Act 5, Part 1 Summary

This act again takes place in the drawing room. Arkady tries to look through files and papers, but he is too restless to concentrate. Anna comes in, and after getting Arkady's attention, she says she's concerned about Natalya. She asks whether Rakitin has said anything about their conversation the previous day. Arkady says Rakitin has told him nothing and that Anna shouldn't trouble herself any further. Anna says she'll not bring the subject up again, but in spite of Arkady's attempts to talk about something else, Anna says he's too trustful and then goes out. Arkady, in soliloquy, states that the people who love you the most are the ones who interfere the most often in your life, and he doesn't know what to do. He rings for Matvey, and when Matvey enters, Arkady asks him to send Rakitin to him...