Anna Karenina Page #33

KARENIN:

(PAUSE)

You would be lost. Irretrievably lost. You

would have no position. And worse if we

divorce. You would be the guilty party.

That means you cannot legally remarry.

Your union with Count Vronsky would be

illegitimate, and so would your daughter

who now has the protection of my name.

And that is what you want! It would be a

sin to help you destroy yourself.

ANNA:

You forget something. Count Vronsky and I

love each other.

KARENIN:

And this love sanctifies a criminal folly?

147

ANNA:

(CRIES OUT)

All I know is that I sent him away and it's as

if I'd shot myself through the heart!

KARENIN:

(PAUSE)

I see. And Serozha . . . ?

It's the crux for Anna, and she is prepared for it.

ANNA:

I would die for him, but I won't live like

this for him. When he knows about love,

he'll forgive me.

Karenin can see where this takes him.

KARENIN:

Then I must choose the smaller sin. Vronsky

robbed me of my cloak and I will give him

my coat. I will give you grounds to divorce

me, and I'll accept the scandal, the humilia-

tion and the consequences to my career.

ANNA:

No . . . I can't . . .

KARENIN:

You may write to him but I would prefer

you not to see him until you have left this

house.

148

EXT. ROAD BRIDGE, ST. PETERSBURG--DAY

Two coaches, each with considerable luggage, have a rendezvous, one coach

on the bridge.

INT. COACH, SAME TIME-- DAY

Anna is holding Baby Anya. Annushka and the Nurse are with her.

INT. SECOND COACH, SAME TIME--DAY

Vronsky, in civilian clothes, is alone, looking anxiously out of the window.

INT. COACH, SAME TIME-- DAY

Anna gives the baby to the Nurse, as the coach halts.

EXT. ROAD BRIDGE, SAME TIME--DAY

Anna gets out of her coach and runs the few yards to Vronsky's coach. He

opens the door for her.

INT. SECOND COACH, SAME TIME--DAY

Anna is kissing Vronsky's face and being kissed, weeping, smiling.

VRONSKY:

You look like a boy. But so pale. We'll go

south . . . to the sea air and sunshine . . .

149

INT. BEDROOM ("THE SOUTH")--DAY

Early morning. In a big untidy bed, Vronsky and Anna lie asleep, naked

and satiated. The style of the room, and the warmth of the light, tell of

the journey made, confirmed by the view from the window, an attractive

panorama from an elevation above the sea. In the room, there are open,

unpacked or partly unpacked trunks and cases, and, abandoned untidily,

Anna's and Vronsky's clothes.

INT. KARENIN'S STUDY, KARENIN HOUSE--DAY

Slyudin is in attendance on Karenin at his desk.

SLYUDIN:

. . . and Madame Odette in person, so to speak,

Your Excellency, with your permission . . .

A respectful cough at the door reveals an obsequious male Shopkeeper. Kar-

enin is bewildered.

KARENIN:

Madame Odette . . . ?

SHOPKEEPER:

Excuse the liberty, Your Excellency . . . it's

for a bonnet and some ribbons Her Excel-

lency has overlooked. If you wish us to

address ourselves to Her Excellency, please

be so good as to tell us where we might . . .

Karenin is stricken into immobility, his face hiding in one propped-up hand.

A tear falls on the blotter. Slyudin rescues him, ushering the Shopkeeper out.

150

Countess Lydia arrives in full fluttering cry.

LYDIA:

I have forced my way in! I have heard!

KARENIN:

Countess, every shopkeeper has heard.

LYDIA:

My dear friend! Don't give way to sorrow.

Our Lord Jesus Christ has you in his care.

KARENIN:

No, I'm done for. I don't understand any-

thing. All day long I'm being asked to

make decisions about bills and servants, the

kitchen, Serozha's clothes . . .

LYDIA:

I understand. I understand everything. I am

going to act. The household arrangements

you can leave to me. I will come every day. I

will be a second mother to Serozha.

He clasps both her hands and kisses them. Lydia falls to her knees.

LYDIA (CONT'D)

He that humbleth himself shall be exalted!

You must not thank me. Thank Him whose

love pours through me!

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