talks about the girl's illness, about the mother's lack of milk, but all this depresses Anna even more. It seems to her that the man reproaches her, she feels that she cannot overcome the feeling of physical disgust that he causes in her. Anna burst into tears. Karenin felt that it was necessary to change something in his relationship with his wife, that she and the world expected decisive action from him, but he could not understand what. From this feeling of calmness in his soul was destroyed, he felt how anger was born. He was even ready to agree to the resumption of relations between his wife and Vronsky, so as not to break the fate of the children, not to give Anna to the disgrace of his wife without marriage, not to lose what he loved so much. But Alexey Alexandrovich felt powerless and knew that he would be forced to do what they all considered necessary. Betsy, proceeding from the Karenins, ran into Oblonsky, who came to thank for the new rank and settle Anna's family affairs. Betsy says that Karenin is putting pressure on Anna, not realizing that she cannot play with her feelings, that it would be better if they parted. Oblonsky adopts this idea of ​​the world. He comes to his sister and sees her depressed state. Anna says that there are people who love for shortcomings, but she hates her husband for his virtues. Stiva starts talking about divorce as the only way to end a difficult relationship between spouses. Anna does not believe in such a possibility, so Oblonsky undertakes to talk to her husband.

Stepan Arkadyevich was rarely embarrassed, but when he entered Alexei Alexandrovich's office, he felt that he was ashamed in front of this man. He had just begun the conversation when Karenin went up to the table and took an unfinished letter in which he wrote in detail everything that Oblonsky was about to say. There was no reproach in the letter, only a request to tell what steps he should take so that Anna would be happy and calm. Oblonsky advises not to show the letter to Anna, because then she will not be able to say anything, once again feeling the greatness of his soul, she will only comprehend the depth of her fall. Oblonsky is sure that Karenin himself must decide whether to file for divorce or not. Alexei Alexandrovich resisted this in his soul as much as he could, taking care of the children, of Anna herself, but could not stand it and agreed.

Vronsky's wound was dangerous for several days, he was between life and death. But the first thing he said when he came to his senses was that the shot was accidental and he had no intention of killing himself. Vronsky himself felt that this act seemed to wash away shame and humiliation from him. After a while, he entered the rut of his usual life. Serpukhovsky came up with an appointment to Tashkent, and Vronsky agreed. Before leaving, he wanted to see Anna, but Betsy was unable to fulfill this diplomatic mission. On the second day, she also sent a message, received through Oblonsky, that Karenin had agreed to a divorce, so Vronsky could see Anna. Discarding all secular prejudices, he immediately rushed to Anna. She passionately responded to his feelings. Anna said that she would not accept the generous divorce that her husband gave her. Vronsky was struck that it was now that she could think of a divorce, of a son. Suddenly Anna burst into tears, wishing she had died.

A month later, Karenin was left alone with his son. Vronsky refused to be appointed to Tashkent and retired. Anna refused a divorce that was shameful for her husband and went abroad with Vronsky.

PART FIVE

Levina and Kitty were preparing for the wedding, which they decided to speed up in order to be in time before Lent. Princess Shcherbatska was annoyed at her future son-in-law because he could not give her a simple answer: would he agree to divide the dowry into two parts and receive a larger one after the wedding, because in such a short time she would not have time to cook everything. Levin, however, was still in such a state of elation that he could not think of anything material at all and did not understand what they were trying to achieve from him. He was even shocked at first by Kitty's mother's troubles about quite earthly things, but when he saw that his beloved perceives this as completely natural things, he calmed down, but still did not believe his happiness. After the wedding, Stepan Arkadyevich advised him to go abroad, and Levin was very surprised when Kitty decided to go to the country. Kitty knew that in the village Levin had a job he loved. And although Kitty herself did not understand this, she considered it very important. She knew that after marriage, their house would be where the business was waiting for him, and she wanted to go to where this house would be. Stepan Arkadyevich reminded Levin that before the wedding he had to prepare and confess, otherwise the wedding would be impossible. It seemed unbearable to Levin to deceive just now, when he felt so happy. But he endured this too. When, according to custom, the priest asked at confession whether he believed in God, Levin sincerely replied that he had the sin of doubt. The old priest did not convince him, but reminded him that in the marriage for which he was preparing, he would have children, and he should already think about what to answer their questions about the structure of the world, so as not to harm young souls. Levin felt an extraordinary relief when the fasting and confession ended, he was especially pleased that he did not deceive in church.

Adhering to all the rituals, Levin was forbidden to see Kitty on the wedding day before the wedding. He dined at home in the company of unmarried men who, according to custom, raised the young one. Everyone was sure that on this day the young man regrets the freedom that he is losing. But no matter how much Levin listened, he felt in himself only joy at the fact that Kitty would be his wife. When the guests left, he thought again about what they were saying, and felt fear and doubt, Kitty loves him. He decided to go to Kitty and ask again if she really agreed to this marriage, if it would not be a mistake, everything should not be stopped now. Kitty did not expect him and was greatly surprised by Levin's appearance. His doubt hurt her and she burst into tears. A few minutes later they reconciled, Kitty assured Levin of her love, and he, reassured, drove home.

The wedding was scheduled for the evening. All the guests had already gathered in the church, waiting for the young people, who for some reason were late. Surprise grew among the guests. For half an hour she had been waiting for the news of the arrival of the groom to the church and Kitty. But Levin could not be there. At this time, not yet dressed, he nervously walked around in his hotel room, and Stepan Arkadievich calmed him down. An absurd misfortune occurred: the servant was preparing to leave and sent all of Levin's clothes to the Shcherbatskys, leaving only the clothes intended for the wedding, but he forgot about the shirt. And now Levin had to wait for the shirt to arrive. Stepan Arkadyevich calmed down as best he could, sent to buy a new one, and in vain, because it was Sunday and all the shops were closed. Horror and despair seized Levin when he remembered what he had said in the morning and what Kitty might think of his being late. Finally a shirt was brought in, and after a few minutes Levin was running down the corridor. The wedding made a strange impression on Levin, at first he was very agitated and understood almost nothing, could not even take the bride’s hand correctly, but looked at Kitty, and he became cheerful and scared, as if for the first time he heard the words of the Holy Scriptures about marriage and was amazed by them. deep meaning. For Levin and Kitty, the wedding was a real sacrament, and when it ended, the young people felt that now they were united forever.

Vronsky and Anna traveled around Europe. For a while they decided to stay in a small Italian town. Anna felt happy, and this happiness was so great that she did not repent of anything.

Memories of her husband, parting with her son seemed to her a terrible dream, from which she woke up. She fell in love with Vronsky even more and saw in him only beautiful features, and when she looked for flaws, she could not find them. Vronsky, on the contrary, having received what he so desired, did not experience happiness. In the early days he enjoyed freedom, but over time he felt that he had nothing more to desire, and this lack of desire gave birth to boredom. He could not have fun, as usual in his paroboy state, because it hurt Anna painfully, he could not maintain secular relations through the uncertainty of their status. One day Vronsky met with Golenishchev, with whom he had once studied in the Corps of Pages. Golenishchev, unlike Vronsky, immediately abandoned his career, retired, tried to find another occupation. Now he is working on a new article about Byzantine culture and its influence on Russian. Vronsky himself went through a lot of activities out of boredom, now he tried to draw, having the ability for this from childhood, he even began to paint a portrait of Anna and also a picture on a historical theme, but he treated his painting as entertainment.

During the time that they traveled with Anna, Vronsky got used to assessing people through their attitude towards her. Golenishchev had long lived abroad and was glad to meet his compatriots, he treated Anna the same way as most well-mannered people, that is, he avoided hints and questions, pretended to understand and even approve of her actions. Once Vronsky received a Russian newspaper which told about the Russian artist Mikhailov, who now lived in the same town, was in poverty and had been working on one picture for a long time, selflessly giving himself up to his occupation. Vronsky asked Golenishchev if he had seen Mikhailov's painting. Golenishchev spoke long and tediously about the plot of the picture, said that the artist himself is a bright representative of new people, wild and uneducated, who have no authority, because they know nothing about them. Vronsky wanted to see the picture and order a portrait of Anna from the artist in order to support him financially. All three went to Mikhailov's workshop.

The unfinished picture did not impress Vronsky and Anna, just like the artist himself, who did not have refined secular manners. However, they really liked the small picture, which depicted the native Russian landscape and the boys on a fishing trip. Vronsky decided to buy this painting. Mikhailov immediately realized that this refined society had come to the studio for the sake of entertainment, and did not expect that they would be able to appreciate his art, but he rejoiced at every remark that proved that they at least understood something in the picture. He agreed to paint a portrait of Anna and was able to reveal in it all the originality of her beauty so that it seemed to Vronsky that he had always seen precisely this beauty, and for her he fell in love with Anna. Vronsky had an artistic taste and realized that his own painting lessons were useless.

Deprived even of painting, Anna and Vronsky began to get even more bored and decided to go to Russia, to the countryside.

It was already the third month of Levin's married life, and he was happy, although not at all in the way he had hoped. Before his marriage, it seemed to him that family life gives only the joys of love, that he will work as before, and for the happiness of his wife, it is enough just to love her. But this was not enough for Kitty, she wanted to feel like a real mistress of her new home. Levin was a little offended to see how the poetic Kitty was sincerely preoccupied with everyday trifles, but he loved her and thought that she was sweet, even when she gave senseless instructions to the old cook, was the hostess in the pantry, eliminating the old Agaf "yu Mikhailovna. It was so unlike his ideal of poetic happiness, but gave his young wife new attractiveness Levin did not expect that disputes would arise between him and his wife: they did not yet know each other well, did not know that each of them hurts, to which in a state of love reacted too strongly.It was only in the third month of life that they became a little calmer.

