LISA [presses his hand again and laughs, showing him some money in her
hand] That's for the doctor; but I never know how to give it....
KARÉNIN. Neither do I.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Don't know what?
LISA. How to give money to a doctor.... He has saved more than my life,
and I give him money! It seems so unpleasant.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Let me give it. I know how. It's quite simple.
DOCTOR [rises and hands the prescription to Lisa] These powders are to
be well mixed in a tablespoonful of boiled water ... [goes on talking].
Karénin sits at the table drinking tea; Sásha and Anna Pávlovna come
forward.
SÁSHA. I can't bear the way they go on! It's just as if she were in love
with him.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well, can it be wondered at?
SÁSHA. It's disgusting!
Doctor takes leave of everybody, and exit. Anna Pávlovna goes with
him.
LISA [to Karénin] He's so sweet now! As soon as even he was a little
better he at once began to smile and crow. I must go to him, but I don't
like leaving you.
KARÉNIN. You had better have a cup of tea, and eat something.
LISA. I don't want anything now. I am so happy after all that
anxiety!... [Sobs].
KARÉNIN. There! You see how worn out you are!
LISA. I'm so happy!... Would you like to have a look at him?
KARÉNIN. Of course.
LISA. Then come with me. [Exeunt].
ANNA PÁVLOVNA [returning to Sásha] What are you looking so glum
about?... I gave him the money quite well, and he took it.
SÁSHA. It's disgusting! She has taken him with her to the nursery. It's
just as if he were her _fiancé_ or her husband....
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Whatever does it matter to you? Why need you get excited
about it? Did you mean to marry him yourself?
SÁSHA. I? Marry that pikestaff? I'd rather marry I don't know whom, than
him! Such a thing never entered my head.... I am only disgusted that,
after Fédya, Lisa can be so attracted by a stranger.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Not a stranger, but an old playfellow!
SÁSHA. Don't I see by their smiles and looks that they are in love?
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well, what is there to be surprised at in that? He shares
her anxiety about her baby, shows sympathy and helps her ... and she
feels grateful. Besides, why should she not love and marry Victor?
SÁSHA. That would be disgusting--disgusting....
Enter Karénin and Lisa. Karénin silently takes leave. Sásha goes of
angrily.
LISA [to Anna Pávlovna] What's the matter with her?
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. I really don't know.
Lisa sighs, and is silent.
Curtain.
SCENE 2
Afrémov's sitting-room. Glasses of wine on the table. Afrémov,
Fédya, Stákhov (shaggy), Butkévich (close-shaven), and Korotkóv (a
tuft-hunter).
KOROTKÓV. And I tell you that he'll be out of the running! La Belle Bois
is the best horse in Europe.... Will you bet?
STÁKHOV. Don't, my dear fellow.... You know very well that nobody
believes you, or will bet with you.
KOROTKÓV. I tell you your Cartouche won't be in it!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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