Dressing as Anna Karenina's Dame Life

Chapter 61

"If that's what you mean, Mom, I'm sorry,"

"You don't like him. I think he is an excellent young man, far better than those young men who can only speak beautiful words. He is down-to-earth and upright." Mrs. Stahl said in a soft tone. Her own daughter died young, In order to keep her from being sad, the husband took the cook's daughter to her and pretended to be their child. Although she knew it soon, so what, after all, the child had sucked his own milk She coaxed and took care of her for a period of time, so after thinking about it, Mrs. Stahl kept the child by her side. The cook and his wife did not lack this child. Naturally, there was no objection.

When Hualunga was a few years old, the couple passed away in an accident, and Hualunga was left behind. Mrs. Stahl's requirements for Hualunga were even stricter, but unexpectedly it is now like Delaying this child, I always want to find the best person for her.

"No, it's not that he's not good enough, mother, it's just that I don't feel that way about Mr. Karkeroff, you know, as lovers, I can be very good friends with Mr. Karkeroff, he is like you said That's brave and upright, but if I marry him, I don't think I can do it."

Madame Stahl wanted to say something more, but was stopped by Valenga, who looked at her with blue blue eyes of sorrow, and begged herself not to force her, and finally, the woman sighed and went out.

If at the beginning she wanted to make Valenga the most polite lady, then the necessary restraint was absolutely indispensable when she was young, but I didn't expect that the child is not in a hurry about this matter at all. It really worried her, she was not going to let Hua Lunga be an old girl by her, a lame woman's side all her life.

After sending Mrs. Stahl away, Hualunga sat on the stool blankly, looking out of the window in a daze. She already had someone in her heart, but it was destined to be fruitless.

When the sun was good, Anna proposed to have a picnic under the big tree in the garden. Karenin didn't have any objections. He had a good holiday this holiday, and the previous soreness was gone.

"Mom, let's invite Ivan and Yulia." Seryozha suggested that he had a lot of fun with the siblings recently.

"Okay, then let's invite Valenga and Mrs. Stahl again." Anna said, looking at Karenin.

"Karenin nodded in agreement, he put down the book and said: "Then I will invite them. "

"Father, take me!" Seryozha demanded. "Go, take him, Seryozha has been a little too lively recently." Anna teased, and the latter pouted, took his father's hand and went out.

The countess family happily accepted the invitation, and when they arrived at Valenga's place, Mrs. Stahl asked if she could invite someone, that is, Karkeroff, who was having tea with Mrs. Stahl.

"Of course, ma'am, there is no problem at all." Karenin smiled and greeted Karkeroff. The two exchanged warm greetings for a while before leaving.

When going back, Anna had already prepared the things to bring, and he explained that there was a new guest joining. Anna asked while folding the tablecloth, "Do you think these things are enough?"

"I've thought enough." Karenin replied after looking at it, and raised his hand to grab a certain white hand. "Seryozha, this is the second time you have eaten something secretly."

Sergey stuck out his tongue embarrassingly, and retracted his little paw.

Under the big and sturdy tree, because it is already spring, there are many buds. Although it is not as prosperous as in summer, it looks much more pleasing to the eye than the bare one in winter. The servants moved the brown log table under the big tree, Anna and Karenin spread the tablecloth, which was floral patterned, with a coffee pot, white bread, cheese and jam on it, and delicate tea cookers on the table, and Seryozha was holding a flower Confused about where to put it better, Anna gave him a suggestion, and the little guy happily put the vase away.

Everything was ready. The Countess was the first one to come. The Earl was a kind person, he had no airs, and the children liked to play with him.

Seryozha's new friends, Ivan and Yulia, were also wearing clean and tidy clothes. When Anna saw Yulia, she thought of Tanya from Moscow. okay.

Valenga wore a light-colored skirt that went down to her knees, and her legs in stockings were slender and straight. She stayed beside Karkeroff in some embarrassment, at least in Anna's view, and she called them over.

Mrs. Stahl introduced Karkeroff to everyone, and it was the first time she spoke of a person in such an intimate voice, which was enough to show that she really liked the young man.

Anna looked at Karkeroff curiously. He was tall, with a typical military face and a firm chin, but what was strange was that this man had gentle eyes.

