From the moment when he woke up and understood what was the matter Levin had braced himself to endure what might await him, without reasoning and without anticipating anything – firmly suppressing all his thoughts and feelings, determined not to upset his wife but on the contrary to calm and support her. Not allowing himself even to think of what was about to happen and how it would end, judging by inquiries he had made as to the time such affairs usually lasted, Levin mentally prepared himself to endure and to keep his heart under restraint for something like five hours, which seemed to him within his power.
Cuando Levin, al despertar aquella mañana, comprendió que había llegado el momento del alumbramiento, resuelto a sostener el valor de su esposa, se había prometido no pensar en nada, ocultar sus emociones y, sobre todo, su intranquilidad y su incertidumbre durante las cinco horas que, según los entendidos, debía durar la prueba, y mantener el ánimo sereno para consolarla y animarla con su presencia.