All language subtitles for [English (auto-generated)] Anna Karenina - Nicola Pagett - Stuart Wilson - Episodes IV-VI - 1977 -

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

You're quite sure you're going to have a

child? Yes, Alexe. I'm quite

sure. You can understand perhaps why I

was a little afraid to tell you. Afraid?

Why

afraid? When will it be? Not for ages. 6

months. Oh, you call that ages?

Well, it clears the air. There can be no

more lies, no more deception. All that

is at an end. I realize it is what I

have wanted all along. Now, thank God it

settles itself.

I don't see

how. I'm a married woman. My husband

owns me. Is there any way out? There is

a solution to everything. All we need is

the resolve to find

it.

Anna. Anna. Anything is better than the

way you're living. How do you think that

I don't see what you go through every

day? How you're distressed by the way

you're living. How the thoughts of your

son and your husband. Serot. Yes, but

not my husband. I never think of him. He

doesn't exist. I know you too well to

believe that you do think of him and it

torments you. No, you are wrong. We live

in the same house, but it's as if we

were strangers. Polite strangers meeting

from time to time in a hotel.

He doesn't even know that I'm

We won't speak of it. Whether he knows

it or not, we can't. That is, you cannot

go on like this. So, what's to be done?

Tell him everything and leave him. Tell

him. Leave him. Do you know what he'll

say? I do. He'll be quite cold and

sarcastic and he'll say, "Ah, so you

love another man. Is that it? You have

entered into guilty relations with him?"

This I have suspected for some time and

I warned you. I warned you of the

consequences from the religious and the

civil and the domestic points of view.

Hannah, this is you have not listened to

me. And now I cannot let you disgrace me

and my son. Whatever he says is not

important, but he must be told all the

same and then we will be guided by what

he does.

If it comes to it, do we run away

together? I think it may come to that.

And am I to live with you openly as your

mistress? Anna. Anna. The mistress of a

young officer who refuses advancement,

who ruins a brilliant career because of

me? Is that your solution? My life is my

own to do with it whatever I choose.

Anna, Anna, your life. I I cannot

forgive myself for making you unhappy.

Unhappy? I

feel like a starving man feels when

someone gives him food.

He may be cold and his clothes may be in

rags and he may feel ashamed,

but he's not unhappy.

Oh, no. Alexe,

this is my happiness.

There's nothing seriously a miss. As I

say, heart and lungs are sound. Thank

God. I never suppose they were not. But

the pulse are trifle sluggish. And we

must watch the liver and the digestive

tract. Now, I don't prescribe taking the

waters. No, if you did, I couldn't spare

the time. Oh, quite so. Quite so. But

you must take more exercise, fresh air.

By the way, are you going to the races

tomorrow? Naturally. Oh, good. Good.

Well, see if you can spend a few days at

leisure. Try and ease the strain, you

know. And above all, endeavor not to

worry.

Worry, doctor. Oh, I know. in your

position. But your excellency, you must

keep your health. Russia needs you. I'm

obliged to you for saying so. All the

world says

so. I understand Madame Corellina is

already in the country. Is she

well? Yes.

Splendid.

Well, I must go. Well, thank you for

coming. If my private secretary is out

there, please ask him to come in.

Certainly. Certainly.

Well, doctor, pray for my coach when I'm

ready to

leave. It's like this. I'll show you.

Try and break a violin string that isn't

taught. Impossible. But stretch it to

the utmost. So, the weight of a finger

will snap it. But there's nothing

organically wrong. Not a thing. He's a

healthy man, but he works too hard and

for too long hours. He's too

conscientious, my half. That's nothing

new. No, but he seems stretched to near

the limit. Some extra burden seems to

weigh him down. Did he tell you that? He

did not, and I didn't expect him to. My

province is the body, not the mind. Then

I'll tell you, it's that damned wife of

his. It is a discretion. But it is, and

you know it as well as I do. Listen,

this year he's only been twice to the

country since his wife went there.

short visits only. He doesn't stop the

night and always making some excuse or

other he takes someone else with him.

It's as if when he sees her now he has

to have a third person

present. Is that normal?

I I wouldn't get to speculate on that.

But my dear fellow, I'm keeping you. His

excellency requires your presence. Why

didn't you say so? I must go.

But I sometimes think that if you

fellows concentrated less on the

physical and more on the mental

ailments, you might do more good.

You wish to see me, sir? Sudan, I want

you to start getting me all the papers

and information you can about the Native

Tribes Organization Committee.

You're going to attack them, sir. The

department concerned has shown itself

hostile to mine over the Zariski

district litigation business. I know,

sir. Won't do them any harm to realize

that I have the means to fight back. And

when I have all the facts, I intend to

call for a special commission. You're

really going for them, aren't you? I'll

begin at once. Good. Oh. Um, student,

pay particular attention to the evidence

given to the committee. Numbers uh

17015, December 5,

1863, 18308, June 7th, 1864. I unless

I'm very much mistaken. The committee on

those occasions acted directly in

contravention of the intention of the

law. Look up volume

930. Article 18. Oh yes. And the uh

there's footnote to article

36. If I begin now, I can have most of

it by tomorrow evening. Shall I come to

you after dinner about 7:00? Excellent.

Yes, we can go through it together and I

can briefly Oh, no. I'd forgotten. I

have to go to Saskco tomorrow. The

races, you know. It's a court occasion.

Of course, sir. I've forgotten them,

too. But if you're coming back here

afterwards, I No, no, no. I think

not. Let me

see. I have appointments all

morning. Look, why don't you take the

day off, too, and come with me? Oh, I'd

like to, sir. Well, then, if you'd like

to, you shall. And we shall return

refreshed on Monday to smite the enemy.

Very well, thank you, sir. And when we

do, we'll smite them hip and thigh. Have

you anything else for me? Only

these everything is signed that should

be

student your drafting was first rate.

I'm very pleased with your work. Thank

you again sir.

[Music]

Madam. Yes. What is it? The master's

arrived. But that's

Thank you, Anushka.

Well, how very nice to see you. I had no

hope you'd find the time to come. You're

staying the night, of course. No, no.

Um, Snudin and I have great things in

hand. We must get back. Oh, what a

shame. I did think you might be able to

spend some time here, but at least

you're coming to the races.

I, for one, wouldn't miss the races. Oh,

would after all, if it's

himself, if I'd only known, we could

have gone together. But I promise Betsy

and she's calling for me. Oh, I wouldn't

dream of separating the inseparables.

Slutin and I will go together. But the

doctor did. Did Did you know, my dear,

the doctor came to see me? Is anything

wrong? I believe not, but uh I'm to take

more

exercise. So, we shall walk.

Yes, ma'am. Would you tell Sio that his

father is here? Very well, madam.

Yes, we shall walk and the carriage will

bring us back. Well, I'm sure that'll be

very good for you.

I don't think you've been here before,

have you? The terrace and the orangey

are quite beautiful.

So, you've not been well? I didn't say

so. But the doctor, one of our friends

must have sent him my fancy. Lydia

Ivanova. I have no idea. But it seems my

health is precious. As indeed it is. You

should rest more. Take care of yourself.

Thank you. I shall try.

Ah, I'm a young man. Oh, how you're

growing. I mean it. You're getting to be

quite a man.

Oh, you've been riding much? Yes, papa.

Every day. Oh, good. Good. Splendid

exercise and working well, too, I hope.

Yes, papa. His hair castle sees to that.

So, I should hope men were put on this

world to work after all.

I'm expecting Princess Betsy. Darling,

would you run and see if she's arrived?

He is nervous. You know, he's a little

highly strong. I do think you could.

What? I beg your pardon. It doesn't

matter.

The good Sludin reminded me to bring you

some money.

You need it, actually. No, I mean, yes.

Yes, I do. Thank you. I agree, madame.

The garden is beautiful. You must come

down more often. That would indeed be a

pleasure.

She's here, mama. I'll tell you're

coming.

The ornament of Petersburg. But you know

the princessy. I have seen her. Yes.

Then you know what I mean. Well, I must

go. You'll come back for tea afterwards.

Thank you.

Splendid or

There. There. Go. There. Now. Don't

fuss.

Cord. Cord.

Well, Cord. She's tiptop. My lord.

Raring to go.

It's Kazmi. Damn it. Kazmir.

No, blue ribbons coming. God, they're

neck and neck.

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

Keep on moving, Cole. We got a few

minutes yet.

So, you lost. I told you you should have

listened to Call.

I did. My wife. She really?

Now, what about Fufu?

Well, she's ready. So am

I. At least I hope I am.

Oh, I do declare what a crush. The

horses are all very well in their place,

but this obsession with them ludicrous.

Don't you agree? Yes, but it's only the

men who are obsessed. True. And we're

obsessed with men being obsessed.

Idiotic. Oh, look. Isn't that your

husband? Yes. Yes. He told me he did. He

intrigued him.

Ah,

Keden general. You see, Betsy, you see

what I mean? Men in his position always

behave like that. Of course, you can't

stand it. But my dear, that is only

because you can't stand him.

It's hateful. Alexe

Alexandra, here we are. Oh, yes. Forgive

me. There's so much splendor here. One's

eyes are dazzled. Princess, yourself.

Well, now tell me, Karen, what do you

think about this so-called sport of

horse racing? Oh, as a sport, General, I

hope there's nothing to recommend it.

Ah, you agree with me, then? I would go

this far that for civilians to race

horses, for it to be organized, as it is

in England is a sort of professional

circus. Now, that I disapprove. Lord

help us. He's off. The racing of cavalry

men. Now, that is a different matter.

Different, eh? How? Well, because of the

element of danger, which demands

courage. Do you see him? Shh.

Yes, gentlemen. If England can boast the

most brilliant cavalry charges in

history, it's surely because

historically she has developed this

daring in her horses and riders. Well,

it's an interesting argument.

Such a sport like shooting then has a

practical value. We tend to see only the

superficial aspect. Superficial. They

say one of the officers has broken two

ribs. The true princess, that is not

superficial, but internal. It is,

however, hardly to the point.

The next race will begin soon, Alexe.

