Works of Ivan Turgenev (Illustrated)

by Ivan Turgenev

  Darya [,looking at him]. Yes, my benefactress.

  [Behind the scenes the voice of Stupendyev is heard: ‘Told you not to? Why did she tell you not to?’]

  Darya. What’s the matter out there?

  [Stupendyev and Vassilyevna come in from the study, Stupendyev in shirtsleeves and waistcoat; Vassilyevna with a man’s coat in her hands.]

  Stupendyev [to Darya], Dasha, did you really tell? ... [Misha stands up and bows.] Ah, good morning, Misha, good morning. Did you really tell this woman [Points to Vassilyevna] not to give me my dressing - gown to - day, eh?

  Darya. I did not.

  Stupendyev [turning to Vassilyevna with a triumphant expression]. There”! Now then?

  Darya. I only told her to ask you not to put on your dressing - gown. . . .

  Stupendyev. Why, what’s wrong with my dressing - gown? It’s so pretty with its stripes and patterns. You gave it me yourself!

  Darya. That was a very long time ago!

  Vassilyevna. Come, put on your coat, Alexey Ivan - ovitch, put it on. ... Upon my word!. . . A fine sight — your striped gown! It’s in holes at the elbows, and looked at from behind it’s simply a disgrace.

  Stupendyev [putting on his coat]. And who told you to look at me from behind? Gently, gently! Didn’t you hear? You ought to have asked me.

  Vassilyevna. Oh, go on with you. . . . [Goes out.]

  Stupendyev [calling after her]. Don’t argue, woman! It’s awful how it cuts me under the arms, hang it all! These miserable tailors! I feel as though I were being dragged up on a string. Really, Dasha, I can’t understand what possesses you to want to rig me out in my best coat; it will soon be eleven o’clock, time to go to the office, and then I shall have to put on my uniform anyway.

  Darya. We may be having visitors.

  Stupendyev. Visitors? What visitors?

  Darya. Count Lyubin. You know who he is, don’t you?

  Stupendyev. Lyubin? I should think so. So you’re expecting him?

  Darya. Yes. [Glancing at him.] What is there so marvellous in that?

  Stupendyev. There’s nothing marvellous in it, I quite agree with you; but let me tell you, my love, it’s absolutely out of the question.

  Darya. Why so?

  Stupendyev. It’s out of the question, absolutely out of the question. What should he come here for?

  Darya. He has to talk things over with you.

  Stupendyev. Suppose he has, suppose he has, but that proves nothing, that proves absolutely nothing. He’ll send for me to go to him. He’ll just send for me.

  Darya. I used to know him; he used to see me at his mother’s.

  Stupendyev. That proves nothing either. What do you think, Misha?

  Misha. Me? I don’t think anything.

  Stupendyev [to his wife]. There you see. . . . He won’t come. . . . Really how you can. . . .

  Darya. Very well, perhaps not; but don’t take off your coat. . . .

  Stupendyev [after a pause], I quite agree with you, though. [Walking up and down the room.] So that’s why they’ve been stirring up such a dust all the morning Oh, this hateful tidying! And you’re dressed up to the nines!

  Darya. No personal remarks, Alexis, please.

  Stupendyev. No, no, no. personal remarks, of course. . . . This Count has run through his fortune, it seems, and that’s why he’s come into these parts. Is he a young man?

  Darya. Younger than you.

  Stupendyev. H’m. . . . Quite, I quite agree with you. ... So that’s why you kept on practising on the piano yesterday. . . . [.Flings wide his hands.] Yes, yes. [Hums through his teeth.]

  Misha. I looked in at Kulyeshkin’s this morning. They’re expecting him there.

  Stupendyev. They are? Well, let them expect. [To his wife.]. How was it I never saw him at Countess Lyubin’s?

  Darya. He was in the Government service in Petersburg then. . . .

  Stupendyev. H’m. . . . He’s high up in the service now, I’m told. And you imagine he’ll come to see us. What an idea!

  [Apollon comes in from Hall. He is wearing a very badly fitting, light blue livery, adorned with white buttons. His face wears an expression of vacant astonishment.]

  Apollon [mysteriously to Stupendyev]. There’s a gentleman asking for you Stupendyev [alarmed,]. What sort of gentleman?

  Apollon. I don’t know, in a hat and whiskers.

