Anna Karenina - Part 3

As soon as he arrived in Petersburg, people began to talk about

him as a newly risen star of the first magnitude. A schoolfellow

of Vronsky's and of the same age, he was a general and was

expecting a command, which might have influence on the course of

political events; while Vronsky, independent and brilliant and

beloved by a charming woman though he was, was simply a cavalry

captain who was readily allowed to be as independent as ever he

liked. "Of course I don't envy Serpuhovskoy and never could

envy him; but his advancement shows me that one has only to watch

one's opportunity, and the career of a man like me may be very

rapidly made. Three years ago he was in just the same position

as I am. If I retire, I burn my ships. If I remain in the army,

I lose nothing. She said herself she did not wish to change her

position. And with her love I cannot feel envious of

Serpuhovskoy." And slowly twirling his mustaches, he got up from

the table and walked about the room. His eyes shone particularly

brightly, and he felt in that confident, calm, and happy frame of

mind which always came after he had thoroughly faced his

position. Everything was straight and clear, just as after

former days of reckoning. He shaved, took a cold bath, dressed

and went out.