Page:Anna Karenina.djvu/52

 him to Moscow, in order that his mind might be free. He had therefore gone directly to Oblonsky; and, having learned where he could find the Shcherbatskys, he went where he was told that he would meet Kitty.

CHAPTER IX

four o'clock Levin dismissed his izvoshchik at the entrance of the Zoölogical Garden, and with beating heart followed the path that led to the ice-mountains and the skating-pond, for he knew that he should find Kitty there, having seen the Shcherbatskys' carriage at the gate.

It was a clear frosty day. At the entrance of the garden were drawn up rows of carriages and sleighs; hired drivers and policemen stood on the watch. Hosts of fashionable people, with their hats gayly glancing in the bright sunlight, were gathered around the doors and on the paths cleared of snow, among the pretty Russian cottages with their carved balconies. The ancient birch trees of the garden, their thick branches all laden with snow, seemed clothed in new and solemn chasubles.

Levin followed the foot-path, saying to himself:—

"Be calm! there is no reason for being agitated! What do you desire? what ails you? Be quiet, you fool!"

Thus Levin addressed his heart. And the more he endeavored to calm his agitation, the more he was overcome by it, till at last he could hardly breathe. An acquaintance spoke to him as he passed, but Levin did not even notice who it was. He drew near the ice-mountains, on which creaked the ropes that let down the sledges and drew them up again. The sleds flew with a rush down the slopes, and there was a tumult of happy voices.

He went a few steps farther, and before him spread the skating-ground; and among the skaters he soon discovered her. He knew that he was near her from the joy and terror that seized his heart. She was