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

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

Well, Kitty, take them.

Take those dreadful books away. Burn

them. Yes. Yes, I can do that now. What

possessed you to let me see them? I've

explained all that. Yes,

I papa agreed you should. But cost

wasn't an easy thing to do,

Kitty. There are two things you must

know about me. First, about my religion.

Oh, that's nothing. You say you can't be

a Christian believer. I'm an agnostic.

What does that mean? Only that you don't

know. Which of us

does? I have enough faith for two.

But that

cost, it's

awful. I swore to myself I'd never marry

you or any girl, but it couldn't have

been any

girl unless she Unless you Unless you,

Kitty, knew the worst about

me. That is the worst.

Yes, those diaries reveal the very worst

things of my life. But unless you knew

those things, excesses and the

shame and the

degradation, I should have come to you

under false

pretenses. You

see, I've not been a good

man. We could never begin a fresh life

together if there were any secrets

between us.

In that

case, I ought to confess,

too. I've been guilty of

impurity in my thoughts. Thoughts?

You

mean in spite of all that, forgive me?

Yes,

Costia. After all, there are some

benefits in my religion. I was taught to

forgive.

How are you?

Are you in pain?

It's a little. Yeah. Then keep still.

I'll change addressing shortly. I did

wait for the doctor. No.

What a splendid girl you are.

Nonsense. Are you thirsty?

Yes. Yes, I am. This is barley water.

Supposed to be good for you. Nope. Don't

move. Thank you.

Betsy doesn't think it was an accident.

Do you?

Alexa, you were delirious for 4 days.

Did I talk a lot? All the time. Who

heard me? Only the doctor who will say

nothing.

No.

And you? Why I was here? But whatever I

heard is already forgotten. You didn't

dissemble. Not with me.

You know all about it, don't you? A

great deal.

Don't you understand? I can talk to you

as I can't talk to anyone else in the

world. Not to Anna.

To Anna? No. But Alex,

I tried to kill

myself because suddenly I felt

guilty. I was shamed and

humiliated. All my life I have done what

I

wanted. I was

superior above criticism.

I followed certain rules and conventions

without

thought. For example, the accepted view

of the deceived husband, the cak. I'm

not sure that I wish to hear anymore.

Object, an

incidental, a ludicrous obstacle to my

happiness. Alexa, you must not excite

yourself.

I'm not excited.

But on that

night, on that

night, Anna presented her husband to me

in a very different

light, as indeed he did

himself. All at once, we had exchanged

roles. We were both sorrowing because

Anna might die.

And though he

knew and felt very

deeply all the injuries we had inflicted

on

him, he was

generous,

kind,

dignified. It wasn't vindictive or

vengeful, and above all, not ludicrous.

In that scene, I was the comic

unnecessary clown. And for that, because

you felt

humiliated.

No, it was not only because of

that. No, it was

enough.

No, I was

wretched

because Anna was lost to me forever.

During her illness, I learned to know

her through and

through. I saw her very

soul. It seemed to me that until then,

I'd never truly loved

her. And on that

night, I knew she was lost to me

forever.

Do you wonder that I wanted to die?

Is it asleep? Yes, but it's a she. You

very well know. Doesn't look like a she.

Oh, you wait. Little Annie is going to

be very beautiful. Don't you love her?

Not the least little bit. Why not? Well,

for one thing, she's ugly. Oh, no. And

for another, I got sent away to stay

without Katrina. And she's jolly ugly,

too. She's got a nose like a handle.

Serioa. Now I come to think of it, she

has.

And she's got whiskers and a scratchy

sort of voice. With one thing and

another, that old woman is a perfect

nuisance. Darling, you shouldn't speak

of her. So, wasn't she kind to you?

Oh, I suppose

so. It's so boring there. Oh,

this stupid thing. I can't do it. Well,

I'm sure I can't.

Yes.

What are you doing? At least you haven't

got whiskers. You're a monster.

[Music]

Hey, young man. Time for lessons. Can't

stay another minute. Your mother's tired

and needs to rest.

Yes, papa.

Come along. Air castle's waiting.

I should have thought that just for

once.

Yes, ma. It doesn't matter.

How do you feel today? I'm better, thank

you.

Good. You You find the uh tonic

beneficial? Much better.

Yes. Well,

what is it, Alexa? Do you want to tell

me something? Well, yes. As a matter of

fact, there was something. And uh well,

if you really are feeling better, then

perhaps uh I think we might come in.

Excuse me, sir. Nurse, it's time for the

baby's feed. Shall I take her, madam?

Yes. And

A dear little love, isn't she, sir?

That child, what about her? Well, it's a

she's um she's very small.

Are you surprised she hasn't been 3

weeks in the world? No, no, I suppose

not.

What are you going to tell me?

Oh, so it's something important

to you. Yes. And uh

distressing. 10 days

ago, I've been asked to inform you that

Count Ransky suffered an accident. 10

days ago.

An accident. What happened? I've been

told that he's recovering and is now

convolescent.

Thank

God. Are you sure? Yes. What sort of an

accident? What happened? Some mishap

with a revolver. It was fired off by

chance while he was cleaning it. That is

a lie. You know it's a lie. Kvronsky

does not clean revolvers. What happened?

That's all I can say. Who told you?

Count Vary Federova.

Varia is not a

liar. I I don't believe a word of

this 10 days ago, the day I first began

to live

again. What are you hiding from

me? Did

you you and not a duel? A

duel? That was never possible. Never. On

that day, least of all, and I told you

all about it. Yes, I believed you. But

now, he went away and I've not seen him

since. Now, on my solemn oath, that is

the truth. If it is, where's the rest of

it? Tell me. I shall know what happened

to him. I demand to be told I have a

right to be told. Did you know the

doctor? I will have the truth.

Very well.

Did he shoot

himself? I think so.

Did he?

Yes.

Oh, God.

Why?

I I have no idea. Haven't you? None at

all.

No. No. How could you

understand? But thank you.

I'm not. Will you please

go away?

Prince Bahovsky to see you, sir. Come

along in, dear fellow. Good to see you

up and about. Perfectly fit again. A

little discomfort, but uh nothing. Well,

you always keep yourself in good trim.

That's half the battle. A drink then,

what will you? Um, nothing strong, too

early. And glass of wine, perhaps.

A sit down then. Thank you. has

cigarettes at your elbow. A splendid.

Well, after we spoke together last week,

I went to work and as I told you in my

letter, I hope to have something

definite to tell you today. And you

have? Yes, my dear boy, I have.

Where do I go? Tash Kent.

Tash Kent. Never occurred to me that

Tash Kent was a particularly comical

place to be posted to rather the

reverse. In fact, it's difficult. Well,

it can have its moments. Uh the Usuzbcks

are not exactly civilized and the

Afghans on the border precisely. So why

do you laugh?

Oh, it was

only Tash Kent

Mangstrika. Just a joke I remembered.

Ah, I'm sorry. What's the posting?

Cavalry commander at the garrison. What?

With the rank of colonel.

Oh, that's first rate. I knew you'd

think so.

Old Sony commands at Tesh Kent. You'll

like him, but um he won't stray out

much. Uh you'll have all the action you

want. I can't tell you how grateful.

Rubbish.

It's just the sort of place I'd hope

for. 2,000 miles from Petersburg. Hey,

you see too much and you assume more

than you see. Enough said. Let's be

practical. I've spoken to your colonel

about your release from the regiment.

That's agreed. I've also had a few uh

discreet and confidential words up

there. That's agreed. They forgive and

forget. Forgive what? My dear fellow,

your refusal of Warsaw.

Oh, yes, of course. You'd forgotten it.

They hadn't, I assure you.

So here's to the

future, the

future. And let me tell you, Fransky,

for you, this is only the beginning.

No, seriously, Anna, I think it's quite

enchanting. I've told all sorts of

people about it. Don't be surprised when

you go about again to find that short

hair is all the rage. Will you stop

talking such nonsense, Betsy? And tell

me what I want to know. Now, what might

that be? Is he really well again? How

does he look? Thinner, I would say. Not

so cheerful. Serious, in fact, and

really rather dull, but as handsome as

ever. Oh, dear. If only he'd fall in

love with me instead of you, how much

simpler things would be. Could you have

loved him? The distraction, darling.

For a few months, at least. You think

so? It could never be as simple as that.

Not with him. Perhaps you're right.

Where is Tash Kent? Don't you know? Do

you? I have the roughest of rough ideas.

It's far, far away, southeast. All among

the primitive cospics. Cospigs? Uspecs?

Probably. And I'm told they live in

tents, drink camels milk, and hold their

wives in common. Total squalor. Who told

you? Alexa, another thing. The men all

go armed to the teeth and shoot on site.

No, in fact, your brother told me. Stea?

He's here in Petersburg. Coming to see

you today. He asked me to tell you. Oh,

that is good. I've longed to see Stea.

And I have another message for you.

Oh, you must have known that he'd send

one.

What is it? When a man is being posted

all those thousands of miles away, he

naturally likes to make a round of

farewell visits. What did he say? For

Alexe, a great deal. Betsy, what did he

say? The exact words. Why are you so

cruel? And my darling, I don't mean to

be, but siving it all down. He wants to

see you.

No, he said among many other things, but

this I do remember. He said to see her

once more. Just once more, and then bury

myself. Bury myself and die. That's what

he said. Now, don't you think? No.

You refuse to see him. I must not and I

shall not. But Anna, dear, if he weren't

going away, perhaps forever. I could

understand, but surely your husband is

above all that. For his sake? You mean

he would agree? Yes, I'm sure he would.

I know he would. Well, then, can't you

all be civilized? After all, you surely

want to say goodbye to a man who shot

himself on your account? That is exactly

exactly why I can't.

Oh, there you are. I'd hope to see you

at the palace, but you were so busily

engaged. I came on here. Anna is looking

so much better, don't you think?

Yes, a truffle feverish. My fault

entirely. We've been talking too much.

Selfish of me. I'll go now. No, wait a

moment. I want to tell you

something. I can't have any secrets from

you, nor do I wish to. Anna, dear,

forgive me, but I really must go now.

Wait, I want you to

hear. Betsy says that Count Bronky is

leaving for Tesh Kent and he wants to

come and say goodbye. And I have told

her that I cannot receive him. And I

have told Anna, perhaps you heard, but I

think it's ridiculous. Betsy, please. I

can't see him. It's out of the

question. I don't want to see

him. You see, it's impossible. I don't

see anything. I'm submerged. Utterly out

of my depth. Well, goodbye,

precious. Look after

yourself. That

woman, I am grateful to you for your

decision.

Well, I agree that since he's going

away, there's no reason whatever for

Kransky to come here. I have said so.

Why repeat it? Well, the question is, of

course, yours to decide. I have decided

it.

Yes, and I'm glad that my wish coincides

with yours.

God. Now, may we close the subject?

Certainly.

Oh, by the way, I I've sent for the

doctor. Why? I don't need him. Oh, no.

It's the child. She keeps on crying.

They say that the wet nurse hasn't

enough milk. Why didn't you let me nurse

her myself? I wanted Oh, you know the

doctor said, "I beg to nurse her, but I

wasn't allowed to. And now I am blamed

for it." Nobody's blaming you. Yes, they

are. Especially you. Well, we shall soon

put a stop to that.

[Music]

Hannah Stea, I'm sorry to keep you

waiting.

Oh, my dear girl. Oh, it's so good to

see you. Oh, you look fine. Better than

I'd hoped. You always say the right

thing, don't you? How is everything? As

bad as it can be. I've discovered I'm

incapable of nursing my child any better

than the nurse. Well, what's that

matter? Get another nurse. We have.

Well, then. Because of it, my husband

and I quarreled. Entirely my fault. So,

it's a miserable day. Today and all

other days, past and future. Now, you

mustn't say that. You mustn't even think

it. Tomorrow. Tomorrow will be the same,

Stea. What am I to do?

Oh, my dear. I was unhappy before. I

used to think one couldn't be more

unhappy. But now,

I You see, I'm

caught. I'm in a dreadful kind of trap.

People say that women love men even for

their vices. Some do, certainly. Well, I

hate one man because of his virtues.

Isn't that

horrible? But it's true. I can't live

with him. Can you

understand? The very sight of him

affects me physically. He touches my

hand, I feel

ill. His voice grates on my nerves so

that I could

scream. The way he moves, talks, every

tiny mannerism. It's awful. Stea.

Yet here is a good, kind, patient,

clever man. I'm not worth his little

finger, but I hate

him. Above all, I hate him for his

generosity. So, you see, Sativa, I

should have died a month ago because I'm

not fit to live. Oh, Anna. Anna, you're

exaggerating everything. Nothing so very

terrible. It is. I'm lost. Lost. It's

worse because I'm not quite lost.

I can't say it's ended yet, but it will.

When it comes, the end will be

dreadful. I feel as though I'm flying

headlong over a precipice. I can't stop

myself. I ought not to

try. And thought and thought, and there

is only one way out. No, you're wrong.

Now, sit

down. Try to be calm and listen to me.

You're not thinking clearly, so you

can't see your position as well as I do.

Now, listen.

You married him without love. Without

knowing what love can be. That was a

mistake. Let's admit it. A fearful

mistake. But a fact that has to be

faced. Then what happens? You fall in

love with another man. Yes. A

misfortune, but also an accomplished

fact. We'll face that too. And then

finally, your husband accepts the

situation and forgives you. Now, you say

it's impossible for you to live with

him. I don't know. I don't know. Yes,

you do. You said yourself you couldn't

endure him. No, I'd take it back. But

you can't because that too is a fact.

