268 269
“Come, really,” said Oblonsky in surprise. “I’ve given my word, you
know.”
Levin went out of the room, slamming the door. Ryabinin looked
towards the door and shook his head with a smile.
“It’s all youthfulness—positively nothing but boyishness. Why,
I’m buying it, upon my honor, simply, believe me, for the glory of it, that
Ryabinin, and no one else, should have bought the copse of Oblonsky.
And as to the profits, why, I must make what God gives. In God’s
name. If you would kindly sign the title-deed...”
Within an hour the merchant, stroking his big overcoat neatly down,
and hooding up his jacket, with the agreement in his pocket, seated
himself in his tightly covered trap, and drove homewards.
“Ugh, these gentlefolks!” he said to the clerk. “They—they’re a
nice lot!”
“That’s so,” responded the clerk, handing him the reins and but-
toning the leather apron. “But I can congratulate you on the purchase,
Mihail Ignatitch?”
“Well, well...”
Chapter 17.
Stepan Arkadyevitch went upstairs with his pocket bulging with
notes, which the merchant had paid him for three months in advance.
The business of the forest was over, the money in his pocket; their
shooting had been excellent, and Stepan Arkadyevitch was in the
happiest frame of mind, and so he felt specially anxious to dissipate
the ill-humor that had come upon Levin. He wanted to finish the day
at supper as pleasantly as it had been begun.
Levin certainly was out of humor, and in spite off all his desire to be
affectionate and cordial to his charming visitor, he could not control his
mood. The intoxication of the news that Kitty was not married had
gradually begun to work upon him.
Kitty was not married, but ill, and ill from love for a man who had
slighted her. This slight, as it were, rebounded upon him. Vronsky had
slighted her, and she had slighted him, Levin. Consequently Vronsky
had the right to despise Levin, and therefore he was his enemy. But all
this Levin did not think out. He vaguely felt that there was something
in it insulting to him, and he was not angry now at what had disturbed
him, but he fell foul of everything that presented itself. The stupid sale
of the forest, the fraud practiced upon Oblonsky and concluded in his
house, exasperated him.
“Well, finished?” he said, meeting Stepan Arkadyevitch upstairs.