ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. How you are all against me! Enter Lisa, in visiting dress and hat. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA [rising] I was sorry not to find you in, and it is kind of you to call. LISA. I never dreamed that you'd be so good as to call.... I am so grateful to you for wishing to see me. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA [pointing to Prince Abrézkov] You are acquainted? PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Yes, certainly. I have had the pleasure of being introduced. [They shake hands and sit down] My niece Nelly has often mentioned you to me. LISA. Yes, she and I were great friends [glancing timidly at Anna Dmítrievna], and we are still friendly. [To Anna Dmítrievna] I never expected that you would wish to see me. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. I knew your husband well. He was friendly with Victor, and used to come to our house before he left for Tambóv. I think it was there you married? LISA. Yes, it was there we married. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. But after his return to Moscow he never visited us. LISA. Yes, he hardly went out anywhere. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. And he never introduced you to me. Awkward silence. PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. The last time I met you was at the theatricals at the Denísovs'. They went off very well; and you were acting. LISA. No ... Yes ... Of course ... I did act. [Silence again]. Anna Dmítrievna, forgive me if what I am going to say displeases you, but I can't and don't know how to dissemble! I have come because Victor Miháylovich said ... because he--I mean, because you wished to see me.... But it is best to speak out [with a catch in her voice] ... It is very hard for me.... But you are kind. PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. I'd better go. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Yes, do. Prince Abrézkov takes leave of both women, and exit. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Listen, Lisa ... I am very sorry for you, and I like you. But I love Victor. He is the one being I love in the world. I know his soul as I know my own. It is a proud soul. He was proud as a boy of seven.... Not proud of his name or wealth, but proud of his character and innocence, which he has guarded. He is as pure as a maiden. LISA. I know. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. He has never loved any woman. You are the first. I do not say I am not jealous. I am jealous. But we mothers--your son is still a baby, and it is too soon for you--we are prepared for that. I was prepared to give him up to his wife and not to be jealous--but to a wife as pure as himself ... LISA. I ... have I ... ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Forgive me! I know it was not your fault, but you are unfortunate. And I know him. Now he is ready to bear--and will bear--anything, and he would never mention it, but he would suffer. His wounded pride would suffer, and he would not be happy. LISA. I have thought of that. ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Lisa, my dear, you are a wise and good woman. If you love him you must desire his happiness more than your own. And if that is so, you will not wish to bind him and give him cause to repent--though he would never _say_ a word.