At the very moment that Vronsky thought it time to pass Makhotin, Frou-Frou, understanding what was in his mind, without any urging, considerably increased her speed and began to draw nearer to Makhotin on the side where it was most advantageous to pass him – the side of the rope, Makhotin would not let her pass that side.
Proprio nel momento in cui Vronskij pensava di oltrepassare Machotin, Frou-Frou stessa, intuendone il pensiero, senza essere stimolata, accelerò notevolmente il galoppo, e cominciò ad avvicinarsi a Machotin dal lato più conveniente, cioè rasente la corda. Machotin però non lasciava andare la corda.