Pagina 219 di 2288

With her long-sighted eyes, she knew him at once, and was even

aware that he was looking at her.

"Another turn, eh? You're not tired?" said Korsunsky, a little

out of breath.

"No, thank you!"

"Where shall I take you?"

"Madame Karenina's here, I think ... take me to her."

"Wherever you command."

And Korsunsky began waltzing with measured steps straight towards

the group in the left corner, continually saying, "Pardon,

mesdames, pardon, pardon, mesdames"; and steering his course

through the sea of lace, tulle, and ribbon, and not disarranging

a feather, he turned his partner sharply round, so that her slim

ankles, in light transparent stockings, were exposed to view, and

her train floated out in fan shape and covered Krivin's knees.

Korsunsky bowed, set straight his open shirt front, and gave her

his arm to conduct her to Anna Arkadyevna. Kitty, flushed, took

her train from Krivin's knees, and, a little giddy, looked round,

seeking Anna. Anna was not in lilac, as Kitty had so urgently

wished, but in a black, low-cut, velvet gown, showing her full

throat and shoulders, that looked as though carved in old ivory,

and her rounded arms, with tiny, slender wrists. The whole gown

was trimmed with Venetian guipure.