"Oh, my sins...I always threw money around like a madwoman, and I marries a man who only ran up debts.

My husband died of champaign-he was a terrible drinker-and I was unlucky to fall in love with another man, I went off to live with him, and just at that time- it was the first punishment, a blow to the head- right here in the river...my little boy drowned, and I went abroad, went away for good, in order never to come back and see this river...I closed my eyes, I fled, out of my mind, and 'he' followed-pitilessly, crudely. I bought a villa near Mentone because 'he' fell ill there and for three years I had no rest day or night; the invalid wore me out, my soul dried up. And last year, when the villa was sols to pay my debts, I went off to Paris and there he robbed me, he abandoned me, lived with another woman, I tried to poison myself...So stupid, so shaming...And suddenly I felt a longing for Russia, for my country, for my little girl...[wipes away her tears.] Lord, Lord, be merciful, forgive me my sins! Do not punish em any more! [Takes a telegram from her pocket.] I got this today from Paris...He asks forgiveness, he begs me to come back...[Tears up the telegram.] I think there's music somewhere.[Listens.]"