Ivanov

a moment.⁠ ⁠… You have been my idol.⁠ ⁠… And all the while you have been deceiving me in the most shameless way.⁠ ⁠… Ivanov Anyuta, don’t say what is untrue. I have made mistakes, yes, but I have never told a lie in my life.⁠ ⁠… You dare not reproach me with that.⁠ ⁠… Anna Petrovna I see it all now.⁠ ⁠… You married me thinking my father and mother would forgive me and give me money⁠ ⁠… that was what you expected.⁠ ⁠… Ivanov Oh, my God! Anyuta, to try my patience like this⁠ ⁠… weeps. Anna Petrovna Hold your tongue! When you saw the money was not coming, you started a fresh game.⁠ ⁠… Now I remember it all and understand weeps. You never loved me, and were never faithful to me.⁠ ⁠… Never! Ivanov Sarra, that’s a lie! Say what you like, but don’t insult me with lies.⁠ ⁠… Anna Petrovna Mean, dishonourable man!⁠ ⁠… You are in debt to Lebedyev, and now to wriggle out of your debt you are trying to turn his daughter’s head, to deceive her as you did me. Isn’t that true? Ivanov Gasping. For God’s sake, hold your tongue! I can’t answer for myself.⁠ ⁠… I am choking with rage, and I⁠ ⁠… I may say something to hurt you.⁠ ⁠… Anna Petrovna You have always shamelessly deceived people, not only me. You put down everything discreditable to Borkin, but now I know who is responsible. Ivanov Sarra, be quiet! Go away, or I may say something! I feel tempted to say to you something horrible, insulting.⁠ ⁠… Shouts. Hold your tongue, Jewess! Anna Petrovna I won’t be silent. You’ve deceived me too long, and I must speak.⁠ ⁠… Ivanov So you won’t hold your tongue struggling with himself. For God’s sake⁠ ⁠… Anna Petrovna Now you can go and deceive the Lebedyev girl.⁠ ⁠… Ivanov Well, let me tell you that you⁠ ⁠… are going to die.⁠ ⁠… The doctor told me that you can’t last long.⁠ ⁠… Anna Petrovna Sits down; in a sinking voice. When did he say that? A pause. Ivanov Clutches his head. What a brute I am! My God, what a brute! Sobs.

Curtain.

Between the Third and the Fourth Acts about a year elapses.

Act IV

A drawing-room in Lebedyev’s house. In foreground an arch dividing the front drawing-room from the back drawing-room; doors to right and to left. Old bronzes, family portraits. Everything has a festive look. A piano; lying on it a violin; near it stands a cello. Throughout the act Guests cross the stage dressed as for a ball.

Lvov	Comes in, looking at his watch. It’s past four. I suppose it is just time for the blessing.⁠ ⁠… They will bless her, and take her to church to be married. Here is the triumph of virtue and justice! He did not succeed in robbing Sarra; he worried her into her grave, and now he has found another. He will play a part to her too until he has plundered her, and then he will lay her in her grave like poor Sarra. It’s the old money-grubbing story⁠ ⁠… a pause. He is in the seventh heaven of bliss: will live happily to old age, and will die with an easy conscience. No, I’ll expose you! When I tear off your damnable mask and all learn what sort of a creature you are, you will fall headlong from the seventh heaven into depths such as the very devil cannot pull you out of! I am an honest man: it’s my duty to interfere and open their blind eyes. I will do my duty, and tomorrow leave this cursed district forever! Muses. But how am I to do it? Talking to the Lebedyevs is waste of time. Challenge him to a duel? Make a row? My God, I am as nervous as a schoolboy and have quite lost all power of reflection! What am I to do? A duel?
Kossih	Coming in, joyfully to Lvov. Yesterday I declared a little slam in clubs and took a grand slam. Only that Barabanov spoiled it all again! We were playing. I said “No trumps.” He said “Pass.” I played the two of clubs. He said “Pass.” I played the two of diamonds⁠ ⁠… the three of clubs⁠ ⁠… and would you believe it⁠—can you imagine it!⁠—I declared a slam, and he did not show his ace! If he had shown his ace⁠—the blackguard!⁠—I could have declared a grand slam on no trumps.⁠ ⁠…
Lvov	Excuse me, I don’t play cards, and so I cannot share your enthusiasm. Will the blessing be soon?
Kossih	It must be soon. They are bringing Zyuzushka to her senses.⁠ ⁠… She is howling like a calf: she is sorry to lose the dowry.
Lvov	And not her daughter?
Kossih	It’s the dowry. Besides, it’s galling for her. If he marries into the family, he won’t pay what he owes her. You cannot summon your own son-in-law.
Madame Babakin	Grandly dressed, with a dignified air, walks across the stage past Lvov and Kossih; the latter guffaws into his fist; she looks round. How stupid!
	Kossih touches her waist with his finger and laughs.
Madame Babakin	You lout! Goes out.
Kossih	Laughs. The silly woman has gone right off her head! Before she set her cap at a title she was a woman like any other, and now there is no approaching her. Mimicking her. “You lout!”
Lvov	Agitated. I say, tell me honestly, what is your opinion of Ivanov?
Kossih	He is no good. He plays like a cobbler. I’ll tell you what happened last year in Lent. We were all sitting down to cards⁠—the Count, Borkin, he and I⁠—and I was dealing⁠ ⁠…
Lvov	Interrupting. Is he a good man?
Kossih	He? He is a shark! He is a tricky fellow; he has seen some ups and downs.⁠ ⁠… The Count and he⁠—they are a pair of them. They have a keen scent for what they can lay their hands on. He put his foot in it with the Jewess, came a cropper, and