And you think he doesn't know it? Of

course he does. So, he's wretched. And

what good can come of that? None. But

there's no hope anywhere. There's

nothing to be done. Oh, you're wrong.

There's one thing, a divorce. No, no.

Oh, yes. You said yourself that he's

kind and generous, and it's true. But

now the only kindness anybody can do is

to separate you legally and forever.

Not only for your sake but for his

Steven. Shall I talk to him?

Would you?

Do you really think if only God helps me

to speak as I feel?

I'll go to him now.

[Applause]

May I come in? H Oh, am I disturbing

you? No, no,

you've seen your sister. Yes, we had a

long talk and I think a useful one.

That is something that I have not

enjoyed for some time.

of smoke if you wish. Yes, thank you.

The position of you both is so different

now. Do do you object if I talk about

it? No, no, it's a a subject that is

seldom from my

mind. So, let us begin with

this. I have written her this letter.

Surely you don't want me to read. No, I

should read

it. I can see that my presence is

disagreeable to you. And though this is

painful to me, I'm convinced that it

cannot be otherwise. God is my witness

that when you were so ill, I resolved

with my whole heart to forget all that

came between us and begin life a

new. My only desire then, as now, was

for your welfare, the welfare of your

soul. And now I see I have not attained

that. Tell me yourself what would give

you true happiness and peace of mind. I

put myself in your hands and trust to

your feeling of what is

right. But that is what I wanted to say

to

her. I must know what she wants. Yes.

Yes. Yes. I

understand. Look here, you know. It

won't

do. Why not? Because already she's

crushed. Literally crushed by your

generosity.

If she reads that, she'll be incapable

of telling you anything.

You think so? I know it.

Well,

then what is to be done? I mean, in

God's name, what more can I do? Only

this, I think. You must tell her how you

propose to end the situation. It's

ended. But how? Well, there's a way out

of every situation. Anna would never

admit it. But there is one way out and

that is to terminate your relations

finally and completely.

Divorce. Well, I imagine. Yes. Divorce.

You know my feelings. Yet at one time

you would have zoned on it. That was a

different matter. There is only one

point to be considered. Whether either

party wishes to marry again. If

not, it's very simple.

Simple.

I thought endlessly about

this to begin with. There's my son. He

can't stay with his mother. Well, why

not? Well, because she'll have another

family. Illegitimate, but a

family. Then what would Serio's position

be? Apart from that, a divorce would

mean giving my wife over to destruction.

But why? Well, because these leaison

never last. In two or three years,

Vonsky will throw her over, or she

herself will enter into a new liaison.

Oh, this can be so. And there are no

true ties of religion and

law. And my consenting to a

divorce, I would be the cause of her

ruin. Aren't you forgetting one

supremely important fact? What? That

they love each other.

So

if any man take thy

coat, let him have thy cloak

also. Very

well. I agree to a

divorce and I shall take the disgrace on

my own

head. As for my

son, I herself must decide about that.

Herman.

Herman. Quickly. My coat. Now in a

[Music]

carriage, Alexi. Oh, Alexi.

[Music]

No, no, no. You must

listen. You must listen. Oh. Oh, Alex,

my beloved, I have waited for

you. Oh, my dearest, dearest love. As

long as we live. As long as we both

live, Anna. As long as we both live.

Look at you. So

pretty. Just like a funny little boy.

How pale you are. And I will have been

ill. But you'll soon get better. We will

go to Italy. Have you ever been there?

No. Should we really? We go to Italy. To

Florence, to Naples, to Rome, to

Venice. It's warm there. And you'll glow

in the sunshine and get better. And you

won't go to Tash Kent. No, I will not.

And if anyone so much as raises an

eyebrow, I'll resign from the army.

I know this is the only thing

now. It's the only true thing for us.

[Music]

All well, perfect. Little Annie has

really taken to the new wetness. Good.

The baby is full up to here and fast

asleep. That is very good. You were

lucky to get a woman who could travel

with us. Yes. Poor Sasha, if her own

baby hadn't

died. She's quite in love with Anie. And

as for Anushka, she's completely

besotted. You

I have no words to say what I feel.

Alexe, there is something I ought to

explain. You haven't asked me, you

wouldn't be. You surely there's no need.

I must. And then I'll never mention it

again.

When my husband agreed to give me the

divorce, when he told Steve that I could

decide for myself about Serio, all I

could feel at first was joy and thought

to be free of him. To have my son, to

have you. That's all I have ever wanted.

It finally refused the divorce and left

Serio with you.

Is that what you wanted to explain? Yes.

My love, I know why you

refused. You said to yourself, "I have

wronged my

husband, and I've hurt him enough."

Yes, that was it. I didn't want to

profit from his misery, but more than

that, I deserve punishment. I felt I

ought to be punished by losing my

reputation, my son.

So, you decided to make yourself

miserable. Yes. And are you? No. No.

That's the whole point. I'm not I don't

care two straws for my

reputation. I feel no shame, no disgrace

being with

you. As for Serio, well, I think I knew

months ago that one day I I would have

to choose between you and

him, and I've

chosen. And all I can say is that I'm

happy.

I'm wildly

wildly I'm unpardonably happy.

Where is it to go, sir? Hasn't your

master told you? No, sir. He just said

take it down. Then put it in the

cellar wrapped in a sheet.

Very well, sir.

letters. A few personal ones and a small

folder.

Thank

you. And is Lydia Ivanov? She writes to

me every day. Every day asking me to do

something or the other. Preside at a

meeting. Should you not? Then I have

enough to do. She has a great deal of

influence. You imagine I don't know

that. Then excuse me, but she could be

very

useful. She's an excellent

organizer. Yes, I'll consider it.

Moscow. Prince and Princess Chabbatzky

invite you to the marriage of their

daughter with a man called Constantine

Dimitravich

Leaven. Oh yes, I remember meeting

him. Why they should ask me? Shall you

go?

Go? I don't believe so.

What on earth should I be

doing at a wedding?

Yes, the villi

room. Do you know I've forgotten what a

jolly place this is? I mean the whole

club. How we like it? Except for the

schlubby. Sloopy. There's

one. You don't know the word. It's a

club term. You remember the old game of

egg rolling? I think so. Well, you go on

rolling and rolling your hardboiled egg

and if it's so cracked it won't roll

anymore. Then it becomes a schloop.

Well, we keep on coming and coming to

the club till we turn into slooping. No,

don't laugh. You know,

Princeky used to talk a lot about

schloops. Then one day he looked in and

said to the hall porter, a Vaseli, the

fat one. Morning Vaseli. Who's here? Any

Schloopix?

Vaseli said you'll make the third sir.

So you see my lad we all come to it in

the end.

Ah Stea. Well I leave you two to your

billions. Oh glass of champagne first,

sir. Thank you. Now I'm for the card

room where I shall win or lose my

customary 10 rubles. Good luck, sir, and

thank you for an excellent dinner.

Waiter.

Steo, has it ever occurred to you how

lucky you are to have such a

father-in-law?

Yes. And now you're going to have a

share in him. Yes. Is there something

ironic about the prince? Thank you,

Stefan. I suppose if you're surrounded

by women all your life, domestic women.

I mean, you believe a man develops

ceremony as a sort of extra skin. You're

coming on

costume. You're coming on.

Well, here's to Kitty. To Kitty? And

your marriage? Yes. Marriage? You

nervous now? Afraid of it? No. No, it's

not marriage I'm afraid of. No, it's the

fuss

ceremony. Standing up in church in front

of all the people. Well, does Kitty

object to that? Oh, it's it's the one

thing we argue about. She's looking

forward to it. Naturally, it's their

great day. So, you must pretend that you

do, too. Impossible. If you don't, you

spoil it for her. Oh, by the way, I've

been meaning to mention this, knowing

your views. You've got the certificate

to show you've been to confession and

taken the sacrament. No. Why? They won't

marry you without it.

I never even thought it must be seven

years. No certificate, no marriage.

Steven, it's true. You must

confess and take the sacrament. How can

I? It's only 4 days. Well, that'll do.

See the priest. He's a good sensible

man. He'll pull the tooth out for you

before you know where you are. Now come

along. I'll pay you 100 up. Give you 15

to

start. Christ stands invisible before

you to receive your confession.

Do you believe in the doctrines of the

Holy Apostolic Church? I have doubted. I

doubt everything. To doubt is a natural

human weakness, but we must pray to our

merciful Lord to strengthen us. What are

your principal sins?

I I doubt everything. That is my

principal sin. What do you doubt in

particular?

Everything. Sometimes I even doubt the

existence of God.

What doubt can you have of the creator

when you contemplate his works? Who

adorned the celestial vault with stars,

who decked the earth with her beauty?

How could those things be without a

creator?

I don't

know. You are about to enter into holy

matrimony and God may bless you with

children. What will you say to your

child when he asks you,

"Papa, who made the lovely things in the

world, the earth, the water, the sun,

the flowers, the

grass?" Will you really say that you

don't know? And if he should ask you

about the life to come, what will you

tell him? Will you abandon him to the

allurements of the world and the

devil? Wouldn't that be

wrong? So therefore, pray hard. Pray

that your doubts may be

resolved. May our Lord God Jesus Christ

in the grace and bounty of his loving

kindness, pardon this his

child. Go in peace and sin no more.

[Music]

Come along here. Thank you. Thank you.

Oh,

yes. Oh, indeed. Yes. I should think you

do very well here. I am most obliged to

you. Not at all. I only wish I could

afford such a place myself. I want you

to meet Madame

Corinina. We are traveling together.

Indeed. I should be delighted.

Anna, this is an old friend of mine,

Sergey

Pedrovich. A happy exile. Enchanted.

Madame, we owe you a great deal, do we

not? You found this place for us. Oh,

you like it then? immensely. Oh, I'm

glad. I'm glad.

Well, it seems strange to see you out of

uniform. I resigned my commission. Yes.

Well, you never did a more sensible

thing. We were together, you know, in

the court of pages. He stayed and became

a distinguished officer. I left. What do

you do now? Well, I write. I write

trivia for the most part, I suppose, but

also each day is something of my great

work.

And may we know what it is? Well, it's

the second part of my earlier work, The

Two Principles. You may have read the

first part. Yes.

Are there many Russians here? Well, as

far as I know, one only, apart from

ourselves. You may have heard of him, an

artist called Mikailoff. A man of the

people, you understand? Uneducated, but

skillful. No doubt about that. Yes, I

have heard of him. He's a portrait

painter if I'm not mistaken. Yes. And

and a good one, too. He's had many

commissions, but he's abandoned it in

favor of religious paintings. So, he's

hard up. Yes, I should imagine he must

be.

Are you interested in art, madame? I am

interested, although I know little about

it. Alexe is the expert. This is his

work.

Good. Very good. Yours? Well, I had no

idea that you painted. Well, I did years

ago, but I gave it up. Good heavens.

Could you give it up just like that? I

mean, not to not to you with such a

talent. I am not Raphael, you know, just

an amateur, though I do try to improve.

Tell me, Serge, do you know Mail?

Slightly. Yes. Would you like to meet

him? I should like to see his work.

Would you, Anna? Very much. Well, then

you shall. I'm told he's unapproachable

in certain moods and artist prerogative,

but uh Oh, I can arrange it for you in a

few days. Oh, indeed. Yes, I can arrange

it for you. Excuse me.

Ah, my dear fellow, this has really

progressed since I last saw it. Yes, a

great deal of

progression. And to think that neither

the academy nor the government have seen

fit to offer their patronage. That be

true. True enough, your excellency,

that's why I'm here.

That's

disgraceful. What strikes me

particularly is the figure of Pilot. One

knows that man so well, does one not. A

capital goodnatured fellow, but an

official to his very backbone, blind to

the meaning of what he's doing.

You see that in him? Well, naturally,

the living man. Don't you agree, madame?

Yes. Yes. But of all things, I admire

the expression of Christ.

The expression I mean the look on his

face. How shall I put it? One can see

that he is sorry for pilot. Of course.

But of course it must be

so there must be pity in Christ's face

because there has to be love. You

know peace not of this

world. Readiness for

death. A sense of the the vanity of

words.

Pilot knows nothing of all that because

he is the eternal official, the the

incarnation of the

connell. But there has to be pity in

Christ's face because

the Excuse me. No, no, please go on.

What you say is most

interesting. For example, when you

decide to paint something like this, do

you do these themes occur to you as a

process of intellect, of conscious

thought? Intellect means nothing. At

least not to me. I feel something and so

I paint it. Ah, inspiration. Pure

inspiration. If you mean to do I take a

deep breath.

Well, I

do. Then I begin to paint and draw and

hope that this time it'll be better than

the last. Yes, but surely that's a

matter of technique.

Technique. From that point of view, all

I can see are my own

shortcomings. But you see Christ's foot.

Well, it's a

foreshortening. I've just noticed the

forcehortening is wrong. And so I must

correct it. And still the picture will

have 50 technical errors.

Do you know Michelangelo's David? Yeah.

A masterpiece. True. Alex, excuse me.

The head is too big for the body and so

is the hands. Errors of

technique. And yet still it is a

masterpiece.

What exactly are you saying? Are you

impressed? Immensely. So am I.

