Stop, Vera Alexandrovna, what’s the point? Don’t you see it’s all over? All. It flashed and went out like a spark. Let’s part friends. It’s time. I’ve come to my senses. Be well, be happy, some day we’ll see each other . . . I’ll never forget you, Vera Alexandrovna . . . I’ve grown very fond of you, believe me . . . (He presses her hand and adds hastily) Give Natalya Petrovna this note from me . . .

VERA

(Glancing at him in embarrassment) Note?

BELYAEV

Yes . . . I can’t say good-bye to her.

VERA

You mean you’re leaving right now?

BELYAEV

Right now . . . I haven’t told anybody . . . except Mikhail Alexandrych. He approves. I’ll go from here to Petrovskoe on foot. In Petrovskoe I’ll wait for Mikhail Alexandrych, and we’ll drive to town together. I’ll write from town. My belongings will be sent on to me. You see, everything’s already arranged . . . Anyway, you can read the note. It’s just a couple of words.

VERA

(Taking the note) So you’re really leaving? . . .

BELYAEV

Yes, yes . . . Give her this note and tell her . . . no, don’t tell her anything. What for? (Listening) Somebody’s coming. Good-bye . . .

He rushes to the door, stops on the threshold for a moment, and runs out. Vera stays, the note in her hand. Natalya Petrovna enters from the ballroom.

NATALYA

(Going to Vera) Verochka . . . (Looks at her and stops) What’s the matter with you?

Vera silently hands her the note.

A note? . . . Who from?

VERA

(Hollowly) Read it.

NATALYA

You frighten me.

She reads the note to herself and suddenly presses both hands to her face and falls into the armchair. A long pause.

VERA

(Going to her) Natalya Petrovna . . .

NATALYA

(Not taking her hands from her face) He’s gone! . . . He didn’t even want to say good-bye to me . . . At least he said good-bye to you!

VERA

(Sadly) He didn’t love me . . .

NATALYA

(Taking her hands from her face and getting up) But he has no right to leave like this . . . I want . . . He can’t just . . . Who told him he could break it off so stupidly . . . What contempt! . . . I . . . how does he know I’d never decide . . . (Lowers herself into the armchair) My God, my God . . .

VERA

Natalya Petrovna, you just said to me yourself that he had to leave . . . Remember . . .

NATALYA

It’s all very well for you now . . . He’s gone . . . Now we’re both the same . . . (Her voice breaks)

VERA

Natalya Petrovna, you just said to me . . . these are your own words: instead of torturing each other, wouldn’t it be better for us both to think how to get out of this situation, how to save ourselves? . . . We’re saved now.

NATALYA

(Turning away from her almost with hatred) Oh . . .

VERA

I understand you, Natalya Petrovna . . . Don’t worry . . . I won’t burden you with my presence much longer. We can’t live together.

NATALYA