Page 75 (1/2)

"Co before," said Anna Arkadyevna,

sitting down in her place

And again Grisha poked his little face under her ar with pride and happiness

"And when is your next ball?" she asked Kitty

"Next week, and a splendid ball One of those balls where one

always enjoys oneself"

"Why, are there balls where one always enjoys oneself?" Anna

said, with tender irony

"It's strange, but there are At the Bobrishtchevs' one always

enjoys oneself, and at the Nikitins' too, while at the Mezhkovs'

it's always dull Haven't you noticed it?"

"No, my dear, for me there are no balls nohere one enjoys

oneself," said Anna, and Kitty detected in her eyes that

mysterious world which was not open to her "For me there are

some less dull and tiresome"

"How can _you_ be dull at a ball?"

"Why should not _I_ be dull at a ball?" inquired Anna

Kitty perceived that Anna knehat ansould follow

"Because you always look nicer than anyone"

Anna had the faculty of blushing She blushed a little, and

said: "In the first place it's never so; and secondly, if it were, what

difference would itto this ball?" asked Kitty