Once Levin sat down to work on his book, which he had not yet taken up after his marriage. This work of his now seemed to him important and useful. Kitty sat next to him, and he happily felt her presence. Suddenly he felt that Kitty was looking at him, and he took a break from work, then the mail arrived, and Kitty called him to read the letters. Levin reproached himself for not working enough, for indulging his wife, for not being able to spend more time on the farm. Mentally, he blamed Kitty, not realizing that soon a hard woman's work would fall on her shoulders: to be the mistress of the house, and to bear children, and to raise and educate them. Kitty had a presentiment of this, and therefore she hastened to enjoy the serene happiness of love. When Levin arrived, Kitty was reading a letter from Dolly, and an illiterate letter from Maria Nikolaevna, the former mistress of Nikolai's brother, was given to him. Levin blushed with shame when he received this letter. Maria Nikolaevna wrote that she was again living with his brother and that Nikolai would probably die soon. Levin decides to go to his brother. Kitty asks him to take her with him. It seems to Levin that Kitty will be superfluous there, that it is only her whim and unwillingness to remain alone in the village, that she does not belong next to Maria Nikolaevna. Kitty replied that she belonged where her husband was. They quarreled again, and Levin was forced to come to terms with Kitty's decision.

The hotel in the provincial town where Nikolai was dying lived up to the worst expectations of Konstantin Levin. When he brought his wife to a dirty room, the feeling of annoyance with her increased even more: instead of taking care of his brother, he would have to take care of Kitty. Maria Nikolaevna was waiting for him at the door. Overhearing her husband's conversation with her, Kitty looked out into the corridor, which made Levin blush with shame. He hurried to his brother. How Levin did not prepare for the terrible sight, but what he saw was more terrible than any terrible picture that arose in his imagination. He barely recognized his brother in the half-dead body, and the stench and dirt in the room caused disgust. Konstantin said that he had arrived with his wife, and with relief he left the room, as if after Kitty. But he told his wife that it was better for her not to see her brother. She begged to be allowed to go to Nikolai, assuring that she could come in handy. Levin was afraid to think about what was happening to his brother, he was afraid of death and believed that nothing could be done. Kitty, seeing the state of Nikolai, began a storm of activity. She knew what to do, because she saw such patients when she was on the waters. When Levin returned with the doctor, he did not recognize Nikolai's room: by order and with Kitty's participation, everything had been washed, his brother was lying on clean pillows, in a clean shirt, calling Levin's wife Katya and saying that if she had looked after him, he would have long ago recovered. Kitty understood Nikolai and his desire better than anyone, because she completely forgot about herself, and thought only about how else she could help him. She invited the priest, Nikolai was taking the unction, after which he seemed to feel better. Levin told Kitty that he was very grateful to her for coming with him.

On the second day, Nikolai felt worse, he pestered everyone with the irritable whims of a hopelessly ill person who envies the healthy. He suffered terribly, and everyone who saw his suffering also suffered, they wanted everything to end soon. Even Levin no longer feared death, but waited for it. On the tenth day after arriving in the city, Kitty fell ill. When she already had the strength to come to the patient and said that she was unwell, he smiled contemptuously. Nikolai died the same night. A feeling of horror before the unwellness of death seized Levin, but the fact that Kitty was near gave rise to an irresistible desire to live, to love. She saved him from hopelessness and despair. And before Levin had time to think properly about the mystery of death, the mystery of life appeared before him: Kitty was pregnant.

Ever since Aleksey Aleksandrovich Karenin understood from his conversation with Betsy and Stepan Arkadyevich's explanations that they only demanded of him to leave Anna alone and not to disturb her with her presence, because that was what she herself wanted, he felt confused and did not understand that should do. For the first time he gave himself into the hands of those who dealt with his affairs, and did not deny anything. It was only when Anna had left his house and the Englishwoman sent to ask if she could now dine at the same table with him that he came to his senses and realized his position for the first time. He was so amazed that he could not connect and reconcile his past and present, he could not reconcile his recent forgiveness and tenderness, his love for his sick wife and someone else's child with what they had now done to him: he found himself alone, dishonored, ridiculed, nobody needs in the midst of the contempt of strangers.

For several days he maintained a calm and even indifferent appearance, was engaged in receiving visitors, the manager of affairs, went to the committee, but he felt that everyone treated him with contempt precisely because of the misfortune that befell him. There was not a single person to whom he could tell what was in his heart, for he did not have a single friend. He could not stand this burden of lonely pain, could no longer see people. Once, when Alexei Alexandrovich was in a particularly depressed mood and ordered that no one be received, Countess Lidia Ivanovna entered his office. She admired the new religious trend that had gained popularity in the upper world and to which Alexei Alexandrovich was very reserved. Now the Countess has come to console Karenin, and her words, full of mystical content about a higher will that guides the actions of people, found a response in Karenin's soul. Lidia Ivanovna decided to help him manage the house, raise his son. She immediately got down to business: she went to Seryozha and said that his father was a saint, and his mother had died.

As a young girl, Lydia Ivanovna was given in marriage to a rich, noble, kind and dissolute husband, but two months after the marriage he left her, although no one knew why they never divorced officially.

Since that time, the couple lived separately from each other. Court and secular concerns did not prevent Lidia Ivanovna from being in love with someone all the time, but only now, when she began to study Karenin, she realized that those loves were not real. She maintained her role as a sympathetic friend, but she wanted to please him, more than once Lidia Ivanovna mentally wished that she was not married, and Anna died. She began to dress more elegantly to please him. This love was noticed in the world, they did not talk about it, but they treated the friendship of the countess with Karenin ironically. Lidia Ivanovna knew that Vronsky and Anna had arrived in Petersburg, and she was not very surprised when she received a letter from Anna, in which she asked her to help her meet her son. Lidia Ivanovna felt that the time had come for her to take revenge on Anna for her female misfortune. She sent a messenger that came with a letter, without any answer, and she herself wrote a note to Karenin, in which she hinted at an important matter for him, and asked him to come for tea. On this day, Karenin received another order and was in a better mood than usual. It seemed to him now that, freed from the duties of family life, he would be able to work and be useful to society, the new order seemed to confirm such reasoning. But Alexey Alexandrovich did not notice that his service career had already ended, no one else listened to his opinion, and when he offered something new, it seemed to everyone that this was exactly what should not be done. Lidia Ivanovna drove over it when Karenin was greeted on the occasion of the award. Neither he nor she paid any attention to the mocking glances that were thrown at them. Lidia Ivanovna took Karenin to her place, told him that Anna was in Petersburg, and showed him a letter from Anna to her. Alexey Alexandrovich again felt pain, but he immediately recognized Anna's right to see her son. Lidia Ivanovna - on the contrary - was convinced that this could not be done, and convinced him. She wrote Anna a letter informing her that this meeting was impossible.

Returning home and remembering his wife, who was always guilty before him and before whom he was a saint, as Lidia Ivanovna claimed, Alexei Alexandrovich felt remorse. He remembered how he, already an elderly man, not experiencing any special feelings for Anna, wooed her, how he behaved after her declaration of love for Vronsky, and he became ashamed. He convinced himself that he did not live for a short earthly life, in which he made minor mistakes, but for the eternal, that he had peace and tranquility in his soul. And he forgot what he didn't want to remember.

Both the father and the teacher were dissatisfied with the way Seryozha studied. He was a bright boy, but did not want to learn what the teachers taught. Since he was told that his mother had died, he closed his soul from everyone, did not believe in the possibility of death at all, and least of all in the death of his mother. He was still a child and needed love, not the very demands that adults put forward. He looked for his mother on walks, it seemed to him that she was next to him when he fell asleep. On the eve of his birthday, he seemed to recognize the mother in one woman that he saw in the garden, but she suddenly disappeared among the alleys. In the evening, the boy prayed that tomorrow, on his birthday, she would stop hiding and come.

Returning to Petersburg, Vronsky and Anna settled in the best hotel, where they rented excellent rooms, but lived separately on different floors. Vronsky did not notice any difference in his attitude to the world, even his mother met him, as always, without mentioning Karenina in a word. For Anna, the world was closed. The wife of Vronsky's brother, who married Alexei after an attempt to kill herself and who greatly appreciated his friendship, refused to receive Anna, citing public opinion that her daughters were growing up and this visit would damage their reputation. This struck Vronsky painfully, as did the unexpected change in Anna's mood after her arrival in Petersburg. It seemed that something was tormenting her, but not at all the attitude of the world towards her, which so poisoned Vronsky's life. Anna was now worried only about the meeting with her son, she felt that Vronsky would never be able to understand her suffering, for this she was afraid to hate him, so she did not say anything, but looked for ways to see and talk with her son. She decided that on her son's birthday, she would simply go to her husband's house and do everything to see her son, to break the wall of deceit with which they blocked him from her. Anna calculated to arrive so early that Karenin would not get up yet, and at least be alone with her son for a while.

The old porter was at first surprised by the early visit, because he did not recognize her, and when he recognized her, he himself rushed to show Serezha to the room, into which he was transferred after his mother had left. Anna entered the room when Seryozha had just woken up, and he did not immediately realize that he was not dreaming of her, but when he understood, he was overjoyed to the point of insanity. Anna recognized and did not recognize her son, he changed, but it was her Seryozha, she cried and laughed at the same time. In the meantime, there was a commotion in the house, all the servants already knew that the lady had arrived, and something had to be done so that Alexei Alexandrovich would not meet her, for the time for his visit to the children's room was approaching. The old mother, who came to congratulate her pet on his birthday, rushed to the nursery to warn Anna. However, she herself already felt that it was time to leave, but she could not get up, could not move, she had so much to say to her son, but the words did not come to mind. When the mother entered and quietly said something to Annie, her face changed, Seryozha read fear and shame on it, which he could not understand, but felt that asking him about it would cause her even more pain. He only bowed to his mother and whispered that his father would not come soon. Anna realized that Seryozha was tormented by how he should treat his father. She said that her father was better and kinder for her, that Seryozha would judge when she grew up. But the boy desperately grabbed her shoulders, trying not to let go, Anna got up when she heard Karenin's steps. Serezha fell on the bed and cried. Seeing Anna coming out of the door, Karenin stopped and lowered his head. She did not have time to get and give Serezha toys, which yesterday with such love and sadness she chose for him.

