Anna Karenina Part 6, Chapter 18 Summary

  • Anna looks at Dolly and thinks that she's grown uglier—she's thin and, in an evocative image, the narrator describes her as having dust in her wrinkles.
  • Anna's about to comment on Dolly's change when she realizes that would be rude, especially when she, Anna, is looking so much prettier. So instead, she says that, while it may seem impossible given her situation, she is unbelievably happy.
  • Dolly tells Anna that she's always loved her, and that if you love someone, you love them as they are, and not as you want them to be.
  • Anna narrows her eyes, an expression that Dolly has never seen before, which seems to convey emotional consideration on Anna's part.
  • As the carriage barrels along to the estate, it's clear that the estate is wealthy. The house is beautiful, too.
  • Dolly receives an apology for the state of her guest room, but she finds it to be full of every kind of luxury.
  • Dolly makes a point of saying that she's comfortable staying with the Levins. She, however, oddly ill at ease answering questions about her children.
  • Anna tells her that she's going to change for dinner, and will send a maid over to Dolly.