NATALYA

(Comes out of the study, very pale) What did they say?

RAKITIN

Nothing, calm yourself . . . They were a bit surprised. Your husband thought you were unwell . . . He saw how upset you were . . . Sit down. You can barely stand . . .

Natalya Petrovna sits down.

I told him . . . I asked him not to trouble you . . . to leave us alone.

NATALYA

And he agreed?

RAKITIN

Yes. I did have to promise him I’d explain everything tomorrow . . . Why did you leave?

NATALYA

(Bitterly) Why! . . . But what are you going to tell him?

RAKITIN

I . . . I’ll think up something. That’s not the point now . . . We must make use of the time we have. You see, it can’t go on like this . . . You’re in no condition to bear such anxieties . . . you’re too good for that . . . I, too . . . But we won’t talk about that. Just be strong, and I . . . Listen, you do agree with me . . .

NATALYA

About what?

RAKITIN

About the necessity of . . . our leaving? You agree? In that case, there’s no call for delay. If you’ll allow me, I’ll talk with Belyaev right now . . . He’s a decent man, he’ll understand . . .

NATALYA

You want to talk with him? You? But what can you tell him?

RAKITIN

I . . .

NATALYA

(After a pause) Listen, Rakitin, doesn’t it seem to you as if we’re both mad? . . . I got frightened, I frightened you, and maybe all over nothing.

RAKITIN

How’s that?

NATALYA

Really. What are we doing? Not so long ago, everything seemed so calm, so peaceful in this house . . . and suddenly . . . where did it all come from? Really, we’ve all lost our minds. Come on, enough of this foolishness . . . Let’s live like before . . . And you won’t explain anything to Arkady; I’ll tell him about our silliness myself, and we’ll both have a good laugh. I don’t need a go-between with my own husband!

RAKITIN

Now you’re frightening me, Natalya Petrovna. You smile, and you’re pale as death . . . Remember what you told me just fifteen minutes ago . . .

NATALYA

What of it! But, anyway, I see what you’re doing . . . You stirred up this storm yourself . . . so that at least you won’t go down alone.

RAKITIN

Again, again suspicion, again a reproach, Natalya Petrovna . . . God help you . . . but you’re torturing me. Or maybe you regret being so frank?

NATALYA

I don’t regret anything.

RAKITIN

Then what are you telling me?

NATALYA

(With animation) Rakitin, if you say so much as one word about me to Belyaev, I’ll never forgive you.