Works of Ivan Turgenev (Illustrated) (443 page)

Libanova: Tell him to get quite a lot. — How is the mowing progressing?

Steward: It’s going on all right.

Libanova: Very well. Where is Ilia Ilich?

Steward: Walking in the garden.

Libanova: In the garden? Call him.

Steward: Yes, Ma’am.

Libanova: You can go.

Steward: Yes, Ma’am. [Goes away through the glass door.]

Libanova [looking at her hands]: What shall we do to - day, Eugene? I rely upon you for everything. Think up something jolly. I am in the right mood for it to - day. Is this Mr. Mukhin a nice young man?

Gorski: Very nice.

Libanova: II n’est pas genant?

Gorski: Not a bit.

Libanovna: Does he play cards?

Gobski: Certainly.

Libanova: Ah! Mais, c’est tr&s bien.
Eugene, let me have a footstool. [“Gorski gets her one.] Merci. Here comes the captain.

[Chukhanov enters from the garden carrying mushrooms in his cap.]

Chukhanov: How is your health, Madam dear? Grant me your hand.

Libanova [giving him her hand languidly]: How do you do, villain?

Chukhanov [hissing her hand twice in succession]: “Villain! Villain!” And I am constantly the loser. Evgeni Andreevich, my respects. [Gobski bows. Chukhanov looks at him and shakes his head.] What a brave - looking fellow!

If you were only in the army!
Well, how are you, my dear Madam; how are you feeling? Here are some mushrooms I picked for you.

Libanova: Why don’t you take a basket, Captain? How can you put mushrooms in your cap?

Chukhanov: You are right, Madam, you are right. To one of us old military fellows, it does not mean anything. But to you, well — you are right, Madam. I’ll put them on a plate this very moment. How about our dovey, is she up?

Libanova [not answering Chukhanov; to Gobski]: Dites - moi, is Mr. Mukhin rich?

Gorski: He has two hundred serfs.

Libanova [indifferently]: Why are they so long at tea?

Chukhanov: Will you command me to besiege them? Do! and I’ll surround them in a jiffy. I have stormed all kinds of fortresses, but such as theirs is more suitable for the colonel, Evgeni Andreevich.

Gorski: I am no colonel, Ilia Ilich.

Chukhanov: Well, not by title, but by your figure. I am talking about your figure, about your figure
         

Libanova: Yes, Captain, go and see if they are through drinking tea.

Chukhanov: Yes, Ma’am. [Starts.] Oh, here they are.

[Viera, Mukhin, Mlle. Beinaime, and Varvara Ivanovna enter.]
Chukhanov: My respects to everybody. Viera [passing]: How do you do! [Runs to Anna Vasilevna.] Bonjour, mama.

Libanova [kissing Tier forehead]: Bonjour, petite
     

[Mukhin ixws.] Libanova: Mr. Mukhin, please come in. I am very glad that you have not forgotten us.

Mukhin: How could I? I — I feel honored
   

Libanova [to Viera]: I see, you little rogue, you have already been in the garden. [To Mukhin.] You have not seen our garden as yet? II est grand. Many flowers. I love flowers. However, in our house, everybody is at liberty to do as he likes: Liberte entiere.

Mukhin [smiling]: C’est charmant. Libanova: It is my rule. I hate egoism. It is hard on others and not a bit easier for one’s self. Ask them — [pointing to everybody].

[Varvara Ivanovna smiles sweetly.] Mukhin [smiling]: My friend Gorski has told me about it. [After a short silence.] What a beautiful house you have!

Libanova: Yes, I have a nice house.
C’est Rostrelli, vous savez, qui en a donne le plan to my grandfather, Count Lubin.

Mukhin [approvingly and respectfully]: Oh!

[During the above conversation, Viera purposely turns away from Gorski and goes up alternately to Mlle. Beinaime and Morozova. Gorski notices it and looks at Mukhin stealthily.’]

Libanova [to the whole company]: Why don’t you people go out for a walk?

Gorski: Yes, let’s go walk in the garden.

Viera [still not looking at Gorski]: It is hot now. It will soon be noon, the hottest time of the day.

Libanova: As you like. [To Mukhin.] We have a pool table. However, liberte entiere, you know. Well, Captain, we’ll play a little game of cards. It is a little early, but Viera says it is too hot for a walk.

Chukhanov [not wanting to play]: Let’s have a game. The time doesn’t matter. You want to win back.

Libanova: Sure, sure. [Hesitatingly, to Mukhin.] Mr. Mukhin, I understand that you like to play Preference. Do you want to now? Mile. Beinaime does not know the game, and it is a long time since I have played four - handed.

Mukiiin [not having expected such an invitation]: I — I accept with pleasure.

