In the carriage, Karenin came out with a blanket and put Anna on her knees.

"What do you think? Anna. Karenin frowned and asked, he didn't want his wife to get sick again.

"I'm fine, I couldn't be better." Anna said that her eyes were shining, but Karenin was even more worried.

He raised his hand and touched her forehead.

"I'll ask Dr. Cullens to come over for a while." He seemed to be afraid that Anna would refuse, so he said again, "Your health has been really bad during this time. I think it's necessary to have a systematic full body checkup. ”

"Okay, Alexei, I'll take it." Anna said.

Karenin's furrowed brow loosened, and he relaxed.

"That's right, Anna, it's important to be healthy."

"You're right, Alexey." Anna replied that now, that affection had moved away a little, leaving only warmth.

She blamed it on blankets, but she couldn't deny that Karenin was partly responsible. So she no longer refuses.

They were quiet for a while, Anna was a little drowsy because of the bumps in the carriage, and then Karenin, who was next to her, suddenly said: "I ran into Kondraki when I came." ”

"Huh?" Anna lifted her eyelids, and although she was a little drowsy, she was not asleep.

Karenin observed that there was no element of surprise in Anna's voice, as if she had expected it, but this was not logical, and his wife had never been very concerned with his affairs. Karenin didn't care before, women rarely cared about politics, and his wife listened to him, and he felt that it was happier than at least ninety percent of couples in the Petersburg circle.

Karenin never doubted this.

"Anna, I don't think it's decent enough to let the child of an underclass person of unknown origin ride in your carriage." Karenin observed Anna's expression as he spoke, and seeing that the latter showed no disappointment or any desire to argue with him, he added, "Although I have never prevented you from visiting the children in the welfare home, and I have to say that this act has always helped me in my career, decency is also very important. ”

Anna did not interrupt Karenin, just waited for him to finish, and then smiled: "You need to get Tversky's support, don't you?" ”

Anna did not wait for Karenin to speak, and said: "You clearly don't like this kind of tea party, but you think about it, if you can't really go, of course you will come." It's a pity that Tversky left before you came. If it hadn't been for the Minister who talked about the subject of your interest, you would have gone much earlier. ”

"Don't deny it, okay?" "When you're anxious and uncomfortable, you want to straighten your fingers. ”

Seeing Karenin's scrupulous eyes, Anna deliberately withdrew her gaze and coughed slightly.

"You told me about 'universal military service', I know you care about this, this policy needs a broad public opinion, people in the circle will not agree, Alexei, you need to let more people know, not just do good deeds without leaving a reputation."

"So, you mean to do this?" Karenin asked slowly, a little inaudible.

Anna pulled her hair back, and she smiled and said, "Why don't you understand that I'm for you?" ”

Karenin suddenly realized that his wife was dealing with him, but he soon felt that it was impossible, and he logically used a lot of analysis to verify it. His wife loved him and obeyed him, and they had a good relationship, and Karenin never complained about him.

He looked at his wife again, and she didn't smile like that anymore, looking a little tired, but not bad.

Anna withdrew her gaze and seemed to be speaking to herself: "After all, I am your wife, of course I have to think about you, this is logical, isn't it?" ”

When Karenin heard this, he didn't know why he wanted to correct it, but in the end, he pressed it down and whispered, "If I confess something to you, I hope you won't feel uncomfortable." ”

Anna looked at the man in front of her, from his somewhat straight eyebrows to her blue eyes, the corners of her mouth slightly hooked a smile, this time, a little sincere.

"Ah, Alexei, you can say anything that may not please me when you have moved me so much today." She said half-truthfully.

Karenin, who seemed to be distracted by the word "moved", put aside his question for a moment, and instead asked: "Have I ever done anything like this?" ”

"Yes, but now can I know what you might have done to upset me?" Anna smiled and changed the subject, turning her cheek slightly to hide it, her hands still caressing lightly on the blanket.

She shouldn't have said that, but she blamed the qiē on the fact that the blanket was too warm.

"For safety reasons, I asked Flammykiel to investigate the kid a little." Karenin glanced at Anna again after speaking, he usually does not interfere with his wife's **, he gathers information, but it is generally only related to government affairs.

Doctrinal belief led Karenin to believe that trust between husband and wife was very important.

His life should have gone on like this, but Anna's move today will put herself on the lips of the people, and the messages, good and bad, will continue in Petersburg for a while, but it is undeniable that the good part is very effective for his support.

Anna blinked slowly.

This slow motion allowed her to see how closely Karenin was watching her, as if she was afraid of any resentment or hysteria.

"You should know I'm not a woman like Lady Legia or Petsey, Alexei."

"You're just doing your job, and I've never thought you've been in this position by hard work like the saints in the books, and of course, boasting, you're obviously not that kind of person."

"Of course I'm diligent, and that's inseparable from my success, Anna." Karenin said with some reproach, but his mood was noticeably lighter and more cheerful.

"I didn't know that before."

"What?"

"I thought you weren't interested in my work, and, I have to say, I'm glad I did." Karenin said cautiously, and then chose a word, "Sincerely happy." ”

"I'm glad that I can please you with this little gesture." Anna said, a little unsure whether it was true or false, "And, of course, I will understand and support your work, we are husband and wife, aren't we?" ”

Karenin looked at his wife for a moment, and the petty affection came out quickly, and then it was all replaced by a new kind of confusion.

He felt as if he had done something to make his wife very happy, but she seemed to maintain a certain sense of distance from him.

This contradiction led Karenin to change the subject.

"I've noticed that your social behaviour has been a bit less frequent lately than before, and after Dr. Cullens examined you, if it's all right, I think it would be useful to arrange a theatre event for both of us, as long as your health allows."

Anna blinked slowly again, thinking to herself, a date? Initiated by this man? It's incredible, isn't it?

However, she only gave a satisfactory answer after a quick thought.

"I'm so happy."