The Live Corpse Part 9

PRINCE ABReZKOV. And how about your religion?

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. Of course, of course! To forgive, "As we forgive them that trespa.s.s against us." _Mais, c'est plus fort que moi!_[17]

[17] But it's beyond me!

PRINCE ABReZKOV. How could she live with such a man? If she had not loved anyone else she would have had to leave him. She would have had to, for her child's sake. The husband himself--an intelligent kind-hearted man when he is in his senses--advises her to do it....

Enter Victor, who kisses his mother's hand and greets Prince Abrezkov.

VICTOR. Mother, I have come to say this: Elisabeth Andreyevna will be here in a minute, and I beg, I implore you--if you still refuse your consent to my marriage ...

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA [interrupting him] Of course I still refuse my consent ...

VICTOR [continues his speech and frowns] In that case I beg, I implore you, not to speak to her of your refusal! Don't settle matters negatively ...

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. I don't expect we shall mention the subject. For my part, I certainly won't begin.

VICTOR. And she is even less likely to. I only want you to make her acquaintance.

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. The one thing I can't understand is how you reconcile your desire to marry Mrs. Protasova, who has a husband living, with your religious conviction that divorce is contrary to Christianity.

VICTOR. Mother, this is cruel of you! Are we really so immaculate that we must always be perfectly consistent when life is so complex? Mother, why are you so cruel to me?

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. I love you. I desire your happiness.

VICTOR [to Prince Abrezkov] Prince!

PRINCE ABReZKOV. Of course you desire his happiness. But it is not easy for you and me, with our grey hairs, to understand the young; and it is particularly difficult for a mother grown accustomed to her own idea of how her son is to be happy. Women are all like that.

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. Yes, yes indeed! You are all against me! You may do it, of course. _Vous etes majeur._[18] ... But you will kill me!

[18] You are of age.

VICTOR. You are not yourself. This is worse than cruelty!

PRINCE ABReZKOV [to Victor] Be quiet, Victor. Your mother's words are always worse than her deeds.

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. I shall tell her how I think and feel, but I will do it without offending her.

PRINCE ABReZKOV. Of that I am sure.

Enter footman.

PRINCE ABReZKOV. Here she is.

VICTOR. I'll go.

FOOTMAN. Elisabeth Andreyevna Protasova.

VICTOR. I am going. _Please_, Mother! [Exit.]

Prince Abrezkov also rises.

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. Ask her in. [To Prince Abrezkov] No, you must please stay here!

PRINCE ABReZKOV. I thought you'd find a _tete-a-tete_ easier.

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. No, I'm afraid ... [Is restless] If I want to be left _tete-a-tete_ with her, I will nod to you. _Cela dependra._[19] ... To be left alone with her may make it difficult for me. But I'll do like that if ... [Makes a sign].

[19] It will depend.

PRINCE ABReZKOV. I shall understand. I feel sure you will like her. Only be just.

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. How you are all against me!

Enter Lisa, in visiting dress and hat.

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA [rising] I was sorry not to find you in, and it is kind of you to call.

LISA. I never dreamed that you'd be so good as to call.... I am so grateful to you for wishing to see me.

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA [pointing to Prince Abrezkov] You are acquainted?

PRINCE ABReZKOV. Yes, certainly. I have had the pleasure of being introduced. [They shake hands and sit down] My niece Nelly has often mentioned you to me.

LISA. Yes, she and I were great friends [glancing timidly at Anna Dmitrievna], and we are still friendly. [To Anna Dmitrievna] I never expected that you would wish to see me.

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. I knew your husband well. He was friendly with Victor, and used to come to our house before he left for Tambov. I think it was there you married?

LISA. Yes, it was there we married.

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. But after his return to Moscow he never visited us.

LISA. Yes, he hardly went out anywhere.

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. And he never introduced you to me.

Awkward silence.

PRINCE ABReZKOV. The last time I met you was at the theatricals at the Denisovs'. They went off very well; and you were acting.

LISA. No ... Yes ... Of course ... I did act. [Silence again]. Anna Dmitrievna, forgive me if what I am going to say displeases you, but I can't and don't know how to dissemble! I have come because Victor Mihaylovich said ... because he--I mean, because you wished to see me.... But it is best to speak out [with a catch in her voice] ... It is very hard for me.... But you are kind.

PRINCE ABReZKOV. I'd better go.

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. Yes, do.

Prince Abrezkov takes leave of both women, and exit.