Karkeroff also noticed Anna. He smiled. This is a charming lady. She seems to have a good relationship with the girl he likes. They stood together and said affectionate words.

The picnic woke up very well, the children were very satisfied with the food, the ladies chatted about their favorite topics together, Karenin and Karkerov chatted very speculatively, he chatted speculatively with everyone, as long as he wanted , the Earl is a kind person and a good listener. He doesn't express much opinion, but when he has something to say, everyone is willing to listen.

"Valenga, what do you think of that Mr. Karkeroff?" Anna quietly asked Valenga while Mrs. Stahl was talking to the countess. She could see Mrs. Stahl There was that meaning, making Valenga and Karkeroff a pair, but she was not sure what Valenga was thinking, because the latter was sometimes very close to Karkeroff, but sometimes he seemed to be very close to him. It's not like this.

Hualunga's complexion was a bit bad, but she hid it well. She smiled and shook her head, "You misunderstood, Anna."

"You don't like it?"

"Not really, probably because the time we spent together was too short, and I don't know." Hualunga said with some reservations. She didn't want Anna to find out, because she had no intention of intervening in them, or she didn't Karenin may intervene, but Karenin's attitude towards her has not changed at all. That man is not a playful person, but she really does not have that kind of love for Karkerov in her heart, so she can only prevaricate. Anna's concern, she felt a little guilty.

"Well then, although I expect you to meet a good man, and I think Mr. Karkeroff is really good, but as a friend, I hope that you like it even more." Anna said sincerely.

"Yes, I will." Hualunga smiled and made a decision in her heart. Just like what she said before, she likes Anna and cherishes their friendship.

After the picnic, Karkeroff found Hualunga alone, and the two of them went for a walk not far away. Karkeroff didn't beat around the bush but straight to the point and said, "Would you like to go back with me?"

Hualunga was stunned for a moment, but she was not too shocked. Instead of answering the question immediately, she raised her head and asked, "Are you willing to stay for me?"

Karkeroff thought for a while and said, "If you are worried about Mrs. Stahl, I think we can live together."

Valenga stared at his face, shook his head and said softly: "You are very good, Mr. Karkeroff, but it is not suitable for me. You are a soldier, so naturally you can't let your own temperament decide. If I agree In your words, our life is always parting more than getting together, and my mother, I can't leave her alone, and my mother would rather stay in Germany, she is a bit stubborn and even strict, but for me Definitely a great mother."

Hualunga fiddled with her hair and continued: "I am a lucky person. My parents are gone, but my mother is very good to me. She taught me like her own daughter. You must have the impression that I am A cheerful girl."

"Yes, and very cute." Karkeroff said bluntly, and Valenga blushed, and she smiled shyly.

"But you see, the fact is not just like this." Hualunga shook her head, she thought for a while and said: "Actually, I want a stable environment more than I thought, and I hope that the two of us can always be together , and your profession is obviously not suitable for me, you are a soldier, very suitable for this profession, I admire your character and temper."

Karkeroff knew that this was impossible, and he was a little disappointed, but when he saw the woman's apologetic face, he cheered up again.

"To be honest, I didn't expect you to refuse when I was talking. Maybe I was too confident, or I overestimated my own charm." He made a small joke, trying to ease the tension between the two atmosphere of.

"I think you are very attractive," said Valenga, smiling.

"You are really kind, Miss Valenga." Karkeroff said with his eyes bent. Although the other party didn't agree to him, it was a good experience to get to know such a woman.

The next day, Karkeroff went back to the army. With a little regret, Mrs. Stahl looked at Valenga who was reading in the room, shook her head and retreated. Regardless of whether it was her own or not, after so many years She has already regarded this well-behaved girl as her own daughter. God has given people the fate to meet each other.

Anna came to see Valenga with Seryozha, and did not come to the restaurant for dinner because Mrs. Stahl said she was not feeling well.

"Are you feeling better, Valenga?"

"It's better, it's all right, don't worry, Anna," said Valenga with a smile.

"That's good. Even though it's spring, we still need to pay attention." Anna calmed down and sat on the sofa next to Valenga. Seryozha also expressed condolences to Valenga next to his mother.