The meeting with her son struck Anna. Returning to the hotel, she could not understand for a long time why she was here. Anna felt completely alone, she did not want anything, she could not think of anything. They brought her little daughter, Anna spent a little time with her, but did not feel in her heart even a share of the love that she felt for her son. She gave the girl to the nurse and sat down to sort through the cards to Serezha. Among these cards was Vronsky's card. Just looking at her, Anna remembered him for the first time that day and sent to him to ask him to come. Mentally, Anna reproached him for leaving her alone with her suffering, forgetting that she herself had not said anything about a meeting with her son. Now she wanted to make sure of his love for her, she came up with words that would tell everything that was in her heart. But Vronsky said that he had guests, and asked if he could come to her with Prince Yashvin. It seemed to Anna that Vronsky was avoiding a meeting in private. She preened for a long time, how, having fallen out of love with her, he could fall in love again if she wears a dress that suits her especially.

When Anna went into the drawing-room, Vronsky was examining her son's cards, while Yashvin examined her carefully. Anna briskly talked with Yashvin and even invited him to dinner. Vronsky went about his business, and when he returned for dinner he did not find Anna at the hotel. This confused him, he felt that something was happening to Anna, but could not understand her behavior. Anna returned accompanied by her aunt, the old princess Oblonskaya, who had a bad reputation. Dinner was already served when Tushkevich appeared with a message from Betsy. She invited Anna to her place exactly at the time when no one would be there. Anna did not seem to notice this, but said that she would not be able to come at the appointed time. Tushkevich suggested that Anna get a box in the theater, where all the refined society gathered that day. Anna decided to go to the theatre, Vronsky tried to stop her, for the first time feeling annoyed that Anna did not seem to understand her position in society. He asked her not to go, hinting that this might hurt her, and that the company of Princess Oblonskaya would only emphasize her fall, but Vronsky could not speak frankly about this. Anna, with cheerful anger, declared that she did not regret anything and that the only thing that mattered to her was whether they loved each other. When Anna left, Vronsky mentally followed the same path as she did: he seemed to see how she took off her fur coat, how she entered the hall, how the withering glances turned to her. He felt embarrassed that he left her at such a moment, and it was insulting that she made him feel such feelings, so he also went to the theater.

Vronsky did not go into Anna's box, but watched her from a distance. He saw that something happened between Anna and the lady who occupied the next box, because she got up and walked away, and Anna pretended not to notice anything. Varya, his brother's wife, told Vronsky that the lady had said something offensive to Annie. Vronsky rushed to Anna, who noticed that he had missed the best aria and did not want to talk to him anymore. In the next act, Vronsky saw that Anna was not in the box. He rushed home and found her in despair. He felt sorry for her and hurt at the same time. He convinced her of his love, because he saw that only this could calm her down, although his words were so worn out that it was embarrassing even to pronounce them, but Anna calmed down from these words. The second day, reconciled, they went to the village.

PART SIX

Darya Alexandrovna came for the summer with her children before her sister Kitty Levina. Stepan Arkadyevich was glad of this, because the house on their estate had completely collapsed, while Oblonsky himself remained in Moscow, only occasionally coming to the village for a day or two. In addition to the Oblonskys, Kitty's mother, who could not leave her daughter in such a state, visited Leviny, ”Varenka, Kitty’s resort friend, who fulfilled her promise to come to married Kitty, Levin’s brother Sergey Ivanovich. Almost all the rooms in Levin's spacious house were occupied, and Kitty experienced a good deal of household chores. Levin was a little sorry for their evenings together, but he was happy to see how his wife liked it all, and endured it.

Once, when everyone was animatedly discussing where to go for mushrooms, Varenka was also gathering with the children, Sergei Ivanovich, Levin's brother, expressed a desire to go with them too. Dolly and Kitty exchanged a momentary glance: it seemed to them that Sergei Ivanovich was in love with Varenka and was going to confess today. After dinner, when the women remained on the terrace, they started talking about the possible marriage of Koznishev and Varenka, then they remembered how they were confessed. They remembered Vronsky, his wooing Kitty. Dolly said how happy it had been for Kitty that Anna had arrived, and how unhappy for Anna herself. The old princess called Anna a wretched woman because she could not forgive her for not marrying Vronsky.

Sergei Ivanovich really liked Varenka, he admired how she, surrounded by children, picked mushrooms. He noticed her joyful and excited smile. But he decided not to succumb to a momentary mood, but to think it over, and retired to the forest. Koznishev thought for a long time, recalled the feelings that he experienced in his early youth, and compared them with what he experienced now. After weighing everything, he decided to confess, because in this girl he saw all the qualities that he did not see in others: she was sweet, smart, not spoiled by the world, although she knew him well and knew how to stay among such people, but did not seek secular entertainment besides, it was obvious that she was inclined towards him, he saw it. True, he was somewhat put off by the opinion of his age, but he remembered how she said that in Europe men of about forty still consider themselves guys. He was already mentally repeating the words he wanted to tell her when he approached her and the children. The girl felt that this was a decisive moment, that it was not necessary now to talk about something that did not concern their relationship, but as if involuntarily she began to talk about mushrooms. He was offended. They were silent for several minutes and again felt that it was necessary to speak either now or never. Varenka's heart was pounding in her chest: to be the wife of such a man as Sergei Ivanovich, and even after her humiliated position in Madame Stahl, was a real happiness, besides, Varenka was convinced that she was in love with him. Sergei Ivanovich repeated to himself the words that he had thought up for confession, but unexpectedly for himself he also started talking about mushrooms. After these words, both he and she realized that there would be no recognition. Kitty, who had gone with Levin to meet the mushroom pickers, only after looking at the faces of Varenka and Sergei Ivanovich realized that her hope of a marriage between them would not come true.

That same evening they expected the arrival of Stepan Arkadyevich and Kitty's father, the old prince Shcherbatsky. But Stiva was brought with him by Vasilko Veslovsky, a distant relative of the Shcherbatskys, a secular young man who felt at home everywhere. Levin was offended that this strange and superfluous person had come. His mood worsened still more when he saw Veslovsky gallantly kissing Kitty's hand. All the guests seemed terribly unpleasant to him now. When he saw Oblonsky kissing his wife's hand, he thought of whom Stiva had kissed with those lips the day before, that Dolly did not believe in her husband's love, but rejoiced at his arrival. He did not like that Kitty's mother invited Vasilko Veslovsky as if to her own house; he was unpleasantly struck by how friendly Sergei Ivanovich greeted Oblonsky, whom he did not respect; But most of all, Kitty aroused in him a feeling of sorrow, who was carried away by the general mood of merriment.

Kitty saw that something had happened to her husband, but did not have the opportunity to speak to him alone, because he left society and went to the office. After supper it was even worse. Levin did not hear Veslovsky talking about his visit to Anna, who lived not far away, at Vronsky's estate, but he saw that Kitty was greatly agitated by this conversation, and through jealousy he explained this excitement in his own way. When Kitty and Levin went to bed, she again tried to talk to her husband, but he did not answer her questions. Kitty told what Veslovsky had said, and Levin felt ashamed and terrified that, through his jealousy, their happiness depended on everyone who just looked at her. Kitty and Levin reconciled, he even jokingly said that he would leave Veslovsky for the whole summer and be very kind to him.

In the morning almost all the men - Levin, Oblonsky and Veslovsky - went hunting. The first day was not very successful for Levin: as a hospitable host, he gave the best seats to the guests, while he himself shot little. When Veslovsky finally suggested that he go hunting, and he himself stayed with the horses, it got even worse: he drove into a swamp and the horses were barely pulled out. In general, there were many worries with Vasilko Veslovsky: either he drove the horses hard and could not carry one horse the second day, then he let Oblonsky go at night to listen to the singing of the village girls, and in the morning Levin could not wake up the restless guests and set off himself. When he returned, he did not find anything for breakfast, because Vasilko had a good appetite in the open air. But none of this irritated Levin; he was a hospitable host. However, when he returned home, he saw that Veslovsky was caring for Kitty, and she did not have the experience to prevent this. And Levin is again furiously jealous, again Kitty justifies herself to him, she cries, remembering how happy they were, as long as no one bothered them. Then Levin went to Dolly and asked if the courtship was real, or if it only seemed to him. Dolly, laughing, replied that there was a little, that even Stiva noticed it. Levin suddenly became cheerful and said that he would immediately throw this tramp out of his house. Dolly, horrified, asks not to do this, says that they can think of something to peacefully get rid of Veslovsky. And Levin does not listen, he simply goes to Vasilki and says that the horses are already harnessed and that it is time for the guest to go to the railway. Stepan Arkadyevich and the princess were indignant at Levin's act. He himself felt guilty, but when he remembered how much Kitty had suffered, he knew that he would do this again if someone dared disturb her peace.

Darya Alexandrovna fulfilled her intention to go to Anna, she considered it necessary to prove that, despite the change in society's attitude, her feelings for Anna had not changed. Although Levin and Kitty did not want to maintain relations with Vronsky, Levin was indignant when he learned that Darya Alexandrovna had decided to hire horses in the village. He prepared everything necessary for the trip so that she would be taken in one day, even instead of a footman, he sent a clerk for her safety. At home, taking care of children, Darya Alexandrovna did not have time to think. But now, dear, she changed her mind all her life, and it seemed to her that all the years of married life were terrible: one pregnancy after another, childbirth, feeding children, their illnesses, the death of a baby, her husband's betrayal and nothing more. Darya Alexandrovna thought about the children, about their future, about the money that was missing now and even more missed in the future. She concluded that her life was ruined. Then she remembered Anna and decided that she had done the right thing, because she wanted to live, to love. Dar'ya Alexandrovna even introduced herself in her place.

