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He was thinking of Anna's promise to see him that day after the

races. But he had not seen her for three days, and as her husband

had just returned from abroad, he did not know whether she would

be able to meet him today or not, and he did not know how to find

out. He had had his last interview with her at his cousin Betsy's

summer villa. He visited the Karenins' summer villa as rarely as

possible. Now he wanted to go there, and he pondered the question

how to do it.

"Of course I shall say Betsy has sent me to ask whether she's

coming to the races. Of course, I'll go," he decided, lifting his

head from the book. And as he vividly pictured the happiness of

seeing her, his face lighted up.

"Send to my house, and tell them to have out the carriage and

three horses as quick as they can," he said to the servant, who

handed him the steak on a hot silver dish, and moving the dish up

he began eating.