RAKITIN

(Getting up) I’ll leave today, Natalya Petrovna, right now, and you’ll never see me again . . . (Makes as if to leave)

NATALYA

(Holding her arms out to him) Michel, forgive me, I don’t know what I’m saying . . . You see what a state I’m in. Forgive me.

RAKITIN

(Quickly goes back to her and takes her hands) Natalya Petrovna . . .

NATALYA

Oh, Michel, I can’t tell you how hard it is for me . . . (Leans on his shoulder and presses a handkerchief to her eyes) Help me. Without you it will be the end of me . . .

Just then the door to the drawing room opens, and Islaev and Anna Semyonovna enter.

ISLAEV

(Loudly) I’ve always been of the opinion . . .

Stops in amazement at the sight of Rakitin and Natalya Petrovna. Natalya Petrovna looks around and quickly exits. Rakitin stays where he is, extremely embarrassed.

(To Rakitin) What does this mean? What’s this scene?

RAKITIN

Just . . . nothing . . . it’s . . .

ISLAEV

Is Natalya Petrovna unwell, or something?

RAKITIN

No . . . but . . .

ISLAEV

And why did she suddenly run away? What were you talking about? She seemed to be crying . . . You were comforting her . . . What is it?

RAKITIN

Really, it’s nothing.

ANNA

But how can it be nothing, Mikhail Alexandrych? (Pause) I’ll go and see . . . (She makes as if to go to the study)

RAKITIN

(Stopping her) No, please, you’d better leave her alone for now, I beg you.

ISLAEV

What’s this all about? Tell me, will you?!

RAKITIN

I swear it’s nothing . . . Listen, I promise both of you, I’ll explain it all later. I give you my word. But for now, please, if you trust me, don’t ask me anything—and don’t trouble Natalya Petrovna.

ISLAEV

All right . . . but I’m surprised. This has never happened to Natasha before. It’s quite extraordinary.

ANNA

What I’d like to know is—what made Natasha cry? And why did she leave? . . . We’re not strangers, are we?

RAKITIN

What are you saying! How can you! But listen—I must tell you, we didn’t finish what we were talking about . . . I ask you . . . both . . . leave us alone for a little while.

ISLAEV

Well! So there’s some secret between you?

RAKITIN

There is . . . but you’ll learn it.

ISLAEV

(Having reflected) Let’s go, mama . . . we’ll leave them. Let them finish their secret conversation.

ANNA

But . . .

ISLAEV

Let’s go, let’s go. You heard, he promises to explain everything.

RAKITIN

You needn’t worry . . .

ISLAEV

(Coldly) Oh, I’m not worried in the least! (To Anna Semyonovna) Let’s go.

They both exit.

RAKITIN

(Following them with his eyes, then quickly going to the study door) Natalya Petrovna . . . Natalya Petrovna, come out, I beg you.