Anna Karenina (Dole)/Part Four/Chapter 8
CHAPTER VIII
Alekseï Aleksandrovitch, after he returned from mass, spent the morning in his room. He had two things to accomplish on this day: first, to receive a deputation of the foreign population which was on its way to Petersburg, and happened just at that time to be at Moscow, and he wanted to instruct them as to what they should say; and then to write to his lawyer, as he had promised.
The deputation, although it had been appointed at Alekseï Aleksandrovitch's invitation, was likely to cause great embarrassment and even to be a source of peril, and Alekseï Aleksandrovitch was very glad to meet it in Moscow. The members of the deputation had not the slightest comprehension of their duties and obligations. They were perfectly persuaded that their work consisted in exposing their needs and explaining the actual state of affairs and asking governmental assistance; and they really could not comprehend that some of their statements and demands gave color to the arguments of the hostile party, and therefore spoiled the whole business.
Alekseï Aleksandrovitch had a long discussion with them, made out a program, from which they were not to deviate on any account in their dealings with the government, and, when they left him, gave them letters of introduction to various persons in Petersburg, so that they might be properly treated. The Countess Lidya Ivanovna would be his principal auxiliary in this matter; she had a specialty for deputations, and knew better than anybody else how to manage them.
When he had finished this business, Alekseï Aleksandrovitch wrote to his lawyer. Without the slightest misgiving, he gave him full power to do as he thought best, and sent three notes from Vronsky to Anna, which he had found in the portfolio. Since Alekseï Aleksandrovitch had left home with the intention of never returning to his family, and since his interview with the lawyer, when he had confided to one person at least his intentions, and especially since he had transferred this episode of his life to a documentary basis, he had become more and more settled in his convictions, and was now perfectly clear in his mind that what he wished could be accomplished.
Just as he was sealing his letter, he heard Stepan Arkadyevitch's loud voice asking the servant if his brother-in-law was at home, and insisting on being announced.
"It's all the same," thought Alekseï Aleksandrovitch, "or rather, so much the better. I will explain to him my position in regard to his sister, and he will understand that it is impossible for me to dine at his house."
"Come in," he cried, gathering up his papers and pushing them into a writing-case.
"There now, you see you lied, and he is at home," said Stepan Arkadyevitch to the servant, who would not let him in; then, taking off his overcoat as he walked along, he came into Alekseï Aleksandrovitch's room.
"I am delighted to find you...." he began gayly, "I hope...."
"I cannot go," said Alekseï Aleksandrovitch, coldly, receiving his brother-in-law standing, and not asking him to sit down, Alekseï Aleksandrovitch resolved to adopt with his wife's brother the cool relations which seemed proper since he had decided to get a divorce. But he did not reckon on that sea of kind-heartedness which was always overflowing its banks in Stepan Arkadyevitch's heart.
Stepan Arkadyevitch opened wide his bright, clear eyes.
"Why can't you come? What do you mean?" he asked in French with some hesitation. "But you promised to come, and we all are counting on you."
"I wish to tell you that I cannot come because our family relations must be broken."
"How is that? Why?" said Oblonsky, with a smile.
"Because I have commenced an action for getting a divorce from my wife, your sister. I must...."
But Alekseï Aleksandrovitch did not finish his sentence—for Stepan Arkadyevitch acted in a manner quite contrary to his expectations. Stepan Arkadyevitch sank into an arm-chair, with a deep sigh.
"Alekseï Aleksandrovitch, it can't be possible," he cried, with pain expressed in his face.
"It is true."
"Pardon me. I cannot, I cannot believe it."
Alekseï Aleksandrovitch sat down; he felt that his words had not produced the effect that he had looked for, and that whatever explanation he might make his relations with Oblonsky would remain the same.
"Yes, it is a cruel necessity, but I am forced to demand the divorce," he replied.
"I will say only one thing to you, Alekseï Aleksandrovitch. I know that you are a man of principle, and I know Anna is one of the best of women,—excuse me if I cannot change my opinion of her,—I cannot believe it; there must be some misunderstanding!"
"Yes; if it were only a misunderstanding!" ....
"Excuse me; I understand; but I beg of you, I beg of you, do not be in haste," interrupted Stepan Arkadyevitch.
"I have done nothing hastily," said Alekseï Aleksandrovitch, coldly; "but in such a case, one cannot ask advice of anybody; I am decided."
"This is terrible," exclaimed Stepan Arkadyevitch, with a deep sigh. "I would do one thing, Alekseï Aleksandrovitch. I beseech you to do this!" said he. "Proceedings, as I understand, have not yet begun. Before you do anything talk with my wife. She loves Anna like a sister, she loves you, and she is a woman of good sense. For God's sake, talk with her. Do me this favor, I beg of you."
Alekseï Aleksandrovitch deliberated, and Stepan Arkadyevitch looked at him sympathetically, not breaking in on his silence.
"Will you come to her?"
"Well, I don't know. That is the reason I did not call at your house. I suppose our relations ought to be broken off.""Why should they be? I don't see that. Allow me to believe that apart from our family connection, you have toward me, to a certain extent at least, the same friendly sentiments which I have always felt toward you. .... And genuine regard ...." said Stepan Arkadyevitch, pressing his hand. "Even if your worst surmises were justified, I should never take it on myself to criticize either side, and I see no reason why our relations should be changed. But now do this,—come and see my wife."
"Well, you and I look on this matter differently," said Alekseï Aleksandrovitch, coldly. "However, we will not discuss it."
"No, but why should you not come and dine with us at least to-day? My wife expects you. Please come! and above all talk with her; she is, I assure you, a superior woman. For God's sake come, I beg you on my knees."
"If you wish it so much, I will go," said Alekseï Aleksandrovitch, sighing. And to change the conversation, he asked Stepan Arkadyevitch about a matter which interested them both: about the new nachalnik, a man still young, who had suddenly received such an important appointment.
Alekseï Aleksandrovitch had never liked Count Anitchkin, and had always differed with him about many questions; and now he could not help a feeling of envy natural to an official who had suffered defeat in his work and saw a younger man receiving advancement.
"Well, have you met him yet?" asked Alekseï Aleksandrovitch, with a venomous smile.
"Oh, yes; he was with us yesterday at the session. He seems like a man very well informed and very active."
"Active? but how does he employ his activity?" exclaimed Alekseï Aleksandrovitch. "Is it in doing his work, or in destroying what others have done before him? The plague of our government is this scribbling bureaucracy, of which Anitchkin is a worthy representative."
"Truly I don't know how this criticism applies to him. I don't even know his tendencies; at any rate, he is a very good fellow," replied Stepan Arkadyevitch. "I have just been with him,... a very good fellow; we lunched together, and I taught him how to make a drink, you know—wine and oranges. He liked it very much. No, he is a fine young man."
Stepan Arkadyevitch looked at his watch.
"Akh batiushki! it is after four o'clock! and I have still to see Dolgovushin. It is decided, then, that you will dine with us, is n't it? Both my wife and myself will feel really hurt if you refuse to come."
Alekseï Aleksandrovitch took leave of his brother-in-law very differently from the way in which he had greeted him.
"I have promised, and I will come," he replied in a melancholy tone.
"Believe me, I appreciate it; and I hope you will not regret it," said Stepan Arkadyevitch, with a smile.
And putting on his overcoat in the hall, he shook his fist at the servant's head, laughed, and went out.
"At five o'clock, remember, and in ordinary dress," he called back once more, returning to the door.