TATYANA. [In a low voice] Which one?

BABAYEV.  With which you tied my hands.

TATYANA. [Embarrassed] Well, what of that?  Yes, I remember absolutely everything.

BABAYEV.  Just that you, my precious, are now entirely different; you have met me so coldly.

TATYANA.  Ah, Valentin Pavlich!  Then I was a girl and could love any one I wished; now I am married.  Just think!

BABAYEV.  Why, certainly.  Yet I can’t imagine you belonging to any one else.  Do what you will, I can hardly control my desire to call you Tanya, as I used to.

TATYANA.  Why control yourself?  Call me Tanya.

BABAYEV.  But what’s the use, my dear!  You don’t love me any more!

TATYANA.  Who told you that?  I love you as much, even more than before.

BABAYEV. [Bending towards her] Is it possible, Tanechka, that that is the truth?

TATYANA. [Kissing him] Well, here’s my evidence! Now do you believe?  But, darling Valentin Pavlich, if you don’t wish me unhappiness for the rest of my life, we must love one another as we are doing now; but you mustn’t think of more than that.  Otherwise, good-by to you—­away from temptation!

BABAYEV.  Set your mind at rest, darling, about that.

TATYANA.  No, you swear to me!  Swear, so that I may not fear you.

BABAYEV.  How foolish you are!

TATYANA.  Yes, I am foolish, certainly.  If I should listen to the opinions of older people, then I am committing a great wrong.  According to the old law, I must love no one other than my husband.  But since I can’t love him—­and loved you before my marriage, and can’t change my heart, so I—­only God preserve you from—­and I won’t in any respect—­because I wish to live right.

BABAYEV.  Calm yourself.

TATYANA.  That’s the way, my dear Valentin Pavlich.  It means that we shall now have a very pleasant love-affair, without sinning against God, or feeling shame before men.

BABAYEV.  Yes, yes, that’ll be splendid!

TATYANA.  Now I’ll give you a kiss because you’re so clever! [Kisses him]
So you will come to-morrow evening?

BABAYEV.  And then you’ll visit me?

TATYANA.  Be sure to come!  Then we’ll visit you.  Now I’m not afraid of you.

BABAYEV.  How beautiful you are!  You’re even lovelier than you used to be.

TATYANA.  Let that be a secret.  Good-by.  Come on, Lusha!

LUKERYA. [Approaching] Good-by!  Good night, pleasant dreams—­of plucking roses, of watering jasmine! [Going] But what a man you are!  Oh, oh, oh!  He’s clever, I must say!  I just looked and wondered. [They go out.

BABAYEV.  Now the novel is beginning; I wonder how it’ll end!

ACT II

TABLEAU I

A room in KRASNOV’s house; directly in front a door leading to a vestibule; to the right a window and a bed with chintz curtains; to the left a stove-couch and a door into the kitchen; in the foreground a plain board table and several chairs; along the back wall and window benches; along the left wall a cupboard with cups, a small mirror, and a wall clock.