Anna Karenina - LimpidSoft

PART SIX CHAPTER 28
the crosses, and white trousers striped with braid, as he moved hurriedly along, reminded
Levin of some hunted beast who sees that he is in evil case. This expression
in the marshal’s face was particularly touching to Levin, because, only the day before,
he had been at his house about his trustee business and had seen him in all his
grandeur, a kind-hearted, fatherly man. The big house with the old family furniture;
the rather dirty, far from stylish, but respectful footmen, unmistakably old house
serfs who had stuck to their master; the stout, good-natured wife in a cap with lace
and a Turkish shawl, petting her pretty grandchild, her daughter’s daughter; the
young son, a sixth form high school boy, coming home from school, and greeting his
father, kissing his big hand; the genuine, cordial words and gestures of the old man–
all this had the day before roused an instinctive feeling of respect and sympathy in
Levin. This old man was a touching and pathetic figure to Levin now, and he longed
to say something pleasant to him.
“So you’re sure to be our marshal again,” he said.
“It’s not likely,” said the marshal, looking round with a scared expression. “I’m
worn out, I’m old. If there are men younger and more deserving than I, let them
serve.”
And the marshal disappeared through a side door.
The most solemn moment was at hand. They were to proceed immediately to the
election. The leaders of both parties were reckoning white and black on their fingers.
The discussion upon Flerov had given the new party not only Flerov’s vote, but
had also gained time for them, so that they could send to fetch three noblemen who
had been rendered unable to take part in the elections by the wiles of the other party.
Two noble gentlemen, who had a weakness for strong drink, had been made drunk
by the partisans of Snetkov, and a third had been robbed of his uniform.
On learning this, the new party had made haste, during the dispute about Flerov,
to send some of their men in a sledge to clothe the stripped gentleman, and to bring
along one of the intoxicated to the meeting.
“I’ve brought one, drenched him with water,” said the landowner, who had gone
on this errand, to Sviazhsky. “He’s all right? he’ll do.”
“Not too drunk, he won’t fall down?” said Sviazhsky, shaking his head.
“No, he’s first-rate. If only they don’t give him any more here.... I’ve told the
waiter not to give him anything on any account.”
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