But it was absolutely necessary for Karenin to think thus; it was so necessary for him in his humiliation to possess at least this imaginary exaltation, from the height of which he, the despised of all, was able to despise others, that he clung to this mock salvation as if it were the real thing.
Pero ahora le era necesario pensar así, sentir en su humillación aquella elevación imaginaria desde la que, despreciado por los demás, podía despreciarlos a su vez, aferrándose a su quimérica salvación, como si fuese verdadera.