Page:Anna Karenina.djvu/973

 vitch. You understand what I mean," said she, raising her beautiful, dreamy eyes.

"I understand in part that Alekseï Aleksandrovitch's position ...." answered Oblonsky, not understanding very well what she was talking about, and preferring to confine himself to generalities.

"The change is not in his external position," said the countess, solemnly, and at the same time looking tenderly at Aleksei Aleksandrovitch, who had risen to join Landau; "it is his heart which has changed,—a new heart has been given to him,—and I very much fear that you do not realize sufficiently the great transformation which has taken place in him."

"That is ....in a general way, I can perceive the change in him. We have always been friends, and now...." said Oblonsky, answering the deep gaze of the countess with a tender one, as he queried with which of the two ministers she could do him the most effective service.

"This transformation cannot diminish his love for his neighbor; on the contrary, the change which has taken place must increase love. But I fear you don't understand me. ... Will you not have some tea?" she asked, looking toward a lackey who entered with a tea-tray.

"Not altogether, countess; of course, his misfortune...."

"Yes, he underwent a misfortune, but it became the highest happiness, because his heart was renewed," said she, raising her eyes lovingly to Stepan Arkadyevitch.

"I believe I shall have to get her to speak to them both," thought Oblonsky. "Oh! assuredly, countess," said he, "but I think that these changes are so personal that no one likes to speak of them, even to his most intimate friends."

"On the contrary, we ought to speak, and to help one another."

"Yes, without doubt; but there are such differences of conviction; and, moreover...." and Oblonsky smiled unctuously.