; you didn't even want to kiss me, he, he, he! And I've
brought you a little present.

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA. You needn't have taken the trouble.

KORSHUNOV. Here I've brought you some diamonds, he, he! [_Gives them to
her_.

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA. Oh, they're earrings! I thank you humbly.

ANNA IVANOVNA. Show them to us.

MASHA. But they are charming!

LIZA. And in such good taste!

KORSHUNOV. Give me your hand. [_Takes it and kisses it_] You see, I like
you very much, he, he, he! I like you very much; well, but you don't like
me, I suppose?

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA. Why shouldn't I like you?

KORSHUNOV. Why? You like some one else, that's why. But you will come to
love me! I'm a good man--a jolly man, he, he, he!

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA. I don't know what you are talking about.

KORSHUNOV. I say, you will come to love me. Why not? I'm not old yet.
[_Looks at her_] Am I an old man? He, he, he! Well, well, there's no harm
in that. To make up for it you shall wear cloth of gold. I haven't any
money! I'm a poor man. I've only got about five hundred thousand, he, he,
he! In silver! [_Takes her hand_.

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA. [_Rising_] I don't need your money.

GORDEY KARPYCH. Lyubov, where are you going?

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA. To mother!

GORDEY KARPYCH. Wait! She'll come here.

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA _sits down._

KORSHUNOV. You don't want to sit by the old man? Give me your hand, young
lady; I will kiss it.

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA. [_Gives her hand_] Oh, good heavens!

KORSHUNOV. What a hand! He, he, he! Like velvet! [_Strokes her hand, and
then puts on a diamond ring._

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA. [_Freeing her hand_] Oh, let me go! I don't want it; I
don't want it!

KORSHUNOV. That's all right; it's no loss to me--it won't ruin me.

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA. But I don't want it. Give it to whomever you like.
[_Takes it off and returns it._

KORSHUNOV. I gave it to you, and I won't take it back! He, he, he!

_Enter_ PELAGEYA EGOROVNA, _and after her,_ ARINA _and_ EGORUSHKA _with
wine and glasses._

SCENE X

_The same with_ PELAGEYA EGOROVNA, ARINA, _and_ EGORUSHKA

GORDEY KARPYCH. Come now and have a drink.

KORSHUNOV. All right, Gordey Karpych, give me something to drink. And you
girls, sing a song in my honor--I love to have respect shown me.

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. Girls, sing a song for him.

GORDEY KARPYCH. [_Uncorks the bottle, pours out champagne, and offers it to
him_] To our dear friend Afrikan Savvich! Make a bow, wife!