Redemption and two other plays Part 14

[Enter VICTOR and MiSHA.

ANNA PaVLOVNA. I did want to see Lisa and the boy. So now, if you don't turn me out, I'll stay till the evening train.

KAReNIN. (L. C., kissing his wife, his mother and the boy).

Congratulate me--everybody--I've a bit of luck, I don't have to go to town again for two days. Isn't that wonderful?

LISA. (R. C.). Two days! That's glorious! We'll drive over to the Hermitage to-morrow and show it to mother.

ANNA PaVLOVNA. (holding the boy). He's so like his father, isn't he? I do hope he hasn't inherited his father's disposition.

SOPHIA KAReNINA. After all, Fedya's heart was in the right place.

LISA. Victor thinks if he'd only been brought up more carefully everything would have been different.

ANNA PaVLOVNA. Well, I'm not so sure about that, but I do feel sorry for him. I can't think of him without wanting to cry.

LISA. I know. That's how Victor and I feel. All the bitterness is gone. There's nothing left but a very tender memory.

ANNA PaVLOVNA. (sighing). I'm sure of it. Lisa. Isn't it funny? It all seemed so hopeless back there, and now see how beautifully everything's come out!

SOPHIA KAReNINA. Oh, by the way, Victor, did you get my wool?

KAReNIN. I certainly did. (Brings a bag and takes out parcels.) Here's the wool, here's the eau-de-cologne, here are the letters--one on "Government Service" for you, Lisa---- (Hands her the letter. LISA opens letter, then strolls R, reading it, suddenly stops.) Well, Anna Pavlovna, I know you want to make yourself beautiful! I must tidy up, too. It's almost dinner time. Lisa, you've put your another in the Blue Room, haven't you?

[Pause.

[LISA is pale. She holds the letter with trembling hands and reads it, KAReNIN seeing her.

What's the matter, Lisa? What is it?

LISA. He's alive. He's alive. My G.o.d! I shall never be free from him.

(VICTOR crosses to LISA.) What does this mean? What's going to happen to us?

KAReNIN (taking the letter and reading). I don't believe it.

SOPHIA KAReNINA. What is it? (Rising.) What's the matter? Why don't you tell us?

KAReNIN. He's alive! They're accusing us of bigamy! It's a summons for Lisa to go before the Examining Magistrate.

ANNA PaVLOVNA. No--no! It can't be!

SOPHIA KAReNINA. Oh, that horrible man!

KAReNIN. So it was all a lie!

LISA (with a cry of rage). Oh! I hate him so! Victor!--Fedya!--My G.o.d!

I don't know what I'm saying. I don't know what I'm saying.

[Sinks in chair down R.

ANNA PaVLOVNA (rising). He's not really alive?

[Lights dim and out.

CURTAIN

SCENE III

The room of the examining magistrate, who sits at a table talking to MeLNIKOV, a smartly dressed, languid, man-about-town.

At a side-table a CLERK is sorting papers.

MAGISTRATE. (sitting R. of table R. C.). Oh, I never said so. It's her own notion. And now she is reproaching me with it.

MeLNIKOV. (sitting C. back to audience). She's not reproaching you, only her feelings are awfully hurt.

MAGISTRATE. Are they? Oh, well, tell her I'll come to supper after the performance. But you'd better wait on. I've rather an interesting case. (To the CLERK.) Here, you, show them in.

Clerk. (sitting C. facing audience). Both? Excellency. Magistrate. No, only Madame Karenina.

[CLERK exits L. I.

CLERK (calling off stage). Madame Protosova, Madame Protosova.

MAGISTRATE. Or, to dot my i's, Madame Protosova.

MeLNIKOV (starting to go out). Ah, it's the Karenin case.

MAGISTRATE. Yes, and an ugly one. I'm just beginning the investigation. But I a.s.sure you it's a first-rate scandal already.

Must you go? Well, see you at supper. Good-bye.

[Exit MeLNIKOV, R.

[The CLERK shows in LISA; she wears a black dress and veil.

MAGISTRATE. Please sit down, won't you? (He points to a chair L. C.

LISA sits down.) I am extremely sorry that it's necessary to ask you questions.

[LISA appears very much agitated. MAGISTRATE appears unconcerned and is reading a newspaper as he speaks.

But please be calm. You needn't answer them unless you wish. Only in the interest of every one concerned, I advise you to help me reach the entire truth.

LISA. I've nothing to conceal.

MAGISTRATE (looking at papers). Let's see. Your name, station, religion. I've got all that. You are accused of contracting a marriage with another man, knowing your first husband to be alive.

LISA. But I did not know it.