In such thoughts she drove up to the road that led to Vronsky's estate. Horsemen rode towards them, among whom was Anna, her grace and beauty again struck Darya Alexandrovna. Darya Alexandrovna felt a little ashamed of her old carriage, her outfit, her dusty face. Anna was very happy when she saw Dolly and got into her carriage. However, even an expensive conversation did not fit, it seemed impossible to express everything that was thought in such a short time. Anna only said that she was very happy that Alexei Vronsky was a wonderful person, he worked hard, and showed him the new buildings: a house for employees, a stable, a hospital that he was building, just to prove to Anna that he was not a miser, but an economical owner. Vronsky's house made a strange impression on Darya Alexandrovna: everything here was new and luxurious, like in expensive hotels. Anna led the guest to the children's room, which also impressed with luxurious equipment, but Dolly noticed that Anna did not often visit this room, she did not know where the toys were, even how many teeth her little daughter had. Dolly did not like either the mothers or the nurse of little Anya, who obviously received little attention. In general, the environment in which Dolly found herself embarrassed her. She felt that she was sorry for Anna, although she theoretically understood, even approved of her act. All Anna's vital forces were now directed to keeping Vronsky's love. She changed her clothes several times a day, tried to gather and keep at least some kind of company so that Vronsky would not be so bored. The guests of the house, Vasilko Veslovsky, who was expelled by Levin, Tushkevich, the former lover of Princess Betsy, Sviyazhsky, who needed something from Vronsky, Princess Varvara Oblonska, who was always a freeloader for wealthy relatives - all used only the opportunity to have fun and without worries. time, but Anna was glad to have such guests.

The whole day was spent in entertainment, so that Anna postponed the conversation with Dolly until the evening. During the walk, Vronsky chose a good moment to be alone with Dolly, and began a conversation that agitated Dolly and made her question Anna's happiness. Vronsky asked Dolly to influence Anna and force her to write a letter to Karenin demanding a divorce. Dolly agreed, because she understood Vronsky's feelings: his daughter and children, who, perhaps, they still have, by law, will bear the name Karenina. Only late in the evening, before going to bed, did Dolly and Anna have a frank conversation, which revealed the full depth of Anna's misfortune. Dolly felt that it was not only the fact that the world turned away from them, Anna suffered from separation from Serezha, but did not transfer all the power of love to her little daughter, moreover, she did not want to have more children, because it would cause damage her beauty and could distract Vronsky from her. Anna loved her son and Vronsky equally, only she needed them, and she knew that she would never be able to unite them, and if so, then the rest is unimportant. When Dolly went to bed, she could not force herself to think about Anna, although while she was talking, she felt sorry for her, but the memories of the house, of the children, now acquired somehow a new beautiful meaning. She decided to go home tomorrow. Anna, returning to her room, took her medicine, a large part of which was morphine, sat for a while, calmed down, and went into the bedroom in a good mood. Vronsky was waiting for Anna to tell about her conversation and the possible decision to ask the man for a divorce, but Anna only asked what impression Dolly had made on him. He noted her kindness, but considered her too unpoetic.

Dolly drove home the next morning. Saying goodbye, everyone felt that the hosts and the guest were not suitable for each other and that it was better not to meet again. Anna was sad, she understood that now no one would touch that part of her soul that she touched in a conversation with Dolly, and although these touches were painful, Anna knew that this was the best part of her soul, her life, which there was no return. .

The dear driver unexpectedly began a conversation with Darya Alexandrovna and noticed that they were given little oats for the road, although they were rich, and Levin, they say, they give as much as a horse can eat, and, as if summing up, noted that it was boring at Vronsky's estate .

All summer Vronsky and Anna lived on a rural estate, the divorce case did not move forward, because no one did anything for this. They decided that they would not go anywhere for the winter, but already in the autumn, when the guests had left, they felt that they could not stand such a life. It seemed that everything was for happiness: well-being, and health, and a child, and interesting activities for everyone, Vronsky took care of the household, the estate. Anna read a lot, lived by his interests, studied from books what he was doing, and he consulted with her on various issues, even agronomic, horse riding; she was interested in the new hospital, she did a lot for it. But most of all, Anna was interested in herself - how dear she is to Vronsky, how much she can replace everything that he left for her sake. Vronsky appreciated her devotion to his interests, her desire to devote her life to him, but over time he began to feel that her love, like nets, was swindling him, he did not want to break out of them, but wanted to check if they were interfering with his freedom.

In October, provincial noble elections are to be held, Sviyazhsky has already agreed, but he persuaded Vronsky to take part in them, even called for him the day before. This trip caused a quarrel between Anna and Vronsky. As coldly as ever, he announced that he intended to go, and expected a stormy scene from her, but Anna took this news outwardly calmly, as if she had withdrawn into herself and did not let anyone into her inner world. Vronsky was afraid of this, but he wanted to avoid the scene so much that he pretended not to notice anything and trusted her prudence. Vronsky left, for the first time in their entire relationship, without ascertaining her needs and requirements for him. At first, this worried him, but then he decided that it was better this way, he could not give her his masculine independence.

In September, Levin moved to Moscow to give birth to Kitty. He lived for a whole month without any business, when his brother Sergei Ivanovich offered to go with him to the elections to that provincial town, where Levin, moreover, had custody of the estate of his sister, who lived abroad. Levin hesitated, but Kitty saw that her husband was bored in Moscow, and insisted on this trip, even ordered him a new noble uniform, which became the decisive argument. For six days, Levin attended a meeting of the nobility and busied himself with his sister's affairs, but he could not understand either what was happening at the meeting, or why his sister's business was not moving forward: he was promised something, they agreed on something with him, but there was no end to this. It was. Sergei Ivanovich explained to him the meaning and significance of changing the chairman of the provincial nobility, but Levin was still offended that for the sake of this it was necessary to question the decency of the current chairman, whose honesty no one doubted. These political games were incomprehensible to Levin, and he became even more disillusioned with any official social activity. At the elections he effectively met Vronsky, whom he had not seen since that evening when Kitty confessed so unfortunately, and whom he was still jealous of her to this day. Levin tried to avoid relations with Vronsky. But his friend Sviyazhsky, Stepan Arkadyevich Oblonsky, is also present at the elections, Levin was drawn into the conversation in the presence of Vronsky. Levin's critical views on the Zemstvo and its activities seemed strange to Vronsky. Vronsky himself, trying to fulfill his duties as a nobleman, saw meaning in his activities, although he came to the elections only because he was bored in the countryside, that it was necessary to demonstrate to Anna his rights to freedom. The elections captured him, thanks to his wealth and generosity, he was popular among the nobles, and the victory of the new chairman of the provincial nobility was largely made possible thanks to his, Vronsky, support. Elections reminded him of the excitement of the race, and he decided that when he was married in three years, he would try to run for election himself.

During a dinner arranged in honor of the victory of their candidate, Vronsky was brought a letter from Anna, in which she announced that their little daughter was ill, that Anna did not know where he was and when he would return, that she intended to come to the city, but she realized that he it will be unpleasant. Vronsky was struck by the hostility that was felt in the letter, the contradictions in Anna's intentions. But the first train went home. Anna was waiting for him and, feeling guilty about that letter, she was nervous. The daughter really got a little sick, but she had already recovered at the time when Anna wrote letters, which she was even offended by. When she heard that Vronsky had arrived, she forgot all her feelings, the only thing that mattered to her was that he was here, next to her. The evening passed in the presence of Princess Varvara lively and naturally, Anna asked about the elections and with her questions gave Vronsky the opportunity to talk about what was very pleasant to him - about his success. But late in the evening, Anna asked how Vronsky reacted to her letter, and he replied that he was offended because Anna did not want to understand that he had things that could not be solved while sitting at home, for example, he had to go to Moscow soon . Anna was determined to go with him. Vronsky with a pleasant smile assures her that he only dreams of never parting, but in his eyes Anna sees something completely different: anger at her, alienation and a premonition of misfortune.

Anna agreed to write a letter to her husband and ask him for a divorce. Waiting daily for an answer from Karenin, they arrived in Moscow and settled down as spouses together.

PART SEVEN

The Levins had been living in Moscow for two months. The date of the expected birth had already expired, and Kitty was still carrying, and there were no more signs that this event would happen soon than two months ago. Everyone was worried, only Kitty was calm and happy, because everyone she loved was close to her and cared for her. She felt a new life in herself and already loved her unborn child. One thing spoiled her feeling of happiness: her husband became completely different from the one in the village, the way she knew and loved him. There, in the village, he was constantly busy with something, calm and gentle towards everyone. Here, in the city, he is alert, restless, always in a hurry somewhere, as if he was afraid to miss something, but did not have an occupation that would demand his soul. Social entertainment did not interest him, and Kitty, looking at Oblonsky, did not want to be attracted to them. Levin tried to write his book, but the more he talked about it, the less it interested him. Surprisingly, in the city there were no longer those disputes between them that often arose in the village, jealousy, which they were afraid of. Once, during a visit to her godmother, she met Vronsky. Only at the first moment, when she recognized him in civilian clothes, did she catch her breath, but the old prince, who accompanied Kitty, spoke loudly to Vronsky and gave his daughter the opportunity to control himself. She said a few words to him, even smiled at his joke about the elections, because you had to smile to show that she understood the joke. But during this short conversation, Kitty felt the invisible presence of her husband, and it seemed to her that he would have been pleased with her behavior. When she told her husband about her meeting with Vronsky, Levin blushed more than Kitty. But he looked into her truthful eyes and realized that she was pleased with herself, that she had behaved properly at this meeting, that all her feelings for Vronsky were in the past, that the memories of this past did not cause her pain. Levin cheered up and confessed that he was offended by the feeling that there was a man, almost an enemy, with whom it was hard to meet, and he promised Kitty to be more amiable with Vronsky in the future.

