Chapter 17

           Nextdayateleveno’clockinthemorningVronskydrovetothestationofthePetersburgrailwaytomeethismother,andthefirstpersonhecameacrossonthegreatflightofstepswasOblonsky,whowasexpectinghissisterbythesametrain.

           “Ah!yourexcellency!”criedOblonsky,“whomareyoumeeting?”

           “Mymother,”Vronskyresponded,smiling,aseveryonedidwhometOblonsky.Heshookhandswithhim,andtogethertheyascendedthesteps.“SheistobeherefromPetersburgtoday.”

           “Iwaslookingoutforyoutilltwoo’clocklastnight.WheredidyougoaftertheShtcherbatskys’?”

           “Home,”answeredVronsky.“ImustownIfeltsowellcontentyesterdayaftertheShtcherbatskys’thatIdidn’tcaretogoanywhere.”

           “Iknowagallantsteedbytokenssure,

           AndbyhiseyesIknowayouthinlove,”

           declaimedStepanArkadyevitch,justashehaddonebeforetoLevin.

           Vronskysmiledwithalookthatseemedtosaythathedidnotdenyit,buthepromptlychangedthesubject.

           “Andwhomareyoumeeting?”heasked.

           “I?I’vecometomeetaprettywoman,”saidOblonsky.

           “Youdon’tsayso!”

           “Honisoitquimalypense!MysisterAnna.”

           “Ah!that’sMadameKarenina,”saidVronsky.

           “Youknowher,nodoubt?”

           “IthinkIdo.Orperhapsnot...Ireallyamnotsure,”Vronskyansweredheedlessly,withavaguerecollectionofsomethingstiffandtediousevokedbythenameKarenina.

           “ButAlexeyAlexandrovitch,mycelebratedbrother-in-law,yousurelymustknow.Alltheworldknowshim.”

           “Iknowhimbyreputationandbysight.