Andoneofthesearguments，inwhichKatavassovhadobviouslyconsideredthathecameoffvictorious，wasthefirstthingLevinthoughtofasherecognizedhim。
　　`No，whateverIdo，Iwon’targueandgiveutterancetomyideaslightly，’hethought。
　　GettingoutofthewagonetteandgreetinghisbrotherandKatavassov，Levinaskedabouthiswife。
　　`ShehastakenMitiatoKolok’acopsenearthehouse。`Shemeanttohavehimouttherebecauseit’ssohotindoors，’saidDolly。Levinhadalwaysadvisedhiswifenottotakethebabytothewood，thinkingitunsafe，andhewasnotpleasedtohearthis。
　　`Sherushesaboutfromplacetoplacewithhim，’saidthePrince，smiling。`Iadvisedhertotryputtinghimintheicehouse。’
　　`Shemeanttocometotheapiary。Shethoughtyouwouldbethere。
　　Wearegoingthere，’saidDolly。
　　`Well，andwhatareyoudoing？’saidSergeiIvanovich，fallingbackfromtherestandwalkingbesidehim。
　　`Oh，nothingspecial。Busyasusualwiththeland，’answeredLevin。
　　`Well，andwhataboutyou？Comeforlong？Wehavebeenexpectingyouforsuchalongtime。’
　　`Onlyforafortnight。I’veagreatdealtodoinMoscow。’
　　Atthesewordsthebrothers’eyesmet，andLevin，inspiteofthedesirehealwayshad，strongerthaneverjustnow，tobeonaffectionateandstillmoreopentermswithhisbrother，feltanawkwardnessinlookingathim。Hedroppedhiseyesanddidnotknowwhattosay。
　　CastingoverthesubjectsofconversationthatwouldbepleasanttoSergeiIvanovich，andwouldkeephimoffthesubjectoftheServianwarandtheSlavonicquestion，atwhichhehadhintedbyalludingtowhathehadtodoinMoscow，LevinbegantotalkofSergeiIvanovich’sbook。
　　`Well，havetherebeenanyreviewsofyourbook？’heasked。
　　SergeiIvanovichsmiledattheintentionalcharacterofthequestion。
　　`Nooneisinterestedinthatnow，andIleastofall，’hesaid。
　　`Justlook，DaryaAlexandrovna，weshallhaveashower，’headded，pointingwithasunshadeatthewhiteraincloudsthatshowedabovetheaspentreetops。
　　Andthesewordswereenoughtoreestablishagainbetweenthebrothersthattone-hardlyhostile，butchilly-whichLevinhadbeensolongingtoavoid。
　　LevinwentuptoKatavassov。
　　`Itwasjollyofyoutomakeupyourmindtocome，’hesaidtohim。
　　`I’vebeenintendingtoalongwhile。Nowweshallhavesomediscussion-we’llseetothat。HaveyoubeenreadingSpencer？’
　　`No，I’venotfinishedreadinghim，’saidLevin。`ButIdon’tneedhimnow。’
　　`How’sthat？That’sinteresting。Whyso？’
　　`ImeanthatI’mfullyconvincedthatthesolutionoftheproblemsthatinterestmeIshallneverfindinhimandhislike。Now……’
　　ButKatavassov’ssereneandgood-humoredexpressionsuddenlystruckhim，andhefeltsuchtendernessforhisownhappymood，whichhewasunmistakablydisturbingbythisconversation，thatherememberedhisresolutionandstoppedshort。
　　`Butwe’lltalklateron，’headded。`Ifwe’regoingtotheapiary，it’sthisway，alongthislittlepath，’hesaid，addressingthemall。
　　Goingalongthenarrowpathtoalittleuncutmeadowcoveredononesidewiththickclumpsofbrilliantheartsease，amongwhichstooduphereandtheretall，darkgreentuftsofhellebore，Levinsettledhisguestsinthedense，coolshadeoftheyoungaspensonabenchandsomestumpspurposelyputthereforvisitorstotheapiarywhomightbeafraidofthebees，andhewentoffhimselftothehuttogetbread，cucumbers，andfreshhoney，toregalethemwith。
　　Tryingtomakehismovementsasdeliberateaspossible，andlisteningtothebeesthatbuzzedmoreandmorefrequentlypasthim，hewalkedalongthelittlepathtothehut。Intheveryentryonebeehummedangrily，caughtinhisbeard，buthecarefullyextricatedit。Goingintotheshadyouterroom，hetookdownfromthewallhisveil，thathungonapeg，andputtingiton，andthrustinghishandsintohispockets，hewentintothefenced-inbeegarden，wheretherestoodinthemidstofacloselymownspaceinregularrows，fastenedwithbastonposts，allthehivesheknewsowell，theoldstocks，eachwithitsownhistory，andalongthefencestheyoungerswarmshivedthatyear。Infrontoftheopeningsofthehives，itmadehiseyesgiddytowatchthebeesanddroneswhirlingroundandroundaboutthesamespot，whileamongthemtheworkerbeesflewinandoutwithspoils，orinsearchofthem，alwaysinthesamedirection，intothewood，tothefloweringlindentrees，andbacktothehives。
　　Hisearswerefilledwiththeincessanthuminvariousnotes-
　　nowthebusyhumoftheworkerbeeflyingquicklyoff，thentheblaringofthelazydrone，andtheexcitedbuzzofthebeesonguard，protectingtheirpropertyfromtheenemyandpreparingtosting。Onthefarthersideofthefencetheoldbeekeeperwasshavingahoopforatub，andhedidnotseeLevin。Levinstoodstillinthemidstoftheapiaryanddidnotcallhim。
