Karénin (goes C. and stands behind table C.). (Shaking hands with Anna Pávlovna.) Elizaveta Andreyevna sent me a note to come at once. I should have been here to-night anyway. How is she? Well, I hope.
Anna Pávlovna. Not very. The baby has been upset again. However, she'll be here in a minute. Will you have some tea?
Karénin. No, thank you.
[Sits chair R.
Anna Pávlovna. Tell me, do you know that he and she—.
Karénin. Yes, I was here two days ago when she got this letter. Is she positive now about their separating?
Anna Pávlovna. Oh, absolutely. It would be impossible to begin it all over again.
Karénin. Yes. To cut into living things and then draw back the knife is terrible. But are you sure she knows her mind?
Anna Pávlovna. I should think so. To come to this decision has caused her much pain. But now it's final, and he understands perfectly that his behavior has made it impossible for him to come back on any terms.
Karénin. Why?