Don't you think you better sit down? You

may be in the way. Come, Kane. Let's

find a seat.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

Well, any moment now. Everything I've

got's on that horse of yours, you know.

Well, lay it off. We may lose. What?

Impossible. Anyway, I'd rather lose on

you than win on anyone else. So, better

damn well not lose. Hey. Oh,

well,

Fronky, how are you, Musha?

You're looking very brisky. Back to New

Winners. Alas, no. I've only just

arrived. The Moscow train was 2 hours

late. Is everybody here? Have you seen

my sister? What? No, I haven't. Um, will

you excuse me? I have to Oh, yes, of

course. Good luck. Um, when should we

meet?

Come to the mess tomorrow. We'll have

dinner.

The girths are tight enough, my lord.

She'll do. Sander looks fit. Pretty

average fit. How about with you now?

[Music]

Now, don't rush her at the fences and

don't pull her in too hard neither.

Cord, you're as nervous as I am.

[Music]

Best of luck, my lord.

[Music]

Well, naturally, one is glad to see the

Zar encouraging his officers, but there

are two sides to the question. No doubt.

No doubt. Well, that of those who take

part and that of those who look on. But

surely a passion for such spectacles is

a proof of decadence in the spectator.

Stea. Stea. Anna, there you are. Oh, how

good to see you. How is Dolly and the

children? Splendid. I've taken a house

for them down in the country. Near to my

old friend Levan. They come down next

week. Oh, give them my love. I will. And

Kitty. Oh, quite recovered, I believe,

though. Still in Germany. Princess. A

wager. What's your fancy? Anna and I are

backing Count Mahotin. His horse is

called Lysand. And you? I'm for Bronzky.

Pair of gloves. Done. A pair for both of

us. You lose. Bronzk is bound to win.

Hello.

Come on. Come on.

[Music]

You beauty. You beauty.

[Music]

Come on. Come on.

[Music]

[Music]

He's in the lead. Come on up.

[Music]

[Music]

Come

on. Come on.

[Music]

Oh my god, he's down.

It's all right. Be

go. I must go down there. Let me go.

[Music]

Let me go with me.

Stea. Stea.

Go with me. No. No. Don't touch me. I

shall stay. Stea. What has happened? Do

you know? Branson is all right. Not even

hurt, they say. But the

horse isn't any use. She's broken her

back.

Did I disgrace myself completely? I

shouldn't think so. The hysterics seem

to be pretty universal.

What next, I wonder? Lions and

gladiators and Zar turning down his

thumb.

Yes, I feel sure you're right. Well,

good day to you, Karen.

Now, will you go? Leave Anna to me. I am

taking her home. Be quiet. Anna, come

with me at once.

You take some brandy.

When the nerves are disturbed, as yours

seem to be, a glass can do no harm.

I expected you to be gone. If I'd known,

I should have stayed with Betsy. I shall

not be here for long. Only long enough

to make a scene. But I'm obliged to tell

you. I'm not obliged. You want to tell

me? Well, I have a right to speak on

matters that concern me. Oh, yes, you

have the right. But what good is it?

Some things have to be said. Very well,

say them and go.

First, I have to refer to your behavior

this

afternoon. I have asked

you in the past to so conduct yourself

in public that malicious tongues can say

nothing against you. Malicious tongues

will say anything even about you. A

politician must expect that, though a

lady should not.

But after today's unsemly exhibition,

you can expect nothing but slander and

foul

gossip. Your conduct was not simply on

becoming as disgraceful.

Oh, in what respect?

Don't you

know to show such

despair when one of the riders

fell? You lost so much self-respect that

you don't even know. lost all sense of

decency. There was a

time when I spoke of our private

relations. I do so no longer. They no

longer exist. Quite so. I speak now only

of

appearances. Your behavior today

revolted me both as a husband and as a

man of position.

I can tolerate it no

longer. I will not be disgraced by you.

Is that

understood? Whatever else, you shall

obey me in

this.

Now, I must ask you a

question. You know what it is, and I

want to hear your answer.

Answer me. Don't ask me anything. I must

I must know the truth. The truth? How

can that help you? Because I have every

hope that somehow I may be mistaken. No,

Alexe, you are not mistaken. But you

won't admit it. Because your pride won't

allow you to admit it. That is all you

have.

Pride and

ambition. You have no

love, no compassion, no honor.

or you would have asked questions long

ago. It's only now when you're afraid of

a

scandal. You have a mean soul,

Alexe, and I despise

you. I can't endure you any

longer. But you demand an answer, and so

you shall have

one. Today I was in

despair, and you know the

reason. I

feared most

terribly that my lover was

dead. Yes, my lover and my true

husband, as I am his mistress and his

true

wife. I love him in a way that you

couldn't begin to

understand. He is my whole

being. I love him so deeply.

that if he

died, I should die,

too, because I shouldn't want to live.

I shall inform you what I propose to do

to secure my

honor.

Meanwhile, I insist you do nothing,

outwardly at

least, to shame me further.

I pray to Christ I never see him

again. How light it still

is. How beautifully light

I hope.

Do you believe me when I say you may

rely on my discretion?

You wish to give me some advice?

Or what is it? Am I to fight a duel? God

forbid. Others have. Darallof Paskki.

Don't think of it, sir. Our society is

still so univilized that many people

would

approve. What is the object of a duel?

To give satisfaction to the injured

party? Well, suppose I were to call him

out. And suppose I were by some chance

to kill him.

What sense is there in murdering a man

in order to define one's relation to an

erring

wife? She'd still have to decide what to

do with

her. Old meant it's much more likely

that he would kill me, me, the innocent

person. I can't imagine much

satisfaction for me in

that. Besides, a challenge on my part

would be hardly honest. My friends would

immediately Your friends, sir, would

never allow it. Well, Russia needs your

life and work too badly.

So, knowing that the duel would be

prevented, I should be accused of trying

to gain a sort of false glory. Well,

thank God, sir. You see things so

clearly. Well, then what is your

suggestion?

I think you should consult a good

lawyer.

With what

object? A divorce. I thought perhaps

yes.

For once, you disappoint me,

Flutin. You failed to think deeply

enough.

Divorce under our present system. That

would mean an open

trial. The coarse proofs of my wife's

guilt, filthy

publicity, scandal that would damage my

reputation at least as much as hers.

Hardest. Oh, yes. You don't know the

world. And moreover,

Moreover, a divorce would set her free

to join her lover

openly. Oh, this may indeed be her

desire. But tell me this

student, and you think of any reason why

she should be allowed to profit by her

crime? No, sir.

Then rest assured, I shall take the

steps necessary to safeguard my

reputation as being essential for the

unhampered pursuit of my work.

These steps shall be taken in my own

time. In my own good

time, come in.

My

love. Oh, my

love. Last you here, are you well,

Anna? You're not hurt. Promise you're

not hurt. You are, Anna. It's It's only

a scratch. It's nothing. People fall off

horses every day in the You don't. Is

this all? Are you sure? Quite sure. You

wret that you are giving everyone to

fright.

Brandy. Anna, is the window too much?

Can I close it? I I have been trying to

make up my mind whether to tell you or

not, and I have decided that I should.

He was here when I got back. Anna, I

want to talk to you.

Yes, Alexi. Of course.

You know the circle I move

in. The highf flyers, the biggest

gamblers, the hardest

drinkers, the wildest

ras. They despise everything bourgeoa,

everything dull and

prosaic. They scorn every convention

except what they call good form. See, my

courage too. That of course. And I am

supposed to be entirely one of them.

You're the highest flyer of them all.

Well, some would have said

so. But Anna, to hold so high a place in

that magic circle, one thing is quite

essential, and that is to be utterly

heartless. Now, I don't mean by that

that one should be cruel or vengeful,

simply that

no sentiment or affection must be

allowed to interfere with pleasure.

Now today you saw me kill my beautiful

mare. You killed her as surely as if I

had shot her with my own

hand. I made a shocking error just

before the last fence. She was going

perfectly. All I had to do was sit

quietly and let her win the race in her

own way. But I lashed her and I don't

know

why. Maybe I was afraid of Mahotin close

behind us.

Anyway, at the jump, it threw her out of

her stride, and in falling, she broke

her back. And you grieved for me? No, I

didn't.

Not at first. All I felt was rage and

vexation, at the mayor falling, at

myself for being such a

fool. Then later, Anna, was changing. I

thought of what I had done to that

exquisite creature, all fire and blood

and vivid movement. And suddenly tears

were pouring down my face. Tears of

pity. Do you know I have not wept for

anybody or anything since I was a child?

Alexe. Alexe.

Well, I mopped myself up, thankful that

there was nobody there to see. Poor

Alexe. Must have been a shock.

Yes, it

was. Cuz naturally, I wondered what had

happened to me.

Did you find out? I

did. And it cheered me wonderfully as

soon as I realized that nobody is to

blame but you. I, of course, when I met

you, I saw you as I first thought of

Fufu as another beautiful creature to be

mastered and tamed and used for my

pleasure. Oh, I knew better. I knew even

from the beginning that you felt more

than that. I don't think

so.

Hannah, what you have done to

me is quite

strange and slightly

alarming. For the first time in my

life, I love

someone better than I love myself.

No, no more

lies. No more

lies. Everything

clear. Quite clean.

Clear. Truth.

truth at last

and everything clear. You see,

I I had to tell him. You wanted me to

tell

him. You You said he must be

told. Now he knows

it. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Lexi together now.

always

together. My

lover, true

husband.

Suppose suppose you don't want that. If

you should get tired of me and and stop

loving me and and you will. You

will.

Alexe, don't leave me.

It's a dream. That's all. Bad

dream. Why should such a happy dream end

in such

terrorness? Oh god. And this is going to

come true.

No, he

can't. Alexe loves

me and if I go to him, he'll be kind to

me and and to

Serora. Why should he? Serot is not his

son. Why should Alexa care about

Serio? And if he

doesn't, oh

God. Oh

God, what am I to

do? What am I to do?

Go to bed if I don't need you anymore.

You see

At our last

conversation, I notified you of my

intention to communicate my

decision in regard to the subject of

that conversation.

ation. Having carefully considered

everything, I write now with the object

of fulfilling that

promise. My decision is as follows.

