ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. He has made up his mind that it is impossible for him to live so, and he is going away. MARY IVÁNOVNA. What a torment the man is! [Exit]. Curtain. SCENE 2 Nicholas Ivánovich's room. The dance music is heard in the distance. Nicholas Ivánovich has an overcoat on. He puts a letter on the table. Alexander Petróvich, dressed in ragged clothes, is with him. ALEXANDER PETRÓVICH. Don't worry, we can reach the Caucasus without spending a penny, and there you can settle down. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. We will go by rail as far as Túla, and from thence on foot. Well, I'm ready. [Puts letter in the middle of the table, and goes to the door, where he meets Mary Ivánovna] Oh! Why have you come here? MARY IVÁNOVNA. Why indeed? To prevent your doing a cruel thing. What's all this for? Why d'you do it? NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Why? Because I cannot continue living like this. I cannot endure this terrible, depraved life. MARY IVÁNOVNA. It is awful. My life--which I give wholly to you and the children--has all of a sudden become "depraved." [Sees Alexander Petróvich] _Renvoyez au moins cet homme. Je ne veux pas qu'il soit témoin de cette conversation._[39] [39] At least send that man away. I don't wish him to be a witness of our conversation. ALEXANDER PETRÓVICH. _Comprenez. Toujours moi partez._[40] [40] Alexander Petróvich replies in very bad French: "I understand! I am always to go away!" NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Wait for me out there, Alexander Petróvich, I'll come in a minute. Exit Alexander Petróvich. MARY IVÁNOVNA. And what can you have in common with such a man as that? Why is he nearer to you than your own wife? It is incomprehensible! And where are you going? NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I have left a letter for you. I did not want to speak; it is too hard; but if you wish it, I will try to say it quietly. MARY IVÁNOVNA. No, I don't understand. Why do you hate and torture your wife, who has given up everything for you? Tell me, have I been going to balls, or gone in for dress, or flirted? My whole life has been devoted to the family. I nursed them all myself; I brought them up, and this last year the whole weight of their education, and the managing our affairs, has fallen on me.... NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [interrupting] But all this weight falls on you, because you do not wish to live as I proposed. MARY IVÁNOVNA. But that was impossible! Ask anyone! It was impossible to let the children grow up illiterate, as you wished them to do, and for me to do the washing and cooking. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I never wanted that! MARY IVÁNOVNA. Well, anyhow it was something of that kind! No, you are a Christian, you wish to do good, and you say you love men; then why do you torture the woman who has devoted her whole life to you? NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. How do I torture you? I love you, but ...