" Vronsky defended Mihailov, but at the bottom of his heart he believed it, because in his view a man of a different, lower world would be sure to be envious.

Anna's portrait--the same subject painted from nature both by him and by Mihailov--ought to have shown Vronsky the difference between him and Mihailov; but he did not see it.

Only after Mihailov's portrait was painted he left off painting his portrait of Anna, deciding that it was now not needed.