She has her charms ...

BORKiN [seriously]: That’s enough. Let’s talk business and have a straightforward commercial discussion. Answer me directly, without fancy words and without any tricks: yes or no? Listen. [Points at the Count.] He needs money, at least three thousand per annum. You need a husband. Do you want to be a countess?

SHABELSKY [laughing loudly]: What an amazing cynic!

B0RKIN: Do you want to be a countess? Yes or no?

BABAKINA [agitatedly]: You’re making things up, Misha, really ... And these things aren’t done like that, with a bang and a thump ... If the Count wants to, he can himself and ... and I don’t see that so suddenly, all at once ...

BORKIN: Well, he’ll confuse the issue. It’s a business matter ... Yes or no?

SHABELSKY [laughing and rubbing his hands]: Is it actually happening? What the devil, are we really setting up this filthy business for me? Really? Little Pompom ... [Kisses Babakina on the cheek.] My delicious creature! ... My little pickle! ...

BABAKINA: Stop, stop, you’ve got me all frightened ... Go away, go away! ... No, don’t go away! ...

BORKIN: Quick! Yes or no? We haven’t time ...

BABAKINA: Do you know what, Count? You come and stay with me for a few days ... In my house we have fun, not like here ... Come tomorrow ... [To Borkin] You aren’t saying all this as a joke, are you?

BORKiN [crossly]: Who would joke about serious matters?

BABAKINA: Stop, stop! ... Oh, I feel faint! I feel faint! Countess ... I feel faint! I’m falling ...

[BORKIN and SHABELSKY, laughing, take her arms and lead her out by the right-hand door, kissing her cheeks.]

XIII

[IVANOV, SASHA, then ANNA PETROVNA. Ivanovand Sasha run in from the garden.]

IVANOV [clutching his head in despair]: Impossible! You mustn‘t, you mustn’t, Shurochka! ... Oh, you mustn’t! ...

SASHA [with exhilaration]: I love you madly ... There’s no sense in my life without you, no happiness, no joy! You are everything to me...

IVANOV: Why, why! Oh God, I understand nothing ... Shurochka, you mustn’t! ...

SASHA: When I was a child you were my only joy; I loved you and your spirit as I loved myself, and now ... I love you, Nikolay Alekseyevich ... I’ll go with you to the ends of the earth or wherever you want, even to the grave, only let it be quickly, for God’s sake, or else I’ll suffocate ...

IVANOV [bursting into happy laughter]: What’s all this? Do you mean, to begin life again? Do you, Shurochka? ... My happiness! [Draws her to him.] My youth, my freshness ...

[ANNA PETROVNA enters from the garden and seeing her husband and Sasha stops transfixed.]

Do you mean, to live? Do you? To go back to our task?

[They kiss. After the kiss IVANOV and SASHA look round and see Anna Petrovna.]

[Appalled.] Sara!

[Curtain.]

Act Three

Ivanov’s study. A desk with a clutter of papers, books, bundles of documents, knick-knacks, revolvers; by the papers are a lamp, a decanter of vodka and a plate with herring, pieces of bread and pickled gherkins. On the walls are maps, pictures, rifles, pistols, reaping-hooks, whips, etc.