صفحة 181 من 2288

"Now let us be off," said Vronsky, coming in. They went out

together. Vronsky was in front with his mother. Behind walked

Madame Karenina with her brother. Just as they were going out of

the station the station-master overtook Vronsky.

"You gave my assistant two hundred roubles. Would you kindly

explain for whose benefit you intend them?"

"For the widow," said Vronsky, shrugging his shoulders. "I should

have thought there was no need to ask."

"You gave that?" cried Oblonsky, behind, and, pressing his

sister's hand, he added: "Very nice, very nice! Isn't he a

splendid fellow? Good-bye, countess."

And he and his sister stood still, looking for her maid.

When they went out the Vronsky's carriage had already driven

away. People coming in were still talking of what happened.

"What a horrible death!" said a gentleman, passing by. "They say

he was cut in two pieces."

"On the contrary, I think it's the easiest-instantaneous,"

observed another.