  Stupendyev [agitated]. Show him in. [Apollon glances mysteriously at Stupendyev and goes out.] Can it be the Count?

  [The Count’s Valet comes in from hall. He is stylishly dressed in travelling clothes and he does not take off his hat. Vassilyevna and Apollon peep in inquisitively at hall - door.]

  Valet [with German accent]. Does Mr. Stupendyev, a Government clerk, live here?

  Stupendyev. Yes. What is your pleasure?

  Valet. Are you Mr. Stupendyev?

  Stupendyev. Yes. What is your pleasure?

  Darya. Alexey Ivanitch!

  Valet. Count Lyubin has arrived and told me to ask you to go to him.

  Stupendyev. Then you come from him?

  Darya. Alexey Ivanitch, come here.

  Stupendyev [going up to her]. Well?

  Darya. Tell him to take off his hat.

  Stupendyev. You think so? H’m. . . . Yes, yes. [Going up to the Valet.] Don’t you feel it rather warm in here? . . . [Motioning towards his hat.]

  Valet. Here it is not warm. Consequently, you will come at once?

  Stupendyev. I’ll. . . . [Darya makes a sign to him.J But allow me to ask who are you exactly?

  Valet. I am his Excellency’s hired man ... his valet.

  Stupendyev [suddenly firing up]. Take off your hat, take off your hat, take off your hat, I tell you! [The Valet slowly and with dignity removes his hat.] And tell his Excellency that I’ll lose no time. . . .

  Darya [standing up]. Tell the Count that my husband is very busy j ust now and cannot leave the house. And that if the Count wishes to see him, let him come himself. You can go. [Valet goes out.]

  Stupendyev [to Darya], Really though, Dasha, I think you ... [Darya walks up and down without speaking.] I quite agree with you, though. But didn’t I give it him, eh? Sent him off with a flea in his ear, as the saying is. An impudent fellow! [To Misha.] That was well done, wasn’t it?

  Misha. It was, Alexey Ivanitch, very well.

  Stupendyev. To be sure it was.

  Darya. Apollon!

  [Apollon comes in, followed by Vassilyevna.]

  Darya [gazing for some time at Apollon]. No, you are too absurd in that livery. You’d better not show yourself.

  Vassilyevna. What’s there absurd about him, ma’am, pray? He’s the same as anybody else and my nephew too....

  Stupendyev. Woman, don’t argue!

  Darya [to Apollon]. Turn round! [Apollon turns round.] No, you certainly must not appear before the Count. Go along and keep in hiding somewhere.... And you, Vassilyevna, sit in the hall, please.

  Vassilyevna. But I’ve my work to do in the kitchen, ma’am.

  Stupendyev. Who tells you to do your work, you saucy woman?

  Vassilyevna. Upon my word. . . .

  Stupendyev. Don’t argue, woman! For shame! Off now, both of you! [Vassilyevna and Apollon go out.] [To Darya.] And so you really imagine that the Count will come now?

  Darya. I do.

  Stupendyev [walking about], I’m upset. ... He will come in a rage. . . . I’m upset.

  Darya. Please be as calm and cool as you can.

  Stupendyev. I will. But I’m upset. Misha, aren’t you upset?

  Misha. No, Alexey Ivanitch, I’m not.

  Stupendyev. Well, I’m upset. . . . [To Darya.] Why didn’t you let me go to him?

  Darya. That’s my business. Remember that he can’t do without you.

  Stupendyev. He can’t do without me. . .. I’m upset. ... What’s that?

  Apollon [rushes in with an extraordinarily agitated face], I hadn’t time to hide. The gentleman has come. I hadn’t time to hi
de.

  Stupendyev [in a whisper]. Well, make haste and go in here! [Pushes him into the study.]

  Apollon. I hadn’t time to hide and Vassilyevna is gone into the kitchen. [Vanishes.]

  Voice of Count Lyubin [behind the scenes]. What’s the meaning of it? Is there nobody here? Why did that fellow run off?

  Stupendyev [in despair to Darya]. Vassilyevna is gone into the kitchen!

  Voice of Count. Boy!

  Darya. Misha, go and open the door.

  [Misha opens the door to Count Lyubin, who comes in. He is dressed in the fashionable and rather foppish style common to elderly dandies.]

  Misha. Please come in.

  Count. Is Mr. Stupendyev here?

  Stupendyev [bowing in confusion]. I . . . am Stupendyev.

