Nina.  No, no—­and don’t come out, I can find the way alone.  My carriage is not far away.  So she brought him back with her?  However, what difference can that make to me?  Don’t tell Trigorin anything when you see him.  I love him—­I love him even more than I used to.  It is an idea for a short story.  I love him—­I love him passionately—­I love him to despair.  Have you forgotten, Constantine, how pleasant the old times were?  What a gay, bright, gentle, pure life we led?  How a feeling as sweet and tender as a flower blossomed in our hearts?  Do you remember, [She recites] “All men and beasts, lions, eagles, and quails, horned stags, geese, spiders, silent fish that inhabit the waves, starfish from the sea, and creatures invisible to the eye—­in one word, life—­all, all life, completing the dreary round set before it, has died out at last.  A thousand years have passed since the earth last bore a living creature on its breast, and the unhappy moon now lights her lamp in vain.  No longer are the cries of storks heard in the meadows, or the drone of beetles in the groves of limes——­”

She embraces TREPLIEFF impetuously and runs out onto the terrace.

TREPLIEFF. [After a pause] It would be a pity if she were seen in the garden.  My mother would be distressed.

He stands for several minutes tearing up his manuscripts and throwing them under the table, then unlocks the door on the right and goes out.

Dorn. [Trying to force open the door on the left] Odd!  This door seems to be locked. [He comes in and puts the chair back in its former place] This is like a hurdle race.

Arkadina and Paulina come in, followed by Jacob carrying some bottles; then come Masha, Shamraeff, and Trigorin.

Arkadina.  Put the claret and the beer here, on the table, so that we can drink while we are playing.  Sit down, friends.

Paulina.  And bring the tea at once.

She lights the candles and takes her seat at the card-table.  Shamraeff leads Trigorin to the cupboard.

Shamraeff.  Here is the stuffed sea-gull I was telling you about. [He takes the sea-gull out of the cupboard] You told me to have it done.

Trigorin. [looking at the bird] I don’t remember a thing about it, not a thing. [A shot is heard.  Every one jumps.]

Arkadina. [Frightened] What was that?

Dorn.  Nothing at all; probably one of my medicine bottles has blown up.  Don’t worry. [He goes out through the door on the right, and comes back in a few moments] It is as I thought, a flask of ether has exploded. [He sings]

“Spellbound once more I stand before thee.”

Arkadina. [Sitting down at the table] Heavens!  I was really frightened.  That noise reminded me of—­[She covers her face with her hands] Everything is black before my eyes.