LISA. How it all seemed insoluble at one time--and then everything suddenly came right.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Well, Victor, did you get the wool?
KARÉNIN. Yes, I did. [Brings a bag, and takes out parcels]. Here is the wool, and this is the eau-de-Cologne; and here are letters--one "On Government Service" for you, Lisa [hands her a letter]. Well Anna Pávlovna, if you want to wash your hands I will show you your room. I must make myself tidy too; it is almost dinner time. Lisa, Anna Pávlovna's room is the corner one downstairs, isn't it?
Lisa is pale; holds the letter in trembling hands, and reads it.
KARÉNIN. What's the matter? Lisa, what is it?
LISA. He is alive!... Oh God! When will he release me! Victor, what does this mean? [Sobs].
KARÉNIN [Takes letter and reads] This is dreadful!
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. What is it? Why don't you tell me?
KARÉNIN. It is dreadful! He's alive, she's a bigamist, and I a criminal! It's a notice from the Examining Magistrate--a summons for Lisa to appear before him.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. What a dreadful man! Why has he done this?
LISA. Oh, how I hate him! I don't know what I am saying ... [Exit in tears. Karénin follows her].
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. All I know is, that as soon as Victor came in contact with this world of mud--they were sure to draw him in too! And so they have. It's all fraud--all lies!
The room of an Examining Magistrate, who sits at a table talking to Mélnikov. At a side table a clerk is sorting papers.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. But I never said anything of the kind to her. She invented it, and now reproaches me.
MÉLNIKOV. She does not reproach you, but is grieved.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. All right, I'll come to dinner. But now I have a very interesting case on. [To Clerk] Ask her in.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE [finishes his cigarette and hides it] No, only Mrs. Karénina, or rather--by her first husband--Protásova.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Yes, it's a nasty affair. It's true I am only beginning to look into it, but it's a bad business. Well, good-bye! [Exit Mélnikov].
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Take a seat, please. [Points to a chair] Believe me, I much regret to have to question you, but we are under the necessity ... Please be calm, and remember that you need not answer my questions. Only, in my opinion, for your own sake--and in fact for everybody's sake--the truth is best. It is always best, even practically.