  Count. Glad to meet you. I’m Count Lyubin. I sent my man to you, but it was not convenient for you to come to me.

  Stupendyev. I’m sorry, your Excellency, I . . .

  Count [turning round, bows frigidly to Darya Ivanovna, who has withdrawn a little aside]. My respects. I must own I was surprised — I suppose you have business, urgent business?

  Stupendyev. Precisely, your Excellency, business.

  Count. Perhaps, I don’t dispute it, but I imagine that for some people, one may leave one’s business, particularly when . . . one is asked . . . [Vassilyevna comes in from the hall. Stupendyev makes a sign to her to go] when . . . [The Count looks round wondering; Vassilyevna stares him in the face and runs away. The Count turns with a smile to Stupendyev.]

  Stupendyev. Never mind, your Excellency. It’s of no consequence, the woman came in and is gone away; unfortunately, she came in, and fortunately, she’s gone away. I’d better, if you’ll allow me, introduce my wife here. . . .

  Count [scarcely looking at her, bows frigidly]. Ah, delighted.

  Stupendyev. Darya Ivanovna, your Excellency, Darya Ivanovna.

  Count [still as frigidly]. Delighted, delighted; but I have come. . .

  Darya [modestly]. You don’t recognize me, Count?

  Count [looking round]. Oh, good heavens . . . why it’s actually... Darya Ivanovna! What an unexpected meeting! How many years! Is it really you? Well, I declare!

  Darya. Yes, Count, it is a long time since we met. . . . I’m much changed since then, it seems.

  Count. Not at all, you’re only handsomer. With me . .. I’m sure, it’s quite another thing.

  Darya [innocently]. You’re not changed in the least, Count.

  Count. Oh, come! But I’m very glad now that your husband could not come to me; it gives me the opportunity of renewing my acquaintance with you. We are old friends, you know.

  Stupendyev. Well, you see, your Excellency, it was her. . . .

  Darya [hurriedly cutting him short]. Old friends. . . . I expect you have never all this time thought of . . . your old friends?

  Count. That’s not so at all. I must own I didn’t quite remember to whom you were married. . . . My mother did write and tell me not long before her death . . . but. . .

  Darya. Why, how could you — in Petersburg, in the great world, how could you help forgetting us. We poor provincials now — we don’t forget. [With a faint sigh.] We forget nothing.

  Count. It’s not so, I assure you. [A pause.] Believe me, I always took the keenest interest in your future, and am glad to see you now . . . [Hesitates for words] so securely settled.

  Stupendyev [bowing gratefully]. Quite, quite securely, you Excellency. The only thing is poverty — insufficient means — that’s the trouble!

  Count. Ah, quite so, quite so. . . . [A pause.] But [Addressing Stupendyev] allow me to ask your name and your father’s?

  Stupendyev [Sowing], Alexey Ivanitch, your Excellency, Alexey Ivanitch.

  Count. Well, my good Alexey Ivanitch, we must talk over our business. ... I imagine this won’t interest your wife ... so had we not better withdraw, you know ... be alone for a while? We will discuss things. . . .

  Stupendyev. As your Excellency prefers. . . . Dasha.

  [Darya is about to go.]

  Count. Oh no, don’t let us disturb you, please stay... . Alexey Ivanitch and I can go elsewhere. Shall we go into your room, Alexey Ivanitch?

  Stupendyev. Into my room ... h’m .. . into my study, that is. ...

  Count. Yes, yes, into your study. ...

  Stupendyev. As your Excellency pleases, but . . .

  Count [to Darya], We shall see each other again, Darya Ivanovna... I hope. [Darya curtsies.] Au revoir.

  [To Stupendyev.] Where are we to go here? [Motions with his hat towards door of study.]

  Stupendyev. In there ... but... your Excellency....

  Count [not hearing him]. Very good, very good. . . . [Goes to study, followed by Stupendyev, who as he goes out makes vague signs to his wife. Darya remains musing and looks after them. A few seconds later Apollon shoots like an arrow out of the study and runs off into the hall. Darya starts, smiles and sinks again into a reverie.]

  Misha [going up to her]. Darya Ivanovna!

  Darya [rouses herself]. Well?

  Misha. May I ask if it is long since you saw his Excellency?

  Darya. Yes, twelve years.

  Misha. Twelve years! Good gracious! And have you received any news from him during that time?