　　Hewasgladofachancetobealonetorecoverfromtheinfluenceofordinaryactuallife，whichhadalreadydepressedhishappymood。
　　HethoughtthathehadalreadyhadtimetolosehistemperwithIvan，toshowcoolnesstohisbrother，andtotalkflippantlywithKatavassov。
　　`Canithavebeenonlyamomentarymood，andwillitpassandleavenotrace？’hethought。
　　Butthesameinstant，goingbacktohismood，hefeltwithdelightthatsomethingnewandimportanthadhappenedtohim。Reallifehadonlyforatimeovercastthespiritualpeacehehadfound，butitwasstilluntouchedwithinhim。
　　Justasthebees，whirlingroundhim，nowmenacinghimanddistractinghisattention，preventedhimfromenjoyingcompletephysicalpeace，forcedhimtorestrainhismovementstoavoidthem，sohadthepettycaresthathadswarmedabouthimfromthemomenthegotintothetrap，restrictedhisspiritualfreedom；butthatlastedonlysolongashewasamongthem。
　　Justashisbodilystrengthwasstillunaffected，inspiteofthebees，sotoowasthespiritualstrengththathehadjustbecomeawareof。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart8，Chapter15[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter15`Doyouknow，Kostia，withwhomSergeiIvanovichtraveledonhiswayhere？’
　　saidDolly，dolingoutcucumbersandhoneytothechildren。`WithVronsky！
　　He’sgoingtoServia。’
　　`Andnotalone；he’stakingasquadronoutwithhimathisownexpense，’saidKatavassov。
　　`That’stherightthingforhim，’saidLevin。`Arevolunteersstillgoingoutthen？’headded，glancingatSergeiIvanovich。
　　SergeiIvanovichdidnotanswer。Hewascarefully，withabluntknife，gettingalivebeecoveredwithstickyhoneyoutofacupfullofwhitehoneycomb。
　　`Ishouldthinkso！Youshouldhaveseenwhatwasgoingonatthestationyesterday！’saidKatavassov，bitingwithasucculentsoundintoacucumber。
　　`Well，whatisonetomakeofit？InChrist’sname，doexplaintome，SergeiIvanovich，whereareallthosevolunteersgoing，whomaretheyfightingwith，’askedtheoldPrince，unmistakablytakingupaconversationthathadsprungupinLevin’sabsence。
　　`WiththeTurks，’SergeiIvanovichanswered，smilingserenely，asheextricatedthebee，darkwithhoneyandhelplesslykicking，andtransferreditwiththeknifetoastoutaspenleaf。
　　`ButwhohasdeclaredwarontheTurks？-IvanIvanovichRagozovandCountessLidiaIvanovna，assistedbyMadameStahl？’
　　`Noonehasdeclaredwar，butpeoplesympathizewiththeirneighbors’
　　suffering，andareeagertohelpthem，’saidSergeiIvanovich。
　　`ButthePrinceisnotspeakingofhelp，’saidLevin，comingtotheassistanceofhisfather-in-law，`butofwar。ThePrincesaysthatprivatepersonscannottakepartinwarwithoutthepermissionofthegovernment。’
　　`Kostia，mind，that’sabee！Really，they’llstingus！’saidDolly，wavingawayawasp。
　　`Butthat’snotabee-it’sawasp，’saidLevin。
　　`Wellnow，well-what’syourowntheory？’KatavassovsaidtoLevinwithasmile，distinctlychallenginghimtoadiscussion。`Whyhaven’tprivatepersonstherighttodoso？’
　　`Oh，mytheory’sthis:warisononesidesuchabeastly，cruelandawfulthing，thatnooneman，nottospeakofaChristian，canindividuallytakeuponhimselftheresponsibilityofbeginningwars；thatcanonlybedonebyagovernment，whichiscalledupontodothis，andisdriveninevitablyintowar。Ontheotherhand，bothpoliticalscienceandcommonsenseteachusthatinmattersofstate，andespeciallyinthematterofwar，privatecitizensmustforegotheirpersonalindividualwill。’
　　SergeiIvanovichandKatavassovhadtheirrepliesready，andbothbeganspeakingatthesametime。
　　`Butthepointis，mydearfellow，thattheremaybecaseswhenthegovernmentdoesnotcarryoutthewillofthecitizens，andthenthepublicassertsitswill，’saidKatavassov。
　　ButevidentlySergeiIvanovichdidnotapproveofthisanswer。
　　HisbrowscontractedatKatavassov’swords，andhesaidsomethingelse。
　　`Youdon’tputthematterinitstruelight。Thereisnoquestionhereofadeclarationofwar，butsimplytheexpressionofahumanChristianfeeling。Ourbrothers，onewithusinreligionandinrace，arebeingmassacred。
　　Evensupposingtheywerenotourbrothers，norfellowChristians，butsimplychildren，women，oldpeople，feelingisarousedandRussiansgoeagerlytohelpinstoppingtheseatrocities。Fancy，ifyouweregoingalongthestreetandsawdrunkenmenbeatingawomanorachild-Iimagineyouwouldnotstoptoinquirewhetherwarhadbeendeclaredonthemen，butwouldthrowyourselfonthem，andprotectthevictim。’