Anushka tells me you've been naughty.

Yes. What did you do? I threw an egg at

the cook. What? I threw an egg. At the

cook? Why? I was in the pantry and saw

some peaches, so I took one. She came in

and saw me and slapped my hand. Oh, did

she indeed? Yes. And the peach fell on

the ground. Of course. There was a bowl

of eggs and I just picked one up and

threw it. I'm afraid so. What happened

then? I said I was sorry. I should hope

so. But the trouble was trouble was it

was so funny. I couldn't help laughing.

Now that really was naughty. Yes. Wicked

boy. Come here.

You know I ought to punish you. Yes,

mama. Because I have taught you never to

be rude or unkind to servants. Yes, but

you see they can't hit back. She did

slap me. I know, but she was probably

fussed and she didn't think.

Oh, very well. Go and find Cook and tell

her you're sorry. But I did tell her

again.

All right, Serio.

This time don't laugh.

Madam, I have decided to leave here

today. I'm going to Moscow. Moscow,

madam. I shall take Serioa and Anushka,

of course, but no one else. Would you

have the carriage ready and get

everything packed? Very good, madam. as

quickly as possible and tell the other

servants. My

dearest

love, I have

told my

husband everything.

[Music]

[Music]

Don't you mind the gentle

atmosphere? Solid drinking. I think

you'll catch up.

[Music]

Gentlemen. Gentlemen.

I want to propose a

toast to our old comrade and gallant

general Prince of Hoscoy. Princecoy.

Thank you,

Colonel. And to you, gentlemen, the

same angel.

You're younger than ever. The smartest

quarter master in the Imperial Army.

Bronky, my dear fellow. How nice to see

you. And you? Thank you. Quite an

occasion. Hey, Ronsky. Yes, indeed.

Good. Good. We'll have a long talk

later. Meanwhile,

KO, good to see you.

Uh, Malinsky, isn't it? Hello. Arinsky

promoted, I see. Average. Um,

Please uh divide this among the band and

the mess waited. Thank you.

See the conquering hero.

Yes, but he is a hero and he has

conquered.

Is everything

packed? The groom's waiting for an

answer. Thank you. Anushka shall ring.

My decision is as

follows. Whatever your conduct may have

been, I do not consider myself justified

in severing the ties with which a higher

power has bound us.

The family cannot be broken up with the

caprice, discretion, or even the sin of

one of the partners. Always in the

right. He's a Christian. I am fully

persuaded that you now repent of your

criminal behavior. If so, I am prepared

to forget the past, and our life will

continue as before. Forget? If you do

not, however, you may conjecture what

awaits you and your son. My son? I

request you to return to Petersburg as

soon as possible. At any event not later

than Tuesday, and I enclose money to

meet your

expenses. Alex a Karen. Hypocrite. He

knows I could never give up my

son. Our life will continue as before.

What

life? I told you I would ring. Yes,

madam. Everything's packed. We're not

going. Not going at all. Well, not

today, at least. But don't unpack and

let the carriage wait. I wish to send a

message. Very well, madam.

[Music]

2

3

4

5 6

[Applause]

[Applause]

Hey,

[Applause]

so not content with military success,

you aim at politics. In due time, and so

should you. Not

me. I lack the one essential, the desire

for power. I had it once, but now it's

gone. Excuse me. That's not true. It is

now. I'm looking to the future. That's

why I came here to see you. You acted

rightly when you refused Warsaw, but I

don't think you should keep it up. So, I

have a plan for you. Oh, what? Give me

Kaklash. Retire from the regiment, and

I'll advance you. Advance you

imperceptibly.

You're very

kind. But you see, I want nothing.

only that things should remain as they

are. As they are. What is it? The clown

was asking for you.

I see. No, he's not. He's bellowing. All

right. Tell him we're just coming.

Right. Go on. Go on. I'll be

frank. Women are the chief stumbling

block in a man's career. That is, unless

you marry one, as I have done. I'm not

sure. No. Listen, how shall I put it?

You can only carry a burden and use your

hands if the burden is tight on your

back. H. That's marriage. But if you

drag the burden about with your hands,

you can do nothing. Look at Mankov. A

good Koopov. Careers ruined for the sake

of women. But what women? I dare say.

But if the woman is firmly placed in

society, that's much worse. No, believe

me, that's not merely carrying the

burden, but having to wrench it away

from someone else. You need four hands

for that.

You're a cynic. Not a bit practical.

Oh,

excuse me. Thank you.

I'm afraid I will have to go.

I'll see you soon. Very soon. You give

me cat

branch. I'll talk it over another time.

All right.

I'll look you up in town.

Oh, has he left us? For the

moment. Just for the moment.

Anna,

[Music]

you're not angry, but there's something

for you. I had to see you. But something

happened. Yes. Three nights ago, I meant

to tell you, but somehow I was afraid.

What of me? You were so kind and so

loving. And our time together was so

short. Alexe, that day after the races,

I told him. I said I could no longer be

his wife, Alexe. I told him everything.

Yes. Yes, that's

better. That was right. I I thought so.

It makes it inevitable. Now he must call

me out. I do. No. No. You don't

understand. That's impossible. But he

must. His honor demands that he does. He

has no honor. And in any case, read

this. But it's done. Now I have the

right to devote my life to your

happiness. And it is the one thing that

I have longed and prayed for. Do you

suppose I doubt that? If I doubted

that, read the letter.

That is unbelievable. How could any man

in his position I told you he has no

honor, no decency, no kindness. I said

as much to his face, I might as well

have been talking to a stone. But this

this is a threat. You see what he

writes? You may conjecture what awaits

you and your son. What is that but a

threat to take my son from it? And I

dare say with all their stupid laws he

can. If I ran away and abandoned my son,

it would be infamous wicked. And he's

clever. Wicked I may be, but he knows I

could never do that. Take your son then

and leave him. I was going to today, but

after this the law will be on his side.

Leave him anyway. and and Serio, for

God's sake, Anna, which is better, to

leave your child or keep up this

degrading position? Degrading? What does

that mean? Degrading for whom? For

everyone and especially for you. Do you

feel degraded? No, I meant only that.

For

me, there is one thing, there's one

thing

only. Your

love. Nobody can humiliate me. I'm proud

of my position. I'm proud

because so I shall go back to

Petersburg. Oh, I

hoped nothing has

changed. Nothing will change.

But it

will, my dearest, will you please try

and think clearly?

In six months, our child will be

born. Our

[Music]

child

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

Well,

fage. Found a swarm. Eh, found one,

master. All we can do is keep our own.

This is the second swarm that got away.

Luckily, some of your men with horses

were up there and they galloped after

the bees and we caught them. A good for

you. Now, what do you say, Fomage? Shall

we start cutting or do we wait a bit?

Master, you know our old proverb. Don't

cut the corn until St. Peter's mourn.

But if the corn's ready for cutting. Oh,

ah, it's ready, master. I know you

always wanting to get on. Oh, why not?

And give us more room for the cattle.

Well, the weather's right. Ah, it is

today. All of that is in the Lord's

hands. Then we'll hope he's on our side.

A prayer or two would not be a mess.

Well, start cutting tomorrow. I'll tell

the baiff.

Welcome.

You swing too wide, master. To wear

yourself out, you will.

It needs practice.

Oh, it does.

about 40

years like I've

[Music]

had master dinner time.

All

[Music]

[Music]

right.

[Music]

That's great.

Master

Take some of my

dinner. There's plenty. Praise be to

God. And I will and thank you.

Good,

eh? Best dinner I've ever had. Not what

you're used to. Hunger is the best

source.

There's nothing like it.

[Music]

What do you think,

Fomage? When we finish up there,

can we do Mashkin Hill today? With God's

will, we might. It'll be a long day,

though. Will there be a drop of vodka in

it for the lads? Vodka all around.

They'll do it

then. What's an extra hour or two? They

can eat and sleep after dark.

[Music]

We've done it. The whole field in

Mashkin Hill as well. A glorious

day. What have you been up to? Well,

this morning I fished your river for an

hour. I can catch anything. Not a bite,

but who cares? You You look pretty

heated costume. Why do you rush about so

much? Because it's the busiest time of

the year. That's why. Not usually. Can't

you take even one day off? Oh my god.

And I'll tell you why. Because if I did,

every peasant on the estate would do

likewise. Come now, aren't you being a

little unfair of the peasants? You who

profess to like them so much. I don't

profess any such thing. I like most

people. I suppose I I dislike some. I'm

talking of the peasantry as a whole, as

a class. You like them and you you know

my sympathies are entirely on their

side. Yes, I do. And that's your

trouble. You regard them as a group

entirely distinct and separate from

yourself. But they are. No, no, you

don't get my point. Every peasant's an

individual different from any other. As

different as well as my old friend of

Blonsky is from that professor from Kov.

What was his name? Professor WS. Yes.

Now you don't generalize about those

people. the people you know. So why'd

you lump the peasants together as if

they were a swarm of bees or a herd of

cattle?

Got to think of it, if you knew cattle

as I do, you'd realize they're all

individuals, too. Well, that's all very

well, but social philosophy has to take

the broad view. If we are to improve the

social conditions of a certain class,

then surely we must consider them as a

class. I don't know anything about

philosophy. No cost you that you don't.

But you live among these people and you

know them. I don't. I know Mih and Fomic

and Ivan and Fosski and the widow

Kazimov because they come and tell me

their troubles and I try and help them.

But I wouldn't presume to prescribe with

the millions of Ivans and Sashes all

over Russia I'd never met. Now you're

overheated and it's my fault. No, it's

just Well, talking of sashes, I I met

your ill nurse in the village and we we

talked about your working in the fields.

Apparently the peasants don't approve of

it. No, rubbish. They think it isn't

work for the gentry. But if I enjoy it

as I do, as the harm, I tell you, every

man should work to the limit of his

capacity.

