housekeeping, found it no small burden to provide turkeys, chickens, and ducks for the satisfaction of the various appetites of young and old, made keen by the country air.
The whole family were at table. Dolly's children were planning to go out and hunt for mushrooms with the governess and Varenka, when, to the great astonishment of all, Sergyeï Ivanovitch, who enjoyed among all the guests a great reputation, amounting almost to reverence, on account of his wit and learning, evinced a desire to join the expedition.
"Allow me to go with you," said he, addressing Varenka. "I am very fond of getting mushrooms; I think it is a very admirable occupation."
"Why, certainly, we shall be very glad ...." she answered, blushing.
Kitty exchanged looks with Dolly. The proposition of the learned and intellectual Sergyef Ivanovitch to go with Varenka after mushrooms confirmed an idea which had been engaging Kitty for some time.
She hastened to say something to her mother so that their looks might not be observed.
After dinner Sergyeï Ivanovitch was sitting at the drawing-room window with his cup of coffee, still talking with his brother on some topic which they were discussing, but he kept his eyes on the door through which the children would have to pass when they should start after the mushrooms. Levin was sitting at the window near his brother. Kitty was standing near her husband, evidently expecting the end of a conversation which did not interest her, so that she might say something to him.
"You have changed a good deal since you were married, and for the better.... " said Sergyeï Ivanovitch, smiling at Kitty, and evidently not taking much interest either in the conversation, but at the same time he remained true to his passion for defending the most paradoxical themes.
"Katya, it is not well for you to stand," said her husband, moving up a chair for her and giving her a significant look.
"Well, we will finish this some other time," said Sergyeï Ivanovitch, as he saw the children come running out.
In advance of the rest, galloping sidewise in her tightly fitting stockings, came Tania, waving a basket and Sergyeï Ivanovitch's hat.
Boldly darting up to him, and with sparkling eyes,—they were just like her father's handsome eyes,—she gave Sergyeï Ivanovitch his hat, and made believe that she was going to put it on him, tempering her audacity with a timid and affectionate smile.
"Varenka is waiting," said Tania, carefully putting his hat on his head, seeing by Sergyeï Ivanovitch's smile that she might do so.
Varenka was standing at the door. She had put on a yellow muslin frock, and had tied a white hat over her head.
"I am coming—I am coming, Varvara Andreyevna!" cried Sergyeï Ivanovitch, finishing his cup of coffee and putting his handkerchief and cigarette-case into his pocket.
"Isn't Varenka charming?" asked Kitty of her husband, as Sergyeï Ivanovitch got up. She said this so that he might hear, for this was what she especially wanted. "And how pretty she is, royally pretty.—Varenka," cried Kitty, "are you going to the woods by the mill? We will join you there."
"You really forget your condition, Kitty," said the old princess, warningly, as she came hastily to the door. "You ought not to shout so loud."
Varenka, on hearing Kitty's voice and the princess's reproof, came up to them with quick, light steps. Her quickness of motion, the bright color that flushed her cheek, all proved that some metamorphosis was taking place in her. Kitty knew that this was something unusual, and watched her attentively. She now called Varenka only for the sake of bestowing on her a silent benediction, in the interest of an important event which she firmly believed would take place that day in the woods.
"Varenka, I shall be very glad if a certain thing comes to pass," she said to her in a whisper, and giving her a kiss.
"Are you coming with us?" asked Varenka of Levin, confused, and pretending that she had not heard what had been said.
"Yes, but only as far as the barns; I shall have to stop there."
"What do you propose to do there?" asked Kitty.
"I have some new carts to examine and test.—And where shall I find you?"
"On the terrace."