Works of Ivan Turgenev (Illustrated) (442 page)

Mukhin: I? I am thinking that if you are not in love with Viera Nikolaevna, you are either a queer fellow, or an unbearable egoist.

Gorski: It’s possible; it’s possible; but who — Hush! They are coming. Aux armes! I am relying upon your discretion.

Mukhin: Oh, that’s understood.

Gorski [looking at the drawing - room door]: Ah, Mile.

Beinaime — always first — unwillingly
        
Tea is waiting for her. [Mlle. Beinaime enters. Mukhin gets up and bows.
Gorski goes up to her.] Mademoiselle, J’ai l’honneur de vous saluer.

Mlle. Beinaime [crossing to the dining - room and looking at Gorski]: Bien le bonjour, monsieur.

Gorski: Toujours fraiche comme une rose. Mlle. Beinaime (with a grimace): Et vous toujours galant.
Venez, j’ai quelque chose a vous dire. [Goes into the dining - room with Gorski.]

Mukhin [alone]: What a queer fellow that Gorski is! Who asked him to pick me out as his confidant? Well, I have come on business, — if it is possible.

[The glass doors open quickly. Viera enters, dressed in white. She carries a fresh rose. Mukhin, somewhat confused, looks around and bows. Viera stops in suspense.]

Mukhin: You . . . you don’t recognize me? I am . . .

Viera: Oh, Mr. — Mr. — Mukhin; I did not expect
  

When did you come?

Mukhin: To - night. Just imagine, my driver
  

Viera [interrupting]: Mama will be very glad. I hope you’ll remain for a while
        
[Looks around.]

Mukhin: Are you looking for Gorski? He has just stepped out.

Viera: What makes you think that I am looking for Gorski?

Mukhin [somewhat confused]: I — I thought
           

Viera: Are you acquainted with him?

Mukhin: For a long time. We were in the government service.

Viera [going up to the window]: What beautiful weather we are having to - day!

Mukhin: Have you been in the garden?

Viera: Yes, I got up quite early. [Looks at the hem of her dress, and her shoes.] The dew is quite heavy.

Mukhin [smiling]: And your rose is laden with dew drops.

Viera [looking at the rose]: Yes
         

Mukhin: May I ask, for whom you picked it?

Viera: What do you mean, by “for whom”? For myself.

Mukhin [emphatically]: Oh!

[Gorski enters from the dining - room.]

Gorski: Do you want tea, Mukhin? [Beholding Viera.] How do you do, Viera Nikolaevna?

Viera: How do you do?

Mukhin [

Gorski: Viera Nikolaevna, give me your hand. . . . [Viera silently gives him her hand.] What’s the matter with you?

Viera: Tell me, Evgeni Andreevich, is your friend Mr. Mukhin foolish?

Gorski [perplexed]: I don’t know; they say he is not foolish. But why do you ask?

Viera: Are you very friendly with him?

Gorski: I am acquainted with him. Why, did he say something to you?

Viera [hurriedly]: No, no, I just asked
           
What a beautiful morning!

Gorski [pointing to the rose]: I see you have been in the garden already.

Viera: Yes — Mr. Mukhin asked me for whom I picked the rose.

Gorski: What did you tell him?

Viera: I told him, for myself.

Gorski: And did you really pick it for yourself?

Viera: No, for you. Do you see, I am frank.

Gorski: Then give it to me.

Viera: I can’t now. I am forced to put it in my belt or present Mlle. Beinaime with it. How interesting that is! But to the point: why weren’t you the first to come downstairs?

Gorski: I was here before anyone else.

Viera: Why then didn’t I meet you here first?

Gorski: That unbearable Mukhin
       

Viera [looking at him askance]: Gorski, you are deceitful.

Gorski: How is that?

Viera: I’ll prove it to you later. Let’s go and have tea now.

Gorski [holding her back]: Viera Nikolaevna! Listen: you know me. I am not a trustworthy man and I am peculiar.

Apparently, I am funny and forward, but in reality I am timid.

Viera: You?

Gorski: I. Moreover, all that I am living through is new to me. You say that I am deceitful. Be a little indulgent with me, and put yourself in my place. [Viera lifts her eyes

Viera: Gorski! It is easy to fool me, — I was brought up in the country and have seen very little of people, — it is easy to fool me. But to what purpose? You would not become famous for doing it; and to play with me,
No, I don’t want to believe that. I don’t deserve that and anyway, you wouldn’t want to.

