Although all Vronsky's inner life was absorbed in his passion,

his external life unalterably and inevitably followed along the

old accustomed lines of his social and regimental ties and

interests. The interests of his regiment took an important place

in Vronsky's life, both because he was fond of the regiment, and

because the regiment was fond of him. They were not only fond of

Vronsky in his regiment, they respected him too, and were proud

of him; proud that this man, with his immense wealth, his

brilliant education and abilities, and the path open before him

to every kind of success, distinction, and ambition, had

disregarded all that, and of all the interests of life had the

interests of his regiment and his comrades nearest to his heart.

Vronsky was aware of his comrades' view of him, and in addition

to his liking for the life, he felt bound to keep up that

reputation.

It need not be said that he did not speak of his love to any of

his comrades, nor did he betray his secret even in the wildest

drinking bouts (though indeed he was never so drunk as to lose

all control of himself). And he shut up any of his thoughtless

comrades who attempted to allude to his connection. But in spite

of that, his love was known to all the town; everyone guessed

with more or less confidence at his relations with Madame

Karenina. The majority of the younger men envied him for just

what was the most irksome factor in his love--the exalted

position of Karenin, and the consequent publicity of their

connection in society.

The greater number of the young women, who envied Anna and had

long been weary of hearing her called _virtuous_, rejoiced at the

fulfillment of their predictions, and were only waiting for a

decisive turn in public opinion to fall upon her with all the

weight of their scorn. They were already making ready their

handfuls of mud to fling at her when the right moment arrived.

The greater number of the middle-aged people and certain great

personages were displeased at the prospect of the impending

scandal in society.

Vronsky's mother, on hearing of his connection, was at first

pleased at it, because nothing to her mind gave such a finishing

touch to a brilliant young man as a _liaison_ in the highest

society; she was pleased, too, that Madame Karenina, who had so

taken her fancy, and had talked so much of her son, was, after

all, just like all other pretty and well-bred women,--at least

according to the Countess Vronskaya's ideas. But she had heard

of late that her son had refused a position offered him of great

importance to his career, simply in order to remain in the

regiment, where he could be constantly seeing Madame Karenina.

She learned that great personages were displeased with him on

this account, and she changed her opinion. She was vexed, too,

that from all she could learn of this connection it was not that

brilliant, graceful, worldly _liaison_ which she would have

welcomed, but a sort of Wertherish, desperate passion, so she was

told, which might well lead him into imprudence. She had not

seen him since his abrupt departure from Moscow, and she sent her

elder son to bid him come to see her.




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