ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well?
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Well, what can I do in this life other than what the supreme judge in my soul, my conscience—God—requires of me? And my conscience—God—requires that I should regard everybody as equal, love everybody, serve everybody.
ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Your own children too?
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Naturally, my own too, but obeying all that my conscience demands. Above all, that I should understand that my life does not belong to me—nor yours to you—but to God, who sent us into the world and who requires that we should do His will. And His will is …
ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. And you think that you will persuade Mary of this?
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Certainly.
ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. And that she will give up educating the children properly, and will abandon them? Never!
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Not only will she understand, but you too will understand that it is the only thing to do.
ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Never!
Enter Mary Ivánovna.