Chapter 165 — Anna Karenina

Before the ladies rise the shooting party gathers at the door. Laska the dog waits in the wagonette while Veslovsky appears in new high boots, green blouse, and brand new English gun without a sling. Stepan follows in torn trousers and wreck of a hat but perfect gem of a gun; Veslovsky learns it is truly chic for a sportsman to be in tatters yet have shooting outfit of the best quality, and resolves to copy the style.

Stiva smiles that Levin is late because a young wife keeps drawing him upstairs. Levin has run up again to ask forgiveness for yesterday's idiocy, beg Kitty stay careful near the children, and request even two words by horseback messenger tomorrow. She forgets her parting chagrin seeing his sportsman elation and says goodbye cheerfully. On the steps he scolds a herdsman, then debates a carpenter who spoiled the lodge staircase and insists three added steps will go up and up and come out until Levin sketches with a ramrod in the dust and orders a new staircase.

Seated in the wagonette Levin feels eager joy leaving household cares, thinking of marsh game, Laska against Krak, and not to disgrace himself before a new spectator nor be outdone by Oblonsky. Listening to Veslovsky's cheerful chatter he feels ashamed of yesterday's unfairness and begins to like him. When Veslovsky fears he lost his pocketbook with thirty seven pounds Levin sends the coachman back rather than let him gallop the trace horse given his seventeen stone weight, and drives the remaining pair himself.