KARÉNIN. Is it possible that this means another delay? More excuses! No, that would be downright wicked. How he has fallen! LISA. But do read the letter! [Karénin opens letter]. VOZNESÉNSKY. You do not require me any longer? KARÉNIN. Well, no. Good-bye! Thank you ... [Pauses in astonishment as he reads]. Exit Voznesénsky. LISA. What--what is it? KARÉNIN. This is awful! LISA [takes hold of letter] Read! KARÉNIN [reads] "Lisa and Victor, I address myself to you both. I won't lie and call you 'dear' or anything else. I cannot master the feeling of bitterness and reproach (I reproach myself, but all the same it is painful) when I think of you and of your love and happiness. I know everything. I know that though I was the husband, I have--by a series of accidents--been in your way. _C'est moi qui suis l'intrus._[22] But all the same, I cannot restrain a feeling of bitterness and coldness towards you. I love you both in theory, especially Lisa, Lisette! But actually I am more than cold towards you. I know I am wrong, but cannot change." [22] It is I who am the intruder. LISA. How can he ... KARÉNIN [continues reading] "But to business! This very feeling of discord within me forces me to fulfil your desire not in the way you wish. Lying, acting so disgusting a comedy, bribing the Consistorium, and all those horrors, are intolerably repulsive to me. Vile as I may be, I am vile in a different way, and cannot take part in those abominations--simply cannot! The solution at which I have arrived is the simplest: to be happy, you must marry. I am in the way; consequently I must destroy myself...." LISA [seizes Victor's hand] Victor! KARÉNIN [reads] "... must destroy myself. And I will do it. When you get this letter, I shall be no more. "_P.S._ What a pity you sent me money to pay for the divorce proceedings! It is unpleasant, and unlike you! But it can't be helped. I have so often made mistakes, why shouldn't you make one? I return the money. My way of escape is shorter, cheaper, and surer. All I ask is, don't be angry with me, and think kindly of me. And, one thing more--there is a clockmaker, Evgényev, here. Can't you help him, and set him on his feet? He's a good man, though weak.--Good-bye, "FÉDYA." LISA. He has taken his life! Yes ... KARÉNIN [rings, and runs out to the hall] Call Mr. Voznesénsky back! LISA. I knew it! I knew it! Fédya, dear Fédya! KARÉNIN. Lisa! LISA. It's not true, not true that I didn't love him and don't love him! I love only him! I love him! And I've killed him. Leave me! Enter Voznesénsky. KARÉNIN. Where is Mr. Protásov? What did they tell you? VOZNESÉNSKY. They told me he went out this morning, left this letter, and had not returned. KARÉNIN. We shall have to find out about it, Lisa. I must leave you. LISA. Forgive me, but I too can't lie! Go now--go, and find out ... Curtain. ACT V SCENE 1