Page:Anna Karenina.djvu/612

 "Why is Mary in lilac at a wedding? It is almost mourning," said Madame Korsunsky.

"With her complexion it's her only salvation," replied Madame Drubetsky. "But I wonder why they had the ceremony in the evening? That savors of the merchant."

"It is pleasanter. I, too, was married in the evening," said Madame Korsunsky, sighing, and recalling how beautiful she had been on that day, and how ridiculously in love with her her husband had been, and how it was all so different now!

"They say that those who have been best men more than ten times never marry. I tried to make myself proof against marriage, in this way, but the place was taken," said Count Siniavin to the handsome young Princess Charskaya, who had designs on him.

A smile was her only reply. She was looking at Kitty, and thinking how and when she would stand with Count Siniavin in Kitty's place; and how she would then remind him of the joke that he had made.

Shcherbatsky confided to the old Freïlina Nikolayeva his intention to place the crown on Kitty's head-dress to bring her good luck.

"There is no need of wearing a head-dress," replied Freïlina Nikolayeva, who had long ago decided that if the old widower whom she was setting her cap for should offer himself, she would be married very simply. "I don't like this display."

Sergyeï Ivanovitch was talking with Darya Dmitrievna, jestingly declaring that the fashion of wedding tours was becoming widespread because young couples were always rather bashful.

"Your brother may well be proud of his choice. She is charming. You must envy him."

"The time has gone by for that, Darya Dmitrievna," he replied, and an unexpected expression of sadness overspread his face.

Stepan Arkadyevitch was telling his sister-in-law his pun on divorce.