MITYA enters.

SCENE II

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA and MITYA

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA.  Who’s there?

MITYA.  It’s I, Mitya.

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA.  Why were you so long in coming?

MITYA.  I was detained. [Approaches] Lyubov Gordeyevna, are you alone?

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA.  Yes, what of it?

MITYA.  Lyubov Gordeyevna, how do you wish me to understand your letter?  Do you mean it, or is it a joke? [LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA is silent] Tell me, Lyubov Gordeyevna!  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 Gordey Karpych.  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.

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA.  No, Mitya dear, what I wrote to you was the truth, and not a joke.  And you, do you love me?

MITYA.  Indeed, Lyubov Gordeyevna, 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.

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA.  But I thought that you loved Anna Ivanovna.

MITYA.  That is not true!

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA.  Really, they told me so.

MITYA.  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.

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA.  It is impossible to believe you men; all men in the world are deceivers.

MITYA.  Let them be deceivers, but I am not.

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA.  How can one know!  Perhaps you also are deceiving me and want to play a joke on me!

MITYA.  It would be easier for me to die in this place than to hear such words from you! [Turns away.

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA.  No, Mitya, I didn’t mean it.  I know that you love me.  I only wanted to tease you. [MITYA is silent] Mitya dear!  Mitya!  Why are you silent?  Are you angry with me?  I tell you I was only joking!  Mitya!  Yes!  Now, then, say something. [Takes his hand.

MITYA.  Oh, Lyubov Gordeyevna, I’m not in a joking humor!  I’m not that sort of man.

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA.  Don’t be angry.

MITYA.  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!

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA. [Returning his embrace] Mitya dear, what shall we do now?

MITYA.  What shall we do?  We didn’t fall in love with each other just to say good-by!