Conversation about land. Nicholas Ivánovich tries not to offend them.

Exeunt all. Nicholas Ivánovich with Lisa. "I am always in doubt whether

I have done right. I have accomplished nothing. Borís has perished,

Vasíly Nikonórovich has recanted. I set an example of weakness.

Evidently God does not wish me to be his servant. He has many other

servants--and can accomplish his will without me, and he who realises

this is at peace." Exit Lisa. He prays. The Princess rushes in and

shoots him. Everybody comes running into the room. He says he did it

himself by accident. He writes a petition to the Emperor. Enter Vasíly

Nikonórovich with Doukhobors.[42] Dies rejoicing that the fraud of the

Church is exposed, and that he has understood the meaning of his life.

[

42] Tolstoy did not fully realise the facts (described in A Peculiar

People) of the Doukhobors' submission to their leader, or of their

belief in him as an incarnation of the Deity. In fact, when he wrote

this play, Tolstoy regarded the Doukhobors as a type of what all

Christians should be.

This play was begun in the 'eighties, and continued in 1900 and 1902.

END OF "THE LIGHT SHINES IN DARKNESS."

[

Transcriber's Note:

150

The Light Shines in Darkness