　　`ButIshouldnotkillthem，’saidLevin。
　　`Yes，youwouldkillthem。’
　　`Idon’tknow。IfIsawthat，Imightgivewaytomyimpulseofthemoment，butIcan’tsaybeforehand。Andsuchamomentaryimpulsethereisnot，andtherecannotbe，inthecaseoftheoppressionoftheSlavonicpeoples。’
　　`Possiblyforyouthereisnot；butforothersthereis，’saidSergeiIvanovich，frowningwithdispleasure。`Therearetraditionsstillextantamongourpeopleaboutorthodoxmen，sufferingundertheyokeofthe``impiousHagarites。’Thepeoplehaveheardofthesufferingsoftheirbrethren，andhavespoken。’
　　`Perhapsso，’saidLevinevasively；`butIdon’tseeit。I’moneofthepeoplemyself，andIdon’tfeelit。’
　　`HereamI，too，’saidtheoldPrince。`I’vebeenstayingabroadandreadingthepapers，andImustown，uptothetimeoftheBulgarianatrocities，Icouldn’tmakeoutwhyitwasalltheRussianswereallofasuddensofondoftheirSlavonicbrethren，whileIdidn’tfeeltheslightestaffectionforthem。Iwasverymuchupset，thoughtIwasamonster，orthatitwastheinfluenceofCarlsbadonme。ButsinceIhavebeenhere，mymind’sbeensetatrest。Iseethattherearepeoplebesidesmewho’reonlyinterestedinRussia，andnotintheirSlavonicbrethren。Here’sKonstantin，too。’
　　`Personalopinionsmeannothinginsuchacase，’saidSergeiIvanovich；
　　`it’snotamatterofpersonalopinionswhenallRussia-thewholepeople-hasexpresseditswill。’
　　`Butexcuseme，Idon’tseethat。Thepeopledon’tknowanythingaboutit，ifyoucometothat，’saidtheoldPrince。
　　`Oh，papa！……Howcanyousaythat？AndlastSundayinchurch？……’
　　saidDolly，listeningtotheconversation。`Pleasegivemeatowel，’shesaidtotheoldman，whowaslookingatthechildrenwithasmile。`Why，it’snotpossiblethatall……’
　　`ButwhatwasitinchurchonSunday？Thepriesthadbeentoldtoreadthat。Hereadit。Theydidn’tunderstandawordofit，sighedastheydoateverysermon，’pursuedtheoldPrince。`Thentheyweretoldthattherewastobeacollectionforapiousobjectinchurch；well，theypulledouttheircoppersandgavethem，butwhatfortheycouldn’tsay。’
　　`Thepeoplecannothelpknowing；thesenseoftheirowndestiniesisalwaysinthepeople，andatsuchmomentsasthepresentthatsensefindsutterance，’saidSergeiIvanovichwithconviction，glancingattheoldbeekeeper。
　　Thehandsomeoldman，withblackgrizzledbeardandthicksilveryhair，stoodmotionless，holdingacupofhoney，lookingdownfromtheheightofhistallfigurewithfriendlyserenityatthegentlefolk，obviouslyunderstandingnothingoftheirconversationandnotcaringtounderstandit。
　　`That’sso，nodoubt，’hesaid，withasignificantshakeofhisheadatSergeiIvanovich’swords。
　　`Here，then，askhim。Heknowsnothingaboutitandthinksnothing，’
　　saidLevin。`Haveyouheardaboutthewar，Mikhailich？’hesaid，turningtohim。`Whattheyreadinthechurch？Whatdoyouthinkaboutit？OughtwetofightfortheChristians？’
　　`Whatshouldwethink？AlexanderNikolaevichourEmperorhasthoughtforus；hethinksforusindeedinallthings。It’sclearerforhimtosee。ShallIbringabitmorebread？Givethelittleladsomemore？’hesaid，addressingDaryaAlexandrovnaandpointingtoGrisha，whowasfinishinghiscrust。
　　`Idon’tneedtoask，’saidSergeiIvanovich，`wehaveseenandareseeinghundredsandhundredsofpeoplewhogiveupeverythingtoserveajustcause，comefromeverypartofRussia，anddirectlyandclearlyexpresstheirthoughtandaim。Theybringtheircoppers，orgothemselvesandsaydirectlywhat’swhat。Whatdoesitmean？’
　　`Itmeans，tomythinking，’saidLevin，whowasbeginningtogetwarm，`thatamongeightymillionsofpeopletherecanalwaysbefoundnothundreds，asnow，buttensofthousandsofpeoplewhohavelostcaste，ne’er-do-wells，whoarealwaysreadytogoanywhere-toPugachiov’sbands，toKhiva，toServia……’
　　`Itellyouthatit’snotacaseofhundredsorofne’er-do-wells，butthebestrepresentativesofthepeople！’saidSergeiIvanovich，withasmuchirritationasifheweredefendingthelastpennyofhisfortune。
　　`Andwhatofthesubscriptions？Inthiscaseitisawholepeopledirectlyexpressingtheirwill。’
　　`Thatword``people’issovague，’saidLevin。`Parishclerks，schoolmasters，andoneinathousandofthepeasants，maybe，knowwhatit’sallabout。Therestoftheeightymillions，likeMikhailich，farfromexpressingtheirwill，haven’tthefaintestideawhatthereisforthemtoexpresstheirwillabout。Whatrighthavewetosaythatthisisthepeople’swill？’
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]
