They go into the garden.
ACT THREE
page 376 / Replace: Scene VII
with:
VII
IVANOV and SASHA.
IVANOV (alarmed). Shura, is that you?
SASHA. Yes, it is . . . Didn’t you expect me? Why haven’t you been to see us for so long?
IVANOV. Shura, for god’s sake, this is indiscreet . . . Your coming here might have a dreadful effect on my wife . . .
SASHA. She won’t see me . . . I came by the back door . . . I’ll leave right away . . . I’m worried: are you all right? Why haven’t you been to see us for so long?
IVANOV. My wife is offended enough without this, she’s dying, and you come here . . . Shura, Shura! It’s inconsiderate and . . . and inhuman!
SASHA. What’s that got to do with me? You haven’t been by for two weeks, don’t answer my letters . . . I’m in agonies. It seemed to me that you were suffering unbearably here, ill, dead . . . Not a single night did I sleep a wink . . . I’ll go right away. At least tell me: are you all right?
IVANOV. No . . . I’ve been tormenting myself, people torment me nonstop . . . I am simply at the end of my rope. You see, I’m trembling all over. And now on top of it you . . . Why did you come?
SASHA. Nikolay, this is cowardly!
IVANOV. It’s as if we wish her death . . . How unwholesome this is, how abnormal! Shura, I’m so much at fault, so much at fault!
SASHA. Who wants her to die? What’s the point of those dreadful words? Let her live another hundred years and may God grant she live even longer . . . But how are you at fault? Is it really your fault that you fell out of love with her? Is it your fault that you love me? Think nice thoughts . . .
IVANOV. I’m thinking . . .
SASHA. It’s not your fault, it’s the force of circumstance. Be brave . . . I promise you, my dear, here’s my hand on it, good days will come and you will be happy.
IVANOV. Be brave . . . a time will come . . . in love, out of love—these are all platitudes. Hackneyed phrases, which are no help at all.
SASHA. I talk the way everybody does and I don’t know how else to talk.
IVANOV. And this whole love affair of ours is commonplace, trite . . . “He was downhearted and had lost his bearings . . . She showed up, strong and bold in spirit, and offered him a helping hand. .” It’s all right and appropriate only for novels, but in life—it’s not right, not right . . . It’s not what’s needed . . . So you love me, my girl, you’ve lent a helping hand, and all the same I’m pathetic and helpless . . . And you yourself? You’ve set out with the goal of salvation, resurrection, doing a deed of valor, but look at yourself: you’re trembling, pale, your eyes are filled with tears . . . No, Shura, you and I make bad heroes!
SASHA. You mean to go on like this today, I see . . . Goodbye! Listen to me: I love you and I’ll follow you wherever you wish, even to Siberia, beneath whatever clouds you like . . . I’m ready to die for you. Whatever may happen to you, wherever fate may drive you, I shall be with you forever and wherever . . .
IVANOV. Yes, yes, yes . . . Talk, talk . . . (Presses his face to her shoulder.) I’ve been tormenting you, tormenting myself. Shurochka, in the name of all that’s holy, take me away from here as soon as possible . . . Let me rest and forget myself for only a moment . . .
First revised version of the end of Act Three.
X
The same and LVOV.
LVOV (enters and, on seeing Anna Petrovna, quickly addresses himself to her). What’s going on? (Examines her face, to Ivanov.) What’s been going on with you just now?
IVANOV. God, It’s all my fault! . . . all my fault!
LVOV. Anna Petrovna, what’s wrong with you? (to Ivanov.) Just you wait! I swear by the honor which you do not possess, you shall pay for her! I’ll put you through hell . . . I’ll show you! . . .
IVANOV. It’s all my fault, all my fault . . .
Curtain
ACT FOUR
VII
The same and IVANOV.
IVANOV enters; he is in a tailcoat and gloves; in evident agitation.
LEBEDEV. That’s all we needed! What’s going on! What are you doing here?
SASHA. Why are you here?
IVANOV. Sorry, friends, let me talk with Sasha in private . . .
LEBEDEV. It isn’t proper for the groom to visit the bride. You should have been at the church a long time ago!
IVANOV. Sasha, I beg you . . .
LEBEDEV, shrugging his shoulders, ZINAIDA SAVISHNA, SHABELSKY, and BABAKINA leave.
SASHA. What’s wrong with you?
IVANOV (getting excited). Shurochka, my angel . . .
SASHA. You’re over-excited . . . What’s happened?
IVANOV. My happiness, my darling, listen to me . . . Forget that you love me, focus all your attention on me and listen . . .
SASHA. Nikolay, don’t frighten me, what’s wrong?
IVANOV. Just now as I was getting dressed for the ceremony, I looked at myself in the mirror, and my temples were . . . gray . . . Shurochka, we mustn’t . . . Before it’s too late, we mustn’t . . . we musn’t! (Clasps her head.) We mustn’t! . . . Call it off! . . .(Ardently.) You’re young, beautiful, pure, you have your whole life ahead of you, while I . . . gray at the temples, a broken-down wreck, this sense of guilt, the past . . . We’re no match! . . . I’m no match for you!
SASHA (sternly). None of this is new, I’ve heard it all before, and I’m sick and tired of it . . . Go to the church, don’t keep people waiting! . . .
IVANOV (takes her hands). I love you too much and you’re too dear to me for me to dare stand in your way. I won’t make you happy . . . I swear to God, I won’t! . . . While it’s not too late, call it off. It’ll be the honorable and intelligent thing to do. I’ll go home right now, and you can explain to your folks that there won’t be any wedding . . . Tell them anything . . . (Walks around in agitation) My God, my God, I sense Shurochka, that you, don’t understand me . . . I’m old, my day is done, I’m covered in rust . . . the vigor of my life is spent forever, there’s no future, my memories are gloomy ones. A feeling of guilt grows in me with every passing hour, chokes me . . . Doubts, forebodings . . . Something is going to happen . . . Shurochka, something is going to happen! The dark clouds are gathering, I feel it.
SASHA. What do you want then?
IVANOV. This very minute, without delay, call it off. Well? Make up your mind. I beg you, I implore you . . . I see by your eyes you’re wavering, you’re afraid to speak the truth. Understand, my dear, inexperienced girclass="underline" what’s speaking in you is not love, but the obstinacy of an honorable nature. You set out with the goal, come what may, of resurrecting the human being in me, saving me; you flattered yourself that you were performing a deed of valor . . . yes, yes, yes, don’t deny it! Now you’re ready to give it up, but a false feeling prevents you. Don’t ruin yourself! My joy, listen to the man who loves you more than life itself! Well? Do you agree? Do you?