what was to be done?  It would not have gone through otherwise; and for that matter, I may, perhaps, somehow make up for it in other ways.  In any case, I stand here on a fat pasture-land where they seem to be pretty rich.  The principal thing is that I should make myself popular among them, then I shall have succeeded in getting my fill out of them.  Ha, ha, ha!  How they worry themselves!  Yes, the whole office will be in an uproar to-morrow. [With affected voice:] “Have you heard the news?  Marmarow is engaged, and has received 7,000 rubles dowry.  And such a beautiful girl!  Such a lovely creature!” [Clucking with his tongue and changing his voice:] “Is it possible!” [In his own voice:] Charming, charming, Marmarow! [Looking at his clothing:] Chic!  A true gentleman am I!  Yes, I am getting on.  I must now think only of to-morrow and the next day, and how to get on further.  The principal thing is for a man to know the value of money, for without money nothing can be undertaken.  First, I shall have the interest on my capital; then my salary, and last some hundred rubles beside.  That makes 3,000 or 4,000 rubles a year.  If I lay aside 1,000 rubles every year, I have in seven or eight years 10,000; in fifteen years double that, and so on.  Yes, Monsieur Marmarow, you understand it!  Be happy, therefore, and let the others burst with envy.

Salome and Nato enter at the right, Salome holding Nato’s hand.

ALEXANDER.  Miss Natalie, the whole night long I thought only of you! [Kisses her hand.]

SALOME.  Kiss her on the cheek and give her the engagement ring.

ALEXANDER.  Oh, you are the sun of my existence! [Draws a ring from his finger and gives it to Natalie.] From now on you are mine.  Please! [Kisses her.]

SALOME.  Be happy and may you reach old age together. [Kisses Alexander; then Nato.] God bless you, my children.  Sit down, I pray you, Alexander [pointing to the sofa on which Alexander and Nato sit down].  Your father will soon be here. [Walks to and fro in joyful excitement.]

ALEXANDER [looking at Nato].  Dear Natalie, why are you so silent?  Let me hear your sweet voice, I beg of you.

NATO.  I am speechless, Monsieur Marmarow.

ALEXANDER.  Monsieur!

NATO.  Dear Alexander.

ALEXANDER [seizing her hand].  So!  That sounds much sweeter! [Kisses her hand.]

Enter Chacho.

SALOME.  Come in, dear aunt.

CHACHO.  Such a thing has never happened to me before!  Could you not wait till the man of the house arrived?

SALOME.  Oh, it is all the same; he will be here soon enough.  Give them your blessing, I beg of you.

CHACHO.  May God bestow all good things upon you.  May heaven grant the prayer of me, a sinner. [Alexander and Nato stand up.] May you have nothing to regret.  May you flourish and prosper and grow old together on the same pillow. [Ossep comes to the door and stands astonished.]