BELYAEV

Natalya Petrovna, believe me, I can appreciate . . .

NATALYA

I’ll say again that I have no doubts about you . . . besides, it will all remain a secret between us.

BELYAEV

I must say, Natalya Petrovna, everything you’ve told me seems so strange . . . of course, I wouldn’t dare to question it, but . . .

NATALYA

Listen, Alexei Nikolaich. Everything I’ve told you now . . . I’ve told you assuming that on your part there’s nothing . . . (Interrupts herself) . . . because otherwise . . . of course, I still know little about you, but I know enough to see no reason for opposing your intentions. You’re not rich . . . but you’re young, you have a future, and when two people love each other . . . I repeat, I considered it my duty to warn you, as an honorable man, with regard to the consequences of your acquaintance with Vera, but if you . . .

BELYAEV

(Bewildered) I really don’t know what you’re trying to say, Natalya Petrovna . . .

NATALYA

(Hurriedly) Oh, believe me, I’m not asking you to confess anything. Even without that I . . . I can see by the way you’re acting . . . (Glancing at him) However, I must tell you, it seemed to Vera that you were not entirely indifferent to her.

BELYAEV

(Is silent, gets up) Natalya Petrovna, I see that I cannot remain in your house.

NATALYA

(Flaring up) You might have waited for me to dismiss you . . . (Gets up)

BELYAEV

You were frank with me . . . Allow me to be frank with you as well. I do not love Vera Alexandrovna. At least, I don’t love her the way you suppose.

NATALYA

Did I . . . (Stops)

BELYAEV

And if Vera Alexandrovna likes me, if it seemed to her that I’m not, as you say, indifferent to her, I don’t want to deceive her. I’ll tell her the whole truth myself. But after such a talk, you understand, Natalya Petrovna, it will be difficult for me to remain here: my position will be too awkward. I won’t start telling you how hard it is to leave your house . . . but there’s nothing else I can do . . . I’ll always remember you with gratitude . . . Allow me to go now . . . I’ll still come and say good-bye to you.

NATALYA

(With feigned indifference) As you wish . . . But, I must say this is not what I was expecting . . . This was not why I wanted to talk with you . . . I merely wanted to warn you . . . Vera is still a child . . . I may have made too much of it all. I see no need for you to leave. But, as you wish.

BELYAEV

Natalya Petrovna . . . it’s really no longer possible for me to stay here.