KARENIN. Forgive me, Lisa. I only tell you this because I don't want to hide a single thought from you. I want you to know how bad I am, and what a weakness I've got to fight down. But don't worry, I'll get past it. It's all right, dear. (He bends over, kissing the child on the head.) And I love him, too. LISA. Dearest, I'm so happy. Everything has happened in my heart to make it as you'd wish. KARENIN. All? LISA. All, beloved, or I never could say so. [Enter the NURSE L. U. NURSE. Your secretary has come back. [LISA and KARENIN exchange glances. LISA. Show him in here, nurse, and take Misha, will you? NURSE. Come along, my pet. It's time for your rest. [Exit NURSE with the little boy, R. KARENIN (gets up, walks to the door). This will be Fedya's answer. LISA (kissing Karenin). At last, at last we shall know when. (She kisses him.) [Enter VOZNESENSKY L. U. KARENIN. Well? SECRETARY. He's not there, sir. KARENIN. Not there? He's not signed the petition, then? SECRETARY. No. But here is a letter addressed to you and Elizaveta Protosova. [Takes letter from his pocket and gives it to KARENIN. KARENIN (interrupting angrily). More excuses, more excuses. It's perfectly outrageous. How without conscience he is. Really, he has lost every claim to---- LISA. But read the letter, dear; see what he says. [KARENIN opens the letter. SECRETARY. Shall you need me, sir? Karenin. No. That's all. Thank you. [Exit SECRETARY. KARENIN reads the letter growing astonishment and concern. LISA watches his face. (Reading.) "Lisa, Victor, I write you both without using terms of endearment, since I can't feel them, nor can I conquer a sense of bitterness and reproach, self-reproach principally, when I think of you together in your love. I know, in spite of being the husband, I was also the barrier, preventing you from coming earlier to one another. C'est moi qui suis l'intrue. I stood in your way, I worried you to death. Yet I can't help feeling bitterly, coldly, toward you. In one way I love both of you, especially Lisa Lizenska, but in reality I am more than cold toward you. Yes, it's unjust, isn't it, but to change is impossible." LISA. What's all that for? KARENIN (standing L. of table C., continuing). "However, to the point. I am going to fulfill your wishes in perhaps a little different way from what you desire. To lie, to act a degrading comedy, to bribe women of the streets for evidence--the ugliness of it all disgusts me. I am a bad man, but this despicable thing I am utterly unable to do. My solution is after all the simplest. You must marry to be happy. I am the obstacle, consequently that obstacle must be removed." LISA (R. of table). Victor!