ISLAYEV [also after a pause]. Michel, thank you for your frankness. You're an honourable man. But what's to be done now? Sit down, we'll think it over together. [RAKITIN sits down. ISLAYEV walks about the room.] I know Natasha; I know how to appreciate her. But I know how much I'm worth myself too. I'm not your equal. Michel. . . don't interrupt me, please--I'm not your equal. You're cleverer, better, more attractive, in fact. I'm an ordinary person. Natasha loves me--I think, but she has eyes, well, of course, she must find you attractive. And there's another thing I must tell you: I noticed your affection for each other long ago. . . . But I was always so sure of you both--and as long as nothing came to the surface . . . Ough! I don't know how to say things! [Breaks off.] But after the scene yesterday, after your second interview in the evening--what are we to do? And if only I had come upon you alone, but other people are mixed up in it; Mamma, and that sly fox, Shpigelsky. . . . Come, what do you say, Michel?
RAKITIN. You are perfectly right, Arkady.
ISLAYEV. That's not the point . . . what's to be done? I must tell you, Michel, that though I am a simple person--so much I do understand, that it's not the thing to spoil other people's lives--and that there are cases when it's wicked to insist on one's rights. That I've not picked out of books, Michel . . . it's my conscience tells me so. Leave others free. . . . Well, yes, let them be free. Only it wants some thinking over. It's too important.
RAKITIN [getting up]. But I have thought it over already.
ISLAYEV. How so?
RAKITIN. I must go. ... I'm going away.
ISLAYEV [after a pause]. You think so? . . . Right away from here altogether?
RAKITIN. Yes.
ISLAYEV [begins walking up and down again]. That is . . . that is a hard saying! But perhaps you are right. We shall miss you dreadfully. . . . God knows, perhaps it won't mend matters either. . . . But you can see more clearly, you know best. I expect you are right. You're a danger to me, Michel.... [With a mournful smile.] Yes ... you are. You know what I said just now . . . about freedom. . . . And yet perhaps I couldn't survive it! For me to be without Natasha. . . . [Waving his hand in dismissal of the idea.] And another tiling, Michel: for some time past, and especially these last few days, I've noticed a great change in her. She's all the time in a state of intense agitation and I'm alarmed about it. I'm not mistaken, am I?
RAKITIN [bitterly]. Oh no! you're not mistaken!
ISLAYEV. Well, you see! So you are going away?
RAKITIN. Yes.
ISLAYEV. H'm! And how suddenly this has burst on us! If only you had not been so confused when my Mother and I came upon you. . . .
MATVEY [coming in]. The bailiff is here.
ISLAYEV. Ask him to wait! [MATVEY goes out.] But, Michel, you won't be away for long? That's nonsense.
RAKITIN. I don't know . . . really ... a good time, I expect.
ISLAYEV. But you don't take me for an Othello, do you? Upon my word, I don't believe there has been such a conversation between two friends since the world began! I can't part from you like this. . . .
RAKITIN [pressing his hand]. You'll let me know when I can come back. . . .
ISLAYEV. There's nobody who can fill your place here! Not Bolshintsov, anyway!
RAKITIN. There are others. . . .
ISLAYEV. Who? Krinitsyn? That conceited fool? Beliayev, of course, is a good-natured lad ... but you can't speak of him in the same breath.
RAKITIN [ironically]. Do you think so? You don't know him, Arkady. . . . Look at him more attentively. ... I advise you. . . . Do you hear? He's a very . . . very remarkable fellow!
ISLAYEV. Pooh! To be sure, Natasha and you were always meaning to finish his education! [Glancing towards the door.] Ah! here he is, coming here, I do believe. . . . [Hurriedly.] And so, dear Michel, it's settled . . . you are going away ... for a short time ... some days. . . . No need to hurry . . . we must prepare Natasha, . . . I'll soothe my Mother. . . . And God give you happiness! You've lifted a load off my heart. . . . Embrace me, dear boy! [Hastily embraces him and turns to BELIAYEV who is coming in.] Ah! . . . it's you! Well. . . well, how are you?
BELIAYEV. Very well, thank you, Arkady Sergeyitch.
ISLAYEV. And where's Kolya?
BELIAYEV. He's with Herr Schaaf.
ISLAYEV. Ah ... that's right! [Takes his hat.] Well, I must be off, my friends. I've not been anywhere this morning, neither to the dam nor the building. . . . Here, I've not even looked through my papers. [Gathers them up under his arm.] Good-bye for now! Matvey! Matvey! Come with me! [Goes out. RAKITIN remains in front of stage, plunged in thought.]
BELIAYEV [goes up to him]. How are you feeling this morning, Mihail Alexandritch?
RAKITIN. Thank you. Just as usual. And you?
BELIAYEV. I'm quite well.
RAKITIN. That's obvious!
BELIAYEV. How so?
RAKITIN. Why . . . from your face. . . . And oh! you've put on your new coat this morning. . . . And what do I see? A flower in your buttonhole! [BELIAYEV, blushing, snatches it out.] Oh! why . . . why. . . . It's charming. [A pause.] By the way, Alexey Nikolaitch, if there's anything you want . . . I'm going to the town tomorrow.
BELIAYEV. To-morrow?
RAKITIN. Yes . . . and from there on to Moscow, perhaps.
BELIAYEV [with surprise]. To Moscow? Why, only yesterday you said you meant to be here another month or so....
RAKITIN. Yes . . . but business . . . things have turned up....
BELIAYEV. And shall you be away for long?
RAKITIN. I don't know ... a long time, perhaps.
BELIAYEV. Do you mind telling me--does Natalya Petrovna know of your intention?
RAKITIN. No. Why do you ask me about her?
BELIAYEV. Why? [_A little embarrassed.'] Oh, nothing.
RAKITIN [pausing and looking round]. Alexey Nikolaitch, there's nobody in the room but ourselves; isn't it queer that we should keep up a farce before each other? Don't you think so?
BELIAYEV. I don't understand you, Mihail Alexandritch.
RAKITIN. Oh, you don't? Do you really not understand why I'm going away?
BELIAYEV. No.
RAKITIN. That's strange. . . . However, I'm willing to believe you. Perhaps you really don't know the reason ... would you like me to tell you why I'm going?
BELIAYEV. Please do.
RAKITIN. Well, you see, Alexey Nikolaitch--but I rely on your discretion--you found me just now with Arkady Sergeyitch. . . . We have had a rather important conversation. In consequence of which I have decided to depart. And do you know why? I'm telling you all this because I think you are a really good fellow. . . . He imagined that I ... oh! well, that I'm in love with Natalya Petrovna. What do you think of that? It's a queer notion, isn't it? But I am grateful to him for speaking to me simply, straight out instead of being underhand, keeping watch on us and all that. Come, tell me now what would you have done in my place? Of course, there are no grounds at all for his suspicions, still he's worried by them. . . . For the peace of mind of his friends, a decent man must be ready at times to sacrifice . . . his own pleasure. So that's why I'm going away. . . . I'm sure you think I'm right, don't you? You too ... you would certainly do the same in my place, wouldn't you? You would go away too?
BELIAYEV [after a pause]. Perhaps.