I've done that today. All you've done is

waste your time, your energy, and your

educated intelligence. Oh, the old

theme. Eh, public activities, the za

committees. Now, there's a waste of time

if you like. It doesn't work. Of course

not. If decent people refuse to help. I

don't consider it important. Not

important. But we're spending money and

nothing gets done. No local clinics, no

midwives or district nurses. Ignorant

women starving their children and

peasants steeped in ignorance at the

mercy of every village cler. And what

about schools? Schools? What for? Surely

you must admit that a peasant who can

read and write is a better man and a

better laborer. Simply isn't true. You

don't believe in education? Yes. Yes, of

course I do. Very well then, as an

honest man, you ought to work for me.

No, no, I don't believe in interference.

I I don't want to plan anybody's life

except my own, and that's hard enough.

God knows. Even if I had the ability,

which I'm not, what right have I got to

tell other people what to do? Duty

costure to help others less fortunate. I

don't see that. The peasant acts out of

self-interest, and so do I. I respect

his self-interest, and he respects mine.

But the Z. Now, wait a minute. There was

no self-interest behind our work to

emancipate the surface. Certainly, there

was theirs and ours to be free, mutually

free of that disgusting yoke. Now,

they're striking for freedom. But

committees for this and that, all they

do is pile on new chains, a chains of

bureaucracy. That's hardly fair. Oh,

from the best of motives I Well, surely

the end justifies the means. No, what I

say is this, and the peasant would say

the same. Those rights which affect me,

my my personal interests, those I will

defend to the best of my

ability. When we were students and the

police came and searched us and read our

letters, then I would have defended to

the death my right to education and to

liberty. I can understand compulsory

military service where it affects me or

my family or or my children. I'll debate

anything which affects me.

But to be a town counselor and sit on a

juror and try a half-witted peasant who

stole a fetch of bacon. I suppose you

were arrested tomorrow. Would you prefer

to be tried at the old criminal

tribunal? I'm not going to be arrested

tomorrow. I'm not going to cut anybody's

throat, so I'm not going to be tried.

It's the whole point. Innocent men are

sometimes arrested and tried. Now, if

you were on the jury, you might have the

wit to recognize innocence.

you logic logic in all

things ah this problem I've been working

at it for an hour and suddenly the

answer emerges now not pawn to queen six

emotionally that's what I wanted it to

be but I was wrong queen to king's

bishop eight queen takes queen black

mated in three logic

All right, but chess isn't life,

Sergey. And without emotion, life can't

exist. I'm filthy all over. I'll go and

wash and we'll have some

supper. But you know, today out there in

the fields with all the people and the

children, I wanted to change my whole

way of life. Simplicity and sanity.

That's what they've got.

That's what I need.

How? Leave this place, join a peasant

community, and marry a strong young

peasant girl and raise a family. I hope

you're not serious. Who knows? Maybe.

That's from Steve. We know Blonsky. Oh,

yes. He says, "I've heard a letter from

Dolly at Yurgosovo and everything seems

to be wrong there. I can't get away

myself, so do please ride over and give

her your advice. She'll be so pleased to

see

you. Kitty and her parents are still

abroad, so she's quite alone. Poor

thing. Yes, that sounds typical of a

blondsky. Leaving the trouble to his

friends. I don't mind in the slightest.

Dolly's a nice person. Well, let's ride

over together. It's only 20 mi in a

capital road. Have you forgotten I'm

going home tomorrow? Would you have to?

I'm afraid so. I'm sorry. It's been good

having you here.

Still, they can't be. Hold on. I'll ride

over myself when I've cut the

wheat. Have yourself to a drink.

So, you've decided to come home. Home?

Did you say I decided to come home? I

meant to say only. You decided it for

me. You ordered me to come as you have

the right to do. Of course.

Here I am.

Yes. How is Serio? He's quite well.

I shall not be dining at home today. I

have to go out directly. A meeting of

the commission. What is that? Something

new? Yes. Yes. They've set it up at my

instigation to visit the Zariski

province and report on the question of

the native tribes. The affair has really

been quite a scandal. The vast sums

poured away. Poured away nothing to show

for it. Well, you should understand

that. Alexe, excuse me, we cannot simply

converse like this as if nothing had

happened. No desire. I must tell

you that evening at the villa, I said

terrible things to you. The next day, I

could hardly believe I had said such

things. Although at the time, I meant

all I said.

I never doubted that. But later, I

realized that I had only spoken what was

in my

heart, not out of any wish to hurt you,

but only so that once and for all you

should recognize the truth. Yes, that is

what I supposed. But I repeat what I

told you in my letter. I repeat,

I'm not obliged to recognize anything. I

ignore everything you've said and done.

But you can't. Why not? Other men have

to. Very few wives are good enough to

communicate such agreeable news to their

husbands. I must tell you. Tell me

nothing. I shall ignore it so long as

the world knows nothing. So long as my

home is not disgraced. On that basis,

our relationship shall continue as it

has always been. That's impossible. I

cannot be your wife while

that thought I suppose reflects on the

kind of life you've chosen. It's very

far from what I had in mind. I do assure

you.

Although considering what you've become,

I don't see why you should deny to your

husband what you freely offer to others.

Oh, that's

horrible. You done for one moment. All I

should say is this. I do not want that

man to come here. I want you to conduct

yourself in such a way that neither

society nor the servants can say

anything against you. You are not to see

Ronky. It seems little enough to

ask. In return, you shall enjoy the

privileges of a respectable wife without

fulfilling a wife's

duties. That is all nine. No, that is

not all.

I have to tell you something that the

world will know soon enough. You must

listen.

I am carrying a

child, that man's

child, and I am proud that it is his and

not yours.

You see, Sluden, my wife is back from

the country. Yes,

sir. I'll be late. American time, sir.

The carriage is outside. Good. Thank

you.

Thank you.

Constant help yourself to brandy.

Thanks. Just a drop.

What a pleasant place this is. Yes,

isn't it? When it rains, the roof leaks.

None of the cab doors shut properly. And

as for the kitchen,

still, I like it because the children

do. I thought they all look splendid.

Oh, yes. Thank God. Tanya and Grecia

both had scarlet fever in the spring. It

was really rather a bad time, but Kitty

was wonderful. She came and helped me

through the rest of it. Yes. Yes, she

would. Now, Dolly, I do wish you'd let

me send you over a couple of cows. Those

children of yours need the best of milk.

And if you feel you must, you can repay

me at five copexs a month. I shall be

content.

Kitty is coming here for a holiday.

Oh, is she quite better? Yes.

Constantin.

Why are you angry with Kitty? I'm not.

I'm not. Then why did you not come to

visit us or them when you were in

Moscow? How can you ask that when you

must know? Know what? That I made an

offer and I was refused. But I didn't

know.

Oh, I knew something had happened that

had made her dreadfully unhappy and she

begged me not to talk of

it. So she refused

you. I'm

sorry. I'm sorry for her. For her?

You're only suffering your

pride. You must forgive me, darling. I

must go. Wait, just let me say this.

Please, please don't talk about it. It

is all so easy for men.

You are interested in a girl, you come

to the house, you make friends. You

watch her, and then when you're quite

sure you're in love, you make an offer.

It isn't like that. But for a girl, it's

different. She has to wait. She is

expected to make her choice, yet she

cannot choose. She can only answer yes

or no. Kitty's choice has been made, and

that is final. Because of your pride,

Constantin, think. When you spoke to

Kitty, she couldn't answer. She was

seeing Bronky every day and knew she

hadn't seen for months. Oh, if only

she'd been a little older. If only if

only you knew how much you're hurting

me. It It's just as if a child of yours

was dead. And people kept saying to you,

"He would have been like this or or like

that. If only he'd lived to know how

happy you would have

been." But all the time he's dead and

nothing can bring him back.

That's nonsense. Perhaps, but I can't

help it. So, you won't come and see

Kitty? No.

Goodbye, Dolly.

[Music]

Master, that's what I call

wheat. You smell

that? Rare as gold. That is

[Music]

They make a good pair.

That's my youngest,

Vanka. 21 year old. That's his wife. A

fine boy. Not bad. And married already?

Two year ago last St. Phillip's Day. So

young. Have they got any children? Not

yet. You've always been as bashful as a

baby. Won't be too long now, though, I

reckon.

There's wheat for you. Regular gold, I

call it.

[Music]

heart of

[Applause]

the

cry.

Oh, God.

We are

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

Elona, thank

you. Well, Dolly, what does he say?

He says, "Really, men are impossible."

He says that he's sorry he was unable to

bring the saddle over himself, but he

hopes that Katarina Alexandra, your wife

is called Kitty. Yes, dear. He hopes you

will find it useful. Unhappily, he goes

on unhappily. He's been called away to

the Sarovski district and will not be

home for several weeks. Well, my little

ruse was unsuccessful. It doesn't

matter.

Doesn't matter a scrap.

[Music]

Yes, indeed.

When Betsy told me can't stray was to be

surprised. Why, princess? Don't hardly

hear me here. Everybody must have some

pleasure, even politicians.

[Music]

10 minutes for you. Explain yourself,

Alexe, or I shall be crossed.

Then I shall explain. We are being

visited by a foreign prince. No, I mean

it. A real prince. His name is

Frederick, and he's important to the

government. Why? I'm not to say why,

even if I knew, which I

don't. He's a large, healthy young man,

and he's being shown everything that the

government thinks he ought to see. Well,

he's bored with that, which happens

every evening. I am ordered to attend to

his pleasure. So, they chose the right

man.

A year ago,

perhaps. They don't always keep up with

events.

You don't enjoy it.

Well, I feel like a man in charge of a

dangerous

[Laughter]

lunatic. Well, seriously, he makes me

fear for my own reason. Is he so

dreadful?

The prince has traveled a great deal and

he sampled the delights of all nations.

In Spain, he serenated a lady guitar

player. In England, he hunted in a pink

coat and he shot 200 feeasants. He

explored a harim in Turkey and he killed

tigers in India. Now in Russia, during

the course of one week, he is determined

to dissipate Alahus. It's disgraceful.

And what is more, he is insufferably

arrogant. And as to his manners, will I

prefer not to speak of his manners. Oh,

my poor Alexe. You may well say so.

And now you must go and attend to this

monster. Yes,

I love to see you so merry. If I

couldn't be merry when you are with me,

what a miserable wretch I should be.

