Page:Anna Karenina.djvu/224

 Arkadyevitch, leaping out of the sledge, with spots of mud on the bridge of his nose, on his cheeks, and on his forehead, but radiant with health and pleasure. "I am come, first, to see you," he cried, throwing his arms around Levin and kissing him; "secondly, to shoot a few birds; and thirdly, to sell the forest at Yergushovo."

"Perfect, is n't it? What do you think of this spring? But how could you have got here in a sledge?"

"Traveling is far worse with a telyega, Konstantin Dmitritch," replied the postilion, who was an acquaintance.

"Well! Indeed, I am delighted to see you again," said Levin, with a genuine smile of boyish joy.

He conducted his guest to the room kept in readiness for visitors, and had Stepan Arkadyevitch's things brought up,—a gripsack, a gun in its case, and a box of cigars, and then, leaving him to wash and dress himself, he went down to his office to speak about the clover and the plowing.

Agafya Mikhaïlovna, who had very much at heart the honor of the mansion, met him in the vestibule with questions about dinner.

"Do just as you please," replied Levin, as he went out; "only make haste about it," said he, and went to the overseer.

When he returned, Stepan Arkadyevitch, who had washed, and combed his hair, was just coming out of his room with a radiant smile, and together they went up-stairs.

"Well, I am very happy to have got out to your house at last. I shall now learn the mystery of your existence here. Truly, I envy you. What a house! How convenient everything is! how bright and delightful!" said Stepan Arkadyevitch, forgetting that bright days and the springtime were not always there. "And your old nurse,—what a charming old soul! All that's lacking is a pretty little chambermaid with an apron on,—but that does not suit your severe and monastic style; but this is very good."

Stepan Arkadyevitch had much interesting news to