Anna Karenina Page #4

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a couple of ministers for dinner.

l'm afraid we will be a little late.

There, that's the last hook.

- Anna?

- Mm-hm?

- Can you give me a moment?

- Now?

Please.

Well, is it really necessary?

l'd like to go to sleep.

l'm sorry.

Very well.

l must put you on your guard, Anna.

On my guard? For what?

You have committed an indiscretion.

l should like to think

it was, er, thoughtlessness.

Your animated tte--tte with Count Vronsky

this evening did not pass unnoticed.

Oh, really, you're always the same.

lf l am bored, you're offended with me,

- and if l am entertaining myself...

- (Snapping sounds )

For heaven's sake, leave your hands alone.

You think that l am capable of anything

so commonplace as jealousy?

- Where are you going, Anna?

- l'm listening.

The world is merciless, Anna.

One does not violate certain conventions

with impunity.

The long and short of it is that this evening,

to judge by the general impression,

you were lacking in good form.

Now, l have no right, Anna,

l consider it even dangerous

to go too deeply into your feelings -

that is the concern of your conscience

and that alone -

but l am bound to recall you

to your obligations to me.

We are joined forever, Anna. Forever.

ls this going to be a sermon, Alexis?

l am dropping with sleep.

Now this is a serious matter, Anna.

Take care.

Animated! Count Vronsky talked about

his horses, nothing else.

Who brought all this nonsense to you?

Your old samovar Lydia, l suppose?

Leave Countess Lydia out of this, Anna.

l am speaking in your interest.

My position enters into it of course.

Oh, yes, that before everything.

Oh, you are wrong.

l love you.

Really? When have you ever told me so?

Are words necessary?

Was that Sergei?

No.

No.

Now, Anna, all this

may appear strange to you,

l do not really enjoy making speeches,

but there is an hour that strikes

for every married couple,

and this evening l felt it with some keenness.

You have dropped a pin.

My position is established now.

We have a son.

lf you don't want to think of me,

think of him.

- Oh, l do.

- Yes, Anna.

Do so, do so.

Now, l repeat,

l am your husband, your legal protector,

but the tendency of manners today

runs counter to marriage.

Don't rely on it, Anna.

A man can divorce, a woman never.

Are you accusing me?

lf my words have been at all justified, Anna,

if you feel the smallest degree troubled...

- Really, this is too ridiculous.

- You know what l represent in Russia.

For my work, l need calm, l need strength.

lf there is anything you wish to tell me, Anna.

Tell you what?

There is nothing?

No.

Good.

Then it's over and done with. (Snapping)

Oh, dear. Ha-ha.

What a bad habit that is of mine.

You're very attractive tonight, Anna.

- You're tired.

- Mm, l am a little, yes.

l see...

and obey.

- Good night.

- Good night.

May l take the lamp?

l have a report to finish off.

Why do you not go to bed?

l'm listening to Sergei.

Poor little lamb, how he sighs.

Sleep well.

lt is late.

Too late.

Too late.

( # Lively folk music)

(Vronsky ) Oh!

lt is you.

There's not a soul here. We're alone.

- You're unbearably beautiful.

- l was so afraid it was wrong of me to come.

No, it's quite safe. l gave orders.

Give me your hands.

- Your scent...

- This is a caf, is it not?

No, no, no, the officers come here

at night only,

but during the day it's given over

to students, poets...

and lovers.

Oh, Alexis.

Oh, l can't stand this.

l must touch you, my mouth on your cheek.

- l can't stand it, Anna. l want you.

- Be quiet.

You don't love me, not the way l love you.

All you think about is your child,

if you're recognized.

You belong to me. Divorce Karenin.

- But my son, my little one.

- You'd still have him.

Oh, do you think so?

l left my carriage at the corner

of the Sadovaya.

l came by the back streets on foot.

- No one could tell me the way, l was frantic.

- Yes.

Then l found a cab. lt had yellow seats

and the coachman smelt of tobacco.

l looked out of the window at the houses

but l saw only one face all the time.

Your face.

l'm not used to happiness.

(Sighs )

How terrible it is.

Like death.

( # Flute-led folk tune )

What is that music?

Gypsies.

They play well.

Listen.

l'm listening to you.

No, don't touch me or look at me.

l haven't the strength.

Let me hold this minute, Alexis.

Let me hope.

- lf you love me.

- lf l love you?

Don't.

Your life, everything that touches you.

l will come to you tomorrow.

ls that what you wish?

Yes.

Take care, Alexis.

lt's all or nothing with me.

l am not afraid.

What are you looking at?

These names on the glass,

the names of lovers.

Don't look at them.

They pressed so hard.

Are they afraid of forgetting?

Shall l write our names, Alexis?

Anna.

Alexis.

What's the other one?

Guess.

Lovers.

Always. Always.

( # Fanfare )

(Men cheering)

(Horses galloping)

Oh, the brute!

Lost again, Princess?

- Prince Oblonsky!

- (Chuckles ) Mm, afternoon, Betsy.

How nice to see you in Petersburg, Stiva.

- And Dolly?

- Mm? Oh, in Moscow, minding the babies.

Convenient. Who are you backing in the race?

Well, Vronsky of course. Who else?

- What's your fancy?

- What a question to ask a woman.

Can l guess the answer?

- (Both laugh)

- ( # Band playing)

Oh, his royal highness.

- Your brother-in-law is with him.

- Mm, trust him.

The Pope of St. Petersburg.

Oughtn't you to be up there with him?

Yes, l suppose l should.

( # Band continues )

(Music ends )

(Quiet chatter)

Your imperial highness.

Good day, Alexis.

Hello, Stiva.

- How's Dolly?

- Never better. And Anna?

Fine, fine, fine. lsn't she here?

l sent the carriage on from the ministry.

Er, will you excuse me?

l tell you, these courses

are butchery, Karenin.

Nine jumps in a mile, and a hundred chances

of breaking your neck.

Anna has changed.

Well, you've only to look at her.

Ever since her return from Moscow.

Lydia, l will not admit it.

Anna Karenina is my friend.

She's a delightful person.

- Hmm, but she has changed.

- A little, perhaps,

but those without shadows

shouldn't envy those who have.

Envy? Am l envious? Oh!

That pickled carp. Straight for the Tsar.

He knows the way.

- Treason. Mind your tongue.

- What? Oh, l'm protected.

Be careful, there are spies everywhere.

For example...

Ah, Betsy! You're my witness.

Have l ever shown envy towards anyone?

Why, only the other evening

at the evening at the ball...

Ah, Vronsky! Excuse me, ladies.

Vronsky. l've come to wish you luck

for the race.

- l've come to witness your triumph.

- Thanks, Stiva.

- Well, how's the horse?

- Nervous. l must get back to her.

Well, when do we see you again?

Tomorrow in the mess.

Make my apologies for me, will you?

Oh, yes, of course.

- Madame.

- Count Vronsky.

- At last.

- Careful.

Monsieur l'Ambassadeur.

l can't stand it any longer.

When can l see you?

Tonight at one. Come through the garden.

He won't be there.

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