NATALYA PETROVNA [with a smile]. You said just now that you're afraid of me.
BELIAYEV. Did I? [A pause.] Really.... I wonder at myself. ... Is it I, I talking so boldly to you? I don't know myself.
NATALYA PETROVNA. And you're not deceiving yourself?
BELIAYEV. How?
NATALYA PETROVNA. In thinking that you . . . [Shuddering.] Oh? good God, what am I doing? . . . Beliayev. . . . Help me. . . . No woman has ever been in such a position. It's more than I can bear indeed. . . . Perhaps it's for the best, everything is ended at once; but anyway, we have come to know each other. . . . Give me your hand and good-bye for ever.
BELIAYEV [takes her hand], Natalya Petrovna ... I don't know what to say at parting . . . my heart is so full. God give you. . . . [Breaks off and presses her hand to his lips.] Good-bye. [Is about to go out by door into garden.]
NATALYA PETROVNA [looking after him]. Beliayev.. ..
BELIAYEV [turning]. Natalya Petrovna. . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA [pausingfor some time, then in a weak voice]. Stay. . . .
BELIAYEV. What?
NATALYA PETROVNA. Stay, and may God be our judge! [She hides her head in her hands.]
BELIAYEV [goes swiftly to her and holds out his hands to her]. Natalya Petrovna. . . . [At that instant the garden door opens and RAKITIN appears in the doorway. He gazes at them for some time, then goes suddenly up to them.]
RAKITIN [in a loud voice']. They are looking for you everywhere, Natalya Petrovna. . . . [NATALYA PETROVNA and BELIAYEV look round.]
NATALYA PETROVNA [taking her hands from her face and seeming to come to herself]. Ah, it's you. . . . Who is looking for me? [BELIAYEV in confusion bows to NATALYA PETROVNA and is going out.] Are you going, Alexey Nikolaitch? . . . Don't forget, you know what. . . . [He bows to her a second time and goes out into the garden.]
RAKITIN. Arkady is looking for you. ... I must say I didn't expect to find you here . . . but as I passed by ...
NATALYA PETROVNA [with a smile']. You heard our voices. ... I met Alexey Nikolaitch here and have had a complete explanation with him. . . . To-day seems a day of explanations; but now we can go into the house. . . . [Goes towards door into corridor.,]
RAKITIN [with some emotion]. May I ask . . . what decision?
NATALYA PETROVNA [affecting surprise]. Decision? . . . I don't understand you.
RAKITIN [after a long pause, sadly]. If that's so, I understand.
NATALYA PETROVNA. Well, there it is.... Mysterious hints again! Oh, well, I have spoken to him and now everything is set right. ... It was all nonsense, exaggeration. . . . All you and I talked about was childish. It must be forgotten now.
RAKITIN. I am not asking you for explanations, Natalya Petrovna.
NATALYA PETROVNA [with forced ease]. What on earth was it I wanted to say to you. ... I don't remember. Never mind. Let us go. It's all at an end . . . it's over.
RAKITIN [looking at her intently]. Yes, it's all at an end. How vexed you must be with yourself now ... for your openness this morning. [She turns away.]
NATALYA PETROVNA. Rakitin. . . . [He glances at her again; she obviously does not know what to say.] You've not spoken to Arkady yet?
RAKITIN. No ... I haven't thought of anything yet.... You see I must make up some story. . , .
NATALYA PETROVNA. How insufferable it is! What do they want of me? I'm followed about at every step I take. Rakitin, I'm really conscience-stricken you should have . . .
RAKITIN. Oh, Natalya Petrovna, pray don't distress yourself. . . . Why, it's all in the natural order of things. But how obviously this is Mr. Beliayev's first experience! Why was he so embarrassed, why did he take to flight? . . . But with time ... [In an undertone] you will both learn to keep up appearances. . . . [Aloud.] Let us go.
[NATALYA PETROVNA is about to go up to him but stops short. At that instant ISLAYEV'S voice is heard in the garden: 'He went in here, you say?' and then ISLAYEV and SHPIGELSKY come in.]
ISLAYEV. To be sure . . . here he is. Well, well, well! And Natalya Petrovna too! [Going up to her.] How's this? The continuation of this morning's talk? It's evidently an important matter.
RAKITIN. I met Natalya Petrovna here as I walked.
ISLAYEV. Met her? [Looking round.] A queer place for a walk!
NATALYA PETROVNA. Well, you've walked in, too. . .
ISLAYEV. I came in because . . . [Breaks off.]
NATALYA PETROVNA. You were looking for me?
ISLAYEV [after a pause]. Yes--I was looking for you. Won't you come into the house? Tea's ready. It will soon be dark.
NATALYA PETROVNA [taking his arm]. Come along.
