who was jumping and barking around Levin, licking now his hand, now his boots and gun.
A dolgusha, or hunting-wagon, was waiting at the steps as they came out.
"I had the horses put in, although we have but a little distance to go," said Levin; "but would you rather walk?"
"No, I prefer to ride," replied Stepan Arkadyevitch, as he mounted the wagon. He sat down, tucking round his legs a striped plaid, and lighted a cigar. "How can you get along without smoking, Kostia? A cigar ....it is not only a pleasure, it is the very crown and sign of delight. This is life indeed. How delightful! I should like to live like this!"
"What's to prevent?" asked Levin, with a smile.
"Yes; but you are a fortunate man, for you have everything that you like. You like horses, you have them; dogs, you have them; hunting, here it is; an estate, here it is!"
"Perhaps it is because I enjoy what I have, and don't covet what I have not," replied Levin, with Kitty in his mind.
Stepan Arkadyevitch understood, and looked at him without speaking.
Levin was grateful to Oblonsky because he avoided speaking about the Shcherbatskys, with his usual tact perceiving that Levin dreaded to speak about them; but now he felt anxious to find out how matters stood, but he did not dare to inquire.
"Well, how go your affairs?" asked Levin, realizing how selfish it was in him to think only of himself.
Oblonsky's eyes glistened with gayety.
"You will not admit that one can want hot rolls when he has his monthly rations; in your eyes it is a crime: but for me, I cannot admit the possibility of living without love," he replied, construing Levin's question in his own fashion. "What 's to be done about it ? I am so constituted. And it is a fact, it does so little. harm to any one else, and gives one so much pleasure...."
"What! there is a new one, is there?" asked Levin.
