Part 9 (1/2)

PRINCE ABReZKOV. And how about your religion?

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

[17] But it's beyond me!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

VICTOR [to Prince Abrezkov] Prince!

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

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

[18] You are of age.

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

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

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

PRINCE ABReZKOV. Of that I am sure.

Enter footman.

PRINCE ABReZKOV. Here she is.

VICTOR. I'll go.

FOOTMAN. Elisabeth Andreyevna Protasova.

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