Maximum-assistance view: every word above everyday vocabulary is explained at every appearance; each name is introduced at its first appearance in the chapter.

Chapter 10

When Levin (a landowner who farms his own estate in the country) went into the restaurant with Oblonsky (Anna's brother, a genial Moscow official), he could not help noticing a certain peculiarity (a special odd feature) of expression, as it were, a restrained (held back) radiance (shining light), about the face and whole figure of Stepan Arkadyevitch (Oblonsky, Anna's brother, by his first name and patronymic). Oblonsky took off his overcoat (a heavy outer coat), and with his hat over one ear (the organ of hearing) walked into the dining-room (the dining room), giving directions to the Tatar (of the roving peoples of central Asia; also a waiter's nickname) waiters (one who serves at table), who were clustered (a close bunch) about him in evening coats (an outer garment), bearing napkins (a table cloth for the lap). Bowing (to bend in respect; a ribbon knot) to right and left to the people he met, and here as everywhere joyously (joyfully) greeting (to welcome) acquaintances (a person one knows slightly), he went up to the sideboard (a dining-room side table) for a preliminary (coming before the main matter) appetizer (a small dish taken to sharpen hunger) of fish and vodka (the Russian corn spirit), and said to the painted Frenchwoman decked (a ship's floor) in ribbons (a narrow band of silk), lace (fine open threadwork), and ringlets (a curl of hair), behind the counter, something so amusing (entertaining) that even that Frenchwoman was moved to genuine (real; true) laughter (laughing). Levin for his part refrained (to hold back from) from taking any vodka (the Russian corn spirit) simply because he felt such a loathing (deep disgust) of that Frenchwoman, all made up, it seemed, of false hair, poudre (powder, in French) de riz (rice, in French), and vinaigre (vinegar, in French) de toilette (dressing — French). He made haste (hurry) to move away from her, as from a dirty place. His whole soul was filled with memories of Kitty (the youngest of the Shtcherbatsky sisters), and there was a smile of triumph (glorious victory) and happiness (the state of joy) shining (the front of the lower leg) in his eyes.

“This way, your excellency (a title given to a high officer), please. Your excellency (a title given to a high officer) won’t be disturbed (to break the quiet of) here,” said a particularly pertinacious (stubbornly persistent), white-headed (with a white head) old Tatar with immense (vastly great) hips (the joint of the thigh) and coat-tails (the tails of a coat) gaping (an open break) widely behind. “Walk in, your excellency (a title given to a high officer),” he said to Levin; by way of showing his respect to Stepan Arkadyevitch, being attentive (paying close attention) to his guest as well.

Instantly (at once) flinging (to throw with force) a fresh cloth (woven fabric) over the round table under the bronze (the brown metal of statues) chandelier (a hanging branched light), though it already had a table cloth (woven fabric) on it, he pushed up velvet (soft rich pile cloth) chairs, and came to a standstill (a complete stop) before Stepan Arkadyevitch with a napkin (a table cloth for the lap) and a bill of fare (the price of a journey; food) in his hands, awaiting (to wait for) his commands.

“If you prefer it, your excellency (a title given to a high officer), a private room will be free directly; Prince Golistin (a Russian family name) with a lady. Fresh oysters (the shellfish eaten from its shell) have come in.”

“Ah! oysters (the shellfish eaten from its shell).”

Stepan Arkadyevitch became thoughtful (full of thought; considerate).

“How if we were to change our program, Levin?” he said, keeping his finger (a digit of the hand) on the bill of fare (the price of a journey; food). And his face expressed serious hesitation (a pause of doubt). “Are the oysters (the shellfish eaten from its shell) good? Mind now.”

“They’re Flensburg (a town of the German north), your excellency (a title given to a high officer). We’ve no Ostend.”

“Flensburg will do, but are they fresh?”

“Only arrived yesterday.”

“Well, then, how if we were to begin with oysters (the shellfish eaten from its shell), and so change the whole program? Eh?”

