ANNA PAVLOVNA. There you go again. Why, the man's simply bewitched you, but I can see through him, and he knows it. If I'd been Lisa, I'd left him a year ago. SASHA. Oh, how easily you speak of these serious things. ANNA PAVLOVNA. Not easily, not easily at all. Do you suppose it's agreeable for me to have my daughter admit her marriage a failure? But anything's better than for her to throw away her life in a lie. Thank God, she's made up her mind to finish with him for good. SASHA. Maybe it won't be for good. ANNA PAVLOVNA. It would be if only he'd give her a divorce. SASHA. To what end? ANNA PAVLOVNA. Because she's young and has the right to look for happiness. SASHA. It's awful to listen to you. How could she love some one else? ANNA PAVLOVNA. Why not? There are thousands better than your Fedya, and they'd be only too happy to marry Lisa. SASHA. Oh, it's not nice of you. I feel, I can tell, you're thinking about Victor Karenin. ANNA PAVLOVNA. Why not? He loved her for ten years, and she him, I believe. SASHA. Yes, but she doesn't love him as a husband. They grew up together; they've just been friends. ANNA PAVLOVNA. Ah, those friendships! How should you know what keeps them warm! If only they were both free! [Enter a MAID L. U. Well? MAID. The porter's just come back with an answer to the note. ANNA PAVLOVNA. What note? MAID. The note Elizaveta Protosova sent to Victor Karenin. ANNA PAVLOVNA. Well? What answer? MAID. Victor Karenin told the porter he'd be here directly. ANNA PAVLOVNA. Very well. [MAID exits L. U. [To SASHA. Why do you suppose she sent for him? Do you know? SASHA. Maybe I do and maybe I don't. ANNA PAVLOVNA. You're always so full of secrets. SASHA. Ask Lisa, she'll tell you. ANNA PAVLOVNA. Just as I thought! She sent for him at once. SASHA. Yes, but maybe not for the reason you think. ANNA PAVLOVNA. Then what for? SASHA. Why, Mother, Lisa cares just about as much for Victor Karenin as she does for her old nurse. ANNA PAVLOVNA. You'll see. She wants consolation, a special sort of consolation. SASHA. Really, it shows you don't know Lisa at all to talk like this. ANNA PAVLOVNA. You'll see. Sasha. Yes, I shall see. ANNA PAVLOVNA (alone to herself). And I am very glad. I'm very, very glad. [Enter MAID. MAID. Victor Karenin. ANNA PAVLOVNA. Show him here and tell your mistress. [MAID shows in KARENIN and exits door R. I. KARENIN (goes C. and stands behind table C.). (Shaking hands with Anna Pavlovna.) Elizaveta Andreyevna sent me a note to come at once. I should have been here to-night anyway. How is she? Well, I hope. ANNA PAVLOVNA. Not very. The baby has been upset again. However, she'll be here in a minute. Will you have some tea? KARENIN. No, thank you. [Sits chair R. ANNA PAVLOVNA. Tell me, do you know that he and she--. KARENIN. Yes, I was here two days ago when she got this letter. Is she positive now about their separating?