LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA. Goes to MITYA] No, Mitya, this can’t be!  Don’t torture yourself for nothing; stop! [Raises him up] Don’t tear my soul!  Already my heart is all withered away within me!  God be with you; good-by!

MITYA.  Why did you deceive me and mock at me?

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA.  Don’t, Mitya!  Why should I deceive you?  Why?  I fell in love with you; so I told you, myself.  But now we must not go against the will of our parents.  For it is the will of my father that I should marry; I must submit to him—­that is a girl’s lot.  It must be that that’s the right thing since it was so ordained of old.  I don’t want to go against my father; I don’t wish people to talk about me and make an example of me.  Although it may be I have broken my heart because of this—­at any rate I know that I am acting according to law; no one will dare to look me in the face and jeer.  Good-by! [They kiss]

MITYA.  Well, now I know my fate! [LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA seats herself on the sofa and weeps] Good-by! [Bows to PELAGEYA EGOROVNA] Good-by, Pelageya Egorovna, you have been my benefactress!  So long as I live I shall not forget your goodness and kindness to me; you did not forget the orphan in a strange land.

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA.  Good-by, my dear; do not blame us in any way—­that would be a sin for you.  God grant that you may live happily; we shall not forget you.  MITYA bows and goes out.

SCENE VII

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA, LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA and later KORSHUNOV.

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA.  How I pity that boy, Lyubov dear!  Oh, my child, oh, dear!  It never entered my head that you loved him.  How could I guess it, poor old woman that I am!  What do I amount to?  There, crying is our business, and I haven’t any authority over my daughter!  But it would be a good idea!  I’d enjoy the sight of you in my old age.  The boy is such an honest fellow, with such a tender heart, and he would be fond of me in my old age.  And as I look at you, my child, how can you help being sad?  And I have no way to help you, my darling!

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA.  Well, mother, what’s the use of thinking about what’s impossible, and only torturing ourselves?

Seats herself and is silent; some one knocks; the voice of KORSHUNOV is heard, “May I come in?”

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA.  Come in, sir.  KORSHUNOV. [Entering] Ah, there she is, my bride!  Where were you hiding yourself?  He, he!  I’ll find you, I’ll find you anywhere.  If you please, Pelageya Egorovna, permit me to talk confidentially with your daughter about our own affairs.

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA.  Certainly. [Goes out.  KORSHUNOV. [Seats himself near LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA] What are you crying about, young lady?  For shame, for shame!  He, he, he!  There!  I’m older than you, and I don’t cry. [Looks at her searchingly] Oh, well, I know what it’s about!  I suppose you want to marry a young fellow?  Now, this, my pretty one [takes her hand and kisses it] is just girlish folly.  Now, just listen to what I’m going to tell you; I’ll tell you the truth straight out.  I don’t like to deceive any one, and have no need to.  Will you listen, eh?