" The one thing I longed for, the one thing I prayed for, was to cut short this position, so as to devote my life to your happiness.

" "Why do you tell me that?" she said.

" Do you suppose I can doubt it? If I doubted..." "Who's that coming?" said Vronsky suddenly, pointing to two ladies walking towards them.

" Perhaps they know us!" and he hurriedly turned off, drawing her after him into a side path.