“It’s all the same to me. I should like cabbage (the leafy round vegetable) soup (boiled broth food) and porridge (boiled grain food) better than anything; but of course there’s nothing like that here.”

“Porridge (boiled grain food) à la Russe (Russian, in French), your honor would like?” said the Tatar, bending (to curve; to bow) down to Levin, like a nurse (one who tends the sick; to feed at the breast) speaking to a child.

“No, joking apart, whatever you choose is sure to be good. I’ve been skating (to glide over ice on blades), and I’m hungry (needing food). And don’t imagine,” he added, detecting (to find out) a look of dissatisfaction (discontent) on Oblonsky’s face, “that I shan (shall — shan't: shall not)’t appreciate your choice. I am fond (loving) of good things.”

“I should hope so! After all, it’s one of the pleasures of life,” said Stepan Arkadyevitch. “Well, then, my friend, you give us two—or better say three—dozen (twelve) oysters (the shellfish eaten from its shell), clear soup (boiled broth food) with vegetables (of plants)....”

“Printanière (of the spring, in French),” prompted (quick to act; to move to action) the Tatar. But Stepan Arkadyevitch apparently did not care to allow him the satisfaction (content; amends given) of giving the French names of the dishes (a plate; a prepared food).

“With vegetables (of plants) in it, you know. Then turbot (a large flat sea fish) with thick (of great depth through; dense) sauce (a flavoring liquid), then ... roast (to cook before the fire) beef (ox meat); and mind it’s good. Yes, and capons (a cock fed up for the table), perhaps, and then sweets.”

The Tatar, recollecting (to call back to mind) that it was Stepan Arkadyevitch’s way not to call the dishes (a plate; a prepared food) by the names in the French bill of fare (the price of a journey; food), did not repeat (to say or do again) them after him, but could not resist (to stand against) rehearsing (to practice beforehand) the whole menu (the list of dishes at a meal) to himself according to the bill:—“Soupe (soup, in French) printanière (of the spring, in French), turbot (a large flat sea fish), sauce (a flavoring liquid) Beaumarchais (the French writer of comedies), poulard (a hen fed up for the table) à l’estragon (a herb used in cooking, in French), macédoine (a mixture of fruits or vegetables, in French) de fruits ... etc.,” and then instantly (at once), as though worked by springs, laying down one bound (to tie fast) bill of fare (the price of a journey; food), he took up another, the list of wines, and submitted (to yield; to lay before) it to Stepan Arkadyevitch.

“What shall we drink?”

“What you like, only not too much. Champagne (the sparkling French wine),” said Levin.

“What! to start with? You’re right though, I dare (to have the courage) say. Do you like the white seal (a stamped closing mark; to close fast)?”

“Cachet (a seal or stamp of distinction, in French) blanc (white, in French),” prompted (quick to act; to move to action) the Tatar.

“Very well, then, give us that brand with the oysters (the shellfish eaten from its shell), and then we’ll see.”

“Yes, sir. And what table wine?”

“You can give us Nuits (a French wine). Oh, no, better the classic Chablis (a French white wine).”

“Yes, sir. And your cheese, your excellency (a title given to a high officer)?”

“Oh, yes, Parmesan. Or would you like another?”

“No, it’s all the same to me,” said Levin, unable to suppress (to put down; hold in) a smile.

And the Tatar ran off with flying coat-tails (the tails of a coat), and in five minutes darted (to shoot swiftly) in with a dish (a plate; a prepared food) of opened oysters (the shellfish eaten from its shell) on mother-of-pearl (the shining lining of some shells) shells (a hard outer case; a bursting cannon ball), and a bottle between his fingers (a digit of the hand).

Stepan Arkadyevitch crushed (to press to pieces) the starchy (stiff with a white powder; also stiff in manner) napkin (a table cloth for the lap), tucked (to fold warmly in) it into his waistcoat (a vest worn under the coat), and settling (to fix in place; to bring to rest) his arms comfortably (at ease), started on the oysters (the shellfish eaten from its shell).

