Part 8 (1/2)

”Rest here, just an hour ...”

Come along!

Curtain.

ACT III

SCENE 1

Prince Abrezkov, a sixty-year-old bachelor with moustaches, a retired army man, elegant, very dignified and melancholy-looking.

Anna Dmitrievna Karenina (Victor's mother), a fifty-year-old ”grande dame” who tries to appear younger, and intersperses her remarks with French expressions.

Anna Dmitrievna's sitting-room, furnished with expensive simplicity, and filled with souvenirs.

Anna Dmitrievna is writing. Footman enters.

FOOTMAN. Prince Abrezkov ...

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. Yes, certainly ... [Turns round and touches herself up before the looking-gla.s.s].

Enter Abrezkov.

PRINCE ABReZKOV. _J'espere que je ne force pas la consigne...._[8]

[Kisses her hand].

[8] I hope I am not forcing myself on you.

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. You know that _vous etes toujours le bienvenu_[9]--and to-day especially! You got my note?

[9] You are always welcome.

PRINCE ABReZKOV. I did, and this is my answer.

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. Ah, my friend! I begin quite to despair. _Il est positivement ensorcele!_[10] I never before knew him so insistent, so obstinate, so pitiless, and so indifferent to me. He has quite changed since that woman dismissed her husband!

[10] He is positively bewitched!

PRINCE ABReZKOV. What are the facts? How do matters actually stand?

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. He wants to marry her come what may.

PRINCE ABReZKOV. And how about the husband?

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. He agrees to a divorce.

PRINCE ABReZKOV. Dear me!