PIERRE You promised Countless Rostova to marry her and were about to elope, is that so?
ANATOLE Mon cher I don't consider myself bound to answer questions put to me in that tone
PIERRE My face, already pale Becomes distorted by fury I seize you by the collar with my big big hands And I shake you from side to side Until your face shows a sufficient degree of terror When I tell you I must talk to you!
ANATOLE Come now, this is stupid! What what don't don't!
PIERRE You're a scoundrel and a blackguard And I don't know what deprives me of the pleasure Of smashing your head in with this!
(He takes a heavy paperweight and lifts it threateningly, but at once puts it back in its place)
Did you promise to marry her?
ANATOLE I didn't think of it. I never promised, because -
PIERRE Have you any letters of hers? Any letters?
I shan't be violent, don't be afraid
(Anatole hands Pierre a pack of letters)
First, the letters Second, tomorrow you must get out of Moscow
ANATOLE But how can I?
PIERRE Third You must never breathe a word of what has happened between you and the Countess Now I know I can't prevent your doing so But if you have a spark of conscience
Pierre paces the room several times in silence
ANATOLE Anatole sits at a table frowning and biting his lips
PIERRE After all, you must understand That besides your pleasure There is such a thing as other people, and their happiness and peace And that you are ruining a whole life For the sake of amusing yourself! Amuse yourself with women like my wife With them you're within your rights But to promise a young girl to marry her To deceive, to kidnap Why don't you understand that that's as cruel as beating an old man or a child?
ANATOLE Well I don't know about that, eh? I don't know that and I don't want to But you have used such words to me 'Scoundrel' and so on Which as a man of honor I will not allow anyone to use
PIERRE Is it satisfaction you want?
ANATOLE You could at least take back your words, eh? If you want me to do as you wish?
(Natasha drinks the poison)
PIERRE Fine I take them back, I take them back! And I ask you to forgive me And if you require money for your journey -
ANATOLE Anatole smiled The reflection of that base and cringing smile Which Pierre knew so well in his wife Revolted him