Page:Anna Karenina.djvu/718

 three-ruble note out of her muff, thrust it into his hand.

"Serozha .... Sergyeï Aleksievitch," she stammered, and started down the vestibule.

The Swiss's assistant examined the note, and stopped the visitor at the inner glass door.

"Whom do you wish to see?" he asked.

She did not hear his words, and made no reply.

Kapitonuitch, noticing the stranger's confusion, came out, let her into the entry, and asked her what she wanted.

"I come from Prince Skorodumof to see Sergyeï Aleksievitch."

"He is not up yet," replied the Swiss, looking sharply at her.

Anna had never dreamed that the absolutely unchanged appearance of the anteroom of the house which for nine years had been her home could have such a powerful effect on her.

One after another, sweet and painful memories arose in her mind, and for a moment she forgot why she was there.

"Will you wait?" asked the Swiss, helping her to remove her shubka. When he saw her face, he recognized her, and without a word bowed profoundly.

"Will your ladyship be pleased to enter?" he said to her.

She tried to speak, but her voice refused to utter a sound. Giving the old servant an entreating look, with light, swift steps she went to the staircase. She flew up the stairs. Kapitonuitch tried to overtake her, and followed after her, catching his galoshes at every step.

"His tutor is there; perhaps he is not dressed yet; I will speak to him."

Anna kept on up the stairs which she knew so well, not heeding what the old man said.

"This way. To the left, if you please. Excuse it if all is in disorder. He sleeps in the front room now," said the Swiss, out of breath. "Will your ladyship be