　　TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart8，Chapter16[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter16SergeiIvanovich，beingpracticedindialectics，didnotreply，butatonceturnedtheconversationtoanotheraspectofthesubject。
　　`Oh，ifyouwanttolearnthespiritofthepeoplebyarithmeticalcomputation，ofcourseit’sverydifficulttoarriveatit。Andvotinghasnotbeenintroducedamongus，andcannotbeintroduced，foritdoesnotexpressthewillofthepeople；butthereareotherwaysofreachingthat。Itisfeltintheair，itisfeltbytheheart。Iwon’tspeakofthosedeepcurrentswhichareastirinthestilloceanofthepeople，andwhichareevidenttoeveryunprejudicedman-letuslookatsocietyinthenarrowsense。Allthemostdiversesectionsoftheintelligentpeople，hostilebefore，aremergedinone。Everydivisionisatanend，allthepublicorganssaythesamethingoverandoveragain，allfeelthemightytorrentthathasovertakenthemandiscarryingtheminonedirection。’
　　`Yes，allthenewspapersdosaythesamething，’saidthePrince。
　　`That’strue。Butsoitisthesamethingthatallthefrogscroakbeforestorm。Onecanhearnothingforthem。’
　　`Frogsornofrogs，I’mnotthepublisherofnewspapersandI
　　don’twanttodefendthem；butIamspeakingoftheunanimityintheintellectualworld，’saidSergeiIvanovich，addressinghisbrother。Levinwouldhaveanswered，buttheoldPrinceinterruptedhim。
　　`Well，aboutthatunanimity，that’sanotherthing，onemaysay，’
　　saidthePrince。`There’smyson-in-law，StepanArkadyevich-youknowhim。He’sgotaplacenowonthecommitteeofacommissionandsomethingorother，Idon’tremember。Onlythere’snothingtodoinit-why，Dolly，it’snosecret-andasalaryofeightthousand！Youtryaskinghimwhetherhispostisofanyuse-he’llprovetoyouthatit’smostnecessary。Andhe’satruthfulman，too，butonecan’thelpbutbelieveintheutilityofeightthousandroubles。’
　　`Yes-heaskedmetogiveamessagetoDaryaAlexandrovnaaboutthepost，’saidSergeiIvanovichreluctantly，feelingthePrince’sremarktobeill-timed。
　　`Soitiswiththeunanimityofthepress。That’sbeenexplainedtome:assoonasthere’swartheirincomesaredoubled。HowcantheyhelpbelievinginthedestiniesofthepeopleandtheSlavonicraces-andallthatsortofthing？……’
　　`Idon’tcareformanyofthepapers，butthat’sunjust，’saidSergeiIvanovich。
　　`Iwouldonlymakeonecondition，’pursuedtheoldPrince。`AlphonseKarrsaidacapitalthingbeforethewarwithPrussia:``Youconsiderwartobeinevitable？Verygood。Leteveryonewhoadvocateswarbeenrolledinaspecialregimentofadvanceguards，forthevanguardofeveryassault，ofeveryattack，toleadthemall！’’
　　`Anicelottheeditorswouldmake！’saidKatavassov，withaloudroar，ashepicturedtheeditorsheknewinthispickedlegion。
　　`Butthey’drun，’saidDolly。`They’donlybeintheway。’
　　`Oh，iftheyranaway，thenwe’dhavegrapeshotorCossackswithwhipsbehindthem，’saidthePrince。
　　`Butthat’sajoke，andapooronetoo，ifyou’llexcusemesayingso，Prince，’saidSergeiIvanovich。
　　`Idon’tseethatitwasajoke，that……Levinwasbeginning，butSergeiIvanovichinterruptedhim。
　　`Everymemberofsocietyiscalledupontodohisownspecialwork，’saidhe。`Andmenofthoughtaredoingtheirworkwhentheyexpresspublicopinion。Andthesingleheartedandfullexpressionofpublicopinionistheserviceofthepress，andaphenomenontorejoiceusatthesametime。Twentyyearsagoweshouldhavebeensilent，butnowwehaveheardthevoiceoftheRussianpeople，whichisreadytoriseasonemanandreadytosacrificeitselfforitsoppressedbrethren；thatisagreatstepandaproofofstrength。’
　　`Butit’snotonlymakingasacrifice，butkillingTurks，’saidLevintimidly。`Thepeoplemakesacrificesandarereadytomakesacrificesfortheirsoul，butnotformurder，’headded，instinctivelyconnectingtheconversationwiththeideasthathadbeenabsorbinghismind。
　　`Fortheirsoul？That，youunderstand，isamostpuzzlingexpressionforastudentofthenaturalsciences。Whatsortofthingisthesoul？’
　　saidKatavassov，smiling。
　　`Oh，youknow！’
　　`No，byGod，Ihaven’tthefaintestidea！’saidKatavassovwithaloudroaroflaughter。
　　`’Ibringnotpeace，butasword，’saysChrist，’SergeiIvanovichrejoinedforhispart，quotingassimplyasthoughitweretheeasiestthingtounderstandtheverypassagethathadalwayspuzzledLevinmost。
　　`That’sso，nodoubt，’theoldmanrepeatedagain。Hewasstandingnearthemandrespondedtoachanceglanceturnedinhisdirection。
