When the Tatar appeared with a bill for twenty-six roubles and odd kopecks, besides a tip for himself, Levin, who would another time have been horrified, like any one from the country, at his share of fourteen roubles, did not notice it, paid, and set off homewards to dress and go to the Shtcherbatskys' there to decide his fate.

The young Princess Kitty Shtcherbatskaya was eighteen.

It was the first winter that she had been out in the world.

Her success in society had been greater than that of either of her elder sisters, and greater even than her mother had anticipated.

To say nothing of the young men who danced at the Moscow balls being almost all in love with Kitty, two serious suitors had already this first winter made their appearance: Levin, and immediately after his departure, Count Vronsky.