Exhibition. Oh, look at this. Oh, that's

exquisite. The little boy. He's the big

one. So eager to catch a fish. But the

little What is he thinking of? It

doesn't matter, does it? Kof persuades

us that he is thinking.

Anna, I would like him to paint your

portrait. Oh, my dearest, why mine? You

are doing that already. That's the only

one I want. Let him paint. No, he shall

paint you.

And what is

more, have you painted God as man or man

become God? Excuse me. Is this painting

for sale?

Yes. Yes, it's for sale. Then I should

like to buy it, please. We both like it

very

much. There's another thing. Would you

paint a portrait of Madame Corinina? I

don't do portraits now. Yes, so I

believe. But this

one. Yes.

Yes, I will paint that

face and the soul behind it. I'll try to

paint that, too.

So, you see, countis, it seems that my

private affairs are public property in

society. Exactly. They cannot guess at

the truth, how it was not you who

performed that high act of forgiveness

at which I was filled with rapture, but

he he who dwells within your heart. No

doubt. No doubt that I have been quite

enough humiliated. Don't say that. But I

do say it because it's true. I mean,

they think I'm

blind. Do they think I'm not aware of

the jokes, the laughter behind my

back? Very servants.

They know not what they do. Only

yesterday, I had to go out of the room.

I couldn't bear the way my son looked at

me. Oh, he asked me nothing, but he

wanted to, and there was a look in his

eyes.

That's for me to deal with as I

can. My more immediate problems are of a

practical

nature. For several hours today, I've

had to arrange this, settle that, oh

household matters arising from my new

solitary state. Domestic affairs, the

engagement of staff, the payment of

petty accounts, laundry, fish. I tell

you, countest, there are limits to a

man's endurance. And I have reached

mine. I understand, my dear friend. I

understand it

all. Sucker and consolation you will

find. Not in me, though I have come

expressly to help you. If I could take

all these petty cares from your

shoulders. If you could do that, I see a

woman's word. A woman's guiding hand is

needed. Will you entrust everything to

me? You will. I am rewarded. But my dear

friend, think no more of laughter and

humiliation. For he that humbleth

himself shall be exalted. And you

mustn't thank me. Why do I? No, you must

thank him and ask his help. In him

alone, we shall find peace,

comfort,

salvation, and love.

I'm indeed grateful to you for your

deeds and your words. The deeds are yet

to

do, and I'm set to work as your

housekeeper. But first, I'm going to see

Seriosha.

Yes. Queen to queen's bishop

four.

No. Then black knight to queen three.

Knight takes the

queen. Seriosha,

have you noticed in chess problems how

the queen never does anything? So is a

porn or a bishop, but never the queen?

Serious? Yes, countest. You know who I

am. Of course.

Your dear papa has asked me to come here

to look after you. Thank you. They don't

need to be looked after. You do, child.

You do. I don't think so. a castle

teacher's maid. Anyway, papas is to go

to school. There are higher, more

important things than school. Seriosha,

papa doesn't think so. Oh, but he

does. It's a question of loving

care. Seriosha, I have sad news to tell

you. Very sad news. But God will console

you. Will he? He will, dear. And is it

about mama?

Yes.

Your dear Mamar is

[Music]

dead.

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

Heat up here.

[Music]

Heat.

Heat. Heat up

[Music]

here.

[Music]

[Music]

and I'll upload.

Oh, mama, it's getting late and Costa

should be here. Don't fuss, dear. Well,

I'm not fussing, mama, but really, he

ought to be here.

It's so idiotic. He's just utterly

idiotic. Rather silly, I agree. But

don't worry. Don't worry. Wouldn't you

worry? After months of waiting, weeks of

preparation, and I can't get married

because I haven't got a clean shirt.

Your man's a bit of a fool, I must say.

If it wasn't illegal, I'd flug him.

Lousma, never.

Now, why you trusted him? I

all I asked him to do was to pack my

trunks and take them to the Shabbatskis.

Grave mistake. I asked him to leave out

my dress clothes. But you didn't tell

him to leave out a clean shirt. Oh, good

god.

Exhibiting your nakedness to all and

sunundry won't help. Just wait. You hear

in a

minute. It's Kitty. It's Kitty. I'm med

about. What the hell is she going to

think?

They found out what the trouble is.

What? It seems that your bridegroom

hasn't got a shirt to his back. What?

Never mind. All is now well, I'm told.

He can leave

soon. But shirt or no shirt? He has a

bride. any man would be proud of. Do you

think so?

Do you remember once in Germany you

asked me what the future would hold for

you? You told me I'd find out. And have

you? Are you quite sure?

This really is too bad. Mama, people are

talking. What can we do?

Fools. Hold on. Easy does

it. Now come

along. I'll v it for you.

My

children. Hallelujah.

[Music]

[Music]

[Applause]

Take the bride's hand and lead her up.

No, I take her right hand in your right

hand.

[Applause]

See

[Music]

you like

[Music]

this.

Jesus Christ.

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

Oh, the rain.

[Music]

What's wrong? Didn't you want it to

marry? Praise God. I've lived to see the

day. Well then,

hast thou, Constantine, a good, free,

and unconstrained will, and a firm

intention to take unto thyself to wife,

this woman, Eatarina, who thou seest

here before thee? I have, Reverend

Father, thou hast not promised thyself

to any other bride. I have not promised

myself, Reverend Father, hast thou a

catarina, a good, free, and

unconstrained will and a firm intention

to take to thyself to husband this man

Constantine, whom thou seest here before

thee? I have, Reverend Father. Thou hast

not promised thyself to any other

husband? I have not promised myself,

Reverend Father. Give the blessing,

Master.

Blessed is the

kingdom of the

Father and of the

Son and of the Holy

Spirit. Now and ever and unto ages of

ages. Amen. Amen.

[Music]

All

that

to shel

My

brother, my

[Music]

[Music]

Oh, the Lord

[Music]

There she is.

[Music]

Well,

it's very beautiful. Yes. Yes, it is

very beautiful. But there's more than

that. There's much, much more. More.

When you take a photograph, you receive

exactly what appears on the

plate. What an artist does is to reveal

what lies beneath. He said it would

paint my soul.

So he has,

Anna. So he has

Hey, love. Come and look.

Who painted this? What do you think of

it?

I'm an artist, your excellency, not a

critic. You have an opinion? Surely. No.

Oh, come now. You've already guessed

that it's my work. Is it a good painting

or a bad painting?

It is neither good nor bad, your

excellency. It is nothing. I like it.

That is your privilege, madam.

Suppose I came to you for lessons. I

don't give lessons.

No.

Truly, I could teach you something.

what that idiot Goranv calls

technique. But only God can make you an

artist, your excellency. And that, for

some obscure reason, he omitted to do.

Now, would you excuse me? Two more

sessions and it's finished. Will you not

stay to dinner? Uh, thank you. No, I I

have some drawings to do before dark.

No, you may not be an artist, your

excellency,

but you do know something of what it

means to be one.

Why does he have to be such a boore? We

do everything to show him that we like

him, that we admire his work. The reason

is, I think, that he feels socially

inferior. Well, he is, of course, need

to emphasize the fact. Yet, at the same

time, as an artist of great talent, he

believes himself superior, and he can't

help showing that. It makes it extremely

awkward and very uncomfortable. No

doubt. Um, I'm glad not to be in his

position.

Nevertheless,

Anna, like a fellow, my occupation's

gone.

Do you mean you won't finish it? Not

only that, my love, I shall never paint

again. Oh, Alexa, you enjoyed so much.

No longer.

You see, I am not like Golanv. By no

means,

friend. Golanv talks about his writing,

his great

work. In reality, he has nothing to

say. So, he pretends that his theories

are not yet matured, that he's still

working them out, collecting material,

and so on and so

on.

Selfdeception. He'll never do anything.

Well, I may be like him in that, never,

but I cannot deceive myself if I can't

do a thing. Well, at least to my own

satisfaction. You were satisfied. So was

I. But when Hilof proved us wrong, not

only by what he said just now, but by

the example of his own

work. I suggested he should give me

lessons just to see what he'd say. I

already

knew. So I've had my lesson. One was

enough, and I've learned it.

Poor lesson. Does it make you wretched?

What a scrap.

What can you do?

Well, one thing's certain. I must do

something.

Anna, would you like to go back to

Russia?

Would you?

So would I.

Where in Russia? First to Petersburg.

Petersburg. Oh, for a week or so. I'll

have to see lawyers, people, my brother

about our property.

I can see Sio. Of course. Then we can go

to the country to my state of Ostraans

for the summer. As long as you

wish. Oh,

Alexa. Petersburg.

Where should we stay? I thought the

hotel develop together. Uh, no, not

quite. Could have rooms for you and the

baby and your women on one floor and

rooms for myself above or below. What

does it matter not far away? Well, I

dare say I can put up with that for a

week or so. As long as you love me.

No, you needn't

answer. I know you do.

[Music]

Been so Happy here, Alexe. So

happy. If this were the end of it all, I

know it won't be. But if it were, I

should be

content. These few

weeks, it meant more to me than the rest

of my

life. And if it does end and I go on

living to become an old

woman, a tedious, ugly old

woman, I should still be

happy, proud.

Because once you love me

[Music]

At least she wasn't so brazen as to

write to you.

I don't think I have the right to refuse

her. My dear friend, you never see evil

in anyone. On the

contrary, but would it be Christian to

deny her? No. No. There are limits to

everything. Immorality one can

understand, but cruelty is another

matter. Above all, cruelty to you.

Who shall cast the first

stone? She loves her

son. But can I refuse her the right to

see? But is it love? Is it sincere? And

if it were, have we the right to work on

the feelings of that little angel? He

thinks she is dead. What will he think

if he sees her?

I hadn't thought of that.

No, no, I cannot advise you to allow it.

What would it lead to? Further suffering

for you, torture for the child. If she

had a grain of humanity in her, she

would not wish it

herself. And with your permission, I

shall write accordingly.

Madame, to remind your son of you might

lead to questions on his part. Questions

that could not be answered without

implanting in the child's soul a spirit

of condemnation towards what should be

sacred to

him. In the circumstances, I beg you to

interpret your husband's refusal in the

spirit of Christian love.

I pray to Almighty God to have mercy

upon

you. Oh, that

woman only had written directly to him.

But the chi, a hypocrite, a lying

hypocrite, the devil talk of almighty

God. She doesn't care for Serio, not two

straws, and I am not to see him because

she says so.

Well, we shall see about

that. Madam, is something wrong? Wrong?

Damnably wrong. But we shall put it

right. I want a carriage now. Yes,

madam.

No, wait a moment. I have a better idea.

Order a carriage for tomorrow morning at

7:30. In the morning? Sharp? At 7:30?

Hey, Castle. Good morning.

My god. Is Serio still in his old room?

Yes, but

[Music]

Sa wake up.

Susha susha.

Darling, wake

up. Wake up.

I knew it wasn't true. I knew you'd be

here. Did you? Did you, darling? Of

course. It's my birthday. You're always

here on my birthday. I'll get up now.

What are you crying for? I'm not. Not

really. It It's just that it's such a

long time since I've seen you and and

you've grown. Just a few short months.

What a huge great boy. A huge monster. A

giant. A terrible ogre. A dreaded troll.

No. No. A disgusting elephant.

And I should think you might have known

better. You know the situation.

Everybody in the household knows the

situation. Who pays your

wages? Hey, an Akatna. Or is it

Alexanderich? You should not have let

her in. Like the rest of us, you know

quite well, the master goes into the

boy's bedroom every morning at 8:30

precisely. Wouldn't surprise me to see

you dismissed. So what if I am 10 years

service and nothing but kindness from

her? You've had the same. So there's no

need to put that face on. Some people

know which side their bread is buttered.

But as for me, if I go, I go. And if he

goes, I go, too.

But of course, mama. I knew he'd be

here, so I've worked it all out. When

we've had coffee, we'll go for a ride

together in the park. And then No, my

darling, you mustn't think of it. Why

not? Cuz I shan be able to stay. I only

came just for a moment because I wanted

to. Now you're here. You must stay.

Oh, I keep shooting the

pen. It is 8. What of it? At this

precise hour,

Alexander, I thought I should tell you.

Sorry.

I shall have to go. No, mama. No, don't

go. He won't come just yet.

Are you afraid of him sometimes? Well,

you mustn't be. He loves you. No. Oh,

yes. And you must love him. He's better

than I am, and he's kinder. No. Yes. And

I have been wicked to him. When you're

grown up, you'll understand. No one is

better than you. Oh, my darling. It's

good that you should think so. But

Goodbye, my son.

Let me go. Let me go.

prosperity. Yes, but only on the surface

to be assessed only by rising prices on

the stock

exchange. While the makers,

no

creators, not the country's wealth.

Well, well, what? You were looking at

me. How did you know? I always know.

I didn't mean to interrupt you. No.

What were you thinking? Never mind. Go

back to your

writing. Don't let me distract you. But

you do. And you see, I have all these

little holes to cut out. It's

astonishing. Respectable people mend

holes and you make them on purpose. Oh,

Costio, you know perfectly well. Look,

there's just a little curl.

What were you thinking?

Well, if you must know. Yes. Yes, I

must. I was thinking

[Music]

about the back of your

neck and willing you to turn around and

you did

of all the adorable

creatures. What have I done? What have I

done to deserve such happiness? It's not

natural.

Yes, it is.

Come in.

Kosma's home. And for once, he hasn't

forgotten anything, including the

mail. Two for me, Costa. From Amar and

Donnie. The rest are yours. I've laid

tea on the terrace. Will that suit?