　　`Ah，mydearfellow，you’redefeated，utterlydefeated！’criedKatavassovgood-humoredly。
　　Levinreddenedwithvexation，notatbeingdefeated，butathavingfailedtocontrolhimselfandbeingdrawnintoargument。
　　`No，Ican’targuewiththem，’hethought；`theywearimpenetrablearmor，whileI’mnaked。’
　　HesawthatitwasimpossibletoconvincehisbrotherandKatavassov，andhesawevenlesspossibilityofhimselfagreeingwiththem。Whattheyadvocatedwastheveryprideofintellectthathadalmostbeenhisruin。
　　Hecouldnotadmitthatsomedozensofmen，amongthemhisbrother，hadtheright，onthegroundofwhattheyweretoldbysomehundredsofglibvolunteersswarmingtothecapital，tosaythattheyandthenewspaperswereexpressingthewillandfeelingofthepeople，andafeelingwhichwasexpressedinvengeanceandmurder。Hecouldnotadmitthis，becauseheneithersawtheexpressionofsuchfeelingsinthepeopleamongwhomhewasliving，norfoundtheminhimselfandhecouldnotbutconsiderhimselfoneofthepersonsmakinguptheRussianpeople，andmostofallbecausehe，likethepeople，didnotknowandcouldnotknowwhatisforthegeneralgood，thoughheknewbeyondadoubtthatthisgeneralgoodcouldbeattainedonlybythestrictobservanceofthatlawofrightandwrongwhichhasbeenrevealedtoeveryman，andthereforehecouldnotwishforwaroradvocatewarforanygeneralobjectswhatever。HesaidasMikhailichdidandthepeople，whohadexpressedtheirfeelinginthetraditionalinvitationstotheVariaghi:`Beprincesandruleoverus。
　　Gladlywepromisecompletesubmission。Allthelabor，allhumiliations，allsacrificeswetakeuponourselves；butwewillnotjudgeanddecide。’
　　Andnow，accordingtoSergeiIvanovich’saccount，thepeoplehadforegonethisprivilegetheyhadboughtatsuchacostlyprice。
　　Hewantedtosay，too，thatifpublicopinionwereaninfallibleguide，thenwhywerenotrevolutionsandthecommuneaslawfulasthemovementinfavoroftheSlavonicpeoples？Buttheseweremerelythoughtsthatcouldsettlenothing。Onethingcouldbeseenbeyonddoubt-thatattheactualmomentthediscussionwasirritatingSergeiIvanovich，andsoitwaswrongtocontinueit。AndLevinceasedspeakingandthencalledtheattentionofhisgueststothefactthatthestormcloudsweregathering，andthattheyhadbetterbegoinghomebeforeitrained。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]
　　TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart8，Chapter17[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter17TheoldPrinceandSergeiIvanovichgotintothewagonetteanddroveoff；
　　therestofthepartyhastenedhomewardonfoot。
　　Butthestormclouds，turningwhiteandthenblack，moveddownsoquicklythattheyhadtoquickentheirpacetogethomebeforetherain。
　　Theforemostclouds，loweringandblackassoot-ladensmoke，rushedwithextraordinaryswiftnessoverthesky。Theywerestilltwohundredpacesfromhomeandagustofwindhadalreadyblownup，andeverysecondthedownpourmightbelookedfor。
　　Thechildrenranaheadwithfrightenedandgleefulshrieks。DaryaAlexandrovna，strugglingpainfullywithherskirtsclingingroundherlegs，wasnotwalking，butrunning，hereyesfixedonthechildren。Themenoftheparty，holdingtheirhatson，strodewithlongstepsbesideher。Theywerejustatthestepswhenabigdropfellsplashingontheedgeoftheironguttering。Thechildrenandtheireldersafterthemranintotheshelterofthehouse，talkingmerrily。
　　`KaterinaAlexandrovna？’LevinaskedofAgathyaMikhailovna，whometthemwithshawlsandplaidsinthehall。
　　`Wethoughtshewaswithyou，’shesaid。
　　`AndMitia？’
　　`InKolok，hemustbe，andthenursewithhim。’
　　Levinsnatcheduptheplaidsandrantowardthecopse。
　　Inthatbriefintervaloftimethestormcloudshadmovedon，coveringthesunsocompletelythatitwasdarkasaneclipse。Stubbornly，asthoughinsistingonitsrights，thewindstoppedLevin，andtearingtheleavesandflowersoffthelindentreesandstrippingthewhitebirchbranchesintostrangeunseemlynakedness，ittwistedeverythingtooneside-acacias，flowers，burdocks，longgrass，andtalltreetops。Thepeasantgirlsworkinginthegardenranshriekingintoshelterintheservants’
　　quarters。Thestreamingrainhadalreadyflungitswhiteveiloverallthedistantforestandhalfthefieldscloseby，andwasrapidlyswoopingdownuponthecopse。Thewetoftherainspurtingupintinydropscouldbesmelledintheair。
