Page:Anna Karenina.djvu/194

 "Please don't speak to us of that fright!"

"Well! I will not, and the more willingly because you all know these frights."

"And you would all go there if it were as fashionable as the opera," added the Princess Miagkaya.

were heard near the door, and the Princess Betsy, knowing that it was Madame Karenina, looked at Vronsky. He was looking toward the door, and his face had a strange, new expression. Joyfully, expectantly, and almost timidly he gazed at Anna as she entered, and he rose slowly. Anna came into the drawing-room, as always holding herself very erect and looking neither to right nor to left. She crossed the short distance between her and the hostess, with that rapid, light, but decided step which distinguished her from all the other women of this circle. She went directly up to Betsy, and shook hands with a smile, and with the same smile she looked at Vronsky. He bowed low and offered her a chair.

She responded only by bending her head a little, and blushed, and frowned. But instantly she was nodding to her acquaintances and shaking hands; then she turned to Betsy:—

"I have been at the Countess Lidya's; I wanted to get away earlier, but I was detained. Sir John was there. He is very interesting."

"Oh, that missionary?"

"Yes; he related many very curious things about life in India."

The conversation, which Anna's entrance had interrupted, again wavered, like the flame of a lamp in a draught.

"Sir John! yes, Sir John! I have seen him. He speaks well. The Vlasieva is actually in love with him!"