Anna Karenina - Part 5

When Anna came in in her hat and cape, and her lovely hand

rapidly swinging her parasol, and stood beside him, it was with a

feeling of relief that Vronsky broke away from the plaintive eyes

of Golenishtchev which fastened persistently upon him, and with a

fresh rush of love looked at his charming companion, full of life

and happiness. Golenishtchev recovered himself with an effort,

and at first was dejected and gloomy, but Anna, disposed to feel

friendly with everyone as she was at that time, soon revived his

spirits by her direct and lively manner. After trying various

subjects of conversation, she got him upon painting, of which he

talked very well, and she listened to him attentively. They

walked to the house they had taken, and looked over it.

"I am very glad of one thing," said Anna to Golenishtchev when

they were on their way back, "Alexey will have a capital _atelier_.

You must certainly take that room," she said to Vronsky in

Russian, using the affectionately familiar form as though she saw

that Golenishtchev would become intimate with them in their

isolation, and that there was no need of reserve before him.

"Do you paint?" said Golenishtchev, turning round quickly to

Vronsky.

"Yes, I used to study long ago, and now I have begun to do a

little," said Vronsky, reddening.

"He has great talent," said Anna with a delighted smile. "I'm no

judge, of course. But good judges have said the same."