Now I remember, I understand everything. [Weeps.] You never loved me and were true to me ... Never! ...

IVANOV: Sara, that’s a lie! ... Say what you will, but don’t insult me with a lie ...

ANNA PETROVNA:Low and dishonourable ... You owe Lebedev money and now, to wriggle out of your debt, you’re planning to turn his daughter’s head, to deceive her as you have me. Is that a lie?

IVANOV [choking]: Stop, for God’s sake! I can’t answer for myself ... I’m choking with anger and I ... I could insult you ...

ANNA PETROVNA: You’ve always brazenly deceived me, and not only me ... You’ve laid all your dishonest actions on to Borkin, but now I know whose they were ...

IVANOV: Sara, stop, go away, or my tongue will let slip some word! I’m just aching to say something terrible to you, something really insulting ... [Shouts] Shut your mouth, Yid! ...

ANNA PETROVNA: I will not stop ... You’ve deceived me too long for me to be able to say nothing ...

IVANOV: So you won’t stop? [Struggles with himself]For God’s sake...

ANNA PETROVNA: Now go and deceive Lebedeva ...

IVANOV: Well then, you should know that you ... will die soon ... The doctor told me you will die soon ...

ANNA PETROVNA [sitting down, in a weak voice] : When did he say that?

[A pause.]

IVANOV [clutching his head]: How guilty I am! God, how guilty! [Sobs.]

[Curtain.]

[About a year passes between Acts Three and Four.]

Act Four

One of the drawing-rooms in Lebedev’s house. In front is an arch dividing the drawing-room from a ballroom, right and left are doors. Antique bronzes, family portraits. Festive decorations. An upright piano, on it a violin, and beside them a cello. Throughout the whole act guests in evening dress are walking up and down the ballroom.

I

[LVOV.]

Lvov [coming in and looking at his watch] : After four. The blessing1 should be beginning very soon ... The blessing will take place and they’ll be taken off to be married. Here is the triumph of virtue and truth! He didn’t succeed in robbing Sara, he wore her out and laid her in her coffin, now he’s found another one. He’ll act a part in front of this one too till he has robbed her and having done so put her where poor Sara now lies. The old story of exploitation ...

[A pause.]

He’s in his seventh heaven, he’ll live very well to a ripe old age and he’ll die with an untroubled conscience. No, I shall expose you! When I rip that cursed mask from your face and when everyone sees what kind of a bird you are, I’ll see you fly down head first from that seventh heaven into an abyss so deep that even the powers of darkness won’t be able to drag you out! I am an honest man, it is my task to intervene and open the eyes of the blind. I shall fulfil my duty and tomorrow get out of this accursed district! [Sinks into thought.] But what should I do? Explain everything to the Lebedevs — a useless task. Challenge him to a duel? Create a scene? My God, I’m as nervous as a small boy, and I’ve quite lost the faculty of reason. What should I do? Fight a duel?

II

[LVOV and KOSYKH.]

KOSYKH [entering, joyously to Lvov]: Yesterday I declared a little slam in clubs but took a grand slam. Only that Barabanov spoilt everything for me again. We’re playing. I say no trumps.