Anna Karenina - Part 7

When Katavasov had finished, Levin looked at his watch, saw it

was past one, and thought that there would not be time before the

concert to read Metrov his book, and indeed, he did not now care

to do so. During the reading he had thought over their

conversation. He saw distinctly now that though Metrov's ideas

might perhaps have value, his own ideas had a value too, and

their ideas could only be made clear and lead to something if

each worked separately in his chosen path, and that nothing would

be gained by putting their ideas together. And having made up

his mind to refuse Metrov's invitation, Levin went up to him at

the end of the meeting. Metrov introduced Levin to the chairman,

with whom he was talking of the political news. Metrov told the

chairman what he had already told Levin, and Levin made the same

remarks on his news that he had already made that morning, but

for the sake of variety he expressed also a new opinion which had

only just struck him. After that the conversation turned again

on the university question. As Levin had already heard it all,

he made haste to tell Metrov that he was sorry he could not take

advantage of his invitation, took leave, and drove to Lvov's.