Levin took a long time to get used to life in the city, it was incomprehensible to him why go on visits to people who are indifferent to you and to you, why harness a couple of horses to a heavy carriage when it was very close to go, why hire a cab when you have your own horses, and etc. Once Kitty said that she had very little money left, and regretted that she had obeyed her mother and moved to Moscow. Levin looked at her with displeasure, but she knew that this displeasure did not concern her, but herself. Levin did not expect that life in Moscow would require such money. When he exchanged the first hundred rubles, he calculated how much useful things could be bought with this money for his agriculture, how many workers they could pay for the work. When the second hundred roubles, followed by a third and beyond, Levin no longer counted anything. Now he knew that money was needed, but did not know where to get it. This time it was Kitty who also spoke of her sister Dolly's money matters and conveyed to Levin his mother's request to sit on Stiva together with Nadezhda's sister's husband, Lvov.

Levin went to see his university friend, now Professor Katavasov, who promised to introduce him to the famous scientist Metrov, whose sociological article Levin liked very much. In it, he experienced much in common with what interested him. But when Levin tried to present his theory to Metrovaya, he did not let him finish, did not hear the arguments that, in Levin's opinion, confirmed it, but began to express his thoughts as the ultimate truth, which is beyond doubt. At first, Levin wanted to finish his own, but then he realized that he and Metrov saw the same object in completely different ways, so they would not be able to understand each other. Now he only listened, he was pleased that such a famous scientist spoke to him as an expert in such scientific matters. He did not know that Metrov had already talked to everyone who could listen to him about this, which was not entirely clear to him.

Then Levin, together with Katavasov and Metrov, went to a meeting of the scientific society, to which they were in a hurry, and after that he again invited Metrov to talk about the book Levin was working on. But the meeting, the conversations that were going on around, made a strange impression on Levin: it seemed to him that he had heard all this many times, and he himself could only repeat what he had already said. He refused to go to Metrovaya, but went to the husband of his wife's older sister, Arseniy Lvov, a former diplomat who had lived all his life abroad and now retired to educate his children. Levin knew little of him before, but during this visit he became intimately acquainted with and became friends with Arseny, despite the difference in age. Levin bowed his head before Lvov, because he sincerely considered his sons to be a model of correct moral education and wished that his own children had such virtues. He frankly told Lvov about this in a conversation. Therefore, it was nice to hear such an assessment of his work, but he also frankly says that there is still a lot of work to do. Lvov's wife does not agree with him, she is sure that it is impossible to achieve the ideal, that one cannot devote oneself only to children, that in the end it harms them. Levin understands that this conversation between the spouses is not the first time, and it is very interesting for him to listen to her, to communicate with the children of the Lvovs. But Nadezhda recalls that Levin was going to go with her to listen to the concert. It was only when he was saying goodbye to Lvov that he remembered the assignment that Kitty had given him regarding Stevie. Both Lvov and Levin are embarrassed that they have to talk about money and probably hurt Stevie. Everything that Levin did that day made him feel as if he did not understand anything about their city life. And to understand, he had to stop being himself.

He went with his wife's sister to a concert and wanted to form his own opinion about the music he listened to, but he could not do it, he felt "like a deaf man who looks at those who dance." He decided to turn to music connoisseurs, but they only interpreted what was written in the concert program and could not explain to Levin what he did not understand. Levin also expressed some trivial thoughts, he was a little ashamed of this, especially since he had said some of them earlier. Then he remembered the visit that Kitty had asked him to make, and which he completely forgot about until he saw the count, who was to make this visit. Sister Kitty advised me to go now, expressing the hope that they would no longer accept. But Levin was accepted, he exhausted himself for the allotted time in someone else's drawing room, not knowing well what to talk about, got up several times, trying to go, but the eyes of the hostess eloquently said that it was not time yet. Then Levin took Lvov to Kitty's for dinner, found her merry, and went to the club where old Prince Shcherbatsky had signed him up for dinner.

The atmosphere of the club was so different from all the impressions of that day that Levin succumbed to it and received real pleasure from the pleasant company of people contented with life. Stepan Arkadyevich sat next to him, they ate and drank with pleasure. After dinner Levin saw Vronsky, who was congratulated on his horse's victory in the imperial race. Oblonsky decided it was necessary that same day to introduce Levin to Anna. Vronsky noticed that Anna would undoubtedly be very glad to see and talk to Levin, that he, Vronsky, would go with them himself right now, but he must stay here in order to restrain his friend, to prevent him from losing a lot at cards. Levin and Stiva then played billiards and cards. Levin rejoiced at the rest from the morning's intense mental work; having paid forty rubles, which he lost at cards, for dinner at the club, he went with Stiva to Anna.

The feeling of peace, satisfaction with life and the decency of everything that happens, left Levin when the carriage shook on a bad road, and through the window he saw taverns and shops. For the first time he asked himself if he was doing well going to Anna, what would Kitty say to that. Dear Stiva, he talked about the case of Anna's divorce, in which Karenin did not give any answer, for which Anna's position was even more complicated, she did not have the opportunity to be in the world, and none of the women, except Dolly, visited her. Levin expressed the opinion that she must be very busy raising her daughter. To this, Stiva remarked that not all women are mother hens, that Anna, of course, is engaged in education, but, in addition, she has interests; she takes care of one English family, which was left in a difficult situation after the death from drunkenness of the former horse trainer Vronsky, she even took the girl up. She is trying to write and has already handed over a children's book to Stevie, which he gave to a well-known publisher to read and received a favorable review.

When Stiva and Levin arrived, Anna was busy talking to this publisher. Before seeing Anna, Levin saw an amazing portrait of a beautiful woman and even forgot where he was, did not listen to what was being said, only when the living Anna turned to him, he was forced to tear himself away from the portrait. She struck him with her resemblance to the portrait, although she was now not so bright in life, but she attracted him with new features that were not in the portrait. In the manner of communicating with guests, of carrying on a conversation, Levin saw real sophistication and aristocracy. Anna spoke not just reasonably, but as if she did not attach any importance to her words, but first of all giving the interlocutor the opportunity to express his opinion. Never before had a clever thought expressed by him brought Levin such satisfaction as now. The conversation went around contemporary art, and about education and upbringing - and all judgments had a deep meaning. Levin noted in the character of Anna rice, which he valued in people, - truthfulness. She did not hide the complexity of her situation, but carried her love with dignity. Levin suddenly felt tenderness and pity for this woman. He did not notice how time flew by in his conversation with Anna, and when Stiva got up to go, it seemed to Levin that he had just arrived. And on the way home, he did not stop thinking about Anna.

At home, letters were waiting for him from the estate (that they give very little for wheat and now it is unprofitable to sell) and from his sister, who reproached him for the fact that her case had not yet been resolved. Levin, with surprising ease for him, decided to sell wheat cheaply if there was nowhere else to get money. In front of his sister, he was ashamed, but he assured himself that there was no way to devote more time to the cause. Kitty was sad and bored. Levin told her all his day: what he had been doing, where he had been, and that Stiva had introduced him to Anna. He relayed his impressions of Anna, and Kitty seemed to take everything calmly. But when Levin, after changing his clothes, returned to the room, he found Kitty in tears. She reproached him for falling in love with Anna, and assured him that tomorrow she would go to the village. He had to admit that the feeling of pity, combined with the wine he had drunk, had so affected him that Anna made a special impression on him. He sincerely admitted that from this life in Moscow, the lack of activity, and in the presence of only dinners and conversations, he was simply stunned.

Anna unconsciously, as now almost always in the company of young people, tried to charm Levin. But as soon as he left, I forgot about him. She waited for Vronsky and tried to understand why he was becoming more and more indifferent to her, because everyone, even this respectable, intelligent and devoted to his wife Levin, admired her. Anna frankly told herself that all her activities, English family, reading and writing books - all this is just a deception, a desire to forget reality, like morphine, which she is increasingly taking. She felt sorry for herself and wept. But when she heard Vronsky call, she opened the book, trying to look calm. There seemed to be a struggle going on between her and Vronsky, and each of them did not want to understand the other and submit. When Vronsky told about the evening at the club, Anna seemed to reproach him not for leaving her for the sake of a friend, but for the fact that he finally left him to lose money. But Vronsky is well aware that Anna does not want to recognize his right to freedom, that for her the most important thing now is to make him admit his guilt in the very desire to desire something else besides her love. So he accepts her challenge and says that he stayed at the club because he wanted to: Anna calls it stubbornness in wanting to be a winner in the fight against her for his male independence. Almost crying, she says that she is afraid of herself when she feels his hostility, her sincere despair makes Vronsky. fall back at her feet. Anna tried to hide the joy of defeating him. But already a few minutes later, at dinner, Vronsky became colder in his attitude towards her, not forgiving her victory. And Anna, remembering that this victory was brought to her by words about the terrible misfortune that she could cause herself, she understood that this weapon was dangerous, that it would not be possible to use it at least once again. She felt that the evil demon of struggle could not overcome their love.

If Levin had been told three months ago that, living an idle life, he was wasting money aimlessly, maintaining friendly relations with a man with whom his wife had once been in love, having himself enchanted by another woman, which caused Kitty such pain, he would be able to sleep peacefully, he would never have believed. But after a long conversation and reconciliation with Kitty, Levin fell asleep soundly and calmly. He woke up in the middle of the night, because he felt that Kitty was not next to him, and she went into the bedroom, said that she felt a little bad, but it was all gone, lay down next to him, and he fell asleep again. After some time, Kitty herself awakened him - the birth began. Looking at his frightened face, she tried to calm her husband. Levin dressed in a hurry and wanted to run to the midwife, but stopped, looking at his wife. Everything that was best in her, everything for which he loved her, all this was now revealed to him in her sweet and dear face. Kitty came up to him and clung to him, as if seeking protection, he saw that she was suffering, and did not know who was to blame for his suffering. Her eyes told him that she did not blame him, but was happy to endure this suffering.