Gorski: To play with you? Look at yourself: your eyes see through everything. [Viera turns away quietly.’] Do you know that when I am with you, I cannot, — well, I positively cannot express all I think. In your quiet smile, in your quiet look, even in your silence, there is something commanding
     

Viera [interrupting him]: And you don’t want to express yourself. You want to be sly.

Gorski: No, — but listen: Who, in truth, expresses everything between us? You, for instance
        

Viera [interrupting him again and looking at him with a smile]: That’s just it. Who speaks everything?

Gorski: No, I am now talking about you. For instance, tell me frankly: are you expecting anybody to - day?

Viera [calmly]: Yes, Stanitsyn is most likely to come to - day.

Gorski: You are a terrible person. You have the gift of telling me all, and not saying anything. La franchise est la meilleure des diplomatics, perhaps because one does not interfere with the other.

Viera: That means that you knew he was coming. Gorski [slightly abashed]: I knew. Viera [smelling the rose]: And your Mr. Mukhin also knew?

Gorski: Why do you always ask me about Mukhin? Why do you
    

Viera [interrupting him]: Well, enough. Don’t get mad. If you want to, we’ll take a walk in the garden after tea.

We’ll have a chat. I’ll ask you
           

Gorski [quickly]: What?

Viera: You are curious. We’ll have a talk — about an important matter.

Mlle. Beinaime’s Voice [from the dining - room]: C’est vous, Viera?

Viera [semi - audibly]: As though she does not know that I am here! [Aloud] Oui, c’est moi, bonjour, je viens. [Going out, she throws the rose on the table, and says to Gorski] Come in! [Goes into the dining - room.]

Gorski [takes the rose slowly and remains immovable for a while]: Evgeni Andreevich, I must tell you frankly, that this little animal is more than you can tame. You can turn this way and that way, and she will only motion with her finger and you will say more than necessary. However, what of it? Either I’ll vanquish — so much the better; for should I lose the battle, I need not be ashamed to marry a woman like her. True, it will be painful — yet, on the other hand, why should I guard my freedom so jealously? It is time to stop kidding each other. However, don’t be in a hurry, Evgeni Andreevich; wait a while; you are giving in too quickly. [Looks at the rose.] What do you know, my poor little flower. [Turns around quickly.] Oh, Mother with her friend! [Carefully puts the rose into his pocket. Libanova and Varvara Ivanovna enter from the reception - room. Gorski meets them.] Bonjour, mesdames. Have you had a good rest?

Libanova [giving him the tips of her fingers]: Bonjour, Eugene. I have a little headache to - day.

Varvara Ivanovna: You went to bed late, Anna Vasilevna?

Libanova: Very likely. Where is Viera? Have you seen her?

Gorski: She is in the dining - room, having tea with Mile. Beinaime and Mukhin.

Libanova: Oh, yes, Mr. Mukhin. I was told he came last night. Do you know him? [Sits down.]

Gorski: I have known him for some time. Aren’t you going to have tea?

Libanova: No; it makes me nervous. Gutman has forbidden me to drink it. But don’t let me keep you. Go, go, — you, too, Varvara Ivanovna. [Varvara Ivanovna goes out.] You, Gorski, are going to remain here?

Gorski: I have had my tea.

Libanova: What a beautiful day! Le capitaine, — have you seen him?

Gorski: No, I haven’t seen him. He must be walking in the garden, looking for mushrooms, as usual.

Libanova: Just imagine what a game he won yesterday! Sit down — why do you stand? [Gorski sits down.] I had the seven of diamonds and the king and ace of hearts, — take notice, hearts! I said: I play. Varvara Ivanovna passed, that’s understood; that villain also said: I play. I played a seven, and he played a seven. I played diamonds; he played hearts. I called; but as usual, Varvara Ivanovna did not have anything. And what do you think she did? She played a very small spade! I had the king; and sure enough, he won. By the way, I must send somebody to the city, [flings.]

Gobski: For what?

[The Steward enters from the dining - room.’]

The Steward: Yes, Ma’am?

Libanova: Send Gavrila to the city to get some candy. You know the kind I like.

Steward: Yes, Ma’am.