SCENE II
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA and MÍTYA
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Who's there?
MÍTYA. It's I, Mítya.
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Why were you so long in coming?
MÍTYA. I was detained. [Approaches] Lyubóv Gordéyevna, are you alone?
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Yes, what of it?
MÍTYA. Lyubóv Gordéyevna, how do you wish me to understand your letter? Do you mean it, or is it a joke? [LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA is silent] Tell me, Lyubóv Gordéyevna! I am now in such perplexity that I cannot express it to you. My position in your house is known to you; subordinate to everybody, and I may say utterly despised by Gordéy Kárpych. I've had only one feeling, that for you, and if I receive ridicule from you, then it would have been better for me never to have lived in this world. You may trust me! I am telling you the truth.
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. No, Mítya dear, what I wrote to you was the truth, and not a joke. And you, do you love me?
MÍTYA. Indeed, Lyubóv Gordéyevna, I do not know how to express to you what I feel. But at least let me assure you that I have a heart in my breast, and not a stone. You can see my love from everything.
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. But I thought that you loved Anna Ivánovna.
MÍTYA. That is not true!
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Really, they told me so.
MÍTYA. If this were true, then what sort of a man should I be after acting as I have? Could I declare with words what my heart does not feel! I think such a thing would be dishonorable! I may not be worth your regard, but I'm not the man to deceive you.
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. It is impossible to believe you men; all men in the world are deceivers.
MÍTYA. Let them be deceivers, but I am not.
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. How can one know! Perhaps you also are deceiving me and want to play a joke on me!
MÍTYA. It would be easier for me to die in this place than to hear such words from you! [Turns away.
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. No, Mítya, I didn't mean it. I know that you love me. I only wanted to tease you. [MÍTYA is silent] Mítya dear! Mítya! Why are you silent? Are you angry with me? I tell you I was only joking! Mítya! Yes! Now, then, say something. [Takes his hand.
MÍTYA. Oh, Lyubóv Gordéyevna, I'm not in a joking humor! I'm not that sort of man.
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Don't be angry.
MÍTYA. If you love me, then stop these jokes! They are not in place. Oh, it's all the same to me now! [Embraces her] Maybe they can take you from me by force, but I won't give you up of my free will. I love you more than my life!
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. [Returning his embrace] Mítya dear, what shall we do now?
MÍTYA. What shall we do? We didn't fall in love with each other just to say good-by!
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Well, but what if they promise me to some one else?
MÍTYA. Look here, Lyubóv, one word! To-morrow we must go together to Gordéy Kárpych, and throw ourselves at his feet. We'll say so and so—whatever you please, but we can't live without each other. Yes, if you love me, then forget your pride!
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. What pride, Mítya? Is this a time for pride! Mítya dear, don't be angry with me; don't remember my past words. It was only girlish foolishness; I'm sorry that I did it! I shouldn't have joked with you; I should have caressed you, my poor boy. [Throws her arms round his neck] Oh, but, if father doesn't consent to our happiness—what then?
MÍTYA. Who can tell beforehand? It will be as God wills. I don't know how it is with you, but for me life is not life without you! [Is silent.
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Some one's coming! Go away quietly, dearest, and I'll come later.
MÍTYA goes out quietly. ARÍNA comes in with a candle; LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA goes to meet her.