Anna Karenina

Although all Vronsky's "inner life was absorbed in his passion, his external life unalterably and inevitably followed along the old accustomed lines of his social and regimental ties and interests." Despite his consuming love for Anna, Vronsky maintains his military and social life. "The interests of his regiment took an important place in Vronsky's life, both because he was fond of the regiment, and because the regiment was fond of him." But more than fond: "They were not only fond of Vronsky in his regiment, they respected him too, and were proud of him; proud that this man, with his immense wealth, his brilliant education and abilities, and the path open before him to every kind of success, distinction, and ambition, had disregarded all that, and of all the interests of life had the interests of his regiment and his comrades nearest to his heart." His fellow officers admire him for choosing regimental life over wealth and ambition. "Vronsky was aware of his comrades' view of him, and in addition to his liking for the life, he felt bound to keep up that reputation." He must maintain this image. "It need not be said that he did not speak of his love to any of his comrades" - he keeps silent about Anna. "But in spite of that, his love was known to all the town; everyone guessed with more or less confidence at his relations with Madame Karenina." The affair is an open secret. Society is preparing to judge: "The greater number of the young women, who envied Anna and had long been weary of hearing her called _virtuous_, rejoiced at the fulfillment of their predictions, and were only waiting for a decisive turn in public opinion to fall upon her with all the weight of their scorn. They were already making ready their handfuls of mud to fling at her when the right moment arrived." Women who envied Anna's reputation for virtue are waiting to attack her. Vronsky's mother "was at first pleased" about the affair - a _liaison_ in high society seemed appropriate for a brilliant young man. But "she had heard of late that her son had refused a position offered him of great importance to his career, simply in order to remain in the regiment, where he could be constantly seeing Madame Karenina." This changed her view. "She was vexed, too, that from all she could learn of this connection it was not that brilliant, graceful, worldly _liaison_ which she would have welcomed, but a sort of Wertherish, desperate passion" - a dangerous romantic obsession, not a sophisticated affair. "Besides the service and society, Vronsky had another great interest—horses; he was passionately fond of horses." Racing is his other passion. "These two passions did not interfere with one another. On the contrary, he needed occupation and distraction quite apart from his love, so as to recruit and rest himself from the violent emotions that agitated him." This chapter shows Vronsky can compartmentalize his life - his affair exists alongside his military career and racing, providing balance. Anna, by contrast, will find her affair consuming everything.