[Exit ANNA PÁVLOVNA.

Betsy (to PETRÍSTCHEF). You must stay, I tell you. I promise you something extraordinary. Will you bet?

Márya Konstantínovna. But you don't believe in it?

Betsy. To-day I do.

Márya Konstantínovna (to PETRÍSTCHEF). And do you believe?

Petrístchef. "I can't believe, I cannot trust a heart for falsehood framed." Still, if Elizabeth Leonídovna commands....

Vasíly Leoníditch. Let us stay, Márya Konstantínovna. Eh, what? I shall invent something épâtant.

Márya Konstantínovna. No, you mustn't make me laugh. You know I can't restrain myself.

Vasíly Leoníditch (loud). I remain!

Leoníd Fyódoritch (severely). But I beg those who remain not to joke about it. It is a serious matter.