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On the day of the races at Krasnoe Selo, Vronsky had come earlier

than usual to eat beefsteak in the coiment He had no need to be strict with hiht down to the required light weight; but

still he had to avoid gaining flesh, and so he eschewed

farinaceous and sweet dishes He sat with his coat unbuttoned

over a white waistcoat, resting both elbows on the table, and

while waiting for the steak he had ordered he looked at a French

novel that lay open on his plate He was only looking at the

book to avoid conversation with the officers co of Anna's promise to see him that day after the

races But he had not seen her for three days, and as her

husband had just returned from abroad, he did not knohether

she would be able to meet him today or not, and he did not know

how to find out He had had his last intervieith her at his

cousin Betsy's summer villa He visited the Karenins' suo there, and he

pondered the question how to do it

"Of course I shall say Betsy has sentto the races Of course, I'll go," he decided, lifting

his head from the book And as he vividly pictured the happiness