Redemption and two other plays Part 5

KAReNIN (finishing rather lamely). But I ask you not so much for her as for myself--Fedya, come home.

FeDYA (looking up at him, smiling rather whimsically). You're a much finer person than I am, Victor. Of course that's not saying much. I'm not very much good, am I? (Laughing gently.) But that's exactly why I'm not going to do what you want me to. It's not the only reason, though. The real reason is that I just simply can't. How could I?

KAReNIN (persuasively). Come along to my rooms, Fedya, and I'll tell her you'll be back to-morrow.

FeDYA (wistfully). To-morrows can't change what we are. She'll still be she, and I will still be I to-morrow. (Goes to the table and drinks.) No, it's better to have the tooth out in one pull. Didn't I say that if I broke my word she was to leave me? Well, I've broken it, and that's enough.

KAReNIN. Yes. For you, but not for her.

FeDYA (down L. Politely insolent). You know ... it's rather odd, that you, of all men, should take so much trouble to keep our marriage from going to pieces.

KAReNIN (revolted). Good G.o.d, Fedya! You don't think--

[MASHA crosses L., goes to FeDYA. FeDYA interrupting him with a return of his former friendliness.

FeDYA. Come now, my dear Victor, you shall hear them sing.

MASHA (whispering to FeDYA). What's his name? We must honor him with a song.

FeDYA (laughing). O good G.o.d, yes! Honor him by all means. His name is Victor Michaelovitch. (Saluting Karenin.) Victor, my lord! son of Michael!

[The gypsies sing a song of greeting and laudation. As they begin to sing, MASHA and FeDYA sit on couch L.

(When song is finished.)

KAReNIN (in an imploring tone). Fedya!

[Exits quietly L. U.

FeDYA (business with MASHA). Where's the fur coat? Gone, eh? All right. May the devil go with it.

FeDYA. Do you know who that was?

MASHA. I heard his name.

FeDYA. Ah, he's a splendid fellow. He came to take me home to my wife.

You see she loves even a fool like me, (caressing her hair) and look what I'm doing.

MASHA. You should go back to her and be very sorry.

FeDYA. Do you think I should? (He kisses her.) Well, I think I shouldn't.

MASHA. Of course, you needn't go back to her if you don't love her.

Love is all that counts.

FeDYA (smiling). How do you know that?

MASHA (looking at him timidly). I don't know, but I do.

FeDYA. Now, let's have "No More at Evening." (As the gypsies sing, MASHA lies on her back across his lap, looking up into his face, which she draws down to her, and they kiss until the music begins to cease.) That's wonderful! Divine! If I could only lie this way forever, with my arms around the heart of joy, and sleep ... and die.... (He closes his eyes; his voice trails away.)

[Lights dim and out, then the

CURTAIN

SCENE III

SOPHIA KAReNINA'S boudoir. SOPHIA KAReNINA, VICTOR'S mother, is reading a book. She is a great lady, over fifty, but tries to look younger. She likes to interlard her conversation with French words. A servant enters.

SERVANT (enters R., announcing). Prince Sergius Abreskov.

SOPHIA KAReNINA (on sofa over L.). Show him in, please.

[She turns and picks up hand mirror from table back of couch, arranging her hair.

PRINCE SERGIUS (enters R. I. Entering). J'espere que je ne force pas la consigne.

[Crossing to sofa L. He kisses her hand. He is a charming old diplomat of seventy.

SOPHIA KAReNINA. Ah, you know well que vous etes toujours le bien venu.... Tell me, you have received my letter?

PRINCE SERGIUS. I did. Me voila. (Sits L. on sofa L.) Sophia Karenina (working up to distress). Oh, my dear friend, I begin to lose hope.

She's bewitched him, positively bewitched him. Il est ensorcele. I never knew he could be so obstinate, so heartless, and so indifferent to me. He's changed completely since that woman left her husband.

PRINCE SERGIUS. How do matters actually stand?

SOPHIA KAReNINA. Well, he's made up his mind to marry her at any cost.

PRINCE SERGIUS. And her husband?

SOPHIA KAReNINA. He agrees to a divorce.

PRINCE SERGIUS. Really?

SOPHIA KAReNINA. And Victor is willing to put up with all the sordidness, the vulgarity of the divorce court, the lawyers, evidences of guilt ... tout ca est degoutant. I can't understand his sensitive nature not being repelled by it.

PRINCE SERGIUS (smiling). He's in love, and when a man's really in love--

SOPHIA KAReNINA (interrupting). In our time love could remain pure, coloring one's whole life with a romantic friendship. Such love I understand and value.

PRINCE SERGIUS (sighing). However, the present generation refuses to live on dreams. (He coughs delicately.) La possession de l'ame ne leur suffit plus. So what is the alternative? But tell me more of Victor.

SOPHIA KAReNINA. There's not very much to say. He seems bewitched, hardly my son. Did you know I'd called upon her? Victor pressed me so it was impossible to refuse. But Dieu merci, I found her out. So I merely left my card, and now she has asked me if I could receive her to-day, and I am expecting her (she glances at her watch) any moment now. I am doing all this to please Victor, but conceive my feelings. I know you always can. Really, really, I need your help.

PRINCE SERGIUS (bowing). Thank you for the honor you do me.

SOPHIA KAReNINA. You realize this visit decides Victor's fate. I must refuse my consent, or---- But that's impossible.