Baria, you did come after all. I

insisted that she should. Is my brother

with you? You know better than that,

Alexi? No. My dear husband left for the

NVKI club directly after dinner. As

usual. Yes, but this evening is

different. In what way? He's been told

of an infallible sister. In that case,

he will infallibly lose more than usual.

Look, I have to go. Will you stay and

sit with Anna for a while? That's what I

came here for. You are the kindest soul

and the best of

sisters.

Olivia me, old fellow. Well, you signed

the peace treaty. An armisters count.

Only an armistice. True. And I doubt

we'll ever have peace. The terms are too

high. You really are the most disgusting

young man.

Prince Frederick, let me come with you.

What about um charming? Quite charming,

I agree, but a trifle. Rarifine.

Sometimes I long for a dirty, dishonest,

down to earth mercenary gypsy. And

tonight, Fronky is one of those ties.

Are you sure? Yes.

You and Prince Frederick are blood

brothers. Didn't Alexi ever tell you?

Not a word. Why should he? But that

doesn't surprise me. If he had not been

so generous to my husband and me, I

don't know where we should have been.

What happened exactly? I'll tell you.

When the old count died, he left his

property equally between the two

brothers, an income of about 100,000

rubles each. The countest of course has

her own settlement.

Well, when we were married, my husband

had huge debts and I had nothing at all

except a

pedigree. So, Alexe insisted that he

should only use 25,000 rubles of his

income and allow us the rest. He said

that would be enough until he married.

if he ever did. His mother gave him

20,000 a year and he managed very well.

But now, now suddenly at a blow, his

mother cuts him off completely.

Was that because of me?

Partly, but I think that's too simple.

She's really very

devious. I think she wanted us to feel

ashamed. Did you? I did. My

husband. Well, as the eldest, he

believes that all things are due to him.

Do you love him?

Yes. Yes. In fact, I do.

Well, as you may know, Alexi is

extremely methodical about money

matters. He sat down and worked out what

he could afford in future. He sold all

his horses. His horses. Oh, but his

horse. Then he went to a money lender

and paid his debts. his honorable debts.

The tailor and the boot makers have to

wait. Of course, you're in time. And

they know this. Even the tailor and the

boot makers will be paid. They know it

because his word has always been his

bond. But how did you hear all this? Oh,

through his colonel, Betsy. Paula

Shilton. Such things are always

known. People talk. What did you do?

I spoke to my dear husband like a Dutch

uncle eventually. Well, eventually he

too was ashamed and things have been

arranged. And what does your

mother-in-law think of that? She is

quite silent upon the matter. So no one

will ever know whether she is elated or

outraged.

Amusing. Yes.

You

know, I've always been slightly jealous

of you. Good heavens. Why? Because Alexe

swears that you're the nicest woman in

the world. Now I know he's right.

Princess is talking of Madame Corinina,

whom I must say I have always found most

charming. Who doesn't? But rumor says

that you and her husband are deadly

enemies. Rumor exaggerates as usual.

True. We're on opposite sides, but

that's politics. Well, what I say, I

don't know how she dares show her face

here or anywhere else. Oh, come now.

There's nothing wrong with her face. 6

months by the look of her and knowing

what everyone knows. Do they? Or is that

another rumor? Stuff and nonsense. No

question about it. I find it rather

sweet.

Sweet and terribly exciting.

[Music]

You look splendid. Splendid. Thank you.

I am well this evening.

I'm sorry, Betsy. This will be my last

one here. Oh, surely not. Why? But at

least until after it's all over, I've

become

conspicuous. Even at this distance, I

can hear the tongues clacking at me. If

you were the only one, my dear, gossip

would have a thin time. And in any case,

quite soon, I shall be able to go out at

all, not even to see

Alexi. That frightens me. He'll come to

you. Forbidden to ask him. Forbidden by

my husband. Oh, come now. Really? And

I'm very much alone.

I have nothing to do but think. So I

become frightened. And not just a little

frightened, Betsy. Very frightened of

having the baby. Oh

no. What terrifies me is the thought

that if I stop seeing Alexe, he'll

forget

me. He'll

go. He'll find someone

else. Forget

me. Thank you very

[Music]

much.

[Music]

[Music]

Fore! Foreign! Foreign!

Vangal.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

Yeah.

down in one, sir. All at a gulp. That's

a rule, you know. No heel

taps. Splendid, sir.

Splendid. That's the one. That's the one

I'll have. So you shall, sir. That's the

one for me. What's her name? Tashiana,

sir. And there are certain formalities.

What do you mean for formalities? You

mean she's no ordinary gypsy? She is

extremely rich. Rich, worth a fortune.

Even her jewels are genuine. God. She

charges a great deal. Never been able to

afford her myself. But I have money. You

see, so that is not enough. No. It means

she makes her own choice. What? But she

gave you the champagne so she likes you.

And she comes back to dance for you.

Wow. She chooses you. Music. Music.

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

Thank you.

You are

late. You are two whole hours late. I

got home only 15 minutes ago to find

your note and I came directly. I have

been waiting. Where were you? Oh, no,

no, no, no. I have no right to ask. Yes,

you have. I saw Prince Frederick off to

Moscow. That was to be at 5:00. Yes, it

was. Then I had to go back and make out

my report. Of course. Of course. So it's

over. He has left Petersburg.

Yes. Thank heaven. Forever. I hope. You

say that, but I expect you enjoyed it

all the same. I used to certainly, but

no

longer. And I confess, Santa, this week

I have been looking at my own past as if

in a mirror, and I didn't like what I

saw. Paula came to see me this morning.

Petritzky had told her about your

Athenian evening. Disgusting. Anna and

that French actress who used to know TZ

was she there? Anna, you know perfectly.

What do I know? What have I ever known?

Only what you tell me. How do I know

whether you tell me the truth?

Simply because I always

have. I haven't a single thought that I

wouldn't share with you.

Yes. Oh, yes. Alexa, my darling, forgive

me.

demon again. There he's gone. I have

driven him away. I am not jealous.

I don't think I'm jealous. It's just

that when you're away somewhere and

you're leading your separate life,

Anna, you said in your note that your

husband would be out at the council. You

met him at the door. Well, it's your

punishment for being late. He did go to

the council, then he came back here, and

now he is gone again to the opera, I

think. But who cares?

Nobody. But to meet him like that on his

own doorstep. Now, what is the matter

with the

man? If he'd only fight or stand up for

his honor, but this abject acceptance,

it makes me feel like a snake in the

grass, which is something I never

intended to be. How did he greet you

like this?

Yes, exactly like that. It is all very

well,

Anna. How can he put up with such a

position? He feels it. That is obvious.

No, you're wrong. He has no feelings. If

he had any feelings, could he possibly

live with me the way he does? Could he

possibly live with a wife that he knows

to be unfaithful? Could he talk to her?

Call her my dear? Anna, my dear, Anna

must share. Oh, he's a puppet. He's not

a man. If I were a man, I would have

murdered. Torn to pieces a wife like me.

But I'd love her, too, if I

could. Do you know? Do you know what he

said to me yesterday? Don't. You're

exciting yourself and it can't be good

for you. Perhaps. And perhaps. I don't

care. But you must.

No. Oh, no. What is going to happen will

happen. And it will happen soon, but not

the way we

expect. Soon everything will come

right. We shall all be at peace. We

shall suffer no more.

I have no doubts about it. About what?

Well, you can guess, but I know I know

for certain. When this baby is born, I

shall die.

No. Yes. She'll die. I shall be glad to

die. Oh, I'll set you free. And me as

well.

What nonsense you speak? What utter

rubbish. No. No. I had a dream about it.

You know how I dream. Dreams mean

nothing. You dreamt once. Do you

remember that? You and your husband and

I. Yes. Yes. That was a horrible dream.

I was in a dark pit. But this was worse.

Don't think about it. I ran into my

bedroom to fetch something or find

something. You know how it is in dreams.

And and in the bedroom in the corner,

there was a peasant with a tangled

beard. He was little, dreadful looking.

He stooped down over a sack and he was

fumbing about in it with his hands. And

all the time he kept muttering very

quickly in French, you know, rolling his

arms.

The iron must be beaten and beat it,

pound it, hammer the

iron. So terrified, I I tried to wake up

and I did, but it was still part of the

dream because suddenly my old nurse was

there. She's been dead for 10 years and

she said to me, "In childbirth, you will

die. In childbirth,

Anna." Then I did wake up.

Anna, my dearest girl. But

Alexe, the baby won't die. Of course

not. Of course it won't.

Listen, put your head

close. Can you

hear Can you hear his heart beating?

Look

up.

Would it not be more polite to knock?

Here we go.

Stay here.

Out. Ouch.

What do you want?

I'm looking for your lover's letters.

They're not there. Oh, yes. I think so.

I think

so.

Yes. I told you. I ordered you not to

receive that man in this house. I had to

see him. I am not interested as to why a

married woman wants to see her lover.

How can you be so cruel? Cruel? You call

it cruelty for me to give you freedom

offering you the honorable protection of

my name on condition that you obey the

proprieties. Is that cruelty? It's

worse. It's cowardly and it's indecent.

Now, how would you describe your own

behavior? Tell me that. Tell me that.

I I have nothing more to say to her. How

would I have this to say? Since you

refuse to obey my wishes, I'm going to

end the state of things. It will come to

an end of itself. sooner than you think.

All you want is to gratify your animal

passion. I want only to be loved. And

you think only of yourself or what about

me? What do you care that my whole life

is in ruins? What do you care how much

I've at once to Moscow? I shall not

return to this house. You shall hear

from the lawyer with whom I shall

arrange a

divorce and my son shall go to my

sisters. Leave Sio with me. You're

taking him away just to hurt me. You

don't love him. When I look at him, all

I can think about is my loathing for

you. But I shall take him all the same.

Goodbye. Please, I beg you, leave me,

Sera. That's all I shall ever ask. Leave

him at least until and enter my

confinement. He needs me.

Please. He came about an hour ago. Well,

the poor man looked famished, so I got

some food for him. But has he eaten it?

Hardly a bite. Did you give him some

vodka? Well, sir,

there I have come to see you. Good for

you.

