LISA. If you could persuade him not to marry me, you know I'll agree, don't you? I just want him to be happy. I don't care about myself. Only please help me. Please don't hate me. Let's do all we can for him, because, after all, we both love him. SOPHIA KARENINA. Yes, I know. And I think I love you too. I really do. (She kisses her. LISA begins to cry.) Oh, it's all so dreadful. If only he had fallen in love with you before you were married! LISA (sobbing). He--he says he did--but he had to be loyal to his friend. SOPHIA KARENINA. Alas, it's all very heart-breaking. But let us love each other, and God will help us to find what we are seeking. KARENIN (entering L. I). Mother darling. I've heard what you just said. I knew you'd love her. And now everything must come right. SOPHIA KARENINA (hastily). But nothing's decided. All I can say is, had things been different, I should have been very glad. (Tenderly.) So very glad. [She kisses LISA. KARENIN (smiling). Please don't change. That's all I ask. [Lights down and out. CURTAIN SCENE IV A plainly furnished room, bed, table and stove. FEDYA alone writing. At rise MASHA is heard outside calling "FEDYA! FEDYA!" MASHA enters R. I, crosses to FEDYA on bed C. and embraces him. FEDYA. Ah, thank Heaven you've come. I was wasting away in boredom. MASHA. Then why didn't you come over to us? (Sees wine glass on chair near bed.) So, you've been drinking again? And after all your promises! FEDYA (embarrassed). I didn't come over because I had no money. MASHA. Oh, why is it I love you so. FEDYA. Masha! MASHA (imitating him). Masha! Masha! What's that mean? If you loved me, by now you'd have your divorce. You say you don't love your wife. (FEDYA winces.) But you stick to her like grim death. FEDYA (interrupting her). You know why I don't want to. MASHA. Nonsense. They're right when they say you're no good. It's your mind that you can never make up comfortably causing you all the worry. FEDYA. You know perfectly well that the only joy I've got in life is being in love with you. MASHA. Oh, it's always "My joy," "Your love." Where's your love and my joy? FEDYA (a little wearily). Well, Masha, after all, you've got all I can give, the best I've ever had to give, perhaps, because you're so strong, so beautiful, that sometimes you've made me know how to make you glad. So why torture yourself? MASHA (kneels and puts her arms around his neck). I won't if you're sure you love me. FEDYA (coming closer to her). My beautiful young Masha. MASHA (tearfully, searching his face). You do love me? FEDYA. Of course, of course. MASHA. Only me, only me? FEDYA (kissing her). Darling, only you. MASHA (with a return to brightness). Now read me what you've written. FEDYA. It may bore you. MASHA (reproachfully). How could it? FEDYA (reads).