MUSICIAN. It's impossible to take it down correctly. They change the tune each time, and they seem to have a different scale, too. (He calls a gypsy woman.) Is this it?

[He hums a bar or two.

GYPSY WOMAN (clapping her hands). Splendid! Wonderful! How can you do it?

FeDYA (rising. Goes to table L. back of couch and pours out gla.s.s of wine). He'll never get it. And even if he did and shovelled it into an opera, he'd make it seem absolutely meaningless.

AFReMOV. Now we'll have "The Fatal Hour."

[Gypsies sing quartette. During this song, FeDYA is standing down R., keeping time with the wine gla.s.s from which he has drunk.

When they finish he returns to the couch and falls into MASHA'S arms.

FeDYA. G.o.d! That's it! That's it! That's wonderful. What lovely things that music says. And where does it all come from, what does it all mean?

[Another pause.

To think that men can touch eternity like that, and then--nothing-- nothing at all.

MUSICIAN. Yes, it's very original.

[Taking notes.

FeDYA. Original be d.a.m.ned. It's real.

MUSICIAN. It's all very simple, except the rhythm. That's very strange.

FeDYA. Oh, Masha, Masha! You turn my soul inside out.

[Gypsies hum a song softly.

MASHA (sitting on couch L. with FeDYA). Do I? But what was it I asked you for?

FeDYA. What? Oh, money. Voila, mademoiselle.

[He takes money front his trousers pocket. MASHA laughs, takes the money, counts it swiftly, and hides it in her dress.

FeDYA. Look at this strange creature. When she sings she rushes me into the sky and all she asks for is money, little presents of money for throwing open the Gates of Paradise. You don't know yourself, at all, do you?

MASHA. What's the use of me wondering about myself? I know when I'm in love, and I know that I sing best when my love is singing.

FeDYA. Do you love me?

MASHA (murmuring). I love you.

FeDYA. But I am a married man, and you belong to this gypsy troupe.

They wouldn't let you leave it, and--

MASHA (interrupting). The troupe's one thing, and my heart's another.

I love those I love, and I hate those I hate.

FeDYA. Oh, you must be happy to be like that.

MASHA. I'm always happy when handsome gentlemen come and say nice things to me. (Gypsies stop singing.)

[A GYPSY entering speaks to FeDYA.

GYPSY. Some one asking for you.

FeDYA. Who?

Gypsy. Don't know. He's rich, though. Fur coat.

FeDYA. Fur coat? O my G.o.d, show him in.

AFReMOV. Who the devil wants to see you here?

FeDYA (carelessly). G.o.d knows, I don't. (Begins to hum a song.)

[KAReNIN comes in, looking around the room.

(Exclaiming). Ha! Victor! You're the last man in the world I expected to break into this enchanting milieu. Take off your coat, and they'll sing for you.

KAReNIN. Je voudrais vous parler sans temoins.

[MASHA rises and joins the group R.

FeDYA. Oh.... What about?

KAReNIN. Je viens de chez vous. Votre femme ma charge de cette lettre, et puis--

[FeDYA takes the letter, opens it, reads. He frowns, then smiles affectionately at KAReNIN.

FeDYA. You know what's in this letter, Victor?

[He is smiling gently all the time.

KAReNIN (looking at FeDYA rather severely). Yes, I know. But really, Fedya, you're in no--

FeDYA (interrupting). Please, please don't think I'm drunk and don't realize what I'm saying. Of course I'm drunk, but I see everything very clearly. Now go ahead. What were you told to tell me?

KAReNIN (is standing L. C. Shrugging his shoulders). Your wife asked me to find you and to tell you she's waiting for you. She wants you to forget everything and come back.

[Pause.

KAReNIN (stiffly). Elizaveta Protosova sent for me and suggested that I--

FeDYA (as he hesitates). Yes.