MAGISTRATE. Yes, and an ugly one. I'm just beginning the investigation. But I assure 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. MAGISTRATE (continuing). And also you are accused of having persuaded with bribes your first husband to commit a fraud, a pretended suicide, in order to rid yourself of him. LISA. All that's not true. MAGISTRATE. Then permit me to ask you these questions: Did you or did you not send him 1200 rubles in July of last year? LISA. That was his own money obtained from selling his things, which I sent to him during our separation, while I was waiting for my divorce. MAGISTRATE. Just so. Very well. When the police asked you to identify the corpse, how were you sure it was your husband's? LISA. Oh, I was so terribly distressed that I couldn't bear to look at the body. Besides, I felt so sure it was he, and when they asked me, I just said yes. MAGISTRATE. Very good indeed. I can well understand your distraction, and permit me to observe, Madame, that although servants of the law, we remain human beings, and I beg you to be assured that I sympathize with your situation. You were bound to a spendthrift, a drunkard, a man whose dissipation caused you infinite misery. LISA (interrupting). Please, I loved him. MAGISTRATE (tolerantly). Of course. Yet naturally you desired to be free, and you took this simple course without counting the consequence, which is considered a crime, or bigamy. I understand you, and so will both judges and jury. And it's for this reason, Madam, I urge you to disclose the entire truth. LISA. I've nothing to disclose. I never have lied. (She begins to cry.) Do you want me any longer? MAGISTRATE. Yes. I must ask you to remain a few minutes longer. No more questions, however. (To the CLERK.) Show in Victor Karenin. (To LISA.) I think you'll find that a comfortable chair. (Sits L. C.) [Enter KARENIN, stern and solemn. Please, sit down. KARENIN. Thank you. (He remains standing L. U.) What do you want from me? MAGISTRATE. I have to take your deposition. KARENIN. In what capacity?