Once Karenin, having finished signing documents, remained silent a long time, glancing now and then at Michael Vasilich, and tried several times but was unable to begin speaking. He had prepared a phrase: 'You have heard of my misfortune?' but it ended by his saying merely the usual, 'Then you will get this ready for me?' and letting him go.
Mijail Vasilievich Sliudin, el jefe de su departamento, era un hombre sencillo, inteligente, bueno y honrado por el que Alexey sentía simpatía y afecto, pero un trabajo continuado en común durante cinco años había levantado entre ellos una barrera que impedía las explicaciones cordiales.