  Darya. I? No. He has thought no more of me than of the Emperor of China.

  Misha. Goodness! How was it then that he said he took the keenest interest in your future?

  Darya. You’re surprised at that? How young you are still — if that really surprises you! [A pause.] How much older he is!

  Misha. Older?

  Darya. Rouged . . . powdered ... his hair’s dyed . . . and his wrinkles ... his wrinkles. .. .

  Misha. Does he really dye his hair? Oh, I say, how shameful! [A pause.] I expect he means to go off at once.

  Darya [turning quickly to him]. What makes you think so?

  Misha [modestly looking down]. Oh, nothing.

  Darya. No . . . he’ll stay to dinner!

  Misha [with a sigh]. Oh, what a good thing that would be!

  Darya. How so?

  Misha [discreetly]. The provisions will be wasted . . . and the wine ... if he doesn’t stay, that is....

  Darya [impressively]. Yes. Now listen, Misha, this is important. They will come back in a minute.

  Misha [looking at her intently]. Yes.

  Darya. So, leave me here alone now, do you see.

  Misha. Yes.

  Darya. I shall invite the Count to dinner, but Alexey Ivanitch . . .

  Misha. I understand. . . .

  Darya [with a slight frown]. What do you understand? I shall send Alexey Ivanitch out to you. . . .

  Misha. Just so.

  Darya. And you must keep him ... it won’t be for very long. . . . Tell him that I must have a little talk with the Count for his benefit. . . . Do you understand?

  Misha. Yes.

  Darya. Well then, I rely on you. You can take him for a little walk if you like.

  Misha. Of course, we may as well go for a walk.

  Darya. Very well then. You can go now, leave me alone.

  Misha. Yes. [Stops as he is going.’] Don’t forget me too, Darya Ivanovna. You know how devoted I am to you, body and soul, I may say.

  Darya. What do you mean?

  Misha. Oh, Darya Ivanovna, you know I, too, am simply dying to go to Petersburg! What shall I do here without you? Do this for me, Darya Ivanovna, and I will repay you....

  Darya [after a pause]. I don’t understand you, I can’t tell yet. . . . Very well, though, go along.

  Misha. I go. [Raising his eyes to heaven.] I will repay you, Darya Ivanovna! [Goes out into hall.]

  Darya [remains for some time motionless]. He didn’t take the slightest notice of me — that’s clear. He has forgotten me. And it seems I was foolish to have expected anything from his coming. What hopes I’ve been building on his visit. . . . [Looks round her.] Am I to remain here for ever, here? Well, there’s no he
lp for it! [A pause] It’s not quite certain yet, though. He has scarcely seen me. . . . [Glancing in the looking - glass.] I don’t dye my hair, at any rate. . . . We’ll see, we’ll see. [Walks up and doivn the room, goes to the piano and plays a few chords.] This suspense is a torture. [Sits down on sofa.] But perhaps I too have run to seed in this wretched little town. . . . How can I tell? Who is there here to say what I’m like now, who is there who can make me feel what I’ve become? I’m superior to all of them, unhappily. . . . I’m above their level; but in his eyes — I’m none the less a provincial, the wife of a local clerk, his mother’s old protegee, married off somehow . . . while he, he is a distinguished man, high up in the service, wealthy . . . well, he’s not exactly wealthy; his affairs are in a bad way in Petersburg, and I expect he’ll be here for a good deal more than a month. He’s good - looking, that is he was good - looking . . . now he powders and dyes his hair. They say that to men of his age the memories of young days are particularly precious; he knew me twelve years ago, he flirted with me Yes, yes, of course he had nothing better to do, that’s why he flirted with me, but still . . . [sighs] And in those days I remember I dreamed . . . the dreams one has at sixteen! [Suddenly draws herself up erect.] Good heavens, I do believe I have still one of his letters... I’m sure I have. But where is it? How annoying that I didn’t think of it before! . . . I’ve still time, though. ... [.A pause.] Well, we shall see. And how lucky the music and books came just now! It makes me laugh. . . . Like a general before a battle, I’m preparing to meet the enemy. .. . And how I have changed in these last years! Can this be me, so coolly, so calmly thinking over what I’m to do? Necessity will drive one to learn anything, and to unlearn many things. No, I’m not calm, I’m excited now, but only because I don’t know whether I can succeed.