　　Holdinghisheadbentdownbeforehim，andstrugglingwiththewindthatstrovetotearthewrapsawayfromhim，Levinwasmovinguptothecopseandhadjustcaughtsightofsomethingwhitebehindtheoaktree，whentherewasasuddenflash，thewholeearthseemedonfire，andthevaultofheavenseemedcrashingoverhead。Openinghisblindedeyes，Levingazedthroughthethickveilofrainthatseparatedhimnowfromthecopse，andtohishorrorthefirstthinghesawwasthegreencrestofthefamiliaroaktreeinthemiddleofthecopseuncannilychangingitsposition。`Canithavebeenstruck？’Levinhardlyhadtimetothinkwhen，movingmoreandmorerapidly，theoaktreevanishedbehindtheothertrees，andheheardthecrashofthegreattreefallingupontheothers。
　　Theflashoflightning，thecrashofthunder，andtheinstantaneouschillthatranthroughhimwereallmergedforLevininonesenseofterror。
　　`MyGod！MyGod！Notonthem！’hesaid。
　　Andthoughhethoughtatoncehowsenselesswashisprayerthattheyshouldnothavebeenkilledbytheoakwhichhadfallennow，herepeatedit，knowingthathecoulddonothingbetterthanutterthissenselessprayer。
　　Runninguptotheplacewheretheyusuallywent，hedidnotfindthemthere。
　　Theywereattheotherendofthecopseunderanoldlindentree；
　　theywerecallinghim。Twofiguresindarkdressestheyhadbeenlightsummerdresseswhentheystartedoutwerestandingbendingoversomething。
　　ItwasKittywiththenurse。Therainwasalreadyceasing，anditwasbeginningtogetlightwhenLevinreachedthem。Thenursewasnotwetonthelowerpartofherdress，butKittywasdrenchedthrough，andhersoakedclothesclungtoher。Thoughtherainwasover，theystillstoodinthesamepositioninwhichtheyhadbeenstandingwhenthestormbroke。Bothstoodbendingoveraperambulatorwithagreenumbrella。
　　`Alive？Unhurt？ThankGod！’hesaid，splashingwithhissoakedbootsthroughthestandingwaterandrunninguptothem。
　　Kitty’srosywetfacewasturnedtowardhim，andshesmiledtimidlyunderhershapelesssoppinghat。
　　`Aren’tyouashamedofyourself？Ican’tthinkhowyoucanbesoreckless！’hesaidangrilytohiswife。
　　`Itwasn’tmyfault，really。Wewerejustintendingtogo，whenhemadesuchato-dothatwehadtochangehim。Wewerejust……’Kittybegandefendingherself。
　　Mitiawasunharmed，dry，andstillfastasleep。
　　`Well，thankGod！Idon’tknowwhatI’msaying！’
　　Theygatheredupthebaby’swetbelongings；thenursepickedupthebabyandcarriedit。Levinwalkedbesidehiswife，and，penitentforhavingbeenangry，hesqueezedherhandwhenthenursewasnotlooking。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]
　　TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart8，Chapter18[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter18Duringthewholeofthatday，intheextremelyvariedconversationsinwhichhetookpart，onlyasitwerewiththetoplayerofhismind，inspiteofthedisappointmentofnotfindingthechangeheexpectedinhimself，Levinhadbeenallthewhilejoyfullyconsciousofthefullnessofhisheart。
　　Aftertherainitwastoowettogoforawalk；besides，thestormcloudsstillhungaboutthehorizon，andgatheredhereandthere，blackandthundery，ontherimofthesky。Thewholepartyspenttherestofthedayinthehouse。
　　Nomorediscussionssprangup；onthecontrary，afterdinnereveryonewasinthemostamiableframeofmind。
　　AtfirstKatavassovamusedtheladiesbyhisoriginaljokes，whichalwayspleasedpeopleontheirfirstacquaintancewithhim。ThenSergeiIvanovichinducedhimtotellthemabouttheveryinterestingobservationshehadmadeonthedifferencebetweenthefemaleandmalecommonhousefliesintheircharactersandevenphysiognomies，andtheirframeoflife。SergeiIvanovich，too，wasingoodspirits，andatteahisbrotherdrewhimontoexplainhisviewsofthefutureoftheEasternquestion，andhespokesosimplyandsowell，thateveryonelistenedeagerly。
　　Kittywastheonlyonewhodidnothearitall-shewassummonedtogiveMitiahisbath。
　　AfewminutesafterKittyhadlefttheroomshesentforLevintocometothenursery。
　　Leavinghistea，andregretfullyinterruptingtheinterestingconversation，andatthesametimeuneasilywonderingwhyhehadbeensentfor，asthisonlyhappenedonimportantoccasions，Levinwenttothenursery。
　　AlthoughhehadbeenmuchinterestedbySergeiIvanovich’sviewsofthenewepochinhistorythatwouldbecreatedbytheemancipationoffortymillionsofmenofSlavonicraceactingwithRussia-aconceptionquitenewtohim-andalthoughhewasdisturbedbyuneasywonderatbeingsentforbyKitty，assoonashecameoutofthedrawingroomandwasalone，hismindrevertedatoncetothethoughtsofthemorning。AndallthetheoriesofthesignificanceoftheSlavelementinthehistoryoftheworldseemedtohimsotrivialcomparedwithwhatwaspassinginhisownsoul，thatheinstantlyforgotitallanddroppedbackintothesameframeofmindthathehadbeeninthatmorning。
