Anna Karenina Page #7

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What have we in common?

You were bored in Venice,

utterly, admit it.

While l only consented to come back because

of Sergei, you didn't give him a thought.

That's unfair. Are you reproaching me

because l only think of you?

- l'm not reproaching you.

- You always put him before me.

Why not admit it?

Alexis, how can you?

Anna, l'm sorry.

lf you love me as l love you...

l can't go on being torn

and divided between you.

You're both my happiness.

Without you both there's nothing.

Well, you are all l need.

But you haven't a child.

No.

- You bought some things for him, l see.

- Yes.

Oh, l do love you.

When you go out,

l hold the clothes you've been wearing,

l'm afraid you won't come back.

You used to laugh when we were in Venice.

You weren't always thinking

about Sergei then. Hmm?

No.

Alexis...

this is the first time we've hurt each other.

l don't think it'll be the last.

l get on your nerves.

Why don't you leave me?

Don't be foolish, Anna, it's unworthy of you.

We're both fools, we adore each other,

for God's sakes, no doubts.

Answer me.

Oh, l love you, that's all l know.

lt's like a fire when you say things like that.

l can't bear anything in between us,

not even your child.

l know it's vile of me.

Sometimes l think if you died...

Oh, you're my life.

Your body, your mouth, your warmth...

You talk about dying.

How long will you love me, Alexis?

Always, Anna.

- And you?

- l?

Always!

Give me a cigarette.

l'll laugh again tomorrow.

l will see Sergei, it's his birthday,

l'll go in the early morning.

- But you can't, you know you can't.

- We shall see.

Karenin's certain to have given orders.

Wait a few days.

Wait? Wait? Do you suppose

l am capable of waiting?

Well, at least consult your lawyers first.

l'd much rather you didn't interfere.

Well...

Well, l could go tonight.

Karenin may be out, or asleep.

What does it matter?

l'd like to go out.

As you wish.

- Where?

- To the opera.

Patti's singing.

lt'll be booked out, it's a premiere,

the whole of Petersburg will be there.

You mean l'm not good enough

to appear at the premiere.

Don't be so sensitive.

My mother'll be there, all the officers.

l have to shut myself up, avoid all my friends

because l'm your mistress.

- Am l an outcast?

- Oh, be sensible.

lt would be foolish to do this,

to expose yourself to insult.

Later, when we are married,

we can go together.

l am proud to be your mistress.

You can be ashamed of it if you like.

l shall go to the opera.

l love you and l forbid it.

You forbid?

- What right have you to forbid me anything?

- Anna!

(Door slams )

- Excellency?

- Why isn't the table cleared?

Your excellencies were talking,

so l didn't think to clear.

- Leave that! That's the waiter's job.

- Yes, excellency.

And get my clothes out.

l'm going to the casino.

- And tell her ladyship.

- Yes, excellency.

Damn and blast!

( # Opera music)

(Music ends, applause )

(Audience cheering)

And there she is, in the loge at the right,

parading herself!

- l saw you wave to her!

- Why not?

She's a friend.

Oh, really, Manya.

Really, l don't understand you.

How you can...

Who are you bowing to, old boy?

- Countess Vronsky over there.

- What?

The old witch.

Careful. We're among the ranks

of the angels.

There's Princess Tverskoy,

and her long-suffering husband.

Oh, dear, we might be in heaven already.

- Let's go backstage.

- Lily's not singing tonight.

- l don't believe it.

- She is. Anna is here.

- But she wouldn't dare.

- You don't know her.

But you do, Betsy.

l mean, l thought you and she were friends.

Oh, yes, but once. You know how it is -

as soon as it happened,

l had to close my door to her.

- Betsy!

- Dear man, don't you interfere.

There are some things

only women understand.

Evidently.

Take my card to Madame Patti.

Princess.

Karenina is here.

- What did she say, old boy?

- Madame Karenina is here.

What?

Are they back in Petersburg, then?

Yes, l met them in the Morksaya yesterday.

But the Princess can't be right.

This is a premiere, she wouldn't dare.

l dare anything with women.

She'll be on Vronsky's arm,

she'll be safe enough.

Alone, by gad. Here's a story.

Ah, Vronsky.

Good evening, Prince. How are you?

- Enjoying the opera?

- Yes, indeed.

And now he's here! Really, it's too much!

Oh, and he seems to know nearly everybody.

Perhaps that's why he's come -

to show he doesn't care.

To show how much he despises us.

Come, Manya, we'll cut him.

Good evening, Prince.

Vronsky. Vronskyi

l didn't expect to see you here tonight,

my dear friend.

No? Why not?

- Well, that is, you didn't mention it.

- Patti's in marvelous voice.

l hope Madame Karenina's

enjoying the performance.

l believe so, Yashvin.

Thank you.

You should have been here for the first act.

She's like a nightingale tonight.

Are you looking for someone, Vronsky?

No.

Mind you, l know as much about opera

as the man in the moon.

The military band is more in my line.

All those arias and coloraturas...

But l tell you, Vronsky,

when Patti opens her mouth...

What?

Oh.

Anna!

Andrey, l'd like my cloak.

One hardly knows where to turn

this evening.

Betsy, that was quite unnecessary.

Oh, there you are.

What a pity you came late,

you missed the best part.

l'm not much of a judge.

Shall we...get some air?

Yes. l find Patti just a little overwhelming.

Anna.

Why did you do this to me?

Why did you make me come?

We'll talk about this outside.

He's cooked, old boy.

This time he's done for good.

Your places, please, ladies and gentlemen.

- The second act is about to start.

- (Orchestra warming up)

Your places, please, ladies and gentlemen.

Your places, please.

My little Sergei.

My sweetheart, my darling, my little one.

Your excellency!

Pardon, milady, l didn't see you come.

- Shh! How is he?

- He's very well, but, er...

l've been given orders, excellency, that...

- l'll wait in the corridor.

- Thank you, Korney.

Mummy, is it you?

ls it you, Mummy?

My darling, yes, it's me.

l knew you weren't dead.

l knew you weren't.

You'll catch cold, my treasure.

You used to come and say ''Sergei''

in the night. l knew you did.

You smell just the same.

- Why are you crying?

- Because l'm so happy.

How you've grown.

You're not unhappy, are you?

Tell me, darling, you must tell me.

No. Have you brought me any presents?

- Oh, the presents, they're in the carriage.

- What are they?

Well, there's a train that goes

and there's a piano and a music box and...

Korney will fetch them.

l like Korney. He plays with me.

He never said you were dead.

lt was the old lady, silly old thing.

Oh, my darling, how thin you are.

Do you eat enough? And how do you

dress yourself without me?

Oh, l'm strong now.

Papa gave me a sledge,

and Nana and l went on the ice in the garden.

She always falls off.

- Shall l show you my sledge?

- Presently.

lt's only me, your old Nana.

Oh, God be praised! l knew you wouldn't forget

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