Don’t marry a Jew or a psychopath or a bluestocking but choose yourself someone ordinary, someone a shade of grey, with no bright colours and no superfluous noises. In general, construct your whole life on a conventional pattern. The greyer, the more monotonous the background, the better. My dear fellow, don’t do battle against thousands all on your own, don’t tilt against windmills, don’t beat your head against walls ... And may God preserve you from all kinds of rational farming, new fangled schools, fiery speeches ... Shut yourself in your shell and do your little God-given business ... It’s snugger, healthier and more honest. But the life I have lived — how exhausting it’s been! Oh how exhausting! ... How many mistakes, injustices, how much folly ... [Seeing the Count, irritably] Uncle, you’re always in the way, you don’t let anyone talk undisturbed!

SHABELSKY [in a plaintive voice]: To hell with me, there’s no refuge anywhere. [Jumps up and goes into the house.]

IVANOV [shouting after him]: Oh I’m sorry, I’m sorry! [To Lvov] What made me offend him? No, decidedly, I’ve lost my self-control ... I must do something about myself. I must ...

LVOV [becoming agitated]: Nikolay Alekseyevich, I’ve listened to you and ... forgive me, I’ll speak frankly, without mincing my words. In your voice, in your tone, not to speak of your actual words, there is so much heartless egoism, so much cold callousness ... A person close to you is dying because of that closeness, her days are numbered, but you ... you can be without love for her, you can go about giving advice and showing off... I can’t express it all to you, I haven’t the gift of words, but ... but I find you deeply antipathetic.

IVANOV: Maybe, maybe ... You can see more clearly from outside ... It’s very possible that you understand me ... I am probably very, very much to blame ... [Listens.] I think they’ve brought the horses. I’ll go and dress ... [Goes towards the house and stops.] Doctor, you don’t like me and you don’t conceal it. That does your heart honour ... [Goes into the house.]

LVOV [alone]: My accursed character ... Again I’ve missed the opportunity and haven’t spoken to him as I should have ... I can’t talk to him calmly. As soon as I open my mouth and say one word, I feel something start to constrict me here [points to his chest], I feel it churning and my tongue sticks to my throat.