As soon as he left the room, he heard her plaintive moan. Suddenly, Levin turned loudly to God and asked for His mercy. For several months already, he had been anxiously awaiting the birth, and he prepared to lock his heart up for several hours, silently endure suffering in order to be useful to Kitty and support her. But he did not know what awaited him. For the first few hours he had business, he had to bring a doctor, get the necessary medicines from the pharmacist, and although Levin was painfully struck by their indifference and slowness, he felt that Kitty was needed and was helping her. But all the deadlines that he set for his patience had already passed, and Kitty still suffered. He lost the sense of time: either it seemed to him that an eternity had passed since that morning, or he was very surprised when the midwife ordered to light a candle, because he did not notice how evening had come. He did not remember what he was doing, who spoke to him. He did not even want a child, did not want his wife to remain alive, when he heard the terrible cries of the one who had once been his Kitty. He only wanted her to stop suffering. When the doctor said that everything was over, Levin understood that Kitty was dying. He rushed to her bedroom. Kitty's face was not there, but there was something so terrible in its tension, as a cry escaped her. Levin felt his heart break. But suddenly the cry stopped, it was all over. Levin felt such happiness that he could not restrain himself and burst into tears, fell on his knees before the bed and kissed his wife's hand. The midwife said that the child is alive, that it is a boy.

In the morning Prince Shcherbatsky, Stepan Arkadyevich and Sergei Ivanovich were sitting at Levin's, talking about Kitty and discussing various questions. Levin listened to them as if he were of some height, when he remembered everything that had happened. Without even finishing the sentence, he went to Kitty. She laid down and rested. The midwife was busy with the baby, Kitty asked her to show Levin her son. He looked at this little body and did not find parental feelings for him in his heart, he felt sorry for this little creature, he did not feel anything cheerful and joyful, on the contrary, there was fear, a new feeling of vulnerability.

Stepan Arkadyevich’s affairs were bad: everyone had already lived for the money for the forest, Darya Alexandrovna, taking care of the future of the children, for the first time refused to sign documents on the sale of the remnants of the forest, and the salary was not even enough to maintain the house. Stepan Arkadyevich felt that it was necessary to look for new profits, and set out for one position that could bring him up to ten thousand a year, while it was possible not to leave a real job. But this position required such knowledge and abilities that it was impossible to find them in one person, so it was better to plant an honest person, as everyone considered Oblonsky. But in order to take this place, it was necessary to go to St. Petersburg, ask for two ministers, one influential lady and two Jews. In addition, he promised Anna to get an answer from Karenin in the divorce case. Oblonsky asked Dolly for money and left.

Sitting in Karenin's office and listening to his projects, Stepan Arkadyevich waited for an opportunity to talk about divorce. Stiva agreed that the patronage system interfered with the common cause, the public good, and, as if remembering something, asked Pomorsky to put in a good word for him, on which the appointment to the post depended. Karenin was surprised to note that, in his opinion, the appointment to this position depended on Bolgarinov. Blushing, Stiva said that everything was agreed with him, and he himself remembered his humiliation when today Bolgarinov forced him, Prince Oblonsky, a descendant of the Ruriks, to wait for two hours in the waiting room, and then almost refused the request. Banishing the memories, he started talking about Anna. Stepan Arkadyevich described the situation in which his sister found herself and recalled Karenin's generous decision to part with her. But Karenin has changed a lot since Anna left his home. Now he declares that divorcing his wife is against Christian law and his beliefs, but he will think it over and look for a solution. At this time, they reported on the arrival of Sergei Alekseevich, and Stiva did not immediately understand that we were talking about Anna's son Serezha. Karenin recalled that a son was never told about his mother, that he had been ill for a long time after an unforeseen meeting with her. Serezha looked healthy and cheerful, but seeing Oblonsky, he blushed and turned away. Stepan Arkadievich began to ask about his life and took his hand, but as soon as he released it, Seryozha, like a bird from a cage, rushed out of the room.

A year has already passed since Seryozha last saw his mother. Now he already went to school, and memories of her receded before new impressions. But when he saw his uncle, who was very much like her, he remembered his feelings for his mother, which he was now ashamed of. Stepan Arkadyevich caught up with Seryozha on the stairs and started talking to him. In the absence of his father, Serezha felt freer and talked about school entertainment. Oblonsky could not restrain himself and asked if he remembered his mother. Seryozha blushed, said that he did not remember, and did not want to talk to his uncle anymore. Only half an hour later the teacher found him and could not understand whether he was crying or angry at someone. Seryozha did not answer questions, but only asked to give him peace and said it so passionately, as if he was addressing the whole world.

Stepan Arkadyevich felt that a long life in Moscow had a bad effect on him. He got to the point that he began to worry about the mood of his wife, and the petty interests of his service, and the upbringing of children. But in St. Petersburg there was a completely different life, and all worries were forgotten. Here, children did not interfere with their parents' lives, one prince, for example, told Oblonsky that he had two families, legal and illegal, and even introduced his eldest son to an illegal family, considering this useful for his development. Money matters also did not seem to bother anyone, debts were not considered something unusual. And in the service there was a completely different interest: an aptly spoken word, a profitable meeting - and a person could make a career. Oblonsky even grew younger in Petersburg.

The day after his conversation with Karenin, Stepan Arkadyevich stopped by to Princess Betsy, feeling so young that his playful flirtations with the mistress of the house had gone too far, and Stiva himself did not know how to get out of this situation: he liked Betsy and knew it, she but he not only did not like it, but was disgusting. He was very glad that Princess Myagkaya had arrived and interrupted their seclusion. Princess Myagkaya seems to sympathize with Anna, regrets that she did not know about his arrival in Petersburg, otherwise she would have accompanied him everywhere, asking about her current life. But when Oblonsky tries to tell about the true situation of Anna, the princess does not listen, but hurries to express her opinions about Karenina, Anna, the world. She says that Karenin, under the influence of Lidia Ivanovna, became interested in a fashionable medium who had recently been brought to Russia, that this medium charmed everyone, that one countess even adopted him and now he bears the name of Count Bezzubov. She said that Anna's fate now depended on this medium, because neither Lidia Ivanovna nor Karenin could decide anything without him.

After dinner, Oblonsky went to Lidia Ivanovna's, where Karenin made an appointment for him. The footman informed him that Count Bezzubov had also arrived. Stiva was surprised, but thought that it would be good to get to know Lidia Ivanovna better, because she has influence in the upper world, and if she puts in a word to Pomorsky, then he will have the position that he intended. The hostess introduces Oblonsky to a medium who makes a strange impression on Steve: his gaze is both childish and fraudulent. Lidia Ivanovna starts a conversation about the salvation of the soul, about the “new heart” of Alexei Alexandrovich, she reads some English text about the path by which faith comes. Oblonsky tries to understand the essence of the new religious doctrine, listens attentively, but everything gets confused in his head, and during the reading he even fell asleep. The medium also fell asleep, but his dream does not offend the hostess, but, on the contrary, pleases: now he is ready to answer the questions that worry Karenin. It seems to Stevie that the medium only pretended to be asleep. Oblonsky did not have time to make further observations, because the medium from the depths of his sleep ordered him to leave the room. Stepan Arkadyevich, forgetting that he wanted to ask Lidia Ivanovna to put in a good word for him, forgetting his sister's business, left the room on tiptoe and rushed headlong out of the house. On the street, he talked for a long time and joked with the cabbies in order to recover as soon as possible.

The next day, Alexei Alexandrovich Karenin refused to give Anna a divorce.

Although Vronsky and Anna had long intended to go to the countryside, they continued to live in Moscow, and there was no agreement between them. Anna was tormented by the realization that Vronsky's love was fading, and Vronsky was remorseful that for her sake he had put himself in such a difficult position, which Anna herself made even more difficult. This internal dissatisfaction with each other gave rise to disputes, which now happened almost every day. She took every word he said as proof that he loved her less than before. She was jealous of him and could not handle her irritation against him and the world. Sometimes she tried to pull herself together, realizing that such behavior repelled him. Somehow, after a dispute, Vronsky left home for the whole day, Anna felt lonely, it was hard for her to endure disagreement. She wanted to forgive everything and reconcile with him, so she blamed herself and justified him. She decided to plead guilty, although she did not feel guilty, and ordered to bring the chests and prepare to leave for the village. Vronsky arrived late, but in a good mood, and was glad that Anna was getting ready to go. His self-confident tone, when he approved of her decision, as if she were a child who had stopped acting up, offended Anna, but she did not give in to the desire to start a fight. But when he said that he could not go the day after tomorrow, because he should be in his mother, jealousy blinded Anna's eyes. Without any logic, without any justification for her demand, Anna declared that she would go either the day after tomorrow or never. They quarreled again, and remembered past grievances. But they have never gone so far in their accusations. Anna expressed the secret pain of her soul: she only wants love, but he is no longer there, therefore the end of their relationship. Left alone, she thought about where she could go from his house, what her acquaintances would say, but these thoughts did not occupy her soul. Some new thought was born in her, which she could not yet comprehend. She remembered her husband and thought, like then, why she had not died. Suddenly she realized that the new thought was the thought of death. She saw in this the only salvation from shame and disgrace, she imagined how Vronsky would repent, suffer and love her after death. She was distracted from these thoughts by Vronsky, who came to say that he agreed to go when she wanted to. Anna burst into tears, Vronsky assured her of his love. Her desperation was replaced by a burning tenderness for him. On the morning of the next day after the reconciliation, Anna packed her things, prepared to leave, and it did not matter to her whether they left on the day she wanted, or another. But at breakfast they quarreled again. Vronsky received a telegram from Oblonsky, which did not say anything definite about the divorce, and did not want Anna to worry once again, so he did not say anything to her. But Anna found out about the telegram and decided that he was hiding his correspondence with women in this way. She again began to reproach Vronsky, now with the fact that she was indifferent to whether there would be a divorce or not, that this was important only for him, love was enough for him. When she spoke of love, he involuntarily grimaced. Anna reproaches Vronsky that his mother wants to marry him, calls her a woman without a heart. Vronsky, who in fact did not love or respect his mother, demands that Anna speak respectfully of her. Hatred was already shining in her eyes when she pointed out this hypocrisy of Vronsky. Yashvin came, and Anna held back the storm of her feelings. Yashvin won almost all of his money in cards from his friend. Anna asked if Yashvin does not feel compassion for the unfortunate man, Yashvin says that the one who sits down to play with him also wants to leave him shirtless, that this struggle brings pleasure. Before leaving home, Vronsky called on Anna, but her appearance and cold words did not promise reconciliation. He decided: if she wants to torture herself, then let her.