　　Hedidnot，ashehaddoneatothertimesrecallthewholetrainofthought-thatwasnotnecessaryforhim。Hefellbackatonceintothefeelingwhichhadguidedhim，whichwasconnectedwiththosethoughts，andhefoundthatfeelinginhissoulevenstrongerandmoredefinitethanbefore。Hedidnot，ashehadhadtodowithpreviousattemptstofindcomfortingarguments，needtoreviveawholechainofthoughttofindthefeeling。Now，onthecontrary，thefeelingofjoyandpeacewaskeenerthanever，andthoughtcouldnotkeeppacewithfeeling。
　　Hewalkedacrosstheterraceandlookedattwostarsthathadcomeoutinthedarkeningsky，andsuddenlyheremembered。`Yes，lookingatthesky，IthoughtthatthedomethatIseeisnotadeception，andthenIdidnotthinkoversomethingtothelast-Ishirkedfacingsomething，’
　　hemused。`Butwhateveritwas，therecanbenodisprovingit！Ihavebuttothink，andallwillcomeclear！’
　　Justashewasgoingintothenurseryherememberedwhatitwashehadshirkedfacing。ItwasthatifthechiefproofoftheDivinitywasHisrevelationofwhatisright，howisitthisrevelationisconfinedtotheChristianChurchalone？WhatrelationtothisrevelationhavethebeliefsoftheBuddhists，Mohammedans，whopreachedanddidgoodtoo？
　　Itseemedtohimthathehadananswertothisquestion；buthehadnottimetoformulateittohimselfbeforehewentintothenursery。
　　Kittywasstanding，withhersleevestuckedup，overthebabyinthebath。Hearingherhusband’sfootstep，sheturnedtowardhim，summoninghimtoherwithhersmile。Withonehandshewassupportingthefatbabythatlayfloatingandsprawlingonitsback，whilewiththeothershesqueezedthespongeoverhim。
　　`Come，look，look！’shesaid，whenherhusbandcameuptoher。
　　`AgathyaMikhailovna’sright。Heknowsus！’
　　Mitiahadonthatdaygivenunmistakable，incontestablesignsofrecognizingallhisfriends。
　　AssoonasLevinapproachedthebath，theexperimentwastried，anditwascompletelysuccessful。Thecook，sentforwiththisobject，bentoverthebaby。Hefrownedandshookhisheaddisapprovingly。Kittybentdowntohim，hegaveherabeamingsmile，proppedhislittlehandsonthespongeandchirruped，makingsuchaqueerlittlecontentedsoundwithhislipsthatKittyandthenursewerenotaloneintheiradmiration-Levin，too，wassurprisedanddelighted。
　　Thebabywastakenoutofthebath，drenchedwithwater，wrappedintowels，dried，and，afterapiercingscream，handedtohismother。
　　`Well，Iamgladyouarebeginningtolovehim，’saidKittytoherhusband，whenshehadsettledherselfcomfortablyinherusualplace，withthebabyatherbreast。`Iamsoglad！Ithadbeguntodistressme。
　　Yousaidyouhadnofeelingforhim。’
　　`No；didIsaythat？IonlysaidIwasdisappointed。’
　　`What！Disappointedinhim？’
　　`Notdisappointedinhim，butinmyownfeeling；Ihadexpectedmore。Ihadexpectedarushofnewdelightfulemotiontocomeasasurprise。
　　Andtheninsteadofthat-disgust，pity……’
　　Shelistenedattentively，lookingathimoverthebaby，whilesheputbackonherslenderfingerstheringsshehadtakenoffwhilegivingMitiahisbath。
　　`Andmostofall，attherebeingfarmoreapprehensionandpitythanpleasure。Today，afterthatfrightduringthestorm，IunderstandhowIlovehim。’
　　Kitty’ssmilewasradiant。
　　`Wereyouverymuchfrightened？’shesaid。`SowasI，too，butIfeelitmorenowthatit’sover。I’mgoingtolookattheoak。HowcharmingKatavassovis！Andwhatahappydaywe’vehadaltogether。Andyou’resoamiablewithSergeiIvanovich，whenyoucaretobe……Well，gobacktothem。It’salwayssohotandsteamyhereafterthebath……’
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]
　　TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart8，Chapter19[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter19Goingoutofthenurseryandbeingagainalone，Levinwentbackatoncetothethought，inwhichtherewassomethingnotclear。
　　Insteadofgoingintothedrawingroom，whereheheardvoices，hestoppedontheterrace，and，leaninghiselbowsontheparapet，hegazedupatthesky。
　　Itwasquitedarknow，andinthesouth，wherehewaslooking，therewerenoclouds。Thestormhaddriftedontotheoppositesideofthesky，andtherewereflashesoflightninganddistantthunderfromthatquarter。Levinlistenedtothemonotonousdripfromthelindentreesinthegarden，andlookedatthetriangleofstarsheknewsowell，andtheMilkyWaywithitsbranches，thatranthroughitsmidst。AteachflashoflightningtheMilkyWay，andeventhebrightstars，vanished，butassoonasthelightningdiedaway，theyreappearedintheirplacesasthoughsomehandhadflungthembackwithcarefulaim。
