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Chapter 9

On the drive home, as Darya Alexandrovna, with all her children

round her, their heads still wet from their bath, and a kerchief

tied over her own head, was getting near the house, the coachman

said, "There's some gentleman coming: the master of Pokrovskoe, I

do believe."

Darya Alexandrovna peeped out in front, and was delighted when

she recognized in the gray hat and gray coat the familiar figure

of Levin walking to meet them. She was glad to see him at any

time, but at this moment she was specially glad he should see her

in all her glory. No one was better able to appreciate her

grandeur than Levin.

Seeing her, he found himself face to face with one of the

pictures of his daydream of family life.

"You're like a hen with your chickens, Darya Alexandrovna."

"Ah, how glad I am to see you!" she said, holding out her hand to

him.

"Glad to see me, but you didn't let me know. My brother's staying

with me. I got a note from Stiva that you were here."