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Every man who knows to the minutest details all the complexity of

the conditions surrounding him, cannot help imagining that the

complexity of these conditions, and the difficulty of making them

clear, is something exceptional and personal, peculiar to

himself, and never supposes that others are surrounded by just as

complicated an array of personal affairs as he is. So indeed it

seemed to Vronsky. And not without inward pride, and not without

reason, he thought that any other man would long ago have been in

difficulties, would have been forced to some dishonorable course,

if he had found himself in such a difficult position. But Vronsky

felt that now especially it was essential for him to clear up and

define his position if he were to avoid getting into

difficulties.