ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Of course, of course! To forgive, "As we forgive them that trespass against us." _Mais, c'est plus fort que moi!_[17] [17] But it's beyond me! PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. How could she live with such a man? If she had not loved anyone else she would have had to leave him. She would have had to, for her child's sake. The husband himself--an intelligent kind-hearted man when he is in his senses--advises her to do it.... Enter Victor, who kisses his mother's hand and greets Prince Abrézkov. VICTOR. Mother, I have come to say this: Elisabeth Andréyevna will be here in a minute, and I beg, I implore you--if you still refuse your consent to my marriage ... ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA [interrupting him] Of course I still refuse my consent ... VICTOR [continues his speech and frowns] In that case I beg, I implore you, not to speak to her of your refusal! Don't settle matters negatively ... ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. I don't expect we shall mention the subject. For my part, I certainly won't begin. VICTOR. And she is even less likely to. I only want you to make her acquaintance. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. The one thing I can't understand is how you reconcile your desire to marry Mrs. Protásova, who has a husband living, with your religious conviction that divorce is contrary to Christianity. VICTOR. Mother, this is cruel of you! Are we really so immaculate that we must always be perfectly consistent when life is so complex? Mother, why are you so cruel to me? ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. I love you. I desire your happiness. VICTOR [to Prince Abrézkov] Prince! PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Of course you desire his happiness. But it is not easy for you and me, with our grey hairs, to understand the young; and it is particularly difficult for a mother grown accustomed to her own idea of how her son is to be happy. Women are all like that. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Yes, yes indeed! You are all against me! You may do it, of course. _Vous êtes majeur._[18] ... But you will kill me! [18] You are of age. VICTOR. You are not yourself. This is worse than cruelty! PRINCE ABRÉZKOV [to Victor] Be quiet, Victor. Your mother's words are always worse than her deeds. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. I shall tell her how I think and feel, but I will do it without offending her. PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Of that I am sure. Enter footman. PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Here she is. VICTOR. I'll go. FOOTMAN. Elisabeth Andréyevna Protásova. VICTOR. I am going. _Please_, Mother! [Exit.] Prince Abrézkov also rises. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Ask her in. [To Prince Abrézkov] No, you must please stay here! PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. I thought you'd find a _tête-à-tête_ easier. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. No, I'm afraid ... [Is restless] If I want to be left _tête-à-tête_ with her, I will nod to you. _Cela dépendra._[19] ... To be left alone with her may make it difficult for me. But I'll do like that if ... [Makes a sign]. [19] It will depend. PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. I shall understand. I feel sure you will like her. Only be just.