NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [alone] Yes--could I but remember that life consists only in serving Thee; and that if Thou sendest a trial, it is because Thou holdest me capable of enduring it, and knowest that my strength is equal to it: else it would not be a trial.... Father, help me--help me to do Thy will. Enter Princess. PRINCESS. You receive me? You do me that honour? My respects to you. I don't give you my hand, for I hate you and despise you. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. What has happened? PRINCESS. Just this, that they are moving him to the Disciplinary Battalion; and it is you who are the cause of it. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Princess, if you want anything, tell me what it is; but if you have come here merely to abuse me, you only injure yourself. You cannot offend me, for with my whole heart I sympathise with you and pity you! PRINCESS. What charity! What exalted Christianity! No, Mr. Sarýntsov, you cannot deceive me! We know you now. You have ruined my son, but you don't care; and you go giving balls; and your daughter--my son's betrothed--is to be married and make a good match, that you approve of; while you pretend to lead a simple life, and go carpentering. How repulsive you are to me, with your new-fangled Pharisaism. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Don't excite yourself so, Princess. Tell me what you have come for--surely it was not simply to scold me? PRINCESS. Yes, that too! I must find vent for all this accumulated pain. But what I want is this: He is being removed to the Disciplinary Battalion, and I cannot bear it. It is you who have done it. You! You! You! NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Not I, but God. And God knows how sorry I am for you. Do not resist this will. He wants to test you. Bear the trial meekly. PRINCESS. I cannot bear it meekly. My whole life was wrapped up in my son; and you have taken him from me and ruined him. I cannot be calm. I have come to you--it is my last attempt to tell you that you have ruined him and that it is for you to save him. Go and prevail on them to set him free. Go and see the Governor-General, the Emperor, or whom you please. It is your duty to do it. If you don't do it, I know what I shall do. You will have to answer to me for it! NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Teach me what to do. I am ready to do anything. PRINCESS. I again repeat it--you must save him! If you do not--beware! Good-bye. [Exit]. Nicholas Ivánovich (alone). Lies down on sofa. Silence. The door opens and the dance music sounds louder. Enter Styópa. STYÓPA. Papa is not here, come in! Enter the adults and the children, dancing in couples. LYÚBA [noticing Nicholas Ivánovich] Ah, you _are_ here. Excuse us. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [rising] Never mind. [Exit dancing couples]. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Vasíly Nikonórovich has recanted. I have ruined Borís. Lyúba is getting married. Can it be that I have been mistaken? Mistaken in believing in Thee? No! Father help me! Curtain.