Act 3 Summary

A week has passed, and this act opens in the dining room of Peter's house. Suitcases and boxes are stacked all around in preparation for a departure, while Boris and Masha sit at the dining room table.

Masha tells Boris that she plans to marry Simon, because Constantine's suicide attempt over unrequited love for Nina proves that Constantine does not love Masha at all. Masha does not love Simon but feels that, once she is married, she will be able to remove Constantine from her mind for good.

Boris and Madame Arkadina are leaving for Moscow this morning, although Boris would prefer to stay in the country and fish at the lake on the estate. Madame Arkadina feels that it is better for Constantine if she were to leave and take Boris with her, due to the extreme jealousy Constantine feels for Boris...