Why did you leave it so long? I haven't

been well. Not at all. Well, but I'm

much better

now. Ag,

will you take your dinner, sir? When

it's ready, Agaffia.

So, you've got my letter about the money

duty.

Well, that's really what I came for.

Thank you. Over 2,000 rubles. Are you

sure it's all mine? I'm quite sure. Do

you remember that property we had at

Minsk? We couldn't sell it, but now it's

sold. This is your shed.

Good. How long can you stay? Not long.

I'm off to Moscow. Should you? Why not?

Has work to be done.

Let me tell you, Yov's promised me a

post. Doesn't pay much, of course.

What's money after all? The thing is to

have one's health. Mine, thank the Lord,

is

amended. And

yourself? What have you been up to?

Helping with the harvest, I suppose.

Yes. But but more than that, I'm writing

a

book. You a book? Shouldn't leave all

that sort of thing to Sergey.

What's it all about? This book?

It's a a new scheme for Russian

agriculture. God in heaven. I I'm I'm

trying to sit down as a theory what I've

started in practice here on the estate.

A land and profit sharing scheme for the

peasants. And a lot the peasants care.

Why'd you bother about them? I'm doing

it for my own good. Oh, well, if it's a

question of that, one must think of the

soul salvation before anything else. Is

that what you're after? No. No. I mean,

I'm doing it for my own profit. It's

It's better for me if the peasant works

better. And if it's in his own interest,

stuff. If he's lazy, he won't work. If

he has a conscience, he will. Black and

white. You can't change human nature.

Oh, come. You said yourself that Ivan

looked after the cattle better than he

used to. All I see is you ought to get

married. That's what he comes to. Now

eat your soup.

Now, won't you sit down, your

excellency?

So, you know who I am. Oh, my dear sir,

who doesn't?

Excuse me. Ant eggs, you know. Big go.

Ants eggs for the fish. They're from the

Black Sea. At the fish, of course.

Always hungry.

Now,

sir, before I begin, I must tell you

that my business is strictly private.

Oh, my dear sir. Very

well. I have the

misfortune to have been deceived in my

marriage. I wish to break off all

relations with my wife by legal means.

Do you wish a divorce?

Yes. And in such a way that my son does

not remain with his mother. Excuse me.

And you would like me to arrange this?

If it can be arranged as I wish. If not,

I may forgo my legitimate desire. Oh,

quiet, quiet. Well, I have a general

idea on the law on the subject. You

would like me to be so sweet. If you

would be so good. Delighted. Now,

divorce by our laws is possible in the

following circumstances. One physical

defect in either party. Applicable? No.

No. Two. Desertion without communication

for 5 years. And no. Well, finally

then,

adultery. Are these the grounds that we

have in

mind? Adultery of the wife, I take leave

to presume. Yes. Just so. Now then,

adultery as grounds for divorce is

subdivided into two categories. One, uh,

detection of a guilty party by mutual

agreement, or two, failing such

agreement, involuntary detection. In the

first instance, it is customary for the

husband, however innocent, to provide

evidence for divorce. The most usual,

simple, and sensible arrangement, in my

opinion, is uh adultery by mutual

consent. It is also by far the shest

method. In this case, out of the

question. Really? You wish to insist

that your wife is killed? She is, my

dear sir.

Involuntary detection supported by

letters in my possession. Letters. I beg

you not to forget that cases of this

sort come under ecclesiastical

jurisdiction. The revered fathers like

to investigate such cases down to the

minutest detail, and they do. Letters

was partial confirmation perhaps, but

direct evidence is required. that is of

eye witnesses. All are called and few,

if sufficiently rewarded, will fail to

talk. Yes, I understand. And may I

perhaps remind you, if you divorce your

wife under these conditions, she will

never be allowed to remarry. Moreover,

she will be totally deprived of her

children. But if that is what you

desire, you should leave the uh the

choice of measures to me. If one wants

the result, one shouldn't be shy of the

means.

And if these conditions are met, a

divorce is possible. Oh, quite quiet. If

you give me a free hair,

may I may I expect to hear from you

within the week? I shall write to you.

Good. Good. Oh, and uh let me have your

terms. Certainly.

It's rubbish. Goa, you ought to know

that. All you've done is borrow some

ideas from the communists. Distort them.

You're wrong. Communism denies the right

to private property, to inheritance, and

to capital. I do not. I regard them as

vital stimuli. All I want to do is to

regulate labor. Precisely. You've

borrowed an idea. You stripped it of all

its force. Now you pretend it's

something new. I tell you, my idea has

nothing to do with Communism has at

least the charm of clarity. Maybe

utopian, but if one could completely

erase the existing system, no private

property, no family, then labor comes

into its own. But you have nothing. I

don't why would you persist in mixing

things up? I have never been a

communist. I have. I believe it's

premature but rational and it has a

future as Christianity did in the early.

I don't know that religion got to do

with it. Don't you even know that? No.

All I want to do is to find some way of

relating the task of the laborer to his

character and his capacity. I want to

make labor profitable to myself and to

the laborer. Complete waste of time. I

want to organize. No, you don't. You

want to show that you aren't simply

exploiting the peasants. that you have

some idea in

mind. You have no convictions. None at

all. All you're doing is flattering your

own self-esteem.

If that's what you think, you can leave

me alone. And so I shall. High time,

too. You can go to the devil your own

way. I won't say thank you for the money

because it's mine anyway, but thank you

for the vodka and the soup. phone for

letting me read. It's a poor Rivia.

Goodbye.

Nikolai. Nikolai, you can't go. You must

stay for one night. Not one hour. I'm

from Moscow. Well, at least some people

know what I'm talking about. If I've

hurt your feelings. Oh, you want to

apologize, do you? Magnanimous, aren't

you? Very well. If you want the

satisfaction of being on the right, I

can let you have that satisfaction. I'm

wrong. You're right. But I'm going

anyway. Don't think too badly of me. I

cost

you, will you?

What? Is he gone?

Gone?

Yes. Whether I'll ever see him again.

Oh, you will, sir. You may be sure of

that.

No, he's

dying. He'll be dead before the spring.

What can I do for him? What can I do?

Some things are best left to God.

[Music]

Death.

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

Heat.

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

Heat.

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

[Applause]

Will there be anything else? M. Thank

you, though. Ah, yes. Yes. The cigarette

box for Princess Tesco. You shouldn't

encourage me.

So, you mean to tell me you've heard

nothing for two whole months? Not a

word. Nor have I had any letters from

the lawyer that I was threatened. But

that's extraordinary. Do you think he's

changed his mind? It would be most

unlikely. His sister has written to me

twice to tell me that Serio is well.

Serioa himself is permitted to write

once a week. His letters are dictated,

I'm sure. Very carefully, Anna. How can

you bear it? Because I must. And really,

Betsy, thinking it all over calmly, I

calmly. Oh, yes. These days I'm very

calm. I've come to realize that my

husband has every right on his side. You

can't mean that. But I do. It was only

when I was with him in the same room

that I used to be confused. His

presence, his physical presence had

become so nauseating to me that I I

could feel nothing but loathing. That I

understand. He's a coward, too. Yes, but

he can't help it. Are you saying you

feel pity for him? Yes. in a strange

way. I have treated him badly. Would you

live with him again? If he did, change

his mind.

Never. Then, my dear girl, you have

reached an arm pass.

Shall I tell you what I hear?

He's in Moscow staying at the hotel

Dusso, licking his wounds. What wounds?

Well, you remember the famous

commission, of course, about the native

tribes. Well, yes, I suppose. Your

husband won a brilliant victory in

August. The commission was appointed and

made its report a week ago. All its

findings agreed with his contentions.

Well, then wait, can't Streoff? Oh, you

remember Streoff? Wasn't he the man who

opposed Alex when Exactly. A clever man.

Clever man. Well, suddenly he came right

over onto your husband's side. Then he

went further. He proposed and pushed

through some changes so radical that the

whole commission was discredited. But

then he quietly retired and your husband

got all the blame. Comical, isn't it? Do

you think so? I think it's hilarious.

Like all politics. Mind you, Anna, it's

not all over. I'm told your husband

still has an a saw to up his sleeve.

Anna. Oh,

I'm quite all right. You're not? Yes.

You've never had children,

Betsy. Let me tell you, this is the

moment you wait for all those weary

months. What? What can I do? Oh, leave

me here. Yes, yes, I mean it. and find

Anushka, my maid. Ask her to send for

the doctor.

Anna, are you sure? Betsy,

please. Your excellency. Yes. If you'd

care to sit in the drawing room, I shall

sit

here.

Alex, Alex.

Anuska, what do you think? Mad. Oh, poor

Anushka. Nothing you can do. No one ever

taught you to

write. Doctor,

is the pain bad?

No, no, no, not now. Well, then

I want I want someone to send a

telegram, please. I'll arrange it. A

telegram to my husband.

Alexe

Alexandrovich

Karen Hotel

DO

Moscow. I'm dying. That's not true.

Please write what I say.

I I think you you are a friend of uh

Sudin, my husband's private secretary.

We are acquainted. Well, then nothing I

say will surprise you,

right? Very well.

I beg

you to come at

once. I shall

die more

easily with your

forgiveness. Sign

it,

Anna.

Bracile, I hardly recognize you. You

play your whiskers grow, haven't you?

Like a number seven along there. Yes.

Thank you.

living steer. Hey, now that makes it all

perfect. Well, just leave it in there.

So, you're back. Been abroad, haven't

you? Where? Germany, France, England.

How was Paris? Well, I didn't go to

Paris. I've been studying agricultural

methods. I learned a great deal. Oh,

yes. I'm delighted to see you looking so

well and in such good spirits. You know,

somebody told me that you were down in

the mouth and kept talking of nothing

but death. Well, what of it? I think

continually of death. How do you now? I

tell you frankly, Stever, I value my

work and my ideas, but they're only a

vanity. This whole world is nothing but

a grain of mildew. Oh, and our lives a

moment of eternity. So, we might as well

pass our lives amusing ourselves as best

we can. Well, my own idea entirely.

Because we shall soon be dead. Why soon?

