Enter Victor, who kisses his mother's hand and greets Prince Abrézkov.
VICTOR. Mother, I have come to say this: Elisabeth Andréyevna will be here in a minute, and I beg, I implore you—if you still refuse your consent to my marriage …
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA [interrupting him] Of course I still refuse my consent …
VICTOR [continues his speech and frowns] In that case I beg, I implore you, not to speak to her of your refusal! Don't settle matters negatively …
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. I don't expect we shall mention the subject. For my part, I certainly won't begin.
VICTOR. And she is even less likely to. I only want you to make her acquaintance.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. The one thing I can't understand is how you reconcile your desire to marry Mrs. Protásova, who has a husband living, with your religious conviction that divorce is contrary to Christianity.
VICTOR. Mother, this is cruel of you! Are we really so immaculate that we must always be perfectly consistent when life is so complex? Mother, why are you so cruel to me?
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. I love you. I desire your happiness.
VICTOR [to Prince Abrézkov] Prince!