Act I - Page 2

I believe. SASHA. Yes, but she doesn't love him as a husband. They grew up together; they've just been friends. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Ah, those friendships! How should you know what keeps them warm! If only they were both free! [Enter a MAID L. U. Well? MAID. The porter's just come back with an answer to the note. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. What note? MAID. The note Elizaveta Protosova sent to Victor Karénin. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well? What answer? MAID. Victor Karénin told the porter he'd be here directly. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Very well. [MAID exits L. U. [To SASHA. Why do you suppose she sent for him? Do you know? SASHA. Maybe I do and maybe I don't. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. You're always so full of secrets. SASHA. Ask Lisa, she'll tell you. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Just as I thought! She sent for him at once. SASHA. Yes, but maybe not for the reason you think. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Then what for? SASHA. Why, Mother, Lisa cares just about as much for Victor Karénin as she does for her old nurse. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. You'll see. She wants consolation, a special sort of consolation. SASHA. Really, it shows you don't know Lisa at all to talk like this. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. You'll see. Sasha. Yes, I shall see. ANNA PÁVLOVNA (alone to herself). And I am very glad. I'm very, very glad. [Enter MAID. MAID. Victor Karénin. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Show him here and tell your mistress. [MAID shows in KARÉNIN and exits door R. I. KARÉNIN (goes C. and stands behind table C.). (Shaking hands with Anna Pávlovna.) Elizaveta Andreyevna sent me a note to come at once. I should have been here to-night anyway. How is she? Well, I hope. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Not very. The baby has been upset again. However, she'll be here in a minute. Will you have some tea? KARÉNIN. No, thank you. [Sits chair R. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Tell me, do you know that he and she--. KARÉNIN. Yes, I was here two days ago when she got this letter. Is she positive now about their separating? ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Oh, absolutely. It would be impossible to begin it all over again. KARÉNIN. Yes. To cut into living things and then draw back the knife is terrible. But are you sure she knows her mind? ANNA PÁVLOVNA. I should think so. To come to this decision has caused her much pain. But now it's final, and he understands perfectly that his behavior has made it impossible for him to come back on any terms. KARÉNIN. Why? ANNA PÁVLOVNA. After breaking every oath he swore to decency, how could he come back? And so why shouldn't he give her her freedom? KARÉNIN. What freedom is there for a woman still married? ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Divorce. He promised her a divorce and we shall insist upon it. KARÉNIN. But your daughter was so in love with him? ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Her love has been tried out of existence. Remember she had everything to contend with: drunkenness, gambling, infidelity-- what was