“This is it,” said Levin, taking the chalk and writing the letters w, y, s, i, i, i, w, i, i, t, o, a?  The letters were the initials of the words, “When you said ‘It is impossible,’ was it impossible then, or always?”

Kitty studied the letters long and attentively, and at length took the chalk and, blushing deeply, wrote the letters:  t, I, c, n, a, d.  Levin’s face soon beamed with joy.  He comprehended that the reply was:  “Then I could not answer differently.”  Everything was settled.  Kitty had acknowledged her love for him, and Levin at last was happy.

VIII

Aleksei sat alone in his room, pondering events, when he was startled by a telegram from his wife—­“I am dying.  I beg you to come; I shall die easier if I have your forgiveness.”  He read the words with momentary scorn, imagining that some scheme of deceit was being practised.  But presently he reflected that it might be true, and, if so, it would be cruel and foolish to refuse to go, and besides, everybody would blame him.

He travelled all night and arrived, tired and dusty, in the morning at St. Petersburg.  Reaching his house, he went into the drawing-room, and the nurse quickly led him into the bedroom, saying, “Thank God, you have come.  She talks only of you.”

“Bring ice at once,” the doctor’s voice was heard saying.  Aleksei was startled to see in the boudoir, seated on a low chair, Vronsky, weeping with his hands over his face.  And the latter was startled in turn as, disturbed by the doctor’s words, he looked up and caught sight of the husband.  He rose and seemed desiring to disappear, but with an evident effort said, “She is dying and the doctors say there is no hope.  I am in your power, but allow me to stay and I will conform to your wishes.”

Aleksei turned without replying and went to the door.  Anna was talking clearly and gaily.  Her cheeks were bright and her eyes gleamed.  Rattling on incoherently, she suddenly recognised her husband, and looking terrified, raised her hands as if to avert a blow; but she said the next moment, “No, no, I am not afraid of him, I am afraid of dying.  Aleksei, I have but a few moments to live.  Soon the fever will return and I shall know nothing more, but now I understand everything.  There is another being in me, who loved him and hated you, but now I am my real self.  But no, you cannot forgive me.  Go away, you are too good.”

With one burning hand she pushed him away, with the other she held him.  Aleksei’s emotion became uncontrollable.  His soul was filled with love and forgiveness.  Kneeling by the bed, he sobbed like a child.  The doctors said that there was not one chance in a hundred of her living.