This place was worth from 7000 to 10,000 rubles a year; and Oblonsky could accept this position, and not resign his present duties. Everything depended on two ministers, a lady, and two Jews; and, although they were ready to grant what he wished, he had to go to Petersburg to solicit their aid. Moreover, he faithfully promised Anna that he would obtain from Karenin a decisive answer about the divorce, and, having extorted fifty rubles from Dolly, he set out for Petersburg.
Sitting in Karenin's library and listening to his exposition of a project for reforming the status of Russian finance, Stepan Arkadyevitch waited as patiently as he could till he might put in a word about his personal affairs and about Anna.
"Yes! That is very true," said he, when Alekseï Aleksandrovitch took off the pince-nez without which he could not read now, and looked inquiringly at his brother-in-law; "that is very true in detail; but nevertheless, the leading principle of our age is liberty."
"Yes, but I advocate another principle which embraces freedom," replied Alekseï Aleksandrovitch, accenting the word "embraces," and putting on his pince-nez to read over the passage where he had said that very thing.
And, turning over the pages of his elegantly written manuscript, with its wide margins, he again read the concluding paragraph:—
"For if I sustain the protectionist system, it is not for the advantage of private individuals, but for the general good, for all classes alike, both low and high; and it is that which they will not understand," added he, looking over his pince-nez at Oblonsky, "absorbed as they are in their personal interests, and so easily satisfied with phrases."
Stepan Arkadyevitch knew that when Karenin began to speak of what was said and done by those who were opposed to his views, and who were the source of all evil in Russia, he was nearing the end; and so he willingly renounced his "principle of liberty," and agreed with him. Alekseï Aleksandrovitch came to a pause,