ISLAYEV [looking round]. This place might be turned into two good rooms for the gardeners--or another servants' hall--don't you think, Shpigelsky?
SHPIGELSKY. To be sure it could.
ISLAYEV. Let us go by the garden, Natasha. [Goes towards the garden door. Throughout the scene he has not once looked at RAKITIN. In the doorway he turns half round.'] Well, gentlemen. Let us go in to tea.
[Goes out with NATALYA PETROVNA.]
SHPIGELSKY [to RAKITIN]. Well, Mihail Alexandritch, come along. . . . Give me your arm. . . . It's clear we are destined to follow in the rear. . . .
RAKITIN [wrathfully]. Oh, Doctor, I'm sick of you.
SHPIGELSKY [with affected good-humour]. Ah, Mihail Alexandritch, if only you know how sick I am of myself! [RAKITIN cannot help smiling.] Come along, come along. [They go out into the garden.]
ACT V
[The scene is the same as in the 1st and 3rd Acts. Morning. ISLAYEV is sitting at the table looking through papers. He suddenly jumps up.]
ISLAYEV. No! impossible. I can't work to-day. I can't get it out of my mind. [Walks up and down.] I confess I didn't expect this; I didn't expect I should be so upset... as I am now. How is one to act? . . . that's the problem. [Ponders and suddenly shouts.'] Matvey!
MATVEY [entering]. Yes, Sir?
ISLAYEV. Send the bailiff to me. . . . And tell the men digging at the dam to wait for me. . . . Run along.
MATVEY. Yes, Sir. [Goes out.]
ISLAYEV [going back to the table and turning over the papers]. Yes . . . it's a problem!
ANNA SEMYONOVNA [comes in and goes up to ISLAYEV]. Arkasha. . . .
ISLAYEV. Ah! it's you, Mamma. How are you this morning?
ANNA SEMYONOVNA [sitting down on the sofa]. I'm quite well, thank God. [Sighs.] I'm quite well. [Sighs still more audibly.] Thank God. [Seeing that ISLAYEV is not attending to her, she sighs very emphatically, with a faint moan.]
ISLAYEV. You're sighing . .. what's the matter?
ANNA SEMYONOVNA [sighs again but less emphatically]. Oh! Arkasha, as though you don't know what makes me sigh!
ISLAYEV. What do you want to say?
ANNA SEMYONOVNA [after a pause]. I'm your mother, Arkasha. Of course you're a man, grown-up and sensible; but still--I'm your mother. It's a great word--mother!
ISLAYEV. Please explain.
ANNA SEMYONOVNA. You know what I am hinting at, my dear. Your wife, Natasha ... of course, she's an excellent woman . . . and her conduct hitherto has been most exemplary . . . but she is still so young, Arkasha! And youth... .
ISLAYEV. I see what you want to say. . . . You fancy her relations with Rakitin. . . .
ANNA SEMYONOVNA. God forbid! I never thought of such a thing.
ISLAYEV. You didn't let me finish. . . . You fancy her relations with Rakitin are not altogether . . . clear. These mysterious conversations, these tears--all strike you as strange.
ANNA SEMYONOVNA. Well, Arkasha, has he told you at last what their talks were about? . . . He has told me nothing.
ISLAYEV. I haven't asked him, Mamma, and he is apparently in no hurry to satisfy my curiosity.
ANNA SEMYONOVNA. Then what do you intend to do now?
ISLAYEV. Do, Mamma? Why, nothing.
ANNA SEMYONOVNA. Nothing?
ISLAYEV. Why, certainly, nothing.
ANNA SEMYONOVNA [gettin
g up]. I must say, I'm surprised to hear it. Of course you are master in your own house and know better than I do what is for the best. But only think of the consequences. . . .
ISLAYEV. Really, Mamma, there's no need to worry yourself.
ANNA SEMYONOVNA. My dear, I'm a mother . . . you know best. [A pause.] I must own I came to see whether I could do anything to help.
ISLAYEV [earnestly]. No, as far as that goes, I must beg you, Mamma, not to trouble yourself. . . . Pray don't!
ANNA SEMYONOVNA. As you wish, Arkasha, as you wish. I won't say another word. I have warned you, I have done my duty, and now I won't open my lips, [A brief silence.]
ISLAYEV. Are you going anywhere to-day?
ANNA SEMYONOVNA. Only I must warn you; you are too trustful, my dear boy; you judge everybody by yourself! Believe me, true friends are only too rare nowadays!
ISLAYEV [with impatience]. Mamma. . . .
ANNA SEMYONOVNA. Oh, I'll say no more, I'll say no more! And what's the use, an old woman like me! I'm in my dotage, I suppose! But I was brought up on different principles, and have tried to instil them in you . . . there, there, go on with your work, I won't interrupt you. . . . I'm going. [Goes to door and stops.] Well, you know best. [Goes out.]
