Anna Dmítrievna's sitting-room, furnished with expensive simplicity, and filled with souvenirs. Anna Dmítrievna is writing. Footman enters. FOOTMAN. Prince Abrézkov ... ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Yes, certainly ... [Turns round and touches herself up before the looking-glass]. Enter Abrézkov. PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. _J'espère que je ne force pas la consigne...._[8] [Kisses her hand]. [8] I hope I am not forcing myself on you. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. You know that _vous êtes toujours le bienvenu_[9]--and to-day especially! You got my note? [9] You are always welcome. PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. I did, and this is my answer. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Ah, my friend! I begin quite to despair. _Il est positivement ensorcelé!_[10] I never before knew him so insistent, so obstinate, so pitiless, and so indifferent to me. He has quite changed since that woman dismissed her husband! [10] He is positively bewitched! PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. What are the facts? How do matters actually stand? ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. He wants to marry her come what may. PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. And how about the husband? ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. He agrees to a divorce. PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Dear me! ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. And he, Victor, lends himself to it, with all the abominations--lawyers, proofs of guilt--_tout ça est dégoutant_![11] And it doesn't seem to repel him. I don't understand him--he was always so sensitive, so reserved ... [11] It is all disgusting! PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. He is in love! Ah, when a man really loves ... ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Yes, but how is it that in our day love could be pure--could be a loving friendship, lasting through life? That kind of love I understand and value. PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Nowadays the young generation no longer contents itself with those ideal relations. _La possession de l'âme ne leur suffit plus._[12] It can't be helped!... What can one do with him? [12] For them, to possess the soul is no longer enough. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. You must not say that of _him_--but it's as if he were under a spell. It's just as if he were someone else.... You know, I called on her. He begged me so. I went there, did not find her in, and left my card. _Elle m'a fait demander si je ne pourrais la recevoir_;[13] and to-day [looks at the clock] at two o'clock, that is in a few minutes' time, she will be here. I promised Victor I would receive her, but you understand how I am placed! I am not myself at all; and so, from old habit, I sent for you. I need your help! [13] She inquired whether I would receive her. PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Thank you. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. This visit of hers, you understand, will decide the whole matter--Victor's fate! I must either refuse my consent--but how can I? PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Don't you know her at all?