Emma Watson Pussy
Books:
Anna Karenina
War And Peace
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prepared for action. While her mother
was attacking her father, she tried to restrain her mother, so
far as filial reverence would allow. During the princes
outburst she was silent; she felt ashamed for her mother, and
tender towards her father for so quickly being kind again. But
when her father left them she made ready for what was the chief
thing needful--to go to Kitty and console her.
"Id been meaning to tell you something for a long while, mamma:
did you know that Levin meant to make Kitty an offer when he was
here the last time? He told Stiva so."
"Well, what then? I dont understand..."
"So did Kitty perhaps refuse him?... She didnt tell you so?"
"No, she has said nothing to me either of one or the other; shes
too proud. But I know its all on account of the other."
"Yes, but suppose she has refused Levin, and she wouldnt have
refused him if it hadnt been for the other, I know. And then,
he has deceived her so horribly."
It was too terrible for the princess to think how she had sinned
against her daughter, and she broke out angrily.
"Oh, I really dont understand! Nowadays they will all go their
own way, and mothers havent a word to say in anything, and
then..."
"Mamma, Ill go up to her."
"Well, do. Did I tell you not to?" said her mother.
Chapter 3
When she went into Kittys little room, a pretty, pink little
room, full of knick-knacks in _vieux saxe,_ as fresh, and pink,
and white, and gay as Kitty herself had been two months ago,
Dolly remembered how they had decorated the room the year before
together, with what love and gaiety. Her heart turned cold when
she saw Kitty sitting on a low chair near the door, her eyes
fixed immovably on a corner of the rug. Kitty glanced at her
sister, and the cold, rather ill-tempered expression of her face
did not change.
"Im just going now, and I shall have to keep in and you wont be
able to come to see me," said Dolly, sitting down beside her. "I
want to talk to you."
"What about?" Kitty asked swiftly, lifting her head in dismay.
"What should it be, but your trouble?"
"I have no trouble."
"Nonsense, Kitty. Do you suppose I could help knowing? I know
all about it. And believe me, its of so little
consequence.... Weve all been through it."
Kitty did not speak, and her face had a stern expression.
"Hes not worth your grieving over him," pursued Darya
Alexandrovna, coming straight to the point.
"No, because he has treated me with contempt," said Kitty, in a
breaking voice. "Dont talk of it! Please, dont talk of it!"
"But who can have told you so? No one has said that. Im
certain he was in love with you, and would still be in love with
you, if it hadnt...
"Oh, the most awful thing of all for me is this sympathizing!"
shrieked Kitty, suddenly flying into a passion. She turned round
on her chair, flushed crimson, and rapidly moving her fingers,
pinched the clasp of her belt first with one hand and then with
the other. Dolly knew this trick her sister had of clenching her
hands when she was much excited; she knew, too, that in moments
of excitement Kitty was capable of forgetting herself and saying
a great deal too much, and Dolly would have soothed her, but it
was too late.
"What, what is it you want to make me feel, eh?" said Kitty
quickly. "That Ive been in love with a man who didnt care a
straw for me, and that Im dying of love for him? And this is
said to me by my own sister, who imagines that...that...that
shes sympathizing with me!...I dont want these condolences
and humbug!"
"Kitty, youre unjust."
"Why are you tormenting me?"
"But I...quite the contrary...I see youre unhappy..."
But Kitty in her fury did not hear her.
"Ive nothing to grieve over and be comforted about. I am too
proud ever to allow myself to care for a man who does not love
me."
"Yes, I dont say so either.... Only one thing. Tell me the
truth," said Darya Alexandrovna, taking her by the hand: "tell
me, did Levin speak to you?..."
The mention of Levins name seemed to deprive Kitty of the last
vestige of self-control. She leaped up from her chair, and
flinging
Anna Karenina page 69 Anna Karenina page 71
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