ISLAYEV [looking after her]. Queer that people who really love you have such a passion for poking their fingers into your wounds. And of course they're convinced it's doing you good ... that's what's so funny! I don't blame Mother, though; of course she means well, and how could she help giving advice? But that's no matter. . . . [Sitting down.] How am I to act? [After a moment's thought, gets up.] Oh! the more simply, the better! Diplomatic subtleties don't suit me. ... I should be the first to make a muddle of them. [Rings, MATVEY enters.] Is Mihail Alexandritch at home, do you know?
MATVEY. Yes, Sir. I saw his honour in the billiard-room just now.
ISLAYEV. Ah, well, ask him to come to me.
MATVEY. Yes, Sir. [Goes out.]
ISLAYEV [walking up and down]. I'm not used to these upheavals. ... I hope they won't happen often . . . strong as I am, I can't stand them. [Puts his hand on his heart.] Ough! . . . [RAKITIN, embarrassed, comes in from the outer room.]
RAKITIN. You sent for me?
ISLAYEV. Yes. . . . [A pause,] Michel, you know you owe me something?
RAKITIN. I owe you?
ISLAYEV. Why, yes. Have you forgotten your promise? About . . . Natasha's tears . . . and altogether . . . When my Mother and I came upon you, you remember--you told me you had a secret which you would explain.
RAKITIN. I said a secret?
ISLAYEV. You said so.
RAKITIN. But what secret could we have? We had had a talk.
ISLAYEV. What about? And why was she crying?
RAKITIN. You know, Arkady . . . there are moments in in the life of a woman . . . even the happiest. . .
ISLAYEV. Rakitin, stop, we can't go on like this. I can't bear to see you in such a position. . . . Your confusion distresses me more than it does yourself. [Takes his hand.] We are old friends--you've known me from a child; I don't know how to pretend and you have always been open with me. Let me put one question to you. ... I give you my word beforehand that I shall not doubt the sincerity of your answer. You love my wife, don't you? [RAKITIN looks at ISLAYEV.] You understand me, you love her as ... Well, that is you love her with the sort of love that . . . it's difficult to admit to her husband?
RAKITIN [after a pause, in a toneless voice]. Yes, I love your wife . . . with that sort of love.
ISLAYEV [also after a pause]. Michel, thank you for your frankness. You're an honourable man. But what's to be done now? Sit down, we'll think it over together. [RAKITIN sits down. ISLAYEV walks about the room.] I know Natasha; I know how to appreciate her. But I know how much I'm worth myself too. I'm not your equal. Michel. . . don't interrupt me, please--I'm not your equal. You're cleverer, better, more attractive, in fact. I'm an ordinary person. Natasha loves me--I think, but she has eyes, well, of course, she must find you attractive. And there's another thing I must tell you: I noticed your affection for each other long ago. . . . But I was always so sure of you both--and as long as nothing came to the surface . . . Ough! I don't know how to say things! [Breaks off.] But after the scene yesterday, after your second interview in the evening--what are we to do? And if only I had come upon you alone, but other people are mixed up in it; Mamma, and that sly fox, Shpigelsky. . . . Come, what do you say, Michel?
RAKITIN. You are perfectly right, Arkady.
ISLAYEV. That's not the point . . . what's to be done? I must tell you, Michel, that though I am a simple person--so much I do understand, that it's not the thing to spoil other people's lives--and that there are cases when it's wicked to insist on one's rights. That I've not picked out of books, Michel . . . it's my conscience tells me so. Leave others free. . . . Well, yes, let them be free. Only it wants some thinking over. It's too important.
RAKITIN [getting up]. But I have thought it over already.
ISLAYEV. How so?
RAKITIN. I must go. ... I'm going away.
ISLAYEV [after a pause]. You think so? . . . Right away from here altogether?
RAKITIN. Yes.
ISLAYEV [begins walking up and down again]. That is . . . that is a hard saying! But perhaps you are right. We shall miss you dreadfully. . . . God knows, perhaps it won't mend matters either. . . . But you can see more clearly, you know best. I expect you are right. You're a danger to me, Michel.... [With a mournful smile.] Yes ... you are. You know what I said just now . . . about freedom. . . . And yet perhaps I couldn't survive it! For me to be without Natasha. . . . [Waving his hand in dismissal of the idea.] And another tiling, Michel: for some time past, and especially these last few days, I've noticed a great change in her. She's all the time in a state of intense agitation and I'm alarmed about it. I'm not mistaken, am I?
RAKITIN [bitterly]. Oh no! you're not mistaken!
ISLAYEV. Well, you see! So you are going away?
RAKITIN. Yes.