Libanova: Vous etes fort amiable.
However, don’t stand on ceremony, please.

Mukhin: Of course not — I am very glad
     

Libanova: Well, then let’s start. We’ll go into the reception - room. There is a table always ready for it. Mr. Mukhin, donnez - moi votre bras. [Gets up.] You, Gorski, think up something for to - day. Do you hear me? Viera will help you. [Goes to the reception - room.]

Chukhanov [going up to Varvara Ivanovna]: Permit me to offer you my services.

Varvara Ivanovna [giving him her arm vexatiously]: Oh, you
           

[Both couples go quietly into the reception - room. Anna Vasilevna turns around in the doorway and says to Mlle. Beinaime: “Ne fermez pas la porte.” Mlle. Beinaime turns around with a smile, sits down toward the front and, with care - worn face, takes to sewing on canvas. Viera, who has stood for some time, undecided whether to remain or follow her mother, suddenly goes up to the piano, sits down, and begins to play. Gorski goes up to her quietly.]

Gorski [after a short pause]: What are you playing, Viera Nikolaevna?

Viera [without looking at him]: Clement’s sonata.

Gorski: My goodness, how old that is!

Viera: Yes, but it is a beautifully gloomy piece.

Gorski: Why did you select it? What’s the idea in playing now? Have you forgotten that you promised to go with me into the garden for a walk?

Viera: I sat down to play purposely, to avoid walking with you.

Gorski: Why, suddenly, such disfavor? Why such a whim?

Mlle. Beinaime: Ce n’est pas joli ce que vous jouez 1&, Viera.

Viera [loudly]: Je crois bien.
[To Gorski, while playing.] Listen, Gorski: I do not like to flirt or be whimsical. I am too proud for that. You know that I am not whimsical now; but I am mad at you
  

Gorski: For what?

Viera: I have been insulted by you.

Gorski: i have insulted you?

Viera [continuing to play]: At least, you should have chosen a more confidential man. I had hardly had time to enter the dining - room, when this Mr. — Mr. — what’s his name? — told me that my rose undoubtedly had reached its proper destination. Then, seeing that I did not respond to his attentions, he commenced to praise you, but so inapt — why is it that friends always praise so inaptly? And he behaved so mysteriously, was so modestly silent, and looked at me with so much respect and pity. I can’t bear him!

Gorski: What conclusions have you drawn from it?

Viera: I have concluded that Mr. Mukhin a l’honneur de recevoir vos confidences. [Beating hard on the keys.]

Gorski: Why do you think so — and what could I have told him?

Viera: I don’t know what you could have told him — that you are running after me; that you are laughing at me; that you are preparing to turn my head; that I am amusing you.
[Mlle. Beinaime coughs.] Qu’est ce que vous avez, bonne amie? Pourquoi toussez - vous?

Mlle. Beinaime: Rien, rien — je ne sais pas — cette sonate doit etre bien difficile?

Viera [semi - audibly]: How she wearies me! [To Gorski.] Why are you silent?

Gorski: I? Why am I silent? I am asking myself: am I guilty before you? I am guilty; I confess. My tongue is my worst enemy. But listen, Viera Nikolaevna! Do you remember that I read Lermentov to you yesterday? Do you remember that part where he tells about that heart in which love struggled so foolishly with hatred? [Viera lifts her eyes quietly.] I cannot continue when you look at me like that.

Viera: Nonsense!

Gorski: Listen — I confess frankly! I do not want to, I am afraid to subject myself to that involuntary enchantment, from which, I must admit, I am trying every which way to extricate myself, by words, funny stunts, and stories. I talk nonsense like an old maid, like a child
   

Viera: Why all that? Why can’t we part and remain good friends? Cannot our relationship be simple and natural?

Gorski: “Simple and natural!” It is easy to say. [Decisively.] Well, I am guilty before you and I ask your pardon, I was and am deceitful
 
But I can assure you, Viera Nikolaevna, that, no matter what my circumstances and resolutions may be in your absence, with your first words all these intentions go up like smoke, and I feel, — you will laugh at me, — I feel that I am in your power.

Viera [slowly bringing the music to an end]: You told me the same thing yesterday evening . . .

Gorski: It was because I felt the same yesterday. I positively deny that I am guileful with you! Viera [with a smile]: You see!

Gorski: I rely upon you. You ought to know that, in the last analysis, I am not deceiving you, when I tell you
     

Viera [interrupting him]: That you like me. Why shouldn’t you!

Gorski [grieved]: You are to - day as unapproachable and untrustful as an old usurer! [He turns away.] [A short silence.] Viera [hardly playing]: If you want me to, I will play your favorite mazurka for you.

Gorski: Viera Nikolaevna, don’t torture me! I swear