Anna Karenina - LimpidSoft

PART SIX CHAPTER 30
“I told you you weren’t late,” the deputy prosecutor was saying at the moment
when Levin moved aside to let the lady pass.
Levin was on the stairs to the way out, and was just feeling in his waistcoat pocket
for the number of his overcoat, when the secretary overtook him.
“This way, please, Konstantin Dmitrievitch; they are voting.”
The candidate who was being voted on was Nevyedovsky, who had so stoutly
denied all idea of standing. Levin went up to the door of the room; it was locked. The
secretary knocked, the door opened, and Levin was met by two red-faced gentlemen,
who darted out.
“I can’t stand any more of it,” said one red-faced gentleman.
After them the face of the marshal of the province was poked out. His face was
dreadful-looking from exhaustion and dismay.
“I told you not to let any one out!” he cried to the doorkeeper.
“I let someone in, your excellency!”
“Mercy on us!” and with a heavy sigh the marshal of the province walked with
downcast head to the high table in the middle of the room, his legs staggering in his
white trousers.
Nevyedovsky had scored a higher majority, as they had planned, and he was the
new marshal of the province. Many people were amused, many were pleased and
happy, many were in ecstasies, many were disgusted and unhappy. The former
marshal of the province was in a state of despair, which he could not conceal. When
Nevyedovsky went out of the room, the crowd thronged round him and followed
him enthusiastically, just as they had followed the governor who had opened the
meetings, and just as they had followed Snetkov when he was elected.
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