TATYANA.  That honors me entirely too much.  No, tell me, shall you be here three or four days?

BABAYEV.  They promised to arrange my affairs in three days, but maybe I’ll stay three or four days longer, if you wish me to.

TATYANA.  Certainly, I do.

BABAYEV.  There is just one drawback, my darling Tatyana Danilovna:  your city is dreadfully lonesome.  I will remain on one condition, that I may see you as often as possible.

TATYANA.  That’s very simple.  Call on us.  We shall be delighted to have you come to tea to-morrow.

BABAYEV.  Yes, but it’s impossible to call on you often, as gossip and talk spreads, and then there’s your husband——­

TATYANA.  This doesn’t concern him.  You are my acquaintance; you call on me, not him.

LUKERYA.  Then we on our side will observe the courtesies and will return your call.  Besides, we often visit your landlady, so if it’s pleasant for you to see us, you can call in there.

BABAYEV. [Withdrawing to one side with TATYANA] Doesn’t married life bore you?

TATYANA. [After a pause] I don’t know; what can I say to that?

BABAYEV.  My darling Tatyana Danilovna, be perfectly frank with me.  You know what kind feelings I’ve always had for you.

TATYANA.  Why should I be so frank with you?  What good can come of it?  It’s too late to mend things now.

BABAYEV.  If you can’t mend things entirely, at least, darling Tatyana Danilovna, you can sweeten your existence for a time, so that you will not be entirely smothered by the vulgar life around you.

TATYANA.  For a time, yes!  Then life will be harder than ever.  BABAYEV.  Do you know, I want to move to the country; then we could be near to one another.  I am even ready to move to this town, if only you——­

TATYANA. [Turning away] Please don’t talk to me like that!  I didn’t expect to hear such things from you, Valentin Pavlich.

LUKERYA. [To BABAYEV] You’re getting in pretty deep there.  I hear everything you’re saying.

BABAYEV.  Lukerya Danilovna, I think some one is coming.  Take a look out on the bank there.  I’m anxious that we should not be seen here together.

LUKERYA.  Oh, you’re a sly gentleman! [Goes away.

TATYANA.  So you will have tea with us to-morrow, Valentin Pavlich?

BABAYEV.  I really don’t know—­very likely.

TATYANA.  No, don’t fail to come! [Pause] Well, how shall I invite you? [Takes BABAYEV by the hand] Well, my darling!  Well, my precious!

BABAYEV.  It seems to me that you have changed, Tatyana Danilovna.

TATYANA.  I, changed!  Honestly I haven’t.  Not a bit.  Why are you so cruel to me?

BABAYEV.  Do you remember Zavetnoye, Tatyana Danilovna?

TATYANA.  Why?  I remember it all.

BABAYEV.  Do you remember the garden?  Do you remember the linden walk?  Do you remember how, after supper, while mother slept, we used to sit on the terrace?  Do you recall the narrow ribbon?