NATALYA

Maybe not. (Livening up) So what did he talk about?

RAKITIN

He talked to me . . . about Bolshintsov.

NATALYA

Ah! that stupid man?

RAKITIN

That’s also not how you spoke of him yesterday.

NATALYA

(With a forced smile) Yesterday is not today.

RAKITIN

For everybody else . . . but obviously not for me.

NATALYA

(Lowering her eyes) How so?

RAKITIN

For me today is the same as yesterday.

NATALYA

(Giving him her hand) I know why you’re chiding me, but you’re mistaken. Yesterday I wouldn’t have admitted that I was wrong . . .

Rakitin wants to stop her.

Don’t object . . . I know and you know what I mean to say . . . and today I admit it. I’ve thought many things over today . . . Believe me, Michel, whatever stupid thoughts I’m filled with, whatever I may say, whatever I may do, I count on no one as I do on you. (Lowering her voice) There’s no one . . . I love as much as I love you . . . (A brief pause) You don’t believe me?

RAKITIN

I believe you . . . but you seem sad today . . . What is it?

NATALYA

(Does not listen to him and goes on) It’s just that I’ve become convinced of one thing, Rakitin: we can never answer for ourselves, we can’t guarantee anything. We often don’t understand our past . . . how can we answer for the future! You can’t put the future in chains.

RAKITIN

That’s true.

NATALYA

(After a long silence) Listen, I want to be frank with you, maybe I’ll upset you a little . . . but I know you’d be even more upset if I kept it a secret. I confess to you, Michel, this young student . . . this Belyaev, has made a very strong impression on me.

RAKITIN

(In a low voice) I knew that.

NATALYA

Ah! You noticed? How long ago?

RAKITIN

Yesterday.

NATALYA

Ah!

RAKITIN

Remember, two days ago, I said there was a change in you . . . I didn’t know then what had caused it. But yesterday, after our conversation . . . and out in the meadow . . . if you could have seen yourself! I didn’t recognize you. You were like a different person. You laughed, you skipped, you played like a little girl. Your eyes shone, your cheeks were flushed. You looked at him with such trusting curiosity, with such joyful attention. And how you smiled . . . (Glancing at her) See, even now your face lights up just remembering . . . (He turns away)

NATALYA

No, Rakitin, for God’s sake, don’t turn away from me . . . Listen: why exaggerate? The man infected me with his youth—that’s all. I myself have never been young, Michel, since I was a child . . . But you know my whole life . . . It all went to my head like wine, because I’m not used to it, but I know it will all go away as quickly as it came . . . It’s not even worth talking about. (Pause) Only don’t turn away from me, don’t take your hand away . . . Help me . . .