of Pages, who had graduated with him, who had been his rival in the class-room and in gymnasium, in his pranks and in his dreams of ambition—had just returned from Central Asia, where he had been promoted two tchins and won honors rarely given to such a young general.
He had only just come to Petersburg, and people were talking about him as a new rising star of the first magnitude.
Just Vronsky's age, and his intimate friend, he was a general, and was expecting an appointment which would give him great influence in the affairs of the country; while Vronsky, though he was independent and brilliant, and loved by a lovely woman, was only a rotmistr, or cavalry captain, whom they allowed to remain as independent as he pleased.
"Of course," he said to himself, "I am not envious of Serpukhovskoï and could not be; but his promotion proves that a man like me needs only to bide his time in order to make a rapid rise in his profession. Three years ago he was in the same position as I am now. If I left the service, I should burn my ships. If I stay in the service, I lose nothing; she herself told me that she did not want to change her position. And I, who am sure of her love, cannot be envious of Serpukhovskoï."
And, slowly twisting his mustache, he arose from the table, and began to walk up and down the room. His eyes shone with extraordinary brilliancy; and he was conscious of that calm, even, and joyous state of mind which he always felt after he had cleared up any situation. All was now clear and orderly as ever. He shaved, took a cold-water bath, dressed, and prepared to go out.
CHAPTER XXI
"I was coming for you," said Petritsky, entering the room. "Your cleaning up took a long time to-day, didn't it? Are you through?"
"All through," said Vronsky, smiling only with his
