Enter Abrézkov.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. J'espère que je ne force pas la consigne.…[8] [Kisses her hand].
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. You know that vous êtes toujours le bienvenu[9]—and to-day especially! You got my note?
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. I did, and this is my answer.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Ah, my friend! I begin quite to despair. Il est positivement ensorcelé![10] I never before knew him so insistent, so obstinate, so pitiless, and so indifferent to me. He has quite changed since that woman dismissed her husband!
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. What are the facts? How do matters actually stand?
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. He wants to marry her come what may.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. And how about the husband?
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. He agrees to a divorce.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Dear me!