(After pausing and looking around) Alexei Nikolaich, it seems there’s nobody in the room but us. Isn’t it strange for us to be playing this comedy in front of each other, eh? What do you think?

BELYAEV

I don’t understand you, Mikhail Alexandrych.

RAKITIN

Really? So you don’t understand why I’m leaving?

BELYAEV

No.

RAKITIN

That’s odd . . . But I’m prepared to believe you. Maybe you really don’t know . . . Shall I tell you why I’m leaving?

BELYAEV

Please do.

RAKITIN

You see, Alexei Nikolaich—by the way, I’m trusting in your discretion—you just found me with Arkady Sergeich . . . He and I were having a rather important talk. It’s precisely because of that talk that I’ve decided to leave. And do you know why? I’m telling you all this because I consider you an honorable man . . . He imagined that I . . . well, yes, that I’m in love with Natalya Petrovna. How does that strike you, eh? A strange idea, isn’t it? But I’m grateful to him that he didn’t start being devious, keeping an eye on us, or whatever, but simply came right out and asked me. Now tell me, what would you do in my place? Of course, there are no grounds for his suspicions, but still they trouble him . . . A decent man should be able to sacrifice . . . his pleasure for the sake of a friend’s peace of mind. That’s why I’m leaving . . . I’m sure you approve of my decision, don’t you? Wouldn’t you do the same in my place? Wouldn’t you leave?

BELYAEV

(After a pause) Maybe so.

RAKITIN

I’m very pleased to hear that . . . Of course, I don’t deny that there’s a ridiculous side to my leaving, as if I could really be a threat. But you see, Alexei Nikolaich, a woman’s honor is such an important thing . . . And besides—not that I’m saying this about Natalya Petrovna—but I’ve known pure women with innocent hearts, real infants, for all their intelligence, who, precisely because of their purity and innocence, have been more likely than anyone else to surrender to a sudden passion . . . And so, who knows? Prudence never hurts on such occasions, especially if . . . By the way, Alexei Nikolaich, maybe you still think that there’s no greater good on earth than love?

BELYAEV

(Coldly) I haven’t experienced that yet, but I think that being loved by a woman you love is a great happiness.

RAKITIN