Thank you, Agarthia.

Costia,

is anything the matter?

It's

this. It's about my brother

Nikolai. It's a It's from that that girl

of his, Marsha. He says he's desperately

ill in Moscow. No, no, he he'd accepted

a a position at Kursk. He quarreled with

his chief. He was on his way back to

Moscow. They've got as far as a place

called Tula there in some hotel there.

She

says he is at death's door. He always

talks of you and we have no money left.

Cosia, that's dreadful. When shall you

go?

Tomorrow. I'll come with you. No, no,

Kitty. My brother is dying. I have to

go. But why should you? For the same

reason. It's out of the question.

Why? Why is it out of the question? What

makes you say that? The Lord knows how I

shall get there. What the the ins will

be like on the where you go, I can go.

And what? Think for a moment. That woman

will be there. I I can't allow you to

associate. All I know is that Nikolai is

dying and that you're going I'm going to

be lonely. Go back to Moscow for a

while.

Now you're accusing me of being mean and

selfish. But you're wrong.

I just feel it's my duty to be with my

husband. But you won't see that. You

don't want to understand. Kitty, you

don't want me. So why did you marry me?

Why did you If you regret it,

Kitty. Kitty. My darling. My darling.

It's no use. I thought you promised we'd

share everything, the good and the bad.

Kitty. Kitty. I'm only thinking of you.

That's my duty to think of you. You

don't trust me. You don't love me. Don't

say that. It's not true.

Kitty.

Oh, Costia. I'll do whatever you

[Music]

say. But I am going with you.

More tea, Alexe.

Thank you. No.

Well, mama, I must leave now. If there's

anything I can do, I shall be in

Petersburg for a while. Thank you. No,

Varia looks after me very well. That is

Hermetier looking after people. If it

weren't for her, I shouldn't be alive

today. And if it were not for Yes, mama.

Nothing.

Nothing. Nobody wants my opinion. Who

listens to an old woman? What do you

wish to tell me? Tell you?

Since when have I been able to tell you

anything? And you don't need my advice.

You wouldn't take it before. So why

should you now? I should like to hear

it, though. Very well. You're going to

the country. Quite soon. Then make it

quite soon. For you to be seen strolling

about Petersburg out of uniform, no

longer an officer in the Imperial

Service, to be denied the court, to be

observed walking openly in the streets.

Please, enough. Am I now to apologize?

By no means. Your advice is excellent,

and I shall take it. Very well.

I shall be in my room, Varia.

Are

you Alexa?

Alexa, you know how fond I am of you. I

believe so. But I cannot do what you

want. No.

You mustn't think that I criticize Anna

or venture to judge in any

way. Perhaps in her place I'd have done

the same. I can't tell. But as things

are, as things

are, haven't we got beyond these ancient

conventions?

Haven't we progressed at all? Not in

society. Oh, but I don't expect it to be

received at court, and she wouldn't wish

it. But surely our intimate

friends. Understand this, Faria. If a

divorce can be arranged, Anna and I

shall be

married. Until then, I consider her as

my wife, and I expect those who say they

are fond of me to do so as well.

No,

Alexe, we must recognize

facts. You want me to go and see Anna to

invite her here to rehabilitate her in

society? It can't be

done. For your brother's sake and for

the sake of our daughters growing up for

the sake of their future.

No. The rules of our little world. The

rules are nothing but a sham. And you

know that

Anna is no worse than dozens of women

whom you do receive. And she's better

than most because at least she's honest.

Alexa, don't be angry with me. Please

try to understand. Oh, I do understand.

And I am not angry with you. I'm just

sorry because this means breaking up our

friendship. No, Alex and perhaps a great

many others. My dear mother, for

instance, do you think that I don't know

what she was as a young woman? Doesn't

everyone know? And wasn't she all smiles

and approval? When Anna and I first came

together, she said so herself to me. A

fashionable liaison with a married

woman. Quite the thing for a young man

as long as it doesn't become serious.

And didn't the whole of your respectable

society think the same? Doesn't this

sort of hypocrisy sicken you? Well, it

does me. It makes me want to vomit.

Goodbye, Valia.

So just a little princess.

pretty as a princess ought to

be. What of you to come? Now, you're not

very comfortable here, I'm afraid. We'll

soon alter that. Now,

Marsha, has the doctor been to see him

today? No doctor at all. No money for a

doctor. Cost you. I'll go once. Yes. And

on the way will you see the manager?

This room must be thoroughly cleaned.

And Marshall, would you fetch the

chamber made?

Oh, and a waiter. Say we want to order

some special food. I have no money. All

right, I'll see you tonight.

[Music]

Stay away. Stay away.

[Laughter]

Yes, I'm

sure you're glad to be back in

Petersburg, even if it doesn't mean

living in a hotel. It is a very good

hotel. Oh, the best. Precious, of

course. But how I envy the opportunity

to visit Venice and Rome. Naples. A

delightful romantic honeymoon in Naples.

What could be more blissful? Florence

was more blissful. More so than Naples.

Impossible. Oh yes. To tell you the

truth, Betsy. Beautiful it may be, but

Naples smells. Poor smelly old Naples. I

am disillusioned.

But Florence smelly too. Oh, but our

villa there was high on a hill. It was

two or three miles from the city. I

could have stayed there forever.

And your portrait was painted by Mihalo.

Did I? Yes, you told me in one of your

letters. Did he make love to you? Oh,

yes. Anna, with his paints and brushes.

Yes, in its way. His painting was an act

of love. Indeed, I long to see it. Oh,

Alexe had it sent directly to Vriens.

But when you come to visit us there? Ah,

yes, but the country hardly, my millia.

Well, now is it, Donna? You know that

for me, civilization ends at the edge of

Petersburg. Anything beyond is quite

barbaric.

Heavens, I must fly. Will you not stay

and dine with us? I want you to see my

little Annie. She's grown too, dear. But

no, I have 10 appointments and I'm late

for every single one of them. Then I

certainly mustn't keep you. You haven't

told me about the divorce. When's it?

Alexi, I did so hope to see you. Betsy,

I am glad you came. Well, I ignore the

conventions as you are aware, but plenty

of starchy people won't until you are

married, and that's so simple nowadays.

I was just asking, dear Anna, about the

divorce. No divorce, Betsy. What? It

isn't possible.

That That is a pity.

Alexe. Oh, I have to go now. When do you

leave Petersburg? Friday. So soon,

Dece and I I'll be in touch. Perhaps we

can meet. I hope so.

Yes. Well, I'll see you to a carriage.

Oh, no. No. Truly, there's no need. No.

Then at least as far as the staircase.

Anushka. Dear Betsy.

Yes, madam.

Would you take that away and wash it

thoroughly?

Yay, oh master, Lord our God, hearken

unto me a sinner and thine unworthy

servant in this hour. Deliver thy

servant Nikolai from this intolerable

sickness which holdeth him in bitter

impotency and give him rest with thy

souls in glory. For thou art the repose

of our souls, and of our bodies, and

unto thee do we ascribe glory to the

Father, and to the

Son, and to the Holy

Spirit, now and ever, ages unto

ages. Amen.

It's all

over.

Quiet. This is soon.

[Music]

My poor Costa.

Is everything done?

Thank

God. Thank God. You say thank God so

easily. But why should we? For releasing

Nikolai from his pain. Who inflicted

that pain to begin with? Tell me that.

Oh, cost. Dear Kitty, I don't mean to

offend you. It's just I thought so much

about death. I thought about it.

I don't know if it leads to anything.

You know it does. Do I? You saw his

face. In the end, he was reconciled. He

was looking forward to the end of it

all. More than that, I

think.

Dearest, I'm not clever like you. I

don't know anything about logic or

philosophy or much about

religion. But isn't it possible that the

body suffers because the soul is

fighting to break

free as my body must suffer pain? And I

welcome

it because I'm going to create a new

life.

I do not know. Are you sure? Quite quite

sure.

Madame, your health and yours, Prince.

Although, if you were any healthier than

you are now, I hate to think what might

happen. Probably explode.

That is something I should like to see

from a safe distance. So, you see, Anna,

to avoid that unpleasantness, he drinks

like a fish and sits up all night

smoking and gambling. Yash, I refuse to

drink to your health, but here is good

fortune. Yes, I drink to that.

Valid yourself. Oh, not that I hope.

Servants are so expensive to keep these

days.

By the way, I ran at Princess Betsy

today. Oh, did she know you were coming

here? I told her. And what did she say?

A great deal, as usual. Chiefly, she

wished me to know she admires you and

loves you dearly. In short, she's your

best friend. Oh, I thought everybody

knew that. Then she gave me a message

for you. She hopes you'll come and visit

her. How very kind. Between 6:30 and 8

this evening.

That's interesting to be so precise

about the time.

I'm sorry, but between 6:30 and 8 is

just the time I cannot go.

I suppose you're going to the opera.

Patty's benefit night. An opera? Do you

mean a real opera? All that standing

about and people balling their beards

off. I mean, a fat man and a fat woman

screaming into each other's faces at a

distance of 4 in for 3 hours. Tonight, I

believe it's only songs. A recital

accompanied on the piano. Ah, the piano.

I can just tolerate the piano. Will you

come, Anna?

I should like to very much if I had a

box. Oh, then you must come with us.

Indeed, yes. And Prince Yashbin, too.

Delighted.

Oh, that's splendid. I should love to

come. It's a long time since I've heard

Patty sing. Box four. We'll meet you

there. Now, come along, you two rep

probates. Anna, we must fly if we're to

get changed and get there in time. Very

well. I will see you later. Madame, a

great pleasure to have met you again.

Oravoir, Prince, take care of your

health. Russia needs men like you.

Until you get a house, this could be

your little son. As a SW,

are you really going to the opera? Is

there any reason why I shouldn't?

Anna, for heaven's sake, you know you

can't go.

Are you going? No. You don't wish to be

seen with me. It isn't that cuz it's not

that. Don't you really? I don't care to.

Am I a freak? I can't be seen in public.

Or do you think I ought to be ashamed to

show myself? Well, let me tell you that

I am not. Not for one

moment. No matter what I've done, if it

were all to do again from the beginning,

I would do the

same. What do I care for other people?

For me, there is one thing that counts.

The fact that we love each other. Or is

that no longer a fact for

you? Why don't you look at me?

I am looking at you and I see everything

in the world that I care for and that I

hold most dear. Now this you must know

because of what I do every day to prove

it. And I am thinking only of you when I

beseech you. I entreat you not to go to

the opera with Paula, with Petritzky,

Yashin, your very good friends, all

three accepted everywhere in society.

What could be more innocent and more

trivial? Explain to me. Explain in

simple terms why I should not go. Very

well. It's Patty's benefit. It's a great

occasion. Everyone in Petersburg will be

there except you.

And I am afraid for you.

I'm afraid that if you do. Is that you,

Anuska? Yes, madam. Well, come in then.

About this evening, madam.

Would you draw me a bath, Anushka? I

will come directly to choose a gun.

[Music]

Don't jumb.

[Music]

Good evening, your excellency. Let me

take your

things. Long time since we saw your

excellency, but you chose a good night.

Occasion pityless beginning. She's in

fine voice. Yes, I

[Music]

[Applause]

am. Thank you.

Well,

Roski, soldier or no, soldier, you're

still part of the old set, come and see

us at the regiment. Can't let you off

without a supper. Thank you, K. I'd like

that very much. You'll have to excuse

me, though. My mother's here, and I

still haven't paid my

respects. Disgraceful.

Disgraceful? Is it not enough that we

should be forced to sit next to that

that hold? I wish. You wished. Now you

insult me, too. Give me my cloak. We

shall leave at once. At once, do you

hear my journey?

Damnation.

Where's Bronsky?

You know, Colonel. Well, I think it's

time you paid our respects to Madame

Karina. Well, not I, old man. I mean,

much as I'd like to, it can't be done.

Not in my position, you know.

Alex, where have you been? Did you see

what happened? No. What? It was mean and

hateful. Madame Katifa behaved

abominably. She insulted Anna quite on

purpose. Did she indeed? Her husband

spoke a few words to Anna by way of

Alasha. Dear boy, mother, how nice of

you to come.

I have a charming young girl with me

who's pining to meet you.

My son

Kronky, the princess.

Mario, of course. Will you come,

princess? There are so many people I

want you to meet.

Should you not be over there with your

peculiar friends being court to Madame

Karen? Ask you. No, but why not?

She's given us a

sensation. Patty is extinguished.

Famous Primadana's nose is quite out of

joint. Excuse me.

Shall we leave now? The music is

tolerable. As for the company, I find it

nauseating.

May I bring my wife to see you? We go to

the country tomorrow.

Ah, pity.

I shall always remember your

kindness. And I think we should go.

I know.

It was your

fault. It was all your fault.

Mine? When I begged and implored you not

to go, I feared it would be unpleasant.

Unpleasant? It was

dreadful. As long as I knew the rush and

never forget it. She said it was a

disgrace to sit beside me. Silly woman's

chatter, that's all. And she called me a

filthy name out loud in front of

everybody. Why did you risk such a

thing? Why did you provoke it?

I am to blame. You should have been

there beside me to protect me. Yes, I

should have been. But you weren't

because you don't love me. No, no, you

don't. Ever since we came here, I've

been alone. You go out to see your

mother. Vari, your friends. Tonight in

the theater, I saw you with the girl.

