Act 4, Part 2 Summary

Tusenbach and Irina come in as Kulygin passes, calling for Masha. Tusenbach jokes about how Kulygin seems to be the only person in town happy that the soldiers are leaving. He then says he'll come right back, telling Irina he has to say goodbye to his fellow soldiers. Irina tells him she knows he's lying and asks what happened with Solyony the day before. Tusenbach avoids the question, saying again that he'll be back soon. He tells her he's loved her for five years. She always seems more and more beautiful to him, and he promises that tomorrow he'll take her away and they'll begin a wonderful, happy new life together. In spite of all his hopes, he says he's aware she doesn't love him. She confesses that she's never loved, saying her soul is like a piano that's been locked...