Lover's Prayer Page #4

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Even from the nearest hill,

you cannot see the pond.

Yes, I see. And so you bathe

here, naked and unafraid?

- Yes, Princess.

- Then do so.

Prove it.

But I'll just get dirty again

when I gather the onions.

You said this pond was a hidden place

and secret enough to meet a lover.

I want you to assure me.

Undress yourself.

Gregory, I want you to sit over there and

look into the wood to look out for me.

Sing your Captain song,

the whole thing.

- And don't look around, do you hear?

- All right.

I admit I was engaged in

a supreme ungentlemanly act.

I spied on, however.

Now undress me.

- Have you ever met a lover here?

- No, Princess, never.

But you have sometimes wished

to do so. Isn't that true?

My husband is in the Army so

I have thought like that, yes.

That is also the way I feel sometimes.

- I will keep that a secret, Princess.

- Yes, you must.

- I keep secrets very well.

- Do you?

Who's there?

You. Come here, spy.

- It hurts!

- It hurts, does it?

And do you think it doesn't

hurt me? Doesn't hurt me?

What have I done?

Poor Monsieur Woldemar.

I shall put your hair in

my locket and I shall wear it.

This will perhaps comfort you

a little. And now, goodbye.

I gave myself up to fruitless speculation

always looking for secluded places.

A youth afflicted by such

misery, solitude and grief.

How I reveled in these melancholy

feelings. How I adored them.

Silly, what are you

doing so high up there?

I'm thinking.

You always declare that you love me.

Well then, jump down onto the

road for me if you truly love me.

Oh, my darling boy.

How could you do it?

How could you listen to me when you

know I love you? Please stand up.

Get up, you naughty boy! You idiot!

Why are you lying in the grass?

Give me my parasol. See where

I've thrown it on your account.

Don't look at me like that.

It's too ridiculous.

You aren't hurt, are you?

Don't look at me, I tell you.

Why, he doesn't understand

a word, he doesn't answer.

Now, don't argue with me.

We have a lot to think about.

You are to sit. Don't dare

to move from your place.

I've not managed to

find you a quiet horse.

Denis says he absolutely

guarantees one, but I feel afraid.

Afraid of what, may I ask?

Of what? Why, you don't know how to

ride. I dare not think what might happen.

What is this whim that's come

into your head suddenly?

That's my affair, you beast.

I can always ask our neighbor,

Vladimir's father, for a horse.

I see. It's him you mean

to go riding with.

- With him, or someone else.

- As you wish. I shall find you a horse.

But don't go and get me

an old cow. I want to gallop.

Gallop as much as you want.

Who is it then? Is it Malevsky

you want to go riding with?

Now calm yourself, and don't

glare so. I'll take you too.

- You only say that to console me.

- Does that console you? Oh, the warrior.

And you, Monsieur Woldemar,

would you come with us?

No, I'm not fond of large company.

He wants to go alone with me. Freedom

to the free, heaven for the holy.

Off you go, Boris, and do something.

I must have a horse for tomorrow.

And where is the money to come from?

I'm not asking you for it.

Boris will trust me.

Boris will trust you?

Boris, a word please.

Really, this is splendid.

This is a letter for your mother.

Here's a letter for you.

Open it.

Gregory, go to the hayloft.

See if the swallows have hatched.

The Army's discharging Vasya.

He's being sent home.

When? Does it say?

He's already been released.

He'll be here soon.

Well then, you can be

an honest woman again.

- I'm not going to live with him.

- He's your husband, isn't he?

Do you think it's as easy as that?

I never loved him. I married him against

my will. My mother made me do it.

Don't try to get out of it.

Tell me this, were you married

to him in church or not?

Of course I married him.

I love you. I want to

live with you till I die.

Let people laugh, I don't care.

We have sinned, you and I. We must

listen to our consciences and fear God.

We must ask forgiveness of Vasya.

He's a quiet man, he won't kill you.

It's better to repent

and restore your home.

- I love you, Not him, you.

- There's Gregory to think of too.

Did you think of him when you

where pulling me to the ground?

What do you want?

I came to call upon the

young Princess, naturally.

She is unwell.

Look. Lilac.

All medications have their source

in herbs. Even morphia is derivative.

- I thought she was a flirt.

- Yes.

Evidently to sacrifice oneself is the

height of bliss for some people.

What are you trying to say?

I beg your pardon. I'm not

trying to say anything.

No, it's all over now. I'm

a little tired, but that will pass.

And you will be the

same as you were before?

- Why? Am I changed then?

- Yes, you are.

I have been cold to you, I know.

But you should not have

taken any notice of it.

You just don't want me

to love you, that's what it is.

No. Love me, yes. But not as before.

What am I to do then?

Let us be friends, that's what.

We are neighbors after all, aren't we?

- Am I only a child to you?

- Yes, a child.

But a good, sweet, clever child

whom I love very much.

I'll tell you what.

As from today, you are

appointed to be my page.

And always remember that pages must

never leave their mistress' side.

And here is the token

of your new dignity.

Follow me, my page.

The same dog, the same pine cone

and the samovar was still cold.

Your turn, Boris. What

was your latest dream?

I dreamt I fed carp to my horse.

My horse had a wooden leg too.

Ate the carp, didn't like the carp.

My poor dream began as a lady

sudden deceived her adored man.

- Rot!

- Music floated from afar.

There were talking flowers and

standing forlorn upon the sepulchers,

I saw great angels with lyres.

- Absolute rot!

- Do shut up, Maidanov.

Yes, I agree.

Boris, if your dreams are

so dull, invent a story then.

I can't think of anything to say.

Can't you imagine?

Let's say that you are married.

Tell us how you would arrange

your life with your bride.

- Would you lock her up?

- I would.

And would you remain with her yourself?

Certainly. I would certainly

stay with her all the time.

Admirable. And if this happened

to bore her and she deceive you?

I would kill her.

And if she ran away?

I would pursue her

and catch her and kill her.

I see. And supposing that I were

your wife, what would you do then?

I would kill myself.

If I should need to

have somebody killed,

I would send directly for you,

my great Hussar beast.

Now imagine a magnificent palace,

a ball being held by a young queen,

set with every conceivable luxury.

- You like luxury?

- Of course. Don't interrupt.

Well, then, the ball is magnificent.

There are many guests.

Young, brave, beautiful and all

are madly in love with the Queen.

- Are there no women among the guests?

- No. Or wait. There are.

- All ugly?

- No, ravishing.

But the men are all in love with

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