Chapter 49 — Anna Karenina

Levin and Oblonsky stand in a thawing copse while Laska listens and the sun sets through birch buds. Levin hears grass grow in the hush; Stiva smokes, cracks jokes, and shoots well despite his city softness. Snipe whistle from the marsh; flashes and shots cross the fading light; birds fall or vanish into the reeds while Levin forgets everything except the next bird and the pleasure of skill returned to his hands.

After good sport and darkening stars, Levin asks at last about Dolly's sister: is Kitty married? Stiva answers she has never thought of marriage, is very ill, and doctors have sent her abroad, fearing for her life. The words land like a shot he did not see coming and turn spring joy into something thin and far away.

Levin's serenity shatters; then another bird flies, they fire together, and Levin runs with Laska, muttering that Kitty is ill while packing the snipe and shouting success to Stiva as if noise could hold the fear at bay for one more hour. He tells himself he is sorry, but part of him is glad she suffers too, and he hates himself for that gladness on the walk home through the mud and stars.