Karenin himself, as the Petersburg way is when one dines with ladies, was in evening dress with a white tie, and Oblonsky saw by his face that he had come only to keep his promise, and by being in that company was fulfilling an unpleasant duty.
Karenin, secondo l’uso di Pietroburgo, a quel pranzo con signore, era in frac e cravatta bianca, e Stepan Arkad’ic capì dalla faccia di lui che era venuto soltanto perché aveva promesso, ma che, facendo atto di presenza in quella compagnia, compiva un dovere increscioso.