The Vava girl. How often have you seen

her? Your mother wants you to marry her.

Is that it? Well, do so then. Do so.

She's pretty and she's rich and she's

not a harlot.

Anna, peace. Quiet.

If I don't love you, why am I here? And

why am I dressed like this? You see, you

regret that. What a

scrap. I owe more than you regret

everything you've given up for me. You

said this evening.

Yes, and it was

true. Even

Sera Oh, Lexi, I've been so wretched

these last few days since I've seen him.

You saw him? Why didn't you tell me?

I realized that I'd never see him

again. Never. You should have told me.

Yes.

I was afraid to. You seem so cold. I

thought you might think me tedious.

Oh, you silly.

If you don't tell me your troubles, how

can I comfort

you? We are one

person, man and

wife. No, we're much more than that

because we only have each other.

So,

no more secrets.

Love

me. Love me, Alexe. That's all I

ask. Love me. All would be

well. Heat. Heat.

[Music]

Heat.

Heat.

[Music]

Heat.

Heat.

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

Ugly. Ugly. That's what weeping does for

you. So, no more

tears. It's

over. Lydia Ivan, she will make sure of

that. She and

Alexe. Between them, they'll teach my

son to hate me.

Come in.

Baby's dressed. Ma'am, can you take her

now? Thank you.

Oh, good.

Nurse Pepper. Yes, ma'am. Is everything

satisfactory? Have you settled in as

well as it can be, man, in a foreign

land you're not used to? Yes. Yes, of

course. But you'll soon get the way of

it. How are things between you and

Sasha? Is language a difficulty? Not

really. Of course, she hasn't a word of

English. And although I picked up quite

a bit of Russian in my last place. Oh,

yes. Yes, of course. With um Princess

Galinsky in London. Does that not help?

It doesn't seem much good without Sasha.

But there she's a sort of peasant, isn't

she, ma'am? More like a more like a car

really than a civilized woman. However,

as long as she does things my way and

keeps herself clean, we'll get along

very well. Yes. Yes, of course. You'll

let me know if you need anything. Yes,

ma'am.

Thank you.

Oh, we have got a dragon, haven't we?

English drill sergeant. She'll keep us

in order. She'll tell us what to do.

Oh, you are beautiful.

I do love

you. It's just it's

Serioa. I never see him again.

Never. But perhaps for him that would be

best. So I must think of that. Not of

myself. And you'll help me, won't you?

Y

[Music]

[Music]

No, I always give readyade dresses to my

maids for Christmas. I mean, and at

Easter,

you see her, Garia, the gem set in

perfectly well without your water. We

use water always hand. Well, it's much

better if you go.

No, Kitty, you forget your condition.

That wouldn't be easy.

I'll do

it. How the children will lick this up

with their tea. You know, Garia, when we

were young, we couldn't believe the

grown-ups despise this gum. We thought

it was the best bit of the jam.

When it begins to set, it's ready. Just

boil it up a little longer. Garia,

Jack these

flies. Whatever I do, it won't make any

difference.

Be careful, dear. Not too close to the

heat. Well, too long already, if you ask

me. Oh, it'll keep all the better. You

know that your ice has begun to thaw

very early.

Mama, Kitty's badly in need of a really

cold store room. We must speak to Costa.

Oh, it smells delicious. And I'll tell

you something. Mama says your pickling

is so good. She never tasted better. You

needn't try to console me, Mom. Ah,

here's the master.

No, Mom. Just a look at you and him

together. That makes me happy.

Please take my advice and cover the jam

with paper soaked in rum. They'll eat

perfectly well even at night out. Oh,

this heat cost just too energetic for

me. We've walked all over the home farm

looking at wagons. Do you good, my love?

How do you feel? Very well. Lady Mamar

insists on treating me like an invallet.

How did you get on? I'm very pleased.

The new wagon sold three times as much

as the old car. Good. That is very

peaceful. Where are all the children?

Out in the woods with Miss Pool and

Rossina. Let's take them for a bait

after tea. Dolly approves.

How's the jam, Agaria? How's the new

method suit you? Better with water. Keep

an eye on it, will you, Mom, while I

fetch out the pots?

It's wonderful, isn't she?

I do believe she accepts me at last. She

dotes on you and so do

I. By the way, I had a letter today for

my sister Anna.

Yes, she's at

Vricensky. Splendid estate, I hear,

though I haven't been there myself.

Splendid, I'm sure. It's only a matter

of 20 miles from here, Levan. Do you

know? No. Anna's heard that we're all

staying with you. She'd appreciate a

visit from any of us that care to go

over. No doubt. Are you going, Steven? I

can't, I'm afraid. Not yet, anyway. Oh,

you know I have to leave tomorrow. Ah,

yes. Yes, of course. I'd I'd like to

visit your sister, but Kitty mustn't

travel. I should think. In any case,

quite out of the question.

I shall go. Surely, my dear. I shall go

because Anna is my sister. But apart

from that, I feel sorry for Anna and I'm

fond of her. She's been a good friend to

me. So, Costa, if you'd be so kind, may

I have the use of a carriage tomorrow?

Yes. Yes, of

[Applause]

course. It's Dolly. Alexa, it's my

dolly.

[Applause]

Dolly, Emma,

you have no idea how pleased we are to

see you.

Thank you for your welcome. Now, Anna,

where should we put the princess? The

big balcony room, I think. No, no,

that's too far off. She'll be better in

the corner

room. Dolly, this is Count Petritzky.

He's a rogue and a wretch, but he's our

very good friend. Pierre, my

sister-in-law, Princess Oblonsky.

Enchanted Princess.

Now, come along. Come

along. How is your journey? Well, I'm

very tired.

Alexe, tell everyone that Dolly is here.

We'll meet at lunch.

There. Will this do? Is this all right

for you? It's extremely elegant.

Oh, it is lovely, Anna. Everything about

this house is quite

beautiful. And you you have a

view. Isn't that charming? Oh, indeed.

Yes. Alex's grandfather built the house.

Afterwards, it became dreadfully

neglected. But Alexe, I didn't expect

it, you know, but he became enamored of

it. And when he puts his mind to it, he

says, "There's nothing he can't do. Not

just the house, the whole estate. He's

planned, organized, become the perfect

landowner. The servants cottages, the

stud for raceh horses, everything is

designed economically. He reckons every

penny. But surely he's a rich man. Oh,

yes. Yes. When it's a matter of tens of

thousands, he doesn't think of money.

The latest thing is a hospital for all

the local people. He's building it

himself. I mean, with his own money. He

has an architect, of course, a clever

little man. You'll meet him. But all the

ideas are his own. You do love him.

You're happy.

Are you

surprised? Do you wonder how I can be

happy in my position? Well, all I can

say is that I am. Especially since we

came here. Something magical has

happened to me. It's like waking up

after a horrible dream and finding your

terrors no longer exist.

Do you think me wicked?

No. Why haven't you written to me? Oh, I

wanted to. I hadn't the courage. Hadn't

the courage to write to me?

people. Many people whom I thought of as

friends have not been kind, especially

in Petersburg. Yes, I imagine so. I've

always thought the people of that sort

would make things hard for you. Yes,

Dolly.

Hard. You know the saying as cold as

charity. Well, I have suffered much

coldness and I've had little charity.

But you can't have imagined that I could

be like that. Oh, perhaps not. But you

begin to be afraid that everyone you

like will turn out to be an enemy. I

could never be that.

No. Then tell me, tell me honestly. What

do you think of me? I don't think

anything. I've always loved you. And

well, if you love someone, you love the

whole person just as they are, and not

as you'd like them to

be. All your sins, if you had any, would

be forgiven for this visit and for what

you've just said.

She's

enchanting. Oh, you're delightful and so

advanced. Is she really only 8 months?

Yes. Yes. Although it seems a lifetime,

says,

"Well, that's one nightmare at least

that's over."

What I was wondering

was, is she completely wean? I think you

want to know something else. Her name is

Anna after me, but we call her Ani. As

for her surname, she has none. Legally,

I believe she's a Kenian, and that

worries Alexe. Not you.

Well, we'll talk about it

later. Darling dear, this is nurse

Peppa. She's come all the way from

England to rule over us. Nurse, this is

my sister-in-law, Princess Oblonsky.

Pleased to meet your highness.

I'm not a royal. Just say, ma'am, nurse,

as you do with me. Very well, ma'am.

How often must I tell you? When the

child dribbles, wipe her

face. Heavens, woman, won't you ever

learn?

See? Have you brought up the

wind? How many teeth has she got? Let's

see. Uh, three, I believe. Oh, no.

Excuse me, Mom. Four. Oh, really? Yes.

Came through two days ago. Look.

What a clever girl.

Dolly, I think we better go now.

[Music]

Yes. It is often a grief to me that I'm

so useless here in the nursery. It

wasn't like that with my first child. I

should have thought. Oh,

no. By the way, I've seen Serioa. I

have, but I'll tell you all about it

tonight.

Meanwhile, ah, what is

it? What on earth are they doing? It's a

new game called Lord Tennis. The English

invented it a few years ago. And Oh,

they must be very frivolous people. All

they seem to do is play childish games.

My nurse Peppa isn't frivolous, and any

game she played wouldn't be childish.

Anyway, lawn tennis is all the rage,

even in America, I believe. and here.

Well, our friends like it. So do I. Do

you play? Indeed I do. And so shall you.

I

never

change. Oh, come on, Dolly. Oh, Dolly.

Good shot. Yes.

Johnny over again.

154.

Oh, our game. We won. You see, I said it

was impossible. It only needs practice

and certain gifts which I don't possess.

Will you forgive me if I stop now? No,

by all means, let's both stop. Oh, no.

Please don't.

Paula, come and beat the invincibles.

I'm prepared to try. Much as I adore

you, Baroness, this is a question of

skill. So my partner must be Anarchy

Ednner.

To play this superb game, one must be

inspired, I dare say. But when Pierre

and I play together, we do nothing but

quarrel. What you need, my boy, is a

little less inspiration for more

concentration. We'll take you on.

Yes, Anna. Isn't it usual to spin a coin

for

partners? Heads, tails.

We'll show them who's invincible.

Shall we spin for service?

In our circle, you know, certain

freedoms are permitted.

You wish to sit down or shall we stroll?

There's something I want to say to you.

Then stroll by all means. Nice.

Ready.

[Applause]

Ready.

Would you like to walk on or should we

sit here? Thank you.

As you can see, Anna is very happy. But

will she remain so?

We're bound together for life.

Everything that we hold

sacred. We have a

child. We may have other

children. The law is such that the

implications are intolerable.

My daughter is not my daughter but

Karen's. The law says

so. Someday we may have a son and by law

he would be a

Karen. He would not be heir to my name

or property.

The prospect is so bitter that

uh well, I've tried to talk to Anna

about it, but after everything she's

been

through, all she wants is to forget the

past and ignore the

future. She simply closes her

eyes. And I mean really closes her

eyes. I can see you've

noticed. Well, I understand

why. Besides, there's another thing that

affects me. It's quite wrong for a man

to idle his time away. He needs an

occupation. But I hear you have so many.

The hospital, district affairs, all the

committees, improving the farms. It's

good work, honest work, and I'm proud to

be doing it. But Anna, do you

mean are you saying that she objects to

your being so occupied?

No. No, not that. It's not that at all.

The point is this. I

want children to inherit what I have

made. I want children of my

own. I can see the feelings of a man who

knows that his children will not be

his, that they will

legally belong to a man who must hate

them. Now, can you imagine anything more

terrible? No.

No, I can't.

and count your blessings, princess.

Indeed, I try to

advise your good husband to do the same.

How can I help you?

Do you know that in order to adopt a

child, you must petition the Zar?

No.

And before you are allowed to petition,

a divorce is essential. And that depends

on Anna. On Anna? Yes. Karen agreed to a

divorce. I thought Stea had arranged it.

He had practically, and I feel certain

Karen wouldn't refuse. Now,

he said plainly that if she expressed

the

desire, he would agree. It's only a

matter of writing to him. Then why? But

it it is Anna who must

write.

Anna. And he knows very

well that she can't bear even to think

of him.

And yet she is the one who must write

and appeal to his

generosity. There's a sort of stubborn

cruelty in that man. Well, then she must

write, however painful it may be. You do

see

that. It's vitally important for her

that she

should, as it is for me.

And you want me to try and persuade her.

Dolly, I'm clutching at you quite

shamelessly

in the hope of salvation.

Then I will try. Of course I

will. What puzzles me though is why she

doesn't think of it herself.

Yes.

Well, Dolly, I've had a delightful day.

Tomorrow, it will be even better. We

will go around the hospital and the

stables. No, I I'm afraid not. I have to

leave tomorrow. No, no, please. Truly, I

must. It's the children, you know. Oh,

yes. Yes, the children. And Kitty's got

enough to do. Well, there's my mother

and other guests. Steve sends his love.

He hopes to be able to see you soon. I

shall like that.

Tell me about Kitty. Is she still angry

with me?

Angry? Oh no. And she is happy. I hope

so. They say Levan is a very nice man.

He's much more than very nice. I don't

know a better man. And they're going to

have a baby. Oh, that is good. I am

glad. Much more than very nice. What do

you mean by that?

He's Well, he's a sort of saint. What?

But a warm saint. A warm saint. I like

that. He's kind, generous,

quick-tempered. He affects to deny

religion. A saint without religion. It's

strange, isn't it? And yet all his ideas

and his actions are those of a Christian

man. Fortunate kitty indeed.

