Anna Karenina - LimpidSoft

PART TWO CHAPTER 8
out the danger I perceive, to warn her, even to use my authority. I ought to speak
plainly to her.” And everything that he would say tonight to his wife took clear
shape in Alexey Alexandrovitch’s head. Thinking over what he would say, he somewhat
regretted that he should have to use his time and mental powers for domestic
consumption, with so little to show for it, but, in spite of that, the form and contents
of the speech before him shaped itself as clearly and distinctly in his head as a
ministerial report.
“I must say and express fully the following points: first, exposition of the value to
be attached to public opinion and to decorum; secondly, exposition of religious significance
of marriage; thirdly, if need be, reference to the calamity possibly ensuing
to our son; fourthly, reference to the unhappiness likely to result to herself.” And,
interlacing his fingers, Alexey Alexandrovitch stretched them, and the joints of the
fingers cracked. This trick, a bad habit, the cracking of his fingers, always soothed
him, and gave precision to his thoughts, so needful to him at this juncture.
There was the sound of a carriage driving up to the front door. Alexey Alexandrovitch
halted in the middle of the room.
A woman’s step was heard mounting the stairs. Alexey Alexandrovitch, ready for
his speech, stood compressing his crossed fingers, waiting to see if the crack would
not come again. One joint cracked.
Already, from the sound of light steps on the stairs, he was aware that she was
close, and though he was satisfied with his speech, he felt frightened of the explanation
confronting him...
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