PRINCE SERGIUS (to SOPHIA KARENINA). Naturally you want him happy. But it's difficult for our hearts, wearied from the weight of years, to feel the pulse of youth and sympathize, especially is it difficult for you, my friend, who have schooled yourself to view Victor's happiness in a single way.... SOPHIA KARENINA. Oh, you're all against me. Do as you like. Vous etes majeur. (Sniffing into her pocket handkerchief.) But you'll kill me. KARENIN (deeply distressed). Ah, Mother, please. It's worse than cruel to say things like that. PRINCE SERGIUS (smiling to VICTOR). Come, come, Victor, you know your mother speaks more severely than she could ever act. SOPHIA KARENINA. I shall tell her exactly what I think and feel, and I hope I can do it without offending her. PRINCE SERGIUS. I am sure of it. [Enter FOOTMAN. Here she is. KARENIN. I'll go. (Goes to back of sofa.) FOOTMAN (announcing). Elizaveta Andreyevna Protosova. KARENIN (warningly). Now, Mother. [He goes out L. PRINCE SERGIUS rises. SOPHIA KARENINA (majestically). Show her in. (To PRINCE SERGIUS.) Please remain. PRINCE SERGIUS. I thought you might prefer a tete-a-tete? SOPHIA KARENINA. No, no. I rather dread it. And if I want to be left alone in the room with her, I'll drop my handkerchief. Ca dependra. PRINCE SERGIUS. I'm sure you're going to like her immensely. SOPHIA KARENINA. Oh you're all against me. [Enter LISA R. and crosses to R. C. (Rising) How do you do? I was so sorry not to find you at home and it is most kind of you to come to see me. LISA (R.C.). I never expected the honor of your visit, and I am so grateful that you permit me to come and see you. SOPHIA KARENINA (C.). You know Prince Sergius Abreskov? PRINCE SERGIUS (L.--Heartily). Yes, I have had the pleasure. (Crossing to her, he shakes hands.) My niece Nellie has spoken often of you to me. [Goes to L.C. LISA. Yes, we were great friends. (She glances shyly around her.) And still are. (To SOPHIA.) I never hoped that you would wish to see me. SOPHIA KARENINA. I knew your husband quite well. He was a great friend of Victor's and used frequently to visit us in Tambov, (politely) where you were married, I believe. LISA (looking down). Yes. SOPHIA KARENINA. But when you returned to Moscow we were deprived of the pleasure of his visit. LISA. Yes, then he stopped going anywhere. SOPHIA KARENINA. Ah, that explains our missing him. [Awkward pause. PRINCE SERGIUS (to LISA). The last time I'd the pleasure of seeing you was in those tableaux at the Dennishovs. You were charming in your part. LISA. How good of you to think so! Yes, I remember perfectly. [Another awkward silence.