　　`Well，whatisitthatperplexesme？’Levinsaidtohimself，feelingbeforehandthatthesolutionofhisdifficultieswasreadyinhissoul，thoughhedidnotknowityet。
　　`Yes，theoneunmistakable，incontestablemanifestationoftheDivinityisthelawofrightandwrong，whichhascomeintotheworldbyrevelation，andwhichIfeelwithinmyself，andintherecognitionofwhichInotsomuchmakemyselfbut，willy-nilly，ammade，onewithothermeninonebodyofbelievers，whichiscalledtheChurch。Well，buttheJews，theMohammedans，theConfucians，theBuddhists-whatofthem？’heputtohimselfthequestionhehadfearedtoface。`Canthesehundredsofmillionsofmenbedeprivedofthathighestblessingwithoutwhichlifehasnomeaning？’
　　Heponderedamoment，butimmediatelycorrectedhimself。`ButwhatamI
　　questioning？’hesaidtohimself。`IamquestioningtherelationtoDivinityofallthedifferentreligionsofallmankind。IamquestioningtheuniversalmanifestationofGodtoalltheworldwithallthesenebulae。WhatamI
　　about？Tomeindividually，tomyhearthasbeenrevealedaknowledgebeyondalldoubt，andunattainablebyreason，andhereIamobstinatelytryingtoexpressthatknowledgeinreasonandwords。
　　`Don’tIknowthatthestarsdon’tmove？’heaskedhimself，gazingatthebrightplanetwhichhadshifteditspositionuptothetopmosttwigofabirchtree。`Butlookingatthemovementsofthestars，Ican’tpicturetomyselftherotationoftheearth，andI’mrightinsayingthatthestarsmove。
　　`Andcouldtheastronomershaveunderstoodandcalculatedanything，iftheyhadtakenintoaccountallthecomplicatedandvariedmotionsoftheearth？-Allthemarvelousconclusionstheyhavereachedaboutthedistances，weights，revolutions，andperturbationsoftheheavenlybodies，areonlyfoundedontheapparentmotionsoftheheavenlybodiesroundthestationaryearth，onthatverymotionIseebeforemenow，whichhasbeensoformillionsofmenduringlongages-hasbeenandalwayswillbealike，andcanalwaysbeverified。Andjustastheconclusionsoftheastronomerswouldhavebeenvainanduncertainifnotfoundedonobservationsofthevisibleheavens，inrelationtoasinglemeridianandasinglehorizon，sowouldmyconclusionsbevainanduncertainifnotfoundedonthatconceptionofright，whichhasbeenandwillalwaysbealikeforallmen，whichhasbeenrevealedtomebyChristianity，andwhichcanalwaysbeverifiedinmysoul。ThequestionofotherreligionsandtheirrelationstoDivinityIhavenorighttodecide，andnopossibilityofdeciding。’
　　`Oh，youhaven’tgoneinthen？’heheardKitty’svoicesuddenly，asshecamebythesamewaytothedrawingroom。`Whatisit？You’renotworriedaboutanything？’shesaid，lookingintentlyathisfaceinthestarlight。
　　Butshecouldnothaveseenhisfaceifaflashoflightninghadnothiddenthestarsandrevealedit。Inthatflashshesawhisfacedistinctly，andseeinghimcalmandhappy，shesmiledathim。
　　`Sheunderstands，’hethought；`sheknowswhatI’mthinkingabout。
　　ShallItellherornot？Yes，I’lltellher。’Butatthemomenthewasabouttospeak，shebeganspeaking。
　　`Kostia！Dosomethingforme，’shesaid；`gointothecornerroomandseeifthey’vemadeitallreadyforSergeiIvanovich。Ican’tverywell。Seeifthey’veputthenewwashstandinit。’
　　`Verywell，I’llgodirectly，’saidLevin，standingupandkissingher。
　　`No，I’dbetternotspeakofit，’hethought，whenshehadgoneinbeforehim。`Itisasecretformealone，ofvitalimportanceforme，andnottobeputintowords。
　　`Thisnewfeelinghasnotchangedme，hasnotmademehappyandenlightenedallofasudden，asIhaddreamed，justlikethefeelingformychild。Therewasnosurpriseinthiseither。Whetheritisfaithornot-Idon’tknowwhatitis-butthisfeelinghascomejustasimperceptiblythroughsuffering，andhastakenfirmrootinmysoul。
　　`Ishallgooninthesameway，losingmytemperwithIvanthecoachman，fallingintoangrydiscussions，expressingmyopinionstactlessly；
　　therewillbestillthesamewallbetweentheholyofholiesofmysoulandotherpeople，evenmywife；Ishallstillgoonscoldingherformyownfrightandbeingremorsefulforit；IshallstillbeasunabletounderstandwithmyreasonwhyIpray，andIshallstillgoonpraying；butmylifenow，mywholelifeapartfromanythingthatcanhappentome，everyminuteofitisnomoremeaningless，asitwasbefore，butithasthepositivemeaningofgoodness，whichIhavethepowertoputintoit。’
　　THEEND[TableofContents]