NATALYA

(Following him with her eyes) Belyaev . . .

BELYAEV

(Turning) Natalya Petrovna . . .

NATALYA

(After a pause, in a weak voice) Stay . . .

BELYAEV

What?! . . .

NATALYA

Stay, and let God be our judge! (She buries her face in her hands)

BELYAEV

(Quickly goes to her and holds out his arms to her) Natalya Petrovna . . .

Just then the door to the garden opens and Rakitin appears on the threshold. He looks at the two of them for a while and suddenly goes up to them.

RAKITIN

(Loudly) They’re looking for you everywhere, Natalya Petrovna . . .

Natalya Petrovna and Belyaev turn to him.

NATALYA

(Taking her hands from her face, and as if coming to her senses) Ah, it’s you . . . Who is looking for me?

Belyaev, embarrassed, bows to Natalya Petrovna and makes as if to leave.

Wait a minute, Alexei Nikolaich . . . don’t forget, you know . . .

He bows a second time and exits to the garden.

RAKITIN

Arkady’s looking for you . . . I must say, I didn’t expect to find you here . . . but, I was passing by and . . .

NATALYA

(Smiling) Heard our voices . . . I met Alexei Nikolaich here . . . and had a little talk with him . . . Today seems to be the day for such talks. But we can go back now . . . (Makes as if to exit through the door to the corridor)

RAKITIN

(In some agitation) Can I know . . . what’s been decided? . . .

NATALYA

(Pretending to be surprised) Decided? . . . I don’t understand you.

RAKITIN

(After a long pause, sadly) In that case, I understand everything.

NATALYA

Well, there you go . . . Again these mysterious hints! Yes, I had a talk with him, and now everything’s back in order again . . . It was all nothing, we made too much of it . . . Everything you and I talked about was just childish. It should be forgotten now.

RAKITIN

I’m not asking for details, Natalya Petrovna.

NATALYA

(With forced casualness) What was it I wanted to tell you . . . I don’t remember. Never mind. Let’s go. It’s all over . . . all done with.

RAKITIN

(Giving her an intent look) Yes, it’s all over. You must be quite annoyed with yourself now . . . for being so frank today . . . (He turns away)

NATALYA

Rakitin . . .

He glances at her again. She obviously does not know what to say.

Have you spoken with Arkady yet?

RAKITIN

No, ma’am. I haven’t prepared anything yet . . . You understand, I have to make something up . . .

NATALYA

I can’t stand it! What do they want from me! They follow my every footstep. Rakitin, really, I’m ashamed of myself . . .