When Vronsky returned home, he was told that Anna Arkadyevna had a headache and asked her not to disturb him. Anna heard how he returned, how he was told about her, but she actually made a wish that he did not pay attention to anything and went up to her, then she would again believe in his love. But he listened to the maid and did not want to know anything more. This is the end, Anna decided. Death, as a means of restoring his love, of punishing him, and at least in this way of winning victory, again appeared to her. She took her now-accustomed dose of opium, and the thought seemed to give her pleasure. But suddenly she was frightened: suddenly a shadow stretched across the entire ceiling, and the light in the room darkened. The candle, having burned down, went out, but it seemed to her that it was death that had come for her. Anna was horrified, lit a new candle and felt that she wanted to live, to love, that this was possible. She got up and went to Vronsky. He was sleeping, Anna looked at him with tenderness, but did not wake him up, because she knew that his look would betray his victory, that she would not be able to talk about her love until she proved to him how guilty he was before her. She returned to her room, took the opium again, and fell into a heavy sleep. She had an old dream: that same dirty little man with a beard was doing something with iron and babbling French words, now she felt that he was doing something terrible on her too.

Anna woke up, and the whole day before was remembered to her, but she assured herself that it was an ordinary skirmish. I already wanted to go to Vronsky's to put up, but I saw through the window how he was kindly talking to a girl in a carriage, who was handing him some papers. Everything that happened yesterday stood before her in a new way: she must immediately leave his house. Anna went into Vronsky's to announce her decision; he read the letter and said that he was now ready to leave. He saw her despair and decided to calmly say what kind of letter he received: he received letters and money from his mother, and Princess Sorokin brought him, then he talked with her daughter. But the news of Princess Sorokina struck Anna painfully, and she said that she would not go anywhere tomorrow. He could still stop her when she refused to go and was already leaving the room, but decided not to pay attention to this and left the house. Anna came to her senses and sent him a note, asking for forgiveness, asking him to come, because she was scared. She was afraid to be alone and went to the children's room. Her thoughts were confused, she was even surprised that in the nursery it was not Seryozha, but a girl who looked so much like Vronsky. She played with her daughter for some time, but she reminded her father so much that Anna almost burst into tears and walked away from her. Then the coachman returned with a note, so he did not find Count Vronsky. Anna sent him again, this time to Vronsky's mother at the dacha. Then she remembered that he could be telegraphed there, and sent a telegram. It was unbearable for her to stay in this house and wait for his answer, so Anna decided to go to Dolly. On the way, she decided that her notes to Vronsky were a mistake, that she herself was giving him victory over herself. Anna made up her mind to tell Dolly everything and not to return to his house again. With this intention she went in to Dolly, but she was not alone, Kitty came to see her. The sisters were discussing the feeding of their little son Levinykh, and Anna interfered with their conversation. Dolly went to her herself and said that she had received letters from Stevie that he did not understand what Karenin wanted, but would not return without an answer. Anna read the letter and said she wasn't interested and asked why Kitty was hiding from her. Dolly was embarrassed, but assured that it was not so, that Kitty would now feed the child and it would work out. Kitty didn't really want to see Anna, but Dolly talked her into it. Anna's hostility towards Kitty passed as soon as she saw her face, but she felt compassion and regret in her heart. Anna said that she had come to say goodbye, but did not answer Dolly's question when they were driving, and hurried out, and Dolly thought that Anna was about to burst into tears.

Karenina went home again, she remembered how Kitty looked at her, she herself looked at the people in the street, and they all seemed hostile to her. Then she remembered Yashvin's words that everyone wants to be left without a shirt, and decided that he was right, that hatred rules the world. At home, Vronsky's reply to her telegram was waiting for her, he said that he would arrive at ten in the evening. Anna felt the need to take revenge and decided to go to him, to tell him everything she thought about him. She looked at the train schedule and made sure she would catch the last one. Then she made up the things necessary for the first days, because she knew that she would not return here. And again on the way she saw everything as never before. Anna returned to her last thoughts about the hatred and hostility of people, and for the first time frankly thought about her relationship with Vronsky: what she was looking for in this love, what he wanted. She realized that it was love that fed his arrogance, he boasted of his success. But now Anna aroused not envy, but pity, and his love is fading away; her, on the contrary, becomes even more passionate and selfish. Anna understands that she only wants to be his mistress and does not want anything else, but his similar desire only repels her, and this causes her rage. She did not want their life to be bound by duty, not love, because she understood: where love dies, hatred is born there, and her divorce in this case does not change anything.

Anna arrived at the station, the footman bought her a ticket, and she boarded the train. Heavy thoughts came to her again, everything seemed ugly and unnatural to him: men, women, even children. She got off at the station, but could not remember why she had come here, what she wanted to do. Anna decided to ask if the Vronsky coachman was there with a note. She was told that Count Vronsky had just been here, meeting Princess Sorokin with her daughter. Then the coachman Mikhail, whom she sent with a note, came up to her and filed an answer. Anna just unfolded it, and already knew what was written there. He regretted that the note had not found him, but he could not change his plans and would return, as promised, at ten. Anna walked along the platform past the station. People looked at her in surprise, but she did not notice anything. She didn't know where to go. The platform shook as a freight train was approaching. It seemed to Anna that she was going somewhere again. Suddenly she remembered the man who had been crushed by the train on the day she had first met Vronsky. Now Anna knew what to do. She went down the stairs to the track and stopped near the train. I stood for a while, looking at the wheels, trying to determine the middle between the front and rear wheels. Then she crossed herself and, with her head in her shoulders, fell under the carriage. At the same moment she was horrified by what she had done, she wanted to get up, but an inexorable force pushed her and dragged her. She asked God to forgive her everything, feeling that the struggle was no longer possible.

PART EIGHT

Almost two months have passed. Sergei Ivanovich Koznishev only now, in the second half of the summer, decided to go to his brother in the village. A year ago, he completed six years of work on a book that he considered a significant contribution to the development of modern political science. The book had already been published, and Sergei Ivanovich expected wide publicity, but time passed, and no one spoke or wrote about his work. Only in one journal did a feuilleton appear, in which the author chose quotes in such a way that for those who did not read the book (and it was obvious that no one read it), it turned out that the book was empty, and the author of the book was an ignoramus. Sergei Ivanovich explained to himself such an assessment by the fact that somehow in a conversation he corrected the author of a feuilleton in a word, expressing the lack of education of this young man. There were no more reviews of the book, and Sergei Ivanovich felt that his work was in vain.

In this difficult time for him, the Slavic question and the Serbian war arose sharply in society. He saw that these questions were becoming fashionable, that many people were engaged in them out of self-interest, vanity, but he also recognized the growing enthusiasm, sympathy for the suffering of the Slavic brothers. He was captured by the manifestation of public opinion, in which, Sergei Ivanovich believed, the soul of the people turned out to be. He, too, devoted himself to serving this great cause and forgot to think about the book. Now he was going to rest and fully enjoy the manifestations of that national spirit, the existence of which the inhabitants of the capitals and large cities were convinced. Along with him rode Katavasov, who decided to fulfill his old promise to come to Levin. They arrived at the Kursk railway station almost simultaneously with a group of volunteers who were going to the Serbian war. Ladies with bouquets saw off the volunteers, they arranged a farewell dinner. And Koznishev, who was approached by a familiar lady to ask to help the guy recommended by Lidia Ivanovna, to get on the list of volunteers, heard overly solemn words that a gentleman spoke at dinner, drinking champagne. Stepan Arkadyevich approached Koznishev, he liked this general excitement, and his eyes shone with joy. He asked Koznishev to also say a few words to the volunteers, but he refused, explaining that it was by chance that he was on these wires - he was going to his brother. Stepan Arkadyevich asks to convey his regards to his wife, who lives in Levinikh with her children in the summer. Seeing the lady who was collecting donations, Oblonsky gave five rubles and went to look for Vronsky, who, as it turned out, was also going to war. The lady with whom Koznishev was talking asks him to also talk to Vronsky, guessing that it will be unpleasant for him to see Oblonsky. Stiva, having worked over his sister's coffin, had already completely forgotten everything and saw in Vronsky only a hero who was also carrying a whole squadron equipped with his money. He was saying something animatedly to Vronsky, not very much in spite of his stern expression.

Koznishev entered the car, and the train started moving. Katavasov did not have the opportunity to observe the volunteers and kept asking about them. Sergei Ivanovich advised him to go to their car and draw his own observations and conclusions. Katavasov got acquainted with the volunteers, but they made an unfavorable impression on him: one was a rich merchant who squandered his wealth at twenty-two, and now, having drunk, boasted of his heroism; the second, a retired officer, tried everything in his life, he also spoke a lot and inappropriately; the third, a man already in years, had only a cadet rank, because he did not pass the artillery exam. Katavasov wanted to check his impressions and listen to someone else's opinion.

