And, thanks to this circumstance, she did not carry out her threat to her husband--that is to say, she remembered that her sister-in-law was coming.

" And, after all, Anna is in no wise to blame," thought Dolly.

" I know nothing of her except the very best, and I have seen nothing but kindness and affection from her towards myself.

" It was true that as far as she could recall her impressions at Petersburg at the Karenins', she did not like their household itself; there was something artificial in the whole framework of their family life.

"But why should I not receive her? If only she doesn't take it into her head to console me!" thought Dolly.