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 shchef, and this infantile color which spread over her frank and lovely face pleased him immensely. But he was delighted because from the very first, as if purposely, even in the presence of a stranger, which might have caused restraint, she called Vronsky Alekseï, and told how they had just rented a house which the people called a palazso, and how she was going to occupy it with him. The simple and straightforward facing of their situation was delightful to Golenishchef. Perceiving Anna's happy and vivacious manner, knowing Alekseï Aleksandrovitch and Vronsky, it seemed to him that he thoroughly understood her. It seemed to him that he understood what she herself did not understand: how she could desert her unhappy husband and her son, and lose her good repute, and still feel animated, gay, and happy.

"It is in the guide-book," said Golenishchef, speaking of the palazzo which Vronsky called by name. "There is a superb Tintoretto there. In his latest manner."

"Do you know that? It is splendid weather; let's go over and look at it again," said Vronsky, addressing Anna.

"I should like to very much. I will go and put on my hat. Did you say it was hot?" said she, pausing at the door and looking back to Vronsky. And again the bright color came into her face.

Vronsky saw by her look that she was uncertain how he wished to treat Golenishchef, and that she was afraid that her behavior might not be what he desired.

He looked at her long and tenderly. Then he replied:—

"No, not very."

And it seemed to her that she comprehended him perfectly, and especially that he was satisfied with her, and, replying with a smile, she went out with a quick and graceful motion.

The friends looked at each other, and there came into the faces of both an expression of embarrassment, as if Golenishchef, admiring her, wished to make some