EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Yes; but still the desire to free yourself was
natural, and you chose this simpler way, without realising that it would
lead you into what is considered a crime--bigamy! I quite understand it.
The judges will understand too; and therefore I advise you to confess
everything.
LISA. I have nothing to confess. I have never lied. [Cries] Do you want
me any longer?
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. I must ask you to remain here. I will not trouble
you with any more questions. Only kindly read this over and sign it. It
is your deposition. See whether your answers have been correctly taken
down. Please take that seat. [Points to an armchair by the window. To
Clerk] Ask Mr. Karénin to come in.
Enter Karénin, stern and solemn.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Please take a seat.
KARÉNIN. Thank you! [Remains standing] What do you want of me?
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. I have to take your deposition.
KARÉNIN. In what capacity?
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE [smiling] I, in the capacity of Examining
Magistrate, am obliged to question you in the capacity of an accused
person.
KARÉNIN. Indeed! Accused of what?
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Of marrying a woman whose husband was alive.
However, allow me to question you properly. Kindly sit down.
KARÉNIN. Thank you.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Your name?
KARÉNIN. Victor Karénin.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Your calling?
KARÉNIN. Chamberlain and Member of Council.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Age?
KARÉNIN. Thirty-eight.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Religion?
KARÉNIN. Orthodox; and I have never before been tried or questioned!
Well?
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Did you know that Theodore Vasílyevich Protásov
was alive when you married his wife?
KARÉNIN. I did not know it. We were both convinced that he was drowned.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. After Protásov's alleged death, to whom in Sarátov
did you send a monthly remittance?
KARÉNIN. I do not wish to reply to that question.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Very well. Why did you send money--1,200
roubles--to Mr. Protásov just before his pretended death on 17th July?
KARÉNIN. That money was given to me by my wife ...
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. By Mrs. Protásova?
KARÉNIN. ... by my wife, to send to her husband. She considered that
money to be his, and having severed all connection with him, considered
it unfair to keep it.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. One more question--why did you withdraw the
application for divorce?
KARÉNIN. Because Theodore Vasílyevich undertook to apply for a divorce,
and wrote me about it.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Have you got his letter?
KARÉNIN. It has been lost.[27]
[27] Karénin does not produce Fédya's letter because it would have
proved connivance in the divorce proceedings.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. It is strange that everything which might convince
the Court of the truth of your evidence should either be lost or
non-existent.
KARÉNIN. Do you want anything more?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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