II Stepan Arkadyevitch was naturally idle, yet his natural gifts had enabled him to do well at school, and he had gained an excellent position at Moscow as natchalnik, or president of one of the courts, through the influence of Aleksei Alexandrovitch Karenin, husband of his sister Anna, one of the most important members of the ministry.

V Aleksei Alexandrovitch, though he affectionately met his wife, found but little time to spend with her.

Every moment of Aleksei's life was fully occupied with his official duties, and he was forced to be strictly regular and punctual in his arrangements.

Meantime, Aleksei as usual would come home and, instead of seeking his wife's society, would bury himself in his library amongst his books.

Anna continued to meet Vronsky, and Aleksei felt himself powerless to intervene.

The secret reason of this was that a kind friend, the Countess Lidia, had begged the doctor to do so, as she had noticed that Aleksei did not look well.

The medical man after the diagnosis was perturbed with the result, for Aleksei's liver was congested and his digestion was out of order.

Aleksei and his wife and several friends were amongst the gay crowd, and he noted with deep displeasure that his wife turned pale when the accident happened and was strangely excited throughout the occasion.

Aleksei sat in silence during the rest of the journey home, but as they came near the house he said, "I insist that from this moment appearances be preserved for the sake of my honour, and I will communicate my decision to you after I have considered what measures I shall take."

"Only thus," thought Aleksei, "can I conform to the requirements of religion.

Then ensued an interview in which each side coldly accused the other, but which ended in Aleksei's demand that his wife should so comport herself that neither the world nor the servants could accuse her, on which condition she could enjoy the position and fulfil the duties of an honourable wife.

Vronsky was never seen near the place, yet Anna met him elsewhere and Aleksei knew it.

VIII Aleksei sat alone in his room, pondering events, when he was startled by a telegram from his wife"I am dying.

Aleksei was startled to see in the boudoir, seated on a low chair, Vronsky, weeping with his hands over his face.

" Aleksei turned without replying and went to the door.

Aleksei, I have but a few moments to live.

Aleksei's emotion became uncontrollable.

Visions of the faces of Aleksei and Anna rose before him.

" A month later Aleksei was

SEE NOVIKOV-PRIBOI, ALEKSEI SILYCH.

SEE Novikov-Priboi, Aleksei Silych.

SEE Novikov-Priboi, Aleksei Silych.

PESHKOV, ALEKSEI MAKSIMOVICH.

SEE NOVIKOV-PRIBOI, ALEKSEI SILYCH.

PESHKOV, ALEKSEI MAKSIMOVICH.