ISLAYEV. H'm! And how suddenly this has burst on us! If only you had not been so confused when my Mother and I came upon you. . . .
MATVEY [coming in]. The bailiff is here.
ISLAYEV. Ask him to wait! [MATVEY goes out.] But, Michel, you won't be away for long? That's nonsense.
RAKITIN. I don't know . . . really ... a good time, I expect.
ISLAYEV. But you don't take me for an Othello, do you? Upon my word, I don't believe there has been such a conversation between two friends since the world began! I can't part from you like this. . . .
RAKITIN [pressing his hand]. You'll let me know when I can come back. . . .
ISLAYEV. There's nobody who can fill your place here! Not Bolshintsov, anyway!
RAKITIN. There are others. . . .
ISLAYEV. Who? Krinitsyn? That conceited fool? Beliayev, of course, is a good-natured lad ... but you can't speak of him in the same breath.
RAKITIN [ironically]. Do you think so? You don't know him, Arkady. . . . Look at him more attentively. ... I advise you. . . . Do you hear? He's a very . . . very remarkable fellow!
ISLAYEV. Pooh! To be sure, Natasha and you were always meaning to finish his education! [Glancing towards the door.] Ah! here he is, coming here, I do believe. . . . [Hurriedly.] And so, dear Michel, it's settled . . . you are going away ... for a short time ... some days. . . . No need to hurry . . . we must prepare Natasha, . . . I'll soothe my Mother. . . . And God give you happiness! You've lifted a load off my heart. . . . Embrace me, dear boy! [Hastily embraces him and turns to BELIAYEV who is coming in.] Ah! . . . it's you! Well. . . well, how are you?
BELIAYEV. Very well, thank you, Arkady Sergeyitch.
ISLAYEV. And where's Kolya?
BELIAYEV. He's with Herr Schaaf.
ISLAYEV. Ah ... that's right! [Takes his hat.] Well, I must be off, my friends. I've not been anywhere this morning, neither to the dam nor the building. . . . Here, I've not even looked through my papers. [Gathers them up und
er his arm.] Good-bye for now! Matvey! Matvey! Come with me! [Goes out. RAKITIN remains in front of stage, plunged in thought.]
BELIAYEV [goes up to him]. How are you feeling this morning, Mihail Alexandritch?
RAKITIN. Thank you. Just as usual. And you?
BELIAYEV. I'm quite well.
RAKITIN. That's obvious!
BELIAYEV. How so?
RAKITIN. Why . . . from your face. . . . And oh! you've put on your new coat this morning. . . . And what do I see? A flower in your buttonhole! [BELIAYEV, blushing, snatches it out.] Oh! why . . . why. . . . It's charming. [A pause.] By the way, Alexey Nikolaitch, if there's anything you want . . . I'm going to the town tomorrow.
BELIAYEV. To-morrow?
RAKITIN. Yes . . . and from there on to Moscow, perhaps.
BELIAYEV [with surprise]. To Moscow? Why, only yesterday you said you meant to be here another month or so....
RAKITIN. Yes . . . but business . . . things have turned up....
BELIAYEV. And shall you be away for long?
RAKITIN. I don't know ... a long time, perhaps.
BELIAYEV. Do you mind telling me--does Natalya Petrovna know of your intention?
RAKITIN. No. Why do you ask me about her?
BELIAYEV. Why? [_A little embarrassed.'] Oh, nothing.
RAKITIN [pausing and looking round]. Alexey Nikolaitch, there's nobody in the room but ourselves; isn't it queer that we should keep up a farce before each other? Don't you think so?
BELIAYEV. I don't understand you, Mihail Alexandritch.
RAKITIN. Oh, you don't? Do you really not understand why I'm going away?
BELIAYEV. No.
RAKITIN. That's strange. . . . However, I'm willing to believe you. Perhaps you really don't know the reason ... would you like me to tell you why I'm going?
BELIAYEV. Please do.
RAKITIN. Well, you see, Alexey Nikolaitch--but I rely on your discretion--you found me just now with Arkady Sergeyitch. . . . We have had a rather important conversation. In consequence of which I have decided to depart. And do you know why? I'm telling you all this because I think you are a really good fellow. . . . He imagined that I ... oh! well, that I'm in love with Natalya Petrovna. What do you think of that? It's a queer notion, isn't it? But I am grateful to him for speaking to me simply, straight out instead of being underhand, keeping watch on us and all that. Come, tell me now what would you have done in my place? Of course, there are no grounds at all for his suspicions, still he's worried by them. . . . For the peace of mind of his friends, a decent man must be ready at times to sacrifice . . . his own pleasure. So that's why I'm going away. . . . I'm sure you think I'm right, don't you? You too ... you would certainly do the same in my place, wouldn't you? You would go away too?
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