During the stop, Koznishev, at the invitation of Countess Vronskaya, entered her compartment. The countess could not forget that terrible tragedy that happened to her son, and told Koznishev about it. Vronsky wrote a note to Anna, not knowing that she was at the station. After a while the news came that a lady had thrown herself under a train, Vronsky's driver was there and had seen everything. Vronsky galloped to the station, and from there he was brought as if dead. The countess does not feel sorry for Anna at all, but even after her death she reproaches her that she killed two wonderful people - Vronsky and Karenin. After the death of Anna Karenin took her daughter to him, Vronsky is now tormented that he gave his daughter to a stranger. And, the countess says, God helped, - the war began, Yashvin lost everything at cards, gathered in Serbia and persuaded Vronsky to go with him. As a mother, the countess, of course, is scared, besides, in St. Petersburg they are not very approving of volunteers, but there is no way out, only this irritated her son a little. The Countess asks Koznishev to talk to him, because, unfortunately, his teeth also hurt.

Sergei Ivanovich found Vronsky on the platform, where he walked like a caged animal, returning every twenty paces. It seemed to Koznishev that Vronsky, too, was pretending not to see him, but this was indifferent to him, for at that moment Sergei Ivanovich saw in Vronsky only a leader of a great cause and considered it his duty to support and approve him. Koznishev offers him recommendations to the leaders of the Serbian liberation movement, but Vronsky refuses: in order to die, recommendations are not needed, except to the Turks, smiling only with his lips, he said. Sergei Ivanovich says that the participation in the war of such a person as Count Vronsky will raise the prestige of the volunteers. Vronsky frankly replies that his life is worth nothing, that he will be glad if someone needs it. At this time, he looked at the wheels of the tender, and a completely different pain made him forget about the present. He remembered how he saw Anna's body on the table of the railway barracks, the expression on her face, as if even after death she said that terrible word - "you will regret it." He tried to remember her the way he met for the first time, also at the station, mysterious, loving, the one who sought and gave happiness, and not the cruel one in her revenge, which she guessed in the last minutes. But he remembered only her threat of revenge, which she carried out. Vronsky burst into tears and walked along the platform, then, pulling himself together, returned to Koznishev and talked a little more about the events of the Serbian war.

Koznishev did not inform his brother about his arrival, so when they got to the estate, Levin was not at home. Kitty sent for him, asked Dolly and the old prince Shcherbatsky to entertain the guests, and she herself ran to feed her little son Mitya. While she was feeding, she thought about her husband, that the arrival of guests would console him, that he had recently changed, his thoughts were not so oppressive as in the spring, when she was even afraid for him. Kitty knew what oppressed her husband was his unbelief. Kitty knew and loved his soul, but his doubts and his lack of faith in her, deeply and sincerely devoted to the Christian faith, did not cause pain. She thought with a smile of his disbelief and told herself that he was funny. She was glad that Katavasov, with whom Levin liked to talk and argue, had arrived. Her thoughts turned to household chores, where to put the guests to sleep, what to lay, etc. Then she remembered that she had not thought out something important about her husband, and again with a smile she remembered that he was an unbeliever, and thought that it would be better for him to always be like that than a believer like Madame Stahl.

New evidence of his kindness and nobility of soul Kitty should have recently: two weeks ago Dolly received a letter from Stepan Arkadievich, in which he repented and asked to sell her estate in order to pay his debts; Dolly was in despair, hated her husband, wanted to part with him, but in the end agreed to sell part of the estate; Levin, embarrassed and afraid of offending Dolly, suggested that Kitty should be in charge of part of the estate to her sister; Kitty herself did not think of doing this. Therefore, with all her heart, she wanted her son to be like his father.

From the time when Levin saw the death of his beloved brother, he was really tormented by terrible doubts. The materialistic views, which he became a supporter in his student years and adhered to at that time, did not provide answers to the most important questions of life and death. He felt like a man, exchanged a warm coat for thin clothes, went out into the cold in it and was convinced that now he must inevitably die. Marriages, his joys and new worries lulled these thoughts a little, but the birth of a son became a new impetus for them. Levin observed people, both those who believed and those who did not, and came to a strange conclusion. Those who did not believe did not suffer such questions, they simply threw them away, looking for answers to questions that did not interest him. Among those who believed were people close to him whom he loved: the old prince Shcherbatsky, and Sergei Ivanovich, and Lvov also believed. Kitty believed the way he himself once did in childhood, ninety-nine percent of the Russian people believed, whose life aroused such respect in Levin. During the birth of his wife, he, an unbeliever, prayed and believed at that moment, but everything worked out, and doubts again seized him. He read philosophers, read theologians, but he did not find an answer in them either. Levin could not live without knowing who he was, why he came into this world. But he could not know this and fell into despair. Therefore, a healthy man, happy in the family, Levin was on the verge of suicide several times, hid the rope so as not to hang himself on it, did not go with a gun so as not to shoot himself. However, none of this happened, he continued to live.

When he stopped asking himself all these questions, he seemed to know who he was and what he was living for. After returning to the village, Levin had so many worries and troubles that he left his farm projects for the common good, and did what he considered necessary. Hosted so that his son thanked him, as he thanked his grandfather. Sergei Ivanovich did not abandon his sister’s affairs, and all the peasants who went to him for advice, just as he would not leave a child to the mercy of fate, he took care of his wife’s sister, who was invited with the children for the summer, etc. All this filled Levin's life, which made no sense when he thought about it. He was tormented by doubts, but firmly walked the path of life.

On the day Sergei Ivanovich arrived, Levin was in precisely that state of mind when everything was called into question. He performed his usual household duties, but did not want to think about the futility of all human efforts in the face of death. He saw that one of the workers was not busy at the threshing machine as he should, and he began to work himself. Then he got into a conversation with this worker and asked him if the good owner Fokatich would not undertake to work Levin's land in the village where this mercenary was from. He replied that he probably wouldn’t take it, because he wouldn’t get any money out of it. Levin wondered why the current tenant, Kirillov, would benefit. The worker's answer struck Levin: Fokatic lives for God, pities people, and does not think only about his stomach, like Kirillov. Levin was surprised that he, who could not imagine God, just as no one else could, understood what this worker wanted to say and said. Kirillov's life is understandable and reasonable, because all rational beings live for the "stomach", but such a life is bad, because one must live for the soul. From the point of view of logic, it was nonsense, but Levin understood these words with his soul. He was struck precisely by the fact that he was able to understand and agree with what was not subject to logical interpretation. And when he asked himself why he could understand, he had only one answer: goodness exists outside the mind, it is eternal, they believe in it, because they feel in their souls the need to love people. Reason discovered the struggle for existence, but it could not discover that one must love people, because it is stupid.

Levin felt that he had finally seen the miracle he required in order to believe in the existence of God. Everything turned upside down in his soul, he felt that he could believe, and he thanked God for this faith. He was in such an excited and high spirits when he saw his wagon and coachman that Kitty sent for him because her brother had arrived. For a long time Levin could not recover from those experiences that lifted his soul. It seemed to him that now all relations with people would be completely different, illuminated with goodness. He sat in the cart, began to rule himself. When the coachman wanted to help him bypass the stump on the road and pulled the cab, Levin got angry. He became very sad that his spiritual mood did not change him in relation to reality.

Levin met the guests, accompanied by Dolly and the old prince, on the way, they went to the apiary, thinking that he was there.

Levin is trying to overcome the estrangement in his relationship with his brother, but he has no power to do so. The conversation turns to the Serbian war, and Sergei Ivanovich sees the participation of volunteers in it as a manifestation of the national spirit. Levin, who had just discovered for himself the spiritual support of the people in the good, notes that war and murder cannot be a manifestation of the spirit. He is supported by the old prince Shcherbatsky. But Sergei Ivanovich and Katavasov adduce arguments which Levin cannot refute, although he can even less agree with them. He says that those who have lost a worthy social status, who have nowhere else to go to war, and people at all times in society who do not care - to Pugachev, to Serbia. And Sergei Ivanovich calls them the best sons of the people, who painfully perceive the suffering of the Slavic brothers, he also cites an expression from the Gospel that Jesus brought into this world not peace, but a sword. Levin was annoyed with himself that again he could not restrain himself and began to contradict his brother. He saw that this argument was unpleasant for Sergei Ivanovich, as if he was defending the last thing he had left, so Levin stopped it.

Everyone was just returning from the apiary when a thunderstorm began. The children and Dolly barely had time to run home when the first drops fell. Kitty went into the forest with the child, because it was very hot in the house, and she did not have time to return by the rain. Levin, seizing the sheets, rushed to the forest. It seemed to him that he already saw them, as lightning blinded him, and when he could see again, he saw with horror that a large oak tree was falling, and heard a crack. He ran with all his might and prayed to God that the tree would not fall on them. And although out of habit he managed to think that praying now, when the tree had already fallen, was pointless, he could not think of anything better. Levin found them at the other end of the forest and attacked his wife, reproaching him for his carelessness. Kitty and mother were holding an umbrella over the child's cart, Mitya was dry and unharmed and had slept through the whole storm. Returning home, Levin, remembering his annoyance, guiltily squeezed his wife's hand.

After dinner, everyone was in a good mood and no longer argued. Katavasov made everyone laugh with his stories, Sergei Ivanovich taught difficult questions so simply and interestingly that everyone listened to him. Only Kitty had to leave the pleasant company, for she was called to bathe her son. Then Kitty called Levin there too, to take a look, to rejoice at her son's successes - he began to recognize his own people and took Kitty especially joyfully. This caused delight not only in the mother, but also unexpectedly in Levin. Kitty noticed that she was very glad that the man was beginning to love his son. Levin admitted that only during a thunderstorm, when his son was in danger, did he realize how much he loved him.

Leaving the nursery, Levin was in no hurry to join the general group, where it was fun. He stopped under the starry sky and again indulged in his thoughts. But now there were no painful doubts of the soul, although many questions arose before him. Now for him the obvious evidence of the appearance of God was the existence of the laws of goodness. He realized that you can’t say everything in words, you just need to believe. Kitty came up, he wanted to say what happened to his soul, but he thought that this secret of his faith would remain in him, he did not need to be uttered in words. The new feeling did not change him at the same time as he expected, but, like love for his son, it firmly entered his soul through suffering. Life acquired for Levin a new beautiful meaning - goodness.