“Not bad,” he said, stripping (to take off; a narrow band) the oysters (the shellfish eaten from its shell) from the pearly (like a pearl) shell (a hard outer case; a bursting cannon ball) with a silver fork (the pointed table tool; a branching), and swallowing (to take down the throat; the swift bird) them one after another. “Not bad,” he repeated (to say or do again), turning his dewy (wet with dew), brilliant eyes from Levin to the Tatar.

Levin ate the oysters (the shellfish eaten from its shell) indeed, though white bread and cheese would have pleased him better. But he was admiring (to look on with wonder) Oblonsky. Even the Tatar, uncorking (to pull the cork from) the bottle and pouring (to flow in a stream) the sparkling (to flash with small lights) wine into the delicate (finely tender) glasses, glanced (a quick look) at Stepan Arkadyevitch, and settled (to fix in place; to bring to rest) his white cravat (a cloth tied round the neck) with a perceptible (just able to be seen) smile of satisfaction (content; amends given).

“You don’t care much for oysters (the shellfish eaten from its shell), do you?” said Stepan Arkadyevitch, emptying his wine-glass (a glass for wine), “or you’re worried about something. Eh?”

He wanted Levin to be in good spirits. But it was not that Levin was not in good spirits; he was ill at ease (comfort; freedom from effort). With what he had in his soul, he felt sore (painful; a hurt place) and uncomfortable (without comfort) in the restaurant, in the midst (the middle) of private rooms where men were dining (a loud continued noise) with ladies, in all this fuss (needless anxious bustle) and bustle (hurried stir and fuss); the surroundings (lying around) of bronzes (the brown metal of statues), looking-glasses (mirrors), gas, and waiters (one who serves at table)—all of it was offensive (insulting; attacking) to him. He was afraid of sullying (to stain or spoil) what his soul was brimful (full to the brim) of.

“I? Yes, I am; but besides, all this bothers (to trouble) me,” he said. “You can’t conceive (to form in the mind) how queer (strange) it all seems to a country person like me, as queer (strange) as that gentleman (a man of good birth and manners)’s nails (the finger's horn; the iron pin) I saw at your place....”

“Yes, I saw how much interested you were in poor Grinevitch (a Russian patronymic, meaning son of Grigory)’s nails (the finger's horn; the iron pin),” said Stepan Arkadyevitch, laughing.

“It’s too much for me,” responded Levin. “Do try, now, and put yourself in my place, take the point of view of a country person. We in the country try to bring our hands into such a state (state: ceremony; pomp — the old sense here) as will be most convenient (easy and fitting) for working with. So we cut our nails (the finger's horn; the iron pin); sometimes we turn up our sleeves (the arm of a garment). And here people purposely (on purpose) let their nails (the finger's horn; the iron pin) grow as long as they will, and link on small saucers (the small dish under a cup) by way of studs (a breeding stable of horses), so that they can do nothing with their hands.”

Stepan Arkadyevitch smiled gaily (merrily).

“Oh, yes, that’s just a sign that he has no need to do coarse (rough and crude) work. His work is with the mind....”

“Maybe. But still it’s queer (strange) to me, just as at this moment it seems queer (strange) to me that we country folks try to get our meals (a sitting of food) over as soon as we can, so as to be ready for our work, while here are we trying to drag (to pull heavily along) out our meal (a sitting of food) as long as possible, and with that object eating oysters (the shellfish eaten from its shell)....”

“Why, of course,” objected Stepan Arkadyevitch. “But that’s just the aim of civilization (the ordered life of nations)—to make everything a source of enjoyment (pleasure taken).”

“Well, if that’s its aim, I’d rather be a savage (wild; fierce).”

“And so you are a savage (wild; fierce). All you Levins (the Levin family) are savages (wild; fierce).”

Levin sighed (a long sad breath). He remembered his brother Nikolay (a Russian man's name; also Levin's elder brother), and felt ashamed (feeling shame) and sore (painful; a hurt place), and he scowled (to frown darkly); but Oblonsky began speaking of a subject which at once drew his attention.