Yes. But Anna, tell me about

yourself. There's such a lot I want to

hear. I've had a talk

with with Alexe. I know. I saw you

walking together while I was playing

that absurd game.

So what did he say to you?

He said that he suffers on your account

and on his own well egotism if you like,

but a noble egotism. He wants to make

your daughter legitimate and to be your

husband. He is my husband. But legally,

Anna, it's so important for you and for

your children. What children? Why,

Annie? And the others that will come. I

shall have no more children. How can you

know that? I shall not because I don't

intend to.

But

Dolly, are you really so ignorant?

Oh, well, I was too, but after my

illness, I spoke to the doctor, the

specialist, and he told me of certain

means by which a woman can avoid

conception.

Impossible. Haven't you ever wondered

why some women never have more than one

or two children?

Yes. Yes, I have. But but I thought it

was nature was kind sometimes perhaps.

But science is more

reliable. Oh, you are

horrified. It is quite harmless, you

know.

But isn't it immoral? Why? Don't forget

I have a choice of two alternatives.

Either to be with child, that is an

invalid, or to be the friend and

companion of my husband. practically my

husband. For you there might be

objections, but for me, remember I am

not his wife. He loves me as long as he

loves me. And how am I to keep his love

like

this? Think of your life, Dolly, before

you condemn me. Oh, I don't condemn you.

It's just that Why should I wish for

children? Think what they would

suffer. By the very fact of their birth,

they're forced to be ashamed of their

mother, their father, their very

existence. But isn't that exactly why

was I given intelligence reason if I

must not use them to avoid bringing

unwanted children into the world? I was

going to say, isn't that why you should

get a divorce if it's possible?

Yes, if it's possible. But surely your

husband consented. Stea told me. I don't

want to talk about it. Why not,

Anna? Why not? I'm sure you look too

much on the dark side. I try not to look

at all. But you ought to do everything

possible so that you can marry K

Romansky. Then if you have children, the

children he so desperately wants. What

can I do? Nothing.

You tell me to marry Alexe, do you

imagine that I don't think about that?

Not one day, not one hour passes without

my thinking about it. I try not to

because it may drive me mad.

Drive me mad. So I can't sleep for

thinking. So I take

morphine because you know we must

sleep. But the trouble with

morphine

lord whatever you take

it. Never mind about that. Let us talk

calmly about divorce. In the first place

my husband would not agree. He did

though. Oh not now. He's completely

under the influence of a religious

fanatic, a woman called Lydia Ivanov. He

won't consent. You can but try. Suppose

I do. What would it mean? I hate him.

Yes. But I accept the fact that I've

wronged

him. So I depend upon his generosity and

I humiliate myself by writing him a

begging letter. Then what happens? I

receive either an insulting refusal or I

get his consent. Good. I get his

consent. But my son

They will never let me have

Serioa and he will grow up despising me

in the house of his

father. He will know finally that I have

abandoned him. Oh, Anna, surely this is

happening in any case. No, it's not

final. As long

as Dolly, please understand

this. I love two people equally, I

think, but both more than myself. two

people, Alexe

Serioan. I love only these two and the

one excludes the other. I can't have

both, but I need

both. So, nothing matters.

Nothing. It will all end one way or

another. I don't know how, although

sometimes I think I

do. But that's why I don't like to talk

about it.

So don't reproach

me, don't judge

me, and above all, don't advise me

because there is nothing you or anyone

else can

do. Good

night. Good night, D.

Did you have a talk with Dolly at great

length?

You do like her, don't you? Yes, I do.

She's a kind-hearted woman with a great

deal of common sense.

Well,

So, you've decided to go. It was decided

weeks ago. I hoped. I just thought you

might change your mind. You know, that's

impossible. You have said that several

times. The elections are so important

that you have to be there. Why are they

so important? But for me? Well, yes, for

you. Have I not told you that, too? I

don't remember.

Then I'll remind you these are the

nobility elections in our province. And

for various reasons, they've attracted a

lot of public attention. Eminent people

will be there from Petersburg, Moscow,

even from abroad. We are to elect a new

marshall, and as one of the leading land

owners in the province, it's my duty.

Ah, that's it. Now I remember. I know

duty came into it somewhere.

Will there not also be concerts,

dinners, balls? I believe so.

A miserable day.

How long will you be gone? Uh, four or

five days. And four or five nights?

Naturally. And then

I beg your pardon? How soon before you

go away and leave me again?

Well, I shall have to go to Moscow quite

soon to see about the house. Oh, yes.

Yes, the house. That is if you still

want to spend the winter there. If you

go to Moscow, I shall come to I will not

stay here alone. There is no question of

that, isn't

there? Won't there be other duties? Yes,

you'll come home for a day, but then

you'll go again the way all men do.

Tell me about the elections. Do the

other men take their wives? Some of

them, I suppose. Yes. So they can go to

the concerts and the dinners and the

balls? Alex, I have to tell you

something. We must either separate or we

live together all the time. I agree,

Anna. And you know, you know that is all

her desire. But to make it possible, I

must get a divorce. Very well. Very

well. I will write to him. I will. I

will write. But when you go to Moscow, I

will come too.

You make it sound like a threat.

Alexe. Alexe.

Dear

Alexe, take

care. Come home safely. Oh my dear love,

I'm sorry. I'm

sorry. Why do you hurt yourself so much?

God with you.

And with you, Anna.

Alexa, excuse me. He insists on seeing

you. I told him you were

occupied. He knows quite well. Yes, but

Serio, come in. Come

in. Come along, boy.

You know you can see me anytime you

wish. Thank you Far.

Is something a miss? Yes. Well, tell me

then what is it? It's about her castle.

Is it true that you're sending him away?

Sending

him? Not exactly. No, we agreed

mutually. I do think he wants to go.

Does he say so? Even if he has agreed,

he doesn't want to. And I don't want him

to. So why must he go? Well, we've that

is I've come to the conclusion that now

that you're at school, there's no need

for a tutor. Oh, you can be coached in

certain subjects by specialists in those

subjects. Well, that's my intention, my

uh scheme, so to speak, for your future

education. But you said yourself, Papa,

only the other day for my Latin, French,

and German. Excuse me for interrupting.

Do you really think that a young boy can

be expected to judge what is best for

him?

No, certainly not. Serious, this cannot

be discussed any further. I've made my

decision and I wish to hear no more on

the subject. But what will happen to I'm

sure that your dear papa will not be

ungenerous to an old servant.

An emotional attachment of that sort a

little undesirable.

You were so well advised to be rescued.

I

uh I would like you to see this.

So finally and at last she begs for a

divorce. Have you made up your mind? Not

yet. I have

to take into consideration the

implications. All the implications. The

circumstances are considerably changed.

Indeed, they are, my dear friend.

Moreover, if I may presume, you will

wish to seek guidance.

Guidance? From the being who never fails

us when we seek his counsel and

blessing.

Well, we must keep you no longer from

your valuable work. Yes, thank you.

As

always, I've obliged you.

utterly hopeless. What is that? Well,

oh, that's not it. At home, as you know,

I'm always busy at time for everything.

But here in Moscow, I have nothing to

do, so nothing gets done. Oh, poor old

Costia. Sometimes I'm sorry I agreed to

stay with Mamar and Papa. No, no, Kitty.

I should have been perfectly all right

in the country. You would be much

happier. No. Never once since our

marriage have I been anything but happy.

Truly. And it's safer for you here.

Would it be soon now? Very soon, I

should think.

You're not frightened. Not a scrap.

I am.

Well, if anything happens, you know, I'm

dining out with Ste at the club. You'll

send for me at once. Will you do that?

If you wish it. I do. Though I believe

at these times husbands are better out

of the way. I'd like to be with you all

the time. All the time. The question

here is no. That would never do. Well, I

suppose not. But don't

forget, it's my baby, too.

I shan forget that.

How was your visit with your godmother?

Well, for her age, she's wonderful.

Still adors company in her little salon.

Papa was amusing on the way home. He

said godmother will insist on sending

out her own funeral invitations. You

know the princess Maria Berice at home

2:30 till the resurrection.

Who was there?

Among others Count Bronky.

What did you speak with him? Of course,

dearest.

Oh,

Costia, I want to tell you about this

because it's important. It isn't. It

isn't to me. Oh,

yes. When Papa and I arrived, he was

there. And for a moment, just for a

moment, Costa, I was

embarrassed. Papa was wonderful as he

would be. He went at once to speak to

him while I talked to my godmother.

And

suddenly, suddenly I realized I felt no

emotion at all, only

indifference. Costier, it was such a

relief to know that I could meet him and

smile and chat as if we were strangers.

No, better than that. Slight

acquaintances.

What did he say? He mentioned Dolly and

Stea and you Costia and me only to say

that while we were in Moscow he'd like

to meet you again. Did he? And then he

went away and all I wished was that you

could have been there not in the same

room but but watching through a crack in

the door.

I'm glad. I'm glad I was bound to meet

him. You know, it might have been

awkward.

You saw him as an enemy. Yes, I I did.

How did you know? And and to have an

enemy, Kitty, that's a dreadful thing.

Oh, some men relish it, I

think. But not you.

Not you. Thank God.

No, she finds plenty of things to do.

She's developing new interests, new

resources, and herself. Yes, I know. She

told me about them, but you feel

underneath all that she feels depressed.

Well, it's not that she's depressed

exactly, but sometimes she is, but it's

this damnable uncertainty. No, don't go,

Levy. Now, this is one of my old and

true friends. I know you're both

acquainted with each other, but you must

know each other

better. You're both such splendid

fellows. I insist upon your friendship

for each other. Well, I think that

settles the matter, don't Yes, there's

no doubt about it. I'm delighted.

Well, come off to you. Uh, Steph,

another bottle of champagne, sir. The

white seal. Thanks.

I um I hear your horses did well this

year. Two Imperial prizes, no less.

Well, I've been very lucky. Nonsense. He

trains them himself. That's right. I

heard you had an English trainer. Yes.

An excellent man by the name of Cord.

Unfortunately, he died last winter, poor

chap. So, Bransonsky, you don't trust

anyone else. Perhaps. Am I correct? Do

you keep horses? Ah, no. My my father

did. So, I know a little of the

mystique. I'm a farmer. So, I

understand. What sort of farming?

Nothing very special. Everything from

oats to turnipss. But if I do have a

particular interest, it's with kettle. I

started some years ago with local stock,

but they did poorly. So I I imported

some

fian breed. But I've been crossbreeding.

Last year I bought myself a red short

horn buller. The stocks improved

enormously. You're talking farmer shop.

I thought you would.

Quilt. Here's to friendship, amity,

fraternity, fellowship, and brotherhood.

Um, friendship, amity, fellowship, and

fraternity, and brotherhood.

Sound like a pack of fox. Have you been

to England once? He's been to England,

France, Germany, the Netherlands, but

he's never met my sister, Anna. I'd like

you to Levit. Shall we go and see her?

By all means. Oh, she'd be delighted.

Look, I'd come with you, but I'm very

worried about Yashin. He gamles. Now,

it's understating the case. He's in

there now throwing his money about like

a drunken sailor. Oh, he's losing then.

Well, he was when I last saw him, and

I'm the only one who can keep him in

check. Well, um, let's finish the bottle

first. There may be another one.

What do you say?

I'll go and tell her you're here. Yes.

Yes.

I brought my old friend to meet you.

It's

beautiful. Beautiful.

You think

so? How good is it to come? I can't say

how pleased I am to meet you at last. I

feel most honored. It seems as though

I've known and liked you for a long

time. Oh, because of your friendship

with Stea and of course for your wife's

sake. Is everything well with her? Oh,

so far all is well, thank you. I'm so

glad. Shall we go in here?

Oh, yes, indeed.

This is my little English companion,

Susan Cord. How do you do? How'd you do,

sir? Would you go into the drawing room

and order tea for us? Say in 10 minutes.

For real, ma'am.

Hello. Did you say cord? Yes. Yes. The

daughter of Alex's trainer. It was very

sad. The family was quite destitute when

he died. There were two older brothers

and a child, so I took them under my

wing.

The older boys are at school now and

they're doing well.

Please sit down.

Le, you know By, don't you? Yes. Yes,

indeed. You publish my brother's books.

I have that privilege. Anna, may we

smoke? Oh, this is Alex's study here. We

all smoke like fiends if we want to. Oh,

do sit down. Stea, I think you'll find

cigars over

there. Thank you.

Constantine Dimmitri was very taken with

Mikailoff's picture. Who wouldn't be?

It's a good piece of work. I was greatly

favored, you know, because he's quite

given up portraits. Artists are perverse

creatures. We should pass a law

compelling them to do what they do best.

Well, if I'd painted a masterpiece like

that, do you know what I'd do? What

would you do? Well, obviously I could

never improve on it. So, I'd bundle up

my brushes and my colors and throw the

lot into the muska.

In Mikail's case, it would have to be

the Arno. Ah, poor man. He's an unhappy

exile. Not smoking. Leaven Ronsky keeps

an excellent cigar. Ah, no. Thank you.

Tony, when does Serge's book come out? I

asked him, but he said only you could

say. Early Spring, we hope. And speaking

of books, I was about to tell Levan why

I'm here this evening. No, you mustn't.

I forbid you to mention it. Nonsense,

Anna. It's very credable. Anna is

writing a book. It's a story for

children and vodka if he's interested in

publishing it. That's wonderful. Surely

you're not going to object. I intend to

persuade her. I assure you.