"You must eat well, Miss Valenga."

"I will, my dear, then would you like a little cake?" Valenga asked softly, stroking Seryozha's hair. He liked the little boy because he was thoughtful and cute, but now, in After discovering her heart, she was more willing to get close to him, because it was his child, and she somewhat resembled him.

"If you are dissatisfied and annoying." Seryozha, who has never been resistant to small cakes, blinked and said with a shy smile.

"Of course not, my dear."

Warm tea was prepared, Anna and Varenga talked for a long time, and finally said that Karenin's vacation would be over in two days and they had to go back to Petersburg.

"So fast." Hualunga calmed down and said in a low voice.

"I think so too. It seems to pass in the blink of an eye. There are not many days when you are so relaxed and comfortable." Anna was referring to having to socialize with those noble ladies in Petersburg. To be honest, she is not very good at dealing with these things. Things, but life does not depend on your temperament. Karenin is right about this point. What responsibility does one have in one's position, even if you hate it and are not good at it, it cannot be an excuse.

"I will miss you, Valenga," said the woman gently at last.

"I will miss you too, Anna." Hualunga said with a smile, yes, she will miss them, not just one person, but their family.

On the day Anna and the others left, Valenga went to see them off. On the platform, the woman tiptoed to tie a scarf for her husband, and the man's tender eyes, Hualunga figured it out, it was nothing, she liked that gentleman in the first place. At that point, because of the unique side revealed by the woman she liked, Hualunga thought, if she could meet Karenin earlier, would she like him?

The answer is no, because at that time she liked the kind of handsome man who had an interesting conversation, and she didn't have the patience to wait for a man like Karenin, who seemed to be serious, to show warmth and patience towards her, so the conclusion is, Even if she met Karenin earlier than Anna, I am afraid there would be no result.

Thinking about it this way, she felt much more relaxed. With happy and sincere blessings, Valenga sent the happy family away, and those thoughts stopped there, yes, she told herself, so be it.

After returning from Germany, Karenin became much more relaxed. Sludin thought in his heart that maybe he should find a time to go on vacation to relax himself. When he mentioned this to his boss in private, Only got more jobs and moved his schedule to the end of the year, God, and he just started this year, because of this, Sludin started complaining to Karenin that he was too busy with work, that he didn't even have time for a relationship nothing.

"No lady would want to go on a date with a man she doesn't see a few times a week," complained Mr. Sludin, the secretary, frowning disapprovingly.

Karenin believed that a good subordinate should serve for work, including being on call anytime, anywhere and doing all the work that belongs to him or does not belong to him but has something to do with him, but he obviously missed one point, that is, the subordinate's marital problems.

After two colleagues got married in succession, Karenin finally came to his senses after being harassed by Srudin’s eyes every day because he was dissatisfied with too much work, and one day he suddenly became worried about Sludin’s marriage.

"What did you say?" Sludin put down his coffee and looked at his superior with a hellish look, "I think it would be better if you could give me a vacation, I would rather marry a nagging wife Make a lovely girlfriend first, but the reality is that I haven't even had the chance to meet her yet."

Karenin folded his hands in front of the official document, raised his head to look at the young man, and smiled, "I just think you can think about this matter, compared to spending time getting to know a young lady, obviously a smooth marriage It suits you better."

"Me?" Sludin shook his head funny, "No, sir, I'm only 25 years old, and the best years of my life are just beginning. I don't want to be entangled in marriage."

Karenin ignored his set of theories. He curled up his lips and said, "If you want to have a smooth career in the future, I think you can consider it."

"You talk like marriage is some kind of arrangement, I don't think so," Sludin murmured, which made Karenin laugh.

"Otherwise, what do you think marriage is, flowers and champagne and they are finally together happily."

"Isn't it?" Sludin blinked and looked at Karenin. "At least I think that's how you and your wife are. You come back this time and it looks like you're wrapped in a bubble of happiness every day."

"I don't know whether to be happy or what, Mikhail Vasilyevich," said Karenin lightly.

"You should be happy, as a man who is happy in marriage." Sludin flattered with a smile, and then said sincerely: "So, before I find such a woman, I don't intend to set foot on it prematurely." Once you enter the palace of marriage, once you are bound, it will not be easy to go back on your word."

