The Live Corpse Part 20

IVaN PETRoVICH. Counsel are still speaking, but this fellow won't let me in.

USHER. Don't make a noise here! This is not a public-house!

Applause. The doors open. Lawyers, and the public--men and women--come out.

A LADY. Splendid! He really moved me to tears.

OFFICER. It's better than any novel. Only I don't understand how she could love him so. Dreadful object!

The other door opens. The accused come out: first Lisa, then Karenin. They pa.s.s along the corridor. Fedya follows alone.

LADY. Hush--here he is! Look how excited he seems!

Lady and Officer pa.s.s on.

FeDYA [approaches Ivan Petrovich] Have you brought it?

IVaN PETRoVICH. Here it is. [Hands Fedya something].

FeDYA [Hides it in his pocket, and wishes to pa.s.s out, but sees Petushkov] Stupid! Vile! Dreary, dreary! Senseless. [Wishes to pa.s.s].

Enter Counsel Petrushin; stout, red, and animated. He approaches Fedya.

PETRuSHIN. Well, friend! Our affairs are going well--only don't you go and spoil things for me in your last speech!

FeDYA. I won't speak. What is the use? I shan't do it.

PETRuSHIN. Yes, you must speak. But don't be excited. The whole matter is now in a nutsh.e.l.l! Only tell them what you told me--that if you are being tried, it is only for _not_ having committed suicide: that is, for not doing what is considered a crime both by civil and ecclesiastical law.

FeDYA. I shan't say anything!

PETRuSHIN. Why not?

FeDYA. I don't want to, and shan't. Tell me only, at the worst, what will it be?

PETRuSHIN. I have already told you--at worst, exile to Siberia.

FeDYA. Who will be exiled?

PETRuSHIN. You and your wife.

FeDYA. And at best?

PETRuSHIN. Church penance, and of course annulment of the second marriage.

FeDYA. Then they will again tie me to her--or rather, her to me?

PETRuSHIN. Yes, that must be so. But don't excite yourself, and please say what I told you, and above all, don't say anything superfluous.

However [noticing that a circle of listeners has formed round them] I am tired, and will go and sit down; and you'd better take a rest. The chief thing is, not to lose courage!

FeDYA. No other sentence is possible?

PETRuSHIN [going] No other.

Enter Attendant.

ATTENDANT. Pa.s.s on! Pa.s.s on! No loitering in the corridor!

FeDYA. Directly! [Takes out revolver and shoots himself in the heart.

Falls. All rush on him] All right, I think it is done.... Lisa!...

The audience, judges, accused, and witnesses rush out from all the doors.

In front of all is Lisa. Behind her Masha, Karenin, Ivan Petrovich and Prince Abrezkov.

LISA. Fedya, what have you done! Why?

FeDYA. Forgive me that I could not ... free you any other way.... It's not for you ... it's best for me. I have long ... been ready ...

LISA. You will live!

A Doctor bends over Fedya and listens.

FeDYA. I need no doctor to tell me ... Good-bye, Victor ... Ah, Masha!... it's too late this time ... [Weeps] How good ... how good!

[Dies].

Curtain.

END OF "THE LIVE CORPSE."