Anna Karenina - Part 1 - Page 29/119

Nikolay Shtcherbatsky, Kitty's cousin, in a short jacket and

tight trousers, was sitting on a garden seat with his skates on.

Seeing Levin, he shouted to him: "Ah, the first skater in Russia! Been here long? First-rate

ice--do put your skates on."

"I haven't got my skates," Levin answered, marveling at this

boldness and ease in her presence, and not for one second losing

sight of her, though he did not look at her. He felt as though

the sun were coming near him. She was in a corner, and turning

out her slender feet in their high boots with obvious timidity,

she skated towards him. A boy in Russian dress, desperately

waving his arms and bowed down to the ground, overtook her. She

skated a little uncertainly; taking her hands out of the little

muff that hung on a cord, she held them ready for emergency, and

looking towards Levin, whom she had recognized, she smiled at

him, and at her own fears. When she had got round the turn, she

gave herself a push off with one foot, and skated straight up to

Shtcherbatsky. Clutching at his arm, she nodded smiling to

Levin. She was more splendid than he had imagined her.

When he thought of her, he could call up a vivid picture of her

to himself, especially the charm of that little fair head, so

freely set on the shapely girlish shoulders, and so full of

childish brightness and good humor. The childishness of her

expression, together with the delicate beauty of her figure, made

up her special charm, and that he fully realized. But what

always struck him in her as something unlooked for, was the

expression of her eyes, soft, serene, and truthful, and above

all, her smile, which always transported Levin to an enchanted

world, where he felt himself softened and tender, as he

remembered himself in some days of his early childhood.

"Have you been here long?" she said, giving him her hand. "Thank

you," she added, as he picked up the handkerchief that had fallen

out of her muff.

"I? I've not long...yesterday...I mean today...I arrived,"

answered Levin, in his emotion not at once understanding her

question. "I was meaning to come and see you," he said; and

then, recollecting with what intention he was trying to see her,

he was promptly overcome with confusion and blushed.

"I didn't know you could skate, and skate so well."

She looked at him earnestly, as though wishing to make out the

cause of his confusion.