RAKITIN

(In a low voice) Help you . . . cruel words! (Loudly) You yourself don’t know what’s happening to you, Natalya Petrovna. You’re convinced it’s not worth talking about, and yet you ask for help . . . You obviously feel you need it!

NATALYA

That is . . . yes . . . I turn to you as a friend . . .

RAKITIN

(Bitterly) Yes, ma’am . . . I hope to justify your trust, Natalya Petrovna . . . but let me collect myself a little . . .

NATALYA

Collect yourself? Has something . . . bad happened? Has anything changed?

RAKITIN

(Bitterly) Oh, no! Everything’s the same.

NATALYA

What are you thinking, Michel? Can you possibly believe . . .

RAKITIN

I don’t believe anything.

NATALYA

Can you despise me so much . . .

RAKITIN

Stop, for God’s sake. Better let’s talk about Bolshintsov. The doctor’s waiting for an answer about Verochka, you know.

NATALYA

(Sadly) You’re angry with me.

RAKITIN

Me? Oh, no. But I’m sorry for you.

NATALYA

Really. That’s even irritating. Shame on you, Michel . . .

Rakitin is silent. She shrugs her shoulders and goes on with irritation.

You say the doctor’s waiting for an answer? Who asked him to interfere . . .

RAKITIN

He assured me that you yourself . . .

NATALYA

(Interrupting him) Maybe so, maybe so . . . Though I don’t think I said anything definite to him . . . Besides, I can change my mind. And, anyway, my God, what does it matter? Shpigelsky has all sorts of things going: not all his schemes have to succeed.

RAKITIN

He only wants an answer . . .

NATALYA

An answer . . . (Pause) Michel, come on, give me your hand . . . why do you look so indifferent, so cold and polite? . . . Am I to blame? Think, am I really to blame? I came to you hoping to hear good advice, I didn’t hesitate for a second, I didn’t even think of hiding anything from you, while you . . . I see, I shouldn’t have been frank with you . . . It would never have entered your head . . . You suspected nothing. You tricked me. And now God only knows what you think.

RAKITIN

Me? For pity’s sake!

NATALYA

Give me your hand . . .

He doesn’t move; she goes on, slightly offended.

So you really are turning away from me? So much the worse for you! Watch out! But I’m not blaming you . . . (Bitterly) You’re jealous!

RAKITIN

I have no right to be jealous, Natalya Petrovna . . . Good God, how can you?

NATALYA

(After a pause) Whatever you like. And as for Bolshintsov, I haven’t talked it over with Verochka yet.

RAKITIN

I can go and get her right now.

NATALYA

Why now! . . . But whatever you like.

RAKITIN

(Going to the study door) So you’re telling me to get her?