“Oh, I say, are you going tonight to our people, the Shtcherbatskys (the Shtcherbatsky family)’, I mean?” he said, his eyes sparkling (to flash with small lights) significantly as he pushed away the empty rough (not smooth; rude) shells (a hard outer case; a bursting cannon ball), and drew the cheese towards him.

“Yes, I shall certainly go,” replied Levin; “though I fancied (the imagination; a liking) the princess was not very warm in her invitation (a bidding to come).”

“What nonsense (words with no sense in them)! That’s her manner.... Come, boy, the soup (boiled broth food)!... That’s her manner—grande (great, in French) dame (a lady),” said Stepan Arkadyevitch. “I’m coming, too, but I have to go to the Countess Bonina (a Russian family name in its female form)’s rehearsal (a practice of a play before performance). Come, isn (is not)’t it true that you’re a savage (wild; fierce)? How do you explain the sudden (without warning) way in which you vanished (to disappear) from Moscow? The Shtcherbatskys were continually (over and over without stop) asking me about you, as though I ought (should) to know. The only thing I know is that you always do what no one else does.”

“Yes,” said Levin, slowly and with emotion (strong feeling), “you’re right. I am a savage (wild; fierce). Only, my savageness (wildness) is not in having gone away, but in coming now. Now I have come....”

“Oh, what a lucky fellow you are!” broke in Stepan Arkadyevitch, looking into Levin’s eyes.

“Why?”

“‘I know a gallant (brave and courtly) steed (a riding horse) by tokens (signs or marks) sure,

And by his eyes I know a youth in love,’”

declaimed (to recite grandly) Stepan Arkadyevitch. “Everything is before you.”

“Why, is it over for you already?”

“No; not over exactly, but the future is yours, and the present is mine, and the present—well, it’s not all that it might be.”

“How so?”

“Oh, things go wrong. But I don’t want to talk of myself, and besides I can’t explain it all,” said Stepan Arkadyevitch. “Well, why have you come to Moscow, then?... Hi! take away!” he called to the Tatar.

“You guess?” responded Levin, his eyes like deep wells of light fixed on Stepan Arkadyevitch.

“I guess, but I can’t be the first to talk about it. You can see by that whether I guess right or wrong,” said Stepan Arkadyevitch, gazing (a long steady look) at Levin with a subtle (fine and delicate) smile.

“Well, and what have you to say to me?” said Levin in a quivering (trembling finely) voice, feeling that all the muscles (the body's moving flesh) of his face were quivering (trembling finely) too. “How do you look at the question?”

Stepan Arkadyevitch slowly emptied his glass of Chablis, never taking his eyes off Levin.

“I?” said Stepan Arkadyevitch, “there’s nothing I desire so much as that—nothing! It would be the best thing that could be.”

“But you’re not making a mistake? You know what we’re speaking of?” said Levin, piercing (to stab through) him with his eyes. “You think it’s possible?”

“I think it’s possible. Why not possible?”

“No! do you really think it’s possible? No, tell me all you think! Oh, but if ... if refusal (saying no)’s in store for me!... Indeed I feel sure....”

“Why should you think that?” said Stepan Arkadyevitch, smiling at his excitement (stirred-up feeling).

“It seems so to me sometimes. That will be awful (awful: full of awe — the old sense here) for me, and for her too.”

“Oh, well, anyway there’s nothing awful (awful: full of awe — the old sense here) in it for a girl. Every girl’s proud of an offer.”

“Yes, every girl, but not she.”

Stepan Arkadyevitch smiled. He so well knew that feeling of Levin’s, that for him all the girls in the world were divided (to split into parts) into two classes: one class—all the girls in the world except her, and those girls with all sorts of human weaknesses (want of strength), and very ordinary (usual; common) girls: the other class—she alone, having no weaknesses (want of strength) of any sort and higher than all humanity (mankind; human kindness).

