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She had not seen him since his abrupt departure from Moscow, and

she sent her elder son to bid him come to see her.

This elder son, too, was displeased with his younger brother. He

did not distinguish what sort of love his might be, big or

little, passionate or passionless, lasting or passing (he kept a

ballet girl himself, though he was the father of a family, so he

was lenient in these matters), but he knew that this love affair

was viewed with displeasure by those whom it was necessary to

please, and therefore he did not approve of his brother's

conduct.

Besides the service and society, Vronsky had another great

interest-horses; he was passionately fond of horses.

That year races and a steeplechase had been arranged for the

officers. Vronsky had put his name down, bought a thoroughbred

English mare, and in spite of his love affair, he was looking

forward to the races with intense, though reserved,

excitement....