Anna Karenina Page #21

Korney brings Countess Lydia. Karenin comes from behind his desk to

invite her to a chair.

KARENIN:

Countess . . . I thought you would be at

Peterhof now.

LYDIA:

I've come from there. I'm distressed that you

haven't taken your usual house this year.

KARENIN:

Anna wanted a change. She is spending the

summer at Tsarskoe.

LYDIA:

Near Princess Betsy. And . . .

Karenin waits.

LYDIA (CONT'D)

The Guards are in summer camp at

Tsarskoe.

Karenin waits.

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LYDIA (CONT'D)

Alexei Alexandrovich, forgive me but you

are too tolerant! Your wife . . .

Karenin affects surprise.

KARENIN:

Oh, is this about my wife?

He smiles at her.

KARENIN (CONT'D)

My wife is beyond reproach. She is, after

all, my wife.

Countess Lydia gets the message. She rises to go. Karenin kisses her hand

and accompanies her to the door. She leaves him, and his social mask gives

way to his disturbance.

INT. DEMIN'S HOUSE, TSARSKOE--NIGHT

The Commanding Officer is throwing a party for his officers: serious drink-

ing, Soldier Servants, a crowded table on the large verandah, Soldier Sing-

ers in white linen tunics performing operetta and folk songs. Vronsky, in

party spirit, is with Petritsky and another friend, Yashvin, singing along.

An officer we don't know is, surprisingly, hailed as "Vronsky!"--he's

Vronsky's elder brother, Alexander. He gestures "Later!" and goes to Vron-

sky. The brothers embrace.

ALEXANDER:

Alyosha . . . a message from Maman. Her

friend Princess Sorokina has a house here,

and a virgin daughter, that's not part of the

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message, but they'll all be at the races and

you're expected to supper afterwards.

The song ends and Demin, half drunk, climbs on the table, shouts for silence

and a toast.

DEMIN:

Gentlemen--I give you--the regiment!

General uproar. "The regiment."

EXT. DEMIN'S GARDEN, TSARSKOE--NIGHT

On a garden bench where the noise of the party is quieter, Vronsky and

Alexander talk.

ALEXANDER:

I heard you turned down a promotion.

VRONSKY:

That was Maman interfering.

ALEXANDER:

Yes. And now she's come up with a princess

for you.

(SERIOUSLY)

Alexei--we're brothers, so don't take

offence. Getting married puts the pack on

your back--it leaves your hands free for

climbing the ladder. Getting serious about

a married woman is like carrying your pack

in your arms.

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VRONSKY:

So they talk about me. I'm leaving, Sasha.

ALEXANDER:

An assignation?

VRONSKY:

Come on, I'll introduce you.

EXT. STABLES, TSARSKOE--NIGHT

Vronsky with Alexander beside him clucks his tongue at the black opening

of a stable and calls softly for Frou-Frou. There's a stir within and the

mare's head appears. Vronsky opens the door.

ALEXANDER:

Beautiful. A man would come to no harm.

Do you think you'll win tomorrow?

VRONSKY:

Makhotin's Gladiator is favourite, sixteen

hands--Frou-Frou looks dainty beside

him, but she's got heart. Haven't you, my

darling?

He kisses Frou-Frou.

EXT. MEADOW--DAY

Vronsky sees Anna before she sees him. He pauses to look at her, struck by

her beauty, full of love for her. She is lost in thought.

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VRONSKY:

Anna.

She has not been expecting him. She is concerned.

ANNA:

Alexei, what is it?

He shakes his head: nothing. She comes to him and hides her face in his

breast. He holds her tight, taking her hand and kissing it.

VRONSKY:

I couldn't bear not to see you before the race.

She hugs him, kissing his tunic.

VRONSKY (CONT'D)

What were you thinking about?

She continues to hide her face. He lifts her face.

VRONSKY (CONT'D)

Tell me.

ANNA:

I'm pregnant.

Vronsky presses her hand to his face.

VRONSKY:

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