NATALYA PETROVNA. Vera and I have been walking in the garden. . . . It's a lovely day. . The scent of the lime trees is so delicious. We've been walking under the lime trees. . . . It's delightful to listen to the humming of the bees in the shade overhead. . . . [Timidly to BELIAYEV.] We expected to meet you there. [BELIAYEV is silent]
RAKITIN [to NATALYA PETROVNA]. Ah! You too can admire the beauties of nature to-day. ... [A pause] Alexey Nikolaitch couldn't go into the garden. ... He has got his new coat on.
BELIAYEV [reddening]. Of course, it's the only one I have, and I dare say it might get torn in the garden. ... I suppose that's what you mean?
RAKITIN [blushing]. Oh no ... I didn't mean that. . . . [VERA goes in silence to sofa on Right, sits down and takes up her work. NATALYA PETROVNA gives BELIAYEV a constrained smile. A brief, rather oppressive silence. RAKITIN goes on with malicious carelessness] Ah, I'd forgotten to tell you, Natalya Petrovna, I'm going away to-day. . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA [with some agitation]. Going? Where?
RAKITIN. To the town. . . . On business.
NATALYA PETROVNA. Not for long, I hope.
RAKITIN. That's as my business goes.
NATALYA PETROVNA. Mind you come back as soon as you can. [To BELIAYEV without looking at him] Alexey Nikolaitch, was it your sketches Kolya was showing me? Did you draw them?
BELIAYEV. Yes . . . they're nothing much.
NATALYA PETROVNA. Not at all, they are very charming. You have talent.
RAKITIN. I see you are discovering new talents in Mr. Beliayev every day.
NATALYA PETROVNA [coldly]. Perhaps ... so much the better for him. [To BELIAYEV.] I expect you have some other sketches, you must show them to me. [BELIAYEV bows]
RAKITIN [who stands all this time as though on thorns]. But I remember it's time to pack. . . . Good-bye. [Goes to door of outer room.]
NATALYA PETROVNA. But you'll come to say good-bye to us. ...
RAKITIN. Of course.
BELIAYEV [after some hesitation]. Mihail Alexandritch, wait a minute, I'm coming with you. I must have a few words with you. . . .
RAKITIN. Ah! [They go out together. NATALYA PETROVNA is left in the middle of the stage; after a little while, she sits down on Left.]
NATALYA PETROVNA [after an interval of silence]. Vera!
VERA [not lifting her head]. What is it?
NATALYA PETROVNA. Vera for goodness sake, don't treat me like this ... for goodness sake, Vera . . . Verotchka. [VERA says nothing. NATALYA PETROVNA gets up, walks across the stage and slowly sinks on her knees before VERA. VERA tries to make her get up, turns away and hides her face. NATALYA PETROVNA speaks on her knees.] Vera, forgive me; don't cry, Vera. I've behaved badly to you, I'm to blame. Can't you forgive me?
VERA [through her tears]. Get up, get up. ...
NATALYA PETROVNA. I won't get up, Vera, till you forgive me. It's hard for you . . . but think, is it any easier for me . . . think, Vera. . . . You know everything. . . . The only difference between us is that you have done no wrong, while I ...
VERA [bitterly]. That's all the difference! No, Natalya Petrovna, there's another difference between us.... You're so soft, so kind, so warm this morning. . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA [interrupting her]. Because I feel how wrong I've been. . . .
VERA. Really? Is it only that?
NATALYA PETROVNA [gets up and sits beside her]. What other reason can there be?
VERA. Natalya Petrovna, don't torture me any more, don't ask me questions. . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA [with a sigh]. Vera, I see you can't forgive me.
VERA. You're so kind and soft to-day because you feel you are loved.
NATALYA PETROVNA [embarrassed], Vera?
VERA [turning to her]. Well, isn't it the truth?
NATALYA PETROVNA [sadly], I assure you we are both equally unhappy.
VERA. He loves you!
NATALYA PETROVNA. Vera, why do we torture each other? It's time for both of us to think what we're doing. Remember the position I'm in, the position we are both in. Remember that our secret, though my fault, of course, is known to two men here already. . . . [Breaks off.] Vera, instead of tormenting each other with suspicions and reproaches, hadn't we better consider together how to get out of this dreadful position . . . how to save ourselves! Do you imagine I can stand these shocks and agitations? Have you forgotten who I am? But you're not listening.
VERA [looking dreamily at the floor]. He loves you. . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA. Vera, he's going away.
VERA [turning away]. Oh, leave me alone. . . . [NATALYA PETROVNA looks at her irresolutely. At that instant, ISLAYEV'S voice calls from the study: 'Natasha, Natasha, where are you?']
NATALYA PETROVNA [gets up quickly and goes to study-door]. I'm here . . . what is it?
ISLAYEV [from the study]. Come here, I've something to tell you. . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA. In a minute. [She turns to VERA and holds out her hand. VERA does not stir. NATALYA PETROVNA sighs and goes out into the study.]
VERA [alone; after a silence]. He loves her! . . . And I must stay in her house. . . . Oh! it's too much. . [She hides her face in her hands and sits motionless. SHPIGELSKY puts his head in at the door leading to the outer room. He looks round cautiously and goes on tip-toe up to VERA, who does not notice him.']
SHPIGELSKY [standing before her, his arms crossed and a malicious grin on his face]. Vera Alexandrovna! . . . Vera Alexandrovna!
VERA [raising her head]. Who is it? You, Doctor. . . . SHPIGELSKY. What is it, my young lady, not well, or what? VERA. Oh, nothing.
SHPIGELSKY. Let me feel your pulse. [Feels her pulse.] H'm! Why is it so quick? Ah, young lady, young lady. You won't listen to me. . . . And yet it's your welfare I wish for.
VERA [looking at him resolutely]. Ignaty Ilyitch . . . SHPIGELSKY [alertly], I'm all ears, Vera Alexandrovna. . . . What a look, upon my word. . . . I'm all ears.
VERA. That gentleman . . . Bolshintsov, your friend, is he really a good man?
SHPIGELSKY. My friend Bolshintsov? The most excellent, the best of men ... a pattern and paragon of all the virtues.
VERA. He's not ill-natured?
SHPIGELSKY. Most kind-hearted, upon my soul. He's not a man, he's made of dough, really. You've only to take him and mould him. You wouldn't find another such good-natured fellow if you searched with a candle by daylight. He's a dove, not a man.
VERA. You answer for him?
SHPIGELSKY [lays one hand on his heart and raises the other upwards]. As I would for myself!
VERA. Then, you can tell him . . . that I am willing to marry him.
SHPIGELSKY [with joyful amazement]. You don't say so! VERA. But as soon as possible--do you hear? ... As soon as possible. . . .