_Soph._ A friend of mine leaves for Odessa to-morrow to embark for America. Vera can travel with her, taking her maid's passport. She will be safe until to-morrow. The officers' ball, and some other matters, will keep Petrizoff occupied. I will arrange everything and send for her in the morning. _Adr._ Poor little girl! It will be hard for her, and her grandparents are very feeble. Dear old Petrovich! It will kill him to lose his darling. _Soph._ [_With concealed anxiety_] You--you are very fond of her? _Adr._ Yes. _Soph._ [_Bravely_] Perhaps you love her. _Adr._ I do. _Soph._ O! Then---- _Adr._ But it will be hardest for Korelenko. She is betrothed to him. _Soph._ Betrothed! Ah, to---- _Adr._ Alexander Korelenko. He is headstrong, and does not always understand. I'm afraid he will want to brave things out here. _Soph._ O, he can't! He must understand that he can't. That would mean the destruction of both. Could he not go with her? _Adr._ Perhaps. _Soph._ I can arrange that too, if he wishes. My friend was to be accompanied by a brother. He can go later. Tell Korelenko, and let me know before to-morrow. [_Re-enter Vetrova, right_] _Vet._ [_Respectfully_] Will the lady take a cup of tea in the garden with Catherine and my little granddaughter? _Soph._ Gladly. [_To Adrian_] She must know me. [_Vetrova holds the door open for her_] [_Vera's voice without_] O, you have come! This way to the garden. [_Vetrova closes the door and crosses to Adrian, who stands motionless, apparently not seeing Vetrova_] _Vet._ A sweet lady. _Adr._ [_To himself_] The princess! _Vet._ Eh, yes, she steps like one. But not so pretty as our Vera. _Adr._ [_Catching the last word_] Vera! Ah,--Petrovich, I've been thinking that the children ought not to be parted. _Vet._ You are right, Adrian Lavrov. _Adr._ And you would be willing to let Vera go with Vasil to Berlin? _Vet._ [_Astounded_] Go with him? My Vera? My little girl? Go away? Leave her old grandfather? I don't understand you, Adrian Lavrov. Let the boy stay with his sister. _Adr._ [_Putting his hand on Vetrova's shoulder_] That must not be, Petrovich. He ought to go. He _must_ go. He will be a great musician. God means it. There is no mistake about _him_. [_Leaves Vetrova and crosses to table where Vasil has been studying. Turns over the papers meditatively, forgetting Vetrova_] He will never write. He feels too much to articulate. But music--through that his divinity can flow. [_Takes up the book_] Bless the lad! He learns by leaps. [_Drops book_] And I must send him from me--my youth--my dreams. _Vet._ But not Vera! Not her! _Adr._ If she stays she will marry, Petrovich. And she must leave you then. _Vet._ No, no! Alexander has promised me that she may live with me till I die. [_Pleadingly_] Only till I die, Adrian Lavrov. _Adr._ [_Hiding his emotion_] Well, Petrovich, sufficient unto the day. Let us be happy till to-morrow. [_Re-enter Korelenko, right_]