See, Freddy ma'am, shall we go into the

drawing room?

Now, going back to what you were saying

about authors. Oh, yeah. Well, that was

a joke. Yes, but still. Yes, but still

there are authors, you see, and some of

them very good authors. So, and their

work sells everywhere. So, you're a

writer? What they do? I find that

enormously interesting. I write for the

same reason that I read. I adopt orphans

and I embroider handkerchiefs.

I have nothing useful to do. Surely

writing is useful, providing it's

creative.

Shall I tell you about my writing? It

reminds me of those little baskets that

convicts make in prison. A woman I know

was chairman of some society and she

used to sell them to her friends. The

prisoners, you see, they had nothing

useful to do in their cells. So, they

made these

objects. They're useless

objects. They're miracles of patience.

Come in.

Just to wish you good luck, Kitty dear.

Thank you, mama.

I know you're going to ask me how I am

and if anything's happening. I'm very

well, and it isn't. Well, you would sin

for me at once if anything. Of course,

mama. Yes.

By the way, is Costa not home? No. Oh,

tell me it's 10:00. I know. P came home

from the club an hour ago. Did he see

Costa? Well, of course he was with

Steve. Really? I think it's rather

shameful to leave his wife alone for so

long with anything. I'm not alone. The

house is full of people.

Anyway, I'm going to bed

now. Good night, mama.

Good night, my darling

child. All the same. I do think this is

nice.

Well, fellow, what did I tell you now?

Honestly, wasn't I right? She's a

remarkable

woman. Clever,

intelligent, warm-hearted.

I feel dreadfully sorry for her. So do

I.

Please God, it'll soon be

settled. Go. I'll drop you off on my way

home.

Young

man living a good young man loves his

wife. Look in his

eye. So why, Alex? Why?

Alexa, can't you

see? I must not be left alone.

Kitty,

did you have a pleasant evening? Not

bad. Not bad at all. What about you? Oh,

delightful. Dolly came to dinner. Oh,

good. She and Mar talked of nothing but

babies for 2 hours. Oh,

what about you? Oh, you know, and I I

was steamer at the club. Your papa was

there in great form. He really is

absolutely Yes, I know.

I met met Fr. Oh, we got on very well.

Oh, I'm glad. Of course, I'll avoid him

as much as I can,

but there won't be the constraint. Good.

Good.

I suppose we drank a good deal. They do

drink there, you know. They talk about

the peasants drinking, but really I

don't know who drinks more, the common

people or our own class. Peasants drink

more at holiday time. Where did you go

after the club?

Ste. Steven had a plan. He insisted that

we went to see his sister Anna Ardona.

Oh, now you won't be angry. I know.

Steven implored me to and Dolly, as you

know, would always You like her? She's

charming.

Very charming.

And very much to be

pied. She sent you her good. Oh, did

she? Did she indeed?

What's the matter? You've fallen in love

with that hateful woman. Yes, you have.

I can see it in your face. She's

bewitched you. She bewitches everyone.

Where will it end? You go drinking and

drinking at the club and and gambling.

Yes. And then you went to her to Anna of

all people. I thought you knew about

her. She's she's fatal.

Kitty, what is What is it? Are

you

castier? If you love me, you do love me,

don't you? No, I do. Of course I do.

Then I think you're better send to

Petro.

These are the midwife.

Stupid and perhaps the

doctor. Don't be

frightened.

Please. You mustn't be frightened.

I'm not

afraid. I'm not a bit afraid.

What about your mother? No. No. Don't

disturb her. Fetch my maid and send for

Elizabeth.

Oh, God. Have mercy on us. Pardon us and

help us. Pardon us and help

[Music]

us. Heat. Heat.

[Music]

Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

[Applause]

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

This is a patron. Thank God. God, I was

afraid my message hadn't got to you.

When did it begin? An hour ago. A whole

hour. Is that all? She's in pain.

Probably not. You'll find the doctor at

home, but there's no hurry. There's no

hurry. You can take my sleigh.

Get some lordinum at the chemist. Lord

Well, what's happening? Still

knitting. I think you should persuade

her to lie down. It will be easier. Yes.

Yes. All right,

Lord. Is it enough?

Plenty.

Kitty,

what is it, dearest? Don't you think you

should?

I

mean, do we should lie down

or at least sit down? Oh, well, if it'll

keep you from worrying. Nothing will do

that. Well, you must try because it may

be ours yet. Ours? And you'll wear

yourself out. What do I matter? The

whole world to me.

Costier, I want to tell you something.

I know what I have to endure and I'm

ready for it. I long for it because I

want this child and the others that will

come if God wills. If God wills.

Yes. I heard you praying. God have mercy

upon us and help us. You

said you said it 50 times. Whatever it

means. I think it means that when you

get to the end of your

rope, you stretch out a

hand because you know there's another, a

stronger hand waiting for you to grasp

it. I don't know. Who does? Knowledge

has nothing to do with

it.

Anyway, what I was going to say is

this. I'm completely confident and

happy. But if anything should go wrong,

no, no, no, it

won't. But, but if it should, I want you

to know that for me, this

year, this marvelous, wonderful year

we've had

together, it's been worth a whole

lifetime. Here's the doctor, come the

good soul. Well, there's nothing for him

to do. And your mother's up and would

like to see you, of course. And your

father's up and dressed and walking

about downstairs.

Would you not like to go and keep him

company?

Bless you, my dear.

[Music]

There. There my darling.

Soon enough. Soon.

[Music]

It's horrible. Excellent. Excellent. I

never realized that.

Calm yourself, my dear sir. What's

happening? Exactly what always happens.

Everything is quite normal. It's not

true. That can't be true. I must see

her. Let me pass. No, no, no, no, no.

Far better not. She doesn't need you and

there is nothing that you can do. She

come to die. Of course not.

Excuse me, please.

As you know, Costa, I am a temperate

man. But on these occasions,

no, my boy, I insist.

Very good. Here's the baby rolling. Now

come that up. Very good. And one costume

[Applause]

look a beautiful day.

[Music]

Alive. Alive. And a boy. Kitty. Kitty.

No. No.

You can go in now, costume, and see for

yourself.

[Music]

Fine, son.

Constantine. Just talk at that for a

voice. What did I tell you? Everything

normal.

Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you.

[Music]

Satisfactory.

Well,

Costa, don't you think I'm a clever

girl? All these months, not one word. I

was persuaded against my will to write

and what

happens? Nothing.

Yes, it's an intolerable situation. It's

not that I mind so much about the

divorce. But surely you still It matters

a great deal to Alexe. He's restless,

out of sorts.

Why don't you go to the country? Dolly

said you were both so busy and contented

there. Well, we mean to go, but somehow

we find it hard to make decisions. And

then Alex's mother, there's always some

little thing or other that she wants him

to do for her.

More tea. Uh, no more. No, thank you.

The countest lives out of Moscow,

doesn't she? Yes, at Oberalovka. Do you

see her? Oh, you know better than that.

So, nothing

changes. Sometimes I think it never

will. But it occurred to me that as

you're going to Petersburg anyway, you

want me to see your husband? Would you?

Yes. Yes, of course. Tell him he must

make up his mind. Tell him I don't care

what he decides, but we must have a

definite answer. Oh, I hope I'll do

better than that.

Now, I must

go. Is there anyone else you'd like me

to see in Petersburg? Princess Betsy.

Oh, if you see her. Oh, but I forgot.

She finds you attractive. Yes, I know.

And I can't help flirting with her and

making improper suggestions, which she

adors. Indeed, she does.

It's always rather embarrassing cuz in

fact, I can't stand the woman.

There is someone else I would like you

to see. Yes,

Serioa. See him if you can. Find out if

he's well, if he's happy. I want to know

all about him. That's a tall order. Yes.

I want to know how much he has grown,

whether his teeth have straightened out.

There was one at the front on on the

left

side, and whether he's getting enough

fresh air, exercise. He needs that,

especially the riding because he loves

it so

much. and whether he's got anyone to

play with. Make silly jokes about

monsters and dreaded ogres.

And of course, he hasn't.

Steve, I I want to know if he remembers

me.

Is my father at home? He is. Yeah. Good.

You tell him, please. I should like He's

engaged. I have my school report. He

always likes me to Who's with him?

Your uh uncle, Princess Blonsky. Who?

Oh, my uncle. Yes,

Uncle Stephen. Of

course. Well, I dare say I can wait for

once,

but my main object incoming.

Well, I want to talk about Anna.

Oh, what is it you wish to say? If you

would seen her all this winter, her

position is impossible. literally awful.

I was under the impression that your

sister had everything she desired. Now

you know what she's waiting and hoping

for. I understood she declined to

divorce if I insisted on keeping the

boy, and I do so insist. But the matter

is closed. Then I beg you to reconsider.

I consider it closed. She herself asked

for nothing. But I, her brother, and her

friends, all those who love her, beg and

implore you. What is the point of making

her suffer? Who gains by it? You're

putting me in the position of a

defendant. No, not at the least. All I

am saying is that her position is

unbearable and only you can alleviate

it. And what can you lose by doing so? I

shall arrange everything so you won't

even notice. Now remember, you did

promise. Yes, I promised. Well,

then perhaps I did not have the right to

give that promise.

But you contribute. That would be

inhuman. Well, as to that,

I you profess yourself a freethinker. I

as a believer cannot go against the

teachings of Christianity. But in

Christian societies, divorce is allowed.

In Russia, it's sanctioned even by the

church. Maybe not in a case like

this. I can't help remembering how you

forgave everything. You forgave Anna,

forgave even Fransky. Surely this was

the true Christian spirit guiding you.

You set yourself there. You said if a

man will take thy coat, let him have thy

cloak also.

I insist that you drop this subject. I'm

sorry. I have no wish to distress

you. I must think it

over. I must seek guidance.

The day after tomorrow, I shall give you

my final answer.

Well, that's all I wanted to hear, but I

hope it'll be good

news. My coke

peta. Hello there.

Well, do you know who I am? Yes, uncle.

Good. You haven't changed much either.

Oh, bigger, of course, and a good bit

stronger. I shouldn't wonder. I am

pretty strong. Not as strong as Winsky,

of course. Who's Binsky? The school

Hercules. Will you call him Sam? Sam?

Sure for Samson?

But I can stand under my hands and he

can't. Well, done you. Look, I'm just

going. Will you see me out?

What else do you do at school? Work. Oh,

work. Of course. Any games? We have a

new one now. When it rains and we can't

go out. It's called Railways. How does

that go? Well, two boys sit in a bench.

They're passengers. Another one stands

up on the bench. All the others lift it

up. We go tearing through the rooms. We

open the doors first, you see. I should

hope so. Good sport. Yes. You have to

watch out when the train stops all of a

sudden or when someone falls down. But

that's no joke. I've been the guard

three times. Ah, you're a warrior.

Thank you. I'll carry them.

Yes, you're a warrior. Oh, I wish your

mother could Do you remember your

mother? No. No, I don't. Why should I?

Leave me alone.

Goodbye. Sure.

And then I thought, why go on waiting

here for a decision? Won't you do just

as well in the country? I can't wait any

longer. And why should we? Don't you

agree? I do indeed.

What did you do at your dinner party?

Who was there? Oh, usual crowd. Yashlin,

Garvin, Vinowski. Few men I didn't know.

provincials. I think no women.

Yes, there was one. One a dancer. No,

not quite. Nobody's in Moscow not

content with an excellent dinner and

good company. They always have to

introduce something ridiculous.

Well,

um, the Queen of Sweden's pet gymnast.

Well, lady gymnast. There's of a sort

hideous tough old bird. She was too.

Well, when are we off? And that's too

absurd. What did she do?

Gave a display of her art, if you can

call it that. Exercises. Most energetic.

Disgusting.

Well, not really. It's rather tedious,

actually.

When are you thinking of going? Um, the

sooner the better. Not tomorrow, I'm

afraid, but I could be ready the day

after. Good.

Oh, now wait a moment. That's Monday.

I'd have to see my mother. I'm sorry.

Oh,

tell me, is the Princess Sorin still

with her?

Yes, I believe so. I see.

Could you not see your mother tomorrow?

Sunday? No. The business is to do with

the power of attorney, and the money

won't be ready. Oh, then we we won't go

at all. Why ever not? I shan go any

later. It's Monday or it's not at all.

Why ever not? Because you don't speak

the truth. Yet, you're always boasting

of your honesty.

I never boast and I don't tell lies. And

it's a great pity if you can't respect.

Respect was invented to cover up

indifference. If you don't love me

anymore, say so. Tell me to my face that

at least will be honest. This is beyond

endurance. Whatever I do, whatever I

say, you make an excuse for a quarrel.

Look, I have a great deal of patience,

but by God, it has its limits. What do

you mean by that? You seem determined to

tear us both to pieces. And I cannot

stand it any longer. I will not tolerate

suspicion and abuse without any reason.

And you just tell me plainly and without

any hysterics. What is it you want? That

you shouldn't desert me as you are

thinking of doing. I can see it. I can

see it in your eyes. Hatred, the desire

to be rid of me. You ask what I want. I

want nothing but your love. And that is

gone. So everything is over. It's

finished.

Look, madam, you've thrown this out, but

I think it should be kept. Do whatever

you like.

Anushka. Yes, madam. If K Ronsky wishes

to see me this evening, would you ask

him not to come in? I have a bad

headache.

