And he shut up any of his thoughtless comrades who attempted to allude to his connection.

But in spite of that, his love was known to all the town; everyone guessed with more or less confidence at his relations with Madame Karenina.

The majority of the younger men envied him for just what was the most irksome factor in his love--the exalted position of Karenin, and the consequent publicity of their connection in society.

The greater number of the young women, who envied Anna and had long been weary of hearing her called _virtuous_, rejoiced at the fulfillment of their predictions, and were only waiting for a decisive turn in public opinion to fall upon her with all the weight of their scorn.

They were already making ready their handfuls of mud to fling at her when the right moment arrived.