Exactly at five – the bronze clock (style of Peter I) had not finished striking – Karenin entered in evening dress with a white tie and two stars on his coat, as he had to attend an official meeting directly after dinner.
Alle cinque in punto (l’orologio di bronzo in stile Pietro I non aveva finito di battere il quinto tocco) entrò Aleksej Aleksandrovic in cravatta bianca e in frac con due decorazioni, perché subito dopo pranzo doveva andar via.