Works of Ivan Turgenev (Illustrated) (447 page)
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Authors: IVAN TURGENEV
Gorski: But what is it?
Stanitsyn: I have just asked Viera Nikolaevna to marry me, and she
Gorski: And she?
Stanitsyn: Just imagine, Gorski, she has consented — just now — in the garden — She has permitted me to ask Anna Vasilevna — Gorski, I am as happy as a child . . . What a wonderful girl! . . .
Gorski [hardly able to repress his agitation]: And you are going to Anna Vasilevna?
Stanitsyn: Yes, I know that she will not refuse me. Gorski, I am happy, indescribably happy ... I would like to embrace the whole world . . . Let me, at least, embrace you. [Embraces Gorski.] Oh, how happy I am! [Runs out.]
Gorski [after a long silence]: Bravissimo! [Bows in the direction of Stanitsyn.] I have the honor to congratulate you — [Walks around the room, vexed.] I confess, I did not expect this. She is a clever hussy. However, I must leave immediately ... Or, no, I’ll stay. Pshaw, how disagree
ably my heart is beating! It is nasty . . . [After a moment’s thought.] Well, I am broken down . . . And how shamefully broken. I am neither here, nor there where I should . . . [Goes up to the window and looks into the garden.] They are coming . . . Let’s die, at least, honorably. [Puts.on his hat as though he intended to go into the garden, and in the doorway he runs into Mukhin, Yiera, and Mlle. Beinaime.]
[Viera has Mlle. Beinaime’s arm.]
Gorski: You are returning already! And I was just going to join you . . .
[Viera does not lift her eyes.]
Mlle. Beinaime: II fait encore trop mouille.
Mukhin: Why didn’t you come along with us?
Gorski: Chukhanov detained me . . . You have been running quite a little, Viera Nikolaevna!
Viera: Yes, I am hot.
[Mlle. Beinaime and Mukhin walk away to one side, then they begin to play on the pool table, which is in the rear.]
Gorski [semi - audibly]: I know it all, Viera Nikolaevna. I did not expect it.
Viera: You know . . . But I am not surprised — He is quite outspoken.
Gorski [reproachfully]: You will regret.
Viera: No.
Gorski: You acted under the influence of grief.
Viera: Very likely; but I have acted very sensibly and will not regret . . . You applied to me Lermontov’s poems: you told me that I would never return from whence chance should take me ... In addition to this, you know, Gorski, you know, that with you I should have been most unhappy.
Gorski: Quite a compliment.
Viera.: I am saying what I believe. He loves me, and you . . .
Gorski: And I?
Viera: You cannot love anybody. Your heart is cold: only your imagination is fiery. I am talking to you as to a friend, about things of long ago . . .
Gorski [dully]: I have insulted you.
Viera: Yes; and you did not love me enough to have the right to insult me . . . However, these are all things of the past . . . Let’s part friends . . . Give me your hand.
Gorski: I am surprised at you, Viera Nikolaevna. You are as penetrable as glass, young as a two - year - old child, and as resolute as Frederick the Great. Give you my hand! Don’t you realize how sore I am at heart?
Viera: Your selfishness was hurt; but that’s nothing. That will heal up.
Gorski: Oh, you are quite a philosopher!
Viera: Listen . . . We are, most likely, talking about it for the last time . . . You are a bright man, but you made a bad mistake in me. Believe me, I did not live “au pied du mur” as your friend, Mukhin, often says. I did not impose sacrifices on you, but I looked for truth and simplicity. I did not demand of you to jump off the belfry, but instead of that
Mukhin [loud]: J’ai gagne.
Mlle. Beinaime: Eh bien! la revanche.
Viera: I did not let you play with me, that’s all . . . Believe me, I bear no malice.
Gorski: I congratulate ydu. Magnanimity becomes the conqueror.
Vieka: Then give me your hand . . . Here is mine. Gorski: Pardon me, but your hand does not belong to you any more.
[Viera turns away and, goes toward the pool table.]
Gorski: However, everything is for the best, in this world.
Viera: That’s it . . . Qui gagne?
Mukhin: Until now, I was.
Viera: Oh, you are a great man!
Gorski [patting him on the shoulder]: And my best friend! Is it not true, Ivan Pavlych? [Puts his hand in his pocket.] Oh, by the way, Viera Nikolaevna, please come this way — [Goes to front of stage.]
Viera [following him]: What do you want to tell me?
Gorski [takes the rose from his pocket and shows it to her]: What will you say to this? [Viera blushes and drops her eyes.] Isn’t it funny? Look, it has had no time to wither . . . [Bowing.] Permit me to return it to its owner.
Viera: If you had a little respect for me, you wouldn’t return it to me now.
Gorski [withdrawing his hand]: In that case — let this poor flower remain with me . . . However, the affection did not communicate itself to me — isn’t that right? Well, long live raillery, liveliness, and maliciousness! Now, I am again myself.
Viera: Very good.
Gorski: Look at me. [Viera looks at him. Gorski continues with some agitation.] Good - bye ... By the way, now is the time for me to exclaim: “Welche Perle warf ich weg!” But why should I? Everything is for the best.
Mukhin [shouting]: J’ai gagne encore une fois!
Viera: Everything is for the best, Gorski.
Gobski: Very likely, very likely . . . The reception - room door is being opened. The familiar polonaise is coming in!