You know, you weren't so funny. Funny.

You'll be in danger of becoming a ball,

Steven. No, no. I was only joking. My

dear fellow, if you could bear to enjoy

yourself for an hour or two, you come to

dinner. Your brother Cosnichef might be

there and uh Karen and I hope and a few

others recon. Yes. Yes, I'd like to.

God, come when you're ready, and don't

be late.

When you get to St. Petersburg tomorrow,

don't forget to go and see the countest

Lydia Ivanov. Give her my note. I shan

forget, sir.

When the deputation from the native

tribes arrive, she must arrange to look

after them. Pilot them, was your

expression, I think. Exactly. Very

naive. I imagine that all they have to

do is to explain their needs and ask

help from the government. They do seem a

little childish. What do you

expect? They must adhere strictly to the

program I laid down. If they don't, they

will play directly into the hands of my

opponents. Stream off particularly. Yes,

that'll ruin the whole business.

Now, if you Oh, see who that is, will

you? I gave orders I was not to be

disturbed.

To see correctly, I'm sorry this

morning. Dear young man, sir, I know

he's in. They told me downstairs.

Anyway, he's expecting me. Come in,

please. You'll come to a bad end. Oh, I

see you're not dressed for dinner. Never

mind. Should we go? I'm sorry. I can't

come. Why? We're expecting you. I cannot

visit your house. Why on earth not?

Because all relationships between us

must end. Finish from now on. But why?

Because I'm starting divorce

proceedings. I'm going to divorce your

sister.

That's not possible. Now, I'm afraid it

is. I thought about it for two months,

and finally

I Well, this letter contains firm

instructions to my

lawyer. I don't believe

it. In it, I enclosed written proofs of

her guilt, letters from her lover.

Oh, good God.

Well, if that's the case, my dear

fellow, you sure there's been no

misunderstanding? I only wish there

were.

Karen, you're a man of principle. First

rate, and and Anna, well, forgive me.

But, but

Anna, I beg you, do nothing in haste.

I'm not acting in haste. Far from it.

But my mind is made up.

Well, do do one thing. See my wife. See

Donnie. She loves Anna like a sister.

She's a wonderful woman. For God's sake,

to get over with, Dolly. Well, I really

don't know. That's why I didn't call at

your house. I suppose our relationship

should be changed. I don't see that.

We're friends, aren't we? Even if Well,

I wouldn't presume to take sides. Who am

I to

judge? But come and see

Dolly, will you?

If you wish it so much. Yes, I shall

come.

Oh, hello M. I'm late as usual. As

usual, sir, is everyone here? Of course,

sir. Uh, let me take your coat, sir. If

I may say, sir, I'm very relieved to see

you. Relieved? Well, sir, when gentlemen

go traveling abroad, mixing with

foreigners. You mean anything might

happen? Exactly, sir. Well, put your

mind at rest. Nothing did. Quite true,

Pet. Yes, the Poles are not Russians,

but now they are part of our nation.

They should be rifified, so to speak,

for their own benefit. Quite well. Oh,

they're quite well indeed, mama. Yes.

But little Grecia had a cough, did you

not tell me? Completely cured, mama.

Thank God. So, he caught the day running

sharp at 12. All pink and solemn. My

husband was most intrigued. What about

you? It was all I could do to keep from

laughing out loud.

Now come along everybody. If we wait any

longer, we'll all die of thirst.

Take my words.

So, he's arrived. Yes. Ah, good. Alysia,

my dear, allow me to be your escort.

You see how it is? Even at my age, I

capture all the pretty ones. If there's

one thing that bulls me over, it's

flattery. I don't care who flatters me.

I love it.

Constantine.

I haven't seen you since I was driving

to Yoshovo. You put your head out of the

window. We nearly bumped noses.

It was rather a shock to see you that

evening.

What were you doing alone on the road?

I'd been

harvesting. It was a glorious day. The

peasants were singing as they went home.

Oh, I haven't heard them sing for ages.

Then you must again

soon. The thing

was they were so happy, so natural. I

was sorry I couldn't be a part of it.

How could you be? I know. I know. But I

was

feeling I was feeling as though I

belonged nowhere. And suddenly I popped

up out of nowhere.

Kitty.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

[Music]

Thank you for waiting. I do so want to

speak to you and we couldn't talk in the

drawing room. I have to leave in any

case, but I wanted to bid you good night

with my thanks for a pleasant evening.

Oh, wait. Forgive me. I have no right,

but I love Anna. She'd been such a good

friend to me. I beg you to tell me

what's wrong. What do you accuse her of?

But surely Steve has told you. I don't

believe it. I can't believe it. But one

can't deny facts. What facts? What has

she done? Well, you insist on details.

No. Well, nevertheless, I shall satisfy

you. My wife admits her infidelity.

Indeed,

she she boasts of it. Oh, that's not

possible.

I would give a great deal to have any

doubts. While I was in doubt, it was

hard. But not as hard as it is now. When

I doubted, I could hope. But now there's

no

hope. And still I doubt

everything. I'm in such doubt that often

I can't bear to look at my son.

Sometimes I don't believe that he is my

son. Now, can you imagine what that

means?

Yes. Yes, I believe I can.

So, you mean to divorce her?

There's nothing else to do. Oh, there

must be anything only not divorce. But

you must understand that this trouble

isn't like others, like illness or

somebody's death. One can't just bear

one's cross. It's necessary to act. I

see that, and I do sympathize. But

divorce, we should be nobody's wife. She

be lost. At her own choice. Oh, how

could any woman choose that?

But even so, you're a Christian man. Can

you not forgive?

I've

tried, but I can't.

I don't think I'm spiteful. Until now,

I've never hated anyone. But I hate her.

I hate her with all my soul for what

she's done.

Still, you could be

merciful. Love them that hate you.

That is just

possible. One can't love those whom one

hates. I'm sorry. I didn't want to upset

you, but you must realize that it's all

over.

Good night.

[Music]

[Applause]

More shop file perhaps. Very well.

Happy costume? Yes. Yes. A wonderful

evening. So, it's not yet time for us

all to die.

[Music]

[Music]

Hey, there's something I've wanted to

ask you for a long

[Music]

time. You said it could not be.

[Music]

[Music]

I know what it is. That means never. But

it's not

[Music]

true.

Finn should be so happy if

Forget and

[Music]

forget. I

[Music]

understand. Love you.

[Music]

playing secretary. Oh, please don't

concern yourselves. Dolly won't mind and

servants won't run us. But but if we're

not going to be late for the theater, we

should be getting ready to leave.

[Music]

And you opened both telegrams. Was that

wrong, sir? I thought of anything

urgent. Oh, it's quite right. Quite

right. They're on the table.

Streoff. Appointed chief commissioner.

Well, you see what this means. They must

be mad, sir, to appoint him. those whom

the gods wish to

destroy. Never mind about me. That's of

no consequence. But really, to a point

tremor of a man totally unfitted

for well, they'll live to regret it.

Won't alter my plans. Perhaps,

uh, perhaps you should read the other

telegram.

Oh.

This is a

trick, isn't it? It's a trick, I must

say.

Sir, I suppose it's

true. And she is dying.

Maybe

so. And if she is

repentant, am I in time for the train to

Petersburg? You have more than an hour.

Very well, sir. Have you thought? What

is it? If it is the confinement and you

should be in the house, I'm not I'm

sorry, sir. I must speak.

Wouldn't your presence legitimize the

child? Wouldn't it prevent the divorce?

You're a good fellow, Lutin, but my uh

my duty is

plain. This is a moral decision.

Besides, if that should prove not to be

false and I should not go, then I should

be condemned, rightly condemned before

the world.

[Music]

Hello, Petro.

Your excellency, is there any news?

How's your mistress? Safely delivered

yesterday of a healthy girl. I see. Is

my wife well? I'm sorry to say not. They

tell me she's very ill. Very ill indeed.

Who's with her? The doctor and the

midwife, your excellency. and Count

France. Thank you.

[Music]

Excuse me, sir, but are you I'm Karen.

Well, thank God for that. Thank God

you've come. She keeps on about you. So,

she keeps on. One moment. Just a moment.

She is dying.

The doctors say there's no hope. There's

no hope at all. Will you let

me? I am entirely in your hands. I must

do whatever you wish. Will you please

let me stay here? Because you see when

Alex say I mean of course Alex say

Alexandra wish not

Alex. How strange it is they should both

be called. Yes it is strange but somehow

it's quite proper and natural. I've

always thought that. But he will come to

me. I know he'll come. He wouldn't

reject me. Not when I beg him to

forgive. You see, he's a good man. You

don't know how good he is. His fever,

your excellency, she's delirious. Theoda

had his dinner. I know they'll forget

him. Oh, yes, yes, yes. He must be moved

into the corner room.

No, no, I want my baby, but you said I

Yes. So, yes, I know.

Very well. Let the nurse have her. In

fact, it's better. Yes. Yes. Alexa is

coming soon. May hurt him to see her. He

has come. He's

here. Any look, he's

here.

Plexi, I knew knew you wouldn't fail

me. There's very little time left.

That's why I'm in such a hurry because

there's no

time. I couldn't bear to die without

you. Thank

you. I wanted to tell you something.

What was

it? Oh, yes.

I wanted to say I am still the woman you

married. But but there's another woman

in me. I'm afraid of her. It was she who

treated you so badly. She thought she

hated you. It was she. But I'm not that

woman. Not anymore. I'm my real self.

And all I want is to be forgiven.

Forgiven

completely. You see,

Alexe, it's easy to forgive good people.

But to forgive wickedness much more

difficult. Oh, I am sinful. I know.

But

nurse nurse used to tell

me the holy martr. What was her

name? She was worse, but she was saved.

And I'll go to Rome. There's a

wilderness there. And and I shall be in

anybody's way. But I'll take Serioa and

the little

one. But you you'd never allow me to do

that, would you? Would you?

Anything. Anything you wish. You

see, I told

you. Told you.

But why doesn't he

come?

Alex. Alexa.

Alexi, come

in. Give him your Give him your

hand. No. Look at him. I want you to

look at him.

