Why she said this, which she had not thought of a second before, she could not have explained.

She had said it simply from the reflection that as Vronsky would not be here, she had better secure her own freedom, and try to see him somehow.

But why she had spoken of old Madame Vrede, whom she had to go and see, as she had to see many other people, she could not have explained; and yet, as it afterwards turned out, had she contrived the most cunning devices to meet Vronsky, she could have thought of nothing better.

"No.

I'm not going to let you go for anything," answered Betsy, looking intently into Anna's face.