[From the reception - room enter Anna Vasilevna, preceded by Stanitsyn; Varvara Ivanovna follows her. Viera runs to her mother and embraces her.] Libanova [in a tearful murmur]: Pourvu que tu sois heureuse, mon enfant . . .
[Stanitsyn is moved to tears.] Gorski [to himself]: What a touching scene! And to think that I could be in the place of this blockhead! No, I positively was not born for family life . . . [Aloud.] Well, Anna Vasilevna, have you finally finished your wise household arrangements of bills and accounts?
Libanova: I have finished, Eugene, I have finished. Why?
Gorski: I propose to hitch up the horses and the whole assembly shall go to the woods.
Libanova: With pleasure. Varvara Ivanovna, my dear, give the order.
Varvaba Ivanovna: Yes, ma’am; yes, ma’am. [Goes out to the vestibule.]
Mlle. Beinaime: Dieu! Que cela sera charmant!
Gorski: You will see how foolish we’ll be ... I am as playful to - day as a little kitten ... [To himself.] The blood has gone to my head. From all these events, I feel as if I were drunk ... My God! How lovely she looks! [Aloud.] Take your hats; let’s go; let’s go. [To Stanitsyn.] Go up to her, you blockhead!
[Stanitsyn sluggishly goes up to Viera.] Gorski: Not like that! Calm yourself, my friend. During our walk, I shall bestir myself in your favor. You are revealing yourself to me in full splendor. How re
lieved I feel! . . . Pshaw! and so sadly painful. Well, that’s nothing. [Aloud.] Mesdames, let’s walk; the horses will overtake us. Libanova: Let’s go, let’s go.
Mukhin: What’s the matter? You act as if the devil possessed you!
Gorski: The devil it is . . . Anna Vasilevna, give me your arm. I still remain the master of ceremonies. Libanova: Yes, yes, Eugene, surely you do. Gorski: Very well! . . . Viera Nikolaevna, please give Stanitsyn your arm. Mlle. Beinaime, prenez mon ami, Mr. Mukhin, and the Captain, — where is the Captain?
Chukhanov [running in from the vestibule]: I am at your service. Who called me?
Gorski: Captain, give Varvara Ivanovna your arm. Here she is, coming in.
[Varvara Ivanovna enters.] Gorski: And go! In the name of the Lord, march! The horses will overtake us . . . Viera, you start. Anna Vasilevna and myself will be the rearguard.
Libanova [quietly to Gorski]: Ah, mon cher, si vous saviez, combien je suis heureuse aujourd’hui.
Mukhin [getting into line with Mlle. Beinaime, to Gorski]: It is all right, it is all right, my boy. You are putting on a brave front . . . but you know the proverb: “Where it is thin, there it breaks.”
Curtain.
CHARACTERS
Pavel Nikolaich EletskI (Paul), a collegiate counselor, 32 years old. He is cold, dry, not foolish, and very prim. He is dressed simply, but with taste. He is very common, not a bad man, but heartless.
Olga Petrovna Eletskaia, nie Kobina, his wife, 21 years old. She is a good, kind being. Dreams about the world and is afraid of it. She loves her husband and carries herself very respectably. Dresses well.
Vasili Semenych Kuzovkin, a Nobleman, living at the Eletskis’ on charity bread. Fifty years old. He wears a coat with a stand - up collar and brass buttons.
Flegont Alexandrych Tropachev, the Eletskis’ neighbor, 36 years old. He is the proprietor of four hundred serfs. He is not married. He is tall, and presentable. Speaks loudly, and acts pompously. He has served in the cavalry and retired with the rank of Lieutenant. He often visits St. Petersburg, and is getting ready to go abroad. By nature he is coarse and even mean. He wears a green frook - ooat, tan - colored trousers, a tweed vest, silk tie with a huge pin in it. Wears patent leather high boots, and carries a cane with a gold head. Wears his hair short, d la malcontent.
Ivan Kuzmich Ivanov, another neighbor, 45 years, old. A quiet and silent being, but possessing a pride of his own. He is a friend of Kueovkin. He is prone to gloominess. He wears an old, cinnamon - colored frock coat, a yellow starohed waistcoat, and gray pants. He is very poor.
Kahpachov, also a neighbor, 40 years old. A very foolish man. Wears a moustache & la adjutant Tropachev. He isn’t rich. He wears a kind of hunting coat and very wide trousers. Speaks in a deep voice.
Nabtsys Konstantinych ( Konstantinovich ) Tbembinski, general superintendent at the Eletskis. He is an irritating, noisy busybody. In reality he is a mean, contemptible beast. He is well - dressed, as it behooves a manager of a rich estate. Speaks oor - rectly, but with a peculiar pronunciation.
Egob Aleksieich Kabtashov, clerk, about 60 years old. A fat, sleepy man. Steals whenever possible. He wears a blue long ooat.
Praskovia Ivanovna, housekeeper, about 50 years old. She is a dry, bilious creature. She wears a kerchief on her head; dark dress. Speaks languidly.
Masha (Mashka), chambermaid, 20 years old. A lively girl.
Anpadist, a tailor, 70 years old. A decrepit, half - insane man. Exhausted and worked out from long service.
Petb, a lackey, 25 years old. A young, healthy boy. A sneerer and a jester.
Vaska, a Cossack boy, 14 years old.
