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The Live Corpse, a play by Leo Tolstoy |
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Act 6 Scene 2 |
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_ ACT VI SCENE II [A corridor of the Law Courts. In the background a door with glass panels, beside which stands an usher. Further to the right another door through which the accused are led.] [Ivan Petrovich Alexandrov comes to the first door and wishes to enter.] USHER. Where are you going? You mustn't! Shoving in like that! IVAN PETROVICH. Why mustn't I? The law says the proceedings are public. [Applause is heard from inside the Court]. USHER. Anyhow, you mustn't, and that's all about it. IVAN PETROVICH. Ignorant fellow! You don't know whom you are speaking to! [A Young Lawyer in a dress-suit enters from the Court.] YOUNG LAWYER. Are you concerned in this case? IVAN PETROVICH. No, I am the public, and this ignoramus--this Cerberus--won't let me in! YOUNG LAWYER. But this door is not for the public. IVAN PETROVICH. I know, but I am a man who should be admitted. YOUNG LAWYER. Wait a bit--they'll adjourn in a minute. [Is just going, when he meets Prince Abrezkov]. PRINCE ABREZKOV. May I ask how the case stands? YOUNG LAWYER. The Counsel are speaking--Petrushin is addressing the Court. [Applause from within.] PRINCE ABREZKOV. And how do the defendants bear their position? YOUNG LAWYER. With great dignity, especially Karenin and Elisabeth Andreyevna. It is as if not they were being indicted, but they were indicting society! That's what is felt, and on that Petrushin is working. PRINCE ABREZKOV. Well, and Protasov? YOUNG LAWYER. He is terribly excited. He trembles all over; but that is natural, considering the life he leads. He is particularly irritable, and interrupted the Public Prosecutor and Counsel several times ... PRINCE ABREZKOV. What do you think the result will be? YOUNG LAWYER. It is hard to say. In any case they won't be found guilty of premeditation; but still ... [A gentleman comes out, and Prince Abrezkov moves towards the door] You wish to go in? PRINCE ABREZKOV. I should like to. YOUNG LAWYER. You are Prince Abrezkov? PRINCE ABREZKOV. I am. YOUNG LAWYER [to Usher] Let this gentleman pass. There is an empty chair just to the left. [Usher lets Prince Abrezkov pass. As the door opens, Counsel is seen speaking.] IVAN PETROVICH. Aristocrats! I am an aristocrat of the soul, and that is higher! YOUNG LAWYER. Well, excuse me ... [Exit]. [Petushkov enters hurriedly, and approaches Ivan Petrovich.] PETUSHKOV. Ah, how are you, Ivan Petrovich? How are things going? IVAN PETROVICH. Counsel are still speaking, but this fellow won't let me in. USHER. Don't make a noise here! This is not a public-house! [Applause. The doors open. Lawyers, and the public--men and women--come out.] A LADY. Splendid! He really moved me to tears. OFFICER. It's better than any novel. Only I don't understand how she could love him so. Dreadful object! [The other door opens. The accused come out: first Lisa, then Karenin. They pass along the corridor. Fedya follows alone.] LADY. Hush--here he is! Look how excited he seems! [Lady and Officer pass on.] FEDYA [approaches Ivan Petrovich] Have you brought it? IVAN PETROVICH. Here it is. [Hands Fedya something]. FEDYA [Hides it in his pocket, and wishes to pass out, but sees Petushkov] Stupid! Vile! Dreary, dreary! Senseless. [Wishes to pass]. [Enter Counsel Petrushin; stout, red, and animated. He approaches Fedya.] PETRUSHIN. Well, friend! Our affairs are going well--only don't you go and spoil things for me in your last speech! FEDYA. I won't speak. What is the use? I shan't do it. PETRUSHIN. Yes, you must speak. But don't be excited. The whole matter is now in a nutshell! Only tell them what you told me--that if you are being tried, it is only for _not_ having committed suicide: that is, for not doing what is considered a crime both by civil and ecclesiastical law. FEDYA. I shan't say anything! PETRUSHIN. Why not? FEDYA. I don't want to, and shan't. Tell me only, at the worst, what will it be? PETRUSHIN. I have already told you--at worst, exile to Siberia. FEDYA. Who will be exiled? PETRUSHIN. You and your wife. FEDYA. And at best? PETRUSHIN. Church penance, and of course annulment of the second marriage. FEDYA. Then they will again tie me to her--or rather, her to me? PETRUSHIN. Yes, that must be so. But don't excite yourself, and please say what I told you, and above all, don't say anything superfluous. However [noticing that a circle of listeners has formed round them] I am tired, and will go and sit down; and you'd better take a rest. The chief thing is, not to lose courage! FEDYA. No other sentence is possible? PETRUSHIN [going] No other. [Enter Attendant.] ATTENDANT. Pass on! Pass on! No loitering in the corridor! FEDYA. Directly! [Takes out revolver and shoots himself in the heart. Falls. All rush on him] All right, I think it is done.... Lisa!... [The audience, judges, accused, and witnesses rush out from all the doors.] [In front of all is Lisa. Behind her Masha, Karenin, Ivan Petrovich and Prince Abrezkov.] LISA. Fedya, what have you done! Why? FEDYA. Forgive me that I could not ... free you any other way.... It's not for you ... it's best for me. I have long ... been ready ... LISA. You will live! [A Doctor bends over Fedya and listens.] FEDYA. I need no doctor to tell me ... Good-bye, Victor ... Ah, Masha!... it's too late this time ... [Weeps] How good ... how good! [Dies]. [Curtain.] [THE END] _ |
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