Page:Anna Karenina.djvu/392



He reread his letter, and was satisfied with it—especially with the fact that he had thought of sending the money. There was not an angry word, not a reproach, neither was there any condescension in it. The essential thing was the golden bridge for their reconciliation. He folded his letter, smoothed it with a huge paper-cutter of massive ivory, inclosed it in an envelop together with the money, and rang the bell, feeling that sense of satisfaction which the use of his well-ordered, perfect epistolary arrangements always gave him.

"Give this letter to the courier for delivery to Anna Arkadyevna at the datcha to-morrow," said he, and arose.

"I will obey your excellency. Will you have tea here in the library?"

Alekseï Aleksandrovitch ordered tea brought to him in the library; and then, still playing with the paper-cutter, he went toward his arm-chair, near which were a shaded lamp and a French work on cuneiform inscriptions which he had begun.