“Stay, take some sauce (a flavoring liquid),” he said, holding back Levin’s hand as it pushed away the sauce (a flavoring liquid).

Levin obediently (doing as told) helped himself to sauce (a flavoring liquid), but would not let Stepan Arkadyevitch go on with his dinner.

“No, stop a minute, stop a minute,” he said. “You must understand that it’s a question of life and death for me. I have never spoken to anyone of this. And there’s no one I could speak of it to, except you. You know we’re utterly (completely) unlike each other, different tastes and views and everything; but I know you’re fond (loving) of me and understand me, and that’s why I like you awfully (terribly; very). But for God’s sake (for the good of), be quite straightforward (plain and direct) with me.”

“I tell you what I think,” said Stepan Arkadyevitch, smiling. “But I’ll say more: my wife is a wonderful woman....” Stepan Arkadyevitch sighed (a long sad breath), remembering his position with his wife, and, after a moment’s silence (absence of sound), resumed (took again)—“She has a gift of foreseeing (to see beforehand) things. She sees right through people; but that’s not all; she knows what will come to pass, especially in the way of marriages. She foretold (told beforehand), for instance, that Princess Shahovskaya (a Russian family name in its female form) would marry (to take in marriage) Brenteln (a Russian family name). No one would believe it, but it came to pass. And she’s on your side.”

“How do you mean?”

“It’s not only that she likes you—she says that Kitty is certain to be your wife.”

At these words Levin’s face suddenly lighted up with a smile, a smile not far from tears (a drop of weeping; to rip) of emotion (strong feeling).

“She says that!” cried Levin. “I always said she was exquisite (perfectly fine and delicate), your wife. There, that’s enough, enough said about it,” he said, getting up from his seat.

“All right, but do sit down.”

But Levin could not sit down. He walked with his firm tread (to step; a step's sound) twice up and down the little cage (to shut in a cage) of a room, blinked (to shut and open the eyes quickly) his eyelids (the eye's cover of skin) that his tears (a drop of weeping; to rip) might not fall, and only then sat down to the table.

“You must understand,” said he, “it’s not love. I’ve been in love, but it’s not that. It’s not my feeling, but a sort of force outside me has taken possession (owning; a thing owned) of me. I went away, you see, because I made up my mind that it could never be, you understand, as a happiness (the state of joy) that does not come on earth; but I’ve struggled with myself, I see there’s no living without it. And it must be settled (to fix in place; to bring to rest).”

“What did you go away for?”

“Ah, stop a minute! Ah, the thoughts that come crowding on one! The questions one must ask oneself (one's own self)! Listen. You can’t imagine what you’ve done for me by what you said. I’m so happy that I’ve become positively (with certainty) hateful (deserving hate); I’ve forgotten everything. I heard today that my brother Nikolay ... you know, he’s here ... I had even forgotten him. It seems to me that he’s happy too. It’s a sort of madness (being mad). But one thing’s awful (awful: full of awe — the old sense here).... Here, you’ve been married (to take in marriage), you know the feeling ... it’s awful (awful: full of awe — the old sense here) that we—old—with a past ... not of love, but of sins (a wrong against God) ... are brought all at once so near to a creature (a living being) pure and innocent (free of guilt); it’s loathsome (disgusting), and that’s why one can’t help feeling oneself (one's own self) unworthy (not worthy).”

“Oh, well, you’ve not many sins (a wrong against God) on your conscience (the inner voice of right).”

“Alas! all the same,” said Levin, “when with loathing (deep disgust) I go over my life, I shudder (a shiver of horror) and curse (an evil calling-down; to swear) and bitterly (with bitterness) regret (sorrow over what is done) it.... Yes.”

“What would you have? The world’s made so,” said Stepan Arkadyevitch.

“The one comfort (ease; consolation) is like that prayer (words spoken to God), which I always liked: ‘Forgive (to stop holding a wrong against someone) me not according to my unworthiness (lack of worth), but according to Thy loving-kindness (tender mercy).’ That’s the only way she can forgive (to stop holding a wrong against someone) me.”