After the laughing secretary left, Karenin took a sip of coffee and couldn't help laughing.

When Karenin came home, Anna had already ordered the cook to prepare the meal, and Seryozha came running to him and happily reported everything about the day.

The food is warm and delicate, his wife and son are so lovely, and Mr. Karenin, who has a smooth career, feels that he is a successful man.

Spring and autumn seem to always go too fast among the four seasons. Summer is here in the blink of an eye. Sergey has more homework this year, and he himself has lost a lot of weight. Even though Anna is always careful I take care of his daily life, but I still feel distressed when I see the flesh on the boy’s face and arms slowly disappearing. Mothers always want their children to look fair and healthy. At this time, Tao Li, who is far away in Moscow, wrote a letter in time. Saved her worries.

Russia's summer is too hot, it's okay in the countryside, but in the cities, all kinds of thermal air are blowing, and children are always easy to get sick in this season, so Tao Li suggested that Anna and the others go to Moscow.

In the country, Taoli has a manor, which is a dowry, where they can avoid the hottest months. There is another reason that Taoli did not mention, that is, the financial situation of the family has been very tight in recent years, and Oblonsky always used to take all the money of the family with him when he went to other places, and she couldn't say anything, after all, officialdom always required entertainment, and Oblonsky was born to be a hospitable person, so he couldn't say anything. Sew his pockets tight, though she did think so, so it was obviously wiser to go to the country for the sake of saving money and summer, and the fact that it was near Levin's estate, which Kitty would have liked.

"Go, Anna, it's really hot this year." Karenin said, after Anna told him about it.

"But...then you are alone." In this sweltering season, Karenin and his government affairs department worked more. Perhaps the sweltering weather would indeed cause people to feel irritable, and there would be more complaints.

"I'm fine, and I'll be able to find you at the end of this month." Karenin reassured her. Although there were a lot of things to do, if you speed up, some basic documents can be processed earlier and the time can be shortened. It's just that It is inevitable that I have to suffer from my secretary. At the moment, Mr. Sludin, the secretary who is still struggling under the quilt, sneezes. He really wants to have a vacation when the weather is hot.

"Mom and Dad, good morning." Seryozha, who was wearing overalls, greeted his parents with little strength as he walked down the escalator. The weather was really too hot, so he got up earlier than usual.

"Good morning, baby, look at your hair, it's all messed up." Anna lovingly kissed the boy's forehead. Because it's too hot these days, the little boy has dark circles under his eyes.

"Mom, it's so hot." Seryozha complained as he sat on his mother's lap with his mouth pouted and the child who hadn't slept well had a bad temper.

"And what do you think of going to the country, Seryozha?" asked Karenin.

"Is it hot in the countryside?" Seryozha directly asked the question he was most concerned about.

"I think at least it's better than at home." Karenin smiled, and felt distressed seeing his son's lack of energy.

"That's good." Seryozha rolled his eyes, and after getting the assurance that the weather would not be so hot, he continued to ask for details, "Where is the countryside?"

"It's the place left by your aunt Tao Li's family. It's in Yergushavo, Moscow. I heard it's a big house."

The sky-blue eyes were wide open, and Seryozha clapped his hands and smiled, "That's really great, Mom, Tanya Grisha and Nikolai will come, right?"

"Of course, baby, you can play together now."

"I miss them. I haven't seen them since winter. Tanya sometimes writes to me, but what's the use of writing? I'd rather play with them," Seryozha said with a sigh.

Having decided on the matter, Karenin sent several telegrams to Oblonsky asking him to make arrangements. The latter promised to do a good job and said he would come to Petersburg in a few days. It was for some necessary communication in summer, people in their profession always have these completely unnecessary entertainment in the eyes of outsiders at this time, it consumes time, money and energy, but it is the best place to collect information and communicate.

The author has something to say: Mr. Karenin still doesn’t know anything, happy man, happy family, Mr. Secretary, your boss is so happy, just obediently come home with me, come, stretch out your Little paw paw.To make a digression, I think summer is better, summer is the season when adultery sprouts.