Pagina 322 de 2288

For the first moment only, Vronsky was startled after the

impression of a quite different world that he had brought with

him from Moscow. But immediately as though slipping his feet into

old slippers, he dropped back into the light-hearted, pleasant

world he had always lived in.

The coffee was never really made, but spluttered over everyone,

and boiled away, doing just what was required of it-that is,

providing much cause for much noise and laughter, and spoiling a

costly rug and the baroness's gown.

"Well now, good-bye, or you'll never get washed, and I shall have

on my conscience the worst sin a gentleman can commit. So you

would advise a knife to his throat?"

"To be sure, and manage that your hand may not be far from his

lips. He'll kiss your hand, and all will end satisfactorily,"

answered Vronsky.

"So at the Francais!" and, with a rustle of her skirts, she

vanished.

Kamerovsky got up too, and Vronsky, not waiting for him to go,

shook hands and went off to his dressing-room.