Yes, it's

over. Must end it. How? Where am I to

go? Seriously, if I

could No, no, no, no, no. It's

impossible for

you. For you, I nearly died.

I should have died then. I wanted to. I

prayed to

die.

Alexe. Oh, Alexe would have been sorry.

He would have mourned for me perhaps

forever. But now, now would he

mourn? Would he pity me? Would he suffer

if

I Is that the solution?

And what then?

[Laughter]

Wicked man. Wicked. You don't improve.

That's

Petersburg. Anytime I'm in danger of

improving, I catch the afternoon train.

Not Steven.

So it's you

princess yourself.

Tell me. What news of your poor sister?

Well, you didn't look at me like that. I

thought she did a very fine thing. Come,

Stea, tell me about her.

Well, her position is very difficult.

He should do what everyone else does

except me. Only they hide it when they

can. She did even better by throwing

over that half-witted Karen. Excuse me.

But I always maintain the man's a fool.

Everyone would insist that he's clever.

Not I. Well, I saw him yesterday and he

seemed to me to be greatly changed. For

the worse, if that's possible, it's

religion, you see, in Lydia. Yes, I'm a

little

puzzled. I saw him to get a definite

decision about the divorce. He said he'd

think it over. But now, instead of an

answer, I receive an invitation for this

evening from um Countest Lydia. Exactly

what you would expect. They're going to

consult Londo. Londo? Who's Who's Londo?

Well, a mystic if that's the word.

Londo, let me tell you, used to be a

shop assistant in Paris. One day, he

went to see his doctor and fell asleep

in the waiting room. In his sleep, he

began giving advice to the other

patients and they took it to They took

him for a saint. A what? A saint. Count

his bezub as one of them. She took him

out, brought him to Russia. Now he's

making his fortune, treating them one

and all. Well, they do say he's

handsome. Yes. Well, that's as maybe.

But naturally, Lydia has to be smitten

with his lawn, though. He's a religious

mystical healer, you see. And now

neither she nor Karen can take any

decisions without consulting him. Good

God. So, your poor sister's fate is now

in the hands of a French shop assistant.

so lucky for you to be able to meet him.

Who knows whether another opportunity

will arise? I am honored, counties. We

all are, especially those privileged to

call him

friend. So gifted a person is rare

indeed.

I introduced you to him as Mondoto. He

is Count Bezub. I beg your pardon. He

completely cured the Countess Bezub. So

she adopted him. She did what? As her

son and he doesn't care to use the

title. The worldly honors, titles and

such. They mean nothing to him. Nothing

at all.

The Countest Bezub was here today. Poor

thing. His departure is a terrible blow

to her. Is he really going? Yes. back to

Paris. He heard a voice yesterday. A

voice?

Oh, a voice. Yes. Crying.

I'm so glad you came this evening to

renew our acquaintance. Our friends

friends are our friends.

My own belief counted. But to be a true

friend, one must enter into the

spiritual state of one's friends. I'm

not quite sure if I should follow that.

And you must ask yourself, have you done

this in the case of Alexe

Alexanderich? You follow me?

No, not not entirely counters, but I do

understand his position. You should

realize that a great change has been

accomplished in him. Yes, I have thought

since his misfortune. The change is not

external. His heart has been changed.

Ah, yes. And what you would call his

misfortune, that has proved to be the

greatest blessing now that his heart has

been made a new and is filled with

purity and

grace. Surely such changes are a matter

so private that not even one's intimate

friend should speak of them. No, on the

contrary, only by speaking freely can we

help one another.

I uh I think he may wish to sleep now.

Excuse me,

master. I did not wish to disturb you.

Will you sit here with us?

Pay no attention. He prefers not to be

observed during meditation. Who does

counties? So does his meditations are

not of the intellect only. No, they're

part of a profound religious experience.

I have noticed that Moscow people, the

men especially, are extremely uh

indifferent to religion. Oh no,

counties. Moscow is full of staunch

believers. But you're not one of them.

Are you not indifferent?

How can anyone be indifferent?

I let me say that I suspend

judgment. I hardly think the time for

such questions has come for me as yet.

We can never tell when the time has

come. Well, it's not for us to think

whether we are ready or not ready. God's

grace is not guided by human

considerations. No, sometimes it comes

not to those who strive for it, and yet

comes to those who are unprepared, as it

did to Saul of Tarsus. Saul? Oh, yeah.

The essential thing is not to close

one's eyes to the light. Oh, if you knew

the happiness we know, feeling his

presence ever in our hearts.

But supposing a man feels himself

unworthy to rise to such heights.

But you mean the consciousness of sin

holds him back? That's a false idea. You

see, there is no sin for believers.

Their sin has been atoned for. Faith is

all faith without works. Now, if I

remember the catechism, it clearly

states that the epistle of St.

Nothing holds men back from belief like

that misinterpretation. The fallacy of

that text. I have no works, therefore I

cannot have faith. Are you saying that

ethics, the way we behave and so on have

they nothing to do with religion?

Nothing to do with faith. To labor for

God with works, to save one's soul with

fasting. These are the crude ideas of

our monks. It's all fast, simpler, and

easier. You see, we are saved by Christ

who suffered for us. We are saved by

faith. What you're saying then is,

forgive me if I got it wrong, is that it

doesn't matter how badly a man behaves

or what harm he may do so long as he's a

faithful Christian.

I

mean, what I mean

is he's

sleeping. Give him your

hand. Gently.

That

man, the one who came

last, the one who wants to

know. Send him away.

I'm sorry. Yes. Please come back

again tomorrow.

Please send him

away. Let him be gone.

[Music]

Alex.

Alex. He didn't

come. I said he was not to to come,

but if he'd love me, he would have come

anyway.

No, no, no, no. It's

finished. What is left to

us?

Punishment.

How? It would be

easy. So

easy. No.

No. At

least not yet.

No,

no, I'm to blame.

If I were kinder to him. If I were more

[Music]

loving.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

[Applause]

Yes. Uh, probably Tuesday. So, will you

see that all Anie's clothes are clean

and packed by tomorrow? Yes, ma'am. What

about the winter things?

Take enough with you in case we have a

late frost. Very good, madam.

Is that all

for the moment?

Yes. I I will see you later.

[Applause]

And the post has arrived, sir. And

there's a telegram from Petersburg.

Thank you.

Any answer, sir? Uh, no, not yet. M.

Good morning. Morning. Some coffee here

for Madame. Thank you. No,

your headache. Quite better. Quite

better. That's good. I'm just off to

Aubber. I have these papers for my

mother to sign. Now, she can send me the

money later. That means we can leave

tomorrow. So, it was possible after all.

But I doubt if I can be ready now.

Who was your telegram from? From Steifa.

Why did you throw it away? Because it

annoyed me. Steifa has a passion for

sending telegrams. Why telegraph when

nothing is settled about the divorce?

Yes. She

says could get nothing definite out of

him. Promises definite answer tomorrow.

I'll read it to you, sir. Definite

answer tomorrow.

very little hope that we'll do

everything possible and impossible.

Well, I would say that that's as nearly

settled as anything can be. If so, you

can understand why I was vexed. Not I

imagine on my account.

For us both. As I said yesterday, I

don't care when I get the divorce or

whether I ever get it. So why are you so

concerned? For your sake, whether you

wish it or not, that of the children we

may have. If it's only that you want

sons to carry on your name. I said for

your sake,

most of all for your sake. You think I

can't see why you get depressed and

miserable? Why you're so irritable and

ready to quarrel for the slightest

thing? It is all due to the uncertainty

of your position.

I am irritable. That can't be the

reason. I am entirely in your power.

What is uncertain about that?

When you say such things, Anna, I begin

to despair.

As far as we are concerned, you and I,

there is no

uncertainty. That in your imagination,

there is. You imagine that I consider

myself free. Well, as far as that goes,

you can set your mind at

rest. It's a matter of complete

indifference to me what your mother

thinks or what girl she wants you to

marry. Ah, so it's that again. Precisely

that.

I told you at least 50. Let me tell you,

a heartless woman, mother or no mother,

is despicable. I want nothing to do with

her. Don't speak like that of my mother.

If a woman tries to undermine her son's

happiness, honor, I say it again, she

has no heart. It's enough, Anna. Enough.

Your mother be quiet. You dare me. I

picked you to insult my mother whom I

love and respect. You do neither. This

is all talk talk. Very well. It's quite

clear. We have to make up our minds.

Mine is already made up. How can we live

together

if we do nothing but quarrel? Who would

wish to?

[Applause]

You will be sorry for

this

damnation. I will not be threatened.

I shall go off the cup first and then uh

then I'll be station rest my things and

make sure the car is sent

back. Very good.

[Applause]

He's

gone. No, no, no. He He wouldn't go

without saying

goodbye. He has

gone

alone. He knows. He knows I'm mustn't be

alone. Can't be alone.

Is there anything I can do, madame?

No. Yes, I think so. Do you know where

the count has gone? First to the club,

he said, then to the railway station. He

left word for the carriage to return

directly in case you should wish to go

out. Then will you please send someone

to the club at once?

No.

Herman, would you go yourself if you

will? Would you tell him I must see him

urgently before he leaves for the

station? Would you tell him it's very

important?

No, can't be right. It's nearly an

hour. It's an

hour. A whole hour.

[Applause]

I must

think

think what to do what to do now because

he he's

the count had already left the club

madame so I went to the railway

Yes. The train was just leaving.

Did you give him my message? Uh, yes,

madame.

The count asked me to tell you that he's

sorry, but he cannot be home until

7:00. Anything else, madame?

Wait.

would you see that this telegram is sent

immediately at once? Madam

[Music]

[Music]

There's a good girl

is anything wrong, ma'am?

Wrong.

No. Isn't it time for his

walk? Beg pardon,

ma'am? Oh, stupid of me. No, no, he he

isn't here, is he? He's at school, of

course.

Annie looks very well, doesn't she? Yes.

Yes, she does. I'm happy to say. Yes.

But she will be all the better for a

breath of country

air.

Anushka.

Anushka. Are you sure? There has been no

telegram for me. No, madam. I just told

you. Well, go and No, no. What's the use

of that?

When is the next train?

Where to, madam? Where? To Alfka, of

course.

I'll find out. Yes. Yes. And order the

carriage.

Oh, he's there. He's calm. He's happy.

He's with the old woman and the girl.

He's making love to the

girl. I saw I saw them settling between

them this

morning. Doesn't care. Doesn't care how

I

suffer. But they'd be laughing together

the way they did this morning. So, I

shall go. I see him once more to tell

him how I hate him for what he's done to

me. Oh,

yes. Yes, that must be

said. And even supposing that I am

mistaken, that I only imagine horrible

things. So, I implore him to forgive me.

I confess myself in the wrong. What

then? It will all be the same the next

time. Worse each

[Applause]

time. Who can that be? Pretending to

know

me. Well, he doesn't. Nobody does. I

don't even know

myself. As the French say, I know only

my

appetites. Oh, we all want the best. But

if we can't get it, we take what we

can. Kitty.

Oh, yes. Kitty wanted Alexe, but she

couldn't have him. So, she's hated me

ever since. She hates me now. Even

though she's married to

Lev. Happily married. There is no such

thing. There's always jealousy, anger,

hatred. Yes, however it may begin, it

ends in

hatred. Oh, the quarrels are made up,

but he's unfaithful. over and over again

and her love turns to bitterness,

anguish. How can it be

otherwise? My own

husband, how he hates me. He has every

reason to, though God knows he's had his

revenge and I am

punished. But when I think about him,

the touch of him,

his

love, the end would have been the same

even if I had never met

Alex. So what is it I want? Divorce,

marriage. Oh, he'd go through with it

because he's honorable,

but the zest has gone out of it for him.

Oh, yes, that's quite clear.

and I if I could be anything but his

mistress. But I don't want more than

that. No. If we were married, he would

treat me kindly, gently, but only from a

sense of

duty. I would rather be hated outright,

honestly, as people hate each other all

over the world. It's the same

everywhere, always.

[Applause]

Heat. Heat.

Shall I take a ticket to Aubber?

What? Oh, yes, certainly.

I was thinking if it's not quite

essential for you to go to the country

tomorrow.

Mama, these appear to be in order, but

you can't sign them. Where do I sign,

dear?

There, there, and there.

I was going to say Alexi that on

Wednesday evening I'm giving a little

dinner party just the count and counters

Martnoff and the prince Sican of course

an attractive little thing is she not

and her fortune. Now mama I have already

told you.

Thank you.

Not bad news. I hope.

No, not

particularly. But I think I shall have

to get the next train back. Oh no,

that's too bad. Is it so important?

Yes, I have a feeling that it is.

[Music]

No, I never do. Huh? Well, not in

public, perhaps. That is precisely what

I was going to say. Excuse me, madam.

May I offer you a

ugly?

Ugly. Not only their faces or bodies,

they're ugly right through to the heart

and

soul. We are all created to be

miserable. So, we all invent ways of

deceiving one

another. Falsehood, deception, cruelty.

But when you are forced to see the

truth, what can you

do?

Escape. Heat. Heat.

[Applause]

[Music]

[Music]

odious vile.

[Applause]

[Music]

Ugliness

everywhere. A world full of hideous

people.

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

Oh god, where am I to

go?

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

There's nothing more to

do or

see. Why not put out the

candle? Heat. Heat.

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

Heat

up here.

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

[Music]