NATALYA

You obviously find it very easy to part from us!

BELYAEV

No, it’s not easy.

NATALYA

I’m not in the habit of keeping people against their will . . . but, I must say, this is all very unpleasant.

BELYAEV

(After some hesitation) Natalya Petrovna . . . I wouldn’t want to cause you the slightest unpleasantness . . . I’ll stay.

NATALYA

(Suspiciously) Ah! . . . (Pause) I didn’t expect you to change your mind so quickly . . . I’m grateful to you, but . . . Let me think. Maybe you’re right; maybe you do have to go. I’ll think, I’ll let you know. May I keep things uncertain until this evening?

BELYAEV

I’m willing to wait as long as you like. (He bows and makes as if to leave)

NATALYA

Promise me . . .

BELYAEV

(Stopping) What, ma’am?

NATALYA

Didn’t you say you wanted to have a talk with Vera . . . I’m not sure that would be proper. Anyway, I’ll let you know my decision. I’m beginning to think you really may have to go. Good-bye.

Belyaev bows for the second time and exits to the ballroom. Natalya Petrovna follows him with her eyes.

Peace! He doesn’t love her . . . (Strolls about the room) And so, instead of dismissing him, I’ve kept him. He’s staying . . . But what am I going to tell Rakitin? What have I done? (Pause) And what right did I have to give away this poor girl’s love? . . . How could I? I wheedled a confession out of her . . . a half confession . . . and then so mercilessly, so crudely . . . (Covers her face with her hands) Maybe he was beginning to love her . . . What right did I have to trample on that flower in the bud? . . . But maybe I didn’t trample on it. Maybe he tricked me . . . While I was trying to trick him! . . . Oh, no! He’s much too decent for that . . . Not like me! Why was I in such a hurry? I just blurted it all out! (Sighing) Well, so what! If only I’d known . . . I was so devious, I was so false with him . . . And he talked so confidently, so freely . . . I bowed to him . . . He’s a man! I didn’t know him yet . . . He must leave. If he stays . . . I feel I’ll finally lose all respect for myself . . . He must leave, or I’m lost! I’ll write to him before he has time to see Vera . . . He must leave!

She quickly exits to the study.

Curtain.

ACT FOUR

Evening of the same day. A large, empty hall. Bare walls, uneven stone floor; six brick columns with peeling whitewash, three on each side, hold up the ceiling. To the left, two open windows and the door to the garden. To the right, the door to the corridor leading to the main building; straight ahead, the iron door to the storeroom. Next to the first column on the right, a green garden bench; in one corner, several shovels, watering cans and flower pots. Red rays of the sun fall through the windows onto the floor.