He's a

saint. Take your hands away. Alexand

face. I want you to see

him.

So, so you must forgive each other.

Dream. Dream come

true. Now everything's done. I'm

ready. Just stretch legs a

little. Always

good. Horrible

curtains.

Badly. Flowers drawn.

Not not like

pilots. I'm

falling. I'm

falling. Oh god.

Your excellency

Will you come in here, please?

The doctors have just told me. Yes, the

fever has gone down. Her temperature is

nearly normal. They think Well, they're

certain that she's out of

danger. I I've seen her myself. She's

quiet, sleeping

peacefully. It's a miracle.

Yes, I agree with you. The doctors

themselves Are you sure? They couldn't

be mistaken. I think not. She's going to

get well.

I'm sorry. You'll have to excuse me.

I can't quite believe

it.

No. In that room 3 days ago when Ella

was dying, she persuaded us to shake

hands. You were moved to forgive her and

me. Will you shake hands now?

willingly. Thank you. I had better go.

No, no, wait. Please.

Um, I have something I wish to say to

you. Pray be good enough to listen.

Certainly. What is

it? I must explain to you my feelings.

You know, it's better not to use

emotional words, even when speaking of

emotions. I desire you to make no

mistake about

me. I must explain to you my motives.

the motives that have guided me in the

past and those that guide me now. Do you

consider it necessary? I I'm sorry. I

do. Please.

You know that I'd already decided on a

divorce. I knew it was in your mind.

Yes. Proceedings had already begun.

I was not prepared for many reasons to

submit myself to the deceit and

subtifuges of a divorce by arrangement.

As an innocent man, I couldn't proclaim

myself guilty in the eyes of the world.

Nobody in the world would believe that

you were. In that case, I should have

proclaimed myself a

liar. I

see. But that was only a part of it.

I confess that I wanted to be

revenged both on you and on

her. That she should be degraded, banned

from remarage, prevented from ever again

seeing her son. I felt that nothing less

would satisfy

me. In Moscow, when a telegram

came, I wouldn't believe in her

repentance. She said she was dying.

I hoped that she

was. But you hoped for that. God forgive

me.

Yes. On my journey here, I hope to find

her

dead. Your aversion is very natural. No,

no, you are quite wrong.

I was only surprised to find in you such

a excuse me such a depth of

feeling.

Surprised? Well, yes, I suppose so. But

to wish someone

dead? No, I don't find it

strange. Though for myself, I've never

had to meet that situation.

I am a soldier as you know and soldiers

are trained to face

death. They are also trained to

contemplate the

death of their enemies or rather the

enemies of their country. And for a

soldier, they're one and the

same. Has that ever occurred to you? No.

No. No. I don't think so.

You see, a soldier has to imagine not

only his own death, but the necessity to

kill. This is more difficult, but a good

soldier learns quickly. You must have

thought of

Anna as your enemy, as I

was. So, you wished her to

die. It's not so

strange. But what astonished me was that

you were prepared to forgive.

But that's what I wanted you to

know. I forgave

her and I forgive you because only in

forgiveness can I find

salvation. No, we're always more than

that. It's

happiness and

joy. Oh, I pray to God not to deprive me

of this joy of forgiving.

You are making me ashamed.

Oh, you must find your own salvation.

I know

that. My duty is

plain. Oh, you can do what you

like. Drag my name through the mud, make

me the laughingtock of the world. But I

shall not forsake

her. And I shall never reproach

you. I'm bound to stay with her now. And

I

will. And and when she wants to see

you, I said

word. You see, the most wonderful thing

is that in in spite of my

wishing, she's going to

live.

There now. Oh, the blessed

sweat there

now. All the fever pouring out. I love

to

see there. There my

pretty. Have you been crying?

[Music]

M we all thought. So did

I. Over now.

How is my babe? Very well.

Beautiful. A lovely little girl.

I I should like to see her.

My

hair. What happened to my

hair? Drive on anywhere. Drive anywhere.

[Applause]

I want you to look at

him. Saint you you can do what you like.

Stock of the world. Hands away. Look at

him. I want you to look at him and I

shall never reproach you. You were my

husband too. And I was

explaining suddenly it all changed.

Alexi,

Alex, he's saint. I confess that I

wanted to be revenge. He's saint. I

forgave her. I'm falling and I forgive

you.

I'm

falling. Oh god.

God.

And I forgive you. Look at him. But I

should not forsake her. I want you to

look at him. You must find your own

salvation. The necessity to

kill. A soldier imagines his own

death. His

own trained to face death.

Sir, what happened?

Herman, where the devil is? Thank god.

Thank god you're alive. I'm going to

picked that

up. Here, sir.

But I won't

dear, how nice. Well, Betsy, I'm glad to

see you. Have you visited Anna? I was

allowed one glimpse. How is she? Better,

thank heaven. And the fever's quite

gone, but she's as weak as a kitten, and

they won't let her speak much. No gossip

today, Vary. That's hardly what I came

for. Oh, something more serious perhaps.

Indeed. Yes. And you'll get to know it

anyway. So, I may as well tell you. Then

it's not a deadly secret. Pity. Part of

it is, and I hope you'll keep that part

to yourself. But of course, Faria, you

know me. Oh, me too well. But I believe

you're fond of my brother-in-law, Alex.

Is it about Alex? Last night, he did a

dreadful thing. For heaven's sake, what?

He tried to kill himself. What? And he's

very ill. The shot ended his chest and

broke two ribs. But thanks be to God, it

missed the heart. His servant got a

doctor very quickly. Is he in danger? I

don't think so. The doctors say he

should pull through with great care and

good nursing. Who's going to nurse him?

You. He asked for me. Well, no one

better. A ministering angel, though, as

everyone

knows. What happened here yesterday?

Something did I'll swear to it. Yeah.

What do you mean? I don't know. But

Faria, did you come to tell Anna? Oh,

no. I'm sure she mustn't be told. Not

yet, I agree. I came to see her husband.

He ought to be told, don't you think?

Then he can break it to Anna when she's

well enough. Is he at home? I believe,

so sir. At least it was when I arrived.

That's what gave me the notion that

Well, you know, he can't stand the sight

of me. No, truly. He thinks I'm a

naughty influence. So you are, littlest

sticks. I just like everyone to be

happy, and Karen doesn't. But today,

quite changed. All sweetness and light.

Well, not exactly that, but calm. There

was a sort of noble humility about him

which I found absolutely repulsive.

Betsy, you're quite shocking. How I wish

I knew.

Surely are you not the countest Varia

Federova? Countess Ronsky.

Ah, yes. You would have come to inquire

for my wife. Well, no doubt the princess

would have informed you. Yes, and I'm so

pleased she's better. By God's mercy.

Amen. I should like to talk to you. But

to me, you I shall not keep you 5

minutes. It's rather important.

In that case, won't you come this way,

please?

Vary. Yes. Promise you'll let me know as

soon as there's any news.

Of course.

[Music]

Good morning. Beautiful

day. I'll take two of these.

Thank you.

Hey, here you are. One each.

Good morning.

What is your name? Pra, your excellency.

And that fine mayor of

yours. What do you call her? Slippy.

Slippy. A good

name. Now,

Pat, do you know the house of Prince

Shabbatsky in Albat Street? That you,

sir. Then I should like to be taken

there. If you and Slippy have no

objection. None at all, sir. We shall

both be proud and honored.

[Music]

[Music]

There he is, mama. And on time for once.

Oh, fine, dear boy. So, it's all

settled. Oh, I'm so glad. I'm so very

glad for you both. Well, it didn't take

you too long to arrange matters. Oh,

Costa. I'd always hope for this. Even

when that little feather brain seemed to

be losing her head over Not one word.

All right, Pats. I won't. I promise. Oh,

but I'm so pleased.

So, I'm just a a silly old fool that I

am.

Good gracious. What emotion. Come now.

We must all sit down over here. Kitty,

dear, sit by me. There's so much for us

to discuss and settle and cost you

there. Now, the first thing is when is

it to be? Well, we can have the betroal

and announce it. But what date should we

fix for the wedding? What do you think,

my love? Well, here's the hero. Ask him.

Tomorrow I would say the betroal today

and the wedding tomorrow.

What not say? Is it next week? The boy's

quite mad. I don't see. Well, you silly.

What about the truso?

Truso, Kitty, do you want it? Indeed I

do. And what's more, I want the

prettiest truso a bride ever has. And

you shall have it. Well, in that case,

now let me see. We should soon be into

Lent and then there's Easter. Yes. I

think it must be April. April? Not till

April. Oh, not a day before the middle

of April. Oh, we could have the betroal

immediately and make the announcement

there. Now, is that agreeable to you?

Good. Now, the next thing The next thing

now that you have settled the data.

Oh, but you can discuss a lot of things

in 3 months. Say, Costa.

Yes. Yes. Well, come along then.

You shall talk exclusively to me until

dinner time. And today, for today, I

doubt if I shall contradict anything you

care to

say. Aren't they

sweet? She glad they're so pleased.

They really are the dearest parents.

I always knew it'd be like

this. I never dared to hope. And yet, at

the bottom of my heart, I was always

certain. I believe I was too. Even when

I even when I drove my happiness from

me, I never loved anyone but

you. Never.

Costier. I was carried away like silly

girls often are. Kitty. So, I must ask

you,

can you forget it?

No. No. I don't think I could forget

anything about you.

Was a bad time for you, wasn't it? It

was for you, too. Yes. Yes. That's what

I mean. I don't believe in forgetting

the bad times. They're part of our

lives. This was a tiny part. Yes. But of

course to have come through that and be

as happy as we are. That's a good thing.

Oh, I'm sure of it,

Kitty. Kitty, there are things about me

you don't know. Things from the

past. I've thought about it a great

deal, and I've decided I must tell

you. Not now. Before we're married. Very

well, Costa. You must tell me when you

wish. I want to know everything.

I'm not afraid of

anything. So that's agreed. Agreed that

whatever I might have been, whatever I

may be, you'll still accept me. You

won't go back on your word.

Never. Never. My

dearest. I'm not

afraid.

Costier. Do love you.

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

Heat up

here.

[Music]

Heat. Heat.