ANNA PÁVLOVNA. You talk of love! But how can one love such a man--a broken reed, whom one can never depend on? Don't you know what it came to ...? [Looks round at the door, and continues hurriedly] All his affairs in a muddle, everything pawned, nothing to pay with! Then their uncle sends 2,000 roubles to pay the interest on their mortgaged estates, and he takes the money and disappears. His wife is left at home, with a sick baby, waiting for him--and at last gets a note asking her to send him his clothes and things! KARÉNIN. Yes, yes; I know. Enter Lisa and Sásha. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well, here is Victor Miháylovich,[3] obedient to your summons. [3] The polite way of naming Mr. Karénin. KARÉNIN. Yes, but I am sorry I was delayed for a few minutes. LISA. Thank you. I have a great favour to ask of you, and I have no one to turn to but you. KARÉNIN. Anything in my power ... LISA. You know all about ...? KARÉNIN. I do. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well then, I shall leave you [To Sásha] Come, we'll leave them alone. [Exit with Sásha]. LISA. Yes, he wrote to me saying that he considers everything at an end ... [struggling with her tears] ... and I was hurt!... and so ... In a word, I consented to break--I answered, accepting his renunciation. KARÉNIN. And now you repent? LISA. Yes. I feel that I was wrong, and that I cannot do it. Anything is better than to be separated from him. In short--I want you to give him this letter.... Please, Victor, give him the letter, and tell him ... and bring him back! KARÉNIN [surprised] Yes, but how? LISA. Tell him I ask him to forget everything, and to return. I might simply send the letter, but I know him: his first impulse, as always, will be the right one--but then someone will influence him, and he'll change his mind and not do what he really wants to.... KARÉNIN. I will do what I can. LISA. You're surprised at my asking _you_? KARÉNIN. No.... Yet, to tell you the truth--yes, I am surprised. LISA. But you are not angry? KARÉNIN. As if I could be angry with you! LISA. I asked you because I know you care for him. KARÉNIN. Him, and you too! You know that. I am thinking not of myself, but of you. Thank you for trusting me! I will do what I can. LISA. I know.... I will tell you everything. To-day I went to Afrémov's to find out where he was. I was told he had gone to the gipsies--which is what I feared most of all. I know he will get carried away if he is not stopped in time--and that's what has to be done.... So you'll go? KARÉNIN. Of course, and at once. LISA. Go!... Find him, and tell him all is forgotten and I am waiting for him. KARÉNIN. But where am I to look for him? LISA. He is with the gipsies. I went there myself.... I went as far as the porch, and wished to send in the letter, but changed my mind and decided to ask you. Here is the address.... Well, then, tell him to return: tell him nothing has happened ... all is forgotten. Do it for love of him, and for the sake of our friendship!