Redemption and two other plays Part 15

MAGISTRATE (continuing). And also you are accused of having persuaded with bribes your first husband to commit a fraud, a pretended suicide, in order to rid yourself of him.

LISA. All that's not true.

MAGISTRATE. Then permit me to ask you these questions: Did you or did you not send him 1200 rubles in July of last year?

LISA. That was his own money obtained from selling his things, which I sent to him during our separation, while I was waiting for my divorce.

MAGISTRATE. Just so. Very well. When the police asked you to identify the corpse, how were you sure it was your husband's?

LISA. Oh, I was so terribly distressed that I couldn't bear to look at the body. Besides, I felt so sure it was he, and when they asked me, I just said yes.

MAGISTRATE. Very good indeed. I can well understand your distraction, and permit me to observe, Madame, that although servants of the law, we remain human beings, and I beg you to be a.s.sured that I sympathize with your situation. You were bound to a spendthrift, a drunkard, a man whose dissipation caused you infinite misery.

LISA (interrupting). Please, I loved him.

MAGISTRATE (tolerantly). Of course. Yet naturally you desired to be free, and you took this simple course without counting the consequence, which is considered a crime, or bigamy. I understand you, and so will both judges and jury. And it's for this reason, Madam, I urge you to disclose the entire truth.

LISA. I've nothing to disclose. I never have lied. (She begins to cry.) Do you want me any longer?

MAGISTRATE. Yes. I must ask you to remain a few minutes longer. No more questions, however. (To the CLERK.) Show in Victor Karenin. (To LISA.) I think you'll find that a comfortable chair. (Sits L. C.)

[Enter KAReNIN, stern and solemn.

Please, sit down.

KAReNIN. Thank you. (He remains standing L. U.) What do you want from me?

MAGISTRATE. I have to take your deposition.

KAReNIN. In what capacity?

MAGISTRATE (smiling). In my capacity of investigating magistrate. You are here, you know, because you are charged with a crime.

KAReNIN. Really? What crime?

MAGISTRATE. Bigamy, since you've married a woman already married. But I'll put the questions to you in their proper order. Sure you'll not sit down?

KAReNIN. Quite sure.

MAGISTRATE (writing). Your name?

KAReNIN. Victor Karenin.

MAGISTRATE. Rank?

KAReNIN. Chamberlain of the Imperial Court.

MAGISTRATE. Your age?

KAReNIN. Thirty-eight.

MAGISTRATE. Religion?

KAReNIN. Orthodox, and I've never been tried before of any charge.

(Pause.) What else?

MAGISTRATE. Did you know that Fedor Protosov was alive when you married his wife?

KAReNIN. No, we were both convinced that he was drowned.

MAGISTRATE. All right. And why did you send 1200 rubles to him a few days before he simulated death on July 17th?

KAReNIN. That money was given me by my wife.

MAGISTRATE (interrupting him). Excuse me, you mean by Madame Protosova.

KAReNIN. By my wife to send to her husband. She considered this money his property, and having broken off all relations with him, felt it unjust to withhold it. What else do you want?

MAGISTRATE. I don't want anything, except to do my official duty, and to aid you in doing yours, through causing you to tell me the whole truth, in order that your innocence be proved. You'd certainly better not conceal things which are sure to be found out, since Protosov is in such a weakened condition, physically and mentally, that he is certain to come out with the entire truth as soon as he gets into court, so from your point of view I advise....

KAReNIN. Please don't advise me, but remain within the limits of your official capacity. Are we at liberty to leave?

[He goes to LISA who takes his arm.

MAGISTRATE. Sorry, but it's necessary to detain you. (KAReNIN looks around in astonishment.) No, I've no intention of arresting you, although it might be a quicker way of reaching the truth. I merely want to take Protosov's deposition in your presence, to confront him with you, that you may facilitate your chances by proving his statements to be false. Kindly sit down. (To CLERK.) Show in Fedor Protosov.

[There is a pause. The CLERK shows in FeDYA in rags, a total wreck. He enters slowly, dragging his feet. He catches sight of his wife, who is bowed in grief. For a moment he is about to take her in his arms--he hesitates--then stands before the MAGISTRATE.

MAGISTRATE. I shall ask you to answer some questions.

FeDYA. (rises, confronting the MAGISTRATE). Ask them.

MAGISTRATE. Your name?

FeDYA. You know it.

MAGISTRATE. Answer my questions exactly, please.

[Rapping on his desk.

FeDYA (shrugs). Fedor Protosov.

MAGISTRATE. Your rank, age, religion?

FeDYA. (silent for a moment). Aren't you ashamed to ask me these absurd questions? Ask me what you need to know, only that.

MAGISTRATE. I shall ask you to take care how you express yourself.

FeDYA. Well, since you're not ashamed. My rank, graduate of the University of Moscow; age 40; religion orthodox. What else?